Disclaimer: I…don't…own…Kaze not Stigma. *huff* That enough?
Kyoko was put on a case investigation for Ayano and Kazuma. Missing people and skeleton-like remains found. She was checking out the possible victims from the missing person's report while Ayano was being told about the case by her father. Ayano had no patience for things like this. She didn't really like reading that much, while Kyoko loved to read. Sometimes, Kyoko would think they were actual siblings with the way they behaved. It was slightly strange, in a way too. Back to the missing person's report. She had found over hundred possible victims and she had just been checking since that morning. She was still worried about Misao, though.
She shrugged it away. She needed to focus on the case. She had done a case similar to this once but that had been solved by burning a tree that seemed to eat any person who came near a forest. The tree had long roots, and boy, had she been in danger. It had been a pretty stupid case otherwise. She had burnt down half the forest trying to find the tree, though. She had been very pissed. She sighed. It was too bad she was bad at tracking, even though she could sense aura's and sometimes intense emotions. Ayano was like a non-stop radar, all the time. She was so volatile. She lightly scratched her cheek as she waited in the lobby for Ayano. The receptionist guy kept flirting with her and she was tempted to just burn him to a crisp. What was taking Ayano so long?!
Ah. There she was. She spotted two of Ayano's friends with her as well. Ayano spotted her a few seconds later. She glanced at the receptionist and gave her a 'you deal with him' face. Ayano slammed her hand at the desk.
"Give me Kazuma Yagami's room number."
"Uh. Yes ma'am. Mr. Yagami is staying in the penthouse." Ayano stomped towards the elevator she had silently called during the exchange. "Thank you!" Kyoko smirked before leaning back on the elevator wall as Ayano and her two friends entered.
"Took you long enough, Ayano. Did you stop for a bite or something?" She teased her cake-addiction. Ayano had always liked sweet things. Ayano pulled at her jacket like a gangster.
"Just because you don't have to go to school, doesn't mean I don't have to either!"
"Excuses, excuses." She waved it away before opening an eye. Ayano just growled in response. She was so easy to rile up. It was fun.
"Who are you?" A friend of Ayano spoke up while the other elbowed her. She smiled at them. Ayano must be really close friends with them.
"I'm Kyoko, Ayano's adopted sister." She rested her arm on Ayano's shoulder but she just ducked and moved away, mumbling something about 'useless sister' and 'runaway'. She felt a little annoyed but mostly amused. She wasn't a 'run away'. She just didn't like traditions. Its not like she really was a part of their family by blood. She didn't want to follow their traditions, so she just…went away. "I'm not a run away. I just moved away to America for a while." That's what she usually said but she obviously couldn't mention the cases she solved all over the world. Specially the last one. Russia was ruthless, with its weather and its people. She had been greatly weakened by the last. She was lucky she hadn't died. It was dangerous for her to do difficult missions in the snowy cold. She had almost changed the climate of the area she had fought. Everything was burnt to a crisp. She should have been more careful, but as long as she got the job done, it was fine.
She was distracted from her thoughts by two disappointed sighs. She blinked at the two, confused. She looked at Ayano who sighed in exasperation.
"They thought I liked Kazuma. They don't seem to understand that we had to tell him about a job." Kyoko cocked her head. She wasn't sure if Ayano liked Kazuma or not, herself. She was pretty sure Ayano didn't. Ayano hadn't even witnessed his true strength. She probably should tell her.
"You know he's a contractor, right?" Ayano's eyes widened. Her friends probably didn't know what that meant, judging from her clueless face.
"You mean, he received the spirit king's blessing?" she squeaked out.
"Yup." She looked at her friends, who seemed to understand a little at that. "It just means that his power is limited only by his will power. And that's a lot of power." She felt a little bad for Kazuma now. Ayano was going to hero worship him in her silent tsundere way. Whatever. Kazuma could handle himself.
The elevator arrived at his floor and they got off. Her friends waved us bye and the door closed. She turned around and knocked at the door. At least they knew Kazuma was here. She could feel Kazuma's aura inside, calm and comforting in its own way. He opened the door.
"Oh. Its you." The annoyance that had left while she was teasing Ayano returned at the bland tone. "What's up?"
"Job. Ayano, explain it in easy words so he can understand." She heard Ayano sigh. She walked past him and looked around. Her eyes fell on the bar on the side of the room. Ayano sighed and sat on a seat.
"All of the victims are young, ranging from their late teens to early twenties. They discovered around two dozen victims in just the last week but going by the missing person's report. It might be closer to a hundred." While Ayano talked, she proceeded to take out a bottle of whiskey and pour a little in a glass. She probably should have gotten rid of this bad habit, but she really needed a drink. She was really concerned about Misao, and Ayano needed to start extensive training. Each was stressful in its own way.
"Right." He dragged out the word. "So let me guess. Jugo wants me to investigate this."
"Bingo!" She spoke up from her place. "I just investigated this shit, and its your turn to do some work." She turned to Ayano. "I'm going to continue your training. I suppose its too hopeful of me thinking that you continued working on what I told you to?" And just like that, the serious mood was broken. Ayano rubbed her head embarrassed, while Kazuma looked interested.
"You train her?" Kazuma actually sounded surprised.
"Uh… Yeah?" It sounded almost like a question. "I used to. You know, whenever I came back to Japan."
"You must have been a horrible teacher." Kazuma's teasing made the sisters very annoyed. Kyoko flicked her hair back and gave him a superior look, ignoring Ayano's protest.
"I rarely came home. Considering that, I have been absolutely remarkable. Ayano is a horrible student."
"I am not! You're very distracted all the time! You just tell me to repeatedly do something while you disappear somewhere!" Kyoko stubbornly continued ignored Ayano's protests in a way only a sister could and continued on talking over her.
"Anyway, so all you have to do is find a energy-sucking…thing. The rest should be easy. Adios people. I got a different mission now."
"You're gonna have to tell me all about this one, you know." Kyoko stopped halfway to the door.
"Yeah. When you're strong enough, I'll tell you all about them." There was a strange tone to her voice. Kazuma was curious about that but something told him, the answer wouldn't be pleasant. "Buh-bye!"
She closed the door and leaned against it. There was a brief pause of silence.
"Alright. I'll do it."
"Huh?"
"Tell Jugo I'll take the job. But there's no reason for you to help."
"What?"
I'd use you if it was a more powerful yoma but-"
She stopped listening. Rising Ayano up to get the yoma to expose itself was pretty ingenious but she had a very bad feeling about this. She didn't want to be the one trailing them.
She stepped into the shadows and hid from sight. Ayano would storm out soon.
"-And don't worry. I wont help you even if you're dying and screaming in pain!"
-and Ayano stormed into the elevator. She smirked and teleported to the roof.
"Oh man. She's radiating that much anger and she's not even in a fight."
She cocked her head and looked down at the scene. A guy with a broken nose was very awkwardly lying on the ground behind Ayano's friends while Ayano impatiently waited for them.
"But…she's perfect bait."
"She really is, isn't she? I wanted to suggest something like this to Jugo but he was adamant in you being the one to track him. But, oh well, I'm not that good in tracking either. If the yoma was too far away, I wouldn't be able to track him." Kazuma spared her a glance.
"What's your range?"
"-a couple miles." Kyoko felt a little ashamed admitting that. She was good at everything but that. Kazuma lightly scoffed and she scowled at him. "I'm just not that good, okay!" She lightly shoved him. She glanced at Ayano before her face became more serious.
"Its here."
Kazuma wrapped his arm around her waist before a small tornado surrounded them and brought them down. He stood still in front of an alley that would seem empty to a normal person and closed his eyes. She could tell he was concentrating for this. It was probably pretty hard for him to find the rip in the world but he knew what to look for, so it was fine. She could have just teleported them near Ayano's flame but she really wanted to see just how strong he was.
"There." Wind tore through the rip and he brought them inside it. For a second, she just stood there looking at Ayano, fight.
Ayano was weak.
She felt her eyes widen at the thought. She hadn't ever thought of anyone being inferior to her like that. How disgusting.
"Kazuma! Kyoko-nee!"
"Stop looking at us and keep fighting."
"Then quit distracting me." Ayano went back to face the slimy thing.
"I'll cover the surroundings, you go straight up and attack the centre." Ayano went to attack the thing and Kyoko left. She flashed away from the dimension to the park. She could sense the connection. However weak. She appeared in front of Misao.
"So you found me."
"I'll always find you. I consider you a friend. I will never betray my friends. Or at least, never willingly."
"It doesn't matter what you say, I will never come back. I have to take my revenge on Kazuma." Kyoko looked at Misao sadly.
"I'll help you get power. I'll tell you his weaknesses. I'll make sue you get to battle him however times you need to, to get used to him power. I'll make sure you survive." Her eyes filled with tears and her chest hurt. She slowly walked towards Misao. She had to convince her. It was Misao. She couldn't hurt her. "Just, please. Stop this. I'll stay with you throughout. I'll protect you from the whole Kanagi family. Please, don't choose this path!" Kyoko stood in front of her and begged Misao with her eyes. Misao looked surprised at her breakdown.
"I'm sorry Kyoko. But Kazuma has to pay for what he has done to my brother. This path gives me power to do that. I will be able to destroy Kazuma and avenge my brother."
"Is this how far you will go to kill me?" Kazuma's voice surprised her and she instinctively slid in front of Misao. Misao was the one she had to protect. But Kazuma wasn't the enemy.
"Of course. Whatever it takes. To be honest, I expected Kazuma to be the one to find me not Kyoko. After all, wind magic users have great tracking abilities." Misao stood up slowly, and spoke softly. It sounded like the voice of an innocent girl but Misao was far from innocent, wasn't she? She shifted away from Misao so Kazuma and she could see her properly.
"You're aura's toxic. Do you know how many innocent people have suffered so you can take your revenge?"
"Oh yes. But its worth it. I swore that I would make you pay no matter the consequences were and there's nothing you can do to change my mind."
"Do you really think you can defeat me? "
"I know I will. I don't care how much power you have. You're still just a human. It doesn't matter how strong you are, you only have the strength of one man, but I'll absorb the energy of thousands of people until I defeat you."
"Assuming you'll be able to control that power."
"Don't worry, I'll manage. I only need it long enough to kill you. After that, it doesn't matter."
"Of course it matters! Its your life-"
"Are you done or are you going to talk all day?" She wasn't really an emotional person but she had more sense and tact than that. Ayano panted heavily.
"Ayano."
"Not now." Kazuma groaned out. She let out a huff.
"Even I can see how sick your aura has become, and I know what you've done to make it that way." Ayano approached her and that was when she realized she had assumed a battle stance to protect Misao. Ayano was too naïve.
"Mind your own business. This doesn't concern you."
"Stay out of it. This is just between us." She almost rolled her eyes. That line would never work on Ayano, and she had already made Misao her business. Of course, Ayano was a totally different matter entirely.
"Misao, if you want to try and kill Kazuma, then you're right. It isn't my place to stop you. On the other hand, I can't just look the other direction and let you get away with hurting all those innocent people."
"So what then?"
"Enriha, come forth!" She shifted in front of Misao more fully. Flames wouldn't affect her. She was a flame magic user too, after all.
"Leave this to me." Kazuma sounded almost angry.
"No! I'm a member of the Kanagi family."
"I said, forget it." Kazuma approached Ayano and held her hand with Enriha down. Ayano struggled and formed flames all over her body. Kazuma flinched away from it immediately.
"Enough! Stop being so immature and think for once in your life. You think you can take on Kazuma or me? Specially both of us together?" She lifted a hand in front of her face and blue flames formed. She barely took note of the surprised faces, as the spirits of fire lowly gathered in her hand.
God's flame surrounded her whole hand.
"I will raze the Kanagi Family to the ground, if you touch her. This I swear to you." Ayano looked very uncertain. Kyoko's face became hard and serious. This wasn't a half-hearted 'mission', this was protecting her friend. She would go to any lengths to do that. "You will not touch Misao."
"I hate to interrupt but I should get going. You obviously need to solve it out between yourselves." Kyoko turned around when she felt Misao's hand touch her shoulder. "Thank you for your assistance but I'm afraid I will have to receive retribution, both in death and life. I just wish to kill Kazuma before it happens."
"Misao, you can still live a happy life. It doesn't matter what people say. I will protect you from everything." Kyoko put out the God's fire and pulled Misao to herself. She protectively put her arms around her. "In life and death."
"Get away from her, Kyoko! She's killed hundreds of innocents." Kyoko turned her head a little and sneered.
"And what do you think I've been doing on missions, stupid girl? Stop being so naïve. The world isn't black and white. Misao has suffered more than you can imagine." Ayano stood shock-still. Misao extracted herself from Kyoko's arms and stepped back.
"I apologize, but I have to leave." Misao brought her aura closer to her.
"I won't let you!" Ayano charged in and only cut through air, while her aura disappeared with her.
"Nicely done." Kazuma went back to his joking nature while Kyoko tried to contain her bloodlust. Ayano was a pest. Kyoko took a deep breath. She was too used to her mission-like thoughts.
"What's wrong with you? You let her go."
"Well that's not exactly how it happened. I was trying to talk to her first."
"Look, I'm not an idiot. If you actually wanted to stop her, she wouldn't have gotten away so easily. Our family has a duty to make sure Misao pays for what she's done, and if you try to interfere-"
"Just who the hell do you think you're talking to little girl?" Ayano seemed uncertain again. Good. Because Kazuma was the only one stopping her from attacking Ayano. Why didn't she stop to think? When she was young, it was an endearing trait. But now, it was annoying. "If you really want to stop me, then try using your power not your mouth." Kazuma brought his hand closer to Enriha's fire, wind swirling in front of his hand. "Anytime you think you can handle it. You've got an open invitation." The wind put out the fire and left Ayano speechless. It just infuriated Kyoko more. Kazuma walked away from Ayano.
Kyoko walked to Ayano, and back handed her. "Stop being so self-righteous when you don't even understand the whole story." Ayano stumbled back and looked at her with a shocked expression. Kyoko looked at Kazuma who looked at her with a strange expression. Kyoko stepped away from Ayano before flashing away. She really needed to get away. Away from Ayano. Misao. She flashed from place to place before ending up where she wanted.
Forest.
Burn it all down!