Kazuma's POV:-

'Dang ! Where is that girl ? I can't sense her energy anywhere'. Currently I was flying over the city trying to locate Ayano because waiting at the mansion for an entire hour seemed very boring...not that this was any better . Why did Ren insist I tell her anyway ? I'm going to be back soon anyway and it's best if Ayano doesn't know where I'm going ...or rather who I'm going to meet . Something tells me that I shouldn't underestimate her anymore.

"..NO, you told me and you should tell her , you weren't there , you don't know..."

Even though I acted like I didn't know what he was talking about , it was obvious that he was remembering how she was after I left . I stopped moving and just suspended myself in mid-air . How did she react anyway? Judging from Ren's reaction , not very well .

I ran my hand through my hair and simply stared at the sky . I could leave ...but I couldn't risk making her feel more betrayed by me .

Flashback:-

(The day before Kazuma called in sick)

We had just finished all the missions ,there was quite a lot this time so Ayano and I decided to relax for a while before heading back . It was a warm day so while Ayano collapsed on a side-bench in the park after yelling at me for standing still and being a useless , selfish bastard with a money madness disease for almost half-an-hour straight , I went to get a couple of sodas for us to drink . I kept one can in my jacket and the other in my hand . As I walked to the bench I reviewed Ayano's progress ,' she's improved a lot and frankly , she could probably do solo missions from now on .' . I wondered whether or not to tell her father , ...after all , if she starts doing solo-missions . I might not be needed anymore .'Not that I'm doing much work now , best job ever ...for me'

I could see Ayano a fair distance away .She was lying on the bench with her feet up and crossed and her arms folded behind her head . Her clothes were a bit torn here and there and her entire right sleeve was ripped off . She had already gotten her injuries bandaged .She seemed to be thinking about something ,...and quite nervously as well . Come to think of it , she seemed a bit distracted during the few peaceful moments between missions and also a bit hurried to finish .She turned her head towards me and her nervousness was replaced with determination . I flinched ,a bit worried about what she wanted to say , but I didn't let it show on my face . When I reached the bench , she put her feet down and I sat beside her and opened my soda .

"Where's mine ?" She asked.

"Did you want one ? Too bad ." I said as I sipped the cool liquid . A vein popped on her forehead .

"OF COURSE I WANTED ONE, YOU IDIOT "

I simply shrugged , watching in amusement as her temper flared even more . Suddenly she made a grab for my can , but I managed to raise it above her reach . She wouldn't give up , instead she straddled me , still trying to reach the can ...and pretty much unaware of the position we were in .

"GIVE IT ! I DESERVE IT MORE THAN YOU , YOU LAZY BUM !"

Instead of replying , I simply moved my face forward , successfully kissing the exposed area of skin right below her neck . She froze while I smirked with my lips still on her skin .I felt her body heat increase , her hands lowered and formed tight fists , she pulled away from me and I looked up at her face . It was bright red .

"YOU BLOODY PERVERT "was all I heard as she jumped off me and tried punch me .(She had matured enough to stop summoning enrhiha in public). I dodged and got up as well .

" Dang! Ayano , You made me spill some of my soda ."

"SHUT UP AND FACE YOUR PUNISHMENT ..." She kicked , I caught her leg and she lost balance and fell . I took another sip of my soda . This never gets old .

Suddenly she knocked me off my feet and I fell . When I opened my eyes , I found her on top of me with enrhiha just milli-meters away from my face I looked around to see that the park was empty. I looked up at her with a smirk .She was still blushing .

"Don't Underestimate Me."

"You've gotten better , princess ..."

I used the wind to directly oppose the blade and disarmed her while she was off balance , then I rolled over , pulling her with me and trapping her under me with my hands holding her wrists . She struggled in vain as I brought my lips near her ear .

"...but not better than me ." I blew into her ear and she let out a gasp as a shiver ran through her body and she stopped struggling . I have to admit , I enjoyed the fact that she reacted like this only with me .

"Kazuma..." She sighed. My eyes widened at how she said my name , It was ...alluring . I quickly got up before I did something I would regret and looked down at her lying on the floor red-faced and looking so ...vulnerable . She quickly got up while I sat back down on the bench , trying hard to ignore the wicked pride I felt at making her like that .

"... I have something I want to tell you ..."

I looked back at her to see her sitting on the ground , knees folded and sipping soda .(Wait a sec ! When did she take it out of my jacket?). She had a small smirk and her eyes were closed as she finished the soda and kept the can next to her on the ground.

"What is it?"

Normally ,I wouldn't ask but my pride kept me from facing the fact that she managed to get the can . She seemed thoughtful before standing and facing me .

"What I'm gonna tell you,... It's up to you whether you believe it or not ...and I would appreciate it if you would help me and ...you have to keep it a secret ...but I can't pay you...and you can't tell my dad...and..."

I immediately stood up . Despite the fact that she kept stuttering , she had a troubled and ...somewhat desperate look on her face . Even tiny tears could be seen beginning to form . I walked to her and held her face in my hands.

"Don't worry . You can trust me . I told you I'll protect you "

Her eyes widened in what seemed to be happiness ,fear and indecisiveness but then her stubborn determination struck and she opened her mouth.

"I..."

* bzzz *

I took my phone out and looked at the caller id -Shea-, without a second thought , I took the phone , forgetting the fact that Ayano was trying to tell me something.

/Go to your apartment now . If you want to know more , meet me tomorrow at the cake shop at 4:30 p.m.*click*/

I felt conflicted . Shea doesn't contact me unless Bernhert's involved , on the other hand , for Ayano to ask for my help . Something must be wrong. I felt a hand on my shoulder and saw the owner of it smile at me . It was forced but understanding.

"If it's important , you should go ...I...I'll ...I'll tell you later ...how about tomorrow ?"

I closed my phone and gave her a smile . If she's willing to let me off just because of a text , it can't be urgent so it can wait.

"Tomorrow then ...princess"

I said as I flew towards my apartment . I kept remembering her troubled face but then pushed it to the back of my mind . Bernhert destroyed Shea's village . The only reason she contacts me is when she has a clue about his location or his actions and she's never wrong . Whatever's on Ayano's mind can wait.

When I got to my apartment (through the window), I found an envelope in front of my door, obviously shoved under the door . Inside it were photos of a destroyed restaurant and a picture of lapis , it was hard to tell as the photo was taken from behind the debris ,but I knew that was her . The date on the photo was two days ago. I also knew where this was taken . The restaurant which was destroyed was the same one I used to work at ...

If you want to know more , meet me tomorrow at the cake shop at 4:30 p.m.

...me..and Tsu-ling.

I picked up the phone and called Jugo .

\Hello , Kazuma\

"Jugo , I think Ayano could go solo tomorrow , I think I'm coming done with something ."

A moment of silence.

\Do you think she's able?\

A small pause.

"Yes."

\Well then , Kazuma , get some rest , I'll tell her tomorrow .\

"Thanks ."

\...No problem .Goodnight Kazuma *click*\

If you want to see a picture of Taichi,Cristy,Seraphinah,Joe and Ayano with bloody rose , please go to my profile page , I've pasted the web addresses for the pics there . Sorry ,but I don't know how to paste the direct link .Hope you liked this chap . Please review .

P.S:-A big 'THANK YOU ' to everyone who has ever reviewed or added my story to their favourites .(Was only able to check E-mail recently).