The Phoenix's Clipped Wings | Kaedehara Kazuha

Chapter 8.5

A side chapter as a thank you for 1.24k reads on this book

—

Kaedehara Kazuha strolls down Liyue Harbor admiring the nightly scenery, he could often do this to collect his thoughts.

Thoughts of his old friend and of his fiance who never got to see one last time before he fled Inazuma.

'Fiance....' He thought as he stops to look up into the sky where the stars were shining ever so brightly without a care in the world.

That wasn't right, he had no right to call the woman back in Inazuma his fiance since he made up his mind to go into hiding. Eventually leaving his friend and his fiance behind to avoid getting his vision taken by the Vision Hunt Decree.

And the time he went to finally see her long after the hunt started and the death of his dear friend, she was no where to be found. Her clan told him that she went into hiding and no amount of his begging would be enough for them spill of her whereabouts.

"Come on girly~ I'll treat you to dinner if you agree to fight me!" A loud voice brought him out of his thoughts.

He walks a bit ahead of see a couple standing by the restaurant near the Adventure Guild's place.

He spots a few people sitting nar the restaurant but the couple seems to stand out the most.

A fatui Harbinger and a woman who was wearing a long sleeved hanfu, which was detailed in the colors blue and white with a thick belt wrapped around her waist tightly. She seems to be wearing a pair of unfamiliar weapons that looks rather uncomfortable since they seemed heavy but she had no trouble moving in them and sticking underneath both of them them was a black, long, tight leather fingerless gloves that reached her elbows. A single sword was strapped to her side, the handle giving off a bright glint with her every movement.

She seems to get off an intimidating aura but also a strong and calming one as well.

Her hair was styled in a way he couldn't quite make out her features as half her face was covered by her fan.

He continues to stand there, he couldn't quite shake the feeling he was getting from this individual and watches as another man approaching them.

"Mr. Zhongli! And here we thought you were going to be late again." The harbinger, known as Childe, says as the woman nods.

"Apologies, I got held back by the director, that troublesome child she is." Mr. Zhongli says before taking a hold of the woman's hand, placing his lips on top of her palm before greeting her.

"Miss Phoenix, it's a pleasure to see you again."

Kazuha freezes upon hearing this, Phoenix? The same one Beidou told him a few days ago? The one who caused the storm and the phoenix heading straight for the mountains?

"I made some reservation for the three of us...." Childe's voice fades away as the three taller figures walk the opposite direction from where she stood.

Kazuha stands there, staring at the trio before he walks to them but he's too slow and loses sight of them as soon as they cross the small bridge and into the crowd.

"So, that was guardian Phoenix..." He says, "the wind isn't saying about her either....but she gives off a strong scent of sakura petals."

—

Kazuha sat on the edge of the boat, his legs dangling off the side.

"It's unusual seeing you so quiet." He hears Beidou's voice form behind him. He was thinking about the previous night at the harbor. He saw a glance at the deity who caused—

Beidou sighs, "let me guess." She looks into the sea as her hair sways with the wind. "You're thinking about that girl, aren't you? The one you left back in Inazuma." Her tone was a soft one, she knew how sensitive this topic was for him.

Kazuha stays quiet.

"Leaving someone you hold so dear behind will always be hard, but you really had no choice. You became a wanted fugitive and I'm sure she also wanted you to escape before they grabbed a hold of you."

She looks at him, he continued to look out before she stand beside him. "What was her name again?"

Kazuha smiles, he knew she was just trying to make him feel better. "Her name was [Y/n]."

Beidou smiles, "That's a very beautiful name and I'm sure I'll like her if we meet one day so when you find her, introduce me to her will you?"

'Ah, he's completely head over heels for her despite it being three years since he left Inazuma.' She thinks as she sees his ears bright red.

"I'm sure the two of you would get along just fine." Kazuha smiles fondly at the memory of [Y/n]'s smile.

Something he wishes he could see once more.