Ayano's POV:-

I slowed down a bit when I realised that I was getting closer to the impersonator . I couldn't help but wonder how he managed to get Kazuma's energy signature onto his little bait . Even now , I could sense that it was Kazuma ( or someone coating himself with his energy) standing there and because of how much I like torturing myself , I even considered that he actually waited to tell me this time . But my suspicions were confirmed when I made a turn into an empty park (empty because of the rain) and saw the owner of the energy . . .

A black-haired man of maybe middle-twenties took in the middle of the park , next to the see-saws . An arrogant smirk formed on his face ( Well!I hate him already) when I entered his view . Neither of us were wet , the water changed to vapour the second it came near my body and it never touched him because of the wind-barrier he kept around him. I knew someone else was watching but that was all he was doing ...watching and from a good distance away too .

"So you came , just like he said you would."

I turned to face him . A talker , .. I hate talkers but I have to humor them in case they spill some important information .

"Who said?"

'Who knew about Kazuma? Who managed to steal some of his energy?'

"Don't know , just some guy who volunteered to help me get you alone when I mentioned you . You see , darling.. I've wanted to challenge you for a while now , but there was never a good enough opportunity ."

All traces of Kazuma's energy vanished and I was pretty sure that the idiotic challenger has no idea why I came here in the first place ...But ...maybe , the silent observer does. The 'challenger' was obviously a fu-jutsu artist , not weak either since he seems confident enough to challenge me . Although , I don't really seem as a 'goal' to overcome for the people 'here' , the people who know me as the kannagi princess . There is another name I go by , a code-name that I am called by among the people who keep some of the same secrets that I do . The secrets of the dimensions .

"Let's get this over with..."

I said , not bothering to summon bloody rose. My main target now is the observer . The man gave a feral grin before launching himself into the sky . I face-palmed . Honestly, why do all fu-jutsu artists think they have a great advantage just cause they can fly . I mean it's true but still...

He began launching dozens of wind-blades at my location , simultaneously decreasing the oxygen content in the air around me . Well ! at least he was fighting smart . I dodged all of his attacks and headed to the pond at the centre of the park .

Disadvantages of attacking from the air(1):-It's a lot easier to dodge the attacks .

The smoke cleared fast because of the rain , but when the 'challenger' looked down , I was no-where to be found . Sensing my aura wasn't possible cause I had already hidden it .

Disadvantages of attacking from the air(2):-It's really easy to dissapear from the attacker's sight before the debris from an attack clears.

As predicted , he began descending to the ground . I already had a lock on his position . He had a barrier around him , nothing a little surprise can't weaken by making him loose concentration. When he was near the lake , I instantly increased the heat to make the water explode like a hot geyser . He immediately turned in shock .Before he regained his composure , I launched out of the water and grabbed him by the throat and surrounded the entire area around us with fire . The heat kept him from regenerating his barrier . Then I noticed that the observer was beginning to move so I engulfed us with flames which turned crimson and held out my free hand.

"WAIT...PLEASE.."

I looked down at him .

"I...I accept defeat"

I simply stood there a bit confused before it hit me .'Right , This was just a challenge . Can't believe I forgot that.'

My flames disappeared and I dropped the hyperventilating, burnt fu-jutsu challenger onto the ground and set off towards the observer . I followed him to ...Kazuma's new apartment ? What's he doing there ? I'm certain that Kazuma doesn't know about anything related to the dimensional rifts , unless he found out something while he was gone . Maybe one of his contacts is involved with it and came to visit . Only one way to find out.

"HEY!..."

The observer stopped moving and , well,...I think he looked down . I can sense him but I can't see him . He's good at hiding his energy but the rain gives away his position . I pointed a finger straight at him making it clear that it was him that I called and that I knew that he was there , and then pointed to the ground in front of me , showing that I wanted him to come down ...He didn't budge . So I pointed at myself and then to him . The message was clear : Either you come down or I'll come up .

'Still so stubborn' The wind seemed to tell me ...with His voice . The observer must be the one who used Kazuma's aura and voice to trick me .

' But ...how can someone use his voice ?'

I pushed that thought away as he began to descend untill he was right in front of me , still invisible but he was definitely there . The rain outlined him showing that it was clearly a 'him'. For some reason,this guy made me nervous . Suddenly an image of a handsome young boy with brown eyes and messy black hair that pointed towards one side appeared before my face , but I quickly shook it off . 'Taka' ...This guy give the same feeling that Taka gave when I first met him . Maintaining my composure and making sure my voice wouldn't shake , I said to him.

"Show yourself...and stop using Kazuma's voice . It's pissing me off"

"I'm afraid that I can't do that ..."

He released his barrier , showing his drenched form and his true aura . My eyes widened in shock...or fear . I'm not sure which one it was.

"...princess"

Shock at the fact that he actually stayed or fear at the realisation that he helped lead me to someone who wanted me dead and that he was watching the whole time . It's a good thing , I didn't bring out bloody rose . No way , I could've explained that.

"Kazuma ...how...wh...why are you...why are you still here?"

He looked at me with an hidden emotion that I haven't seen for a long time .

"Because of you , Ayano ..."

I couldn't think , couldn't speak , couldn't even form a single word . He lowered his lips to my ear and whispered softly , sending shivers up my spine .' Why does he still have this effect on me? I hate him, I HATE HIM .'.

"...I'm leaving again ...but this isn't a goodbye , just a see-you-soon ..."

His last two words were spoken with an emotion that made me melt . "...My princess"

And then he vanished . I sensed him heading into his apartment and fell to my knees . I didn't think about the fact he helped someone 'challenge' me , I didn't think about the fact that he saw me fight ,...that he knows how much I've changed . No, at that moment ...all I could think about ...was how he waited because of me , even if it was because Ren asked him to and how...he made me feel . Confused, scared , craving ,...weak . Tears began to form as I realised that even after all this time , even after everything he's done ... I... I still loved him. I'm such an idiot.

"BAKA, DON'T EVER COME BACK BEcause it's just ...it just hurts too much.". The last words were whispers drowned out by the rain.

I sensed him heading from his apartment to the train station . I knew I had to follow him , clear the air , talk to him , punch him ..., something ...but I... 't ...move.

It's hurts to love ...knowing that it cannot be returned...No...should not be returned.