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CubexCursedxCurious:Volume3 Chapter1

2013-05-19T14:15:58Z

80.240.162.190:

==Chapter 1 - The Homecomer Who Was Strange Somewhere / "Welcome home, the troubled little girl"==

===Part 1===

In any case, it would be best to talk things out once everyone had calmed down—Deciding that, Haruaki prepared dinner.

"Okay... Before we start the meal, something needs to be done first."

Haruaki glanced at the dishes arranged on the dining table and spoke. Fear continued to hug her knees, glaring at Kuroe, whining "ooh~ooh~" with displeasure. On the other hand, Kuroe, whose physique was even more petite than Fear's, was sitting on a cushion, accepting Fear's gaze nonchalantly with a blank stare on her child-like face. Concealed in her long sleeves, her arms were crossed before her chest. This imperturbable presence of mind was inexplicably reminiscent of Chinese royalty... Except for the fact that she was using her hair to surreptitiously operate a hand-held gaming device under the table.

Hearing Haruaki speak, Kuroe sat up properly—In other words, she shut off the gaming device. Then she suddenly extended three fingers each from both hands and bowed her head towards Fear while speaking softly:

"My name is Ningyouhara Kuroe. This unworthy little little lady shall humbly place herself in your continued care."

"Why are you using a bride's marriage greeting?"

"And with one mention of 'little' too many."

Haruaki and Konoha ridiculed simultaneously. "Really?" Kuroe looked up and cocked her head doubtfully. With a face full of displeasure, Fear said:

"Kuroe huh... Hmph, I seem to recall hearing that name before somewhere. So you're the one who lives in the room adjacent to Cow Tits'? Hearing your name, I originally thought you had to be a picture or something like that."<ref>'''Picture''': the name Kuroe(黑繪) consists of the kanji ''kuro''(黑), meaning black, and ''e''(繪), meaning picture or drawing.</ref>

"Exactly as my family name suggests, I am a Japanese doll. By the way, the reason why I chose the kanji 'e' as part of my name is because I wanted to give others an impression as pretty as a picture."

"Please don't shamelessly reveal this kind of thing yourself!"

Haruaki reflexively ridiculed a second time. As always, Kuroe's behavior was completely impossible to read.

"Seriously... Whatever, in any case, that's the kind of impression she gives others. One of those 'Japanese dolls whose hair lengthens' that you often hear about. Come on, Fear, could you introduce yourself at least?"

"Hmph. Fear—Fear Cubrick. There."

"Yes. And?"

"..." "..."

Kuroe turned her face towards Haruaki, expressionless.

"Say, Haru, am I being disliked?"

"How could you possibly think you weren't being disliked—!?"

Before Haruaki could answer, Fear's burning flames of wrath erupted.

"Think carefully about what you did to me! Not only did you suddenly entangled me like that, you even targeted this and that kind of spot with shameless tickling attacks...! B-Besides, you even let Haruaki witness... Witness me looking like that! I demand lots of apologies and compensation!"

"Truly sorry about that. But when I come home and the first thing I see is an unknown girl, breathing irregularly as she brandished a strange murder weapon while roaming the house, under such conditions—I had no choice but to capture her before doing anything else."

"A strange murder weapon?"

Haruaki threw Fear a glance, who turned her face away with a guilty conscience:

"Umm... It's a long story. That eight-legged demon with the name that starts with 'S'—Come on, that's completely unimportant! In any case, the current issue is, this girl humiliated me!"

"Hmm. Since you are this angry about it, let's do it this way."

Using both her hands and feet, Kuroe stood up from her cushion. Walking over to Fear's side, she then laid herself flat on the floor directly. Fear jumped in fright at her sudden behavior.

"W-What are you doing?"

"This is my offer of apology. As compensation, I allow you to do with my body as you wish."

"Wha..."

Thus Kuroe closed her eyes. Due to the directness of her attitude, Fear could not help but halt in puzzlement. After some time passed, Kuroe opened an eye while remaining lying on the floor—

"...Would you prefer if I took my clothes off?"

"Don't take them off! Damn it, what's with this girl...!"

"Fear, it's very tiring if you get caught up in her pace, you know~ The correct way to get along with Kuroe is to deal with her casually. After all, her actions are done on whim as well."

Haruaki's helpful words prompted Fear to return to the dining table, pouting.

"Ahhh~ Whatever! I'm hungry, Haruaki, time for dinner! Serve me the rice, okay!"

"Acquittal? Why thank you. I'm hungry too."

Returned to her seating cushion as if rewinding her motions, Kuroe held out her empty bowl as if imitating Fear. Haruaki and Konoha went to task filling the two girls' rice bowls respectively. As the rice cooker's steam condensed into a layer of mist on Konoha's glasses, she murmured with a tired expression:

"It seems like things have become lively all of a sudden..."

"Yeah... I guess this is the kind of feeling parents get once they have their second child huh~"

"Ch-Child. Parents. Right, for children to exist, there must be parents in the first place, so in other words... The two people apart from the children... Are like... Husband and wife? U-Ufu... Ufufufufufu...!"

Konoha giggled to herself strangely, her blushing face looking up in the air. Without wiping the steam from her glasses, she kept moving the rice ladle in her hand, unaware that the rice bowl in her hand was becoming a Tower of Babel.

...Oh well. Haruaki had no idea why, but Konoha did act in this manner from time to time.

All sorts of trouble would increase with Kuroe's return. And most of them—essentially all of them would fall upon himself to clean up... Haruaki thought to himself in resignation.

"Haru's cooking is great as always."

"Thanks for the praise."

"The shameless brat has a redeeming quality at least. But apart from this, he's basically quite shameless."

"And just like always, Kono-san's cooking is instantly recognizable with a single glance. This cabbage roll is stuffed with so much meat it seems like it'd pop out as soon as I apply pressure with my chopsticks."

"A-As long as it's tasty, it's fine, right?"

"But it is quite tasty, yes."

"Kuroe, there's no need to talk to her that much. Because Cow Tits is Cow Tits, so all she can make is Cow Tits cuisine. Eating all that useless meat every day, she ends up growing heavier day after day, so heavy that one cannot bear the sight of her. Then realizing her weight has broken the bed boards, she secretly replaces them in the middle of the night. Now that's Cow Tits."

"Why do you have to lie like that?"

"..."(mournful eyes)

"Kuroe, don't you start believing her!"

In any case, it was quite a racket. Noise flew incessantly across the dining table... Despite the most terrible first encounter, Fear seemed to have grown accustomed to Kuroe more or less. Except—judging from the way she furtively threw side glances at Kuroe, she must have many questions? Indeed, Fear should have noticed it. Haruaki could not recall if he had mentioned it to her or not, but based on the fact that Kuroe traveled alone—one should naturally be able to deduce the conclusion.

After the meal, conversation at the dining table suddenly came to a halt. Indeed, Fear must have been waiting for this opportunity to speak up.

"Say, Kuroe, umm... You've been traveling alone all this time?"

"Yes, I like it this way, to wander unknown lands. What about it?"

"No, how should I put this... Won't you feel uncomfortable... So if you don't need to stay in this home, that means..."

Watching Fear stutter, Kuroe seemed to realize something. Gently, she closed her blank-looking eyes halfway.

"Oh... There's no problem. My curse is completely lifted."

"S-So it really turns out to be true! You're different from Cow Tits' 'almost lifted' state—Is that right!?"

In contrast to Fear who had jumped up from her seat, Kuroe sipped her tea as she answered quietly:

"Yes. Cutting the owner's hair bit by bit whenever night arrives, using hair as a medium to drain life force, or using that life force to lengthen my own hair—finally killing the owner by absorbing their life force completely, none of that will happen anymore. For convenience's sake, Haru remains my owner but even some other human takes his place, I shouldn't feel the same impulses again."

"Is that so... Really... Curses can be lifted..."

"Didn't I tell you before already? You don't believe me?"

"I-It's not like that! Just that... Finally it feels more real..."

Fear answered awkwardly. Then she suddenly looked up as if she had thought of something.

"But... Your powers still remain, right?"

"Yes, it's very convenient."

As if to prove her point, Kuroe's hair wrapped itself around and picked up the teapot to refill her teacup. This was very rude behavior, Haruaki had already warned her many times... But he decided not to nag so much today.

"From what I've heard, your kind will retain your original forms, only with the curse gone away, that's all—I remember I mentioned this before. Say, Kuroe, I've already given up trying to stop you from going off to wander, but at least keep in touch once in a while during your travels! I do worry sometimes!"

"Speaking of which, didn't this journey last a bit too long?"

Konoha asked with her head tilted. Really?—Kuroe tilted her head in turn as if none of this concerned her.

"Yeah. Especially after Fear arrived, many crazy incidents have happened. It would've been a lot easier if you were here to help. That's what I thought to myself quite a few times."

"Many incidents? What incidents?"

The expressionless girl answered directly with questions of her own. Haruaki threw a glance at Fear and scratched his cheek.

"Yeah, basically... Many incidents. They're over anyway, so there's no point to elaborate on them. Just be more careful from now on."

"Understood. By the way, I have a question—Haru, are you hurt?"

Kuroe looked at Haruaki's left hand as she spoke. She was particularly observant in strange areas of this sort.

"Yeah, roughly two weeks ago... But it's mostly healed."

Kuroe narrowed her eyes and murmured: "...'Many incidents,' so that's what you meant." She probably realized that these were real threats that created real injuries.

"...Then let's mend it a bit. Although it's just a small injury, having no injuries would be better. Give me your hand."

"It's actually nothing. But if you really must help me, then thank you."

Haruaki withdrew his left arm from his sleeve, exposing his entire shoulder. Konoha blushed and turned her face away, but kept sneaking glances over. What's going on? I don't think I have any strange chest hair, right...?

"H-Hey Haruaki, don't expose something so shameless! What are you doing?"

Fear was also blushing. But rather than explaining, it would be faster to simply let her watch.

Kuroe approached Haruaki, plucked several strands of her own hair and untied the bandages on Haruaki's left arm, using her hair to wrap up his arm instead. Then—

"«Satisfied Tadamori» Mode!"

"Hmm..."

Haruaki felt something in his wound. A slight pain. But it only lasted for a instant and then it was replaced by an ambiguous feeling of warmth. The wound felt as though it were being covered by something like warm jelly.

"Woah... The hair gave off light for an instant just now!"

"This is the reverse flow of life force, thereby resulting in improved self-recovery... As a side note, results are better if you take this opportunity to warm up the wound. Just press something like a hand warmer<ref>'''Hand warmer'''(懐炉): small (mostly disposable) packets that produce heat on demand.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hand_warmer]</ref> onto it and it should heal up after ten-odd minutes."

"Is it because the excess heat will be converted into healing? I don't really get how it works."

"We don't have any hand warmers in this house, but even if we did, I'm not doing something so friggin' hot in this weather... Given its current state, I guess it'll heal up after a night's rest? Thanks anyway, Kuroe."

Haruaki had Konoha help him wrap the bandages again, over the the hair. Had he received this treatment immediately after the injury, it would have been quite a big help, but pointing this out now would not help anything.

"By the way, Kuroe, I was wondering just now, what's with the strange incantation?"

Fear's modest question prompted Kuroe to nod her head in rapid succession as if going "Great question." Although her expressionless face remained blank as usual, she seemed subtly delighted.

"It's very cool, right? Performing these moves quietly seems so uncool, so I thought up some names myself."

Fear's face seemed to be overcome with mixed emotions. Haruaki silently applauded her. Wow, that's really adult of you! How great you are, Fear! Because I gave my honest opinion once, I was subjected to merciless punishment by suspension upside down!

"Anyway, coming home means that your itch to wander has been satisfied for now? That said, Old Pops' vagabond ways are even worse than yours... Anyway, have a good rest now!"

Haruaki piled up the empty dishes as he spoke. Ah—Kuroe cried out softly.

"—I forgot to mention why I came back."

"Hmm? Why you came back?"

"Yes. Two reasons—which do you want to hear first? The interesting one or the boring one?"

Piling up plates and utensils just like Haruaki, Konoha asked:

"If we follow what happens in movies, we should theoretically listen to the interesting one first, right?"

"Indeed. Okay, Kuroe, I don't really get it, but please start with the more interesting reason!"

"—Ah, sorry, I refuse. I must force the choice to start with the boring reason."

"Then why did you ask us to choose just now? This makes no sense at all!"

"No, it's not like that."

Kuroe flapped her long sleeves.

"Because the relatively boring reason is: 'Someone seems to be after me.'"

"What?"

Moving her sleeve, Kuroe pointed at the garden. Only then did Haruaki realize that since a while ago, Kuroe's blank gaze had been directed towards the "something" she now pointed out with her sleeve—

"It's simpler to start with this reason, ''because the person is right here''."

"Ara ara, I didn't expect to be discovered before I could say hello... How should such a scene be titled, I wonder? Ufufu."

A voice was heard from the darkness of the night. It was a familiar voice, no recollection necessary.

===Part 2===

The self-styled stalker woman from earlier was standing on the boundary wall. Long-haired, wearing a monocle, with watches on both arms. Unlike during the daytime, she was now dressed in a nun's habit whose color seemed to meld into the darkness. On her back, she was carrying a large musical instrument case almost the same height as her. Who knew if it were a contrabass or something, but in any case, it was clearly not an object for playing wonderful music.

By the time Haruaki and company got up and reached the veranda, the woman had already descended to the garden.

"Good evening, Kuroe-sama. I would like you to understand that this is an invitation as usual."

"That I know. But it was a different person last time, did you switch?"

"Yes, please call me Alice. It is a pleasure to meet you."

Just like earlier during the day, she made a deep bow.

"Hey Kuroe, what is going on? Who is this person? What does she mean by invitation?"

"To be honest, I have no idea. But during my travels, I kept getting harassed by similarly dressed people... I guess it's some sort of uniform? Hence, this is my first time meeting this particular person."

"Uniform? In other words, rather than individuals, they are part of an organization?"

Fear glared sharply at the woman in the garden. But as if completely oblivious to the pressure, the woman—Alice—continued to smile gently, as if bathed in holy light coming from behind.

"The Bivorio Family... That is what others call us. Within our circles, the mere mention of the 'Family' is enough for most people to understand."

"I think we've heard the name before? That person from the Knights' Dominion mentioned it last time."

Glaring severely just like Fear, Konoha recounted.

"Yes, that's the name. These people kept harassing me, trying to persuade me to go with them. I sent them away and escaped as appropriate, but after a while, they would appear again... This kept repeating. Nothing is more annoying than this. Furthermore, they're polite to an eerie level."

"...Better than being impolite, right?"

Watching the face of the woman who was smiling politely in fact, Haruaki could not help but mutter. However, Kuroe continued speaking with her customarily blank gaze:

"Not necessarily. They were always polite—inviting me politely, stalking me politely, and even kidnapping me politely from time to time."

"Kidnapping...!"

"We actually have no wish of doing anything violent. But if dialogue fails to make any progress, it can't be helped. After all, using physical methods of invitation is a type of persuasion... To be honest, my current goal here is essentially that."

The woman admitted candidly while maintaining her smile. Then smiling at Haruaki's group who had entered a stance, she put down the musical instrument case she was carrying on her back.

"Wait a minute, I don't get any of this! What is your goal? And what is the Family?"

"Well, simply stated—"

Alice inclined her head adorably as she undid the clasps of the case.

"—The Family... Is similar to what you people do."

"What... Are you talking about?"

"Yes, my wish is simply to invite Kuroe-sama to my home, that's all. To have meals together, to have tea together, to chat together, nothing more. See, isn't that what you were doing just now?"

Alice was clearly full of crap. Going "Very well—" she stretched her body.

Haruaki gulped. What was she going to take out of her massive case? A sword? An axe? A spear? Since she was planning to abduct Kuroe, it could not possibly be anything harmless.

Under everyone's gaze, what Alice took out from the contrabass case was—

A contrabass.

"...What?"

"Dummy, don't be off your guard, Haruaki! Despite its appearances, who knows what abilities that thing might have!?"

"Indeed, appearances are irrelevant, it simply takes this form on occasion—Very well, salvation never comes without hardship, right? Let's hope that this invitation will turn out to be necessary hardship."

Uttering incomprehensible words, Alice grabbed the neck of the musical instrument and stepped forward, dragging the gourd-shaped instrument with her. At this moment—

"Mechanism No.19 gouging type, spiral form: «Human-Perforator», Curse Calling!"

A flash of silver leaped out. It was Fear jumping off the veranda to face off against Alice, already holding in her hand the drill transformed from the Rubik's cube.

"Hmph. Although I have no idea what's going on, Kuroe is my friend who shares the same dining table. I can't stand back silently and watch her get taken away... It can't be helped, I'm entering the fray!"

"Ara. Ara ara?"

An expression of surprise surfaced on the woman's brightly smiling face for the first time. Then she began to murmur to herself:

"Ara, speaking of which, I did receive reports on this... How truly surprising, this is too fortunate. Then how should I proceed now... Mmmhmm..."

"What are you mumbling about? Do you want to fight or not? Get on with it! I'm already prepared!"

Idiot, you don't really need to instigate a fight like that, right? —Thinking that to himself, Haruaki nonchalantly leaned over towards Konoha's side. Judging from the situation, he might very well have to wield the Japanese sword again.

However—Alice's next sentence completely exceeded the expectations of everyone present. Lightly nodding "Yes♪" to herself, she said:

"I understand now, so I shall give up on inviting Kuroe-san."

"What?"

"That's too quick for a change of mind!"

"I already said a long time ago, I'd be grateful if you people would just give up. Has the message finally gotten through?"

"Don't believe her. She probably means just this once, right?"

Faced with the various opinions of Haruaki's group, Alice shook her head elegantly.

"No, I truly intend to stop inviting Kuroe-san. Whether by force or by dialogue."

"R-Really?"

"Yes. But conversely... Please allow me to say this. Fear-in-Cube-sama, may we invite you to our Family?"

Fear's shoulders shook greatly while Haruaki gasped.

Thinking back, the person from the Frontline Gathering Knights' Dominion they encountered previously had said—"Fear's awakening is a matter that concerns all organizations involved with cursed tools." Then it was not strange for this Family person to know about Fear. However—

"Why would you suddenly switch targets to her only now...?"

"Because we only received rumors that she 'seemed to have been found by someone and sent somewhere.' Until I saw her with my own eyes, I never realized she is the famous one—It's quite embarrassing to admit, but the Family is rather lacking in intelligence gathering ability."

As if expressing "How troubling," Alice sighed while resting her face against her hand. The total lack of tension in her attitude caused Fear to feel agitated instead. Frowning, Fear took a step forward.

"Hmph, you're switching to me now because Kuroe won't go? What a shameless attitude... But very regrettably, I have no interest in chatting over tea with a stalker like you, so go find someone else!"

"Don't say it like that. Could you please come with me?"

The only response she got was the faint metallic noises from the drill that was raised up high.

Sighing lightly, Konoha also walked down from the veranda and readied her hand in a karate chop. Indeed, even someone else other than Fear could not stand to watch without interfering.

"...So this is the situation. I have no idea what your true goals are, but these girls don't have the leisure to listen obediently to your proposals. It's best if you give up sooner and leave."

As Haruaki finished, Alice laughed softly as she remained smiling at the group. Lowering her head slightly, she narrowed her eyes and gently stroked the monocle on her right eye using her finger.

"True... The current situation seems highly unfavorable to me. After all, I've introduced myself so let me return for today."

Putting away the contrabass in her hand back into its case, she huffed and returned the heavy-looking case to her back. Then she took another deep bow.

"Seeing as my opponent is the greatly renowned Fear-in-Cube-sama, simple suffering would seem to be somewhat insufficient. I will come up with more ways to invite you—but before that, please allow me to take my leave for now."

Before Haruaki and company could say anything, Alice had already taken off, her long hair and nun's habit swaying as she ran. Ignoring the unwieldy instrument case on her back, she sprinted and leaped over the wall with only assistance from her hand. After turning a final glance back, indeed she still kept her saint-like smile—she disappeared behind the wall.

"Listen to me carefully, don't come back ever again! Hey, are you listening!?"

Hearing Fear roar angrily at the other side of the wall, Haruaki sighed.

The whole incident was completely incomprehensible from the very start. Since the lady's goal was to take Fear and Kuroe away by force, she should be categorized as an "enemy," right... But her complete lack of hostility and ever smiling demeanor did not feel like an enemy's at all. What an inexplicably exhausting opponent.

"Seriously, what the heck is this...?"

Hearing Haruaki grumble, Kuroe bowed her head slightly.

"—Sorry, I've brought trouble to you all."

"Never mind, there wasn't any harm done in particular anyway, don't worry."

"Hmph, it looks like I'm actually quite well-known in these circles. Even if you hadn't led those people here, perhaps we'd still run into them sooner or later... Besides, judging from the way she fled, she most likely lacks confidence in fighting."

"True. I was able to use my meager powers to repel and escape from all the people who came to persuade me so far. Sending only a single person each time, perhaps their numbers are limited."

"Then there's probably no need to pay them special attention. If they come again, just drive them off again."

Kuroe eyed Fear and Konoha in turn, slightly closing those blank eyes of hers that were difficult to read as she spoke:

"...Thank you, Kono-san and Ficchi."

"Wait a minute, are you referring to me with that weird name? Why does it sound so stupid? I demand a revised version!"

"Gladly. What kind of impression would you like instead?"

"Mu? Well... I want something that sounds noble and elegant, conveying the impression of a proper and beautiful lady..."

"H-How could you possibly demand something like that!? Your brazen shamelessness is truly shocking!"

Haruaki smiled wryly as he was about to return to the living room—Along the way, he suddenly remembered.

"By the way, Kuroe, what's the other reason for coming home that you mentioned just now? The more interesting one."

"Ohoh."

Kuroe clapped her hands in a cliched manner.

"I returned simply because I ran out of money, that's all. So I plan on reopening the shop the day after tomorrow. I will be relying on everyone's help here—or rather, please help me!"

Expressionlessly, Kuroe glanced at Haruaki's twitching expression.

Maintaining her poker face, she inclined her head cutely and said:

"...Quite a bit of unexpected joy, right?"

===Part 3===

The warm water from the shower flowed down along and beneath the leather. This familiar sensation that had persisted over a good number of years already. Very likely, it was going to continue to the end of her life—This was Ueno Kirika's way of bathing herself.

She slipped her soap-covered hands between her skin and the leather. Detaching herself slightly from the leather like this was not enough to trigger the curse—

"To what extent could it be pulled off?" She had never confirmed the limits. After all, it would be a life-risking experiment.

As if performing machinery maintenance or some kind of meaningless ritual, her hands began to move.

Indeed, to be honest, taking a shower was completely meaningless. «Gimestorante's Love», which covered her body, was equipped with self-cleaning functions and was capable of maintaining the skin's cleanliness at a certain level. Nevertheless, she still bathed daily—psychological satisfaction without tangible benefit, or perhaps it was simply meaningless resistance against certain matters. Kirika was self-aware of this.

As Kirika left the bathroom after her shower, a faint smell of wet leather entered her nostrils. A sense of displeasure towards this had already become her daily habit. That said, the smell would dissipate swiftly as a result of the self-cleaning effect.

Putting on a shirt over the bondage suit, Kirika sat down on her chair and coldly looked down at the notebook computer on the desk. She had gone to the bathroom and showered for a change of mood, so the document file remained open on the screen. Its title—"Report Number 41."

Sighing, Kirika began to play a symphony of typing sounds. This too, was performed like a ritual, beneficial to no one, an extremely dangerous balancing act of mutual deception. No problems, no noteworthy changes—Glancing over the file filled with notes of "nothing," she replied through email. Then she sighed again.

"Sigh... Absolutely ridiculous, how absolutely ridiculous..."

Her long hair hanging half-wet and scattered, she powerlessly dragged herself to bed like a corpse, lying down and staring blankly at the ceiling.

"It always feels... So exhausting..."

Her shoulders felt so heavy. Perhaps part of it was due to psychological factors—Kirika wondered in introspection. Her days had become quite hectic recently. Since class representatives were required to take part in the executive committees of the school's sports and cultural festivals, she had to take care of a mountain of work every day in preparation for the upcoming sports festival taking place several weeks later. After finishing that pile of work and crawling home exhausted, she had other unpleasant "work" waiting for her like today.

She could feel her body enveloped by fatigue and the lingering heat from the shower. The sensations of the familiar bed brought her a sense of sleepiness. Precipitating amidst this mixture of vague consciousness, questions escaped her lips in her haziness:

"Why... do I... have to do this? ...For what... reason..."

The serious class representative. A member of the Lab Chief's Nation. Her personal wish was for the latter title to be discarded like rubbish. But fact was fact, personal wishes were meaningless. Consequently, she possessed both identities but was neither at the same time. She simply went with the flow, playing the required role on demand, acting without purpose. What she wanted to do, what she hoped to become in the future, none of these prospects were certain—

She raised her arm to display white skin and black leather. Machinery maintenance. Indeed, she considered herself akin to machinery, simply a turning gear. Never moving forward, merely a part of the machinery, spinning in one place. A tool that does not move on its own, immortal machinery...

A youth's face surfaced in her mind at this time. The face of the excessively nice guy, the fellow classmate who did not mind whether she was a tool or a human, always smiling stupidly at her.

Phew... Kirika had barely relaxed her cheeks—as if waiting intentionally for this particular moment, the cellphone on her desk began to ring. Could it be... She hastily got up and grabbed the phone. How could this be? It would feel rather miraculous for him to call the instant she thought of him, but this sort of thing was—

Impossible, obviously.

"Hi, my beloved princess, how are you doing?"

Kirika hung up immediately without answering. This absolutely worst timing was annoying her. Soon after, the phone rang again.

"Hanging up so suddenly is really terrible, isn't it, Kirika? Zero marks for manners."

"...What business do you have, Himura?"

"Isn't it obvious? Of course I want to hear the voice of my beloved woman—"

"I am going to hang up."

"Oh no, I'm just kidding. I have received certain communications... Wait, you're going to hang up if I keep beating around the bush, aren't you? Let me stop with the jokes. This is neither a notice, a report, a discussion nor a request, but simply this—An order. Listen carefully."

"You're saying it's an order?"

In terms of position, Himura and Kirika were equal partners. Naturally, this superficial equality stemmed from her identity as the lab chief's younger sister. In actual fact, Himura's seniority as a researcher was undeniably beyond hers—Nevertheless, their relationship did not allow for either party to issue orders to each other on their own. For Himura to say this expressly, it implied special significance.

"The content is simple. Listen well, ''absolutely do not get involved with the Bivorio Family''."
[[image:C3_03-044.jpg|thumb]]

"The Family...?"

Kirika frowned and murmured. She had heard of the name before... In other words, her knowledge of them was limited to their name only. This was the consequence of her attempt to live her life as far removed from that world as much as possible.

"Why?"

"The reason does not concern you."

"I have never come across that organization. Asking me not to get involved with them implies... An incident where I could encounter them is about to happen, right? Rather, in other words, the Family intends to do something to those people—"

"You may speculate as you wish. But let me repeat myself, do not get involved with them."

Gulping, Kirika reexamined her own rules for herself. What was her first priority? The answer came immediately. Hence, her answer for Himura was already determined.

"...I am not obliged to listen to you, right?"

"I knew you were going to say this. But just this once, the princess is not allowed to be willful. Although it's a bit of a waste, I will use a precious trump card in my hand."

Cackling laughter could be heard from the receiver, as if someone were breathing hot air against her ear. Kirika felt instinctively disgusted. Although she really felt like throwing the phone against the wall, she restrained herself.

"...What trump card?"

"''Blackmail material''. To be honest, I really don't want to do this, but you leave me no choice! Simply stated—Princess, if you don't want your prince to know about ''that'', then act obediently!"

Kirika was struck by sudden dizziness. That... That... He discovered it? It was not entirely impossible, but how did he...

"Naturally, it won't happen as long as you listen to my orders. Your secret... That ugly, disgusting, terrifying secret will be safe from the simple youth—"

"...Shut up!"

Feeling cold sweat break out from all over body, Kirika roared angrily. She really wished she could kill this man.

"So this is the situation. Provided you continue to lead your life as normal, nothing will happen and the secret will remain a secret forever. Well then, please do your best preparing for the sports festival. As a teacher, I will cheer for you, Ueno-kun."

As soon as the call ended, Kirika finally had a chance to put her feelings into action—naturally, it was the chance to throw the cellphone at the wall with all her might.

"Hoo... Hoo..."

Completely incensed, she glared viciously at the resilient cellphone which was rolling on the floor unharmed. The meaning of her pounding heart beat gradually shifted. From the distinct fear of her secret being exposed to—

"...What utter nonsense...!"

Clenching her fists tight, Kirika felt something other than fear swirling in her heart. Rage, shame and regret. Damn it! Only that particular matter cannot be revealed to that person, absolutely! She was helpless. But... Damn it...!

Amidst a vortex of emotions, a droplet of rebellious intent surfaced in her heart. This was a rebellion directed towards her useless self who had no choice but to yield to threats.

If only... Indeed, speaking of what she could accomplish by herself, there was—

Bleeding from clenching her fingernails too tightly in her fists, just as the contemptible curse healed her wounds—

Kirika's heart was consumed by nothing but single-minded determination.

===Part 4===

The next morning—Before the gates of Taishyuu Private High School, a silver-haired girl approached a male student.

"Hey, you."

"Eh?"

Fear glared severely as she looked up to the student, her lips twisted in a malevolent manner.

"Do you want to have a cut...?"

"W-What?"

"We will provide the necessary sharp instruments, so don't you worry. So, would you like one...?"

Intimidated by her strange forcefulness, the student could not help but step back. However, Fear continued to pressure him with her gaze sweeping over his body as if licking him.

"You really look like you want to be cut. Cleanly and decisively, snip snip... It will feel liberating, I guarantee it will be quite~ pleasurable..."

"E-Eeeeek[[User:Zzhk|Zzhk]] ([[User talk:Zzhk|talk]])!"

"You don't have to scream. It's not scary at all, so there's nothing to be afraid of! And you definitely won't bleed... Hey, how about it? That heavy and obstructing thing on your neck, let us help you sever it cleanly into two, eliminating it at the root—"

"H-Hey—!"

At this moment, Haruaki extended his knuckles from behind Fear and clamped her head, grinding her temples from the side.

"Muhaff! Idiot, what are you doing? I'll curse you!"

"Wah—— S-Save me——"

Taking advantage of the opening, the student—with his shoulder-length hair—dashed into the school building like a fleeing rabbit.

"Oh no! My prey! Stop getting in my way, Haruaki!"

"Could you stop saying such misleading things!?"

"What! How was it misleading exactly!? I was simply persuading him, asking if he wanted to get a hair cut at the beauty parlor—"

"The problem is you don't sound anything like that! Your dialogue just now belongs undoubtedly to a tribal headhunter!"

Nothing of that sort—Fear pouted. In any case, Haruaki divided his pile of promotional flyers and gave half to her, instructing her to simply pass them out with a smile. Grumbling to herself, Fear began to distribute flyers to the students.

Meanwhile, Haruaki could hear Konoha's voice from behind.

"Please, everyone, the beauty parlor in the shopping street, the 'Beach Podium,' will be reopening tomorrow. You can obtain a discount with this flyer~ Come, thank you very much~!"

Smiling radiantly, Konoha was passing out flyers all around. As befitted someone who occasionally worked part-time at a bookstore in the shopping street, she was quite used to task.

...Haruaki had gone to the convenience store early in the morning to photocopy the flyers and arrived at school earlier than usual to pass them out. Naturally, this all stemmed from Kuroe's nonchalant orders: "Tomorrow will be preparations. Then the shop opens the day after. So all of you, please help promote the event at school tomorrow!"

Originally, Haruaki was thinking there was no obligation to help her out so much, to the extend of distributing flyers. Or to put it bluntly, he felt it was a hassle... But then he suddenly realized something.

Rising food and living expenses since Fear's arrival + Kuroe's return home + No increase in Old Pops' allowance payments = Life in abject poverty. This equation was going to dictate their future.

Hence, Haruaki decided that Kuroe should at least cover her own cost of living given her independence. Since she mentioned that she had depleted her savings during her travels, this implied that any deficits incurred by Kuroe's shop from now on would directly impact the Yachi household budget...!

Consequently, as much as Haruaki and company lamented the world's unfairness, they still worked diligently to advertise Kuroe's business through guerrilla tactics.

"Hey Fear, how are things on your end?"

"I can't understand this. Why is the acceptance rate higher when I simply pass out the flyers silently...?"

Fear grumbled with a face of displeasure. Naturally, the answer lay in the balance of appearance and words... But Haruaki decided to withhold this from her for now.

"But a beauty parlor huh... I never expected Kuroe to have her own business..."

"It's already been a couple years... Old Pops and the superintendent helped out apparently, but I don't know the details. Anyway, she calls herself a hairstyling expert and her skills seem quite excellent."

"She manages the business alone? Given her appearance, do any customers show up?"

"Brace yourself and don't be too surprised. For the sake of convenience, Kuroe claims to be twenty-years-old to the public. An extremely child-faced, slow-maturing but exceptionally skilled hairstylist... Before setting out on her journey, she was already quite highly commended!"

"Commended... In other words, she was helping people, right?"

Fear looked into the distance.

"Yes. Perhaps because of her special skills, she was able to lift her curse so quickly without trouble?"

"Special skills... Really?"

Watching Fear fall silent, Haruaki understood what she was thinking. Smiling wryly, he smacked the back of her head with a stack of flyers.

"Hmm? Hey, what are you doing?"

"...You only need to do things at your own pace. Look, there's still so many flyers remaining, hurry and finish distributing them! So long as you avoid saying strange things, you will be a significant contributor!"

"I don't quite get what you mean by 'saying strange things'... Mu, damn it, what's with that shameless expression on your face!? Hmph, I don't need your reminders to get it done!"

Fear instantly rushed into a crowd of students but suddenly raised her hand and said:

"Oh, Kirika!"

Walking through the school gates was Haruaki's class representative—Ueno Kirika. Her skirt was unfashionably long as usual while her upper uniform was ironed straight and proper. She looked up with an inexplicably blank expression:

"Hmm...? Oh, it's you, Fear-kun... And Yachi... And Konoha-kun over there? What are you all doing?"

"This. You came at the right time, take this!"

Kirika glanced at the flyer she received from Fear.

"Beauty parlor opening... I see."

"Yeah, business begins tomorrow apparently."

"...I'll check it out if I feel like it. Well then, I'm going first."

Folding the flyer neatly, Kirika made her way towards the school building. Watching her from behind, Haruaki and Fear both inclined their heads in puzzlement:

"Somehow it feels like Class Rep isn't very energetic?"

"Yeah. Maybe she's not getting enough sleep?"

Because she had become very busy lately... Just as the two worried, a commotion began in their surroundings.

"H-Haruaki-kun, Haruaki-kun! We're in big trouble!"

"Oh Konoha, what trouble...? Ugh!"

Konoha was running towards him, carrying the few flyers remaining in her hand. Behind her was—

"What is this I hear about people engaging in unauthorized soliciting? Show yourselves!"

It was the physical education teacher (female) whom no one dared to oppose, famous for her Spartan teaching style. Always equipped with a shovel on her shoulder, this served as a strange identifying characteristic in the same vein as the superintendent's gas mask.

"Oh no! Fear, Konoha, time to retreat!"

"Uwah, what is it, what is it? Stop dragging me!"

A complete no-brainer, but from the moment the trio included Fear who attracted crowds like a panda at a zoo, the perpetrators were already glaringly obvious. Despite escaping the scene successfully, they were called out as soon as they reached their classrooms—the trio ended up receiving a harsh lecturing.

"Jeez... It's not like we were doing anything bad in the first place!"

Several hours later at break time, Fear was pouting with her arms crossed before her chest, clearly indignant.

"No, getting lectured was to be expected. I originally thought we could get away with it for one day but I was too naive."

"How could you brush the matter aside by concluding 'too naive'!? We still have flyers left! If we don't do something about this, the beauty parlor's plan for booming business will suffer a setback!"

Fear was unexpectedly motivated. Very likely, this was not unrelated to Kuroe's proposal of "If many customers come, I'll share some of the profit as thanks for your help!"

"Hey Haruaki, is there any other solutions?"

"You're asking me for other solutions... Well, there's no point if customers only come once tomorrow simply because of the flyer discount. We must do more long term promotion."

Muttering, Haruaki looked up and suddenly rested his gaze on the notice board hanging next to the blackboard. "X Days Remaining Until the Sports Festival"—the students' handmade calendar.

"Sports festival huh... Wait a minute, in that case...?"

Suddenly inspired, Haruaki stood up and walked over to Kirika's seat in the back. Fear also followed with a surprised expression.

"Class Rep, excuse me..."

Like a serious class representative, Kirika's gaze was cast down at the textbook for the next lesson. However, her face looked black and her eyes did not seem to be following the sentences on the page.

"Say, Class Rep."

She must really be tired huh... Thinking that to himself, Haruaki called out to her again. Finally, she responded this time:

"Hmm... Yachi? What is the matter?"

"I just remembered, wasn't it mentioned during the last class meeting? The sports festival pamphlet still has space for advertising, so if any shop or business wants to be sponsors, we should invite them..."

Attendees would be flipping through the pamphlet many times in order to check the programme and other things. By placing an ad there, there should be a great publicity effect.

"Indeed it was mentioned before. But it's over already, the deadline was last week."

Hmm... Haruaki frowned. Seeing him like that, perhaps Kirika took pity on him—

"However, I remember hearing at the executive committee that the pamphlet's layout needs to be revised due to leftover space. Perhaps there might be a chance for leniency. But this means I'll need to beg the seniors."

Then crossing her arms before her chest, she added with a pained expression:

"Besides, this is an advertising space meant for fundraising and formally requires ten thousand yen to buy. If you're trying to beg for leniency after the deadline, you'd need to pay at the same time to the executive committee at the same time as the request—Do you have the money?"

"Umm, no..."

"I don't really get it, but me neither."

It went without saying, the latter speaker was Fear.

Paying by installments was probably not an option... Just as Haruaki thought to himself, Kirika suddenly widened one eye and said:

"...By the way, I happen to have enough in my purse to scrape out ten thousand yen."

"No, having you help beg on my behalf makes me guilty enough already, how could I go as far as to borrow the money from you as well... That's totally unacceptable. All I can do is rely on you without doing anything..."

Haruaki suddenly thought of an idea:

"Oh, how about this, let me do something in return? Otherwise, I can't live with myself... For example, I could help you with your work until the sports festival..."

His proposal prompted Kirika to raise an eyebrow. Looking up at the classroom ceiling, she said:

"Come to think of it, I remember we were allowed an executive committee assistant. I originally wanted to decline, saying it probably won't be necessary..."

"But Class Rep, you seem so busy lately, you must be very tired? After all, given my unreasonable request, if I could help you in return, I'd gladly do so."

"I... am not very tired..."

For some unknown reason, Kirika's words became unnaturally vague as she lowered her gaze to the table. Then as if to change the subject—

"So what is your plan? If you want to make the request, it should be done immediately. Otherwise, it will be too late once the pamphlet is done."

There was virtually no room to make a decision. On one hand, there was the beauty parlor's plans for booming business. On the other hand, Haruaki was beginning to get strange thoughts, wondering if Kirika might suddenly collapse in the middle of the current conversation.

"Hmm... Let's do it. I am relying on you. Deal?"

"Very well. I'll pay the sponsorship fee upfront first."

"Thanks. I will try to pay you back as soon as possible."

"Uh—could someone explain to me in simple terms what's going on?"

In response to Fear tilting her head in puzzlement—

"I am going to help Class Rep with her work. In return, Class Rep will help with the beauty parlor's advertising... I'll probably become quite busy after school? Most likely, I won't be able to watch you carefully from now on, so don't you go around doing anything weird, okay?"

Haruaki was part of the arch building team while Fear belonged to the dance team. Their activities after school were already different but because the workshop site and the practice grounds were quite close, Haruaki was still able to check if she was doing anything strange. But since he was going to be working with Kirika for the executive committee, he would be hard pressed to keep a close eye on Fear from this point onwards.

Hearing Haruaki's comments, Fear looked at Haruaki and Kirika's faces in turn, then began to pout unhappily for some reason.

"E-Even if you're not present, I won't feel troubled at all! It's true! You go ahead and help Kirika as much as possible! Rather, I should say, d-don't you go around doing anything weird yourself, shameless brat! Hmph!"

Fear strode back to her seat. Her behavior was totally incomprehensible.

In any case, Haruaki was going to become much busier. Preparations for the sports festival, helping Kirika, the beauty parlor's plan for booming business, and the incident last night that suddenly occurred to him—The Bivorio Family. Their goal was apparently to take Fear away but from Fear and Konoha's perspectives, they posed little threat as enemies and did not seem like a concern. Nevertheless, the matter of "being targeted" still caused unease that could not be erased from his heart.

(Sigh... Ever since Kuroe returned home, things needed to be done have increased all at once. Say, I wonder if Kuroe is actually doing her own part seriously?)

The beauty parlor, the "Beach Podium," was Ningyouhara Kuroe's castle. Located in a corner of the shopping street, the shop space was comparable to that of a small convenience store. The store sign, written in beautifully flowing cursive calligraphy, was also quite striking.

Standing before the metal shutters in front of the shop, Kuroe was staring up at the sign with her usual blank gaze. There were so many things to do. Cleaning, replenishing consumables, checking the equipment and facilities... All sorts of random chores. And most of these random chores required monumental effort.

"Ohoh—K-Kuroe-chan! You're back?"

"Yes, Yaomichi-san. I'm back."

The owner of the neighboring fruit shop came to greet her, followed immediately by the neighboring fishmonger—

"What!? Kuroe-chan came back! R-Really! Welcome back!"

"I have returned, Uomasa-san... I intend to reopen for business tomorrow. I'll be in your care."

Hurray—the strongly built fishmonger cheered and exchanged glances with the fruit shopkeeper. They made a fist at the same time.

"Hey hey, Yaomichi, this is not the time to be doing business leisurely!"

"Well said! Our shopping street's idol, Kuroe-chan, is reopening her shop...! How could we not help out? Very well, follow me, let's get that guy from the flower shop to help!"

The two men were about to rush off... But Kuroe called them back.

"W-What is it?"

Kuroe slowly blinked her blank-looking eyes and expressionlessly inclined her head slightly.

"...Thank you."

"! You're very welcome!"

For some reason, the two men shook hands and disappeared into the other end of the shopping street.

...Hmm.

Watching them leave, Kuroe blinked. Next—It looked like there was no need to worry about preparing flowers or other chores. Thinking that at the same time, Kuroe lifted the metal shutters and walked into the shop.

===Part 5===

After school, the sports ground was full of hustle and bustle.

In each class, students were divided into a "dance creation team" and an "arch building team." Consequently, their activities after school were also divided according to their teams. As a side note, each year level had eight classes which were paired up into red/white/blue/yellow squads. In the actual sports festival, each year level would present the results of their dancing and arch building according to their teams.

"Class Rep~ We're running out of plywood boards~ Roughly three more are needed."

"I see, I'll get them—Yachi, let's go."

Since they belonged to the arch team, Kirika and Haruaki worked on that side for the most part. Or rather, because the dance team had Kana's supervision, there was no need to interfere.

After completing formalities behind the school building where materials were piled into mountains, they brought the plywood boards (obviously carried by Haruaki) back to the corner of the sports ground.

In contrast to the arch team members who wielded hammers and saws while working in their tracksuits, there was a group of students nearby lightly dressed in gym clothes for the most part. It was the dance team. Slightly concerned, Haruaki took a glance—

"Mu... Oh. I-Is this right?"

"Your motion just now... Looks like there's progress... I guess?"

"...Hmm. From 'two arms moving together,' progressing to 'one arm not moving at all'...?"

Under the scrutiny of her classmates, Fear was still performing strange motions resembling Tai Chi. The kindness of calling it progress could probably be counted as a virtue of fellow classmates? Haruaki thought to himself.

That girl is clearly quite athletic... Thinking the same thing as usual to himself, Haruaki carelessly asked without consideration:

"You're quite athletic too, Class Rep, why didn't you join the dance team?"

Walking in front, Kirika's shoulder shuddered but she maintained her pace and answered without looking back:

"...You really think I could join? In the official performance, I'll need to wear a dancing outfit."

"Oh right..."

Too careless. Kirika had reasons why she could not dress lightly even during summer. Cursing himself for his thoughtlessness, Haruaki ran up to walk with her side by side and said:

"I-I'm truly sorry, I forgot... In any case, I am really sorry!"

Kirika looked up and threw Haruaki a glance. "You forgot huh..." She seemed to relax the tension in her face slightly.

"This isn't important. Stop daydreaming and deliver these plywood boards to them quickly!"

"G-Got it!"

And as soon as he ran back to them—

"They seem short on manpower over there, go help them with hammering the nails... Hey, there's no point if you don't bring hammers! Go get me two more of them!"

"Why am I suddenly getting this Sparta feeling? And you seem subtly happy..."

"Nothing of that sort. Move it!"

Mixed into the small group of people building the arch, Kirika and Haruaki began to swing their hammers. In the corner of his eye, Haruaki caught Kana ordering the dance team to take a break: "Okay, everyone recharge your energy separately—!" Haruaki tried to convey with his gaze to Fear that "the two of us are being worked to death here, let's all do our best!" But for some reason, Fear stuck out her tongue and made a face as she watched Haruaki and Kirika crouching side by side. We're clearly suffering over here, I really don't get what she's thinking.

Konoha's class was next door to Haruaki's and assigned the same color squad. She was also in the dance team. Dressed in gym clothes like Fear, although she did not stick out her tongue, Konoha was pouting subtly. Turning her face away, she left with her friends.

"...Should I be sorry for doing this to those two..."

"Hmm? Class Rep, did you say something?"

In response to Haruaki's question about what she was murmuring about, Kirika gave a subtle smile that seemed intermediate between courtesy and shyness. Was she talking to herself?

Then continuing to hammer for a while, Kirika spoke up softly, her face still facing forwards.

"I should have said this earlier... But thank you for helping me."

"This is mutual, right? Besides, Class Rep, you've been looking really tired lately... Moreover, you look over exhausted right now. You should order others around on occasion and relax, or else you'll collapse from exhaustion."

"Over exhausted... Really... Perhaps a little. In fact, I sometimes do wonder why I'm doing this."

How rare it was to hear Kirika grumbling. Haruaki looked in amazement at her prim and proper face.

Discovering his gaze, Kirika glanced sideways at Haruaki and sighed with a chuckle:

"But very unbelievably, I feel quite relaxed today. Yes—very happy indeed. So don't you worry. We should work hard to prepare a wonderful sports festival."

Despite her saying that, Haruaki still felt that Kirika's exhaustion was written on her face. But since he did not have an instant remedy for its effects, he could only chat meaninglessly as therapy.

"Of course you feel relaxed, it's because of my healing powers! You can look forward to healing mascots modeled on me as prizes for crane games in the near future!"

"...Absolutely ridiculous."

Her reply was the same as usual.

She seemed slightly happier than usual. But also—

Slightly more suffering than usual as well.

===Part 6===

Sunlight was streaming vertically, falling straight into the ocean.

Inside a warehouse by the seashore, a woman was watching the outside scenery through a crack in a slightly open door. Her field of vision was framed rectangularly almost like a painting. A canvas depicting the ocean and the setting sun. This country's sun felt warmer than the one back home. But seen from this narrow field of view, the sight was virtually no different from her homeland.

"I title this... 'Home, Seen in Foreign Lands.'"

Alice smiled and murmured softly. Carrying luggage on her back, she tilted the cup in her hand slightly. The sweet aroma of milk and honey entered her nostrils. In days past, this would have been a luxurious treat for her... And even now, she still enjoyed it greatly. But if one were to call her childish, she would feel a little hurt on occasion.

Indeed, this was a kind of luxury in the past. She reminisced.

At her first homeland—the welfare agency whose name she had forgotten, this was not something she could have drunk. As for her second homeland—the current one was a nameless church. Sandwiched on both sides by tall cliffs, the church seemed as if it were located at a valley in hell. Rather, one should call it a private orphanage. This was where she first learned of this drink. The occasional cup of warm milk offered pleasure beyond any food.

Hence, whenever she drank this, "home" naturally surfaced in her mind.

Ah yes... Home sweet home. Her beloved decrepit church. It was in that home that she had obtained everything. The priest had adopted her from the welfare agency, taking her and a number of companions to that place. Only there did she obtain a name for the first time and stopped being just a number. Alice. She learned to work there and had many encounters. There were many unhappy memories, and naturally, wonderful ones as well. Between the cliffs, facing the ocean, she learned the beauty of the setting sun. Furthermore—She obtained family.

Gulp... The sweet, warm milk slid down her throat.

"...If only we could watch the scenery together, drinking sweet milk, it would be such a wonderful thing."

If only she could understand—Alice thought to herself. Really, that was all she wanted. Rather than inviting the girl simply through force then convincing her afterwards, Alice hoped she could understand first before coming here.

But having exhausted her words, Alice did not think the girl could understand. Hence—she began preparations. A little time and a little effort were necessary. With this, the girl would be able to understand.

Indeed, there was no need for impatience. Tonight shall be spent getting ready leisurely...

Pondering over these matters, Alice continued to savor her homeland's taste as she looked out to her homeland's scenery.

After returning home from school, several hours had passed.

Finished with dinner, Fear rushed headlong into the bathroom. Leaning her back against the bathtub, she looked upwards and sighed:

"Ooh... Damn it, today didn't go well either..."

She recalled the scene after school. Despite trying very hard, the situation remained the same. She alone was conspicuously behind the others by far—or rather, after assessing calmly, she realized she was the only one whose motions did not resemble dancing. Kana and the others had comforted her, saying "There's still a lot of time!" But at the same time, they also said: "When the time comes, we might have to let Fear-chan perform an original dance alone." That would be truly vexing if it really turned out like that.

Why could she not dance well? Was she still unaccustomed to human form? She had already spent significant time moving about in this form. In that case, was it really because she was not human originally and just a tool—

"That's not right. Cow Tits can also dance. This is purely just a difference in amount of practicing! I just need to try harder!"

Splash—She got up from the bathtub and made a cheering pose by herself.

"Speaking of cheering—Kuroe's shop will be opening tomorrow. I have no idea how I could help, but she'll need to do her best as well..."

The sliding door opened.

"You just need to help welcome the customers, that's all."

"Muah! W-What? I'm taking a bath right now!"

The subject of discussion suddenly slid open the glass door to enter the bathroom. Naturally, she was completely nude with only her long, flowing hair to cover her body. Faced with Fear's reprimand, Kuroe simply answered with her usual poker face:

"I have spent all of today preparing, so tired... I want to take a bath earlier. Besides, baring ourselves completely is the best way to strengthen relations with someone you just met. Indeed, this is perfect timing."

Splash!

"This is so cramped!"

"It feels more cramped if you struggle randomly."

She was right. Fear had no choice but to shrink herself into a ball as much as possible, submerging her shoulders in the warm water again. But after jumping in, Kuroe kept her legs extended straight as she leaned against the side of the bathtub. Although Fear did not get kicked, she could feel Kuroe's bare skin making contact with her thighs and shins from time to time.

"My legs are sore, so excuse me while I stick them out..."

"I'm very tired too!"

"Ah~ I knew a good soak would do wonders, now I feel like sleeping..."

"Are you listening to me?"

"Snore..."

"You're really sleeping!"

Kuroe's snoring persisted. She really seemed exhausted. Feeling it would be a shame to wake her up, Fear could do nothing but pout and watch her sleeping face.

This continued for a while when suddenly a question surfaced in Fear's mind—Or rather, she was struck with an inquisitive sense of curiosity.

This girl's curse was lifted. For tools like them, this would be the most dramatic change. It would not be surprising for there to be special changes in appearance or form... Although Haruaki had said "there was no difference except with the curse lifted," he could not have examined Kuroe's body to confirm it, right? Despite finding no difference in Kuroe's appearance at a glance, Fear wondered if Kuroe's lifting of her curse would result in a decisive difference somewhere on her body?

"Fumu... Looks like it's worth checking out..."

Making waves in the tub's hot water, Fear crouched down partially, bringing her face quietly towards the snoring Kuroe, scrutinizing her entire body obsessively. She really seemed no different... Cheeks as smooth as a newly shelled hard-boiled egg, shoulders with water drops sliding down, a bust whose size gave Fear a sense of camaraderie, a belly heaving up and down lightly in the hot water. The skin covering her entire body was smooth and white as snow.

Nothing unusual in appearance.

Next, Fear decided to try her sense of touch.

First she poked Kuroe's cheeks. Very elastic.

"Mmm..."

Kuroe exhaled. She was still asleep. Then Fear patted her shoulders lightly. Perhaps because they were not very fleshy, Fear's palm felt a smooth sensation but with a subtle bony feeling. Then she reached into the water and turned her investigation to Kuroe's chest, belly and navel areas.

Sweeping her hand back and forth over those elastic and supple thighs underwater... Fear could not find anything unsual after all. Just as she was thinking if she should give up—No, wait. She realized only at this moment.

"Right, I guess I must check out this girl's 'most important part'..."

Just as she was about to extend her hand towards that place—Fear noticed a gaze.

"...?"

The girl, whose body was being toyed around, was inclining her head with surprise in her blank gaze. Fear pondered for a moment. After some thought, she concluded she had done nothing wrong and so—she should ask Kuroe honestly.

"Let me touch you."

Several seconds passed.

With some splashing, Kuroe slowly shrank into the bath water until the water reached the edge of her mouth—

"...Hmm... Okay...?"

Shyly yet with a sense of anticipation, she looked up and gave her answer.

Haruaki's cellphone was missing. After searching his room for a while, he suddenly remembered he had forgotten it in the laundry basket.

In order to prevent an accidental incident, he knocked cautiously before entering the changing area. He already knew Fear was taking a bath, but the discovery of Kuroe's clothes in the basket left Haruaki's head tilting in puzzlement.

(They're bathing together...?)

After returning home with a completely exhausted expression, Kuroe had disappeared all of a sudden. Haruaki originally thought she must have returned to rest in her own room in the accessory dwelling...

Whatever, strengthening their relations was a good thing. Kuroe was always dead set on doing as she pleased, so Fear most likely could not refuse? Figuring out the situation, Haruaki retrieved his cellphone from his clothes in the laundry basket. "Done—" Just as he was about to exit the changing area—He overheard.

"Hmm... This feels nice..."

"Hey, don't move randomly! This is my first time doing this!"

"Don't worry, your technique is good... You can... Go a bit harder."

"Like this? Oof! Oof!"

"Yes, it feels great. Right, that's the feeling, keep going...?"

Haruaki held his breath. What the heck? What on earth are they doing?

His sense of reason was whispering in his ear, get out of this place as quickly as possible. However, his body refused to listen.

"Umuu... On my end, the feeling of playing with this... Feels quite nice too..."

"Oh that place? You need to use a more scratching motion..."

"Like this?"

"Yes, that's right. Ah yeah, this feels much better than doing it myself... Fufu, Ficchi's fingers are so gentle. It's wonderful."

"I-I wasn't being gentle on purpose... Hey, are we done yet? My fingers are getting tired."

"Hmm... Then let's finish it in one fell swoop, do it!"

Completely immobilized, Haruaki then heard—

Splash—

"...Splash?"

It sounded like someone pouring a basin of hot water over their head at once.

Struck by a sense of dissonance, Haruaki stood there in confusion as the glass door slid open immediately.

"Uumu... Your hair doesn't seem unusual after all, apart from its ability to move."

"Even if your curse is lifted, there won't be any change to your appearance. Thank you for washing my hair."

"Hmph, I only did it for confirmation, I had no choice... Hmm?"

The two girls' bodies were dripping with water. Standing in front was Kuroe, her undeveloped body delicately obscuring Fear. On the other hand, Kuroe made no effort to conceal herself and simply stood there blankly. Only her long hair barely covered the critical parts of her body, avoiding Haruaki's direct gaze.

After the passage of several seconds, a duration that could neither be described as long nor short—Fear instantly blushed to her ears and wrath consumed her eyes.

"W-What... What are you doing? Sh-sh-shameless brat! I'll curse you!"

"...You wanted to watch? Just give the word and I'll join you in the bath, Haru."

"O-Of course not! How should I explain this... It's not like that at all! I didn't do anything!"

"What is with the noise? What on earth are you shouting... about..."

Konoha entered at this moment, adding to the chaos. Why do I remember similar happening before... Haruaki thought to himself in despair.

In front of Konoha whose expression was frozen, Fear pointed at Haruaki with such vigor that seemed as if it would poke a hole in his forehead and said:

"Shouting? Just see with your own eyes, this shameless brat was peeking while we took a bath—"

Then Kuroe turned her blank gaze towards Haruaki's hand and added:

"Not only was he peeking but also using his cellphone camera, committing a criminal act driven by the impulses of puberty..."

"N-No! I didn't peek and as for the cellphone... I only came in to take it! That's why...!"

"To take photos. I knew it..."

"Why are you girls failing to understand even though I am clearly speaking in Japanese? This is too unbelievable! It's all a misunderstanding, I've done nothing against my conscience!"

"..." "..." "..."

Why am I only getting cold stares in response?

"...I didn't... Come on... Hmm, let's put this aside for now. Y-Yes, let's head over to the living room and discuss what we're doing tomorrow over some tea! At the very least, we need to assign roles for helping out at the beauty parlor tomorrow, right? Do you all agree!?"
[[image:C3_03-072.jpg|thumb]]

Haruaki forced a smile and was about to leave the changing area when Konoha grabbed him by the arm.

Then solemnly, she declared:

"Before we discuss tomorrow—Let's hold a family meeting first."

...Family meetings don't need such a murderous aura, right?

<noinclude>

==Translator's Notes and References==
<references/>

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| Back to [[CubexCursedxCurious:Volume3_Prologue|Prologue]]
| Return to [[CubexCursedxCurious|Main Page]]
| Forward to [[CubexCursedxCurious:Volume3_Chapter2|Chapter 2]]
|-
|}
</noinclude>

Kaze no Stigma:Volume3 Chapter 4

2013-04-28T16:06:33Z

80.240.162.190: /* Part 4 */

=== Chapter 2 Each and everyone's determination ===

===Part 1===
".....!"

"Fugyaa!?"

Kazuma, peacefully breathing in his sleep on the upper side of the tree, suddenly - avoiding Tiana's wings, who just happened to fly on top of him - jumped to his feet.

"W- what?"

On the verge of falling, reorganizing her attitude, Tiana groaned. Completely ignoring those complaints, Kazuma said:

"It came back"

".......really?"

Tiana forgot her resentment on the spot. While it may be true she felt it, it does not mean she can do something about it.

"Where, where?"

To the now rushing out fairy, Kazuma jerked his jaw, pointing to the car trying to pass through the gate. Both their glances have been rooted on the spot.

From the car stopped in front of the entrance, several men and women made their appearance. Among those people, from inside the body of one small girl at the beginning of her teens, the wave motion felt from the center of her chest was, without a doubt, belonging to the treasure stolen from the fairy village.

"Even so, that is....."

The girl emitted an awfully unnatural presence. And then, when comparing her with the girl with an identical face, five or six years her senior, Kazuma muttered in a bitter voice.

He grasped the family structure of the Tsuwabuki head house. A girl that was not supposed to exist and an older identical girl.

And then - the fairy's treasure carried inside her body. From his perspective everything was clear.

"What a vulgar copy cat...."

On the other hand, Tiana was unrelated to those strong feelings.

"Ah, I found it....."

Murmuring with a voice overcome with emotion, both hands before her chest, looking up at the Heaven with wet pupils, as if saying "Thank you, God".

"Inside that, it's inside that! Come now - Kazuma please carry out the request! Gouge that girl's heart and retrieve the bloody treasureeee!!"

Because of too much excitement, Tiana screamed the bloody speech. How to say this, it was a scene meant to break any dreams and aspiration regarding the so called fairies.

That Tiana, shouting with blood shot eyes, Kazuma lightly disregarded, as if it was a matter of course. Brushing off the leaves and bark sticking to his clothes, he lightly muttered one thing.

"Well then, should I go back to sleep?"

"Just wait a secoooooooond!"

Tiana pulled with all her might the nape of Kazuma's neck, trying to descend from the tree that was their kip. Casually grabbing the fairy's body, following about, and plucking it of, he asked tiresomely.

"What?"

"It's not ''what'', right? The treasure we searched for it's just there!? Quickly get it baaack!!"

"Tiana"

Kazuma called out the fairy with the propensity for derangement in a terribly quiet voice.

As if cold water was poured on her heated head, Tiana promptly returned to her true character.

"W- wh- what is it....?"

"If you think about it, the ceremony is tomorrow night."

"So?"

"Instead of taking it now, won't it be more amusing to take it when they will be relived and think the ceremony can quietly take place? When knocked down from the peak of rejoice to the bottom of despair, what kind of expression will they do?....ku ku ku...."

Engraved on the contractor's mouth was an inhuman, cruel and brutal smile. The man's true character, who essentially should be a saint, made Tiana feel despair countless times.

"Auuuuuuuu...."

===Part 2===

She saw a dream.

Of a distant past, of a time her chest still harbored hope, a resemblance of the once foolish self. She wanted to be appreciated. She wanted to be smiled at. It did not matter if she was number one. It did not matter if she was the second.

That's why she desperately struggled. Putting her life on the line, piling up experience, refining her power. Without considering that it was the cause of still more alienation.

"That technique is a heresy. It's not appropriate for a practitioner of the traditional Tsuwabuki."

"That thing is not Chijutsushi. Why does my child have to use such black arts?"

''Disgrace''

''Demon Child''

''Evil magician''

The cruel words thrown at the very young girl by her own father carved in her heart wounds that cannot heal.

"Someday, for sure....."

Realizing that was a wish that will never come true, when did that happen?

That was a crab.

Not something particularly scary. Its size was somewhat big - enough to bisect a bear with its kitchen-like pincers. Its legs were somewhat numerous - the fore pincers - but, if she were to use her power the opponent would have no choice but to be lightly pinched out.

Despite this - the girl she was supposed to protect, was being overpowered by such a thing and paralyzed with horror. The huge pincers swung from overhead, was being looked up at, in a daze, by that inexperienced face.

"...Mayumi!"

She promptly released her power. The pincer trying to smash Mayumi's head was broken as if crushed by a giant hand.

"Come here!"

The crab was spouting froth from anguish. She sharply ordered Mayumi, who was still looking up at it in blank amazement.

".....Y-yes!"

Finally calming down, Mayumi rushed over while her legs got twisted. She payed absolutely no attention behind her. To that defenseless back, the crab tried to give a retribution blow. While driving out the crab with a feint attack, she caught the small body leaping in her chest.

"Older sister!"

For the girl trembling in fear, she showed a perfectly forced smile.

"It's alright. Against that kind of apparition, it's impossible for you to loose."

"B-but....."

"I will stop its movement and I will give it the finishing blow. That's fine, right?"

".........."

"Make your preparation"

Turning around Mayumi's still insecure body, she was made to confront the imminent crab.

"It's alright."

Embracing from behind the younger sister stiff with fear, she tenderly whispered. Contrary to her tone, that facial expression was cold but invisible to the girl gazing at the crab.

"Look....observe it"

Kicking the ground with eight long legs the crab approached the two straightforward. And, when he was approximately ten meters away, suddenly the crab was smashed.

it was like from right overhead, an unbelievably huge palm held him down with all his strength. Smashing the collection of legs, the shell conspicuously fissured. Plucking from the root the pincers that were rose overhead, admitting defeat, it was buried into the ground with a roar.

Without moving at all she pointed at the crab in anguish and told Mayumi:

"Come now, finish it off. Make a hole through the center, pierce it from bellow. You can do it, right?"

"Y-yes" Mayumi obediently nodded.

Obeyed by the spirits of the earth, she governed their power. The spirits promptly responded to the most powerful Chijutsushi blood.

" -ya!!"

Together with the girl's cute yell, from beneath the crab a spear stone grew. That long and narrow cone shape penetrated the crab's shell and rose facing the heavens. Making a huge hole in the middle of its body, the crab wriggled, foam at it's mouth. But by construction the crab was unable to escape from the stone spear. It's resistance gradually weakened and gradually stopped.

Before their eyes, the skull of the reddish crab lost its gloss, growing dull in color. The crack spread from that gap and the muscle became visible. It faded the same way loosing its elasticity and the muscle became stiff.

It turned to stone.

That was Mayumi's real aim. The stone spear that went through was no more than the preliminary arrangement for that purpose. The ground spirits pumped into the wounds changed with great vigor the organic matter in inorganic one. Making sure the petrification reached the interior of the body, including fighting spirit, Mayumi shouted.

"Smash!!"

It was impossible to disobey it. Agreeing to the command, the ground spirits speedily dissolved the bindings. Making a thick sound the stone cram was smashed.

Because the body changed to countless stones it was no longer possible to guess its original shape.

"Very well done Mayumi-sama!"

"Merely eight years old and to be able to take down such a Youma!"

Waiting for Mayumi when she returned home was a storm of praise from the entire family. The people assembled in the saloon unanimously praised Mayumi and her alone.

There was nobody who talked to her. Without showing any reaction for the uproar of the surroundings, she was sitting diagonally behind Mayumi, mute like a puppet. In front of her ignored as if her existence was the same as air, Mayumi who was given the family seat of honor was being spoken to by the Tsuwabuki Iwao.

"You did very well, Mayumi."

"Father!"

Mayumi's smiling face lit up and jumped into her father's chest, whom she respected and loved. Iwao also embraced his daughter closely, including an overflowing love.

"You did very well, Mayumi."

While pressing her cheeks against against Iwao's chest, who repeated those words again, Mayumi said innocently:

"Yeah, I did my best. But older sister practically did it by herself. Older sister is awfully strong!"

The unreserved large voice reverberated in the saloon, and the faces of the people sitting in a row became pale. Feeling the change of atmosphere, Mayumi raised her eyes to her father in wonder.

"What's wrong?"

Iwao replied laughingly.

"It's of no concern. Mayumi is admirable, dividing her achievement with other people."

"That's wrong, really, elder sister is- "

"It's fine, I don't give a damn about that thing"

Blocking Mayumi's field of vision by hugging her close, Iwao shifter his attention to her. Cold like a different person, a glance exceeding hatred, filled with curses.

But even so, she didn't move one finger, one eyebrow or one muscle. Ignoring the glance sticking between her eyebrows, her gaze looked at nothing but in front, one meter horizontal from Iwao, fixating on the wood details of the alcove post.

The sister embraced with love and the sister glared at with hatred.

All present looked at the excessively contrastive sisters, catching their breath.

"Kureha-sama.....Kureha-sama?"

".....!"

At the voice repeating her name, taken aback, Kureha woke up. It seems she took a nap in the middle of her duties. Lightly shaking off her head, to remove the remaining sleepiness, she responded.

"Enter"

From the door opened by the maid, a group of three people got in. By priority of age, Yuuji, Mayumi and - Ayumi.

''That was unexpectedly fast''

Kureha thought so, looking at the puppet with eyes sunk in bitterness. As far as she saw of that facial expression, her first trip had not been particularly enjoyable.

''Well, it's a thing of no consequence''

"Following your instruction Ayumi has been returned home"

Being considerably pathetic, Yuuji reported stiffly. Expressly speaking of such obvious things, Yuuji may have been foolish but that doesn't mean Kureha was the same.

That was some kind of indication of his decision.

''"With this I won't allow Mayumi to become a sacrifice", or something''

It's not like her real intentions stood out. Instead, feeling that naivete pleasant, Kureha responded with a sweet smile.

"I appreciate your efforts."

"Y-yes!"

No matter how he perceived those words of appreciation Yuuji made a respectful bow, his face lit up. But before he raised his head, Kureha informed the three.

"Yuuji, you can already retire. Mayumi and Ayumi, please follow me."

"....Eh?" unintentionally Mayumi asked back.

Yuuji stiffed in a comical stance, his back bent.

".......Me too, you said?"

Seeing surprise and a small quantity of fear clung to Mayumi's question, Kureha laughed.

"That's right. Did you think you will be sightseeing the ceremony drinking tea? You too have an important part. Follow me"

"................"

Iwao being on the sickbed at the present time, Kureha was the one commanding the family. She could not advocate her objection.

Complying with Kureha, who naturally opened the door and stated walking, Mayumi and Ayumi followed behind.

Yuuji followed the three people until they left the office but clinging to them further was not permitted.

For him, unable to do anything but see them off, Mayumi looked over her shoulder just once.

That profile full of anxiety was scorched in the center of his consciousnesses together with a feeling of loss that cannot be undone.

===Part 3===

The next morning

Hiding his pathetic decision inside his heart, Yuuji knocked on the door leading to Kureha's private room. Without pause, the reply came.

"What's the matter, Yuuji?"

"........I have something to discuss."

"Enter"

The knob turned. It wasn't the work of a key. In a mental state similar to that of entering a dragon's den, Yuuji stepped inside the room.

"Good morning. You're early Yuuji."

Although saying that Kureha's appearance too was perfectly in order. Her flowing black hair was perfectly arranged and the same as usual a black suit was tightly wrapped around her.

"Will you let me know my lady's whereabouts?"

Standing before Kureha, impolitely Yuuji did not return the greeting and got to the main question. His complexion was bad. In spite of being injured to that extent yesterday it seems he didn't sleep a wink.

"Since last night, after Kureha-sama took her along, she did not returned to her room"

"You, did you stick yourself in front of Mayumi's room? You're almost like a stalker, huh?", Kureha laughed sarcastically.

However, Yuuji, without showing a glimpse of insincere smile, draw near with a severe face.

"Please answer, Kureha-sama. Depending on what happens, even if it's you..."

Kureha indifferently asked back.

"Even if it's you?"

"Ku.........."

Without doing anything, just by standing there, Kureha overwhelmed Yuuji.

Even by making use of his blind devotion towards Mayumi, he could not fill the desperate power difference.

"My lady, where is she...."

Still, seeing Yuuji hang on, mustering his willpower Kureha showed a somewhat unnatural look of admiration.

"What considerable devotion. If you want to meet her that badly, I will allow you to. Come!"

Yuuji chased after Kureha, who left the room and began to walk a few meters behind. The distance he put between them, rather than him being precautious, it was more like he was afraid of getting closer.

''What kind of person is this woman?''

Even if it was for a moment, when he confronted her he felt her abnormality. That power was clearly on a different level, when compared with other practitioners. Even Iwao, the Head, for Kureha, he was not a match by far. To say it simply it was an excessively mighty power. From the time she was a child, although unique, she was recognized as a powerful practitioner but nobody expected her to rise above to such a level.

"What are you doing? You'll be left behind."

Almost like reading his heart, indulging himself in speculation, Kureha suddenly looked over her shoulder.

Bearing the shriek trying to gush out by clenching his teeth, Yuuji shortly answered.

"...........I understand"

"Hurry up. I don't want to be seen by too many people"

And with these words, her beautiful face showed her usual smile, with no trace of impatience.

Glaring annoyed at Kureha, who faced forward once again Yuuji slightly quickened his pace.

In silence, Kureha walked to the deepest part of the grounds. Yuuji never entered this place before- it was a place nobody could enter with the exception of those who earned the permission of the Head.

"This is......"

"You've never entered this place before, huh? It's because, with the exception of those belonging to the main family this is a place that doesn't open but once every thirty years"

At the words he feared, Yuuji's face became stiff.

"Kureha-sama, you, by no means, even my lady- "

Those words, spoken in a strong tone, Kureha interrupted icily.

"Yuuji, you may believe you are given permission to an opinion but I have no intention of bestowing it any further. I am letting you meet her in deference to your loyalty but I have no intention of releasing Mayumi until the ceremony is over. Remember it."

".............."

Completely forbidden from raising objections, Yuuji had no choice but to be silent.

"..........is this the place?"

Staring at the small shrine they arrived before long, Yuuji asked.

"This is the entrance. Our place of destination is inside it" answered Kureha, opening the small shrine's gate.

Inside there wasn't even a single light, and without having performed any kind of process the cave entrance lightly opened its mouth.

"Here is....."

"Correct, this is the sacred ground of Tsuwabuki. The place we must protect even at the cost of our lives. Well, shall we go forward? Your beloved lady is inside."

"I understand"

To Kureha's exaggerated words, mixed with ridicule, Yuuji replied seriously.

He continued walking while controlling his uneasiness at the endlessly continuing cave.

A pitch blackness without a ray of light. A natural cave with no reinforcements. This was a situation that would have driven claustrophobic people to madness but for a Chijutsushi it was a place full of tranquility equivalent with the inside of mother's womb.

And yet, Yuuji frantically endured the urge to start running. In what sort environment was Mayumi placed, thinking of that he is unable to suppress his anxiety.

''My lady....I will, definitely.......''

Hiding that strong decision n his heart, he is descending in the cave. And then -

".......uh!?"

A dazzling glint burned Yuuji's eyes. Into his ears, unintentionally shutting his eyes, Kureha's composed voice resounds.

"Welcome to the center of Tsuwabuki's consecrated ground."

"Wh...at?"

Holding his hands before his eyes, Yuuji slowly opened his eyelids. What was there was a huge space that did not appear to be underground, spreading out.

"This is....."

A voice full of wonder leaked out. The magical spectacle spreading before hos eyes, drew in his sight and didn't let go. The gigantic pillar soaring at the center of the large hollow spreading a hundred meters below Fuji's sea of trees, is brilliantly shining.

"Crystal?...."

The sparkling, transparent stone pillar - there is no mistake about it, it was a pillar made of high purity crystal. The diameter roughly four meters, it's height nearly twenty meters.

And then, even supposing this crystal was guiding the sunshine so deeply underground, that enormousness exhausted any kind of description.

To Yuuji, stupefied with amazement, Kureha turned an evil smile.

"Yuuji, it's fine to be so deeply moved but is it not something else you should look for?"

".......eh?"

"Please look carefully inside the pillar"

"............"

Doing as he was told, Yuuji closely observed the pillar. Enduring the radiance, he saw a dark stain somewhat lower than the center.

He supposed that was just some foreign matter that was mixed in, but that unusual shape weighted on his mind. Taking a few steps forward he stared even more.

"..................eh?"

He was terrified. That stain had the form of a human.

Dressed sparingly, the white, thin dress showing her shoulders, the girl's eyes were peacefully closed. It was unthinkable not to recognize her.

Because she was the girl he pledged to protect by sacrificing everything.

"My lady!"

On Yuuji's shoulder, who started running, an invisible power was placed.

The heavy pressure reaching one ton sealed his body's movements as if it was its loyal subject.

"Calm down!" coldly informed Kureha.

Yuuji glared at her.

"What have you done to my lady?"

That shout, so overcome with emotion it forgot even honorifics, Kureha tolerantly pardoned.

"I did say Mayumi too has her own role"

"Role...?"

"Ayumi's body cannot withstand the release of power. The emission ratio will not be enough for the final tuning. Therefore, the power Ayumi cannot sustain by herself, I made Mayumi shoulder. You could call it the unexpected side effect of a clone"

The practitioner who performs the ritual, even calling it extreme, one is enough. Or perhaps it should be said that for the delicate control required by the technique, the governing intent must only be one.

Excluding the early few times, the ceremony was practiced by almost all the family, adding multiplied force for the sake of raising the success rate but did not change the fact that the practitioner controlling the power that is the focal point is just one.

But, if it's Ayumi and Mayumi practically identical at the genetic level, it may not be impossible to align their consciousness. Particularly by making the weak-self Ayumi do the main part and leaving the trance to the egoistic Mayumi.

"Such a...."

Without listening to Kureha's explanation until the end, Yuuji dropped to his knees, heartbroken.

''I...until now, for what sake.........''

That appearance, feebly hanging his head, resembled Ren's the night before, in a cruel way.

If Yuuji could see himself through an objective point of view perhaps a cynical smile would be irrepressible.

"Relax. Because she probably won't die."

"........eh?"

But, Kureha did not permit even despair. In front of the stricken Yuuji, she suspended an ostentatious thread of salvation.

"In the end, Ayumi is the main one and Mayumi is the spare. Because she is supplementing Ayumi's insufficiency, I don't think it will be fatal - that is, as long as the seal does not break even for an instant."

Reinforcing a seal that already has shape and rebuilding from scratch a seal that burst open without leaving any trace, between the power required by the two, there is a world of difference.

If that sort of abnormal situation does not occur Mayumi will survive, it was said, but for some reason, Yuuji could not relax.

"Do you think there is a possibility it will happen?"

At Yuuji's cautious question, Kureha responded without hesitation.

"At least, there will certainly be interference."

".........the Kannagi kid will come again?"

Nothing else came to his mind but Kureha opened her eyes wide as if she was surprised and let out a small sarcastic laugh.

"Ah, do you mean Kannagi Ren? I received the report. But, I am concerned about the fairies."

"The fairies? What can those insubstantial living things do?"

Deepening her sarcastic smile toward Yuuji's bewildered face, Kureha continued.

"Did you not hear? Your head if filled with nothing but Mayumi, huh? Yesterday, a fairy and it's guardian got inside the house."

"A-ah...." Yuuji nodded vaguely.

Come to think of it, someone said that. According to Kureha's pointing out, he had no composure to think about something else, vaguely ignoring it.

"The guardian?"

"A terrifyingly strong man making use of the wind. He seemed human but - I wonder about that. He said he is the fairy's brethren too"

"Wind, is it?"

Frowning id doubt, Yuuji asked in return.

"Why, if its only the likes of Fuujutsushi should we be afraid?"

"If it's only- ?"

Stuck by Yuuji's words, Kureha giggled in a very improper way.

"You're right, if it's only Fuujutsushi. If it's just that kind of practitioner able to defeat the power of the likes of me, perhaps someone like you has no need to be afraid"

"....!!"

"So reliable"

Yuuji asked the sneering Kureha in a hoarse voice:

"Is - is that true.....? Truly, with just wind, your power - ?"

"It's the truth. What's more, I've been seen through after the first attack. To be ahead of me to that extent, that was a first. The world is really big, huh?"

".........."

At a loss of words, Yuuji stood rock still in blank amazement.

A Fuujutsushi surpassing Kureha - if such a thing were to appear, for him it's impossible to oppose no matter how he were to struggle.

"B-but........if he obstructs the ceremony, Mt. Fuji will definitely erupt. Will he go that far?"

"I don't know about the Kannagi's side but the fairies have no reason to hesitate. Because the eruption is nothing more than a natural phenomenon they have no intention of resisting it."

Talking about such a hopeless story with a gossip-like tone, Kureha looked at Yuuji's face, dyed in despair.

"So, we can't talk about it, but... how about you? Don't you desire power?"

".....eh?"

"Power. A mighty power. To drive away all enemies, to protect your precious one, overflowing power. If I were to say I can grant you that power - you, what will you do?"

"............."

Yuuji looked hard at Kureha with a bottomless shiver. As a practitioner, Yuuji recognized the fact that she was in a by far superior rank - No, he was supposed to know that.

But it was different. This, it was not that kind of thing.

''This woman - is she really human?''

''Feeding on his hope, something that tempts humans to their ruin. The existence passed down on tradition on every culture around the world, right now, is sneering before his eyes. The spoils it aims at are waiting the time of the fall''

Even so -

''Do I mind?''

As far as Yuuji is concerned, he had no other option. No, his choice was already made.

If the compensation of power is required, he would give anything, no matter what it is.

His life, his soul, he had no choice but to consider them second or less.

That's why his answer had beed decided.

"No matter what will happen, I don't care. Please give me power."

Receiving the answer she was eagerly waiting, Kureha smiled ominously. He had the feeling that for one second, those lips tore until ears.

===Part 4===

"Father, do you know where Ren went? He's not in his room."

"I happened to see him sitting on the porch just before noon."

Ayano turned an uterly amazed glance at Juugo, who answered matter of course.

"........Father, it is already evening."

"Go and see for yourself. A certain someone who does not want to move at all is supposed to be there."

"............."

Scowling, Ayano cast her eyes down. Her strongly gripped fist was trembling.

"If you tell me he has no outlet for his anger, I'll get angry. Knocking down those Tsuwabuki guys and settling this is so simple and yet...."

"....True"

Evening

Ren, dicovered with the help of Kirika's side, the Special Data Arrangement, although he had no visible wounds, his heart received near fatal damage.

Remaining silent without responding to any questions, secluded inside his shell, Ren was brought home after midnight.

As a result of being left to rest without having to listen to anything, at dawn he recovered enough to take a minimum of communication.

As if he would been asked Ren told it all, without faltering. His own feeling - the fleeting emotion harbored for that girl, the despair when he found the truth - without hiding anything.

In front of the stricken boy nobody could do anything.

Their feelings were summarized in Ayano's words from a while ago. That is - "There is no outlet for his anger"

The act of the Tsuwabuki Household was by no means incorrect. Caring about morals has no meaning. In their line of business that goes beyond the life or death of one person, they are naturally operating for the sake of justice. There was no other way.

There is no choice but to pray to God that time will heal his emotional scars.

"So, what did you plan to do after searching for Ren?"

"What, you ask - I can't leave him alone like that, can I?"

Ren right now was similar to a living corpse.

If he was talked to, he'd give a minimal reply.

If food was given to him, he would eat it.

However, without urgings from other people, left by himself he would not move, not even a finger. Sitting sprawled out, that figure with blank eyes was exactly like a puppet whose strings have been cut.

Sober, Juugo shifted his attention to Ayano, wanting to comfort Ren.

"Can you do something?"

"I don't know if I can"

There was clearly no hesitation in Ayano's response.

"But even so, I can't leave him alone. That kind of helpless situation, I won't admit it. I definitely won't let it end this way."

Making this declaration in a rough tone, Ayano left Juugo's room.

''Wow, it really was true...''

Voiceless, Ayano murmured to herself. Ren was in the place Juugo said he would be. Sitting on the verande, he was leaning on the left side pillar. Perhaps that attitude never changed since before noon.

Approaching directly, Ayano sat dawn next to him. Ren's eyes moved slightly, perceiving her figure.

"............older sister.."

A feeble murmur escaped. The question ''why are you here'' did not resound, just calling the name of the person that entered his field of vision, that sort of dull and uninteresting matter.

Ayano did not venture to make eye contact, placing her glance on the garden in front.

Ren too, immediately lost his interest towards Ayano, restoring his glance on his feet.

Without change, for several minutes, time flew quietly.

"If it's me....."

Almost like the sound of blowing wind sliding through gaps, Ayano simply spun her words. For a second time, moving his eyeballs, Ren looked at Ayano, but she continued facing forward.

"Because I am the person that will someday succeed as the head of the Kannagi Family, I understand those Tsuwabuki's point. At the very least I will never say something like ''it doesn't matter if Mt. Fuji erupts, go and save that Ayumi girl!''"

"............."

"But even so, that's not what you should be thinking of now, is it?"

"...........ee?"

Because that was very unexpected, Ren raised a small doubtful voice.

"Those kind of large scale problems you must leave to adults. A child should give preference to himself. What you should think of right now is what you should do related to Ayumi. That's all."

"........eh......?"

Smiling sweetly Ayano too stared at the dazed Ren.

"You said it, right? That Ayumi is an imitation? She's a clone, her memories are borrowed from another person, that the real Tsuwabuki Ayumi doesn't exist, right?"

"..........yes.."

"That can't be true, you big fool!!"

The moment he nodded - no, as soon as "y" was pronounced Ayano grabbed the cute, brother-like Ren by the collar, constricting him.

"Whether it's reproduction, doppelganger, multiplied by cell division, if it has an original will you have no right to look down upon her as an imitation. Deceiving yourself with superficial words, denying the time you yourself spent with Ayumi, why are you doing it?"

Ayano became excessively agitated while shouting but when she finished speaking her calm returned.

Releasing his collar, with sober eyes she overlooked the choking Ren.

"I thought I'd say that by putting the screws on you but you're a bright kid so you already figured it out, didn't you?"

"............."

There was no need to say it.

Although he was surprised when he first found out, once he calmed down and thought about it, it all amounted to ''what of it?''

Even if her body and memory have been reproduced Ayumi's personality was certainly original. It was very clear. Because everything bestowed upon her was an imitation, the girl grasped in her hands genuineness.

From the beginning to the end Ren sensed that decision closer than anybody else.

But, for this reason Ren can't help but feel ashamed.

"I didn't understand anything....."

In spite of seeing it from the closest place, he did not ''see'' anything. Loosing his head, getting caught in the moment, he said a lot of cruel things.

''Big brother will surely come to save you''

''I want to show you many other things so I'll take you anywhere.''

The groundless hopes, the promise of a tomorrow that will never come, he wondered with how much cruelty they resounded in Ayumi's ears. But even so, Ayumi showed a smile.

''That's right. That would be nice...''

The fact that she didn't reveal the truth was certainly not for her self-protection. So that Ren won't be crushed by the truth's weight, its anguish, its sorrow, she locked it in her chest.

''I was a fool!''

He wanted to protect Ayumi. He wanted to save the girl by expending all the power he possessed. And yet - he didn't notice he was the one being protected.

He, descendant from the strongest, made a girl scared of her imminent death worry about him and protect him like a baby.

''You don't understand anything, you foolish child pretending to be a knight'' - Yuuji's words hit the bull's eye and left no room for rebuttal. He didn't understand anything.

"That's why............I couldn't do anything........."

With a regretful emotion, he spoke of conclusion. So, everything ended in the worst possible way.

"Don't use the past tense arbitrarily just because you decided the conclusion."

Ayano could not forgive the fact that Ren was full of resignation. Grabbing him by the collar for a second time, she forcefully pulled his hanged head upwards.

"Do you feel like ending it this way. This helpless conclusion, do you approve of it?"

"But.....there is nothing I can do for Ayumi-chan anymo- "

"I'm sick of it!"

Very irritated Ayano harshly shook Ren's body.

"You're such a thorough good kiddie! Right now it's not about ''for the sake of Ayumi-chan'' or something like that. What about you? What do '''you''' want to do? That's what I want to hear!!"

"......eh......me?"

Faced with a question he never thought of, Ren revealed a confused voice. And yet, Ayano's words did not stop.

"That's right. If it's true you won't do anything anymore, if that's the case, I won't interfere. But if you do so, you'd better label it as ''memories of my first love'' or something and put it away in some corner of your memory. frankly, that is the most peaceful settlement. Still..."

Ayano held Ren's cheeks between her hands and brought their eyes at the same height by leaning over a little. And then, directly facing that glance mixed with bewilderment she asked earnestly.

"Still, are you OK with that? Parting in such a way, although it was the last and you will never be able to meet again, you don't regret it? There is nothing you want to tell that girl?"

"............."

''Do you want to meet her, do you not want to meet her?''

Faced with this choice, he answered without hesitation.

''I want to meet her. Even if it's just once. Meet her and then...''

''But....''

"So, what will you do?"

Ayano pressed the hesitating Ren for an answer.

"You won't be able to chase after her if it goes like this - you know, right? You don't have time. Tomorrow, Ayumi-chan will be nowhere to find. No matter what your answer, there will be none to say it to. You have no time to hesitate. Decide now. What should you be doing?"

".............."

Hanging his head down, Ren closed his eyes. And he thought about it. What he wanted to do. What he ought to do. What he must, no matter what.

Dozens of seconds afterwards, at the end of his most serious meditation, the boy slowly opened his mouth.

"About the ceremony, about the living sacrifice, the most righteous thing to do about those, I have yet to realize. However..."

Lifting his head, he looked straight at Ayano.

That gaze held no more indecision.

"However, I want to meet Ayumi-chan one more time. Meet her, apologize to her and I want to tell her - I have something I must tell her no matter what."

"OK. Let's go then."

Ayano responded to those words said with the resolution of a lifetime with a ''just out for a bit of shopping'' mood.

"...You mean, right now!?"

"That's right. It's not like you need some particular preparation, no? If you need a stop over set, we can buy it at the local supermarket."

"No......that's not the probl- "

With a snap Ayano trusted her index finger at Ren, unable to follow the development's speed.

"Didn't I say it? We have no time. The ceremony is tonight and to begin with, do you think they will let us pass by saying ``I came to meet Ayumi-chan. I have no intention to interfere with the ceremony so please let us past``?"

".........that is perhaps impossible..."

"Not ``perhaps``, it's absolutely impossible. At any rate we have no choice but to push through with brute strength so we'd netter move while we still have time."

Saying that, Ayano stood up without waiting for a reply.

"Well, go change your clothes. If Father finds us, an explanation will be difficult so we must not be exposed."

"``Difficult``, you say!? If he finds out it's confinement for us."

If they mess up, it's a deed quite capable of making Mt. Fuji erupt. It's obvious Juugo will never allow it.

"If that's the case, hurry!"

But, once Ayano got like this she couldn't be stopped. Having a thorough knowledge about that, after coming this far he finally resolved himself.

"I understand. Give me five minutes."

"I'm waiting by the rear entrance."

Exchanging a small nod, both of them hurried in different directions.

[[User:Ayame|Ayame]] ([[User talk:Ayame|talk]]) 15:36, 25 March 2013 (CDT)

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Kaze no Stigma:Volume3 Chapter 4

2013-04-28T15:59:53Z

80.240.162.190: /* Part 4 */

=== Chapter 2 Each and everyone's determination ===

===Part 1===
".....!"

"Fugyaa!?"

Kazuma, peacefully breathing in his sleep on the upper side of the tree, suddenly - avoiding Tiana's wings, who just happened to fly on top of him - jumped to his feet.

"W- what?"

On the verge of falling, reorganizing her attitude, Tiana groaned. Completely ignoring those complaints, Kazuma said:

"It came back"

".......really?"

Tiana forgot her resentment on the spot. While it may be true she felt it, it does not mean she can do something about it.

"Where, where?"

To the now rushing out fairy, Kazuma jerked his jaw, pointing to the car trying to pass through the gate. Both their glances have been rooted on the spot.

From the car stopped in front of the entrance, several men and women made their appearance. Among those people, from inside the body of one small girl at the beginning of her teens, the wave motion felt from the center of her chest was, without a doubt, belonging to the treasure stolen from the fairy village.

"Even so, that is....."

The girl emitted an awfully unnatural presence. And then, when comparing her with the girl with an identical face, five or six years her senior, Kazuma muttered in a bitter voice.

He grasped the family structure of the Tsuwabuki head house. A girl that was not supposed to exist and an older identical girl.

And then - the fairy's treasure carried inside her body. From his perspective everything was clear.

"What a vulgar copy cat...."

On the other hand, Tiana was unrelated to those strong feelings.

"Ah, I found it....."

Murmuring with a voice overcome with emotion, both hands before her chest, looking up at the Heaven with wet pupils, as if saying "Thank you, God".

"Inside that, it's inside that! Come now - Kazuma please carry out the request! Gouge that girl's heart and retrieve the bloody treasureeee!!"

Because of too much excitement, Tiana screamed the bloody speech. How to say this, it was a scene meant to break any dreams and aspiration regarding the so called fairies.

That Tiana, shouting with blood shot eyes, Kazuma lightly disregarded, as if it was a matter of course. Brushing off the leaves and bark sticking to his clothes, he lightly muttered one thing.

"Well then, should I go back to sleep?"

"Just wait a secoooooooond!"

Tiana pulled with all her might the nape of Kazuma's neck, trying to descend from the tree that was their kip. Casually grabbing the fairy's body, following about, and plucking it of, he asked tiresomely.

"What?"

"It's not ''what'', right? The treasure we searched for it's just there!? Quickly get it baaack!!"

"Tiana"

Kazuma called out the fairy with the propensity for derangement in a terribly quiet voice.

As if cold water was poured on her heated head, Tiana promptly returned to her true character.

"W- wh- what is it....?"

"If you think about it, the ceremony is tomorrow night."

"So?"

"Instead of taking it now, won't it be more amusing to take it when they will be relived and think the ceremony can quietly take place? When knocked down from the peak of rejoice to the bottom of despair, what kind of expression will they do?....ku ku ku...."

Engraved on the contractor's mouth was an inhuman, cruel and brutal smile. The man's true character, who essentially should be a saint, made Tiana feel despair countless times.

"Auuuuuuuu...."

===Part 2===

She saw a dream.

Of a distant past, of a time her chest still harbored hope, a resemblance of the once foolish self. She wanted to be appreciated. She wanted to be smiled at. It did not matter if she was number one. It did not matter if she was the second.

That's why she desperately struggled. Putting her life on the line, piling up experience, refining her power. Without considering that it was the cause of still more alienation.

"That technique is a heresy. It's not appropriate for a practitioner of the traditional Tsuwabuki."

"That thing is not Chijutsushi. Why does my child have to use such black arts?"

''Disgrace''

''Demon Child''

''Evil magician''

The cruel words thrown at the very young girl by her own father carved in her heart wounds that cannot heal.

"Someday, for sure....."

Realizing that was a wish that will never come true, when did that happen?

That was a crab.

Not something particularly scary. Its size was somewhat big - enough to bisect a bear with its kitchen-like pincers. Its legs were somewhat numerous - the fore pincers - but, if she were to use her power the opponent would have no choice but to be lightly pinched out.

Despite this - the girl she was supposed to protect, was being overpowered by such a thing and paralyzed with horror. The huge pincers swung from overhead, was being looked up at, in a daze, by that inexperienced face.

"...Mayumi!"

She promptly released her power. The pincer trying to smash Mayumi's head was broken as if crushed by a giant hand.

"Come here!"

The crab was spouting froth from anguish. She sharply ordered Mayumi, who was still looking up at it in blank amazement.

".....Y-yes!"

Finally calming down, Mayumi rushed over while her legs got twisted. She payed absolutely no attention behind her. To that defenseless back, the crab tried to give a retribution blow. While driving out the crab with a feint attack, she caught the small body leaping in her chest.

"Older sister!"

For the girl trembling in fear, she showed a perfectly forced smile.

"It's alright. Against that kind of apparition, it's impossible for you to loose."

"B-but....."

"I will stop its movement and I will give it the finishing blow. That's fine, right?"

".........."

"Make your preparation"

Turning around Mayumi's still insecure body, she was made to confront the imminent crab.

"It's alright."

Embracing from behind the younger sister stiff with fear, she tenderly whispered. Contrary to her tone, that facial expression was cold but invisible to the girl gazing at the crab.

"Look....observe it"

Kicking the ground with eight long legs the crab approached the two straightforward. And, when he was approximately ten meters away, suddenly the crab was smashed.

it was like from right overhead, an unbelievably huge palm held him down with all his strength. Smashing the collection of legs, the shell conspicuously fissured. Plucking from the root the pincers that were rose overhead, admitting defeat, it was buried into the ground with a roar.

Without moving at all she pointed at the crab in anguish and told Mayumi:

"Come now, finish it off. Make a hole through the center, pierce it from bellow. You can do it, right?"

"Y-yes" Mayumi obediently nodded.

Obeyed by the spirits of the earth, she governed their power. The spirits promptly responded to the most powerful Chijutsushi blood.

" -ya!!"

Together with the girl's cute yell, from beneath the crab a spear stone grew. That long and narrow cone shape penetrated the crab's shell and rose facing the heavens. Making a huge hole in the middle of its body, the crab wriggled, foam at it's mouth. But by construction the crab was unable to escape from the stone spear. It's resistance gradually weakened and gradually stopped.

Before their eyes, the skull of the reddish crab lost its gloss, growing dull in color. The crack spread from that gap and the muscle became visible. It faded the same way loosing its elasticity and the muscle became stiff.

It turned to stone.

That was Mayumi's real aim. The stone spear that went through was no more than the preliminary arrangement for that purpose. The ground spirits pumped into the wounds changed with great vigor the organic matter in inorganic one. Making sure the petrification reached the interior of the body, including fighting spirit, Mayumi shouted.

"Smash!!"

It was impossible to disobey it. Agreeing to the command, the ground spirits speedily dissolved the bindings. Making a thick sound the stone cram was smashed.

Because the body changed to countless stones it was no longer possible to guess its original shape.

"Very well done Mayumi-sama!"

"Merely eight years old and to be able to take down such a Youma!"

Waiting for Mayumi when she returned home was a storm of praise from the entire family. The people assembled in the saloon unanimously praised Mayumi and her alone.

There was nobody who talked to her. Without showing any reaction for the uproar of the surroundings, she was sitting diagonally behind Mayumi, mute like a puppet. In front of her ignored as if her existence was the same as air, Mayumi who was given the family seat of honor was being spoken to by the Tsuwabuki Iwao.

"You did very well, Mayumi."

"Father!"

Mayumi's smiling face lit up and jumped into her father's chest, whom she respected and loved. Iwao also embraced his daughter closely, including an overflowing love.

"You did very well, Mayumi."

While pressing her cheeks against against Iwao's chest, who repeated those words again, Mayumi said innocently:

"Yeah, I did my best. But older sister practically did it by herself. Older sister is awfully strong!"

The unreserved large voice reverberated in the saloon, and the faces of the people sitting in a row became pale. Feeling the change of atmosphere, Mayumi raised her eyes to her father in wonder.

"What's wrong?"

Iwao replied laughingly.

"It's of no concern. Mayumi is admirable, dividing her achievement with other people."

"That's wrong, really, elder sister is- "

"It's fine, I don't give a damn about that thing"

Blocking Mayumi's field of vision by hugging her close, Iwao shifter his attention to her. Cold like a different person, a glance exceeding hatred, filled with curses.

But even so, she didn't move one finger, one eyebrow or one muscle. Ignoring the glance sticking between her eyebrows, her gaze looked at nothing but in front, one meter horizontal from Iwao, fixating on the wood details of the alcove post.

The sister embraced with love and the sister glared at with hatred.

All present looked at the excessively contrastive sisters, catching their breath.

"Kureha-sama.....Kureha-sama?"

".....!"

At the voice repeating her name, taken aback, Kureha woke up. It seems she took a nap in the middle of her duties. Lightly shaking off her head, to remove the remaining sleepiness, she responded.

"Enter"

From the door opened by the maid, a group of three people got in. By priority of age, Yuuji, Mayumi and - Ayumi.

''That was unexpectedly fast''

Kureha thought so, looking at the puppet with eyes sunk in bitterness. As far as she saw of that facial expression, her first trip had not been particularly enjoyable.

''Well, it's a thing of no consequence''

"Following your instruction Ayumi has been returned home"

Being considerably pathetic, Yuuji reported stiffly. Expressly speaking of such obvious things, Yuuji may have been foolish but that doesn't mean Kureha was the same.

That was some kind of indication of his decision.

''"With this I won't allow Mayumi to become a sacrifice", or something''

It's not like her real intentions stood out. Instead, feeling that naivete pleasant, Kureha responded with a sweet smile.

"I appreciate your efforts."

"Y-yes!"

No matter how he perceived those words of appreciation Yuuji made a respectful bow, his face lit up. But before he raised his head, Kureha informed the three.

"Yuuji, you can already retire. Mayumi and Ayumi, please follow me."

"....Eh?" unintentionally Mayumi asked back.

Yuuji stiffed in a comical stance, his back bent.

".......Me too, you said?"

Seeing surprise and a small quantity of fear clung to Mayumi's question, Kureha laughed.

"That's right. Did you think you will be sightseeing the ceremony drinking tea? You too have an important part. Follow me"

"................"

Iwao being on the sickbed at the present time, Kureha was the one commanding the family. She could not advocate her objection.

Complying with Kureha, who naturally opened the door and stated walking, Mayumi and Ayumi followed behind.

Yuuji followed the three people until they left the office but clinging to them further was not permitted.

For him, unable to do anything but see them off, Mayumi looked over her shoulder just once.

That profile full of anxiety was scorched in the center of his consciousnesses together with a feeling of loss that cannot be undone.

===Part 3===

The next morning

Hiding his pathetic decision inside his heart, Yuuji knocked on the door leading to Kureha's private room. Without pause, the reply came.

"What's the matter, Yuuji?"

"........I have something to discuss."

"Enter"

The knob turned. It wasn't the work of a key. In a mental state similar to that of entering a dragon's den, Yuuji stepped inside the room.

"Good morning. You're early Yuuji."

Although saying that Kureha's appearance too was perfectly in order. Her flowing black hair was perfectly arranged and the same as usual a black suit was tightly wrapped around her.

"Will you let me know my lady's whereabouts?"

Standing before Kureha, impolitely Yuuji did not return the greeting and got to the main question. His complexion was bad. In spite of being injured to that extent yesterday it seems he didn't sleep a wink.

"Since last night, after Kureha-sama took her along, she did not returned to her room"

"You, did you stick yourself in front of Mayumi's room? You're almost like a stalker, huh?", Kureha laughed sarcastically.

However, Yuuji, without showing a glimpse of insincere smile, draw near with a severe face.

"Please answer, Kureha-sama. Depending on what happens, even if it's you..."

Kureha indifferently asked back.

"Even if it's you?"

"Ku.........."

Without doing anything, just by standing there, Kureha overwhelmed Yuuji.

Even by making use of his blind devotion towards Mayumi, he could not fill the desperate power difference.

"My lady, where is she...."

Still, seeing Yuuji hang on, mustering his willpower Kureha showed a somewhat unnatural look of admiration.

"What considerable devotion. If you want to meet her that badly, I will allow you to. Come!"

Yuuji chased after Kureha, who left the room and began to walk a few meters behind. The distance he put between them, rather than him being precautious, it was more like he was afraid of getting closer.

''What kind of person is this woman?''

Even if it was for a moment, when he confronted her he felt her abnormality. That power was clearly on a different level, when compared with other practitioners. Even Iwao, the Head, for Kureha, he was not a match by far. To say it simply it was an excessively mighty power. From the time she was a child, although unique, she was recognized as a powerful practitioner but nobody expected her to rise above to such a level.

"What are you doing? You'll be left behind."

Almost like reading his heart, indulging himself in speculation, Kureha suddenly looked over her shoulder.

Bearing the shriek trying to gush out by clenching his teeth, Yuuji shortly answered.

"...........I understand"

"Hurry up. I don't want to be seen by too many people"

And with these words, her beautiful face showed her usual smile, with no trace of impatience.

Glaring annoyed at Kureha, who faced forward once again Yuuji slightly quickened his pace.

In silence, Kureha walked to the deepest part of the grounds. Yuuji never entered this place before- it was a place nobody could enter with the exception of those who earned the permission of the Head.

"This is......"

"You've never entered this place before, huh? It's because, with the exception of those belonging to the main family this is a place that doesn't open but once every thirty years"

At the words he feared, Yuuji's face became stiff.

"Kureha-sama, you, by no means, even my lady- "

Those words, spoken in a strong tone, Kureha interrupted icily.

"Yuuji, you may believe you are given permission to an opinion but I have no intention of bestowing it any further. I am letting you meet her in deference to your loyalty but I have no intention of releasing Mayumi until the ceremony is over. Remember it."

".............."

Completely forbidden from raising objections, Yuuji had no choice but to be silent.

"..........is this the place?"

Staring at the small shrine they arrived before long, Yuuji asked.

"This is the entrance. Our place of destination is inside it" answered Kureha, opening the small shrine's gate.

Inside there wasn't even a single light, and without having performed any kind of process the cave entrance lightly opened its mouth.

"Here is....."

"Correct, this is the sacred ground of Tsuwabuki. The place we must protect even at the cost of our lives. Well, shall we go forward? Your beloved lady is inside."

"I understand"

To Kureha's exaggerated words, mixed with ridicule, Yuuji replied seriously.

He continued walking while controlling his uneasiness at the endlessly continuing cave.

A pitch blackness without a ray of light. A natural cave with no reinforcements. This was a situation that would have driven claustrophobic people to madness but for a Chijutsushi it was a place full of tranquility equivalent with the inside of mother's womb.

And yet, Yuuji frantically endured the urge to start running. In what sort environment was Mayumi placed, thinking of that he is unable to suppress his anxiety.

''My lady....I will, definitely.......''

Hiding that strong decision n his heart, he is descending in the cave. And then -

".......uh!?"

A dazzling glint burned Yuuji's eyes. Into his ears, unintentionally shutting his eyes, Kureha's composed voice resounds.

"Welcome to the center of Tsuwabuki's consecrated ground."

"Wh...at?"

Holding his hands before his eyes, Yuuji slowly opened his eyelids. What was there was a huge space that did not appear to be underground, spreading out.

"This is....."

A voice full of wonder leaked out. The magical spectacle spreading before hos eyes, drew in his sight and didn't let go. The gigantic pillar soaring at the center of the large hollow spreading a hundred meters below Fuji's sea of trees, is brilliantly shining.

"Crystal?...."

The sparkling, transparent stone pillar - there is no mistake about it, it was a pillar made of high purity crystal. The diameter roughly four meters, it's height nearly twenty meters.

And then, even supposing this crystal was guiding the sunshine so deeply underground, that enormousness exhausted any kind of description.

To Yuuji, stupefied with amazement, Kureha turned an evil smile.

"Yuuji, it's fine to be so deeply moved but is it not something else you should look for?"

".......eh?"

"Please look carefully inside the pillar"

"............"

Doing as he was told, Yuuji closely observed the pillar. Enduring the radiance, he saw a dark stain somewhat lower than the center.

He supposed that was just some foreign matter that was mixed in, but that unusual shape weighted on his mind. Taking a few steps forward he stared even more.

"..................eh?"

He was terrified. That stain had the form of a human.

Dressed sparingly, the white, thin dress showing her shoulders, the girl's eyes were peacefully closed. It was unthinkable not to recognize her.

Because she was the girl he pledged to protect by sacrificing everything.

"My lady!"

On Yuuji's shoulder, who started running, an invisible power was placed.

The heavy pressure reaching one ton sealed his body's movements as if it was its loyal subject.

"Calm down!" coldly informed Kureha.

Yuuji glared at her.

"What have you done to my lady?"

That shout, so overcome with emotion it forgot even honorifics, Kureha tolerantly pardoned.

"I did say Mayumi too has her own role"

"Role...?"

"Ayumi's body cannot withstand the release of power. The emission ratio will not be enough for the final tuning. Therefore, the power Ayumi cannot sustain by herself, I made Mayumi shoulder. You could call it the unexpected side effect of a clone"

The practitioner who performs the ritual, even calling it extreme, one is enough. Or perhaps it should be said that for the delicate control required by the technique, the governing intent must only be one.

Excluding the early few times, the ceremony was practiced by almost all the family, adding multiplied force for the sake of raising the success rate but did not change the fact that the practitioner controlling the power that is the focal point is just one.

But, if it's Ayumi and Mayumi practically identical at the genetic level, it may not be impossible to align their consciousness. Particularly by making the weak-self Ayumi do the main part and leaving the trance to the egoistic Mayumi.

"Such a...."

Without listening to Kureha's explanation until the end, Yuuji dropped to his knees, heartbroken.

''I...until now, for what sake.........''

That appearance, feebly hanging his head, resembled Ren's the night before, in a cruel way.

If Yuuji could see himself through an objective point of view perhaps a cynical smile would be irrepressible.

"Relax. Because she probably won't die."

"........eh?"

But, Kureha did not permit even despair. In front of the stricken Yuuji, she suspended an ostentatious thread of salvation.

"In the end, Ayumi is the main one and Mayumi is the spare. Because she is supplementing Ayumi's insufficiency, I don't think it will be fatal - that is, as long as the seal does not break even for an instant."

Reinforcing a seal that already has shape and rebuilding from scratch a seal that burst open without leaving any trace, between the power required by the two, there is a world of difference.

If that sort of abnormal situation does not occur Mayumi will survive, it was said, but for some reason, Yuuji could not relax.

"Do you think there is a possibility it will happen?"

At Yuuji's cautious question, Kureha responded without hesitation.

"At least, there will certainly be interference."

".........the Kannagi kid will come again?"

Nothing else came to his mind but Kureha opened her eyes wide as if she was surprised and let out a small sarcastic laugh.

"Ah, do you mean Kannagi Ren? I received the report. But, I am concerned about the fairies."

"The fairies? What can those insubstantial living things do?"

Deepening her sarcastic smile toward Yuuji's bewildered face, Kureha continued.

"Did you not hear? Your head if filled with nothing but Mayumi, huh? Yesterday, a fairy and it's guardian got inside the house."

"A-ah...." Yuuji nodded vaguely.

Come to think of it, someone said that. According to Kureha's pointing out, he had no composure to think about something else, vaguely ignoring it.

"The guardian?"

"A terrifyingly strong man making use of the wind. He seemed human but - I wonder about that. He said he is the fairy's brethren too"

"Wind, is it?"

Frowning id doubt, Yuuji asked in return.

"Why, if its only the likes of Fuujutsushi should we be afraid?"

"If it's only- ?"

Stuck by Yuuji's words, Kureha giggled in a very improper way.

"You're right, if it's only Fuujutsushi. If it's just that kind of practitioner able to defeat the power of the likes of me, perhaps someone like you has no need to be afraid"

"....!!"

"So reliable"

Yuuji asked the sneering Kureha in a hoarse voice:

"Is - is that true.....? Truly, with just wind, your power - ?"

"It's the truth. What's more, I've been seen through after the first attack. To be ahead of me to that extent, that was a first. The world is really big, huh?"

".........."

At a loss of words, Yuuji stood rock still in blank amazement.

A Fuujutsushi surpassing Kureha - if such a thing were to appear, for him it's impossible to oppose no matter how he were to struggle.

"B-but........if he obstructs the ceremony, Mt. Fuji will definitely erupt. Will he go that far?"

"I don't know about the Kannagi's side but the fairies have no reason to hesitate. Because the eruption is nothing more than a natural phenomenon they have no intention of resisting it."

Talking about such a hopeless story with a gossip-like tone, Kureha looked at Yuuji's face, dyed in despair.

"So, we can't talk about it, but... how about you? Don't you desire power?"

".....eh?"

"Power. A mighty power. To drive away all enemies, to protect your precious one, overflowing power. If I were to say I can grant you that power - you, what will you do?"

"............."

Yuuji looked hard at Kureha with a bottomless shiver. As a practitioner, Yuuji recognized the fact that she was in a by far superior rank - No, he was supposed to know that.

But it was different. This, it was not that kind of thing.

''This woman - is she really human?''

''Feeding on his hope, something that tempts humans to their ruin. The existence passed down on tradition on every culture around the world, right now, is sneering before his eyes. The spoils it aims at are waiting the time of the fall''

Even so -

''Do I mind?''

As far as Yuuji is concerned, he had no other option. No, his choice was already made.

If the compensation of power is required, he would give anything, no matter what it is.

His life, his soul, he had no choice but to consider them second or less.

That's why his answer had beed decided.

"No matter what will happen, I don't care. Please give me power."

Receiving the answer she was eagerly waiting, Kureha smiled ominously. He had the feeling that for one second, those lips tore until ears.

===Part 4===

"Father, do you know where Ren went? He's not in his room."

"I happened to see him sitting on the porch just before noon."

Ayano turned an uterly amazed glance at Juugo, who answered matter of course.

"........Father, it is already evening."

"Go and see for yourself. A certain someone who does not want to move at all is supposed to be there."

"............."

Scowling, Ayano cast her eyes down. Her strongly gripped fist was trembling.

"If you tell me he has no outlet for his anger, I'll get angry. Knocking down those Tsuwabuki guys and settling this is so simple and yet...."

"....True"

Evening

Ren, dicovered with the help of Kirika's side, the Special Data Arrangement, although he had no visible wounds, his heart received near fatal damage.

Remaining silent without responding to any questions, secluded inside his shell, Ren was brought home after midnight.

As a result of being left to rest without having to listen to anything, at dawn he recovered enough to take a minimum of communication.

As if he would been asked Ren told it all, without faltering. His own feeling - the fleeting emotion harbored for that girl, the despair when he found the truth - without hiding anything.

In front of the stricken boy nobody could do anything.

Their feelings were summarized in Ayano's words from a while ago. That is - "There is no outlet for his anger"

The act of the Tsuwabuki Household was by no means incorrect. Caring about morals has no meaning. In their line of business that goes beyond the life or death of one person, they are naturally operating for the sake of justice. There was no other way.

There is no choice but to pray to God that time will heal his emotional scars.

"So, what did you plan to do after searching for Ren?"

"What, you ask - I can't leave him alone like that, can I?"

Ren right now was similar to a living corpse.

If he was talked to, he'd give a minimal reply.

If food was given to him, he would eat it.

However, without urgings from other people, left by himself he would not move, not even a finger. Sitting sprawled out, that figure with blank eyes was exactly like a puppet whose strings have been cut.

Sober, Juugo shifted his attention to Ayano, wanting to comfort Ren.

"Can you do something?"

"I don't know if I can"

There was clearly no hesitation in Ayano's response.

"But even so, I can't leave him alone. That kind of helpless situation, I won't admit it. I definitely won't let it end this way."

Making this declaration in a rough tone, Ayano left Juugo's room.

''Wow, it really was true...''

Voiceless, Ayano murmured to herself. Ren was in the place Juugo said he would be. Sitting on the verande, he was leaning on the left side pillar. Perhaps that attitude never changed since before noon.

Approaching directly, Ayano sat dawn next to him. Ren's eyes moved slightly, perceiving her figure.

"............older sister.."

A feeble murmur escaped. The question ''why are you here'' did not resound, just calling the name of the person that entered his field of vision, that sort of dull and uninteresting matter.

Ayano did not venture to make eye contact, placing her glance on the garden in front.

Ren too, immediately lost his interest towards Ayano, restoring his glance on his feet.

Without change, for several minutes, time flew quietly.

"If it's me....."

Almost like the sound of blowing wind sliding through gaps, Ayano simply spun her words. For a second time, moving his eyeballs, Ren looked at Ayano, but she continued facing forward.

"Because I am the person that will someday succeed as the head of the Kannagi Family, I understand those Tsuwabuki's point. At the very least I will never say something like ''it doesn't matter if Mt. Fuji erupts, go and save that Ayumi girl!''"

"............."

"But even so, that's not what you should be thinking of now, is it?"

"...........ee?"

Because that was very unexpected, Ren raised a small doubtful voice.

"Those kind of large scale problems you must leave to adults. A child should give preference to himself. What you should think of right now is what you should do related to Ayumi. That's all."

"........eh......?"

Smiling sweetly Ayano too stared at the dazed Ren.

"You said it, right? That Ayumi is an imitation? She's a clone, her memories are borrowed from another person, that the real Tsuwabuki Ayumi doesn't exist, right?"

"..........yes.."

"That can't be true, you big fool!!"

The moment he nodded - no, as soon as "y" was pronounced Ayano grabbed the cute, brother-like Ren by the collar, constricting him.

"Whether it's reproduction, doppelganger, multiplied by cell division, if it has an original will you have no right to look down upon her as an imitation. Deceiving yourself with superficial words, denying the time you yourself spent with Ayumi, why are you doing it?"

Ayano became excessively agitated while shouting but when she finished speaking her calm returned.

Releasing his collar, with sober eyes she overlooked the choking Ren.

"I thought I'd say that by putting the screws on you but you're a bright kid so you already figured it out, didn't you?"

"............."

There was no need to say it.

Although he was surprised when he first found out, once he calmed down and thought about it, it all amounted to ''what of it?''

Even if her body and memory have been reproduced Ayumi's personality was certainly original. It was very clear. Because everything bestowed upon her was an imitation, the girl grasped in her hands genuineness.

From the beginning to the end Ren sensed that decision closer than anybody else.

But, for this reason Ren can't help but feel ashamed.

"I didn't understand anything....."

In spite of seeing it from the closest place, he did not ''see'' anything. Loosing his head, getting caught in the moment, he said a lot of cruel things.

''Big brother will surely come to save you''

''I want to show you many other things so I'll take you anywhere.''

The groundless hopes, the promise of a tomorrow that will never come, he wondered with how much cruelty they resounded in Ayumi's ears. But even so, Ayumi showed a smile.

''That's right. That would be nice...''

The fact that she didn't reveal the truth was certainly not for her self-protection. So that Ren won't be crushed by the truth's weight, its anguish, its sorrow, she locked it in her chest.

''I was a fool!''

He wanted to protect Ayumi. He wanted to save the girl by expending all the power he possessed. And yet - he didn't notice he was the one being protected.

He, descendant from the strongest, made a girl scared of her imminent death worry about him and protect him like a baby.

''You don't understand anything, you foolish child pretending to be a knight'' - Yuuji's words hit the bull's eye and left no room for rebuttal.He didn't understand anything.

"That's why............I couldn't do anything........."

With a regretful emotion, he spoke of conclusion. So, everything ended in the worst possible way.

"Don't use the past tense arbitrarily just because you decided the conclusion."

Ayano could not forgive the fact that Ren was full of resignation. Grabbing him by the collar for a second time, she forcefully pulled his hanged head upwards.

"Do you feel like ending it this way. This helpless conclusion, do you approve of it?"

"But.....there is nothing I can do for Ayumi-chan anymo- "

"I'm sick of it!"

Very irritated Ayano harshly shook Ren's body.

"You're such a thorough good kiddie! Right now it's not about ''for the sake of Ayumi-chan'' or something like that. What about you? What do '''you''' want to do? That's what I want to hear!!"

"......eh......me?"

Faced with a question he never thought of, Ren revealed a confused voice. And yet, Ayano's words did not stop.

"That's right. If it's true you won't do anything anymore, if that's the case, I won't interfere. But if you do so, you'd better label it as ''memories of my first love'' or something and put it away in some corner of your memory. frankly, that is the most peaceful settlement. Still..."

Ayano held Ren's cheeks between her hands and brought their eyes at the same height by leaning over a little. And then, directly facing that glance mixed with bewilderment she asked earnestly.

"Still, are you OK with that? Parting in such a way, although it was the last and you will never be able to meet again, you don't regret it? There is nothing you want to tell that girl?"

"............."

''Do you want to meet her, do you not want to meet her?''

Faced with this choice, he answered without hesitation.

''I want to meet her. Even if it's just once. Meet her and then...''

''But....''

"So, what will you do?"

Ayano pressed the hesitating Ren for an answer.

"You won't be able to chase after her if it goes like this - you know, right? You don't have time. Tomorrow, Ayumi-chan will be nowhere to find. No matter what your answer, there will be none to say it to. You have no time to hesitate. Decide now. What should you be doing?"

".............."

Hanging his head down, Ren closed his eyes. And he thought about it. What he wanted to do. What he ought to do. What he must, no matter what.

Dozens of seconds afterwards, at the end of his most serious meditation, the boy slowly opened his mouth.

"About the ceremony, about the living sacrifice, the most righteous thing to do about those, I have yet to realize. However..."

Lifting his head, he looked straight at Ayano.

That gaze held no more indecision.

"However, I want to meet Ayumi-chan one more time. Meet her, apologize to her and I want to tell her - I have something I must tell her no matter what."

"OK. Let's go then."

Ayano responded to those words said with the resolution of a lifetime with a ''just out for a bit of shopping'' mood.

"...You mean, right now!?"

"That's right. It's not like you need some particular preparation, no? If you need a stop over set, we can buy it at the local supermarket."

"No......that's not the probl- "

With a snap Ayano trusted her index finger at Ren, unable to follow the development's speed.

"Didn't I say it? We have no time. The ceremony is tonight and to begin with, do you think they will let us pass by saying ``I came to meet Ayumi-chan. I have no intention to interfere with the ceremony so please let us past``?"

".........that is perhaps impossible..."

"Not ``perhaps``, it's absolutely impossible. At any rate we have no choice but to push through with brute strength so we'd netter move while we still have time."

Saying that, Ayano stood up without waiting for a reply.

"Well, go change your clothes. If Father finds us, an explanation will be difficult so we must not be exposed."

"``Difficult``, you say!? If he finds out it's confinement for us."

If they mess up, it's a deed quite capable of making Mt. Fuji erupt. It's obvious Juugo will never allow it.

"If that's the case, hurry!"

But, once Ayano got like this she couldn't be stopped. Having a thorough knowledge about that, after coming this far he finally resolved himself.

"I understand. Give me five minutes."

"I'm waiting by the rear entrance."

Exchanging a small nod, both of them hurried in different directions.

[[User:Ayame|Ayame]] ([[User talk:Ayame|talk]]) 15:36, 25 March 2013 (CDT)

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Kaze no Stigma:Volume3 Chapter 4

2013-04-28T15:56:54Z

80.240.162.190: /* Part 4 */

=== Chapter 2 Each and everyone's determination ===

===Part 1===
".....!"

"Fugyaa!?"

Kazuma, peacefully breathing in his sleep on the upper side of the tree, suddenly - avoiding Tiana's wings, who just happened to fly on top of him - jumped to his feet.

"W- what?"

On the verge of falling, reorganizing her attitude, Tiana groaned. Completely ignoring those complaints, Kazuma said:

"It came back"

".......really?"

Tiana forgot her resentment on the spot. While it may be true she felt it, it does not mean she can do something about it.

"Where, where?"

To the now rushing out fairy, Kazuma jerked his jaw, pointing to the car trying to pass through the gate. Both their glances have been rooted on the spot.

From the car stopped in front of the entrance, several men and women made their appearance. Among those people, from inside the body of one small girl at the beginning of her teens, the wave motion felt from the center of her chest was, without a doubt, belonging to the treasure stolen from the fairy village.

"Even so, that is....."

The girl emitted an awfully unnatural presence. And then, when comparing her with the girl with an identical face, five or six years her senior, Kazuma muttered in a bitter voice.

He grasped the family structure of the Tsuwabuki head house. A girl that was not supposed to exist and an older identical girl.

And then - the fairy's treasure carried inside her body. From his perspective everything was clear.

"What a vulgar copy cat...."

On the other hand, Tiana was unrelated to those strong feelings.

"Ah, I found it....."

Murmuring with a voice overcome with emotion, both hands before her chest, looking up at the Heaven with wet pupils, as if saying "Thank you, God".

"Inside that, it's inside that! Come now - Kazuma please carry out the request! Gouge that girl's heart and retrieve the bloody treasureeee!!"

Because of too much excitement, Tiana screamed the bloody speech. How to say this, it was a scene meant to break any dreams and aspiration regarding the so called fairies.

That Tiana, shouting with blood shot eyes, Kazuma lightly disregarded, as if it was a matter of course. Brushing off the leaves and bark sticking to his clothes, he lightly muttered one thing.

"Well then, should I go back to sleep?"

"Just wait a secoooooooond!"

Tiana pulled with all her might the nape of Kazuma's neck, trying to descend from the tree that was their kip. Casually grabbing the fairy's body, following about, and plucking it of, he asked tiresomely.

"What?"

"It's not ''what'', right? The treasure we searched for it's just there!? Quickly get it baaack!!"

"Tiana"

Kazuma called out the fairy with the propensity for derangement in a terribly quiet voice.

As if cold water was poured on her heated head, Tiana promptly returned to her true character.

"W- wh- what is it....?"

"If you think about it, the ceremony is tomorrow night."

"So?"

"Instead of taking it now, won't it be more amusing to take it when they will be relived and think the ceremony can quietly take place? When knocked down from the peak of rejoice to the bottom of despair, what kind of expression will they do?....ku ku ku...."

Engraved on the contractor's mouth was an inhuman, cruel and brutal smile. The man's true character, who essentially should be a saint, made Tiana feel despair countless times.

"Auuuuuuuu...."

===Part 2===

She saw a dream.

Of a distant past, of a time her chest still harbored hope, a resemblance of the once foolish self. She wanted to be appreciated. She wanted to be smiled at. It did not matter if she was number one. It did not matter if she was the second.

That's why she desperately struggled. Putting her life on the line, piling up experience, refining her power. Without considering that it was the cause of still more alienation.

"That technique is a heresy. It's not appropriate for a practitioner of the traditional Tsuwabuki."

"That thing is not Chijutsushi. Why does my child have to use such black arts?"

''Disgrace''

''Demon Child''

''Evil magician''

The cruel words thrown at the very young girl by her own father carved in her heart wounds that cannot heal.

"Someday, for sure....."

Realizing that was a wish that will never come true, when did that happen?

That was a crab.

Not something particularly scary. Its size was somewhat big - enough to bisect a bear with its kitchen-like pincers. Its legs were somewhat numerous - the fore pincers - but, if she were to use her power the opponent would have no choice but to be lightly pinched out.

Despite this - the girl she was supposed to protect, was being overpowered by such a thing and paralyzed with horror. The huge pincers swung from overhead, was being looked up at, in a daze, by that inexperienced face.

"...Mayumi!"

She promptly released her power. The pincer trying to smash Mayumi's head was broken as if crushed by a giant hand.

"Come here!"

The crab was spouting froth from anguish. She sharply ordered Mayumi, who was still looking up at it in blank amazement.

".....Y-yes!"

Finally calming down, Mayumi rushed over while her legs got twisted. She payed absolutely no attention behind her. To that defenseless back, the crab tried to give a retribution blow. While driving out the crab with a feint attack, she caught the small body leaping in her chest.

"Older sister!"

For the girl trembling in fear, she showed a perfectly forced smile.

"It's alright. Against that kind of apparition, it's impossible for you to loose."

"B-but....."

"I will stop its movement and I will give it the finishing blow. That's fine, right?"

".........."

"Make your preparation"

Turning around Mayumi's still insecure body, she was made to confront the imminent crab.

"It's alright."

Embracing from behind the younger sister stiff with fear, she tenderly whispered. Contrary to her tone, that facial expression was cold but invisible to the girl gazing at the crab.

"Look....observe it"

Kicking the ground with eight long legs the crab approached the two straightforward. And, when he was approximately ten meters away, suddenly the crab was smashed.

it was like from right overhead, an unbelievably huge palm held him down with all his strength. Smashing the collection of legs, the shell conspicuously fissured. Plucking from the root the pincers that were rose overhead, admitting defeat, it was buried into the ground with a roar.

Without moving at all she pointed at the crab in anguish and told Mayumi:

"Come now, finish it off. Make a hole through the center, pierce it from bellow. You can do it, right?"

"Y-yes" Mayumi obediently nodded.

Obeyed by the spirits of the earth, she governed their power. The spirits promptly responded to the most powerful Chijutsushi blood.

" -ya!!"

Together with the girl's cute yell, from beneath the crab a spear stone grew. That long and narrow cone shape penetrated the crab's shell and rose facing the heavens. Making a huge hole in the middle of its body, the crab wriggled, foam at it's mouth. But by construction the crab was unable to escape from the stone spear. It's resistance gradually weakened and gradually stopped.

Before their eyes, the skull of the reddish crab lost its gloss, growing dull in color. The crack spread from that gap and the muscle became visible. It faded the same way loosing its elasticity and the muscle became stiff.

It turned to stone.

That was Mayumi's real aim. The stone spear that went through was no more than the preliminary arrangement for that purpose. The ground spirits pumped into the wounds changed with great vigor the organic matter in inorganic one. Making sure the petrification reached the interior of the body, including fighting spirit, Mayumi shouted.

"Smash!!"

It was impossible to disobey it. Agreeing to the command, the ground spirits speedily dissolved the bindings. Making a thick sound the stone cram was smashed.

Because the body changed to countless stones it was no longer possible to guess its original shape.

"Very well done Mayumi-sama!"

"Merely eight years old and to be able to take down such a Youma!"

Waiting for Mayumi when she returned home was a storm of praise from the entire family. The people assembled in the saloon unanimously praised Mayumi and her alone.

There was nobody who talked to her. Without showing any reaction for the uproar of the surroundings, she was sitting diagonally behind Mayumi, mute like a puppet. In front of her ignored as if her existence was the same as air, Mayumi who was given the family seat of honor was being spoken to by the Tsuwabuki Iwao.

"You did very well, Mayumi."

"Father!"

Mayumi's smiling face lit up and jumped into her father's chest, whom she respected and loved. Iwao also embraced his daughter closely, including an overflowing love.

"You did very well, Mayumi."

While pressing her cheeks against against Iwao's chest, who repeated those words again, Mayumi said innocently:

"Yeah, I did my best. But older sister practically did it by herself. Older sister is awfully strong!"

The unreserved large voice reverberated in the saloon, and the faces of the people sitting in a row became pale. Feeling the change of atmosphere, Mayumi raised her eyes to her father in wonder.

"What's wrong?"

Iwao replied laughingly.

"It's of no concern. Mayumi is admirable, dividing her achievement with other people."

"That's wrong, really, elder sister is- "

"It's fine, I don't give a damn about that thing"

Blocking Mayumi's field of vision by hugging her close, Iwao shifter his attention to her. Cold like a different person, a glance exceeding hatred, filled with curses.

But even so, she didn't move one finger, one eyebrow or one muscle. Ignoring the glance sticking between her eyebrows, her gaze looked at nothing but in front, one meter horizontal from Iwao, fixating on the wood details of the alcove post.

The sister embraced with love and the sister glared at with hatred.

All present looked at the excessively contrastive sisters, catching their breath.

"Kureha-sama.....Kureha-sama?"

".....!"

At the voice repeating her name, taken aback, Kureha woke up. It seems she took a nap in the middle of her duties. Lightly shaking off her head, to remove the remaining sleepiness, she responded.

"Enter"

From the door opened by the maid, a group of three people got in. By priority of age, Yuuji, Mayumi and - Ayumi.

''That was unexpectedly fast''

Kureha thought so, looking at the puppet with eyes sunk in bitterness. As far as she saw of that facial expression, her first trip had not been particularly enjoyable.

''Well, it's a thing of no consequence''

"Following your instruction Ayumi has been returned home"

Being considerably pathetic, Yuuji reported stiffly. Expressly speaking of such obvious things, Yuuji may have been foolish but that doesn't mean Kureha was the same.

That was some kind of indication of his decision.

''"With this I won't allow Mayumi to become a sacrifice", or something''

It's not like her real intentions stood out. Instead, feeling that naivete pleasant, Kureha responded with a sweet smile.

"I appreciate your efforts."

"Y-yes!"

No matter how he perceived those words of appreciation Yuuji made a respectful bow, his face lit up. But before he raised his head, Kureha informed the three.

"Yuuji, you can already retire. Mayumi and Ayumi, please follow me."

"....Eh?" unintentionally Mayumi asked back.

Yuuji stiffed in a comical stance, his back bent.

".......Me too, you said?"

Seeing surprise and a small quantity of fear clung to Mayumi's question, Kureha laughed.

"That's right. Did you think you will be sightseeing the ceremony drinking tea? You too have an important part. Follow me"

"................"

Iwao being on the sickbed at the present time, Kureha was the one commanding the family. She could not advocate her objection.

Complying with Kureha, who naturally opened the door and stated walking, Mayumi and Ayumi followed behind.

Yuuji followed the three people until they left the office but clinging to them further was not permitted.

For him, unable to do anything but see them off, Mayumi looked over her shoulder just once.

That profile full of anxiety was scorched in the center of his consciousnesses together with a feeling of loss that cannot be undone.

===Part 3===

The next morning

Hiding his pathetic decision inside his heart, Yuuji knocked on the door leading to Kureha's private room. Without pause, the reply came.

"What's the matter, Yuuji?"

"........I have something to discuss."

"Enter"

The knob turned. It wasn't the work of a key. In a mental state similar to that of entering a dragon's den, Yuuji stepped inside the room.

"Good morning. You're early Yuuji."

Although saying that Kureha's appearance too was perfectly in order. Her flowing black hair was perfectly arranged and the same as usual a black suit was tightly wrapped around her.

"Will you let me know my lady's whereabouts?"

Standing before Kureha, impolitely Yuuji did not return the greeting and got to the main question. His complexion was bad. In spite of being injured to that extent yesterday it seems he didn't sleep a wink.

"Since last night, after Kureha-sama took her along, she did not returned to her room"

"You, did you stick yourself in front of Mayumi's room? You're almost like a stalker, huh?", Kureha laughed sarcastically.

However, Yuuji, without showing a glimpse of insincere smile, draw near with a severe face.

"Please answer, Kureha-sama. Depending on what happens, even if it's you..."

Kureha indifferently asked back.

"Even if it's you?"

"Ku.........."

Without doing anything, just by standing there, Kureha overwhelmed Yuuji.

Even by making use of his blind devotion towards Mayumi, he could not fill the desperate power difference.

"My lady, where is she...."

Still, seeing Yuuji hang on, mustering his willpower Kureha showed a somewhat unnatural look of admiration.

"What considerable devotion. If you want to meet her that badly, I will allow you to. Come!"

Yuuji chased after Kureha, who left the room and began to walk a few meters behind. The distance he put between them, rather than him being precautious, it was more like he was afraid of getting closer.

''What kind of person is this woman?''

Even if it was for a moment, when he confronted her he felt her abnormality. That power was clearly on a different level, when compared with other practitioners. Even Iwao, the Head, for Kureha, he was not a match by far. To say it simply it was an excessively mighty power. From the time she was a child, although unique, she was recognized as a powerful practitioner but nobody expected her to rise above to such a level.

"What are you doing? You'll be left behind."

Almost like reading his heart, indulging himself in speculation, Kureha suddenly looked over her shoulder.

Bearing the shriek trying to gush out by clenching his teeth, Yuuji shortly answered.

"...........I understand"

"Hurry up. I don't want to be seen by too many people"

And with these words, her beautiful face showed her usual smile, with no trace of impatience.

Glaring annoyed at Kureha, who faced forward once again Yuuji slightly quickened his pace.

In silence, Kureha walked to the deepest part of the grounds. Yuuji never entered this place before- it was a place nobody could enter with the exception of those who earned the permission of the Head.

"This is......"

"You've never entered this place before, huh? It's because, with the exception of those belonging to the main family this is a place that doesn't open but once every thirty years"

At the words he feared, Yuuji's face became stiff.

"Kureha-sama, you, by no means, even my lady- "

Those words, spoken in a strong tone, Kureha interrupted icily.

"Yuuji, you may believe you are given permission to an opinion but I have no intention of bestowing it any further. I am letting you meet her in deference to your loyalty but I have no intention of releasing Mayumi until the ceremony is over. Remember it."

".............."

Completely forbidden from raising objections, Yuuji had no choice but to be silent.

"..........is this the place?"

Staring at the small shrine they arrived before long, Yuuji asked.

"This is the entrance. Our place of destination is inside it" answered Kureha, opening the small shrine's gate.

Inside there wasn't even a single light, and without having performed any kind of process the cave entrance lightly opened its mouth.

"Here is....."

"Correct, this is the sacred ground of Tsuwabuki. The place we must protect even at the cost of our lives. Well, shall we go forward? Your beloved lady is inside."

"I understand"

To Kureha's exaggerated words, mixed with ridicule, Yuuji replied seriously.

He continued walking while controlling his uneasiness at the endlessly continuing cave.

A pitch blackness without a ray of light. A natural cave with no reinforcements. This was a situation that would have driven claustrophobic people to madness but for a Chijutsushi it was a place full of tranquility equivalent with the inside of mother's womb.

And yet, Yuuji frantically endured the urge to start running. In what sort environment was Mayumi placed, thinking of that he is unable to suppress his anxiety.

''My lady....I will, definitely.......''

Hiding that strong decision n his heart, he is descending in the cave. And then -

".......uh!?"

A dazzling glint burned Yuuji's eyes. Into his ears, unintentionally shutting his eyes, Kureha's composed voice resounds.

"Welcome to the center of Tsuwabuki's consecrated ground."

"Wh...at?"

Holding his hands before his eyes, Yuuji slowly opened his eyelids. What was there was a huge space that did not appear to be underground, spreading out.

"This is....."

A voice full of wonder leaked out. The magical spectacle spreading before hos eyes, drew in his sight and didn't let go. The gigantic pillar soaring at the center of the large hollow spreading a hundred meters below Fuji's sea of trees, is brilliantly shining.

"Crystal?...."

The sparkling, transparent stone pillar - there is no mistake about it, it was a pillar made of high purity crystal. The diameter roughly four meters, it's height nearly twenty meters.

And then, even supposing this crystal was guiding the sunshine so deeply underground, that enormousness exhausted any kind of description.

To Yuuji, stupefied with amazement, Kureha turned an evil smile.

"Yuuji, it's fine to be so deeply moved but is it not something else you should look for?"

".......eh?"

"Please look carefully inside the pillar"

"............"

Doing as he was told, Yuuji closely observed the pillar. Enduring the radiance, he saw a dark stain somewhat lower than the center.

He supposed that was just some foreign matter that was mixed in, but that unusual shape weighted on his mind. Taking a few steps forward he stared even more.

"..................eh?"

He was terrified. That stain had the form of a human.

Dressed sparingly, the white, thin dress showing her shoulders, the girl's eyes were peacefully closed. It was unthinkable not to recognize her.

Because she was the girl he pledged to protect by sacrificing everything.

"My lady!"

On Yuuji's shoulder, who started running, an invisible power was placed.

The heavy pressure reaching one ton sealed his body's movements as if it was its loyal subject.

"Calm down!" coldly informed Kureha.

Yuuji glared at her.

"What have you done to my lady?"

That shout, so overcome with emotion it forgot even honorifics, Kureha tolerantly pardoned.

"I did say Mayumi too has her own role"

"Role...?"

"Ayumi's body cannot withstand the release of power. The emission ratio will not be enough for the final tuning. Therefore, the power Ayumi cannot sustain by herself, I made Mayumi shoulder. You could call it the unexpected side effect of a clone"

The practitioner who performs the ritual, even calling it extreme, one is enough. Or perhaps it should be said that for the delicate control required by the technique, the governing intent must only be one.

Excluding the early few times, the ceremony was practiced by almost all the family, adding multiplied force for the sake of raising the success rate but did not change the fact that the practitioner controlling the power that is the focal point is just one.

But, if it's Ayumi and Mayumi practically identical at the genetic level, it may not be impossible to align their consciousness. Particularly by making the weak-self Ayumi do the main part and leaving the trance to the egoistic Mayumi.

"Such a...."

Without listening to Kureha's explanation until the end, Yuuji dropped to his knees, heartbroken.

''I...until now, for what sake.........''

That appearance, feebly hanging his head, resembled Ren's the night before, in a cruel way.

If Yuuji could see himself through an objective point of view perhaps a cynical smile would be irrepressible.

"Relax. Because she probably won't die."

"........eh?"

But, Kureha did not permit even despair. In front of the stricken Yuuji, she suspended an ostentatious thread of salvation.

"In the end, Ayumi is the main one and Mayumi is the spare. Because she is supplementing Ayumi's insufficiency, I don't think it will be fatal - that is, as long as the seal does not break even for an instant."

Reinforcing a seal that already has shape and rebuilding from scratch a seal that burst open without leaving any trace, between the power required by the two, there is a world of difference.

If that sort of abnormal situation does not occur Mayumi will survive, it was said, but for some reason, Yuuji could not relax.

"Do you think there is a possibility it will happen?"

At Yuuji's cautious question, Kureha responded without hesitation.

"At least, there will certainly be interference."

".........the Kannagi kid will come again?"

Nothing else came to his mind but Kureha opened her eyes wide as if she was surprised and let out a small sarcastic laugh.

"Ah, do you mean Kannagi Ren? I received the report. But, I am concerned about the fairies."

"The fairies? What can those insubstantial living things do?"

Deepening her sarcastic smile toward Yuuji's bewildered face, Kureha continued.

"Did you not hear? Your head if filled with nothing but Mayumi, huh? Yesterday, a fairy and it's guardian got inside the house."

"A-ah...." Yuuji nodded vaguely.

Come to think of it, someone said that. According to Kureha's pointing out, he had no composure to think about something else, vaguely ignoring it.

"The guardian?"

"A terrifyingly strong man making use of the wind. He seemed human but - I wonder about that. He said he is the fairy's brethren too"

"Wind, is it?"

Frowning id doubt, Yuuji asked in return.

"Why, if its only the likes of Fuujutsushi should we be afraid?"

"If it's only- ?"

Stuck by Yuuji's words, Kureha giggled in a very improper way.

"You're right, if it's only Fuujutsushi. If it's just that kind of practitioner able to defeat the power of the likes of me, perhaps someone like you has no need to be afraid"

"....!!"

"So reliable"

Yuuji asked the sneering Kureha in a hoarse voice:

"Is - is that true.....? Truly, with just wind, your power - ?"

"It's the truth. What's more, I've been seen through after the first attack. To be ahead of me to that extent, that was a first. The world is really big, huh?"

".........."

At a loss of words, Yuuji stood rock still in blank amazement.

A Fuujutsushi surpassing Kureha - if such a thing were to appear, for him it's impossible to oppose no matter how he were to struggle.

"B-but........if he obstructs the ceremony, Mt. Fuji will definitely erupt. Will he go that far?"

"I don't know about the Kannagi's side but the fairies have no reason to hesitate. Because the eruption is nothing more than a natural phenomenon they have no intention of resisting it."

Talking about such a hopeless story with a gossip-like tone, Kureha looked at Yuuji's face, dyed in despair.

"So, we can't talk about it, but... how about you? Don't you desire power?"

".....eh?"

"Power. A mighty power. To drive away all enemies, to protect your precious one, overflowing power. If I were to say I can grant you that power - you, what will you do?"

"............."

Yuuji looked hard at Kureha with a bottomless shiver. As a practitioner, Yuuji recognized the fact that she was in a by far superior rank - No, he was supposed to know that.

But it was different. This, it was not that kind of thing.

''This woman - is she really human?''

''Feeding on his hope, something that tempts humans to their ruin. The existence passed down on tradition on every culture around the world, right now, is sneering before his eyes. The spoils it aims at are waiting the time of the fall''

Even so -

''Do I mind?''

As far as Yuuji is concerned, he had no other option. No, his choice was already made.

If the compensation of power is required, he would give anything, no matter what it is.

His life, his soul, he had no choice but to consider them second or less.

That's why his answer had beed decided.

"No matter what will happen, I don't care. Please give me power."

Receiving the answer she was eagerly waiting, Kureha smiled ominously. He had the feeling that for one second, those lips tore until ears.

===Part 4===

"Father, do you know where Ren went? He's not in his room."

"I happened to see him sitting on the porch just before noon."

Ayano turned an uterly amazed glance at Juugo, who answered matter of course.

"........Father, it is already evening."

"Go and see for yourself. A certain someone who does not want to move at all is supposed to be there."

"............."

Scowling, Ayano cast her eyes down. Her strongly gripped fist was trembling.

"If you tell me he has no outlet for his anger, I'll get angry. Knocking down those Tsuwabuki guys and settling this is so simple and yet...."

"....True"

Evening

Ren, dicovered with the help of Kirika's side, the Special Data Arrangement, although he had no visible wounds, his heart received near fatal damage.

Remaining silent without responding to any questions, secluded inside his shell, Ren was brought home after midnight.

As a result of being left to rest without having to listen to anything, at dawn he recovered enough to take a minimum of communication.

As if he would been asked Ren told it all, without faltering. His own feeling - the fleeting emotion harbored for that girl, the despair when he found the truth - without hiding anything.

In front of the stricken boy nobody could do anything.

Their feelings were summarized in Ayano's words from a while ago. That is - "There is no outlet for his anger"

The act of the Tsuwabuki Household was by no means incorrect. Caring about morals has no meaning. In their line of business that goes beyond the life or death of one person, they are naturally operating for the sake of justice. There was no other way.

There is no choice but to pray to God that time will heal his emotional scars.

"So, what did you plan to do after searching for Ren?"

"What, you ask - I can't leave him alone like that, can I?"

Ren right now was similar to a living corpse.

If he was talked to, he'd give a minimal reply.

If food was given to him, he would eat it.

However, without urgings from other people, left by himself he would not move, not even a finger. Sitting sprawled out, that figure with blank eyes was exactly like a puppet whose strings have been cut.

Sober, Juugo shifted his attention to Ayano, wanting to comfort Ren.

"Can you do something?"

"I don't know if I can"

There was clearly no hesitation in Ayano's response.

"But even so, I can't leave him alone. That kind of helpless situation, I won't admit it. I definitely won't let it end this way."

Making this declaration in a rough tone, Ayano left Juugo's room.

''Wow, it really was true...''

Voiceless, Ayano murmured to herself. Ren was in the place Juugo said he would be. Sitting on the verande, he was leaning on the left side pillar. Perhaps that attitude never changed since before noon.

Approaching directly, Ayano sat dawn next to him. Ren's eyes moved slightly, perceiving her figure.

"............older sister.."

A feeble murmur escaped. The question ''why are you here'' did not resound, just calling the name of the person that entered his field of vision, that sort of dull and uninteresting matter.

Ayano did not venture to make eye contact, placing her glance on the garden in front.

Ren too, immediately lost his interest towards Ayano, restoring his glance on his feet.

Without change, for several minutes, time flew quietly.

"If it's me....."

Almost like the sound of blowing wind sliding through gaps, Ayano simply spun her words. For a second time, moving hie eyeballs, Ren looked at Ayano, but she continued facing forward.

"Because I am the person that will someday succeed as the head of the Kannagi Family, I understand those Tsuwabuki's point. At the very least I will never say something like ''it doesn't matter if Mt. Fuji erupts, go and save that Ayumi girl!''"

"............."

"But even so, that's not what you should be thinking of now, is it?"

"...........ee?"

Because that was very unexpected, Ren raised a small doubtful voice.

"Those kind of large scale problems you must leave to adults. A child should give preference to himself. What you should think of right now is what you should do related to Ayumi. That's all."

"........eh......?"

Smiling sweetly Ayano too stared at the dazed Ren.

"You said it, right? That Ayumi is an imitation? She's a clone, her memories are borrowed from another person, that the real Tsuwabuki Ayumi doesn't exist, right?"

"..........yes.."

"That can't be true, you big fool!!"

The moment he nodded - no, as soon as "y" was pronounced Ayano grabbed the cute, brother-like Ren by the collar, constricting him.

"Whether it's reproduction, doppelganger, multiplied by cell division, if it has an original will you have no right to look down upon her as an imitation. Deceiving yourself with superficial words, denying the time you yourself spent with Ayumi, why are you doing it?"

Ayano became excessively agitated while shouting but when she finished speaking her calm returned.

Releasing his collar, with sober eyes she overlooked the choking Ren.

"I thought I'd say that by putting the screws on you but you're a bright kid so you already figured it out, didn't you?"

"............."

There was no need to say it.

Although he was surprised when he first found out, once he calmed down and thought about it, it all amounted to ''what of it?''

Even if her body and memory have been reproduced Ayumi's personality was certainly original. It was very clear. Because everything bestowed upon her was an imitation, the girl grasped in her hands genuineness.

From the beginning to the end Ren sensed that decision closer than anybody else.

But, for this reason Ren can't help but feel ashamed.

"I didn't understand anything....."

In spite of seeing it from the closest place, he did not ''see'' anything. Loosing his head, getting caught in the moment, he said a lot of cruel things.

''Big brother will surely come to save you''

''I want to show you many other things so I'll take you anywhere.''

The groundless hopes, the promise of a tomorrow that will never come, he wondered with how much cruelty they resounded in Ayumi's ears. But even so, Ayumi showed a smile.

''That's right. That would be nice...''

The fact that she didn't reveal the truth was certainly not for her self-protection. So that Ren won't be crushed by the truth's weight, its anguish, its sorrow, she locked it in her chest.

''I was a fool!''

He wanted to protect Ayumi. He wanted to save the girl by expending all the power he possessed. And yet - he didn't notice he was the one being protected.

He, descendant from the strongest, made a girl scared of her imminent death worry about him and protect him like a baby.

''You don't understand anything, you foolish child pretending to be a knight'' - Yuuji's words hit the bull's eye and left no room for rebuttal.He didn't understand anything.

"That's why............I couldn't do anything........."

With a regretful emotion, he spoke of conclusion. So, everything ended in the worst possible way.

"Don't use the past tense arbitrarily just because you decided the conclusion."

Ayano could not forgive the fact that Ren was full of resignation. Grabbing him by the collar for a second time, she forcefully pulled his hanged head upwards.

"Do you feel like ending it this way. This helpless conclusion, do you approve of it?"

"But.....there is nothing I can do for Ayumi-chan anymo- "

"I'm sick of it!"

Very irritated Ayano harshly shook Ren's body.

"You're such a thorough good kiddie! Right now it's not about ''for the sake of Ayumi-chan'' or something like that. What about you? What do '''you''' want to do? That's what I want to hear!!"

"......eh......me?"

Faced with a question he never thought of, Ren revealed a confused voice. And yet, Ayano's words did not stop.

"That's right. If it's true you won't do anything anymore, if that's the case, I won't interfere. But if you do so, you'd better label it as ''memories of my first love'' or something and put it away in some corner of your memory. frankly, that is the most peaceful settlement. Still..."

Ayano held Ren's cheeks between her hands and brought their eyes at the same height by leaning over a little. And then, directly facing that glance mixed with bewilderment she asked earnestly.

"Still, are you OK with that? Parting in such a way, although it was the last and you will never be able to meet again, you don't regret it? There is nothing you want to tell that girl?"

"............."

''Do you want to meet her, do you not want to meet her?''

Faced with this choice, he answered without hesitation.

''I want to meet her. Even if it's just once. Meet her and then...''

''But....''

"So, what will you do?"

Ayano pressed the hesitating Ren for an answer.

"You won't be able to chase after her if it goes like this - you know, right? You don't have time. Tomorrow, Ayumi-chan will be nowhere to find. No matter what your answer, there will be none to say it to. You have no time to hesitate. Decide now. What should you be doing?"

".............."

Hanging his head down, Ren closed his eyes. And he thought about it. What he wanted to do. What he ought to do. What he must, no matter what.

Dozens of seconds afterwards, at the end of his most serious meditation, the boy slowly opened his mouth.

"About the ceremony, about the living sacrifice, the most righteous thing to do about those, I have yet to realize. However..."

Lifting his head, he looked straight at Ayano.

That gaze held no more indecision.

"However, I want to meet Ayumi-chan one more time. Meet her, apologize to her and I want to tell her - I have something I must tell her no matter what."

"OK. Let's go then."

Ayano responded to those words said with the resolution of a lifetime with a ''just out for a bit of shopping'' mood.

"...You mean, right now!?"

"That's right. It's not like you need some particular preparation, no? If you need a stop over set, we can buy it at the local supermarket."

"No......that's not the probl- "

With a snap Ayano trusted her index finger at Ren, unable to follow the development's speed.

"Didn't I say it? We have no time. The ceremony is tonight and to begin with, do you think they will let us pass by saying ``I came to meet Ayumi-chan. I have no intention to interfere with the ceremony so please let us past``?"

".........that is perhaps impossible..."

"Not ``perhaps``, it's absolutely impossible. At any rate we have no choice but to push through with brute strength so we'd netter move while we still have time."

Saying that, Ayano stood up without waiting for a reply.

"Well, go change your clothes. If Father finds us, an explanation will be difficult so we must not be exposed."

"``Difficult``, you say!? If he finds out it's confinement for us."

If they mess up, it's a deed quite capable of making Mt. Fuji erupt. It's obvious Juugo will never allow it.

"If that's the case, hurry!"

But, once Ayano got like this she couldn't be stopped. Having a thorough knowledge about that, after coming this far he finally resolved himself.

"I understand. Give me five minutes."

"I'm waiting by the rear entrance."

Exchanging a small nod, both of them hurried in different directions.

[[User:Ayame|Ayame]] ([[User talk:Ayame|talk]]) 15:36, 25 March 2013 (CDT)

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Kaze no Stigma:Volume3 Chapter 4

2013-04-28T15:56:01Z

80.240.162.190: /* Part 4 */

=== Chapter 2 Each and everyone's determination ===

===Part 1===
".....!"

"Fugyaa!?"

Kazuma, peacefully breathing in his sleep on the upper side of the tree, suddenly - avoiding Tiana's wings, who just happened to fly on top of him - jumped to his feet.

"W- what?"

On the verge of falling, reorganizing her attitude, Tiana groaned. Completely ignoring those complaints, Kazuma said:

"It came back"

".......really?"

Tiana forgot her resentment on the spot. While it may be true she felt it, it does not mean she can do something about it.

"Where, where?"

To the now rushing out fairy, Kazuma jerked his jaw, pointing to the car trying to pass through the gate. Both their glances have been rooted on the spot.

From the car stopped in front of the entrance, several men and women made their appearance. Among those people, from inside the body of one small girl at the beginning of her teens, the wave motion felt from the center of her chest was, without a doubt, belonging to the treasure stolen from the fairy village.

"Even so, that is....."

The girl emitted an awfully unnatural presence. And then, when comparing her with the girl with an identical face, five or six years her senior, Kazuma muttered in a bitter voice.

He grasped the family structure of the Tsuwabuki head house. A girl that was not supposed to exist and an older identical girl.

And then - the fairy's treasure carried inside her body. From his perspective everything was clear.

"What a vulgar copy cat...."

On the other hand, Tiana was unrelated to those strong feelings.

"Ah, I found it....."

Murmuring with a voice overcome with emotion, both hands before her chest, looking up at the Heaven with wet pupils, as if saying "Thank you, God".

"Inside that, it's inside that! Come now - Kazuma please carry out the request! Gouge that girl's heart and retrieve the bloody treasureeee!!"

Because of too much excitement, Tiana screamed the bloody speech. How to say this, it was a scene meant to break any dreams and aspiration regarding the so called fairies.

That Tiana, shouting with blood shot eyes, Kazuma lightly disregarded, as if it was a matter of course. Brushing off the leaves and bark sticking to his clothes, he lightly muttered one thing.

"Well then, should I go back to sleep?"

"Just wait a secoooooooond!"

Tiana pulled with all her might the nape of Kazuma's neck, trying to descend from the tree that was their kip. Casually grabbing the fairy's body, following about, and plucking it of, he asked tiresomely.

"What?"

"It's not ''what'', right? The treasure we searched for it's just there!? Quickly get it baaack!!"

"Tiana"

Kazuma called out the fairy with the propensity for derangement in a terribly quiet voice.

As if cold water was poured on her heated head, Tiana promptly returned to her true character.

"W- wh- what is it....?"

"If you think about it, the ceremony is tomorrow night."

"So?"

"Instead of taking it now, won't it be more amusing to take it when they will be relived and think the ceremony can quietly take place? When knocked down from the peak of rejoice to the bottom of despair, what kind of expression will they do?....ku ku ku...."

Engraved on the contractor's mouth was an inhuman, cruel and brutal smile. The man's true character, who essentially should be a saint, made Tiana feel despair countless times.

"Auuuuuuuu...."

===Part 2===

She saw a dream.

Of a distant past, of a time her chest still harbored hope, a resemblance of the once foolish self. She wanted to be appreciated. She wanted to be smiled at. It did not matter if she was number one. It did not matter if she was the second.

That's why she desperately struggled. Putting her life on the line, piling up experience, refining her power. Without considering that it was the cause of still more alienation.

"That technique is a heresy. It's not appropriate for a practitioner of the traditional Tsuwabuki."

"That thing is not Chijutsushi. Why does my child have to use such black arts?"

''Disgrace''

''Demon Child''

''Evil magician''

The cruel words thrown at the very young girl by her own father carved in her heart wounds that cannot heal.

"Someday, for sure....."

Realizing that was a wish that will never come true, when did that happen?

That was a crab.

Not something particularly scary. Its size was somewhat big - enough to bisect a bear with its kitchen-like pincers. Its legs were somewhat numerous - the fore pincers - but, if she were to use her power the opponent would have no choice but to be lightly pinched out.

Despite this - the girl she was supposed to protect, was being overpowered by such a thing and paralyzed with horror. The huge pincers swung from overhead, was being looked up at, in a daze, by that inexperienced face.

"...Mayumi!"

She promptly released her power. The pincer trying to smash Mayumi's head was broken as if crushed by a giant hand.

"Come here!"

The crab was spouting froth from anguish. She sharply ordered Mayumi, who was still looking up at it in blank amazement.

".....Y-yes!"

Finally calming down, Mayumi rushed over while her legs got twisted. She payed absolutely no attention behind her. To that defenseless back, the crab tried to give a retribution blow. While driving out the crab with a feint attack, she caught the small body leaping in her chest.

"Older sister!"

For the girl trembling in fear, she showed a perfectly forced smile.

"It's alright. Against that kind of apparition, it's impossible for you to loose."

"B-but....."

"I will stop its movement and I will give it the finishing blow. That's fine, right?"

".........."

"Make your preparation"

Turning around Mayumi's still insecure body, she was made to confront the imminent crab.

"It's alright."

Embracing from behind the younger sister stiff with fear, she tenderly whispered. Contrary to her tone, that facial expression was cold but invisible to the girl gazing at the crab.

"Look....observe it"

Kicking the ground with eight long legs the crab approached the two straightforward. And, when he was approximately ten meters away, suddenly the crab was smashed.

it was like from right overhead, an unbelievably huge palm held him down with all his strength. Smashing the collection of legs, the shell conspicuously fissured. Plucking from the root the pincers that were rose overhead, admitting defeat, it was buried into the ground with a roar.

Without moving at all she pointed at the crab in anguish and told Mayumi:

"Come now, finish it off. Make a hole through the center, pierce it from bellow. You can do it, right?"

"Y-yes" Mayumi obediently nodded.

Obeyed by the spirits of the earth, she governed their power. The spirits promptly responded to the most powerful Chijutsushi blood.

" -ya!!"

Together with the girl's cute yell, from beneath the crab a spear stone grew. That long and narrow cone shape penetrated the crab's shell and rose facing the heavens. Making a huge hole in the middle of its body, the crab wriggled, foam at it's mouth. But by construction the crab was unable to escape from the stone spear. It's resistance gradually weakened and gradually stopped.

Before their eyes, the skull of the reddish crab lost its gloss, growing dull in color. The crack spread from that gap and the muscle became visible. It faded the same way loosing its elasticity and the muscle became stiff.

It turned to stone.

That was Mayumi's real aim. The stone spear that went through was no more than the preliminary arrangement for that purpose. The ground spirits pumped into the wounds changed with great vigor the organic matter in inorganic one. Making sure the petrification reached the interior of the body, including fighting spirit, Mayumi shouted.

"Smash!!"

It was impossible to disobey it. Agreeing to the command, the ground spirits speedily dissolved the bindings. Making a thick sound the stone cram was smashed.

Because the body changed to countless stones it was no longer possible to guess its original shape.

"Very well done Mayumi-sama!"

"Merely eight years old and to be able to take down such a Youma!"

Waiting for Mayumi when she returned home was a storm of praise from the entire family. The people assembled in the saloon unanimously praised Mayumi and her alone.

There was nobody who talked to her. Without showing any reaction for the uproar of the surroundings, she was sitting diagonally behind Mayumi, mute like a puppet. In front of her ignored as if her existence was the same as air, Mayumi who was given the family seat of honor was being spoken to by the Tsuwabuki Iwao.

"You did very well, Mayumi."

"Father!"

Mayumi's smiling face lit up and jumped into her father's chest, whom she respected and loved. Iwao also embraced his daughter closely, including an overflowing love.

"You did very well, Mayumi."

While pressing her cheeks against against Iwao's chest, who repeated those words again, Mayumi said innocently:

"Yeah, I did my best. But older sister practically did it by herself. Older sister is awfully strong!"

The unreserved large voice reverberated in the saloon, and the faces of the people sitting in a row became pale. Feeling the change of atmosphere, Mayumi raised her eyes to her father in wonder.

"What's wrong?"

Iwao replied laughingly.

"It's of no concern. Mayumi is admirable, dividing her achievement with other people."

"That's wrong, really, elder sister is- "

"It's fine, I don't give a damn about that thing"

Blocking Mayumi's field of vision by hugging her close, Iwao shifter his attention to her. Cold like a different person, a glance exceeding hatred, filled with curses.

But even so, she didn't move one finger, one eyebrow or one muscle. Ignoring the glance sticking between her eyebrows, her gaze looked at nothing but in front, one meter horizontal from Iwao, fixating on the wood details of the alcove post.

The sister embraced with love and the sister glared at with hatred.

All present looked at the excessively contrastive sisters, catching their breath.

"Kureha-sama.....Kureha-sama?"

".....!"

At the voice repeating her name, taken aback, Kureha woke up. It seems she took a nap in the middle of her duties. Lightly shaking off her head, to remove the remaining sleepiness, she responded.

"Enter"

From the door opened by the maid, a group of three people got in. By priority of age, Yuuji, Mayumi and - Ayumi.

''That was unexpectedly fast''

Kureha thought so, looking at the puppet with eyes sunk in bitterness. As far as she saw of that facial expression, her first trip had not been particularly enjoyable.

''Well, it's a thing of no consequence''

"Following your instruction Ayumi has been returned home"

Being considerably pathetic, Yuuji reported stiffly. Expressly speaking of such obvious things, Yuuji may have been foolish but that doesn't mean Kureha was the same.

That was some kind of indication of his decision.

''"With this I won't allow Mayumi to become a sacrifice", or something''

It's not like her real intentions stood out. Instead, feeling that naivete pleasant, Kureha responded with a sweet smile.

"I appreciate your efforts."

"Y-yes!"

No matter how he perceived those words of appreciation Yuuji made a respectful bow, his face lit up. But before he raised his head, Kureha informed the three.

"Yuuji, you can already retire. Mayumi and Ayumi, please follow me."

"....Eh?" unintentionally Mayumi asked back.

Yuuji stiffed in a comical stance, his back bent.

".......Me too, you said?"

Seeing surprise and a small quantity of fear clung to Mayumi's question, Kureha laughed.

"That's right. Did you think you will be sightseeing the ceremony drinking tea? You too have an important part. Follow me"

"................"

Iwao being on the sickbed at the present time, Kureha was the one commanding the family. She could not advocate her objection.

Complying with Kureha, who naturally opened the door and stated walking, Mayumi and Ayumi followed behind.

Yuuji followed the three people until they left the office but clinging to them further was not permitted.

For him, unable to do anything but see them off, Mayumi looked over her shoulder just once.

That profile full of anxiety was scorched in the center of his consciousnesses together with a feeling of loss that cannot be undone.

===Part 3===

The next morning

Hiding his pathetic decision inside his heart, Yuuji knocked on the door leading to Kureha's private room. Without pause, the reply came.

"What's the matter, Yuuji?"

"........I have something to discuss."

"Enter"

The knob turned. It wasn't the work of a key. In a mental state similar to that of entering a dragon's den, Yuuji stepped inside the room.

"Good morning. You're early Yuuji."

Although saying that Kureha's appearance too was perfectly in order. Her flowing black hair was perfectly arranged and the same as usual a black suit was tightly wrapped around her.

"Will you let me know my lady's whereabouts?"

Standing before Kureha, impolitely Yuuji did not return the greeting and got to the main question. His complexion was bad. In spite of being injured to that extent yesterday it seems he didn't sleep a wink.

"Since last night, after Kureha-sama took her along, she did not returned to her room"

"You, did you stick yourself in front of Mayumi's room? You're almost like a stalker, huh?", Kureha laughed sarcastically.

However, Yuuji, without showing a glimpse of insincere smile, draw near with a severe face.

"Please answer, Kureha-sama. Depending on what happens, even if it's you..."

Kureha indifferently asked back.

"Even if it's you?"

"Ku.........."

Without doing anything, just by standing there, Kureha overwhelmed Yuuji.

Even by making use of his blind devotion towards Mayumi, he could not fill the desperate power difference.

"My lady, where is she...."

Still, seeing Yuuji hang on, mustering his willpower Kureha showed a somewhat unnatural look of admiration.

"What considerable devotion. If you want to meet her that badly, I will allow you to. Come!"

Yuuji chased after Kureha, who left the room and began to walk a few meters behind. The distance he put between them, rather than him being precautious, it was more like he was afraid of getting closer.

''What kind of person is this woman?''

Even if it was for a moment, when he confronted her he felt her abnormality. That power was clearly on a different level, when compared with other practitioners. Even Iwao, the Head, for Kureha, he was not a match by far. To say it simply it was an excessively mighty power. From the time she was a child, although unique, she was recognized as a powerful practitioner but nobody expected her to rise above to such a level.

"What are you doing? You'll be left behind."

Almost like reading his heart, indulging himself in speculation, Kureha suddenly looked over her shoulder.

Bearing the shriek trying to gush out by clenching his teeth, Yuuji shortly answered.

"...........I understand"

"Hurry up. I don't want to be seen by too many people"

And with these words, her beautiful face showed her usual smile, with no trace of impatience.

Glaring annoyed at Kureha, who faced forward once again Yuuji slightly quickened his pace.

In silence, Kureha walked to the deepest part of the grounds. Yuuji never entered this place before- it was a place nobody could enter with the exception of those who earned the permission of the Head.

"This is......"

"You've never entered this place before, huh? It's because, with the exception of those belonging to the main family this is a place that doesn't open but once every thirty years"

At the words he feared, Yuuji's face became stiff.

"Kureha-sama, you, by no means, even my lady- "

Those words, spoken in a strong tone, Kureha interrupted icily.

"Yuuji, you may believe you are given permission to an opinion but I have no intention of bestowing it any further. I am letting you meet her in deference to your loyalty but I have no intention of releasing Mayumi until the ceremony is over. Remember it."

".............."

Completely forbidden from raising objections, Yuuji had no choice but to be silent.

"..........is this the place?"

Staring at the small shrine they arrived before long, Yuuji asked.

"This is the entrance. Our place of destination is inside it" answered Kureha, opening the small shrine's gate.

Inside there wasn't even a single light, and without having performed any kind of process the cave entrance lightly opened its mouth.

"Here is....."

"Correct, this is the sacred ground of Tsuwabuki. The place we must protect even at the cost of our lives. Well, shall we go forward? Your beloved lady is inside."

"I understand"

To Kureha's exaggerated words, mixed with ridicule, Yuuji replied seriously.

He continued walking while controlling his uneasiness at the endlessly continuing cave.

A pitch blackness without a ray of light. A natural cave with no reinforcements. This was a situation that would have driven claustrophobic people to madness but for a Chijutsushi it was a place full of tranquility equivalent with the inside of mother's womb.

And yet, Yuuji frantically endured the urge to start running. In what sort environment was Mayumi placed, thinking of that he is unable to suppress his anxiety.

''My lady....I will, definitely.......''

Hiding that strong decision n his heart, he is descending in the cave. And then -

".......uh!?"

A dazzling glint burned Yuuji's eyes. Into his ears, unintentionally shutting his eyes, Kureha's composed voice resounds.

"Welcome to the center of Tsuwabuki's consecrated ground."

"Wh...at?"

Holding his hands before his eyes, Yuuji slowly opened his eyelids. What was there was a huge space that did not appear to be underground, spreading out.

"This is....."

A voice full of wonder leaked out. The magical spectacle spreading before hos eyes, drew in his sight and didn't let go. The gigantic pillar soaring at the center of the large hollow spreading a hundred meters below Fuji's sea of trees, is brilliantly shining.

"Crystal?...."

The sparkling, transparent stone pillar - there is no mistake about it, it was a pillar made of high purity crystal. The diameter roughly four meters, it's height nearly twenty meters.

And then, even supposing this crystal was guiding the sunshine so deeply underground, that enormousness exhausted any kind of description.

To Yuuji, stupefied with amazement, Kureha turned an evil smile.

"Yuuji, it's fine to be so deeply moved but is it not something else you should look for?"

".......eh?"

"Please look carefully inside the pillar"

"............"

Doing as he was told, Yuuji closely observed the pillar. Enduring the radiance, he saw a dark stain somewhat lower than the center.

He supposed that was just some foreign matter that was mixed in, but that unusual shape weighted on his mind. Taking a few steps forward he stared even more.

"..................eh?"

He was terrified. That stain had the form of a human.

Dressed sparingly, the white, thin dress showing her shoulders, the girl's eyes were peacefully closed. It was unthinkable not to recognize her.

Because she was the girl he pledged to protect by sacrificing everything.

"My lady!"

On Yuuji's shoulder, who started running, an invisible power was placed.

The heavy pressure reaching one ton sealed his body's movements as if it was its loyal subject.

"Calm down!" coldly informed Kureha.

Yuuji glared at her.

"What have you done to my lady?"

That shout, so overcome with emotion it forgot even honorifics, Kureha tolerantly pardoned.

"I did say Mayumi too has her own role"

"Role...?"

"Ayumi's body cannot withstand the release of power. The emission ratio will not be enough for the final tuning. Therefore, the power Ayumi cannot sustain by herself, I made Mayumi shoulder. You could call it the unexpected side effect of a clone"

The practitioner who performs the ritual, even calling it extreme, one is enough. Or perhaps it should be said that for the delicate control required by the technique, the governing intent must only be one.

Excluding the early few times, the ceremony was practiced by almost all the family, adding multiplied force for the sake of raising the success rate but did not change the fact that the practitioner controlling the power that is the focal point is just one.

But, if it's Ayumi and Mayumi practically identical at the genetic level, it may not be impossible to align their consciousness. Particularly by making the weak-self Ayumi do the main part and leaving the trance to the egoistic Mayumi.

"Such a...."

Without listening to Kureha's explanation until the end, Yuuji dropped to his knees, heartbroken.

''I...until now, for what sake.........''

That appearance, feebly hanging his head, resembled Ren's the night before, in a cruel way.

If Yuuji could see himself through an objective point of view perhaps a cynical smile would be irrepressible.

"Relax. Because she probably won't die."

"........eh?"

But, Kureha did not permit even despair. In front of the stricken Yuuji, she suspended an ostentatious thread of salvation.

"In the end, Ayumi is the main one and Mayumi is the spare. Because she is supplementing Ayumi's insufficiency, I don't think it will be fatal - that is, as long as the seal does not break even for an instant."

Reinforcing a seal that already has shape and rebuilding from scratch a seal that burst open without leaving any trace, between the power required by the two, there is a world of difference.

If that sort of abnormal situation does not occur Mayumi will survive, it was said, but for some reason, Yuuji could not relax.

"Do you think there is a possibility it will happen?"

At Yuuji's cautious question, Kureha responded without hesitation.

"At least, there will certainly be interference."

".........the Kannagi kid will come again?"

Nothing else came to his mind but Kureha opened her eyes wide as if she was surprised and let out a small sarcastic laugh.

"Ah, do you mean Kannagi Ren? I received the report. But, I am concerned about the fairies."

"The fairies? What can those insubstantial living things do?"

Deepening her sarcastic smile toward Yuuji's bewildered face, Kureha continued.

"Did you not hear? Your head if filled with nothing but Mayumi, huh? Yesterday, a fairy and it's guardian got inside the house."

"A-ah...." Yuuji nodded vaguely.

Come to think of it, someone said that. According to Kureha's pointing out, he had no composure to think about something else, vaguely ignoring it.

"The guardian?"

"A terrifyingly strong man making use of the wind. He seemed human but - I wonder about that. He said he is the fairy's brethren too"

"Wind, is it?"

Frowning id doubt, Yuuji asked in return.

"Why, if its only the likes of Fuujutsushi should we be afraid?"

"If it's only- ?"

Stuck by Yuuji's words, Kureha giggled in a very improper way.

"You're right, if it's only Fuujutsushi. If it's just that kind of practitioner able to defeat the power of the likes of me, perhaps someone like you has no need to be afraid"

"....!!"

"So reliable"

Yuuji asked the sneering Kureha in a hoarse voice:

"Is - is that true.....? Truly, with just wind, your power - ?"

"It's the truth. What's more, I've been seen through after the first attack. To be ahead of me to that extent, that was a first. The world is really big, huh?"

".........."

At a loss of words, Yuuji stood rock still in blank amazement.

A Fuujutsushi surpassing Kureha - if such a thing were to appear, for him it's impossible to oppose no matter how he were to struggle.

"B-but........if he obstructs the ceremony, Mt. Fuji will definitely erupt. Will he go that far?"

"I don't know about the Kannagi's side but the fairies have no reason to hesitate. Because the eruption is nothing more than a natural phenomenon they have no intention of resisting it."

Talking about such a hopeless story with a gossip-like tone, Kureha looked at Yuuji's face, dyed in despair.

"So, we can't talk about it, but... how about you? Don't you desire power?"

".....eh?"

"Power. A mighty power. To drive away all enemies, to protect your precious one, overflowing power. If I were to say I can grant you that power - you, what will you do?"

"............."

Yuuji looked hard at Kureha with a bottomless shiver. As a practitioner, Yuuji recognized the fact that she was in a by far superior rank - No, he was supposed to know that.

But it was different. This, it was not that kind of thing.

''This woman - is she really human?''

''Feeding on his hope, something that tempts humans to their ruin. The existence passed down on tradition on every culture around the world, right now, is sneering before his eyes. The spoils it aims at are waiting the time of the fall''

Even so -

''Do I mind?''

As far as Yuuji is concerned, he had no other option. No, his choice was already made.

If the compensation of power is required, he would give anything, no matter what it is.

His life, his soul, he had no choice but to consider them second or less.

That's why his answer had beed decided.

"No matter what will happen, I don't care. Please give me power."

Receiving the answer she was eagerly waiting, Kureha smiled ominously. He had the feeling that for one second, those lips tore until ears.

===Part 4===

"Father, do you know where Ren went? He's not in his room."

"I happened to see him sitting on the porch just before noon."

Ayano turned an uterly amazed glance at Juugo, who answered matter of course.

"........Father, it is already evening."

"Go and see for yourself. A certain someone who does not want to move at all is supposed to be there."

"............."

Scowling, Ayano cast her eyes down. Her strongly gripped fist was trembling.

"If you tell me he has no outlet for his anger, I'll get angry. Knocking down those Tsuwabuki guys and settling this is so simple and yet...."

"....True"

Evening

Ren, dicovered with the help of Kirika's side, the Special Data Arrangement, although he had no visible wounds, his heart received near fatal damage.

Remaining silent without responding to any questions, secluded inside his shell, Ren was brought home after midnight.

As a result of being left to rest without having to listen to anything, at dawn he recovered enough to take a miminun of communication.

As if he would been asked Ren told it all, without faltering. His own feeling - the fleeting emotion harbored for that girl, the despair when he found the truth - without hiding anything.

In front of the stricken boy nobody could do anything.

Their feelings were summarized in Ayano's words from a while ago. That is - "There is no outlet for his anger"

The act of the Tsuwabuki Household was by no means incorrect. Caring about morals has no meaning. In their line of business that goes beyond the life or death of one person, they are naturally operating for the sake of justice. There was no other way.

There is no choice but to pray to God that time will heal his emotional scars.

"So, what did you plan to do after searching for Ren?"

"What, you ask - I can't leave him alone like that, can I?"

Ren right now was similar to a living corpse.

If he was talked to, he'd give a minimal reply.

If food was given to him, he would eat it.

However, without urgings from other people, left by himself he would not move, not even a finger. Sitting sprawled out, that figure with blank eyes was exactly like a puppet whose strings have been cut.

Sober, Juugo shifted his attention to Ayano, wanting to comfort Ren.

"Can you do something?"

"I don't know if I can"

There was clearly no hesitation in Ayano's response.

"But even so, I can't leave him alone. That kind of helpless situation, I won't admit it. I definitely won't let it end this way."

Making this declaration in a rough tone, Ayano left Juugo's room.

''Wow, it really was true...''

Voiceless, Ayano murmured to herself. Ren was in the place Juugo said he would be. Sitting on the verande, he was leaning on the left side pillar. Perhaps that attitude never changed since before noon.

Approaching directly, Ayano sat dawn next to him. Ren's eyes moved slightly, perceiving her figure.

"............older sister.."

A feeble murmur escaped. The question ''why are you here'' did not resound, just calling the name of the person that entered his field of vision, that sort of dull and uninteresting matter.

Ayano did not venture to make eye contact, placing her glance on the garden in front.

Ren too, immediately lost his interest towards Ayano, restoring his glance on his feet.

Without change, for several minutes, time flew quietly.

"If it's me....."

Almost like the sound of blowing wind sliding through gaps, Ayano simply spun her words. For a second time, moving hie eyeballs, Ren looked at Ayano, but she continued facing forward.

"Because I am the person that will someday succeed as the head of the Kannagi Family, I understand those Tsuwabuki's point. At the very least I will never say something like ''it doesn't matter if Mt. Fuji erupts, go and save that Ayumi girl!''"

"............."

"But even so, that's not what you should be thinking of now, is it?"

"...........ee?"

Because that was very unexpected, Ren raised a small doubtful voice.

"Those kind of large scale problems you must leave to adults. A child should give preference to himself. What you should think of right now is what you should do related to Ayumi. That's all."

"........eh......?"

Smiling sweetly Ayano too stared at the dazed Ren.

"You said it, right? That Ayumi is an imitation? She's a clone, her memories are borrowed from another person, that the real Tsuwabuki Ayumi doesn't exist, right?"

"..........yes.."

"That can't be true, you big fool!!"

The moment he nodded - no, as soon as "y" was pronounced Ayano grabbed the cute, brother-like Ren by the collar, constricting him.

"Whether it's reproduction, doppelganger, multiplied by cell division, if it has an original will you have no right to look down upon her as an imitation. Deceiving yourself with superficial words, denying the time you yourself spent with Ayumi, why are you doing it?"

Ayano became excessively agitated while shouting but when she finished speaking her calm returned.

Releasing his collar, with sober eyes she overlooked the choking Ren.

"I thought I'd say that by putting the screws on you but you're a bright kid so you already figured it out, didn't you?"

"............."

There was no need to say it.

Although he was surprised when he first found out, once he calmed down and thought about it, it all amounted to ''what of it?''

Even if her body and memory have been reproduced Ayumi's personality was certainly original. It was very clear. Because everything bestowed upon her was an imitation, the girl grasped in her hands genuineness.

From the beginning to the end Ren sensed that decision closer than anybody else.

But, for this reason Ren can't help but feel ashamed.

"I didn't understand anything....."

In spite of seeing it from the closest place, he did not ''see'' anything. Loosing his head, getting caught in the moment, he said a lot of cruel things.

''Big brother will surely come to save you''

''I want to show you many other things so I'll take you anywhere.''

The groundless hopes, the promise of a tomorrow that will never come, he wondered with how much cruelty they resounded in Ayumi's ears. But even so, Ayumi showed a smile.

''That's right. That would be nice...''

The fact that she didn't reveal the truth was certainly not for her self-protection. So that Ren won't be crushed by the truth's weight, its anguish, its sorrow, she locked it in her chest.

''I was a fool!''

He wanted to protect Ayumi. He wanted to save the girl by expending all the power he possessed. And yet - he didn't notice he was the one being protected.

He, descendant from the strongest, made a girl scared of her imminent death worry about him and protect him like a baby.

''You don't understand anything, you foolish child pretending to be a knight'' - Yuuji's words hit the bull's eye and left no room for rebuttal.He didn't understand anything.

"That's why............I couldn't do anything........."

With a regretful emotion, he spoke of conclusion. So, everything ended in the worst possible way.

"Don't use the past tense arbitrarily just because you decided the conclusion."

Ayano could not forgive the fact that Ren was full of resignation. Grabbing him by the collar for a second time, she forcefully pulled his hanged head upwards.

"Do you feel like ending it this way. This helpless conclusion, do you approve of it?"

"But.....there is nothing I can do for Ayumi-chan anymo- "

"I'm sick of it!"

Very irritated Ayano harshly shook Ren's body.

"You're such a thorough good kiddie! Right now it's not about ''for the sake of Ayumi-chan'' or something like that. What about you? What do '''you''' want to do? That's what I want to hear!!"

"......eh......me?"

Faced with a question he never thought of, Ren revealed a confused voice. And yet, Ayano's words did not stop.

"That's right. If it's true you won't do anything anymore, if that's the case, I won't interfere. But if you do so, you'd better label it as ''memories of my first love'' or something and put it away in some corner of your memory. frankly, that is the most peaceful settlement. Still..."

Ayano held Ren's cheeks between her hands and brought their eyes at the same height by leaning over a little. And then, directly facing that glance mixed with bewilderment she asked earnestly.

"Still, are you OK with that? Parting in such a way, although it was the last and you will never be able to meet again, you don't regret it? There is nothing you want to tell that girl?"

"............."

''Do you want to meet her, do you not want to meet her?''

Faced with this choice, he answered without hesitation.

''I want to meet her. Even if it's just once. Meet her and then...''

''But....''

"So, what will you do?"

Ayano pressed the hesitating Ren for an answer.

"You won't be able to chase after her if it goes like this - you know, right? You don't have time. Tomorrow, Ayumi-chan will be nowhere to find. No matter what your answer, there will be none to say it to. You have no time to hesitate. Decide now. What should you be doing?"

".............."

Hanging his head down, Ren closed his eyes. And he thought about it. What he wanted to do. What he ought to do. What he must, no matter what.

Dozens of seconds afterwards, at the end of his most serious meditation, the boy slowly opened his mouth.

"About the ceremony, about the living sacrifice, the most righteous thing to do about those, I have yet to realize. However..."

Lifting his head, he looked straight at Ayano.

That gaze held no more indecision.

"However, I want to meet Ayumi-chan one more time. Meet her, apologize to her and I want to tell her - I have something I must tell her no matter what."

"OK. Let's go then."

Ayano responded to those words said with the resolution of a lifetime with a ''just out for a bit of shopping'' mood.

"...You mean, right now!?"

"That's right. It's not like you need some particular preparation, no? If you need a stop over set, we can buy it at the local supermarket."

"No......that's not the probl- "

With a snap Ayano trusted her index finger at Ren, unable to follow the development's speed.

"Didn't I say it? We have no time. The ceremony is tonight and to begin with, do you think they will let us pass by saying ``I came to meet Ayumi-chan. I have no intention to interfere with the ceremony so please let us past``?"

".........that is perhaps impossible..."

"Not ``perhaps``, it's absolutely impossible. At any rate we have no choice but to push through with brute strength so we'd netter move while we still have time."

Saying that, Ayano stood up without waiting for a reply.

"Well, go change your clothes. If Father finds us, an explanation will be difficult so we must not be exposed."

"``Difficult``, you say!? If he finds out it's confinement for us."

If they mess up, it's a deed quite capable of making Mt. Fuji erupt. It's obvious Juugo will never allow it.

"If that's the case, hurry!"

But, once Ayano got like this she couldn't be stopped. Having a thorough knowledge about that, after coming this far he finally resolved himself.

"I understand. Give me five minutes."

"I'm waiting by the rear entrance."

Exchanging a small nod, both of them hurried in different directions.

[[User:Ayame|Ayame]] ([[User talk:Ayame|talk]]) 15:36, 25 March 2013 (CDT)

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Kaze no Stigma:Volume3 Chapter 4

2013-04-28T15:53:45Z

80.240.162.190: /* Part 3 */

=== Chapter 2 Each and everyone's determination ===

===Part 1===
".....!"

"Fugyaa!?"

Kazuma, peacefully breathing in his sleep on the upper side of the tree, suddenly - avoiding Tiana's wings, who just happened to fly on top of him - jumped to his feet.

"W- what?"

On the verge of falling, reorganizing her attitude, Tiana groaned. Completely ignoring those complaints, Kazuma said:

"It came back"

".......really?"

Tiana forgot her resentment on the spot. While it may be true she felt it, it does not mean she can do something about it.

"Where, where?"

To the now rushing out fairy, Kazuma jerked his jaw, pointing to the car trying to pass through the gate. Both their glances have been rooted on the spot.

From the car stopped in front of the entrance, several men and women made their appearance. Among those people, from inside the body of one small girl at the beginning of her teens, the wave motion felt from the center of her chest was, without a doubt, belonging to the treasure stolen from the fairy village.

"Even so, that is....."

The girl emitted an awfully unnatural presence. And then, when comparing her with the girl with an identical face, five or six years her senior, Kazuma muttered in a bitter voice.

He grasped the family structure of the Tsuwabuki head house. A girl that was not supposed to exist and an older identical girl.

And then - the fairy's treasure carried inside her body. From his perspective everything was clear.

"What a vulgar copy cat...."

On the other hand, Tiana was unrelated to those strong feelings.

"Ah, I found it....."

Murmuring with a voice overcome with emotion, both hands before her chest, looking up at the Heaven with wet pupils, as if saying "Thank you, God".

"Inside that, it's inside that! Come now - Kazuma please carry out the request! Gouge that girl's heart and retrieve the bloody treasureeee!!"

Because of too much excitement, Tiana screamed the bloody speech. How to say this, it was a scene meant to break any dreams and aspiration regarding the so called fairies.

That Tiana, shouting with blood shot eyes, Kazuma lightly disregarded, as if it was a matter of course. Brushing off the leaves and bark sticking to his clothes, he lightly muttered one thing.

"Well then, should I go back to sleep?"

"Just wait a secoooooooond!"

Tiana pulled with all her might the nape of Kazuma's neck, trying to descend from the tree that was their kip. Casually grabbing the fairy's body, following about, and plucking it of, he asked tiresomely.

"What?"

"It's not ''what'', right? The treasure we searched for it's just there!? Quickly get it baaack!!"

"Tiana"

Kazuma called out the fairy with the propensity for derangement in a terribly quiet voice.

As if cold water was poured on her heated head, Tiana promptly returned to her true character.

"W- wh- what is it....?"

"If you think about it, the ceremony is tomorrow night."

"So?"

"Instead of taking it now, won't it be more amusing to take it when they will be relived and think the ceremony can quietly take place? When knocked down from the peak of rejoice to the bottom of despair, what kind of expression will they do?....ku ku ku...."

Engraved on the contractor's mouth was an inhuman, cruel and brutal smile. The man's true character, who essentially should be a saint, made Tiana feel despair countless times.

"Auuuuuuuu...."

===Part 2===

She saw a dream.

Of a distant past, of a time her chest still harbored hope, a resemblance of the once foolish self. She wanted to be appreciated. She wanted to be smiled at. It did not matter if she was number one. It did not matter if she was the second.

That's why she desperately struggled. Putting her life on the line, piling up experience, refining her power. Without considering that it was the cause of still more alienation.

"That technique is a heresy. It's not appropriate for a practitioner of the traditional Tsuwabuki."

"That thing is not Chijutsushi. Why does my child have to use such black arts?"

''Disgrace''

''Demon Child''

''Evil magician''

The cruel words thrown at the very young girl by her own father carved in her heart wounds that cannot heal.

"Someday, for sure....."

Realizing that was a wish that will never come true, when did that happen?

That was a crab.

Not something particularly scary. Its size was somewhat big - enough to bisect a bear with its kitchen-like pincers. Its legs were somewhat numerous - the fore pincers - but, if she were to use her power the opponent would have no choice but to be lightly pinched out.

Despite this - the girl she was supposed to protect, was being overpowered by such a thing and paralyzed with horror. The huge pincers swung from overhead, was being looked up at, in a daze, by that inexperienced face.

"...Mayumi!"

She promptly released her power. The pincer trying to smash Mayumi's head was broken as if crushed by a giant hand.

"Come here!"

The crab was spouting froth from anguish. She sharply ordered Mayumi, who was still looking up at it in blank amazement.

".....Y-yes!"

Finally calming down, Mayumi rushed over while her legs got twisted. She payed absolutely no attention behind her. To that defenseless back, the crab tried to give a retribution blow. While driving out the crab with a feint attack, she caught the small body leaping in her chest.

"Older sister!"

For the girl trembling in fear, she showed a perfectly forced smile.

"It's alright. Against that kind of apparition, it's impossible for you to loose."

"B-but....."

"I will stop its movement and I will give it the finishing blow. That's fine, right?"

".........."

"Make your preparation"

Turning around Mayumi's still insecure body, she was made to confront the imminent crab.

"It's alright."

Embracing from behind the younger sister stiff with fear, she tenderly whispered. Contrary to her tone, that facial expression was cold but invisible to the girl gazing at the crab.

"Look....observe it"

Kicking the ground with eight long legs the crab approached the two straightforward. And, when he was approximately ten meters away, suddenly the crab was smashed.

it was like from right overhead, an unbelievably huge palm held him down with all his strength. Smashing the collection of legs, the shell conspicuously fissured. Plucking from the root the pincers that were rose overhead, admitting defeat, it was buried into the ground with a roar.

Without moving at all she pointed at the crab in anguish and told Mayumi:

"Come now, finish it off. Make a hole through the center, pierce it from bellow. You can do it, right?"

"Y-yes" Mayumi obediently nodded.

Obeyed by the spirits of the earth, she governed their power. The spirits promptly responded to the most powerful Chijutsushi blood.

" -ya!!"

Together with the girl's cute yell, from beneath the crab a spear stone grew. That long and narrow cone shape penetrated the crab's shell and rose facing the heavens. Making a huge hole in the middle of its body, the crab wriggled, foam at it's mouth. But by construction the crab was unable to escape from the stone spear. It's resistance gradually weakened and gradually stopped.

Before their eyes, the skull of the reddish crab lost its gloss, growing dull in color. The crack spread from that gap and the muscle became visible. It faded the same way loosing its elasticity and the muscle became stiff.

It turned to stone.

That was Mayumi's real aim. The stone spear that went through was no more than the preliminary arrangement for that purpose. The ground spirits pumped into the wounds changed with great vigor the organic matter in inorganic one. Making sure the petrification reached the interior of the body, including fighting spirit, Mayumi shouted.

"Smash!!"

It was impossible to disobey it. Agreeing to the command, the ground spirits speedily dissolved the bindings. Making a thick sound the stone cram was smashed.

Because the body changed to countless stones it was no longer possible to guess its original shape.

"Very well done Mayumi-sama!"

"Merely eight years old and to be able to take down such a Youma!"

Waiting for Mayumi when she returned home was a storm of praise from the entire family. The people assembled in the saloon unanimously praised Mayumi and her alone.

There was nobody who talked to her. Without showing any reaction for the uproar of the surroundings, she was sitting diagonally behind Mayumi, mute like a puppet. In front of her ignored as if her existence was the same as air, Mayumi who was given the family seat of honor was being spoken to by the Tsuwabuki Iwao.

"You did very well, Mayumi."

"Father!"

Mayumi's smiling face lit up and jumped into her father's chest, whom she respected and loved. Iwao also embraced his daughter closely, including an overflowing love.

"You did very well, Mayumi."

While pressing her cheeks against against Iwao's chest, who repeated those words again, Mayumi said innocently:

"Yeah, I did my best. But older sister practically did it by herself. Older sister is awfully strong!"

The unreserved large voice reverberated in the saloon, and the faces of the people sitting in a row became pale. Feeling the change of atmosphere, Mayumi raised her eyes to her father in wonder.

"What's wrong?"

Iwao replied laughingly.

"It's of no concern. Mayumi is admirable, dividing her achievement with other people."

"That's wrong, really, elder sister is- "

"It's fine, I don't give a damn about that thing"

Blocking Mayumi's field of vision by hugging her close, Iwao shifter his attention to her. Cold like a different person, a glance exceeding hatred, filled with curses.

But even so, she didn't move one finger, one eyebrow or one muscle. Ignoring the glance sticking between her eyebrows, her gaze looked at nothing but in front, one meter horizontal from Iwao, fixating on the wood details of the alcove post.

The sister embraced with love and the sister glared at with hatred.

All present looked at the excessively contrastive sisters, catching their breath.

"Kureha-sama.....Kureha-sama?"

".....!"

At the voice repeating her name, taken aback, Kureha woke up. It seems she took a nap in the middle of her duties. Lightly shaking off her head, to remove the remaining sleepiness, she responded.

"Enter"

From the door opened by the maid, a group of three people got in. By priority of age, Yuuji, Mayumi and - Ayumi.

''That was unexpectedly fast''

Kureha thought so, looking at the puppet with eyes sunk in bitterness. As far as she saw of that facial expression, her first trip had not been particularly enjoyable.

''Well, it's a thing of no consequence''

"Following your instruction Ayumi has been returned home"

Being considerably pathetic, Yuuji reported stiffly. Expressly speaking of such obvious things, Yuuji may have been foolish but that doesn't mean Kureha was the same.

That was some kind of indication of his decision.

''"With this I won't allow Mayumi to become a sacrifice", or something''

It's not like her real intentions stood out. Instead, feeling that naivete pleasant, Kureha responded with a sweet smile.

"I appreciate your efforts."

"Y-yes!"

No matter how he perceived those words of appreciation Yuuji made a respectful bow, his face lit up. But before he raised his head, Kureha informed the three.

"Yuuji, you can already retire. Mayumi and Ayumi, please follow me."

"....Eh?" unintentionally Mayumi asked back.

Yuuji stiffed in a comical stance, his back bent.

".......Me too, you said?"

Seeing surprise and a small quantity of fear clung to Mayumi's question, Kureha laughed.

"That's right. Did you think you will be sightseeing the ceremony drinking tea? You too have an important part. Follow me"

"................"

Iwao being on the sickbed at the present time, Kureha was the one commanding the family. She could not advocate her objection.

Complying with Kureha, who naturally opened the door and stated walking, Mayumi and Ayumi followed behind.

Yuuji followed the three people until they left the office but clinging to them further was not permitted.

For him, unable to do anything but see them off, Mayumi looked over her shoulder just once.

That profile full of anxiety was scorched in the center of his consciousnesses together with a feeling of loss that cannot be undone.

===Part 3===

The next morning

Hiding his pathetic decision inside his heart, Yuuji knocked on the door leading to Kureha's private room. Without pause, the reply came.

"What's the matter, Yuuji?"

"........I have something to discuss."

"Enter"

The knob turned. It wasn't the work of a key. In a mental state similar to that of entering a dragon's den, Yuuji stepped inside the room.

"Good morning. You're early Yuuji."

Although saying that Kureha's appearance too was perfectly in order. Her flowing black hair was perfectly arranged and the same as usual a black suit was tightly wrapped around her.

"Will you let me know my lady's whereabouts?"

Standing before Kureha, impolitely Yuuji did not return the greeting and got to the main question. His complexion was bad. In spite of being injured to that extent yesterday it seems he didn't sleep a wink.

"Since last night, after Kureha-sama took her along, she did not returned to her room"

"You, did you stick yourself in front of Mayumi's room? You're almost like a stalker, huh?", Kureha laughed sarcastically.

However, Yuuji, without showing a glimpse of insincere smile, draw near with a severe face.

"Please answer, Kureha-sama. Depending on what happens, even if it's you..."

Kureha indifferently asked back.

"Even if it's you?"

"Ku.........."

Without doing anything, just by standing there, Kureha overwhelmed Yuuji.

Even by making use of his blind devotion towards Mayumi, he could not fill the desperate power difference.

"My lady, where is she...."

Still, seeing Yuuji hang on, mustering his willpower Kureha showed a somewhat unnatural look of admiration.

"What considerable devotion. If you want to meet her that badly, I will allow you to. Come!"

Yuuji chased after Kureha, who left the room and began to walk a few meters behind. The distance he put between them, rather than him being precautious, it was more like he was afraid of getting closer.

''What kind of person is this woman?''

Even if it was for a moment, when he confronted her he felt her abnormality. That power was clearly on a different level, when compared with other practitioners. Even Iwao, the Head, for Kureha, he was not a match by far. To say it simply it was an excessively mighty power. From the time she was a child, although unique, she was recognized as a powerful practitioner but nobody expected her to rise above to such a level.

"What are you doing? You'll be left behind."

Almost like reading his heart, indulging himself in speculation, Kureha suddenly looked over her shoulder.

Bearing the shriek trying to gush out by clenching his teeth, Yuuji shortly answered.

"...........I understand"

"Hurry up. I don't want to be seen by too many people"

And with these words, her beautiful face showed her usual smile, with no trace of impatience.

Glaring annoyed at Kureha, who faced forward once again Yuuji slightly quickened his pace.

In silence, Kureha walked to the deepest part of the grounds. Yuuji never entered this place before- it was a place nobody could enter with the exception of those who earned the permission of the Head.

"This is......"

"You've never entered this place before, huh? It's because, with the exception of those belonging to the main family this is a place that doesn't open but once every thirty years"

At the words he feared, Yuuji's face became stiff.

"Kureha-sama, you, by no means, even my lady- "

Those words, spoken in a strong tone, Kureha interrupted icily.

"Yuuji, you may believe you are given permission to an opinion but I have no intention of bestowing it any further. I am letting you meet her in deference to your loyalty but I have no intention of releasing Mayumi until the ceremony is over. Remember it."

".............."

Completely forbidden from raising objections, Yuuji had no choice but to be silent.

"..........is this the place?"

Staring at the small shrine they arrived before long, Yuuji asked.

"This is the entrance. Our place of destination is inside it" answered Kureha, opening the small shrine's gate.

Inside there wasn't even a single light, and without having performed any kind of process the cave entrance lightly opened its mouth.

"Here is....."

"Correct, this is the sacred ground of Tsuwabuki. The place we must protect even at the cost of our lives. Well, shall we go forward? Your beloved lady is inside."

"I understand"

To Kureha's exaggerated words, mixed with ridicule, Yuuji replied seriously.

He continued walking while controlling his uneasiness at the endlessly continuing cave.

A pitch blackness without a ray of light. A natural cave with no reinforcements. This was a situation that would have driven claustrophobic people to madness but for a Chijutsushi it was a place full of tranquility equivalent with the inside of mother's womb.

And yet, Yuuji frantically endured the urge to start running. In what sort environment was Mayumi placed, thinking of that he is unable to suppress his anxiety.

''My lady....I will, definitely.......''

Hiding that strong decision n his heart, he is descending in the cave. And then -

".......uh!?"

A dazzling glint burned Yuuji's eyes. Into his ears, unintentionally shutting his eyes, Kureha's composed voice resounds.

"Welcome to the center of Tsuwabuki's consecrated ground."

"Wh...at?"

Holding his hands before his eyes, Yuuji slowly opened his eyelids. What was there was a huge space that did not appear to be underground, spreading out.

"This is....."

A voice full of wonder leaked out. The magical spectacle spreading before hos eyes, drew in his sight and didn't let go. The gigantic pillar soaring at the center of the large hollow spreading a hundred meters below Fuji's sea of trees, is brilliantly shining.

"Crystal?...."

The sparkling, transparent stone pillar - there is no mistake about it, it was a pillar made of high purity crystal. The diameter roughly four meters, it's height nearly twenty meters.

And then, even supposing this crystal was guiding the sunshine so deeply underground, that enormousness exhausted any kind of description.

To Yuuji, stupefied with amazement, Kureha turned an evil smile.

"Yuuji, it's fine to be so deeply moved but is it not something else you should look for?"

".......eh?"

"Please look carefully inside the pillar"

"............"

Doing as he was told, Yuuji closely observed the pillar. Enduring the radiance, he saw a dark stain somewhat lower than the center.

He supposed that was just some foreign matter that was mixed in, but that unusual shape weighted on his mind. Taking a few steps forward he stared even more.

"..................eh?"

He was terrified. That stain had the form of a human.

Dressed sparingly, the white, thin dress showing her shoulders, the girl's eyes were peacefully closed. It was unthinkable not to recognize her.

Because she was the girl he pledged to protect by sacrificing everything.

"My lady!"

On Yuuji's shoulder, who started running, an invisible power was placed.

The heavy pressure reaching one ton sealed his body's movements as if it was its loyal subject.

"Calm down!" coldly informed Kureha.

Yuuji glared at her.

"What have you done to my lady?"

That shout, so overcome with emotion it forgot even honorifics, Kureha tolerantly pardoned.

"I did say Mayumi too has her own role"

"Role...?"

"Ayumi's body cannot withstand the release of power. The emission ratio will not be enough for the final tuning. Therefore, the power Ayumi cannot sustain by herself, I made Mayumi shoulder. You could call it the unexpected side effect of a clone"

The practitioner who performs the ritual, even calling it extreme, one is enough. Or perhaps it should be said that for the delicate control required by the technique, the governing intent must only be one.

Excluding the early few times, the ceremony was practiced by almost all the family, adding multiplied force for the sake of raising the success rate but did not change the fact that the practitioner controlling the power that is the focal point is just one.

But, if it's Ayumi and Mayumi practically identical at the genetic level, it may not be impossible to align their consciousness. Particularly by making the weak-self Ayumi do the main part and leaving the trance to the egoistic Mayumi.

"Such a...."

Without listening to Kureha's explanation until the end, Yuuji dropped to his knees, heartbroken.

''I...until now, for what sake.........''

That appearance, feebly hanging his head, resembled Ren's the night before, in a cruel way.

If Yuuji could see himself through an objective point of view perhaps a cynical smile would be irrepressible.

"Relax. Because she probably won't die."

"........eh?"

But, Kureha did not permit even despair. In front of the stricken Yuuji, she suspended an ostentatious thread of salvation.

"In the end, Ayumi is the main one and Mayumi is the spare. Because she is supplementing Ayumi's insufficiency, I don't think it will be fatal - that is, as long as the seal does not break even for an instant."

Reinforcing a seal that already has shape and rebuilding from scratch a seal that burst open without leaving any trace, between the power required by the two, there is a world of difference.

If that sort of abnormal situation does not occur Mayumi will survive, it was said, but for some reason, Yuuji could not relax.

"Do you think there is a possibility it will happen?"

At Yuuji's cautious question, Kureha responded without hesitation.

"At least, there will certainly be interference."

".........the Kannagi kid will come again?"

Nothing else came to his mind but Kureha opened her eyes wide as if she was surprised and let out a small sarcastic laugh.

"Ah, do you mean Kannagi Ren? I received the report. But, I am concerned about the fairies."

"The fairies? What can those insubstantial living things do?"

Deepening her sarcastic smile toward Yuuji's bewildered face, Kureha continued.

"Did you not hear? Your head if filled with nothing but Mayumi, huh? Yesterday, a fairy and it's guardian got inside the house."

"A-ah...." Yuuji nodded vaguely.

Come to think of it, someone said that. According to Kureha's pointing out, he had no composure to think about something else, vaguely ignoring it.

"The guardian?"

"A terrifyingly strong man making use of the wind. He seemed human but - I wonder about that. He said he is the fairy's brethren too"

"Wind, is it?"

Frowning id doubt, Yuuji asked in return.

"Why, if its only the likes of Fuujutsushi should we be afraid?"

"If it's only- ?"

Stuck by Yuuji's words, Kureha giggled in a very improper way.

"You're right, if it's only Fuujutsushi. If it's just that kind of practitioner able to defeat the power of the likes of me, perhaps someone like you has no need to be afraid"

"....!!"

"So reliable"

Yuuji asked the sneering Kureha in a hoarse voice:

"Is - is that true.....? Truly, with just wind, your power - ?"

"It's the truth. What's more, I've been seen through after the first attack. To be ahead of me to that extent, that was a first. The world is really big, huh?"

".........."

At a loss of words, Yuuji stood rock still in blank amazement.

A Fuujutsushi surpassing Kureha - if such a thing were to appear, for him it's impossible to oppose no matter how he were to struggle.

"B-but........if he obstructs the ceremony, Mt. Fuji will definitely erupt. Will he go that far?"

"I don't know about the Kannagi's side but the fairies have no reason to hesitate. Because the eruption is nothing more than a natural phenomenon they have no intention of resisting it."

Talking about such a hopeless story with a gossip-like tone, Kureha looked at Yuuji's face, dyed in despair.

"So, we can't talk about it, but... how about you? Don't you desire power?"

".....eh?"

"Power. A mighty power. To drive away all enemies, to protect your precious one, overflowing power. If I were to say I can grant you that power - you, what will you do?"

"............."

Yuuji looked hard at Kureha with a bottomless shiver. As a practitioner, Yuuji recognized the fact that she was in a by far superior rank - No, he was supposed to know that.

But it was different. This, it was not that kind of thing.

''This woman - is she really human?''

''Feeding on his hope, something that tempts humans to their ruin. The existence passed down on tradition on every culture around the world, right now, is sneering before his eyes. The spoils it aims at are waiting the time of the fall''

Even so -

''Do I mind?''

As far as Yuuji is concerned, he had no other option. No, his choice was already made.

If the compensation of power is required, he would give anything, no matter what it is.

His life, his soul, he had no choice but to consider them second or less.

That's why his answer had beed decided.

"No matter what will happen, I don't care. Please give me power."

Receiving the answer she was eagerly waiting, Kureha smiled ominously. He had the feeling that for one second, those lips tore until ears.

===Part 4===

"Father, do you know where Ren went? He's not in his room."

"I happened to see him sitting on the porch just before noon."

Ayano turned an uterly amazed glance at Juugo, who answered matter of course.

"........Father, it is already evening."

"Go and see for yourself. A certain someone who does not want to move at all is supposed to be there."

"............."

Scowling, Ayano cast her eyes down. Her strongly gripped fist was trembling.

"If you tell me he has no outhet for his anger, I'll get angry. Knocking down those Tsuwabuki guys and settle this is so simple and yet...."

"....True"

Evening

Ren, dicovered with the help of Kirika's side, the Special Data Arrangement, although he had no visible wounds, his heart received near fatal damage.

Remaining silent without responding to any questions, secluded inside his shell, Ren was brought home after midnight.

As a result of being left to rest without having to listen to anything, at dawn he recovered enough to take a miminun of communication.

As if he would been asked Ren told it all, without faltering. His own feeling - the fleeting emotion harbored for that girl, the despair when he found the truth - without hiding anything.

In front of the stricken boy nobody could do anything.

Their feelings were summarized in Ayano's words from a while ago. That is - "There is no outlet for his anger"

The act of the Tsuwabuki Household was by no means incorrect. Caring about morals has no meaning. In their line of business that goes beyond the life or death of one person, they are naturally operating for the sake of justice. There was no other way.

There is no choice but to pray to God that time will heal his emotional scars.

"So, what did you plan to do after searching for Ren?"

"What, you ask - I can't leave him alone like that, can I?"

Ren right now was similar to a living corpse.

If he was talked to, he'd give a minimal reply.

If food was given to him, he would eat it.

However, without urgings from other people, left by himself he would not move, not even a finger. Sitting sprawled out, that figure with blank eyes was exactly like a puppet whose strings have been cut.

Sober, Juugo shifted his attention to Ayano, wanting to comfort Ren.

"Can you do something?"

"I don't know if I can"

There was clearly no hesitation in Ayano's response.

"But even so, I can't leave him alone. That kind of helpless situation, I won't admit it. I definitely won't let it end this way."

Making this declaration in a rough tone, Ayano left Juugo's room.

''Wow, it really was true...''

Voiceless, Ayano murmured to herself. Ren was in the place Juugo said he would be. Sitting on the verande, he was leaning on the left side pillar. Perhaps that attitude never changed since before noon.

Approaching directly, Ayano sat dawn next to him. Ren's eyes moved slightly, perceiving her figure.

"............older sister.."

A feeble murmur escaped. The question ''why are you here'' did not resound, just calling the name of the person that entered his field of vision, that sort of dull and uninteresting matter.

Ayano did not venture to make eye contact, placing her glance on the garden in front.

Ren too, immediately lost his interest towards Ayano, restoring his glance on his feet.

Without change, for several minutes, time flew quietly.

"If it's me....."

Almost like the sound of blowing wind sliding through gaps, Ayano simply spun her words. For a second time, moving hie eyeballs, Ren looked at Ayano, but she continued facing forward.

"Because I am the person that will someday succeed as the head of the Kannagi Family, I understand those Tsuwabuki's point. At the very least I will never say something like ''it doesn't matter if Mt. Fuji erupts, go and save that Ayumi girl!''"

"............."

"But even so, that's not what you should be thinking of now, is it?"

"...........ee?"

Because that was very unexpected, Ren raised a small doubtful voice.

"Those kind of large scale problems you must leave to adults. A child should give preference to himself. What you should think of right now is what you should do related to Ayumi. That's all."

"........eh......?"

Smiling sweetly Ayano too stared at the dazed Ren.

"You said it, right? That Ayumi is an imitation? She's a clone, her memories are borrowed from another person, that the real Tsuwabuki Ayumi doesn't exist, right?"

"..........yes.."

"That can't be true, you big fool!!"

The moment he nodded - no, as soon as "y" was pronounced Ayano grabbed the cute, brother-like Ren by the collar, constricting him.

"Whether it's reproduction, doppelganger, multiplied by cell division, if it has an original will you have no right to look down upon her as an imitation. Deceiving yourself with superficial words, denying the time you yourself spent with Ayumi, why are you doing it?"

Ayano became excessively agitated while shouting but when she finished speaking her calm returned.

Releasing his collar, with sober eyes she overlooked the choking Ren.

"I thought I'd say that by putting the screws on you but you're a bright kid so you already figured it out, didn't you?"

"............."

There was no need to say it.

Although he was surprised when he first found out, once he calmed down and thought about it, it all amounted to ''what of it?''

Even if her body and memory have been reproduced Ayumi's personality was certainly original. It was very clear. Because everything bestowed upon her was an imitation, the girl grasped in her hands genuineness.

From the beginning to the end Ren sensed that decision closer than anybody else.

But, for this reason Ren can't help but feel ashamed.

"I didn't understand anything....."

In spite of seeing it from the closest place, he did not ''see'' anything. Loosing his head, getting caught in the moment, he said a lot of cruel things.

''Big brother will surely come to save you''

''I want to show you many other things so I'll take you anywhere.''

The groundless hopes, the promise of a tomorrow that will never come, he wondered with how much cruelty they resounded in Ayumi's ears. But even so, Ayumi showed a smile.

''That's right. That would be nice...''

The fact that she didn't reveal the truth was certainly not for her self-protection. So that Ren won't be crushed by the truth's weight, its anguish, its sorrow, she locked it in her chest.

''I was a fool!''

He wanted to protect Ayumi. He wanted to save the girl by expending all the power he possessed. And yet - he didn't notice he was the one being protected.

He, descendant from the strongest, made a girl scared of her imminent death worry about him and protect him like a baby.

''You don't understand anything, you foolish child pretending to be a knight'' - Yuuji's words hit the bull's eye and left no room for rebuttal.He didn't understand anything.

"That's why............I couldn't do anything........."

With a regretful emotion, he spoke of conclusion. So, everything ended in the worst possible way.

"Don't use the past tense arbitrarily just because you decided the conclusion."

Ayano could not forgive the fact that Ren was full of resignation. Grabbing him by the collar for a second time, she forcefully pulled his hanged head upwards.

"Do you feel like ending it this way. This helpless conclusion, do you approve of it?"

"But.....there is nothing I can do for Ayumi-chan anymo- "

"I'm sick of it!"

Very irritated Ayano harshly shook Ren's body.

"You're such a thorough good kiddie! Right now it's not about ''for the sake of Ayumi-chan'' or something like that. What about you? What do '''you''' want to do? That's what I want to hear!!"

"......eh......me?"

Faced with a question he never thought of, Ren revealed a confused voice. And yet, Ayano's words did not stop.

"That's right. If it's true you won't do anything anymore, if that's the case, I won't interfere. But if you do so, you'd better label it as ''memories of my first love'' or something and put it away in some corner of your memory. frankly, that is the most peaceful settlement. Still..."

Ayano held Ren's cheeks between her hands and brought their eyes at the same height by leaning over a little. And then, directly facing that glance mixed with bewilderment she asked earnestly.

"Still, are you OK with that? Parting in such a way, although it was the last and you will never be able to meet again, you don't regret it? There is nothing you want to tell that girl?"

"............."

''Do you want to meet her, do you not want to meet her?''

Faced with this choice, he answered without hesitation.

''I want to meet her. Even if it's just once. Meet her and then...''

''But....''

"So, what will you do?"

Ayano pressed the hesitating Ren for an answer.

"You won't be able to chase after her if it goes like this - you know, right? You don't have time. Tomorrow, Ayumi-chan will be nowhere to find. No matter what your answer, there will be none to say it to. You have no time to hesitate. Decide now. What should you be doing?"

".............."

Hanging his head down, Ren closed his eyes. And he thought about it. What he wanted to do. What he ought to do. What he must, no matter what.

Dozens of seconds afterwards, at the end of his most serious meditation, the boy slowly opened his mouth.

"About the ceremony, about the living sacrifice, the most righteous thing to do about those, I have yet to realize. However..."

Lifting his head, he looked straight at Ayano.

That gaze held no more indecision.

"However, I want to meet Ayumi-chan one more time. Meet her, apologize to her and I want to tell her - I have something I must tell her no matter what."

"OK. Let's go then."

Ayano responded to those words said with the resolution of a lifetime with a ''just out for a bit of shopping'' mood.

"...You mean, right now!?"

"That's right. It's not like you need some particular preparation, no? If you need a stop over set, we can buy it at the local supermarket."

"No......that's not the probl- "

With a snap Ayano trusted her index finger at Ren, unable to follow the development's speed.

"Didn't I say it? We have no time. The ceremony is tonight and to begin with, do you think they will let us pass by saying ``I came to meet Ayumi-chan. I have no intention to interfere with the ceremony so please let us past``?"

".........that is perhaps impossible..."

"Not ``perhaps``, it's absolutely impossible. At any rate we have no choice but to push through with brute strength so we'd netter move while we still have time."

Saying that, Ayano stood up without waiting for a reply.

"Well, go change your clothes. If Father finds us, an explanation will be difficult so we must not be exposed."

"``Difficult``, you say!? If he finds out it's confinement for us."

If they mess up, it's a deed quite capable of making Mt. Fuji erupt. It's obvious Juugo will never allow it.

"If that's the case, hurry!"

But, once Ayano got like this she couldn't be stopped. Having a thorough knowledge about that, after coming this far he finally resolved himself.

"I understand. Give me five minutes."

"I'm waiting by the rear entrance."

Exchanging a small nod, both of them hurried in different directions.

[[User:Ayame|Ayame]] ([[User talk:Ayame|talk]]) 15:36, 25 March 2013 (CDT)

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Kaze no Stigma:Volume3 Chapter 4

2013-04-28T15:51:11Z

80.240.162.190: /* Part 3 */

=== Chapter 2 Each and everyone's determination ===

===Part 1===
".....!"

"Fugyaa!?"

Kazuma, peacefully breathing in his sleep on the upper side of the tree, suddenly - avoiding Tiana's wings, who just happened to fly on top of him - jumped to his feet.

"W- what?"

On the verge of falling, reorganizing her attitude, Tiana groaned. Completely ignoring those complaints, Kazuma said:

"It came back"

".......really?"

Tiana forgot her resentment on the spot. While it may be true she felt it, it does not mean she can do something about it.

"Where, where?"

To the now rushing out fairy, Kazuma jerked his jaw, pointing to the car trying to pass through the gate. Both their glances have been rooted on the spot.

From the car stopped in front of the entrance, several men and women made their appearance. Among those people, from inside the body of one small girl at the beginning of her teens, the wave motion felt from the center of her chest was, without a doubt, belonging to the treasure stolen from the fairy village.

"Even so, that is....."

The girl emitted an awfully unnatural presence. And then, when comparing her with the girl with an identical face, five or six years her senior, Kazuma muttered in a bitter voice.

He grasped the family structure of the Tsuwabuki head house. A girl that was not supposed to exist and an older identical girl.

And then - the fairy's treasure carried inside her body. From his perspective everything was clear.

"What a vulgar copy cat...."

On the other hand, Tiana was unrelated to those strong feelings.

"Ah, I found it....."

Murmuring with a voice overcome with emotion, both hands before her chest, looking up at the Heaven with wet pupils, as if saying "Thank you, God".

"Inside that, it's inside that! Come now - Kazuma please carry out the request! Gouge that girl's heart and retrieve the bloody treasureeee!!"

Because of too much excitement, Tiana screamed the bloody speech. How to say this, it was a scene meant to break any dreams and aspiration regarding the so called fairies.

That Tiana, shouting with blood shot eyes, Kazuma lightly disregarded, as if it was a matter of course. Brushing off the leaves and bark sticking to his clothes, he lightly muttered one thing.

"Well then, should I go back to sleep?"

"Just wait a secoooooooond!"

Tiana pulled with all her might the nape of Kazuma's neck, trying to descend from the tree that was their kip. Casually grabbing the fairy's body, following about, and plucking it of, he asked tiresomely.

"What?"

"It's not ''what'', right? The treasure we searched for it's just there!? Quickly get it baaack!!"

"Tiana"

Kazuma called out the fairy with the propensity for derangement in a terribly quiet voice.

As if cold water was poured on her heated head, Tiana promptly returned to her true character.

"W- wh- what is it....?"

"If you think about it, the ceremony is tomorrow night."

"So?"

"Instead of taking it now, won't it be more amusing to take it when they will be relived and think the ceremony can quietly take place? When knocked down from the peak of rejoice to the bottom of despair, what kind of expression will they do?....ku ku ku...."

Engraved on the contractor's mouth was an inhuman, cruel and brutal smile. The man's true character, who essentially should be a saint, made Tiana feel despair countless times.

"Auuuuuuuu...."

===Part 2===

She saw a dream.

Of a distant past, of a time her chest still harbored hope, a resemblance of the once foolish self. She wanted to be appreciated. She wanted to be smiled at. It did not matter if she was number one. It did not matter if she was the second.

That's why she desperately struggled. Putting her life on the line, piling up experience, refining her power. Without considering that it was the cause of still more alienation.

"That technique is a heresy. It's not appropriate for a practitioner of the traditional Tsuwabuki."

"That thing is not Chijutsushi. Why does my child have to use such black arts?"

''Disgrace''

''Demon Child''

''Evil magician''

The cruel words thrown at the very young girl by her own father carved in her heart wounds that cannot heal.

"Someday, for sure....."

Realizing that was a wish that will never come true, when did that happen?

That was a crab.

Not something particularly scary. Its size was somewhat big - enough to bisect a bear with its kitchen-like pincers. Its legs were somewhat numerous - the fore pincers - but, if she were to use her power the opponent would have no choice but to be lightly pinched out.

Despite this - the girl she was supposed to protect, was being overpowered by such a thing and paralyzed with horror. The huge pincers swung from overhead, was being looked up at, in a daze, by that inexperienced face.

"...Mayumi!"

She promptly released her power. The pincer trying to smash Mayumi's head was broken as if crushed by a giant hand.

"Come here!"

The crab was spouting froth from anguish. She sharply ordered Mayumi, who was still looking up at it in blank amazement.

".....Y-yes!"

Finally calming down, Mayumi rushed over while her legs got twisted. She payed absolutely no attention behind her. To that defenseless back, the crab tried to give a retribution blow. While driving out the crab with a feint attack, she caught the small body leaping in her chest.

"Older sister!"

For the girl trembling in fear, she showed a perfectly forced smile.

"It's alright. Against that kind of apparition, it's impossible for you to loose."

"B-but....."

"I will stop its movement and I will give it the finishing blow. That's fine, right?"

".........."

"Make your preparation"

Turning around Mayumi's still insecure body, she was made to confront the imminent crab.

"It's alright."

Embracing from behind the younger sister stiff with fear, she tenderly whispered. Contrary to her tone, that facial expression was cold but invisible to the girl gazing at the crab.

"Look....observe it"

Kicking the ground with eight long legs the crab approached the two straightforward. And, when he was approximately ten meters away, suddenly the crab was smashed.

it was like from right overhead, an unbelievably huge palm held him down with all his strength. Smashing the collection of legs, the shell conspicuously fissured. Plucking from the root the pincers that were rose overhead, admitting defeat, it was buried into the ground with a roar.

Without moving at all she pointed at the crab in anguish and told Mayumi:

"Come now, finish it off. Make a hole through the center, pierce it from bellow. You can do it, right?"

"Y-yes" Mayumi obediently nodded.

Obeyed by the spirits of the earth, she governed their power. The spirits promptly responded to the most powerful Chijutsushi blood.

" -ya!!"

Together with the girl's cute yell, from beneath the crab a spear stone grew. That long and narrow cone shape penetrated the crab's shell and rose facing the heavens. Making a huge hole in the middle of its body, the crab wriggled, foam at it's mouth. But by construction the crab was unable to escape from the stone spear. It's resistance gradually weakened and gradually stopped.

Before their eyes, the skull of the reddish crab lost its gloss, growing dull in color. The crack spread from that gap and the muscle became visible. It faded the same way loosing its elasticity and the muscle became stiff.

It turned to stone.

That was Mayumi's real aim. The stone spear that went through was no more than the preliminary arrangement for that purpose. The ground spirits pumped into the wounds changed with great vigor the organic matter in inorganic one. Making sure the petrification reached the interior of the body, including fighting spirit, Mayumi shouted.

"Smash!!"

It was impossible to disobey it. Agreeing to the command, the ground spirits speedily dissolved the bindings. Making a thick sound the stone cram was smashed.

Because the body changed to countless stones it was no longer possible to guess its original shape.

"Very well done Mayumi-sama!"

"Merely eight years old and to be able to take down such a Youma!"

Waiting for Mayumi when she returned home was a storm of praise from the entire family. The people assembled in the saloon unanimously praised Mayumi and her alone.

There was nobody who talked to her. Without showing any reaction for the uproar of the surroundings, she was sitting diagonally behind Mayumi, mute like a puppet. In front of her ignored as if her existence was the same as air, Mayumi who was given the family seat of honor was being spoken to by the Tsuwabuki Iwao.

"You did very well, Mayumi."

"Father!"

Mayumi's smiling face lit up and jumped into her father's chest, whom she respected and loved. Iwao also embraced his daughter closely, including an overflowing love.

"You did very well, Mayumi."

While pressing her cheeks against against Iwao's chest, who repeated those words again, Mayumi said innocently:

"Yeah, I did my best. But older sister practically did it by herself. Older sister is awfully strong!"

The unreserved large voice reverberated in the saloon, and the faces of the people sitting in a row became pale. Feeling the change of atmosphere, Mayumi raised her eyes to her father in wonder.

"What's wrong?"

Iwao replied laughingly.

"It's of no concern. Mayumi is admirable, dividing her achievement with other people."

"That's wrong, really, elder sister is- "

"It's fine, I don't give a damn about that thing"

Blocking Mayumi's field of vision by hugging her close, Iwao shifter his attention to her. Cold like a different person, a glance exceeding hatred, filled with curses.

But even so, she didn't move one finger, one eyebrow or one muscle. Ignoring the glance sticking between her eyebrows, her gaze looked at nothing but in front, one meter horizontal from Iwao, fixating on the wood details of the alcove post.

The sister embraced with love and the sister glared at with hatred.

All present looked at the excessively contrastive sisters, catching their breath.

"Kureha-sama.....Kureha-sama?"

".....!"

At the voice repeating her name, taken aback, Kureha woke up. It seems she took a nap in the middle of her duties. Lightly shaking off her head, to remove the remaining sleepiness, she responded.

"Enter"

From the door opened by the maid, a group of three people got in. By priority of age, Yuuji, Mayumi and - Ayumi.

''That was unexpectedly fast''

Kureha thought so, looking at the puppet with eyes sunk in bitterness. As far as she saw of that facial expression, her first trip had not been particularly enjoyable.

''Well, it's a thing of no consequence''

"Following your instruction Ayumi has been returned home"

Being considerably pathetic, Yuuji reported stiffly. Expressly speaking of such obvious things, Yuuji may have been foolish but that doesn't mean Kureha was the same.

That was some kind of indication of his decision.

''"With this I won't allow Mayumi to become a sacrifice", or something''

It's not like her real intentions stood out. Instead, feeling that naivete pleasant, Kureha responded with a sweet smile.

"I appreciate your efforts."

"Y-yes!"

No matter how he perceived those words of appreciation Yuuji made a respectful bow, his face lit up. But before he raised his head, Kureha informed the three.

"Yuuji, you can already retire. Mayumi and Ayumi, please follow me."

"....Eh?" unintentionally Mayumi asked back.

Yuuji stiffed in a comical stance, his back bent.

".......Me too, you said?"

Seeing surprise and a small quantity of fear clung to Mayumi's question, Kureha laughed.

"That's right. Did you think you will be sightseeing the ceremony drinking tea? You too have an important part. Follow me"

"................"

Iwao being on the sickbed at the present time, Kureha was the one commanding the family. She could not advocate her objection.

Complying with Kureha, who naturally opened the door and stated walking, Mayumi and Ayumi followed behind.

Yuuji followed the three people until they left the office but clinging to them further was not permitted.

For him, unable to do anything but see them off, Mayumi looked over her shoulder just once.

That profile full of anxiety was scorched in the center of his consciousnesses together with a feeling of loss that cannot be undone.

===Part 3===

The next morning

Hiding his pathetic decision inside his heart, Yuuji knocked on the door leading to Kureha's private room. Without pause, the reply came.

"What's the matter, Yuuji?"

"........I have something to discuss."

"Enter"

The knob turned. It wasn't the work of a key. In a mental state similar to that of entering a dragon's den, Yuuji stepped inside the room.

"Good morning. You're early Yuuji."

Although saying that Kureha's appearance too was perfectly in order. Her flowing black hair was perfectly arranged and the same as usual a black suit was tightly wrapped around her.

"Will you let me know my lady's whereabouts?"

Standing before Kureha, impolitely Yuuji did not return the greeting and got to the main question. His complexion was bad. In spite of being injured to that extent yesterday it seems he didn't sleep a wink.

"Since last night, after Kureha-sama took her along, she did not returned to her room"

"You, did you stick yourself in front of Mayumi's room? You're almost like a stalker, huh?", Kureha laughed sarcastically.

However, Yuuji, without showing a glimpse of insincere smile, draw near with a severe face.

"Please answer, Kureha-sama. Depending on what happens, even if it's you..."

Kureha indifferently asked back.

"Even if it's you?"

"Ku.........."

Without doing anything, just by standing there, Kureha overwhelmed Yuuji.

Even by making use of his blind devotion towards Mayumi, he could not fill the desperate power difference.

"My lady, where is she...."

Still, seeing Yuuji hang on, mustering his willpower Kureha showed a somewhat unnatural look of admiration.

"What considerable devotion. If you want to meet her that badly, I will allow you to. Come!"

Yuuji chased after Kureha, who left the room and began to walk a few meters behind. The distance he put between them, rather than him being precautious, it was more like he was afraid of getting closer.

''What kind of person is this woman?''

Even if it was for a moment, when he confronted her he felt her abnormality. That power was clearly on a different level, when compared with other practitioners. Even Iwao, the Head, for Kureha, he was not a match by far. To say it simply it was an excessively mighty power. From the time she was a child, although unique, she was recognized as a powerful practitioner but nobody expected her to rise above to such a level.

"What are you doing? You'll be left behind."

Almost like reading his heart, indulging himself in speculation, Kureha suddenly looked over her shoulder.

Bearing the shriek trying to gush out by clenching his teeth, Yuuji shortly answered.

"...........I understand"

"Hurry up. I don't want to be seen by too many people"

And with these words, her beautiful face showed her usual smile, with no trace of impatience.

Glaring annoyed at Kureha, who faced forward once again Yuuji slightly quickened his pace.

In silence, Kureha walked to the deepest part of the grounds. Yuuji never entered this place before- it was a place nobody could enter with the exception of those who earned the permission of the Head.

"This is......"

"You've never entered this place before, huh? It's because, with the exception of those belonging to the main family this is a place that doesn't open but once every thirty years"

At the words he feared, Yuuji's face became stiff.

"Kureha-sama, you, by no means, even my lady- "

Those words, spoken in a strong tone, Kureha interrupted icily.

"Yuuji, you may believe you are given permission to an opinion but I have no intention of bestowing it any further. I am letting you meet her in deference to your loyalty but I have no intention of releasing Mayumi until the ceremony is over. Remember it."

".............."

Completely forbidden from raising objections, Yuuji had no choice but to be silent.

"..........is this the place?"

Staring at the small shrine they arrived before long, Yuuji asked.

"This is the entrance. Our place of destination is inside it" answered Kureha, opening the small shrine's gate.

Inside there wasn't even a single light, and without having performed any kind of process the cave entrance lightly opened its mouth.

"Here is....."

"Correct, this is the sacred ground of Tsuwabuki. The place we must protect even at the cost of our lives. Well, shall we go forward? Your beloved lady is inside."

"I understand"

To Kureha's exaggerated words, mixed with ridicule, Yuuji replied seriously.

He continued walking while controlling his uneasiness at the endlessly continuing cave.

A pitch blackness without a ray of light. A natural cave with no reinforcements. This was a situation that would have driven claustrophobic people to madness but for a Chijutsushi it was a place full of tranquility equivalent with the inside of mother's womb.

And yet, Yuuji frantically endured the urge to start running. In what sort environment was Mayumi placed, thinking of that he is unable to suppress his anxiety.

''My lady....I will, definitely.......''

Hiding that strong decision n his heart, he is descending in the cave. And then -

".......uh!?"

A dazzling glint burned Yuuji's eyes. Into his ears, unintentionally shutting his eyes, Kureha's composed voice resounds.

"Welcome to the center of Tsuwabuki's consecrated ground."

"Wh...at?"

Holding his hands before his eyes, Yuuji slowly opened his eyelids. What was there was a huge space that did not appear to be underground, spreading out.

"This is....."

A voice full of wonder leaked out. The magical spectacle spreading before hos eyes, drew in his sight and didn't let go. The gigantic pillar soaring at the center of the large hollow spreading a hundred meters below Fuji's sea of trees, is brilliantly shining.

"Crystal?...."

The sparkling, transparent stone pillar - there is no mistake about it, it was a pillar made of high purity crystal. The diameter roughly four meters, it's height nearly twenty meters.

And then, even supposing this crystal was guiding the sunshine so deeply underground, that enormousness exhausted any kind of description.

To Yuuji, stupefied with amazement, Kureha turned an evil smile.

"Yuuji, it's fine to be so deeply moved but is it not something else you should look for?"

".......eh?"

"Please look carefully inside the pillar"

"............"

Doing as he was told, Yuuji closely observed the pillar. Enduring the radiance, he saw a dark stain somewhat lower than the center.

He supposed that was just some foreign matter that was mixed in, but that unusual shape weighted on his mind. Taking a few steps forward he stared even more.

"..................eh?"

He was terrified. That stain had the form of a human.

Dressed sparingly, the white, thin dress showing her shoulders, the girl's eyes were peacefully closed. It was unthinkable not to recognize her.

Because she was the girl he pledged to protect by sacrificing everything.

"My lady!"

On Yuuji's shoulder, who started running, an invisible power was placed.

The heavy pressure reaching one ton sealed his body's movements as if it was its loyal subject.

"Calm down!" coldly informed Kureha.

Yuuji glared at her.

"What have you done to my lady?"

That shout, so overcome with emotion it forgot even honorifics, Kureha tolerantly pardoned.

"I did say Mayumi too has her own role"

"Role...?"

"Ayumi's body cannot withstand the release of power. The emission ratio will not be enough for the final tuning. Therefore, the power Ayumi cannot sustain by herself, I made Mayumi shoulder. You could call it the unexpected side effect of a clone"

The practitioner who performs the ritual, even calling it extreme, one is enough. Or perhaps it should be said that for the delicate control required by the technique, the governing intent must only be one.

Excluding the early few times, the ceremony was practiced by almost all the family, adding multiplied force for the sake of raising the success rate but did not change the fact that the practitioner controlling the power that is the focal point is just one.

But, if it's Ayumi and Mayumi practically identical at the genetic level, it may not be impossible to align their consciousness. Particularly by making the weak-self Ayumi do the main part and leaving the trance to the egoistic Mayumi.

"Such a...."

Without listening to Kureha's explanation until the end, Yuuji dropped to his knees, heartbroken.

''I...until now, for what sake.........''

That appearance, feebly hanging his head, resembled Ren's the night before, in a cruel way.

If Yuuji could see himself through an objective point of view perhaps a cynical smile would be irrepressible.

"Relax. Because she probably won't die."

"........eh?"

But, Kureha did not permit even despair. In front of the stricken Yuuji, she suspended an ostentatious thread of salvation.

"In the end, Ayumi is the main one and Mayumi is the spare. Because she is supplementing Ayumi's insufficiency, I don't think it will be fatal - that is, as long as the seal does not break even for an instant."

Reinforcing a seal that already has shape and rebuilding from scratch a seal that burst open without leaving any trace, between the power required by the two, there is a world of difference.

If that sort of abnormal situation does not occur Mayumi will survive, it was said, but for some reason, Yuuji could not relax.

"Do you think there is a possibility it will happen?"

At Yuuji's cautious question, Kureha responded without hesitation.

"At least, there will certainly be interference."

".........the Kannagi kid will come again?"

Nothing else came to his mind but Kureha opened her eyes wide as if she was surprised and let out a small sarcastic laugh.

"Ah, do you mean Kannagi Ren? I received the report. But, I am concerned about the fairies."

"The fairies? What can those insubstantial living things do?"

Deepening her sarcastic smile toward Yuuji's bewildered face, Kureha continued.

"Did you not hear? Your head if filled with nothing but Mayumi, huh? Yesterday, a fairy and it's guardian got inside the house."

"A-ah...." Yuuji nodded vaguely.

Come to think of it, someone said that. According to Kureha's pointing out, he had no composure to think about something else, vaguely ignoring it.

"The guardian?"

"A terrifyingly strong man making use of the wind. He seemed human but - I wonder about that. He said he is the fairy's brethren too"

"Wind, is it?"

Frowning id doubt, Yuuji asked in return.

"Why, if its only the likes of Fuujutsushi should we be afraid?"

"If it's only- ?"

Stuck by Yuuji's words, Kureha giggled in a very improper way.

"You're right, if it's only Fuujutsushi. If it's just that kind of practitioner able to defeat the power of the likes of me, perhaps someone like you has no need to be afraid"

"....!!"

"So reliable"

Yuuji asked the sneering Kureha in a hoarse voice:

"Is - is that true.....? Truly, with just wind, your power - ?"

"It's the truth. What's more, I've been seen trough after the first attack. To be ahead of me to that extent, that was a first. The world is really big, huh?"

".........."

At a loss of words, Yuuji stood rock still in blank amazement.

A Fuujutsushi surpassing Kureha - if such a thing were to appear, for him it's impossible to oppose no matter how he were to struggle.

"B-but........if he obstructs the ceremony, Mt. Fuji will definitely erupt. Will he go that far?"

"I don't know about the Kannagi's side but the fairies have no reason to hesitate. Because the eruption is nothing more than a natural phenomenon they have no intention of resisting it."

Talking about such a hopeless story with a gossip-like tone, Kureha looked at Yuuji's face, dyed in despair.

"So, we can't talk about it, but... how about you? Don't you desire power?"

".....eh?"

"Power. A mighty power. To drive away all enemies, to protect your precious one, overflowing power. If I were to say I can grant you that power - you, what will you do?"

"............."

Yuuji looked hard at Kureha with a bottomless shiver. As a practitioner, Yuuji recognized the fact that she was in a by far superior rank - No, he was supposed to know that.

But it was different. This, it was not that kind of thing.

''This woman - is she really human?''

''Feeding on his hope, something that tempts humans to their ruin. The existence passed down on tradition on every culture around the world, right now, is sneering before his eyes. The spoils it aims at are waiting the time of the fall''

Even so -

''Do I mind?''

As far as Yuuji is concerned, he had no other option. No, his choice was already made.

If the compensation of power is required, he would give anything, no matter what it is.

His life, his soul, he had no choice but to consider them second or less.

That's why his answer had beed decided.

"No matter what will happen, I don't care. Please give me power."

Receiving the answer she was eagerly waiting, Kureha smiled ominously. He had the feeling that for one second, those lips tore until ears.

===Part 4===

"Father, do you know where Ren went? He's not in his room."

"I happened to see him sitting on the porch just before noon."

Ayano turned an uterly amazed glance at Juugo, who answered matter of course.

"........Father, it is already evening."

"Go and see for yourself. A certain someone who does not want to move at all is supposed to be there."

"............."

Scowling, Ayano cast her eyes down. Her strongly gripped fist was trembling.

"If you tell me he has no outhet for his anger, I'll get angry. Knocking down those Tsuwabuki guys and settle this is so simple and yet...."

"....True"

Evening

Ren, dicovered with the help of Kirika's side, the Special Data Arrangement, although he had no visible wounds, his heart received near fatal damage.

Remaining silent without responding to any questions, secluded inside his shell, Ren was brought home after midnight.

As a result of being left to rest without having to listen to anything, at dawn he recovered enough to take a miminun of communication.

As if he would been asked Ren told it all, without faltering. His own feeling - the fleeting emotion harbored for that girl, the despair when he found the truth - without hiding anything.

In front of the stricken boy nobody could do anything.

Their feelings were summarized in Ayano's words from a while ago. That is - "There is no outlet for his anger"

The act of the Tsuwabuki Household was by no means incorrect. Caring about morals has no meaning. In their line of business that goes beyond the life or death of one person, they are naturally operating for the sake of justice. There was no other way.

There is no choice but to pray to God that time will heal his emotional scars.

"So, what did you plan to do after searching for Ren?"

"What, you ask - I can't leave him alone like that, can I?"

Ren right now was similar to a living corpse.

If he was talked to, he'd give a minimal reply.

If food was given to him, he would eat it.

However, without urgings from other people, left by himself he would not move, not even a finger. Sitting sprawled out, that figure with blank eyes was exactly like a puppet whose strings have been cut.

Sober, Juugo shifted his attention to Ayano, wanting to comfort Ren.

"Can you do something?"

"I don't know if I can"

There was clearly no hesitation in Ayano's response.

"But even so, I can't leave him alone. That kind of helpless situation, I won't admit it. I definitely won't let it end this way."

Making this declaration in a rough tone, Ayano left Juugo's room.

''Wow, it really was true...''

Voiceless, Ayano murmured to herself. Ren was in the place Juugo said he would be. Sitting on the verande, he was leaning on the left side pillar. Perhaps that attitude never changed since before noon.

Approaching directly, Ayano sat dawn next to him. Ren's eyes moved slightly, perceiving her figure.

"............older sister.."

A feeble murmur escaped. The question ''why are you here'' did not resound, just calling the name of the person that entered his field of vision, that sort of dull and uninteresting matter.

Ayano did not venture to make eye contact, placing her glance on the garden in front.

Ren too, immediately lost his interest towards Ayano, restoring his glance on his feet.

Without change, for several minutes, time flew quietly.

"If it's me....."

Almost like the sound of blowing wind sliding through gaps, Ayano simply spun her words. For a second time, moving hie eyeballs, Ren looked at Ayano, but she continued facing forward.

"Because I am the person that will someday succeed as the head of the Kannagi Family, I understand those Tsuwabuki's point. At the very least I will never say something like ''it doesn't matter if Mt. Fuji erupts, go and save that Ayumi girl!''"

"............."

"But even so, that's not what you should be thinking of now, is it?"

"...........ee?"

Because that was very unexpected, Ren raised a small doubtful voice.

"Those kind of large scale problems you must leave to adults. A child should give preference to himself. What you should think of right now is what you should do related to Ayumi. That's all."

"........eh......?"

Smiling sweetly Ayano too stared at the dazed Ren.

"You said it, right? That Ayumi is an imitation? She's a clone, her memories are borrowed from another person, that the real Tsuwabuki Ayumi doesn't exist, right?"

"..........yes.."

"That can't be true, you big fool!!"

The moment he nodded - no, as soon as "y" was pronounced Ayano grabbed the cute, brother-like Ren by the collar, constricting him.

"Whether it's reproduction, doppelganger, multiplied by cell division, if it has an original will you have no right to look down upon her as an imitation. Deceiving yourself with superficial words, denying the time you yourself spent with Ayumi, why are you doing it?"

Ayano became excessively agitated while shouting but when she finished speaking her calm returned.

Releasing his collar, with sober eyes she overlooked the choking Ren.

"I thought I'd say that by putting the screws on you but you're a bright kid so you already figured it out, didn't you?"

"............."

There was no need to say it.

Although he was surprised when he first found out, once he calmed down and thought about it, it all amounted to ''what of it?''

Even if her body and memory have been reproduced Ayumi's personality was certainly original. It was very clear. Because everything bestowed upon her was an imitation, the girl grasped in her hands genuineness.

From the beginning to the end Ren sensed that decision closer than anybody else.

But, for this reason Ren can't help but feel ashamed.

"I didn't understand anything....."

In spite of seeing it from the closest place, he did not ''see'' anything. Loosing his head, getting caught in the moment, he said a lot of cruel things.

''Big brother will surely come to save you''

''I want to show you many other things so I'll take you anywhere.''

The groundless hopes, the promise of a tomorrow that will never come, he wondered with how much cruelty they resounded in Ayumi's ears. But even so, Ayumi showed a smile.

''That's right. That would be nice...''

The fact that she didn't reveal the truth was certainly not for her self-protection. So that Ren won't be crushed by the truth's weight, its anguish, its sorrow, she locked it in her chest.

''I was a fool!''

He wanted to protect Ayumi. He wanted to save the girl by expending all the power he possessed. And yet - he didn't notice he was the one being protected.

He, descendant from the strongest, made a girl scared of her imminent death worry about him and protect him like a baby.

''You don't understand anything, you foolish child pretending to be a knight'' - Yuuji's words hit the bull's eye and left no room for rebuttal.He didn't understand anything.

"That's why............I couldn't do anything........."

With a regretful emotion, he spoke of conclusion. So, everything ended in the worst possible way.

"Don't use the past tense arbitrarily just because you decided the conclusion."

Ayano could not forgive the fact that Ren was full of resignation. Grabbing him by the collar for a second time, she forcefully pulled his hanged head upwards.

"Do you feel like ending it this way. This helpless conclusion, do you approve of it?"

"But.....there is nothing I can do for Ayumi-chan anymo- "

"I'm sick of it!"

Very irritated Ayano harshly shook Ren's body.

"You're such a thorough good kiddie! Right now it's not about ''for the sake of Ayumi-chan'' or something like that. What about you? What do '''you''' want to do? That's what I want to hear!!"

"......eh......me?"

Faced with a question he never thought of, Ren revealed a confused voice. And yet, Ayano's words did not stop.

"That's right. If it's true you won't do anything anymore, if that's the case, I won't interfere. But if you do so, you'd better label it as ''memories of my first love'' or something and put it away in some corner of your memory. frankly, that is the most peaceful settlement. Still..."

Ayano held Ren's cheeks between her hands and brought their eyes at the same height by leaning over a little. And then, directly facing that glance mixed with bewilderment she asked earnestly.

"Still, are you OK with that? Parting in such a way, although it was the last and you will never be able to meet again, you don't regret it? There is nothing you want to tell that girl?"

"............."

''Do you want to meet her, do you not want to meet her?''

Faced with this choice, he answered without hesitation.

''I want to meet her. Even if it's just once. Meet her and then...''

''But....''

"So, what will you do?"

Ayano pressed the hesitating Ren for an answer.

"You won't be able to chase after her if it goes like this - you know, right? You don't have time. Tomorrow, Ayumi-chan will be nowhere to find. No matter what your answer, there will be none to say it to. You have no time to hesitate. Decide now. What should you be doing?"

".............."

Hanging his head down, Ren closed his eyes. And he thought about it. What he wanted to do. What he ought to do. What he must, no matter what.

Dozens of seconds afterwards, at the end of his most serious meditation, the boy slowly opened his mouth.

"About the ceremony, about the living sacrifice, the most righteous thing to do about those, I have yet to realize. However..."

Lifting his head, he looked straight at Ayano.

That gaze held no more indecision.

"However, I want to meet Ayumi-chan one more time. Meet her, apologize to her and I want to tell her - I have something I must tell her no matter what."

"OK. Let's go then."

Ayano responded to those words said with the resolution of a lifetime with a ''just out for a bit of shopping'' mood.

"...You mean, right now!?"

"That's right. It's not like you need some particular preparation, no? If you need a stop over set, we can buy it at the local supermarket."

"No......that's not the probl- "

With a snap Ayano trusted her index finger at Ren, unable to follow the development's speed.

"Didn't I say it? We have no time. The ceremony is tonight and to begin with, do you think they will let us pass by saying ``I came to meet Ayumi-chan. I have no intention to interfere with the ceremony so please let us past``?"

".........that is perhaps impossible..."

"Not ``perhaps``, it's absolutely impossible. At any rate we have no choice but to push through with brute strength so we'd netter move while we still have time."

Saying that, Ayano stood up without waiting for a reply.

"Well, go change your clothes. If Father finds us, an explanation will be difficult so we must not be exposed."

"``Difficult``, you say!? If he finds out it's confinement for us."

If they mess up, it's a deed quite capable of making Mt. Fuji erupt. It's obvious Juugo will never allow it.

"If that's the case, hurry!"

But, once Ayano got like this she couldn't be stopped. Having a thorough knowledge about that, after coming this far he finally resolved himself.

"I understand. Give me five minutes."

"I'm waiting by the rear entrance."

Exchanging a small nod, both of them hurried in different directions.

[[User:Ayame|Ayame]] ([[User talk:Ayame|talk]]) 15:36, 25 March 2013 (CDT)

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Kaze no Stigma:Volume3 Chapter 4

2013-04-28T15:50:40Z

80.240.162.190: /* Part 3 */

=== Chapter 2 Each and everyone's determination ===

===Part 1===
".....!"

"Fugyaa!?"

Kazuma, peacefully breathing in his sleep on the upper side of the tree, suddenly - avoiding Tiana's wings, who just happened to fly on top of him - jumped to his feet.

"W- what?"

On the verge of falling, reorganizing her attitude, Tiana groaned. Completely ignoring those complaints, Kazuma said:

"It came back"

".......really?"

Tiana forgot her resentment on the spot. While it may be true she felt it, it does not mean she can do something about it.

"Where, where?"

To the now rushing out fairy, Kazuma jerked his jaw, pointing to the car trying to pass through the gate. Both their glances have been rooted on the spot.

From the car stopped in front of the entrance, several men and women made their appearance. Among those people, from inside the body of one small girl at the beginning of her teens, the wave motion felt from the center of her chest was, without a doubt, belonging to the treasure stolen from the fairy village.

"Even so, that is....."

The girl emitted an awfully unnatural presence. And then, when comparing her with the girl with an identical face, five or six years her senior, Kazuma muttered in a bitter voice.

He grasped the family structure of the Tsuwabuki head house. A girl that was not supposed to exist and an older identical girl.

And then - the fairy's treasure carried inside her body. From his perspective everything was clear.

"What a vulgar copy cat...."

On the other hand, Tiana was unrelated to those strong feelings.

"Ah, I found it....."

Murmuring with a voice overcome with emotion, both hands before her chest, looking up at the Heaven with wet pupils, as if saying "Thank you, God".

"Inside that, it's inside that! Come now - Kazuma please carry out the request! Gouge that girl's heart and retrieve the bloody treasureeee!!"

Because of too much excitement, Tiana screamed the bloody speech. How to say this, it was a scene meant to break any dreams and aspiration regarding the so called fairies.

That Tiana, shouting with blood shot eyes, Kazuma lightly disregarded, as if it was a matter of course. Brushing off the leaves and bark sticking to his clothes, he lightly muttered one thing.

"Well then, should I go back to sleep?"

"Just wait a secoooooooond!"

Tiana pulled with all her might the nape of Kazuma's neck, trying to descend from the tree that was their kip. Casually grabbing the fairy's body, following about, and plucking it of, he asked tiresomely.

"What?"

"It's not ''what'', right? The treasure we searched for it's just there!? Quickly get it baaack!!"

"Tiana"

Kazuma called out the fairy with the propensity for derangement in a terribly quiet voice.

As if cold water was poured on her heated head, Tiana promptly returned to her true character.

"W- wh- what is it....?"

"If you think about it, the ceremony is tomorrow night."

"So?"

"Instead of taking it now, won't it be more amusing to take it when they will be relived and think the ceremony can quietly take place? When knocked down from the peak of rejoice to the bottom of despair, what kind of expression will they do?....ku ku ku...."

Engraved on the contractor's mouth was an inhuman, cruel and brutal smile. The man's true character, who essentially should be a saint, made Tiana feel despair countless times.

"Auuuuuuuu...."

===Part 2===

She saw a dream.

Of a distant past, of a time her chest still harbored hope, a resemblance of the once foolish self. She wanted to be appreciated. She wanted to be smiled at. It did not matter if she was number one. It did not matter if she was the second.

That's why she desperately struggled. Putting her life on the line, piling up experience, refining her power. Without considering that it was the cause of still more alienation.

"That technique is a heresy. It's not appropriate for a practitioner of the traditional Tsuwabuki."

"That thing is not Chijutsushi. Why does my child have to use such black arts?"

''Disgrace''

''Demon Child''

''Evil magician''

The cruel words thrown at the very young girl by her own father carved in her heart wounds that cannot heal.

"Someday, for sure....."

Realizing that was a wish that will never come true, when did that happen?

That was a crab.

Not something particularly scary. Its size was somewhat big - enough to bisect a bear with its kitchen-like pincers. Its legs were somewhat numerous - the fore pincers - but, if she were to use her power the opponent would have no choice but to be lightly pinched out.

Despite this - the girl she was supposed to protect, was being overpowered by such a thing and paralyzed with horror. The huge pincers swung from overhead, was being looked up at, in a daze, by that inexperienced face.

"...Mayumi!"

She promptly released her power. The pincer trying to smash Mayumi's head was broken as if crushed by a giant hand.

"Come here!"

The crab was spouting froth from anguish. She sharply ordered Mayumi, who was still looking up at it in blank amazement.

".....Y-yes!"

Finally calming down, Mayumi rushed over while her legs got twisted. She payed absolutely no attention behind her. To that defenseless back, the crab tried to give a retribution blow. While driving out the crab with a feint attack, she caught the small body leaping in her chest.

"Older sister!"

For the girl trembling in fear, she showed a perfectly forced smile.

"It's alright. Against that kind of apparition, it's impossible for you to loose."

"B-but....."

"I will stop its movement and I will give it the finishing blow. That's fine, right?"

".........."

"Make your preparation"

Turning around Mayumi's still insecure body, she was made to confront the imminent crab.

"It's alright."

Embracing from behind the younger sister stiff with fear, she tenderly whispered. Contrary to her tone, that facial expression was cold but invisible to the girl gazing at the crab.

"Look....observe it"

Kicking the ground with eight long legs the crab approached the two straightforward. And, when he was approximately ten meters away, suddenly the crab was smashed.

it was like from right overhead, an unbelievably huge palm held him down with all his strength. Smashing the collection of legs, the shell conspicuously fissured. Plucking from the root the pincers that were rose overhead, admitting defeat, it was buried into the ground with a roar.

Without moving at all she pointed at the crab in anguish and told Mayumi:

"Come now, finish it off. Make a hole through the center, pierce it from bellow. You can do it, right?"

"Y-yes" Mayumi obediently nodded.

Obeyed by the spirits of the earth, she governed their power. The spirits promptly responded to the most powerful Chijutsushi blood.

" -ya!!"

Together with the girl's cute yell, from beneath the crab a spear stone grew. That long and narrow cone shape penetrated the crab's shell and rose facing the heavens. Making a huge hole in the middle of its body, the crab wriggled, foam at it's mouth. But by construction the crab was unable to escape from the stone spear. It's resistance gradually weakened and gradually stopped.

Before their eyes, the skull of the reddish crab lost its gloss, growing dull in color. The crack spread from that gap and the muscle became visible. It faded the same way loosing its elasticity and the muscle became stiff.

It turned to stone.

That was Mayumi's real aim. The stone spear that went through was no more than the preliminary arrangement for that purpose. The ground spirits pumped into the wounds changed with great vigor the organic matter in inorganic one. Making sure the petrification reached the interior of the body, including fighting spirit, Mayumi shouted.

"Smash!!"

It was impossible to disobey it. Agreeing to the command, the ground spirits speedily dissolved the bindings. Making a thick sound the stone cram was smashed.

Because the body changed to countless stones it was no longer possible to guess its original shape.

"Very well done Mayumi-sama!"

"Merely eight years old and to be able to take down such a Youma!"

Waiting for Mayumi when she returned home was a storm of praise from the entire family. The people assembled in the saloon unanimously praised Mayumi and her alone.

There was nobody who talked to her. Without showing any reaction for the uproar of the surroundings, she was sitting diagonally behind Mayumi, mute like a puppet. In front of her ignored as if her existence was the same as air, Mayumi who was given the family seat of honor was being spoken to by the Tsuwabuki Iwao.

"You did very well, Mayumi."

"Father!"

Mayumi's smiling face lit up and jumped into her father's chest, whom she respected and loved. Iwao also embraced his daughter closely, including an overflowing love.

"You did very well, Mayumi."

While pressing her cheeks against against Iwao's chest, who repeated those words again, Mayumi said innocently:

"Yeah, I did my best. But older sister practically did it by herself. Older sister is awfully strong!"

The unreserved large voice reverberated in the saloon, and the faces of the people sitting in a row became pale. Feeling the change of atmosphere, Mayumi raised her eyes to her father in wonder.

"What's wrong?"

Iwao replied laughingly.

"It's of no concern. Mayumi is admirable, dividing her achievement with other people."

"That's wrong, really, elder sister is- "

"It's fine, I don't give a damn about that thing"

Blocking Mayumi's field of vision by hugging her close, Iwao shifter his attention to her. Cold like a different person, a glance exceeding hatred, filled with curses.

But even so, she didn't move one finger, one eyebrow or one muscle. Ignoring the glance sticking between her eyebrows, her gaze looked at nothing but in front, one meter horizontal from Iwao, fixating on the wood details of the alcove post.

The sister embraced with love and the sister glared at with hatred.

All present looked at the excessively contrastive sisters, catching their breath.

"Kureha-sama.....Kureha-sama?"

".....!"

At the voice repeating her name, taken aback, Kureha woke up. It seems she took a nap in the middle of her duties. Lightly shaking off her head, to remove the remaining sleepiness, she responded.

"Enter"

From the door opened by the maid, a group of three people got in. By priority of age, Yuuji, Mayumi and - Ayumi.

''That was unexpectedly fast''

Kureha thought so, looking at the puppet with eyes sunk in bitterness. As far as she saw of that facial expression, her first trip had not been particularly enjoyable.

''Well, it's a thing of no consequence''

"Following your instruction Ayumi has been returned home"

Being considerably pathetic, Yuuji reported stiffly. Expressly speaking of such obvious things, Yuuji may have been foolish but that doesn't mean Kureha was the same.

That was some kind of indication of his decision.

''"With this I won't allow Mayumi to become a sacrifice", or something''

It's not like her real intentions stood out. Instead, feeling that naivete pleasant, Kureha responded with a sweet smile.

"I appreciate your efforts."

"Y-yes!"

No matter how he perceived those words of appreciation Yuuji made a respectful bow, his face lit up. But before he raised his head, Kureha informed the three.

"Yuuji, you can already retire. Mayumi and Ayumi, please follow me."

"....Eh?" unintentionally Mayumi asked back.

Yuuji stiffed in a comical stance, his back bent.

".......Me too, you said?"

Seeing surprise and a small quantity of fear clung to Mayumi's question, Kureha laughed.

"That's right. Did you think you will be sightseeing the ceremony drinking tea? You too have an important part. Follow me"

"................"

Iwao being on the sickbed at the present time, Kureha was the one commanding the family. She could not advocate her objection.

Complying with Kureha, who naturally opened the door and stated walking, Mayumi and Ayumi followed behind.

Yuuji followed the three people until they left the office but clinging to them further was not permitted.

For him, unable to do anything but see them off, Mayumi looked over her shoulder just once.

That profile full of anxiety was scorched in the center of his consciousnesses together with a feeling of loss that cannot be undone.

===Part 3===

The next morning

Hiding his pathetic decision inside his heart, Yuuji knocked on the door leading to Kureha's private room. Without pause, the reply came.

"What's the matter, Yuuji?"

"........I have something to discuss."

"Enter"

The knob turned. It wasn't the work of a key. In a mental state similar to that of entering a dragon's den, Yuuji stepped inside the room.

"Good morning. You're early Yuuji."

Although saying that Kureha's appearance too was perfectly in order. Her flowing black hair was perfectly arranged and the same as usual a black suit was tightly wrapped around her.

"Will you let me know my lady's whereabouts?"

Standing before Kureha, impolitely Yuuji did not return the greeting and got to the main question. His complexion was bad. In spite of being injured to that extent yesterday it seems he didn't sleep a wink.

"Since last night, after Kureha-sama took her along, she did not returned to her room"

"You, did you stick yourself in front of Mayumi's room? You're almost like a stalker, huh?", Kureha laughed sarcastically.

However, Yuuji, without showing a glimpse of insincere smile, draw near with a severe face.

"Please answer, Kureha-sama. Depending on what happens, even if it's you..."

Kureha indifferently asked back.

"Even if it's you?"

"Ku.........."

without doing anything, just by standing there, Kureha overwhelmed Yuuji.

Even by making use of his blind devotion towards Mayumi, he could not fill the desperate power difference.

"My lady, where is she...."

Still, seeing Yuuji hang on, mustering his willpower Kureha showed a somewhat unnatural look of admiration.

"What considerable devotion. If you want to meet her that badly, I will allow you to. Come!"

Yuuji chased after Kureha, who left the room and began to walk a few meters behind. The distance he put between them, rather than him being precautious, it was more like he was afraid of getting closer.

''What kind of person is this woman?''

Even if it was for a moment, when he confronted her he felt her abnormality. That power was clearly on a different level, when compared with other practitioners. Even Iwao, the Head, for Kureha, he was not a match by far. To say it simply it was an excessively mighty power. From the time she was a child, although unique, she was recognized as a powerful practitioner but nobody expected her to rise above to such a level.

"What are you doing? You'll be left behind."

Almost like reading his heart, indulging himself in speculation, Kureha suddenly looked over her shoulder.

Bearing the shriek trying to gush out by clenching his teeth, Yuuji shortly answered.

"...........I understand"

"Hurry up. I don't want to be seen by too many people"

And with these words, her beautiful face showed her usual smile, with no trace of impatience.

Glaring annoyed at Kureha, who faced forward once again Yuuji slightly quickened his pace.

In silence, Kureha walked to the deepest part of the grounds. Yuuji never entered this place before- it was a place nobody could enter with the exception of those who earned the permission of the Head.

"This is......"

"You've never entered this place before, huh? It's because, with the exception of those belonging to the main family this is a place that doesn't open but once every thirty years"

At the words he feared, Yuuji's face became stiff.

"Kureha-sama, you, by no means, even my lady- "

Those words, spoken in a strong tone, Kureha interrupted icily.

"Yuuji, you may believe you are given permission to an opinion but I have no intention of bestowing it any further. I am letting you meet her in deference to your loyalty but I have no intention of releasing Mayumi until the ceremony is over. Remember it."

".............."

Completely forbidden from raising objections, Yuuji had no choice but to be silent.

"..........is this the place?"

Staring at the small shrine they arrived before long, Yuuji asked.

"This is the entrance. Our place of destination is inside it" answered Kureha, opening the small shrine's gate.

Inside there wasn't even a single light, and without having performed any kind of process the cave entrance lightly opened its mouth.

"Here is....."

"Correct, this is the sacred ground of Tsuwabuki. The place we must protect even at the cost of our lives. Well, shall we go forward? Your beloved lady is inside."

"I understand"

To Kureha's exaggerated words, mixed with ridicule, Yuuji replied seriously.

He continued walking while controlling his uneasiness at the endlessly continuing cave.

A pitch blackness without a ray of light. A natural cave with no reinforcements. This was a situation that would have driven claustrophobic people to madness but for a Chijutsushi it was a place full of tranquility equivalent with the inside of mother's womb.

And yet, Yuuji frantically endured the urge to start running. In what sort environment was Mayumi placed, thinking of that he is unable to suppress his anxiety.

''My lady....I will, definitely.......''

Hiding that strong decision n his heart, he is descending in the cave. And then -

".......uh!?"

A dazzling glint burned Yuuji's eyes. Into his ears, unintentionally shutting his eyes, Kureha's composed voice resounds.

"Welcome to the center of Tsuwabuki's consecrated ground."

"Wh...at?"

Holding his hands before his eyes, Yuuji slowly opened his eyelids. What was there was a huge space that did not appear to be underground, spreading out.

"This is....."

A voice full of wonder leaked out. The magical spectacle spreading before hos eyes, drew in his sight and didn't let go. The gigantic pillar soaring at the center of the large hollow spreading a hundred meters below Fuji's sea of trees, is brilliantly shining.

"Crystal?...."

The sparkling, transparent stone pillar - there is no mistake about it, it was a pillar made of high purity crystal. The diameter roughly four meters, it's height nearly twenty meters.

And then, even supposing this crystal was guiding the sunshine so deeply underground, that enormousness exhausted any kind of description.

To Yuuji, stupefied with amazement, Kureha turned an evil smile.

"Yuuji, it's fine to be so deeply moved but is it not something else you should look for?"

".......eh?"

"Please look carefully inside the pillar"

"............"

Doing as he was told, Yuuji closely observed the pillar. Enduring the radiance, he saw a dark stain somewhat lower than the center.

He supposed that was just some foreign matter that was mixed in, but that unusual shape weighted on his mind. Taking a few steps forward he stared even more.

"..................eh?"

He was terrified. That stain had the form of a human.

Dressed sparingly, the white, thin dress showing her shoulders, the girl's eyes were peacefully closed. It was unthinkable not to recognize her.

Because she was the girl he pledged to protect by sacrificing everything.

"My lady!"

On Yuuji's shoulder, who started running, an invisible power was placed.

The heavy pressure reaching one ton sealed his body's movements as if it was its loyal subject.

"Calm down!" coldly informed Kureha.

Yuuji glared at her.

"What have you done to my lady?"

That shout, so overcome with emotion it forgot even honorifics, Kureha tolerantly pardoned.

"I did say Mayumi too has her own role"

"Role...?"

"Ayumi's body cannot withstand the release of power. The emission ratio will not be enough for the final tuning. Therefore, the power Ayumi cannot sustain by herself, I made Mayumi shoulder. You could call it the unexpected side effect of a clone"

The practitioner who performs the ritual, even calling it extreme, one is enough. Or perhaps it should be said that for the delicate control required by the technique, the governing intent must only be one.

Excluding the early few times, the ceremony was practiced by almost all the family, adding multiplied force for the sake of raising the success rate but did not change the fact that the practitioner controlling the power that is the focal point is just one.

But, if it's Ayumi and Mayumi practically identical at the genetic level, it may not be impossible to align their consciousness. Particularly by making the weak-self Ayumi do the main part and leaving the trance to the egoistic Mayumi.

"Such a...."

Without listening to Kureha's explanation until the end, Yuuji dropped to his knees, heartbroken.

''I...until now, for what sake.........''

That appearance, feebly hanging his head, resembled Ren's the night before, in a cruel way.

If Yuuji could see himself through an objective point of view perhaps a cynical smile would be irrepressible.

"Relax. Because she probably won't die."

"........eh?"

But, Kureha did not permit even despair. In front of the stricken Yuuji, she suspended an ostentatious thread of salvation.

"In the end, Ayumi is the main one and Mayumi is the spare. Because she is supplementing Ayumi's insufficiency, I don't think it will be fatal - that is, as long as the seal does not break even for an instant."

Reinforcing a seal that already has shape and rebuilding from scratch a seal that burst open without leaving any trace, between the power required by the two, there is a world of difference.

If that sort of abnormal situation does not occur Mayumi will survive, it was said, but for some reason, Yuuji could not relax.

"Do you think there is a possibility it will happen?"

At Yuuji's cautious question, Kureha responded without hesitation.

"At least, there will certainly be interference."

".........the Kannagi kid will come again?"

Nothing else came to his mind but Kureha opened her eyes wide as if she was surprised and let out a small sarcastic laugh.

"Ah, do you mean Kannagi Ren? I received the report. But, I am concerned about the fairies."

"The fairies? What can those insubstantial living things do?"

Deepening her sarcastic smile toward Yuuji's bewildered face, Kureha continued.

"Did you not hear? Your head if filled with nothing but Mayumi, huh? Yesterday, a fairy and it's guardian got inside the house."

"A-ah...." Yuuji nodded vaguely.

Come to think of it, someone said that. According to Kureha's pointing out, he had no composure to think about something else, vaguely ignoring it.

"The guardian?"

"A terrifyingly strong man making use of the wind. He seemed human but - I wonder about that. He said he is the fairy's brethren too"

"Wind, is it?"

Frowning id doubt, Yuuji asked in return.

"Why, if its only the likes of Fuujutsushi should we be afraid?"

"If it's only- ?"

Stuck by Yuuji's words, Kureha giggled in a very improper way.

"You're right, if it's only Fuujutsushi. If it's just that kind of practitioner able to defeat the power of the likes of me, perhaps someone like you has no need to be afraid"

"....!!"

"So reliable"

Yuuji asked the sneering Kureha in a hoarse voice:

"Is - is that true.....? Truly, with just wind, your power - ?"

"It's the truth. What's more, I've been seen trough after the first attack. To be ahead of me to that extent, that was a first. The world is really big, huh?"

".........."

At a loss of words, Yuuji stood rock still in blank amazement.

A Fuujutsushi surpassing Kureha - if such a thing were to appear, for him it's impossible to oppose no matter how he were to struggle.

"B-but........if he obstructs the ceremony, Mt. Fuji will definitely erupt. Will he go that far?"

"I don't know about the Kannagi's side but the fairies have no reason to hesitate. Because the eruption is nothing more than a natural phenomenon they have no intention of resisting it."

Talking about such a hopeless story with a gossip-like tone, Kureha looked at Yuuji's face, dyed in despair.

"So, we can't talk about it, but... how about you? Don't you desire power?"

".....eh?"

"Power. A mighty power. To drive away all enemies, to protect your precious one, overflowing power. If I were to say I can grant you that power - you, what will you do?"

"............."

Yuuji looked hard at Kureha with a bottomless shiver. As a practitioner, Yuuji recognized the fact that she was in a by far superior rank - No, he was supposed to know that.

But it was different. This, it was not that kind of thing.

''This woman - is she really human?''

''Feeding on his hope, something that tempts humans to their ruin. The existence passed down on tradition on every culture around the world, right now, is sneering before his eyes. The spoils it aims at are waiting the time of the fall''

Even so -

''Do I mind?''

As far as Yuuji is concerned, he had no other option. No, his choice was already made.

If the compensation of power is required, he would give anything, no matter what it is.

His life, his soul, he had no choice but to consider them second or less.

That's why his answer had beed decided.

"No matter what will happen, I don't care. Please give me power."

Receiving the answer she was eagerly waiting, Kureha smiled ominously. He had the feeling that for one second, those lips tore until ears.

===Part 4===

"Father, do you know where Ren went? He's not in his room."

"I happened to see him sitting on the porch just before noon."

Ayano turned an uterly amazed glance at Juugo, who answered matter of course.

"........Father, it is already evening."

"Go and see for yourself. A certain someone who does not want to move at all is supposed to be there."

"............."

Scowling, Ayano cast her eyes down. Her strongly gripped fist was trembling.

"If you tell me he has no outhet for his anger, I'll get angry. Knocking down those Tsuwabuki guys and settle this is so simple and yet...."

"....True"

Evening

Ren, dicovered with the help of Kirika's side, the Special Data Arrangement, although he had no visible wounds, his heart received near fatal damage.

Remaining silent without responding to any questions, secluded inside his shell, Ren was brought home after midnight.

As a result of being left to rest without having to listen to anything, at dawn he recovered enough to take a miminun of communication.

As if he would been asked Ren told it all, without faltering. His own feeling - the fleeting emotion harbored for that girl, the despair when he found the truth - without hiding anything.

In front of the stricken boy nobody could do anything.

Their feelings were summarized in Ayano's words from a while ago. That is - "There is no outlet for his anger"

The act of the Tsuwabuki Household was by no means incorrect. Caring about morals has no meaning. In their line of business that goes beyond the life or death of one person, they are naturally operating for the sake of justice. There was no other way.

There is no choice but to pray to God that time will heal his emotional scars.

"So, what did you plan to do after searching for Ren?"

"What, you ask - I can't leave him alone like that, can I?"

Ren right now was similar to a living corpse.

If he was talked to, he'd give a minimal reply.

If food was given to him, he would eat it.

However, without urgings from other people, left by himself he would not move, not even a finger. Sitting sprawled out, that figure with blank eyes was exactly like a puppet whose strings have been cut.

Sober, Juugo shifted his attention to Ayano, wanting to comfort Ren.

"Can you do something?"

"I don't know if I can"

There was clearly no hesitation in Ayano's response.

"But even so, I can't leave him alone. That kind of helpless situation, I won't admit it. I definitely won't let it end this way."

Making this declaration in a rough tone, Ayano left Juugo's room.

''Wow, it really was true...''

Voiceless, Ayano murmured to herself. Ren was in the place Juugo said he would be. Sitting on the verande, he was leaning on the left side pillar. Perhaps that attitude never changed since before noon.

Approaching directly, Ayano sat dawn next to him. Ren's eyes moved slightly, perceiving her figure.

"............older sister.."

A feeble murmur escaped. The question ''why are you here'' did not resound, just calling the name of the person that entered his field of vision, that sort of dull and uninteresting matter.

Ayano did not venture to make eye contact, placing her glance on the garden in front.

Ren too, immediately lost his interest towards Ayano, restoring his glance on his feet.

Without change, for several minutes, time flew quietly.

"If it's me....."

Almost like the sound of blowing wind sliding through gaps, Ayano simply spun her words. For a second time, moving hie eyeballs, Ren looked at Ayano, but she continued facing forward.

"Because I am the person that will someday succeed as the head of the Kannagi Family, I understand those Tsuwabuki's point. At the very least I will never say something like ''it doesn't matter if Mt. Fuji erupts, go and save that Ayumi girl!''"

"............."

"But even so, that's not what you should be thinking of now, is it?"

"...........ee?"

Because that was very unexpected, Ren raised a small doubtful voice.

"Those kind of large scale problems you must leave to adults. A child should give preference to himself. What you should think of right now is what you should do related to Ayumi. That's all."

"........eh......?"

Smiling sweetly Ayano too stared at the dazed Ren.

"You said it, right? That Ayumi is an imitation? She's a clone, her memories are borrowed from another person, that the real Tsuwabuki Ayumi doesn't exist, right?"

"..........yes.."

"That can't be true, you big fool!!"

The moment he nodded - no, as soon as "y" was pronounced Ayano grabbed the cute, brother-like Ren by the collar, constricting him.

"Whether it's reproduction, doppelganger, multiplied by cell division, if it has an original will you have no right to look down upon her as an imitation. Deceiving yourself with superficial words, denying the time you yourself spent with Ayumi, why are you doing it?"

Ayano became excessively agitated while shouting but when she finished speaking her calm returned.

Releasing his collar, with sober eyes she overlooked the choking Ren.

"I thought I'd say that by putting the screws on you but you're a bright kid so you already figured it out, didn't you?"

"............."

There was no need to say it.

Although he was surprised when he first found out, once he calmed down and thought about it, it all amounted to ''what of it?''

Even if her body and memory have been reproduced Ayumi's personality was certainly original. It was very clear. Because everything bestowed upon her was an imitation, the girl grasped in her hands genuineness.

From the beginning to the end Ren sensed that decision closer than anybody else.

But, for this reason Ren can't help but feel ashamed.

"I didn't understand anything....."

In spite of seeing it from the closest place, he did not ''see'' anything. Loosing his head, getting caught in the moment, he said a lot of cruel things.

''Big brother will surely come to save you''

''I want to show you many other things so I'll take you anywhere.''

The groundless hopes, the promise of a tomorrow that will never come, he wondered with how much cruelty they resounded in Ayumi's ears. But even so, Ayumi showed a smile.

''That's right. That would be nice...''

The fact that she didn't reveal the truth was certainly not for her self-protection. So that Ren won't be crushed by the truth's weight, its anguish, its sorrow, she locked it in her chest.

''I was a fool!''

He wanted to protect Ayumi. He wanted to save the girl by expending all the power he possessed. And yet - he didn't notice he was the one being protected.

He, descendant from the strongest, made a girl scared of her imminent death worry about him and protect him like a baby.

''You don't understand anything, you foolish child pretending to be a knight'' - Yuuji's words hit the bull's eye and left no room for rebuttal.He didn't understand anything.

"That's why............I couldn't do anything........."

With a regretful emotion, he spoke of conclusion. So, everything ended in the worst possible way.

"Don't use the past tense arbitrarily just because you decided the conclusion."

Ayano could not forgive the fact that Ren was full of resignation. Grabbing him by the collar for a second time, she forcefully pulled his hanged head upwards.

"Do you feel like ending it this way. This helpless conclusion, do you approve of it?"

"But.....there is nothing I can do for Ayumi-chan anymo- "

"I'm sick of it!"

Very irritated Ayano harshly shook Ren's body.

"You're such a thorough good kiddie! Right now it's not about ''for the sake of Ayumi-chan'' or something like that. What about you? What do '''you''' want to do? That's what I want to hear!!"

"......eh......me?"

Faced with a question he never thought of, Ren revealed a confused voice. And yet, Ayano's words did not stop.

"That's right. If it's true you won't do anything anymore, if that's the case, I won't interfere. But if you do so, you'd better label it as ''memories of my first love'' or something and put it away in some corner of your memory. frankly, that is the most peaceful settlement. Still..."

Ayano held Ren's cheeks between her hands and brought their eyes at the same height by leaning over a little. And then, directly facing that glance mixed with bewilderment she asked earnestly.

"Still, are you OK with that? Parting in such a way, although it was the last and you will never be able to meet again, you don't regret it? There is nothing you want to tell that girl?"

"............."

''Do you want to meet her, do you not want to meet her?''

Faced with this choice, he answered without hesitation.

''I want to meet her. Even if it's just once. Meet her and then...''

''But....''

"So, what will you do?"

Ayano pressed the hesitating Ren for an answer.

"You won't be able to chase after her if it goes like this - you know, right? You don't have time. Tomorrow, Ayumi-chan will be nowhere to find. No matter what your answer, there will be none to say it to. You have no time to hesitate. Decide now. What should you be doing?"

".............."

Hanging his head down, Ren closed his eyes. And he thought about it. What he wanted to do. What he ought to do. What he must, no matter what.

Dozens of seconds afterwards, at the end of his most serious meditation, the boy slowly opened his mouth.

"About the ceremony, about the living sacrifice, the most righteous thing to do about those, I have yet to realize. However..."

Lifting his head, he looked straight at Ayano.

That gaze held no more indecision.

"However, I want to meet Ayumi-chan one more time. Meet her, apologize to her and I want to tell her - I have something I must tell her no matter what."

"OK. Let's go then."

Ayano responded to those words said with the resolution of a lifetime with a ''just out for a bit of shopping'' mood.

"...You mean, right now!?"

"That's right. It's not like you need some particular preparation, no? If you need a stop over set, we can buy it at the local supermarket."

"No......that's not the probl- "

With a snap Ayano trusted her index finger at Ren, unable to follow the development's speed.

"Didn't I say it? We have no time. The ceremony is tonight and to begin with, do you think they will let us pass by saying ``I came to meet Ayumi-chan. I have no intention to interfere with the ceremony so please let us past``?"

".........that is perhaps impossible..."

"Not ``perhaps``, it's absolutely impossible. At any rate we have no choice but to push through with brute strength so we'd netter move while we still have time."

Saying that, Ayano stood up without waiting for a reply.

"Well, go change your clothes. If Father finds us, an explanation will be difficult so we must not be exposed."

"``Difficult``, you say!? If he finds out it's confinement for us."

If they mess up, it's a deed quite capable of making Mt. Fuji erupt. It's obvious Juugo will never allow it.

"If that's the case, hurry!"

But, once Ayano got like this she couldn't be stopped. Having a thorough knowledge about that, after coming this far he finally resolved himself.

"I understand. Give me five minutes."

"I'm waiting by the rear entrance."

Exchanging a small nod, both of them hurried in different directions.

[[User:Ayame|Ayame]] ([[User talk:Ayame|talk]]) 15:36, 25 March 2013 (CDT)

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Kaze no Stigma:Volume3 Chapter 4

2013-04-28T15:48:08Z

80.240.162.190: /* Part 3 */

=== Chapter 2 Each and everyone's determination ===

===Part 1===
".....!"

"Fugyaa!?"

Kazuma, peacefully breathing in his sleep on the upper side of the tree, suddenly - avoiding Tiana's wings, who just happened to fly on top of him - jumped to his feet.

"W- what?"

On the verge of falling, reorganizing her attitude, Tiana groaned. Completely ignoring those complaints, Kazuma said:

"It came back"

".......really?"

Tiana forgot her resentment on the spot. While it may be true she felt it, it does not mean she can do something about it.

"Where, where?"

To the now rushing out fairy, Kazuma jerked his jaw, pointing to the car trying to pass through the gate. Both their glances have been rooted on the spot.

From the car stopped in front of the entrance, several men and women made their appearance. Among those people, from inside the body of one small girl at the beginning of her teens, the wave motion felt from the center of her chest was, without a doubt, belonging to the treasure stolen from the fairy village.

"Even so, that is....."

The girl emitted an awfully unnatural presence. And then, when comparing her with the girl with an identical face, five or six years her senior, Kazuma muttered in a bitter voice.

He grasped the family structure of the Tsuwabuki head house. A girl that was not supposed to exist and an older identical girl.

And then - the fairy's treasure carried inside her body. From his perspective everything was clear.

"What a vulgar copy cat...."

On the other hand, Tiana was unrelated to those strong feelings.

"Ah, I found it....."

Murmuring with a voice overcome with emotion, both hands before her chest, looking up at the Heaven with wet pupils, as if saying "Thank you, God".

"Inside that, it's inside that! Come now - Kazuma please carry out the request! Gouge that girl's heart and retrieve the bloody treasureeee!!"

Because of too much excitement, Tiana screamed the bloody speech. How to say this, it was a scene meant to break any dreams and aspiration regarding the so called fairies.

That Tiana, shouting with blood shot eyes, Kazuma lightly disregarded, as if it was a matter of course. Brushing off the leaves and bark sticking to his clothes, he lightly muttered one thing.

"Well then, should I go back to sleep?"

"Just wait a secoooooooond!"

Tiana pulled with all her might the nape of Kazuma's neck, trying to descend from the tree that was their kip. Casually grabbing the fairy's body, following about, and plucking it of, he asked tiresomely.

"What?"

"It's not ''what'', right? The treasure we searched for it's just there!? Quickly get it baaack!!"

"Tiana"

Kazuma called out the fairy with the propensity for derangement in a terribly quiet voice.

As if cold water was poured on her heated head, Tiana promptly returned to her true character.

"W- wh- what is it....?"

"If you think about it, the ceremony is tomorrow night."

"So?"

"Instead of taking it now, won't it be more amusing to take it when they will be relived and think the ceremony can quietly take place? When knocked down from the peak of rejoice to the bottom of despair, what kind of expression will they do?....ku ku ku...."

Engraved on the contractor's mouth was an inhuman, cruel and brutal smile. The man's true character, who essentially should be a saint, made Tiana feel despair countless times.

"Auuuuuuuu...."

===Part 2===

She saw a dream.

Of a distant past, of a time her chest still harbored hope, a resemblance of the once foolish self. She wanted to be appreciated. She wanted to be smiled at. It did not matter if she was number one. It did not matter if she was the second.

That's why she desperately struggled. Putting her life on the line, piling up experience, refining her power. Without considering that it was the cause of still more alienation.

"That technique is a heresy. It's not appropriate for a practitioner of the traditional Tsuwabuki."

"That thing is not Chijutsushi. Why does my child have to use such black arts?"

''Disgrace''

''Demon Child''

''Evil magician''

The cruel words thrown at the very young girl by her own father carved in her heart wounds that cannot heal.

"Someday, for sure....."

Realizing that was a wish that will never come true, when did that happen?

That was a crab.

Not something particularly scary. Its size was somewhat big - enough to bisect a bear with its kitchen-like pincers. Its legs were somewhat numerous - the fore pincers - but, if she were to use her power the opponent would have no choice but to be lightly pinched out.

Despite this - the girl she was supposed to protect, was being overpowered by such a thing and paralyzed with horror. The huge pincers swung from overhead, was being looked up at, in a daze, by that inexperienced face.

"...Mayumi!"

She promptly released her power. The pincer trying to smash Mayumi's head was broken as if crushed by a giant hand.

"Come here!"

The crab was spouting froth from anguish. She sharply ordered Mayumi, who was still looking up at it in blank amazement.

".....Y-yes!"

Finally calming down, Mayumi rushed over while her legs got twisted. She payed absolutely no attention behind her. To that defenseless back, the crab tried to give a retribution blow. While driving out the crab with a feint attack, she caught the small body leaping in her chest.

"Older sister!"

For the girl trembling in fear, she showed a perfectly forced smile.

"It's alright. Against that kind of apparition, it's impossible for you to loose."

"B-but....."

"I will stop its movement and I will give it the finishing blow. That's fine, right?"

".........."

"Make your preparation"

Turning around Mayumi's still insecure body, she was made to confront the imminent crab.

"It's alright."

Embracing from behind the younger sister stiff with fear, she tenderly whispered. Contrary to her tone, that facial expression was cold but invisible to the girl gazing at the crab.

"Look....observe it"

Kicking the ground with eight long legs the crab approached the two straightforward. And, when he was approximately ten meters away, suddenly the crab was smashed.

it was like from right overhead, an unbelievably huge palm held him down with all his strength. Smashing the collection of legs, the shell conspicuously fissured. Plucking from the root the pincers that were rose overhead, admitting defeat, it was buried into the ground with a roar.

Without moving at all she pointed at the crab in anguish and told Mayumi:

"Come now, finish it off. Make a hole through the center, pierce it from bellow. You can do it, right?"

"Y-yes" Mayumi obediently nodded.

Obeyed by the spirits of the earth, she governed their power. The spirits promptly responded to the most powerful Chijutsushi blood.

" -ya!!"

Together with the girl's cute yell, from beneath the crab a spear stone grew. That long and narrow cone shape penetrated the crab's shell and rose facing the heavens. Making a huge hole in the middle of its body, the crab wriggled, foam at it's mouth. But by construction the crab was unable to escape from the stone spear. It's resistance gradually weakened and gradually stopped.

Before their eyes, the skull of the reddish crab lost its gloss, growing dull in color. The crack spread from that gap and the muscle became visible. It faded the same way loosing its elasticity and the muscle became stiff.

It turned to stone.

That was Mayumi's real aim. The stone spear that went through was no more than the preliminary arrangement for that purpose. The ground spirits pumped into the wounds changed with great vigor the organic matter in inorganic one. Making sure the petrification reached the interior of the body, including fighting spirit, Mayumi shouted.

"Smash!!"

It was impossible to disobey it. Agreeing to the command, the ground spirits speedily dissolved the bindings. Making a thick sound the stone cram was smashed.

Because the body changed to countless stones it was no longer possible to guess its original shape.

"Very well done Mayumi-sama!"

"Merely eight years old and to be able to take down such a Youma!"

Waiting for Mayumi when she returned home was a storm of praise from the entire family. The people assembled in the saloon unanimously praised Mayumi and her alone.

There was nobody who talked to her. Without showing any reaction for the uproar of the surroundings, she was sitting diagonally behind Mayumi, mute like a puppet. In front of her ignored as if her existence was the same as air, Mayumi who was given the family seat of honor was being spoken to by the Tsuwabuki Iwao.

"You did very well, Mayumi."

"Father!"

Mayumi's smiling face lit up and jumped into her father's chest, whom she respected and loved. Iwao also embraced his daughter closely, including an overflowing love.

"You did very well, Mayumi."

While pressing her cheeks against against Iwao's chest, who repeated those words again, Mayumi said innocently:

"Yeah, I did my best. But older sister practically did it by herself. Older sister is awfully strong!"

The unreserved large voice reverberated in the saloon, and the faces of the people sitting in a row became pale. Feeling the change of atmosphere, Mayumi raised her eyes to her father in wonder.

"What's wrong?"

Iwao replied laughingly.

"It's of no concern. Mayumi is admirable, dividing her achievement with other people."

"That's wrong, really, elder sister is- "

"It's fine, I don't give a damn about that thing"

Blocking Mayumi's field of vision by hugging her close, Iwao shifter his attention to her. Cold like a different person, a glance exceeding hatred, filled with curses.

But even so, she didn't move one finger, one eyebrow or one muscle. Ignoring the glance sticking between her eyebrows, her gaze looked at nothing but in front, one meter horizontal from Iwao, fixating on the wood details of the alcove post.

The sister embraced with love and the sister glared at with hatred.

All present looked at the excessively contrastive sisters, catching their breath.

"Kureha-sama.....Kureha-sama?"

".....!"

At the voice repeating her name, taken aback, Kureha woke up. It seems she took a nap in the middle of her duties. Lightly shaking off her head, to remove the remaining sleepiness, she responded.

"Enter"

From the door opened by the maid, a group of three people got in. By priority of age, Yuuji, Mayumi and - Ayumi.

''That was unexpectedly fast''

Kureha thought so, looking at the puppet with eyes sunk in bitterness. As far as she saw of that facial expression, her first trip had not been particularly enjoyable.

''Well, it's a thing of no consequence''

"Following your instruction Ayumi has been returned home"

Being considerably pathetic, Yuuji reported stiffly. Expressly speaking of such obvious things, Yuuji may have been foolish but that doesn't mean Kureha was the same.

That was some kind of indication of his decision.

''"With this I won't allow Mayumi to become a sacrifice", or something''

It's not like her real intentions stood out. Instead, feeling that naivete pleasant, Kureha responded with a sweet smile.

"I appreciate your efforts."

"Y-yes!"

No matter how he perceived those words of appreciation Yuuji made a respectful bow, his face lit up. But before he raised his head, Kureha informed the three.

"Yuuji, you can already retire. Mayumi and Ayumi, please follow me."

"....Eh?" unintentionally Mayumi asked back.

Yuuji stiffed in a comical stance, his back bent.

".......Me too, you said?"

Seeing surprise and a small quantity of fear clung to Mayumi's question, Kureha laughed.

"That's right. Did you think you will be sightseeing the ceremony drinking tea? You too have an important part. Follow me"

"................"

Iwao being on the sickbed at the present time, Kureha was the one commanding the family. She could not advocate her objection.

Complying with Kureha, who naturally opened the door and stated walking, Mayumi and Ayumi followed behind.

Yuuji followed the three people until they left the office but clinging to them further was not permitted.

For him, unable to do anything but see them off, Mayumi looked over her shoulder just once.

That profile full of anxiety was scorched in the center of his consciousnesses together with a feeling of loss that cannot be undone.

===Part 3===

The next morning

Hiding his pathetic decision inside his heart, Yuuji knocked on the door leading to Kureha's private room. Without pause, the reply came.

"What's the matter, Yuuji?"

"........I have something to discuss."

"Enter"

The knob turned. It wasn't the work of a key. In a mental state similar to that of entering a dragon's den, Yuuji stepped inside the room.

"Good morning. You're early Yuuji."

Although saying that Kureha's appearance too was perfectly in order. Her flowing black hair was perfectly arranged and the same as usual a black suit was tightly wrapped around her.

"Will you let me know my lady's whereabouts?"

Standing before Kureha, impolitely Yuuji did not return the greeting and got to the main question. His complexion was bad. In spite of being injured to that extent yesterday it seems he didn't sleep a wink.

"Since last night, after Kureha-sama took her along, she did not returned to her room"

"You, did you stick yourself in front of Mayumi's room? You're almost like a stalker, huh?", Kureha laughed sarcastically.

However, Yuuji, without showing a glimpse of insincere smile, draw near with a severe face.

"Please answer, Kureha-sama. Depending on what happens, even if it's you..."

Kureha indifferently asked back.

"Even if it's you?"

"Ku.........."

without doing anything, just by standing there, Kureha overwhelmed Yuuji.

Even by making use of his blind devotion towards Mayumi, he could not fill the desperate power difference.

"My lady, where is she...."

Still, seeing Yuuji hang on, mustering his willpower Kureha showed a somewhat unnatural look of admiration.

"What considerable devotion. If you want to meet her that badly, I will allow you to. Come!"

Yuuji chased after Kureha, who left the room and began to walk a few meters behind. The distance he put between them, rather than him being precautious, it was more like he was afraid of getting closer.

''What kind of person is this woman?''

Even if it was for a moment, when he confronted her he felt her abnormality. That power was clearly on a different level, when compared with other practitioners. Even Iwao, the Head, for Kureha, he was not a match by far. To say it simply it was an excessively mighty power. From the time she was a child, although unique, she was recognized as a powerful practitioner but nobody expected her to rise above to such a level.

"What are you doing? You'll be left behind."

Almost like reading his heart, indulging himself in speculation, Kureha suddenly looked over her shoulder.

Bearing the shriek trying to gush out by clenching his teeth, Yuuji shortly answered.

"...........I understand"

"Hurry up. I don't want to be seen by too many people"

And with these words, her beautiful face showed her usual smile, with no trace of impatience.

Glaring annoyed at Kureha, who faced forward once again Yuuji slightly quickened his pace.

In silence, Kureha walked to the deepest part of the grounds. Yuuji never entered this place before- it was a place nobody could enter with the exception of those who earned the permission of the Head.

"This is......"

"You've never entered this place before, huh? It's because, with the exception of those belonging to the main family this is a place that doesn't open but once every thirty years"

At the words he feared, Yuuji's face became stiff.

"Kureha-sama, you, by no means, even my lady- "

Those words, spoken in a strong tone, Kureha interrupted icily.

"Yuuji, you may believe you are given permission to an opinion but I have no intention of bestowing it any further. I am letting you meet her in deference to your loyalty but I have no intention of releasing Mayumi until the ceremony is over. Remember it."

".............."

Completely forbidden from raising objections, Yuuji had no choice but to be silent.

"..........is this the place?"

Starring at the small shrine they arrived before long, Yuuji asked.

"This is the entrance. Our place of destination is inside it" answered Kureha, opening the small shrine's gate.

Inside there wasn't even a single light, and without having performed any kind of process the cave entrance lightly opened its mouth.

"Here is....."

"Correct, this is the sacred ground of Tsuwabuki. The place we must protect even at the cost of our lives. Well, shall we go forward? Your beloved lady is inside."

"I understand"

To Kureha's exaggerated words, mixed with ridicule, Yuuji replied seriously.

He continued walking while controlling his uneasiness at the endlessly continuing cave.

A pitch blackness without a ray of light. A natural cave with no reinforcements. This was a situation that would have driven claustrophobic people to madness but for a Chijutsushi it was a place full of tranquility equivalent with the inside of mother's womb.

And yet, Yuuji frantically endured the urge to start running. In what sort environment was Mayumi placed, thinking of that he is unable to suppress his anxiety.

''My lady....I will, definitely.......''

Hiding that strong decision n his heart, he is descending in the cave. And then -

".......uh!?"

A dazzling glint burned Yuuji's eyes. Into his ears, unintentionally shutting his eyes, Kureha's composed voice resounds.

"Welcome to the center of Tsuwabuki's consecrated ground."

"Wh...at?"

Holding his hands before his eyes, Yuuji slowly opened his eyelids. What was there was a huge space that did not appear to be underground, spreading out.

"This is....."

A voice full of wonder leaked out. The magical spectacle spreading before hos eyes, drew in his sight and didn't let go. The gigantic pillar soaring at the center of the large hollow spreading a hundred meters below Fuji's sea of trees, is brilliantly shining.

"Crystal?...."

The sparkling, transparent stone pillar - there is no mistake about it, it was a pillar made of high purity crystal. The diameter roughly four meters, it's height nearly twenty meters.

And then, even supposing this crystal was guiding the sunshine so deeply underground, that enormousness exhausted any kind of description.

To Yuuji, stupefied with amazement, Kureha turned an evil smile.

"Yuuji, it's fine to be so deeply moved but is it not something else you should look for?"

".......eh?"

"Please look carefully inside the pillar"

"............"

Doing as he was told, Yuuji closely observed the pillar. Enduring the radiance, he saw a dark stain somewhat lower than the center.

He supposed that was just some foreign matter that was mixed in, but that unusual shape weighted on his mind. Taking a few steps forward he starred even more.

"..................eh?"

He was terrified. That stain had the form of a human.

Dressed sparingly, the white, thin dress showing her shoulders, the girl's eyes were peacefully closed. It was unthinkable not to recognize her.

Because she was the girl he pledged to protect by sacrificing everything.

"My lady!"

On Yuuji's shoulder, who started running, an invisible power was placed.

The heavy pressure reaching one ton sealed his body's movements as if it was its loyal subject.

"Calm down!" coldly informed Kureha.

Yuuji glared at her.

"What have you done to my lady?"

That shout, so overcome with emotion it forgot even honorifics, Kureha tolerantly pardoned.

"I did say Mayumi too has her own role"

"Role...?"

"Ayumi's body cannot withstand the release of power. The emission ratio will not be enough for the final tuning. Therefore, the power Ayumi cannot sustain by herself, I made Mayumi shoulder. You could call it the unexpected side effect of a clone"

The practitioner who performs the ritual, even calling it extreme, one is enough. Or perhaps it should be said that for the delicate control required by the technique, the governing intent must only be one.

Excluding the early few times, the ceremony was practiced by almost all the family, adding multiplied force for the sake of raising the success rate but did not change the fact that the practitioner controlling the power that is the focal point is just one.

But, if it's Ayumi and Mayumi practically identical at the genetic level, it may not be impossible to align their consciousness. Particularly by making the weak-self Ayumi do the main part and leaving the trance to the egoistic Mayumi.

"Such a...."

Without listening to Kureha's explanation until the end, Yuuji dropped to his knees, heartbroken.

''I...until now, for what sake.........''

That appearance, feebly hanging his head, resembled Ren's the night before, in a cruel way.

If Yuuji could see himself through an objective point of view perhaps a cynical smile would be irrepressible.

"Relax. Because she probably won't die."

"........eh?"

But, Kureha did not permit even despair. In front of the stricken Yuuji, she suspended an ostentatious thread of salvation.

"In the end, Ayumi is the main one and Mayumi is the spare. Because she is supplementing Ayumi's insufficiency, I don't think it will be fatal - that is, as long as the seal does not break even for an instant."

Reinforcing a seal that already has shape and rebuilding from scratch a seal that burst open without leaving any trace, between the power required by the two, there is a world of difference.

If that sort of abnormal situation does not occur Mayumi will survive, it was said, but for some reason, Yuuji could not relax.

"Do you think there is a possibility it will happen?"

At Yuuji's cautious question, Kureha responded without hesitation.

"At least, there will certainly be interference."

".........the Kannagi kid will come again?"

Nothing else came to his mind but Kureha opened her eyes wide as if she was surprised and let out a small sarcastic laugh.

"Ah, do you mean Kannagi Ren? I received the report. But, I am concerned about the fairies."

"The fairies? What can those insubstantial living things do?"

Deepening her sarcastic smile toward Yuuji's bewildered face, Kureha continued.

"Did you not hear? Your head if filled with nothing but Mayumi, huh? Yesterday, a fairy and it's guardian got inside the house."

"A-ah...." Yuuji nodded vaguely.

Come to think of it, someone said that. According to Kureha's pointing out, he had no composure to think about something else, vaguely ignoring it.

"The guardian?"

"A terrifyingly strong man making use of the wind. He seemed human but - I wonder about that. He said he is the fairy's brethren too"

"Wind, is it?"

Frowning id doubt, Yuuji asked in return.

"Why, if its only the likes of Fuujutsushi should we be afraid?"

"If it's only- ?"

Stuck by Yuuji's words, Kureha giggled in a very improper way.

"You're right, if it's only Fuujutsushi. If it's just that kind of practitioner able to defeat the power of the likes of me, perhaps someone like you has no need to be afraid"

"....!!"

"So reliable"

Yuuji asked the sneering Kureha in a hoarse voice:

"Is - is that true.....? Truly, with just wind, your power - ?"

"It's the truth. What's more, I've been seen trough after the first attack. To be ahead of me to that extent, that was a first. The world is really big, huh?"

".........."

At a loss of words, Yuuji stood rock still in blank amazement.

A Fuujutsushi surpassing Kureha - if such a thing were to appear, for him it's impossible to oppose no matter how he were to struggle.

"B-but........if he obstructs the ceremony, Mt. Fuji will definitely erupt. Will he go that far?"

"I don't know about the Kannagi's side but the fairies have no reason to hesitate. Because the eruption is nothing more than a natural phenomenon they have no intention of resisting it."

Talking about such a hopeless story with a gossip-like tone, Kureha looked at Yuuji's face, dyed in despair.

"So, we can't talk about it, but... how about you? Don't you desire power?"

".....eh?"

"Power. A mighty power. To drive away all enemies, to protect your precious one, overflowing power. If I were to say I can grant you that power - you, what will you do?"

"............."

Yuuji looked hard at Kureha with a bottomless shiver. As a practitioner, Yuuji recognized the fact that she was in a by far superior rank - No, he was supposed to know that.

But it was different. This, it was not that kind of thing.

''This woman - is she really human?''

''Feeding on his hope, something that tempts humans to their ruin. The existence passed down on tradition on every culture around the world, right now, is sneering before his eyes. The spoils it aims at are waiting the time of the fall''

Even so -

''Do I mind?''

As far as Yuuji is concerned, he had no other option. No, his choice was already made.

If the compensation of power is required, he would give anything, no matter what it is.

His life, his soul, he had no choice but to consider them second or less.

That's why his answer had beed decided.

"No matter what will happen, I don't care. Please give me power."

Receiving the answer she was eagerly waiting, Kureha smiled ominously. He had the feeling that for one second, those lips tore until ears.

===Part 4===

"Father, do you know where Ren went? He's not in his room."

"I happened to see him sitting on the porch just before noon."

Ayano turned an uterly amazed glance at Juugo, who answered matter of course.

"........Father, it is already evening."

"Go and see for yourself. A certain someone who does not want to move at all is supposed to be there."

"............."

Scowling, Ayano cast her eyes down. Her strongly gripped fist was trembling.

"If you tell me he has no outhet for his anger, I'll get angry. Knocking down those Tsuwabuki guys and settle this is so simple and yet...."

"....True"

Evening

Ren, dicovered with the help of Kirika's side, the Special Data Arrangement, although he had no visible wounds, his heart received near fatal damage.

Remaining silent without responding to any questions, secluded inside his shell, Ren was brought home after midnight.

As a result of being left to rest without having to listen to anything, at dawn he recovered enough to take a miminun of communication.

As if he would been asked Ren told it all, without faltering. His own feeling - the fleeting emotion harbored for that girl, the despair when he found the truth - without hiding anything.

In front of the stricken boy nobody could do anything.

Their feelings were summarized in Ayano's words from a while ago. That is - "There is no outlet for his anger"

The act of the Tsuwabuki Household was by no means incorrect. Caring about morals has no meaning. In their line of business that goes beyond the life or death of one person, they are naturally operating for the sake of justice. There was no other way.

There is no choice but to pray to God that time will heal his emotional scars.

"So, what did you plan to do after searching for Ren?"

"What, you ask - I can't leave him alone like that, can I?"

Ren right now was similar to a living corpse.

If he was talked to, he'd give a minimal reply.

If food was given to him, he would eat it.

However, without urgings from other people, left by himself he would not move, not even a finger. Sitting sprawled out, that figure with blank eyes was exactly like a puppet whose strings have been cut.

Sober, Juugo shifted his attention to Ayano, wanting to comfort Ren.

"Can you do something?"

"I don't know if I can"

There was clearly no hesitation in Ayano's response.

"But even so, I can't leave him alone. That kind of helpless situation, I won't admit it. I definitely won't let it end this way."

Making this declaration in a rough tone, Ayano left Juugo's room.

''Wow, it really was true...''

Voiceless, Ayano murmured to herself. Ren was in the place Juugo said he would be. Sitting on the verande, he was leaning on the left side pillar. Perhaps that attitude never changed since before noon.

Approaching directly, Ayano sat dawn next to him. Ren's eyes moved slightly, perceiving her figure.

"............older sister.."

A feeble murmur escaped. The question ''why are you here'' did not resound, just calling the name of the person that entered his field of vision, that sort of dull and uninteresting matter.

Ayano did not venture to make eye contact, placing her glance on the garden in front.

Ren too, immediately lost his interest towards Ayano, restoring his glance on his feet.

Without change, for several minutes, time flew quietly.

"If it's me....."

Almost like the sound of blowing wind sliding through gaps, Ayano simply spun her words. For a second time, moving hie eyeballs, Ren looked at Ayano, but she continued facing forward.

"Because I am the person that will someday succeed as the head of the Kannagi Family, I understand those Tsuwabuki's point. At the very least I will never say something like ''it doesn't matter if Mt. Fuji erupts, go and save that Ayumi girl!''"

"............."

"But even so, that's not what you should be thinking of now, is it?"

"...........ee?"

Because that was very unexpected, Ren raised a small doubtful voice.

"Those kind of large scale problems you must leave to adults. A child should give preference to himself. What you should think of right now is what you should do related to Ayumi. That's all."

"........eh......?"

Smiling sweetly Ayano too stared at the dazed Ren.

"You said it, right? That Ayumi is an imitation? She's a clone, her memories are borrowed from another person, that the real Tsuwabuki Ayumi doesn't exist, right?"

"..........yes.."

"That can't be true, you big fool!!"

The moment he nodded - no, as soon as "y" was pronounced Ayano grabbed the cute, brother-like Ren by the collar, constricting him.

"Whether it's reproduction, doppelganger, multiplied by cell division, if it has an original will you have no right to look down upon her as an imitation. Deceiving yourself with superficial words, denying the time you yourself spent with Ayumi, why are you doing it?"

Ayano became excessively agitated while shouting but when she finished speaking her calm returned.

Releasing his collar, with sober eyes she overlooked the choking Ren.

"I thought I'd say that by putting the screws on you but you're a bright kid so you already figured it out, didn't you?"

"............."

There was no need to say it.

Although he was surprised when he first found out, once he calmed down and thought about it, it all amounted to ''what of it?''

Even if her body and memory have been reproduced Ayumi's personality was certainly original. It was very clear. Because everything bestowed upon her was an imitation, the girl grasped in her hands genuineness.

From the beginning to the end Ren sensed that decision closer than anybody else.

But, for this reason Ren can't help but feel ashamed.

"I didn't understand anything....."

In spite of seeing it from the closest place, he did not ''see'' anything. Loosing his head, getting caught in the moment, he said a lot of cruel things.

''Big brother will surely come to save you''

''I want to show you many other things so I'll take you anywhere.''

The groundless hopes, the promise of a tomorrow that will never come, he wondered with how much cruelty they resounded in Ayumi's ears. But even so, Ayumi showed a smile.

''That's right. That would be nice...''

The fact that she didn't reveal the truth was certainly not for her self-protection. So that Ren won't be crushed by the truth's weight, its anguish, its sorrow, she locked it in her chest.

''I was a fool!''

He wanted to protect Ayumi. He wanted to save the girl by expending all the power he possessed. And yet - he didn't notice he was the one being protected.

He, descendant from the strongest, made a girl scared of her imminent death worry about him and protect him like a baby.

''You don't understand anything, you foolish child pretending to be a knight'' - Yuuji's words hit the bull's eye and left no room for rebuttal.He didn't understand anything.

"That's why............I couldn't do anything........."

With a regretful emotion, he spoke of conclusion. So, everything ended in the worst possible way.

"Don't use the past tense arbitrarily just because you decided the conclusion."

Ayano could not forgive the fact that Ren was full of resignation. Grabbing him by the collar for a second time, she forcefully pulled his hanged head upwards.

"Do you feel like ending it this way. This helpless conclusion, do you approve of it?"

"But.....there is nothing I can do for Ayumi-chan anymo- "

"I'm sick of it!"

Very irritated Ayano harshly shook Ren's body.

"You're such a thorough good kiddie! Right now it's not about ''for the sake of Ayumi-chan'' or something like that. What about you? What do '''you''' want to do? That's what I want to hear!!"

"......eh......me?"

Faced with a question he never thought of, Ren revealed a confused voice. And yet, Ayano's words did not stop.

"That's right. If it's true you won't do anything anymore, if that's the case, I won't interfere. But if you do so, you'd better label it as ''memories of my first love'' or something and put it away in some corner of your memory. frankly, that is the most peaceful settlement. Still..."

Ayano held Ren's cheeks between her hands and brought their eyes at the same height by leaning over a little. And then, directly facing that glance mixed with bewilderment she asked earnestly.

"Still, are you OK with that? Parting in such a way, although it was the last and you will never be able to meet again, you don't regret it? There is nothing you want to tell that girl?"

"............."

''Do you want to meet her, do you not want to meet her?''

Faced with this choice, he answered without hesitation.

''I want to meet her. Even if it's just once. Meet her and then...''

''But....''

"So, what will you do?"

Ayano pressed the hesitating Ren for an answer.

"You won't be able to chase after her if it goes like this - you know, right? You don't have time. Tomorrow, Ayumi-chan will be nowhere to find. No matter what your answer, there will be none to say it to. You have no time to hesitate. Decide now. What should you be doing?"

".............."

Hanging his head down, Ren closed his eyes. And he thought about it. What he wanted to do. What he ought to do. What he must, no matter what.

Dozens of seconds afterwards, at the end of his most serious meditation, the boy slowly opened his mouth.

"About the ceremony, about the living sacrifice, the most righteous thing to do about those, I have yet to realize. However..."

Lifting his head, he looked straight at Ayano.

That gaze held no more indecision.

"However, I want to meet Ayumi-chan one more time. Meet her, apologize to her and I want to tell her - I have something I must tell her no matter what."

"OK. Let's go then."

Ayano responded to those words said with the resolution of a lifetime with a ''just out for a bit of shopping'' mood.

"...You mean, right now!?"

"That's right. It's not like you need some particular preparation, no? If you need a stop over set, we can buy it at the local supermarket."

"No......that's not the probl- "

With a snap Ayano trusted her index finger at Ren, unable to follow the development's speed.

"Didn't I say it? We have no time. The ceremony is tonight and to begin with, do you think they will let us pass by saying ``I came to meet Ayumi-chan. I have no intention to interfere with the ceremony so please let us past``?"

".........that is perhaps impossible..."

"Not ``perhaps``, it's absolutely impossible. At any rate we have no choice but to push through with brute strength so we'd netter move while we still have time."

Saying that, Ayano stood up without waiting for a reply.

"Well, go change your clothes. If Father finds us, an explanation will be difficult so we must not be exposed."

"``Difficult``, you say!? If he finds out it's confinement for us."

If they mess up, it's a deed quite capable of making Mt. Fuji erupt. It's obvious Juugo will never allow it.

"If that's the case, hurry!"

But, once Ayano got like this she couldn't be stopped. Having a thorough knowledge about that, after coming this far he finally resolved himself.

"I understand. Give me five minutes."

"I'm waiting by the rear entrance."

Exchanging a small nod, both of them hurried in different directions.

[[User:Ayame|Ayame]] ([[User talk:Ayame|talk]]) 15:36, 25 March 2013 (CDT)

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Kaze no Stigma:Volume3 Chapter 4

2013-04-28T15:41:29Z

80.240.162.190: /* Part 3 */

=== Chapter 2 Each and everyone's determination ===

===Part 1===
".....!"

"Fugyaa!?"

Kazuma, peacefully breathing in his sleep on the upper side of the tree, suddenly - avoiding Tiana's wings, who just happened to fly on top of him - jumped to his feet.

"W- what?"

On the verge of falling, reorganizing her attitude, Tiana groaned. Completely ignoring those complaints, Kazuma said:

"It came back"

".......really?"

Tiana forgot her resentment on the spot. While it may be true she felt it, it does not mean she can do something about it.

"Where, where?"

To the now rushing out fairy, Kazuma jerked his jaw, pointing to the car trying to pass through the gate. Both their glances have been rooted on the spot.

From the car stopped in front of the entrance, several men and women made their appearance. Among those people, from inside the body of one small girl at the beginning of her teens, the wave motion felt from the center of her chest was, without a doubt, belonging to the treasure stolen from the fairy village.

"Even so, that is....."

The girl emitted an awfully unnatural presence. And then, when comparing her with the girl with an identical face, five or six years her senior, Kazuma muttered in a bitter voice.

He grasped the family structure of the Tsuwabuki head house. A girl that was not supposed to exist and an older identical girl.

And then - the fairy's treasure carried inside her body. From his perspective everything was clear.

"What a vulgar copy cat...."

On the other hand, Tiana was unrelated to those strong feelings.

"Ah, I found it....."

Murmuring with a voice overcome with emotion, both hands before her chest, looking up at the Heaven with wet pupils, as if saying "Thank you, God".

"Inside that, it's inside that! Come now - Kazuma please carry out the request! Gouge that girl's heart and retrieve the bloody treasureeee!!"

Because of too much excitement, Tiana screamed the bloody speech. How to say this, it was a scene meant to break any dreams and aspiration regarding the so called fairies.

That Tiana, shouting with blood shot eyes, Kazuma lightly disregarded, as if it was a matter of course. Brushing off the leaves and bark sticking to his clothes, he lightly muttered one thing.

"Well then, should I go back to sleep?"

"Just wait a secoooooooond!"

Tiana pulled with all her might the nape of Kazuma's neck, trying to descend from the tree that was their kip. Casually grabbing the fairy's body, following about, and plucking it of, he asked tiresomely.

"What?"

"It's not ''what'', right? The treasure we searched for it's just there!? Quickly get it baaack!!"

"Tiana"

Kazuma called out the fairy with the propensity for derangement in a terribly quiet voice.

As if cold water was poured on her heated head, Tiana promptly returned to her true character.

"W- wh- what is it....?"

"If you think about it, the ceremony is tomorrow night."

"So?"

"Instead of taking it now, won't it be more amusing to take it when they will be relived and think the ceremony can quietly take place? When knocked down from the peak of rejoice to the bottom of despair, what kind of expression will they do?....ku ku ku...."

Engraved on the contractor's mouth was an inhuman, cruel and brutal smile. The man's true character, who essentially should be a saint, made Tiana feel despair countless times.

"Auuuuuuuu...."

===Part 2===

She saw a dream.

Of a distant past, of a time her chest still harbored hope, a resemblance of the once foolish self. She wanted to be appreciated. She wanted to be smiled at. It did not matter if she was number one. It did not matter if she was the second.

That's why she desperately struggled. Putting her life on the line, piling up experience, refining her power. Without considering that it was the cause of still more alienation.

"That technique is a heresy. It's not appropriate for a practitioner of the traditional Tsuwabuki."

"That thing is not Chijutsushi. Why does my child have to use such black arts?"

''Disgrace''

''Demon Child''

''Evil magician''

The cruel words thrown at the very young girl by her own father carved in her heart wounds that cannot heal.

"Someday, for sure....."

Realizing that was a wish that will never come true, when did that happen?

That was a crab.

Not something particularly scary. Its size was somewhat big - enough to bisect a bear with its kitchen-like pincers. Its legs were somewhat numerous - the fore pincers - but, if she were to use her power the opponent would have no choice but to be lightly pinched out.

Despite this - the girl she was supposed to protect, was being overpowered by such a thing and paralyzed with horror. The huge pincers swung from overhead, was being looked up at, in a daze, by that inexperienced face.

"...Mayumi!"

She promptly released her power. The pincer trying to smash Mayumi's head was broken as if crushed by a giant hand.

"Come here!"

The crab was spouting froth from anguish. She sharply ordered Mayumi, who was still looking up at it in blank amazement.

".....Y-yes!"

Finally calming down, Mayumi rushed over while her legs got twisted. She payed absolutely no attention behind her. To that defenseless back, the crab tried to give a retribution blow. While driving out the crab with a feint attack, she caught the small body leaping in her chest.

"Older sister!"

For the girl trembling in fear, she showed a perfectly forced smile.

"It's alright. Against that kind of apparition, it's impossible for you to loose."

"B-but....."

"I will stop its movement and I will give it the finishing blow. That's fine, right?"

".........."

"Make your preparation"

Turning around Mayumi's still insecure body, she was made to confront the imminent crab.

"It's alright."

Embracing from behind the younger sister stiff with fear, she tenderly whispered. Contrary to her tone, that facial expression was cold but invisible to the girl gazing at the crab.

"Look....observe it"

Kicking the ground with eight long legs the crab approached the two straightforward. And, when he was approximately ten meters away, suddenly the crab was smashed.

it was like from right overhead, an unbelievably huge palm held him down with all his strength. Smashing the collection of legs, the shell conspicuously fissured. Plucking from the root the pincers that were rose overhead, admitting defeat, it was buried into the ground with a roar.

Without moving at all she pointed at the crab in anguish and told Mayumi:

"Come now, finish it off. Make a hole through the center, pierce it from bellow. You can do it, right?"

"Y-yes" Mayumi obediently nodded.

Obeyed by the spirits of the earth, she governed their power. The spirits promptly responded to the most powerful Chijutsushi blood.

" -ya!!"

Together with the girl's cute yell, from beneath the crab a spear stone grew. That long and narrow cone shape penetrated the crab's shell and rose facing the heavens. Making a huge hole in the middle of its body, the crab wriggled, foam at it's mouth. But by construction the crab was unable to escape from the stone spear. It's resistance gradually weakened and gradually stopped.

Before their eyes, the skull of the reddish crab lost its gloss, growing dull in color. The crack spread from that gap and the muscle became visible. It faded the same way loosing its elasticity and the muscle became stiff.

It turned to stone.

That was Mayumi's real aim. The stone spear that went through was no more than the preliminary arrangement for that purpose. The ground spirits pumped into the wounds changed with great vigor the organic matter in inorganic one. Making sure the petrification reached the interior of the body, including fighting spirit, Mayumi shouted.

"Smash!!"

It was impossible to disobey it. Agreeing to the command, the ground spirits speedily dissolved the bindings. Making a thick sound the stone cram was smashed.

Because the body changed to countless stones it was no longer possible to guess its original shape.

"Very well done Mayumi-sama!"

"Merely eight years old and to be able to take down such a Youma!"

Waiting for Mayumi when she returned home was a storm of praise from the entire family. The people assembled in the saloon unanimously praised Mayumi and her alone.

There was nobody who talked to her. Without showing any reaction for the uproar of the surroundings, she was sitting diagonally behind Mayumi, mute like a puppet. In front of her ignored as if her existence was the same as air, Mayumi who was given the family seat of honor was being spoken to by the Tsuwabuki Iwao.

"You did very well, Mayumi."

"Father!"

Mayumi's smiling face lit up and jumped into her father's chest, whom she respected and loved. Iwao also embraced his daughter closely, including an overflowing love.

"You did very well, Mayumi."

While pressing her cheeks against against Iwao's chest, who repeated those words again, Mayumi said innocently:

"Yeah, I did my best. But older sister practically did it by herself. Older sister is awfully strong!"

The unreserved large voice reverberated in the saloon, and the faces of the people sitting in a row became pale. Feeling the change of atmosphere, Mayumi raised her eyes to her father in wonder.

"What's wrong?"

Iwao replied laughingly.

"It's of no concern. Mayumi is admirable, dividing her achievement with other people."

"That's wrong, really, elder sister is- "

"It's fine, I don't give a damn about that thing"

Blocking Mayumi's field of vision by hugging her close, Iwao shifter his attention to her. Cold like a different person, a glance exceeding hatred, filled with curses.

But even so, she didn't move one finger, one eyebrow or one muscle. Ignoring the glance sticking between her eyebrows, her gaze looked at nothing but in front, one meter horizontal from Iwao, fixating on the wood details of the alcove post.

The sister embraced with love and the sister glared at with hatred.

All present looked at the excessively contrastive sisters, catching their breath.

"Kureha-sama.....Kureha-sama?"

".....!"

At the voice repeating her name, taken aback, Kureha woke up. It seems she took a nap in the middle of her duties. Lightly shaking off her head, to remove the remaining sleepiness, she responded.

"Enter"

From the door opened by the maid, a group of three people got in. By priority of age, Yuuji, Mayumi and - Ayumi.

''That was unexpectedly fast''

Kureha thought so, looking at the puppet with eyes sunk in bitterness. As far as she saw of that facial expression, her first trip had not been particularly enjoyable.

''Well, it's a thing of no consequence''

"Following your instruction Ayumi has been returned home"

Being considerably pathetic, Yuuji reported stiffly. Expressly speaking of such obvious things, Yuuji may have been foolish but that doesn't mean Kureha was the same.

That was some kind of indication of his decision.

''"With this I won't allow Mayumi to become a sacrifice", or something''

It's not like her real intentions stood out. Instead, feeling that naivete pleasant, Kureha responded with a sweet smile.

"I appreciate your efforts."

"Y-yes!"

No matter how he perceived those words of appreciation Yuuji made a respectful bow, his face lit up. But before he raised his head, Kureha informed the three.

"Yuuji, you can already retire. Mayumi and Ayumi, please follow me."

"....Eh?" unintentionally Mayumi asked back.

Yuuji stiffed in a comical stance, his back bent.

".......Me too, you said?"

Seeing surprise and a small quantity of fear clung to Mayumi's question, Kureha laughed.

"That's right. Did you think you will be sightseeing the ceremony drinking tea? You too have an important part. Follow me"

"................"

Iwao being on the sickbed at the present time, Kureha was the one commanding the family. She could not advocate her objection.

Complying with Kureha, who naturally opened the door and stated walking, Mayumi and Ayumi followed behind.

Yuuji followed the three people until they left the office but clinging to them further was not permitted.

For him, unable to do anything but see them off, Mayumi looked over her shoulder just once.

That profile full of anxiety was scorched in the center of his consciousnesses together with a feeling of loss that cannot be undone.

===Part 3===

The next morning

Hiding his pathetic decision inside his heart, Yuuji knocked on the door leading to Kureha's private room. Without pause, the reply came.

"What's the matter, Yuuji?"

"........I have something to discuss."

"Enter"

The knob turned. It wasn't the work of a key. In a mental state similar to that of entering a dragon's den, Yuuji stepped inside the room.

"Good morning. You're early Yuuji."

Although saying that Kureha's appearance too was perfectly in order. Her flowing black hair was perfectly arranged and the same as usual a black suit was tightly wrapped around her.

"Will you let me know my lady's whereabouts?"

Standing before Kureha, impolitely Yuuji did not return the greeting and got to the main question. His complexion was bad. In spite of being injured to that extent yesterday it seems he didn't sleep a wink.

"Since last night, after Kureha-sama took her along, she did not returned to her room"

"You, did you stick yourself in front of Mayumi's room? You're almost like a stalker, huh?", Kureha laughed sarcastically.

However, Yuuji, without showing a glimpse of insincere smile, draw near with a severe face.

"Please answer, Kureha-sama. Depending on what happens, even if it's you..."

Kureha indifferently asked back.

"Even if it's you?"

"ku.........."

without doing anything, just by standing there, Kureha overwhelmed Yuuji.

Even by making use of his blind devotion towards Mayumi, he could not fill the desperate power difference.

"My lady, where is she...."

Still, seeing Yuuji hang on, mustering his willpower Kureha showed a somewhat unnatural look of admiration.

"What considerable devotion. If you want to meet her that badly, I will allow you to. Come!"

Yuuji chased after Kureha, who left the room and began to walk a few meters behind. The distance he put between them, rather than him being precautious, it was more like he was afraid of getting closer.

''What kind of person is this woman?''

Even if it was for a moment, when he confronted her he felt her abnormality. That power was clearly on a different level, when compared with other practitioners. Even Iwao, the Head, for Kureha, he was not a match by far. To say it simply it was an excessively mighty power. From the time she was a child, although unique, she was recognized as a powerful practitioner but nobody expected her to rise above to such a level.

"What are you doing? You'll be left behind."

Almost like reading his heart, indulging himself in speculation, Kureha suddenly looked over her shoulder.

Bearing the shriek trying to gush out by clenching his teeth, Yuuji shortly answered.

"...........I understand"

"Hurry up. I don't want to be seen by too many people"

And with these words, her beautiful face showed her usual smile, with no trace of impatience.

Glaring annoyed at Kureha, who faced forward once again Yujji slightly quickened his pace.

In silence, Kureha walked to the deepest part of the grounds. Yuuji never entered this place before- it was a place nobody could enter with the exception of those who earned the permission of the Head.

"This is......"

"You've never entered this place before, huh? It's because, with the exception of those belonging to the main family this is a place that doesn't open but once every thirty years"

At the words he feared, Yuuji's face became stiff.

"Kureha-sama, you, by no means, even my lady- "

Those words, spoken in a strong tone, Kureh interrupted icily.

"Yuuji, you may believe you are given permission to an opinion but I have no intention of bestowing it any further. I am letting you meet her in deference to your loyalty but I have no intention of releasing Mayumi until the ceremony is over. Remember it."

".............."

Completely forbidden from raising objections, Yuuji had no choice but to be silent.

"..........is this the place?"

Starring at the small shrine they arrived before long, Yuuji asked.

"This is the entrance. Our place of destination is inside it" answered Kureha, opening the small shrine's gate.

Inside there wasn't even a single light, and without having performed any kind of process the cave entrance lightly opened its mouth.

"Here is....."

"Correct, this is the sacred ground of Tsuwabuki. The place we must protect even at the cost of our lives. Well, shall we go forward? Your beloved lady is inside."

"I understand"

To Kureha's exaggerated words, mixed with ridicule, Yuuji replied seriously.

He continued walking while controlling his uneasiness at the endlessly continuing cave.

A pitch blackness without a ray of light. A natural cave with no reinforcements. This was a situation that would have driven claustrophobic people to madness but for a Chijutsushi it was a place full of tranquility equivalent with the inside of mother's womb.

And yet, Yuuji frantically endured the urge to start running. In what sort environment was Mayumi placed, thinking of that he is unable to suppress his anxiety.

''My lady....I will, definitely.......''

Hiding that strong decision n his heart, he is descending in the cave. And then -

".......uh!?"

A dazzling glint burned Yuuji's eyes. Into his ears, unintentionally shutting his eyes, Kureha's composed voice resounds.

"Welcome to the center of Tsuwabuki's consecrated ground."

"Wh...at?"

Holding his hands before his eyes, Yuuji slowly opened his eyelids. What was there was a huge space that did not appear to be underground, spreading out.

"This is....."

A voice full of wonder leaked out. The magical spectacle spreading before hos eyes, drew in his sight and didn't let go. The gigantic pillar soaring at the center of the large hollow spreading a hundred meters below Fuji's sea of trees, is brilliantly shining.

"Chrystal?...."

The sparkling, transparent stone pillar - there is no mistake about it, it was a pillar made of high purity cristal. The diameter roughly four meters, it's height nearly twenty meters.

And then, even supposing this crystal was guiding the sunshine so deeply underground, that enormousness exhausted any kind of description.

To Yuuji, stupefied with amazement, Kureha turned an evil smile.

"Yuuji, it's fine to be so deeply moved but is it not something else you should look for?"

".......eh?"

"Please look carefully inside the pillar"

"............"

Doing as he was told, Yuuji closely observed the pillar. Enduring the radiance, he saw a dark stain somewhat lower than the center.

He supposed that was just some foreign matter that was mixed in, but that unusual shape weighted on his mind. Taking a few steps forward he starred even more.

"..................eh?"

He was terrified. That stain had the form of a human.

Dressed sparingly, the white, thin dress showing her shoulders, the girl's eyes were peacefully closed. It was unthinkable not to recognize her.

Because she was the girl he pledged to protect by sacrificing everything.

"My lady!"

On Yuuji's shoulder, who started running, an invisible power was placed.

The heavy pressure reaching one ton sealed his body's movements as if it was its loyal subject.

"Calm down!" coldly informed Kureha.

Yuuji glared at her.

"What have you done to my lady?"

That shout, so overcome with emotion it forgot even honorifics, Kureha tolerantly pardoned.

"I did say Mayumi too has her own role"

"Role...?"

"Ayumi's body cannot withstand the release of power. The emission ratio will not be enough for the final tuning. Therefore, the power Ayumi cannot sustain by herself, I made Mayumi shoulder. You could call it the unexpected side effect of a clone"

The practitioner who performs the ritual, even calling it extreme, one is enough. Or perhaps it should be said that for the delicate control required by the technique, the governing intent must only be one.

Excluding the early few times, the ceremony was practiced by almost all the family, adding multiplied force for the sake of raising the success rate but did not change the fact that the practitioner controlling the power that is the focal point is just one.

But, if it's Ayumi and Mayumi practically identical at the genetic level, it may not be impossible to align their consciousness. Particularly by making the weak-self Ayumi do the main part and leaving the trance to the egoistic Mayumi.

"Such a...."

Without listening to Kureha's explanation until the end, Yuuji dropped to his knees, heartbroken.

''I...until now, for what sake.........''

That appearance, feebly hanging his head, resembled Ren's the night before, in a cruel way.

If Yuuji could see himself through an objective point of view perhaps a cynical smile would be irrepressible.

"Relax. Because she probably won't die."

"........eh?"

But, Kureha did not permit even despair. In front of the stricken Yuuji, she suspended an ostentatious thread of salvation.

"In the end, Ayumi is the main one and Mayumi is the spare. Because she is supplementing Ayumi's insufficiency, I don't think it will be fatal - that is, as long as the seal does not break even for an instant."

Reinforcing a seal that already has shape and rebuilding from scratch a seal that burst open without leaving any trace, between the power required by the two, there is a world of difference.

If that sort of abnormal situation does not occur Mayumi will survive, it was said, but for some reason, Yuuji could not relax.

"Do you think there is a possibility it will happen?"

At Yuuji's cautious question, Kureha responded without hesitation.

"At least, there will certainly be interference."

".........the Kannagi kid will come again?"

Nothing else came to his mind but Kureha opened her eyes wide as if she was surprised and let out a small sarcastic laugh.

"Ah, do you mean Kannagi Ren? I received the report. But, I am concerned about the fairies."

"The fairies? What can those insubstantial living things do?"

Deepening her sarcastic smile toward Yuuji's bewildered face, Kureha continued.

"Did you not hear? Your head if filled with nothing but Mayumi, huh? Yesterday, a fairy and it's guardian got inside the house."

"A-ah...." Yuuji nodded vaguely.

Come to think of it, someone said that. According to Kureha's pointing out, he had no composure to think about something else, vaguely ignoring it.

"The guardian?"

"A terrifyingly strong man making use of the wind. He seemed human but - I wonder about that. He said he is the fairy's brethren too"

"Wind, is it?"

Frowning id doubt, Yuuji asked in return.

"Why, if its only the likes of Fuujutsushi should we be afraid?"

"If it's only- ?"

Stuck by Yuuji's words, Kureha giggled in a very improper way.

"You're right, if it's only Fuujutsushi. If it's just that kind of practitioner able to defeat the power of the likes of me, perhaps someone like you has no need to be afraid"

"....!!"

"So reliable"

Yuuji asked the sneering Kureha in a hoarse voice:

"Is - is that true.....? Truly, with just wind, your power - ?"

"It's the truth. What's more, I've been seen trough after the first attack. To be ahead of me to that extent, that was a first. The world is really big, huh?"

".........."

At a loss of words, Yuuji stood rock still in blank amazement.

A Fuujutsushi surpassing Kureha - if such a thing were to appear, for him it's impossible to oppose no matter how he were to struggle.

"B-but........if he obstructs the ceremony, Mt. Fuji will definitely erupt. Will he go that far?"

"I don't know about the Kannagi's side but the fairies have no reason to hesitate. Because the eruption is nothing more than a natural phenomenon they have no intention of resisting it."

Talking about such a hopeless story with a gossip-like tone, Kureha looked at Yuuji's face, dyed in despair.

"So, we can't talk about it, but... how about you? Don't you desire power?"

".....eh?"

"Power. A mighty power. To drive away all enemies, to protect your precious one, overflowing power. If I were to say I can grant you that power - you, what will you do?"

"............."

Yuuji looked hard at Kureha with a bottomless shiver. As a practitioner, Yuuji recognized the fact that she was in a by far superior rank - No, he was supposed to know that.

But it was different. This, it was not that kind of thing.

''This woman - is she really human?''

''Feeding on his hope, something that tempts humans to their ruin. The existence passed down on tradition on every culture around the world, right now, is sneering before his eyes. The spoils it aims at are waiting the time of the fall''

Even so -

''Do I mind?''

As far as Yuuji is concerned, he had no other option. No, his choice was already made.

If the compensation of power is required, he would give anything, no matter what it is.

His life, his soul, he had no choice but to consider them second or less.

That's why his answer had beed decided.

"No matter what will happen, I don't care. Please give me power."

Receiving the answer she was eagerly waiting, Kureha smiled ominously. He had the feeling that for one second, those lips tore until ears.

===Part 4===

"Father, do you know where Ren went? He's not in his room."

"I happened to see him sitting on the porch just before noon."

Ayano turned an uterly amazed glance at Juugo, who answered matter of course.

"........Father, it is already evening."

"Go and see for yourself. A certain someone who does not want to move at all is supposed to be there."

"............."

Scowling, Ayano cast her eyes down. Her strongly gripped fist was trembling.

"If you tell me he has no outhet for his anger, I'll get angry. Knocking down those Tsuwabuki guys and settle this is so simple and yet...."

"....True"

Evening

Ren, dicovered with the help of Kirika's side, the Special Data Arrangement, although he had no visible wounds, his heart received near fatal damage.

Remaining silent without responding to any questions, secluded inside his shell, Ren was brought home after midnight.

As a result of being left to rest without having to listen to anything, at dawn he recovered enough to take a miminun of communication.

As if he would been asked Ren told it all, without faltering. His own feeling - the fleeting emotion harbored for that girl, the despair when he found the truth - without hiding anything.

In front of the stricken boy nobody could do anything.

Their feelings were summarized in Ayano's words from a while ago. That is - "There is no outlet for his anger"

The act of the Tsuwabuki Household was by no means incorrect. Caring about morals has no meaning. In their line of business that goes beyond the life or death of one person, they are naturally operating for the sake of justice. There was no other way.

There is no choice but to pray to God that time will heal his emotional scars.

"So, what did you plan to do after searching for Ren?"

"What, you ask - I can't leave him alone like that, can I?"

Ren right now was similar to a living corpse.

If he was talked to, he'd give a minimal reply.

If food was given to him, he would eat it.

However, without urgings from other people, left by himself he would not move, not even a finger. Sitting sprawled out, that figure with blank eyes was exactly like a puppet whose strings have been cut.

Sober, Juugo shifted his attention to Ayano, wanting to comfort Ren.

"Can you do something?"

"I don't know if I can"

There was clearly no hesitation in Ayano's response.

"But even so, I can't leave him alone. That kind of helpless situation, I won't admit it. I definitely won't let it end this way."

Making this declaration in a rough tone, Ayano left Juugo's room.

''Wow, it really was true...''

Voiceless, Ayano murmured to herself. Ren was in the place Juugo said he would be. Sitting on the verande, he was leaning on the left side pillar. Perhaps that attitude never changed since before noon.

Approaching directly, Ayano sat dawn next to him. Ren's eyes moved slightly, perceiving her figure.

"............older sister.."

A feeble murmur escaped. The question ''why are you here'' did not resound, just calling the name of the person that entered his field of vision, that sort of dull and uninteresting matter.

Ayano did not venture to make eye contact, placing her glance on the garden in front.

Ren too, immediately lost his interest towards Ayano, restoring his glance on his feet.

Without change, for several minutes, time flew quietly.

"If it's me....."

Almost like the sound of blowing wind sliding through gaps, Ayano simply spun her words. For a second time, moving hie eyeballs, Ren looked at Ayano, but she continued facing forward.

"Because I am the person that will someday succeed as the head of the Kannagi Family, I understand those Tsuwabuki's point. At the very least I will never say something like ''it doesn't matter if Mt. Fuji erupts, go and save that Ayumi girl!''"

"............."

"But even so, that's not what you should be thinking of now, is it?"

"...........ee?"

Because that was very unexpected, Ren raised a small doubtful voice.

"Those kind of large scale problems you must leave to adults. A child should give preference to himself. What you should think of right now is what you should do related to Ayumi. That's all."

"........eh......?"

Smiling sweetly Ayano too stared at the dazed Ren.

"You said it, right? That Ayumi is an imitation? She's a clone, her memories are borrowed from another person, that the real Tsuwabuki Ayumi doesn't exist, right?"

"..........yes.."

"That can't be true, you big fool!!"

The moment he nodded - no, as soon as "y" was pronounced Ayano grabbed the cute, brother-like Ren by the collar, constricting him.

"Whether it's reproduction, doppelganger, multiplied by cell division, if it has an original will you have no right to look down upon her as an imitation. Deceiving yourself with superficial words, denying the time you yourself spent with Ayumi, why are you doing it?"

Ayano became excessively agitated while shouting but when she finished speaking her calm returned.

Releasing his collar, with sober eyes she overlooked the choking Ren.

"I thought I'd say that by putting the screws on you but you're a bright kid so you already figured it out, didn't you?"

"............."

There was no need to say it.

Although he was surprised when he first found out, once he calmed down and thought about it, it all amounted to ''what of it?''

Even if her body and memory have been reproduced Ayumi's personality was certainly original. It was very clear. Because everything bestowed upon her was an imitation, the girl grasped in her hands genuineness.

From the beginning to the end Ren sensed that decision closer than anybody else.

But, for this reason Ren can't help but feel ashamed.

"I didn't understand anything....."

In spite of seeing it from the closest place, he did not ''see'' anything. Loosing his head, getting caught in the moment, he said a lot of cruel things.

''Big brother will surely come to save you''

''I want to show you many other things so I'll take you anywhere.''

The groundless hopes, the promise of a tomorrow that will never come, he wondered with how much cruelty they resounded in Ayumi's ears. But even so, Ayumi showed a smile.

''That's right. That would be nice...''

The fact that she didn't reveal the truth was certainly not for her self-protection. So that Ren won't be crushed by the truth's weight, its anguish, its sorrow, she locked it in her chest.

''I was a fool!''

He wanted to protect Ayumi. He wanted to save the girl by expending all the power he possessed. And yet - he didn't notice he was the one being protected.

He, descendant from the strongest, made a girl scared of her imminent death worry about him and protect him like a baby.

''You don't understand anything, you foolish child pretending to be a knight'' - Yuuji's words hit the bull's eye and left no room for rebuttal.He didn't understand anything.

"That's why............I couldn't do anything........."

With a regretful emotion, he spoke of conclusion. So, everything ended in the worst possible way.

"Don't use the past tense arbitrarily just because you decided the conclusion."

Ayano could not forgive the fact that Ren was full of resignation. Grabbing him by the collar for a second time, she forcefully pulled his hanged head upwards.

"Do you feel like ending it this way. This helpless conclusion, do you approve of it?"

"But.....there is nothing I can do for Ayumi-chan anymo- "

"I'm sick of it!"

Very irritated Ayano harshly shook Ren's body.

"You're such a thorough good kiddie! Right now it's not about ''for the sake of Ayumi-chan'' or something like that. What about you? What do '''you''' want to do? That's what I want to hear!!"

"......eh......me?"

Faced with a question he never thought of, Ren revealed a confused voice. And yet, Ayano's words did not stop.

"That's right. If it's true you won't do anything anymore, if that's the case, I won't interfere. But if you do so, you'd better label it as ''memories of my first love'' or something and put it away in some corner of your memory. frankly, that is the most peaceful settlement. Still..."

Ayano held Ren's cheeks between her hands and brought their eyes at the same height by leaning over a little. And then, directly facing that glance mixed with bewilderment she asked earnestly.

"Still, are you OK with that? Parting in such a way, although it was the last and you will never be able to meet again, you don't regret it? There is nothing you want to tell that girl?"

"............."

''Do you want to meet her, do you not want to meet her?''

Faced with this choice, he answered without hesitation.

''I want to meet her. Even if it's just once. Meet her and then...''

''But....''

"So, what will you do?"

Ayano pressed the hesitating Ren for an answer.

"You won't be able to chase after her if it goes like this - you know, right? You don't have time. Tomorrow, Ayumi-chan will be nowhere to find. No matter what your answer, there will be none to say it to. You have no time to hesitate. Decide now. What should you be doing?"

".............."

Hanging his head down, Ren closed his eyes. And he thought about it. What he wanted to do. What he ought to do. What he must, no matter what.

Dozens of seconds afterwards, at the end of his most serious meditation, the boy slowly opened his mouth.

"About the ceremony, about the living sacrifice, the most righteous thing to do about those, I have yet to realize. However..."

Lifting his head, he looked straight at Ayano.

That gaze held no more indecision.

"However, I want to meet Ayumi-chan one more time. Meet her, apologize to her and I want to tell her - I have something I must tell her no matter what."

"OK. Let's go then."

Ayano responded to those words said with the resolution of a lifetime with a ''just out for a bit of shopping'' mood.

"...You mean, right now!?"

"That's right. It's not like you need some particular preparation, no? If you need a stop over set, we can buy it at the local supermarket."

"No......that's not the probl- "

With a snap Ayano trusted her index finger at Ren, unable to follow the development's speed.

"Didn't I say it? We have no time. The ceremony is tonight and to begin with, do you think they will let us pass by saying ``I came to meet Ayumi-chan. I have no intention to interfere with the ceremony so please let us past``?"

".........that is perhaps impossible..."

"Not ``perhaps``, it's absolutely impossible. At any rate we have no choice but to push through with brute strength so we'd netter move while we still have time."

Saying that, Ayano stood up without waiting for a reply.

"Well, go change your clothes. If Father finds us, an explanation will be difficult so we must not be exposed."

"``Difficult``, you say!? If he finds out it's confinement for us."

If they mess up, it's a deed quite capable of making Mt. Fuji erupt. It's obvious Juugo will never allow it.

"If that's the case, hurry!"

But, once Ayano got like this she couldn't be stopped. Having a thorough knowledge about that, after coming this far he finally resolved himself.

"I understand. Give me five minutes."

"I'm waiting by the rear entrance."

Exchanging a small nod, both of them hurried in different directions.

[[User:Ayame|Ayame]] ([[User talk:Ayame|talk]]) 15:36, 25 March 2013 (CDT)

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Kaze no Stigma:Volume3 Chapter 4

2013-04-28T15:40:39Z

80.240.162.190: /* Part 3 */

=== Chapter 2 Each and everyone's determination ===

===Part 1===
".....!"

"Fugyaa!?"

Kazuma, peacefully breathing in his sleep on the upper side of the tree, suddenly - avoiding Tiana's wings, who just happened to fly on top of him - jumped to his feet.

"W- what?"

On the verge of falling, reorganizing her attitude, Tiana groaned. Completely ignoring those complaints, Kazuma said:

"It came back"

".......really?"

Tiana forgot her resentment on the spot. While it may be true she felt it, it does not mean she can do something about it.

"Where, where?"

To the now rushing out fairy, Kazuma jerked his jaw, pointing to the car trying to pass through the gate. Both their glances have been rooted on the spot.

From the car stopped in front of the entrance, several men and women made their appearance. Among those people, from inside the body of one small girl at the beginning of her teens, the wave motion felt from the center of her chest was, without a doubt, belonging to the treasure stolen from the fairy village.

"Even so, that is....."

The girl emitted an awfully unnatural presence. And then, when comparing her with the girl with an identical face, five or six years her senior, Kazuma muttered in a bitter voice.

He grasped the family structure of the Tsuwabuki head house. A girl that was not supposed to exist and an older identical girl.

And then - the fairy's treasure carried inside her body. From his perspective everything was clear.

"What a vulgar copy cat...."

On the other hand, Tiana was unrelated to those strong feelings.

"Ah, I found it....."

Murmuring with a voice overcome with emotion, both hands before her chest, looking up at the Heaven with wet pupils, as if saying "Thank you, God".

"Inside that, it's inside that! Come now - Kazuma please carry out the request! Gouge that girl's heart and retrieve the bloody treasureeee!!"

Because of too much excitement, Tiana screamed the bloody speech. How to say this, it was a scene meant to break any dreams and aspiration regarding the so called fairies.

That Tiana, shouting with blood shot eyes, Kazuma lightly disregarded, as if it was a matter of course. Brushing off the leaves and bark sticking to his clothes, he lightly muttered one thing.

"Well then, should I go back to sleep?"

"Just wait a secoooooooond!"

Tiana pulled with all her might the nape of Kazuma's neck, trying to descend from the tree that was their kip. Casually grabbing the fairy's body, following about, and plucking it of, he asked tiresomely.

"What?"

"It's not ''what'', right? The treasure we searched for it's just there!? Quickly get it baaack!!"

"Tiana"

Kazuma called out the fairy with the propensity for derangement in a terribly quiet voice.

As if cold water was poured on her heated head, Tiana promptly returned to her true character.

"W- wh- what is it....?"

"If you think about it, the ceremony is tomorrow night."

"So?"

"Instead of taking it now, won't it be more amusing to take it when they will be relived and think the ceremony can quietly take place? When knocked down from the peak of rejoice to the bottom of despair, what kind of expression will they do?....ku ku ku...."

Engraved on the contractor's mouth was an inhuman, cruel and brutal smile. The man's true character, who essentially should be a saint, made Tiana feel despair countless times.

"Auuuuuuuu...."

===Part 2===

She saw a dream.

Of a distant past, of a time her chest still harbored hope, a resemblance of the once foolish self. She wanted to be appreciated. She wanted to be smiled at. It did not matter if she was number one. It did not matter if she was the second.

That's why she desperately struggled. Putting her life on the line, piling up experience, refining her power. Without considering that it was the cause of still more alienation.

"That technique is a heresy. It's not appropriate for a practitioner of the traditional Tsuwabuki."

"That thing is not Chijutsushi. Why does my child have to use such black arts?"

''Disgrace''

''Demon Child''

''Evil magician''

The cruel words thrown at the very young girl by her own father carved in her heart wounds that cannot heal.

"Someday, for sure....."

Realizing that was a wish that will never come true, when did that happen?

That was a crab.

Not something particularly scary. Its size was somewhat big - enough to bisect a bear with its kitchen-like pincers. Its legs were somewhat numerous - the fore pincers - but, if she were to use her power the opponent would have no choice but to be lightly pinched out.

Despite this - the girl she was supposed to protect, was being overpowered by such a thing and paralyzed with horror. The huge pincers swung from overhead, was being looked up at, in a daze, by that inexperienced face.

"...Mayumi!"

She promptly released her power. The pincer trying to smash Mayumi's head was broken as if crushed by a giant hand.

"Come here!"

The crab was spouting froth from anguish. She sharply ordered Mayumi, who was still looking up at it in blank amazement.

".....Y-yes!"

Finally calming down, Mayumi rushed over while her legs got twisted. She payed absolutely no attention behind her. To that defenseless back, the crab tried to give a retribution blow. While driving out the crab with a feint attack, she caught the small body leaping in her chest.

"Older sister!"

For the girl trembling in fear, she showed a perfectly forced smile.

"It's alright. Against that kind of apparition, it's impossible for you to loose."

"B-but....."

"I will stop its movement and I will give it the finishing blow. That's fine, right?"

".........."

"Make your preparation"

Turning around Mayumi's still insecure body, she was made to confront the imminent crab.

"It's alright."

Embracing from behind the younger sister stiff with fear, she tenderly whispered. Contrary to her tone, that facial expression was cold but invisible to the girl gazing at the crab.

"Look....observe it"

Kicking the ground with eight long legs the crab approached the two straightforward. And, when he was approximately ten meters away, suddenly the crab was smashed.

it was like from right overhead, an unbelievably huge palm held him down with all his strength. Smashing the collection of legs, the shell conspicuously fissured. Plucking from the root the pincers that were rose overhead, admitting defeat, it was buried into the ground with a roar.

Without moving at all she pointed at the crab in anguish and told Mayumi:

"Come now, finish it off. Make a hole through the center, pierce it from bellow. You can do it, right?"

"Y-yes" Mayumi obediently nodded.

Obeyed by the spirits of the earth, she governed their power. The spirits promptly responded to the most powerful Chijutsushi blood.

" -ya!!"

Together with the girl's cute yell, from beneath the crab a spear stone grew. That long and narrow cone shape penetrated the crab's shell and rose facing the heavens. Making a huge hole in the middle of its body, the crab wriggled, foam at it's mouth. But by construction the crab was unable to escape from the stone spear. It's resistance gradually weakened and gradually stopped.

Before their eyes, the skull of the reddish crab lost its gloss, growing dull in color. The crack spread from that gap and the muscle became visible. It faded the same way loosing its elasticity and the muscle became stiff.

It turned to stone.

That was Mayumi's real aim. The stone spear that went through was no more than the preliminary arrangement for that purpose. The ground spirits pumped into the wounds changed with great vigor the organic matter in inorganic one. Making sure the petrification reached the interior of the body, including fighting spirit, Mayumi shouted.

"Smash!!"

It was impossible to disobey it. Agreeing to the command, the ground spirits speedily dissolved the bindings. Making a thick sound the stone cram was smashed.

Because the body changed to countless stones it was no longer possible to guess its original shape.

"Very well done Mayumi-sama!"

"Merely eight years old and to be able to take down such a Youma!"

Waiting for Mayumi when she returned home was a storm of praise from the entire family. The people assembled in the saloon unanimously praised Mayumi and her alone.

There was nobody who talked to her. Without showing any reaction for the uproar of the surroundings, she was sitting diagonally behind Mayumi, mute like a puppet. In front of her ignored as if her existence was the same as air, Mayumi who was given the family seat of honor was being spoken to by the Tsuwabuki Iwao.

"You did very well, Mayumi."

"Father!"

Mayumi's smiling face lit up and jumped into her father's chest, whom she respected and loved. Iwao also embraced his daughter closely, including an overflowing love.

"You did very well, Mayumi."

While pressing her cheeks against against Iwao's chest, who repeated those words again, Mayumi said innocently:

"Yeah, I did my best. But older sister practically did it by herself. Older sister is awfully strong!"

The unreserved large voice reverberated in the saloon, and the faces of the people sitting in a row became pale. Feeling the change of atmosphere, Mayumi raised her eyes to her father in wonder.

"What's wrong?"

Iwao replied laughingly.

"It's of no concern. Mayumi is admirable, dividing her achievement with other people."

"That's wrong, really, elder sister is- "

"It's fine, I don't give a damn about that thing"

Blocking Mayumi's field of vision by hugging her close, Iwao shifter his attention to her. Cold like a different person, a glance exceeding hatred, filled with curses.

But even so, she didn't move one finger, one eyebrow or one muscle. Ignoring the glance sticking between her eyebrows, her gaze looked at nothing but in front, one meter horizontal from Iwao, fixating on the wood details of the alcove post.

The sister embraced with love and the sister glared at with hatred.

All present looked at the excessively contrastive sisters, catching their breath.

"Kureha-sama.....Kureha-sama?"

".....!"

At the voice repeating her name, taken aback, Kureha woke up. It seems she took a nap in the middle of her duties. Lightly shaking off her head, to remove the remaining sleepiness, she responded.

"Enter"

From the door opened by the maid, a group of three people got in. By priority of age, Yuuji, Mayumi and - Ayumi.

''That was unexpectedly fast''

Kureha thought so, looking at the puppet with eyes sunk in bitterness. As far as she saw of that facial expression, her first trip had not been particularly enjoyable.

''Well, it's a thing of no consequence''

"Following your instruction Ayumi has been returned home"

Being considerably pathetic, Yuuji reported stiffly. Expressly speaking of such obvious things, Yuuji may have been foolish but that doesn't mean Kureha was the same.

That was some kind of indication of his decision.

''"With this I won't allow Mayumi to become a sacrifice", or something''

It's not like her real intentions stood out. Instead, feeling that naivete pleasant, Kureha responded with a sweet smile.

"I appreciate your efforts."

"Y-yes!"

No matter how he perceived those words of appreciation Yuuji made a respectful bow, his face lit up. But before he raised his head, Kureha informed the three.

"Yuuji, you can already retire. Mayumi and Ayumi, please follow me."

"....Eh?" unintentionally Mayumi asked back.

Yuuji stiffed in a comical stance, his back bent.

".......Me too, you said?"

Seeing surprise and a small quantity of fear clung to Mayumi's question, Kureha laughed.

"That's right. Did you think you will be sightseeing the ceremony drinking tea? You too have an important part. Follow me"

"................"

Iwao being on the sickbed at the present time, Kureha was the one commanding the family. She could not advocate her objection.

Complying with Kureha, who naturally opened the door and stated walking, Mayumi and Ayumi followed behind.

Yuuji followed the three people until they left the office but clinging to them further was not permitted.

For him, unable to do anything but see them off, Mayumi looked over her shoulder just once.

That profile full of anxiety was scorched in the center of his consciousnesses together with a feeling of loss that cannot be undone.

===Part 3===

The next morning

Hiding his pathetic decision inside his heart, Yuuji knocked on the door leading to Kureha's private room. Without pause, the reply came.

"What's the matter, Yuuji?"

"........I have something to discuss."

"Enter"

The knob turned. It wasn't the work of a key. In a mental state similar to that of entering a dragon's den, Yuuji stepped inside the room.

"Good morning. You're early Yuuji."

Although saying that Kureha's appearance too was perfectly in order. Her flowing black hair was perfectly arranged and the same as usual a black suit was tightly wrapped around her.

"Will you let me know my lady's whereabouts?"

Standing before Kureha, impolitely Yuuji did not return the greeting and got to the main question. His complexion was bad. In spite of being injured to that extent yesterday it seems he didn't sleep a wink.

"Since last night, after Kureha-sama took her along, she did not returned to her room"

"You, did you stick yourself in front of Mayumi's room? You're almost like a stalker, huh?", Kureha laughed sarcastically.

However, Yuuji, without showing a glimpse of insincere smile, draw near with asevere face.

"Please answer, Kureha-sama. Depending on what happens, even if it's you..."

Kureha indifferently asked back.

"Even if it's you?"

"ku.........."

without doing anything, just by standing there, Kureha overwhelmed Yuuji.

Even by making use of his blind devotion towards Mayumi, he could not fill the desperate power difference.

"My lady, where is she...."

Still, seeing Yuuji hang on, mustering his willpower Kureha showed a somewhat unnatural look of admiration.

"What considerable devotion. If you want to meet her that badly, I will allow you to. Come!"

Yuuji chased after Kureha, who left the room and began to walk a few meters behind. The distance he put between them, rather than him being precautious, it was more like he was afraid of getting closer.

''What kind of person is this woman?''

Even if it was for a moment, when he confronted her he felt her abnormality. That power was clearly on a different level, when compared with other practitioners. Even Iwao, the Head, for Kureha, he was not a match by far. To say it simply it was an excessively mighty power. From the time she was a child, although unique, she was recognized as a powerful practitioner but nobody expected her to rise above to such a level.

"What are you doing? You'll be left behind."

Almost like reading his heart, indulging himself in speculation, Kureha suddenly looked over her shoulder.

Bearing the shriek trying to gush out by clenching his teeth, Yuuji shortly answered.

"...........I understand"

"Hurry up. I don't want to be seen by too many people"

And with these words, her beautiful face showed her usual smile, with no trace of impatience.

Glaring annoyed at Kureha, who faced forward once again Yujji slightly quickened his pace.

In silence, Kureha walked to the deepest part of the grounds. Yuuji never entered this place before- it was a place nobody could enter with the exception of those who earned the permission of the Head.

"This is......"

"You've never entered this place before, huh? It's because, with the exception of those belonging to the main family this is a place that doesn't open but once every thirty years"

At the words he feared, Yuuji's face became stiff.

"Kureha-sama, you, by no means, even my lady- "

Those words, spoken in a strong tone, Kureh interrupted icily.

"Yuuji, you may believe you are given permission to an opinion but I have no intention of bestowing it any further. I am letting you meet her in deference to your loyalty but I have no intention of releasing Mayumi until the ceremony is over. Remember it."

".............."

Completely forbidden from raising objections, Yuuji had no choice but to be silent.

"..........is this the place?"

Starring at the small shrine they arrived before long, Yuuji asked.

"This is the entrance. Our place of destination is inside it" answered Kureha, opening the small shrine's gate.

Inside there wasn't even a single light, and without having performed any kind of process the cave entrance lightly opened its mouth.

"Here is....."

"Correct, this is the sacred ground of Tsuwabuki. The place we must protect even at the cost of our lives. Well, shall we go forward? Your beloved lady is inside."

"I understand"

To Kureha's exaggerated words, mixed with ridicule, Yuuji replied seriously.

He continued walking while controlling his uneasiness at the endlessly continuing cave.

A pitch blackness without a ray of light. A natural cave with no reinforcements. This was a situation that would have driven claustrophobic people to madness but for a Chijutsushi it was a place full of tranquility equivalent with the inside of mother's womb.

And yet, Yuuji frantically endured the urge to start running. In what sort environment was Mayumi placed, thinking of that he is unable to suppress his anxiety.

''My lady....I will, definitely.......''

Hiding that strong decision n his heart, he is descending in the cave. And then -

".......uh!?"

A dazzling glint burned Yuuji's eyes. Into his ears, unintentionally shutting his eyes, Kureha's composed voice resounds.

"Welcome to the center of Tsuwabuki's consecrated ground."

"Wh...at?"

Holding his hands before his eyes, Yuuji slowly opened his eyelids. What was there was a huge space that did not appear to be underground, spreading out.

"This is....."

A voice full of wonder leaked out. The magical spectacle spreading before hos eyes, drew in his sight and didn't let go. The gigantic pillar soaring at the center of the large hollow spreading a hundred meters below Fuji's sea of trees, is brilliantly shining.

"Chrystal?...."

The sparkling, transparent stone pillar - there is no mistake about it, it was a pillar made of high purity cristal. The diameter roughly four meters, it's height nearly twenty meters.

And then, even supposing this crystal was guiding the sunshine so deeply underground, that enormousness exhausted any kind of description.

To Yuuji, stupefied with amazement, Kureha turned an evil smile.

"Yuuji, it's fine to be so deeply moved but is it not something else you should look for?"

".......eh?"

"Please look carefully inside the pillar"

"............"

Doing as he was told, Yuuji closely observed the pillar. Enduring the radiance, he saw a dark stain somewhat lower than the center.

He supposed that was just some foreign matter that was mixed in, but that unusual shape weighted on his mind. Taking a few steps forward he starred even more.

"..................eh?"

He was terrified. That stain had the form of a human.

Dressed sparingly, the white, thin dress showing her shoulders, the girl's eyes were peacefully closed. It was unthinkable not to recognize her.

Because she was the girl he pledged to protect by sacrificing everything.

"My lady!"

On Yuuji's shoulder, who started running, an invisible power was placed.

The heavy pressure reaching one ton sealed his body's movements as if it was its loyal subject.

"Calm down!" coldly informed Kureha.

Yuuji glared at her.

"What have you done to my lady?"

That shout, so overcome with emotion it forgot even honorifics, Kureha tolerantly pardoned.

"I did say Mayumi too has her own role"

"Role...?"

"Ayumi's body cannot withstand the release of power. The emission ratio will not be enough for the final tuning. Therefore, the power Ayumi cannot sustain by herself, I made Mayumi shoulder. You could call it the unexpected side effect of a clone"

The practitioner who performs the ritual, even calling it extreme, one is enough. Or perhaps it should be said that for the delicate control required by the technique, the governing intent must only be one.

Excluding the early few times, the ceremony was practiced by almost all the family, adding multiplied force for the sake of raising the success rate but did not change the fact that the practitioner controlling the power that is the focal point is just one.

But, if it's Ayumi and Mayumi practically identical at the genetic level, it may not be impossible to align their consciousness. Particularly by making the weak-self Ayumi do the main part and leaving the trance to the egoistic Mayumi.

"Such a...."

Without listening to Kureha's explanation until the end, Yuuji dropped to his knees, heartbroken.

''I...until now, for what sake.........''

That appearance, feebly hanging his head, resembled Ren's the night before, in a cruel way.

If Yuuji could see himself through an objective point of view perhaps a cynical smile would be irrepressible.

"Relax. Because she probably won't die."

"........eh?"

But, Kureha did not permit even despair. In front of the stricken Yuuji, she suspended an ostentatious thread of salvation.

"In the end, Ayumi is the main one and Mayumi is the spare. Because she is supplementing Ayumi's insufficiency, I don't think it will be fatal - that is, as long as the seal does not break even for an instant."

Reinforcing a seal that already has shape and rebuilding from scratch a seal that burst open without leaving any trace, between the power required by the two, there is a world of difference.

If that sort of abnormal situation does not occur Mayumi will survive, it was said, but for some reason, Yuuji could not relax.

"Do you think there is a possibility it will happen?"

At Yuuji's cautious question, Kureha responded without hesitation.

"At least, there will certainly be interference."

".........the Kannagi kid will come again?"

Nothing else came to his mind but Kureha opened her eyes wide as if she was surprised and let out a small sarcastic laugh.

"Ah, do you mean Kannagi Ren? I received the report. But, I am concerned about the fairies."

"The fairies? What can those insubstantial living things do?"

Deepening her sarcastic smile toward Yuuji's bewildered face, Kureha continued.

"Did you not hear? Your head if filled with nothing but Mayumi, huh? Yesterday, a fairy and it's guardian got inside the house."

"A-ah...." Yuuji nodded vaguely.

Come to think of it, someone said that. According to Kureha's pointing out, he had no composure to think about something else, vaguely ignoring it.

"The guardian?"

"A terrifyingly strong man making use of the wind. He seemed human but - I wonder about that. He said he is the fairy's brethren too"

"Wind, is it?"

Frowning id doubt, Yuuji asked in return.

"Why, if its only the likes of Fuujutsushi should we be afraid?"

"If it's only- ?"

Stuck by Yuuji's words, Kureha giggled in a very improper way.

"You're right, if it's only Fuujutsushi. If it's just that kind of practitioner able to defeat the power of the likes of me, perhaps someone like you has no need to be afraid"

"....!!"

"So reliable"

Yuuji asked the sneering Kureha in a hoarse voice:

"Is - is that true.....? Truly, with just wind, your power - ?"

"It's the truth. What's more, I've been seen trough after the first attack. To be ahead of me to that extent, that was a first. The world is really big, huh?"

".........."

At a loss of words, Yuuji stood rock still in blank amazement.

A Fuujutsushi surpassing Kureha - if such a thing were to appear, for him it's impossible to oppose no matter how he were to struggle.

"B-but........if he obstructs the ceremony, Mt. Fuji will definitely erupt. Will he go that far?"

"I don't know about the Kannagi's side but the fairies have no reason to hesitate. Because the eruption is nothing more than a natural phenomenon they have no intention of resisting it."

Talking about such a hopeless story with a gossip-like tone, Kureha looked at Yuuji's face, dyed in despair.

"So, we can't talk about it, but... how about you? Don't you desire power?"

".....eh?"

"Power. A mighty power. To drive away all enemies, to protect your precious one, overflowing power. If I were to say I can grant you that power - you, what will you do?"

"............."

Yuuji looked hard at Kureha with a bottomless shiver. As a practitioner, Yuuji recognized the fact that she was in a by far superior rank - No, he was supposed to know that.

But it was different. This, it was not that kind of thing.

''This woman - is she really human?''

''Feeding on his hope, something that tempts humans to their ruin. The existence passed down on tradition on every culture around the world, right now, is sneering before his eyes. The spoils it aims at are waiting the time of the fall''

Even so -

''Do I mind?''

As far as Yuuji is concerned, he had no other option. No, his choice was already made.

If the compensation of power is required, he would give anything, no matter what it is.

His life, his soul, he had no choice but to consider them second or less.

That's why his answer had beed decided.

"No matter what will happen, I don't care. Please give me power."

Receiving the answer she was eagerly waiting, Kureha smiled ominously. He had the feeling that for one second, those lips tore until ears.

===Part 4===

"Father, do you know where Ren went? He's not in his room."

"I happened to see him sitting on the porch just before noon."

Ayano turned an uterly amazed glance at Juugo, who answered matter of course.

"........Father, it is already evening."

"Go and see for yourself. A certain someone who does not want to move at all is supposed to be there."

"............."

Scowling, Ayano cast her eyes down. Her strongly gripped fist was trembling.

"If you tell me he has no outhet for his anger, I'll get angry. Knocking down those Tsuwabuki guys and settle this is so simple and yet...."

"....True"

Evening

Ren, dicovered with the help of Kirika's side, the Special Data Arrangement, although he had no visible wounds, his heart received near fatal damage.

Remaining silent without responding to any questions, secluded inside his shell, Ren was brought home after midnight.

As a result of being left to rest without having to listen to anything, at dawn he recovered enough to take a miminun of communication.

As if he would been asked Ren told it all, without faltering. His own feeling - the fleeting emotion harbored for that girl, the despair when he found the truth - without hiding anything.

In front of the stricken boy nobody could do anything.

Their feelings were summarized in Ayano's words from a while ago. That is - "There is no outlet for his anger"

The act of the Tsuwabuki Household was by no means incorrect. Caring about morals has no meaning. In their line of business that goes beyond the life or death of one person, they are naturally operating for the sake of justice. There was no other way.

There is no choice but to pray to God that time will heal his emotional scars.

"So, what did you plan to do after searching for Ren?"

"What, you ask - I can't leave him alone like that, can I?"

Ren right now was similar to a living corpse.

If he was talked to, he'd give a minimal reply.

If food was given to him, he would eat it.

However, without urgings from other people, left by himself he would not move, not even a finger. Sitting sprawled out, that figure with blank eyes was exactly like a puppet whose strings have been cut.

Sober, Juugo shifted his attention to Ayano, wanting to comfort Ren.

"Can you do something?"

"I don't know if I can"

There was clearly no hesitation in Ayano's response.

"But even so, I can't leave him alone. That kind of helpless situation, I won't admit it. I definitely won't let it end this way."

Making this declaration in a rough tone, Ayano left Juugo's room.

''Wow, it really was true...''

Voiceless, Ayano murmured to herself. Ren was in the place Juugo said he would be. Sitting on the verande, he was leaning on the left side pillar. Perhaps that attitude never changed since before noon.

Approaching directly, Ayano sat dawn next to him. Ren's eyes moved slightly, perceiving her figure.

"............older sister.."

A feeble murmur escaped. The question ''why are you here'' did not resound, just calling the name of the person that entered his field of vision, that sort of dull and uninteresting matter.

Ayano did not venture to make eye contact, placing her glance on the garden in front.

Ren too, immediately lost his interest towards Ayano, restoring his glance on his feet.

Without change, for several minutes, time flew quietly.

"If it's me....."

Almost like the sound of blowing wind sliding through gaps, Ayano simply spun her words. For a second time, moving hie eyeballs, Ren looked at Ayano, but she continued facing forward.

"Because I am the person that will someday succeed as the head of the Kannagi Family, I understand those Tsuwabuki's point. At the very least I will never say something like ''it doesn't matter if Mt. Fuji erupts, go and save that Ayumi girl!''"

"............."

"But even so, that's not what you should be thinking of now, is it?"

"...........ee?"

Because that was very unexpected, Ren raised a small doubtful voice.

"Those kind of large scale problems you must leave to adults. A child should give preference to himself. What you should think of right now is what you should do related to Ayumi. That's all."

"........eh......?"

Smiling sweetly Ayano too stared at the dazed Ren.

"You said it, right? That Ayumi is an imitation? She's a clone, her memories are borrowed from another person, that the real Tsuwabuki Ayumi doesn't exist, right?"

"..........yes.."

"That can't be true, you big fool!!"

The moment he nodded - no, as soon as "y" was pronounced Ayano grabbed the cute, brother-like Ren by the collar, constricting him.

"Whether it's reproduction, doppelganger, multiplied by cell division, if it has an original will you have no right to look down upon her as an imitation. Deceiving yourself with superficial words, denying the time you yourself spent with Ayumi, why are you doing it?"

Ayano became excessively agitated while shouting but when she finished speaking her calm returned.

Releasing his collar, with sober eyes she overlooked the choking Ren.

"I thought I'd say that by putting the screws on you but you're a bright kid so you already figured it out, didn't you?"

"............."

There was no need to say it.

Although he was surprised when he first found out, once he calmed down and thought about it, it all amounted to ''what of it?''

Even if her body and memory have been reproduced Ayumi's personality was certainly original. It was very clear. Because everything bestowed upon her was an imitation, the girl grasped in her hands genuineness.

From the beginning to the end Ren sensed that decision closer than anybody else.

But, for this reason Ren can't help but feel ashamed.

"I didn't understand anything....."

In spite of seeing it from the closest place, he did not ''see'' anything. Loosing his head, getting caught in the moment, he said a lot of cruel things.

''Big brother will surely come to save you''

''I want to show you many other things so I'll take you anywhere.''

The groundless hopes, the promise of a tomorrow that will never come, he wondered with how much cruelty they resounded in Ayumi's ears. But even so, Ayumi showed a smile.

''That's right. That would be nice...''

The fact that she didn't reveal the truth was certainly not for her self-protection. So that Ren won't be crushed by the truth's weight, its anguish, its sorrow, she locked it in her chest.

''I was a fool!''

He wanted to protect Ayumi. He wanted to save the girl by expending all the power he possessed. And yet - he didn't notice he was the one being protected.

He, descendant from the strongest, made a girl scared of her imminent death worry about him and protect him like a baby.

''You don't understand anything, you foolish child pretending to be a knight'' - Yuuji's words hit the bull's eye and left no room for rebuttal.He didn't understand anything.

"That's why............I couldn't do anything........."

With a regretful emotion, he spoke of conclusion. So, everything ended in the worst possible way.

"Don't use the past tense arbitrarily just because you decided the conclusion."

Ayano could not forgive the fact that Ren was full of resignation. Grabbing him by the collar for a second time, she forcefully pulled his hanged head upwards.

"Do you feel like ending it this way. This helpless conclusion, do you approve of it?"

"But.....there is nothing I can do for Ayumi-chan anymo- "

"I'm sick of it!"

Very irritated Ayano harshly shook Ren's body.

"You're such a thorough good kiddie! Right now it's not about ''for the sake of Ayumi-chan'' or something like that. What about you? What do '''you''' want to do? That's what I want to hear!!"

"......eh......me?"

Faced with a question he never thought of, Ren revealed a confused voice. And yet, Ayano's words did not stop.

"That's right. If it's true you won't do anything anymore, if that's the case, I won't interfere. But if you do so, you'd better label it as ''memories of my first love'' or something and put it away in some corner of your memory. frankly, that is the most peaceful settlement. Still..."

Ayano held Ren's cheeks between her hands and brought their eyes at the same height by leaning over a little. And then, directly facing that glance mixed with bewilderment she asked earnestly.

"Still, are you OK with that? Parting in such a way, although it was the last and you will never be able to meet again, you don't regret it? There is nothing you want to tell that girl?"

"............."

''Do you want to meet her, do you not want to meet her?''

Faced with this choice, he answered without hesitation.

''I want to meet her. Even if it's just once. Meet her and then...''

''But....''

"So, what will you do?"

Ayano pressed the hesitating Ren for an answer.

"You won't be able to chase after her if it goes like this - you know, right? You don't have time. Tomorrow, Ayumi-chan will be nowhere to find. No matter what your answer, there will be none to say it to. You have no time to hesitate. Decide now. What should you be doing?"

".............."

Hanging his head down, Ren closed his eyes. And he thought about it. What he wanted to do. What he ought to do. What he must, no matter what.

Dozens of seconds afterwards, at the end of his most serious meditation, the boy slowly opened his mouth.

"About the ceremony, about the living sacrifice, the most righteous thing to do about those, I have yet to realize. However..."

Lifting his head, he looked straight at Ayano.

That gaze held no more indecision.

"However, I want to meet Ayumi-chan one more time. Meet her, apologize to her and I want to tell her - I have something I must tell her no matter what."

"OK. Let's go then."

Ayano responded to those words said with the resolution of a lifetime with a ''just out for a bit of shopping'' mood.

"...You mean, right now!?"

"That's right. It's not like you need some particular preparation, no? If you need a stop over set, we can buy it at the local supermarket."

"No......that's not the probl- "

With a snap Ayano trusted her index finger at Ren, unable to follow the development's speed.

"Didn't I say it? We have no time. The ceremony is tonight and to begin with, do you think they will let us pass by saying ``I came to meet Ayumi-chan. I have no intention to interfere with the ceremony so please let us past``?"

".........that is perhaps impossible..."

"Not ``perhaps``, it's absolutely impossible. At any rate we have no choice but to push through with brute strength so we'd netter move while we still have time."

Saying that, Ayano stood up without waiting for a reply.

"Well, go change your clothes. If Father finds us, an explanation will be difficult so we must not be exposed."

"``Difficult``, you say!? If he finds out it's confinement for us."

If they mess up, it's a deed quite capable of making Mt. Fuji erupt. It's obvious Juugo will never allow it.

"If that's the case, hurry!"

But, once Ayano got like this she couldn't be stopped. Having a thorough knowledge about that, after coming this far he finally resolved himself.

"I understand. Give me five minutes."

"I'm waiting by the rear entrance."

Exchanging a small nod, both of them hurried in different directions.

[[User:Ayame|Ayame]] ([[User talk:Ayame|talk]]) 15:36, 25 March 2013 (CDT)

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Kaze no Stigma:Volume3 Chapter 4

2013-04-28T15:36:05Z

80.240.162.190: /* Part 2 */

=== Chapter 2 Each and everyone's determination ===

===Part 1===
".....!"

"Fugyaa!?"

Kazuma, peacefully breathing in his sleep on the upper side of the tree, suddenly - avoiding Tiana's wings, who just happened to fly on top of him - jumped to his feet.

"W- what?"

On the verge of falling, reorganizing her attitude, Tiana groaned. Completely ignoring those complaints, Kazuma said:

"It came back"

".......really?"

Tiana forgot her resentment on the spot. While it may be true she felt it, it does not mean she can do something about it.

"Where, where?"

To the now rushing out fairy, Kazuma jerked his jaw, pointing to the car trying to pass through the gate. Both their glances have been rooted on the spot.

From the car stopped in front of the entrance, several men and women made their appearance. Among those people, from inside the body of one small girl at the beginning of her teens, the wave motion felt from the center of her chest was, without a doubt, belonging to the treasure stolen from the fairy village.

"Even so, that is....."

The girl emitted an awfully unnatural presence. And then, when comparing her with the girl with an identical face, five or six years her senior, Kazuma muttered in a bitter voice.

He grasped the family structure of the Tsuwabuki head house. A girl that was not supposed to exist and an older identical girl.

And then - the fairy's treasure carried inside her body. From his perspective everything was clear.

"What a vulgar copy cat...."

On the other hand, Tiana was unrelated to those strong feelings.

"Ah, I found it....."

Murmuring with a voice overcome with emotion, both hands before her chest, looking up at the Heaven with wet pupils, as if saying "Thank you, God".

"Inside that, it's inside that! Come now - Kazuma please carry out the request! Gouge that girl's heart and retrieve the bloody treasureeee!!"

Because of too much excitement, Tiana screamed the bloody speech. How to say this, it was a scene meant to break any dreams and aspiration regarding the so called fairies.

That Tiana, shouting with blood shot eyes, Kazuma lightly disregarded, as if it was a matter of course. Brushing off the leaves and bark sticking to his clothes, he lightly muttered one thing.

"Well then, should I go back to sleep?"

"Just wait a secoooooooond!"

Tiana pulled with all her might the nape of Kazuma's neck, trying to descend from the tree that was their kip. Casually grabbing the fairy's body, following about, and plucking it of, he asked tiresomely.

"What?"

"It's not ''what'', right? The treasure we searched for it's just there!? Quickly get it baaack!!"

"Tiana"

Kazuma called out the fairy with the propensity for derangement in a terribly quiet voice.

As if cold water was poured on her heated head, Tiana promptly returned to her true character.

"W- wh- what is it....?"

"If you think about it, the ceremony is tomorrow night."

"So?"

"Instead of taking it now, won't it be more amusing to take it when they will be relived and think the ceremony can quietly take place? When knocked down from the peak of rejoice to the bottom of despair, what kind of expression will they do?....ku ku ku...."

Engraved on the contractor's mouth was an inhuman, cruel and brutal smile. The man's true character, who essentially should be a saint, made Tiana feel despair countless times.

"Auuuuuuuu...."

===Part 2===

She saw a dream.

Of a distant past, of a time her chest still harbored hope, a resemblance of the once foolish self. She wanted to be appreciated. She wanted to be smiled at. It did not matter if she was number one. It did not matter if she was the second.

That's why she desperately struggled. Putting her life on the line, piling up experience, refining her power. Without considering that it was the cause of still more alienation.

"That technique is a heresy. It's not appropriate for a practitioner of the traditional Tsuwabuki."

"That thing is not Chijutsushi. Why does my child have to use such black arts?"

''Disgrace''

''Demon Child''

''Evil magician''

The cruel words thrown at the very young girl by her own father carved in her heart wounds that cannot heal.

"Someday, for sure....."

Realizing that was a wish that will never come true, when did that happen?

That was a crab.

Not something particularly scary. Its size was somewhat big - enough to bisect a bear with its kitchen-like pincers. Its legs were somewhat numerous - the fore pincers - but, if she were to use her power the opponent would have no choice but to be lightly pinched out.

Despite this - the girl she was supposed to protect, was being overpowered by such a thing and paralyzed with horror. The huge pincers swung from overhead, was being looked up at, in a daze, by that inexperienced face.

"...Mayumi!"

She promptly released her power. The pincer trying to smash Mayumi's head was broken as if crushed by a giant hand.

"Come here!"

The crab was spouting froth from anguish. She sharply ordered Mayumi, who was still looking up at it in blank amazement.

".....Y-yes!"

Finally calming down, Mayumi rushed over while her legs got twisted. She payed absolutely no attention behind her. To that defenseless back, the crab tried to give a retribution blow. While driving out the crab with a feint attack, she caught the small body leaping in her chest.

"Older sister!"

For the girl trembling in fear, she showed a perfectly forced smile.

"It's alright. Against that kind of apparition, it's impossible for you to loose."

"B-but....."

"I will stop its movement and I will give it the finishing blow. That's fine, right?"

".........."

"Make your preparation"

Turning around Mayumi's still insecure body, she was made to confront the imminent crab.

"It's alright."

Embracing from behind the younger sister stiff with fear, she tenderly whispered. Contrary to her tone, that facial expression was cold but invisible to the girl gazing at the crab.

"Look....observe it"

Kicking the ground with eight long legs the crab approached the two straightforward. And, when he was approximately ten meters away, suddenly the crab was smashed.

it was like from right overhead, an unbelievably huge palm held him down with all his strength. Smashing the collection of legs, the shell conspicuously fissured. Plucking from the root the pincers that were rose overhead, admitting defeat, it was buried into the ground with a roar.

Without moving at all she pointed at the crab in anguish and told Mayumi:

"Come now, finish it off. Make a hole through the center, pierce it from bellow. You can do it, right?"

"Y-yes" Mayumi obediently nodded.

Obeyed by the spirits of the earth, she governed their power. The spirits promptly responded to the most powerful Chijutsushi blood.

" -ya!!"

Together with the girl's cute yell, from beneath the crab a spear stone grew. That long and narrow cone shape penetrated the crab's shell and rose facing the heavens. Making a huge hole in the middle of its body, the crab wriggled, foam at it's mouth. But by construction the crab was unable to escape from the stone spear. It's resistance gradually weakened and gradually stopped.

Before their eyes, the skull of the reddish crab lost its gloss, growing dull in color. The crack spread from that gap and the muscle became visible. It faded the same way loosing its elasticity and the muscle became stiff.

It turned to stone.

That was Mayumi's real aim. The stone spear that went through was no more than the preliminary arrangement for that purpose. The ground spirits pumped into the wounds changed with great vigor the organic matter in inorganic one. Making sure the petrification reached the interior of the body, including fighting spirit, Mayumi shouted.

"Smash!!"

It was impossible to disobey it. Agreeing to the command, the ground spirits speedily dissolved the bindings. Making a thick sound the stone cram was smashed.

Because the body changed to countless stones it was no longer possible to guess its original shape.

"Very well done Mayumi-sama!"

"Merely eight years old and to be able to take down such a Youma!"

Waiting for Mayumi when she returned home was a storm of praise from the entire family. The people assembled in the saloon unanimously praised Mayumi and her alone.

There was nobody who talked to her. Without showing any reaction for the uproar of the surroundings, she was sitting diagonally behind Mayumi, mute like a puppet. In front of her ignored as if her existence was the same as air, Mayumi who was given the family seat of honor was being spoken to by the Tsuwabuki Iwao.

"You did very well, Mayumi."

"Father!"

Mayumi's smiling face lit up and jumped into her father's chest, whom she respected and loved. Iwao also embraced his daughter closely, including an overflowing love.

"You did very well, Mayumi."

While pressing her cheeks against against Iwao's chest, who repeated those words again, Mayumi said innocently:

"Yeah, I did my best. But older sister practically did it by herself. Older sister is awfully strong!"

The unreserved large voice reverberated in the saloon, and the faces of the people sitting in a row became pale. Feeling the change of atmosphere, Mayumi raised her eyes to her father in wonder.

"What's wrong?"

Iwao replied laughingly.

"It's of no concern. Mayumi is admirable, dividing her achievement with other people."

"That's wrong, really, elder sister is- "

"It's fine, I don't give a damn about that thing"

Blocking Mayumi's field of vision by hugging her close, Iwao shifter his attention to her. Cold like a different person, a glance exceeding hatred, filled with curses.

But even so, she didn't move one finger, one eyebrow or one muscle. Ignoring the glance sticking between her eyebrows, her gaze looked at nothing but in front, one meter horizontal from Iwao, fixating on the wood details of the alcove post.

The sister embraced with love and the sister glared at with hatred.

All present looked at the excessively contrastive sisters, catching their breath.

"Kureha-sama.....Kureha-sama?"

".....!"

At the voice repeating her name, taken aback, Kureha woke up. It seems she took a nap in the middle of her duties. Lightly shaking off her head, to remove the remaining sleepiness, she responded.

"Enter"

From the door opened by the maid, a group of three people got in. By priority of age, Yuuji, Mayumi and - Ayumi.

''That was unexpectedly fast''

Kureha thought so, looking at the puppet with eyes sunk in bitterness. As far as she saw of that facial expression, her first trip had not been particularly enjoyable.

''Well, it's a thing of no consequence''

"Following your instruction Ayumi has been returned home"

Being considerably pathetic, Yuuji reported stiffly. Expressly speaking of such obvious things, Yuuji may have been foolish but that doesn't mean Kureha was the same.

That was some kind of indication of his decision.

''"With this I won't allow Mayumi to become a sacrifice", or something''

It's not like her real intentions stood out. Instead, feeling that naivete pleasant, Kureha responded with a sweet smile.

"I appreciate your efforts."

"Y-yes!"

No matter how he perceived those words of appreciation Yuuji made a respectful bow, his face lit up. But before he raised his head, Kureha informed the three.

"Yuuji, you can already retire. Mayumi and Ayumi, please follow me."

"....Eh?" unintentionally Mayumi asked back.

Yuuji stiffed in a comical stance, his back bent.

".......Me too, you said?"

Seeing surprise and a small quantity of fear clung to Mayumi's question, Kureha laughed.

"That's right. Did you think you will be sightseeing the ceremony drinking tea? You too have an important part. Follow me"

"................"

Iwao being on the sickbed at the present time, Kureha was the one commanding the family. She could not advocate her objection.

Complying with Kureha, who naturally opened the door and stated walking, Mayumi and Ayumi followed behind.

Yuuji followed the three people until they left the office but clinging to them further was not permitted.

For him, unable to do anything but see them off, Mayumi looked over her shoulder just once.

That profile full of anxiety was scorched in the center of his consciousnesses together with a feeling of loss that cannot be undone.

===Part 3===

The next morning

Hiding his pathetic decision inside his heart, Yuuji knocked on the door leading to Kureha's private room. Without pause, the reply came.

"What's the matter, Yuuji?"

"........I have something to discuss."

"Enter"

The knob turned. It wasn't the work of a key. In a mental state similar to that of entering a dragon's den, Yuuji stepped inside the room.

"Good morning. You're early Yuuji."

Although saying that Kureha's appearance too was perfectly n order. Her flowing black hair was perfectly arranged and the same as usual a black suit was tightly wrapped around her.

"Will you let me know my lady's whereabouts?"

Standing before Kureha, impolitely Yuuji did not return the greeting and got to the main question. His complexion was bad. In spite of being injured to that extent yesterday it seems he didn't sleep a wink.

"Since last night, after Kureha-sama took her along, she did not returned to her room"

"You, did you stick yourself in front of Mayumi's room? You're almost like a stalker, huh?", Kureha laughed sarcastically.

However, Yuuji, without showing a glimpse of insincere smile, draw near with asevere face.

"Please answer, Kureha-sama. Depending on what happens, even if it's you..."

Kureha indifferently asked back.

"Even if it's you?"

"ku.........."

without doing anything, just by standing there, Kureha overwhelmed Yuuji.

Even by making use of his blind devotion towards Mayumi, he could not fill the desperate power difference.

"My lady, where is she...."

Still, seeing Yuuji hang on, mustering his willpower Kureha showed a somewhat unnatural look of admiration.

"What considerable devotion. If you want to meet her that badly, I will allow you to. Come!"

Yuuji chased after Kureha, who left the room and began to walk a few meters behind. The distance he put between them, rather than him being precautious, it was more like he was afraid of getting closer.

''What kind of person is this woman?''

Even if it was for a moment, when he confronted her he felt her abnormality. That power was clearly on a different level, when compared with other practitioners. Even Iwao, the Head, for Kureha, he was not a match by far. To say it simply it was an excessively mighty power. From the time she was a child, although unique, she was recognized as a powerful practitioner but nobody expected her to rise above to such a level.

"What are you doing? You'll be left behind."

Almost like reading his heart, indulging himself in speculation, Kureha suddenly looked over her shoulder.

Bearing the shriek trying to gush out by clenching his teeth, Yuuji shortly answered.

"...........I understand"

"Hurry up. I don't want to be seen by too many people"

And with these words, her beautiful face showed her usual smile, with no trace of impatience.

Glaring annoyed at Kureha, who faced forward once again Yujji slightly quickened his pace.

In silence, Kureha walked to the deepest part of the grounds. Yuuji never entered this place before- it was a place nobody could enter with the exception of those who earned the permission of the Head.

"This is......"

"You've never entered this place before, huh? It's because, with the exception of those belonging to the main family this is a place that doesn't open but once every thirty years"

At the words he feared, Yuuji's face became stiff.

"Kureha-sama, you, by no means, even my lady- "

Those words, spoken in a strong tone, Kureh interrupted icily.

"Yuuji, you may believe you are given permission to an opinion but I have no intention of bestowing it any further. I am letting you meet her in deference to your loyalty but I have no intention of releasing Mayumi until the ceremony is over. Remember it."

".............."

Completely forbidden from raising objections, Yuuji had no choice but to be silent.

"..........is this the place?"

Starring at the small shrine they arrived before long, Yuuji asked.

"This is the entrance. Our place of destination is inside it" answered Kureha, opening the small shrine's gate.

Inside there wasn't even a single light, and without having performed any kind of process the cave entrance lightly opened its mouth.

"Here is....."

"Correct, this is the sacred ground of Tsuwabuki. The place we must protect even at the cost of our lives. Well, shall we go forward? Your beloved lady is inside."

"I understand"

To Kureha's exaggerated words, mixed with ridicule, Yuuji replied seriously.

He continued walking while controlling his uneasiness at the endlessly continuing cave.

A pitch blackness without a ray of light. A natural cave with no reinforcements. This was a situation that would have driven claustrophobic people to madness but for a Chijutsushi it was a place full of tranquility equivalent with the inside of mother's womb.

And yet, Yuuji frantically endured the urge to start running. In what sort environment was Mayumi placed, thinking of that he is unable to suppress his anxiety.

''My lady....I will, definitely.......''

Hiding that strong decision n his heart, he is descending in the cave. And then -

".......uh!?"

A dazzling glint burned Yuuji's eyes. Into his ears, unintentionally shutting his eyes, Kureha's composed voice resounds.

"Welcome to the center of Tsuwabuki's consecrated ground."

"Wh...at?"

Holding his hands before his eyes, Yuuji slowly opened his eyelids. What was there was a huge space that did not appear to be underground, spreading out.

"This is....."

A voice full of wonder leaked out. The magical spectacle spreading before hos eyes, drew in his sight and didn't let go. The gigantic pillar soaring at the center of the large hollow spreading a hundred meters below Fuji's sea of trees, is brilliantly shining.

"Chrystal?...."

The sparkling, transparent stone pillar - there is no mistake about it, it was a pillar made of high purity cristal. The diameter roughly four meters, it's height nearly twenty meters.

And then, even supposing this crystal was guiding the sunshine so deeply underground, that enormousness exhausted any kind of description.

To Yuuji, stupefied with amazement, Kureha turned an evil smile.

"Yuuji, it's fine to be so deeply moved but is it not something else you should look for?"

".......eh?"

"Please look carefully inside the pillar"

"............"

Doing as he was told, Yuuji closely observed the pillar. Enduring the radiance, he saw a dark stain somewhat lower than the center.

He supposed that was just some foreign matter that was mixed in, but that unusual shape weighted on his mind. Taking a few steps forward he starred even more.

"..................eh?"

He was terrified. That stain had the form of a human.

Dressed sparingly, the white, thin dress showing her shoulders, the girl's eyes were peacefully closed. It was unthinkable not to recognize her.

Because she was the girl he pledged to protect by sacrificing everything.

"My lady!"

On Yuuji's shoulder, who started running, an invisible power was placed.

The heavy pressure reaching one ton sealed his body's movements as if it was its loyal subject.

"Calm down!" coldly informed Kureha.

Yuuji glared at her.

"What have you done to my lady?"

That shout, so overcome with emotion it forgot even honorifics, Kureha tolerantly pardoned.

"I did say Mayumi too has her own role"

"Role...?"

"Ayumi's body cannot withstand the release of power. The emission ratio will not be enough for the final tuning. Therefore, the power Ayumi cannot sustain by herself, I made Mayumi shoulder. You could call it the unexpected side effect of a clone"

The practitioner who performs the ritual, even calling it extreme, one is enough. Or perhaps it should be said that for the delicate control required by the technique, the governing intent must only be one.

Excluding the early few times, the ceremony was practiced by almost all the family, adding multiplied force for the sake of raising the success rate but did not change the fact that the practitioner controlling the power that is the focal point is just one.

But, if it's Ayumi and Mayumi practically identical at the genetic level, it may not be impossible to align their consciousness. Particularly by making the weak-self Ayumi do the main part and leaving the trance to the egoistic Mayumi.

"Such a...."

Without listening to Kureha's explanation until the end, Yuuji dropped to his knees, heartbroken.

''I...until now, for what sake.........''

That appearance, feebly hanging his head, resembled Ren's the night before, in a cruel way.

If Yuuji could see himself through an objective point of view perhaps a cynical smile would be irrepressible.

"Relax. Because she probably won't die."

"........eh?"

But, Kureha did not permit even despair. In front of the stricken Yuuji, she suspended an ostentatious thread of salvation.

"In the end, Ayumi is the main one and Mayumi is the spare. Because she is supplementing Ayumi's insufficiency, I don't think it will be fatal - that is, as long as the seal does not break even for an instant."

Reinforcing a seal that already has shape and rebuilding from scratch a seal that burst open without leaving any trace, between the power required by the two, there is a world of difference.

If that sort of abnormal situation does not occur Mayumi will survive, it was said, but for some reason, Yuuji could not relax.

"Do you think there is a possibility it will happen?"

At Yuuji's cautious question, Kureha responded without hesitation.

"At least, there will certainly be interference."

".........the Kannagi kid will come again?"

Nothing else came to his mind but Kureha opened her eyes wide as if she was surprised and let out a small sarcastic laugh.

"Ah, do you mean Kannagi Ren? I received the report. But, I am concerned about the fairies."

"The fairies? What can those insubstantial living things do?"

Deepening her sarcastic smile toward Yuuji's bewildered face, Kureha continued.

"Did you not hear? Your head if filled with nothing but Mayumi, huh? Yesterday, a fairy and it's guardian got inside the house."

"A-ah...." Yuuji nodded vaguely.

Come to think of it, someone said that. According to Kureha's pointing out, he had no composure to think about something else, vaguely ignoring it.

"The guardian?"

"A terrifyingly strong man making use of the wind. He seemed human but - I wonder about that. He said he is the fairy's brethren too"

"Wind, is it?"

Frowning id doubt, Yuuji asked in return.

"Why, if its only the likes of Fuujutsushi should we be afraid?"

"If it's only- ?"

Stuck by Yuuji's words, Kureha giggled in a very improper way.

"You're right, if it's only Fuujutsushi. If it's just that kind of practitioner able to defeat the power of the likes of me, perhaps someone like you has no need to be afraid"

"....!!"

"So reliable"

Yuuji asked the sneering Kureha in a hoarse voice:

"Is - is that true.....? Truly, with just wind, your power - ?"

"It's the truth. What's more, I've been seen trough after the first attack. To be ahead of me to that extent, that was a first. The world is really big, huh?"

".........."

At a loss of words, Yuuji stood rock still in blank amazement.

A Fuujutsushi surpassing Kureha - if such a thing were to appear, for him it's impossible to oppose no matter how he were to struggle.

"B-but........if he obstructs the ceremony, Mt. Fuji will definitely erupt. Will he go that far?"

"I don't know about the Kannagi's side but the fairies have no reason to hesitate. Because the eruption is nothing more than a natural phenomenon they have no intention of resisting it."

Talking about such a hopeless story with a gossip-like tone, Kureha looked at Yuuji's face, dyed in despair.

"So, we can't talk about it, but... how about you? Don't you desire power?"

".....eh?"

"Power. A mighty power. To drive away all enemies, to protect your precious one, overflowing power. If I were to say I can grant you that power - you, what will you do?"

"............."

Yuuji looked hard at Kureha with a bottomless shiver. As a practitioner, Yuuji recognized the fact that she was in a by far superior rank - No, he was supposed to know that.

But it was different. This, it was not that kind of thing.

''This woman - is she really human?''

''Feeding on his hope, something that tempts humans to their ruin. The existence passed down on tradition on every culture around the world, right now, is sneering before his eyes. The spoils it aims at are waiting the time of the fall''

Even so -

''Do I mind?''

As far as Yuuji is concerned, he had no other option. No, his choice was already made.

If the compensation of power is required, he would give anything, no matter what it is.

His life, his soul, he had no choice but to consider them second or less.

That's why his answer had beed decided.

"No matter what will happen, I don't care. Please give me power."

Receiving the answer she was eagerly waiting, Kureha smiled ominously. He had the feeling that for one second, those lips tore until ears.

===Part 4===

"Father, do you know where Ren went? He's not in his room."

"I happened to see him sitting on the porch just before noon."

Ayano turned an uterly amazed glance at Juugo, who answered matter of course.

"........Father, it is already evening."

"Go and see for yourself. A certain someone who does not want to move at all is supposed to be there."

"............."

Scowling, Ayano cast her eyes down. Her strongly gripped fist was trembling.

"If you tell me he has no outhet for his anger, I'll get angry. Knocking down those Tsuwabuki guys and settle this is so simple and yet...."

"....True"

Evening

Ren, dicovered with the help of Kirika's side, the Special Data Arrangement, although he had no visible wounds, his heart received near fatal damage.

Remaining silent without responding to any questions, secluded inside his shell, Ren was brought home after midnight.

As a result of being left to rest without having to listen to anything, at dawn he recovered enough to take a miminun of communication.

As if he would been asked Ren told it all, without faltering. His own feeling - the fleeting emotion harbored for that girl, the despair when he found the truth - without hiding anything.

In front of the stricken boy nobody could do anything.

Their feelings were summarized in Ayano's words from a while ago. That is - "There is no outlet for his anger"

The act of the Tsuwabuki Household was by no means incorrect. Caring about morals has no meaning. In their line of business that goes beyond the life or death of one person, they are naturally operating for the sake of justice. There was no other way.

There is no choice but to pray to God that time will heal his emotional scars.

"So, what did you plan to do after searching for Ren?"

"What, you ask - I can't leave him alone like that, can I?"

Ren right now was similar to a living corpse.

If he was talked to, he'd give a minimal reply.

If food was given to him, he would eat it.

However, without urgings from other people, left by himself he would not move, not even a finger. Sitting sprawled out, that figure with blank eyes was exactly like a puppet whose strings have been cut.

Sober, Juugo shifted his attention to Ayano, wanting to comfort Ren.

"Can you do something?"

"I don't know if I can"

There was clearly no hesitation in Ayano's response.

"But even so, I can't leave him alone. That kind of helpless situation, I won't admit it. I definitely won't let it end this way."

Making this declaration in a rough tone, Ayano left Juugo's room.

''Wow, it really was true...''

Voiceless, Ayano murmured to herself. Ren was in the place Juugo said he would be. Sitting on the verande, he was leaning on the left side pillar. Perhaps that attitude never changed since before noon.

Approaching directly, Ayano sat dawn next to him. Ren's eyes moved slightly, perceiving her figure.

"............older sister.."

A feeble murmur escaped. The question ''why are you here'' did not resound, just calling the name of the person that entered his field of vision, that sort of dull and uninteresting matter.

Ayano did not venture to make eye contact, placing her glance on the garden in front.

Ren too, immediately lost his interest towards Ayano, restoring his glance on his feet.

Without change, for several minutes, time flew quietly.

"If it's me....."

Almost like the sound of blowing wind sliding through gaps, Ayano simply spun her words. For a second time, moving hie eyeballs, Ren looked at Ayano, but she continued facing forward.

"Because I am the person that will someday succeed as the head of the Kannagi Family, I understand those Tsuwabuki's point. At the very least I will never say something like ''it doesn't matter if Mt. Fuji erupts, go and save that Ayumi girl!''"

"............."

"But even so, that's not what you should be thinking of now, is it?"

"...........ee?"

Because that was very unexpected, Ren raised a small doubtful voice.

"Those kind of large scale problems you must leave to adults. A child should give preference to himself. What you should think of right now is what you should do related to Ayumi. That's all."

"........eh......?"

Smiling sweetly Ayano too stared at the dazed Ren.

"You said it, right? That Ayumi is an imitation? She's a clone, her memories are borrowed from another person, that the real Tsuwabuki Ayumi doesn't exist, right?"

"..........yes.."

"That can't be true, you big fool!!"

The moment he nodded - no, as soon as "y" was pronounced Ayano grabbed the cute, brother-like Ren by the collar, constricting him.

"Whether it's reproduction, doppelganger, multiplied by cell division, if it has an original will you have no right to look down upon her as an imitation. Deceiving yourself with superficial words, denying the time you yourself spent with Ayumi, why are you doing it?"

Ayano became excessively agitated while shouting but when she finished speaking her calm returned.

Releasing his collar, with sober eyes she overlooked the choking Ren.

"I thought I'd say that by putting the screws on you but you're a bright kid so you already figured it out, didn't you?"

"............."

There was no need to say it.

Although he was surprised when he first found out, once he calmed down and thought about it, it all amounted to ''what of it?''

Even if her body and memory have been reproduced Ayumi's personality was certainly original. It was very clear. Because everything bestowed upon her was an imitation, the girl grasped in her hands genuineness.

From the beginning to the end Ren sensed that decision closer than anybody else.

But, for this reason Ren can't help but feel ashamed.

"I didn't understand anything....."

In spite of seeing it from the closest place, he did not ''see'' anything. Loosing his head, getting caught in the moment, he said a lot of cruel things.

''Big brother will surely come to save you''

''I want to show you many other things so I'll take you anywhere.''

The groundless hopes, the promise of a tomorrow that will never come, he wondered with how much cruelty they resounded in Ayumi's ears. But even so, Ayumi showed a smile.

''That's right. That would be nice...''

The fact that she didn't reveal the truth was certainly not for her self-protection. So that Ren won't be crushed by the truth's weight, its anguish, its sorrow, she locked it in her chest.

''I was a fool!''

He wanted to protect Ayumi. He wanted to save the girl by expending all the power he possessed. And yet - he didn't notice he was the one being protected.

He, descendant from the strongest, made a girl scared of her imminent death worry about him and protect him like a baby.

''You don't understand anything, you foolish child pretending to be a knight'' - Yuuji's words hit the bull's eye and left no room for rebuttal.He didn't understand anything.

"That's why............I couldn't do anything........."

With a regretful emotion, he spoke of conclusion. So, everything ended in the worst possible way.

"Don't use the past tense arbitrarily just because you decided the conclusion."

Ayano could not forgive the fact that Ren was full of resignation. Grabbing him by the collar for a second time, she forcefully pulled his hanged head upwards.

"Do you feel like ending it this way. This helpless conclusion, do you approve of it?"

"But.....there is nothing I can do for Ayumi-chan anymo- "

"I'm sick of it!"

Very irritated Ayano harshly shook Ren's body.

"You're such a thorough good kiddie! Right now it's not about ''for the sake of Ayumi-chan'' or something like that. What about you? What do '''you''' want to do? That's what I want to hear!!"

"......eh......me?"

Faced with a question he never thought of, Ren revealed a confused voice. And yet, Ayano's words did not stop.

"That's right. If it's true you won't do anything anymore, if that's the case, I won't interfere. But if you do so, you'd better label it as ''memories of my first love'' or something and put it away in some corner of your memory. frankly, that is the most peaceful settlement. Still..."

Ayano held Ren's cheeks between her hands and brought their eyes at the same height by leaning over a little. And then, directly facing that glance mixed with bewilderment she asked earnestly.

"Still, are you OK with that? Parting in such a way, although it was the last and you will never be able to meet again, you don't regret it? There is nothing you want to tell that girl?"

"............."

''Do you want to meet her, do you not want to meet her?''

Faced with this choice, he answered without hesitation.

''I want to meet her. Even if it's just once. Meet her and then...''

''But....''

"So, what will you do?"

Ayano pressed the hesitating Ren for an answer.

"You won't be able to chase after her if it goes like this - you know, right? You don't have time. Tomorrow, Ayumi-chan will be nowhere to find. No matter what your answer, there will be none to say it to. You have no time to hesitate. Decide now. What should you be doing?"

".............."

Hanging his head down, Ren closed his eyes. And he thought about it. What he wanted to do. What he ought to do. What he must, no matter what.

Dozens of seconds afterwards, at the end of his most serious meditation, the boy slowly opened his mouth.

"About the ceremony, about the living sacrifice, the most righteous thing to do about those, I have yet to realize. However..."

Lifting his head, he looked straight at Ayano.

That gaze held no more indecision.

"However, I want to meet Ayumi-chan one more time. Meet her, apologize to her and I want to tell her - I have something I must tell her no matter what."

"OK. Let's go then."

Ayano responded to those words said with the resolution of a lifetime with a ''just out for a bit of shopping'' mood.

"...You mean, right now!?"

"That's right. It's not like you need some particular preparation, no? If you need a stop over set, we can buy it at the local supermarket."

"No......that's not the probl- "

With a snap Ayano trusted her index finger at Ren, unable to follow the development's speed.

"Didn't I say it? We have no time. The ceremony is tonight and to begin with, do you think they will let us pass by saying ``I came to meet Ayumi-chan. I have no intention to interfere with the ceremony so please let us past``?"

".........that is perhaps impossible..."

"Not ``perhaps``, it's absolutely impossible. At any rate we have no choice but to push through with brute strength so we'd netter move while we still have time."

Saying that, Ayano stood up without waiting for a reply.

"Well, go change your clothes. If Father finds us, an explanation will be difficult so we must not be exposed."

"``Difficult``, you say!? If he finds out it's confinement for us."

If they mess up, it's a deed quite capable of making Mt. Fuji erupt. It's obvious Juugo will never allow it.

"If that's the case, hurry!"

But, once Ayano got like this she couldn't be stopped. Having a thorough knowledge about that, after coming this far he finally resolved himself.

"I understand. Give me five minutes."

"I'm waiting by the rear entrance."

Exchanging a small nod, both of them hurried in different directions.

[[User:Ayame|Ayame]] ([[User talk:Ayame|talk]]) 15:36, 25 March 2013 (CDT)

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| Forward to [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume3_Chapter_5|Chapter 5]]
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Kaze no Stigma:Volume3 Chapter 3

2013-04-28T15:32:44Z

80.240.162.190: /* Part 4 */

===Chapter 3 - The person one must protect===

===Part 1===

"......................"

Inside the train, Ren was frozen solid.He sat in such a way that if someone poked him, he would roll on the floor while in sitting position.

The reason for that was the existence of the girl sitting earnestly on his left side, Ayumi. She was clinging to Ren's left arm in order for their bodies to be glued as close as possible.

At the beginning of her teens, wearing a coat over the still immature body, although the sensation wasn't supposed to be very fresh, it's still impossible to be composed about it.

Contrastive to Ayumi, who yielded herself to Ren with a peaceful appearance, his brain has been frozen for the last 10 minutes.

- It happened approximately 10 minutes before.

At the time they waited for the train on the platform of Tokyo Station, staring at Ren shivering from the coldness of the wind, Ayumi asked in a worried manner:

"Are you cold?"

"No, I'm fine"

Ren showed a smile meant to give her a piece of mind but the next moment that smile became frozen.

"a... a... a... Ayumi-chan?"

"If we are like this it's warm, right?"

Feeling guilty for borrowing his coat and trying to transfer her own body temperature, she clung to Ren's arm.

"D-don't do that -"

Ren's brain, trying to separate his body, was pierced by Ayumi's expression, looking at him with upturned eyes.

"-No?"

"Eh, ah, no, that sort of..."

A stuttering Ren. He was unbelievably ashamed, he also thought this sort of thing is wrong, but before the girl's gaze, looking at him sadly, he couldn't shake his head.

''What to do.....''

The warm sense of touch transmitted by his left arm thoroughly snatched Ren's presence of mind. After that, when, how did hey get into the train, he didn't remember any of it.

"I'm sorry"

"-Eh?"

Receiving such an abrupt apology, Ren's consciousness recovered after a long time. Ayumi's turned away expression, full of guilt was reflected in his eyes.

"About what?"

"For making such an odd request."

Ren replied while laughing.

"It's not a big deal, this much"

Actually the girl's wish was simple. What it required were traveling expenses and a little bit of time. Just those will suffice.

''Take me to the sea''

That's what Ayumi spoke in the park. It was just one wish. Naturally, Ren had no objection.

Investigating those contents for a while, he asked only one thing.

"Is a harbor-like place acceptable? Or a sandy beach?"

Without wavering, Ayumi chose the latter. Therefore, together they boarded the Tokaido Line. That route was aimed at Chigasaki.

If that was the nearest swimming beach, Ren doesn't know. But that was the only place he could lead her to. Because of his family's line of work he is a boy unrelated to family vacations et cetera. He had hardly any experience of swimming in the sea. Ren was deeply grateful to the girl who took him by force sea bathing last year's summer.

While chasing the flowing scenery, Ayumi murmured:

"In the end, I wanted to see something beautiful with my own eyes."

"In the end, you say?"

"When I do so, I'm going back. To the Tsuwabuki."

"No!", Ren promptly shouted.

"No! They don't treat you like a fellow human. Only like a tool. If you return to those people you'll never be happy. If you have no place to go, you can come to my house. The Kannagi Clan will, without exception -"

"Ren, you see-"

Ayumi quietly interrupted Ren's desperate pleading words.

"Have you heard about the Tsuwabuki's Grand Festival?"

"The Grand Festival - about that ceremony to appease the volcanic activity of Mt. Fuji? I'm not very familiar with it but the practitioner always lost his life... "

Going that far, Ren turned a terrified glance towards Ayumi.

"No...way....."

What was reflected in those eyes was Ayumi's excessively tranquil smiling face. It was unbelievable. Ren completely denied that expression. There shouldn't be something like that. Such a thing cannot be allowed. Something like that- something like that-

"I have no family name, nor a family register, naming myself is not permitted, but-"

''No way''

''I don't want to hear''

Despite this - the body doesn't move. Even blocking his ears, he can't do it. Without waiting for agreement or disagreement, pouring into his ears, that tone calm as the surface of the lake. Admitting everything, allowing it, accepting it.

"I am called Tsuwabuki. According to the lineage, something like a direct descendant."

''I don't want to hear it''

"The ceremony is tomorrow night. Therefore, I must get back until then. Because I- because I am the priest of the ritual"

''Because I am the priest of the ceremony''

From Ren's body, with a water-like sound, blood flew backwards.

The Yamatsumino Grand Festival - the origin of it goes back roughly 300 years.

The year is 1707 - during the Houei era was the last volcanic eruption of Mt. Fuji and the greatest since the dawn of history. The violent eruption reaching 15 days, it was said that the volcanic ash fell as far as the distant town of Edo. It was not only Kantō but a life or death crisis for Japan itself. No matter how many times Mt. Fuji erupted, it didn't show any signs of quieting down.

That raging <Ki> finally resulted in the embodiment of one demon beast. The impersonation of Fuji's <ki>. it is certain that was the largest, strongest devilishness that materialized in this country. If one tried to rank it among other demon beasts, the only reference it had would be the legendary monsters, like the eight tail serpent that couldn't be defeated without the help of god's power.

The beast's roar beckoned eruptions and its stepping feet invoked eruptions. Mowing down everything it touched, it exhausted the limits if tyranny. The ones who sealed it were the yet unknown Tsuwabuki family. A young girl leading the family offered prayers to the King of the Earth Spirits for seven days and seven nights and finally attained that divine protection.

And then, by that divine protection, the girl managed to seal that demon beast. Thus Mt. Fuji calmed down and Japan's peace was protected. And they all lived happily ever after.

-But that story has sequel.

First, that girl was not able to endure the release of such an over-sized power and lost her life with the seal. And then, even after applying such a powerful seal, the demon beast's lock couldn't continue forever. Being the personification of an active volcano, it's possible to say that was the unavoidable outcome.

Approximately 30 years - that was the limit of the seal. For the sake of continuing the sealing of a raging demon beast seeking release, Tsuwabuki family had no choice but to conduct the ceremony at fixed intervals for the sake of suppressing Mt. Fuji's <Ki>.

Because of the divine protection of the Spirit King that dwelt in their blood - the strongest unmarried woman was elected as the priest of the ceremony.

Until today, the sealing ceremony known under the bombastic name of "Grand Festival" took place 8 times. And there were 8 casualties. The fatality ratio was 100%. This is the reason the ceremony practitioner was named sacrifice.

With no other option, the 9th ceremony approached. The girl called Ayumi was a lamb led to slaughter.

How long was he in blank amazement, I wonder. When Ren came to his senses, Ayumi was smiling gently, looking at him.

Unable to meet that extremely pitiful smile, Ren muttered, while looking down.

"Why?....."

"Ren?"

"Why do you have to do such a...."

After examining for a short while Ren's expression, Ayumi replied:

"Because someone has to do it"

'''''"But it doesn't have to be you-"'''''

Ayumi softly touched Ren's lips with her fingers. The boy who unintentionally couldn't keep his mouth shut, she rebuked him gently.

"It's not good saying these kind of things. If you speak filthy words your heart will become filthy too"

"........I'm sorry.........."

Ayumi shook her head.

"No. It's alright. Truthfully I was a little happy. Because I was never regarded as something valuable."

From the moment she was born, it was decided that Ayumi will be a sacrifice. She wasn't regarded as part of the same family, not recognized as a human being. For this girl with no family register, with no choice but being a tool for the ceremony, so far there wasn't a single person to hold her life dear.

Pointlessly, Ren made sure of her acknowledgement.

"Even so, you'll do it? For the sake of those who think of you as a tool?"

"It's different", Ayumi flatly shook her head.

"It has nothing to do with the Tsuwabuki family's expectations. Because it must be done no matter what, I'll do it. It's bad if Mt. Fuji erupts, right?"

"That is true..."

"If I am able to suppress it, my life, my death is not worthless.Even if the physical me dies, my prayers will fuse with the mountain and I will continue to watch over this country eternally. That's a very beautiful thing, don't you agree?"

"................."

Something is wrong. Something is terribly wrong, Ren thought so.

'''''-Don't try to glorify death with words of self-sacrifice -'''''

Kazuma's words, once intended for him were recalled to his mind. Doesn't Ayumi make the same mistake he did at the same time? But Ren had no persuasion words for the girl. He could not think of a path that doesn't result in Ayumi's death.

Only to let Mt. Fuji erupt-

To replace Ayumi as a sacrifice.

She would accept neither. There is no mistake about it, the girl known as Ayumi was the type that would sacrifice herself for others.

"That's why I'm not afraid of death. It's because I was born for this purpose. And yet, I desired memories before the time comes. Memories of my own, born from my own experience."

In that peaceful pupil, that accepted everything dwelt the light of a faint longing.

''Memories of her own?''

It's only natural to display a strong attachment for one's dying wish. But even so, that was a strange expression. Memories are neither true nor false.

To the bewildered Ren, Ayumi threw another bomb.

"You see, I don't have my own memories."

"Eh?"

"I haven't lost my memories. It's not like I have something to remember and I don't, it's more like I have ''nothing'' to remember."

"..............."

Without saying anything, Ren starred at Ayumi dumbfounded.

"If it would be just like that, even speaking and moving my body would have been impossible. But the me right now is something ignorant of the ways of the world but I can communicate with other people. Do you know why?"

"Wasn't it because you kept studying it?"

Toward such an unbelievable circumstance, Ren said so, including a ray of hope.

But, as feared, Ayumi shook her head.

"In my had there are transcripts of another's memories.I don't know how it's been done, though"

Almost like it was somebody else's problem, Ayumi indifferently recited those grand circumstances. Ren finally had the feeling he understood the reason why Ayumi had no attachment to her life. She had nothing to be particular about.

Not even recognized as a person, her existence valued as nothing but a tool, day after day. Planted forged memories. Without beginning, Ayumi's life ended.

With no room to harbor hope, she has no attachment except despair. Together with that gentle resignation, Ayumi accepted everything.

"That's why I wanted to see the world through my eyes even if it's just once. I wished for something that's not faked, real memories."

Like telling an unfulfilled dream, Ayumi whispered with a distant look. Toward the ordinary everyone was given as a natural privilege - no, the privilege they took for granted she felt endless longing and envy.

"The moment I saw the sky when I first felt the residence, I was very surprised. How vast was the sky windows don't limit, Mt. Fuji was so big..."

"Ayumi-chan......"

"The sky, the stars, the moon were so much more beautiful than what I remembered. Surely, the sea must be very beautiful, right?"

The silhouette of the innocent girl in high spirits was reflected in Ren's eyes as overbearingly pitiful.

-She wanted to see beautiful things-

What sort of feelings did she include when she said those words? The words of a girl dreaming, escaping from reality, no that he knew everything, they were unbelievably heavy.

"-This is hopeless"

With a strong determination, Ren muttered in his heart.

''Such a thing cannot be. It cannot be forgiven.''

"Ayumi-chan!"

"W-what?"

His immature sense of justice aroused, Red declared strongly.

"I will protect Ayumi-chan"

" - Ren?"

"So please, don't give up. Don't say it's OK to die. Because I'll protect you. I'll protect you for sure."

"Ren........."

Making a somewhat troubled face, she looked at the boy making a vow.

Joy and sadness and the kindness of a mother watching over her child were mixed in that complex gaze.

Without noticing that gaze, Ren continued.

"I'm sure it exists. A way in which Ayumi-chan doesn't have to die. I'll do whatever it's in my power. My own ability may be very small but if it's big brother, surely- "

"Your older brother?"

"Eh?"

Ayumi unintentionally asked in return and Ren reaffirmed with force those entrusting words.

"Ah-"

In those cornered eyes hope was shining.

"That's right! I have my older brother! If it's big brother, he will definitely save you!"

Without a fragment of anxiety, with absolute faith in his voice, Ren clearly declared.

For a short while, Ayumi opened her eyes wide, staring at the smile of the boy, delighted as if the problem was already settled.

"Do you have such an amazing brother?"

"Yeah", Ren answered without a moment's hesitation.

"Big brother is stronger than anyone. There is nothing he can't do. I'm sure."

"............Is that so........."

"So please don't say such lonesome things like last memories and let's do many more together. I want to show you many other things. That is...."

Embarrassed and blushing Ren invited the girl screwing up his courage.

"Because - I'll take you no matter where"

".............."

Receiving Ren's invitation, for one instant, Ayumi seemed to burst into tears. However, in just one moment she erased that bitter expression and replied with a calm and somewhat sad smile.

"Right.....If we could do that, it would be very nice....."

===Part 2===

"I wonder where did big brother go....."

Descending on the platform of the Chiwasaki Station, the shore on the other side of it, Ren muttered to himself with a worried face.

He can't get in touch with Kazuma.

He called Kazuma's cellphone from the station's public telephone but what came back was the dull announcement of the answering machine.

Because his own cellphone broke, he can't wait for Kazuma to get in touch with him. In the end, leaving the message "I'll call again" Ren hanged the receiver.

"I'm beaten"

As soon as he complained, Ayumi's hand, holding his left arm, tightly hugged him. Flustered, Ren showed a bright smile meant to give her peace of mind.

"Oh, it's fine. Because we'll get in touch shortly."

" -yeah", Ayumi nodded a little.

For a little while they didn't speak. Both of them walked the road to the beach in silence.

"Ah........."

A sound resembling noise making her eardrums vibrate, Ayumi strained her ears. The term sea roar came to her mind.

"The sound of waves......?"

"Yeah. We'll be there shortly."

Nodding, Ren increased his pace to not fall behind Ayumi, who unconsciously did so.

And now -

"Ah - !"

At the magnificent view at last reflected in her eyes Ayumi raised her voice in delight. Ren looked in the came direction. It was the sea. The great deep stretching endlessly. The utmost blue sea surface sparkling in the downpour of sunshine - naturally, it wasn't.

The winter sea is cold and hollow. it doesn't have a particle of the heat and energy the summer sea is full of, instead it's pushing out a cold surface, almost like rejecting humans. Staring at the utmost black sea, the same color as the night sky, Ayumi muttered:

"Is this... The sea...........?"

Perceiving the sound of a clear disappointment, Ren became impatient.

"W-what to do......."

Thinking now about it, it was a problem he should have noticed earlier. The winter sea - at night. Seen by girl his age it can't be a pleasing spectacle.Anyway, there was definitely not enough light. But there are at least seven, eight hours until dawn breaks.

''If I had light....light -?''

The idea that reflexively occurred to him was suppressed at an almost instinctive level. His family admonished sternly such conduct. But, even so-

''Do it!''

After just 3 seconds of hesitation, Ren decided to dismiss good sense. For his peace of mind, turning around, he searched for indications of human presence, surveying the surroundings.

From what he roughly saw, there was none except them.

- It must be done now.

Summoning fire spirits, he shortly informed:

"Go"

" - Eh? What?"

Before Ayumi finished her second question - the sky exploded.

"Kyaa!?"

The golden light shines out far and white pressing down the darkness. The brightness spreading out on the entire surface of the sky dyed the world golden and the jet black sea surface glittered dazzlingly.

"This - this is....Ren?"

To the Ayumi starring up in succession to both the sky and Ren with a surprised gaze, somewhat embarrassed but at the same time very proud, Ren's nostrils twitched.

"It's impossible to replicate the midsummer sea, but it's better than the pitch black gloomy sea, right? How is it? Do you like it?"

"Ren- "

Calling out Ren's name with a voice trembling with delight, Ayumi gave Ren a bear-like hug.

"Amazing! It's amazing! It is the most beautiful thing I've seen!"

"R-really? I'm glad"

Although confused by Ayumi's bold conduct, the relaxation of Ren's cheeks was irrepressible. Ayumi's large smile - even if he tried to express it, it's magnificence was beyond words.

Underneath the gold radiance, they innocently smiled at each other and looked up at the sky. Just like a golden aurora borealis the movement of the dancing fire spirits combined and the canopy covering the entire sky changed the same way a kaleidoscope would.

"Beautiful...but won't it cause an uproar?"

Ren shrugged his shoulders in silence. Without even thinking, it was an obvious matter. This was not a solitary island in the southern sea. Approachable by walking from the train station it was an empty swimming area.

Although there was a shelter-belt and a fence obstructing the field of vision, a highway was running less than 10 meters away. The houses were close. Without having to wait, it's likely spectators with burning curiosity would arrive in great numbers. There's no mistake that it will appear in tomorrow's newspaper.

But even so, Ren didn't care.

To make Ayumi happy - right now, for Ren it was all that mattered. Seeing Ayumi's wet eyes, Ren asked her casually, as if inquiring about the dinner's menu.

"Do you want to keep it up just a little bit more? Before long it could cause trouble but if they get in the way I'll drive them away"

"....No, it's enough."

After considering for a short while, Ayumi shook her head.

"It's enough. Because I'll never forget it."

" -Alright"

With a light nod, Ren called out the fire spirits. Promptly answering to the Enjutsushi's will, the fire spirits came together in a boisterous dance of light. And then -

"....W...ow...."

The light shining in the sky rained like drops of water above ground. Like snow, lightly flickering in the wind, the golden drops descended in a dance.

Holding no temperature, the clusters of pure light, upon touching the sandy beach and the surface of the sea, burst open and disappeared like in a dream.

"Ah- "

The last descending drop, Ayumi caught it extending both her hands. The moment it touched her hand, the light fleetingly disappeared but the girl softly closed her hands and touched her chest. That irreplaceable something stored in her hands was tucked away inside her chest.

Dropping the curtain on the light's dance performance, affecting acting, Ren made a bow.

"Did it please you?"

"Yes - yes...."

Her eyes full of tears, Ayumi bowed many, many times over.

"I... I am glad that I am alive. Meeting Ren.... Seeing something so beautiful, I...I...from the bottom of my heart...."

Unable to bear it in the end, her tears escaped. Shed for the first time in her life, tears of happiness.

In order to wipe the sobbing girl's tears, handkerchief in hand, he touched her face. Both their shadows brought forth by the moonlight, slowly became one.

But - this moment was the concluding moment of their honeymoon. On their cuddled silhouettes a violent, intense light shined.

" -!?"

Turning around holding hands, an eternally domineering voice pierced their ears.

"That's right! I'm so happy for you! That means you have no more regrets in this world, right?"

In front of both of them, watching over in a daze, the woman with the light on her back laughed.

===Part 3===

''The pursuer from the Tsuwabuki!''

In an instant Ren saw through the shadow's true character. Or perhaps I should say, as far as Ren knew, it was the only opponent pursuing them.

Drawing Ayumi back and stepping forward with a sleepwalking like gait, Ren probed into the other party's attitude. Overlooking them for a brief period from a higher place, the woman descended the stairs and continued walking towards the beach in a composed manner.

One man, like a servant, followed her, leaving between them several steps.

Because of the back lighting he sees only outlines but even from those shadows it was impossible not to recognize the proud atmosphere drifting around the woman. The glance overlooking them was more suited for stray dogs than humans.

Leaving a distance of five meters between them, the woman faced Ren and Ayumi.

As one would expect, approaching so much, it was now possible to discriminate her looks. Closing his eyes partly, Ren observed the woman - and several seconds afterwards he opened his eyes wide in shock.

"Eh - ?"

The woman was younger than he thought. Probably not yet of age, in the second half of her teens. But that wasn't what Ren was surprised about.

-They looked alike.

Ren thought so, watching intently, in succession, Ayumi and the woman. No, they didn't resemble each other. If the age difference could be removed, their facial features would be perfectly the same.

Twins separated by age - those sort of contradicting words passed through Ren's head.

"Mayumi-sama........" Ayumi murmured, looking at that woman with a glance mixed with panic.

Unintentionally, Ren asked:

"Your elder sister?"

''If that is the case, she too can...''

The thought that instantly came to his mind, Ren denied it confused. Ayumi does not wish for such a thing.

-If you speak filthy words, your heart will become filthy too -

''Good grief, I need to be more careful.''

Agreeing to Ayumi's words reverberating in his head, he grasped her hand tenderly. Ayumi's face stiff from fear, still displayed a gallant smile.

'''"Elder sister?"'''

On the other hand, for the boy and the girl happy by themselves, the woman - Mayumi matched it with the height of displeasure.

"Elder sister, you said?"

Glaring at Ren as if he was her archenemy, she squeezed out a stifled to death voice from the gap between her clenched teeth. Her well regulated, elegant features, changed into the face of a demonic warrior.

"Don't mess around with me"

Mayumi's angry roar shrunk Ayumi's body with a start. After staring with much discord at the frightened girl, she turned an identical glance at Ren.

"It was enough taking Ayumi and running away without understanding the circumstance and this already foolish show, I believed you were someone lacking prudence but, never to this extent. Me and that thing sisters? It's the first time I was insulted so."

"..............."

It seems Ayumi didn't receive human treatment even from her relatives. Holding down the rising anger, Ren searched for presence in the surroundings. It was unpleasant when Ayumi was called "that" again but Mayumi's words implied an imminent crisis.

Other people didn't come. Because what Mayumi evaluated as a foolish exhibition was already over, if such a flashy, abnormal phenomenon happened, it's impossible for none to approach. Normally, about now, a crowd would have gathered on the beach and the police and fire department would have surrounded the place.

None of it happened.

It's very likely that right now this area was blocked.

By the subordinates of the Tsuwabuki.

''Can we escape?''

Without thinking of handing Ayumi over, Ren investigated the possibility of escape. The fact that the girl in question accepted her own faith was totally forgotten.

"Why are you so cautious, young Kannagi prince?"

Seeing through Ren's decision promptly, Mayumi laughed, smiling sweetly.

"Everything is already over. There is nothing left for you to try."

Although using honorifics, speaking in a clearly despising tone, Mayumi focused on Ayumi.

"................."

Without even using words, Mayumi carelessly beckoned her. as if calling her pet dog or something.

Ayumi started walking obediently.

"Ayumi-ch-"

"It's fine."

Ren's words, trying to call her to a halt, Ayumi interrupted them shortly and with a decisive voice.

"It's fine already. Thank you for everything until now. - It was very fun."

"Ayu- "

In order to shake of his extended hand, Ayumi turned her back on Ren. And with that, she never turned around.

Standing in front of Mayumi, Ayumi's body became stiff as if she turned to stone. Her glance swayed insecurely nearly Mayumi's feet. Suddenly Mayumi stretched her fingers to Ayumi's chin and forcefully pointed upwards her face hanged in shame. Coercively looking down on the startled girl, she said in a voice full of smiles:

"If you wanted to run away, you should at least have crossed the ocean. Instead of that, seducing a man and flirting with him in this kind of place, - do you look down on us?"

The Chijutsushi manipulating the spirits of the earth can make searches on fairly long distances as long it's adjoining land. It goes without saying that if you know the target well that searching ability is further improved.

For the sake of running from Chijutsushi, by sea or by air - anyway the most important thing is to separate from the ground.

"I had...no intention...."

Staring at Ayumi, protesting in a trembling voice, wit the look a carnivorous animal has before its feed, Mayumi let go of her jaw.

And then - she pulled her hand backwards and swung with all her strength.

" -Uh!"

It wasn't something as lovely as a slap. The punch made by hardening her wrist at the moment of the impact was a blow that made her bones resound.

Instantly Ayumi's legs separated from the ground and from the beginning exhausted body sunk into the sandy beach. Appearing to have completely fainted, her face half buried in the sand, she was completely still.

"Wha...."

Overcome with surprise at the sudden violence, Ren shouted white as a ghost.

"What have you done?"

But Mayumi didn't even looked at Ren. As she already stated "your turn is already over" she disregarded his existence itself.

Instead, the man who followed behind her moved. With body movement that had no openings he stepped forward and got on his knee before Ayumi.

Decidedly, he did not attempt to nurse her. Grabbing hold of Ayumi by the hair, casually the man lifted her head as if he would uproot a radish.

"...........E-eek......"

"What are you doing?"

Coldly looking down on Ayumi's feeble struggle, the man said in a monotonous tone.

"Do you think you can be lying down in front of the young lady, do you?"

"Yuu...ji.....sama....."

"Silence!"

The man - Yuuji - abruptly became enraged.

"With that face, through that mouth, don't call out my name! How disgusting!"

Raising his hand, pulling her hair even more, he made Ayumi stand on her knees. And then - this time from the front, he slapped her face onto the sand. Forcibly making Ayumi take a prostrating position, Yuuji shouted.

"Apologize! Until your voice becomes hoarse, until your throat tears apologize! Did you understand in how much danger did you put the young lady? If we didn't find you in time what would have happened! Did you intend for the young lady to be a sacrifice in your place? You puppet doll!!"

That was the limit.

He thought he himself endured it really well. Surely, big brother would praise him for it. Or - he'll get angry for letting it get that far.

Quietly he held out his right hand and pointed his index finger at Yuuji. And then - without a moment of hesitation he released hs power.

The thin, refined heat ray grazed Yuuji's cheek sticking into the concrete wall. The red hot concrete melted and the wall followed it, crashing.

"..........What kind of behavior.." Yuuji questioned with a voice stiffed to death. However, like Mayumi did before, Ren completely disregarded that utterance.

It wasn't a provocation or something like that. It's just that in Ren's field of vision no one else but Ayumi was reflected. It was just that.

"Re....n.....?"

For the girl weakly getting up, hearing that cracked voice, Ren painfully shook his head.

"As I thought, it's useless."

I can't control it.

I can't endure it.
Anymore than this - I can't stand it.

"What is the right thing to do, I don't even know. However, to hand you over to these guys it's absolutely impossible."

Whether it's right or not, that's long past. His feelings denied that option.

"Fall back!"

Struck by that sharp voice, Ayumi reflexively kicked the ground. Slightly further away from Yuuji. In that gap Ren threw a fireball brought forth from the sky.

"-Tch!"

Visibly agitated by the blast, Yuuji and Mayumi jumped. The distance widened even more. Well in advance Ren wedged himself in the space separating the two "enemies" and Ayumi.

"Humph - in the end brute force, huh?"

Staring at Ren blocking his way to Ayumi, Yuuji laughed fearless.

"Ah, well. Just as planed."

"Shall I back you up?"

"It's not necessary."

Politely rejecting Mayumi's proposal, he casually took one step forward. With an attitude full of composure he looked down on Ren taking a battle stance.

"Publicly- "

Without particularly preparing in advance, just standing, Yuuji began to speak in a relaxed manner.

"Publicly, it seems there are many idiots who believe Enjutsushi teh strongest but do you think so too?"

"-?"

Not understanding Yuuji's plan, Ren was perplexed. There is nothing to believe. The fact that Enjutsushi are the strongest is a <Reality> with no room for argument.

It's not about whether an Enjutsushi never lost to another kind of practitioner, of course there is no such thing. That is the power of one individual. It's about whether the ability difference can undermine the advantages and disadvantages of a technique style.

As for what technique system is the strongest - there is only one answer to that question. Without room for argument, with no chance for objection, the grave <Reality> doesn't change.

That is what Yuuji downright negated.

"What a foolish thing. All of you understand nothing about battle. The greatest offensive ability? When killing people do you think that is necessary?"

"What exactly?"

Including the confidence of certain victory in front of the perplexed Ren, Yuuji fired the question.

"You, where on earth do you plan to place your feet on?"

Unintentionally Ren stared at his own feet.There was nothing there but the ordinary sandy beach. There was no sign of set traps. There was no sense of discomfort when stepping on it, nothing but the feeling of soft sand-

''-Sand?''

"-Uh!!"

The sign of something wriggling, underneath his feet. Jumping by reflex, Ren's face became stiff with surprise and shivers.

Underground, and in addition to that, directly under his footprints a spear covered in sand was pushed up.

If his evasion would have been delayed by one second the spear would have stopped his foot by sewing it. it may be true he avoided the first attack but he had no room for relief. Visibly lying in wait at the spot Ren would come down, several spears sprung up.

"Kuu- "

Releasing fire and pointing it directly below, a countless number of spears burned to nothing. Coincident with his landing above the red hot sand, Ren rolled on the ground. Pursuing the rolling Ren from inside the sand, one after another, spears stick out.

While narrowly avoiding those, the boy cursed his overly optimistic thinking.

''Shit, Chijutsushi - so that's the reason!''

The spears hidden inside the sand were not something prepared in advance. Hardening the sand itself and changing its shape, Yuuji made those sharp spears.

Chijutsushi possess the force of the Earth Spirits. Sand, soil, ground stone and all materials affiliated with those, for them, are similar with extensions of their own hands. There was no need to expressly set traps.

The battleground itself was the Chijutsushi's weapon because that was for them the absolute most advantageous arrangement.

''What to do?''

Starting to see gaps one way or another, running in zig-zag to dodge the underground attacks, Ren looked for a breach. At any rate, as long as he is staying on the ground,his disadvantage can't be overcome.

Continuing to receive one-sided attacks without grasping a counter-attack clue, sooner or later he will receive a fatal blow.

On the other hand, Ren doesn't know such a jutsu that would allow him to gain a foothold on something else other than the ground.

If it were an Enjutsushi, he could fly into the air.

A Suijutsushi could maybe stand on top of water.

However, Ren being an Enjutsushi - it may be possible for Jugo or Genma - he had no skill to stand on top of flames. As long as gravity comes into play, he had no choice but to place his feet on the ground.

''What should I do?''

Looking over his surroundings, he searched for a turn-around plan. The sandy beach was the worst as a battle ground but concrete and asphalt must be similar. What remains -

''Inside the sea?''

It was out of the question. Ren being an Enjutsushi water was nothing more but a thing to be avoided. There was no point for Ren's power to weakened beyond what Yuuji could accomplish.

To Ren, stuck in a defensive battle, Yuuji turned words of ridicule.

"What's the matter? Are you just going to run? I don't care how far you run but if you go to far I'll take Ayumi and go back home."

"Kuu- "

Because of Yuuji's carelessness, recognizing he became long separated from Ayumi, Ren grinds his teeth. if it goes like this, Ayumi will really be taken away.

''What should I do? what should I -''

The problem was that he had no technique to defend against the blows. He can use flames to cover the surroundings but the bottom of his feet are perfectly defenseless. When fighting against Chijutsushi, that became a lethal weakness. A foothold was necessary. Separated from Yuuji's control, a scaffold made of <Earth> he cannot control.

He cannot fly into the sky. Water is also excluded. There's no wood near. He cannot stand on top of fire. On top of fire -

''-Huh?''

Suddenly Ren remembered the scene of a volcanic eruption he saw on TV. From craters, forcefully spitting out the red hot-

''Shall I give it a try?''

There was no time to spare. Making his resolve, Ren stopped and concentrated his consciousness.

"Aa.......a.........aa!!"

From Ren's whole body golden flames erupted. The dazzling glimmer blurred even the contours of his body and the boy shined, transformed into a small sun.

"Ua.......unh, it's useless."

To encourage himself overpowered by the tremendous quantity of heat, Yuuji intentionally raised his voice.

"No matter how hot a flame you clad yourself in, you cannot defend against attacks from below."

Trying to make the reality that he was currently on offensive known, Yuuji was perplexed by the dull response from the spirits.

The spirits of the earth didn't respond to his will - No, something different obstructs the formation of sand spears.

"You....what did you do?"

He turns a glance full of suspicion towards Ren. No matter what an Enjutsushi tries to do, it's impossible to exercise a stronger influence towards sand than a Chijutsushi does.

Ren didn't answer. Unaffected, abandoning that body to the flames, he only stood rock still above the red ground.

"Red - ? I see, you- "

Yuuji stared at Ren's feet. What was there didn't have the rough characteristics of sand but was reflecting the flame like grass. Sometimes, from the bottom bubbles rose to the surface and burst open with a particular thick sound.

"You brat - you changed the burning sand to magma!"

"I gave it a try"

Receiving Yuuji's angry roar, Ren laughed triumphantly. It does not mean he had a positive proof. If a Suijutsushi can stand atop water he tried to stand atop magma, that could also be called fluid flame. He simply tried out that idea.

Although having a fluffy, undependable sense of touch, magma firmly sustained Ren's body weight. As there was no fist fight involved, the tenderness of the scaffold didn't matter. The radius was about two meters. Although modest,from the <Kingdom> underneath Yuuji's absolute control, Ren gained that much territory.

"D-don't be excited, boy!" barked Yuuji after loosing his advantage.

"Even for magma, it's <ground> attribute doesn't change. The situation is still the same!"

With an angry roar, including a severe determination, Yuuji ordered the ground spirits. Around Ren's surroundings magma unnaturally rose, molding red spearheads.

"Die, boy!!"

The spears lengthen trying to pierce Ren's body. But just before that - they stopped.

"W-whaaaaat!?"

Quietly gazing at the surprised Yuuji, Ren talked indifferent.

"Certainly magma is something that belongs to the <ground>. Still, half of it it's Enjutsushi possession. I'm not gonna hand it over so easily!"

The spear on the verge of touching his body, Ren casually flung it off. The hard sharp spear instantly lost her unity and returned with a small splash on the surface of the magma sea.

"Guu..........Ba......."

With a really detestable howl, Yuuji stopped trying to proactively commence the next attack. It's understandable.

The control of the material called magma with attributes of both <ground> and <fire> has been snatched away. That means that in a contest of pure strength he was defeated by Ren. As the opponent of a higher ranked practitioner, he couldn't carelessly take the vanguard.

"Next is my turn, huh?" Ren declared with no fighting spirit.

His pushed out right hand accurately aimed at Yuuji. From that palm golden flames gushed out.

"Oooooooooooohh!!"

Yuuji too, didn't gave in. Hoisting the sand beneath his feet, he threw it onto the approaching flame. A surging sea of white sand attacking the golden torrent.

Receiving the aftermath of the struggle between these two powers, the ground grated and the sky trembled.

"Gu........me..uuuu......."

Through clenched teeth Yuuji let out a pressing moan. He understood that in a contest of strength he was inferior. As it is, he will certainly be pressed down.

While his body burned in humiliation, Yuuji changed his tactics to defense. The sand changed into a bulky bedrock and stood before the fire torrent. Although the bedrock stopped the flames there was no room for relaxation.

"It's coming from behind."

Inside the thunderous roar made by the flames burning the rock, for some reason that whisper clearly reached his ears. Uneventfully changed to a quiet oath, Yuuji felt that enormous heat approaching from behind.

"Sh-shit!"

The already thin bedrock rose, splitting the sand and stopped a gigantic fire ball. Although withstanding it somehow, the tremendous impact crossed over the bed rock and mercilessly pummeled Yuuji's body.

In the space between the two bedrocks Yuuji was in anguish. And there, the last blow came.

"Next is up"

" -!?"

Looking up at the sky, Yuuji's eyes peeled in shock. A remarcably big fireball descended upon Yuuji like a meteor. The distance was less than two meters.

"Kuuu- !"

It's unthinkable of having time to defend and so forth. Overhead the man looking at it dumbfounded, the fireball violently exploded.

"..............Uh!"

There wasn't much heat but the shock was hard to describe. The two sheets of bed rock made by him efficiently reverberated, sinking Yuuji's body in the sandy beach.

"Go...........bah.........."

As if gravity was increased a hundred fold, the extremely heavy pressure flattened his body, the air in his lungs was squeezed out without exception and all the bones in his body creaked.

"Not........not yet......yet......"

Putting all his strength in his arms Yuuji seemed to want to push out the heavens. But after lifting it 10 centimeters the elbow joints made a thick sound and bent the other way.

When the broken right arm fell to the ground the shining fireball in the sky also vanished. But even so, Yuuji couldn't give up.

The sound of the broken bed rock resounded in vain, like the gong at the end of the match.

===Part 4===

"-Fuuu"

Taking a small breath, Ren shifted his attention to the remaining two.

Ayumi's gaze shaking with anxiety. And, despite having the same face, not showing even the smallest disturbance, expressing a thin smile, Mayumi:

Confronting Mayumi directly, Ren asked with a determined look.

"What will you do? Do you want to give it a try?"

While it may be true her outward appearance was that of a frail young lady, he won't act unprepared. Based on Yuuji's behavior it was clear Mayumi was the purest descendant. Not an opponent to make light of.

"Oh, the Kannagi young lord would go as far as to raise his hand against a non resisting woman?"

With no place for misunderstanding, Mayumi's expression was provocative. Even so, looking puzzled at the girl not showing any indication of battle, Ren retaliated in a low voice:

"-If you want to run away I won't pursue you"

"Well, thank you"

Replying to the lenient laugh with a scornful laugh Mayumi shed a fleeting glance.

"That's what he said Yuuji. What will you do?"

"-?"

Looking the same way Mayumi did, Ren unintentionally opened his eyes wide. Over there, Yuuji, beaten down enough to keep him immobilized for three months, was crawling out of sand, drawing near.

".........Ridiculous......"

It was impossible. From right overhead, from an angle he couldn't elude he received a strong bomb blast. He must have ten or twenty bone fractures and his internal organs were supposed to be damaged. Not the kind of injury you could move with because of fighting spirit and will power - that's the way it was supposed to be.

Mayumi loudly sneered at Ren in mute amazement.

"It seems you took lightly a Chijutsushi's resistance."

The high ranking Chijutsushi, by directly taking the ground's <ki> inside their body, are endowed with a resistance that exceeds common sense. Ren too, also knew that but seeing it in practice was fairly ominous.

"B-but....."

While looking at Yuuji advancing by crawling, as if he was seeing a zombie, Ren shouted.

"He received so much damage! It's impossible to recover so much to try and fight immediately!"

"Is that so?"

As for Mayumi, she was thoroughly composed.

"Yuuji, were you not supposed to protect me at the cost of your own life? Do you plan to crawl out of there cowering to see me getting killed?"

The effect of those words was tremendous.

Enduring the pain, Yuuji stood up and although stumbling, began to walk on his own two feet. Step by step that unsteady manner of walking lost its disorder and by the time he stood up in front of Ren, blocking his way to Ayumi, with the exception of the smashed right arm, he seemed completely recovered.

"..........I,will protect,my lady.............."

With an unsightly smashed but firmly determined voice, Yuuji bravely declared.

"I will absolutely not let her, get killed.........."

"I don't want to kill her!" Ren shouted while feeling, without knowing why, overawed by a dying, severely wounded person.

"If she wanted to go back she can go for all I care! I have no business with the lot of you. I just want to protect Ayumi-chan, that's all!"

Hearing Ren's claim, Yuuji unexpectedly starred in wonder. And then, he suddenly burst into laughter.

"Ku ku ku......Buahahahaha.......ku ku ku ku ku....."

Although throwing up blood, Yuuji still laughed. His blood stained face was warped and extremely happy.

"I see......that's the way it is, huh?....."

"Wh-.....what is so funny?...."

Ren suddenly shouted blushing with anger and Yuuji suddenly stopped his sneer.

"You don't understand anything. You're just a brat playing with the power passed through your body."

"What?"

"Just shut up already and go back home. Forget everything that happened today."

Those remarks almost like regarding an unreasonable child made Ren childishly exasperated.

"Don't joke around with me! I'm not gonna hand Ayumi-chan over to guys like- "

"So, do you say my lady should be the sacrifice instead?"

With a terribly cold expression, Yuuji retaliated.

Seeing Ren lost for words at the unexpected objection, almost like pressing for an answer, he continued.

"It's not like you don't know. Ayumi is the ritual sacrifice. It's a thing made for the sake of dying instead of my lady. If you protect it, it's equivalent with killing my lady."

"That sort of- I- "

"''I have no intention of doing that'', huh? The meaning of the act called protection is it the affectation of a knight who does not consider the weight of words, just entrusts to his power? That's why I said you are a brat who doesn't understand anything!!"

"Wro......"

''Wrong'' - when trying to say that word, with all his heart Ren was at a loss for words. There was nothing to answer back.

"Listen, kid. The act of protection means obviously getting your hands dirty for something important. For the sake of that one irreplaceable thing to be prepared to cut down everything else! Mere lip service changes nothing - saves nothing!"

A few hours ago, when Ren started speaking about making preparations for a substitute sacrifice, Ayumi gently rebuked him.

''-If you speak dirty words, your heart will become dirty too-''

They were beautiful words. If anyone heard these words after knowing Ayumi's situation, they would have been deeply moved.

But, Ayumi will die. Without leaving anything behind except that deep emotion, she will disappear from this world.

-To die in such a beautiful way or to survive in an ugly way -

Which was correct, Ren was not able to judge. On the other hand, Yuuji did not hesitate.

"For the sake of protecting my lady, I will kill Ayumi.Those that will get in the way, I will kill them all! I will remove all obstacles even at the cost of my life and protect my lady!"

DETERMINATION

Crossing over the judgement of right and wrong, good and evil, Yuuji selected the protection of that "one thing" that must be protected. To stop him it seems there is no choice but to kill him.

But, right now Ren had no will to go through with it to that extent. No, even if he had that determination, he lost sight to whom it should be pointed to.

''What should be do? -What should I do?''

Ren was perplexed.

But before the boy found the answer, the situation changed.

"......Kyaa......"

Swept by the wind, a disappearing small shriek. But even so, it was impossible for Ren to miss that voice. Because that was no one else's but Ayumi's voice.

"Ayumi-chan!?"

In front of Ren's eyes,turning around with a changed expression, were reflected the figures of Ayumi and Mayumi, standing behind her. Embraced her closely from behind, Ayumi's pale complexion became stiff.

Although not being strangled or press against a dangerous weapon, panic grabbed hold of her heart.

"-My lady..."

When Yuuji called out to her, Mayumi's lips became sharp with dissatisfaction.

"What, are you telling me not to get involved? Aren't you at fault for being inefficient?"

"No, I'm sorry for causing you trouble."

" -Humpf! Good grief. I'll be troubled if you can't be more reliable!"

This time she held her head high, self-important. She seemed to have a pretty simple personality.

"At any rate- "

While embracing Ayumi, Mayumi shifted her focus on Ren.

"Loving such a doll as this, the Kannagi young lord too, must have some unusual hobbies."

"Ayumi-chan is not a doll! She's human!"

"-Hey, hey..."

At Ren's shout, Mayumi displayed a studied surprise and looked down on Ayumi:

"You said nothing, did you? -What a bad child."

Suddenly thinking of something, Mayumi gently stroked Ayumi's cheek and her body tightly shrunk. That face, smiling complacently, gave the impression of a cat considering how to tease the mouse pinned down by its forelimbs.

A cruel smile lifting her lips, Mayumi said:

"Do you listen, Kannagi young lord? The ''Ayumi-chan'' you tried so hard to protect is not human."

"W- what are you say-"

"It's the truth. Because, you see, this is a clone made by cultivating my cells."

" -!?"

Ren opened his eyes wide with surprise. But simultaneously, he felt somewhere in his heart it was true.

Mayumi and Ayumi - even assuming they were sisters, those two resembled too much.

''Thing Doll Sacrifice'' - completely spoken ill of, a girl whose human dignity was trampled underfoot.

If it was just as Mayumi said, if Ayumi was not human and was created for the sake of dying as a sacrifice, doesn't everything makes sense?

''"A lie.......It's a lie"''

Aiming a smile full of spite at the dumbfounded Ren, Mayumi continued.

"Her appearance may seem that of a twelve years old girl but in reality only a month passed since its creation. Even her planted memories have been suitably edited from my own. That kind of crude doll, you tried to protect with your knight affectation. ''That was fun ♥''"

"It.......It's a lie......"

"Let me tell you one more thing. Even if she doesn't become the sacrifice, just a month from now on, fer life span will be cut from inside. Made with no intention to use for an extended period of time, just instant makeshift goods."

"That's, a lie...."

Ren looked at Ayumi almost like searching for help. She received his glance for just one second and sadly cast her eyes down.

Thus, at last Ayumi - Ayumi told the truth.

"........It's true. I am the katashiro doll[http://eos.kokugakuin.ac.jp/modules/xwords/entry.php?entryID=308] made for the sake of keeping Mayumi-sama alive. Mayumi-sama's impostor"

Where is the genuine '''Ayumi'''?

''I have no memories'' - Ayumi told Ren so. That's natural. If she had been made just a month before, it's impossible for those to exist. Without even trying to steal it, there was nothing there form the beginning. Everything was an imitation. If only her heart was more than a transient object, his own act of protecting Ayumi, his determination, everything would not have been a wasted effort.

"I look, so stupid....."

His body was full with a sense of helplessness. Feebly hanging his head, Ren collapsed on the sandy beach.

"It looks like that was a lot of shock, huh?"

Coldly looking down on the defeated Ren, Mayumi sneered.

"That's only natural. It made him realize his own buffoonery can't go any higher."

"Well, isn't that fine? By understanding reality, the boy becomes an adult."

".........you could say that."

Yuuji replied to Mayumi's words, pretending to act like a grown-up, in a quiet voice. Maybe because they were both men, but it was impossible not to feel sympathy for Ren.

"Come now, let's go home. We must quickly return and prepare for the ceremony."

On the other hand, Mayumi didn't have such a compassionate heart. Already disregarding Ren's existence, she starts thinking about tomorrow's ceremony.

"....yes", Yuuji respectfully bowed.

Receiving Ayumi, presented to him like luggage, the same way as they came, he followed Mayumi like a servant.

But, at the same time he placed his leg on the stairs connected to the main road-

"Step aside!"

From the vicinity of the main road that command reverberated, and a second later a golden pillar of fire lit the sky.

Involuntarily the three people turned around to Ren. But, he did not seemed to notice the present disturbance and was kneeling on the sandy beach, his head hanged. Hearing footsteps they turned in the direction of the main road once more. Two sets of footsteps. Both of them light. They were probably women.

Around that time, Yuuji made a guess about the opponent's identity. Noticing he should be in front, he tried to make Mayumi step back, but- it was slightly late.

"Ren!"

On top the stairs, one girl appeared.

Pushing out the darkness, the aura of red and gold shining out far and wide. The enormous amount of fire spirits that followed her in the background were displaying the girl as the human model of the flame itself.

"This is also......"

From Yuuji's mouth a mutter of unexpected wonder leaked out. Certainly her age was sixteen. And although childish, the shape of the young lady captivated him.

Overflowing from that small body, the surge of an overwhelming power. That sword was not yet drawn out but even so, it was impossible to misread the girl's identity.

''Beautiful- ''

He genuinely thought so. That was not in regard for the human, much less the opposite sex but the same deep emotion he felt at the time he looked at Mother Nature's magnificent scenery.

Suddenly, he noticed a sharp glance. Calmly looking away and folding her arms, Mayumi's half opened glare met his eye.

"''This is also...''" with a monotonous voice Mayumi repeated Yuuji's words.

"What is the meaning of ''This is also...'' Yuuji ?"

"Ah, no, that is..."

While becoming completely confused, Yuuji desperately searched for explanatory words.

If he cannot talk his way out of it now, it will become fairly difficult afterwards.

"That, didn't have any significant meaning. This is also...flashy...?"

"-Humph, that so?"

With that considerably packed expression Mayumi nodded.

"Well, afterwards I'll receive a lengthy explanation of that matter. Now it's not the time for it."

Mayumi faced the two standing at the top of the stairs.

"Nice meeting you, Kannagi princess. Being able to meet you is an honor."

".......and you are?"

The girl - Ayano, shortly inquired.

"I was slow in saying. I am Tsuwabuki Mayumi. This is my attendant Yuuji. Although belonging to a collateral family, for the time being permit him to call himself with the Tsuwabuki surname."

"If I say I will, I wonder will I have to call you by such an embarrassing name as ''Tsuwabuki princess''?"

"I am at your mercy."

To Ayano's provocative response, Mayumi bowed her head with a smiling face.

Irritated, Ayano ended this conversation lacking sincerity and got to the main question.

"I have no particular business with you. Where is Ren?"

Mayumi pointed at the sandy beach in the back.

"Somewhere in that area. Maybe he is crying holding his knees."

"What, have you done to him?"

The atmosphere became noisy. The explosive scarlet aura flickered like a flame.

"Physically, nothing. He did not receive a single wound."

".........haa"

When that report was made, Yuuji looked sullen.

"But it seems his emotional scars are quite deep. We would be troubled if you complained to us about such things. About the details, you can ask that boy. However, I believe not prying into it would be a kindness to him."

Just saying that, with no precaution Mayumi started walking up the stairs. Whipping his wounded body, Yuuji went in front of Mayumi, trying to be a shield as much as possible.

"Well then-"

Greeting her while passing by one another, Mayumi walked near Ayano's side. And then, after looking at the retreating figure running down the stairs not returning the favor, she shifted her focus on the other person - a woman standing in a somewhat separated place.

"Good evening. It's been a long time, Police Superintendent Tachibana."

"We haven't talked in a long time, Mayumi-san"

That perfectly ordinary greeting, the detective in charge of Tokyo MPD's Special Investigation Unit, Police Superintended Tachibana returned with an absolutely tranquil tone.

"Because you didn't appear together with the that young woman, can we assume you have no intention of opposing the Tsuwabuki regarding the Kannagi matter?"

"Of course. We have no intention of interfering in any kind of dispute. Naturally, if you would accept our mediation, we woul feel that position with pleasure."

"That won't be necessary."

The faint tension that dwelt in Kirika's words, smiling, Mayumi severed it when she replied.

"Everything has been already settled. We have regained the object Kannagi Ren stole and because it's something a child did, we have no intention of blaming the Kannagi Clan for that error. If you would be so good as to pass it along to Ayano-san."

"......I will comply"

"Thank you"

Bowing her head to Kirika, Mayumi left accompanied by her attendant and the spoils of war.

No matter how polite her tone was, the girl's attitude was that of a victor who obtained everything.

Gazing for a brief period at the retreating figure, never looking back, Kirika started walking towards the defeated boy or maybe the defeated people.

"There's no sign this is ending here."

That's what she was thinking.

[[User:Ayame|Ayame]] ([[User talk:Ayame|talk]]) 10:01, 24 March 2013 (CDT)

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| Forward to [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume3_Chapter_4|Chapter 4]]
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Kaze no Stigma:Volume3 Chapter 3

2013-04-28T15:29:22Z

80.240.162.190: /* Part 4 */

===Chapter 3 - The person one must protect===

===Part 1===

"......................"

Inside the train, Ren was frozen solid.He sat in such a way that if someone poked him, he would roll on the floor while in sitting position.

The reason for that was the existence of the girl sitting earnestly on his left side, Ayumi. She was clinging to Ren's left arm in order for their bodies to be glued as close as possible.

At the beginning of her teens, wearing a coat over the still immature body, although the sensation wasn't supposed to be very fresh, it's still impossible to be composed about it.

Contrastive to Ayumi, who yielded herself to Ren with a peaceful appearance, his brain has been frozen for the last 10 minutes.

- It happened approximately 10 minutes before.

At the time they waited for the train on the platform of Tokyo Station, staring at Ren shivering from the coldness of the wind, Ayumi asked in a worried manner:

"Are you cold?"

"No, I'm fine"

Ren showed a smile meant to give her a piece of mind but the next moment that smile became frozen.

"a... a... a... Ayumi-chan?"

"If we are like this it's warm, right?"

Feeling guilty for borrowing his coat and trying to transfer her own body temperature, she clung to Ren's arm.

"D-don't do that -"

Ren's brain, trying to separate his body, was pierced by Ayumi's expression, looking at him with upturned eyes.

"-No?"

"Eh, ah, no, that sort of..."

A stuttering Ren. He was unbelievably ashamed, he also thought this sort of thing is wrong, but before the girl's gaze, looking at him sadly, he couldn't shake his head.

''What to do.....''

The warm sense of touch transmitted by his left arm thoroughly snatched Ren's presence of mind. After that, when, how did hey get into the train, he didn't remember any of it.

"I'm sorry"

"-Eh?"

Receiving such an abrupt apology, Ren's consciousness recovered after a long time. Ayumi's turned away expression, full of guilt was reflected in his eyes.

"About what?"

"For making such an odd request."

Ren replied while laughing.

"It's not a big deal, this much"

Actually the girl's wish was simple. What it required were traveling expenses and a little bit of time. Just those will suffice.

''Take me to the sea''

That's what Ayumi spoke in the park. It was just one wish. Naturally, Ren had no objection.

Investigating those contents for a while, he asked only one thing.

"Is a harbor-like place acceptable? Or a sandy beach?"

Without wavering, Ayumi chose the latter. Therefore, together they boarded the Tokaido Line. That route was aimed at Chigasaki.

If that was the nearest swimming beach, Ren doesn't know. But that was the only place he could lead her to. Because of his family's line of work he is a boy unrelated to family vacations et cetera. He had hardly any experience of swimming in the sea. Ren was deeply grateful to the girl who took him by force sea bathing last year's summer.

While chasing the flowing scenery, Ayumi murmured:

"In the end, I wanted to see something beautiful with my own eyes."

"In the end, you say?"

"When I do so, I'm going back. To the Tsuwabuki."

"No!", Ren promptly shouted.

"No! They don't treat you like a fellow human. Only like a tool. If you return to those people you'll never be happy. If you have no place to go, you can come to my house. The Kannagi Clan will, without exception -"

"Ren, you see-"

Ayumi quietly interrupted Ren's desperate pleading words.

"Have you heard about the Tsuwabuki's Grand Festival?"

"The Grand Festival - about that ceremony to appease the volcanic activity of Mt. Fuji? I'm not very familiar with it but the practitioner always lost his life... "

Going that far, Ren turned a terrified glance towards Ayumi.

"No...way....."

What was reflected in those eyes was Ayumi's excessively tranquil smiling face. It was unbelievable. Ren completely denied that expression. There shouldn't be something like that. Such a thing cannot be allowed. Something like that- something like that-

"I have no family name, nor a family register, naming myself is not permitted, but-"

''No way''

''I don't want to hear''

Despite this - the body doesn't move. Even blocking his ears, he can't do it. Without waiting for agreement or disagreement, pouring into his ears, that tone calm as the surface of the lake. Admitting everything, allowing it, accepting it.

"I am called Tsuwabuki. According to the lineage, something like a direct descendant."

''I don't want to hear it''

"The ceremony is tomorrow night. Therefore, I must get back until then. Because I- because I am the priest of the ritual"

''Because I am the priest of the ceremony''

From Ren's body, with a water-like sound, blood flew backwards.

The Yamatsumino Grand Festival - the origin of it goes back roughly 300 years.

The year is 1707 - during the Houei era was the last volcanic eruption of Mt. Fuji and the greatest since the dawn of history. The violent eruption reaching 15 days, it was said that the volcanic ash fell as far as the distant town of Edo. It was not only Kantō but a life or death crisis for Japan itself. No matter how many times Mt. Fuji erupted, it didn't show any signs of quieting down.

That raging <Ki> finally resulted in the embodiment of one demon beast. The impersonation of Fuji's <ki>. it is certain that was the largest, strongest devilishness that materialized in this country. If one tried to rank it among other demon beasts, the only reference it had would be the legendary monsters, like the eight tail serpent that couldn't be defeated without the help of god's power.

The beast's roar beckoned eruptions and its stepping feet invoked eruptions. Mowing down everything it touched, it exhausted the limits if tyranny. The ones who sealed it were the yet unknown Tsuwabuki family. A young girl leading the family offered prayers to the King of the Earth Spirits for seven days and seven nights and finally attained that divine protection.

And then, by that divine protection, the girl managed to seal that demon beast. Thus Mt. Fuji calmed down and Japan's peace was protected. And they all lived happily ever after.

-But that story has sequel.

First, that girl was not able to endure the release of such an over-sized power and lost her life with the seal. And then, even after applying such a powerful seal, the demon beast's lock couldn't continue forever. Being the personification of an active volcano, it's possible to say that was the unavoidable outcome.

Approximately 30 years - that was the limit of the seal. For the sake of continuing the sealing of a raging demon beast seeking release, Tsuwabuki family had no choice but to conduct the ceremony at fixed intervals for the sake of suppressing Mt. Fuji's <Ki>.

Because of the divine protection of the Spirit King that dwelt in their blood - the strongest unmarried woman was elected as the priest of the ceremony.

Until today, the sealing ceremony known under the bombastic name of "Grand Festival" took place 8 times. And there were 8 casualties. The fatality ratio was 100%. This is the reason the ceremony practitioner was named sacrifice.

With no other option, the 9th ceremony approached. The girl called Ayumi was a lamb led to slaughter.

How long was he in blank amazement, I wonder. When Ren came to his senses, Ayumi was smiling gently, looking at him.

Unable to meet that extremely pitiful smile, Ren muttered, while looking down.

"Why?....."

"Ren?"

"Why do you have to do such a...."

After examining for a short while Ren's expression, Ayumi replied:

"Because someone has to do it"

'''''"But it doesn't have to be you-"'''''

Ayumi softly touched Ren's lips with her fingers. The boy who unintentionally couldn't keep his mouth shut, she rebuked him gently.

"It's not good saying these kind of things. If you speak filthy words your heart will become filthy too"

"........I'm sorry.........."

Ayumi shook her head.

"No. It's alright. Truthfully I was a little happy. Because I was never regarded as something valuable."

From the moment she was born, it was decided that Ayumi will be a sacrifice. She wasn't regarded as part of the same family, not recognized as a human being. For this girl with no family register, with no choice but being a tool for the ceremony, so far there wasn't a single person to hold her life dear.

Pointlessly, Ren made sure of her acknowledgement.

"Even so, you'll do it? For the sake of those who think of you as a tool?"

"It's different", Ayumi flatly shook her head.

"It has nothing to do with the Tsuwabuki family's expectations. Because it must be done no matter what, I'll do it. It's bad if Mt. Fuji erupts, right?"

"That is true..."

"If I am able to suppress it, my life, my death is not worthless.Even if the physical me dies, my prayers will fuse with the mountain and I will continue to watch over this country eternally. That's a very beautiful thing, don't you agree?"

"................."

Something is wrong. Something is terribly wrong, Ren thought so.

'''''-Don't try to glorify death with words of self-sacrifice -'''''

Kazuma's words, once intended for him were recalled to his mind. Doesn't Ayumi make the same mistake he did at the same time? But Ren had no persuasion words for the girl. He could not think of a path that doesn't result in Ayumi's death.

Only to let Mt. Fuji erupt-

To replace Ayumi as a sacrifice.

She would accept neither. There is no mistake about it, the girl known as Ayumi was the type that would sacrifice herself for others.

"That's why I'm not afraid of death. It's because I was born for this purpose. And yet, I desired memories before the time comes. Memories of my own, born from my own experience."

In that peaceful pupil, that accepted everything dwelt the light of a faint longing.

''Memories of her own?''

It's only natural to display a strong attachment for one's dying wish. But even so, that was a strange expression. Memories are neither true nor false.

To the bewildered Ren, Ayumi threw another bomb.

"You see, I don't have my own memories."

"Eh?"

"I haven't lost my memories. It's not like I have something to remember and I don't, it's more like I have ''nothing'' to remember."

"..............."

Without saying anything, Ren starred at Ayumi dumbfounded.

"If it would be just like that, even speaking and moving my body would have been impossible. But the me right now is something ignorant of the ways of the world but I can communicate with other people. Do you know why?"

"Wasn't it because you kept studying it?"

Toward such an unbelievable circumstance, Ren said so, including a ray of hope.

But, as feared, Ayumi shook her head.

"In my had there are transcripts of another's memories.I don't know how it's been done, though"

Almost like it was somebody else's problem, Ayumi indifferently recited those grand circumstances. Ren finally had the feeling he understood the reason why Ayumi had no attachment to her life. She had nothing to be particular about.

Not even recognized as a person, her existence valued as nothing but a tool, day after day. Planted forged memories. Without beginning, Ayumi's life ended.

With no room to harbor hope, she has no attachment except despair. Together with that gentle resignation, Ayumi accepted everything.

"That's why I wanted to see the world through my eyes even if it's just once. I wished for something that's not faked, real memories."

Like telling an unfulfilled dream, Ayumi whispered with a distant look. Toward the ordinary everyone was given as a natural privilege - no, the privilege they took for granted she felt endless longing and envy.

"The moment I saw the sky when I first felt the residence, I was very surprised. How vast was the sky windows don't limit, Mt. Fuji was so big..."

"Ayumi-chan......"

"The sky, the stars, the moon were so much more beautiful than what I remembered. Surely, the sea must be very beautiful, right?"

The silhouette of the innocent girl in high spirits was reflected in Ren's eyes as overbearingly pitiful.

-She wanted to see beautiful things-

What sort of feelings did she include when she said those words? The words of a girl dreaming, escaping from reality, no that he knew everything, they were unbelievably heavy.

"-This is hopeless"

With a strong determination, Ren muttered in his heart.

''Such a thing cannot be. It cannot be forgiven.''

"Ayumi-chan!"

"W-what?"

His immature sense of justice aroused, Red declared strongly.

"I will protect Ayumi-chan"

" - Ren?"

"So please, don't give up. Don't say it's OK to die. Because I'll protect you. I'll protect you for sure."

"Ren........."

Making a somewhat troubled face, she looked at the boy making a vow.

Joy and sadness and the kindness of a mother watching over her child were mixed in that complex gaze.

Without noticing that gaze, Ren continued.

"I'm sure it exists. A way in which Ayumi-chan doesn't have to die. I'll do whatever it's in my power. My own ability may be very small but if it's big brother, surely- "

"Your older brother?"

"Eh?"

Ayumi unintentionally asked in return and Ren reaffirmed with force those entrusting words.

"Ah-"

In those cornered eyes hope was shining.

"That's right! I have my older brother! If it's big brother, he will definitely save you!"

Without a fragment of anxiety, with absolute faith in his voice, Ren clearly declared.

For a short while, Ayumi opened her eyes wide, staring at the smile of the boy, delighted as if the problem was already settled.

"Do you have such an amazing brother?"

"Yeah", Ren answered without a moment's hesitation.

"Big brother is stronger than anyone. There is nothing he can't do. I'm sure."

"............Is that so........."

"So please don't say such lonesome things like last memories and let's do many more together. I want to show you many other things. That is...."

Embarrassed and blushing Ren invited the girl screwing up his courage.

"Because - I'll take you no matter where"

".............."

Receiving Ren's invitation, for one instant, Ayumi seemed to burst into tears. However, in just one moment she erased that bitter expression and replied with a calm and somewhat sad smile.

"Right.....If we could do that, it would be very nice....."

===Part 2===

"I wonder where did big brother go....."

Descending on the platform of the Chiwasaki Station, the shore on the other side of it, Ren muttered to himself with a worried face.

He can't get in touch with Kazuma.

He called Kazuma's cellphone from the station's public telephone but what came back was the dull announcement of the answering machine.

Because his own cellphone broke, he can't wait for Kazuma to get in touch with him. In the end, leaving the message "I'll call again" Ren hanged the receiver.

"I'm beaten"

As soon as he complained, Ayumi's hand, holding his left arm, tightly hugged him. Flustered, Ren showed a bright smile meant to give her peace of mind.

"Oh, it's fine. Because we'll get in touch shortly."

" -yeah", Ayumi nodded a little.

For a little while they didn't speak. Both of them walked the road to the beach in silence.

"Ah........."

A sound resembling noise making her eardrums vibrate, Ayumi strained her ears. The term sea roar came to her mind.

"The sound of waves......?"

"Yeah. We'll be there shortly."

Nodding, Ren increased his pace to not fall behind Ayumi, who unconsciously did so.

And now -

"Ah - !"

At the magnificent view at last reflected in her eyes Ayumi raised her voice in delight. Ren looked in the came direction. It was the sea. The great deep stretching endlessly. The utmost blue sea surface sparkling in the downpour of sunshine - naturally, it wasn't.

The winter sea is cold and hollow. it doesn't have a particle of the heat and energy the summer sea is full of, instead it's pushing out a cold surface, almost like rejecting humans. Staring at the utmost black sea, the same color as the night sky, Ayumi muttered:

"Is this... The sea...........?"

Perceiving the sound of a clear disappointment, Ren became impatient.

"W-what to do......."

Thinking now about it, it was a problem he should have noticed earlier. The winter sea - at night. Seen by girl his age it can't be a pleasing spectacle.Anyway, there was definitely not enough light. But there are at least seven, eight hours until dawn breaks.

''If I had light....light -?''

The idea that reflexively occurred to him was suppressed at an almost instinctive level. His family admonished sternly such conduct. But, even so-

''Do it!''

After just 3 seconds of hesitation, Ren decided to dismiss good sense. For his peace of mind, turning around, he searched for indications of human presence, surveying the surroundings.

From what he roughly saw, there was none except them.

- It must be done now.

Summoning fire spirits, he shortly informed:

"Go"

" - Eh? What?"

Before Ayumi finished her second question - the sky exploded.

"Kyaa!?"

The golden light shines out far and white pressing down the darkness. The brightness spreading out on the entire surface of the sky dyed the world golden and the jet black sea surface glittered dazzlingly.

"This - this is....Ren?"

To the Ayumi starring up in succession to both the sky and Ren with a surprised gaze, somewhat embarrassed but at the same time very proud, Ren's nostrils twitched.

"It's impossible to replicate the midsummer sea, but it's better than the pitch black gloomy sea, right? How is it? Do you like it?"

"Ren- "

Calling out Ren's name with a voice trembling with delight, Ayumi gave Ren a bear-like hug.

"Amazing! It's amazing! It is the most beautiful thing I've seen!"

"R-really? I'm glad"

Although confused by Ayumi's bold conduct, the relaxation of Ren's cheeks was irrepressible. Ayumi's large smile - even if he tried to express it, it's magnificence was beyond words.

Underneath the gold radiance, they innocently smiled at each other and looked up at the sky. Just like a golden aurora borealis the movement of the dancing fire spirits combined and the canopy covering the entire sky changed the same way a kaleidoscope would.

"Beautiful...but won't it cause an uproar?"

Ren shrugged his shoulders in silence. Without even thinking, it was an obvious matter. This was not a solitary island in the southern sea. Approachable by walking from the train station it was an empty swimming area.

Although there was a shelter-belt and a fence obstructing the field of vision, a highway was running less than 10 meters away. The houses were close. Without having to wait, it's likely spectators with burning curiosity would arrive in great numbers. There's no mistake that it will appear in tomorrow's newspaper.

But even so, Ren didn't care.

To make Ayumi happy - right now, for Ren it was all that mattered. Seeing Ayumi's wet eyes, Ren asked her casually, as if inquiring about the dinner's menu.

"Do you want to keep it up just a little bit more? Before long it could cause trouble but if they get in the way I'll drive them away"

"....No, it's enough."

After considering for a short while, Ayumi shook her head.

"It's enough. Because I'll never forget it."

" -Alright"

With a light nod, Ren called out the fire spirits. Promptly answering to the Enjutsushi's will, the fire spirits came together in a boisterous dance of light. And then -

"....W...ow...."

The light shining in the sky rained like drops of water above ground. Like snow, lightly flickering in the wind, the golden drops descended in a dance.

Holding no temperature, the clusters of pure light, upon touching the sandy beach and the surface of the sea, burst open and disappeared like in a dream.

"Ah- "

The last descending drop, Ayumi caught it extending both her hands. The moment it touched her hand, the light fleetingly disappeared but the girl softly closed her hands and touched her chest. That irreplaceable something stored in her hands was tucked away inside her chest.

Dropping the curtain on the light's dance performance, affecting acting, Ren made a bow.

"Did it please you?"

"Yes - yes...."

Her eyes full of tears, Ayumi bowed many, many times over.

"I... I am glad that I am alive. Meeting Ren.... Seeing something so beautiful, I...I...from the bottom of my heart...."

Unable to bear it in the end, her tears escaped. Shed for the first time in her life, tears of happiness.

In order to wipe the sobbing girl's tears, handkerchief in hand, he touched her face. Both their shadows brought forth by the moonlight, slowly became one.

But - this moment was the concluding moment of their honeymoon. On their cuddled silhouettes a violent, intense light shined.

" -!?"

Turning around holding hands, an eternally domineering voice pierced their ears.

"That's right! I'm so happy for you! That means you have no more regrets in this world, right?"

In front of both of them, watching over in a daze, the woman with the light on her back laughed.

===Part 3===

''The pursuer from the Tsuwabuki!''

In an instant Ren saw through the shadow's true character. Or perhaps I should say, as far as Ren knew, it was the only opponent pursuing them.

Drawing Ayumi back and stepping forward with a sleepwalking like gait, Ren probed into the other party's attitude. Overlooking them for a brief period from a higher place, the woman descended the stairs and continued walking towards the beach in a composed manner.

One man, like a servant, followed her, leaving between them several steps.

Because of the back lighting he sees only outlines but even from those shadows it was impossible not to recognize the proud atmosphere drifting around the woman. The glance overlooking them was more suited for stray dogs than humans.

Leaving a distance of five meters between them, the woman faced Ren and Ayumi.

As one would expect, approaching so much, it was now possible to discriminate her looks. Closing his eyes partly, Ren observed the woman - and several seconds afterwards he opened his eyes wide in shock.

"Eh - ?"

The woman was younger than he thought. Probably not yet of age, in the second half of her teens. But that wasn't what Ren was surprised about.

-They looked alike.

Ren thought so, watching intently, in succession, Ayumi and the woman. No, they didn't resemble each other. If the age difference could be removed, their facial features would be perfectly the same.

Twins separated by age - those sort of contradicting words passed through Ren's head.

"Mayumi-sama........" Ayumi murmured, looking at that woman with a glance mixed with panic.

Unintentionally, Ren asked:

"Your elder sister?"

''If that is the case, she too can...''

The thought that instantly came to his mind, Ren denied it confused. Ayumi does not wish for such a thing.

-If you speak filthy words, your heart will become filthy too -

''Good grief, I need to be more careful.''

Agreeing to Ayumi's words reverberating in his head, he grasped her hand tenderly. Ayumi's face stiff from fear, still displayed a gallant smile.

'''"Elder sister?"'''

On the other hand, for the boy and the girl happy by themselves, the woman - Mayumi matched it with the height of displeasure.

"Elder sister, you said?"

Glaring at Ren as if he was her archenemy, she squeezed out a stifled to death voice from the gap between her clenched teeth. Her well regulated, elegant features, changed into the face of a demonic warrior.

"Don't mess around with me"

Mayumi's angry roar shrunk Ayumi's body with a start. After staring with much discord at the frightened girl, she turned an identical glance at Ren.

"It was enough taking Ayumi and running away without understanding the circumstance and this already foolish show, I believed you were someone lacking prudence but, never to this extent. Me and that thing sisters? It's the first time I was insulted so."

"..............."

It seems Ayumi didn't receive human treatment even from her relatives. Holding down the rising anger, Ren searched for presence in the surroundings. It was unpleasant when Ayumi was called "that" again but Mayumi's words implied an imminent crisis.

Other people didn't come. Because what Mayumi evaluated as a foolish exhibition was already over, if such a flashy, abnormal phenomenon happened, it's impossible for none to approach. Normally, about now, a crowd would have gathered on the beach and the police and fire department would have surrounded the place.

None of it happened.

It's very likely that right now this area was blocked.

By the subordinates of the Tsuwabuki.

''Can we escape?''

Without thinking of handing Ayumi over, Ren investigated the possibility of escape. The fact that the girl in question accepted her own faith was totally forgotten.

"Why are you so cautious, young Kannagi prince?"

Seeing through Ren's decision promptly, Mayumi laughed, smiling sweetly.

"Everything is already over. There is nothing left for you to try."

Although using honorifics, speaking in a clearly despising tone, Mayumi focused on Ayumi.

"................."

Without even using words, Mayumi carelessly beckoned her. as if calling her pet dog or something.

Ayumi started walking obediently.

"Ayumi-ch-"

"It's fine."

Ren's words, trying to call her to a halt, Ayumi interrupted them shortly and with a decisive voice.

"It's fine already. Thank you for everything until now. - It was very fun."

"Ayu- "

In order to shake of his extended hand, Ayumi turned her back on Ren. And with that, she never turned around.

Standing in front of Mayumi, Ayumi's body became stiff as if she turned to stone. Her glance swayed insecurely nearly Mayumi's feet. Suddenly Mayumi stretched her fingers to Ayumi's chin and forcefully pointed upwards her face hanged in shame. Coercively looking down on the startled girl, she said in a voice full of smiles:

"If you wanted to run away, you should at least have crossed the ocean. Instead of that, seducing a man and flirting with him in this kind of place, - do you look down on us?"

The Chijutsushi manipulating the spirits of the earth can make searches on fairly long distances as long it's adjoining land. It goes without saying that if you know the target well that searching ability is further improved.

For the sake of running from Chijutsushi, by sea or by air - anyway the most important thing is to separate from the ground.

"I had...no intention...."

Staring at Ayumi, protesting in a trembling voice, wit the look a carnivorous animal has before its feed, Mayumi let go of her jaw.

And then - she pulled her hand backwards and swung with all her strength.

" -Uh!"

It wasn't something as lovely as a slap. The punch made by hardening her wrist at the moment of the impact was a blow that made her bones resound.

Instantly Ayumi's legs separated from the ground and from the beginning exhausted body sunk into the sandy beach. Appearing to have completely fainted, her face half buried in the sand, she was completely still.

"Wha...."

Overcome with surprise at the sudden violence, Ren shouted white as a ghost.

"What have you done?"

But Mayumi didn't even looked at Ren. As she already stated "your turn is already over" she disregarded his existence itself.

Instead, the man who followed behind her moved. With body movement that had no openings he stepped forward and got on his knee before Ayumi.

Decidedly, he did not attempt to nurse her. Grabbing hold of Ayumi by the hair, casually the man lifted her head as if he would uproot a radish.

"...........E-eek......"

"What are you doing?"

Coldly looking down on Ayumi's feeble struggle, the man said in a monotonous tone.

"Do you think you can be lying down in front of the young lady, do you?"

"Yuu...ji.....sama....."

"Silence!"

The man - Yuuji - abruptly became enraged.

"With that face, through that mouth, don't call out my name! How disgusting!"

Raising his hand, pulling her hair even more, he made Ayumi stand on her knees. And then - this time from the front, he slapped her face onto the sand. Forcibly making Ayumi take a prostrating position, Yuuji shouted.

"Apologize! Until your voice becomes hoarse, until your throat tears apologize! Did you understand in how much danger did you put the young lady? If we didn't find you in time what would have happened! Did you intend for the young lady to be a sacrifice in your place? You puppet doll!!"

That was the limit.

He thought he himself endured it really well. Surely, big brother would praise him for it. Or - he'll get angry for letting it get that far.

Quietly he held out his right hand and pointed his index finger at Yuuji. And then - without a moment of hesitation he released hs power.

The thin, refined heat ray grazed Yuuji's cheek sticking into the concrete wall. The red hot concrete melted and the wall followed it, crashing.

"..........What kind of behavior.." Yuuji questioned with a voice stiffed to death. However, like Mayumi did before, Ren completely disregarded that utterance.

It wasn't a provocation or something like that. It's just that in Ren's field of vision no one else but Ayumi was reflected. It was just that.

"Re....n.....?"

For the girl weakly getting up, hearing that cracked voice, Ren painfully shook his head.

"As I thought, it's useless."

I can't control it.

I can't endure it.
Anymore than this - I can't stand it.

"What is the right thing to do, I don't even know. However, to hand you over to these guys it's absolutely impossible."

Whether it's right or not, that's long past. His feelings denied that option.

"Fall back!"

Struck by that sharp voice, Ayumi reflexively kicked the ground. Slightly further away from Yuuji. In that gap Ren threw a fireball brought forth from the sky.

"-Tch!"

Visibly agitated by the blast, Yuuji and Mayumi jumped. The distance widened even more. Well in advance Ren wedged himself in the space separating the two "enemies" and Ayumi.

"Humph - in the end brute force, huh?"

Staring at Ren blocking his way to Ayumi, Yuuji laughed fearless.

"Ah, well. Just as planed."

"Shall I back you up?"

"It's not necessary."

Politely rejecting Mayumi's proposal, he casually took one step forward. With an attitude full of composure he looked down on Ren taking a battle stance.

"Publicly- "

Without particularly preparing in advance, just standing, Yuuji began to speak in a relaxed manner.

"Publicly, it seems there are many idiots who believe Enjutsushi teh strongest but do you think so too?"

"-?"

Not understanding Yuuji's plan, Ren was perplexed. There is nothing to believe. The fact that Enjutsushi are the strongest is a <Reality> with no room for argument.

It's not about whether an Enjutsushi never lost to another kind of practitioner, of course there is no such thing. That is the power of one individual. It's about whether the ability difference can undermine the advantages and disadvantages of a technique style.

As for what technique system is the strongest - there is only one answer to that question. Without room for argument, with no chance for objection, the grave <Reality> doesn't change.

That is what Yuuji downright negated.

"What a foolish thing. All of you understand nothing about battle. The greatest offensive ability? When killing people do you think that is necessary?"

"What exactly?"

Including the confidence of certain victory in front of the perplexed Ren, Yuuji fired the question.

"You, where on earth do you plan to place your feet on?"

Unintentionally Ren stared at his own feet.There was nothing there but the ordinary sandy beach. There was no sign of set traps. There was no sense of discomfort when stepping on it, nothing but the feeling of soft sand-

''-Sand?''

"-Uh!!"

The sign of something wriggling, underneath his feet. Jumping by reflex, Ren's face became stiff with surprise and shivers.

Underground, and in addition to that, directly under his footprints a spear covered in sand was pushed up.

If his evasion would have been delayed by one second the spear would have stopped his foot by sewing it. it may be true he avoided the first attack but he had no room for relief. Visibly lying in wait at the spot Ren would come down, several spears sprung up.

"Kuu- "

Releasing fire and pointing it directly below, a countless number of spears burned to nothing. Coincident with his landing above the red hot sand, Ren rolled on the ground. Pursuing the rolling Ren from inside the sand, one after another, spears stick out.

While narrowly avoiding those, the boy cursed his overly optimistic thinking.

''Shit, Chijutsushi - so that's the reason!''

The spears hidden inside the sand were not something prepared in advance. Hardening the sand itself and changing its shape, Yuuji made those sharp spears.

Chijutsushi possess the force of the Earth Spirits. Sand, soil, ground stone and all materials affiliated with those, for them, are similar with extensions of their own hands. There was no need to expressly set traps.

The battleground itself was the Chijutsushi's weapon because that was for them the absolute most advantageous arrangement.

''What to do?''

Starting to see gaps one way or another, running in zig-zag to dodge the underground attacks, Ren looked for a breach. At any rate, as long as he is staying on the ground,his disadvantage can't be overcome.

Continuing to receive one-sided attacks without grasping a counter-attack clue, sooner or later he will receive a fatal blow.

On the other hand, Ren doesn't know such a jutsu that would allow him to gain a foothold on something else other than the ground.

If it were an Enjutsushi, he could fly into the air.

A Suijutsushi could maybe stand on top of water.

However, Ren being an Enjutsushi - it may be possible for Jugo or Genma - he had no skill to stand on top of flames. As long as gravity comes into play, he had no choice but to place his feet on the ground.

''What should I do?''

Looking over his surroundings, he searched for a turn-around plan. The sandy beach was the worst as a battle ground but concrete and asphalt must be similar. What remains -

''Inside the sea?''

It was out of the question. Ren being an Enjutsushi water was nothing more but a thing to be avoided. There was no point for Ren's power to weakened beyond what Yuuji could accomplish.

To Ren, stuck in a defensive battle, Yuuji turned words of ridicule.

"What's the matter? Are you just going to run? I don't care how far you run but if you go to far I'll take Ayumi and go back home."

"Kuu- "

Because of Yuuji's carelessness, recognizing he became long separated from Ayumi, Ren grinds his teeth. if it goes like this, Ayumi will really be taken away.

''What should I do? what should I -''

The problem was that he had no technique to defend against the blows. He can use flames to cover the surroundings but the bottom of his feet are perfectly defenseless. When fighting against Chijutsushi, that became a lethal weakness. A foothold was necessary. Separated from Yuuji's control, a scaffold made of <Earth> he cannot control.

He cannot fly into the sky. Water is also excluded. There's no wood near. He cannot stand on top of fire. On top of fire -

''-Huh?''

Suddenly Ren remembered the scene of a volcanic eruption he saw on TV. From craters, forcefully spitting out the red hot-

''Shall I give it a try?''

There was no time to spare. Making his resolve, Ren stopped and concentrated his consciousness.

"Aa.......a.........aa!!"

From Ren's whole body golden flames erupted. The dazzling glimmer blurred even the contours of his body and the boy shined, transformed into a small sun.

"Ua.......unh, it's useless."

To encourage himself overpowered by the tremendous quantity of heat, Yuuji intentionally raised his voice.

"No matter how hot a flame you clad yourself in, you cannot defend against attacks from below."

Trying to make the reality that he was currently on offensive known, Yuuji was perplexed by the dull response from the spirits.

The spirits of the earth didn't respond to his will - No, something different obstructs the formation of sand spears.

"You....what did you do?"

He turns a glance full of suspicion towards Ren. No matter what an Enjutsushi tries to do, it's impossible to exercise a stronger influence towards sand than a Chijutsushi does.

Ren didn't answer. Unaffected, abandoning that body to the flames, he only stood rock still above the red ground.

"Red - ? I see, you- "

Yuuji stared at Ren's feet. What was there didn't have the rough characteristics of sand but was reflecting the flame like grass. Sometimes, from the bottom bubbles rose to the surface and burst open with a particular thick sound.

"You brat - you changed the burning sand to magma!"

"I gave it a try"

Receiving Yuuji's angry roar, Ren laughed triumphantly. It does not mean he had a positive proof. If a Suijutsushi can stand atop water he tried to stand atop magma, that could also be called fluid flame. He simply tried out that idea.

Although having a fluffy, undependable sense of touch, magma firmly sustained Ren's body weight. As there was no fist fight involved, the tenderness of the scaffold didn't matter. The radius was about two meters. Although modest,from the <Kingdom> underneath Yuuji's absolute control, Ren gained that much territory.

"D-don't be excited, boy!" barked Yuuji after loosing his advantage.

"Even for magma, it's <ground> attribute doesn't change. The situation is still the same!"

With an angry roar, including a severe determination, Yuuji ordered the ground spirits. Around Ren's surroundings magma unnaturally rose, molding red spearheads.

"Die, boy!!"

The spears lengthen trying to pierce Ren's body. But just before that - they stopped.

"W-whaaaaat!?"

Quietly gazing at the surprised Yuuji, Ren talked indifferent.

"Certainly magma is something that belongs to the <ground>. Still, half of it it's Enjutsushi possession. I'm not gonna hand it over so easily!"

The spear on the verge of touching his body, Ren casually flung it off. The hard sharp spear instantly lost her unity and returned with a small splash on the surface of the magma sea.

"Guu..........Ba......."

With a really detestable howl, Yuuji stopped trying to proactively commence the next attack. It's understandable.

The control of the material called magma with attributes of both <ground> and <fire> has been snatched away. That means that in a contest of pure strength he was defeated by Ren. As the opponent of a higher ranked practitioner, he couldn't carelessly take the vanguard.

"Next is my turn, huh?" Ren declared with no fighting spirit.

His pushed out right hand accurately aimed at Yuuji. From that palm golden flames gushed out.

"Oooooooooooohh!!"

Yuuji too, didn't gave in. Hoisting the sand beneath his feet, he threw it onto the approaching flame. A surging sea of white sand attacking the golden torrent.

Receiving the aftermath of the struggle between these two powers, the ground grated and the sky trembled.

"Gu........me..uuuu......."

Through clenched teeth Yuuji let out a pressing moan. He understood that in a contest of strength he was inferior. As it is, he will certainly be pressed down.

While his body burned in humiliation, Yuuji changed his tactics to defense. The sand changed into a bulky bedrock and stood before the fire torrent. Although the bedrock stopped the flames there was no room for relaxation.

"It's coming from behind."

Inside the thunderous roar made by the flames burning the rock, for some reason that whisper clearly reached his ears. Uneventfully changed to a quiet oath, Yuuji felt that enormous heat approaching from behind.

"Sh-shit!"

The already thin bedrock rose, splitting the sand and stopped a gigantic fire ball. Although withstanding it somehow, the tremendous impact crossed over the bed rock and mercilessly pummeled Yuuji's body.

In the space between the two bedrocks Yuuji was in anguish. And there, the last blow came.

"Next is up"

" -!?"

Looking up at the sky, Yuuji's eyes peeled in shock. A remarcably big fireball descended upon Yuuji like a meteor. The distance was less than two meters.

"Kuuu- !"

It's unthinkable of having time to defend and so forth. Overhead the man looking at it dumbfounded, the fireball violently exploded.

"..............Uh!"

There wasn't much heat but the shock was hard to describe. The two sheets of bed rock made by him efficiently reverberated, sinking Yuuji's body in the sandy beach.

"Go...........bah.........."

As if gravity was increased a hundred fold, the extremely heavy pressure flattened his body, the air in his lungs was squeezed out without exception and all the bones in his body creaked.

"Not........not yet......yet......"

Putting all his strength in his arms Yuuji seemed to want to push out the heavens. But after lifting it 10 centimeters the elbow joints made a thick sound and bent the other way.

When the broken right arm fell to the ground the shining fireball in the sky also vanished. But even so, Yuuji couldn't give up.

The sound of the broken bed rock resounded in vain, like the gong at the end of the match.

===Part 4===

"-Fuuu"

Taking a small breath, Ren shifted his attention to the remaining two.

Ayumi's gaze shaking with anxiety. And, despite having the same face, not showing even the smallest disturbance, expressing a thin smile, Mayumi:

Confronting Mayumi directly, Ren asked with a determined look.

"What will you do? Do you want to give it a try?"

While it may be true her outward appearance was that of a frail young lady, he won't act unprepared. Based on Yuuji's behavior it was clear Mayumi was the purest descendant. Not an opponent to make light of.

"Oh, the Kannagi young lord would go as far as to raise his hand against a non resisting woman?"

With no place for misunderstanding, Mayumi's expression was provocative. Even so, looking puzzled at the girl not showing any indication of battle, Ren retaliated in a low voice:

"-If you want to run away I won't pursue you"

"Well, thank you"

Replying to the lenient laugh with a scornful laugh Mayumi shed a fleeting glance.

"That's what he said Yuuji. What will you do?"

"-?"

Looking the same way Mayumi did, Ren unintentionally opened his eyes wide. Over there, Yuuji, beaten down enough to keep him immobilized for three months, was crawling out of sand, drawing near.

".........Ridiculous......"

It was impossible. From right overhead, from an angle he couldn't elude he received a strong bomb blast. He must have ten or twenty bone fractures and his internal organs were supposed to be damaged. Not the kind of injury you could move with because of fighting spirit and will power - that's the way it was supposed to be.

Mayumi loudly sneered at Ren in mute amazement.

"It seems you took lightly a Chijutsushi's resistance."

The high ranking Chijutsushi, by directly taking the ground's <ki> inside their body, are endowed with a resistance that exceeds common sense. Ren too, also knew that but seeing it in practice was fairly ominous.

"B-but....."

While looking at Yuuji advancing by crawling, as if he was seeing a zombie, Ren shouted.

"He received so much damage! It's impossible to recover so much to try and fight immediately!"

"Is that so?"

As for Mayumi, she was thoroughly composed.

"Yuuji, were you not supposed to protect me at the cost of your own life? Do you plan to crawl out of there cowering to see me getting killed?"

The effect of those words was tremendous.

Enduring the pain, Yuuji stood up and although stumbling, began to walk on his own two feet. Step by step that unsteady manner of walking lost its disorder and by the time he stood up in front of Ren, blocking his way to Ayumi, with the exception of the smashed right arm, he seemed completely recovered.

"..........I,will protect,my lady.............."

With an unsightly smashed but firmly determined voice, Yuuji bravely declared.

"I will absolutely not let her, get killed.........."

"I don't want to kill her!" Ren shouted while feeling, without knowing why, overawed by a dying, severely wounded person.

"If she wanted to go back she can go for all I care! I have no business with the lot of you. I just want to protect Ayumi-chan, that's all!"

Hearing Ren's claim, Yuuji unexpectedly starred in wonder. And then, he suddenly burst into laughter.

"Ku ku ku......Buahahahaha.......ku ku ku ku ku....."

Although throwing up blood, Yuuji still laughed. His blood stained face was warped and extremely happy.

"I see......that's the way it is, huh?....."

"Wh-.....what is so funny?...."

Ren suddenly shouted blushing with anger and Yuuji suddenly stopped his sneer.

"You don't understand anything. You're just a brat playing with the power passed through your body."

"What?"

"Just shut up already and go back home. Forget everything that happened today."

Those remarks almost like regarding an unreasonable child made Ren childishly exasperated.

"Don't joke around with me! I'm not gonna hand Ayumi-chan over to guys like- "

"So, do you say my lady should be the sacrifice instead?"

With a terribly cold expression, Yuuji retaliated.

Seeing Ren lost for words at the unexpected objection, almost like pressing for an answer, he continued.

"It's not like you don't know. Ayumi is the ritual sacrifice. It's a thing made for the sake of dying instead of my lady. If you protect it, it's equivalent with killing my lady."

"That sort of- I- "

"''I have no intention of doing that'', huh? The meaning of the act called protection is it the affectation of a knight who does not consider the weight of words, just entrusts to his power? That's why I said you are a brat who doesn't understand anything!!"

"Wro......"

''Wrong'' - when trying to say that word, with all his heart Ren was at a loss for words. There was nothing to answer back.

"Listen, kid. The act of protection means obviously getting your hands dirty for something important. For the sake of that one irreplaceable thing to be prepared to cut down everything else! Mere lip service changes nothing - saves nothing!"

A few hours ago, when Ren started speaking about making preparations for a substitute sacrifice, Ayumi gently rebuked him.

''-If you speak dirty words, your heart will become dirty too-''

They were beautiful words. If anyone heard these words after knowing Ayumi's situation, they would have been deeply moved.

But, Ayumi will die. Without leaving anything behind except that deep emotion, she will disappear from this world.

-To die in such a beautiful way or to survive in an ugly way -

Which was correct, Ren was not able to judge. On the other hand, Yuuji did not hesitate.

"For the sake of protecting my lady, I will kill Ayumi.Those that will get in the way, I will kill them all! I will remove all obstacles even at the cost of my life and protect my lady!"

DETERMINATION

Crossing over the judgement of right and wrong, good and evil, Yuuji selected the protection of that "one thing" that must be protected. To stop him it seems there is no choice but to kill him.

But, right now Ren had no will to go through with it to that extent. No, even if he had that determination, he lost sight to whom it should be pointed to.

''What should be do? -What should I do?''

Ren was perplexed.

But before the boy found the answer, the situation changed.

"......Kyaa......"

Swept by the wind, a disappearing small shriek. But even so, it was impossible for Ren to miss that voice. Because that was no one else's but Ayumi's voice.

"Ayumi-chan!?"

In front of Ren's eyes,turning around with a changed expression, were reflected the figures of Ayumi and Mayumi, standing behind her. Embraced her closely from behind, Ayumi's pale complexion became stiff.

Although not being strangled or press against a dangerous weapon, panic grabbed hold of her heart.

"-My lady..."

When Yuuji called out to her, Mayumi's lips became sharp with dissatisfaction.

"What, are you telling me not to get involved? Aren't you at fault for being inefficient?"

"No, I'm sorry for causing you trouble."

" -Humpf! Good grief. I'll be troubled if you can't be more reliable!"

This time she held her head high, self-important. She seemed to have a pretty simple personality.

"At any rate- "

While embracing Ayumi, Mayumi shifted her focus on Ren.

"Loving such a doll as this, the Kannagi young lord too, must have some unusual hobbies."

"Ayumi-chan is not a doll! She's human!"

"-Hey, hey..."

At Ren's shout, Mayumi displayed a studied surprise and looked down on Ayumi:

"You said nothing, did you? -What a bad child."

Suddenly thinking of something, Mayumi gently stroked Ayumi's cheek and her body tightly shrunk. That face, smiling complacently, gave the impression of a cat considering how to tease the mouse pinned down by its forelimbs.

A cruel smile lifting her lips, Mayumi said:

"Do you listen, Kannagi young lord? The ''Ayumi-chan'' you tried so hard to protect is not human."

"W- what are you say-"

"It's the truth. Because, you see, this is a clone made by cultivating my cells."

" -!?"

Ren opened his eyes wide with surprise. But simultaneously, he felt somewhere in his heart it was true.

Mayumi and Ayumi - even assuming they were sisters, those two resembled too much.

''Thing Doll Sacrifice'' - completely spoken ill of, a girl whose human dignity was trampled underfoot.

If it was just as Mayumi said, if Ayumi was not human and was created for the sake of dying as a sacrifice, doesn't everything makes sense?

''"A lie.......It's a lie"''

Aiming a smile full of spite at the dumbfounded Ren, Mayumi continued.

"Her appearance may seem that of a twelve years old girl but in reality only a month passed since its creation. Even her planted memories have been suitably edited from my own. That kind of crude doll, you tried to protect with your knight affectation. ''That was fun ♥''"

"It.......It's a lie......"

"Let me tell you one more thing. Even if she doesn't become the sacrifice, just a month from now on, fer life span will be cut from inside. Made with no intention to use for an extended period of time, just instant makeshift goods."

"That's, a lie...."

Ren looked at Ayumi almost like searching for help. She received his glance for just one second and sadly cast her eyes down.

Thus, at last Ayumi - Ayumi told the truth.

"........It's true. I am the katashiro doll[http://eos.kokugakuin.ac.jp/modules/xwords/entry.php?entryID=308] made for the sake of keeping Mayumi-sama alive. Mayumi-sama's impostor"

Where is the genuine '''Ayumi'''?

''I have no memories'' - Ayumi told Ren so. That's natural. If she had been made just a month before, it's impossible for those to exist. Without even trying to steal it, there was nothing there form the beginning. Everything was an imitation. If only her heart was more than a transient object, his own act of protecting Ayumi, his determination, everything would not have been a wasted effort.

"I look, so stupid....."

His body was full with a sense of helplessness. Feebly hanging his head, Ren collapsed on the sandy beach.

"It looks like that was a lot of shock, huh?"

Coldly looking down on the defeated Ren, Mayumi sneered.

"That's only natural. It made him realize his own buffoonery can't go any higher."

"Well, isn't that fine? By understanding reality, the boy becomes an adult."

".........you could say that."

Yuuji replied to Mayumi's words, pretending to act like a grown-up, in a quiet voice. Maybe because they were both men, but it was impossible not to feel sympathy for Ren.

"Come now, let's go home. We must quickly return and prepare for the ceremony."

On the other hand, Mayumi didn't have such a compassionate heart. Already disregarding Ren's existence, she starts thinking about tomorrow's ceremony.

"....yes", Yuuji respectfully bowed.

Receiving Ayumi, presented to him like luggage, the same way as they came, he followed Mayumi like a servant.

But, at the same time he placed his leg on the stairs connected to the main road-

"Step aside!"

From the vicinity of the main road that command reverberated, and a second later a golden pillar of fire lit the sky.

Involuntarily the three people turned around to Ren. But, he did not seemed to notice the present disturbance and was kneeling on the sandy beach, his head hanged. Hearing footsteps they turned in the direction of the main road once more. Two sets of footsteps. Both of them light. They were probably women.

Around that time, Yuuji made a guess about the opponent's identity. Noticing he should be in front, he tried to make Mayumi step back, but- it was slightly late.

"Ren!"

On top the stairs, one girl appeared.

Pushing out the darkness, the aura of red and gold shining out far and wide. The enormous amount of fire spirits that followed her in the background were displaying the girl as the human model of the flame itself.

"This is also......"

From Yuuji's mouth a mutter of unexpected wonder leaked out. Certainly her age was sixteen. And although childish, the shape of the young lady captivated him.

Overflowing from that small body, the surge of an overwhelming power. That sword was not yet drawn out but even so, it was impossible to misread the girl's identity.

''Beautiful- ''

He genuinely thought so. That was not in regard for the human, much less the opposite sex but the same deep emotion he felt at the time he looked at Mother Nature's magnificent scenery.

Suddenly, he noticed a sharp glance. Calmly looking away and folding her arms, Mayumi's half opened glare met his eye.

"''This is also...''" with a monotonous voice Mayumi repeated Yuuji's words.

"What is the meaning of ''This is also...'' Yuuji ?"

"Ah, no, that is..."

While becoming completely confused, Yuuji desperately searched for explanatory words.

If he cannot talk his way out of it now, it will become fairly difficult afterwards.

"That, didn't have any significant meaning. This is also...flashy...?"

"-Humph, that so?"

With that considerably packed expression Mayumi nodded.

"Well, afterwards I'll receive a lengthy explanation of that matter. Now it's not the time for it."

Mayumi faced the two standing at the top of the stairs.

"Nice meeting you, Kannagi princess. Being able to meet you is an honor."

".......and you are?"

The girl - Ayano, shortly inquired.

"I was slow in saying. I am Tsuwabuki Mayumi. This is my attendant Yuuji. Although belonging to a collateral family, for the time being permit him to call himself with the Tsuwabuki surname."

"If I say I will, I wonder will I have to call you by such an embarrassing name as ''Tsuwabuki princess''?"

"I am at your mercy."

To Ayano's provocative response, Mayumi bowed her head with a smiling face.

irritated, Ayano ended this conversation lacking sincerity and got to the main question.

"I have no particular business with you. Where is Ren?"

Mayumi pointed at the sandy beach in the back.

"Somewhere in that area. Maybe he is crying holding his knees."

"What, have you done to him?"

The atmosphere became noisy. The explosive scarlet aura flickered like a flame.

"Physically, nothing. He did not receive a single wound."

".........haa"

When that report was made, Yuuji looked sullen.

"But it seems his emotional scars are quite deep. We would be troubled if you complained to us about such things. About the details, you can ask that boy. However, I believe not prying into it would be a kindness to him."

Just saying that, with no precaution Mayumi started walking up the stairs. Whipping his wounded body, Yuuji went in front of Mayumi, trying to be a shield as much as possible.

"Well then-"

Greeting her while passing by one another, Mayumi walked near Ayano's side. And then, after looking at the retreating figure running down the stairs not returning the favor, she shifted her focus on the other person - a woman standing in a somewhat separated place.

"Good evening. It's been a long time, Police Superintendent Tachibana."

"We haven't talked in a long time, Mayumi-san"

That perfectly ordinary greeting, the detective in charge of Tokyo MPD's Special Investigation Unit, Police Superintended Tachibana returned with an absolutely tranquil tone.

"Because you didn't appear together with the that young woman, can we assume you have no intention of opposing the Tsuwabuki regarding the Kannagi matter?"

"Of course. We have no intention of interfering in any kind of dispute. Naturally, if you would accept our mediation, we woul feel that position with pleasure."

"That won't be necessary."

The faint tension that dwelt in Kirika's words, smiling, Mayumi severed it when she replied.

"Everything has been already settled. We have regained the object Kannagi Ren stole and because it's something a child did, we have no intention of blaming the Kannagi Clan for that error. If you would be so good as to pass it along to Ayano-san."

"......I will comply"

"Thank you"

Bowing her head to Kirika, Mayumi left accompanied by her attendant and the spoils of war.

No matter how polite her tone was, the girl's attitude was that of a victor who obtained everything.

Gazing for a brief period at the retreating figure, never looking back, Kirika started walking towards the defeated boy or maybe the defeated people.

"There's no sign this is ending here."

That's what she was thinking.

[[User:Ayame|Ayame]] ([[User talk:Ayame|talk]]) 10:01, 24 March 2013 (CDT)

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| Forward to [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume3_Chapter_4|Chapter 4]]
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Kaze no Stigma:Volume3 Chapter 3

2013-04-28T15:27:26Z

80.240.162.190: /* Part 4 */

===Chapter 3 - The person one must protect===

===Part 1===

"......................"

Inside the train, Ren was frozen solid.He sat in such a way that if someone poked him, he would roll on the floor while in sitting position.

The reason for that was the existence of the girl sitting earnestly on his left side, Ayumi. She was clinging to Ren's left arm in order for their bodies to be glued as close as possible.

At the beginning of her teens, wearing a coat over the still immature body, although the sensation wasn't supposed to be very fresh, it's still impossible to be composed about it.

Contrastive to Ayumi, who yielded herself to Ren with a peaceful appearance, his brain has been frozen for the last 10 minutes.

- It happened approximately 10 minutes before.

At the time they waited for the train on the platform of Tokyo Station, staring at Ren shivering from the coldness of the wind, Ayumi asked in a worried manner:

"Are you cold?"

"No, I'm fine"

Ren showed a smile meant to give her a piece of mind but the next moment that smile became frozen.

"a... a... a... Ayumi-chan?"

"If we are like this it's warm, right?"

Feeling guilty for borrowing his coat and trying to transfer her own body temperature, she clung to Ren's arm.

"D-don't do that -"

Ren's brain, trying to separate his body, was pierced by Ayumi's expression, looking at him with upturned eyes.

"-No?"

"Eh, ah, no, that sort of..."

A stuttering Ren. He was unbelievably ashamed, he also thought this sort of thing is wrong, but before the girl's gaze, looking at him sadly, he couldn't shake his head.

''What to do.....''

The warm sense of touch transmitted by his left arm thoroughly snatched Ren's presence of mind. After that, when, how did hey get into the train, he didn't remember any of it.

"I'm sorry"

"-Eh?"

Receiving such an abrupt apology, Ren's consciousness recovered after a long time. Ayumi's turned away expression, full of guilt was reflected in his eyes.

"About what?"

"For making such an odd request."

Ren replied while laughing.

"It's not a big deal, this much"

Actually the girl's wish was simple. What it required were traveling expenses and a little bit of time. Just those will suffice.

''Take me to the sea''

That's what Ayumi spoke in the park. It was just one wish. Naturally, Ren had no objection.

Investigating those contents for a while, he asked only one thing.

"Is a harbor-like place acceptable? Or a sandy beach?"

Without wavering, Ayumi chose the latter. Therefore, together they boarded the Tokaido Line. That route was aimed at Chigasaki.

If that was the nearest swimming beach, Ren doesn't know. But that was the only place he could lead her to. Because of his family's line of work he is a boy unrelated to family vacations et cetera. He had hardly any experience of swimming in the sea. Ren was deeply grateful to the girl who took him by force sea bathing last year's summer.

While chasing the flowing scenery, Ayumi murmured:

"In the end, I wanted to see something beautiful with my own eyes."

"In the end, you say?"

"When I do so, I'm going back. To the Tsuwabuki."

"No!", Ren promptly shouted.

"No! They don't treat you like a fellow human. Only like a tool. If you return to those people you'll never be happy. If you have no place to go, you can come to my house. The Kannagi Clan will, without exception -"

"Ren, you see-"

Ayumi quietly interrupted Ren's desperate pleading words.

"Have you heard about the Tsuwabuki's Grand Festival?"

"The Grand Festival - about that ceremony to appease the volcanic activity of Mt. Fuji? I'm not very familiar with it but the practitioner always lost his life... "

Going that far, Ren turned a terrified glance towards Ayumi.

"No...way....."

What was reflected in those eyes was Ayumi's excessively tranquil smiling face. It was unbelievable. Ren completely denied that expression. There shouldn't be something like that. Such a thing cannot be allowed. Something like that- something like that-

"I have no family name, nor a family register, naming myself is not permitted, but-"

''No way''

''I don't want to hear''

Despite this - the body doesn't move. Even blocking his ears, he can't do it. Without waiting for agreement or disagreement, pouring into his ears, that tone calm as the surface of the lake. Admitting everything, allowing it, accepting it.

"I am called Tsuwabuki. According to the lineage, something like a direct descendant."

''I don't want to hear it''

"The ceremony is tomorrow night. Therefore, I must get back until then. Because I- because I am the priest of the ritual"

''Because I am the priest of the ceremony''

From Ren's body, with a water-like sound, blood flew backwards.

The Yamatsumino Grand Festival - the origin of it goes back roughly 300 years.

The year is 1707 - during the Houei era was the last volcanic eruption of Mt. Fuji and the greatest since the dawn of history. The violent eruption reaching 15 days, it was said that the volcanic ash fell as far as the distant town of Edo. It was not only Kantō but a life or death crisis for Japan itself. No matter how many times Mt. Fuji erupted, it didn't show any signs of quieting down.

That raging <Ki> finally resulted in the embodiment of one demon beast. The impersonation of Fuji's <ki>. it is certain that was the largest, strongest devilishness that materialized in this country. If one tried to rank it among other demon beasts, the only reference it had would be the legendary monsters, like the eight tail serpent that couldn't be defeated without the help of god's power.

The beast's roar beckoned eruptions and its stepping feet invoked eruptions. Mowing down everything it touched, it exhausted the limits if tyranny. The ones who sealed it were the yet unknown Tsuwabuki family. A young girl leading the family offered prayers to the King of the Earth Spirits for seven days and seven nights and finally attained that divine protection.

And then, by that divine protection, the girl managed to seal that demon beast. Thus Mt. Fuji calmed down and Japan's peace was protected. And they all lived happily ever after.

-But that story has sequel.

First, that girl was not able to endure the release of such an over-sized power and lost her life with the seal. And then, even after applying such a powerful seal, the demon beast's lock couldn't continue forever. Being the personification of an active volcano, it's possible to say that was the unavoidable outcome.

Approximately 30 years - that was the limit of the seal. For the sake of continuing the sealing of a raging demon beast seeking release, Tsuwabuki family had no choice but to conduct the ceremony at fixed intervals for the sake of suppressing Mt. Fuji's <Ki>.

Because of the divine protection of the Spirit King that dwelt in their blood - the strongest unmarried woman was elected as the priest of the ceremony.

Until today, the sealing ceremony known under the bombastic name of "Grand Festival" took place 8 times. And there were 8 casualties. The fatality ratio was 100%. This is the reason the ceremony practitioner was named sacrifice.

With no other option, the 9th ceremony approached. The girl called Ayumi was a lamb led to slaughter.

How long was he in blank amazement, I wonder. When Ren came to his senses, Ayumi was smiling gently, looking at him.

Unable to meet that extremely pitiful smile, Ren muttered, while looking down.

"Why?....."

"Ren?"

"Why do you have to do such a...."

After examining for a short while Ren's expression, Ayumi replied:

"Because someone has to do it"

'''''"But it doesn't have to be you-"'''''

Ayumi softly touched Ren's lips with her fingers. The boy who unintentionally couldn't keep his mouth shut, she rebuked him gently.

"It's not good saying these kind of things. If you speak filthy words your heart will become filthy too"

"........I'm sorry.........."

Ayumi shook her head.

"No. It's alright. Truthfully I was a little happy. Because I was never regarded as something valuable."

From the moment she was born, it was decided that Ayumi will be a sacrifice. She wasn't regarded as part of the same family, not recognized as a human being. For this girl with no family register, with no choice but being a tool for the ceremony, so far there wasn't a single person to hold her life dear.

Pointlessly, Ren made sure of her acknowledgement.

"Even so, you'll do it? For the sake of those who think of you as a tool?"

"It's different", Ayumi flatly shook her head.

"It has nothing to do with the Tsuwabuki family's expectations. Because it must be done no matter what, I'll do it. It's bad if Mt. Fuji erupts, right?"

"That is true..."

"If I am able to suppress it, my life, my death is not worthless.Even if the physical me dies, my prayers will fuse with the mountain and I will continue to watch over this country eternally. That's a very beautiful thing, don't you agree?"

"................."

Something is wrong. Something is terribly wrong, Ren thought so.

'''''-Don't try to glorify death with words of self-sacrifice -'''''

Kazuma's words, once intended for him were recalled to his mind. Doesn't Ayumi make the same mistake he did at the same time? But Ren had no persuasion words for the girl. He could not think of a path that doesn't result in Ayumi's death.

Only to let Mt. Fuji erupt-

To replace Ayumi as a sacrifice.

She would accept neither. There is no mistake about it, the girl known as Ayumi was the type that would sacrifice herself for others.

"That's why I'm not afraid of death. It's because I was born for this purpose. And yet, I desired memories before the time comes. Memories of my own, born from my own experience."

In that peaceful pupil, that accepted everything dwelt the light of a faint longing.

''Memories of her own?''

It's only natural to display a strong attachment for one's dying wish. But even so, that was a strange expression. Memories are neither true nor false.

To the bewildered Ren, Ayumi threw another bomb.

"You see, I don't have my own memories."

"Eh?"

"I haven't lost my memories. It's not like I have something to remember and I don't, it's more like I have ''nothing'' to remember."

"..............."

Without saying anything, Ren starred at Ayumi dumbfounded.

"If it would be just like that, even speaking and moving my body would have been impossible. But the me right now is something ignorant of the ways of the world but I can communicate with other people. Do you know why?"

"Wasn't it because you kept studying it?"

Toward such an unbelievable circumstance, Ren said so, including a ray of hope.

But, as feared, Ayumi shook her head.

"In my had there are transcripts of another's memories.I don't know how it's been done, though"

Almost like it was somebody else's problem, Ayumi indifferently recited those grand circumstances. Ren finally had the feeling he understood the reason why Ayumi had no attachment to her life. She had nothing to be particular about.

Not even recognized as a person, her existence valued as nothing but a tool, day after day. Planted forged memories. Without beginning, Ayumi's life ended.

With no room to harbor hope, she has no attachment except despair. Together with that gentle resignation, Ayumi accepted everything.

"That's why I wanted to see the world through my eyes even if it's just once. I wished for something that's not faked, real memories."

Like telling an unfulfilled dream, Ayumi whispered with a distant look. Toward the ordinary everyone was given as a natural privilege - no, the privilege they took for granted she felt endless longing and envy.

"The moment I saw the sky when I first felt the residence, I was very surprised. How vast was the sky windows don't limit, Mt. Fuji was so big..."

"Ayumi-chan......"

"The sky, the stars, the moon were so much more beautiful than what I remembered. Surely, the sea must be very beautiful, right?"

The silhouette of the innocent girl in high spirits was reflected in Ren's eyes as overbearingly pitiful.

-She wanted to see beautiful things-

What sort of feelings did she include when she said those words? The words of a girl dreaming, escaping from reality, no that he knew everything, they were unbelievably heavy.

"-This is hopeless"

With a strong determination, Ren muttered in his heart.

''Such a thing cannot be. It cannot be forgiven.''

"Ayumi-chan!"

"W-what?"

His immature sense of justice aroused, Red declared strongly.

"I will protect Ayumi-chan"

" - Ren?"

"So please, don't give up. Don't say it's OK to die. Because I'll protect you. I'll protect you for sure."

"Ren........."

Making a somewhat troubled face, she looked at the boy making a vow.

Joy and sadness and the kindness of a mother watching over her child were mixed in that complex gaze.

Without noticing that gaze, Ren continued.

"I'm sure it exists. A way in which Ayumi-chan doesn't have to die. I'll do whatever it's in my power. My own ability may be very small but if it's big brother, surely- "

"Your older brother?"

"Eh?"

Ayumi unintentionally asked in return and Ren reaffirmed with force those entrusting words.

"Ah-"

In those cornered eyes hope was shining.

"That's right! I have my older brother! If it's big brother, he will definitely save you!"

Without a fragment of anxiety, with absolute faith in his voice, Ren clearly declared.

For a short while, Ayumi opened her eyes wide, staring at the smile of the boy, delighted as if the problem was already settled.

"Do you have such an amazing brother?"

"Yeah", Ren answered without a moment's hesitation.

"Big brother is stronger than anyone. There is nothing he can't do. I'm sure."

"............Is that so........."

"So please don't say such lonesome things like last memories and let's do many more together. I want to show you many other things. That is...."

Embarrassed and blushing Ren invited the girl screwing up his courage.

"Because - I'll take you no matter where"

".............."

Receiving Ren's invitation, for one instant, Ayumi seemed to burst into tears. However, in just one moment she erased that bitter expression and replied with a calm and somewhat sad smile.

"Right.....If we could do that, it would be very nice....."

===Part 2===

"I wonder where did big brother go....."

Descending on the platform of the Chiwasaki Station, the shore on the other side of it, Ren muttered to himself with a worried face.

He can't get in touch with Kazuma.

He called Kazuma's cellphone from the station's public telephone but what came back was the dull announcement of the answering machine.

Because his own cellphone broke, he can't wait for Kazuma to get in touch with him. In the end, leaving the message "I'll call again" Ren hanged the receiver.

"I'm beaten"

As soon as he complained, Ayumi's hand, holding his left arm, tightly hugged him. Flustered, Ren showed a bright smile meant to give her peace of mind.

"Oh, it's fine. Because we'll get in touch shortly."

" -yeah", Ayumi nodded a little.

For a little while they didn't speak. Both of them walked the road to the beach in silence.

"Ah........."

A sound resembling noise making her eardrums vibrate, Ayumi strained her ears. The term sea roar came to her mind.

"The sound of waves......?"

"Yeah. We'll be there shortly."

Nodding, Ren increased his pace to not fall behind Ayumi, who unconsciously did so.

And now -

"Ah - !"

At the magnificent view at last reflected in her eyes Ayumi raised her voice in delight. Ren looked in the came direction. It was the sea. The great deep stretching endlessly. The utmost blue sea surface sparkling in the downpour of sunshine - naturally, it wasn't.

The winter sea is cold and hollow. it doesn't have a particle of the heat and energy the summer sea is full of, instead it's pushing out a cold surface, almost like rejecting humans. Staring at the utmost black sea, the same color as the night sky, Ayumi muttered:

"Is this... The sea...........?"

Perceiving the sound of a clear disappointment, Ren became impatient.

"W-what to do......."

Thinking now about it, it was a problem he should have noticed earlier. The winter sea - at night. Seen by girl his age it can't be a pleasing spectacle.Anyway, there was definitely not enough light. But there are at least seven, eight hours until dawn breaks.

''If I had light....light -?''

The idea that reflexively occurred to him was suppressed at an almost instinctive level. His family admonished sternly such conduct. But, even so-

''Do it!''

After just 3 seconds of hesitation, Ren decided to dismiss good sense. For his peace of mind, turning around, he searched for indications of human presence, surveying the surroundings.

From what he roughly saw, there was none except them.

- It must be done now.

Summoning fire spirits, he shortly informed:

"Go"

" - Eh? What?"

Before Ayumi finished her second question - the sky exploded.

"Kyaa!?"

The golden light shines out far and white pressing down the darkness. The brightness spreading out on the entire surface of the sky dyed the world golden and the jet black sea surface glittered dazzlingly.

"This - this is....Ren?"

To the Ayumi starring up in succession to both the sky and Ren with a surprised gaze, somewhat embarrassed but at the same time very proud, Ren's nostrils twitched.

"It's impossible to replicate the midsummer sea, but it's better than the pitch black gloomy sea, right? How is it? Do you like it?"

"Ren- "

Calling out Ren's name with a voice trembling with delight, Ayumi gave Ren a bear-like hug.

"Amazing! It's amazing! It is the most beautiful thing I've seen!"

"R-really? I'm glad"

Although confused by Ayumi's bold conduct, the relaxation of Ren's cheeks was irrepressible. Ayumi's large smile - even if he tried to express it, it's magnificence was beyond words.

Underneath the gold radiance, they innocently smiled at each other and looked up at the sky. Just like a golden aurora borealis the movement of the dancing fire spirits combined and the canopy covering the entire sky changed the same way a kaleidoscope would.

"Beautiful...but won't it cause an uproar?"

Ren shrugged his shoulders in silence. Without even thinking, it was an obvious matter. This was not a solitary island in the southern sea. Approachable by walking from the train station it was an empty swimming area.

Although there was a shelter-belt and a fence obstructing the field of vision, a highway was running less than 10 meters away. The houses were close. Without having to wait, it's likely spectators with burning curiosity would arrive in great numbers. There's no mistake that it will appear in tomorrow's newspaper.

But even so, Ren didn't care.

To make Ayumi happy - right now, for Ren it was all that mattered. Seeing Ayumi's wet eyes, Ren asked her casually, as if inquiring about the dinner's menu.

"Do you want to keep it up just a little bit more? Before long it could cause trouble but if they get in the way I'll drive them away"

"....No, it's enough."

After considering for a short while, Ayumi shook her head.

"It's enough. Because I'll never forget it."

" -Alright"

With a light nod, Ren called out the fire spirits. Promptly answering to the Enjutsushi's will, the fire spirits came together in a boisterous dance of light. And then -

"....W...ow...."

The light shining in the sky rained like drops of water above ground. Like snow, lightly flickering in the wind, the golden drops descended in a dance.

Holding no temperature, the clusters of pure light, upon touching the sandy beach and the surface of the sea, burst open and disappeared like in a dream.

"Ah- "

The last descending drop, Ayumi caught it extending both her hands. The moment it touched her hand, the light fleetingly disappeared but the girl softly closed her hands and touched her chest. That irreplaceable something stored in her hands was tucked away inside her chest.

Dropping the curtain on the light's dance performance, affecting acting, Ren made a bow.

"Did it please you?"

"Yes - yes...."

Her eyes full of tears, Ayumi bowed many, many times over.

"I... I am glad that I am alive. Meeting Ren.... Seeing something so beautiful, I...I...from the bottom of my heart...."

Unable to bear it in the end, her tears escaped. Shed for the first time in her life, tears of happiness.

In order to wipe the sobbing girl's tears, handkerchief in hand, he touched her face. Both their shadows brought forth by the moonlight, slowly became one.

But - this moment was the concluding moment of their honeymoon. On their cuddled silhouettes a violent, intense light shined.

" -!?"

Turning around holding hands, an eternally domineering voice pierced their ears.

"That's right! I'm so happy for you! That means you have no more regrets in this world, right?"

In front of both of them, watching over in a daze, the woman with the light on her back laughed.

===Part 3===

''The pursuer from the Tsuwabuki!''

In an instant Ren saw through the shadow's true character. Or perhaps I should say, as far as Ren knew, it was the only opponent pursuing them.

Drawing Ayumi back and stepping forward with a sleepwalking like gait, Ren probed into the other party's attitude. Overlooking them for a brief period from a higher place, the woman descended the stairs and continued walking towards the beach in a composed manner.

One man, like a servant, followed her, leaving between them several steps.

Because of the back lighting he sees only outlines but even from those shadows it was impossible not to recognize the proud atmosphere drifting around the woman. The glance overlooking them was more suited for stray dogs than humans.

Leaving a distance of five meters between them, the woman faced Ren and Ayumi.

As one would expect, approaching so much, it was now possible to discriminate her looks. Closing his eyes partly, Ren observed the woman - and several seconds afterwards he opened his eyes wide in shock.

"Eh - ?"

The woman was younger than he thought. Probably not yet of age, in the second half of her teens. But that wasn't what Ren was surprised about.

-They looked alike.

Ren thought so, watching intently, in succession, Ayumi and the woman. No, they didn't resemble each other. If the age difference could be removed, their facial features would be perfectly the same.

Twins separated by age - those sort of contradicting words passed through Ren's head.

"Mayumi-sama........" Ayumi murmured, looking at that woman with a glance mixed with panic.

Unintentionally, Ren asked:

"Your elder sister?"

''If that is the case, she too can...''

The thought that instantly came to his mind, Ren denied it confused. Ayumi does not wish for such a thing.

-If you speak filthy words, your heart will become filthy too -

''Good grief, I need to be more careful.''

Agreeing to Ayumi's words reverberating in his head, he grasped her hand tenderly. Ayumi's face stiff from fear, still displayed a gallant smile.

'''"Elder sister?"'''

On the other hand, for the boy and the girl happy by themselves, the woman - Mayumi matched it with the height of displeasure.

"Elder sister, you said?"

Glaring at Ren as if he was her archenemy, she squeezed out a stifled to death voice from the gap between her clenched teeth. Her well regulated, elegant features, changed into the face of a demonic warrior.

"Don't mess around with me"

Mayumi's angry roar shrunk Ayumi's body with a start. After staring with much discord at the frightened girl, she turned an identical glance at Ren.

"It was enough taking Ayumi and running away without understanding the circumstance and this already foolish show, I believed you were someone lacking prudence but, never to this extent. Me and that thing sisters? It's the first time I was insulted so."

"..............."

It seems Ayumi didn't receive human treatment even from her relatives. Holding down the rising anger, Ren searched for presence in the surroundings. It was unpleasant when Ayumi was called "that" again but Mayumi's words implied an imminent crisis.

Other people didn't come. Because what Mayumi evaluated as a foolish exhibition was already over, if such a flashy, abnormal phenomenon happened, it's impossible for none to approach. Normally, about now, a crowd would have gathered on the beach and the police and fire department would have surrounded the place.

None of it happened.

It's very likely that right now this area was blocked.

By the subordinates of the Tsuwabuki.

''Can we escape?''

Without thinking of handing Ayumi over, Ren investigated the possibility of escape. The fact that the girl in question accepted her own faith was totally forgotten.

"Why are you so cautious, young Kannagi prince?"

Seeing through Ren's decision promptly, Mayumi laughed, smiling sweetly.

"Everything is already over. There is nothing left for you to try."

Although using honorifics, speaking in a clearly despising tone, Mayumi focused on Ayumi.

"................."

Without even using words, Mayumi carelessly beckoned her. as if calling her pet dog or something.

Ayumi started walking obediently.

"Ayumi-ch-"

"It's fine."

Ren's words, trying to call her to a halt, Ayumi interrupted them shortly and with a decisive voice.

"It's fine already. Thank you for everything until now. - It was very fun."

"Ayu- "

In order to shake of his extended hand, Ayumi turned her back on Ren. And with that, she never turned around.

Standing in front of Mayumi, Ayumi's body became stiff as if she turned to stone. Her glance swayed insecurely nearly Mayumi's feet. Suddenly Mayumi stretched her fingers to Ayumi's chin and forcefully pointed upwards her face hanged in shame. Coercively looking down on the startled girl, she said in a voice full of smiles:

"If you wanted to run away, you should at least have crossed the ocean. Instead of that, seducing a man and flirting with him in this kind of place, - do you look down on us?"

The Chijutsushi manipulating the spirits of the earth can make searches on fairly long distances as long it's adjoining land. It goes without saying that if you know the target well that searching ability is further improved.

For the sake of running from Chijutsushi, by sea or by air - anyway the most important thing is to separate from the ground.

"I had...no intention...."

Staring at Ayumi, protesting in a trembling voice, wit the look a carnivorous animal has before its feed, Mayumi let go of her jaw.

And then - she pulled her hand backwards and swung with all her strength.

" -Uh!"

It wasn't something as lovely as a slap. The punch made by hardening her wrist at the moment of the impact was a blow that made her bones resound.

Instantly Ayumi's legs separated from the ground and from the beginning exhausted body sunk into the sandy beach. Appearing to have completely fainted, her face half buried in the sand, she was completely still.

"Wha...."

Overcome with surprise at the sudden violence, Ren shouted white as a ghost.

"What have you done?"

But Mayumi didn't even looked at Ren. As she already stated "your turn is already over" she disregarded his existence itself.

Instead, the man who followed behind her moved. With body movement that had no openings he stepped forward and got on his knee before Ayumi.

Decidedly, he did not attempt to nurse her. Grabbing hold of Ayumi by the hair, casually the man lifted her head as if he would uproot a radish.

"...........E-eek......"

"What are you doing?"

Coldly looking down on Ayumi's feeble struggle, the man said in a monotonous tone.

"Do you think you can be lying down in front of the young lady, do you?"

"Yuu...ji.....sama....."

"Silence!"

The man - Yuuji - abruptly became enraged.

"With that face, through that mouth, don't call out my name! How disgusting!"

Raising his hand, pulling her hair even more, he made Ayumi stand on her knees. And then - this time from the front, he slapped her face onto the sand. Forcibly making Ayumi take a prostrating position, Yuuji shouted.

"Apologize! Until your voice becomes hoarse, until your throat tears apologize! Did you understand in how much danger did you put the young lady? If we didn't find you in time what would have happened! Did you intend for the young lady to be a sacrifice in your place? You puppet doll!!"

That was the limit.

He thought he himself endured it really well. Surely, big brother would praise him for it. Or - he'll get angry for letting it get that far.

Quietly he held out his right hand and pointed his index finger at Yuuji. And then - without a moment of hesitation he released hs power.

The thin, refined heat ray grazed Yuuji's cheek sticking into the concrete wall. The red hot concrete melted and the wall followed it, crashing.

"..........What kind of behavior.." Yuuji questioned with a voice stiffed to death. However, like Mayumi did before, Ren completely disregarded that utterance.

It wasn't a provocation or something like that. It's just that in Ren's field of vision no one else but Ayumi was reflected. It was just that.

"Re....n.....?"

For the girl weakly getting up, hearing that cracked voice, Ren painfully shook his head.

"As I thought, it's useless."

I can't control it.

I can't endure it.
Anymore than this - I can't stand it.

"What is the right thing to do, I don't even know. However, to hand you over to these guys it's absolutely impossible."

Whether it's right or not, that's long past. His feelings denied that option.

"Fall back!"

Struck by that sharp voice, Ayumi reflexively kicked the ground. Slightly further away from Yuuji. In that gap Ren threw a fireball brought forth from the sky.

"-Tch!"

Visibly agitated by the blast, Yuuji and Mayumi jumped. The distance widened even more. Well in advance Ren wedged himself in the space separating the two "enemies" and Ayumi.

"Humph - in the end brute force, huh?"

Staring at Ren blocking his way to Ayumi, Yuuji laughed fearless.

"Ah, well. Just as planed."

"Shall I back you up?"

"It's not necessary."

Politely rejecting Mayumi's proposal, he casually took one step forward. With an attitude full of composure he looked down on Ren taking a battle stance.

"Publicly- "

Without particularly preparing in advance, just standing, Yuuji began to speak in a relaxed manner.

"Publicly, it seems there are many idiots who believe Enjutsushi teh strongest but do you think so too?"

"-?"

Not understanding Yuuji's plan, Ren was perplexed. There is nothing to believe. The fact that Enjutsushi are the strongest is a <Reality> with no room for argument.

It's not about whether an Enjutsushi never lost to another kind of practitioner, of course there is no such thing. That is the power of one individual. It's about whether the ability difference can undermine the advantages and disadvantages of a technique style.

As for what technique system is the strongest - there is only one answer to that question. Without room for argument, with no chance for objection, the grave <Reality> doesn't change.

That is what Yuuji downright negated.

"What a foolish thing. All of you understand nothing about battle. The greatest offensive ability? When killing people do you think that is necessary?"

"What exactly?"

Including the confidence of certain victory in front of the perplexed Ren, Yuuji fired the question.

"You, where on earth do you plan to place your feet on?"

Unintentionally Ren stared at his own feet.There was nothing there but the ordinary sandy beach. There was no sign of set traps. There was no sense of discomfort when stepping on it, nothing but the feeling of soft sand-

''-Sand?''

"-Uh!!"

The sign of something wriggling, underneath his feet. Jumping by reflex, Ren's face became stiff with surprise and shivers.

Underground, and in addition to that, directly under his footprints a spear covered in sand was pushed up.

If his evasion would have been delayed by one second the spear would have stopped his foot by sewing it. it may be true he avoided the first attack but he had no room for relief. Visibly lying in wait at the spot Ren would come down, several spears sprung up.

"Kuu- "

Releasing fire and pointing it directly below, a countless number of spears burned to nothing. Coincident with his landing above the red hot sand, Ren rolled on the ground. Pursuing the rolling Ren from inside the sand, one after another, spears stick out.

While narrowly avoiding those, the boy cursed his overly optimistic thinking.

''Shit, Chijutsushi - so that's the reason!''

The spears hidden inside the sand were not something prepared in advance. Hardening the sand itself and changing its shape, Yuuji made those sharp spears.

Chijutsushi possess the force of the Earth Spirits. Sand, soil, ground stone and all materials affiliated with those, for them, are similar with extensions of their own hands. There was no need to expressly set traps.

The battleground itself was the Chijutsushi's weapon because that was for them the absolute most advantageous arrangement.

''What to do?''

Starting to see gaps one way or another, running in zig-zag to dodge the underground attacks, Ren looked for a breach. At any rate, as long as he is staying on the ground,his disadvantage can't be overcome.

Continuing to receive one-sided attacks without grasping a counter-attack clue, sooner or later he will receive a fatal blow.

On the other hand, Ren doesn't know such a jutsu that would allow him to gain a foothold on something else other than the ground.

If it were an Enjutsushi, he could fly into the air.

A Suijutsushi could maybe stand on top of water.

However, Ren being an Enjutsushi - it may be possible for Jugo or Genma - he had no skill to stand on top of flames. As long as gravity comes into play, he had no choice but to place his feet on the ground.

''What should I do?''

Looking over his surroundings, he searched for a turn-around plan. The sandy beach was the worst as a battle ground but concrete and asphalt must be similar. What remains -

''Inside the sea?''

It was out of the question. Ren being an Enjutsushi water was nothing more but a thing to be avoided. There was no point for Ren's power to weakened beyond what Yuuji could accomplish.

To Ren, stuck in a defensive battle, Yuuji turned words of ridicule.

"What's the matter? Are you just going to run? I don't care how far you run but if you go to far I'll take Ayumi and go back home."

"Kuu- "

Because of Yuuji's carelessness, recognizing he became long separated from Ayumi, Ren grinds his teeth. if it goes like this, Ayumi will really be taken away.

''What should I do? what should I -''

The problem was that he had no technique to defend against the blows. He can use flames to cover the surroundings but the bottom of his feet are perfectly defenseless. When fighting against Chijutsushi, that became a lethal weakness. A foothold was necessary. Separated from Yuuji's control, a scaffold made of <Earth> he cannot control.

He cannot fly into the sky. Water is also excluded. There's no wood near. He cannot stand on top of fire. On top of fire -

''-Huh?''

Suddenly Ren remembered the scene of a volcanic eruption he saw on TV. From craters, forcefully spitting out the red hot-

''Shall I give it a try?''

There was no time to spare. Making his resolve, Ren stopped and concentrated his consciousness.

"Aa.......a.........aa!!"

From Ren's whole body golden flames erupted. The dazzling glimmer blurred even the contours of his body and the boy shined, transformed into a small sun.

"Ua.......unh, it's useless."

To encourage himself overpowered by the tremendous quantity of heat, Yuuji intentionally raised his voice.

"No matter how hot a flame you clad yourself in, you cannot defend against attacks from below."

Trying to make the reality that he was currently on offensive known, Yuuji was perplexed by the dull response from the spirits.

The spirits of the earth didn't respond to his will - No, something different obstructs the formation of sand spears.

"You....what did you do?"

He turns a glance full of suspicion towards Ren. No matter what an Enjutsushi tries to do, it's impossible to exercise a stronger influence towards sand than a Chijutsushi does.

Ren didn't answer. Unaffected, abandoning that body to the flames, he only stood rock still above the red ground.

"Red - ? I see, you- "

Yuuji stared at Ren's feet. What was there didn't have the rough characteristics of sand but was reflecting the flame like grass. Sometimes, from the bottom bubbles rose to the surface and burst open with a particular thick sound.

"You brat - you changed the burning sand to magma!"

"I gave it a try"

Receiving Yuuji's angry roar, Ren laughed triumphantly. It does not mean he had a positive proof. If a Suijutsushi can stand atop water he tried to stand atop magma, that could also be called fluid flame. He simply tried out that idea.

Although having a fluffy, undependable sense of touch, magma firmly sustained Ren's body weight. As there was no fist fight involved, the tenderness of the scaffold didn't matter. The radius was about two meters. Although modest,from the <Kingdom> underneath Yuuji's absolute control, Ren gained that much territory.

"D-don't be excited, boy!" barked Yuuji after loosing his advantage.

"Even for magma, it's <ground> attribute doesn't change. The situation is still the same!"

With an angry roar, including a severe determination, Yuuji ordered the ground spirits. Around Ren's surroundings magma unnaturally rose, molding red spearheads.

"Die, boy!!"

The spears lengthen trying to pierce Ren's body. But just before that - they stopped.

"W-whaaaaat!?"

Quietly gazing at the surprised Yuuji, Ren talked indifferent.

"Certainly magma is something that belongs to the <ground>. Still, half of it it's Enjutsushi possession. I'm not gonna hand it over so easily!"

The spear on the verge of touching his body, Ren casually flung it off. The hard sharp spear instantly lost her unity and returned with a small splash on the surface of the magma sea.

"Guu..........Ba......."

With a really detestable howl, Yuuji stopped trying to proactively commence the next attack. It's understandable.

The control of the material called magma with attributes of both <ground> and <fire> has been snatched away. That means that in a contest of pure strength he was defeated by Ren. As the opponent of a higher ranked practitioner, he couldn't carelessly take the vanguard.

"Next is my turn, huh?" Ren declared with no fighting spirit.

His pushed out right hand accurately aimed at Yuuji. From that palm golden flames gushed out.

"Oooooooooooohh!!"

Yuuji too, didn't gave in. Hoisting the sand beneath his feet, he threw it onto the approaching flame. A surging sea of white sand attacking the golden torrent.

Receiving the aftermath of the struggle between these two powers, the ground grated and the sky trembled.

"Gu........me..uuuu......."

Through clenched teeth Yuuji let out a pressing moan. He understood that in a contest of strength he was inferior. As it is, he will certainly be pressed down.

While his body burned in humiliation, Yuuji changed his tactics to defense. The sand changed into a bulky bedrock and stood before the fire torrent. Although the bedrock stopped the flames there was no room for relaxation.

"It's coming from behind."

Inside the thunderous roar made by the flames burning the rock, for some reason that whisper clearly reached his ears. Uneventfully changed to a quiet oath, Yuuji felt that enormous heat approaching from behind.

"Sh-shit!"

The already thin bedrock rose, splitting the sand and stopped a gigantic fire ball. Although withstanding it somehow, the tremendous impact crossed over the bed rock and mercilessly pummeled Yuuji's body.

In the space between the two bedrocks Yuuji was in anguish. And there, the last blow came.

"Next is up"

" -!?"

Looking up at the sky, Yuuji's eyes peeled in shock. A remarcably big fireball descended upon Yuuji like a meteor. The distance was less than two meters.

"Kuuu- !"

It's unthinkable of having time to defend and so forth. Overhead the man looking at it dumbfounded, the fireball violently exploded.

"..............Uh!"

There wasn't much heat but the shock was hard to describe. The two sheets of bed rock made by him efficiently reverberated, sinking Yuuji's body in the sandy beach.

"Go...........bah.........."

As if gravity was increased a hundred fold, the extremely heavy pressure flattened his body, the air in his lungs was squeezed out without exception and all the bones in his body creaked.

"Not........not yet......yet......"

Putting all his strength in his arms Yuuji seemed to want to push out the heavens. But after lifting it 10 centimeters the elbow joints made a thick sound and bent the other way.

When the broken right arm fell to the ground the shining fireball in the sky also vanished. But even so, Yuuji couldn't give up.

The sound of the broken bed rock resounded in vain, like the gong at the end of the match.

===Part 4===

"-Fuuu"

Taking a small breath, Ren shifted his attention to the remaining two.

Ayumi's gaze shaking with anxiety. And, despite having the same face, not showing even the smallest disturbance, expressing a thin smile, Mayumi:

Confronting Mayumi directly, Ren asked with a determined look.

"What will you do? Do you want to give it a try?"

While it may be true her outward appearance was that of a frail young lady, he won't act unprepared. Based on Yuuji's behavior it was clear Mayumi was the purest descendant. Not an opponent to make light of.

"Oh, the Kannagi young lord would go as far as to raise his hand against a non resisting woman?"

With no place for misunderstanding, Mayumi's expression was provocative. Even so, looking puzzled at the girl not showing any indication of battle, Ren retaliated in a low voice:

"-If you want to run away I won't pursue you"

"Well, thank you"

Replying to the lenient laugh with a scornful laugh Mayumi shed a fleeting glance.

"That's what he said Yuuji. What will you do?"

"-?"

Looking the same way Mayumi did, Ren unintentionally opened his eyes wide. Over there, Yuuji, beaten down enough to keep him immobilized for three months, was crawling out of sand, drawing near.

".........Ridiculous......"

It was impossible. From right overhead, from an angle he couldn't elude he received a strong bomb blast. He must have ten or twenty bone fractures and his internal organs were supposed to be damaged. Not the kind of injury you could move with because of fighting spirit and will power - that's the way it was supposed to be.

Mayumi loudly sneered at Ren in mute amazement.

"It seems you took lightly a Chijutsushi's resistance."

The high ranking Chijutsushi, by directly taking the ground's <ki> inside their body, are endowed with a resistance that exceeds common sense. Ren too, also knew that but seeing it in practice was fairly ominous.

"B-but....."

While looking at Yuuji advancing by crawling, as if he was seeing a zombie, Ren shouted.

"He received so much damage! It's impossible to recover so much to try and fight immediately!"

"Is that so?"

As for Mayumi, she was thoroughly composed.

"Yuuji, were you not supposed to protect me at the cost of your own life? Do you plan to crawl out of there cowering to see me getting killed?"

The effect of those words was tremendous.

Enduring the pain, Yuuji stood up and although stumbling, began to walk on his own two feet. Step by step that unsteady manner of walking lost its disorder and by the time he stood up in front of Ren, blocking his way to Ayumi, with the exception of the smashed right arm, he seemed completely recovered.

"..........I,will protect,my lady.............."

With an unsightly smashed but firmly determined voice, Yuuji bravely declared.

"I will absolutely not let her, get killed.........."

"I don't want to kill her!" Ren shouted while feeling, without knowing why, overawed by a dying, severely wounded person.

"If she wanted to go back she can go for all I care! I have no business with the lot of you. I just want to protect Ayumi-chan, that's all!"

Hearing Ren's claim, Yuuji unexpectedly starred in wonder. And then, he suddenly burst into laughter.

"Ku ku ku......Buahahahaha.......ku ku ku ku ku....."

Although throwing up blood, Yuuji still laughed. His blood stained face was warped and extremely happy.

"I see......that's the way it is, huh?....."

"Wh-.....what is so funny?...."

Ren suddenly shouted blushing with anger and Yuuji suddenly stopped his sneer.

"You don't understand anything. You're just a brat playing with the power passed through your body."

"What?"

"Just shut up already and go back home. Forget everything that happened today."

Those remarks almost like regarding an unreasonable child made Ren childishly exasperated.

"Don't joke around with me! I'm not gonna hand Ayumi-chan over to guys like- "

"So, do you say my lady should be the sacrifice instead?"

With a terribly cold expression, Yuuji retaliated.

Seeing Ren lost for words at the unexpected objection, almost like pressing for an answer, he continued.

"It's not like you don't know. Ayumi is the ritual sacrifice. It's a thing made for the sake of dying instead of my lady. If you protect it, it's equivalent with killing my lady."

"That sort of- I- "

"''I have no intention of doing that'', huh? The meaning of the act called protection is it the affectation of a knight who does not consider the weight of words, just entrusts to his power? That's why I said you are a brat who doesn't understand anything!!"

"Wro......"

''Wrong'' - when trying to say that word, with all his heart Ren was at a loss for words. There was nothing to answer back.

"Listen, kid. The act of protection means obviously getting your hands dirty for something important. For the sake of that one irreplaceable thing to be prepared to cut down everything else! Mere lip service changes nothing - saves nothing!"

A few hours ago, when Ren started speaking about making preparations for a substitute sacrifice, Ayumi gently rebuked him.

''-If you speak dirty words, your heart will become dirty too-''

They were beautiful words. If anyone heard these words after knowing Ayumi's situation, they would have been deeply moved.

But, Ayumi will die. Without leaving anything behind except that deep emotion, she will disappear from this world.

-To die in such a beautiful way or to survive in an ugly way -

Which was correct, Ren was not able to judge. On the other hand, Yuuji did not hesitate.

"For the sake of protecting my lady, I will kill Ayumi.Those that will get in the way, I will kill them all! I will remove all obstacles even at the cost of my life and protect my lady!"

DETERMINATION

Crossing over the judgement of right and wrong, good and evil, Yuuji selected the protection of that "one thing" that must be protected. To stop him it seems there is no choice but to kill him.

But, right now Ren had no will to go through with it to that extent. No, even if he had that determination, he lost sight to whom it should be pointed to.

''What should be do? -What should I do?''

Ren was perplexed.

But before the boy found the answer, the situation changed.

"......Kyaa......"

Swept by the wind, a disappearing small shriek. But even so, it was impossible for Ren to miss that voice. Because that was no one else's but Ayumi's voice.

"Ayumi-chan!?"

In front of Ren's eyes,turning around with a changed expression, were reflected the figures of Ayumi and Mayumi, standing behind her. Embraced her closely from behind, Ayumi's pale complexion became stiff.

Although not being strangled or press against a dangerous weapon, panic grabbed hold of her heart.

"-My lady..."

When Yuuji called out to her, Mayumi's lips became sharp with dissatisfaction.

"What, are you telling me not to get involved? aren't you at fault for being inefficient?"

"No, I'm sorry for causing you trouble."

" -Humpf! Good grief. I'll be troubled if you can't be more reliable!"

This time she held her head high, self-important. She seemed to have a pretty simple personality.

"At any rate- "

While embracing Ayumi, Mayumi shifted her focus on Ren.

"Loving such a doll as this, the Kannagi young lord too, must have some unusual hobbies."

"Ayumi-chan is not a doll! She's human!"

"-Hey, hey..."

At Ren's shout, Mayumi displayed a studied surprise and looked down on Ayumi:

"You said nothing, did you? -What a bad child."

Suddenly thinking of something, Mayumi gently stroked Ayumi's cheek and her body tightly shrunk. That face, smiling complacently, gave the impression of a cat considering how to tease the mouse pinned down by its forelimbs.

A cruel smile lifting her lips, Mayumi said:

"Do you listen, Kannagi young lord? The ''Ayumi-chan'' you tried so hard to protect is not human."

"W- what are you say-"

"It's the truth. Because, you see, this is a clone made by cultivating my cells."

" -!?"

Ren opened his eyes wide with surprise. But simultaneously, he felt somewhere in his heart it was true.

Mayumi and Ayumi - even assuming they were sisters, those two resembled too much.

''Thing Doll Sacrifice'' - completely spoken ill of, a girl whose human dignity was trampled underfoot.

If it was just as Mayumi said, if Ayumi was not human and was created for the sake of dying as a sacrifice, doesn't everything makes sense?

''"A lie.......It's a lie"''

Aiming a smile full of spite at the dumbfounded Ren, Mayumi continued.

"Her appearance may seem that of a twelve years old girl but in reality only a month passed since its creation. Even her planted memories have been suitably edited from my own. That kind of crude doll, you tried to protect with your knight affectation. ''That was fun ♥''"

"It.......It's a lie......"

"Let me tell you one more thing. Even if she doesn't become the sacrifice, just a month from now on, fer life span will be cut from inside. Made with no intention to use for an extended period of time, just instant makeshift goods."

"That's, a lie...."

Ren looked at Ayumi almost like searching for help. She received his glance for just one second and sadly cast her eyes down.

Thus, at last Ayumi - Ayumi told the truth.

"........It's true. I am the katashiro doll[http://eos.kokugakuin.ac.jp/modules/xwords/entry.php?entryID=308] made for the sake of keeping Mayumi-sama alive. Mayumi-sama's impostor"

Where is the genuine '''Ayumi'''?

''I have no memories'' - Ayumi told Ren so. That's natural. If she had been made just a month before, it's impossible for those to exist. Without even trying to steal it, there was nothing there form the beginning. Everything was an imitation. If only her heart was more than a transient object, his own act of protecting Ayumi, his determination, everything would not have been a wasted effort.

"I look, so stupid....."

His body was full with a sense of helplessness. Feebly hanging his head, Ren collapsed on the sandy beach.

"It looks like that was a lot of shock, huh?"

Coldly looking down on the defeated Ren, Mayumi sneered.

"That's only natural. It made him realize his own buffoonery can't go any higher."

"Well, isn't that fine? By understanding reality, the boy becomes an adult."

".........you could say that."

Yuuji replied to Mayumi's words, pretending to act like a grown-up, in a quiet voice. Maybe because they were both men, but it was impossible not to feel sympathy for Ren.

"Come now, let's go home. We must quickly return and prepare for the ceremony."

On the other hand, Mayumi didn't have such a compassionate heart. Already disregarding Ren's existence, she starts thinking about tomorrow's ceremony.

"....yes", Yuuji respectfully bowed.

Receiving Ayumi, presented to him like luggage, the same way as they came, he followed Mayumi like a servant.

But, at the same time he placed his leg on the stairs connected to the main road-

"Step aside!"

From the vicinity of the main road that command reverberated, and a second later a golden pillar of fire lit the sky.

Involuntarily the three people turned around to Ren. But, he did not seemed to notice the present disturbance and was kneeling on the sandy beach, his head hanged. Hearing footsteps they turned in the direction of the main road once more. Two sets of footsteps. Both of them light. They were probably women.

Around that time, Yuuji made a guess about the opponent's identity. Noticing he should be in front, he tried to make Mayumi step back, but- it was slightly late.

"Ren!"

On top the stairs, one girl appeared.

Pushing out the darkness, the aura of red and gold shining out far and wide. The enormous amount of fire spirits that followed her in the background were displaying the girl as the human model of the flame itself.

"This is also......"

From Yuuji's mouth a mutter of unexpected wonder leaked out. Certainly her age was sixteen. And although childish, the shape of the young lady captivated him.

Overflowing from that small body, the surge of an overwhelming power. That sword was not yet drawn out but even so, it was impossible to misread the girl's identity.

''Beautiful- ''

He genuinely thought so. That was not in regard for the human, much less the opposite sex but the same deep emotion he felt at the time he looked at Mother Nature's magnificent scenery.

Suddenly, he noticed a sharp glance. Calmly looking away and folding her arms, Mayumi's half opened glare met his eye.

"''This is also...''" with a monotonous voice Mayumi repeated Yuuji's words.

"What is the meaning of ''This is also...'' Yuuji ?"

"Ah, no, that is..."

While becoming completely confused, Yuuji desperately searched for explanatory words.

If he cannot talk his way out of it now, it will become fairly difficult afterwards.

"That, didn't have any significant meaning. This is also...flashy...?"

"-Humph, that so?"

With that considerably packed expression Mayumi nodded.

"Well, afterwards I'll receive a lengthy explanation of that matter. Now it's not the time for it."

Mayumi faced the two standing at the top of the stairs.

"Nice meeting you, Kannagi princess. Being able to meet you is an honor."

".......and you are?"

The girl - Ayano, shortly inquired.

"I was slow in saying. I am Tsuwabuki Mayumi. This is my attendant Yuuji. Although belonging to a collateral family, for the time being permit him to call himself with the Tsuwabuki surname."

"If I say I will, I wonder will I have to call you by such an embarrassing name as ''Tsuwabuki princess''?"

"I am at your mercy."

To Ayano's provocative response, Mayumi bowed her head with a smiling face.

irritated, Ayano ended this conversation lacking sincerity and got to the main question.

"I have no particular business with you. Where is Ren?"

Mayumi pointed at the sandy beach in the back.

"Somewhere in that area. Maybe he is crying holding his knees."

"What, have you done to him?"

The atmosphere became noisy. The explosive scarlet aura flickered like a flame.

"Physically, nothing. He did not receive a single wound."

".........haa"

When that report was made, Yuuji looked sullen.

"But it seems his emotional scars are quite deep. We would be troubled if you complained to us about such things. About the details, you can ask that boy. However, I believe not prying into it would be a kindness to him."

Just saying that, with no precaution Mayumi started walking up the stairs. Whipping his wounded body, Yuuji went in front of Mayumi, trying to be a shield as much as possible.

"Well then-"

Greeting her while passing by one another, Mayumi walked near Ayano's side. And then, after looking at the retreating figure running down the stairs not returning the favor, she shifted her focus on the other person - a woman standing in a somewhat separated place.

"Good evening. It's been a long time, Police Superintendent Tachibana."

"We haven't talked in a long time, Mayumi-san"

That perfectly ordinary greeting, the detective in charge of Tokyo MPD's Special Investigation Unit, Police Superintended Tachibana returned with an absolutely tranquil tone.

"Because you didn't appear together with the that young woman, can we assume you have no intention of opposing the Tsuwabuki regarding the Kannagi matter?"

"Of course. We have no intention of interfering in any kind of dispute. Naturally, if you would accept our mediation, we woul feel that position with pleasure."

"That won't be necessary."

The faint tension that dwelt in Kirika's words, smiling, Mayumi severed it when she replied.

"Everything has been already settled. We have regained the object Kannagi Ren stole and because it's something a child did, we have no intention of blaming the Kannagi Clan for that error. If you would be so good as to pass it along to Ayano-san."

"......I will comply"

"Thank you"

Bowing her head to Kirika, Mayumi left accompanied by her attendant and the spoils of war.

No matter how polite her tone was, the girl's attitude was that of a victor who obtained everything.

Gazing for a brief period at the retreating figure, never looking back, Kirika started walking towards the defeated boy or maybe the defeated people.

"There's no sign this is ending here."

That's what she was thinking.

[[User:Ayame|Ayame]] ([[User talk:Ayame|talk]]) 10:01, 24 March 2013 (CDT)

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| Back to [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume3_Chapter_2|Chapter 2]]
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| Forward to [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume3_Chapter_4|Chapter 4]]
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Kaze no Stigma:Volume3 Chapter 3

2013-04-28T15:23:42Z

80.240.162.190: /* Part 3 */

===Chapter 3 - The person one must protect===

===Part 1===

"......................"

Inside the train, Ren was frozen solid.He sat in such a way that if someone poked him, he would roll on the floor while in sitting position.

The reason for that was the existence of the girl sitting earnestly on his left side, Ayumi. She was clinging to Ren's left arm in order for their bodies to be glued as close as possible.

At the beginning of her teens, wearing a coat over the still immature body, although the sensation wasn't supposed to be very fresh, it's still impossible to be composed about it.

Contrastive to Ayumi, who yielded herself to Ren with a peaceful appearance, his brain has been frozen for the last 10 minutes.

- It happened approximately 10 minutes before.

At the time they waited for the train on the platform of Tokyo Station, staring at Ren shivering from the coldness of the wind, Ayumi asked in a worried manner:

"Are you cold?"

"No, I'm fine"

Ren showed a smile meant to give her a piece of mind but the next moment that smile became frozen.

"a... a... a... Ayumi-chan?"

"If we are like this it's warm, right?"

Feeling guilty for borrowing his coat and trying to transfer her own body temperature, she clung to Ren's arm.

"D-don't do that -"

Ren's brain, trying to separate his body, was pierced by Ayumi's expression, looking at him with upturned eyes.

"-No?"

"Eh, ah, no, that sort of..."

A stuttering Ren. He was unbelievably ashamed, he also thought this sort of thing is wrong, but before the girl's gaze, looking at him sadly, he couldn't shake his head.

''What to do.....''

The warm sense of touch transmitted by his left arm thoroughly snatched Ren's presence of mind. After that, when, how did hey get into the train, he didn't remember any of it.

"I'm sorry"

"-Eh?"

Receiving such an abrupt apology, Ren's consciousness recovered after a long time. Ayumi's turned away expression, full of guilt was reflected in his eyes.

"About what?"

"For making such an odd request."

Ren replied while laughing.

"It's not a big deal, this much"

Actually the girl's wish was simple. What it required were traveling expenses and a little bit of time. Just those will suffice.

''Take me to the sea''

That's what Ayumi spoke in the park. It was just one wish. Naturally, Ren had no objection.

Investigating those contents for a while, he asked only one thing.

"Is a harbor-like place acceptable? Or a sandy beach?"

Without wavering, Ayumi chose the latter. Therefore, together they boarded the Tokaido Line. That route was aimed at Chigasaki.

If that was the nearest swimming beach, Ren doesn't know. But that was the only place he could lead her to. Because of his family's line of work he is a boy unrelated to family vacations et cetera. He had hardly any experience of swimming in the sea. Ren was deeply grateful to the girl who took him by force sea bathing last year's summer.

While chasing the flowing scenery, Ayumi murmured:

"In the end, I wanted to see something beautiful with my own eyes."

"In the end, you say?"

"When I do so, I'm going back. To the Tsuwabuki."

"No!", Ren promptly shouted.

"No! They don't treat you like a fellow human. Only like a tool. If you return to those people you'll never be happy. If you have no place to go, you can come to my house. The Kannagi Clan will, without exception -"

"Ren, you see-"

Ayumi quietly interrupted Ren's desperate pleading words.

"Have you heard about the Tsuwabuki's Grand Festival?"

"The Grand Festival - about that ceremony to appease the volcanic activity of Mt. Fuji? I'm not very familiar with it but the practitioner always lost his life... "

Going that far, Ren turned a terrified glance towards Ayumi.

"No...way....."

What was reflected in those eyes was Ayumi's excessively tranquil smiling face. It was unbelievable. Ren completely denied that expression. There shouldn't be something like that. Such a thing cannot be allowed. Something like that- something like that-

"I have no family name, nor a family register, naming myself is not permitted, but-"

''No way''

''I don't want to hear''

Despite this - the body doesn't move. Even blocking his ears, he can't do it. Without waiting for agreement or disagreement, pouring into his ears, that tone calm as the surface of the lake. Admitting everything, allowing it, accepting it.

"I am called Tsuwabuki. According to the lineage, something like a direct descendant."

''I don't want to hear it''

"The ceremony is tomorrow night. Therefore, I must get back until then. Because I- because I am the priest of the ritual"

''Because I am the priest of the ceremony''

From Ren's body, with a water-like sound, blood flew backwards.

The Yamatsumino Grand Festival - the origin of it goes back roughly 300 years.

The year is 1707 - during the Houei era was the last volcanic eruption of Mt. Fuji and the greatest since the dawn of history. The violent eruption reaching 15 days, it was said that the volcanic ash fell as far as the distant town of Edo. It was not only Kantō but a life or death crisis for Japan itself. No matter how many times Mt. Fuji erupted, it didn't show any signs of quieting down.

That raging <Ki> finally resulted in the embodiment of one demon beast. The impersonation of Fuji's <ki>. it is certain that was the largest, strongest devilishness that materialized in this country. If one tried to rank it among other demon beasts, the only reference it had would be the legendary monsters, like the eight tail serpent that couldn't be defeated without the help of god's power.

The beast's roar beckoned eruptions and its stepping feet invoked eruptions. Mowing down everything it touched, it exhausted the limits if tyranny. The ones who sealed it were the yet unknown Tsuwabuki family. A young girl leading the family offered prayers to the King of the Earth Spirits for seven days and seven nights and finally attained that divine protection.

And then, by that divine protection, the girl managed to seal that demon beast. Thus Mt. Fuji calmed down and Japan's peace was protected. And they all lived happily ever after.

-But that story has sequel.

First, that girl was not able to endure the release of such an over-sized power and lost her life with the seal. And then, even after applying such a powerful seal, the demon beast's lock couldn't continue forever. Being the personification of an active volcano, it's possible to say that was the unavoidable outcome.

Approximately 30 years - that was the limit of the seal. For the sake of continuing the sealing of a raging demon beast seeking release, Tsuwabuki family had no choice but to conduct the ceremony at fixed intervals for the sake of suppressing Mt. Fuji's <Ki>.

Because of the divine protection of the Spirit King that dwelt in their blood - the strongest unmarried woman was elected as the priest of the ceremony.

Until today, the sealing ceremony known under the bombastic name of "Grand Festival" took place 8 times. And there were 8 casualties. The fatality ratio was 100%. This is the reason the ceremony practitioner was named sacrifice.

With no other option, the 9th ceremony approached. The girl called Ayumi was a lamb led to slaughter.

How long was he in blank amazement, I wonder. When Ren came to his senses, Ayumi was smiling gently, looking at him.

Unable to meet that extremely pitiful smile, Ren muttered, while looking down.

"Why?....."

"Ren?"

"Why do you have to do such a...."

After examining for a short while Ren's expression, Ayumi replied:

"Because someone has to do it"

'''''"But it doesn't have to be you-"'''''

Ayumi softly touched Ren's lips with her fingers. The boy who unintentionally couldn't keep his mouth shut, she rebuked him gently.

"It's not good saying these kind of things. If you speak filthy words your heart will become filthy too"

"........I'm sorry.........."

Ayumi shook her head.

"No. It's alright. Truthfully I was a little happy. Because I was never regarded as something valuable."

From the moment she was born, it was decided that Ayumi will be a sacrifice. She wasn't regarded as part of the same family, not recognized as a human being. For this girl with no family register, with no choice but being a tool for the ceremony, so far there wasn't a single person to hold her life dear.

Pointlessly, Ren made sure of her acknowledgement.

"Even so, you'll do it? For the sake of those who think of you as a tool?"

"It's different", Ayumi flatly shook her head.

"It has nothing to do with the Tsuwabuki family's expectations. Because it must be done no matter what, I'll do it. It's bad if Mt. Fuji erupts, right?"

"That is true..."

"If I am able to suppress it, my life, my death is not worthless.Even if the physical me dies, my prayers will fuse with the mountain and I will continue to watch over this country eternally. That's a very beautiful thing, don't you agree?"

"................."

Something is wrong. Something is terribly wrong, Ren thought so.

'''''-Don't try to glorify death with words of self-sacrifice -'''''

Kazuma's words, once intended for him were recalled to his mind. Doesn't Ayumi make the same mistake he did at the same time? But Ren had no persuasion words for the girl. He could not think of a path that doesn't result in Ayumi's death.

Only to let Mt. Fuji erupt-

To replace Ayumi as a sacrifice.

She would accept neither. There is no mistake about it, the girl known as Ayumi was the type that would sacrifice herself for others.

"That's why I'm not afraid of death. It's because I was born for this purpose. And yet, I desired memories before the time comes. Memories of my own, born from my own experience."

In that peaceful pupil, that accepted everything dwelt the light of a faint longing.

''Memories of her own?''

It's only natural to display a strong attachment for one's dying wish. But even so, that was a strange expression. Memories are neither true nor false.

To the bewildered Ren, Ayumi threw another bomb.

"You see, I don't have my own memories."

"Eh?"

"I haven't lost my memories. It's not like I have something to remember and I don't, it's more like I have ''nothing'' to remember."

"..............."

Without saying anything, Ren starred at Ayumi dumbfounded.

"If it would be just like that, even speaking and moving my body would have been impossible. But the me right now is something ignorant of the ways of the world but I can communicate with other people. Do you know why?"

"Wasn't it because you kept studying it?"

Toward such an unbelievable circumstance, Ren said so, including a ray of hope.

But, as feared, Ayumi shook her head.

"In my had there are transcripts of another's memories.I don't know how it's been done, though"

Almost like it was somebody else's problem, Ayumi indifferently recited those grand circumstances. Ren finally had the feeling he understood the reason why Ayumi had no attachment to her life. She had nothing to be particular about.

Not even recognized as a person, her existence valued as nothing but a tool, day after day. Planted forged memories. Without beginning, Ayumi's life ended.

With no room to harbor hope, she has no attachment except despair. Together with that gentle resignation, Ayumi accepted everything.

"That's why I wanted to see the world through my eyes even if it's just once. I wished for something that's not faked, real memories."

Like telling an unfulfilled dream, Ayumi whispered with a distant look. Toward the ordinary everyone was given as a natural privilege - no, the privilege they took for granted she felt endless longing and envy.

"The moment I saw the sky when I first felt the residence, I was very surprised. How vast was the sky windows don't limit, Mt. Fuji was so big..."

"Ayumi-chan......"

"The sky, the stars, the moon were so much more beautiful than what I remembered. Surely, the sea must be very beautiful, right?"

The silhouette of the innocent girl in high spirits was reflected in Ren's eyes as overbearingly pitiful.

-She wanted to see beautiful things-

What sort of feelings did she include when she said those words? The words of a girl dreaming, escaping from reality, no that he knew everything, they were unbelievably heavy.

"-This is hopeless"

With a strong determination, Ren muttered in his heart.

''Such a thing cannot be. It cannot be forgiven.''

"Ayumi-chan!"

"W-what?"

His immature sense of justice aroused, Red declared strongly.

"I will protect Ayumi-chan"

" - Ren?"

"So please, don't give up. Don't say it's OK to die. Because I'll protect you. I'll protect you for sure."

"Ren........."

Making a somewhat troubled face, she looked at the boy making a vow.

Joy and sadness and the kindness of a mother watching over her child were mixed in that complex gaze.

Without noticing that gaze, Ren continued.

"I'm sure it exists. A way in which Ayumi-chan doesn't have to die. I'll do whatever it's in my power. My own ability may be very small but if it's big brother, surely- "

"Your older brother?"

"Eh?"

Ayumi unintentionally asked in return and Ren reaffirmed with force those entrusting words.

"Ah-"

In those cornered eyes hope was shining.

"That's right! I have my older brother! If it's big brother, he will definitely save you!"

Without a fragment of anxiety, with absolute faith in his voice, Ren clearly declared.

For a short while, Ayumi opened her eyes wide, staring at the smile of the boy, delighted as if the problem was already settled.

"Do you have such an amazing brother?"

"Yeah", Ren answered without a moment's hesitation.

"Big brother is stronger than anyone. There is nothing he can't do. I'm sure."

"............Is that so........."

"So please don't say such lonesome things like last memories and let's do many more together. I want to show you many other things. That is...."

Embarrassed and blushing Ren invited the girl screwing up his courage.

"Because - I'll take you no matter where"

".............."

Receiving Ren's invitation, for one instant, Ayumi seemed to burst into tears. However, in just one moment she erased that bitter expression and replied with a calm and somewhat sad smile.

"Right.....If we could do that, it would be very nice....."

===Part 2===

"I wonder where did big brother go....."

Descending on the platform of the Chiwasaki Station, the shore on the other side of it, Ren muttered to himself with a worried face.

He can't get in touch with Kazuma.

He called Kazuma's cellphone from the station's public telephone but what came back was the dull announcement of the answering machine.

Because his own cellphone broke, he can't wait for Kazuma to get in touch with him. In the end, leaving the message "I'll call again" Ren hanged the receiver.

"I'm beaten"

As soon as he complained, Ayumi's hand, holding his left arm, tightly hugged him. Flustered, Ren showed a bright smile meant to give her peace of mind.

"Oh, it's fine. Because we'll get in touch shortly."

" -yeah", Ayumi nodded a little.

For a little while they didn't speak. Both of them walked the road to the beach in silence.

"Ah........."

A sound resembling noise making her eardrums vibrate, Ayumi strained her ears. The term sea roar came to her mind.

"The sound of waves......?"

"Yeah. We'll be there shortly."

Nodding, Ren increased his pace to not fall behind Ayumi, who unconsciously did so.

And now -

"Ah - !"

At the magnificent view at last reflected in her eyes Ayumi raised her voice in delight. Ren looked in the came direction. It was the sea. The great deep stretching endlessly. The utmost blue sea surface sparkling in the downpour of sunshine - naturally, it wasn't.

The winter sea is cold and hollow. it doesn't have a particle of the heat and energy the summer sea is full of, instead it's pushing out a cold surface, almost like rejecting humans. Staring at the utmost black sea, the same color as the night sky, Ayumi muttered:

"Is this... The sea...........?"

Perceiving the sound of a clear disappointment, Ren became impatient.

"W-what to do......."

Thinking now about it, it was a problem he should have noticed earlier. The winter sea - at night. Seen by girl his age it can't be a pleasing spectacle.Anyway, there was definitely not enough light. But there are at least seven, eight hours until dawn breaks.

''If I had light....light -?''

The idea that reflexively occurred to him was suppressed at an almost instinctive level. His family admonished sternly such conduct. But, even so-

''Do it!''

After just 3 seconds of hesitation, Ren decided to dismiss good sense. For his peace of mind, turning around, he searched for indications of human presence, surveying the surroundings.

From what he roughly saw, there was none except them.

- It must be done now.

Summoning fire spirits, he shortly informed:

"Go"

" - Eh? What?"

Before Ayumi finished her second question - the sky exploded.

"Kyaa!?"

The golden light shines out far and white pressing down the darkness. The brightness spreading out on the entire surface of the sky dyed the world golden and the jet black sea surface glittered dazzlingly.

"This - this is....Ren?"

To the Ayumi starring up in succession to both the sky and Ren with a surprised gaze, somewhat embarrassed but at the same time very proud, Ren's nostrils twitched.

"It's impossible to replicate the midsummer sea, but it's better than the pitch black gloomy sea, right? How is it? Do you like it?"

"Ren- "

Calling out Ren's name with a voice trembling with delight, Ayumi gave Ren a bear-like hug.

"Amazing! It's amazing! It is the most beautiful thing I've seen!"

"R-really? I'm glad"

Although confused by Ayumi's bold conduct, the relaxation of Ren's cheeks was irrepressible. Ayumi's large smile - even if he tried to express it, it's magnificence was beyond words.

Underneath the gold radiance, they innocently smiled at each other and looked up at the sky. Just like a golden aurora borealis the movement of the dancing fire spirits combined and the canopy covering the entire sky changed the same way a kaleidoscope would.

"Beautiful...but won't it cause an uproar?"

Ren shrugged his shoulders in silence. Without even thinking, it was an obvious matter. This was not a solitary island in the southern sea. Approachable by walking from the train station it was an empty swimming area.

Although there was a shelter-belt and a fence obstructing the field of vision, a highway was running less than 10 meters away. The houses were close. Without having to wait, it's likely spectators with burning curiosity would arrive in great numbers. There's no mistake that it will appear in tomorrow's newspaper.

But even so, Ren didn't care.

To make Ayumi happy - right now, for Ren it was all that mattered. Seeing Ayumi's wet eyes, Ren asked her casually, as if inquiring about the dinner's menu.

"Do you want to keep it up just a little bit more? Before long it could cause trouble but if they get in the way I'll drive them away"

"....No, it's enough."

After considering for a short while, Ayumi shook her head.

"It's enough. Because I'll never forget it."

" -Alright"

With a light nod, Ren called out the fire spirits. Promptly answering to the Enjutsushi's will, the fire spirits came together in a boisterous dance of light. And then -

"....W...ow...."

The light shining in the sky rained like drops of water above ground. Like snow, lightly flickering in the wind, the golden drops descended in a dance.

Holding no temperature, the clusters of pure light, upon touching the sandy beach and the surface of the sea, burst open and disappeared like in a dream.

"Ah- "

The last descending drop, Ayumi caught it extending both her hands. The moment it touched her hand, the light fleetingly disappeared but the girl softly closed her hands and touched her chest. That irreplaceable something stored in her hands was tucked away inside her chest.

Dropping the curtain on the light's dance performance, affecting acting, Ren made a bow.

"Did it please you?"

"Yes - yes...."

Her eyes full of tears, Ayumi bowed many, many times over.

"I... I am glad that I am alive. Meeting Ren.... Seeing something so beautiful, I...I...from the bottom of my heart...."

Unable to bear it in the end, her tears escaped. Shed for the first time in her life, tears of happiness.

In order to wipe the sobbing girl's tears, handkerchief in hand, he touched her face. Both their shadows brought forth by the moonlight, slowly became one.

But - this moment was the concluding moment of their honeymoon. On their cuddled silhouettes a violent, intense light shined.

" -!?"

Turning around holding hands, an eternally domineering voice pierced their ears.

"That's right! I'm so happy for you! That means you have no more regrets in this world, right?"

In front of both of them, watching over in a daze, the woman with the light on her back laughed.

===Part 3===

''The pursuer from the Tsuwabuki!''

In an instant Ren saw through the shadow's true character. Or perhaps I should say, as far as Ren knew, it was the only opponent pursuing them.

Drawing Ayumi back and stepping forward with a sleepwalking like gait, Ren probed into the other party's attitude. Overlooking them for a brief period from a higher place, the woman descended the stairs and continued walking towards the beach in a composed manner.

One man, like a servant, followed her, leaving between them several steps.

Because of the back lighting he sees only outlines but even from those shadows it was impossible not to recognize the proud atmosphere drifting around the woman. The glance overlooking them was more suited for stray dogs than humans.

Leaving a distance of five meters between them, the woman faced Ren and Ayumi.

As one would expect, approaching so much, it was now possible to discriminate her looks. Closing his eyes partly, Ren observed the woman - and several seconds afterwards he opened his eyes wide in shock.

"Eh - ?"

The woman was younger than he thought. Probably not yet of age, in the second half of her teens. But that wasn't what Ren was surprised about.

-They looked alike.

Ren thought so, watching intently, in succession, Ayumi and the woman. No, they didn't resemble each other. If the age difference could be removed, their facial features would be perfectly the same.

Twins separated by age - those sort of contradicting words passed through Ren's head.

"Mayumi-sama........" Ayumi murmured, looking at that woman with a glance mixed with panic.

Unintentionally, Ren asked:

"Your elder sister?"

''If that is the case, she too can...''

The thought that instantly came to his mind, Ren denied it confused. Ayumi does not wish for such a thing.

-If you speak filthy words, your heart will become filthy too -

''Good grief, I need to be more careful.''

Agreeing to Ayumi's words reverberating in his head, he grasped her hand tenderly. Ayumi's face stiff from fear, still displayed a gallant smile.

'''"Elder sister?"'''

On the other hand, for the boy and the girl happy by themselves, the woman - Mayumi matched it with the height of displeasure.

"Elder sister, you said?"

Glaring at Ren as if he was her archenemy, she squeezed out a stifled to death voice from the gap between her clenched teeth. Her well regulated, elegant features, changed into the face of a demonic warrior.

"Don't mess around with me"

Mayumi's angry roar shrunk Ayumi's body with a start. After staring with much discord at the frightened girl, she turned an identical glance at Ren.

"It was enough taking Ayumi and running away without understanding the circumstance and this already foolish show, I believed you were someone lacking prudence but, never to this extent. Me and that thing sisters? It's the first time I was insulted so."

"..............."

It seems Ayumi didn't receive human treatment even from her relatives. Holding down the rising anger, Ren searched for presence in the surroundings. It was unpleasant when Ayumi was called "that" again but Mayumi's words implied an imminent crisis.

Other people didn't come. Because what Mayumi evaluated as a foolish exhibition was already over, if such a flashy, abnormal phenomenon happened, it's impossible for none to approach. Normally, about now, a crowd would have gathered on the beach and the police and fire department would have surrounded the place.

None of it happened.

It's very likely that right now this area was blocked.

By the subordinates of the Tsuwabuki.

''Can we escape?''

Without thinking of handing Ayumi over, Ren investigated the possibility of escape. The fact that the girl in question accepted her own faith was totally forgotten.

"Why are you so cautious, young Kannagi prince?"

Seeing through Ren's decision promptly, Mayumi laughed, smiling sweetly.

"Everything is already over. There is nothing left for you to try."

Although using honorifics, speaking in a clearly despising tone, Mayumi focused on Ayumi.

"................."

Without even using words, Mayumi carelessly beckoned her. as if calling her pet dog or something.

Ayumi started walking obediently.

"Ayumi-ch-"

"It's fine."

Ren's words, trying to call her to a halt, Ayumi interrupted them shortly and with a decisive voice.

"It's fine already. Thank you for everything until now. - It was very fun."

"Ayu- "

In order to shake of his extended hand, Ayumi turned her back on Ren. And with that, she never turned around.

Standing in front of Mayumi, Ayumi's body became stiff as if she turned to stone. Her glance swayed insecurely nearly Mayumi's feet. Suddenly Mayumi stretched her fingers to Ayumi's chin and forcefully pointed upwards her face hanged in shame. Coercively looking down on the startled girl, she said in a voice full of smiles:

"If you wanted to run away, you should at least have crossed the ocean. Instead of that, seducing a man and flirting with him in this kind of place, - do you look down on us?"

The Chijutsushi manipulating the spirits of the earth can make searches on fairly long distances as long it's adjoining land. It goes without saying that if you know the target well that searching ability is further improved.

For the sake of running from Chijutsushi, by sea or by air - anyway the most important thing is to separate from the ground.

"I had...no intention...."

Staring at Ayumi, protesting in a trembling voice, wit the look a carnivorous animal has before its feed, Mayumi let go of her jaw.

And then - she pulled her hand backwards and swung with all her strength.

" -Uh!"

It wasn't something as lovely as a slap. The punch made by hardening her wrist at the moment of the impact was a blow that made her bones resound.

Instantly Ayumi's legs separated from the ground and from the beginning exhausted body sunk into the sandy beach. Appearing to have completely fainted, her face half buried in the sand, she was completely still.

"Wha...."

Overcome with surprise at the sudden violence, Ren shouted white as a ghost.

"What have you done?"

But Mayumi didn't even looked at Ren. As she already stated "your turn is already over" she disregarded his existence itself.

Instead, the man who followed behind her moved. With body movement that had no openings he stepped forward and got on his knee before Ayumi.

Decidedly, he did not attempt to nurse her. Grabbing hold of Ayumi by the hair, casually the man lifted her head as if he would uproot a radish.

"...........E-eek......"

"What are you doing?"

Coldly looking down on Ayumi's feeble struggle, the man said in a monotonous tone.

"Do you think you can be lying down in front of the young lady, do you?"

"Yuu...ji.....sama....."

"Silence!"

The man - Yuuji - abruptly became enraged.

"With that face, through that mouth, don't call out my name! How disgusting!"

Raising his hand, pulling her hair even more, he made Ayumi stand on her knees. And then - this time from the front, he slapped her face onto the sand. Forcibly making Ayumi take a prostrating position, Yuuji shouted.

"Apologize! Until your voice becomes hoarse, until your throat tears apologize! Did you understand in how much danger did you put the young lady? If we didn't find you in time what would have happened! Did you intend for the young lady to be a sacrifice in your place? You puppet doll!!"

That was the limit.

He thought he himself endured it really well. Surely, big brother would praise him for it. Or - he'll get angry for letting it get that far.

Quietly he held out his right hand and pointed his index finger at Yuuji. And then - without a moment of hesitation he released hs power.

The thin, refined heat ray grazed Yuuji's cheek sticking into the concrete wall. The red hot concrete melted and the wall followed it, crashing.

"..........What kind of behavior.." Yuuji questioned with a voice stiffed to death. However, like Mayumi did before, Ren completely disregarded that utterance.

It wasn't a provocation or something like that. It's just that in Ren's field of vision no one else but Ayumi was reflected. It was just that.

"Re....n.....?"

For the girl weakly getting up, hearing that cracked voice, Ren painfully shook his head.

"As I thought, it's useless."

I can't control it.

I can't endure it.
Anymore than this - I can't stand it.

"What is the right thing to do, I don't even know. However, to hand you over to these guys it's absolutely impossible."

Whether it's right or not, that's long past. His feelings denied that option.

"Fall back!"

Struck by that sharp voice, Ayumi reflexively kicked the ground. Slightly further away from Yuuji. In that gap Ren threw a fireball brought forth from the sky.

"-Tch!"

Visibly agitated by the blast, Yuuji and Mayumi jumped. The distance widened even more. Well in advance Ren wedged himself in the space separating the two "enemies" and Ayumi.

"Humph - in the end brute force, huh?"

Staring at Ren blocking his way to Ayumi, Yuuji laughed fearless.

"Ah, well. Just as planed."

"Shall I back you up?"

"It's not necessary."

Politely rejecting Mayumi's proposal, he casually took one step forward. With an attitude full of composure he looked down on Ren taking a battle stance.

"Publicly- "

Without particularly preparing in advance, just standing, Yuuji began to speak in a relaxed manner.

"Publicly, it seems there are many idiots who believe Enjutsushi teh strongest but do you think so too?"

"-?"

Not understanding Yuuji's plan, Ren was perplexed. There is nothing to believe. The fact that Enjutsushi are the strongest is a <Reality> with no room for argument.

It's not about whether an Enjutsushi never lost to another kind of practitioner, of course there is no such thing. That is the power of one individual. It's about whether the ability difference can undermine the advantages and disadvantages of a technique style.

As for what technique system is the strongest - there is only one answer to that question. Without room for argument, with no chance for objection, the grave <Reality> doesn't change.

That is what Yuuji downright negated.

"What a foolish thing. All of you understand nothing about battle. The greatest offensive ability? When killing people do you think that is necessary?"

"What exactly?"

Including the confidence of certain victory in front of the perplexed Ren, Yuuji fired the question.

"You, where on earth do you plan to place your feet on?"

Unintentionally Ren stared at his own feet.There was nothing there but the ordinary sandy beach. There was no sign of set traps. There was no sense of discomfort when stepping on it, nothing but the feeling of soft sand-

''-Sand?''

"-Uh!!"

The sign of something wriggling, underneath his feet. Jumping by reflex, Ren's face became stiff with surprise and shivers.

Underground, and in addition to that, directly under his footprints a spear covered in sand was pushed up.

If his evasion would have been delayed by one second the spear would have stopped his foot by sewing it. it may be true he avoided the first attack but he had no room for relief. Visibly lying in wait at the spot Ren would come down, several spears sprung up.

"Kuu- "

Releasing fire and pointing it directly below, a countless number of spears burned to nothing. Coincident with his landing above the red hot sand, Ren rolled on the ground. Pursuing the rolling Ren from inside the sand, one after another, spears stick out.

While narrowly avoiding those, the boy cursed his overly optimistic thinking.

''Shit, Chijutsushi - so that's the reason!''

The spears hidden inside the sand were not something prepared in advance. Hardening the sand itself and changing its shape, Yuuji made those sharp spears.

Chijutsushi possess the force of the Earth Spirits. Sand, soil, ground stone and all materials affiliated with those, for them, are similar with extensions of their own hands. There was no need to expressly set traps.

The battleground itself was the Chijutsushi's weapon because that was for them the absolute most advantageous arrangement.

''What to do?''

Starting to see gaps one way or another, running in zig-zag to dodge the underground attacks, Ren looked for a breach. At any rate, as long as he is staying on the ground,his disadvantage can't be overcome.

Continuing to receive one-sided attacks without grasping a counter-attack clue, sooner or later he will receive a fatal blow.

On the other hand, Ren doesn't know such a jutsu that would allow him to gain a foothold on something else other than the ground.

If it were an Enjutsushi, he could fly into the air.

A Suijutsushi could maybe stand on top of water.

However, Ren being an Enjutsushi - it may be possible for Jugo or Genma - he had no skill to stand on top of flames. As long as gravity comes into play, he had no choice but to place his feet on the ground.

''What should I do?''

Looking over his surroundings, he searched for a turn-around plan. The sandy beach was the worst as a battle ground but concrete and asphalt must be similar. What remains -

''Inside the sea?''

It was out of the question. Ren being an Enjutsushi water was nothing more but a thing to be avoided. There was no point for Ren's power to weakened beyond what Yuuji could accomplish.

To Ren, stuck in a defensive battle, Yuuji turned words of ridicule.

"What's the matter? Are you just going to run? I don't care how far you run but if you go to far I'll take Ayumi and go back home."

"Kuu- "

Because of Yuuji's carelessness, recognizing he became long separated from Ayumi, Ren grinds his teeth. if it goes like this, Ayumi will really be taken away.

''What should I do? what should I -''

The problem was that he had no technique to defend against the blows. He can use flames to cover the surroundings but the bottom of his feet are perfectly defenseless. When fighting against Chijutsushi, that became a lethal weakness. A foothold was necessary. Separated from Yuuji's control, a scaffold made of <Earth> he cannot control.

He cannot fly into the sky. Water is also excluded. There's no wood near. He cannot stand on top of fire. On top of fire -

''-Huh?''

Suddenly Ren remembered the scene of a volcanic eruption he saw on TV. From craters, forcefully spitting out the red hot-

''Shall I give it a try?''

There was no time to spare. Making his resolve, Ren stopped and concentrated his consciousness.

"Aa.......a.........aa!!"

From Ren's whole body golden flames erupted. The dazzling glimmer blurred even the contours of his body and the boy shined, transformed into a small sun.

"Ua.......unh, it's useless."

To encourage himself overpowered by the tremendous quantity of heat, Yuuji intentionally raised his voice.

"No matter how hot a flame you clad yourself in, you cannot defend against attacks from below."

Trying to make the reality that he was currently on offensive known, Yuuji was perplexed by the dull response from the spirits.

The spirits of the earth didn't respond to his will - No, something different obstructs the formation of sand spears.

"You....what did you do?"

He turns a glance full of suspicion towards Ren. No matter what an Enjutsushi tries to do, it's impossible to exercise a stronger influence towards sand than a Chijutsushi does.

Ren didn't answer. Unaffected, abandoning that body to the flames, he only stood rock still above the red ground.

"Red - ? I see, you- "

Yuuji stared at Ren's feet. What was there didn't have the rough characteristics of sand but was reflecting the flame like grass. Sometimes, from the bottom bubbles rose to the surface and burst open with a particular thick sound.

"You brat - you changed the burning sand to magma!"

"I gave it a try"

Receiving Yuuji's angry roar, Ren laughed triumphantly. It does not mean he had a positive proof. If a Suijutsushi can stand atop water he tried to stand atop magma, that could also be called fluid flame. He simply tried out that idea.

Although having a fluffy, undependable sense of touch, magma firmly sustained Ren's body weight. As there was no fist fight involved, the tenderness of the scaffold didn't matter. The radius was about two meters. Although modest,from the <Kingdom> underneath Yuuji's absolute control, Ren gained that much territory.

"D-don't be excited, boy!" barked Yuuji after loosing his advantage.

"Even for magma, it's <ground> attribute doesn't change. The situation is still the same!"

With an angry roar, including a severe determination, Yuuji ordered the ground spirits. Around Ren's surroundings magma unnaturally rose, molding red spearheads.

"Die, boy!!"

The spears lengthen trying to pierce Ren's body. But just before that - they stopped.

"W-whaaaaat!?"

Quietly gazing at the surprised Yuuji, Ren talked indifferent.

"Certainly magma is something that belongs to the <ground>. Still, half of it it's Enjutsushi possession. I'm not gonna hand it over so easily!"

The spear on the verge of touching his body, Ren casually flung it off. The hard sharp spear instantly lost her unity and returned with a small splash on the surface of the magma sea.

"Guu..........Ba......."

With a really detestable howl, Yuuji stopped trying to proactively commence the next attack. It's understandable.

The control of the material called magma with attributes of both <ground> and <fire> has been snatched away. That means that in a contest of pure strength he was defeated by Ren. As the opponent of a higher ranked practitioner, he couldn't carelessly take the vanguard.

"Next is my turn, huh?" Ren declared with no fighting spirit.

His pushed out right hand accurately aimed at Yuuji. From that palm golden flames gushed out.

"Oooooooooooohh!!"

Yuuji too, didn't gave in. Hoisting the sand beneath his feet, he threw it onto the approaching flame. A surging sea of white sand attacking the golden torrent.

Receiving the aftermath of the struggle between these two powers, the ground grated and the sky trembled.

"Gu........me..uuuu......."

Through clenched teeth Yuuji let out a pressing moan. He understood that in a contest of strength he was inferior. As it is, he will certainly be pressed down.

While his body burned in humiliation, Yuuji changed his tactics to defense. The sand changed into a bulky bedrock and stood before the fire torrent. Although the bedrock stopped the flames there was no room for relaxation.

"It's coming from behind."

Inside the thunderous roar made by the flames burning the rock, for some reason that whisper clearly reached his ears. Uneventfully changed to a quiet oath, Yuuji felt that enormous heat approaching from behind.

"Sh-shit!"

The already thin bedrock rose, splitting the sand and stopped a gigantic fire ball. Although withstanding it somehow, the tremendous impact crossed over the bed rock and mercilessly pummeled Yuuji's body.

In the space between the two bedrocks Yuuji was in anguish. And there, the last blow came.

"Next is up"

" -!?"

Looking up at the sky, Yuuji's eyes peeled in shock. A remarcably big fireball descended upon Yuuji like a meteor. The distance was less than two meters.

"Kuuu- !"

It's unthinkable of having time to defend and so forth. Overhead the man looking at it dumbfounded, the fireball violently exploded.

"..............Uh!"

There wasn't much heat but the shock was hard to describe. The two sheets of bed rock made by him efficiently reverberated, sinking Yuuji's body in the sandy beach.

"Go...........bah.........."

As if gravity was increased a hundred fold, the extremely heavy pressure flattened his body, the air in his lungs was squeezed out without exception and all the bones in his body creaked.

"Not........not yet......yet......"

Putting all his strength in his arms Yuuji seemed to want to push out the heavens. But after lifting it 10 centimeters the elbow joints made a thick sound and bent the other way.

When the broken right arm fell to the ground the shining fireball in the sky also vanished. But even so, Yuuji couldn't give up.

The sound of the broken bed rock resounded in vain, like the gong at the end of the match.

===Part 4===

"-Fuuu"

Taking a small breath, Ren shifted his attention to the remaining two.

Ayumi's gaze shaking with anxiety. And, despite having the same face, not showing even the smallest disturbance, expressing a thin smile, Mayumi:

Confronting Mayumi directly, Ren asked with a determined look.

"What will you do? Do you want to give it a try?"

While it may be true her outward appearance was that of a frail young lady, he won't act unprepared. Based on Yuuji's behavior it was clear Mayumi was the purest descendant. Not an opponent to make light of.

"Oh, the Kannagi young lord would go as far as to raise his hand against a non resisting woman?"

With no place for misunderstanding, Mayumi's expression was provocative. Even so, looking puzzled at the girl not showing any indication of battle, Ren retaliated in a low voice:

"-If you want to run away I won't pursue you"

"Well, thank you"

Replying to the lenient laugh with a scornful laugh Mayumi shed a fleeting glance.

"That's what he said Yuuji. What will you do?"

"-?"

Looking the same way Mayumi did, Ren unintentionally opened his eyes wide. Over there, Yuuji, beaten down enough to keep him immobilized for three months, was crawling out of sand, drawing near.

".........Ridiculous......"

It was impossible. From right overhead, from an angle he couldn't elude he received a strong bomb blast. He must have ten or twenty bone fractures and his internal organs were supposed to be damaged. Not the kind of injury you could move with because of fighting spirit and will power - that's the way it was supposed to be.

Mayumi loudly sneered at Ren in mute amazement.

"It seems you took lightly a Chijutsushi's resistance."

The high ranking Chijutsushi, by directly taking the ground's <ki> inside their body, are endowed with a resistance that exceeds common sense. Ren too, also knew that but seeing it in practice was fairly ominous.

"B-but....."

While looking at Yuuji advancing by crawling, as if he was seeing a zombie, Ren shouted.

"He received so much damage! It's impossible to recover so much to try and fight immediately!"

"Is that so?"

As for Mayumi, she was thoroughly composed.

"Yuuji, were you not supposed to protect me at the cost of your own life? Do you plan to crawl out of there cowering to see me getting killed?"

The effect of those words was tremendous.

Enduring the pain, Yuuji stood up and although stumbling, began to walk on his own two feet. Step by step that unsteady manner of walking lost its disorder and by the time he stood up in front of Ren, blocking his way to Ayumi, with the exception of the smashed right arm, he seemed completely recovered.

"..........I,will protect,my lady.............."

With an unsightly smashed but firmly determined voice, Yuuji bravely declared.

"I will absolutely not let her, get killed.........."

"I don't want to kill her!" Ren shouted while feeling, without knowing why, overawed by a dying, severely wounded person.

"If she wanted to go back she can go for all I care! I have no business with the lot of you. I just want to protect Ayumi-chan, that's all!"

Hearing Ren's claim, Yuuji unexpectedly starred in wonder. And then, he suddenly burst into laughter.

"Ku ku ku......Buahahahaha.......ku ku ku ku ku....."

Although throwing up blood, Yuuji still laughed. His blood stained face was warped and extremely happy.

"I see......that's the way it is, huh?....."

"Wh-.....what is so funny?...."

Ren suddenly shouted blushing with anger and Yuuji suddenly stopped his sneer.

"You don't understand anything. You're just a brat playing with the power passed through your body."

"What?"

"Just shut up already and go back home. Forget everything that happened today."

Those remarks almost like regarding an unreasonable child made Ren childishly exasperated.

"Don't joke around with me! I'm not gonna hand Ayumi-chan over to guys like- "

"So, do you say my lady should be the sacrifice instead?"

With a terribly cold expression, Yuuji retaliated.

Seeing Ren lost for words at the unexpected objection, almost like pressing for an answer, he continued.

"It's not like you don't know. Ayumi is the ritual sacrifice. It's a thing made for the sake of dying instead of my lady. If you protect it, it's equivalent with killing my lady."

"That sort of- I- "

"''I have no intention of doing that'', huh? The meaning of the act called protection is it the affectation of a knight who does not consider the weight of words, just entrusts to his power? That's why I said you are a brat who doesn't understand anything!!"

"Wro......"

''Wrong'' - when trying to say that word, with all his heart Ren was at a loss for words. There was nothing to answer back.

"Listen, kid. The act of protection means obviously getting your hands dirty for something important. For the sake of that one irreplaceable thing to be prepared to cut down everything else! Mere lip service changes nothing - saves nothing!"

A few hours ago, when Ren started speaking about making preparations for a substitute sacrifice, Ayumi gently rebuked him.

''-If you speak dirty words, your heart will become dirty too-''

They were beautiful words. If anyone heard these words after knowing Ayumi's situation, they would have been deeply moved.

But, Ayumi will die. Without leaving anything behind except that deep emotion, she will disappear from this world.

-To die in such a beautiful way or to survive in an ugly way -

Which was correct, Ren was not able to judge. On the other hand, Yuuji did not hesitate.

"For the sake of protecting my lady, I will kill Ayumi.Those that will get in the way, I will kill them all! I will remove all obstacles even at the cost of my life and protect my lady!"

DETERMINATION

Crossing over the judgement of right and wrong, good and evil, Yuuji selected the protection of that "one thing" that must be protected. To stop him it seems there is no choice but to kill him.

But, right now Ren had no will to go through with it to that extent. No, even if he had that determination, he lost sight to whom it should be pointed to.

''What should be do? -What should I do?''

Ren was perplexed.

But before the boy found the answer, the situation changed.

"......Kyaa......"

Swept by the wind, a disappearing small shriek. But even so, it was impossible for Ren to miss that voice. Because that was no one else's but Ayumi's voice.

"Ayumi-chan!?"

In front of Ren's eyes,turning around with a changed expression, were reflected the figures of Ayumi and Mayumi, standing behind her. Embraced her closely from behind,ayumi's pale complexion became stiff.

Although not being strangled or press against a dangerous weapon, panic grabbed hold of her heart.

"-My lady..."

When Yuuji called out to her, Mayumi's lips became sharp with dissatisfaction.

"What, are you telling me not to get involved? aren't you at fault for being inefficient?"

"No, I'm sorry for causing you trouble."

" -Humpf! Good grief. I'll be troubled if you can't be more reliable!"

This time she held her head high, self-important. She seemed to have a pretty simple personality.

"At any rate- "

While embracing Ayumi, Mayumi shifted her focus on Ren.

"Loving such a doll as this, the Kannagi young lord too, must have some unusual hobbies."

"Ayumi-chan is not a doll! She's human!"

"-Hey, hey..."

At Ren's shout, Mayumi displayed a studied surprise and looked down on Ayumi:

"You said nothing, did you? -What a bad child."

Suddenly thinking of something, Mayumi gently stroked Ayumi's cheek and her body tightly shrunk. That face, smiling complacently, gave the impression of a cat considering how to tease the mouse pinned down by its forelimbs.

A cruel smile lifting her lips, Mayumi said:

"Do you listen, Kannagi young lord? The ''Ayumi-chan'' you tried so hard to protect is not human."

"W- what are you say-"

"It's the truth. Because, you see, this is a clone made by cultivating my cells."

" -!?"

Ren opened his eyes wide with surprise. But simultaneously, he felt somewhere in his heart it was true.

Mayumi and Ayumi - even assuming they were sisters, those two resembled too much.

''Thing Doll Sacrifice'' - completely spoken ill of, a girl whose human dignity was trampled underfoot.

If it was just as Mayumi said, if Ayumi was not human and was created for the sake of dying as a sacrifice, doesn't everything makes sense?

''"A lie.......It's a lie"''

Aiming a smile full of spite at the dumbfounded Ren, Mayumi continued.

"Her appearance may seem that of a twelve years old girl but in reality only a month passed since its creation. Even her planted memories have been suitably edited from my own. That kind of crude doll, you tried to protect with your knight affectation. ''That was fun ♥''"

"It.......It's a lie......"

"Let me tell you one more thing. Even if she doesn't become the sacrifice, just a month from now on, fer life span will be cut from inside. Made with no intention to use for an extended period of time, just instant makeshift goods."

"That's, a lie...."

Ren looked at Ayumi almost like searching for help. She received his glance for just one second and sadly cast her eyes down.

Thus, at last Ayumi - Ayumi told the truth.

"........It's true. I am the katashiro doll[http://eos.kokugakuin.ac.jp/modules/xwords/entry.php?entryID=308] made for the sake of keeping Mayumi-sama alive. Mayumi-sama's impostor"

Where is the genuine '''Ayumi'''?

''I have no memories'' - Ayumi told Ren so. That's natural. If she had been made just a month before, it's impossible for those to exist. Without even trying to steal it, there was nothing there form the beginning. Everything was an imitation. If only her heart was more than a transient object, his own act of protecting Ayumi, his determination, everything would not have been a wasted effort.

"I look, so stupid....."

His body was full with a sense of helplessness. Feebly hanging his head, Ren collapsed on the sandy beach.

"It looks like that was a lot of shock, huh?"

Coldly looking down on the defeated Ren, Mayumi sneered.

"That's only natural. It made him realize his own buffoonery can't go any higher."

"Well, isn't that fine? By understanding reality, the boy becomes an adult."

".........you could say that."

Yuuji replied to Mayumi's words, pretending to act like a grown-up, in a quiet voice. Maybe because they were both men, but it was impossible not to feel sympathy for Ren.

"Come now, let's go home. We must quickly return and prepare for the ceremony."

On the other hand, Mayumi didn't have such a compassionate heart. Already disregarding Ren's existence, she starts thinking about tomorrow's ceremony.

"....yes", Yuuji respectfully bowed.

Receiving Ayumi, presented to him like luggage, the same way as they came, he followed Mayumi like a servant.

But, at the same time he placed his leg on the stairs connected to the main road-

"Step aside!"

From the vicinity of the main road that command reverberated, and a second later a golden pillar of fire lit the sky.

Involuntarily the three people turned around to Ren. But, he did not seemed to notice the present disturbance and was kneeling on the sandy beach, his head hanged. Hearing footsteps they turned in the direction of the main road once more. Two sets of footsteps. Both of them light. They were probably women.

Around that time, Yuuji made a guess about the opponent's identity. Noticing he should be in front, he tried to make Mayumi step back, but- it was slightly late.

"Ren!"

On top the stairs, one girl appeared.

Pushing out the darkness, the aura of red and gold shining out far and wide. The enormous amount of fire spirits that followed her in the background were displaying the girl as the human model of the flame itself.

"This is also......"

From Yuuji's mouth a mutter of unexpected wonder leaked out. Certainly her age was sixteen. And although childish, the shape of the young lady captivated him.

Overflowing from that small body, the surge of an overwhelming power. That sword was not yet drawn out but even so, it was impossible to misread the girl's identity.

''Beautiful- ''

He genuinely thought so. That was not in regard for the human, much less the opposite sex but the same deep emotion he felt at the time he looked at Mother Nature's magnificent scenery.

Suddenly, he noticed a sharp glance. Calmly looking away and folding her arms, Mayumi's half opened glare met his eye.

"''This is also...''" with a monotonous voice Mayumi repeated Yuuji's words.

"What is the meaning of ''This is also...'' Yuuji ?"

"Ah, no, that is..."

While becoming completely confused, Yuuji desperately searched for explanatory words.

If he cannot talk his way out of it now, it will become fairly difficult afterwards.

"That, didn't have any significant meaning. This is also...flashy...?"

"-Humph, that so?"

With that considerably packed expression Mayumi nodded.

"Well, afterwards I'll receive a lengthy explanation of that matter. Now it's not the time for it."

Mayumi faced the two standing at the top of the stairs.

"Nice meeting you, Kannagi princess. Being able to meet you is an honor."

".......and you are?"

The girl - Ayano, shortly inquired.

"I was slow in saying. I am Tsuwabuki Mayumi. This is my attendant Yuuji. Although belonging to a collateral family, for the time being permit him to call himself with the Tsuwabuki surname."

"If I say I will, I wonder will I have to call you by such an embarrassing name as ''Tsuwabuki princess''?"

"I am at your mercy."

To Ayano's provocative response, Mayumi bowed her head with a smiling face.

irritated, Ayano ended this conversation lacking sincerity and got to the main question.

"I have no particular business with you. Where is Ren?"

Mayumi pointed at the sandy beach in the back.

"Somewhere in that area. Maybe he is crying holding his knees."

"What, have you done to him?"

The atmosphere became noisy. The explosive scarlet aura flickered like a flame.

"Physically, nothing. He did not receive a single wound."

".........haa"

When that report was made, Yuuji looked sullen.

"But it seems his emotional scars are quite deep. We would be troubled if you complained to us about such things. About the details, you can ask that boy. However, I believe not prying into it would be a kindness to him."

Just saying that, with no precaution Mayumi started walking up the stairs. Whipping his wounded body, Yuuji went in front of Mayumi, trying to be a shield as much as possible.

"Well then-"

Greeting her while passing by one another, Mayumi walked near Ayano's side. And then, after looking at the retreating figure running down the stairs not returning the favor, she shifted her focus on the other person - a woman standing in a somewhat separated place.

"Good evening. It's been a long time, Police Superintendent Tachibana."

"We haven't talked in a long time, Mayumi-san"

That perfectly ordinary greeting, the detective in charge of Tokyo MPD's Special Investigation Unit, Police Superintended Tachibana returned with an absolutely tranquil tone.

"Because you didn't appear together with the that young woman, can we assume you have no intention of opposing the Tsuwabuki regarding the Kannagi matter?"

"Of course. We have no intention of interfering in any kind of dispute. Naturally, if you would accept our mediation, we woul feel that position with pleasure."

"That won't be necessary."

The faint tension that dwelt in Kirika's words, smiling, Mayumi severed it when she replied.

"Everything has been already settled. We have regained the object Kannagi Ren stole and because it's something a child did, we have no intention of blaming the Kannagi Clan for that error. If you would be so good as to pass it along to Ayano-san."

"......I will comply"

"Thank you"

Bowing her head to Kirika, Mayumi left accompanied by her attendant and the spoils of war.

No matter how polite her tone was, the girl's attitude was that of a victor who obtained everything.

Gazing for a brief period at the retreating figure, never looking back, Kirika started walking towards the defeated boy or maybe the defeated people.

"There's no sign this is ending here."

That's what she was thinking.

[[User:Ayame|Ayame]] ([[User talk:Ayame|talk]]) 10:01, 24 March 2013 (CDT)

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| Back to [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume3_Chapter_2|Chapter 2]]
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| Forward to [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume3_Chapter_4|Chapter 4]]
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Kaze no Stigma:Volume3 Chapter 3

2013-04-28T15:20:59Z

80.240.162.190: /* Part 3 */

===Chapter 3 - The person one must protect===

===Part 1===

"......................"

Inside the train, Ren was frozen solid.He sat in such a way that if someone poked him, he would roll on the floor while in sitting position.

The reason for that was the existence of the girl sitting earnestly on his left side, Ayumi. She was clinging to Ren's left arm in order for their bodies to be glued as close as possible.

At the beginning of her teens, wearing a coat over the still immature body, although the sensation wasn't supposed to be very fresh, it's still impossible to be composed about it.

Contrastive to Ayumi, who yielded herself to Ren with a peaceful appearance, his brain has been frozen for the last 10 minutes.

- It happened approximately 10 minutes before.

At the time they waited for the train on the platform of Tokyo Station, staring at Ren shivering from the coldness of the wind, Ayumi asked in a worried manner:

"Are you cold?"

"No, I'm fine"

Ren showed a smile meant to give her a piece of mind but the next moment that smile became frozen.

"a... a... a... Ayumi-chan?"

"If we are like this it's warm, right?"

Feeling guilty for borrowing his coat and trying to transfer her own body temperature, she clung to Ren's arm.

"D-don't do that -"

Ren's brain, trying to separate his body, was pierced by Ayumi's expression, looking at him with upturned eyes.

"-No?"

"Eh, ah, no, that sort of..."

A stuttering Ren. He was unbelievably ashamed, he also thought this sort of thing is wrong, but before the girl's gaze, looking at him sadly, he couldn't shake his head.

''What to do.....''

The warm sense of touch transmitted by his left arm thoroughly snatched Ren's presence of mind. After that, when, how did hey get into the train, he didn't remember any of it.

"I'm sorry"

"-Eh?"

Receiving such an abrupt apology, Ren's consciousness recovered after a long time. Ayumi's turned away expression, full of guilt was reflected in his eyes.

"About what?"

"For making such an odd request."

Ren replied while laughing.

"It's not a big deal, this much"

Actually the girl's wish was simple. What it required were traveling expenses and a little bit of time. Just those will suffice.

''Take me to the sea''

That's what Ayumi spoke in the park. It was just one wish. Naturally, Ren had no objection.

Investigating those contents for a while, he asked only one thing.

"Is a harbor-like place acceptable? Or a sandy beach?"

Without wavering, Ayumi chose the latter. Therefore, together they boarded the Tokaido Line. That route was aimed at Chigasaki.

If that was the nearest swimming beach, Ren doesn't know. But that was the only place he could lead her to. Because of his family's line of work he is a boy unrelated to family vacations et cetera. He had hardly any experience of swimming in the sea. Ren was deeply grateful to the girl who took him by force sea bathing last year's summer.

While chasing the flowing scenery, Ayumi murmured:

"In the end, I wanted to see something beautiful with my own eyes."

"In the end, you say?"

"When I do so, I'm going back. To the Tsuwabuki."

"No!", Ren promptly shouted.

"No! They don't treat you like a fellow human. Only like a tool. If you return to those people you'll never be happy. If you have no place to go, you can come to my house. The Kannagi Clan will, without exception -"

"Ren, you see-"

Ayumi quietly interrupted Ren's desperate pleading words.

"Have you heard about the Tsuwabuki's Grand Festival?"

"The Grand Festival - about that ceremony to appease the volcanic activity of Mt. Fuji? I'm not very familiar with it but the practitioner always lost his life... "

Going that far, Ren turned a terrified glance towards Ayumi.

"No...way....."

What was reflected in those eyes was Ayumi's excessively tranquil smiling face. It was unbelievable. Ren completely denied that expression. There shouldn't be something like that. Such a thing cannot be allowed. Something like that- something like that-

"I have no family name, nor a family register, naming myself is not permitted, but-"

''No way''

''I don't want to hear''

Despite this - the body doesn't move. Even blocking his ears, he can't do it. Without waiting for agreement or disagreement, pouring into his ears, that tone calm as the surface of the lake. Admitting everything, allowing it, accepting it.

"I am called Tsuwabuki. According to the lineage, something like a direct descendant."

''I don't want to hear it''

"The ceremony is tomorrow night. Therefore, I must get back until then. Because I- because I am the priest of the ritual"

''Because I am the priest of the ceremony''

From Ren's body, with a water-like sound, blood flew backwards.

The Yamatsumino Grand Festival - the origin of it goes back roughly 300 years.

The year is 1707 - during the Houei era was the last volcanic eruption of Mt. Fuji and the greatest since the dawn of history. The violent eruption reaching 15 days, it was said that the volcanic ash fell as far as the distant town of Edo. It was not only Kantō but a life or death crisis for Japan itself. No matter how many times Mt. Fuji erupted, it didn't show any signs of quieting down.

That raging <Ki> finally resulted in the embodiment of one demon beast. The impersonation of Fuji's <ki>. it is certain that was the largest, strongest devilishness that materialized in this country. If one tried to rank it among other demon beasts, the only reference it had would be the legendary monsters, like the eight tail serpent that couldn't be defeated without the help of god's power.

The beast's roar beckoned eruptions and its stepping feet invoked eruptions. Mowing down everything it touched, it exhausted the limits if tyranny. The ones who sealed it were the yet unknown Tsuwabuki family. A young girl leading the family offered prayers to the King of the Earth Spirits for seven days and seven nights and finally attained that divine protection.

And then, by that divine protection, the girl managed to seal that demon beast. Thus Mt. Fuji calmed down and Japan's peace was protected. And they all lived happily ever after.

-But that story has sequel.

First, that girl was not able to endure the release of such an over-sized power and lost her life with the seal. And then, even after applying such a powerful seal, the demon beast's lock couldn't continue forever. Being the personification of an active volcano, it's possible to say that was the unavoidable outcome.

Approximately 30 years - that was the limit of the seal. For the sake of continuing the sealing of a raging demon beast seeking release, Tsuwabuki family had no choice but to conduct the ceremony at fixed intervals for the sake of suppressing Mt. Fuji's <Ki>.

Because of the divine protection of the Spirit King that dwelt in their blood - the strongest unmarried woman was elected as the priest of the ceremony.

Until today, the sealing ceremony known under the bombastic name of "Grand Festival" took place 8 times. And there were 8 casualties. The fatality ratio was 100%. This is the reason the ceremony practitioner was named sacrifice.

With no other option, the 9th ceremony approached. The girl called Ayumi was a lamb led to slaughter.

How long was he in blank amazement, I wonder. When Ren came to his senses, Ayumi was smiling gently, looking at him.

Unable to meet that extremely pitiful smile, Ren muttered, while looking down.

"Why?....."

"Ren?"

"Why do you have to do such a...."

After examining for a short while Ren's expression, Ayumi replied:

"Because someone has to do it"

'''''"But it doesn't have to be you-"'''''

Ayumi softly touched Ren's lips with her fingers. The boy who unintentionally couldn't keep his mouth shut, she rebuked him gently.

"It's not good saying these kind of things. If you speak filthy words your heart will become filthy too"

"........I'm sorry.........."

Ayumi shook her head.

"No. It's alright. Truthfully I was a little happy. Because I was never regarded as something valuable."

From the moment she was born, it was decided that Ayumi will be a sacrifice. She wasn't regarded as part of the same family, not recognized as a human being. For this girl with no family register, with no choice but being a tool for the ceremony, so far there wasn't a single person to hold her life dear.

Pointlessly, Ren made sure of her acknowledgement.

"Even so, you'll do it? For the sake of those who think of you as a tool?"

"It's different", Ayumi flatly shook her head.

"It has nothing to do with the Tsuwabuki family's expectations. Because it must be done no matter what, I'll do it. It's bad if Mt. Fuji erupts, right?"

"That is true..."

"If I am able to suppress it, my life, my death is not worthless.Even if the physical me dies, my prayers will fuse with the mountain and I will continue to watch over this country eternally. That's a very beautiful thing, don't you agree?"

"................."

Something is wrong. Something is terribly wrong, Ren thought so.

'''''-Don't try to glorify death with words of self-sacrifice -'''''

Kazuma's words, once intended for him were recalled to his mind. Doesn't Ayumi make the same mistake he did at the same time? But Ren had no persuasion words for the girl. He could not think of a path that doesn't result in Ayumi's death.

Only to let Mt. Fuji erupt-

To replace Ayumi as a sacrifice.

She would accept neither. There is no mistake about it, the girl known as Ayumi was the type that would sacrifice herself for others.

"That's why I'm not afraid of death. It's because I was born for this purpose. And yet, I desired memories before the time comes. Memories of my own, born from my own experience."

In that peaceful pupil, that accepted everything dwelt the light of a faint longing.

''Memories of her own?''

It's only natural to display a strong attachment for one's dying wish. But even so, that was a strange expression. Memories are neither true nor false.

To the bewildered Ren, Ayumi threw another bomb.

"You see, I don't have my own memories."

"Eh?"

"I haven't lost my memories. It's not like I have something to remember and I don't, it's more like I have ''nothing'' to remember."

"..............."

Without saying anything, Ren starred at Ayumi dumbfounded.

"If it would be just like that, even speaking and moving my body would have been impossible. But the me right now is something ignorant of the ways of the world but I can communicate with other people. Do you know why?"

"Wasn't it because you kept studying it?"

Toward such an unbelievable circumstance, Ren said so, including a ray of hope.

But, as feared, Ayumi shook her head.

"In my had there are transcripts of another's memories.I don't know how it's been done, though"

Almost like it was somebody else's problem, Ayumi indifferently recited those grand circumstances. Ren finally had the feeling he understood the reason why Ayumi had no attachment to her life. She had nothing to be particular about.

Not even recognized as a person, her existence valued as nothing but a tool, day after day. Planted forged memories. Without beginning, Ayumi's life ended.

With no room to harbor hope, she has no attachment except despair. Together with that gentle resignation, Ayumi accepted everything.

"That's why I wanted to see the world through my eyes even if it's just once. I wished for something that's not faked, real memories."

Like telling an unfulfilled dream, Ayumi whispered with a distant look. Toward the ordinary everyone was given as a natural privilege - no, the privilege they took for granted she felt endless longing and envy.

"The moment I saw the sky when I first felt the residence, I was very surprised. How vast was the sky windows don't limit, Mt. Fuji was so big..."

"Ayumi-chan......"

"The sky, the stars, the moon were so much more beautiful than what I remembered. Surely, the sea must be very beautiful, right?"

The silhouette of the innocent girl in high spirits was reflected in Ren's eyes as overbearingly pitiful.

-She wanted to see beautiful things-

What sort of feelings did she include when she said those words? The words of a girl dreaming, escaping from reality, no that he knew everything, they were unbelievably heavy.

"-This is hopeless"

With a strong determination, Ren muttered in his heart.

''Such a thing cannot be. It cannot be forgiven.''

"Ayumi-chan!"

"W-what?"

His immature sense of justice aroused, Red declared strongly.

"I will protect Ayumi-chan"

" - Ren?"

"So please, don't give up. Don't say it's OK to die. Because I'll protect you. I'll protect you for sure."

"Ren........."

Making a somewhat troubled face, she looked at the boy making a vow.

Joy and sadness and the kindness of a mother watching over her child were mixed in that complex gaze.

Without noticing that gaze, Ren continued.

"I'm sure it exists. A way in which Ayumi-chan doesn't have to die. I'll do whatever it's in my power. My own ability may be very small but if it's big brother, surely- "

"Your older brother?"

"Eh?"

Ayumi unintentionally asked in return and Ren reaffirmed with force those entrusting words.

"Ah-"

In those cornered eyes hope was shining.

"That's right! I have my older brother! If it's big brother, he will definitely save you!"

Without a fragment of anxiety, with absolute faith in his voice, Ren clearly declared.

For a short while, Ayumi opened her eyes wide, staring at the smile of the boy, delighted as if the problem was already settled.

"Do you have such an amazing brother?"

"Yeah", Ren answered without a moment's hesitation.

"Big brother is stronger than anyone. There is nothing he can't do. I'm sure."

"............Is that so........."

"So please don't say such lonesome things like last memories and let's do many more together. I want to show you many other things. That is...."

Embarrassed and blushing Ren invited the girl screwing up his courage.

"Because - I'll take you no matter where"

".............."

Receiving Ren's invitation, for one instant, Ayumi seemed to burst into tears. However, in just one moment she erased that bitter expression and replied with a calm and somewhat sad smile.

"Right.....If we could do that, it would be very nice....."

===Part 2===

"I wonder where did big brother go....."

Descending on the platform of the Chiwasaki Station, the shore on the other side of it, Ren muttered to himself with a worried face.

He can't get in touch with Kazuma.

He called Kazuma's cellphone from the station's public telephone but what came back was the dull announcement of the answering machine.

Because his own cellphone broke, he can't wait for Kazuma to get in touch with him. In the end, leaving the message "I'll call again" Ren hanged the receiver.

"I'm beaten"

As soon as he complained, Ayumi's hand, holding his left arm, tightly hugged him. Flustered, Ren showed a bright smile meant to give her peace of mind.

"Oh, it's fine. Because we'll get in touch shortly."

" -yeah", Ayumi nodded a little.

For a little while they didn't speak. Both of them walked the road to the beach in silence.

"Ah........."

A sound resembling noise making her eardrums vibrate, Ayumi strained her ears. The term sea roar came to her mind.

"The sound of waves......?"

"Yeah. We'll be there shortly."

Nodding, Ren increased his pace to not fall behind Ayumi, who unconsciously did so.

And now -

"Ah - !"

At the magnificent view at last reflected in her eyes Ayumi raised her voice in delight. Ren looked in the came direction. It was the sea. The great deep stretching endlessly. The utmost blue sea surface sparkling in the downpour of sunshine - naturally, it wasn't.

The winter sea is cold and hollow. it doesn't have a particle of the heat and energy the summer sea is full of, instead it's pushing out a cold surface, almost like rejecting humans. Staring at the utmost black sea, the same color as the night sky, Ayumi muttered:

"Is this... The sea...........?"

Perceiving the sound of a clear disappointment, Ren became impatient.

"W-what to do......."

Thinking now about it, it was a problem he should have noticed earlier. The winter sea - at night. Seen by girl his age it can't be a pleasing spectacle.Anyway, there was definitely not enough light. But there are at least seven, eight hours until dawn breaks.

''If I had light....light -?''

The idea that reflexively occurred to him was suppressed at an almost instinctive level. His family admonished sternly such conduct. But, even so-

''Do it!''

After just 3 seconds of hesitation, Ren decided to dismiss good sense. For his peace of mind, turning around, he searched for indications of human presence, surveying the surroundings.

From what he roughly saw, there was none except them.

- It must be done now.

Summoning fire spirits, he shortly informed:

"Go"

" - Eh? What?"

Before Ayumi finished her second question - the sky exploded.

"Kyaa!?"

The golden light shines out far and white pressing down the darkness. The brightness spreading out on the entire surface of the sky dyed the world golden and the jet black sea surface glittered dazzlingly.

"This - this is....Ren?"

To the Ayumi starring up in succession to both the sky and Ren with a surprised gaze, somewhat embarrassed but at the same time very proud, Ren's nostrils twitched.

"It's impossible to replicate the midsummer sea, but it's better than the pitch black gloomy sea, right? How is it? Do you like it?"

"Ren- "

Calling out Ren's name with a voice trembling with delight, Ayumi gave Ren a bear-like hug.

"Amazing! It's amazing! It is the most beautiful thing I've seen!"

"R-really? I'm glad"

Although confused by Ayumi's bold conduct, the relaxation of Ren's cheeks was irrepressible. Ayumi's large smile - even if he tried to express it, it's magnificence was beyond words.

Underneath the gold radiance, they innocently smiled at each other and looked up at the sky. Just like a golden aurora borealis the movement of the dancing fire spirits combined and the canopy covering the entire sky changed the same way a kaleidoscope would.

"Beautiful...but won't it cause an uproar?"

Ren shrugged his shoulders in silence. Without even thinking, it was an obvious matter. This was not a solitary island in the southern sea. Approachable by walking from the train station it was an empty swimming area.

Although there was a shelter-belt and a fence obstructing the field of vision, a highway was running less than 10 meters away. The houses were close. Without having to wait, it's likely spectators with burning curiosity would arrive in great numbers. There's no mistake that it will appear in tomorrow's newspaper.

But even so, Ren didn't care.

To make Ayumi happy - right now, for Ren it was all that mattered. Seeing Ayumi's wet eyes, Ren asked her casually, as if inquiring about the dinner's menu.

"Do you want to keep it up just a little bit more? Before long it could cause trouble but if they get in the way I'll drive them away"

"....No, it's enough."

After considering for a short while, Ayumi shook her head.

"It's enough. Because I'll never forget it."

" -Alright"

With a light nod, Ren called out the fire spirits. Promptly answering to the Enjutsushi's will, the fire spirits came together in a boisterous dance of light. And then -

"....W...ow...."

The light shining in the sky rained like drops of water above ground. Like snow, lightly flickering in the wind, the golden drops descended in a dance.

Holding no temperature, the clusters of pure light, upon touching the sandy beach and the surface of the sea, burst open and disappeared like in a dream.

"Ah- "

The last descending drop, Ayumi caught it extending both her hands. The moment it touched her hand, the light fleetingly disappeared but the girl softly closed her hands and touched her chest. That irreplaceable something stored in her hands was tucked away inside her chest.

Dropping the curtain on the light's dance performance, affecting acting, Ren made a bow.

"Did it please you?"

"Yes - yes...."

Her eyes full of tears, Ayumi bowed many, many times over.

"I... I am glad that I am alive. Meeting Ren.... Seeing something so beautiful, I...I...from the bottom of my heart...."

Unable to bear it in the end, her tears escaped. Shed for the first time in her life, tears of happiness.

In order to wipe the sobbing girl's tears, handkerchief in hand, he touched her face. Both their shadows brought forth by the moonlight, slowly became one.

But - this moment was the concluding moment of their honeymoon. On their cuddled silhouettes a violent, intense light shined.

" -!?"

Turning around holding hands, an eternally domineering voice pierced their ears.

"That's right! I'm so happy for you! That means you have no more regrets in this world, right?"

In front of both of them, watching over in a daze, the woman with the light on her back laughed.

===Part 3===

''The pursuer from the Tsuwabuki!''

In an instant Ren saw through the shadow's true character. Or perhaps I should say, as far as Ren knew, it was the only opponent pursuing them.

Drawing Ayumi back and stepping forward with a sleepwalking like gait, Ren probed into the other party's attitude. Overlooking them for a brief period from a higher place, the woman descended the stairs and continued walking towards the beach in a composed manner.

One man, like a servant, followed her, leaving between them several steps.

Because of the back lighting he sees only outlines but even from those shadows it was impossible not to recognize the proud atmosphere drifting around the woman. The glance overlooking them was more suited for stray dogs than humans.

Leaving a distance of five meters between them, the woman faced Ren and Ayumi.

As one would expect, approaching so much, it was now possible to discriminate her looks. Closing his eyes partly, Ren observed the woman - and several seconds afterwards he opened his eyes wide in shock.

"Eh - ?"

The woman was younger than he thought. Probably not yet of age, in the second half of her teens. But that wasn't what Ren was surprised about.

-They looked alike.

Ren thought so, watching intently, in succession, Ayumi and the woman. No, they didn't resemble each other. If the age difference could be removed, their facial features would be perfectly the same.

Twins separated by age - those sort of contradicting words passed through Ren's head.

"Mayumi-sama........" Ayumi murmured, looking at that woman with a glance mixed with panic.

Unintentionally, Ren asked:

"Your elder sister?"

''If that is the case, she too can...''

The thought that instantly came to his mind, Ren denied it confused. Ayumi does not wish for such a thing.

-If you speak filthy words, your heart will become filthy too -

''Good grief, I need to be more careful.''

Agreeing to Ayumi's words reverberating in his head, he grasped her hand tenderly. Ayumi's face stiff from fear, still displayed a gallant smile.

'''"Elder sister?"'''

On the other hand, for the boy and the girl happy by themselves, the woman - Mayumi matched it with the height of displeasure.

"Elder sister, you said?"

Glaring at Ren as if he was her archenemy, she squeezed out a stifled to death voice from the gap between her clenched teeth. Her well regulated, elegant features, changed into the face of a demonic warrior.

"Don't mess around with me"

Mayumi's angry roar shrunk Ayumi's body with a start. After staring with much discord at the frightened girl, she turned an identical glance at Ren.

"It was enough taking Ayumi and running away without understanding the circumstance and this already foolish show, I believed you were someone lacking prudence but, never to this extent. Me and that thing sisters? It's the first time I was insulted so."

"..............."

It seems Ayumi didn't receive human treatment even from her relatives. Holding down the rising anger, Ren searched for presence in the surroundings. It was unpleasant when Ayumi was called "that" again but Mayumi's words implied an imminent crisis.

Other people didn't come. Because what Mayumi evaluated as a foolish exhibition was already over, if such a flashy, abnormal phenomenon happened, it's impossible for none to approach. Normally, about now, a crowd would have gathered on the beach and the police and fire department would have surrounded the place.

None of it happened.

It's very likely that right now this area was blocked.

By the subordinates of the Tsuwabuki.

''Can we escape?''

Without thinking of handing Ayumi over, Ren investigated the possibility of escape. The fact that the girl in question accepted her own faith was totally forgotten.

"Why are you so cautious, young Kannagi prince?"

Seeing through Ren's decision promptly, Mayumi laughed, smiling sweetly.

"Everything is already over. There is nothing left for you to try."

Although using honorifics, speaking in a clearly despising tone, Mayumi focused on Ayumi.

"................."

Without even using words, Mayumi carelessly beckoned her. as if calling her pet dog or something.

Ayumi started walking obediently.

"Ayumi-ch-"

"It's fine."

Ren's words, trying to call her to a halt, Ayumi interrupted them shortly and with a decisive voice.

"It's fine already. Thank you for everything until now. - It was very fun."

"Ayu- "

In order to shake of his extended hand, Ayumi turned her back on Ren. And with that, she never turned around.

Standing in front of Mayumi, Ayumi's body became stiff as if she turned to stone. Her glance swayed insecurely nearly Mayumi's feet. Suddenly Mayumi stretched her fingers to Ayumi's chin and forcefully pointed upwards her face hanged in shame. Coercively looking down on the startled girl, she said in a voice full of smiles:

"If you wanted to run away, you should at least have crossed the ocean. Instead of that, seducing a man and flirting with him in this kind of place, - do you look down on us?"

The Chijutsushi manipulating the spirits of the earth can make searches on fairly long distances as long it's adjoining land. It goes without saying that if you know the target well that searching ability is further improved.

For the sake of running from Chijutsushi, by sea or by air - anyway the most important thing is to separate from the ground.

"I had...no intention...."

Staring at Ayumi, protesting in a trembling voice, wit the look a carnivorous animal has before its feed, Mayumi let go of her jaw.

And then - she pulled her hand backwards and swung with all her strength.

" -Uh!"

It wasn't something as lovely as a slap. The punch made by hardening her wrist at the moment of the impact was a blow that made her bones resound.

Instantly Ayumi's legs separated from the ground and from the beginning exhausted body sunk into the sandy beach. Appearing to have completely fainted, her face half buried in the sand, she was completely still.

"Wha...."

Overcome with surprise at the sudden violence, Ren shouted white as a ghost.

"What have you done?"

But Mayumi didn't even looked at Ren. As she already stated "your turn is already over" she disregarded his existence itself.

Instead, the man who followed behind her moved. With body movement that had no openings he stepped forward and got on his knee before Ayumi.

Decidedly, he did not attempt to nurse her. Grabbing hold of Ayumi by the hair, casually the man lifted her head as if he would uproot a radish.

"...........E-eek......"

"What are you doing?"

Coldly looking down on Ayumi's feeble struggle, the man said in a monotonous tone.

"Do you think you can be lying down in front of the young lady, do you?"

"Yuu...ji.....sama....."

"Silence!"

The man - Yuuji - abruptly became enraged.

"With that face, through that mouth, don't call out my name! How disgusting!"

Raising his hand, pulling her hair even more, he made Ayumi stand on her knees. And then - this time from the front, he slapped her face onto the sand. Forcibly making Ayumi take a prostrating position, Yuuji shouted.

"Apologize! Until your voice becomes hoarse, until your throat tears apologize! Did you understand in how much danger did you put the young lady? If we didn't find you in time what would have happened! Did you intend for the young lady to be a sacrifice in your place? You puppet doll!!"

That was the limit.

He thought he himself endured it really well. Surely, big brother would praise him for it. Or - he'll get angry for letting it get that far.

Quietly he held out his right hand and pointed his index finger at Yuuji. And then - without a moment of hesitation he released hs power.

The thin, refined heat ray grazed Yuuji's cheek sticking into the concrete wall. The red hot concrete melted and the wall followed it, crashing.

"..........What kind of behavior.." Yuuji questioned with a voice stiffed to death. However, like Mayumi did before, Ren completely disregarded that utterance.

It wasn't a provocation or something like that. It's just that in Ren's field of vision no one else but Ayumi was reflected. It was just that.

"Re....n.....?"

For the girl weakly getting up, hearing that cracked voice, Ren painfully shook his head.

"As I thought, it's useless."

I can't control it.

I can't endure it.
Anymore than this - I can't stand it.

"What is the right thing to do, I don't even know. However, to hand you over to these guys it's absolutely impossible."

Whether it's right or not, that's long past. His feelings denied that option.

"Fall back!"

Struck by that sharp voice, Ayumi reflexively kicked the ground. Slightly further away from Yuuji. In that gap Ren threw a fireball brought forth from the sky.

"-Tch!"

Visibly agitated by the blast, Yuuji and Mayumi jumped. The distance widened even more. Well in advance Ren wedged himself in the space separating the two "enemies" and Ayumi.

"Humph - in the end brute force, huh?"

Staring at Ren blocking his way to Ayumi, Yuuji laughed fearless.

"Ah, well. Just as planed."

"Shall I back you up?"

"It's not necessary."

Politely rejecting Mayumi's proposal, he casually took one step forward. With an attitude full of composure he looked down on Ren taking a battle stance.

"Publicly- "

Without particularly preparing in advance, just standing, Yuuji began to speak in a relaxed manner.

"Publicly, it seems there are many idiots who believe Enjutsushi teh strongest but do you think so too?"

"-?"

Not understanding Yuuji's plan, Ren was perplexed. There is nothing to believe. The fact that Enjutsushi are the strongest is a <Reality> with no room for argument.

It's not about whether an Enjutsushi never lost to another kind of practitioner, of course there is no such thing. That is the power of one individual. It's about whether the ability difference can undermine the advantages and disadvantages of a technique style.

As for what technique system is the strongest - there is only one answer to that question. Without room for argument, with no chance for objection, the grave <Reality> doesn't change.

That is what Yuuji downright negated.

"What a foolish thing. All of you understand nothing about battle. The greatest offensive ability? When killing people do you think that is necessary?"

"What exactly?"

Including the confidence of certain victory in front of the perplexed Ren, Yuuji fired the question.

"You, where on earth do you plan to place your feet on?"

Unintentionally Ren stared at his own feet.There was nothing there but the ordinary sandy beach. There was no sign of set traps. There was no sense of discomfort when stepping on it, nothing but the feeling of soft sand-

''-Sand?''

"-Uh!!"

The sign of something wriggling, underneath his feet. Jumping by reflex, Ren's face became stiff with surprise and shivers.

Underground, and in addition to that, directly under his footprints a spear covered in sand was pushed up.

If his evasion would have been delayed by one second the spear would have stopped his foot by sewing it. it may be true he avoided the first attack but he had no room for relief. Visibly lying in wait at the spot Ren would come down, several spears sprung up.

"Kuu- "

Releasing fire and pointing it directly below, a countless number of spears burned to nothing. Coincident with his landing above the red hot sand, Ren rolled on the ground. Pursuing the rolling Ren from inside the sand, one after another, spears stick out.

While narrowly avoiding those, the boy cursed his overly optimistic thinking.

''Shit, Chijutsushi - so that's the reason!''

The spears hidden inside the sand were not something prepared in advance. Hardening the sand itself and changing its shape, Yuuji made those sharp spears.

Chijutsushi possess the force of the Earth Spirits. Sand, soil, ground stone and all materials affiliated with those, for them, are similar with extensions of their own hands. There was no need to expressly set traps.

The battleground itself was the Chijutsushi's weapon because that was for them the absolute most advantageous arrangement.

''What to do?''

Starting to see gaps one way or another, running in zig-zag to dodge the underground attacks, Ren looked for a breach. At any rate, as long as he is staying on the ground,his disadvantage can't be overcome.

Continuing to receive one-sided attacks without grasping a counter-attack clue, sooner or later he will receive a fatal blow.

On the other hand, Ren doesn't know such a jutsu that would allow him to gain a foothold on something else other than the ground.

If it were an Enjutsushi, he could fly into the air.

A Suijutsushi could maybe stand on top of water.

However, Ren being an Enjutsushi - it may be possible for Jugo or Genma - he had no skill to stand on top of flames. As long as gravity comes into play, he had no choice but to place his feet on the ground.

''What should I do?''

Looking over his surroundings, he searched for a turn-around plan. The sandy beach was the worst as a battle ground but concrete and asphalt must be similar. What remains -

''Inside the sea?''

It was out of the question. Ren being an Enjutsushi water was nothing more but a thing to be avoided. There was no point for Ren's power to weakened beyond what Yuuji could accomplish.

To Ren, stuck in a defensive battle, Yuuji turned words of ridicule.

"What's the matter? Are you just going to run? I don't care how far you run but if you go to far I'll take Ayumi and go back home."

"Kuu- "

Because of Yuuji's carelessness, recognizing he became long separated from Ayumi, Ren grinds his teeth. if it goes like this, Ayumi will really be taken away.

''What should I do? what should I -''

The problem was that he had no technique to defend against the blows. He can use flames to cover the surroundings but the bottom of his feet are perfectly defenseless. When fighting against Chijutsushi, that became a lethal weakness. A foothold was necessary. Separated from Yuuji's control, a scaffold made of <Earth> he cannot control.

He cannot fly into the sky. Water is also excluded. There's no wood near. He cannot stand on top of fire. On top of fire -

''-Huh?''

Suddenly Ren remembered the scene of a volcanic eruption he saw on TV. From craters, forcefully spitting out the red hot-

''Shall I give it a try?''

There was no time to spare. Making his resolve, Ren stopped and concentrated his consciousness.

"Aa.......a.........aa!!"

From Ren's whole body golden flames erupted. The dazzling glimmer blurred even the contours of his body and the boy shined, transformed into a small sun.

"Ua.......unh, it's useless."

To encourage himself overpowered by the tremendous quantity of heat, Yuuji intentionally raised his voice.

"No matter how hot a flame you clad yourself in, you cannot defend against attacks from below."

Trying to make the reality that he was currently on offensive known, Yuuji was perplexed by the dull response from the spirits.

The spirits of the earth didn't respond to his will - No, something different obstructs the formation of sand spears.

"You....what did you do?"

He turns a glance full of suspicion towards Ren. No matter what an Enjutsushi tries to do, it's impossible to exercise a stronger influence towards sand than a Chijutsushi does.

Ren didn't answer. Unaffected, abandoning that body to the flames, he only stood rock still above the red ground.

"Red - ? I see, you- "

Yuuji stared at Ren's feet. What was there didn't have the rough characteristics of sand but was reflecting the flame like grass. Sometimes, from the bottom bubbles rose to the surface and burst open with a particular thick sound.

"You brat - you changed the burning sand to magma!"

"I gave it a try"

Receiving Yuuji's angry roar, Ren laughed triumphantly. It does not mean he had a positive proof. If a Suijutsushi can stand atop water he tried to stand atop magma, that could also be called fluid flame. He simply tried out that idea.

Although having a fluffy, undependable sense of touch, magma firmly sustained Ren's body weight. As there was no fist fight involved, the tenderness of the scaffold didn't matter. The radius was about two meters. Although modest,from the <Kingdom> underneath Yuuji's absolute control, Ren gained that much territory.

"D-don't be excited, boy!" barked Yuuji after loosing his advantage.

"Even for magma, it's <ground> attribute doesn't change. The situation is still the same!"

With an angry roar, including a severe determination, Yuuji ordered the ground spirits. Around Ren's surroundings magma unnaturally rose, molding red spearheads.

"Die, boy!!"

The spears lengthen trying to pierce Ren's body. But just before that - they stopped.

"W-whaaaaat!?"

Quietly gazing at the surprised Yuuji, Ren talked indifferent.

"Certainly magma is something that belongs to the <ground>. Still, half of it it's Enjutsushi possession. I'm not gonna hand it over so easily!"

The spear on the verge of touching his body, Ren casually flung it off. The hard sharp spear instantly lost her unity and returned with a small splash on the surface of the magma sea.

"Guu..........Ba......."

With a really detestable howl, Yuuji stopped trying to proactively commence the next attack. It's understandable.

The control of the material called magma with attributes of both <ground> and <fire> has been snatched away. That means that in a contest of pure strength he was defeated by Ren. As the opponent of a higher ranked practitioner, he couldn't carelessly take the vanguard.

"Next is my turn, huh?" Ren declared with no fighting spirit.

His pushed out right hand accurately aimed at Yuuji. From that palm golden flames gushed out.

"Oooooooooooohh!!"

Yuuji too, didn't gave in. Hoisting the sand beneath his feet, he threw it onto the approaching flame. A surging sea of white sand attacking the golden torrent.

Receiving the aftermath of the struggle between these two powers, the ground grated and the sky trembled.

"Gu........me..uuuu......."

Through clenched teeth Yuuji let out a pressing moan. He understood that in a contest of strength he was inferior. As it is, he will certainly be pressed down.

While his body burned in humiliation, Yuuji changed his tactics to defense. The sand changed into a bulky bedrock and stood before the fire torrent. Although the bedrock stopped the flames there was no room for relaxation.

"It's coming from behind."

Inside the thunderous roar made by the flames burning the rock, for some reason that whisper clearly reached his ears. Uneventfully changed to a quiet oath, Yuuji felt that enormous heat approaching from behind.

"Sh-shit!"

The already thin bedrock rose, splitting the sand and stopped a gigantic fire ball. Although withstanding it somehow, the tremendous mpact crossed over the bed rock and mercilessly pummeled Yuuji's body.

In the space between the two bedrocks Yuuji was in anguish. And there, the last blow came.

"Next is up"

" -!?"

Looking up at the sky, Yuuji's eyes peeled in shock. A remarcably big fireball descended upon Yuuji like a meteor. The distance was less than two meters.

"Kuuu- !"

It's unthinkable of having time to defend and so forth. Overhead the man looking at it dumbfounded, the fireball violently exploded.

"..............Uh!"

There wasn't much heat but the shock was hard to describe. The two sheets of bed rock made by him efficiently reverberated, sinking Yuuji's body in the sandy beach.

"Go...........bah.........."

As if gravity was increased a hundred fold, the extremely heavy pressure flattened his body, the air in his lungs was squeezed out without exception and all the bones in his body creaked.

"Not........not yet......yet......"

Putting all his strength in his arms Yuuji seemed to want to push out the heavens. But after lifting it 10 centimeters the elbow joints made a thick sound and bent the other way.

When the broken right arm fell to the ground the shining fireball in the sky also vanished. But even so, Yuuji couldn't give up.

The sound of the broken bed rock resounded in vain, like the gong at the end of the match.

===Part 4===

"-Fuuu"

Taking a small breath, Ren shifted his attention to the remaining two.

Ayumi's gaze shaking with anxiety. And, despite having the same face, not showing even the smallest disturbance, expressing a thin smile, Mayumi:

Confronting Mayumi directly, Ren asked with a determined look.

"What will you do? Do you want to give it a try?"

While it may be true her outward appearance was that of a frail young lady, he won't act unprepared. Based on Yuuji's behavior it was clear Mayumi was the purest descendant. Not an opponent to make light of.

"Oh, the Kannagi young lord would go as far as to raise his hand against a non resisting woman?"

With no place for misunderstanding, Mayumi's expression was provocative. Even so, looking puzzled at the girl not showing any indication of battle, Ren retaliated in a low voice:

"-If you want to run away I won't pursue you"

"Well, thank you"

Replying to the lenient laugh with a scornful laugh Mayumi shed a fleeting glance.

"That's what he said Yuuji. What will you do?"

"-?"

Looking the same way Mayumi did, Ren unintentionally opened his eyes wide. Over there, Yuuji, beaten down enough to keep him immobilized for three months, was crawling out of sand, drawing near.

".........Ridiculous......"

It was impossible. From right overhead, from an angle he couldn't elude he received a strong bomb blast. He must have ten or twenty bone fractures and his internal organs were supposed to be damaged. Not the kind of injury you could move with because of fighting spirit and will power - that's the way it was supposed to be.

Mayumi loudly sneered at Ren in mute amazement.

"It seems you took lightly a Chijutsushi's resistance."

The high ranking Chijutsushi, by directly taking the ground's <ki> inside their body, are endowed with a resistance that exceeds common sense. Ren too, also knew that but seeing it in practice was fairly ominous.

"B-but....."

While looking at Yuuji advancing by crawling, as if he was seeing a zombie, Ren shouted.

"He received so much damage! It's impossible to recover so much to try and fight immediately!"

"Is that so?"

As for Mayumi, she was thoroughly composed.

"Yuuji, were you not supposed to protect me at the cost of your own life? Do you plan to crawl out of there cowering to see me getting killed?"

The effect of those words was tremendous.

Enduring the pain, Yuuji stood up and although stumbling, began to walk on his own two feet. Step by step that unsteady manner of walking lost its disorder and by the time he stood up in front of Ren, blocking his way to Ayumi, with the exception of the smashed right arm, he seemed completely recovered.

"..........I,will protect,my lady.............."

With an unsightly smashed but firmly determined voice, Yuuji bravely declared.

"I will absolutely not let her, get killed.........."

"I don't want to kill her!" Ren shouted while feeling, without knowing why, overawed by a dying, severely wounded person.

"If she wanted to go back she can go for all I care! I have no business with the lot of you. I just want to protect Ayumi-chan, that's all!"

Hearing Ren's claim, Yuuji unexpectedly starred in wonder. And then, he suddenly burst into laughter.

"Ku ku ku......Buahahahaha.......ku ku ku ku ku....."

Although throwing up blood, Yuuji still laughed. His blood stained face was warped and extremely happy.

"I see......that's the way it is, huh?....."

"Wh-.....what is so funny?...."

Ren suddenly shouted blushing with anger and Yuuji suddenly stopped his sneer.

"You don't understand anything. You're just a brat playing with the power passed through your body."

"What?"

"Just shut up already and go back home. Forget everything that happened today."

Those remarks almost like regarding an unreasonable child made Ren childishly exasperated.

"Don't joke around with me! I'm not gonna hand Ayumi-chan over to guys like- "

"So, do you say my lady should be the sacrifice instead?"

With a terribly cold expression, Yuuji retaliated.

Seeing Ren lost for words at the unexpected objection, almost like pressing for an answer, he continued.

"It's not like you don't know. Ayumi is the ritual sacrifice. It's a thing made for the sake of dying instead of my lady. If you protect it, it's equivalent with killing my lady."

"That sort of- I- "

"''I have no intention of doing that'', huh? The meaning of the act called protection is it the affectation of a knight who does not consider the weight of words, just entrusts to his power? That's why I said you are a brat who doesn't understand anything!!"

"Wro......"

''Wrong'' - when trying to say that word, with all his heart Ren was at a loss for words. There was nothing to answer back.

"Listen, kid. The act of protection means obviously getting your hands dirty for something important. For the sake of that one irreplaceable thing to be prepared to cut down everything else! Mere lip service changes nothing - saves nothing!"

A few hours ago, when Ren started speaking about making preparations for a substitute sacrifice, Ayumi gently rebuked him.

''-If you speak dirty words, your heart will become dirty too-''

They were beautiful words. If anyone heard these words after knowing Ayumi's situation, they would have been deeply moved.

But, Ayumi will die. Without leaving anything behind except that deep emotion, she will disappear from this world.

-To die in such a beautiful way or to survive in an ugly way -

Which was correct, Ren was not able to judge. On the other hand, Yuuji did not hesitate.

"For the sake of protecting my lady, I will kill Ayumi.Those that will get in the way, I will kill them all! I will remove all obstacles even at the cost of my life and protect my lady!"

DETERMINATION

Crossing over the judgement of right and wrong, good and evil, Yuuji selected the protection of that "one thing" that must be protected. To stop him it seems there is no choice but to kill him.

But, right now Ren had no will to go through with it to that extent. No, even if he had that determination, he lost sight to whom it should be pointed to.

''What should be do? -What should I do?''

Ren was perplexed.

But before the boy found the answer, the situation changed.

"......Kyaa......"

Swept by the wind, a disappearing small shriek. But even so, it was impossible for Ren to miss that voice. Because that was no one else's but Ayumi's voice.

"Ayumi-chan!?"

In front of Ren's eyes,turning around with a changed expression, were reflected the figures of Ayumi and Mayumi, standing behind her. Embraced her closely from behind,ayumi's pale complexion became stiff.

Although not being strangled or press against a dangerous weapon, panic grabbed hold of her heart.

"-My lady..."

When Yuuji called out to her, Mayumi's lips became sharp with dissatisfaction.

"What, are you telling me not to get involved? aren't you at fault for being inefficient?"

"No, I'm sorry for causing you trouble."

" -Humpf! Good grief. I'll be troubled if you can't be more reliable!"

This time she held her head high, self-important. She seemed to have a pretty simple personality.

"At any rate- "

While embracing Ayumi, Mayumi shifted her focus on Ren.

"Loving such a doll as this, the Kannagi young lord too, must have some unusual hobbies."

"Ayumi-chan is not a doll! She's human!"

"-Hey, hey..."

At Ren's shout, Mayumi displayed a studied surprise and looked down on Ayumi:

"You said nothing, did you? -What a bad child."

Suddenly thinking of something, Mayumi gently stroked Ayumi's cheek and her body tightly shrunk. That face, smiling complacently, gave the impression of a cat considering how to tease the mouse pinned down by its forelimbs.

A cruel smile lifting her lips, Mayumi said:

"Do you listen, Kannagi young lord? The ''Ayumi-chan'' you tried so hard to protect is not human."

"W- what are you say-"

"It's the truth. Because, you see, this is a clone made by cultivating my cells."

" -!?"

Ren opened his eyes wide with surprise. But simultaneously, he felt somewhere in his heart it was true.

Mayumi and Ayumi - even assuming they were sisters, those two resembled too much.

''Thing Doll Sacrifice'' - completely spoken ill of, a girl whose human dignity was trampled underfoot.

If it was just as Mayumi said, if Ayumi was not human and was created for the sake of dying as a sacrifice, doesn't everything makes sense?

''"A lie.......It's a lie"''

Aiming a smile full of spite at the dumbfounded Ren, Mayumi continued.

"Her appearance may seem that of a twelve years old girl but in reality only a month passed since its creation. Even her planted memories have been suitably edited from my own. That kind of crude doll, you tried to protect with your knight affectation. ''That was fun ♥''"

"It.......It's a lie......"

"Let me tell you one more thing. Even if she doesn't become the sacrifice, just a month from now on, fer life span will be cut from inside. Made with no intention to use for an extended period of time, just instant makeshift goods."

"That's, a lie...."

Ren looked at Ayumi almost like searching for help. She received his glance for just one second and sadly cast her eyes down.

Thus, at last Ayumi - Ayumi told the truth.

"........It's true. I am the katashiro doll[http://eos.kokugakuin.ac.jp/modules/xwords/entry.php?entryID=308] made for the sake of keeping Mayumi-sama alive. Mayumi-sama's impostor"

Where is the genuine '''Ayumi'''?

''I have no memories'' - Ayumi told Ren so. That's natural. If she had been made just a month before, it's impossible for those to exist. Without even trying to steal it, there was nothing there form the beginning. Everything was an imitation. If only her heart was more than a transient object, his own act of protecting Ayumi, his determination, everything would not have been a wasted effort.

"I look, so stupid....."

His body was full with a sense of helplessness. Feebly hanging his head, Ren collapsed on the sandy beach.

"It looks like that was a lot of shock, huh?"

Coldly looking down on the defeated Ren, Mayumi sneered.

"That's only natural. It made him realize his own buffoonery can't go any higher."

"Well, isn't that fine? By understanding reality, the boy becomes an adult."

".........you could say that."

Yuuji replied to Mayumi's words, pretending to act like a grown-up, in a quiet voice. Maybe because they were both men, but it was impossible not to feel sympathy for Ren.

"Come now, let's go home. We must quickly return and prepare for the ceremony."

On the other hand, Mayumi didn't have such a compassionate heart. Already disregarding Ren's existence, she starts thinking about tomorrow's ceremony.

"....yes", Yuuji respectfully bowed.

Receiving Ayumi, presented to him like luggage, the same way as they came, he followed Mayumi like a servant.

But, at the same time he placed his leg on the stairs connected to the main road-

"Step aside!"

From the vicinity of the main road that command reverberated, and a second later a golden pillar of fire lit the sky.

Involuntarily the three people turned around to Ren. But, he did not seemed to notice the present disturbance and was kneeling on the sandy beach, his head hanged. Hearing footsteps they turned in the direction of the main road once more. Two sets of footsteps. Both of them light. They were probably women.

Around that time, Yuuji made a guess about the opponent's identity. Noticing he should be in front, he tried to make Mayumi step back, but- it was slightly late.

"Ren!"

On top the stairs, one girl appeared.

Pushing out the darkness, the aura of red and gold shining out far and wide. The enormous amount of fire spirits that followed her in the background were displaying the girl as the human model of the flame itself.

"This is also......"

From Yuuji's mouth a mutter of unexpected wonder leaked out. Certainly her age was sixteen. And although childish, the shape of the young lady captivated him.

Overflowing from that small body, the surge of an overwhelming power. That sword was not yet drawn out but even so, it was impossible to misread the girl's identity.

''Beautiful- ''

He genuinely thought so. That was not in regard for the human, much less the opposite sex but the same deep emotion he felt at the time he looked at Mother Nature's magnificent scenery.

Suddenly, he noticed a sharp glance. Calmly looking away and folding her arms, Mayumi's half opened glare met his eye.

"''This is also...''" with a monotonous voice Mayumi repeated Yuuji's words.

"What is the meaning of ''This is also...'' Yuuji ?"

"Ah, no, that is..."

While becoming completely confused, Yuuji desperately searched for explanatory words.

If he cannot talk his way out of it now, it will become fairly difficult afterwards.

"That, didn't have any significant meaning. This is also...flashy...?"

"-Humph, that so?"

With that considerably packed expression Mayumi nodded.

"Well, afterwards I'll receive a lengthy explanation of that matter. Now it's not the time for it."

Mayumi faced the two standing at the top of the stairs.

"Nice meeting you, Kannagi princess. Being able to meet you is an honor."

".......and you are?"

The girl - Ayano, shortly inquired.

"I was slow in saying. I am Tsuwabuki Mayumi. This is my attendant Yuuji. Although belonging to a collateral family, for the time being permit him to call himself with the Tsuwabuki surname."

"If I say I will, I wonder will I have to call you by such an embarrassing name as ''Tsuwabuki princess''?"

"I am at your mercy."

To Ayano's provocative response, Mayumi bowed her head with a smiling face.

irritated, Ayano ended this conversation lacking sincerity and got to the main question.

"I have no particular business with you. Where is Ren?"

Mayumi pointed at the sandy beach in the back.

"Somewhere in that area. Maybe he is crying holding his knees."

"What, have you done to him?"

The atmosphere became noisy. The explosive scarlet aura flickered like a flame.

"Physically, nothing. He did not receive a single wound."

".........haa"

When that report was made, Yuuji looked sullen.

"But it seems his emotional scars are quite deep. We would be troubled if you complained to us about such things. About the details, you can ask that boy. However, I believe not prying into it would be a kindness to him."

Just saying that, with no precaution Mayumi started walking up the stairs. Whipping his wounded body, Yuuji went in front of Mayumi, trying to be a shield as much as possible.

"Well then-"

Greeting her while passing by one another, Mayumi walked near Ayano's side. And then, after looking at the retreating figure running down the stairs not returning the favor, she shifted her focus on the other person - a woman standing in a somewhat separated place.

"Good evening. It's been a long time, Police Superintendent Tachibana."

"We haven't talked in a long time, Mayumi-san"

That perfectly ordinary greeting, the detective in charge of Tokyo MPD's Special Investigation Unit, Police Superintended Tachibana returned with an absolutely tranquil tone.

"Because you didn't appear together with the that young woman, can we assume you have no intention of opposing the Tsuwabuki regarding the Kannagi matter?"

"Of course. We have no intention of interfering in any kind of dispute. Naturally, if you would accept our mediation, we woul feel that position with pleasure."

"That won't be necessary."

The faint tension that dwelt in Kirika's words, smiling, Mayumi severed it when she replied.

"Everything has been already settled. We have regained the object Kannagi Ren stole and because it's something a child did, we have no intention of blaming the Kannagi Clan for that error. If you would be so good as to pass it along to Ayano-san."

"......I will comply"

"Thank you"

Bowing her head to Kirika, Mayumi left accompanied by her attendant and the spoils of war.

No matter how polite her tone was, the girl's attitude was that of a victor who obtained everything.

Gazing for a brief period at the retreating figure, never looking back, Kirika started walking towards the defeated boy or maybe the defeated people.

"There's no sign this is ending here."

That's what she was thinking.

[[User:Ayame|Ayame]] ([[User talk:Ayame|talk]]) 10:01, 24 March 2013 (CDT)

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| Back to [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume3_Chapter_2|Chapter 2]]
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| Forward to [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume3_Chapter_4|Chapter 4]]
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Kaze no Stigma:Volume3 Chapter 3

2013-04-28T15:16:54Z

80.240.162.190: /* Part 3 */

===Chapter 3 - The person one must protect===

===Part 1===

"......................"

Inside the train, Ren was frozen solid.He sat in such a way that if someone poked him, he would roll on the floor while in sitting position.

The reason for that was the existence of the girl sitting earnestly on his left side, Ayumi. She was clinging to Ren's left arm in order for their bodies to be glued as close as possible.

At the beginning of her teens, wearing a coat over the still immature body, although the sensation wasn't supposed to be very fresh, it's still impossible to be composed about it.

Contrastive to Ayumi, who yielded herself to Ren with a peaceful appearance, his brain has been frozen for the last 10 minutes.

- It happened approximately 10 minutes before.

At the time they waited for the train on the platform of Tokyo Station, staring at Ren shivering from the coldness of the wind, Ayumi asked in a worried manner:

"Are you cold?"

"No, I'm fine"

Ren showed a smile meant to give her a piece of mind but the next moment that smile became frozen.

"a... a... a... Ayumi-chan?"

"If we are like this it's warm, right?"

Feeling guilty for borrowing his coat and trying to transfer her own body temperature, she clung to Ren's arm.

"D-don't do that -"

Ren's brain, trying to separate his body, was pierced by Ayumi's expression, looking at him with upturned eyes.

"-No?"

"Eh, ah, no, that sort of..."

A stuttering Ren. He was unbelievably ashamed, he also thought this sort of thing is wrong, but before the girl's gaze, looking at him sadly, he couldn't shake his head.

''What to do.....''

The warm sense of touch transmitted by his left arm thoroughly snatched Ren's presence of mind. After that, when, how did hey get into the train, he didn't remember any of it.

"I'm sorry"

"-Eh?"

Receiving such an abrupt apology, Ren's consciousness recovered after a long time. Ayumi's turned away expression, full of guilt was reflected in his eyes.

"About what?"

"For making such an odd request."

Ren replied while laughing.

"It's not a big deal, this much"

Actually the girl's wish was simple. What it required were traveling expenses and a little bit of time. Just those will suffice.

''Take me to the sea''

That's what Ayumi spoke in the park. It was just one wish. Naturally, Ren had no objection.

Investigating those contents for a while, he asked only one thing.

"Is a harbor-like place acceptable? Or a sandy beach?"

Without wavering, Ayumi chose the latter. Therefore, together they boarded the Tokaido Line. That route was aimed at Chigasaki.

If that was the nearest swimming beach, Ren doesn't know. But that was the only place he could lead her to. Because of his family's line of work he is a boy unrelated to family vacations et cetera. He had hardly any experience of swimming in the sea. Ren was deeply grateful to the girl who took him by force sea bathing last year's summer.

While chasing the flowing scenery, Ayumi murmured:

"In the end, I wanted to see something beautiful with my own eyes."

"In the end, you say?"

"When I do so, I'm going back. To the Tsuwabuki."

"No!", Ren promptly shouted.

"No! They don't treat you like a fellow human. Only like a tool. If you return to those people you'll never be happy. If you have no place to go, you can come to my house. The Kannagi Clan will, without exception -"

"Ren, you see-"

Ayumi quietly interrupted Ren's desperate pleading words.

"Have you heard about the Tsuwabuki's Grand Festival?"

"The Grand Festival - about that ceremony to appease the volcanic activity of Mt. Fuji? I'm not very familiar with it but the practitioner always lost his life... "

Going that far, Ren turned a terrified glance towards Ayumi.

"No...way....."

What was reflected in those eyes was Ayumi's excessively tranquil smiling face. It was unbelievable. Ren completely denied that expression. There shouldn't be something like that. Such a thing cannot be allowed. Something like that- something like that-

"I have no family name, nor a family register, naming myself is not permitted, but-"

''No way''

''I don't want to hear''

Despite this - the body doesn't move. Even blocking his ears, he can't do it. Without waiting for agreement or disagreement, pouring into his ears, that tone calm as the surface of the lake. Admitting everything, allowing it, accepting it.

"I am called Tsuwabuki. According to the lineage, something like a direct descendant."

''I don't want to hear it''

"The ceremony is tomorrow night. Therefore, I must get back until then. Because I- because I am the priest of the ritual"

''Because I am the priest of the ceremony''

From Ren's body, with a water-like sound, blood flew backwards.

The Yamatsumino Grand Festival - the origin of it goes back roughly 300 years.

The year is 1707 - during the Houei era was the last volcanic eruption of Mt. Fuji and the greatest since the dawn of history. The violent eruption reaching 15 days, it was said that the volcanic ash fell as far as the distant town of Edo. It was not only Kantō but a life or death crisis for Japan itself. No matter how many times Mt. Fuji erupted, it didn't show any signs of quieting down.

That raging <Ki> finally resulted in the embodiment of one demon beast. The impersonation of Fuji's <ki>. it is certain that was the largest, strongest devilishness that materialized in this country. If one tried to rank it among other demon beasts, the only reference it had would be the legendary monsters, like the eight tail serpent that couldn't be defeated without the help of god's power.

The beast's roar beckoned eruptions and its stepping feet invoked eruptions. Mowing down everything it touched, it exhausted the limits if tyranny. The ones who sealed it were the yet unknown Tsuwabuki family. A young girl leading the family offered prayers to the King of the Earth Spirits for seven days and seven nights and finally attained that divine protection.

And then, by that divine protection, the girl managed to seal that demon beast. Thus Mt. Fuji calmed down and Japan's peace was protected. And they all lived happily ever after.

-But that story has sequel.

First, that girl was not able to endure the release of such an over-sized power and lost her life with the seal. And then, even after applying such a powerful seal, the demon beast's lock couldn't continue forever. Being the personification of an active volcano, it's possible to say that was the unavoidable outcome.

Approximately 30 years - that was the limit of the seal. For the sake of continuing the sealing of a raging demon beast seeking release, Tsuwabuki family had no choice but to conduct the ceremony at fixed intervals for the sake of suppressing Mt. Fuji's <Ki>.

Because of the divine protection of the Spirit King that dwelt in their blood - the strongest unmarried woman was elected as the priest of the ceremony.

Until today, the sealing ceremony known under the bombastic name of "Grand Festival" took place 8 times. And there were 8 casualties. The fatality ratio was 100%. This is the reason the ceremony practitioner was named sacrifice.

With no other option, the 9th ceremony approached. The girl called Ayumi was a lamb led to slaughter.

How long was he in blank amazement, I wonder. When Ren came to his senses, Ayumi was smiling gently, looking at him.

Unable to meet that extremely pitiful smile, Ren muttered, while looking down.

"Why?....."

"Ren?"

"Why do you have to do such a...."

After examining for a short while Ren's expression, Ayumi replied:

"Because someone has to do it"

'''''"But it doesn't have to be you-"'''''

Ayumi softly touched Ren's lips with her fingers. The boy who unintentionally couldn't keep his mouth shut, she rebuked him gently.

"It's not good saying these kind of things. If you speak filthy words your heart will become filthy too"

"........I'm sorry.........."

Ayumi shook her head.

"No. It's alright. Truthfully I was a little happy. Because I was never regarded as something valuable."

From the moment she was born, it was decided that Ayumi will be a sacrifice. She wasn't regarded as part of the same family, not recognized as a human being. For this girl with no family register, with no choice but being a tool for the ceremony, so far there wasn't a single person to hold her life dear.

Pointlessly, Ren made sure of her acknowledgement.

"Even so, you'll do it? For the sake of those who think of you as a tool?"

"It's different", Ayumi flatly shook her head.

"It has nothing to do with the Tsuwabuki family's expectations. Because it must be done no matter what, I'll do it. It's bad if Mt. Fuji erupts, right?"

"That is true..."

"If I am able to suppress it, my life, my death is not worthless.Even if the physical me dies, my prayers will fuse with the mountain and I will continue to watch over this country eternally. That's a very beautiful thing, don't you agree?"

"................."

Something is wrong. Something is terribly wrong, Ren thought so.

'''''-Don't try to glorify death with words of self-sacrifice -'''''

Kazuma's words, once intended for him were recalled to his mind. Doesn't Ayumi make the same mistake he did at the same time? But Ren had no persuasion words for the girl. He could not think of a path that doesn't result in Ayumi's death.

Only to let Mt. Fuji erupt-

To replace Ayumi as a sacrifice.

She would accept neither. There is no mistake about it, the girl known as Ayumi was the type that would sacrifice herself for others.

"That's why I'm not afraid of death. It's because I was born for this purpose. And yet, I desired memories before the time comes. Memories of my own, born from my own experience."

In that peaceful pupil, that accepted everything dwelt the light of a faint longing.

''Memories of her own?''

It's only natural to display a strong attachment for one's dying wish. But even so, that was a strange expression. Memories are neither true nor false.

To the bewildered Ren, Ayumi threw another bomb.

"You see, I don't have my own memories."

"Eh?"

"I haven't lost my memories. It's not like I have something to remember and I don't, it's more like I have ''nothing'' to remember."

"..............."

Without saying anything, Ren starred at Ayumi dumbfounded.

"If it would be just like that, even speaking and moving my body would have been impossible. But the me right now is something ignorant of the ways of the world but I can communicate with other people. Do you know why?"

"Wasn't it because you kept studying it?"

Toward such an unbelievable circumstance, Ren said so, including a ray of hope.

But, as feared, Ayumi shook her head.

"In my had there are transcripts of another's memories.I don't know how it's been done, though"

Almost like it was somebody else's problem, Ayumi indifferently recited those grand circumstances. Ren finally had the feeling he understood the reason why Ayumi had no attachment to her life. She had nothing to be particular about.

Not even recognized as a person, her existence valued as nothing but a tool, day after day. Planted forged memories. Without beginning, Ayumi's life ended.

With no room to harbor hope, she has no attachment except despair. Together with that gentle resignation, Ayumi accepted everything.

"That's why I wanted to see the world through my eyes even if it's just once. I wished for something that's not faked, real memories."

Like telling an unfulfilled dream, Ayumi whispered with a distant look. Toward the ordinary everyone was given as a natural privilege - no, the privilege they took for granted she felt endless longing and envy.

"The moment I saw the sky when I first felt the residence, I was very surprised. How vast was the sky windows don't limit, Mt. Fuji was so big..."

"Ayumi-chan......"

"The sky, the stars, the moon were so much more beautiful than what I remembered. Surely, the sea must be very beautiful, right?"

The silhouette of the innocent girl in high spirits was reflected in Ren's eyes as overbearingly pitiful.

-She wanted to see beautiful things-

What sort of feelings did she include when she said those words? The words of a girl dreaming, escaping from reality, no that he knew everything, they were unbelievably heavy.

"-This is hopeless"

With a strong determination, Ren muttered in his heart.

''Such a thing cannot be. It cannot be forgiven.''

"Ayumi-chan!"

"W-what?"

His immature sense of justice aroused, Red declared strongly.

"I will protect Ayumi-chan"

" - Ren?"

"So please, don't give up. Don't say it's OK to die. Because I'll protect you. I'll protect you for sure."

"Ren........."

Making a somewhat troubled face, she looked at the boy making a vow.

Joy and sadness and the kindness of a mother watching over her child were mixed in that complex gaze.

Without noticing that gaze, Ren continued.

"I'm sure it exists. A way in which Ayumi-chan doesn't have to die. I'll do whatever it's in my power. My own ability may be very small but if it's big brother, surely- "

"Your older brother?"

"Eh?"

Ayumi unintentionally asked in return and Ren reaffirmed with force those entrusting words.

"Ah-"

In those cornered eyes hope was shining.

"That's right! I have my older brother! If it's big brother, he will definitely save you!"

Without a fragment of anxiety, with absolute faith in his voice, Ren clearly declared.

For a short while, Ayumi opened her eyes wide, staring at the smile of the boy, delighted as if the problem was already settled.

"Do you have such an amazing brother?"

"Yeah", Ren answered without a moment's hesitation.

"Big brother is stronger than anyone. There is nothing he can't do. I'm sure."

"............Is that so........."

"So please don't say such lonesome things like last memories and let's do many more together. I want to show you many other things. That is...."

Embarrassed and blushing Ren invited the girl screwing up his courage.

"Because - I'll take you no matter where"

".............."

Receiving Ren's invitation, for one instant, Ayumi seemed to burst into tears. However, in just one moment she erased that bitter expression and replied with a calm and somewhat sad smile.

"Right.....If we could do that, it would be very nice....."

===Part 2===

"I wonder where did big brother go....."

Descending on the platform of the Chiwasaki Station, the shore on the other side of it, Ren muttered to himself with a worried face.

He can't get in touch with Kazuma.

He called Kazuma's cellphone from the station's public telephone but what came back was the dull announcement of the answering machine.

Because his own cellphone broke, he can't wait for Kazuma to get in touch with him. In the end, leaving the message "I'll call again" Ren hanged the receiver.

"I'm beaten"

As soon as he complained, Ayumi's hand, holding his left arm, tightly hugged him. Flustered, Ren showed a bright smile meant to give her peace of mind.

"Oh, it's fine. Because we'll get in touch shortly."

" -yeah", Ayumi nodded a little.

For a little while they didn't speak. Both of them walked the road to the beach in silence.

"Ah........."

A sound resembling noise making her eardrums vibrate, Ayumi strained her ears. The term sea roar came to her mind.

"The sound of waves......?"

"Yeah. We'll be there shortly."

Nodding, Ren increased his pace to not fall behind Ayumi, who unconsciously did so.

And now -

"Ah - !"

At the magnificent view at last reflected in her eyes Ayumi raised her voice in delight. Ren looked in the came direction. It was the sea. The great deep stretching endlessly. The utmost blue sea surface sparkling in the downpour of sunshine - naturally, it wasn't.

The winter sea is cold and hollow. it doesn't have a particle of the heat and energy the summer sea is full of, instead it's pushing out a cold surface, almost like rejecting humans. Staring at the utmost black sea, the same color as the night sky, Ayumi muttered:

"Is this... The sea...........?"

Perceiving the sound of a clear disappointment, Ren became impatient.

"W-what to do......."

Thinking now about it, it was a problem he should have noticed earlier. The winter sea - at night. Seen by girl his age it can't be a pleasing spectacle.Anyway, there was definitely not enough light. But there are at least seven, eight hours until dawn breaks.

''If I had light....light -?''

The idea that reflexively occurred to him was suppressed at an almost instinctive level. His family admonished sternly such conduct. But, even so-

''Do it!''

After just 3 seconds of hesitation, Ren decided to dismiss good sense. For his peace of mind, turning around, he searched for indications of human presence, surveying the surroundings.

From what he roughly saw, there was none except them.

- It must be done now.

Summoning fire spirits, he shortly informed:

"Go"

" - Eh? What?"

Before Ayumi finished her second question - the sky exploded.

"Kyaa!?"

The golden light shines out far and white pressing down the darkness. The brightness spreading out on the entire surface of the sky dyed the world golden and the jet black sea surface glittered dazzlingly.

"This - this is....Ren?"

To the Ayumi starring up in succession to both the sky and Ren with a surprised gaze, somewhat embarrassed but at the same time very proud, Ren's nostrils twitched.

"It's impossible to replicate the midsummer sea, but it's better than the pitch black gloomy sea, right? How is it? Do you like it?"

"Ren- "

Calling out Ren's name with a voice trembling with delight, Ayumi gave Ren a bear-like hug.

"Amazing! It's amazing! It is the most beautiful thing I've seen!"

"R-really? I'm glad"

Although confused by Ayumi's bold conduct, the relaxation of Ren's cheeks was irrepressible. Ayumi's large smile - even if he tried to express it, it's magnificence was beyond words.

Underneath the gold radiance, they innocently smiled at each other and looked up at the sky. Just like a golden aurora borealis the movement of the dancing fire spirits combined and the canopy covering the entire sky changed the same way a kaleidoscope would.

"Beautiful...but won't it cause an uproar?"

Ren shrugged his shoulders in silence. Without even thinking, it was an obvious matter. This was not a solitary island in the southern sea. Approachable by walking from the train station it was an empty swimming area.

Although there was a shelter-belt and a fence obstructing the field of vision, a highway was running less than 10 meters away. The houses were close. Without having to wait, it's likely spectators with burning curiosity would arrive in great numbers. There's no mistake that it will appear in tomorrow's newspaper.

But even so, Ren didn't care.

To make Ayumi happy - right now, for Ren it was all that mattered. Seeing Ayumi's wet eyes, Ren asked her casually, as if inquiring about the dinner's menu.

"Do you want to keep it up just a little bit more? Before long it could cause trouble but if they get in the way I'll drive them away"

"....No, it's enough."

After considering for a short while, Ayumi shook her head.

"It's enough. Because I'll never forget it."

" -Alright"

With a light nod, Ren called out the fire spirits. Promptly answering to the Enjutsushi's will, the fire spirits came together in a boisterous dance of light. And then -

"....W...ow...."

The light shining in the sky rained like drops of water above ground. Like snow, lightly flickering in the wind, the golden drops descended in a dance.

Holding no temperature, the clusters of pure light, upon touching the sandy beach and the surface of the sea, burst open and disappeared like in a dream.

"Ah- "

The last descending drop, Ayumi caught it extending both her hands. The moment it touched her hand, the light fleetingly disappeared but the girl softly closed her hands and touched her chest. That irreplaceable something stored in her hands was tucked away inside her chest.

Dropping the curtain on the light's dance performance, affecting acting, Ren made a bow.

"Did it please you?"

"Yes - yes...."

Her eyes full of tears, Ayumi bowed many, many times over.

"I... I am glad that I am alive. Meeting Ren.... Seeing something so beautiful, I...I...from the bottom of my heart...."

Unable to bear it in the end, her tears escaped. Shed for the first time in her life, tears of happiness.

In order to wipe the sobbing girl's tears, handkerchief in hand, he touched her face. Both their shadows brought forth by the moonlight, slowly became one.

But - this moment was the concluding moment of their honeymoon. On their cuddled silhouettes a violent, intense light shined.

" -!?"

Turning around holding hands, an eternally domineering voice pierced their ears.

"That's right! I'm so happy for you! That means you have no more regrets in this world, right?"

In front of both of them, watching over in a daze, the woman with the light on her back laughed.

===Part 3===

''The pursuer from the Tsuwabuki!''

In an instant Ren saw through the shadow's true character. Or perhaps I should say, as far as Ren knew, it was the only opponent pursuing them.

Drawing Ayumi back and stepping forward with a sleepwalking like gait, Ren probed into the other party's attitude. Overlooking them for a brief period from a higher place, the woman descended the stairs and continued walking towards the beach in a composed manner.

One man, like a servant, followed her, leaving between them several steps.

Because of the back lighting he sees only outlines but even from those shadows it was impossible not to recognize the proud atmosphere drifting around the woman. The glance overlooking them was more suited for stray dogs than humans.

Leaving a distance of five meters between them, the woman faced Ren and Ayumi.

As one would expect, approaching so much, it was now possible to discriminate her looks. Closing his eyes partly, Ren observed the woman - and several seconds afterwards he opened his eyes wide in shock.

"Eh - ?"

The woman was younger than he thought. Probably not yet of age, in the second half of her teens. But that wasn't what Ren was surprised about.

-They looked alike.

Ren thought so, watching intently, in succession, Ayumi and the woman. No, they didn't resemble each other. If the age difference could be removed, their facial features would be perfectly the same.

Twins separated by age - those sort of contradicting words passed through Ren's head.

"Mayumi-sama........" Ayumi murmured, looking at that woman with a glance mixed with panic.

Unintentionally, Ren asked:

"Your elder sister?"

''If that is the case, she too can...''

The thought that instantly came to his mind, Ren denied it confused. Ayumi does not wish for such a thing.

-If you speak filthy words, your heart will become filthy too -

''Good grief, I need to be more careful.''

Agreeing to Ayumi's words reverberating in his head, he grasped her hand tenderly. Ayumi's face stiff from fear, still displayed a gallant smile.

'''"Elder sister?"'''

On the other hand, for the boy and the girl happy by themselves, the woman - Mayumi matched it with the height of displeasure.

"Elder sister, you said?"

Glaring at Ren as if he was her archenemy, she squeezed out a stifled to death voice from the gap between her clenched teeth. Her well regulated, elegant features, changed into the face of a demonic warrior.

"Don't mess around with me"

Mayumi's angry roar shrunk Ayumi's body with a start. After staring with much discord at the frightened girl, she turned an identical glance at Ren.

"It was enough taking Ayumi and running away without understanding the circumstance and this already foolish show, I believed you were someone lacking prudence but, never to this extent. Me and that thing sisters? It's the first time I was insulted so."

"..............."

It seems Ayumi didn't receive human treatment even from her relatives. Holding down the rising anger, Ren searched for presence in the surroundings. It was unpleasant when Ayumi was called "that" again but Mayumi's words implied an imminent crisis.

Other people didn't come. Because what Mayumi evaluated as a foolish exhibition was already over, if such a flashy, abnormal phenomenon happened, it's impossible for none to approach. Normally, about now, a crowd would have gathered on the beach and the police and fire department would have surrounded the place.

None of it happened.

It's very likely that right now this area was blocked.

By the subordinates of the Tsuwabuki.

''Can we escape?''

Without thinking of handing Ayumi over, Ren investigated the possibility of escape. The fact that the girl in question accepted her own faith was totally forgotten.

"Why are you so cautious, young Kannagi prince?"

Seeing through Ren's decision promptly, Mayumi laughed, smiling sweetly.

"Everything is already over. There is nothing left for you to try."

Although using honorifics, speaking in a clearly despising tone, Mayumi focused on Ayumi.

"................."

Without even using words, Mayumi carelessly beckoned her. as if calling her pet dog or something.

Ayumi started walking obediently.

"Ayumi-ch-"

"It's fine."

Ren's words, trying to call her to a halt, Ayumi interrupted them shortly and with a decisive voice.

"It's fine already. Thank you for everything until now. - It was very fun."

"Ayu- "

In order to shake of his extended hand, Ayumi turned her back on Ren. And with that, she never turned around.

Standing in front of Mayumi, Ayumi's body became stiff as if she turned to stone. Her glance swayed insecurely nearly Mayumi's feet. Suddenly Mayumi stretched her fingers to Ayumi's chin and forcefully pointed upwards her face hanged in shame. Coercively looking down on the startled girl, she said in a voice full of smiles:

"If you wanted to run away, you should at least have crossed the ocean. Instead of that, seducing a man and flirting with him in this kind of place, - do you look down on us?"

The Chijutsushi manipulating the spirits of the earth can make searches on fairly long distances as long it's adjoining land. It goes without saying that if you know the target well that searching ability is further improved.

For the sake of running from Chijutsushi, by sea or by air - anyway the most important thing is to separate from the ground.

"I had...no intention...."

Staring at Ayumi, protesting in a trembling voice, wit the look a carnivorous animal has before its feed, Mayumi let go of her jaw.

And then - she pulled her hand backwards and swung with all her strength.

" -Uh!"

It wasn't something as lovely as a slap. The punch made by hardening her wrist at the moment of the impact was a blow that made her bones resound.

Instantly Ayumi's legs separated from the ground and from the beginning exhausted body sunk into the sandy beach. Appearing to have completely fainted, her face half buried in the sand, she was completely still.

"Wha...."

Overcome with surprise at the sudden violence, Ren shouted white as a ghost.

"What have you done?"

But Mayumi didn't even looked at Ren. As she already stated "your turn is already over" she disregarded his existence itself.

Instead, the man who followed behind her moved. With body movement that had no openings he stepped forward and got on his knee before Ayumi.

Decidedly, he did not attempt to nurse her. Grabbing hold of Ayumi by the hair, casually the man lifted her head as if he would uproot a radish.

"...........E-eek......"

"What are you doing?"

Coldly looking down on Ayumi's feeble struggle, the man said in a monotonous tone.

"Do you think you can be lying down in front of the young lady, do you?"

"Yuu...ji.....sama....."

"Silence!"

The man - Yuuji - abruptly became enraged.

"With that face, through that mouth, don't call out my name! How disgusting!"

Raising his hand, pulling her hair even more, he made Ayumi stand on her knees. And then - this time from the front, he slapped her face onto the sand. Forcibly making Ayumi take a prostrating position, Yuuji shouted.

"Apologize! Until your voice becomes hoarse, until your throat tears apologize! Did you understand in how much danger did you put the young lady? If we didn't find you in time what would have happened! Did you intend for the young lady to be a sacrifice in your place? You puppet doll!!"

That was the limit.

He thought he himself endured it really well. Surely, big brother would praise him for it. Or - he'll get angry for letting it get that far.

Quietly he held out his right hand and pointed his index finger at Yuuji. And then - without a moment of hesitation he released hs power.

The thin, refined heat ray grazed Yuuji's cheek sticking into the concrete wall. The red hot concrete melted and the wall followed it, crashing.

"..........What kind of behavior.." Yuuji questioned with a voice stiffed to death. However, like Mayumi did before, Ren completely disregarded that utterance.

It wasn't a provocation or something like that. It's just that in Ren's field of vision no one else but Ayumi was reflected. It was just that.

"Re....n.....?"

For the girl weakly getting up, hearing that cracked voice, Ren painfully shook his head.

"As I thought, it's useless."

I can't control it.

I can't endure it.
Anymore than this - I can't stand it.

"What is the right thing to do, I don't even know. However, to hand you over to these guys it's absolutely impossible."

Whether it's right or not, that's long past. His feelings denied that option.

"Fall back!"

Struck by that sharp voice, Ayumi reflexively kicked the ground. Slightly further away from Yuuji. In that gap Ren threw a fireball brought forth from the sky.

"-Tch!"

Visibly agitated by the blast, Yuuji and Mayumi jumped. The distance widened even more. Well in advance Ren wedged himself in the space separating the two "enemies" and Ayumi.

"Humph - in the end brute force, huh?"

Staring at Ren blocking his way to Ayumi, Yuuji laughed fearless.

"Ah, well. Just as planed."

"Shall I back you up?"

"It's not necessary."

Politely rejecting Mayumi's proposal, he casually took one step forward. With an attitude full of composure he looked down on Ren taking a battle stance.

"Publicly- "

Without particularly preparing in advance, just standing, Yuuji began to speak in a relaxed manner.

"Publicly, it seems there are many idiots who believe Enjutsushi teh strongest but do you think so too?"

"-?"

Not understanding Yuuji's plan, Ren was perplexed. There is nothing to believe. The fact that Enjutsushi are the strongest is a <Reality> with no room for argument.

It's not about whether an Enjutsushi never lost to another kind of practitioner, of course there is no such thing. That is the power of one individual. It's about whether the ability difference can undermine the advantages and disadvantages of a technique style.

As for what technique system is the strongest - there is only one answer to that question. Without room for argument, with no chance for objection, the grave <Reality> doesn't change.

That is what Yuuji downright negated.

"What a foolish thing. All of you understand nothing about battle. The greatest offensive ability? When killing people do you think that is necessary?"

"What exactly?"

Including the confidence of certain victory in front of the perplexed Ren, Yuuji fired the question.

"You, where on earth do you plan to place your feet on?"

Unintentionally Ren stared at his own feet.There was nothing there but the ordinary sandy beach. There was no sign of set traps. There was no sense of discomfort when stepping on it, nothing but the feeling of soft sand-

''-Sand?''

"-Uh!!"

The sign of something wriggling, underneath his feet. Jumping by reflex, Ren's face became stiff with surprise and shivers.

Underground, and in addition to that, directly under his footprints a spear covered in sand was pushed up.

If his evasion would have been delayed by one second the spear would have stopped his foot by sewing it. it may be true he avoided the first attack but he had no room for relief. Visibly lying in wait at the spot Ren would come down, several spears sprung up.

"Kuu- "

Releasing fire and pointing it directly below, a countless number of spears burned to nothing. Coincident with his landing above the red hot sand, Ren rolled on the ground. Pursuing the rolling Ren from inside the sand, one after another, spears stick out.

While narrowly avoiding those, the boy cursed his overly optimistic thinking.

''Shit, Chijutsushi - so that's the reason!''

The spears hidden inside the sand were not something prepared in advance. Hardening the sand itself and changing its shape, Yuuji made those sharp spears.

Chijutsushi possess the force of the Earth Spirits. Sand, soil, ground stone and all materials affiliated with those, for them, are similar with extensions of their own hands. There was no need to expressly set traps.

The battleground itself was the Chijutsushi's weapon because that was for them the absolute most advantageous arrangement.

''What to do?''

Starting to see gaps one way or another, running in zig-zag to dodge the underground attacks, Ren looked for a breach. At any rate, as long as he is staying on the ground,his disadvantage can't be overcome.

Continuing to receive one-sided attacks without grasping a counter-attack clue, sooner or later he will receive a fatal blow.

On the other hand, Ren doesn't know such a jutsu that would allow him to gain a foothold on something else other than the ground.

If it were an Enjutsushi, he could fly into the air.

A Suijutsushi could maybe stand on top of water.

However, Ren being an Enjutsushi - it may be possible for Jugo or Genma - he had no skill to stand on top of flames. As long as gravity comes into play, he had no choice but to place his feet on the ground.

''What should I do?''

Looking over his surroundings, he searched for a turn-around plan. The sandy beach was the worst as a battle ground but concrete and asphalt must be similar. What remains -

''Inside the sea?''

It was out of the question. Ren being an Enjutsushi water was nothing more but a thing to be avoided. There was no point for Ren's power to weakened beyond what Yuuji could accomplish.

To Ren, stuck in a defensive battle, Yuuji turned words of ridicule.

"What's the matter? Are you just going to run? I don't care how far you run but if you go to far I'll take Ayumi and go back home."

"Kuu- "

Because of Yuuji's carelessness, recognizing he became long separated from Ayumi, Ren grinds his teeth. if it goes like this, Ayumi will really be taken away.

''What should I do? what should I -''

The problem was that he had no technique to defend against the blows. He can use flames to cover the surroundings but the bottom of his feet are perfectly defenseless. When fighting against Chijutsushi, that became a lethal weakness. A foothold was necessary. Separated from Yuuji's control, a scaffold made of <Earth> he cannot control.

He cannot fly into the sky. Water is also excluded. There's no wood near. He cannot stand on top of fire. On top of fire -

''-Huh?''

Suddenly Ren remembered the scene of a volcanic eruption he saw on TV. From craters, forcefully spitting out the red hot-

''Shall I give it a try?''

There was no time to spare. Making his resolve, Ren stopped and concentrated his consciousness.

"Aa.......a.........aa!!"

From Ren's whole body golden flames erupted. The dazzling glimmer blurred even the contours of his body and the boy shined, transformed into a small sun.

"Ua.......unh, it's useless."

To encourage himself overpowered by the tremendous quantity of heat, Yuuji intentionally raised his voice.

"No matter how hot a flame you clad yourself in, you cannot defend against attacks from bellow."

Trying to make the reality that he was currently on offensive known, Yuuji was perplexed by the dull response from the spirits.

The spirits of the earth didn't respond to his will - No, something different obstructs the formation of sand spears.

"You....what did you do?"

He turns a glance full of suspicion towards Ren. No matter what an Enjutsushi tries to do, it's impossible to exercise a stronger influence towards sand than a Chijutsushi does.

Ren didn't answer. Unaffected, abandoning that body to the flames, he only stood rock still above the red ground.

"Red - ? I see, you- "

Yuuji stared at Ren's feet. What was there didn't have the rough characteristics of sand but was reflecting the flame like grass. Sometimes, from the bottom bubbles rose to the surface and burst open with a particular thick sound.

"You brat - you changed the burning sand to magma!"

"I gave it a try"

Receiving Yuuji's angry roar, Ren laughed triumphantly. It does not mean he had a positive proof. If a Suijutsushi can stand atop water he tried to stand atop magma, that could also be called fluid flame. He simply tried out that idea.

Although having a fluffy, undependable sense of touch, magma firmly sustained Ren's body weight. As there was no fist fight involved, the tenderness of the scaffold didn't matter. The radius was about two meters. Although modest,from the <Kingdom> underneath Yuuji's absolute control, Ren gained that much territory.

"D-don't be excited, boy!" barked Yuuji after loosing his advantage.

"Even for magma, it's <ground> attribute doesn't change. The situation is still the same!"

With an angry roar, including a severe determination, Yuuji ordered the ground spirits. Around Ren's surroundings magma unnaturally rose, molding red spearheads.

"Die, boy!!"

The spears lengthen trying to pierce Ren's body. But just before that - they stopped.

"W-whaaaaat!?"

Quietly gazing at the surprised Yuuji, Ren talked indifferent.

"Certainly magma is something that belongs to the <ground>. Still, half of it it's Enjutsushi possession. I'm not gonna hand it over so easily!"

The spear on the verge of touching his body, Ren casually flung it off. The hard sharp spear instantly lost her unity and returned with a small splash on the surface of the magma sea.

"Guu..........Ba......."

With a really detestable howl, Yuuji stopped trying to proactively commence the next attack. It's understandable.

The control of the material called magma with attributes of both <ground> and <fire> has been snatched away. That means that in a contest of pure strength he was defeated by Ren. As the opponent of a higher ranked practitioner, he couldn't carelessly take the vanguard.

"Next is my turn, huh?" Ren declared with no fighting spirit.

His pushed out right hand accurately aimed at Yuuji. From that palm golden flames gushed out.

"Oooooooooooohh!!"

Yuuji too, didn't gave in. Hoisting the sand beneath his feet, he threw it onto the approaching flame. A surging sea of white sand attacking the golden torrent.

Receiving the aftermath of the struggle between these two powers, the ground grated and the sky trembled.

"Gu........me..uuuu......."

Through clenched teeth Yuuji let out a pressing moan. He understood that in a contest of strength he was inferior. As it is, he will certainly be pressed down.

While his body burned in humiliation, Yuuji changed his tactics to defense. The sand changed into a bulky bedrock and stood before the fire torrent. Although the bedrock stopped the flames there was no room for relaxation.

"It's coming from behind."

Inside the thunderous roar made by the flames burning the rock, for some reason that whisper clearly reached his ears. Uneventfully changed to a quiet oath, Yuuji felt that enormous heat approaching from behind.

"Sh-shit!"

The already thin bedrock rose, splitting the sand and stopped a gigantic fire ball. Although withstanding it somehow, the tremendous mpact crossed over the bed rock and mercilessly pummeled Yuuji's body.

In the space between the two bedrocks Yuuji was in anguish. And there, the last blow came.

"Next is up"

" -!?"

Looking up at the sky, Yuuji's eyes peeled in shock. A remarcably big fireball descended upon Yuuji like a meteor. The distance was less than two meters.

"Kuuu- !"

It's unthinkable of having time to defend and so forth. Overhead the man looking at it dumbfounded, the fireball violently exploded.

"..............Uh!"

There wasn't much heat but the shock was hard to describe. The two sheets of bed rock made by him efficiently reverberated, sinking Yuuji's body in the sandy beach.

"Go...........bah.........."

As if gravity was increased a hundred fold, the extremely heavy pressure flattened his body, the air in his lungs was squeezed out without exception and all the bones in his body creaked.

"Not........not yet......yet......"

Putting all his strength in his arms Yuuji seemed to want to push out the heavens. But after lifting it 10 centimeters the elbow joints made a thick sound and bent the other way.

When the broken right arm fell to the ground the shining fireball in the sky also vanished. But even so, Yuuji couldn't give up.

The sound of the broken bed rock resounded in vain, like the gong at the end of the match.

===Part 4===

"-Fuuu"

Taking a small breath, Ren shifted his attention to the remaining two.

Ayumi's gaze shaking with anxiety. And, despite having the same face, not showing even the smallest disturbance, expressing a thin smile, Mayumi:

Confronting Mayumi directly, Ren asked with a determined look.

"What will you do? Do you want to give it a try?"

While it may be true her outward appearance was that of a frail young lady, he won't act unprepared. Based on Yuuji's behavior it was clear Mayumi was the purest descendant. Not an opponent to make light of.

"Oh, the Kannagi young lord would go as far as to raise his hand against a non resisting woman?"

With no place for misunderstanding, Mayumi's expression was provocative. Even so, looking puzzled at the girl not showing any indication of battle, Ren retaliated in a low voice:

"-If you want to run away I won't pursue you"

"Well, thank you"

Replying to the lenient laugh with a scornful laugh Mayumi shed a fleeting glance.

"That's what he said Yuuji. What will you do?"

"-?"

Looking the same way Mayumi did, Ren unintentionally opened his eyes wide. Over there, Yuuji, beaten down enough to keep him immobilized for three months, was crawling out of sand, drawing near.

".........Ridiculous......"

It was impossible. From right overhead, from an angle he couldn't elude he received a strong bomb blast. He must have ten or twenty bone fractures and his internal organs were supposed to be damaged. Not the kind of injury you could move with because of fighting spirit and will power - that's the way it was supposed to be.

Mayumi loudly sneered at Ren in mute amazement.

"It seems you took lightly a Chijutsushi's resistance."

The high ranking Chijutsushi, by directly taking the ground's <ki> inside their body, are endowed with a resistance that exceeds common sense. Ren too, also knew that but seeing it in practice was fairly ominous.

"B-but....."

While looking at Yuuji advancing by crawling, as if he was seeing a zombie, Ren shouted.

"He received so much damage! It's impossible to recover so much to try and fight immediately!"

"Is that so?"

As for Mayumi, she was thoroughly composed.

"Yuuji, were you not supposed to protect me at the cost of your own life? Do you plan to crawl out of there cowering to see me getting killed?"

The effect of those words was tremendous.

Enduring the pain, Yuuji stood up and although stumbling, began to walk on his own two feet. Step by step that unsteady manner of walking lost its disorder and by the time he stood up in front of Ren, blocking his way to Ayumi, with the exception of the smashed right arm, he seemed completely recovered.

"..........I,will protect,my lady.............."

With an unsightly smashed but firmly determined voice, Yuuji bravely declared.

"I will absolutely not let her, get killed.........."

"I don't want to kill her!" Ren shouted while feeling, without knowing why, overawed by a dying, severely wounded person.

"If she wanted to go back she can go for all I care! I have no business with the lot of you. I just want to protect Ayumi-chan, that's all!"

Hearing Ren's claim, Yuuji unexpectedly starred in wonder. And then, he suddenly burst into laughter.

"Ku ku ku......Buahahahaha.......ku ku ku ku ku....."

Although throwing up blood, Yuuji still laughed. His blood stained face was warped and extremely happy.

"I see......that's the way it is, huh?....."

"Wh-.....what is so funny?...."

Ren suddenly shouted blushing with anger and Yuuji suddenly stopped his sneer.

"You don't understand anything. You're just a brat playing with the power passed through your body."

"What?"

"Just shut up already and go back home. Forget everything that happened today."

Those remarks almost like regarding an unreasonable child made Ren childishly exasperated.

"Don't joke around with me! I'm not gonna hand Ayumi-chan over to guys like- "

"So, do you say my lady should be the sacrifice instead?"

With a terribly cold expression, Yuuji retaliated.

Seeing Ren lost for words at the unexpected objection, almost like pressing for an answer, he continued.

"It's not like you don't know. Ayumi is the ritual sacrifice. It's a thing made for the sake of dying instead of my lady. If you protect it, it's equivalent with killing my lady."

"That sort of- I- "

"''I have no intention of doing that'', huh? The meaning of the act called protection is it the affectation of a knight who does not consider the weight of words, just entrusts to his power? That's why I said you are a brat who doesn't understand anything!!"

"Wro......"

''Wrong'' - when trying to say that word, with all his heart Ren was at a loss for words. There was nothing to answer back.

"Listen, kid. The act of protection means obviously getting your hands dirty for something important. For the sake of that one irreplaceable thing to be prepared to cut down everything else! Mere lip service changes nothing - saves nothing!"

A few hours ago, when Ren started speaking about making preparations for a substitute sacrifice, Ayumi gently rebuked him.

''-If you speak dirty words, your heart will become dirty too-''

They were beautiful words. If anyone heard these words after knowing Ayumi's situation, they would have been deeply moved.

But, Ayumi will die. Without leaving anything behind except that deep emotion, she will disappear from this world.

-To die in such a beautiful way or to survive in an ugly way -

Which was correct, Ren was not able to judge. On the other hand, Yuuji did not hesitate.

"For the sake of protecting my lady, I will kill Ayumi.Those that will get in the way, I will kill them all! I will remove all obstacles even at the cost of my life and protect my lady!"

DETERMINATION

Crossing over the judgement of right and wrong, good and evil, Yuuji selected the protection of that "one thing" that must be protected. To stop him it seems there is no choice but to kill him.

But, right now Ren had no will to go through with it to that extent. No, even if he had that determination, he lost sight to whom it should be pointed to.

''What should be do? -What should I do?''

Ren was perplexed.

But before the boy found the answer, the situation changed.

"......Kyaa......"

Swept by the wind, a disappearing small shriek. But even so, it was impossible for Ren to miss that voice. Because that was no one else's but Ayumi's voice.

"Ayumi-chan!?"

In front of Ren's eyes,turning around with a changed expression, were reflected the figures of Ayumi and Mayumi, standing behind her. Embraced her closely from behind,ayumi's pale complexion became stiff.

Although not being strangled or press against a dangerous weapon, panic grabbed hold of her heart.

"-My lady..."

When Yuuji called out to her, Mayumi's lips became sharp with dissatisfaction.

"What, are you telling me not to get involved? aren't you at fault for being inefficient?"

"No, I'm sorry for causing you trouble."

" -Humpf! Good grief. I'll be troubled if you can't be more reliable!"

This time she held her head high, self-important. She seemed to have a pretty simple personality.

"At any rate- "

While embracing Ayumi, Mayumi shifted her focus on Ren.

"Loving such a doll as this, the Kannagi young lord too, must have some unusual hobbies."

"Ayumi-chan is not a doll! She's human!"

"-Hey, hey..."

At Ren's shout, Mayumi displayed a studied surprise and looked down on Ayumi:

"You said nothing, did you? -What a bad child."

Suddenly thinking of something, Mayumi gently stroked Ayumi's cheek and her body tightly shrunk. That face, smiling complacently, gave the impression of a cat considering how to tease the mouse pinned down by its forelimbs.

A cruel smile lifting her lips, Mayumi said:

"Do you listen, Kannagi young lord? The ''Ayumi-chan'' you tried so hard to protect is not human."

"W- what are you say-"

"It's the truth. Because, you see, this is a clone made by cultivating my cells."

" -!?"

Ren opened his eyes wide with surprise. But simultaneously, he felt somewhere in his heart it was true.

Mayumi and Ayumi - even assuming they were sisters, those two resembled too much.

''Thing Doll Sacrifice'' - completely spoken ill of, a girl whose human dignity was trampled underfoot.

If it was just as Mayumi said, if Ayumi was not human and was created for the sake of dying as a sacrifice, doesn't everything makes sense?

''"A lie.......It's a lie"''

Aiming a smile full of spite at the dumbfounded Ren, Mayumi continued.

"Her appearance may seem that of a twelve years old girl but in reality only a month passed since its creation. Even her planted memories have been suitably edited from my own. That kind of crude doll, you tried to protect with your knight affectation. ''That was fun ♥''"

"It.......It's a lie......"

"Let me tell you one more thing. Even if she doesn't become the sacrifice, just a month from now on, fer life span will be cut from inside. Made with no intention to use for an extended period of time, just instant makeshift goods."

"That's, a lie...."

Ren looked at Ayumi almost like searching for help. She received his glance for just one second and sadly cast her eyes down.

Thus, at last Ayumi - Ayumi told the truth.

"........It's true. I am the katashiro doll[http://eos.kokugakuin.ac.jp/modules/xwords/entry.php?entryID=308] made for the sake of keeping Mayumi-sama alive. Mayumi-sama's impostor"

Where is the genuine '''Ayumi'''?

''I have no memories'' - Ayumi told Ren so. That's natural. If she had been made just a month before, it's impossible for those to exist. Without even trying to steal it, there was nothing there form the beginning. Everything was an imitation. If only her heart was more than a transient object, his own act of protecting Ayumi, his determination, everything would not have been a wasted effort.

"I look, so stupid....."

His body was full with a sense of helplessness. Feebly hanging his head, Ren collapsed on the sandy beach.

"It looks like that was a lot of shock, huh?"

Coldly looking down on the defeated Ren, Mayumi sneered.

"That's only natural. It made him realize his own buffoonery can't go any higher."

"Well, isn't that fine? By understanding reality, the boy becomes an adult."

".........you could say that."

Yuuji replied to Mayumi's words, pretending to act like a grown-up, in a quiet voice. Maybe because they were both men, but it was impossible not to feel sympathy for Ren.

"Come now, let's go home. We must quickly return and prepare for the ceremony."

On the other hand, Mayumi didn't have such a compassionate heart. Already disregarding Ren's existence, she starts thinking about tomorrow's ceremony.

"....yes", Yuuji respectfully bowed.

Receiving Ayumi, presented to him like luggage, the same way as they came, he followed Mayumi like a servant.

But, at the same time he placed his leg on the stairs connected to the main road-

"Step aside!"

From the vicinity of the main road that command reverberated, and a second later a golden pillar of fire lit the sky.

Involuntarily the three people turned around to Ren. But, he did not seemed to notice the present disturbance and was kneeling on the sandy beach, his head hanged. Hearing footsteps they turned in the direction of the main road once more. Two sets of footsteps. Both of them light. They were probably women.

Around that time, Yuuji made a guess about the opponent's identity. Noticing he should be in front, he tried to make Mayumi step back, but- it was slightly late.

"Ren!"

On top the stairs, one girl appeared.

Pushing out the darkness, the aura of red and gold shining out far and wide. The enormous amount of fire spirits that followed her in the background were displaying the girl as the human model of the flame itself.

"This is also......"

From Yuuji's mouth a mutter of unexpected wonder leaked out. Certainly her age was sixteen. And although childish, the shape of the young lady captivated him.

Overflowing from that small body, the surge of an overwhelming power. That sword was not yet drawn out but even so, it was impossible to misread the girl's identity.

''Beautiful- ''

He genuinely thought so. That was not in regard for the human, much less the opposite sex but the same deep emotion he felt at the time he looked at Mother Nature's magnificent scenery.

Suddenly, he noticed a sharp glance. Calmly looking away and folding her arms, Mayumi's half opened glare met his eye.

"''This is also...''" with a monotonous voice Mayumi repeated Yuuji's words.

"What is the meaning of ''This is also...'' Yuuji ?"

"Ah, no, that is..."

While becoming completely confused, Yuuji desperately searched for explanatory words.

If he cannot talk his way out of it now, it will become fairly difficult afterwards.

"That, didn't have any significant meaning. This is also...flashy...?"

"-Humph, that so?"

With that considerably packed expression Mayumi nodded.

"Well, afterwards I'll receive a lengthy explanation of that matter. Now it's not the time for it."

Mayumi faced the two standing at the top of the stairs.

"Nice meeting you, Kannagi princess. Being able to meet you is an honor."

".......and you are?"

The girl - Ayano, shortly inquired.

"I was slow in saying. I am Tsuwabuki Mayumi. This is my attendant Yuuji. Although belonging to a collateral family, for the time being permit him to call himself with the Tsuwabuki surname."

"If I say I will, I wonder will I have to call you by such an embarrassing name as ''Tsuwabuki princess''?"

"I am at your mercy."

To Ayano's provocative response, Mayumi bowed her head with a smiling face.

irritated, Ayano ended this conversation lacking sincerity and got to the main question.

"I have no particular business with you. Where is Ren?"

Mayumi pointed at the sandy beach in the back.

"Somewhere in that area. Maybe he is crying holding his knees."

"What, have you done to him?"

The atmosphere became noisy. The explosive scarlet aura flickered like a flame.

"Physically, nothing. He did not receive a single wound."

".........haa"

When that report was made, Yuuji looked sullen.

"But it seems his emotional scars are quite deep. We would be troubled if you complained to us about such things. About the details, you can ask that boy. However, I believe not prying into it would be a kindness to him."

Just saying that, with no precaution Mayumi started walking up the stairs. Whipping his wounded body, Yuuji went in front of Mayumi, trying to be a shield as much as possible.

"Well then-"

Greeting her while passing by one another, Mayumi walked near Ayano's side. And then, after looking at the retreating figure running down the stairs not returning the favor, she shifted her focus on the other person - a woman standing in a somewhat separated place.

"Good evening. It's been a long time, Police Superintendent Tachibana."

"We haven't talked in a long time, Mayumi-san"

That perfectly ordinary greeting, the detective in charge of Tokyo MPD's Special Investigation Unit, Police Superintended Tachibana returned with an absolutely tranquil tone.

"Because you didn't appear together with the that young woman, can we assume you have no intention of opposing the Tsuwabuki regarding the Kannagi matter?"

"Of course. We have no intention of interfering in any kind of dispute. Naturally, if you would accept our mediation, we woul feel that position with pleasure."

"That won't be necessary."

The faint tension that dwelt in Kirika's words, smiling, Mayumi severed it when she replied.

"Everything has been already settled. We have regained the object Kannagi Ren stole and because it's something a child did, we have no intention of blaming the Kannagi Clan for that error. If you would be so good as to pass it along to Ayano-san."

"......I will comply"

"Thank you"

Bowing her head to Kirika, Mayumi left accompanied by her attendant and the spoils of war.

No matter how polite her tone was, the girl's attitude was that of a victor who obtained everything.

Gazing for a brief period at the retreating figure, never looking back, Kirika started walking towards the defeated boy or maybe the defeated people.

"There's no sign this is ending here."

That's what she was thinking.

[[User:Ayame|Ayame]] ([[User talk:Ayame|talk]]) 10:01, 24 March 2013 (CDT)

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Kaze no Stigma:Volume3 Chapter 3

2013-04-28T15:15:21Z

80.240.162.190: /* Part 3 */

===Chapter 3 - The person one must protect===

===Part 1===

"......................"

Inside the train, Ren was frozen solid.He sat in such a way that if someone poked him, he would roll on the floor while in sitting position.

The reason for that was the existence of the girl sitting earnestly on his left side, Ayumi. She was clinging to Ren's left arm in order for their bodies to be glued as close as possible.

At the beginning of her teens, wearing a coat over the still immature body, although the sensation wasn't supposed to be very fresh, it's still impossible to be composed about it.

Contrastive to Ayumi, who yielded herself to Ren with a peaceful appearance, his brain has been frozen for the last 10 minutes.

- It happened approximately 10 minutes before.

At the time they waited for the train on the platform of Tokyo Station, staring at Ren shivering from the coldness of the wind, Ayumi asked in a worried manner:

"Are you cold?"

"No, I'm fine"

Ren showed a smile meant to give her a piece of mind but the next moment that smile became frozen.

"a... a... a... Ayumi-chan?"

"If we are like this it's warm, right?"

Feeling guilty for borrowing his coat and trying to transfer her own body temperature, she clung to Ren's arm.

"D-don't do that -"

Ren's brain, trying to separate his body, was pierced by Ayumi's expression, looking at him with upturned eyes.

"-No?"

"Eh, ah, no, that sort of..."

A stuttering Ren. He was unbelievably ashamed, he also thought this sort of thing is wrong, but before the girl's gaze, looking at him sadly, he couldn't shake his head.

''What to do.....''

The warm sense of touch transmitted by his left arm thoroughly snatched Ren's presence of mind. After that, when, how did hey get into the train, he didn't remember any of it.

"I'm sorry"

"-Eh?"

Receiving such an abrupt apology, Ren's consciousness recovered after a long time. Ayumi's turned away expression, full of guilt was reflected in his eyes.

"About what?"

"For making such an odd request."

Ren replied while laughing.

"It's not a big deal, this much"

Actually the girl's wish was simple. What it required were traveling expenses and a little bit of time. Just those will suffice.

''Take me to the sea''

That's what Ayumi spoke in the park. It was just one wish. Naturally, Ren had no objection.

Investigating those contents for a while, he asked only one thing.

"Is a harbor-like place acceptable? Or a sandy beach?"

Without wavering, Ayumi chose the latter. Therefore, together they boarded the Tokaido Line. That route was aimed at Chigasaki.

If that was the nearest swimming beach, Ren doesn't know. But that was the only place he could lead her to. Because of his family's line of work he is a boy unrelated to family vacations et cetera. He had hardly any experience of swimming in the sea. Ren was deeply grateful to the girl who took him by force sea bathing last year's summer.

While chasing the flowing scenery, Ayumi murmured:

"In the end, I wanted to see something beautiful with my own eyes."

"In the end, you say?"

"When I do so, I'm going back. To the Tsuwabuki."

"No!", Ren promptly shouted.

"No! They don't treat you like a fellow human. Only like a tool. If you return to those people you'll never be happy. If you have no place to go, you can come to my house. The Kannagi Clan will, without exception -"

"Ren, you see-"

Ayumi quietly interrupted Ren's desperate pleading words.

"Have you heard about the Tsuwabuki's Grand Festival?"

"The Grand Festival - about that ceremony to appease the volcanic activity of Mt. Fuji? I'm not very familiar with it but the practitioner always lost his life... "

Going that far, Ren turned a terrified glance towards Ayumi.

"No...way....."

What was reflected in those eyes was Ayumi's excessively tranquil smiling face. It was unbelievable. Ren completely denied that expression. There shouldn't be something like that. Such a thing cannot be allowed. Something like that- something like that-

"I have no family name, nor a family register, naming myself is not permitted, but-"

''No way''

''I don't want to hear''

Despite this - the body doesn't move. Even blocking his ears, he can't do it. Without waiting for agreement or disagreement, pouring into his ears, that tone calm as the surface of the lake. Admitting everything, allowing it, accepting it.

"I am called Tsuwabuki. According to the lineage, something like a direct descendant."

''I don't want to hear it''

"The ceremony is tomorrow night. Therefore, I must get back until then. Because I- because I am the priest of the ritual"

''Because I am the priest of the ceremony''

From Ren's body, with a water-like sound, blood flew backwards.

The Yamatsumino Grand Festival - the origin of it goes back roughly 300 years.

The year is 1707 - during the Houei era was the last volcanic eruption of Mt. Fuji and the greatest since the dawn of history. The violent eruption reaching 15 days, it was said that the volcanic ash fell as far as the distant town of Edo. It was not only Kantō but a life or death crisis for Japan itself. No matter how many times Mt. Fuji erupted, it didn't show any signs of quieting down.

That raging <Ki> finally resulted in the embodiment of one demon beast. The impersonation of Fuji's <ki>. it is certain that was the largest, strongest devilishness that materialized in this country. If one tried to rank it among other demon beasts, the only reference it had would be the legendary monsters, like the eight tail serpent that couldn't be defeated without the help of god's power.

The beast's roar beckoned eruptions and its stepping feet invoked eruptions. Mowing down everything it touched, it exhausted the limits if tyranny. The ones who sealed it were the yet unknown Tsuwabuki family. A young girl leading the family offered prayers to the King of the Earth Spirits for seven days and seven nights and finally attained that divine protection.

And then, by that divine protection, the girl managed to seal that demon beast. Thus Mt. Fuji calmed down and Japan's peace was protected. And they all lived happily ever after.

-But that story has sequel.

First, that girl was not able to endure the release of such an over-sized power and lost her life with the seal. And then, even after applying such a powerful seal, the demon beast's lock couldn't continue forever. Being the personification of an active volcano, it's possible to say that was the unavoidable outcome.

Approximately 30 years - that was the limit of the seal. For the sake of continuing the sealing of a raging demon beast seeking release, Tsuwabuki family had no choice but to conduct the ceremony at fixed intervals for the sake of suppressing Mt. Fuji's <Ki>.

Because of the divine protection of the Spirit King that dwelt in their blood - the strongest unmarried woman was elected as the priest of the ceremony.

Until today, the sealing ceremony known under the bombastic name of "Grand Festival" took place 8 times. And there were 8 casualties. The fatality ratio was 100%. This is the reason the ceremony practitioner was named sacrifice.

With no other option, the 9th ceremony approached. The girl called Ayumi was a lamb led to slaughter.

How long was he in blank amazement, I wonder. When Ren came to his senses, Ayumi was smiling gently, looking at him.

Unable to meet that extremely pitiful smile, Ren muttered, while looking down.

"Why?....."

"Ren?"

"Why do you have to do such a...."

After examining for a short while Ren's expression, Ayumi replied:

"Because someone has to do it"

'''''"But it doesn't have to be you-"'''''

Ayumi softly touched Ren's lips with her fingers. The boy who unintentionally couldn't keep his mouth shut, she rebuked him gently.

"It's not good saying these kind of things. If you speak filthy words your heart will become filthy too"

"........I'm sorry.........."

Ayumi shook her head.

"No. It's alright. Truthfully I was a little happy. Because I was never regarded as something valuable."

From the moment she was born, it was decided that Ayumi will be a sacrifice. She wasn't regarded as part of the same family, not recognized as a human being. For this girl with no family register, with no choice but being a tool for the ceremony, so far there wasn't a single person to hold her life dear.

Pointlessly, Ren made sure of her acknowledgement.

"Even so, you'll do it? For the sake of those who think of you as a tool?"

"It's different", Ayumi flatly shook her head.

"It has nothing to do with the Tsuwabuki family's expectations. Because it must be done no matter what, I'll do it. It's bad if Mt. Fuji erupts, right?"

"That is true..."

"If I am able to suppress it, my life, my death is not worthless.Even if the physical me dies, my prayers will fuse with the mountain and I will continue to watch over this country eternally. That's a very beautiful thing, don't you agree?"

"................."

Something is wrong. Something is terribly wrong, Ren thought so.

'''''-Don't try to glorify death with words of self-sacrifice -'''''

Kazuma's words, once intended for him were recalled to his mind. Doesn't Ayumi make the same mistake he did at the same time? But Ren had no persuasion words for the girl. He could not think of a path that doesn't result in Ayumi's death.

Only to let Mt. Fuji erupt-

To replace Ayumi as a sacrifice.

She would accept neither. There is no mistake about it, the girl known as Ayumi was the type that would sacrifice herself for others.

"That's why I'm not afraid of death. It's because I was born for this purpose. And yet, I desired memories before the time comes. Memories of my own, born from my own experience."

In that peaceful pupil, that accepted everything dwelt the light of a faint longing.

''Memories of her own?''

It's only natural to display a strong attachment for one's dying wish. But even so, that was a strange expression. Memories are neither true nor false.

To the bewildered Ren, Ayumi threw another bomb.

"You see, I don't have my own memories."

"Eh?"

"I haven't lost my memories. It's not like I have something to remember and I don't, it's more like I have ''nothing'' to remember."

"..............."

Without saying anything, Ren starred at Ayumi dumbfounded.

"If it would be just like that, even speaking and moving my body would have been impossible. But the me right now is something ignorant of the ways of the world but I can communicate with other people. Do you know why?"

"Wasn't it because you kept studying it?"

Toward such an unbelievable circumstance, Ren said so, including a ray of hope.

But, as feared, Ayumi shook her head.

"In my had there are transcripts of another's memories.I don't know how it's been done, though"

Almost like it was somebody else's problem, Ayumi indifferently recited those grand circumstances. Ren finally had the feeling he understood the reason why Ayumi had no attachment to her life. She had nothing to be particular about.

Not even recognized as a person, her existence valued as nothing but a tool, day after day. Planted forged memories. Without beginning, Ayumi's life ended.

With no room to harbor hope, she has no attachment except despair. Together with that gentle resignation, Ayumi accepted everything.

"That's why I wanted to see the world through my eyes even if it's just once. I wished for something that's not faked, real memories."

Like telling an unfulfilled dream, Ayumi whispered with a distant look. Toward the ordinary everyone was given as a natural privilege - no, the privilege they took for granted she felt endless longing and envy.

"The moment I saw the sky when I first felt the residence, I was very surprised. How vast was the sky windows don't limit, Mt. Fuji was so big..."

"Ayumi-chan......"

"The sky, the stars, the moon were so much more beautiful than what I remembered. Surely, the sea must be very beautiful, right?"

The silhouette of the innocent girl in high spirits was reflected in Ren's eyes as overbearingly pitiful.

-She wanted to see beautiful things-

What sort of feelings did she include when she said those words? The words of a girl dreaming, escaping from reality, no that he knew everything, they were unbelievably heavy.

"-This is hopeless"

With a strong determination, Ren muttered in his heart.

''Such a thing cannot be. It cannot be forgiven.''

"Ayumi-chan!"

"W-what?"

His immature sense of justice aroused, Red declared strongly.

"I will protect Ayumi-chan"

" - Ren?"

"So please, don't give up. Don't say it's OK to die. Because I'll protect you. I'll protect you for sure."

"Ren........."

Making a somewhat troubled face, she looked at the boy making a vow.

Joy and sadness and the kindness of a mother watching over her child were mixed in that complex gaze.

Without noticing that gaze, Ren continued.

"I'm sure it exists. A way in which Ayumi-chan doesn't have to die. I'll do whatever it's in my power. My own ability may be very small but if it's big brother, surely- "

"Your older brother?"

"Eh?"

Ayumi unintentionally asked in return and Ren reaffirmed with force those entrusting words.

"Ah-"

In those cornered eyes hope was shining.

"That's right! I have my older brother! If it's big brother, he will definitely save you!"

Without a fragment of anxiety, with absolute faith in his voice, Ren clearly declared.

For a short while, Ayumi opened her eyes wide, staring at the smile of the boy, delighted as if the problem was already settled.

"Do you have such an amazing brother?"

"Yeah", Ren answered without a moment's hesitation.

"Big brother is stronger than anyone. There is nothing he can't do. I'm sure."

"............Is that so........."

"So please don't say such lonesome things like last memories and let's do many more together. I want to show you many other things. That is...."

Embarrassed and blushing Ren invited the girl screwing up his courage.

"Because - I'll take you no matter where"

".............."

Receiving Ren's invitation, for one instant, Ayumi seemed to burst into tears. However, in just one moment she erased that bitter expression and replied with a calm and somewhat sad smile.

"Right.....If we could do that, it would be very nice....."

===Part 2===

"I wonder where did big brother go....."

Descending on the platform of the Chiwasaki Station, the shore on the other side of it, Ren muttered to himself with a worried face.

He can't get in touch with Kazuma.

He called Kazuma's cellphone from the station's public telephone but what came back was the dull announcement of the answering machine.

Because his own cellphone broke, he can't wait for Kazuma to get in touch with him. In the end, leaving the message "I'll call again" Ren hanged the receiver.

"I'm beaten"

As soon as he complained, Ayumi's hand, holding his left arm, tightly hugged him. Flustered, Ren showed a bright smile meant to give her peace of mind.

"Oh, it's fine. Because we'll get in touch shortly."

" -yeah", Ayumi nodded a little.

For a little while they didn't speak. Both of them walked the road to the beach in silence.

"Ah........."

A sound resembling noise making her eardrums vibrate, Ayumi strained her ears. The term sea roar came to her mind.

"The sound of waves......?"

"Yeah. We'll be there shortly."

Nodding, Ren increased his pace to not fall behind Ayumi, who unconsciously did so.

And now -

"Ah - !"

At the magnificent view at last reflected in her eyes Ayumi raised her voice in delight. Ren looked in the came direction. It was the sea. The great deep stretching endlessly. The utmost blue sea surface sparkling in the downpour of sunshine - naturally, it wasn't.

The winter sea is cold and hollow. it doesn't have a particle of the heat and energy the summer sea is full of, instead it's pushing out a cold surface, almost like rejecting humans. Staring at the utmost black sea, the same color as the night sky, Ayumi muttered:

"Is this... The sea...........?"

Perceiving the sound of a clear disappointment, Ren became impatient.

"W-what to do......."

Thinking now about it, it was a problem he should have noticed earlier. The winter sea - at night. Seen by girl his age it can't be a pleasing spectacle.Anyway, there was definitely not enough light. But there are at least seven, eight hours until dawn breaks.

''If I had light....light -?''

The idea that reflexively occurred to him was suppressed at an almost instinctive level. His family admonished sternly such conduct. But, even so-

''Do it!''

After just 3 seconds of hesitation, Ren decided to dismiss good sense. For his peace of mind, turning around, he searched for indications of human presence, surveying the surroundings.

From what he roughly saw, there was none except them.

- It must be done now.

Summoning fire spirits, he shortly informed:

"Go"

" - Eh? What?"

Before Ayumi finished her second question - the sky exploded.

"Kyaa!?"

The golden light shines out far and white pressing down the darkness. The brightness spreading out on the entire surface of the sky dyed the world golden and the jet black sea surface glittered dazzlingly.

"This - this is....Ren?"

To the Ayumi starring up in succession to both the sky and Ren with a surprised gaze, somewhat embarrassed but at the same time very proud, Ren's nostrils twitched.

"It's impossible to replicate the midsummer sea, but it's better than the pitch black gloomy sea, right? How is it? Do you like it?"

"Ren- "

Calling out Ren's name with a voice trembling with delight, Ayumi gave Ren a bear-like hug.

"Amazing! It's amazing! It is the most beautiful thing I've seen!"

"R-really? I'm glad"

Although confused by Ayumi's bold conduct, the relaxation of Ren's cheeks was irrepressible. Ayumi's large smile - even if he tried to express it, it's magnificence was beyond words.

Underneath the gold radiance, they innocently smiled at each other and looked up at the sky. Just like a golden aurora borealis the movement of the dancing fire spirits combined and the canopy covering the entire sky changed the same way a kaleidoscope would.

"Beautiful...but won't it cause an uproar?"

Ren shrugged his shoulders in silence. Without even thinking, it was an obvious matter. This was not a solitary island in the southern sea. Approachable by walking from the train station it was an empty swimming area.

Although there was a shelter-belt and a fence obstructing the field of vision, a highway was running less than 10 meters away. The houses were close. Without having to wait, it's likely spectators with burning curiosity would arrive in great numbers. There's no mistake that it will appear in tomorrow's newspaper.

But even so, Ren didn't care.

To make Ayumi happy - right now, for Ren it was all that mattered. Seeing Ayumi's wet eyes, Ren asked her casually, as if inquiring about the dinner's menu.

"Do you want to keep it up just a little bit more? Before long it could cause trouble but if they get in the way I'll drive them away"

"....No, it's enough."

After considering for a short while, Ayumi shook her head.

"It's enough. Because I'll never forget it."

" -Alright"

With a light nod, Ren called out the fire spirits. Promptly answering to the Enjutsushi's will, the fire spirits came together in a boisterous dance of light. And then -

"....W...ow...."

The light shining in the sky rained like drops of water above ground. Like snow, lightly flickering in the wind, the golden drops descended in a dance.

Holding no temperature, the clusters of pure light, upon touching the sandy beach and the surface of the sea, burst open and disappeared like in a dream.

"Ah- "

The last descending drop, Ayumi caught it extending both her hands. The moment it touched her hand, the light fleetingly disappeared but the girl softly closed her hands and touched her chest. That irreplaceable something stored in her hands was tucked away inside her chest.

Dropping the curtain on the light's dance performance, affecting acting, Ren made a bow.

"Did it please you?"

"Yes - yes...."

Her eyes full of tears, Ayumi bowed many, many times over.

"I... I am glad that I am alive. Meeting Ren.... Seeing something so beautiful, I...I...from the bottom of my heart...."

Unable to bear it in the end, her tears escaped. Shed for the first time in her life, tears of happiness.

In order to wipe the sobbing girl's tears, handkerchief in hand, he touched her face. Both their shadows brought forth by the moonlight, slowly became one.

But - this moment was the concluding moment of their honeymoon. On their cuddled silhouettes a violent, intense light shined.

" -!?"

Turning around holding hands, an eternally domineering voice pierced their ears.

"That's right! I'm so happy for you! That means you have no more regrets in this world, right?"

In front of both of them, watching over in a daze, the woman with the light on her back laughed.

===Part 3===

''The pursuer from the Tsuwabuki!''

In an instant Ren saw through the shadow's true character. Or perhaps I should say, as far as Ren knew, it was the only opponent pursuing them.

Drawing Ayumi back and stepping forward with a sleepwalking like gait, Ren probed into the other party's attitude. Overlooking them for a brief period from a higher place, the woman descended the stairs and continued walking towards the beach in a composed manner.

One man, like a servant, followed her, leaving between them several steps.

Because of the back lighting he sees only outlines but even from those shadows it was impossible not to recognize the proud atmosphere drifting around the woman. The glance overlooking them was more suited for stray dogs than humans.

Leaving a distance of five meters between them, the woman faced Ren and Ayumi.

As one would expect, approaching so much, it was now possible to discriminate her looks. Closing his eyes partly, Ren observed the woman - and several seconds afterwards he opened his eyes wide in shock.

"Eh - ?"

The woman was younger than he thought. Probably not yet of age, in the second half of her teens. But that wasn't what Ren was surprised about.

-They looked alike.

Ren thought so, watching intently, in succession, Ayumi and the woman. No, they didn't resemble each other. If the age difference could be removed, their facial features would be perfectly the same.

Twins separated by age - those sort of contradicting words passed through Ren's head.

"Mayumi-sama........" Ayumi murmured, looking at that woman with a glance mixed with panic.

Unintentionally, Ren asked:

"Your elder sister?"

''If that is the case, she too can...''

The thought that instantly came to his mind, Ren denied it confused. Ayumi does not wish for such a thing.

-If you speak filthy words, your heart will become filthy too -

''Good grief, I need to be more careful.''

Agreeing to Ayumi's words reverberating in his head, he grasped her hand tenderly. Ayumi's face stiff from fear, still displayed a gallant smile.

'''"Elder sister?"'''

On the other hand, for the boy and the girl happy by themselves, the woman - Mayumi matched it with the height of displeasure.

"Elder sister, you said?"

Glaring at Ren as if he was her archenemy, she squeezed out a stifled to death voice from the gap between her clenched teeth. Her well regulated, elegant features, changed into the face of a demonic warrior.

"Don't mess around with me"

Mayumi's angry roar shrunk Ayumi's body with a start. After staring with much discord at the frightened girl, she turned an identical glance at Ren.

"It was enough taking Ayumi and running away without understanding the circumstance and this already foolish show, I believed you were someone lacking prudence but, never to this extent. Me and that thing sisters? It's the first time I was insulted so."

"..............."

It seems Ayumi didn't receive human treatment even from her relatives. Holding down the rising anger, Ren searched for presence in the surroundings. It was unpleasant when Ayumi was called "that" again but Mayumi's words implied an imminent crisis.

Other people didn't come. Because what Mayumi evaluated as a foolish exhibition was already over, if such a flashy, abnormal phenomenon happened, it's impossible for none to approach. Normally, about now, a crowd would have gathered on the beach and the police and fire department would have surrounded the place.

None of it happened.

It's very likely that right now this area was blocked.

By the subordinates of the Tsuwabuki.

''Can we escape?''

Without thinking of handing Ayumi over, Ren investigated the possibility of escape. The fact that the girl in question accepted her own faith was totally forgotten.

"Why are you so cautious, young Kannagi prince?"

Seeing through Ren's decision promptly, Mayumi laughed, smiling sweetly.

"Everything is already over. There is nothing left for you to try."

Although using honorifics, speaking in a clearly despising tone, Mayumi focused on Ayumi.

"................."

Without even using words, Mayumi carelessly beckoned her. as if calling her pet dog or something.

Ayumi started walking obediently.

"Ayumi-ch-"

"It's fine."

Ren's words, trying to call her to a halt, Ayumi interrupted them shortly and with a decisive voice.

"It's fine already. Thank you for everything until now. - It was very fun."

"Ayu- "

In order to shake of his extended hand, Ayumi turned her back on Ren. And with that, she never turned around.

Standing in front of Mayumi, Ayumi's body became stiff as if she turned to stone. Her glance swayed insecurely nearly Mayumi's feet. Suddenly Mayumi stretched her fingers to Ayumi's chin and forcefully pointed upwards her face hanged in shame. Coercively looking down on the startled girl, she said in a voice full of smiles:

"If you wanted to run away, you should at least have crossed toe ocean. Instead of that, seducing a man and flirting with him in this kind of place, - do you look down on us?"

The Chijutsushi manipulating the spirits of the earth can make searches on fairly long distances as long it's adjoining land. It goes without saying that if you know the target well that searching ability is further improved.

For the sake of running from Chijutsushi, by sea or by air - anyway the most important thing is to separate from the ground.

"I had...no intention...."

Staring at Ayumi, protesting in a trembling voice, wit the look a carnivorous animal has before its feed, Mayumi let go of her jaw.

And then - she pulled her hand backwards and swung with all her strength.

" -Uh!"

It wasn't something as lovely as a slap. The punch made by hardening her wrist at the moment of the impact was a blow that made her bones resound.

Instantly Ayumi's legs separated from the ground and from the beginning exhausted body sunk into the sandy beach. Appearing to have completely fainted, her face half buried in the sand, she was completely still.

"Wha...."

Overcome with surprise at the sudden violence, Ren shouted white as a ghost.

"What have you done?"

But Mayumi didn't even looked at Ren. As she already stated "your turn is already over" she disregarded his existence itself.

Instead, the man who followed behind her moved. With body movement that had no openings he stepped forward and got on his knee before Ayumi.

Decidedly, he did not attempt to nurse her. Grabbing hold of Ayumi by the hair, casually the man lifted her head as if he would uproot a radish.

"...........E-eek......"

"What are you doing?"

Coldly looking down on Ayumi's feeble struggle, the man said in a monotonous tone.

"Do you think you can be lying down in front of the young lady, do you?"

"Yuu...ji.....sama....."

"Silence!"

The man - Yuuji - abruptly became enraged.

"With that face, through that mouth, don't call out my name! How disgusting!"

Raising his hand, pulling her hair even more, he made Ayumi stand on her knees. And then - this time from the front, he slapped her face onto the sand. Forcibly making Ayumi take a prostrating position, Yuuji shouted.

"Apologize! Until your voice becomes hoarse, until your throat tears apologize! Did you understand in how much danger did you put the young lady? If we didn't find you in time what would have happened! Did you intend for the young lady to be a sacrifice in your place? You puppet doll!!"

That was the limit.

He thought he himself endured it really well. Surely, big brother would praise him for it. Or - he'll get angry for letting it get that far.

Quietly he held out his right hand and pointed his index finger at Yuuji. And then - without a moment of hesitation he released hs power.

The thin, refined heat ray grazed Yuuji's cheek sticking into the concrete wall. The red hot concrete melted and the wall followed it, crashing.

"..........What kind of behavior.." Yuuji questioned with a voice stiffed to death. However, like Mayumi did before, Ren completely disregarded that utterance.

It wasn't a provocation or something like that. It's just that in Ren's field of vision no one else but Ayumi was reflected. It was just that.

"Re....n.....?"

For the girl weakly getting up, hearing that cracked voice, Ren painfully shook his head.

"As I thought, it's useless."

I can't control it.

I can't endure it.
Anymore than this - I can't stand it.

"What is the right thing to do, I don't even know. However, to hand you over to these guys it's absolutely impossible."

Whether it's right or not, that's long past. His feelings denied that option.

"Fall back!"

Struck by that sharp voice, Ayumi reflexively kicked the ground. Slightly further away from Yuuji. In that gap Ren threw a fireball brought forth from the sky.

"-Tch!"

Visibly agitated by the blast, Yuuji and Mayumi jumped. The distance widened even more. Well in advance Ren wedged himself in the space separating the two "enemies" and Ayumi.

"Humph - in the end brute force, huh?"

Staring at Ren blocking his way to Ayumi, Yuuji laughed fearless.

"Ah, well. Just as planed."

"Shall I back you up?"

"It's not necessary."

Politely rejecting Mayumi's proposal, he casually took one step forward. With an attitude full of composure he looked down on Ren taking a battle stance.

"Publicly- "

Without particularly preparing in advance, just standing, Yuuji began to speak in a relaxed manner.

"Publicly, it seems there are many idiots who believe Enjutsushi teh strongest but do you think so too?"

"-?"

Not understanding Yuuji's plan, Ren was perplexed. There is nothing to believe. The fact that Enjutsushi are the strongest is a <Reality> with no room for argument.

It's not about whether an Enjutsushi never lost to another kind of practitioner, of course there is no such thing. That is the power of one individual. It's about whether the ability difference can undermine the advantages and disadvantages of a technique style.

As for what technique system is the strongest - there is only one answer to that question. Without room for argument, with no chance for objection, the grave <Reality> doesn't change.

That is what Yuuji downright negated.

"What a foolish thing. All of you understand nothing about battle. The greatest offensive ability? When killing people do you think that is necessary?"

"What exactly?"

Including the confidence of certain victory in front of the perplexed Ren, Yuuji fired the question.

"You, where on earth do you plan to place your feet on?"

Unintentionally Ren stared at his own feet.There was nothing there but the ordinary sandy beach. There was no sign of set traps. There was no sense of discomfort when stepping on it, nothing but the feeling of soft sand-

''-Sand?''

"-Uh!!"

The sign of something wriggling, underneath his feet. Jumping by reflex, Ren's face became stiff with surprise and shivers.

Underground, and in addition to that, directly under his footprints a spear covered in sand was pushed up.

If his evasion would have been delayed by one second the spear would have stopped his foot by sewing it. it may be true he avoided the first attack but he had no room for relief. Visibly lying in wait at the spot Ren would come down, several spears sprung up.

"Kuu- "

Releasing fire and pointing it directly below, a countless number of spears burned to nothing. Coincident with his landing above the red hot sand, Ren rolled on the ground. Pursuing the rolling Ren from inside the sand, one after another, spears stick out.

While narrowly avoiding those, the boy cursed his overly optimistic thinking.

''Shit, Chijutsushi - so that's the reason!''

The spears hidden inside the sand were not something prepared in advance. Hardening the sand itself and changing its shape, Yuuji made those sharp spears.

Chijutsushi possess the force of the Earth Spirits. Sand, soil, ground stone and all materials affiliated with those, for them, are similar with extensions of their own hands. There was no need to expressly set traps.

The battleground itself was the Chijutsushi's weapon because that was for them the absolute most advantageous arrangement.

''What to do?''

Starting to see gaps one way or another, running in zig-zag to dodge the underground attacks, Ren looked for a breach. At any rate, as long as he is staying on the ground,his disadvantage can't be overcome.

Continuing to receive one-sided attacks without grasping a counter-attack clue, sooner or later he will receive a fatal blow.

On the other hand, Ren doesn't know such a jutsu that would allow him to gain a foothold on something else other than the ground.

If it were an Enjutsushi, he could fly into the air.

A Suijutsushi could maybe stand on top of water.

However, Ren being an Enjutsushi - it may be possible for Jugo or Genma - he had no skill to stand on top of flames. As long as gravity comes into play, he had no choice but to place his feet on the ground.

''What should I do?''

Looking over his surroundings, he searched for a turn-around plan. The sandy beach was the worst as a battle ground but concrete and asphalt must be similar. What remains -

''Inside the sea?''

It was out of the question. Ren being an Enjutsushi water was nothing more but a thing to be avoided. There was no point for Ren's power to weakened beyond what Yuuji could accomplish.

To Ren, stuck in a defensive battle, Yuuji turned words of ridicule.

"What's the matter? Are you just going to run? I don't care how far you run but if you go to far I'll take Ayumi and go back home."

"Kuu- "

Because of Yuuji's carelessness, recognizing he became long separated from Ayumi, Ren grinds his teeth. if it goes like this, Ayumi will really be taken away.

''What should I do? what should I -''

The problem was that he had no technique to defend against the blows. He can use flames to cover the surroundings but the bottom of his feet are perfectly defenseless. When fighting against Chijutsushi, that became a lethal weakness. A foothold was necessary. Separated from Yuuji's control, a scaffold made of <Earth> he cannot control.

He cannot fly into the sky. Water is also excluded. There's no wood near. He cannot stand on top of fire. On top of fire -

''-Huh?''

Suddenly Ren remembered the scene of a volcanic eruption he saw on TV. From craters, forcefully spitting out the red hot-

''Shall I give it a try?''

There was no time to spare. Making his resolve, Ren stopped and concentrated his consciousness.

"Aa.......a.........aa!!"

From Ren's whole body golden flames erupted. The dazzling glimmer blurred even the contours of his body and the boy shined, transformed into a small sun.

"Ua.......unh, it's useless."

To encourage himself overpowered by the tremendous quantity of heat, Yuuji intentionally raised his voice.

"No matter how hot a flame you clad yourself in, you cannot defend against attacks from bellow."

Trying to make the reality that he was currently on offensive known, Yuuji was perplexed by the dull response from the spirits.

The spirits of the earth didn't respond to his will - No, something different obstructs the formation of sand spears.

"You....what did you do?"

He turns a glance full of suspicion towards Ren. No matter what an Enjutsushi tries to do, it's impossible to exercise a stronger influence towards sand than a Chijutsushi does.

Ren didn't answer. Unaffected, abandoning that body to the flames, he only stood rock still above the red ground.

"Red - ? I see, you- "

Yuuji stared at Ren's feet. What was there didn't have the rough characteristics of sand but was reflecting the flame like grass. Sometimes, from the bottom bubbles rose to the surface and burst open with a particular thick sound.

"You brat - you changed the burning sand to magma!"

"I gave it a try"

Receiving Yuuji's angry roar, Ren laughed triumphantly. It does not mean he had a positive proof. If a Suijutsushi can stand atop water he tried to stand atop magma, that could also be called fluid flame. He simply tried out that idea.

Although having a fluffy, undependable sense of touch, magma firmly sustained Ren's body weight. As there was no fist fight involved, the tenderness of the scaffold didn't matter. The radius was about two meters. Although modest,from the <Kingdom> underneath Yuuji's absolute control, Ren gained that much territory.

"D-don't be excited, boy!" barked Yuuji after loosing his advantage.

"Even for magma, it's <ground> attribute doesn't change. The situation is still the same!"

With an angry roar, including a severe determination, Yuuji ordered the ground spirits. Around Ren's surroundings magma unnaturally rose, molding red spearheads.

"Die, boy!!"

The spears lengthen trying to pierce Ren's body. But just before that - they stopped.

"W-whaaaaat!?"

Quietly gazing at the surprised Yuuji, Ren talked indifferent.

"Certainly magma is something that belongs to the <ground>. Still, half of it it's Enjutsushi possession. I'm not gonna hand it over so easily!"

The spear on the verge of touching his body, Ren casually flung it off. The hard sharp spear instantly lost her unity and returned with a small splash on the surface of the magma sea.

"Guu..........Ba......."

With a really detestable howl, Yuuji stopped trying to proactively commence the next attack. It's understandable.

The control of the material called magma with attributes of both <ground> and <fire> has been snatched away. That means that in a contest of pure strength he was defeated by Ren. As the opponent of a higher ranked practitioner, he couldn't carelessly take the vanguard.

"Next is my turn, huh?" Ren declared with no fighting spirit.

His pushed out right hand accurately aimed at Yuuji. From that palm golden flames gushed out.

"Oooooooooooohh!!"

Yuuji too, didn't gave in. Hoisting the sand beneath his feet, he threw it onto the approaching flame. A surging sea of white sand attacking the golden torrent.

Receiving the aftermath of the struggle between these two powers, the ground grated and the sky trembled.

"Gu........me..uuuu......."

Through clenched teeth Yuuji let out a pressing moan. He understood that in a contest of strength he was inferior. As it is, he will certainly be pressed down.

While his body burned in humiliation, Yuuji changed his tactics to defense. The sand changed into a bulky bedrock and stood before the fire torrent. Although the bedrock stopped the flames there was no room for relaxation.

"It's coming from behind."

Inside the thunderous roar made by the flames burning the rock, for some reason that whisper clearly reached his ears. Uneventfully changed to a quiet oath, Yuuji felt that enormous heat approaching from behind.

"Sh-shit!"

The already thin bedrock rose, splitting the sand and stopped a gigantic fire ball. Although withstanding it somehow, the tremendous mpact crossed over the bed rock and mercilessly pummeled Yuuji's body.

In the space between the two bedrocks Yuuji was in anguish. And there, the last blow came.

"Next is up"

" -!?"

Looking up at the sky, Yuuji's eyes peeled in shock. A remarcably big fireball descended upon Yuuji like a meteor. The distance was less than two meters.

"Kuuu- !"

It's unthinkable of having time to defend and so forth. Overhead the man looking at it dumbfounded, the fireball violently exploded.

"..............Uh!"

There wasn't much heat but the shock was hard to describe. The two sheets of bed rock made by him efficiently reverberated, sinking Yuuji's body in the sandy beach.

"Go...........bah.........."

As if gravity was increased a hundred fold, the extremely heavy pressure flattened his body, the air in his lungs was squeezed out without exception and all the bones in his body creaked.

"Not........not yet......yet......"

Putting all his strength in his arms Yuuji seemed to want to push out the heavens. But after lifting it 10 centimeters the elbow joints made a thick sound and bent the other way.

When the broken right arm fell to the ground the shining fireball in the sky also vanished. But even so, Yuuji couldn't give up.

The sound of the broken bed rock resounded in vain, like the gong at the end of the match.

===Part 4===

"-Fuuu"

Taking a small breath, Ren shifted his attention to the remaining two.

Ayumi's gaze shaking with anxiety. And, despite having the same face, not showing even the smallest disturbance, expressing a thin smile, Mayumi:

Confronting Mayumi directly, Ren asked with a determined look.

"What will you do? Do you want to give it a try?"

While it may be true her outward appearance was that of a frail young lady, he won't act unprepared. Based on Yuuji's behavior it was clear Mayumi was the purest descendant. Not an opponent to make light of.

"Oh, the Kannagi young lord would go as far as to raise his hand against a non resisting woman?"

With no place for misunderstanding, Mayumi's expression was provocative. Even so, looking puzzled at the girl not showing any indication of battle, Ren retaliated in a low voice:

"-If you want to run away I won't pursue you"

"Well, thank you"

Replying to the lenient laugh with a scornful laugh Mayumi shed a fleeting glance.

"That's what he said Yuuji. What will you do?"

"-?"

Looking the same way Mayumi did, Ren unintentionally opened his eyes wide. Over there, Yuuji, beaten down enough to keep him immobilized for three months, was crawling out of sand, drawing near.

".........Ridiculous......"

It was impossible. From right overhead, from an angle he couldn't elude he received a strong bomb blast. He must have ten or twenty bone fractures and his internal organs were supposed to be damaged. Not the kind of injury you could move with because of fighting spirit and will power - that's the way it was supposed to be.

Mayumi loudly sneered at Ren in mute amazement.

"It seems you took lightly a Chijutsushi's resistance."

The high ranking Chijutsushi, by directly taking the ground's <ki> inside their body, are endowed with a resistance that exceeds common sense. Ren too, also knew that but seeing it in practice was fairly ominous.

"B-but....."

While looking at Yuuji advancing by crawling, as if he was seeing a zombie, Ren shouted.

"He received so much damage! It's impossible to recover so much to try and fight immediately!"

"Is that so?"

As for Mayumi, she was thoroughly composed.

"Yuuji, were you not supposed to protect me at the cost of your own life? Do you plan to crawl out of there cowering to see me getting killed?"

The effect of those words was tremendous.

Enduring the pain, Yuuji stood up and although stumbling, began to walk on his own two feet. Step by step that unsteady manner of walking lost its disorder and by the time he stood up in front of Ren, blocking his way to Ayumi, with the exception of the smashed right arm, he seemed completely recovered.

"..........I,will protect,my lady.............."

With an unsightly smashed but firmly determined voice, Yuuji bravely declared.

"I will absolutely not let her, get killed.........."

"I don't want to kill her!" Ren shouted while feeling, without knowing why, overawed by a dying, severely wounded person.

"If she wanted to go back she can go for all I care! I have no business with the lot of you. I just want to protect Ayumi-chan, that's all!"

Hearing Ren's claim, Yuuji unexpectedly starred in wonder. And then, he suddenly burst into laughter.

"Ku ku ku......Buahahahaha.......ku ku ku ku ku....."

Although throwing up blood, Yuuji still laughed. His blood stained face was warped and extremely happy.

"I see......that's the way it is, huh?....."

"Wh-.....what is so funny?...."

Ren suddenly shouted blushing with anger and Yuuji suddenly stopped his sneer.

"You don't understand anything. You're just a brat playing with the power passed through your body."

"What?"

"Just shut up already and go back home. Forget everything that happened today."

Those remarks almost like regarding an unreasonable child made Ren childishly exasperated.

"Don't joke around with me! I'm not gonna hand Ayumi-chan over to guys like- "

"So, do you say my lady should be the sacrifice instead?"

With a terribly cold expression, Yuuji retaliated.

Seeing Ren lost for words at the unexpected objection, almost like pressing for an answer, he continued.

"It's not like you don't know. Ayumi is the ritual sacrifice. It's a thing made for the sake of dying instead of my lady. If you protect it, it's equivalent with killing my lady."

"That sort of- I- "

"''I have no intention of doing that'', huh? The meaning of the act called protection is it the affectation of a knight who does not consider the weight of words, just entrusts to his power? That's why I said you are a brat who doesn't understand anything!!"

"Wro......"

''Wrong'' - when trying to say that word, with all his heart Ren was at a loss for words. There was nothing to answer back.

"Listen, kid. The act of protection means obviously getting your hands dirty for something important. For the sake of that one irreplaceable thing to be prepared to cut down everything else! Mere lip service changes nothing - saves nothing!"

A few hours ago, when Ren started speaking about making preparations for a substitute sacrifice, Ayumi gently rebuked him.

''-If you speak dirty words, your heart will become dirty too-''

They were beautiful words. If anyone heard these words after knowing Ayumi's situation, they would have been deeply moved.

But, Ayumi will die. Without leaving anything behind except that deep emotion, she will disappear from this world.

-To die in such a beautiful way or to survive in an ugly way -

Which was correct, Ren was not able to judge. On the other hand, Yuuji did not hesitate.

"For the sake of protecting my lady, I will kill Ayumi.Those that will get in the way, I will kill them all! I will remove all obstacles even at the cost of my life and protect my lady!"

DETERMINATION

Crossing over the judgement of right and wrong, good and evil, Yuuji selected the protection of that "one thing" that must be protected. To stop him it seems there is no choice but to kill him.

But, right now Ren had no will to go through with it to that extent. No, even if he had that determination, he lost sight to whom it should be pointed to.

''What should be do? -What should I do?''

Ren was perplexed.

But before the boy found the answer, the situation changed.

"......Kyaa......"

Swept by the wind, a disappearing small shriek. But even so, it was impossible for Ren to miss that voice. Because that was no one else's but Ayumi's voice.

"Ayumi-chan!?"

In front of Ren's eyes,turning around with a changed expression, were reflected the figures of Ayumi and Mayumi, standing behind her. Embraced her closely from behind,ayumi's pale complexion became stiff.

Although not being strangled or press against a dangerous weapon, panic grabbed hold of her heart.

"-My lady..."

When Yuuji called out to her, Mayumi's lips became sharp with dissatisfaction.

"What, are you telling me not to get involved? aren't you at fault for being inefficient?"

"No, I'm sorry for causing you trouble."

" -Humpf! Good grief. I'll be troubled if you can't be more reliable!"

This time she held her head high, self-important. She seemed to have a pretty simple personality.

"At any rate- "

While embracing Ayumi, Mayumi shifted her focus on Ren.

"Loving such a doll as this, the Kannagi young lord too, must have some unusual hobbies."

"Ayumi-chan is not a doll! She's human!"

"-Hey, hey..."

At Ren's shout, Mayumi displayed a studied surprise and looked down on Ayumi:

"You said nothing, did you? -What a bad child."

Suddenly thinking of something, Mayumi gently stroked Ayumi's cheek and her body tightly shrunk. That face, smiling complacently, gave the impression of a cat considering how to tease the mouse pinned down by its forelimbs.

A cruel smile lifting her lips, Mayumi said:

"Do you listen, Kannagi young lord? The ''Ayumi-chan'' you tried so hard to protect is not human."

"W- what are you say-"

"It's the truth. Because, you see, this is a clone made by cultivating my cells."

" -!?"

Ren opened his eyes wide with surprise. But simultaneously, he felt somewhere in his heart it was true.

Mayumi and Ayumi - even assuming they were sisters, those two resembled too much.

''Thing Doll Sacrifice'' - completely spoken ill of, a girl whose human dignity was trampled underfoot.

If it was just as Mayumi said, if Ayumi was not human and was created for the sake of dying as a sacrifice, doesn't everything makes sense?

''"A lie.......It's a lie"''

Aiming a smile full of spite at the dumbfounded Ren, Mayumi continued.

"Her appearance may seem that of a twelve years old girl but in reality only a month passed since its creation. Even her planted memories have been suitably edited from my own. That kind of crude doll, you tried to protect with your knight affectation. ''That was fun ♥''"

"It.......It's a lie......"

"Let me tell you one more thing. Even if she doesn't become the sacrifice, just a month from now on, fer life span will be cut from inside. Made with no intention to use for an extended period of time, just instant makeshift goods."

"That's, a lie...."

Ren looked at Ayumi almost like searching for help. She received his glance for just one second and sadly cast her eyes down.

Thus, at last Ayumi - Ayumi told the truth.

"........It's true. I am the katashiro doll[http://eos.kokugakuin.ac.jp/modules/xwords/entry.php?entryID=308] made for the sake of keeping Mayumi-sama alive. Mayumi-sama's impostor"

Where is the genuine '''Ayumi'''?

''I have no memories'' - Ayumi told Ren so. That's natural. If she had been made just a month before, it's impossible for those to exist. Without even trying to steal it, there was nothing there form the beginning. Everything was an imitation. If only her heart was more than a transient object, his own act of protecting Ayumi, his determination, everything would not have been a wasted effort.

"I look, so stupid....."

His body was full with a sense of helplessness. Feebly hanging his head, Ren collapsed on the sandy beach.

"It looks like that was a lot of shock, huh?"

Coldly looking down on the defeated Ren, Mayumi sneered.

"That's only natural. It made him realize his own buffoonery can't go any higher."

"Well, isn't that fine? By understanding reality, the boy becomes an adult."

".........you could say that."

Yuuji replied to Mayumi's words, pretending to act like a grown-up, in a quiet voice. Maybe because they were both men, but it was impossible not to feel sympathy for Ren.

"Come now, let's go home. We must quickly return and prepare for the ceremony."

On the other hand, Mayumi didn't have such a compassionate heart. Already disregarding Ren's existence, she starts thinking about tomorrow's ceremony.

"....yes", Yuuji respectfully bowed.

Receiving Ayumi, presented to him like luggage, the same way as they came, he followed Mayumi like a servant.

But, at the same time he placed his leg on the stairs connected to the main road-

"Step aside!"

From the vicinity of the main road that command reverberated, and a second later a golden pillar of fire lit the sky.

Involuntarily the three people turned around to Ren. But, he did not seemed to notice the present disturbance and was kneeling on the sandy beach, his head hanged. Hearing footsteps they turned in the direction of the main road once more. Two sets of footsteps. Both of them light. They were probably women.

Around that time, Yuuji made a guess about the opponent's identity. Noticing he should be in front, he tried to make Mayumi step back, but- it was slightly late.

"Ren!"

On top the stairs, one girl appeared.

Pushing out the darkness, the aura of red and gold shining out far and wide. The enormous amount of fire spirits that followed her in the background were displaying the girl as the human model of the flame itself.

"This is also......"

From Yuuji's mouth a mutter of unexpected wonder leaked out. Certainly her age was sixteen. And although childish, the shape of the young lady captivated him.

Overflowing from that small body, the surge of an overwhelming power. That sword was not yet drawn out but even so, it was impossible to misread the girl's identity.

''Beautiful- ''

He genuinely thought so. That was not in regard for the human, much less the opposite sex but the same deep emotion he felt at the time he looked at Mother Nature's magnificent scenery.

Suddenly, he noticed a sharp glance. Calmly looking away and folding her arms, Mayumi's half opened glare met his eye.

"''This is also...''" with a monotonous voice Mayumi repeated Yuuji's words.

"What is the meaning of ''This is also...'' Yuuji ?"

"Ah, no, that is..."

While becoming completely confused, Yuuji desperately searched for explanatory words.

If he cannot talk his way out of it now, it will become fairly difficult afterwards.

"That, didn't have any significant meaning. This is also...flashy...?"

"-Humph, that so?"

With that considerably packed expression Mayumi nodded.

"Well, afterwards I'll receive a lengthy explanation of that matter. Now it's not the time for it."

Mayumi faced the two standing at the top of the stairs.

"Nice meeting you, Kannagi princess. Being able to meet you is an honor."

".......and you are?"

The girl - Ayano, shortly inquired.

"I was slow in saying. I am Tsuwabuki Mayumi. This is my attendant Yuuji. Although belonging to a collateral family, for the time being permit him to call himself with the Tsuwabuki surname."

"If I say I will, I wonder will I have to call you by such an embarrassing name as ''Tsuwabuki princess''?"

"I am at your mercy."

To Ayano's provocative response, Mayumi bowed her head with a smiling face.

irritated, Ayano ended this conversation lacking sincerity and got to the main question.

"I have no particular business with you. Where is Ren?"

Mayumi pointed at the sandy beach in the back.

"Somewhere in that area. Maybe he is crying holding his knees."

"What, have you done to him?"

The atmosphere became noisy. The explosive scarlet aura flickered like a flame.

"Physically, nothing. He did not receive a single wound."

".........haa"

When that report was made, Yuuji looked sullen.

"But it seems his emotional scars are quite deep. We would be troubled if you complained to us about such things. About the details, you can ask that boy. However, I believe not prying into it would be a kindness to him."

Just saying that, with no precaution Mayumi started walking up the stairs. Whipping his wounded body, Yuuji went in front of Mayumi, trying to be a shield as much as possible.

"Well then-"

Greeting her while passing by one another, Mayumi walked near Ayano's side. And then, after looking at the retreating figure running down the stairs not returning the favor, she shifted her focus on the other person - a woman standing in a somewhat separated place.

"Good evening. It's been a long time, Police Superintendent Tachibana."

"We haven't talked in a long time, Mayumi-san"

That perfectly ordinary greeting, the detective in charge of Tokyo MPD's Special Investigation Unit, Police Superintended Tachibana returned with an absolutely tranquil tone.

"Because you didn't appear together with the that young woman, can we assume you have no intention of opposing the Tsuwabuki regarding the Kannagi matter?"

"Of course. We have no intention of interfering in any kind of dispute. Naturally, if you would accept our mediation, we woul feel that position with pleasure."

"That won't be necessary."

The faint tension that dwelt in Kirika's words, smiling, Mayumi severed it when she replied.

"Everything has been already settled. We have regained the object Kannagi Ren stole and because it's something a child did, we have no intention of blaming the Kannagi Clan for that error. If you would be so good as to pass it along to Ayano-san."

"......I will comply"

"Thank you"

Bowing her head to Kirika, Mayumi left accompanied by her attendant and the spoils of war.

No matter how polite her tone was, the girl's attitude was that of a victor who obtained everything.

Gazing for a brief period at the retreating figure, never looking back, Kirika started walking towards the defeated boy or maybe the defeated people.

"There's no sign this is ending here."

That's what she was thinking.

[[User:Ayame|Ayame]] ([[User talk:Ayame|talk]]) 10:01, 24 March 2013 (CDT)

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| Forward to [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume3_Chapter_4|Chapter 4]]
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Kaze no Stigma:Volume3 Chapter 3

2013-04-28T15:14:32Z

80.240.162.190: /* Part 3 */

===Chapter 3 - The person one must protect===

===Part 1===

"......................"

Inside the train, Ren was frozen solid.He sat in such a way that if someone poked him, he would roll on the floor while in sitting position.

The reason for that was the existence of the girl sitting earnestly on his left side, Ayumi. She was clinging to Ren's left arm in order for their bodies to be glued as close as possible.

At the beginning of her teens, wearing a coat over the still immature body, although the sensation wasn't supposed to be very fresh, it's still impossible to be composed about it.

Contrastive to Ayumi, who yielded herself to Ren with a peaceful appearance, his brain has been frozen for the last 10 minutes.

- It happened approximately 10 minutes before.

At the time they waited for the train on the platform of Tokyo Station, staring at Ren shivering from the coldness of the wind, Ayumi asked in a worried manner:

"Are you cold?"

"No, I'm fine"

Ren showed a smile meant to give her a piece of mind but the next moment that smile became frozen.

"a... a... a... Ayumi-chan?"

"If we are like this it's warm, right?"

Feeling guilty for borrowing his coat and trying to transfer her own body temperature, she clung to Ren's arm.

"D-don't do that -"

Ren's brain, trying to separate his body, was pierced by Ayumi's expression, looking at him with upturned eyes.

"-No?"

"Eh, ah, no, that sort of..."

A stuttering Ren. He was unbelievably ashamed, he also thought this sort of thing is wrong, but before the girl's gaze, looking at him sadly, he couldn't shake his head.

''What to do.....''

The warm sense of touch transmitted by his left arm thoroughly snatched Ren's presence of mind. After that, when, how did hey get into the train, he didn't remember any of it.

"I'm sorry"

"-Eh?"

Receiving such an abrupt apology, Ren's consciousness recovered after a long time. Ayumi's turned away expression, full of guilt was reflected in his eyes.

"About what?"

"For making such an odd request."

Ren replied while laughing.

"It's not a big deal, this much"

Actually the girl's wish was simple. What it required were traveling expenses and a little bit of time. Just those will suffice.

''Take me to the sea''

That's what Ayumi spoke in the park. It was just one wish. Naturally, Ren had no objection.

Investigating those contents for a while, he asked only one thing.

"Is a harbor-like place acceptable? Or a sandy beach?"

Without wavering, Ayumi chose the latter. Therefore, together they boarded the Tokaido Line. That route was aimed at Chigasaki.

If that was the nearest swimming beach, Ren doesn't know. But that was the only place he could lead her to. Because of his family's line of work he is a boy unrelated to family vacations et cetera. He had hardly any experience of swimming in the sea. Ren was deeply grateful to the girl who took him by force sea bathing last year's summer.

While chasing the flowing scenery, Ayumi murmured:

"In the end, I wanted to see something beautiful with my own eyes."

"In the end, you say?"

"When I do so, I'm going back. To the Tsuwabuki."

"No!", Ren promptly shouted.

"No! They don't treat you like a fellow human. Only like a tool. If you return to those people you'll never be happy. If you have no place to go, you can come to my house. The Kannagi Clan will, without exception -"

"Ren, you see-"

Ayumi quietly interrupted Ren's desperate pleading words.

"Have you heard about the Tsuwabuki's Grand Festival?"

"The Grand Festival - about that ceremony to appease the volcanic activity of Mt. Fuji? I'm not very familiar with it but the practitioner always lost his life... "

Going that far, Ren turned a terrified glance towards Ayumi.

"No...way....."

What was reflected in those eyes was Ayumi's excessively tranquil smiling face. It was unbelievable. Ren completely denied that expression. There shouldn't be something like that. Such a thing cannot be allowed. Something like that- something like that-

"I have no family name, nor a family register, naming myself is not permitted, but-"

''No way''

''I don't want to hear''

Despite this - the body doesn't move. Even blocking his ears, he can't do it. Without waiting for agreement or disagreement, pouring into his ears, that tone calm as the surface of the lake. Admitting everything, allowing it, accepting it.

"I am called Tsuwabuki. According to the lineage, something like a direct descendant."

''I don't want to hear it''

"The ceremony is tomorrow night. Therefore, I must get back until then. Because I- because I am the priest of the ritual"

''Because I am the priest of the ceremony''

From Ren's body, with a water-like sound, blood flew backwards.

The Yamatsumino Grand Festival - the origin of it goes back roughly 300 years.

The year is 1707 - during the Houei era was the last volcanic eruption of Mt. Fuji and the greatest since the dawn of history. The violent eruption reaching 15 days, it was said that the volcanic ash fell as far as the distant town of Edo. It was not only Kantō but a life or death crisis for Japan itself. No matter how many times Mt. Fuji erupted, it didn't show any signs of quieting down.

That raging <Ki> finally resulted in the embodiment of one demon beast. The impersonation of Fuji's <ki>. it is certain that was the largest, strongest devilishness that materialized in this country. If one tried to rank it among other demon beasts, the only reference it had would be the legendary monsters, like the eight tail serpent that couldn't be defeated without the help of god's power.

The beast's roar beckoned eruptions and its stepping feet invoked eruptions. Mowing down everything it touched, it exhausted the limits if tyranny. The ones who sealed it were the yet unknown Tsuwabuki family. A young girl leading the family offered prayers to the King of the Earth Spirits for seven days and seven nights and finally attained that divine protection.

And then, by that divine protection, the girl managed to seal that demon beast. Thus Mt. Fuji calmed down and Japan's peace was protected. And they all lived happily ever after.

-But that story has sequel.

First, that girl was not able to endure the release of such an over-sized power and lost her life with the seal. And then, even after applying such a powerful seal, the demon beast's lock couldn't continue forever. Being the personification of an active volcano, it's possible to say that was the unavoidable outcome.

Approximately 30 years - that was the limit of the seal. For the sake of continuing the sealing of a raging demon beast seeking release, Tsuwabuki family had no choice but to conduct the ceremony at fixed intervals for the sake of suppressing Mt. Fuji's <Ki>.

Because of the divine protection of the Spirit King that dwelt in their blood - the strongest unmarried woman was elected as the priest of the ceremony.

Until today, the sealing ceremony known under the bombastic name of "Grand Festival" took place 8 times. And there were 8 casualties. The fatality ratio was 100%. This is the reason the ceremony practitioner was named sacrifice.

With no other option, the 9th ceremony approached. The girl called Ayumi was a lamb led to slaughter.

How long was he in blank amazement, I wonder. When Ren came to his senses, Ayumi was smiling gently, looking at him.

Unable to meet that extremely pitiful smile, Ren muttered, while looking down.

"Why?....."

"Ren?"

"Why do you have to do such a...."

After examining for a short while Ren's expression, Ayumi replied:

"Because someone has to do it"

'''''"But it doesn't have to be you-"'''''

Ayumi softly touched Ren's lips with her fingers. The boy who unintentionally couldn't keep his mouth shut, she rebuked him gently.

"It's not good saying these kind of things. If you speak filthy words your heart will become filthy too"

"........I'm sorry.........."

Ayumi shook her head.

"No. It's alright. Truthfully I was a little happy. Because I was never regarded as something valuable."

From the moment she was born, it was decided that Ayumi will be a sacrifice. She wasn't regarded as part of the same family, not recognized as a human being. For this girl with no family register, with no choice but being a tool for the ceremony, so far there wasn't a single person to hold her life dear.

Pointlessly, Ren made sure of her acknowledgement.

"Even so, you'll do it? For the sake of those who think of you as a tool?"

"It's different", Ayumi flatly shook her head.

"It has nothing to do with the Tsuwabuki family's expectations. Because it must be done no matter what, I'll do it. It's bad if Mt. Fuji erupts, right?"

"That is true..."

"If I am able to suppress it, my life, my death is not worthless.Even if the physical me dies, my prayers will fuse with the mountain and I will continue to watch over this country eternally. That's a very beautiful thing, don't you agree?"

"................."

Something is wrong. Something is terribly wrong, Ren thought so.

'''''-Don't try to glorify death with words of self-sacrifice -'''''

Kazuma's words, once intended for him were recalled to his mind. Doesn't Ayumi make the same mistake he did at the same time? But Ren had no persuasion words for the girl. He could not think of a path that doesn't result in Ayumi's death.

Only to let Mt. Fuji erupt-

To replace Ayumi as a sacrifice.

She would accept neither. There is no mistake about it, the girl known as Ayumi was the type that would sacrifice herself for others.

"That's why I'm not afraid of death. It's because I was born for this purpose. And yet, I desired memories before the time comes. Memories of my own, born from my own experience."

In that peaceful pupil, that accepted everything dwelt the light of a faint longing.

''Memories of her own?''

It's only natural to display a strong attachment for one's dying wish. But even so, that was a strange expression. Memories are neither true nor false.

To the bewildered Ren, Ayumi threw another bomb.

"You see, I don't have my own memories."

"Eh?"

"I haven't lost my memories. It's not like I have something to remember and I don't, it's more like I have ''nothing'' to remember."

"..............."

Without saying anything, Ren starred at Ayumi dumbfounded.

"If it would be just like that, even speaking and moving my body would have been impossible. But the me right now is something ignorant of the ways of the world but I can communicate with other people. Do you know why?"

"Wasn't it because you kept studying it?"

Toward such an unbelievable circumstance, Ren said so, including a ray of hope.

But, as feared, Ayumi shook her head.

"In my had there are transcripts of another's memories.I don't know how it's been done, though"

Almost like it was somebody else's problem, Ayumi indifferently recited those grand circumstances. Ren finally had the feeling he understood the reason why Ayumi had no attachment to her life. She had nothing to be particular about.

Not even recognized as a person, her existence valued as nothing but a tool, day after day. Planted forged memories. Without beginning, Ayumi's life ended.

With no room to harbor hope, she has no attachment except despair. Together with that gentle resignation, Ayumi accepted everything.

"That's why I wanted to see the world through my eyes even if it's just once. I wished for something that's not faked, real memories."

Like telling an unfulfilled dream, Ayumi whispered with a distant look. Toward the ordinary everyone was given as a natural privilege - no, the privilege they took for granted she felt endless longing and envy.

"The moment I saw the sky when I first felt the residence, I was very surprised. How vast was the sky windows don't limit, Mt. Fuji was so big..."

"Ayumi-chan......"

"The sky, the stars, the moon were so much more beautiful than what I remembered. Surely, the sea must be very beautiful, right?"

The silhouette of the innocent girl in high spirits was reflected in Ren's eyes as overbearingly pitiful.

-She wanted to see beautiful things-

What sort of feelings did she include when she said those words? The words of a girl dreaming, escaping from reality, no that he knew everything, they were unbelievably heavy.

"-This is hopeless"

With a strong determination, Ren muttered in his heart.

''Such a thing cannot be. It cannot be forgiven.''

"Ayumi-chan!"

"W-what?"

His immature sense of justice aroused, Red declared strongly.

"I will protect Ayumi-chan"

" - Ren?"

"So please, don't give up. Don't say it's OK to die. Because I'll protect you. I'll protect you for sure."

"Ren........."

Making a somewhat troubled face, she looked at the boy making a vow.

Joy and sadness and the kindness of a mother watching over her child were mixed in that complex gaze.

Without noticing that gaze, Ren continued.

"I'm sure it exists. A way in which Ayumi-chan doesn't have to die. I'll do whatever it's in my power. My own ability may be very small but if it's big brother, surely- "

"Your older brother?"

"Eh?"

Ayumi unintentionally asked in return and Ren reaffirmed with force those entrusting words.

"Ah-"

In those cornered eyes hope was shining.

"That's right! I have my older brother! If it's big brother, he will definitely save you!"

Without a fragment of anxiety, with absolute faith in his voice, Ren clearly declared.

For a short while, Ayumi opened her eyes wide, staring at the smile of the boy, delighted as if the problem was already settled.

"Do you have such an amazing brother?"

"Yeah", Ren answered without a moment's hesitation.

"Big brother is stronger than anyone. There is nothing he can't do. I'm sure."

"............Is that so........."

"So please don't say such lonesome things like last memories and let's do many more together. I want to show you many other things. That is...."

Embarrassed and blushing Ren invited the girl screwing up his courage.

"Because - I'll take you no matter where"

".............."

Receiving Ren's invitation, for one instant, Ayumi seemed to burst into tears. However, in just one moment she erased that bitter expression and replied with a calm and somewhat sad smile.

"Right.....If we could do that, it would be very nice....."

===Part 2===

"I wonder where did big brother go....."

Descending on the platform of the Chiwasaki Station, the shore on the other side of it, Ren muttered to himself with a worried face.

He can't get in touch with Kazuma.

He called Kazuma's cellphone from the station's public telephone but what came back was the dull announcement of the answering machine.

Because his own cellphone broke, he can't wait for Kazuma to get in touch with him. In the end, leaving the message "I'll call again" Ren hanged the receiver.

"I'm beaten"

As soon as he complained, Ayumi's hand, holding his left arm, tightly hugged him. Flustered, Ren showed a bright smile meant to give her peace of mind.

"Oh, it's fine. Because we'll get in touch shortly."

" -yeah", Ayumi nodded a little.

For a little while they didn't speak. Both of them walked the road to the beach in silence.

"Ah........."

A sound resembling noise making her eardrums vibrate, Ayumi strained her ears. The term sea roar came to her mind.

"The sound of waves......?"

"Yeah. We'll be there shortly."

Nodding, Ren increased his pace to not fall behind Ayumi, who unconsciously did so.

And now -

"Ah - !"

At the magnificent view at last reflected in her eyes Ayumi raised her voice in delight. Ren looked in the came direction. It was the sea. The great deep stretching endlessly. The utmost blue sea surface sparkling in the downpour of sunshine - naturally, it wasn't.

The winter sea is cold and hollow. it doesn't have a particle of the heat and energy the summer sea is full of, instead it's pushing out a cold surface, almost like rejecting humans. Staring at the utmost black sea, the same color as the night sky, Ayumi muttered:

"Is this... The sea...........?"

Perceiving the sound of a clear disappointment, Ren became impatient.

"W-what to do......."

Thinking now about it, it was a problem he should have noticed earlier. The winter sea - at night. Seen by girl his age it can't be a pleasing spectacle.Anyway, there was definitely not enough light. But there are at least seven, eight hours until dawn breaks.

''If I had light....light -?''

The idea that reflexively occurred to him was suppressed at an almost instinctive level. His family admonished sternly such conduct. But, even so-

''Do it!''

After just 3 seconds of hesitation, Ren decided to dismiss good sense. For his peace of mind, turning around, he searched for indications of human presence, surveying the surroundings.

From what he roughly saw, there was none except them.

- It must be done now.

Summoning fire spirits, he shortly informed:

"Go"

" - Eh? What?"

Before Ayumi finished her second question - the sky exploded.

"Kyaa!?"

The golden light shines out far and white pressing down the darkness. The brightness spreading out on the entire surface of the sky dyed the world golden and the jet black sea surface glittered dazzlingly.

"This - this is....Ren?"

To the Ayumi starring up in succession to both the sky and Ren with a surprised gaze, somewhat embarrassed but at the same time very proud, Ren's nostrils twitched.

"It's impossible to replicate the midsummer sea, but it's better than the pitch black gloomy sea, right? How is it? Do you like it?"

"Ren- "

Calling out Ren's name with a voice trembling with delight, Ayumi gave Ren a bear-like hug.

"Amazing! It's amazing! It is the most beautiful thing I've seen!"

"R-really? I'm glad"

Although confused by Ayumi's bold conduct, the relaxation of Ren's cheeks was irrepressible. Ayumi's large smile - even if he tried to express it, it's magnificence was beyond words.

Underneath the gold radiance, they innocently smiled at each other and looked up at the sky. Just like a golden aurora borealis the movement of the dancing fire spirits combined and the canopy covering the entire sky changed the same way a kaleidoscope would.

"Beautiful...but won't it cause an uproar?"

Ren shrugged his shoulders in silence. Without even thinking, it was an obvious matter. This was not a solitary island in the southern sea. Approachable by walking from the train station it was an empty swimming area.

Although there was a shelter-belt and a fence obstructing the field of vision, a highway was running less than 10 meters away. The houses were close. Without having to wait, it's likely spectators with burning curiosity would arrive in great numbers. There's no mistake that it will appear in tomorrow's newspaper.

But even so, Ren didn't care.

To make Ayumi happy - right now, for Ren it was all that mattered. Seeing Ayumi's wet eyes, Ren asked her casually, as if inquiring about the dinner's menu.

"Do you want to keep it up just a little bit more? Before long it could cause trouble but if they get in the way I'll drive them away"

"....No, it's enough."

After considering for a short while, Ayumi shook her head.

"It's enough. Because I'll never forget it."

" -Alright"

With a light nod, Ren called out the fire spirits. Promptly answering to the Enjutsushi's will, the fire spirits came together in a boisterous dance of light. And then -

"....W...ow...."

The light shining in the sky rained like drops of water above ground. Like snow, lightly flickering in the wind, the golden drops descended in a dance.

Holding no temperature, the clusters of pure light, upon touching the sandy beach and the surface of the sea, burst open and disappeared like in a dream.

"Ah- "

The last descending drop, Ayumi caught it extending both her hands. The moment it touched her hand, the light fleetingly disappeared but the girl softly closed her hands and touched her chest. That irreplaceable something stored in her hands was tucked away inside her chest.

Dropping the curtain on the light's dance performance, affecting acting, Ren made a bow.

"Did it please you?"

"Yes - yes...."

Her eyes full of tears, Ayumi bowed many, many times over.

"I... I am glad that I am alive. Meeting Ren.... Seeing something so beautiful, I...I...from the bottom of my heart...."

Unable to bear it in the end, her tears escaped. Shed for the first time in her life, tears of happiness.

In order to wipe the sobbing girl's tears, handkerchief in hand, he touched her face. Both their shadows brought forth by the moonlight, slowly became one.

But - this moment was the concluding moment of their honeymoon. On their cuddled silhouettes a violent, intense light shined.

" -!?"

Turning around holding hands, an eternally domineering voice pierced their ears.

"That's right! I'm so happy for you! That means you have no more regrets in this world, right?"

In front of both of them, watching over in a daze, the woman with the light on her back laughed.

===Part 3===

''The pursuer from the Tsuwabuki!''

In an instant Ren saw through the shadow's true character. Or perhaps I should say, as far as Ren knew, it was the only opponent pursuing them.

Drawing Ayumi back and stepping forward with a sleepwalking like gait, Ren probed into the other party's attitude. Overlooking them for a brief period from a higher place, the woman descended the stairs and continued walking towards the beach in a composed manner.

One man, like a servant, followed her, leaving between them several steps.

Because of the back lighting he sees only outlines but even from those shadows it was impossible not to recognize the proud atmosphere drifting around the woman. The glance overlooking them was more suited for stray dogs than humans.

Leaving a distance of five meters between them, the woman faced Ren and Ayumi.

As one would expect, approaching so much, it was now possible to discriminate her looks. Closing his eyes partly, Ren observed the woman - and several seconds afterwards he opened his eyes wide in shock.

"Eh - ?"

The woman was younger than he thought. Probably not yet of age, in the second half of her teens. But that wasn't what Ren was surprised about.

-They looked alike.

Ren thought so, watching intently, in succession, Ayumi and the woman. No, they didn't resemble each other. If the age difference could be removed, their facial features would be perfectly the same.

Twins separated by age - those sort of contradicting words passed through Ren's head.

"Mayumi-sama........" Ayumi murmured, looking at that woman with a glance mixed with panic.

Unintentionally, Ren asked:

"Your elder sister?"

''If that is the case, she too can...''

The thought that instantly came to his mind, Ren denied it confused. Ayumi does not wish for such a thing.

-If you speak filthy words, your heart will become filthy too -

''Good grief, I need to be more careful.''

Agreeing to Ayumi's words reverberating in his head, he grasped her hand tenderly. Ayumi's face stiff from fear, still displayed a gallant smile.

'''"Elder sister?"'''

On the other hand, for the boy and the girl happy b themselves, the woman - Mayumi matched it with the height of displeasure.

"Elder sister, you said?"

Glaring at Ren as if he was her archenemy, she squeezed out a stifled to death voice from the gap between her clenched teeth. Her well regulated, elegant features, changed into the face of a demonic warrior.

"Don't mess around with me"

Mayumi's angry roar shrunk Ayumi's body with a start. After staring with much discord at the frightened girl, she turned an identical glance at Ren.

"It was enough taking Ayumi and running away without understanding the circumstance and this already foolish show, I believed you were someone lacking prudence but, never to this extent. Me and that thing sisters? It's the first time I was insulted so."

"..............."

It seems Ayumi didn't receive human treatment even from her relatives. Holding down the rising anger, Ren searched for presence in the surroundings. It was unpleasant when Ayumi was called "that" again but Mayumi's words implied an imminent crisis.

Other people didn't come. Because what Mayumi evaluated as a foolish exhibition was already over, if such a flashy, abnormal phenomenon happened, it's impossible for none to approach. Normally, about now, a crowd would have gathered on the beach and the police and fire department would have surrounded the place.

None of it happened.

It's very likely that right now this area was blocked.

By the subordinates of the Tsuwabuki.

''Can we escape?''

Without thinking of handing Ayumi over, Ren investigated the possibility of escape. The fact that the girl in question accepted her own faith was totally forgotten.

"Why are you so cautious, young Kannagi prince?"

Seeing through Ren's decision promptly, Mayumi laughed, smiling sweetly.

"Everything is already over. There is nothing left for you to try."

Although using honorifics, speaking in a clearly despising tone, Mayumi focused on Ayumi.

"................."

Without even using words, Mayumi carelessly beckoned her. as if calling her pet dog or something.

Ayumi started walking obediently.

"Ayumi-ch-"

"It's fine."

Ren's words, trying to call her to a halt, Ayumi interrupted them shortly and with a decisive voice.

"It's fine already. Thank you for everything until now. - It was very fun."

"Ayu- "

In order to shake of his extended hand, Ayumi turned her back on Ren. And with that, she never turned around.

Standing in front of Mayumi, Ayumi's body became stiff as if she turned to stone. Her glance swayed insecurely nearly Mayumi's feet. Suddenly Mayumi stretched her fingers to Ayumi's chin and forcefully pointed upwards her face hanged in shame. Coercively looking down on the startled girl, she said in a voice full of smiles:

"If you wanted to run away, you should at least have crossed toe ocean. Instead of that, seducing a man and flirting with him in this kind of place, - do you look down on us?"

The Chijutsushi manipulating the spirits of the earth can make searches on fairly long distances as long it's adjoining land. It goes without saying that if you know the target well that searching ability is further improved.

For the sake of running from Chijutsushi, by sea or by air - anyway the most important thing is to separate from the ground.

"I had...no intention...."

Staring at Ayumi, protesting in a trembling voice, wit the look a carnivorous animal has before its feed, Mayumi let go of her jaw.

And then - she pulled her hand backwards and swung with all her strength.

" -Uh!"

It wasn't something as lovely as a slap. The punch made by hardening her wrist at the moment of the impact was a blow that made her bones resound.

Instantly Ayumi's legs separated from the ground and from the beginning exhausted body sunk into the sandy beach. Appearing to have completely fainted, her face half buried in the sand, she was completely still.

"Wha...."

Overcome with surprise at the sudden violence, Ren shouted white as a ghost.

"What have you done?"

But Mayumi didn't even looked at Ren. As she already stated "your turn is already over" she disregarded his existence itself.

Instead, the man who followed behind her moved. With body movement that had no openings he stepped forward and got on his knee before Ayumi.

Decidedly, he did not attempt to nurse her. Grabbing hold of Ayumi by the hair, casually the man lifted her head as if he would uproot a radish.

"...........E-eek......"

"What are you doing?"

Coldly looking down on Ayumi's feeble struggle, the man said in a monotonous tone.

"Do you think you can be lying down in front of the young lady, do you?"

"Yuu...ji.....sama....."

"Silence!"

The man - Yuuji - abruptly became enraged.

"With that face, through that mouth, don't call out my name! How disgusting!"

Raising his hand, pulling her hair even more, he made Ayumi stand on her knees. And then - this time from the front, he slapped her face onto the sand. Forcibly making Ayumi take a prostrating position, Yuuji shouted.

"Apologize! Until your voice becomes hoarse, until your throat tears apologize! Did you understand in how much danger did you put the young lady? If we didn't find you in time what would have happened! Did you intend for the young lady to be a sacrifice in your place? You puppet doll!!"

That was the limit.

He thought he himself endured it really well. Surely, big brother would praise him for it. Or - he'll get angry for letting it get that far.

Quietly he held out his right hand and pointed his index finger at Yuuji. And then - without a moment of hesitation he released hs power.

The thin, refined heat ray grazed Yuuji's cheek sticking into the concrete wall. The red hot concrete melted and the wall followed it, crashing.

"..........What kind of behavior.." Yuuji questioned with a voice stiffed to death. However, like Mayumi did before, Ren completely disregarded that utterance.

It wasn't a provocation or something like that. It's just that in Ren's field of vision no one else but Ayumi was reflected. It was just that.

"Re....n.....?"

For the girl weakly getting up, hearing that cracked voice, Ren painfully shook his head.

"As I thought, it's useless."

I can't control it.

I can't endure it.
Anymore than this - I can't stand it.

"What is the right thing to do, I don't even know. However, to hand you over to these guys it's absolutely impossible."

Whether it's right or not, that's long past. His feelings denied that option.

"Fall back!"

Struck by that sharp voice, Ayumi reflexively kicked the ground. Slightly further away from Yuuji. In that gap Ren threw a fireball brought forth from the sky.

"-Tch!"

Visibly agitated by the blast, Yuuji and Mayumi jumped. The distance widened even more. Well in advance Ren wedged himself in the space separating the two "enemies" and Ayumi.

"Humph - in the end brute force, huh?"

Staring at Ren blocking his way to Ayumi, Yuuji laughed fearless.

"Ah, well. Just as planed."

"Shall I back you up?"

"It's not necessary."

Politely rejecting Mayumi's proposal, he casually took one step forward. With an attitude full of composure he looked down on Ren taking a battle stance.

"Publicly- "

Without particularly preparing in advance, just standing, Yuuji began to speak in a relaxed manner.

"Publicly, it seems there are many idiots who believe Enjutsushi teh strongest but do you think so too?"

"-?"

Not understanding Yuuji's plan, Ren was perplexed. There is nothing to believe. The fact that Enjutsushi are the strongest is a <Reality> with no room for argument.

It's not about whether an Enjutsushi never lost to another kind of practitioner, of course there is no such thing. That is the power of one individual. It's about whether the ability difference can undermine the advantages and disadvantages of a technique style.

As for what technique system is the strongest - there is only one answer to that question. Without room for argument, with no chance for objection, the grave <Reality> doesn't change.

That is what Yuuji downright negated.

"What a foolish thing. All of you understand nothing about battle. The greatest offensive ability? When killing people do you think that is necessary?"

"What exactly?"

Including the confidence of certain victory in front of the perplexed Ren, Yuuji fired the question.

"You, where on earth do you plan to place your feet on?"

Unintentionally Ren stared at his own feet.There was nothing there but the ordinary sandy beach. There was no sign of set traps. There was no sense of discomfort when stepping on it, nothing but the feeling of soft sand-

''-Sand?''

"-Uh!!"

The sign of something wriggling, underneath his feet. Jumping by reflex, Ren's face became stiff with surprise and shivers.

Underground, and in addition to that, directly under his footprints a spear covered in sand was pushed up.

If his evasion would have been delayed by one second the spear would have stopped his foot by sewing it. it may be true he avoided the first attack but he had no room for relief. Visibly lying in wait at the spot Ren would come down, several spears sprung up.

"Kuu- "

Releasing fire and pointing it directly below, a countless number of spears burned to nothing. Coincident with his landing above the red hot sand, Ren rolled on the ground. Pursuing the rolling Ren from inside the sand, one after another, spears stick out.

While narrowly avoiding those, the boy cursed his overly optimistic thinking.

''Shit, Chijutsushi - so that's the reason!''

The spears hidden inside the sand were not something prepared in advance. Hardening the sand itself and changing its shape, Yuuji made those sharp spears.

Chijutsushi possess the force of the Earth Spirits. Sand, soil, ground stone and all materials affiliated with those, for them, are similar with extensions of their own hands. There was no need to expressly set traps.

The battleground itself was the Chijutsushi's weapon because that was for them the absolute most advantageous arrangement.

''What to do?''

Starting to see gaps one way or another, running in zig-zag to dodge the underground attacks, Ren looked for a breach. At any rate, as long as he is staying on the ground,his disadvantage can't be overcome.

Continuing to receive one-sided attacks without grasping a counter-attack clue, sooner or later he will receive a fatal blow.

On the other hand, Ren doesn't know such a jutsu that would allow him to gain a foothold on something else other than the ground.

If it were an Enjutsushi, he could fly into the air.

A Suijutsushi could maybe stand on top of water.

However, Ren being an Enjutsushi - it may be possible for Jugo or Genma - he had no skill to stand on top of flames. As long as gravity comes into play, he had no choice but to place his feet on the ground.

''What should I do?''

Looking over his surroundings, he searched for a turn-around plan. The sandy beach was the worst as a battle ground but concrete and asphalt must be similar. What remains -

''Inside the sea?''

It was out of the question. Ren being an Enjutsushi water was nothing more but a thing to be avoided. There was no point for Ren's power to weakened beyond what Yuuji could accomplish.

To Ren, stuck in a defensive battle, Yuuji turned words of ridicule.

"What's the matter? Are you just going to run? I don't care how far you run but if you go to far I'll take Ayumi and go back home."

"Kuu- "

Because of Yuuji's carelessness, recognizing he became long separated from Ayumi, Ren grinds his teeth. if it goes like this, Ayumi will really be taken away.

''What should I do? what should I -''

The problem was that he had no technique to defend against the blows. He can use flames to cover the surroundings but the bottom of his feet are perfectly defenseless. When fighting against Chijutsushi, that became a lethal weakness. A foothold was necessary. Separated from Yuuji's control, a scaffold made of <Earth> he cannot control.

He cannot fly into the sky. Water is also excluded. There's no wood near. He cannot stand on top of fire. On top of fire -

''-Huh?''

Suddenly Ren remembered the scene of a volcanic eruption he saw on TV. From craters, forcefully spitting out the red hot-

''Shall I give it a try?''

There was no time to spare. Making his resolve, Ren stopped and concentrated his consciousness.

"Aa.......a.........aa!!"

From Ren's whole body golden flames erupted. The dazzling glimmer blurred even the contours of his body and the boy shined, transformed into a small sun.

"Ua.......unh, it's useless."

To encourage himself overpowered by the tremendous quantity of heat, Yuuji intentionally raised his voice.

"No matter how hot a flame you clad yourself in, you cannot defend against attacks from bellow."

Trying to make the reality that he was currently on offensive known, Yuuji was perplexed by the dull response from the spirits.

The spirits of the earth didn't respond to his will - No, something different obstructs the formation of sand spears.

"You....what did you do?"

He turns a glance full of suspicion towards Ren. No matter what an Enjutsushi tries to do, it's impossible to exercise a stronger influence towards sand than a Chijutsushi does.

Ren didn't answer. Unaffected, abandoning that body to the flames, he only stood rock still above the red ground.

"Red - ? I see, you- "

Yuuji stared at Ren's feet. What was there didn't have the rough characteristics of sand but was reflecting the flame like grass. Sometimes, from the bottom bubbles rose to the surface and burst open with a particular thick sound.

"You brat - you changed the burning sand to magma!"

"I gave it a try"

Receiving Yuuji's angry roar, Ren laughed triumphantly. It does not mean he had a positive proof. If a Suijutsushi can stand atop water he tried to stand atop magma, that could also be called fluid flame. He simply tried out that idea.

Although having a fluffy, undependable sense of touch, magma firmly sustained Ren's body weight. As there was no fist fight involved, the tenderness of the scaffold didn't matter. The radius was about two meters. Although modest,from the <Kingdom> underneath Yuuji's absolute control, Ren gained that much territory.

"D-don't be excited, boy!" barked Yuuji after loosing his advantage.

"Even for magma, it's <ground> attribute doesn't change. The situation is still the same!"

With an angry roar, including a severe determination, Yuuji ordered the ground spirits. Around Ren's surroundings magma unnaturally rose, molding red spearheads.

"Die, boy!!"

The spears lengthen trying to pierce Ren's body. But just before that - they stopped.

"W-whaaaaat!?"

Quietly gazing at the surprised Yuuji, Ren talked indifferent.

"Certainly magma is something that belongs to the <ground>. Still, half of it it's Enjutsushi possession. I'm not gonna hand it over so easily!"

The spear on the verge of touching his body, Ren casually flung it off. The hard sharp spear instantly lost her unity and returned with a small splash on the surface of the magma sea.

"Guu..........Ba......."

With a really detestable howl, Yuuji stopped trying to proactively commence the next attack. It's understandable.

The control of the material called magma with attributes of both <ground> and <fire> has been snatched away. That means that in a contest of pure strength he was defeated by Ren. As the opponent of a higher ranked practitioner, he couldn't carelessly take the vanguard.

"Next is my turn, huh?" Ren declared with no fighting spirit.

His pushed out right hand accurately aimed at Yuuji. From that palm golden flames gushed out.

"Oooooooooooohh!!"

Yuuji too, didn't gave in. Hoisting the sand beneath his feet, he threw it onto the approaching flame. A surging sea of white sand attacking the golden torrent.

Receiving the aftermath of the struggle between these two powers, the ground grated and the sky trembled.

"Gu........me..uuuu......."

Through clenched teeth Yuuji let out a pressing moan. He understood that in a contest of strength he was inferior. As it is, he will certainly be pressed down.

While his body burned in humiliation, Yuuji changed his tactics to defense. The sand changed into a bulky bedrock and stood before the fire torrent. Although the bedrock stopped the flames there was no room for relaxation.

"It's coming from behind."

Inside the thunderous roar made by the flames burning the rock, for some reason that whisper clearly reached his ears. Uneventfully changed to a quiet oath, Yuuji felt that enormous heat approaching from behind.

"Sh-shit!"

The already thin bedrock rose, splitting the sand and stopped a gigantic fire ball. Although withstanding it somehow, the tremendous mpact crossed over the bed rock and mercilessly pummeled Yuuji's body.

In the space between the two bedrocks Yuuji was in anguish. And there, the last blow came.

"Next is up"

" -!?"

Looking up at the sky, Yuuji's eyes peeled in shock. A remarcably big fireball descended upon Yuuji like a meteor. The distance was less than two meters.

"Kuuu- !"

It's unthinkable of having time to defend and so forth. Overhead the man looking at it dumbfounded, the fireball violently exploded.

"..............Uh!"

There wasn't much heat but the shock was hard to describe. The two sheets of bed rock made by him efficiently reverberated, sinking Yuuji's body in the sandy beach.

"Go...........bah.........."

As if gravity was increased a hundred fold, the extremely heavy pressure flattened his body, the air in his lungs was squeezed out without exception and all the bones in his body creaked.

"Not........not yet......yet......"

Putting all his strength in his arms Yuuji seemed to want to push out the heavens. But after lifting it 10 centimeters the elbow joints made a thick sound and bent the other way.

When the broken right arm fell to the ground the shining fireball in the sky also vanished. But even so, Yuuji couldn't give up.

The sound of the broken bed rock resounded in vain, like the gong at the end of the match.

===Part 4===

"-Fuuu"

Taking a small breath, Ren shifted his attention to the remaining two.

Ayumi's gaze shaking with anxiety. And, despite having the same face, not showing even the smallest disturbance, expressing a thin smile, Mayumi:

Confronting Mayumi directly, Ren asked with a determined look.

"What will you do? Do you want to give it a try?"

While it may be true her outward appearance was that of a frail young lady, he won't act unprepared. Based on Yuuji's behavior it was clear Mayumi was the purest descendant. Not an opponent to make light of.

"Oh, the Kannagi young lord would go as far as to raise his hand against a non resisting woman?"

With no place for misunderstanding, Mayumi's expression was provocative. Even so, looking puzzled at the girl not showing any indication of battle, Ren retaliated in a low voice:

"-If you want to run away I won't pursue you"

"Well, thank you"

Replying to the lenient laugh with a scornful laugh Mayumi shed a fleeting glance.

"That's what he said Yuuji. What will you do?"

"-?"

Looking the same way Mayumi did, Ren unintentionally opened his eyes wide. Over there, Yuuji, beaten down enough to keep him immobilized for three months, was crawling out of sand, drawing near.

".........Ridiculous......"

It was impossible. From right overhead, from an angle he couldn't elude he received a strong bomb blast. He must have ten or twenty bone fractures and his internal organs were supposed to be damaged. Not the kind of injury you could move with because of fighting spirit and will power - that's the way it was supposed to be.

Mayumi loudly sneered at Ren in mute amazement.

"It seems you took lightly a Chijutsushi's resistance."

The high ranking Chijutsushi, by directly taking the ground's <ki> inside their body, are endowed with a resistance that exceeds common sense. Ren too, also knew that but seeing it in practice was fairly ominous.

"B-but....."

While looking at Yuuji advancing by crawling, as if he was seeing a zombie, Ren shouted.

"He received so much damage! It's impossible to recover so much to try and fight immediately!"

"Is that so?"

As for Mayumi, she was thoroughly composed.

"Yuuji, were you not supposed to protect me at the cost of your own life? Do you plan to crawl out of there cowering to see me getting killed?"

The effect of those words was tremendous.

Enduring the pain, Yuuji stood up and although stumbling, began to walk on his own two feet. Step by step that unsteady manner of walking lost its disorder and by the time he stood up in front of Ren, blocking his way to Ayumi, with the exception of the smashed right arm, he seemed completely recovered.

"..........I,will protect,my lady.............."

With an unsightly smashed but firmly determined voice, Yuuji bravely declared.

"I will absolutely not let her, get killed.........."

"I don't want to kill her!" Ren shouted while feeling, without knowing why, overawed by a dying, severely wounded person.

"If she wanted to go back she can go for all I care! I have no business with the lot of you. I just want to protect Ayumi-chan, that's all!"

Hearing Ren's claim, Yuuji unexpectedly starred in wonder. And then, he suddenly burst into laughter.

"Ku ku ku......Buahahahaha.......ku ku ku ku ku....."

Although throwing up blood, Yuuji still laughed. His blood stained face was warped and extremely happy.

"I see......that's the way it is, huh?....."

"Wh-.....what is so funny?...."

Ren suddenly shouted blushing with anger and Yuuji suddenly stopped his sneer.

"You don't understand anything. You're just a brat playing with the power passed through your body."

"What?"

"Just shut up already and go back home. Forget everything that happened today."

Those remarks almost like regarding an unreasonable child made Ren childishly exasperated.

"Don't joke around with me! I'm not gonna hand Ayumi-chan over to guys like- "

"So, do you say my lady should be the sacrifice instead?"

With a terribly cold expression, Yuuji retaliated.

Seeing Ren lost for words at the unexpected objection, almost like pressing for an answer, he continued.

"It's not like you don't know. Ayumi is the ritual sacrifice. It's a thing made for the sake of dying instead of my lady. If you protect it, it's equivalent with killing my lady."

"That sort of- I- "

"''I have no intention of doing that'', huh? The meaning of the act called protection is it the affectation of a knight who does not consider the weight of words, just entrusts to his power? That's why I said you are a brat who doesn't understand anything!!"

"Wro......"

''Wrong'' - when trying to say that word, with all his heart Ren was at a loss for words. There was nothing to answer back.

"Listen, kid. The act of protection means obviously getting your hands dirty for something important. For the sake of that one irreplaceable thing to be prepared to cut down everything else! Mere lip service changes nothing - saves nothing!"

A few hours ago, when Ren started speaking about making preparations for a substitute sacrifice, Ayumi gently rebuked him.

''-If you speak dirty words, your heart will become dirty too-''

They were beautiful words. If anyone heard these words after knowing Ayumi's situation, they would have been deeply moved.

But, Ayumi will die. Without leaving anything behind except that deep emotion, she will disappear from this world.

-To die in such a beautiful way or to survive in an ugly way -

Which was correct, Ren was not able to judge. On the other hand, Yuuji did not hesitate.

"For the sake of protecting my lady, I will kill Ayumi.Those that will get in the way, I will kill them all! I will remove all obstacles even at the cost of my life and protect my lady!"

DETERMINATION

Crossing over the judgement of right and wrong, good and evil, Yuuji selected the protection of that "one thing" that must be protected. To stop him it seems there is no choice but to kill him.

But, right now Ren had no will to go through with it to that extent. No, even if he had that determination, he lost sight to whom it should be pointed to.

''What should be do? -What should I do?''

Ren was perplexed.

But before the boy found the answer, the situation changed.

"......Kyaa......"

Swept by the wind, a disappearing small shriek. But even so, it was impossible for Ren to miss that voice. Because that was no one else's but Ayumi's voice.

"Ayumi-chan!?"

In front of Ren's eyes,turning around with a changed expression, were reflected the figures of Ayumi and Mayumi, standing behind her. Embraced her closely from behind,ayumi's pale complexion became stiff.

Although not being strangled or press against a dangerous weapon, panic grabbed hold of her heart.

"-My lady..."

When Yuuji called out to her, Mayumi's lips became sharp with dissatisfaction.

"What, are you telling me not to get involved? aren't you at fault for being inefficient?"

"No, I'm sorry for causing you trouble."

" -Humpf! Good grief. I'll be troubled if you can't be more reliable!"

This time she held her head high, self-important. She seemed to have a pretty simple personality.

"At any rate- "

While embracing Ayumi, Mayumi shifted her focus on Ren.

"Loving such a doll as this, the Kannagi young lord too, must have some unusual hobbies."

"Ayumi-chan is not a doll! She's human!"

"-Hey, hey..."

At Ren's shout, Mayumi displayed a studied surprise and looked down on Ayumi:

"You said nothing, did you? -What a bad child."

Suddenly thinking of something, Mayumi gently stroked Ayumi's cheek and her body tightly shrunk. That face, smiling complacently, gave the impression of a cat considering how to tease the mouse pinned down by its forelimbs.

A cruel smile lifting her lips, Mayumi said:

"Do you listen, Kannagi young lord? The ''Ayumi-chan'' you tried so hard to protect is not human."

"W- what are you say-"

"It's the truth. Because, you see, this is a clone made by cultivating my cells."

" -!?"

Ren opened his eyes wide with surprise. But simultaneously, he felt somewhere in his heart it was true.

Mayumi and Ayumi - even assuming they were sisters, those two resembled too much.

''Thing Doll Sacrifice'' - completely spoken ill of, a girl whose human dignity was trampled underfoot.

If it was just as Mayumi said, if Ayumi was not human and was created for the sake of dying as a sacrifice, doesn't everything makes sense?

''"A lie.......It's a lie"''

Aiming a smile full of spite at the dumbfounded Ren, Mayumi continued.

"Her appearance may seem that of a twelve years old girl but in reality only a month passed since its creation. Even her planted memories have been suitably edited from my own. That kind of crude doll, you tried to protect with your knight affectation. ''That was fun ♥''"

"It.......It's a lie......"

"Let me tell you one more thing. Even if she doesn't become the sacrifice, just a month from now on, fer life span will be cut from inside. Made with no intention to use for an extended period of time, just instant makeshift goods."

"That's, a lie...."

Ren looked at Ayumi almost like searching for help. She received his glance for just one second and sadly cast her eyes down.

Thus, at last Ayumi - Ayumi told the truth.

"........It's true. I am the katashiro doll[http://eos.kokugakuin.ac.jp/modules/xwords/entry.php?entryID=308] made for the sake of keeping Mayumi-sama alive. Mayumi-sama's impostor"

Where is the genuine '''Ayumi'''?

''I have no memories'' - Ayumi told Ren so. That's natural. If she had been made just a month before, it's impossible for those to exist. Without even trying to steal it, there was nothing there form the beginning. Everything was an imitation. If only her heart was more than a transient object, his own act of protecting Ayumi, his determination, everything would not have been a wasted effort.

"I look, so stupid....."

His body was full with a sense of helplessness. Feebly hanging his head, Ren collapsed on the sandy beach.

"It looks like that was a lot of shock, huh?"

Coldly looking down on the defeated Ren, Mayumi sneered.

"That's only natural. It made him realize his own buffoonery can't go any higher."

"Well, isn't that fine? By understanding reality, the boy becomes an adult."

".........you could say that."

Yuuji replied to Mayumi's words, pretending to act like a grown-up, in a quiet voice. Maybe because they were both men, but it was impossible not to feel sympathy for Ren.

"Come now, let's go home. We must quickly return and prepare for the ceremony."

On the other hand, Mayumi didn't have such a compassionate heart. Already disregarding Ren's existence, she starts thinking about tomorrow's ceremony.

"....yes", Yuuji respectfully bowed.

Receiving Ayumi, presented to him like luggage, the same way as they came, he followed Mayumi like a servant.

But, at the same time he placed his leg on the stairs connected to the main road-

"Step aside!"

From the vicinity of the main road that command reverberated, and a second later a golden pillar of fire lit the sky.

Involuntarily the three people turned around to Ren. But, he did not seemed to notice the present disturbance and was kneeling on the sandy beach, his head hanged. Hearing footsteps they turned in the direction of the main road once more. Two sets of footsteps. Both of them light. They were probably women.

Around that time, Yuuji made a guess about the opponent's identity. Noticing he should be in front, he tried to make Mayumi step back, but- it was slightly late.

"Ren!"

On top the stairs, one girl appeared.

Pushing out the darkness, the aura of red and gold shining out far and wide. The enormous amount of fire spirits that followed her in the background were displaying the girl as the human model of the flame itself.

"This is also......"

From Yuuji's mouth a mutter of unexpected wonder leaked out. Certainly her age was sixteen. And although childish, the shape of the young lady captivated him.

Overflowing from that small body, the surge of an overwhelming power. That sword was not yet drawn out but even so, it was impossible to misread the girl's identity.

''Beautiful- ''

He genuinely thought so. That was not in regard for the human, much less the opposite sex but the same deep emotion he felt at the time he looked at Mother Nature's magnificent scenery.

Suddenly, he noticed a sharp glance. Calmly looking away and folding her arms, Mayumi's half opened glare met his eye.

"''This is also...''" with a monotonous voice Mayumi repeated Yuuji's words.

"What is the meaning of ''This is also...'' Yuuji ?"

"Ah, no, that is..."

While becoming completely confused, Yuuji desperately searched for explanatory words.

If he cannot talk his way out of it now, it will become fairly difficult afterwards.

"That, didn't have any significant meaning. This is also...flashy...?"

"-Humph, that so?"

With that considerably packed expression Mayumi nodded.

"Well, afterwards I'll receive a lengthy explanation of that matter. Now it's not the time for it."

Mayumi faced the two standing at the top of the stairs.

"Nice meeting you, Kannagi princess. Being able to meet you is an honor."

".......and you are?"

The girl - Ayano, shortly inquired.

"I was slow in saying. I am Tsuwabuki Mayumi. This is my attendant Yuuji. Although belonging to a collateral family, for the time being permit him to call himself with the Tsuwabuki surname."

"If I say I will, I wonder will I have to call you by such an embarrassing name as ''Tsuwabuki princess''?"

"I am at your mercy."

To Ayano's provocative response, Mayumi bowed her head with a smiling face.

irritated, Ayano ended this conversation lacking sincerity and got to the main question.

"I have no particular business with you. Where is Ren?"

Mayumi pointed at the sandy beach in the back.

"Somewhere in that area. Maybe he is crying holding his knees."

"What, have you done to him?"

The atmosphere became noisy. The explosive scarlet aura flickered like a flame.

"Physically, nothing. He did not receive a single wound."

".........haa"

When that report was made, Yuuji looked sullen.

"But it seems his emotional scars are quite deep. We would be troubled if you complained to us about such things. About the details, you can ask that boy. However, I believe not prying into it would be a kindness to him."

Just saying that, with no precaution Mayumi started walking up the stairs. Whipping his wounded body, Yuuji went in front of Mayumi, trying to be a shield as much as possible.

"Well then-"

Greeting her while passing by one another, Mayumi walked near Ayano's side. And then, after looking at the retreating figure running down the stairs not returning the favor, she shifted her focus on the other person - a woman standing in a somewhat separated place.

"Good evening. It's been a long time, Police Superintendent Tachibana."

"We haven't talked in a long time, Mayumi-san"

That perfectly ordinary greeting, the detective in charge of Tokyo MPD's Special Investigation Unit, Police Superintended Tachibana returned with an absolutely tranquil tone.

"Because you didn't appear together with the that young woman, can we assume you have no intention of opposing the Tsuwabuki regarding the Kannagi matter?"

"Of course. We have no intention of interfering in any kind of dispute. Naturally, if you would accept our mediation, we woul feel that position with pleasure."

"That won't be necessary."

The faint tension that dwelt in Kirika's words, smiling, Mayumi severed it when she replied.

"Everything has been already settled. We have regained the object Kannagi Ren stole and because it's something a child did, we have no intention of blaming the Kannagi Clan for that error. If you would be so good as to pass it along to Ayano-san."

"......I will comply"

"Thank you"

Bowing her head to Kirika, Mayumi left accompanied by her attendant and the spoils of war.

No matter how polite her tone was, the girl's attitude was that of a victor who obtained everything.

Gazing for a brief period at the retreating figure, never looking back, Kirika started walking towards the defeated boy or maybe the defeated people.

"There's no sign this is ending here."

That's what she was thinking.

[[User:Ayame|Ayame]] ([[User talk:Ayame|talk]]) 10:01, 24 March 2013 (CDT)

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| Back to [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume3_Chapter_2|Chapter 2]]
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| Forward to [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume3_Chapter_4|Chapter 4]]
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Kaze no Stigma:Volume3 Chapter 3

2013-04-28T15:13:52Z

80.240.162.190: /* Part 3 */

===Chapter 3 - The person one must protect===

===Part 1===

"......................"

Inside the train, Ren was frozen solid.He sat in such a way that if someone poked him, he would roll on the floor while in sitting position.

The reason for that was the existence of the girl sitting earnestly on his left side, Ayumi. She was clinging to Ren's left arm in order for their bodies to be glued as close as possible.

At the beginning of her teens, wearing a coat over the still immature body, although the sensation wasn't supposed to be very fresh, it's still impossible to be composed about it.

Contrastive to Ayumi, who yielded herself to Ren with a peaceful appearance, his brain has been frozen for the last 10 minutes.

- It happened approximately 10 minutes before.

At the time they waited for the train on the platform of Tokyo Station, staring at Ren shivering from the coldness of the wind, Ayumi asked in a worried manner:

"Are you cold?"

"No, I'm fine"

Ren showed a smile meant to give her a piece of mind but the next moment that smile became frozen.

"a... a... a... Ayumi-chan?"

"If we are like this it's warm, right?"

Feeling guilty for borrowing his coat and trying to transfer her own body temperature, she clung to Ren's arm.

"D-don't do that -"

Ren's brain, trying to separate his body, was pierced by Ayumi's expression, looking at him with upturned eyes.

"-No?"

"Eh, ah, no, that sort of..."

A stuttering Ren. He was unbelievably ashamed, he also thought this sort of thing is wrong, but before the girl's gaze, looking at him sadly, he couldn't shake his head.

''What to do.....''

The warm sense of touch transmitted by his left arm thoroughly snatched Ren's presence of mind. After that, when, how did hey get into the train, he didn't remember any of it.

"I'm sorry"

"-Eh?"

Receiving such an abrupt apology, Ren's consciousness recovered after a long time. Ayumi's turned away expression, full of guilt was reflected in his eyes.

"About what?"

"For making such an odd request."

Ren replied while laughing.

"It's not a big deal, this much"

Actually the girl's wish was simple. What it required were traveling expenses and a little bit of time. Just those will suffice.

''Take me to the sea''

That's what Ayumi spoke in the park. It was just one wish. Naturally, Ren had no objection.

Investigating those contents for a while, he asked only one thing.

"Is a harbor-like place acceptable? Or a sandy beach?"

Without wavering, Ayumi chose the latter. Therefore, together they boarded the Tokaido Line. That route was aimed at Chigasaki.

If that was the nearest swimming beach, Ren doesn't know. But that was the only place he could lead her to. Because of his family's line of work he is a boy unrelated to family vacations et cetera. He had hardly any experience of swimming in the sea. Ren was deeply grateful to the girl who took him by force sea bathing last year's summer.

While chasing the flowing scenery, Ayumi murmured:

"In the end, I wanted to see something beautiful with my own eyes."

"In the end, you say?"

"When I do so, I'm going back. To the Tsuwabuki."

"No!", Ren promptly shouted.

"No! They don't treat you like a fellow human. Only like a tool. If you return to those people you'll never be happy. If you have no place to go, you can come to my house. The Kannagi Clan will, without exception -"

"Ren, you see-"

Ayumi quietly interrupted Ren's desperate pleading words.

"Have you heard about the Tsuwabuki's Grand Festival?"

"The Grand Festival - about that ceremony to appease the volcanic activity of Mt. Fuji? I'm not very familiar with it but the practitioner always lost his life... "

Going that far, Ren turned a terrified glance towards Ayumi.

"No...way....."

What was reflected in those eyes was Ayumi's excessively tranquil smiling face. It was unbelievable. Ren completely denied that expression. There shouldn't be something like that. Such a thing cannot be allowed. Something like that- something like that-

"I have no family name, nor a family register, naming myself is not permitted, but-"

''No way''

''I don't want to hear''

Despite this - the body doesn't move. Even blocking his ears, he can't do it. Without waiting for agreement or disagreement, pouring into his ears, that tone calm as the surface of the lake. Admitting everything, allowing it, accepting it.

"I am called Tsuwabuki. According to the lineage, something like a direct descendant."

''I don't want to hear it''

"The ceremony is tomorrow night. Therefore, I must get back until then. Because I- because I am the priest of the ritual"

''Because I am the priest of the ceremony''

From Ren's body, with a water-like sound, blood flew backwards.

The Yamatsumino Grand Festival - the origin of it goes back roughly 300 years.

The year is 1707 - during the Houei era was the last volcanic eruption of Mt. Fuji and the greatest since the dawn of history. The violent eruption reaching 15 days, it was said that the volcanic ash fell as far as the distant town of Edo. It was not only Kantō but a life or death crisis for Japan itself. No matter how many times Mt. Fuji erupted, it didn't show any signs of quieting down.

That raging <Ki> finally resulted in the embodiment of one demon beast. The impersonation of Fuji's <ki>. it is certain that was the largest, strongest devilishness that materialized in this country. If one tried to rank it among other demon beasts, the only reference it had would be the legendary monsters, like the eight tail serpent that couldn't be defeated without the help of god's power.

The beast's roar beckoned eruptions and its stepping feet invoked eruptions. Mowing down everything it touched, it exhausted the limits if tyranny. The ones who sealed it were the yet unknown Tsuwabuki family. A young girl leading the family offered prayers to the King of the Earth Spirits for seven days and seven nights and finally attained that divine protection.

And then, by that divine protection, the girl managed to seal that demon beast. Thus Mt. Fuji calmed down and Japan's peace was protected. And they all lived happily ever after.

-But that story has sequel.

First, that girl was not able to endure the release of such an over-sized power and lost her life with the seal. And then, even after applying such a powerful seal, the demon beast's lock couldn't continue forever. Being the personification of an active volcano, it's possible to say that was the unavoidable outcome.

Approximately 30 years - that was the limit of the seal. For the sake of continuing the sealing of a raging demon beast seeking release, Tsuwabuki family had no choice but to conduct the ceremony at fixed intervals for the sake of suppressing Mt. Fuji's <Ki>.

Because of the divine protection of the Spirit King that dwelt in their blood - the strongest unmarried woman was elected as the priest of the ceremony.

Until today, the sealing ceremony known under the bombastic name of "Grand Festival" took place 8 times. And there were 8 casualties. The fatality ratio was 100%. This is the reason the ceremony practitioner was named sacrifice.

With no other option, the 9th ceremony approached. The girl called Ayumi was a lamb led to slaughter.

How long was he in blank amazement, I wonder. When Ren came to his senses, Ayumi was smiling gently, looking at him.

Unable to meet that extremely pitiful smile, Ren muttered, while looking down.

"Why?....."

"Ren?"

"Why do you have to do such a...."

After examining for a short while Ren's expression, Ayumi replied:

"Because someone has to do it"

'''''"But it doesn't have to be you-"'''''

Ayumi softly touched Ren's lips with her fingers. The boy who unintentionally couldn't keep his mouth shut, she rebuked him gently.

"It's not good saying these kind of things. If you speak filthy words your heart will become filthy too"

"........I'm sorry.........."

Ayumi shook her head.

"No. It's alright. Truthfully I was a little happy. Because I was never regarded as something valuable."

From the moment she was born, it was decided that Ayumi will be a sacrifice. She wasn't regarded as part of the same family, not recognized as a human being. For this girl with no family register, with no choice but being a tool for the ceremony, so far there wasn't a single person to hold her life dear.

Pointlessly, Ren made sure of her acknowledgement.

"Even so, you'll do it? For the sake of those who think of you as a tool?"

"It's different", Ayumi flatly shook her head.

"It has nothing to do with the Tsuwabuki family's expectations. Because it must be done no matter what, I'll do it. It's bad if Mt. Fuji erupts, right?"

"That is true..."

"If I am able to suppress it, my life, my death is not worthless.Even if the physical me dies, my prayers will fuse with the mountain and I will continue to watch over this country eternally. That's a very beautiful thing, don't you agree?"

"................."

Something is wrong. Something is terribly wrong, Ren thought so.

'''''-Don't try to glorify death with words of self-sacrifice -'''''

Kazuma's words, once intended for him were recalled to his mind. Doesn't Ayumi make the same mistake he did at the same time? But Ren had no persuasion words for the girl. He could not think of a path that doesn't result in Ayumi's death.

Only to let Mt. Fuji erupt-

To replace Ayumi as a sacrifice.

She would accept neither. There is no mistake about it, the girl known as Ayumi was the type that would sacrifice herself for others.

"That's why I'm not afraid of death. It's because I was born for this purpose. And yet, I desired memories before the time comes. Memories of my own, born from my own experience."

In that peaceful pupil, that accepted everything dwelt the light of a faint longing.

''Memories of her own?''

It's only natural to display a strong attachment for one's dying wish. But even so, that was a strange expression. Memories are neither true nor false.

To the bewildered Ren, Ayumi threw another bomb.

"You see, I don't have my own memories."

"Eh?"

"I haven't lost my memories. It's not like I have something to remember and I don't, it's more like I have ''nothing'' to remember."

"..............."

Without saying anything, Ren starred at Ayumi dumbfounded.

"If it would be just like that, even speaking and moving my body would have been impossible. But the me right now is something ignorant of the ways of the world but I can communicate with other people. Do you know why?"

"Wasn't it because you kept studying it?"

Toward such an unbelievable circumstance, Ren said so, including a ray of hope.

But, as feared, Ayumi shook her head.

"In my had there are transcripts of another's memories.I don't know how it's been done, though"

Almost like it was somebody else's problem, Ayumi indifferently recited those grand circumstances. Ren finally had the feeling he understood the reason why Ayumi had no attachment to her life. She had nothing to be particular about.

Not even recognized as a person, her existence valued as nothing but a tool, day after day. Planted forged memories. Without beginning, Ayumi's life ended.

With no room to harbor hope, she has no attachment except despair. Together with that gentle resignation, Ayumi accepted everything.

"That's why I wanted to see the world through my eyes even if it's just once. I wished for something that's not faked, real memories."

Like telling an unfulfilled dream, Ayumi whispered with a distant look. Toward the ordinary everyone was given as a natural privilege - no, the privilege they took for granted she felt endless longing and envy.

"The moment I saw the sky when I first felt the residence, I was very surprised. How vast was the sky windows don't limit, Mt. Fuji was so big..."

"Ayumi-chan......"

"The sky, the stars, the moon were so much more beautiful than what I remembered. Surely, the sea must be very beautiful, right?"

The silhouette of the innocent girl in high spirits was reflected in Ren's eyes as overbearingly pitiful.

-She wanted to see beautiful things-

What sort of feelings did she include when she said those words? The words of a girl dreaming, escaping from reality, no that he knew everything, they were unbelievably heavy.

"-This is hopeless"

With a strong determination, Ren muttered in his heart.

''Such a thing cannot be. It cannot be forgiven.''

"Ayumi-chan!"

"W-what?"

His immature sense of justice aroused, Red declared strongly.

"I will protect Ayumi-chan"

" - Ren?"

"So please, don't give up. Don't say it's OK to die. Because I'll protect you. I'll protect you for sure."

"Ren........."

Making a somewhat troubled face, she looked at the boy making a vow.

Joy and sadness and the kindness of a mother watching over her child were mixed in that complex gaze.

Without noticing that gaze, Ren continued.

"I'm sure it exists. A way in which Ayumi-chan doesn't have to die. I'll do whatever it's in my power. My own ability may be very small but if it's big brother, surely- "

"Your older brother?"

"Eh?"

Ayumi unintentionally asked in return and Ren reaffirmed with force those entrusting words.

"Ah-"

In those cornered eyes hope was shining.

"That's right! I have my older brother! If it's big brother, he will definitely save you!"

Without a fragment of anxiety, with absolute faith in his voice, Ren clearly declared.

For a short while, Ayumi opened her eyes wide, staring at the smile of the boy, delighted as if the problem was already settled.

"Do you have such an amazing brother?"

"Yeah", Ren answered without a moment's hesitation.

"Big brother is stronger than anyone. There is nothing he can't do. I'm sure."

"............Is that so........."

"So please don't say such lonesome things like last memories and let's do many more together. I want to show you many other things. That is...."

Embarrassed and blushing Ren invited the girl screwing up his courage.

"Because - I'll take you no matter where"

".............."

Receiving Ren's invitation, for one instant, Ayumi seemed to burst into tears. However, in just one moment she erased that bitter expression and replied with a calm and somewhat sad smile.

"Right.....If we could do that, it would be very nice....."

===Part 2===

"I wonder where did big brother go....."

Descending on the platform of the Chiwasaki Station, the shore on the other side of it, Ren muttered to himself with a worried face.

He can't get in touch with Kazuma.

He called Kazuma's cellphone from the station's public telephone but what came back was the dull announcement of the answering machine.

Because his own cellphone broke, he can't wait for Kazuma to get in touch with him. In the end, leaving the message "I'll call again" Ren hanged the receiver.

"I'm beaten"

As soon as he complained, Ayumi's hand, holding his left arm, tightly hugged him. Flustered, Ren showed a bright smile meant to give her peace of mind.

"Oh, it's fine. Because we'll get in touch shortly."

" -yeah", Ayumi nodded a little.

For a little while they didn't speak. Both of them walked the road to the beach in silence.

"Ah........."

A sound resembling noise making her eardrums vibrate, Ayumi strained her ears. The term sea roar came to her mind.

"The sound of waves......?"

"Yeah. We'll be there shortly."

Nodding, Ren increased his pace to not fall behind Ayumi, who unconsciously did so.

And now -

"Ah - !"

At the magnificent view at last reflected in her eyes Ayumi raised her voice in delight. Ren looked in the came direction. It was the sea. The great deep stretching endlessly. The utmost blue sea surface sparkling in the downpour of sunshine - naturally, it wasn't.

The winter sea is cold and hollow. it doesn't have a particle of the heat and energy the summer sea is full of, instead it's pushing out a cold surface, almost like rejecting humans. Staring at the utmost black sea, the same color as the night sky, Ayumi muttered:

"Is this... The sea...........?"

Perceiving the sound of a clear disappointment, Ren became impatient.

"W-what to do......."

Thinking now about it, it was a problem he should have noticed earlier. The winter sea - at night. Seen by girl his age it can't be a pleasing spectacle.Anyway, there was definitely not enough light. But there are at least seven, eight hours until dawn breaks.

''If I had light....light -?''

The idea that reflexively occurred to him was suppressed at an almost instinctive level. His family admonished sternly such conduct. But, even so-

''Do it!''

After just 3 seconds of hesitation, Ren decided to dismiss good sense. For his peace of mind, turning around, he searched for indications of human presence, surveying the surroundings.

From what he roughly saw, there was none except them.

- It must be done now.

Summoning fire spirits, he shortly informed:

"Go"

" - Eh? What?"

Before Ayumi finished her second question - the sky exploded.

"Kyaa!?"

The golden light shines out far and white pressing down the darkness. The brightness spreading out on the entire surface of the sky dyed the world golden and the jet black sea surface glittered dazzlingly.

"This - this is....Ren?"

To the Ayumi starring up in succession to both the sky and Ren with a surprised gaze, somewhat embarrassed but at the same time very proud, Ren's nostrils twitched.

"It's impossible to replicate the midsummer sea, but it's better than the pitch black gloomy sea, right? How is it? Do you like it?"

"Ren- "

Calling out Ren's name with a voice trembling with delight, Ayumi gave Ren a bear-like hug.

"Amazing! It's amazing! It is the most beautiful thing I've seen!"

"R-really? I'm glad"

Although confused by Ayumi's bold conduct, the relaxation of Ren's cheeks was irrepressible. Ayumi's large smile - even if he tried to express it, it's magnificence was beyond words.

Underneath the gold radiance, they innocently smiled at each other and looked up at the sky. Just like a golden aurora borealis the movement of the dancing fire spirits combined and the canopy covering the entire sky changed the same way a kaleidoscope would.

"Beautiful...but won't it cause an uproar?"

Ren shrugged his shoulders in silence. Without even thinking, it was an obvious matter. This was not a solitary island in the southern sea. Approachable by walking from the train station it was an empty swimming area.

Although there was a shelter-belt and a fence obstructing the field of vision, a highway was running less than 10 meters away. The houses were close. Without having to wait, it's likely spectators with burning curiosity would arrive in great numbers. There's no mistake that it will appear in tomorrow's newspaper.

But even so, Ren didn't care.

To make Ayumi happy - right now, for Ren it was all that mattered. Seeing Ayumi's wet eyes, Ren asked her casually, as if inquiring about the dinner's menu.

"Do you want to keep it up just a little bit more? Before long it could cause trouble but if they get in the way I'll drive them away"

"....No, it's enough."

After considering for a short while, Ayumi shook her head.

"It's enough. Because I'll never forget it."

" -Alright"

With a light nod, Ren called out the fire spirits. Promptly answering to the Enjutsushi's will, the fire spirits came together in a boisterous dance of light. And then -

"....W...ow...."

The light shining in the sky rained like drops of water above ground. Like snow, lightly flickering in the wind, the golden drops descended in a dance.

Holding no temperature, the clusters of pure light, upon touching the sandy beach and the surface of the sea, burst open and disappeared like in a dream.

"Ah- "

The last descending drop, Ayumi caught it extending both her hands. The moment it touched her hand, the light fleetingly disappeared but the girl softly closed her hands and touched her chest. That irreplaceable something stored in her hands was tucked away inside her chest.

Dropping the curtain on the light's dance performance, affecting acting, Ren made a bow.

"Did it please you?"

"Yes - yes...."

Her eyes full of tears, Ayumi bowed many, many times over.

"I... I am glad that I am alive. Meeting Ren.... Seeing something so beautiful, I...I...from the bottom of my heart...."

Unable to bear it in the end, her tears escaped. Shed for the first time in her life, tears of happiness.

In order to wipe the sobbing girl's tears, handkerchief in hand, he touched her face. Both their shadows brought forth by the moonlight, slowly became one.

But - this moment was the concluding moment of their honeymoon. On their cuddled silhouettes a violent, intense light shined.

" -!?"

Turning around holding hands, an eternally domineering voice pierced their ears.

"That's right! I'm so happy for you! That means you have no more regrets in this world, right?"

In front of both of them, watching over in a daze, the woman with the light on her back laughed.

===Part 3===

''The pursuer from the Tsuwabuki!''

In an instant Ren saw through the shadow's true character. Or perhaps I should say, as far as Ren knew, it was the only opponent pursuing them.

Drawing Ayumi back and stepping forward with a sleepwalking like gait, Ren probed into the other party's attitude. Overlooking them for a brief period from a higher place, the woman descended the stairs and continued walking towards the beach in a composed manner.

One man, like a servant, followed her, leaving between them several steps.

Because of the back lighting he sees only outlines but even from those shadows it was impossible not to recognize the proud atmosphere drifting around the woman. The glance overlooking them was more suited for stray dogs than humans.

Leaving a distance of five meters between them, the woman faced Ren and Ayumi.

As one would expect, approaching so much, it was now possible to discriminate her looks. Closing his eyes partly, Ren observed the woman - and several seconds afterwards he opened his eyes wide in shock.

"Eh - ?"

The woman was younger than he thought. Probably not yet of age, in the second half of her teens. But that wasn't what Ren was surprised about.

-They looked alike.

Ren thought so, watching intently, in succession, Ayumi and the woman. No, they didn't resemble each other. If the age difference could be removed, their facial features would e perfectly the same.

Twins separated by age - those sort of contradicting words passed through Ren's head.

"Mayumi-sama........" Ayumi murmured, looking at that woman with a glance mixed with panic.

Unintentionally, Ren asked:

"Your elder sister?"

''If that is the case, she too can...''

The thought that instantly came to his mind, Ren denied it confused. Ayumi does not wish for such a thing.

-If you speak filthy words, your heart will become filthy too -

''Good grief, I need to be more careful.''

Agreeing to Ayumi's words reverberating in his head, he grasped her hand tenderly. Ayumi's face stiff from fear, still displayed a gallant smile.

'''"Elder sister?"'''

On the other hand, for the boy and the girl happy b themselves, the woman - Mayumi matched it with the height of displeasure.

"Elder sister, you said?"

Glaring at Ren as if he was her archenemy, she squeezed out a stifled to death voice from the gap between her clenched teeth. Her well regulated, elegant features, changed into the face of a demonic warrior.

"Don't mess around with me"

Mayumi's angry roar shrunk Ayumi's body with a start. After staring with much discord at the frightened girl, she turned an identical glance at Ren.

"It was enough taking Ayumi and running away without understanding the circumstance and this already foolish show, I believed you were someone lacking prudence but, never to this extent. Me and that thing sisters? It's the first time I was insulted so."

"..............."

It seems Ayumi didn't receive human treatment even from her relatives. Holding down the rising anger, Ren searched for presence in the surroundings. It was unpleasant when Ayumi was called "that" again but Mayumi's words implied an imminent crisis.

Other people didn't come. Because what Mayumi evaluated as a foolish exhibition was already over, if such a flashy, abnormal phenomenon happened, it's impossible for none to approach. Normally, about now, a crowd would have gathered on the beach and the police and fire department would have surrounded the place.

None of it happened.

It's very likely that right now this area was blocked.

By the subordinates of the Tsuwabuki.

''Can we escape?''

Without thinking of handing Ayumi over, Ren investigated the possibility of escape. The fact that the girl in question accepted her own faith was totally forgotten.

"Why are you so cautious, young Kannagi prince?"

Seeing through Ren's decision promptly, Mayumi laughed, smiling sweetly.

"Everything is already over. There is nothing left for you to try."

Although using honorifics, speaking in a clearly despising tone, Mayumi focused on Ayumi.

"................."

Without even using words, Mayumi carelessly beckoned her. as if calling her pet dog or something.

Ayumi started walking obediently.

"Ayumi-ch-"

"It's fine."

Ren's words, trying to call her to a halt, Ayumi interrupted them shortly and with a decisive voice.

"It's fine already. Thank you for everything until now. - It was very fun."

"Ayu- "

In order to shake of his extended hand, Ayumi turned her back on Ren. And with that, she never turned around.

Standing in front of Mayumi, Ayumi's body became stiff as if she turned to stone. Her glance swayed insecurely nearly Mayumi's feet. Suddenly Mayumi stretched her fingers to Ayumi's chin and forcefully pointed upwards her face hanged in shame. Coercively looking down on the startled girl, she said in a voice full of smiles:

"If you wanted to run away, you should at least have crossed toe ocean. Instead of that, seducing a man and flirting with him in this kind of place, - do you look down on us?"

The Chijutsushi manipulating the spirits of the earth can make searches on fairly long distances as long it's adjoining land. It goes without saying that if you know the target well that searching ability is further improved.

For the sake of running from Chijutsushi, by sea or by air - anyway the most important thing is to separate from the ground.

"I had...no intention...."

Staring at Ayumi, protesting in a trembling voice, wit the look a carnivorous animal has before its feed, Mayumi let go of her jaw.

And then - she pulled her hand backwards and swung with all her strength.

" -Uh!"

It wasn't something as lovely as a slap. The punch made by hardening her wrist at the moment of the impact was a blow that made her bones resound.

Instantly Ayumi's legs separated from the ground and from the beginning exhausted body sunk into the sandy beach. Appearing to have completely fainted, her face half buried in the sand, she was completely still.

"Wha...."

Overcome with surprise at the sudden violence, Ren shouted white as a ghost.

"What have you done?"

But Mayumi didn't even looked at Ren. As she already stated "your turn is already over" she disregarded his existence itself.

Instead, the man who followed behind her moved. With body movement that had no openings he stepped forward and got on his knee before Ayumi.

Decidedly, he did not attempt to nurse her. Grabbing hold of Ayumi by the hair, casually the man lifted her head as if he would uproot a radish.

"...........E-eek......"

"What are you doing?"

Coldly looking down on Ayumi's feeble struggle, the man said in a monotonous tone.

"Do you think you can be lying down in front of the young lady, do you?"

"Yuu...ji.....sama....."

"Silence!"

The man - Yuuji - abruptly became enraged.

"With that face, through that mouth, don't call out my name! How disgusting!"

Raising his hand, pulling her hair even more, he made Ayumi stand on her knees. And then - this time from the front, he slapped her face onto the sand. Forcibly making Ayumi take a prostrating position, Yuuji shouted.

"Apologize! Until your voice becomes hoarse, until your throat tears apologize! Did you understand in how much danger did you put the young lady? If we didn't find you in time what would have happened! Did you intend for the young lady to be a sacrifice in your place? You puppet doll!!"

That was the limit.

He thought he himself endured it really well. Surely, big brother would praise him for it. Or - he'll get angry for letting it get that far.

Quietly he held out his right hand and pointed his index finger at Yuuji. And then - without a moment of hesitation he released hs power.

The thin, refined heat ray grazed Yuuji's cheek sticking into the concrete wall. The red hot concrete melted and the wall followed it, crashing.

"..........What kind of behavior.." Yuuji questioned with a voice stiffed to death. However, like Mayumi did before, Ren completely disregarded that utterance.

It wasn't a provocation or something like that. It's just that in Ren's field of vision no one else but Ayumi was reflected. It was just that.

"Re....n.....?"

For the girl weakly getting up, hearing that cracked voice, Ren painfully shook his head.

"As I thought, it's useless."

I can't control it.

I can't endure it.
Anymore than this - I can't stand it.

"What is the right thing to do, I don't even know. However, to hand you over to these guys it's absolutely impossible."

Whether it's right or not, that's long past. His feelings denied that option.

"Fall back!"

Struck by that sharp voice, Ayumi reflexively kicked the ground. Slightly further away from Yuuji. In that gap Ren threw a fireball brought forth from the sky.

"-Tch!"

Visibly agitated by the blast, Yuuji and Mayumi jumped. The distance widened even more. Well in advance Ren wedged himself in the space separating the two "enemies" and Ayumi.

"Humph - in the end brute force, huh?"

Staring at Ren blocking his way to Ayumi, Yuuji laughed fearless.

"Ah, well. Just as planed."

"Shall I back you up?"

"It's not necessary."

Politely rejecting Mayumi's proposal, he casually took one step forward. With an attitude full of composure he looked down on Ren taking a battle stance.

"Publicly- "

Without particularly preparing in advance, just standing, Yuuji began to speak in a relaxed manner.

"Publicly, it seems there are many idiots who believe Enjutsushi teh strongest but do you think so too?"

"-?"

Not understanding Yuuji's plan, Ren was perplexed. There is nothing to believe. The fact that Enjutsushi are the strongest is a <Reality> with no room for argument.

It's not about whether an Enjutsushi never lost to another kind of practitioner, of course there is no such thing. That is the power of one individual. It's about whether the ability difference can undermine the advantages and disadvantages of a technique style.

As for what technique system is the strongest - there is only one answer to that question. Without room for argument, with no chance for objection, the grave <Reality> doesn't change.

That is what Yuuji downright negated.

"What a foolish thing. All of you understand nothing about battle. The greatest offensive ability? When killing people do you think that is necessary?"

"What exactly?"

Including the confidence of certain victory in front of the perplexed Ren, Yuuji fired the question.

"You, where on earth do you plan to place your feet on?"

Unintentionally Ren stared at his own feet.There was nothing there but the ordinary sandy beach. There was no sign of set traps. There was no sense of discomfort when stepping on it, nothing but the feeling of soft sand-

''-Sand?''

"-Uh!!"

The sign of something wriggling, underneath his feet. Jumping by reflex, Ren's face became stiff with surprise and shivers.

Underground, and in addition to that, directly under his footprints a spear covered in sand was pushed up.

If his evasion would have been delayed by one second the spear would have stopped his foot by sewing it. it may be true he avoided the first attack but he had no room for relief. Visibly lying in wait at the spot Ren would come down, several spears sprung up.

"Kuu- "

Releasing fire and pointing it directly below, a countless number of spears burned to nothing. Coincident with his landing above the red hot sand, Ren rolled on the ground. Pursuing the rolling Ren from inside the sand, one after another, spears stick out.

While narrowly avoiding those, the boy cursed his overly optimistic thinking.

''Shit, Chijutsushi - so that's the reason!''

The spears hidden inside the sand were not something prepared in advance. Hardening the sand itself and changing its shape, Yuuji made those sharp spears.

Chijutsushi possess the force of the Earth Spirits. Sand, soil, ground stone and all materials affiliated with those, for them, are similar with extensions of their own hands. There was no need to expressly set traps.

The battleground itself was the Chijutsushi's weapon because that was for them the absolute most advantageous arrangement.

''What to do?''

Starting to see gaps one way or another, running in zig-zag to dodge the underground attacks, Ren looked for a breach. At any rate, as long as he is staying on the ground,his disadvantage can't be overcome.

Continuing to receive one-sided attacks without grasping a counter-attack clue, sooner or later he will receive a fatal blow.

On the other hand, Ren doesn't know such a jutsu that would allow him to gain a foothold on something else other than the ground.

If it were an Enjutsushi, he could fly into the air.

A Suijutsushi could maybe stand on top of water.

However, Ren being an Enjutsushi - it may be possible for Jugo or Genma - he had no skill to stand on top of flames. As long as gravity comes into play, he had no choice but to place his feet on the ground.

''What should I do?''

Looking over his surroundings, he searched for a turn-around plan. The sandy beach was the worst as a battle ground but concrete and asphalt must be similar. What remains -

''Inside the sea?''

It was out of the question. Ren being an Enjutsushi water was nothing more but a thing to be avoided. There was no point for Ren's power to weakened beyond what Yuuji could accomplish.

To Ren, stuck in a defensive battle, Yuuji turned words of ridicule.

"What's the matter? Are you just going to run? I don't care how far you run but if you go to far I'll take Ayumi and go back home."

"Kuu- "

Because of Yuuji's carelessness, recognizing he became long separated from Ayumi, Ren grinds his teeth. if it goes like this, Ayumi will really be taken away.

''What should I do? what should I -''

The problem was that he had no technique to defend against the blows. He can use flames to cover the surroundings but the bottom of his feet are perfectly defenseless. When fighting against Chijutsushi, that became a lethal weakness. A foothold was necessary. Separated from Yuuji's control, a scaffold made of <Earth> he cannot control.

He cannot fly into the sky. Water is also excluded. There's no wood near. He cannot stand on top of fire. On top of fire -

''-Huh?''

Suddenly Ren remembered the scene of a volcanic eruption he saw on TV. From craters, forcefully spitting out the red hot-

''Shall I give it a try?''

There was no time to spare. Making his resolve, Ren stopped and concentrated his consciousness.

"Aa.......a.........aa!!"

From Ren's whole body golden flames erupted. The dazzling glimmer blurred even the contours of his body and the boy shined, transformed into a small sun.

"Ua.......unh, it's useless."

To encourage himself overpowered by the tremendous quantity of heat, Yuuji intentionally raised his voice.

"No matter how hot a flame you clad yourself in, you cannot defend against attacks from bellow."

Trying to make the reality that he was currently on offensive known, Yuuji was perplexed by the dull response from the spirits.

The spirits of the earth didn't respond to his will - No, something different obstructs the formation of sand spears.

"You....what did you do?"

He turns a glance full of suspicion towards Ren. No matter what an Enjutsushi tries to do, it's impossible to exercise a stronger influence towards sand than a Chijutsushi does.

Ren didn't answer. Unaffected, abandoning that body to the flames, he only stood rock still above the red ground.

"Red - ? I see, you- "

Yuuji stared at Ren's feet. What was there didn't have the rough characteristics of sand but was reflecting the flame like grass. Sometimes, from the bottom bubbles rose to the surface and burst open with a particular thick sound.

"You brat - you changed the burning sand to magma!"

"I gave it a try"

Receiving Yuuji's angry roar, Ren laughed triumphantly. It does not mean he had a positive proof. If a Suijutsushi can stand atop water he tried to stand atop magma, that could also be called fluid flame. He simply tried out that idea.

Although having a fluffy, undependable sense of touch, magma firmly sustained Ren's body weight. As there was no fist fight involved, the tenderness of the scaffold didn't matter. The radius was about two meters. Although modest,from the <Kingdom> underneath Yuuji's absolute control, Ren gained that much territory.

"D-don't be excited, boy!" barked Yuuji after loosing his advantage.

"Even for magma, it's <ground> attribute doesn't change. The situation is still the same!"

With an angry roar, including a severe determination, Yuuji ordered the ground spirits. Around Ren's surroundings magma unnaturally rose, molding red spearheads.

"Die, boy!!"

The spears lengthen trying to pierce Ren's body. But just before that - they stopped.

"W-whaaaaat!?"

Quietly gazing at the surprised Yuuji, Ren talked indifferent.

"Certainly magma is something that belongs to the <ground>. Still, half of it it's Enjutsushi possession. I'm not gonna hand it over so easily!"

The spear on the verge of touching his body, Ren casually flung it off. The hard sharp spear instantly lost her unity and returned with a small splash on the surface of the magma sea.

"Guu..........Ba......."

With a really detestable howl, Yuuji stopped trying to proactively commence the next attack. It's understandable.

The control of the material called magma with attributes of both <ground> and <fire> has been snatched away. That means that in a contest of pure strength he was defeated by Ren. As the opponent of a higher ranked practitioner, he couldn't carelessly take the vanguard.

"Next is my turn, huh?" Ren declared with no fighting spirit.

His pushed out right hand accurately aimed at Yuuji. From that palm golden flames gushed out.

"Oooooooooooohh!!"

Yuuji too, didn't gave in. Hoisting the sand beneath his feet, he threw it onto the approaching flame. A surging sea of white sand attacking the golden torrent.

Receiving the aftermath of the struggle between these two powers, the ground grated and the sky trembled.

"Gu........me..uuuu......."

Through clenched teeth Yuuji let out a pressing moan. He understood that in a contest of strength he was inferior. As it is, he will certainly be pressed down.

While his body burned in humiliation, Yuuji changed his tactics to defense. The sand changed into a bulky bedrock and stood before the fire torrent. Although the bedrock stopped the flames there was no room for relaxation.

"It's coming from behind."

Inside the thunderous roar made by the flames burning the rock, for some reason that whisper clearly reached his ears. Uneventfully changed to a quiet oath, Yuuji felt that enormous heat approaching from behind.

"Sh-shit!"

The already thin bedrock rose, splitting the sand and stopped a gigantic fire ball. Although withstanding it somehow, the tremendous mpact crossed over the bed rock and mercilessly pummeled Yuuji's body.

In the space between the two bedrocks Yuuji was in anguish. And there, the last blow came.

"Next is up"

" -!?"

Looking up at the sky, Yuuji's eyes peeled in shock. A remarcably big fireball descended upon Yuuji like a meteor. The distance was less than two meters.

"Kuuu- !"

It's unthinkable of having time to defend and so forth. Overhead the man looking at it dumbfounded, the fireball violently exploded.

"..............Uh!"

There wasn't much heat but the shock was hard to describe. The two sheets of bed rock made by him efficiently reverberated, sinking Yuuji's body in the sandy beach.

"Go...........bah.........."

As if gravity was increased a hundred fold, the extremely heavy pressure flattened his body, the air in his lungs was squeezed out without exception and all the bones in his body creaked.

"Not........not yet......yet......"

Putting all his strength in his arms Yuuji seemed to want to push out the heavens. But after lifting it 10 centimeters the elbow joints made a thick sound and bent the other way.

When the broken right arm fell to the ground the shining fireball in the sky also vanished. But even so, Yuuji couldn't give up.

The sound of the broken bed rock resounded in vain, like the gong at the end of the match.

===Part 4===

"-Fuuu"

Taking a small breath, Ren shifted his attention to the remaining two.

Ayumi's gaze shaking with anxiety. And, despite having the same face, not showing even the smallest disturbance, expressing a thin smile, Mayumi:

Confronting Mayumi directly, Ren asked with a determined look.

"What will you do? Do you want to give it a try?"

While it may be true her outward appearance was that of a frail young lady, he won't act unprepared. Based on Yuuji's behavior it was clear Mayumi was the purest descendant. Not an opponent to make light of.

"Oh, the Kannagi young lord would go as far as to raise his hand against a non resisting woman?"

With no place for misunderstanding, Mayumi's expression was provocative. Even so, looking puzzled at the girl not showing any indication of battle, Ren retaliated in a low voice:

"-If you want to run away I won't pursue you"

"Well, thank you"

Replying to the lenient laugh with a scornful laugh Mayumi shed a fleeting glance.

"That's what he said Yuuji. What will you do?"

"-?"

Looking the same way Mayumi did, Ren unintentionally opened his eyes wide. Over there, Yuuji, beaten down enough to keep him immobilized for three months, was crawling out of sand, drawing near.

".........Ridiculous......"

It was impossible. From right overhead, from an angle he couldn't elude he received a strong bomb blast. He must have ten or twenty bone fractures and his internal organs were supposed to be damaged. Not the kind of injury you could move with because of fighting spirit and will power - that's the way it was supposed to be.

Mayumi loudly sneered at Ren in mute amazement.

"It seems you took lightly a Chijutsushi's resistance."

The high ranking Chijutsushi, by directly taking the ground's <ki> inside their body, are endowed with a resistance that exceeds common sense. Ren too, also knew that but seeing it in practice was fairly ominous.

"B-but....."

While looking at Yuuji advancing by crawling, as if he was seeing a zombie, Ren shouted.

"He received so much damage! It's impossible to recover so much to try and fight immediately!"

"Is that so?"

As for Mayumi, she was thoroughly composed.

"Yuuji, were you not supposed to protect me at the cost of your own life? Do you plan to crawl out of there cowering to see me getting killed?"

The effect of those words was tremendous.

Enduring the pain, Yuuji stood up and although stumbling, began to walk on his own two feet. Step by step that unsteady manner of walking lost its disorder and by the time he stood up in front of Ren, blocking his way to Ayumi, with the exception of the smashed right arm, he seemed completely recovered.

"..........I,will protect,my lady.............."

With an unsightly smashed but firmly determined voice, Yuuji bravely declared.

"I will absolutely not let her, get killed.........."

"I don't want to kill her!" Ren shouted while feeling, without knowing why, overawed by a dying, severely wounded person.

"If she wanted to go back she can go for all I care! I have no business with the lot of you. I just want to protect Ayumi-chan, that's all!"

Hearing Ren's claim, Yuuji unexpectedly starred in wonder. And then, he suddenly burst into laughter.

"Ku ku ku......Buahahahaha.......ku ku ku ku ku....."

Although throwing up blood, Yuuji still laughed. His blood stained face was warped and extremely happy.

"I see......that's the way it is, huh?....."

"Wh-.....what is so funny?...."

Ren suddenly shouted blushing with anger and Yuuji suddenly stopped his sneer.

"You don't understand anything. You're just a brat playing with the power passed through your body."

"What?"

"Just shut up already and go back home. Forget everything that happened today."

Those remarks almost like regarding an unreasonable child made Ren childishly exasperated.

"Don't joke around with me! I'm not gonna hand Ayumi-chan over to guys like- "

"So, do you say my lady should be the sacrifice instead?"

With a terribly cold expression, Yuuji retaliated.

Seeing Ren lost for words at the unexpected objection, almost like pressing for an answer, he continued.

"It's not like you don't know. Ayumi is the ritual sacrifice. It's a thing made for the sake of dying instead of my lady. If you protect it, it's equivalent with killing my lady."

"That sort of- I- "

"''I have no intention of doing that'', huh? The meaning of the act called protection is it the affectation of a knight who does not consider the weight of words, just entrusts to his power? That's why I said you are a brat who doesn't understand anything!!"

"Wro......"

''Wrong'' - when trying to say that word, with all his heart Ren was at a loss for words. There was nothing to answer back.

"Listen, kid. The act of protection means obviously getting your hands dirty for something important. For the sake of that one irreplaceable thing to be prepared to cut down everything else! Mere lip service changes nothing - saves nothing!"

A few hours ago, when Ren started speaking about making preparations for a substitute sacrifice, Ayumi gently rebuked him.

''-If you speak dirty words, your heart will become dirty too-''

They were beautiful words. If anyone heard these words after knowing Ayumi's situation, they would have been deeply moved.

But, Ayumi will die. Without leaving anything behind except that deep emotion, she will disappear from this world.

-To die in such a beautiful way or to survive in an ugly way -

Which was correct, Ren was not able to judge. On the other hand, Yuuji did not hesitate.

"For the sake of protecting my lady, I will kill Ayumi.Those that will get in the way, I will kill them all! I will remove all obstacles even at the cost of my life and protect my lady!"

DETERMINATION

Crossing over the judgement of right and wrong, good and evil, Yuuji selected the protection of that "one thing" that must be protected. To stop him it seems there is no choice but to kill him.

But, right now Ren had no will to go through with it to that extent. No, even if he had that determination, he lost sight to whom it should be pointed to.

''What should be do? -What should I do?''

Ren was perplexed.

But before the boy found the answer, the situation changed.

"......Kyaa......"

Swept by the wind, a disappearing small shriek. But even so, it was impossible for Ren to miss that voice. Because that was no one else's but Ayumi's voice.

"Ayumi-chan!?"

In front of Ren's eyes,turning around with a changed expression, were reflected the figures of Ayumi and Mayumi, standing behind her. Embraced her closely from behind,ayumi's pale complexion became stiff.

Although not being strangled or press against a dangerous weapon, panic grabbed hold of her heart.

"-My lady..."

When Yuuji called out to her, Mayumi's lips became sharp with dissatisfaction.

"What, are you telling me not to get involved? aren't you at fault for being inefficient?"

"No, I'm sorry for causing you trouble."

" -Humpf! Good grief. I'll be troubled if you can't be more reliable!"

This time she held her head high, self-important. She seemed to have a pretty simple personality.

"At any rate- "

While embracing Ayumi, Mayumi shifted her focus on Ren.

"Loving such a doll as this, the Kannagi young lord too, must have some unusual hobbies."

"Ayumi-chan is not a doll! She's human!"

"-Hey, hey..."

At Ren's shout, Mayumi displayed a studied surprise and looked down on Ayumi:

"You said nothing, did you? -What a bad child."

Suddenly thinking of something, Mayumi gently stroked Ayumi's cheek and her body tightly shrunk. That face, smiling complacently, gave the impression of a cat considering how to tease the mouse pinned down by its forelimbs.

A cruel smile lifting her lips, Mayumi said:

"Do you listen, Kannagi young lord? The ''Ayumi-chan'' you tried so hard to protect is not human."

"W- what are you say-"

"It's the truth. Because, you see, this is a clone made by cultivating my cells."

" -!?"

Ren opened his eyes wide with surprise. But simultaneously, he felt somewhere in his heart it was true.

Mayumi and Ayumi - even assuming they were sisters, those two resembled too much.

''Thing Doll Sacrifice'' - completely spoken ill of, a girl whose human dignity was trampled underfoot.

If it was just as Mayumi said, if Ayumi was not human and was created for the sake of dying as a sacrifice, doesn't everything makes sense?

''"A lie.......It's a lie"''

Aiming a smile full of spite at the dumbfounded Ren, Mayumi continued.

"Her appearance may seem that of a twelve years old girl but in reality only a month passed since its creation. Even her planted memories have been suitably edited from my own. That kind of crude doll, you tried to protect with your knight affectation. ''That was fun ♥''"

"It.......It's a lie......"

"Let me tell you one more thing. Even if she doesn't become the sacrifice, just a month from now on, fer life span will be cut from inside. Made with no intention to use for an extended period of time, just instant makeshift goods."

"That's, a lie...."

Ren looked at Ayumi almost like searching for help. She received his glance for just one second and sadly cast her eyes down.

Thus, at last Ayumi - Ayumi told the truth.

"........It's true. I am the katashiro doll[http://eos.kokugakuin.ac.jp/modules/xwords/entry.php?entryID=308] made for the sake of keeping Mayumi-sama alive. Mayumi-sama's impostor"

Where is the genuine '''Ayumi'''?

''I have no memories'' - Ayumi told Ren so. That's natural. If she had been made just a month before, it's impossible for those to exist. Without even trying to steal it, there was nothing there form the beginning. Everything was an imitation. If only her heart was more than a transient object, his own act of protecting Ayumi, his determination, everything would not have been a wasted effort.

"I look, so stupid....."

His body was full with a sense of helplessness. Feebly hanging his head, Ren collapsed on the sandy beach.

"It looks like that was a lot of shock, huh?"

Coldly looking down on the defeated Ren, Mayumi sneered.

"That's only natural. It made him realize his own buffoonery can't go any higher."

"Well, isn't that fine? By understanding reality, the boy becomes an adult."

".........you could say that."

Yuuji replied to Mayumi's words, pretending to act like a grown-up, in a quiet voice. Maybe because they were both men, but it was impossible not to feel sympathy for Ren.

"Come now, let's go home. We must quickly return and prepare for the ceremony."

On the other hand, Mayumi didn't have such a compassionate heart. Already disregarding Ren's existence, she starts thinking about tomorrow's ceremony.

"....yes", Yuuji respectfully bowed.

Receiving Ayumi, presented to him like luggage, the same way as they came, he followed Mayumi like a servant.

But, at the same time he placed his leg on the stairs connected to the main road-

"Step aside!"

From the vicinity of the main road that command reverberated, and a second later a golden pillar of fire lit the sky.

Involuntarily the three people turned around to Ren. But, he did not seemed to notice the present disturbance and was kneeling on the sandy beach, his head hanged. Hearing footsteps they turned in the direction of the main road once more. Two sets of footsteps. Both of them light. They were probably women.

Around that time, Yuuji made a guess about the opponent's identity. Noticing he should be in front, he tried to make Mayumi step back, but- it was slightly late.

"Ren!"

On top the stairs, one girl appeared.

Pushing out the darkness, the aura of red and gold shining out far and wide. The enormous amount of fire spirits that followed her in the background were displaying the girl as the human model of the flame itself.

"This is also......"

From Yuuji's mouth a mutter of unexpected wonder leaked out. Certainly her age was sixteen. And although childish, the shape of the young lady captivated him.

Overflowing from that small body, the surge of an overwhelming power. That sword was not yet drawn out but even so, it was impossible to misread the girl's identity.

''Beautiful- ''

He genuinely thought so. That was not in regard for the human, much less the opposite sex but the same deep emotion he felt at the time he looked at Mother Nature's magnificent scenery.

Suddenly, he noticed a sharp glance. Calmly looking away and folding her arms, Mayumi's half opened glare met his eye.

"''This is also...''" with a monotonous voice Mayumi repeated Yuuji's words.

"What is the meaning of ''This is also...'' Yuuji ?"

"Ah, no, that is..."

While becoming completely confused, Yuuji desperately searched for explanatory words.

If he cannot talk his way out of it now, it will become fairly difficult afterwards.

"That, didn't have any significant meaning. This is also...flashy...?"

"-Humph, that so?"

With that considerably packed expression Mayumi nodded.

"Well, afterwards I'll receive a lengthy explanation of that matter. Now it's not the time for it."

Mayumi faced the two standing at the top of the stairs.

"Nice meeting you, Kannagi princess. Being able to meet you is an honor."

".......and you are?"

The girl - Ayano, shortly inquired.

"I was slow in saying. I am Tsuwabuki Mayumi. This is my attendant Yuuji. Although belonging to a collateral family, for the time being permit him to call himself with the Tsuwabuki surname."

"If I say I will, I wonder will I have to call you by such an embarrassing name as ''Tsuwabuki princess''?"

"I am at your mercy."

To Ayano's provocative response, Mayumi bowed her head with a smiling face.

irritated, Ayano ended this conversation lacking sincerity and got to the main question.

"I have no particular business with you. Where is Ren?"

Mayumi pointed at the sandy beach in the back.

"Somewhere in that area. Maybe he is crying holding his knees."

"What, have you done to him?"

The atmosphere became noisy. The explosive scarlet aura flickered like a flame.

"Physically, nothing. He did not receive a single wound."

".........haa"

When that report was made, Yuuji looked sullen.

"But it seems his emotional scars are quite deep. We would be troubled if you complained to us about such things. About the details, you can ask that boy. However, I believe not prying into it would be a kindness to him."

Just saying that, with no precaution Mayumi started walking up the stairs. Whipping his wounded body, Yuuji went in front of Mayumi, trying to be a shield as much as possible.

"Well then-"

Greeting her while passing by one another, Mayumi walked near Ayano's side. And then, after looking at the retreating figure running down the stairs not returning the favor, she shifted her focus on the other person - a woman standing in a somewhat separated place.

"Good evening. It's been a long time, Police Superintendent Tachibana."

"We haven't talked in a long time, Mayumi-san"

That perfectly ordinary greeting, the detective in charge of Tokyo MPD's Special Investigation Unit, Police Superintended Tachibana returned with an absolutely tranquil tone.

"Because you didn't appear together with the that young woman, can we assume you have no intention of opposing the Tsuwabuki regarding the Kannagi matter?"

"Of course. We have no intention of interfering in any kind of dispute. Naturally, if you would accept our mediation, we woul feel that position with pleasure."

"That won't be necessary."

The faint tension that dwelt in Kirika's words, smiling, Mayumi severed it when she replied.

"Everything has been already settled. We have regained the object Kannagi Ren stole and because it's something a child did, we have no intention of blaming the Kannagi Clan for that error. If you would be so good as to pass it along to Ayano-san."

"......I will comply"

"Thank you"

Bowing her head to Kirika, Mayumi left accompanied by her attendant and the spoils of war.

No matter how polite her tone was, the girl's attitude was that of a victor who obtained everything.

Gazing for a brief period at the retreating figure, never looking back, Kirika started walking towards the defeated boy or maybe the defeated people.

"There's no sign this is ending here."

That's what she was thinking.

[[User:Ayame|Ayame]] ([[User talk:Ayame|talk]]) 10:01, 24 March 2013 (CDT)

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| Back to [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume3_Chapter_2|Chapter 2]]
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| Forward to [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume3_Chapter_4|Chapter 4]]
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Kaze no Stigma:Volume3 Chapter 3

2013-04-28T15:11:25Z

80.240.162.190: /* Part 3 */

===Chapter 3 - The person one must protect===

===Part 1===

"......................"

Inside the train, Ren was frozen solid.He sat in such a way that if someone poked him, he would roll on the floor while in sitting position.

The reason for that was the existence of the girl sitting earnestly on his left side, Ayumi. She was clinging to Ren's left arm in order for their bodies to be glued as close as possible.

At the beginning of her teens, wearing a coat over the still immature body, although the sensation wasn't supposed to be very fresh, it's still impossible to be composed about it.

Contrastive to Ayumi, who yielded herself to Ren with a peaceful appearance, his brain has been frozen for the last 10 minutes.

- It happened approximately 10 minutes before.

At the time they waited for the train on the platform of Tokyo Station, staring at Ren shivering from the coldness of the wind, Ayumi asked in a worried manner:

"Are you cold?"

"No, I'm fine"

Ren showed a smile meant to give her a piece of mind but the next moment that smile became frozen.

"a... a... a... Ayumi-chan?"

"If we are like this it's warm, right?"

Feeling guilty for borrowing his coat and trying to transfer her own body temperature, she clung to Ren's arm.

"D-don't do that -"

Ren's brain, trying to separate his body, was pierced by Ayumi's expression, looking at him with upturned eyes.

"-No?"

"Eh, ah, no, that sort of..."

A stuttering Ren. He was unbelievably ashamed, he also thought this sort of thing is wrong, but before the girl's gaze, looking at him sadly, he couldn't shake his head.

''What to do.....''

The warm sense of touch transmitted by his left arm thoroughly snatched Ren's presence of mind. After that, when, how did hey get into the train, he didn't remember any of it.

"I'm sorry"

"-Eh?"

Receiving such an abrupt apology, Ren's consciousness recovered after a long time. Ayumi's turned away expression, full of guilt was reflected in his eyes.

"About what?"

"For making such an odd request."

Ren replied while laughing.

"It's not a big deal, this much"

Actually the girl's wish was simple. What it required were traveling expenses and a little bit of time. Just those will suffice.

''Take me to the sea''

That's what Ayumi spoke in the park. It was just one wish. Naturally, Ren had no objection.

Investigating those contents for a while, he asked only one thing.

"Is a harbor-like place acceptable? Or a sandy beach?"

Without wavering, Ayumi chose the latter. Therefore, together they boarded the Tokaido Line. That route was aimed at Chigasaki.

If that was the nearest swimming beach, Ren doesn't know. But that was the only place he could lead her to. Because of his family's line of work he is a boy unrelated to family vacations et cetera. He had hardly any experience of swimming in the sea. Ren was deeply grateful to the girl who took him by force sea bathing last year's summer.

While chasing the flowing scenery, Ayumi murmured:

"In the end, I wanted to see something beautiful with my own eyes."

"In the end, you say?"

"When I do so, I'm going back. To the Tsuwabuki."

"No!", Ren promptly shouted.

"No! They don't treat you like a fellow human. Only like a tool. If you return to those people you'll never be happy. If you have no place to go, you can come to my house. The Kannagi Clan will, without exception -"

"Ren, you see-"

Ayumi quietly interrupted Ren's desperate pleading words.

"Have you heard about the Tsuwabuki's Grand Festival?"

"The Grand Festival - about that ceremony to appease the volcanic activity of Mt. Fuji? I'm not very familiar with it but the practitioner always lost his life... "

Going that far, Ren turned a terrified glance towards Ayumi.

"No...way....."

What was reflected in those eyes was Ayumi's excessively tranquil smiling face. It was unbelievable. Ren completely denied that expression. There shouldn't be something like that. Such a thing cannot be allowed. Something like that- something like that-

"I have no family name, nor a family register, naming myself is not permitted, but-"

''No way''

''I don't want to hear''

Despite this - the body doesn't move. Even blocking his ears, he can't do it. Without waiting for agreement or disagreement, pouring into his ears, that tone calm as the surface of the lake. Admitting everything, allowing it, accepting it.

"I am called Tsuwabuki. According to the lineage, something like a direct descendant."

''I don't want to hear it''

"The ceremony is tomorrow night. Therefore, I must get back until then. Because I- because I am the priest of the ritual"

''Because I am the priest of the ceremony''

From Ren's body, with a water-like sound, blood flew backwards.

The Yamatsumino Grand Festival - the origin of it goes back roughly 300 years.

The year is 1707 - during the Houei era was the last volcanic eruption of Mt. Fuji and the greatest since the dawn of history. The violent eruption reaching 15 days, it was said that the volcanic ash fell as far as the distant town of Edo. It was not only Kantō but a life or death crisis for Japan itself. No matter how many times Mt. Fuji erupted, it didn't show any signs of quieting down.

That raging <Ki> finally resulted in the embodiment of one demon beast. The impersonation of Fuji's <ki>. it is certain that was the largest, strongest devilishness that materialized in this country. If one tried to rank it among other demon beasts, the only reference it had would be the legendary monsters, like the eight tail serpent that couldn't be defeated without the help of god's power.

The beast's roar beckoned eruptions and its stepping feet invoked eruptions. Mowing down everything it touched, it exhausted the limits if tyranny. The ones who sealed it were the yet unknown Tsuwabuki family. A young girl leading the family offered prayers to the King of the Earth Spirits for seven days and seven nights and finally attained that divine protection.

And then, by that divine protection, the girl managed to seal that demon beast. Thus Mt. Fuji calmed down and Japan's peace was protected. And they all lived happily ever after.

-But that story has sequel.

First, that girl was not able to endure the release of such an over-sized power and lost her life with the seal. And then, even after applying such a powerful seal, the demon beast's lock couldn't continue forever. Being the personification of an active volcano, it's possible to say that was the unavoidable outcome.

Approximately 30 years - that was the limit of the seal. For the sake of continuing the sealing of a raging demon beast seeking release, Tsuwabuki family had no choice but to conduct the ceremony at fixed intervals for the sake of suppressing Mt. Fuji's <Ki>.

Because of the divine protection of the Spirit King that dwelt in their blood - the strongest unmarried woman was elected as the priest of the ceremony.

Until today, the sealing ceremony known under the bombastic name of "Grand Festival" took place 8 times. And there were 8 casualties. The fatality ratio was 100%. This is the reason the ceremony practitioner was named sacrifice.

With no other option, the 9th ceremony approached. The girl called Ayumi was a lamb led to slaughter.

How long was he in blank amazement, I wonder. When Ren came to his senses, Ayumi was smiling gently, looking at him.

Unable to meet that extremely pitiful smile, Ren muttered, while looking down.

"Why?....."

"Ren?"

"Why do you have to do such a...."

After examining for a short while Ren's expression, Ayumi replied:

"Because someone has to do it"

'''''"But it doesn't have to be you-"'''''

Ayumi softly touched Ren's lips with her fingers. The boy who unintentionally couldn't keep his mouth shut, she rebuked him gently.

"It's not good saying these kind of things. If you speak filthy words your heart will become filthy too"

"........I'm sorry.........."

Ayumi shook her head.

"No. It's alright. Truthfully I was a little happy. Because I was never regarded as something valuable."

From the moment she was born, it was decided that Ayumi will be a sacrifice. She wasn't regarded as part of the same family, not recognized as a human being. For this girl with no family register, with no choice but being a tool for the ceremony, so far there wasn't a single person to hold her life dear.

Pointlessly, Ren made sure of her acknowledgement.

"Even so, you'll do it? For the sake of those who think of you as a tool?"

"It's different", Ayumi flatly shook her head.

"It has nothing to do with the Tsuwabuki family's expectations. Because it must be done no matter what, I'll do it. It's bad if Mt. Fuji erupts, right?"

"That is true..."

"If I am able to suppress it, my life, my death is not worthless.Even if the physical me dies, my prayers will fuse with the mountain and I will continue to watch over this country eternally. That's a very beautiful thing, don't you agree?"

"................."

Something is wrong. Something is terribly wrong, Ren thought so.

'''''-Don't try to glorify death with words of self-sacrifice -'''''

Kazuma's words, once intended for him were recalled to his mind. Doesn't Ayumi make the same mistake he did at the same time? But Ren had no persuasion words for the girl. He could not think of a path that doesn't result in Ayumi's death.

Only to let Mt. Fuji erupt-

To replace Ayumi as a sacrifice.

She would accept neither. There is no mistake about it, the girl known as Ayumi was the type that would sacrifice herself for others.

"That's why I'm not afraid of death. It's because I was born for this purpose. And yet, I desired memories before the time comes. Memories of my own, born from my own experience."

In that peaceful pupil, that accepted everything dwelt the light of a faint longing.

''Memories of her own?''

It's only natural to display a strong attachment for one's dying wish. But even so, that was a strange expression. Memories are neither true nor false.

To the bewildered Ren, Ayumi threw another bomb.

"You see, I don't have my own memories."

"Eh?"

"I haven't lost my memories. It's not like I have something to remember and I don't, it's more like I have ''nothing'' to remember."

"..............."

Without saying anything, Ren starred at Ayumi dumbfounded.

"If it would be just like that, even speaking and moving my body would have been impossible. But the me right now is something ignorant of the ways of the world but I can communicate with other people. Do you know why?"

"Wasn't it because you kept studying it?"

Toward such an unbelievable circumstance, Ren said so, including a ray of hope.

But, as feared, Ayumi shook her head.

"In my had there are transcripts of another's memories.I don't know how it's been done, though"

Almost like it was somebody else's problem, Ayumi indifferently recited those grand circumstances. Ren finally had the feeling he understood the reason why Ayumi had no attachment to her life. She had nothing to be particular about.

Not even recognized as a person, her existence valued as nothing but a tool, day after day. Planted forged memories. Without beginning, Ayumi's life ended.

With no room to harbor hope, she has no attachment except despair. Together with that gentle resignation, Ayumi accepted everything.

"That's why I wanted to see the world through my eyes even if it's just once. I wished for something that's not faked, real memories."

Like telling an unfulfilled dream, Ayumi whispered with a distant look. Toward the ordinary everyone was given as a natural privilege - no, the privilege they took for granted she felt endless longing and envy.

"The moment I saw the sky when I first felt the residence, I was very surprised. How vast was the sky windows don't limit, Mt. Fuji was so big..."

"Ayumi-chan......"

"The sky, the stars, the moon were so much more beautiful than what I remembered. Surely, the sea must be very beautiful, right?"

The silhouette of the innocent girl in high spirits was reflected in Ren's eyes as overbearingly pitiful.

-She wanted to see beautiful things-

What sort of feelings did she include when she said those words? The words of a girl dreaming, escaping from reality, no that he knew everything, they were unbelievably heavy.

"-This is hopeless"

With a strong determination, Ren muttered in his heart.

''Such a thing cannot be. It cannot be forgiven.''

"Ayumi-chan!"

"W-what?"

His immature sense of justice aroused, Red declared strongly.

"I will protect Ayumi-chan"

" - Ren?"

"So please, don't give up. Don't say it's OK to die. Because I'll protect you. I'll protect you for sure."

"Ren........."

Making a somewhat troubled face, she looked at the boy making a vow.

Joy and sadness and the kindness of a mother watching over her child were mixed in that complex gaze.

Without noticing that gaze, Ren continued.

"I'm sure it exists. A way in which Ayumi-chan doesn't have to die. I'll do whatever it's in my power. My own ability may be very small but if it's big brother, surely- "

"Your older brother?"

"Eh?"

Ayumi unintentionally asked in return and Ren reaffirmed with force those entrusting words.

"Ah-"

In those cornered eyes hope was shining.

"That's right! I have my older brother! If it's big brother, he will definitely save you!"

Without a fragment of anxiety, with absolute faith in his voice, Ren clearly declared.

For a short while, Ayumi opened her eyes wide, staring at the smile of the boy, delighted as if the problem was already settled.

"Do you have such an amazing brother?"

"Yeah", Ren answered without a moment's hesitation.

"Big brother is stronger than anyone. There is nothing he can't do. I'm sure."

"............Is that so........."

"So please don't say such lonesome things like last memories and let's do many more together. I want to show you many other things. That is...."

Embarrassed and blushing Ren invited the girl screwing up his courage.

"Because - I'll take you no matter where"

".............."

Receiving Ren's invitation, for one instant, Ayumi seemed to burst into tears. However, in just one moment she erased that bitter expression and replied with a calm and somewhat sad smile.

"Right.....If we could do that, it would be very nice....."

===Part 2===

"I wonder where did big brother go....."

Descending on the platform of the Chiwasaki Station, the shore on the other side of it, Ren muttered to himself with a worried face.

He can't get in touch with Kazuma.

He called Kazuma's cellphone from the station's public telephone but what came back was the dull announcement of the answering machine.

Because his own cellphone broke, he can't wait for Kazuma to get in touch with him. In the end, leaving the message "I'll call again" Ren hanged the receiver.

"I'm beaten"

As soon as he complained, Ayumi's hand, holding his left arm, tightly hugged him. Flustered, Ren showed a bright smile meant to give her peace of mind.

"Oh, it's fine. Because we'll get in touch shortly."

" -yeah", Ayumi nodded a little.

For a little while they didn't speak. Both of them walked the road to the beach in silence.

"Ah........."

A sound resembling noise making her eardrums vibrate, Ayumi strained her ears. The term sea roar came to her mind.

"The sound of waves......?"

"Yeah. We'll be there shortly."

Nodding, Ren increased his pace to not fall behind Ayumi, who unconsciously did so.

And now -

"Ah - !"

At the magnificent view at last reflected in her eyes Ayumi raised her voice in delight. Ren looked in the came direction. It was the sea. The great deep stretching endlessly. The utmost blue sea surface sparkling in the downpour of sunshine - naturally, it wasn't.

The winter sea is cold and hollow. it doesn't have a particle of the heat and energy the summer sea is full of, instead it's pushing out a cold surface, almost like rejecting humans. Staring at the utmost black sea, the same color as the night sky, Ayumi muttered:

"Is this... The sea...........?"

Perceiving the sound of a clear disappointment, Ren became impatient.

"W-what to do......."

Thinking now about it, it was a problem he should have noticed earlier. The winter sea - at night. Seen by girl his age it can't be a pleasing spectacle.Anyway, there was definitely not enough light. But there are at least seven, eight hours until dawn breaks.

''If I had light....light -?''

The idea that reflexively occurred to him was suppressed at an almost instinctive level. His family admonished sternly such conduct. But, even so-

''Do it!''

After just 3 seconds of hesitation, Ren decided to dismiss good sense. For his peace of mind, turning around, he searched for indications of human presence, surveying the surroundings.

From what he roughly saw, there was none except them.

- It must be done now.

Summoning fire spirits, he shortly informed:

"Go"

" - Eh? What?"

Before Ayumi finished her second question - the sky exploded.

"Kyaa!?"

The golden light shines out far and white pressing down the darkness. The brightness spreading out on the entire surface of the sky dyed the world golden and the jet black sea surface glittered dazzlingly.

"This - this is....Ren?"

To the Ayumi starring up in succession to both the sky and Ren with a surprised gaze, somewhat embarrassed but at the same time very proud, Ren's nostrils twitched.

"It's impossible to replicate the midsummer sea, but it's better than the pitch black gloomy sea, right? How is it? Do you like it?"

"Ren- "

Calling out Ren's name with a voice trembling with delight, Ayumi gave Ren a bear-like hug.

"Amazing! It's amazing! It is the most beautiful thing I've seen!"

"R-really? I'm glad"

Although confused by Ayumi's bold conduct, the relaxation of Ren's cheeks was irrepressible. Ayumi's large smile - even if he tried to express it, it's magnificence was beyond words.

Underneath the gold radiance, they innocently smiled at each other and looked up at the sky. Just like a golden aurora borealis the movement of the dancing fire spirits combined and the canopy covering the entire sky changed the same way a kaleidoscope would.

"Beautiful...but won't it cause an uproar?"

Ren shrugged his shoulders in silence. Without even thinking, it was an obvious matter. This was not a solitary island in the southern sea. Approachable by walking from the train station it was an empty swimming area.

Although there was a shelter-belt and a fence obstructing the field of vision, a highway was running less than 10 meters away. The houses were close. Without having to wait, it's likely spectators with burning curiosity would arrive in great numbers. There's no mistake that it will appear in tomorrow's newspaper.

But even so, Ren didn't care.

To make Ayumi happy - right now, for Ren it was all that mattered. Seeing Ayumi's wet eyes, Ren asked her casually, as if inquiring about the dinner's menu.

"Do you want to keep it up just a little bit more? Before long it could cause trouble but if they get in the way I'll drive them away"

"....No, it's enough."

After considering for a short while, Ayumi shook her head.

"It's enough. Because I'll never forget it."

" -Alright"

With a light nod, Ren called out the fire spirits. Promptly answering to the Enjutsushi's will, the fire spirits came together in a boisterous dance of light. And then -

"....W...ow...."

The light shining in the sky rained like drops of water above ground. Like snow, lightly flickering in the wind, the golden drops descended in a dance.

Holding no temperature, the clusters of pure light, upon touching the sandy beach and the surface of the sea, burst open and disappeared like in a dream.

"Ah- "

The last descending drop, Ayumi caught it extending both her hands. The moment it touched her hand, the light fleetingly disappeared but the girl softly closed her hands and touched her chest. That irreplaceable something stored in her hands was tucked away inside her chest.

Dropping the curtain on the light's dance performance, affecting acting, Ren made a bow.

"Did it please you?"

"Yes - yes...."

Her eyes full of tears, Ayumi bowed many, many times over.

"I... I am glad that I am alive. Meeting Ren.... Seeing something so beautiful, I...I...from the bottom of my heart...."

Unable to bear it in the end, her tears escaped. Shed for the first time in her life, tears of happiness.

In order to wipe the sobbing girl's tears, handkerchief in hand, he touched her face. Both their shadows brought forth by the moonlight, slowly became one.

But - this moment was the concluding moment of their honeymoon. On their cuddled silhouettes a violent, intense light shined.

" -!?"

Turning around holding hands, an eternally domineering voice pierced their ears.

"That's right! I'm so happy for you! That means you have no more regrets in this world, right?"

In front of both of them, watching over in a daze, the woman with the light on her back laughed.

===Part 3===

''The pursuer from the Tsuwabuki!''

In an instant Ren saw through the shadow's true character. Or perhaps I should say, as far as Ren knew, it was the only opponent pursuing them.

Drawing Ayumi back and stepping forward with a sleepwalking like gait, Ren probed into the other party's attitude. Overlooking them for a brief period from a higher place, the woman descended the stairs and continued walking towards the beach in a composed manner.

One man, like a servant, followed her, leaving between them several steps.

Because of the back lighting he sees only outlines but even from those shadows it was impossible not to recognize the proud atmosphere drifting around the woman. The glance overlooking them was more suited for stray dogs than humans.

Leaving a distance of five meters between them, the woman faced Ren and Ayumi.

as one would expect, approaching so much, it was now possible to discriminate her looks. Closing his eyes partly, Ren observed the woman - and several seconds afterwards he opened his eyes wide in shock.

"Eh - ?"

The woman was younger than he thought. Probably not yet of age, in the second half of her teens. But that wasn't what Ren was surprised about.

-They looked alike.

Ren thought so, watching intently, in succession, Ayumi and the woman. No, they didn't resemble each other. If the age difference could be removed, their facial features would e perfectly the same.

Twins separated by age - those sort of contradicting words passed through Ren's head.

"Mayumi-sama........" Ayumi murmured, looking at that woman with a glance mixed with panic.

Unintentionally, Ren asked:

"Your elder sister?"

''If that is the case, she too can...''

The thought that instantly came to his mind, Ren denied it confused. Ayumi does not wish for such a thing.

-If you speak filthy words, your heart will become filthy too -

''Good grief, I need to be more careful.''

Agreeing to Ayumi's words reverberating in his head, he grasped her hand tenderly. Ayumi's face stiff from fear, still displayed a gallant smile.

'''"Elder sister?"'''

On the other hand, for the boy and the girl happy b themselves, the woman - Mayumi matched it with the height of displeasure.

"Elder sister, you said?"

Glaring at Ren as if he was her archenemy, she squeezed out a stifled to death voice from the gap between her clenched teeth. Her well regulated, elegant features, changed into the face of a demonic warrior.

"Don't mess around with me"

Mayumi's angry roar shrunk Ayumi's body with a start. After staring with much discord at the frightened girl, she turned an identical glance at Ren.

"It was enough taking Ayumi and running away without understanding the circumstance and this already foolish show, I believed you were someone lacking prudence but, never to this extent. Me and that thing sisters? It's the first time I was insulted so."

"..............."

It seems Ayumi didn't receive human treatment even from her relatives. Holding down the rising anger, Ren searched for presence in the surroundings. It was unpleasant when Ayumi was called "that" again but Mayumi's words implied an imminent crisis.

Other people didn't come. Because what Mayumi evaluated as a foolish exhibition was already over, if such a flashy, abnormal phenomenon happened, it's impossible for none to approach. Normally, about now, a crowd would have gathered on the beach and the police and fire department would have surrounded the place.

None of it happened.

It's very likely that right now this area was blocked.

By the subordinates of the Tsuwabuki.

''Can we escape?''

Without thinking of handing Ayumi over, Ren investigated the possibility of escape. The fact that the girl in question accepted her own faith was totally forgotten.

"Why are you so cautious, young Kannagi prince?"

Seeing through Ren's decision promptly, Mayumi laughed, smiling sweetly.

"Everything is already over. There is nothing left for you to try."

Although using honorifics, speaking in a clearly despising tone, Mayumi focused on Ayumi.

"................."

Without even using words, Mayumi carelessly beckoned her. as if calling her pet dog or something.

Ayumi started walking obediently.

"Ayumi-ch-"

"It's fine."

Ren's words, trying to call her to a halt, Ayumi interrupted them shortly and with a decisive voice.

"It's fine already. Thank you for everything until now. - It was very fun."

"Ayu- "

In order to shake of his extended hand, Ayumi turned her back on Ren. And with that, she never turned around.

Standing in front of Mayumi, Ayumi's body became stiff as if she turned to stone. Her glance swayed insecurely nearly Mayumi's feet. Suddenly Mayumi stretched her fingers to Ayumi's chin and forcefully pointed upwards her face hanged in shame. Coercively looking down on the startled girl, she said in a voice full of smiles:

"If you wanted to run away, you should at least have crossed toe ocean. Instead of that, seducing a man and flirting with him in this kind of place, - do you look down on us?"

The Chijutsushi manipulating the spirits of the earth can make searches on fairly long distances as long it's adjoining land. It goes without saying that if you know the target well that searching ability is further improved.

For the sake of running from Chijutsushi, by sea or by air - anyway the most important thing is to separate from the ground.

"I had...no intention...."

Staring at Ayumi, protesting in a trembling voice, wit the look a carnivorous animal has before its feed, Mayumi let go of her jaw.

And then - she pulled her hand backwards and swung with all her strength.

" -Uh!"

It wasn't something as lovely as a slap. The punch made by hardening her wrist at the moment of the impact was a blow that made her bones resound.

Instantly Ayumi's legs separated from the ground and from the beginning exhausted body sunk into the sandy beach. Appearing to have completely fainted, her face half buried in the sand, she was completely still.

"Wha...."

Overcome with surprise at the sudden violence, Ren shouted white as a ghost.

"What have you done?"

But Mayumi didn't even looked at Ren. As she already stated "your turn is already over" she disregarded his existence itself.

Instead, the man who followed behind her moved. With body movement that had no openings he stepped forward and got on his knee before Ayumi.

Decidedly, he did not attempt to nurse her. Grabbing hold of Ayumi by the hair, casually the man lifted her head as if he would uproot a radish.

"...........E-eek......"

"What are you doing?"

Coldly looking down on Ayumi's feeble struggle, the man said in a monotonous tone.

"Do you think you can be lying down in front of the young lady, do you?"

"Yuu...ji.....sama....."

"Silence!"

The man - Yuuji - abruptly became enraged.

"With that face, through that mouth, don't call out my name! How disgusting!"

Raising his hand, pulling her hair even more, he made Ayumi stand on her knees. And then - this time from the front, he slapped her face onto the sand. Forcibly making Ayumi take a prostrating position, Yuuji shouted.

"Apologize! Until your voice becomes hoarse, until your throat tears apologize! Did you understand in how much danger did you put the young lady? If we didn't find you in time what would have happened! Did you intend for the young lady to be a sacrifice in your place? You puppet doll!!"

That was the limit.

He thought he himself endured it really well. Surely, big brother would praise him for it. Or - he'll get angry for letting it get that far.

Quietly he held out his right hand and pointed his index finger at Yuuji. And then - without a moment of hesitation he released hs power.

The thin, refined heat ray grazed Yuuji's cheek sticking into the concrete wall. The red hot concrete melted and the wall followed it, crashing.

"..........What kind of behavior.." Yuuji questioned with a voice stiffed to death. However, like Mayumi did before, Ren completely disregarded that utterance.

It wasn't a provocation or something like that. It's just that in Ren's field of vision no one else but Ayumi was reflected. It was just that.

"Re....n.....?"

For the girl weakly getting up, hearing that cracked voice, Ren painfully shook his head.

"As I thought, it's useless."

I can't control it.

I can't endure it.
Anymore than this - I can't stand it.

"What is the right thing to do, I don't even know. However, to hand you over to these guys it's absolutely impossible."

Whether it's right or not, that's long past. His feelings denied that option.

"Fall back!"

Struck by that sharp voice, Ayumi reflexively kicked the ground. Slightly further away from Yuuji. In that gap Ren threw a fireball brought forth from the sky.

"-Tch!"

Visibly agitated by the blast, Yuuji and Mayumi jumped. The distance widened even more. Well in advance Ren wedged himself in the space separating the two "enemies" and Ayumi.

"Humph - in the end brute force, huh?"

Staring at Ren blocking his way to Ayumi, Yuuji laughed fearless.

"Ah, well. Just as planed."

"Shall I back you up?"

"It's not necessary."

Politely rejecting Mayumi's proposal, he casually took one step forward. With an attitude full of composure he looked down on Ren taking a battle stance.

"Publicly- "

Without particularly preparing in advance, just standing, Yuuji began to speak in a relaxed manner.

"Publicly, it seems there are many idiots who believe Enjutsushi teh strongest but do you think so too?"

"-?"

Not understanding Yuuji's plan, Ren was perplexed. There is nothing to believe. The fact that Enjutsushi are the strongest is a <Reality> with no room for argument.

It's not about whether an Enjutsushi never lost to another kind of practitioner, of course there is no such thing. That is the power of one individual. It's about whether the ability difference can undermine the advantages and disadvantages of a technique style.

As for what technique system is the strongest - there is only one answer to that question. Without room for argument, with no chance for objection, the grave <Reality> doesn't change.

That is what Yuuji downright negated.

"What a foolish thing. All of you understand nothing about battle. The greatest offensive ability? When killing people do you think that is necessary?"

"What exactly?"

Including the confidence of certain victory in front of the perplexed Ren, Yuuji fired the question.

"You, where on earth do you plan to place your feet on?"

Unintentionally Ren stared at his own feet.There was nothing there but the ordinary sandy beach. There was no sign of set traps. There was no sense of discomfort when stepping on it, nothing but the feeling of soft sand-

''-Sand?''

"-Uh!!"

The sign of something wriggling, underneath his feet. Jumping by reflex, Ren's face became stiff with surprise and shivers.

Underground, and in addition to that, directly under his footprints a spear covered in sand was pushed up.

If his evasion would have been delayed by one second the spear would have stopped his foot by sewing it. it may be true he avoided the first attack but he had no room for relief. Visibly lying in wait at the spot Ren would come down, several spears sprung up.

"Kuu- "

Releasing fire and pointing it directly below, a countless number of spears burned to nothing. Coincident with his landing above the red hot sand, Ren rolled on the ground. Pursuing the rolling Ren from inside the sand, one after another, spears stick out.

While narrowly avoiding those, the boy cursed his overly optimistic thinking.

''Shit, Chijutsushi - so that's the reason!''

The spears hidden inside the sand were not something prepared in advance. Hardening the sand itself and changing its shape, Yuuji made those sharp spears.

Chijutsushi possess the force of the Earth Spirits. Sand, soil, ground stone and all materials affiliated with those, for them, are similar with extensions of their own hands. There was no need to expressly set traps.

The battleground itself was the Chijutsushi's weapon because that was for them the absolute most advantageous arrangement.

''What to do?''

Starting to see gaps one way or another, running in zig-zag to dodge the underground attacks, Ren looked for a breach. At any rate, as long as he is staying on the ground,his disadvantage can't be overcome.

Continuing to receive one-sided attacks without grasping a counter-attack clue, sooner or later he will receive a fatal blow.

On the other hand, Ren doesn't know such a jutsu that would allow him to gain a foothold on something else other than the ground.

If it were an Enjutsushi, he could fly into the air.

A Suijutsushi could maybe stand on top of water.

However, Ren being an Enjutsushi - it may be possible for Jugo or Genma - he had no skill to stand on top of flames. As long as gravity comes into play, he had no choice but to place his feet on the ground.

''What should I do?''

Looking over his surroundings, he searched for a turn-around plan. The sandy beach was the worst as a battle ground but concrete and asphalt must be similar. What remains -

''Inside the sea?''

It was out of the question. Ren being an Enjutsushi water was nothing more but a thing to be avoided. There was no point for Ren's power to weakened beyond what Yuuji could accomplish.

To Ren, stuck in a defensive battle, Yuuji turned words of ridicule.

"What's the matter? Are you just going to run? I don't care how far you run but if you go to far I'll take Ayumi and go back home."

"Kuu- "

Because of Yuuji's carelessness, recognizing he became long separated from Ayumi, Ren grinds his teeth. if it goes like this, Ayumi will really be taken away.

''What should I do? what should I -''

The problem was that he had no technique to defend against the blows. He can use flames to cover the surroundings but the bottom of his feet are perfectly defenseless. When fighting against Chijutsushi, that became a lethal weakness. A foothold was necessary. Separated from Yuuji's control, a scaffold made of <Earth> he cannot control.

He cannot fly into the sky. Water is also excluded. There's no wood near. He cannot stand on top of fire. On top of fire -

''-Huh?''

Suddenly Ren remembered the scene of a volcanic eruption he saw on TV. From craters, forcefully spitting out the red hot-

''Shall I give it a try?''

There was no time to spare. Making his resolve, Ren stopped and concentrated his consciousness.

"Aa.......a.........aa!!"

From Ren's whole body golden flames erupted. The dazzling glimmer blurred even the contours of his body and the boy shined, transformed into a small sun.

"Ua.......unh, it's useless."

To encourage himself overpowered by the tremendous quantity of heat, Yuuji intentionally raised his voice.

"No matter how hot a flame you clad yourself in, you cannot defend against attacks from bellow."

Trying to make the reality that he was currently on offensive known, Yuuji was perplexed by the dull response from the spirits.

The spirits of the earth didn't respond to his will - No, something different obstructs the formation of sand spears.

"You....what did you do?"

He turns a glance full of suspicion towards Ren. No matter what an Enjutsushi tries to do, it's impossible to exercise a stronger influence towards sand than a Chijutsushi does.

Ren didn't answer. Unaffected, abandoning that body to the flames, he only stood rock still above the red ground.

"Red - ? I see, you- "

Yuuji stared at Ren's feet. What was there didn't have the rough characteristics of sand but was reflecting the flame like grass. Sometimes, from the bottom bubbles rose to the surface and burst open with a particular thick sound.

"You brat - you changed the burning sand to magma!"

"I gave it a try"

Receiving Yuuji's angry roar, Ren laughed triumphantly. It does not mean he had a positive proof. If a Suijutsushi can stand atop water he tried to stand atop magma, that could also be called fluid flame. He simply tried out that idea.

Although having a fluffy, undependable sense of touch, magma firmly sustained Ren's body weight. As there was no fist fight involved, the tenderness of the scaffold didn't matter. The radius was about two meters. Although modest,from the <Kingdom> underneath Yuuji's absolute control, Ren gained that much territory.

"D-don't be excited, boy!" barked Yuuji after loosing his advantage.

"Even for magma, it's <ground> attribute doesn't change. The situation is still the same!"

With an angry roar, including a severe determination, Yuuji ordered the ground spirits. Around Ren's surroundings magma unnaturally rose, molding red spearheads.

"Die, boy!!"

The spears lengthen trying to pierce Ren's body. But just before that - they stopped.

"W-whaaaaat!?"

Quietly gazing at the surprised Yuuji, Ren talked indifferent.

"Certainly magma is something that belongs to the <ground>. Still, half of it it's Enjutsushi possession. I'm not gonna hand it over so easily!"

The spear on the verge of touching his body, Ren casually flung it off. The hard sharp spear instantly lost her unity and returned with a small splash on the surface of the magma sea.

"Guu..........Ba......."

With a really detestable howl, Yuuji stopped trying to proactively commence the next attack. It's understandable.

The control of the material called magma with attributes of both <ground> and <fire> has been snatched away. That means that in a contest of pure strength he was defeated by Ren. As the opponent of a higher ranked practitioner, he couldn't carelessly take the vanguard.

"Next is my turn, huh?" Ren declared with no fighting spirit.

His pushed out right hand accurately aimed at Yuuji. From that palm golden flames gushed out.

"Oooooooooooohh!!"

Yuuji too, didn't gave in. Hoisting the sand beneath his feet, he threw it onto the approaching flame. A surging sea of white sand attacking the golden torrent.

Receiving the aftermath of the struggle between these two powers, the ground grated and the sky trembled.

"Gu........me..uuuu......."

Through clenched teeth Yuuji let out a pressing moan. He understood that in a contest of strength he was inferior. As it is, he will certainly be pressed down.

While his body burned in humiliation, Yuuji changed his tactics to defense. The sand changed into a bulky bedrock and stood before the fire torrent. Although the bedrock stopped the flames there was no room for relaxation.

"It's coming from behind."

Inside the thunderous roar made by the flames burning the rock, for some reason that whisper clearly reached his ears. Uneventfully changed to a quiet oath, Yuuji felt that enormous heat approaching from behind.

"Sh-shit!"

The already thin bedrock rose, splitting the sand and stopped a gigantic fire ball. Although withstanding it somehow, the tremendous mpact crossed over the bed rock and mercilessly pummeled Yuuji's body.

In the space between the two bedrocks Yuuji was in anguish. And there, the last blow came.

"Next is up"

" -!?"

Looking up at the sky, Yuuji's eyes peeled in shock. A remarcably big fireball descended upon Yuuji like a meteor. The distance was less than two meters.

"Kuuu- !"

It's unthinkable of having time to defend and so forth. Overhead the man looking at it dumbfounded, the fireball violently exploded.

"..............Uh!"

There wasn't much heat but the shock was hard to describe. The two sheets of bed rock made by him efficiently reverberated, sinking Yuuji's body in the sandy beach.

"Go...........bah.........."

As if gravity was increased a hundred fold, the extremely heavy pressure flattened his body, the air in his lungs was squeezed out without exception and all the bones in his body creaked.

"Not........not yet......yet......"

Putting all his strength in his arms Yuuji seemed to want to push out the heavens. But after lifting it 10 centimeters the elbow joints made a thick sound and bent the other way.

When the broken right arm fell to the ground the shining fireball in the sky also vanished. But even so, Yuuji couldn't give up.

The sound of the broken bed rock resounded in vain, like the gong at the end of the match.

===Part 4===

"-Fuuu"

Taking a small breath, Ren shifted his attention to the remaining two.

Ayumi's gaze shaking with anxiety. And, despite having the same face, not showing even the smallest disturbance, expressing a thin smile, Mayumi:

Confronting Mayumi directly, Ren asked with a determined look.

"What will you do? Do you want to give it a try?"

While it may be true her outward appearance was that of a frail young lady, he won't act unprepared. Based on Yuuji's behavior it was clear Mayumi was the purest descendant. Not an opponent to make light of.

"Oh, the Kannagi young lord would go as far as to raise his hand against a non resisting woman?"

With no place for misunderstanding, Mayumi's expression was provocative. Even so, looking puzzled at the girl not showing any indication of battle, Ren retaliated in a low voice:

"-If you want to run away I won't pursue you"

"Well, thank you"

Replying to the lenient laugh with a scornful laugh Mayumi shed a fleeting glance.

"That's what he said Yuuji. What will you do?"

"-?"

Looking the same way Mayumi did, Ren unintentionally opened his eyes wide. Over there, Yuuji, beaten down enough to keep him immobilized for three months, was crawling out of sand, drawing near.

".........Ridiculous......"

It was impossible. From right overhead, from an angle he couldn't elude he received a strong bomb blast. He must have ten or twenty bone fractures and his internal organs were supposed to be damaged. Not the kind of injury you could move with because of fighting spirit and will power - that's the way it was supposed to be.

Mayumi loudly sneered at Ren in mute amazement.

"It seems you took lightly a Chijutsushi's resistance."

The high ranking Chijutsushi, by directly taking the ground's <ki> inside their body, are endowed with a resistance that exceeds common sense. Ren too, also knew that but seeing it in practice was fairly ominous.

"B-but....."

While looking at Yuuji advancing by crawling, as if he was seeing a zombie, Ren shouted.

"He received so much damage! It's impossible to recover so much to try and fight immediately!"

"Is that so?"

As for Mayumi, she was thoroughly composed.

"Yuuji, were you not supposed to protect me at the cost of your own life? Do you plan to crawl out of there cowering to see me getting killed?"

The effect of those words was tremendous.

Enduring the pain, Yuuji stood up and although stumbling, began to walk on his own two feet. Step by step that unsteady manner of walking lost its disorder and by the time he stood up in front of Ren, blocking his way to Ayumi, with the exception of the smashed right arm, he seemed completely recovered.

"..........I,will protect,my lady.............."

With an unsightly smashed but firmly determined voice, Yuuji bravely declared.

"I will absolutely not let her, get killed.........."

"I don't want to kill her!" Ren shouted while feeling, without knowing why, overawed by a dying, severely wounded person.

"If she wanted to go back she can go for all I care! I have no business with the lot of you. I just want to protect Ayumi-chan, that's all!"

Hearing Ren's claim, Yuuji unexpectedly starred in wonder. And then, he suddenly burst into laughter.

"Ku ku ku......Buahahahaha.......ku ku ku ku ku....."

Although throwing up blood, Yuuji still laughed. His blood stained face was warped and extremely happy.

"I see......that's the way it is, huh?....."

"Wh-.....what is so funny?...."

Ren suddenly shouted blushing with anger and Yuuji suddenly stopped his sneer.

"You don't understand anything. You're just a brat playing with the power passed through your body."

"What?"

"Just shut up already and go back home. Forget everything that happened today."

Those remarks almost like regarding an unreasonable child made Ren childishly exasperated.

"Don't joke around with me! I'm not gonna hand Ayumi-chan over to guys like- "

"So, do you say my lady should be the sacrifice instead?"

With a terribly cold expression, Yuuji retaliated.

Seeing Ren lost for words at the unexpected objection, almost like pressing for an answer, he continued.

"It's not like you don't know. Ayumi is the ritual sacrifice. It's a thing made for the sake of dying instead of my lady. If you protect it, it's equivalent with killing my lady."

"That sort of- I- "

"''I have no intention of doing that'', huh? The meaning of the act called protection is it the affectation of a knight who does not consider the weight of words, just entrusts to his power? That's why I said you are a brat who doesn't understand anything!!"

"Wro......"

''Wrong'' - when trying to say that word, with all his heart Ren was at a loss for words. There was nothing to answer back.

"Listen, kid. The act of protection means obviously getting your hands dirty for something important. For the sake of that one irreplaceable thing to be prepared to cut down everything else! Mere lip service changes nothing - saves nothing!"

A few hours ago, when Ren started speaking about making preparations for a substitute sacrifice, Ayumi gently rebuked him.

''-If you speak dirty words, your heart will become dirty too-''

They were beautiful words. If anyone heard these words after knowing Ayumi's situation, they would have been deeply moved.

But, Ayumi will die. Without leaving anything behind except that deep emotion, she will disappear from this world.

-To die in such a beautiful way or to survive in an ugly way -

Which was correct, Ren was not able to judge. On the other hand, Yuuji did not hesitate.

"For the sake of protecting my lady, I will kill Ayumi.Those that will get in the way, I will kill them all! I will remove all obstacles even at the cost of my life and protect my lady!"

DETERMINATION

Crossing over the judgement of right and wrong, good and evil, Yuuji selected the protection of that "one thing" that must be protected. To stop him it seems there is no choice but to kill him.

But, right now Ren had no will to go through with it to that extent. No, even if he had that determination, he lost sight to whom it should be pointed to.

''What should be do? -What should I do?''

Ren was perplexed.

But before the boy found the answer, the situation changed.

"......Kyaa......"

Swept by the wind, a disappearing small shriek. But even so, it was impossible for Ren to miss that voice. Because that was no one else's but Ayumi's voice.

"Ayumi-chan!?"

In front of Ren's eyes,turning around with a changed expression, were reflected the figures of Ayumi and Mayumi, standing behind her. Embraced her closely from behind,ayumi's pale complexion became stiff.

Although not being strangled or press against a dangerous weapon, panic grabbed hold of her heart.

"-My lady..."

When Yuuji called out to her, Mayumi's lips became sharp with dissatisfaction.

"What, are you telling me not to get involved? aren't you at fault for being inefficient?"

"No, I'm sorry for causing you trouble."

" -Humpf! Good grief. I'll be troubled if you can't be more reliable!"

This time she held her head high, self-important. She seemed to have a pretty simple personality.

"At any rate- "

While embracing Ayumi, Mayumi shifted her focus on Ren.

"Loving such a doll as this, the Kannagi young lord too, must have some unusual hobbies."

"Ayumi-chan is not a doll! She's human!"

"-Hey, hey..."

At Ren's shout, Mayumi displayed a studied surprise and looked down on Ayumi:

"You said nothing, did you? -What a bad child."

Suddenly thinking of something, Mayumi gently stroked Ayumi's cheek and her body tightly shrunk. That face, smiling complacently, gave the impression of a cat considering how to tease the mouse pinned down by its forelimbs.

A cruel smile lifting her lips, Mayumi said:

"Do you listen, Kannagi young lord? The ''Ayumi-chan'' you tried so hard to protect is not human."

"W- what are you say-"

"It's the truth. Because, you see, this is a clone made by cultivating my cells."

" -!?"

Ren opened his eyes wide with surprise. But simultaneously, he felt somewhere in his heart it was true.

Mayumi and Ayumi - even assuming they were sisters, those two resembled too much.

''Thing Doll Sacrifice'' - completely spoken ill of, a girl whose human dignity was trampled underfoot.

If it was just as Mayumi said, if Ayumi was not human and was created for the sake of dying as a sacrifice, doesn't everything makes sense?

''"A lie.......It's a lie"''

Aiming a smile full of spite at the dumbfounded Ren, Mayumi continued.

"Her appearance may seem that of a twelve years old girl but in reality only a month passed since its creation. Even her planted memories have been suitably edited from my own. That kind of crude doll, you tried to protect with your knight affectation. ''That was fun ♥''"

"It.......It's a lie......"

"Let me tell you one more thing. Even if she doesn't become the sacrifice, just a month from now on, fer life span will be cut from inside. Made with no intention to use for an extended period of time, just instant makeshift goods."

"That's, a lie...."

Ren looked at Ayumi almost like searching for help. She received his glance for just one second and sadly cast her eyes down.

Thus, at last Ayumi - Ayumi told the truth.

"........It's true. I am the katashiro doll[http://eos.kokugakuin.ac.jp/modules/xwords/entry.php?entryID=308] made for the sake of keeping Mayumi-sama alive. Mayumi-sama's impostor"

Where is the genuine '''Ayumi'''?

''I have no memories'' - Ayumi told Ren so. That's natural. If she had been made just a month before, it's impossible for those to exist. Without even trying to steal it, there was nothing there form the beginning. Everything was an imitation. If only her heart was more than a transient object, his own act of protecting Ayumi, his determination, everything would not have been a wasted effort.

"I look, so stupid....."

His body was full with a sense of helplessness. Feebly hanging his head, Ren collapsed on the sandy beach.

"It looks like that was a lot of shock, huh?"

Coldly looking down on the defeated Ren, Mayumi sneered.

"That's only natural. It made him realize his own buffoonery can't go any higher."

"Well, isn't that fine? By understanding reality, the boy becomes an adult."

".........you could say that."

Yuuji replied to Mayumi's words, pretending to act like a grown-up, in a quiet voice. Maybe because they were both men, but it was impossible not to feel sympathy for Ren.

"Come now, let's go home. We must quickly return and prepare for the ceremony."

On the other hand, Mayumi didn't have such a compassionate heart. Already disregarding Ren's existence, she starts thinking about tomorrow's ceremony.

"....yes", Yuuji respectfully bowed.

Receiving Ayumi, presented to him like luggage, the same way as they came, he followed Mayumi like a servant.

But, at the same time he placed his leg on the stairs connected to the main road-

"Step aside!"

From the vicinity of the main road that command reverberated, and a second later a golden pillar of fire lit the sky.

Involuntarily the three people turned around to Ren. But, he did not seemed to notice the present disturbance and was kneeling on the sandy beach, his head hanged. Hearing footsteps they turned in the direction of the main road once more. Two sets of footsteps. Both of them light. They were probably women.

Around that time, Yuuji made a guess about the opponent's identity. Noticing he should be in front, he tried to make Mayumi step back, but- it was slightly late.

"Ren!"

On top the stairs, one girl appeared.

Pushing out the darkness, the aura of red and gold shining out far and wide. The enormous amount of fire spirits that followed her in the background were displaying the girl as the human model of the flame itself.

"This is also......"

From Yuuji's mouth a mutter of unexpected wonder leaked out. Certainly her age was sixteen. And although childish, the shape of the young lady captivated him.

Overflowing from that small body, the surge of an overwhelming power. That sword was not yet drawn out but even so, it was impossible to misread the girl's identity.

''Beautiful- ''

He genuinely thought so. That was not in regard for the human, much less the opposite sex but the same deep emotion he felt at the time he looked at Mother Nature's magnificent scenery.

Suddenly, he noticed a sharp glance. Calmly looking away and folding her arms, Mayumi's half opened glare met his eye.

"''This is also...''" with a monotonous voice Mayumi repeated Yuuji's words.

"What is the meaning of ''This is also...'' Yuuji ?"

"Ah, no, that is..."

While becoming completely confused, Yuuji desperately searched for explanatory words.

If he cannot talk his way out of it now, it will become fairly difficult afterwards.

"That, didn't have any significant meaning. This is also...flashy...?"

"-Humph, that so?"

With that considerably packed expression Mayumi nodded.

"Well, afterwards I'll receive a lengthy explanation of that matter. Now it's not the time for it."

Mayumi faced the two standing at the top of the stairs.

"Nice meeting you, Kannagi princess. Being able to meet you is an honor."

".......and you are?"

The girl - Ayano, shortly inquired.

"I was slow in saying. I am Tsuwabuki Mayumi. This is my attendant Yuuji. Although belonging to a collateral family, for the time being permit him to call himself with the Tsuwabuki surname."

"If I say I will, I wonder will I have to call you by such an embarrassing name as ''Tsuwabuki princess''?"

"I am at your mercy."

To Ayano's provocative response, Mayumi bowed her head with a smiling face.

irritated, Ayano ended this conversation lacking sincerity and got to the main question.

"I have no particular business with you. Where is Ren?"

Mayumi pointed at the sandy beach in the back.

"Somewhere in that area. Maybe he is crying holding his knees."

"What, have you done to him?"

The atmosphere became noisy. The explosive scarlet aura flickered like a flame.

"Physically, nothing. He did not receive a single wound."

".........haa"

When that report was made, Yuuji looked sullen.

"But it seems his emotional scars are quite deep. We would be troubled if you complained to us about such things. About the details, you can ask that boy. However, I believe not prying into it would be a kindness to him."

Just saying that, with no precaution Mayumi started walking up the stairs. Whipping his wounded body, Yuuji went in front of Mayumi, trying to be a shield as much as possible.

"Well then-"

Greeting her while passing by one another, Mayumi walked near Ayano's side. And then, after looking at the retreating figure running down the stairs not returning the favor, she shifted her focus on the other person - a woman standing in a somewhat separated place.

"Good evening. It's been a long time, Police Superintendent Tachibana."

"We haven't talked in a long time, Mayumi-san"

That perfectly ordinary greeting, the detective in charge of Tokyo MPD's Special Investigation Unit, Police Superintended Tachibana returned with an absolutely tranquil tone.

"Because you didn't appear together with the that young woman, can we assume you have no intention of opposing the Tsuwabuki regarding the Kannagi matter?"

"Of course. We have no intention of interfering in any kind of dispute. Naturally, if you would accept our mediation, we woul feel that position with pleasure."

"That won't be necessary."

The faint tension that dwelt in Kirika's words, smiling, Mayumi severed it when she replied.

"Everything has been already settled. We have regained the object Kannagi Ren stole and because it's something a child did, we have no intention of blaming the Kannagi Clan for that error. If you would be so good as to pass it along to Ayano-san."

"......I will comply"

"Thank you"

Bowing her head to Kirika, Mayumi left accompanied by her attendant and the spoils of war.

No matter how polite her tone was, the girl's attitude was that of a victor who obtained everything.

Gazing for a brief period at the retreating figure, never looking back, Kirika started walking towards the defeated boy or maybe the defeated people.

"There's no sign this is ending here."

That's what she was thinking.

[[User:Ayame|Ayame]] ([[User talk:Ayame|talk]]) 10:01, 24 March 2013 (CDT)

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| Back to [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume3_Chapter_2|Chapter 2]]
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| Forward to [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume3_Chapter_4|Chapter 4]]
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Kaze no Stigma:Volume3 Chapter 3

2013-04-28T15:10:32Z

80.240.162.190: /* Part 2 */

===Chapter 3 - The person one must protect===

===Part 1===

"......................"

Inside the train, Ren was frozen solid.He sat in such a way that if someone poked him, he would roll on the floor while in sitting position.

The reason for that was the existence of the girl sitting earnestly on his left side, Ayumi. She was clinging to Ren's left arm in order for their bodies to be glued as close as possible.

At the beginning of her teens, wearing a coat over the still immature body, although the sensation wasn't supposed to be very fresh, it's still impossible to be composed about it.

Contrastive to Ayumi, who yielded herself to Ren with a peaceful appearance, his brain has been frozen for the last 10 minutes.

- It happened approximately 10 minutes before.

At the time they waited for the train on the platform of Tokyo Station, staring at Ren shivering from the coldness of the wind, Ayumi asked in a worried manner:

"Are you cold?"

"No, I'm fine"

Ren showed a smile meant to give her a piece of mind but the next moment that smile became frozen.

"a... a... a... Ayumi-chan?"

"If we are like this it's warm, right?"

Feeling guilty for borrowing his coat and trying to transfer her own body temperature, she clung to Ren's arm.

"D-don't do that -"

Ren's brain, trying to separate his body, was pierced by Ayumi's expression, looking at him with upturned eyes.

"-No?"

"Eh, ah, no, that sort of..."

A stuttering Ren. He was unbelievably ashamed, he also thought this sort of thing is wrong, but before the girl's gaze, looking at him sadly, he couldn't shake his head.

''What to do.....''

The warm sense of touch transmitted by his left arm thoroughly snatched Ren's presence of mind. After that, when, how did hey get into the train, he didn't remember any of it.

"I'm sorry"

"-Eh?"

Receiving such an abrupt apology, Ren's consciousness recovered after a long time. Ayumi's turned away expression, full of guilt was reflected in his eyes.

"About what?"

"For making such an odd request."

Ren replied while laughing.

"It's not a big deal, this much"

Actually the girl's wish was simple. What it required were traveling expenses and a little bit of time. Just those will suffice.

''Take me to the sea''

That's what Ayumi spoke in the park. It was just one wish. Naturally, Ren had no objection.

Investigating those contents for a while, he asked only one thing.

"Is a harbor-like place acceptable? Or a sandy beach?"

Without wavering, Ayumi chose the latter. Therefore, together they boarded the Tokaido Line. That route was aimed at Chigasaki.

If that was the nearest swimming beach, Ren doesn't know. But that was the only place he could lead her to. Because of his family's line of work he is a boy unrelated to family vacations et cetera. He had hardly any experience of swimming in the sea. Ren was deeply grateful to the girl who took him by force sea bathing last year's summer.

While chasing the flowing scenery, Ayumi murmured:

"In the end, I wanted to see something beautiful with my own eyes."

"In the end, you say?"

"When I do so, I'm going back. To the Tsuwabuki."

"No!", Ren promptly shouted.

"No! They don't treat you like a fellow human. Only like a tool. If you return to those people you'll never be happy. If you have no place to go, you can come to my house. The Kannagi Clan will, without exception -"

"Ren, you see-"

Ayumi quietly interrupted Ren's desperate pleading words.

"Have you heard about the Tsuwabuki's Grand Festival?"

"The Grand Festival - about that ceremony to appease the volcanic activity of Mt. Fuji? I'm not very familiar with it but the practitioner always lost his life... "

Going that far, Ren turned a terrified glance towards Ayumi.

"No...way....."

What was reflected in those eyes was Ayumi's excessively tranquil smiling face. It was unbelievable. Ren completely denied that expression. There shouldn't be something like that. Such a thing cannot be allowed. Something like that- something like that-

"I have no family name, nor a family register, naming myself is not permitted, but-"

''No way''

''I don't want to hear''

Despite this - the body doesn't move. Even blocking his ears, he can't do it. Without waiting for agreement or disagreement, pouring into his ears, that tone calm as the surface of the lake. Admitting everything, allowing it, accepting it.

"I am called Tsuwabuki. According to the lineage, something like a direct descendant."

''I don't want to hear it''

"The ceremony is tomorrow night. Therefore, I must get back until then. Because I- because I am the priest of the ritual"

''Because I am the priest of the ceremony''

From Ren's body, with a water-like sound, blood flew backwards.

The Yamatsumino Grand Festival - the origin of it goes back roughly 300 years.

The year is 1707 - during the Houei era was the last volcanic eruption of Mt. Fuji and the greatest since the dawn of history. The violent eruption reaching 15 days, it was said that the volcanic ash fell as far as the distant town of Edo. It was not only Kantō but a life or death crisis for Japan itself. No matter how many times Mt. Fuji erupted, it didn't show any signs of quieting down.

That raging <Ki> finally resulted in the embodiment of one demon beast. The impersonation of Fuji's <ki>. it is certain that was the largest, strongest devilishness that materialized in this country. If one tried to rank it among other demon beasts, the only reference it had would be the legendary monsters, like the eight tail serpent that couldn't be defeated without the help of god's power.

The beast's roar beckoned eruptions and its stepping feet invoked eruptions. Mowing down everything it touched, it exhausted the limits if tyranny. The ones who sealed it were the yet unknown Tsuwabuki family. A young girl leading the family offered prayers to the King of the Earth Spirits for seven days and seven nights and finally attained that divine protection.

And then, by that divine protection, the girl managed to seal that demon beast. Thus Mt. Fuji calmed down and Japan's peace was protected. And they all lived happily ever after.

-But that story has sequel.

First, that girl was not able to endure the release of such an over-sized power and lost her life with the seal. And then, even after applying such a powerful seal, the demon beast's lock couldn't continue forever. Being the personification of an active volcano, it's possible to say that was the unavoidable outcome.

Approximately 30 years - that was the limit of the seal. For the sake of continuing the sealing of a raging demon beast seeking release, Tsuwabuki family had no choice but to conduct the ceremony at fixed intervals for the sake of suppressing Mt. Fuji's <Ki>.

Because of the divine protection of the Spirit King that dwelt in their blood - the strongest unmarried woman was elected as the priest of the ceremony.

Until today, the sealing ceremony known under the bombastic name of "Grand Festival" took place 8 times. And there were 8 casualties. The fatality ratio was 100%. This is the reason the ceremony practitioner was named sacrifice.

With no other option, the 9th ceremony approached. The girl called Ayumi was a lamb led to slaughter.

How long was he in blank amazement, I wonder. When Ren came to his senses, Ayumi was smiling gently, looking at him.

Unable to meet that extremely pitiful smile, Ren muttered, while looking down.

"Why?....."

"Ren?"

"Why do you have to do such a...."

After examining for a short while Ren's expression, Ayumi replied:

"Because someone has to do it"

'''''"But it doesn't have to be you-"'''''

Ayumi softly touched Ren's lips with her fingers. The boy who unintentionally couldn't keep his mouth shut, she rebuked him gently.

"It's not good saying these kind of things. If you speak filthy words your heart will become filthy too"

"........I'm sorry.........."

Ayumi shook her head.

"No. It's alright. Truthfully I was a little happy. Because I was never regarded as something valuable."

From the moment she was born, it was decided that Ayumi will be a sacrifice. She wasn't regarded as part of the same family, not recognized as a human being. For this girl with no family register, with no choice but being a tool for the ceremony, so far there wasn't a single person to hold her life dear.

Pointlessly, Ren made sure of her acknowledgement.

"Even so, you'll do it? For the sake of those who think of you as a tool?"

"It's different", Ayumi flatly shook her head.

"It has nothing to do with the Tsuwabuki family's expectations. Because it must be done no matter what, I'll do it. It's bad if Mt. Fuji erupts, right?"

"That is true..."

"If I am able to suppress it, my life, my death is not worthless.Even if the physical me dies, my prayers will fuse with the mountain and I will continue to watch over this country eternally. That's a very beautiful thing, don't you agree?"

"................."

Something is wrong. Something is terribly wrong, Ren thought so.

'''''-Don't try to glorify death with words of self-sacrifice -'''''

Kazuma's words, once intended for him were recalled to his mind. Doesn't Ayumi make the same mistake he did at the same time? But Ren had no persuasion words for the girl. He could not think of a path that doesn't result in Ayumi's death.

Only to let Mt. Fuji erupt-

To replace Ayumi as a sacrifice.

She would accept neither. There is no mistake about it, the girl known as Ayumi was the type that would sacrifice herself for others.

"That's why I'm not afraid of death. It's because I was born for this purpose. And yet, I desired memories before the time comes. Memories of my own, born from my own experience."

In that peaceful pupil, that accepted everything dwelt the light of a faint longing.

''Memories of her own?''

It's only natural to display a strong attachment for one's dying wish. But even so, that was a strange expression. Memories are neither true nor false.

To the bewildered Ren, Ayumi threw another bomb.

"You see, I don't have my own memories."

"Eh?"

"I haven't lost my memories. It's not like I have something to remember and I don't, it's more like I have ''nothing'' to remember."

"..............."

Without saying anything, Ren starred at Ayumi dumbfounded.

"If it would be just like that, even speaking and moving my body would have been impossible. But the me right now is something ignorant of the ways of the world but I can communicate with other people. Do you know why?"

"Wasn't it because you kept studying it?"

Toward such an unbelievable circumstance, Ren said so, including a ray of hope.

But, as feared, Ayumi shook her head.

"In my had there are transcripts of another's memories.I don't know how it's been done, though"

Almost like it was somebody else's problem, Ayumi indifferently recited those grand circumstances. Ren finally had the feeling he understood the reason why Ayumi had no attachment to her life. She had nothing to be particular about.

Not even recognized as a person, her existence valued as nothing but a tool, day after day. Planted forged memories. Without beginning, Ayumi's life ended.

With no room to harbor hope, she has no attachment except despair. Together with that gentle resignation, Ayumi accepted everything.

"That's why I wanted to see the world through my eyes even if it's just once. I wished for something that's not faked, real memories."

Like telling an unfulfilled dream, Ayumi whispered with a distant look. Toward the ordinary everyone was given as a natural privilege - no, the privilege they took for granted she felt endless longing and envy.

"The moment I saw the sky when I first felt the residence, I was very surprised. How vast was the sky windows don't limit, Mt. Fuji was so big..."

"Ayumi-chan......"

"The sky, the stars, the moon were so much more beautiful than what I remembered. Surely, the sea must be very beautiful, right?"

The silhouette of the innocent girl in high spirits was reflected in Ren's eyes as overbearingly pitiful.

-She wanted to see beautiful things-

What sort of feelings did she include when she said those words? The words of a girl dreaming, escaping from reality, no that he knew everything, they were unbelievably heavy.

"-This is hopeless"

With a strong determination, Ren muttered in his heart.

''Such a thing cannot be. It cannot be forgiven.''

"Ayumi-chan!"

"W-what?"

His immature sense of justice aroused, Red declared strongly.

"I will protect Ayumi-chan"

" - Ren?"

"So please, don't give up. Don't say it's OK to die. Because I'll protect you. I'll protect you for sure."

"Ren........."

Making a somewhat troubled face, she looked at the boy making a vow.

Joy and sadness and the kindness of a mother watching over her child were mixed in that complex gaze.

Without noticing that gaze, Ren continued.

"I'm sure it exists. A way in which Ayumi-chan doesn't have to die. I'll do whatever it's in my power. My own ability may be very small but if it's big brother, surely- "

"Your older brother?"

"Eh?"

Ayumi unintentionally asked in return and Ren reaffirmed with force those entrusting words.

"Ah-"

In those cornered eyes hope was shining.

"That's right! I have my older brother! If it's big brother, he will definitely save you!"

Without a fragment of anxiety, with absolute faith in his voice, Ren clearly declared.

For a short while, Ayumi opened her eyes wide, staring at the smile of the boy, delighted as if the problem was already settled.

"Do you have such an amazing brother?"

"Yeah", Ren answered without a moment's hesitation.

"Big brother is stronger than anyone. There is nothing he can't do. I'm sure."

"............Is that so........."

"So please don't say such lonesome things like last memories and let's do many more together. I want to show you many other things. That is...."

Embarrassed and blushing Ren invited the girl screwing up his courage.

"Because - I'll take you no matter where"

".............."

Receiving Ren's invitation, for one instant, Ayumi seemed to burst into tears. However, in just one moment she erased that bitter expression and replied with a calm and somewhat sad smile.

"Right.....If we could do that, it would be very nice....."

===Part 2===

"I wonder where did big brother go....."

Descending on the platform of the Chiwasaki Station, the shore on the other side of it, Ren muttered to himself with a worried face.

He can't get in touch with Kazuma.

He called Kazuma's cellphone from the station's public telephone but what came back was the dull announcement of the answering machine.

Because his own cellphone broke, he can't wait for Kazuma to get in touch with him. In the end, leaving the message "I'll call again" Ren hanged the receiver.

"I'm beaten"

As soon as he complained, Ayumi's hand, holding his left arm, tightly hugged him. Flustered, Ren showed a bright smile meant to give her peace of mind.

"Oh, it's fine. Because we'll get in touch shortly."

" -yeah", Ayumi nodded a little.

For a little while they didn't speak. Both of them walked the road to the beach in silence.

"Ah........."

A sound resembling noise making her eardrums vibrate, Ayumi strained her ears. The term sea roar came to her mind.

"The sound of waves......?"

"Yeah. We'll be there shortly."

Nodding, Ren increased his pace to not fall behind Ayumi, who unconsciously did so.

And now -

"Ah - !"

At the magnificent view at last reflected in her eyes Ayumi raised her voice in delight. Ren looked in the came direction. It was the sea. The great deep stretching endlessly. The utmost blue sea surface sparkling in the downpour of sunshine - naturally, it wasn't.

The winter sea is cold and hollow. it doesn't have a particle of the heat and energy the summer sea is full of, instead it's pushing out a cold surface, almost like rejecting humans. Staring at the utmost black sea, the same color as the night sky, Ayumi muttered:

"Is this... The sea...........?"

Perceiving the sound of a clear disappointment, Ren became impatient.

"W-what to do......."

Thinking now about it, it was a problem he should have noticed earlier. The winter sea - at night. Seen by girl his age it can't be a pleasing spectacle.Anyway, there was definitely not enough light. But there are at least seven, eight hours until dawn breaks.

''If I had light....light -?''

The idea that reflexively occurred to him was suppressed at an almost instinctive level. His family admonished sternly such conduct. But, even so-

''Do it!''

After just 3 seconds of hesitation, Ren decided to dismiss good sense. For his peace of mind, turning around, he searched for indications of human presence, surveying the surroundings.

From what he roughly saw, there was none except them.

- It must be done now.

Summoning fire spirits, he shortly informed:

"Go"

" - Eh? What?"

Before Ayumi finished her second question - the sky exploded.

"Kyaa!?"

The golden light shines out far and white pressing down the darkness. The brightness spreading out on the entire surface of the sky dyed the world golden and the jet black sea surface glittered dazzlingly.

"This - this is....Ren?"

To the Ayumi starring up in succession to both the sky and Ren with a surprised gaze, somewhat embarrassed but at the same time very proud, Ren's nostrils twitched.

"It's impossible to replicate the midsummer sea, but it's better than the pitch black gloomy sea, right? How is it? Do you like it?"

"Ren- "

Calling out Ren's name with a voice trembling with delight, Ayumi gave Ren a bear-like hug.

"Amazing! It's amazing! It is the most beautiful thing I've seen!"

"R-really? I'm glad"

Although confused by Ayumi's bold conduct, the relaxation of Ren's cheeks was irrepressible. Ayumi's large smile - even if he tried to express it, it's magnificence was beyond words.

Underneath the gold radiance, they innocently smiled at each other and looked up at the sky. Just like a golden aurora borealis the movement of the dancing fire spirits combined and the canopy covering the entire sky changed the same way a kaleidoscope would.

"Beautiful...but won't it cause an uproar?"

Ren shrugged his shoulders in silence. Without even thinking, it was an obvious matter. This was not a solitary island in the southern sea. Approachable by walking from the train station it was an empty swimming area.

Although there was a shelter-belt and a fence obstructing the field of vision, a highway was running less than 10 meters away. The houses were close. Without having to wait, it's likely spectators with burning curiosity would arrive in great numbers. There's no mistake that it will appear in tomorrow's newspaper.

But even so, Ren didn't care.

To make Ayumi happy - right now, for Ren it was all that mattered. Seeing Ayumi's wet eyes, Ren asked her casually, as if inquiring about the dinner's menu.

"Do you want to keep it up just a little bit more? Before long it could cause trouble but if they get in the way I'll drive them away"

"....No, it's enough."

After considering for a short while, Ayumi shook her head.

"It's enough. Because I'll never forget it."

" -Alright"

With a light nod, Ren called out the fire spirits. Promptly answering to the Enjutsushi's will, the fire spirits came together in a boisterous dance of light. And then -

"....W...ow...."

The light shining in the sky rained like drops of water above ground. Like snow, lightly flickering in the wind, the golden drops descended in a dance.

Holding no temperature, the clusters of pure light, upon touching the sandy beach and the surface of the sea, burst open and disappeared like in a dream.

"Ah- "

The last descending drop, Ayumi caught it extending both her hands. The moment it touched her hand, the light fleetingly disappeared but the girl softly closed her hands and touched her chest. That irreplaceable something stored in her hands was tucked away inside her chest.

Dropping the curtain on the light's dance performance, affecting acting, Ren made a bow.

"Did it please you?"

"Yes - yes...."

Her eyes full of tears, Ayumi bowed many, many times over.

"I... I am glad that I am alive. Meeting Ren.... Seeing something so beautiful, I...I...from the bottom of my heart...."

Unable to bear it in the end, her tears escaped. Shed for the first time in her life, tears of happiness.

In order to wipe the sobbing girl's tears, handkerchief in hand, he touched her face. Both their shadows brought forth by the moonlight, slowly became one.

But - this moment was the concluding moment of their honeymoon. On their cuddled silhouettes a violent, intense light shined.

" -!?"

Turning around holding hands, an eternally domineering voice pierced their ears.

"That's right! I'm so happy for you! That means you have no more regrets in this world, right?"

In front of both of them, watching over in a daze, the woman with the light on her back laughed.

===Part 3===

''The pursuer from the Tsuwabuki!''

In an instant Ren saw through the shadow's true character. Or perhaps I should say, as far as Ren knew, it was the only apponent pursuing them.

Drawing Ayumi back and stepping forward with a sleepwalking like gait, Ren probed into the other party's attitude. Overlooking them for a brief period from a higher place, the woman descended the stairs and continued walking towards the beach in a composed manner.

One man, like a servant, followed her, leaving between them several steps.

Because of the back lighting he sees only outlines but even from those shadows it was impossible not to recognize the proud atmosphere drifting around the woman. The glance overlooking them was more suited for stray dogs than humans.

Leaving a distance of five meters between them, the woman faced Ren and Ayumi.

as one would expect, approaching so much, it was now possible to discriminate her looks. Closing his eyes partly, Ren observed the woman - and several seconds afterwards he opened his eyes wide in shock.

"Eh - ?"

The woman was younger than he thought. Probably not yet of age, in the second half of her teens. But that wasn't what Ren was surprised about.

-They looked alike.

Ren thought so, watching intently, in succession, Ayumi and the woman. No, they didn't resemble each other. If the age difference could be removed, their facial features would e perfectly the same.

Twins separated by age - those sort of contradicting words passed through Ren's head.

"Mayumi-sama........" Ayumi murmured, looking at that woman with a glance mixed with panic.

Unintentionally, Ren asked:

"Your elder sister?"

''If that is the case, she too can...''

The thought that instantly came to his mind, Ren denied it confused. Ayumi does not wish for such a thing.

-If you speak filthy words, your heart will become filthy too -

''Good grief, I need to be more careful.''

Agreeing to Ayumi's words reverberating in his head, he grasped her hand tenderly. Ayumi's face stiff from fear, still displayed a gallant smile.

'''"Elder sister?"'''

On the other hand, for the boy and the girl happy b themselves, the woman - Mayumi matched it with the height of displeasure.

"Elder sister, you said?"

Glaring at Ren as if he was her archenemy, she squeezed out a stifled to death voice from the gap between her clenched teeth. Her well regulated, elegant features, changed into the face of a demonic warrior.

"Don't mess around with me"

Mayumi's angry roar shrunk Ayumi's body with a start. After staring with much discord at the frightened girl, she turned an identical glance at Ren.

"It was enough taking Ayumi and running away without understanding the circumstance and this already foolish show, I believed you were someone lacking prudence but, never to this extent. Me and that thing sisters? It's the first time I was insulted so."

"..............."

It seems Ayumi didn't receive human treatment even from her relatives. Holding down the rising anger, Ren searched for presence in the surroundings. It was unpleasant when Ayumi was called "that" again but Mayumi's words implied an imminent crisis.

Other people didn't come. Because what Mayumi evaluated as a foolish exhibition was already over, if such a flashy, abnormal phenomenon happened, it's impossible for none to approach. Normally, about now, a crowd would have gathered on the beach and the police and fire department would have surrounded the place.

None of it happened.

It's very likely that right now this area was blocked.

By the subordinates of the Tsuwabuki.

''Can we escape?''

Without thinking of handing Ayumi over, Ren investigated the possibility of escape. The fact that the girl in question accepted her own faith was totally forgotten.

"Why are you so cautious, young Kannagi prince?"

Seeing through Ren's decision promptly, Mayumi laughed, smiling sweetly.

"Everything is already over. There is nothing left for you to try."

Although using honorifics, speaking in a clearly despising tone, Mayumi focused on Ayumi.

"................."

Without even using words, Mayumi carelessly beckoned her. as if calling her pet dog or something.

Ayumi started walking obediently.

"Ayumi-ch-"

"It's fine."

Ren's words, trying to call her to a halt, Ayumi interrupted them shortly and with a decisive voice.

"It's fine already. Thank you for everything until now. - It was very fun."

"Ayu- "

In order to shake of his extended hand, Ayumi turned her back on Ren. And with that, she never turned around.

Standing in front of Mayumi, Ayumi's body became stiff as if she turned to stone. Her glance swayed insecurely nearly Mayumi's feet. Suddenly Mayumi stretched her fingers to Ayumi's chin and forcefully pointed upwards her face hanged in shame. Coercively looking down on the startled girl, she said in a voice full of smiles:

"If you wanted to run away, you should at least have crossed toe ocean. Instead of that, seducing a man and flirting with him in this kind of place, - do you look down on us?"

The Chijutsushi manipulating the spirits of the earth can make searches on fairly long distances as long it's adjoining land. It goes without saying that if you know the target well that searching ability is further improved.

For the sake of running from Chijutsushi, by sea or by air - anyway the most important thing is to separate from the ground.

"I had...no intention...."

Staring at Ayumi, protesting in a trembling voice, wit the look a carnivorous animal has before its feed, Mayumi let go of her jaw.

And then - she pulled her hand backwards and swung with all her strength.

" -Uh!"

It wasn't something as lovely as a slap. The punch made by hardening her wrist at the moment of the impact was a blow that made her bones resound.

Instantly Ayumi's legs separated from the ground and from the beginning exhausted body sunk into the sandy beach. Appearing to have completely fainted, her face half buried in the sand, she was completely still.

"Wha...."

Overcome with surprise at the sudden violence, Ren shouted white as a ghost.

"What have you done?"

But Mayumi didn't even looked at Ren. As she already stated "your turn is already over" she disregarded his existence itself.

Instead, the man who followed behind her moved. With body movement that had no openings he stepped forward and got on his knee before Ayumi.

Decidedly, he did not attempt to nurse her. Grabbing hold of Ayumi by the hair, casually the man lifted her head as if he would uproot a radish.

"...........E-eek......"

"What are you doing?"

Coldly looking down on Ayumi's feeble struggle, the man said in a monotonous tone.

"Do you think you can be lying down in front of the young lady, do you?"

"Yuu...ji.....sama....."

"Silence!"

The man - Yuuji - abruptly became enraged.

"With that face, through that mouth, don't call out my name! How disgusting!"

Raising his hand, pulling her hair even more, he made Ayumi stand on her knees. And then - this time from the front, he slapped her face onto the sand. Forcibly making Ayumi take a prostrating position, Yuuji shouted.

"Apologize! Until your voice becomes hoarse, until your throat tears apologize! Did you understand in how much danger did you put the young lady? If we didn't find you in time what would have happened! Did you intend for the young lady to be a sacrifice in your place? You puppet doll!!"

That was the limit.

He thought he himself endured it really well. Surely, big brother would praise him for it. Or - he'll get angry for letting it get that far.

Quietly he held out his right hand and pointed his index finger at Yuuji. And then - without a moment of hesitation he released hs power.

The thin, refined heat ray grazed Yuuji's cheek sticking into the concrete wall. The red hot concrete melted and the wall followed it, crashing.

"..........What kind of behavior.." Yuuji questioned with a voice stiffed to death. However, like Mayumi did before, Ren completely disregarded that utterance.

It wasn't a provocation or something like that. It's just that in Ren's field of vision no one else but Ayumi was reflected. It was just that.

"Re....n.....?"

For the girl weakly getting up, hearing that cracked voice, Ren painfully shook his head.

"As I thought, it's useless."

I can't control it.

I can't endure it.
Anymore than this - I can't stand it.

"What is the right thing to do, I don't even know. However, to hand you over to these guys it's absolutely impossible."

Whether it's right or not, that's long past. His feelings denied that option.

"Fall back!"

Struck by that sharp voice, Ayumi reflexively kicked the ground. Slightly further away from Yuuji. In that gap Ren threw a fireball brought forth from the sky.

"-Tch!"

Visibly agitated by the blast, Yuuji and Mayumi jumped. The distance widened even more. Well in advance Ren wedged himself in the space separating the two "enemies" and Ayumi.

"Humph - in the end brute force, huh?"

Staring at Ren blocking his way to Ayumi, Yuuji laughed fearless.

"Ah, well. Just as planed."

"Shall I back you up?"

"It's not necessary."

Politely rejecting Mayumi's proposal, he casually took one step forward. With an attitude full of composure he looked down on Ren taking a battle stance.

"Publicly- "

Without particularly preparing in advance, just standing, Yuuji began to speak in a relaxed manner.

"Publicly, it seems there are many idiots who believe Enjutsushi teh strongest but do you think so too?"

"-?"

Not understanding Yuuji's plan, Ren was perplexed. There is nothing to believe. The fact that Enjutsushi are the strongest is a <Reality> with no room for argument.

It's not about whether an Enjutsushi never lost to another kind of practitioner, of course there is no such thing. That is the power of one individual. It's about whether the ability difference can undermine the advantages and disadvantages of a technique style.

As for what technique system is the strongest - there is only one answer to that question. Without room for argument, with no chance for objection, the grave <Reality> doesn't change.

That is what Yuuji downright negated.

"What a foolish thing. All of you understand nothing about battle. The greatest offensive ability? When killing people do you think that is necessary?"

"What exactly?"

Including the confidence of certain victory in front of the perplexed Ren, Yuuji fired the question.

"You, where on earth do you plan to place your feet on?"

Unintentionally Ren stared at his own feet.There was nothing there but the ordinary sandy beach. There was no sign of set traps. There was no sense of discomfort when stepping on it, nothing but the feeling of soft sand-

''-Sand?''

"-Uh!!"

The sign of something wriggling, underneath his feet. Jumping by reflex, Ren's face became stiff with surprise and shivers.

Underground, and in addition to that, directly under his footprints a spear covered in sand was pushed up.

If his evasion would have been delayed by one second the spear would have stopped his foot by sewing it. it may be true he avoided the first attack but he had no room for relief. Visibly lying in wait at the spot Ren would come down, several spears sprung up.

"Kuu- "

Releasing fire and pointing it directly below, a countless number of spears burned to nothing. Coincident with his landing above the red hot sand, Ren rolled on the ground. Pursuing the rolling Ren from inside the sand, one after another, spears stick out.

While narrowly avoiding those, the boy cursed his overly optimistic thinking.

''Shit, Chijutsushi - so that's the reason!''

The spears hidden inside the sand were not something prepared in advance. Hardening the sand itself and changing its shape, Yuuji made those sharp spears.

Chijutsushi possess the force of the Earth Spirits. Sand, soil, ground stone and all materials affiliated with those, for them, are similar with extensions of their own hands. There was no need to expressly set traps.

The battleground itself was the Chijutsushi's weapon because that was for them the absolute most advantageous arrangement.

''What to do?''

Starting to see gaps one way or another, running in zig-zag to dodge the underground attacks, Ren looked for a breach. At any rate, as long as he is staying on the ground,his disadvantage can't be overcome.

Continuing to receive one-sided attacks without grasping a counter-attack clue, sooner or later he will receive a fatal blow.

On the other hand, Ren doesn't know such a jutsu that would allow him to gain a foothold on something else other than the ground.

If it were an Enjutsushi, he could fly into the air.

A Suijutsushi could maybe stand on top of water.

However, Ren being an Enjutsushi - it may be possible for Jugo or Genma - he had no skill to stand on top of flames. As long as gravity comes into play, he had no choice but to place his feet on the ground.

''What should I do?''

Looking over his surroundings, he searched for a turn-around plan. The sandy beach was the worst as a battle ground but concrete and asphalt must be similar. What remains -

''Inside the sea?''

It was out of the question. Ren being an Enjutsushi water was nothing more but a thing to be avoided. There was no point for Ren's power to weakened beyond what Yuuji could accomplish.

To Ren, stuck in a defensive battle, Yuuji turned words of ridicule.

"What's the matter? Are you just going to run? I don't care how far you run but if you go to far I'll take Ayumi and go back home."

"Kuu- "

Because of Yuuji's carelessness, recognizing he became long separated from Ayumi, Ren grinds his teeth. if it goes like this, Ayumi will really be taken away.

''What should I do? what should I -''

The problem was that he had no technique to defend against the blows. He can use flames to cover the surroundings but the bottom of his feet are perfectly defenseless. When fighting against Chijutsushi, that became a lethal weakness. A foothold was necessary. Separated from Yuuji's control, a scaffold made of <Earth> he cannot control.

He cannot fly into the sky. Water is also excluded. There's no wood near. He cannot stand on top of fire. On top of fire -

''-Huh?''

Suddenly Ren remembered the scene of a volcanic eruption he saw on TV. From craters, forcefully spitting out the red hot-

''Shall I give it a try?''

There was no time to spare. Making his resolve, Ren stopped and concentrated his consciousness.

"Aa.......a.........aa!!"

From Ren's whole body golden flames erupted. The dazzling glimmer blurred even the contours of his body and the boy shined, transformed into a small sun.

"Ua.......unh, it's useless."

To encourage himself overpowered by the tremendous quantity of heat, Yuuji intentionally raised his voice.

"No matter how hot a flame you clad yourself in, you cannot defend against attacks from bellow."

Trying to make the reality that he was currently on offensive known, Yuuji was perplexed by the dull response from the spirits.

The spirits of the earth didn't respond to his will - No, something different obstructs the formation of sand spears.

"You....what did you do?"

He turns a glance full of suspicion towards Ren. No matter what an Enjutsushi tries to do, it's impossible to exercise a stronger influence towards sand than a Chijutsushi does.

Ren didn't answer. Unaffected, abandoning that body to the flames, he only stood rock still above the red ground.

"Red - ? I see, you- "

Yuuji stared at Ren's feet. What was there didn't have the rough characteristics of sand but was reflecting the flame like grass. Sometimes, from the bottom bubbles rose to the surface and burst open with a particular thick sound.

"You brat - you changed the burning sand to magma!"

"I gave it a try"

Receiving Yuuji's angry roar, Ren laughed triumphantly. It does not mean he had a positive proof. If a Suijutsushi can stand atop water he tried to stand atop magma, that could also be called fluid flame. He simply tried out that idea.

Although having a fluffy, undependable sense of touch, magma firmly sustained Ren's body weight. As there was no fist fight involved, the tenderness of the scaffold didn't matter. The radius was about two meters. Although modest,from the <Kingdom> underneath Yuuji's absolute control, Ren gained that much territory.

"D-don't be excited, boy!" barked Yuuji after loosing his advantage.

"Even for magma, it's <ground> attribute doesn't change. The situation is still the same!"

With an angry roar, including a severe determination, Yuuji ordered the ground spirits. Around Ren's surroundings magma unnaturally rose, molding red spearheads.

"Die, boy!!"

The spears lengthen trying to pierce Ren's body. But just before that - they stopped.

"W-whaaaaat!?"

Quietly gazing at the surprised Yuuji, Ren talked indifferent.

"Certainly magma is something that belongs to the <ground>. Still, half of it it's Enjutsushi possession. I'm not gonna hand it over so easily!"

The spear on the verge of touching his body, Ren casually flung it off. The hard sharp spear instantly lost her unity and returned with a small splash on the surface of the magma sea.

"Guu..........Ba......."

With a really detestable howl, Yuuji stopped trying to proactively commence the next attack. It's understandable.

The control of the material called magma with attributes of both <ground> and <fire> has been snatched away. That means that in a contest of pure strength he was defeated by Ren. As the opponent of a higher ranked practitioner, he couldn't carelessly take the vanguard.

"Next is my turn, huh?" Ren declared with no fighting spirit.

His pushed out right hand accurately aimed at Yuuji. From that palm golden flames gushed out.

"Oooooooooooohh!!"

Yuuji too, didn't gave in. Hoisting the sand beneath his feet, he threw it onto the approaching flame. A surging sea of white sand attacking the golden torrent.

Receiving the aftermath of the struggle between these two powers, the ground grated and the sky trembled.

"Gu........me..uuuu......."

Through clenched teeth Yuuji let out a pressing moan. He understood that in a contest of strength he was inferior. As it is, he will certainly be pressed down.

While his body burned in humiliation, Yuuji changed his tactics to defense. The sand changed into a bulky bedrock and stood before the fire torrent. Although the bedrock stopped the flames there was no room for relaxation.

"It's coming from behind."

Inside the thunderous roar made by the flames burning the rock, for some reason that whisper clearly reached his ears. Uneventfully changed to a quiet oath, Yuuji felt that enormous heat approaching from behind.

"Sh-shit!"

The already thin bedrock rose, splitting the sand and stopped a gigantic fire ball. Although withstanding it somehow, the tremendous mpact crossed over the bed rock and mercilessly pummeled Yuuji's body.

In the space between the two bedrocks Yuuji was in anguish. And there, the last blow came.

"Next is up"

" -!?"

Looking up at the sky, Yuuji's eyes peeled in shock. A remarcably big fireball descended upon Yuuji like a meteor. The distance was less than two meters.

"Kuuu- !"

It's unthinkable of having time to defend and so forth. Overhead the man looking at it dumbfounded, the fireball violently exploded.

"..............Uh!"

There wasn't much heat but the shock was hard to describe. The two sheets of bed rock made by him efficiently reverberated, sinking Yuuji's body in the sandy beach.

"Go...........bah.........."

As if gravity was increased a hundred fold, the extremely heavy pressure flattened his body, the air in his lungs was squeezed out without exception and all the bones in his body creaked.

"Not........not yet......yet......"

Putting all his strength in his arms Yuuji seemed to want to push out the heavens. But after lifting it 10 centimeters the elbow joints made a thick sound and bent the other way.

When the broken right arm fell to the ground the shining fireball in the sky also vanished. But even so, Yuuji couldn't give up.

The sound of the broken bed rock resounded in vain, like the gong at the end of the match.

===Part 4===

"-Fuuu"

Taking a small breath, Ren shifted his attention to the remaining two.

Ayumi's gaze shaking with anxiety. And, despite having the same face, not showing even the smallest disturbance, expressing a thin smile, Mayumi:

Confronting Mayumi directly, Ren asked with a determined look.

"What will you do? Do you want to give it a try?"

While it may be true her outward appearance was that of a frail young lady, he won't act unprepared. Based on Yuuji's behavior it was clear Mayumi was the purest descendant. Not an opponent to make light of.

"Oh, the Kannagi young lord would go as far as to raise his hand against a non resisting woman?"

With no place for misunderstanding, Mayumi's expression was provocative. Even so, looking puzzled at the girl not showing any indication of battle, Ren retaliated in a low voice:

"-If you want to run away I won't pursue you"

"Well, thank you"

Replying to the lenient laugh with a scornful laugh Mayumi shed a fleeting glance.

"That's what he said Yuuji. What will you do?"

"-?"

Looking the same way Mayumi did, Ren unintentionally opened his eyes wide. Over there, Yuuji, beaten down enough to keep him immobilized for three months, was crawling out of sand, drawing near.

".........Ridiculous......"

It was impossible. From right overhead, from an angle he couldn't elude he received a strong bomb blast. He must have ten or twenty bone fractures and his internal organs were supposed to be damaged. Not the kind of injury you could move with because of fighting spirit and will power - that's the way it was supposed to be.

Mayumi loudly sneered at Ren in mute amazement.

"It seems you took lightly a Chijutsushi's resistance."

The high ranking Chijutsushi, by directly taking the ground's <ki> inside their body, are endowed with a resistance that exceeds common sense. Ren too, also knew that but seeing it in practice was fairly ominous.

"B-but....."

While looking at Yuuji advancing by crawling, as if he was seeing a zombie, Ren shouted.

"He received so much damage! It's impossible to recover so much to try and fight immediately!"

"Is that so?"

As for Mayumi, she was thoroughly composed.

"Yuuji, were you not supposed to protect me at the cost of your own life? Do you plan to crawl out of there cowering to see me getting killed?"

The effect of those words was tremendous.

Enduring the pain, Yuuji stood up and although stumbling, began to walk on his own two feet. Step by step that unsteady manner of walking lost its disorder and by the time he stood up in front of Ren, blocking his way to Ayumi, with the exception of the smashed right arm, he seemed completely recovered.

"..........I,will protect,my lady.............."

With an unsightly smashed but firmly determined voice, Yuuji bravely declared.

"I will absolutely not let her, get killed.........."

"I don't want to kill her!" Ren shouted while feeling, without knowing why, overawed by a dying, severely wounded person.

"If she wanted to go back she can go for all I care! I have no business with the lot of you. I just want to protect Ayumi-chan, that's all!"

Hearing Ren's claim, Yuuji unexpectedly starred in wonder. And then, he suddenly burst into laughter.

"Ku ku ku......Buahahahaha.......ku ku ku ku ku....."

Although throwing up blood, Yuuji still laughed. His blood stained face was warped and extremely happy.

"I see......that's the way it is, huh?....."

"Wh-.....what is so funny?...."

Ren suddenly shouted blushing with anger and Yuuji suddenly stopped his sneer.

"You don't understand anything. You're just a brat playing with the power passed through your body."

"What?"

"Just shut up already and go back home. Forget everything that happened today."

Those remarks almost like regarding an unreasonable child made Ren childishly exasperated.

"Don't joke around with me! I'm not gonna hand Ayumi-chan over to guys like- "

"So, do you say my lady should be the sacrifice instead?"

With a terribly cold expression, Yuuji retaliated.

Seeing Ren lost for words at the unexpected objection, almost like pressing for an answer, he continued.

"It's not like you don't know. Ayumi is the ritual sacrifice. It's a thing made for the sake of dying instead of my lady. If you protect it, it's equivalent with killing my lady."

"That sort of- I- "

"''I have no intention of doing that'', huh? The meaning of the act called protection is it the affectation of a knight who does not consider the weight of words, just entrusts to his power? That's why I said you are a brat who doesn't understand anything!!"

"Wro......"

''Wrong'' - when trying to say that word, with all his heart Ren was at a loss for words. There was nothing to answer back.

"Listen, kid. The act of protection means obviously getting your hands dirty for something important. For the sake of that one irreplaceable thing to be prepared to cut down everything else! Mere lip service changes nothing - saves nothing!"

A few hours ago, when Ren started speaking about making preparations for a substitute sacrifice, Ayumi gently rebuked him.

''-If you speak dirty words, your heart will become dirty too-''

They were beautiful words. If anyone heard these words after knowing Ayumi's situation, they would have been deeply moved.

But, Ayumi will die. Without leaving anything behind except that deep emotion, she will disappear from this world.

-To die in such a beautiful way or to survive in an ugly way -

Which was correct, Ren was not able to judge. On the other hand, Yuuji did not hesitate.

"For the sake of protecting my lady, I will kill Ayumi.Those that will get in the way, I will kill them all! I will remove all obstacles even at the cost of my life and protect my lady!"

DETERMINATION

Crossing over the judgement of right and wrong, good and evil, Yuuji selected the protection of that "one thing" that must be protected. To stop him it seems there is no choice but to kill him.

But, right now Ren had no will to go through with it to that extent. No, even if he had that determination, he lost sight to whom it should be pointed to.

''What should be do? -What should I do?''

Ren was perplexed.

But before the boy found the answer, the situation changed.

"......Kyaa......"

Swept by the wind, a disappearing small shriek. But even so, it was impossible for Ren to miss that voice. Because that was no one else's but Ayumi's voice.

"Ayumi-chan!?"

In front of Ren's eyes,turning around with a changed expression, were reflected the figures of Ayumi and Mayumi, standing behind her. Embraced her closely from behind,ayumi's pale complexion became stiff.

Although not being strangled or press against a dangerous weapon, panic grabbed hold of her heart.

"-My lady..."

When Yuuji called out to her, Mayumi's lips became sharp with dissatisfaction.

"What, are you telling me not to get involved? aren't you at fault for being inefficient?"

"No, I'm sorry for causing you trouble."

" -Humpf! Good grief. I'll be troubled if you can't be more reliable!"

This time she held her head high, self-important. She seemed to have a pretty simple personality.

"At any rate- "

While embracing Ayumi, Mayumi shifted her focus on Ren.

"Loving such a doll as this, the Kannagi young lord too, must have some unusual hobbies."

"Ayumi-chan is not a doll! She's human!"

"-Hey, hey..."

At Ren's shout, Mayumi displayed a studied surprise and looked down on Ayumi:

"You said nothing, did you? -What a bad child."

Suddenly thinking of something, Mayumi gently stroked Ayumi's cheek and her body tightly shrunk. That face, smiling complacently, gave the impression of a cat considering how to tease the mouse pinned down by its forelimbs.

A cruel smile lifting her lips, Mayumi said:

"Do you listen, Kannagi young lord? The ''Ayumi-chan'' you tried so hard to protect is not human."

"W- what are you say-"

"It's the truth. Because, you see, this is a clone made by cultivating my cells."

" -!?"

Ren opened his eyes wide with surprise. But simultaneously, he felt somewhere in his heart it was true.

Mayumi and Ayumi - even assuming they were sisters, those two resembled too much.

''Thing Doll Sacrifice'' - completely spoken ill of, a girl whose human dignity was trampled underfoot.

If it was just as Mayumi said, if Ayumi was not human and was created for the sake of dying as a sacrifice, doesn't everything makes sense?

''"A lie.......It's a lie"''

Aiming a smile full of spite at the dumbfounded Ren, Mayumi continued.

"Her appearance may seem that of a twelve years old girl but in reality only a month passed since its creation. Even her planted memories have been suitably edited from my own. That kind of crude doll, you tried to protect with your knight affectation. ''That was fun ♥''"

"It.......It's a lie......"

"Let me tell you one more thing. Even if she doesn't become the sacrifice, just a month from now on, fer life span will be cut from inside. Made with no intention to use for an extended period of time, just instant makeshift goods."

"That's, a lie...."

Ren looked at Ayumi almost like searching for help. She received his glance for just one second and sadly cast her eyes down.

Thus, at last Ayumi - Ayumi told the truth.

"........It's true. I am the katashiro doll[http://eos.kokugakuin.ac.jp/modules/xwords/entry.php?entryID=308] made for the sake of keeping Mayumi-sama alive. Mayumi-sama's impostor"

Where is the genuine '''Ayumi'''?

''I have no memories'' - Ayumi told Ren so. That's natural. If she had been made just a month before, it's impossible for those to exist. Without even trying to steal it, there was nothing there form the beginning. Everything was an imitation. If only her heart was more than a transient object, his own act of protecting Ayumi, his determination, everything would not have been a wasted effort.

"I look, so stupid....."

His body was full with a sense of helplessness. Feebly hanging his head, Ren collapsed on the sandy beach.

"It looks like that was a lot of shock, huh?"

Coldly looking down on the defeated Ren, Mayumi sneered.

"That's only natural. It made him realize his own buffoonery can't go any higher."

"Well, isn't that fine? By understanding reality, the boy becomes an adult."

".........you could say that."

Yuuji replied to Mayumi's words, pretending to act like a grown-up, in a quiet voice. Maybe because they were both men, but it was impossible not to feel sympathy for Ren.

"Come now, let's go home. We must quickly return and prepare for the ceremony."

On the other hand, Mayumi didn't have such a compassionate heart. Already disregarding Ren's existence, she starts thinking about tomorrow's ceremony.

"....yes", Yuuji respectfully bowed.

Receiving Ayumi, presented to him like luggage, the same way as they came, he followed Mayumi like a servant.

But, at the same time he placed his leg on the stairs connected to the main road-

"Step aside!"

From the vicinity of the main road that command reverberated, and a second later a golden pillar of fire lit the sky.

Involuntarily the three people turned around to Ren. But, he did not seemed to notice the present disturbance and was kneeling on the sandy beach, his head hanged. Hearing footsteps they turned in the direction of the main road once more. Two sets of footsteps. Both of them light. They were probably women.

Around that time, Yuuji made a guess about the opponent's identity. Noticing he should be in front, he tried to make Mayumi step back, but- it was slightly late.

"Ren!"

On top the stairs, one girl appeared.

Pushing out the darkness, the aura of red and gold shining out far and wide. The enormous amount of fire spirits that followed her in the background were displaying the girl as the human model of the flame itself.

"This is also......"

From Yuuji's mouth a mutter of unexpected wonder leaked out. Certainly her age was sixteen. And although childish, the shape of the young lady captivated him.

Overflowing from that small body, the surge of an overwhelming power. That sword was not yet drawn out but even so, it was impossible to misread the girl's identity.

''Beautiful- ''

He genuinely thought so. That was not in regard for the human, much less the opposite sex but the same deep emotion he felt at the time he looked at Mother Nature's magnificent scenery.

Suddenly, he noticed a sharp glance. Calmly looking away and folding her arms, Mayumi's half opened glare met his eye.

"''This is also...''" with a monotonous voice Mayumi repeated Yuuji's words.

"What is the meaning of ''This is also...'' Yuuji ?"

"Ah, no, that is..."

While becoming completely confused, Yuuji desperately searched for explanatory words.

If he cannot talk his way out of it now, it will become fairly difficult afterwards.

"That, didn't have any significant meaning. This is also...flashy...?"

"-Humph, that so?"

With that considerably packed expression Mayumi nodded.

"Well, afterwards I'll receive a lengthy explanation of that matter. Now it's not the time for it."

Mayumi faced the two standing at the top of the stairs.

"Nice meeting you, Kannagi princess. Being able to meet you is an honor."

".......and you are?"

The girl - Ayano, shortly inquired.

"I was slow in saying. I am Tsuwabuki Mayumi. This is my attendant Yuuji. Although belonging to a collateral family, for the time being permit him to call himself with the Tsuwabuki surname."

"If I say I will, I wonder will I have to call you by such an embarrassing name as ''Tsuwabuki princess''?"

"I am at your mercy."

To Ayano's provocative response, Mayumi bowed her head with a smiling face.

irritated, Ayano ended this conversation lacking sincerity and got to the main question.

"I have no particular business with you. Where is Ren?"

Mayumi pointed at the sandy beach in the back.

"Somewhere in that area. Maybe he is crying holding his knees."

"What, have you done to him?"

The atmosphere became noisy. The explosive scarlet aura flickered like a flame.

"Physically, nothing. He did not receive a single wound."

".........haa"

When that report was made, Yuuji looked sullen.

"But it seems his emotional scars are quite deep. We would be troubled if you complained to us about such things. About the details, you can ask that boy. However, I believe not prying into it would be a kindness to him."

Just saying that, with no precaution Mayumi started walking up the stairs. Whipping his wounded body, Yuuji went in front of Mayumi, trying to be a shield as much as possible.

"Well then-"

Greeting her while passing by one another, Mayumi walked near Ayano's side. And then, after looking at the retreating figure running down the stairs not returning the favor, she shifted her focus on the other person - a woman standing in a somewhat separated place.

"Good evening. It's been a long time, Police Superintendent Tachibana."

"We haven't talked in a long time, Mayumi-san"

That perfectly ordinary greeting, the detective in charge of Tokyo MPD's Special Investigation Unit, Police Superintended Tachibana returned with an absolutely tranquil tone.

"Because you didn't appear together with the that young woman, can we assume you have no intention of opposing the Tsuwabuki regarding the Kannagi matter?"

"Of course. We have no intention of interfering in any kind of dispute. Naturally, if you would accept our mediation, we woul feel that position with pleasure."

"That won't be necessary."

The faint tension that dwelt in Kirika's words, smiling, Mayumi severed it when she replied.

"Everything has been already settled. We have regained the object Kannagi Ren stole and because it's something a child did, we have no intention of blaming the Kannagi Clan for that error. If you would be so good as to pass it along to Ayano-san."

"......I will comply"

"Thank you"

Bowing her head to Kirika, Mayumi left accompanied by her attendant and the spoils of war.

No matter how polite her tone was, the girl's attitude was that of a victor who obtained everything.

Gazing for a brief period at the retreating figure, never looking back, Kirika started walking towards the defeated boy or maybe the defeated people.

"There's no sign this is ending here."

That's what she was thinking.

[[User:Ayame|Ayame]] ([[User talk:Ayame|talk]]) 10:01, 24 March 2013 (CDT)

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Kaze no Stigma:Volume3 Chapter 3

2013-04-28T15:09:39Z

80.240.162.190: /* Part 2 */

===Chapter 3 - The person one must protect===

===Part 1===

"......................"

Inside the train, Ren was frozen solid.He sat in such a way that if someone poked him, he would roll on the floor while in sitting position.

The reason for that was the existence of the girl sitting earnestly on his left side, Ayumi. She was clinging to Ren's left arm in order for their bodies to be glued as close as possible.

At the beginning of her teens, wearing a coat over the still immature body, although the sensation wasn't supposed to be very fresh, it's still impossible to be composed about it.

Contrastive to Ayumi, who yielded herself to Ren with a peaceful appearance, his brain has been frozen for the last 10 minutes.

- It happened approximately 10 minutes before.

At the time they waited for the train on the platform of Tokyo Station, staring at Ren shivering from the coldness of the wind, Ayumi asked in a worried manner:

"Are you cold?"

"No, I'm fine"

Ren showed a smile meant to give her a piece of mind but the next moment that smile became frozen.

"a... a... a... Ayumi-chan?"

"If we are like this it's warm, right?"

Feeling guilty for borrowing his coat and trying to transfer her own body temperature, she clung to Ren's arm.

"D-don't do that -"

Ren's brain, trying to separate his body, was pierced by Ayumi's expression, looking at him with upturned eyes.

"-No?"

"Eh, ah, no, that sort of..."

A stuttering Ren. He was unbelievably ashamed, he also thought this sort of thing is wrong, but before the girl's gaze, looking at him sadly, he couldn't shake his head.

''What to do.....''

The warm sense of touch transmitted by his left arm thoroughly snatched Ren's presence of mind. After that, when, how did hey get into the train, he didn't remember any of it.

"I'm sorry"

"-Eh?"

Receiving such an abrupt apology, Ren's consciousness recovered after a long time. Ayumi's turned away expression, full of guilt was reflected in his eyes.

"About what?"

"For making such an odd request."

Ren replied while laughing.

"It's not a big deal, this much"

Actually the girl's wish was simple. What it required were traveling expenses and a little bit of time. Just those will suffice.

''Take me to the sea''

That's what Ayumi spoke in the park. It was just one wish. Naturally, Ren had no objection.

Investigating those contents for a while, he asked only one thing.

"Is a harbor-like place acceptable? Or a sandy beach?"

Without wavering, Ayumi chose the latter. Therefore, together they boarded the Tokaido Line. That route was aimed at Chigasaki.

If that was the nearest swimming beach, Ren doesn't know. But that was the only place he could lead her to. Because of his family's line of work he is a boy unrelated to family vacations et cetera. He had hardly any experience of swimming in the sea. Ren was deeply grateful to the girl who took him by force sea bathing last year's summer.

While chasing the flowing scenery, Ayumi murmured:

"In the end, I wanted to see something beautiful with my own eyes."

"In the end, you say?"

"When I do so, I'm going back. To the Tsuwabuki."

"No!", Ren promptly shouted.

"No! They don't treat you like a fellow human. Only like a tool. If you return to those people you'll never be happy. If you have no place to go, you can come to my house. The Kannagi Clan will, without exception -"

"Ren, you see-"

Ayumi quietly interrupted Ren's desperate pleading words.

"Have you heard about the Tsuwabuki's Grand Festival?"

"The Grand Festival - about that ceremony to appease the volcanic activity of Mt. Fuji? I'm not very familiar with it but the practitioner always lost his life... "

Going that far, Ren turned a terrified glance towards Ayumi.

"No...way....."

What was reflected in those eyes was Ayumi's excessively tranquil smiling face. It was unbelievable. Ren completely denied that expression. There shouldn't be something like that. Such a thing cannot be allowed. Something like that- something like that-

"I have no family name, nor a family register, naming myself is not permitted, but-"

''No way''

''I don't want to hear''

Despite this - the body doesn't move. Even blocking his ears, he can't do it. Without waiting for agreement or disagreement, pouring into his ears, that tone calm as the surface of the lake. Admitting everything, allowing it, accepting it.

"I am called Tsuwabuki. According to the lineage, something like a direct descendant."

''I don't want to hear it''

"The ceremony is tomorrow night. Therefore, I must get back until then. Because I- because I am the priest of the ritual"

''Because I am the priest of the ceremony''

From Ren's body, with a water-like sound, blood flew backwards.

The Yamatsumino Grand Festival - the origin of it goes back roughly 300 years.

The year is 1707 - during the Houei era was the last volcanic eruption of Mt. Fuji and the greatest since the dawn of history. The violent eruption reaching 15 days, it was said that the volcanic ash fell as far as the distant town of Edo. It was not only Kantō but a life or death crisis for Japan itself. No matter how many times Mt. Fuji erupted, it didn't show any signs of quieting down.

That raging <Ki> finally resulted in the embodiment of one demon beast. The impersonation of Fuji's <ki>. it is certain that was the largest, strongest devilishness that materialized in this country. If one tried to rank it among other demon beasts, the only reference it had would be the legendary monsters, like the eight tail serpent that couldn't be defeated without the help of god's power.

The beast's roar beckoned eruptions and its stepping feet invoked eruptions. Mowing down everything it touched, it exhausted the limits if tyranny. The ones who sealed it were the yet unknown Tsuwabuki family. A young girl leading the family offered prayers to the King of the Earth Spirits for seven days and seven nights and finally attained that divine protection.

And then, by that divine protection, the girl managed to seal that demon beast. Thus Mt. Fuji calmed down and Japan's peace was protected. And they all lived happily ever after.

-But that story has sequel.

First, that girl was not able to endure the release of such an over-sized power and lost her life with the seal. And then, even after applying such a powerful seal, the demon beast's lock couldn't continue forever. Being the personification of an active volcano, it's possible to say that was the unavoidable outcome.

Approximately 30 years - that was the limit of the seal. For the sake of continuing the sealing of a raging demon beast seeking release, Tsuwabuki family had no choice but to conduct the ceremony at fixed intervals for the sake of suppressing Mt. Fuji's <Ki>.

Because of the divine protection of the Spirit King that dwelt in their blood - the strongest unmarried woman was elected as the priest of the ceremony.

Until today, the sealing ceremony known under the bombastic name of "Grand Festival" took place 8 times. And there were 8 casualties. The fatality ratio was 100%. This is the reason the ceremony practitioner was named sacrifice.

With no other option, the 9th ceremony approached. The girl called Ayumi was a lamb led to slaughter.

How long was he in blank amazement, I wonder. When Ren came to his senses, Ayumi was smiling gently, looking at him.

Unable to meet that extremely pitiful smile, Ren muttered, while looking down.

"Why?....."

"Ren?"

"Why do you have to do such a...."

After examining for a short while Ren's expression, Ayumi replied:

"Because someone has to do it"

'''''"But it doesn't have to be you-"'''''

Ayumi softly touched Ren's lips with her fingers. The boy who unintentionally couldn't keep his mouth shut, she rebuked him gently.

"It's not good saying these kind of things. If you speak filthy words your heart will become filthy too"

"........I'm sorry.........."

Ayumi shook her head.

"No. It's alright. Truthfully I was a little happy. Because I was never regarded as something valuable."

From the moment she was born, it was decided that Ayumi will be a sacrifice. She wasn't regarded as part of the same family, not recognized as a human being. For this girl with no family register, with no choice but being a tool for the ceremony, so far there wasn't a single person to hold her life dear.

Pointlessly, Ren made sure of her acknowledgement.

"Even so, you'll do it? For the sake of those who think of you as a tool?"

"It's different", Ayumi flatly shook her head.

"It has nothing to do with the Tsuwabuki family's expectations. Because it must be done no matter what, I'll do it. It's bad if Mt. Fuji erupts, right?"

"That is true..."

"If I am able to suppress it, my life, my death is not worthless.Even if the physical me dies, my prayers will fuse with the mountain and I will continue to watch over this country eternally. That's a very beautiful thing, don't you agree?"

"................."

Something is wrong. Something is terribly wrong, Ren thought so.

'''''-Don't try to glorify death with words of self-sacrifice -'''''

Kazuma's words, once intended for him were recalled to his mind. Doesn't Ayumi make the same mistake he did at the same time? But Ren had no persuasion words for the girl. He could not think of a path that doesn't result in Ayumi's death.

Only to let Mt. Fuji erupt-

To replace Ayumi as a sacrifice.

She would accept neither. There is no mistake about it, the girl known as Ayumi was the type that would sacrifice herself for others.

"That's why I'm not afraid of death. It's because I was born for this purpose. And yet, I desired memories before the time comes. Memories of my own, born from my own experience."

In that peaceful pupil, that accepted everything dwelt the light of a faint longing.

''Memories of her own?''

It's only natural to display a strong attachment for one's dying wish. But even so, that was a strange expression. Memories are neither true nor false.

To the bewildered Ren, Ayumi threw another bomb.

"You see, I don't have my own memories."

"Eh?"

"I haven't lost my memories. It's not like I have something to remember and I don't, it's more like I have ''nothing'' to remember."

"..............."

Without saying anything, Ren starred at Ayumi dumbfounded.

"If it would be just like that, even speaking and moving my body would have been impossible. But the me right now is something ignorant of the ways of the world but I can communicate with other people. Do you know why?"

"Wasn't it because you kept studying it?"

Toward such an unbelievable circumstance, Ren said so, including a ray of hope.

But, as feared, Ayumi shook her head.

"In my had there are transcripts of another's memories.I don't know how it's been done, though"

Almost like it was somebody else's problem, Ayumi indifferently recited those grand circumstances. Ren finally had the feeling he understood the reason why Ayumi had no attachment to her life. She had nothing to be particular about.

Not even recognized as a person, her existence valued as nothing but a tool, day after day. Planted forged memories. Without beginning, Ayumi's life ended.

With no room to harbor hope, she has no attachment except despair. Together with that gentle resignation, Ayumi accepted everything.

"That's why I wanted to see the world through my eyes even if it's just once. I wished for something that's not faked, real memories."

Like telling an unfulfilled dream, Ayumi whispered with a distant look. Toward the ordinary everyone was given as a natural privilege - no, the privilege they took for granted she felt endless longing and envy.

"The moment I saw the sky when I first felt the residence, I was very surprised. How vast was the sky windows don't limit, Mt. Fuji was so big..."

"Ayumi-chan......"

"The sky, the stars, the moon were so much more beautiful than what I remembered. Surely, the sea must be very beautiful, right?"

The silhouette of the innocent girl in high spirits was reflected in Ren's eyes as overbearingly pitiful.

-She wanted to see beautiful things-

What sort of feelings did she include when she said those words? The words of a girl dreaming, escaping from reality, no that he knew everything, they were unbelievably heavy.

"-This is hopeless"

With a strong determination, Ren muttered in his heart.

''Such a thing cannot be. It cannot be forgiven.''

"Ayumi-chan!"

"W-what?"

His immature sense of justice aroused, Red declared strongly.

"I will protect Ayumi-chan"

" - Ren?"

"So please, don't give up. Don't say it's OK to die. Because I'll protect you. I'll protect you for sure."

"Ren........."

Making a somewhat troubled face, she looked at the boy making a vow.

Joy and sadness and the kindness of a mother watching over her child were mixed in that complex gaze.

Without noticing that gaze, Ren continued.

"I'm sure it exists. A way in which Ayumi-chan doesn't have to die. I'll do whatever it's in my power. My own ability may be very small but if it's big brother, surely- "

"Your older brother?"

"Eh?"

Ayumi unintentionally asked in return and Ren reaffirmed with force those entrusting words.

"Ah-"

In those cornered eyes hope was shining.

"That's right! I have my older brother! If it's big brother, he will definitely save you!"

Without a fragment of anxiety, with absolute faith in his voice, Ren clearly declared.

For a short while, Ayumi opened her eyes wide, staring at the smile of the boy, delighted as if the problem was already settled.

"Do you have such an amazing brother?"

"Yeah", Ren answered without a moment's hesitation.

"Big brother is stronger than anyone. There is nothing he can't do. I'm sure."

"............Is that so........."

"So please don't say such lonesome things like last memories and let's do many more together. I want to show you many other things. That is...."

Embarrassed and blushing Ren invited the girl screwing up his courage.

"Because - I'll take you no matter where"

".............."

Receiving Ren's invitation, for one instant, Ayumi seemed to burst into tears. However, in just one moment she erased that bitter expression and replied with a calm and somewhat sad smile.

"Right.....If we could do that, it would be very nice....."

===Part 2===

"I wonder where did big brother go....."

Descending on the platform of the Chiwasaki Station, the shore on the other side of it, Ren muttered to himself with a worried face.

He can't get in touch with Kazuma.

He called Kazuma's cellphone from the station's public telephone but what came back was the dull announcement of the answering machine.

Because his own cellphone broke, he can't wait for Kazuma to get in touch with him. In the end, leaving the message "I'll call again" Ren hanged the receiver.

"I'm beaten"

As soon as he complained, Ayumi's hand, holding his left arm, tightly hugged him. Flustered, Ren showed a bright smile meant to give her peace of mind.

"Oh, it's fine. Because we'll get in touch shortly."

" -yeah", Ayumi nodded a little.

For a little while they didn't speak. Both of them walked the road to the beach in silence.

"Ah........."

A sound resembling noise making her eardrums vibrate, Ayumi strained her ears. The term sea roar came to her mind.

"The sound of waves......?"

"Yeah. We'll be there shortly."

Nodding, Ren increased his pace to not fall behind Ayumi, who unconsciously did so.

And now -

"Ah - !"

At the magnificent view at last reflected in her eyes Ayumi raised her voice in delight. Ren looked in the came direction. It was the sea. The great deep stretching endlessly. The utmost blue sea surface sparkling in the downpour of sunshine - naturally, it wasn't.

The winter sea is cold and hollow. it doesn't have a particle of the heat and energy the summer sea is full of, instead it's pushing out a cold surface, almost like rejecting humans. Staring at the utmost black sea, the same color as the night sky, Ayumi muttered:

"Is this... The sea...........?"

Perceiving the sound of a clear disappointment, Ren became impatient.

"W-what to do......."

Thinking now about it, it was a problem he should have noticed earlier. The winter sea - at night. Seen by girl his age it can't be a pleasing spectacle.Anyway, there was definitely not enough light. But there are at least seven, eight hours until dawn breaks.

''If I had light....light -?''

The idea that reflexively occurred to him was suppressed at an almost instinctive level. His family admonished sternly such conduct. But, even so-

''Do it!''

After just 3 seconds of hesitation, Ren decided to dismiss good sense. For his peace of mind, turning around, he searched for indications of human presence, surveying the surroundings.

From what he roughly saw, there was none except them.

- It must be done now.

Summoning fire spirits, he shortly informed:

"Go"

" - Eh? What?"

Before Ayumi finished her second question - the sky exploded.

"Kyaa!?"

The golden light shines out far and white pressing down the darkness. The brightness spreading out on the entire surface of the sky dyed the world golden and the jet black sea surface glittered dazzlingly.

"This - this is....Ren?"

To the Ayumi starring up in succession to both the sky and Ren with a surprised gaze, somewhat embarrassed but at the same time very proud, Ren's nostrils twitched.

"It's impossible to replicate the midsummer sea, but it's better than the pitch black gloomy sea, right? How is it? Do you like it?"

"Ren- "

Calling out Ren's name with a voice trembling with delight, Ayumi gave Ren a bear-like hug.

"Amazing! It's amazing! It is the most beautiful thing I've seen!"

"R-really? I'm glad"

Although confused by Ayumi's bold conduct, the relaxation of Ren's cheeks was irrepressible. Ayumi's large smile - even if he tried to express it, it's magnificence was beyond words.

Underneath the gold radiance, they innocently smiled at each other and looked up at the sky. Just like a golden aurora borealis the movement of the dancing fire spirits combined and the canopy covering the entire sky changed the same way a kaleidoscope would.

"Beautiful...but won't it cause an uproar?"

Ren shrugged his shoulders in silence. Without even thinking, it was an obvious matter. This was not a solitary island in the southern sea. Approachable by walking from the train station it was an empty swimming area.

Although there was a shelter-belt and a fence obstructing the field of vision, a highway was running less than 10 meters away. The houses were close. Without having to wait, it's likely spectators with burning curiosity would arrive in great numbers. There's no mistake that it will appear in tomorrow's newspaper.

But even so, Ren didn't care.

To make Ayumi happy - right now, for Ren it was all that mattered. Seeing Ayumi's wet eyes, Ren asked her casually, as if inquiring about the dinner's menu.

"Do you want to keep it up just a little bit more? Before long it could cause trouble but if they get in the way I'll drive them away"

"....No, it's enough."

After considering for a short while, Ayumi shook her head.

"It's enough. Because I'll never forget it."

" -Alright"

With a light nod, Ren called out the fire spirits. Promptly answering to the Enjutsushi's will, the fire spirits came together in a boisterous dance of light. And then -

"....W...ow...."

The light shining in the sky rained like drops of water above ground. Like snow, lightly flickering in the wind, the golden drops descended in a dance.

Holding no temperature, the clusters of pure light, upon touching the sandy beach and the surface of the sea, burst open and disappeared like in a dream.

"Ah- "

The last descending drop, Ayumi caught it extending both her hands. The moment it touched her hand, the light fleetingly disappeared but the girl softly closed her hands and touched her chest. That irreplaceable something stored in her hands was tucked away inside her chest.

Dropping the curtain on the light's dance performance, affecting acting, Ren made a bow.

"Did it please you?"

"Yes - yes...."

Her eyes full of tears, Ayumi bowed many, many times over.

"I... I am glad that I am alive. Meeting Ren.... Seeing something so beautiful, I...I...from the bottom of my heart...."

Unable to bear it in the end, her tears escaped. Shed for the firs time in her life, tears of happiness.

In order to wipe the sobbing girl's tears, handkerchief in hand, he touched her face. Both their shadows brought forth by the moonlight, slowly became one.

But - this moment was the concluding moment of their honeymoon. On their cuddled silhouettes a violent, intense light shined.

" -!?"

Turning around holding hands, an eternally domineering voice pierced their ears.

"That's right! I'm so happy for you! That means you have no more regrets in this world, right?"

In front of both of them, watching over in a daze, the woman with the light on her back laughed.

===Part 3===

''The pursuer from the Tsuwabuki!''

In an instant Ren saw through the shadow's true character. Or perhaps I should say, as far as Ren knew, it was the only apponent pursuing them.

Drawing Ayumi back and stepping forward with a sleepwalking like gait, Ren probed into the other party's attitude. Overlooking them for a brief period from a higher place, the woman descended the stairs and continued walking towards the beach in a composed manner.

One man, like a servant, followed her, leaving between them several steps.

Because of the back lighting he sees only outlines but even from those shadows it was impossible not to recognize the proud atmosphere drifting around the woman. The glance overlooking them was more suited for stray dogs than humans.

Leaving a distance of five meters between them, the woman faced Ren and Ayumi.

as one would expect, approaching so much, it was now possible to discriminate her looks. Closing his eyes partly, Ren observed the woman - and several seconds afterwards he opened his eyes wide in shock.

"Eh - ?"

The woman was younger than he thought. Probably not yet of age, in the second half of her teens. But that wasn't what Ren was surprised about.

-They looked alike.

Ren thought so, watching intently, in succession, Ayumi and the woman. No, they didn't resemble each other. If the age difference could be removed, their facial features would e perfectly the same.

Twins separated by age - those sort of contradicting words passed through Ren's head.

"Mayumi-sama........" Ayumi murmured, looking at that woman with a glance mixed with panic.

Unintentionally, Ren asked:

"Your elder sister?"

''If that is the case, she too can...''

The thought that instantly came to his mind, Ren denied it confused. Ayumi does not wish for such a thing.

-If you speak filthy words, your heart will become filthy too -

''Good grief, I need to be more careful.''

Agreeing to Ayumi's words reverberating in his head, he grasped her hand tenderly. Ayumi's face stiff from fear, still displayed a gallant smile.

'''"Elder sister?"'''

On the other hand, for the boy and the girl happy b themselves, the woman - Mayumi matched it with the height of displeasure.

"Elder sister, you said?"

Glaring at Ren as if he was her archenemy, she squeezed out a stifled to death voice from the gap between her clenched teeth. Her well regulated, elegant features, changed into the face of a demonic warrior.

"Don't mess around with me"

Mayumi's angry roar shrunk Ayumi's body with a start. After staring with much discord at the frightened girl, she turned an identical glance at Ren.

"It was enough taking Ayumi and running away without understanding the circumstance and this already foolish show, I believed you were someone lacking prudence but, never to this extent. Me and that thing sisters? It's the first time I was insulted so."

"..............."

It seems Ayumi didn't receive human treatment even from her relatives. Holding down the rising anger, Ren searched for presence in the surroundings. It was unpleasant when Ayumi was called "that" again but Mayumi's words implied an imminent crisis.

Other people didn't come. Because what Mayumi evaluated as a foolish exhibition was already over, if such a flashy, abnormal phenomenon happened, it's impossible for none to approach. Normally, about now, a crowd would have gathered on the beach and the police and fire department would have surrounded the place.

None of it happened.

It's very likely that right now this area was blocked.

By the subordinates of the Tsuwabuki.

''Can we escape?''

Without thinking of handing Ayumi over, Ren investigated the possibility of escape. The fact that the girl in question accepted her own faith was totally forgotten.

"Why are you so cautious, young Kannagi prince?"

Seeing through Ren's decision promptly, Mayumi laughed, smiling sweetly.

"Everything is already over. There is nothing left for you to try."

Although using honorifics, speaking in a clearly despising tone, Mayumi focused on Ayumi.

"................."

Without even using words, Mayumi carelessly beckoned her. as if calling her pet dog or something.

Ayumi started walking obediently.

"Ayumi-ch-"

"It's fine."

Ren's words, trying to call her to a halt, Ayumi interrupted them shortly and with a decisive voice.

"It's fine already. Thank you for everything until now. - It was very fun."

"Ayu- "

In order to shake of his extended hand, Ayumi turned her back on Ren. And with that, she never turned around.

Standing in front of Mayumi, Ayumi's body became stiff as if she turned to stone. Her glance swayed insecurely nearly Mayumi's feet. Suddenly Mayumi stretched her fingers to Ayumi's chin and forcefully pointed upwards her face hanged in shame. Coercively looking down on the startled girl, she said in a voice full of smiles:

"If you wanted to run away, you should at least have crossed toe ocean. Instead of that, seducing a man and flirting with him in this kind of place, - do you look down on us?"

The Chijutsushi manipulating the spirits of the earth can make searches on fairly long distances as long it's adjoining land. It goes without saying that if you know the target well that searching ability is further improved.

For the sake of running from Chijutsushi, by sea or by air - anyway the most important thing is to separate from the ground.

"I had...no intention...."

Staring at Ayumi, protesting in a trembling voice, wit the look a carnivorous animal has before its feed, Mayumi let go of her jaw.

And then - she pulled her hand backwards and swung with all her strength.

" -Uh!"

It wasn't something as lovely as a slap. The punch made by hardening her wrist at the moment of the impact was a blow that made her bones resound.

Instantly Ayumi's legs separated from the ground and from the beginning exhausted body sunk into the sandy beach. Appearing to have completely fainted, her face half buried in the sand, she was completely still.

"Wha...."

Overcome with surprise at the sudden violence, Ren shouted white as a ghost.

"What have you done?"

But Mayumi didn't even looked at Ren. As she already stated "your turn is already over" she disregarded his existence itself.

Instead, the man who followed behind her moved. With body movement that had no openings he stepped forward and got on his knee before Ayumi.

Decidedly, he did not attempt to nurse her. Grabbing hold of Ayumi by the hair, casually the man lifted her head as if he would uproot a radish.

"...........E-eek......"

"What are you doing?"

Coldly looking down on Ayumi's feeble struggle, the man said in a monotonous tone.

"Do you think you can be lying down in front of the young lady, do you?"

"Yuu...ji.....sama....."

"Silence!"

The man - Yuuji - abruptly became enraged.

"With that face, through that mouth, don't call out my name! How disgusting!"

Raising his hand, pulling her hair even more, he made Ayumi stand on her knees. And then - this time from the front, he slapped her face onto the sand. Forcibly making Ayumi take a prostrating position, Yuuji shouted.

"Apologize! Until your voice becomes hoarse, until your throat tears apologize! Did you understand in how much danger did you put the young lady? If we didn't find you in time what would have happened! Did you intend for the young lady to be a sacrifice in your place? You puppet doll!!"

That was the limit.

He thought he himself endured it really well. Surely, big brother would praise him for it. Or - he'll get angry for letting it get that far.

Quietly he held out his right hand and pointed his index finger at Yuuji. And then - without a moment of hesitation he released hs power.

The thin, refined heat ray grazed Yuuji's cheek sticking into the concrete wall. The red hot concrete melted and the wall followed it, crashing.

"..........What kind of behavior.." Yuuji questioned with a voice stiffed to death. However, like Mayumi did before, Ren completely disregarded that utterance.

It wasn't a provocation or something like that. It's just that in Ren's field of vision no one else but Ayumi was reflected. It was just that.

"Re....n.....?"

For the girl weakly getting up, hearing that cracked voice, Ren painfully shook his head.

"As I thought, it's useless."

I can't control it.

I can't endure it.
Anymore than this - I can't stand it.

"What is the right thing to do, I don't even know. However, to hand you over to these guys it's absolutely impossible."

Whether it's right or not, that's long past. His feelings denied that option.

"Fall back!"

Struck by that sharp voice, Ayumi reflexively kicked the ground. Slightly further away from Yuuji. In that gap Ren threw a fireball brought forth from the sky.

"-Tch!"

Visibly agitated by the blast, Yuuji and Mayumi jumped. The distance widened even more. Well in advance Ren wedged himself in the space separating the two "enemies" and Ayumi.

"Humph - in the end brute force, huh?"

Staring at Ren blocking his way to Ayumi, Yuuji laughed fearless.

"Ah, well. Just as planed."

"Shall I back you up?"

"It's not necessary."

Politely rejecting Mayumi's proposal, he casually took one step forward. With an attitude full of composure he looked down on Ren taking a battle stance.

"Publicly- "

Without particularly preparing in advance, just standing, Yuuji began to speak in a relaxed manner.

"Publicly, it seems there are many idiots who believe Enjutsushi teh strongest but do you think so too?"

"-?"

Not understanding Yuuji's plan, Ren was perplexed. There is nothing to believe. The fact that Enjutsushi are the strongest is a <Reality> with no room for argument.

It's not about whether an Enjutsushi never lost to another kind of practitioner, of course there is no such thing. That is the power of one individual. It's about whether the ability difference can undermine the advantages and disadvantages of a technique style.

As for what technique system is the strongest - there is only one answer to that question. Without room for argument, with no chance for objection, the grave <Reality> doesn't change.

That is what Yuuji downright negated.

"What a foolish thing. All of you understand nothing about battle. The greatest offensive ability? When killing people do you think that is necessary?"

"What exactly?"

Including the confidence of certain victory in front of the perplexed Ren, Yuuji fired the question.

"You, where on earth do you plan to place your feet on?"

Unintentionally Ren stared at his own feet.There was nothing there but the ordinary sandy beach. There was no sign of set traps. There was no sense of discomfort when stepping on it, nothing but the feeling of soft sand-

''-Sand?''

"-Uh!!"

The sign of something wriggling, underneath his feet. Jumping by reflex, Ren's face became stiff with surprise and shivers.

Underground, and in addition to that, directly under his footprints a spear covered in sand was pushed up.

If his evasion would have been delayed by one second the spear would have stopped his foot by sewing it. it may be true he avoided the first attack but he had no room for relief. Visibly lying in wait at the spot Ren would come down, several spears sprung up.

"Kuu- "

Releasing fire and pointing it directly below, a countless number of spears burned to nothing. Coincident with his landing above the red hot sand, Ren rolled on the ground. Pursuing the rolling Ren from inside the sand, one after another, spears stick out.

While narrowly avoiding those, the boy cursed his overly optimistic thinking.

''Shit, Chijutsushi - so that's the reason!''

The spears hidden inside the sand were not something prepared in advance. Hardening the sand itself and changing its shape, Yuuji made those sharp spears.

Chijutsushi possess the force of the Earth Spirits. Sand, soil, ground stone and all materials affiliated with those, for them, are similar with extensions of their own hands. There was no need to expressly set traps.

The battleground itself was the Chijutsushi's weapon because that was for them the absolute most advantageous arrangement.

''What to do?''

Starting to see gaps one way or another, running in zig-zag to dodge the underground attacks, Ren looked for a breach. At any rate, as long as he is staying on the ground,his disadvantage can't be overcome.

Continuing to receive one-sided attacks without grasping a counter-attack clue, sooner or later he will receive a fatal blow.

On the other hand, Ren doesn't know such a jutsu that would allow him to gain a foothold on something else other than the ground.

If it were an Enjutsushi, he could fly into the air.

A Suijutsushi could maybe stand on top of water.

However, Ren being an Enjutsushi - it may be possible for Jugo or Genma - he had no skill to stand on top of flames. As long as gravity comes into play, he had no choice but to place his feet on the ground.

''What should I do?''

Looking over his surroundings, he searched for a turn-around plan. The sandy beach was the worst as a battle ground but concrete and asphalt must be similar. What remains -

''Inside the sea?''

It was out of the question. Ren being an Enjutsushi water was nothing more but a thing to be avoided. There was no point for Ren's power to weakened beyond what Yuuji could accomplish.

To Ren, stuck in a defensive battle, Yuuji turned words of ridicule.

"What's the matter? Are you just going to run? I don't care how far you run but if you go to far I'll take Ayumi and go back home."

"Kuu- "

Because of Yuuji's carelessness, recognizing he became long separated from Ayumi, Ren grinds his teeth. if it goes like this, Ayumi will really be taken away.

''What should I do? what should I -''

The problem was that he had no technique to defend against the blows. He can use flames to cover the surroundings but the bottom of his feet are perfectly defenseless. When fighting against Chijutsushi, that became a lethal weakness. A foothold was necessary. Separated from Yuuji's control, a scaffold made of <Earth> he cannot control.

He cannot fly into the sky. Water is also excluded. There's no wood near. He cannot stand on top of fire. On top of fire -

''-Huh?''

Suddenly Ren remembered the scene of a volcanic eruption he saw on TV. From craters, forcefully spitting out the red hot-

''Shall I give it a try?''

There was no time to spare. Making his resolve, Ren stopped and concentrated his consciousness.

"Aa.......a.........aa!!"

From Ren's whole body golden flames erupted. The dazzling glimmer blurred even the contours of his body and the boy shined, transformed into a small sun.

"Ua.......unh, it's useless."

To encourage himself overpowered by the tremendous quantity of heat, Yuuji intentionally raised his voice.

"No matter how hot a flame you clad yourself in, you cannot defend against attacks from bellow."

Trying to make the reality that he was currently on offensive known, Yuuji was perplexed by the dull response from the spirits.

The spirits of the earth didn't respond to his will - No, something different obstructs the formation of sand spears.

"You....what did you do?"

He turns a glance full of suspicion towards Ren. No matter what an Enjutsushi tries to do, it's impossible to exercise a stronger influence towards sand than a Chijutsushi does.

Ren didn't answer. Unaffected, abandoning that body to the flames, he only stood rock still above the red ground.

"Red - ? I see, you- "

Yuuji stared at Ren's feet. What was there didn't have the rough characteristics of sand but was reflecting the flame like grass. Sometimes, from the bottom bubbles rose to the surface and burst open with a particular thick sound.

"You brat - you changed the burning sand to magma!"

"I gave it a try"

Receiving Yuuji's angry roar, Ren laughed triumphantly. It does not mean he had a positive proof. If a Suijutsushi can stand atop water he tried to stand atop magma, that could also be called fluid flame. He simply tried out that idea.

Although having a fluffy, undependable sense of touch, magma firmly sustained Ren's body weight. As there was no fist fight involved, the tenderness of the scaffold didn't matter. The radius was about two meters. Although modest,from the <Kingdom> underneath Yuuji's absolute control, Ren gained that much territory.

"D-don't be excited, boy!" barked Yuuji after loosing his advantage.

"Even for magma, it's <ground> attribute doesn't change. The situation is still the same!"

With an angry roar, including a severe determination, Yuuji ordered the ground spirits. Around Ren's surroundings magma unnaturally rose, molding red spearheads.

"Die, boy!!"

The spears lengthen trying to pierce Ren's body. But just before that - they stopped.

"W-whaaaaat!?"

Quietly gazing at the surprised Yuuji, Ren talked indifferent.

"Certainly magma is something that belongs to the <ground>. Still, half of it it's Enjutsushi possession. I'm not gonna hand it over so easily!"

The spear on the verge of touching his body, Ren casually flung it off. The hard sharp spear instantly lost her unity and returned with a small splash on the surface of the magma sea.

"Guu..........Ba......."

With a really detestable howl, Yuuji stopped trying to proactively commence the next attack. It's understandable.

The control of the material called magma with attributes of both <ground> and <fire> has been snatched away. That means that in a contest of pure strength he was defeated by Ren. As the opponent of a higher ranked practitioner, he couldn't carelessly take the vanguard.

"Next is my turn, huh?" Ren declared with no fighting spirit.

His pushed out right hand accurately aimed at Yuuji. From that palm golden flames gushed out.

"Oooooooooooohh!!"

Yuuji too, didn't gave in. Hoisting the sand beneath his feet, he threw it onto the approaching flame. A surging sea of white sand attacking the golden torrent.

Receiving the aftermath of the struggle between these two powers, the ground grated and the sky trembled.

"Gu........me..uuuu......."

Through clenched teeth Yuuji let out a pressing moan. He understood that in a contest of strength he was inferior. As it is, he will certainly be pressed down.

While his body burned in humiliation, Yuuji changed his tactics to defense. The sand changed into a bulky bedrock and stood before the fire torrent. Although the bedrock stopped the flames there was no room for relaxation.

"It's coming from behind."

Inside the thunderous roar made by the flames burning the rock, for some reason that whisper clearly reached his ears. Uneventfully changed to a quiet oath, Yuuji felt that enormous heat approaching from behind.

"Sh-shit!"

The already thin bedrock rose, splitting the sand and stopped a gigantic fire ball. Although withstanding it somehow, the tremendous mpact crossed over the bed rock and mercilessly pummeled Yuuji's body.

In the space between the two bedrocks Yuuji was in anguish. And there, the last blow came.

"Next is up"

" -!?"

Looking up at the sky, Yuuji's eyes peeled in shock. A remarcably big fireball descended upon Yuuji like a meteor. The distance was less than two meters.

"Kuuu- !"

It's unthinkable of having time to defend and so forth. Overhead the man looking at it dumbfounded, the fireball violently exploded.

"..............Uh!"

There wasn't much heat but the shock was hard to describe. The two sheets of bed rock made by him efficiently reverberated, sinking Yuuji's body in the sandy beach.

"Go...........bah.........."

As if gravity was increased a hundred fold, the extremely heavy pressure flattened his body, the air in his lungs was squeezed out without exception and all the bones in his body creaked.

"Not........not yet......yet......"

Putting all his strength in his arms Yuuji seemed to want to push out the heavens. But after lifting it 10 centimeters the elbow joints made a thick sound and bent the other way.

When the broken right arm fell to the ground the shining fireball in the sky also vanished. But even so, Yuuji couldn't give up.

The sound of the broken bed rock resounded in vain, like the gong at the end of the match.

===Part 4===

"-Fuuu"

Taking a small breath, Ren shifted his attention to the remaining two.

Ayumi's gaze shaking with anxiety. And, despite having the same face, not showing even the smallest disturbance, expressing a thin smile, Mayumi:

Confronting Mayumi directly, Ren asked with a determined look.

"What will you do? Do you want to give it a try?"

While it may be true her outward appearance was that of a frail young lady, he won't act unprepared. Based on Yuuji's behavior it was clear Mayumi was the purest descendant. Not an opponent to make light of.

"Oh, the Kannagi young lord would go as far as to raise his hand against a non resisting woman?"

With no place for misunderstanding, Mayumi's expression was provocative. Even so, looking puzzled at the girl not showing any indication of battle, Ren retaliated in a low voice:

"-If you want to run away I won't pursue you"

"Well, thank you"

Replying to the lenient laugh with a scornful laugh Mayumi shed a fleeting glance.

"That's what he said Yuuji. What will you do?"

"-?"

Looking the same way Mayumi did, Ren unintentionally opened his eyes wide. Over there, Yuuji, beaten down enough to keep him immobilized for three months, was crawling out of sand, drawing near.

".........Ridiculous......"

It was impossible. From right overhead, from an angle he couldn't elude he received a strong bomb blast. He must have ten or twenty bone fractures and his internal organs were supposed to be damaged. Not the kind of injury you could move with because of fighting spirit and will power - that's the way it was supposed to be.

Mayumi loudly sneered at Ren in mute amazement.

"It seems you took lightly a Chijutsushi's resistance."

The high ranking Chijutsushi, by directly taking the ground's <ki> inside their body, are endowed with a resistance that exceeds common sense. Ren too, also knew that but seeing it in practice was fairly ominous.

"B-but....."

While looking at Yuuji advancing by crawling, as if he was seeing a zombie, Ren shouted.

"He received so much damage! It's impossible to recover so much to try and fight immediately!"

"Is that so?"

As for Mayumi, she was thoroughly composed.

"Yuuji, were you not supposed to protect me at the cost of your own life? Do you plan to crawl out of there cowering to see me getting killed?"

The effect of those words was tremendous.

Enduring the pain, Yuuji stood up and although stumbling, began to walk on his own two feet. Step by step that unsteady manner of walking lost its disorder and by the time he stood up in front of Ren, blocking his way to Ayumi, with the exception of the smashed right arm, he seemed completely recovered.

"..........I,will protect,my lady.............."

With an unsightly smashed but firmly determined voice, Yuuji bravely declared.

"I will absolutely not let her, get killed.........."

"I don't want to kill her!" Ren shouted while feeling, without knowing why, overawed by a dying, severely wounded person.

"If she wanted to go back she can go for all I care! I have no business with the lot of you. I just want to protect Ayumi-chan, that's all!"

Hearing Ren's claim, Yuuji unexpectedly starred in wonder. And then, he suddenly burst into laughter.

"Ku ku ku......Buahahahaha.......ku ku ku ku ku....."

Although throwing up blood, Yuuji still laughed. His blood stained face was warped and extremely happy.

"I see......that's the way it is, huh?....."

"Wh-.....what is so funny?...."

Ren suddenly shouted blushing with anger and Yuuji suddenly stopped his sneer.

"You don't understand anything. You're just a brat playing with the power passed through your body."

"What?"

"Just shut up already and go back home. Forget everything that happened today."

Those remarks almost like regarding an unreasonable child made Ren childishly exasperated.

"Don't joke around with me! I'm not gonna hand Ayumi-chan over to guys like- "

"So, do you say my lady should be the sacrifice instead?"

With a terribly cold expression, Yuuji retaliated.

Seeing Ren lost for words at the unexpected objection, almost like pressing for an answer, he continued.

"It's not like you don't know. Ayumi is the ritual sacrifice. It's a thing made for the sake of dying instead of my lady. If you protect it, it's equivalent with killing my lady."

"That sort of- I- "

"''I have no intention of doing that'', huh? The meaning of the act called protection is it the affectation of a knight who does not consider the weight of words, just entrusts to his power? That's why I said you are a brat who doesn't understand anything!!"

"Wro......"

''Wrong'' - when trying to say that word, with all his heart Ren was at a loss for words. There was nothing to answer back.

"Listen, kid. The act of protection means obviously getting your hands dirty for something important. For the sake of that one irreplaceable thing to be prepared to cut down everything else! Mere lip service changes nothing - saves nothing!"

A few hours ago, when Ren started speaking about making preparations for a substitute sacrifice, Ayumi gently rebuked him.

''-If you speak dirty words, your heart will become dirty too-''

They were beautiful words. If anyone heard these words after knowing Ayumi's situation, they would have been deeply moved.

But, Ayumi will die. Without leaving anything behind except that deep emotion, she will disappear from this world.

-To die in such a beautiful way or to survive in an ugly way -

Which was correct, Ren was not able to judge. On the other hand, Yuuji did not hesitate.

"For the sake of protecting my lady, I will kill Ayumi.Those that will get in the way, I will kill them all! I will remove all obstacles even at the cost of my life and protect my lady!"

DETERMINATION

Crossing over the judgement of right and wrong, good and evil, Yuuji selected the protection of that "one thing" that must be protected. To stop him it seems there is no choice but to kill him.

But, right now Ren had no will to go through with it to that extent. No, even if he had that determination, he lost sight to whom it should be pointed to.

''What should be do? -What should I do?''

Ren was perplexed.

But before the boy found the answer, the situation changed.

"......Kyaa......"

Swept by the wind, a disappearing small shriek. But even so, it was impossible for Ren to miss that voice. Because that was no one else's but Ayumi's voice.

"Ayumi-chan!?"

In front of Ren's eyes,turning around with a changed expression, were reflected the figures of Ayumi and Mayumi, standing behind her. Embraced her closely from behind,ayumi's pale complexion became stiff.

Although not being strangled or press against a dangerous weapon, panic grabbed hold of her heart.

"-My lady..."

When Yuuji called out to her, Mayumi's lips became sharp with dissatisfaction.

"What, are you telling me not to get involved? aren't you at fault for being inefficient?"

"No, I'm sorry for causing you trouble."

" -Humpf! Good grief. I'll be troubled if you can't be more reliable!"

This time she held her head high, self-important. She seemed to have a pretty simple personality.

"At any rate- "

While embracing Ayumi, Mayumi shifted her focus on Ren.

"Loving such a doll as this, the Kannagi young lord too, must have some unusual hobbies."

"Ayumi-chan is not a doll! She's human!"

"-Hey, hey..."

At Ren's shout, Mayumi displayed a studied surprise and looked down on Ayumi:

"You said nothing, did you? -What a bad child."

Suddenly thinking of something, Mayumi gently stroked Ayumi's cheek and her body tightly shrunk. That face, smiling complacently, gave the impression of a cat considering how to tease the mouse pinned down by its forelimbs.

A cruel smile lifting her lips, Mayumi said:

"Do you listen, Kannagi young lord? The ''Ayumi-chan'' you tried so hard to protect is not human."

"W- what are you say-"

"It's the truth. Because, you see, this is a clone made by cultivating my cells."

" -!?"

Ren opened his eyes wide with surprise. But simultaneously, he felt somewhere in his heart it was true.

Mayumi and Ayumi - even assuming they were sisters, those two resembled too much.

''Thing Doll Sacrifice'' - completely spoken ill of, a girl whose human dignity was trampled underfoot.

If it was just as Mayumi said, if Ayumi was not human and was created for the sake of dying as a sacrifice, doesn't everything makes sense?

''"A lie.......It's a lie"''

Aiming a smile full of spite at the dumbfounded Ren, Mayumi continued.

"Her appearance may seem that of a twelve years old girl but in reality only a month passed since its creation. Even her planted memories have been suitably edited from my own. That kind of crude doll, you tried to protect with your knight affectation. ''That was fun ♥''"

"It.......It's a lie......"

"Let me tell you one more thing. Even if she doesn't become the sacrifice, just a month from now on, fer life span will be cut from inside. Made with no intention to use for an extended period of time, just instant makeshift goods."

"That's, a lie...."

Ren looked at Ayumi almost like searching for help. She received his glance for just one second and sadly cast her eyes down.

Thus, at last Ayumi - Ayumi told the truth.

"........It's true. I am the katashiro doll[http://eos.kokugakuin.ac.jp/modules/xwords/entry.php?entryID=308] made for the sake of keeping Mayumi-sama alive. Mayumi-sama's impostor"

Where is the genuine '''Ayumi'''?

''I have no memories'' - Ayumi told Ren so. That's natural. If she had been made just a month before, it's impossible for those to exist. Without even trying to steal it, there was nothing there form the beginning. Everything was an imitation. If only her heart was more than a transient object, his own act of protecting Ayumi, his determination, everything would not have been a wasted effort.

"I look, so stupid....."

His body was full with a sense of helplessness. Feebly hanging his head, Ren collapsed on the sandy beach.

"It looks like that was a lot of shock, huh?"

Coldly looking down on the defeated Ren, Mayumi sneered.

"That's only natural. It made him realize his own buffoonery can't go any higher."

"Well, isn't that fine? By understanding reality, the boy becomes an adult."

".........you could say that."

Yuuji replied to Mayumi's words, pretending to act like a grown-up, in a quiet voice. Maybe because they were both men, but it was impossible not to feel sympathy for Ren.

"Come now, let's go home. We must quickly return and prepare for the ceremony."

On the other hand, Mayumi didn't have such a compassionate heart. Already disregarding Ren's existence, she starts thinking about tomorrow's ceremony.

"....yes", Yuuji respectfully bowed.

Receiving Ayumi, presented to him like luggage, the same way as they came, he followed Mayumi like a servant.

But, at the same time he placed his leg on the stairs connected to the main road-

"Step aside!"

From the vicinity of the main road that command reverberated, and a second later a golden pillar of fire lit the sky.

Involuntarily the three people turned around to Ren. But, he did not seemed to notice the present disturbance and was kneeling on the sandy beach, his head hanged. Hearing footsteps they turned in the direction of the main road once more. Two sets of footsteps. Both of them light. They were probably women.

Around that time, Yuuji made a guess about the opponent's identity. Noticing he should be in front, he tried to make Mayumi step back, but- it was slightly late.

"Ren!"

On top the stairs, one girl appeared.

Pushing out the darkness, the aura of red and gold shining out far and wide. The enormous amount of fire spirits that followed her in the background were displaying the girl as the human model of the flame itself.

"This is also......"

From Yuuji's mouth a mutter of unexpected wonder leaked out. Certainly her age was sixteen. And although childish, the shape of the young lady captivated him.

Overflowing from that small body, the surge of an overwhelming power. That sword was not yet drawn out but even so, it was impossible to misread the girl's identity.

''Beautiful- ''

He genuinely thought so. That was not in regard for the human, much less the opposite sex but the same deep emotion he felt at the time he looked at Mother Nature's magnificent scenery.

Suddenly, he noticed a sharp glance. Calmly looking away and folding her arms, Mayumi's half opened glare met his eye.

"''This is also...''" with a monotonous voice Mayumi repeated Yuuji's words.

"What is the meaning of ''This is also...'' Yuuji ?"

"Ah, no, that is..."

While becoming completely confused, Yuuji desperately searched for explanatory words.

If he cannot talk his way out of it now, it will become fairly difficult afterwards.

"That, didn't have any significant meaning. This is also...flashy...?"

"-Humph, that so?"

With that considerably packed expression Mayumi nodded.

"Well, afterwards I'll receive a lengthy explanation of that matter. Now it's not the time for it."

Mayumi faced the two standing at the top of the stairs.

"Nice meeting you, Kannagi princess. Being able to meet you is an honor."

".......and you are?"

The girl - Ayano, shortly inquired.

"I was slow in saying. I am Tsuwabuki Mayumi. This is my attendant Yuuji. Although belonging to a collateral family, for the time being permit him to call himself with the Tsuwabuki surname."

"If I say I will, I wonder will I have to call you by such an embarrassing name as ''Tsuwabuki princess''?"

"I am at your mercy."

To Ayano's provocative response, Mayumi bowed her head with a smiling face.

irritated, Ayano ended this conversation lacking sincerity and got to the main question.

"I have no particular business with you. Where is Ren?"

Mayumi pointed at the sandy beach in the back.

"Somewhere in that area. Maybe he is crying holding his knees."

"What, have you done to him?"

The atmosphere became noisy. The explosive scarlet aura flickered like a flame.

"Physically, nothing. He did not receive a single wound."

".........haa"

When that report was made, Yuuji looked sullen.

"But it seems his emotional scars are quite deep. We would be troubled if you complained to us about such things. About the details, you can ask that boy. However, I believe not prying into it would be a kindness to him."

Just saying that, with no precaution Mayumi started walking up the stairs. Whipping his wounded body, Yuuji went in front of Mayumi, trying to be a shield as much as possible.

"Well then-"

Greeting her while passing by one another, Mayumi walked near Ayano's side. And then, after looking at the retreating figure running down the stairs not returning the favor, she shifted her focus on the other person - a woman standing in a somewhat separated place.

"Good evening. It's been a long time, Police Superintendent Tachibana."

"We haven't talked in a long time, Mayumi-san"

That perfectly ordinary greeting, the detective in charge of Tokyo MPD's Special Investigation Unit, Police Superintended Tachibana returned with an absolutely tranquil tone.

"Because you didn't appear together with the that young woman, can we assume you have no intention of opposing the Tsuwabuki regarding the Kannagi matter?"

"Of course. We have no intention of interfering in any kind of dispute. Naturally, if you would accept our mediation, we woul feel that position with pleasure."

"That won't be necessary."

The faint tension that dwelt in Kirika's words, smiling, Mayumi severed it when she replied.

"Everything has been already settled. We have regained the object Kannagi Ren stole and because it's something a child did, we have no intention of blaming the Kannagi Clan for that error. If you would be so good as to pass it along to Ayano-san."

"......I will comply"

"Thank you"

Bowing her head to Kirika, Mayumi left accompanied by her attendant and the spoils of war.

No matter how polite her tone was, the girl's attitude was that of a victor who obtained everything.

Gazing for a brief period at the retreating figure, never looking back, Kirika started walking towards the defeated boy or maybe the defeated people.

"There's no sign this is ending here."

That's what she was thinking.

[[User:Ayame|Ayame]] ([[User talk:Ayame|talk]]) 10:01, 24 March 2013 (CDT)

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| Forward to [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume3_Chapter_4|Chapter 4]]
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Kaze no Stigma:Volume3 Chapter 3

2013-04-28T15:06:44Z

80.240.162.190: /* Part 2 */

===Chapter 3 - The person one must protect===

===Part 1===

"......................"

Inside the train, Ren was frozen solid.He sat in such a way that if someone poked him, he would roll on the floor while in sitting position.

The reason for that was the existence of the girl sitting earnestly on his left side, Ayumi. She was clinging to Ren's left arm in order for their bodies to be glued as close as possible.

At the beginning of her teens, wearing a coat over the still immature body, although the sensation wasn't supposed to be very fresh, it's still impossible to be composed about it.

Contrastive to Ayumi, who yielded herself to Ren with a peaceful appearance, his brain has been frozen for the last 10 minutes.

- It happened approximately 10 minutes before.

At the time they waited for the train on the platform of Tokyo Station, staring at Ren shivering from the coldness of the wind, Ayumi asked in a worried manner:

"Are you cold?"

"No, I'm fine"

Ren showed a smile meant to give her a piece of mind but the next moment that smile became frozen.

"a... a... a... Ayumi-chan?"

"If we are like this it's warm, right?"

Feeling guilty for borrowing his coat and trying to transfer her own body temperature, she clung to Ren's arm.

"D-don't do that -"

Ren's brain, trying to separate his body, was pierced by Ayumi's expression, looking at him with upturned eyes.

"-No?"

"Eh, ah, no, that sort of..."

A stuttering Ren. He was unbelievably ashamed, he also thought this sort of thing is wrong, but before the girl's gaze, looking at him sadly, he couldn't shake his head.

''What to do.....''

The warm sense of touch transmitted by his left arm thoroughly snatched Ren's presence of mind. After that, when, how did hey get into the train, he didn't remember any of it.

"I'm sorry"

"-Eh?"

Receiving such an abrupt apology, Ren's consciousness recovered after a long time. Ayumi's turned away expression, full of guilt was reflected in his eyes.

"About what?"

"For making such an odd request."

Ren replied while laughing.

"It's not a big deal, this much"

Actually the girl's wish was simple. What it required were traveling expenses and a little bit of time. Just those will suffice.

''Take me to the sea''

That's what Ayumi spoke in the park. It was just one wish. Naturally, Ren had no objection.

Investigating those contents for a while, he asked only one thing.

"Is a harbor-like place acceptable? Or a sandy beach?"

Without wavering, Ayumi chose the latter. Therefore, together they boarded the Tokaido Line. That route was aimed at Chigasaki.

If that was the nearest swimming beach, Ren doesn't know. But that was the only place he could lead her to. Because of his family's line of work he is a boy unrelated to family vacations et cetera. He had hardly any experience of swimming in the sea. Ren was deeply grateful to the girl who took him by force sea bathing last year's summer.

While chasing the flowing scenery, Ayumi murmured:

"In the end, I wanted to see something beautiful with my own eyes."

"In the end, you say?"

"When I do so, I'm going back. To the Tsuwabuki."

"No!", Ren promptly shouted.

"No! They don't treat you like a fellow human. Only like a tool. If you return to those people you'll never be happy. If you have no place to go, you can come to my house. The Kannagi Clan will, without exception -"

"Ren, you see-"

Ayumi quietly interrupted Ren's desperate pleading words.

"Have you heard about the Tsuwabuki's Grand Festival?"

"The Grand Festival - about that ceremony to appease the volcanic activity of Mt. Fuji? I'm not very familiar with it but the practitioner always lost his life... "

Going that far, Ren turned a terrified glance towards Ayumi.

"No...way....."

What was reflected in those eyes was Ayumi's excessively tranquil smiling face. It was unbelievable. Ren completely denied that expression. There shouldn't be something like that. Such a thing cannot be allowed. Something like that- something like that-

"I have no family name, nor a family register, naming myself is not permitted, but-"

''No way''

''I don't want to hear''

Despite this - the body doesn't move. Even blocking his ears, he can't do it. Without waiting for agreement or disagreement, pouring into his ears, that tone calm as the surface of the lake. Admitting everything, allowing it, accepting it.

"I am called Tsuwabuki. According to the lineage, something like a direct descendant."

''I don't want to hear it''

"The ceremony is tomorrow night. Therefore, I must get back until then. Because I- because I am the priest of the ritual"

''Because I am the priest of the ceremony''

From Ren's body, with a water-like sound, blood flew backwards.

The Yamatsumino Grand Festival - the origin of it goes back roughly 300 years.

The year is 1707 - during the Houei era was the last volcanic eruption of Mt. Fuji and the greatest since the dawn of history. The violent eruption reaching 15 days, it was said that the volcanic ash fell as far as the distant town of Edo. It was not only Kantō but a life or death crisis for Japan itself. No matter how many times Mt. Fuji erupted, it didn't show any signs of quieting down.

That raging <Ki> finally resulted in the embodiment of one demon beast. The impersonation of Fuji's <ki>. it is certain that was the largest, strongest devilishness that materialized in this country. If one tried to rank it among other demon beasts, the only reference it had would be the legendary monsters, like the eight tail serpent that couldn't be defeated without the help of god's power.

The beast's roar beckoned eruptions and its stepping feet invoked eruptions. Mowing down everything it touched, it exhausted the limits if tyranny. The ones who sealed it were the yet unknown Tsuwabuki family. A young girl leading the family offered prayers to the King of the Earth Spirits for seven days and seven nights and finally attained that divine protection.

And then, by that divine protection, the girl managed to seal that demon beast. Thus Mt. Fuji calmed down and Japan's peace was protected. And they all lived happily ever after.

-But that story has sequel.

First, that girl was not able to endure the release of such an over-sized power and lost her life with the seal. And then, even after applying such a powerful seal, the demon beast's lock couldn't continue forever. Being the personification of an active volcano, it's possible to say that was the unavoidable outcome.

Approximately 30 years - that was the limit of the seal. For the sake of continuing the sealing of a raging demon beast seeking release, Tsuwabuki family had no choice but to conduct the ceremony at fixed intervals for the sake of suppressing Mt. Fuji's <Ki>.

Because of the divine protection of the Spirit King that dwelt in their blood - the strongest unmarried woman was elected as the priest of the ceremony.

Until today, the sealing ceremony known under the bombastic name of "Grand Festival" took place 8 times. And there were 8 casualties. The fatality ratio was 100%. This is the reason the ceremony practitioner was named sacrifice.

With no other option, the 9th ceremony approached. The girl called Ayumi was a lamb led to slaughter.

How long was he in blank amazement, I wonder. When Ren came to his senses, Ayumi was smiling gently, looking at him.

Unable to meet that extremely pitiful smile, Ren muttered, while looking down.

"Why?....."

"Ren?"

"Why do you have to do such a...."

After examining for a short while Ren's expression, Ayumi replied:

"Because someone has to do it"

'''''"But it doesn't have to be you-"'''''

Ayumi softly touched Ren's lips with her fingers. The boy who unintentionally couldn't keep his mouth shut, she rebuked him gently.

"It's not good saying these kind of things. If you speak filthy words your heart will become filthy too"

"........I'm sorry.........."

Ayumi shook her head.

"No. It's alright. Truthfully I was a little happy. Because I was never regarded as something valuable."

From the moment she was born, it was decided that Ayumi will be a sacrifice. She wasn't regarded as part of the same family, not recognized as a human being. For this girl with no family register, with no choice but being a tool for the ceremony, so far there wasn't a single person to hold her life dear.

Pointlessly, Ren made sure of her acknowledgement.

"Even so, you'll do it? For the sake of those who think of you as a tool?"

"It's different", Ayumi flatly shook her head.

"It has nothing to do with the Tsuwabuki family's expectations. Because it must be done no matter what, I'll do it. It's bad if Mt. Fuji erupts, right?"

"That is true..."

"If I am able to suppress it, my life, my death is not worthless.Even if the physical me dies, my prayers will fuse with the mountain and I will continue to watch over this country eternally. That's a very beautiful thing, don't you agree?"

"................."

Something is wrong. Something is terribly wrong, Ren thought so.

'''''-Don't try to glorify death with words of self-sacrifice -'''''

Kazuma's words, once intended for him were recalled to his mind. Doesn't Ayumi make the same mistake he did at the same time? But Ren had no persuasion words for the girl. He could not think of a path that doesn't result in Ayumi's death.

Only to let Mt. Fuji erupt-

To replace Ayumi as a sacrifice.

She would accept neither. There is no mistake about it, the girl known as Ayumi was the type that would sacrifice herself for others.

"That's why I'm not afraid of death. It's because I was born for this purpose. And yet, I desired memories before the time comes. Memories of my own, born from my own experience."

In that peaceful pupil, that accepted everything dwelt the light of a faint longing.

''Memories of her own?''

It's only natural to display a strong attachment for one's dying wish. But even so, that was a strange expression. Memories are neither true nor false.

To the bewildered Ren, Ayumi threw another bomb.

"You see, I don't have my own memories."

"Eh?"

"I haven't lost my memories. It's not like I have something to remember and I don't, it's more like I have ''nothing'' to remember."

"..............."

Without saying anything, Ren starred at Ayumi dumbfounded.

"If it would be just like that, even speaking and moving my body would have been impossible. But the me right now is something ignorant of the ways of the world but I can communicate with other people. Do you know why?"

"Wasn't it because you kept studying it?"

Toward such an unbelievable circumstance, Ren said so, including a ray of hope.

But, as feared, Ayumi shook her head.

"In my had there are transcripts of another's memories.I don't know how it's been done, though"

Almost like it was somebody else's problem, Ayumi indifferently recited those grand circumstances. Ren finally had the feeling he understood the reason why Ayumi had no attachment to her life. She had nothing to be particular about.

Not even recognized as a person, her existence valued as nothing but a tool, day after day. Planted forged memories. Without beginning, Ayumi's life ended.

With no room to harbor hope, she has no attachment except despair. Together with that gentle resignation, Ayumi accepted everything.

"That's why I wanted to see the world through my eyes even if it's just once. I wished for something that's not faked, real memories."

Like telling an unfulfilled dream, Ayumi whispered with a distant look. Toward the ordinary everyone was given as a natural privilege - no, the privilege they took for granted she felt endless longing and envy.

"The moment I saw the sky when I first felt the residence, I was very surprised. How vast was the sky windows don't limit, Mt. Fuji was so big..."

"Ayumi-chan......"

"The sky, the stars, the moon were so much more beautiful than what I remembered. Surely, the sea must be very beautiful, right?"

The silhouette of the innocent girl in high spirits was reflected in Ren's eyes as overbearingly pitiful.

-She wanted to see beautiful things-

What sort of feelings did she include when she said those words? The words of a girl dreaming, escaping from reality, no that he knew everything, they were unbelievably heavy.

"-This is hopeless"

With a strong determination, Ren muttered in his heart.

''Such a thing cannot be. It cannot be forgiven.''

"Ayumi-chan!"

"W-what?"

His immature sense of justice aroused, Red declared strongly.

"I will protect Ayumi-chan"

" - Ren?"

"So please, don't give up. Don't say it's OK to die. Because I'll protect you. I'll protect you for sure."

"Ren........."

Making a somewhat troubled face, she looked at the boy making a vow.

Joy and sadness and the kindness of a mother watching over her child were mixed in that complex gaze.

Without noticing that gaze, Ren continued.

"I'm sure it exists. A way in which Ayumi-chan doesn't have to die. I'll do whatever it's in my power. My own ability may be very small but if it's big brother, surely- "

"Your older brother?"

"Eh?"

Ayumi unintentionally asked in return and Ren reaffirmed with force those entrusting words.

"Ah-"

In those cornered eyes hope was shining.

"That's right! I have my older brother! If it's big brother, he will definitely save you!"

Without a fragment of anxiety, with absolute faith in his voice, Ren clearly declared.

For a short while, Ayumi opened her eyes wide, staring at the smile of the boy, delighted as if the problem was already settled.

"Do you have such an amazing brother?"

"Yeah", Ren answered without a moment's hesitation.

"Big brother is stronger than anyone. There is nothing he can't do. I'm sure."

"............Is that so........."

"So please don't say such lonesome things like last memories and let's do many more together. I want to show you many other things. That is...."

Embarrassed and blushing Ren invited the girl screwing up his courage.

"Because - I'll take you no matter where"

".............."

Receiving Ren's invitation, for one instant, Ayumi seemed to burst into tears. However, in just one moment she erased that bitter expression and replied with a calm and somewhat sad smile.

"Right.....If we could do that, it would be very nice....."

===Part 2===

"I wonder where did big brother go....."

Descending on the platform of the Chiwasaki Station, the shore on the other side of it, Ren muttered to himself with a worried face.

He can't get in touch with Kazuma.

He called Kazuma's cellphone from the station's public telephone but what came back was the dull announcement of the answering machine.

Because his own cellphone broke, he can't wait for Kazuma to get in touch with him. In the end, leaving the message "I'll call again" Ren hanged the receiver.

"I'm beaten"

As soon as he complained, Ayumi's hand, holding his left arm, tightly hugged him. Flustered, Ren showed a bright smile meant to give her peace of mind.

"Oh, it's fine. Because we'll get in touch shortly."

" -yeah", Ayumi nodded a little.

For a little while they didn't speak. Both of them walked the road to the beach in silence.

"Ah........."

A sound resembling noise making her eardrums vibrate, Ayumi strained her ears. The term sea roar came to her mind.

"The sound of waves......?"

"Yeah. We'll be there shortly."

Nodding, Ren increased his pace to not fall behind Ayumi, who unconsciously did so.

And now -

"Ah - !"

At the magnificent view at last reflected in her eyes Ayumi raised her voice in delight. Ren looked in the came direction. It was the sea. The great deep stretching endlessly. The utmost blue sea surface sparkling in the downpour of sunshine - naturally, it wasn't.

The winter sea is cold and hollow. it doesn't have a particle of the heat and energy the summer sea is full of, instead it's pushing out a cold surface, almost like rejecting humans. Staring at the utmost black sea, the same color as the night sky, Ayumi muttered:

"Is this... The sea...........?"

Perceiving the sound of a clear disappointment, Ren became impatient.

"W-what to do......."

Thinking now about it, it was a problem he should have noticed earlier. The winter sea - at night. Seen by girl his age it can't be a pleasing spectacle.Anyway, there was definitely not enough light. But there are at least seven, eight hours until dawn breaks.

''If I had light....light -?''

The idea that reflexively occurred to him was suppressed at an almost instinctive level. His family admonished sternly such conduct. But, even so-

''Do it!''

After just 3 seconds of hesitation, Ren decided to dismiss good sense. For his peace of mind, turning around, he searched for indications of human presence, surveying the surroundings.

From what he roughly saw, there was none except them.

- It must be done now.

Summoning fire spirits, he shortly informed:

"Go"

" - Eh? What?"

Before Ayumi finished her second question - the sky exploded.

"Kyaa!?"

The golden light shines out far and white pressing down the darkness. The brightness spreading out on the entire surface of the sky dyed the world golden and the jet black sea surface glittered dazzlingly.

"This - this is....Ren?"

To the Ayumi starring up in succession to both the sky and Ren with a surprised gaze, somewhat embarrassed but at the same time very proud, Ren's nostrils twitched.

"It's impossible to replicate the midsummer sea, but it's better than the pitch black gloomy sea, right? How is it? Do you like it?"

"Ren- "

Calling out Ren's name with a voice trembling with delight, Ayumi gave Ren a bear-like hug.

"Amazing! It's amazing! It is the most beautiful thing I've seen!"

"R-really? I'm glad"

Although confused by Ayumi's bold conduct, the relaxation of Ren's cheeks was irrepressible. Ayumi's large smile - even if he tried to express it, it's magnificence was beyond words.

Underneath the gold radiance, they innocently smiled at each other and looked up at the sky. Just like a golden aurora borealis the movement of the dancing fire spirits combined and the canopy covering the entire sky changed the same way a kaleidoscope would.

"Beautiful...but won't it cause an uproar?"

Ren shrugged his shoulders in silence. Without even thinking, it was an obvious matter. This was not a solitary island in the southern sea. Approachable by walking from the train station it was an empty swimming area.

Although there was a shelter-belt and a fence obstructing the field of vision, a highway was running less than 10 meters away. The houses were close. Without having to wait, it's likely spectators with burning curiosity would arrive in great numbers. There's no mistake that it will appear in tomorrow's newspaper.

But even so, Ren didn't care.

To make Ayumi happy - right now, for Ren it was all that mattered. Seeing Ayumi's wet eyes, Ren asked her casually, as if inquiring about the dinner's menu.

"Do you want to keep it up just a little bit more? Before long it could cause trouble but if they get in the way I'll drive them away"

"....No, it's enough."

After considering for a short while, Ayumi shook her head.

"It's enough. Because I'll never forget it."

" -Alright"

With a light nod, Ren called out the fire spirits. Promptly answering to the Enjutsushi's will, the fire spirits came together in a boisterous dance of light. And then -

"....W...ow...."

The light shining in the sky rained like drops of water above ground. Like snow, lightly flickering in the wind, the golden drops descended in a dance.

Holding no temperature, the clusters of pure light, upon touching the sandy beach and the surface of the sea, burst open and disappeared like in a dream.

"Ah- "

The last descending drop, Ayumi caught it extending both her hands. The moment it touched her hand, the light fleetingly disappeared but the girl softly closed her hands and touched er chest. That irreplaceable something stored in her hands was tucked away inside her chest.

Dropping the curtain on the light's dance performance, affecting acting, Ren made a bow.

"Did it please you?"

"Yes - yes...."

Her eyes full of tears, Ayumi bowed many, many times over.

"I... I am glad that I am alive. Meeting Ren.... Seeing something so beautiful, I...I...from the bottom of my heart...."

Unable to bear it in the end, her tears escaped. Shed for the firs time in her life, tears of happiness.

In order to wipe the sobbing girl's tears, handkerchief in hand, he touched her face. Both their shadows brought forth by the moonlight, slowly became one.

But - this moment was the concluding moment of their honeymoon. On their cuddled silhouettes a violent, intense light shined.

" -!?"

Turning around holding hands, an eternally domineering voice pierced their ears.

"That's right! I'm so happy for you! That means you have no more regrets in this world, right?"

In front of both of them, watching over in a daze, the woman with the light on her back laughed.

===Part 3===

''The pursuer from the Tsuwabuki!''

In an instant Ren saw through the shadow's true character. Or perhaps I should say, as far as Ren knew, it was the only apponent pursuing them.

Drawing Ayumi back and stepping forward with a sleepwalking like gait, Ren probed into the other party's attitude. Overlooking them for a brief period from a higher place, the woman descended the stairs and continued walking towards the beach in a composed manner.

One man, like a servant, followed her, leaving between them several steps.

Because of the back lighting he sees only outlines but even from those shadows it was impossible not to recognize the proud atmosphere drifting around the woman. The glance overlooking them was more suited for stray dogs than humans.

Leaving a distance of five meters between them, the woman faced Ren and Ayumi.

as one would expect, approaching so much, it was now possible to discriminate her looks. Closing his eyes partly, Ren observed the woman - and several seconds afterwards he opened his eyes wide in shock.

"Eh - ?"

The woman was younger than he thought. Probably not yet of age, in the second half of her teens. But that wasn't what Ren was surprised about.

-They looked alike.

Ren thought so, watching intently, in succession, Ayumi and the woman. No, they didn't resemble each other. If the age difference could be removed, their facial features would e perfectly the same.

Twins separated by age - those sort of contradicting words passed through Ren's head.

"Mayumi-sama........" Ayumi murmured, looking at that woman with a glance mixed with panic.

Unintentionally, Ren asked:

"Your elder sister?"

''If that is the case, she too can...''

The thought that instantly came to his mind, Ren denied it confused. Ayumi does not wish for such a thing.

-If you speak filthy words, your heart will become filthy too -

''Good grief, I need to be more careful.''

Agreeing to Ayumi's words reverberating in his head, he grasped her hand tenderly. Ayumi's face stiff from fear, still displayed a gallant smile.

'''"Elder sister?"'''

On the other hand, for the boy and the girl happy b themselves, the woman - Mayumi matched it with the height of displeasure.

"Elder sister, you said?"

Glaring at Ren as if he was her archenemy, she squeezed out a stifled to death voice from the gap between her clenched teeth. Her well regulated, elegant features, changed into the face of a demonic warrior.

"Don't mess around with me"

Mayumi's angry roar shrunk Ayumi's body with a start. After staring with much discord at the frightened girl, she turned an identical glance at Ren.

"It was enough taking Ayumi and running away without understanding the circumstance and this already foolish show, I believed you were someone lacking prudence but, never to this extent. Me and that thing sisters? It's the first time I was insulted so."

"..............."

It seems Ayumi didn't receive human treatment even from her relatives. Holding down the rising anger, Ren searched for presence in the surroundings. It was unpleasant when Ayumi was called "that" again but Mayumi's words implied an imminent crisis.

Other people didn't come. Because what Mayumi evaluated as a foolish exhibition was already over, if such a flashy, abnormal phenomenon happened, it's impossible for none to approach. Normally, about now, a crowd would have gathered on the beach and the police and fire department would have surrounded the place.

None of it happened.

It's very likely that right now this area was blocked.

By the subordinates of the Tsuwabuki.

''Can we escape?''

Without thinking of handing Ayumi over, Ren investigated the possibility of escape. The fact that the girl in question accepted her own faith was totally forgotten.

"Why are you so cautious, young Kannagi prince?"

Seeing through Ren's decision promptly, Mayumi laughed, smiling sweetly.

"Everything is already over. There is nothing left for you to try."

Although using honorifics, speaking in a clearly despising tone, Mayumi focused on Ayumi.

"................."

Without even using words, Mayumi carelessly beckoned her. as if calling her pet dog or something.

Ayumi started walking obediently.

"Ayumi-ch-"

"It's fine."

Ren's words, trying to call her to a halt, Ayumi interrupted them shortly and with a decisive voice.

"It's fine already. Thank you for everything until now. - It was very fun."

"Ayu- "

In order to shake of his extended hand, Ayumi turned her back on Ren. And with that, she never turned around.

Standing in front of Mayumi, Ayumi's body became stiff as if she turned to stone. Her glance swayed insecurely nearly Mayumi's feet. Suddenly Mayumi stretched her fingers to Ayumi's chin and forcefully pointed upwards her face hanged in shame. Coercively looking down on the startled girl, she said in a voice full of smiles:

"If you wanted to run away, you should at least have crossed toe ocean. Instead of that, seducing a man and flirting with him in this kind of place, - do you look down on us?"

The Chijutsushi manipulating the spirits of the earth can make searches on fairly long distances as long it's adjoining land. It goes without saying that if you know the target well that searching ability is further improved.

For the sake of running from Chijutsushi, by sea or by air - anyway the most important thing is to separate from the ground.

"I had...no intention...."

Staring at Ayumi, protesting in a trembling voice, wit the look a carnivorous animal has before its feed, Mayumi let go of her jaw.

And then - she pulled her hand backwards and swung with all her strength.

" -Uh!"

It wasn't something as lovely as a slap. The punch made by hardening her wrist at the moment of the impact was a blow that made her bones resound.

Instantly Ayumi's legs separated from the ground and from the beginning exhausted body sunk into the sandy beach. Appearing to have completely fainted, her face half buried in the sand, she was completely still.

"Wha...."

Overcome with surprise at the sudden violence, Ren shouted white as a ghost.

"What have you done?"

But Mayumi didn't even looked at Ren. As she already stated "your turn is already over" she disregarded his existence itself.

Instead, the man who followed behind her moved. With body movement that had no openings he stepped forward and got on his knee before Ayumi.

Decidedly, he did not attempt to nurse her. Grabbing hold of Ayumi by the hair, casually the man lifted her head as if he would uproot a radish.

"...........E-eek......"

"What are you doing?"

Coldly looking down on Ayumi's feeble struggle, the man said in a monotonous tone.

"Do you think you can be lying down in front of the young lady, do you?"

"Yuu...ji.....sama....."

"Silence!"

The man - Yuuji - abruptly became enraged.

"With that face, through that mouth, don't call out my name! How disgusting!"

Raising his hand, pulling her hair even more, he made Ayumi stand on her knees. And then - this time from the front, he slapped her face onto the sand. Forcibly making Ayumi take a prostrating position, Yuuji shouted.

"Apologize! Until your voice becomes hoarse, until your throat tears apologize! Did you understand in how much danger did you put the young lady? If we didn't find you in time what would have happened! Did you intend for the young lady to be a sacrifice in your place? You puppet doll!!"

That was the limit.

He thought he himself endured it really well. Surely, big brother would praise him for it. Or - he'll get angry for letting it get that far.

Quietly he held out his right hand and pointed his index finger at Yuuji. And then - without a moment of hesitation he released hs power.

The thin, refined heat ray grazed Yuuji's cheek sticking into the concrete wall. The red hot concrete melted and the wall followed it, crashing.

"..........What kind of behavior.." Yuuji questioned with a voice stiffed to death. However, like Mayumi did before, Ren completely disregarded that utterance.

It wasn't a provocation or something like that. It's just that in Ren's field of vision no one else but Ayumi was reflected. It was just that.

"Re....n.....?"

For the girl weakly getting up, hearing that cracked voice, Ren painfully shook his head.

"As I thought, it's useless."

I can't control it.

I can't endure it.
Anymore than this - I can't stand it.

"What is the right thing to do, I don't even know. However, to hand you over to these guys it's absolutely impossible."

Whether it's right or not, that's long past. His feelings denied that option.

"Fall back!"

Struck by that sharp voice, Ayumi reflexively kicked the ground. Slightly further away from Yuuji. In that gap Ren threw a fireball brought forth from the sky.

"-Tch!"

Visibly agitated by the blast, Yuuji and Mayumi jumped. The distance widened even more. Well in advance Ren wedged himself in the space separating the two "enemies" and Ayumi.

"Humph - in the end brute force, huh?"

Staring at Ren blocking his way to Ayumi, Yuuji laughed fearless.

"Ah, well. Just as planed."

"Shall I back you up?"

"It's not necessary."

Politely rejecting Mayumi's proposal, he casually took one step forward. With an attitude full of composure he looked down on Ren taking a battle stance.

"Publicly- "

Without particularly preparing in advance, just standing, Yuuji began to speak in a relaxed manner.

"Publicly, it seems there are many idiots who believe Enjutsushi teh strongest but do you think so too?"

"-?"

Not understanding Yuuji's plan, Ren was perplexed. There is nothing to believe. The fact that Enjutsushi are the strongest is a <Reality> with no room for argument.

It's not about whether an Enjutsushi never lost to another kind of practitioner, of course there is no such thing. That is the power of one individual. It's about whether the ability difference can undermine the advantages and disadvantages of a technique style.

As for what technique system is the strongest - there is only one answer to that question. Without room for argument, with no chance for objection, the grave <Reality> doesn't change.

That is what Yuuji downright negated.

"What a foolish thing. All of you understand nothing about battle. The greatest offensive ability? When killing people do you think that is necessary?"

"What exactly?"

Including the confidence of certain victory in front of the perplexed Ren, Yuuji fired the question.

"You, where on earth do you plan to place your feet on?"

Unintentionally Ren stared at his own feet.There was nothing there but the ordinary sandy beach. There was no sign of set traps. There was no sense of discomfort when stepping on it, nothing but the feeling of soft sand-

''-Sand?''

"-Uh!!"

The sign of something wriggling, underneath his feet. Jumping by reflex, Ren's face became stiff with surprise and shivers.

Underground, and in addition to that, directly under his footprints a spear covered in sand was pushed up.

If his evasion would have been delayed by one second the spear would have stopped his foot by sewing it. it may be true he avoided the first attack but he had no room for relief. Visibly lying in wait at the spot Ren would come down, several spears sprung up.

"Kuu- "

Releasing fire and pointing it directly below, a countless number of spears burned to nothing. Coincident with his landing above the red hot sand, Ren rolled on the ground. Pursuing the rolling Ren from inside the sand, one after another, spears stick out.

While narrowly avoiding those, the boy cursed his overly optimistic thinking.

''Shit, Chijutsushi - so that's the reason!''

The spears hidden inside the sand were not something prepared in advance. Hardening the sand itself and changing its shape, Yuuji made those sharp spears.

Chijutsushi possess the force of the Earth Spirits. Sand, soil, ground stone and all materials affiliated with those, for them, are similar with extensions of their own hands. There was no need to expressly set traps.

The battleground itself was the Chijutsushi's weapon because that was for them the absolute most advantageous arrangement.

''What to do?''

Starting to see gaps one way or another, running in zig-zag to dodge the underground attacks, Ren looked for a breach. At any rate, as long as he is staying on the ground,his disadvantage can't be overcome.

Continuing to receive one-sided attacks without grasping a counter-attack clue, sooner or later he will receive a fatal blow.

On the other hand, Ren doesn't know such a jutsu that would allow him to gain a foothold on something else other than the ground.

If it were an Enjutsushi, he could fly into the air.

A Suijutsushi could maybe stand on top of water.

However, Ren being an Enjutsushi - it may be possible for Jugo or Genma - he had no skill to stand on top of flames. As long as gravity comes into play, he had no choice but to place his feet on the ground.

''What should I do?''

Looking over his surroundings, he searched for a turn-around plan. The sandy beach was the worst as a battle ground but concrete and asphalt must be similar. What remains -

''Inside the sea?''

It was out of the question. Ren being an Enjutsushi water was nothing more but a thing to be avoided. There was no point for Ren's power to weakened beyond what Yuuji could accomplish.

To Ren, stuck in a defensive battle, Yuuji turned words of ridicule.

"What's the matter? Are you just going to run? I don't care how far you run but if you go to far I'll take Ayumi and go back home."

"Kuu- "

Because of Yuuji's carelessness, recognizing he became long separated from Ayumi, Ren grinds his teeth. if it goes like this, Ayumi will really be taken away.

''What should I do? what should I -''

The problem was that he had no technique to defend against the blows. He can use flames to cover the surroundings but the bottom of his feet are perfectly defenseless. When fighting against Chijutsushi, that became a lethal weakness. A foothold was necessary. Separated from Yuuji's control, a scaffold made of <Earth> he cannot control.

He cannot fly into the sky. Water is also excluded. There's no wood near. He cannot stand on top of fire. On top of fire -

''-Huh?''

Suddenly Ren remembered the scene of a volcanic eruption he saw on TV. From craters, forcefully spitting out the red hot-

''Shall I give it a try?''

There was no time to spare. Making his resolve, Ren stopped and concentrated his consciousness.

"Aa.......a.........aa!!"

From Ren's whole body golden flames erupted. The dazzling glimmer blurred even the contours of his body and the boy shined, transformed into a small sun.

"Ua.......unh, it's useless."

To encourage himself overpowered by the tremendous quantity of heat, Yuuji intentionally raised his voice.

"No matter how hot a flame you clad yourself in, you cannot defend against attacks from bellow."

Trying to make the reality that he was currently on offensive known, Yuuji was perplexed by the dull response from the spirits.

The spirits of the earth didn't respond to his will - No, something different obstructs the formation of sand spears.

"You....what did you do?"

He turns a glance full of suspicion towards Ren. No matter what an Enjutsushi tries to do, it's impossible to exercise a stronger influence towards sand than a Chijutsushi does.

Ren didn't answer. Unaffected, abandoning that body to the flames, he only stood rock still above the red ground.

"Red - ? I see, you- "

Yuuji stared at Ren's feet. What was there didn't have the rough characteristics of sand but was reflecting the flame like grass. Sometimes, from the bottom bubbles rose to the surface and burst open with a particular thick sound.

"You brat - you changed the burning sand to magma!"

"I gave it a try"

Receiving Yuuji's angry roar, Ren laughed triumphantly. It does not mean he had a positive proof. If a Suijutsushi can stand atop water he tried to stand atop magma, that could also be called fluid flame. He simply tried out that idea.

Although having a fluffy, undependable sense of touch, magma firmly sustained Ren's body weight. As there was no fist fight involved, the tenderness of the scaffold didn't matter. The radius was about two meters. Although modest,from the <Kingdom> underneath Yuuji's absolute control, Ren gained that much territory.

"D-don't be excited, boy!" barked Yuuji after loosing his advantage.

"Even for magma, it's <ground> attribute doesn't change. The situation is still the same!"

With an angry roar, including a severe determination, Yuuji ordered the ground spirits. Around Ren's surroundings magma unnaturally rose, molding red spearheads.

"Die, boy!!"

The spears lengthen trying to pierce Ren's body. But just before that - they stopped.

"W-whaaaaat!?"

Quietly gazing at the surprised Yuuji, Ren talked indifferent.

"Certainly magma is something that belongs to the <ground>. Still, half of it it's Enjutsushi possession. I'm not gonna hand it over so easily!"

The spear on the verge of touching his body, Ren casually flung it off. The hard sharp spear instantly lost her unity and returned with a small splash on the surface of the magma sea.

"Guu..........Ba......."

With a really detestable howl, Yuuji stopped trying to proactively commence the next attack. It's understandable.

The control of the material called magma with attributes of both <ground> and <fire> has been snatched away. That means that in a contest of pure strength he was defeated by Ren. As the opponent of a higher ranked practitioner, he couldn't carelessly take the vanguard.

"Next is my turn, huh?" Ren declared with no fighting spirit.

His pushed out right hand accurately aimed at Yuuji. From that palm golden flames gushed out.

"Oooooooooooohh!!"

Yuuji too, didn't gave in. Hoisting the sand beneath his feet, he threw it onto the approaching flame. A surging sea of white sand attacking the golden torrent.

Receiving the aftermath of the struggle between these two powers, the ground grated and the sky trembled.

"Gu........me..uuuu......."

Through clenched teeth Yuuji let out a pressing moan. He understood that in a contest of strength he was inferior. As it is, he will certainly be pressed down.

While his body burned in humiliation, Yuuji changed his tactics to defense. The sand changed into a bulky bedrock and stood before the fire torrent. Although the bedrock stopped the flames there was no room for relaxation.

"It's coming from behind."

Inside the thunderous roar made by the flames burning the rock, for some reason that whisper clearly reached his ears. Uneventfully changed to a quiet oath, Yuuji felt that enormous heat approaching from behind.

"Sh-shit!"

The already thin bedrock rose, splitting the sand and stopped a gigantic fire ball. Although withstanding it somehow, the tremendous mpact crossed over the bed rock and mercilessly pummeled Yuuji's body.

In the space between the two bedrocks Yuuji was in anguish. And there, the last blow came.

"Next is up"

" -!?"

Looking up at the sky, Yuuji's eyes peeled in shock. A remarcably big fireball descended upon Yuuji like a meteor. The distance was less than two meters.

"Kuuu- !"

It's unthinkable of having time to defend and so forth. Overhead the man looking at it dumbfounded, the fireball violently exploded.

"..............Uh!"

There wasn't much heat but the shock was hard to describe. The two sheets of bed rock made by him efficiently reverberated, sinking Yuuji's body in the sandy beach.

"Go...........bah.........."

As if gravity was increased a hundred fold, the extremely heavy pressure flattened his body, the air in his lungs was squeezed out without exception and all the bones in his body creaked.

"Not........not yet......yet......"

Putting all his strength in his arms Yuuji seemed to want to push out the heavens. But after lifting it 10 centimeters the elbow joints made a thick sound and bent the other way.

When the broken right arm fell to the ground the shining fireball in the sky also vanished. But even so, Yuuji couldn't give up.

The sound of the broken bed rock resounded in vain, like the gong at the end of the match.

===Part 4===

"-Fuuu"

Taking a small breath, Ren shifted his attention to the remaining two.

Ayumi's gaze shaking with anxiety. And, despite having the same face, not showing even the smallest disturbance, expressing a thin smile, Mayumi:

Confronting Mayumi directly, Ren asked with a determined look.

"What will you do? Do you want to give it a try?"

While it may be true her outward appearance was that of a frail young lady, he won't act unprepared. Based on Yuuji's behavior it was clear Mayumi was the purest descendant. Not an opponent to make light of.

"Oh, the Kannagi young lord would go as far as to raise his hand against a non resisting woman?"

With no place for misunderstanding, Mayumi's expression was provocative. Even so, looking puzzled at the girl not showing any indication of battle, Ren retaliated in a low voice:

"-If you want to run away I won't pursue you"

"Well, thank you"

Replying to the lenient laugh with a scornful laugh Mayumi shed a fleeting glance.

"That's what he said Yuuji. What will you do?"

"-?"

Looking the same way Mayumi did, Ren unintentionally opened his eyes wide. Over there, Yuuji, beaten down enough to keep him immobilized for three months, was crawling out of sand, drawing near.

".........Ridiculous......"

It was impossible. From right overhead, from an angle he couldn't elude he received a strong bomb blast. He must have ten or twenty bone fractures and his internal organs were supposed to be damaged. Not the kind of injury you could move with because of fighting spirit and will power - that's the way it was supposed to be.

Mayumi loudly sneered at Ren in mute amazement.

"It seems you took lightly a Chijutsushi's resistance."

The high ranking Chijutsushi, by directly taking the ground's <ki> inside their body, are endowed with a resistance that exceeds common sense. Ren too, also knew that but seeing it in practice was fairly ominous.

"B-but....."

While looking at Yuuji advancing by crawling, as if he was seeing a zombie, Ren shouted.

"He received so much damage! It's impossible to recover so much to try and fight immediately!"

"Is that so?"

As for Mayumi, she was thoroughly composed.

"Yuuji, were you not supposed to protect me at the cost of your own life? Do you plan to crawl out of there cowering to see me getting killed?"

The effect of those words was tremendous.

Enduring the pain, Yuuji stood up and although stumbling, began to walk on his own two feet. Step by step that unsteady manner of walking lost its disorder and by the time he stood up in front of Ren, blocking his way to Ayumi, with the exception of the smashed right arm, he seemed completely recovered.

"..........I,will protect,my lady.............."

With an unsightly smashed but firmly determined voice, Yuuji bravely declared.

"I will absolutely not let her, get killed.........."

"I don't want to kill her!" Ren shouted while feeling, without knowing why, overawed by a dying, severely wounded person.

"If she wanted to go back she can go for all I care! I have no business with the lot of you. I just want to protect Ayumi-chan, that's all!"

Hearing Ren's claim, Yuuji unexpectedly starred in wonder. And then, he suddenly burst into laughter.

"Ku ku ku......Buahahahaha.......ku ku ku ku ku....."

Although throwing up blood, Yuuji still laughed. His blood stained face was warped and extremely happy.

"I see......that's the way it is, huh?....."

"Wh-.....what is so funny?...."

Ren suddenly shouted blushing with anger and Yuuji suddenly stopped his sneer.

"You don't understand anything. You're just a brat playing with the power passed through your body."

"What?"

"Just shut up already and go back home. Forget everything that happened today."

Those remarks almost like regarding an unreasonable child made Ren childishly exasperated.

"Don't joke around with me! I'm not gonna hand Ayumi-chan over to guys like- "

"So, do you say my lady should be the sacrifice instead?"

With a terribly cold expression, Yuuji retaliated.

Seeing Ren lost for words at the unexpected objection, almost like pressing for an answer, he continued.

"It's not like you don't know. Ayumi is the ritual sacrifice. It's a thing made for the sake of dying instead of my lady. If you protect it, it's equivalent with killing my lady."

"That sort of- I- "

"''I have no intention of doing that'', huh? The meaning of the act called protection is it the affectation of a knight who does not consider the weight of words, just entrusts to his power? That's why I said you are a brat who doesn't understand anything!!"

"Wro......"

''Wrong'' - when trying to say that word, with all his heart Ren was at a loss for words. There was nothing to answer back.

"Listen, kid. The act of protection means obviously getting your hands dirty for something important. For the sake of that one irreplaceable thing to be prepared to cut down everything else! Mere lip service changes nothing - saves nothing!"

A few hours ago, when Ren started speaking about making preparations for a substitute sacrifice, Ayumi gently rebuked him.

''-If you speak dirty words, your heart will become dirty too-''

They were beautiful words. If anyone heard these words after knowing Ayumi's situation, they would have been deeply moved.

But, Ayumi will die. Without leaving anything behind except that deep emotion, she will disappear from this world.

-To die in such a beautiful way or to survive in an ugly way -

Which was correct, Ren was not able to judge. On the other hand, Yuuji did not hesitate.

"For the sake of protecting my lady, I will kill Ayumi.Those that will get in the way, I will kill them all! I will remove all obstacles even at the cost of my life and protect my lady!"

DETERMINATION

Crossing over the judgement of right and wrong, good and evil, Yuuji selected the protection of that "one thing" that must be protected. To stop him it seems there is no choice but to kill him.

But, right now Ren had no will to go through with it to that extent. No, even if he had that determination, he lost sight to whom it should be pointed to.

''What should be do? -What should I do?''

Ren was perplexed.

But before the boy found the answer, the situation changed.

"......Kyaa......"

Swept by the wind, a disappearing small shriek. But even so, it was impossible for Ren to miss that voice. Because that was no one else's but Ayumi's voice.

"Ayumi-chan!?"

In front of Ren's eyes,turning around with a changed expression, were reflected the figures of Ayumi and Mayumi, standing behind her. Embraced her closely from behind,ayumi's pale complexion became stiff.

Although not being strangled or press against a dangerous weapon, panic grabbed hold of her heart.

"-My lady..."

When Yuuji called out to her, Mayumi's lips became sharp with dissatisfaction.

"What, are you telling me not to get involved? aren't you at fault for being inefficient?"

"No, I'm sorry for causing you trouble."

" -Humpf! Good grief. I'll be troubled if you can't be more reliable!"

This time she held her head high, self-important. She seemed to have a pretty simple personality.

"At any rate- "

While embracing Ayumi, Mayumi shifted her focus on Ren.

"Loving such a doll as this, the Kannagi young lord too, must have some unusual hobbies."

"Ayumi-chan is not a doll! She's human!"

"-Hey, hey..."

At Ren's shout, Mayumi displayed a studied surprise and looked down on Ayumi:

"You said nothing, did you? -What a bad child."

Suddenly thinking of something, Mayumi gently stroked Ayumi's cheek and her body tightly shrunk. That face, smiling complacently, gave the impression of a cat considering how to tease the mouse pinned down by its forelimbs.

A cruel smile lifting her lips, Mayumi said:

"Do you listen, Kannagi young lord? The ''Ayumi-chan'' you tried so hard to protect is not human."

"W- what are you say-"

"It's the truth. Because, you see, this is a clone made by cultivating my cells."

" -!?"

Ren opened his eyes wide with surprise. But simultaneously, he felt somewhere in his heart it was true.

Mayumi and Ayumi - even assuming they were sisters, those two resembled too much.

''Thing Doll Sacrifice'' - completely spoken ill of, a girl whose human dignity was trampled underfoot.

If it was just as Mayumi said, if Ayumi was not human and was created for the sake of dying as a sacrifice, doesn't everything makes sense?

''"A lie.......It's a lie"''

Aiming a smile full of spite at the dumbfounded Ren, Mayumi continued.

"Her appearance may seem that of a twelve years old girl but in reality only a month passed since its creation. Even her planted memories have been suitably edited from my own. That kind of crude doll, you tried to protect with your knight affectation. ''That was fun ♥''"

"It.......It's a lie......"

"Let me tell you one more thing. Even if she doesn't become the sacrifice, just a month from now on, fer life span will be cut from inside. Made with no intention to use for an extended period of time, just instant makeshift goods."

"That's, a lie...."

Ren looked at Ayumi almost like searching for help. She received his glance for just one second and sadly cast her eyes down.

Thus, at last Ayumi - Ayumi told the truth.

"........It's true. I am the katashiro doll[http://eos.kokugakuin.ac.jp/modules/xwords/entry.php?entryID=308] made for the sake of keeping Mayumi-sama alive. Mayumi-sama's impostor"

Where is the genuine '''Ayumi'''?

''I have no memories'' - Ayumi told Ren so. That's natural. If she had been made just a month before, it's impossible for those to exist. Without even trying to steal it, there was nothing there form the beginning. Everything was an imitation. If only her heart was more than a transient object, his own act of protecting Ayumi, his determination, everything would not have been a wasted effort.

"I look, so stupid....."

His body was full with a sense of helplessness. Feebly hanging his head, Ren collapsed on the sandy beach.

"It looks like that was a lot of shock, huh?"

Coldly looking down on the defeated Ren, Mayumi sneered.

"That's only natural. It made him realize his own buffoonery can't go any higher."

"Well, isn't that fine? By understanding reality, the boy becomes an adult."

".........you could say that."

Yuuji replied to Mayumi's words, pretending to act like a grown-up, in a quiet voice. Maybe because they were both men, but it was impossible not to feel sympathy for Ren.

"Come now, let's go home. We must quickly return and prepare for the ceremony."

On the other hand, Mayumi didn't have such a compassionate heart. Already disregarding Ren's existence, she starts thinking about tomorrow's ceremony.

"....yes", Yuuji respectfully bowed.

Receiving Ayumi, presented to him like luggage, the same way as they came, he followed Mayumi like a servant.

But, at the same time he placed his leg on the stairs connected to the main road-

"Step aside!"

From the vicinity of the main road that command reverberated, and a second later a golden pillar of fire lit the sky.

Involuntarily the three people turned around to Ren. But, he did not seemed to notice the present disturbance and was kneeling on the sandy beach, his head hanged. Hearing footsteps they turned in the direction of the main road once more. Two sets of footsteps. Both of them light. They were probably women.

Around that time, Yuuji made a guess about the opponent's identity. Noticing he should be in front, he tried to make Mayumi step back, but- it was slightly late.

"Ren!"

On top the stairs, one girl appeared.

Pushing out the darkness, the aura of red and gold shining out far and wide. The enormous amount of fire spirits that followed her in the background were displaying the girl as the human model of the flame itself.

"This is also......"

From Yuuji's mouth a mutter of unexpected wonder leaked out. Certainly her age was sixteen. And although childish, the shape of the young lady captivated him.

Overflowing from that small body, the surge of an overwhelming power. That sword was not yet drawn out but even so, it was impossible to misread the girl's identity.

''Beautiful- ''

He genuinely thought so. That was not in regard for the human, much less the opposite sex but the same deep emotion he felt at the time he looked at Mother Nature's magnificent scenery.

Suddenly, he noticed a sharp glance. Calmly looking away and folding her arms, Mayumi's half opened glare met his eye.

"''This is also...''" with a monotonous voice Mayumi repeated Yuuji's words.

"What is the meaning of ''This is also...'' Yuuji ?"

"Ah, no, that is..."

While becoming completely confused, Yuuji desperately searched for explanatory words.

If he cannot talk his way out of it now, it will become fairly difficult afterwards.

"That, didn't have any significant meaning. This is also...flashy...?"

"-Humph, that so?"

With that considerably packed expression Mayumi nodded.

"Well, afterwards I'll receive a lengthy explanation of that matter. Now it's not the time for it."

Mayumi faced the two standing at the top of the stairs.

"Nice meeting you, Kannagi princess. Being able to meet you is an honor."

".......and you are?"

The girl - Ayano, shortly inquired.

"I was slow in saying. I am Tsuwabuki Mayumi. This is my attendant Yuuji. Although belonging to a collateral family, for the time being permit him to call himself with the Tsuwabuki surname."

"If I say I will, I wonder will I have to call you by such an embarrassing name as ''Tsuwabuki princess''?"

"I am at your mercy."

To Ayano's provocative response, Mayumi bowed her head with a smiling face.

irritated, Ayano ended this conversation lacking sincerity and got to the main question.

"I have no particular business with you. Where is Ren?"

Mayumi pointed at the sandy beach in the back.

"Somewhere in that area. Maybe he is crying holding his knees."

"What, have you done to him?"

The atmosphere became noisy. The explosive scarlet aura flickered like a flame.

"Physically, nothing. He did not receive a single wound."

".........haa"

When that report was made, Yuuji looked sullen.

"But it seems his emotional scars are quite deep. We would be troubled if you complained to us about such things. About the details, you can ask that boy. However, I believe not prying into it would be a kindness to him."

Just saying that, with no precaution Mayumi started walking up the stairs. Whipping his wounded body, Yuuji went in front of Mayumi, trying to be a shield as much as possible.

"Well then-"

Greeting her while passing by one another, Mayumi walked near Ayano's side. And then, after looking at the retreating figure running down the stairs not returning the favor, she shifted her focus on the other person - a woman standing in a somewhat separated place.

"Good evening. It's been a long time, Police Superintendent Tachibana."

"We haven't talked in a long time, Mayumi-san"

That perfectly ordinary greeting, the detective in charge of Tokyo MPD's Special Investigation Unit, Police Superintended Tachibana returned with an absolutely tranquil tone.

"Because you didn't appear together with the that young woman, can we assume you have no intention of opposing the Tsuwabuki regarding the Kannagi matter?"

"Of course. We have no intention of interfering in any kind of dispute. Naturally, if you would accept our mediation, we woul feel that position with pleasure."

"That won't be necessary."

The faint tension that dwelt in Kirika's words, smiling, Mayumi severed it when she replied.

"Everything has been already settled. We have regained the object Kannagi Ren stole and because it's something a child did, we have no intention of blaming the Kannagi Clan for that error. If you would be so good as to pass it along to Ayano-san."

"......I will comply"

"Thank you"

Bowing her head to Kirika, Mayumi left accompanied by her attendant and the spoils of war.

No matter how polite her tone was, the girl's attitude was that of a victor who obtained everything.

Gazing for a brief period at the retreating figure, never looking back, Kirika started walking towards the defeated boy or maybe the defeated people.

"There's no sign this is ending here."

That's what she was thinking.

[[User:Ayame|Ayame]] ([[User talk:Ayame|talk]]) 10:01, 24 March 2013 (CDT)

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| Back to [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume3_Chapter_2|Chapter 2]]
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| Forward to [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume3_Chapter_4|Chapter 4]]
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Kaze no Stigma:Volume3 Chapter 3

2013-04-28T15:01:18Z

80.240.162.190: /* Part 1 */

===Chapter 3 - The person one must protect===

===Part 1===

"......................"

Inside the train, Ren was frozen solid.He sat in such a way that if someone poked him, he would roll on the floor while in sitting position.

The reason for that was the existence of the girl sitting earnestly on his left side, Ayumi. She was clinging to Ren's left arm in order for their bodies to be glued as close as possible.

At the beginning of her teens, wearing a coat over the still immature body, although the sensation wasn't supposed to be very fresh, it's still impossible to be composed about it.

Contrastive to Ayumi, who yielded herself to Ren with a peaceful appearance, his brain has been frozen for the last 10 minutes.

- It happened approximately 10 minutes before.

At the time they waited for the train on the platform of Tokyo Station, staring at Ren shivering from the coldness of the wind, Ayumi asked in a worried manner:

"Are you cold?"

"No, I'm fine"

Ren showed a smile meant to give her a piece of mind but the next moment that smile became frozen.

"a... a... a... Ayumi-chan?"

"If we are like this it's warm, right?"

Feeling guilty for borrowing his coat and trying to transfer her own body temperature, she clung to Ren's arm.

"D-don't do that -"

Ren's brain, trying to separate his body, was pierced by Ayumi's expression, looking at him with upturned eyes.

"-No?"

"Eh, ah, no, that sort of..."

A stuttering Ren. He was unbelievably ashamed, he also thought this sort of thing is wrong, but before the girl's gaze, looking at him sadly, he couldn't shake his head.

''What to do.....''

The warm sense of touch transmitted by his left arm thoroughly snatched Ren's presence of mind. After that, when, how did hey get into the train, he didn't remember any of it.

"I'm sorry"

"-Eh?"

Receiving such an abrupt apology, Ren's consciousness recovered after a long time. Ayumi's turned away expression, full of guilt was reflected in his eyes.

"About what?"

"For making such an odd request."

Ren replied while laughing.

"It's not a big deal, this much"

Actually the girl's wish was simple. What it required were traveling expenses and a little bit of time. Just those will suffice.

''Take me to the sea''

That's what Ayumi spoke in the park. It was just one wish. Naturally, Ren had no objection.

Investigating those contents for a while, he asked only one thing.

"Is a harbor-like place acceptable? Or a sandy beach?"

Without wavering, Ayumi chose the latter. Therefore, together they boarded the Tokaido Line. That route was aimed at Chigasaki.

If that was the nearest swimming beach, Ren doesn't know. But that was the only place he could lead her to. Because of his family's line of work he is a boy unrelated to family vacations et cetera. He had hardly any experience of swimming in the sea. Ren was deeply grateful to the girl who took him by force sea bathing last year's summer.

While chasing the flowing scenery, Ayumi murmured:

"In the end, I wanted to see something beautiful with my own eyes."

"In the end, you say?"

"When I do so, I'm going back. To the Tsuwabuki."

"No!", Ren promptly shouted.

"No! They don't treat you like a fellow human. Only like a tool. If you return to those people you'll never be happy. If you have no place to go, you can come to my house. The Kannagi Clan will, without exception -"

"Ren, you see-"

Ayumi quietly interrupted Ren's desperate pleading words.

"Have you heard about the Tsuwabuki's Grand Festival?"

"The Grand Festival - about that ceremony to appease the volcanic activity of Mt. Fuji? I'm not very familiar with it but the practitioner always lost his life... "

Going that far, Ren turned a terrified glance towards Ayumi.

"No...way....."

What was reflected in those eyes was Ayumi's excessively tranquil smiling face. It was unbelievable. Ren completely denied that expression. There shouldn't be something like that. Such a thing cannot be allowed. Something like that- something like that-

"I have no family name, nor a family register, naming myself is not permitted, but-"

''No way''

''I don't want to hear''

Despite this - the body doesn't move. Even blocking his ears, he can't do it. Without waiting for agreement or disagreement, pouring into his ears, that tone calm as the surface of the lake. Admitting everything, allowing it, accepting it.

"I am called Tsuwabuki. According to the lineage, something like a direct descendant."

''I don't want to hear it''

"The ceremony is tomorrow night. Therefore, I must get back until then. Because I- because I am the priest of the ritual"

''Because I am the priest of the ceremony''

From Ren's body, with a water-like sound, blood flew backwards.

The Yamatsumino Grand Festival - the origin of it goes back roughly 300 years.

The year is 1707 - during the Houei era was the last volcanic eruption of Mt. Fuji and the greatest since the dawn of history. The violent eruption reaching 15 days, it was said that the volcanic ash fell as far as the distant town of Edo. It was not only Kantō but a life or death crisis for Japan itself. No matter how many times Mt. Fuji erupted, it didn't show any signs of quieting down.

That raging <Ki> finally resulted in the embodiment of one demon beast. The impersonation of Fuji's <ki>. it is certain that was the largest, strongest devilishness that materialized in this country. If one tried to rank it among other demon beasts, the only reference it had would be the legendary monsters, like the eight tail serpent that couldn't be defeated without the help of god's power.

The beast's roar beckoned eruptions and its stepping feet invoked eruptions. Mowing down everything it touched, it exhausted the limits if tyranny. The ones who sealed it were the yet unknown Tsuwabuki family. A young girl leading the family offered prayers to the King of the Earth Spirits for seven days and seven nights and finally attained that divine protection.

And then, by that divine protection, the girl managed to seal that demon beast. Thus Mt. Fuji calmed down and Japan's peace was protected. And they all lived happily ever after.

-But that story has sequel.

First, that girl was not able to endure the release of such an over-sized power and lost her life with the seal. And then, even after applying such a powerful seal, the demon beast's lock couldn't continue forever. Being the personification of an active volcano, it's possible to say that was the unavoidable outcome.

Approximately 30 years - that was the limit of the seal. For the sake of continuing the sealing of a raging demon beast seeking release, Tsuwabuki family had no choice but to conduct the ceremony at fixed intervals for the sake of suppressing Mt. Fuji's <Ki>.

Because of the divine protection of the Spirit King that dwelt in their blood - the strongest unmarried woman was elected as the priest of the ceremony.

Until today, the sealing ceremony known under the bombastic name of "Grand Festival" took place 8 times. And there were 8 casualties. The fatality ratio was 100%. This is the reason the ceremony practitioner was named sacrifice.

With no other option, the 9th ceremony approached. The girl called Ayumi was a lamb led to slaughter.

How long was he in blank amazement, I wonder. When Ren came to his senses, Ayumi was smiling gently, looking at him.

Unable to meet that extremely pitiful smile, Ren muttered, while looking down.

"Why?....."

"Ren?"

"Why do you have to do such a...."

After examining for a short while Ren's expression, Ayumi replied:

"Because someone has to do it"

'''''"But it doesn't have to be you-"'''''

Ayumi softly touched Ren's lips with her fingers. The boy who unintentionally couldn't keep his mouth shut, she rebuked him gently.

"It's not good saying these kind of things. If you speak filthy words your heart will become filthy too"

"........I'm sorry.........."

Ayumi shook her head.

"No. It's alright. Truthfully I was a little happy. Because I was never regarded as something valuable."

From the moment she was born, it was decided that Ayumi will be a sacrifice. She wasn't regarded as part of the same family, not recognized as a human being. For this girl with no family register, with no choice but being a tool for the ceremony, so far there wasn't a single person to hold her life dear.

Pointlessly, Ren made sure of her acknowledgement.

"Even so, you'll do it? For the sake of those who think of you as a tool?"

"It's different", Ayumi flatly shook her head.

"It has nothing to do with the Tsuwabuki family's expectations. Because it must be done no matter what, I'll do it. It's bad if Mt. Fuji erupts, right?"

"That is true..."

"If I am able to suppress it, my life, my death is not worthless.Even if the physical me dies, my prayers will fuse with the mountain and I will continue to watch over this country eternally. That's a very beautiful thing, don't you agree?"

"................."

Something is wrong. Something is terribly wrong, Ren thought so.

'''''-Don't try to glorify death with words of self-sacrifice -'''''

Kazuma's words, once intended for him were recalled to his mind. Doesn't Ayumi make the same mistake he did at the same time? But Ren had no persuasion words for the girl. He could not think of a path that doesn't result in Ayumi's death.

Only to let Mt. Fuji erupt-

To replace Ayumi as a sacrifice.

She would accept neither. There is no mistake about it, the girl known as Ayumi was the type that would sacrifice herself for others.

"That's why I'm not afraid of death. It's because I was born for this purpose. And yet, I desired memories before the time comes. Memories of my own, born from my own experience."

In that peaceful pupil, that accepted everything dwelt the light of a faint longing.

''Memories of her own?''

It's only natural to display a strong attachment for one's dying wish. But even so, that was a strange expression. Memories are neither true nor false.

To the bewildered Ren, Ayumi threw another bomb.

"You see, I don't have my own memories."

"Eh?"

"I haven't lost my memories. It's not like I have something to remember and I don't, it's more like I have ''nothing'' to remember."

"..............."

Without saying anything, Ren starred at Ayumi dumbfounded.

"If it would be just like that, even speaking and moving my body would have been impossible. But the me right now is something ignorant of the ways of the world but I can communicate with other people. Do you know why?"

"Wasn't it because you kept studying it?"

Toward such an unbelievable circumstance, Ren said so, including a ray of hope.

But, as feared, Ayumi shook her head.

"In my had there are transcripts of another's memories.I don't know how it's been done, though"

Almost like it was somebody else's problem, Ayumi indifferently recited those grand circumstances. Ren finally had the feeling he understood the reason why Ayumi had no attachment to her life. She had nothing to be particular about.

Not even recognized as a person, her existence valued as nothing but a tool, day after day. Planted forged memories. Without beginning, Ayumi's life ended.

With no room to harbor hope, she has no attachment except despair. Together with that gentle resignation, Ayumi accepted everything.

"That's why I wanted to see the world through my eyes even if it's just once. I wished for something that's not faked, real memories."

Like telling an unfulfilled dream, Ayumi whispered with a distant look. Toward the ordinary everyone was given as a natural privilege - no, the privilege they took for granted she felt endless longing and envy.

"The moment I saw the sky when I first felt the residence, I was very surprised. How vast was the sky windows don't limit, Mt. Fuji was so big..."

"Ayumi-chan......"

"The sky, the stars, the moon were so much more beautiful than what I remembered. Surely, the sea must be very beautiful, right?"

The silhouette of the innocent girl in high spirits was reflected in Ren's eyes as overbearingly pitiful.

-She wanted to see beautiful things-

What sort of feelings did she include when she said those words? The words of a girl dreaming, escaping from reality, no that he knew everything, they were unbelievably heavy.

"-This is hopeless"

With a strong determination, Ren muttered in his heart.

''Such a thing cannot be. It cannot be forgiven.''

"Ayumi-chan!"

"W-what?"

His immature sense of justice aroused, Red declared strongly.

"I will protect Ayumi-chan"

" - Ren?"

"So please, don't give up. Don't say it's OK to die. Because I'll protect you. I'll protect you for sure."

"Ren........."

Making a somewhat troubled face, she looked at the boy making a vow.

Joy and sadness and the kindness of a mother watching over her child were mixed in that complex gaze.

Without noticing that gaze, Ren continued.

"I'm sure it exists. A way in which Ayumi-chan doesn't have to die. I'll do whatever it's in my power. My own ability may be very small but if it's big brother, surely- "

"Your older brother?"

"Eh?"

Ayumi unintentionally asked in return and Ren reaffirmed with force those entrusting words.

"Ah-"

In those cornered eyes hope was shining.

"That's right! I have my older brother! If it's big brother, he will definitely save you!"

Without a fragment of anxiety, with absolute faith in his voice, Ren clearly declared.

For a short while, Ayumi opened her eyes wide, staring at the smile of the boy, delighted as if the problem was already settled.

"Do you have such an amazing brother?"

"Yeah", Ren answered without a moment's hesitation.

"Big brother is stronger than anyone. There is nothing he can't do. I'm sure."

"............Is that so........."

"So please don't say such lonesome things like last memories and let's do many more together. I want to show you many other things. That is...."

Embarrassed and blushing Ren invited the girl screwing up his courage.

"Because - I'll take you no matter where"

".............."

Receiving Ren's invitation, for one instant, Ayumi seemed to burst into tears. However, in just one moment she erased that bitter expression and replied with a calm and somewhat sad smile.

"Right.....If we could do that, it would be very nice....."

===Part 2===

"I wonder where did big brother go....."

Descending on the platform of the Chiwasaki Station, the shore on the other side of it, Ren muttered to himself with a worried face.

He can't get in touch with Kazuma.

He called Kazuma's cellphone from the station's public telephone but what came back was the dull announcement of the answering machine.

Because his own cellphone broke, he can't wait for Kazuma to get in touch with him. In the end, leaving the message "I'll call again" Ren hanged the receiver.

"I'm beaten"

As soon as he complained, Ayumi's hand, holding his left arm, tightly hugged him. Flustered, Ren showed a bright smile meant to give her peace of mind.

"Oh, it's fine. Because we'll get in touch shortly."

" -yeah", Ayumi nodded a little.

For a little while they didn't speak. Both of them walked the road to the beach in silence.

"Ah........."

A sound resembling noise making her eardrums vibrate, Ayumi strained her ears. The term sea roar came to her mind.

"The sound of waves......?"

"Yeah. We'll be there shortly."

Nodding, Ren increased his pace to not fall behind Ayumi, who unconsciously did so.

And now -

"Ah - !"

At the magnificent view at last reflected in her eyes Ayumi raised her voice in delight. Ren looked in the came direction. It was the sea. The great deep stretching endlessly. The utmost blue sea surface sparkling in the downpour of sunshine - naturally, it wasn't.

The winter sea is cold and hollow. it doesn't have a particle of the heat and energy the summer sea is full of, instead it's pushing out a cold surface, almost like rejecting humans. Staring at the utmost black sea, the same color as the night sky, Ayumi muttered:

"Is this... The sea...........?"

Perceiving the sound of a clear disappointment, Ren became impatient.

"W-what to do......."

Thinking now about it, it was a problem he should have noticed earlier. The winter sea - at night. Seen by girl his age it can't be a pleasing spectacle.Anyway, there was definitely not enough light. But there are at least seven, eight hours until dawn breaks.

''If I had light....light -?''

The idea that reflexively occurred to him was suppressed at an almost instinctive level. His family admonished sternly such conduct. But, even so-

''Do it!''

After just 3 seconds of hesitation, Ren decided to dismiss good sense. For his peace of mind, turning around, he searched for indications of human presence, surveying the surroundings.

From what he roughly saw, there was none except them.

- It must be done now.

Summoning fire spirits, he shortly informed:

"Go"

" - Eh? What?"

Before Ayumi finished her second question - the sky exploded.

"Kyaa!?"

The golden light shines out far and white pressing down the darkness. The brightness spreading out on the entire surface of the sky dyed the world golden and the jet black sea surface glittered dazzlingly.

"This - this is....Ren?"

To the Ayumi starring up in succession to both the sky and Ren with a surprised gaze, somewhat embarrassed but at the same time very proud, Ren's nostrils twitched.

"It's impossible to replicate the midsummer sea, but it's better than the pitch black gloomy sea, right? How is it? Do you like it?"

"Ren- "

Calling out Ren's name with a voice trembling with delight, Ayumi gave Ren a bear-like hug.

"Amazing! It's amazing! It is the most beautiful thing I've seen!"

"R-really? I'm glad"

Although confused by Ayumi's bold conduct, the relaxation of Ren's cheeks was irrepressible. Ayumi's large smile - even if he tried to express it, it's magnificence was beyond words.

Underneath the gold radiance, the innocently smiled at each other and looked up at the sky. Just like a golden aurora borealis the movement of the dancing fire spirits combined and the canopy covering the entire sky changed the same way a kaleidoscope would.

"Beautiful...but won't it cause an uproar?"

Ren shrugged his shoulders in silence. Without even thinking, it was an obvious matter. This was not a solitary island in the southern sea. Approachable by walking from the train station it was an empty swimming area.

Although there was a shelter-belt and a fence obstructing the field of vision, a highway was running less than 10 meters away. The houses were close. Without having to wait, it's likely spectators with burning curiosity would arrive in great numbers. There's no mistake that it will appear in tomorrow's newspaper.

But even so, Ren didn't care.

To make Ayumi happy - right now, for Ren it was all that mattered. Seeing Ayumi's wet eyes, Ren asked her casually, as if inquiring about the dinner's menu.

"Do you want to keep it up just a little bit more? Before long it could cause trouble but if they get in the way I'll drive them away"

"....No, it's enough."

After considering for a short while, Ayumi shook her head.

"It's enough. Because I'll never forget it."

" -Alright"

With a light nod, Ren called out the fire spirits. Promptly answering to the Enjutsushi's will, the fire spirits came together in a boisterous dance of light. And then -

"....W...ow...."

The light shining in the sky rained like drops of water above ground. Like snow, lightly flickering in the wind, the golden drops descended in a dance.

Holding no temperature, the clusters of pure light, upon touching the sandy beach and the surface of the sea, burst open and disappeared like in a dream.

"Ah- "

The last descending drop, Ayumi caught it extending both her hands. The moment it touched her hand, the light fleetingly disappeared but the girl softly closed her hands and touched er chest. That irreplaceable something stored in her hands was tucked away inside her chest.

Dropping the curtain on the light's dance performance, affecting acting, Ren made a bow.

"Did it please you?"

"Yes - yes...."

Her eyes full of tears, Ayumi bowed many, many times over.

"I... I am glad that I am alive. Meeting Ren.... Seeing something so beautiful, I...I...from the bottom of my heart...."

Unable to bear it in the end, her tears escaped. Shed for the firs time in her life, tears of happiness.

In order to wipe the sobbing girl's tears, handkerchief in hand, he touched her face. Both their shadows brought forth by the moonlight, slowly became one.

But - this moment was the concluding moment of their honeymoon. On their cuddled silhouettes a violent, intense light shined.

" -!?"

Turning around holding hands, an eternally domineering voice pierced their ears.

"That's right! I'm so happy for you! That means you have no more regrets in this world, right?"

In front of both of them, watching over in a daze, the woman with the light on her back laughed.

===Part 3===

''The pursuer from the Tsuwabuki!''

In an instant Ren saw through the shadow's true character. Or perhaps I should say, as far as Ren knew, it was the only apponent pursuing them.

Drawing Ayumi back and stepping forward with a sleepwalking like gait, Ren probed into the other party's attitude. Overlooking them for a brief period from a higher place, the woman descended the stairs and continued walking towards the beach in a composed manner.

One man, like a servant, followed her, leaving between them several steps.

Because of the back lighting he sees only outlines but even from those shadows it was impossible not to recognize the proud atmosphere drifting around the woman. The glance overlooking them was more suited for stray dogs than humans.

Leaving a distance of five meters between them, the woman faced Ren and Ayumi.

as one would expect, approaching so much, it was now possible to discriminate her looks. Closing his eyes partly, Ren observed the woman - and several seconds afterwards he opened his eyes wide in shock.

"Eh - ?"

The woman was younger than he thought. Probably not yet of age, in the second half of her teens. But that wasn't what Ren was surprised about.

-They looked alike.

Ren thought so, watching intently, in succession, Ayumi and the woman. No, they didn't resemble each other. If the age difference could be removed, their facial features would e perfectly the same.

Twins separated by age - those sort of contradicting words passed through Ren's head.

"Mayumi-sama........" Ayumi murmured, looking at that woman with a glance mixed with panic.

Unintentionally, Ren asked:

"Your elder sister?"

''If that is the case, she too can...''

The thought that instantly came to his mind, Ren denied it confused. Ayumi does not wish for such a thing.

-If you speak filthy words, your heart will become filthy too -

''Good grief, I need to be more careful.''

Agreeing to Ayumi's words reverberating in his head, he grasped her hand tenderly. Ayumi's face stiff from fear, still displayed a gallant smile.

'''"Elder sister?"'''

On the other hand, for the boy and the girl happy b themselves, the woman - Mayumi matched it with the height of displeasure.

"Elder sister, you said?"

Glaring at Ren as if he was her archenemy, she squeezed out a stifled to death voice from the gap between her clenched teeth. Her well regulated, elegant features, changed into the face of a demonic warrior.

"Don't mess around with me"

Mayumi's angry roar shrunk Ayumi's body with a start. After staring with much discord at the frightened girl, she turned an identical glance at Ren.

"It was enough taking Ayumi and running away without understanding the circumstance and this already foolish show, I believed you were someone lacking prudence but, never to this extent. Me and that thing sisters? It's the first time I was insulted so."

"..............."

It seems Ayumi didn't receive human treatment even from her relatives. Holding down the rising anger, Ren searched for presence in the surroundings. It was unpleasant when Ayumi was called "that" again but Mayumi's words implied an imminent crisis.

Other people didn't come. Because what Mayumi evaluated as a foolish exhibition was already over, if such a flashy, abnormal phenomenon happened, it's impossible for none to approach. Normally, about now, a crowd would have gathered on the beach and the police and fire department would have surrounded the place.

None of it happened.

It's very likely that right now this area was blocked.

By the subordinates of the Tsuwabuki.

''Can we escape?''

Without thinking of handing Ayumi over, Ren investigated the possibility of escape. The fact that the girl in question accepted her own faith was totally forgotten.

"Why are you so cautious, young Kannagi prince?"

Seeing through Ren's decision promptly, Mayumi laughed, smiling sweetly.

"Everything is already over. There is nothing left for you to try."

Although using honorifics, speaking in a clearly despising tone, Mayumi focused on Ayumi.

"................."

Without even using words, Mayumi carelessly beckoned her. as if calling her pet dog or something.

Ayumi started walking obediently.

"Ayumi-ch-"

"It's fine."

Ren's words, trying to call her to a halt, Ayumi interrupted them shortly and with a decisive voice.

"It's fine already. Thank you for everything until now. - It was very fun."

"Ayu- "

In order to shake of his extended hand, Ayumi turned her back on Ren. And with that, she never turned around.

Standing in front of Mayumi, Ayumi's body became stiff as if she turned to stone. Her glance swayed insecurely nearly Mayumi's feet. Suddenly Mayumi stretched her fingers to Ayumi's chin and forcefully pointed upwards her face hanged in shame. Coercively looking down on the startled girl, she said in a voice full of smiles:

"If you wanted to run away, you should at least have crossed toe ocean. Instead of that, seducing a man and flirting with him in this kind of place, - do you look down on us?"

The Chijutsushi manipulating the spirits of the earth can make searches on fairly long distances as long it's adjoining land. It goes without saying that if you know the target well that searching ability is further improved.

For the sake of running from Chijutsushi, by sea or by air - anyway the most important thing is to separate from the ground.

"I had...no intention...."

Staring at Ayumi, protesting in a trembling voice, wit the look a carnivorous animal has before its feed, Mayumi let go of her jaw.

And then - she pulled her hand backwards and swung with all her strength.

" -Uh!"

It wasn't something as lovely as a slap. The punch made by hardening her wrist at the moment of the impact was a blow that made her bones resound.

Instantly Ayumi's legs separated from the ground and from the beginning exhausted body sunk into the sandy beach. Appearing to have completely fainted, her face half buried in the sand, she was completely still.

"Wha...."

Overcome with surprise at the sudden violence, Ren shouted white as a ghost.

"What have you done?"

But Mayumi didn't even looked at Ren. As she already stated "your turn is already over" she disregarded his existence itself.

Instead, the man who followed behind her moved. With body movement that had no openings he stepped forward and got on his knee before Ayumi.

Decidedly, he did not attempt to nurse her. Grabbing hold of Ayumi by the hair, casually the man lifted her head as if he would uproot a radish.

"...........E-eek......"

"What are you doing?"

Coldly looking down on Ayumi's feeble struggle, the man said in a monotonous tone.

"Do you think you can be lying down in front of the young lady, do you?"

"Yuu...ji.....sama....."

"Silence!"

The man - Yuuji - abruptly became enraged.

"With that face, through that mouth, don't call out my name! How disgusting!"

Raising his hand, pulling her hair even more, he made Ayumi stand on her knees. And then - this time from the front, he slapped her face onto the sand. Forcibly making Ayumi take a prostrating position, Yuuji shouted.

"Apologize! Until your voice becomes hoarse, until your throat tears apologize! Did you understand in how much danger did you put the young lady? If we didn't find you in time what would have happened! Did you intend for the young lady to be a sacrifice in your place? You puppet doll!!"

That was the limit.

He thought he himself endured it really well. Surely, big brother would praise him for it. Or - he'll get angry for letting it get that far.

Quietly he held out his right hand and pointed his index finger at Yuuji. And then - without a moment of hesitation he released hs power.

The thin, refined heat ray grazed Yuuji's cheek sticking into the concrete wall. The red hot concrete melted and the wall followed it, crashing.

"..........What kind of behavior.." Yuuji questioned with a voice stiffed to death. However, like Mayumi did before, Ren completely disregarded that utterance.

It wasn't a provocation or something like that. It's just that in Ren's field of vision no one else but Ayumi was reflected. It was just that.

"Re....n.....?"

For the girl weakly getting up, hearing that cracked voice, Ren painfully shook his head.

"As I thought, it's useless."

I can't control it.

I can't endure it.
Anymore than this - I can't stand it.

"What is the right thing to do, I don't even know. However, to hand you over to these guys it's absolutely impossible."

Whether it's right or not, that's long past. His feelings denied that option.

"Fall back!"

Struck by that sharp voice, Ayumi reflexively kicked the ground. Slightly further away from Yuuji. In that gap Ren threw a fireball brought forth from the sky.

"-Tch!"

Visibly agitated by the blast, Yuuji and Mayumi jumped. The distance widened even more. Well in advance Ren wedged himself in the space separating the two "enemies" and Ayumi.

"Humph - in the end brute force, huh?"

Staring at Ren blocking his way to Ayumi, Yuuji laughed fearless.

"Ah, well. Just as planed."

"Shall I back you up?"

"It's not necessary."

Politely rejecting Mayumi's proposal, he casually took one step forward. With an attitude full of composure he looked down on Ren taking a battle stance.

"Publicly- "

Without particularly preparing in advance, just standing, Yuuji began to speak in a relaxed manner.

"Publicly, it seems there are many idiots who believe Enjutsushi teh strongest but do you think so too?"

"-?"

Not understanding Yuuji's plan, Ren was perplexed. There is nothing to believe. The fact that Enjutsushi are the strongest is a <Reality> with no room for argument.

It's not about whether an Enjutsushi never lost to another kind of practitioner, of course there is no such thing. That is the power of one individual. It's about whether the ability difference can undermine the advantages and disadvantages of a technique style.

As for what technique system is the strongest - there is only one answer to that question. Without room for argument, with no chance for objection, the grave <Reality> doesn't change.

That is what Yuuji downright negated.

"What a foolish thing. All of you understand nothing about battle. The greatest offensive ability? When killing people do you think that is necessary?"

"What exactly?"

Including the confidence of certain victory in front of the perplexed Ren, Yuuji fired the question.

"You, where on earth do you plan to place your feet on?"

Unintentionally Ren stared at his own feet.There was nothing there but the ordinary sandy beach. There was no sign of set traps. There was no sense of discomfort when stepping on it, nothing but the feeling of soft sand-

''-Sand?''

"-Uh!!"

The sign of something wriggling, underneath his feet. Jumping by reflex, Ren's face became stiff with surprise and shivers.

Underground, and in addition to that, directly under his footprints a spear covered in sand was pushed up.

If his evasion would have been delayed by one second the spear would have stopped his foot by sewing it. it may be true he avoided the first attack but he had no room for relief. Visibly lying in wait at the spot Ren would come down, several spears sprung up.

"Kuu- "

Releasing fire and pointing it directly below, a countless number of spears burned to nothing. Coincident with his landing above the red hot sand, Ren rolled on the ground. Pursuing the rolling Ren from inside the sand, one after another, spears stick out.

While narrowly avoiding those, the boy cursed his overly optimistic thinking.

''Shit, Chijutsushi - so that's the reason!''

The spears hidden inside the sand were not something prepared in advance. Hardening the sand itself and changing its shape, Yuuji made those sharp spears.

Chijutsushi possess the force of the Earth Spirits. Sand, soil, ground stone and all materials affiliated with those, for them, are similar with extensions of their own hands. There was no need to expressly set traps.

The battleground itself was the Chijutsushi's weapon because that was for them the absolute most advantageous arrangement.

''What to do?''

Starting to see gaps one way or another, running in zig-zag to dodge the underground attacks, Ren looked for a breach. At any rate, as long as he is staying on the ground,his disadvantage can't be overcome.

Continuing to receive one-sided attacks without grasping a counter-attack clue, sooner or later he will receive a fatal blow.

On the other hand, Ren doesn't know such a jutsu that would allow him to gain a foothold on something else other than the ground.

If it were an Enjutsushi, he could fly into the air.

A Suijutsushi could maybe stand on top of water.

However, Ren being an Enjutsushi - it may be possible for Jugo or Genma - he had no skill to stand on top of flames. As long as gravity comes into play, he had no choice but to place his feet on the ground.

''What should I do?''

Looking over his surroundings, he searched for a turn-around plan. The sandy beach was the worst as a battle ground but concrete and asphalt must be similar. What remains -

''Inside the sea?''

It was out of the question. Ren being an Enjutsushi water was nothing more but a thing to be avoided. There was no point for Ren's power to weakened beyond what Yuuji could accomplish.

To Ren, stuck in a defensive battle, Yuuji turned words of ridicule.

"What's the matter? Are you just going to run? I don't care how far you run but if you go to far I'll take Ayumi and go back home."

"Kuu- "

Because of Yuuji's carelessness, recognizing he became long separated from Ayumi, Ren grinds his teeth. if it goes like this, Ayumi will really be taken away.

''What should I do? what should I -''

The problem was that he had no technique to defend against the blows. He can use flames to cover the surroundings but the bottom of his feet are perfectly defenseless. When fighting against Chijutsushi, that became a lethal weakness. A foothold was necessary. Separated from Yuuji's control, a scaffold made of <Earth> he cannot control.

He cannot fly into the sky. Water is also excluded. There's no wood near. He cannot stand on top of fire. On top of fire -

''-Huh?''

Suddenly Ren remembered the scene of a volcanic eruption he saw on TV. From craters, forcefully spitting out the red hot-

''Shall I give it a try?''

There was no time to spare. Making his resolve, Ren stopped and concentrated his consciousness.

"Aa.......a.........aa!!"

From Ren's whole body golden flames erupted. The dazzling glimmer blurred even the contours of his body and the boy shined, transformed into a small sun.

"Ua.......unh, it's useless."

To encourage himself overpowered by the tremendous quantity of heat, Yuuji intentionally raised his voice.

"No matter how hot a flame you clad yourself in, you cannot defend against attacks from bellow."

Trying to make the reality that he was currently on offensive known, Yuuji was perplexed by the dull response from the spirits.

The spirits of the earth didn't respond to his will - No, something different obstructs the formation of sand spears.

"You....what did you do?"

He turns a glance full of suspicion towards Ren. No matter what an Enjutsushi tries to do, it's impossible to exercise a stronger influence towards sand than a Chijutsushi does.

Ren didn't answer. Unaffected, abandoning that body to the flames, he only stood rock still above the red ground.

"Red - ? I see, you- "

Yuuji stared at Ren's feet. What was there didn't have the rough characteristics of sand but was reflecting the flame like grass. Sometimes, from the bottom bubbles rose to the surface and burst open with a particular thick sound.

"You brat - you changed the burning sand to magma!"

"I gave it a try"

Receiving Yuuji's angry roar, Ren laughed triumphantly. It does not mean he had a positive proof. If a Suijutsushi can stand atop water he tried to stand atop magma, that could also be called fluid flame. He simply tried out that idea.

Although having a fluffy, undependable sense of touch, magma firmly sustained Ren's body weight. As there was no fist fight involved, the tenderness of the scaffold didn't matter. The radius was about two meters. Although modest,from the <Kingdom> underneath Yuuji's absolute control, Ren gained that much territory.

"D-don't be excited, boy!" barked Yuuji after loosing his advantage.

"Even for magma, it's <ground> attribute doesn't change. The situation is still the same!"

With an angry roar, including a severe determination, Yuuji ordered the ground spirits. Around Ren's surroundings magma unnaturally rose, molding red spearheads.

"Die, boy!!"

The spears lengthen trying to pierce Ren's body. But just before that - they stopped.

"W-whaaaaat!?"

Quietly gazing at the surprised Yuuji, Ren talked indifferent.

"Certainly magma is something that belongs to the <ground>. Still, half of it it's Enjutsushi possession. I'm not gonna hand it over so easily!"

The spear on the verge of touching his body, Ren casually flung it off. The hard sharp spear instantly lost her unity and returned with a small splash on the surface of the magma sea.

"Guu..........Ba......."

With a really detestable howl, Yuuji stopped trying to proactively commence the next attack. It's understandable.

The control of the material called magma with attributes of both <ground> and <fire> has been snatched away. That means that in a contest of pure strength he was defeated by Ren. As the opponent of a higher ranked practitioner, he couldn't carelessly take the vanguard.

"Next is my turn, huh?" Ren declared with no fighting spirit.

His pushed out right hand accurately aimed at Yuuji. From that palm golden flames gushed out.

"Oooooooooooohh!!"

Yuuji too, didn't gave in. Hoisting the sand beneath his feet, he threw it onto the approaching flame. A surging sea of white sand attacking the golden torrent.

Receiving the aftermath of the struggle between these two powers, the ground grated and the sky trembled.

"Gu........me..uuuu......."

Through clenched teeth Yuuji let out a pressing moan. He understood that in a contest of strength he was inferior. As it is, he will certainly be pressed down.

While his body burned in humiliation, Yuuji changed his tactics to defense. The sand changed into a bulky bedrock and stood before the fire torrent. Although the bedrock stopped the flames there was no room for relaxation.

"It's coming from behind."

Inside the thunderous roar made by the flames burning the rock, for some reason that whisper clearly reached his ears. Uneventfully changed to a quiet oath, Yuuji felt that enormous heat approaching from behind.

"Sh-shit!"

The already thin bedrock rose, splitting the sand and stopped a gigantic fire ball. Although withstanding it somehow, the tremendous mpact crossed over the bed rock and mercilessly pummeled Yuuji's body.

In the space between the two bedrocks Yuuji was in anguish. And there, the last blow came.

"Next is up"

" -!?"

Looking up at the sky, Yuuji's eyes peeled in shock. A remarcably big fireball descended upon Yuuji like a meteor. The distance was less than two meters.

"Kuuu- !"

It's unthinkable of having time to defend and so forth. Overhead the man looking at it dumbfounded, the fireball violently exploded.

"..............Uh!"

There wasn't much heat but the shock was hard to describe. The two sheets of bed rock made by him efficiently reverberated, sinking Yuuji's body in the sandy beach.

"Go...........bah.........."

As if gravity was increased a hundred fold, the extremely heavy pressure flattened his body, the air in his lungs was squeezed out without exception and all the bones in his body creaked.

"Not........not yet......yet......"

Putting all his strength in his arms Yuuji seemed to want to push out the heavens. But after lifting it 10 centimeters the elbow joints made a thick sound and bent the other way.

When the broken right arm fell to the ground the shining fireball in the sky also vanished. But even so, Yuuji couldn't give up.

The sound of the broken bed rock resounded in vain, like the gong at the end of the match.

===Part 4===

"-Fuuu"

Taking a small breath, Ren shifted his attention to the remaining two.

Ayumi's gaze shaking with anxiety. And, despite having the same face, not showing even the smallest disturbance, expressing a thin smile, Mayumi:

Confronting Mayumi directly, Ren asked with a determined look.

"What will you do? Do you want to give it a try?"

While it may be true her outward appearance was that of a frail young lady, he won't act unprepared. Based on Yuuji's behavior it was clear Mayumi was the purest descendant. Not an opponent to make light of.

"Oh, the Kannagi young lord would go as far as to raise his hand against a non resisting woman?"

With no place for misunderstanding, Mayumi's expression was provocative. Even so, looking puzzled at the girl not showing any indication of battle, Ren retaliated in a low voice:

"-If you want to run away I won't pursue you"

"Well, thank you"

Replying to the lenient laugh with a scornful laugh Mayumi shed a fleeting glance.

"That's what he said Yuuji. What will you do?"

"-?"

Looking the same way Mayumi did, Ren unintentionally opened his eyes wide. Over there, Yuuji, beaten down enough to keep him immobilized for three months, was crawling out of sand, drawing near.

".........Ridiculous......"

It was impossible. From right overhead, from an angle he couldn't elude he received a strong bomb blast. He must have ten or twenty bone fractures and his internal organs were supposed to be damaged. Not the kind of injury you could move with because of fighting spirit and will power - that's the way it was supposed to be.

Mayumi loudly sneered at Ren in mute amazement.

"It seems you took lightly a Chijutsushi's resistance."

The high ranking Chijutsushi, by directly taking the ground's <ki> inside their body, are endowed with a resistance that exceeds common sense. Ren too, also knew that but seeing it in practice was fairly ominous.

"B-but....."

While looking at Yuuji advancing by crawling, as if he was seeing a zombie, Ren shouted.

"He received so much damage! It's impossible to recover so much to try and fight immediately!"

"Is that so?"

As for Mayumi, she was thoroughly composed.

"Yuuji, were you not supposed to protect me at the cost of your own life? Do you plan to crawl out of there cowering to see me getting killed?"

The effect of those words was tremendous.

Enduring the pain, Yuuji stood up and although stumbling, began to walk on his own two feet. Step by step that unsteady manner of walking lost its disorder and by the time he stood up in front of Ren, blocking his way to Ayumi, with the exception of the smashed right arm, he seemed completely recovered.

"..........I,will protect,my lady.............."

With an unsightly smashed but firmly determined voice, Yuuji bravely declared.

"I will absolutely not let her, get killed.........."

"I don't want to kill her!" Ren shouted while feeling, without knowing why, overawed by a dying, severely wounded person.

"If she wanted to go back she can go for all I care! I have no business with the lot of you. I just want to protect Ayumi-chan, that's all!"

Hearing Ren's claim, Yuuji unexpectedly starred in wonder. And then, he suddenly burst into laughter.

"Ku ku ku......Buahahahaha.......ku ku ku ku ku....."

Although throwing up blood, Yuuji still laughed. His blood stained face was warped and extremely happy.

"I see......that's the way it is, huh?....."

"Wh-.....what is so funny?...."

Ren suddenly shouted blushing with anger and Yuuji suddenly stopped his sneer.

"You don't understand anything. You're just a brat playing with the power passed through your body."

"What?"

"Just shut up already and go back home. Forget everything that happened today."

Those remarks almost like regarding an unreasonable child made Ren childishly exasperated.

"Don't joke around with me! I'm not gonna hand Ayumi-chan over to guys like- "

"So, do you say my lady should be the sacrifice instead?"

With a terribly cold expression, Yuuji retaliated.

Seeing Ren lost for words at the unexpected objection, almost like pressing for an answer, he continued.

"It's not like you don't know. Ayumi is the ritual sacrifice. It's a thing made for the sake of dying instead of my lady. If you protect it, it's equivalent with killing my lady."

"That sort of- I- "

"''I have no intention of doing that'', huh? The meaning of the act called protection is it the affectation of a knight who does not consider the weight of words, just entrusts to his power? That's why I said you are a brat who doesn't understand anything!!"

"Wro......"

''Wrong'' - when trying to say that word, with all his heart Ren was at a loss for words. There was nothing to answer back.

"Listen, kid. The act of protection means obviously getting your hands dirty for something important. For the sake of that one irreplaceable thing to be prepared to cut down everything else! Mere lip service changes nothing - saves nothing!"

A few hours ago, when Ren started speaking about making preparations for a substitute sacrifice, Ayumi gently rebuked him.

''-If you speak dirty words, your heart will become dirty too-''

They were beautiful words. If anyone heard these words after knowing Ayumi's situation, they would have been deeply moved.

But, Ayumi will die. Without leaving anything behind except that deep emotion, she will disappear from this world.

-To die in such a beautiful way or to survive in an ugly way -

Which was correct, Ren was not able to judge. On the other hand, Yuuji did not hesitate.

"For the sake of protecting my lady, I will kill Ayumi.Those that will get in the way, I will kill them all! I will remove all obstacles even at the cost of my life and protect my lady!"

DETERMINATION

Crossing over the judgement of right and wrong, good and evil, Yuuji selected the protection of that "one thing" that must be protected. To stop him it seems there is no choice but to kill him.

But, right now Ren had no will to go through with it to that extent. No, even if he had that determination, he lost sight to whom it should be pointed to.

''What should be do? -What should I do?''

Ren was perplexed.

But before the boy found the answer, the situation changed.

"......Kyaa......"

Swept by the wind, a disappearing small shriek. But even so, it was impossible for Ren to miss that voice. Because that was no one else's but Ayumi's voice.

"Ayumi-chan!?"

In front of Ren's eyes,turning around with a changed expression, were reflected the figures of Ayumi and Mayumi, standing behind her. Embraced her closely from behind,ayumi's pale complexion became stiff.

Although not being strangled or press against a dangerous weapon, panic grabbed hold of her heart.

"-My lady..."

When Yuuji called out to her, Mayumi's lips became sharp with dissatisfaction.

"What, are you telling me not to get involved? aren't you at fault for being inefficient?"

"No, I'm sorry for causing you trouble."

" -Humpf! Good grief. I'll be troubled if you can't be more reliable!"

This time she held her head high, self-important. She seemed to have a pretty simple personality.

"At any rate- "

While embracing Ayumi, Mayumi shifted her focus on Ren.

"Loving such a doll as this, the Kannagi young lord too, must have some unusual hobbies."

"Ayumi-chan is not a doll! She's human!"

"-Hey, hey..."

At Ren's shout, Mayumi displayed a studied surprise and looked down on Ayumi:

"You said nothing, did you? -What a bad child."

Suddenly thinking of something, Mayumi gently stroked Ayumi's cheek and her body tightly shrunk. That face, smiling complacently, gave the impression of a cat considering how to tease the mouse pinned down by its forelimbs.

A cruel smile lifting her lips, Mayumi said:

"Do you listen, Kannagi young lord? The ''Ayumi-chan'' you tried so hard to protect is not human."

"W- what are you say-"

"It's the truth. Because, you see, this is a clone made by cultivating my cells."

" -!?"

Ren opened his eyes wide with surprise. But simultaneously, he felt somewhere in his heart it was true.

Mayumi and Ayumi - even assuming they were sisters, those two resembled too much.

''Thing Doll Sacrifice'' - completely spoken ill of, a girl whose human dignity was trampled underfoot.

If it was just as Mayumi said, if Ayumi was not human and was created for the sake of dying as a sacrifice, doesn't everything makes sense?

''"A lie.......It's a lie"''

Aiming a smile full of spite at the dumbfounded Ren, Mayumi continued.

"Her appearance may seem that of a twelve years old girl but in reality only a month passed since its creation. Even her planted memories have been suitably edited from my own. That kind of crude doll, you tried to protect with your knight affectation. ''That was fun ♥''"

"It.......It's a lie......"

"Let me tell you one more thing. Even if she doesn't become the sacrifice, just a month from now on, fer life span will be cut from inside. Made with no intention to use for an extended period of time, just instant makeshift goods."

"That's, a lie...."

Ren looked at Ayumi almost like searching for help. She received his glance for just one second and sadly cast her eyes down.

Thus, at last Ayumi - Ayumi told the truth.

"........It's true. I am the katashiro doll[http://eos.kokugakuin.ac.jp/modules/xwords/entry.php?entryID=308] made for the sake of keeping Mayumi-sama alive. Mayumi-sama's impostor"

Where is the genuine '''Ayumi'''?

''I have no memories'' - Ayumi told Ren so. That's natural. If she had been made just a month before, it's impossible for those to exist. Without even trying to steal it, there was nothing there form the beginning. Everything was an imitation. If only her heart was more than a transient object, his own act of protecting Ayumi, his determination, everything would not have been a wasted effort.

"I look, so stupid....."

His body was full with a sense of helplessness. Feebly hanging his head, Ren collapsed on the sandy beach.

"It looks like that was a lot of shock, huh?"

Coldly looking down on the defeated Ren, Mayumi sneered.

"That's only natural. It made him realize his own buffoonery can't go any higher."

"Well, isn't that fine? By understanding reality, the boy becomes an adult."

".........you could say that."

Yuuji replied to Mayumi's words, pretending to act like a grown-up, in a quiet voice. Maybe because they were both men, but it was impossible not to feel sympathy for Ren.

"Come now, let's go home. We must quickly return and prepare for the ceremony."

On the other hand, Mayumi didn't have such a compassionate heart. Already disregarding Ren's existence, she starts thinking about tomorrow's ceremony.

"....yes", Yuuji respectfully bowed.

Receiving Ayumi, presented to him like luggage, the same way as they came, he followed Mayumi like a servant.

But, at the same time he placed his leg on the stairs connected to the main road-

"Step aside!"

From the vicinity of the main road that command reverberated, and a second later a golden pillar of fire lit the sky.

Involuntarily the three people turned around to Ren. But, he did not seemed to notice the present disturbance and was kneeling on the sandy beach, his head hanged. Hearing footsteps they turned in the direction of the main road once more. Two sets of footsteps. Both of them light. They were probably women.

Around that time, Yuuji made a guess about the opponent's identity. Noticing he should be in front, he tried to make Mayumi step back, but- it was slightly late.

"Ren!"

On top the stairs, one girl appeared.

Pushing out the darkness, the aura of red and gold shining out far and wide. The enormous amount of fire spirits that followed her in the background were displaying the girl as the human model of the flame itself.

"This is also......"

From Yuuji's mouth a mutter of unexpected wonder leaked out. Certainly her age was sixteen. And although childish, the shape of the young lady captivated him.

Overflowing from that small body, the surge of an overwhelming power. That sword was not yet drawn out but even so, it was impossible to misread the girl's identity.

''Beautiful- ''

He genuinely thought so. That was not in regard for the human, much less the opposite sex but the same deep emotion he felt at the time he looked at Mother Nature's magnificent scenery.

Suddenly, he noticed a sharp glance. Calmly looking away and folding her arms, Mayumi's half opened glare met his eye.

"''This is also...''" with a monotonous voice Mayumi repeated Yuuji's words.

"What is the meaning of ''This is also...'' Yuuji ?"

"Ah, no, that is..."

While becoming completely confused, Yuuji desperately searched for explanatory words.

If he cannot talk his way out of it now, it will become fairly difficult afterwards.

"That, didn't have any significant meaning. This is also...flashy...?"

"-Humph, that so?"

With that considerably packed expression Mayumi nodded.

"Well, afterwards I'll receive a lengthy explanation of that matter. Now it's not the time for it."

Mayumi faced the two standing at the top of the stairs.

"Nice meeting you, Kannagi princess. Being able to meet you is an honor."

".......and you are?"

The girl - Ayano, shortly inquired.

"I was slow in saying. I am Tsuwabuki Mayumi. This is my attendant Yuuji. Although belonging to a collateral family, for the time being permit him to call himself with the Tsuwabuki surname."

"If I say I will, I wonder will I have to call you by such an embarrassing name as ''Tsuwabuki princess''?"

"I am at your mercy."

To Ayano's provocative response, Mayumi bowed her head with a smiling face.

irritated, Ayano ended this conversation lacking sincerity and got to the main question.

"I have no particular business with you. Where is Ren?"

Mayumi pointed at the sandy beach in the back.

"Somewhere in that area. Maybe he is crying holding his knees."

"What, have you done to him?"

The atmosphere became noisy. The explosive scarlet aura flickered like a flame.

"Physically, nothing. He did not receive a single wound."

".........haa"

When that report was made, Yuuji looked sullen.

"But it seems his emotional scars are quite deep. We would be troubled if you complained to us about such things. About the details, you can ask that boy. However, I believe not prying into it would be a kindness to him."

Just saying that, with no precaution Mayumi started walking up the stairs. Whipping his wounded body, Yuuji went in front of Mayumi, trying to be a shield as much as possible.

"Well then-"

Greeting her while passing by one another, Mayumi walked near Ayano's side. And then, after looking at the retreating figure running down the stairs not returning the favor, she shifted her focus on the other person - a woman standing in a somewhat separated place.

"Good evening. It's been a long time, Police Superintendent Tachibana."

"We haven't talked in a long time, Mayumi-san"

That perfectly ordinary greeting, the detective in charge of Tokyo MPD's Special Investigation Unit, Police Superintended Tachibana returned with an absolutely tranquil tone.

"Because you didn't appear together with the that young woman, can we assume you have no intention of opposing the Tsuwabuki regarding the Kannagi matter?"

"Of course. We have no intention of interfering in any kind of dispute. Naturally, if you would accept our mediation, we woul feel that position with pleasure."

"That won't be necessary."

The faint tension that dwelt in Kirika's words, smiling, Mayumi severed it when she replied.

"Everything has been already settled. We have regained the object Kannagi Ren stole and because it's something a child did, we have no intention of blaming the Kannagi Clan for that error. If you would be so good as to pass it along to Ayano-san."

"......I will comply"

"Thank you"

Bowing her head to Kirika, Mayumi left accompanied by her attendant and the spoils of war.

No matter how polite her tone was, the girl's attitude was that of a victor who obtained everything.

Gazing for a brief period at the retreating figure, never looking back, Kirika started walking towards the defeated boy or maybe the defeated people.

"There's no sign this is ending here."

That's what she was thinking.

[[User:Ayame|Ayame]] ([[User talk:Ayame|talk]]) 10:01, 24 March 2013 (CDT)

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| Back to [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume3_Chapter_2|Chapter 2]]
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| Forward to [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume3_Chapter_4|Chapter 4]]
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Kaze no Stigma:Volume3 Chapter 3

2013-04-28T14:59:07Z

80.240.162.190: /* Part 1 */

===Chapter 3 - The person one must protect===

===Part 1===

"......................"

Inside the train, Ren was frozen solid.He sat in such a way that if someone poked him, he would roll on the floor while in sitting position.

The reason for that was the existence of the girl sitting earnestly on his left side, Ayumi. She was clinging to Ren's left arm in order for their bodies to be glued as close as possible.

At the beginning of her teens, wearing a coat over the still immature body, although the sensation wasn't supposed to be very fresh, it's still impossible to be composed about it.

Contrastive to Ayumi, who yielded herself to Ren with a peaceful appearance, his brain has been frozen for the last 10 minutes.

- It happened approximately 10 minutes before.

At the time they waited for the train on the platform of Tokyo Station, staring at Ren shivering from the coldness of the wind, Ayumi asked in a worried manner:

"Are you cold?"

"No, I'm fine"

Ren showed a smile meant to give her a piece of mind but the next moment that smile became frozen.

"a... a... a... Ayumi-chan?"

"If we are like this it's warm, right?"

Feeling guilty for borrowing his coat and trying to transfer her own body temperature, she clung to Ren's arm.

"D-don't do that -"

Ren's brain, trying to separate his body, was pierced by Ayumi's expression, looking at him with upturned eyes.

"-No?"

"Eh, ah, no, that sort of..."

A stuttering Ren. He was unbelievably ashamed, he also thought this sort of thing is wrong, but before the girl's gaze, looking at him sadly, he couldn't shake his head.

''What to do.....''

The warm sense of touch transmitted by his left arm thoroughly snatched Ren's presence of mind. After that, when, how did hey get into the train, he didn't remember any of it.

"I'm sorry"

"-Eh?"

Receiving such an abrupt apology, Ren's consciousness recovered after a long time. Ayumi's turned away expression, full of guilt was reflected in his eyes.

"About what?"

"For making such an odd request."

Ren replied while laughing.

"It's not a big deal, this much"

Actually the girl's wish was simple. What it required were traveling expenses and a little bit of time. Just those will suffice.

''Take me to the sea''

That's what Ayumi spoke in the park. It was just one wish. Naturally, Ren had no objection.

Investigating those contents for a while, he asked only one thing.

"Is a harbor-like place acceptable? Or a sandy beach?"

Without wavering, Ayumi chose the latter. Therefore, together they boarded the Tokaido Line. That route was aimed at Chigasaki.

If that was the nearest swimming beach, Ren doesn't know. But that was the only place he could lead her to. Because of his family's line of work he is a boy unrelated to family vacations et cetera. He had hardly any experience of swimming in the sea. Ren was deeply grateful to the girl who took him by force sea bathing last year's summer.

While chasing the flowing scenery, Ayumi murmured:

"In the end, I wanted to see something beautiful with my own eyes."

"In the end, you say?"

"When I do so, I'm going back. To the Tsuwabuki."

"No!", Ren promptly shouted.

"No! They don't treat you like a fellow human. Only like a tool. If you return to those people you'll never be happy. If you have no place to go, you can come to my house. The Kannagi Clan will, without exception -"

"Ren, you see-"

Ayumi quietly interrupted Ren's desperate pleading words.

"Have you heard about the Tsuwabuki's Grand Festival?"

"The Grand Festival - about that ceremony to appease the volcanic activity of Mt. Fuji? I'm not very familiar with it but the practitioner always lost his life... "

Going that far, Ren turned a terrified glance towards Ayumi.

"No...way....."

What was reflected in those eyes was Ayumi's excessively tranquil smiling face. It was unbelievable. Ren completely denied that expression. There shouldn't be something like that. Such a thing cannot be allowed. Something like that- something like that-

"I have no family name, nor a family register, naming myself is not permitted, but-"

''No way''

''I don't want to hear''

Despite this - the body doesn't move. Even blocking his ears, he can't do it. Without waiting for agreement or disagreement, pouring into his ears, that tone calm as the surface of the lake. Admitting everything, allowing it, accepting it.

"I am called Tsuwabuki. According to the lineage, something like a direct descendant."

''I don't want to hear it''

"The ceremony is tomorrow night. Therefore, I must get back until then. Because I- because I am the priest of the ritual"

''Because I am the priest of the ceremony''

From Ren's body, with a water-like sound, blood flew backwards.

The Yamatsumino Grand Festival - the origin of it goes back roughly 300 years.

The year is 1707 - during the Houei era was the last volcanic eruption of Mt. Fuji and the greatest since the dawn of history. The violent eruption reaching 15 days, it was said that the volcanic ash fell as far as the distant town of Edo. It was not only Kantō but a life or death crisis for Japan itself. No matter how many times Mt. Fuji erupted, it didn't show any signs of quieting down.

That raging <Ki> finally resulted in the embodiment of one demon beast. The impersonation of Fuji's <ki>. it is certain that was the largest, strongest devilishness that materialized in this country. If one tried to rank it among other demon beasts, the only reference it had would be the legendary monsters, like the eight tail serpent that couldn't be defeated without the help of god's power.

The beast's roar beckoned eruptions and its stepping feet invoked eruptions. Mowing down everything it touched, it exhausted the limits if tyranny. The ones who sealed it were the yet unknown Tsuwabuki family. A young girl leading the family offered prayers to the King of the Earth Spirits for seven days and seven nights and finally attained that divine protection.

And then, by that divine protection, the girl managed to seal that demon beast. Thus Mt. Fuji calmed down and Japan's peace was protected. And they all lived happily ever after.

-But that story has sequel.

First, that girl was not able to endure the release of such an over-sized power and lost her life with the seal. And then, even after applying such a powerful seal, the demon beast's lock couldn't continue forever. Being the personification of an active volcano, it's possible to say that was the unavoidable outcome.

Approximately 30 years - that was the limit of the seal. For the sake of continuing the sealing of a raging demon beast seeking release, Tsuwabuki family had no choice but to conduct the ceremony at fixed intervals for the sake of suppressing Mt. Fuji's <Ki>.

Because of the divine protection of the Spirit King that dwelt in their blood - the strongest unmarried woman was elected as the priest of the ceremony.

Until today, the sealing ceremony known under the bombastic name of "Grand Festival" took place 8 times. And there were 8 casualties. The fatality ratio was 100%. This is the reason the ceremony practitioner was named sacrifice.

With no other option, the 9th ceremony approached. The girl called Ayumi was a lamb led to slaughter.

How long was he in blank amazement, I wonder. When Ren came to his senses, Ayumi was smiling gently, looking at him.

Unable to meet that extremely pitiful smile, Ren muttered, while looking down.

"Why?....."

"Ren?"

"Why do you have to do such a...."

After examining for a short while Ren's expression, Ayumi replied:

"Because someone has to do it"

'''''"But it doesn't have to be you-"'''''

Ayumi softly touched Ren's lips with her fingers. The boy who unintentionally couldn't keep his mouth shut, she rebuked him gently.

"It's not good saying these kind of things. If you speak filthy words your heart will become filthy too"

"........I'm sorry.........."

Ayumi shook her head.

"No. It's alright. Truthfully I was a little happy. Because I was never regarded as something valuable."

From the moment she was born, it was decided that Ayumi will be a sacrifice. She wasn't regarded as part of the same family, not recognized as a human being. For this girl with no family register, with no choice but being a tool for the ceremony, so far there wasn't a single person to hold her life dear.

Pointlessly, Ren made sure of her acknowledgement.

"Even so, you'll do it? For the sake of those who think of you as a tool?"

"It's different", Ayumi flatly shook her head.

"It has nothing to do with the Tsuwabuki family's expectations. Because it must be done no matter what, I'll do it. It's bad if Mt. Fuji erupts, right?"

"That is true..."

"If I am able to suppress it, my life, my death is not worthless.Even if the physical me dies, my prayers will fuse with the mountain and I will continue to watch over this country eternally. That's a very beautiful thing, don't you agree?"

"................."

Something is wrong. Something is terribly wrong, Ren thought so.

'''''-Don't try to glorify death with words of self-sacrifice -'''''

Kazuma's words, once intended for him were recalled to his mind. Doesn't Ayumi make the same mistake he did at the same time? But Ren had no persuasion words for the girl. He could not think of a path that doesn't result in Ayumi's death.

Only to let Mt. Fuji erupt-

To replace Ayumi as a sacrifice.

She would accept neither. There is no mistake about it, the girl known as Ayumi was the type that would sacrifice herself for others.

"That's why I'm not afraid of death. It's because I was born for this purpose. And yet, I desired memories before the time comes. Memories of my own, born from my own experience."

In that peaceful pupil, that accepted everything dwelt the light of a faint longing.

''Memories of her own?''

It's only natural to display a strong attachment for one's dying wish. But even so, that was a strange expression. Memories are neither true nor false.

To the bewildered Ren, Ayumi threw another bomb.

"You see, I don't have my own memories."

"Eh?"

"I haven't lost my memories. It's not like I have something to remember and I don't, it's more like I have ''nothing'' to remember."

"..............."

Without saying anything, Ren starred at Ayumi dumbfounded.

"If it would be just like that, even speaking and moving my body would have been impossible. But the me right now is something ignorant of the ways of the world but I can communicate with other people. Do you know why?"

"Wasn't it because you kept studying it?"

Toward such an unbelievable circumstance, Ren said so, including a ray of hope.

But, as feared, Ayumi shook her head.

"In my had there are transcripts of another's memories.I don't know how it's been done, though"

Almost like it was somebody else's problem, Ayumi indifferently recited those grand circumstances. Ren finally had the feeling he understood the reason why Ayumi had no attachment to her life. She had nothing to be particular about.

Not even recognized as a person, her existence valued as nothing but a tool, day after day. Planted forged memories. Without beginning, Ayumi's life ended.

With no room to harbor hope, she has no attachment except despair. Together with that gentle resignation, Ayumi accepted everything.

"That's why I wanted to see the world through my eyes even if it's just once. I wished for something that's not faked, real memories."

Like telling an unfulfilled dream, Ayumi whispered with a distant look. Toward the ordinary everyone was given as a natural privilege - no, the privilege they took for granted she felt endless longing and envy.

"The moment I saw the sky when I first felt the residence, I was very surprised. How vast was the ski windows don't limit, Mt. Fuji was so big..."

"Ayumi-chan......"

"The sky, the stars, the moon were so much more beautiful than what I remembered. Surely, the sea must be very beautiful, right?"

The silhouette of the innocent girl in high spirits was reflected in Ren's eyes as overbearingly pitiful.

-She wanted to see beautiful things-

What sort of feelings did she include when she said those words? The words of a girl dreaming, escaping from reality, no that he knew everything, they were unbelievably heavy.

"-This is hopeless"

With a strong determination, Ren muttered in his heart.

''Such a thing cannot be. It cannot be forgiven.''

"Ayumi-chan!"

"W-what?"

His immature sense of justice aroused, Red declared strongly.

"I will protect Ayumi-chan"

" - Ren?"

"So please, don't give up. Don't say it's OK to die. Because I'll protect you. I'll protect you for sure."

"Ren........."

Making a somewhat troubled face, she looked at the boy making a vow.

Joy and sadness and the kindness of a mother watching over her child were mixed in that complex gaze.

Without noticing that gaze, Ren continued.

"I'm sure it exists. A way in which Ayumi-chan doesn't have to die. I'll do whatever it's in my power. My own ability may be very small but if it's big brother, surely- "

"Your older brother?"

"Eh?"

Ayumi unintentionally asked in return and Ren reaffirmed with force those entrusting words.

"Ah-"

In those cornered eyes hope was shining.

"That's right! I have my older brother! If it's big brother, he will definitely save you!"

Without a fragment of anxiety, with absolute faith in his voice, Ren clearly declared.

For a short while, Ayumi opened her eyes wide, staring at the smile of the boy, delighted as if the problem was already settled.

"Do you have such an amazing brother?"

"Yeah", Ren answered without a moment's hesitation.

"Big brother is stronger than anyone. There is nothing he can't do. I'm sure."

"............Is that so........."

"So please don't say such lonesome things like last memories and let's do many more together. I want to show you many other things. That is...."

Embarrassed and blushing Ren invited the girl screwing up his courage.

"Because - I'll take you no matter where"

".............."

Receiving Ren's invitation, for one instant, Ayumi seemed to burst into tears. However, in just one moment she erased that bitter expression and replied with a calm and somewhat sad smile.

"Right.....If we could do that, it would be very nice....."

===Part 2===

"I wonder where did big brother go....."

Descending on the platform of the Chiwasaki Station, the shore on the other side of it, Ren muttered to himself with a worried face.

He can't get in touch with Kazuma.

He called Kazuma's cellphone from the station's public telephone but what came back was the dull announcement of the answering machine.

Because his own cellphone broke, he can't wait for Kazuma to get in touch with him. In the end, leaving the message "I'll call again" Ren hanged the receiver.

"I'm beaten"

As soon as he complained, Ayumi's hand, holding his left arm, tightly hugged him. Flustered, Ren showed a bright smile meant to give her peace of mind.

"Oh, it's fine. Because we'll get in touch shortly."

" -yeah", Ayumi nodded a little.

For a little while they didn't speak. Both of them walked the road to the beach in silence.

"Ah........."

A sound resembling noise making her eardrums vibrate, Ayumi strained her ears. The term sea roar came to her mind.

"The sound of waves......?"

"Yeah. We'll be there shortly."

Nodding, Ren increased his pace to not fall behind Ayumi, who unconsciously did so.

And now -

"Ah - !"

At the magnificent view at last reflected in her eyes Ayumi raised her voice in delight. Ren looked in the came direction. It was the sea. The great deep stretching endlessly. The utmost blue sea surface sparkling in the downpour of sunshine - naturally, it wasn't.

The winter sea is cold and hollow. it doesn't have a particle of the heat and energy the summer sea is full of, instead it's pushing out a cold surface, almost like rejecting humans. Staring at the utmost black sea, the same color as the night sky, Ayumi muttered:

"Is this... The sea...........?"

Perceiving the sound of a clear disappointment, Ren became impatient.

"W-what to do......."

Thinking now about it, it was a problem he should have noticed earlier. The winter sea - at night. Seen by girl his age it can't be a pleasing spectacle.Anyway, there was definitely not enough light. But there are at least seven, eight hours until dawn breaks.

''If I had light....light -?''

The idea that reflexively occurred to him was suppressed at an almost instinctive level. His family admonished sternly such conduct. But, even so-

''Do it!''

After just 3 seconds of hesitation, Ren decided to dismiss good sense. For his peace of mind, turning around, he searched for indications of human presence, surveying the surroundings.

From what he roughly saw, there was none except them.

- It must be done now.

Summoning fire spirits, he shortly informed:

"Go"

" - Eh? What?"

Before Ayumi finished her second question - the sky exploded.

"Kyaa!?"

The golden light shines out far and white pressing down the darkness. The brightness spreading out on the entire surface of the sky dyed the world golden and the jet black sea surface glittered dazzlingly.

"This - this is....Ren?"

To the Ayumi starring up in succession to both the sky and Ren with a surprised gaze, somewhat embarrassed but at the same time very proud, Ren's nostrils twitched.

"It's impossible to replicate the midsummer sea, but it's better than the pitch black gloomy sea, right? How is it? Do you like it?"

"Ren- "

Calling out Ren's name with a voice trembling with delight, Ayumi gave Ren a bear-like hug.

"Amazing! It's amazing! It is the most beautiful thing I've seen!"

"R-really? I'm glad"

Although confused by Ayumi's bold conduct, the relaxation of Ren's cheeks was irrepressible. Ayumi's large smile - even if he tried to express it, it's magnificence was beyond words.

Underneath the gold radiance, the innocently smiled at each other and looked up at the sky. Just like a golden aurora borealis the movement of the dancing fire spirits combined and the canopy covering the entire sky changed the same way a kaleidoscope would.

"Beautiful...but won't it cause an uproar?"

Ren shrugged his shoulders in silence. Without even thinking, it was an obvious matter. This was not a solitary island in the southern sea. Approachable by walking from the train station it was an empty swimming area.

Although there was a shelter-belt and a fence obstructing the field of vision, a highway was running less than 10 meters away. The houses were close. Without having to wait, it's likely spectators with burning curiosity would arrive in great numbers. There's no mistake that it will appear in tomorrow's newspaper.

But even so, Ren didn't care.

To make Ayumi happy - right now, for Ren it was all that mattered. Seeing Ayumi's wet eyes, Ren asked her casually, as if inquiring about the dinner's menu.

"Do you want to keep it up just a little bit more? Before long it could cause trouble but if they get in the way I'll drive them away"

"....No, it's enough."

After considering for a short while, Ayumi shook her head.

"It's enough. Because I'll never forget it."

" -Alright"

With a light nod, Ren called out the fire spirits. Promptly answering to the Enjutsushi's will, the fire spirits came together in a boisterous dance of light. And then -

"....W...ow...."

The light shining in the sky rained like drops of water above ground. Like snow, lightly flickering in the wind, the golden drops descended in a dance.

Holding no temperature, the clusters of pure light, upon touching the sandy beach and the surface of the sea, burst open and disappeared like in a dream.

"Ah- "

The last descending drop, Ayumi caught it extending both her hands. The moment it touched her hand, the light fleetingly disappeared but the girl softly closed her hands and touched er chest. That irreplaceable something stored in her hands was tucked away inside her chest.

Dropping the curtain on the light's dance performance, affecting acting, Ren made a bow.

"Did it please you?"

"Yes - yes...."

Her eyes full of tears, Ayumi bowed many, many times over.

"I... I am glad that I am alive. Meeting Ren.... Seeing something so beautiful, I...I...from the bottom of my heart...."

Unable to bear it in the end, her tears escaped. Shed for the firs time in her life, tears of happiness.

In order to wipe the sobbing girl's tears, handkerchief in hand, he touched her face. Both their shadows brought forth by the moonlight, slowly became one.

But - this moment was the concluding moment of their honeymoon. On their cuddled silhouettes a violent, intense light shined.

" -!?"

Turning around holding hands, an eternally domineering voice pierced their ears.

"That's right! I'm so happy for you! That means you have no more regrets in this world, right?"

In front of both of them, watching over in a daze, the woman with the light on her back laughed.

===Part 3===

''The pursuer from the Tsuwabuki!''

In an instant Ren saw through the shadow's true character. Or perhaps I should say, as far as Ren knew, it was the only apponent pursuing them.

Drawing Ayumi back and stepping forward with a sleepwalking like gait, Ren probed into the other party's attitude. Overlooking them for a brief period from a higher place, the woman descended the stairs and continued walking towards the beach in a composed manner.

One man, like a servant, followed her, leaving between them several steps.

Because of the back lighting he sees only outlines but even from those shadows it was impossible not to recognize the proud atmosphere drifting around the woman. The glance overlooking them was more suited for stray dogs than humans.

Leaving a distance of five meters between them, the woman faced Ren and Ayumi.

as one would expect, approaching so much, it was now possible to discriminate her looks. Closing his eyes partly, Ren observed the woman - and several seconds afterwards he opened his eyes wide in shock.

"Eh - ?"

The woman was younger than he thought. Probably not yet of age, in the second half of her teens. But that wasn't what Ren was surprised about.

-They looked alike.

Ren thought so, watching intently, in succession, Ayumi and the woman. No, they didn't resemble each other. If the age difference could be removed, their facial features would e perfectly the same.

Twins separated by age - those sort of contradicting words passed through Ren's head.

"Mayumi-sama........" Ayumi murmured, looking at that woman with a glance mixed with panic.

Unintentionally, Ren asked:

"Your elder sister?"

''If that is the case, she too can...''

The thought that instantly came to his mind, Ren denied it confused. Ayumi does not wish for such a thing.

-If you speak filthy words, your heart will become filthy too -

''Good grief, I need to be more careful.''

Agreeing to Ayumi's words reverberating in his head, he grasped her hand tenderly. Ayumi's face stiff from fear, still displayed a gallant smile.

'''"Elder sister?"'''

On the other hand, for the boy and the girl happy b themselves, the woman - Mayumi matched it with the height of displeasure.

"Elder sister, you said?"

Glaring at Ren as if he was her archenemy, she squeezed out a stifled to death voice from the gap between her clenched teeth. Her well regulated, elegant features, changed into the face of a demonic warrior.

"Don't mess around with me"

Mayumi's angry roar shrunk Ayumi's body with a start. After staring with much discord at the frightened girl, she turned an identical glance at Ren.

"It was enough taking Ayumi and running away without understanding the circumstance and this already foolish show, I believed you were someone lacking prudence but, never to this extent. Me and that thing sisters? It's the first time I was insulted so."

"..............."

It seems Ayumi didn't receive human treatment even from her relatives. Holding down the rising anger, Ren searched for presence in the surroundings. It was unpleasant when Ayumi was called "that" again but Mayumi's words implied an imminent crisis.

Other people didn't come. Because what Mayumi evaluated as a foolish exhibition was already over, if such a flashy, abnormal phenomenon happened, it's impossible for none to approach. Normally, about now, a crowd would have gathered on the beach and the police and fire department would have surrounded the place.

None of it happened.

It's very likely that right now this area was blocked.

By the subordinates of the Tsuwabuki.

''Can we escape?''

Without thinking of handing Ayumi over, Ren investigated the possibility of escape. The fact that the girl in question accepted her own faith was totally forgotten.

"Why are you so cautious, young Kannagi prince?"

Seeing through Ren's decision promptly, Mayumi laughed, smiling sweetly.

"Everything is already over. There is nothing left for you to try."

Although using honorifics, speaking in a clearly despising tone, Mayumi focused on Ayumi.

"................."

Without even using words, Mayumi carelessly beckoned her. as if calling her pet dog or something.

Ayumi started walking obediently.

"Ayumi-ch-"

"It's fine."

Ren's words, trying to call her to a halt, Ayumi interrupted them shortly and with a decisive voice.

"It's fine already. Thank you for everything until now. - It was very fun."

"Ayu- "

In order to shake of his extended hand, Ayumi turned her back on Ren. And with that, she never turned around.

Standing in front of Mayumi, Ayumi's body became stiff as if she turned to stone. Her glance swayed insecurely nearly Mayumi's feet. Suddenly Mayumi stretched her fingers to Ayumi's chin and forcefully pointed upwards her face hanged in shame. Coercively looking down on the startled girl, she said in a voice full of smiles:

"If you wanted to run away, you should at least have crossed toe ocean. Instead of that, seducing a man and flirting with him in this kind of place, - do you look down on us?"

The Chijutsushi manipulating the spirits of the earth can make searches on fairly long distances as long it's adjoining land. It goes without saying that if you know the target well that searching ability is further improved.

For the sake of running from Chijutsushi, by sea or by air - anyway the most important thing is to separate from the ground.

"I had...no intention...."

Staring at Ayumi, protesting in a trembling voice, wit the look a carnivorous animal has before its feed, Mayumi let go of her jaw.

And then - she pulled her hand backwards and swung with all her strength.

" -Uh!"

It wasn't something as lovely as a slap. The punch made by hardening her wrist at the moment of the impact was a blow that made her bones resound.

Instantly Ayumi's legs separated from the ground and from the beginning exhausted body sunk into the sandy beach. Appearing to have completely fainted, her face half buried in the sand, she was completely still.

"Wha...."

Overcome with surprise at the sudden violence, Ren shouted white as a ghost.

"What have you done?"

But Mayumi didn't even looked at Ren. As she already stated "your turn is already over" she disregarded his existence itself.

Instead, the man who followed behind her moved. With body movement that had no openings he stepped forward and got on his knee before Ayumi.

Decidedly, he did not attempt to nurse her. Grabbing hold of Ayumi by the hair, casually the man lifted her head as if he would uproot a radish.

"...........E-eek......"

"What are you doing?"

Coldly looking down on Ayumi's feeble struggle, the man said in a monotonous tone.

"Do you think you can be lying down in front of the young lady, do you?"

"Yuu...ji.....sama....."

"Silence!"

The man - Yuuji - abruptly became enraged.

"With that face, through that mouth, don't call out my name! How disgusting!"

Raising his hand, pulling her hair even more, he made Ayumi stand on her knees. And then - this time from the front, he slapped her face onto the sand. Forcibly making Ayumi take a prostrating position, Yuuji shouted.

"Apologize! Until your voice becomes hoarse, until your throat tears apologize! Did you understand in how much danger did you put the young lady? If we didn't find you in time what would have happened! Did you intend for the young lady to be a sacrifice in your place? You puppet doll!!"

That was the limit.

He thought he himself endured it really well. Surely, big brother would praise him for it. Or - he'll get angry for letting it get that far.

Quietly he held out his right hand and pointed his index finger at Yuuji. And then - without a moment of hesitation he released hs power.

The thin, refined heat ray grazed Yuuji's cheek sticking into the concrete wall. The red hot concrete melted and the wall followed it, crashing.

"..........What kind of behavior.." Yuuji questioned with a voice stiffed to death. However, like Mayumi did before, Ren completely disregarded that utterance.

It wasn't a provocation or something like that. It's just that in Ren's field of vision no one else but Ayumi was reflected. It was just that.

"Re....n.....?"

For the girl weakly getting up, hearing that cracked voice, Ren painfully shook his head.

"As I thought, it's useless."

I can't control it.

I can't endure it.
Anymore than this - I can't stand it.

"What is the right thing to do, I don't even know. However, to hand you over to these guys it's absolutely impossible."

Whether it's right or not, that's long past. His feelings denied that option.

"Fall back!"

Struck by that sharp voice, Ayumi reflexively kicked the ground. Slightly further away from Yuuji. In that gap Ren threw a fireball brought forth from the sky.

"-Tch!"

Visibly agitated by the blast, Yuuji and Mayumi jumped. The distance widened even more. Well in advance Ren wedged himself in the space separating the two "enemies" and Ayumi.

"Humph - in the end brute force, huh?"

Staring at Ren blocking his way to Ayumi, Yuuji laughed fearless.

"Ah, well. Just as planed."

"Shall I back you up?"

"It's not necessary."

Politely rejecting Mayumi's proposal, he casually took one step forward. With an attitude full of composure he looked down on Ren taking a battle stance.

"Publicly- "

Without particularly preparing in advance, just standing, Yuuji began to speak in a relaxed manner.

"Publicly, it seems there are many idiots who believe Enjutsushi teh strongest but do you think so too?"

"-?"

Not understanding Yuuji's plan, Ren was perplexed. There is nothing to believe. The fact that Enjutsushi are the strongest is a <Reality> with no room for argument.

It's not about whether an Enjutsushi never lost to another kind of practitioner, of course there is no such thing. That is the power of one individual. It's about whether the ability difference can undermine the advantages and disadvantages of a technique style.

As for what technique system is the strongest - there is only one answer to that question. Without room for argument, with no chance for objection, the grave <Reality> doesn't change.

That is what Yuuji downright negated.

"What a foolish thing. All of you understand nothing about battle. The greatest offensive ability? When killing people do you think that is necessary?"

"What exactly?"

Including the confidence of certain victory in front of the perplexed Ren, Yuuji fired the question.

"You, where on earth do you plan to place your feet on?"

Unintentionally Ren stared at his own feet.There was nothing there but the ordinary sandy beach. There was no sign of set traps. There was no sense of discomfort when stepping on it, nothing but the feeling of soft sand-

''-Sand?''

"-Uh!!"

The sign of something wriggling, underneath his feet. Jumping by reflex, Ren's face became stiff with surprise and shivers.

Underground, and in addition to that, directly under his footprints a spear covered in sand was pushed up.

If his evasion would have been delayed by one second the spear would have stopped his foot by sewing it. it may be true he avoided the first attack but he had no room for relief. Visibly lying in wait at the spot Ren would come down, several spears sprung up.

"Kuu- "

Releasing fire and pointing it directly below, a countless number of spears burned to nothing. Coincident with his landing above the red hot sand, Ren rolled on the ground. Pursuing the rolling Ren from inside the sand, one after another, spears stick out.

While narrowly avoiding those, the boy cursed his overly optimistic thinking.

''Shit, Chijutsushi - so that's the reason!''

The spears hidden inside the sand were not something prepared in advance. Hardening the sand itself and changing its shape, Yuuji made those sharp spears.

Chijutsushi possess the force of the Earth Spirits. Sand, soil, ground stone and all materials affiliated with those, for them, are similar with extensions of their own hands. There was no need to expressly set traps.

The battleground itself was the Chijutsushi's weapon because that was for them the absolute most advantageous arrangement.

''What to do?''

Starting to see gaps one way or another, running in zig-zag to dodge the underground attacks, Ren looked for a breach. At any rate, as long as he is staying on the ground,his disadvantage can't be overcome.

Continuing to receive one-sided attacks without grasping a counter-attack clue, sooner or later he will receive a fatal blow.

On the other hand, Ren doesn't know such a jutsu that would allow him to gain a foothold on something else other than the ground.

If it were an Enjutsushi, he could fly into the air.

A Suijutsushi could maybe stand on top of water.

However, Ren being an Enjutsushi - it may be possible for Jugo or Genma - he had no skill to stand on top of flames. As long as gravity comes into play, he had no choice but to place his feet on the ground.

''What should I do?''

Looking over his surroundings, he searched for a turn-around plan. The sandy beach was the worst as a battle ground but concrete and asphalt must be similar. What remains -

''Inside the sea?''

It was out of the question. Ren being an Enjutsushi water was nothing more but a thing to be avoided. There was no point for Ren's power to weakened beyond what Yuuji could accomplish.

To Ren, stuck in a defensive battle, Yuuji turned words of ridicule.

"What's the matter? Are you just going to run? I don't care how far you run but if you go to far I'll take Ayumi and go back home."

"Kuu- "

Because of Yuuji's carelessness, recognizing he became long separated from Ayumi, Ren grinds his teeth. if it goes like this, Ayumi will really be taken away.

''What should I do? what should I -''

The problem was that he had no technique to defend against the blows. He can use flames to cover the surroundings but the bottom of his feet are perfectly defenseless. When fighting against Chijutsushi, that became a lethal weakness. A foothold was necessary. Separated from Yuuji's control, a scaffold made of <Earth> he cannot control.

He cannot fly into the sky. Water is also excluded. There's no wood near. He cannot stand on top of fire. On top of fire -

''-Huh?''

Suddenly Ren remembered the scene of a volcanic eruption he saw on TV. From craters, forcefully spitting out the red hot-

''Shall I give it a try?''

There was no time to spare. Making his resolve, Ren stopped and concentrated his consciousness.

"Aa.......a.........aa!!"

From Ren's whole body golden flames erupted. The dazzling glimmer blurred even the contours of his body and the boy shined, transformed into a small sun.

"Ua.......unh, it's useless."

To encourage himself overpowered by the tremendous quantity of heat, Yuuji intentionally raised his voice.

"No matter how hot a flame you clad yourself in, you cannot defend against attacks from bellow."

Trying to make the reality that he was currently on offensive known, Yuuji was perplexed by the dull response from the spirits.

The spirits of the earth didn't respond to his will - No, something different obstructs the formation of sand spears.

"You....what did you do?"

He turns a glance full of suspicion towards Ren. No matter what an Enjutsushi tries to do, it's impossible to exercise a stronger influence towards sand than a Chijutsushi does.

Ren didn't answer. Unaffected, abandoning that body to the flames, he only stood rock still above the red ground.

"Red - ? I see, you- "

Yuuji stared at Ren's feet. What was there didn't have the rough characteristics of sand but was reflecting the flame like grass. Sometimes, from the bottom bubbles rose to the surface and burst open with a particular thick sound.

"You brat - you changed the burning sand to magma!"

"I gave it a try"

Receiving Yuuji's angry roar, Ren laughed triumphantly. It does not mean he had a positive proof. If a Suijutsushi can stand atop water he tried to stand atop magma, that could also be called fluid flame. He simply tried out that idea.

Although having a fluffy, undependable sense of touch, magma firmly sustained Ren's body weight. As there was no fist fight involved, the tenderness of the scaffold didn't matter. The radius was about two meters. Although modest,from the <Kingdom> underneath Yuuji's absolute control, Ren gained that much territory.

"D-don't be excited, boy!" barked Yuuji after loosing his advantage.

"Even for magma, it's <ground> attribute doesn't change. The situation is still the same!"

With an angry roar, including a severe determination, Yuuji ordered the ground spirits. Around Ren's surroundings magma unnaturally rose, molding red spearheads.

"Die, boy!!"

The spears lengthen trying to pierce Ren's body. But just before that - they stopped.

"W-whaaaaat!?"

Quietly gazing at the surprised Yuuji, Ren talked indifferent.

"Certainly magma is something that belongs to the <ground>. Still, half of it it's Enjutsushi possession. I'm not gonna hand it over so easily!"

The spear on the verge of touching his body, Ren casually flung it off. The hard sharp spear instantly lost her unity and returned with a small splash on the surface of the magma sea.

"Guu..........Ba......."

With a really detestable howl, Yuuji stopped trying to proactively commence the next attack. It's understandable.

The control of the material called magma with attributes of both <ground> and <fire> has been snatched away. That means that in a contest of pure strength he was defeated by Ren. As the opponent of a higher ranked practitioner, he couldn't carelessly take the vanguard.

"Next is my turn, huh?" Ren declared with no fighting spirit.

His pushed out right hand accurately aimed at Yuuji. From that palm golden flames gushed out.

"Oooooooooooohh!!"

Yuuji too, didn't gave in. Hoisting the sand beneath his feet, he threw it onto the approaching flame. A surging sea of white sand attacking the golden torrent.

Receiving the aftermath of the struggle between these two powers, the ground grated and the sky trembled.

"Gu........me..uuuu......."

Through clenched teeth Yuuji let out a pressing moan. He understood that in a contest of strength he was inferior. As it is, he will certainly be pressed down.

While his body burned in humiliation, Yuuji changed his tactics to defense. The sand changed into a bulky bedrock and stood before the fire torrent. Although the bedrock stopped the flames there was no room for relaxation.

"It's coming from behind."

Inside the thunderous roar made by the flames burning the rock, for some reason that whisper clearly reached his ears. Uneventfully changed to a quiet oath, Yuuji felt that enormous heat approaching from behind.

"Sh-shit!"

The already thin bedrock rose, splitting the sand and stopped a gigantic fire ball. Although withstanding it somehow, the tremendous mpact crossed over the bed rock and mercilessly pummeled Yuuji's body.

In the space between the two bedrocks Yuuji was in anguish. And there, the last blow came.

"Next is up"

" -!?"

Looking up at the sky, Yuuji's eyes peeled in shock. A remarcably big fireball descended upon Yuuji like a meteor. The distance was less than two meters.

"Kuuu- !"

It's unthinkable of having time to defend and so forth. Overhead the man looking at it dumbfounded, the fireball violently exploded.

"..............Uh!"

There wasn't much heat but the shock was hard to describe. The two sheets of bed rock made by him efficiently reverberated, sinking Yuuji's body in the sandy beach.

"Go...........bah.........."

As if gravity was increased a hundred fold, the extremely heavy pressure flattened his body, the air in his lungs was squeezed out without exception and all the bones in his body creaked.

"Not........not yet......yet......"

Putting all his strength in his arms Yuuji seemed to want to push out the heavens. But after lifting it 10 centimeters the elbow joints made a thick sound and bent the other way.

When the broken right arm fell to the ground the shining fireball in the sky also vanished. But even so, Yuuji couldn't give up.

The sound of the broken bed rock resounded in vain, like the gong at the end of the match.

===Part 4===

"-Fuuu"

Taking a small breath, Ren shifted his attention to the remaining two.

Ayumi's gaze shaking with anxiety. And, despite having the same face, not showing even the smallest disturbance, expressing a thin smile, Mayumi:

Confronting Mayumi directly, Ren asked with a determined look.

"What will you do? Do you want to give it a try?"

While it may be true her outward appearance was that of a frail young lady, he won't act unprepared. Based on Yuuji's behavior it was clear Mayumi was the purest descendant. Not an opponent to make light of.

"Oh, the Kannagi young lord would go as far as to raise his hand against a non resisting woman?"

With no place for misunderstanding, Mayumi's expression was provocative. Even so, looking puzzled at the girl not showing any indication of battle, Ren retaliated in a low voice:

"-If you want to run away I won't pursue you"

"Well, thank you"

Replying to the lenient laugh with a scornful laugh Mayumi shed a fleeting glance.

"That's what he said Yuuji. What will you do?"

"-?"

Looking the same way Mayumi did, Ren unintentionally opened his eyes wide. Over there, Yuuji, beaten down enough to keep him immobilized for three months, was crawling out of sand, drawing near.

".........Ridiculous......"

It was impossible. From right overhead, from an angle he couldn't elude he received a strong bomb blast. He must have ten or twenty bone fractures and his internal organs were supposed to be damaged. Not the kind of injury you could move with because of fighting spirit and will power - that's the way it was supposed to be.

Mayumi loudly sneered at Ren in mute amazement.

"It seems you took lightly a Chijutsushi's resistance."

The high ranking Chijutsushi, by directly taking the ground's <ki> inside their body, are endowed with a resistance that exceeds common sense. Ren too, also knew that but seeing it in practice was fairly ominous.

"B-but....."

While looking at Yuuji advancing by crawling, as if he was seeing a zombie, Ren shouted.

"He received so much damage! It's impossible to recover so much to try and fight immediately!"

"Is that so?"

As for Mayumi, she was thoroughly composed.

"Yuuji, were you not supposed to protect me at the cost of your own life? Do you plan to crawl out of there cowering to see me getting killed?"

The effect of those words was tremendous.

Enduring the pain, Yuuji stood up and although stumbling, began to walk on his own two feet. Step by step that unsteady manner of walking lost its disorder and by the time he stood up in front of Ren, blocking his way to Ayumi, with the exception of the smashed right arm, he seemed completely recovered.

"..........I,will protect,my lady.............."

With an unsightly smashed but firmly determined voice, Yuuji bravely declared.

"I will absolutely not let her, get killed.........."

"I don't want to kill her!" Ren shouted while feeling, without knowing why, overawed by a dying, severely wounded person.

"If she wanted to go back she can go for all I care! I have no business with the lot of you. I just want to protect Ayumi-chan, that's all!"

Hearing Ren's claim, Yuuji unexpectedly starred in wonder. And then, he suddenly burst into laughter.

"Ku ku ku......Buahahahaha.......ku ku ku ku ku....."

Although throwing up blood, Yuuji still laughed. His blood stained face was warped and extremely happy.

"I see......that's the way it is, huh?....."

"Wh-.....what is so funny?...."

Ren suddenly shouted blushing with anger and Yuuji suddenly stopped his sneer.

"You don't understand anything. You're just a brat playing with the power passed through your body."

"What?"

"Just shut up already and go back home. Forget everything that happened today."

Those remarks almost like regarding an unreasonable child made Ren childishly exasperated.

"Don't joke around with me! I'm not gonna hand Ayumi-chan over to guys like- "

"So, do you say my lady should be the sacrifice instead?"

With a terribly cold expression, Yuuji retaliated.

Seeing Ren lost for words at the unexpected objection, almost like pressing for an answer, he continued.

"It's not like you don't know. Ayumi is the ritual sacrifice. It's a thing made for the sake of dying instead of my lady. If you protect it, it's equivalent with killing my lady."

"That sort of- I- "

"''I have no intention of doing that'', huh? The meaning of the act called protection is it the affectation of a knight who does not consider the weight of words, just entrusts to his power? That's why I said you are a brat who doesn't understand anything!!"

"Wro......"

''Wrong'' - when trying to say that word, with all his heart Ren was at a loss for words. There was nothing to answer back.

"Listen, kid. The act of protection means obviously getting your hands dirty for something important. For the sake of that one irreplaceable thing to be prepared to cut down everything else! Mere lip service changes nothing - saves nothing!"

A few hours ago, when Ren started speaking about making preparations for a substitute sacrifice, Ayumi gently rebuked him.

''-If you speak dirty words, your heart will become dirty too-''

They were beautiful words. If anyone heard these words after knowing Ayumi's situation, they would have been deeply moved.

But, Ayumi will die. Without leaving anything behind except that deep emotion, she will disappear from this world.

-To die in such a beautiful way or to survive in an ugly way -

Which was correct, Ren was not able to judge. On the other hand, Yuuji did not hesitate.

"For the sake of protecting my lady, I will kill Ayumi.Those that will get in the way, I will kill them all! I will remove all obstacles even at the cost of my life and protect my lady!"

DETERMINATION

Crossing over the judgement of right and wrong, good and evil, Yuuji selected the protection of that "one thing" that must be protected. To stop him it seems there is no choice but to kill him.

But, right now Ren had no will to go through with it to that extent. No, even if he had that determination, he lost sight to whom it should be pointed to.

''What should be do? -What should I do?''

Ren was perplexed.

But before the boy found the answer, the situation changed.

"......Kyaa......"

Swept by the wind, a disappearing small shriek. But even so, it was impossible for Ren to miss that voice. Because that was no one else's but Ayumi's voice.

"Ayumi-chan!?"

In front of Ren's eyes,turning around with a changed expression, were reflected the figures of Ayumi and Mayumi, standing behind her. Embraced her closely from behind,ayumi's pale complexion became stiff.

Although not being strangled or press against a dangerous weapon, panic grabbed hold of her heart.

"-My lady..."

When Yuuji called out to her, Mayumi's lips became sharp with dissatisfaction.

"What, are you telling me not to get involved? aren't you at fault for being inefficient?"

"No, I'm sorry for causing you trouble."

" -Humpf! Good grief. I'll be troubled if you can't be more reliable!"

This time she held her head high, self-important. She seemed to have a pretty simple personality.

"At any rate- "

While embracing Ayumi, Mayumi shifted her focus on Ren.

"Loving such a doll as this, the Kannagi young lord too, must have some unusual hobbies."

"Ayumi-chan is not a doll! She's human!"

"-Hey, hey..."

At Ren's shout, Mayumi displayed a studied surprise and looked down on Ayumi:

"You said nothing, did you? -What a bad child."

Suddenly thinking of something, Mayumi gently stroked Ayumi's cheek and her body tightly shrunk. That face, smiling complacently, gave the impression of a cat considering how to tease the mouse pinned down by its forelimbs.

A cruel smile lifting her lips, Mayumi said:

"Do you listen, Kannagi young lord? The ''Ayumi-chan'' you tried so hard to protect is not human."

"W- what are you say-"

"It's the truth. Because, you see, this is a clone made by cultivating my cells."

" -!?"

Ren opened his eyes wide with surprise. But simultaneously, he felt somewhere in his heart it was true.

Mayumi and Ayumi - even assuming they were sisters, those two resembled too much.

''Thing Doll Sacrifice'' - completely spoken ill of, a girl whose human dignity was trampled underfoot.

If it was just as Mayumi said, if Ayumi was not human and was created for the sake of dying as a sacrifice, doesn't everything makes sense?

''"A lie.......It's a lie"''

Aiming a smile full of spite at the dumbfounded Ren, Mayumi continued.

"Her appearance may seem that of a twelve years old girl but in reality only a month passed since its creation. Even her planted memories have been suitably edited from my own. That kind of crude doll, you tried to protect with your knight affectation. ''That was fun ♥''"

"It.......It's a lie......"

"Let me tell you one more thing. Even if she doesn't become the sacrifice, just a month from now on, fer life span will be cut from inside. Made with no intention to use for an extended period of time, just instant makeshift goods."

"That's, a lie...."

Ren looked at Ayumi almost like searching for help. She received his glance for just one second and sadly cast her eyes down.

Thus, at last Ayumi - Ayumi told the truth.

"........It's true. I am the katashiro doll[http://eos.kokugakuin.ac.jp/modules/xwords/entry.php?entryID=308] made for the sake of keeping Mayumi-sama alive. Mayumi-sama's impostor"

Where is the genuine '''Ayumi'''?

''I have no memories'' - Ayumi told Ren so. That's natural. If she had been made just a month before, it's impossible for those to exist. Without even trying to steal it, there was nothing there form the beginning. Everything was an imitation. If only her heart was more than a transient object, his own act of protecting Ayumi, his determination, everything would not have been a wasted effort.

"I look, so stupid....."

His body was full with a sense of helplessness. Feebly hanging his head, Ren collapsed on the sandy beach.

"It looks like that was a lot of shock, huh?"

Coldly looking down on the defeated Ren, Mayumi sneered.

"That's only natural. It made him realize his own buffoonery can't go any higher."

"Well, isn't that fine? By understanding reality, the boy becomes an adult."

".........you could say that."

Yuuji replied to Mayumi's words, pretending to act like a grown-up, in a quiet voice. Maybe because they were both men, but it was impossible not to feel sympathy for Ren.

"Come now, let's go home. We must quickly return and prepare for the ceremony."

On the other hand, Mayumi didn't have such a compassionate heart. Already disregarding Ren's existence, she starts thinking about tomorrow's ceremony.

"....yes", Yuuji respectfully bowed.

Receiving Ayumi, presented to him like luggage, the same way as they came, he followed Mayumi like a servant.

But, at the same time he placed his leg on the stairs connected to the main road-

"Step aside!"

From the vicinity of the main road that command reverberated, and a second later a golden pillar of fire lit the sky.

Involuntarily the three people turned around to Ren. But, he did not seemed to notice the present disturbance and was kneeling on the sandy beach, his head hanged. Hearing footsteps they turned in the direction of the main road once more. Two sets of footsteps. Both of them light. They were probably women.

Around that time, Yuuji made a guess about the opponent's identity. Noticing he should be in front, he tried to make Mayumi step back, but- it was slightly late.

"Ren!"

On top the stairs, one girl appeared.

Pushing out the darkness, the aura of red and gold shining out far and wide. The enormous amount of fire spirits that followed her in the background were displaying the girl as the human model of the flame itself.

"This is also......"

From Yuuji's mouth a mutter of unexpected wonder leaked out. Certainly her age was sixteen. And although childish, the shape of the young lady captivated him.

Overflowing from that small body, the surge of an overwhelming power. That sword was not yet drawn out but even so, it was impossible to misread the girl's identity.

''Beautiful- ''

He genuinely thought so. That was not in regard for the human, much less the opposite sex but the same deep emotion he felt at the time he looked at Mother Nature's magnificent scenery.

Suddenly, he noticed a sharp glance. Calmly looking away and folding her arms, Mayumi's half opened glare met his eye.

"''This is also...''" with a monotonous voice Mayumi repeated Yuuji's words.

"What is the meaning of ''This is also...'' Yuuji ?"

"Ah, no, that is..."

While becoming completely confused, Yuuji desperately searched for explanatory words.

If he cannot talk his way out of it now, it will become fairly difficult afterwards.

"That, didn't have any significant meaning. This is also...flashy...?"

"-Humph, that so?"

With that considerably packed expression Mayumi nodded.

"Well, afterwards I'll receive a lengthy explanation of that matter. Now it's not the time for it."

Mayumi faced the two standing at the top of the stairs.

"Nice meeting you, Kannagi princess. Being able to meet you is an honor."

".......and you are?"

The girl - Ayano, shortly inquired.

"I was slow in saying. I am Tsuwabuki Mayumi. This is my attendant Yuuji. Although belonging to a collateral family, for the time being permit him to call himself with the Tsuwabuki surname."

"If I say I will, I wonder will I have to call you by such an embarrassing name as ''Tsuwabuki princess''?"

"I am at your mercy."

To Ayano's provocative response, Mayumi bowed her head with a smiling face.

irritated, Ayano ended this conversation lacking sincerity and got to the main question.

"I have no particular business with you. Where is Ren?"

Mayumi pointed at the sandy beach in the back.

"Somewhere in that area. Maybe he is crying holding his knees."

"What, have you done to him?"

The atmosphere became noisy. The explosive scarlet aura flickered like a flame.

"Physically, nothing. He did not receive a single wound."

".........haa"

When that report was made, Yuuji looked sullen.

"But it seems his emotional scars are quite deep. We would be troubled if you complained to us about such things. About the details, you can ask that boy. However, I believe not prying into it would be a kindness to him."

Just saying that, with no precaution Mayumi started walking up the stairs. Whipping his wounded body, Yuuji went in front of Mayumi, trying to be a shield as much as possible.

"Well then-"

Greeting her while passing by one another, Mayumi walked near Ayano's side. And then, after looking at the retreating figure running down the stairs not returning the favor, she shifted her focus on the other person - a woman standing in a somewhat separated place.

"Good evening. It's been a long time, Police Superintendent Tachibana."

"We haven't talked in a long time, Mayumi-san"

That perfectly ordinary greeting, the detective in charge of Tokyo MPD's Special Investigation Unit, Police Superintended Tachibana returned with an absolutely tranquil tone.

"Because you didn't appear together with the that young woman, can we assume you have no intention of opposing the Tsuwabuki regarding the Kannagi matter?"

"Of course. We have no intention of interfering in any kind of dispute. Naturally, if you would accept our mediation, we woul feel that position with pleasure."

"That won't be necessary."

The faint tension that dwelt in Kirika's words, smiling, Mayumi severed it when she replied.

"Everything has been already settled. We have regained the object Kannagi Ren stole and because it's something a child did, we have no intention of blaming the Kannagi Clan for that error. If you would be so good as to pass it along to Ayano-san."

"......I will comply"

"Thank you"

Bowing her head to Kirika, Mayumi left accompanied by her attendant and the spoils of war.

No matter how polite her tone was, the girl's attitude was that of a victor who obtained everything.

Gazing for a brief period at the retreating figure, never looking back, Kirika started walking towards the defeated boy or maybe the defeated people.

"There's no sign this is ending here."

That's what she was thinking.

[[User:Ayame|Ayame]] ([[User talk:Ayame|talk]]) 10:01, 24 March 2013 (CDT)

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| Back to [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume3_Chapter_2|Chapter 2]]
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| Forward to [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume3_Chapter_4|Chapter 4]]
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Kaze no Stigma:Volume3 Chapter 3

2013-04-28T14:56:41Z

80.240.162.190: /* Part 1 */

===Chapter 3 - The person one must protect===

===Part 1===

"......................"

Inside the train, Ren was frozen solid.He sat in such a way that if someone poked him, he would roll on the floor while in sitting position.

The reason for that was the existence of the girl sitting earnestly on his left side, Ayumi. She was clinging to Ren's left arm in order for their bodies to be glued as close as possible.

At the beginning of her teens, wearing a coat over the still immature body, although the sensation wasn't supposed to be very fresh, it's still impossible to be composed about it.

Contrastive to Ayumi, who yielded herself to Ren with a peaceful appearance, his brain has been frozen for the last 10 minutes.

- It happened approximately 10 minutes before.

At the time they waited for the train on the platform of Tokyo Station, staring at Ren shivering from the coldness of the wind, Ayumi asked in a worried manner:

"Are you cold?"

"No, I'm fine"

Ren showed a smile meant to give her a piece of mind but the next moment that smile became frozen.

"a... a... a... Ayumi-chan?"

"If we are like this it's warm, right?"

Feeling guilty for borrowing his coat and trying to transfer her own body temperature, she clung to Ren's arm.

"D-don't do that -"

Ren's brain, trying to separate his body, was pierced by Ayumi's expression, looking at him with upturned eyes.

"-No?"

"Eh, ah, no, that sort of..."

A stuttering Ren. He was unbelievably ashamed, he also thought this sort of thing is wrong, but before the girl's gaze, looking at him sadly, he couldn't shake his head.

''What to do.....''

The warm sense of touch transmitted by his left arm thoroughly snatched Ren's presence of mind. After that, when, how did hey get into the train, he didn't remember any of it.

"I'm sorry"

"-Eh?"

Receiving such an abrupt apology, Ren's consciousness recovered after a long time. Ayumi's turned away expression, full of guilt was reflected in his eyes.

"About what?"

"For making such an odd request."

Ren replied while laughing.

"It's not a big deal, this much"

Actually the girl's wish was simple. What it required were traveling expenses and a little bit of time. Just those will suffice.

''Take me to the sea''

That's what Ayumi spoke in the park. It was just one wish. Naturally, Ren had no objection.

Investigating those contents for a while, he asked only one thing.

"Is a harbor-like place acceptable? Or a sandy beach?"

Without wavering, Ayumi chose the latter. Therefore, together they boarded the Tokaido Line. That route was aimed at Chigasaki.

If that was the nearest swimming beach, Ren doesn't know. But that was the only place he could lead her to. Because of his family's line of work he is a boy unrelated to family vacations et cetera. He had hardly any experience of swimming in the sea. Ren was deeply grateful to the girl who took him by force sea bathing last year's summer.

While chasing the flowing scenery, Ayumi murmured:

"In the end, I wanted to see something beautiful with my own eyes."

"In the end, you say?"

"When I do so, I'm going back. To the Tsuwabuki."

"No!", Ren promptly shouted.

"No! They don't treat you like a fellow human. Only like a tool. If you return to those people you'll never be happy. If you have no place to go, you can come to my house. The Kannagi Clan will, without exception -"

"Ren, you see-"

Ayumi quietly interrupted Ren's desperate pleading words.

"Have you heard about the Tsuwabuki's Grand Festival?"

"The Grand Festival - about that ceremony to appease the volcanic activity of Mt. Fuji? I'm not very familiar with it but the practitioner always lost his life... "

Going that far, Ren turned a terrified glance towards Ayumi.

"No...way....."

What was reflected in those eyes was Ayumi's excessively tranquil smiling face. It was unbelievable. Ren completely denied that expression. There shouldn't be something like that. Such a thing cannot be allowed. Something like that- something like that-

"I have no family name, nor a family register, naming myself is not permitted, but-"

''No way''

''I don't want to hear''

Despite this - the body doesn't move. Even blocking his ears, he can't do it. Without waiting for agreement or disagreement, pouring into his ears, that tone calm as the surface of the lake. Admitting everything, allowing it, accepting it.

"I am called Tsuwabuki. According to the lineage, something like a direct descendant."

''I don't want to hear it''

"The ceremony is tomorrow night. Therefore, I must get back until then. Because I- because I am the priest of the ritual"

''Because I am the priest of the ceremony''

From Ren's body, with a water-like sound, blood flew backwards.

The Yamatsumino Grand Festival - the origin of it goes back roughly 300 years.

The year is 1707 - during the Houei era was the last volcanic eruption of Mt. Fuji and the greatest since the dawn of history. The violent eruption reaching 15 days, it was said that the volcanic ash fell as far as the distant town of Edo. It was not only Kantō but a life or death crisis for Japan itself. No matter how many times Mt. Fuji erupted, it didn't show any signs of quieting down.

That raging <Ki> finally resulted in the embodiment of one demon beast. The impersonation of Fuji's <ki>. it is certain that was the largest, strongest devilishness that materialized in this country. If one tried to rank it among other demon beasts, the only reference it had would be the legendary monsters, like the eight tail serpent that couldn't be defeated without the help of god's power.

The beast's roar beckoned eruptions and its stepping feet invoked eruptions. Mowing down everything it touched, it exhausted the limits if tyranny. The ones who sealed it were the yet unknown Tsuwabuki family. A young girl leading the family offered prayers to the King of the Earth Spirits for seven days and seven nights and finally attained that divine protection.

And then, by that divine protection, the girl managed to seal that demon beast. Thus Mt. Fuji calmed down and Japan's peace was protected. And they all lived happily ever after.

-But that story has sequel.

First, that girl was not able to endure the release of such an over-sized power and lost her life with the seal. And then, even after applying such a powerful seal, the demon beast's lock couldn't continue forever. Being the personification of an active volcano, it's possible to say that was the unavoidable outcome.

Approximately 30 years - that was the limit of the seal. For the sake of continuing the sealing of a raging demon beast seeking release, Tsuwabuki family had no choice but to conduct the ceremony at fixed intervals for the sake of suppressing Mt. Fuji's <Ki>.

Because of the divine protection of the Spirit King that dwelt in their blood - the strongest unmarried woman was elected as the priest of the ceremony.

Until today, the sealing ceremony known under the bombastic name of "Grand Festival" took place 8 times. And there were 8 casualties. The fatality ratio was 100%. This is the reason the ceremony practitioner was named sacrifice.

With no other option, the 9th ceremony approached. The girl called Ayumi was a lamb led to slaughter.

How long was he in blank amazement, I wonder. When Ren came to his senses, Ayumi was smiling gently, looking at him.

Unable to meet that extremely pitiful smile, Ren muttered, while looking down.

"Why?....."

"Ren?"

"Why do you have to do such a...."

After examining for a short while Ren's expression, Ayumi replied:

"Because someone has to do it"

'''''"But it doesn't have to be you-"'''''

Ayumi softly touched Ren's lips with her fingers. The boy who unintentionally couldn't keep his mouth shut, she rebuked him gently.

"It's not good saying these kind of things. If you speak filthy words your heart will become filthy too"

"........I'm sorry.........."

Ayumi shook her head.

"No. It's alright. Truthfully I was a little happy. Because I was never regarded as something valuable."

From the moment she was born, it was decided that Ayumi will be a sacrifice. She wasn't regarded as part of the same family, not recognized as a human being. For this girl with no family register, with no choice but being a tool for the ceremony, so far there wasn't a single person to hold her life dear.

Pointlessly, Ren made sure of her acknowledgement.

"Even so, you'll do it? For the sake of those who think of you as a tool?"

"It's different", Ayumi flatly shook her head.

"It has nothing to do with the Tsuwabuki family's expectations. Because it must be done no matter what, I'll do it. It's bad if Mt. Fuji erupts, right?"

"That is true..."

"If I am able to suppress it, my life, my death is not worthless.Even if the physical me dies, my prayers will fuse with the mountain and I will continue to watch over this country eternally. That's a very beautiful thing, don't you agree?"

"................."

Something is wrong. Something is terribly wrong, Ren thought so.

'''''-Don't try to glorify death with words of self-sacrifice -'''''

Kazuma's words, once intended for him were recalled to his mind. Doesn't Ayumi make the same mistake he did at the same time? But Ren had no persuasion words for the girl. He could not think of a path that doesn't result in Ayumi's death.

Only to let Mt. Fuji erupt-

To replace Ayumi as a sacrifice.

She would accept neither. There is no mistake about it, the girl known as Ayumi was the type that would sacrifice herself for others.

"That's why I'm not afraid of death. It's because I was born for this purpose. And yet, I desired memories before the time comes. Memories of my own, born from my own experience."

In that peaceful pupil, that accepted everything dwelt the light of a faint longing.

''Memories of her own?''

It's only natural to display a strong attachment for one's dying wish. But even so, that was a strange expression. Memories are neither true nor false.

To the bewildered Ren, Ayumi threw another bomb.

"You see, I don't have my own memories."

"Eh?"

"I haven't lost my memories. It's not like I have something to remember and I don't, it's more like I have ''nothing'' to remember."

"..............."

Without saying anything, Ren starred at Ayumi dumbfounded.

"If it would be just like that, even speaking and moving my body would have been impossible. But the me right now is something ignorant of the ways of the world but I can communicate with other people. Do you know why?"

"Wasn't it because you kept studying it?"

Toward such an unbelievable circumstance, Ren said so, including a ray of hope.

But, as feared, ayumi shook her head.

"In my had there are transcripts of another's memories.I don't know how it's been done, though"

Almost like it was somebody else's problem, Ayumi indifferently recited those grand circumstances. Ren finally had the feeling he understood the reason why Ayumi had no attachment to her life. She had nothing to be particular about.

Not even recognized as a person, her existence valued as nothing but a tool, day after day. Planted forged memories. Without beginning, Ayumi's life ended.

With no room to harbor hope, she has no attachment except despair. Together with that gentle resignation, Ayumi accepted everything.

"That's why I wanted to see the world through my eyes even if it's just once. I wished for something that's not faked, real memories."

Like telling an unfulfilled dream, Ayumi whispered with a distant look. Toward the ordinary everyone was given as a natural privilege - no, the privilege they took for granted she felt endless longing and envy.

"The moment I saw the sky when I first felt the residence, I was very surprised. How vast was the ski windows don't limit, Mt. Fuji was so big..."

"Ayumi-chan......"

"The sky, the stars, the moon were so much more beautiful than what I remembered. Surely, the sea must be very beautiful, right?"

The silhouette of the innocent girl in high spirits was reflected in Ren's eyes as overbearingly pitiful.

-She wanted to see beautiful things-

What sort of feelings did she include when she said those words? The words of a girl dreaming, escaping from reality, no that he knew everything, they were unbelievably heavy.

"-This is hopeless"

With a strong determination, Ren muttered in his heart.

''Such a thing cannot be. It cannot be forgiven.''

"Ayumi-chan!"

"W-what?"

His immature sense of justice aroused, Red declared strongly.

"I will protect Ayumi-chan"

" - Ren?"

"So please, don't give up. Don't say it's OK to die. Because I'll protect you. I'll protect you for sure."

"Ren........."

Making a somewhat troubled face, she looked at the boy making a vow.

Joy and sadness and the kindness of a mother watching over her child were mixed in that complex gaze.

Without noticing that gaze, Ren continued.

"I'm sure it exists. A way in which Ayumi-chan doesn't have to die. I'll do whatever it's in my power. My own ability may be very small but if it's big brother, surely- "

"Your older brother?"

"Eh?"

ayumi unintentionally asked in return and Ren reaffirmed with force those entrusting words.

"Ah-"

In those cornered eyes hope was shining.

"That's right! I have my older brother! If it's big brother, he will definitely save you!"

Without a fragment of anxiety, with absolute faith in his voice, Ren clearly declared.

For a short while, Ayumi opened her eyes wide, staring at the smile of the boy, delighted as if the problem was already settled.

"Do you have such an amazing brother?"

"Yeah", Ren answered without a moment's hesitation.

"Big brother is stronger than anyone. There is nothing he can't do. I'm sure."

"............Is that so........."

"So please don't say such lonesome things like last memories and let's do many more together. I want to show you many other things. That is...."

Embarrassed and blushing Ren invited the girl screwing up his courage.

"Because - I'll take you no matter where"

".............."

Receiving Ren's invitation, for one instant, Ayumi seemed to burst into tears. However, in just one moment she erased that bitter expression and replied with a calm and somewhat sad smile.

"Right.....If we could do that, it would be very nice....."

===Part 2===

"I wonder where did big brother go....."

Descending on the platform of the Chiwasaki Station, the shore on the other side of it, Ren muttered to himself with a worried face.

He can't get in touch with Kazuma.

He called Kazuma's cellphone from the station's public telephone but what came back was the dull announcement of the answering machine.

Because his own cellphone broke, he can't wait for Kazuma to get in touch with him. In the end, leaving the message "I'll call again" Ren hanged the receiver.

"I'm beaten"

As soon as he complained, Ayumi's hand, holding his left arm, tightly hugged him. Flustered, Ren showed a bright smile meant to give her peace of mind.

"Oh, it's fine. Because we'll get in touch shortly."

" -yeah", Ayumi nodded a little.

For a little while they didn't speak. Both of them walked the road to the beach in silence.

"Ah........."

A sound resembling noise making her eardrums vibrate, Ayumi strained her ears. The term sea roar came to her mind.

"The sound of waves......?"

"Yeah. We'll be there shortly."

Nodding, Ren increased his pace to not fall behind Ayumi, who unconsciously did so.

And now -

"Ah - !"

At the magnificent view at last reflected in her eyes Ayumi raised her voice in delight. Ren looked in the came direction. It was the sea. The great deep stretching endlessly. The utmost blue sea surface sparkling in the downpour of sunshine - naturally, it wasn't.

The winter sea is cold and hollow. it doesn't have a particle of the heat and energy the summer sea is full of, instead it's pushing out a cold surface, almost like rejecting humans. Staring at the utmost black sea, the same color as the night sky, Ayumi muttered:

"Is this... The sea...........?"

Perceiving the sound of a clear disappointment, Ren became impatient.

"W-what to do......."

Thinking now about it, it was a problem he should have noticed earlier. The winter sea - at night. Seen by girl his age it can't be a pleasing spectacle.Anyway, there was definitely not enough light. But there are at least seven, eight hours until dawn breaks.

''If I had light....light -?''

The idea that reflexively occurred to him was suppressed at an almost instinctive level. His family admonished sternly such conduct. But, even so-

''Do it!''

After just 3 seconds of hesitation, Ren decided to dismiss good sense. For his peace of mind, turning around, he searched for indications of human presence, surveying the surroundings.

From what he roughly saw, there was none except them.

- It must be done now.

Summoning fire spirits, he shortly informed:

"Go"

" - Eh? What?"

Before Ayumi finished her second question - the sky exploded.

"Kyaa!?"

The golden light shines out far and white pressing down the darkness. The brightness spreading out on the entire surface of the sky dyed the world golden and the jet black sea surface glittered dazzlingly.

"This - this is....Ren?"

To the Ayumi starring up in succession to both the sky and Ren with a surprised gaze, somewhat embarrassed but at the same time very proud, Ren's nostrils twitched.

"It's impossible to replicate the midsummer sea, but it's better than the pitch black gloomy sea, right? How is it? Do you like it?"

"Ren- "

Calling out Ren's name with a voice trembling with delight, Ayumi gave Ren a bear-like hug.

"Amazing! It's amazing! It is the most beautiful thing I've seen!"

"R-really? I'm glad"

Although confused by Ayumi's bold conduct, the relaxation of Ren's cheeks was irrepressible. Ayumi's large smile - even if he tried to express it, it's magnificence was beyond words.

Underneath the gold radiance, the innocently smiled at each other and looked up at the sky. Just like a golden aurora borealis the movement of the dancing fire spirits combined and the canopy covering the entire sky changed the same way a kaleidoscope would.

"Beautiful...but won't it cause an uproar?"

Ren shrugged his shoulders in silence. Without even thinking, it was an obvious matter. This was not a solitary island in the southern sea. Approachable by walking from the train station it was an empty swimming area.

Although there was a shelter-belt and a fence obstructing the field of vision, a highway was running less than 10 meters away. The houses were close. Without having to wait, it's likely spectators with burning curiosity would arrive in great numbers. There's no mistake that it will appear in tomorrow's newspaper.

But even so, Ren didn't care.

To make Ayumi happy - right now, for Ren it was all that mattered. Seeing Ayumi's wet eyes, Ren asked her casually, as if inquiring about the dinner's menu.

"Do you want to keep it up just a little bit more? Before long it could cause trouble but if they get in the way I'll drive them away"

"....No, it's enough."

After considering for a short while, Ayumi shook her head.

"It's enough. Because I'll never forget it."

" -Alright"

With a light nod, Ren called out the fire spirits. Promptly answering to the Enjutsushi's will, the fire spirits came together in a boisterous dance of light. And then -

"....W...ow...."

The light shining in the sky rained like drops of water above ground. Like snow, lightly flickering in the wind, the golden drops descended in a dance.

Holding no temperature, the clusters of pure light, upon touching the sandy beach and the surface of the sea, burst open and disappeared like in a dream.

"Ah- "

The last descending drop, Ayumi caught it extending both her hands. The moment it touched her hand, the light fleetingly disappeared but the girl softly closed her hands and touched er chest. That irreplaceable something stored in her hands was tucked away inside her chest.

Dropping the curtain on the light's dance performance, affecting acting, Ren made a bow.

"Did it please you?"

"Yes - yes...."

Her eyes full of tears, Ayumi bowed many, many times over.

"I... I am glad that I am alive. Meeting Ren.... Seeing something so beautiful, I...I...from the bottom of my heart...."

Unable to bear it in the end, her tears escaped. Shed for the firs time in her life, tears of happiness.

In order to wipe the sobbing girl's tears, handkerchief in hand, he touched her face. Both their shadows brought forth by the moonlight, slowly became one.

But - this moment was the concluding moment of their honeymoon. On their cuddled silhouettes a violent, intense light shined.

" -!?"

Turning around holding hands, an eternally domineering voice pierced their ears.

"That's right! I'm so happy for you! That means you have no more regrets in this world, right?"

In front of both of them, watching over in a daze, the woman with the light on her back laughed.

===Part 3===

''The pursuer from the Tsuwabuki!''

In an instant Ren saw through the shadow's true character. Or perhaps I should say, as far as Ren knew, it was the only apponent pursuing them.

Drawing Ayumi back and stepping forward with a sleepwalking like gait, Ren probed into the other party's attitude. Overlooking them for a brief period from a higher place, the woman descended the stairs and continued walking towards the beach in a composed manner.

One man, like a servant, followed her, leaving between them several steps.

Because of the back lighting he sees only outlines but even from those shadows it was impossible not to recognize the proud atmosphere drifting around the woman. The glance overlooking them was more suited for stray dogs than humans.

Leaving a distance of five meters between them, the woman faced Ren and Ayumi.

as one would expect, approaching so much, it was now possible to discriminate her looks. Closing his eyes partly, Ren observed the woman - and several seconds afterwards he opened his eyes wide in shock.

"Eh - ?"

The woman was younger than he thought. Probably not yet of age, in the second half of her teens. But that wasn't what Ren was surprised about.

-They looked alike.

Ren thought so, watching intently, in succession, Ayumi and the woman. No, they didn't resemble each other. If the age difference could be removed, their facial features would e perfectly the same.

Twins separated by age - those sort of contradicting words passed through Ren's head.

"Mayumi-sama........" Ayumi murmured, looking at that woman with a glance mixed with panic.

Unintentionally, Ren asked:

"Your elder sister?"

''If that is the case, she too can...''

The thought that instantly came to his mind, Ren denied it confused. Ayumi does not wish for such a thing.

-If you speak filthy words, your heart will become filthy too -

''Good grief, I need to be more careful.''

Agreeing to Ayumi's words reverberating in his head, he grasped her hand tenderly. Ayumi's face stiff from fear, still displayed a gallant smile.

'''"Elder sister?"'''

On the other hand, for the boy and the girl happy b themselves, the woman - Mayumi matched it with the height of displeasure.

"Elder sister, you said?"

Glaring at Ren as if he was her archenemy, she squeezed out a stifled to death voice from the gap between her clenched teeth. Her well regulated, elegant features, changed into the face of a demonic warrior.

"Don't mess around with me"

Mayumi's angry roar shrunk Ayumi's body with a start. After staring with much discord at the frightened girl, she turned an identical glance at Ren.

"It was enough taking Ayumi and running away without understanding the circumstance and this already foolish show, I believed you were someone lacking prudence but, never to this extent. Me and that thing sisters? It's the first time I was insulted so."

"..............."

It seems Ayumi didn't receive human treatment even from her relatives. Holding down the rising anger, Ren searched for presence in the surroundings. It was unpleasant when Ayumi was called "that" again but Mayumi's words implied an imminent crisis.

Other people didn't come. Because what Mayumi evaluated as a foolish exhibition was already over, if such a flashy, abnormal phenomenon happened, it's impossible for none to approach. Normally, about now, a crowd would have gathered on the beach and the police and fire department would have surrounded the place.

None of it happened.

It's very likely that right now this area was blocked.

By the subordinates of the Tsuwabuki.

''Can we escape?''

Without thinking of handing Ayumi over, Ren investigated the possibility of escape. The fact that the girl in question accepted her own faith was totally forgotten.

"Why are you so cautious, young Kannagi prince?"

Seeing through Ren's decision promptly, Mayumi laughed, smiling sweetly.

"Everything is already over. There is nothing left for you to try."

Although using honorifics, speaking in a clearly despising tone, Mayumi focused on Ayumi.

"................."

Without even using words, Mayumi carelessly beckoned her. as if calling her pet dog or something.

Ayumi started walking obediently.

"Ayumi-ch-"

"It's fine."

Ren's words, trying to call her to a halt, Ayumi interrupted them shortly and with a decisive voice.

"It's fine already. Thank you for everything until now. - It was very fun."

"Ayu- "

In order to shake of his extended hand, Ayumi turned her back on Ren. And with that, she never turned around.

Standing in front of Mayumi, Ayumi's body became stiff as if she turned to stone. Her glance swayed insecurely nearly Mayumi's feet. Suddenly Mayumi stretched her fingers to Ayumi's chin and forcefully pointed upwards her face hanged in shame. Coercively looking down on the startled girl, she said in a voice full of smiles:

"If you wanted to run away, you should at least have crossed toe ocean. Instead of that, seducing a man and flirting with him in this kind of place, - do you look down on us?"

The Chijutsushi manipulating the spirits of the earth can make searches on fairly long distances as long it's adjoining land. It goes without saying that if you know the target well that searching ability is further improved.

For the sake of running from Chijutsushi, by sea or by air - anyway the most important thing is to separate from the ground.

"I had...no intention...."

Staring at Ayumi, protesting in a trembling voice, wit the look a carnivorous animal has before its feed, Mayumi let go of her jaw.

And then - she pulled her hand backwards and swung with all her strength.

" -Uh!"

It wasn't something as lovely as a slap. The punch made by hardening her wrist at the moment of the impact was a blow that made her bones resound.

Instantly Ayumi's legs separated from the ground and from the beginning exhausted body sunk into the sandy beach. Appearing to have completely fainted, her face half buried in the sand, she was completely still.

"Wha...."

Overcome with surprise at the sudden violence, Ren shouted white as a ghost.

"What have you done?"

But Mayumi didn't even looked at Ren. As she already stated "your turn is already over" she disregarded his existence itself.

Instead, the man who followed behind her moved. With body movement that had no openings he stepped forward and got on his knee before Ayumi.

Decidedly, he did not attempt to nurse her. Grabbing hold of Ayumi by the hair, casually the man lifted her head as if he would uproot a radish.

"...........E-eek......"

"What are you doing?"

Coldly looking down on Ayumi's feeble struggle, the man said in a monotonous tone.

"Do you think you can be lying down in front of the young lady, do you?"

"Yuu...ji.....sama....."

"Silence!"

The man - Yuuji - abruptly became enraged.

"With that face, through that mouth, don't call out my name! How disgusting!"

Raising his hand, pulling her hair even more, he made Ayumi stand on her knees. And then - this time from the front, he slapped her face onto the sand. Forcibly making Ayumi take a prostrating position, Yuuji shouted.

"Apologize! Until your voice becomes hoarse, until your throat tears apologize! Did you understand in how much danger did you put the young lady? If we didn't find you in time what would have happened! Did you intend for the young lady to be a sacrifice in your place? You puppet doll!!"

That was the limit.

He thought he himself endured it really well. Surely, big brother would praise him for it. Or - he'll get angry for letting it get that far.

Quietly he held out his right hand and pointed his index finger at Yuuji. And then - without a moment of hesitation he released hs power.

The thin, refined heat ray grazed Yuuji's cheek sticking into the concrete wall. The red hot concrete melted and the wall followed it, crashing.

"..........What kind of behavior.." Yuuji questioned with a voice stiffed to death. However, like Mayumi did before, Ren completely disregarded that utterance.

It wasn't a provocation or something like that. It's just that in Ren's field of vision no one else but Ayumi was reflected. It was just that.

"Re....n.....?"

For the girl weakly getting up, hearing that cracked voice, Ren painfully shook his head.

"As I thought, it's useless."

I can't control it.

I can't endure it.
Anymore than this - I can't stand it.

"What is the right thing to do, I don't even know. However, to hand you over to these guys it's absolutely impossible."

Whether it's right or not, that's long past. His feelings denied that option.

"Fall back!"

Struck by that sharp voice, Ayumi reflexively kicked the ground. Slightly further away from Yuuji. In that gap Ren threw a fireball brought forth from the sky.

"-Tch!"

Visibly agitated by the blast, Yuuji and Mayumi jumped. The distance widened even more. Well in advance Ren wedged himself in the space separating the two "enemies" and Ayumi.

"Humph - in the end brute force, huh?"

Staring at Ren blocking his way to Ayumi, Yuuji laughed fearless.

"Ah, well. Just as planed."

"Shall I back you up?"

"It's not necessary."

Politely rejecting Mayumi's proposal, he casually took one step forward. With an attitude full of composure he looked down on Ren taking a battle stance.

"Publicly- "

Without particularly preparing in advance, just standing, Yuuji began to speak in a relaxed manner.

"Publicly, it seems there are many idiots who believe Enjutsushi teh strongest but do you think so too?"

"-?"

Not understanding Yuuji's plan, Ren was perplexed. There is nothing to believe. The fact that Enjutsushi are the strongest is a <Reality> with no room for argument.

It's not about whether an Enjutsushi never lost to another kind of practitioner, of course there is no such thing. That is the power of one individual. It's about whether the ability difference can undermine the advantages and disadvantages of a technique style.

As for what technique system is the strongest - there is only one answer to that question. Without room for argument, with no chance for objection, the grave <Reality> doesn't change.

That is what Yuuji downright negated.

"What a foolish thing. All of you understand nothing about battle. The greatest offensive ability? When killing people do you think that is necessary?"

"What exactly?"

Including the confidence of certain victory in front of the perplexed Ren, Yuuji fired the question.

"You, where on earth do you plan to place your feet on?"

Unintentionally Ren stared at his own feet.There was nothing there but the ordinary sandy beach. There was no sign of set traps. There was no sense of discomfort when stepping on it, nothing but the feeling of soft sand-

''-Sand?''

"-Uh!!"

The sign of something wriggling, underneath his feet. Jumping by reflex, Ren's face became stiff with surprise and shivers.

Underground, and in addition to that, directly under his footprints a spear covered in sand was pushed up.

If his evasion would have been delayed by one second the spear would have stopped his foot by sewing it. it may be true he avoided the first attack but he had no room for relief. Visibly lying in wait at the spot Ren would come down, several spears sprung up.

"Kuu- "

Releasing fire and pointing it directly below, a countless number of spears burned to nothing. Coincident with his landing above the red hot sand, Ren rolled on the ground. Pursuing the rolling Ren from inside the sand, one after another, spears stick out.

While narrowly avoiding those, the boy cursed his overly optimistic thinking.

''Shit, Chijutsushi - so that's the reason!''

The spears hidden inside the sand were not something prepared in advance. Hardening the sand itself and changing its shape, Yuuji made those sharp spears.

Chijutsushi possess the force of the Earth Spirits. Sand, soil, ground stone and all materials affiliated with those, for them, are similar with extensions of their own hands. There was no need to expressly set traps.

The battleground itself was the Chijutsushi's weapon because that was for them the absolute most advantageous arrangement.

''What to do?''

Starting to see gaps one way or another, running in zig-zag to dodge the underground attacks, Ren looked for a breach. At any rate, as long as he is staying on the ground,his disadvantage can't be overcome.

Continuing to receive one-sided attacks without grasping a counter-attack clue, sooner or later he will receive a fatal blow.

On the other hand, Ren doesn't know such a jutsu that would allow him to gain a foothold on something else other than the ground.

If it were an Enjutsushi, he could fly into the air.

A Suijutsushi could maybe stand on top of water.

However, Ren being an Enjutsushi - it may be possible for Jugo or Genma - he had no skill to stand on top of flames. As long as gravity comes into play, he had no choice but to place his feet on the ground.

''What should I do?''

Looking over his surroundings, he searched for a turn-around plan. The sandy beach was the worst as a battle ground but concrete and asphalt must be similar. What remains -

''Inside the sea?''

It was out of the question. Ren being an Enjutsushi water was nothing more but a thing to be avoided. There was no point for Ren's power to weakened beyond what Yuuji could accomplish.

To Ren, stuck in a defensive battle, Yuuji turned words of ridicule.

"What's the matter? Are you just going to run? I don't care how far you run but if you go to far I'll take Ayumi and go back home."

"Kuu- "

Because of Yuuji's carelessness, recognizing he became long separated from Ayumi, Ren grinds his teeth. if it goes like this, Ayumi will really be taken away.

''What should I do? what should I -''

The problem was that he had no technique to defend against the blows. He can use flames to cover the surroundings but the bottom of his feet are perfectly defenseless. When fighting against Chijutsushi, that became a lethal weakness. A foothold was necessary. Separated from Yuuji's control, a scaffold made of <Earth> he cannot control.

He cannot fly into the sky. Water is also excluded. There's no wood near. He cannot stand on top of fire. On top of fire -

''-Huh?''

Suddenly Ren remembered the scene of a volcanic eruption he saw on TV. From craters, forcefully spitting out the red hot-

''Shall I give it a try?''

There was no time to spare. Making his resolve, Ren stopped and concentrated his consciousness.

"Aa.......a.........aa!!"

From Ren's whole body golden flames erupted. The dazzling glimmer blurred even the contours of his body and the boy shined, transformed into a small sun.

"Ua.......unh, it's useless."

To encourage himself overpowered by the tremendous quantity of heat, Yuuji intentionally raised his voice.

"No matter how hot a flame you clad yourself in, you cannot defend against attacks from bellow."

Trying to make the reality that he was currently on offensive known, Yuuji was perplexed by the dull response from the spirits.

The spirits of the earth didn't respond to his will - No, something different obstructs the formation of sand spears.

"You....what did you do?"

He turns a glance full of suspicion towards Ren. No matter what an Enjutsushi tries to do, it's impossible to exercise a stronger influence towards sand than a Chijutsushi does.

Ren didn't answer. Unaffected, abandoning that body to the flames, he only stood rock still above the red ground.

"Red - ? I see, you- "

Yuuji stared at Ren's feet. What was there didn't have the rough characteristics of sand but was reflecting the flame like grass. Sometimes, from the bottom bubbles rose to the surface and burst open with a particular thick sound.

"You brat - you changed the burning sand to magma!"

"I gave it a try"

Receiving Yuuji's angry roar, Ren laughed triumphantly. It does not mean he had a positive proof. If a Suijutsushi can stand atop water he tried to stand atop magma, that could also be called fluid flame. He simply tried out that idea.

Although having a fluffy, undependable sense of touch, magma firmly sustained Ren's body weight. As there was no fist fight involved, the tenderness of the scaffold didn't matter. The radius was about two meters. Although modest,from the <Kingdom> underneath Yuuji's absolute control, Ren gained that much territory.

"D-don't be excited, boy!" barked Yuuji after loosing his advantage.

"Even for magma, it's <ground> attribute doesn't change. The situation is still the same!"

With an angry roar, including a severe determination, Yuuji ordered the ground spirits. Around Ren's surroundings magma unnaturally rose, molding red spearheads.

"Die, boy!!"

The spears lengthen trying to pierce Ren's body. But just before that - they stopped.

"W-whaaaaat!?"

Quietly gazing at the surprised Yuuji, Ren talked indifferent.

"Certainly magma is something that belongs to the <ground>. Still, half of it it's Enjutsushi possession. I'm not gonna hand it over so easily!"

The spear on the verge of touching his body, Ren casually flung it off. The hard sharp spear instantly lost her unity and returned with a small splash on the surface of the magma sea.

"Guu..........Ba......."

With a really detestable howl, Yuuji stopped trying to proactively commence the next attack. It's understandable.

The control of the material called magma with attributes of both <ground> and <fire> has been snatched away. That means that in a contest of pure strength he was defeated by Ren. As the opponent of a higher ranked practitioner, he couldn't carelessly take the vanguard.

"Next is my turn, huh?" Ren declared with no fighting spirit.

His pushed out right hand accurately aimed at Yuuji. From that palm golden flames gushed out.

"Oooooooooooohh!!"

Yuuji too, didn't gave in. Hoisting the sand beneath his feet, he threw it onto the approaching flame. A surging sea of white sand attacking the golden torrent.

Receiving the aftermath of the struggle between these two powers, the ground grated and the sky trembled.

"Gu........me..uuuu......."

Through clenched teeth Yuuji let out a pressing moan. He understood that in a contest of strength he was inferior. As it is, he will certainly be pressed down.

While his body burned in humiliation, Yuuji changed his tactics to defense. The sand changed into a bulky bedrock and stood before the fire torrent. Although the bedrock stopped the flames there was no room for relaxation.

"It's coming from behind."

Inside the thunderous roar made by the flames burning the rock, for some reason that whisper clearly reached his ears. Uneventfully changed to a quiet oath, Yuuji felt that enormous heat approaching from behind.

"Sh-shit!"

The already thin bedrock rose, splitting the sand and stopped a gigantic fire ball. Although withstanding it somehow, the tremendous mpact crossed over the bed rock and mercilessly pummeled Yuuji's body.

In the space between the two bedrocks Yuuji was in anguish. And there, the last blow came.

"Next is up"

" -!?"

Looking up at the sky, Yuuji's eyes peeled in shock. A remarcably big fireball descended upon Yuuji like a meteor. The distance was less than two meters.

"Kuuu- !"

It's unthinkable of having time to defend and so forth. Overhead the man looking at it dumbfounded, the fireball violently exploded.

"..............Uh!"

There wasn't much heat but the shock was hard to describe. The two sheets of bed rock made by him efficiently reverberated, sinking Yuuji's body in the sandy beach.

"Go...........bah.........."

As if gravity was increased a hundred fold, the extremely heavy pressure flattened his body, the air in his lungs was squeezed out without exception and all the bones in his body creaked.

"Not........not yet......yet......"

Putting all his strength in his arms Yuuji seemed to want to push out the heavens. But after lifting it 10 centimeters the elbow joints made a thick sound and bent the other way.

When the broken right arm fell to the ground the shining fireball in the sky also vanished. But even so, Yuuji couldn't give up.

The sound of the broken bed rock resounded in vain, like the gong at the end of the match.

===Part 4===

"-Fuuu"

Taking a small breath, Ren shifted his attention to the remaining two.

Ayumi's gaze shaking with anxiety. And, despite having the same face, not showing even the smallest disturbance, expressing a thin smile, Mayumi:

Confronting Mayumi directly, Ren asked with a determined look.

"What will you do? Do you want to give it a try?"

While it may be true her outward appearance was that of a frail young lady, he won't act unprepared. Based on Yuuji's behavior it was clear Mayumi was the purest descendant. Not an opponent to make light of.

"Oh, the Kannagi young lord would go as far as to raise his hand against a non resisting woman?"

With no place for misunderstanding, Mayumi's expression was provocative. Even so, looking puzzled at the girl not showing any indication of battle, Ren retaliated in a low voice:

"-If you want to run away I won't pursue you"

"Well, thank you"

Replying to the lenient laugh with a scornful laugh Mayumi shed a fleeting glance.

"That's what he said Yuuji. What will you do?"

"-?"

Looking the same way Mayumi did, Ren unintentionally opened his eyes wide. Over there, Yuuji, beaten down enough to keep him immobilized for three months, was crawling out of sand, drawing near.

".........Ridiculous......"

It was impossible. From right overhead, from an angle he couldn't elude he received a strong bomb blast. He must have ten or twenty bone fractures and his internal organs were supposed to be damaged. Not the kind of injury you could move with because of fighting spirit and will power - that's the way it was supposed to be.

Mayumi loudly sneered at Ren in mute amazement.

"It seems you took lightly a Chijutsushi's resistance."

The high ranking Chijutsushi, by directly taking the ground's <ki> inside their body, are endowed with a resistance that exceeds common sense. Ren too, also knew that but seeing it in practice was fairly ominous.

"B-but....."

While looking at Yuuji advancing by crawling, as if he was seeing a zombie, Ren shouted.

"He received so much damage! It's impossible to recover so much to try and fight immediately!"

"Is that so?"

As for Mayumi, she was thoroughly composed.

"Yuuji, were you not supposed to protect me at the cost of your own life? Do you plan to crawl out of there cowering to see me getting killed?"

The effect of those words was tremendous.

Enduring the pain, Yuuji stood up and although stumbling, began to walk on his own two feet. Step by step that unsteady manner of walking lost its disorder and by the time he stood up in front of Ren, blocking his way to Ayumi, with the exception of the smashed right arm, he seemed completely recovered.

"..........I,will protect,my lady.............."

With an unsightly smashed but firmly determined voice, Yuuji bravely declared.

"I will absolutely not let her, get killed.........."

"I don't want to kill her!" Ren shouted while feeling, without knowing why, overawed by a dying, severely wounded person.

"If she wanted to go back she can go for all I care! I have no business with the lot of you. I just want to protect Ayumi-chan, that's all!"

Hearing Ren's claim, Yuuji unexpectedly starred in wonder. And then, he suddenly burst into laughter.

"Ku ku ku......Buahahahaha.......ku ku ku ku ku....."

Although throwing up blood, Yuuji still laughed. His blood stained face was warped and extremely happy.

"I see......that's the way it is, huh?....."

"Wh-.....what is so funny?...."

Ren suddenly shouted blushing with anger and Yuuji suddenly stopped his sneer.

"You don't understand anything. You're just a brat playing with the power passed through your body."

"What?"

"Just shut up already and go back home. Forget everything that happened today."

Those remarks almost like regarding an unreasonable child made Ren childishly exasperated.

"Don't joke around with me! I'm not gonna hand Ayumi-chan over to guys like- "

"So, do you say my lady should be the sacrifice instead?"

With a terribly cold expression, Yuuji retaliated.

Seeing Ren lost for words at the unexpected objection, almost like pressing for an answer, he continued.

"It's not like you don't know. Ayumi is the ritual sacrifice. It's a thing made for the sake of dying instead of my lady. If you protect it, it's equivalent with killing my lady."

"That sort of- I- "

"''I have no intention of doing that'', huh? The meaning of the act called protection is it the affectation of a knight who does not consider the weight of words, just entrusts to his power? That's why I said you are a brat who doesn't understand anything!!"

"Wro......"

''Wrong'' - when trying to say that word, with all his heart Ren was at a loss for words. There was nothing to answer back.

"Listen, kid. The act of protection means obviously getting your hands dirty for something important. For the sake of that one irreplaceable thing to be prepared to cut down everything else! Mere lip service changes nothing - saves nothing!"

A few hours ago, when Ren started speaking about making preparations for a substitute sacrifice, Ayumi gently rebuked him.

''-If you speak dirty words, your heart will become dirty too-''

They were beautiful words. If anyone heard these words after knowing Ayumi's situation, they would have been deeply moved.

But, Ayumi will die. Without leaving anything behind except that deep emotion, she will disappear from this world.

-To die in such a beautiful way or to survive in an ugly way -

Which was correct, Ren was not able to judge. On the other hand, Yuuji did not hesitate.

"For the sake of protecting my lady, I will kill Ayumi.Those that will get in the way, I will kill them all! I will remove all obstacles even at the cost of my life and protect my lady!"

DETERMINATION

Crossing over the judgement of right and wrong, good and evil, Yuuji selected the protection of that "one thing" that must be protected. To stop him it seems there is no choice but to kill him.

But, right now Ren had no will to go through with it to that extent. No, even if he had that determination, he lost sight to whom it should be pointed to.

''What should be do? -What should I do?''

Ren was perplexed.

But before the boy found the answer, the situation changed.

"......Kyaa......"

Swept by the wind, a disappearing small shriek. But even so, it was impossible for Ren to miss that voice. Because that was no one else's but Ayumi's voice.

"Ayumi-chan!?"

In front of Ren's eyes,turning around with a changed expression, were reflected the figures of Ayumi and Mayumi, standing behind her. Embraced her closely from behind,ayumi's pale complexion became stiff.

Although not being strangled or press against a dangerous weapon, panic grabbed hold of her heart.

"-My lady..."

When Yuuji called out to her, Mayumi's lips became sharp with dissatisfaction.

"What, are you telling me not to get involved? aren't you at fault for being inefficient?"

"No, I'm sorry for causing you trouble."

" -Humpf! Good grief. I'll be troubled if you can't be more reliable!"

This time she held her head high, self-important. She seemed to have a pretty simple personality.

"At any rate- "

While embracing Ayumi, Mayumi shifted her focus on Ren.

"Loving such a doll as this, the Kannagi young lord too, must have some unusual hobbies."

"Ayumi-chan is not a doll! She's human!"

"-Hey, hey..."

At Ren's shout, Mayumi displayed a studied surprise and looked down on Ayumi:

"You said nothing, did you? -What a bad child."

Suddenly thinking of something, Mayumi gently stroked Ayumi's cheek and her body tightly shrunk. That face, smiling complacently, gave the impression of a cat considering how to tease the mouse pinned down by its forelimbs.

A cruel smile lifting her lips, Mayumi said:

"Do you listen, Kannagi young lord? The ''Ayumi-chan'' you tried so hard to protect is not human."

"W- what are you say-"

"It's the truth. Because, you see, this is a clone made by cultivating my cells."

" -!?"

Ren opened his eyes wide with surprise. But simultaneously, he felt somewhere in his heart it was true.

Mayumi and Ayumi - even assuming they were sisters, those two resembled too much.

''Thing Doll Sacrifice'' - completely spoken ill of, a girl whose human dignity was trampled underfoot.

If it was just as Mayumi said, if Ayumi was not human and was created for the sake of dying as a sacrifice, doesn't everything makes sense?

''"A lie.......It's a lie"''

Aiming a smile full of spite at the dumbfounded Ren, Mayumi continued.

"Her appearance may seem that of a twelve years old girl but in reality only a month passed since its creation. Even her planted memories have been suitably edited from my own. That kind of crude doll, you tried to protect with your knight affectation. ''That was fun ♥''"

"It.......It's a lie......"

"Let me tell you one more thing. Even if she doesn't become the sacrifice, just a month from now on, fer life span will be cut from inside. Made with no intention to use for an extended period of time, just instant makeshift goods."

"That's, a lie...."

Ren looked at Ayumi almost like searching for help. She received his glance for just one second and sadly cast her eyes down.

Thus, at last Ayumi - Ayumi told the truth.

"........It's true. I am the katashiro doll[http://eos.kokugakuin.ac.jp/modules/xwords/entry.php?entryID=308] made for the sake of keeping Mayumi-sama alive. Mayumi-sama's impostor"

Where is the genuine '''Ayumi'''?

''I have no memories'' - Ayumi told Ren so. That's natural. If she had been made just a month before, it's impossible for those to exist. Without even trying to steal it, there was nothing there form the beginning. Everything was an imitation. If only her heart was more than a transient object, his own act of protecting Ayumi, his determination, everything would not have been a wasted effort.

"I look, so stupid....."

His body was full with a sense of helplessness. Feebly hanging his head, Ren collapsed on the sandy beach.

"It looks like that was a lot of shock, huh?"

Coldly looking down on the defeated Ren, Mayumi sneered.

"That's only natural. It made him realize his own buffoonery can't go any higher."

"Well, isn't that fine? By understanding reality, the boy becomes an adult."

".........you could say that."

Yuuji replied to Mayumi's words, pretending to act like a grown-up, in a quiet voice. Maybe because they were both men, but it was impossible not to feel sympathy for Ren.

"Come now, let's go home. We must quickly return and prepare for the ceremony."

On the other hand, Mayumi didn't have such a compassionate heart. Already disregarding Ren's existence, she starts thinking about tomorrow's ceremony.

"....yes", Yuuji respectfully bowed.

Receiving Ayumi, presented to him like luggage, the same way as they came, he followed Mayumi like a servant.

But, at the same time he placed his leg on the stairs connected to the main road-

"Step aside!"

From the vicinity of the main road that command reverberated, and a second later a golden pillar of fire lit the sky.

Involuntarily the three people turned around to Ren. But, he did not seemed to notice the present disturbance and was kneeling on the sandy beach, his head hanged. Hearing footsteps they turned in the direction of the main road once more. Two sets of footsteps. Both of them light. They were probably women.

Around that time, Yuuji made a guess about the opponent's identity. Noticing he should be in front, he tried to make Mayumi step back, but- it was slightly late.

"Ren!"

On top the stairs, one girl appeared.

Pushing out the darkness, the aura of red and gold shining out far and wide. The enormous amount of fire spirits that followed her in the background were displaying the girl as the human model of the flame itself.

"This is also......"

From Yuuji's mouth a mutter of unexpected wonder leaked out. Certainly her age was sixteen. And although childish, the shape of the young lady captivated him.

Overflowing from that small body, the surge of an overwhelming power. That sword was not yet drawn out but even so, it was impossible to misread the girl's identity.

''Beautiful- ''

He genuinely thought so. That was not in regard for the human, much less the opposite sex but the same deep emotion he felt at the time he looked at Mother Nature's magnificent scenery.

Suddenly, he noticed a sharp glance. Calmly looking away and folding her arms, Mayumi's half opened glare met his eye.

"''This is also...''" with a monotonous voice Mayumi repeated Yuuji's words.

"What is the meaning of ''This is also...'' Yuuji ?"

"Ah, no, that is..."

While becoming completely confused, Yuuji desperately searched for explanatory words.

If he cannot talk his way out of it now, it will become fairly difficult afterwards.

"That, didn't have any significant meaning. This is also...flashy...?"

"-Humph, that so?"

With that considerably packed expression Mayumi nodded.

"Well, afterwards I'll receive a lengthy explanation of that matter. Now it's not the time for it."

Mayumi faced the two standing at the top of the stairs.

"Nice meeting you, Kannagi princess. Being able to meet you is an honor."

".......and you are?"

The girl - Ayano, shortly inquired.

"I was slow in saying. I am Tsuwabuki Mayumi. This is my attendant Yuuji. Although belonging to a collateral family, for the time being permit him to call himself with the Tsuwabuki surname."

"If I say I will, I wonder will I have to call you by such an embarrassing name as ''Tsuwabuki princess''?"

"I am at your mercy."

To Ayano's provocative response, Mayumi bowed her head with a smiling face.

irritated, Ayano ended this conversation lacking sincerity and got to the main question.

"I have no particular business with you. Where is Ren?"

Mayumi pointed at the sandy beach in the back.

"Somewhere in that area. Maybe he is crying holding his knees."

"What, have you done to him?"

The atmosphere became noisy. The explosive scarlet aura flickered like a flame.

"Physically, nothing. He did not receive a single wound."

".........haa"

When that report was made, Yuuji looked sullen.

"But it seems his emotional scars are quite deep. We would be troubled if you complained to us about such things. About the details, you can ask that boy. However, I believe not prying into it would be a kindness to him."

Just saying that, with no precaution Mayumi started walking up the stairs. Whipping his wounded body, Yuuji went in front of Mayumi, trying to be a shield as much as possible.

"Well then-"

Greeting her while passing by one another, Mayumi walked near Ayano's side. And then, after looking at the retreating figure running down the stairs not returning the favor, she shifted her focus on the other person - a woman standing in a somewhat separated place.

"Good evening. It's been a long time, Police Superintendent Tachibana."

"We haven't talked in a long time, Mayumi-san"

That perfectly ordinary greeting, the detective in charge of Tokyo MPD's Special Investigation Unit, Police Superintended Tachibana returned with an absolutely tranquil tone.

"Because you didn't appear together with the that young woman, can we assume you have no intention of opposing the Tsuwabuki regarding the Kannagi matter?"

"Of course. We have no intention of interfering in any kind of dispute. Naturally, if you would accept our mediation, we woul feel that position with pleasure."

"That won't be necessary."

The faint tension that dwelt in Kirika's words, smiling, Mayumi severed it when she replied.

"Everything has been already settled. We have regained the object Kannagi Ren stole and because it's something a child did, we have no intention of blaming the Kannagi Clan for that error. If you would be so good as to pass it along to Ayano-san."

"......I will comply"

"Thank you"

Bowing her head to Kirika, Mayumi left accompanied by her attendant and the spoils of war.

No matter how polite her tone was, the girl's attitude was that of a victor who obtained everything.

Gazing for a brief period at the retreating figure, never looking back, Kirika started walking towards the defeated boy or maybe the defeated people.

"There's no sign this is ending here."

That's what she was thinking.

[[User:Ayame|Ayame]] ([[User talk:Ayame|talk]]) 10:01, 24 March 2013 (CDT)

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Kaze no Stigma:Volume3 Chapter 2

2013-04-28T13:36:01Z

80.240.162.190: /* Part 3 */

=== Chapter 2 Small Client ===

===Part 1===
Let’s go a few hours back in time.

“Seeii!”

With a sharp exclamation, Ayano swung Enraiha down. The divine sword granted by the king of the flame spirits to conquer the devil, burned and exorcized in a single stroke the revengeful ghost hunting the construction site.

“.............Fuuu”

Confirming the ghost’s annihilation, Ayano restored Enraiha back to its scabbard – her own body. Immediately from behind, a vapid sound can be heard:

'''Bu, bu, bu'''

“.................!”

Looking over the shoulder at the sad sight, sproing, she faced the source of the noise with a villainous discernment. That gaze, with no exaggeration, contains several times more killing intent than when facing the vengeful ghost.

Basking in those murderous eyes, Kazuma finally stopped the act – clapping hands – giving such a dull sound. But as evidence he wasn’t particularly sorry, his predatory smile didn’t disappear.

“.................”

With a challenging look that could kill people by sight, Ayano stared at Kazuma very long. The usually sloppy facial expression. A slack attitude from which you couldn’t feel a trace of tension. That was acceptable. Even if he appears relaxed, it’s impossible for this man to be less than prepared before a battle.

But even so, around his head, or to be more accurate, from around his jaw and below, there was a thing, as one would expect, she cannot stomach. The width of Kazuma's body increased by 20%. He did not get fat, much less put on muscle. He was bundling up in layers of clothes.

At the topmost he was wearing a fluffy down jacket. Stuffed with lots and lots of feathers. He seemed to be extremely warm. Also, how many extra clothes is he wearing underneath to appear to have doubled the thickness of his arms? Furthermore, a scarf is rolled around his head; he wears gloves – the origin of those dull applause.

No matter how you look at it, it’s a flawless winter-sports-watching-look.

If he were to hold a warmed canned coffee in his hand, before killing the vengeful ghost, Ayano would have tried to decapitate Kazuma first.

Ayano focused that thorny glance on Kazuma. The reason he was standing in this place was because he was supposed to act as Ayano’s guard. To conclude, it wasn’t to watch other people’s fight from a safe place, with an appearance that would slow down his movement.

Despite it, this man is –

“Just by standing there distractedly, to be given money, what a good social position, huh?”

Sarcasm with all her might. But naturally, that degree of scorn doesn’t get through Kazuma’s thick skin.

"I agree. The suzerain favors me so!”

Toward Kazuma's frivolous, sneering response, Ayano felt a fairly serious killing intent. She shouted, letting anger take it’s natural course.

“I’m sick of it! Why does Father hire you for this kind of job!?”

“Don’t ask me that”

Certainly, so far, Juugo never allowed Ayano to take a job unassisted. But, the duty of being an escort held so far by the practitioners of the branch families nowadays was entrusted to Kazuma alone.

Of course, he was being paid.

No matter how nasty his personality was, Kazuma is a top class practitioner. His remuneration is by no means inexpensive. In spite of this, Juugo, even on these trifling ghost extermination jobs, obstinately continues to employ Kazuma.
On jobs like these, Kazuma literally doesn’t lift a finger. Ayano does all the work by herself. This man stands before her eyes for the sake of profit.

''You’re just a pimp!''

Irritating but inevitable, Ayano decided to allow herself a modest recreation. Staring at that hateful, frivolously laughing man, she says in a tone that allows no objection:

“I’m hungry. We’re going to dinner.”

Kazuma scowled slightly.

“Do you want to extort money from me again?”

“Why are you complaining? They’re easy money at best”

“That’s different. If I were to name it, my job is like insurance. There is no need to move until an opponent you cannot manage alone appears.”

In reply to Kazuma’s solemn exposition, Ayano sternly trusted her finger in front of him.

“In case of insurance, isn’t there supposed to be a refund?”

“If he were to refund every time, the insurance man would immediately go bankrupt.”

“You’re safe. Because you still make a lot of profit.”

Obstinately, Ayano strongly insisted. Even Kazuma became generous after securing such a comfortable job and wasn’t in the mood to unconditionally refuse her. Even his rebuttal lost their usual severity, containing sweetness similar in some respects to a pre-established harmony.

“Well, fine. If it’s just food.”

In the end Kazuma gave in. Ayano stiffened her mouth already turning into a broad smile, proudly nodding.

“Very well. Let’s go then. Yukari told me about a delicious French restaurant.”

“...........French, huh?”

Kazuma calmly drew Ayano’s attention, who already started walking.

“Whether it’s French of ethnic it doesn’t matter but will they let us in, dressed like this?”

Ayano turned around, twitching her eyebrows. Her attire was the usual school uniform. Because this suit is an important ceremonial dress, it said everything is OK, a mighty item.

But Kazuma –

“Why don’t you dress properly?”

“Fool.”

With a single word Kazuma cut down and threw away Ayano’s criticism.

“Why do I have to dress up in the exorcism business?”

“That wouldn’t be too bad. Perhaps you will become better looking.”

“Leave me alone. It can’t be helped if my partner is not worthy enough to dress up for, right?”

It goes without saying but those words can’t help but incur Ayano’s displeasure. Arching her eyebrows in anger she commands:

“Do you hear me? From now on, during the job wear a necktie. Do you understand?”

“I refuse,” Kazuma answered instantly.

That quick reaction clearly denoted that there is no place for negotiation.

“What a cheapskate!”

“Do you think that’s where the problem is?”

During this vigorous match full of boos and irony the couple walked to the station. Although the ambiance was stormy, those two’s back and forth argument, not wanting to be separated, snuggling as close as they like, looked like nothing else but some sort of matrimonial quarrel – maybe.

Eventually both were admitted in, even without neckties, settling down after searching for the most expensive (this is essential) restaurant.

“Well, something like this.”

“Don’t <<something like this>> me! You always order the most expensive thing on the menu! Do you bear some grudge against me?”

Ayano bent her head slightly to one side and gazed at Kazuma with a completely curios look.

“ – Eh, you thought I didn’t?”

Being treated by Kazuma to dinner, as a matter of fact, this is not the first time. Or perhaps I should say, it already became an after work custom.

Harassment for the sake of diminishing, even if just a little, Kazuma’s profits obtained without working at all. Ayano explained her actions like this and she herself truly believed so – at the very least, at a superficial level.

“Before I met you I didn’t know.”

Hands joined before her chest, like a dreaming maiden, Ayano whispered with a voice shaking with delight:

"The meal other people treat me to could be so delicious.”

Ecstatically and with eyes closed, she is looking forward to Kazuma’s reaction. However, the severe retort she certainly
believed would come, no matter how much time passes, doesn’t appear.
She opens her eyes, looking at Kazuma. The man sitting in front of her turned an absentminded gaze outside the window.

He didn’t hear a word from Ayano’s provocation.

“What are you looking at?”

“Hmmm? Ah......”

Brought back by Ayano’s voice Kazuma’s eyes barely return to her.

“Nothing”

“...............hmm”

"Sorry to keep you waiting"
For a short while the same quarrel-like unromantic conversation continued. The waiter appeared caring(<?) champagne.

"....ufuu ♥"

Ayano watched attentively the champagne poured into her glass, making satisfied sounds, with a smile on her face.
She took the glass in one hand.

"Well then, let's celebrate another job successfully finished - "

The moment she put up her glass for the toast, Kazuma abruptly stood up.

"Kazuma?"

"I'm sorry but I have an urgent business. I'll take care of the bill so don't worry."

With those words, without looking at Ayano, he took the receipt and walked away.

"Eh...wait..."

Ayano stared in a daze at Kazuma, paying by the register. And just like that, without any sort of greeting, Kazuma left the store and disappeared in the middle of the crowd.

"What's the matter with you..."

At that time Ayano finally calmed down. The simmering anger made her body tremble.

"What are you trying to say......!"

Because this was a public place she barely managed to keep her voice down. In that state, that violent emotion that filled her insides was demanding an outlet to get angry at.

The slender fingertips supporting the legs of the champagne glass broke with a sinister sound.

===Part 2===

After leaving the restaurant, with a manner of walking that showed no hesitation, Kazuma had his eyes upon the back street. After walking several minutes, finding a slightly empty space and stopping there, he looked up at the sky.

"Well then - what are you going to do?"

Facing the empty space, quietly, Kazuma asked -

"Will you come out by yourself? or else - be dragged out?"

The answer was a blow. The light ball that suddenly appeared came flying at high speed, aiming at Kazuma's head.

That oblique attack from the sky, Kazuma dogged it, nimbly swaying back. The light ball flying before his eyes, just before it crashed the ground, by suddenly altering its angle started climbing.

A second dive.

But this time, with no dogging involved its aim was off.

"Good grief!"

The light ball flies around Kazuma as it pleases. The irregular high speed maneuver disregarding the laws of inertia, perfectly exceeds humans' perception capacity.

By using his eyes alone, Kazuma can only perceive the light ball's movement as a line not a point.

But -

Lightly, his right hand stretched horizontally. As it, just by doing that he can take something which has been placed there, a relaxed, natural movement.

And yet, when the light track blended with his fingertips, as if it was something they mutually agreed upon - Kazuma's hand seized the light ball. And without change grasped it tightly.

"It huts, it hurts, it huuuuuurts!!"

The high pitch shrill that gushed out of the light ball jolted his brain.

Simultaneously the light faded and the real figure hidden inside materialized. It had a human pattern. However, it's height was less than twenty centimeters. Incidentally, the ears were slightly sharp and transparent wings were growing from its back.

Looking hard at the thing held in his hand, Kazuma murmured, looking bored.

"What, it was a bug?"

"Wrong! Bug is wrong!!"

From inside Kazuma's palm, that thing was wiggling and struggling.

It was belonging to the species referred to as pixies. Living inside forests, mischievous but cute fairies. They rarely ventured into human communities but as he unfortunately knew, not never.

It happened at the end of the last year. Together with Ayano, during the job at the school she was attending, it was the first time he was around something called "a fairy's prank".

Although he was the only whose good fortune wasn't damaged, the memory of that one night's stupid fooling around was still fresh.

"So, what do you want?" asked Kazuma with apathetic words.

If the pixie were to say this is just "a greeting because of a chance meeting" he was seriousely determined to crush it.

"You see, you see, I have a request, Contractor-sama"

Unfortunately, it doesn't seem this fairy just happened to pass by. However, the response was meaningful. Because he was called by a name it wasn't supposed to know.

"Does this mean that instead of greeting the party you want to ask a favor from, you start the attack?"

Cross-examined, visibly looked down upon, while innocently laughing, the fairy answered.

"Ah, that - that was a play for the sake of an impressive stage-entry? Something like that - ouuuuch!?"

"Ha - ha - ha"

With a dry laughter, Kazuma grasps the fairy, considerably inserting more force. He said with perfectly serious tone:

"Die at once!"

"Auuuu...it huuurts, I'm really going to die!"

With sober eyes. Kazuma looked at the struggling fairy. - Of course, without reducing the strength.

Observing the way the fairy's movements were becoming slughish, when it's breath became faint, he opened his palm.
With no energy to flap it's wings, the fairy fell to the ground with a flop. After several seconds -

"Auuuuu.....how cruel....Gyaaaa!"

Kazuma lightly placed his foot above the fairy who got up at last.

While feeling a frail resistance from the sole of his foot, he fired the next question.

"Well then, question number two. Where did you find out about me?"

"Aah, how terrible!"

Just like that, the energetic fairy jumped out from underneath the foot. Standing still in front of Kazuma's eyes, glaring at him as if saying "I'm really angry!"

"You don't remember about me?"

"You don't get it."

Waiving his hand quite bothered, flinging off the fairy's complaints and its body, Kazuma asked:

"What did you call me?"

Surely the pixie saw his face during that incident but he doesn't remember telling it he was a Contractor. It wasn't information easy to come by.

"Ah - that? I heard it from the head of our village", answered the fairy as a matter of course. Laying on its back with legs outstretched, it continued with a triumphant air.

"And so, it's been decided that only Contractor-sama can rescue our family from crisis. I was sent because I was a close acquittance."

"............that so?"

''close acquittance - who are you talking about?''

Although harboring that that sort of feeling, he can't flatly refuse the request of the patriarch of the fairy village. Kazuma pressed forward.

"So, what is that request?"

"This is a major incident!"

Planning to display its anger, the fairy rose slightly higher than Kazuma and talked on and on leaning forward.

"Recently humans have entered the village and stole the family's treasure!"

Contrastive to the excited fairy, Kazuma replied in a sober tone.

"..........Well, that happens often"

"No, it doesn't! Even the patriarch said it is unparalleled in history!"

"That's wrong", Kazuma declared with absolute confidence.

The fairy's village is placed in a slightly different dimension from the material world humans inhabit. Therefore, by physical means it absolutely cannot be reached.

"I don't know whether it is unprecedented or not but it will happen again. No matter how secure barriers will you form, in front of human greed, they are powerless"

For the sake of satisfying one's desire humans conquered all hardships. Even if a dimensional barrier were to block their way, if it is necessary, it will, without exception be smashed.

What's more, they don't pay attention to the damage inflicted on others.

The affirmation of all desires - whether they are good or evil, that is mankind's course of action - Kazuma knew it so.

"Don't be so proud of such a thing......."

"It doesn't mean I am particularly proud of it. I am simply pointing out the truth."

Even because of those eyes obviously filled with blame, Kazuma doesn't falter. Throwing out his chest with dignity, he affirms himself.

"Moving on, the request is to find the treasure, right?"

""Uh-huh. That's right. If we don't have it, our entire existence will be in danger!"

Seeming convinced that the request was already heard, the fairy began dancing, looking glad. While quietly starring at that appearance, Kazuma let out the essential question.

"Will there be a reward?"

The fairy petrified in the middle of her dance. Voiceless, eyes and mouth forming 3 separate O's, it stared at Kazuma. Kazuma also, calmly stared back at her. Not less than one full minute, they stared at each other.

"............errrr.............Contractor-sama..............."

Finally pulling herself together, the fairy asked Kazuma in a cracked voice.

"What?"

"Contractor-sama, you made a contract with the spirits of the wind and became a Contractor, right........?"

"Yes", Kazuma nodded in assent.

"And because of that, well........we, the pixies, are fairies affiliated with the wind, you could say the relatives of wind spirits.........."

"Thank you for especially teaching me such an obvious thing. What of it?"

"So,.........well, as for the proxy of the King of the Spirits on this earth, isn't it natural to help his family in times of crisis, don't you think?"

"...........Ah, I see"

Smiling sweetly, Kazuma kindly extended a hand to the fairy. He softly wrapped his hand around that small body, treating it like fragile glass work.

"Listen up, '''bug'''"

"No, hear me out, I'm not a....."

With that firm smile that clung to him like a mask, Kazuma inserted little by little more power in the hand grabbing the fairy.

"Wow - putting one's life on the line for the proof of one's identity, huh? Not what I've hoped for but that way of life can't be evaluated."

"Auuu....fine, something like me, just an insect............."

Yielding to terror, the fairy sold her pride. Kazuma nodded.

"Listen really close, bug. You should know about me that just because I made a contract with the King of Spirits, it doesn't mean I am burdened with some special sort of special duty."

"S-sneaky.........does that mean that you took all the power without any sort of risk?"

"Yeah", Kazuma boldly declared tossing the fairy.

"That's why, if you want to request something from me, start by showing me the stack of cash. I'll listen to your story after that"

Saying those words he turned his back on the thrown out fairy and started walking.

It wasn't a strategy, much less a joke. Kazuma considered this discussion already over.

"Wh - wait a minute!"

The dumbfounded fairy, seeing off his retreating figure, flew before Kazuma in a panic.

"I understand, we'll give you some of our village's treasure"

".........a fairy's treasure?" Kazuma frowned, very suspicious.

"Something like glass beds or pretty stones you picked by the river or insect shells or - "

"The fairy village is not a crow's nest! We have lots of gold and gems, you know!?"

Just by hearing that, Kazuma's facial expression didn't cheer up. Looking up at that fairy with that apathetic face, he casually said:

"How much of those?"

"Uuu, huh....."

"There doesn't seem to be a big amount, huh? If your family is in crisis hand over at least half of everything you own!"

"You'll go that far!?"

"That's the foundation of business, you know", Kazuma heartlessly declared to the whining fairy.

With sulky eyes, she glared at Kazuma.

"........I have to consult the patriarch"

After all, it became like this.

"Please do. And - "

Nodding proudly, Kazuma suddenly changed the topic.

"About the treasure, what is it?"

"Eh?"

"So, the shape, the material, its function or something like that. If you don't tell me about those I can't search for it."

After understanding the meaning of those words, the gloomy, depressed fairy's facial expression began to shine. She shouted with vigor.

"You came around!?"

Answering to the fairy's smiling face, Kazuma also broadly grinned.

"If it's the treasure of the fairy village, I pray it has enough value to satisfy me."

Instantly the fairy remembered that optical illusion-like mouth that seemed to split until ears. Timidly, she asked:

"Say......just for reference, what will you do if it doesn't satisfy you?"

"Annihilation, isn't it obvious?"

".......isn't it obvious..."

Toward the fairy, involuntarily repeating it, Kazuma grinned all the more.

"When that time comes, you will be the last to go. After burning in your memory that the destruction of your family was the result of the rashness of your speech, you can die."

Sizing it in his hand for the third time, Kazuma laughed enjoying himself from the bottom of his heart. If, from that back bat-like wings and a pointed tail were to appear because she was hallucinating, that is definitely not the fairy's responsibility.
"Auuuu......."

"Well than......"

Permitting for a while the fairy's scream, Kazuma returned to the topic.

"Enough idle talk, tell me the job details."

"Well, you see.........to call the announcement of my entire family's annihilation idle talk......"

"You're noisy. So, what kind of treasure is it?"

"This kind"

Smoothly escaping Kazuma's hand, the fairy's and his head touched each other. Through the contact portion, the "treasure"'s image poured into Kazuma's brain.

"...........a seed?"

That was the first impression. Unidentified life force, so to speak.

The strong pounding wave, from within the shell, rose ready to burst open.

"What on Earth is this? "

Being asked so, the fairy looked away. After its eyes wondered about for a while, it looked at Kazuma, waiting for an answer, with an upward glance.

"Let me see.......that is something like a trade secret..........no?"

"What sort of business?............well, it doesn't matter."

Although reposting, Kazuma easily allowed the secret. He had no interest in a treasure he can't take hold of and obtained only the necessary information for searching. There's no meaning investigating further.

"Then. show me the points the humans invaded through. We'll follow from there."

The wind will certainly remember the treasure's presence. No matter how advanced the enemy's shielding was, Kazuma had confidence he could locate it less than 24 hours.

"Eh? Ah, that's fine. Because we know where it is."

"What? - Ah, so that's the reason"

The answer to the question that came to mind, Kazuma instantly found it by himself. In other words the commission wasn't for a search but for a recovery.

"The place is tis way"

The fairy touched his hear with hers for a second time. Deriving the name of the place from the information flowing in, Kazuma's eyes faintly opened wider.

"........Ah? This is - "

"Something wrong?"

"Nothing. Leaving that aside, bug, are you coming too?"

"Yeah, I'm coming. - By the way, Contractor-sama?"

Resigned but including a faint hope, the fairy looked at Kazuma.

"Do you remember my name?"

"No"

Instant reply. Incidentally he had no guilty feeling about it. The fairy named herself with a sight.

"It's Tiana. Please treat me favorably, Contractor-sama."

"Stop that. Kazuma is fine."

When Kazuma told her his name, the fairy - Tiana corrected herself, looking glad.

"Please treat me favorably, Kazuma♥"

"Use Kazuma-sama"

"............."

"It's a joke"

".........teh"

Overwhelmed by anger, she pretended to throw kicks from Kazuma's back.

''Ei! Ei!! I give up!!!''

After the one-two punch, a reversal left hook and then a left, low hit finish stroked Kazuma's phantasm, Tiana finally felt refreshed.

However, she was careless. Kazuma was a Fuujutsushi - within a certain range his perception had no blind spots.

"I saw that."

"Fukyaaa"

The small wind pebble flied together with the cold reply, delivering a hard blow on Tiana's face.

===Part 3===

"Kazumaaaaa, it's boring ~ "

From inside the improvised wind cage, Tiana's boredom leaked out.

"Hey, Kazumaaaa - fugyuuu!?"

Eliminating reply time, Kazuma shrunk the wing cage, putting screws on Tiana. When her complexion became bluish-purple and the restrains became loose he shortly informed her.

"Shut up"

"Auuuuu...."

Disregarding the fairy's groans, Kazuma shifted his focus outside of the window. The streaming landscape. Because the sun already set, the place of destination supposed to be beyond that point couldn't be seen. Even if that is supposed to be the highest place in Japan.

"A train? Why a train? If it were me, I would fly"

"Then fly. By yourself."

That exchange of words already happened two hours ago.

Even forcibly, about no choosing a different course of action, Kazuma was regretting it vehemently. The fact that the pixies are mischievous creatures it's a universally known legend. But, for most people it seems that they regard that mischief counterbalancing the lovely outward appearance as something charming. They are absolutely wrong.

The pixies pranks are plenty disagreeable. Breaking items that would have lasted a lifetime or changing outcomes to force people into unpleasant situations - they will do them without hesitation. Tiana was no exception.

Opening the running train's door all of a sudden, erasing the window glass where children bent forward to see outside, causing poltergeist phenomena into the driver's seat.

And lastly - it's unknown how she did it, but when she managed a train barrel roll, Kazuma's patience cord was severed. Keeping her in a wind cage, he sealed her entire movement.

Tiana may be complaining but considering this is Kazuma, it's possible to say this is a remarkably generous step.
Without speech and attitude, it's possible she has nothing but some residual part of race awareness.

"Kazumaaa, let me out....."

''Otsuki ~ Otsuki''

Covering Tiana's voice, obstinately begging, the announcer informed about the arrival at the place of destination. Watching Kazuma get up in silence, Tiana's eyes sparkled.

''With this, he'll let me out!''

But, far from releasing her, he let the wind cage itself behind, got off the train and started walking.

"...........Eh? W-wait!?"

Without response to the frantic voice, calling to halt, the train slowly started to move. From the window Tiana looked at the station platform. In the middle of the scene that started to flow little by little, just once, Kazuma waved his hand.

"........Ah.......Ah......"

It's body shaking with anger, the fairy shouted as far as possible.

"Kazuma, you idiot!"

That scream that couldn't shake the atmosphere reacher no one's ears.

Approximately 10 minutes afterwards.

"Kazumaaaaaaaaaaa!!"

From behind a motorcycle sprinting on the dark street, a screaming light ball was approaching. The light ball suddenly stopped right beside Kazuma's face. Maybe because the relative velocity was equal, the figure of the girl growing wings inside the light and even her angry expression could be perceived in detail.

Shifting his attention to her only for a second, he muttered, bored-looking.

"That was unexpectedly quick"

"Why did you do that? Leaving someone behind, how terrible!"

"Well, I hesitated"

It wasn't about whether or not to take someone along.

"Not that sort of indulgent method but whether or not I ought to deal with you before, to eliminate future trouble."

"..............tch!"

Involuntarily, the imagining of "eliminate future trouble" drew Tiana's attention. Thinking about his behavior so far, there is no room for doubt. This man is serious.

"Auuuuuuu~ I won't pull pranks anymore so don't kill me!"

To the lamenting fairy, Kazuma showed a cynical smile.

"Ho - Can you take responsibility for those words? Next time I'll deal with you in a conclusive manner."

''a conclusive manner'' - an abstract expression and yet that meaning was excessively tangible.

Trembling in fear, Tiana nodded soundlessly.

"..........humph"

Faintly slanting his lips, Kazuma twisted the acceleration. Tiana chased in a panic that speeding up bike.
Both of them aimed at the destination straight ahead. The vast forest stretching out at the bottom of Japan's highest peak rising in front of them, Mt. Fuji, the Aokigahara Forest.

"Hey, hey"

Even after promising to be a good child, Tiana can't be silent more than one minute. Even humans can be like this at times. Those who can't endure psychological silence.

"Where did you get that vehicle?"

It was a natural question. A more accurate one would be not "where" but "by what means". At any rate it would have been impossible to make preparations for riding on a plot of land he had no plans of visiting.

Kazuma replied simply.

"I borrowed it"

"Borrowed? Really? Maybe there are kind people after all."

Holding no sarcasm, those were sincere, praising words. The superficial comprehension towards human society in addition to humans themselves allowed such misunderstanding.

"Indeed. The society has not yet degraded so."

A brazen declaration. By the way Tiana didn't notice that Kazuma's garments too, subtly changed. As one would expect, he thought the down jacket to be ugly and changed it to a dark gray jacket. Perhaps this is also a borrowed item.

In any case, after nothing but traveling for a dozen of minutes, in the middle of the national highway going through the sea of the trees, Kazuma located a private road, quiet and secluded.

"This way, huh?"

"Yeah"

Abandoning the bike Kazuma jumped over an iron fence pretending to be broken. And then, after several jumps riding the wind, both of them arrived at a slightly elevated hill overlooking a magnificent residence built in the mysterious sea of trees.

"These guys?"

A murmur shaking in delight. The rising urge lifted his lips and a small laughter leaked out.

"I see. so they were these guys..."

".......Errr, I'm afraid to ask but acquaintance?", Tiana timidly asked while flinching at the dangerous, carnivore-like smile.

"No, they're not personal acquaintance. "

Kazuma clearly shook his head, while that ferocious smile still cling to his face.

"But.....since while back I couldn't help but want to crush these guys."

"Wh-What kind of people are they?"

"These guys are..."

"............well, if it were me instead of him, I'd kill you instantly"

"Auuuuuu ~ I don't want to die"

While weeping, Tiana cling to Kazuma.

"Hey! If it's Kazuma, can you search where it went!? Can you!? Please, I'll pay an extra charge"

"Well - calm down"

"I can't calm down!!"

"Listen up! Look this way"

Kazuma turned around Tiana's head with all his might. Somehow he had a feeling its neck-bones made a somewhat thick sound but there is no meaning in paying attention to the head of such random living things like fairies.

"Auuuuuuuu~"

Kazuma quietly but with a sharp voice murmured close to the I-don't-know-why-but-fainting-in-agony fairy's ears.

"Look properly inside the mansion. Do you see?"

The residence was approximately 100 meters away. Furthermore it was night. The things that could be seen with a physical eye were only the outlines of the mansion. But -

"Huh? isn't it kind of noisy?"

As far as Fuujutsushi and Pixies are concerned, both of them are companions of the wind spirits and reading the information the wind is carrying is easy.

Just as Tiana said, the residence's atmospheric was uproarious. Disturbance and impatience and the mayhem caused by them were transmitted as far as below the two.

"I wonder what happened"

"Well, it doesn't seem they are merely busy. Perhaps the disappearance of the treasure was an unexpected accident for that lot"

"You mean, that it was again stolen by a different someone. Doesn't that mean it will be more difficult to search!?"

Kazuma lightly shrug his shoulders.

"It's not like you'll be troubled if I don't find it personally"

"I'll be troubled!!"

Cruelly brushing away Tiana's half-cries he aimed a daring gaze at the mansion.

"Leaving jokes aside let's take a closer look"

Kazuma lightly kicked the ground. Enveloped by the whirling wind that body smoothly shook off the gravity's restraint. Shortening the distance by 10 meters with each jump, he stopped 20 meters from the mansion and stood still in the air above it. Tiana, running after him asked:

"Won't we be exposed? If we are so close?"

"It's safe", Kazuma assured her.

At any rate, the opponent is the Tsuwabuki Family - a family of Chijutsushis. They don't have techniques for detecting things that aren't connected to the ground.

"Well then - "

Concentrating his consciousness, he searched for useful information. As long as the other party is in a place with air, there is nothing an Enjutsushi can't spy on. Whether it's a distance of 20 meters, obstacles such as roofs and walls, for them it's equal with zero. Setting apart useless information as noise and picking up only the necessary one.

The tuning was immediately over. A little grazed alto was reached Kazuma's ears.

'' - you haven't captured it yet?''

''Yes - but we have perfectly caught hold of its presence and now it's only a matter of time.........''

''Not particularly. However splendid that is, The Grand Festival is tomorrow, do you understand?''

"A - Already...."

At the impossible to decipher conversation, Tiana looked slightly doubtful at Kazuma.

"What is The Grand Festival?"

Without answering, Kazuma closed his eyes partly. Feeling the temperature falling below freezing at once, Tiana backed off shivering.

"I see - " with an icy smile etched to his face, Kazuma murmured slightly.

"It was this year, that thing?"

"Th - that thing?" too reckless Tiana asked a second time. But this time there was an answer.

"I said it earlier, didn't I? About that evil sacrificing ceremony. It seems they do it at intervals of approximately 30 years, on the first full moon night of the new year. In short, tomorrow night."

"You're well informed, huh?"

"Because it's a famous ritual."

Kazuma spit out unpleasantly.

"These fellows, far from hiding the use of sacrificing, they take pride in it, instead."

"Hmm - So, there is some connection between that ceremony and the treasure they stole from the pixie village?"

"There must be. As far as the Tsuwabuki are concerned, the ceremony is more important than anything. Because the rite is so close, there's no way they have enough composure to be concerned with unrelated stuff - but I have no idea what they'll use it for."

"That cannot be allowed - "

Silencing Tiana, who started screaming, Kazuma restarted the reconnaissance. this time projecting visual information.

''Do hurry. I don' care about means. As the head's representative, you have permission to act freely.''

In one of the mansion's rooms, a woman ordered the group of men. Kazuma focused on that woman.

'''dark''' - more than anything, that was the impression she made. The hair was oddly long. Darker than darkness itself, that straight glossy hair was falling like a waterfall as far as her knees. A black suit. It seemed a long straight skirt was coiling around her legs, but a deep slit on its left revealed almost all her tight.

She was approximately in the later half of her twenties. Although amazingly beautiful, she was so bewitching she didn't seem human. From a distance she was a sight for sore eyes, and yet the type you didn't want to get to know. She seemed to be younger than the men surrounding her but there wasn't a single person appearing to look down on her.

All their foreheads were sweating, imploring the woman in a good mood.

''If it seems we won't make it in time, we have no choice but to call Mayumi back''

''......!!''

At those matter of course words, the men were vehemently disturbed.

''Kureha-sama, that would be against the Head's intention - ''

''Silence!''

That woman everyone called Kureha raised her head triumphantly.

''Now that my father is sick, I am the one ruling over Tsuwabuki. Do you complain?''

''N - no.........we wouldn't......''

Aiming a cynical smile at the overpowered, drained in cold sweat men, Kazuma whistles frivolously.

"Scary woman"

But that face suddenly became stiff. Kureha suddenly looked at the ceiling.

"........Ah? Oi, you don't say......"

That severe glance pierced the ceiling, directly grasping him. Although understanding it, that impossible fact halted his thought process. A lethal space was born.

''who?''

Simultaneously shouting for Kazuma's identity, his body was rapidly drawn to the surface.

"W - wait a second! What the heck is this?"

There's no way his wind was stopped. With a force by far surpassing the dynamic lift the wind produced, something dragged Kazuma to the ground.

''What on earth is this!? but first, how did she noticed? Did she changed the dust in the atmosphere in a radar or something?''

While Kazuma was confused, Kureha briskly gave direction to those men.

"There's a trespasser in the sky. I'll drop him off here so counter attack! "

"......Y-yes!", the men nodded obediently.

Although not understanding, it seems they put all their trust in Kureha's power. The eyes looking up at the ceiling held not a speck of doubt, storing power, preparing the one finishing blow for the intruder who will fall.

''This is pretty bad, huh?'', Kazuma whispered at his wit's end while falling.

This was not far from a crisis. Since he doesn't know by what kind of ability he is dragged down, it's impossible to resist. He tried to ease up the speed of the fall with wind, but it had almost no effect.

As if his body's weight was increased ten, no more then a hundred times.

''.....that's it!''

Kazuma swung downward a wind blade. Just because of that one stroke the field of that invisible power was cut cross-section-ally while the back-lash eased up the speed of the fall. But it was already too late -

'''Gonn! Gogann!'''

Smashing down the roof and the ceiling, Kazuma fell into the Tsuwabuki residence. Of course, the wind was doing the smashing, it's not like his life was in danger, but it wasn't a pleasant feeling.

"Don't underestimate us! "

Barely managing to land, he used wind to counterbalance the Chijutsushi's attack coming from every direction. If they were to include one more blow, he would have obliterated everyone here.

"Fugyaaaa!"

But, Tiana's existence, falling on his head at that precise time turned away the chance to attack.

".............."

Without saying anything, Kazuma gripped the fairy from the top of his head and threw it onto the ground.

"Auuuuuuuu~"

"Good grief - "

After looking down on the groaning fairy very annoyed, he turned his eyes to the surroundings.

Because that attack supposed to deliver a certain kill was brushed off, the Chijutsushi peeled their eyes in fright. But, that wasn't all.

"F - fairy......?"

The man's eyes looked intensely at Tiana. Not the questioning look asking why the fairy is here.

Disturbance and surprise - a face that knows more than enough. Seeing that, Kazuma raised his lips. Kicking up a scattered-on-the-floor Tiana and sizing it, he shouted clearly:

"You people, who devastated the fairy village! Know that the sins of blockheads like you will never be forgiven! We won't let you use our treasure for your wicked ceremony. Know that tomorrow evening is the time this family will be ruined!"

Together with that bombastic pronouncement they escaped through the hole opened in the ceiling. Before the dumbfounded, completely played Chijutsushi calmed down, Kazuma's figure disappeared beyond the sea of trees.

"What was that at the end?"

Putting a 10 minutes distance from Tsuwabuki, properly sitting down on tree branches, Tiana asked with a stunned expression. Kazuma answered with a smile:

"A confirmation tentative and the last one, well, I just went with the flow. There's no meaning behind it."

The fairy's existence and Kazuma's words clearly disturbed them. But more then that, the positive proof that the Tsuwabuki family stole the fairy's treasure was obtained.

"Hmmm - So, what will you do next?"

"I'll wait", Kazuma replied simply.

"Only that?"

"From the conversation earlier, it seemed they grasp the treasure's whereabouts. They said they'll search for it. There's no need for me to work, right?"

"............."

Without taking action, stealing the opponent's result - even if Tiana thought that was an absolute makeshift method, she kept her silence and her wisdom. One way or another, it seemed she had at least a little learning ability.

"Ku ku ku"

Thinking of something, Kazuma revealed an exceedingly enjoyable chuckle.

"If I keep hidden the fact that the secret treasure has been returned I'd be able to do what I wanted. Taking the moral high ground so to speak. I'll ask nicely so don't return it without a fight, alright?"

"Ku ku ku ku - "

Exactly as stated a while ago, he appears to plan the complete destruction of the Tsuwabuki. That the drifting smell of blood will be filling that dangerous, limitless laughter, Tiana was scared from the marrow of her bones.

''Why? Why!?''

While frantically plugging her ears, for the first time in her life, she complained to the King of the Wind Spirits.

''Why did You make this kind of man Your Contractor!? That was absolutely, absolutely a mistake! ''

Whether the fairy's bitter soul scream reached the King of the Wind Spirits or not, only the spirit king knew.

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| Back to [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume3_Chapter_1|Chapter 1]]
| Return to [[Kaze_no_Stigma|Main Page]]
| Forward to [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume3_Chapter_3|Chapter 3]]
|-
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Kaze no Stigma:Volume3 Chapter 2

2013-04-28T11:07:30Z

80.240.162.190: /* Part 2 */

=== Chapter 2 Small Client ===

===Part 1===
Let’s go a few hours back in time.

“Seeii!”

With a sharp exclamation, Ayano swung Enraiha down. The divine sword granted by the king of the flame spirits to conquer the devil, burned and exorcized in a single stroke the revengeful ghost hunting the construction site.

“.............Fuuu”

Confirming the ghost’s annihilation, Ayano restored Enraiha back to its scabbard – her own body. Immediately from behind, a vapid sound can be heard:

'''Bu, bu, bu'''

“.................!”

Looking over the shoulder at the sad sight, sproing, she faced the source of the noise with a villainous discernment. That gaze, with no exaggeration, contains several times more killing intent than when facing the vengeful ghost.

Basking in those murderous eyes, Kazuma finally stopped the act – clapping hands – giving such a dull sound. But as evidence he wasn’t particularly sorry, his predatory smile didn’t disappear.

“.................”

With a challenging look that could kill people by sight, Ayano stared at Kazuma very long. The usually sloppy facial expression. A slack attitude from which you couldn’t feel a trace of tension. That was acceptable. Even if he appears relaxed, it’s impossible for this man to be less than prepared before a battle.

But even so, around his head, or to be more accurate, from around his jaw and below, there was a thing, as one would expect, she cannot stomach. The width of Kazuma's body increased by 20%. He did not get fat, much less put on muscle. He was bundling up in layers of clothes.

At the topmost he was wearing a fluffy down jacket. Stuffed with lots and lots of feathers. He seemed to be extremely warm. Also, how many extra clothes is he wearing underneath to appear to have doubled the thickness of his arms? Furthermore, a scarf is rolled around his head; he wears gloves – the origin of those dull applause.

No matter how you look at it, it’s a flawless winter-sports-watching-look.

If he were to hold a warmed canned coffee in his hand, before killing the vengeful ghost, Ayano would have tried to decapitate Kazuma first.

Ayano focused that thorny glance on Kazuma. The reason he was standing in this place was because he was supposed to act as Ayano’s guard. To conclude, it wasn’t to watch other people’s fight from a safe place, with an appearance that would slow down his movement.

Despite it, this man is –

“Just by standing there distractedly, to be given money, what a good social position, huh?”

Sarcasm with all her might. But naturally, that degree of scorn doesn’t get through Kazuma’s thick skin.

"I agree. The suzerain favors me so!”

Toward Kazuma's frivolous, sneering response, Ayano felt a fairly serious killing intent. She shouted, letting anger take it’s natural course.

“I’m sick of it! Why does Father hire you for this kind of job!?”

“Don’t ask me that”

Certainly, so far, Juugo never allowed Ayano to take a job unassisted. But, the duty of being an escort held so far by the practitioners of the branch families nowadays was entrusted to Kazuma alone.

Of course, he was being paid.

No matter how nasty his personality was, Kazuma is a top class practitioner. His remuneration is by no means inexpensive. In spite of this, Juugo, even on these trifling ghost extermination jobs, obstinately continues to employ Kazuma.
On jobs like these, Kazuma literally doesn’t lift a finger. Ayano does all the work by herself. This man stands before her eyes for the sake of profit.

''You’re just a pimp!''

Irritating but inevitable, Ayano decided to allow herself a modest recreation. Staring at that hateful, frivolously laughing man, she says in a tone that allows no objection:

“I’m hungry. We’re going to dinner.”

Kazuma scowled slightly.

“Do you want to extort money from me again?”

“Why are you complaining? They’re easy money at best”

“That’s different. If I were to name it, my job is like insurance. There is no need to move until an opponent you cannot manage alone appears.”

In reply to Kazuma’s solemn exposition, Ayano sternly trusted her finger in front of him.

“In case of insurance, isn’t there supposed to be a refund?”

“If he were to refund every time, the insurance man would immediately go bankrupt.”

“You’re safe. Because you still make a lot of profit.”

Obstinately, Ayano strongly insisted. Even Kazuma became generous after securing such a comfortable job and wasn’t in the mood to unconditionally refuse her. Even his rebuttal lost their usual severity, containing sweetness similar in some respects to a pre-established harmony.

“Well, fine. If it’s just food.”

In the end Kazuma gave in. Ayano stiffened her mouth already turning into a broad smile, proudly nodding.

“Very well. Let’s go then. Yukari told me about a delicious French restaurant.”

“...........French, huh?”

Kazuma calmly drew Ayano’s attention, who already started walking.

“Whether it’s French of ethnic it doesn’t matter but will they let us in, dressed like this?”

Ayano turned around, twitching her eyebrows. Her attire was the usual school uniform. Because this suit is an important ceremonial dress, it said everything is OK, a mighty item.

But Kazuma –

“Why don’t you dress properly?”

“Fool.”

With a single word Kazuma cut down and threw away Ayano’s criticism.

“Why do I have to dress up in the exorcism business?”

“That wouldn’t be too bad. Perhaps you will become better looking.”

“Leave me alone. It can’t be helped if my partner is not worthy enough to dress up for, right?”

It goes without saying but those words can’t help but incur Ayano’s displeasure. Arching her eyebrows in anger she commands:

“Do you hear me? From now on, during the job wear a necktie. Do you understand?”

“I refuse,” Kazuma answered instantly.

That quick reaction clearly denoted that there is no place for negotiation.

“What a cheapskate!”

“Do you think that’s where the problem is?”

During this vigorous match full of boos and irony the couple walked to the station. Although the ambiance was stormy, those two’s back and forth argument, not wanting to be separated, snuggling as close as they like, looked like nothing else but some sort of matrimonial quarrel – maybe.

Eventually both were admitted in, even without neckties, settling down after searching for the most expensive (this is essential) restaurant.

“Well, something like this.”

“Don’t <<something like this>> me! You always order the most expensive thing on the menu! Do you bear some grudge against me?”

Ayano bent her head slightly to one side and gazed at Kazuma with a completely curios look.

“ – Eh, you thought I didn’t?”

Being treated by Kazuma to dinner, as a matter of fact, this is not the first time. Or perhaps I should say, it already became an after work custom.

Harassment for the sake of diminishing, even if just a little, Kazuma’s profits obtained without working at all. Ayano explained her actions like this and she herself truly believed so – at the very least, at a superficial level.

“Before I met you I didn’t know.”

Hands joined before her chest, like a dreaming maiden, Ayano whispered with a voice shaking with delight:

"The meal other people treat me to could be so delicious.”

Ecstatically and with eyes closed, she is looking forward to Kazuma’s reaction. However, the severe retort she certainly
believed would come, no matter how much time passes, doesn’t appear.
She opens her eyes, looking at Kazuma. The man sitting in front of her turned an absentminded gaze outside the window.

He didn’t hear a word from Ayano’s provocation.

“What are you looking at?”

“Hmmm? Ah......”

Brought back by Ayano’s voice Kazuma’s eyes barely return to her.

“Nothing”

“...............hmm”

"Sorry to keep you waiting"
For a short while the same quarrel-like unromantic conversation continued. The waiter appeared caring(<?) champagne.

"....ufuu ♥"

Ayano watched attentively the champagne poured into her glass, making satisfied sounds, with a smile on her face.
She took the glass in one hand.

"Well then, let's celebrate another job successfully finished - "

The moment she put up her glass for the toast, Kazuma abruptly stood up.

"Kazuma?"

"I'm sorry but I have an urgent business. I'll take care of the bill so don't worry."

With those words, without looking at Ayano, he took the receipt and walked away.

"Eh...wait..."

Ayano stared in a daze at Kazuma, paying by the register. And just like that, without any sort of greeting, Kazuma left the store and disappeared in the middle of the crowd.

"What's the matter with you..."

At that time Ayano finally calmed down. The simmering anger made her body tremble.

"What are you trying to say......!"

Because this was a public place she barely managed to keep her voice down. In that state, that violent emotion that filled her insides was demanding an outlet to get angry at.

The slender fingertips supporting the legs of the champagne glass broke with a sinister sound.

===Part 2===

After leaving the restaurant, with a manner of walking that showed no hesitation, Kazuma had his eyes upon the back street. After walking several minutes, finding a slightly empty space and stopping there, he looked up at the sky.

"Well then - what are you going to do?"

Facing the empty space, quietly, Kazuma asked -

"Will you come out by yourself? or else - be dragged out?"

The answer was a blow. The light ball that suddenly appeared came flying at high speed, aiming at Kazuma's head.

That oblique attack from the sky, Kazuma dogged it, nimbly swaying back. The light ball flying before his eyes, just before it crashed the ground, by suddenly altering its angle started climbing.

A second dive.

But this time, with no dogging involved its aim was off.

"Good grief!"

The light ball flies around Kazuma as it pleases. The irregular high speed maneuver disregarding the laws of inertia, perfectly exceeds humans' perception capacity.

By using his eyes alone, Kazuma can only perceive the light ball's movement as a line not a point.

But -

Lightly, his right hand stretched horizontally. As it, just by doing that he can take something which has been placed there, a relaxed, natural movement.

And yet, when the light track blended with his fingertips, as if it was something they mutually agreed upon - Kazuma's hand seized the light ball. And without change grasped it tightly.

"It huts, it hurts, it huuuuuurts!!"

The high pitch shrill that gushed out of the light ball jolted his brain.

Simultaneously the light faded and the real figure hidden inside materialized. It had a human pattern. However, it's height was less than twenty centimeters. Incidentally, the ears were slightly sharp and transparent wings were growing from its back.

Looking hard at the thing held in his hand, Kazuma murmured, looking bored.

"What, it was a bug?"

"Wrong! Bug is wrong!!"

From inside Kazuma's palm, that thing was wiggling and struggling.

It was belonging to the species referred to as pixies. Living inside forests, mischievous but cute fairies. They rarely ventured into human communities but as he unfortunately knew, not never.

It happened at the end of the last year. Together with Ayano, during the job at the school she was attending, it was the first time he was around something called "a fairy's prank".

Although he was the only whose good fortune wasn't damaged, the memory of that one night's stupid fooling around was still fresh.

"So, what do you want?" asked Kazuma with apathetic words.

If the pixie were to say this is just "a greeting because of a chance meeting" he was seriousely determined to crush it.

"You see, you see, I have a request, Contractor-sama"

Unfortunately, it doesn't seem this fairy just happened to pass by. However, the response was meaningful. Because he was called by a name it wasn't supposed to know.

"Does this mean that instead of greeting the party you want to ask a favor from, you start the attack?"

Cross-examined, visibly looked down upon, while innocently laughing, the fairy answered.

"Ah, that - that was a play for the sake of an impressive stage-entry? Something like that - ouuuuch!?"

"Ha - ha - ha"

With a dry laughter, Kazuma grasps the fairy, considerably inserting more force. He said with perfectly serious tone:

"Die at once!"

"Auuuu...it huuurts, I'm really going to die!"

With sober eyes. Kazuma looked at the struggling fairy. - Of course, without reducing the strength.

Observing the way the fairy's movements were becoming slughish, when it's breath became faint, he opened his palm.
With no energy to flap it's wings, the fairy fell to the ground with a flop. After several seconds -

"Auuuuu.....how cruel....Gyaaaa!"

Kazuma lightly placed his foot above the fairy who got up at last.

While feeling a frail resistance from the sole of his foot, he fired the next question.

"Well then, question number two. Where did you find out about me?"

"Aah, how terrible!"

Just like that, the energetic fairy jumped out from underneath the foot. Standing still in front of Kazuma's eyes, glaring at him as if saying "I'm really angry!"

"You don't remember about me?"

"You don't get it."

Waiving his hand quite bothered, flinging off the fairy's complaints and its body, Kazuma asked:

"What did you call me?"

Surely the pixie saw his face during that incident but he doesn't remember telling it he was a Contractor. It wasn't information easy to come by.

"Ah - that? I heard it from the head of our village", answered the fairy as a matter of course. Laying on its back with legs outstretched, it continued with a triumphant air.

"And so, it's been decided that only Contractor-sama can rescue our family from crisis. I was sent because I was a close acquittance."

"............that so?"

''close acquittance - who are you talking about?''

Although harboring that that sort of feeling, he can't flatly refuse the request of the patriarch of the fairy village. Kazuma pressed forward.

"So, what is that request?"

"This is a major incident!"

Planning to display its anger, the fairy rose slightly higher than Kazuma and talked on and on leaning forward.

"Recently humans have entered the village and stole the family's treasure!"

Contrastive to the excited fairy, Kazuma replied in a sober tone.

"..........Well, that happens often"

"No, it doesn't! Even the patriarch said it is unparalleled in history!"

"That's wrong", Kazuma declared with absolute confidence.

The fairy's village is placed in a slightly different dimension from the material world humans inhabit. Therefore, by physical means it absolutely cannot be reached.

"I don't know whether it is unprecedented or not but it will happen again. No matter how secure barriers will you form, in front of human greed, they are powerless"

For the sake of satisfying one's desire humans conquered all hardships. Even if a dimensional barrier were to block their way, if it is necessary, it will, without exception be smashed.

What's more, they don't pay attention to the damage inflicted on others.

The affirmation of all desires - whether they are good or evil, that is mankind's course of action - Kazuma knew it so.

"Don't be so proud of such a thing......."

"It doesn't mean I am particularly proud of it. I am simply pointing out the truth."

Even because of those eyes obviously filled with blame, Kazuma doesn't falter. Throwing out his chest with dignity, he affirms himself.

"Moving on, the request is to find the treasure, right?"

""Uh-huh. That's right. If we don't have it, our entire existence will be in danger!"

Seeming convinced that the request was already heard, the fairy began dancing, looking glad. While quietly starring at that appearance, Kazuma let out the essential question.

"Will there be a reward?"

The fairy petrified in the middle of her dance. Voiceless, eyes and mouth forming 3 separate O's, it stared at Kazuma. Kazuma also, calmly stared back at her. Not less than one full minute, they stared at each other.

"............errrr.............Contractor-sama..............."

Finally pulling herself together, the fairy asked Kazuma in a cracked voice.

"What?"

"Contractor-sama, you made a contract with the spirits of the wind and became a Contractor, right........?"

"Yes", Kazuma nodded in assent.

"And because of that, well........we, the pixies, are fairies affiliated with the wind, you could say the relatives of wind spirits.........."

"Thank you for especially teaching me such an obvious thing. What of it?"

"So,.........well, as for the proxy of the King of the Spirits on this earth, isn't it natural to help his family in times of crisis, don't you think?"

"...........Ah, I see"

Smiling sweetly, Kazuma kindly extended a hand to the fairy. He softly wrapped his hand around that small body, treating it like fragile glass work.

"Listen up, '''bug'''"

"No, hear me out, I'm not a....."

With that firm smile that clung to him like a mask, Kazuma inserted little by little more power in the hand grabbing the fairy.

"Wow - putting one's life on the line for the proof of one's identity, huh? Not what I've hoped for but that way of life can't be evaluated."

"Auuu....fine, something like me, just an insect............."

Yielding to terror, the fairy sold her pride. Kazuma nodded.

"Listen really close, bug. You should know about me that just because I made a contract with the King of Spirits, it doesn't mean I am burdened with some special sort of special duty."

"S-sneaky.........does that mean that you took all the power without any sort of risk?"

"Yeah", Kazuma boldly declared tossing the fairy.

"That's why, if you want to request something from me, start by showing me the stack of cash. I'll listen to your story after that"

Saying those words he turned his back on the thrown out fairy and started walking.

It wasn't a strategy, much less a joke. Kazuma considered this discussion already over.

"Wh - wait a minute!"

The dumbfounded fairy, seeing off his retreating figure, flew before Kazuma in a panic.

"I understand, we'll give you some of our village's treasure"

".........a fairy's treasure?" Kazuma frowned, very suspicious.

"Something like glass beds or pretty stones you picked by the river or insect shells or - "

"The fairy village is not a crow's nest! We have lots of gold and gems, you know!?"

Just by hearing that, Kazuma's facial expression didn't cheer up. Looking up at that fairy with that apathetic face, he casually said:

"How much of those?"

"Uuu, huh....."

"There doesn't seem to be a big amount, huh? If your family is in crisis hand over at least half of everything you own!"

"You'll go that far!?"

"That's the foundation of business, you know", Kazuma heartlessly declared to the whining fairy.

With sulky eyes, she glared at Kazuma.

"........I have to consult the patriarch"

After all, it became like this.

"Please do. And - "

Nodding proudly, Kazuma suddenly changed the topic.

"About the treasure, what is it?"

"Eh?"

"So, the shape, the material, its function or something like that. If you don't tell me about those I can't search for it."

After understanding the meaning of those words, the gloomy, depressed fairy's facial expression began to shine. She shouted with vigor.

"You came around!?"

Answering to the fairy's smiling face, Kazuma also broadly grinned.

"If it's the treasure of the fairy village, I pray it has enough value to satisfy me."

Instantly the fairy remembered that optical illusion-like mouth that seemed to split until ears. Timidly, she asked:

"Say......just for reference, what will you do if it doesn't satisfy you?"

"Annihilation, isn't it obvious?"

".......isn't it obvious..."

Toward the fairy, involuntarily repeating it, Kazuma grinned all the more.

"When that time comes, you will be the last to go. After burning in your memory that the destruction of your family was the result of the rashness of your speech, you can die."

Sizing it in his hand for the third time, Kazuma laughed enjoying himself from the bottom of his heart. If, from that back bat-like wings and a pointed tail were to appear because she was hallucinating, that is definitely not the fairy's responsibility.
"Auuuu......."

"Well than......"

Permitting for a while the fairy's scream, Kazuma returned to the topic.

"Enough idle talk, tell me the job details."

"Well, you see.........to call the announcement of my entire family's annihilation idle talk......"

"You're noisy. So, what kind of treasure is it?"

"This kind"

Smoothly escaping Kazuma's hand, the fairy's and his head touched each other. Through the contact portion, the "treasure"'s image poured into Kazuma's brain.

"...........a seed?"

That was the first impression. Unidentified life force, so to speak.

The strong pounding wave, from within the shell, rose ready to burst open.

"What on Earth is this? "

Being asked so, the fairy looked away. After its eyes wondered about for a while, it looked at Kazuma, waiting for an answer, with an upward glance.

"Let me see.......that is something like a trade secret..........no?"

"What sort of business?............well, it doesn't matter."

Although reposting, Kazuma easily allowed the secret. He had no interest in a treasure he can't take hold of and obtained only the necessary information for searching. There's no meaning investigating further.

"Then. show me the points the humans invaded through. We'll follow from there."

The wind will certainly remember the treasure's presence. No matter how advanced the enemy's shielding was, Kazuma had confidence he could locate it less than 24 hours.

"Eh? Ah, that's fine. Because we know where it is."

"What? - Ah, so that's the reason"

The answer to the question that came to mind, Kazuma instantly found it by himself. In other words the commission wasn't for a search but for a recovery.

"The place is tis way"

The fairy touched his hear with hers for a second time. Deriving the name of the place from the information flowing in, Kazuma's eyes faintly opened wider.

"........Ah? This is - "

"Something wrong?"

"Nothing. Leaving that aside, bug, are you coming too?"

"Yeah, I'm coming. - By the way, Contractor-sama?"

Resigned but including a faint hope, the fairy looked at Kazuma.

"Do you remember my name?"

"No"

Instant reply. Incidentally he had no guilty feeling about it. The fairy named herself with a sight.

"It's Tiana. Please treat me favorably, Contractor-sama."

"Stop that. Kazuma is fine."

When Kazuma told her his name, the fairy - Tiana corrected herself, looking glad.

"Please treat me favorably, Kazuma♥"

"Use Kazuma-sama"

"............."

"It's a joke"

".........teh"

Overwhelmed by anger, she pretended to throw kicks from Kazuma's back.

''Ei! Ei!! I give up!!!''

After the one-two punch, a reversal left hook and then a left, low hit finish stroked Kazuma's phantasm, Tiana finally felt refreshed.

However, she was careless. Kazuma was a Fuujutsushi - within a certain range his perception had no blind spots.

"I saw that."

"Fukyaaa"

The small wind pebble flied together with the cold reply, delivering a hard blow on Tiana's face.

===Part 3===

"Kazumaaaaa, it's boring ~ "

From inside the improvised wind cage, Tiana's boredom leaked out.

"Hey, Kazumaaaa - fugyuuu!?"

Eliminating reply time, Kazuma shrunk the wing cage, putting screws on Tiana. When her complexion became bluish-purple and the restrains became loose he shortly informed her.

"Shut up"

"Auuuuu...."

Disregarding the fairy's groans, Kazuma shifted his focus outside of the window. The streaming landscape. Because the sun already set, the place of destination supposed to be beyond that point couldn't be seen. Even if that is supposed to be the highest place in Japan.

"A train? Why a train? If it were me, I would fly"

"Then fly. By yourself."

That exchange of words already happened two hours ago.

Even forcibly, about no choosing a different course of action, Kazuma was regretting it vehemently. The fact that the pixies are mischievous creatures it's a universally known legend. But, for most people it seems that they regard that mischief counterbalancing the lovely outward appearance as something charming. They are absolutely wrong.

The pixies pranks are plenty disagreeable. Breaking items that would have lasted a lifetime or changing outcomes to force people into unpleasant situations - they will do them without hesitation. Tiana was no exception.

Opening the running train's door all of a sudden, erasing the window glass where children bent forward to see outside, causing poltergeist phenomena into the driver's seat.

And lastly - it's unknown how she did it, but when she managed a train barrel roll, Kazuma's patience cord was severed. Keeping her in a wind cage, he sealed her entire movement.

Tiana may be complaining but considering this is Kazuma, it's possible to say this is a remarkably generous step.
Without speech and attitude, it's possible she has nothing but some residual part of race awareness.

"Kazumaaa, let me out....."

''Otsuki ~ Otsuki''

Covering Tiana's voice, obstinately begging, the announcer informed about the arrival at the place of destination. Watching Kazuma get up in silence, Tiana's eyes sparkled.

''With this, he'll let me out!''

But, far from releasing her, he let the wind cage itself behind, got off the train and started walking.

"...........Eh? W-wait!?"

Without response to the frantic voice, calling to halt, the train slowly started to move. From the window Tiana looked at the station platform. In the middle of the scene that started to flow little by little, just once, Kazuma waved his hand.

"........Ah.......Ah......"

It's body shaking with anger, the fairy shouted as far as possible.

"Kazuma, you idiot!"

That scream that couldn't shake the atmosphere reacher no one's ears.

Approximately 10 minutes afterwards.

"Kazumaaaaaaaaaaa!!"

From behind a motorcycle sprinting on the dark street, a screaming light ball was approaching. The light ball suddenly stopped right beside Kazuma's face. Maybe because the relative velocity was equal, the figure of the girl growing wings inside the light and even her angry expression could be perceived in detail.

Shifting his attention to her only for a second, he muttered, bored-looking.

"That was unexpectedly quick"

"Why did you do that? Leaving someone behind, how terrible!"

"Well, I hesitated"

It wasn't about whether or not to take someone along.

"Not that sort of indulgent method but whether or not I ought to deal with you before, to eliminate future trouble."

"..............tch!"

Involuntarily, the imagining of "eliminate future trouble" drew Tiana's attention. Thinking about his behavior so far, there is no room for doubt. This man is serious.

"Auuuuuuu~ I won't pull pranks anymore so don't kill me!"

To the lamenting fairy, Kazuma showed a cynical smile.

"Ho - Can you take responsibility for those words? Next time I'll deal with you in a conclusive manner."

''a conclusive manner'' - an abstract expression and yet that meaning was excessively tangible.

Trembling in fear, Tiana nodded soundlessly.

"..........humph"

Faintly slanting his lips, Kazuma twisted the acceleration. Tiana chased in a panic that speeding up bike.
Both of them aimed at the destination straight ahead. The vast forest stretching out at the bottom of Japan's highest peak rising in front of them, Mt. Fuji, the Aokigahara Forest.

"Hey, hey"

Even after promising to be a good child, Tiana can't be silent more than one minute. Even humans can be like this at times. Those who can't endure psychological silence.

"Where did you get that vehicle?"

It was a natural question. A more accurate one would be not "where" but "by what means". At any rate it would have been impossible to make preparations for riding on a plot of land he had no plans of visiting.

Kazuma replied simply.

"I borrowed it"

"Borrowed? Really? Maybe there are kind people after all."

Holding no sarcasm, those were sincere, praising words. The superficial comprehension towards human society in addition to humans themselves allowed such misunderstanding.

"Indeed. The society has not yet degraded so."

A brazen declaration. By the way Tiana didn't notice that Kazuma's garments too, subtly changed. As one would expect, he thought the down jacket to be ugly and changed it to a dark gray jacket. Perhaps this is also a borrowed item.

In any case, after nothing but traveling for a dozen of minutes, in the middle of the national highway going through the sea of the trees, Kazuma located a private road, quiet and secluded.

"This way, huh?"

"Yeah"

Abandoning the bike Kazuma jumped over an iron fence pretending to be broken. And then, after several jumps riding the wind, both of them arrived at a slightly elevated hill overlooking a magnificent residence built in the mysterious sea of trees.

"These guys?"

A murmur shaking in delight. The rising urge lifted his lips and a small laughter leaked out.

"I see. so they were these guys..."

".......Errr, I'm afraid to ask but acquaintance?", Tiana timidly asked while flinching at the dangerous, carnivore-like smile.

"No, they're not personal acquaintance. "

Kazuma clearly shook his head, while that ferocious smile still cling to his face.

"But.....since while back I couldn't help but want to crush these guys."

"Wh-What kind of people are they?"

"These guys are..."

"............well, if it were me instead of him, I'd kill you instantly"

"Auuuuuu ~ I don't want to die"

While weeping, Tiana cling to Kazuma.

"Hey! If it's Kazuma, can you search where it went!? Can you!? Please, I'll pay an extra charge"

"Well - calm down"

"I can't calm down!!"

"Listen up! Look this way"

Kazuma turned around Tiana's head with all his might. Somehow he had a feeling its neck-bones made a somewhat thick sound but there is no meaning in paying attention to the head of such random living things like fairies.

"Auuuuuuuu~"

Kazuma quietly but with a sharp voice murmured close to the I-don't-know-why-but-fainting-in-agony fairy's ears.

"Look properly inside the mansion. Do you see?"

The residence was approximately 100 meters away. Furthermore it was night. The things that could be seen with a physical eye were only the outlines of the mansion. But -

"Huh? isn't it kind of noisy?"

As far as Fuujutsushi and Pixies are concerned, both of them are companions of the wind spirits and reading the information the wind is carrying is easy.

Just as Tiana said, the residence's atmospheric was uproarious. Disturbance and impatience and the mayhem caused by them were transmitted as far as below the two.

"I wonder what happened"

"Well, it doesn't seem they are merely busy. Perhaps the disappearance of the treasure was an unexpected accident for that lot"

"You mean, that it was again stolen by a different someone. Doesn't that mean it will be more difficult to search!?"

Kazuma lightly shrug his shoulders.

"It's not like you'll be troubled if I don't find it personally"

"I'll be troubled!!"

Cruelly brushing away Tiana's half-cries he aimed a daring gaze at the mansion.

"Leaving jokes aside let's take a closer look"

Kazuma lightly kicked the ground. Enveloped by the whirling wind that body smoothly shook off the gravity's restraint. Shortening the distance by 10 meters with each jump, he stopped 20 meters from the mansion and stood still in the air above it. Tiana, running after him asked:

"Won't we be exposed? If we are so close?"

"It's safe", Kazuma assured her.

At any rate, the opponent is the Tsuwabuki Family - a family of Chijutsushis. They don't have techniques for detecting things that aren't connected to the ground.

"Well then - "

Concentrating his consciousness, he searched for useful information. As long as the other party is in a place with air, there is nothing an Enjutsushi can't spy on. Whether it's a distance of 20 meters, obstacles such as roofs and walls, for them it's equal with zero. Setting apart useless information as noise and picking up only the necessary one.

The tuning was immediately over. A little grazed alto was reached Kazuma's ears.

'' - you haven't captured it yet?''

''Yes - but we have perfectly caught hold of its presence and now it's only a matter of time.........''

''Not particularly. However splendid that is, The Grand Festival is tomorrow, do you understand?''

"A - Already...."

At the impossible to decipher conversation, Tiana looked slightly doubtful at Kazuma.

"What is The Grand Festival?"

Without answering, Kazuma closed his eyes partly. Feeling the temperature falling below freezing at once, Tiana backed off shivering.

"I see - " with an icy smile etched to his face, Kazuma murmured slightly.

"It was this year, that thing?"

"Th - that thing?" too reckless Tiana asked a second time. But this time there was an answer.

"I said it earlier, didn't I? About that evil sacrificing ceremony. It seems they do it at intervals of approximately 30 years, on the first full moon night of the new year. In short, tomorrow night."

"You're well informed, huh?"

"Because it's a famous ritual."

Kazuma spit out unpleasantly.

"These fellows, far from hiding the use of sacrificing, they take pride in it, instead."

"Hmm - So, there is some connection between that ceremony and the treasure they stole from the pixie village?"

"There must be. As far as the Tsuwabuki are concerned, the ceremony is more important than anything. Because the rite is so close, there's no way they have enough composure to be concerned with unrelated stuff - but I have no idea what they'll use it for."

"That cannot be allowed - "

Silencing Tiana, who started screaming, Kazuma restarted the reconnaissance. this time projecting visual information.

''Do hurry. I don' care about means. As the head's representative, you have permission to act freely.''

In one of the mansion's rooms, a woman ordered the group of men. Kazuma focused on that woman.

'''dark''' - more than anything, that was the impression she made. The hair was oddly long. Darker than darkness itself, that straight glossy hair was falling like a waterfall as far as her knees. A black suit. It seemed a long straight skirt was coiling around her legs, but a deep slit on its left revealed almost all her tight.

She was approximately in the later half of her twenties. Although amazingly beautiful, she was so bewitching she didn't seem human. From a distance she was a sight for sore eyes, and yet the type you didn't want to get to know. She seemed to be younger than the men surrounding her but there wasn't a single person appearing to look down on her.

All their foreheads were sweating, imploring the woman in a good mood.

''If it seems we won't make it in time, we have no choice but to call Mayumi back''

''......!!''

At those matter of course words, the men were vehemently disturbed.

''Kureha-sama, that would be against the Head's intention - ''

''Silence!''

That woman everyone called Kureha raised her head triumphantly.

''Now that my father is sick, I am the one ruling over Tsuwabuki. Do you complain?''

''N - no.........we wouldn't......''

Aiming a cynical smile at the overpowered, drained in cold sweat men, kazuma whistles frivolously.

"Scary woman"

But that face suddenly became stiff. Kureha suddenly looked at the ceiling.

"........Ah? Oi, you don't say......"

That severe glance pierced the ceiling, directly grasping him. Although understanding it, that impossible fact halted his thought process. A lethal space was born.

''who?''

Simultaneously shouting for Kazuma's identity, his body was rapidly drawn to the surface.

"W - wait a second! What the heck is this?"

There's no way his wind was stopped. With a force by far surpassing the dynamic lift the wind produced, something dragged Kazuma to the ground.

''What on earth is this!? but first, how did she noticed? Did she changed the dust in the atmosphere in a radar or something?''

While Kazuma was confused, Kureha briskly gave direction to those men.

"There's a trespasser in the sky. I'll drop him off here so counter attack! "

"......Y-yes!", the men nodded obediently.

Although not understanding, it seems they put all their trust in Kureha's power. The eyes looking up at the ceiling held not a speck of doubt, storing power, preparing the one finishing blow for the intruder who will fall.

''This is pretty bad, huh?'', Kazuma whispered at his wit's end while falling.

This was not far from a crisis. Since he doesn't know by what kind of ability he is dragged down, it's impossible to resist. He tried to ease up the speed of the fall with wind, but it had almost no effect.

As if his body's weight was increased ten, no more then a hundred times.

''.....that's it!''

Kazuma swung downward a wind blade. Just because of that one stroke the field of that invisible power was cut cross-section-ally while the back-lash eased up the speed of the fall. But it was already too late -

'''Gonn! Gogann!'''

Smashing down the roof and the ceiling, Kazuma fell into the Tsuwabuki residence. Of course, the wind was doing the smashing, it's not like his life was in danger, but it wasn't a pleasant feeling.

"Don't underestimate us! "

Barely managing to land, he used wind to counterbalance the Chijutsushi's attack coming from every direction. If they were to include one more blow, he would have obliterated everyone here.

"Fugyaaaa!"

But, Tiana's existence, falling on his head at that precise time turned away the chance to attack.

".............."

Without saying anything, Kazuma gripped the fairy from the top of his head and threw it onto the ground.

"Auuuuuuuu~"

"Good grief - "

After looking down on the groaning fairy very annoyed, he turned his eyes to the surroundings.

Because that attack supposed to deliver a certain kill was brushed off, the Chijutsushi peeled their eyes in fright. But, that wasn't all.

"F - fairy......?"

The man's eyes looked intensely at Tiana. Not the questioning look asking why the fairy is here.

Disturbance and surprise - a face that knows more than enough. Seeing that, Kazuma raised his lips. Kicking up a scattered-on-the-floor Tiana and sizing it, he shouted clearly:

"You people, who devastated the fairy village! Know that the sins of blockheads like you will never be forgiven! We won't let you use our treasure for your wicked ceremony. Know that tomorrow evening is the time this family will be ruined!"

Together with that bombastic pronouncement they escaped through the hole opened in the ceiling. Before the dumbfounded, completely played Chijutsushi calmed down, Kazuma's figure disappeared beyond the sea of trees.

"What was that at the end?"

Putting a 10 minutes distance from Tsuwabuki, properly sitting down on tree branches, Tiana asked with a stunned expression. Kazuma answered with a smile:

"A confirmation tentative and the last one, well, I just went with the flow. There's no meaning behind it."

The fairy's existence and Kazuma's words clearly disturbed them. But more then that, the positive proof that the Tsuwabuki family stole the fairy's treasure was obtained.

"Hmmm - So, what will you do next?"

"I'll wait", Kazuma replied simply.

"Only that?"

"From the conversation earlier, it seemed they grasp the treasure's whereabouts. They said they'll search for it. There's no need for me to work, right?"

"............."

Without taking action, stealing the opponent's result - even if Tiana thought that was an absolute makeshift method, she kept her silence and her wisdom. One way or another, it seemed she had at least a little learning ability.

"Ku ku ku"

Thinking of something, Kazuma revealed an exceedingly enjoyable chuckle.

"If I keep hidden the fact that the secret treasure has been returned I'd be able to do what I wanted. Taking the moral high ground so to speak. I'll ask nicely so don't return it without a fight, alright?"

"Ku ku ku ku - "

Exactly as stated a while ago, he appears to plan the complete destruction of the Tsuwabuki. That the drifting smell of blood will be filling that dangerous, limitless laughter, Tiana was scared from the marrow of her bones.

''Why? Why!?''

While frantically plugging her ears, for the first time in her life, she complained to the King of the Wind Spirits.

''Why did You make this kind of man Your Contractor!? That was absolutely, absolutely a mistake! ''

Whether the fairy's bitter soul scream reached the King of the Wind Spirits or not, only the spirit king knew.

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| Back to [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume3_Chapter_1|Chapter 1]]
| Return to [[Kaze_no_Stigma|Main Page]]
| Forward to [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume3_Chapter_3|Chapter 3]]
|-
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Kaze no Stigma:Volume3 Chapter 2

2013-04-28T11:01:35Z

80.240.162.190: /* Part 2 */

=== Chapter 2 Small Client ===

===Part 1===
Let’s go a few hours back in time.

“Seeii!”

With a sharp exclamation, Ayano swung Enraiha down. The divine sword granted by the king of the flame spirits to conquer the devil, burned and exorcized in a single stroke the revengeful ghost hunting the construction site.

“.............Fuuu”

Confirming the ghost’s annihilation, Ayano restored Enraiha back to its scabbard – her own body. Immediately from behind, a vapid sound can be heard:

'''Bu, bu, bu'''

“.................!”

Looking over the shoulder at the sad sight, sproing, she faced the source of the noise with a villainous discernment. That gaze, with no exaggeration, contains several times more killing intent than when facing the vengeful ghost.

Basking in those murderous eyes, Kazuma finally stopped the act – clapping hands – giving such a dull sound. But as evidence he wasn’t particularly sorry, his predatory smile didn’t disappear.

“.................”

With a challenging look that could kill people by sight, Ayano stared at Kazuma very long. The usually sloppy facial expression. A slack attitude from which you couldn’t feel a trace of tension. That was acceptable. Even if he appears relaxed, it’s impossible for this man to be less than prepared before a battle.

But even so, around his head, or to be more accurate, from around his jaw and below, there was a thing, as one would expect, she cannot stomach. The width of Kazuma's body increased by 20%. He did not get fat, much less put on muscle. He was bundling up in layers of clothes.

At the topmost he was wearing a fluffy down jacket. Stuffed with lots and lots of feathers. He seemed to be extremely warm. Also, how many extra clothes is he wearing underneath to appear to have doubled the thickness of his arms? Furthermore, a scarf is rolled around his head; he wears gloves – the origin of those dull applause.

No matter how you look at it, it’s a flawless winter-sports-watching-look.

If he were to hold a warmed canned coffee in his hand, before killing the vengeful ghost, Ayano would have tried to decapitate Kazuma first.

Ayano focused that thorny glance on Kazuma. The reason he was standing in this place was because he was supposed to act as Ayano’s guard. To conclude, it wasn’t to watch other people’s fight from a safe place, with an appearance that would slow down his movement.

Despite it, this man is –

“Just by standing there distractedly, to be given money, what a good social position, huh?”

Sarcasm with all her might. But naturally, that degree of scorn doesn’t get through Kazuma’s thick skin.

"I agree. The suzerain favors me so!”

Toward Kazuma's frivolous, sneering response, Ayano felt a fairly serious killing intent. She shouted, letting anger take it’s natural course.

“I’m sick of it! Why does Father hire you for this kind of job!?”

“Don’t ask me that”

Certainly, so far, Juugo never allowed Ayano to take a job unassisted. But, the duty of being an escort held so far by the practitioners of the branch families nowadays was entrusted to Kazuma alone.

Of course, he was being paid.

No matter how nasty his personality was, Kazuma is a top class practitioner. His remuneration is by no means inexpensive. In spite of this, Juugo, even on these trifling ghost extermination jobs, obstinately continues to employ Kazuma.
On jobs like these, Kazuma literally doesn’t lift a finger. Ayano does all the work by herself. This man stands before her eyes for the sake of profit.

''You’re just a pimp!''

Irritating but inevitable, Ayano decided to allow herself a modest recreation. Staring at that hateful, frivolously laughing man, she says in a tone that allows no objection:

“I’m hungry. We’re going to dinner.”

Kazuma scowled slightly.

“Do you want to extort money from me again?”

“Why are you complaining? They’re easy money at best”

“That’s different. If I were to name it, my job is like insurance. There is no need to move until an opponent you cannot manage alone appears.”

In reply to Kazuma’s solemn exposition, Ayano sternly trusted her finger in front of him.

“In case of insurance, isn’t there supposed to be a refund?”

“If he were to refund every time, the insurance man would immediately go bankrupt.”

“You’re safe. Because you still make a lot of profit.”

Obstinately, Ayano strongly insisted. Even Kazuma became generous after securing such a comfortable job and wasn’t in the mood to unconditionally refuse her. Even his rebuttal lost their usual severity, containing sweetness similar in some respects to a pre-established harmony.

“Well, fine. If it’s just food.”

In the end Kazuma gave in. Ayano stiffened her mouth already turning into a broad smile, proudly nodding.

“Very well. Let’s go then. Yukari told me about a delicious French restaurant.”

“...........French, huh?”

Kazuma calmly drew Ayano’s attention, who already started walking.

“Whether it’s French of ethnic it doesn’t matter but will they let us in, dressed like this?”

Ayano turned around, twitching her eyebrows. Her attire was the usual school uniform. Because this suit is an important ceremonial dress, it said everything is OK, a mighty item.

But Kazuma –

“Why don’t you dress properly?”

“Fool.”

With a single word Kazuma cut down and threw away Ayano’s criticism.

“Why do I have to dress up in the exorcism business?”

“That wouldn’t be too bad. Perhaps you will become better looking.”

“Leave me alone. It can’t be helped if my partner is not worthy enough to dress up for, right?”

It goes without saying but those words can’t help but incur Ayano’s displeasure. Arching her eyebrows in anger she commands:

“Do you hear me? From now on, during the job wear a necktie. Do you understand?”

“I refuse,” Kazuma answered instantly.

That quick reaction clearly denoted that there is no place for negotiation.

“What a cheapskate!”

“Do you think that’s where the problem is?”

During this vigorous match full of boos and irony the couple walked to the station. Although the ambiance was stormy, those two’s back and forth argument, not wanting to be separated, snuggling as close as they like, looked like nothing else but some sort of matrimonial quarrel – maybe.

Eventually both were admitted in, even without neckties, settling down after searching for the most expensive (this is essential) restaurant.

“Well, something like this.”

“Don’t <<something like this>> me! You always order the most expensive thing on the menu! Do you bear some grudge against me?”

Ayano bent her head slightly to one side and gazed at Kazuma with a completely curios look.

“ – Eh, you thought I didn’t?”

Being treated by Kazuma to dinner, as a matter of fact, this is not the first time. Or perhaps I should say, it already became an after work custom.

Harassment for the sake of diminishing, even if just a little, Kazuma’s profits obtained without working at all. Ayano explained her actions like this and she herself truly believed so – at the very least, at a superficial level.

“Before I met you I didn’t know.”

Hands joined before her chest, like a dreaming maiden, Ayano whispered with a voice shaking with delight:

"The meal other people treat me to could be so delicious.”

Ecstatically and with eyes closed, she is looking forward to Kazuma’s reaction. However, the severe retort she certainly
believed would come, no matter how much time passes, doesn’t appear.
She opens her eyes, looking at Kazuma. The man sitting in front of her turned an absentminded gaze outside the window.

He didn’t hear a word from Ayano’s provocation.

“What are you looking at?”

“Hmmm? Ah......”

Brought back by Ayano’s voice Kazuma’s eyes barely return to her.

“Nothing”

“...............hmm”

"Sorry to keep you waiting"
For a short while the same quarrel-like unromantic conversation continued. The waiter appeared caring(<?) champagne.

"....ufuu ♥"

Ayano watched attentively the champagne poured into her glass, making satisfied sounds, with a smile on her face.
She took the glass in one hand.

"Well then, let's celebrate another job successfully finished - "

The moment she put up her glass for the toast, Kazuma abruptly stood up.

"Kazuma?"

"I'm sorry but I have an urgent business. I'll take care of the bill so don't worry."

With those words, without looking at Ayano, he took the receipt and walked away.

"Eh...wait..."

Ayano stared in a daze at Kazuma, paying by the register. And just like that, without any sort of greeting, Kazuma left the store and disappeared in the middle of the crowd.

"What's the matter with you..."

At that time Ayano finally calmed down. The simmering anger made her body tremble.

"What are you trying to say......!"

Because this was a public place she barely managed to keep her voice down. In that state, that violent emotion that filled her insides was demanding an outlet to get angry at.

The slender fingertips supporting the legs of the champagne glass broke with a sinister sound.

===Part 2===

After leaving the restaurant, with a manner of walking that showed no hesitation, Kazuma had his eyes upon the back street. After walking several minutes, finding a slightly empty space and stopping there, he looked up at the sky.

"Well then - what are you going to do?"

Facing the empty space, quietly, Kazuma asked -

"Will you come out by yourself? or else - be dragged out?"

The answer was a blow. The light ball that suddenly appeared came flying at high speed, aiming at Kazuma's head.

That oblique attack from the sky, Kazuma dogged it, nimbly swaying back. The light ball flying before his eyes, just before it crashed the ground, by suddenly altering its angle started climbing.

A second dive.

But this time, with no dogging involved its aim was off.

"Good grief!"

The light ball flies around Kazuma as it pleases. The irregular high speed maneuver disregarding the laws of inertia, perfectly exceeds humans' perception capacity.

By using his eyes alone, Kazuma can only perceive the light ball's movement as a line not a point.

But -

Lightly, his right hand stretched horizontally. As it, just by doing that he can take something which has been placed there, a relaxed, natural movement.

And yet, when the light track blended with his fingertips, as if it was something they mutually agreed upon - Kazuma's hand seized the light ball. And without change grasped it tightly.

"It huts, it hurts, it huuuuuurts!!"

The high pitch shrill that gushed out of the light ball jolted his brain.

Simultaneously the light faded and the real figure hidden inside materialized. It had a human pattern. However, it's height was less than twenty centimeters. Incidentally, the ears were slightly sharp and transparent wings were growing from its back.

Looking hard at the thing held in his hand, Kazuma murmured, looking bored.

"What, it was a bug?"

"Wrong! Bug is wrong!!"

From inside Kazuma's palm, that thing was wiggling and struggling.

It was belonging to the species referred to as pixies. Living inside forests, mischievous but cute fairies. They rarely ventured into human communities but as he unfortunately knew, not never.

It happened at the end of the last year. Together with Ayano, during the job at the school she was attending, it was the first time he was around something called "a fairy's prank".

Although he was the only whose good fortune wasn't damaged, the memory of that one night's stupid fooling around was still fresh.

"So, what do you want?" asked Kazuma with apathetic words.

If the pixie were to say this is just "a greeting because of a chance meeting" he was seriousely determined to crush it.

"You see, you see, I have a request, Contractor-sama"

Unfortunately, it doesn't seem this fairy just happened to pass by. However, the response was meaningful. Because he was called by a name it wasn't supposed to know.

"Does this mean that instead of greeting the party you want to ask a favor from, you start the attack?"

Cross-examined, visibly looked down upon, while innocently laughing, the fairy answered.

"Ah, that - that was a play for the sake of an impressive stage-entry? Something like that - ouuuuch!?"

"Ha - ha - ha"

With a dry laughter, Kazuma grasps the fairy, considerably inserting more force. He said with perfectly serious tone:

"Die at once!"

"Auuuu...it huuurts, I'm really going to die!"

With sober eyes. Kazuma looked at the struggling fairy. - Of course, without reducing the strength.

Observing the way the fairy's movements were becoming slughish, when it's breath became faint, he opened his palm.
With no energy to flap it's wings, the fairy fell to the ground with a flop. After several seconds -

"Auuuuu.....how cruel....Gyaaaa!"

Kazuma lightly placed his foot above the fairy who got up at last.

While feeling a frail resistance from the sole of his foot, he fired the next question.

"Well then, question number two. Where did you find out about me?"

"Aah, how terrible!"

Just like that, the energetic fairy jumped out from underneath the foot. Standing still in front of Kazuma's eyes, glaring at him as if saying "I'm really angry!"

"You don't remember about me?"

"You don't get it."

Waiving his hand quite bothered, flinging off the fairy's complaints and its body, Kazuma asked:

"What did you call me?"

Surely the pixie saw his face during that incident but he doesn't remember telling it he was a Contractor. It wasn't information easy to come by.

"Ah - that? I heard it from the head of our village", answered the fairy as a matter of course. Laying on its back with legs outstretched, it continued with a triumphant air.

"And so, it's been decided that only Contractor-sama can rescue our family from crisis. I was sent because I was a close acquittance."

"............that so?"

''close acquittance - who are you talking about?''

Although harboring that that sort of feeling, he can't flatly refuse the request of the patriarch of the fairy village. Kazuma pressed forward.

"So, what is that request?"

"This is a major incident!"

Planning to display its anger, the fairy rose slightly higher than Kazuma and talked on and on leaning forward.

"Recently humans have entered the village and stole the family's treasure!"

Contrastive to the excited fairy, Kazuma replied in a sober tone.

"..........Well, that happens often"

"No, it doesn't! Even the patriarch said it is unparalleled in history!"

"That's wrong", Kazuma declared with absolute confidence.

The fairy's village is placed in a slightly different dimension from the material world humans inhabit. Therefore, by physical means it absolutely cannot be reached.

"I don't know whether it is unprecedented or not but it will happen again. No matter how secure barriers will you form, in front of human greed, they are powerless"

For the sake of satisfying one's desire humans conquered all hardships. Even if a dimensional barrier were to block their way, if it is necessary, it will, without exception be smashed.

What's more, they don't pay attention to the damage inflicted on others.

The affirmation of all desires - whether they are good or evil, that is mankind's course of action - Kazuma knew it so.

"Don't be so proud of such a thing......."

"It doesn't mean I am particularly proud of it. I am simply pointing out the truth."

Even because of those eyes obviously filled with blame, Kazuma doesn't falter. Throwing out his chest with dignity, he affirms himself.

"Moving on, the request is to find the treasure, right?"

""Uh-huh. That's right. If we don't have it, our entire existence will be in danger!"

Seeming convinced that the request was already heard, the fairy began dancing, looking glad. While quietly starring at that appearance, Kazuma let out the essential question.

"Will there be a reward?"

The fairy petrified in the middle of her dance. Voiceless, eyes and mouth forming 3 separate O's, it stared at Kazuma. Kazuma also, calmly stared back at her. Not less than one full minute, they stared at each other.

"............errrr.............Contractor-sama..............."

Finally pulling herself together, the fairy asked Kazuma in a cracked voice.

"What?"

"Contractor-sama, you made a contract with the spirits of the wind and became a Contractor, right........?"

"Yes", Kazuma nodded in assent.

"And because of that, well........we, the pixies, are fairies affiliated with the wind, you could say the relatives of wind spirits.........."

"Thank you for especially teaching me such an obvious thing. What of it?"

"So,.........well, as for the proxy of the King of the Spirits on this earth, isn't it natural to help his family in times of crisis, don't you think?"

"...........Ah, I see"

Smiling sweetly, Kazuma kindly extended a hand to the fairy. He softly wrapped his hand around that small body, treating it like fragile glass work.

"Listen up, '''bug'''"

"No, hear me out, I'm not a....."

With that firm smile that clung to him like a mask, Kazuma inserted little by little more power in the hand grabbing the fairy.

"Wow - putting one's life on the line for the proof of one's identity, huh? Not what I've hoped for but that way of life can't be evaluated."

"Auuu....fine, something like me, just an insect............."

Yielding to terror, the fairy sold her pride. Kazuma nodded.

"Listen really close, bug. You should know about me that just because I made a contract with the King of Spirits, it doesn't mean I am burdened with some special sort of special duty."

"S-sneaky.........does that mean that you took all the power without any sort of risk?"

"Yeah", Kazuma boldly declared tossing the fairy.

"That's why, if you want to request something from me, start by showing me the stack of cash. I'll listen to your story after that"

Saying those words he turned his back on the thrown out fairy and started walking.

It wasn't a strategy, much less a joke. Kazuma considered this discussion already over.

"Wh - wait a minute!"

The dumbfounded fairy, seeing off his retreating figure, flew before Kazuma in a panic.

"I understand, we'll give you some of our village's treasure"

".........a fairy's treasure?" Kazuma frowned, very suspicious.

"Something like glass beds or pretty stones you picked by the river or insect shells or - "

"The fairy village is not a crow's nest! We have lots of gold and gems, you know!?"

Just by hearing that, Kazuma's facial expression didn't cheer up. Looking up at that fairy with that apathetic face, he casually said:

"How much of those?"

"Uuu, huh....."

"There doesn't seem to be a big amount, huh? If your family is in crisis hand over at least half of everything you own!"

"You'll go that far!?"

"That's the foundation of business, you know", Kazuma heartlessly declared to the whining fairy.

With sulky eyes, she glared at Kazuma.

"........I have to consult the patriarch"

After all, it became like this.

"Please do. And - "

Nodding proudly, Kazuma suddenly changed the topic.

"About the treasure, what is it?"

"Eh?"

"So, the shape, the material, its function or something like that. If you don't tell me about those I can't search for it."

After understanding the meaning of those words, the gloomy, depressed fairy's facial expression began to shine. She shouted with vigor.

"You came around!?"

Answering to the fairy's smiling face, Kazuma also broadly grinned.

"If it's the treasure of the fairy village, I pray it has enough value to satisfy me."

Instantly the fairy remembered that optical illusion-like mouth that seemed to split until ears. Timidly, she asked:

"Say......just for reference, what will you do if it doesn't satisfy you?"

"Annihilation, isn't it obvious?"

".......isn't it obvious..."

Toward the fairy, involuntarily repeating it, Kazuma grinned all the more.

"When that time comes, you will be the last to go. After burning in your memory that the destruction of your family was the result of the rashness of your speech, you can die."

Sizing it in his hand for the third time, Kazuma laughed enjoying himself from the bottom of his heart. If, from that back bat-like wings and a pointed tail were to appear because she was hallucinating, that is definitely not the fairy's responsibility.
"Auuuu......."

"Well than......"

Permitting for a while the fairy's scream, Kazuma returned to the topic.

"Enough idle talk, tell me the job details."

"Well, you see.........to call the announcement of my entire family's annihilation idle talk......"

"You're noisy. So, what kind of treasure is it?"

"This kind"

Smoothly escaping Kazuma's hand, the fairy's and his head touched each other. Through the contact portion, the "treasure"'s image poured into Kazuma's brain.

"...........a seed?"

That was the firs impression. Unidentified life force, so to speak.

The strong pounding wave, from within the shell, rose ready to burst open.

"What on Earth is this? "

Being asked so, the fairy looked away. After its eyes wondered about for a while, it looked at Kazuma, waiting for an answer, with an upward glance.

"Let me see.......that is something like a trade secret..........no?"

"What sort of business?............well, it doesn't matter."

Although reposting, Kazuma easily allowed the secret. He had no interest in a treasure he can't take hold of and obtained only the necessary information for searching. There's no meaning investigating further.

"Then. show me the points the humans invaded through. We'll follow from there."

The wind will certainly remember the treasure's presence. No matter how advanced the enemy's shielding was, Kazuma had confidence he could locate it less than 24 hours.

"Eh? Ah, that's fine. Because we know where it is."

"What? - Ah, so that's the reason"

The answer to the question that came to mind, Kazuma instantly found it by himself. In other words the commission wasn't for a search but for a recovery.

"The place is tis way"

The fairy touched his hear with hers for a second time. Deriving the name of the place from the information flowing in, Kazuma's eyes faintly opened wider.

"........Ah? This is - "

"Something wrong?"

"Nothing. Leaving that aside, bug, are you coming too?"

"Yeah, I'm coming. - By the way, Contractor-sama?"

Resigned but including a faint hope, the fairy looked at Kazuma.

"Do you remember my name?"

"No"

Instant reply. Incidentally he had no guilty feeling about it. The fairy named herself with a sight.

"It's Tiana. Please treat me favorably, Contractor-sama."

"Stop that. Kazuma is fine."

When Kazuma told her his name, the fairy - Tiana corrected herself, looking glad.

"Please treat me favorably, Kazuma♥"

"Use Kazuma-sama"

"............."

"It's a joke"

".........teh"

Overwhelmed by anger, she pretended to throw kicks from Kazuma's back.

''Ei! Ei!! I give up!!!''

After the one-two punch, a reversal left hook and then a left, low hit finish stroked Kazuma's phantasm, Tiana finally felt refreshed.

However, she was careless. Kazuma was a Fuujutsushi - within a certain range his perception had no blind spots.

"I saw that."

"Fukyaaa"

The small wind pebble flied together with the cold reply, delivering a hard blow on Tiana's face.

===Part 3===

"Kazumaaaaa, it's boring ~ "

From inside the improvised wind cage, Tiana's boredom leaked out.

"Hey, Kazumaaaa - fugyuuu!?"

Eliminating reply time, Kazuma shrunk the wing cage, putting screws on Tiana. When her complexion became bluish-purple and the restrains became loose he shortly informed her.

"Shut up"

"Auuuuu...."

Disregarding the fairy's groans, Kazuma shifted his focus outside of the window. The streaming landscape. Because the sun already set, the place of destination supposed to be beyond that point couldn't be seen. Even if that is supposed to be the highest place in Japan.

"A train? Why a train? If it were me, I would fly"

"Then fly. By yourself."

That exchange of words already happened two hours ago.

Even forcibly, about no choosing a different course of action, Kazuma was regretting it vehemently. The fact that the pixies are mischievous creatures it's a universally known legend. But, for most people it seems that they regard that mischief counterbalancing the lovely outward appearance as something charming. They are absolutely wrong.

The pixies pranks are plenty disagreeable. Breaking items that would have lasted a lifetime or changing outcomes to force people into unpleasant situations - they will do them without hesitation. Tiana was no exception.

Opening the running train's door all of a sudden, erasing the window glass where children bent forward to see outside, causing poltergeist phenomena into the driver's seat.

And lastly - it's unknown how she did it, but when she managed a train barrel roll, Kazuma's patience cord was severed. Keeping her in a wind cage, he sealed her entire movement.

Tiana may be complaining but considering this is Kazuma, it's possible to say this is a remarkably generous step.
Without speech and attitude, it's possible she has nothing but some residual part of race awareness.

"Kazumaaa, let me out....."

''Otsuki ~ Otsuki''

Covering Tiana's voice, obstinately begging, the announcer informed about the arrival at the place of destination. Watching Kazuma get up in silence, Tiana's eyes sparkled.

''With this, he'll let me out!''

But, far from releasing her, he let the wind cage itself behind, got off the train and started walking.

"...........Eh? W-wait!?"

Without response to the frantic voice, calling to halt, the train slowly started to move. From the window Tiana looked at the station platform. In the middle of the scene that started to flow little by little, just once, Kazuma waved his hand.

"........Ah.......Ah......"

It's body shaking with anger, the fairy shouted as far as possible.

"Kazuma, you idiot!"

That scream that couldn't shake the atmosphere reacher no one's ears.

Approximately 10 minutes afterwards.

"Kazumaaaaaaaaaaa!!"

From behind a motorcycle sprinting on the dark street, a screaming light ball was approaching. The light ball suddenly stopped right beside Kazuma's face. Maybe because the relative velocity was equal, the figure of the girl growing wings inside the light and even her angry expression could be perceived in detail.

Shifting his attention to her only for a second, he muttered, bored-looking.

"That was unexpectedly quick"

"Why did you do that? Leaving someone behind, how terrible!"

"Well, I hesitated"

It wasn't about whether or not to take someone along.

"Not that sort of indulgent method but whether or not I ought to deal with you before, to eliminate future trouble."

"..............tch!"

Involuntarily, the imagining of "eliminate future trouble" drew Tiana's attention. Thinking about his behavior so far, there is no room for doubt. This man is serious.

"Auuuuuuu~ I won't pull pranks anymore so don't kill me!"

To the lamenting fairy, Kazuma showed a cynical smile.

"Ho - Can you take responsibility for those words? Next time I'll deal with you in a conclusive manner."

''a conclusive manner'' - an abstract expression and yet that meaning was excessively tangible.

Trembling in fear, Tiana nodded soundlessly.

"..........humph"

Faintly slanting his lips, Kazuma twisted the acceleration. Tiana chased in a panic that speeding up bike.
Both of them aimed at the destination straight ahead. The vast forest stretching out at the bottom of Japan's highest peak rising in front of them, Mt. Fuji, the Aokigahara Forest.

"Hey, hey"

Even after promising to be a good child, Tiana can't be silent more than one minute. Even humans can be like this at times. Those who can't endure psychological silence.

"Where did you get that vehicle?"

It was a natural question. A more accurate one would be not "where" but "by what means". At any rate it would have been impossible to make preparations for riding on a plot of land he had no plans of visiting.

Kazuma replied simply.

"I borrowed it"

"Borrowed? Really? Maybe there are kind people after all."

Holding no sarcasm, those were sincere, praising words. The superficial comprehension towards human society in addition to humans themselves allowed such misunderstanding.

"Indeed. The society has not yet degraded so."

A brazen declaration. By the way Tiana didn't notice that Kazuma's garments too, subtly changed. As one would expect, he thought the down jacket to be ugly and changed it to a dark gray jacket. Perhaps this is also a borrowed item.

In any case, after nothing but traveling for a dozen of minutes, in the middle of the national highway going through the sea of the trees, Kazuma located a private road, quiet and secluded.

"This way, huh?"

"Yeah"

Abandoning the bike Kazuma jumped over an iron fence pretending to be broken. And then, after several jumps riding the wind, both of them arrived at a slightly elevated hill overlooking a magnificent residence built in the mysterious sea of trees.

"These guys?"

A murmur shaking in delight. The rising urge lifted his lips and a small laughter leaked out.

"I see. so they were these guys..."

".......Errr, I'm afraid to ask but acquaintance?", Tiana timidly asked while flinching at the dangerous, carnivore-like smile.

"No, they're not personal acquaintance. "

Kazuma clearly shook his head, while that ferocious smile still cling to his face.

"But.....since while back I couldn't help but want to crush these guys."

"Wh-What kind of people are they?"

"These guys are..."

"............well, if it were me instead of him, I'd kill you instantly"

"Auuuuuu ~ I don't want to die"

While weeping, Tiana cling to Kazuma.

"Hey! If it's Kazuma, can you search where it went!? Can you!? Please, I'll pay an extra charge"

"Well - calm down"

"I can't calm down!!"

"Listen up! Look this way"

Kazuma turned around Tiana's head with all his might. Somehow he had a feeling its neck-bones made a somewhat thick sound but there is no meaning in paying attention to the head of such random living things like fairies.

"Auuuuuuuu~"

Kazuma quietly but with a sharp voice murmured close to the I-don't-know-why-but-fainting-in-agony fairy's ears.

"Look properly inside the mansion. Do you see?"

The residence was approximately 100 meters away. Furthermore it was night. The things that could be seen with a physical eye were only the outlines of the mansion. But -

"Huh? isn't it kind of noisy?"

As far as Fuujutsushi and Pixies are concerned, both of them are companions of the wind spirits and reading the information the wind is carrying is easy.

Just as Tiana said, the residence's atmospheric was uproarious. Disturbance and impatience and the mayhem caused by them were transmitted as far as below the two.

"I wonder what happened"

"Well, it doesn't seem they are merely busy. Perhaps the disappearance of the treasure was an unexpected accident for that lot"

"You mean, that it was again stolen by a different someone. Doesn't that mean it will be more difficult to search!?"

Kazuma lightly shrug his shoulders.

"It's not like you'll be troubled if I don't find it personally"

"I'll be troubled!!"

Cruelly brushing away Tiana's half-cries he aimed a daring gaze at the mansion.

"Leaving jokes aside let's take a closer look"

Kazuma lightly kicked the ground. Enveloped by the whirling wind that body smoothly shook off the gravity's restraint. Shortening the distance by 10 meters with each jump, he stopped 20 meters from the mansion and stood still in the air above it. Tiana, running after him asked:

"Won't we be exposed? If we are so close?"

"It's safe", Kazuma assured her.

At any rate, the opponent is the Tsuwabuki Family - a family of Chijutsushis. They don't have techniques for detecting things that aren't connected to the ground.

"Well then - "

Concentrating his consciousness, he searched for useful information. As long as the other party is in a place with air, there is nothing an Enjutsushi can't spy on. Whether it's a distance of 20 meters, obstacles such as roofs and walls, for them it's equal with zero. Setting apart useless information as noise and picking up only the necessary one.

The tuning was immediately over. A little grazed alto was reached Kazuma's ears.

'' - you haven't captured it yet?''

''Yes - but we have perfectly caught hold of its presence and now it's only a matter of time.........''

''Not particularly. However splendid that is, The Grand Festival is tomorrow, do you understand?''

"A - Already...."

At the impossible to decipher conversation, Tiana looked slightly doubtful at Kazuma.

"What is The Grand Festival?"

Without answering, Kazuma closed his eyes partly. Feeling the temperature falling below freezing at once, Tiana backed off shivering.

"I see - " with an icy smile etched to his face, Kazuma murmured slightly.

"It was this year, that thing?"

"Th - that thing?" too reckless Tiana asked a second time. But this time there was an answer.

"I said it earlier, didn't I? About that evil sacrificing ceremony. It seems they do it at intervals of approximately 30 years, on the first full moon night of the new year. In short, tomorrow night."

"You're well informed, huh?"

"Because it's a famous ritual."

Kazuma spit out unpleasantly.

"These fellows, far from hiding the use of sacrificing, they take pride in it, instead."

"Hmm - So, there is some connection between that ceremony and the treasure they stole from the pixie village?"

"There must be. As far as the Tsuwabuki are concerned, the ceremony is more important than anything. Because the rite is so close, there's no way they have enough composure to be concerned with unrelated stuff - but I have no idea what they'll use it for."

"That cannot be allowed - "

Silencing Tiana, who started screaming, Kazuma restarted the reconnaissance. this time projecting visual information.

''Do hurry. I don' care about means. As the head's representative, you have permission to act freely.''

In one of the mansion's rooms, a woman ordered the group of men. Kazuma focused on that woman.

'''dark''' - more than anything, that was the impression she made. The hair was oddly long. Darker than darkness itself, that straight glossy hair was falling like a waterfall as far as her knees. A black suit. It seemed a long straight skirt was coiling around her legs, but a deep slit on its left revealed almost all her tight.

She was approximately in the later half of her twenties. Although amazingly beautiful, she was so bewitching she didn't seem human. From a distance she was a sight for sore eyes, and yet the type you didn't want to get to know. She seemed to be younger than the men surrounding her but there wasn't a single person appearing to look down on her.

All their foreheads were sweating, imploring the woman in a good mood.

''If it seems we won't make it in time, we have no choice but to call Mayumi back''

''......!!''

At those matter of course words, the men were vehemently disturbed.

''Kureha-sama, that would be against the Head's intention - ''

''Silence!''

That woman everyone called Kureha raised her head triumphantly.

''Now that my father is sick, I am the one ruling over Tsuwabuki. Do you complain?''

''N - no.........we wouldn't......''

Aiming a cynical smile at the overpowered, drained in cold sweat men, kazuma whistles frivolously.

"Scary woman"

But that face suddenly became stiff. Kureha suddenly looked at the ceiling.

"........Ah? Oi, you don't say......"

That severe glance pierced the ceiling, directly grasping him. Although understanding it, that impossible fact halted his thought process. A lethal space was born.

''who?''

Simultaneously shouting for Kazuma's identity, his body was rapidly drawn to the surface.

"W - wait a second! What the heck is this?"

There's no way his wind was stopped. With a force by far surpassing the dynamic lift the wind produced, something dragged Kazuma to the ground.

''What on earth is this!? but first, how did she noticed? Did she changed the dust in the atmosphere in a radar or something?''

While Kazuma was confused, Kureha briskly gave direction to those men.

"There's a trespasser in the sky. I'll drop him off here so counter attack! "

"......Y-yes!", the men nodded obediently.

Although not understanding, it seems they put all their trust in Kureha's power. The eyes looking up at the ceiling held not a speck of doubt, storing power, preparing the one finishing blow for the intruder who will fall.

''This is pretty bad, huh?'', Kazuma whispered at his wit's end while falling.

This was not far from a crisis. Since he doesn't know by what kind of ability he is dragged down, it's impossible to resist. He tried to ease up the speed of the fall with wind, but it had almost no effect.

As if his body's weight was increased ten, no more then a hundred times.

''.....that's it!''

Kazuma swung downward a wind blade. Just because of that one stroke the field of that invisible power was cut cross-section-ally while the back-lash eased up the speed of the fall. But it was already too late -

'''Gonn! Gogann!'''

Smashing down the roof and the ceiling, Kazuma fell into the Tsuwabuki residence. Of course, the wind was doing the smashing, it's not like his life was in danger, but it wasn't a pleasant feeling.

"Don't underestimate us! "

Barely managing to land, he used wind to counterbalance the Chijutsushi's attack coming from every direction. If they were to include one more blow, he would have obliterated everyone here.

"Fugyaaaa!"

But, Tiana's existence, falling on his head at that precise time turned away the chance to attack.

".............."

Without saying anything, Kazuma gripped the fairy from the top of his head and threw it onto the ground.

"Auuuuuuuu~"

"Good grief - "

After looking down on the groaning fairy very annoyed, he turned his eyes to the surroundings.

Because that attack supposed to deliver a certain kill was brushed off, the Chijutsushi peeled their eyes in fright. But, that wasn't all.

"F - fairy......?"

The man's eyes looked intensely at Tiana. Not the questioning look asking why the fairy is here.

Disturbance and surprise - a face that knows more than enough. Seeing that, Kazuma raised his lips. Kicking up a scattered-on-the-floor Tiana and sizing it, he shouted clearly:

"You people, who devastated the fairy village! Know that the sins of blockheads like you will never be forgiven! We won't let you use our treasure for your wicked ceremony. Know that tomorrow evening is the time this family will be ruined!"

Together with that bombastic pronouncement they escaped through the hole opened in the ceiling. Before the dumbfounded, completely played Chijutsushi calmed down, Kazuma's figure disappeared beyond the sea of trees.

"What was that at the end?"

Putting a 10 minutes distance from Tsuwabuki, properly sitting down on tree branches, Tiana asked with a stunned expression. Kazuma answered with a smile:

"A confirmation tentative and the last one, well, I just went with the flow. There's no meaning behind it."

The fairy's existence and Kazuma's words clearly disturbed them. But more then that, the positive proof that the Tsuwabuki family stole the fairy's treasure was obtained.

"Hmmm - So, what will you do next?"

"I'll wait", Kazuma replied simply.

"Only that?"

"From the conversation earlier, it seemed they grasp the treasure's whereabouts. They said they'll search for it. There's no need for me to work, right?"

"............."

Without taking action, stealing the opponent's result - even if Tiana thought that was an absolute makeshift method, she kept her silence and her wisdom. One way or another, it seemed she had at least a little learning ability.

"Ku ku ku"

Thinking of something, Kazuma revealed an exceedingly enjoyable chuckle.

"If I keep hidden the fact that the secret treasure has been returned I'd be able to do what I wanted. Taking the moral high ground so to speak. I'll ask nicely so don't return it without a fight, alright?"

"Ku ku ku ku - "

Exactly as stated a while ago, he appears to plan the complete destruction of the Tsuwabuki. That the drifting smell of blood will be filling that dangerous, limitless laughter, Tiana was scared from the marrow of her bones.

''Why? Why!?''

While frantically plugging her ears, for the first time in her life, she complained to the King of the Wind Spirits.

''Why did You make this kind of man Your Contractor!? That was absolutely, absolutely a mistake! ''

Whether the fairy's bitter soul scream reached the King of the Wind Spirits or not, only the spirit king knew.

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| Back to [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume3_Chapter_1|Chapter 1]]
| Return to [[Kaze_no_Stigma|Main Page]]
| Forward to [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume3_Chapter_3|Chapter 3]]
|-
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Kaze no Stigma:Volume3 Chapter 2

2013-04-28T11:00:21Z

80.240.162.190: /* Part 2 */

=== Chapter 2 Small Client ===

===Part 1===
Let’s go a few hours back in time.

“Seeii!”

With a sharp exclamation, Ayano swung Enraiha down. The divine sword granted by the king of the flame spirits to conquer the devil, burned and exorcized in a single stroke the revengeful ghost hunting the construction site.

“.............Fuuu”

Confirming the ghost’s annihilation, Ayano restored Enraiha back to its scabbard – her own body. Immediately from behind, a vapid sound can be heard:

'''Bu, bu, bu'''

“.................!”

Looking over the shoulder at the sad sight, sproing, she faced the source of the noise with a villainous discernment. That gaze, with no exaggeration, contains several times more killing intent than when facing the vengeful ghost.

Basking in those murderous eyes, Kazuma finally stopped the act – clapping hands – giving such a dull sound. But as evidence he wasn’t particularly sorry, his predatory smile didn’t disappear.

“.................”

With a challenging look that could kill people by sight, Ayano stared at Kazuma very long. The usually sloppy facial expression. A slack attitude from which you couldn’t feel a trace of tension. That was acceptable. Even if he appears relaxed, it’s impossible for this man to be less than prepared before a battle.

But even so, around his head, or to be more accurate, from around his jaw and below, there was a thing, as one would expect, she cannot stomach. The width of Kazuma's body increased by 20%. He did not get fat, much less put on muscle. He was bundling up in layers of clothes.

At the topmost he was wearing a fluffy down jacket. Stuffed with lots and lots of feathers. He seemed to be extremely warm. Also, how many extra clothes is he wearing underneath to appear to have doubled the thickness of his arms? Furthermore, a scarf is rolled around his head; he wears gloves – the origin of those dull applause.

No matter how you look at it, it’s a flawless winter-sports-watching-look.

If he were to hold a warmed canned coffee in his hand, before killing the vengeful ghost, Ayano would have tried to decapitate Kazuma first.

Ayano focused that thorny glance on Kazuma. The reason he was standing in this place was because he was supposed to act as Ayano’s guard. To conclude, it wasn’t to watch other people’s fight from a safe place, with an appearance that would slow down his movement.

Despite it, this man is –

“Just by standing there distractedly, to be given money, what a good social position, huh?”

Sarcasm with all her might. But naturally, that degree of scorn doesn’t get through Kazuma’s thick skin.

"I agree. The suzerain favors me so!”

Toward Kazuma's frivolous, sneering response, Ayano felt a fairly serious killing intent. She shouted, letting anger take it’s natural course.

“I’m sick of it! Why does Father hire you for this kind of job!?”

“Don’t ask me that”

Certainly, so far, Juugo never allowed Ayano to take a job unassisted. But, the duty of being an escort held so far by the practitioners of the branch families nowadays was entrusted to Kazuma alone.

Of course, he was being paid.

No matter how nasty his personality was, Kazuma is a top class practitioner. His remuneration is by no means inexpensive. In spite of this, Juugo, even on these trifling ghost extermination jobs, obstinately continues to employ Kazuma.
On jobs like these, Kazuma literally doesn’t lift a finger. Ayano does all the work by herself. This man stands before her eyes for the sake of profit.

''You’re just a pimp!''

Irritating but inevitable, Ayano decided to allow herself a modest recreation. Staring at that hateful, frivolously laughing man, she says in a tone that allows no objection:

“I’m hungry. We’re going to dinner.”

Kazuma scowled slightly.

“Do you want to extort money from me again?”

“Why are you complaining? They’re easy money at best”

“That’s different. If I were to name it, my job is like insurance. There is no need to move until an opponent you cannot manage alone appears.”

In reply to Kazuma’s solemn exposition, Ayano sternly trusted her finger in front of him.

“In case of insurance, isn’t there supposed to be a refund?”

“If he were to refund every time, the insurance man would immediately go bankrupt.”

“You’re safe. Because you still make a lot of profit.”

Obstinately, Ayano strongly insisted. Even Kazuma became generous after securing such a comfortable job and wasn’t in the mood to unconditionally refuse her. Even his rebuttal lost their usual severity, containing sweetness similar in some respects to a pre-established harmony.

“Well, fine. If it’s just food.”

In the end Kazuma gave in. Ayano stiffened her mouth already turning into a broad smile, proudly nodding.

“Very well. Let’s go then. Yukari told me about a delicious French restaurant.”

“...........French, huh?”

Kazuma calmly drew Ayano’s attention, who already started walking.

“Whether it’s French of ethnic it doesn’t matter but will they let us in, dressed like this?”

Ayano turned around, twitching her eyebrows. Her attire was the usual school uniform. Because this suit is an important ceremonial dress, it said everything is OK, a mighty item.

But Kazuma –

“Why don’t you dress properly?”

“Fool.”

With a single word Kazuma cut down and threw away Ayano’s criticism.

“Why do I have to dress up in the exorcism business?”

“That wouldn’t be too bad. Perhaps you will become better looking.”

“Leave me alone. It can’t be helped if my partner is not worthy enough to dress up for, right?”

It goes without saying but those words can’t help but incur Ayano’s displeasure. Arching her eyebrows in anger she commands:

“Do you hear me? From now on, during the job wear a necktie. Do you understand?”

“I refuse,” Kazuma answered instantly.

That quick reaction clearly denoted that there is no place for negotiation.

“What a cheapskate!”

“Do you think that’s where the problem is?”

During this vigorous match full of boos and irony the couple walked to the station. Although the ambiance was stormy, those two’s back and forth argument, not wanting to be separated, snuggling as close as they like, looked like nothing else but some sort of matrimonial quarrel – maybe.

Eventually both were admitted in, even without neckties, settling down after searching for the most expensive (this is essential) restaurant.

“Well, something like this.”

“Don’t <<something like this>> me! You always order the most expensive thing on the menu! Do you bear some grudge against me?”

Ayano bent her head slightly to one side and gazed at Kazuma with a completely curios look.

“ – Eh, you thought I didn’t?”

Being treated by Kazuma to dinner, as a matter of fact, this is not the first time. Or perhaps I should say, it already became an after work custom.

Harassment for the sake of diminishing, even if just a little, Kazuma’s profits obtained without working at all. Ayano explained her actions like this and she herself truly believed so – at the very least, at a superficial level.

“Before I met you I didn’t know.”

Hands joined before her chest, like a dreaming maiden, Ayano whispered with a voice shaking with delight:

"The meal other people treat me to could be so delicious.”

Ecstatically and with eyes closed, she is looking forward to Kazuma’s reaction. However, the severe retort she certainly
believed would come, no matter how much time passes, doesn’t appear.
She opens her eyes, looking at Kazuma. The man sitting in front of her turned an absentminded gaze outside the window.

He didn’t hear a word from Ayano’s provocation.

“What are you looking at?”

“Hmmm? Ah......”

Brought back by Ayano’s voice Kazuma’s eyes barely return to her.

“Nothing”

“...............hmm”

"Sorry to keep you waiting"
For a short while the same quarrel-like unromantic conversation continued. The waiter appeared caring(<?) champagne.

"....ufuu ♥"

Ayano watched attentively the champagne poured into her glass, making satisfied sounds, with a smile on her face.
She took the glass in one hand.

"Well then, let's celebrate another job successfully finished - "

The moment she put up her glass for the toast, Kazuma abruptly stood up.

"Kazuma?"

"I'm sorry but I have an urgent business. I'll take care of the bill so don't worry."

With those words, without looking at Ayano, he took the receipt and walked away.

"Eh...wait..."

Ayano stared in a daze at Kazuma, paying by the register. And just like that, without any sort of greeting, Kazuma left the store and disappeared in the middle of the crowd.

"What's the matter with you..."

At that time Ayano finally calmed down. The simmering anger made her body tremble.

"What are you trying to say......!"

Because this was a public place she barely managed to keep her voice down. In that state, that violent emotion that filled her insides was demanding an outlet to get angry at.

The slender fingertips supporting the legs of the champagne glass broke with a sinister sound.

===Part 2===

After leaving the restaurant, with a manner of walking that showed no hesitation, Kazuma had his eyes upon the back street. After walking several minutes, finding a slightly empty space and stopping there, he looked up at the sky.

"Well then - what are you going to do?"

Facing the empty space, quietly, Kazuma asked -

"Will you come out by yourself? or else - be dragged out?"

The answer was a blow. The light ball that suddenly appeared came flying at high speed, aiming at Kazuma's head.

That oblique attack from the sky, Kazuma dogged it, nimbly swaying back. The light ball flying before his eyes, just before it crashed the ground, by suddenly altering its angle started climbing.

A second dive.

But this time, with no dogging involved its aim was off.

"Good grief!"

The light ball flies around Kazuma as it pleases. The irregular high speed maneuver disregarding the laws of inertia, perfectly exceeds humans' perception capacity.

By using his eyes alone, Kazuma can only perceive the light ball's movement as a line not a point.

But -

Lightly, his right hand stretched horizontally. As it, just by doing that he can take something which has been placed there, a relaxed, natural movement.

And yet, when the light track blended with his fingertips, as if it was something they mutually agreed upon - Kazuma's hand siezed the light ball. And without change grasped it tightly.

"It huts, it hurts, it huuuuuurts!!"

The high pitch shrill that gushed out of the light ball jolted his brain.

Simultaneously the light faded and the real figure hidden inside materialized. It had a human pattern. However, it's height was less than twenty centimeters. Incidentally, the ears were slightly sharp and transparent wings were growing from its back.

Looking hard at the thing held in his hand, Kazuma murmured, looking bored.

"What, it was a bug?"

"Wrong! Bug is wrong!!"

From inside Kazuma's palm, that thing was wiggling and struggling.

It was belonging to the species referred to as pixies. Living inside forests, mischievous but cute fairies. They rarely ventured into human communities but as he unfortunately knew, not never.

It happened at the end of the last year. Together with Ayano, during the job at the school she was attending, it was the first time he was around something called "a fairy's prank".

Although he was the only whose good fortune wasn't damaged, the memory of that one night's stupid fooling around was still fresh.

"So, what do you want?" asked Kazuma with apathetic words.

If the pixie were to say this is just "a greeting because of a chance meeting" he was seriousely determined to crush it.

"You see, you see, I have a request, Contractor-sama"

Unfortunately, it doesn't seem this fairy just happened to pass by. However, the response was meaningful. Because he was called by a name it wasn't supposed to know.

"Does this mean that instead of greeting the party you want to ask a favor from, you start the attack?"

Cross-examined, visibly looked down upon, while innocently laughing, the fairy answered.

"Ah, that - that was a play for the sake of an impressive stage-entry? Something like that - ouuuuch!?"

"Ha - ha - ha"

With a dry laughter, Kazuma grasps the fairy, considerably inserting more force. He said with perfectly serious tone:

"Die at once!"

"Auuuu...it huuurts, I'm really going to die!"

With sober eyes. Kazuma looked at the struggling fairy. - Of course, without reducing the strength.

Observing the way the fairy's movements were becoming slughish, when it's breath became faint, he opened his palm.
With no energy to flap it's wings, the fairy fell to the ground with a flop. After several seconds -

"Auuuuu.....how cruel....Gyaaaa!"

Kazuma lightly placed his foot above the fairy who got up at last.

While feeling a frail resistance from the sole of his foot, he fired the next question.

"Well then, question number two. Where did you find out about me?"

"Aah, how terrible!"

Just like that, the energetic fairy jumped out from underneath the foot. Standing still in front of Kazuma's eyes, glaring at him as if saying "I'm really angry!"

"You don't remember about me?"

"You don't get it."

Waiving his hand quite bothered, flinging off the fairy's complaints and its body, Kazuma asked:

"What did you call me?"

Surely the pixie saw his face during that incident but he doesn't remember telling it he was a Contractor. It wasn't information easy to come by.

"Ah - that? I heard it from the head of our village", answered the fairy as a matter of course. Laying on its back with legs outstretched, it continued with a triumphant air.

"And so, it's been decided that only Contractor-sama can rescue our family from crisis. I was sent because I was a close acquittance."

"............that so?"

''close acquittance - who are you talking about?''

Although harboring that that sort of feeling, he can't flatly refuse the request of the patriarch of the fairy village. Kazuma pressed forward.

"So, what is that request?"

"This is a major incident!"

Planning to display its anger, the fairy rose slightly higher than Kazuma and talked on and on leaning forward.

"Recently humans have entered the village and stole the family's treasure!"

Contrastive to the excited fairy, Kazuma replied in a sober tone.

"..........Well, that happens often"

"No, it doesn't! Even the patriarch said it is unparalleled in history!"

"That's wrong", Kazuma declared with absolute confidence.

The fairy's village is placed in a slightly different dimension from the material world humans inhabit. Therefore, by physical means it absolutely cannot be reached.

"I don't know whether it is unprecedented or not but it will happen again. No matter how secure barriers will you form, in front of human greed, they are powerless"

For the sake of satisfying one's desire humans conquered all hardships. Even if a dimensional barrier were to block their way, if it is necessary, it will, without exception be smashed.

What's more, they don't pay attention to the damage inflicted on others.

The affirmation of all desires - whether they are good or evil, that is mankind's course of action - Kazuma knew it so.

"Don't be so proud of such a thing......."

"It doesn't mean I am particularly proud of it. I am simply pointing out the truth."

Even because of those eyes obviously filled with blame, Kazuma doesn't falter. Throwing out his chest with dignity, he affirms himself.

"Moving on, the request is to find the treasure, right?"

""Uh-huh. That's right. If we don't have it, our entire existence will be in danger!"

Seeming convinced that the request was already heard, the fairy began dancing, looking glad. While quietly starring at that appearance, Kazuma let out the essential question.

"Will there be a reward?"

The fairy petrified in the middle of her dance. Voiceless, eyes and mouth forming 3 separate O's, it stared at Kazuma. Kazuma also, calmly stared back at her. Not less than one full minute, they stared at each other.

"............errrr.............Contractor-sama..............."

Finally pulling herself together, the fairy asked Kazuma in a cracked voice.

"What?"

"Contractor-sama, you made a contract with the spirits of the wind and became a Contractor, right........?"

"Yes", Kazuma nodded in assent.

"And because of that, well........we, the pixies, are fairies affiliated with the wind, you could say the relatives of wind spirits.........."

"Thank you for especially teaching me such an obvious thing. What of it?"

"So,.........well, as for the proxy of the King of the Spirits on this earth, isn't it natural to help his family in times of crisis, don't you think?"

"...........Ah, I see"

Smiling sweetly, Kazuma kindly extended a hand to the fairy. He softly wrapped his hand around that small body, treating it like fragile glass work.

"Listen up, '''bug'''"

"No, hear me out, I'm not a....."

With that firm smile that clung to him like a mask, Kazuma inserted little by little more power in the hand grabbing the fairy.

"Wow - putting one's life on the line for the proof of one's identity, huh? Not what I've hoped for but that way of life can't be evaluated."

"Auuu....fine, something like me, just an insect............."

Yielding to terror, the fairy sold her pride. Kazuma nodded.

"Listen really close, bug. You should know about me that just because I made a contract with the King of Spirits, it doesn't mean I am burdened with some special sort of special duty."

"S-sneaky.........does that mean that you took all the power without any sort of risk?"

"Yeah", Kazuma boldly declared tossing the fairy.

"That's why, if you want to request something from me, start by showing me the stack of cash. I'll listen to your story after that"

Saying those words he turned his back on the thrown out fairy and started walking.

It wasn't a strategy, much less a joke. Kazuma considered this discussion already over.

"Wh - wait a minute!"

The dumbfounded fairy, seeing off his retreating figure, flew before Kazuma in a panic.

"I understand, we'll give you some of our village's treasure"

".........a fairy's treasure?" Kazuma frowned, very suspicious.

"Something like glass beds or pretty stones you picked by the river or insect shells or - "

"The fairy village is not a crow's nest! We have lots of gold and gems, you know!?"

Just by hearing that, Kazuma's facial expression didn't cheer up. Looking up at that fairy with that apathetic face, he casually said:

"How much of those?"

"Uuu, huh....."

"There doesn't seem to be a big amount, huh? If your family is in crisis hand over at least half of everything you own!"

"You'll go that far!?"

"That's the foundation of business, you know", Kazuma heartlessly declared to the whining fairy.

With sulky eyes, she glared at Kazuma.

"........I have to consult the patriarch"

After all, it became like this.

"Please do. And - "

Nodding proudly, Kazuma suddenly changed the topic.

"About the treasure, what is it?"

"Eh?"

"So, the shape, the material, its function or something like that. If you don't tell me about those I can't search for it."

After understanding the meaning of those words, the gloomy, depressed fairy's facial expression began to shine. She shouted with vigor.

"You came around!?"

Answering to the fairy's smiling face, Kazuma also broadly grinned.

"If it's the treasure of the fairy village, I pray it has enough value to satisfy me."

Instantly the fairy remembered that optical illusion-like mouth that seemed to split until ears. Timidly, she asked:

"Say......just for reference, what will you do if it doesn't satisfy you?"

"Annihilation, isn't it obvious?"

".......isn't it obvious..."

Toward the fairy, involuntarily repeating it, Kazuma grinned all the more.

"When that time comes, you will be the last to go. After burning in your memory that the destruction of your family was the result of the rashness of your speech, you can die."

Sizing it in his hand for the third time, Kazuma laughed enjoying himself from the bottom of his heart. If, from that back bat-like wings and a pointed tail were to appear because she was hallucinating, that is definitely not the fairy's responsibility.
"Auuuu......."

"Well than......"

Permitting for a while the fairy's scream, Kazuma returned to the topic.

"Enough idle talk, tell me the job details."

"Well, you see.........to call the announcement of my entire family's annihilation idle talk......"

"You're noisy. So, what kind of treasure is it?"

"This kind"

Smoothly escaping Kazuma's hand, the fairy's and his head touched each other. Through the contact portion, the "treasure"'s image poured into Kazuma's brain.

"...........a seed?"

That was the firs impression. Unidentified life force, so to speak.

The strong pounding wave, from within the shell, rose ready to burst open.

"What on Earth is this? "

Being asked so, the fairy looked away. After its eyes wondered about for a while, it looked at Kazuma, waiting for an answer, with an upward glance.

"Let me see.......that is something like a trade secret..........no?"

"What sort of business?............well, it doesn't matter."

Although reposting, Kazuma easily allowed the secret. He had no interest in a treasure he can't take hold of and obtained only the necessary information for searching. There's no meaning investigating further.

"Then. show me the points the humans invaded through. We'll follow from there."

The wind will certainly remember the treasure's presence. No matter how advanced the enemy's shielding was, Kazuma had confidence he could locate it less than 24 hours.

"Eh? Ah, that's fine. Because we know where it is."

"What? - Ah, so that's the reason"

The answer to the question that came to mind, Kazuma instantly found it by himself. In other words the commission wasn't for a search but for a recovery.

"The place is tis way"

The fairy touched his hear with hers for a second time. Deriving the name of the place from the information flowing in, Kazuma's eyes faintly opened wider.

"........Ah? This is - "

"Something wrong?"

"Nothing. Leaving that aside, bug, are you coming too?"

"Yeah, I'm coming. - By the way, Contractor-sama?"

Resigned but including a faint hope, the fairy looked at Kazuma.

"Do you remember my name?"

"No"

Instant reply. Incidentally he had no guilty feeling about it. The fairy named herself with a sight.

"It's Tiana. Please treat me favorably, Contractor-sama."

"Stop that. Kazuma is fine."

When Kazuma told her his name, the fairy - Tiana corrected herself, looking glad.

"Please treat me favorably, Kazuma♥"

"Use Kazuma-sama"

"............."

"It's a joke"

".........teh"

Overwhelmed by anger, she pretended to throw kicks from Kazuma's back.

''Ei! Ei!! I give up!!!''

After the one-two punch, a reversal left hook and then a left, low hit finish stroked Kazuma's phantasm, Tiana finally felt refreshed.

However, she was careless. Kazuma was a Fuujutsushi - within a certain range his perception had no blind spots.

"I saw that."

"Fukyaaa"

The small wind pebble flied together with the cold reply, delivering a hard blow on Tiana's face.

===Part 3===

"Kazumaaaaa, it's boring ~ "

From inside the improvised wind cage, Tiana's boredom leaked out.

"Hey, Kazumaaaa - fugyuuu!?"

Eliminating reply time, Kazuma shrunk the wing cage, putting screws on Tiana. When her complexion became bluish-purple and the restrains became loose he shortly informed her.

"Shut up"

"Auuuuu...."

Disregarding the fairy's groans, Kazuma shifted his focus outside of the window. The streaming landscape. Because the sun already set, the place of destination supposed to be beyond that point couldn't be seen. Even if that is supposed to be the highest place in Japan.

"A train? Why a train? If it were me, I would fly"

"Then fly. By yourself."

That exchange of words already happened two hours ago.

Even forcibly, about no choosing a different course of action, Kazuma was regretting it vehemently. The fact that the pixies are mischievous creatures it's a universally known legend. But, for most people it seems that they regard that mischief counterbalancing the lovely outward appearance as something charming. They are absolutely wrong.

The pixies pranks are plenty disagreeable. Breaking items that would have lasted a lifetime or changing outcomes to force people into unpleasant situations - they will do them without hesitation. Tiana was no exception.

Opening the running train's door all of a sudden, erasing the window glass where children bent forward to see outside, causing poltergeist phenomena into the driver's seat.

And lastly - it's unknown how she did it, but when she managed a train barrel roll, Kazuma's patience cord was severed. Keeping her in a wind cage, he sealed her entire movement.

Tiana may be complaining but considering this is Kazuma, it's possible to say this is a remarkably generous step.
Without speech and attitude, it's possible she has nothing but some residual part of race awareness.

"Kazumaaa, let me out....."

''Otsuki ~ Otsuki''

Covering Tiana's voice, obstinately begging, the announcer informed about the arrival at the place of destination. Watching Kazuma get up in silence, Tiana's eyes sparkled.

''With this, he'll let me out!''

But, far from releasing her, he let the wind cage itself behind, got off the train and started walking.

"...........Eh? W-wait!?"

Without response to the frantic voice, calling to halt, the train slowly started to move. From the window Tiana looked at the station platform. In the middle of the scene that started to flow little by little, just once, Kazuma waved his hand.

"........Ah.......Ah......"

It's body shaking with anger, the fairy shouted as far as possible.

"Kazuma, you idiot!"

That scream that couldn't shake the atmosphere reacher no one's ears.

Approximately 10 minutes afterwards.

"Kazumaaaaaaaaaaa!!"

From behind a motorcycle sprinting on the dark street, a screaming light ball was approaching. The light ball suddenly stopped right beside Kazuma's face. Maybe because the relative velocity was equal, the figure of the girl growing wings inside the light and even her angry expression could be perceived in detail.

Shifting his attention to her only for a second, he muttered, bored-looking.

"That was unexpectedly quick"

"Why did you do that? Leaving someone behind, how terrible!"

"Well, I hesitated"

It wasn't about whether or not to take someone along.

"Not that sort of indulgent method but whether or not I ought to deal with you before, to eliminate future trouble."

"..............tch!"

Involuntarily, the imagining of "eliminate future trouble" drew Tiana's attention. Thinking about his behavior so far, there is no room for doubt. This man is serious.

"Auuuuuuu~ I won't pull pranks anymore so don't kill me!"

To the lamenting fairy, Kazuma showed a cynical smile.

"Ho - Can you take responsibility for those words? Next time I'll deal with you in a conclusive manner."

''a conclusive manner'' - an abstract expression and yet that meaning was excessively tangible.

Trembling in fear, Tiana nodded soundlessly.

"..........humph"

Faintly slanting his lips, Kazuma twisted the acceleration. Tiana chased in a panic that speeding up bike.
Both of them aimed at the destination straight ahead. The vast forest stretching out at the bottom of Japan's highest peak rising in front of them, Mt. Fuji, the Aokigahara Forest.

"Hey, hey"

Even after promising to be a good child, Tiana can't be silent more than one minute. Even humans can be like this at times. Those who can't endure psychological silence.

"Where did you get that vehicle?"

It was a natural question. A more accurate one would be not "where" but "by what means". At any rate it would have been impossible to make preparations for riding on a plot of land he had no plans of visiting.

Kazuma replied simply.

"I borrowed it"

"Borrowed? Really? Maybe there are kind people after all."

Holding no sarcasm, those were sincere, praising words. The superficial comprehension towards human society in addition to humans themselves allowed such misunderstanding.

"Indeed. The society has not yet degraded so."

A brazen declaration. By the way Tiana didn't notice that Kazuma's garments too, subtly changed. As one would expect, he thought the down jacket to be ugly and changed it to a dark gray jacket. Perhaps this is also a borrowed item.

In any case, after nothing but traveling for a dozen of minutes, in the middle of the national highway going through the sea of the trees, Kazuma located a private road, quiet and secluded.

"This way, huh?"

"Yeah"

Abandoning the bike Kazuma jumped over an iron fence pretending to be broken. And then, after several jumps riding the wind, both of them arrived at a slightly elevated hill overlooking a magnificent residence built in the mysterious sea of trees.

"These guys?"

A murmur shaking in delight. The rising urge lifted his lips and a small laughter leaked out.

"I see. so they were these guys..."

".......Errr, I'm afraid to ask but acquaintance?", Tiana timidly asked while flinching at the dangerous, carnivore-like smile.

"No, they're not personal acquaintance. "

Kazuma clearly shook his head, while that ferocious smile still cling to his face.

"But.....since while back I couldn't help but want to crush these guys."

"Wh-What kind of people are they?"

"These guys are..."

"............well, if it were me instead of him, I'd kill you instantly"

"Auuuuuu ~ I don't want to die"

While weeping, Tiana cling to Kazuma.

"Hey! If it's Kazuma, can you search where it went!? Can you!? Please, I'll pay an extra charge"

"Well - calm down"

"I can't calm down!!"

"Listen up! Look this way"

Kazuma turned around Tiana's head with all his might. Somehow he had a feeling its neck-bones made a somewhat thick sound but there is no meaning in paying attention to the head of such random living things like fairies.

"Auuuuuuuu~"

Kazuma quietly but with a sharp voice murmured close to the I-don't-know-why-but-fainting-in-agony fairy's ears.

"Look properly inside the mansion. Do you see?"

The residence was approximately 100 meters away. Furthermore it was night. The things that could be seen with a physical eye were only the outlines of the mansion. But -

"Huh? isn't it kind of noisy?"

As far as Fuujutsushi and Pixies are concerned, both of them are companions of the wind spirits and reading the information the wind is carrying is easy.

Just as Tiana said, the residence's atmospheric was uproarious. Disturbance and impatience and the mayhem caused by them were transmitted as far as below the two.

"I wonder what happened"

"Well, it doesn't seem they are merely busy. Perhaps the disappearance of the treasure was an unexpected accident for that lot"

"You mean, that it was again stolen by a different someone. Doesn't that mean it will be more difficult to search!?"

Kazuma lightly shrug his shoulders.

"It's not like you'll be troubled if I don't find it personally"

"I'll be troubled!!"

Cruelly brushing away Tiana's half-cries he aimed a daring gaze at the mansion.

"Leaving jokes aside let's take a closer look"

Kazuma lightly kicked the ground. Enveloped by the whirling wind that body smoothly shook off the gravity's restraint. Shortening the distance by 10 meters with each jump, he stopped 20 meters from the mansion and stood still in the air above it. Tiana, running after him asked:

"Won't we be exposed? If we are so close?"

"It's safe", Kazuma assured her.

At any rate, the opponent is the Tsuwabuki Family - a family of Chijutsushis. They don't have techniques for detecting things that aren't connected to the ground.

"Well then - "

Concentrating his consciousness, he searched for useful information. As long as the other party is in a place with air, there is nothing an Enjutsushi can't spy on. Whether it's a distance of 20 meters, obstacles such as roofs and walls, for them it's equal with zero. Setting apart useless information as noise and picking up only the necessary one.

The tuning was immediately over. A little grazed alto was reached Kazuma's ears.

'' - you haven't captured it yet?''

''Yes - but we have perfectly caught hold of its presence and now it's only a matter of time.........''

''Not particularly. However splendid that is, The Grand Festival is tomorrow, do you understand?''

"A - Already...."

At the impossible to decipher conversation, Tiana looked slightly doubtful at Kazuma.

"What is The Grand Festival?"

Without answering, Kazuma closed his eyes partly. Feeling the temperature falling below freezing at once, Tiana backed off shivering.

"I see - " with an icy smile etched to his face, Kazuma murmured slightly.

"It was this year, that thing?"

"Th - that thing?" too reckless Tiana asked a second time. But this time there was an answer.

"I said it earlier, didn't I? About that evil sacrificing ceremony. It seems they do it at intervals of approximately 30 years, on the first full moon night of the new year. In short, tomorrow night."

"You're well informed, huh?"

"Because it's a famous ritual."

Kazuma spit out unpleasantly.

"These fellows, far from hiding the use of sacrificing, they take pride in it, instead."

"Hmm - So, there is some connection between that ceremony and the treasure they stole from the pixie village?"

"There must be. As far as the Tsuwabuki are concerned, the ceremony is more important than anything. Because the rite is so close, there's no way they have enough composure to be concerned with unrelated stuff - but I have no idea what they'll use it for."

"That cannot be allowed - "

Silencing Tiana, who started screaming, Kazuma restarted the reconnaissance. this time projecting visual information.

''Do hurry. I don' care about means. As the head's representative, you have permission to act freely.''

In one of the mansion's rooms, a woman ordered the group of men. Kazuma focused on that woman.

'''dark''' - more than anything, that was the impression she made. The hair was oddly long. Darker than darkness itself, that straight glossy hair was falling like a waterfall as far as her knees. A black suit. It seemed a long straight skirt was coiling around her legs, but a deep slit on its left revealed almost all her tight.

She was approximately in the later half of her twenties. Although amazingly beautiful, she was so bewitching she didn't seem human. From a distance she was a sight for sore eyes, and yet the type you didn't want to get to know. She seemed to be younger than the men surrounding her but there wasn't a single person appearing to look down on her.

All their foreheads were sweating, imploring the woman in a good mood.

''If it seems we won't make it in time, we have no choice but to call Mayumi back''

''......!!''

At those matter of course words, the men were vehemently disturbed.

''Kureha-sama, that would be against the Head's intention - ''

''Silence!''

That woman everyone called Kureha raised her head triumphantly.

''Now that my father is sick, I am the one ruling over Tsuwabuki. Do you complain?''

''N - no.........we wouldn't......''

Aiming a cynical smile at the overpowered, drained in cold sweat men, kazuma whistles frivolously.

"Scary woman"

But that face suddenly became stiff. Kureha suddenly looked at the ceiling.

"........Ah? Oi, you don't say......"

That severe glance pierced the ceiling, directly grasping him. Although understanding it, that impossible fact halted his thought process. A lethal space was born.

''who?''

Simultaneously shouting for Kazuma's identity, his body was rapidly drawn to the surface.

"W - wait a second! What the heck is this?"

There's no way his wind was stopped. With a force by far surpassing the dynamic lift the wind produced, something dragged Kazuma to the ground.

''What on earth is this!? but first, how did she noticed? Did she changed the dust in the atmosphere in a radar or something?''

While Kazuma was confused, Kureha briskly gave direction to those men.

"There's a trespasser in the sky. I'll drop him off here so counter attack! "

"......Y-yes!", the men nodded obediently.

Although not understanding, it seems they put all their trust in Kureha's power. The eyes looking up at the ceiling held not a speck of doubt, storing power, preparing the one finishing blow for the intruder who will fall.

''This is pretty bad, huh?'', Kazuma whispered at his wit's end while falling.

This was not far from a crisis. Since he doesn't know by what kind of ability he is dragged down, it's impossible to resist. He tried to ease up the speed of the fall with wind, but it had almost no effect.

As if his body's weight was increased ten, no more then a hundred times.

''.....that's it!''

Kazuma swung downward a wind blade. Just because of that one stroke the field of that invisible power was cut cross-section-ally while the back-lash eased up the speed of the fall. But it was already too late -

'''Gonn! Gogann!'''

Smashing down the roof and the ceiling, Kazuma fell into the Tsuwabuki residence. Of course, the wind was doing the smashing, it's not like his life was in danger, but it wasn't a pleasant feeling.

"Don't underestimate us! "

Barely managing to land, he used wind to counterbalance the Chijutsushi's attack coming from every direction. If they were to include one more blow, he would have obliterated everyone here.

"Fugyaaaa!"

But, Tiana's existence, falling on his head at that precise time turned away the chance to attack.

".............."

Without saying anything, Kazuma gripped the fairy from the top of his head and threw it onto the ground.

"Auuuuuuuu~"

"Good grief - "

After looking down on the groaning fairy very annoyed, he turned his eyes to the surroundings.

Because that attack supposed to deliver a certain kill was brushed off, the Chijutsushi peeled their eyes in fright. But, that wasn't all.

"F - fairy......?"

The man's eyes looked intensely at Tiana. Not the questioning look asking why the fairy is here.

Disturbance and surprise - a face that knows more than enough. Seeing that, Kazuma raised his lips. Kicking up a scattered-on-the-floor Tiana and sizing it, he shouted clearly:

"You people, who devastated the fairy village! Know that the sins of blockheads like you will never be forgiven! We won't let you use our treasure for your wicked ceremony. Know that tomorrow evening is the time this family will be ruined!"

Together with that bombastic pronouncement they escaped through the hole opened in the ceiling. Before the dumbfounded, completely played Chijutsushi calmed down, Kazuma's figure disappeared beyond the sea of trees.

"What was that at the end?"

Putting a 10 minutes distance from Tsuwabuki, properly sitting down on tree branches, Tiana asked with a stunned expression. Kazuma answered with a smile:

"A confirmation tentative and the last one, well, I just went with the flow. There's no meaning behind it."

The fairy's existence and Kazuma's words clearly disturbed them. But more then that, the positive proof that the Tsuwabuki family stole the fairy's treasure was obtained.

"Hmmm - So, what will you do next?"

"I'll wait", Kazuma replied simply.

"Only that?"

"From the conversation earlier, it seemed they grasp the treasure's whereabouts. They said they'll search for it. There's no need for me to work, right?"

"............."

Without taking action, stealing the opponent's result - even if Tiana thought that was an absolute makeshift method, she kept her silence and her wisdom. One way or another, it seemed she had at least a little learning ability.

"Ku ku ku"

Thinking of something, Kazuma revealed an exceedingly enjoyable chuckle.

"If I keep hidden the fact that the secret treasure has been returned I'd be able to do what I wanted. Taking the moral high ground so to speak. I'll ask nicely so don't return it without a fight, alright?"

"Ku ku ku ku - "

Exactly as stated a while ago, he appears to plan the complete destruction of the Tsuwabuki. That the drifting smell of blood will be filling that dangerous, limitless laughter, Tiana was scared from the marrow of her bones.

''Why? Why!?''

While frantically plugging her ears, for the first time in her life, she complained to the King of the Wind Spirits.

''Why did You make this kind of man Your Contractor!? That was absolutely, absolutely a mistake! ''

Whether the fairy's bitter soul scream reached the King of the Wind Spirits or not, only the spirit king knew.

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| Back to [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume3_Chapter_1|Chapter 1]]
| Return to [[Kaze_no_Stigma|Main Page]]
| Forward to [[Kaze_no_Stigma:Volume3_Chapter_3|Chapter 3]]
|-
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Kaze no Stigma:Volume3 Chapter 2

2013-04-28T10:56:36Z

80.240.162.190: /* Part 1 */

=== Chapter 2 Small Client ===

===Part 1===
Let’s go a few hours back in time.

“Seeii!”

With a sharp exclamation, Ayano swung Enraiha down. The divine sword granted by the king of the flame spirits to conquer the devil, burned and exorcized in a single stroke the revengeful ghost hunting the construction site.

“.............Fuuu”

Confirming the ghost’s annihilation, Ayano restored Enraiha back to its scabbard – her own body. Immediately from behind, a vapid sound can be heard:

'''Bu, bu, bu'''

“.................!”

Looking over the shoulder at the sad sight, sproing, she faced the source of the noise with a villainous discernment. That gaze, with no exaggeration, contains several times more killing intent than when facing the vengeful ghost.

Basking in those murderous eyes, Kazuma finally stopped the act – clapping hands – giving such a dull sound. But as evidence he wasn’t particularly sorry, his predatory smile didn’t disappear.

“.................”

With a challenging look that could kill people by sight, Ayano stared at Kazuma very long. The usually sloppy facial expression. A slack attitude from which you couldn’t feel a trace of tension. That was acceptable. Even if he appears relaxed, it’s impossible for this man to be less than prepared before a battle.

But even so, around his head, or to be more accurate, from around his jaw and below, there was a thing, as one would expect, she cannot stomach. The width of Kazuma's body increased by 20%. He did not get fat, much less put on muscle. He was bundling up in layers of clothes.

At the topmost he was wearing a fluffy down jacket. Stuffed with lots and lots of feathers. He seemed to be extremely warm. Also, how many extra clothes is he wearing underneath to appear to have doubled the thickness of his arms? Furthermore, a scarf is rolled around his head; he wears gloves – the origin of those dull applause.

No matter how you look at it, it’s a flawless winter-sports-watching-look.

If he were to hold a warmed canned coffee in his hand, before killing the vengeful ghost, Ayano would have tried to decapitate Kazuma first.

Ayano focused that thorny glance on Kazuma. The reason he was standing in this place was because he was supposed to act as Ayano’s guard. To conclude, it wasn’t to watch other people’s fight from a safe place, with an appearance that would slow down his movement.

Despite it, this man is –

“Just by standing there distractedly, to be given money, what a good social position, huh?”

Sarcasm with all her might. But naturally, that degree of scorn doesn’t get through Kazuma’s thick skin.

"I agree. The suzerain favors me so!”

Toward Kazuma's frivolous, sneering response, Ayano felt a fairly serious killing intent. She shouted, letting anger take it’s natural course.

“I’m sick of it! Why does Father hire you for this kind of job!?”

“Don’t ask me that”

Certainly, so far, Juugo never allowed Ayano to take a job unassisted. But, the duty of being an escort held so far by the practitioners of the branch families nowadays was entrusted to Kazuma alone.

Of course, he was being paid.

No matter how nasty his personality was, Kazuma is a top class practitioner. His remuneration is by no means inexpensive. In spite of this, Juugo, even on these trifling ghost extermination jobs, obstinately continues to employ Kazuma.
On jobs like these, Kazuma literally doesn’t lift a finger. Ayano does all the work by herself. This man stands before her eyes for the sake of profit.

''You’re just a pimp!''

Irritating but inevitable, Ayano decided to allow herself a modest recreation. Staring at that hateful, frivolously laughing man, she says in a tone that allows no objection:

“I’m hungry. We’re going to dinner.”

Kazuma scowled slightly.

“Do you want to extort money from me again?”

“Why are you complaining? They’re easy money at best”

“That’s different. If I were to name it, my job is like insurance. There is no need to move until an opponent you cannot manage alone appears.”

In reply to Kazuma’s solemn exposition, Ayano sternly trusted her finger in front of him.

“In case of insurance, isn’t there supposed to be a refund?”

“If he were to refund every time, the insurance man would immediately go bankrupt.”

“You’re safe. Because you still make a lot of profit.”

Obstinately, Ayano strongly insisted. Even Kazuma became generous after securing such a comfortable job and wasn’t in the mood to unconditionally refuse her. Even his rebuttal lost their usual severity, containing sweetness similar in some respects to a pre-established harmony.

“Well, fine. If it’s just food.”

In the end Kazuma gave in. Ayano stiffened her mouth already turning into a broad smile, proudly nodding.

“Very well. Let’s go then. Yukari told me about a delicious French restaurant.”

“...........French, huh?”

Kazuma calmly drew Ayano’s attention, who already started walking.

“Whether it’s French of ethnic it doesn’t matter but will they let us in, dressed like this?”

Ayano turned around, twitching her eyebrows. Her attire was the usual school uniform. Because this suit is an important ceremonial dress, it said everything is OK, a mighty item.

But Kazuma –

“Why don’t you dress properly?”

“Fool.”

With a single word Kazuma cut down and threw away Ayano’s criticism.

“Why do I have to dress up in the exorcism business?”

“That wouldn’t be too bad. Perhaps you will become better looking.”

“Leave me alone. It can’t be helped if my partner is not worthy enough to dress up for, right?”

It goes without saying but those words can’t help but incur Ayano’s displeasure. Arching her eyebrows in anger she commands:

“Do you hear me? From now on, during the job wear a necktie. Do you understand?”

“I refuse,” Kazuma answered instantly.

That quick reaction clearly denoted that there is no place for negotiation.

“What a cheapskate!”

“Do you think that’s where the problem is?”

During this vigorous match full of boos and irony the couple walked to the station. Although the ambiance was stormy, those two’s back and forth argument, not wanting to be separated, snuggling as close as they like, looked like nothing else but some sort of matrimonial quarrel – maybe.

Eventually both were admitted in, even without neckties, settling down after searching for the most expensive (this is essential) restaurant.

“Well, something like this.”

“Don’t <<something like this>> me! You always order the most expensive thing on the menu! Do you bear some grudge against me?”

Ayano bent her head slightly to one side and gazed at Kazuma with a completely curios look.

“ – Eh, you thought I didn’t?”

Being treated by Kazuma to dinner, as a matter of fact, this is not the first time. Or perhaps I should say, it already became an after work custom.

Harassment for the sake of diminishing, even if just a little, Kazuma’s profits obtained without working at all. Ayano explained her actions like this and she herself truly believed so – at the very least, at a superficial level.

“Before I met you I didn’t know.”

Hands joined before her chest, like a dreaming maiden, Ayano whispered with a voice shaking with delight:

"The meal other people treat me to could be so delicious.”

Ecstatically and with eyes closed, she is looking forward to Kazuma’s reaction. However, the severe retort she certainly
believed would come, no matter how much time passes, doesn’t appear.
She opens her eyes, looking at Kazuma. The man sitting in front of her turned an absentminded gaze outside the window.

He didn’t hear a word from Ayano’s provocation.

“What are you looking at?”

“Hmmm? Ah......”

Brought back by Ayano’s voice Kazuma’s eyes barely return to her.

“Nothing”

“...............hmm”

"Sorry to keep you waiting"
For a short while the same quarrel-like unromantic conversation continued. The waiter appeared caring(<?) champagne.

"....ufuu ♥"

Ayano watched attentively the champagne poured into her glass, making satisfied sounds, with a smile on her face.
She took the glass in one hand.

"Well then, let's celebrate another job successfully finished - "

The moment she put up her glass for the toast, Kazuma abruptly stood up.

"Kazuma?"

"I'm sorry but I have an urgent business. I'll take care of the bill so don't worry."

With those words, without looking at Ayano, he took the receipt and walked away.

"Eh...wait..."

Ayano stared in a daze at Kazuma, paying by the register. And just like that, without any sort of greeting, Kazuma left the store and disappeared in the middle of the crowd.

"What's the matter with you..."

At that time Ayano finally calmed down. The simmering anger made her body tremble.

"What are you trying to say......!"

Because this was a public place she barely managed to keep her voice down. In that state, that violent emotion that filled her insides was demanding an outlet to get angry at.

The slender fingertips supporting the legs of the champagne glass broke with a sinister sound.

===Part 2===

After leaving the restaurant, with a manner of walking that showed no hesitation, Kazuma had his eyes upon the back street. After walking several minutes, finding a slightly empty space and stopping there, he looked up at the sky.

"Well then - what are you going to do?"

Facing the empty space, quietly, Kazuma asked -

"Will you come out by yourself? or else - be dragged out?"

The answer was a blow. The light ball that suddenly appeared came flying at high speed, aiming at Kazuma's head.

That oblique attack from the sky, Kazuma dogged it, nimbly swaying back. The light ball flying before his eyes, just before it crashed the ground, by suddenly altering its angle started climbing.

A second dive.

But this time, with no dogging involved its aim was off.

"Good grief!"

The light ball flies around Kazuma as it pleases. The irregular high speed maneuver disregarding the laws of inertia, perfectly exceeds humans' perception capacity.

By using his eyes alone, Kazuma can only perceive the light ball's movement as a line not a point.

But -

Lightly, his right hand stretched horizontally. As it, just by doing that he can take something which has been placed there, a relaxed, natural movement.

And yet, when the light track blended with his fingertips, as if it was something they mutually agreed upon - Kazuma's hand siezed the light ball. And without change grasped it tightly.

"It huts, it hurts, it huuuuuurts!!"

The high pitch shrill that gushed out of the light ball jolted his brain.

Simultaneously the light faded and the real figure hidden inside materialized. It had a human pattern. However, it's height was less than twenty centimeters. Incidentally, the ears were slightly sharp and transparent wings were growing from its back.

Looking hard at the thing held in his hand, Kazuma murmured, looking bored.

"What, it was a bug?"

"Wrong! Bug is wrong!!"

From inside Kazuma's palm, that thing was wiggling and struggling.

It was belonging to the species referred to as pixies. Living inside forests, mischievous but cute fairies. They rarely ventured into human communities but as he unfortunately knew, not never.

It happened at the end of the last year. Together with Ayano, during the job at the school she was attending, it was the first time he was around something called "a fairy's prank".

Although he was the only whose good fortune wasn't damaged, the memory of that one night's stupid fooling around was still fresh.

"So, what do you want?" asked Kazuma with apathetic words.

If the pixie were to say this is just "a greeting because of a chance meeting" he was seriousely determined to crush it.

"You see, you see, I have a request, Contractor-sama"

Unfortunately, it doesn't seem this fairy just happened to pass by. However, the response was meaningful. Because he was called by a name it wasn't supposed to know.

"Does this mean that instead of greeting the party you want to ask a favor from, you start the attack?"

Cross-examined, visibly looked down upon, while innocently laughing, the fairy answered.

"Ah, that - that was a play for the sake of an impressive stage-entry? Something like that - ouuuuch!?"

"Ha - ha - ha"

With a dry laughter, Kazuma grasps the fairy, considerably inserting more force. He said with perfectly serious tone:

"Die at once!"

"Auuuu...it huuurts, I'm really going to die!"

With sober eyes. Kazuma looked at the strugling fairy. - Of course, without reducing the strength.

Observing the way the fairy's movements were becoming slughish, when it's breath became faint, he opened his palm.
With no energy to flap it's wings, the fairy fell to the ground with a flop. After several seconds -

"Auuuuu.....how cruel....Gyaaaa!"

Kazuma lightly placed his foot above the fairy who got up at last.

While feeling a frail resistance from the sole of his foot, he fired the next question.

"Well then, question number two. Where did you find out about me?"

"Aah, how terrible!"

Just like that, the energetic fairy jumped out from underneath the foot. Standing still in front of Kazuma's eyes, glaring at him as if saying "I'm really angry!"

"You don't remember about me?"

"You don't get it."

Waiving his hand quite bothered, flinging off the fairy's complaints and its body, Kazuma asked:

"What did you call me?"

Surely the pixie saw his face during that incident but he doesn't remember telling it he was a Contractor. It wasn't information easy to come by.

"Ah - that? I heard it from the head of our village", answered the fairy as a matter of course. Laying on its back with legs outstretched, it continued with a triumphant air.

"And so, it's been decided that only Contractor-sama can rescue our family from crisis. I was sent because I was a close acquittance."

"............that so?"

''close acquittance - who are you talking about?''

Although harboring that that sort of feeling, he can't flatly refuse the request of the patriarch of the fairy village. Kazuma pressed forward.

"So, what is that request?"

"This is a major incident!"

Planning to display its anger, the fairy rose slightly higher than Kazuma and talked on and on leaning forward.

"Recently humans have entered the village and stole the family's treasure!"

Contrastive to the excited fairy, Kazuma replied in a sober tone.

"..........Well, that happens often"

"No, it doesn't! Even the patriarch said it is unparalleled in history!"

"That's wrong", Kazuma declared with absolute confidence.

The fairy's village is placed in a slightly different dimension from the material world humans inhabit. Therefore, by physical means it absolutely cannot be reached.

"I don't know whether it is unprecedented or not but it will happen again. No matter how secure barriers will you form, in front of human greed, they are powerless"

For the sake of satisfying one's desire humans conquered all hardships. Even if a dimensional barrier were to block their way, if it is necessary, it will, without exception be smashed.

What's more, they don't pay attention to the damage inflicted on others.

The affirmation of all desires - whether they are good or evil, that is mankind's course of action - Kazuma knew it so.

"Don't be so proud of such a thing......."

"It doesn't mean I am particularly proud of it. I am simply pointing out the truth."

Even because of those eyes obviously filled with blame, Kazuma doesn't falter. Throwing out his chest with dignity, he affirms himself.

"Moving on, the request is to find the treasure, right?"

""Uh-huh. That's right. If we don't have it, our entire existence will be in danger!"

Seeming convinced that the request was already heard, the fairy began dancing, looking glad. While quietly starring at that appearance, Kazuma let out the essential question.

"Will there be a reward?"

The fairy petrified in the middle of her dance. Voiceless, eyes and mouth forming 3 separate O's, it stared at Kazuma. Kazuma also, calmly stared back at her. Not less than one full minute, they stared at each other.

"............errrr.............Contractor-sama..............."

Finally pulling herself together, the fairy asked Kazuma in a cracked voice.

"What?"

"Contractor-sama, you made a contract with the spirits of the wind and became a Contractor, right........?"

"Yes", Kazuma nodded in assent.

"And because of that, well........we, the pixies, are fairies affiliated with the wind, you could say the relatives of wind spirits.........."

"Thank you for especially teaching me such an obvious thing. What of it?"

"So,.........well, as for the proxy of the King of the Spirits on this earth, isn't it natural to help his family in times of crisis, don't you think?"

"...........Ah, I see"

Smiling sweetly, Kazuma kindly extended a hand to the fairy. He softly wrapped his hand around that small body, treating it like fragile glass work.

"Listen up, '''bug'''"

"No, hear me out, I'm not a....."

With that firm smile that clung to him like a mask, Kazuma inserted little by little more power in the hand grabbing the fairy.

"Wow - putting one's life on the line for the proof of one's identity, huh? Not what I've hoped for but that way of life can't be evaluated."

"Auuu....fine, something like me, just an insect............."

Yielding to terror, the fairy sold her pride. Kazuma nodded.

"Listen really close, bug. You should know about me that just because I made a contract with the King of Spirits, it doesn't mean I am burdened with some special sort of special duty."

"S-sneaky.........does that mean that you took all the power without any sort of risk?"

"Yeah", Kazuma boldly declared tossing the fairy.

"That's why, if you want to request something from me, start by showing me the stack of cash. I'll listen to your story after that"

Saying those words he turned his back on the thrown out fairy and started walking.

It wasn't a strategy, much less a joke. Kazuma considered this discussion already over.

"Wh - wait a minute!"

The dumbfounded fairy, seeing off his retreating figure, flew before Kazuma in a panic.

"I understand, we'll give you some of our village's treasure"

".........a fairy's treasure?" Kazuma frowned, very suspicious.

"Something like glass beds or pretty stones you picked by the river or insect shells or - "

"The fairy village is not a crow's nest! We have lots of gold and gems, you know!?"

Just by hearing that, Kazuma's facial expression didn't cheer up. Looking up at that fairy with that apathetic face, he casually said:

"How much of those?"

"Uuu, huh....."

"There doesn't seem to be a big amount, huh? If your family is in crisis hand over at least half of everything you own!"

"You'll go that far!?"

"That's the foundation of business, you know", Kazuma heartlessly declared to the whining fairy.

With sulky eyes, she glared at Kazuma.

"........I have to consult the patriarch"

After all, it became like this.

"Please do. And - "

Nodding proudly, Kazuma suddenly changed the topic.

"About the treasure, what is it?"

"Eh?"

"So, the shape, the material, its function or something like that. If you don't tell me about those I can't search for it."

After understanding the meaning of those words, the gloomy, depressed fairy's facial expression began to shine. She shouted with vigor.

"You came around!?"

Answering to the fairy's smiling face, Kazuma also broadly grinned.

"If it's the treasure of the fairy village, I pray it has enough value to satisfy me."

Instantly the fairy remembered that optical illusion-like mouth that seemed to split until ears. Timidly, she asked:

"Say......just for reference, what will you do if it doesn't satisfy you?"

"Annihilation, isn't it obvious?"

".......isn't it obvious..."

Toward the fairy, involuntarily repeating it, Kazuma grinned all the more.

"When that time comes, you will be the last to go. After burning in your memory that the destruction of your family was the result of the rashness of your speech, you can die."

Sizing it in his hand for the third time, Kazuma laughed enjoying himself from the bottom of his heart. If, from that back bat-like wings and a pointed tail were to appear because she was hallucinating, that is definitely not the fairy's responsibility.
"Auuuu......."

"Well than......"

Permitting for a while the fairy's scream, Kazuma returned to the topic.

"Enough idle talk, tell me the job details."

"Well, you see.........to call the announcement of my entire family's annihilation idle talk......"

"You're noisy. So, what kind of treasure is it?"

"This kind"

Smoothly escaping Kazuma's hand, the fairy's and his head touched each other. Through the contact portion, the "treasure"'s image poured into Kazuma's brain.

"...........a seed?"

That was the firs impression. Unidentified life force, so to speak.

The strong pounding wave, from within the shell, rose ready to burst open.

"What on Earth is this? "

Being asked so, the fairy looked away. After its eyes wondered about for a while, it looked at Kazuma, waiting for an answer, with an upward glance.

"Let me see.......that is something like a trade secret..........no?"

"What sort of business?............well, it doesn't matter."

Although reposting, Kazuma easily allowed the secret. He had no interest in a treasure he can't take hold of and obtained only the necessary information for searching. There's no meaning investigating further.

"Then. show me the points the humans invaded through. We'll follow from there."

The wind will certainly remember the treasure's presence. No matter how advanced the enemy's shielding was, Kazuma had confidence he could locate it less than 24 hours.

"Eh? Ah, that's fine. Because we know where it is."

"What? - Ah, so that's the reason"

The answer to the question that came to mind, Kazuma instantly found it by himself. In other words the commission wasn't for a search but for a recovery.

"The place is tis way"

The fairy touched his hear with hers for a second time. Deriving the name of the place from the information flowing in, Kazuma's eyes faintly opened wider.

"........Ah? This is - "

"Something wrong?"

"Nothing. Leaving that aside, bug, are you coming too?"

"Yeah, I'm coming. - By the way, Contractor-sama?"

Resigned but including a faint hope, the fairy looked at Kazuma.

"Do you remember my name?"

"No"

Instant reply. Incidentally he had no guilty feeling about it. The fairy named herself with a sight.

"It's Tiana. Please treat me favorably, Contractor-sama."

"Stop that. Kazuma is fine."

When Kazuma told her his name, the fairy - Tiana corrected herself, looking glad.

"Please treat me favorably, Kazuma♥"

"Use Kazuma-sama"

"............."

"It's a joke"

".........teh"

Overwhelmed by anger, she pretended to throw kicks from Kazuma's back.

''Ei! Ei!! I give up!!!''

After the one-two punch, a reversal left hook and then a left, low hit finish stroked Kazuma's phantasm, Tiana finally felt refreshed.

However, she was careless. Kazuma was a Fuujutsushi - within a certain range his perception had no blind spots.

"I saw that."

"Fukyaaa"

The small wind pebble flied together with the cold reply, delivering a hard blow on Tiana's face.

===Part 3===

"Kazumaaaaa, it's boring ~ "

From inside the improvised wind cage, Tiana's boredom leaked out.

"Hey, Kazumaaaa - fugyuuu!?"

Eliminating reply time, Kazuma shrunk the wing cage, putting screws on Tiana. When her complexion became bluish-purple and the restrains became loose he shortly informed her.

"Shut up"

"Auuuuu...."

Disregarding the fairy's groans, Kazuma shifted his focus outside of the window. The streaming landscape. Because the sun already set, the place of destination supposed to be beyond that point couldn't be seen. Even if that is supposed to be the highest place in Japan.

"A train? Why a train? If it were me, I would fly"

"Then fly. By yourself."

That exchange of words already happened two hours ago.

Even forcibly, about no choosing a different course of action, Kazuma was regretting it vehemently. The fact that the pixies are mischievous creatures it's a universally known legend. But, for most people it seems that they regard that mischief counterbalancing the lovely outward appearance as something charming. They are absolutely wrong.

The pixies pranks are plenty disagreeable. Breaking items that would have lasted a lifetime or changing outcomes to force people into unpleasant situations - they will do them without hesitation. Tiana was no exception.

Opening the running train's door all of a sudden, erasing the window glass where children bent forward to see outside, causing poltergeist phenomena into the driver's seat.

And lastly - it's unknown how she did it, but when she managed a train barrel roll, Kazuma's patience cord was severed. Keeping her in a wind cage, he sealed her entire movement.

Tiana may be complaining but considering this is Kazuma, it's possible to say this is a remarkably generous step.
Without speech and attitude, it's possible she has nothing but some residual part of race awareness.

"Kazumaaa, let me out....."

''Otsuki ~ Otsuki''

Covering Tiana's voice, obstinately begging, the announcer informed about the arrival at the place of destination. Watching Kazuma get up in silence, Tiana's eyes sparkled.

''With this, he'll let me out!''

But, far from releasing her, he let the wind cage itself behind, got off the train and started walking.

"...........Eh? W-wait!?"

Without response to the frantic voice, calling to halt, the train slowly started to move. From the window Tiana looked at the station platform. In the middle of the scene that started to flow little by little, just once, Kazuma waved his hand.

"........Ah.......Ah......"

It's body shaking with anger, the fairy shouted as far as possible.

"Kazuma, you idiot!"

That scream that couldn't shake the atmosphere reacher no one's ears.

Approximately 10 minutes afterwards.

"Kazumaaaaaaaaaaa!!"

From behind a motorcycle sprinting on the dark street, a screaming light ball was approaching. The light ball suddenly stopped right beside Kazuma's face. Maybe because the relative velocity was equal, the figure of the girl growing wings inside the light and even her angry expression could be perceived in detail.

Shifting his attention to her only for a second, he muttered, bored-looking.

"That was unexpectedly quick"

"Why did you do that? Leaving someone behind, how terrible!"

"Well, I hesitated"

It wasn't about whether or not to take someone along.

"Not that sort of indulgent method but whether or not I ought to deal with you before, to eliminate future trouble."

"..............tch!"

Involuntarily, the imagining of "eliminate future trouble" drew Tiana's attention. Thinking about his behavior so far, there is no room for doubt. This man is serious.

"Auuuuuuu~ I won't pull pranks anymore so don't kill me!"

To the lamenting fairy, Kazuma showed a cynical smile.

"Ho - Can you take responsibility for those words? Next time I'll deal with you in a conclusive manner."

''a conclusive manner'' - an abstract expression and yet that meaning was excessively tangible.

Trembling in fear, Tiana nodded soundlessly.

"..........humph"

Faintly slanting his lips, Kazuma twisted the acceleration. Tiana chased in a panic that speeding up bike.
Both of them aimed at the destination straight ahead. The vast forest stretching out at the bottom of Japan's highest peak rising in front of them, Mt. Fuji, the Aokigahara Forest.

"Hey, hey"

Even after promising to be a good child, Tiana can't be silent more than one minute. Even humans can be like this at times. Those who can't endure psychological silence.

"Where did you get that vehicle?"

It was a natural question. A more accurate one would be not "where" but "by what means". At any rate it would have been impossible to make preparations for riding on a plot of land he had no plans of visiting.

Kazuma replied simply.

"I borrowed it"

"Borrowed? Really? Maybe there are kind people after all."

Holding no sarcasm, those were sincere, praising words. The superficial comprehension towards human society in addition to humans themselves allowed such misunderstanding.

"Indeed. The society has not yet degraded so."

A brazen declaration. By the way Tiana didn't notice that Kazuma's garments too, subtly changed. As one would expect, he thought the down jacket to be ugly and changed it to a dark gray jacket. Perhaps this is also a borrowed item.

In any case, after nothing but traveling for a dozen of minutes, in the middle of the national highway going through the sea of the trees, Kazuma located a private road, quiet and secluded.

"This way, huh?"

"Yeah"

Abandoning the bike Kazuma jumped over an iron fence pretending to be broken. And then, after several jumps riding the wind, both of them arrived at a slightly elevated hill overlooking a magnificent residence built in the mysterious sea of trees.

"These guys?"

A murmur shaking in delight. The rising urge lifted his lips and a small laughter leaked out.

"I see. so they were these guys..."

".......Errr, I'm afraid to ask but acquaintance?", Tiana timidly asked while flinching at the dangerous, carnivore-like smile.

"No, they're not personal acquaintance. "

Kazuma clearly shook his head, while that ferocious smile still cling to his face.

"But.....since while back I couldn't help but want to crush these guys."

"Wh-What kind of people are they?"

"These guys are..."

"............well, if it were me instead of him, I'd kill you instantly"

"Auuuuuu ~ I don't want to die"

While weeping, Tiana cling to Kazuma.

"Hey! If it's Kazuma, can you search where it went!? Can you!? Please, I'll pay an extra charge"

"Well - calm down"

"I can't calm down!!"

"Listen up! Look this way"

Kazuma turned around Tiana's head with all his might. Somehow he had a feeling its neck-bones made a somewhat thick sound but there is no meaning in paying attention to the head of such random living things like fairies.

"Auuuuuuuu~"

Kazuma quietly but with a sharp voice murmured close to the I-don't-know-why-but-fainting-in-agony fairy's ears.

"Look properly inside the mansion. Do you see?"

The residence was approximately 100 meters away. Furthermore it was night. The things that could be seen with a physical eye were only the outlines of the mansion. But -

"Huh? isn't it kind of noisy?"

As far as Fuujutsushi and Pixies are concerned, both of them are companions of the wind spirits and reading the information the wind is carrying is easy.

Just as Tiana said, the residence's atmospheric was uproarious. Disturbance and impatience and the mayhem caused by them were transmitted as far as below the two.

"I wonder what happened"

"Well, it doesn't seem they are merely busy. Perhaps the disappearance of the treasure was an unexpected accident for that lot"

"You mean, that it was again stolen by a different someone. Doesn't that mean it will be more difficult to search!?"

Kazuma lightly shrug his shoulders.

"It's not like you'll be troubled if I don't find it personally"

"I'll be troubled!!"

Cruelly brushing away Tiana's half-cries he aimed a daring gaze at the mansion.

"Leaving jokes aside let's take a closer look"

Kazuma lightly kicked the ground. Enveloped by the whirling wind that body smoothly shook off the gravity's restraint. Shortening the distance by 10 meters with each jump, he stopped 20 meters from the mansion and stood still in the air above it. Tiana, running after him asked:

"Won't we be exposed? If we are so close?"

"It's safe", Kazuma assured her.

At any rate, the opponent is the Tsuwabuki Family - a family of Chijutsushis. They don't have techniques for detecting things that aren't connected to the ground.

"Well then - "

Concentrating his consciousness, he searched for useful information. As long as the other party is in a place with air, there is nothing an Enjutsushi can't spy on. Whether it's a distance of 20 meters, obstacles such as roofs and walls, for them it's equal with zero. Setting apart useless information as noise and picking up only the necessary one.

The tuning was immediately over. A little grazed alto was reached Kazuma's ears.

'' - you haven't captured it yet?''

''Yes - but we have perfectly caught hold of its presence and now it's only a matter of time.........''

''Not particularly. However splendid that is, The Grand Festival is tomorrow, do you understand?''

"A - Already...."

At the impossible to decipher conversation, Tiana looked slightly doubtful at Kazuma.

"What is The Grand Festival?"

Without answering, Kazuma closed his eyes partly. Feeling the temperature falling below freezing at once, Tiana backed off shivering.

"I see - " with an icy smile etched to his face, Kazuma murmured slightly.

"It was this year, that thing?"

"Th - that thing?" too reckless Tiana asked a second time. But this time there was an answer.

"I said it earlier, didn't I? About that evil sacrificing ceremony. It seems they do it at intervals of approximately 30 years, on the first full moon night of the new year. In short, tomorrow night."

"You're well informed, huh?"

"Because it's a famous ritual."

Kazuma spit out unpleasantly.

"These fellows, far from hiding the use of sacrificing, they take pride in it, instead."

"Hmm - So, there is some connection between that ceremony and the treasure they stole from the pixie village?"

"There must be. As far as the Tsuwabuki are concerned, the ceremony is more important than anything. Because the rite is so close, there's no way they have enough composure to be concerned with unrelated stuff - but I have no idea what they'll use it for."

"That cannot be allowed - "

Silencing Tiana, who started screaming, Kazuma restarted the reconnaissance. this time projecting visual information.

''Do hurry. I don' care about means. As the head's representative, you have permission to act freely.''

In one of the mansion's rooms, a woman ordered the group of men. Kazuma focused on that woman.

'''dark''' - more than anything, that was the impression she made. The hair was oddly long. Darker than darkness itself, that straight glossy hair was falling like a waterfall as far as her knees. A black suit. It seemed a long straight skirt was coiling around her legs, but a deep slit on its left revealed almost all her tight.

She was approximately in the later half of her twenties. Although amazingly beautiful, she was so bewitching she didn't seem human. From a distance she was a sight for sore eyes, and yet the type you didn't want to get to know. She seemed to be younger than the men surrounding her but there wasn't a single person appearing to look down on her.

All their foreheads were sweating, imploring the woman in a good mood.

''If it seems we won't make it in time, we have no choice but to call Mayumi back''

''......!!''

At those matter of course words, the men were vehemently disturbed.

''Kureha-sama, that would be against the Head's intention - ''

''Silence!''

That woman everyone called Kureha raised her head triumphantly.

''Now that my father is sick, I am the one ruling over Tsuwabuki. Do you complain?''

''N - no.........we wouldn't......''

Aiming a cynical smile at the overpowered, drained in cold sweat men, kazuma whistles frivolously.

"Scary woman"

But that face suddenly became stiff. Kureha suddenly looked at the ceiling.

"........Ah? Oi, you don't say......"

That severe glance pierced the ceiling, directly grasping him. Although understanding it, that impossible fact halted his thought process. A lethal space was born.

''who?''

Simultaneously shouting for Kazuma's identity, his body was rapidly drawn to the surface.

"W - wait a second! What the heck is this?"

There's no way his wind was stopped. With a force by far surpassing the dynamic lift the wind produced, something dragged Kazuma to the ground.

''What on earth is this!? but first, how did she noticed? Did she changed the dust in the atmosphere in a radar or something?''

While Kazuma was confused, Kureha briskly gave direction to those men.

"There's a trespasser in the sky. I'll drop him off here so counter attack! "

"......Y-yes!", the men nodded obediently.

Although not understanding, it seems they put all their trust in Kureha's power. The eyes looking up at the ceiling held not a speck of doubt, storing power, preparing the one finishing blow for the intruder who will fall.

''This is pretty bad, huh?'', Kazuma whispered at his wit's end while falling.

This was not far from a crisis. Since he doesn't know by what kind of ability he is dragged down, it's impossible to resist. He tried to ease up the speed of the fall with wind, but it had almost no effect.

As if his body's weight was increased ten, no more then a hundred times.

''.....that's it!''

Kazuma swung downward a wind blade. Just because of that one stroke the field of that invisible power was cut cross-section-ally while the back-lash eased up the speed of the fall. But it was already too late -

'''Gonn! Gogann!'''

Smashing down the roof and the ceiling, Kazuma fell into the Tsuwabuki residence. Of course, the wind was doing the smashing, it's not like his life was in danger, but it wasn't a pleasant feeling.

"Don't underestimate us! "

Barely managing to land, he used wind to counterbalance the Chijutsushi's attack coming from every direction. If they were to include one more blow, he would have obliterated everyone here.

"Fugyaaaa!"

But, Tiana's existence, falling on his head at that precise time turned away the chance to attack.

".............."

Without saying anything, Kazuma gripped the fairy from the top of his head and threw it onto the ground.

"Auuuuuuuu~"

"Good grief - "

After looking down on the groaning fairy very annoyed, he turned his eyes to the surroundings.

Because that attack supposed to deliver a certain kill was brushed off, the Chijutsushi peeled their eyes in fright. But, that wasn't all.

"F - fairy......?"

The man's eyes looked intensely at Tiana. Not the questioning look asking why the fairy is here.

Disturbance and surprise - a face that knows more than enough. Seeing that, Kazuma raised his lips. Kicking up a scattered-on-the-floor Tiana and sizing it, he shouted clearly:

"You people, who devastated the fairy village! Know that the sins of blockheads like you will never be forgiven! We won't let you use our treasure for your wicked ceremony. Know that tomorrow evening is the time this family will be ruined!"

Together with that bombastic pronouncement they escaped through the hole opened in the ceiling. Before the dumbfounded, completely played Chijutsushi calmed down, Kazuma's figure disappeared beyond the sea of trees.

"What was that at the end?"

Putting a 10 minutes distance from Tsuwabuki, properly sitting down on tree branches, Tiana asked with a stunned expression. Kazuma answered with a smile:

"A confirmation tentative and the last one, well, I just went with the flow. There's no meaning behind it."

The fairy's existence and Kazuma's words clearly disturbed them. But more then that, the positive proof that the Tsuwabuki family stole the fairy's treasure was obtained.

"Hmmm - So, what will you do next?"

"I'll wait", Kazuma replied simply.

"Only that?"

"From the conversation earlier, it seemed they grasp the treasure's whereabouts. They said they'll search for it. There's no need for me to work, right?"

"............."

Without taking action, stealing the opponent's result - even if Tiana thought that was an absolute makeshift method, she kept her silence and her wisdom. One way or another, it seemed she had at least a little learning ability.

"Ku ku ku"

Thinking of something, Kazuma revealed an exceedingly enjoyable chuckle.

"If I keep hidden the fact that the secret treasure has been returned I'd be able to do what I wanted. Taking the moral high ground so to speak. I'll ask nicely so don't return it without a fight, alright?"

"Ku ku ku ku - "

Exactly as stated a while ago, he appears to plan the complete destruction of the Tsuwabuki. That the drifting smell of blood will be filling that dangerous, limitless laughter, Tiana was scared from the marrow of her bones.

''Why? Why!?''

While frantically plugging her ears, for the first time in her life, she complained to the King of the Wind Spirits.

''Why did You make this kind of man Your Contractor!? That was absolutely, absolutely a mistake! ''

Whether the fairy's bitter soul scream reached the King of the Wind Spirits or not, only the spirit king knew.

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Talk:Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume4 Chapter8

2013-02-12T16:15:46Z

80.240.162.190: Created page with "''Extravagance seafood, meat, and fruits were laid out on a table lined up in the center.'' Extravagance? Not ''extravagant'' nor ''exquisite''?"

''Extravagance seafood, meat, and fruits were laid out on a table lined up in the center.''
Extravagance? Not ''extravagant'' nor ''exquisite''?