"Nii-chan!"

Silken clouds of white drifted along the skies of Inazuma, trees nodding along with the breeze that swept by. Morning was brought along by the gentle coax of mother nature, leaves matting gravelled tiles and dirt roads.

"Y/n."

Your brother always smelt of firewood and the briefest hint of cinnamon. His arms wrapped around you tightly whenever he came home, face nuzzling in the crook of your neck. His comfort, he'd once said. You were the one he came back to.

"Why do you leave in the first place?"

Light grey hair tickled your face when you set your chin atop his head, your smile growing wider when he led you along the streets of Inazuma City. It was always like this, he would return home, scratches on his red jacket and ones you always promised to patch up. After all, even when he gingerly set you up on his shoulders, lighthearted laughter filled your ears when he recounted his experiences and encounters on his ventures…

He still left.

No matter how tightly he held you when he returned, the promises he'd whisper and comforting words he spoke were useless when he departed. Even when you sobbed into the ground, tears continuing to fall long after his leave, he wouldn't budge. Something about the wind, he'd once said. The ocean sang to him, mountains just begging to be travelled.

"I beg for you too. I beg you to stay."

Crying made no difference, your brother loved you, dearly. But he loved exploring more, stepping into new terrain and staring down opponents. Feeling adrenaline pump through his body, creating new memories, losing himself somewhere he didn't know, finding his way back.

There was a reason he didn't leave Inazuma.

He'd ventured to every corner of the land, all of the islands head to toe. Even the most dangerous of places, where adventurers paused and ronin refused. Returning to tell you all his secrets, Inazuma's secrets. You were what kept him tied to all these islands, a curse that had him rooted, watching ships depart with curious eyes. Jealousy.

He loved you, but he loathed you all the same.

You were his responsibility, parents disappearing on you both at just the right moment. He had to raise you, hold you through the steps of your life where he should've had someone's hand to hold. Growing up just to be there for you, kisses to your forehead when you did well, reprimanding when you did badly. He was a perfect caretaker, but in his mission to help you grow up, he'd lost a part of himself too.

He searched all of Inazuma for it.

He hasn't found it yet.

That's why you finally accepted when he departed, waving to his disappearing figure until it was just you and the city of Inazuma. You were not alone of course, and your brother had spent years teaching you how to get around. You were sure you'd survive even in the depths of Inazuma's electro barriers, knowing the secret to electrogana and just how long they lasted.

In terms of mora, you never had any issues either. Your brother brought along plenty with the treasure he found, and you always helped around the city with commissions or whatever needed to be done just for entertainment. Of course without any parental supervision, you'd escape to the meadows where ronin sat near small streams. But you were young, allowing yourself to poke at them for fun and make a game of running away.

There were times where you didn't get away.

Not quickly enough at least, but you'd learned how to take a beating long ago. Fists curled around your face as you dodged attack after attack. Most of them hit at the beginning, and they were too fast and strong to be any equal partner, but you took pride in the small fact that it was still practice.

"I'm gonna grow up to be just as strong as you Nii-chan!"

Gently tugging stray locks of hair away from your face, your brother settled with kneeling down to your height, smiling aloof as he said. "I have no doubt you will, you'll let me teach you a few moves won't you?"

It always ended up with you gesturing to his sword, pouting when he shook his head. He believed you to be quick on your feet, a truth when you dodged attacks from the ronin and jumped along the rocks in the stream. Able to pull yourself up on Inazuman rooftops and climb viscous looking cliffs along the sides of the cities, your brother persisted with you.

"Hand to hand combat, you don't need to learn how to use a sword."

But you thought differently, running away from him when he attempted to pull you away for lessons. Sprinting along tiled streets and hopping from building roof to roof. No matter how much your brother travelled, he could never compare to your speed, flexibility allowing you to spin around and climb the impossible.

"Dear me… if only you listened to me Y/n. I could make you a formidable opponent."

"Teach me how to use your sword!"

"Nope."

You'd eventually get hold of a sword from the ronin, but with no one willing to teach you and barely having the strength to swing it around, it was impossible. It was inevitable that you were unsure how to even get started with it, and you were stuck to doing the usual, running missions and growing closer to the townsfolk.

Until he came.

"Tomo, who's this?"

Your brother always came back on his adventures alone, exhausted and arms only for you. It was a shock when he came along with a hand around another boy's shoulder, grin wider as he presented you to his companion.

His friend had white hair, tied back in a small ponytail and blotchy red on one side of his bangs. His eyes were unusually wide, taking in every sight he could. It reminded you of your brother when he was younger, curiosity straying him further and further away from you. His clothing was comfortable and baggy on his figure, an adorable smile adorning his face when he turned to face you. He was younger than your brother no doubt, close to your age perhaps…?

"Y/n, meet Kazuha."