This was the hardest chapter to write. I'm not the best at fight scenes, but I'll get better...hopefully.
TW: Mentions of sexual assault towards the end.
Episode IV - The Contractor and the Railgun
It took a lot of willpower for Komaki not to vomit the moment she saw Kazamaki Ryuuya. The man's face was disgusting; putrid green with large, bulging veins that looked like worms squirming and crawling inside his skin. The whites of his eyes were yellow as the eyes themselves were red like fresh blood. When he smirked, Komaki saw sharp teeth.
Above all, it was the dark, unbalanced aura that surrounded him that made Komaki sick to her stomach.
Like what she told Ayano-Chan, Komaki understood the Fuuga Clan, as did Kazuma. She understood why they went to extreme lengths to gain their freedom, even worshipping a new entity when their own Spirit King ignored the prayers they cried into the skies. The Fuuga's wanted to break the Chains of Servitude and Submission from their Masters. They wanted to end the cycle of abuse, discrimination, and death that was placed upon their family for centuries.
Komaki can understand it all.
However, she didn't approve of the sacrifice of a human's life.
"Was I really put on this Earth to be eaten by a demon?" Komaki remembers those words said by her little sister.
She wasn't only born to be a sacrifice and neither was Ren-Kun. He was only a child, innocent like a little lamb. Ever since the night he was kidnapped, Komaki felt the guilt eating up inside of her, curling in the pit of her stomach. If she only made it in time to stop the Fuuga's from taking him...if only she was faster...if only she was quicker. Just like with Kazuma's former cousins who were crushed to death. She might've not liked one of them for calling her a "stupid slut," but she was present at the accident and could've saved them.
Honestly Komaki didn't know why she wanted to save them. She didn't like the Kannagi Family for owning literal slaves and abusing Kazuma - emotionally and physically - there were only two (possibly three) people in the whole family she could see herself not wanting to electrocute. Well, she already electrocuted Ayano-Chan and was still a bit iffy about Kannagi Juugo. Maybe it was just how different the Kannagi's ran their family apart from hers'. She knew for a fact her Tou-San would never allow people to vote; he would scoff and laugh at them.
Maybe she wanted to save the two Branch Family Heirs, because she was there and wanted to do some good in the process. Imagine if she could've saved them, perhaps they would have been grateful and begin to change their judgement about Kazuma or Wind-Magic as a whole, extending those thoughts to the Fuuga Clan.
Maybe that could've happened, or it wouldn't. Komaki would never know.
Right now all she knows is none of this would've happened to Ren-Kun if she was quicker.
At times like this, she really wanted to lay in a closet, curled up away from the world.
Komaki shook her head, trying to push away those feelings. She needed to focus on the opponent right in front of her. She glared at Kazamaki as she reached into her pocket for a kopek. Her blue magical lights of electricity crackled.
"It's Kazamaki." Ayano-Chan said. "Why couldn't I sense him?"
"He's a Fuujutsushi. If he doesn't want to be found, an Enjutsushi like you doesn't stand a chance." Kazuma answered.
Ayano-Chan asked curiously, "How could Inuzuma sense him?" her eyes were still on Kazamaki. "She's not a Wind-Magic User."
"I can sense people through electric, magnetic, and electromagnetic fields. But it causes me serious migraines when I use it too much." Komaki explained. "I just sense things when there's metal around like the car, because it's easier and less nauseating."
"Wait, do you sense with all three at the same time or-"
"Ayano," Kazuma cut in. "Make sure to get in his face. Fight him close. Attacks from a distance won't work."
Stepping forward with Enraiha and an eye roll, Ayano-Chan said airily, "Why don't you worry about yourself, okay."
"Ayano-Chan-"
"That goes for you too, Inuzuma." Ayano-Chan dashed towards Kazamaki with Enraiha bursting into flames. She jumped high into the air and swung her sword. Ayano-Chan slashed the air to summon a line of fire. Beams of flames struck down at Kazamaki.
Kazamaki Ryuuya threw up his arm, several sharp winds of black and dark purple touched the beams that fused together, creating a fiery barrier. The Kannagi Heiress burst from behind, her reddish-pink hair whipped around wildly. Enraiha was held above her head, ready to strike.
"THERE'S NEVER BEEN A YOUMA THAT ENRAIHA CAN'T DESTROY!" Ayano-Chan roared.
Ayano-Chan swung down her sword, Kazamaki blocked the attack with his black and dark purple winds. The winds spread around Enraiha. He smirked and tightened his hand into a fist and threw a punch, sending powerful strikes of wind towards the Enjutsushi. Ayano-Chan held up her sword like a shield. There was a loud bang and clouds of white smoke appeared, the Heiress jumped back.
It was honestly impressive how quickly Ayano-Chan went from being shaken to arrogant again in a few minutes. Komaki was beginning to believe that being cocky was a way for Ayano-Chan to conceal her true feelings of being insecure and scared. Just like how Kazuma tries to cover his feelings with sarcasm.
As Ayano-Chan and Kazamaki Ryuuya fought, Komaki saw Kazuma staring at Mount Konakagutsuchi. She said, "Pryanichek, you can go get Ren-Kun. I'll stay here and help Ayano-Chan."
Kazuma shook his head. "No, you can come wit-"
"Kazuma," Komaki interrupted firmly. Her electrical lines disappeared as she placed a hand on his chest. She saw the worry in his eyes. In the car, Kazuma said that he didn't want her to be hurt during this fight, mostly because it involved human sacrifice. Komaki understood him completely, but she wasn't going to back down. "we're here for your brother. You can go and save him. I'll stay here with Ayano-Chan. I'll be alright. I'm strong too, you know."
"I know that, but why do you want to help Ayano?" her love asked. "She hates you, you know."
Komaki sighed, "I know she does. I'll tell you when we're done with all of this." with her fingers under his chin, the Raijutsushi pulled him into a kiss. "Now, go to Ren-Kun. I'll call you if something happens. Alright?"
Kazuma gazed into her eyes, probably searching for any objection. When he saw nothing of the sort, he nodded reluctantly and flew into the sky. "Be safe, Komaki." he told her.
"I will."
"Um, I could use a little help right now!" Ayano-Chan shouted, swinging her sword when Kazamaki jumped back away from her. "Kazuma!" seeing that he wasn't on land, the Kannagi Heiress looked up to see the Fuujutsushi hovering above them. "Kazuma?"
"Since you got everything under control," Kazuma said sarcastically. "I'm going on ahead. Komaki's with you, so take care of him, alright."
As Kazuma flew away, The Enjutsushi screeched, "DON'T LEAVE ME ALONE WITH HER! YOU ASSHOLE!"
"It's nice to finally hear you being open about how you truly think of me." Komaki commented in a dry tone as her Magic began to crackle around her once again.
"SHUT UP YOU!"
Maybe it was best for Komaki not being here...Kazuma thought as he held his brother in his arms. He heard many of the Fuuga Clan members groaning and coughing in pain.
Immediately when the Fuujutsushi saw the youma closing in on Ren, about to devour him, Kazuma sent down a giant whirlwind. Not only did his Magic block the purplish-black demon from reaching his little brother, but also blasted the Fuuga Clan members away, high into the air before clashing, landing onto the ground.
Kazuma heard inhuman croaking and gurgling behind him. He looked over his shoulder and glared at the so-called Lord Geiho. The youma was trying to escape from the blockage. It wouldn't be too long until the monster broke free to wreak havoc.
The Fuujutsushi laid Ren down on the stone slab. His little brother looked like he was sleeping peacefully, unaware of what was happening around him. Kazuma placed his hand above Ren's face and released a gentle breeze. The young Enjutsushi scrunched his face, letting out a small groan before opening his eyes.
His little brother smiled brightly in an instant when he saw him. "Onii-Sama!" Ren hugged him tightly. "You saved me."
Kazuma scoffed and grabbed Ren's cheeks, squeezing and stretching them until they turned red. "What the hell is wrong with you, letting them kidnap you like that? I thought you were supposed to be some kind of big time Enjutsushi now?" he squeezed and pulled on his brother's cheeks even more.
"I'm really sorry." Ren's voice was muffled as Kazuma continued to stretch his cheeks. "It won't happen again. So, please let me go."
"T-tell me." said a gravelly voice behind Kazuma. He turned around to see the Head of the Fuuga's, Kazamaki Hyoue rising up, shakily, from the ground with dirt stains on his clothing. "Why are you getting in our way? Helping those who you hate?" the Elder Kazamaki stood, even though he was still quivering. "The abused feel a grudge that can't be shaken. Humiliation that never dies. You of all people should know what I'm talking about."
Kazuma does know what the Elder Kazamaki is talking about. He's been thought it. The constant mocking from people who's suppose to be his family, the abuse his Uncles when they tried to awaken Fire-Magic in him, his parents disregarding him and making him feel worthless; forcing him to leave home to fend for himself when he literally didn't know how to take of himself.
Kazuma understood the Fuuga's Clan. He sympathized with them, especially when Juugo revealed the Kannagi's inhumanity towards the Clan. He doesn't even blame them for wanting to take revenge against his former family. As his love, Komaki said, "The oppressed fought back, tired of their oppressors mistreating them."
He understood them completely.
However, Kazuma didn't agree with human sacrifice. Not at all. In fact, he despised it. His older sister was sacrificed to a youma. He isn't going to let his own little brother get eaten by some monster.
Not in his life.
"I know you feel it, Kazuma-Kun," Kazamaki Hyoue said. The rest of his family now stood behind him. "I know you hate the Kannagi's just as much as we do."
Kazuma looked straight at him then shrugged. "Yeah, well, I'm not going to lie to you. They're not exactly my favorite people in the world right now."
"Onii-Sama..." Ren whispered, but still loud enough for him to hear.
The Elder Kazamaki glared at him, his forehead creased deeply. "If you share our hatred for the Kannagi Family, then then why help them? It simply doesn't make any sense."
"For money." Kazuma said simply.
Everyone, including his brother, dropped their jaws.
"The Head of the Family hired me and my girlfriend. My girl needs her doughnuts and I got to eat too."
"Wait a minute," started Ren, his large green eyes continued to stare at him in disbelief. "You're saying you're not here to rescue me? The only reason you saved me is because you're being paid?!"
Ren sounded a bit angry. Good, he needs to be on top of his game when it's his time to fight. Kazuma thought, as he said, "I play to the highest bidder, kid. I'm not a hero, but if I happen to do some good in the process, so be it."
Kazamaki Hyoue scoffed, "You fool! This is our mission! No way in Hell, we'll let someone like you stand in our way."
The Elder and his family - men and women alike - formed their hands into a gesture like they were creating a sphere, shooting out their arms, releasing groups of wind. Kazuma swung his arm, a spiral of wind blocked their attack, puffs of white smoke billowed around him and Ren. The smirk on his face was quickly wiped off when he cleared the smoke and saw a tornado of blackish-purple. When the tornado fizzled out, it revealed Kazamaki Ryuuya.
The dark Fuujutsushi had holes and singes in his clothes, Kazuma noticed some twitching from his hands and eyes.
"My son," Kazamaki Hyoue said, sounding hopeful. "he's finally here."
"Why didn't Komaki use her Railgun on him?" Kazuma wondered aloud.
"Railgun? What's that?" Ren asked.
Kazuma didn't answer as he watched Kazamaki Ryuuya let out a growly roar so strong that it freed Lord Geiho from his prison. Kazuma held his little brother protectively, while the wind blew violently around them. The youma curled around like an enormous dark cloud. Purple sparks came out of Kazamaki Ryuuya as he arched his back and howled, Lord Geiho flew up into the air and cloaked himself onto the dark Fuujutsushi.
Kazamaki's fingers split open, longer, curlier nails spouted out as his shoes and clothes ripped. The dark Fuujutsushi grew larger and wider in size, his black hair lengthened and spiked out of his head into a messy V-shaped style, and his eyes, including the whites became blood red. Blackish-purple smoke bellowed out through his enormous fangs.
Kazamaki Ryuuya was no more and the final form of Lord Geiho took his place.
The Elder Kazamaki looked absolutely joyous. "Behold his Majesty, the great youma of the Fuuga Clan! Destroy these Kannagi intruders! Crush them beneath your feet and wipe their seed from the Earth!"
Lord Geiho's arm was surrounded by sharp darkish winds, he threw his arm out, suddenly all of the Fuuga Clan members were being attacked by the darkish winds. The family went flying into the sky, they struggled amongst the winds, trying to escape while their screams were echoing through the mountain.
"NO! LORD GEIHO! PLEASE!" Kazamaki Hyoue pleaded as loud as he could over the blaring howls from the winds.
Giant rocks and large chunks of the ground flew and spun into the air, Kazuma tightened his hold on Ren. Lord Geiho turned his head away from the Fuuga's, then without a word he left with a spiral of darkish-purple winds propelling him from the bottoms of his feet.
Kazuma surveyed the mountain area; it was utterly trashed with the shrine in pieces as some rocks were split open in halves. The Fuuga Clan members were spread out either crushed under stones, impaled by tree branches, or dead by other gruesome means that Kazuma didn't want to describe. He saw Kazamaki Hyoue bent over a large boulder with his limbs twisted in awkward ways with drips of blood seeping out of his mouth. His eyes were wide with tears down his face. Kazuma felt a little bit sorry for him. Just a little bit.
"Why did that youma attack them?" Ren asked, confused. "Aren't they supposed to be on the same side?"
"I guess being in prison for so long made him snap and turn on his own people." Kazuma answered to his little brother. "His hatred for the Kannagi's must have consumed him entirely, leaving nothing else."
Ren's eyes drooped sympathetically. "That's awful."
"Yeah, it is." said Kazuma, stuffing his hands into his jacket, touching a cool glass bottle. "But when you're missing around with human sacrifice, you'll get what's coming to you."
The Fuujutsushi felt his Smartphone vibrate in his pants' pocket; the ringtone he set specifically for Komaki blared out loud for him and his brother to hear.
All those days watching from the windows
All those years outside looking in
All that time never even knowing
Just how blind I've been
Ren just slowly blinked at him. "Is that from Tangled?"
Kazuma, in a rare flush of embarrassment, only said, "Komaki loves Disney, okay." his thumb scrolled up on the touchscreen. "Babe, what's wrong?"
"Ayano-Chan's been infected." Komaki said through the phone. Her voice wavered, but Kazuma could hear her trying to stay calm. His love knew that acting frantic wouldn't help matters. "There's a nasty wound on her neck. It doesn't look bad, but she's been affected by his ki. His spirit is eating her from the inside out. It won't take long before her whole body has been taken over." she went quiet for a second before continuing. "I think the only way to save her is that Elixir Polina's babushka made for us."
"Really? You think so?" Kazuma responded, power-walking away towards the woods. Ren quickly followed him, trying to get his attention. Soon enough, the young Enjutsushi let out a frustrated groan when the older man ignored him. "You know that it'll take some time for Pol to perfect Alchemy."
He heard Komaki sigh, "Yes, I know. But it's the only thing I can think of that can save her."
"...alright, I'll be there in a second. Bye." Kazuma ended the call and put his Smartphone back into his pocket. He said to Ren, "We need to get to Komaki. Ayano's been injured."
"What?!" Ren shouted frantically. "What happened to her?!"
"It'll be alright." Kazuma told him. "We still need to take care of that youma though. Mind you, I don't give a damn what happens to the family, it's just business. If they all get killed, then Komaki and I don't get paid."
"B-but Onii-Sa-!" Ren gasped from the suddenness of Kazuma picking him and taking the skies.
Kazuma used his Magic to track down Komaki and Ayano. He felt a tingling sensation on his skin, like he was being touched by tiny shocks along with a feeling that reminded him of a hot flash. A second later, he'd found them. They were at the same place where he left them. At the river. Kazuma flew over the sea of trees, seeing the river just ahead of him. He landed on a bed of rocks, not too close to the river for the sake of his own comfort.
He saw Komaki, who, thank the Spirits, didn't have a scratch on her. Only her dress had some rips and tears, her stockings had gaping holes in them. She was sitting down with Ayano's head on her lap, mindlessly braiding the Princess's hair, distracting herself, while singing softly and mostly off-key. Komaki kept staring down at the darkish-purple blemishes growing, littering on the young girl's skin.
...No matter how your heart is grievin', if you keep on believin'
The dream that you wish will come true
Have faith in your dreams and someday
Your rainbow will come smilin' through...
"Ayano!" exclaimed Ren, running towards the two. He fell to his knees, lost and unsure what to do. "Is there some way we can help her, Komaki-San?"
"It's going to be alright, Ren-Kun." Komaki reassured him. She looked up at Kazuma. "Pryanichek..."
Kazuma knelt down in front of Ayano, inspecting the growing infection on her neck. He put his hand into his jacket, grabbing the small bottle, but not pulling it out. Kazuma side-eyed Ren.
Lord Geiho was still out there and who knows what else, maybe other youma. Kazuma knew that he could take care of himself. Even if he doesn't want her to be hurt, Komaki could defend herself. Ayano's capabilities were very questionable, especially now from seeing the sad display in front of him. However, knowing her, Ayano would want to be a part of the fight; she can connect with the Spirits of Fire rather quickly.
Ren needed to connect with the Spirits of Fire if he was going to join in on the battle. He knew his little brother wasn't going to back down from a fight. He had the Kannagi Blood running through his veins, after all.
"Yeah, there's a way to save her." Kazuma said coolly. "But I hate to waste it on her."
Ren looked downright flabbergasted. Komaki's eyes were puzzled as she stopped braiding another strand of reddish-pink hair.
"What are you saying?" Ren asked, still in shock.
The Fuujutsushi pulled out the uniquely shaped glass bottle with jagged edges. Inside was just simple dark orange liquid with flecks of gold. Even though the bottle was cold to the touch upon his fingertips, Kazuma could still feel the warmth of powerful Magic just by the aura alone.
He toyed with the Elixir, spinning it in his hand. "Listen, kid, I'm not trying to be insensitive, but this stuff's valuable and hard to come by."
"That's it..." Ren responded. His tone showed obvious disappointment, but there was also a smudge of rising anger. "you're just going to let her die?" he turned to look at Komaki. "Aren't you going to do something, Komaki-San? Anything?"
Komaki shifted her eyes between Kazuma and Ren before setting her sights on Ren. She must have heard the growing anger in his voice as a spark of realization came through her eyes. Then Komaki simply shrugged, her fingers twisted the Heiress's hair repeatedly into another braid.
"I guess I was wrong to call you down here," said Komaki. "We only know one person in the entire world who knows how to make that potion. Kazuma's right, it's too valuable."
"...so, that bottle of medicine is more important to you guys than saving Ayano's life?!"
Just like Komaki, Kazuma shrugged his shoulders simply. "So what if she kicks the bucket? What's the big deal? It's not all bad for you. You get to inherit Enraiha." he scoffed. "And I know Ji-San would love that."
Ren scowled, glaring at his brother as he stumbled up on his feet. His shoulders were shaking in anger as his hands tightened into a fist. His whole body burst into flames.
"Shut up!" the young Enjutsushi growled. When Kazuma didn't move an inch, he thrusted out his hand, right in his older brother's face. "Give me that medicine!"
Kazuma smirked. The flames of honest anger. Good work, little brother. That's the key to synchronizing with the Spirits of Fire. "Whatever you say." he lifted Ayano up from Komaki's lap and placed her into his arms. "You can turn down the heat now."
Ren did as he was told and his flames disappeared. His eyes that were once filled with fury, now became eyes filled with confusion.
Kazuma held the Elixir to Ayano's lips, but the bottle wouldn't fit into her mouth. He let out a rather frustrated sigh. "This isn't going to work."
Komaki eyed him. "Are you thinking what I think you're thinking?"
"What? Is that jealousy I hear?" Kazuma teased, his usual smirk spread across his lips.
"Kind of, but I'm wondering if you heard of the term 'kissing cousins.'" Komaki bluntly answered.
The Fuujutsushi frowned instantly. "Yeah, I see what you're talking about now. So, you want to do the honors?" he held out the Elixir, but still holding onto the Princess in his arms.
"Unless Ren-Kun wants to do it, but I don't think he does." Komaki took the bottle and downed the whole potion in her mouth. She leaned down, connecting her lips onto Ayano's.
Ren's face turned beet red as he let out a flustered squeal.
The Kannagi Heiress's wounds faded away, her skin completely cleared. Her eyes began to open until she snapped them open quickly to see the woman she hated kissing her. Ayano shoved Komaki away with an "ew!" As Komaki tumbled onto the ground, she noticed Kazuma above her, holding her in his arms. Ayano let out an embarrassed shriek and scrambled away from him.
With her hands covering her mouth and a slight blush, Ayano muffled, "W-what was that? Tell me that wasn't-"
As Kazuma helped his love get off of the ground, he heard Ayano say, "Inuzuma, y-you were...you w-were, you were weren't you...you really just..."
Komaki dusted off her dress, "Yeah, Ayano-Chan, I kissed you. This isn't the first time I kissed a girl."
Ayano's cheeks darkened as she covered her lips again, then she glared hatefully at the Raijutsushi. She screamed, "IF YOU TOUCH ME AGAIN, I SWEAR I'LL KILL YOU!" she turned her fiery eyes onto Kazuma. "AND YOU! IF YOU HOLD ME DOWN AGAIN, I'LL KILL YOU TOO! BOTH OF YOU ARE PERVERTS!"
"That's not a very nice way to thank the people who just saved your life." Kazuma simply said.
Before she could get a word in, Ren jumped on Ayano, hugging her so tightly that Kazuma was afraid that she was going to burst open.
"Ayano!" Ren shouted happily. "I'm so glad you're alright!"
"Um...Ren?" responded Ayano, confusedly.
Ren released her and smiled, "The youma was going to eat your soul, then Komaki-San and Onii-Sama gave you some medicine to save you."
The young girl's cheeks turned red again, she covered her lips once more. Then Ayano glared at the couple. "What kind of medicine did you give me?"
"An Elixir." Kazuma answered.
Both Ayano and his little brother gasped. They were so shocked that all the Princess could say "a-an Elixir?" in a wobbly tone.
"Elixir?" Ren whispered to himself, like he just heard some huge secret. "Wait a minute, you mean like Alchemist Elixir? But that's supposed to be the rarest medicine in the whole world, right?"
Komaki nodded, "It is, but luckily we know someone who knows how to make it. Well, actually her babushka made the bottle we just had before she died. Polina is still trying to perfect her Craft."
"Still," Kazuma started. "It'll take her some time to become a Master at it." then he eyed Ayano. "Now, don't you have something to say to us?"
Ayano sighed, "Oh, thank you for helping me."
"Eh, it's no problem." said Kazuma. "I'll just tack on the cost of the Elixir to the bill. That ought to cover it. Babe, what's the conversion rate for Rubles to Yen?"
"Oh, I think it's-"
"NOW, YOU LISTEN TO ME-" Ayano began to screech until Kazuma stuck a finger in her face.
"And how come you lost that fight? You had Komaki with you, so you shouldn't have lost." he leaned down, still pointing his finger at her. "Now what wasn't that you said to everybody earlier today? If I remember correctly, you said that there wasn't a youma that Enraiha can't take down."
Ayano didn't say anything. Instead she frowned and became way more fascinated with the shiny rocks under her.
Kazuma continued on. "Oh what, you couldn't burn him even after you stab him with your precious little fire blade?"
"Well," Ayano said, sheepishly. "It's not that simple."
Kazuma just raised an eyebrow mockingly. "Oh, I get it now." his tone matched his facial expression. "You weren't able to burn him 'cause you couldn't even touch him, huh?"
Ayano just groaned. Kazuma let out a gravelly sigh, feeling the irritation inside of him becoming a headache. "And what about Komaki? She could've taken care of him, even far away."
"All she had was a coin in her hand." admitted Ayano. "I didn't think anything of it."
"Ayano-Chan, I told you to move out of the way." Komaki said, like she was scolding an unruly child, which to Kazuma she was.
"And let me guess, you didn't." Kazuma snarked. "You continuously got in Komaki's way, huh?"
Ayano's silence was all he needed as an answer. Kazuma rolled his eyes so hard.
Suddenly the Heiress shot up from the ground and stood firm on her feet. She shouted, "First of all, you're the one who dumped that manic on me! You took off without giving me any warning!" then she pointed a judgmental finger at Komaki. "And left me with someone who uses coins to fight!"
Komaki frowned, "It took me years to perfect my Railgun."
"Yeah, and it was a mistake thinking that you were strong enough to take care of yourself!" Kazuma yelled at her. As Ayano was shaking with rage, he said, "When you attacked me, no, when you tried to attack me the other day, I thought you were just playing around-"
"KAZUMA!" the Heiress growled, clapping her hand together, summoning Enraiha in a rupture of flames. She swung her sword at him, only to have her wrist easily caught by his hand.
"See, that's what I'm talking about." Kazuma told her.
Ayano only blinked, watching her sword disappear. Kazuma spun her around and held out his hand towards Komaki and Ren. He said, "Let's go, you guys."
The Raijutsushi took his hand as she wrapped an arm around Ren's midsection tightly. His little brother blushed when he noticed his face was close to Komaki's chest. Kazuma snorted.
"I don't know about you, but I'm ready to get out of here." said Kazuma.
"And just to think I wanted to stay." Komaki sighed dramatically, shaking her head. "I mean look, these views." she spread out an arm, gesturing towards the river and rocks.
"You can stay if you want."
"These views aren't that great."
With winds that twisted and spun like a tornado, Kazuma flew into the sky with his love, his little brother, and his obnoxious second cousin.
You know, flying isn't that bad, Ayano thought, holding onto Kazuma tightly. She watched the trees go by, the leaves were in the Autumn colors of red, orange, and brown.
When a braid whipped in her face, Ayano side-eyed Inuzuma, who was observing the forest. During the time when she was knocked-out, the Raijutsushi took care of her and braided her hair. In all honesty, the braids weren't ugly, but Ayano wasn't going to tell that to the wrench.
"Look," Kazuma said, taking Ayano out of her thoughts. "There he is."
The Heiress peered down to see a purplish-black whirlwind. Upon closer inspection, Ayano saw Kazam-no, Lord Geiho riding inside the whirlwind that was larger and larger by the second. She saw that there were pitch black wings on his back.
"That's him?" Ayano said, shocked. "B-but his ki...?"
"It's spreading." Kazuma told her. "And if we don't stop him in time, he'll wake the evil spirits in the ground too."
Hearing that from the Fuujutsushi made Ayano nervous, which was something that she hated. As she looked down at the monster below them, she realized that this was something so different from what she's used to fighting. The youma she fought were huge, but easily defeated with Enraiha. However, this creature was faster, stronger...
...it was a Wind-Magic User turned youma. It was a powerful creature formerly from the Fuuga Clan. Realizing these facts just made Ayano's head spin.
"Do we really stand a chance against something like this?" Ayano said trembling.
"Don't tell me you're scared just 'cause you got roughed up a bit." said Kazuma. "You're the next Head of the Kannagi Family, aren't you?"
Ayano glared at him, her nerves diminished, "Wait, who said I was scared. It's a Kannagi's sworn duty to rid the World of youma. I'll stop this thing no matter what or I'll die trying!"
Kazuma slammed his forehead onto hers'. Ayano shouted in pain.
Ren gasped, "Onii-Sama!"
"What are you? Trying to sound noble or something!" Kazuma shouted at her, but then his voice lowered. "'Cause if you die, then it's over. Your past and future disappear in the blink of an eye. There's no coming back. No matter how hopeless things seem, as long as you live to fight another day, there's always a chance. The last person standing wins, so you fight to survive and you never give up."
"You're right, pryanichek." Inuzuma said, displaying a small smile. "There were many times in my life when I wanted to give up on everything." Ayano heard a sorrowful edge in her tone. "But then I met the right people and wanted to continue trying to live a decent life."
As much as she didn't like the Lightning-Magic User, Ayano's curiosity about her was growing.
"What do you mean-"
"Guys, we need focus." Kazuma interrupted, rather abruptly.
With a long spiraling whirlwind under his feet, Kazuma lowered all of them near the trees; if she stretched an arm out, then Ayano could've touched the colorful leaves. The Heiress saw Lord Geiho's aura hit the Earth like lightning strikes, burning the grass. Several sharp, misshapen lines of purplish-black smoke rose out of the ground, almost kissing the sky.
"You ready, Ren-Kun?" Inuzuma said.
Ren nodded, then Inuzuma released him from her hold, sending him down with the smoky youma emerging from the land. Ayano's jaw dropped.
"REN!" she yelled, reaching out to him.
But when Ren landed, a streak of fire cut down some of the smoky youma. As Kazuma was still flying, Ayano heard the young Enjutsushi say, "You guys go on ahead! I can take care of them!"
"Don't forget what I said, Ren!" Kazuma told him. "We're counting on you!"
While they were further away from Ren, Inuzuma shot out an arm, sending bolts of electricity towards Lord Geiho. The giant youma dodged the bolts, landing on the ground, skidding across it with his claws. Lord Geiho roared mightily, purplish-black sharp winds whipped around him.
Enraiha burst into flames, Ayano let out a warrior's cry, running towards the monster, getting ready to strike him with her sword. The Heiress saw Kazuma's winds and Inuzuma's lightning bolts shoot out from behind her. As Lord Geiho roared again with his demonic winds whipping around with the intentions to kill, Ayano swung down her blade, yellow electricity surrounded him as the youma made a barrier to shield himself. She jumped back, Lord Geiho's claws coming near her until a burst of wind blocked his attack.
It wasn't the demonic, purplish-black wind that protected her. It was Kazuma's whitish wind. This just made her mad.
"LEAVE ME ALONE!" Ayano shouted through the bellowing sounds of air blowing over her ears.
Suddenly Lord Geiho disappeared in a demonic tornado. With a look of confusion, Ayano heard Inuzuma scream, "LOOK OUT!"
When she was about to turn around, from the corner of her eye, Ayano saw the youma appear behind her and with a single punch, not only causing the ground to explode, but also sending her flying across the field with a gale. Ayano screamed, feeling the sharp winds and rocks cutting her back. She stumbled, trying to catch her balance. As she almost fell, Ayano felt a pair of hands grabbing her by the upper arms. She saw that it was Kazuma.
"Ayano-Chan, you're bleeding." Inuzuma said, sounding worried. Ayano saw her fiddling with her fingers nervously, like she needed to hold something in her hands.
Ayano touched her back and winced. Her back was wet and sticky as her school uniform jacket was torn. She could see a line of blood traveling down to the side of clothes. She could feel the cuts on her back burning, even as she straightened her stance. Ayano didn't know if the cuts were deep or if there were pieces of rock embedded in the wounds, but at this moment she couldn't find herself to care.
As long as there was a youma that needed to be defeated, the Kannagi Heiress would always stand up to fight.
"I really don't like him." Kazuma said, eyeing the line of blood on her clothes.
"Not me either." Inuzuma replied. "Ayano-Chan, do you still want to-"
"Yeah, I do still want to fight." Ayano told her firmly. It hurts...
Behind Lord Geiho were several purplish-black tornadoes, spinning, twisting and swirling rapidly as the black wings on his back grew in size. Ayano could've sworn that the shockwave he summoned caused some type of earthquake as the ground below their feet shook and blew up even larger than the last explosion that caused her wounds.
Even as Nature itself was flying around him; strong winds, enormous rocks, and even some branches that were ripped off of the trees, Lord Geiho still had enough ki to create more of his demonic tornadoes, still spinning, twisting, and swirling.
Seeing all of this power, Ayano could now feel hopelessness creeping up on her. The feeling of dread was worse than the burning cuts on her back.
"What can you do to stop something that powerful?" Ayano asked herself.
Kazuma answered simply, "Just keep doing what you're doing." he placed his hand on her head, like he was trying to comfort her. "Go after him with Enraiha and Komaki. I'll try to slow him down."
"B-but how can you-"
"Let me worry about that," he interrupted. He stretched out his hand and a large spiral of wind, creating a clear and protective pathway, straight towards the youma. "Take him out. All you need is one clear strike, you got it."
"Let's go, Ayano-Chan!" Inuzuma said.
Gripping her sword and gritting her teeth, Ayano ran, crying out, with Inuzuma beside her with her Magic sparking out of her body. Ayano felt her back burn from the cuts as she swung her flaming sword, only to be blocked by Lord Geiho's demonic wind swirling around him. The flames from Enraiha sputtered around wildly, almost hitting Inuzuma who dodged the fire. Coming from her forehead, Inuzuma's lightning surrounded her like a slim dome before shooting out like a spear towards the monster. Her lightning, like Ayano's flames, sputtered around, missing the Heiress by an inch.
"HEY, WATCH IT!" Ayano yelled.
Before she could hear what Inuzuma had to say to her, Ayano saw the most enormous whirlwind she had ever seen aim down at Lord Geiho, who tilted his head back and roared. Ayano covered her face with her arm from the large debris and white smoke and closed her eyes. When she lowered her arm and opened her eyes, they widened when she not only saw a wind barrier protecting her, but also a deep and large crater with the youma hunched over, kneeling like he was out of breath.
Kazuma did this, didn't he? Ayano thought as only one word came out of her mouth, "Incredible..."
Ayano heard Inuzuma shout out something in Russian before seeing the older woman, surrounded by little sparkling Lightning Spirits, throw up her arm in the air and massive dark clouds started to form, the booming sounds of thunder clapping so loudly that Ayano had to cover her ears. Suddenly, a huge lightning bolt came out of the clouds, directly striking at Lord Geiho. The lightning bolt was so bright that Ayano had to close her eyes. For a second she slowly opened them and uncovered her ears, only to see Inuzuma send another lightning strike down before closing her eyes and covering her ears again. Even though she had her ears covered, Ayano could faintly hear another bolt being sent down, then another and another. The smell of ozone was beginning to enter her nose.
When Ayano opened her eyes and uncovered her ears, she saw the youma lying down on the ground with his head lopped to the side as his hair was sticking up even more wildly than normal. His body was smoking with severe burns on his skin that looked like lines. Honestly the burns looked unimpressive. She expected his skin to be pitch black like in the cartoons when the character gets struck by lightning.
"Did we...did you beat-" Ayano started until she saw the youma's finger twitch. She was shocked to see Lord Geiho slowly stand on his feet. He took a step, fell on his knees and got back up again, shakily. Ayano noticed blood trickling down from his ears to his neck and that he had a confused look etched on his face as he stared right at them.
"What's wrong with him?" Ayano asked Inuzuma.
"When someone is directly struck by lightning, many things can happen to the body." Inuzuma answered. "It can cause temporary blindness and rupture the eardrums. His internal organs could be damaged too, like his muscles, heart and brain."
"So he's blind and deaf now?"
"Temporarily blind and I don't think he'll be able to hear anything. I doubt he can move that well since he's shaking. But he's still a Fuujutsushi, so he can still sense other people."
"That's good enough for me." Ayano jumped into the crater, ignoring Inuzuma's shouts. She still felt the wounds in her back, but she was already getting used to the pain. She ran towards Lord Geiho with Enraiha covered in flames, raised above her head. "I GOT TO END THIS!"
Ayano brought down her sword and chopped off his hand, his blood went flying in the air. The youma roared as he stumbled back on his weak legs and fell onto his back.
The Kannagi Heiress knelt down on one knee and stuck her sword in the ground. She closed her eyes and felt the flames wrap around her like a warm blanket on a cold night before she let go and spread.
Her flames engulfed Lord Geiho, Ayano heard him growl in agony. As she was panting with sweat dripping down her brow, a smile crept onto her lips. I did it. I didn't need their help after all.
Ayano showed them, Kazuma and Inuzuma, that she wasn't weak or some scared little girl. She was strong too.
Then she heard a loud thud and opened her eyes. Lord Geiho, still shakily, standing with his arm bleeding and looking dead in her eyes. Ayano flinched at the evil stare he was giving her.
"Y-you gotta be kidding me." Ayano stepped back as the monster stepped closer to her.
The Enjutsushi felt the wind pick up behind her, two hands touching her shoulders, steading her balance. She looked up and saw Kazuma, but instead of looking into his natural orangish-brown eyes, Ayano was looking into a pair of glowing azure blue eyes.
"Well done." Kazuma said in a surprisingly gentle tone. "You bought me some time."
"Time for what?" Ayano asked. "A-and what happened to your eyes?"
"The Spirit King of the Wind marked me as the Contractor." Kazuma told her.
Ayano's eyes widened. "Marked you as the...you mean...the Spirit King has given you his Blessing?"
Kazuma simply nodded with his usual smirk and she gasped. Just like their ancestor, the first Kannagi was also a Contractor, but for the Spirit King of Fire. The Ancient Text stated that he was a very devout man for the Spirit King and dedicated his life to exterminating youma, because he couldn't stand seeing others suffer in pain and misery. From what Ayano was forced to study, he was very powerful. Her father speculates that if he was alive today, he could destroy Tokyo easily if he had the desire to do so.
So the thought of her second cousin, Kazuma, the one who has no skill in Fire-Magic, being a Contractor for a Spirit King had made her truly shaken to the core.
"I-is Inuzuma a Contractor too?"
"No, she's something else." Kazuma said. He glared at the monster. "Now, it's time for you to go back to Hell where you belong!"
With a cry, Kazuma made the wind burst around them and swirl into a cyclone so strong that Ayano believed that if someone was in space, they could see the clouds spin. The youma formed his own shield that was circling around him. Kazuma summoned a few powerful whirlwinds out of the cyclone and quickly aimed and attacked Lord Geiho's sides, encasing him within his own dark, spiraling wind shield. Ayano could see him struggling to move as he roared ferociously.
"You're purifying him." Ayano stated. "It's really working." then she felt Kazuma's hand on her right shoulder, her right hand still gripping onto Enraiha.
"Ayano, when you get near him, you should jump. Komaki's right behind him."
Ayano wanted to say something, to ask something. However, as she looked into his eyes, Ayano saw that he was trusting her to do this. She shouldn't care about earning his trust, but for some reason she did. So, Ayano just nodded.
"Right."
Ayano ran with Enraiha covered in flames, she released a warrior's cry. Even if her back was still in pain, she lifted up her sword and jumped.
"DIE YOUMA!"
The moment when Ayano stabbed the monster through the head, a brightly golden yellow light burst out of his chest like a speeding bullet, creating a giant gaping hole, the insides burnt and spreading through the body. With her sword, the flames grew and his body exploded into red orbs of light. A few winds circled around before turning into a beacon of azure blue and carrying the orbs away into the sky.
The Enjutsushi sighed, feeling her muscles ache and her wounds were still throbbing in pain. She turned to find Kazuma laying down on the ground with his eyes closed. Using all of that power must have worn him out, she thought, stepping towards him.
"Kazuma!" Ayano heard Inuzuma coming from behind her.
The Kannagi Heiress saw the older woman flying above them before landing next to the Fuujutsushi. Inuzuma knelt down and placed his head on her lap. She caressed his cheek with her thumb. Even with his eyes closed, Kazuma smiled a little bit.
Ayano frowned. "You guys didn't need me to win that fight, did you?"
"No, I did." Kazuma answered. "Just because I have a contract with a Spirit King, that doesn't make me invincible."
"I guess not. I mean if it takes you that long to get your attack ready." Ayano turned her focus onto Inuzuma. "What about you? You didn't need me?"
Inuzuma appeared to be trying to find the right words as she played with Kazuma's hair nervously. "...you remember back at your home when I said I never fought a monster like Lord Geiho?" when Ayano nodded she continued. "Well, that part is true. I never had, but when I looked at him, I believed that I could've taken him out with my Railgun."
"Railgun. Is that what you call that yellow light?" Ayano didn't want to admit to the older woman that her strange attack was pretty cool.
Inuzuma nodded. "That's the reason why I carry coins. They're light and easy to carry. After our fight at the river, I thought that this could be the moment for you to shine and show off your skills. I saw how...unsure you were of yourself. So, I thought that you could use this fight to gain some confidence, but then you got hurt and now Kazuma has exhausted himself." her eyes were filled with regret. "I'm sorry, Ayano-chan. I thought what I was doing would help you, but that was stupid of me."
Anger is what she felt rising inside of her, Ayano clenched her fist and glared at the Raijutsushi. "I DON'T NEED YOU TO FEEL SORRY FOR ME! HOW IS THAT SUPPOSE TO MAKE ME FEEL BETTER?!"
Inuzuma opened her mouth to speak, but Ayano wasn't having any of it. She was now glaring down at Kazuma, who finally decided to open his eyes and kept them on her face.
"AND YOU! YOU WAITED ON PURPOSE DIDN'T YOU?!"
"Well..."
"YOU ASSHOLE! WHEN WERE YOU REALLY READY?!"
"It was about the time you cut off his arm, I guess?"
Ayano gritted her teeth. Her blood was boiling. "THEN WHY DIDN'T YOU DO ANYTHING?! WHY DIDN'T YOU TRY TO HELP ME?!"
"Oh, come on." Kazuma said. "If I'd stepped in when you were down, you would've felt like a loser for the rest of your life and you know it."
The words 'He's right' echoed inside of her head. Ayano just growled, trying to ignore those words.
Kazuma continued, "As it is, you got to show off your stuff with Enraiha, had that whole little speech and everything. And you got a confidence boost, so I say that's a win-win."
"Y-you..." Ayano's body was shaking with rage. "YOU BOTH ARE ASSHOLES! I-"
"You know, you really impressed me out there." Kazuma said to her suddenly.
Ayano just stared, completely caught off guard.
"You impressed me too, Ayano-Chan." Inuzuma said.
The Kannagi Heiress looked away, feeling her cheeks heat up. "W-why are you guys being nice to me now?"
Kazuma shrugged, "No reason."
"...It's because you remind me of myself when I was close to your age." Inuzuma answered.
Similar to Ayano, Kazuma was also surprised. Inuzuma laughed. "You wanted an answer, Kazuma and there it is. But you're a lot more...tamer than I was. You don't seem like the type to sneak out and go to Rave Parties and do...less than legal things with your friends."
"W-what kind of things are you talking about?"
Inuzuma didn't say anything to her, instead she lifted up Kazuma, who actually whined a little "Babe" and took off his jacket. She held it out for Ayano.
"You should cover up. I hope you have another school uniform."
Ayano looked down at her clothing and blushed darker than her hair. Her school uniform was torn to shreds, her white bra and underwear were exposed.
"Ayano! Kazuma! Komaki-San!" Ayano heard Ren running towards them.
Ayano let out an embarrassed squeal and took the jacket, using the back of it to cover her front.
Ren stared at her questionably. "What happened?"
"NOTHING!"
A few days later, Kazuma found himself sitting in a hospital room. His Ji-San's hospital room. For days, he wrestled with himself if he should see his father, still not fully comfortable to be near him. However, he was curious to see how he was doing since he put him in the hospital in the first place. Kazuma could tell that Komaki didn't like the fact of him visiting his father from how she was frowning, but she told him that it was his choice and his choice alone to forgive his father or not. He has the right to be unsure and confused, to see his father prove himself if he was worthy of forgiveness.
Kazuma hasn't forgiven him, not at all, but he wanted to confront him and straighten out his feelings. But when he entered the hospital room, Kazuma couldn't find the right words, knowing that his Ji-San wouldn't give him proper answers. So he took a seat by the window and shoved his hands into his jacket pockets. His father didn't say much, mostly paying attention to his book, but he did ask about the remaining Fuuga Clan members and their fate.
Right after when Lord Geiho was defeated, Juugo was able to track down Kazamaki Suzuha, the newly appointed Head of the Fuuga Family along with her Heir and blind daughter, Hibari, to have a meeting with him and the other Branch Family Head to officially end their family's servitude. Both women bravely went to the Kannagi Compound and Kazuma was surprised that the whole place didn't burn down or that there weren't more murders. Everybody was shouting and screaming at each other. The Yuuki Branch Family Head wanted them all to be severely punished as Kazamaki Suzuha and her daughter to be executed on the Stake for Kazamaki Hyoue and Ryuuya's crimes.
With more screaming and shouting, Kazamaki Hibari revealed that 300 years of mistreatment, slavery, and abuse was the main reason for their rebellion, but it was the sexual assaults and her pregnancy done by Yuuki Shingo that sparked her family to act.
From what Kazuma was told, Juugo was so disgusted and angry that he smacked the Yuuki Branch Family Head in the face with his cane when the other man basically victim-blamed the Fuuga Heiress. Kazuma wished he was there to witness the scene, to see fury from a normally calm man and to have a turn knocking out the Yuuki Head himself with Komaki, who, when heard about what Shingo did to the poor Fuuga Heiress. She told him with a sneer, "I'm glad I didn't save him. Disgusting fuck."
Hours of arguing, tatami mats burning, shoji doors being blown off; uncomfortable and half-assed apologies, the voting was, at first, 4 - 4 until the Ogami Branch Family Head voted to have the Fuuga Clan released. The normally stoic man explained that his son would never come back even if they punished the Fuuga's and that they might rebel again, creating an endless cycle of death. So, with a vote of 5 - 4, the Fuuga's were officially freed.
Currently, nobody, not even Juugo, knows where the remaining Fuuga Clan are located. Ever since the Fuuga's have left, Juugo posted job openings for housekeeping and cooking in the newspapers and, with some help from a younger relative, on the internet. Until there was new hired help, some of the wives and daughters took on the chores.
Kazuma just hoped that the Fuuga's won't be bothered now.
His Ji-San and him sat in silence, the older man flipped a page of his book, Kokoro by Natsume Sōseki. Kazuma, seeing that his father was done talking to him and not wanting to stay longer than he has to, got up from his chair. "I gotta get going." Kazuma said. "I got places to be-"
"So what are you going to do now, Kazuma?" his Ji-San interrupted abruptly.
"Komaki and I are looking for a house." The Fuujutsushi responded, putting his hand on the window's latch. "She wants something to call home and honestly, I do too."
His father flipped another page. "That woman, Inuz-"
"Amane." Kazuma said curtly. "If you're going to say her name, at least say it right."
"Amane." his Ji-San corrected. "I'm just curious to know what kind of woman she is."
Kazuma slid the window open and hiked a foot on the sill. "I love her. That's all you need to know." He didn't want to tell his father about Komaki. If he could say cruel words to his own son, he didn't even want to imagine what the older man could say about his girlfriend. If it was downright rude, then he would spend some more time in the hospital. "Take it easy Ji-San. You're no spring chicken anymore."
As the wind blew in and flipped the novel's pages, Kazuma jumped out of the window and flew through the skies with the breeze kissing his face.
From my research about being struck by lightning, the burns on the body could possibly look insignificant, which a doctor called them Lichtenberg figures or just "lines." However, the damage done by the heat can be more than skin deep. These electrical burns can cause serious internal damage, especially to the muscles, heart, or brain. Hell, being struck by lightning could cause personality change, mood swings, and depression. Also, when Komaki electrocuted Ayano, it basically felt like a shock from a taser or a stun gun.
The book Genma is reading, Kokoro by Natsume Sōseki, is about the relationship between a young man and an elderly gentleman, who's called sensei. The novel explores the themes of isolation and the search for identity. I thought that this book somewhat relates to Kazuma and his father.
So like I said in the previous chapter, I'll write a domestic one before the Misao Arc. Also, remember Kazamaki Suzuha and Hibari. You'll be seeing them again.