Yo, long time no see, this ain't as long as other chapters, I think, but I hope you like it and I promise to try and update sooner...

The man was struggling free of the grip several heavy equipped guards had on him. Finding several slain man on the grounds of the castle with another, breathing, but rocking back and forth in a puddle of blood was not what they had expected.

The visiting prince had informed the king of the carnage that happened on his walk with the princess and the king immediately sent several guards to inspect the scene.

Tadase did not say who slayed the men but Tsumugu had an unpleasant inkling towards who did. The report of what was found unnerved him severely. Five men were gutted, like an expert with a knife or a short sword had done so, and blood had splattered everything. It seemed the only survivor had wetted himself and then promptly passed out, so shocked he currently couldn't utter a word. The king had told the guards to put him wherever and it seemed the newly appointed jailor wanted to see what the beast was all about. Therefore the man was sentenced to be put into the cell with the demon.

As for Tadase, when they reached the castle Amu had turned to him and said but two words. Her eyes were glinting but her face seemed almost soft, as if she were resigned to her fate. Your choice. She uttered the words and disappeared into the castle, her gown swishing behind her. If he were to proclaim the princess had slain those people, like a man would have done, maybe even more gruesome, then she could very well be scourged. And if he didn't, then it would rest on him to find out her secrets, at least as far as it concerned him. She probably thought he could shove it.

And too intrigued to pass up this mystery, he decided to not tell the king what had transpired. Though Tadase got the feeling the king already knew something, only time would tell.

Back to the man who was pleading and struggling to get free of the death grip the guards had on him. When he heard he was to be the test subject for the new jailor he howled and yowled, begged and cried to get free. If the rumored demonic princess could murder all his comrades like that, what monstrosities could a real demon do then. He trembled only thinking about it.

Heavy clanks of metal could be heard and he was unceremoniously shoved into the cell, his legs giving under him. Thinking quickly he stuck his hand through the bars and grasped an iron, rusted bar that lay little ways away on the floor. He closed his eyes and slowly turned, preparing himself for a giant, deadly maw ready to swallow him. He braced himself, the pole ready to strike and opened his eyes.

He was greeted with a sight that unnerved him slightly, and when he realized the similarities, he started to tremble again. What was supposed to be a monster was a boy, with dark eyes that glowed not unlike that of the princess and fangs that poked out from beneath his lips.

The man shook as the beast approached him, its tail swaying slightly. As the demon stepped closer he drew back until he was met with a wall. His breath hitched as it moved closer and closer. Not even a foot away the beast breathed deep and then its burning eyes snapped to that of the mans. It bared its fangs and growled out the last words he would ever hear.

„Why the hell do you smell like her?" The man bawled as he cursed the princess in his mind, for who else would it be but her. The next moment the beast snapped its jaws towards him and he brought up the old rusted pipe he was tightly holding. The beast bit on it and for a moment he tought he was saved when the pipe snapped between its jaws and turned to splinters. For a second he couldn't believe what he saw and the next he was dead, his neck tore open and blood pooling under him.

Ikuto sat there pondering for a moment if he was hungry enough or not, when there was another growl in the dungeons and he realized his stomach has voiced its opinion. Kneeling down next to the body he lapped up some blood and then his claws ripped into the soft flesh. The man was not old and therefore the blood was better than most of his last meals had been.

After his belly was filled he licked the blood from his hands and curled up in the other corner. He hoped they would clean up his cell soon enough. The blood was all well and good but even he didn't like the smell of rotting flesh.

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Amu sat on her bed, the events of the day playing over and over in her mind as she absent mindedly licked the blood on her hand. She was not quite sure she understood what happened. It was as if she was free of her human bonds while she killed and extracted revenge on those who had angered her. There was nothing stopping her while she flew through air, dagger in hand and fangs thirsting to bite into something. It was an euphoric feeling. The first time she had tasted it was then in the dungeons when she had killed the stupid captain. But she had thought it a fluke of sorts, now she realized, it was the thrill of the kill and taste of the blood that came with it that made her want more.

Her moral standards differed from day to day, but tasting blood was not on the list of ok things to do until now. It scared her, this beast, and what she might do if she lost control. But it also gave her a thrill for more.

And as she ran out to see what had happened, she saw a maid struggling to pick up the remains of a broken glass vase. And as she looked from behind the corner as the maid cut herself and sweet smelling blood dripped from her hand, Amu realized what it was inside her that chilled her so, bloodlust. Something only demons were capable of having.

With a chill, she ran from there and onto her balcony, thoughts swirling inside her head. Before she could stop her movement she tripped and fell over the railing, her scream swallowed by the wind as she fell hundreds of feet to the green grass below.

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Down in the dungeons Ikuto woke with a jolt.

How was it? Is it a cliffhanger or not? I'm not sure, but how the events are going she could very well die and wake up in hell, literally. But she won't, hopefully.. ;3

Anyway don't forget to R&R and do tell what you think...I'm always open for ideas...

Kuroneko is out :3