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Mate of the Demon Prince

by Sessrin Koshimae

Disclaimer applies.

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Chapter 7: The Battle At Fudomine

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She clutched her fists and buried her face to Ranmaru's crooked neck trying to supress her tears. A pain inside of her was getting unbearable. Sakuno blamed herself for the death of the mother of this very young half breed on front of her. She knew how hard it is left being alone. The young half breed boy was dejected since the unfortunate death of his mortal mother. He kept on clinging to Sakuno as if she's the only one he could lean on. His little clawed hand slowly reached up to pat her head while she pulled him in a tight embrace. The cold breeze blew making the light pink petals of the sakura tree fall from its branches. Ryoma from afar, watched the two half breeds broken in each other arms.

He knew that Sakuno had changed since he revived her from her death but haven't realized not until he saw her transformed as a full pledge demoness during her fight against Yuuko. Her demonic powers increased tremendously overcoming the average strenght and power of a naturally borned full blood demoness like Yuuko. Yet he didn't know her limitations. Was she stronger enough to defeat him? He had no idea. Consulting this issue with his father leaded him to more confusion. Nanjiro had told him that it was unusual for a half blood like Sakuno to obtain such powers like a full blood. Lord Shun of the Sakura Lands, who was the late father of Sakuno, was one of the most powerful demons in his time. It seemed that his powerful blood had been passed to his first born child. Still, Ryoma thought that it was ridiculous. A half blood demoness with the strenght and power greater than any average full blood demon and a blood who can burn the flesh of any demon who'll have a direct contact on it, exists in this world like an invincible creature? How should he react? His wife became a dangerous threat to his kingdom. The councilors want her to be exiled from Seishun Kingdom because of the death of the daughter of a high rank official. Of course, he stood still and defend the honor of his innocent wife. She was innocent. She didn't knew what she was doing when she killed Yuuko using her bloody bare hands.

He was determined to protect her at any cost. No lowly creatures can torn Sakuno away from his side. Ryoma silently walked toward the two half bloods. He noticed the difference in Sakuno's demonic power. It was unstable yet very disturbing.

Sakuno lifted her gaze meeting his amber colored eyes. Ranmaru had fallen asleep in her arms. His dishevelled greyish hair cascaded in Sakuno's bossom.

"Let's go, Sakuno." Prince Ryoma said and she obediently stretched her free arms to receive his offering hand.

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Two months passed, Ranmaru was adopted by Sakuno and now lives as her son. She remained with her husband in Seishun Kingdom despite the frequent threat of the council. To repress the issue temporarily, King Nanjiro had sent his youngest son with his half demoness wife to Fudomine. Their main mission is to assist the Fudomine Province against the Rikkai Empire Army.

With the aide of Shusuke, Sadaharu and Takeshi, they were able to reach Fudomine with ease. But they noticed Sakuno's behavior after their arrival. They didn't know what happened. She became unusual silent and seemed in her deep thought. Ryoma also noticed her unusual stare on him as if she was looking for something within his soul. He wondered what was bothering her.

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She couldn't understand why did it shook her being. She should have expected that her friend, Sei came from a royal family. But she was struck with sudden surprise when she discovered the truth about him. After they arrived at Fudomine, she didn't expect that she would able to meet him on the farthest part of the forest. She was glad to meet her but she had noticed his unusual stare at her. He was like pondering about something. The way the cold wind made his bluish violet locks sway elegantly. His clawed hand gently cupped her chin that made her blush. Sakuno couldn't understand why she seemed so attach this rouge demon. It wasn't because she was cheating on her husband, Prince Ryoma. She loves her husband, but the feeling that she had for Sei made her startled.

They were having a nice talk when she became silent and alert, sensing that two demons were coming towards her direction. She put her hand on her katana, ready to pull it from its sheath. Sei touched her hand and told her to calm down. Sakuno took a deep breath but still kept herself ready if something wrong will happen.

Her eyes widen when she saw the two demon arrived. She noticed emblem on their outer haori. It was the symbol of the Rikkai Empire. What made her shook her head in disbelief was when the two fell on their knees and bowed in front of her companion.

"You... You are.." Sakuno stuttered looking to Sei with disbelieving eyes.

Sei smiled at her.

"Seiichi of the Rikkai Empire." he confirmed.

Sakuno's katana fell on the ground after hearing his confirmation. The one she treated as her only friend was the cause of the on going war on Fudomine. He was the threat to the other Kingdoms. Emperor Seiichi was well known as an undefeatable warlord and one of the most powerful demon. How should she react, she didn't know. She didn't want to think that he had betrayed her.

"It's about to begin, Seiichi." General Genichiro said making Princess Sakuno pulled out from her deep thoughts. She turned her attention to Emperor Seiichi. She clenched her fists in disappointment. What the hell was going on?

"Let's go then." Seiichi replied gently moved to stand from his seat. Sakuno pulled his arm and gave him an inquiring look. She understood what was about to happen. The constant battle for the past weeks was the reason. The Rikkai Empire planned to conquer the Fudomine Lands but Kippei and his minions won't just give it up.

"Please. Stop it. Was it not enough that there were so many lives were claimed because of this war?" Sakuno asked.

"It isn't easy, my dear Sakuno. Perhaps, one life would be enough to stop the war." Seiichi replied with a wicked smile.

"What do you mean?" she blinked.

"Submit your self to the Rikkai Empire, Princess Sakuno of the Sakura Lands." The Emperor declared.

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The howling sound echoing from the village sent unwanted shivers in her spine. The small army of the Fudomine was preparing for the incoming battle against the Rikkai Empire. Certainly, someone will die again. Can she stop it? Children's lives will be spared. No one will be an orphan like her. But can she abandon her husband? Did it matter to him if she left? Does he loves her? Sakuno closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

The bell rang out loud informing everyone that the Rikkai Army had arrived. Fear overcame to her being. Her hands trembled as she stood at the highest tower in Fudomine. Her husband and his friends were already on the battlefield. She couldn't understand why war was necessary if it would only cause pain to everyone.

Fire started and burned down the houses on the boundaries of the village. Cries of pain and fear can be heard from the far distant. Sakuno gripped the handle of her katana. Her eye color changed from dark hazel eyes to amber pair. Ragged demon marks appeared to different parts of her body. Fangs became prominent. Her ears became pointed and hands were clawed. Her long brown wavy hair turned to silvery white straight hair. She became a full pledge demoness once again.

She had to protect the innocent ones. Sakuno leaped up from her position and reached the ground silently. She moved swiftly and killed all the enemies that came to her way. Her amber eyes gleamed with blood lust. She ran towards the main battlefield and saved An, Kippei's younger sister from the pack of demons.

"Amazing." An told herself after seeing Sakuno killed the demons in a blink of an eye.

"Did you see, Ryoma-kun?" Sakuno asked.

"No. But the last time I saw him was in that direction." An replied pointing to the northern area.

"Arigatou, An-chan." Sakuno said before brushing the dirt from her hands and wiping the smear of blood in her cheeks with the sleeve of her purple flowery kimono.

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Ryoma winced in pain. He hadn't thought that he will be easily outwitted by the famous Rikkai Empire General Genichiro. The hell. It was getting into his nerves. There was no way in hell he could defeat the demon general on his current status. They were going to fall down. In no time, the Fudomine will be conquered by Rikkai.

"Stop!" The familiar voice halted the deadly blow that was sent by General Genichiro.

With the almost blind right eye and battered body, Prince Ryoma looked up to see his wife arrived.

"Sa... Saku..no.." he called with a broken voice. What the hell was she doing here? He told her to stay at the tower during the war. He didn't want her to meddle with these fights. But then, there she was. Standing in her full glory as a full blooded demoness with a bloody double edged katana in her hand. General Genichiro's dark eyes narrowed as he stared to the suppose half breed woman.

"Interesting. You can summon the power of your demon blood at your own will." he said.

"Back off." Sakuno hissed preparing a powerful slash to attack him.

"Never." he replied and she unleashed the power of her sword. But the demon easily fend off himself by just stopping the attack by the sheath of his sword.

"Impossible." she whispered with her eyes widen in shock.

"Do you think you could easily defeat me?" he yelled and slashed the surprised demon princess. She screamed in pain as the large wound in her right shoulder gushed so much blood. She fell on the ground with her petite body soaked with blood. Her eyes turned crimson, and she bared her fangs to him. He stood still above her looking down with determined eyes.

"Surrender yourself now, Princess. The Emperor wishes your presence in exchange for their freedom." he told her making her back to her normal form as she gasped in pain.

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Next Chapter: At the Rikkai Empire

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A/n: I'm sorry for the late short update. Anyway, thanks for those readers who reviewed, put this story on their favorites and alerts. All my POT stories are on hiatus status since I'm currently active writing for InuYasha and Fairy Tail fandom, so I don't know when will I able to release the next chapter.

Btw, I have a new fb account. Please add me as friend and let's have a little chat. Visit my profile page for the link.

Thank you for reading! Mind to leave a review?

P.S: I'm looking for a beta reader. If you're interested, kindly please inform me.

Love and Kisses,

Sessrin Koshimae