With and Without You (AetherxAyaka)

Chapter 11: Steel and Serenitea

Ayaka slept well the night of her return to the Estate, she felt relieved. A long day of adventure did take a lot out of her. That and she wanted to get up extra early.

It proved to be no difficult task waking up before the sun, despite her late attempt to sleep. She needed to go to Hajime, one of the best blacksmiths in Inazuma, to forge a weapon. This would take quite sometime since she also wanted the sword to be tailored towards certain needs. In order to meet Aether in the morning and also forge the sword, she had no choice but to get up.

Hajime, was almost always at the forge so she knew that wouldn't be a problem. He's practically the main production behind the Shogun Army's weapons. Ayaka made sure to pay him handsomely for the sword.

Upon inspecting the blade she nodded with satisfaction. Bowing in thanks to him and giving him a pouch of Mora.

Perhaps it was a little over the top, but she wanted nothing but the best out of this sword. After all, Aether would need a good swords for his journey.

She knew she didn't need to do this at all, let alone over the top. But she wanted to. She really wanted to for no specific reason, other than that she cherished her friendship with him and wanted to reinforce that feeling.

It was hard for her to say wether or not the way she acted around him was "normal" or not. She did begin to question if the way she felt around him was merely friendship; but couldn't decide since she didn't have anyone else to compare him to. With no experience in friendship to measure either.

She was purely going off of what she felt on the heat of the moment. Perhaps one day she could try examining further it is exactly what she felt.

But until then she must remain one of his dearest friends, showing unconditional support towards him and Paimon. Even though she must also play the role of the Shirasagi Himegimi as well.

She already knew she played an impressive and critical role on Inazuma, but helping the Traveler felt different. She loved addressing safety issues and creating festivals, but sometimes it was a real drawn out process.

It never felt drawn out when she helped Aether. Sure, festivals may have brought joy to the nation and its people in such a dark era; but, at the end of the day she didn't feel like she was truly contributing enough.

Until now, that is. She, along with the Traveler, have been tasked to cleanse the Great Sakura tree. It was something always dear in the heart of most Inazumans.

She decided she wouldn't fail, no matter what. She felt that with the Traveler at her side, things would go her way.

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Ayaka placed the new sword at her side, next to her own. She hoped that Aether would approve of the sword, even if it was different from the one he used to use. She really wanted to capture the essence of their friendship as well as Inazuma.

She wanted to make sure he knew, no matter where he was.

The thought of it made her smile widely, the day seemed so bright to her.

However, this pitch changed tunes as she examined where the Traveler was last night.

The campfire was no longer lit, only embers and ashes accompanied the strange blanket that laid on the ground. But the weirdest thing was neither the blanket or the Campfire.