Hey guys! I know...those of you who read my other story 'The Maze' are probably disappointed in me for not updating that story. I know guys, I'm being late and clumsy. But please forgive me. I'm having a major case of writer's block and life isn't exactly going easy on me. I'm having problems and my brain is just blocked. I can't think of good ideas for that story and I don't want to write trash just to satisfy you guys. So kindly give me a few more days to pull myself together. I promise to continue the story and even finish it! But I won't give up writing.

This story is definitely much more interesting to read. I want to make it kinda romantic….but I'm not sure whether I'll succeed. This story is filled with angst, sadness, guilt and regret…..but since I just love happy endings, rest assured people, this story will definitely have a happy ending!...Hope you like it!

Disclaimer: I do not own Kaze No Stigma. Zing and Liang's names are my original creation. They were in the anime but they didn't have specified names, so I gave them one of my own.

He woke up with a start, his brow covered with sweat and his heart beating uncontrollably. Again. He'd had a dream about her again. He brought his hands upwards, resting them on either side of is head.

Why? Why did it always have to be her in his dreams? He gave an exhausted sigh slowly bringing his hands downwards and resting them on his lap. Reaching out on the side table, he removed his cell phone and started flipping through the pictures until he found the one he was looking for. A gentle smile formed on his lips as he saw it, yet there was still this feeling of sadness, guilt….and regret.

Yes, regret. He looked at the digital photo again, looking at the flaming haired beauty in it, her smiling face and her windblown hair. Ren had taken the photo during a picnic, insisting that it would make a good wallpaper on his phone.

It did…..until it was too painful to look at it anymore. He looked at the photo one last time. It displayed him with his arm draped over her shoulders, a genuine smile on both their faces while a slight blush coated her cheeks. Those mesmerizing crimson eyes still made his heart skip a beat even though it was still a photo…

He flipped the phone close gently, closing his eyes as a memory came back to him….the memory that he had dreamt about.

She stood there, a gentle breeze moving her hair as she looked into the sunset, a small smile on her rosy lips. The mission they had just completed had been a hard one and both the partners were tired after their arduous fight, both now looking at the sky to soothe their nerves.

She turned towards him, leaning on the small wall of the park, her eyes closed.

"It's beautiful isn't it, Kaz?" She used her nickname for him, slowly opening her crimson eyes gazing at him.

"Yeah" He replied still focusing on the sunset. She turned again, watching the sunset as they stood in a comfortable silence while watching the birds flying back into their nests.

"Birds have such a nice life don't they? Being able to fly freely around the world without any worries..."She stood gazing at the birds, a longing look on her face.

"Yeah, they do have the privilege to move around freely, but they never have a place that they can truly call home…."He replied "Just like me…"

She looked at him sharply. He bit his tongue and immediately tried to correct his mistake "I mean, that was before I came back…." Her unwavering gaze unnerved him as she still looked at him with stern crimson eyes. "But I was like those birds before…..being able to move freely without being answerable to anyone…..but I guess that was because everyone that was close to me always left me at some point in time…..so I had no one to answer to….."He trailed off, his eyes holding pain as he looked at her "But I guess things can change…."

"Of course you're not alone anymore…..you have me and even Ren…"She huffed indignantly slowly bringing her smaller hand towards his bigger one and giving it a gentle squeeze "I promise you…I'll never ever leave your side….." She smiled up at him, a loving look on her face.

And she never did. It was him who left her. It was him who went away. He still regretted it, but he knew in his heart that it was inevitable….he had a reason…

Shaking his head, he got up from bed, looking at the clock on the side table. It was still early. He got up, took a quick shower and grabbed an apple. His appetite had completely vanished after that dream, but he knew that he had to eat something to keep him going.

He walked into the sunshine, into the busy street with its many people buzzing around. Some were in a hurry to get to office, others were busy doing their own respective job, while kids buzzed pass him in a hurry to get to school. He was the only one without any real purpose in life. But he had a job request to complete.

The job went smoothly. It was nothing major that the famous wind contractor couldn't handle. Finishing his job quickly, he walked around the streets, no real purpose behind his actions.

Suddenly a voice called out from above all the noise "Hey Kazuma! Buddy is that you?!"

He slowly turned around, trying to compensate the direction of the noise. That's when he saw them. His long lost friends - Zing and Liang. They had been his friends when he had met Tsui Ling…maybe even from earlier. He still remembered how they used to come to Tsui Ling's restaurant and tease him about their relationship and about how he had changed.

They made their way towards him, clapping him on the back and asking him about how he was doing. He told them he was fine….though the unsettling look on his face probably gave away his lies as his friends suggested going to a restaurant to talk over old times over cups of coffee. He was not in the mood, but he knew that it would hurt their feelings if he refused. So he went along with their plan, following them as they led him to a back alley where there was a small restaurant.

The three of them entered the small comfortable restaurant which despite being small, gave off a homely feeling. After taking their seats and giving their orders, his two friends looked towards him.

"How's it going man? You don't look fine." Zing asked, looking at him with concern.

"I'm fine. It's just that things don't go smoothly for me in life." Kazuma lied looking at his friends with the best unemotional face he could put up. Being his long time friends, they probably looked past his lies again.

"No, you're not fine. Is it about Tsui Ling? Are you still missing her? Still thinking it's your fault?" Liang asked.

"No, I've gotten over her a long time ago. I've met new people, had a new life…but….." He trailed off, not wanting to mention Ayano to his friends.

His friends, thinking it was still about his ex lover, shook their heads. The waitress came, putting their order on the table in front of them blushing as she saw Kazuma's handsome face. She stammered a little before going off, her face still red.

"You can't stay like this man…..you're not gonna die in loneliness…I won't allow that!" Liang, being the more energetic of the two looked at him with determination. "You're coming with us to the bar tonight! There's a party and lots of beautiful women! There's no way a man like you would go unnoticed by them! I'm going to find you a partner tonight whether you like it or not!" Liang looked at him" You can't continue living like this." He stated seriously obviously not willing to leave until Kazuma agreed.

Kazuma, knowing it would be futile to argue, nodded his head halfheartedly. He didn't want to go. He didn't feel like going. But he knew that there was no way out.

Having dropped the topic, the three of them talked about life instead of love, following up on each other and exchanging phone numbers to keep in touch. After talking for anther 30 minutes, the three of them paid their bill, walking out of the restaurant.

Zing and Liang said goodbye, stating that they had a job to complete. Before going, Liang again reminded him about the party to which he nodded his head dejectedly. They parted, going their separate ways after agreeing to meet the same night.

Kazuma turned walking away with his hands in his pocket deep in thought. Just what had he gotten himself into?

This is the first chapter. Tell me if you like it and if it is worth continuing. I personally think that it is pretty good! But our opinion matters. If you guys are having some problem understanding the story then please pm me or state your doubt in your review.

This story will probably be short. Only two or three chapters...I don't want to make it much longer...I'll try my best to update soon.

Please review! Thank you!~

Until next time people!