The Phoenix's Clipped Wings | Kaedehara Kazuha

Chapter 24

In the next few days, while [Y/n] was still recovering, I accompanied her to go see Lady Ningguang to discuss a few things.

"Are you sure? Even after what they did to lose your trust?" Ningguang spoke quietly to her as I stood a few steps back. [Y/n], although she would act flustered and shy after the kiss we shared, she would often go back to being serious as Phoenix.

"Of course, that's all I ask for. I'll be leaving Liyue Harbor to go back to Inazuma." She spoke in a strong tone. "I no longer have any reason to stay here if my teacher isn't here anymore."

Ningguang nods before calls her assistants, "then consider it done, I won't disappoint the current Guardian of Liyue."

[Y/n] smiles before she turns away, her eyes meet mine before walking away as I follow behind her. "Please, give that praise to the original once I find her."

I glance back to see Ningguang bowing her head, "Let us meet again, Guardian Phoenix."

"May the Archon's bless you, Miss Ningguang." [Y/n] says and I quickly follow her outside as the large doors open and we're let outside by the soldiers.

I glance over to her and I could feel my face heat up as I admire her. Her [H/C] hair was styled in the usual long ponytail with the ribbon I gave her a few days ago. Her clothing was a bit different, the same set of clothes she wore on that day I watched from afar. Although her [E/C] orbs held little to no light, they were still a beautiful shade of [E/C] as I remembers and she was a bit taller than me but that is no surprised.

Our eyes meet for a moment before she flushes red and looks away,  I smile at this as I avert her eyes, a smile on my lips.

After a few moments of us walking in silence, we notice an old lady standing  near a tea set. She stops at this before walking towards her.

"Madame Ping." She calls out and the old lady looks at us, a smile on her face as [Y/n] stands in front of her. "It's nice to see you again."

Madame Ping nods her head, "now my dear child, what brings you here? Is it about the young Adepti again?"

[Y/n] smiles and shakes her head, "no, Xiao has grown used to my presence and I'm afraid that's the problem I'm here to speak of." She smiles sadly.

"I'm worried of what will happen next, I'll be leaving for Inazuma in a few days with Aether and Paimon but I don't want him feeling lonely." I smile at this, though she was this important figure, she still held onto her caring side.

Madame Ping chuckles, "don't fret child, I'll be sure to check up on him from time to time. It's about time you returned home, your parents must be worried sick."

"Ah, thank you. I'll be sure to come to him as soon as possible and I'm sure my parents are fine."

We leave and we walk towards the funeral parlor until I hear a voice from behind us. "Phoenix! Let's spar again!"

We turn around and see it's the ginger haired man, the fatui Harbinger.

"Childe....you're still recovering from your injuries from the last time we fought." [Y/n] walks past me and towards the man who smiles.

"Don't worry comrade! I'm fine now."

"You're not." She fires back.

"Now, now, stop arguing." A second voice says and I glance behind and look up to see a worker from the parlor.

"Zhongli, please tell Childe not to fight when he's clearly not fine." She pinches Childe's cheek as she glares at him. "And stop provoking me as well."

Zhongli let's out a chuckle and I watch from behind, [Y/n] continues to scold Childe who seems to enjoy it as Zhongli teams up with her.

She lets go of Childe after healing him, "is it true you're returning to Inazuma?" He asks as he rubs his cheek and she nods her head.

"Yes, I apologize for the short notice but I must return home and stay by the traveler's side."

"I guess I'll train harder so I can finally beat you in our next fight."

Zhongli places a hand on her head, ruffling her hair as he smiles gently at her. "This is only a temporary farewell so do please be careful."

"Of course."

"Mr. Zhongli-"

We all turn to see a short, brown haired girl running up to them before she froze at the sight of [Y/n].

"A-ah, you're Phoenix....right?" She says the name weirdly. "....can we talk privately for a bit."

[Y/n] blinks at this before nodding, "of course, I'll be right back." She walks off with the girl.

—

"I guess...this is farewell, Albedo." [Y/n] says, he said swaying in the wind as the two stood outside the harbor.

"We'll meeting again when you come back." Albedo replies as a feather flutters to him and he catches it, he notices that the feather is back to its normal color for the most part. "What's this?"

[Y/n] smiles, "a gift, you did say you wanted to study me didn't you?"

"...ah, I suppose you're right." She turns to leave but is stopped, "right, I have something for you as well. I'm sure you remember that portrait you wanted done two years ago. I've been holding onto it since then."

He passes a framed drawing that held so much detail, she says nothing as she stares at it. A sad smile grows on her lips, "yes, it's beautiful." She looks at him and he takes notice of tears forming in her eyes. "You drew him exactly as I remember him."

"You should move on you know." He says quietly as he spots Kazuha and the rest walking towards them. "You can't keep doing this to yourself." His mind wonders to what she had told him earlier.

[Y/n] doesn't say anything and she smiles.

"I have to avenge him, Albedo. That's the only way my heart will come to peace with his passing."

"You do know what that will lead to....don't you?"

She lets out a sigh but the determination in her eyes don't waver.  "I know the consequences."

His eyes widen at this and he looks at her in disbelief as her smile stays the same.

—

"Paimon. Check. Traveler. Check." A high pitch voice could be heard on the boat. "Phoenix. Check-......wait where is Phoenix!?" She yells as she scrambles to find the said woman. "And Sora too!?"

Paimon begins to panic as she looks all over before Aether calms her down and the signal is given to start sailing.

They watch in awe as the anchors are brought up and the boat begins to move. They walk to the front of the ship and look around, they look and spot Kazuha sitting onto of on of the pillar. He spots them and gives them a little wave and they wave back.

Paimon immediately flies up to him, "Phoenix-"

"[Y/n] is over there if you're looking for her but I'm sure she wants to be alone at the moment." He gestures his head to the corner of the boat, she seem to be looking out with Sora in her arms. Her hair and clothing swaying behind her by the wind.

Aether's face heats up a bit but he notices the look on Kazuha face as he smiles gently at the sight of Phoenix and he smiles.

"Come on, Paimon. Let's leave them alone for a bit." He says as they walk away and he secretly glances behind to see Kazuha making his way to Phoenix and she takes notice of this and sends Kazuha a smile.

Her lips open and she begins to talk to him, words he is unable to hear from this distance and he couldn't help but notice the smile on her face as she did so.