The Phoenix's Clipped Wings | Kaedehara Kazuha

Chapter 29

T/W: Implied mention of abuse, cases of PTSD

I was born into the [L/n] clan to my parents, [M/n] and [F/n] and lived a pretty normal childhood is what most outsiders would think.

But it really wasn't like that, out of my parents, my mother was the one who I loved the most. I looked up to her, seeing that she was the head of the clan, I too, wished to become like her.

I trained from a young age so I could become like her and it was around that time where my father accepted a marriage proposal from the Kaedehara clan. It was no secret that their noble title was beginning to run, seeing that they only had one heir left, their only son. My mother was furious when she found out, my father had taken advantage of the fact that my mother was rarely home due to important meets and other stuff.

During the time of her absence, I was introduced to Kazuha, who was a year younger than me, he had no clue was going on and thought he finally was allowed to make friends. Seeing this, I remained quiet and allowed him to see me as a new friend.

It was not around 5 years later that he found out, when my father scold me and slapped me in front of Tomo and him after I tried to go to festival, only to get lost on the way.

'You stupid brat!' The impacted of the back his hand sent me to the floor as both males watched in horror. 'You run off with another  man when you're already engaged!'

I could feel my face heat up in embarrassment as I feel their eyes on me, Kazuha looked so confused with Tomo, whose name I found out while he escorted me back, looked furious at father.

I keep my eyes down, afraid to look up to father only to make him more mad, 'look at me when I'm talking to you!' He sent a kick to my stomach as I groaned in pain as I sat up only to get sent back down.

'You damn whor-'

It seemed like Tomo had enough as he held my father's hand from striking me again.

'That's enough! You dare hit your daughter!'

His words made me look up and my eyes widen as I realized that he was going to pull out his sword, ignoring how my body was aching, I rush up and pull him away from my father.

'No! Tomo-san, you must not draw your sword!' I warn and despite my eyes filled with tears threatening to fall, he only gave me a smile to reassure that everything would be fine.

'Don't worry, your father won't raise another hand on you. I promise.' My eyes lit up as the tears that threaten to fall, finally did as he patted my head and passed me to Kazuha who remained silent.

I watched as he challenge my father in a duel and in the end, he won just as my mother stomped in since one of the members of the clan heard the commotion and immediately informed her when she arrived.

It seemed like Tomo had realized who I was when he saw me but he treated me like a normal person, spoke to me like a regular citizen and not one from a powerful clan.

I remember clearly afterwards that my mother would gift him anything he wanted for protecting me from my father.

His words made my heart flutter with joy as I realized that I could finally have a friend who didn't care about my status.

'If it's possible, I would like to be friends with hime [Y/n]!'

I still find it a bit funny that although my father was way older than Tomo at the time, Tomo managed to win.

So now, at present time, standing in front of Captain Beidou, the way she grabbed ahold my wrist reminded me of him.

All the times he would hit me when my mother wasn't around and the way he used the family name was an excuse to do what he wanted.

He was a disgrace to the clan, a disgrace of a man and a disgrace of a father.

"State your payment and I'll take my leave." I say with a monotone voice as I stare at them. Ignoring how Kazuha was staring at me, I realized that I should've never let my guard down.

'This is why I warned you.'

'Silence, I need not speak to you, Sentience.'

'Oh, you're quite snappy today.'

"I'll repeat myself once more before I take my leave." I speak once more, "How much for the payment for taking me to Inazuma."

I narrow my eyes at Beidou, who doesn't say anything as she stares at me. "Very well then, forget about our meeting, it will only bring you trouble."

I turn and begin to walk away before I take one last glance at Kazuha who freed himself, "Take care, Kazuha."

I close my eyes as I hear him calling out for me, telling me to stop and think again but I keep going.

'It's best if you stay away from me, seeing that I may lose control again and I have yet to master it. You'll be better off without me.'

"No!" A hand pulls on my mine, pulling me back into a warm embrace. My eyes widen as two pair of arms wrap around me, "I won't lose you again!"

"Please, it's best for the both of us if I remain a safe distance from you-"

"I don't care!"

"You saw how I lost control back in Liyue, seeing as I lost control of my emotions, it's best if I sealed with this alone."

Kazuha's grip only hardens, "three years...I lost you for three years, I won't add another day without you!"

I smile sadly, "you've changed so much."

"You as well, you're no longer the small, hime of the [L/n] clan."

I look to the side, debating to reveal what I truly am now. An immortal deity who only has one goal left.

I can hear Sentience's voice, advising me to keep quiet.

"Um, sorry to rain on your little moment but we need to go. The Shogan's army soldiers are starting to wake up."

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A/n: Expect multiple chapters being uploaded more frequently since I'm trying to post them before the update comes out next Friday ( is it next Friday?) or Wednesday (yeah it's Wednesday).