Twelve Lords

by Max Jager

  But the chorus of hisses and growls, and a dragon's scent full of atitation coming from the palace made her tense as her hold on her son tightened. She was terrified though she did wear a glare that matched her mate and everyone else. 'I dare them to try. Try and touch my son. It will be the absolute last thing that you ever do.'

  With an ice cold glare as Shinra stormed out of the palace, with her four guards he couldn't help the sly smile. "Something wrong?"

  Crossing her arms as she glared, Shinra didn't try to hide the glare in her voice. Everything went wrong! He was supposed to be in the reception hall! Not standing out in the open in the garden like this! Inside he would have been stuck and couldn't transform without the threat of killing his own mate. And yet now he was outside and could transform without fear if he wanted too. Their entire plan was gone!

  She knew that her brother said that even in dog form, Kurosai was nothing in a fight. But still. In a normal fight yes. In this open area, after she tries to kill his son right before him. She just knew that she had a fight on her hands. Closing her eyes she took a deep breath when Kurosai spoke to her. 'I just know that I will be lucky if I get out of here alive. You better be right brother.'

  Opening her eyes as she narrowed them, she put her hands on her hips. "Of course there is! This isn't how it is done and you know it! Even that fool of a tiger before your father followed tradition with everything! And your father even he knew better than to change it."

  His eyes narrowing even more, Kurosai stood his ground. "The South is mine. If I want to change the tradition of the presentations being in the reception hall to outside I have that right to change it. I can change anything that the South does and you can't stop it. Now. Do you want to see my son or not? If not and you are so stuck on I am not doing it right you can leave now."

  A deep growl in her chest, Shinra then closed her eyes as she stuck her nose up in the air. "I came here to look at him and tell my brother what I think. I would do that now so we can all be on our way if your guards would move their pointy things so I can walk."

  With a growl, Kurosai nodded as his guards let her pass through them. This is exactly what he had been dreading from the day that he sent word out about his son being born. He knew that the second she was close enough to him, she was going to strike out at Kiyoshi. And the second the fighting started that Horani was going to come over the wall and join in the fight. The one solace in this is that he knew that Umarus was going to have his mate and pup for the fight. He would fight just as hard as he would to make sure that they were safe and sound.

  Both he and Sorae looked down at their son along with everyone else when a loud and tiny growl echoed through them. Their eyes went wide as they looked at him. He was glaring and growling at the right person. But it was his eyes that shocked him. Proving that he was going to be the strongest yet. They were already bleeding black! They shouldn't be doing that until he is grown and ready to transform!

  Stopping within reach of the pup, Shinra had her own wide eyes as she stared down at him. She could sense the great power that he was giving off and so young. If he grew up to be a grown adult, he would be fierce. A force that she wasn't sure that her brother would be able to deal with either. 'It is a shame though that I have to kill him. It would be funny to brainwash him and watch as he kills his parents that 'threw him away' for revenge.'

  Crossing her arms as she smiled, she took in the pup. He was exactly like his father, but where Kurosai had dark blue markings, the pup had the same ice blue as his eyes. And even at only a few weeks old there was a cold glare in them as the low and yet loud growl rumbled through his tiny body. When she settled on his eyes she gasped and took a step back. They were bleeding! 'On second thought perhaps Kenji was right to want this pup dead. If he was to grow, he would be a force to recon with. Even for brother. It is best that he dies now.' "Well he looks just like you Kurosai." She then looked up with a sadistic smile into Kurosai's own bleeding eyes. "He is strong too."

  "You saw him get the hell out."

  Her smile taking on a wicked twist and her eyes a sadistic gleam she looked back at the pup. "It is a shame he dies!" Then with her lightning fast reflexes lashed out to strike the pup down as he sat in his mother's arms.

  Sorae never registered what happened next until she felt the wind in her hair. Opening her eyes she found herself in Umarus's arms as he raced toward the palace. Her mate locked in battle with Shinra as the other Lords and guards met the leopards and dragons that fled over the palace wall. Her eyes locking on her mate she let a few tears fly from her eyes. "You have to survive. I can't do this without you.'

  "Just exactly who I was looking for."

  Sliding to a stop Umarus glared with a growl. The second that Shinra's arm flexed up, Kurosai and himself jumped to action. He pushed them back into his arms as he lifted them and fled. And now just their luck right before he was able to enter the palace he comes face to face with the other main threat on the two lives he was now solely in charge of. Horani. Sitting Sorae down on her feet, he drew his sword and took up his stance with her still before him and his arms around her. The glare in his black eyes clear. "Back off Horani. You are nothing that I can't handle and you know it. Even like this. The second you set foot in the open you signed your own death warrant you bastard."

  Laughing as he drew his own sword, Horani kept his black eyes locked with Umarus. "Even if I die I am going to take those two there with you with me." A gleam in his eyes as he threw his head back with a fit of laughter. "He had no right to do what he did! And then my disappointment of a pup mates with him. I will show him what it means to be weak. I will take away the two most important things to him! Again! Then he will life life doomed alone in heartache and pain!"

  His eyes going wide, then narrowing again as he focused on what was just said. Umarus gripped his sword tighter. His eyes beginning to bleed in pure rage. What he said. The two most important things to him. Other than those he was protecting, that would have been Kento and Miyu! "What do you mean again?"

  Feeling like he was going to for sure achieve his goal of killing them Horani gave a sharp nod. "That's right again Umarus. I was the one who told the dragons and leopards when to attack and where. I even told them that if they could manage to get even a scratch on Miyu that would draw blood, his devotion to her would send him to her side and he would black out about everything else and that would be the time to take him down." Then Horani let lose another round of laughter as he closed his eyes. "I heard that after they took his life, each of them felt the warmth of a Lady. They also say she fought hard. But clearly it wasn't enough."

  Her eyes wide as tears gushed from eyes, Sorae couldn't believe what she just heard! It was her own father that plotted to have her mate's parents killed! Boasting about it like he was proud! It was clear that his evil ran even deeper than she thought. "Why!? Why did you have to do that to them!?"

  His eyes focused on his daughter now, Horani's laughs and smile was gone as he glared and growled. "Because they wanted nothing but peace and harmony with the humans and the other lands. They need to be ruled. That is what Kenji will do when he takes them over. And those that don't follow them will die a slow death. I will be there with him as his right hand man in the matter. And I will start with the two of you!"

  His eyes closed as he ground his teeth together as hard as he could, Umarus was shaking. Gripping his sword so tight that his own hands were starting to bleed and his knuckles were pure white. Rage soared through his every vein for this monster before him. He was actually looking at the one who was ultimately responsible for the pain that Kurosai has went through for years. The one who caused the death of his best friend and his most gentle of mates. Biting his lip to keep his head about him, he growled. He had to to protect Sorae and Kiyoshi! Kurosai would make him pay later. "You damn bastard."

  A fit of maniacal laughter, Horani lifted his sword up to get ready to strike down and take out his daughter and grandson. "I almost forgot Umarus. You
were like his best friend weren't you? Oh well. No use in crying of spilt blood as they say. You can tell them how sorry you are for failing them and their son in the afterlife!"

  With a scream as her father started to move, Sorae turned so that her shoulder and head shielded her son from her father's blade. She felt movement from Umarus moved to block it. But she didn't hear the clang of metal like she should have. She waited a horrifying couple of seconds for something to happen. But what she heard made her heart froze. A gurgled cough. Her eyes flying open she gasped as she froze with wide eyes. It was her mother! As her mother fell to the ground, Sorae fell to her knees with her. Her eyes hysterical as she met her mother's eyes. "MAMA!"

  Jumping back away from them, Horani had a smug look as he slung his mate's blood off of his blade and laughed as it splattered on his daughter and her son. "Well isn't this just fitting. The one time you decide to grow a backbone this happens you die. Sooner than I planned but least I won't have to hunt you down."

  Using her one free hand, Sorae lifted her mother's head and rested it in her laps as her tears dripped onto her mother's face. "Mama!"

  Another cough sent more blood flying out of her mouth as Chiyo opened her pain hazed eyes. She knew she was going to die. There was no surviving this wound and she knew it. But at least, when her precious daughter and grandson needed her the most. She was able to step up and protect them like a mother and grandmother should have. Like she should have done all those years when she was growing up but couldn't. "Sorae…"

  Shaking her head back and forth, Sorae tried to cover part of the wound with her hand. "Don't talk Mama. You are going to be fine. Takahashi shouldn't be far and…."

  Shaking her head side to side, Chiyo had a peaceful smile. "No. No dear…I am not….going to….last long."

  "Don't' talk like that Mama!"

  Lifting a shaky hand up, Chiyo tried to wipe the blood away from her face but it only smeared them. "Live princess…I love…..you." Her fading blue eyes then turned to her small grandson who had wide and fearful eyes as he looked right at her. "I…..only got…..a little…..while…..with you. But….always know…..Grandma….loves…you. I…am….and will…..always be…proud of…you…..and…your Mama." Then with another last look at her daughter, then a last breath as her body went limp and her eyes fluttered shut as she left the world.

  Watching as her mother's hand fell from her face to the ground, Sorae started to slowly turn her head side to side. More tears spilling from her eyes as her chest stopped rising and falling. Reaching out as her body started to shake. "Mama! Wake up Mama!"

  With a sigh, Umarus kept his eyes on Horani as he reached down and placed a very gentle hand on her should. "My Lady. Your mother is gone."

  "No! Mama!" Though when her mother still made no move at all, Sorae was overcome with sobs as she held her son ever closer ot her heart. The pain, rage and disbelief that this just happened was more than she could handle. She began to violently shake as she sucked in a wild breath. What came out was more of a bone chilling shriek than a scream. "MAMA!"

  Laughing as he charged again Horani had a wicked smile. "You can join her now you bitch!" But just as he started to strike down he gasped as his sword was knocked out of his hands to fly away, then a hard hit to the side of the head. A second later everything went black.

  Umarus looked down at the scene and growled. The surges of power made him look to see a transformed Kurosai tugging at a dragon tail. Reaching out he snagged a member of the Southern army and pulling his face to his so that their noses were touching. He pointed down at Horani's unconscious body and growled. "Take that bastard and get three more to the inner court yard. You let him escape and I will take your head off. Got it?"

  "But…."

  "NOW damnit!"

  "Sir!"

  Turning back to his Lady, Umarus let out a sigh. He had to get them to the safe room. That was his number one priority right now. Kneeling down next to her he put both hands on her shoulders. "I know that it is painful. But come. We must get you and Lord Kiyoshi to safety now My Lady."

  Shrugging free from his grip, Sorae violently shook her head side to side. "I won't leave her like this! I can't!" Latching onto her mother's clothes with a death grip. "I know she is gone but I won't leave her to lie here like nothing in the middle of a battle! I won't!"

  Standing and grabbing another member of the Southern army as he ran past he jerked him around. "Pick up Lady Chiyo's body and follow me. Now."

  "Right!"

  Lifting Sorae in his arms once again, they fled on in the palace and through the halls to the safe room as he rushed through the door. He then watched as Chiyo was laid on the bed then sat Sorae on the bed next to her. His heart breaking for as sobs escaped her again. He then turned to Kintare's guard. "What happened to the guard that was here with her? How was she able to get the hell out of here?"

  The guard glanced down at the woman that not too long ago was alive and well, but dead now he sighed. "The guard that was with her left and said he wanted to fight with Lord Kurosai and bolted soon as we heard the fighting start." Dropping his head he rubbed his neck. "I did try to stop her though. She has a pretty good smack and well…." His eyes then darted to the crying eyes of Kintare and her wide eyed pup he took a deep breath. "I couldn't follow her."

  Closing his eyes as he rubbed the sides of his head, Umarus nodded. "I understand that. I will deal with him when this is done. Lady Chiyo was killed by her own mate when she stepped between him and her daughter to protect them. I wish she hadn't I could have handled it." But there was no use of dwelling on what was done. Turning he grabbed the guard that carried Chiyo there and pulled his face to his. "You got one job right now. Got it?"

  "What is that Master Umarus?"

  His eyes seeing red again as he growled. "You go tell Kurosai that I said, and you damn well better quote me. Screw Shinra and get his ass here on the double. I know who is responsible for the deaths of his parents. Go!"

  "Sir!"

  X

  Letting his rage fly knowing that his mate was safe, Kurosai was pushing Shinra back with all he had. He just had to find that opening to strike her down once and for all. He could tell through smell that Horani was on the palace grounds. But he knew he could trust Umarus to make sure nothing happened to them. He was focused mostly on this fight. There were no words between them. But he could see it in her bleeding eyes. She was terrified right now.

  Forcing herself not shake, Shinra was just hoping to get a chance to be able to transform and fly off before he could kill her! Her brother would have a better chance at this than she did. She had never truly faced off with a demon with his power before! 'Damnit! His eyes are bleeding just as mine is. And out here he can transform! Someone better get to them fast or I am dead!'

  Seeing the flick of her eyes, Kurosai saw this as his chance to take her down but instead gasped as his body froze. The smell of Chiyo's blood and his mate's tears on his nose. As something about her shrieking cry caused every fiber in his being to scream to run to her.

  As he started to turn to look to see where she was, he felt the surge of power before him. Letting go fully of his leash he turned toward the transforming dragon and lunged in the air doing the same thing. His massive jaws grabbing hold of her midnight blue tail and pulled her back to the ground smashing her through the palace wall and destroying half the gardens. Only to enter into a game of tug of war as she tried to flee. Biting down even harder to hold her there till he could kill her.

  "Lord Kurosai!"

  Hearing his name he flicked an eye down to find a guard on his knees. His only response was to growl. He wasn't letting go for a damn thing!

  Looking into his Lord's eyes, Tsuchimaru was terrified at the moment that he would kill the messenger. He had never felt such force and power coming from his usually peaceful Lord like he was now! But he also feared Umarus and he gave him a job to do. "My Lord, Master Umarus has sent me to get you. He told me to tell that he said, I quote 'sc
rew Shinra and get your ass there on the double. That he knows who is responsible for killing your parents.'"

  His eyes going wide as he froze. Even the jerking from the dragon didn't move him right now. He knew who did it? Who was the cause of it! Clenching and closing his jaws fully, he pulled a scream from the dragon as she tore into the sky and fled away from the palace. Still in his dog form he glanced around and found that there were just a few stragalers that the others could handle on their own. He transformed back into his human form and raced through the palace until he was in the safe room with his mate in his arms as she sobbed. His eyes locked on the lifeless body of her mother. "Umarus?"

  "I will deal with the guard I put with her that left on my own. He left the second that the fighting started and she sort of pushed her way out. Without her guard there, no one could follow her. She threw herself in front of My Lady before I could react to stop her." Umarus then let his eyes half close as he looked at the fallen Lady. She didn't have to go and it was so pointless to him. He could have handled Horani even holding Kiyoshi!