Twelve Lords

by Max Jager

  "Hostile?" Sorae's heart was racing and the more she thought about it, and the more she heard. The more Kiyoshi was never leaving again. Not even after he is grown! "What do you mean by hostile?"

  A softer look for his mother Kiyoshi dropped his arms as he closed his eyes with a long sigh. "It was either trying to fight me, insulting me, accusing me of sending the demon or demons there. Even told I could have stopped it the second I smelled a demon near a human village. Not one human had a single thing to say to me that wasn't degrading except for the two of them."

  "What was it they said to you?"

  Opening his eyes he looked at his father with confusion. "The mikos all had the same basic abilities. They could shoot arrows that purify, barriers. A few could charge anything not just an arrow and throw it. Once I told them what happened, they thanked me for killing the demon then went to help the village and showed abilities I hadn't seen before."

  Growling and pulling his son, who was back to glaring back to his eyes Kurosai tensed. "What were they?"

  Taking a deep breath Kiyoshi closed his eyes then opened them again and growled as he looked into his father's ice blue eyes. "The monk wrote things on paper and stuck them to the large pieces of the bear. Chanting and sealing the demonic aura of the bear on the paper. The miko then focused her energy and had mulitiple barreriers up encasing every hair of the bear and then shrunk them and instantly turned it all to dust."

  Going to glare out the window, Kurosai let a growl rumble through his chest. To know that there are humans that are that powerful. Powerful enough to kill anyone in the room with just an arrow or a barrier. "I see then. So there are humans out there that are overly talented in the ways of killing our kind. Great."

  Keeping his eyes on his father, Kiyoshi growled himself. "I don't get it Father. Why is the balance with the humans of the South so important when it is clear that they despise the very sight of us? I don't understand why we can't just do away with them and be done with it once and for all."

  Not even looking back, Kurosai sighed as he half smiled and shook his head. "That my son is why you are still a pup and wet behind the ears. You have not to fully understand the importance for not only the South but the other lands."

  Growling as he glared, Kiyoshi crossed his arms as he kept his eyes locked on his father. "Perhaps if you tell me exactly why it is important for all of us to do this. You tell me I haven't realized it yet but you never tell me what it is. Other than it is. You tell me often not to talk in riddles. You do the same thing there."

  Though she was on an emotional roller coaster Sorae couldn't help but giggle. Looking up at her mate as she took a deep breath she sighed. "He is right you know."

  "I know that." Dropping his head Kurosai sighed. "I really hate it when he out wits me like that." He then turned his eyes into his son's. "Because of the fact of the matter is that they are like cock roaches to be blunt about it. They multiply at an outstanding rate. A human reaches maturity to have children herself way faster than a demon does. Right after your grandparents died, a human tried to offer his daughter to me. She was still young and had only just started coming in heat. He said she was fifteen. And they can have children every year after that. There is no limit to how many they can have."

  Turning to glare out the window again as the sun was nearly fully hid behind the mountains he narrowed his eyes. "No one knows where they came from or how they even came to exist. But if you read the scrolls in the library. The tiger did try to wipe them out once he became Lord. They stormed across the lands killing all weak demons and every human he saw. It wasn't but a few years after that when they were establishing villages again in the South. Your grandfather was small at the time and witnessed this. They won't stop so we have to get along so we all live. Now do you understand why Kiyoshi?"

  Turning for the door Kiyoshi growled. He has heard a lot about the tiger and how murderous he was. If he did do it when there were less humans and they came back, there was no way to kill them all then. With an annoyed sigh he turned and headed for the door. "I understand now. Though I can say it will never be something I enjoy doing as Lord."

  Watching as the door closed Kurosai growled as he gave it an annoyed glare. "I swear that pup."

  Going to her mate, Sorae sighed as she wrapped her arms around his and leaned her head on his shoulder. "I know dear. But you don't like having to deal with them like that anymore than he does. You cannot expect him to enjoy doing it or look forward to it when you yourself do not like it either."

  "I know. Dropping his head, Kurosai reached over with his free hand and rubbed Sorae's arm with a sigh. "I just wish that he wouldn't be so damned stubborn about it. I want something somewhere and sometime to happen to open his mind up a little bit about."

  Giggling as her mate left his study, Sorae smiled. "I am sure that something happens to make him open his mind some about it. Not love it but not dread it so much either. But until then the rounds…"

  "Are still going to be his responsibility. And until things start to settle some they are going to be bumped up so he is only home three months then back out." Hearing her gasp as the death grip on his arm tightened, Kurosai stopped in the middle of the hall and turned stern eyes to her. "You do realize that in twenty years he will just leave and not even tell you. I plan on making Lord one day. He will have dealings with everyone at the point. I would rather see how he handles it now before I hand him the title. I would never be able to kill my own son to take it back."

  Her eyes going from shocked to glaring, Sorae kept her eyes locked with his. "So you are telling me that in three montsh whether I like it or not you are sending him out to be gone for probably another six months?"

  Nodding Kurosai wasn't going to fall back on this one. He thought he had this done when he left six months ago. "I am. You need to once again have faith in not only your son but your mate as well. I would not have him do something I didn't feel he ws ready to handle. No matter what he said. If we never let him do anything until it is time for him to be Lord he won't know how to handle himself."

  Dropping her head as he moved his arm to her waist and lead her on, Sorae chocked back a sob. "I have faith in you both. I really do. But you have to understand too Kurosai. Before you and Kiyoshi and Yukani. I had my mother brutally ripped out of my life. It is harder for me to let go of either of them because of that."

  Once they were in their room he turned and hugged her as they reached the middle of their room as he sensed the impending tears. Rubbing her back he sighed. "I know that Sorae. And I won't push as hard for you to let Yukani to just leave and wonder around until we can't stop her. But I am with Kiyoshi right now. He needs this. It is for his own good that he has this experience."

  "I know it is. Just hard."

  "I know love." Kurosai then sighed as he lifted her and went to bed curling her up with him as he sighed and tucked her head under his chin as she cried. He hated seeing her like this but he knew firsthand what being thrust into something can do to someone. His father let him act Lord for a year. He had total responsibility and having that just thrust on him without experience doing anything first he nearly had a nervous breakdown not knowing everything to do. 'I am sorry love. But this is really for his own good.'

  X

  As he looked up at the full moon, Kiyoshi sat in the same cherry blossom tree that he has since he was big enough to climb them. Once his father explained things to him finally he understood why he needs to at least be civil to the humans. But refused to go out of his way to be nice to them. He would never do that. 'I guess that is something that he is just going to have to get used too.'

  "Did you have an eventful time on the rounds then pup?"

  Hearing Umarus's voice bellow him, Kiyoshi dropped his head. "To say the least. Now that father explained to me why we can't just kill them I understand. But I refuse to like it."

  Laughing as he looked up at the nearly grown pup Umarus smiled. "You do realize that so long as there are humans, you wo
n't just have to deal with them fairly right?"

  His eyes glaring as he growled down at Umarus, Kiyoshi crossed his arms. "What are you talking about?"

  Laughing with a smug smile, Umarus held up one finger. "Well first the humans and mikos but you get that. Second is so long as demons and humans exist together there are going to be half demons that you are going to have to deal with at times. Believe it or not there are demons out there that don't hate humans and vice versa. And Shinigami. But they I don't think you have a problem with."

  Turning away from the one who was his main weapons teacher, Kiyoshi gave a small growl. "That is true. Demons and Shinigami I will not have a problem dealing with. The humans and half demons that is where the problem is. Especially if is something minor."

  Shaking his head Umarus crossed his arms. "Then you will never have your fathe'rs title."

  Turning to glare at him Kiyoshi narrowed his eyes. "Just because there would be annoyance and I would see it as a problem or a bother doesn't mean that I wouldn't do it. I will be Lord one day and keep the balance that father has built. But that doesn't mean that I have to like it. Just keep it."

  Making of a Lord Chapter 34

  Looking up as the door to his study flew open Kurosai blinked to see a maid rush in. "What is it? What happened?" Then he saw the scroll in her hand. "Who is that from?"

  "A message from the North My Lord. The messenger told me that it was urgent that I get it too you as soon as possible."

  Taking the scroll he nodded. "Thank you you may go. And calm down." Then he looked down at the scroll. It was the seal of the North but he didn't recognize the handwriting under it that his name was written in. The seal was only used with a name under it when there was a change in command. Like when Chirio gave Lord to Hiro. And he would do with Kiyoshi.

  Growling now he ripped the message open. Hoping that what he feared her was going to read wouldn't be there. But the way that Chirio insisted that it may happen. His heart dropped to his stomach as he started to read the words that were in the scroll.

  "Lord Kurosai,

  I am sure that you would want to know this. Lord Hiro if that is what you wanted to call him has been slain and so has my worthless father. He tried to take away what was my birth right for his ridiculous ideology of peace with you and the other Lands. Worthless. So I have come back and taken back what should have been mine from the start.

  And I am equally sure that your first thought went to my worthless weakling of a brother. While I wanted to slay him like I did Chirio, mother wanted him as her personal servant so that is his role now. Mother warned me not to do this but she is no longer one who tells me what to do. Here is a warning for you Kurosai. You better prepare yourselves. I am bound by that damned pact that you all signed with Chirio. However after that you better make sure your mongrels can fight. I am coming and I want a good challenge. I will destroy not only the South but the East and West as well. I will be the one Lord to rule over all the lands. Doing away with all this peace and working together. So be ready.

  LORD Motoichi"

  Growling Kurosai fisted his hands and looked out the window. He could feel the energies from Kiyoshi and Yukani as they sparred with each other outside while their mother was in the gardens watching them as she tended to the flowers. Turning and storming through the palace Kurosai saw red. Chirio and Hiro both were not only good men but they were good friends. Chirio especially. And the diluted brain of one screwed up cub brought them both to their knees in their prime. Enslaving Soichiro!

  Once he stepped out of the palace he had calmed down some as he caught sight of both of his pups. They were grown now. Yukani a hundred and twenty five and Kiyoshi a hundred and fifty. They were both fierce when they fought and were as strong as him. But now it was time to bump up their training. They had to surpass him while he was going out in full force. Until they could do that, neither of them would get a break. Even if took the whole thousand years to do.

  Looking up at her mate as he came toward the pups Sorae had a pale face as she walked toward him to meet him. Her eyes pleading with his. She had no clue what brought on this rage but it was affecting him horribly. "Kurosai what is it? What happened?"

  Putting his arm around her waist, Kurosai felt himself starting to calm down knowing that he was touching her. But not looking at her he focused on his pups. "Hold. Get over here both of you."

  Stopping mid lunge with each other, Kiyoshi and Yukani both fell to the ground and turned to their father blinking when they saw his glare. Kiyoshi instantly mirrored his father's glare knowing there was a reason for it. Yukani was more curious about it. When they got to him it was Yukani that spoke to him as she let her head fall to the side. "What is wrong Papa?"

  Looking down at the scroll in his hand, Kurosai gripped it so tight that his knuckles were white. "Motoichi. You both remember hearing us talk about him right?"

  "Yes."

  Looking up his iced blue eyes met his son's as his eyes narrowed. "he is now Lord of the North. Looking back down at the page he gripped Sorae's waist tighter when he felt her start to shake. "He has slain Hiro and Chirio both to get the title. The only reason why he spared his brother was because Yori wanted to make him a servant."

  Leaning on her mate, Sorae dropped her head as tears fell from her eyes. She never thought that what Chirio feared would come to pass. And poor Soichiro would now have to endure forever with them and no one to have his back. "I knew it. I knew that cub was trouble the second I met him before we even mated. Even that little he was pure evil."

  Growling Kurosai kept his glare as he looked first at Yukani then to Kiyoshi. "He has every intention of moving on the South, West and East once the peace pact that we signed with Chirio is through. So the training that the two of you are going to be going through from now on is going to be done by me personally. Kiyoshi. Until you can complete two things, you will not be given Lord. Yukani. Until you can, you will be glued to your mother's side and that will be the end of it. Dawn every day starts training dusk finishes it."

  Blinking as they looked at each other, both Kiyoshi and Yukani were just as confused as the other. Looking back at their father they both let their heads fall to the side. "What two things are those?"

  Reaching out and catching his mate as she finally feinted, Kurosai lifted her into his arms as he kept his eyes on his pups. "In this form and dog form. I will come at you like I am going to kill you. Full force. You have to pin me with a kill strike in both. Until that happens. You will train daily. Understood?"

  Growling, Kiyoshi kept his eyes locked with his father. He has been doing rounds since he was eighty. So far with the exception of four no miko has ever been strong enough to pose a threat to anyone of their class. And now that damned leopard is back and in a position of power that could throw the lands into chaos again. "Understood father."

  Turning with Sorae in his arms, Kurosai headed back for the palace. "The two of you stay right there. I will be back as soon as I can calm your mother down and focus on getting started. Your training starts today."

  "Right."

  With a sigh Yukani walked over and sat down on the bench her mother was on and closed her eyes. "I am doomed I know it. Brother I can barely handle you at half power. I will never get Papa down in a kill blow at full power this form or dog. It will never happen."

  With a smile Kiyoshi crossed his arms as he turned to face her. "You will get it done. I doubt that you will want to stay at Mother's side forever."

  Giving her brother a half glare, Yukani crossed her arms as she growled at him. "Oh you just hush your mouth." Then her eyes went from a glare to wide. "Brother you I know we have heard of him. But I don't know that much. Father would have told you more about him with you becoming Lord one day. What do you know about him?"

  Sitting down next to his sister, Kiyoshi relaxed fully as he leaned back on the back of the bench. Looking up at the sky he sighed. "I have only ever heard talk about him. Even Soichiro didn't want to talk abou
t him that much. What I have heard about him is that he is a snake in leopard clothes. He is relentless and clearly holds a grudge and wants to destroy everyone to get what he wants. To the point that his own father signed a blood peace pact with Father, Torakus and Koraen. Stating that if anyone in a thousand years moves on any of the other Lands, they all band together and hunt him down killing him. Whether he did it or not. I would gather that we are going to be in for one hell of a fight when the time comes."

  "I see." Dropping her head so that her long black hair fell over her shoulders cascading around her face she let out a long sigh. "Well then I either have to get it and do it. Or mother will never be without me and I won't get to help." Then she pulled blinking eyes from her brother as she jumped to her feet with a laugh. "But I got this feeling you will end up getting your goal reached in no time just cause you are that good. Then you can help me with where I am struggling to get to mine."