Sorry about the long wait you guys!
TW: Discussion of discrimination
Episode III - The Head of the Kannagi Family
From the moment she stepped into the crime scene, Kirika could feel the remaining bits of magical energy in the air. She felt a mixture of cool and calm with a small tingling sensation, swirling around with dark ki.
Last night was an absolute shitshow. The hotel's guests had to be evacuated, most of them had to be hospitalized, and many complained about wanting their deposits back. Several News Stations surrounded the area like vultures, questioning the Royal Bay Hotel workers and guests, who were lucky enough to come out unscathed. Kirika can imagine them being irritated as well as shaken up. The hotel manager had to calm the situation and apologize for the inconvenience. He returned all of the guests' deposits and some of their belongings that were found within the damage. Now the city had to pay for the destruction. Although, they did receive a hefty check from the Kannagi Head on account that his daughter was at the scene.
As she walked towards the destroyed hotel and watched out for debris, Kirika ignored the police officers, loud sirens, and the News Vans. A white-haired News Anchor tried to get her attention, but Kirika ignored her. Then she lifted up the yellow 'Danger - Keep Out' tape and walked under it. The Special Investigator didn't even bother to acknowledge the officer trying to stop her and her partner, Kurahashi Izumi-Chan, who was a serious young woman with short, maroon-colored hair that was styled in a pixie-cut and long side-bangs; she was fair-skinned with sharp, black eyes and a diamond-shaped face. Similar to the other officer women on the scene, her partner was dressed in a navy-blue police uniform with a knee-length skirt and black tie.
"This clearly wasn't done with conventional weapons," Kirika stated, staring at the destruction. "So, that just leaves magic. What kind do you think they'd use, Kurahashi-Chan?"
Looking around with her sharp eyes, her colleague answered, "Well, it could be Chijutsu. But if it were, the whole hotel wouldn't be above ground, but under it. Not Suijutsu. Maybe Enjutsu? There are some scorch marks around the building. But knowing our resident Enjutsu family, the whole hotel would've been burned to the ground." Kurahashi-Chan paused for a second, more than likely to collect her thoughts. "With this level of damage, they would've left a more obvious sign."
"Those are reasonable answers, but they're wrong." Kirika responded as she looked at Nakamura-Chan. "There are only two answers to this. A Fuujutsushi and a Raijutsushi."
"I never heard of a Fuujutsushi strong enough to do something like this." Kurahashi-Chan confessed.
Kirika's lips formed a small smile in amusement. "That's right. Their powers tend to be limited. At least that's the most commonly held belief in the Magical Community. However, there are always a few exceptions to the rule."
Her partner's head tilted slightly, curious, without changing the blankness in her eyes. "And the Raijutsushi? While it does look like the scorch marks could've been caused by lightning, that Raijutsu family hardly leaves Hokkaido, except when they're traveling to Russia."
Kirika frowned, turning her head away from her partner to look back at the damage. "The Raijutsushi, who I believe is responsible for the markings, has been out of the country for years until now."
"So, they're back? For what reason? And what about the Fuujutsushi?"
"Oh, him? He'd just arrived from abroad along with the Raijutsushi."
"...It sounds like you know them." remarked Kurahashi-Chan.
"Yeah, sounds like I do."
When Kazuma and Komaki reached the halfway point of the bridge, Kazuma stopped and stared at the large Minka. Komaki didn't say anything, just looked at the traditional house before putting her gaze on him. She had dark circles under her eyes, probably matching his own. Last night, they searched high and low for Ren, but to no avail. Kazuma couldn't even track him down using his Fuujutsu. Komaki wasn't able to find him either, meaning he wasn't around anything metallic.
Once the both of them found a cheap hotel to get some sleep, Kazuma wrestled with himself. He could either continue his search with only Komaki or ask for help from the Kannagi's. Only after an hour's worth of sleep, Kazuma swallowed his pride and told Komaki that she was finally going to see his former home.
The Kannagi Compound. The place where he lived with his former family in the traditional Yanaka District. Uncles, Aunties, and Cousins; his parents. Most of them mocked and belittled him. His older cousins pulled cruel pranks on him, and no one cared. His Uncles put him through unsafe situations that were supposed to awaken his Enjutsu. When it didn't, as he'd cried in pain, his Uncles would call him degrading names.
"Get up. That didn't hurt. Quit acting like a bitch."
"You're such a pussy."
Or they would make it about them.
"I've done this to get my Fire-Magic. Cousin Kaito did too. You're just soft."
His Aunties thought they were being slick. They'd never talk about him when he was around. But he knew what happened behind closed doors. The Aunties would gather around in one of the Sitting Rooms like they were at a campfire and tell the juiciest gossip about him.
"I'm telling you, that child is cursed."
"I can't imagine not being able to do Enjutsu. So pitiful. Living a life being so weak."
But unlike his Aunties, there was one woman who'd never sugar-coat or beat around the bush for him.
"I wish I could be proud of you." said his Ba-San.
Jokes on them. Kazuma thought, narrowing his eyes. I'm stronger now. "Well, babe, here it is. Home Sweet Home." he scoffed. "And to think I told myself I would never come back here."
"I know, pryanichek, but this is for Ren-Kun. You're brave for doing this." Komaki told him before yawning.
"It's not like I have a choice."
His love looked back at the Compound, rather unimpressed. "This wasn't what I pictured though. I was imagining a big moat filled with lava and flames rising up occasionally."
Despite how heavy-hearted he felt, Kazuma chuckled. "Yeah, you would think that with how high and mighty they act. But when it comes to style, they don't have any."
Komaki snorted, "That's true."
Kazuma took a breath and steeled himself. "Let's go."
The moment when they'd set foot through the gate, several Kannagi's jumped out suddenly, surrounding them. Kazuma stood in front of Komaki.
"Don't move another inch, Kazuma!" one of his former cousins shouted.
"What the fuck are you doing here?! Come to finish the job?!"
Unnerved, Kazuma said, "I just want to speak to Juugo. So let us through."
One of them scoffed, "So, we're just supposed to let you guys go pass? Is that right?"
"You murdered five of our family members in cold blood and you have the nerve to come here?!"
"You're gonna pay!"
Kazuma's lips curled into a smirk, as his usual confidence came flooding back. "Well, what do you know? You guys are still the same. Ganging up on me, like the cowards you always were."
All of them sneered, calling forth Fire Spirits. One of the Enjutsushis leered at Komaki, ogling her. She shuffled her body uncomfortably, inching closer to her lover. Kazuma glared at him as he felt Komaki's hand tighten on his sleeve. He started to gather wind around his feet.
The hentai purred, "You might want to move out of the way, sweetheart. Wouldn't want you to get burned."
Without giving him a glance, Komaki simply said, "You should be more worried about yourselves."
"Your funeral. Get them!"
Fire shot out of their hands, coating him and Komaki. As he heard maniacal laughter, Kazuma simply created a twister to disperse the flames. The Raijutsushi brushed some hair off of her black dress, unburned.
"W-what? You fucker!"
"I told you. We don't have time for this." Kazuma exclaimed. Gusts of powerful winds shot forward, the weaklings flew, spun the air then landed hard into the dirt.
All of them groaned as some turned to lay on their sides, holding their stomachs, trying to get up. One of them spat out, "I-I'll kill you, Kazuma and your bitc-."
"That's enough!" bellowed a deep, masculine voice. Kazuma recognized it. He grabbed Komaki's hand, tightening it.
His eyes connected with Juugo's graying-green ones. Kazuma felt a lump in his throat, heat rising from the inside of his neck. After four years, he was seeing the man who was more of a father to him than his own Ji-San. Back then, Juugo always gave him a place to clear his mind and to wipe his tears when he was being treated cruelly. Juugo was always calm, almost serene. Kazuma remembers Juugo quietly having tea with him, looking over some paperwork with Ishikawa Sayuri playing in the background on an old record player.
The Kannagi Head still had long grayish-white hair and lightly tanned skin, although he did gain a few more wrinkles. Instead of wearing a red kimono, like did years ago, Juugo wore one of different shades of green. He still had the same glossy, bright red, Fritz-style cane with an intricate design of an orange flame curling around the stick. The beautiful cane was actually a gift from his Ji-San of all people.
Juugo glared down at his family members as he leaned on his cane. "Is this truly how we treat our guests?"
"B-But Sousho-"
The Head of the Kannagi Family slammed his cane on the ground. "QUIET, NOW!" The several other Kannagi's reluctantly obeyed the order. Juugo looked at Kazuma, losing his glare, trading it for a more neutral, but joyful expression. "Kazuma, it's good to see you. It's been too long."
Kazuma released a breath he wasn't aware he was holding. He loosened his grip on Komaki's hand while he nodded in greeting, "Yeah, it has."
Juugo then turned his gaze on the Raijutsushi. "And you must be the Lightning-Magic User."
Komaki nodded and bowed, "Yes, I'm Amane Komaki. Hajimemashite."
Juugo bowed to her respectfully, "It's nice to meet you too. Now, Kazuma, I was told that you and your father had a reunion."
Kazuma huffed out a laugh, "Oh, you mean when I kicked his ass."
Juugo barked out a chuckle as Komaki giggled. "Indeed. I wasn't aware of that."
"But I'm not here to talk about that." Kazuma said, his face retorted back to seriousness. "Ren's in big trouble. He was kidnapped last night."
"By whom?" Juugo's tone was still cool, but the Fuujutsushi could hear worry laced within his voice.
"A Wind-Magic User. Probably the same guy who has been bumping off Kannagi's lately." Kazuma responded.
"But we don't know what he would want with Ren-Kun." Komaki told Juugo. "Do you have any idea, Kannagi-San?"
Juugo only let out a thoughtful grunt. Kazuma narrowed his eyes, as he said, "So, you do know."
"We can talk about this inside. Come, we have much to discuss." Juugo replied, turning away. He limped towards the house with his cane.
Kazuma and Komaki's eyes met. Kazuma knew that Komaki shared his suspension. Without a word, the both of them followed the Kannagi Head.
Kazuma has grown in the last four years. He was much taller, almost as tall as him. Juugo noticed that he finally lost all the baby fat in his face. He looked more mature and sharper. Juugo could feel a change in his aura; how he walked, stood, and spoke to others. Kazuma was no longer the little boy who cried to anyone who would listen. Now he was confident, embracing the strength that Juugo always believed him to have within. He could tell that Kazuma grew into a fine young man.
As Juugo walked through the river of trees, hearing the Autumn leaves crunch under his steps, he looked back at the Raijutsushi, Amane Komaki-San.
The first thing he noticed was the dark circles under her eyes, similar to Kazuma's. More than likely, the two of them didn't get a lot of sleep last night. The young woman looked to be in her early twenties, around the same age as the Fuujutsushi. She had lightly toned skin, freckles running across her nose with electrifying blue eyes and long black, spiky hair, tied in a simple ponytail with a silvery hairpin in the shape of a lily with a diamond in each petal. The Raijutsushi had a mixture of Japanese and European features, which from what he heard, was common within the Inuzuma Family. Although, lightly toned skin wasn't a common feature as most of the family members were pale-skinned, at least from his knowledge. She wore a simple black dress that reminded Juugo of the little Goth girl from that old American TV show about the creepy family with the disembodied hand; with black stockings and pointed-toe ankle booties of the same color with a pair of ninkari - large, hooped earrings, capped with a heavy ball at the bottom.
Interesting. Juugo commented, thoughtfully, as he turned his head away from the young woman. Ainu earrings.
Shinji was right. She was very beautiful, but the most beautiful woman in the world would always be his wife.
Juugo stopped to look at the enormous garden with violently red lotuses floating smoothly and gently on the pond as a little island was at the center. The little island had two slim trees, shrubbery, and pure white tulips; the petals danced as the soft wind brushed across them.
"It's beautiful." Amane-San said. "The garden, I mean."
Juugo gave her a small smile. "Thank you. My wife remodeled it years ago." he then landed his eyes on the Wind-Magic User. "Does it bring back memories, Kazuma?"
Kazuma scowled at the garden before turning his head, not exactly looking at Juugo, but at his general direction. He appeared to be elsewhere in his thoughts. Kazuma's face morphed into one filled with stoicism.
"No." he replied, cold as ice.
Amane-San was taken aback by his tone. A second later, she widened her eyes, whipping her towards the garden before turning back to Kazuma. "I-Is this where they...?" her voice wobbled. Kazuma said nothing. Amane-San gasped; her blue eyes glistened. "I-I'm so sorry-"
Then she called him a word Juugo didn't recognize in the Japanese language. Something beginning with a P. Pryanichek.
"It's okay." Kazuma only said. "Let's just go."
Juugo glanced back at the pond, then sucked in a breath. Oh, no. I remember now.
It was eight years ago on a chilly, Autumn day, the leaves were changing color from green to brown and red while falling off of the trees. Juugo was in the Meeting Room, looking over some paperwork with Ishikawa Sayuri playing in the background. He was preparing for a meeting with the Branch Family Heads.
As he worked, Juugo could feel some of the stress getting to him. Juugo loved his family, but they could be so bull-headed at times and ended up having shouting matches while burning his tatami mats. They were too fiery, too passionate; it was the Kannagi Blood running through their veins. Or maybe he was getting old. Perhaps it was the reason for him not acting like he was in his younger years, all hotheaded and hormonal.
Reading and shuffling through his reports, Juugo took a hit of his cigarette - the Seven Stars brand, the only brand he'll ever buy - and blew out a white cloud of smoke. He's been slowing down on his habit, hoping to quit cold turkey soon for his daughter's sake. Ayano just learned from school that smoking was bad and could kill you. So, when she saw her father with a cigarette in his mouth, instead of yelling at him like he suspected, Ayano cried and begged him to stop smoking.
"I already lost Mother! I'm not losing you too!"
Ever since he's been slowing down on his smoking. Only having a cigarette when he's stressed.
Flicking his ashes with a sigh, Juugo heard a scream coming from outside. It was a boyish scream followed by childish laughter. Curious, Juugo put out his cigarette, grabbed his cane and walked out of the Meeting Room onto the engawa, listening. Then he heard more screaming and crying along with a "PLEASE! STOP!"
Juugo knew that boyish voice. It was Kazuma and it sounded like he was in trouble. As fast as he could, Juugo ran towards the shouting, hearing more children laughing. His right leg was roaring in pain, burning, aching. He fell to the ground, tasting the dirt and leaves. Juugo got up and spat out the dirt; he'd continued on running until he reached the garden.
The Head of the Kannagi Family widened his eyes when he saw several boys from the Branch Families holding down Genma's son, Kazuma, into the pond by his head and shoulders. There was a little girl standing on the side frozen with her mouth open, gaping. Kazuma's arms flared about, trying to get out of the boys' clutches while gasping for air.
"HEY!" Juugo shouted, getting closer to the children. The children froze, shocked. "GET AWAY FROM HIM!"
The boys released Kazuma and ran. One of the boys grabbed the girl by the arm, trying to pull her. She shook her head, blinking, then looked at Juugo and ran with the boy.
Juugo kneeled down by the edge of the pond and helped Kazuma out of the water. He coughed as Juugo patted him on the back.
"Kazuma, are you alright?" Juugo asked, speaking to him like he was a wounded animal.
Kazuma looked up at him, still breathing in and out, trying to normalize breath. His big orangish-brown eyes shined before the tears fell onto his face. He collapsed on Juugo and hugged him tightly, sobbing. Juugo didn't say anything as he felt his kimono getting soaked; he only held Kazuma.
During the meeting, Juugo brought the incident up to the other Branch Families. Some of them were disturbed and punished their children severely. While others didn't take it too seriously but promised to punish their children. However, those children only got reduced gaming and TV time with additional training hours. Honestly Juugo was beyond angry, downright pissed even, but he couldn't dictate how the parents dealt with their children. He may be the Head of the family, but there were rules that even he had to obey. Juugo only hoped that the children would reflect on their actions and change to be better.
"My apologies, Kazuma." Juugo said, giving a slight bow. "I've forgotten what occurred here all those years ago."
"... It's fine." Kazuma waved away the concern. "Come on. We need to find Ren."
Amane-San looked like she wanted to protest, but all she said was, "Alright."
As they continued their walk, Juugo saw that her blue eyes became more striking. Those eyes swirled a violent storm.
The Kannagi Head just hoped that no one would think to attack the woman scorned.
After taking their shoes off and leaving them below the engawa, Juugo asked, "Would you like some refreshments? Tea? Snacks?"
"No, thanks." Kazuma replied, sitting down on a zabuton.
"If you don't mind, I would like to have some tea. Black or Green is fine." Amane-San said, sitting next to Kazuma like a well-mannered lady with her hands folded on her lap.
A few minutes later, tea was served by a girl with protuberant eyes, donning a whitish-blue kimono. She brought Juugo a black book with the title Fuuga Clan Members in sharp, white kanji. The young girl looked at Kazuma with a scrunched-up face like she had smelled something foul, but then jumped and scurried away after seeing Amane-San's striking glare.
Kazuma skimmed through the book, flipping the pages as Amane-San sipped her tea, peering into the book too. He stopped flipping the pages when he reached the middle of the book, Kazuma and Amane-San shared a glance before handing the book back to Juugo.
"Here he is." Kazuma said, pointing to the photo. "He had some kind of strange aura around him."
"It was vile. I've never felt such... darkness." responded Amane-San, shivering like a chill had passed.
Juugo eyed at the photo, his forehead creased pensively. It was a man with messy black hair, sunken dark eyes with many lines' underneath and hollow cheeks. He appeared sickly, yet still youthful in the face.
"Just as I suspected." Juugo muttered.
"Kannagi-San, if I may ask," Amane-San started. "Why do you have these files? Is it to keep track of your slaves?"
Amane-San sounded polite, as she had been throughout their exchanges, but Juugo heard an edge to it. It was probably for Kazuma's sake that she was being cordial, or maybe it was due to him being a Family Head and her being a guest in his house.
Calmly, Juugo said, "I can understand why you think that way. And I can agree that the position the Fuuga Clan is in within our household is akin to slavery."
Taken aback, Amane-San blinked. A second later, she finally found her words, "So, why don't you free them?" her voice rose a little, her accent sounded more Hokkaido-ben than Eastern European. "Do you believe that slavery is good for them? To keep them in place? Believing that they can't function in the world without a master? That they-"
Juugo raised a hand, causing her to pause. "Please, allow me to explain. I-"
The shoji doors slammed open, his daughter flew in like a sudden bullet. Fire blazed in her eyes and a growl escaped her lips. She held a flaming Enraiha in her hand.
Ayano raised the sacred sword above her head, ready to swing down, "KAZUMA! YOU'RE MINE-"
Enraiha clattered onto the floor, the flames dissipated, leaving it bare. Juugo had to blink a few times to process what happened so quickly. He noticed two skid lines of small, light blue electrical sparks coming out of the floor, starting from Amane-San's zabuton to her forefeet. She held both of Ayano's wrists, one was up high in the air as the other was lowered and twisted, facing Enraiha. His Heir struggled as Amane-San was trying to keep hold of her, struggling as well.
"LET ME GO, INUZUMA!"
"Ayano-Chan," Amane-San said as calmly as she could through the struggle. "I'm not going to let you attack Kazuma. You need to calm down."
His daughter sneered, "YOU SHUT UP! HE'S GOING-"
"AYANO!" Juugo shouted. She stopped moving and turned her head to look at him, giving him a wide-eyed stare that reminded him of a deer caught in headlights.
"I-I thought you were in trouble." Ayano shakily replied.
"No, but you are, young lady."
His daughter let out a flustered squeal. Seeing that Ayano had lost her murderous intent, Amane-San slowly, but surely, lowered the younger girl's wrists and loosened her grip before releasing her. The Raijutsushi picked Enraiha up off the floor and handed it back to Ayano. Ayano, nonplussed, took the sword, stared at it, back at Amane-San and back at the sword. Enraiha disappeared in a burst of flames.
Still confused, Ayano asked, "Why did you do that?"
"Because it's yours and I want your trust, Ayano-Chan." Amane-San said like it was the obvious answer, which left his daughter to stand there, surprise written all over her face. Amane-San returned to her seat. "I apologize about your floor, Kannagi-San." she bowed.
Juugo waved it off. "No worries. I have to replace it every month due to fire." he turned to his daughter, who flinched under his disapproving gaze. "You have disobeyed me for the last time. You were told to stay home last night. I paid a hefty amount of money to the Royal Bay Hotel for the damages on account of you being there. And now you draw your sword on my guest!"
"B-but he's the Fuujutsushi who had been killing Kannagi's!" His daughter pointed an accusing finger at Kazuma, who throughout the whole Ayano and Amane-San's scrimmage, was cool as a cucumber.
"I told you, I didn't do it." Kazuma replied, taking a drink of Amane-San's tea.
His Heir scoffed, "Yeah, right, of course it wasn't! You better stop lying!"
"Enough!" Juugo commanded. Ayano went quiet. "It's true that it's a Fuujutsushi, but it's not Kazuma. He's not our adversary here." he looked down at his lap, feeling regret rise up from the pit of his stomach. "It's the Fuuga Clan."
"Huh?" is all his daughter said.
"They have decided it was the time to take their revenge against our family."
"But why?" Ayano questioned.
Soon, his daughter was sitting next to Kazuma on a zabuton. She didn't even try to hide the mistrust etched on her face.
Juugo laid out the black book in front of the three. "This is the person Kazuma encountered, Kazamaki Ryuuya. He's the son of Kazamaki Hyoue and Kazamaki Suzuha. When Kazuma told me this, I had the Fuuga House searched, but nothing came up. Either the evidence was taken or burned. I can't prove if all of the Fuuga's are involved, but I believe the majority are involved with this insurrection."
"But Otou-Sama, it doesn't make any sense." Ayano said, puzzled. "The Fuuga's have been serving our family for generations now." She gave Kazuma a dirty look. "If you ask me, it's this guy who we can't trust, not them."
"If you ask me, you're a stubborn, spoiled brat." Kazuma snarked.
"I AM NOT!"
Kazuma taunted, "Once you make up your mind about something, you won't change it. Even with all of the evidence that proves you wrong."
"WHAT?! TAKE THAT BACK!"
"Ayano-Chan, do you remember what I said days ago? Our conversation?" Amane-San jumped into the argument. "'The oppressed fought back, tired of their oppressors mistreating them.' Have you thought about it?"
His Heir was silent. Her answer was clear.
Juugo could sense the disappointment coming from her as she sagged her shoulders. Amane-San closed her eyes, releasing a sigh. "You need to understand that throughout history, there has been many cultures that were subjected to oppression, slavery and imperialism. There was the Alantic Slave Trade when America was just Colonies. Millions of Africans were taken to become slaves in the New World. The Colonists pushed the Indigenous people out of their homes, believing it was their Divine right to do so when they wanted more land. What they have in common is fighting against their masters and oppressors."
His daughter, who, from what Juugo observed, very much disliked Amane-San with how she threw her dirty looks, actually appeared to be listening to her History lesson.
"But we're not like-"
Amane-San continued on like she didn't hear Ayano. "Years later, America took over Hawaii when it was its own Kingdom before it was annexed. There were absolutely no Hawaiians present at the meeting, mind you. The same thing happened to the Ryukyu Kingdom during the Meiji Era. But oh, Shō Tai was given a Marquis Rank, so everything was fine." she rolled her blue eyes, letting out a tch.
At this point, she wasn't even looking at his daughter anymore. Instead, Amane-San focused on the tatami mats. "There are my Kaa-San's people, the Ainu, who had to assimilate into a more "civilized" way of life, just like all of the other Indigenous people across the world. Most hide their roots so that they don't face discrimination. My Kaa-San never did, so I won't." The Raijutsushi gestured to her earrings.
Amane-San scowled as her hands bundled up her skirt in anger. Kazuma silently laid his hand on top of hers'. Amane-San carried on, "My Kaa-San would understand. I understand."
The way Amane-San looked at Ayano, dead in the eye, made his daughter flinch a little. The Raijutsushi asked, "Have you ever had someone, a grown adult, look at you in disgust and tell her children not to play with you, because "She's Ainu. She's gross. Don't play with her" while you were just a child in the sandbox at a park, behaving like a normal child, then asking your Kaa-San why did that woman say that to you and why are you gross?"
"And that's only just one experience. There's many more, like my Kaa-San being rejected from a job when they discovered that she was Ainu. One time she got punched in the face by another mother when I was trying to defend myself from a boy. He was saying cruel things to me, relating to my Ainu heritage and my Kaa-San told him to stop. He ran away, only to come back with his mother, who was screaming at my Kaa-San before punching her in the face. I was six when that happened." her blue eyes glistened with tears, Juugo saw Kazuma's brow crinkled angrily. Amane-San held in her tears with a small sniffle. "Do you or your family have a long history of forced assimilation and persecution? Do you have people who hate you for simply existing? Do you, Ayano-Chan?"
His daughter just stared at Amane-San, opening her mouth then closing it. Her amber eyes morphed into something akin to sympathy; finally, she said, "No, I don't and I'm sorry you went through that, but my family isn't like that. Yeah, we fought the Fuuga Clan 300 years ago. We could've killed them all, but we didn't. We gave them a new life, a life away from being just Ninjas. We gave them new shelter, clothes, and food. We never mistreat-"
"That's the same thing Slave Masters and Imperialists said." Amane-San said bluntly. "Just because you give someone the basic essentials, it doesn't mean that you're a good person. You can easily use it against them, knowing that you have the power to do so. You can say something along the lines of, 'If you don't do this, then I'll take this away from you or kick you out.' Trust me, I have experiences like that too."
Juugo raised an eyebrow curiously, wondering what she meant by that. The more and more Amane-San speaks, the more interesting and mysterious she is.
Whatever sympathy she had on her face was lost as Ayano glared at the Raijutsushi. With a sneer, Ayano yelled, "I'm not going to sit here to listen to you talk badly about my family! You don't know us! You just believe whatever Kazuma told you, huh?! Well, newsflash, he's a liar! He's just jealous-"
"Yeah, I'm so jealous-" Kazuma started.
"Ha! See-"
"-that I'm not a stubborn, spoiled brat like you." Kazuma finished.
"Fuck you!"
"Sorry, but I like women my age and not related to me. Though, I didn't know you were into that, Princess."
Ayano's face burst into violent red as she stood up from her zabuton. With a snarl, shoulders tense, and her fists clenched tightly, ready to start a fight.
"Ayano!" Juugo yelled. "Sit down!"
"B-but Otou-Sama-"
"Now."
Her body loosened, still glaring at his two guests. His daughter flopped back down on her zabuton with a pout, crossed arms, and an angry brow. Juugo sighed as he thought, Just like Shouko as always.
"As I was saying to Amane-San earlier," Juugo began. "The Fuuga's are akin to slaves." he raised a hand to stop his Heir from rejecting his words. "I'm sorry you have to hear this, Ayano, but it needs to be said. It needs to be said. After the war, the Shogunate, who gave our Clan the order to eliminate the Fuuga's, had a change of heart. Instead, he decided to make the surviving Fuuga Family members our servants as a gift. It didn't matter how we treated them; the Fuuga's were our property. Some committed suicide, taking their children with them as they decided that death would be better than serving your enemy for the rest of your life. Of course, some tried running away, but when they were captured and brought back to us, we punished them." Juugo swallowed, his Adam's apple bobbed. He felt the shame of his ancestors rising in his chest as a burning sensation. "We would hang them upside down before burning their backs or hold their heads down in a barrel filled with water, almost causing them to drown."
His two guests and daughter widened their eyes and dropped their jaws. Juugo continued, "We've done terrible things to the Fuuga's. Yes, the jobs they did were dishonorable, but what we did to them was inhumane."
"B-but," Ayano mumbled, her lips trembling. "W-why isn't it in the Ancient Texts? Where's the proof?"
"History is written by the winners." Juugo said, sullenly. "Do you think that we would write down what we did to the Fuuga Clan? Truly? We'll write down that a member has died and how, but in a grossly simplified version, because their lives didn't matter to us. The reason why I know this is because I was curious about the Fuuga's culture and history. I asked for diaries, journals, and I spoke to them. Just like you, Ayano, I didn't believe them. I was young, ignorant, and prideful. Until I looked into our Ancient Texts, including written accounts, journals and diaries. I matched Dates to certain events, dug even deeper and discovered our family's bloody history. From then on, I tried to lessen the animosity between our Clans, hoping that one day the Branch Families could agree to free them."
"But you're the Head of the Family." Amane-San said, confused. "Can't you just free them yourself?"
Juugo shook his head. "I may be the Head of the Family, but even I have rules that I must abide by. In our family, when there's a serious decision that has to be made, the Branch Family Heads and I come together to vote on what needs to be done. Even as the Head of the whole family, I can't overrule the Majority. This is to ensure that the Branch Family Heads also have power to avoid civil conflicts."
"Oh." Amane-San nodded, understandingly. "In the Inuzuma Family, the Head is the Head. No voting or anything like that. Whatever the Head says goes. But I have another question, Kannagi-San."
"Go ahead," Juugo responded.
"If you could see that the Fuuga's were basically slaves, then how did Ayano-Chan end up with the mindset she has?"
"Hey!" Ayano shouted.
Juugo sighed with closed eyes. "It was my own fault for her mindset. I thought she wasn't ready to hear about the atrocities we did to the Fuuga's. It was too graphic for a child to hear. I was planning on telling her when she was older. Although, I was still rather hands-off when it came to developing her personal beliefs. I'd wanted her to explore the world through her eyes and form her own opinions without any biased outlooks. I believed that she would see the Fuuga Clan as equals, especially to her, the Heir of the Kannagi Family."
The Head of the Kannagi Family saw Kazuma look at his daughter in disbelief as Amane-San appeared thoughtful as Ayano was surprised.
Juugo continued, "The only action I did was saying some subtle, but truthful compliments towards the Fuuga's. I even did it more when my family was around me. I was hoping that they would catch on. However, my laissez-faire approach was a mistake. But Ayano is young, she still has a chance to form a new way of thinking."
Juugo spoke with such pride that Ayano had some pink coloring her cheeks. "O-otou-Sama..." then Ayano's reddish-pink hair bounced as she shook her head. "But there's nothing wrong with my line of thinking."
Kazuma rolled his eyes so hard that Juugo was afraid that they were going to pop out of his head.
Amane-San then said to him, "Yes, as you said, she's still young. We'll always look back and think 'what the hell was I doing? How angsty was I?' I know I do that from time to time."
Juugo chuckled, "Yes, I do the same as well." his face became grim. "Now, we understand that the Fuuga's used Kazuma as a scapegoat, hoping to divert our attention from the real murderer."
"They were always smart." commented Kazuma. "But why would they kidnap Ren?"
Ayano gasped, turning her gaze onto Kazuma then back to him.
"Why? It's because he's a part of the Head Family." Juugo answered.
Ayano slammed her hands on the tatami mats. "Wait a minute! Ren was kidnapped?! Why didn't anyone say anything to me?!"
"We were getting to it." Kazuma deadpanned.
Juugo gave Ayano the look, and she calmed down sheepishly. "During the war, we found a way to defeat the Fuuga's. We took away their source of power by sealing it."
"Source of power?" Ayano asked her father. "What was it?"
"I know what it is." Kazuma said. "It's a Spirit." Amane-San agreed with him.
Juugo nodded, "Yes, and they worship this Being as their new God. They've prayed to the Spirit King of the Wind, hoping to gain more power. But they were ignored, so they lost their faith and replaced their Spirit King with something else. A youma; a powerful, bloodthirsty one. They call it Lord Geiho."
Juugo saw Kazuma suck in a breath as Amane-San tightened her hands on her skirt.
"It can't be..." Kazuma muttered.
"That's right. Ren has been chosen to be a sacrifice for their revived youma."
Kazuma's brow creased in rage, his hands curled into fist with gritted teeth. Amane-San looked like she was going to faint. She turned to Kazuma with shaky eyes, "P-pryanichek..."
Seeing how pale she was, Kazuma placed a hand on the Raijutsushi's head and buried his nose in her hair near her ear. He whispered something that made Amane-San nod as tears escaped from her eyes. Kazuma wiped them before kissing her forehead.
Amane-San took a deep breath and exhaled. "I'm alright." she said quietly. "I-I'm sorry, I-"
"You have nothing to apologize for." Kazuma told her gently.
Amane-San pulled away from him and looked down at his collar bone for some reason then fiddled with a bracelet that Juugo now noticed. In fact, he noticed a necklace around Kazuma's neck. The bracelet and necklace were the same: a black cord with three beads, two were of different shades of blue - azure and electric with a rose pink bead in the middle. Juugo immediately knew that that azure blue bead represented Kazuma on the account that the symbolic color for Fuujutsushis is azure blue as the electric blue symbolized Amane-San for her jutsu and probably her eyes. But he didn't know what the rose-pink bead represented. Maybe it represented their love? Rose pink did symbolize happiness, a person's gentleness and grace. Juugo shook his head as there were more pressing matters.
"Apologies, Kannagi-San," Amane-San said, bowing. She still was losing color to her face. "You may continue."
"...alright. As I was saying, we trapped Lord Geiho by confining it with a seal made out of a particular type of crystal imbued with powerful Magic. Sun Mashenka, a rare type of elemental fire crystal. Anyone touching it would be horribly burned beyond recognition. Although, there are exceptions to this rule; namely immediate members of the Kannagi Head Family. Our bodies can never be burned, so only by manipulating a Kannagi could the Fuuga Clan ever break the Sun Mashenka seal that in turn will free the trapped youma, which will then take residence in the Clan's chosen Host. In this way, its power could be extended to every clan member, making them most formidable indeed." Juugo looked down at the photo of Kazamaki Ryuuya.
The sickly boy - no, man - wasn't much older than Kazuma. His immune system wasn't the strongest, so he spent most of his life confined to his bed. Now with a dark power in his hands, Kazamaki probably felt strong for the first time in his life. Juugo felt guilty that it took an evil entity for the boy to feel that way. "Now we know that the intended Host to be Kazamaki Ryuuya, the Head of the Fuuga Clan's son. I've reached this conclusion by reading the Ancient Texts passed through the Kannagi Family. It's one of the facts we didn't whitewash in our family history."
"But Otou-Sama," Ayano sounded tense. "What...will happen to Ren?"
As he kept his composure, Juugo felt the distress for his young relative fill up in his chest. Ren was just a twelve-year-old boy; his life was just truly beginning. It was the time for him to start thinking about his place in the world, his future path of what he wanted to be and having a first girlfriend (or boyfriend, romantic partner, whatever. Juugo didn't particularly care, as long as Ren was happy. He didn't know about Genma though). It wasn't too long ago that Ren was asking him about the age when he started to shave. He remembered the young Kannagi running a hand over his chin, hoping to feel even the slightest bit of hair. Ren told him that he wanted to look more manly. Juugo said that he was fine the way he was. Although he did crack a smile when Ren excitedly told him and his father that he finally got some armpit hair.
And now, Ren was going to be used as a sacrifice.
"After he breaks the seal for them, the youma will know he's descended from those who had imprisoned it and will then take its revenge. No doubt devouring him completely, every fragment of Ren's soul."
Ayano uttered, "Oh no..."
"I'm afraid so. The Fuuga Clan means to sacrifice Ren. I honestly blame myself for this outcome."
"No, it's not your fault, Otou-Sama." his Heir's amber eyes became determined. "I've heard enough of this." she stood up from her zabuton. "We have to go find him. No matter what. I can't forgive what the Fuuga's have done. If they wanted help, they could've asked."
"'Could've asked,' huh?" Kazuma mocked. "You make it sound so easy. Didn't you hear Juugo? Your family tortured them. For 300 years. Burning their backs, almost drowning them. I don't even want to know what other fucked up things you did to them."
"B-but...then something must of-"
"If you say that they deserved their horrible punishments for whatever reason, then you're a terrible person." Kazuma stated bluntly.
Visibly shaken, Ayano hollered, "I AM NOT! I'M NOT TERRIBLE! I'M TRYING TO MAKE SENSE OF THIS! ALL OF THIS! I DON'T WANT TO BELIEVE THAT THE FAMILY I'M PROUD TO BE A PART OF IS TERRIBLE! I DON'T WANT TO BELIEVE THAT THE PEOPLE I LOVE ARE AWFUL! I DON'T! SO, FUCK YOU, KAZUMA!"
Ayano had tears prickling at the corner of her eyes. She furiously wiped them with her sleeve; Ayano stared down at Kazuma.
Kazuma was silent, his eyes were empathetic for a few seconds before losing the expression. But Juugo noticed it. "I know that this is hard for you, but whitewashing history won't solve anything. You should learn from it, so that when you become the Head of the Family, you won't make the same mistakes as your ancestors."
Ayano was floored. Kazuma actually sounded soft to her, just a little soft. Listening to the two second cousins during the meeting were only filled with scathing words and insults. Juugo believed that this might be the first time that they haven't spit acid at each other.
"Otou-Sama, please," Ayano begged, "where's the Fuuga Clan now? Tell me, so I can go rescue him."
"Ayano, you're not strong enough-"
"I can't sit here and do nothing! I won't let this happen! Ren's only twelve! He wasn't put on his Earth to be eaten by some youma!"
Amane-San fell to the ground on her side, her face was white as a ghost and covered in sweat.
"KOMAKI!" Kazuma screamed, quickly taking her into his arms. He checked if she was breathing with his fingers before unbuttoning the front of her dress, revealing a lavender lacy bra. Kazuma laid her flatly down on the tatami mats and lifted her feet up on his knelt-up thighs. He used his Magic to fan cool air on her face.
"Kazuma, do you want me to call for help?" Juugo asked, looking at the Raijutsushi worriedly.
Kazuma shook his head, "No, it's fine. I can take care of her." he wiped the sweat off of her face, as he whispered, "Come on, babe."
About two minutes later, Amane-San's eyes fluttered open. Kazuma exhaled a breath, placing a hand on her cheek. "Komaki, can you hear me?"
Amane-San, with Kazuma's help while he said, "slowly, slowly," rose off the floor like a Vampire coming out of a coffin.
"I'm alright." She slid her feet off of Kazuma's thighs, then noticed her dress unbuttoned. Amane-San blushed, Juugo looked away to give her some privacy. When he looked back, her dress was buttoned and she was finishing her tea with Kazuma watching her closely, in case she was going to faint again at any moment.
"What happened? Was it something I said?" Ayano questioned. Juugo heard a small amount of concern in her voice.
Amane-San just responded with a "No, it's nothing."
"But-"
"She said it's nothing." Kazuma replied, bitingly.
Ayano didn't say anything for a second, probably wondering what she could say to Kazuma and Amane-San. She decided to turn her attention to her father. "Otou-Sama, give me the location of the seal! I'm going now!"
"Wait," Amane-San said. Her voice regained its strength as her usual coloring was coming back. "no offense, Ayano-Chan, but if you go after them, you won't make it far with Kazamaki on their side."
"What you need is back up," said Kazuma. "And I don't mind providing it."
"I don't mind either." Amane-San added, as she stood up with the Fuujutsushi's hand on the small of her back. When Kazuma opened his mouth, she raised a hand. "Pryanichek, I'm coming. I know I just fainted, but I want to save Ren-Kun too. Besides, you know that I'll just follow you, so there's no point in arguing."
"Y-you what? You both want to come with me?" Ayano said, shocked.
"Kazuma, Amane-San," Juugo started. "Kazamaki will use all his power to whip the Spirits of the Wind into a frenzy-"
"And when he does, I won't be able to control them." Kazuma finished. "See, Wind Magic isn't enough, but Fire Magic, that's a different story." he turned to look at Ayano. "Kazamaki could be destroyed by Enraiha. Hell, he could be defeated by Lightning Magic too."
"Does this mean you're going to be less worried about me then?" Amane-San asked.
"Not a chance."
Ayano cut in, "Alright, Kazuma, do you really think that there's a chance it might work?"
Kazuma shrugged, "Maybe, I guess."
Ayano's jaw slacked as she almost fell to the floor. "Excuse me? Really? 'I guess,' Kazuma?!"
"I've never fought against a guy like him, alright. And neither has Komaki."
Amane-San had the decency to look a bit embarrassed. "It's true. The strongest I've faced by myself was a legion of Mavka. But the ones I've fought with Kazuma were at least five Strzyga and an angry Leshy. The last one though, we just ran away from it."
"I've never heard of those before."
"It doesn't matter." Kazuma plainly answered. "What does matter is the fact that he could possibly kill all three of us."
"Then I better go out and find new partners!"
"No, you won't." Juugo protested, standing up with his cane. "Kazuma, and if she's truly alright, Amane-San is going with you."
"But why, Otou-Sama?" Ayano voiced.
Kazuma looked pleased, showing a three-fingered OK sign. "Great. Now what will you pay me?"
Juugo and his daughter were just stunned into silence. All Juugo could do was blink, several times. No words came out of either of them. Amane-San playfully smacked Kazuma in the arm while trying to hold in her giggles.
"Kazuma! We're trying to save your brother! This is different from a normal freelance job!"
"Yeah, I know, but we're going against a guy who could possibly kill us, and I don't like you to exhaust yourself. Might as well get paid for it." Kazuma shrugged again. "Besides, I want to get out of that shithole they call a hotel. There was literally dried cum on our floor. We aren't staying there another night."
"...ok, I see your point."
"W-wait! Hold on!" screeched Ayano. "Your family's in trouble and you're asking for money!"
Kazuma threw daggers at her with his eyes, "But you're not my family. Just because we share blood, it doesn't mean we're family. And just for the record, my last name is Yagami now."
"You're an asshole! How could you?!"
As his Heir and the Fuujutsushi argued with Amane-San adding in her own two cents, Juugo felt his face soften, "Very well, just name your price."
"Are you kidding?!" his daughter looked at him like he was losing his sanity.
"¥10 million."
"That's way too much!" spatted Ayano.
"Deal."
"Otou-Sama!" Ayano yelled.
Ignoring Ayano, Kazuma asked, "Where are they?"
"In the West." Juugo told him. "On Mount Konakagutsuchi."
"It won't take us a long time to get there, right?" Amane-San asked, as she opened the shoji door and sat down on the engawa. She started to slip on her ankle booties.
Juugo shook his head, confirming.
"Then let's go." Kazuma declared. He went over to sit next to the Raijutsushi and began to put on his black shoes.
All the while, Ayano stood in place, just completely dumbfounded.
Ayano dug her nails into her seat as Kazuma was driving too fast for her liking.
She was sitting in the back of a dark green Nissan Rogue - a car provided by her family - with a seatbelt across her chest as she tried calming her breathing. When the car jumped violently, Ayano let out a gasp, clutching her seat tighter.
"Watch it! You're driving like a maniac!" Ayano shrieked at Kazuma. "Can't you slow down a little?"
"Sure," The Fuujutsushi responded, sarcastically. "If you don't mind that Ren and the rest of your family will be dead by the time we get there."
Ayano huffed, deciding that she didn't want to talk to the asshole anymore; and she definitely wasn't going to start a conversation with his wench, Inuzuma. Instead, she stared out of the window, watching the forestry go by along with the stream that sparkled due to the sun.
I can't believe I have to work with these people. I can take care of myself. Ayano thought as she remembered what her father said to her. He insisted that Kazuma and Inuzuma come with her to save Ren, claiming that they're powerful. While it was true Kazuma defeated Cousin Shingo, Cousin Takeya, and his own father, it didn't mean she had to trust him. But no, her father just had to look at her with kind, understanding eyes and explain to her that it was a matter of saving face for Kazuma and by helping Ren, is by default, helping the Kannagi Family, which is something that he openly hated. The Kannagi Heiress would just have to swallow the bile that she wanted to vomit out and deal with it.
She loved her father very much, but he was too nice for his own good.
Ayano bluntly told him that it was certain that she wasn't to trust Inuzuma. Being in the same car as her made the young girl ill, probably even more than Kazuma. It didn't help that Cousin Shinji was right about her beauty. Inuzuma was an enigma; they knew nothing about the length of her abilities. Ayano has only seen her do a few tricks, but it didn't mean she was powerful. Her father told her that the Inuzuma Family, at one point, said that most of their members can use nearly a Million Volts of electricity. It was also said that a few of them can use a Billion Volts without burning themselves out. Although just like what her father told her, the Inuzuma Family said it.
Just like how they said they're the descendants of a Spirit King. Yeah, right. How can a family be so arrogant?
She jumped out of her seat, almost hitting the car roof with her head. Ayano tightened her grip on the seat that she thought the material would rip out.
"Um, yeah, are you doing this on purpose or something?" Ayano asked Kazuma, trying to mask a whimper as she felt a knot in the pit of her stomach. Calm down, Ayano. Just calm down.
"No, he's not." Inuzuma answered her instead of Kazuma. The Raijutsushi turned in her seat to look back at her with a comforting smile. "It's just really bumpy with the rocks and all."
"I wasn't asking you."
"...Kazuma wasn't answering you, so I did."
"Yeah, he's just staring at the road and ignoring me." the Kannagi Heiress snarked.
"So, you tend to fly off the handle, don't you?" Kazuma finally spoke to her.
Ayano raised her amber eyes to meet his own in the rear-view mirror, challenging him. "Your point?"
"Anger is a powerful tool for creating energy and Enjutsu. With that temper of yours, I can tell you have a lot of energy."
Ayano didn't know whether to be confused or angry. She chose to combine the two. "So, was that a compliment or an insult?"
"A bit of both," he admitted. "Without self-control, anger can be a liability. I just need to know that you can keep yours in check."
Is he...trying to be helpful? Like a mentor? Ayano wondered, then she snorted. "Hey, look Kazuma, don't worry, okay. I've got plenty of self-control."
"We'll have a problem if you don't." Kazuma said simply, even though he looked serious. "I got Komaki here and I don't want her to be hurt."
Inuzuma called him something that sounded foreign. It was something European and began with the letter P. Pryanichek, or whatever. "I appreciate that you want me to be safe, but I can take care of myself. You know I can."
Kazuma just sighed, his shoulders loosened and all of a sudden looked tired from what Ayano could tell through the rear-view mirror. The Enjutsushi was beginning to feel like a third wheel in a couples' serious conversation. "I know. I just don't want to take any chances, especially with this...sacrificial ritual shit going on."
Inuzuma didn't say anything. She reached over and caressed Kazuma's face like it was made out of something fragile. For the first time throughout the car ride, Kazuma took his eyes off the road (Ayano sucked in a breath) only slightly, to gaze at the older woman. Then she said something that sounded like Mandarin, but it wasn't Mandarin that made the Fuujutsushi respond back in the same language and kiss her palm.
The little kiss made Ayano blush. It looked like something out of the current Shoujo manga she was reading.
When Inuzuma pulled her hand away and Kazuma focused on the road again (Thank the Spirits, Ayano thought to herself). He said to the Kannagi Heiress, "Okay, let's go over the plan one more time."
Ayano sighed and turned her head towards the window. "I'm gonna launch and frontal attack on Kazamaki, while Inuzuma attacks at the sides and you sneak up and attack him from behind. That's how it's supposed to work, but..." she paused, feeling unwanted nerves spread through her body. It was a feeling she hated. "To tell you the truth, I'm not happy about it."
"Why, Ayano-Chan?" Inuzuma questioned.
Honestly, Ayano didn't know why she was admitting these emotions to these people. She didn't even like them. Maybe it was because they were all on the same mission to save Ren or that they were the only ones with her. The latter truthfully was quite sad.
"...well, what if I only mess things up?"
"Look, I know I said some things, but honestly, I'm sure you'll do fine." what Kazuma said surprised her. "In fact, we're counting on you."
"Really?"
"Yeah, we are," Inuzuma said, her electric blue eyes gaze back at her through the rear-view mirror. "I know that we don't see eye to eye, especially with the whole," she lazily gestured her hand in a rolling motion. "Fuuga's are basically slaves thing, which is true by the way, Kazuma and I are counting you to do your best."
"...this is so freaking weird." was all Ayano could say. "You guys, saying all this stuff to me."
"So, you want to go back to insulting each other?" Kazuma raised a dark eyebrow, questioningly.
"It's familiar, but maybe you're not as arrogant as I thought you were."
"And what about me, Ayan-" suddenly Inuzuma, with light blue electrical lines coming out of her body, kicked the door off of the car and a strong burst of cool air caused Ayano's reddish-pink hair to flutter in her face. "Grab her!"
Ayano sputtered and blew hair out of her mouth. "Hey, why couldn't you just open the wind-Ay!" Kazuma jumped out of the drivers' seat into the back, right in front of Ayano and wrapped his arms around her, his chest covering her face. He quickly used a blast of wind, destroying the other car door. Kazuma hopped out of the car with so much force that her seat belt broke. Next second later, she went flying and tumbled down a steep hill.
When Kazuma stopped rolling, she was released onto the ground. Ayano felt sharp rocks probing her skin. She sat up to see the Nissan Rogue on fire and then exploded.
Ayano was on her knees, staring at the ground shakily. Her breathing was rough as sweat covered her face. If Kazuma and Inuzuma weren't there with her in the car...screaming, crashing, and blood everywhere.
"-YANO-CHAN! AYANO-CHAN!" she heard Inuzuma call out to her.
"H-huh?" The Enjutsushi shot up her head so fast that she had whiplash.
"Breathe with me." Inuzuma told her gently with a hand on her shoulder. She started to breathe slowly, and Ayano copied her. Soon, Ayano was breathing normally. "Are you alright?"
"Y-yeah..."
"He's here." Ayano looked over at Kazuma to see him staring into the sky.
The Kannagi Heiress followed his gaze and saw Kazamaki Ryuuya floating in the sky. Ayano gasped when she saw his putrid green skin, large veins bulge out of his face. The whites of his eyes were yellow as his eye color changed to blood red. Through his wide smirk, she could see fangs.
Ayano rose up on wobbly knees and steeled herself. I can't fail. Ren needs me.
Ayano saw Kazuma throwing up a smirk at the monstrous man, saying, "Good to see you again, Kazamaki." his orangish-brown eyes hardened. "Now where'd you take my brother? I hear you want to sacrifice him!"
"Yeah!" Inuzuma shouted at the dark Fuujutsushi. Thin, light blue lines of static spouted out of her body. "We're ending this!"
Kazamaki descended down, touching the Earth. He let out a deep, groveling laugh.
Ayano summoned Enraiha and got into a battle stance, hoping that she was truly capable of doing her part to win this fight.
Finally, this chapter is posted! Only one more chapter left until I'll write another chapter before the Misao Arc. That chapter will just be more domestic between our power couple! And also, all of the Russian/Slavic creatures will show up soon, especially when we learn more about Kazuma and Komaki's crazy adventure!