"Yoimiya!" you shout from a far. You were carrying a few boxes of firework materials. "Are these it?" You placed the heavy boxes on the table in front of you. "Yep! these are it. Thanks ( y/n )" Yoimiya gave you a smile. You put your hands on your hips and raised a brow "You're going to be quite busy this week, huh?". She sighed, "I sure am.." but immediately changed her expression "But I'm more excited to blow these up later after I've finished them!" her eyes were filled with excitement and determination. "You sure are passionate about fireworks," you laughed. You enjoy helping Yoimiya out with her business. It's interesting how she makes unique and different fireworks for different people. Even when they're different, there's always something about them that has this feeling of warmth from her that stays with it. 'I guess this is the power of Yoimiya's firework skill making'
"Do you have anything else I could help with?" you asked. "Nope. These are enough. You've been helping me a lot these days. Why not take a rest for now?" Yoimiya insisted. "Are you sure? I am still able to help y'know? My limbs are still working and healthy." You flapped your arms like a bird to prove it. She giggled. "I'm sure. If I need more help, I know I can find you," You look at her to double check if she was genuine or not. "Okay. I'll rest up for now." She gave you a big thumbs up and continued to take the firework materials out of the box.
"Just make sure not to burn the workshop down while you're at it,"
"I wont!"
---
'The city sure is busy these days' you thought to yourself when you made your way through the crowded roads. Everyone in town was busy decorating their shops to fit in with the theme of the festival. Some went overboard and changed their whole business to something else.
You were looking around town and was distracted by the noise and lights that were put up.
"Hey! Watch where you're going!" A buff guy grumbled. You almost ran into him if he hadn't seen and dodged you. He was carrying some ores most likely to make some weapons. 'Why would you even need weapons for a festival?'
You bumped into some more random people several times before arriving somewhere more lenient.
It was in a small forest filled with maple trees. It was the end of spring and autumn was near. The air around you was definitely colder but it was just nice for you. The maple leaves were slowly but surely turning more orange and yellow than before. Even though they were not fully developed for the upcoming season, it was still a sight to see. 'I guess it wouldn't hurt to go in.'
You walked and breathed the fresh, unpolluted air while listening to the satisfying sound of when leaves are rustling against one another. It created sounds that were able to lull someone to sleep. It had a very peaceful ring to it.
After several minutes of walking, you stumbled across a wide area where there were rocks that looked like they had been sunbathed for a while. On top of one rock in particular lay a man so still it was frightening. To make sure he was still breathing, you decided to approach him. You took gentle steps and looked down at your feet to make sure you didn't step on anything weird but as you looked up again, suddenly the ends of a blade was by your throat and you immediately froze.
---
You let out heavy breaths and was trying to keep a normal breathing pattern but your legs kept wobbling making your whole body unstable. The man who was lying like a statue on a rock a few seconds ago was now in front of you, holding a sword at your throat. In the end, your legs gave up and you fell backwards to the ground. It did hurt but you were more overcome with fear to care. You look up to see his blade still in position of your neck, but his eyes were now looking down at you. 'Oh, the Archons please help me!' you started praying to the Archons. You heard the sword moving but you weren't sure if it was aiming at you since your eyes were glued shut. 'Oh crap, this is where it ends.'
.
.
.
.
.
"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to wake you up-- I swear I mean no harm. I don't even know how to wield any weapon, nor fight! I'm so weak and frail it would be a waste of time to use your beautiful sword on me wouldn't it?? I believe there are other bad guys who actually deserve to die and are still living----" In the end, praying to the Archons didn't work so you started praying to the man in front of you. "I beg you to spare me please!" Puddles of water started forming in you eyes. You thought you were about to die then and there and you didn't even get the chance to see Yoimiya's fireworks yet.
"You can get up,"
His voice sounded soft, sweet and comforting. 'Is this his voice??' You couldn't believe this scary man could have a comforting voice. "A-are you sure? Are you not going to kill me?" You were slowly opening your eyes and you saw him sheathe his sword. "I don't usually kill people. I am not but a wandering samurai." He lent you a hand. "Now, you can get up,"
He looked gentle, you thought. You were hesitant to take his hand but then again if you stall him, he might as well finish you off. He helped you up and you thanked him. "I'm so sorry for bothering you sleeping. It wasn't my intention to wake you up. I can go somewhere else if you want-"
"No. you can stay here as you like." he interrupted. You looked confused. "It is not my place to say that no one else is welcome here," he continued. You took that as a green flag that you could stay a while but who knows, one wrong move could leave your body without a head. "No thanks! (I rather live another day)," you muttered the last part. "Do you actually believe I'm going to kill you?" He folded his arms and smirked. You were surprised he heard the last part "W-well...Kinda? I mean-" You were a stuttering mess. "...Does it look like it?..." Cold sweat was dripping down your face as you try to let out a awkward laugh.
Suddenly, you heard a chuckle. Even if he tried to kill you, when he laughed he looked charming. You inspected his face a little longer but he noticed it immediately. "Are you checking me out?" he asked curiously. The smirk was still there. Your face dusted a light pink of embarrassment. "O-of course not! It's just you look and sound like a completely different person from when you were holding out your blade." you looked at him and then his blade that was at his side. "Sorry if I scared you just now. It was an act of... defence per say," He tried to make sure he sounded not like a killer.
"Let's introduce ourselves properly," He continued. "I am Kaedahara Kazuha. Pleasure to meet you." You stared at his hands for a moment before shaking it. "I am ( y/n ) ( Last Name ). Pleasure to meet you too Mr. Kaedahara,"
---
You chatted for a while and asked common questions to each other to make sure the conversation wasn't dry.
"By the way, why were you sleeping on the rock in the first place?" You asked. You were genuinely curious as to why he would sleep on a rock rather than a cozy bed. If you were him, you'd definitely have back pains by now. "I usually sleep on sunbathed rocks because they're warm. I'm sure you've felt that feeling before? Another reason is that I prefer being outdoors rather than inside." he answered your question casually. "I'd very much prefer having no back pains than back pains even though sleeping on a warm rock sounds nice." He smiled.
You looked at his face and then at his clothing and you realised he had a Vision. "So you are actually checking me out?" He joked after catching you looking at him from up to down. You stared at him with disbelief and slowly pointed at his Vision. "Anemo, right?" you guessed. "Mhm. Seems like the Archons trusted and believed I was capable of owning one," He stared at the sky and continued "I firmly believe in the concept of freedom - that everyone is entitled to their hopes and dreams and that no one has the right to take them, not even a god."
"You're quite the poet,"
"Is it a bad thing?"
"No, I actually find that pretty charming.."
Ever since then, you frequent going to the maple forest. Maybe it was to clear up your mind, maybe you were just hoping to see a boy named Kaedahara Kazuha sleeping on a warmed up rock.
----