(Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to Kaze no Stigma except for this plot and my original character. I am planning to take some scenes and chracters from the original anime series, but I don't own them.)
Summary: Yagami Kazuna returns to Japan after a four years disappearance, but he doesn't return alone. KazumaxOC
(A/N: Although the AyanoxKazuma coupling was cute, I thought that Kazuma deserves someone else. I approve of Ayano, but I just wanted to write with a whole new character involved.)
Note: Italics in the story are scenes taken from the anime series.
Chapter 1: The Wind Returns...But Not Alone
"Then let's celebrate at the karaoke shop as usual!" Yukari said excitedly.
Nanase smiled. "You sure like karaoke, don't you, Yukari?"
"So do you Nanase-chan!" Yukari shot back triumphantly.
"Karaoke is fine," Nanase gave in, "but since the ocean is close by, why don't we go soak in the sea breeze?"
'That sounds great! Then we can go to karaoke afterwards."
"Sea breeze, huh?" Ayano repeated absentmindedly. She looked up to watch the falling leaves. A strong wind blew, lifting up all three of the girls' skirts, causing them to squeal. Ayano took a deep breath. "Geez, I hate the wind!"
"Let's go, eh?" Yukari said cheerfully. "The sooner we go, the sooner we can go to karaoke." She grabbed Nanase's arm and pulled her along, despite the other girl's protest. Ayano smiled indulgently and followed at a calm pace.
The three girls chatted amongst themselves, walking on the beach with their shoes in hand. Together, they talked as only three best friends could, joking and laughing as they allowed the ocean to touch their feet. Suddenly, Yukari stopped short, her arm still linked in Nanase's, causing the latter girl to stop as well.
"What's the matter Yukari?" Ayano asked, concerned. Yukari didn't answer and kept looking forward, seemingly agape at the sight in front of her. Ayano and Nanase followed her line of vision and Nanase found herself struck mute as well.
Ayano scrunched up her eyebrows, confused. "What is it?"
"Bishoujo," Yukari breathed out. She pointed ahead toward a girl standing a few meters ahead of them, facing forward to the open sea. Ayano scanned the girl slowly, trying to see what her friends were seeing.
The girl wore a simple white dress with spaghetti straps on her shoulders to hold the dress up. The skirt of the dress fluttered in the sea breeze and skimmed just above her knees. She had long raven-colored hair that floated behind her in the sea breeze, the length as long as Ayano's own hair. Her eyes were closed and her face was titled upwards, enjoying that last few minutes of the setting sun.
"She is very pretty," Ayano admitted. As if sensing that there were others, the girl turned to face them, her eyes opening in the process, revealing chocolate brown eyes regarding them curiously. Her eyes looked down, towards their uniform and her expression lightened. She waved at them, and Nanase and Yukari waved back unconsciously. Ayano waved back, looking at the other girl curiously as well.
The girl bent down to pick up her shoes from the sand, and turned away from them, walking in the direction of the city.
"Who was she?" Nanase asked, stunned. Yukari smiled and a determined look crossed her face.
"I don't know, but I'm going to find out," she announced.
"Incompetent underachiever, I banish you!"
Kazuma woke with a start, the words still resounding in his head. He groaned and sat up, his feelings mixed as he recounted his father's words.
"And I thought I put it all behind me…" he lamented ruefully.
An overwhelming evil presence hit him all of a sudden, launching him out of bed and towards the windows of the hotel room. He pulled the curtains open and stared out at the rising sun, unable to locate the evil presence as it had disappeared as quickly as it had appeared.
"Kazuma," a voice behind him called out.
He made a noise of acknowledgement and answered in a cool tone. "I know."
Sheets rustled behind him as he continued to look out the window, watching the horizon, his senses trying to make sense of what just happened. Soft footsteps padded towards him, and a hand came to rest on his shoulder. His muscles, which had tightened unconsciously when he woke up from sleep, relaxed slowly from the simple warm touch. Kazuma's gaze softened and he now looked out towards the horizon without maliciously intent, rather, he began to enjoy the sunrise, watching the sun calmly as a new day began.
"Ne, Ayano-chan, Nanase-chan, did you hear?" Yukari stage-whispered excitedly once they entered class that morning.
"Any news you bring is always new Yukari," Nanase said affectionately. "You are the first one to find out these things." Ayano nodded in agreement.
"Well…"Yukari drawled out. "There's suppose to be a new student joining us today!"
Ayano raised her eyebrows in surprise. "Really?"
Yukari nodded enthusiastically. "I have a hunch that it's the same girl we saw on the beach yesterday."
"She did look like she was around the same age as us," Nanase mused.
The teacher walked in, causing a flurry as students rushed towards their correct seating.
"Ohayo class," the teacher greeted them cheerfully. The whole muttered the same in reply. "Today is a very special day as we are joined by a new student. Please welcome her into the class. The teacher turned around to write the new student's name on the board as the class clapped in anticipation. The door slide open as a girl in uniform with long raven hair entered. The class quieted as the girl walked to the center of the classroom. Yukari bounced in her seat and turned around to her best friends.
"I told you so," she whispered proudly. "I was right."
"Please introduce yourself and tell us a little about yourself as well," the teacher said gently. The girl bowed to the class and pulled herself upright to smile.
"Ohayo," she said in a soft, melodic voice. "My name is Watatsumi Yumiko. I was recently living in China, but am now moving back to Japan. I hope we all get along."
As soon as she finished, the males in the class hooted loudly at her proclamation, causing her to flush a bright pink. The teacher rolled her eyes in exasperation.
"That is enough," she barked out. Immediately the class quieted. "Kannagi Ayano!"
Ayano sat up straighter. "Hai!" The new girl, Yumiko, swung her gaze towards Ayano, her eyes widening as she recognized Ayano.
"Watasumi-san will be seated behind you," the teacher instructed. "Please take your seat."
Yumiko walked down the aisle, towards her seat, turning heads as she went. She stopped in front of Ayano and bowed.
"Please take care of me," Yumiko said, smiling. "I have a feeling that we're going to be good friends."