I'm so sorry for how late this chapter is. Life stuff happened and then my country, like many others, entered a state of emergency due to the Coronavirus Outbreak. I've been staying home, indoors, and out of the public space. Actually, even before all this, I was job hunting which was occupying much of my time. Now that we're under quarantine (and the economy really isn't in a position to make new hires sigh) I'm slowly getting back into this story.
This chapter fought against being edited. I have a feeling chapter 7 will be the same. My new update schedule will be once a week, every Monday until the release of chapter 10.
Chapter 6
In the Southern Woods, Mikan, Ruka, Kaname, Sakurano, and the knights were locked in battle with Luna Koizumi's demon force. Before the battle began, Mikan asked Ruka to order the men to produce their swords. She then went through the painstaking and arduous task of blessing their swords. It wasn't the same as naming, but it was still slightly more advantageous.
Luna made herself apparent from the first attack. She made no pretense of fighting behind her demons. Her aim was Mikan and Mikan alone. She unleashed a fire-spitting falcon demon on Mikan. Mikan knew that she'd be at a disadvantage on the ground so using her newfound powers as High Sorceress she summoned an old friend.
The dragon descended on the battlefield like a fallen titan.
"I was right to expect greatness from you, young sorceress. I am yours to command." The great dragon bowed humbly.
Mikan smiled. "Thank you for having faith in me." Kuma lowered his head so Mikan could stroke his snout. Deep golden eyes bored into hers and she felt the bond between them. "Will you fight with me?"
"It will be my pleasure." Just like that, the dragon took off to the skies and proceeded to dominate all aerial attacks.
The battlefield was wrought with the magical backlash from both sorceresses' spells. Luna favored elemental spells and this worked just fine for Mikan who countered every fire spell with wind, every water spell with earth. Mikan could tell Luna was getting frustrated by her rebutting spells, but she never expected Luna to go after Ruka, who was covering her back.
Panicked, Mikan focused her magic skyward "cume heofonfýr, oferswing" and, in the span of three seconds, day became night as the sky filled with ominous black clouds. A lightning typhoon cracked down from the skies and obliterated demons by the thousands.
"YOUR BATTLE IS WITH ME KOIZUMI!" Mikan warned, protectively throwing her arms in front of the blonde knight. Ruka, momentarily stunned by the display of power, was quick to call his men to retreat. It seemed Mikan didn't really need all their help. She was a one woman army of her own.
In the Northern Woods, Natsume was locked in battle with Kunoji's soldier, Hijiri Goshima. Goshima was an extraordinary swordsman, unfortunately for him, Natsume was better. The fight was over in a flash.
"I won't forget this Hyuuga!" Goshima cried when the lesser-demons carried him away. The Hyuuga Prince doubted he would recover in this lifetime.
Natsume was then able to take a look at his surroundings. Yukihara had sent Kaname (and what a shock it was to see him descend on a dragon of all things), so they had some magic on their side. Thankfully, Kaname had been able to enhance their swords to more effectively slay demons. His spell only covered a small region, so the men shifted their fights the best they could to enter this space and kill the demons there. It was something Natsume was deeply grateful for. The dragon helped too.
His men were holding their own, but with Alice's army divided, they were at a disadvantage in terms of strength. Just as Natsume was contemplating a tactical retreat, more men started pouring in from the South. He found Ruka at the forefront of it.
"What's going on?" Natsume asked in a hurry.
"Yukihara didn't need us all there. We were in his way more than we actually helped him. I left half of our men there and brought the other half with me." Ruka quickly explained and then shoved Natsume out of the line of fire from a burning arrow.
"Thanks Ruka." Natsume coughed in gratitude and pulled the blonde to his feet. Ruka grinned and they stood back to back, just like old times. The prince swung high and the knight swung low. They covered each other's blind spots and moved with practiced ease. The number of demon corpses started piling up around the formidable duo.
Then Lord Kunoji entered Natsume's field of vision. He rode a bred-for-war, horned black stallion and the ground vibrated under the weight of its footsteps. Lord Kunoji appeared no older than Natsume but Natsume was certain the Lord was as old as time itself. He had a face that could almost be described as simply human if not for the blackness of his pupil-less eyes and ornate battle armor garbed on his short body.
"Natsume Hyuuga. You are even more than my expectations, puny human." The lord's deep voice rang towards Natsume as if it was whispered in his ear.
"I'm curious as to how the Demon Lord took such an interest in— in your words, my lord— a puny human." Natsume smirked facetiously. Kunoji narrowed his black eyes on the Hyuuga heir.
"There was a prophecy foretelling my doom at the hands of a puny human. A Hyuuga heir. I've come to put an end to such nonsense." The demon lord answered curtly; he was not intent on revealing too much. Natsume was momentarily surprised, but then the pieces all clicked together; the attacks that had begun since he was a child, his father's strict training, his mother's constant worrying…it all made sense.
"Well, then I guess it's my duty to ensure the prophecy is fulfilled." Natsume smirked and then he struck the first blow.
Mikan was thrown into a wall of rocks. She shouted a quick cushioning spell. It softened the blow on her body, but the same couldn't be said for the shattered wall. On the other end of the battle, Luna Koizumi was similarly battered and brought to her knees. The battlefield was unrecognizable as both sorceresses had razed the once grassy fields to nothing but dirt and rings of fire. The sky was singed red and clouds of soot rose from the burning lands. It was the image of hell itself.
There were neither demons nor knights left on the grounds; not even their remains— just the two sorceresses and their magic. Both had severely exhausted their magical reserves, and Mikan, who had only just begun to tap into her new powers as High Sorceress, was exhausted from the strain of unfamiliar magic. That did not stop her from getting up again.
"Is that all you've got human?" The demon lord taunted the Hyuuga Prince. Natsume coughed. He rolled over onto this stomach and spit blood from his mouth. Kunoji cackled, enjoying the sight of the battered Prince.
The demon lord was no lord for show. His footwork was flawless and he was lithe on his feet as only a demon could be. His strength was real; every blow from the clash of their swords was heavy and sent tremors up Natsume's arm. And his technique was refined; there were no holes in his defense and his offense was executed precisely and without wasted movement.
Simply put, his swordsmanship was even beyond the greatest swordsman of Alice Kingdom. But that wasn't enough to deter the Hyuuga Prince. Seeing as the Lord was distracted, Natsume took the opportunity to kick the Lord's feet from below him and jump across the demons's fallen body to reclaim Hiryu.
"No. I'm just getting started."
"W-why? Why you?" Luna Koizumi coughed in pain, her legs were numb and locked in place from exerting so much magic. "Why would the Magic Realm pick a stupid servant girl like you? I trained all my life for this!"
Mikan cringed. She sympathized with Luna. She knew what it was like to desperately wish for something only for that one thing to be denied. She spent her whole life hiding her magic, hiding such a huge part of herself that without it, she would literally be nothing. Then she thought about Natsume Hyuuga. He would never see her as anything more than a manservant and, possibly, a friend.
She certainly knew what it was like to be denied the things she wanted most in life.
"It's not fair, but we made our choices Luna."
Natsume pushed himself harder than he ever had before in his life. Every attack had to be stronger, every swing faster, every step more agile; he was pushing his body to the limits, and it was only a matter of time before it gave away.
Then he made a mistake, stepping onto unstable ground, the prince's footing was lost. Kunoji took the opportunity to deliver a powerful downward swing, precisely aimed at the Natsume's sword hand. The prince released the sword on instinct, his gloved fingers only milliseconds from being sliced clean off. He didn't have time to react when Kunoji brought up the pommel of his sword and struck his jaw, the force of which threw him several feet back.
Black spots filled Natsume's vision and his chin throbbed. Kunoji pulled Hiryu from the dirt and swung it experimentally.
"What now Hyuuga-kun?" Kunoji laughed madly, waiting for Natsume's cries of distress and 'Please don't kill me.'
The Hyuuga Prince did neither. Instead, he grinned. Kunoji's laughter died and his eyes flew to the prince's sword. It was getting heavy. Rapidly.
Natsume couldn't believe his luck. Hiryu, true to his father's words, was a sword that only members of the Hyuuga family could wield. The sword rejected any other user and became as heavy as a mountain demon when separated from its master's hand.
Natsume flipped onto his legs and grabbed Kunoji's sword and ran the demon lord through just as he released the Hyuuga Family sword.
"D-damn you, Natsume Hyuuga." Were the demon lord's last words. When the blade pierced Lord Kunoji's body, one-by-one, every demon in the vicinity crumbled and turned to ashes. Only Kunoiji's petrified figure was left. Natsume kicked the corpse off the end of his sword and held Hiryu high in the air to signal their triumph. The battlefield was overcome with cacophonous cries of victory.
Ruka was the first to approach the victorious Prince."We did it Natsume," His friend said, sighing in relief. Natsume shook his head.
"Not yet, let's go save Yukihara." The knights responded with renewed fervor.
"Give up Luna and we can still return to Alice Kingdom together." Mikan tried to reason.
"I'd rather die than return to that hypocritical peasant village." Luna scoffed in repulsion. Mikan cringed; this battle was only going to continue to draw out until they both died from exhausting their magic reserves. "I cannot believe such a novice pushed me this far."
"I'm hardly a novice, Luna." Mikan managed to snort between exhaustive breaths. She steadily rose to her feet, clutching her aching sides. She was certain she broke a rib or two from that last fall. Her lungs were on fire and every breath hurt. Her eyes were swollen and a mixture of ash, blood, and sweat covered her face and most of her body. Her clothing was singed and probably irreparable. Luna wasn't in a much better state, also covered in blood, sweat, and soot; the sorceress was sporting a split lip, a bruised cheek, a bleeding temple, and several broken fingers.
"No, you're just a lucky, dimwitted idiot." She retorted dryly, but then she gave Mikan a once over and smirked knowingly. "An idiot who can no longer use magic."
"I could say the same for you," Mikan replied confidently; certain that both she and the sorceress poured the last of their magic into the previous clash. She had the rope burns on her arms to show for the malicious binding spell Luna launched at her. Mikan broke free of course.
While Mikan wasn't in the habit of inflicting torture on her opponents, Luna had done more than just try to bind her, she tried to bind Mikan's magic. The spell, briseadh a méara, forcibly bent all of a victim's fingers backwards and twisted at the ligament. Luna had to channel the last of her magic to prevent the spell from turning her fingers into boneless appendages.
Luna did not find Mikan's retort amusing. Sneering, "Let me show you how a real sorceress does magic, servant girl." Luna enunciated in the most demeaning voice she could muster.
Mikan watched as Luna pulled a dagger from her cloak and sliced her own hand clean open. Blood poured from the wound, and Luna crouched down to the soil to draw with it. In horror, Mikan watched red wisps of kanji float into the air as the ancient spell activated. The ground rumbled beneath their feet. Large chunks of gravel flew outward. Mikan dove out of the way of the hurling projectile, but she wasn't fast enough to avoid the debris.
"Luna don't do this! If you open a portal to the demon world here, the human world will never be the same again." Mikan pleaded, trapped; her left leg was crushed under the weight of a large stone. The sorceress wasn't even listening. And Mikan was helpless; she had no magic left.
"Insolent child, this is the magic buried deep within our souls, I cannot stop it now even if I wanted to. And I don't, I really don't. The Magic Realm, and the Human World can rot like the filth they are."
Mikan could not believe her eyes. Soul Magic. She only heard of it in theory. It was magic that used a sorcerer's life force and shortened their lifespan. And by the looks of it, it was Luna's last resort. If Mikan did nothing to stop Luna here, both worlds would be overrun by the demon world. She would fail Alice Kingdom, the future of Japan, and most importantly, she'd fail to ever earn back Natsume's trust.
Think Mikan, you've got to think of something! She hit the ground in frustration. That was when she felt it...the magic of the earth. It was faint but it was certainly there.
Her mind raced at the possibility. Taking a deep breath, Mikan pressed her palms to the soil. There it was again. The magic. It flowed through the earth's crust like rivers, almost like blood veins. She could touch it. Somehow, Mikan just knew she could do it.
A plan quickly formed in her mind. She channeled a tiny fraction of the spell into the boulder and it shattered like shale. Grunting in pain, Mikan rose to her feet, pulling the magic into her as she stood. The earth's power filled her body as if it was a vessel born to channel the very essence of magic. It just felt so right and natural to her, like the magic of the earth had always been hers.
Spells were no longer necessary. She unleashed the force inside her and struck the leaking Demon Portal like a maelstrom. The few demons that escaped the portal weren't just killed, they were annihilated. Not a shred of evidence remained.
With new found strength, Mikan glided towards Luna, watching the sorceress that created this whole mess shaking in fear. Mikan could only imagine what she looked like. Lightning crackled around her like an encircling halo. It was as if the fabric of the universe bent and contorted just to get out of her way. Luna fell to her knees. The light started to drain from her eyes.
"You created this chaos, Luna Koizumi. You carelessly touched the magic in your soul and now I will use that very soul to clean your mess up." Mikan's voice boomed with the voice of thousands of magical spirits. Her soul vibrated in sync with theirs.
"W-what will you do to me?" Luna trembled, sweating from her temples. Mikan placed her hand over Luna's heart, and using the blood from the sorceress's wounds, she drew a seal and thrust all her magic into it. Luna began shrieking in pain.
"I have sealed the Demon World using your soul's magic. It shall never be opened again…Goodbye, Luna-san." Mikan finished with a whisper as the magic of the earth began seeping into Luna. Mikan couldn't bear to watch the cruelty she'd just inflicted on one of her magical kinfolk. She turned her back to Luna.
"I won't die alone," Luna hissed through the pain. Mikan turned in time to see Luna launch a dagger in her direction. But she was just too tired to move out of the way.
Time slowed as the dagger sailed through the air, unobstructed on it's path. Mikan felt the weight of the world, the weight of channeling the inherent magic within the Earth's crust, the weight of extinguishing one of her own kinsfolk; and every bone, muscle, and fiber of her body ached. She was tired. Everything hurt. Maybe it was okay to just...
"YUKIHARA!" A body tackled her to the ground. Time resumed and Mikan watched the dagger harmlessly fly over her. An armored knight pressed her down, shielding her with his body. She recognized the familiar musky scent of the man she spent the last three years of her life protecting before she saw his familiar raven locks. His head was buried against her neck. He lifted it slowly and crimson red eyes bored into her.
"Natsume—" Mikan breathed in awe, mesmerized (and quite possibly concussed). She touched the side of his jaw, felt the warmth meet her fingertips, and then moved to caress his cheek. Natsume let her, silently watching her, searching her eyes from something; she knew not what.
"You didn't think I'd let you die that easily, did you?" Her heart tugged at the childish words and boyish smirk. Natsume pulled her to her feet, still smirking victoriously. "No, not until you receive your punishment."
"Punishment?"
"You dared to lie to your prince. You are without a doubt, the worst manservant that has ever existed. So I must be the craziest man in the world for what I'm about to do." Mikan was about to ask what, when suddenly Natsume cupped her face between his hands and brought his head against hers, intimately. Just when her eyes couldn't get any wider, Natsume pressed his lips to her chastely, softly, tenderly. And Mikan gave into the alluring sensations that filled her body. He nibbled on her lower lip and Mikan wove her hands around his neck and deepened the kiss, relishing in the feel of those raven locks between her fingers. It was even better than she could imagine.
Then Natsume suddenly pulled back, chuckling. "You even kiss like a girl, Yukihara. But I guess that makes things easier on me."
"Natsume I am a—" She never got to finish that sentence as exhaustion overcame her.
Three days later.
Mikan woke up with a gasp. She must be out of her mind! She just dreamt that she kissed the Prince of Alice Kingdom in front of all his knights in the middle of a kami-forsaken battlefield while she was still dressed like a man—and Natsume didn't care! What a dream!
"You're finally awake sweetheart?" Kaoru Joo-sama asked, surprising Mikan by appearing by her bedside.
"Joo-sama, where am I? What happened? Is the war over?" The words spilled out frantically. She groaned and massaged her temples. The sudden movement caused her head to throb. Her fingers were met with her soft brunette hair. She was back in her lady-wear, in an unfamiliar room, and on a bed too grand for a servant. Kaoru Joo-sama sank down on the bed and brushed the girl's hair back affectionately.
"You're in the guest quarters Mikan-chan. It's been three days since the war ended. You and Natsume were successful on both fronts. It was a complete victory for Alice Kingdom." The queen explained, smiling pleasantly.
"And Luna?"
"Dead—at least we believe so." Mikan sighed in relief in hearing those words, yet another part of her felt lonely. Luna was, without a doubt, evil and needed to be destroyed, but she was also the only other sorceress who felt Magic the way Mikan did. She was silent for a moment, then another thought suddenly occurred to her.
"H-how is Nat—Prince Natsume?" She asked, blushing. The Queen gave her an absolutely scandalized look.
"He's been causing quite an uproar since his return. I suppose even Natsume will go through a rebellious phase at least once." The Queen chuckled, her face alight with humor. When Mikan looked confused, the Queen leaned in closer as if to whisper conspiratorially, "He's been trying to persuade his father to let him marry his manservant."
It took a minute for that to sink in. "Oh. My. Gosh." Mikan gasped, sinking under the covers half in embarrassment and the other half because her heart was beating so hard it hurt to sit upright. She couldn't believe it—that kiss on the battlefield hadn't been a dream after all. Natsume kissed her in front of ALL his knights and he hadn't cared that she was a man at the moment. A tiny smile stretched across Mikan's face and she had to fight to prevent a burst of giggles from escaping.
"Judging by your reaction, am I to assume you are also in love with my son?" Mikan rose from her duvet and nodded shyly. The queen stared at her intently, and Mikan couldn't decipher if she was angry or just examining her. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she realized how inappropriate it was to fall in love with the Prince while she was tasked to protect him. That part of her mind was shut down by the overwhelming affection she felt. Natsume was her destiny and her purpose. He was her everything.
"Well then, I suppose it's time to tell Natsume the truth before he throws a gauntlet at his own father." The Queen chuckled. "Come on sweetheart, let's get you ready." Kaoru Joo-sama said, holding out a hand for Mikan.
"You're not angry?"
"Angry? Perhaps a little, I do owe your mother 5,000 yen for losing that bet."
"Bet?"
"Yuka-san bet Natsume would make his move before he knew you were a woman, I bet he would after. I guess I don't know my son as well as I thought."
"Huh?"
"Natsume, son, I have nothing against you marrying a sorcerer, but the problem lies in that He. Is. A. Man." Ioran Hyuuga slowly enunciated. Natsume curled his fists together.
"I'm aware of that Father, but I cannot change the way I feel about him and I probably never will." He replied, trying to remain as respectful as possible.
"You are my only heir Natsume. You will be king one day and you will be expected to produce heirs of your own. You cannot do that with a man!" His father insisted. Natsume grit his teeth, he was prepared to argue for the life of him when the throne room doors suddenly swung open.
Both the King and Natsume turned towards their newcomers. It was Yuka-san and Izumi-san, but instead of seeing Yukihara like they expected to, between the two parents was a young woman, a beautiful young woman. The trio bowed respectfully to the King, behind the group, the Queen followed in. Natsume felt better now that his mother was here. He knew she would support him. Heck, she even brought Yukihara's parents. But where was the man in question?
The young woman was dressed in a Hyuuga Red gown that clung to figure perfectly. She had eyes warm like chocolate and hair that hung to her waist, with a crown of flowers carefully woven into her hair. Natsume was momentarily struck by a sense of familiarity, but quickly shook his head and dismissed the thought.
The young woman bowed, "Your Highness, I am Mikan Yukihara. The High Sorceress of the Magic Realm." She began. Natsume's eyes widened— No. Way. "These are my parents Izumi Yukihara and Yuka Yukihara." That confirmed it. Yukihara wasn't a he…he was a she and her name was Mikan.
"A woman?" The king asked, startled. He then looked at Natsume and seeing his son was just as gobsmacked as he, the King started to chuckle and soon a gut deep laughter echoed around the throne room. "Haha, now I have no objections. Son, you have my blessings to marry her!" The king continued to laugh.
A murmur of surprise arose from the knights who'd come to support the prince in his efforts to win Yukihara's hand in marriage. Sure, they were surprised the prince had fallen in love with a man, but since it was little Yuki-chan they felt it was okay.
"Yuki-chan, you're so cute!" Tsubasa cried from the peanut gallery.
"Owu owu owu! Yuki-chan look this way, look this way! It's Kokoro!"
"Yuki-chan's a woman?!"
"Baka! It's Lady Mikan now, idiot. Or maybe Princess Mikan Hyuuga," The knight wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. The clatter died down when Natsume moved directly in front of Mikan. His gaze moved between the sorceress and the queen. After a cumbersome silence, he finally addressed the queen,
"You knew?"
"It was my idea to have Mikan-chan watch over you," The queen admitted shrewdly.
"Hmm," The prince harrumphed. He grabbed the manservant by the wrist and proceeded to drag her out of the throne room. Mikan followed in silence. When they reached an isolated corridor, he threw her against the nearest wall and pressed his body against her, eyeing her sharply.
"Natsume…"
"Hn. That insolent way of talking…you really are Yukihara."
"Sire, I'm sorry—" Natsume kissed her to shut her up.
"You talk too much." He murmured, lingering close to her mouth. Eyes like jewels watched her carefully, his breath mingled with hers. It was clear he did not mean for her to escape.
"Natsume…you're not mad?" Mikan finally managed to breathe. Natsume pulled back, still refusing to let her go and held her against his chest.
"That depends. Is there anything else you're keeping from me?"
"Yes." Natsume cocked an eyebrow. "I love you." Mikan admitted.
Natsume threw his head back and laughed. "Magic, no magic, man, woman, it doesn't make a difference to me. I want you, you idiot, all of you."
Then he leaned in closer, his mouth just shy of tickling the sensitive rim of her ear and he whispered in a deep husky voice. "I want all of you, Mikan."
Natsume held her face between his hands and pulled her close to kiss her. His mouth covered hers, stealing away her breath and every thought in her head until she was consumed with Natsume. He kissed her desperately, longingly, as if he found all the answers he'd been searching for. Mikan curled her fingers against his biceps, torn between the frantic need to pull him closer and the fear of allowing herself to drown in his intoxicating kiss.
It was like a dream come true. Natsume accepted her, every part of her. In that moment, Mikan realized that she could never love any man more than she would ever love Prince Natsume Hyuuga. So she gave in and threw her arms around Natsume's neck. This time, it was her turn to take the Prince by surprise. Mikan kissed him, pouring every ounce of the feelings that Natsume stirred within her in that one kiss.
The couple pulled back breathless. Natsume rested his head against hers and Mikan held him so she wouldn't collapse weightlessly.
"Marry me?" Natsume asked.
"Yes." She whispered.
Thank you so much for all your patience. There is only one more short flashback before this story resumes in present time. To make up for how delayed this chapter is, I wrote two short omakes down below. An omake is a side story that is not necessarily a part of the main plot line.
Omake 1:
"You should hate me."
"Why? I already knew you were an idiot." SMACK. "Ouch. What, brat?"
"I lied, Natsume. About almost everything."
"I'll have you know, that as a Prince, I am quite distinguished at filtering the rubbish." Natsume rolled his eyes, running his fingers up and down his fiance's arm.
Mikan pulled back skeptically. "Meaning?"
Natsume softened and brushed his nose against hers. "Meaning I could read between the lines, idiot. You never lied about the things that mattered. When the truth came out, it changed very little. I would have married you anyway Yukihara."
"Even though you thought I was a man?"
"Take it as a compliment. There are few that find those rags you wear endearing."
Mikan giggled. "And the hat?"
"Burn it immediately. That's an order, Yukihara!"
"Yes sire!"
Omake 2:
"So all this time, when I called you a girl—"
"Wasn't really offended."
"Damn…is that why you always pissed me off and got yourself thrown out of my room when I wanted to have a bath?"
Mikan blushed. "Well, yes."
Natsume snorted in amusement. Then he smirked mischievously. "You've been stealing looks at me anyway. Perhaps we should level the field?" He teasingly tugged on her blouse. He waited for Mikan's shrieks of "You stupid perverted fox!" or "In your dreams, you lecherous toad!"
She did neither. Instead, she smiled softly and moved closer to the prince. Natsume kept still, his heart raced, and he was curious to see what she would do. She moved to sit on his lap, straddling him by the waist, and hooking her fingers together behind his neck.
She leaned in close and the scent of her perfume made Natsume's heart skip a beat. He kept perfectly still, waiting for a scorching kiss of a lifetime, when suddenly, Mikan brushed her nose against his.
Natsume blinked. The sorceress grinned in promise and whispered in his ear. "In time, My Prince."
Again, thank you for reading up until here. I know these are trying times, but please stay safe, stay home, and stay positive! We will get through this together!
Magic Spells
cume heofonfýr, oferswing: translates to come lightning, strike her.
briseadh a méara: translates to break her fingers. Irish not Old English here.