Chapter Text
Each step you took off the boat was beyond what you expected, it felt great to once more be on steady land. At once the breeze of Inuzuma hit you and made you take a deep breath as it swept by.
“You’re enjoying yourself a little too much Y/N. It’s only been like, what? Two days at most?” Scaramouche’s voice spoke from behind as he walked behind you. His men were quick to start unloading the luggage off the ship and began to plan how to get it all to the estate safely.
“I’ve never been here is all.” You spoke and narrowed your eyes “Let me enjoy myself.”
Your husband huffed while rolling his eyes with a slight movement at the end of his lips. Almost as if he wanted to smile despite being annoyed “Whatever you say. We can explore later but for now let’s just get past the check in part okay?”
The brush of his fingertips hit yours and gently Scaramouche took your hand into his.
“Promise?”
He planted a quick kiss onto your forehead while checking to see if his men would see. Thankfully they didn’t. “I guess. Although I suppose I shouldn’t make promises I can’t keep.” The Harbinger placed his lips near your ear “After all we need to see your mother remember? We didn’t exactly leave on good terms.”
That’s right…. Su. You hadn’t seen her since Scaramouche took her away. And now here you were married to the Harbinger and admitting your love for him. What would she think of you? Would she hate you for doing so?
“Hey,” Scaramouche spoke and gave your hand a squeeze “Now is not the time to get cold feet and go back. Lets go.”
When he took a step forward you hesitantly followed, watching how he kept an eye on you from the corner of his eye. He didn’t seem disappointed with your uneasiness, but almost just as uneasy as you. Concerned maybe?
-
By the time you had reached the dock of where the check in lied you were a sweating mess. Droplets falling down your skin a frenzy and a breath caught in your throat
“Relax.” Came Scaramouche’s whisper, “This is the easy part of our day remember?”
Right. This was the easy part but holding yourself together at the moment wasn’t. Your fists were clenched and you almost felt light headed. Was it another panic attack? Breaking down in front of Scaramouche was the last thing you wanted right now
“Papers?” Came a stern voice and you swallowed. Ah it was your turn
Scaramouche held the scroll out with a hand on his hip and offered a kind smile that you recognized immediately. That fake sly smile that always seemed to draw people in
It was so natural for him to fake kindness
“Here. This is Y/N and she is my wife as stated on the parchment.”
The guard held the scroll and his eyes swang from side to side while examining the words. Stopping at the signatures below
“She is not a natural born citizen?”
“No.” Scaramouche replied instantly, “She is not but she is still allowed to gain a citizenship within the city as my partner.”
It was quiet for a moment as your husband and the guard had a stare off. Scaramouche’s smile dropping as quickly as it came “I’m sorry is there a problem? I don’t like being held up.”
Oh shit he was gonna get you guys into some serious trouble with his attitude. It was almost cute with how defensive he got for you, but that’s not what you needed at the moment
How could you speed this up?
“Excuse me shorty-?!”
“Kunikuzushi!” You exclaimed and hugged Scaramouche’s arm while giving the guard doe eyes. “Please forgive him! He’s usually not so rude but he’s been pent up lately after his explorations.”
Moving your eyebrows up slightly you gave a suggestive look “And it’s been keeping him from me. You must understand with a partner back home yes?”
The guard’s frustrated expression faltered slightly, “I- er do! It’s not the easiest thing.”
“Please forgive him. I promise no problems from us within the city walls. You won’t even know we’re there.”
Scaramouche eyed you from the corner of his eyes and then returned his attention back to the guard. Clever
“I see, go on then. Keep your word and I won’t have any problems with you two either.” The guard rolled the scroll back up and held it out with a firm grip. You could tell with the slight wrinkles it gave the paper
“Thank you.” You smiled and accepted it gently as you pulled Scaramouche past the check in with you.
He huffed and took the scroll from your hand “That was a Interesting way of handling the situation. Never would have thought to fluster him a bit.”
You shrugged “I wasn’t sure how else to ease the situation, he seemed pretty angry with your attitude.”
“The guards within Inuzuma all think they’re superior to everyone but the Shogun. Stay away from them if possible alright?”
-
Walking had almost killed your feet with how far the main city was from the check in at the docks. You were holding in complains the whole way but kept yourself distracted by talking to your husband. He didn’t seem to mind your constant rambling but in all honesty he preferred it to your crying and moaning about walking. The Harbinger walked for most of his life to most places, this was nothing for him. He actually preferred this as well
Eventually you two had arrived in the city after climbing up more stone stairs that seemed to be testing you with each step. How much further was his estate anyway? You knew he wanted to stop for food of some kind but you wanted to rest again… maybe leaving the boat wasn’t as exciting as you originally thought
People watched as you two walked further and further into the city with slight curiosity and awe. New comers weren’t always something you saw in Inazuma, especially with the new closed borders. It was hard to ignore the attention but Scaramouche paid no mind to it. After all this was the least of his worries at the moment
Suddenly the Harbinger stopped with a halt. His face empty of emotion as you crashed into him, huffing you pushed yourself off.
“Scaramouche what’s wrong?”
His face remained the same and he stayed quiet before narrowing his eyes “She’s here. She’s nearby I can feel it.”
She? Wait did he mean the Shogun?!
“The Archon?!” You whispered and he shook his head
“No the vessel. I could destroy her now. Get rid of her.” He responded lowly and began to fast walk to a area that you had no idea of. Leaving you completely behind
The vessel? The other puppet that was made beside him. Or perhaps after him. But why did he want to destroy her? What would that accomplish? And even if he tried she was the vessel of the Archon,
Wouldn’t she have the power of one as well? Would he stand a chance? If so this would bring unwanted attention wouldn’t it? What would take course if he did strike her down? Would he take her place? Most importantly what if he… what if he was struck down? What would become of you?
“Scaramouche! Where are you going?” You asked as you ran after him but as you did you noticed a giant statue with a crowd around it, someone kneeling on the ground. And just past that a woman with deep purple hair, she was beautiful in every way and you couldn’t help but gawk at her while attempting to keep up with the Harbinger
Your husband shoved past some of the crowd while muttering curses and you apologized to each person as you tried to hold the Harbinger back by his arm. He was so focused and intent on whatever was in mind
That was until you heard a buzzing sound as something small, yet shiny flew into her hand. She held out in front of her for the crowd to see before turning her back to face the massive statue
“See she’s not even paying attention to her surroundings. How foolish of this somehow perfect vessel.” Scaramouche hissed through gritted teeth “All it takes is a moment to seize the opportunity, to become something greater.”
What was he talking about? The way he looked at her
“Something greater? Scaramouche please talk to me!” You begged and he yanked his arm away from you while turning with a hiss to speak close to your face
“She may have it. She may have what I need to explore my undiscovered greatness. Everything I was supposed to be!” Scaramouche exclaimed and used both hands to cup your confused face, he took notice of the slight building up tears but right now that wasn’t important.
“What are you talking about? I don’t understand Scara….” You pleaded and he further widened his eyes as in a fury “You will. I promise. You’ll be by my side when I obtain the Gnosis and destroy her, destroy them both.”
Whatever had gained a hold of Scaramouche had full control, his whole
demeanor had changed entirely. Everything that had happened just a few moments ago, just a few days ago had never happened in this state of mind. Scaramouche had one goal now, to destroy the vessel
Oh he had waited for a perfect opportunity like this. Vision ceremonies don’t happen often and when they do the Shogun is right out in the open. Scaramouche didn’t care for the crowd that may take hits during their battle. What was a little ceremony without a little blood shed? A boring one in his opinion
Your eyes examined him over and over again in a panic. Nothing you said or did was reaching him and to make matters worse you felt a pinch. Flinching and looking down you noticed small crackles around his fingertips. It was electro
“Archons…” you whispered and held your breath. He was Serious about attacking her right here, right now
What good what that lead to? Even if he obtained the… what did he call it? Gnosis! Yes that’s it but that would summon the actual Archon herself…. what creation could destroy it’s creator? It’s own master
You had to keep trying to rationalize with him. This was a idiotic decision but whatever had affected Scaramouche- no what ever affected Kunikuzushi in the past had overtaken him. He was so empty but angry looking,
Almost sad at the same time. But that didn’t stop the animalistic feel he had going on as well
His eyes were rabid, feral with anger and built up emotions from you couldn’t even guess how long ago. You had only seen him like this that one time in the rain, when stood above you for protection against those treasure hoarders…. But now. It seemed one hundred times worse
The electricity sparked brighter and brighter, becoming more noticeable by the second. The cracks and uneasiness of electro shot through the air
Enough for the crowd to murmur and move away from him…. And enough for the Vessel to stop examining the vision, her ponytail swinging in the wind as she froze. Who was the being who dared to show elemental abilities during a vision ceremony, she could feel it. She could also feel that it was no weak surge of elemental energy that would be sent her way. Perhaps enough to be concerned with
“Kunikuzushi!” You pleaded and wrapped your arms around his being “Please stop! This isn’t wise and you know it! Think of what could happen!”
He took a step back as if charging before finally unleashing his attack in the Vessel’s direction but you attempted one last time to reach him.
“What if I die during your battle with her? How will I be by your side when you show me your further greatness?” Another pull on his body “Please stop.”
And at once the haze stopped with his growing elemental energy, the crowd around you two watched in bewilderment and utter confusion if not shock at the situation. His eyes and body softening from its rapid state as the words echoes in his mind
If you would die? Scaramouche took a look back at your shivering form holding onto him and took a deep breath. He was endangering you at the moment without a second thought. He was willing to throw everything away without a second thought for his own desires, but would good with his greatness and eternal goal be without you?
The last thing he wanted to do was lose you, he had lost you for a moment when you two had separated and that had utterly destroyed him. Emotionally he wasn’t stable and in control as he normally was.
He couldn’t imagine you dying, especially because of him. You truly were his weaknesses in every form
Scaramouche took one last glance at the vessel before wrapping his arms around your form in return “I’m sorry…” he whispered and narrowed his eyes as the vessel began to finally turn around. Those purple eyes glowing with something he wanted to crush, but his greatness could wait.
With a flash of purple the two of you had disappeared from the ceremony and the crowd burst into discussion with what they had just witnessed. Questions and statements no longer understandable as it almost melted into empty noise. Guards flocking down to gain control of the area of the commotion
“Mighty Shogun!” One Guard stood at attention as the Vessel hummed with her summoning him. Without a word she handed him the vision and pursed her lips with what annoyance as this should have been an easy vision ceremony. If she was correct it was about to get a lot more interesting and a lot less easy. That energy she felt, the presence she felt. If she was right with her guess as to who it may be… it should be reported to Ei at once. Her voice stern as she once more turned her back and began walking back to Tenshukaku
“What are you doing back here?”
-
You clung to him as the feeling of grass hit your skin, Scaramouche’s arms wrapped around your kneeling form on the ground. Apologies spouting from his mouth over and over again
It almost felt endless with how quickly he was doing it. You weren’t even crying but the urge to do so was strong. The endless scenarios of what could have happened played through your mind. Whether it was your death or his you couldn’t imagine a positive ending.
“I’m not sure what came over me.” He spoke but inside he did. He knew the answer. Scaramouche knew why he was the way he was and even more so for why he wanted the Gnosis so badly. The reason for why having the Gnosis in his grasp would make everything better. But losing you wasn’t worth the Gnosis.
Nothing was
You tried to respond to him but nothing came out of your mouth as you smacked him and tried to shove him away. You just needed a breather is all
“Forgive me.”
It almost sounded like a order and not a plea from the Harbinger but you didn’t want to place whether it was or not. Right now you just wished to be in a bed resting and not picturing the scenario that took place moments ago. It left you shaking
Scaramouche let you stay in his hold for what felt like hours, whispering things you couldn’t always understand. You were still trying to calm down and he knew that
However with the fall of the sun he knew he would have to have you indoors soon. Rather than walk he would just summon you and himself in his estate. Now wasn’t a good time to present you to your mother so perhaps another day.
Same with his opportunity for greatness, one where you’ll be in it