Bonus Chapter: If Things Happened Differently

Heyyy guys! *nervously laughs* as you can see, this isn't the next chapter to the story… it's a bonus chapter!

So… about chapter 18… I'm having a writer's block at a certain part because I want it to make sense since it's a major chapter! [You'll see what I mean when I finally post it up! ;)] I already have it half-way done though; it's just the rest of the chapter that I need to finish.

I know I said that I would update in two weeks, but I had finals so that threw me off (damn you bio and especially chem!). I just wrote this extra chapter to make up for the long wait, but I hope you like it! It's about what could have happened if Kazuma had said goodbye to Karai instead of just leaving without saying anything at all. By the way, this isn't part of the storyline!

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Dark-Flame Alchemist does not own Kaze no Stigma.

I have been training for over an hour already as I waited for Kazuma to arrive at our spot where we would always meet: a small meadow with a beautiful sakura tree in one of the corners. We found this spot a few years ago and have been coming here ever since without anyone bothering us. Ironically, mother and father actually have been here before which was surpising.

I sighed as I took a rest and leaned on the tree, relaxing. A few minutes later, Kazuma showed up.

I smiled as I pushed myself up. I pretended to get mad and crossed my arms and looked away from him as he approached me, "Took you long enough, slowpoke. Who's the late one now?"

"Sorry about that," he said softly.

I frowned. He didn't react the way I thought he would. I turned my head to face him and noticed that he looked upset.

I became worried and walked slowly towards in his direction until I was in front of him. I placed one of my hands on his cheek, "Kazuma, what's wrong?"

He placed his hand on top of mine that was on his cheek as he closed his eyes and just sighed, "My father banished me."

My eyes widened as I became angry, "What? Why? What happened? Did this have to do with why you left my household?"

He nodded slowly, "Yeah; I had to battle my cousin Ayano for the right to be successor of the Kannagi clan and wield Enraiha. Since I don't have any fire magic, she easily defeated me and I lost. Father was so disappointed and just banished me."

I snorted, "What kind of father would banish his son like that? That's cruel."

He opened his eyes, "It is… but it's my own fault for not being able to control fire magic. That's why I'm going away to find something that I will be good at and become strong. I don't care if I disgrace the Kannagi family anymore. I don't consider them my family any longer after being banished."

Anger was replaced with shock. The only thing I heard was that he was leaving, "Wait… Y-you're going away? You're leaving?" That's when I noticed his duffel bag next to him.

"Yes… it's the only way. I'm grateful for you defending and encouraging me, but this is something I must do on my own now… so that I can protect everyone I care about…," he replied before he removed my hand from his cheek and placing it in front of him. He then moved his other hand on top of mine, sandwiching it between both of his, "so that I can finally protect you," he said with a look of determination.

At that moment, I knew that he wasn't going to change his mind and I was okay with it. He wasn't the same boy that I knew; he had changed in just a few hours. I was proud of him.

I gently laughed, "I guess this is the "change for the better" that I was talking about earlier, huh?"

He smiled, "Looks like it."

I looked down and sighed, "Ok, you can go, but promise me one thing…"

"Anything…" he said.

I looked up at him in hope, "Come back to me… please."

Kazuma chuckled before letting go of my hand and cupping my face with both of his hands as I continued to gaze at him. He leaned down towards me and placed his lips on mine.

I was surprised at first, but soon after, I was kissing him back. He wrapped his arms around my waist as I wrapped my arms around his neck, deepening the passionate kiss.

What felt like forever was actually only a few minutes before we pulled our lips away from each other and just hugged. I leaned my head on his shoulder while he placed his chin on my head.

"Of course I will come back… because I love you," Kazuma tenderly said, "Not just as your best friend... but more than that."

I cried softly, happy with what he said, "I believe you… because I love you too…"

He smiled, "I'm glad to hear that."

We let go and just had our hands on top of each other's. "Promise me something also…," he said.

"What is it?" I asked him curiously as the tears continued to drop.

"I know you'll make a great head of the Uchihas someday… so continue to become stronger," he said.

I smiled, "Of course I will… you don't have to worry about that."

"I know; I'm just making sure," he said before they hugged again, "Who knows? We might be equally matched by the time I get back," he said before grinning, "And I could finally kick your ass then."

I laughed before smirking, "I will get stronger… so that won't happen."

We pulled apart once more as he chuckled before looking serious and wiping away my tears, "Also, check up on Ren for me every now and then."

I nodded before sadly smiling, "Where will you go?"

Kazuma shrugged, "I don't really know yet… maybe I'll go to China?"

I frowned, "That far?"

"Hey, it's all right. Wherever I go, just know that I will always be thinking of you," he said before bringing up my hands to kiss them.

I smiled, "I will be thinking about you too." Slowly, our hands released from each other, even though they did not want to let go. Once they did, Kazuma picked up his duffel bag and gave me one last quick kiss.

"This isn't goodbye… so see you soon," I stated. He nodded, "See you soon," he said before turning around and leaving.

My eyes started to grow heavy as I watched his figure fading away. Unexpectedly, he stopped and turned his head and waved at me. I laughed and waved back at him.

He turned forward once more and kept on walking until he was gone. I was sad that he had to go, but I knew he had to do it to make something of himself since he wasn't going to find it here. Besides, I already know he that loves me and he knows I love him.

I smiled as I headed back to the Uchiha household, intending to get stronger as I patiently wait for his return home… back to me.

And there you go! Hope the extra chapter was to your liking! Review as always!

Since school is already over for me, I'll be sure to work on chapter 18 this week and post it up once I'm done. Stay tuned! =)

Thanks to CMR Rosa, BleedinLuva1123 and StarViky for reviewing last chapter!