A/N: Long time no see. Happy Lantern Rite.
Chapter 7: An Overseas Visitor
Life was odd. At least, that's how Naruto felt about it. It would tip over to one side, overflowing and completely shifting to the end of despair and unfairness, leaving everything else in his life rumbling and unstable, toppled. A mess, and sometimes completely gone from his life at the end of it. Other times, he found the scales on his side, where everything went his way.
At first, he had tried to keep life that way. Tipped on his side. Weighted so that he could hold onto it for forever, never to feel the pain of loss and the grief of mourning. But the scale always moved eventually, just as surely as time did, no matter how much control he tried to assert.
Life moved on, with or without him. It took Naruto a long time to learn to move in conjunction with the immutable truth of life itself.
Some from his past would notice his changes and tell him that he wasn't the same. He'd reply 'of course not', because a person changes over the course of a lifetime. Potentially multiple times.
He simply learned how to stop holding on so tightly, and how to let go gracefully. Since then, the weight on both ends rarely ever shifted harshly, carefully balancing in the middle now that he wasn't influencing it.
Which was why he wondered -
"What did I ever do to deserve this long enduring happiness?" as he cooked breakfast, long before the girls awoke from their slumber. Eggs with salt and pepper, along with imported bacon from Mondstadt, and a pot of rice that was sold just down the street, already steaming in its pot, would start the day off for the four of them.
The blond looked through the circular window, where the harbor stretched out in its stone roads and paths for miles, and the ocean beyond that waved and lapped for eternity beyond Inazuma.
And yet…
He found happiness here in Liyue.
Beidou felt the sluggish tugs of sleep gently release its grasp on her as her consciousness arose from the depths of her dreams. A warm mattress cushioned her back, and a soothing, soft cover rested on top of her to trap in the heat, staving off the winter chill that had seeped over Liyue like a soft compress.
Maybe she was still dreaming. A bed, and a blanket? It tickled against the skin, bristling at the edge of her fingers. She hadn't felt these sensations for…
A sharp crackle of fire alerted her. Beidou's eyes flurried, the girl immediately awake and grasping to her right for her claymore. Panic blossomed like a wildfire, threatening to spill out of her when her hand caught air.
Where was it? Where was it?
Suddenly, a shadow fell over her. Before her darkening feelings could twist their way deeper into her already spiraling emotions, the shadow bent so that it was hunching over her. She dared not look back.
"Good morning, little pirate. Want some breakfast before you take over the sea?" The warmest voice, reminding her of days when the clouds would part of the shining sun that would slowly, serenely break through and let the world bask in its light. The same way it would let its orange glow twinkle over the grass and plains in the long pastures in Liyue.
Beidou raised her chin and saw the same color as the ocean she wished so fervently to explore. An older man, maybe a decade and a half her elder, knelt in front of her in homely clothes. A bright orange top that hung low on his shoulders and beige, airy pants that were cuffed at the ankles adorned the blond with the sparkling eyes.
The memories of the day before, which was a dream to her, suddenly rushed in like the tide.
"Yesterday was real," she breathed out. Beidou could hardly believe it. Everything that happened at the Rite of Descension, and then the food and the partying on the street with people. Not with the bushes and bundles of stones beside her. All of it was real and a memory of her own.
"Maybe you need some food in you to get your bearings straight. I got some Mondstadt imported specialties today, if that's alright."
That sounded heavenly to her but...
Beidou remained sitting, focused on the back of one of the wealthiest men in Liyue, despite his rather lacking household. Her hands brushed against the blanket on her lap. Smooth and silky, a texture that she knew someone that lived on this street would be unable to afford. She may not be the most civilized person, but Beidou knew what Mora was, and its power.
This could all still be a dream. But it could also not be. Even if it were, why wouldn't she partake?
"Is it really fine if I eat with you?" She'd only ask once.
"It's perfectly fine with me. Sit and join me. We can regale each other about our travels." The blond took that opportunity to place a steaming pile of tossed eggs, cured hams, and toasted bread with drizzled salt and sauce all on a plate.
She really didn't have a choice. The smell was already pulling her in, like a wave back to the ocean once it hit the shore. Back to where it belonged.
Beidou was in her seat the next moment, the woodwork scratching against the floor in her abruptness, chatting away.
"So there was this time in - "
"Don't rush. The food won't run away."
"And then there was this totally 'nother time 'bout four months back, a few stone peaks east from Wangshu Inn. You know that spot there, where the rivers kinda bend all to the left if you stare at them from the top of one of the wooden bridges. I saw some of 'em hili-billy-churls just dancing at the other end about a fire in broad daylight!"
"Seconds?"
"Yeah! And more of the meaty stuff instead of the bread…uh, if that's alright…Thanks! That looks perfect!"
"You got them to call you 'Boss?'"
"I did. Ah, I did everything for them, just because of the way they called me that. I was so gullible back then."
Beidou brewed in thought, her pupils half lidded as she sat. An imaginary fluorescent light flared above her.
"So if I call you Boss, too, would you keep feeding me?"
"...Say what?"
The confusion was disregarded, and Beidou trucked forward. "Boss, I'd like more food, please!"
Inside the bedroom of her little quaint house on that unassuming street, Yelan raised an eyebrow at her roommate. Ningguang sat at the edge of her bed, smirking wonderfully.
"We have one more in the household, don't we?" Ningguang chirped, deeply amused.
Yelan sighed. Her daddy truly was just too kind and wonderful of a person. If he could, she didn't doubt he'd somehow end up adopting the rest of the orphans of Liyue. Perhaps even some that weren't orphans.
The legal issues that would come with that, she didn't want to imagine. Once was enough, even with Yanfei's assistance.
"I suppose we do. Shall we join our newest addition?"
Ningguang's eyes crinkled in delight.
Breakfast was a blast! The other two gals eventually came out of their room and joined me and da Boss for breakfast. The bluey one seemed a bit silent, but brightened up like the sun on a summer day without a cloud in sight when Boss side hugged her and ruffled her bed head. Obviously, she's a daddy's girl, but can't blame her. He makes some powerful omelets, I'd bet even those ol' dancing hilichurls would wanna join in on the extravagant-za.
Ningguang kinda just glanced over at me and gave me this weird, knowing smile. I don't know. It didn't seem like she meant anything mean by it, but I couldn't help but 'ta feel a shiver. My arms had goosebumps. By the time I caught on to her, she was already smiling elsewhere, chattin' with Boss about somethin' related to her work and the 'futures market' or somethin'.
Lost me completely, so I lost myself in eggs and bacon.
That was until I heard something along the lines of 'Inazuman envoy' and 'important guest we'll meet' one after the other.
"We're gonna meet someone from Inazuma, Boss?" I blurted out. Boss blinked away from Blue. I swear, he slipped on a mask that was so soft, those silk sheets couldn't beat that.
"I was going to ask you if you'd like to join us, but it seems that you already invited yourself in."
The heat that flooded over my face and body, it felt like the world that suddenly turned to face me. "Er…I mean, only if that's 'right with everyone here."
Ningguang spoke first, simply and princess-like. "I have no qualms with her joining us."
"I'm fine with it," Boss said right after. He then turned back to Blue. We made eye contact, and she shrugged.
"Yeah, I don't see a problem. You have a third daughter now, Boss?"
Boss choked. I can't believe it. Blue was strong enough to make him swallow his food incorrectly. I ought to put some respect on her name. Blue Ranger was made of stern stuff.
"We'll…can we not talk about that at the breakfast table like it's nothing?"
"He's right, Yelan."
"Thank you, Ningguang."
"We should discuss this over the dinner table instead."
"Ningguang, no."
"Or perhaps at the lunch table when we meet the Inazuman diplomat. I'm sure that they'd find it the most joyous occasion, equally professional and joyous, only rivaled by that of the Lantern Rite Festival."
"...Young miss, who taught you how to speak with so much sass and sarcasm? I'd like to find them for a quick discussion."
Ningguang grinned widely, palm against cheek. "You did, good sir."
"I most certainly did not. I had little say in the matter."
"I'd argue otherwise."
"As would I."
"The jury should remain silent during the procession of the court."
"Exactly, Yelan. Stay silent while I tell your biggest fan and defendant how he forced his daughters to learn how to talk back with wisdom."
"Sarcasm and wisdom really are not flipsides of the same coin, so I'm going to have to dock a point from you, Ningguang."
"Only if you fail to agree that wisdom can be delivered in a sarcastic wrapping."
"Sorry, daddy. The jury agrees with the prosecution on that front."
"...I am the judge and defendant and overrule this. Read in section 42, the fine print states that wisdom is wisdom. This is this, and that is that."
"And your source is, Mr. Defendant and Judge?"
"My source is me."
"...Oh, come on, Daaaaaddy."
"The prosecution would like to rest its case. Dear Father, it was an acceptable battle. Please accept your loss with dignity."
"Nuh-uh."
"Father!"
"Ooooh, you got burned, Ningguang. Case overruled and closed. Lock it down, folks. Nothing else to see here. Jury has now determined one to zero that the defendant has won the case and yet absolutely failed to clear his name for teaching his daughters how to talk back."
I didn't get the rest of whatever went on. All I knew was that I was joining them for another outing of some sorts.
Soon after, we all got dressed. I had to borrow some of Blue Ranger's clothes. She stared at me, then went through her closet, rifling through her clothes like she was pushing through pages on a boring book. Then, her eyes lit up.
"Wear this," was all she said before stabbing a purple dress at me.
"Thanks!"
"Yeah, yeah. Don't worry about it. The quicker we get out, the sooner we can meet the diplomat."
"That's what you're saying, but I'm sure it's more along the lines of the sooner we get dressed, the sooner you can get compliments from dear father."
Blue Ranger's face would've made the Jueyun Chilies red with envy.
"Daddy's the best. The best in the whooole world."
Ninggaung's smile disappeared outta nowhere. Dunno why, though. Boss seemed pretty spankin' spectacular so far. He did say he visited Inazuma, and that's awesome. Super awesome.
"Can you not?"
"I could, but I will. Daddy makes the best omelets and breakfasts. Daddy never misses a shot when he fires an arrow. D-"
Yae Miko was excited.
Scratch that.
Yae Miko was ecstatic. Not that she'd ever outwardly show that, especially in public. She had too much face to save and preserve. But she'd be willing to show a bit of her actual happiness at this opportunity to the one person that was making her feel this way.
Her older sister would be the one guiding her through the city for the festival. Yae had completed her tasks and there was hardly anything interesting happening within the ports of Inazuma. No thrilling tales to read, and barely a whisper in the winds of future dealings that would require her attention. All in all, dullness was all that awaited her if she remained at Narukami Shrine.
Oh, her maidens would be just fine without her. She trained them well, and she made sure of that. No matter what other people saw of her, she treated her work seriously. It gave her more leeway to do other things she wanted. Efficiency allowed her freedom.
That was the argument she'd given the robot at Tenshukaku. Not that she'd seen her personally; it had been decades since her last meetup. She'd sent a missive, and it was replied within the day by means of a bird with a message attached to its leg. It only contained a single word.
'Allowed.'
She packed immediately, deciding what should go within her storage with her Yokai powers, then told her two most prospective up and coming maidens to prepare to travel. She saw the way Kuki and Mai hurried their gait; they may as well have sprinted considering their discipline. Just adorable.
Her mood had considerably fallen once she'd gotten on the boat. Water and her…not the best of acquaintances. Hardly associates, for that matter. She had passed the time by reading and editing, but the material soon ran empty, and she was left to talk with the rather one-note sailors on the ship.
They certainly had stories, but none of them were ones that she hadn't heard before. Nearly five hundred years would do that to someone, especially one like her that wished to read every person's pages, if only to find a spark of passion. Unfortunately, this ship lacked any words that would land itself in a new novel, including its captain. That same feeling couldn't be shared by her cute little maidens, so she made sure that when she ever saw her pupils, their eyes filled with their stories of magic, speaking with some of the sailors on break, she'd assist in guiding them to telling the most interesting pages of their lives. Of course, what was simply repetitive to her was a novelty to be cherished for others.
The days passed, and she spoke with her cute little maidens who listened to her with absolute dedication, especially when she spoke of what to expect for this little trip to Liyue. They showed fervent attention to her when it came to duties and new lessons, but they were absolutely rapt on anything involving another country. That always brought her spirits up a bit.
After nearly two weeks on the speeding boat, the fog cleared in the morning and her least favorite associate revealed an end to their connection. At least for the next two weeks.
Liyue Harbor and its lights, bright and beautiful like gems, shone even in the daylight. Thousands of people moved, breathing life into the city, waving like the long and brash banners that hung high. Even from this far away, where the sea churned powerfully and the scent of brine and salt wafted nauseatingly, Yae felt the thrum of passion stirring within her. It only grew more fervent when the shouts from dock workers became audible, instructions directing the sailors to a designated area with their strong Liyuan accent.
"Ah," Yae said, eyes sparkling. There, out behind the throngs of business, in an area unperturbed by traffic, was Ganyu. She was as radiant as ever, her kind and genuine nature shining straight through her timid self. Yae raised her right hand and waved lightly, a small giggle escaping her. The way Ganyu's eyes lit up upon their lines of sight meeting would always make Yae's heart flutter with warmth.
"Hello, Yae." Her words were soft, yet Yae heard her name clearly. The Guuji practically had a slight hop in her steps. The wards shared a look. Their boss may as well have been seen skipping in public with that extra centimeter of height.
"Hello, Ganyu. It's been quite some time since we last met. Perhaps a few decades? A hug from you would be welcome, but I do understand protocol if it's not acceptable." That last part was in jest. Of course the hug would be accepted gratefully, but Yae simply wanted to lighten the mood. The last thing she expected was for Ganyu to actually step closer to her and wrap her arms around her waist.
"It has been, dear little sister. I'm glad that you were able to make it to Liyue this year. Happy Lantern Rite." Smooth and sincere. Suddenly, everything seemed foreign. This was unanticipated. But Yae was nothing if not adaptable, so she eagerly returned the gesture, her arms over Ganyu's shoulders due to the height difference. From an outsider's perspective, it would seem as if Yae were the elder.
They pulled away, and Ganyu lifted her left hand. Yae noticed the four individuals beside the Adeptus. A blond man with decent height dressed in traditional Liyuan that covered all of his body but the neck up. He had youthful features, and his eyes held sparks of light and mischief, something that she found agreeable.
Beside him were three young girls that only matched up to his stomach's level.. Each was dressed excellently, far more extensively than the man was. Clearly from the same seamstress, if the styles and materials were to be judged. Blue, gold, and purple stood tall. One calm, the other inquisitive, and the last excited…like a rabid dog.
"It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Naruto Uzumaki, one of the unofficial stars of this city." That got her attention. Uzumaki was a name that was strictly Inazuman, and that meant she had assumed correctly initially that he was not Liyuan. But he was an unofficial Tianquan. Yae may have not been the most up to date when it came to foreign matters, but she did pay attention. She wasn't aware there were ever such things as unofficial members of the Liyue Qixing. "Officially, I'm tasked with giving you a tour of the city with my secretary, Ganyu. Unofficially…I'm really just here to meet the younger sister of Ganyu and enjoy the festival with my family." The shameless wide grin that beamed from him was almost contagious. Yae already liked this Naruto's attitude.
The blue haired girl first to his right bowed slightly, then lifted so that her slightly darker, navy eyes met hers. "My name is Yelan Uzumaki, as I am officially his first daughter. A pleasure to meet you and your shrine maidens." Was this supposed to be a play on how her father was using officially and unofficially too many times?
The white-haired girl dressed in gold and hints of red bowed next. "I am Ningguang Uzumaki, an unofficial future member of the Liyue Qixing. I am the official second daughter, yet older than the first."
The last of three ignored bowing altogether. Instead, she jabbed a thumb straight at her own breast. "I'm Beidou soon-to-be Uzumaki as soon as the Boss'll let me be! I'm unofficially queen of the seas and potentially a future official third daughter!" The declaration came out with strength and confidence, so much so that Ningguang clapped for her - granted, it seemed almost out of shock - and left Yelan blinking.
Naruto stared straight at Yae with a professional smile that was far different from the warm, relaxed grin he had earlier.
An odd family, Yae concluded. Clearly, the three daughters were not of the same blood. And they certainly were not even from the same region of Teyvat as the father. Anyone could see that. Her little budding shrine maidens would notice it, clear as day. The fact that all three had their own quirks that were apparent and also wildly different was a clear tell.
But their straight backs and smiles were not fake, so Yae promised to only look into the whole affair later.
Yae's lips twitched up. "It's a pleasure to meet you all, officially and unofficially. I can already tell that we'll get along."