Thanks for all the reviews, common folks! It really inspired me and I have finally decided not to end the story in this chapter but to stretch it a little bit… I promise that it won't become at all boring from here but will keep you on the edge all way around! And thanks Koko to give up another review within a few hours of me posting another chapter… And Guest, my dear reviewer, I have obliged your request and give more of AXJ in a few more chapters but at the end of the day it will be KXA so I hope you enjoy and dear reviewers keep on reviewing my story.
Enjoy another juicy chapter!
DISCLAIMER: Even the Gods in heaven and the mortals on earth know that I am a fan of Kaze no Stigma and I hold no rights on this particular manga however humanly possible!
Chapter 3: A kiss gone wrong
KPOV:
(AN: A little flashback on Kazuma's exit and his explorations…)
I quickly paid the bill and went off to find my Ayano. I had just departed and walked into the balcony when I saw my Ayano laughing and talking to a man about her age. Instantly my anger and jealousy levels rose tenfold and touched the danger mark as realization dawned on me. HE WAS FLIRTING WITH MY AYANO!
I so much wanted to punch that guy in his guts and make him beg for mercy on his knees for daring to flirt with my Ayano! I could feel my cheeks becoming flushed as my anger level grew with each passing second… Just staring at that guy-with-lots-of-guts made my blood boil but somewhere in the back of my mind I felt like I had seen this guy but where, I couldn't pinpoint a finger at it… Anyway, I was suddenly plunged back into reality when I saw that guy point towards the exit before offering his hand to my beloved Ayano and she looped her arm around his after only a moment of hesitation. They together walked outside the hotel exit arm in arm leaving me feeling like a complete jerk and loser. Dismissing the earlier déjà vu feeling I followed them, more out of jealousy and anger than curiosity.
'If he as much as tried to lay even a finger on my Ayano's sacred body, I will rip that guy's body apart and feed him to the stray dogs. That would be such a road kill,' I swored to myself mentally.
I was feeling frustrated with every passing moment and the fact that they were so deep in a conversation which good Lord knew revolved around what wasn't helping at all… After a pathetically long wait did they finally turned around a corner and then entered the 'Karaoke club!' I was pissed off beyond limits, more on Ayano than on that guy… Weren't we in the middle of our date? Which girl in this whole universe leaves her boyfriend waiting to go with another boy on a supposed date? Okay fine! I am technically not her boyfriend but I was planning to ask her to be my girlfriend tonight and the fact that this guy was a complete stranger to Ayano isn't helping the already messed up situation smoothen out a bit, at all! Finally pushing aside my thoughts I entered the Karaoke club and saw Ayano and the big bad guy on the stage! They being together on stage meant only one thing and that was- 'SINGING!' Everything inside me screamed in pure anger and frustration. My mind and heart begging me to bring back Ayano from the stage and then lock her up in my hotel suite and never let her go. I was just charging towards the stage when the introductory music started and they both began to sing.
Joseph:
'It's always been a mystery to me,
How two hearts can come together and love can last forever
And now that I have found you I believe
That a miracle has come, when God sends the perfect one
Now gone are all my questions about why
And I have never been so sure of anything in my life…
Oh I wonder what God was thinking when He created you
I wonder if He knew everything I would need because He made all my dreams come true
When God made you
He must have been thinking about ME…'
Ayano:
'I promise that wherever you may go
Wherever life may lead you with all my heart I will be there too
And from this moment on I want you to know
I'll let nothing come between us and I will love the ones you love'
Both:
'Now gone are all my questions about why
And I have never been so sure of anything in my life…
I wonder what God was thinking when He created you
I wonder if he knew everything I would need because He made all my dreams come true
When God made you
He must have been thinking about ME.
He made the Sun
He made the Moon
To harmonize a perfect tune
One can't move without the other, they just have to be together and that is why I know it's true
You're for me and I'm for you
Cause my world can't be right without you in my life…
I wonder what God was thinking when He created you
I wonder if he knew everything I would need because He made all my dreams come true
When God made you
He must have been thinking about ME.
He must have heard every prayer I have been praying
Yes He knew everything I would need
When God made you, when dreams come true
When God made you He must have been thinking… about me!'
By the time the song ended, every woman was ready to take down Ayano with jealousy and every man was ready to join her in the bed and about me? I was ready to kill whoever had decided to pick up that song and that guy who was now holding my Ayano's hand as if she was her possession to withhold! That guy's guts! Ayano was blushing under his gaze! I thought that only I had the capability to make Ayano blush!
'You've got competition chap!' said my freaked-out side. 'Don't worry, Kazuma. That guy is no competition in front of you! And you know Ayano loves you but is too stubborn or shy to admit it.' Said the sensible-me. 'Yeah, right! She loves him that's why she is roaming with that guy, singing love songs in front of the crowd and blushing madly! I guess she is attracted to him more than our old man over here.' The freaked-out-me said with sarcasm. 'No, you don't understand… She is trying to make him jealous.' The sensible-me said. 'Right… She doesn't even know that Kazuma is standing in this club! So maybe she has some telepathic connection with Kazuma that will wring his nerves with jealousy as soon as she is with a guy.' Countered the sarcastic-me. 'Whatever!' Muttered the sensible-me. I guess even the sensible side in me is ready to admit that Ayano is not in love with me.
I was starting to get a headache and decided to go up to Ayano and ask her if she thinks I am worth enough to drop her safely home. I was ready to try my luck when I noticed Ayano missing. That girl is one hell of a disaster magnet! I sighed internally and then flew off in the open sky to find her, ready to fight a whole battalion of youmas just to keep her safe.
I had just reached above the Kannagi mansion when I heard a soft sound. The sounds were coming from beneath the old oak tree that stood just outside the right corner of the mansion. I swiftly landed on the ground with a thud and was shocked beyond words as I saw Ayano and that guy in a lip lock! They seemed so deep in their love making that they didn't even notice me landing… I felt defeated, betrayed and angered not only on Ayano but also on that guy! I could feel tears of betrayal fill my eyes. I quickly wiped them off from my shirt's sleeve and then entered the Kannagi compound going off into a room's direction where my life's most prized possession rested!
APOV:
We were just walking down the street that leads to my house, my thoughts deep into the memories which I had with the love of my life, Kazuma… my Kazuma. I couldn't even concentrate on the path on which I was walking… During the singing, I knew I had gone bonkers because the entire time I imagined myself singing with Kazuma and blushed involuntarily in the end… Only he had the ability and capability to make me blush even with a single raised eyebrow. I wondered what he was doing right now. I even felt guilty for leaving him without a goodbye or something. I sighed when suddenly I felt a hand waving back and forth in front of my face.
"Hello back to earth Ayano!" Said Joseph
"Oh, sorry I just zoned out. You were saying something?" I asked
"Yeah, I was saying that I had a wonderful evening and I am looking forward to see you again."
"Oh! I had a great evening too… And I am also really looking forward to meet you again." I said with a sly smile on my face.
"You know I really like it when you blush!" Joseph said with a loopy grin.
I should have seen it coming… I should have been on my guard and most importantly instead of being a twit I should have pushed him back when he cupped my face between both of his strong, muscular hands and kissed me. I was too shocked to even reply or act but as realization dawned on me I struggled free from him and slapped him a hard one right across his face.
"What was that for?" Joseph asked stunned as his left hand covered his left cheek which I had just slapped
"You are asking me- what was that for? You kissed me without my permission and then you have the guts to ask- what was that for? You think you can kiss a girl whom you barely know and you ask me- what was that for? Joseph, I never thought you were like that!" screeched a hurt and angered Ayano
"Ayano listen… It's not what it seems to be like, I promise. Just calm down, please… Ayano the few hours that I spent with you, I have realized that I love you. I have never found a girl that special and mysterious along with innocence like you. I am deeply in love with you… deeply. I know it's too early for me to say that I love you but trust me Ayano, my heart knows and says that I love you. Also I am sorry, I don't know what took over me and that I kissed you without even considering your feelings towards me. Again, I am sorry if I sound like a crazy man or just like a pervert I know that I don't regret kissing you..." Said Joseph with a sigh
"Oh! Joseph I don't want to hurt you or something in the end but my heart belongs to someone else… I am already in love with someone and I am sorry but I don't reciprocate your feelings. My heart already beats for 'My Chosen One.' It's not like you are not good looking or something, it's just that I already have my knight in shining armor….." I replied in a soothing and calm voice.
"It's okay, I guess. Can we be friends if not lovers?" Joseph asked hesitantly
"Just friends deal is fine with me!" Ayano sighed. "I guess I'll go and take my beauty sleep. Good night, Joseph."
"Good night, Ayano."
Saying this Ayano turned on her heels and was about to walk away when Joseph asked.
"Ayano are we okay? I mean am I forgiven?"
"I just need some time, Joseph but I guess I will be alright after a little sleep."
"Okay, I am sorry again."
"I know." Ayano answered with a weak smile and scrambled off towards her house.
"I know I have lost you this time Ayano but I promise I'll do whatever it takes to make you mine! I swear I am going to make you fall in love with me." Joseph muttered as he disappeared into the night sky.
So how was it? Nice, boring, too much dramatic or 'the-author-is-definitely-a-nutcase type'? Tell me through reviews.
Now I have a question for you all:
Should the pairing of Joseph and Ayano last for a little longer or do you want more of Kazuma X Ayano?
Do let me know…
Keep your suggestions coming in fast via reviews or the next chapter is going to come up really late…
Till then, Adieu my faithful readers and also that song above was- 'When God made you!'
-Sunshine Satin