Kazuma's POV:-
I flew away from Ayano , leaving her in what could only be described as shock . I entered my new apartment through the balcony door and locked it behind me . 'Guess I'll take the morning train then'

Flash back:-

The whistle blew and I boarded the train , my luggage consisting of one bag pack since I was going to return as soon as I was done . My wind was still searching , trying to find her . I could hear every conversation taking place in the station. Unease filled every fibre of my body . But I was not someone who let his emotions control him. I turned and faced the door as the train began to move . Then one voice or rather the words it spoke caught my attention.
'I'm coming for you , ...Ayano kannagi'
It was purely reflex . My body jumped of the train and I engulfed myself in the wind to hide my presence as I pin-pointed the owner of the voice . Wasn't as hard as I thought . His constant chuckling helped . He was a fu-jutsu artist , a strong one and hiding was his presence (only physical), he took to the skies as soon as he was out of the station . He raised his hand and seemed to concentrate . In a few seconds , I realised what he was doing .
The rain clouds . He was gathering them , but why? Was he in the mood for a natural shower or something ? I needed to confront him . I need an opening . He put his arms behind his head and let out a chuckle Again.
"Alright , in a few hours , there'll be a downpour . Now , how to lure the little ex-heiress into the open ..."
A part of my mind wondered why he was thinking out loud , but I decided best to just listen and gather as much information as I could before confronting him . He...just kept babbling .
"...I could kidnap her little cousin , but he might kill me himself considering he's the current heir , plus it's not allowed . Bait , I need to find some good bait ...within two hours ... OH SH*T , Maybe I ...no. How about her friends ...no..."
I watched with slight amusement as he began to panic about how to get Ayano alone . I realised from his musings that he didn't want to kill her but he did want something from her . Also the fact that he seemed to consider kidnapping Ren or any third person against his code of honour or something indicated that he's not a heartless assassin or anything . I decided to make an appearance .
"Why do you want to challenge her ?"
His head whipped in my direction and he simultaneously sent multiple wind blades in my direction which I easily dispersed . Since I was a wind contractor , all the wind was under my control ( except those created by youma like Ryuuya's) so any fu-jutsu artist abilities would be pointless against me .
"You...you're the wind contractor . Are you hear to challenge the slayer too?..."
Slayer ? I thought he was going to challenge Ayano . Though I have no idea why.
"...Well , get in line . Ayano kannagi's mine."
Alright , that line pissed me off ...a bit . I removed the wind he was using to stay in the air and he fell towards the ground but I caught him ( using my wind ) and rose him up to my level.
"Answer my question ."
He visibly gulped .
"A...and the question was...?..."
"*sigh*Why do you want to challenge her ?...and why do you call her ' slayer '?"
He seemed confused as if the answers were supposed to be completely obvious .
"Well, because I want to test my strength against her . I heard that she came back 4 years ago . I thought she was dead so I trained so that I could beat her ."
I had a Lot of questions but I settled with.
"Why?."
"Why ? Because can you imagine the rep I would get if I could defeat the 'crimzon slayer'"He exclaimed .
"Why do you call her that?"
"Oh! You probably know her by another name . You are a contractor ,besides, that girl's got a lot of names . I think it's because her true flame is bright crimson , or so I've heard . Can you release me now? ...Please..."
I was about to ask him something else , but paused when I noticed Ayano's aura appear right above my New apartment before setting of towards the kannagi mansion at an extremely high speed .'how did she know where my new apartment was ?, I only checked in this morning. Ren would probably tell her that I was gone when she gets there ...if she's is looking for me'. I released my hold on the 'challenger's wind and he regained his balance and got ready to hightail it out of there when I asked .
"Need some help?"
He turned towards me in confusion which was replaced with indignation.
"No, I am fully capable of defeating her myself ,...I think,...maybe . Anyway , I heard she never kills a challenger so..."
"Shut up. I'm not talking about the 'challenge'"
"Uh!...Then what?..."
"I could lure her to your position ."
He seemed pleasantly surprised with was then replaced with suspicion .
"And in return..."
"Don't mention me to her . I'll be watching how the fight progresses from a distance ..."
'...so that I can interfere if she gets too injured' I thought to myself. He gave a feral grin .
"DEAL!"

Present:-

I sat on the bed thinking about what I saw . Ayano's fighting style was so different from normal . She even face-palmed when he took to the air , as if it was a stupidly obvious move( which it was , still, the old Ayano wouldn't know that). Also , it was as if she expected a challenger , as if it was normal. What the heck is she involved in ? Does Misao know about this stuff ? probably not . Still anything would help considering what I knew now was basically nothing...except that Ayano had an abusive childhood and that she's known among a group of people as a powerful en-jutsu artist going by 'crimson slayer'. That guy said that she 'came back' 4 years ago , the same year I left . 'Was this what she wanted my help with ?...dang , I should've heard her out ' .
*BANG**BANG*
"OPEN THE BLOODY DOOR OR I'LL BREAK IT DOWN , KAZUMA. I KNOW YOU'RE IN THERE..."
I got up from the bed slightly surprised . I sensed her walking towards my apartment but I didn't expect her to actually ask ...or well...demand entrance , I guess. Putting on my poker face and keeping my emotions in check . I opened the door to see a steaming , completely dry ,red-headed ex-princess glaring at me before grabbing me by my collar and pushing me into the apartment , her grip never loosening as she kicked the door shut behind her .
"Wow! Princess , never thought that you'd be so forward ."
I couldn't help it and I was rewarded for it with a bright blush covering her face as she released her hold on me . It's nice to know that part of her still hasn't changed . She took in a deep breath and looked at me straight in the eye filled with determination . She pointed a finger at me and said ...or demanded.
"You and me are going to have a talk whether you like it or not . Got it "
I felt my lips curl into a smirk.
"Sure thing...princess"