Chapter 22: Ayano Causing Disaster

Hey everyone! Sorry for the really really long wait! Still working on the hot springs chapter, but while you're still waiting, I had an idea for another chapter and decided to write it before the hot springs one. I know the holiday has passed already, but I used the mischievous day that comes once a year known as April Fools! ;)

I only used Third POV for this chapter, btw! Also, I'm probably going to edit this chapter more even though I already uploaded so tell me if you see any errors that I've missed.

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Dark-Flame Alchemist doesn't own Kaze no Stigma.

Everyone's Point of View

Kazuma was lying down on his couch with his arms behind his head, just looking up at the ceiling with an uninterested look before he sighed, "Man I'm bored today. There's nothing to do and I've been napping all day. Of all the times, why did Karai pick today when I wanted to take her out?"

Jugo hadn't called him for any missions since his previous one two days ago and neither has Kirika. Sure, he could just go flying around the city, but he wasn't in the mood.

All of a sudden, he got up from the couch and stretched his arms, deciding that he was just going to go to the Kannagi house and see if Jugo had any missions anyway. If not, maybe he'll take Ren out somewhere… as well as Ayano if he had too. That's how bored he was.

After getting changed out of his sleepwear and into his usual attire, he put his shoes on and left his place out of his personal exit – the window – and flew off.

Once he got to the Kannagi house, he landed on the grounds inside the property and walked casually along the halls, ignoring the stares of the servants who were not happy with his grand entrance.

As he continued walking with his hands in his pocket and eyes closed, he heard shouting coming from one of the rooms.

"Calm down Nee-san, there's no need to be mad right now."

"Grr, I am so pissed off right now at Karai that I'm about to explode! You know what, scratch that! I'm furious at Kazuma!"

He groaned from recognizing Ayano's whining voice as he opened his eyes and stepped in front of the door. He slid it open, revealing himself to Ayano and Ren who were sitting next to each other at a table.

"Oh, hello Onii-san! We didn't know you were stopping by today," Ren stated with a cheerful smile at seeing his brother.

Ayano, on the other hand, glared at Kazuma, "What the hell are you doing here?"

"Hey there Ren and it's nice to see you too, Ayano," said person greeted as he closed the door and sat himself across the two, "So what's this about you being mad at me and Karai? I don't recall doing anything lately besides dating your sister which, may I remind you, was all thanks to you."

The hot-headed teenager opened her mouth, ready to shout something before closing it shut. She avoided his eyes and huffed with crossed arms, "One, you didn't answer my question! Two, that's none of your concern! And three, don't remind me!"

He chuckled while putting his hand behinds his back, "Suit yourself then."

"Nii-san, why are you here?" Ren asked curiously, "Not that I'm complaining. I like it when you visit spontaneously."

He exhaled a deep breath, "I was bored all day which I'm not usually. I came here to see if Jugo would have any available job until I came across the two of you. Seriously Ayano, everyone in the estate probably heard you."

"Shut up…" she muttered.

Kazuma shook his head at Ayano before closing his eyes, "I was actually planning on taking Karai out on a date later, but she said she was busy."

"Really?" Ren said as best he could without sounding suspicious. He was glad that his brother couldn't see his nervousness at the moment, "I thought she had a day off?"

"Me too… I thought it was weird and couldn't recall today being anything special besides it being April already, but I figured it was an emergency mission," he concluded.

"Yeah, that must be it," Ren assured him.

Neither of them noticed that Ayano had a mischievous look in her eye and a grin on her face, 'Oh my god, I can't believe I forgot what day it was today! Hehe, since Kazuma and Karai don't know, I'm going to punish them! This is going to be so great! It's time to hatch the plan!'

Immediately she jolted up, slamming the palms of her hands on top of the table which stunned Kazuma and Ren. They both stared at her like she was crazy.

Next, she pointed a finger straight at Kazuma, "I can't keep it in any longer! This is all your fault for not keeping your pants on!"

"Huh? What are you talking about Ayano?" Ren asked her with a baffled look.

Kazuma raised an eyebrow, "Yeah, what are you talking about? I would also appreciate it if you could stop pointing at me."

"You know what you did, you pervert!" Ayano shouted, "I should have said something the moment your lazy ass walked in, but I promised to keep my mouth shut!"

"Is there a need to insult me like that? Enlighten me, please."

She scowled, "Karai could possibly be pregnant because of you, that's what! She didn't have to tell me who the father was because I already knew!" Ayano then had fake tears in her eyes, covering her face, "Oh my poor sister! That's why she's busy today! She had to go to the hospital to check if it was true!" Ren's jaw dropped.

Kazuma stared at her with a blank look, "That's not possible. Karai and I didn't even have sex yet." Ren's face turned red at the mention of the word.

Ayano blushed before she composed herself and glared at Kazuma again, "I, and especially Ren, didn't need to know that, thank you very much."

"You were implying that Karai and I conceived a child in the first place which I'm telling you is not likely."

"Well, maybe you guys got drunk one day and can't remember the event if what you're saying is true because, you know what, it has to be you unless you're assuming something?"

Kazuma wasn't buying it before, but he took the fact into consideration since he did get out of it sometimes with Karai around although there was never a mention of them doing anything extreme. If they really didn't do anything, though, then he might have to assume the worst.

Ren was puzzled for a second before realizing that he knew where Ayano was going with her actions, "Nee-san, that's not- OUCH!" he held his foot in pain from getting it stomped on from Ayano, earning him a funny look from his older brother.

Ren gave a nervous laugh, "Sorry about that… I stubbed my toe." He then glared at the successor of the Kannagi clan who kept her gaze at her victim, smirking on the inside, 'This is totally awesome! He's falling for it! I didn't think it would actually work, but seeing that Karai is important to him, he's so gullible!'

Kazuma suddenly stood up and pushed his chair in the table before putting his hands in his pocket, hiding his clenched fists, "I think I'm just going to go home." 'And think about what I just learned…' He turned around and walked towards the door, sliding it open to leave, "See ya."

"You better go home and stay there! By the way, Karai is supposed to call you so don't bother visiting her later if you're planning on it!" Ayano mentioned to him. She and Ren managed to hear a "Whatever" from him before the wind magic user flew out of there, disappearing in a flash.

Ayano had a huge smirk on her face, satisfied with what she did.

Ren frowned her behavior though, "Nee-chan, that wasn't very nice. You know Karai-nee is trying to get reservations for that restaurant later and now onii-san is upset which will make her upset."

She just waved a hand off in front of him, "Ren, it's just a joke! That's the beauty of April Fool's Day! I'm going to call her now!"

Ayano ran off to get her cell phone in her room with Ren right behind her. Just as she turned a corner into another hallway, she bumped into somebody and fell onto her butt.

Rubbing her aching buttocks, she looked up and saw her father in front of her with Genma next to him, "Father! Cousin Genma!"

"Hello Ayano, fancy meeting you here," Jugo greeted while Genma nodded at her in respect.

"Hello Father!" Ren exclaimed, causing the man to look at his youngest son, "Ren."

"So Ayano, is there a reason why you aren't paying attention to where you're going right now?" her father asked her curiously.

She nervously rubbed the back of her neck, "Umm it's nothing really."

"Yup, nothing at all!" Ren tried to back her up.

Genma snorted with arms crossed, "It doesn't look like nothing to me."

"Ayano, just tell us what you two are up to," the head of the Kannagi family insisted.

She finally gave in and explained really fast, "We're-pranking-Kazuma-and-Onee-san-into-thinking-that-they-are-cheating-on-one-another-by-making-Kazuma-think-that-Onee-san-is-pregnant-and-Onee-san-into-thinking-that-Kazuma-was-with-another-woman." Luckily for her, the two grown men were able to get what she was saying, but looked at her, wondering why she would do such a thing.

"Did I mention that it's April Fools today?" she informed them to defend her actions.

Ren formed an x with his arms, "I have nothing to do with this! I think the whole thing is wrong!" Both of the fathers didn't hear him because they were lost in thought.

'Hmm… Karai and Kazuma could probably end up getting the deed done if this ploy is successful… not to mention, the thought of having a grandchild isn't such a bad idea…' Jugo thought with a glimmer in his eye.

'My idiot son getting to suffer… can't say I don't agree with it…' Genma thought with a satisfying look.

After thinking about how splendid the scam was, they came back to reality.

Jugo smiled at his daughter, "Good job, Ayano, as you were then," he praised her before continuing on.

Genma smirked, "Let us know how the prank goes. See you later son." He then followed after Ayano's father, leaving the two teenagers by themselves.

Ren's eyes blinked a few times, "What just happened?"

"Haha, who cares? Looks like we got the seal of approval! Come Ren!" Ayano laughed before pushing herself up and continuing to run towards her room.

Ren shook his head, "I can't believe it… even my own father permitted this. Why am I part of this family again?" he questioned himself before following after her.

~…~

"So what's the verdict on the reservations, Ichiru?" Karai asked her cousin on the phone as she left the hospital.

"I'm really sorry, Rai. There were no available ones in that restaurant you wanted for today. It's packed."

She sighed in disappointment, "There's no need to apologize. I shouldn't have thought this up at the last minute. I'll probably just hang out at Kazuma's tonight."

"That's fine then. It's your day off anyway. By the way, why is it that you needed to go to the hospital when we have our own infirmary at the estate?"

Karai turned a corner on the sidewalk, watching where she was going while still talking, "I actually checked first with the infirmary back at home, but I wanted to make sure of the results so I also went to the hospital. Nothing's wrong with that, you know.

"You're right. I was just wondering. Were you okay with the results?"

"I'm perfectly fine. I was just doubtful of something. Anyways, I should go and tell Kazuma I'm going to his place. Bye Ichiru. Thanks for the help."

"Bye Karai."

She hanged up and dialed Kazuma's number before placing the phone to her ear. The phone rang a few times before she heard a click.

"Hey, what's up?"

Karai noticed that he didn't sound happy just like she was, "I was just going to ask if I can come over later."

"Sure, I'm not doing anything anyway."

"Is there something wrong Kazuma? You don't sound like yourself," she asked in concern.

"I could say the same for you."

"Well, I asked you first," she shot back.

"I'm just tired from taking a nap all day, that's all. Now, how about you?"

"Just received some bad news, but I'll make up for it somehow," Karai answered him before she suddenly got an idea, 'Ooo! I can make dinner at his place instead since I put food there the last time I stopped by.'

"Karai, you still there?"

She snapped out of her thoughts, "Yeah, yeah! Sorry, I was thinking about something. What was it you were saying?"

"I was asking what you did today that made you busy…"

"Oh, I had some errands to do… confirm an upcoming mission with a client, actually do some paperwork and… stop by the hospital."

"T-the hospital?"

"Yeah," she said before hearing a beeping noise, "Kazuma, I'll just see you later because I got another call on the other line."

"All right then, I'll see you later."

His line went off, making Karai frown since he would normally say 'I love you' but she figured that it was because of his tiredness and didn't mind. She pressed a button and placed the phone back on her ear, "Hello?"

"Hi Nee-san!"

"Ayano, what's up?"

"Nothing! I just wanted to see how you were doing with those reservations."

Karai noticed that she sounded a little nervous, but didn't question it, "Not that good. I wasn't able to get them which sucks."

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. I guess it's better that way, though."

She raised an eyebrow, "Why is that? What aren't you telling me, Ayano?"

"I just want you to know that you can talk to me about anything, okay?"

"Ayano, you're scaring me, just tell me what's going on."

"I-I think that Kazuma is cheating on you. I heard that he was with Catherine."

Karai stopped walking and blinked a few times before she started to laugh.

"Umm Rai-nee?"

She had to wipe a tear away from her eye, "That's a good one Ayano. I almost believed you there for a second."

"I'm not kidding! It's true!"

Karai rolled her eyes as she continued walking towards the train station to go back home, "Ayano, he doesn't like Catherine that way."

"Did you call him yet?"

"Yeah, I did actually."

"And did he not sound like himself?"

She suddenly became all serious, remembering how he was acting in the phone, "Now that you mention it, he didn't…"

"See! Something is up with him and you need to do something about it!"

"Fine Ayano, when I go see him, I'll confront him about the possibility. Thank you for telling me," she gave in.

"You're welcome, Nee-san. I hope what I've said isn't true."

Karai's eyes squinted as she was in thought, "Me too, Ayano. I've got to go. Bye."

"Bye."

She hung up and put her phone back in her pocket before entering the train. She took a seat and watched the outside view, not knowing what to think at the moment.

~…~

Ayano snickered once she got off the phone. Ren was by her side, not looking happy, "Nee-san… you know they're going to kill you after they find out what you've done… that is, if they don't kill each other first."

"I know Ren, I know!" she told him.

"I'm just saying that because I know you would be terribly pissed off if anybody did something like this to you," he pointed out to her, but apparently she wasn't listening to him because she was scavenging through her phone for something.

"Ayano-nee-san…"

"Ren, its okay because, once they find out it's just a joke, they can't be super mad at me! Just moderate or hopefully mild," she explained to him with confidence before dialing another number.

"You didn't even hear what I said before…" Ren sighed disappointedly, "What are you doing now, anyway?"

"I'm calling Catherine! Now sshh!" Ayano hushed him, putting the phone to her ear as it rung.

"Hello? Who's disturbing me when I'm training? It better not be the Kannagi brat or else I'll gladly schedule another match for right now!"

She snorted, "Well, you're out of luck because it is Ayano Kannagi."

"Oh great, what do you want? If it's not important, I will schedule a match!"

"I'm going to need a favor that you can't refuse…" Ayano grinned.

~…~

Knock. Knock.

"I'm coming," Kazuma exclaimed, leaving his room to get the door. He was wearing his pajama pants and a sleeveless muscle shirt on, not bothering to change since he figured it was just Karai.

When he opened the door, to his surprise, it was Catherine in his presence.

She turned red from his attire, but shook her head and smiled, "Hello Kazuma, just dropping by."

He raised an eyebrow, "Hello to you Catherine; to what do I owe this honor?"

The blonde American waved a couple of envelopes in the air, "I've got your paycheck that I didn't give you yet for coaching me." She then held them in front of him, "Here you go."

He took the envelopes from her hand before crossing his arms, "Thanks, is that all you needed?"

It was Catherine's turn to raise her eyebrow in concern, seeing his odd behavior, "Something the matter, Kazuma?"

Kazuma sighed before scratching his head, "It's just Karai… wait, why am I even telling you this?"

She chuckled before her face softened, "Don't worry, whatever it is, I'm sure it will work out. You both love each other very much and I can see that."

A small smile formed on his face from what Catherine said before he unexpectedly kissed her on the cheek which made her turn redder, "What was that for?"

"Just to say thank you; you're all right when you don't have that arrogant attitude of yours," he complimented her.

Catherin cleared her throat, "You're welcome and thanks for the compliment. I better get going, so goodbye." She turned around and headed for the elevator.

Kazuma chuckled before he realized something, "Catherine, why did you give me two envelopes? There's one that says paycheck and another that says letter."

After stepping into the elevator and turning around to face him, she yelled, "Open the letter after you have your talk with Karai!" Before he could ask why, the doors already shut.

He frowned at the mystery envelope before setting both of them on his counter. He walked over and sat on his couch afterwards to watch television as he waited for his girlfriend to arrive, not knowing how the night would turn out.

~…~

In the elevator, Catherine had a hand on her blushed cheek. She shook her head before taking out her phone and dialing a number. She waited as the phone rang.

"Hey Catherine! How'd it go?"

"I did my part just as you asked, Ayano."

"Great! Now everything is set in motion!"

"Why are you even meddling into their affairs anyway? I probably would have approved if you did this before we had that rematch, but I'm not so sure about now." The elevator doors opened and she stepped out, heading for the door.

"Catherine, this is just an April Fool's joke! You should be glad that I didn't do one on you!"

"Hmmph, I guess I should consider myself lucky. I was only helping you out anyway because you threatened to brag to everyone how we tied during our last battle."

"You should be grateful and, fyi, I beat your ass during that battle."

"Same difference! Anyway, I should go now. I have to make plans on going back home soon."

"Make sure to not come back then, bye!" she hung up before Catherine could remark back.

Catherine growled as she closed her phone, muttering, "Why that little…" She then took a deep breath before her cheeks turned red again when she finally left Kazuma's building to head back to the place she was staying at.

What she didn't know was that the young head of the Uchiha family watched her leave from her position at the corner of the building, looking really suspicious.

~…~

Fifteen minutes later after Catherine left, Kazuma heard another knock on the door and went to get it. He turned the knob and opened the door, revealing a not so happy Karai, "Hello Yagami."

"Hey Rai," Kazuma greeted, leaning forward to give her a kiss, but she moved her head so that he got her cheek instead. She then let herself in.

He sighed as he closed the door behind him, knowing that Karai was upset when she would start calling people by their last names. It wasn't like he wasn't feeling troubled himself either, though.

He turned around and watched her stop a few feet from him, looking around the area like she was searching for something.

"Do you want something to drink?" he asked her, heading for the sink.

"Water's fine for now, if you please."

Kazuma filled up a glass of water and placed it on the center counter across the envelopes, "Here you go."

She turned around and went in front of the counter, grabbing her glass and taking a sip before staring at him with her arms crossed, "Did Catherine stop by here?"

Kazuma nodded as he leaned his back on the wall counter where the sink was, "She needed to give me my paycheck for training her." He gestured his head towards the envelopes to prove his point

"Are you sure that's all you did?" Karai inquired after turning her eyes to the spot, "She seemed a bit flushed when I saw her leaving the building."

"I just pecked her cheek, that's all. You know how red she easily gets from being embarrassed," he told her, "It's the same with Ayano."

"That's… sort of true," she somewhat agreed, but remained suspicious.

"How about you? What were you doing in the hospital?" he asked out of the blue.

Karai raised her eyebrow at the question, "I had to check something, nothing that you need to get concerned over though."

"Oh really?" he asked, stressing the 'really.'

She rolled her eyes, "Yes, really."

"Let me ask you something else – did we ever, you know, do something that I can't remember?"

She was stumped at what he was asking, "No, not that I know of at least."

Kazuma ran his hand through his hair before his head slumped down, "So I really should assume the worst then."

"Assume what?"

He stared right at her, "You cheated on me, didn't you?"

Karai's mouth slightly dropped before she started to yell, "I'm the one cheating? I beg to differ! Catherine was here so you were the cheating one!" She then drank some of her water to try to calm herself down.

Kazuma pushed himself off the counter he was leaning on. He walked around the middle one blocking his way to Karai until they were a foot apart, "I told you nothing happened. Besides, you're the one who's probably pregnant."

At his last statement, Karai spat out the water she was swallowing onto the counter before she coughed like crazy from getting the liquid into her lungs. She cleared her throat before looking at Kazuma with a 'what the fuck' look, "ME PREGNANT?"

"Why else would you go to the hospital?" he argued while crossing his arms.

She growled from having to tell him, "If you must know, I was having a fertility test to make sure that I can have children in the first place! I'm nowhere near pregnant since we didn't have sex yet!"

"Why would Ayano tell me that you were possibly pregnant then? She was even yelling at me," he disputed.

"What? She told me that you were cheating on me with Catherine and she was pretty convincing too," Karai mentioned, looking warily at him as he did the same with her.

They just stared at each other for a minute, trying to piece the information together until it clicked in their heads.

"So Ayano told you that while she told me something else about you…" he was confirming to her.

Karai paced around a bit before looking back at him, "Apparently… so if that's the case then that means…"

"Ayano tricked us." they angrily replied at the same time.

~…~

"ACHOO! ACHOO!" Ayano sneezed, sniffling afterwards, "Why do I have a feeling that two people are mad at me? Oh wait, never mind."

Ren shook his head while waiting for Ayano to recover so that they can continue training outside, "I feel really sorry for you, Nee-san."

~…~

"Catherine gave me something that's probably addressed to us," Kazuma told her as he got the unknown envelope from the counter and opened the letter to read the contents. He had a blank stare once he finished.

"What does it say?" Karai asked curiously.

Kazuma handed it to her and leaned himself against the middle counter. He shook his head and chuckled, "Of course…"

Wondering why he was reacting that way, she read it:

'April Fools! xP Love you guys! – Ayano

p.s. April Fools again, I still hate you Kazuma!'

Karai laughed as she crumpled up the paper, threw it in the garbage and sat next to Kazuma, "Well, we're both pretty stupid for forgetting what holiday it was today, not to mention, for believing her in the first place… I didn't even know she could be this good with pranks."

Kazuma then wrapped an arm around her shoulders and rested his head against hers, "I'm sorry for doubting you."

"Me too; don't worry, we'll get her for this," Karai promised him while placing her arms around his chest.

"Even if she is your sister?"

"Even then. It wasn't too long ago since we found out we were blood-related anyway."

Kazuma smiled, tilting her head to face him so that he could kiss her. They pulled back so their faces were millimeters away from each other, just gazing into each other's eyes.

END! What will happen in the beginning of the next chapter? Will something steamy, mild or nothing at all occur? Well, you have to wait until the next chapter to find out since I'm still writing it!

Just to let you guys know that if I do go with a certain approach, then that means the story will be M rated so if you're not into those kinds of scenes, well, I'll just mark where you can start off from. Hopefully I can write the scene well enough since I have written a few before but never uploaded them, yet at least. Actually, for my D-Grayman fic that I just published a few days ago, there will be a lemon scene posted next week so check it out!

Review please and tell me your thoughts!

Thanks to readers old and new! You guys are awesome and I hope to see more reviews up so I know how you think the story is going or how it is in general!

Check out my D-Grayman and Tales of Symphonia fics if you are interested in those!