Jugo's POV:-

After a few hours , I managed to settle my thoughts . I always knew that my position as head would restrict my relationship with Ayano , which is why I never pried into her activities . She was doing fine against this clan , or so I thought . Her cheerful and blunt personality blinded people into thinking she was an easy book . No one ever seemed to remember that she had lost her mother , been attacked during childhood and once , even slit her wrists when she was young . No , by the time she was old enough to be noticed and observed , she had already begun hiding her pain . She never did before but after Ren came to live with the main family , after they met , Ayano seemed to have made it her life's mission to never appear unhappy and over-exaggerate everything . It was quite smart . When someone cries over the loss of cake , then everyone would believe any stupid excuse for tears or lack of sleep . I was a bit surprised Kazuma never caught on , or maybe he did . After all , though everyone considers Ayano as an overreacting , blunt child with no self-control , the fact that she had never lost a battle after becoming heiress is very much true , though most think it is because of enrhiha ,but a weapon is useless without the skill of it's wielder . Ren is beginning to realise that . Her first loss was at the hands of Kazuma , a contractor and last was with Ryuuya , though I have a feeling that was planned . The elders obviously knew her smiles were fake . I felt pride at the fact that they could never break her ...but remorse ...at the fact that I could never help her . Fortunately , hiring Kazuma as a bodyguard kept them at bay . And as I thought , Ayano's spirit was just what that hurt boy needed ...I wonder if she told him about her leaving ...I wonder if she ever will. Whatever happens , her life is her own . All I can do is accept her decisions ...and hope for her happiness . No matter how much it kills me to stay quiet , I have to be strong for her . The last thing she needs is to feel guilty about making me upset.
*knock, knock*
"Come in ."
I already sensed that it was Genma . He walked in with a stoic face but curious eyes . I pretended not to notice . I didn't feel like telling him what me and Ayano talked about . Genma let out a silent sigh.
"Two messages , one from Kazuma , other from ...Sirena ."
My eyes widened . Memories from long ago surfacing . Very long ago.
"We were supposed to have dropped all contact with them after...Kushina ...died."
Genma seemed ...worried . Not a good sign . He breathed in a bit before continuing.
"Apparently , it has something to do with Ayano . I don't know the details but she said to give this to you ...and I agreed since I wanted her to leave . Woman's still as annoying as ever."
He mumbled the last part as he gave me as slit of paper . But if Sirena contacted him , then the smaller things should be settled first.
"What did Kazuma want? Must be important to have called you."
A slightly sad but also proud smile formed on his face . Kazuma hates him for not supporting him but ...there really was no way he could have survived in this clan without en-jutsu abilities . I was against it at first but now I cannot deny that it was best path to take .
"Apparently someone has attacked Misao and he wants you to call him."
"I see ...don't worry . If anyone asks , I'll say that you only mentioned this because I inquired about Kazuma's whereabouts ."
He smirked.
"Appreciate that."
"Anything else you figured out from that conversation."
"Brat's confused and a bit anxious , so the enemy is probably dangerous . Don't know if it was a single person or not . He seemed to be focused at the time , so I presume that Misao is fine ...probably in the nearest hospital as the nun's don't have sufficient medical facilities to deal with attacks and he said he stopped them , not captured them or killed them so..."
"...they or he or she managed to escape him ."
I finished. He was silent and turned away so as to not pry as I covered the papers with my true flame and slowly words formed on it.

'We hope you can attend our fine dinner / dissuasion:
Many respected people of our unique origins shall be present . Kindly hide this event from public notice .Two people may accompany you.
This meeting has been put together to discuss issues which are important to all . We kindly request your presence ...'

Below that was an address , a date and a number to call incase we required transport . I flipped the paper over . My eyes narrowed and I held it to Genma .
"Read it."
Genma took the paper and scanned it . His eyes narrowed .
"The address states that the meeting is in Cyran ..."
I saw him struggle to keep his composure . Cyran was not a place he was allowed to visit . It was part of a pact we had with a clan.
"Read the back ."
Genma flipped the paper and his eyes widened.

'The official head of the kaizen clan has annulled the ban of entry of kannagi personal into the city of Cyran. The clan has agreed to extend our hands to the kannagis in comradeship . We hope you can attend this meeting and will agree to state your purpose of visit as reconciliation with our clan .'

The official seal of the kaizen clan was placed at the end.
Genma clenched the paper in his hands .
"They want Kazuma ."
"What?..."
"Sirena mentioned that the clan was interested in Kazuma because..."
"...because he's a contractor."
I finished for him .
"But there's more to this. 'Unique origins'? They're obviously referring to the people who were involved with the dimensional rifts ."
"...like us ...and Ayano ."
"She mentioned her?"
"Yes...She said that ...we don't have much time with her."

He raised an eyebrow.
"You don't seem surprised."
"Ayano mentioned that she was leaving...for good."
His eyes widened.
"The seal ... Ayano's the last descendant of Kushina's ..."
I let out a sigh .
"You sensed it , didn't you . You were there when they stopped Belial . The power of two kannagi enjutsu artists and a fu-jutsu contractor would never have been able to hold it back for longer than 1 or 2 seconds . But the flames that surrounded Ayano ..."
"...didn't belong to her . They were spiritual beast flames ."
I nodded.
"I had sensed remenants of them at the site where...Kushina ...died, they were probably unlocked when Ayano saw her ."
I still remember going to that site after finally tracking down the kidnappers ...only to find it burned to the ground . The whole area was covered in ashes and in the centre was 8-year old Ayano unconscious with her arms around her mother's corpse . She always said that she doesn't remember anything . But I knew that it was a lie . She probably didn't want to go through the cycles of explanation and therapy for witnessing her mother ...like that.
"... The only possible explanation is Ayano was merged with a spiritual beast and the price for that kind of power is high."
"The kannagi elders ...they did it , didn't they?"
My eyes narrowed.
"That's the only reason I can think of for her keeping quiet all these years ...and why the elders were so desperate to break her ..."
"...and probably also why she was involved in the dimensional rifts . With Kushina's blood in her as well , there was no way she wouldn't be dragged into this by them."
I let out a deep breath .
"I always knew she was involved in some way . I could sense the special spiritual essence in her aura and I'm sure you could too but I never bothered to find out how."
"Should I prepare the tickets to Cyran?"
I stood up and faced him , my eyes staring straight into his .
"If you don't wish to participate , I can find others to accompany me."
I think he almost snorted.
"Like who? The only people who are connected to this are you and me . And despite Kazuma being a contractor and thus , allowed to be included . I am quite certain Ayano would not appreciate him finding out."
He had a point. I could ask Ayano . I'm quite certain she knows more about this than me.
"Jugo... Don't underestimate me . "

PIC saw no hesitation or doubt in his eyes and let a small smile form on my face.
"Wouldn't dream of it."
He seemed satisfied with my answer.
"Then I shall inform the elders about reforming alliances with the kaizen clan."
He said as he gave me the paper ,opened the door and left. I followed soon after . I was heading to the main hall which has an untraceable phone when...
"Hey, dad!"
I was startled but I hid it well. Ever since she started hiding her spiritual presence (supposedly practicing but I'm quite certain it's so that Kazuma can't pinpoint her location whenever he wants) , she sneaks up from nowhere far too often... and I'm pretty sure she enjoys it. Nonetheless , the purely ecstatic grin on her face and her shining eyes proved that she didn't listen in on us...this time. The room was soundproof anyway.
"Hello, Ayano . Something good happen?"
She nodded.
"I talked with Yukari and Nanase and we hung out the whole day . It was Wonderful."
I smiled . No matter what happens , she always enjoyed everything as much as she could . It's probably what kept her sane all this time. You can't reach the level she's obtained without severe training . There is always a price for power. I wonder if...well, she's going to find out sooner of later anyway. Besides those two were close friends and Ayano does still visit her so they probably still are.
"Well, I suppose you should know..."
Her eyes narrowed , suddenly serious .
"...Misao was attacked."

Her eyes widened as a familiar rage appeared within them.
"...WHAT?BY WHOM?"
"It's unknown at the time ."
"WHERE IS SHE NOW?"
"Not sure , but most likely in the district hospital . Kazuma saved her in time and it seemed like the place he would likely take her."
Ayano's eyes narrowed in determination as she mumbled about how she was going to rip those bloody...when did she learn such language? . Oh well, I've said worse. She took a deep breath before facing me again.
"Did Kazuma get them?"
"Not sure , but it seemed like they got away."
Her eyes widened and with good reason . To escape a fu-jutsu contractor is not easy.
"ALRIGHT , Dad , I'll go talk to...um...I gotta go , bye."
And with that ,she dashed off , her (currently invisible) fu-jutsu friend following after her . He's as good as hiding his presence as she is , but he can't hide his body heat perfectly like Ayano does so I managed to sense him . Knowing that Ayano was probably going to confront them (despite having no idea how, probably by phone) , I decided to call later ...after a cup of tea perhaps .

Ayano's POV:-

I ran out of compound wondering whether this was another attempt to get to me using Misao or maybe revenge for someone Misao killed or ...UUUURRRRGGGHHHH...Obviously , when I finally had a nice time , Something just Has to happen.
"So whatcha gonna do now? ...And I want my money back."
Taichi said to me , still invisible but easily keeping up with my pace . Though he was flying . Instead of replying , I slowed down as I left the compound and summoned my phone . It was a special phone which was sealed in me like bloody rose . Hey , no judging . Sure it hurt to seal stuff , but I Need my phone and stuff I keep on me tend to...melt . I quickly dialled the number and waited . Plus it helps that this phone is routed across 4 continents and is pretty much untraceable .
*beep*
"Hello, Cristy?"
I turned into an alleyway and Taichi appeared next to me. He seemed worried as well . Taichi had met Misao when we were younger and knew that she was nice enough person.
"Ayano-chan! I hope you're not angry about the whole..."
"No,no,no. I appreciate it . Everything turned out fine . I need a favour"
"Of course , what?"
"Can you get me the number of the district hospital of the place where Misao lives?"
"Okay, give me a sec..."
Taichi turned to me.
"Your pop was only assuming..."
"Yeah , well , my dad's assumptions are hardly ever wrong ."

Then I heard Cristy's voice through the receiver .
"Got it... I looked into the database and found the doctor in charge of Misao and got his phone number. I sent it to you now , Ayano-chan."
"Thanks Cris. That's even better."
"No problem ...um...so is everything okay with..."
I smiled.
"Yeah , I told them I was leaving . I told them why I didn't want to tell them and we had a wonderful time together...and I made Taichi pay the bill for the cake."
"An insanely ,enormous amount . Might I add."
Taichi grumbled.
"Well, I'm glad it turned out okay."
"Yeah ...and Cristy ..."
"Hmmm..."
"...thanks."
"...anytime , Ayano-chan." *click*
I turned to see Taichi scowling at me .
"So she gets a thanks and I get bankruptcy ?..."
"Yup..."
I smiled , he groaned.
"...now to call the doctor ."

A.N:-

Sorry for the wait . I seriously appreciate the feedback . Please review and next chap will be up sooner than usual ..thin or rather , I'll try to post it soon. Bye.