Thanks to my first ever reviewer Koko. I am glad you took out some precious time to make someone's day… And yeah, jealousy is rather a strange feeling and when people become jealous they tend to turn a little ooc. Anyway, no offense and continue reviewing.
Also, these lines are for my reviewer Kazenostigmafan4ever, my old name was Crystal- magic- power but I just felt like changing my name so I changed it and yeah glad that you all read my author's note and all that babbling on the top.
So, enough with the thanking and continue reading the next chappy!
DISCLAIMER: I do own the story line and Joseph but not Kazuma, Ayano and Tsui Ling in any way possible although I wish from the bottom of my heart that I would…
Chapter 2: Someone from the Past
APOV:
I had just entered the balcony, my eyes full of tears, my heart bursting of sadness and pain and my head pounding like I hadn't slept in a fortnight... Why was that maniac having such an effect on me? What does he even mean to me? I hated Kazuma and I hated feeling this way… so vulnerable. He made me feel so fragile, so delicate like a glass… just so vulnerable and not like a future head of the most powerful and elite fire magic users, the Kannagi's…
'Calm down, Ayano this is going to pass,' I told myself. This was the sensible me talking.
'No baby, this time you are so gone. This is how you will feel for the rest of your life,' the freaked-out me said.
'That's nonsense, Kazuma is just an infatuation and you know he doesn't feel anything for you. You'll get someone better than him, who will love you back more than you'll ever love him!' The sensible- I said.
'Yes, but Kazuma is the best and I know that what I feel for him cannot be placed under just an infatuation. I know, even if I find someone who is crazy in love with me then also I won't be able to forget Kazuma. He's changed me for good.' The freaked out me said.
'Yeah right, now can you just calm down. I guess your head might explode if you continue freaking out!' The sensible- me said with a yawn.
The world's most sensible person and the biggest idiot both stay within us. The worst part is, you can't even tell who is who.
I was just trying to sort out the turmoil in my head when I heard footsteps approaching me and then just stop right behind me.
"Go away, Kazuma. I am not in a mood to take your crap, get it?" I muttered
Suddenly I heard someone clear his throat and then place a hand on my shoulder. I literally jumped out of my skin and quickly turned around only to embarrass myself when my jaw dropped open. Standing in front of me was the most handsome man I had ever placed my eyes on but that was excluding Kazuma. Anyway, he is a complete jerk.
"…umm… He- Hello? Do I know you?" I asked with an air of uncertainty
"Probably not, Ms. Kannagi." He replied
"Pardon me but how do you know my name?"
"Oh, well, forgive me for my rudeness. I really am shocked that I forgot to introduce myself to such a charming lady like you…I am Joseph Drew. I am the future head of the water magic user clan in America. I was just here to run some errands when I saw you and instantly recognized you. Did I tell you that you look beautiful this evening?"
"Y- Yes…" I replied
"Drop dead hot?"
"No but thank you." I said while blushing madly
"I have always been taught never to lose a chance of complimenting a beautiful lady especially when she looks just as beautiful and gorgeous as you look right now…"
"Wow!" Was my brilliant reply (AN: Do note the sarcasm!)
"People should not hide the obvious!" He said while cocking his head
"You are flirting with me?" I asked with the same looks
"You can take it anyway."
Saying this we both burst into fits of laughter but somewhere in the back of my mind I still compared him to Kazuma. The way he cocked his head and his crooked grin was a charm of his own and no doubt it was addicting. But it was his overprotective behavior and that air of 'I- DON'T- CARE' even when he did care that attracted me to him. No one could stand a chance against that like right now, Joseph was losing badly in all such spheres.
"…umm… Ms. Kannagi-"
"Call me Ayano."
"Okay, Ayano I was thinking that since I don't see anyone with you may I have the honor of taking such a lovely lady like you to a dinner?"
"Oh, well the question was really out of the blue but I am sorry, I actually had a hearty meal just a few minutes ago."
"Oh, it's alright. If not the dinner then can I ask you to accompany me to the local karaoke club? I hope you won't mind going there with me…" He asked with an air of uncertainty.
"Oh, I'd love to go to the karaoke club…" I replied enthusiastically. "Besides the idiot I was here with seems too busy to even care about my runaway aka disappearance." I muttered
"Excuse me?"
"Nothing, Mr. Drew. Nothing."
"Call me Joseph like everyone else does."
"Okay then its Joseph." I replied with the slightest of a tint on my cheeks.
He smiled and offered me his hand but before I could pull back my own hands, he took them on his own and tugged me along. We were just walking out of the exit when I saw Kazuma on the balcony with an expression that translated into- 'I'm gonna beat this guy up!' and he looked really pissed off!
"Ayano? Hello you listening? Ayano, back to earth Ayano…" Joseph asked while waving his free hand in front of me
"Oh sorry, I zoned out! Were you asking something?"
"Yeah, Ayano I was thinking if you might like to have a drink at my house tonight?"
"I am sorry Joseph but I don't drink."
"Seriously? Well I am amazed!"
"Are you making fun of me?" I asked, my anger levels rising
"No, what I meant was that almost all teenagers your age drink regularly and you actually are the first one I have come across who doesn't drink!"
"Oh! I am sorry, I got carried away."
"It's alright. I understand. Here, we have finally reached the karaoke club."
JPOV:
Bernhard had told me to take down Ayano and bring him back the sacred Enraiha which that weak Kannagi princess holds. He promised to let me and Lapis/ Tsui ling live happily forever if that sword is brought back to him.
FLASHBACK
"Master, Joseph has arrived as you had asked."
"Very well, Lapis. Tell him to come inside and also I want you to bring the red bottle from our room of magic potions. You may leave now."
"Very well, master Bernhard."
A few minutes after Lapis leaves, footsteps can be heard echoing in the great hall of Pandemonium which has been a field for many great wars. Suddenly the echoes of the footsteps halt and a tall man with blue eyes and golden hair emerges from the dark corner in front of Bernhard.
"Hello Bernhard, it's been a long time since I last saw you." Said the man
"I know, Joseph. Now I will not beat around the bush and come straight to the point. Listen I know that you love Tsui Ling aka Lapis. I am ready to trade her on one condition…"
"What is it? I am ready to kill anyone for my Tsui Ling. Tell me the condition, tell me." Joseph screamed the last words
"Calm down, Joseph. I want you to know that this errand is not going to be a child's play. It involves a risk to your life. Who knows you might even die." Warned Bernhard with a shrug
"I am ready to take any risk if it means that I can live happily forever with my Tsui Ling and as far as I have heard about your errands someone usually dies, isn't it?" Countered Joseph
"Very well, Joseph. I want you to bring me the sacred fire sword, Enraiha which is currently held by the weak Kannagi princess. Can you do it?"
"You bet? But weak Kannagi? Weak and Kannagi usually don't go hand in hand? Is there something else I should know?" Asked Joseph suspiciously
"Ayano Kannagi, the sword bearer is not strong enough but the rest of the family is like her old fool father, Jugo and his brother, Genma."
"I'll take care of them. Don't worry."
Saying this Joseph turned around and was about to walk away when suddenly he saw Lapis entering the great hall. He hungrily in took her figure and was literally drooling.
"Okay, you need to take this vile so that you remain strong and resistant to the fire magic."
"I won't need it, you know."
"Don't underestimate the Kannagi's. Now take it." Said Bernhard with a cautious look
"Fine!" Joseph said and then gulped down the liquid in a single gulp
"Now you may proceed for your mission
After Joseph had left —
"Master excuse me but can I ask you a question?"
"Go ahead."
"Master, isn't that concoction used for keeping track of a person's activities."
"Yes… So?" Said Bernhard slowly
"You lied to him Master?" Asked a shocked Lapis
"Not really. It does help strengthen a man's ability but it also keeps tabs on a person's activities. I am afraid that he might get diverted from the path that he is supposed to take. Any more confusions?"
"No, Master."
"Very well, you may leave now."
"Yes, Master."
Saying this Lapis quickly stalked out of the room.
END FLASHBACK
My Tsui Ling… If it wasn't for that weakling Kazuma my Tsui Ling would have never died. She chose him over me and paid her life as a price. But once I kill that stubborn princess Lapis will be mine forever. Of course, I'll forgive her after all she was under Kazuma's evil spell. Had she chosen me she would have never died. I would have protected her with all my might. I still remember her last words to me on that cold winter twilight. Just like the weather her voice and words were. They cut my precious heart into two. The coldness in her voice still gives me shiver. And what did she say? Yes she said that- "I know I'll remain happy with Kazuma and I am tired of your overprotective nature. You neither own my heart nor my soul! I don't want to see you ever again." And just like the setting evening sun, she left my life and never came back!
I didn't listen to Bernhard when he said that Ayano is a weakling. She was a Kannagi and Kannagi's are supposed to be powerful but when I met her, the energy she had enclosed in herself was astounding but most of it was in potential form. A very little was in the kinetic form.
Anyway during our whole short meeting I couldn't help but be surprised at how astonishingly interesting she was. That blush which crept its way onto her cheeks and the witty remarks that flowed out of her mouth were so effortless. The way she was determined at some moments and the sheer loneliness that was evident on her face at other moments. How she reacted to my beauty and blurted out everything without a concern about her class and status and don't even talk about her beauty. She is so far the most beautiful and kind woman I've ever seen. I can see her internal and external beauty dripping down her form like wax off the burning candle.
Her emotions were mostly in a turmoil and very difficult to decipher. She is the most interesting and amazing woman I've ever come across right after Tsui Ling. Maybe I could own Ayano? I am not sure if Lapis would still welcome me back… Maybe I could have a future with Ayano. This time there will be no Kazuma too. I want to feel more of her emotions… More of her. I can't wait to ask her out for our first official date where I'll learn more about her!
I am hungry for her emotions, hungry for her. I could almost feel the beast inside of me roaring for her. I am coming Ayano, and I promise I'll sweep you off your feet! I swear I will.
Did you like this chapter? Thank you guys for all the reviews. I am really glad but just do tell me how over a hundred people have read my story and I get only a handful of reviews? Didn't you see the review button?
Please review and I'll give you a pure dramatic next chapter and yeah anyone has any plot or suggestion on how this story should end please PM OR review the story! Also, do tell me if I should end the story in the next chapter or continue writing it till a few more chapters? I can do anything you want, so I'll be eagerly waiting for all your views and reviews.
Till then, Adieu dear readers!
Sunshine satin