Chapter Two: The Sacrifice of a Princess

"Then I need you to help me, or, I should say come with me to a place that needs the two of us to help it."

Tetsuya carefully listened to Ume's request. He had a feeling that he already knew what his Princess was going to ask of him and even though he would basically do anything Ume would ask, he still couldn't disobey the orders of his Emperor.

"Please Tetsuya, that village needs our help. We can't just abandon them and let them be wiped out by the enemy. The other villages will see this as a betrayal to them and they will start to fear and hate us!"

Tetsuya saw the desperation in his Princess' eyes. He knew that if he didn't go with her, she would go off on her own anyway, and that would be a bigger problem than the two of them going together.

"You know your father will be angry with us if we go. He said he wasn't sending anyone to the village."

"My father said he wasn't going to send members if the Royal Army. The two of us aren't part of the Royal Army, we're part of the Elite forces. We're able to do what they cannot. Please Tetsuya, help me help our people!" Ume grabbed a hold of Tetsuya's shoulders. Gripping on them so tightly that her hands were starting to shack. He looked off to the corner of the garden. A shadow stood there in silence but not in secret. Tetsuya knew who it was, so he also knew a message would be relayed back to their leader and the rest of the Emperor's Six Warriors.

"Alright Princess. Let's go quickly before someone finds out."

Ume's eyes filled up with extreme happiness. She'd be able to show her father that no village would have to be sacrificed when it came to war. Anyone could be saved if there was someone who was willing to step in and help.

The two quickly grabbed a few things before jumping onto the roof. Ume was the first to jump down to the other side. Before jumping down, himself, Tetsuya looked back into the garden. Letting out a heavy sigh he jumped down. At the same time a kunai that all members of the Emperor's Six Warriors carried on them landed near the center tree that sat in the garden.

When both Ume and Tetsuya were gone the figure that was hiding in the shadows stepped out into the moonlight, Ryōta Kise. He stood at the corner of the long wooden deck with his arms crossed over his chest and a smile on his face.

"Looks like those two are going to get themselves into some serious trouble. I guess I should go tell the others about this." Ryōta walked over to the kunai that Tetsuya had thrown before leaving with Princess Ume. Attached to it was a note.

"Tell the others. I know you heard everything. Now go, and don't be late." Ryōta read out loud to himself. "That Kurokocchi really has a way with words."

On the other side of the compound, the other members of the Emperor's Six Warriors were busy trainer with their Sensei, Shūzō Nijimura. Daiki Amoine was facing off against the group's leader Seijūrō Akashi. Both are strong and powerful warriors; all members of the Emperor's Six Warriors are. Each chosen from the Emperor himself and then recruited by Shūzō Nijimura.

The first to be selected by the Emperor was Tetsuya Kuroko, to protect his daughter and be her shadow. Tetsuya was born within the walls of the palace and since the day he was born he has been trained by Shūzō and has the Emperor's greatest respect.

The second member to join was Shintarō Midorima. Just like Tetsuya, he was born within the walls of the palace. His parents were good friends of the Emperor. His father being the Emperor's adviser, a position that Shintarō is working hard to obtain as well.

Third to join the was Daiki Amoine. Before being recruited by the Emperor and Shūzō Nijimura, Daiki lived his life as a Mercenary. A hired soldier that many Emperors or Warlords would hire if they wanted someone taken care of. He didn't do it for money like people might think. He mostly did it to show off his skills, face off against strong opponents and girls.

Forth to join was Ryōta Kise. Ryōta lived on the streets as a prostitute to help raise money to take care of his good friend and lover Reiji Ryusaki but would often have to move from place to place to avoid capture. He was refried to as a con artist or con man to get what he wanted. It also helped that he was really good looking, giving him the advantage with women and even men.

Fifth to join was Atsushi Murasakibara. Known as 'the Giant with a sweet tooth', people found Atsushi to be scary and intimidating because of his size. He also lived a life similar to Daiki, as a Mercenary. There was just a few things that differ the two. While Daiki took on any job he was given, Atsushi didn't. He took on jobs that interest him and didn't usually ask for money as payment that often, but instead would ask for sweet foods.

Last to join the group was Seijūrō Akashi. Seijūrō is said to be the most dangerous of the Emperor's Six Warriors. People having said that Seijūrō is a child of demons. This saying coming from the fact that his one eye would sometimes change color. A trait that people would often fear, but also a rumor that wasn't false. Orphaned at a young age because of times of war, Seijūrō made deals with demons to protect him, causing the color change in his one eye. Fearing for their safety from the demon child an award was given for Seijūrō's head, dead or alive. When Emperor Kohaku heard about the strange boy he sends Shūzō and Tetsuya to recruit him, who by this time had been captured and sentence to death by execution of beheading.

Each member as a different story but each had their own reason for serving the Emperor, and each are grateful to him for all that he has done for them.

Both Daiki and Seijūrō waited for Shūzō Sensei's oaky to start. Shūzō looked at his two students. His hand up in the air, just about to start the match between the two and then, his hand dropped. Right away Seijūrō's left eye changed from being a stunning red to a glowing gold. Long and strong brown wings suddenly emerged from his back. The kimono he was wearing seemed to catch on fire as a lit lantern appeared in his hand. This is the power of the child of demons.

"Satsuki!!" Daiki shouted. A stream of pink smoke surrounded Daiki. A figure of a pink cat women started immerging out of the smoke. A demon spirit guide who Daiki is able to summon to aid him in battle. "Satsuki, clip those wings of his." Satsuki suddenly lunged towards Seijūrō. Her long claw fingernails ready to tear the wings from Seijūrō's back.

Not even fazed with fear at the female cat-lady coming at him, Seijūrō lifted the hand that carried his lantern. With one good swing of his hand a wave of fire went rushing at Satsuki. The intense heat was too much for her, causing Satsuki to quickly retreat back to Daiki and protect him. Using the flower pendent in her hair, Satsuki created a pink barrier between the blazing fire and Daiki.

"That's enough you two," Shūzō stepped in before the training season could get out of hand. "don't forget that this is only training. We don't need things getting out of hand like last time."

Seijūrō and Daiki gave each other a stern glare. Seijūrō's wings started to dissipate, as well as the fire that consumed his robs and the lantern that was in his hand. His left eye also went back to its normal stunning red. Daiki thanked Satsuki for her help and told her to head back to the demon world where she and other demons lived.

"That was a bit scary." A voice suddenly spoke up.

The rest of the Emperor's Six Warriors looked up to where the voice was coming from. Ryōta was sitting on the roof with his legs crossed and had his usual playboy smile on his face.

"Where have you been?!" Daiki growled at the cocky blonde.

"Following the Emperor's orders. He and the Princess got into another fight and he asked me to keep an eye on her," Ryōta started to spin the kunai around his finger before throwing it to his Sensei. "that's the message from Kurokocchi. He and the Princess snuck out of the palace a few minutes ago."

"And you just let them go! Why the hell didn't you stop them!" Daiki snapped as his temper was flaring as usual.

"Do you really think the princess would've stopped, even if I asked her to?! The young Princess is headstrong and stubborn, just like her late mother. There was no talking her out of it. They're headed towards the village that is be threatened by enemy forces. His Emperor said he wasn't sending anyone to defend it so the Princess and Kurokocchi went on their own. Kurokocchi is expecting us to back the two of them up. What do we do Nijimura Sensie?"

The remaining five warriors looked to their teacher. Waiting to be told if they should help their Princess and fellow warrior or stay where they were and tell the Emperor that his daughter had disobeyed his order. With a heavy sigh Shūzō knew he had to make a call.

"All of you, listen up! You have a comrade that needs help and the Princess is with him. These are your orders. Defend the village and bring those two back, alive. I'll take the heat for this from the Emperor. Show no fear in the eye of the enemy and remember your training. Teamwork is key. Now go!"

"Yes, Sensei!!!!!" All five yelled and then disappeared in a flash.

"Those two are going to be in a load of trouble when they get back." Shūzō too quickly disappeared to inform the Emperor of what's happened.

Tetsuya and Princess Ume had arrived at the village by the time the moon was high in the know onyx black sky. They had all the villagers evacuate to the neighboring village that was more than two hours away. All they had to do now was wait, wait for the enemy to show their faces through the darkness of the night.

"Tetsuya, do you see anything?" Ume asked as she run up to him at the edge of the border between the two lands.

"Not yet. They might be waiting to see if your father is going to make a move. The threat your father reserved a few days ago was never responded to. They could take that from either angle if they choose to. We just need to be patient in a time like this."

"I don't like this. It's too quiet. They made this threat three days ago and my father had just now gotten word that they were moving out. Why wait this long before attacking?"

"It's call reading the opponent Princess. And why the hell are you two even here?!" Ume suddenly felt herself being lifted up the collar of her kimono. Looking up she saw the shaggy purple hair of Atsushi, but it wasn't Atsushi who yelled at her. The rest of the Emperor's Six Warriors started coming into view and that's when she found the one who spoke, Daiki.

"What are you all doing here? Atsushi put me down!! You know I don't like being lifted!" Atsushi slowly placed Ume's feet back on the ground. When she finally calmed herself down she re-asked her question. "Again, what are you all doing here?"

"That--" Shintarō was about to start but was suddenly cut off.

"That would be all thanks to Kurokocchi here! He left a message for us as the two of you were leaving!" Ryōta wrapped his arm tightly around Tetsuya's shoulders.

"Get off me."

"Tetsuya!? Did you really leave a note for them to follow us?! Now this will defiantly get back to my father!"

"Don't blame Kurokocchi, Princess. I was spying on the two of you the whole time. Although I do have the felling the Kurokocchi knew I was there. Isn't that right?!"

"I said get off of me."

Ryōta's constant teasing of Tetsuya continued for a few minutes after it started. Distracting them from what was going on around them. From within the darkness and the quite of the night the enemy was closing in around them. Taking the advantage that they had given them. With one small crack of a twig Shintarō pick up on their movements.

"Everyone be still for a moment."

Everyone suddenly fell silent. Listening carefully the sounds of leaves ruffling and twigs snapping could be heard all over the place.

"Shintarō, what do you see?" Seijūrō asked silently. Shintarō closed his eyes and when he opened them again they had changed slightly. He merged with one of his own demon spirits he's able to summon. An ancient creature that many have never seen, a dragon he calls Omamori.

"Thanks to my friend and lucky item of the day here I'm able to see that we've been surrounded do to letting our guard down. They have us cornered on all sides. The only way to get the jump on them his to play their game and act like we don't notice. Maybe then--" Shintarō suddenly stopped.

"What is it Shintarō? What's wrong?" Ume asked.

"I don't know. Something... something's getting in the way of my vision. I'm not able to connect with Omamori properly. Ahhhhh!!!" A sharp pain suddenly shot through Shintarō's head.

"Shintarō!!" Ume rushed as he continued to clench his head in pain.

"Idiot! Brake the connection with Omamori! This is the power of a Demon Chanter. Someone who's able to hurt demon spirits. Since you and Omamori are connected it's affecting you too!" Daiki explained as he drew his sword.

Shintarō broke his connection with Omamori and right away the pain in his head started the fade. The enemy planned for this. They knew that most of the Emperor's Six Warriors were spirit demon tamers. All but Tetsuya, Ryōta and Atsushi.

Laughter suddenly rung out all around them. Pouncing off of the now abandon homes.

"Is this all the Emperor has to challenge my with?! Only a hand full of his Elite Forces and the little Princess. He must be self-centered with worry if this is his best."

"Why this village!!?" Ume suddenly yelled out. "What makes this village your center point to attack?!"

"Oh? There is no reason young Princess. Our king just wanted to see how far it is your father would go to protect his people. Obviously from what I've seen he doesn't care all that much. How sad." The leader of the enemy's arm was really starting to get on Ume's last nerve. No one specks poorly of her father. He's a great man.

"We're all that's needed to defend this village." Ume drew her sword and then looked to the others. Each with a smile on their faces as they drew their swords.

"This should be fun." Ryōta flung his sword over his shoulder.

"Let's get this over with. I'm bored already." Atsushi complained with a yawn.

"Don't screw this up Kise!" Daiki snapped at the blonde.

"Look for the Demon Charmer. Once he's out of the way we'll be able to summon our demon comrades." Shintarō pushed his glasses up with his middle finger.

"You be careful now, Tetsuya." Seijūrō softly said.

"You too. Ume, stay close to me."

"Let's go." Ume's voice whispered, and they all disappeared into the darkness.

Blood stained the ground as the Emperor's Six Warriors and Princess Ume fought off against the enemy. Defending a small village with all their might. The demon Charmer had been taken care of, which allowed the warriors, especially Seijūrō who did most of his fighting merged with a demon to fight properly. The battling seemed to be over when the last solider fell in front of them, but there was still one person that hadn't showed his face, the leader of the enemy forces. The sounds of their heavy breathing echoed in the darkness of the night.

"It's over. It's finally over." Ume said to herself.

"No, it's not over. Not yet." Seijūrō now finally decided to say something. "Their leader still hasn't revealed himself. Keep an eye out for him."

All was quiet. They didn't know rather or not the enemy's leader was still here, hiding in the shadows or ran back home to his leader.

Out of the corner of her eye Ume noticed something moving in the darkness. She wasn't able to make it out at first but once the moonlight shined down it showed the enemy's leader behind Tetsuya, just about to take off his head.

"Tetsuya!!!"

Ume raced over towards Tetsuya. Before he had the chance to defend himself, he found himself on the ground. When he looked up he saw Ume standing where he stood. Blood was dripping from her arms and when the enemy's sword was pulled away from her body, blood spattered everywhere. A drop or two landing on Tetsuya's face.

"Ume!!!"