The Phoenix's Clipped Wings | Kaedehara Kazuha

Chapter 3

Humming a little tune to yourself, you water the plants surrounding your small home which is hidden from others but not by the people of the village nearby.

After escaping Inazuma, you went into hiding in fear that someone would come and take you back to that horrible place which you once called home.

Only, that fear was soon replaced with determination to set the people of Inazuma free from Baal's selfish ideals and let the people live free lives where their dreams can come to reality.

Being the only member of your family without a vision you were often looked up to since you were taught the clan's fighting style from a young age.

Martial Arts.

Instead of fighting with a sword or any other weapons, you fought with your bare hands and soon after you were given gauntlets to make your attacks stronger.

And around that, you were introduced to your fiance, which-

"Phoenix! We're back!" Paimon's voice broke you from the trance you were in, turning your head to the side. You saw her and Aether walking towards you, a basket of fruit with them.

"I see you met the old man at the village I assume?" You ask them.

Paimon nods her head, confirming that they did. "We helped him with something and he gave us these in exchange!" She held up the basket.

"I'm the one who did all the work..." Aether muttered.

Phoenix watched before approaching them, "Paimon, how about you go and wash up the fruit inside? I'll cook something up for your hard work."

As soon as Paimon hears this, she immediately goes inside, Sora following close behind.

The (H/C) haired female looks at Aether as she grabs a handkerchief from thin air and takes a hold of his face.

Wiping away the dirt from his cheeks, she notices how red he was getting from her touch but she remains quiet.

"I'll cook you a recipe from my clan. It's one of favorites that my mother would make me every time I would finish training." She tells him as she hands him the handkerchief, signaling that he could keep it.

"How long as it been since I've last seen her?"

She says without thinking, "anyways, now that we're in a contract."

Aether was thrown across the field and before he could hit the ground, Phoenix suddenly appears and grabs him.

Holding him bridal style, Aether groans from the sudden punch when he opens his eyes and see where he's in.

"!?" His face burst into flames as he lays in Phoenix arms as Paimon suddenly flew outside due to the sudden noise. Her eyes were the size of sausages as he drops the apple in her hands at sight of a fainted Aether in the arms of Phoenix who stood there calmly.

"Oh dear, it seems I over did it."

—

Sitting in the darkness, you sat there calmly as a voice whispers in your ear as it guides your arms to make signals that are meant to be training for you.

"Yes, using this technique will calm your body down before a fight making you more focus without any unnecessary thoughts or distractions."

Holding that position, you clear your head from any thoughts as you concentrated before opening your eyes. You were back in your room with Sora sleeping peaceful beside you.

Petting his head lightly, you begin to think back of them, the pair that made your life better.

(A/n: I've seen some people call Kazuha's friend 'Tomo' so I'll be calling him that unless his name is revealed!)

'Tomo....Kazuha....'

How long has it been?

You couldn't help but think, even after all this time, you could help but feel like you could have prevented Tomo from fighting the Vision Hunters and see Kazuha for one last time before you left.

You left without letting him know, was he looking for you? Is he dead? Did he resent you from fleeing and leaving Tomo to his fate?

Sigh

Picking up Sora, you walk outside and spot Aether and Paimon sleeping in one of the rooms with the door open. Walking over and closing it, you sit down outside and put Sora on your lap.

Frowning, you put a hand to your face to prevent tears from falling. All this time, you wanted to make your guilt go away but as time went on, it only grew.

So to pay for letting Tomo met his fate alone, you plan overthrow Baal even if it meant putting your life on the line. This guilt was eating at you as time went on.

A tear rolled down your cheek and you only took notice when a hand took hold of your wrist and pulled your hand away from your face. Your teary eyes meet golden ones, Xiao wipe away the tears that kept rolling down your cheeks.

He stood still as you wrap your arms around him, burning your face in his neck as buried his face in your shoulder, he stayed quiet, listening to your quiet cries.

'....Tomo.....'