Chapter 1 – Seven Corner's Gathering

Ayano sat opposite her father, he had summoned her after everyone had left that evening, it was late, but Jugo had insisted that it was too important to wait. He sat there while drinking his tea, he then looked up as his hot-tempered daughter.

"Ayano. I know that it's late but, I thought it would be better if I spoke to you now." he paused looking at her directly "Tell me, how much do you know about the 'Seven Corner's Gathering'?"

"Not much, just that it happens every seven thousand years." She replied, confused. Why was he bringing up an event that was not due to happen for thousands of years down the line. "Why are you asking father?"

He sighed, placing his empty cup down he responded "The Head Family Clan members have moved the gathering."

"Head Family Clan members? Moved the gathering? Can they even do that? Doesn't that require years of preparation beforehand?" Ayano questioned

"Usually, however, they have made an exception due to the recent events." he sighed, the news seemed to have aged him considerably. The last few months had done a number on the old man.

"What does this mean father? When are they moving the Gathering? Next year? In ten years? Hundreds? It's not very specific." She fumed, her father did not need this.

"No, not that long." he hesitated

"Then when?"

"The next full moon."

Ayano looked to the sky to find that the moon was almost half full. She turned back to her father "Seriously? That not enough time to get everything prepared! There's so much to do, this is why it takes years to prep! Are they crazy?!"

"Ayano..." Her father started

"No father, this isn't right! It's not enough notice for one thing, secondly, to expect the clans to prepare in such a short time-"

"Ayano listen to me." Jugo, still sat and as stern as the look on his face, replied. "They know its not enough time, that is why they are not gathering everyone. The only ones invited are all the clan heads and their heir, no one else is invited."

"Still-"

"They aren't expecting full attendance from all the clans across the world, just enough so a decision can be made about what will happen about all the high council members."

"Council members like Bernhardt." Ayano stated, even saying his name left a bad taste in her mouth.

"Yes." Jugo replied.

Ayano sighed "This is unbelievable, we never thought this would happen in our lifetime, now, its practically on our doorstep."

"Tell me about it, I hoped after all this nonsense I could retire early, now we have this to worry about." Jugo smirked, Ayano's eyes widened, she wasn't expecting that, calmly, she retorted

"Aren't you a little young to be retiring, oh-so-powerful Clan Head?"

Her father smiled warmly, then responded "Aren't you a little to old to be giving me sass?"

Ayano chuckled "Oh pardon my rudeness My Lord, I promise it will not happen again." Jugo raised one of his eyebrows and chuckled, suddenly feeling overwhelmed with a sensation of pride, that his little girl had become such a fine woman, and soon to be ready to take over the clan. Not yet though, she still hasn't lived to be bound to such a responsibility thought Jugo. Slowly he got up, Ayano following his lead, also got up, only to be pulled into a hug by her father. The familiar warmth made her feel better about the whole thing.

"Everything will be fine Ayano, it's only a gathering."

She smiled, and hugged her father back, holding him tightly, she replied "Oh I hope so father, I really do."

Ayano tried to pretend as if the upcoming event wasn't bothering her, but it was obvious to many that something was playing on her mind. Nanase and Yukari tried to get her to confess what to problem was, but Ayano refused to say anything on the subject.

Kazuma who had also noticed how distracted she was during training, decided enough was enough and pulled her aside.

"Okay Princess, you have my attention,what is the problem? You've been incredibly distracted recently, even during training." He folded his arms over his chest and leaned on the wall for support, he waited for an answer.

Ayano didn't even look at him.

"What the hell is your problem?" He cocked his head to the side, he was baiting her, anything to get an answer, quiet and distracted he noted, this kind of Ayano he didn't like.

"Are we done here? I want to study." She huffed, she seemed to tired to give a damn about his antics, which only worried him more.

"Dammit Princess, no we are not done." when she started to walk away, he quickly grabbed her wrist and pulled her to the wall, facing him he held her wrists in each hand, forcing her to look at him.

"What the hell are you doing pervert?!" she screeched

Ah, there's the Ayano we know and love.

"What's going on with you?" he asked again, this time there was nowhere to run to.

"Nothing." she growled

"Tell me."

"Nothing dammit, let me go!"

"Not until you tell me what's wrong with you."

"Why the hell do you care, you jerk!?" she was getting very angry, how dare Kazuma treat her this way.

"You know I care about you." he replied.

And like that, her anger vanished, and then turned into embarrassment, her cheeks were flushed pink, but her gaze never left Kazuma's, they kept staring at each other, neither relenting, slowly their faces got closer until their lips were not even an inch apart, Ayano felt the heat of his lips so close, just a little closer she thought.

"Hey guys! Are we finishing training or what?" Ren called over to them, though he knew better than to go over, especially is his beloved older brother was teasing Ayano.

Kazuma pulled away, and cursed under his breath then turned back to Ayano "We should head back over there."

"Yeah." was her reply, he nodded, then noticed she wasn't following him.

"You coming or what?" He asked

"Just give me a minute alright?" She hissed, she wasn't looking at him, her eyes covered by her bangs, she still had pink cheeks.

Kazuma smirked "Okay, don't be too long." and he walked away.

Damn you Kazuma, for making me become like this Ayano cursed though she was happy.

Happy that he cared.