"Ryoma, welcome back." His wife smiled at him when he returned to their room. He was carrying a tray with dinner for them and she was surprised. "You brought food."

"I ask Syuusuke to prepare it." He placed it on the small table next to their bed. "So we could have a special dinner."

"Thank you!"

The food smelled great. There was grilled lamb, rice and steamed vegetables. The dessert was fall fruits with syrup.

"This is so good!" Sakuno said, happily.

"Eat as much as you like." Ryoma smiled at her, before eating some of the meat.

"Was the meeting with the leaders all right?"

"Yes. We settled everything."

"What did you decide?"

"Let's not talk about it now." He smiled gently. "Let's enjoy our dinner. Ai must be hungry as well."

"I want to know." She said, seriously, putting her bowl down. "I am the queen; I must know what is happening in our country."

"All the leaders are going to put their soldiers in alert towards any human attacks. We are also going to investigate about the poison they used on us."

"Poison?"

"We have a lead that is made with the blood of some type of youkai, the black snake. But, they are the offspring of a human and a regular snake youkai. Since uwabamis are not seen for many years, we are going to look for anyone who can have a lead on this."

"Do you think it is possible for a youkai to go against its own kin?" she was worried.

"Who knows. But we are totally powerless against this poison. If there is another war, we will be defeated."

"It will not come to this." The scarlet eyes were kind. "I am sure of it."

"Let's hope for the best." His hand was over her belly. "We have a precious future we have to protect."

Sakuno lowered her head and the red hair was in front of her eyes. Her hands covered his.

"I wish there was something I could do. Maybe if I could go to the human country and talk to them, perhaps…"

"There is no way I am letting you go to that place." He said, seriously and his wife looked at him.

"But!"

"No buts!" he barked. "Even when your bed rest is finished, you will stay here where is safe."

"What are you saying?" there was a deep frown on her face. "Am I grounded here?!"

"It is not such a thing."

"How come? You told me that we would be together again after I recovered, but now I cannot leave the tengu village? Am I not going to be allowed by your side?"

"Not as long as this situation is not resolve. Political wars are much worse than the real ones. At least you know when battles start and finish, you face your enemies." He touched her face. "I do not know who is trying to hurt us, who is behind all of this."

Sakuno stood up and looked at him for a moment before laying on their bed.

Ryoma took a deep breath. He just wanted to be able to have a nice time with his wife.

He walked towards her and laid down, hugging her from her back, feeling relieved that she, at least, didn't push him away.

"I am sorry, Sakuno."

"When are you leaving?" she asked, quietly.

"Tomorrow at sunrise."

"I see."

There was a long and deep silence that bothered the demon lord very much.

"Do you remembered the first time we came here?" his voice was very sweet. "It was also the first time we slept together on the same bed."

"I do."

Her husband kissed her neck.

"It was very nice to sleep with you inside my arms. I became totally addicted."

"You are trying to flatter me." She was upset. "Stop it."

"I am not, wife." He tightened the embrace. "I cannot sleep well anymore without you by my side."

His queen turned around and investigated his face. Ryoma caressed her cheek.

"The bed is too wide, cold and unfamiliar without you." He showed her a gentle smile.

"If you have the time, come to visit me. Even if just for a day. Please."

The oni king placed a small kiss on her lips.

"I will. I promise, wife."

Sakuno touched the back of his neck and brought him close, to a deeper kiss. Ryoma moaned on her mouth when her tongue touched his sensuously. They kissed for a long time, with no hurries, just enjoying each other's mouths.

His hand reached the obi of her yukata and he loosened a little. One of his hand caressed her legs.

"Ryoma, wait." She whispered.

"Tomorrow we will be apart." He kissed her neck. "I want to taste all of you."

"But, we cannot."

"What are you saying, wife?" he smiled, showing his fangs. "Do you take me as a fool?"

"Eh?"

"I am well aware of our limitation. But, "that" is only one of the many ways I can obtain pleasure. Seeing your body responding to me and your voice crying out my name is where my satisfaction truly lies."

He touched her lips with his thumb, the golden eyes looking deeply inside the scarlet ones. Sakuno kissed him again, before removing his clothes.

"I want to make you feel good too." His heart and other part of his anatomy were tight with her sweet words. He got on his knees and she sat down.

"Do as you please."

His wife scattered small kisses all over his lean abdomen before touching his hardness. She took him on her hot mouth and Ryoma moaned, lowering his head while caressing her soft hair.

Someday he would tell his talented wife that "good" couldn't even start to describe the way he felt with such attentions.

It didn't take long for him to be on the edge. The demon lord closed his fists tightly and suppressed a groan on his throat, before distancing himself from her.

Sakuno looked at him a little confused, before he kissed her fiercely, making her lay down again.

"Sakuno, touch me. Please." He whispered and she obeyed. Ryoma spilled himself on her fingers while his mouth devoured hers.

##########

Sakuno bit her lips, avoiding being loud. Her husband's mouth was on her breast while his fingers were rubbing her wet folds and teasing the sensitive little flesh between her thighs.

Her eyes were closed tightly and her whole body was tense.

"Relax, Sakuno."

"How?! You…" he licked her slowly, in a circular movement, teasing her more.

Ryoma offered his free hand to her and she grabbed it with all her strength. He smiled to himself.

"Wife." The oni king whispered on her ear. "I love you."

She couldn't answer back. Sakuno wanted to say one hundred, ten thousand times how much she loved him too, but the words were all scattered on her brain. She could only hug him by his shoulders while his ministrations continued. Her whole body was melting under his touches.