An Adventure for Two || XiaoLumine

Grand Narukami Shrine

I woke up in a dark room. Lumine was still sleeping next to me quietly. The sun had already risen. ;I haven't slept that long in a while.; I got out of bed cautiously so I would not wake Lumine. She woke anyway.

"Xiao?"

"Yes?"

"Is the sun up yet?"

"Yes."

She sat, rubbing her eyes and yawning.

"You want breakfast?"

"I'm good."

She stood, walking over to me and taking my hand.

"Nonsense, come on."

She pulled me out the door and over to the kitchen and I sat on one of the stools. She looked through the cabinets and such and set some ingredients on the counter.

"What about pancakes? I could make something else if that's not okay?"

"Pancakes sounds fine, thank you."

"Great!"

She started mixing the ingredients and poured it bit-by-bit, putting the finished cakes on three plates nearby. She plated the cakes and placed a few berries atop each stack along with the syrup. She set a plate in front of me and sat with her own next to me.

"What's that smell?" Thoma walked out of his room.

"Pancakes!" Lumine said, "I made you some."

"Yum!"

He took his plate and stood across from us, eating quickly. We finished quickly. Thoma volunteered for dishes so Lumine and I sat silently as Thoma hummed to himself. Kamisato Ayaka soon arrived with the clothing and map. Thoma greeted her and she handed the outfit to me to go and change into. When I walked back into the kitchen everyone was looking at me.

"Looks nice!" Thoma commented.

Ayaka nodded and I looked at Lumine who seemed to be staring. As soon as I made eye contact with her, she just smiled. Ayaka handed me a map.

She pointed while speaking. "Here is the Grand Narukami Shrine. There is a straight path marked out to show you how to get there. If you get lost, just ask around and once you get there just ask to see Guuji Yae."

I nodded, storing the map in a pocket. Ayaka stayed for a while longer before I had to go. We were standing at the door.

"You ready?" Lumine asked me.

"Yes" I replied.

She took my hand and looked into my eyes. "If something goes wrong, come straight here"

I nodded, walking out the door. I followed the map and many paths to a mountain. I scaled the mountain with ease and found a stone pathway lined with torii gates and walked along. I reached the end to find the shrine. A shrine maiden walked up to me.

"Hello there!" she said.

"Hello, I'm looking for Guuji Yae."

"I'll see if she's free."

She left and returned shortly after.

"Right this way."

I followed her farther into the shrine to a tree. There was a pink-haired woman standing there. She turned to face us.

"I've been expecting you. I received a letter from the traveler a few days ago."

She walked down the steps and the shrine maiden bowed before leaving. She circled me.

"You're Xiao, correct?"

"Yes."

"So, explain to me this... Plan..." She said.

"I was told to bring you back to the teahouse before explaining anything, ma'am."

"Oh, I see... fine, I'll come along."

There was a small silence.

"Well, aren't we going to get moving?"

"Yes, ma'am."

I led her down the mountain and back through the city to the teahouse. She asked me questions that I ignored the whole way. I am not looking forward to working with her. We arrived at the teahouse and Kozue greeted us and let us in. Thoma, Lumine, and Ayaka poked their heads out the door after hearing Taromaru barking. Lumine walked up and hugged me. I hugged her back and she soon lifted her head to look up at me.

"I was worried, did anything happen?"

"No, I wasn't noticed by anyone."

"Thank goodness." She put her head back down.

There was a long silence until Ayaka spoke.

"It's nice to meet you, Guuji Yae." She bowed.

"A pleasure to meet you as well." She seemed impatient. "Does anyone want to explain this plan to me?"

Lumine broke away from me. "Yes, sorry Miko."

She explained what has happened since she returned to Inazuma and how she would be used to lure out the Shogun.

"You are aware you'll have to face her alone, correct? You're the only one Ei will allow into the Plane of Euthymia."

"Yes, I'm aware."

"Now, she most likely won't hold back seeing as you escaped twice before. She likely knows about the Omamori I gave you the first time. I'll still lend you one, but I doubt I'll be able to enter Euthymia with it."

"So I'll be completely alone." She looked down.

"Yes, I'm afraid so,"

I spoke up, angrily. "Isn't there anything else we could do? We all know how dangerous that woman is."

"Are you doubting your girlfriend's capabilities?" My face turned a bright red, and Miko smirked. "I think she'll do just fine."

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Hello everyone!!!! I just wanted to apologies for this chapter being so late! As soon as I got back from my trip I got very sick and was dizzy every time I tried to type something- ehehe- But thank you for 200 reads! Its much more than I ever thought I would reach and it made me super happy to see! Take care everyone!