Twelve Lords

by Max Jager

  "Yes very much so!" with her head once again laying on his again, Imae couldn't stop her smile. Methodically she snatched a lock of his bangs and began to twirl it. To her way of thinking she was the luckiest girl in the entire world. She had the strongest of all demons as a father. An very strong miko to protect her. Yoite who protected her, Takara who looked after her and Umarus who was training her to fight like her father. She couldn't think of anything other than what she had right now to make her life any better. Nothing.

  X

  Sinking down into the water to wet her hair, Yokiyo let out a long sigh. Coming back up and leaning on the edge of the spring she smiled as Takara set to work washing her hair. She hated it having someone else do something she was more than capable of doing, but Takara did seem to enjoy it and has quickly become one of her best friends. The sensation of her claws barely scraping her scalp she smiled as her eyes closed. 'And to top off this indoor hot spring is pure heaven. I love hot water and how it washes away stress. And even when it is blowing cold outside I can still have it.'

  Working with a smile, Takara washed every inch of Yokiyo's hair, smiling as her Lady sighed. She absolutely loved serving Yokiyo. She was always respectful to her and never yelled at her or treated her stupid if she did something wrong. The few other female demons that she served always treated her like she was nothing. Dirt under their feet. But this human miko didn't. She would even dare to refer to her as a friend.

  Rinsing her hair for the last time, removing all traces of soup, Takara sat back and smiled as Yokiyo started to stand up. "All done My Lady."

  "Why are you not with Imae?"

  Jerking her head up, then vowing it, Takara flinched to find Kiyoshi and Imae standing there like that. "My Lord."

  Turning her head in a jerk, Yokiyo's eyes went wide to see that he was there! Just standing there! She froze for a moment, but then as he moved to take Imae off his shoulder, she noticed how his eyes began to move down her naked body. Gasping as she dropped back in the water and curled her knees and crossed her arms she glared up at him with a growl. "Why are you in here!?"

  Growling, Kiyoshi stood there for a moment. It was badk, that defiant look in her eyes. The same one that always spurred him into wanting to force her to submit to him! He wasn't going to not say anything about it. So here we go with another fight. "Imae I want you to go with Takara for a little while so I can have a talk with the miko." He then turned to Takara as she came up next to them. "Umarus is in the court yard. Go and take her to him if you would."

  "Yes My Lord." Takara then gave her Lady a last pleading look as she took Imae by the hand and walked toward the door. She didn't want her to fight with him again.

  Once Imae was gone Yokiyo narrowed her glare up at him. "What the hell do you think you are doing just barging in here you damned demon!?"

  Growling, Kiyoshi let his eyes travel through the water to see the glimpses of her body, then growled as his eyes shot back up to hers. Realizing what he was doing and why he was doing it, sent his rage even higher. "I was coming to see why she was not with you and brought her with me."

  "You didn't have to come in with her you know!" Yokiyo glared as she welcomed her hair pooling around her when his eyes flicked down then back up a third time! "I know you knew I was in the water! And I am sure she told you that she wasn't with me because she didn't want to come!"

  Growling even louder, if looks could kill, he would have killed her a thousand times over. 'How dare she talk to me like that in my palace! I will deal with her once and for all. I need to calm down before I do.' Then without a word he turned and headed for the door. Stopping just before he walked through it, he ground his teeth together and closed his eyes as he growled.

  She was growling at him! Taking a deep breath he gave her a glare then headed out the door. 'That woman takes up too many of my thoughts as it is. And now she is acting like a bitch in heat! She has no clue what she could start I am sure. She will stop it, leave or die I don't care anymore.'

  Rounding another corner, he nearly collided with Takara who was on her way back to the spring. His eyes cold as the glared down at her. "Where is Imae?"

  Bowing as she shook under his glare, Takara wrung her hands together. "Master Umarus was with Yoite in the gardens. He said that I was not needed because he was going to train with her. So I came back so I could help her out once you were done."

  Growling as he looked behind him then back down to Takara, Kiyoshi fisted his hands and walked on. "Fine. The second she is dressed bring her straight to the reception hall. Is that clear?"

  "Yes My Lord."

  X

  Catching a glimpse of her father as he went through the palace, Imae stopped her sets and turned to Umarus. She had never seen her father look so angry as that. "Master Umarus why does father look so angry? Do you think it was because of Yokiyo?" Dropping her head she sighed. "Maybe I should have went to the hot spring with her. I don't want Father to send her away or make her want to leave."

  Turning to Imae as he put his hand on her head, Umarus started to answer her, when they all looked up as they heard the miko and Takara heading for the reception hall as well. The miko looked just as pissed as Kiyoshi did, and Takara was trying her hardest to get her to calm down. With a sigh she shook his head then smiled down at Imae. "I got no clue what is going on there pup. But I know it will all be fine. You will see soon enough."

  "Are you sure Master Umarus?"

  "Yes I am." He then nodded as he stepped back and crossed his arms. "Now come pup. You have sets to learn."

  "Right!"

  Yoite however wasn't so sure about everything being just fine as he watched the door. He knew what was going on. So did everyone else. The only two that seemed to not realize it was the two of them. Which he found odd on Kiyoshi's part. Turning back to Imae and Umarus as she started her sets again, he stepped up and watched her as well. "Master Umarus. What do you think is going to happen this time? I think this could be their biggest fight yet."

  Laughing as he turned and winked at the young soldier, Umarus smiled. He was smart and great for a guard for Imae, but still so young. "Let's just say that she has no clue that fighting him like she has, she started the courtship with him. Not all mates happen the same way that Kento and Miyu, or Kurosai and Sorae did. Most start with fighting and each trying to make the other submit in one way or another. There are a few that don't happen that way in our status." Looking toward the door he laughed again. "But if you are worried about it, and are brave enough to say something to them about it then be my guest."

  With a gasp as he dropped his head, Yoite paled. "You have got to be kidding right? No way in hell am I that stupid."

  Laughing again, Umarus turned his focus back on Imae as she started her sets over again. In a much lower tone he sighed as he smiled. "Then just let them work it out. I see this ending in one of three different ways today. Either he is going to send her away, end up killing her making her submit to him, or mate with her."

  Looking back at the door, Yoite blinked. "But which one do you think is going to happen?"

  "I would wager on calling her Lady of the South."

  X

  Spinning around to get in front of her one last time, Takara had pleading eyes for Yokiyo. She needed to calm down and fast. "Please My Lady! You need to calm down before you go in there or it will just be another big fight with him. Please!"

  Crossing her arms with a glare, Yokiyo shook her head side to side. "I am tired of this Takara. I have been playing nice with him as long as I can. He treats me like I am crap and I am not going to let him do it anymore. Now step aside." Watching as she dropped her head and then side stepped, Yokiyo felt bad for a half second and would apologize to her later. But right now she had something else she had to do.

  Throwing the door open she glared as she stormed half way across the room. Narrowing her eyes as she stomped her foot when he turned his growl on her. "Don't even think that is going to make me bow down to you. Let me t
ell you something 'My Lord'! I am here simply because of Imae and that is it. I promised her I would stay forever that next morning after you asked me to stay for her. So that is what I am going to do. We agreed to be civil! Not get bossed around by you every chance you get! The level of respect you want from me, you show it to me then I will give it to you." Taking a deep breath and holding her head up high, Yokiyo growled. "But know this you bastard. I will never be some ninny like you push around in your court. So you can just get the hell over that!"

  The growl that rumbled through his chest, was so loud that it sounded more like thunder as he narrowed his eyes even more at her. "Watch your mouth when you speak to me miko. Do not forget who I am."

  Growling again herself, Yokiyo refused to back down from him. Her eyes flashing with rage as she met his. "I have a name damnit! Why don't you try using it for once you damned bastard!"

  His iced blue eyes reflecting the rage that soared through him, Kiyoshi was doing all he could to keep from transforming. "You defiant wench!"

  Throwing her hands up in the air again, Yokiyo rolled her eyes. "Fine you don't want to use Yokiyo that's fine. You damned arrogant bastard!"

  Moving before he knew it, it was like Kiyoshi was having an out of body experience as his conscious mind stayed put but his body flew across the room and grabbed the miko by her clothes holding her up off the ground. Each growling and doing battle with their eyes.

  Finally a moment later he let his lips curl in a snarl. "You will address me appropriately! I will not have some human miko disrespecting me in my own home and chance her teaching my daughter the same bad manners. You will learn your place or you can get the hell out!"

  Struggling against him, Yokiyo glared right back at him as she growled. She wasn't going anywhere. She promised that little girl she was going to stay and she was going to stay. She didn't care what this bastard said about it! And she wasn't going to let him treat her like this! "You fool! I will never be a quiet ninny that is scared to say anything too you just because that is how you want it! Now back off of me and let me go!" She then threw up a barrier around her skin and grew it forcing him to let her go and jump back.

  Hitting the ground with a thud, she growled as she opened her eyes to glare at him. Her growl getting louder and louder as his side. She would never yield to him. Never! "I won't leave here. I promised her I would stay and I will! Bastard!" Breathing hard now she did battle with his eyes. 'I won't let you take the one thing I have left that is truly mine. I won't!'

  After sensing the auras flying, Umarus knew that this fight was going to be a tricky one for Kiyoshi. Not to kill the miko and have Imae so upset at him. He told Yoite to keep her as busy as he could while he left to see what was going on. Walking through the door to stand next to Takara he laughed. "I see I was right after all."

  Looking up with worried eyes Takara didn't know what to do. They had never been so vocal and violent before. "Master Umarus. She doesn't realize what she is doing here. I haven't said anything since it is not my place. But now I think I should have. Should I after this is over?"

  Watching as Kiyoshi set to work beating at her barrier with all he had, Umarus crossed his arms and winked down at Takara. "I think we should just let it alone. It will all work out in the end as fate wants it too. And besides I don't know about you, but I am not stepping in the middle of this. Besides she is too proud. Even if you told her, she still wouldn't back off of him and fight with him like this."

  Turning back to her Lady who still glared and growled as Kiyoshi was doing all he could to get to her, she truly feared that if one or the other didn't calm down, the second that barrier came down, Yokiyo would be as good as dead. "But I am worried about her."

  "I wouldn't. She will be just fine. You'll see."

  Kiyoshi still felt like he was watching himself instead of beating at her barrier like he was. But even though he was in a trance of just getting to the miko, he couldn't explain what it was. He didn't want to her to kill her or to hurt her. He wanted to force her to submit to him fully on all levels. He wanted to make her his!

  He was also equally sure that in her mind she was sure that the second he got to her that she was as good as dead. Desperately he tried to regain some level of control. But he could feel another force inside him driving him on. That was when he got it. It was his inner demon! His father told him when it came out there would be no mistake. His lust for the miko before him was out of control, the want to make her his and submit to him. That had to be it!

  But why a miko? Why would a miko be the one that would make his demon come out to lay claim to her as his mate? 'Though should I find out after this and let it go on or fight it and send her away? For him to show up, she must be strong indeed. My other half. But do I really want to be mated with a human?'

  But it was the last slam on her barrier and the fear that tore through her eyes that cemented it. He knew when he felt bad that the fear was there because of him that he cared about her. "I guess that we will see what happens after I tell her what is going on. If she doesn't flee from here the second she gets free.'

  Slowly throwing everything she had into her barrier, Yokiyo glared back into his eyes. Though she was terrified right now. She was using so much purification just to keep this barrier up that she knew the second it broke she was dead. She knew it. That look in his eyes. 'Damnit! I never thought that it would end like this. I should have left when I was going to and not let him talk me into staying here. Damn him!'

  Still desperately trying to get some level of control over his body and his mind before the barrier broke, Kiyoshi growled even louder. If he was really going to see what her thoughts about them mating, he didn't want to hurt her. But then before anything happened, her barrier shattered.

  The instant it was gone he grabbed her with both hands by her haori, slammed her into the wall on the other side of the room and clamped his mouth down on hers. His body keeping her pinned in place as his hands began to roam over her body.

  Her eyes wide at first as she looked into his closed ones, Yokiyo could have sworn for sure that the second he touched her she was going to be ripped apart! Not slammed into a wall and kissed like this! It was so far from what she thought was going to happen that her head was spinning.

  Moving her arms she started to fight him. Trying to turn her head as she pushed on his chest to get him away from her. But with each growl and how strong the kiss was, and there was something about the way that his hands felt on her body. His kiss was demanding, devouring. Rough. Yet it sent a thrill through her that she didn't understand and was starting to overpower her and weaken her struggles against him, and drown out her common sense!

  'Damnit! Why am I doing this? What are these feelings? I want him. I want this arrogant bastard badly at the moment. But why? He is incapable of feeling anything for someone like me!'

  'You are in love with him.'

  Pushing her inner thoughts away, Yokiyo growled slightly as she started to relax. She didn't have time to fight with herself at the moment. But what was he doing to her? Relaxing fully in his arms, she let out a moan as she started wrap her arms around his neck. When she felt his tongue on her lips, she gasped, but did not fight it when he plunged it into her mouth dancing with hers. Returning the kiss, she let out another moan. It was new, terrifying and yet intoxicating. 'What am I going to do now? Damnit!'

  Finally feeling her relax in his arms and return his kiss, Kiyoshi was able to start to take control back. When she showed signs of submission as she allowed him to deepen his kiss, he was able to take control of himself back fully. Had she not, he didn't know if he would have been able to stop, or what would have happened after.

  Reaching up and gripping her hands he pinned them to the wall next to her head and ripped his mouth from hers. both breathing heavy as he just stood there. He knew now that he had no choice but to tell her what exactly was going on and she had to make a choice. But she had to make it quickly or doom him forever.

  Ignorin
g the silent questions in her eyes, he turned to see Takara standing with Umarus. "Takara come and take her to my study." He then turned his own troubled eyes back to the miko. "Yokiyo, go with her and wait for me in my study. Soon as I calm down I will be there. You will wait for me there right?"

  Tears welling up in her eyes, Yokiyo kept her eyes on his. She could see raw emotions and a fight for dominance in his eyes that she had never seen before. But the one that kept coming to the surface, was fear. He said her name. he asked her to wait for him in his study. She could feel the desperation in his grip on her wrists. I was like he was almost scared to let her go or she would vanish.

  But that sensation that she felt the second his lips touched her for the first time two months ago. The jolt when she agreed to stay five months ago. She knew she loved him. No matter how much she wanted to fight it. 'OH damn you. You damned arrogant bastard. I hardly see you and fight when I do and yet I love you more than I thought I could love anyone.' Swallowing hard she gave a small nod. "I will wait."