The Phoenix's Clipped Wings | Kaedehara Kazuha

Chapter 33

A few hours earlier

"I've heard that a blonde traveler is now wanted by the Shogan's army and there's a chance he'll come here and seek the protection of the resistance."

The small woman says as you glare down at her but your eyes soften a bit at the touch of Kazuha's fingers around yours.

"Some of the soldiers here saw your fight with some of the Shogan's soldiers and seeing as this is an opportunity to be able to recruit you into our ranks-"

"I'm afraid that I'll have to decline your offer, I have no intention of joining the resistance."

The pink haired female smiles at this before gesturing to the vision that hangs off your waist, it was normally there when you're not wearing your gauntlets. "You're a vision barer but you don't use it."

You don't understand where's she coming with this at all unless.....

"And neither did I see any weapons on you since it seems like you fight with your fists."

"No matter how much you talk, you're not going to convince me of joining this war."

Her eyes looks at you before looking at Kazuha, "it seems like you've met Kazuha already, he visited the resistance before he left Inazuma. I'm sure you've heard from him that we are people trying to oppose the vision hunt decree."

"Lady Kokomi! The Shogan's army has arrived at the front lines and it seems like it's general, Kujou Sara, is also there. They've come to get their hands on the traveler!"

Your eyes widen slightly at the sound of a name that you haven't heard since that fateful day.

"Well? What is your decision?" You grit your teeth as you see the shorter female smile as if she already won you over.

Without answering, you tighten your grip on Kazuha and teleport away, leaving feathers behind as Kokomi smiles.

"Lady Kokomi, don't you think letting not telling Miss [L/n] know about what happened, is a way of gaining her trust?" One of the soldiers ask as they all prepare to catch up to the couple that already left.

"If that indeed is the missing daughter of the [L/n] clan, then we shall let her find out the truth for herself."

—

"Phoenix!" [Y/n] smiles as Paimon floats over to her, her eyes filled with tears of relief at seeing she's alright. "You're okay!" She sobs as the [H/C] woman pats her back, comforting the crying girl.

"Paimon thought that something bad happened when we left you behind!" She sobs as [Y/n] simply smiles.

"There, there. It's alright now, you know I wouldn't face the Shogan head on when I'm still recovering." You tell her as she shakes her head, snuggles into as you see Aether approach you.

"I'm glad to see you're alright."

"Same to you, we didn't know what happened when we fled back there." He smiles. "Thank you for helping out there, I didn't think you would show."

"We did sign a contract after all, plus we are partners so I have to make sure you don't get yourself into trouble."

Aether lowers his head, a bit embarrassed that he needed someone to keep him away from trouble.

But he frowns as he remembers something, he went to the [L/n] estate and was only able to talk with the guards outside, only to find out what happened to the previous heir.

"Anyways, don't you have to meet up with the leader of the resistance soon?" The woman says as she wipes Paimon's face before she went back to Aether's side.

"Aren't you coming with us?" Paimon asks.

[Y/n] shakes her head, "I'm afraid not, I still have things I want to finish. We'll meet at my family's estate."

Aether forces a smile and watches as she walks back to Kazuha who was talking with Beidou. His brows furrow as he looks down in guilt.

"Kazuha, I'll be heading to my family's estate. Will you be alright staying here?" A tender, soft smiles finds it way to her lips as she asks the white haired male.

Red tints Kazuha's cheeks as he sees how soft she looks at him. "If it's not too much trouble, I would like to go with you."

"Are you sure? Wouldn't you like to go with the traveler and everyone else?"

Beidou sighs, she couldn't bare continuing watching this. Patting Kazuha's back, the impact send him stumbling forward, "alright, alright, you two lovebirds do what you gotta go. We'll be fine here."

—

"Careful, we're almost there." I grab ahold of [Y/n] hand as we pass through some slippy mud. We were headed towards the secret tunnel her clan had built eons ago, making it easy to sneak in and out if necessary. It runs all over Inazuma but only those trusted by the pure blood are allowed to use them.

I glance at [Y/n], her face is illuminated by the moonlight as we walk, her hair in the braid I did before we left.

"Do you....think my mom will be there?" She mutters as her grip on my hand tighten, "my siblings as well? Are they waiting that one day I would return?"

She voice soften as she looks down, "will they even recognize me? I've changed so much in so little time to them, but to me, it's been so long."

A wipe a year that rolls down her face, "it's been so long that I'm used to be being alone. Used to having only me to rely on, to trust, to keep my troubles to myself." Her voice cuts off as she sniffles.

Caressing her face, I smile at her with so much affection, "you don't have to act like 'Phoenix' when you're with me. Phoenix or [Y/n], you're still the girl I fell in love with, the one who makes my heart beat rapidly whenever I head your voice. To me, you're not a deity but the one I cherish the most."

Wide [E/C] orbs stare back at me, as her face erupts into flames before she smiles, "you haven't changed a bit, always so talented with words."

I chuckle at this, "not first time I've heard."

Wiping he eyes, she pulls away and grabs ahold of my hand, our fingers intertwine together as she tugs me forward.

"Alright, let's go. Maybe mother will cook us her favorite dish! Oh, I really miss hearing her voice."