Mamushi-sama

Prologue

Kaidoh Kaoru hissed as he was backed against a wall. The damp musty smell that had clung to the stone walls reeked of death. How had they gotten into the Palace? There were guards stationed at every entrance, not that the Kaidoh family needed the protection, they were the strongest family in the nation; but the guards should have detected the intruders.

Fshuuu….

Before him the two assailents chuckled at the display of hostility from the young Prince. With lightening fast reflex's Kaidoh lashed out only to have his fist caught by a delicate pale hand, his snake like eyes narrowed as the sleeve of the cloak fell back revealing a small dark tattoo of a panthers head with a sword running through its head. His eyes darted up looking into the cat like eyes of the Neko-Youkai. Assassins from the Rikkaidai Nation. He hissed trying to tug his wrist away but the grip on his hand only tightened.

"Release him Yanagi-san" came the silent reply, immediately the hand let go. Kaidoh hissed drawing his hand towards his chest. He glanced behind the two assassin only to gaze into the eyes of a court official. Sanada Genichiro - The voice of Rikkaidai. "There are strict orders from Seiichi to keep him alive…" The Taiyoukai of Rikkaidai - Yukimura Seiichi.

"Hai Sanada-sama" they both said, before Sanada pushed his way passed them, they fell back obediently. Sanada gripped Kaidoh's head by the chin lifting it up, Kaidoh hissed and glared into Sanada's electric gaze. A small, barely noticeable smirk danced across Sanada's lips.

"Seiichi has plans for you, Little Hebi" He whispered. Kaidoh scowled. Before Kaidoh was even aware what was happening Sanada's left hand snapped out landing on his forehead, he flinched at the slight sting, Sanada's lips smoothed out the smirk turning into a frown. He brushed the bangs from Kaidoh's head, and leaned down. Kaidoh's eyes widened and he tried to move away, but the hand on his chin held him in a stead fast grip. And his eyes widened as Sanada's lips landed on his forehead. Sanada pulled away and watched as the young Hebi-prince stood there confused before his eyes dropped and he fell with a heavy thud to the dungeon floor.

Sanada Genichiro was a master of the sleeping arts. Sanada turned towards the two cloaked figures.

"Yanagi-san, Kirihara-san take the prince to the Taiyoukai's quarters." They bowed deeply before rushing past him and reaching down each grabbing an arm and throwing it around there necks. They followed Sanada out of the dungeons and into the main part of the Kaidoh family residence, he eyed the many bodies of the guards that hadn't gotten away fast enough from the Rikkaidai assassins.

Sanada looked away from the many bodies and stared ahead at the decorative door of the Taiyoukai's quarters, a large snake ready to strike while the smaller snake beside it slept on peacefully. A symbol of the strength and loyalty of the Hebi-Youkai of the Seigaku Nation. He pushed open the doors and stared into the moon lit room. His eyes caught the figure lounging back against the western-wingback chair his head resting gently against his fist. The deep eyes of Yukimura were staring out the window. Sanada breathed in deeply and caught the cooper sent of blood and the acidic smell of poison. He glanced towards the large four poster western-style bed, there lying amongst the soiled sheets were the Taiyoukai Shibuki and his Mate Hozumi. Blood a deep shade of black spilled from the corner of there mouth as Poison dripped from the protruding fags. It would seem the Taiyoukai and his mate were startled and weren't fast enough to deliver the high poisonous toxin that lay deep within there bodies.

"Seiichi-sama" Sanada bowed deeply before the Panther Youkai. Yukimura turned his gaze away to stare at the Voice of Rikkaidai. A genuine serene smile graced the quiet panthers lips.

"Genichiro" he said acknowledging the Dragon Youkai. He flickered his eyes behind the tall handsome man, his gaze landing on the limp Hebi. He smiled up at Sanada.

"Still putting people to sleep" he muttered with affection. Sanada kept his face emotionless but he could feel the emotion coiling beneath. He nodded.

"This will make it easier" came the quiet mumble. Sanada turned slightly and waved his hand to Yanagi-san and Kirihara-san to bring the sleeping prince closer. The two assassins moved forward dropping the Hebi to the floor unceremoniously. Yukimura for a split second frowned before it disappeared. He pushed himself up and flipped the prince on to his back with his foot before he reached down and slipped his hand beneath the sleeping princes shirt.

Kirihara turned towards his partner. "You don't think he's gonna --" but he never got to finish his sentence as Yanagi slapped a hand over the Neko-Youkai's mouth. Yanagi stared stoically into his partners eyes, conveying his message, Kirihara scowled behind the hand but nodded his head.

Yukimura smiled as his hand connected with something smooth and cold. He pulled hard and a barely noticeable 'thwang' resounded through the silent room. Yukimura turned the item in hand, the light from the moon illuminating the small gold trinket. A necklace. Better yet a Royal Emblem of a Princes right to the Taiyoukai title. Yukimura smiled as the snakes on the necklace twisted and hissed. Still looking at the necklace he addressed Sanada.

"Genichiro remove the Royal mark on his left wrist." Sanada nodded removing a bronze dagger from his Yukata. He glanced at he dagger, its materials would hopefully protect him from the toxin that ran through the princes body. Lifting up the sleeve he started into the eyes of the coiled snake that was ready to strike. As he carved the Royal mark from the skin, the dead skin began to sizzle as the poison ate at the severed flesh. Sanada didn't understand the process of why the acidic poison ate at the dead flesh and not the body in general. He frowned, he would ask Seiichi later, when they were both alone.

Yukimura pocketed the Royal Emblem and walked towards the body, he reached down and lifted up the limp right arm. His eyes narrowed and his teeth grew sharper. He growled as he bit into the Hebi-Youkai's skin, his eyes glowed slightly before he let go of the hand. He whipped away the stray blood that dripped from the corner of his lips. A little secret that not many knew was that Yukimura Seiichi was immune to the venomous poison that ran through the Taiyoukai Hebi-line. He could thank his great-great-great-great grandfather for that little gift. Yukimura Seiichi had Hebi-Youkai blood running through his veins.

Sanada watched stoically as Yanagi and Kirihara gapped at the Sleeping Hebi as the skin began to harden and turn a deep grey. Kaidoh Kaoru was turning to stone. Yukimura glanced at the Assassins his eyes still glowing. The two Assassins repressed a shiver of fear as they gazed on his power.

"When the process is complete, Place the body in a remote place, far away from people." Beneath his cloak Kirihara raised a brow.

"Why not just destroy the body?" he said. Yukimura narrowed his eyes on the Neko-Youkai but non the less answered the demon.

"This won't work.." he held up the Royal Emblem for them to see, "if the rightful heir is dead. And for everything to go smoothly this needs to be at its fullest potential." he growled at the impatient assassin. Kirihara nodded and kept his mouth shut.

"Come Genichiro" he said walking passed the Assassins, Sanada followed after the Taiyoukai of Rikkaidai.

Kirihara sighed as the door shut behind them. Yanagi stared hard at Kirihara.

"Nani?" Yanagi looked away and glanced at Kaidoh.

"You know what, Akaya." it was said with such conviction that Kirihara almost felt sorry for asking the Taiyoukai questions, but its what he always did. Sometime if often got them into trouble and then they would have to some how bale themselves out of it. And Kirihara Akaya almost got them in too deep that they wouldn't even be able to get out of it. Yukimura Seiichi wasn't someone you wanted to piss off with pointless questions. He wasn't someone you wanted to piss off in general.

"Say, do you think the stupid Hebi will stay like that forever" Yanagi shrugged, not taking his eyes off the process, it was interesting watching someone turn to stone; the body looked as if , then the inner functions of the body.

"It's in fates hands, Akaya"

Hours passed and right before the sun broke the mountain tops, the process was completed. They loaded the stone figure of the young prince into the stolen merchants wagon they stole. And as the sun drifted across the Nation of Seigaku, The two assassins disappeared into the thick forests.

They would travel for days before they finally disposed of the stone figure………

TBC….

A/N: This is my first real Prince of Tennis story, I had written a one shot about momo/ryoma, but this is a real story! Not that little fic-let! So how was it? You interested? Thanks for reading it and the next chapter should be up soon, Please leave a review, it would be greatly appreciated! Ja Ne!

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