Chap 5

I hope you like this chap and please review what you think! :D

Lapis Pov

Kazuma...he is such a good guy. He didn't even want me to pay him back. It still doesn't feel right...I will pay him back one day for sure...somehow..

Anyways it has gotten really late I should go to bed now. I opened the door to my room and quickly went into bed. When I laid down I felt something warm beside me.

Could it be her again? I lifted my blanket and saw her sleeping beside me peacefully. I smiled lightly. When I shifted the blanket slightly, to get some of it over my body, she started to move. Oh no..I woke her up! She opened her eyes and looked at me.

"Lapis onee-chan?"

"Don't worry, just continue sleeping Ayumi-chan. I will sleep now too."

"I want to ask you something Lapis onee-chan."

"What is it?"

"Are you really fine now? Because of what happend today? You aren't hurt anywhere now, right? You are really fine, right?"

She was worried about me so much, I never felt anyone worrying about me so much. I smiled at her lightly and nodded.

"Don't worry Ayumi-chan, thanks to Kazuma's and Ayano's protection I am perfectly fine."

"I am glad Lapis onee-chan."

I patted her head gently and smiled lightly again. I found myself smiling a lot today. These weren't fake smiles, I smiled because I felt really good.

"Good night Ayumi-chan."

"Hey Lapis onee chan, I just heard the rest of your story and I just thought that the both of us have a lot in common."

"Is that so? Would you like to tell me your story?"

"I am actually the clone of Mayumi Tsuwabaki. There is a ritual in our family in which a girl has to be sacrified in order to destroy a demon. Since Mayumi-sama wanted to live they created a clone of her, which is me. I was treaten horribly by Mayumi and her boyfriend Yuuichi. Just the same way Bernhardt treats you. And that is why Lapis onee-chan, please never go back to him. He is a really evil person and he doesn't care about you at all. Like Mayumi-sama he just uses you for his own selfish desire. And I think you don't deserve that kind of treatment! I don't want you to go through anymore pain. So please stay here with us! I can really confirm that the Kannagi family has treaten me very well even though I am not even related to them by blood. "

I was just stunned that a girl of her age talked so much sense. It was true, both of us had almost the same experience, that must also be why she could understand me so well.

"I will stay here for sure Ayumi-chan. Today I got to see what kind of person Master Bernhardt really is. I wont be his servant anymore. I will defenitely stay here. Forever."

"Thanks Lapis onee-chan! It's the best for your sake! And for mine too! Now I have two elder sisters who treat me with respect, you and Ayano nee-chan!"

Ayumi smiled brightly as she hugged me tightly, I hugged her back and smiled lightly. We fell asleep peacefully in each others arms. This was...this was the best feeling I ever experied. Ayumi-chan was really very very precious to me.

Ayano Pov

The next morning...

It was a holiday today and I was still laying in my bed lazily when suddenly my phone started to ring. A call from Yukari.

"Hey Yukari."

"Hiiiii Ayano."

"What's up?"

"Well you know my granfather just gifted me a hot spring trip and six people can come along! I thought of inviting you and Lapis-san if you got time? Nanase is also coming along. "

Lapis on a hot spring? That would mean a lot of trouble again.

"Well...I am not exactly sure...who are the other 2 people that will come along?"

"Hmmmm I actually didn't think about that yet. But I don't want any guys to come along. I want it to be a ladies holiday!"

"I don't know if I should go...I will have training to do..."

"Common Ayano! Have fun once in a while! You always train so hard! Besides that, don't you feel like showing your cute cousin some more of Japan? You are so rude forgetting her like that!"

Dammit. Lapis would probably think we will be going to fight something somewhere.

"Yukari...don't push me..."

"Ayano-chan! I want to spent time with you! I also want to get to know Lapis-san better."

I sighed.

"Well..."

"I just thought of something! How about asking that great detective Tachibana-san and Catherine to come along? It would be sooo much fun with these two!"

"You aren't serious about this Yukari, are you?"

"Of course I am!"

Would Lapis really like to go on a hot spring? I suddenly saw Ayumi-chan standing in my room. She has been listening to the phone call the whole time!

"I think it's a good idea." She said with a smile.

"Whaa-what are you doing here anyway!"

"Sorry onee-chan! But I really think that Lapis onee-san would like going on a hot spirng holiday!"

Hmmmm...would she? I thought about it for a while...

"Ayano are you still there?"

"Yeah..."

"So? Let's meet at 12 at the station, okay?"

"Wait a minute..."

...(deep thinking)...

Let's just go. Relaxing once in a while wont do any harm.

"Ayano common!"

"Okay we will be there by 12."

"Yay! I will give Catherine and Tachibana-san a call to come along! See you Ayano!"

I hung up and sighed.

I spotted how Ayumi-chan dragged Lapis into my room by her hand.

"You will be going on a hot spring today Lapis-onee-san isn't that great?"

Lapis looked at her confused.

Damn. This will be a lot of work...

During the walk to the station...

"You got it Lapis right? Just act as if it isn't your first time at a hot spring. Like I said it's just like a hot bath, just much much nicer. You will like it. I promise."

"I understand. I will act as if it isn't my first time, not to cause confusion to your friends."

"Yup. Catherine and Kirika know about you, so you don't need to hide your identity infront of them. Just hide it infront of Yukari and Nanase."

"I understand."

"Good."

"Ayano!" Yukari cheerfully yelled.

"Hey Yukari!" I waved running towards her.

"Ayano I am so happy you're coming along!" she said as she hugged me.

Nanase smiled at me.

"Ah! Lapis-san you came too! I am looking forward spending more time with you!" Yukari said as she took Lapis hands.

"Me too. I always wanted to go on a japanese spring holiday."

"You see Ayano! You should have known that!"

"Yeah yeah just relax already..." I answered annoyed.

"By the way, where are Tachibana-san and Catherine?" Nanase suddenly asked.

"They should arrive here soon, otherwise we will miss the train." Yukari answered worried.

"There they are!" she continued, pointing at a red car.

Yukari instantly run towards them to greet them.

"So you are Lapis-san from China?" Kirika knew too that she had to put up an act infront of my two over curious classmates and shook Lapis hand.

"Yeah. Who are you?"

"Kirika Tachibana."

"She is a detective you know! A very good one at that too!" Yukari said.

"Nice to meet you Tachibana-san."

"It's okay, just call me Kirika."

Lapis turned around to look at the other girl with the blonde curly hair, who didn't seem too happy about Lapis appearance. Even though Lapis must have felt the rejection she approached her.

"And what is your name?"

"Catherine McDonalds! America's best fire magic user!"

"Nice to meet you Catherine." Lapis said.

The train arrived and we got on it. The journey was fun, we chatted and it seemed like Lapis liked being with the others. She made friends so quickly. I was amazed. Why wasn't I able to make friends this quickly? I was glad to be blessed with two best friends which meant everything to me already. Besides that, I also had a new friend now.

Lost in thoughts I didn't even realize that we already arrived.

"Ayano what's wrong you have been spacing out for a while now?" Nanase asked concerned.

"Ah, it's nothing."

At the hotel...

We checked in and went to our room. The six of us would sleep together in one luxerious room. I looked at Lapis when we entered the room to check what she was feeling, whether she was happy about this, enjoyed it or not. But when I looked at her, I couldn't tell at all. She was showing her emotionless face again.

"Isn't this great girls? Just the six of us for 3 days without any annoying boys!" Yukari said cheerfully.

"Yeah it will be fun for sure." Nanase replied.

I just hoped Kazuma would be able to handle the upcoming missions by himself back home...another thing I hoped for was that Bernhardt wouldn't try to show up here. That would suck for sure. My injuries were mostly healed, but I was still a bit too weak to fight a strong opponent like him. For the first time in my life I was happy that Catherine was with us.

"I enjoy this too. Thank you so much for this Yukari-chan." Lapis said.

"Don't thank me! I want to know you better and that's why I invited you! There is so much I want to ask you!"

Damn. I just hoped Lapis wouldn't say anything wrong when talking with someone like Yukari.

"Lapis-san do you have a boyfriend?" Yukari suddenly asked her curiously.

"Huh?"

She didn't know what that was too, right?

"Common tell me! Someone as pretty as you should have one!"

She looked over at me helplessly. I just shook my head, trying to tell her to answer with a no. I so hoped she'd get that one.

"No." She answered emotionless.

"That's toooo bad. Then there must be someone you like, isn't there?"

Why did Yukari always have to be so curious?

"Yukari, stop it now." I interrupted.

"Ayano-chan, what is wrong! I want to get to know her better!"

"But you don't have to ask her all this personal questions. Lapis, don't answer if you don't want to."

"Ayano you are so mean!"

Kirika came back from the Lobby.

"Shall we have some dinner now? It smells delicious down there."

"Dinner? YAYYY!" I cheered and hurried down to the dining room.

"She gets fired up when it's about food doesn't she?" Nanase stated.

"Yeah she really does. Let's go too Lapis-san!" Yukari said taking Lapis hand.

Lapis Pov

As Yukari dragged me down to the dining room I didn't know what to say. I just felt really good actually. I felt good to be surrounded by so many kind people. All of them were smiling and having fun. I was proud to be part of all this. Someone like me, who once had fun in hurting others, shouldn't be allowed to enjoy something this nice...

After dinner back in the room...

"This magazine says that you can tell that people are madly in love with each other if they are arguing all the time! Ayano that really appeals to you and Kazuma!" Yukari said.

"You are totally right." Nanase agreed.

"What the hell! I don't care about that stupid guy at all! He is a pervert! He sleeps around with so many women that it disgusts me! I don't even want to know what he is doing right now! DAAAAAMN HE PISSES ME OFF!"

"See Ayano, you do care about him after all." Nanase teased.

"Hehe. She really does Nanase." Yukari stated.

"No I don't!" Ayano shouted.

"Then, why are you getting so mad?" Nanase asked.

"Well..that is...that is...That's because you two are making me mad!"

Yukari and Nanase giggled. Suddenly Yukari-chan turned to me.

"Did you ever have any boyfriends Lapis-san?" she asked.

"No."

"Whaaat! That can't be true! Did you refuse all the guys who approached you?"

"Most of them I guess."

What was up with these questions? I didn't know at all so I just said whatever would come to my mind. I didn't want to displease Ayano-chan and Kazuma again.

"Hmm...I think Lapis is the kind of person who first wants to finish school, studies and stuff. She wants to focus on that before she gets serious about a guy. She seems like that kind of girl to me." Kirika suddenly stated.

"Really Lapis-san? That is amazing, by the way, what are you studying?" Yukari asked.

Ayano Pov

I was sitting on a chair watching the conversation of the girls. Wow Yukari was literally bombing Lapis with questions. Wait? What did she just ask? Oh shit I was too slow...

"She studies psychology." Kirika said. I was relieved.

"That is so amazing! You are not just a stunning beauty you are also very smart! I envy you!" Yukari said.

Well. If the only think you keep on thinking about during your studies will be boys, gossip and shopping, then I think you wont ever be able to study something that nice. Eh...glad I didn't say that out loud, since I am not any better. But my purpose of life is fighting. So that is just fine.

I got up from my chair to rescue Lapis from the questions and changed the topic.

"Does anyone know were Catherine went?" I asked because I was somehow worried, even though I didn't feel his presence yet, I should always stay alerted.

"She went to check on the times for the bath." Kirika replied. I was glad. It's not like I was worried about her but well...it would suck if she was already defeated by him. After all that would leave only me, Lapis and Kirika to fight him. While I can't call the actions of these two fighting at all. I mean Lapis is really good at handling her sword but she doesn't stand a chance against Bernhardt.

The door of our room opened. Again I got alerted, but was relieved when the cheecky blonde entered the room.

"Alright, it's our turn now! Let's go and take a looooong relaxing bath!" She said.

"Wow right now?" Nanase asked surprised.

"Amazing!" Yukari said.

As we went out to the bath I saw how Lapis hesistated to go. She still had this emotionless expression on her face so that I couldn't tell what she was thinking.

"Let's go it's really fun." I said.

She nodded and we went to the bath. We got out of our clothes and went into the hot water. It just felt so darn good. I saw Lapis slowly getting in. When she was fully covered by the hot water I saw that she closed her eyes in enjoyment. I was glad.

"This feels so good." She said with a light smile on her face.

"Yeah japanese springs are still the best aren't they?" Yukari joked.

Lapis Pov

Amazing. This was so amazing. It was so really so much better than a normal bath. Just like Ayano-chan said. I wished we had this kind of thing at home. But it would probably get boring if you are able to go inside it every day. Things like this are fun because they are special, isn't that true? Yeah, I think that was what fun was about.

After we relaxed inside the bath for about 20 minutes, Kirika decided that we should pair up and wash each other up, including massages. I remembered that I had to give master Bernhardt a lot of massages, mostly when he came back exhausted from fights. He always praised me for my good work and I was happy that atleast I had some skill to show off to them.

"Okay, I will pair up with Lapis then." Ayano demanded. Kirika held her back.

"No no Ayano-chan you will pair up with me." She smiled.

"Why!"

"It's okay." Lapis replied.

"Then let us pair up!" Yukari said, slunging her hand around my neck.

"I think it would be fine if Catherine and Lapis paired up." Kirika said. I really didn't mind with whom I would get together since they all are good people.

"When did you become the instructor here?" Ayano yelled at her.

Kirika gave Ayano a serious look. Why? I knew that Catherine also was a fire magic user, perhaps something was going on? Or maybe she thought I wouldn't be able to keep a straight act once I was alone with Nanase or Yukari? Well whatever it was, I really didn't mind pairing up with Catherine. She turned to look at me and smiled.

"Let's get it done then."

I nodded and followed her.

No one Pov

At Ayano's and Kirika's side...

"What was that about Kirika? Why did you demand on pairing Lapis up with Catherine?"

"I just thought that Yukari would bomb her with too many questions and maybe Lapis wouldn't feel comfortable. I could see how insecure she was about most of the questions Yukari and Nanase asked her back in our room."

"I see."

"So Ayano-chan? How are things going?"

"What do you mean?"

"Things between you and Kazuma."

Ayano sighed. She hated to talk about that. Especially right now.

"Nothing has changed."

"Just give him some more time."

"I don't think he would ever fall in love with me..."

"Don't give up Ayano-chan, besides that you have such a nice body no man in the world would refuse a girl like you." Kirika said as she washed Ayano's boobs with the soft sponge.

"Don't say that! And it's enough now, you can continue with my arms!" Ayano yelled as if not wanting Kirika, who is just another woman to touch her breasts.

"Just kidding. I can really see that he likes you a lot. He probably is in love with you, but can't admit it yet because he still loves Tsui-Ling so much."

"I don't think so...Since...he is always...you know...about Lapis...he is always looking at her...also...he cares for her so much...much more than he ever cared for me. He is completely diffrent towards Lapis than he is towards me. Whenever he talks to me he is rude, and a pervert and ...with Lapis on the other hand...he is so diffrent I don't understand it."

"Don't worry about that Ayano-chan. He is probably just like that because he still sees Tsui-Ling inside her. Tsui-Ling of course was very diffrent from you, that's why he also acted diffrent towards her. Perhaps more loving. He showed his true feelings to her. He teased less and he was more honest with himself. I personally think that the bound you two share is quite adorable too. I always admired Love-Hate relationships."

"I just wish he would tell me he loves me one day. He already knows how much I love him.."

"Does he?"

"Well..."

"Did you ever tell him?"

"No..but he should realize it, shouldn't he?"

"Maybe he doesn't. I think it's best to tell him."

"But what if he rejects me?"

"I highly doubt it."

"Still..."

"Just give it a try Ayano-chan. It is better to regret something you have done than to regret something you haven't."

At Nanase and Yukari

"Nanase! They have become so big!" Yukari said while aiming to grab Nanase's breasts.

"Hey! Stop that!"

While Nananse struggled for a while Yukari still got a hold of her breasts and sqeezed them lightly.

Yukari giggled.

"Hey Yukari!"

"You are blushing Nanase!"

"Let go already..." Nanase said while pushing Yukari off.

"Lapis-san is really quite mysterious, don't you think?" Yukari started to gossip.

"Yeah she really is."

"I thought it was strange that even though she is a member of the Kannagi family, she cannot use fire magic."

"I heard she lived in China for all her life. Maybe she was banished from home at an early age?"

"That could be true. I really have a feeling that she has a crush on Kazuma too, we should keep an eye at her, so that she wont steal him away from our Ayano!"

"Yeah you are right. Let's do that. Since we don't know her that well yet, we shouldn't trust her too much..."

At Catherine and Lapis

Lapis was watching Catherine as she filled the sponge with some shampoo. Lapis held her breasts in her hand while starring at Catherine's.

"Yours are really big." Lapis commented.

"Ah, yeah I hear that quite often. But it can be quite a hassle you know. Most of the guys just want to date me because they love my breasts. They tell me they think I have the nicest eyes but while they say that shit all they're looking at are my breasts. Freaking annoying."

Lapis looked surprised.

"Do guys like these?" She asked.

"Yeah, they love them."

"I see. That is why Master Bernhardt always kissed them."

"Oh he did?"

"Yeah, he also did this to them..:" She said while she took Catherine's breast into her hands and sqeezed them.

"Don't do that! People will get the wrong idea!" Catherine yelled, pushing Lapis hands off her.

Lapis looked at the blonde puzzled.

"But that Bernhardt, he seems to be quite the pervert. I wouldn't like being a servant of him. Dressing up Yukari and Nanase in some strange outfits back then..." Catherine stated.

Lapis remainded silent.

"Anyways. I can surely win over Kazuma with these two."

"Kazuma?"

"Yeah. He is so handsome, don't you think? He is just the perfect guy. He is strong and caring and on top off that he used to be my teacher once. I learned so much from him. I could get even stronger by taking some more lessons from him. But he is just too busy nowadays. I stayed here in Japan just for him...I love him..."

"You love him?"

"Yes I do. And I know that Ayano does too, but I wont ever let her have him. I promise you."

"Ayano loves Kazuma too?"

"Yeah. That is another reason why we don't get along with each other you know."

"I see..."

Lapis Pov

We went out of the spring and I thought that it was a pity since it felt so good. I thought about what Catherine told me. I wondered if Kazuma would return Catherine's or Ayano's feelings? I want to know more about love, I want to know what it feels like...I thought about it as I got a flashback of Tsui-Ling's life once again.

"Kazuma! You're finally back...you made me wait like forever! I hate to wait you know that!" The brunette yelled annoyed.

"I know but there was something important I had to do..." Kazuma smiled at her gently.

"Would you turn around for a bit?" he asked with the same gentle smile on his lips.

"Kazuma, now don't do anything funny." She said half laughing while she turned around.

He put out a golden necklace and put it around her neck.

"Kazuma..."

"Do you like it?"

She went to the mirror to look at it.

"I do. It is beautiful. Thank you Kazuma."

"I love you Tsui-Ling..."

"I love you too..."

Kazuma lifted up her chin and leaned down to kiss her.

End flashback.

This was love huh? But I still couldn't understand why they loved each other and what caused them to fall in love in the first place. I hoped that someday I would understand more about human's feelings. It already felt like I experied the emotion "fun" these days, but I couldn't say for sure yet. All I knew was that I am really feeling...good. Very good.

I really tried to be a bit more mysterious in this chapter by covering up the appearance of Ayumi and Catherine a bit. Sorry if it still sucks I know that it's a weak point myself but I will defenetily do my best to get rid off it one day! Thanks a lot for reading and I hope you enjoyed this!