'I hate myself for not being able to stop loving you!' Ayano's pain-filled voice had frozen him to the spot when she turned and dashed from the room. His heart had soared when she'd finally admitted she loved him, making him feel like he could conquer the world... but then she'd cried. Her tears broke him open, and with her words she paralyzed him. She really viewed him that way? She thought he hated her so much? But... how?
Kazuma's mind whirled. Everyone else was able to see his feelings for the woman, but the person he wanted to have feel kindly towards him had the worst impression of him ever. Is she dense or just blind? But her words!? Doesn't she know that he is only mean to the person he likes? He groaned and covered his face with his hands. That is such a childish way to act. He is such a child, at least when it comes to his emotions and her. No wonder she had the complete wrong idea about his feelings.
'I admit I go a little far sometimes... Damn it! I finally get her to admit the truth, but then my stupid pride makes her think I hate her!' So he's not exactly the most intelligent person around when dealing with Ayano. She has a direct line to his emotions, which he hates, so his snark and crudeness are amplified around her as a defense. All because he can't stand to have a girl six years younger than him having so much control over im. Because he's so arrogant, he thinks he can claim her at any time. Because she's so alive that she unintentionally brings out the worst parts of his personality. Not that his personality is the best to begin with anyway. But he wasn't that bad... was he?
A prickle of power flared at the edge of his senses. Kazuma dashed out into the garden after Ayano, heart pounding. "Hey, Princess! Where're you at?" He called, sending his senses out along the wind to try and find her. Even if he couldn't sense her power, he was pretty confident that in this small an area, he'd be able to locate her just by her natural vivacity.
However, before he's gotten very far in his search, he ran into a barrier. The energy was the same as that time at the museum. Kazuma clenched his fists. Bernhardt! He was the only one who could make a barrier this powerful. But it wouldn't stop Kazuma; he'd broken the last one and he would break this one, too.
He started calling his wind spirits to him. It would be easier if he invoked the contract with the bluster brained wind king of perversion, but if it truly was Bernhardt inside this barrier with his woman, then Kazuma wanted to save his strength so that he could deliver upon that murdering man a lashing he wouldn't soon forget.
"I cannot let you interfere." The monotonous soft whisper of a voice made Kazuma's entire body grow cold. Whirling, he watched, pain in his eyes, as a tiny slip of a woman in an almost comically cute dress approached him, dragging a sword bigger than herself behind her.
"Lapis." Kazuma spat out her name like poison. This woman... She was a mockery of Tsui-Ling, the woman who had taught him what it meant to live. The woman who had saved him after his family had kicked him out. The woman who had been sacrificed to the yoma right in front of his eyes. Looking at her hurt. She appeared to be an almost perfect copy of his lost lover but Tsui-Ling would never commit the crimes that Lapis has. Even so, he had a hard time separating the two women in his mind.
Can I destroy Lapis? Kazuma knew that unless he gave his full effort he wouldn't be able to break the barrier. If Lapis tried to fight him, his attention would be divided. He's stronger than her, and knew he beat her, but will his heart let him? She looks like Tsui-Ling! That was why he allowed Ayano to fight her the last time they'd confronted one another. He couldn't stand to watch Tsui-Ling die by his hand again. Well, that and the fact that his princess had a sword and looked damn hot using it. Princess... Focus, Kazuma! Lapis isn't Tsui-Ling! Ayano needs you to focus!
"Ayano is inside this barrier?" Kazuma asked Lapis, mind racing to try and find a way to end this without having to kill Lapis. He just didn't know what that would do to him.
The doll nodded. "Yes. She must be made into a sacrifice. With the spiritual energy she possesses a permanent door between this world and the realm of yoma and demons could be opened. So, until she is killed, you can't enter the barrier." She said, blinking slowly as she lifted up her sword. She intended to fight him.
Kazuma clenched his teeth. Dammit! He had no other choice then. Throwing his arms out, he sent his wind blades slicing at the woman. She leapt out of the way and charged forward, swinging her sword at him. He dodged, thankful, for once, that he was used to having a woman swinging a sword at him. He msut have a gift of driving females to violence. Compared to Ayano, Lapis was pretty slow. But her hit would hurt if it actually made contact, so...
Taking to the air, Kazuma kept sending the air blades down at Lapis, watching as she dodged and wove around the garden, searching for a place to launch an attack from.
A strong surge of energy burst into being inside the barrier, so potent that not even Bernhardt's magic could keep it back. Kazuma tasted the flavor of Ayano's pure life in the power, mixed with such raw energy that her spirit signature fairly glowed to his senses. Had she somehow gotten her fire back? That's not possible, though. And anyway, this power... It wasn't purely Ayano. It was too raw, almost scalding; Ayano's power was vibrant, alive, burning, but always warm to his senses. This was too wild, too potent. Elemental.
His eyes widened. Surely she can't be that stupid!? But... This is the same woman who had jumped off a building without a plan. It would be totally like her to take the risk without thinking of the possible consequence. Especially when facing someone who had caused a person she loved - no matter how reluctantly - such deep pain. She most certainly can be stupid enough to attempt to use the Spirit King's power in place of her own. He had to get to her now, before she went too far!
Lapis' sword flew at him, forcing him to land to avoid being impaled. Spitting out dirt, Kazuma glowered at her. The barrier shook with the force of what sounded like explosions. Knowing his woman, he'd be willing to beg money she was firing her fireballs at the bastard.
"Out of my way." Kazuma ordered, voice little more than a growl of anger. He was tired of failing. Ayano needed him and this time, nothing was going to keep him from saving her. Lapis tilted her head to the side.
"I do not understand. Why do you continue to fight? There is no hope for a future for that woman. She was doomed when she was born. You should give up and flee now." She said, sounding almost... Concerned for him.
He swallowed hard. Bernhardt said that Lapis was made from the last thoughts and feelings of Tsui-Ling. Was it possible that, now that some time had passed after their reunion, she was letting go of that anger? Was his Tsui-Ling still in there, somewhere?Did she love him still, could he be forgiven?
Could the Spirit King of Fire bring her back?
Kazuma grabbed his head. Don't be confused. Don't be tricked. You know she is not Tsui-Ling. That woman is dead. Let her go now. Focus! Remember which woman taught you how to be strong, and honorable? Remember which woman makes your body burn? Which woman holds your heart? Has probably always held it? Kazuma, surprisingly, didn't have to think too hard.
He briefly closed his eyes as another explosion shook the ground. 'For even considering, for just a moment, to let you die... I'll spend my whole life trying to become worthy of you, my flame princess.'
"Ayano is not going to die. I refuse to allow another woman I love to leave me like this. Now get out. Of. My. Way!" He shouted as his anger and fear mixed, exploding into an uncontrollable maelstrom of air around him that forced Lapis back. She grabbed a tree to stop herself from sliding. His wind kept buffeting her with gusts, immobilizing her.
She wouldn't be able to interfere now. And he hadn't had to kill her. Maybe it was cowardly, but no matter how evil or vile Lapis was... she looked like Tsui-Ling. But he knows, that woman is dead. So it's time to focus on the one who is still alive, who makes him crazy on a level that Tsui-Ling was never capable of reaching. Kazuma faced the barrier, getting ready to blast it away, but then he felt the cry of the fire spirits. They were being pulled in rapidly, dangerously allowed to compile into one unstable mass of power inside the barrier. What in the world...?
Before he could wonder, the entire barrier exploded outward and he was knocked back a few feet by the force of the energy explosion. Raw fire power rolled over him, prickling his skin and heating his body but miraculously not burning him. The flames did not hard the garden or the building either. It was unlike Ayano to have the control to keep her flames from burning everything. This definitely wasn't his princess's power. But at least it wasn't burning him.
Lapis, on the other hand, was on fire. She dropped and rolled to put out the flames, but more took their place right away as the spirit energy kept pouring out. Kazuma ignored her, standing as the rolling energy cooled. Without hesitation, he rushed further into the garden, leaving the singed and burnt Lapis behind.
"Ayano!" Kazuma yelled her name, searching with all his powers for her. He had to find her. Releasing that much energy... The yoma mark on her, it had to be cleansed, now!
As he ran past a hedge he heard a pained groan. Backing up, Kazuma found a small gap in the hedge and slipped in. A fountain tinkled merrily in the middle of the secluded garden. His eyes landed on the flame hair spreading across the stones like blood, body still and unmoving. Standing over her was a ferociously familiar figure, his body badly burned. But alive. Kazuma felt the air around him shiver as his rage and fear agitated the wind spirits.
How the hell was he even alive?! Was he still human anymore?
"Get away from her, Bernhardt!" Kazuma shouted, calling his wind up around him. But Bernhardt didn't even seem to hear him. The evil bastard was staring at Ayano.
"Fascinating! Not only was a woman who wasn't a Contractor able to call upon the powers of a Spirit King, she was able to use it to defeat me." The burned man turned and faced Kazuma, eyes shining with sick admiration. "Truly, the power in the Kannagi blood is unfathomable."
Kazuma couldn't help the smirk which stretched across his face. "No, I think most of this was just Ayano. She isn't smart enough to know what she shouldn't be able to do, so she does it regardless, just because she wants to." He couldn't help the pride in his voice. She's amazing. Wonderful. His.
Bernhardt laughed and pulled his half mask out, putting it on his face. It only covered the half Kazuma had damaged. The other half was burned and raw from Ayano's flame. Somehow, it pleased Kazuma to see that they had both left their mark on this evil man. His woman wasn't weak. She'd fought back, done damage. However, it didn't appear as though the madman even felt the pain. Lapis appeared at his side, clothing burnt but body unharmed, silent and lifeless as she stared at Ayano's body and Kazuma.
"Perhaps. She is certainly extraordinary. It saddens me to lose her as a subject, and as a sacrifice, but this was a valuable learning experience. The power of the Spirits Kings is too unpredictable and dangerous to be utilized in a sacrifice. Come, Lapis. We must return and rework the plan." Bernhardt put an arm around Lapis and started walking off, looking at Kazuma as he passed. "I'm certain we will meet again soon. If your woman dies again, I would gladly do you the favor of making another gem for my collection, one that resembled her."
"I swear, I will kill you, Bernhardt." Kazuma growled, not moving from his spot. Ayano was more important than revenge right now. She was still alive, he could sense the flickering of her life. But if he was unable to save her... "Never forget that I will have your life."
The man had the gall to laugh. "Farewell for now." The two walked a few more paces, then vanished.
Kazuma took a moment to allow the anger to leech out of his body before he dashed over to Ayano, turning her over. She was out, eyes shut and body hanging in his grasp. Even more frightening, her skin was freezing to the touch, making him wince a little. The bruise on her arm was up across her shoulder to her slender neck, moving down her collarbone and disappearing into the robe covering her chest. She wasn't breathing easily, and her lungs rasped and wheezed with each difficult draw.
Without giving himself time to think about it, Kazuma tugged the tie of the robe out and flipped the edges apart, leaving Ayano bare in front of him. For a moment, he forgot how to breathe. Even with the horrid blackness taking her over, she was beautiful. Gleaming white skin, soft as the kiss of a rose, covered svelte muscles and long limbs that made him want to trace, touch, stroke and claim. That he wanted wrapped around him. Riding him.
Later.
Choking his libido down, Kazuma tried to see what the damages of Ayano's recklessness were. The mark on her left leg was up past her thigh, the leading tendril of darkness swirling over her belly in a spiraling loop. The bruise from her left arm was more worrisome. Along with climbing up her neck, tendrils had snaked out across her velvet breast, one dark lash swishing around the soft pink of her aureola, reaching for her heart.
She started shaking in his arms, shivering so hard that it almost appeared that her body was convulsing. Those plush lips he'd fantasized about more than was probably legal were tinged blue. Her heart stuttered, and her lungs, he could hear them laboring. Ayano's body was failing. His heart hammered, and he quickly wrapped her naked form back into her robe, lifting her in his arms and running back to the inn.
Ayano didn't stir once even as he tucked her into the futon and piled as many blankets as he could find on top of her. She was just cold, lifeless beneath the sheets. The shaking continued even as he tried to rub warmth into her limbs. Her body needed purifying, now, and he could do it... but Ayano would never forgive him. She would hate him forever for taking something so precious from her, for denying her the right to choose. He knows her, knows how proud and independent she tries to be. And he would hate himself forever for doing something so heinous to her.
But she would be alive... and she already loves you. She is a forgiving woman.
Kazuma cried out and grabbed fistfuls of his hair, rocking next to Ayano on the ground, chewing his lip so hard that it bled. What could he do? He couldn't just sit by and watch his woman die, but he also couldn't live with the consequences of saving her. He was torn inside. He wanted to save her, but he didn't want to make that kind of choice for her. And he's just not the kind of man who could - would - do that. This situation is... his worst case scenario.
"What am I supposed to do!?" He shouted, throwing his hands down and staring at his palms. Kazuma isn't the type to hesitation. He does what has to be done in order to save as many people as possible. In the past, this has caused him to commit some truly atrocious crimes. That's the reason that he has the nickname he has. Back when his wind was back, he only cared for results. But now, ever since he reunited with Ayano, he's learned from her. Despite her brash nature, Ayano cares for people, even her enemies. She wants to help, she desires to do the best she can, and in turn had taught him to do the same, though in a much less fatalistic way than her. So, as the man he has become, he cannot, will not, toss Ayano's personal wishes aside. Not even to save her.
A horrible gurgle erupted from Ayano's throat and then she stilled, lying like death on the futon. He couldn't even sense the faintest sense of life from her anymore. No heartbeat, no breath... no Ayano.
Tears burned his eyes. He hadn't cried since Tsui-Ling died. Not true tears. But a sob crawled out of him throat as he hung his head and reached out, grabbing Ayano's ice cold hand in his. "Princess... Ayano, please. Come on. Fight! I'm begging you, don't leave me." He whispered, the words breaking out of him.
'Tell me why she can't leave.' The burning force of the voice washed over Kazuma and he started, raising his eyes to the woman lying in front of him. Ayano's eyes were open, but the eyes were not her naive, beautiful eyes. Instead, eyes of cold fire gold stared at him. Intense power crackles at his senses, almost blinding him. This was...
"The Spirit King of Fire." He whispered, feeling his heart shattering within him. Jugo and the Spirit King of Wind had both said that if the sleeping spirit awoke, that would mean... "Ayano's dead, then?" He whispered, a void opening up inside him that he knew he would never recover from. Ayano, Ayano... Ayano...
'Dead? No. We have traded places. My daughter is precious to me, and I could no longer stand for her to feel such pain.' The spirit said, sitting up and pushing the mound of fabric off her body. She slid her legs beneath her and watched Kazuma carefully, consideration growing in her gaze. It was strange to see another person staring at him out of Ayano's face. 'You are Kaze's, yes? Tell me why.' She repeated her order, the bite of the flame in her voice almost bowling him over.
Kazuma struggled to speak. Ayano wasn't dead yet? Then maybe there was a way for him to save her. "Yes, I'm the Contractor of Wind. Kazuma Yagami." He said, not knowing why he introduced himself. Surely the Spirit King had access to Ayano's memories. Still, it couldn't hurt to try to be polite. This spirit didn't seem very similar to the one he was contracted to. She seemed more formal, older, more dangerous, somehow. He was being careful. To anger her would be to lose Ayano, and he knows better than anyone how unpredictable fire magic users are. She leaned forward, robe gaping so that he could see her breasts, and sniffed him.
'Yagami? You are a Kannagi. I recognize my own blood. Does not matter. If you chose to discard the name I won't stop you. It is the heart which makes the man, not the name. Since my last rebirth, the Kannagi seem to have forgotten that.' The Spirit King sat back and stared unblinkingly at Kazuma. It was unnerving to see such an emotionless Ayano looking at him. She was always showing her feelings on her face, the constant shifting of emotions part of what made attracted him to her.
"I do agree with you, for the most part. The branch families especially are obsessed with the Kannagi name. Even Ayano, to an extent." Kazuma sighed. "But she's also a good person, in her heart. She cares about people. Even me, and I sure as hell don't deserve it."
The spirit shook her head. 'No. You are much like Kaze. Rude, brash, perverted, arrogant, egocentric, and many other negative things. But you are not bad. You aren't undeserving of my love. Or my daughter's. I am Phoenix, embodiment of life, spirit of fire and passion. So is this girl. I am her, and she is me. So do not be afraid of this love.' Her voice warmed a little as she spoke of love, a softer, almost childlike cast coming to her eyes. Then it vanished, the inhuman calm falling over her once again. She reached out and grabbed Kazuma's face, her hands so hot that he felt scalded. But he didn't push away. He was held by the spirit's gaze. 'It is a power that can kill, but fire can also cleanse. Let it cleanse you of your past. She willingly offers that to you.'
He shook his head. "Don't tell me that! She can't offer anything if she's dead. Look at the darkness poisoning her body!" He snapped, reaching out and pulling the robe off Ayano's shoulders. The Spirit blinked and looked down at herself. Then she smiled and Kazuma's heart stuttered at the beauty of the expression as it broke over Ayano's face. Ayano never really smiled at him, so seeing it now, even if driven by another soul... his heart sped up. He loves her smile. When he took her into the Ferris wheel and she smiled at the sunset, he'd about taken her into his arms then. The Spirit tossed her head, drawing his attention again.
'This? This is nothing to my white flames. They purify life itself. But if I use them on my daughter, I will be forced into slumber again. I do not take well to containment.' She said, twirling a strand of Ayano's hair through her hands, eyes slanting to the side in a look he could only see as dark. Judgmental. Her actions confused him. One moment she seems to be a kind and caring woman and the next a manipulative force of nature. Which one is the true Spirit King? 'Besides, if I live, the Kannagi will gain power, which includes you, since you share my blood. I would grant you another contract, with me, so that you can finally use fire magic. Image how you could purify the family, if you were a double Contractor.'
"I'm not even tempted." Kazuma said, startling himself. "If you had offered this to me before I'd known Ayano, the answer would have been yes. I was so power hungry then. Even a few months ago, I probably would have taken it. But... no. No power is worth Ayano's life." He drew in a deep breath and closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them and stared straight at the Spirit King. "I'd be willing to revoke my contract with the Spirit King of Wind, if you would use your flames to save Ayano."
Her eyes widened. 'Give up power? Why?' She asked. Kazuma just shook his head.
"There's no reason for me to have it if I failed to protect her. I swore when I got this power that I would save those who I met with it. And when I reunited with Ayano, I added to my oath. I swore to protect her from pain. I've managed to break both those oaths. So I no longer have the right to keep it." He whispered.
At his words, the Spirit King smiled wider, her entire demeanor shifting. She stopped radiating that intense but cold power and instead sent out the heady warmth of lovers showing their feelings in the most intimate of ways. That heat wrapped Kazuma up. It was almost like she was a completely different person. Well, it made sense. She was a being of fire. She burns with the true form of fire, and is always changing, shifting. That it why wind and fire get along so well. They are, at their core, the same.
A soft laugh rolled through the room like a wave of heat. The Spirit King smiled at Kazuma. 'Very good. I am sorry, but I had to make sure. When last I appeared, none had any heart for the woman who I lived as and I cried. I do not want to make the same mistake again, so I had to test you. You have passed.'A brief smile flickered across her face as she gazed at Kazuma like a mother would look at her child. 'I can do many things, Kazuma Yagami. What would you have of me?' She asked, tilting her head to the side.
'We lost our precious leader that day, but learned the truth. The loss of her unconquerable spirit could have been prevented, had only we the courage to ask it of the Spirit King.' The words from the book echoed in his head. Without any hesitation, Kazuma opened his mouth and spoke.
"Save Ayano. Purify her body, return her flames, and let her live. I don't think I can stand to not have the princess bothering me for the rest of my life." He said, smirking at her.
'This request I am happy to grant. I see that not all in my blood have lost sight of the true source of all our power. I will restore my daughter, and sleep again. In truth, I enjoy your antics together more than being a Spirit King, anyway. The paperwork is such a drag. I hope she continues to cause you problems for many more years to come, Kazuma Yagami.' She closed her eyes and lifted her hands, two white flames appearing in her palms. The fire grew in power and intensity, until Kazuma couldn't even look at them. Just when he thought the fire was going to burst out of control, it seemed to liquefy and roll over her entire body. The dark bruises hissed and steamed as the white flames ate away at them, a noxious smell growing in the air as the shadows were slowly forced away. Inky blackness dripped from the marks onto the futon, only to be burned away by a stray flick of flame.
After a long moment, the spirit let out her breath and opened her eyes. She appeared tired.'She has been cleansed. Now, you can restore her flames.' Kazuma was happy to see Ayano's smooth, unblemished skin. He reached out and felt her body starting to return to normal. Her skin held the normal healthy glow of life, not the corpse like pallor which had invaded her for the last few hours. He even felt a slight growth of spirit energy inside of Ayano, like her body was trying to take in the fire spirits again, though it was far below the level she needed to recover that wealth of energy she normally exhibited.
"Thank you. You're not all that bad yourself, you know, for a pyromaniac." Kazuma said, his relief overpowering his caution. She didn't seem upset by the title, though. In her case, it was probably true. "But how can I restore her flames?"
The Spirit King of Fire giggled and lifted a finger. 'Oh, child... you're not bad either, for a blustery pervert. As for your question... how does one usually build a fire inside a woman?' He rolled his eyes. Are all the Spirit Kings this lascivious? Snickering, she kissed his cheek lightly and sat on her knees, smirking back at him. I guess she is like the Spirit King of Wind, after all. Still smiling, she closed her eyes and the power filling the room suddenly left. Ayano's body swayed. Kazuma leapt forward and caught her.
She groaned a little and reached up, rubbing her eyes. The motion caused the robe to gape even more and Kazuma bit down on his tongue, hard. Someone was testing him, and he'd bet anything it was a Spirit King... Then those fire bright eyes, the ones he loved to see spitting mad and soft with an almost lover-like warmth, slowly blinked open. If he were a man to weep, Kazuma would have cried as Ayano blearily stared up at him. As it were, he just tightened his hold on her.
"Hmm? Kazuma, what the heck? I was fighting Bernhardt, and then I - WHY IS MY ROBE OPEN, YOU PERVERTED EXCUSE FOR A HUMAN BEING!?" He laughed as she hit him on the head, letting her slip free of his grasp. He was just too relieved. That reaction was typical Ayano. She's alright.
In her anger, she clapped her hands together to summon Enraiha. To both of their surprise, the wooden sword appeared in a little puff of smoke. Ayano held it up, mouth open, and pointed at him. Kazuma smirked at her expression.
"Seriously, Princess, are you stupid? The yoma mark on your body has been removed. You're not cold anymore, and your body is once again taking in the natural spirit energy, though we will have to kickstart the process to truly restore your flame ourselves. What do you think happened?" He asked.
For a moment, her face blanked, then he could see the fire rising in her her eyes. "KA-ZU-MAAAAAA!" She shrieked, lifting Enraiha high and charging forward. He enjoyed the vision of her thighs flashing in the gap of the robe for a moment, then blocked her attack and shifted, using her momentum to flip her over so he could pin her under him on the blankets scattered around them.
"Cool it, hothead. Not even I'm that much of a cad. The Spirit King of Fire woke up and I convinced her to save you." He said. The heat drained out of her almost instantly and she stared up at him. He became aware of how his weight held her down, the heated press of her warming body against his. Snap out of it, Kazuma! This is not the time to be getting excited!
"You convinced her? Why? You could have left me to die and gotten rid of the annoying princess." She asked, eyes starting to show the hurt which had sparkled in them when he'd forced her to confess to him. He silently cursed himself for being such an ass.
"Have I ever said that you're annoying, Ayano?" He asked, trying to get her to stop making him feel guilty. Which only she and his little brother had the ability to make him feel. He didn't like it.
"Yes. You have. Many times, actually. You've also called me an idiot, stupid, hot headed, worthless and many other things." She countered matter-of-factly.
Kazuma sighed. "Okay... let's back up a little." He said, sitting and pulling her up as well. She tucked her legs away underneath herself, lifter her chin, and crossed her arms, waiting. Maybe it's best that she doesn't know that when she get's haughty like this he gets seriously turned on? Yeah, that's probably for the best...
Ayano watched him suspiciously, clearly not sure what he was trying to do. He didn't even know, but he had to clear up this misunderstanding. It wasn't going to be easy though. He'd gone out of his way to make her think that she had no effect on him, after all. Stupid pride, stupid stupid pride.
He blew out a breath. "You were the one who stopped me when I reverted back to my black wind self, Ayano. Not Ren, not Catherine, you. I held onto you when I was upset about Lapis. You. Haven't you figured that out yet, Ayano? I am civil to Kirika and Catherine, even Misao, but I'm rude and obnoxious to you. Come on, you have to have a brain in that head of yours somewhere, though I'm in serious doubt over it's capacity." He said.
Her mouth fell open and she stared at him. "What?! You treat me differently because I'm a Kannagi, right? Because you don't like me. That's it. There isn't anything else to understand. And stop calling me stupid, you jerk! I have average grades in school, just so you know, and I'm really good at P.E.!" She shouted, hands rising to try and hit him again.
Kazuma grabbed her wrists, sighing. They will never be able to clear things up with words. He can't stop making her angry and she's so spirited and dense that she won't listen to him anyway. They are both driven by actions more than words. A smile flirted around his mouth. Not that he minds.
Yanking her forward by her wrists, he slid one arm around behind her and did what he had been dreaming of from almost the moment they reunited. He leaned down and claimed her mouth as his own. Her eyes widened and her hands spasmed before slackening in his grip. Kazuma deepened the kiss, letting his tongue sneak out to taste the soft blush of her lips. Ayano's heart pounded against his chest. He didn't want to push her too far, or scare her, so he withdrew just enough so he could stare into her eyes, tasting her breath as she gasped, trying to understand what he'd just done. But, for once, the girl - woman - didn't snap back with a saucy comment.
Hmm... so that shuts her up. I'll have to remember that...
"W-w-w-w-w-w-w-w-what was that?" She stammered, unable to speak above a breathy whisper. Knowing he'd caused that husky voice, the heat infusing her face, caused Kazuma's will to waver a bit, but he clamped down on his desire and rested his forehead against hers. Don't jump Ayano, don't seduce her...
"That, Princess, was a kiss. I'll give you another one if you're not clear on it." He started to lean in for another, but she shoved her hands against his face and turned to the side. She was still in his arms, so he didn't mind. Plus, the curve of her neck into her shoulder fascinated him.
"But... why would you kiss me? I don't understand? Don't you dislike me?" She asked in a tiny voice. Alright, that's enough. He is going to get through to this dense idiot if its the last thing he does! Kazuma grabbed her chin and forced her to look at him.
Her eyes were confused. How could he explain this to her so she will understand, but without damaging his pride? Kazuma knows the type of manga she reads, the books she enjoys, where the male leads spout romantic fluff to their women every third page. It was sickening, and there was no way in hell he was imitating them, but Ayano might not recognize his feelings unless he spelled them out in terms she understood. Ah, hell with it. Kazuma isn't a coward. If his little brother can admit his feelings to a girl, then there was no way in hell Kazuma, as Ren's older brother, wasn't going to do it. He can't let the twerp get the one up on him.
"I kiss you, Ayano, because I love you! You're an idiot, a spoiled princess, a Kannagi, and impulsive, but despite all that, you're the one who helped me to live again and you're my woman. I'm a possessive, jealous man, so once I've claim you, I'm not letting you go. Which is why I have been trying to hold back, but you keep tempting me. So it's your fault." He said, adopting an arrogant tone because he knew it would piss her off. She was less likely to deal with the embarrassing things if she was angry.
But for once, his princess didn't rise to the bait. She slowly turned to face him, her eyes shimmering. A soft hand rose and touched his face, the contact searing him. She leaned closer. His breath caught. What was she - Her eyes flared up and she head butted him. Pain flared up and he yelped, letting her go to press a hand to his forehead while she whimpered and held hers.
"Ouch! Ayano!" He yelled, holding his head as it rang from the force of her blow.
"You have a terrible way of showing affection, you perverted idiot!" She shouted, launching herself into his arms and holding onto him so tightly that his ribs protested. He told them to shut up and wrapped his right back around her. Finally, at last, he had his princess in his arms. Her fire and wood smoke scent drifted around him, and he felt all his pain and fears fading away. Ayano...
For long moments, he just held her, content to feel her warmth in his arms. She seemed to be similarly inclined, not shifting an inch even when he tried to move her so that he could restore circulation to the leg she was sitting on. But, Ayano was in a thin, short robe which was gaping open, and he was a man. If she didn't get off him soon... they would have problems. Kazuma is proud of his ability to resist the girl, but this was too much. An assault to his body and his heart? No way he could withstand that.
"You said I needed to kickstart my inner flame." She mumbled against his chest, not lifting her head to speak to him at all. Kazuma looked down at the flame hair spilling across him and stroke a hand through the silken soft strands. Her hair was sinful, cool and like satin in his hands. He's had many dreams about her hair since he'd dared to touch it at her house after Pandemonium. "How?"
She get's right to the point. He smiled. Guess that is why he loves her so much. "If I'm understanding the two Kings of Perversion correctly, then we need to arouse your emotions and body as much as possible so that you unconsciously start absorbing spirits in the correct quantity again." Kazuma said, leaning over to nuzzle his nose into her hair.
Ayano stiffened in his arms, then turned her head so she could see him, eyes sparking with anger. "What?" She asked lowly. He shrugged.
"Hey, I'm not the one who said it. The Spirit Kings did." He pointed out. Ayano blew out a breath and faced the front again. He could feel the slight tremble of her body, so he took pity on her even as his body screamed at him to shut up. "That doesn't mean we actually have to do the entire thing, though. Now that I don't have to purify your body, there's no pressing need to rush things between us. I can arouse you without even needing to actually join with you."
"Really?" Oh, sweet, innocent, Ayano... Kazuma sighed. Jugo... you need to have Cousin Akira have a talk with Ayano... sooner, rather than later.
"Yes, really, Princess. So, yay or nay? Even if you decide not to, after a few weeks of rest and no magic, your body will regain it's natural balance." He asked, leaning over her shoulder to see her eyes. Ayano gnawed on her lip, staring ahead. Then she giggled. "Ayano?"
"Well, since you're twenty-two and I'm only sixteen, I think I'll have to say nay just so Detective Tachibana doesn't have to try and find a way to lock you up for being perverted." She said, her laughter growing. Kazuma smiled, then leaned down and bit where her neck met her shoulder, wetting the soft skin with his tongue and sucking lightly to leave a mark. She squeaked, the laughter abruptly cutting off.
"Alright, but remember, the longer I'm denied the stronger my appetites grow. And I reserve the right to kiss you at any time." He said, leaving a trail of light kisses up her neck until he reached her ear. Kazuma drew the soft lobe between his teeth and bit down gently. She shivered deliciously in his arms.
"You're disgusting." Ayano spoke without much heat, even tilting her head to the side so her fire hair slipped aside, exposing more skin for him to taste. After resisting for so long, he was like a starved man presented with a feast. But like the starving man, Kazuma was going to take his time enjoying the meal in small portions. Ayano was right about her age. She's a little young yet. He has no doubts about the woman she was becoming, but he wanted her to grow even more before he took her to his bed. The tension of waiting for her would be wonderfully arousing. And no one said they couldn't play. Thanks to Jugo's persistence, he has almost unlimited access to Ayano at any time. He wasn't going to let their relationship return to what it had been before. Not when her taste was in his mouth, and her body presses against his. Having tasted the pleasure, felt the heat of her, he was never letting her escape him.
He fell to his back, dragging her over him. Locking his arms around her so she couldn't pull away, he claimed her lips again. This time, Ayano's hands curled on his chest, clutching the fabric of his shirt. Even that innocent, gentle touch made his body shiver. Holding her tighter, he allowed his tongue to slip out and nudge at the seam of her lips.
After a moment's hesitation, Ayano parted her lips and allowed him inside. He dove in, the hot interior of her mouth a heaven he could explore for hours, days. It was clear that she didn't know how to kiss - he's been pretty good at stalking her while she's at school to keep annoying pests away - but he didn't care. He slipped his tongue alongside hers, nudging to help guide it in the dance of a truly deep kiss.
She touched his tongue back with hers, heat flaring all over her body. He could feel it through the magically - thankfully - thin robe. Kazuma choked back the instincts demanding he roll, cage her under him and plunder. Ayano is skittish, uncertain. He wasn't going to scare her was going to lead, show her how to play in the most intimate way. His heart thundered against his ribs. Kazuma had a burning suspicion that she would be very good at playing with him. Tentatively, she stroke his side through his shirt, a caress he almost didn't feel it was so light.
He lifted his mouth off hers for a moment, then dove back in, changing his angle of attack so that he could delve deeper. This time her tongue didn't hesitate to twine around his, dueling for dominance inside her mouth.
Had kissing ever been this hot before? He couldn't recall, nor did he care to try. Kazuma's hands slid down Ayano's form, tracing the subtle curves she habitually hid under her school uniform. His fingers found the hem of the robe, and twitched. Before he could control himself, he started inching the silken fabric up, the heat of the skin burning, edging him on -
"Blast of wind kono mama!" Kazuma jerked when the song started playing, pulling away from kissing Ayano. That was Ren's ringtone. The kid had picked it out himself, thought it was a great joke. Personally, Kazuma thought it a little weird, but he couldn't resist the kid's puppy eyes. He closed his eyes and willed the ringing to go away, hands kneading the firm skin at Ayano's he ignored it, he could keep touching Ayano... she might not let him do this again.
"Kazuma, answer the phone." She whispered, lips wet and swollen. She knocked his hands away and stood, rushing to where her shopping bag still sat in the middle of the floor and fleeing to the bathroom. For a moment, Kazuma remained where he was, on his back, but as the ringtone started to repeat, he groaned and got up, walking uncomfortably to where his phone lay forgotten across the room.
He flipped it open. "Ren." He growled in his most displeased voice. He could picture his brother's eyes growing big and weepy on the other end of the phone.
"I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to say such rude things to you! I know you were worried about Ayano and spoke without thinking!" Ren burst out, tears in his voice. Kazuma sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. This kid... Don't take out your sexual frustrations on your little brother, you cad...
"No, I'm sorry, Ren. I shouldn't have said that, no matter what was going on. It wasn't right. Forgive me?" He asked, the words stumbling awkwardly off his tongue. Who would have thought he even knew the word 'forgive?' It certainly wasn't a normal part of his vocabulary.
"Okay!" Ren chirped, going from sad to happy instantly. What a damn resilient kid. "Oh, but I called because all of the sudden, the fire spirits started growing stronger. Jugo is afraid something is wrong with Ayano." Worry laced the boy's tones.
In the heat of the moment, Kazuma had forgotten, but the spirits of fire were bound to have reacted to the Spirit King's brief return. Which means those sensitive to them, like the Kannagi head family, would have felt that something was going on.
"No, she's fine. Actually, we found a way to purify her that she agreed to without me needing to do anything. Her inner fire is pretty weak though, so after she recovers from the drain the yoma mark left on her, we'll be returning to the city." He said, staring at the bathroom door.
Once they returned, Ayano would belong to her family again. They would put pressures on her, force her to push herself, and secretly try to get her out of the way so that others could take her place. His anger rose at the thought. Now that he had tasted her lips, knew the heat of her flesh, he didn't want to let her go at all.
"You saved her?! I knew you would, Kazuma!" Ren cheered, waves of adoration practically pouring through the phone. "Just in time, too. Ayano's birthday is tomorrow."
Kazuma blinked. "Her birthday?" He repeated. Come to think of it, Ayano was a summer child. She'd been talking about something like that a few weeks ago. He'd completely forgotten. He didn't know if he should wince at his mistake or just accept that he was a careless jackass most of the time. Sadly, he was leaning towards the latter choice.
"Yup! I'll go tell Jugo the good news. Tell Ayano I said happy birthday if you aren't going to come back in time for me to say it in person, okay? And Kazuma... thank you for saving Ayano. We all need her." Ren's voice was soft but serious as he hung up. Kazuma dropped the phone on the desk.
I couldn't agree more.
She was important to so many people, just because she was Ayano. A beautiful, vibrant, caring, strong woman upon whom people depended. It was different from how people depended upon him. They needed him because he was strong, but they needed her because she never gave up or let the situation stop her from doing what had to be done. She was tenacious, and she had heart, giving a feeling of peace and comfort. He tended to terrify people even when helping them.
The door to the bathroom opened and Ayano stepped out in the dollar store jeans and shirt. Her face was bright red and she refused to look at him. He stifled a sigh. She's also incredibly, dangerously, pure.
"Ren wishes you a happy birthday. We'll be going back to the city tomorrow evening, so you probably won't get to see him in time for the actual congratulations." He said, looking away from her face. "Rest here tomorrow. Consider it my birthday present to you."
Ayano licked her lips and shifted on her heels. "Hey, Kazuma... can I... place an advanced order on a present?" She asked. Curious, he lifted and an eyebrow and shoved his hands into his he was going to grab her again. He silently sent a prayer to anyone listening that Ayano was unaware of how incredibly beautiful she was to him, and how just the sight of her blushing face could wreck his unshakable control.
"What is it?" He asked.
She bit her lip, then set her jaw and walked over, grabbing his shoulder so she could lean against him and whisper nine words in his ear that made his eyes widen, then a dangerous smirk settle over his face. His hands curled possessively around her waist.
"Oh yeah, princess, consider that pre-ordered." He growled, leaning down once again to claim her lips. He wasn't certain if he was going to be able to survive a year until then, but for Ayano, he'd do anything. Even give himself blue balls and an almost endless amount of bedsheets and laundry. Kazuma couldn't wait to make Ayano's eighteenth birthday wish come true. This event had shown him exactly how much she meant to him and he was no longer going to take chances with her life. She will belong completely to him. He wouldn't let it be any other way.
-Note: Hey, aren't I a horrible tease? Yeah, so the next chapter will be the last one. And guess whaaaaaat? You want sexy times? You're about to have your wish granted. Next chapter is gonna be hooooooooot and super duper awesome. I hope. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter and I'll be posting the last one as soon as I finish it! -