"Why are you Avoiding me?"
Summary: After the whole kidnapping of Ayano and the confrontation with Lapis, Ayano seems to be having mixed feelings about Kazuma and has been purposely avoiding him. Kazuma has been wondering why, but doesn't seem to care. Then Jugo, wanting to ease the tension between the lovely two, sends them on an easy task of doing some household errands for the Kannagi household.
Authors Note: Sorry of this chapter is not as good as the others, I'm having writers block, but it's okay the chapter after this will be really good, I promise! Although this seems like this chapter is a fail, I think it would be enough for you people, the readers, to be satisfied! :) P.s-October 28th was my Bdayy, so I'm officially 14 now! xDD
Disclaimer: I do not own Kaze no Stigma ^ ^
Ugh… why did father have to send me out on a lovely day like this, with an inconsiderate jerk like him? Ayano thought as she eyed the so called inconsiderate jerk.
"If you keep staring me down like that, I just might not pay for that little sundae you have there." Kazuma said as he took a sip of his chocolate milkshake.
Ayano glared at the man before her for a few seconds before she took another bite of her sundae and looked away. For some odd reason, Kazuma insisted on coming to this little ice cream parlor before they go do Jugo's errands for the day. Ayano, half-heartedly agreed, but she feels like this sort of atmosphere doesn't suit the perverted asshole extraordinaire that was seated before her.
"Okay, Kazuma, what's the deal, why are we here! Aren't we supposed to be doing some errands or something? So why did you insis-"
"Why don't you just be a good girl and be thankful that a man like me actually took you out to a place like this, just to make you happy." Kazuma said as, again took another sip of his milkshake and averted his eyes away from the young Kannagi heiress.
Ayano blushed a deep scarlet red and averted her eyes down to her knees. Fiddling with her skirt, she kept on thinking about the whole Lapis situation, but just when she was about to ask Kazuma about it, Kazuma abruptly got up out of his chair and walked to the counter.
"Kazuma?" Ayano said as he grabbed her by the wrist and practically dragged the hot-headed princess right out of the parlor.
"Kazuma? Kazuma? Kazuma, let go of me! I demand you to stop!" Ayano wailed on and on as Kazuma kept walking kempt on the sidewalk.
"Kazuma! Fine, you asked for it!" Ayano bellowed as she concentrated her chi to create warmth around her wrist area, which made Kazuma release his firm grip on her.
"Ahh! What the hell Ayano!" Kazuma said as rubbed his palm.
"I'm sorry, but what in the world are you doing, dragging me out of there! I can walk by myself, I don't need any assistance from you, especially with what you were doing to me just now, how rude and unkind… why? I didn't do anything to you did I?" Ayano said as she spun around to avoid eye contact.
Kazuma lifted up a hand to pat Ayano on the shoulder, but quickly put it down, as to not cause anymore unwanted stress to the hot-headed heiress. I guess I went to hard on you didn't I? Sorry Ayano, forgive me.
Why… Kazuma… why… Did I make you angry? Did I get on your nerves? Did Lapis do anything to make you act like this? Ayano thought as a sullen look spread across her face.
"Err… Ayano?" Kazuma softly asked.
Still feeling down, Ayano answered "Yea?"
"I'm really sorry about, you know… for the way I was acting earlier… I was just irritated, but at the same time I was eager to bring you somewhere…"
"Where?" Ayano said as a soft smile spread across her face.
[At the Mall…]
He could've taken Ayano anywhere at the mall, the shopping areas, the food court, the Karaoke booth, but instead, he took her to… the arcade!
"Uhh… Kazuma… why are we here?" Ayano said as she looked on at the many games and booths there were, the many neon colors also put her under some sort of trance.
"Uhm… to have fun?" Kazuma said with an innocent look on his face.
Ayano quickly jabbed Kazuma in the stomach. "No seriously, you perverted moron. What intentions did you have upon bringing me here, hmm?" Ayano said as she put her hand on her hips and tapped her foot, impatiently waiting for Kazuma to comment.
Kazuma let out a sigh and bent down at eye level to Ayano. Ayano blushed and tried to look away, but Kazuma quickly put the tips of his fingers on her chin. "I brought you here so you can have fun… lately you've been a bit moody and honestly I've noticed that you've been avoiding me, even Jugo's been noticing and made us go do some errands just so we can be together. So come on, lighten up and enjoy the day, kay?" Kazuma said as he gave Ayano one of the sexiest gazes known to man.
Without saying anything, Ayano nodded her head and put out her right hand.
Confused, Kazuma stared down at her hand and asked "What?"
"Take it…"
"Why?"
"I'm letting you lead me around this place, so go on, grab it… never mind, I'll do it!" Ayano said as she abruptly grabbed on to Kazuma's hand. Kazuma, surprised, tightened the grip on Ayano's hand. Ayano, blushed as they walked through the many aisle of games and gachas.
While looking at the many electronic gaming machines, Ayano's eyes set on the 'Catcher Claw Machine' game. She stood there in awe as she eyed the stuffed cow holding a rose.
"Kazuma! Kazuma! Kazuma!" Ayano exclaimed as she kept on patting Kazuma's arm after each muscle spasm to get his attention.
"What is it Ayano?" Kazuma said smiling with a hint of irritation.
"Get me that!" Ayano said, as she thwarted a finger towards the stuffed cow in question.
Kazuma looked at the stuffed toy then at the teenager eyeing it. You just don't know when to grow up, eh… Ayano… "Hai, Hai, Ay-a-no." Kazuma teased as he put a coin in the coin slot.
"You better get me that cow Kazuma!" Ayano protested, her hands made into fists, eager to get her hands on the adorable plush toy.
"You sure are as stubborn as a cow…" Kazuma muttered under his breath.
"Huh?"
"Nothing princess!" Kazuma smirked as he put his hand on the joy stick.
As he lowered the claw down, you can see the eagerness in Ayano's eyes. Kazuma carefully scooped up the cow and began to swoon it on over to the drop below, but just as he was about to get the darn plush, it dropped.
"Argh!" Kazuma grunted aloud as he turned to face Ayano. "Sorry princess, looks like you won't be getting your cow today."
Ayano's eyes melted into puppy dog eyes. "But, but, but… Ka…zu…ma!"
"Fine…" Kazuma said as he slapped his palm to his forehead. Still acting like a kid I see… =_=;
Kazuma then proceeded to put another coin into the slot as he began to have a flashback.
[Flashback…]
"Kazuma! Kazuma! Look!" Said the young woman.
"What is it, Tsui-ling?" Kazuma chuckled as he followed Tsui-ling to the market place.
"Look, there's one of those clutch machine thingies!" Tsui-ling exclaimed as she looked on at the little plush penguin which had a cool 'I don't care' expression on its face.
"Aww…! So Kawaii!" Tsui-ling said as she pointed to the plush toy in question.
"Eh? C'mon Tsui-ling, we have errands to do." Kazuma insisted.
"Aww… but it looks just like you Kazuma!" Tsui-ling said as she smiled one of the sweetest smiles at Kazuma.
Unable to resist the sweet looks of Tsui-ling, Kazuma ended up spending 1200 yen on getting the plush toy.
"Oh! Arigato Kazuma!" Tsui-ling exclaimed as she gave Kazuma a big hug and a kiss on the cheek.
Kazuma just wrapped his arms around Tsui-lings waist and said these words, "I'd do anything to see you happy, my darling Tsui-ling…"
[Flashback end…]
"Kazuma? Kazuma? Kazuma, are you ok? You have such a weird expression on your face right now and stop standing there like an idiot!" Ayano said in a harsh hushed tone.
Now snapped back into reality, Kazuma realized that he was still at the arcade, with Ayano.
"Oh, Ayano… What was I doing just now?" Kazuma said in a daze.
"Well… if you ask, I was hoping… in particular, that you get me that darn cow!" Ayano said as she rose up a finger to Kazuma's face, "And this time… You better not screw up!"
Slightly irritated, Kazuma slid another coin in the slot. As he lowered the claw, he kept on having flash memories of Lapis in his head. After an agonizing minute that felt like forever, Kazuma has successfully captured the plush cow for Ayano.
"Oh… Arigato Kazuma!" Ayano said as she hugged Kazuma and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
Kazuma looked down at Ayano in disbelief, but as he did to Tsui-ling before, he slowly wrapped his arms around Ayano and said this, "I'd do anything to see you happy… Ayano."
"Huh?" Ayano said as she snuggled against Kazuma's chest.
"Uhm… nothing…" Kazuma replied as he noticed Ayano squeezing him tighter.
"Oh and Ayano…"
"Yes?" Ayano said as she hugged him tighter.
"Try not to get to comfortable there, kay?" Kazuma said as he put his hands at the back of his head.
Blushing like crazy, Ayano pushed Kazuma away and averted her eyes to her feet. Kazuma you idiot… Ayano thought as she fiddled around with the cow plush toy.
As Kazuma looked on at the embarrassed heiress, he noticed some tension building up in the atmosphere between them.
"Hoy… Ayano?"
Ayano didn't answer back, but looked down as a tear rolled down her cheek.
"Ayano?" Kazuma said as he walked towards her, he attempted to hug Ayano, but Ayano took a step back.
"Ayano… is there something you wanna tell me?" Kazuma said as he looked on at her earnestly.
Ayano nodded her head and took a step forward. She then wiped away her tears and said this, "You know… about the other night… with Lapis… uhmm… can you tell me your perspective on it."
Kazuma averted his eyes, but kept his attention on Ayano. "Honestly… -"
"You still have feelings for Tsui-ling don't you!" Ayano said abruptly with many tears rolling down her cheeks.
"Aya-"Kazuma stammered out, but was stopped as Ayano ran out of the Arcade.
"Ayano!" Kazuma yelled as he high-tailed it out of there.
No! Ayano don't let him catch you! Just keep running… or else he'll find out… your deepest darkest secret! Ayano thought as she ran through the mall doors and hid behind the fountain just outside.
"Ayano!" Kazuma said as he too, made it out of the mall. What has gotten into you?… Ayano! Kazuma thought as he attempted to sense out Ayano. Found you!
"Ayano! Come on out!" Kazuma said as he walked closer towards the fountain, but was stopped as he heard a sorrowful voice come out from behind the fountain.
"Stop! Don't come any closer!" Ayano bellowed out as she squeezed the plush toy tighter against her chest.
"Why! What's wrong with you?" Kazuma bellowed out.
"I just… I just can't let you!" Ayano replied.
"Can't let me what?" Kazuma said with a question look on his face.
"I… just forget it you wouldn't understand!" Ayano said as she ran off from behind the fountain, but was stopped by a gust of wind sent out by Kazuma.
"Ahh! What the hell Kazuma!" Ayano yelled out as she rubbed her bottom in pain.
"You!" Kazuma said as he thwarted a finger towards Ayano. "You!... you!... stop…
stop…"Kazuma said as he bent down and put his arms around Ayano.
"What? What do you mean 'stop'?" Ayano said as she blushed a deep scarlet.
"Stop… causing me so much pain and confusion…"
"Uh… what do you mean?" Ayano said as she caressed Kazuma's head with her hand.
"I… really don't know…but what I do know is…"
"What is it… Kazuma?"
"Is that… you bring out the best in me…. Ayano, you… are quite special to me and I… just want you to know that… kay?" Kazuma said as he hugged Ayano tighter.
Ayano blushed and hugged Kazuma back. Your one strong man Kazuma… to admit your feelings like that, I am deeply flattered… Ayano thought to herself.
They both hugged each other for a long time, with countless onlookers around them. But they didn't care what other people think, they only cared about each other and only each other. In the end they ended up not doing any errands for Jugo. Though very pissed, Jugo was happy that one of his 'get Ayano and Kazuma together plans" had finally worked!
Wow… I can't believe this chapter turned out good! Gawd, this is like the first time that I've taken two weeks just to write one chapter! =3= it was agonizing, but I'm finished! I hope you guys like it as much as I have! Anywayz… Next Chapter, Chapter 9. : "What in the World Happened to you!"
