Mikami jumped from on boulder to another while his blade swung through the air, the flaming whip stretching closer and closer to Sazume. The girl ran amongst the rocks, seeking shelter.
“What’s that, dear? It’s usually the guys who run from marriage!”
“Don’t call me that!”
Another strike, this time it almost hit her legs. She kept her escape throughout the rocky terrain while Mikami’s whip snapped against them. He was having a hard time keeping her pace, trying not to lose sight of her.
“Too bad your father’s so bullheaded! You and I could be having so much fun together by now, instead of… well, just me!”
“I’d rather die a slow and painful death!” she yelled from behind a rock, but soon was forced to jump away; the fire demon’s strike went around on her hiding and almost slashed her face.
“That’s even easier to be arranged!”
Mikami stopped at the top of a huge boulder, from where he could see all the terrain around him, and kept slashing at Sazume, his weapon leaving burnt marks at the rocks while she sought shelter amongst them.
“Playing hard to get only turns me on!” he shouted, certain that she was still running away.
But, for his surprise, she jumped from behind a rock, right at his back. With a quick move she had her poisonous whip ready at the tip of her fingers, and her strike hit the fire demon right in the shoulder. He grunted in pain and fell among the boulders.
Sazume landed smoothly over the rock where he had been. She waited the right moment to attack and caught him off-guard, when he was sure she wouldn’t be able to reach him.
“Well, well, you really are full of surprises.” He jumped to the stone right in front of hers. “Were you saving it for the wedding night?”
Sazume stared at him wide-eyed. All her strategy was for nothing.
“You really should have used it in a better occasion, sweetheart… Perhaps when I was not so well protected.” He ripped off the shoulder plate that her strike had damaged. “Come up with this power of yours now. I assure you, you won’t find me so distracted again.”
