Prowess of the Bushido Rivals part 2

The Disgraced Prince

"This old man is a suspect in the killings at Mujina Woodlands," Sesshomaru replied, readying a more powerful attack to test Kirameku Ha's speed. "Interference in the investigation will cost you your life."

Rushing at Kirameku Ha, Sesshomaru darted forward before Yamashi appeared before him with visible outrage. He channeled his yoki energy into a fist and unleashed a fiery punch that knocked the western lord back far enough for Yamashi to chase after him. The two princes clashed in a flurry of punches or claw swipes until Yamashi materialized an axe into his hand. Dodging rapidly, Sesshomaru managed to escape several slash attacks until Yamashi used the leather hoop at the end of his axe to catch Sesshomaru's ankle and yank him forward into a partial split. Yamashi swung the axe down, but Sesshomaru reacted in time to block the attack. Fire and sand blended to make a dirt devil form along with bits of glass.

"You're a credit to your kind. Pretty-faced, dishonorable wretches!" Yamashi leaped away from the conflicting yoki energies until he was in front of Kirameku Ha and acting in his defense.

"You know nothing of Lord Sesshomaru's kind!" Jaken defended. "He's a great warrior!"

"Jaken, quiet," Sesshomaru ordered, narrowing his eyes at the new challenger.

"Sesshomaru, you don't know what you're doing!" Ichi argued. "Where's the guy that was so hell-bent on helping innocents? You're not the guy I met those couple of weeks ago."

Sesshomaru only looked at Ichi for a second before replying, "I only had an interest in helping one innocent. You just so happened to be roped into it."

Furious, Yamashi unloaded a high amount of yoki energy, dismissed his axe, and practically rocketed toward Sesshomaru. He swiped at the western lord with his bare claws, missing him each time, then materialized the axe again for a crushing blow to Sesshomaru's core. Flashing behind him, Yamashi grabbed Sesshomaru and slammed him into the ground before taking his axe and swinging downward. Sesshomaru managed to dodge in time before he was a few feet below the surface of the earth. A crater formed where he once stood and the commotion startled other mourners.

"That's it!" Meioshi declared, furrowing her brows in anger and leaping in front of Sesshomaru before he readied another attack. She summoned her Kaishi Novum and pointed it at his neck before saying, "You are not about to start an all-out brawl at a man's funeral with my sensei or a prince! If you are so disrespectful of a man's death, you are unworthy of your title as a lord. Leave this place this instant or I will deal with you myself!"

Silenced by her words, Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes at the doctor and did something Jaken did not expect. He lowered his claw and weapon before putting Bakusaiga away. He then said, "We already have a battle to fight. Your sensei is still a suspect. I will return for him if any more killings occur, and I expect a sword to be in his hand by then. Your prince has some potential, but he is not the one who killed those demons. The attacker was a silent killer and didn't use so much energy. Only a gentle, quiet hand could do what it did. I will respect your dead for today."

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He loved to dance. It was an odd hobby for a Netherworld demon, but he thoroughly enjoyed a good swaying of the hips or elegant pivot. He didn't know his partner's name in this dance, but she would be a treat when the dance was done. He carried her near lifeless body in his arms, eyes closed and fanged mouth parted to hum a tune. She was barely breathing but she was weak and conscious. He heard her try to speak with groaning, but her sound didn't match the song. He turned to look at her and placed her down on her bed. It was one she shared with her husband. He was not him. He kissed her lips as they descended to the bed together, pulled her obijime to release its grip on her kimono, and parted her kimono effortlessly. Their romance was a different kind of love affair. She tried to plead with him, a tear escaping her eye. He wiped it away and shushed her before kissing her again. It was the last kiss.

He didn't fully undress. He only pulled his pants down just enough to reveal his erection. He entered her body, making her release a moan followed by a whimper. He was slow at first, moving his kisses further down to the bite mark on her neck. He broke the ice forming from his bites with his fangs, unbothered by the sensation of cold it emitted, and sunk his teeth in her flesh. Only a bit of warmth was left. The blood dripped into his mouth, feeding his desire for the taste of death. He gave her the final bit of mercy before sucking the last bits of life from her. As she was dying, his thrusting became more aggressive and the feeling of her death approaching heightened the sensation of pleasure traveling through his body. Her moans started as a gurgled scream until they became quiet. His eyes rolled shut and the thrusting became erratic. Her body was fully his to enjoy now that she was dead. The rapid contact of their flesh meeting each other and his moaning was the only music left. When he met his end, he released shadows from his body and materialized a white mask into his hand. He placed it on the lifeless lover's body and pulled himself out to watch her transformation.

"Ambassador," a voice called.

Turning his head slightly, he waited for the visitor to continue but heard nothing. Looking at the woman he had been intimate with until her death, he caressed the cheek of the white mask before crawling off the bed. He didn't feel like fixing his pants, but he may as well be courteous for a little longer until the plan had commenced. Walking to the front door of the lavish home he had been staying in, a man was waiting outside. It was a guard. One that his mistress would enjoy playing with if his handsome face wasn't a clue. The guard looked down at the bulge in his pants before smirking. He was about to make some sort of joke.

"Were you getting lucky there, ambassador?" the guard asked, locking eyes with Norihisa, or at least who he thought was him.

"I was lucky the moment I chose her to be my wife," Norihisa replied, grinning toothily. He looked out to the courtyard and saw a carriage piloted by two red dragons. He then turned to the guard and asked, "What's all this?"

"We're going to the rendezvous point before Lord Sesshomaru arrives," the guard replied, slightly narrowing his gaze at the man. "Guards were sent to present more information to him as instructed by the court. It seems a rally is in the works in the Mujina Woodlands. The situation has escalated with news of another death. He'll have to make haste if he wants peace between the rival clans or another task of this nature ever again. He's looking into the Woodland deaths now. While he does that, we'll look into the information you provided once we arrive at this village you mentioned."

"Ah, then you're in for quite the treat," Norihisa said, smiling gently. "It might not be your taste with your marriage, but the single soldiers will have a spot of favoritism for it. After all, it was built with unmarried soldiers in mind once."

"Once?"