Kazuma's POV:-
After my little anonymous visitor left , I went back to Misao and showed her the picture .
She cried ...hard.
She tried to stop but she couldn't .
Turns out she and Ayano were pretty close despite the almost slave-master relationship they were supposed to have . Misao had run into Ayano one day while she was picking flowers in the forest and Ayano had told her to stay hidden and silent and to never speak a word of what happens to anyone .
She never did .
She kept the fact that she witnessed a Kannagi elder drag her off , burning her as he did so because of one reason .
Ayano had saved her life when they were very young , from a stray youma that had attacked them while they were playing in the forest . It was famous as it was Ayano's first kill and one of the youngest kills in history . Ayano had never asked for anything in return but later that day , she had made Misao give her word that she would not tell anyone . She told her that it would make no difference and that it would end soon . She had asked her to trust her .
And a Kannagi never breaks their word.
Of course , now she was no longer a kannagi .
And none of that tells me anything useful that I don't already know.

I fingered the paper in my hand ,wondering what it could be as I landed in front of the main house . Hopefully Jugo could provide some answers .
I was about to knock when I noticed a maid dragging a large suitcase towards Jugo's quarters . She had placed it down to case her breath and mumbled about the storage room being too bloody far .
I sent the wind to lift it up causing her to snap upright and look around until she saw me . Recognition flashed across her eyes .
The next second I was in front of her giving her a charming smirk.
"Need some help ?"
She proved herself to be one of the more older, experienced head maids as she blew her hair away from her eye and replied .
"It would be appreciated but I have no payment to give you ."
I chuckled.
"Is my reputation so bad that I cannot help a damsel in distress without arousing suspicion ?"
She raised an eyebrow in amusement.
"Quite so . It is rumoured that you seek different 'types' of payment from 'damsels' ...and as I have already mentioned , I have no payment to give you."

I gave a hurt look.
"Ouch! I'm hurt .How about you tell me why Jugo needs suitcases and we'll call it even ?"
She seemed surprised but continued to walk towards the quarters and open the door , gesturing me to move the suitcases to the bed .
I stayed outside but navigated the suitcases with my wind. Once they were firmly placed on the cot , she turned around to face me .
"First , Thank you , and second , I am surprised that you have not heard of this , but the head and your father are leaving to attend a peace-conference of sorts in a country the family is currently banned from entering. A mighty good thing ,if you ask me . It is always better to clear the air..."
"Just Jugo and my old man ?"
"Why yes! They are to leave in a few weeks but fortune favours the prepared ..."
She said pointing towards the bags .
"...So if you will excuse me?"
With a nod , I began to leave. Suddenly a thought struck me and I turned around.
"What country did you say they were going ?"
She seemed to think for a while before replying with a snap of her fingers .
"Cyran! ...the country was called Cyan."

'This letter has been sent to head-officials of certain 'unique' backgrounds , including the current kannagi-head ...'

'...we are almost certain that he will choose your father to accompany him but are doubtful of his second accomplice as only two other people are allowed to be involved in this event .'
'So my old man and the head have 'unique origins '?...'

He gave a wishful , accepting smile .

'Yes , just like you ...'

What the heck is going on ?
"WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU DOING HERE?"
I turned around in surprise to see Ayano glaring at me . I raised an eyebrow.

'You'll find out soon enough .'

Despite common belief , I was not a patient man . But that 'thing' knows Ayano ,...or about her , at least . Best to get into the old routine as much as I can ...if she'll let me .
Unlike before , she no longer Has to be near me .
"Standing."
She snorted . I tried not to smile.
"Thank you , Mr. Obvious . WHY ARE YOU NOT WITH MISAO ? WHAT IF SHE GETS..."
"I brought her with me . She's staying at my place for now."
She blinked at me as if in disbelief ...which morphed into suspicion.
"...for free?"
I rolled my eyes.
"Oh come ...it's because of you that everyone thinks I'm a heartless bastard who won't do anything unless it benefits me ."
She smirked and folded her arms .
"Actually , that's because you Are a heartless bastard who doesn't do anything unless it benefits you."
I pretended to think for a while before shrugging .
"True , ...but I'd prefer if others didn't know that."
"All the more reason to spread the word ."
She counteracted . I gave an amused smirk .
"You've gotten snarky."
She stuck out her tongue . I let out a small laugh.
"Still childish though..."
She gasped .
"I'm not childish ."
"And I'm not a selfish bastard."
Her eyebrow twitched and lips began to curl in to a snarl. I could tell she wanted to leave .
But she wouldn't .
She was far too stubborn for that .
"What wrong?...Princess."

'...my princess'

She snapped .
"DON'T CALL ME THAT!"
She launched forward with a raised fist . I dodged to my right . As her fist shot past me ,but instead of loosing balance , she opened her fist and used the momentum to flip halfway and twist her body up ,aiming a kick straight for my face .
I ducked and moved away as she twisted back into an upright position and shot a barrage of flames straight at me . I used the wind to deflect her flames , but it wasn't as easy as I made it look .
She's definitely gotten stronger .
The flames cleared just in time for me to sense a fist coming straight at me . Releasing the wind , I grabbed her wrist and twisted around , simultaneously throwing her off balance with my wind and twisting her arm around her back and pulling her close with my other arm before whispering into her ear .
"You've gotten faster ."
Her face grew red , probably at our proximity , but she gave an evil grin before tilting her head towards me with narrowed eyes .
"You have no idea."
It took a split second to recognise the sudden increase in temperature before I released her and launched myself away just before her entire body was covered in flames .
Crimson flames .
I watched as she stood up straight in the midst of the flames and relaxed her body . The flames slowly vanished as she turned to face me again . I stood still , calm ,but prepared . I knew better than to underestimate her anymore.
She looked me straight in the eye ...and smirked .
I returned the gesture .
"STOP!"
The frantic scream broke both our gazes and we turned to see Ren running towards us with wide eyes filled with panic. His eyes moved over me and Ayano before he slumped down in , what looked like , exhaustion .
"WHY DO YOU GUYS ALWAYS HAVE TO FIGHT ?! ."
He whined.
Me and Ayano shared a small smile . This wasn't the first time Ren has asked this question . Suddenly her eyes widened as if realising she was supposed to be angry with me and she huffed before facing away.
Wasn't the first time that's happened either .
"He started it."
"She threw the first punch."
I replied in a playful , defensive tone .
Ren groaned and proclaimed .
"Well, I'm hungry!"
I looked at him with a bit of surprise while Ayano giggled . Ren looked a little embarrassed at his random words .
"What ? I haven't eaten since morning ."
I shook my head and gave him a look . He stuck out his tongue and turned away with a pout .
A teenager this cute would be hard to find. One look at Ayano told me she was thinking the same thing .
"Well then, let's go see if lunch is ready ."
Ayano opened her mouth as if to complain , before turning to me with a grin.
"Or , Kazuma can treat us both to lunch . Wouldn't that be nice , Ren?"
"Um..."
"Woah there , I'm not ready for bankruptcy . Plus I have to take care of Misao for a while too ."
That ...was the wrong thing to say .
Without another word , she linked her arms around mine and Ren's and began to practically drag us away from the house .
"It's decided then, We're eating out and You're going to Pay."
The double meaning in her words was hard to miss. Ren threw me an apologetic smile as I sighed .
Hopefully , a random stranger will come and offer to pay the bill again.
What ? A guy can dream , can't he?

A.N:-

Sorry if this chap is disappointing . I now can only access internet very rarely and am very busy so ...I know , pretty lame excuses , but I hope you liked it .

please review.