DISCLAMER; I DO NOT OWN KAZE NO STIGMA!

Without further ado this is…

Chapter 1 of; 'Fear'

Sunset

When he was a child Genma had told him that fear was nothing more than an irrational force driving anyone and everyone away from what they needed to achieve. He told him that to be fearful meant weakness and weakness meant dishonor.

And of course dishonor meant disownment.

A lesson the contractor knew all too well.

The contractor's father taught him that he shouldn't fear what he didn't understand but to approach it with a strong conscious.

While the words held years of wisdom they hadn't made a difference in his life. They may have if the man saying them hadn't been a hypocrite.

The Kannagies were a clan of the strongest fire mages to ever exist, chosen by the god of fire himself. A clan made up of fighters and warriors of the highest caliber, born into a world of flames and power.

A clan that seemed virtually invincible.

But even 'they' had their own share of fears.

The old man's fear was weakness. Inferiority.

That much was obvious.

Jugo feared not being strong enough to protect those whom he cherished. After he had lost Asuna he had vowed to never lose any of the remaining members of his clan.

With the exception of Kazuma, of course.

As a child Ren's fear had always been abonnement. Some fucked up psychological after effect undoubtedly stemming from watching his hero thrown out of the clan because he had yet to control a petty flame.

Kazuma could still remember the mage crawling into his bed as a child crying, fearing the day that Kazuma would be thrown out. He would beg his father constantly but Genma had done nothing but scoff occasionally saying that if he were stronger he'd be able to survive.

As if being thrown out would teach him to control.

You could thank Genma and his constant threats.

Kazuma would pick the child up and hold him against his chest rubbing circles against his back promising that he'd never leave.

And he did.

Maybe that's why the kid was so afraid of being abandoned.

Maybe that's why the kid was so afraid of trusting people.

The princess was the one person he'd never gotten to figure out.

As children she was always training or in school. Private cars taking her to and from designated destinations.

He'd rarely catch a glimpse of her red tassels and when he did he could only feel inferior to the girl four years younger than him.

She was the pride and joy of the clan.

The epitome of perfection.

Beautiful and gifted in the art of the crimson flames.

The youngest to conquer what seemed impossible to her seniors.

The flaming princess herself.

Ayano.

And it was Ayano whom he himself feared.

…

The girl smiled at the feeling of water against bare skin enjoying the way it seemed to cool her down instantly.

She breathed out laying down against the grass crimson eyes tracing the clouds and basking in the sunlight. It wasn't every day that she was able to feel the way she did now.

So… at ease.

The sun had just began to set, its rays leaving soft films of light to dance across her skin. The scent of due fresh against the grass pressed up against her.

It had been a total of three months since their final case.

It had taken the three a little over a month to heal and get back into the land of the living. But even then Jugo had banned Ayano from going anywhere outside of home and school.

She knew that it was simply her father's way of showing her that he cared. He feared losing her. That much she knew for a fact.

While the thought had irked her to no end, it also meant that she wouldn't have to face her friends and their constant attempts at getting the red head to fess up about her nonexistent feelings for the contractor.

She moved her legs around the water feeling the fins of the koi fish against her skin every so often. This were of the rare few times the heiress felt completely and utterly content.

"So there you are."

And there it was… she had spoken too soon.

The girl sighed opening one eye, "Is there something I can help you with?"

The man shook his head cigarette in hand, "Just enjoying the view."

She glared, "That view is being polluted with your stupidity. Didn't you say you were going to quit?"

He shrugged, "Harder than it looks."

She stared at the cigarette pressed in between his lips. Maybe if he loved her…. No…The thought disgusted her.

Rolling her eyes she sat up pulling her legs out of the water before grabbing her shoes, "Is there a reason your here or are you making it your life goal to piss me off?"

Kazuma smirked, "A little bit of both. Jugo said that he wanted to see you whenever you had a minute and considering that you've been doing nothing but laying around all day I'd say that you've got more than a minute."

She shook her head walking in the direction of the main house the contractor at her heals, "Did he tell you what for?"

"A case."

She smiled lightly, "Finally."

Setting her shoes out, she slid the door open watching as her father took a sip of his tea, his dark eyes scanning a set of papers.

"Father? You wanted to see me."

The man looked up before smiling at his daughter, "Yes Ayano. Sit." The girl nodded settling down beside the contractor who had already invited himself in.

"How have you been feeling?"

She smiled bowing lightly, "I've been well thank you. And yourself?"

The clan leader smiled at his daughter, "Well. It appears that there's been a bit of a disturbance in the north. It appears to be Yoma activity but no one is completely sure. We have a few Kanaggie members scouting the area as we speak but have come up empty handed. I need you and Kazuma to go out and see what you can find. If it is indeed a Yoma dispose of it. Kazuma you will be paid accordingly."

The contractor nodded, "Anything else?"

"Please be careful."

Ayano nodded at her father bowing deeply, "Of course father. Should we leave tonight?"

"Sleep tonight and leave tomorrow morning. It shouldn't take the both of you very long but if it does-"

Kazuma raised a brow, "How north are we talking?"

"A little past Hakkoda Mountains. The Kannagies have a safe house near the area you can use that while you're out. I'll have a family car take you up there, but there will be a bit of a walk once you arrive."

"We'll just fly the rest of the way." Kazuma stood, "Is that it?"

"Yes." Jugo smiled at his daughter, "Be safe."

Ayano smiled, "Of course." Bowing quickly the girl stood following the contractor leave the base. "That's a relief."

Kazuma looked at the girl, "What is?"

"I thought I was going to be locked up in here forever."

"While I highly doubt that'll be the case, I also wouldn't doubt it." Taking his last puff out of the cigar the redhead watched as he destroyed it. "Well I'm off, see ya."

"Bye…"

Ayano shook her head, walking into the gardens.

He'd been like this since the fight.

He just seemed off. She couldn't exactly tell what it was or why he was acting the way he was but he just seemed… empty.

The sun was at its peak of decent. The warmth emitted something she looked forward to everyday for as long as she could remember.

She smiled bitterly remembering thinking the exact same thing that day three months ago. It felt like an eternity had gone by. They had had more than enough time to heal but this wasn't her place to speak.

She hadn't lost her lover to a daemon.

…

Kazuma's eyes wavered for only moments before settling on the bowl of ramen in front of him rather than the compound.

He could see it so clearly from his apartment complex.

The place she lived.

He didn't think he'd ever be able to forget her. Even as children she was always the center of attention. She was, after all, the king's daughter.

Kazuma pushed the bowl away from him before standing up and walking towards the bathroom. He slammed the door shut placing his hands on either side of the sink staring at his reflection. Analyzing every aspect of himself.

He couldn't help but think that maybe if he were different she wouldn't have died. Maybe if they never had met she'd still be alive.

He wanted to wish that but he just couldn't. He loved her and cherish the time he had spent with her, she was the love of his life.

She had taken him in wordlessly when he had no other home. She had accepted him and his talentless ass. She had given him love and warmth… everything he craved.

"Tsui Ling…."

He pushed himself away before stripping and stepping in the shower. The water was boiling scarring his bare skin red.

But he didn't care.

Maybe the pain would dull out the memory.

Maybe.

Just Maybe.

…

Hey everyone and thanks for reading the first chapter of Fear!

So about a year ago I had this story online and it got a bit of attention, but I had to take it down due to editing purposes.

It's been a while but I'm finally getting around to updating it.

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and I'll see you guys soon for the next edition.

PLEASE IF THERE ARE ANY MISTAKES DON'T HESITATE TO LET ME KNOW!

Alright, you guys, don't forget to review, favorite, and follow

See you soon!

Lucy