I’m extremely grateful for taking the time in your lives to read my stuff as well as the support. You have no idea how much it means to me. Now let us look at the rules and the content I make.
I’m only focusing on Tokyo Revengers fan fic’s at the moment. I watched the anime and read about 10 volumes of the manga as well as saw many, many spoilers. I’m mentioning this because some things may not be cannon.
My asks are open so you can request anything under a condition that your request fits with the following rules:
You will have to be 18 or older to request so please have your age in your bio
I will not be writing about the following:
Incest
Teacher x student
Underage
non-consent
Step parents
Step siblings might be an option but I will not be writing it on my own accord
I’m the most comfortable with writing in a female perspective, so I apologize in advance to the nonbinary and the males. I should probably mention that this blog is my practice space. I’m not really experienced in writing smut besides the things you can read on the blog so I really appreciate the feedback if you have some.
Also I’m aware that no matter how many disclaimers and warnings I write some of the minors will still read it. So hear me out sweethearts; I get it, you’re going through puberty, you’re horny and curious, you’re not the first one nor you’ll be the last one but I’m saying this for your own good.
Some things are just not meant for you for a reason. So please for the love of god if you’re going to have sex make sure you’re properly educated and make sure you’re having a safe sex. And by that I do mean wear or have your partner wear a condom, no amount of pleasure will make up for the STD’s you can pick up. I mean it.
Please don’t smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol, do drugs or anything harmful for your body. You’re still growing and your body has to properly develop so you can have as easy and carefree life as possible.
For now that will be all I thank you all once again for reading.
Hanahaki series
Begonia
Manjiro Sano (Mikey) x female reader
-Completed
Canna
Kazutora Hanemiya x (cat girl) female reader
-Completed
Hydrangea
Nahoya Kawata (Smiely) and Souya Kawata (Angry) x female reader
hello how are you i hope you are well i just came that i loved your story and i wanted to recommend you reed queen i think you will like it and take care and you will be missed around here😊😊
Hello! I'm doing well thank you for asking. I had some school stuff to deal with so I wasn't posting or anything. I'm thinking of coming back soon. When I figure out how to continue the stories. ❤❤❤
hi omg i was reading your "the art of war" and i just had to say this it was a masterpiece thank you so much for writing it. It is so amazing i have no words. you are amazingggggg THANK YOU
Note: I'm Back with the weekly updates! Did ya miss me?
Pairing: Izana Kurokawa x female reader
Disclamer: This story is meant for the mature audience only. It contains some heavy teams like abuse, killing, aggression, consuming alcohol and cigarettes, swearing as well as sex. It is a bit of a slow burn regarding the smut but you still shouldn’t read it if you are under 18. Because I can’t stop the minors from reading please do not repeat any acts mentioned in the story and please practice safe sex as well as trying to keep your body healthy since it is still growing and it needs all the nutrients it can get.
Main Masterlist
The Art of War Masterlist
“So… what’s it like to be welcomed back by your family?”
You flinched the moment Takeomi spoke into your ear on a tree branch. You eyed the male as he sat down next to you and handing you a cigarette from his personal collection. You took the unhealthy tobacco and placed in between your lips allowing Takeomi to light it with a match.
“Only Koko, Taiju and Izana know that I was the masked kid. The rest of them have no idea.” You clarified.
“Still… you have quite the family.” He spoke as if he was in daze. “I heard stories about you.” He added as you looked at him with confusion clear on your face. “Apparently you were the most dignified person in the palace, you worked your ass off to raise your siblings and many young women looked up to you.”
“You could say that.” You exhaled the smoke. “I knew my place and I knew how to use my position to my advantage. But other than that I wasn’t really respected. Especially among my half siblings…”
“The snake princess was it? It’s kind of ironic don’t you think?”
“Yeah…” You let out a dry laugh.
Takeomi exhaled the smoke as he kept staring at the distance. “I wouldn’t want to be on your bad side, especially not now.” He commented.
“How come?” There was a hint of a mocking tone in your voice as you questioned his statement.
“I never really did explain everything to you. I doubt Rainha did.” He eyed the white serpent resting on your shoulders. “You know that there are many gods and religions in this pathetic world. I believe they all took part in creating it, building it from ground up and each and every one of them created an animal.” He inhaled more tobacco and exhaled shortly after. “So in some sense the ancient beasts are their pets…”
The white serpent hissed at him. Rainha didn’t like the choice of words he picked for her and her fellow ancient beasts. Takeomi raised his arms in defensive stance and the snake settled down and nuzzled against your cheek.
“So if you can command an ancient beast in some sense you are a god yourself.” He eyed you and you furrowed you eyebrows at him. “Just think about it. They follow you like you made them yourself; there was no record of an ancient beast following a mere human. As if it wasn’t extraordinary enough that the snakes followed you without you ever training them to or even commanding them to.”
You sighed as you stared at the ground below. “So I’m a god in your eyes?”
“You could say that.” He looked ahead of him getting stuck in a deep thought. “Is that a bad thing?”
“Well… I don’t know how to respond to that.”
“Do you not believe in gods?” He questioned. “As far as I know Thymos was a religious country. Maybe not more than Sem Coração but it is up there on the list.”
“I wouldn’t say I don’t believe in them I just think that praying to gods for help will not do us any good. If we were really that incapable I think the gods would give us guidance from the start…” You silenced yourself to process your thoughts and form them into sentences but he spoke before you had a chance to.
“I can understand that way of thinking. Your brother however…” He turned his attention to the camp. “I don’t think he has the same idea about the gods.”
You raised your eyebrows in suspicion and confusion at his statement. You followed his eyes to your brother and found him talking to some of the knights and preparing for the knights and captains soon to join you in the soon to be final battle.
“I noticed him praying before we did that ambush on the knights.” He clarified.
He was correct. Your brother followed a different god or perhaps you should use a word believed in a different god. Christianity was not very well received in Thymos but he still believed in the god that made snakes the way they were. However he was your brother and no matter his faults it was you who would love him the most.
“I think his beliefs don’t matter. I think he should believe and pray to whoever he wants. I will never go against him based on choices that don’t harm anyone.” You spoke.
Takeomi let out a low chuckle. He then reaches for something beneath his cloak to reveal the very same mask that you wore for the past three years and that broke during your last battle.
“Takeomi…” He interrupted you.
“I told you I didn’t give you the mask to hide yourself didn’t I?” He placed the mask in your lap. “But it is smart to keep your enemy from knowing your identity. However you can see with this one.” He added.
You stared at the demonic like mask before you slipped it on top of your head beneath your hood. He was right. It’s better to keep the most knights in the dark about your identity. That way you can have more chances to assassinate the king.
“I was wondering. Before my father died at the hand of the snakes have you ever killed anyone?” Takeomi questioned you.
“No…”
He let out yet another chuckle. “You are very strong (Y/N). You have a strong heart. Most people wouldn’t be able to handle taking another life with their own hands.”
“Maybe…” You turned your attention back to the camp to see Taiju looking up in the trees looking at you dead in the eye.
Your little brother’s head twitched on the side signaling you to come down. You kissed the tips of your fingers and pointed them at him making a hint of a smile show up in the corner of his lips. He mimicked the gesture and you dropped down from the tree landing on your feet.
You secured a mask on your face and made your way to your brother. Taiju’s eyebrows furrowed when he noticed the mask covering your face. Merely seconds later he came to a realization of your need to cover your face.
You always had a good strategy up your sleeve and having you cover your identity and only reveal it to the ones you trust was a good call. It would keep the people at the top at ease in some sense and less distracted and not a single soul would suspect you were the princess of Thymos.
“The archduke is here. He uh… didn’t take the news of your death too well.” Taiju whispered in your ear.
“Just how will he take my return only gods will know?”
Taiju led you to the tent were you two found Shinichiro sitting behind a makeshift desk. By his side stood Manjiro his younger brother who seemed matured in the past five years of your absence and by Manjiro’s side stood Ken Ryuguji his stoic face stayed the same as always.
“I greet his royal highness the third prince.” Shinichiro rose from his seat and bowed his head.
Manjiro and Ken followed suit with the same phrase. By what you saw Shinichiro didn’t look well. His hair that was once neatly styled and slicked back was now messily falling over his forehead. There were dark circles under his eyes suggesting he hadn’t slept well and not to forget the once smooth skin of his chin and cheeks was enveloped in a patchy beard. His clothes that were once neat were now all over the place. He looked like a mess filled with stress to the brim. Even his younger brother who was filled with mischief looked more presentable than he did.
“At ease Shinichiro, no need for formalities in a war.” Taiju sighed. “General Shiba will do just fine.”
Shinichiro raised his torso. “It seems that I have a habit to greet you this way.” His expression seemed saddened when he heard Taiju’s words. “So it seems that her scolding will never leave my mind.” He added with a found smile as if he was remembering a treasured memory.
Taiju raised his eyebrow at him. “Whatever do you mean?”
“I never told any of you did I? So it seems the full three years have passed since we heard news of your sister’s death. I suppose she had been on my mind the whole day.” He cleared his throat. “It is a ridiculous story; I was a tween about thirteen years of age or so. My father dragged to me the palace to meet more well-mannered people since it was the age when I started to act rebellious and my greeting to the princess was not as perfect as it should have been. She a six year old girl proceeded to rip me a new one, for an hour and forty three minutes she held me a lecture on proper greetings to the royalty. Never once did I fail to greet her with outmost perfection as well as the rest of the royal family.” He made his way around the desk to his little brother to neaten his cravat that was slightly off center.
“So it seems that I will have to give you another lesion of the appearance of the nobles.” You lowered your mask to be met with three pairs of wide eyes dark as the abyss in your nightmares. “This one might last an hour and fifty nine minutes for a change.” You offered him a hint of a smirk.
Shinichiro’s shaking hands pulled away from his little brother placing his dominant hand on his chest and the other one close to his side. He bowed at his torso his whole body now shaking. “I-I-…..” He stuttered. “I-I g-g-greet he-her r-ro-royal h-highness…” He could feel his throat getting scratch and closing up on him as he attempted to greet you.
You took pity on his poor soul approaching him and pulling him into a warm embrace. His shaking hands moved around you as he buried his head into your shoulder. He sobbed in fear it was all just a dream. He cried in happiness for your return alive and well. And he held you as if you will disappear.
“Wha-…” Shinichiro choked from his own tears. “How are you alive?”
You shortly explain the situation that came upon you leaving out the detail about controlling a beast which might as well be old as time.
“What about Hakkai? I heard he was with you?” You questioned him when he calmed down. You offered an embrace to Mikey and Ken who took it within a second. When else will they be able to embrace a princess? And well they missed you of course.
“He was… or well I should say he still is it is just that um… well… general Shiba would know best what happened with him.” Shinichiro eyes the third prince and you turn your attention back to him.
“Is he still mad at me?”
“Of course he is. You deprived him of avenging his older sister.” Shinichiro sighed. “Ken would you mind fetching Hakkai for us.” He added and with a silent nod Ken left the tent.
Shortly after Ken walked in the tent and Mitsuya was right behind him. You noticed something different about him. His hair was longer and it was styled in a side cut combed to the right showing off the same dragon tattoo that Ken had.
You never noticed them having those because of their hair covering it but it made you smile. No noble child can have tattoos since only people of low birth had them and criminals. Right behind your ex-tailor you saw your little brother. His hair was longer as well. Tied in a ponytail and the sides of his head were now shaved with the design he had when you left.
Hakkai’s eyes widened the moment his eyes landed on you and he stood frozen near the entrance of the tent. You could feel your eyes tearing up and your chest hurt from the beating heart. You took deep breaths to calm it but alas nothing was now in the way form embracing your little brother.
“Long time no see, baby brother.” You offered him a kind smile filled with longing.
“I-…” He stuttered but rushed to you, he fell on his knees wrapping his arms around your waist. He cried, sobbed and wept as he was clenching onto your clothing.
You were somewhat grateful that Zana and Rainha left the comfort of your warm body to do their own thing because they would be squished by your brother’s hands. You lowered yourself to your knees as well getting comfortable by sitting on your heels and returning the embrace Hakkai didn’t want to let you go from.
Mitsuya placed a comforting hand of Hakkai’s shoulder before hugging you both from your sides. Sometime after when Hakkai’s tears dried on his cheeks he moved away. He wasn’t able to speak from the faint feeling of dehydration in the back of his throat.
You wiped the tears from his cheeks. “Hey… It’s okay now… I’m here… I… I won’t be leaving you anytime soon.” You embrace him once again.
After the reunions were done and over with you took a deep breath in. “Alright… Let us finish this fucking war.” You leaned on the make shift table.
“The reunions are done and over with?” You turned your attention to the white-haired male making his way into the tent.
“Little fucker found out first.” Taiju commented making the eldest Sano snap his attention towards him. His wide abyss like eyes stared at your little brother and then snapping to his own adopted brother.
“How?”
“Oh you know…” You began. “Just tried to keep my head attached to my shoulders.”
Shinichiro glared at his adoptive brother with wide eyes. His glare softened the moment he remembered the important rule in the army that belonged to Thymos. All women found working a man’s job will be beheaded.
“But never mind that. We have a country to take down. Too many people were hurt and we are not backing down.” You stared at the men in the tent with determination clear on your face.
“Yes ma’am…” Izana said with a hint of a smirk on his face and a jesting tone.
You turned to Taiju. He sighed under the pressure of your far to familiar stare, he crossed his arms on his chest. “We had about ten thousand men. They had over a million when we started this hell. We started chipping away on their forces, squad by squad we got rid of half of them and we lost one hundred and twenty-three men.” His eyebrows furrowed.
He was a proud man. He believed in his ability and he made it his mission to keep casualties to a minimum. You were amazed by how he knew the exact number; he most likely knew all of them by names and those men will always be engraved in his memory. Just goes to show how much your little brother has changed.
“You did good.” You praised making his muscles stiffen at your words. “Let us make sure we don’t lose more.” You let out a whistle summoning the two powerful serpents.
The familiar scaly bodies slithered into the tent climbing onto your body and resting on your shoulders. You noticed the wide eyes coming from the young men that had yet to see the power you held.
“I will keep it brief. This is Rainha, she is an ancient beast and holds an immense power, this is her daughter Zana just as powerful. Zana has six more siblings somewhere in this country or in Vuur. What we will do first is find them. Get them on our side and crush what’s left of our enemy forces.” The wide eyes continued to stared at you.
“How will you do that?” Shinichiro questioned, curiosity getting the better of him.
You smirked at your long-time friend. Letting out another whistle the tent started to fill up with snakes. The men were stunned by the number of slithering creatures making their way to you and standing in a protective stance.
You then noticed Takeomi peaking his head into the tent. Right beneath him Sanzu did the same and Senju followed after. It was quite comical to see the three siblings leaning over the side of the tent only peaking their heads through the entrance.
“Show off!” Sanzu commented.
“Yeah!” Senju agreed with her brother.
Sanzu’s eyes landed on Mikey, as if he was a curious cub, he made his way to the youngest Sano male in the family. He studied him shortly before making his way behind him circling him like a he was a strange phenomenon he couldn’t copra hand.
The pink haired young man turned to you and pointed his finger at Mikey. “Can I keep him?”
“You can…”
“Hey!” The Sano’s spoke up in union, interrupting you.
You shoot both of them a glare shutting them up instantly. “Just because I dropped the polite tone doesn’t mean that I no longer am I someone to be respected.” They both flinched. “As I was saying, you can’t keep him because he is not an animal but you can stay by his side and protect him.” You said to Sanzu.
He scratched the back of his head and then dropped his hand to his jaw rubbing it as if he was thinking about the offer. “Okay.” He stood behind the young Sano as a guard would.
“Good boy Haru…” You praised him and a huge and proud smile made it’s way onto the young man. “Back to the point…” You sighed. “We will be laying low for the time being, I will go through Sem Coração and Vuur to find those snakes I mentioned earlier and when I return we will be ending this hell hole.”
“You’ll go by yourself?” Hakkai glared at you.
“Most likely, those are dangerous creatures, only I can control them.” Your stare was intense and a shiver ran down your little brother’s spine.
“You won’t be going through Vuur by yourself.” Your glare turned to Izana. “Listen up princess…” His impolite tone made the eldest Sano tug on his own hair. “You’ve never been there, you will get lost in the first desert but if you take me with you I can be proven useful… I know those deserts like the back of my hand.” His confident smirk grew by the word as he spoke.
You stared at the tan male. He could be proven useful when it came to getting back to the main camp. Yes Zana and Rainha might be capable of getting you to the snakes but how will you get back?
You let out a sigh of defeat. It was the first time any of you friends and siblings saw you so defeated and ready to comply. “Very well…”
“You made a right decision, your majesty.” He bowed his head in mockery making his adoptive brother even more uneasy.
“We will be on our way at dawn, don’t be a single second late or I’m leaving without you.” Your threat make him chuckle and you would be lying if you said that the sound didn’t make your hurt flutter.
“Sister, you cannot be serious?!” Hakkai complained. “You just got back… Yuzuha doesn’t even know… I-“ Tears started to threaten to fall from his eyes.
“I’m not a weak princess you knew five years ago Hakkai.” Your words me his eyes widen, which makes you offer him a smile. “Besides…” Your attention turned to Takeomi. “In the eyes of some I mind as well be a God.” You wink at the man who jus shakes his head at you.
That night you were sitting on a tree branch far form any curious eyes or ears. Your back against the tree bark and your bended knees hosted a white serpent. Rainha decided that the time was right for more detailed explanations.
“You see child, my little snakes have grown far beyond what they needed. They have no names but titles, titles given to them by the God who didn’t understand them. In his eyes my children are sins, not just sins but the deadly sins.” Her low whispers made you put all your focus on her and her alone. Luckily for you, you had pretty much every single snake in the jungle keeping guard for you.
“When they unlocked their full potential I blessed all of them with a gift and they all have gotten their gifts with an exception of Sloth or how you call her Zana. She was far to uninterested in working hard to reach her full potential.” Rainha sighed. “The others were far more excited and hardworking to get a hold of such power. You should memorize it just in case they don’t recognize you as their master.”
“That would be a good idea.”
“Very well… Pride just as his sin suggests he is prideful serpent, he might be the strongest among all me children. His gift allows him to make anyone and anything submit to him, his aura makes them bow and quiver in fear. The only exceptions are ancient beasts and Gods, even still his strength is nothing to ignore. Greed’s gift is the ability to turn anything she touches into gold including living beings, very powerful and very destructive however she learned how to control it thankfully. Envy is a shape shifter I believe that’s quite self-explanatory.” You noticed a distant look in Rainha’s eyes making you feel uneasy. “Wrath commands emotions, making people go blind from the anger and fury making them act irrationally but that is his aura, his true gift is fire, creating it out of thin air and once it starts burning it doesn’t stop until the thing allowing it to burn is gone. Lust’s gift is illusions, she produces fumes that make you see all of your desires, everything you ever lusted for making you believe it is reality. And lastly Gluttony devouring everything and anything in his path.”
“What gift would Zana get if she were to reach her full potential?” You question.
“Most likely something relating to her sin. Sloth also known as laziness, I decided their gifts a long time ago so I must say I do not remember what power I gave to her. We shall see once she reaches those heights.”
Rainha did not judge her offspring for not being on the same level as her siblings. She understood she was lazy and never once did she judge Zana. It was something humans could rarely achieve.
“Are you talking about me?” Zana’s sleepy whispers reached your ears making you turn your attention to the orchid serpent.
“Maybe…” You spoke with a teasing tone present in your voice.
“So mean…” She nuzzled up against your neck. “Momma?” Rainha let out a low hum signaling her that she is listening. “Are we going to see big brothers and big sisters soon?”
“Yes my dear… we will be seeing your siblings really soon.” She confirmed. “But you will have to focus so we can find them, we will need both our instincts to find them.”
“Okay momma…” Zana feel asleep yet again curled up against your neck as the rest of her body rested on your shoulders.
“You know talking to yourself is getting creepy as hell.” You flinched when you heard Izana’s voice from above you.
He was hanging on the branch above your head. Like a bat he hung upside down staring at you with a grin plastered n his face. It was amusing in your eyes seeing him like that. His hair was following the flow of the gravity as well as his signature red earrings.
“Captain…” You saluted to the young man making his grin grow wider. Izana dropped down from a branch sitting down next to you. “Where did you learn to climb on a tree like that?” You question him with a grin.
“Back home, we had no such thing as fancy toys as the nobles in Thymos do. We had daggers and maybe a ball made from weeds and palm tree leafs, but only richer people had those…” He was talking about his homeland with longing.
“What about the girls?” You question. “What did they have to play with?”
He eyed you and a small smile made it’s way onto his face. “When they were old enough they would do chores to keep busy but before that a classic game of pretend, making flower crowns in the fields where flowers bloomed only in spring.”
You listened to his as if he was telling you a fairy tale. You loved reading those to your younger siblings. Taiju and Hakkai were classic boys will be boys, excited about the stories about knights defeating all mighty monsters. Yuzuha joined them on that enthusiasm when she realized how fun they were. You never had the need to read them those romance novels where a prince saves a damsel in distress from a tower guarded by a dragon.
You preferred the adventurous novels than the romance ones as well. You weren’t interested in being such as those princesses in the novels, one of many reasons why you became a snake princess, respected by many. If for nothing but for your elegance and wisdom.
“I’m glad I will be seeing it soon.” Izana turned to you in surprise. “To be completely honest with you I started to hate that tedious routine. Working from dawn till dusk and occasionally joining some parties just to make an appearance.” You glared at the ground beneath you. “I would rather die than be someone’s trophy yet again.” Your intense stare turned to Izana.
Note: Inspired by the Netflix series Arcane, mostly ascetically and environmentally.
Contains: dom Izana, sub/switch reader, oral (f receving), fingering (f receiving), vaginal sex, rough sex, size kink, choking, fight for dominance (kind of), squirting. (hopefully I didn't miss any)
Mentions: pegging, dom reader, prostitution, lesbian sex, violence (not too graphic)
Disclaimer: This story contains mature themes not suited for the faint of heart and minors. If you still decide to read, I recommend to the minors to not repeat any actions mentioned in the story and practice safe sex and keep your body healthy.
The underground, the slums, the black market, the low life abode were the names for your home. The air is thick with toxicity, the lives are short, and the streets are filled with scum and filth. Right beneath the beautiful city of Aurum, buildings wrapped in gold, clean water, and where the important people live and walk without a care in the world. It’s really the oasis compared to the dry desert beneath.
But down here fighters are running the streets and non-fighters walk with hunched back, gaze avoiding everyone and everything. You’re not one of those people. You belong to no one and everyone at the same time. No clan is lucky enough to have your name on the list of members and yet everybody knows you and uses you. Or that’s what they think…
“I hear you’re the one to go to when you need quick cash?” A young man sat in front of you at the bar where you would usually waste your precious time.
His skin was tan and his hair was platinum blond almost white. His long eyelashes matched his hair color which was unique to say the least. Usually tan people have darker hair but not him. And those eyes… purple eyes looked down on you so you knew he wasn’t from around here. No one looks down on the unofficial queen of underground. You could laugh at his poor attempt to fit in with the clothing that matched the one of the underground.
“You’re not from around her, are you pretty boy?” You smirked at him.
“What’s it to you?” He furrowed his eyebrows at you, looks like he didn’t like the nickname.
“Nothing…” You placed a cheap cigarette in between your lips and before you had a chance to reach for a lighter a man passing by had a lighter ready for you. You leaned closer to the flame lighting a cigarette and taking it out of your mouth. “Thanks Ikuya…” The man smiled at you and bowed his head. “As you can see, I know everyone and everyone knows me, so who the fuck are you and what do you want down here?”
He scanned you from top to bottom. You didn’t look like a big shot. Your pants had black and gray stripes looked old and like they were about to rip at any moment. Your corset like sleeveless top looked to be made of fake and cheap lather. Not to mention that your combat boots were supposed to be thrown away years ago. Many belts and pouches surrounded your body like a poor excuse for a fashion sense and practicality. As well as the cheap cigarettes and booze you consumed.
“Does it matter?” He questioned you.
You let out a sinister laugh. “Listen to me pretty boy. Everyone you see in this bar owes me a favor and trust me when I tell you that they will do anything to repay it to me.” You leaned back in your chair and talking another drag from the cancer stick. “So… you better start again, sticker with your name on it stuck to your forehead and a fucking autobiography in short lines.”
He sighs. “The name is Izana and I started a clan…”
“The name?” you interrupted him.
“Tenjiku.”
You knew all the clans by heart and Tenjiku wasn’t one of them. Either really new or someone failed to inform you. “How did you get the land?” You question as you take yet another drag.
“I can be persuasive when I want to.” He smirked at you and let out a laugh.
“You’re interesting…” You pulled a pocket watch out of your pocket and eyed the time. “I can spare some time for you but, I get fifteen percent of the heist and you bring your men.” You get up from your seat and look down on sitting Izana with a smirk on your face. “If you can’t finish the job for whatever reason…” You take the last drag from the cigarette and extinguish it on the table barely a few centimeters away from his hand. “I get to keep the heads of your men as well as yours as a trophy.”
You purposely made your way to three specific tables patting the men sitting there on their shoulder and then leaving the bar with Izana right behind you as well as the men. “Are you sure you picked the right family gentlemen?” You eyed Kakucho Hitto and the Haitani brothers.
“None of your business.” The younger Haitani scowled at you.
Making a quick 180 degrees turn and walking backwards you smirked at him. “Just like it was none of my business when you begged me to ride my strap?” You licked your lips seductively making the younger Haitani blush.
You turned back around leading them to an alleyway. Ran eyed his brother with a hint of a smirk on his face. You finally reached the metal box you purposely left there. Walking a few steps back you leaped forward jumping on the box and grabbing the edge of the wall.
Puling yourself up and getting on your feet you watched the men beneath you. “Come on pretty boys, it’s faster this way.”
The four men followed you jumping from one building to another, sliding down the rusty pipes and ladders and leaping over gaps and over the railings. By the time you reached the building you saw the four men hiding their rapid breathing.
Small smirk made its way to your lips as you jumped down and entered the building. The inside was filled with the scent of cheap perfume, weed and tobacco and the moment you made two steps over the doormat you were swarmed by the women and men.
“(Y/N) are you here for the job?” A young woman wrapped her hands around your neck with a wide smile.
“Pick me! Pick me! Pick me!” Another one jumped on the first woman before both of them were pulled off.
“Calm down you two, I believe it is my turn…” An older woman with humongous chest stood in front of you almost pushing you in between her two breasts capable of knocking out a healthy adult male under the right angle. She had a big midlevel type hat on her head and a long pipe in her close to her mouth.
“Sorry Darling older men prefer young sweethearts now but when I find a rich boy with mommy issues you will be my first choice.” You wink at her.
She sighed. “Fine then…” She turned around and left to another pleasure room.
“Peach, I believe it’s your turn.” The young woman’s eyes widened as she pulled you into a tight hug. “Okay sugar plum that’s enough…” You patted her on her head like a child and she let you go out of her embrace.
She rushed away to get ready without a word and the women and men left the main hallway. You proceeded to walk to the door at the end of the hall were in the cluttered office you found stressed out creature.
Three long and wrinkly fingers were groping papers and pens. The skin of the owner seemed more sickly grayish brown than usual. Big black eyes seemed wider than usual as well. The rapid breathing of the creature made you rush to the table and kneel before it. “Hihi?..”
“I can’t… I can’t…. so much work…” Hihi was mumbling and you grab her hands making her attention switch to you.
You didn’t say a word just started breathing deeply making her follow your actions. “That’s it…” You said with a soft tone while letting go of her hands. You reached into one of your pouches grabbing a hold of two squishy balls and juggling them to get Hihi’s attention.
The black eyes of the creature looked at you in amazement and when you threw the balls in the air she caught them and started squeezing them in between her fingers. “Calm down… If someone messes with you send Kenny to fetch me ‘kay?”
“Right…. Thank you…” She bowed her head in appreciation and you gave her a pat on the head.
“(Y/N)?” Peach passed by the four men standing at the door way with a backpack on her shoulders. You nod and leave Hihi behind leading the young woman and the four men to the roof top. “Hey do you mean…”
“Yes…” You interrupt her as you make your way to the roof top.
“But only Ken can use that thing and besides Hihi will get mad.” She franticly gave you a lecture as you only rolled your eyes at her nagging.
“Sugar plum…” You spoke in a warning tone which made Peach sigh in frustration. “Hihi is too stressed to notice and Kenny is not the only person who can use it.” You climbed your way up the ladder finding a big metallic fist hidden in one of the iron boxes.
You stepped closer to it noticing many rusty bolts, nuts stuck to the fist. The color was chipping off and it was heavy if your memory served you right. You stood in front of the metal contraption as you cracked your neck. You reached for a dagger stripped to your thigh and cut all your fingers and the palm of your hand.
Peach was shaking from nervousness as you reached into the metal contraption in a shape of a hand. The steam started leaving the metallic hand. You struggle to lift it up but eventually you manage to keep it in the air. Peach hesitantly walked closer to you.
“How you feelin’ Sugar plum?” You question her to make sure she’ll be able to concentrate on the task at hand and not freak out since it was her first time being launched in the air by you.
“Peachy…” She sighed as she sat in the palm of the metallic hand attacked to you.
You managed to lower your arm slightly before launching the young woman up in the air sending her flying. You watched as she grabbed onto the end of the ladder pulling herself up and kicking the lower part down to reach the five of you.
Putting the metallic hand aside you took the backpack and secured it on your shoulders. “Alright fellas let’s make some cash.” You started climbing up the ladders and glancing down to see the four men following you.
By the time you reach the top you walked through the sewers and finally made it out in the alleyways of the golden upper city for the privileged. “Sugar plum…” You called out to Peach who turned her attention to you. “Take a bath and doll yourself up will be waiting for you.” You placed a small pouch in her hand and she rushed to the closest public bath.
“Are you serious?” Izana raised his eyebrows at you.
“The plan is simple pretty boy. We have Peach distract our target while we rob him of all his or hers possessions.” You offer them a sweet fake smile before turning around and making your way to the main street.
“Hey wait…” Izana grabbed your wrist and pulled you back to the alleyway. “I can’t go there…” He spoke up.
“Oh you don’t have to…” You smirked at him. “Wait until Peach comes back and I’ll meet you back here.” You winked placing a backpack in his hands and leaving the four men behind.
You heard rumors of the rich people looking for the thrill of the sex life that you can find in the underground only. Not that you blame them. The sex up here is vanilla only and in many cases just to make an heir and not for pleasure.
By the time you finished you had three men excited to meet with Peach and you set up the appointments in the same day. On your way back you noticed a man sitting at the bench reading newspaper. It was nothing unusual really and in most cases you wouldn’t even mind him but what was on the front page was to interesting to ignore. So when he sets down the overly expensive paper with words for the underground you snatch it without him even noticing.
On the front page was Izana’s picture and the title written I bold said ‘The prince still missing’. You were right. He wasn’t from the underground. You confirmed the same fact when you saw him looking away from Peach as she was changing with blush on his face.
Down there people fuck in the main streets without a care in the world. So someone like Kakucho and the Haitani brothers are not bothered by the sight of a naked woman.
“Your majesty.” You bowed mockingly before the tan man whose eyes widened.
“Wha-…”
“Oh come on little prince, did you really think I wouldn’t find out?” You showed off the paper to him peaking the interests of the other four partners in crime with you.
“Don’t call me that…” He glared at you.
"Oh come on little prince, what made you run away from home? Did mommy and daddy make you angry?” You mocked.
Izana clenched the palms of his hands into fists. “Shut the fuck up.” If looks could kill you would be dead.
Raising your hands up as a sigh of surrender you smirked. “Calm down little prince. I won’t go into your little temper tantrum but the nickname stays.” Your grin only grew wider. “Sugar plum, you ready?” You question the young woman and she nods as she secures a cloak on her shoulders covering a revealing outfit. “Then let us be on our way.” You shove the paper in the backpack and make your way to the first building.
“Second floor, third door to the left.” You say to Peach before she walks inside. “As for us…” You walk to the side of the building looking for a way up. You climbed the wall making it to the roof using the pipes and edges of the building. The Haitani’s and Kakucho followed you without a hitch but Izana was struggling. “Come on little prince…” You offered him your hand and he scoffed managing to get on top without your help.
The five of you managed to pick up all the valuables of the high end men while Peach was distracting them and earning herself a handsome pocket money. If you want to go unnoticed you have to sell it immediately before those men notice anything was missing.
“I can’t be sure if they are not stolen.” The man was complaining about the goods with a scowl on his face.
“Oh come on handsome.” You leaned on the counter exposing your cleavage to him. “If they really were stolen I bet you would hear about a huge heist by now wouldn’t you?”
“How do I know you didn’t steal it right now?” He was struggling to maintain eye contact with you.
Peach sighed exposing her cleavage as well. “Come on mister. I’m an honest working lady. These are just the gifts I was given by my clients over the course of couple of months since I pleased them so well.” She seductively touched his hand.
A siren that was what Peach was. Seducing anyone she wanted with a simple touch and her voice. It didn’t work on you because you knew her origin and you were ready to repel her attempts of seducing you.
The man offered you a bigger sum of what the things brought in were worth. Separating the loot in ten pouches you took two for Peach and yourself since Peach got another three for the gentlemen and placing the remaining eight into Izana’s hands.
“It was a pleasure doing business with you, little prince.” You wink at the pale haired male before you walked off towards the alley where the way down was.
About few weeks later you came face to face with the big man himself. He made a name for himself in such a short amount of time that you were impressed to say the least. His purple eyes were scanning the scenery as you stared at him from above.
Due to an earthquake few decades ago a whole opened up in the earth. No upper city citizens noticed it which was the only reason why a tree grew there. A big tree was your safe space and not many people knew of it. Only the leaders of clans because the meetings were held here, no fighting allowed.
“There you are!” He looked up to find you staring down on him from the big tree.
“You were looking for me, little prince?”
Izana made his way up the tree with ease and he sat down next to you on a platform attached to the thick branch. From the branch above were hanging old blankets and sheets forming a tent of the sort.
“I told you not to call me that.” He sighed.
“But you are a little prince, don’t you know the story?”
Izana’s eyebrows furrowed and he stared at you with confusion clear on his face. “What story?”
You let out a dry laugh. “You upper city folk really don’t appreciate the good peace of literature.” You sighed. “It’s a story about a pilot who crashed in the desert. There he met a boy who he called a little prince. Little prince tells the pilot about his journey and about his planet which is no bigger than a house. On that planet a rose grew, which the little prince adored but due to her demands he left her and went on a journey meeting adults. The adults were the king who requires obedience but has no subjects, the drunkard who drinks so he could forget how ashamed he is for drinking so much and so on... on one of those planets he meets a geographer who tells him about earth and so the little prince decides to visit. He is saddened because he finds out that his rose is not the only one in existence and there he meets a fox. The story ends with little prince who tames the fox and leaves her for his rose.”
“How am I the little prince?” He questions.
“Well, the upper city is your rose and the underground is your fox. You got bored up there so you came down here. You met the fox and you plan to tame her just to leave in the end. Overall nobody would leave a beautiful newly bloomed rose for a dirty old fox.” You smirked as you saw his expression shifting. “You are here just to hurt everybody who puts their trust in you.”
“That’s not it…”
“Oh really?!” You stood up. “What fool would leave the beautiful above ground oasis for this?!” You opened your arms wide.
“I would…” You interrupted him with a laugh.
“You can punch me, you can degrade me and you can say or do all kinds of shit to me but never lie to me.” You stood up from the platform dropping down and landing on your feet face to face with the other clan leaders. “What?”
“Noting…” Mikey smirked at you.
“Say it.” You glared at the short but powerful blond.
“You like him.” His grin grew wider.
“Like hell I do. Let’s get this meeting started shall we?”
Little did you know that usually lazy man you know since dippers was right? He was uncharacteristically smug on the day you and Izana had your little scrabble. How was he right and what proved his statement? Well…
Most likely the fact that literally a few days later when you two had another scrabble, it was you who pulled him by the collar and clashing your lips together. He was attractive and you admitted it to yourself the moment you saw him but now as he was looking down on you like predator would prey you forgot all about your ideal bedroom activities.
“What was that for?” He asked after your kiss ended.
“Nothing…”
“Oh yeah?” He smirked. “I thought you hated me?”
“Shut your mouth and kiss me!” His smirk only grew wider as he pressed another passionate kiss on your lips.
He held onto your waist bringing you closer to his body while you dug your fingers into his hair. The sparks of anger and passion were practically exploding around the two of you. When you pulled away to catch a breath you stared at his deep orchid eyes.
You kissed him once again but this time got to work unbuttoning his shirt and forcing him to take it off. Thanks to the blankets forming a tent on your platform no one could see you. But you were sure they could hear you.
Izana could only smirk into the kiss as your hands were forcing him to hurry up. The moment his torso was bare and pressing against your front he made use of his wandering hands, removing your corset like top. His hands slipped lower grasping your ass like it was a stress ball you would always get for Hihi.
Little whimpers left your mouth making Izana grope you harder. He wanted you laying down with him on top of him. He used one of his legs to throw you off balance, but he still held one of his hands at your lower back and the other was holding your neck.
He saw you use the similar trick. Yes, you were strong that much was obvious to the young prince but you still had many tricks up your sleeve not to hurt the person getting in your way but to humiliate them.
You once said that human or not human everybody has pride, and when you break that pride you break that person with it. He was on the receiving line of your humiliation tactics but now that he was using it on you, he could see a hint of a blush on your face.
“Nobody crosses me little prince…” You warned him.
“Is that why you never had a good fuck?” His grin grew wider.
“Who said that?” He was now holding his entire weight on his hands next to your head.
Izana let out a dry laugh. “I did…” He lowered his body down brushing his lips against yours. Barely touching.
He made quick work of removing what was left of your clothes and proceeded to place kisses all over your nude frame. He started from your lips going down your neck thought the valley in between your breasts over your stomach until he was face to face with your glistening cunt.
Izana looked up at you and you had to admit he looked good. So smug and proud of his capability to please you. However, you didn’t believe he was good, he was from the upper city and just a few weeks down here couldn’t have made him a master at pleasuring another person.
You were proved wrong the moment his mouth was on your cunt. He used his tongue like a master, swirling it around the sensitive bundle of nerves. The thing is the only way you would orgasm orally was when a woman would do it, because woman knows best after all and a man was never able to make you cum just with his tongue but Izana.
It was like he knew what you wanted and needed without you you telling him; he was good to the point where you would struggle to keep your sounds to yourself. Like he knew you were close to reaching your release he moved away. His lips glistened with your juices as they turned into a grin.
“You fuck… ah…” He surprised you with his middle and ring finger invading your entrance.
He wiggled his two fingers inside you giving you the vibration like effect as the heel of his palm pressed and rubbed your clit. “Oh fuck…” You held your hand over your mouth to keep all the sounds to yourself but it was proved useless because he could hear every single sound or see every whimper you made.
Before you reached your release once again, he moved his arms away from you and before you had a chance to cuss him out his lips were on yours again. You could feel him moving around on top of you, which made you assume he was getting rid of his pants and underwear.
Your assumption was proven correct because you felt something warm pressing against your slit. Izana smirked into your lips and you moaned at the sudden penetration. He was much bigger than what you anticipated. Much bigger than what you felt before and it was getting difficult to supress any sounds from leaving your mouth. Just then you gave up.
"Fuck... s-so big... shit..." Your eyes rolled all the way into the back of your head.
"Yeah?" He sighed. "Not so... Damn it... talkative anymore ay?"
His slow and steady thrusts allowed you to get used to his size but the moment you did and your moans became louder his went at it faster. Raming his full lenght into you like you were his own personal fuck toy and you hated to admit that you loved it.
He was hitting all the right spots sending you shocks of pleasure you have never felt before. Izana Kurokawa was shaking you to your core and you were loving it? Just who was this man? Was he really from the stuck up city up above? Was he really one of them?
His stare sudenly turned from a smug to a condescending one. His hand wrapped your throat. His middle finger and thumb pressed the two veins on the side of your throat making the corners of your vision fog up.
"Is this the dominant person who made Rin beg?" He let out a dry laugh. "Pathetic..."
His degrading tone made you clench around his lenght but it also made you want to prove it to him that you were no bottom.
And so you did....
Using your thighs you took him by suprise flipping the both of you. Izana was now on his back looking up at your slightly raging figure.
"Now, now little prince... don't underestimate me." You smirked.
You proceeded to move your hips in a up and down motion taking over all of the control he thought he had. But alas he wasn't the type to give up easily.
Izana grabbed you by the throat making you go still from the action and continued to slap his hips up into your cunt.
"Oh fuck..." You groaned.
"You're fucking clenching like a bitch in heat." He grined. "Come for me... Come on my fucking cock... ugh."
If you thought his pace was fast before you were a fool to think he can't go faster. He was yet again hitting that one spot within you which was your ultimate downfall.
You squirted all over his pelvis and abdomen and he followed soon after you spilling his seed over your stomach. The two of you panted and you collapsed onto him laying your head on his chest.
"That was..." You let out an airy laugh. "Something..." You raise your head to look at his face.
His face was coated with a layer of sweat and he raised just enoguh to lean back on his arms. Smirk was still evident on his face. "You got that right...." He winked at you.
You attempted to get up but he pulled you back to his chest. "You know... I always thougth foxes were cooler that flowers." He sends you another wink before laying back down.
I thought I would manage to write The Art of War part 9 by the end of today but so it seems that I won’t be able to finish it in a short while.
I’m being swarmed with tests and all that high school bullshit so I have to take a small step back from tumblr. This break will last for about a week or so until I finish everything and I will do my best to post part 9 and 10 as soon as possible.
I apologize for making you wait a whole week for an update that won’t be posted in the end but I'm afraid I can’t do anything about it.
Thank you for reading and hopefully understanding. I will see you soon!
Note: I apologize for the late update but my laptop decided to be a bitch and crash on me. But never mind that here it is and I will see you next week.
Pairing: Izana Kurokawa x female reader
Disclamer: This story is meant for the mature audience only. It contains some heavy teams like abuse, killing, aggression, consuming alcohol and cigarettes, swearing as well as sex. It is a bit of a slow burn regarding the smut but you still shouldn’t read it if you are under 18. Because I can’t stop the minors from reading please do not repeat any acts mentioned in the story and please practice safe sex as well as trying to keep your body healthy since it is still growing and it needs all the nutrients it can get.
Main Masterlist
The Art of War Masterlist
“Is that how you treat your savior Kanin?”
Izana snaps his head towards you. He stared you for a good minute before straitening his posture. “Get out.” He said to Kakucho who left in a hurry.
You leaned onto the wooden table ushering Rainha to leave you with Izana. The white serpent bowed her head and left. You turned your attention back to the white haired male. He swallowed a lump stuck in his throat.
“Are you real?” He stepped closer to you barely leaving any space in between you two.
“Perhaps I’m just a fragment of your imagination.” You smirked slightly at him before grabbing a hold of his hand. With other hand you cupped his cheek. “Am I?”
Before you could utter another word his lips were on yours. He held you closely as if you were going to disappear right from his arms if he didn’t. You wrapped one of your arms around his neck and the other you placed on his chest to feel his rapid heartbeat. This was no dream and you thanked the gods for it.
As you pulled away you held his face. “Are you real?” You question and his face contorts as if he was in pain before he pressed his lips against yours once again.
His hands found themselves at the back of your thighs picking you up and sitting you on the make shift table. He positioned himself in between your spread legs while not moving his lips away from yours.
It took him full five or so minutes to satisfy his need for you. He was desperate for the touch he only hand nightmares about for the past five years he hadn’t seen you. Until he finally separated form you with heavy breaths leaving his lips.
“Do you have any idea what you did to me? What you did to us?” He glared at you. There was fury in his beautiful eyes.
“Izana…” You sighed but were interrupted by the man himself.
“You just left, there was no anger no sadness nothing on your face…” It was your turn to interrupt him.
“I never show my emotions and you know that, it has always been like that.” You furrowed your eyebrows at him.
“You showed them to me.”
“Because you caught me off guard.” You regretted the words you spoke the moment they left your mouth.
He raised his eyebrow at you. “You left me. Do you have any idea how much that hurt?”
“And you think I wasn’t hurting?” You stood on both your legs. The pain in your abdomen made you steady yourself with the table. “I was so fucking alone and I wish I could have done something, anything to go back. They watched me around the clock, I couldn’t send a bloody letter.” You clenched your jaw. “It wasn’t any different there than back home, fuck it was worse. In their eyes I was a power hungry whore who seduced an old man, their children were tormenting me, fuck they were mostly older than me. I was younger than children of a man I was supposed to pleasure.”
“Did you?” He glared at you.
Before he knew or even realized his words your hand had already hit his cheek. So hard in fact that his whole head turned to the side and there was an imprint of your hand on his cheek. He swallowed a lump in his throat.
“He tried to force himself on me. He paid no attention to me for a full year until he saw that I wasn’t terrified of snakes. He had some sick fantasy of having sex while surrounded with venomous serpents; do you have any idea how that feels?” You were finally speaking his mind in front of him; you weren’t the cold first princess he knew five years ago. “No amount of scrubbing will erase it; the feeling of his lips, tongue and filthy hands on my skin. I feel so fucking disgusted with myself because I couldn’t do shit.” Your shaking dominant hand caught Izana’s eye. “All I was allowed to do to keep my head attached to my shoulders was laying still and let him.”
The young man from Vuur held your shaking hand. He swallowed a lump forming in his throat before pressing a kiss on your knuckles. He then placed his free hand on the side of your neck gently rubbing his thumb against your jaw.
“You don’t seem to mind my hands on you.” He stepped closer to you staring at you in the eyes. “The king sits on his throne, he doesn’t dirty his hands, his blade was never stained with blood and if anything he might as well be the cleanest person in the whole country.”
His other hand wrapped around your waist, his action making you hiss in pain as he grazed your wounded abdomen. He stiffened at the sound you let out before forcing himself to be gentler with you; treating you as if you were made of glass.
“Do you know how much dirt is on my hands, how many lives my blade has taken, how filthy I am?” His look was intense so much so you didn’t dare to speak. “Were you disgusted by his hands because he was an old man?”
“You fool.” You spoke up. “I was disgusted by his hands because they weren’t yours. I was nauseous every time his lips were on my skin because they weren’t yours. I would scrub my skin every night because I didn’t want anyone touching me like that, no one but you. And you glare at me like I wanted all of this!”
Your words left him stunned. “You should stop touching me.” You spoke up making him furrow his eyebrows at you. “I’m not clean anymore, I still feel his hands on me in my nightmares, I…”
You stayed interrupted by his lips pressing against yours. “And you call me a fool.” He pressed his forehead against yours closing his eyes. “I don’t care for you because you never touched a man before. I care for you because you’re brave…” He pressed a peck on your nose. “Because you are smart…” He pressed another kiss on your forehead. “Because you are selfless… most of the time…” He smirked at you. “You weren’t supposed to save my life, in fact you should have let me get killed.”
You furrowed your eyebrows at him.
“I know everything princess.” He stared at your eyes. “You started a rebellion with all of the noble children, with a goal of making Thymos a place for both people of blue blood and the commoners. You wanted to create a world without wars, without slaves, without pain and suffering. And to reach that goal you needed to get rid of your father before he chose a crown prince. My death would have been a perfect opportunity to show how ruthless and untruthful the king really was. But instead you kept me alive, risking your dreams in the process.”
He was in fact correct. You weren’t supposed to save Izana that day. You were supposed to let it happen, spread the rumor and like you said yourself. With enough unfaithful people even a god can be taken down.
“Will you tell me why you did it or not?” He questioned. “You’re no longer a princess but my subordinate.” He smirked down at you.
Was he looking down on you because you were a woman? You raised an eyebrow at him. You wrapped your hands around his neck pretending that you were going to kiss him before sliding your leg in between his and hooking it behind his knee. You pulled making him lose his balance and almost fall to the ground. He would fall on his back side if you weren’t holding him up.
“That is exactly why you should watch how you talk to me.” You smirked down on him and he swallowed yet another lump forming in his throat. “I’m no longer a helpless little princess who needs your protection.” You winked before pulling him up.
“That was nothing but a dirty trick.” He complained.
“Was it now?” You grinned at him. “I’m an almost fallen solider am I not? It’s impossible for us to have a fair fight.”
Izana shook his head slightly before he pressed his lips onto yours. “I missed you.” He nuzzled into your neck holding you close.
“I missed you too.” You enveloped him into your embrace. “However I really want to see everyone as well.” You added and he nodded into your neck.
“You have no idea how much we suffered after hearing news of your death.” He cupped your cheek. “Shin lost it, Taiju started a war as you see for yourself, Emma didn’t leave her bedroom for weeks and even after that she would occasionally make an appearance for a short periods of time, Mikey was pissed as all hell, and so many people shed tears for you. I didn’t even know you were that influential…”
“Not that you could know, based on what you saw.”
“Yeah… I suppose you will explain everything how you came to be dead and alive when we are grouped up?” He questioned.
“You are not wrong. Now help me get to Taiju.”
“Yes your majesty.” He mocked you as he offered you his hand to walk you to the biggest tent in the camp.
As you reached the tent you could practically see Taiju’s shadow moving back and forth frantically. “We did well Taiju.” You could hear Kokonoi’s voice reassuring your younger brother. You stopped Izana from moving just outside the tent to hear their conversation before you decided to make your appearance.
“I know.” He sighed. “But that kid got hurt badly. If he dies we lose one of your biggest advantages.” Was he worried for you? “What about Inui? How is he holding up?” He questioned.
Could it be that he knew?
“He got hurt slightly but nothing life threatening, I can only thank gods for that.” Kokonoi sighed.
“That is good. I would not want my most capable advisor out of commission.” You could practically see him smirking.
“Yeah, yeah you are so funny.” Koko was definitely rolling his eyes.
To you it was no secret that Kokonoi had a certain type of interest in his bodyguard. You noticed him secretly eyeing him from the corner of his cat like eyes. When you managed to pull him away from the crowd of overly proud nobles you questioned his interest.
Kokonoi’s eyes widened in fear, it was nothing but a taboo to be interested in the same gender amongst the noble ranks. Many nobles still slept behind the backs of their spouses and same sex encounters were far more common than some would think. Or that was what you knew and Kokonoi didn’t.
He couldn’t threaten you since you were the first born child of a king, he couldn’t buy your silence since you had far more than he did and he couldn’t deny it because the royalty is never in the wrong even if they are. So he resorted to one last thing. Begging… and as he was about to fall to his knees you placed your gloved hand on his shoulder and said the most comforting words he would hope to hear.
“That is completely alright. You cannot help who you fall in love with. But for your sake I recommend you not to secretly glance at him so frequently. Your father will get suspicious and well I suppose you know what happens then?”
You gave him advice every time he needed it. Your words were always kind with no judgment behind them whatsoever. There was no woman he trusted more than you, not his own mother. And the only person he trusted more than you would be Inui himself.
Taiju sighed. “This would be easier if she was here.”
You eyed Izana who was patiently waiting for your sign to move. You nodded and Izana cleared his throat before he moved the fabric at the entrance aside. “There is someone who wants to see you, your majesty.” He kept a polite tone.
Taiju noticed someone holding onto Izana and his eyebrows furrowed. He nodded at him and when the white haired man entered the tent with you by his side Taiju thought he was hallucinating.
Your dominant hand started shaking. “Long time no see Tai…”
Your little brother clenched his jaw and fists as he straightened his back and made a few steps towards you, which seamed dreadfully long to you. He just stared at you making you feel uneasy.
“For fuck sake say something.” You became more anxious by the second. “I know you must be mad as all hell but…”
Taiju wrapped his hands around your waist pulling you into an embrace and shocking you enough to make you stop talking. You in return wrapped your arms around his neck and you could feel his shoulders shaking under your touch. He buried his head into the crook of your neck and you swore you could feel something wet on your skin.
You didn’t know how long you stayed like that; it could have been a couple of seconds or a full hour. By the time he pulled away his eyes were glossy and red, his lips were dry and chapped and his nose felt stuffy and he had a need to blow it.
He felt pathetic for crying while hugging his big sister but he couldn’t help it. He didn’t know how to feel. Was he angry because you were alive all this time and didn’t come back? Was he relieved that you are alive and safe contrary to his belief? Or was he perhaps happy that you were here right next to him to offer him guidance when needed.
“How…?” His raspy voice caught him off guard for a slight second before he cleared his throat wording his thoughts. “How are you alive?”
You yourself had to dry your damp cheeks before you spoke. “That is a quite the long story.” You cleared your throat. “But before that I want to know how are Hakkai and Yuzuha doing?”
“Yuzuha was angry that I didn’t let her participate in a war but she is safe and sound I made sure of it. Hakkai however… that little shit…” He sighed and shut his eyes while massaging his temples.
You eyed Kokonoi from the corner of your eye noticing him still standing frozen in place. He most likely couldn’t move due to shock. You motioned him to come to you and he did, wrapping his shaking arms around your shoulders. You patted him on the back in order to calm down his racing thoughts and shaking body.
“Koko, if you keep your hands on my sister any longer Inui will kill me for cutting them off.” Taiju commented. Good thing he didn’t know about your little make out session with Izana in his tent.
“Shut your mouth.” You giggled at Kokonoi’s bravery to speak like that to a prince, however considering that the very same prince he told to shut up was Taiju Shiba was even more concerning.
Before Taiju had a chance to say something back you raised your hand making him shut his mouth instantly. “You okay big guy?” You patted his back.
“Big guy? I could eat him for breakfast!” Taiju furrowed his eyebrows at you.
You and Koko giggled after your little brother’s statement deciding not to explain your inside joke. When Koko finally removed his hands off you, you turned your attention back to your little brother.
He sighed once again before opening his mouth with a ready explanation. “Hakkai wanted to join the war ever since I announced it. I wanted…” He clenched his jaw. “I wanted to keep both of them safe; away from war, away from bloodshed and away from harm. But no he wanted to join the war so badly we fought about it too many times to count.” He sighed and leaned on the edge of the table while crossing his arms over his chest.
“I ended up telling him that he can’t join my forces because he is not even an adult yet. It worked, he stopped fighting with me about it but when he came of age he said that now I had no excuses to keep him away from the battlefield.”
“Let me guess, you said no again and he joined behind your back?” You question.
“Yes. He was with Shinichiro. I didn’t even know because the bastard didn’t tell me anything. I saw him during our last meeting with all the higher ups. I tried to convince him to come with me but it’s like he saw right through me.”
“You would make him do non-dangerous jobs?” You guessed once again.
“Of course I fucking would. If he gets hurt or even worse dies… I don’t know what I would have done… no man would be left alive.” He furrowed his eyebrows and you saw a vein that usually pops out on his forehead when he is frustrated or angry.
“I have to agree with you.” You sighed. “But no matter what you say I won’t be stepping back from the battle.” You said with determination clear on your face.
“(Y/N)…” Taiju sighed.
“You saw what I can do…” He interrupted you.
“No fucking way am I risking your life! We lost you once not again. Not ever again….” You interrupted him with a loud whistle summoning the nearby snakes who made a protective circle around you glaring at the men in the tent.
“I’m not weak.” You stepped closer to him facing him head on. “Without me you lose an advantage and if you are ready to risk victory you my dear little brother are not ready for the battlefield.”
“I-“ He stayed interrupted by you.
“You heard me.” You grabbed a hold of your two curved bladed pointing one of them at his throat. “I’ll kill all of them; every last one who thought it was smart to think so little of me. And when I’m done with Sem Coração I will kill every single concubine and every single bastard child that son of a bitch created.” You lowered your blade. “They must pay!”
There was fire in your eyes that made Taiju clench his jaw and fists. You were no longer just a wise and respected princess among the young noble ladies. You were no longer the polite and strict big sister he remembered form his childhood. And you were no longer someone who needed to be protected.
Taiju shook his head in frustration. He knew better than to cross you now. “Fine…” He sighed. “But I have conditions.” He added the moment he saw relief on your face. “You get hurt again I’m leaving you in some village where you will wait for the war to be over…” Before you had a chance to complain he pressed his palm over your mouth. “I’m not done yet. Besides it is unsightly for a princess a first princess in fact to behave this way.” He mimicked the tone you used to discipline him.
You rolled your eyes at him before removing his hand. “Don’t give me fucking lectures.” You warned him. “I’m the oldest Shiba not you.”
You could see his face twitch in frustration. “And where were you hiding pretty…?” You question as you notice a familiar purple snake slithering towards you.
You offered her your hand to get herself comfortable on your shoulders and that she did. Zana nuzzled her small head into your cheek. “Where is mama…?” You could hear her low whisper. “Can’t find her…” She whispered again.
You noticed Zana was a bit of a sloth, she didn’t like moving or leaving your side unless she needed to protect you. Rainha even mentioned how her children represent the sins. Something one of the gods among the many that existed considered so outrageous that he had to warn his believers about it. That very same god was behind the form they had now.
You started whistling a specific tune that only Rainha would respond to and soon after you saw a familiar white skinned serpent slithering her way into the tent and up your leg. The two serpents nuzzled against each other on your shoulders.
“So what’s the plan?” You questioned.
Taiju sighed before turning to the make shift desk with almost the same amount of paperwork you used to have as a queen stand in. “Other squads will be coming to our location within a few hours or so. And then we will do what we have been waiting for all this time.” He spoke as he was looking over crumbled pieces of parchment.
“And that is?”
“Killing a peace of shit that killed you.” Izana spoke up.
“And we still don’t know the exact details, what really happened three years ago?” Taiju turned your attention back to you.
You sigh. “I will keep it brief, the late king tried to force himself on me…” You swallowed a lump forming in your throat. “And Zana protected me, together with every single snake that was in the room.” You eyed your purple companion. “Long story short, he was killed and devoured by the snakes and I tried to run away. His first born son chased after me and I escaped into the jungle.”
“Why did he say he killed you then?” Kokonoi questioned.
“I don’t know. I suppose that he didn’t think I would survive the night there.” You sighed. “I probably wouldn’t survive if it weren’t for Senju and Takeomi. Then I became a part of their small village, I connected with Rainha and she trained me and here we are now.”
“When the rest of the squads come here we will discuss the details about the next course of action. Also… if I’m not mistaken you are still hurt and need rest.” Taiju had a strict look in his eye.
“Yes sir.” You said in a mocking tone.
Taiju rolled his eyes as he pulled you into an embrace. He missed you far more than he would like to admit and he hated the idea that you need to be separated from him. But he knew you needed rest and you will not get that if he were to be next to you.
As you turned to leave Izana offered you his hand to use to ease the pressure on your wounds. When the two of you leave Kokonoi turns to Taiju.
“He loves her.”
“What?!” Taiju glared at his advisor.
“Don’t tell me you didn’t see that? The way he looks at her. Even the way she looks at him….” He started to explain but was interrupted by the third prince.
“Don’t talk bullshit. Before she left he knew her for barely few months. And even then they met only at parties, after he left the palace and settled down in the Sano estate. The total time they spent together would be tree full days at most.” Taiju clenched his fist.
“And you don’t listen yet again.” Kokonoi glared back at the man he served. “She saved him, she gave him life, and she is like a god to him. No one is indifferent to their savior. Fuck Inui saved my life so many times and I love him more than anything else...” Taiju interrupted him.
“You grew up together…” Now it was Kokonoi’s turn to interrupt.
“Just listen to me for a minute. She woke up and she came to him first. Even if she didn’t he came to her, because they came to us together. Now use your fucking brain for anything else but battle strategy. He thought his savior died, he thought he couldn’t return the favor even if he didn’t love her. Izana Kurokawa was in debt and he had no chance to repay it directly. Now he realizes she is alive, can you imagine the relief he felt?”
Taiju stayed quiet.
“Listen, your big sister loves all three of you, so much so she only talks about your accomplishments and compliments you so much so most of us were sick of it…” Kokonoi go interrupted once again.
“And you think I will believe that shit?”
“Are you fucking serious? She only talks about you thee every time we have the chance during a party or a gathering. She asks about our health and happenings in our life first and then she praises you until we ask her another question to shut her up. Trust me if anyone is proud of their siblings it would be (Y/N) Shiba.”
Taiju sighed as if he was annoyed by Kokonoi’s words but in truth something swells up in his heart. He felt warm and even happy that you didn’t think of him as a failure even when he didn’t treat any of you the way his siblings were supposed to be treated.
“My point is that she will always love you no matter what and even when she settles down with someone she loves she will still come to you when you need her.” He continued his thought. “And if that man happens to be Izana now he will have a reason not to slaughter us all.” Kokonoi sighed.
“What?”
“If you think about it he has all the means to do it as well as reason. His home was destroyed by our king. He lost everything, for fuck sake he watched his people being slaughtered as he fought for survival in that disgusting arena.”
“He doesn’t seem to be vengeful.” Taiju commented. “I mean he followed every fucking order I gave him, he did everything he had to and more, he serves the army that killed his people. Why would he do that if he wants to slaughter us all?”
“That is a good question, and then I will have to remind you that your sister saved him and he is indebted to her. I suppose he saw serving you as a way to repay that debt. Or he planned keeping you alive because you are her brother. Izana is here because he wanted to avenge his savior, it is a perfect place to build relationships and…” Kokonoi stayed interrupted by Taiju.
“He did have many possibilities. I gave him a squad as small as it is it is something. In the worst case scenario he could convince the people of Sem Coração to join him in his vengeance. Thymos destroyed Vuur and Sem Coração it wouldn’t be strange for them to seek revenge.”
“I see you’re finally using that huge brain of yours.” Kokonoi mocked him.
“I was distracted…”
“Sure you were…” Kokonoi smirked at the tall man whose brow twitched at his mockery.
“I was.” He glared at his advisor. “The bottom line is that I understand what you’re trying to say but I still won’t accept that bullshit talk about them being in love.”
“You might not accept it but I bet they’re fucking right now and there is nothing you can do about it.”
The fury on Taiju’s face was enveloped in fury as the words left Kokonoi’s mouth.
“I will fucking kill you.”
“I would like to see you try. With (Y/N) here I have the freedom to make fun of you.”
“You think she will protect you?” Taiju raised his brow at the dark haired male.
“In a way, she always shuts you down when you talk bullshit or act like an asshole. You have to listen to your big sister don’t you?” Kokonoi’s mockery made Taiju attempt to control his urge to punch him.
“Go check on your boyfriend you fuck.” He nudged Kokonoi towards the exit.
“Yeah, yeah… I will see you shortly.”
The dark haired male left the second oldest Shiba by himself in the tent with his thoughts. Taiju didn’t know why you having a lover bothered him so much. Now that he was looking at the clear picture he had trouble accepting Izana as someone you cared about.
He saw the men you captured and they were beaten and broken beyond repair. Izana Kurokawa was a ruthless man who mostly used all the men following him for his own benefit. It wouldn’t surprise him if in the end Izana chose to slaughter every single person in Thymos.
The third prince understood Izana’s intent and need for revenge. He only hoped that his family that he cared about would be spared.
Note: I was thinking with ending this on a really bad cliffhanger, I’m talking major one. But I was nice, it is still a cliffhanger but trust me it would have beeen much worse. I felt bad considering that I’m failing miserably of posting this once a week. So uh… See you next week don’t hate me too much please?
Pairing: Izana Kurokawa x female reader
Disclamer: This story is meant for the mature audience only. It contains some heavy teams like abuse, killing, aggression, consuming alcohol and cigarettes, swearing as well as sex. It is a bit of a slow burn regarding the smut but you still shouldn’t read it if you are under 18. Because I can’t stop the minors from reading please do not repeat any acts mentioned in the story and please practice safe sex as well as trying to keep your body healthy since it is still growing and it needs all the nutrients it can get.
Main Masterlist
The Art of War Masterlist
A full month has passed since you joined Izana’s squad, a full month of taking out enemy forces. Sometimes you did it by yourself, sometimes you did it with the other nine village warriors and sometimes the whole squad was included.
You noticed Izana was stressed to the point of being unable to sleep. The little serpent you sent in his tent to keep an eye on him and by what it said he wasn’t doing so well. You had a hunch that it was because of you and you honestly thought about revealing yourself to him but you had to be in battle to show him that you are not helpless little princess he once knew.
As if you jinxed it your camp was attacked during your night watch. You were sat on a tree looking over the tents and the outside of it. You noticed shadows moving in the bushes and it made you lean forward to get a better look at the intruders.
It was Sem Coração knights hoping to take a small squad without many people in their sleep. But before any of them managed to make a single step in the camp they were stopped by many poisonous snakes. You wouldn’t say they looked startled but surprised to see snakes protecting the humans.
You dropped down from the tree pointing one of your curved blades at the knights. “Where do you think you’re going?”
You could hear a laugh leave one of the knight’s lips. “Get out of the way kid before you get hurt.” He mocked.
“I would say the same for you but if I let you go now you will just come back like pests you are.” You took your second blade out of your waistband and positioning yourself in a fight stance.
The knights laughed before running towards you. You weren’t frightened in the slightest but it was true that you were outnumbered and could use back up. However you will prove to Izana that you are capable and that you don’t need protection. You had to do it before revealing yourself.
And so you fought. Using your curved blades you sliced through the flesh of enemy knights. For someone watching on the sidelines your movements looked like an elegant dance but alas it was a secret martial art taught to you by none other than the ancient beast herself.
You moved like you were one of them, one with the snakes. A beasts misunderstood by your own kin and beasts that like you fight for survival. You may have limbs and you stand upwards but no one will understand the cold blooded serpents better than you. You may not have fangs and poison but you do have swords and the will.
The men were falling injured unable to move on the ground. Your slithering counterparts were begging you to allow them to help you but you stood silent, not answering to their pleading whispers. You had the men on the ground shortly and efficiently barely working up a sweat. The men were bleeding out and whimpering on the cold jungle ground some were even begging to be finished off.
“Not so bad for a kid?” You questioned the men and they said nothing in return. “Wake up!” You raised your tone making a few of the knights under Izana’s command stumble in your direction in their sleep wear. “You really are incompetent. Sleeping through all that ruckus.”
“I was enjoying the show.” You looked at Izana’s second in command.
A young but skilled knight that over the course of the past month you noticed to be fairly close to the archduke’s adopted son. Hitto Kakucho wasn’t popular among the people in Thymos, mostly because of the dual colored eyes and the scar he had on his face. You found it ridiculous, the fear people held for the scarred man. Their gossip and disgusted looks were the perfect recipe for creating a monster.
“That’s a unique way to fight. Where did you learn it?” There was a mocking tone in his voice not that you minded.
As if she was summoned Rainha slithered from underneath your clothing to see what the fuss was about. “She taught me.” You showed off the snow white serpent to the right hand man of your captain. Kakucho was impressed the say the least.
“Tie them up, we’ll be questioning them.” Izana spoke up. You didn’t even notice him come to your side. “We’ll need your snakes, is that okay?” He always made an effort to get both yours and the consent of the snakes when he needed them specifically. You gave him a nod and followed him into his tent were now fully awake knights brought the enemy forces.
“Now you will tell me some useful information on your own accord or I will torture it out of you. Your choice…” Izana was intimidating to the point where he could make you shiver. He changed and you were painfully aware of it.
“I would rather die.” One of the men opened his mouth widely before he attempted to bite his tongue off. He should have been quicker; there is a reason why you command all the living snakes. You held his jaw firmly not allowing him to bite his tongue off. You need some heavy will power to harm yourself and luckily for you it was only that man and the leader that had the guts and the spirit to do so.
“Check their mouths, they might have poison hidden in there.” You remembered such strategy from a book you liked to read back in the palace.
The story was about a king sending his most trusted knights into neighboring kingdom he wanted to take over. The main character of the novel came up with the idea of placing poison filled small capsules in their mouths to save them from torturing if they were ever discovered. He was discovered by the duke’s daughter when she kissed him and he ended up being tortured to death. Lovely…
“None.” One of the knights spoke up.
You felt around the throat of a man whose jaw you were holding open but alas no poison. “Is it a priority for him to stay alive and talking or no?” You turned your attention to Izana.
“How are you going to do that?” He questioned.
You let out a low whistle and a couple of snakes made their way inside the tent. Zana will be shedding her skin fairly soon so if she gets bitten it will not hurt mostly because of the ancient beast heritage and thick skin she got from her father.
You felt familiar weight on your shoulders and you looked at the slithering creature finding the orchid cobra herself nuzzling her head into your neck. “You see her?” You turned your attention to the man. “She will be in your mouth which means you will be able to talk, somewhat. If you try to hurt her or yourself keep in mind that she is the daughter of the ancient beast. And trust me if you don’t want anything to happen to your family or whatever you care about you will be careful.” You brought your masked face closer to his. “We don’t want that now do we?”
The purple serpent made her way into the man’s mouth and wrapping the rest of her scaly body around the man’s neck to serve as a warning in a way. “Keep him in check, okay Zana?” You questioned the snake and she let a low whisper in confirmation. “Anyone else wants a snake in their mouth?” You question and the rest of the men shook their heads in fear. “They are all yours captain.” You stepped back allowing Izana to take over.
He asked the same questions three times before he lost his patience than he started with the punches. But alas no men talked. He looked frustrated and tired and it took everything in you to not reach out to him. Full hour into Izana’s torture the men looked tired and beaten half to death but said nothing.
If only a snake existed that could force them to talk. Unless… it does. “Rain…” You whispered underneath your breath and the white serpent made her way onto your shoulder from underneath your clothes. You questioned her quietly in order not to let the men hear you. Not that they paid attention to you.
“There may be a possibility.” She spoke up. “My children have unique poisons within them. However to get their full potential it needs to be mixed with mine.” She explained.
“What if I mix Zana’s and yours? What happens then?” you asked quietly.
“Zana is the most poisonous among my children. Her poison kills within a second. But that second to the one under the influence lasts far longer than it actually is.” She explained “But when it is mixed with mine it will be painful but without killing. The antidote doesn’t exist. It can be completely erased by my husband but since he is not here and you will need the pain to stop at some point the poison of a saw-scaled viper will do the trick. It will negate the poison but the person will die at the shortest an hour and at the longest three days.”
“Captain?” You called out to Izana who turned to you. There was anger in his eyes and it scared you slightly. “Can we talk for a minute, outside…”
With a frustrated sigh he left the tent and you followed after him. The moment you made if far from the tent he punched the tree making it crack and almost break and fall to the ground. You knew he was strong but so strong to be able to punch a tree like it was a measly peace of parchment.
“What is it?” He questioned.
“I have a way to make them talk.” You spoke up.
“Cobra…” Takeomi made his way to you and Izana. “Details?” He questioned as he offered you a small box filled with cigarettes.
Without a word you grabbed a tobacco to which you became addicted to ever since Takeomi introduced it to you. It had a calming effect on your body and Izana’s little outburst made your dominant hand shake. “We were attacked by the enemy, I subdued them and we are looking for a way to make them talk.” Takeomi adored how objective and clear you could be in a single sentence.
“Ideas?”
“Poison…” You spoke up and Izana furrowed his eyebrows at you.
You pulled your mask away just enough to slip a cigarette in between your lips. And as if Takeomi read your mind he lit up a match allowing you to take a big drag allowing you to relax. Pushing your mask back in place the smoke you let out left through the nose holes of it.
“If I mix Rainha’s poison with Zana’s it will make a specific type of poison.” You took another drag from a cigarette. “It will make their body envelop in pain and until we poison them with a saw-scaled viper it won’t stop.” You exhaled the smoke. “But they will die within an hour at the shortest or three days at the longest.”
Izana stared at you. It was amazing with what you could do. He was glad you were on his side and not on the enemies. The whole Thymos forces would be destroyed within a day if you happened to be by the side of king of Sem Coração. You were the master of an ancient beast. A beast he would only listen about in legends and bed time stories.
“Kakucho!” He raised his tone making the knight stumble from behind a tree.
“Yes captain!”
“Get the fastest horse you can, you will be delivering a message to his majesty the third prince.” He spoke firmly. “We will be regrouping with his forces for a little while.”
“Yes sir.”
~☆~☆~☆~
It took the whole camp about a day and a half to get to the front lines where Taiju was. You were excited to see him to say the least but you knew it was still not the time to reveal yourself. If the men you captured reveal any type of an attack coming at the front lines and if you prove yourself you will think about taking that mask off.
The moment you were face to face with your little brother it took all the willpower you possessed not to rush to him and embrace him. He seemed taller, towering over you with his muscular frame. Not to mention that he matured far beyond the boy you left behind five years ago.
“Izana explain?” He questioned the pale haired man who didn’t seem to feel pressured by the glare of a third prince of Thymos.
“I told you about the new additions in my report.” He spoke up.
“What are you doing here, Izana?” He raised his tone slightly.
“We caught some fuckers and we can get some information out of them.” He spoke calmly.
Taiju sighed. “Just because my sister was found of you and I gave you a position for her sake does not mean you cannot define me.” His polite and threatening tone surprised you. Did he actually grow up mentally and physically?
“Stop bringing her up.” Izana glared at Taiju.
“Let us question the knights you caught.” Just then you noticed Koko standing behind Taiju’s brought shoulders completely hiding him from view.
You eyed Izana who sighed before turning to you. “Your time to shine.” He spoke up.
You nodded and offered them a small bow. You extracted the poison from the two snakes that were attached to your body at every hour of the day. You smelled the concoction noticing it had no smell or color. “This can be mixed with water.” You spoke up.
“What is it?” Taiju questioned you.
“It’s a poison that will make them feel unbearable pain and can only be stopped by the poison of another type of snake but they will die after an hour at the shortest.” You explained.
“Are you sure it will make them talk? How can we trust you?” Koko questions you with a scowl on his face. These five years you haven’t seen him didn’t treat him well that much was evident.
“If you are questioning my loyalty I can assure you that there is no need to waste your energy on such trivial matters.” You spoke up annoyed that you had to justify yourself.
“Oh really…”
“Cobra was a great asset to my troops.” Izana spoke up. “He is far more useful than you think, starting from having control over every single snake in existence and using them for our benefit.” He added.
“What…?” Taiju questioned.
“He can control the ancient beast, the beasts created by the gods themselves and bestowed upon the world to command their own species how they see fit.” He explained. “Isn’t that right?”
You nodded in confirmation.
“Let us see what this poison can do.” Taiju spoke up as he eyed you suspiciously.
You followed after the third prince with poisoned water in hand ready to feed it to the enemy knights. When you were eye to eye with tied men their leader glared at you while the rest gazed in fear. You made sure to gag them with a piece of cloth.
The moment you removed it from the mouth of the leader he spat in Taiju’s direction. “You’re the son of a bitch that dared to attack our kingdom.” He glared.
Taiju was about to step forward but you raised your hand making him stop in his tracks. It was an instinct movement. But he wouldn’t be able to tell that it was you behind the mask. You walked differently, your voice was different and of course his sister couldn’t command the snakes no matter how much she was called the snake princess.
You forced the poisonous water down the man’s throat making him gag and scream out in pain. You put the gag back in its place and turning to the other men. “Ready to talk yet?” The men just glared at you their fear forgotten as if they were mocking you, did you really think it would be that easy?
But alas you shove the poisonous water down their throats as well making them feel the pain Rainha explained to you. They screamed, kicked and begged through their gags as you stared at them. After fifteen minutes or so you let out four short whistles summoning the saw-scaled vipers to your side.
You removed the gag and the man screamed in pain. His nose was bleeding as well as his ears from the sounds and struggle to breathe. “Are you ready to talk yet?” You questioned and the man said nothing just yelled and cussed at you. “You won’t die.” You spoke up. “That poison is from the ancient beast herself. You will feel this pain for the rest of eternity.” The man’s eyes widened even more at your words. He nodded franticly begging you to make it stop and so you did. Because of the pain he didn’t feel the snake bite him as you poured something from your flask which he thought to be an antidote.
“There is an antidote for the ancient beast poison?” He questioned with raspy voice.
“There is antidote for everything.” You spoke up. “Now you will tell me all the plans you had for attacking us or I will poison you again. Keep in mind I have more poison than antidote.” You stared down on him as he sighed.
“Please release my men from the pain and I will tell you everything.”
“That won’t do.” You lowered yourself to be face to face with the man. “You better talk fast if you want them released.” You stepped back allowing Taiju to ask questions.
As predicted the man answered every single question before he suddenly died an hour later. Slumping in his chair he moved, talked or screamed no longer. You ordered the snakes to bite the other men making them stop screaming. And like young children hungry for praise they made their way to you practically begging you to acknowledge their work with their eyes.
You crouched down to be face to face with the slithering creatures and petting their head affectionately. “Good job.” The snakes happily showed off their forked tongues nuzzling their heads into your hand before leaving the tent.
You turned your attention to Taiju who was looking at the ground. He was thinking so hard you could practically see his mind working and thinking of a strategy. “Let us get some rest for the night.” Takeomi offered and Taiju turned his attention to him with furrowed eyebrows. “You can’t lead a war with tired mind.” He clarified. “Cobra you will be a night watch I presume?” He questioned and you only nodded confirming his assumption.
The knights, captains and a general made their way back to their tents and you climbed a tall tree to watch over the camp. With a low whistle snakes positioned themselves all around the camp protecting it. Taking off your mask you let out a sigh of relief.
“Want one?” You flinched at the sound of a voice before you relaxed noticing Takeomi leisurely leaning on a tree trunk next to you with his box off cigarettes. Nodding you take the tobacco from him lighting it and exhaling it. “That was your little brother?” The question rolled off his tongue making you clench your shaking fist.
“Yeah…”
“I didn’t give you the mask to conceal your face you know that…” He said before taking a drag from his cigarette. “I gave you that mask as a sign of respect.”
You stared at the demonic mask in your lap. “I know.”
“Then why won’t you show your little brother that you’re alive? You won’t do it for your friends or for your lover either.” He stared down at you.
“I don’t have a lover.”
“Than what is he to you?”
“Just someone I saved from death once…” You took another drag from your cigarette.
“You named Zana after him didn’t you? The color of her skin is the same as his eye color. You only see him when he is close, you long for what you once had.” He spoke as if he was reading your mind. “I can’t see your face but I still see it.” He turned his head eying the white haired male beneath you two. “So why…”
You didn’t deny his assumptions there was no need to, even if you did you would only waste your breath trying to convince him otherwise. He was the god of war after all, nothing goes past those wise eyes not even a romance story.
“If I reveal myself I would be beheaded…”
“Bullshit…” He called you out. “Your little brother would rather cut both his arms than behead you; I can see it on his face. Let me guess, you were that big sister who gave advice when needed. You would stand behind them no matter what, if they made a mistake you took the blame and you never showed your emotions. You were that big sister anyone could rely on and you destroyed yourself in the process.” He sat down next to you. “I know.”
You turned to face him.
“I know because I was the same. No one could touch my little sister and brother, no one would look at them wrong, and I would never let them take the blame I would never let them get hurt. I took the blade to the face in Senju’s place and I failed to protect the face of my little brother.” He sighed. “That is what I did and will do until my last breath.”
“You are a selfish bastard.” You smirked at him.
“Of course I fucking am….” You interrupted him before he had a chance to continue.
“We are the same. We say we would do anything for our siblings and yet we put them in danger because of our selfish desires.” You look down to notice Taiju talking to Izana outside his tent. “They are everything we have and we would take an arrow to the heart for them. But we are the reason they got in that position, we are the reason they were in that spot where arrow was coming towards them. We both wanted to take down our fathers knocking them down and taking their place. And for what? Because we can do better?” You questioned him and he sighed. “It’s not we would die for them anymore, now it is we will die for them, because that’s the least we can do. My siblings think I was strong but I left them alone.” You clenched your fist.
“You didn’t…”
“I did!” You raised your tone. “I should have fought harder, I should have complained and not just willingly walk into that god forsaken carriage. I should have been there by their sides for the past five years. It was me who should have started a rebellion not leaving it in their hands, because in the end I can’t take the blame anymore. I won’t be able to take the blame and they will die if it fails.” Your hand started shaking harder and the cigarette was used and thrown away.
Takeomi hands you another one and you lit it up. “I will do everything in my power to keep them alive and if even one of the people I care about dies…” You exhaled the smoke. “I’ll set it all ablaze.”
The next day Taiju requested the leaders of a squad and advisors in his tent to form a plan of action with the information he acquired from the enemy forces.
Taiju leaned on the table with a map of Sem Coração. “We are here… and we will be surrounded by their forces which come from here…” He pointed on the map. “We have a little over thousand men in this location. No other camps can get here by the time of the attack especially with the sending word delay.” He sighed. “The Intel we have says we will be attacked by five thousand men but we cannot be completely positive of it. We cannot divide too much because I doubt some of our knights can take five men at once if there are five thousand of them.”
“Some of them can barely take one let alone five.” Izana commented.
“We know their locations from the other knights we caught two days ago, we have to take the element of surprise away from them.” Taiju rubbed his temples in frustration trying to think of a plan to win this seemingly impossible battle.
“We have an ancient beast.” You spoke up. “That will take them by surprise.”
“And you can control it?” He questioned.
You answered with a nod.
“Then this is how we will go about it.”
~☆~☆~☆~
It fucking worked. Taiju had all the men make it seem like the camp was full but alas no man was left behind. And as the enemy forces attacked the camp everybody was up on the tree looking down on the knights rummaging through the tents looking for the people.
As they stood in the camp filled with confusion looking around you dropped down from your hiding place and landing on the ground beneath. Using your pointer and middle finger you let out a loud whistle from beneath your mask calling out to the every single snake that could hear you in the area. You took the curved blades as Rainha dropped on the ground from your arm and growing in size hissing at the terrified knights.
Right after you Izana and Taiju dropped down next to you talking out their swords and after them the village warriors and then the knights.
The battle began, the blood was spilled and the lives were taken. Using your special martial art you fought with your curved swords making the men fall dead. You didn’t bother with the regret of taking lives. This means to be in a war. This is a way to the victory.
This was the art called war.
Strategy, strength and no regrets.
The enemy knights realized you were behind the beast and with much logic they came to a conclusion if you are taken out the beast would be lost. The men made their way to you with no regard for the snakes protecting you and hissing at them.
You fought diligently, you fought harder than ever in your entire life but alas it was too much for you to handle.
“Watch it…” Izana pressed his back against yours right after he stroke down a man attempting to kill you from behind. “Can you even see with that thing on your face?” He raised his voice at you.
“I watch your back you watch mine.” You ignored his question as you took another man down.
“Fuck…” He said under his breath.
“You do not need eyes to see. So close them. Close your eyes child.” Rainha’s voice rang in your head. “Feel the ground beneath you, feel the vibration in it, and feel the things around you. Now fight child. Fight the way I taught you. Fight to live and to survive. This is what it means to be a serpent.”
You closed your eyes taking a deep breath.
“Once you open your eyes you will see clearer, and it will be far easier than with them closed.”
You shot your eyes open realizing that you did not see behind the mask. You used your instinct; you didn’t see Izana’s face or Taiju’s face when you were met with them. You hear their voices and placed the images of them in your head. Taiju seemed grown because his footsteps were heavier and his voice was more mature. You didn’t see Koko until he spoke.
Can you reveal your face? Is it time.
While contemplating your options you noticed Izana was no longer at your side, his back was not pressed against yours and panic caught you off guard and a man launched himself towards you and breaking your mask with his sword almost grazing your eye with the blade.
You opened your eyes glaring at the men in front of you.
You stuck one of your blades in the man’s throat freeing one of your hands to let out yet another loud whistle using your fingers. As if it reached further many more snakes came to your aid taking down the man and devouring them.
You looked around looking for your little brother and Izana but they were nowhere to be seen. In slight panic you looked at the ground and in that moment of distraction you got stabbed by a sword. The snakes by your side including Zana attacked the man killing him instantly.
The unbearable pain spread through your abdomen making you fall to your knees and cough out blood. You pressed your hand to the wound to attempt to stop the bleeding. “Rainha…” You called out to her and she was by your side within a second.
“No holding back. Kill them all, don’t let them hurt my family and friends.” You ordered.
Rainha nodded and left your side to grow in size and devour the men within one bite. Benkei was next to you as soon as he could, holding onto you he pressed his big fist over yours. “Don’t die just yet little lady.” He picked you up carrying you to the side.
He left your side and you didn’t even notice when you lost your conscience. However in one moment you were looking at the battle and Rainha obliterating the enemy forces and in the next everything went dark.
By the time you opened your eyes again you were bandaged up and you heard commotion outside of the tent. It was Kakucho’s voice as far as you could tell and it was Sanzu yelling at him that he can’t see you.
Kakucho managed to push Sanzu off and enter the tent just at the right time when you sat up. His dual colored eyes widened when he saw you. Without a word he rushed out and you were on your feet even if you shouldn’t have been.
You left the tent to see fuming Sanzu standing there about to go after Kakucho but you raised your hand stopping him in his spot. “How are the snakes?” You questioned.
“Better than you dumb bitch…” He glared at you.
Before you had a chance to answer Rainha was by your side tall enough for you to lean on her but not too big to catch too much attention if someone doesn’t pass you by. You followed after Kakucho to Izana’s tent leaving fuming Sanzu behind.
You could hear Kakucho telling Izana how Cobra was not a man but a woman and the words that left Izana’s mouth made you freeze. “Behead her.” He said simply without a care.
“But sir…”
“Behead her!” He yelled sitting up and kicking a chair to the ground.
With Rainha’s help you moved to the tent moving away the covering for entrance and then you saw him. Big bags under his eyes, hair a pure mess falling over his beautiful purple eyes.
“Sir you really need to look at her…”
“What the fuck did I say? Behead her!”
You sighed and opened your mouth to speak. “Is that how you treat your savior Kanin?”
Disclamer: This story is meant for the mature audience only. It contains some heavy teams like abuse, killing, aggression, consuming alcohol and cigarettes, swearing as well as sex. It is a bit of a slow burn regarding the smut but you still shouldn’t read it if you are under 18. Because I can’t stop the minors from reading please do not repeat any acts mentioned in the story and please practice safe sex as well as trying to keep your body healthy since it is still growing and it needs all the nutrients it can get.
Main Masterlist
The Art of War Masterlist
Three years have passed since you started living in the small village in the jungle of the Sem Coração. This would mark the fifth year since you have last contacted or seen any of your friends and family.
You learned how to use two curved swords as well as mastered making sounds to which the snakes in the jungle respond to. You became stronger than you ever were or thought you could be.
The cold water of the rivers waterfall was far more tolerable than when you first stared mediating there under the ancient beast’s instruction. It was even calming in a strange way. The falling water was massaging your solders and back as you listened to the calming sounds around you.
“Child, that would be enough.” You opened your eyes as soon as you heard the voice of the ancient snake beast.
Safely making your way to the bank of the river you bowed before the white snake. “Yes master.” You spoke up.
“I believe it is time.” The snake spoke up and you looked up at her in confusion. “It is time for you to stop calling me your master. You no longer belong to me but the other way around. You’ve proved yourself.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means you will give me a name and I will follow every command you make, my children and every other snake that exist will know that they now belong to you. We will follow you until you die and only your children will be able to hold your power, the power to control and communicate with the snakes.” Her wise voce made you shiver. You finally did it. Now you hold full control over the snakes and finally can kill the king of Thymos.
“I thank you for trusting me.” You bowed once again. “I shall name you Rainha or Rain for short.” You smile at the snake whose intimidatingly large body shrunk to the same size as Zana. She settled around your shoulders right after you put your clothes back on and secured the mask on your face.
Three years ago after you told Takeomi about the ancient beast in the cave he told you, you had to wear a mask so no one in the village would bother you. It was a mask with demonic like face with big mouth filled with sharp looking teeth as well as the big horns on top of the head and pointy big ears on both sides. The nose was big and wide and the expression of the demon seemed to be a mix of anger and confusion. There was a snake on the mask, lower part of the body was fixed in the mouth of the demonic mask and it wrapped itself around its horns showing of its teeth on top of the head.
You made it back to the village shortly where you first found Takeomi patiently waiting for you with a cigarette stuck in his mouth. “How did your meditation go?”
“She is under my control…” You spoke up. Your voice sounded deeper due to a mask covering your face. “Her name is Rainha.” You gestured towards your shoulders showing off a snow colored snake resting there.
Takeomi’s eyes widened and he smirked widely. “That’s perfect. Now we have the advantage.” He seemed genuinely happy.
“Oi!!! Old man! Stop hogging her to yourself.” You noticed a familiar face behind the so called god of war.
The village was led by Senju Kawaragi a girl that was about your youngest brother’s age. Her second in command was her older brother Takeomi Akashi. She also had another older brother who was slightly younger than you and he went by the name of Haruchiyo Sanzu and he seemed to favor you a lot.
His hair was platinum blond and he mentioned something about how he wished to dye it. He mostly covered his face with a mask to hide the two diamond shaped scars in the corners of his lips.
“She is supposed to go on a patrol with me!” He complained.
Takeomi made his way to his little brother smacking the back of his head. “Learn some manners.” He sighed. “(Y/N) go…”
You silently followed after the young man who led you to your usual patrol routs.
“People started entering the jungle.” He spoke up. “Your people...” He looked at you as if he was looking for a reaction hidden by the mask. “What do we do about them?”
“Do you know why they are here?” You question.
“I heard some soldiers talking about a war. They started it because concubine from Thymos was killed.” He stared at you. “Because you were killed...”
You smiled. So Taiju knew how to manipulate your shared father. “Does Takeomi know?”
“Yeah…” Sanzu shoved his hands into his pockets as he leisurely walked.
“We’ll join forces…” You declared.
Sanzu’s eyebrows rose at your statement. “But old man said…”
“He is a god of war… he knows your measly little village can’t win against the royalty. There is no better way than use the other royals.” You said firmly.
“You know him better than I expected.” You could tell he was smirking based on the tone of his voice. “Let’s see if we can get those fuckers on our side… come on their camp is up ahead.” Haruchiyo climbed a tall tree and you followed after him.
Using the branches to lift yourself up and cross the path unnoticed you made your way to the mentioned camp. You saw set up tents and many solders in the clearing of the jungle. You expected them to have many men but this was only one squad. Most likely Shinichiro’s based on the Sano crest on the armors of the knights.
“Familiar?” Haruchiyo whispered in your ear as you stared down at them.
You only nodded as you made your way to the lower branches to hear the conversations the knights held.
“No wonder this is a land of snakes. There is so fucking many of them.” One spoke up.
“No kidding. We can be poisoned in our sleep.”
Towards the back of the camp you noticed a few of them surrounded by snakes calling for help. Not the small ones but the big anacondas who were hissing at the men for invading their home.
As the knights were about to strike the snakes you dropped down from the branch stopping them mid swing. Your chest was bound with bandages for convenience and your clothes didn’t give away your gender. Your mask covered your face and no one would be able to tell that you were once a most respected woman among the young nobles.
“Wha-…” One of the nights flinched stepping back.
“Hey kid get away!” One of the knights reached out to pull you away but the snakes started hissing even more when they tried to touch you.
You whistled a calming tune making the snakes stop hissing and protectively surrounding you while giving the knights the death glares. Your calming tune attracted many other species of snakes and it made Zana slither from underneath your clothes followed by her mother.
One of the knights ran towards the middle of a camp as the remaining two stared at you as if you were monster. If you were to allow a snake to die right now you might have just wasted those three years you spent training. The snakes wouldn’t blame you of course but it is better to be safe than sorry.
Haruchiyo didn’t bother helping you out. You knew he stared at you with amazement. No matter how much he liked the action it was the first time you showed off your skills. And he wasn’t about to miss it.
Soon enough you saw armored knights rush to you and many snakes surrounding you and it was like a bad dream. The memories of the night when you escaped the palace of the concubines were resurfacing and your dominant hand started shaking.
But then… he showed up.
Izana Kurokawa stood there in all his glory. His tan skin was practically shining in the sunlight peaking through the trees. His purple eyes which color you only saw on your scaly companion were now staring at you. He looked just as handsome as you remembered. A tear escaped your eye and your heartbeat quickened.
“Captain, this kid showed up out of nowhere.” A knight spoke up… By his attire you knew he was high in the ranks but never did you imagine that a former prisoner of a war would be chosen by your father to lead a squad. Did this mean Taiju and Shin were in charge?
“Who the hell are you?!” He demanded to know and you were ready to whistle.
By the low whispers snakes provided you with, they came out of nowhere and invaded their home. They tried to get it back but to no avail since one of them can slice them down within seconds.
“Rain…” You whispered and the white snake attached to your arm dropped on the ground silently instantly growing in size and towering over the knights. The white serpent hissed and glared at the knights who cowered before the ancient beast. “Drop your weapons.” You demanded and no knights made a move to let go of their swords. “I said drop your weapons!” You raised your now deeper sounding voice and many knights let go of their blades.
Izana stared at the snake in amazement and concern. He knew what Rainha was and he knew he had no chance against her. “I think I’ll be the one asking the questions.” You placed the palm of your hand on Rainha’s head the moment she lowered it to be face to face with the tanned man.
Izana looked at you. “What is it that you want to know?” His tone was uncharacteristically polite and you missed his teasing smirk when he didn’t talk the way Shinichiro taught him to.
“Why are you here?”
He sighed in attempt to conceal his annoyance. ”We are at war with your king…”
“That bastard is not out king.” Haruchiyo dropped down from his hiding spot. He looked angry to say the least. With your free left arm you stopped him from coming closer to the knights. “What?”
“Calm down.” You warned him. “We are not here to pick a fight…” You sighed as you turned your attention back to Izana. “Our chief wants to speak with you.”
“Why?” Izana questioned and you stayed silent. Your silence made his annoyance show on his face. But alas he sighed in defeat. “When?”
“Sunset… and one more thing… If any of your men hurt a single snake I will see to it that none of you breathe and walk this earth again.” Your warning sent shivers up the spines of the knighted individuals.
As you left to tell Senju about the meeting and how she should conceal her gender if she really wants to join the squad. It was a Thymos law. No woman can participate in a war or she will be beheaded. This is why she allowed Takeomi to talk as the chief since they would most likely not take her seriously.
Izana was an individual captain of a small squad. The king didn’t allow him to have any more than twenty people. However with Taiju’s help he was in charge of forty knights and a title of a captain. His men were barely a fourth of what Shinichiro was in charge of on the battle field.
On the other hand Taiju was in command of all men he sent to the battle. It took him a whole year to prepare the men he needed to avenge his older sister. He didn’t have enough men especially compared to the amount the new king of Sem Coração had.
He had a feeling that the fact that his father defeated a big kingdom such as Vuur and many men died was going to be his downfall. But this was his chance to prove himself to manipulate his father. And two years into the war he was slowly but surely chipping away the enemy’s forces. The slow progress was making him more agitated and more aggressive. But he knew if he didn’t keep the slow pace you wouldn’t be avenged, he would lose his father’s favor and all the hard work you did while you were here would be for naught.
Taiju Shiba was still haunted by your death. You did everything for him and your shared younger siblings. The diary you left behind helped them a lot not to mention that he valued all your lesions much more and was saddened that he will not hear more.
He didn’t know how to tell Hakkai or Yuzuha that you joined his and their mother in the afterlife. He himself was scared and angry, so much so his bedroom walls were now littered with holes and all the furniture broken down into tiniest possible pieces... His rampage didn’t stop for an hour and thirty seven minutes and it was only stopped when Hakkai passed by pure chance.
The young boy busted through the door of his older brother’s bedroom to find everything that could have been broken in pieces. Taiju, a brother he thought of as heartless was in the middle of the room with bloody fists and tears running down his cheeks.
“Brother…?” Hakkai questioned hesitantly. “Are you alright?”
Taiju looked at his little brother and he couldn’t help but to fall on his knees. How was he supposed to do it? How was he supposed to say to his little brother who adored you that you are no longer amongst the living? How should he comfort him when he does say the wretched words? All these questions had no answer and he couldn’t help but look back on the day when you told them that your shared mother is dead. And he couldn’t remember… he only remembered how you didn’t shed a single tear during her funeral.
He resented you ever since that day. That was the first memory he had of his sister. He didn’t remember her smiling face when your mother told you why it is important to have a sign for recognition. He didn’t remember how you secretly played with him with wooden swords you weren’t supposed to use. In fact he only remembered how you declined him when he would ask you to play with him.
Now he was in your shoes. Now he is the eldest sibling. Now he has to take care of Hakkai and Yuzuha. Now he has to be cold to them. Now he has to tell them the bad news. Now he has to give them advice when they need it.
“Brother?” Hakkai placed one hand on his shoulder with concern in his eyes.
“She…” He sighed. “Our sister…” The lump in his throat made it difficult to speak but he knew he had to. You did it when you were much younger than he is now and so can he. “(Y/N) is gone.”
Hakkai froze in his place eyes widening. “What…?”
“Our sister is dead.”
The youngest Shiba stayed silent. He was a sixteen year old boy who lost his mother ten years ago and now he lost his eldest sister and the closest he had to a mother figure. He fell on his knees next to his brother not even noticing the tears damping his cheeks.
And then the usually quiet Shiba, the boy who couldn’t talk to any woman excluding his sisters and the boy whose face was scarred at the young age making the nobles look down on him indirectly let out the loudest yell he could. So loud that the whole palace heard him and so loud that many people rushed to him the moment the sound bounced off the palace walls.
Hakkai was sobbing, panting, yelling and even screaming at the top of his lungs as if someone was slowly and painfully detaching his limbs from his body. Yuzuha was quick to come to her little brother’s side and when she found the state of Taiju’s room, the tears in his eyes and her hyperventilating younger brother on the ground she knew that something was off.
“What the hell happened?!” She questioned loudly to be heard over Hakkai. She rushed over to her younger brother embracing him.
“(Y/N) is dead.”
Yuzuha’s reaction was not much different than Hakkai’s and she too screamed the whole night due to the nightmares that tortured her. The same night Taiju spoke to his father manipulating him into allowing him to start a war with the bastards that dared to lay a hand on his sister let alone kill her. And the same night ne wrote to the Sano’s and many other noble families that adored you. He had to write while listening to his younger sibling’s screams just down the hallway.
As he finished writing the letters he shoved them into a servants hands telling him that if those letters are not delivered within two hours he would have his head. To which the servant rushed off to the stables and grabbing as many men as he could telling them about the threat the third prince made.
Then something unusual happened. Taiju now the eldest child of the Shiba family entered his sister’s room picking her up and holding her close to his chest. Bridal style he carried her into Hakkai’s room placing her on the bed.
The whole night the Shiba siblings hugged each other, dampening the pillows with their tears and attempting to handle the night terrors. No one could blame them, and just as they were saddened by the death of the first princess so were the nobles and even some commoners.
As much as Hanma picked apart your so called perfection he was greatly disturbed by your departure and your death was what sent him over the edge. He never said how grateful he was when you were sat down with him for hours teaching him everything he needed to know before he made his first appearance in the society at the age of fourteen. He wanted to impress his father so badly and he did it. He was placed as one of the favorites after he impressed his majesty the king with his knowledge and ambition.
Now that you were gone he stopped caring about the throne. He had other priorities such as teaching all of the king’s children an important lesion, never speak ill of (Y/N) Shiba. He was successful. While the concubines were boasting about how glad they were that you were finally gone for good to the point of no return their children silently stood by their sides.
The concubines took notice of the strange behavior as well as injuries they desperately tried to hide and came to a conclusion that Taiju must have done something. But before they dared to talk to him one child confessed that it was Hanma threatening and hurting them.
The first concubine made a fit with many other women standing behind her yelling at Hanma and calling him names. He then did something his mother told him not to do. Never hit a woman. It was out of his control and before he knew it the first concubine was lying on the ground with red cheek and tears threatening to fall.
“Watch your tongue you vial creature, you shall not speak to a man like that.” He smirked as he looked down on the woman.
He used her own words against her and the terror on her face was so precious he would have it painted and put in his bedroom so he could gaze at it every day. He then glared at the other women.
“Speak ill of my sister and your fate will be far harsher then hers. Let me remind you that (Y/N) Shiba is the first born child of the king, let me remind you that none of you were allowed to let a single fucking hair fall from her head let alone hit her. Let me remind you that you will pay for everything you’ve done to her. Yes she may be gone but with her gone I can become the monster she so desperately tried to kill long before, she won’t ever look at me with disappointment for my behavior. And that means I can do anything I want to you and you will stay quiet and not a single word of this will come to the kings ears or you’ll lose yours.”
Shuji Hanma was really a monster, a monster that was kept in line and under control by you. And now that you were gone, the monster broke out of its cage and was now on a rampage. Shuji Hanma cared about two women the most and it was his dead mother and now dead you. Just who will be by his side? Just who is he supposed to look up to? Who is he going to look for when he needs advice?
It was clear that in the kingdom of Thymos many were lost and confused by your death. Many who were happy were soon scared into submission by the ones in high position like Hanma, Taiju and Shinichiro.
But Izana… He just felt so lost and confused. He came to a realization that he cared about you more than he originally thought. He was furious with the king, if he didn’t send you there you would still be here. He would have more chances to kiss your soft lips, to enjoy your casual speech, to gaze at you from afar, to admire your face when you were trying to concentrate.
It was sad how he found out more about you when you died than when you were alive. You wanted to start a rebellion against the king because of how he treated his people, because he was a cruel murdered starved for affection, because he was never fit to be a king.
With you gone the rebellion lost their leader, their encouragement and their hope. But then Taiju stepped in… “I know what you must think; I can just take over the throne in the near future. But that is a gamble, I cannot be sure if the king will pick me. That is why we need to make him look bad in front of the people of Thymos.” His tone was polite and calm mimicking yours to an extent where people gained hope from this large and former heartless brother to the Shiba’s.
“This war will avenge the first princess it will be our revenge against the fools who thought they can even think about harming her let alone killing her.” His clenched fists were stuck at his sides in order to not lose control. “We will destroy the king’s ideal world and remove him from the throne.” He then raised his fist in the air and spoke up. “Death to the king!”
“Death to the king!”
~☆~☆~☆~
“Good job…” Takeomi patted your head when he was finally met with the knights. “We want the king’s head; we want him out of the picture as well as his whole fucking family.”
“Why haven’t you done it sooner?” Izana questioned.
“We have ten people, not nearly enough for a rebellion.” He spoke up.
Izana eyed him suspiciously. “And why do you want the king’s head? How can you contribute anything at all with ten people?”
Takeomi looked at you as if he was unsure. You gave him a nod to reassure him and he let out a sound that was in between a laugh and a sigh.
“I was called a god of war when I was younger. I was called that because my strategies never failed, I was the man to go to when you needed advice I was everything. Until the sick bastard decided I wasn’t pretty enough. Now he is dead. However his parasite of a son is in charge and he is far worse than the king. He will destroy everything in Sem Coração and he needs to go down but how do I do that when I have no men?” Takeomi’s life was a tragedy.
Takeomi, Haruchiyo and Senju came from the same mother, a concubine of the late king. The king abandoned Haruchiyo and Takeomi when they got those scars on their faces. Senju was the only one allowed to stay a royal, she was adored by the king but she decided to leave with her older brothers.
“That means you are a good strategist I have no idea what your other men can do.” Izana was right to be cautious so you couldn’t blame him for asking that many questions.
Senju didn’t mind the fact that she had to conceal her gender and she just hid her figure with a cloak. Her face was pretty but it could be mistaken for the boys because of the short hair. Haruchiyo on the other hand could be mistaken for a woman considering his pretty face and long hair but the tightly fitted shirt showed that his chest was flat.
Takeomi sighed in frustration. “Wakasa and Benkei were the children of fallen noble houses; they received the education in all the areas like other noble children.” He pointed his hand towards the dual haired man and a tall bald guy you saw around the village. “My brothers, great fighter…” He placed his hand on Senju’s shoulder. “…and skilled with any type of weaponry. A little bit on the crazy side if you ask me…” That earned him an elbow in the sides making him flinch slightly. “The four gentlemen over there were our guards in the palace and our newcomer; well you saw what he can do, didn’t you?” He smirked as the petted your hooded head once again. “Now that we got acquainted…”
“I’m curious? Just how did you get the favor of the ancient beast?” He looked down on you. You never felt small next to Izana but now as if you were a mere child under his gaze.
“It took me three years to earn Rainha’s trust, don’t belittle me just because I can control her. I can still fight without the ancient beast.” It is not what you would usually say as a princess but the first princess of Thymos is dead. And you were reborn as a master of snakes when she died.
Izana sighed. He knew his situation. His men will die if overwhelming amounts of enemy soldiers came after them. “If you ten can handle an enemy camp not far from here by yourselves you’re in. If not you’re out.” He said.
“How many men are in the camp?” Takeomi asked.
“About two hundred or so…”
Takeomi’s expression softened. He eyed you from the corner of his eyes. “Cobra can handle it by himself yeah?” He questioned you. Cobra was a name you suggested since it was a word for snake in the native language of Sem Coração.
“Leave it to me…” You spoke up as you moved your mask away from your face just enough to slip two of your fingers in and still keep your face from being exposed.
Using your fingers you whistled loudly and within mere seconds all kinds of snakes started slithering around you. As if you were a god for them they tried to climb up your body and just then Rainha made an appearance from inside of your sleeve. “Follow us and wait for my command.” You whispered barely audible to the humans but loud enough for all the snakes to hear you.
Izana led you through the jungle together with all the knights and villager fighters combined. Until you reached the camp you saw good amount of knights standing guard at the entrance and beside it. To assess the situation better you climbed the tree counting about fifty knights standing guard. The buzz and the noise led you believe that they were most likely enjoying the Ale and the food.
“Any ideas?” Haruchiyo crouched next to you on a branch.
“Maybe…” You dropped down from the tree reporting the information to Takeomi.
“Do you have anything in mind?”
You sighed. “Stealth is our best option since we are outnumbered. But they are too rowdy; I can’t send a single snake in unnoticed. And because this is jungle they probably have the antidote, they’ll use it as soon as any of them get bitten.” You said and Takeomi nodded.
“I have an idea.” He added. “Haru, Waka, Senju and you look the most feminine go in pretending to be whores and slip poison in their drinks or food. They are drunk so they won’t think much of it, about the guards how many they were?”
“Fifty or so…”
“Benkei can’t do stealth which leaves the five of us.” He gestured to the ex-royal guards.
“We can do it sir.” One of them spoke up.
“Everybody take out ten guards, I’ll go up front you come in on the sides and from the back, and while we take out the guards you gather the poison.” He turned to Benkei. “Run to the village and get clothes. Was I clear?” He questioned.
“Yes sir.”
“Wait for my signal and do not go in until you get the confirmation okay?” He stared at you and you gave him a nod.
Takeomi bent his knees allowing him to jump higher and grab onto the lowest branch of a nearby tree. The four men followed after him climbing up right after they secured their weapons at their waistbands.
Letting out a low whistle the most poisonous snakes in the jungle rushed to you. You opened your leather bag to find three cups and pieces of cloth. “They know what to do just hold them like this…” You held Zana by the base of her head. “Don’t put too much pressure or they’ll panic and bite you, just hold the cup for them and they’ll bite the cloth like this…” You secured a piece of cloth on the opening of the cup and allowing Zana to bite into it. “And when they are done letting the poison out they’ll just move their head back and you let them go. Clear?”
“Yes…” Senju lowered her hand closer to the ground allowing the most poisonous snake in the jungle slither up her hand. She followed your instruction allowing the snake to do its thing before letting go. And Wakasa did the same until Benkei was back and you had enough poison too kill a whole army let alone a camp of knights.
Benkei brought you four dresses. He gave Senju and you the ones revealing cleavage and for Haruchiyo and Wakasa the ones covering them all the way to their necks in order not to expose the obvious coconuts they will shove in it.
“Let’s go.” You walked closer to the camp hiding from the knights of Thymos and the knights of Sem Coração. Senju and you helped Haruchiyo and Wakasa put some light make up on, just enough to make them look more feminine. And as they were getting dressed in another bush giving you and Senju privacy you changed into the thin dress the stuck to your body like glue.
“You look awesome.” Senju commented as she was sat down putting some make up on you and you were putting some on her.
“Speak for yourself, you are beautiful, you don’t even need this.” You helped her style her hair to look slighty longer and you were ready to go.
It was funny seeing Wakasa and Haruchiyo in their feminine attire but you were on a mission and had to concentrate at the task at hand. The only people in the village who saw your face were Takeomi and Senju, which was the reason why Haruchiyo was taken aback by your now normal sounding voice and pretty face.
“Why are you hiding behind a mask idiot?” He flicked your forehead.
“Takeomi’s orders.” You rubbed the sore spot as you waited for the signal to go in.
Luckily you didn’t have to wait long because soon enough you heard familiar bird chirping noise giving you the sign that it was your time to shine.
The four of you made a quick work slipping poison into the Ale and seducing the men in the tents. The moment you walked in the men practically started drooling. You sold the shy act to them telling them that you will be right back as soon as you freshen up to keep them company. You did the same with the rest of the tents on your side and soon enough you were out and met up with the rest of seducers. Haruchiyo was blushing like a mad man while you were walking back to the bush to put on your regular clothes on.
By the time all ten of you were met up with you assumed that all the men would be dead with an odd ball that decided to stop drinking. “How did it go on your end?” He asked.
“I feel fucking molested that’s how everything went.” Haruchiyo complained.
You whistled and the sakes were at your side within seconds. “You may feast.” You spoke softly to them and hundreds of snakes slithered to the camp devouring the human flesh and killing the rare living knights.
“I thought you said Cobra could handle it by himself.” Izana raised an eyebrow at Takeomi.
“He could have if it was later in the night. Since you doubted us we used everything at our disposal to get rid of them as soon as possible. But if we waited they would be passed out drunk and the snakes could have devoured them in their sleep.” He explained.
Izana sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose. That was a habit you never saw him do. “You can join us but then I will be in charge of everybody. You work for me not anybody else. And if anyone else says otherwise ignore them and say your loyalty lies with me. Was I clear?” He spoke the last sentence mimicking Takeomi’s tone.
“Yes sir.” Takeomi smirked at the ambitious captain.
“Let’s get some rest tonight and we’ll scout ahead to see if there are any more enemy forces.”
Izana walked back to the camp. “Let’s wash up and then get some rest.” Takeomi said to the nine of you and you followed after Senju to the waterfall.
The cold water was relaxing your tense muscles and a certain white haired man didn’t leave your mind.
“What are those?” Senju questioned you pointing at your chest.
“My breasts Senju you have them too.” You sighed at her mockery.
“No seriously, look.”
You rolled your eyes and look down to find a snow white imprint on your chest in between your breasts. It looked like Rainha now that you looked at it more closely. And just then you saw the purple scaly patters in a shape of a snake wrap around your upper arm.
“Those are our markings, once you meet my other children they will most likely do the same as well as my husband.” Rainha was floating on the water while talking to you. “We marked you as ours and you will mark us as yours with the names you give us.” She spoke.
Senju couldn’t understand the whispers of the snakes like you did, neither could she hear Rainha after you named her. You nodded as affirmation and turned to see Senju’s big eyes staring at you.
“And…?”
“They are markings the ancient beast and her children will leave on me as an exchange.” You explained and her bright eyes widened even more if it was even possible.
“Awesome!” He wide eyes were practically shining. “Oh, I was wondering do you know that white haired captain.”
“What makes you think I know him?”
“I had a feeling.” She smirked as she made her way closer to you holding onto your hands. “Now tell me.”
With a sigh you explain how you met Izana and how he came to be a captain. Senju listened to you like a little girl would while listening to the fairytales. By the time you were finished you started to feel slightly chilly from the cold air and water hitting your skin.
“It’s like a romance novel I heard maids talk about. Did you kiss?”
“Senju…”
“Come on!” She wined. “I’m surrounded by men and older women who only talk about chores and their children I don’t have anyone to talk to about these things.” It was sad if you were completely honest. Even if the ladies in Thymos were younger than you and some of them talked to you just for the advice you would feel far lonelier if it weren't for them.
“Izana is someone I care about. Even if we didn’t know each other for long he was still a nice company. And yes we did kiss during the festival held in town.” You spoke up as you finished up with your ice cold bath.
“Really? How was it?” Senju jumped you begging for answers with her eyes.
You could feel your face heating up. You didn’t feel this way while you two kissed but now that Senju was asking you to talk about it you couldn’t help but feel slightly embarrassed. “I… lords save me… It was warm, comforting and nice…” You said as you dried off your body with cloth.
Senju squeaked in excitement and jumped out of the water to dry herself as well. “I can’t believe it… would you fuck him?”
Your face turned beat red. “Senju! That’s inappropriate.” You warned her.
“It is an honest question! Would you do it?”
“I’m no answering that question.” You sighed.
Senju squinted her eyes at you and brought her face really close to yours as if she was examining your reactions. “You would.” She winked and ran off leaving you behind flustered and embarrassed.
I binge read the art of war and just wow :0 absolute wow :0 i am speechless i thought we'd have more time with izana tbh but also just the shiba siblings :'] i love them oh gosh and taiju manipulating his dad was so good i imagine he wins the war, the king finally sees something in taiju and now considers him candidate for next king or yn comes back with the great serpent beast and kills everyone in the castle except for hanma and she lives happily ever after with izana, zana and her siblings enough of that now lol
but also that scene where shin found out about yn's death :0 the screaming and crying and man i wanna see the shiba siblings reaction once they got the news
i feel like i was gonna say more buy kinda forgot too but im just really in love with this story and izana and it's really great and thank you for publishing it and sharing it <3
Awww.... thank you so much it really means a lot that you like it....
Plus you gave me extra 1k words to write so the next chapter might be longer... <3
Disclamer: This story is meant for the mature audience only. It contains some heavy teams like abuse, killing, aggression, consuming alcohol and cigarettes, swearing as well as sex. It is a bit of a slow burn regarding the smut but you still shouldn’t read it if you are under 18. Because I can’t stop the minors from reading please do not repeat any acts mentioned in the story and please practice safe sex as well as trying to keep your body healthy since it is still growing and it needs all the nutrients it can get.
Main Masterlist
The Art of War Masterlist
A full year of misery living in Sem Coração was just about to crush your spirit. You never realized how lonely a place filled with people could be. You were resented by the concubines and the king’s children while he didn’t bother to pay any of his attention to you. Not that you wanted any.
You were here because you father didn’t want you next to him and the king Silva wanted peace. Nothing else. You had to leave your friends and siblings because your father hated you.
“Is the greenhouse that the king had built here finished?” You heard one of the concubines question during the gathering for the concubines.
The king had two palaces one was for him and his older children and the second one was for the concubines and younger children who are not yet ready to separate from their mother for longer periods of time.
“Yes, but I don’t think anyone from the palace will go there.” Another concubine answered.
“Is it because of the snakes? I heard there were some really dangerous ones.” Yet another concubine spoke up.
‘Should I go there and end this?’ You though. By the law of Sem Coração you now belonged to the king and you had no business contacting your family or friends. You were supposed to rot here until the new king took over and either spared you stripping you of your title and position in the process or kill you.
That evening you asked your maid to take you to the greenhouse which was filled with trees, plants and flowers you have never seen. The air seemed different as if it was fresher and less claustrophobic than inside your bedroom.
Your maid was shaking behind you as you noticed a purple snake pass by her and stop beneath your feet. The snake raised its head looking at you with its black irises. It was rather small so you guessed it was still young, holding no fear or hostility towards you. Was it curious you couldn’t tell but you knew you were.
Bending at your waist you brought your hand closer to the snake’s head. The purple snake looked at your hand than looked at your face and slithered up your arm. It wrapped its tail around your forearm allowing you to touch its head.
You held no fear because you knew if you did the snake would start acting hostile. “My lady…” The maid said in a worried tone.
“I am fine.” You spoke as you rubbed your thumb against the scaly surface. “Did you know that snakes are supposed to be missing a part of their brain that allows them to feel affection?” You questioned the maid as you stared at the reptile.
“I-I d-d-didn’t…” She stuttered.
“Do they have names?” You question as you turned to your maid facing her.
“I-I do-don’t k-kn-know…”
You turned your attention back to the purple creature. “Can I give you a name?” You whispered underneath you breath.
Little did you know that you were being watched by every other snake in the greenhouse… And soon enough many brave slithering creatures made their way to you standing beneath your feet and watching you. From smallest newly hatched snakes to the biggest one in the greenhouse all in different forms and colors.
“My lady…!” The maid exclaimed in fear.
“Shh…” You raised the pointer finger of your free hand and pressed it against your lips suggesting her to be quiet. “Everything is alright. They are just curious. When they are satisfied they will go back.” The maid rushed outside leaving you alone with the cold blooded creatures.
Not much time has passed before the king rushed into the greenhouse with guards following him close behind. You turned your attention to the king and he couldn’t believe his eyes. A woman, a young woman at that was standing surrounded by some of the most poisonous snakes in the country without any sign of fear.
“Are you alright?” He questions you.
“I am…” You spoke quietly. “They will not harm me.” You stated.
“I can’t be sure…” The king hesitantly spoke.
“That was not a question. It was a statement.”
The king was amazed. Never had he met a woman not terrified of snakes and here you were a diamond in the rough ready to satisfy his greedy desires. “Well you should leave for the day since it is rather late.” He said making you sigh in disappointment. You didn’t have a chance to look at the snakes properly.
You lowered your hand in order to allow the snake to come down from your hand but it did not move, the snake just stared at you with curiosity. “I have to leave now…” You spoke softly and the snake only stared at you blankly.
You eyed the king and he was lost in thought. None of his concubines had ever taken an interest into snakes the way he did. “It can stay with you if you wish.” He spoke up and you smiled slightly.
“Does that mean that they do not have names?” You question.
“No, of course not, there is far too many of them to name them.” He cleared his throat and you turned your attention back to the purple snake.
“Zana…” You said and the snake showed of its tongue and snuggled against your cheek, which in return made you giggle.
The king was sure of it now. You were far more than he expected. You were going to be the one to fulfill his fantasies that no other woman could.
And that was how it all began. The king started paying more attention to you from something simple as a greeting when he would pass you by to sharing a meal and a walk in the garden with just the two of you.
You spent a lot of time in the greenhouses the king made especially for snakes and he could go off for hours on end about the slithering creatures. Zana however never left your side. She was either stuck to your arm, hanging around your shoulders or lying in your lap. She never once tried to hurt you and she was reminding you of Izana who you didn’t think you would miss as much as you did.
As the time passed by the king became bolder, touching you ever so slightly or pressing his lips against your cheeks or forehead. He wasn’t a bad man as far as you’ve seen but he was also a man who wanted you.
The other concubines of course noticed the change in his behavior over the couple of months that he had spent with you and they stared at you with envy. “Filthy little thing. Who do you think you are? Just because our king gives you attention and affection all of a sudden you think you are something?” The King Silva’s first concubine spoke up during yet another gathering of the concubines.
“I never asked for his affection and attention.” You said quietly but loud enough for her to hear you.
“Is that so?” She laughed. “Then why did you seduce him?”
“I didn’t…” You silenced yourself the moment you felt a familiar sting on your cheek. For some reason it hurt more than the one the first concubine of your father gave to you.
Zana hissed, showing off her teeth to the first concubine. The woman jumped and stumbled in fear. As you felt her detaching from your arm you held onto her whispering how you were fine.
“Maria!” You flinched when you heard the second concubine rise from her seat with furrowed eyebrows at the woman that slapped you. “You are really stepping over the line.” She warned.
“Oh don’t lecture me Juliana. She needs to know her place!” Maria yelled back.
“She is a concubine just how we are.” Juliana glared at her. “Now stop acting like a child and apologize.”
“I will not…!” Maria was interrupted by the second concubine.
“Maria! You are a fifty years old woman and you’re acting like someone stole your toy.” She scolded.
“There is no need.” You stood up from your seat. “If I learned anything from king Shiba’s concubines it’s that they all think they are above apologizing just because they fuck the king.“ You dropped the formal tone. You just felt so tired of being polite to the women who will never appreciate it. “After all that is all they are good for. Acting like fools and sucking dicks.” Your vulgar tone surprised the women. As you walked away you felt their eyes burning holes in the back of your head.
And a few days later you cursed yourself for speaking so vulgarly in front of those women because the king Silva decided to share a bath with his concubines. Your hand was shaking like crazy as you removed your bath robe and lowered yourself in the bath.
The women eyed you like hawks would mice and you felt uneasy as you were seated in the warm water. You made sure to be as far as it was appropriate while the rest of them were clinging to the king and each other.
“My king I apologize for being late.” Juliana walked into the room with her robes on.
“No worries…” King Silva spoke up with a kind smile. “Paula needed her mother I presume.” His expression seemed genuine like he actually cared about his daughter. You’ve never seen such expression your fathers face at least not meant for you.
Juliana passed by you to reach the king but she stopped in her tracks as her eyes met your back. A gasp left her lips as she covered her mouth. “(Y/N) dear would you mind helping me wash my hair first.” She placed her gentle hand on your shoulder.
You were uncomfortable anyway so you rose from the bath and followed after Juliana. Based on the gasps and mumbles you heard behind you, you could deduce that they too saw the scars. Juliana led you behind a wall separating the big bath from the much smaller ones.
“How long have you had those?” She questioned as she sat down and handed you the shampoo bottle.
You didn’t have to tell her but at this point your wounds healed and only scars are left. “It got worse two months before I came here.” You spoke up as you massaged the shampoo into her scalp as gently as possible.
You were nothing here. Sem Coração wasn’t much different from Thymos in the terms of concubine positions. First it is the king and the queen then the crown prince or candidates for the crown princes as well as the rest of the king’s children. After them the concubines whose authority depends on when they became the concubines. The first concubine has more authority than the second and third and so on.
Juliana stayed silent for a moment. “What exactly got worse?” She questioned.
“The abuse…” Your tone was uncharacteristically quiet.
“Would you mind telling me about it?” She acted as if she was your mother. Her eyes seemed sad and filled with pity.
“What difference does it make? Will you tell your offspring’s to stop spouting slurs at me? Will the other concubines back off? Will I finally be left alone?” You question the woman.
“I can’t guarantee that…” She spoke sighed.
“Then I don’t see the point in telling you.” It was disrespectful to speak to her that way however she never did anything that would make you trust her. Yes she would scold other concubines and even her children sometimes but nothing changed. They would get an earful and that would be back at it again the next day.
You got slapped here more in a year than when you were a princess in Thymos for your whole life. Of course you held a higher position back home but that didn’t stop them either way. You were just a young girl who acted like someone worthy of being in the same presence as them.
“I can try to convince them…” Juliana spoke up. “But I can do that only if I know what happened. Your hand was shaking…” She spoke the last sentence quietly making you flinch.
Not even your siblings noticed that little trait of yours. You let out a sigh. “It happens when I’m scared, angry, anxious, and nothing good really.” You explained. “To keep the story short and sweet I won’t go into details, not that I’m comfortable with sharing any.”
“That is completely fine.”
“King Shiba never liked me, I don’t know why exactly but I have some theories. I was just a little girl holding onto her mother’s dress every time I would see him. However when she died I took it upon myself to take care of my younger siblings and I did everything the way my mother would. His concubines didn’t like that I suppose. So they would do anything in their power to humiliate, hurt or even kill me.” Juliana gasped at your words covering her mouth with her hands. You couldn’t see her face but you knew it wasn’t as calm as yours.
“I was his firstborn child but he never treated me the way fathers should treat their children. So with every single mistake I would get either lashed or beaten with a stick.”
“You’ve barely stepped into adulthood when you came here what kind of mistakes could you possibly make?” She questioned.
“Most of them I don’t even remember. I do know they were ridiculous from holding my fork wrong to breathing too loudly…” Juliana interrupted you.
“I’m sorry; you got disciplined in this case beaten for breathing?” She turned to face you with wide eyes.
You let out a dry laugh. “I wouldn’t say beaten it was a slap on both my cheeks.”
“What did you do to get those?” She motioned to you back.
You sigh and explain the events that caused you to get lashed thirty times. Juliana’s eyes only grew wider the more words left your lips. By the time you were finished there were tears running down her cheeks.
Fear settled into your bones. If the word gets out that the second concubine cried because of you, your punishment will be far worse than the one you received in Thymos. “Please don’t cry…” Your shaking dominant hand attempted to wipe the tears of the concubine and she pulled you into the bath hugging you close like a mother would her daughter.
Zana who was resting beside you slithered into the bath wrapping herself around your shaking wrist. “It must have been difficult for you.” Juliana held your face with affection glimmering in her eyes. “We’ll take care of you.”
Just as she said the concubines didn’t bother you and some of them actually talked to you from time to time. Their children didn’t share the same sentiment and their torment continued even worse than before. It has gotten to the point when they would only come to the palace to see you and humiliate you out of their mother’s supervision. Apparently the king only thought of you and he wanted to make you his. In other words he wanted you to pleasure him during the night and it made you shiver.
Now you were lost. You were depressed. You wanted it to be over. Two years passed since you’ve last seen your friends and family. Since you saw Izana. You made a dreadful mistake and you realized it only after the two of you were separated. You cared for him more than you originally thought.
You thought you saved his life because he deserved it, because it was unfair, because he should have been treated better. But now you realize you saved him because he had everything you wanted your partner to have. He was strong, he was brave and the most important thing was he didn’t look down on you because you were a woman. He knew you were the one who saved him and he knew you weren’t weak. He saw your wounds and he was mad on your behalf.
Those purple eyes still hunt your dreams even if you haven’t seen them in such a long time. Now you realize you loved him. No matter how little time you spent with him, it was him who you thought about at night and it was his lips on yours that made your heart beat its way out of your chest.
So when the king kissed your lips for the first time you wanted to push him away, bite him, make him regret for touching you the way you wanted to be touched by Izana’s hands. However you couldn’t do that. King Silva was a man that owned you and you couldn’t do a thing about it.
On the other side King Silva was obsessed with you. He cursed himself for not paying more attention to you at the start. If he did you would be ready by now. You would be ready to please him at night. You would be ready to fulfill his fantasies. You would be ready for him to fuck you while both of your bodies are surrounded by snakes.
Because of you he became a bad king. Because of you his country was going into ruin within a year. His first born son was furious with you. It was your fault his father went mad. It was your fault his father was dead. It was your entire fault.
“Damned bitch…” The crown prince glared at you as you stood at the palace gates.
You were surrounded by snakes which like a whole year back protected you from the soldiers and the king. As if they knew the king would force you to pleasure him.
Earlier in the night the king came to your bedroom with baskets filled with snakes. He scattered them all over the bedroom and he force you out of your clothes. He kissed you as you silently cried and begged him to stop. And just as he was going to penetrate you Zana and many other snakes bit him and poisoned him to death.
His naked body fell on top of you and you pushed him off you. You put on your clothes as quickly as possible and the snakes kept devouring the king. Your body was stained with blood and you were terrified.
As if the devil called him the crown prince saw you as you were about to leave the palace stopping you dead in your tracks.
“I… I didn’t do it.” You stuttered.
“Maybe not but your snakes did.”
“They belong to the king…” He interrupted you.
“Oh really…? Then why are they here protecting you?”
He wasn’t wrong many snakes surrounded you the most poisonous ones standing closer to the guards hissing and showing of their fangs. The men were stepping back in fear as well as the crown prince. No one wants to die by the poison after all. This and only this allowed you to escape into the jungle and away from that wrenched palace.
“Leave her be, she won’t survive a single hour in that jungle.” The crown prince spoke up as he glared in the direction you ran off to. “Not with the savages running around like madmen.”
He declared you dead. He said he killed you with his own hands when he found out you killed his father the king. And everyone knows that bad word travels fast. So the news of your death reached Taiju’s ears within the same night. He didn’t take kindly to that news.
“(Y/N) is dead.” He said to his father the king.
“And…?”
“Don’t you understand? Sem Coração is mocking us. They think that they can kill the first princess who we graciously offered to them as a concubine without any countermeasures. They think you are pathetic. They think that you are weak.” It didn’t take long for Taiju to manipulate his father. All of the Shiba siblings knew that he was pathetic king and how to manipulate him.
“Having more land is not bad I suppose. They have good mines with rare stone too. What do you think darling? Would you like some more rare jewels?” The king questioned the first concubine who was clinging to him like a whore she was.
“I hear their animals are quite unique too… I could use an exotic pet.” She giggled.
“Then it is settled. Taiju I think the time to prove yourself if finally upon us.” The king smirked at your younger brother who was filled with fury. You finally loved him and now you were gone.
When the word reached Shinichiro’s ears even the town beneath the Sano mansion could hear his screams filled with agony. The first princess, (Y/N) Shiba, the most precious friend he ever had was now dead and no longer there to make fun of him and protect him in her own special way.
And as Shinichiro Sano screamed for the third time all three of his siblings were in his office with fear painting their expression. He was appointed as the new archduke and he wasn’t ready to pretend to be fine after hearing of your death.
“What is it?!” Izana shook him back to the reality. “Shinichiro, breathe and tell us what’s wrong?”
No words left the lips of the eldest Sano. He just handed the letter he got from Taiju to Izana. Izana’s purple irises scanned the parchment in a hurry. “I regret to inform you that my sister (Y/N) Shiba is no longer with us and will be joining our mother in the afterlife.” He read out loud.
Emma let out a scream as she fell to her knees with tears streaming down her pale cheeks. “I will be preparing for a war to avenge her wasted life and I hope you will join me.” He continued.
Izana noticed the smeared ink on the parchment and wet spots all over it. Taiju Shiba the third prince and a candidate to be the next heir to the throne was crying while writing this letter. And you would never know how much your younger brother cherished you.
And now Izana was about to let salty tears fall. He missed you dreadfully. He was furious when the king announced you will be going away and he was ready to kill. His savior was no longer.
As your friends were getting the news of your death you were lying on the ground in the jungle. Exhaustion was washing over you and the snakes that followed you strangely stayed by your side. You assumed that the snakes would leave you by now but no. no matter whatever came close to you the snakes would scare it away.
You noticed human feet in the field of your blurry vision. Like at any other animal the snakes were hissing at the person standing in front of you. However this person stayed in their place not bothered by the poisonous reptiles.
“Senju! Come on already! Where are you?” You heard yelling from further away and you flinched.
“Over here!” The voice was much louder this time so you assumed it was coming from the person in front of you.
“What?” The voice from before was now closer and you heard the same person running in your direction.
“The snakes are protecting her…” You felt Zana rushing and raising from around your arm and hissing at the two people. “Whoa… is that the orchid python?”
“Stay back; they are the children of the ancient beast.”
“And extremely dangerous I know, I know…” there was a bored tone in the voice of the person in front of you. “Hey if you want to live, you have to tell your snakes to back off.”
Should you trust these people you had no idea. “Zana…” You spoke up quietly. The purple snake turned to you with a glint of worry in her eyes for which you assumed was your imagination. Snakes don’t feel affection. “You did good…” You petted the head of your purple companion as you lost consciousness and fell into the pits of darkness.
~☆~☆~☆~
The sun in your eyes was what woke you up and the first thing you saw was a pair of green irises staring at you. You sat up and before you knew it a familiar purple snake slithered onto your shoulders and nuzzled its head into your cheek.
“She didn’t leave your side even while my brother was carrying you.” The person with green eyes spoke up.
“She never really does.” You offered them a small smile. “Thank you for helping me.”
You noticed a hint of a blush on the persons face. And now that you were looking at them you noticed that they were a young girl about your youngest brother’s age. Her hair was pale pink color and her big eyelashes reminded you of Izana. “It’s no big deal.” She looked away to hide the blush.
“Is your brother here? I’d like to thank him too.” You offered her a kind smile.
She gave you a small nod. “Omi!!!” She raised her tone and within couple of seconds a man about Shinichiro’s age walked into small hut like house.
His black and blond hair was slicked back and he had a big scar starting at his forehead making its way all the way down to the beneath the corner of his lips. He had a cigarette in his mouth as well as bored expression painted on his face.
“Thank you.” You spoke up and he raised one of his eyebrows at you.
“If you are really grateful as much as you seem to be will you do anything we ask of you?” He questioned.
You let out a dry laugh. “That depends what is it that you need form me?”
“You’ll answer every question I ask you and you will go to the ancient beast.” He spoke up and was kicked in his side by the young woman beside him.
“You can’t ask her to do that. She’ll die.” Her green eyes glared in his direction.
“And? She was abandoned by the king himself what can she do?” He turned his attention back to you. “You are not from Sem Coração are you?” A hint of a smirk made its way onto his lips.
“No, I’m from Thymos. I was sent here to be a concubine for the king Silva and he didn’t abandon me, he was killed.” You explained.
“Was he now?”
“Yeah… Zana started it and the rest of the snakes finished him off.” You petted the snake with the palm of your hand.
“Under your command?” The man questioned.
You sighed. “I don’t command them…”
“But they follow your orders?”
You stayed quiet for a moment. “I don’t order them what to do…”
“Why are they protecting you then?”
“I don’t know.” You raised both your hands in the air in frustration. “I just walked into the greenhouse one day and Zana came to me. I didn’t do anything worthy for them to protect me.”
He stayed quiet until a smirk made its way onto his lips. “Come with me.”
You got out of the makeshift bed following an older male like a child. The night has fallen, presumably after you slept the whole day and the big moon seemed shinier than most of the nights you spent in the palace.
“Here is the shorter version. There is an ancient beast for every type of animal you can think of and those beasts hold immense power. I am talking destroying empires with a sneeze. In this jungle not far from here is a snake ancient beast and my theory is if regular snakes protect you there has to be a reason yeah?” He seemed excited.
“I suppose…”
He led you to the cave where he stopped in his tracks. “You have to go without me.” He spoke up and you nodded.
Trusting a complete stranger living in the jungle was stupid and you knew that. But then again, if he wanted you dead he would kill you by now wouldn’t he? Unless this ancient beast was tormenting his village and you were a sacrifice he had to deliver. He couldn’t take you by force since the snakes were protecting you but was there a point in explaining where he was bringing you.
As you entered the dark cave and walked for longer period of time you saw snakes swarming the place. When they noticed you the snakes rushed to you in terrifying speed but you stayed still and the snakes stopped barely touching you.
Zana stared at the snakes and you felt a sense of authority coming from your poisonous companion. “My, my… Who would think that a human child dared to enter my domain?” the voice you heard was somewhat soft and not affectionate in the slightest. It sounded wise if anything else.
When you looked to see where the voice was coming from you were met eye to eye with the abyss that was the eyes of the creature. The scaly skin was white as snow and it stood out amongst the many multicolored snakes.
“I have long passed the age of a child.” You spoke up. “Are you perhaps the ancient beast?” You questioned.
“Indeed I am.” The snake slithered closer to you, barely centimeters separating you. “And who do you think you are?”
“I’m no one really…”
“My child is found of you? So how could you possibly be no one? Unless you are looking down on creatures such as I?” As scary as the snake was it seemed wise.
You sighed. “I used to be a princess in the kingdom of Thymos but I was sold off to be a concubine…” You spoke up.
“And what is it that you want with me?”
“I…” You sigh once again. “I want to kill my father the king.”
The snakes’ pupils slightly widened. “And why do you want to end your father’s life?”
“He is a king that does not care about his people, and he only chases his own pleasure and… and…” You could feel your chest tightening.
The snake stared at you. “So even humans hurt their own.” She spoke. “Very well… Prove yourself and I will be one with you. No human shall harm you ever again.”
Note: One important thing of note here is that the (Y/N)’s hair is long and curly. If you have short and/or straight hair and absolutely hate having it long, like me just think of it as something the king and queen made you do. Like you have to have your hair long and curled for the purpose of dignity or whatever. Later on in the story I won’t mention when (Y/N) cuts her hair so that you can adapt your imagination to your preferences.
Pairing: Izana Kurokawa x female reader
Disclamer: This story is meant for the mature audience only. It contains some heavy teams like abuse, killing, aggression, consuming alcohol and cigarettes, swearing as well as sex. It is a bit of a slow burn regarding the smut but you still shouldn’t read it if you are under 18. Because I can’t stop the minors from reading please do not repeat any acts mentioned in the story and please practice safe sex as well as trying to keep your body healthy since it is still growing and it needs all the nutrients it can get.
Main Masterlist
The Art of War Masterlist
“Princess?” You turned your attention to a familiar voice calling out to you.
There stood Izana in his full casual glory. He wore a white tunic that only emphasized and complimented his skin tone as well as loose fitting black trousers. His signature red earrings were dangling and eye catching as always not to mention that his hair was messier than usual.
“Drop the formalities.” You spoke in a tone which Izana has ever heard come from your mouth. “Now it’s time for you to be yourself, just don’t kill anyone.”
It was astonishing how you had no trouble adapting to the commoner way of speech and posture. Your back that was usually straight as a board now were slightly bent and your shoulders seemed relaxed as you sat on the brown horse. You wore a dress that commoner women would as well as the shoes. The top part of your dress was white and it showed off a lot of your collarbones which were usually covered with extravagant fabric. Not to mention that your sleeves were short and there were no gloves in sight. The skirt of the dress was brown matching your shoes in color and it had some simple flower designs along the hem.
What caught him as a surprise was also your hair which would mostly be tied up with some loose strand framing your face. However this time your hair fell down to your mid back in curls that looked soft to the touch. He had to swallow a lump forming in his throat.
You of course noticed his hesitation so you leaned down closer to his face? “What’s wrong foreigner? You’ve never seen a woman on a horse in your life?” You teased.
Izana’s eyes widened at your remark and he could feel his cheeks heating up. This was the only time he was grateful for his skin tone in this god forsaken country. He wasn’t necessarily embarrassed so to speak he was just thrown off guard. You were so formal when the two of you met so this was a whole new side he hoped no one noble got to see.
“Foreigner?” He questioned as he got on the horse that was next to yours.
“I thought it seemed appropriate.” You stopped for a second noticing that you were slipping. “I thought it suits you? No…” You mumbled under your breath trying to find the right way to say it. “I fucking hate this.” You sigh.
The first swear word that left your lips into Izana’s ear made him flinch. “What exactly?”
“The first hour before I get used to the common folk speech.” You explain “Never mind, follow me if you can keep up.” You teased the white haired man as you ran off towards the lower class town.
As you reached the towns streets you took Izana to the stables where you placed one silver coin on the table and asked the keeper to watch over them. The man offered you a wide smile and placed two coin like shapes with number thirteen and fourteen in your hand.
“We need to make up names so no one notices us right away.” You spoke to the white haired male.
He gave you a nod in agreement. You hummed like you were thinking about it. “Kanin.” It dawned on you like the morning sun.
“Kanin…?” His question made you nod in confirmation.
“Your name is known by everyone since you won the impossible battle.” You leaned in closer to him which made Izana lean back slightly.
Your behavior confused him; you were so collected and distant from him in the palace and now you were sticking to him like flies to the honey. Not that it was bothering him or anything. “Why are you getting so close all of a sudden?” He questioned you with slightly raised eyebrows.
“We are a couple, shouldn’t we be close?” You looked up at him where you noticed a blush creep up on the foreign male. His skin was darker so it wasn’t as visible but your sharp eyes could not just miss it.
“Wh-…“ He was baffled by your statement.
“It is our disguise for the night. A traveling couple that just so happened to stop here during the festival.” You offered him a hint of a smirk in the corner of your lips as you grabbed his hand and pulled him towards the town’s streets.
The music on the street was fast and festive the people were walking with smiles on their faces or eating food on the side. When the two of you reached the town square there was a band of men playing various instruments and a good amount of people dancing in the middle.
Izana noticed the excitement in your eyes the moment you laid them on the people dancing. He stared at them a few moments longer to pick up the dancing moves and it was far simpler that what he had to learn back in the Sano mansion. He pulled you towards the group mimicking the pose to start the dance and giving you a sign with his eyes to do the same.
You smiled at his actions following the dance and moving to the rhythm of the music. You danced on the festival before and you were grateful that the wounds on your back have healed enough for you to movie without wincing in pain.
At some point people around you noticed the two of you and a good number of them moved aside eying the young dancing with smiles on their faces. By the time another song was over the men playing said that they will take a short break before playing again.
“Are you new in town?” A young woman in her late twenties holding a baby in her hands approached you and Izana.
“Yes, we’ve been traveling for a while now.” You offered the woman a kind smile.
“Oh my… but you are so young. Did something bad happen?” She questioned. “I’m assuming your parents didn’t approve of your partner?”
Izana felt the familiarity in that question. She was asking because his skin was visibly darker than yours. He loved his lineage, the people from Vuur raised him and it was his home for all eighteen years of his life. Everything here was unfamiliar and foreign to him and he wished nothing more than to get back home but now… he has the opportunity to avenge his fallen nation. He just needs to play the role.
In the palace he is just a boy who wants to enjoy the luxuries instead of rotting in the cells or obeying any of the snobby nobles he has met so far. Here he needs to play the role of a young man who fell in love with a foreign woman and is now looking for a new home with the very same woman.
“She found me wounded on the battle field. If it wasn’t for her I would be dead now.” He made eye contact with you with such fondness in his eyes that it confused you. Was he such a skilled liar that he could fake expressions so easily? “She was secretly nursing me back to full health and I was still recovering when her father found me and tried to kill me with his farming tools.” His hold on your hand grew slightly firmer as he spoke. “I’m still surprised she wanted to come with me.”
Izana kissed the top of your head. The way he was speaking and his gestures seemed so honest that you who knew the truth believed it. It scared you to certain point. If he could be manipulative to that point was he ever honest with you. Did this mean he will kill your loved ones even after you asked him not to?
“I’m sorry to hear that. I hope you enjoy the festival.” She smiled and awkwardly tried to excuse herself. That story surely made her uncomfortable.
“Did that actually happen or did you make it up on the spot?” You questioned him as the woman moved far enough where she couldn’t hear you.
Izana let out a sigh. “I was wounded on the battle field but no one came to help me. When I found shelter in a house that seemed abandoned the people there at first acted nice and looked like they tried to help me but...” He cleared his throat. “I was sold to the solders of Thymos and the next thing I know I’m supposed kill armored guards with a poor excuse for a sword.” His clenched the palm of his hand into a fist.
You stood there in silence thinking of any way to cheer him up until you heard whistling. It was that song… The song you heard last year during the festival. You eyed Izana gently pulling him by the hand closer to the crowd of people.
“I swim and sail on savage seas… with never a fear of drowning…” You heard the man’s voice as he was kneeling on his knee and serenading his wife from what you’ve heard. “And gladly ride the waves of life…” He continued.
“What is this?” Izana whispered in your ear.
You stared at the man and a woman in their mid-forties preforming the same thing they do every ear and you love it every time. “Every year she yells at him while rushing out of the nearby house. Every year he runs after her and sings to her in the square. Every year she joins in and they dance until the song is over. The song starts off emotional and slow but it becomes faster as it goes on.”
Izana turned his attention to the man. As the woman started singing you pulled him through the crowd and pressed your chest against his. One hand on his shoulder and the other holding his you moved with the music. He stared down at you with slight confusion.
As the man joined in on the singing and the two sang a duet the pace was faster just like you said. He followed your steps just fine and the stares pointed at him didn’t even make him as uncomfortable as it usually would. And for just that one moment that wasn’t longer than a couple of seconds. The only thing he could see was your smiling face there was no noise from the towns’ folk not even the music. Just silence in the mere darkness and you the only source of light in front of him.
By the time the song was finished you ended up in Izana’s embrace panting from the fast pace. “You’re a great dancer.” You whispered into his ear.
Izana swallowed a lump forming in his throat. Your face was way closer to his than he realized. “Thanks…” He let his hands fall down to his sides.
“Aren’t you going to kiss her?” Izana felt a poke of a small finger in his side where stood a young girl. To you she seemed two or three years younger than your youngest brother by blood.
The young girl had ginger hair tied in two braids. She was pale and her face was filled with freckles. Her big greed eyes stared at the two of you and her eyebrows were furrowed.
“What…?!” Izana questioned her stunned by her question.
“You heard me! In every novel the male lead would kiss the female lead right now.” She spoke up. “So what are you waiting for?”
“I-…”
“Don’t tell me you are not actually a couple? Only couples dance to that song.” She interrupted him.
Izana sighed after those words left the young girls lips. “Isn’t it inappropriate to kiss in public?”
She thought about it for a good second before looking up at the foreign looking man. She held no fear or judgment towards Izana. “It just shows that love still exists in this world.”
The words of the young red head stunned you and Izana as well as the most people listening in on your conversation. Love still exists in this world huh? You thought. Nobles don’t show any type of affection especially towards their spouse. People of high class are not supposed to concern themselves with love. They just marry for status.
You turned your attention to Izana; he was still staring at the girl stuck in his own head. You could see his profile clearly. White strands of his hair falling on the sides of his face. He was handsome you had to admit it but you never thought of him as a potential partner. You just assumed he will kill you when he avenges his people. That’s right… what reason does he have to keep you alive?
At least you should live your life to the fullest while you still have the chance. When you get married you will have to do all your firsts with an old man. So with that in mind you stepped closer to Izana and pressed a peck on his cheek.
The young man from Vuur flinched at the feeling of your lips against his skin and pressed the palm of his hand against his cheek. He looked at you with widened eyes and a hint of a blush forming on his face. “What are you-…”
You smirked devilishly at his reaction. “Aren’t you going to kiss me Kanin?” You playfully placed both of your hands behind your back bending your body at the waist.
You could feel the stare of the young girl burning a hole in your skull as you smirked at Izana. His eyes widened even more at you question. Izana swallowed a lump forming in his throat; his face was getting hotter by the second. You had the ability to fluster him this easily?
With the prying eyes of the young girl as well as a good number of towns folk looking form all the possible corners and smugly smiling at the two of you he had no other option. Just to escape the awaiting gaze and possibly slander if he doesn’t do it he really places his lips on yours making your eyes widen.
It could be barely called a kiss but his lips really were on yours. It didn’t last long either just a simple peck practically the same as the one you left on his cheek. It was your first kiss as well. It was better than what your first kiss was supposed to be. As a princess and a noble woman your first kiss would be in front of the priest and many other nobles if you were to marry someone on a higher position. Not in the square filled with the commoners.
“You call that a kiss?” The red head complained. “Are you serious…?”
“Not everything is like in the novel.” You spoke up. “You can’t give someone a passionate kiss if you never kissed anyone before.” You patted her head with a smile on your face.
You couldn’t spend many hours on the festival mostly because you were still the first princess and a queen’s stand in until your father remarries. So as the time you spent with Izana was coming to an end you both retrieved your horses from the stable and rode towards the archduchy Sano.
“What made you think I haven’t kissed anyone before?” Izana questioned you right before both of you reached the mansion. You turned your head towards him.
“I know I never did… so I just assumed. I’m sorry.” You apologized as both of you came to a halt close to the wall of the Sano mansion.
“You never kissed anyone?” Your statement confused him.
“Of course not… Noblewomen usually have their first kiss at the altar… With the man they barely know.” You sighed.
Izana’s eyes widened. “How does that happen?”
“Nobles do not marry out of love.” You switched to your polite tone you used in the palace so you don’t slip up. “Nobles marry for the benefits. They marry for the money, land, looks, and honor, even peace… everything but love. However they marry only for the love and nothing else.” You were looking down at the town.
The Sano mansion had the best view of the town besides the castle. You loved looking at the town from the window especially at night. The lights sometimes looked better than the stars.
Izana stared into the distance for a short while. Nobles were much more relaxed in Vuur. In truth you weren’t his first kiss. It was the rebellious princess he had to guard when he got the job in the palace at the age of fourteen.
He was outstanding in everything, beating many other warriors older and much bigger than him with ease. He got a job as a guard in the palace where he made sure that the princess was protected and well taken care off.
She adored Izana. That was the reason for their first kiss. He was fifteen and she was fourteen and she was just curious what it felt like since she was reading a lot of novels. She was reading mostly for the journey of a warrior but every single one of them had a love of their life waiting for them at home.
As the two shared their first kiss in the garden she realized she loved Izana but she had to let him go. He stayed in the palace with betrayal lingering in his chest and she ran away looking for the journey of a warrior and chasing her dreams of freedom.
Izana turned to you as you continued to stare at the lights bellow you. He used his upper body strength to lift his body up and to stand on the saddle you still haven’t noticed his actions just yet and he stepped over the base of your horses’ neck holding his entire body weight with his hands gripping on the front part of the saddle. You turned your head towards him and he was barely a few centimeters away from your face.
The young boy from Vuur pressed his soft lips onto yours in a chaste kiss. You closed your eyes cupping his cheeks. His lips were soft and comforting against yours. But you couldn’t help but feel the tugging feeling on your heart. You couldn’t say you loved him but you knew that you will miss him just as much as you’re going to miss your siblings.
By the time the two of you separated Izana was staring into your eyes. You took in the color of his eyes commencing it to your memory. It was a beautiful color you never wanted to forget. Knowing that you most likely won’t see him again you pressed your lips against his once again. He maneuvered his body closer to yours freeing his hands to hold you. Pulling you into an embrace but he stopped the moment he felt you wince. It was barely noticeable but still he moved away from you like burned.
“I’m a fool…” He spoke up with wide eyes. “I forgot… I… I’m sorry… I… didn’t mean to…” His breathing was uneven and he tried to move away from you as far as possible.
He forgot about the lashes you received because of him. Yes he blamed himself for your lashes. He got off the horse attempting to leave as soon as possible but was stopped by your hand on his bicep.
“It’s fine ‘Zana…” You attempted to turn him around to face you but he was standing in his place not moving a millimeter. You rushed in front of him holding onto his shoulders. “The lashes I got last time were supposed to be healed already…”
Izana shot his head up from the ground staring at your face with furrowed eyebrows. “Supposed to be?” He clenched his fists. “Did she lash you again? That concubine?”
Your expression softened and you let out a sigh. “It wasn’t her. But I was lashed by my half-sister about a week or so ago.” You said truthfully. He can’t do anything anyway so there was no harm in telling him.
Little did you know this only made his resolve stronger... He clenched his jaw. He felt so helpless and useless. Izana took a deep breath in and let it out to calm himself. He then held your face pulling it closer to him and pressing his lips against yours. This one wasn’t gentle nor sweet. Izana Kurokawa held you close kissing you passionately as if he moves too far you will disappear.
Just what will he do when he hears you will have to leave him?
~☆~☆~☆~
The day that has finally come… Veronica’s birthday party rolled around without you even releasing it. Yuzuha and you were getting ready together to ease the work the maids had to do as well as to be done at the same time so your young tailor could go to your brothers and help with getting them ready as well.
“I believe my work with you ladies is done.” Mitsuya smiled at your sister and you as the two of you eyed your dresses in the mirror.
He had really outdone himself. Not to mention how daring he was. There were colors that nobles couldn’t wear if the occasion didn’t call for it and if you weren’t or certain bloodline. For example only members of the royal family could wear gold and red. White would also be rare since it was a color meant for the wedding and black would only wear women who are grieving.
So when Mitsuya showed you the dress you were going to wear your eyes widened. It was a white dress with a tighter fit. That got wider from the top of your knees all the way to the bottom of your feet. From the hem of the dress all the way to your mid-thigh there were intricate black designs that reminded you of tree branches and elegant leaves. Similar design was on a shall that was meant to be draped over your shoulders was dark forest green and the only item of color made out of cloth on your dress.
He didn’t forget to suggest the maids to cover you with golden jewels specifically around your waist and neck. Thin golden chains and chokers brought everything to life in your opinion. You looked extravagant and elegant. The only skin that was clearly visible was the one on your face since Mitsuya made sure you had a pair of black gloves.
“Sister you are beautiful.” Yuzuha commented as one of the maids were getting her hair done.
Mitsuya was considerate of your sister as well. She most like told him that she dislikes dresses and how hard it is to move in them so he met her in the middle. Her dress was shorter in the front barely reaching above her knees and it would gradually get longer until it reached full length in the back. It was something like a cape and she wore trousers underneath it. It was mostly dark blue with white and golden details that matched the black ones on your dress and shall.
“You speak lies, if anyone is beautiful that would be you.” You spoke with a smile while side eyeing your younger sister.
“I would never!” She raised her tone slightly with a smirk caressing her lips.
By the time Yuzuha and you were done you met up with your younger brothers. Taiju had on a white suit with dark green dress shirt that matched your cape as well as many details all over his tuxedo of the same color as well as golden accents
Hakkai however had white trousers on as well as a tuxedo like top that had a dark blue cape hanging on his shoulders. His dress shirt was black and he too had many golden and dark blue details all over his torso.
Not that you thought about it you were matching with Taiju quite a bit as well as Yuzuha with Hakkai. “I must say that the two of you look quite eye-catching. You might even catch some attention from the ladies.” You offered them a hint of a smirk.
Hakkai had yet to publicly appear as a prince and Taiju never really bothered with the gatherings. So this will be the first time when both third and the fifth prince make an appearance in the society. Yuzuha did show herself once but was discouraged shortly after when young noble ladies bullied her indirectly.
“Before we go to the hall keep in mind a few things.” You spoke up you four walked towards one of the entrance halls. “Yuzuha, you are a princess who holds noble blood. If anyone says anything rude to you either glare at them or insult them back. No one is above you except the king not even the concubines but keep in mind what happens when you insult a concubine so stay away from them.” You spoke firmly. “Hakkai the same goes for you. And for all our sakes Taiju please behave.” You warned your younger brother who rolled his eyes at you.
Taiju ultimately offered you his hand to escort you to the party hall. You held onto forearm and out of the corner of your eye noticed Yuzuha did the same with Hakkai. “I have to say one more thing.” You sighed. “I want you to know that I… I love you. There is nothing in this world that is more precious to me than you three. So please take care of each other.”
You stunned your younger siblings. You rarely expressed your feeling if at all. And as you stood in front of double doors waiting for a servant to announce your presence to the guests you could feel Taiju’s intense stare on your skin.
“Here comes the first princess (Y/N) Shiba, the third prince Taiju Shiba, the seventh princess Yuzuha Shiba and The fifth prince Hakkai Shiba.” The servant spoke loudly as you entered. All eyes were on you.
You held a high position in the society so many young women admired your elegance as well as the unique dress you wore. Not to mention how many were stunned to see your tall younger siblings. You could practically see the many ladies irises contort from a sphere shape into the one resembling a heart. It took all your willpower and self-control to suppress a chuckle.
You could feel Taiju’s tall frame stiffening next to you. He never appeared in public where people could clearly see his face and talk to him. Not to mention the warring you gave him made him somewhat insecure.
“You will be just fine.” You patted his upper back in order to reassure your uncharacteristically anxious younger brother. “Keep your head up and don’t be impolite or swear and they will love you.”
Taiju visibly relaxed after those words left your lips. “Thank you…” He mumbled underneath his breath barely audible to you let alone anyone else.
“I greet their majesties the first and the seventh princesses and the third and the fifth prince…” Lady Gale was the first one to approach you with a deep and respectful bow.
“Lady Gale, it is a pleasure as always.” You offered her a kind smile making her stiffen.
She lifted her fan over her mouth and made a step closer to you. “I heard Lady Veronica complaining to her friends. I have a feeling the will try something.” She moved backwards. “Keep an eye out for her.” She warned.
“I will, thank you.”
“Is this the first time that the princes are attending a party?” She questioned which you confirmed with a nod. “Lord, help us… Did you warn them about…?” She looked to her side then the other before placing a fan over her lips. “You know who?”
“I did not have the chance just yet I am afraid.” You sighed.
“My, my, princess, and I thought you adored your siblings.” She offered you a smirk in a jesting manner. “May I have a moment of your time your majesty?” She eyed Taiju who furrowed his eyebrows at her. “You would not want to waste your precious time on troublesome people now would you?”
He followed after Lady Gale with a sigh leaving his lips. Yuzuha still seemed hesitant to leave your side as well as Hakkai. You looked through the crowd of faces noticing lady Sano and Tachibana conversing with each other, luckily Mitsuya was right next to them. Your younger siblings watched them from afar.
“You should join them.” You spoke up.
“But…” Yuzuha wanted to jump in but you stopped her by raising your hand initiating that you weren’t done talking.
“I have some people I need to greet; you should enjoy yourselves until you have to do so in my stead.” You watched as your younger siblings walked away from you.
You turned in the direction where you saw Shinichiro chatting with some gentlemen. When you were barely few meters away from them you also noticed Izana standing next to his adoptive brother. Their backs were turned to you and the gentlemen facing them had a displeased expression on their faces.
“With all due respect Sir Sano but he cannot be a general.” A noble gentleman commented.
“I do not see why not…” Shinichiro was interrupted by the very same gentleman.
“Sir Sano, I am aware that you are young but…”
“You are the new count leading the house of Osanai am I correct?” The gentlemen turned their attention to you and many froze in their place. “After your brother the late count died you took over did you not?” Your question made a smirk slither on his face.
“That is correct princess…” He looked disgusting in your eyes.
“I greet her majesty the first princess…” Shinichiro bowed at the torso with his dominant hand pressed against his chest.
“I greet her majesty the first princess…” Izana spoke up mimicking his adoptive brother’s actions.
“Your greetings are well received.” You bowed your head out of respect only to send a glare towards the gentlemen who didn’t bother to greet you properly. “I still believe that my position is higher than yours gentlemen.” You warned as everyone greeted you with a bow hurriedly with the exception of a count. “Count Osanai… do you perhaps believe that just because your nephew is possible crowned prince you do not need to show me respect?” You emphasized the word ‘possible’.
“I greet the first princess…” He bowed his head slightly.
“You do understand that my half-sister would have you beheaded if you spoke to her the way you did to me. Should I also remind you that your nephew does not carry the Shiba name which belongs to our king? Or have you perhaps forgotten the basic etiquette which you were supposed to learn as soon as you could walk and which foreigners are able to adapt to better in merely a week?” You looked down on the count.
“You…”
“I am the first born child of the king who you serve.” You interrupted hi stepping closer with fury glimmering in your eyes. You made sure to hide a shaking dominant hand before you spoke again. “I give everyone the equal amount of respect, be it the archduke, be it the baron, be it the knight or be it a simple commoner working in fields from dusk till dawn to feed his family. However the moment you do not give me the same respect or the same respect to the people serving the royal family for unreasonable reasons you lose all my respect. Now let me remind you the basics of etiquette before you make the same mistake and lose your precious tongue. When a member of the royal family steps close to you, you bow and say I greet her or his majesty and the title. And when someone of higher position speaks you do not interrupt them. Was I clear?”
He stayed silent. “Do not make me repeat myself.” You warned.
“You were crystal clear your majesty.” He bowed his head and left.
Shinichiro smirked as the gentlemen left after the count. “As venomous as always I see.”
“Silence yourself.” You said with an airy chuckle leaving your lips. “How can you keep so calm when someone like that disrespects you I will never know?” You added.
“Now that is a secret.” He smiled at you.
“How mysterious…” You mocked. “Is that why you got rejected to many times to count?”
“You snake...”
You giggled at his accusation. Shinichiro Sano was a joy to tease. However you failed to notice Izana’s eyes on you. He observed you several times and you seemed the most relaxed and yourself with his adoptive brother who he had no trouble with respecting. He heard rumors about your secret affair with the older man and he could understand how those rumors came to be.
Izana would probably be jealous if it weren’t for that secret outing. If the rumors were true you wouldn’t invite him to go with you him but Shinichiro.
“I must ask. What was the purpose of this party?” Shinichiro lowered his voice to the volume where only Izana and you could hear him. “I know our king better than most nobles.” He eyed Izana as he spoke. “He did not allow the first princess to have her coming of age party let alone and insignificant age as fourteen.” He added.
“Are you serious?” Izana questioned.
“Well I am the first child of the king to reach the adulthood and I think even the worms in the ground know he is not found of me. Just because I did not have a single celebration does not mean the children he favors will not.” You said.
“So what you’re telling me is that that is in his favor?” Izana eyed Veronica from afar with a hint of disgust on his face.
“Mind your expression.” Shinichiro warned the white haired male whose face relaxed at his words forming a natural expression.
“He favors everyone who gives him the love and affection or is a tyrant like him.” You covered your mouth with a fan as you spoke. “I like to think he prefers incompetent children. However that is a lie because some of my siblings are more than competent but not in the way they need to be in order to rule.” You lowered the fan as your eyes landed Taiju.
As if he knew you were looking at him your eyes met. You pressed four tips of your fingers against your lips and then nudged them in his direction. Your actions made a hint of a smile creep up on his lips and he mimicked your action.
It was something your mother taught the four of you for safety measures as well as encouragement. It was a simple action that meant ‘I see you’ as ridiculous as it may have sounded it was a smart action.
Nobody but your siblings and your mother knew the meaning. ‘When I was young my brother disappeared.’ The queen spoke with sadness painting her usually cold and natural eyes. ‘He was nothing but a curious boy who could not find his way home. He appeared out of nowhere after some years. His face was burned and distorted beyond recognition he begged our parents to let him inside the house but they did not recognize him and if we did not have a secret sign I would never be able to talk to my brother again and he would have died on the streets.’ She sighed. ‘This is why this means ‘I see you’.’ She pressed the tips of her fingers on her lips and nudged them in the direction of the four of you. ‘Even when someone tries to mimic it they will not know what it means and how much it means to you. I see you my children, I see how strong you are, I see how hard this life will be for you, I see so many things you will not understand until you are older.’ She then repeated her action and you and your siblings copied her. ‘Nobody knows what this means except for you.’
The voice of the king brought you out of your thoughts as he spoke up on a golden terrace in front of his people. He was more extravagant than anyone in the room and he held a wide smile as he looked down on his people. Next to him was the King of Sem Coração.
Breno Silva was a man in his late forties or early fifties his tan skin was darker than yours but much lighter than Izana’s. He held authority as he stood proudly next to your father. He had the most visible wrinkles around his eyes and eyebrows which indicated that he wasn’t a happy go lucky type of person but a strict ruler. His clothes were also unique much looser and colorful than what you were used to seeing in Thymos.
“I am delighted to congratulate my lovely daughter the ninth princess Veronica Belle on her fourteenth birthday.” He smiled at her. “As well as my happiness that my firstborn child will become a concubine for the King Breno Silva of San Coração…”
As the Queen, I made it my duty to find loyal servants to assist Izana. Unfortunately, despite his fame, the King isn’t praised enough, which is why I need you to help me give the King the attention and care he deserves.
I’m kicking off 2022 by hosting a collab for our beloved, Izana Kurokawa. If you are like me then you probably noticed the lack of Izana content in the Tokyo Revengers fandom, which is a shame. As much as I love my King, I can’t always make sure he doesn’t lack anything by myself. So I would love to see you provide more content for him with me. I hope a lot of you will join and have fun participating!
You must be 18+ to join this collab and your age should be visible on your blog.
The main requirement of this collab is to have Izana as the focus of what you are writing.
Your piece should be at least 500 words and it can be in any format (drabble, headcanons or full fics etc.).
For SFW pieces, all genres and tropes are welcome.
For NSFW pieces, I will ask for it to be porn with plot. I also have a strong preference for dom!reader. However entering with a sub!reader piece is fine. I will just ask you to tag it properly and again make it porn with plot.
Dark content is welcome as well. I will just ask you to tag things properly.
All readers are welcome including female, male, gender-neutral, dom, sub.
You can submit as many pieces as you would like.
Your piece should be done by the 28th of February but if you need more time just let me know.
Please reblog this post to spread the word.
Send me an ask or a DM to tell me if your piece will be SFW or NSFW and a quick summary if you can.
Don’t forget to tag me on your pieces once you are done.
All pieces will be linked here:
@kshira ~ Arranged marriage AU, king!Izana x fem!Reader
@bakumu ~ More details to come
@bxnten ~ College AU/best friend’s brother!Izana x fem!Reader
You are not allow to complain about lack of content if you don't reblog content.
You're part of the problem. I don't care if it doesn't fit your aesthetic or you think that a like is "just as good". Reblogs are way more important than likes.
A like is like a quick almost mindless thing you do as a "neat" before you keep scrolling. At least that's what it feels like they are.
A reblog is telling that creator: Hey, I really like your stuff and want you to make more. I'll help by spreading your content around so more people can see it.
We all appreciate likes but they don't do any good if no one is sharing the content.
Every time I see such a difference in likes and reblogs it discourages me from writing more and I'm sure others feel the same.
Recent search and tag results aren't populating. We're working on a fix, and we'll let you know when the incident is resolved. Big thanks to everyone who reported this!
