KazuXiao

KazuXiao is the slash ship between Kaedehara Kazuha and Xiao from the Genshin Impact fandom.

Canon
Xiao is from Liyue, while Kazuha is from Inazuma. Given that Kazuha mostly hangs out in Liyue, it's possible that he met Xiao at some point; however, it's highly unlikely since Xiao doesn't interact with humans very often. The color schemes of their designs are somewhat opposite, Kazuha's being dominated by warm colors, and Xiao's by cool ones. They both wear a wide sleeve on their left hand side and a short one on the other side. Xiao has an obvious back window, while Kazuha has a hidden front window, covered by his scarf.

Both are playable 5-star Anemo characters available in limited-time banners. They both share the distinct ability to maneuver in mid-air and utilize plunge combat: Kazuha's elemental skill lifts himself up in the air before unleashing a powerful plunge attack, while Xiao's burst increases his jumping ability to deal more plunge attack damage.

They also complement each other in exploration. Kazuha's utility passive decreases running stamina consumption, while Xiao's passive reduces climbing stamina. Kazuha's elemental skill allows him to jump in mid-air to make climbing/ reaching platforms easier, while Xiao's skill allows him to dash/ speed run across platforms. Having the Anemo Resonance further increases team movement speed.

Both characters are shown to have an indomitable will. During his younger years, Xiao has gone through terrible abuse by his previous master. Following his rescue by Morax, he swore to serve him in order to combat evil, which incurred painful karmic debt throughout his life. Over time, the karmic debt took over his fellow Yaksha members, and he could only watch as they go insane and destroyed one another. Even after what he had suffered, Xiao persevered without showing hatred or resentment, and continues to perform his duties today. Kazuha, on the other hand, was not abused, but rather cherished by his family. In order to attain freedom for Kazuha, his father sacrificed the family business. Sadly, he passed away soon after. Kazuha sold off his home and became a wandering samurai, at times having trouble to find place to sleep. After losing his good friend, he went through many tribulations in hopes to awaken his friend's lost vision. The strength of his will allowed him to trigger both that vision and his own to parry Raiden Shogun's Musou no Hitotachi, which is seen as a remarkable feat. As a result, Kazuha gained popularity due to this fight, which is ironic, as Xiao who is an Adepti that fought tirelessly for humanity for for thousands of years, is not worshipped by many.

In terms of differences, one factor would be the contrast of their perspective towards their Archons. Xiao, having been saved by Morax from his enslavement, developed an unwavering loyalty towards him and dedicated his life to protecting Liyue. As for Kazuha, having become a wanted criminal due to the Vision Hunt Decree and lost his dear friend, had caused him to hold resentment for Raiden Shogun and leave Inazuma.

Another factor is their personality. Even though both have introverted natures, their temperaments are different. On the surface, Xiao is intimidating and cold, whereas Kazuha is kind and polite. However, as one gets to know them better, one would realize Xiao is much more fragile and kinder than he seems to be. In contrast, Kazuha will not hesitate to become ruthless should anyone cross him, as he is seen to threaten Fei the Flyer with torture in order to trigger his friend's lost vision.

Fanon
KazuXiao is notably a rarepair within the Genshin fandom, however it is still a known one. There are currently over 380 works of the ship on ao3. Their main rival ships are XiaoVen and Xiaother, two of Xiao’s most popular ships. Others are KazuScara and TomoKazu, which are Kazuha’s most popular ships. KX ship has a fan base in Twitter, where most of the content is. The ship most likely gained its shippers due to their possible dynamic relationship; since Kazuha is so carefree, most fans think that it would be good for Xiao to have someone like Kazuha. Another reason could be the fact that Kazuha has the kindness and patience that Xiao values, and Xiao the feeling of security that Kazuha lacks. Both can also bond over the fact they've lost people in their lives. KazuXiao appears to have an amazing chemistry should horoscopes and personality types are taken into account.

Fandom
FAN FICTION

Trivia

 * The ship's signature emojis are 🍁👹. The maple leaf representing Kazuha and the oni representing Xiao's mask.
 * In an official interview with Kazuha's Japanese voice actor Nobunaga Shimazaki, he chose Xiao as one of his favorite characters. He commented how Kazuha's design seem to base on Beta Xiao's design (Time stamp: 11:15 onwards). . He also stated that he would be delighted to see players line up Kazuha and Xiao in the same party.
 * In the Japanese dub, Kazuha and Xiao uses the line “風よ/風は…” (The wind) with a similar voice tone. Xiao says the line when he uses the wind glider whereas Kazuha says the line when he performs his Elemental Skill.
 * They are both mentioned as the last of their kind in the race / family.
 * Both Kazuha and Xiao are friends with Venti.
 * Both are artistic; Kazuha enjoys playing music while Xiao wishes to dance.
 * Both do not reside in their origin country (Xiao's speculated to be from Sumeru (Timestamp: 19:00 onwards) due to his dream eating capabilities). Kazuha's great grandfather is adopted, but is unknown if he married a Kaedehara Clan family member.
 * Xiao and Kazuha's birthday art seem to revolve around Ginko and Maple leaves respectively.
 * Both have lost a friend with an electric vision and failed to save them.
 * Both are indebted to someone for saving them. Xiao to Zhongli, Kazuha to Beidou and Gorou.
 * Both have similar looking constellations (wing-shaped).
 * Both have appeared as one of the main characters in the collaboration art for Sweets Paradise (and in the same right spot).
 * Kazuha's TCG event card has the same pose as Xiao's TCG character card. Both cards are launched together in the 3.7 patch.
 * Kazuha has stumbled upon an Adepti dwelling during the Tuned to the World's Sounds Event, and has gotten hold of an Ancient Zither and played till it broke.
 * Kazuha usually loiters around Guyun Stone Forest due to the Alcor's ship being docked there. Xiao often patrols around that spot as mentioned by Zhongli during the 2022 Lantern Rite Festival (Day 4 - Post-Quest Dialogue).
 * Interestingly, Kazuha comes from a bladesmith family, and Xiao happens to have a voice line that says to view him as a weapon.
 * In the Bilibili's Fan Art Birthday Party 2022, Kazuha and Xiao can be seen running a cat cafe together at timestamps 5:30, 6:18, 52:45 and 1:49:36.

Variations

 * 4NEMO refers to the ship between the two, Aether and Venti
 * 5WIRL refers to the ship between the two, Aether, Venti and Shikanoin Heizou
 * 6REEZE refers to the ship between two, Aether, Venti, Shikanoin Heizou and Scaramouche
 * KazuXiaoVen refers to the ship between the two and Venti