A Cloud's Silver Lining [KazuScara Original]

Part 11 - New World... With a Fantastic Point of View

Wanderer awoke, rubbing his eyes. He started to rise onto his knees, his cloudy vision visible.

He blinked a few more times, then saw Kazuha's down expression. He seemed the opposite of what his previous mood was.

Wanderer held Kazuha's arm, shakily. What was going on?

"Wanderer... Do you... want to go to the Crux with me?"

Wanderer's eyes widened. The... ship?

"What... why can't you stay?" he asked worriedly. Kazuha put a hand on Wanderer's shoulder.

"Do you... have a home?"

Wanderer blinked, clenching his fists at the reminder of Ei.

"Please, come with me," Kazuha said seriously, lending out his hand.

Wanderer hesitated. That wasn't the Kazuha he knew at all. He decided to investigate in case Kazuha had broken out of his shell.

"Fine," he murmured.

Kazuha smiled weakly as Wanderer reached for his hand. The two then went off.
~
The Crux Fleet came into view, the water swishing and splashing around the bottom of the ship. Kazuha could see silhouettes of the crew, as a woman explained things to the others. As Kazuha and Wanderer approached, the woman turned around and smiled.

"Ah, Kazuha. Come aboard." Beidou then noticed Wanderer. "And who might this be?"

"Captain Beidou, this is Scaramouche." He felt Wanderer eye him. "...but he prefers the name Wanderer."

Beidou nodded, then reached out her hand.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Beidou, captain of the Crux Fleet."

Wanderer looked at Kazuha, seeming slightly confused. Kazuha just smiled and tilted his head toward Beidou.
Wanderer then reached his hand out, her automatically shaking it.

"I'm Wanderer." He seemed hesitant to say, "I'm Kazuha's... friend."

"Alright, well, we're about to set sail, Kazuha." She turned her head to face Wanderer. "Unless your little friend wants to join us?"

Kazuha looked at Wanderer, who seemed to be hesitant, silently making eye contact with the area behind him.

"Okay," Wanderer said quietly.

Kazuha nodded toward Beidou. "Yes, he would. If you don't mind, at least."

Beidou laughed. "Sure he can! As long as he doesn't cause trouble, m'kay?"

She then turned to the crewmates she was talking to earlier, who were carrying boxes of cargo.

"Alright then, time to get on the waves!"
~
The... ship swished around, not staying still for a second. It was always moving about, just as the flashbacks kept playing.
Over and over.

"What do you do here?" Wanderer asked Kazuha, leaning toward the edge of the ship.

"Well, we move around to many places, like... nations." Kazuha explained, "It's a habit of the thrill of exploration we need."

He slightly nudged Wanderer to face the water, then looked down into the deep blues of the sea. Wanderer followed, seeing a familiar figure on the water.

"Do you see your reflection?" Kazuha whispered loud enough for Wanderer to hear. He lay his elbow on the ledge, putting his weight on it.

"My... reflection?" Wanderer glanced towards Kazuha for one second, then looked back down. It was... the new him. It had felt like a day ago since Nahida had returned his memories. He tried to imagine if "Scaramouche" was there instead of himself. The evil smirk haunted him.

Wanderer let out a little gasp. He then heard Kazuha's voice.

"So... Wanderer. I've decided," he said, sounding serious once more. Wanderer looked at him, slightly nervous about what he was going to say.

"Huh?" he replied softly.

"I'll tell you about my past." He looked down at the ledge this time. "As soon as we get to Sumeru."

Wanderer had a little shock.

Kazuha had done it.

He had decided.

There was no going back to their miserable lives of little comfort anymore.

Wanderer felt Kazuha glance at him as he nodded his head in acceptance.

"Okay." He then changed his expression. "Sumeru, you say?"

"Yes, Beidou sometimes tells me our destination," Kazuha responded.

"Ah." Wanderer nodded again, slightly smiling. "In that case, I would like to introduce you to someone there."