Chapter 4: Preparing for War
"I can't believe this is happening…" Tala said with a growl.
The air was tense in the throne room, it was so great that you could cut a knife through it. It was late at night when Kai, Tala, and the royal guard returned from the small demolished village.
"I knew that this was going to happen eventually, and I just let it happen." Kai said with a pained look, slamming a fist on the armrest of his throne.
"Your majesty, it isn't your fault." Tala assured.
"Kai?" Narumi asked walked in vigilantly, sensing something was wrong with her lover, "What happened?"
"Mi…" Kai said, signaling the burgundy-haired Huntress to come to him.
Narumi obeyed and walked shyly to her king. She also felt confused because of the anxiety and uncomfortable because of the stares from the others she is getting.
Narumi's thoughts: Not many people know about me and Kai yet. In fact, they probably don't about me at all.
The young Huntress stood close to Kai, who reached out and pulled the young Fox Demon onto his lap. It caused everyone in the room but Kai and Tala gasped at this.
"Your highness, you finally found a mate?" The leader of the royal guard, Hiro, asked.
He looked at the burgundy-haired Huntress closely. Her burgundy colored hair caught his eye since it was a rare, yet stunning color and it seemed to glow brightly in the light. Not to mention, her chocolate brown eyes had a bit of a gold tint in them. On her face were three whisker-like markings, giving her a fox-like look. To add to her fox-like look were fox-like ears and tail that match her rare hair color. She reminded him of his father, who had same hair color, skin tone, and eyes.
"Yes, I have." Kai smiled at his fiancée, "We're getting married in a month, and Narumi's existence must remain a secret to Boris until I have him imprisoned in the darkest and deadliest part of my prison. I want Boris to be watched at all times, and Narumi must always have protection."
The dual-haired king looked to his lover.
"Mi, these are dangerous times now. I need you to promise me that you'll never be alone, especially with Boris." Kai begged as Narumi nodded.
"I'll be fine, I have my Artemis Rod." Narumi said to her king with smiled, "If anyone ever messes with me then they'll be in for a rude awakening."
"Your highness, what does your fiancée mean?" Brooklyn asked confused.
Narumi looks at Kai for permission and Kai nods. She gets off of Kai's lap and walks to the center of the room. The gold tint in her eyes took over as her pupils became thinner and her eyes completely turn gold. While her hair turns white as snow. Then they all saw that Narumi's blunt nails grown out into claws that were sharp and deadly. While the three whisker-like markings on her cheeks became darker.
"You're a Fox Demon and yet you're from Earth!? Tala asked confused.
"Pretty much." Narumi nodded before she pulls out her Artemis Rod from its leather band on her left leg and extend into an approximately 20 cm long rod.
"What is that?" Hiro asked, never seeing a weapon like that.
"It's called Artemis Rod, it's an Anti-Demon weapon." Narumi answered, "My older twin has its twin, Apollo Rod."
"That's amazing." Bryan said in awe.
"You haven't seen its true potential yet." Kai commented, "From what Mi and her sister have told me, Ray, Max, and Tyson that Artemis and Apollo Rod are both very powerful Anti-Demon weapons and have another weapon form."
"Really?" Brooklyn asked, surprised.
"Yup, mine's a scythe, while Sis' is a halberd." Narumi smiled as she turns back to her human form and withdraws her Artemis Rod.
Having enough for the day, Kai stood slowly, and picking up his lover and carrying her.
"That's enough for tonight. Don't bother me and my lover." Kai said as Narumi blushed when her king called her that, but she loved being called that anyway.
"Goodnight, you two!" Tala called after them as they left.
Meanwhile with Ray and Natsuki…
"At least everything is peaceful here." Natsuki said as she sits on her bed in the room, she's sharing with Ray.
"I know, but I can't help it that something bad is going to happen." Ray said, stilling having that bad feeling.
"I'm sure that everything will be okay, that's what Sis would've say if she was here." Natsuki suggested.
"I hope you're right." Ray sighed.
Back at the Castle…
"Kai, you look really exhausted. You should get try some sleep." Narumi said, comforting her king.
They were both lying in bed together, and Narumi could see Kai was struggling to stay awake.
Narumi's thoughts: Can he tell I'm nervous about the war going on?
"Don't worry about me. You're my priority right now." Kai commented, while the burgundy-haired Hybrid was a little shocked to hear that.
"Yeah, but…" Narumi said, trying to explain.
"I know you're a little scared about the war." Kai admitted as Narumi looked at her lover curiously, "My heart has grown very close to yours, Mi, and allows me to know what you're feeling. You're also feeling… confused? What's up?"
"I'm worried about you. Everyone seemed so edgy. What's going on, Kai?" The burgundy-haired Hybrid said as she blushed.
"I…" The young demon king hesitated, "I'm sorry for not telling you, again. I won't lie to you. My kingdom is in danger. And, if the humans or disloyal demons find out about you, your life will also be in danger. Along with your sister and Harry when the time comes to bring him here."
Kai's appearance relaxed at the anxiety on Narumi's face. He pulled the Child of Balance closer and rubbed her back lightly, calming her.
"I'll protect you with my life. Nothing bad will happen to you." Kai solemnly vowed,
"Who says nothing bad will happen to you? I can't sit back and watch you die! I can't lose you…" Narumi cried as tears streamed down her face and shook slightly.
Kai's crimson eyes widened and he held his fiancée tighter.
"Shh, it's okay, I'm not going anywhere…" the demon king whispered into his lover's ear.
"Y-you have to promise me, Kai. That you h-have to . . ." the Warrior of Balance begged as she wept harder into Kai's chest.
"I promise, Mi. I'll never leave you." Kai promised, bringing Narumi's tear stained face up to look into her gold tinted brown eyes, and he kissed her softly.
The Fox Demon of Balance kissed her king back and leaned into him, listening to his calm heartbeat. Then the two then laid down and went to sleep.
Meanwhile…
"Sir, I've got new information!" A man wearing the uniform of a demon soldier shouted, knocking on the door of his boss' isolated room.
"Get in here!" an angry voice called out.
The "soldier" walked into the isolated room carefully and saluted a purple-haired man.
"Sir, a friend of mine who works in the king's royal guard found out that he has a mate now." the "soldier" informed as the other man froze.
"You're sure about this?" the purple-haired man asked.
"Yes, Lord Boris! He saw the girl!" the "soldier" answered.
"I wonder if she's cute? Maybe I can…" purple-haired man trailed off, "Tell your 'friend' to keep an eye on Kai's lover."
"Yes, sir!" the "soldier" said, saluting before exiting the room.
"Things just got a lot more interesting…" purple-haired man grinned.
The Next Day at Ray's Village…
"Ray! We need to talk!" a voice suddenly called from the front door.
"Huh?" Ray asked, opening the door, "Lee? What's wrong?"
"They're coming!" the other cat-like-demon cried.
"Calm down! Who's coming?" Natsuki asked.
"The humans…" Lee answered.
Meanwhile at the Castle…
"Ohhh…" a certain DigiDestined groaned.
"How do you feel, love?" Kai asked his lover with concerned and gentle eyes.
"Tired… Sore…" Narumi groaned after a training session in order to properly control her powers, along with her Fox Demon side.
"Let's go inside, I think we've had enough training for the day." Kai suggested to his tired lover.
"Good idea." Narumi said tiredly.
Kai nodded and helped his fiancée from the ground. The Balance Fox Demon stumbled but remained on her feet thanks to the dual-haired demon king.
A Few Minutes Later…
When they came back inside the castle, Narumi slept for the rest of the day, while Kai had other duties to do while his lover rested from the training session.
"Is everything complete, yet?" Kai asked.
"Just about, your majesty. We only need a few more days." Brooklyn confirmed as Kai nodded at him.
"Good. War is almost upon us." Kai informed, worry.