Contrary Wanderers

Chapter 6

Kazuyuki's POV
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Tw: Violence (little bit)

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Early in the morning we had set off so we could reach Inazuma by dusk. Azorai had run off to help clean on deck as well as, starting countless conversations.. I swear that girl could make peace even with hilichurls. I had climbed up into the crows nest to enjoy the smell of the sea and the vast ocean views, Kazuha followed me up shortly after. 

"So tell me old friend how have you been?" Kazuha spoke first with a soft smile on his pale face. 

"I suppose it's been good. I was lying low for a while before I ran into her.." I mumbled the last part hoping Kazuha would ignore it. However I was extreme mistaken.

"Her? You mean Azorai was her name? I noticed you two are complete opposites. How did you make that work hmm?" He giggled and looked off at the light coming from the Grand Narukami Shrine.

"Well long story short, she stole from me, we almost got kidnapped, went through all of Dragonspine and now we're here. It's not awful they are better company than the wind and my thoughts." 

"I see, have you two-" Kazuha was quickly cut off by a loud yell at the deck of the ship. 

"Everyone inside! Storm incoming!" Bediou shouted as loud as possible. 

Kazuha and I quickly dropped from the top only to be greeted by a large crash on the side of the ship causing us to lose our balance. I held onto one of the poles while Kazuha stumbled to the side of the ship and held on, stopping him from going over. 

"Kazuha! Are you okay?!" Azorai shouted from the bow of the ship. She hadn't made it inside..

"Yes I am okay!" He shouted quickly.

"Is everyone okay? There may be more to this storm than we think!" Bediou shouted and helped Kazuha up from the side of the ship. 

Shortly after Bediou spoke a large splash hit the side of the ship which soaked Azorai. She screamed, but laughed afterwards. Good to know she was okay..

"Woo! That water a cold jeez.. But Bediou, what do you think it could be thats causing this storm?!" Azorai shouted while taking out her catalyst which she had for some reason. I thought she could only use a spear.

"I believe it could be some sort of sea monster. This storm is too far out to be the one that surrounds Inazuma!" She yelled and started looking around. Everyone on deck looked around as well before a large blue thing was spotted in the dark waters.

"There!" A yell was heard from the front of the ship. Everyone ran over to Azorai and saw what she was pointing at. 

"As I thought... This shouldn't be too difficult." A large clunk was followed by Bediou pulling out her claymore along with Kazuha pulling out his sword. 

The large sea monster showed itself before a bright green blast was hitting it before it could react. Azorai had sent out a powerful dendro attack at it causing it to stumble. She kept firing at it before it had gotten back up. A large roar from the monster made the ship shake. Well great.. now it was pissed. 

Kazuha went to send a gust of anemo to it however, it let out a soundwave that send Azorai, Kazuha and Bediou flying back. Now I was the only one facing it. This wasn't the first time, I had done this before, this was nothing new. I raised my bow to it and charged a large cryo shot before firing at its eye. It lost it after I fired and I jumped at it and grabbed my sword, I infused it with cryo and whispered softly before sinking my sword into its skull. 

It roared again before collapsing into small particles which sent me falling soon to hit the ocean. I braced myself for impact, however it never came. On the ship I saw Azorai holding her hand out with her catalyst in front of it. She was tired from being thrown by the monster however, she still used her energy to save me. Soft green light was coming from the soft barrier she made to save me, it moved to the ship before disappearing. 

"Your okay!.. Thank god." The tired girl spoke softly as she sat up against one of the poles. 

I ran over to her and made sure she was okay. It was the least I could do for her saving me from getting soaked. Luckily she was okay, no broken bones or cuts. Only a few bruises that would leave some pain later on. 

The skies cleared up and the deck started to dry. Once it cleared and we could see everything again, the bright red trees of Ritou were not far away. We had made it through the storm and had arrived in Inazuma. The rest of the crew came out cheering and I was thanked for saving the ship. I didn't do much, but I suppose it was alright since, It had been a while since I was with the Fleet. 

"Oh wow!! So pretty!" I wasn't pay attention and Azorai was up and her normal self while looking at the view of Narukami Island. 

"Thats my home Azorai. I grew up there." I told her softly while looking at the red trees. I had missed it more than I thought. The feeling of Nostalgia hit me harder than I thought. 

I felt a hand on my shoulder, it was Azorai's, she was trying to comfort me even though I hadn't felt sad at all. 

"I understand and don't worry. I won't let us get captured like we did in Liyue alright?" She smiled and let go of my shoulder. 

We parked the boat and started unloading stuff at the Ritou port. Once things were settled Azorai and I hid in a cave near the edge of the town. I had finally returned. The smell and sight of what I had once known as home was different than I had remembered. Now I had one thing left to do. Go check on an old friend. But first, we needed someone to get us to Serai Island. That would be a pain...