Twelve Lords

by Max Jager

Taking her chance, Imae stabbed toward the ground to give her a cut on her arm, but she rolled away and jumped to her feet and back a third time. 'Damnit. I was too slow. I should have stabbed out as she went down.'

  With a glare for the human, Ayame didn't understand how she herself could be breathing so hard and human before her wasn't even winded! She couldn't understand how a human could be this fast or strong? It shouldn't be! 'How in the hell is she doing this anyway? I don't care that Kiyoshi trained her she is a human and shouldn't be this fast or this strong. How is she doing it?'

  Knowing better than to take his eyes off of her, she hissed as she spoke to her brother. "Sanzo when I win this I am going home. I know longer wish to see the heir to this land or be in such company nymore."

  Her glare still in place, Imae stood her ground. "It can and would be over the second you show me respect in my own home Ayame. You don't have to actually respect me, just act like you do when here."

  Letting her rage get the best of her again, Ayame hissed. "I will never show you respect! Never! Or those things you call a brother and sister, or your mother. Is that understood! You are so far beneath me that it is pitiful! I won't do it!"

  Looking to the side at Kiara, and how she hid herself more, Imae dropped her head then glared back up at him. Enough was enough. "To show disrespect to me or my mother is bad enough. Just bad manners in my opinion. But what you just did goes way too far. Insulting pups like that. You should be ashamed of yourself to do such a thing."

  With her glare hardening, Ayame hissed. "I only speak what I feel!"

  Her eyes glassing over as her resolve to end this with her set in. She took a stance and then growled. "Then let me teach you what happens when you insult my little brother and sister to my face!" Shocking both Ayame and Sanzo, her entire body started to glow blue as she lunged at the bird, moving faster than she had been, bringing both of her katanas down in a criss cross motion and left an ex on her, from right shoulder to left hip, and love shoulder to right hip. Only deep enough to draw blood every inch of the way.

  With a gasp as she fell to her knees, Ayame felt the pain in her chest and looked down to see the rips in her clothes as blood soaked it and dripped to the grass. "I lost? But how could I have lost to someone like her? I don't understand it."

  Sheathing her katanas, Imae sighed as she relaxed her body. "I won Ayame. You show me respect without question from this point on. Right?"

  "Yes." Dropping her head Ayame closed her eyes. "I will do so from now on."

  Crossing her arms as she turned her back to the shocked bird, Imae wasn't quite done with her yet. "I also think that an apology to my pack is in order after your remarks about all of us. And if I were you I would start with my little sister personally."

  Not even looking up as tears spilled from her closed eyes. "Lady Kiara I do apologize for my rude remarks about you and your brother. No such things should come out of anyone's mouth toward children that did nothing. Such as you and your brother. Lady Yokiyo, Kiyoshi. I am sorry for how I have acted today, in actions and in words." Leaning over as she nearly touched her knees with her forehead. "Brother. I am sorry, I know that I promised you. I know. I just…it is just that….." Fisting her hands in the grass she started to shake. "I just can't forget the way that Father was taken from us like that!"

  With a sigh for his sister, Sanzo closed his eyes. "That excuse doesn't work anymore Ayame. I have told you before that what that one did has nothing to do with who they are." Turning to glance at Kiyoshi, Yokiyo, Kiara then settling on Imae. "Well then Imae is that good enough for you?"

  Turning her glare back on the bird with her bowed head, Imae didn't move an inch. "That depends on the one that was truly hurt by her words. If my sister can forgive her for being a fool, then so can I. It all depends on Kiara."

  Moving to stand before Kiyoshi and Yokiyo, Sanzo dropped to his haunches as he smiled with soft eyes at the wide eyed pup. Closing his eyes he smiled. "Well little one? My sister isn't really that bad. I know that it is no excuse but I can also understand where she is coming from also and why she doesn't want to like your mother and sister."

  With her dark blue eyes blinking, Kiara met his eyes as he opened with question in her own. "What is her reason?"

  With a sigh as he rubbed the back of his head, Sanzo wasn't exactly sure how to say something like that to this little pup. "Um, well…."

  With a sigh, Kiyoshi looked down at his pup. "It was a miko that killed their father."

  Looking up at her father then to the female bird, Kiara saw the mix of shame and regret in her eyes. But she also still saw anger and resentment in them as well. But she half expected that. She learned firsthand with some of the demons around them, even half demons and humans could be too judgmental when it came to her pack.

  Finally turning her eyes back to Sanzo, Kiara gave a nod. "I can forgive her this time. Just so long as she doesn't start anything with Imae again."

  Turning to look at his sister who still had her eyes on the ground, Sanzo smiled. "Ayame?"

  "I will not. I promise. Nothing more."

  Relaxing now, Imae smiled as she turned and took a few steps to the bird and held her hand out for her. "Well then let's get you to the healer shall we. I am sure that your brother isn't going to send you away this time seeing as what just happened."

  Jerking startled wide eyes up to her, Ayame gasped as she looked into the gentle of this miko. 'What is she playing at? Trying to play me for a fool I bet. I swear. "I don't understand. Why would you win and then offer to take me to your healer?"

  "Because that is who I am."

  Her gold eyes full of confusion, all Ayame could do was stare at her. "Two minutes ago you looked like you wanted to and were going to kill me and now this. I just don't understand."

  Laughing as she reached down and grabbed her hand and pulled her to her feet, Imae shook her head as she draped her arm over her shoulders and then put her arm around her. Walking with her, Imae winked pulling another gasp from her. "It wasn't like that. I was merely taking up for myself, my pack and my home. Think about it Ayame. If I were to come to your house and show you the level of disrespect, or your brother, that you showed me wouldn't it set you off? Wouldn't you have done exactly what I did?"

  With a sigh as she dropped her eyes, Ayame couldn't deny that she was exactly right. She would have done the same thing if the roles were reversed and they were in the East. "I would. I just….it is hard to let go of the fact that my father was killed by a miko when he was avenging my mother's murder at the hands of her guard. I know it was a long time ago, it is just hard to let something like that go."

  Laughing and pulling shocked eyes to her Imae gave a nod. "I know. I wouldn't be able to let something like that go if it happened to my father either. But one thing I do know is that you can't judge an entire race for something that one did. If that was the case, because of all the times that humans insulted Father, he wouldn't have mated Mama or adopted me."

  Shaking her head some, Ayame saw the logic but this girl wasn't in her position. "But…."

  "And look at Mama. I don't think that there is a miko out there in the entire country that is near as strong as Mama is. Not in the least. But the only time she ever killed a demon was to protect her friends and family. She never killed just to kill." Entering the palace she turned and headed down the hall to where Takahashi was this time of day. "You just have to be open minded about it all. We aren't your typical humans after all."

  "What that is for sure."

  Laughing as they walked, on, Imae couldn't help but imagine her reaction to seeing her brother later. That would show them just how not typical they were and just how strong the south really was going to be for a long time to come yet.

  X

  Pride welled in him as Kiyoshi watched his eldest pup help the wounded and still a little shocked Ayame into the palace. She was the perfect eldest child. No one could ask for a better daughter. But a glance down at his middle child to see worry o
n her face, he smiled as he laid a hand on her head. "You do not have to worry about either of them Kiara. They will not fight anymore and I am sure that Ayame will not make the mistake of goading your sister again."

  "If you say so Father." Kiara then looked up at him with wide eyes. "It is just that I have never seen Imae fight like that before." She then turned to the door again as she blinked. No matter what anyone said, human or not. She just knew that until she was gone her sister was untouchable no matter who she went against.

  Reaching down and brushing her bangs from her eyes, Yokiyo had an odd look. "You have seen Imae spar and do more than that with other demons."

  Looking up at her mother Kiara shook her head. "No nothing like what she did this time." She then tugged on her father's pants to pull his ice blue eyes to her dark blue ones. "Father do you think they would have fought to the death if we were not all standing here?"

  Pulling her eyes to him as he laughed, Sanzo shook his head and closed his eyes. "I don't think that you have to worry about that little one. From what I just saw, my sister doesn't hold a candle next to your sister. At worst my sister would have most likely let her temper get the best of her and your sister would have just knocked her out or something.

  Her father's mask in place, and a voice that was very matter of fact, Kiara acted and spoke as if she was the same age as the demon she spoke too. Meeting Sanzo's eyes she took a deep breath. "But if it were to protect myself or Katana then Imae would kill anyone that she had too. Even your sister.

  "I do not doubt that one chick…" He then closed his eyes and laughed as he rubbed the back of his neck to see the annoyed glare leap into her eyes. "I am sorry. I do not doubt that one pup."

  With a laugh, Yokiyo put her hands on Kiara's shoulders as she smiled. "Alright now that everything with that is settled, Kiara time to let it go. It is was very clear that it was over and done with to Imae right?"

  Turning and reaching up for her mother, Kiara nodded with a sigh, Kiara nodded. "Yes Mother." Once she was lifted into her mother's arms she turned to Sanzo and half smiled as he winked at her with a big toothy grin. "You are funny."

  Reaching out and pushing on her nose, Sanzo pulled a small giggle and smile from her. Like night and day one moment to the next, just like her big sister. "What can I say." But then he turned serious eyes to Kiyoshi as he sighed and crossed his arms. "I do apologize for my sister's actions though. I didn't think that what happened to Father would have kept her this upset for this long. And I certainly didn't think that she would try and start an actual fight."

  His eyes on his mate and pup, Kiyoshi had his mask back in place. "It is said and done. Imae took care of that."

  "That she did." He then looked from one to the other as he blinked. "Course I do have a question about the presentation of your son. I know that the only threat is coming from the North for him. Are you going to do it as normal or change it…."

  Turning to face him, Kiyoshi sighed as he crossed his own arms. "Considering everything that happened with my presentation, Yokiyo, myself as well as my parents and everyone else have all agreed. Now that you are here, you will see him now. Shone will see him when he arrives. That way the only presentation is to the North and more can protect my son. Just like your father did with mine when I was presented to Shinra."

  "Sounds good. When do I get to see him then?"

  Placing his arm around Yokiyo's waist, Kiyoshi half smiled as they walked away. "I will take you to him now. He is with mother and Yukani."

  With a laugh as he followed the unique family Sanzo put his hands together over his head. "And no doubt the ever watchful Yoite is not far away. Just like he was with Yokiyo and Imae last time I was here."

  "Indeed."

  Her eyes turning serious Kiara jerked her head up to her father as she hugged her mother's neck. "Father are you sure?"

  "I am."

  "Really sure?"

  Giving her daughter a slight glare, Yokiyo let out a small growl. "That will be enough of that Kiara. I know you are protective of your big brother but we already told you that you don't have to worry about Sanzo or Shone trying to hurt him. Only from the North and you don't have to worry about that anyway."

  "If you say so Mama."

  But both sets of blue eyes turned to look behind them as Sanzo burst into a fit of laughter crossing his arms. Her eyes half glaring, Yokiyo arched an eyebrow at him. "What exactly is it that you sound so funny?"

  With a smile, Sanzo shook his head. "Not that I think it is funny, but rather a good thing. It is good that your son will have two such over protective sisters to look out for him is all." He then winked at the pup pulling a smile from her again.

  Smiling at her daughter as they walked on, Yokiyo laughed as she let out a small sigh. Talking about what is yet to come was really starting to get to her. "And you have no idea how happy that makes me." But she couldn't stop the pain in her hear that soared through her body whenever she thought about Kiara and Katana growing up without her. She did not, and would never regret her choice to mate Kiyoshi. Since then her life has been crazy, but the most rewarding and happy life she could have ever hoped for.

  But the fact remained that she was human, and with the exception of Imae, her kids would still be little kids when she was dead and gone from the earth. She wouldn't see Kiara or Katana have their first suitor, or become parents for the first time. She knew it would happen when she chose to stay, but she was finding it hard to figure out how to deal with the emotions as she got older. She was thirty now, and at best she had twenty, maybe another thirty years left.

  "Enough."

  With a half-smile, Yokiyo looked up at him and tried to laugh. "It is hard you know that."

  "What is hard Mama?"

  Looking into Kiara's eyes that were exactly like hers she laughed as she hugged her. "It is hard for me not to get emotional when I think about you and your brother and sister growing up too fast on me. I want little pups forever."

  Rolling her eyes as she endured the hug, Kiara sighed. "Mother really."

  Hugging her tighter, Yokiyo giggled. "But you are my little sugar and I don't want you to grow up too fast."

  Her face paling as she pushed away from her mother at the mention of her nickname that she hated, her eyes shot to her father. "Father please tell her to stop calling me that already!"

  Laughing as she pulled her pups horrified eyes to her, Yokiyo shook her head. "You just need to get over it girly. Imae is always going to be sweety. You are always going to be sugar. And once I get one for your brother, he is stuck with it forever too."

  "Father!"

  "Enough Kiara."

  Watching, as just like Imae at that size, the pup flinched then dropped her head dropping it. "You have that affect on her as well? I wonder if the boy will have it too?"

  "He will."

  X

  All eyes looked up with a start when they felt both Imae and Ayame flare their powers. Shaking her head Sorae sighed. "I do believe that one is never going to learn not to push those here at this palace."

  Giggling as she crossed her arms, Yukani gave a sharp nod. "It would serve her right if Imae was to beat the lights out of her. I understand where she is coming from, especially with what she has said in letters the last twelve years. But that was so long ago, Imae and Yokiyo weren't even born yet."

  Before anyone could say anything else, they all gasped when the scent of Ayame's blood hit their noses. Crossing his arms, Kamui couldn't help but picture the shocked look on Ayame's face. "It would seem as if Imae has done just that Yukani."

  Laughing even harder, Yukani winked up at him. "Good. That's my girl."

  Smiling brightly as she looked down at her contently sleeping grandson, Sorae couldn't help but feel proud of the way her pack was growing and turning out. And right now she held the second most precious baby boy in her arms. And something about this one told her that he would be even stronger than both his father and grandfather combined. Her eyes darted to and
landed on his pointed ears as her eyes half closed. No one knew how she did it, but once again Yokiyo birthed a demon.

  It absolutely thrilled her when Kiara was born demon. Her mate had to eat his words and open up and fully accept Yokiyo. Once he did, she watched as the relationship between them grew to that of a father and daughter. And now ten years later, she has marveled them all again with a demon son. Rocking back and forth she let out a content sigh of her own. 'Ten years was worth the wait for a perfect boy like you though.'

  Seeing her mother looking at her nephew, Yukani smiled. It was a joy to have him anyway, but to her he was extra special. Reaching over and pulling him from her mother's arms, Yukani smiled as he just sighed then snuggled up to her sleeping. "You mister are my good luck charm."

  Giving her daughter an odd look, Sorae didn't know what she meant by that one. "What do you mean Yukani?"

  Laughing as she kept her eyes on the sleeping boy, Yukani patted him gently as she swayed side to side. "Well. It was exactly seven days before he was born that Zokeni and I realized that we were pregnant. And Yokiyo said from the day Kiara was born that I would get pregnant soon now that my pup had cousins to play with."