As promised the next chap is up quicker!

Ayanou: Shiro as in the shiro from fate stay night?

Kazuma and Lapis had quite a fight in the last chap...let's see how things continue...

Ayano's POV

I really slept a lot. But I feel good now. If only I would be able to walk...just laying around is so boring. I am not used to it. Trying to kill off boredom I started to think of him. He saved me once again...and I am falling for him more and more. I realized that I would never be able to be with anyone but him. If I wouldn't be with him I would never be able to become happy. But what the hell am I saying...he is with Lapis. I felt how the anger wield up inside of me. I just did not get it. Why does this jerk keep on being friendly with me when he has Lapis? Doesn't he realize that his behavoir just makes me fall in love with him more and more? Idiot! Or perhaps that is his way of trying to torture me?

The door to my room suddenly opened. A nurse with pinkish short hair came in.

"Ayano-sama you have visitors."

"Huh?"

Ren, Ayumi, Misao and to my surprise even father came walking in. I was so happy that I just wanted to stand up. But I remembered that I couldn't.

I saw the mix of anger and worry in my fathers eyes. He would scold me, he definitely would.

"Ayano-ne sama I am glad you are okay!" Ren cheered as he hugged me tightly.

"Ayano." My father stated, giving me a stern look.

"I am sorry. I should never have told you to go to the beach."

Feelings of relief and love overcame me. My father just was the best father anyone could wish for. I just loved him so much.

I just shook my head and took his hand.

"I am glad you had the time to come, Otou-sama."

Kazuma's POV

I laid in my bed, but I wasn't able to sleep at all. So after all these were her last thoughts. I can't blame her though, I would probably feel the same. I really am pathetic. I got up and checked how late it was. 2.30am. I stretched and got into some casual clothes. When I walked into the living room, I saw her sleeping on the floor. I carried her to the bed and covered her body with a blanket. I couldn't resist to kiss her forehead. But I did it as soft as possible, so that she wouldn't wake up.

Then I walked out into the dark and cold night. I walked through down, seeing youngsters having fun late at night. There was really no way for her to forgive me...And I tried my best.

"Ka-ka-kazuma! What are you doing here?" A familiar voice asked me.

When I turned around to look who it was I saw a familiar american fire mage facing me.

"Yo, Catherine."

"What the hell are you doing here at this time!"

"Oh...guess...just taking a walk? How about you?"

"I am on duty! We are hunting down a serial killer. Want to help us!" She asked grabbing my arm.

"Not really in the mood to do that..." I replied with my eyes closed.

She let go of my arm.

"Ah...um...that is a pity. How about getting something to drink? You look tired."

"Oh yeah...I just realized I am thirsty."

"You just realized? Kazuma is everything allright?"

"..."

We got into a bar and I ordered two strawberry milkshakes. I did not want any alcohol right now. I did not want to kill of my feelings with alcohol like back then...

"It is really rare just seeing you take a walk."

"Guess I was running away."

"Running away? Is something wrong? You can tell me anything, you know."

I looked at her. True, she has been my friend for a long time now. I don't think that telling her would harm anyone.

"It's about Lapis."

As I told her the story, her face seemed sad. I was happy to be understood.

"Kazuma...does this mean...you broke up?"

"I have no idea. But she certainly did."

"I see. If that's the case would you...well would you..maybe..you know...I..."

"However. I regret everything to the fullest."

"Well I guess you can't change the past..."

"True..."

I stood up and paid the waiter.

"Kazuma? Are you already going?"

"Yeah. I should get some sleep..."

We walked out of the shop. Once we were outside, Catherine grabbed my arm.

"Um...Kazuma, I can't put it into words but..."

Catherine got on her toes and pressed her lips against mine. I wanted to give in at first but then I realized how much more of a fool I was to become if I did. I pushed Catherine away roughly.

"Sorry..." I coldly said as I turned around and walked away.

Catherine's POV

"Kazuma?"

What, what in the world have I done? That was so embarrassing! I thought he might be interested in me now that he had a fight with Lapis but it seems like he still has feelings for her. I never imagined him to be this rough. Who the hell treats a lady like that!

My eyes filled with tears but I tried to hide my sadness by shouting and stomping on the floor like a five year old.

This was my own way of hiding my true emotions.

No one's POV

"Would have never thought to find you here, scum."

Kazuma looked up to the sky only to find Mazlum smirking at him. Kazuma had been so lost in thoughts that he did not even realize his enemies presence.

"What do you want?" Kazuma asked, trying to be tough when he wasn't even in the mood.

"I have no bussniss with you. Where is Lapis?"

"Fuck off." Kazuma replied as he walked away with his eyes closed.

"How dare you!" Mazlum fired energy at Kazuma but it was blocked by Kazuma's wind barrier.

"You better tell me where she is, otherwise I will slaughter all of your family members!"

Kazuma's eyes opened again.

"That girl you are always with. I heard she is quite cribbled now. Guess I won't have to do much to make her shut up then, huh? Hmph, she has a filthy mouth you know. I despite that kind of women. As it is-the only woman I love is Lapis. So hand her over if you want the other to live!"

"Shut the hell up!" Kazuma yelled as he tried to tear Mazlum apart with wind blades.

"Hahahaha. That ain't gonna work against the strongest servant Armagest ever created, you know?"

But Kazuma wouldn't just give in. He proceeded to shoot all kinds of attacks at Mazlum, but they were all blocked.

"That fucker..." Kazuma cursed.

"Hahaha. I've told you already, that shit isn't going to work. If you want to get serious activate your contract!"

As stupid as it is, Kazuma realized that he probably had no other choice. He learned from the last time he fought Mazlum, that he wasn't someone who could be defeated without the contracter powers.

Kazuma also knew he had nothing to lose now. He closed his eyes to activate his contract when someone's hand grabbed Mazlum's neck.

"What's happening?" Mazlum coughed.

"You're mine!" The man in the shadows said with a crazy smirk.

"You are- Nonoha!"

"Hmph. You got that right."

"It's a pleasure to face off here with you. But there is only one thing I want to know!" Mazlum yelled as he easily threw Nonoha over his head.

"Where is Lapis?" Mazlum yelled stomping Nonoha's head.

"I am afraid I don't know." Nonoha replied while piercing a dagger through Mazlum's back from behind.

"Curse you!"

"Thank you." Nonoha said with an angelic smile as he rammed his fists into Mazlum's stomach.

"Allright, this is the perfect opportunity to finish those low-lifes off." Kazuma thought as he attempted to concentrate once again on activating his contract.

But he was interupted again.

"Good evening-or should I almost say good morning?" Bernhardt greeted. Kazuma clenched his fists as he saw the man he hated the most.

"What do you want?"

"Where is she?"

"Are you really that stupid to think I would tell you?"

"No. I know you will." Bernhardt summoned a portal through which they could see some of Armagest's servants before Ayano's hospital room.

Bernhardt smirked.

Lapis POV

Huh? Where am I? It was warm and fluffy. So much different than from a while before. I opened my eyes. I was...in bed? Oh..perhaps...Kazuma...He must have carried me here. I blushed at the thought. I realized Kazuma wasn't there and I figured he would probably sleep on the coach because of our fight.

"He might not have read my text yet.." I said to myself as I got up to personally apologize.

But when I came into the living room, he wasn't there either.

His mobile was still on the desk.

"Where did he go?" I asked myself worried.

Suddenly my chest started to ache. This presences...there are a lot of them. And...Kazuma seems to be near them! He is probably struggling to fight them right now. One of them is definitely Bernhardt...and...the other...

I have to go and help Kazuma out. I quickly jumped off the window, and flew to where Kazuma was.

No one's POV

"I don't know why, but I feel like I need to talk to the Kannagi maiden right now." Catherine mumbered to herself as Metatron flew her up to the hospitals fourth floor. As Catherine walked along the corridors towards Ayano's room, she felt strange presences.

When she was just a few doors before Ayano's room she saw about 4 people lurking infrong of Ayano's room.

"What are they doing here?"

"Anyways, they seem to be really strong, I won't be able to fight them by myself. So I will call back up."

She called the Tsuwabukis, Kureha, Mayumi, and Yuuji in particular, Misao, Kirika, Izumi and Daiki. They said they would be there in about 5 minutes.

"Should I try to distract them till then?"

She didn't know how long she would be going to last but the most important thing was to keep Ayano safe for now.

"Let's go Metatron!" She said as she bravely walked up to the attackers.

They gave her a mocking look.

"Oh? What do you want with us?" one of the guys asked.

"I will defeat you!"

"Defeat us? Do you really think she can do that, Darling?" A woman who was cliging to some guy asked.

"No chance. She is just some fire mage from the states."

"I am not just "some" fire mage! We are the strongest fire mages in the USA! The Mcdo-"

"Quit babbling girl." One of the guys said as he pushed her to the wall with an invisible blast of energy.

"Get them Metatron!" Catherine yelled, at the same time using the techniqes her beloved Kazuma taught her.

"I am so stupid. I should have know from the day he broke my leg that he doesn't give a shit about me..." Catherine thought as her anger increased her power, nearly setting the whole building on fire.

"I won't forgive you people!"

Ayano's POV

What is that sound? What? Did I just hear Catherine's voice? What the? She wouldn't be making a ruckus here, would she?

"God, this is so annoying!" I yelled to myself as I hit my head with my hands aonce again realizing how frustrating being crippled was. That aside, I again thought of Kazuma and how close we have been.

"Idiot. Why wouldn't he visit me?" I thought as I realized that a day already passed. Even if he doesn't like me that way, he should at least come and see me. I wonder if he was even worried about me. He probably forgot all about me as he spent a nice day with Lapis. Somehow it was pissing me off...

No one's POV

Catherine realeased her power and created a huge explosion that destroyed almost half of the hospital. She panted heavily after she thought that she eliminated her enemies. "I got them. I definitely got them!" She yelled.

"Hahahaha." She heard a woman laugh. Catherine's eyes widened.

"Little girl, did you really think that ridiculous attack of yours would be enough to defeat us, servants of the great Armagest?" A man asked her mockingly.

"Wha-what the hell!" Catherine thought in shock.

"Just get here already...people..."

"Go to sleep!" The woman yelled as she send a purple ball of energy towrds Catherine, who was unable to use her powers now as she had used too much before, so she tried to dodge the ball. But the woman fired one after the other. Her partners were smirking, they were enjoying to see Catherine helplessy running away. Eventually one of the balls got Catherine and threw her into a wall. She lost consciousness, her clothes were ripped and her body was full of bruises.

"Hmph. Stupid girl." The woman said in disgust.

In Kirika's car (A/N Daiki, Izumi and Misao are driving in Kirika's car, while Mayumi and Kureha are in Yuji's car)

"Kirika-san, please hurry, I can feel Catherine's presence weakening."

"Shit! We need to save her!" Izumi said as she clenched her fists.

Daiki looked at her worried, even though he could understand how worried Izumi was about her friend and work partner, he hated seeing her getting into dangerous situations. And he knew from previous missions that Armagest was no joke.

"Kazuma is definitely in danger!" Lapis thought as she got down to the road to continue running to where Kazuma was.

"These presences...one of them...is Bernhardt...no...what if he did something to Kazuma. But wait...there are others...Mazlum is here? This is the worst, I need to save Kazuma before ...I don't even want to think about it. There is another presence. One I am sensing for the first time-could this someone be an ally?"

Lapis ran faster until she finally found Kazuma.

Kazuma just destroyed the portal Bernhardt showed him, to make it seem as if he did not care. Kazuma turned around to face Mazlum and Nonoha, he raised his hand to charge at them. It was then when Bernhardt smriked and threw a long spear at Kazuma. Kazuma was usually able to sense such attacks, but this spear somehow was different.

"KAZUMA!" Lapis yelled as she attempted to block the spear with her sword. The spear however knocked her giant sword off her hand and the 3 meter long spear pierced right through Lapis chest.

Kazuma's eyes widened when he saw Lapis figure sink to the ground.

He forgot about attacking his enemies and rushed over to Lapis, holding her in his arms.

"Lapis-you are really an idiot. You could have just told me that it was coming at me! I could have avoided it!"

"Ka-ka-zu-ma...I..."

"It's okay, you don't need to talk. Hang in there, if we leave the spear like that for now, you will definitely make it."

"Tzz. I know you would be coming, Lapis." Bernhardt said amused

"Though- I believe we should remove that spear right there!" Bernhardt yelled with a smirk as he pulled the spear out of Lapis chest with a quick movement.

Lapis face twisted in pain as she screamed in agony-Kazuma wasn't able to do anything because Bernhardt was just too fast.

"You bastard!" Kazuma yelled as he started to cry.

Lapis body started to shake a few times, her month opened. She wanted to say something but she wasn't able to make any sound.

"Lapis-hang in there!" Kazuma pleaded again.

Lapis raised her hand to try and touch Kazuma's face, but then, all of a sudden, her body became numb and life left her eyes completely.

No worries!