Forbidden Fruit

Summary: Midoriko prays for a miracle, asking for a child despite being forbidden to bear children as a priestess. Kirinmaru, a demon, steps out from the shadows and offers to be the father of her child.

Midoriko was a priestess at the Shinto shrine, known for her devotion and strength of spirit. Day after day, she offered prayers and performed sacred rituals with steadfast dedication. Yet, beneath her serene composure, a hidden longing stirred— she secretly wanted more than just her duties as a priestess...

One evening, as she knelt before the altar, Midoriko felt compelled to voice her deepest wish. She took a steadying breath and murmured her prayer, her voice low but full of earnest hope.

"Divine ones... if you hear me, grant me this one miracle. I know it is forbidden, but please... allow me to experience the bond of motherhood. Let me feel the heartbeat of a child within me."

Lost in her words, she didn’t notice the imposing figure standing in the shadows. Kirinmaru, the Beast King, had been watching her, his sharp gaze filled with both fascination and desire. The quiet strength in her voice, her courage to ask for the forbidden—it called to something within him.

When she was done, Kirinmaru stepped out of the darkness, and his powerful presence filled the shrine. His voice, deep and smooth, broke the silence like a spell.

"My lady," he murmured, each word laced with dark allure, "I couldn't help but hear your plea. It seems the divine has not yet answered you. But... I am more than willing to grant your request."

Midoriko turned to face him, her expression hardening as her gaze met his. There was no fear in her eyes, only a steady resolve. 

"And why would a demon concern himself with a priestess’s prayer?" Midoriko demanded, her voice firm as she held her ground.

Kirinmaru’s lips curved into a knowing smile. "Surely you know I am no ordinary demon. My bloodline carries power that could shake even the heavens. I am confident that our offspring would be a mighty force. Just imagine the strength of any child born into such a legacy."

Midoriko remained silent, fighting to steady her racing heart. She wanted to dismiss his words, to shake off the effect his presence had on her, yet something in her resisted. She hated how her heart and body seemed to betray her, drawn to the promise his words held. 

She knew she needed to be careful! He was a master of temptation. He would do anything to make it hard for her to stick to her decision.

Sensing her hesitation, Kirinmaru stepped closer, his voice dipping lower as if coaxing her secret thoughts into the open. 

"Oh, perhaps I can put it another way to... sway you." His gaze was steady, clearly unapologetic. "Let’s just say I have a certain appreciation for forbidden fruit. And if your heart truly desires for a child, I would be more than willing to offer my services as its father."

The bluntness of his words snapped Midoriko back into focus. 

"Do you even hear yourself?" she exclaimed, narrowing her eyes in shock. "What you're suggesting defies everything I stand for! I am here to protect my people from ‘creatures’ like you. Your offer is not only insulting, but it also disrespects my duty as a priestess."

Kirinmaru chuckled softly, stepping even closer, invading her space with a confidence that seemed to make the air heavier. 

"Don't we always desire what's off-limits?" His voice was soft, almost taunting. "I suggest you take what you truly desire. Rules be damned, Midoriko..."

"Don’t you dare say my name again!" she tensed, warning him with a dangerous look. 

"And what if I refuse?" Kirinmaru countered instantly, the amusement in his voice laced with mischief. His eyes gleamed as he studied her defiance. "You crave the impossible, Midoriko. And as a priestess, you want something that no one else dares dream of. Forbidden desires haunt us the longest. They consume our thoughts. They make us feel incomplete, unsatisfied, and most of all... yearning for more, wouldn't you agree?"

A sly smile spread across his face as he saw Midoriko not responding to him. He closed the distance further, his voice a whisper meant only for her. "So, tell me, my dear priestess—what are your thoughts? Shall we taste this forbidden fruit together?"

Midoriko’s eyes flashed with determination. "Desire may be tempting, but honor is my shield. I will not be misled by a demon's tricks, even one as powerful as you, Kirinmaru..."

Her emotions swirled in confusion. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she tried to steady herself. No matter how hard she tried to ignore it, the heat that Kirinmaru’s words sent through her was undeniable. She didn’t understand why his presence had this effect on her, but she was determined to resist him.

The Beast King paused, he was surprised to hear his own name uttered by Midoriko, the priestess whom he had secretly been harboring feelings for. The way she said his name with defiance, was like a spark in her voice. And for a brief moment, he felt a warmth he had never anticipated.

Without thinking, he reached out and caught her arm, his grip firm yet gentle, holding her in place as his voice softened.

“Listen to me, Midoriko. You haven’t even heard my proposal. I can give you the child you desperately desire. A child who would possess strength beyond any other. A child who could bridge the gap between our worlds—a symbol of peace between humans and demons.”

Midoriko hesitated, torn. Her heart raced as she wrestled with her thoughts. She had always known that the relationship between humans and demons was forbidden. Any offspring of such a union would be considered a sin. But the idea he presented—of a child who could bring unity and peace—tempted her. It was unlike anything she had ever imagined, But… was it worth breaking the laws of the gods?

Kirinmaru stared at her, his gaze was intense. She felt herself getting weaker as she looked into his eyes. She shook her head, finally pulling free from his grasp, her voice barely a whisper. “I can’t.”

Even as she said the words, her heart betrayed her hesitation, and Kirinmaru noticed. Refusing to give up, he took a step closer, his voice persuasive yet calm.

“Consider what I’m offering, Midoriko. I would personally ensure the protection of your village, a safeguard for your people against any threat. All I ask is your cooperation.”

Midoriko was startled by the sincerity in his voice. Her heart stilled by the unexpected promise of security from a demon. She looked at him, her emotions a chaotic mix of confusion and curiosity, unable to believe that someone as powerful—and fearsome—as Kirinmaru would make such an offer. And all for her.

Gathering her courage, she asked the question that had begun to burn within her.

“But why?” Her voice was steady as she looked into his eyes. “Why would you go to such lengths to have a child with me? Why me?”

Kirinmaru's answer was simple and direct. His gaze meeting hers with startling honesty.

"Because I like you," he said, his eyes full of sincerity. "I want you to be the mother of my child. You see, we both desire to have a child of our own. Why can't we come up with a plan that works for both of us?"

His words left Midoriko speechless, her mind spinning. She had never imagined that a demon—especially one like him—could feel such sentiments, or that he would express them so openly. It was a side of Kirinmaru she had never seen, one that left her wondering if perhaps, behind his reputation and his power, there was a depth she had yet to understand.

Midoriko forced herself to stay silent, pretending that Kirinmaru's confession had no effect on her. Her face remained stoic, even though her heart thundered in her chest and her mind spun with conflicting thoughts. She would not let him see how deeply his words had affected her; her composure would be her shield. 

After a tense silence, Kirinmaru broke it with an unexpected condition. “There is something I would like from you in return.”

Caught off guard, Midoriko’s eyes narrowed. She wondered what he could possibly want in return, and if it was something that she was willing to do. She wanted to know more, but she was torn between her desire for a child and her fear of what Kirinmaru might ask of her.

“What is it you want from me?” she asked, her voice measured, though her curiosity betrayed her caution.

A sly smile spread across Kirinmaru’s face, making Midoriko feel uneasy as his gaze grew more intense. Despite the scales marking his cheek, she found herself captivated by his face—an appeal she couldn't quite understand. She suppressed the urge to reach out and trace those lines. She was curious about touching that part of Kirinmaru.

Kirinmaru stepped closer, leaning in until his breath brushed her ear, his voice a hushed murmur, laced with a hint of danger. 

“My lady,” he began, his tone rich with temptation, “only 'I' know the depths of my intentions. But I can assure you that if you accept my offer, our relationship will be far from ordinary. And to give you a hint,” he whispered, his voice velvety and low, “I'll give you a sneak peek of what to expect."

Before Midoriko could react, Kirinmaru leaned down and traced his tongue along the side of her neck, a deliberate caress that left her trembling, an unbidden wave of heat sweeping through her body.

“This is only the beginning,” Kirinmaru murmured, his gaze intense, smoldering with amusement. “I am preparing you Midoriko, to enjoy our secret pleasure...” his voice filled with a hint of arousal.

Even though she felt embarrassed, Midoriko couldn't stop herself from wanting more after he touched her. She struggled to maintain her composure, refusing to give in to her physical desires for him. Duty, honor—these were her pillars, and she clung to them now, even though she was starting to feel uncertain.

“I… I don’t need you,” she whispered, though her voice wavered. She straightened, trying to regain her strength. “I don’t want anything to do with you or your ‘help.’ I don’t need you to fulfill my wish for a child; I can do that on my own.”

Her defiance cast a chill over Kirinmaru’s expression. His face became unreadable, his vibrant green eyes now as cold and impenetrable as ice as he held her gaze. A silence fell between them, thick with tension, and she felt exposed, as though he were peeling back every layer, seeing straight into her soul.

At last, he spoke, his voice low, almost contemplative.

“You are not at all what I expected, Midoriko,” he said, his tone rich and dark. “You are… a puzzle, one I cannot help but wish to solve.” He paused, leaning in again, a challenge glittering in his eyes. “And as much as you deny it, you crave this just as much as I do.”

With a slow movement, he traced the outline of her lips with his fingertip, leaving her breath hitching. Midoriko wanted to resist, to push Kirinmaru away, but her body betrayed her. She felt her strength fading under his intense gaze.

A smile crept back to Kirinmaru’s lips, dark and knowing. His voice dropped to a whisper, hot against her ear. 

“You see, my lady,” he murmured, “you are powerless against me. Whether you admit it or not, I have a hold on you.”

Midoriko felt the weight of his words, each syllable a burning brand upon her soul. A strange thrill, a mix of excitement and fear, coursed through her veins.

“Stop!” she demanded, her voice sharp. She was growing increasingly alarmed by her own body’s reaction to him.

Kirinmaru chuckled softly, his voice low and seductive.

“Stop?” he purred. “Why would I do that? Let yourself go, Midoriko. Embrace the pleasure...”

With that, he captured her lips in a kiss that was both fierce and intoxicating. It was unlike anything she’d ever experienced—a raw, consuming force that swept over her like a storm. Kirinmaru was a ruthless man who took what he desired, yet his touch held a smoldering passion that left her breathless, every part of her felt a strong desire that she couldn't ignore.

When he finally pulled away, Midoriko felt unsteady, her mind reeling, her body still felt warm. Kirinmaru's eyes gleamed with satisfaction, a triumphant smirk playing on his lips.

“Think about my offer,” he said, his tone a dark promise. “I’ll be waiting when you’re ready. Until then…”

Kirinmaru glanced at her one last time and disappeared into the shadows. Leaving Midoriko standing alone, her heart pounding and her mind racing. She touched her chest where she could still feel his touch, like a burning mark. The memory of his kiss stayed with her, a mix of secret pleasure and unsaid desire that haunted her thoughts.

She was breathing heavily as she stood there. She knew this meeting had changed her forever. She had always thought of herself as strong and dedicated to her duty as a priestess. But now, she wasn't so sure. And for the first time, she found this uncertainty... exciting.