Chapter One
Screaming and crying filled the air as the evil demon king was known as Akura-ou and his demon army slain a small, poor village. Women pleaded and sobbed for them to stop, while the men tried to attack them but they are worthless against Akura-ou and his evil army.
Everyone from the lands and sea knows of Akura-ou for he is the strongest yokai around. No one could ever defeat him or even come close to killing him. He goes from village to village to slay every human that crosses his path for his own pleasure. He loves a good bloodshed and people's cries are music to his ears.
The homes and buildings around are burst into flames while dead bodies are all on the dirty ground. He and his army slowly walked through the village, making sure they killed every last person but something caught his eye… He saw a young woman with long black hair lying on the ground.
He smirked to himself, ordering his demons to go on without him. He knew she was pretending to be dead and he wants to play with her…
He slowly walked up to the girl, hovering over her. She closed her eyes shut but she can feel her body trembling. She knew this would be the end of her and she will join her mother and father soon once this demon gets his hands on her.
"It's a shame that a stupid human such as yourself could think to play dead," Akura-ou spoke in a mock.
His long red hair is blowing in the wind and his golden orbs shined brightly from the amusement of this pathetic woman. He carefully picked her body up but she used this opportunity to stab him on the side of his neck with a dagger she found on the dirty ground.
She pierced the demon well but he only laughed obnoxiously. She felt uneasy while studying him. He showed off his pearly white fangs to her while taking the dagger out of his neck with one hand as he still held her tight with his other hand.
"That's the first time a mere human has ever attacked me," he murmured.
The girl didn't understand why he isn't punishing her. Why is he praising her? She saw blood gushing from the side of his neck yet the demon king is still laughing.
Her light gray eyes studied the demon king. He is very tall yet he has broad shoulder… He has large horns on top of his head and pointed ears with large golden earrings.
His golden orbs met hers yet she turned her gaze away from Akura-ou. She hates him and his army for killing her home village and her parents. These people have done nothing wrong and they had nothing that Akura-ou wanted. She knew this demon king only killed them for his sick and twisted game.
"Are you frightened now?" He asked seductively.
She wished he would just let her go. She doesn't want to be held by him! He's disgusting, in her opinion.
"If you wish to kill me then do it now. I want to join my parents." She gritted her teeth while glaring at him.
"Such a demanding wench!" He chuckled darkly.
The young woman wanted to break down and cry but she has to stay strong even though Akura-ou could easily end her life in seconds.
"Usually, women are boring and useless but you're different… You actually stood up against me…" Akura-ou pondered while his black claws stroke her long black hair.
She trembled at his touch as she avoided making eye contact with him. She wants him to just end her life and go away. He has done enough to make her life a living hell.
"Perhaps you are even better than a yokai woman," he added.
The young woman began to struggle out of his arms yet she couldn't even budge; he is too strong. Her fragile, petite body couldn't defend against the greatest yokai of all the lands.
"I suppose I will keep you alive so I could have some fun with you," he purred.
She shivered in fear, wondering what he will do to her.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Warm*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Akura-ou has a tight grip on the young woman's wrist, dragging her to a riverbank where all his demons are resting before they travel home to their castle.
The young woman sat next to Akura-ou, not saying a word but she couldn't think straight.
"Why do you have that filthy human with you?" A demon asked his master.
"I'm intrigued by her," Akura-ou said casually.
"Intrigued by a woman?!" Another demon spat.
"What's so great about her?" A third snorted.
"Do not question what I do for I am the great Akura-ou! If I want this woman around me then so be it!" Akura-ou grinned.
The demons couldn't believe that their great leader has taken a liking towards a human such as her. Akura-ou never cared for anyone before yet here he is, sparing the woman's life and making her come with him wherever he goes…
"What are you planning on doing with me?" The young woman asked in a low voice.
"Eager to find out," his black lips curved into a smirk.
"You're disgusting!" She snapped.
"Well, this "disgusting" yokai could easily end your life," he chuckled darkly.
"Then do it already… I don't want to be near you any longer," she countered coldly.
Akura-ou reached out to her neck and brushed his black claws against her throat. She shivered in fear while closing her eyes shut, ready to die but he only traveled his claws to her nose, pinching it teasingly.
The young woman gasped and slapped his hand away while he laughed at her. She immediately stood up and ran by the river, cursing Akura-ou again and again in her mind.
"You don't like tricks?" Akura-ou asked in a hum.
"I don't like you," she corrected, not turning around to look at him.
Akura-ou couldn't stop himself from smiling at her backhanded insults. He truly did grow an interest towards the strange girl he encountered.
The young woman went to walk in the river with her bare feet until she slipped on a rock and fell in the water. She began to panic because she didn't know how to swim as the water forced her body to go down the mainstream where it's deeper. Akura-ou didn't hesitate to jump in to save her.
He grabbed her in a cradle and swam back up yet when he stared down at her, she passed out.
"Foolish woman," he murmured.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Warm*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The young woman woke up in a large king-sized bed. She thought she died and went to heaven because the silky red sheets felt great against her skin. She saw red drapes hanging above the bed and she felt at ease until she heard his voice.
"You're awake. Good, I was bored watching you sleep," he sighed.
She sat up and scowled at him. "Did you change my clothes?!"
"Your kimono was dirty and cheap. I simply dressed you into a silk, expensive slip. Be grateful, princess," he mocked.
"You saw me naked!" She gasped.
"Yes, it's not bad for a human," he grinned.
The young woman hid under the silky sheets but Akura-ou slowly crept up to lie on top of her. She tried to get out of his grasp but it was no use…
"What is your name, princess?" He hummed while staring at her gray orbs.
"Takara," she whispered.
"Takara," he repeated in interested.
Takara turned her head away from him but he caught her chin with his claws, forcing her to look back at him.
"Do not look away when I am speaking to you, woman!" He grinned.
"Seriously, what are you planning on doing with me? Are you going to torture me?!" She freaked.
"If you disobey me, maybe," he teased.
"You're not funny!" She grunted.
"Feisty, I like it…"
"Hey, can you get off of me now?"
"Only if you accompany me in drinking," he offered.
"I don't drink," she said sternly.
"Then I suppose I'll have to force you." Akura-ou grabbed her arm tightly before dragging her off the bed, making her sit at a small table in the master's bedroom.
Takara only sat down but she felt like her mother and father are looking down at her in disgust. Her friends and family are dead because of Akura-ou and his men yet she's drinking with him? What has she gotten herself into?