A Christmas She'll Never Forget!
Author's Note: I am seriously sorry for the delay, but the reason why I didn't post a new chapter earlier was because I meant to post a new chapter on Christmas Eve, just like the day Kazuma gets to see Ayano again! I hope you guys will enjoy this chapter! Oh and thanks for the 70+ Reviews, it makes me soo happy to see that many people enjoyed this story so far! Anywayz, let's get to the chapter shall we? ;DD oh and Happy Holidays everyone :) P.s There's no lemon, but there is going to be some M rated stuff near the end of the chappy ;D
Summary: In the last chapter, Ayano was asked to come nurse and visit Kazuma because of his broken arm. Ayano wasn't too into the idea, but hey, the guy's hurt and she wanted to see him anyways. Little did Ayano know how the day was going to turn out. She thought she'd just be hanging around his suite, cooking him food, keeping him company, and all that stuff a person should be doing when watching someone. Instead… Ayano got to clean and cook, but she also got a drugged up Kazuma, a notice on Kazuma's calendar that it was his 24th birthday, a special birthday surprise, an argument, and a surprised/hurt Kazuma and herself, a disappointed/weeping Ayano. Anywayz onto the chapter!
Disclaimer: I do not own Kaze no Stigma ^ ^
So Ayano gave Kazuma until Christmas Eve so that he may see her again and Kazuma obeyed, knowing that he's hurt her enough. Now it's Christmas Eve and the Kannagi household is currently getting into the holiday spirit!
"Oh dear… Put up the stockings and make sure that Ren Sama's is the one in the middle!" Said one of the many rushing maids and servants running about, trying to make the Kannagi household as festive as any household should be.
"Hang the wreaths around the fireplace! And make sure we have enough red and green wreaths for the Christmas tree in the foyer, I heard that the young mistress Ayano Sama is working on it!" Said another.
You heard right, our young Ayano wanted to take on the project all her own, she even insisted upon the grounds that she can make the best Christmas tree yet! Now let's go take a look at what our little helper Ayano is doing shall we?
"Hmm… I should put more ornaments here… but it would make the other side look less decorative, but the other side has more candy canes… Waah!" Ayano yelled in an attempt to get rid of her anxiety as she threw her head back and ran her hands threw her scarlet red hair.
"Why does decorating a Christmas tree so aggravating! It looked so much easier when I watched Ai San and Matsuki San do it last year…" Whined Ayano. [A/N: Ai and Matsuki are the names of two of the maids in the Kannagi Household]
Ayano lowered her head in defeat, until a thought came into her mind Oh… wait a sec… Kazuma is allowed to visit today! "Oh crap! I totally forgot!" Ayano's worried look suddenly changed.
"Whatever… I can handle that… Anyways I have to finish this tree before anyone comes over and sees it unfinished, especially Kazuma…"
After a half an hour of stress and sweat, the tree was finally done, all there is left is the star for the top.
"Ahh… Finished at last!" Ayano stood up in triumph and look up and down her masterpiece, admiring her handy work.
"All there is left is this star…" Ayano said as she gazed at the crystal star upon the palms of her hand. "Alrighty then, let's get this thing over with…" Ayano said as she stood atop a nearby footstool and attempted to stretch her arms towards the top of the tree.
"Gahh!... I'm not tall enough… just a little bit m-m-more!" Ayano said as her left foot slipped. Ayano was ready to fall on the hard ground with a thud and a bruised bottom, but unexpectedly fell into something much more… soft, warm, and more welcoming.
"Oh Princess! Didn't mean to scare you, but please watch what your doing, you don't want to end up in the hospital on Christmas day, do you?" Kazuma said as he carried Ayano, princess style.
"Ahh-b-b-but, but, and, and, you, you, uhmm… Kazuma?"
"What is it Ayano?" Kazuma said as he raised an eyebrow.
"Can… you please put me down… please?"
"Uh… sure." Kazuma said as he hesitantly put the young heiress down.
The awkwardness in the room was dense, the tension wasn't going to go anywhere anytime soon, it felt as if the whole world had gone silent .
Finally, after what has felt like an eternity, Ayano broke the ice. "Soo… uhm… your arm is okay now, right?"
"Uhmm… yea, it's fine now." Kazuma said arching his right arm back and forth and flexing a bit.
"That's good…" Ayano said.
"Uhmm… Ayano… can we talk… you know about the lett-"
"Nii San!" Ren exclaimed as he ran into Kazuma's arms.
"Ren, long time no see, eh?" Kazuma said as he ruffled his hand through Ren's soft blond hair.
"Nii San!..." Ren hugged tighter.
"Uhmm… excuse me Mistress Ayano, Ren Sama, Yagami Sama, dinner is ready, please make your way to the dining room." Said Sawako San, one of the young maids.
"Coming!" Ren said as he grabbed Kazuma's arm, "Nii San, let's go!"
"Sure Ren, but I need to talk to Aya-"
"Oh, Nee San, you hurry too!" Ren said as he walked away with Kazuma.
Ren… you are usually so quiet… thank you for picking today as the day you become more outgoing! Ayano thought as she walked out of the foyer, completely forgetting about putting up the crystal star.
At the dining table, people were settling down, new guests were arriving, many of them friends of the Kannagi family, people who worked to help keep the Kannagi safe, like Kirika, and the rest were basically the family, the important relatives seated at the head of the table, next to Jugo. Surprisingly, Kazuma was seated in at the head as well, in between Ayano and Ren, Ayano sitting on the right hand side of Jugo seat, since he wasn't present yet.
Ayano was feeling uneasy, the more people that came in, the more she felt more nervous. She knows that she is the next head of the clan and that she was very important, but that was it. Even though on the outside she looks like she's fine with being the heiress to the head seat, she's actually very terrified of what is to come when she is in power.
Before Ayano could say anything, one of the more wide maids came up to her and sat beside her. "Oh Ayano Sama, don't wear that dirty uniform, your father would think less of you. Come along darling, we have to have you suited up in traditional clothing –head turns towards Ren- same goes for you too Ren Sama. And Kazuma San, would you help me put the clothing Ren?"
"Uhm… sorry, I don't do dress up." Kazuma said as he looked away.
"Nope already decided, you're coming with us!" Said the maid as she grabbed all three by the arm and dragged them against their will into a fitting room.
The maid pushed Ren & Kazuma into one room and Ayano in the other. After fifteen minutes both parties were finished. Ren came out with an embarrassed face on. Ren was dressed in traditional Japanese robes, the outer part of the kimono was dark blue and the inner part was light blue.
"You look so adorable Ren Sama!" Said the chubby looking maid.
"Arigato guzai mas…" Said Ren, who was still blushing uncontrollably.
"You did a good job dressing up Ren Sama, Kazuma San! A Fantastic job!" Exclaimed the overly excited chubby maid.
Wtf? All it is, is putting one robe on and then another, what so 'fantastic' about it? Thought Kazuma as he put on a happy, yet annoying smile.
"Uhmm… Y-Y-Yuri San… C-c-can I come out now?" Said the very uncomfortable, shy Ayano from behind the door to the fitting room.
"Oh, surely, yes Ayano Sama!" Said Yuri San as she opened the door.
There she was… the beautiful, yet modest heir to the Kannagi clan, Ayano Kannagi.
The three just stared at her in awe as she, Ayano, made her way out of the room. Ayano was wearing of course a dark pink Kimono. The outer part was dark pink with yellow hearts all over it, the inner part was a light yellow and her hair, her long flowing scarlet hair, was tied up in a neat ponytail with white jasmine flowers tied around it, complementing it.. She looked gorgeous, if she looked this gorgeous in a kimono, think about how she'd look in a yukata! She took one step towards Yuri San.
"Oh Ayano Sama, you look just like your mother!" Said Yuri San as she laid a hand on Ayano's shoulder. "You know if she was still here, I know she would be so proud of you… after all I was her personal maid too and her best friend as well!"
Ayano blushed a deep scarlet and Kazuma took notice. "Ayano, I just can't find any words to describe how beautiful you look." Kazuma said, trying to be nicer and more caring towards Ayano.
Ayano's blushed went deeper than scarlet and she smiled, but her smile faded as she turned away and walked back to the dinner party that was about to take place.
"Nii San, Why did Ayano just leave? I mean, you gave her a complement, right?" Ren asked as he looked at Kazuma with confused eyes.
"It's nothing Ren, forget about it…" Kazuma said as he too walked away, but was stopped by Yuri San.
"You run along now Ren, we can't keep your uncle waiting for you!" Said Yuri san with kind eyes.
"Uhmm… sure… see you there Nii San!" Ren said as he walked away cautiously, careful as to not trip on his formal robes.
After Ren was clear out of view, Yuri began to speak. "Uh Kazuma San, I'm deeply sorry to be pulling you aside like this but, I've noticed the tension between you and mistress Ayano… are you two not on good terms?"
Kazuma just stood there he couldn't reply to something as personal as that and the whole cause of this was because he wasn't careful with Ayano's feelings, to think that the stubborn, yet beautiful Ayano Kannagi loved a jerk like him, who plays with girls feelings and doesn't really have a soft spot for many things… is just unbearable to comprehend.
"Oh… right… too personal ehh? Gomen, I didn't mean to strike a nerve in you."
"Oh, it's quite alright."
"No, really I truly am sorry… but a word of advice, don't let her go, she's a good young lady! You two are perfect for one another! So, don't give up on her!" Yuri San said in a hushed yet persuading tone.
"Ahh… thanks I'll remember that…" Though… it's more like she gave up on me... Kazuma thought as he walked down the hallway to the Christmas gala.
"Good luck! Kazuma San! You're a good boy, I'd date yah!" The chubby lady chuckled.
"Ahh… thanks for the complement?" Kazuma bellowed back.
At the dinner table, everyone was practically settled down, just waiting for some scattered guests. Jugo was speaking to some friends of the family just outside, but was almost done.
Kazuma took his seat at the head of the table beside Ayano. He took a glance at her but turned away when he saw her blush. Kazuma's not one to blush, but he could feel some sort of heat, tingling about on his cheeks.
Ayano was still nervous, but when she saw Kazuma glancing at her, it was as if a war set off between her mind and her heart. Her stubborn mind telling her to ignore him the whole time at dinner and the rest of the time during the ball, but her heart, her heart was telling her to speak to him, not just speak to him but put her arms around his neck and just kiss him… yes kiss him, pull him in for such a deep passionate kiss. She had only felt his lips once, once long ago, after he and her had just met and she was injured and they had just saved Ren and Kazuma slipped some medicinal liquid into her throat, through their two lips. She had been longing for those lips… ever since then.
After a few moments the dinner started and conversations started and cheers were shared. And all the while Ayano, Kazuma, and even Ren, sat quietly and ate their meals. The awkward silence was getting to Ren, so he nudged Kazuma's arm. Kazuma looked over annoyed, but saw Ren, his eyes asking 'Onii San! Please start a conversation!" Kazuma gave in, as he too, was getting tired of the silence.
"Soo… uhm… how have you been Ren?" Kazuma said awkwardly, this was probably one of the first times he'd ever show himself with no confidence and Ayano took notice and she was quite enjoying it, she even chuckled a bit.
My god! He can't even mutter out one word without looking like such a fool! xDD" Ayano thought as she glanced at Kazuma only to find that he was gazing back at her.
"So Miss Kannagi, having fun there laughing to your self?" Kazuma said as he closed in on Ayano only to plant one kiss on her cheek.
"Ahh!, why'd you do that you idiot!" Ayano said stood up and blushed, but the situation only got worse, she looked around only to find many pairs of eyes staring at her in return. Ayano's blushed deepened as she stole a glance from her father who's eyes were telling her to apologize for her rudeness.
"Gomen ne, Hontou gomen ne, minna san!" Ayano said as she dropped to her knees to signal that she is hoping for forgiveness. After that everyone smiled and said "It's Okay" "Don't worry!"
Ayano looked up with gratefulness, said thank you and after everyone continued about their business.
Ayano sighed and put her face in her palms. Obviously, as you can tell, she's still greatly embarrassed by what happened just now.
"Nee San, are you ok?" Asked Ren, softly.
With face still in palms Ayano only replied, "Just peachy Ren, just down right peachy!"
"Uhmm… alright…" Ren then turned to Kazuma. "Do something Nii San!" Ren said in a low hushed tone.
"Uh… uhmm… so Ayano, I see that you've gotten more curvy since the last time I've seen you… hehe, hehe, hehe. Kazuma asked nervously.
"Are you implying that I've gained weight?" Ayano said now looking up and glaring daggers towards the man she loved/hated.
"Ahh… no… uhmm… oh yea sorry for embarrassing you earlier, though you did deserve it." Kazuma smirked.
"Shut up Yagami, I ain't taking your crap." Ayano said as she used her chop sticks to bring up another helping of ramen into her mouth.
"And you're the one who complained about feeling fat…" Kazuma said as he smirked and rolled his eyes.
"What did you just say?" Ayano said threatening Kazuma with her chopsticks.
"Nothing Princess, nothing from these lips!" Kazuma said pretending to be scared, throwing his hands up.
"Whatever…" Ayano said staring down at her bowl of ramen. Why does he have to be so insensitive sometimes… Ayano thought to herself as she quietly took another slightly noodle into her mouth.
Damn… a perfect moment to start a normal conversation with her and I screw up by insulting her…I know it's not the same anymore between us but… ugh, I'm such an idiot! Kazuma thought as he put a palm to his forehead.
After about a half an hour of more eating and conversations, all the guests finally made their way into the ballroom. Ayano and Ren quickly went to their rooms to change out of their traditional attire into more formal looking clothing. The dance floor split into two sides, one side boys and the other girls. Couples were starting to pair up, Ayano got asked a few times, but she refused all of them because she was waiting for that one special 'inconsiderate jerk' to ask her.
Kazuma was really itching to ask Ayano to dance, but too many women drunk and sober keep asking him to dance and he just couldn't make his way across the dance floor without hear the words "Oh please Kazuma Kun dance with me" or "Yagami San, would you join me in bed tonight?" Really, Kazuma was trying his best to maintain his cool, but he just couldn't get to Ayano, he just couldn't.
I'm such… an idiot… why am I waiting for him… to ask me to dance… I know he won't… Ayano held that thought in her head as she ran out of the ball room into the garden, No… know he's going to look for me… I'm an idiot! She kept on running until she finally made it to the bridge over the pond. I… I'm really, I'm just so afraid of what he's going to tell me… about… that letter... What our dear Ayano is implying is that, the only reason why she ran away from the dance floor was because, she knew that Kazuma would want to dance with her and that they were going to have to talk about… the letter.
After making it through the crowd, Kazuma made it to the other side to find that Ayano was nowhere in sight. Then after pounding his arm on a nearby wall, he heard the sounds of high heels approaching him.
"Kirika?" Kazuma said as he reluctantly looked up.
"She's outside… I saw her running through the gardens… she may be at the bridge." Kirika answered as she took a sip of wine.
"Arigato, Kirika!" Kazuma said as he ran out to confront Ayano.
"I really hope you find happiness with her, Kazuma." Kirika smiled as she walked back to the bar.
Outside, Kazuma was running like a mad man, until he finally made it to the bridge and there he saw the beautiful, Ayano Kannagi. Her dress was white it had straps at the top and at her waist line a pink sash and she was wearing white stiletto heels. She was truly gorgeous tonight and Kazuma knew that.
"Ay-" Kazuma attempted to say but was cut of by Ayano, who also wanted to speak.
"It's pretty starry tonight eh?" Ayano said running her fingers along the railings of the bridge.
"Uhm… Aya-"
"Hoshizora e Kakaru hashi… is what they call it." Ayano said as she looked up into the sky. (A/N: Hoshizora e kakaru hashi means a bridge to starry skies ^ ^)
"Ayano if you can just listen to what I have to say, I-"
"You know the stars are so pretty tonight I could see there reflection in the water-" Ayano was cut off by a pair of lips. Ayano tried to push away from Kazuma but he already had dominance over her. He kept Ayano at bay with his arms around her waist as he demanded access into Ayano's mouth. Ayano shyly opened up her mouth only to experience such a wondrous feeling! Their tongues battled each other for dominance, but in the end Kazuma won. He explored the inside of her mouth, going deeper each second, which made Ayano moan into the deep passionate kiss. After a few seconds, Kazuma ended the kiss, to let Ayano breath.
"-pant- -pant- pant-, Ka… zu… ma… y-you… are such an… idiot!" Ayano said as she held one hand to the railing and slumped down on the bridge floor.
"How was it?"
Ayano looked up and glared at him. "Shut –gulp- the hell… up…"
"I'm taking that as a yes… Anyways I only did that to get you to shut up… I don't want to talk about the sky or the stars, I want talk about the le-"
"No! Just don't, not now! I-I'm not ready."
"Not ready for what?"
"I… I'm just scared… Ok!" Ayano said putting her arms around her knees and slowly arched her head down.
Kazuma could hear her weeping, he got down on one knee and put a hand to Ayano's shoulder. Ayano shrugged it off and continued to cry, she then lifted her head up and cried to the skies…
"Why! Why are you always caring for me, even if I'm just some annoying kid to you! Why do you always go out with countless women, only to break their hearts after you've slept with them! Why do you always seem like so handsome and beautiful, despite your inner characteristics? Why-"
"Ayano! Calm down… Please let me explain-"
"Shut up! Shut up, Shut up, Shut up!... Just Shut the fuck up Kazuma and let me tell you something!"
Kazuma looked at Ayano bewildered at how she just acted.
"Why… do I love you so much… despite how much you've made me mad a-and sad… and I-I… just don't even know anymore… but I just know that despite every up and down we've been through… I still held many feelings for you… so many of heartwarming feelings… were for you and for only you… and I don't want to be with anybody else… but you, Kazuma Yagami…" Ayano said as she uncurled her self and got up.
Kazuma got up too. The two just stood there for a while, starring up at the sky. After a few more silent moments, Kazuma leaned towards Ayano and kissed her on the cheek.
"U-uhm… what was that for?" Ayano said as she blushed.
"It's a thank you gift." Kazuma smiled as he grasped Ayano's hand in his.
"For what? What did I-" Ayano was cut off by Kazuma's lips once again and this time Ayano happily gave Kazuma way into her mouth. Ayano put her arms around Kazuma and ran her hands threw his sexy dark brown hair. That only turned Kazuma more on as he stuffed his tongue into her throat, which made Ayano moan again. Kazuma lowered his hands to Ayano's lower hips, then to her ass. Ayano blushed, but let him. Then suddenly, Ayano felt something poke between her legs, apparently Kazuma's cock became hard and extended itself. Ayano pushed away, blushing a deeper scarlet and Kazuma had an embarrassed look on his face.
"Uhmm… sorry about that… heh… Ayano…" Kazuma scratched the back of his head then put his hand in his pockets.
"it's a-alright… y-you are a man… after all…" Ayano smiled weakly as she was still dazed from the kiss she and Kazuma just shared.
"Uh… I'm also sorry about stealing your first kiss from you…"
"It's okay… I was hoping… that I'd receive –gulp- my first kiss from you… Kazuma…" Ayano said with an embarrassed look on her face. God… did I just say that out loud?
"Oh… heh… that's nice." Kazuma said as he was trying to find what he was supposed to tell Ayano. Dear god, what was I supposed to tell her… man I want to kiss her so badly right now… her kiss is just too special… almost as special as…
Kazuma shook his head, trying to keep his mind of… 'That one woman.' And anyways he had Ayano now, he has to look towards the future and forget about… 'That one woman…'
"Uh… Kazuma… I'm kind of sorry for keeping you from telling me what you had to say back there… uhmm… what were you going to say?" Ayano said as she looked into Kazuma's eyes intently, waiting for an answer.
"Uh… nothing, but there is one thing… Ayano… I know your kind of young for me, but I can't stand waiting for you… would you like to go out with me?"
"Not until you tell me three words." Ayano said as she held out three fingers.
"Uhmm… I am hungry?" Kazuma said with a smirk.
"No you idiot! I love you!"
"Oh, Ayano that's so sweet of you to say." Kazuma said as he kept aggravating Ayano, with his trademark smirk.
"Please just say it, or I won't let you kiss me anymore and I won't say yes." Ayano said, her hands on her hips, impatiently waiting for the answer.
Kazuma walked up to Ayano and kissed her on the lips, but quickly released it to say this. " I love you and only you! (such a total lie Kazuma, we all know you'll always have your feelings for Tsui-ling!)
Ayano blushed and replied "I would be lying if I didn't say that I would love to be your girlfriend, Kazuma." They then shared another passionate kiss and held hands as they walked back to the gala.
On the dance floor, Kazuma held Ayano in his arms and they danced the night away.
"Kazuma… I didn't know you were so light on your feet." Ayano said as Kazuma swifted her in a circle.
"I took a French dance class once." Kazuma winked as he lead Ayano around the dance floor.
"Oh, how charming." Ayano said as she gazed up at Kazuma's handsome face.
"Uncle… don't Nii San and Nee San look happy together? Uhmm… Uncle?"
"-sniffles- I never thought this day would come -blows nose into handkerchief- When I'd see those two together!" Jugo said as a tear fell.
"Oh Uncle…" Ren said as he looked at his Onii San and Onee San, enjoying their time on the dance floor.
"I love you Kazuma Yagami…" Ayano said with lust in her eyes.
"And I love you too, Ayano Kannagi." After that Kazuma Pulled Ayano in for another passionate kiss. And Ayano let him, because she loved him.
Finally! I'm done! I hope you guys loved it! ^ ^ And hey? There finally together! This chapter took me so long to write. I hope you guys enjoy it because there is more to come! Chapter 12: "A New Year, A Semester, And A New… Girl? Thx again for sticking with me this far guys! I won't disappoint you guys, I promise! ^ ^ Dnt forget to Review!