Chapter 29~One or the Other? [Part 1]

Author's note: Hello everyone! Casey Chan here! I am so happy to present you all with yet another update! I apologize for my rather long absence! This is the second to the finale of Kaze no Stigma Season 2! Hopefully I have kept you all on the edge of your seats as the conclusion was nearing. I thank you all for supporting me through over 29 chapters of a story-of a desire for something more than just an allusive ending. And now there is just one (more like 1.5) more chapter(s) left! So again thank you all so very much and I hope you enjoy!

Summary: -Insert decent summary of chapter 28 here.-

Disclaimer: I do not own Kaze no Stigma~! ^ ^ Also, need I remind you, this is only merely a fanfict based off of my desires of what I wanted in KNS 2, and it is not the actual Kaze no Stigma Season 2. Thank you & enjoy c:

"Kazuma..." Kirika mumbled, entering the meeting room of the Kannagi household. She placed a fresh cup of coffee next to the Fujutsushi user, whom was on one of Kirika's units' specially equipped laptops. He was searching for Bernhardt's aura, a rip in reality.

"I should be out there. Sitting here is frustrating! My magic can do anything!" Kazuma smacked the laptop across the meeting table.

"Tch, tch, tch. Be cautious Kazuma, that costs thousands of dollars in our research fund." Kirika chuckled, attempting to lighten up the mood.

"Just put it on my tab, hah." Kazuma rubbed his face, trying to keep himself awake, keep himself alert. It has been over 24 hours since Ayano and Lapis had been taken captives by Bernhardt.

"I apologize... but we feel it is in our good judgment that we shouldn't let you out there- not just yet."

Kazuma growled. "It is not like I'm going to ruin the city. I'm not Bernhardt. Sitting here doing nothing is pointless. I will not go berserk." Kirika scoffed at his protest.

"You remember the last time your feelings went out of hand? The council feels it is best for you to think of a plan to execute, rather than charge in recklessly. In the meantime, we will search for the void."

"Tch. And by the time that happens- if and only if you guys ever do find it. We will have lost two lives." Kazuma picked up his jacket and hung it over his shoulder, getting up to exit the room.

"Kazuma, you aren't leaving this room." Kirika called out to him with dominance hinted in her voice. She crossed her arms, her face softened. "Your little brother, Ren, is in critical condition. You need to be here for him as well." Kazuma's eyes widened at this, then his whole face went sour with grief.

"This is the reason why I have to go out there. I have to hunt Bernhardt down and make him pay. I have to avenge Ren and save Ayano and Lapis. Sitting here and taking no action-"

"We're searching for the void. And we're coming up with a plan to ensure Ayano and Lapis are returned safely, just in case you are not able to get the two back on your own. You're strong Kazuma, you have power, but even you still have your weaknesses. You're still human."

"What is being human anymore, when all they strive for is power, money and worth."

Kirika chuckled uneasily. "You put up a fine argument, Kazuma." She pointed towards the door. "Go. I'll keep an eye on Ren's condition for you and I'll be sure to keep the authorities off your back."

Kazuma gave a grateful smile. "Thank you." And with that Kazuma was gone.

Prior to Ayano and Lapis' abduction...

"Are you nervous?" Ayano asked Lapis as she watched her getting her make-up done for the last scene.

"Eh, just a bit... actually, to be honest I am rather anxious." Lapis muttered the last bit to herself, a dreamy look in her eyes. Ayano half smirked, hearing the last thing Lapis had meant to only say to herself.

"The kiss."

"Eh?"

"You want to kiss Kazuma... don't you?" Ayano inquired, averting her eyes away from Lapis's being.

"I..." Lapis struggled to answer, knowing very well that she did want to kiss Kazuma and that she knew Ayano was not very supportive of what the two were bound to do.

"It-it's fine. Ahaha." Ayano said waving her hands defensively, trying to reassure Lapis that she wasn't at all fazed by the idea. Ayano then dimmed her head a little. "Anyways... It's not like it is a real kiss- you two are only acting." Lapis wavered to answer. She kept her eyes on the mirror. Her eyes suddenly landed upon her very own lips. She fashioned a light peach colored lip-stain, which complimented her fair skin. Kazuma... His name daunting her mind as she began to believe that she really wasn't going to have her happy ending kiss with the man in which her soul was bind to by the memories in which love had touched the two. A tear rolled down her cheek. She flashed Ayano a quick smile.

"I guess not, haha." She replied half-heartedly.

Present time, in the depths of Bernhardt's void...

"You said you wouldn't dare harm a soul! You said you only wanted Enraiha and that was that! You didn't have to come into the mortal world and cause such a scene... And now you've taken me as well as the successor of the Enraiha as bribe to get that Enjutsushi user to come here! And for what? To play your petty little games!? You are a sick man Bernhardt! A truly sick, vulgar man!" Lapis cried.

"That's enough. Enough, Lapis." Bernhardt swirled his glass of wine as he walked 360 degrees around Lapis' bounded figure. She was chained to a pole, upright, all limbs restrained. "It would pain me to see to it that you are slain before all the fun begins." No hint of remorse was present in his voice. Lapis scowled at him.

"Where is Ayano?"

"On the other side of that wall." Bernhardt nodded to the wall on his left.

"AYANO! AYANO CHAN!" Lapis yelled with all her might.

"You fool! She cannot hear you. She is in a different sub-void. I contemplated a rather amusing game for that Yagami, Kazuma to take part in and guess what is the prize?"

"Knowing you, there's always a catch."

Bernhardt chuckled. "My darling Lapis. Don't worry much. If that pitiful Fujutsushi user gives in to his formal desires, you will be saved. If not- If he chooses the scarlet haired other, then..." Bernhardt closed in on Lapis. His eyes meeting with hers. His honey-gold penetrating her deep pools of lilac. He twisted a few of her amber locks of hair between his fingertips. "Well, let's hope remnants of that Tsui-ling remain after the-"

"Bernhardt Sama, the contractor has arrived." Bernhardt had a few youma working for him.

"See to it that he has trouble entering." He gave Lapis a malicious grin. "You, out of most should know that I favor to give my guests a workout before they come in and sit for tea."

Lapis cringed, glaring daggers at her captor. Hurry Kazuma... Save us... Lapis eyed the left wall of the room, a sullen look laced onto her face. "Ayano... Gomen."

Again I apologize for my long absence! I will try to have part 2 out as soon as I possibly can! Thank you all so much! The PMs and the reviews were a lovely thing to come back to after my leave! I- I just can't tell you guys how content I am to be back. (: Please look forward to more! Oh and for those whom were asking me for the "missing" chapters. When I make author's notes, I usually delete them, as to not spam the chapters of the actual story. So uhm, yea.

Chapter 30: One or the Other? [Part 2]

Feel free to let me know what you think! C: