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Kaedehara Kazuha had been a child of the wind long before he attained his vision. Though he wished dearly to support his failing clan, his true calling was out into the wider world, following the song of nature. He had decided to make the entire world his home, had accepted his life as a drifter, and had thrown his lot in with Beidou and her crew. Even so, she knew he would come and go as he pleased.
"You remind me of the tomcats in the harbor," she said one evening as she finished off her drink. He had once again been forbidden from imbibing and no amount of flowery words or despairing glances had shifted her resolve. The rest of the crew knew better than to disobey her on the matter as well. "Going from one home to another, getting fed and sleeping by the fire only to move on down the road after a few days. Heh, sometimes I think it's because you get more spoiled when you show up if you keep yourself scarce."
He put a hand over his heart while his free hand slipped towards an unguarded bottle. "You wound me, Anegimi. I am not so conniving, nor am I heartless. While I do relish the affection that is so undeservedly granted upon me, I lack the guile for such scheming."
"Bullshit." She glared at him with her good eye, though the smile at the corner of her lips gave away her mirth. That was one thing he liked about Beidou, she was rough and crass but she kept good humor about most things. She always seemed to be having fun, no matter the situation, and he found himself pulled into her joy with a willing ease. His heart ached that she and his friend had never met...they would have gotten along only-too-well. "You play humble and harmless but you and I know damn well that you're way more calculating than you let on. You can fool everyone else but you can't trick me."
"Perish the thought. I owe you my life, Anegimi, why would I ever attempt to fool you in anything?" he slipped the bottle into his sleeve. It was still half-full. Score one for Kaedehara.
"Uh-huh. Sure, kid. But back on topic, I think the only bigger heartbreaker in Teyvat than you is the Traveler. That flirt practically has a fanclub and I bet if they did decide to settle down somewhere, there'd be another Archon War of people fighting for their hand. Hah, you couldn't pay me to be a part of that mess!" She looked around for another bottle and narrowed her eye at the now-empty spot at the table. She looked at him and he smiled at her, sweet and content, innocent as a babe. She stared a bit longer before she finally turned away. "Oi, bring another bottle over here for me!"
He let out the breath he'd held. She had an uncanny ability to stare right through him at times.
"Anyone would be lucky to have your heart, Anegimi. You're a woman without parallel."
"Flatterer. So? Tell me, just how many fish do you have hooked on your line now? At least a dozen, I'm sure. Who's the one in Mond?"
"Hmm?" He sneakily tried to tug the cork out of the bottle while his hands were still tucked under the table. "Oh, that would be..."
"My most humble greetings to Fischl von Luftschloss Narfidort, Prinzessin der Verurteilung." Kazuha bowed deeply to her and kindly ignored the openly flustered expression on her face. "This loyal retainer is overjoyed to be at your side once more. Pray, forgive this one for being away so long. The wind has kindly deemed me fit to return to you and so this one is here at your beck and call."
Bennett whistled from one side and grinned. "Oh, he's good at this. Well, we'll leave you two to your date. Come on, Razor."
Razor hesitated a moment and stared at Kazuha who waited patiently for the young man's judgement. "Fischl. Delicate heart. Be gentle. Keep her safe."
Fischl frowned at this and pouted at the two. It was unbearably cute. "While I am indeed a Prinzessin and ruler of the Immernachtreich, I am not so faint-hearted to need protection from mine own consort. You trouble yourself needlessly, Sir Razor. Few are as honorable as Lord Kaedehara and my trust in him is as sure as the pull of the moon upon the tides."
Oz shuffled his wings. "What mein Fräulein means is 'Kazuha is a nice guy, don't worry so much'. For what it’s worth, he has my seal of approval as well."
Kazuha smiled wider at this. "I am flattered and honored by your show of faith and support."
Razor nodded, pulled Fischl into a hug that she immediately returned (though she fussed under her breath as she did), then followed Bennet off. The remaining two walked hand in hand off towards Starsnatch Cliff to catch each other up on their adventures. By the time they arrived, the sun had started to set over the horizon. They settled on top of the cliff to watch the colors change and the stars appear, content to be silent and enjoy the moment.
"Kazuha?" Fischl, no, Amy asked after some time, her eyes on him. She’d taken off her eyepatch at some point and her posture had shifted. "Can I ask you something?"
"Ask me whatever you like. My heart is ever at your disposal, your highness." He offered her his hand and she shyly took it. "What troubles you?"
"Do you like me better when I'm..well. When I'm like this? Or when I'm like Princess Fischl?" She leaned into his space and he wrapped an arm around her slender shoulders. He pressed a kiss to the top of her head with a considering hum.
"That's a difficult question. Because they're both you, aren't they? Your achievements, your kindness, your courage...it is all still yours, even if you're borrowing your mannerisms from someone else. Besides, it brings you joy, does it not? No matter how you choose to act or what name you go by...you're my princess of ravens, my most fortuitous omen, and I am hopelessly enamored with you." He pulled away and gently tugged her hand to his lips, then pressed a light kiss to her palm. His eyes stayed locked on hers to convey his sincerity. She flushed again but seemed pleased enough with his answer.
"I...I suppose I will accept that answer, then! Be grateful that I have decided to let your honeyed words sway me so, oh most gregarious of my consorts."
Kazuha chuckled and waved off Oz's attempts to translate (and he knew the bird was only sticking around to act as a chaperone, likely on orders from the overprotective and uncrowned king who considered Fischl to be something like a niece or younger sister). "Truly, you are magnanimous, my princess."
"Yeah, her." Beidou poured herself another glass just as Kazuha managed to get the cork out of the bottle. It came out with a surprisingly loud pop and he froze. Thankfully, Beidou didn't seem to notice. The smell of wine from her cup was strong and filled his senses, made him feel heady, as if he'd already gotten a taste. "I didn't think you'd be into the dramatic type but given that you speak in poems more than you do plain words, it makes sense in hindsight."
"My princess is a woman of many mysteries and depth. Her imagination is as limitless as the sky."
"Didn't you meet her when you were traveling with Xinyan? I heard her and Yun Jin finally made things official recently. Does that mean you two aren't seeing each other anymore or...?"
Kazuha silently drummed his fingers along the hidden bottle and waited for the opportunity to take a swig before Beidou could stop him. She was watching him too closely still. But after a few more drinks, it wouldn't be hard to distract her. "Oh, actually..."
"I'm proud of you, Xinyan." Kazuha turned to Yun Jin and smiled at her, delighted at the news that they'd finally made things official. "She speaks of you fondly and often. However, it seems she downplayed just how lovely you truly are."
"Oh, don't say that, Kazuha!" Xinyan's face lit in a bright blush as she shoved his arm. "Jin'er, don't go listenin' to this smooth talker."
Yun Jin giggled. "I feel so very blessed to have such a talented and sweet beloved. Xinyan spoke highly of you as well, Lord Kaedehara. Know that you are welcome to attend any of my performances...and that I would be quite honored to one day write an opera about your adventures."
"While I doubt my story would be interesting enough to make a good opera...I will not attempt to dissuade you. Dear Xinyan warned me that you could be quite stubborn when you put your mind to it."
Xinyan let out a noise of despair and she shoved him again. "I did not! I've only ever said good things about Jin'er! Oh, I knew introducin' you two was a mistake!"
Kazuha huffed out a laugh. He pulled Xinyan against him and pressed a kiss to her cheek in apology. He glanced at Yun Jin through his lashes to check her reaction but instead of concern or jealousy, he saw only open interest. Fascinating. Perhaps he and the opera starlet had similar tastes after all..."I am sorry, it is hard not to tease when you get so adorably flustered."
"Don't go tryin' to sweettalk me now, Kaedehara. I'm supposed to be mad at you." She still leaned into him but pouted in Yun Jin's direction. "Isn't he the worst, Jin'er?"
"I think it's fascinating to see new sides of you." Yun Jin slipped closer and stroked her fingers over Xinyan's cheek. Kazuha noted the calluses on them from practice with instruments and her weapon. "I will admit...I was worried when you first told myself and Xiangling about him that he'd steal you away from me...but now I feel more the thief than anything." She glanced up at him, her eyes the color of wine and he felt mesmerized.
"I see no reason why we can't come to an accord. I cannot always be here in Liyue, after all. For the sake of our mutual beloved, perhaps we can share? Our Xinyan's heart is big enough for both of us, don't you think?" He reached out a hand to her and she accepted it then, boldly, brought it up to cup her own cheek. He felt like the breath had been knocked out of his lungs. Yun Jin looked like a beauty right out of the paintings he'd seen hanging in noble houses as a boy, hair like ink and a face fairer than the very moon. To see his bandaged hand upon that pale cheek felt akin to sacrilege. Hands as blood-stained as his own were not meant to touch such perfection.
This sinner's cruel hand
Is far too filthy a home
For you, gentle moon
Xinyan's hand reached up to poke his temple and snapped him out of the intimacy of the moment. "Let me guess, you fell for her too, right? It's fine, hard not to fall in love with her. Trust me, I'd know." She sounded oddly pleased about the situation, so that was one less worry. "I'm just glad the people I like most get along! You two are so similar, I was worried you might not. Some people are like that."
"You worry too much, my fire flower." Yun Jin shuffled closer to them both and pulled her girlfriend into a kiss. "How could we not find common ground? We both adore you and want to see you happy. That is as sturdy a foundation as the ground under any mountain."
"I fully agree." And when he saw the affection between the two, Kazuha's own heart overflowed with joy. Perhaps that was what Yun Jin felt as well to see Xinyan in his embrace. If so, it could only bode well for their future.
"Both?!" Beidou cackled and tossed her head back. She'd almost finished yet another bottle and the flush of alcohol was high on her cheeks. "Only you, Kazuha! Hah, give it a few years and I'll have to bump up your salary for all the child support."
He blushed deeply. "Beidou! You know I would never be so irresponsible." While he was not unfamiliar with intimacy, he made sure all necessary precautions were in place. "While I have no intention of settling in the near future...should I have children, I would want to be there to watch them grow, as my father was for me."
"I know, I know. I'm just teasing, relax." Beidou's eye slid shut. Kazuha took the opportunity to take a gulp of his ill-gotten gains...only to be met with the taste of sea water. He spat it out and sputtered as Beidou burst into laughter. She practically fell out of her chair as she howled with delight. Kazuha could only stare at the bottle in sheer betrayal.
"What?"
"O-oh sevens, I didn't think that would work! Juza! Juza, you bastard, you owe me two thousand mora! I told you he'd fall for it!" She snickered at the pout on his face. "Don't..heehee! Don't give me that look! Wouldn't have happened if you hadn't tried to get sneaky on me! Hah, and I thought you were supposed to have better senses than most people."
Kazuha huffed and stood to pour the rest of the sea water off the side of the railing. They'd been docked in Fontaine for a short time and even as the sun set, the city looked beautiful. There were few people who could catch him off guard like this and, aside from Beidou, they both lived in Inazuma. "Even my senses aren't infallible."
"So..." Heizou drawled as he followed Kazuha on the trek to his lost friend's grave, "Any idea why the Shuumatsuban are looking for you so intensely? They haven't put in an official arrest warrant out with the commission...but I'm not sure if that's better or worse." Kazuha hadn't told anyone where he was going when he had left the city but Heizou had found him anyway, as he always did. The detective always seemed to be one of the first to know when he was back in the country.
"It could be anything...but knowing the letters I've received recently. I do think Lord Kamisato is hoping that I agree to a marriage meeting with Lady Ayaka. He knows I'm not opposed to the idea but I would prefer to rush into things."
"Right, right." Heizou folded his arms behind his head and looked up at the brilliant blue sky. "Geeze, you get more popular with each passing day, huh?"
Kazuha chuckled. "That almost sounds like jealousy, Heizou. Don't you also have someone on the side? The Arataki Gang's deputy leader is quite dear to you too, is she not?"
"Man alive, not you too...even I can tell when someone is out of my league. Plus, the in laws would be trouble."
This made Kazuha pause. "The Kuki family disapproves?"
"Not the ones I meant. I can't imagine what sort of weird and humiliating trials Arataki would put me through...and Shinobu would let him!" He sighed and slumped against Kazuha, his arm over Kazuha’s shoulders. "She's such a sadist."
"I see..all the more fitting for a masochist like yourself, no?" Kazuha’s smile was only too genuine and he laughed as Heizou tried to get him in a headlock. They continued to bicker when an airy giggle caught them off-guard.
"Tomo-san," floated the gentle voice of the Shirasagi Himegimi from the top of the hill, "it seems that I was correct and that you have more visitors. Thank you for your attention."
Kazuha shoved Heizou off. He rushed up the rest of the way and immediately knelt down, his eyes low. "My apologies for our unsightly behavior, my lady. And, apparently, for keeping you waiting." He hadn't sensed her on the wind at all...she'd gotten better at hiding her presence when she didn't wish to be noticed. Perhaps she'd been taking lessons from the Shuumatsuban?
He dared to lift his gaze just in time to catch a glimpse of a smile that she quickly hid behind her hand. "Rise and join us, Kazuha. I was just telling Tomo-san of the latest changes in the government and how things have been steadily improving." Tama, the spoiled furball, had already made a home in her lap.
Kazuha wasn't jealous. Not even a little.
"Lady Kamisato! Greetings and salutations." Heizou caught up and bowed, but just barely enough to be considered proper. Ayaka didn't seem to mind. "It seems you beat us both here."
She laughed again and ran her hands through Tama's fur. "It was not hard to deduce...my brother is hoping to arrange our match but last we spoke, you wished for a few more years of freedom. Since you wouldn’t want to visit me in my home given that it would definitely become a marriage meeting, this would be the next place you'd go."
Kazuha sighed and smiled. "You know me too well, my lady. If it pleases you, we shall join you. I would like to tell Tomo of my adventures since I've been away...and I would be happy if you would wish to hear them as well."
He knelt on the ground facing Tomo's sword with Ayaka at his side. Heizou settled in on his other side and murmured a small greeting to Tomo, a deep sadness hidden in his brilliant green eyes. Tama mewled and crawled over into his lap as he started to speak and, for a moment, he thought he felt his friend's presence at his back, as it had been so many years ago. Ayaka's small but steady hand brushed against his and, bravely, linked their pinkies together. Heizou, never to be outdone, did the same on his other side. He huffed a quiet laugh, hopelessly fond of the two geniuses who had somehow fallen for him.
"So some of my most recent travels brought me to Mondstadt..."
Beidou's chuckles died down as she caught her breath. "Alright...we head out tomorrow afternoon. Why don't you go explore the city a little bit? Not often we get this close to the Court of Fontaine. Just, ah, try not to get into any trouble. While I bet I could totally break you out of prison, I'd rather not go back to Meropide if I can help it."
"You were an inmate there?" This was a story Kazuha hadn't heard yet. And it was rare he got good stories about Beidou's foibles.
"Mm." Beidou downed her drink. "Just for a few weeks. Drunken and disorderly behavior, punching an officer of the Gardes. Wouldn't mind having a drink with the Warden though. He was a funny guy. Helped me get better at chess too, if you can believe it." She snickered at the memory. "I'm actually meeting up with him tomorrow morning for coffee. Since Fontaine and Liyue are getting more business ties, I can see us coming here more frequently."
He looked back out into the city then closed his eyes to listen to the wind. It tugged playfully at his clothes and rustled his hair, as if challenging him, egging him on. As he vaulted over the side of the boat and onto the docks, he recalled his beloved who conjured similar winds. He let the breeze guide him further into the city and thought about his most recent trip to Sumeru...
"I'm not going to wait for you. If you get left behind and eaten by a beast, it'll be your own fault." His Wanderer's voice was as dismissive and bitter as ever, but the winds around him danced with amusement and affection. The breezes that came from his halo butted against Kazuha's back like overly affectionate cats. "We're almost there, can't you go any faster?"
"Perhaps if you took off the blindfold," Kazuha said mildly, "I could keep up with you easier."
"You said you wanted more interesting training...and besides, the place we're going is a secret. But...hmm." A cool hand grabbed one of his and tugged him along with less force than Kazuha expected. His Wanderer was like that, fierce in speech but gentle in deed. Most of the time. Kazuha still had the scratches down his back from their coupling the previous evening. "Just a little further so don't complain. And no peeking."
"I'd never." He wished he could see his Wanderer's expression...would he be blushing like he did when Miss Nilou doted on him? Or would he be quiet and content like their evenings watching the stars glimmer from his room in the divine tree? Kazuha lifted a hand to try and shift his blindfold, just a little, but a rough tug sent him stumbling.
"What did I just say?! Are your ears going already?" His Wanderer continued to chide him as they walked and only stopped when Kazuha laced their fingers together as an apology. His Wanderer slowed down and they walked, side by side, for a good while. Suddenly, Wanderer pulled him to stop. "We're here."
Kazuha reached for the blindfold again but his Wanderer caught his other hand. "Hmm?"
"Not yet. Listen...can you hear them?" Wanderer's voice was soft, his breath ghosted over Kazuha's ear and it was difficult to fight off a needy shiver. Instead, he tried to listen for whatever was around them. He heard only the rustle of the leaves, the songs of birds, and...wait. It was faint, like he was hearing something through a wall but...under the song of the forest was something truly melodic. Something ancient and alive and beautiful. With one of his senses cut off, it made it possible to hear individual voices lilting in a chorus.
"What are they?" Kazuha kept his own voice soft and let his hands fall. He didn't want to break this spell, to ruin this moment.
"Aranara. The people of the forest...they're my..." His Wanderer hesitated, "They're fellow servants of Lord Kusanali. Only children and fellow non-humans can see them...but, if it was you, I thought...maybe..."
Kazuha smiled and let his head fall onto Wanderer's shoulder. Wanderer froze before he laced their hands again. "You thought if it was just listening...even I could do it, right?" He felt Wanderer's nod and chuckled again. "Will it disappoint you if I cannot see them?"
There was a moment of hesitation, followed by a shake of the head. Kazuha unwound their hands and reached up. He removed the blindfold but kept his eyes closed as he focused on the notes of the song that echoed around them. The scent of flowers danced on the wind. The soil was rich and fertile under them. There was rain in the distance. Kazuha opened his eyes.
Nothing. No small plant-folk, no more song. Only him and His Wanderer alone in a clearing in the forest. His shoulders slumped in disappointment...but given the things he'd seen, the evils he'd done...he no longer had the pure heart of a child. The likes of the Aranara were not for him. Still, he could hear the remnants of their song in bits and pieces on the wind. He reached up to toy with Wanderer's silky hair. "It seems that I have come to them too late...but I am grateful you decided to share this with me. Thank you, Aoi."
Aoi, His Wanderer, his mentor and his former enemy, blushed like a maiden at the sudden use of the name that the Traveler had given him. He shoved Kazuha away, flustered, and turned to go. "Well, experiment over. Let's go."
"What, don't want to give them a show?" Kazuha's grin turned predatory as he trailed behind him. "You don't want them to hear you sing? You were so pretty for me last night."
"One more word out of you and I leave you here!"
Kazuha laughed, deep and loud and followed behind. He swore he saw a flicker of color at the corner of his eye but it was gone by the time he turned to look.
He strolled through the streets of Fontaine and breathed in the twilight air. The water that surrounded him made the wind feel full while there was a distinct scent of metal and smoke. An odd mix...but not an unwelcome one. As he wandered, he noted places to stop for gifts in the daylight hours. He was so distracted that he almost missed the quiet meow at his feet. He looked down to see a small black and white cat with a yellow ribbon around its neck. The cat mewled and rubbed against him, friendly and sweet. Kazuha knelt down and scooped the cat into his arms. It settled against him instantly with a content purr.
"Hmm...you probably smell the treats I keep for the ship cats, don't you...?" He rifled around in his pockets, then brought out a few dried fish. The cat snapped them up and snuggled against his neck, grateful for the food. "Your owner must be worried about you...you're far too friendly to be a stray."
"Bonnie? Bonnie, come back...We have to finish brushing you...I promise I won't let Lyney and the kids play dress-up with you anymore..." He turned to see a young woman looking somewhat frantically for something. The cat mewled and butted its head under his chin. He smiled down at it and walked over towards her, the cat gently cradled to his chest. "Bonnie!"
"Excuse me? Miss?" The young lady turned to him and he was startled, only momentarily, by the catlike ears on top of her head. He quickly shifted his focus to her face so as not to be rude. "Is this who you're looking for?"
"Bonnie!" The girl walked closer and though she wasn't overly expressive, the scent of relief and joy that rolled off of her was palpable. "Thank you for finding her."
He passed the cat over to her and nodded. "I would say that she was the one who found me. She's very sweet and seems quite well-loved. I think she just wanted to make you fret a little."
The girl pouted but nodded. "She does like playing pranks lately. My brother has been a bad influence on her...still, thank you again. I'm Lynette." She glanced him up and down, a curious glimmer in her amethyst eyes. "And you're...not from around here. Inazuma, right?"
"Yes. I am Kaedehara Kazuha, of Inazuma. Though currently I am sailing with the Crux Fleet and drifting about the world."
Lynette nodded, then paused. "I want to repay you for helping me to find Bonnie...but I am not sure how."
He considered this and how she seemed to be getting a bit uncomfortable, talking to a stranger for so long. He could sense the prickle of anxiety in the winds around her. "Perhaps then you can lead me to a place to get some food? I've never eaten Fontainian cuisine before so a recommendation from a local would be much appreciated."
Having a clear direction seemed to calm her and she nodded. She shifted Bonnie to her shoulders where the cat settled in, delighted at her new vantage point. "Understood. Follow me. The hotel were my brother and I regularly perform has a very good menu at all times of day or night." She led him off further into the city and he gladly followed. The teal glow of an anemo vision just increased his sense of kinship with the young lady.
"Performers? How fascinating...by all means, tell me everything."
While he had no intentions other than making a new friend, something on the wind told him that this encounter had a great potential, just waiting to be nurtured. He couldn't wait to tell the others.