A/N: Don't mind me, just keeping a promise~!
As ever, the Embers rule remains.
If people don't like this story? If they don't enjoy it? Well...I'll not continue it. That's no joke, folks. I'm so busy these days with two jobs; basically, I don't have time off. Not anymore. My free time is limited and as such, I can't afford to focus on something folks don't like. Reviews keep me writing in these times, and keep the daily updates flowing. Silence...silence only hurts. I hate having to beg for feedback, but without it...well, it feels like I'm not making an impact.
Now lets answer some questions:
Q: Has your update schedule changed?
A: Yes and no. As stated, I update Genshin, Arcane, RWBY, Demon Slayer, and Five Nights at Freddy's monthly. That means one update a month, more if I manage to squirrel away some free time -see shouting at my bosses!- for myself to write now.
Not to mention a lot of my RWBY stories are reaching their conclusions.
Used to be I could do daily updates easily; but with my faltering health, they've taken more time. That aside
I SHOULD be updating Father of Teyvat next, because I've got people poking me to do it. Practices Makes Perfect should be after that and Untraveled Road. Dynasties & Dystopia as well.
Q: Is the Wish system a thing in this story?
A: Yup. Dvalin was proof of that.
Q: Who's delivering Zhongli's letter? You mentioned a trusted messenger. Is it..?
A: Nope. Not Ganyu. She's a workaholic and far too busy in Liyue. Likewise the other Liyue characters have business of their own to attend to.
Wonder who that leaves~?
On a secondary note, I managed to get Ganyu by accident. Don't get me wrong, she's pretty fun to use...but I wanted Zhongliiiiii T_T
Q: Another question! Are you dropping the Dvalin bit?
A: Depends on the readers, I suppose. I wrote that part as a joke, but some more...enthusiastic reviewers were rather cross as a result. Its hardly something I intend to do unto every character, but noooo, some people will just be angry I suppose.
*shrugs*
Q: Don't you dare hurt Klee! You hear me?!
A: Protecc the child~!
Alright, then. I think I've kept you waiting long enough.
Hope you're ready; because this chapter's got a bit of everything in it!
As ever, I own nooooo references, quotes, memes or themes. Quote is a spoiler, so YE BE WARNED!
"One does not doubt your resolve. Only your intent."
"I can do this, teacher. All I have to do is deliver a message, no? Rest assured, I will return shortly."
One hopes not. You should see the world, Little Shenhe. Spread your wings. You might find that Teyvat has much to offer you."
...no. This world has nothing to offer me. Not anymore."
~Master and Student.
Festering Desires
"KABOOM!"
The cry of a happy Klee filled the afternoon.
An equally amused Naruto squinted against the sudden rush of heat and light, then raised a golden arm to ward off the ensuing explosion...of water. It really was a very nice bomb. Thank goodness this one had gone off in a lake rather tan the mountains. He found himself suddenly and terribly glad that he and Lisa had ushered her out here.
Because now, rather than rubble, fish fell from the sky.
Dozens rained down on high like holy mana; more than he dared count, each grilled to perfection. Rather than run around like a loon trying to catch each of them, he intercepted Klee's catch with a torrent of golden arms from his back. From there he deposited them into a series of large wicker baskets at his feet. One by one they were stowed away. Not a single tuna was missed.
Klee wound up for another throw.
"Not bad," Kurama hummed from the shore, glowing with pride. "But I think you can do better, don't you?"
Naruto agreed wholeheartedly on that front.
"Klee, wait!" he called, unable to hide his smile. "that's not how you go fish blasting."
She lowered her arm turned to look up at him in mild confusion. A tiny finger worried at her lower lip. "Its not...?"
"Nope." He held up his hands toward the water. Light built around him, slightly more difficult with Kurama...occupied, but possible all the same.. "This is how you do it. Watch closely now!"
Somewhere behind him, he heard Lisa gasp.
With a merry cackle that was entirely feigned for Klee's entertainment, Naruto let the tailed beast bomb fly. At full power, it would've evaporated the lake entirely and annihilated the bedrock beneath. Thankfully he'd held back. Rather than detonate outright the dark sphere skirted the water's surface for an instant, then plunged into the depths. A moment passed.
Klee raised a hand. "Um...? Nothing happened."
Naruto held up a finger. And then.
THWOOM!
The water absolutely bulged upward in an expansive dome, then burst as his jutsu detonated. Scores of fish rained down, filling yet more baskets. They never stood a chance. Finding Klee? Easy. Keeping her entertained? Even easier! Who knew? If the deaths of a few fish were required to keep the little pyromaniac...well! Their glorious sacrifices would be remembered.
As would tonight's dinner!
Klee glomped onto his leg, all but squealing with glee. "You're the best!" She squeezed a little tighter. Her grin was nothing short of contagious. "Bestest uncle ever!"
Pure child. Must protect. A blond brow rose even as his spirits soared. "Klee, sweetie, I appreciate that an' all, but you to realize I'm not really your uncle-
"You are!" She glared up at him with ruby red eyes and squeezed his limb tighter. "I said so! No takebacks!
Naruto's heart twitched in his chest. Uncle?! Urk! He suspected Paimon might have something to say about Klee's phrasing just now. Strong words. Angry words. Words that involved a great deal of Paimonial Wrath. Thankfully she was very much occupied at the moment.
Lisa's chin came down over his shoulder. "Jean's not going to like this, you know...we're doing this in full view of the city."
He'd given that all the consideration it was due. Namely? None. It wasn't as if they were harming anyone out here. And this way, folks got a little firework show before sunset. What was the harm?
"She can sulk all she wants." His gaze slid further down the shore in time to glimpse Paimon -held by a laughing Razor!- slide down Kuram's back, glide off one of his many tails and splash into the water. Thankfully it was far, far away from where they'd been taking their potshots. "Let the kids live a little. Or swim." he winced when Paimon told Razor off for that. "Oooh, she's not happy with him...
The magician kissed his cheek, stepped back and sketched a false curtsy. "As my Archon commands."
Cheeky. He clicked his tongue at her. "Very funny."
Klee tugged at his sleeve. "Again, again!"
"Veto!" Paimon floated their way with an indignant squeak, sputtering as she shook herself dry. "Paimon's had enough! Can we go home now?!"
Razor plodded after her at a more sedate pace, although his expression paled in comparison to hers. "Small fairy is angry."
"Of course Paimon's angry!" she rounded him with a scowl. "You're too rough!"
Klee tiltted her head. "Aw, but I thought we were having fun!"
She huffed. "You were! Razor kept dunking Paimon!"
"Were we not playing...?"
Naruto bit his lip to stifle a snicker. He must not crack. He absolutely must not crack. If he did, poor Paimon would go absolutely berserk. She looked so pitiful right now. Like an adorable kitten that had suffered one bath too many, so too did she look just shy of murder...not that she could do much in that field.
"C'mere, you...
Unable to conceal his smile in its entirety, he pulled off his jacket -ignoring the appreciative noise Lisa made- and padded over to Paimon. She saw him coming and tried to float back; only for him to loop an arm around her tiny shoulders and draw her close.
"Hey!" she squeaked as he began to towel off her hair. "Mmph?!" Her head poked up for a moment before he began to dry that off, too. "What're you...quit it!
"There, there."
"Think of it this way," Naruto temporized with a raised finger as she struggled, "If we preserve all this fish, you won't go hungry for awhile."
Lisa cottoned on and steepled her fingers. "I happen to know a few recipes you might like~!"
Paimon paused. Inevitably her mouth began to water.
"Alright, but this is the last time...
(.0.0.0.)
Shenhe had never been to Mondstadt.
To be fair, she'd not left Liyue before either, so she supposed it should've been all one and the same.
Should have. In theory.
It wasn't. Not at all.
The land of the Anemo Archon was not what she'd expected; all rolling hills and vast plains, scattered ruins alongside a great many trees. Less than Liyue perhaps, but she missed the mountain peaks all the same. It was not the home she knew, not the land she loved. It was just so...open. Mondstadt was not without its beauty to be sure, and she appreciated its nature all the same. Even so, it wasn't hers.
Shenhe felt vulnerable. Exposed, as she hadn't been since she was but a girl. Where were the misty mountain peaks she so favored? The Qinxin flowers, the quiet solitude?!
More than that! There were so many travelers on the road today; knights making their rounds, merchants bearing heavy carts, even the occasional wanderer leaning on a gnarled staff. Each stopped to greet her, and while she didn't much mind that, what she did mind was the way their gazes lingered on her. Not just the men, but the women, too! Baffling! Why were they staring so?!
Just thinking about it drew a scowl to her lips. Not for the first time, she wondered if she'd made a mistake in accepting this mission.
An exhausted messenger from Rex Lapis had come before Cloud Retainer some days ago and presented a message to her master; who promptly entrusted her with the delivery of said missive in turn. No fool, she. Shenhe had seen right through hr ruse. Her teacher wasn't half as clever as she thought herself - she could have easily delivered such a missive in half the time it had taken her. No, this was an excuse. Cloud Retainer wanted her to "stretch her wings" as it were, to venture forth and see the human world again, if only for a short time.
...pointless." she muttered, clutching the scroll to her chest. "There's nothing for me, here."
Nothing but wild hills and the occasional monster. Those she froze and left to melt in waning light of the setting sun.
Shenhe had accepted this task if only begrudgingly; because she knew if she hadn't, Master would've fallen into one of her moods again. No one wanted that. Definitely not Moon Carver or Mountain Shaper. Certainly not her!
"Hmm." Rather than dwell on that unpleasant thought, she considered her map with a frown. "I suppose this is the place...
In truth, a map wasn't much needed. The city was quite visible to her from the hill she'd claimed for herself. The problem would be with what came after; Liyue was large to be sure, but she at least knew her way around. Not so the city that sprawled in the distance.
She would have to enter it, if she wanted to discharge her duty.
Her destination was simple. Head for the city and inquire at the Cathedral within for this so-called Archon.
To deliver a message unto a newly born Archon...she supposed it was a great honor. Truth be told, she didn't much understand the puprose. A scroll was a scroll just as an Archon was merely...a powerful person. Perhaps she was oversimplifying it, but then again, she'd always had difficulty expressing herself. Perhaps the red ropes that bound her soul were to blame. She hadn't always been such before them.
Still, standing here would avail her nothing-
A distant explosion rang out, and Shenhe watched the surface of the lake roil. Almost as if something were rising from within. Screams went up from the city. Her eyes widened. The scroll went forgotten, hastily stowed as she summoned her polearm. If there was a monster in the lake, she would deal with it, Archon be damned.
She didn't walk towards the disturbance. She ran. As such, she didn't see the explosion.
But she heard it.
More cries went up. She moved fast.
Long strides devoured the distance as she raced down the hill and toward the citty. A stray hilichurl tried to bar her path and was summarily frozen for their efforts. She spared them no more thought than one would a leaf in the wind. What manner of monster was rising from the lake? Was it the remains of a dead god? Something worse? Or...
It was only when she drew nearer, just within the treeline, that she realized her mistake.
She spied a blond man sat next to a massive golden beast with nine tails on the sandy shore. A brunette clad in purple and white was sprawled over him in a suggestive manner. Together, they watched three children toss strange sphere like objects into the water. Each created a miniature explosion, but nothing like the first she'd seen. The lake was still now, glassy save the blasts near the shoreline. As she looked on aghast, the blond raised a hand and pumped his fist into the air.
"Thatta girl, Klee! Throw it further next time!"
The smaller girl struggled with her sphere. "Paimon wants to try!"
"Unless you have an undiscovered affinity for explosions, that's not likely."
"Lisa's a meanie...!"
"More fireworks, please!"
"Alright, alright, hold yer horses Razor...
The blond raised his hand and the beast beside him yawned in response. Black light burst from its jaws and soared into the air, easily missing the city. It detonated high the clouds, spraying motes of sapphire and scarlet light about. Another cry went up from the city. Realization dawned. They weren't screaming in fear. They were cries of joy. He was...entertaining them.
Shenhel felt her eyes widen, the faintest hint of emotion breaking through. That was the Archon. Had to be. Who else could wield such power?
Her gaze focused on the younger ones. She couldn't see them properly at this distance, but they were undoubtedly younger than the man and woman. Her heart lurched in misunderstanding. Family. This was a family enjoying their evening. A mother and a father, and their three children. She could only assume thus. Judging by their smiles, they cherished their offspring...
.
..
...she hadn't been cherished.
A memory broke through the red ropes and with it came a rare flash of anger.
"You are a cursed child!"
Shenhe bit her lip until she tasted blood. The pain...didn't quite center her, but the awful taste did help her wrestle her focus back from the brink. This was none of her concern. She had a message to deliver, nothing more and nothing less. To let herself be weighed down by such foolish sentiment would surely prove her undoing.
With a toss of her hair she stalked forward, making her presence known in body, if not word. "You, there!"
The blond looked up at her approach first, a blond brow quirked in query. "Can I help you...?"
"Are you the Archon?"
The woman laughed even as the man coughed. "Much as I wish I weren't...
His presence was...warm. That was the best word she could think to describe him. Her vision, entwined in her hair, began to resonate, and she found herself struck by the sudden urge to sit and simply bask in the peace he exuded. What drivel. She ignored it.
"Well, whatever the case, we were just about to have a fish dinner." he offered her a cheery grin. "Care to join us? There's more than enough to go around!"
Shenhe reached for the message cylinder bound at her hip. Paused, as she saw the baskets filled with fish.
She understood. He'd been blasting the lake to stun the fish; thereby forcing them to the surface. A cruder way of fishing she'd never seen. It was something of a humbling realization. Here was someone with great power -power that far exceeded her own!- and yet for all that, he looked...happy. Not restrained, not held back, nor limited in any way. No red ropes for his and him, no sir. He was unbound and happier for it.
Damn the gods. They could live as they pleased, without a care in the world, while she, a mortal struggled with her own homicidal nature...it stung.
The woman must've seen some of her sorrow, because she patted the log beside her. "Its no trouble at all. You must be famished."
She really was-no! Resist!
Shenhe slammed the scroll into his hands and whirled away. "There. I've done my part. Good day to you."
The blond burst to his feet and caught her wrist. "Wait a sec! What's the hurry?!"
Shenhe grit her teeth hard enough to crack a molar. Calm. She must be calm. "I do not want your pity."
"It ain't about pity!" He yanked her back with startling strength, drawing a yelp out of her. "I just wanna talk, ya know...? You seem upset."
"Leave me!"
In her struggles, his hand slipped and caught on the red ropes. Such an innocent move. A simple touch. Nothing more. The moment his fingers brushed those scarlet tethers, she felt something spark. A breeze kicked up between them. Those scarlet tethers didn't simply come undone. They dissolved outright. Red ropes fizzled and sparked, burning away like a live fuse. Shenhe saw it -felt it!- and flailed her arms, to no avail. She tried to pat them down, tried to extinguish the flames, all for naught. They smoldered away.
And she was undone.
Her emotions, her instinct, her desires long suppressed, came roaring back. Her eyes widened.
A new emotion bloomed. Anger. Incredulity. How dare. How DARE he...?"
Naruto stepped back. "Look, I really didn't mean to do that-
With a snarl, Sheneh thrust her spear at his face.
A/N: An unrestrained Shenhe, a jealous one at that. Oh, dear...
Consider this. What she saw. A "family" something she never truly had, something she always pined for. Someone burdened by terrible power, yet one who needs no such restraint.
And then Naruto's gnosis acts up -damnit, Venti!- and rids her of her red ropes.
Canon Naruto would undoubtedly take a shine to her and try to get her to open up. That's his modus operandi these days...
Once more, the Embers rule remains. If folks don't like this story? Well...I'll not continue it. That's no joke, folks. I'm so busy these days; basically, I don't have time off. Not anymore. My free time is limited and as such, I can't afford to focus on something folks don't like. Reviews keep me writing in these times, and keep the daily updates flowing. Silence...silence only hurts. I hate having to beg for feedback, but without it...well, it feels like I'm not making an impact.
Right then, as ever, Reviews are love, Reviews are Life.
Reviews keep me safe from any and all strife.
So in the immortal words of Atlas...
...review, Would You Kindly?
Every bit helps out!
Next time: To be a God
(FUTURE! Previews?)
Some are very far out indeed...
Hope you enjoy the taste of what's to come. HOLD ONTO YOUR HATS!
(Previews!)
Chest heaving, she struggled upright. "Hold still and let me stab you!"
He parried with his right hand and slid back.
"Can't we talk about this?!"
"Well, aren't you a sight for sore eyes...
A woman in red and black disembarked the vessel at a languid pace, hips swaying. She was confidence personified; uncaring of who saw her. She paused at the edge of the wharf, saw him and tilted her head, regarding his torn shirt and his scars. Her lone eye narrowed.
Naruto fidgeted. "Can I...help you?"
"Nope." Beidou smacked her lips with an audible pop. "Just admiring the goods."
Behind him, Lisa hummed softly. "Well, someone has a keen eye, and no shame at that...I like you."
Beidou balked, but only for a moment. Then she threw head back and laughed.
"Feeling's mutual! What's your name...?"
They said more, but their words were lost as another woman with long hair descended the ramp after Beidou.
...it has been some time since I last set foot in Mondstadt." her eyes met his, sharp and alert. "And yet so much has changed."
Naruto's jaw clicked open. His gnosis sang in his heart, sensing a long lost friend.
Beidou was smiling for some reason, like she knew some grand secret. He wondered what it was.
Childe looked left. Child looked right. "Where did Zhongli go...?"
...you're like family to me. Or, well, the closest thing to family since I landed in this wild world. Of course I'm gonna protect ya."
"Wait, wait, wait!" Paimon flailed her arms. "Did you just say what Paimon thinks you said?"
Naruto whistled a jaunty tune and kept walking.
"Hey! Wait for Paimon!"
...can you take his Gnosis?"
She lifted her chin. "He will surrender or die."
The Tsaritsa tutted. "Your arrogance blinds you, Signora...
~Nz.