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Kaze no Stigma

2008-08-05T17:49:23Z

Kokolores: /* ''Kaze no Stigma 2: The Price of a Soul'' / 風の聖痕2 -魂の値段 */

Kaze no Stigma (風の聖痕, Kaze no Stigma lit. Stigma of the Wind)

== Story Synopsis ==

Four years ago, Kannagi Kazuma was defeated by his cousin Kannagi Ayano for the right to be the successor of Enraiha, a sword passed down in the Kannagi family. His defeat, along with his lack of talent for En-Jutsu (The fire arts, and is also the Kannagi Clan's specialty), resulted in his banishment from the family. Now, Kazuma returns as Yagami Kazuma, a skilled master of Fuu-Jutsu (the wind arts). At the same time, a number of murders at the Kannagi residence perpetrated by a powerful Fuujutsu-shi cast suspicion on him. (from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaze_no_Stigma)

== Translation ==

=== Help Needed ===
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=== Format Standards ===
'''Every Chapter (after editing) must conform to the agreed points highlighted in the below guidelines'''
*[[Format_guideline|General Format/Style Guideline]]

Some of these chapters are translations of the '''Chinese edition''' of the novels, which are known to have some minor mistakes compared to the original Japanese text. If you have access to the originals and you spot an error, '''please feel free to make the corrections yourself''' - this is a Wiki which means it's meant for anyone to fix things (and if you screw up, we can revert back your changes if all deem necessary). We can see the corrections you make, so just go ahead instead of hiding or waiting for permission.

== Updates ==

*May 28, 2007
**Just Started

== The ''Kaze no Stigma'' series, by Takahiro Yamato ==
These are the main story novels.

===[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume1|''Kaze no Stigma'' / 風の聖痕]]===
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume1_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume1_Chapter1|Chapter 1 - The disinherited son returns]]
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume1_Chapter2|Chapter 2 - The sudden disaster]]
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume1_Chapter3|Chapter 3 - A Battle with the Past]]
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume1_Chapter4|Chapter 4 - Returning to Visit, and Then——]]
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume1_Chapter5|Chapter 5 - Rescue]]
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume1_Chapter6|Chapter 6 - Decisive Battle]]
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume1_Epilogue|Epilogue]]
::*Author's Notes
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume1_Translator's_Notes|Translator's Notes and References]]

===''Kaze no Stigma 2: The Price of a Soul'' / 風の聖痕2 -魂の値段 ===
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume2_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume2_Chapter 1|Chapter 1 - Banquet for Victory -The Chosen Ones-]] (100% requiring proofread)
::*Chapter 2
::*Chapter 3
::*Chapter 4
::*Chapter 5
::*Chapter 6
::*Epilogue
::*Author's Notes

===''Kaze no Stigma 3: The Confession under the moon '' / 風の聖痕3 -月下の告白 ===
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume3_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*Chapter 1
::*Chapter 2
::*Chapter 3
::*Chapter 4
::*Chapter 5
::*Chapter 6
::*Epilogue
::*Author's Notes

===''Kaze no Stigma 4: The Lazuline Afterimage '' / 風の聖痕4 -瑠璃色の残影 ===
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume4_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*Chapter 1
::*Chapter 2
::*Chapter 3
::*Chapter 4
::*Author's Notes

===''Kaze no Stigma 5: The Scarlet Contract'' / 風の聖痕5 -緋色の誓約 ===
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume5_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*Chapter 1
::*Chapter 2
::*Chapter 3
::*Chapter 4
::*Chapter 5
::*Chapter 6
::*Epilogue
::*Author's Notes

===''Kaze no Stigma 6: The Hurricane Pike'' / 風の聖痕6 -疾風の槍 ===
::*[[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume6_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
::*Chapter 1
::*Chapter 2
::*Chapter 3
::*Chapter 4
::*Chapter 5
::*Author's Notes

== ''Kaze no Stigma - Ignition '' ==
These are the side stories of the novel.

==='' Kaze no Stigma Ignition 1: Ayano-chan's disaster'' / 綾乃ちゃんの災難 ===

=== ''Kaze no Stigma Ignition 2: Just my Madonna'' / 僕だけのマドンナ ===

===''Kaze no Stigma Ignition 3: Ren-kun's Suffering'' / 煉くんの受難===

===''Kaze no Stigma Ignition 4: All for Love'' / すべては愛のために===

===''Kaze no Stigma Ignition 5: A happy day'' / 幸せなイチニチ===

== Project Staff ==

*Project Administrator: [[user:The naming game|The naming game]]
*Project Supervisor: [[user:erehwon|erehwon]]

=== Translators ===

'''ACTIVE'''
::*[[user:ShadowZeroHeart|ShadowZeroHeart]]

'''INACTIVE'''
::*[[user:The naming game|The naming game]]
::*[[user:erehwon|erehwon]]
::*[[user:Kwok|Kwok]]

Users who wish to contribute partially translated scripts but wish not to continue with the whole chapter i.e. become a fully fledged Project Translator therefore expected to contribute regularly.
Please inform [[user:onizuka-gto|onizuka-gto]] and the Project Administrator before submitting, this includes both Anonymous & Registered Users.

'''Translators are asked to [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Registration Page|register]] which chapters they're working on''' (see [[Format_guideline#Translators|the Guideline page]] for usage rules).

=== Editors ===
This is the Project Editorial Team.

''' Active '''

None.

=== Special Thanks ===

This is for people who deserve special thanks and is currently not on the Staff.

::*[[user:Trigger-happy|Trigger-happy]]

Kaze no Stigma:Volume2 Chapter 1

2008-08-05T17:48:34Z

Kokolores:

== Chapter One - Banquet for Victory -The Chosen Ones- ==
=== 1 ===
This is common.

You can say it is something that has become a part of their lives.

However, Yukari and Nanase can both sense the tension.

A tension that is hard to ignore.

“Didn’t I say so already? You girls will definitely not be bored. I know a great club! I just need to show my face for us to get in.”

”Come on! Let’s go! What fun is there to be had with only females?”

As the two exchange glances, a group of men with weak appearances make a vulgar speech in a flippant manner. They don’t look too bad, but their idiotic speech and actions show no class at all.

In simpler terms, they are trying to pick the girls up.

This is common.

Even though their appeals may differ, the three are beautiful girls that make one's eyes light up. They know exactly how to deal with such pick-up artists. Or at least they did, until now.

“----------------------------“

Suddenly, the third girl who has not spoken a word until now begins to move. She slowly raises her head, and looks into the eyes of the man in front of her.

“That place is frequently visited by idols, stars and models! We have many such friends, and if you are interested, we can introduce them to you……”

Glared at by cold eyes that chill to the bone, the originally glib man is unable to speak another word.

“Get lost.”

”……Yes.”

The men leave pitifully. Yet the girl does not even look at them, and instead puts on an unchanging, cold expression and leaves as if nothing has happened.

“……Ayano.”

“What’s wrong?”

The girl, Ayano Kannagi, seems rather displeased, and turns her head with those words.

“You seem to be really harsh on the people who've tried to pick us up recently?”

”It is just your imagination.”

Ayano replies, straying from the point.

“But……”

Yukari lifts her head to look at Nanase with pleading eyes.

Nanase nods and says, “Yup, you're really overdoing it recently. Let’s take last time for example - you actually used the corner of your schoolbag to hit the person’s temple.”

“Ah, that one was really scary. The whites of his eyes showed, and blood was flowing from his ears and nose-“

”……Does it matter, anyway? We called an ambulance for him.”

Ayano looks hard at the moody Ayano, and slowly closes in on the main point.

“Ayano, something happened between a guy and you, didn't it?”

”Wh-what…… What are you talking about?!”

The sudden question left Ayano unable to hide the stir in her heart.

“Hehe~”

Nanase gives off a smile deep with meaning.

“You, a father-complex girl, finally seem to be starting to show interest in guys other than your father.”

“I am not a father-lover.”

Ayano swiftly regains her calmness, and says strongly, “I just have never met a guy better than my father that’s all.”

“………………”

Nanase meets Yukari’s eyes, as if to say “what a headache,” and sighs.

“I admit, your father is indeed a mature and relaxed middle-aged man, but you cannot possibly find that kind of feeling in a young guy right?”

“That is not true. Father was young once too, so as long as I find someone similar-“

Half-way through, she shuts her mouth and frowns, as the conversation has somehow reminded her of that detestable man.

Seemingly difficult to approach, yet uncommonly relaxed- a person undoubtedly qualified to be considered alongside her father.

He is not like Jugo at all. Indeed, he is the total opposite.

But... he is very powerful. Not just his strength, but his entire existence. In that sense, he is comparable to the strongest man, Jugo, that she knows-

“Aya---no~“

Hearing the call rife with laughter, Ayano, who has stopped moving, returns to her senses.

“You are thinking of the guy you like right now, aren’t you?”

“Of…… Of course not! That kind of guy!”

“Which kind of guy?”

Being asked such a question, Ayano loses her strength for a moment.

“Nanase…… Even you……”

”Be honest! Such an interesting topic, I bet even Yukari won’t let it go easily either right?”

“That’s right, that’s right.”

Yukari nods happily. Ayano stares at her two friends who intend to extract every single detail with antagonistic scrutiny.

Shinomiya Yukari and Kudo Nanase. They are both students of Seiryo Academy, where Ayano studies, and at the same time her best friends - even though there are times when she wonders about the friendship between them.

Yukari’s shoulder-length, beautiful hair moves up and down like waves, her face always shows a gentle smile and her speech is slightly slow. It is unclear whether she should be considered “mellow” or just “slow.” Regardless, from this description, one can probably imagine that she is a laid-back person.

In contrast, Nanase’s hairstyle is a refreshing blunt bob[actual text: 娃娃頭, so I am using a certain hairstyle for this, if you have a better translation, please change this.], She seems casually calm, and her swift movements and tone show no sign they belong to a girl, giving people an unsettled feeling, making her the type to receive a lot of chocolates on Valentine's Day.<ref>In Japan, girls are the ones who give out chocolate on Valentine's, so the implication here is that Nanase is popular with other girls.</ref>

These two girls are opposites no matter how you look at it, but what is truly remarkable is that when they tease Ayano, they exhibit perfect harmony in their cooperation - although to Ayano, this is something unbearable.

“Come on, tell us, what kind of person is it?”

“I already said there is no such person! By the way...”

Ayano stares at Yukari with accusing eyes.

“Aren’t we going to eat cakes now?”

”Yes, that is right.”

”Then why are we on this road!?”

In the direction which Ayano points her finger stands a long row of accommodations designed for a very specific purpose.

Just as with a haunted house in a back-country area, though there is nothing particularly odd about their appearance, they possess an atmosphere unlike that of a normal hotel.

That is right. For, as the three (except for a certain someone) were chatting happily, they had unintentionally come to the entrance for the street of love hotels.

Realizing that they are arguing in a special area, Ayano can’t help but blush. But Yukari’s smile did not change at all.

“This is a short-cut.”

”Even so, this kind of place……”

”Don’t worry. No one would think that we are going to play 3P.”

Ayano's face carries a pained expression, as she looks at this innocently smiling friend who has just said something very shocking.

“You…… Don’t use that cute face to say something so shocking, okay?”

“Kay~ But this kind of thing is nothing compared to Ayano's normal behavior.”

”…… What is the meaning of that?”

Against Ayano’s squinting eyes, Yukari puts on her usual smiling face. Though she may look easy-going, she is definitely not on the losing side.

Ayano, who realizes that she is at a disadvantage, decides to forcefully end the chat.

“Anyway, let’s not walk this way. Let’s go another way!”

”Geez, Ayano is so squeaky clean.”

“Squeaky clean? That doesn't even need to be said! This kind of hotel, whose only use is for people to share a bed - who knows what the people going in are thinking?!”

Ayano sounds violent, and scowls angrily at the love hotels as though they had killed her father, when suddenly, her expression freezes.

Yukari and Nanase follow Ayano’s line of sight. What lies there is...

“As agitated as always.”

A man and a beautiful lady, sticking closely together, walking out from the hotel street.

His age appears to be about twenty-something, with an upright face that could be considered handsome, but his expression seems to be rather sloven. A light smirk appears on his mouth, forcefully pulling the grade of this person down thirty percent.

“You should at least put some thought into your surroundings.”

The man makes fun of the dumbfounded Ayano and continues to speak.

“You are already a high school student. It is about time you know what shame is……”

Her ears hearing the man's incendiary words, Ayano’s frozen brain begins to thaw. Information begins to flow in, and she regains consciousness.

The man before her eyes is Kazuma Yagami. This is the man that Ayano hates most. As for the woman beside him, she has never seen her before. In addition, this is a love hotel street.

Catching up to this point, Ayano’s brain, which had finally returned to a normal temperature, suddenly began to heat up. Gripped with an inexplicable fury, Ayano shouts, “You…… What are you doing in a place like this!?”

“...Ayano?”

Yukari and Nanase share a puzzled look, looking at their friend who has suddenly fallen into a rage. Both pairs of eyes show no indecision, and seem to be simultaneously asking, “What is she talking about?”.

This question is not one that needs to be asked. Just as Ayano has said, there is only one thing to do in a love hotel - even if there are many different ways and methods; there is only one reason to be here, basically.

On the other hand, Kazuma who has drawn Ayano’s rage upon him simply shows a light smile, as usual.

“Asking me what I am doing- Ah, it is so hard to say it out loud~ ♥“

He acts shy, daintily using his hand to cover his mouth as he says that.

At this instant, the dozens of neural synapses of logic in Ayano’s brain snapped all at once.

Feeling the furious spiritual energy arising from Ayano, Yukari and Nanase can’t help but move back. But, even when engulfed in such a strong murderous intent, one that even normal people would notice and fear, Kazuma and the woman beside him do not change the relaxed smiles on their faces.

The woman ignores Ayano’s furious eyes as if they are nothing, her lips go close to Kazuma’s ears and ask, “This girl, is she Kazuma’s girlfriend?”

“Kirika…… That joke is not funny at all!”

After such a semi-derogatory question, Kazuma answers with an irritated look. Listening, Kirika glances at Ayano, and laughs lightly.

(------! This darn woman-!)

Seeing the seemingly taunting attitude of this person, Ayano views Kirika as an “enemy”. As if seeking a weak spot, she sizes Kirika up from head to toe. But...

(Argh……)

Although slim, she has a good figure, filled with femininity.

From the angle of a “woman,” Ayano has no way to compete.

Ayano is also a rare beauty, but her state of maturity is far below Kirika's. Future development or hidden potential have no effect now. Because in a battle in the real world, current capabilities decide everything.

Even so, if the opponent is just someone who devotes all nutrients, even those that should go to the brain, into her breasts and hips, Ayano will not concede defeat.

But, Kirika is different. Those thin, long eyes of hers carry the light of wisdom, clearly indicating that she is not just some vulgar woman who only knows how to fawn on guys.

Slightly older than Kazuma, she looks as if she is around twenty-five. From the way she can casually face up to Ayano’s killing intent as if it were not there, she is clearly not an average businesswoman. Maybe they are in the same trade?

Ayano bears the silent torture of inferiority, and continues to glare at the two with angry eyes.

“Kazuma?”

Kirika accepts Ayano’s eyes generously, and holds her body even more closely against Kazuma’s arm. Rather than a demonstration of love, this action seems more like she's trying to tightly hang on.

“Should I arrest you for lewd acts against an underage female?”

“Don’t be like that.”

Kazuma seems very displeased.

“She is just a distant relative. I've done nothing, nor have any intentions of doing anything.”

”Then, why is she angry?”

”She is always angry. Just ignore her.”

“Oh~”

Kirika looks towards Ayano once more, her face showing a smile with deep meaning. Ayano notices, her mind tangled in an instant.

[[Image:Kaze no Stigma vol 02 017.jpg|thumb]]

“I think it would be better to explain.”

”There's no need for that, it's too troublesome. Let’s go!”

Upon saying this, Kazuma pulls Kirika and walks away. As his eyes meet Ayano’s, he puts on a serious expression and warns Ayano, ”Go back quickly! This is no place for children.”

Kazuma walks past Ayano with ease, who is so angry her whole body is trembling. As the two sides pass one another, Kirika looks at Ayano. Those eyes, filled with sympathy, totally enrage Ayano, before departing in an utterly relaxed manner.

Yukari remained where she was, dumbly sending off the close pair with her eyes. She looks to the side, and coincidentally meets Nanase’s eyes.

At this moment, silence is golden. The two exchange bitter smiles, and as if they had discussed it much earlier, look towards Ayano who still has not turned back.

“So that's it.”

Nanase nods heavily.

“No wonder you were so harsh to those people who tried to pick us up.”

“That's right. It is really tough to like someone like that.“

“But what a surprise, I never thought Ayano would like flippant guys like that.”

“...You two……”

Ayano turns slowly.

In a gentle, but equally chilling tone, she answers, “What are you two talking about?”

”What else?“

Yukari answers straightforwardly.

“Ayano, you like that guy right? Although it looks one-sided.”

”You……What makes you two think that way?”

”Just think about your reaction just now. No matter how we look at it, it is of 'a jealous girl seeing the guy she likes getting snatched away,' right?”

“There is no such thing! It is definitely not that way!!”

Ayano shouts out, blushing. Her voice is so loud it almost seems to reach as far as the eye can see.

“Ayano, you were too loud.”

Ignoring Yukari’s warning, Ayano furiously continues to say, “Why would I like that kind of lowlife?! That is the type of person I hate most in this world! If I could have, I would have sliced him into pieces!!”

“Then why are you angry?”

Yukari rebuts with a calm voice.

“If you really didn’t like him, then it doesn't matter who he sleeps with, right? What would there be to be angry about?”

“This……This is because…… That……

……I just cannot bear to see someone like Kazuma sleep with that kind of beauty! They are not at all compatible!”

Ayano grips her fist tightly and tries her best to explain, as the other two look at her with cold eyes.

(What do you think?)

(She doesn’t seem to be lying…… Could it be, she hasn’t even realized it herself?)

(If that's the case, then she is not just slow - there is something completely wrong with her……)

(But... that is just like Ayano.)

(Yeah that’s true.)

“You two! Don’t whisper among yourselves right in front of me!”

Getting shouted at by Ayano, Nanase swiftly straightens her body. Following this, she uses a very serious expression, like someone who is faking marriage just to grab a hold of the password to a credit card, in order to say, “Ah. Okay okay. I get it, you really hate that man.”

”Yup, completely understood.”

Yukari chimes in instantly. They are indeed Ayano’s best friends, their actions matching flawlessly.

Ayano’s expression reveals her continued suspicion.

“...Really?”

“Of course.”

”Fine then.”

Ayano nods, though her expression still shows displeasure. After everything has come to an end, and the two give a sigh of relief-

“Ah, that is the girl. Mister Hanagi.”

Those guys had chosen the worst possible time to appear.

“These are the ones?”

The man they called Hanagi points his finger towards the three and says...

“You guys were scared off by these three girls?”

“Because the girl in the middle has a really scary stare……”

”That girl is really arrogant. Please teach her some manners, Mister Go!”

The men who are saying these things are the punks, numbers one and two (temporarily named), who were driven off by Ayano earlier. It seems that because they were rejected so vehemently by Ayano, resentment arose, and so they found someone to help them take their revenge!

-- They cannot come any lower than that.

“We invited you so nicely to have some fun, and yet you told us to 'get lost'. That was really rude. Now apologize.”

“----------------------“

Ayano stares at the group of men, her eyes indicating that they are unworthy even of notice. Seeing those ice cold eyes, punks numbers one and two cannot help but retreat several steps, though Hanagi shows no sign of fear.

“That trick of yours won’t work! Mister Hanagi knows Shaolin fist techniques!”

“Please do it! Go Mister Hanagi!”

Numbers one and two cower behind Hanagi and continue to shout. Ignoring the two who are merely relying on Hanagi’s strength, Ayano stares at Hanagi alone.

As they have mentioned, the man before her eyes seems to have undergone a certain level of training. As he wears only a thin, sleeveless sweater under his leather coat, his protruding muscles can be clearly seen. It is a body specially made for combat.

“For a woman to be so arrogant, that is why you are having such an unlucky encounter. Don’t try to go against men from now on.”

Hanagi reaches his hand out in a rough manner, intending to grab Ayano’s chin to lift her face.

At the instant his fingertips touch her chin, Ayano moves swiftly.

She angles her body and moves forward, while at the same time dodging Hanagi’s hand. Into Hanagi’s defenseless chest, Ayano cleanly swings her bent left arm.

Ayano’s elbow strikes the lower region of Hanagi’s earlobe, where the jaw is. This is a sudden full-force attack, and a powerful strike that even contains “ki”. It would not be surprising even if his jaw fell off from his face.

Hanagi’s body flies into the air in a spiral. His legs, which have left the ground, tangle together like twisted bread, and subsequently spray outwards with reactive force.

Hanagi’s body keeps on spinning, and after a sickening three and a half round rotation, he naturally has a failed landing; his whole body flattened against the outer wall of a hotel.

Splat.

A wet sound propagated along the entire street. This was definitely not a sound made by a human body. If a freshly slaughtered piece of flesh, with blood still dripping, was smashed into a wall, it would probably make this kind of sound.

Several seconds after Hanagi has been hammered into the wall, he falls to the floor like a flattened cockroach.

On the red bricks of the hotel wall, a fluid even more red than the bricks forms an eerie human figure.

“Uh... uh~”

Seeing Hanagi, blood pouring out of seven holes and his body twitching, Nanase draws a cross towards the sky. Beside her, Yukari places her hands together and closes her eyes to pray.

“Huh…… Huh huh……”

”Mister Hanagi……”

The remaining two guys give voice to pitiful cries in tones that have reached the utmost limit of fear.

Ayano silently walks past the two men, who are unable to move their feet, and can only stand there like idiots.

She fires off two kicks at lightning speed. The tip of her foot hits right at the center between the legs of the two men.

“Argh!”

”Wah!”

The tip of her pointed shoe hits the pelvis, while the most important part is struck heavily. Ayano contemplates the two, now rolling on the floor in pain, with a pink foam of blood and spittle coming from their mouths, with disgust.

“How dirty!”

“Ah- Please send an ambulance over. There are three heavily wounded people.”

A cold voice comes from behind. Behind her, Nanase is using a public phone to contact 911. She reads out the number of the phone booth to inform the other party of the location.

“Please be quick, one of them doesn’t seem likely to make it.”

After that, she hangs up, ignoring their inquiries for her name. This action can be said to be very well-trained, for the reason she doesn’t use her own cellphone is to avoid leaving any trace.

“So, have you vented your anger?” Nanase asks Ayano calmly.

“……I did not do it purposely.”

Ayano pouts and replies unhappily, but the two do not believe her words.

They've known very well since the beginning that she has just been redirecting her anger at Kazuma. If she had not met Kazuma earlier, Ayano would not have been so cruel!

But, there is one thing they do not understand. Nanase leans in close to Yukari’s ear and quietly asks...

(By the way, is that guy really that good?)

(Hmm... I feel that he is above average, but……)

He does not seem like a man that would make Ayano feel jealous. That is the opinion of these two.

For though they have known her for a long time, they still do not know what the Kannagi do for a living, nor of the power that is within the bloodline.

These two will still have a few days to wait before witnessing for themselves the true power of Kazuma.

=== 2 ===
“Has Kazuma still not arrived?”

“Why are you asking me?”

Ayano replies the chief of the Kannagi's, Juugo's, question in a sour tone of voice. She appears to have drunk some alcohol, her eyes seem misty. [kokolores: trans said blank, but I've never heard of alcohol doing that. Misty or unfocused seem better to me]

Being stared at by his daughter radiating malcontent Jugo blinks.

“What is it between you and Kazuma again?”

”Nothing.”

Ayano puts the wine cup on the table with a bang.

“I hate that guy! I neither want to see his face nor hear his name ever again! That kind of guy can just go have a good time with some old woman!”

“...So that is it.”

Jugo can roughly guess what happened and decides not to probe any further.

“In celebration of the annihilation of the Fuga clan!”

“Cheers to Hyoue who is now roasting in hell suffering for all eternally!”

“Cheers!!”

Vulgar toasts like this one abound. Everyone seems quite exuberant and is continuously chinking their cups with their neighbours.

The cause is something which happened about a week ago. The subordinates of the Kannagi, the Fuga clan had suddenly revolted.

The leader of the Fuga clan, Hyoue Kazamaki, had allowed his son Ryuya to be possessed by a powerful youma and many of the Kannagi had been killed.

The ones who had fought them, were the technicians of the Kannagi main family, Ayano and Ren. And Ren’s brother, who had been exiled due to his lack of flame abilities and had eventually become a wind technician, Kazuma Yagami.

After a fierce battle, the three finally had defeated Hyoue and Ryuya. On the fourth day after that, tonight, a banquet for their victory is held.

The banquet is unlike any before. Almost everyone in the Kannagi clan who is able to is currently gathered in the main residence. Everyone has joined the banquet joyfully, and is raising their cups in celebration of the annihilation of their hateful enemy..

This type of reaction comes as no surprise. [kokolores: using exaggerated might make sense but I think this fits better]For these people, who claim to be the strongest, Hyoue and Ryuya are entities that couldn't be allowed to exist.

The fact that they had been able to possess youma beyond their powers alone is unforgivable. Furthermore, they had been of the Fuga clan. A group of low level technicians they had stepped on for a long period of time.

To fear weaklings like the Fuga clan to such an extend they had had to go into hiding. To them, that is a humiliation that can never be cleansed.

However, since the Fuga clan is now completely destroyed, that shame if not erased is now forgotten. In their joy, it isn't so weird at all for them to go slightly overboard in their celebration.

“Hmph! For the dog to forget who had raised and fed them and to go even so far as to bite his master's hand! Those ungrateful bastards!” {[actual text says to feed and raise them to their size(like a dog/animal) and to even bite us back] kokolores: then why not use it?}

“How dare they resist us? We, who are blessed by the Spirit Lord! What an outrage!”

“Cheers to the Fuga clan’s demise!”

“Cheers!”

The cups meet all around the tables, and everyone downs their cups in one go. Just as the banquet approaches its climax, Kazuma appears.

“Mister Kazuma has arrived.”

As the servant announces it, all the noise in the hall quiets down instantly.

Amidst the silence, a youth walks past the paper door the servant has opened, and steps into the hall with a confident swagger.

Unfriendly eyes gather upon this youth who walks in without a word. Just for the record, among the glares the ones who bear the greatest hatred are Ayano’s eyes, but let’s leave this matter aside for now.

Actually, it is not without reason that this man is so despised by them. The Kannagi had over fifty technicians before the battle with the Fuga clan, yet there are only little more than thirty at the banquet. The total number of deaths and injured personals amounts to more than twenty.

Seven dead and the rest are all injured in various severity. Those seven were the ones Ryuya attacked. The only ones.

In other words the other casualties are the work of Kazuma. Everyone who is gathered here has family members who have been sent to the hospital all because of Kazuma. Under such circumstances it is only natural that they do not put up smiling faces to welcome him.

Their hateful looks glance off Kazuma who acts as if they weren't even there. That kind of attitude only increases their hatred for him.

This is the kind of feeling one gets from in turn being belittled by someone whom one had looked down upon in the past. Needless to say that Kazuma completely ignores their presence. He obviously seems to regard them as not even worthy enough to be belittled. No matter how much Jugo tries to fend for him, the negative feelings towards Kazuma only strengthen further.

Kazuma nods towards the only one who smiles at him, Ren, and then bows before Jugo

“Sorry, I am late.”

“Don’t mind at all, I am the one who forced you to join us.”

Jugo smiles forgiving Kazuma’s tardiness and tells Kazuma to sit beside him. In short order wine and dainties are placed before his eyes.

“Welcome back, brother!”

Ren runs over, and hugs his brother’s arm tightly like a spoiled little puppy. Kazuma does not reject him, on the contrary he reaches his hand out to caress his brother’s head. However he does not reply 'I am back'.

Because this place, has for a long time not been Kazuma's, Kazuma Yagami’s, home.

Ren does not seem to notice Kazuma’s thoughts at all, and serves him diligently.

“Ah, let me pour the wine for you.”

“...Okay.”

Kazuma takes the cup up with his hands, but puts it back on the table without drinking a single drop.

Ren questions hesitantly

“Brother, do you not drink?”

“I am not thirsty.”

Ren looks at the untouched food.

"...won't you eat something?”

“I am not hungry.”

”...”

Ren feels puzzled, and lifts his eyes to look at his brother.

Kazuma looks straight ahead ignoring Ren.

“Erm…… Err……”

Just as Ren panics, thinking he has done something to enrage his brother, a big hand is placed on Ren’s head lightly.

“……Brother?”

Kazuma is still staring forward like before, and does not talk to Ren. Despite that, just the feeling from that warm hand is enough to satisfy Ren. Leaning against his brother’s body, Ren closes his eyes and shows a peaceful smile.

To Kazuma, the Kannagi residence is still enemy territory. Not only can he not eat any food placed before him, no matter how relaxed the others look, he must not let his guard down even for an instant

That is why Kazuma notices immediately when a young woman approaches him.

He deliberately doesn't move, observing her as if nothing undue is happening, waiting for her to take action.

The young woman is around twenty years old and wears a kimono. She seems to be used to wearing one, her actions do not look awkward in any way.

Her hairstyle, rather than saying it is a blunt blob, it is more like a round and simple hairstyle [actual text:西瓜皮頭, direct translation a head that is like watermelon skin? ^^”] with its sides cut evenly. [kokolores: isn't that what is usually called a bob? a simple haircut with the sides cut evenly?]Together with small cute cheeks, she is a beautiful typical Japanese style woman that would make one think of the outdated appellation “Yamato Nadeshiko”. {[term used for beautiful woman? Perfect woman? Not too sure…] kokolores: yep that's right. You've got to watch more anime XD}

Seeing the girl kneeling before him bow deeply, Kazuma uses a hazy expression to say.

“If I recall…… You are Ogami……”

“My name is Misao Ogami. I've been ordered to take care of Mister Kazuma. If you have any needs, please just inform me.”[she addresses herself in a very lowly manner]

“...Oh?”

Kazuma uses his fingertips to hold Miaso’s chin and lifts her face up. Looking at the nervous expression on her Kazuma smiles and asks teasingly..

“Even in the night?”

Faced with such a direct allusion, Miaso blushes and her eyes shift downwards. [kokolores: seduction doesn't really fit, but allusion is also less than perfect in my opinion] Even though she's embarassed, she does not try to escape from Kazuma’s hand. She murmurs in hardly a whisper

“If...that is your wish."

Seeing that Misao is not resisting, Kazuma’s face closes in even more. At this moment, Kazuma as if repelled leans back suddenly.

A ray of red lightning pierces through where Kazuma’s head had been. With a loud thunk, something is embedded into the pillar diagonally behind Kazuma

You despicable piece of shit! Move your dirty hands away!”

Needless to say the furious girl with that incomparable rage is Ayano. Kazuma does not even bother to look at her, but instead turns his head back.

A long thin red stick is stabbed on the pillar. Ayano’s chopstick.

The chopstick that does not possess a sharp end and yet half of it sank into the pillar. Estimating the strength when she threw it with Kazuma laughs.

Ayano stalks towards Kazuma and raises her hand for a karate chop aiming at Kazuma’s hand, which has been placed on Misao’s face all the while. Seeing a chop that has the strength to even break thirty tiles[瓦片], he quickly retracts his hand.

Ayano stares with murder in her eyes at Kazuma who has a smile on his face and then slowly walks next to Misao.

“Misao, what are you thinking! Why ruin your life for scum like that!?”

“Huh…… Ermm…… Sorry.”

under such an aggressive aura, Misao can’t help but apologize. Seeing such a happy scene, Kazuma puts on a hurt expression on purpose. [kokolores: what's happy about that scene?]

“Why are you making me sound so bad.”

“I was just telling the truth, wasn’t I? You already have a girlfriend. How dare you still lay your hands on other girls? you jerk!”

“Girlfriend? I don’t have any.”

“Liar! That one earlier...“

“If you mean Kirika, we are not of that kind of relationship. She is just-“

“Just your sexfriend, right?”

Ayano finishes Kazuma's sentence in an unnaturally gentle tone. Even though her face shows a smile, if one looks more closely, one realizes that her temples are pulsing with anger.

Observing her expression, Kazuma smiles at her understanding and says..

“Yup, you can put it that way too.”

An enraged spiritual energy bursts out from Ayano’s whole body, her body subconsciously enters battle mode.

“Miss Ayano.”

However, she is stopped just before she can explode. Confronted with Misao’s appeal, Ayano unwillingly is forced to hold back her murderous intent.

“Please, don’t be angry. It was Mister Kazuma who avenged my brothers. To repay this debt, this kind of thing is nothing..."

“You should be grateful to me instead!”

Ayano proudly says..

“This guy fought because it is his job! We have already paid him enough to reward him! There is no need to thank him. You have a problem with that?”

That last line is of course, directed at Kazuma.

“Nope, that is largely true.”

Kazuma admits frankly.

“I do not know what this fiery lass did that you should be grateful for, but at the very least there is no need to thank me. Leaving Masato and Takeshi aside, you can consider half of the blame to be mine that Takeya died.”

Hearing such a shocking statement, a commotion erupts around them.

With a group of people making so much noise it is only natural that they attract notice. Their bickering had become the main focus of attention and to hear such an alarming statement makes everyone prick their ears and listen quietly.

“What do you mean?”

Ayano asks in a sharp tone. Kazuma brushes off her intensity like a thick-skinned willow tree does the wind and smiles.[kokolores: changed that sentence quite a bit, better check if the meaning is still the same]

“Even though the one to kill him was Ryuya, he had already been defeated before by me. Ryuya only split the unconscious Takeya apart. Well, I guess even if he had still been conscious then, the result should not have been any different.”

Kazuma says in a nonchalant manner, and then shifts his eyes back to Misao. He faces the bowed down Misao, whose expression cannot be seen and reassures her gently..

“So, you see? You don’t have to be so courteous, how about taking that out from your sleeve?”

[[Image:Kaze no Stigma vol 02 039.jpg|thumb]]
At the instant Kazuma finishes his sentence, Misao moves suddenly. Her foot forcefully stomping on the tatami, she pulls out the dagger which had been hidden in her sleeve all along.

“Ah……Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!”

Screaming wildly, the dagger gripped tightly in her fists Misao jumps into Kazuma’s chest.

For a moment everyone remains completely motionless. Even though everyone in the hall has witnessed the scene, it appears they are unable to understand its meaning in time and are at a loss at what to do.

Misao and Kazuma sit there, without flinching. Looking like a pair of intimate lovers, the both of them in a silent embrace.

“Ka……Kazuma?”

Ayano’s shivering voice calls out the name of the man she hates the most.

He does not reply.

“Kazuma!? Ans…… Answer me quickly! Kazuma. Kazuma!!”

“What?”

Kazuma suddenly raises his head and answers as if nothing happened. He uses his fingertips to pincer the dagger that should have been in Misao’s hands, and raises it before his eyes wavering it.

“…………!”

Maybe because she relaxed, Ayano falls down on the floor, still in shock and shouts loudly..

“If…… If you heard me at least make a sound! I thought you died!”

“Is there anything troubling to you about my death?”

“That…… That……”

Ayano is unable to speak momentarily. She tries her best to stop all the blood in her body from gathering at her face and at the same time works hard to come up with a rebuttal.

“I…… I don’t want Misao to become a murderer.”

“That makes sense.”

“That is right!”

(---------?)

Ayano nods to agree, but feels that Kazuma’s reaction doesn’t seem right somehow. But at the same time she cannot say for sure what is it that is wrong.

Ignoring Ayano who is troubled over this, Kazuma places his eyes upon Misao who has fallen on him.

“So are you still angry?”

”--------------!”

Misao forcefully pushes herself off Kazuma and uses the momentum to jump backwards. She puts a little distance between them and stares with eyes full of hate at Kazuma.

But, Kazuma does not seem to mind those eyes at all, he calmly breaks the eyecontact with Misao and passes the dagger in his hand to Ayano.

“Take it.”

“Ah, okay.”

She takes it reflexively, and then looks closely at the dagger.

The blade of the dagger is about ten centimeters long, it would be just nice to peel an apple with it. There seems to be no poison on it either.

(…… Did she think that such a fruit knife could kill Kazuma?)

What a foolish action. Ayano bitterly regrets her show of anxiousness earlier.

At this point of time, the other people are finally beginning to make noise again. But none of them steps out to arrest Misao, because all of the people in the branch family feel the same way Misao does.

(------What about father?)

Ayano looks towards Jugo.

“What is the matter?”

“What do you mean by “what is the matter”? Don’t just look, think of something.”

“------Hmm……”

Jugo looks around at the accident area with cold eyes.

“Kazuma.”

“Ah ah?”

“If you do not wish to deal with her, shall I punish Misao for you?”

Even though his tone seems calm the content is equivalent to “if you want to kill her, just do it”. Jugo is usually kind and well-tempered, but he is not so kind to forgive someone who tried to commit murder.

Yet, Kazuma’s reply is totally unexpected.

“I think that this goes not so far as to require punishment. Nothing happened, let’s just let her go!”

Hearing this reply, Jugo shows a somewhat surprised expression, and Ayano’s puzzled look can be seen easily by anyone.

Ayano finally realizes why she feels something has been off. Misao is still alive, that by itself is something that doesn’t make sense.

On the battlefield, Kazuma would not care about anything else. Even if it is just a little girl, even if she is not moving by her own free will, being threatened or manipulated to do it, Kazuma would not go easy on her.

According to Kazuma’s habits, after he dodges the attack- no, the instant the dagger is drawn Misao’s head should have landed on the ground.

(But this…… What is going on?)

Filled with questions, Ayano begins to look at the two.

Misao looks pale and weak. Though her eyes still bear hatred, it seems she does not have the strength to act again.

Her original field of expertise is to defend a seal or to act as support at the back and she is not a technician that fights at the frontline. Even though her abilities are not that weak, her personality simply is not suitable for battle.

Not to mention killing. This may even be the first time she is holding a knife and pointing it at someone. Her mentality to resist hurting someone is actually no different from a normal person's. Just now she had acted out impulse, but after her failure she does not have the guts to do it again.

Kazuma lowers his head and looks at Misao silently. Those eyes do not carry warmth, but they show no unpleasant feelings either.

This is too abnormal, too weird! And.. this makes me feel very unhappy!

“What is the meaning of this------“

“So be it, since you said so, I have no reason to punish her either.”

Jugo stops Ayano who has lost her composure and makes a simple conclusion.

“But we cannot allow you to stay here either, go back and reflect upon yourself for a while!”

With that, he orders someone by his side to take Misao away. But Misao struggles to get rid of those hands that are about to catch her.

“Why!?”

Ignoring the man who looks troubled by her struggling, Misao stares at Kazuma and shouts..

“Why did brother die!?”

“Because he was too weak.”

Kazuma says so very bluntly.

“-------------!!”

The hall is filled with rage in an instant. Misao is not the only one who feels that Kazuma caused the death of their family. To these people, Kazuma’s words has gone way beyond their level of tolerance.

“You asshole------!!”

Ayano stands up her face flushing red with anger. She places her hands at her hips stares at Kazuma.

“What the hell is wrong with you! Can’t you differentiate between what can be said, and what cannot be said!? What do you mean by “because he is too weak”? Don’t joke around! Is it because you have become strong now, that you forgot how you felt when you were weak!?”

Kazuma shows Ayano, who keeps on admonishing him, no sign of remorse at all, instead he looks coldly at her.

“Looks like you still don’t understand.”

He then looks around at the people who are staring at him angrily.

“Why are you all putting on the looks of a victim?”

“What…… What do you mean by that?”

Kazuma’s eyes sweep across the room once more, all he see is puzzled yet still angry expressions. Once again confirming that no one has understood what he meant, he sighs.

“I don’t think you guys have ever wondered, why did the Fuga clan have to revolt?”

”What do you mean by why…… Of course it is to awake their God?”

“No.”

Kazuma denies flat-out.

“That is just a method. Just one of the powers needed to go against the Kannagi.”

“Then why don’t you tell us the reason then?”

Ayano asks without even thinking, Kazuma gives Ayano a supercilious look.

“……These people of the Fuga clan, they are definitely not a group of useless waste. Instead, you can even call them skilled wind technicians. Their combat abilities may have been very weak, but the natural characteristics of wind is not suited to battle in the first place.”

In terms of attack power, among the four main powers of earth, water, fire and wind, the weakest is wind.

This is because it is the lightest.

No matter how fast it is, light attacks do not possess the strength to kill at one go.

I believe everyone has had the experience of being cut by a piece of paper before. With enough speed and if coordinated well with time, even a flimsy piece of paper can become a blade.

Yet, it can only cut until the surface of skin and flesh. A slash without weight, is unable to cut off flesh and bones all at one go.

The weight of water and earth is way beyond wind and fire possesses a large amount of energy. If they are to fight against these powers, a wind techician must summon and control spirits several times more than them.

Precisely because of that, the role wind technics is to use its mobility to undergo searching, tracking, and controlling surrounding air to give battle support. The Fuga clan can actually be said to have been a typical example of wind technicians.

“The Kannagi that is born with combating capabilities, and the Fuga clan that excels at information collecting and battle support. To make up for each other’s inability, to coexist peacefully and equally, this should have been the ideal way of interaction.”

Kazuma uses the side of his eye to observe Jugo, he is showing a bitter expression. He is the only one at there who understands how true Kazuma’s words are.

“But, you only know how to use combat capabilities as the standard and looked down on the Fuga clan which has no combat abilities. Without the Fuga clan, you would not even know where the enemy is.”

“What you are trying to say is------ Because we have always looked down on the Fuga clan, that is why we deserve to be killed by them?”

Ayano pouts unhappily. But Kazuma shakes his head to deny that.

“I never said that what you did is wrong. The strong is always right, that is the unwavering truth.”

”Then……”

“But, at the same time as you execute the right to crush the weak, you must also bear to be crushed by people who are even stronger. Even if you are killed you should have no complaints, as that is what you have been doing in the past.”

“…………!”

Ayano’s expression changes drastically. She seems to realize what Kazuma is trying to say.

“Just because the Fuga clan is 'too weak,' that is why you all look down on them. Just because you are 'too weak' that is why you were crushed by Ryuya. This is a very simple logic.”

This is not a question of who is right and who is wrong. Since both sides believes in the “law of power”, in the end only the strong survive. That is all that is.

“If you people have acknowledged everything that you have done towards the Fuga clan, then the Fuga clan can also only acknowledge what they did to you. To crush the weak, does it not allow you to be crushed by people even stronger than you? Who do you think you are?”

This merciless accusation, reaches the ears of everyone present like the roar of thunder. But it fails to touch their arrogant hearts.

“This, I am unable to accept.”

A voice of disagreement emerges. It is from a place very close to Jugo’s seat of honor [上座].

“Mister Kazuma, your opinion seems to have neglected one very important thing.”

The man uses a dogmatic[桀骛不逊] attitude and tone to say. He is Ogami Masayuki. The chief of the Ogami family and Misao’s father. But he does not seem to care about his daughter who has her head lowered, and is keeping quiet.

“The price of life is definitely not equal. We are blessed by the spirits, we are a clan that was chosen. You put us and the Fuga clan, that kind of lowlifes, on the same level. That is very surprising, not to mention it is------“

He stares furiously at Kazuma, as if Kazuma is the killer of his son.

“Not to mention to give those rubbish the right to kill us!”

Hearing Masayuki’s words, Kazuma gives a cold smile and answers.

“Who is it that was chosen?”

“...What?”

“These words, why don’t you wait till you have power similar to Ayano before saying them! To hear a weakling boast about his bloodline. How pathetic! It is as if you have nothing else except for your bloodline.”

“You…… You asshole……!”

Masayuki became agitated instantly. In comparison, Kazuma’ mocking attitude still has not changed.

“By the way, you should be thanking Hyoue instead!”

“?”

“He helped to get rid of Masato, who was a nuisance in your eyes. At least go pay respect and light an incense for him!”

“……!You…… What did you just say……!”

Ogami Masayuki’s younger brother Ogami Masato. When he had been alive, he had been known as the strongest technician in the branch family. Everyone knows that had he not left his home to train, because he had hated to fight with his brother over the place of chief, back then he would have been the one to be chief.

Seeing the shaken Masayuki, Kazuma says as if taunting him.

“------ It is a nuisance to have a younger brother that is more elite than yourself isn’t it?”

“Damn…… Damn you asshole!!”

Masayuki’s face changes colour suddenly as he shouts. He stands up from the tatami, and with blood red eyes stares at Kazuma.

This time, there is an almost unavoidable tension between the two. The killing intents form a whirlpool, and gather towards Kazuma who is still sitting at his original location.

At this moment------ Ren who has been leaning against Kazuma’s shoulder moves. He wriggles his upper body, his whole body stuck on Kazuma in a tight embrace. He looks as if he is trying to stop Kazuma and it lacks the strength to do it.

Seeing this, a question goes through Ayano's mind.

(This kid…… Since when has he become so quiet?)

Even when Misao had used the knife to stab Kazuma, she had not heard Ren’s voice. No matter how much faith he has in his brother’s strength, it is unnatural that he has not cried out in shock at all.

Under everyone’s stare, Ren’s upper body slowly slides down along Kazuma’s body. He places his face on Kazuma’s leg, and after a few seconds like this------

“Hmm…… Brother……”

“So he is asleep!”

Ayano can’t help but speak.

Before the blissful sleeptalking, the originally tense atmosphere disperses in an instant.

“……………………”

His bloodlust gone, Masayuki sits down once again. His expression is solemn, but he no longer has the mood to maintain his anger.

Masayuki’s reaction does not matter to Kazuma, as he had never placed him in his eye since the beginning.

“Chief.”

”……Yes.”

Jugo understands everything very well, and because of that, his voice sounds abnormally bitter.

“It is impossible to dream of these guys reflecting upon themselves. But please do not forget, it is the Kannagi’s arrogance that sparked this fight. If there are no changes, the same thing will just keep repeating itself.

“…… I understand.”

“Good.”

Kazuma lifts Ren’s head, and places him on Ayano’s leg.

“------Kazuma?”

“There is nothing left for me here, I am going back.”

With this sentence, Kazuma leaves the residence without even looking back.

<noinclude>
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; padding: 0.2em; border-collapse: collapse;"
|-
| Back to [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume1_Epilogue|Volume 1]]
| Return to [[Kaze_no_Stigma|Main Page]]
| Forward to [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume2_Chapter2|Chapter 2]]
|-
|}
</noinclude>

Kaze no Stigma:Volume2 Chapter 1

2008-08-05T17:47:27Z

Kokolores: /* 1 */

== Chapter One - Banquet for Victory -The Chosen Ones- ==
=== 1 ===
This is common.

You can say it is something that has become a part of their lives.

However, Yukari and Nanase can both sense the tension.

A tension that is hard to ignore.

“Didn’t I say so already? You girls will definitely not be bored. I know a great club! I just need to show my face for us to get in.”

”Come on! Let’s go! What fun is there to be had with only females?”

As the two exchange glances, a group of men with weak appearances make a vulgar speech in a flippant manner. They don’t look too bad, but their idiotic speech and actions show no class at all.

In simpler terms, they are trying to pick the girls up.

This is common.

Even though their appeals may differ, the three are beautiful girls that make one's eyes light up. They know exactly how to deal with such pick-up artists. Or at least they did, until now.

“----------------------------“

Suddenly, the third girl who has not spoken a word until now begins to move. She slowly raises her head, and looks into the eyes of the man in front of her.

“That place is frequently visited by idols, stars and models! We have many such friends, and if you are interested, we can introduce them to you……”

Glared at by cold eyes that chill to the bone, the originally glib man is unable to speak another word.

“Get lost.”

”……Yes.”

The men leave pitifully. Yet the girl does not even look at them, and instead puts on an unchanging, cold expression and leaves as if nothing has happened.

“……Ayano.”

“What’s wrong?”

The girl, Ayano Kannagi, seems rather displeased, and turns her head with those words.

“You seem to be really harsh on the people who've tried to pick us up recently?”

”It is just your imagination.”

Ayano replies, straying from the point.

“But……”

Yukari lifts her head to look at Nanase with pleading eyes.

Nanase nods and says, “Yup, you're really overdoing it recently. Let’s take last time for example - you actually used the corner of your schoolbag to hit the person’s temple.”

“Ah, that one was really scary. The whites of his eyes showed, and blood was flowing from his ears and nose-“

”……Does it matter, anyway? We called an ambulance for him.”

Ayano looks hard at the moody Ayano, and slowly closes in on the main point.

“Ayano, something happened between a guy and you, didn't it?”

”Wh-what…… What are you talking about?!”

The sudden question left Ayano unable to hide the stir in her heart.

“Hehe~”

Nanase gives off a smile deep with meaning.

“You, a father-complex girl, finally seem to be starting to show interest in guys other than your father.”

“I am not a father-lover.”

Ayano swiftly regains her calmness, and says strongly, “I just have never met a guy better than my father that’s all.”

“………………”

Nanase meets Yukari’s eyes, as if to say “what a headache,” and sighs.

“I admit, your father is indeed a mature and relaxed middle-aged man, but you cannot possibly find that kind of feeling in a young guy right?”

“That is not true. Father was young once too, so as long as I find someone similar-“

Half-way through, she shuts her mouth and frowns, as the conversation has somehow reminded her of that detestable man.

Seemingly difficult to approach, yet uncommonly relaxed- a person undoubtedly qualified to be considered alongside her father.

He is not like Jugo at all. Indeed, he is the total opposite.

But... he is very powerful. Not just his strength, but his entire existence. In that sense, he is comparable to the strongest man, Jugo, that she knows-

“Aya---no~“

Hearing the call rife with laughter, Ayano, who has stopped moving, returns to her senses.

“You are thinking of the guy you like right now, aren’t you?”

“Of…… Of course not! That kind of guy!”

“Which kind of guy?”

Being asked such a question, Ayano loses her strength for a moment.

“Nanase…… Even you……”

”Be honest! Such an interesting topic, I bet even Yukari won’t let it go easily either right?”

“That’s right, that’s right.”

Yukari nods happily. Ayano stares at her two friends who intend to extract every single detail with antagonistic scrutiny.

Shinomiya Yukari and Kudo Nanase. They are both students of Seiryo Academy, where Ayano studies, and at the same time her best friends - even though there are times when she wonders about the friendship between them.

Yukari’s shoulder-length, beautiful hair moves up and down like waves, her face always shows a gentle smile and her speech is slightly slow. It is unclear whether she should be considered “mellow” or just “slow.” Regardless, from this description, one can probably imagine that she is a laid-back person.

In contrast, Nanase’s hairstyle is a refreshing blunt bob[actual text: 娃娃頭, so I am using a certain hairstyle for this, if you have a better translation, please change this.], She seems casually calm, and her swift movements and tone show no sign they belong to a girl, giving people an unsettled feeling, making her the type to receive a lot of chocolates on Valentine's Day.<ref>In Japan, girls are the ones who give out chocolate on Valentine's, so the implication here is that Nanase is popular with other girls.</ref>

These two girls are opposites no matter how you look at it, but what is truly remarkable is that when they tease Ayano, they exhibit perfect harmony in their cooperation - although to Ayano, this is something unbearable.

“Come on, tell us, what kind of person is it?”

“I already said there is no such person! By the way...”

Ayano stares at Yukari with accusing eyes.

“Aren’t we going to eat cakes now?”

”Yes, that is right.”

”Then why are we on this road!?”

In the direction which Ayano points her finger stands a long row of accommodations designed for a very specific purpose.

Just as with a haunted house in a back-country area, though there is nothing particularly odd about their appearance, they possess an atmosphere unlike that of a normal hotel.

That is right. For, as the three (except for a certain someone) were chatting happily, they had unintentionally come to the entrance for the street of love hotels.

Realizing that they are arguing in a special area, Ayano can’t help but blush. But Yukari’s smile did not change at all.

“This is a short-cut.”

”Even so, this kind of place……”

”Don’t worry. No one would think that we are going to play 3P.”

Ayano's face carries a pained expression, as she looks at this innocently smiling friend who has just said something very shocking.

“You…… Don’t use that cute face to say something so shocking, okay?”

“Kay~ But this kind of thing is nothing compared to Ayano's normal behavior.”

”…… What is the meaning of that?”

Against Ayano’s squinting eyes, Yukari puts on her usual smiling face. Though she may look easy-going, she is definitely not on the losing side.

Ayano, who realizes that she is at a disadvantage, decides to forcefully end the chat.

“Anyway, let’s not walk this way. Let’s go another way!”

”Geez, Ayano is so squeaky clean.”

“Squeaky clean? That doesn't even need to be said! This kind of hotel, whose only use is for people to share a bed - who knows what the people going in are thinking?!”

Ayano sounds violent, and scowls angrily at the love hotels as though they had killed her father, when suddenly, her expression freezes.

Yukari and Nanase follow Ayano’s line of sight. What lies there is...

“As agitated as always.”

A man and a beautiful lady, sticking closely together, walking out from the hotel street.

His age appears to be about twenty-something, with an upright face that could be considered handsome, but his expression seems to be rather sloven. A light smirk appears on his mouth, forcefully pulling the grade of this person down thirty percent.

“You should at least put some thought into your surroundings.”

The man makes fun of the dumbfounded Ayano and continues to speak.

“You are already a high school student. It is about time you know what shame is……”

Her ears hearing the man's incendiary words, Ayano’s frozen brain begins to thaw. Information begins to flow in, and she regains consciousness.

The man before her eyes is Kazuma Yagami. This is the man that Ayano hates most. As for the woman beside him, she has never seen her before. In addition, this is a love hotel street.

Catching up to this point, Ayano’s brain, which had finally returned to a normal temperature, suddenly began to heat up. Gripped with an inexplicable fury, Ayano shouts, “You…… What are you doing in a place like this!?”

“...Ayano?”

Yukari and Nanase share a puzzled look, looking at their friend who has suddenly fallen into a rage. Both pairs of eyes show no indecision, and seem to be simultaneously asking, “What is she talking about?”.

This question is not one that needs to be asked. Just as Ayano has said, there is only one thing to do in a love hotel - even if there are many different ways and methods; there is only one reason to be here, basically.

On the other hand, Kazuma who has drawn Ayano’s rage upon him simply shows a light smile, as usual.

“Asking me what I am doing- Ah, it is so hard to say it out loud~ ♥“

He acts shy, daintily using his hand to cover his mouth as he says that.

At this instant, the dozens of neural synapses of logic in Ayano’s brain snapped all at once.

Feeling the furious spiritual energy arising from Ayano, Yukari and Nanase can’t help but move back. But, even when engulfed in such a strong murderous intent, one that even normal people would notice and fear, Kazuma and the woman beside him do not change the relaxed smiles on their faces.

The woman ignores Ayano’s furious eyes as if they are nothing, her lips go close to Kazuma’s ears and ask, “This girl, is she Kazuma’s girlfriend?”

“Kirika…… That joke is not funny at all!”

After such a semi-derogatory question, Kazuma answers with an irritated look. Listening, Kirika glances at Ayano, and laughs lightly.

(------! This darn woman-!)

Seeing the seemingly taunting attitude of this person, Ayano views Kirika as an “enemy”. As if seeking a weak spot, she sizes Kirika up from head to toe. But...

(Argh……)

Although slim, she has a good figure, filled with femininity.

From the angle of a “woman,” Ayano has no way to compete.

Ayano is also a rare beauty, but her state of maturity is far below Kirika's. Future development or hidden potential have no effect now. Because in a battle in the real world, current capabilities decide everything.

Even so, if the opponent is just someone who devotes all nutrients, even those that should go to the brain, into her breasts and hips, Ayano will not concede defeat.

But, Kirika is different. Those thin, long eyes of hers carry the light of wisdom, clearly indicating that she is not just some vulgar woman who only knows how to fawn on guys.

Slightly older than Kazuma, she looks as if she is around twenty-five. From the way she can casually face up to Ayano’s killing intent as if it were not there, she is clearly not an average businesswoman. Maybe they are in the same trade?

Ayano bears the silent torture of inferiority, and continues to glare at the two with angry eyes.

“Kazuma?”

Kirika accepts Ayano’s eyes generously, and holds her body even more closely against Kazuma’s arm. Rather than a demonstration of love, this action seems more like she's trying to tightly hang on.

“Should I arrest you for lewd acts against an underage female?”

“Don’t be like that.”

Kazuma seems very displeased.

“She is just a distant relative. I've done nothing, nor have any intentions of doing anything.”

”Then, why is she angry?”

”She is always angry. Just ignore her.”

“Oh~”

Kirika looks towards Ayano once more, her face showing a smile with deep meaning. Ayano notices, her mind tangled in an instant.

[[Image:Kaze no Stigma vol 02 017.jpg|thumb]]

“I think it would be better to explain.”

”There's no need for that, it's too troublesome. Let’s go!”

Upon saying this, Kazuma pulls Kirika and walks away. As his eyes meet Ayano’s, he puts on a serious expression and warns Ayano, ”Go back quickly! This is no place for children.”

Kazuma walks past Ayano with ease, who is so angry her whole body is trembling. As the two sides pass one another, Kirika looks at Ayano. Those eyes, filled with sympathy, totally enrage Ayano, before departing in an utterly relaxed manner.

Yukari remained where she was, dumbly sending off the close pair with her eyes. She looks to the side, and coincidentally meets Nanase’s eyes.

At this moment, silence is golden. The two exchange bitter smiles, and as if they had discussed it much earlier, look towards Ayano who still has not turned back.

“So that's it.”

Nanase nods heavily.

“No wonder you were so harsh to those people who tried to pick us up.”

“That's right. It is really tough to like someone like that.“

“But what a surprise, I never thought Ayano would like flippant guys like that.”

“...You two……”

Ayano turns slowly.

In a gentle, but equally chilling tone, she answers, “What are you two talking about?”

”What else?“

Yukari answers straightforwardly.

“Ayano, you like that guy right? Although it looks one-sided.”

”You……What makes you two think that way?”

”Just think about your reaction just now. No matter how we look at it, it is of 'a jealous girl seeing the guy she likes getting snatched away,' right?”

“There is no such thing! It is definitely not that way!!”

Ayano shouts out, blushing. Her voice is so loud it almost seems to reach as far as the eye can see.

“Ayano, you were too loud.”

Ignoring Yukari’s warning, Ayano furiously continues to say, “Why would I like that kind of lowlife?! That is the type of person I hate most in this world! If I could have, I would have sliced him into pieces!!”

“Then why are you angry?”

Yukari rebuts with a calm voice.

“If you really didn’t like him, then it doesn't matter who he sleeps with, right? What would there be to be angry about?”

“This……This is because…… That……

……I just cannot bear to see someone like Kazuma sleep with that kind of beauty! They are not at all compatible!”

Ayano grips her fist tightly and tries her best to explain, as the other two look at her with cold eyes.

(What do you think?)

(She doesn’t seem to be lying…… Could it be, she hasn’t even realized it herself?)

(If that's the case, then she is not just slow - there is something completely wrong with her……)

(But... that is just like Ayano.)

(Yeah that’s true.)

“You two! Don’t whisper among yourselves right in front of me!”

Getting shouted at by Ayano, Nanase swiftly straightens her body. Following this, she uses a very serious expression, like someone who is faking marriage just to grab a hold of the password to a credit card, in order to say, “Ah. Okay okay. I get it, you really hate that man.”

”Yup, completely understood.”

Yukari chimes in instantly. They are indeed Ayano’s best friends, their actions matching flawlessly.

Ayano’s expression reveals her continued suspicion.

“...Really?”

“Of course.”

”Fine then.”

Ayano nods, though her expression still shows displeasure. After everything has come to an end, and the two give a sigh of relief-

“Ah, that is the girl. Mister Hanagi.”

Those guys had chosen the worst possible time to appear.

“These are the ones?”

The man they called Hanagi points his finger towards the three and says...

“You guys were scared off by these three girls?”

“Because the girl in the middle has a really scary stare……”

”That girl is really arrogant. Please teach her some manners, Mister Go!”

The men who are saying these things are the punks, numbers one and two (temporarily named), who were driven off by Ayano earlier. It seems that because they were rejected so vehemently by Ayano, resentment arose, and so they found someone to help them take their revenge!

-- They cannot come any lower than that.

“We invited you so nicely to have some fun, and yet you told us to 'get lost'. That was really rude. Now apologize.”

“----------------------“

Ayano stares at the group of men, her eyes indicating that they are unworthy even of notice. Seeing those ice cold eyes, punks numbers one and two cannot help but retreat several steps, though Hanagi shows no sign of fear.

“That trick of yours won’t work! Mister Hanagi knows Shaolin fist techniques!”

“Please do it! Go Mister Hanagi!”

Numbers one and two cower behind Hanagi and continue to shout. Ignoring the two who are merely relying on Hanagi’s strength, Ayano stares at Hanagi alone.

As they have mentioned, the man before her eyes seems to have undergone a certain level of training. As he wears only a thin, sleeveless sweater under his leather coat, his protruding muscles can be clearly seen. It is a body specially made for combat.

“For a woman to be so arrogant, that is why you are having such an unlucky encounter. Don’t try to go against men from now on.”

Hanagi reaches his hand out in a rough manner, intending to grab Ayano’s chin to lift her face.

At the instant his fingertips touch her chin, Ayano moves swiftly.

She angles her body and moves forward, while at the same time dodging Hanagi’s hand. Into Hanagi’s defenseless chest, Ayano cleanly swings her bent left arm.

Ayano’s elbow strikes the lower region of Hanagi’s earlobe, where the jaw is. This is a sudden full-force attack, and a powerful strike that even contains “ki”. It would not be surprising even if his jaw fell off from his face.

Hanagi’s body flies into the air in a spiral. His legs, which have left the ground, tangle together like twisted bread, and subsequently spray outwards with reactive force.

Hanagi’s body keeps on spinning, and after a sickening three and a half round rotation, he naturally has a failed landing; his whole body flattened against the outer wall of a hotel.

Splat.

A wet sound propagated along the entire street. This was definitely not a sound made by a human body. If a freshly slaughtered piece of flesh, with blood still dripping, was smashed into a wall, it would probably make this kind of sound.

Several seconds after Hanagi has been hammered into the wall, he falls to the floor like a flattened cockroach.

On the red bricks of the hotel wall, a fluid even more red than the bricks forms an eerie human figure.

“Uh... uh~”

Seeing Hanagi, blood pouring out of seven holes and his body twitching, Nanase draws a cross towards the sky. Beside her, Yukari places her hands together and closes her eyes to pray.

“Huh…… Huh huh……”

”Mister Hanagi……”

The remaining two guys give voice to pitiful cries in tones that have reached the utmost limit of fear.

Ayano silently walks past the two men, who are unable to move their feet, and can only stand there like idiots.

She fires off two kicks at lightning speed. The tip of her foot hits right at the center between the legs of the two men.

“Argh!”

”Wah!”

The tip of her pointed shoe hits the pelvis, while the most important part is struck heavily. Ayano contemplates the two, now rolling on the floor in pain, with a pink foam of blood and spittle coming from their mouths, with disgust.

“How dirty!”

“Ah- Please send an ambulance over. There are three heavily wounded people.”

A cold voice comes from behind. Behind her, Nanase is using a public phone to contact 911. She reads out the number of the phone booth to inform the other party of the location.

“Please be quick, one of them doesn’t seem likely to make it.”

After that, she hangs up, ignoring their inquiries for her name. This action can be said to be very well-trained, for the reason she doesn’t use her own cellphone is to avoid leaving any trace.

“So, have you vented your anger?” Nanase asks Ayano calmly.

“……I did not do it purposely.”

Ayano pouts and replies unhappily, but the two do not believe her words.

They've known very well since the beginning that she has just been redirecting her anger at Kazuma. If she had not met Kazuma earlier, Ayano would not have been so cruel!

But, there is one thing they do not understand. Nanase leans in close to Yukari’s ear and quietly asks...

(By the way, is that guy really that good?)

(Hmm... I feel that he is above average, but……)

He does not seem like a man that would make Ayano feel jealous. That is the opinion of these two.

For though they have known her for a long time, they still do not know what the Kannagi do for a living, nor of the power that is within the bloodline.

These two will still have a few days to wait before witnessing for themselves the true power of Kazuma.

=== 2 === [kokolores: I did it up to the halfway point, so that part mostly requires just a proofread]

“Has Kazuma still not arrived?”

“Why are you asking me?”

Ayano replies the chief of the Kannagi's, Juugo's, question in a sour tone of voice. She appears to have drunk some alcohol, her eyes seem misty. [kokolores: trans said blank, but I've never heard of alcohol doing that. Misty or unfocused seem better to me]

Being stared at by his daughter radiating malcontent Jugo blinks.

“What is it between you and Kazuma again?”

”Nothing.”

Ayano puts the wine cup on the table with a bang.

“I hate that guy! I neither want to see his face nor hear his name ever again! That kind of guy can just go have a good time with some old woman!”

“...So that is it.”

Jugo can roughly guess what happened and decides not to probe any further.

“In celebration of the annihilation of the Fuga clan!”

“Cheers to Hyoue who is now roasting in hell suffering for all eternally!”

“Cheers!!”

Vulgar toasts like this one abound. Everyone seems quite exuberant and is continuously chinking their cups with their neighbours.

The cause is something which happened about a week ago. The subordinates of the Kannagi, the Fuga clan had suddenly revolted.

The leader of the Fuga clan, Hyoue Kazamaki, had allowed his son Ryuya to be possessed by a powerful youma and many of the Kannagi had been killed.

The ones who had fought them, were the technicians of the Kannagi main family, Ayano and Ren. And Ren’s brother, who had been exiled due to his lack of flame abilities and had eventually become a wind technician, Kazuma Yagami.

After a fierce battle, the three finally had defeated Hyoue and Ryuya. On the fourth day after that, tonight, a banquet for their victory is held.

The banquet is unlike any before. Almost everyone in the Kannagi clan who is able to is currently gathered in the main residence. Everyone has joined the banquet joyfully, and is raising their cups in celebration of the annihilation of their hateful enemy..

This type of reaction comes as no surprise. [kokolores: using exaggerated might make sense but I think this fits better]For these people, who claim to be the strongest, Hyoue and Ryuya are entities that couldn't be allowed to exist.

The fact that they had been able to possess youma beyond their powers alone is unforgivable. Furthermore, they had been of the Fuga clan. A group of low level technicians they had stepped on for a long period of time.

To fear weaklings like the Fuga clan to such an extend they had had to go into hiding. To them, that is a humiliation that can never be cleansed.

However, since the Fuga clan is now completely destroyed, that shame if not erased is now forgotten. In their joy, it isn't so weird at all for them to go slightly overboard in their celebration.

“Hmph! For the dog to forget who had raised and fed them and to go even so far as to bite his master's hand! Those ungrateful bastards!” {[actual text says to feed and raise them to their size(like a dog/animal) and to even bite us back] kokolores: then why not use it?}

“How dare they resist us? We, who are blessed by the Spirit Lord! What an outrage!”

“Cheers to the Fuga clan’s demise!”

“Cheers!”

The cups meet all around the tables, and everyone downs their cups in one go. Just as the banquet approaches its climax, Kazuma appears.

“Mister Kazuma has arrived.”

As the servant announces it, all the noise in the hall quiets down instantly.

Amidst the silence, a youth walks past the paper door the servant has opened, and steps into the hall with a confident swagger.

Unfriendly eyes gather upon this youth who walks in without a word. Just for the record, among the glares the ones who bear the greatest hatred are Ayano’s eyes, but let’s leave this matter aside for now.

Actually, it is not without reason that this man is so despised by them. The Kannagi had over fifty technicians before the battle with the Fuga clan, yet there are only little more than thirty at the banquet. The total number of deaths and injured personals amounts to more than twenty.

Seven dead and the rest are all injured in various severity. Those seven were the ones Ryuya attacked. The only ones.

In other words the other casualties are the work of Kazuma. Everyone who is gathered here has family members who have been sent to the hospital all because of Kazuma. Under such circumstances it is only natural that they do not put up smiling faces to welcome him.

Their hateful looks glance off Kazuma who acts as if they weren't even there. That kind of attitude only increases their hatred for him.

This is the kind of feeling one gets from in turn being belittled by someone whom one had looked down upon in the past. Needless to say that Kazuma completely ignores their presence. He obviously seems to regard them as not even worthy enough to be belittled. No matter how much Jugo tries to fend for him, the negative feelings towards Kazuma only strengthen further.

Kazuma nods towards the only one who smiles at him, Ren, and then bows before Jugo

“Sorry, I am late.”

“Don’t mind at all, I am the one who forced you to join us.”

Jugo smiles forgiving Kazuma’s tardiness and tells Kazuma to sit beside him. In short order wine and dainties are placed before his eyes.

“Welcome back, brother!”

Ren runs over, and hugs his brother’s arm tightly like a spoiled little puppy. Kazuma does not reject him, on the contrary he reaches his hand out to caress his brother’s head. However he does not reply 'I am back'.

Because this place, has for a long time not been Kazuma's, Kazuma Yagami’s, home.

Ren does not seem to notice Kazuma’s thoughts at all, and serves him diligently.

“Ah, let me pour the wine for you.”

“...Okay.”

Kazuma takes the cup up with his hands, but puts it back on the table without drinking a single drop.

Ren questions hesitantly

“Brother, do you not drink?”

“I am not thirsty.”

Ren looks at the untouched food.

"...won't you eat something?”

“I am not hungry.”

”...”

Ren feels puzzled, and lifts his eyes to look at his brother.

Kazuma looks straight ahead ignoring Ren.

“Erm…… Err……”

Just as Ren panics, thinking he has done something to enrage his brother, a big hand is placed on Ren’s head lightly.

“……Brother?”

Kazuma is still staring forward like before, and does not talk to Ren. Despite that, just the feeling from that warm hand is enough to satisfy Ren. Leaning against his brother’s body, Ren closes his eyes and shows a peaceful smile.

To Kazuma, the Kannagi residence is still enemy territory. Not only can he not eat any food placed before him, no matter how relaxed the others look, he must not let his guard down even for an instant

That is why Kazuma notices immediately when a young woman approaches him.

He deliberately doesn't move, observing her as if nothing undue is happening, waiting for her to take action.

The young woman is around twenty years old and wears a kimono. She seems to be used to wearing one, her actions do not look awkward in any way.

Her hairstyle, rather than saying it is a blunt blob, it is more like a round and simple hairstyle [actual text:西瓜皮頭, direct translation a head that is like watermelon skin? ^^”] with its sides cut evenly. [kokolores: isn't that what is usually called a bob? a simple haircut with the sides cut evenly?]Together with small cute cheeks, she is a beautiful typical Japanese style woman that would make one think of the outdated appellation “Yamato Nadeshiko”. {[term used for beautiful woman? Perfect woman? Not too sure…] kokolores: yep that's right. You've got to watch more anime XD}

Seeing the girl kneeling before him bow deeply, Kazuma uses a hazy expression to say.

“If I recall…… You are Ogami……”

“My name is Misao Ogami. I've been ordered to take care of Mister Kazuma. If you have any needs, please just inform me.”[she addresses herself in a very lowly manner]

“...Oh?”

Kazuma uses his fingertips to hold Miaso’s chin and lifts her face up. Looking at the nervous expression on her Kazuma smiles and asks teasingly..

“Even in the night?”

Faced with such a direct allusion, Miaso blushes and her eyes shift downwards. [kokolores: seduction doesn't really fit, but allusion is also less than perfect in my opinion] Even though she's embarassed, she does not try to escape from Kazuma’s hand. She murmurs in hardly a whisper

“If...that is your wish."

Seeing that Misao is not resisting, Kazuma’s face closes in even more. At this moment, Kazuma as if repelled leans back suddenly.

A ray of red lightning pierces through where Kazuma’s head had been. With a loud thunk, something is embedded into the pillar diagonally behind Kazuma

You despicable piece of shit! Move your dirty hands away!”

Needless to say the furious girl with that incomparable rage is Ayano. Kazuma does not even bother to look at her, but instead turns his head back.

A long thin red stick is stabbed on the pillar. Ayano’s chopstick.

The chopstick that does not possess a sharp end and yet half of it sank into the pillar. Estimating the strength when she threw it with Kazuma laughs.

Ayano stalks towards Kazuma and raises her hand for a karate chop aiming at Kazuma’s hand, which has been placed on Misao’s face all the while. Seeing a chop that has the strength to even break thirty tiles[瓦片], he quickly retracts his hand.

Ayano stares with murder in her eyes at Kazuma who has a smile on his face and then slowly walks next to Misao.

“Misao, what are you thinking! Why ruin your life for scum like that!?”

“Huh…… Ermm…… Sorry.”

under such an aggressive aura, Misao can’t help but apologize. Seeing such a happy scene, Kazuma puts on a hurt expression on purpose. [kokolores: what's happy about that scene?]

“Why are you making me sound so bad.”

“I was just telling the truth, wasn’t I? You already have a girlfriend. How dare you still lay your hands on other girls? you jerk!”

“Girlfriend? I don’t have any.”

“Liar! That one earlier...“

“If you mean Kirika, we are not of that kind of relationship. She is just-“

“Just your sexfriend, right?”

Ayano finishes Kazuma's sentence in an unnaturally gentle tone. Even though her face shows a smile, if one looks more closely, one realizes that her temples are pulsing with anger.

Observing her expression, Kazuma smiles at her understanding and says..

“Yup, you can put it that way too.”

An enraged spiritual energy bursts out from Ayano’s whole body, her body subconsciously enters battle mode.

“Miss Ayano.”

However, she is stopped just before she can explode. Confronted with Misao’s appeal, Ayano unwillingly is forced to hold back her murderous intent.

“Please, don’t be angry. It was Mister Kazuma who avenged my brothers. To repay this debt, this kind of thing is nothing..."

“You should be grateful to me instead!”

Ayano proudly says..

“This guy fought because it is his job! We have already paid him enough to reward him! There is no need to thank him. You have a problem with that?”

That last line is of course, directed at Kazuma.

“Nope, that is largely true.”

Kazuma admits frankly.

“I do not know what this fiery lass did that you should be grateful for, but at the very least there is no need to thank me. Leaving Masato and Takeshi aside, you can consider half of the blame to be mine that Takeya died.”

Hearing such a shocking statement, a commotion erupts around them.

With a group of people making so much noise it is only natural that they attract notice. Their bickering had become the main focus of attention and to hear such an alarming statement makes everyone prick their ears and listen quietly.

“What do you mean?”

Ayano asks in a sharp tone. Kazuma brushes off her intensity like a thick-skinned willow tree does the wind and smiles.[kokolores: changed that sentence quite a bit, better check if the meaning is still the same]

“Even though the one to kill him was Ryuya, he had already been defeated before by me. Ryuya only split the unconscious Takeya apart. Well, I guess even if he had still been conscious then, the result should not have been any different.”

Kazuma says in a nonchalant manner, and then shifts his eyes back to Misao. He faces the bowed down Misao, whose expression cannot be seen and reassures her gently..

“So, you see? You don’t have to be so courteous, how about taking that out from your sleeve?”

[[Image:Kaze no Stigma vol 02 039.jpg|thumb]]
At the instant Kazuma finishes his sentence, Misao moves suddenly. Her foot forcefully stomping on the tatami, she pulls out the dagger which had been hidden in her sleeve all along.

“Ah……Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!”

Screaming wildly, the dagger gripped tightly in her fists Misao jumps into Kazuma’s chest.

For a moment everyone remains completely motionless. Even though everyone in the hall has witnessed the scene, it appears they are unable to understand its meaning in time and are at a loss at what to do.

Misao and Kazuma sit there, without flinching. Looking like a pair of intimate lovers, the both of them in a silent embrace.

“Ka……Kazuma?”

Ayano’s shivering voice calls out the name of the man she hates the most.

He does not reply.

“Kazuma!? Ans…… Answer me quickly! Kazuma. Kazuma!!”

“What?”

Kazuma suddenly raises his head and answers as if nothing happened. He uses his fingertips to pincer the dagger that should have been in Misao’s hands, and raises it before his eyes wavering it.

“…………!”

Maybe because she relaxed, Ayano falls down on the floor, still in shock and shouts loudly..

“If…… If you heard me at least make a sound! I thought you died!”

“Is there anything troubling to you about my death?”

“That…… That……”

Ayano is unable to speak momentarily. She tries her best to stop all the blood in her body from gathering at her face and at the same time works hard to come up with a rebuttal.

“I…… I don’t want Misao to become a murderer.”

“That makes sense.”

“That is right!”

(---------?)

Ayano nods to agree, but feels that Kazuma’s reaction doesn’t seem right somehow. But at the same time she cannot say for sure what is it that is wrong.

Ignoring Ayano who is troubled over this, Kazuma places his eyes upon Misao who has fallen on him.

“So are you still angry?”

”--------------!”

Misao forcefully pushes herself off Kazuma and uses the momentum to jump backwards. She puts a little distance between them and stares with eyes full of hate at Kazuma.

But, Kazuma does not seem to mind those eyes at all, he calmly breaks the eyecontact with Misao and passes the dagger in his hand to Ayano.

“Take it.”

“Ah, okay.”

She takes it reflexively, and then looks closely at the dagger.

The blade of the dagger is about ten centimeters long, it would be just nice to peel an apple with it. There seems to be no poison on it either.

(…… Did she think that such a fruit knife could kill Kazuma?)

What a foolish action. Ayano bitterly regrets her show of anxiousness earlier.

At this point of time, the other people are finally beginning to make noise again. But none of them steps out to arrest Misao, because all of the people in the branch family feel the same way Misao does.

(------What about father?)

Ayano looks towards Jugo.

“What is the matter?”

“What do you mean by “what is the matter”? Don’t just look, think of something.”

“------Hmm……”

Jugo looks around at the accident area with cold eyes.

“Kazuma.”

“Ah ah?”

“If you do not wish to deal with her, shall I punish Misao for you?”

Even though his tone seems calm the content is equivalent to “if you want to kill her, just do it”. Jugo is usually kind and well-tempered, but he is not so kind to forgive someone who tried to commit murder.

Yet, Kazuma’s reply is totally unexpected.

“I think that this goes not so far as to require punishment. Nothing happened, let’s just let her go!”

Hearing this reply, Jugo shows a somewhat surprised expression, and Ayano’s puzzled look can be seen easily by anyone.

Ayano finally realizes why she feels something has been off. Misao is still alive, that by itself is something that doesn’t make sense.

On the battlefield, Kazuma would not care about anything else. Even if it is just a little girl, even if she is not moving by her own free will, being threatened or manipulated to do it, Kazuma would not go easy on her.

According to Kazuma’s habits, after he dodges the attack- no, the instant the dagger is drawn Misao’s head should have landed on the ground.

(But this…… What is going on?)

Filled with questions, Ayano begins to look at the two.

Misao looks pale and weak. Though her eyes still bear hatred, it seems she does not have the strength to act again.

Her original field of expertise is to defend a seal or to act as support at the back and she is not a technician that fights at the frontline. Even though her abilities are not that weak, her personality simply is not suitable for battle.

Not to mention killing. This may even be the first time she is holding a knife and pointing it at someone. Her mentality to resist hurting someone is actually no different from a normal person's. Just now she had acted out impulse, but after her failure she does not have the guts to do it again.

Kazuma lowers his head and looks at Misao silently. Those eyes do not carry warmth, but they show no unpleasant feelings either.

This is too abnormal, too weird! And.. this makes me feel very unhappy!

“What is the meaning of this------“

“So be it, since you said so, I have no reason to punish her either.”

Jugo stops Ayano who has lost her composure and makes a simple conclusion.

“But we cannot allow you to stay here either, go back and reflect upon yourself for a while!”

With that, he orders someone by his side to take Misao away. But Misao struggles to get rid of those hands that are about to catch her.

“Why!?”

Ignoring the man who looks troubled by her struggling, Misao stares at Kazuma and shouts..

“Why did brother die!?”

“Because he was too weak.”

Kazuma says so very bluntly.

“-------------!!”

The hall is filled with rage in an instant. Misao is not the only one who feels that Kazuma caused the death of their family. To these people, Kazuma’s words has gone way beyond their level of tolerance.

“You asshole------!!”

Ayano stands up her face flushing red with anger. She places her hands at her hips stares at Kazuma.

“What the hell is wrong with you! Can’t you differentiate between what can be said, and what cannot be said!? What do you mean by “because he is too weak”? Don’t joke around! Is it because you have become strong now, that you forgot how you felt when you were weak!?”

Kazuma shows Ayano, who keeps on admonishing him, no sign of remorse at all, instead he looks coldly at her.

“Looks like you still don’t understand.”

He then looks around at the people who are staring at him angrily.

“Why are you all putting on the looks of a victim?”

“What…… What do you mean by that?”

Kazuma’s eyes sweep across the room once more, all he see is puzzled yet still angry expressions. Once again confirming that no one has understood what he meant, he sighs.

“I don’t think you guys have ever wondered, why did the Fuga clan have to revolt?”

”What do you mean by why…… Of course it is to awake their God?”

“No.”

Kazuma denies flat-out.

“That is just a method. Just one of the powers needed to go against the Kannagi.”

“Then why don’t you tell us the reason then?”

Ayano asks without even thinking, Kazuma gives Ayano a supercilious look.

“……These people of the Fuga clan, they are definitely not a group of useless waste. Instead, you can even call them skilled wind technicians. Their combat abilities may have been very weak, but the natural characteristics of wind is not suited to battle in the first place.”

In terms of attack power, among the four main powers of earth, water, fire and wind, the weakest is wind.

This is because it is the lightest.

No matter how fast it is, light attacks do not possess the strength to kill at one go.

I believe everyone has had the experience of being cut by a piece of paper before. With enough speed and if coordinated well with time, even a flimsy piece of paper can become a blade.

Yet, it can only cut until the surface of skin and flesh. A slash without weight, is unable to cut off flesh and bones all at one go.

The weight of water and earth is way beyond wind and fire possesses a large amount of energy. If they are to fight against these powers, a wind techician must summon and control spirits several times more than them.

Precisely because of that, the role wind technics is to use its mobility to undergo searching, tracking, and controlling surrounding air to give battle support. The Fuga clan can actually be said to have been a typical example of wind technicians.

“The Kannagi that is born with combating capabilities, and the Fuga clan that excels at information collecting and battle support. To make up for each other’s inability, to coexist peacefully and equally, this should have been the ideal way of interaction.”

Kazuma uses the side of his eye to observe Jugo, he is showing a bitter expression. He is the only one at there who understands how true Kazuma’s words are.

“But, you only know how to use combat capabilities as the standard and looked down on the Fuga clan which has no combat abilities. Without the Fuga clan, you would not even know where the enemy is.”

“What you are trying to say is------ Because we have always looked down on the Fuga clan, that is why we deserve to be killed by them?”

Ayano pouts unhappily. But Kazuma shakes his head to deny that.

“I never said that what you did is wrong. The strong is always right, that is the unwavering truth.”

”Then……”

“But, at the same time as you execute the right to crush the weak, you must also bear to be crushed by people who are even stronger. Even if you are killed you should have no complaints, as that is what you have been doing in the past.”

“…………!”

Ayano’s expression changes drastically. She seems to realize what Kazuma is trying to say.

“Just because the Fuga clan is 'too weak,' that is why you all look down on them. Just because you are 'too weak' that is why you were crushed by Ryuya. This is a very simple logic.”

This is not a question of who is right and who is wrong. Since both sides believes in the “law of power”, in the end only the strong survive. That is all that is.

“If you people have acknowledged everything that you have done towards the Fuga clan, then the Fuga clan can also only acknowledge what they did to you. To crush the weak, does it not allow you to be crushed by people even stronger than you? Who do you think you are?”

This merciless accusation, reaches the ears of everyone present like the roar of thunder. But it fails to touch their arrogant hearts.

“This, I am unable to accept.”

A voice of disagreement emerges. It is from a place very close to Jugo’s seat of honor [上座].

“Mister Kazuma, your opinion seems to have neglected one very important thing.”

The man uses a dogmatic[桀骛不逊] attitude and tone to say. He is Ogami Masayuki. The chief of the Ogami family and Misao’s father. But he does not seem to care about his daughter who has her head lowered, and is keeping quiet.

“The price of life is definitely not equal. We are blessed by the spirits, we are a clan that was chosen. You put us and the Fuga clan, that kind of lowlifes, on the same level. That is very surprising, not to mention it is------“

He stares furiously at Kazuma, as if Kazuma is the killer of his son.

“Not to mention to give those rubbish the right to kill us!”

Hearing Masayuki’s words, Kazuma gives a cold smile and answers.

“Who is it that was chosen?”

“...What?”

“These words, why don’t you wait till you have power similar to Ayano before saying them! To hear a weakling boast about his bloodline. How pathetic! It is as if you have nothing else except for your bloodline.”

“You…… You asshole……!”

Masayuki became agitated instantly. In comparison, Kazuma’ mocking attitude still has not changed.

“By the way, you should be thanking Hyoue instead!”

“?”

“He helped to get rid of Masato, who was a nuisance in your eyes. At least go pay respect and light an incense for him!”

“……!You…… What did you just say……!”

Ogami Masayuki’s younger brother Ogami Masato. When he had been alive, he had been known as the strongest technician in the branch family. Everyone knows that had he not left his home to train, because he had hated to fight with his brother over the place of chief, back then he would have been the one to be chief.

Seeing the shaken Masayuki, Kazuma says as if taunting him.

“------ It is a nuisance to have a younger brother that is more elite than yourself isn’t it?”

“Damn…… Damn you asshole!!”

Masayuki’s face changes colour suddenly as he shouts. He stands up from the tatami, and with blood red eyes stares at Kazuma.

This time, there is an almost unavoidable tension between the two. The killing intents form a whirlpool, and gather towards Kazuma who is still sitting at his original location.

At this moment------ Ren who has been leaning against Kazuma’s shoulder moves. He wriggles his upper body, his whole body stuck on Kazuma in a tight embrace. He looks as if he is trying to stop Kazuma and it lacks the strength to do it.

Seeing this, a question goes through Ayano's mind.

(This kid…… Since when has he become so quiet?)

Even when Misao had used the knife to stab Kazuma, she had not heard Ren’s voice. No matter how much faith he has in his brother’s strength, it is unnatural that he has not cried out in shock at all.

Under everyone’s stare, Ren’s upper body slowly slides down along Kazuma’s body. He places his face on Kazuma’s leg, and after a few seconds like this------

“Hmm…… Brother……”

“So he is asleep!”

Ayano can’t help but speak.

Before the blissful sleeptalking, the originally tense atmosphere disperses in an instant.

“……………………”

His bloodlust gone, Masayuki sits down once again. His expression is solemn, but he no longer has the mood to maintain his anger.

Masayuki’s reaction does not matter to Kazuma, as he had never placed him in his eye since the beginning.

“Chief.”

”……Yes.”

Jugo understands everything very well, and because of that, his voice sounds abnormally bitter.

“It is impossible to dream of these guys reflecting upon themselves. But please do not forget, it is the Kannagi’s arrogance that sparked this fight. If there are no changes, the same thing will just keep repeating itself.

“…… I understand.”

“Good.”

Kazuma lifts Ren’s head, and places him on Ayano’s leg.

“------Kazuma?”

“There is nothing left for me here, I am going back.”

With this sentence, Kazuma leaves the residence without even looking back.

<noinclude>
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; padding: 0.2em; border-collapse: collapse;"
|-
| Back to [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume1_Epilogue|Volume 1]]
| Return to [[Kaze_no_Stigma|Main Page]]
| Forward to [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume2_Chapter2|Chapter 2]]
|-
|}
</noinclude>

Kaze no Stigma:Volume2 Chapter 1

2008-08-05T14:57:25Z

Kokolores: /* 2 */

== Chapter One - Banquet for Victory -The Chosen Ones- ==
=== 1 ===
This is common.

You can say it is something that has become a part of their lives.

However, Yukari and Nanase can both sense the tension.

A tension that is hard to ignore.

“Didn’t I say so already? You girls will definitely not be bored. I know a great club! I just need to show my face for us to get in.”

”Come on! Let’s go! What fun is there to be had with only females?”

As the two exchange glances, a group of men with weak appearances make a vulgar speech in a flippant manner. They don’t look too bad, but their idiotic speech and actions show no class at all.

In simpler terms, they are trying to pick the girls up.

This is common.

Even though their appeals may differ, the three are beautiful girls that make one's eyes light up. They know exactly how to deal with such pick-up artists. Or at least they did, until now.

“----------------------------“

Suddenly, the third girl who has not spoken a word until now begins to move. She slowly raises her head, and looks into the eyes of the man in front of her.

“That place is frequently visited by idols, stars and models! We have many such friends, and if you are interested, we can introduce them to you……”

Glared at by cold eyes that chill to the bone, the originally glib man is unable to speak another word.

“Get lost.”

”……Yes.”

The men leave pitifully. Yet the girl does not even look at them, and instead puts on an unchanging, cold expression and leaves as if nothing has happened.

“……Ayano.”

“What’s wrong?”

The girl, Ayano Kannagi, seems rather displeased, and turns her head with those words.

“You seem to be really harsh on the people who've tried to pick us up recently?”

”It is just your imagination.”

Ayano replies, straying from the point.

“But……”

Yukari lifts her head to look at Nanase with pleading eyes.

Nanase nods and says, “Yup, you're really overdoing it recently. Let’s take last time for example - you actually used the corner of your schoolbag to hit the person’s temple.”

“Ah, that one was really scary. The whites of his eyes showed, and blood was flowing from his ears and nose-“

”……Does it matter, anyway? We called an ambulance for him.”

Ayano looks hard at the moody Ayano, and slowly closes in on the main point.

“Ayano, something happened between a guy and you, didn't it?”

”Wh-what…… What are you talking about?!”

The sudden question left Ayano unable to hide the stir in her heart.

“Hehe~”

Nanase gives off a smile deep with meaning.

“You, a father-complex girl, finally seem to be starting to show interest in guys other than your father.”

“I am not a father-lover.”

Ayano swiftly regains her calmness, and says strongly, “I just have never met a guy better than my father that’s all.”

“………………”

Nanase meets Yukari’s eyes, as if to say “what a headache,” and sighs.

“I admit, your father is indeed a mature and relaxed middle-aged man, but you cannot possibly find that kind of feeling in a young guy right?”

“That is not true. Father was young once too, so as long as I find someone similar-“

Half-way through, she shuts her mouth and frowns, as the conversation has somehow reminded her of that detestable man.

Seemingly difficult to approach, yet uncommonly relaxed- a person undoubtedly qualified to be considered alongside her father.

He is not like Jugo at all. Indeed, he is the total opposite.

But... he is very powerful. Not just his strength, but his entire existence. In that sense, he is comparable to the strongest man, Jugo, that she knows-

“Aya---no~“

Hearing the call rife with laughter, Ayano, who has stopped moving, returns to her senses.

“You are thinking of the guy you like right now, aren’t you?”

“Of…… Of course not! That kind of guy!”

“Which kind of guy?”

Being asked such a question, Ayano loses her strength for a moment.

“Nanase…… Even you……”

”Be honest! Such an interesting topic, I bet even Yukari won’t let it go easily either right?”

“That’s right, that’s right.”

Yukari nods happily. Ayano stares at her two friends who intend to extract every single detail with antagonistic scrutiny.

Shinomiya Yukari and Kudo Nanase. They are both students of Seiryo Academy, where Ayano studies, and at the same time her best friends - even though there are times when she wonders about the friendship between them.

Yukari’s shoulder-length, beautiful hair moves up and down like waves, her face always shows a gentle smile and her speech is slightly slow. It is unclear whether she should be considered “mellow” or just “slow.” Regardless, from this description, one can probably imagine that she is a laid-back person.

In contrast, Nanase’s hairstyle is a refreshing blunt bob[actual text: 娃娃頭, so I am using a certain hairstyle for this, if you have a better translation, please change this.], She seems casually calm, and her swift movements and tone show no sign they belong to a girl, giving people an unsettled feeling, making her the type to receive a lot of chocolates on Valentine's Day.<ref>In Japan, girls are the ones who give out chocolate on Valentine's, so the implication here is that Nanase is popular with other girls.</ref>

These two girls are opposites no matter how you look at it, but what is truly remarkable is that when they tease Ayano, they exhibit perfect harmony in their cooperation - although to Ayano, this is something unbearable.

“Come on, tell us, what kind of person is it?”

“I already said there is no such person! By the way...”

Ayano stares at Yukari with accusing eyes.

“Aren’t we going to eat cakes now?”

”Yes, that is right.”

”Then why are we on this road!?”

In the direction which Ayano points her finger stands a long row of accommodations designed for a very specific purpose.

Just as with a haunted house in a back-country area, though there is nothing particularly odd about their appearance, they possess an atmosphere unlike that of a normal hotel.

That is right. For, as the three (except for a certain someone) were chatting happily, they had unintentionally come to the entrance for the street of love hotels.

Realizing that they are arguing in a special area, Ayano can’t help but blush. But Yukari’s smile did not change at all.

“This is a short-cut.”

”Even so, this kind of place……”

”Don’t worry. No one would think that we are going to play 3P.”

Ayano's face carries a pained expression, as she looks at this innocently smiling friend who has just said something very shocking.

“You…… Don’t use that cute face to say something so shocking, okay?”

“Kay~ But this kind of thing is nothing compared to Ayano's normal behavior.”

”…… What is the meaning of that?”

Against Ayano’s squinting eyes, Yukari puts on her usual smiling face. Though she may look easy-going, she is definitely not on the losing side.

Ayano, who realizes that she is at a disadvantage, decides to forcefully end the chat.

“Anyway, let’s not walk this way. Let’s go another way!”

”Geez, Ayano is so squeaky clean.”

“Squeaky clean? That doesn't even need to be said! This kind of hotel, whose only use is for people to share a bed - who knows what the people going in are thinking?!”

Ayano sounds violent, and scowls angrily at the love hotels as though they had killed her father, when suddenly, her expression freezes.

Yukari and Nanase follow Ayano’s line of sight. What lies there is...

“As agitated as always.”

A man and a beautiful lady, sticking closely together, walking out from the hotel street.

His age appears to be about twenty-something, with an upright face that could be considered handsome, but his expression seems to be rather sloven. A light smirk appears on his mouth, forcefully pulling the grade of this person down thirty percent.

“You should at least put some thought into your surroundings.”

The man makes fun of the dumbfounded Ayano and continues to speak.

“You are already a high school student. It is about time you know what shame is……”

Her ears hearing the man's incendiary words, Ayano’s frozen brain begins to thaw. Information begins to flow in, and she regains consciousness.

The man before her eyes is Kazuma Yagami. This is the man that Ayano hates most. As for the woman beside him, she has never seen her before. In addition, this is a love hotel street.

Catching up to this point, Ayano’s brain, which had finally returned to a normal temperature, suddenly began to heat up. Gripped with an inexplicable fury, Ayano shouts, “You…… What are you doing in a place like this!?”

“...Ayano?”

Yukari and Nanase share a puzzled look, looking at their friend who has suddenly fallen into a rage. Both pairs of eyes show no indecision, and seem to be simultaneously asking, “What is she talking about?”.

This question is not one that needs to be asked. Just as Ayano has said, there is only one thing to do in a love hotel - even if there are many different ways and methods; there is only one reason to be here, basically.

On the other hand, Kazuma who has drawn Ayano’s rage upon him simply shows a light smile, as usual.

“Asking me what I am doing- Ah, it is so hard to say it out loud~ ♥“

He acts shy, daintily using his hand to cover his mouth as he says that.

At this instant, the dozens of neural synapses of logic in Ayano’s brain snapped all at once.

Feeling the furious spiritual energy arising from Ayano, Yukari and Nanase can’t help but move back. But, even when engulfed in such a strong murderous intent, one that even normal people would notice and fear, Kazuma and the woman beside him do not change the relaxed smiles on their faces.

The woman ignores Ayano’s furious eyes as if they are nothing, her lips go close to Kazuma’s ears and ask, “This girl, is she Kazuma’s girlfriend?”

“Kirika…… That joke is not funny at all!”

After such a semi-derogatory question, Kazuma answers with an irritated look. Listening, Kirika glances at Ayano, and laughs lightly.

(------! This darn woman-!)

Seeing the seemingly taunting attitude of this person, Ayano views Kirika as an “enemy”. As if seeking a weak spot, she sizes Kirika up from head to toe. But...

(Argh……)

Although slim, she has a good figure, filled with femininity.

From the angle of a “woman,” Ayano has no way to compete.

Ayano is also a rare beauty, but her state of maturity is far below Kirika's. Future development or hidden potential have no effect now. Because in a battle in the real world, current capabilities decide everything.

Even so, if the opponent is just someone who devotes all nutrients, even those that should go to the brain, into her breasts and hips, Ayano will not concede defeat.

But, Kirika is different. Those thin, long eyes of hers carry the light of wisdom, clearly indicating that she is not just some vulgar woman who only knows how to fawn on guys.

Slightly older than Kazuma, she looks as if she is around twenty-five. From the way she can casually face up to Ayano’s killing intent as if it were not there, she is clearly not an average businesswoman. Maybe they are in the same trade?

Ayano bears the silent torture of inferiority, and continues to glare at the two with angry eyes.

“Kazuma?”

Kirika accepts Ayano’s eyes generously, and holds her body even more closely against Kazuma’s arm. Rather than a demonstration of love, this action seems more like she's trying to tightly hang on.

“Should I arrest you for lewd acts against an underage female?”

“Don’t be like that.”

Kazuma seems very displeased.

“She is just a distant relative. I've done nothing, nor have any intentions of doing anything.”

”Then, why is she angry?”

”She is always angry. Just ignore her.”

“Oh~”

Kirika looks towards Ayano once more, her face showing a smile with deep meaning. Ayano notices, her mind tangled in an instant.

[[Image:Kaze no Stigma vol 02 017.jpg|thumb]]

“I think it would be better to explain.”

”There's no need for that, it's too troublesome. Let’s go!”

Upon saying this, Kazuma pulls Kirika and walks away. As his eyes meet Ayano’s, he puts on a serious expression and warns Ayano, ”Go back quickly! This is no place for children.”

Kazuma walks past Ayano with ease, who is so angry her whole body is trembling. As the two sides pass one another, Kirika looks at Ayano. Those eyes, filled with sympathy, totally enrage Ayano, before departing in an utterly relaxed manner.

Yukari remained where she was, dumbly sending off the close pair with her eyes. She looks to the side, and coincidentally meets Nanase’s eyes.

At this moment, silence is golden. The two exchange bitter smiles, and as if they had discussed it much earlier, look towards Ayano who still has not turned back.

“So that's it.”

Nanase nods heavily.

“No wonder you were so harsh to those people who tried to pick us up.”

“That's right. It is really tough to like someone like that.“

“But what a surprise, I never thought Ayano would like flippant guys like that.”

“...You two……”

Ayano turns slowly.

In a gentle, but equally chilling tone, she answers, “What are you two talking about?”

”What else?“

Yukari answers straightforwardly.

“Ayano, you like that guy right? Although it looks one-sided.”

”You……What makes you two think that way?”

”Just think about your reaction just now. No matter how we look at it, it is of 'a jealous girl seeing the guy she likes getting snatched away,' right?”

“There is no such thing! It is definitely not that way!!”

Ayano shouts out, blushing. Her voice is so loud it almost seems to reach as far as the eye can see.

“Ayano, you were too loud.”

Ignoring Yukari’s warning, Ayano furiously continues to say, “Why would I like that kind of lowlife?! That is the type of person I hate most in this world! If I could have, I would have sliced him into pieces!!”

“Then why are you angry?”

Yukari rebuts with a calm voice.

“If you really didn’t like him, then it doesn't matter who he sleeps with, right? What would there be to be angry about?”

“This……This is because…… That……

……I just cannot bear to see someone like Kazuma sleep with that kind of beauty! They are not at all compatible!”

Ayano grips her fist tightly and tries her best to explain, as the other two look at her with cold eyes.

(What do you think?)

(She doesn’t seem to be lying…… Could it be, she hasn’t even realized it herself?)

(If that's the case, then she is not just slow - there is something completely wrong with her……)

(But... that is just like Ayano.)

(Yeah that’s true.)

“You two! Don’t whisper among yourselves right in front of me!”

Getting shouted at by Ayano, Nanase swiftly straightens her body. Following this, she uses a very serious expression, like someone who is faking marriage just to grab a hold of the password to a credit card, in order to say, “Ah. Okay okay. I get it, you really hate that man.”

”Yup, completely understood.”

Yukari chimes in instantly. They are indeed Ayano’s best friends, their actions matching flawlessly.

Ayano’s expression reveals her continued suspicion.

“...Really?”

“Of course.”

”Fine then.”

Ayano nods, though her expression still shows displeasure. After everything has come to an end, and the two give a sigh of relief-

“Ah, that is the girl. Mister Hanagi.”

Those guys had chosen the worst possible time to appear.

“These are the ones?”

The man they called Hanagi points his finger towards the three and says...

“You guys were scared off by these three girls?”

“Because the girl in the middle has a really scary stare……”

”That girl is really arrogant. Please teach her some manners, Mister Go!”

The men who are saying these things are the punks, numbers one and two (temporarily named), who were driven off by Ayano earlier. It seems that because they were rejected so vehemently by Ayano, resentment arose, and so they found someone to help them take their revenge!

-- They cannot come any lower than that.

“We invited you so nicely to have some fun, and yet you told us to 'get lost'. That was really rude. Now apologize.”

“----------------------“

Ayano stares at the group of men, her eyes indicating that they are unworthy even of notice. Seeing those ice cold eyes, punks numbers one and two cannot help but retreat several steps, though Hanagi shows no sign of fear.

“That trick of yours won’t work! Mister Hanagi knows Shaolin fist techniques!”

“Please do it! Go Mister Hanagi!”

Numbers one and two cower behind Hanagi and continue to shout. Ignoring the two who are merely relying on Hanagi’s strength, Ayano stares at Hanagi alone.

As they have mentioned, the man before her eyes seems to have undergone a certain level of training. As he wears only a thin, sleeveless sweater under his leather coat, his protruding muscles can be clearly seen. It is a body specially made for combat.

“For a woman to be so arrogant, that is why you are having such an unlucky encounter. Don’t try to go against men from now on.”

Hanagi reaches his hand out in a rough manner, intending to grab Ayano’s chin to lift her face.

At the instant his fingertips touch her chin, Ayano moves swiftly.

She angles her body and moves forward, while at the same time dodging Hanagi’s hand. Into Hanagi’s defenseless chest, Ayano cleanly swings her bent left arm.

Ayano’s elbow strikes the lower region of Hanagi’s earlobe, where the jaw is. This is a sudden full-force attack, and a powerful strike that even contains “ki”. It would not be surprising even if his jaw fell off from his face.

Hanagi’s body flies into the air in a spiral. His legs, which have left the ground, tangle together like twisted bread, and subsequently spray outwards with reactive force.

Hanagi’s body keeps on spinning, and after a sickening three and a half round rotation, he naturally has a failed landing; his whole body flattened against the outer wall of a hotel.

Splat.

A wet sound propagated along the entire street. This was definitely not a sound made by a human body. If a freshly slaughtered piece of flesh, with blood still dripping, was smashed into a wall, it would probably make this kind of sound.

Several seconds after Hanagi has been hammered into the wall, he falls to the floor like a flattened cockroach.

On the red bricks of the hotel wall, a fluid even more red than the bricks forms an eerie human figure.

“Uh... uh~”

Seeing Hanagi, blood pouring out of seven holes and his body twitching, Nanase draws a cross towards the sky. Beside her, Yukari places her hands together and closes her eyes to pray.

“Huh…… Huh huh……”

”Mister Hanagi……”

The remaining two guys give voice to pitiful cries in tones that have reached the utmost limit of fear.

Ayano silently walks past the two men, who are unable to move their feet, and can only stand there like idiots.

She fires off two kicks at lightning speed. The tip of her foot hits right at the center between the legs of the two men.

“Argh!”

”Wah!”

The tip of her pointed shoe hits the pelvis, while the most important part is struck heavily. Ayano contemplates the two, now rolling on the floor in pain, with a pink foam of blood and spittle coming from their mouths, with disgust.

“How dirty!”

“Ah- Please send an ambulance over. There are three heavily wounded people.”

A cold voice comes from behind. Behind her, Nanase is using a public phone to contact 911. She reads out the number of the phone booth to inform the other party of the location.

“Please be quick, one of them doesn’t seem likely to make it.”

After that, she hangs up, ignoring their inquiries for her name. This action can be said to be very well-trained, for the reason she doesn’t use her own cellphone is to avoid leaving any trace.

“So, have you vented your anger?” Nanase asks Ayano calmly.

“……I did not do it purposely.”

Ayano pouts and replies unhappily, but the two do not believe her words.

They've known very well since the beginning that she has just been redirecting her anger at Kazuma. If she had not met Kazuma earlier, Ayano would not have been so cruel!

But, there is one thing they do not understand. Nanase leans in close to Yukari’s ear and quietly asks...

(By the way, is that guy really that good?)

(Hmm... I feel that he is above average, but……)

He does not seem like a man that would make Ayano feel jealous. That is the opinion of these two.

For though they have known her for a long time, they still do not know what the Kannagi do for a living, nor of the power that is within the bloodline.

These two will still have a few days to wait before witnessing for themselves the true power of Kazuma.

=== 2 === [kokolores: I did it up to the halfway point, so that part omostly requires just a proofread]

“Kazuma still has not arrived?”

“Why are you asking me?”

Ayano replies the chief of the Kannagi's, Juugo, question in a sour tone of voice. She appears to have drunk some alcohol, her eyes seem misty. [editor 1: trans said blank, but I've never heard of alcohol doing that. Misty or unfocused seem better to me]

Being stared by his daughter who radiates malcontent Jugo blinks.

“What is it between you and Kazuma again?”

”Nothing.”

Ayano puts the wine cup on the table with a bang.

“I hate that guy! I neither want to see his face nor hear his name ever again! That kind of guy can just go have a good time with some old woman!”

“...So that is it.”

Jugo can rouly guess what happened and decides not to probe any further.

“In celebration of the annihilation of the Fuga clan!”

“Cheers to Hyoue who is now roasting in hell suffering for all eternally!”

“Cheers!!”

Vulgar toasts abound. Everyone seems quite exuberant and is continuously chinking their cups with their neighbours.

The cause is something which happened about a week ago. The subordinates of the Kannagi, the Fuga clan had suddenly revolted.

The leader of the Fuga clan, Hyoue Kazamaki, had allowed his son Ryuya to be possessed by a powerful youma and many of the Kannagi had been killed.

The ones who had fought them, were the members from the Kannagi main family, Ayano and Ren. And Ren’s brother, who had been exiled due to his lack of flame abilities and had eventually become a wind technician, Kazuma Yagami.

After a fierce battle, the three finally had defeated Hyoue and Ryuya. On the fourth day after that, tonight, a banquet for their victory is held.

The banquet is unlike any before. Almost everyone in the Kannagi clan who is free is currently gathered in the main residence. Everyone has joined the banquet happily, and is raising their cups in celebration of the annihilation of their hateful enemy..

This type of reaction comes as no surprise. [kokolores: using exaggerated might make sense but I think this fits better]For these people, who claim to be the strongest, Hyoue and Ryuya are entities that couldn't be allowed to exist.

The fact that they had been able to possess youma beyond their powers alone is unforgivable. Furthermore, they had been of the Fuga clan. A group of low level technicians they had stepped on for a long period of time.

To fear weaklings like the Fuga clan to such an extend they had had to go into hiding. To them, that is a humiliation that can never be cleansed.

However, since the Fuga clan is now completely destroyed, their shame is now forgotten. In their joy, it isn't so weird at all for them to go slightly overboard in their celebration

“Hmph! For the dog to forget who had raised and fed them and to go even so far as to bite his masters hand! Those ungrateful bastards!” {[actual text says to feed and raise them to their size(like a dog/animal) and to even bite us back] kokolores: then why not use it?}

“How dare they resist us? Us, who are blessed by the Spirit Lord! What an outrage!”

“Cheers to Fuga clan’s demise!”

“Cheers!”

The cups meet all around the tables, and everyone downs their cups in one go. Just as the banquet approaches its climax, Kazuma appears.

“Mister Kazuma has arrived.”

As the servant announces it, all the noise in the hall quiets down instantly.

Amidst the silence, a youth walks past the paper door that the servant opened, and steps into the hall with confident steps.

Unfriendly eyes gather upon this youth who walks in without a word. Just for the record, among them, the one who bears the greatest hatred are Ayano’s eyes, but let’s leave this matter aside for now.

Actually, it is not without reason that this man is so despised by them. The Kannagi had over fifty technicians before the battle with the Fuga clan, yet there are only little more than thirty at the scene now. The total number of deaths and injured personals amounts to more than twenty.

Seven dead and the rest are all injured in various severity. Those seven were the ones Ryuya attacked. The only ones.

In other words the other casualties are the work of Kazuma. Everyone who is gathered here has family members which have been sent to the hospital all because of Kazuma. Under such circumstances it is only natural that they do not put up a smiling face to welcome him.

Their hateful looks glance off Kazuma who acts as if they weren't even there. That kind of attitude only increases their hatred for him.

This is the kind of feeling one gets from being belittled by someone whom they had looked down upon in the past. Needless to say that Kazuma completely ignores their presence. He obviously seems to regard them as not even worthy to be belittled. No matter how much Jugo tries to fend for him, the negative feelings towards Kazuma only strengthen further.

Kazuma nods towards the only one who smiles at him, Ren, and then bows before

“Sorry, I am late.”

“Don’t mind at all, I am the one who forced you to join us.”

Jugo smiles and forgives Kazuma’s tardiness, and tells Kazuma to sit beside him. In short order wine and dainties are placed before his eyes.

“Welcome back, brother!”

Ren runs over, and hugs his brother’s arm tightly like a spoiled little puppy. Kazuma does not reject him, on the contrary he reaches his hand out to caress his brother’s head. However he does not reply 'I am back'.

Because this place, has for a long time not been Kazuma's, Kazuma Yagami’s, home.

Ren does not seem to notice Kazuma’s thoughts at all, and serves him diligently.

“Ah, let me pour the wine for you.”

“...Okay.”

Kazuma takes the cup up with his hands, but puts it back on the table without drinking a single drop.

Ren questions hesitantly

“Brother, you do not drink?”

“I am not thirsty.”

Ren looks at the untouched food.

“I am not hungry.”

”...”

Ren feels puzzled, and lifts his eyes to look at his brother.

Kazuma looks straight ahead ignoring Ren.

“Erm…… Err……”

“……Brother?”

Kazuma is still staring forward like before, and does not talk to Ren. Despite that, just the feeling from that warm hand is enough to satisfy Ren. Leaning against his brother’s body, Ren closes his eyes and shows a peaceful smile.

To Kazuma, the Kannagi residence is still enemy territory. Not only can he not eat any food placed before him, no matter how relaxed the others look, he must not let his guard down even for an instant

That is why Kazuma notices immediately when a young woman approaches him.

He deliberately doesn't move, observing her as if nothing undue is happening, waiting for her to take action.

The young woman is around twenty years old and wears a kimono. She seems to be used to wearing one, her actions do not look awkward in any way.

Her hairstyle, rather than saying it is a blunt blob, it is more like a round and simple hairstyle [actual text:西瓜皮頭, direct translation a head that is like watermelon skin? ^^”] with its sides cut evenly. [kokolores: isn't that what is usually called a bob? a simple haircut with the sides cut evenly?]Together with small cute cheeks, she is a beautiful typical Japanese style woman that would make one think of the outdated appellation “Yamato Nadeshiko”. {[term used for beautiful woman? Perfect woman? Not too sure…] kokolores: yep that's right. You've got to watch more anime XD}

“If I recall…… You are Ogami……”

“My name is Misao Ogami. I've been ordered to take care of Mister Kazuma. If you have any needs, please just inform me.”[she addresses herself in a very lowly manner]

“...Oh?”

Kazuma uses his fingertips to hold Miaso’s chin and lifts her face up. Looking at the nervous expression on her Kazuma smiles and asks teasingly..

“Even in the night?”

Faced with such a direct allusion, Miaso blushes and her eyes shift downwards. [editor1: seduction doesn't really fit, but allusion is also less than perfect in my opinion] Even though she's embarassed, she does not try to escape from Kazuma’s hand. She murmurs in hardly a whisper

“If...that is your wish."

Seeing that Misao is not resisting, Kazuma’s face closes in even more. At this moment, Kazuma as if repelled leans back suddenly.

A ray of red lightning pierces through where Kazuma’s head had been. With a loud thunk, something is embedded into the pillar diagonally behind Kazuma

The furious girl with a rage that is incomparable needless to say is Ayano. Kazuma does not even bother to look at her, but instead turns his head back.

A long thin red stick is stabbed on the pillar. Ayano’s chopstick.

The chopstick that does not possess a sharp end and yet half of it sank into the pillar. Estimating the strength when she threw it with Kazuma laughs.

Ayano stalks towards Kazuma and raises her hand for a karate chop aiming at Kazuma’s hand, which has been placed on Misao’s face all the while. Seeing a chop that has the strength to even break thirty tiles[瓦片], he quickly retracts his hand.

Ayano stares with murder in her eyes at Kazuma who has a smile on his face and then slowly walks next to Misao.

“Misao, what are you thinking! Why ruin your life for scum like that!?”

“Huh…… Ermm…… Sorry.”

under such an aggressive aura, Misao can’t help but apologize. Seeing such a happy scene, Kazuma puts on a hurt expression on purpose. [kokolores: what's happy about that scene?]

“Why are you making me sound so bad.”

“I was just telling the truth, wasn’t I? You already have a girlfriend. How dare you still lay your hands on other girls? you jerk!”

“Girlfriend? I don’t have any.”

“Liar! That one earlier...“

“If you mean Kirika, we are not of that kind of relationship. She is just-“

“Just your sexfriend, right?”

Ayano finishes Kazuma's sentence in an unnaturally gentle tone. Even though her face shows a smile, if one looks more closely, one realizes that her temples are pulsing with anger.

Observing her expression, Kazuma smiles at her understanding and says..

“Yup, you can put it that way too.”

An enraged spiritual energy bursts out from Ayano’s whole body, her body subconsciously enters battle mode.

“Miss Ayano.”

However, she is stopped just before she can explode. Confronted with Misao’s appeal, Ayano unwillingly is forced to hold back her murderous intent.

“Please, don’t be angry. It was Mister Kazuma who avenged my brothers. To repay this debt, this kind of thing is nothing..."

“You should be grateful to me instead!”

Ayano proudly says..

“This guy fought because it is his job! We have already paid him enough to reward him! There is no need to thank him. You have a problem with that?”

That last line is of course, directed at Kazuma.

“Nope, that is largely true.”

Kazuma admits frankly.

“I do not know what this fiery lass did that you should be grateful for, but at the very least there is no need to thank me. Leaving Masato and Takeshi aside, you can consider half of the blame to be mine that Takeya died.”

Hearing such a shocking statement, a commotion erupts around them.

With a group of people making so much noise it is only natural that they attract notice. Their bickering had become the main focus of attention and to hear such an alarming statement makes everyone prick their ears and listen quietly.

“What do you mean?”

Ayano asks in a sharp tone. Kazuma brushes off her intensity like a thick-skinned willow tree does the wind and smiles.[kokolores: changed that sentence quite a bit, better check if the meaning is still the same]

“Even though the one to kill him was Ryuya, he had already been defeated before by me. Ryuya only split the unconscious Takeya apart. Well, I guess even if he had still been conscious then, the result should not have been any different.”

Kazuma says in a nonchalant manner, and then shifts his eyes back to Misao. He faces the bowed down Misao, whose expression cannot be seen and reassures her gently..

“So, you see? You don’t have to be so courteous, how about taking that out from your sleeve?”

[[Image:Kaze no Stigma vol 02 039.jpg|thumb]]
At the instant Kazuma finishes his sentence, Misao moves suddenly. Her foot forcefully stomping on the tatami, she pulls out the dagger which had been hidden in her sleeve all along.

“Ah……Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!”

Screaming wildly, the dagger gripped tightly in her hands Misao jumps into Kazuma’s chest.

[kokolores: I got up to here ]

In that moment, everyone stood there motionless. Even though everyone in the hall witnessed the scene, but it appears they are unable to understand its meaning in time, all are at a loss of what to do.

Misao and Kazuma stood there, without flinching. Looking like a pair of intimate lovers, the both of them silently hugging together.

“Ka……Kazuma?”

Ayano’s shivering voice called out the name of the man she hates the most.

He did not reply.

“Kazuma!? Ans…… Answer me quickly! Kazuma------Kazuma!!”

“What?”

Kazuma suddenly raised his head, and answered as if nothing happened. He uses his fingertips to pincer the dagger that should have been in Misao’s hands, and raises it before his eyes wavering it.

“…………!”

Maybe because she relaxed, Ayano falls down on the floor, still in shock and shouts loudly..

“If…… If you heard me at least make a sound! I thought you died!”

“Is there anything troubling to you about my death?”

“That…… That……”

Ayano is unable to speak at that instant. She tries her best to stop all the blood in her body from gathering at her face, and at the same time working hard to come up with a reason to rebut him.

“I…… I don’t want Misao to become a murderer.”

“That makes sense.”

“That is right!”

(---------?)

Ayano nods to agree, but feels that Kazuma’s reaction doesn’t seem right somehow. But at the same time she cannot say for sure what is it that is wrong.

Ignoring Ayano who is troubled over this, Kazuma places his eyes upon Misao who fell on him.

“So are you still angry?”

”--------------!”

Misao forcefully pushes Kazuma away, and then with this force jumps backwards. She pulls a distance, and then use eyes filled with extreme hatred to stare at Kazuma tightly.

But, Kazuma does not seem to mind those eyes at all, he calmly leaves Misao’s line of sight, and passes the dagger in his hand to Ayano.

“Take it.”

“Ah, okay.”

She takes it reflectively, and then looks closely at the dagger.

The blade of the dagger is about ten centimeters long, it would be just nice to peel an apple with it. There seems to be no poison on it either.

(…… Did she think that such a fruit knife can kill Kazuma?)

What a foolish action. Ayano feels a deep regret over her anxiousness earlier.

At this point of time, the other people are finally beginning to make noise again. But none of them stepped out to arrest Misao, because all of the people in the branch family feel the same way Misao does.

(------What about father?)

Ayano looks towards Jugo.

“What is the matter?”

“What do you mean by “what is the matter”? Don’t just look, think of something.”

“------Hmm……”

Jugo looks around at the accident area with cold eyes.

“Kazuma.”

“Ah ah?”

“If you do not wish to deal with her, shall I punish Misao for you?”

Even though his tone seems calm, but the content is equivalent to “if you want to kill her, just do it.” Jugo is usually kind and well-tempered, but he is not so kind to forgive someone who tried to commit murder.

Yet, Kazuma’s reply is totally unexpected.

“I think that this is not so far as to require punishment, there is not much loss anyway, let’s just let her go!”

Hearing this reply, Jugo shows a somewhat surprised expression, and Ayano’s puzzled look can be seen easily by anyone.

Ayano finally realizes why she felt something was strange earlier now, because the fact that Misao is still alive, is by itself something that doesn’t make sense.

On the battlefield, Kazuma would not care about anything else. Even if it is just a little girl, even if she is not of her own free will, being threatened or manipulated to do it, Kazuma would not go easy on her.

If it was according to Kazuma’s habits, after he dodges the attack------ No, at the instant the dagger is drawn, Misao’s head should have landed on the ground by then.

(But this…… What is going on?)

Filled with questions, Ayano begins to look at the two.

Misao looks weak and pale. Though her eyes still bear hatred, but it seems she does not have the strength to act again.

Her original field of expertise is to defend a seal or to act as support at the back, and is not a Jutsushi that fights at the frontline. Even though her abilities is not that weak, but her personality is not suitable for battle.

Not to mention killing, this may even be the first time she is holding a knife and pointing it at someone. Her mentality to resist hurting someone is actually no different from a normal person's. Even though she acted from impulse, but after failing she should not have the guts to do it again.

Kazuma lowers his head and looks at Misao silently. Those eyes do not carry warmth, but it shows no unpleasant feelings either.

This is too abnormal, too weird! And------ This makes me feel very unhappy!

“What is the meaning of this------“

“So be it, since you said so, I have no reason to punish her either.”

Jugo stops Ayano who lost her mind, and makes a simple conclusion.

“But we cannot allow you to stay here either, go back and reflect upon yourself for a while!”

With that, he orders someone by his side to take Misao away. But Misao struggles to get rid of those hands that are about to catch her.

“Why!?”

Ignoring the men who looks troubled by her struggling, Misao stares at Kazuma and shouts..

“Why did brother die!?”

“Because he was too weak.”

Kazuma says so very bluntly.

“-------------!!”

The hall is filled with rage in an instant. Misao is not the only one who feels that Kazuma caused the death of their family. To these people, Kazuma’s words has gone way beyond their level of tolerance.

“You asshole------!!”

Ayano stands up angrily. She is so angry her face is flushed red, placing her hands at her hips she stares at Kazuma angrily.

“What the hell is wrong with you! Can’t you differentiate between what can be said, and what cannot be said!? What do you mean by “because he is too weak”? Don’t joke around! Is it because you have become strong now, that you forgot how you felt when you were weak!?”

Against Ayano who kept on talking, Kazuma shows no sign of remorse at all, instead he looks coldly at her.

“Looks like you still don’t understand.”

He then looks around at the people who are staring at him angrily.

“Why are you all putting on the looks of a victim?”

“What…… What do you mean by that?”

Kazuma’s eyes sweep across the room once more, all he see is puzzled yet still angry expressions. Once again confirming that no one understood what he meant, he sighs.

“I don’t know if you guys have ever wondered, why did the Fuga clan have to revolt?”

”What do you mean by why…… Of course it is to awake their God?”

“No.”

Kazuma denies instantly and clearly.

“That is just a method, just one of the powers needed to go against the Kannagi.”

“Then why don’t you tell us the reason then?”

Ayano asks without even thinking, Kazuma gives Ayano a supercilious look.

“……These people of the Fuga clan, they are definitely not a group of useless waste. Instead, you can even call them skilled Fu-Jutsushi. Even though their combat abilities are very weak, but the natural characteristics of wind is not to battle in the first place.”

In terms of attack power, among the four main powers of earth, water, fire and wind, needless to say, the weakest is wind.

This is because it is the lightest.

No matter how fast it is, light attacks do not possess the strength to kill at one go.

I believe everyone has had the experience of being cut by a piece of paper before. With enough speed and if coordinated well with time, even a flimsy piece of paper can become a blade.

Yet, it can only cut until the surface of skin and flesh. A slash without weight, is unable to cut off flesh and bones all at one go.

The weight of water and earth is way beyond wind, and fire possesses a large amount of energy. If they are to fight against these powers, a Fu-Jutsushi must summon and control spirits a few times more than them.

Precisely because of that, the role that Fu-Jutsu is to use its mobility to undergo searching, tracking, and controlling surrounding air to give battle support. The Fuga clan can actually be said as an extremely typical example of Fu-Jutsushi.

“The Kannagi that is born with combating capabilities, and the Fuga clan that excels at information collecting and battle support. To make up for each other’s inability, to coexist peacefully and equally, this should be the most ideal way of interaction.”

Kazuma uses the side of his eye to observe Jugo, he is showing a bitter expression, he is the only one at the scene that can understand how true Kazuma’s words are.

“But, you only know how to use combat capabilities as the standard, and look down on the Fuga clan which has no combat abilities. Without the Fuga clan, you would not even know where the enemy is.”

“What you are trying to say is------ Because we have always looked down on the Fuga clan, that is why we deserve to be killed by them?”

Ayano pouts in unhappiness. But Kazuma shakes his head to deny that.

“I never said that what you did is wrong. The strong is always right, that is the unwavering truth.”

”Then……”

“But, at the same time as you execute the right to crush the weak, you must also bear the duty to be crushed by people who are even stronger, even if you are killed you should have no complaints, as that is what you have been doing in the past.”

“…………!”

Ayano’s expression changes drastically. She seems to have realized what Kazuma is trying to say.

“Just because the Fuga clan is 'too weak,' that is why you all look down on them. Just because you are 'too weak' that is why you are crushed by Ryuya. This is a very simple logic.”

This is not a question of who is right and who is wrong. Since both sides believes in the “law of power”, in the end only the strong survive. That is all that is.

“If you people have acknowledged everything that you have done towards the Fuga clan, then the Fuga clan can also only acknowledge what they did to you. To crush the weak, does it not allow you to be crushed by people even stronger than you? Who do you think you are?”

This merciless accusation, reaches the ears of everyone present like the roar of thunder. But it fails to touch their arrogant hearts.

“This, I am unable to accept.”

A voice of disagreement appears. It is from a place very close to Jugo’s seat of honor [上座].

“Mister Kazuma, your opinion seems to have neglected one very important thing.”

The man uses a dogmatic[桀骛不逊] attitude and tone to say. He is Ogami Masayuki------ The chief of the Ogami family, at the same time he is Misao’s father. But he does not seem to care about his daughter who has her head lowered, and is keeping quiet.

“The price of life is definitely not equal. We are blessed by the spirits, we are a clan that was chosen. You put us and the Fuga clan that kind of lowlifes on the same level, that is very surprising, not to mention it is------“

He uses a furious expression to stare at Kazuma, as if Kazuma is the killer of his son.

“Not to mention to give those rubbish the right to kill us!”

Hearing Masayuki’s words, Kazuma gives a cold smile and answers.

“Who is it that was chosen?”

“------What?”

“These words, why don’t you wait till you have power similar to Ayano before saying it! To hear a weakling boast about his bloodline, how pathetic. It is as if you have nothing else except for your bloodline.”

“You…… You asshole……!”

Masayuki became agitated instantly. In comparison, Kazuma’ mocking attitude still has not changed.

“By the way, you should be thanking Hyoue instead!”

“------?”

“He helped to get rid of Masato, who is a nuisance in your eyes. At least go pay respect and light an incense for him!”

“……!You…… What did you just say……!”

Ogami Masayuki’s younger brother------ Ogami Masato. When he was alive, he was known as the strongest Jutsushi in the branch family. Everyone believes that, if he did not leave his home to train as he hates to fight with his brother over the place of chief back then, he would be the one to be chief.

Seeing the shook Masayuki, Kazuma says as if taunting him.

“------ It is a nuisance to have a younger brother that is more elite than yourself isn’t it?”

“Damn…… Damn you asshole!!”

Masayuki’s face changes colour suddenly, and shouts out. He stands up from the tatami, and use blood red eyes to stare at Kazuma.

This time, there is an almost unavoidable tension between the two. The killing intents form a whirlpool, and gather towards Kazuma who is still sitting at his original location.

At this moment------ Ren who was leaning against Kazuma’s shoulder moved. He wriggles his upper body, his whole body stuck on Kazuma tightly like a hug. As if trying to stop Kazuma------ But it looks as though he has no strength at all.

Seeing this, Ayano suddenly begin to have a question in her mind.

(This kid…… Since when did he begin to be so quiet?)

Even when Misao took a knife to stab Kazuma, she did not hear Ren’s voice. No matter how much faith he has in his brother’s strength, it is unnatural that he did not scream in shock at all.

Under everyone’s stare, Ren’s upper body slides down slowly along Kazuma’s body. He places his face on Kazuma’s leg, and after a few seconds like this------

“Hmm…… Brother……”

“So he is asleep!”

Ayano can’t help but spoke.

Before the blissful dream talking, the originally tense atmosphere disperses in an instant.

“……………………”

Due to his imposing attitude being weakened greatly, Masayuki sits down once again. His expression is solemn, but no long has the mood to maintain his anger.

Masayuki’s reaction does not matter to Kazuma, as he had never placed him in his eye since the beginning.

“Chief.”

”……Yes.”

Jugo understands everything very well, and because of that, his voice sounds abnormally bitter.

“It is impossible to dream of these guys reflecting upon themselves. But please do not forget, it is the Kannagi’s arrogance that sparked this fight. If there are no changes, the same thing will just keep repeating itself.

“…… I understand.”

“Good.”

Kazuma lifts Ren’s head, and places him on Ayano’s leg.

“------Kazuma?”

“There is nothing left for me here, I am going back.”

With this sentence, Kazuma leaves the residence without even looking back.

<noinclude>
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|-
| Back to [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume1_Epilogue|Volume 1]]
| Return to [[Kaze_no_Stigma|Main Page]]
| Forward to [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume2_Chapter2|Chapter 2]]
|-
|}
</noinclude>

Kaze no Stigma:Volume1 Chapter6

2008-07-29T21:42:51Z

Kokolores: /* 3 */

== Chapter Six- Decisive Battle ==

=== 1 ===
Shaaaaaaaaaaaa…….. (sound of rustling leaves, need help with that once more…)

The forest rustled with unease. Those were the sounds made by the animals which ran away with all their might when they felt the immense youki.
The bugs that had no way of sensing the danger were unable to withstand the abnormal pressure and disappeared without a trace. Even those animals that came in contact with the youki and were unable to escape in time died instantly. The sound of their corpses raining out of the trees and littering the forest floor could be heard. Though there were no external wounds, they all had died instantly.

Then, all sounds ceased. All the youki within Ryuya was released, just its mere existence had spread death around the world.

Facing Ryuya who stood there silently, Ayano took up Enraiha. But lifting it was all she could do. She was unable to make even a single step towards him. The youki which felt as if it could almost freeze her blood, made her unable to move. And no matter what she did, she couldn't stop her knees from trembling.

An immense fear had gripped Ayano’s soul. It was difficult enough to just force herself to stand there without running away, to advance would have been impossible.

Inheriting Enraiha at the age of twelve, when she was still so young might have been a mistake, because of it Ayano has never fought an enemy more powerful than herself. For someone who always defeated her enemies with brute strength, there was no way to control herself when the situation was reversed. [to learn to control her actions in battle, but actual text has more of a unable to learn how to move in or out in times of combat?: 將不可能學會戰鬥時的應對進退 Not sure how to translate it properly]

To put it simply after she suffered her first defeat, Ayano has not been able to find the guts to go up against Ryuya.

“What are you doing? Go on!”

Kazuma said to the trembling Ayano.

“Don’t worry! I am with you.”

”How can I not worry!”

Ayano rebutted angrily. "How dare this man say “Don’t worry” so simply?"

“There is no reason to run now, is there? So I won't run away this time. Trust me.”

Who can trust someone who said “he would run if there was a reason”? Ayano stared back to see Kazuma smile deviously like a trickster.

“This…… This is the last time. If you dare to betray me again, I will kill you, before I die!”

“No problem, I swear to God.”

“……God? Which one?”

Ayano looked at him suspiciously look without concealing it, but Kazuma continued to show that smile that couldn't be trusted and replied.

”Who knows? Whichever God doesn’t matter! I am a non-believer after all.”

Ayano no longer had the strength to remain angry at this and murmered, her voice heavy with resignation

”……Enough. I'll leave the support to you.”

”Leave it to me.”

Ignoring Kazuma’s mocking salute, Ayano dashed forward. Though she didn't - and probably won't ever - realize it, the fear which had controlled her had been greatly reduced by this meaningless chat.

Ayano ran towards Ryuuya, but as her target is just a few steps away Ryuya suddenly takes off into the air.

“……Huh?”

Looking at Ryuya who flew past above her, Ayano gave a sound of shock.

“Idiot! Don’t get avoided so easily!”

”You…… Even if you say this……”

Completely ignoring Ayano, Ryuya aimed straight for Kazuma and as he descended he releases wind blades at a rapid speed. Kazuma created a strong up flow of air to cancel the black winds.

But this is but just a feint, the true attack uses a strength beyond human limits. A slice executed by claws. Raised high above his head, the originally hidden right claw suddenly lashed out.

That attack could easily rip through a human body as though it was cutting a piece of tofu (bean curd). Kazuma moved forward at an angle and dodged it barely. At the same time he placed his hand lightly on the back of the enemy’s right arm, and slightly changed its path.

His attack striking only at empty air, caused Ryuya to lose his balance and Kazuma immediately took the opportunity to use his knee to strike at the side of the enemy’s abdomen aiming for his liver. The power of Ryuya's own momentum, together with a strong explosion of Kazuma's “ki” focussed at a single point point made Ryuya’s body arc like a bow and threw him back into the air. Following the flying body closely, just before it touched the ground, Kazuma used his elbow to strike the enemy’s chin. Ryuya’s head was thrown so far backwards, that he can almost see his own back.

If had been a normal human, no, even if it had been someone as powerful as a wrestler, he would have died instantly from such a violent attack. However to the demonized Ryuya, it barely did any damage. In midflight Ryuya used his momentum and raised his right knee, aiming straight for Kazuma’s jaws.

Even though the attack came out of a blind spot, for Kazuma who was synchronized with the wind spirits, there was no such thing. He stepped forward leaned to the left to avoid the knee grabbed the front of Ryuya’s shirt and at the same time swept his left leg horizontally.

In a masterful example of judo, [actual text: 柔道的大內割動作完美地呈現, not sure how to translate大內割] Ryuya’s body was flipped over. With Ryuya's head about to fall flat on the ground, Kazuma struck with his palm. Not to punch, but to press downwards. He consistently bent down to press the enemy’s head straight into the ground, a comfortable reaction went through his shoulder.

However, Kazuma did not feel Ryuya’s skull cracking. Realizing instantly that he has not given his enemy a fatal blow Kazuma used his foot to crush Ryuya’s head, who lay on the ground facing the sky. The kick landed on Ryuya's crossed arms as he blocked Kazuma's attack.

”Chut!” [actual text 嘖.]

Kazuma quickly kicked away the arm that is about to grab his other leg, and jumped backwards to put distance between them.

(To not even faint after such a fierce attack, does attacking the brain have no effect on him? To just what extent is he demonized?……)

Kazuma grumbled unhappily. As if he was beating up a steel statue, he felt as though he had accomplished nothing. Ryuya quickly jumped up directly from his lying down position. This action was way beyond what a human could do, just like a zombie in the movies.

Ryuya released countless wind blades as he got up, and then at a speed even faster than the wind blades, struck at Kazuma. The wind blades and his claws reached Kazuma at the same time.

“Guahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!”

At the same time as the shout, Kazuma forcefully stretched out towards the right arm that was swing at him. The wind formed a whirlpool spinning rapidly, as if that hand squeezed them out. The rapid flow of air became a shockwave, destroying the wind blades, and Ryuya was blown back into the airlike a puppet.

It seemed for a moment as if he was unable to take this blow, but then Ryuya adjusted his posture in the air and hovering at a fixed altitude began to retreat slowly.

“Don’t even think about escaping!”

Kazuma knocked the air above Ryuya downwards. The figure that was originally gliding away slowly, suddenly dived at a sharp angle, as if swatted down by something. And with a speed way beyond a free falling object hit the ground. Ryuya was barely able to land on his two feet, but his whole body was unable to move, stuck to the ground due to the great air pressure.

As Ryuya stood there paralyzed, Kazuma quickly closed the distance.

The wind that was blowing downwards forcefully didn't not seem to lay a finger upon Kazuma. Kazuma instead seemed as though he was drawn into it, and ran quickly inside the raging winds without hindrance.

“How…… powerful, that guy is actually so powerful……”

Ayano was totally taken in by the scene in front of her eyes, completely mesmerized by the sight of Kazuma fighting. She had been unable to even land a hit upon Ryuya and yet Kazuma can fight on an even level with or even a higher one than Ryuya. Skillfully avoiding the attacks of the opponent, retaliating with perfectly timed counters, and accumulating the damage done slowly. This is, she realized what it means to be called “an experienced fighter”.

Forgetting that she was in the fight as well, Ayano stood there enraptured, her eyes solely focussed on Kazuma.

“------------------------------!”

As Kazuma was just a few steps away, Ryuya who was still trapped in the ground gave a silent roar. Black wind started to rampage and broke the bonds that had restrained him just before.

In the same movement as he straightened his knees, he stretched his claws out towards the incoming Kazuma, aiming straight for Kazuma’s throat, who was running directly at him, executing an insane counterattack.

Kazuma, however, did not stop, but instead as he made his last step, he bent down as much as possible. Using the far ends of his conscious to that the pitch black claws have passed before him, he placed his palm against Ryuya’s abdomen----his diaphragm. [Don't know what the far ends of conscious thing is supposed to mean]

Kazuma’s stepped onto the ground with firmly, from there gathering the power which went past his knees straight to his waist, and from the waist to his shoulders, like a spiral and continued to become stronger as it continued to be transmitted. From his shoulder to the front portion of his arm, after all the energy in his body has gathered, it was released through his palm to the front. At the same time, an immense “ki” was released from his body throughout his palm, dense enough that it felt as if it could just pierce through the enemy.

“Hah!”

Accompanying the shout, a force so great it could blow even an African elephant to pieces, exploded right at Ryuya’s diaphragm, the core of a human’s central nerve system. Ryuya’s body was blasted away with so much power that he ended up imbedded into a stone wall.

The “ki” of a person revolved around the whole body beginning from the diaphragm. Therefore, this place was the most fatal of all fatal areas for a Jutsushi. Once the flow of “ki” was disrupted, no matter how powerful the Jutsushi might be, he would be unable to cast any Jutsu for some time. That should have been the case, had it been a human being.

Huuuuu!! [actual text 咻咻!! Sound of wind?]

“Muah!”

Ryuya didn't look injured at all as he released those fast wind blades again. Kazuma barely dodged in the nick of time, and hurriedly put some distance between the two.

“Damn! Bastard! That didn’t work! That guy really whole-heartedly doesn’t want to be human anymore!”

“…… whole-heartedly…… What kind of description is that……”

Hearing Ayano’s sub-conscious rebut, Kazuma shouted out loud..

“Don’t just stand there and watch the show! You are the striker, aren't you? So why don’t you grab your big torch and go beat him upfront!”

“Big……”

(Big torch------?)

To use such a rude way to describe the treasure of the Kannagi clan------

“You, I'll have a talk with you about this once this is over!”

Ignoring Ayano’s furious look, Kazuma waved his hand to hush her..

“Don’t talk so much, attack “Little kitten”. “

Even though her eyes burned with a strong killing intent, Ayano stepped forward in response. Perhaps reflecting upon her anger, Enraiha shone with a glaring glow unlike any before.

(Sister, you can do it……) [Actual text is more of gambate]

Ren prayed devoutely for the victory of the two.

He could only pray now, since he didn't possess enough “power” to participate in this battle.

His inability to help deeply hurting his heart, Ren murmured..

”If only I had more power……”

”No no, your bit of power is just right.”

”!?”

Ren looked back in shock, and stared towards where there shouldn't have been anyone.

“To break the seal placed upon our “God”, that bit of power is enough.”

The voice sounded like it came from the opposite direction as just before. Ren turned his head once more, and called out in a rising tone..

“It…… it is you, Hyoue! Come out now!”

Shaaaaa, the sound of bushes ruslting in the wind, this time from the left. Out of Ren's raised palm fire began to erupt in a rapid flow.

In a short moment, the withered plants caught fire and burned furiously, but there was no sign of Hyoue there. Ren looked around frantically and Hyoue coarse voice again sounded in Ren’s ears..

“Your strength isn't bad, at all. It's just that you are still a kid. Your technique is too poor!”

”Shut……Shut up------------!”

Flames emerged from Ren’s body. In order to not allow the enemy to move to his back, he began to search for Hyoue as his body was surrounded by flames, but------

(I can’t find his presence!)

He had completely no idea where Hyoue was. Originally, En-Jutsushis were a bit overpowered in their combat abilities. Even though their attacking strength was the best, their sensing abilities were among the weakest, much worse than Fu-Jutsushis.

As an En-Jutsushi, Ren was not mature enough, and was unable to see through the Jutsu that the experienced Fu-Jutsushi Hyoue used to conceal himself.

“Still too immature. A flame of that level is unable to extinguish the hatred within me.”

Hyoue once again whispered by his ear. Though the direction from which he heard was just behind him, but he could not sense his presence at all.

“Behind? Whe……Where!”

He turned back several times, but he always failed to see Hyoue. No matter how swift he may be, the voice from his back never stopped.

“Over here!”

”Over here!”

”Over here!”

.------Over here------Over here------Over here------Over here------

This line continues to repeat itself like an echo. The uneasiness from being unable to see his enemy and the uprising fear and nervousness upon him fighting in an actual battle, stretched Ren’s mind to the limit.

“Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!”

Driven by fear, he desired power. The power to eliminate the enemy. The power that can destroy “Everything”, that can make him feel afraid------

In response to Ren’s scream, fire's erupted everywhere. The flame spirits that were being released indefinitely obeying only their own purpose of survival and rampage, burned everything to ashes.

Everything the flames touched was burnt, the forest became a sea of flames, with mighty pillars of fire that went all the way into the sky, shaking the grounds.

“Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!”

Ren who had panicked after losing control, just like his name, attempted to create a Hell on Earth. [Ren attempts to create a 煉獄 on Earth, and Ren’s name is 煉] He went beyond the limits of his power, and continued to summon a massive amount of spirits. The trees became ashes under the extreme heat, and the already scorched land began to melt.

“Ahhhhhh……ah?”

But just at this moment, a cold gush of wind blew past Ren’s body.

The gush of wind cooled his head and Ren’s madness calmed down in an instant. The youth looked dumbfoundedly at the direction the wind came from.

Kazuma was looking attentively at Ren. Basked in those clear eyes, Ren returned to normal completely this time.

(He is looking at me------!)

Kazuma looked at him with infinite trust.

“Brot------“

(Brother!)

But, right after the short instant that Kazuma’s eyes met with Ren’s, Kazuma shifted his eyes away and focused on the battle with Ryuya without looking back again.

Ren felt very disappointed for a moment, but finally remembered what he should do. He calmed his breathing, and prepared to take on the enemy’s assault.

“You seem to have been abandoned by your brother.”

Hyoue’s voice rings mockingly from behind his ear. But Ren, his head clear once again, knew that the enemy wasn't at his back, it was just a distraction with his Jutsu to use the wind to bring his voice to Ren’s ears. This was a very basic technique everyone in the Fuga clan knew, such a simple fact, and yet he hadn't noticed. Ren was ashamed at how immature he was.

“But he can't be blamed for that. Those two can't win against Ryuya even if they work together. There is no way he can take the time to protect someone as useless as you.”

Ho! Ho! Ho!

Hearing the eerie laughter by his ear, didn't affected Ren this time. He calmly detected the presence, and at the same time denied the nonsense that Hyoue was babbling.

“You are wrong.”

”What is wrong?”

He replied calmly. Hyoue had no doubt that he was in control of the situation. He might even be thinking that he is not fighting, but hunting! Just playing around with his prey before making the kill. This was the weak spot Ren grasped at.

“My Brother, he did not abandon me. It is because he believes in me, believes that I am more than enough to deal with scum like you.”

“What daring words. For a little punk like you who cannot even find out where I am, how are you going to defeat me?”

Indeed, in terms of detecting capabilities, fire users were far weaker than wind users. Unlike flames, air was everywhere. One of the conditions for a human to survive, the one that occupies the most space is air. The difference in the space occupied, directly affects the amount of information obtained.

(But, if it is now------)

The flames that Ren had released when he had gone berserk, had burnt the trees in the area, and continued to burn fiercely. The density of fire spirits had increased to a state that goes beyond logical reasoning. If it was in a situation like this, he was not any worse than a Fu-Jutsushi. Ren closed his eyes, and opened his ears to listen to the spirits’ voice.

“What’s wrong? You want to beat someone like me and yet you seem to be taking quite a bit of time?”

Sounds of mockery came from everywhere. A wind blade passed by his cheek, and flew straight ahead. Ren let go of everything completely, and synchronizes himself with the spirits.

His five senses disappeared, and slowly switched to the senses of the spirits. Not relying on light, not relying on sound, but instead relying on the “theurgy” that a human couldn't sense to see the world. Facing an abnormality which would drive a regular human insane, Ren adapted to it very easily.

(------Gotcha!)

It should be said as he didn't actually detect him. Rather in the area which he tried to search, only one spot refused the fire spirits and couldn't be searched. Hyoue had to be at this spot. Ren felt confident in his guess.

“Over there!”

Ren raised his palm, and released a fireball. The divine power to purify sliced through the empty space.

.------ Just the empty space.

“You fool, what are you aiming at?……”

Seeing the flame that went in the wrong direction, Hyoue who was concealed in a barrier of wind showed a mocking expression.

But that expression vanished immediately. He saw the flames around him branch out, and rain down as a curtain of fire, aimed at him------

“Wha……What------------!?”

Hyoue was so shocked his eyes almost popped out, the rain of fire came from all directions all at the same moment.

With every direction cut off this was not a situation that could be solved with a trickery. To defend himself, he had to use power to wipe the flames aside. But, Hyoue did not possess such power, looking at sheer strength alone, Ren was sure to win.

“Wahhhhhhhhhhhhh!?”

As the barrier was pierced by the rain of fire like a piece of paper, Hyoue gave off a pitiful scream.

“It...it worked……?”

Sensing the barrier's disappearance, Ren says quietly, staring into space.

The trick he used was really simple. There was no need for him initiate the fire himself, as the flames were there burning all along.

Ren had purposely released a flame at an empty area to make Hyoue let his guard down, and then he had used the flames that were burning around Hyoue to attack.

If Hyoue had been fighting seriously, he might have been able to see through the trick! It was his overconfident attitude to see Ren as prey and not as an enemy, that caused him to suffer such a dreadful blow.

“You……you are really something……Kid……”

”------!?”

A black shape rolled out just in front of Ren, which one could still roughly discern as human. No matter how you looked at it, it was a completely burnt corpse and yet the corpse was still moving somehow. Every time it moved, pieces of meat that had already been turned into ashes fell away, leaving a pitch black skin below that did not seem human.

“Hoho…… Watch closely…… This is also the power I obtained after signing a contract with the youma, a power beyond human capabilities. Now you get it, kid? Your flames don’t work against me. Hohoho…… Hahahahaha!!”

“You foolish thing.”

Ren suddenly speaking so coldly as if he was a completely different person caused Hyoue’s laughter to halt.

“My flames useless? How dare a piece of charcoal speak like a human being? Since you yourself gave up on being human, then there is nothing to be said. Because the Kannagi flames are purifying flames. A power bestowed to destroy non-human monsters like you!!”

A golden light, cleaned away the dense youki. The rampaging flames appeared to be taken in by the purifying light as the fire weakened, and slowly disappeared. The out of control fire spirits, upon being taken under control once more, made the golden light shine even more brightly.

The flames that before expanded explosively began to shrink, yet the temperature rose. Condensed into a high density semi-materialized flame, giving off a sticky glow, it revolved around Ren.

“I as a member of the main family of the Kannagi declare! Hyoue Kazamaki, the many lives that you took away, shall now be repaid by your own!!”

Surrounded by that blurry shine, Ren spoke loudly. Faced with a tiny body that unleashes such an immense pressure, Hyoue curled up in fear.

This is the descendant of a respected and powerful bloodline. At the top of En-Jutsushis, the rightful son of the Kannagi clan.

A great power that was formed though a thousand years of training, was about to awaken------

=== 2 ===

“Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!!”
Striking with all her might Ayano swung Enraiha downwards.

Dang![sound of metal colliding]

Ryuya’s claws made a clear sound as they deflected the blade.

(Even Enraiha cannot cut through this, what are these claws made of?)

Ayano ignored the question that popped out in her mind right away. Now, there is no time to think about this question, I must find some way to get past the claws------

Ayano increased the rate of her strikes, she included a number of feints in her attacks to find a loophole in Ryuya’s defense, however, his defense was impenetrable.

“What is that idiot doing……”

Kazuma spat out that sentence in disgust.

The fear of loss, still lingered in Ayano’s heart, she had forgotten her own fighting style, adding those tricks to her attack was meaningless, she should just focus on a single lethal strike instead------

At that moment, Enraiha found its way into Ryuya’s shoulder and cut his right arm off cleanly.

(Now I've got him!)

Ayano struck at his right side, putting all her strength in it and because of that, she failed to notice, the right arm that had lurked behind her back flying at her.

“Behind you!”

Kazuma’s voice and the hit from the right arm came at almost the same time. Ayano jumped up quickly and the right arm sped past her like a lance.

“That was close……”

The danger wasn't over though, Ryuya suddenly appeared in front of Ayano who was still in mid-air, the claws on his remaining left arm glittering with deadly intend.

Dang!

Even though Ayano had managed to block that attack somehow, her legs were off the ground, so she was unable to hold her position. She was knocked away like a cannonball, and without any way to brake herself, she violently hit a big tree nearby.

“Argh…… Ah……”

Perhaps feeling that it would be too easy for him with her offering so little sport, Ryuya did not pursue his prey, but instead leisurely reattached his right arm. The wriggling muscle tissues and nerves extended from the cut off section, and the same things that stretched out from the other end entangled together. After several seconds, even the wound disappeared, his right arm was completely fused back.

But Ryuya still showed no sign of attacking, he lifted his head up to stare at the sky, and raised both his arms, as if he wanted to hold the whole sky with his hands.

“------------!“

The instant he realized what that gesture signified, Kazuma sprinted forward as fast as he could. Hugging Ayano's head, who was just about to get up, to his chest he forcefully slammed her back onto the floor.

“Wah!”

Even though Ayano made a strangled cry of protest, there was no time to pay it any mind. He lay as low as he could, and at the same time, he set up a barrier of even greater density around them.

“What are you doing all of a sudden?”

Ayano shouted her nose glowing red from the pressure. Kazuma immediately retorts at a volume twice hers own.

“You idiot! For what reason did you think that you had to engage in melee combat! If the enemy has the time to unleash his powerful attacks, then all the efforts before that would be meaningless!!”

Confronted with such a resolute answer that left no room for questioning, Ayano was at a loss for words.

“……Huh……? Powerful attack……”

The scene she saw as she turned turned her head like Kazuma instructed, left Ayano at a loss of words. A spectacular pillar of wind that connected heaven and earth, a great vortex that tumbled as it spun, that is------ that is------

“……That is…… what……?”

“That is not what. As you can see, it is a tornado! Four------ No, five…… by the way, what is the unit for tornadoes?”

The question that Kazuma asked randomly did not register on Ayano's consciousness.

She looked at the tornado as if spellbound. That was the roar of nature that hurls giant boulders and uproots giant trees------ that was all she can think about it.

“……There's no way……”

”Ahhh? What did you say?”

”------There's no way we can win!”

Ayano turned her head to shout. The eyes that had been full of fight before now carried tears.
as if prostrated, she tumbles to her feet beside Kazuma. [no clue how to interprete that prostrated part so I left it]

“It is impossible to win! Our enemy is that kind of monster, what do you expect me to do! There is no way to win!!”

Ayano’s eyes showed an absolute despair beyond fear, they were just like the eyes of that person in the past, Kazuma thought to himself.

.------ Did I not seek power because I hate seeing that kind of eyes?

(Tsui-Ling------)

The weak girl that I was unable to protect in the past. No matter how tough it was, no matter how painful it was, the girl who still wanted to live on no matter what.

“I was not born into the world to be devoured by a devil.”

(The eyes that shone with the light of hope, and the one to erase that light was me.)

Because he had been weak, because he had had no power.

But, it was different now. He had been defeated back then, and had had to watch as the girl whom he had sworn to protect had her soul devoured, but things were different now.

Whether it was for self-fulfillment, or to atone for the past. Now, he just wanted to help this girl who was trembling before him.

The girl’s eyes were filled with tears. At the moment before the first tears dropped, Kazuma poked at Ayano’s forehead with his finger.

Ayano leaned back slightly, and looked at him with wet eyes, yet Kazuma smiled..

“Our jobs were clear since the start right? All you need to do is take that blade and slash Ryuya, I'll deal his wind.”

“Deal with…… Deal with a tornado?”

Ayano’s finger pointed at the tornado as she shrieked, Kazuma merely shrugged.

“Well, about that…… I'm sure there's a way. So, you just take care of him. Can you do that?”

She hesitate just a moment, then Ayano nodded her head determinedly.

“Very good, let the match continue then!”

Kazuma lifted Ayano, who was still sitting on him with his arms and stood up just like that. Seeing such unbelievable strength from his waist and legs, Ayano's eyes widened. But, what was even more shocking is what happened afterwards.

“……Wa……Ah……”

A path opened through the tornado before Ayano. A path, surrounded by a barrier of wind that suppressed the tornado straight to where Ryuya wa.

“------Go!”

Receiving a gentle push from that voice, Ayano instinctively dashed forward.

“Okay, even though I said all that just now…… What should I do?”

After forcefully opening the way through the tornado, Kazuma grumbled to himself. Since he boasted about it in front of someone else, he had to think of a way to take care of this class five tornado to make up for it……
[Are there really five tornados or is it just one class 5 tornado? I'm not sure but I went with the latter one]

“If only Ayano was of some use, then the enemy might not have any effort to spare while fighting her to maintain the tornado…… But an originally weak fellow, now scared witless she can barely walk, can't be of any use……”

The simplest method would be to create a tornado of equal magnitude to cancel them out------

(……No way, that's far too much trouble!)

Just thinking about it made him tired. There had to be an easier way------

“Wait a minute, a tornado is actually the upward flow of air right…… in that case…… Good, let’s do this.”
Kazuma let the windstream of the tornado go even higher up, and brings the air up to the lower stratosphere.

The air brought up by the upflow cooled rapidly, and the water particles it contained became tiny ice drops that combined to become hailstones. When those hailstones melted as they fell down again they cooled the surrounding air even further, made the air heavy, and drop down at a high speed. The great downward airflow was called a “downburst”.

[I know that's not really correct, but since I don't really understand how a downburst works, I'll leave it to someone who knows more to fix. Or you can just google it.]

The natural top speed of a downburst is comparable to a tornado, and Kazuma sped it up further, a piece of air pulled down from an extremely high altitude easily goes beyond the speed of sound.

[Just so you know, if that tornado of Ryuya was a F5, the class of the biggest documented tornado at around 400-500 km/h, Kazuma's downburst would be an F12 which is more than twice as fast and physically quite impossible]

The supersonic wind blade sliced the tornado open, and the shockwave that accompanied it completely destroyed what was left of the tornado. Without any notable resistance, the raging winds erased the tornado easily, and released all the extra energy in it towards where Ryuya was.

“Gwahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!”

In midst the thunder of destruction there was a sharp scream that had no femininity at all.
[I'm not happy with that sentence, but there's nothing better that came to my mind]

(Gwah? Ohhh……)

Kazuma claps his hands once he realized what happened.

“Darn, I completely forgot to avoid you. Sorry.”

”You idiot------!! Go to hell------!!”

Ayano shouted furiously, yet for some reason she was not hurt at all. Maybe the wind spirits avoided her automatically?

Even though Ayano was still making a fuss, the scene that was slowly revealed to her as the dust dispersed, quieted her down.

The view of the mountain had changed. Where there had been originally a lush green forest, now the trees now were lying around uprooted, the surface had been dug up forming a piece of empty land. This was all due to Ryuya’s tornado, and Kazuma’s downburst.

(These guys are really monsters……)

Ayano looked at Kazuma with awe. But in that flippant look, she could see no sign of his magnificent power.

“Hey, this is a good opportunity! Ayano.”

Kazuma hushes, no, tells her. [Is that supposed to be rushed to tell her?]

Even someone like Ryuya suffered a lot of damage from this hit. While his limbs were still largely intact, deep cuts marked on his entire body. Wounds which excreted some sort of black mist instead of blood of blood.

(When I cut him earlier, there was no such thing coming out……)

Ayano was annoyed by the huge difference in power between Kazuma and her. But now wasn't the time to be bothered by such a thing, she took up Enraiha once more, and stood before Ryuya.

(Still alive------ What a monster.)

Just as Ayano was facing off with Ryuya, Kazuma’s expression became more serious.

Kazuma could feel that they were about to come to the end of their road.

Even when combining their powers, they were unable to deliver a fatal strike to Ryuya. Even though they seemed to have the advantage now, there was no way they could win in the long run.

There had never been a human that could beat youma in terms of physical energy. This was because a youma possessed a mind far greater than its body, and could overcome the limitations of the body through sheer will.

(Should I use it? I guess there's no choice, Even though I really do not want the Kannagi to know about it……

Well, they will hear about it from Ren sooner or later anyway! No matter what, life is irreplaceable.)

There was just one problem, leaving breaking the seal aside, to gather enough power to truly destroy Ryuya required quite a lot of time to prepare. During this period of time, Ayano would be completely defenseless, and what would happen then has already been seen.

(So, what to do then------)

He thought deeply for a moment------

(So be it, this will be a test for her as well.)

A lion pushed his cub down to the bottom of the cliff without hesitation. Kazuma would have to do the same for Ayano.

“Ayano! I am going to play my strongest card! Buy me some time!!” [ultimate skill sounded too corny]

“Don’t shout it out! Idiot------!!”

Ayano shouted in a pained voice. She was seriously crying out to Kazuma.

As Kazuma had expected, Ryuya(Devil) struck back instantly. In the blink of an eye, the defending and offensive party changed, wind blades racing towards Ayano.

“Kazuma you big idiot------! After I die, I will definitely come back to haunt you as a vengeful spirit! No matter how many times you change your home, I will burn it down, and make sure the estate agencies avoid doing business with you!”

Ayano said in a tone close to tears as she tried her best to dodge the blades.

Alas, Kazuma was in a state of intense concentration by then and Ayano's furious promise of eternal vengeance remained unnoticed.

He keeps his conscious slowly, and opened the “door” within his body. [No idea what the first half of the sentence means]
Inside the “door” there was an azure sky as far as the eye can see.

This place was a space that existed within “that being”------ No, every corner of this space was filled with “that being”. This space was the being itself.

By opening the “door”, Kazuma and “that being” combined, forming a single entity. Kazuma was restructured, becoming a human, and the ruler of spirits at the same time, commanding all winds in existence as a high level Jutsushi.

His consciousness expanded without limit. As far as his mind could go, about a hundred kilometers in radius, all existing wind spirits became Kazuma’s receptors, continuously transmitting an endless stream of information.

This immense amount of data of which a human’s weak and fragile mind couldn't handle even a small part, Kazuma controlled it with his will. He picked out the necessary data for the scene in front of him, while at the same time sensing the whole situation in a radius of a hundred kilometers. This was the point of view of a god, a power beyond human knowledge.

(Ren…… Still alive. Very good.)

His expanded perception can clearly see the battle between Ren and Hyoue more than a kilometer away. Of course, the same goes for Ayano’s battle-

Without Kazuma to cover for her, Ayano was forced into a one-sided defense. She didn't even think about retaliating, every scrap of attention was focussed to dodge the incoming claws and wind blades on survival.

(……Are you still not ready Kazuma?)

She looked at Kazuma from time to time, but Kazuma who was concentrating did not notice this at all------ or that is how it looked like. Despite how unwilling she was to admit it, the lack of attention was making her feel very uneasy.

She was so scared, but Kazuma did not say some nonsense to loosen her up, anymore. He did not poke her forehead and smile at her. For the first time, Ayano realized how many times she has been saved by that flippant smile of his today.

“Ahhh!”

A pitch black wind smashed into Ayano like a hammer. The powerful hit blew her right off her feet and threw her back through the air. She landed on her back and the force of the impact had been so great that she found herself rolling on the floor three times until she hit a stone wall that jutted up from the ground with a great crash.

(No more! I can’t hold on anylonger……!)

Ayano looked at Kazuma desperate for help and just for an instant she felt sure that she saw a cold smirk on his face.

Ryuya was aiming at Ayano who continued to lie there without moving, and released more wind blades. But even so, Ayano still stared at Kazuma.

(Ever since that moment I saw him again yesterday, I really hate that guy.

He is even worse than Hyoue or Ryuya, I do not even want to admit his existence.

Just because he is stronger than me- no, not just that.

Because of his arrogant attitude- no, that is just the surface, a fake external side of him.

The real him, completely ignores my presence, does not care about me, and that is more unforgivable than anything else.

So I have to resist, I keep quarreling with him, so that he would acknowledge my presence.

But------ He gave up on me.

“You will finish him off” becomes “Buy me some time”, “I will do everything, I no long have any expectations for you.”------ That is what he said.

He is watching everything even now, mocking at how pathetic I look.)

“A kitten is just a kitten” ------ She felt as though she could hear his condescending voice.

“------ Don’t look down on me!!”

An angry roar shook the air in the area, a furious flame consumed the wind blades.

Ayano forced her swaying body to stand up, her eyes looking at Ryuya, but her mind continued to rail aganst Kazuma.

There was no way that she would accept or tolerate, that she, the wielder of Enraiha, was believed to be useless.

She knew very well how to overthrow this flawed believe completely, for a man like Kazuma, there was no point in further words.

.------ The way to prove herself was raw overwhelming power.

“ “Buy me some time”? Don’t joke around. I will finish him off myself, you can just stand there until you die of boredom!”

Ayano raised Enraiha and began to gather “ki”. The golden flame that always burst out, started to carry a red glow------ the crimson flame, continued to gather upon Enraiha.

With the scream of pure rage, Ayano started running. She moved at an exceptional speed that didn't even leave an image behind. She appeared before Ryuya abruptly, as if teleported, and swung down with all her might.

There were no faking tricks, just a simple straightforward slice. There was no time to dodge it so Ryuya crossed his arms above and blocked the strike. No, he had wanted to block it.

Releasing crimson flames, Enraiha carried the divine flame to which there was no possible defense. It cut through all ten claws in one go, and with a quick turn Ryuya's left arm followed.

She sliced at the defenseless left side------ but at this moment, the sliced off left arm floats in mid-air, and attacks Ayano from behind like like the other arm had done before.

This time however Ayano, reversed her grip on Enraiha and without even turning stabbed backwards. Enraiha mercilessly pierced through the arm that was flying in the air.

“Begone!!”

Burning from the interior, the left arm was consumed in an instant. Ayano did not stop, and continued to chase after Ryuya, who had been moving backwards slowly. Again with that shocking speed she easily caught up with Ryuya again.

The crimson blade shone brightly, and it sliced through Ryuya from the right shoulder to right between the legs. A quick flip of the blade and continued to slice through the demonic body.

But, even though his body is chopped into four pieces, Ryuya still wasn't destroyed yet. His listless eyes continued to to look at Ayano.

Ayano jumped backwards, but this time not to run.

.------ Everything shall end in a moment!

“Namo, Sanmanduo, Warila Lan, Han” [Ayano’s chant? Not exactly sure.]

She chanted the Acalanatha sutra in the air. The chant itself possessed no power or meaning, it was just a string of keywords she had learned in her training to remind her of a special state of mind. Together with the mantra she also remembered the complicated jutsu activation sequence, because in her mind those two were linked. For her using the jutsu had become just a reflex action when chanting the sutra. [Sorry, I couldn't do this any better.]

[[Image:Kaze no Stigma vol 01 269.jpg|thumb]]

At the same time she landed, Ayano stabbed Enraiha into the ground, and activated the jutsu.

“Ultimate exorcism flare wave!!” [unsure how to translate this properly]
{How about "Fires of purgatory!" Not very literal, but it sounds cool and since purgatory is supposed to clean sins, it doesn't seem all that off}

A circle of light burst out of the ground with Ryuya at the centre, forming a hemispherical barrier. The fire spirits Enraiha emitted darted through beneath the ground, and releases all their heat from the inside of the barrier!

The earth under Ryuya’s feet vaporized instantly and the spherical barrier can be seen in full view, the barrier efficiently reflected the heat, and gathered the energy at its centre.

This was Ayano’s strongest exorcising spell, locking the youma in a kekkai and not allowing them to leave until they were burnt to ashes.

“Heh! How is that?”

Ayano smiled proudly, and was about to turn her head in Kazuma’s direction when suddenly she stopped in her tracks and stared at Ryuya who was trapped within the barrier.

In the scorching plasma, Ryuya became a piece of meat that had lost all signs of his previous appearance. (He should have no power to resist anymore------ but what is this youki?)

Gurgle……Gurgle……Gurgle……[sound of something boiling? Not sure]

Right before Ayano, who stood there watching, the surface of the meat seemed to be boiling and bubbles began to appear, on top of the bubbles another bubble appeared, the eerie meat piece did not care about the several tens of thousands of degrees in the barrier, and was multiplying at a high rate.

When the piece of meat had multiplied to the required number, the shape changed slowly, and meat sticks stretched out from four areas, and a small sphere was placed at the top, the monster was complete.

The monster probably intended to imitate a human form like before! With hands and legs, head and body parts that could be recognized.

But, that was all. Like an ugly design a small child might make with meat color clay, it was a duplicate of the evil of mankind. It was an unforgivable insult to humanity.

That monster placed its hands on the barrier to open it. Or rather the meat sticks which were what counted for its hands and from the way it did it, it did not have any joints either. If a human arm was changed into a snake, this was probably how it would look like!

“……This is not…… possible……?”

That monster dispelled the barrier easily, and stepped out. It was so ugly and felt so evil that Ayano involuntarily took a step back and tripping over something by her feet, she lost her balance.

“Wah!”

Falling down here means certain death------ The premonition of death approaching, gave her goosebumps.

But------ the feeling on her back was not the cold hard floor. Something warm grabbed hold of the body frozen by anxiety.

A strong hand caressed Ayano’s head and as if whispering by her ear, a low and calm voice made her ear twitch.

“That is enough, you did very well.”

From the gentle yet firm grip that was hugging her arm, Ayano felt an indescribable calm envelop her, her tense body relaxed bit by bit, leaving everything to that wide chest behind her.

“You did very well.”

The sentence repeated itself over and over again in her mind, such a boring speech, made her happier than anything else in the world.

To be recognized by him, made her feel proud.

The man behind her uses such a comfortable voice that made one shiver in his back continues to say..

“Very well done, for a kitten.”

Pak!

Ayano used all her strength to wipe Kazuma’s hand off. How is it possible that just an instant ago she actually thought that this kind of guy’s chest could be comforting? Ayano felt ashamed of herself from the bottom of her heart.

“You…… Huh……?”

Ayano felt a slight disturbance in the surrounding view, she looked around for a bit and understood instantly.

.------ The air was shining with a light blue glow.

The blue airflow, though its flow was slow, but within it lied a massive amount of energy. The black wind commanded by Ryuya were repelled by the azure glow, and compressed around its master.

“This…… Could it be…… “Purification”!?”

The secret power to destroy evil that was only bestowed on the Kannagi family, and, this magnitude------

“To use purifying winds to surround the whole mountain? Such a massive amount of spirits, how did……”

Ayano turned her head to ask, and became speechless once more. Knowing very well why she was shocked, Kazuma smiled playfully and enjoyed Ayano’s stunned expression.

“That…… What is that…… Your eyes?”

“Oh these? They were imprinted on by the lord of wind spirits.”

Kazuma blue eyes flashed as he said such a shocking fact so easily.

“Spi……rit……Lord……?”

Ayano dumbly repeted. The fact that was beyond imagination had stopped her mind.

“………… No way--------------------!?”

Bright like the azure sky, eyes that couldn't be clearer, that was the proof of the contract with the lord of wind spirits. To rule all the air on this planet, only a man that was bestowed everything, could be imprinted with this stigma.

In the legends, there were only been a few people with such a stigma, the Solomon king that governed the seventy two demon lords, Moses who led the Hebrew and made a contract with Jehovah.

After that would be the first chief of the Kannagi, who had been bestowed with Enraiha.

“Contractor”------ Someone who made a contract with a supernatural existence------ They called them “Contractors”.

But, to be confirmed in history, there was only one man who has been proven to exist. “The first” contractor------ he was how the people praised him to be in modern legends.

“Come one! It is about time to go to sleep, Ryuya!!”

The azure wind began to swirl like a maelstrom with Ryuya at the centre. The maelstrom or air was created by Kazuma mobilizing all the wind spirits in the area that he controlled, and the huge area covered by it could be seen even from outer space.

=== 3 ===

Pussh! [sound of wind cutting, not sure the exact sound]

The wind blades made by the demonized Hyoue cut into both of Ren’s arms deeply.

“Wahhhhhh------!”

Up against the wind blades which hit continuously, Ren could only roll his body to dodge, there wasn't even the slightest chance to get up.

Hyoue was laughing as he watched Ren. The scene of a Jutsushi of the main family having to dodge everywhere from him couldn't get any funnier.

(Just you watch, Genma! Jugo! You're next! The humiliation we suffered, you shall recieve ten thousand fold!)

An uncontrollable laughter shook the air. Hyoue looked down on Ren who had finally managed to get up smugly and shouted full of pride..

“Now, do you know the difference between our powers? You should just surrender quietly, for if you are too heavily wounded, it might hinder the dispelling of the seal.”

Hohoho……

Ren threw a golden flame in the direction of the laughter. However while the flame might have possessed the power to destroy Hyoue, if there was nothing to hit it was just a pointless effort.

“Wah!”

Suddenly, a shockwave hit Ren’s head so violently it felt as if his brain was bouncing about in his head and for a few seconds his conscioussness wavered.

Ren stood there completely vulnerable to an attack, it would have been very easy to kill him now! But even though there had been several instances like this one before, but Hyoue never finished him off. Hyoue did not want Ren’s corpse he needed him alive, and he wanted to enjoy defeating Ren to the fullest.

Hyoue who had given up the body of a human, now possessed a great power, incomparable to the past.

Of course, Ren still was far more powerful, but the difference in skill and experience was too great. Ren was being toyed with, and was unable to even show half of his power.

“Isn't it about time you give up? You know you can't win, don't you?”

Hyoue was torturing him, he deliberately avoided all the fatal spots, and time and again he tried to attack Ren's mind by targetting his weaknesses and to make him give up the fight, but Ren ddidn't give in to fear.

“I refuse! I promised my brother, I will never give up, I will live on no matter what! I will never obey you, never be used by you, or let you kill anyone else!”

Despite having cuts all over his body from wind blades, blood running over his face and drenching his clothes, Ren’s eyes did not lose their shine. That prideful, and majestic look, even Hyoue who was in an overwhelmingly superior position couldn’t help but be wary of it.

“Hmph…… In that case, let me see where the limits of your pride are!”

As he spat out this sentence and was about to unleash more wind blades------

“Woah!?”

Hyoue gave off a strangled cry, he stretched out both his arms to hug his body. Below his arms there seemed to be something wriggling. Hyoue gripped even tighter intending to suppress that thing, but the eerie wriggling instead spread onto his arms.

Hyoue’s body was shaken by convulsions, his muscles contracted violently, rose up and down, and eventually burst.

This is what happened the instant Hyoue was surrounded by the purifying winds. A great power cut off all the powers that Hyoue recieved from outside.

Losing the protection of Ryuya, the demonic powers in Hyoue had begun to get out of control. Ren did not waste such an opportunity and immediately ran towards him.

“Ki……Kid…… Wahhhhh!”

As Hyoue tried to release more wind, the berserk condition of his body grew even worse. In order to suppress his uncontrollable body, he had to use all his powers.

Ren did not slow down, but at full speed knocked into Hyoue, he hooked his arms around Hyoue’s knee and pulled mightily.

The powerful tackle left the two of them lying entangled on the ground. Ren hugged Hyoue as tight as he could, and spoke softly..

“I won’t miss at this distance.”

“You……You fool! Let me go------“
Not caring whether he lost control or not Hyoue released wind blades.

But Ren was the quicker, he continued to hug the shaking body, and shouted hoarsely.

”Burn------!!”

A bright golden pillar of fire erupted all the way into the sky, the his body and tainted soul of old man who had fallen into the darkness, were completely destroyed by this purifying flame.

“----------------------------------------------!!”

Even his dying scream was swallowed by the flame.

Ryuya had lost control over his black wind. The strong azure wind stream separated the berserk spirits from their master and absorbed them within.

“……Even Ryuya’s wind…… is eaten away……?”

Ayano whispered in shock. To use the term “terrifying power”, was not enough to describe the impact. Even though there had been a lot of things beyond logic today, this was the most ridiculous of all.

The wind that turned the berserk spirits back to normal, and absorbed them to increase its power surrounds Ryuya.

Even so, Ryuya still wasn't defeated, he released dark and polluted youki to defend against the purifying winds. However he couldn't negate the purification completely, the surface of his body started to boil and bubble. Slowly, very slowly but surely his body was dismantled, bit by bit.

(This is almost like the final battle of monsters.)

This unseemly thought running through her mind, Ayano started to move. Although her power was by far the weakest of the three she had participated in this battle and her power couldn't be neglected. For she possessed the power to destroy the stalemate between the two parties, and she knew her duty very well.

.------You will finish him off, can you do it?------

“I'll show you------!”

Ryuya took a huge jump backwards, intending to escape Ayano's fast pace------ his movements had slowed down significantly and he no longer had the means to dodge her attacks.

But Ayano chased after him focussed to deliver the final strike. Ryuya changed the tip of his arms to become blades as a final defense, the solid blades he rased above his head to deflect her strike gave off a pale glow. [meat color glow is the actual text… meat color?]

“That won't save you now!”

Ayano swung Enraiha down aggressively without wasting caring about her defense. She knew that this was the deciding moment. Kazuma had no more power to spare to help her and if she was blocked again------ they were sure to lose.

A crimson glow arced down without encountering any resistance as if cutting through air.

The sliced meat blade melted into the azure air as Enraiha cut in from the top of the head, and stopped at his heart. She was taking a risk to not cut Ryuya in two and instead called forth fire spirits from Enraiha in the wound------and ignited them.

Ryuya’s body exploded. The pieces of meat that were blown off by the flames were carried away by the wind and swallowed by the azure light. In the end, even traces of its existence were erased.

That was Ryuya's ------ No, the end of the unnamed youma who had founded the Fuga clan.

The azure winds dissipated slowly, their power of purification weakening as it spread in all directions, maybe to continue restoring this youki polluted world!

Watching the wind spirits leave, Ayano was captivated by the scene.

“Darn, just a few pennies for such hard work, I shall never take on any jobs from the Kannagi again.”

But, again a line that ignored the mood spoiled everything. She turned around angrily to see Kazuma lying spread-eagled on the floor.

Ayano went over to him to him, but he did not move at all. He appeared to be completely drained.

(No matter how strong he is, he is still human.)

After all he had almost single-handedly defeated Ryuya, I think I can forgive him one or two rude lines! Ayano thought generously, and thanked him.

“Great work.”

Kazuma did not reply, and merely sniffed.

Ayano sat down beside Kazuma.

“Hey, Kazuma?”

She did not expect an answer as Kazuma showed no response, but Ayano still continued ..

“If it was just you, you could have won on your own, couldn’t you?”

“It would have been very difficult!”

This time, Kazuma finally gave a response, his eyes that had regained their original black luster looked at Ayano.

[[Image:Kaze no Stigma vol 01 281.jpg|thumb]]

“Making a contract with a spirit lord does not mean that I am almighty, even if I have unlimited power at my disposal, there is still a limit to the amount I can control. I can never exceed the amount a human can handle.”

”Is that so------? Maybe that is the case! Besides, there's still the time you need to get ready. You surely would have gotten attacked before then, right?”

“------ Yup, that is right.”

Even though he answered outwardly without hesitation, Ayano didn't miss the moment his eyes shifted.

“Kazuma?”

”What?”

His expression was completely neutral. But------ It was too late.

Ayano flopped down right onto Kazuma, and reached with her hands to grip him by his collar, as if she was about to strangle him in a moment.

Kazuma offered no resistance, his hand and legs remained spread wide on the floor.

“To push a man down like this, what a shameless girl you are. The clan chief would cry if he saw this.”

.------ That mouth of his was still the same, no matter how tired he was.

“Don’t joke around, now answer me. When were you ready?”

Despite Ayano’s grip getting more and more forceful each second Kazuma replies carelessly.

“Hmm, about the time when you were hit and flew off?”

“Then, why didn’t you use your tricks immediately!?”

Ayano was putting her entire strength into her hands and yet Kazuma still talked as if nothing was happening..

“You are wrong to blame me, I was doing it for your own good.”

”Which part of it was for my own good!?”

She was on the brink of explosion. If he did not have a logical explanation, she intended to stab him with Enraiha.

“The way it looked, if it had ended with you not being able to land even a single strike, you would have been doomed to be a loser for the rest of your life.”

“Argh……”

His remark hit her soundly and Ayano was unable to say a word for a moment. Indeed------ if she had only kept dodging back then and left everything to Kazuma, she might never have had the courage to fight again. Someone unable to overcome her fear, a Jutsushi who can only fight enemies weaker than herself, no matter how strong she was, couldn't be relied on.

“When I saw that you had finally managed to gather your courage, I decided to watch from the side for a bit. Your performance was not bad at all until half way. If he hadn't not escape at that point, you would probably have won!”

“Huh? You mean to say that my technique worked?”

”Nope------ It was completely useless.”

Kazuma replied in a straightforward manner..

“Because you have Enraiha in your hand, there is no need to rely on tricks or use some lousy techniques. If cutting him in to four pieces doesn’t kill him, just cut him until he is annihilated.”

“…… Sorry for being that lousy.”

”That is not what you should be sorry for.”

Kazuma ruthlessly continued to dress her down..

“You need to practice on your swordsmanship, currently there is no point in you having the Enraiha.”

”I know……”

”But, that last strike was brilliant. It skillfully used the characteristic of Enraiha which is both a sword and a spiritual artifact.”

Hearing the sudden praise, Ayano blushed. She suddenly felt very happy. In spite of the flaws in the personality of this man she saw clearly and the disgust she felt over realizing that she had been dancing in the palm of his hand, the throbbing in her chest couldn't be stopped.

“You…… You talk like you are so great. Just what do you know of Enraiha?”

She tried to speak harshly to cover up her embarassment, but her ploy obviously failed. Kazuma smiled at Ayano with a look that seemed to see through it all.

“Ah ah, and one more thing, it is best not to sit on a man dressed like that.”

“……Huh?”

“Even if you are a little girl who has neither bosom nor femininity, other people might misunderstand!”

As Ayano involuntarily lowered her head to look in what kind of state she was in------ She froze completely. Unable to withstand the vigorous battle, her uniform had no inch left intact, everything was shredded. Even her underwear was partly torn, almost to the point where it failed to cover her body.

Seeing Kazuma’s eyes that “seemed to see through it all”, Ayano’s face turned bright red up to her ears.

“Id……Idiot------------!!”

A scream echoed in the wilderness.

“------Brother!”

As he recognized that the ones approaching him to be Kazuma and Ayano, Ren cried out with joy and tried running towards them. But his body weak from injury did not allow him to do so.

“Wah……”

A gust of wind gently lifted Ren, who had stumbled over his own legs and was about to fall. The boy floated right into Kazuma’s arms.

Kazuma hugged Ren lightly, and caressed his head. Ren hugged his brother back tightly without the intention of letting go.

“You did very well, Ren, you did a great job.”

”Thank you, brother……?”

Their talk stopped suddenly and Ren stretched his hand out to Kazuma’s cheek, there was a very clear red handprint on it.

Faced with a silent question, Kazuma smiled and replied..

“Ah ah, just now, after defeating Ryuya, I met an even more vicious enemy. I almost died there.”

After saying that, he looked in the direction of Ayano for a second. Ayano who was covered by Kazuma’s jacket turned away in anger, ignoring him.

“Huh…… This……”

Ren understood some things, but he had the feeling that if he said it out, his life might be in danger. He desperately searched for another topic.

“Ryu……Ryuya has also been defeated? So then everything is finally over!”

He tried his best to show an innocent smile, Ren feels sad how pathetic he was.

“Yup------ Let us head back! Ayano, is our car still okay?”

“It was burnt.”

Ayano rushed to say and Kazuma looked at her suspiciously.

“It……It wasn’t me! It was blown away by Ryuya’s wind, and when it smashed into the ground it caught on fire.”

Ayano tried to explain, but even so, Kazuma’s eyes remained full of suspicion.

Lifting his head to look into the clear night sky, Kazuma said to Ren..

“------Nevermind, taking a stroll in the mountains while looking at the moon is not bad once in a while.”

”If we are not lost.”

Hearing Kazuma’s words that seemed to be avoiding reality, Ayano interjected calmly.

“Ah ah? Did you say something just now? The root of all evil.”

“What! You were the one who left me, it's your fault this happened!”

“…… Both of you, stop arguing.”

Ren used a tired voice to try to pacify them, but the two of them didn't seem to hear him and continued to accuse each other energetically.

Looking up at the moon that was like a silver basin, Ren thought about the cruelty of life.

Ryuya and Hyoue were both eliminated, the Fuga clan’s ambitions smashed into pieces. Everything was perfectly settled, why must a happy ending still be so far away?

The tongue fight is still continuing, he no longer has any strength to go between them, Ren lies in his brother’s chest, and accepts the intrusion of the sleep demon.

He takes the funny speech between his beloved brother and sister as a lullaby and enjoys it.

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