secrets // Heikazu/Kazuhei

1) Changing Winds 🌿

Key Symbol for Chapters:
🌿 = Casual
💞 = Fluff
❗️= Suggestive
⚠️ = Smut
💔 = Angst

🍁Kazuha's POV🍁

The cool breeze ruffled my white hair, blowing it into my face, shielding my dark amber eyes. I quickly
brushed away the dangling strands so I could see the view of the Narukami Island from high above. I inhaled softly, feeling the fresh air enter my body. It was late, around sunset, the sun sinking below the shimmering waves, the pink and orange clouds were hazy and wispy. I could see the maple leaves gliding in the wind, blowing in all different directions. Tomo would have loved to see this sunset. I thought longingly. It wasn't the same without him. After he had died without mercy from the Shogun, I had never seen his face since. Life still didn't feel complete with him gone. I sighed once more, trying to reflect on my emotions. I sat down and closed my eyes as I listening to the peaceful breeze.

I sat there for a few more moments, inhaling and exhaling a few more times before I heard footsteps shuffling through the maple leaves. My eyes fluttered open, only to see a bright-eyed girl with short orangey-blonde hair and a longbow clutched in her arms. She smiled brightly at me, waving as she approached nearer. I smiled back. "Hello Yoimiya.." I whispered softly. The girl smiled back. "Hey there!" She said cheerfully with a warm smile. She then tilted her head curiously, as if I was doing something strange. "Kazuha, why are you up here at the Kamisato Estate by yourself?" She asked curiously. I sighed again. "Oh... just thinking, reflecting." I whispered again. Yoimiya still looked curious/confused. "About what? Are you alright?" She asked, a slight note of concern in her voice. I smiled. "I'm alright... just missing someone.." I admitted shyly. Yoimiya's expression shifted. "Aw. Well, The Idiori festival is coming around soon, and Miss Ayaka and I would gladly invite you to come with us." She answered kindly. I smiled, feeling well cared about  in that moment. "Thank you, Yoimiya." I replied. It wouldn't do much to fix the feelings I was experiencing at the moment... but it could help improve my mental state after grief. Yoimiya was always kind, even if you had just met her. I admired her for that, and wished I could be as involved with people as she was. She was always good at improving the mood. Maybe I should go with her more often. I might find some new things to discover. Now that the Vision Hunt Decree was abolished, I didn't have to run. I didn't have to hide, and I didn't have to fight. Things still felt awkward when walking through Inazuma City, as I would often be looked at and noticed instantly, due to my battle against the Shogun months ago. Things still were rebuilding as far as I knew, and it would take time for the world to fully accept me and the other vision holders. Yoimiya tilted her head curiously at me again, and I turned to face her. "Kazuha? You sort of zoned out there. You sure everything's okay?" She asked again, concerned. I sighed softly. "Yeah, I'm alright. Sorry for zoning out, my apologies." I whispered to her. Yoimiya smiled. "You don't have to be sorry." She then sat down next to me under the tree. I didn't realize how much better I felt until I saw her smile again. Maybe I really just need friends. I had been traveling Teyvat for so long that relationships were usually temporary. I had really begun to meet more of the Inazumans since the battles before the Vision Hunt Decree was abolished, and afterwards. I realized that was probably why it was so hard to shake off the grief even after a long period of time, due to not having many people I knew well or trusted. We sat together under the tree for a few more moments, until she turned to face me once more. "Kazuha, you know you can tell me if something's bothering you." She said to me, looking quite serious. I sighed, turning my eyes toward her again. I could see the caring look in her amber eyes. "Well... I've just been missing my old friend... and my adoptive mother Beidou has business in Liyue, and with Lumine gone off to Sumeru, things haven't ever felt this alone in so long." I admitted reluctantly. Yoimiya showed a pitying expression. She gently put one hand on my shoulder. I smiled again. "Hey, I can help you find some things to make you feel less lonely. Hey! Why don't you come down to Amakane island with me and some others for the pre-Idiori party I'm hosting? We're going to serve some sushi and sashimi, light some fireworks, and try to have an amazing time!" Yoimiya exclaimed excitedly, her eyes bright and sparkling. I gasped, interested buddy the idea. I had never been to many parties, and going to one could give me a chance to start moving on from the past. "Yes. I'd love to." I replied. This is a good idea.... I thought with a smile on my face. Yoimiya smiled brightly, her hands in the air. "Yes! Thank you! I've really wanted to introduce you to all my friends, which there are many! And there's one person I think you'd really like!" She exclaimed again, looking even more excited than before. I tilted my head curiously. "Who?" Yoimiya smiled again. "He's a really smart and interesting guy; he also knows a variety of martial arts!" Yoimiya whispered to me. That sounded interesting. "What's his name? Where is he from?" I asked curiously. Whoever this friend of Yoimiya's was, he sounded interesting. Maybe I'll finally be accepted again in Inazuma. Maybe this is my chance to fit back in. I thought with confidence. I smiled again. Yoimiya giggled. "You'll just have to see! Meet Thoma here at five thirty, he will escort you there!" Yoimiya said warmly. I nodded, smiling. "Thank you, I promise I'll be there. You will not miss me tonight." I promised to her. Yoimiya smiled, giving me a thumbs up. "I'm glad you're coming! Can't wait to see you there!" She giggled excitedly.

I smiled as I watched her skip thought the grass, down the paths of the island. I hoped I would take this time to finally fit myself into Inazuma again. Maybe I could finally fit in. Maybe I could finally find people who wanted to be near me. I smiled, knowing that I was ready. I want to be happy. I want to make this work. I thought to myself, content.

Back at my small hut on the beaches of Narukami island, I quickly checked the mirror to see if my hair was not messed up. Good enough. I thought to myself, satisfied. I then slipped on my clothes and robes, and made sure I looked formal and well dressed. I wanted to make a good impression on the other Inazumans. I hadn't been involved in much with them, and if I was finally going to bring myself back into my culture, I had to make sure I looked formal enough. I took one last look at the mirror, before I opened my door and began walking through the long grass, inhaling the fresh air as I walked. I could hear the birds chirping, and the sky was fading into orange and pink. I noticed two children playing around, pretending to be sword fighters with sticks. One girl with short black hair fell over as she tried to block the young boy's attack. She covered her face, and she seemed upset. I quickly dashed over to her, held out my hand, and helped her up. The young girl stared at me with bright brown eyes that shimmered. "Thank you sir!" She whispered kindly. I smiled, feeling like I had done something good. I nodded respectfully. The boy then glanced at me, his eyes wide. "Yuri, look! He has a long sword! It's so cool!"
The young girl looked at me for a moment, before she gasped, looking quite surprised. "Is that the boy who faced the Shogun with his blade? Kaedehara Kazuha?" She exclaimed, her eyes bright. I was surprised. Not only did she know what happened and what I did, she knew my full name. Am I really well known around Inazuma without even realizing it? I thought curiously. I looked back at the young girl. "Yes, it is me." I nodded respectfully to the child. Her eyes sparkled and she looked quite excited. "Thank you for helping me up!" She said to me, smiling. I smiled back. "You're welcome." I whispered gently. I then remembered I had a small sword I had used as a child in my bag, and I knew what I was going to do. I handed her the small blade. "Make sure to be carefully with this. Practice only by yourself or with others who know sword arts." I instructed to the young girl. Her whole face lit up. "Y-you mean I can keep this?" She exclaimed excitedly. I nodded. "Be safe with it." I told her. I waved goodbye, and headed back up the path to the Kamisato Estate. I didn't know why, but giving my small blade to the child made me feel hopeful. Like Inazuma would finally accept me. I knew it was time to enter my home once again, this time for real.