Twelve Lords

by Max Jager

  Literally climbing up his clothes to hang off his shoulders, Kiara only nodded. "I know. But I just couldn't pass up the chance to see this."

  X

  "Dazmnit!" Sliding to another stop with a glare and a snarl, Kado was breathing heavy and the woman before him didn't look like she broke a sweat! "Why in the hell can't I touch you? What are you doing?"

  "I am just better than you." A small glance to her grandfather and a glare for her sister, Imae was not happy about this. No one was going to be happy about this and she was going to hear it when this was done. Turning back to the leopard she growled. "This fight is done."

  "Think again you bitch!"

  X

  Flinching and pulling her grandfather's eyes to her, Kiara had extra wide eyes as she gasped. "Oh no that isn't good."

  "What isn't good?"

  Looking at her grandfather finally, Kiara blinked. In her mind remembering the one time that Imae got really angry at a guard when he called her that name under his breath. "Imae is going to get angry being called that name. I only heard one guard she was sparing with say it to her one time. Imae hurt him really bad."

  Turning back to the fight as they charged each other again, Kurosai narrowed his eyes with a growl. Reaching up he lifted Kiara by the back of her clothes and dropped her onto Umarus's shoulders. He had to be ready for anything right now.

  Looking at her grandfather odd, Kiara let her head fall to the side. "Grandfather?"

  "Just stay over there." The fight in full swing now, Kurosai followed every move that Imae made. He had to focus and make sure that she wasn't going to get her and he didn't need his youngest granddaughter hanging off of his shoulder if he had to jump in and help Imae. He wouldn't make a move so long as she was winning, but he wasn't going to let her get seriously hurt either.

  X

  With a glare as she waited for the opening she needed, Imae couldn't help but smile. When she got the chance she lunged forward and used her purification to elongate the blade and ran it through his heart to the hilt. She then flared all of the remaining purification she had into her katana. This was the hardest part for her. She didn't like to hurt anyone and liked killing anyone less than that. But some of them gave them no choice. And for Reijiro's guard, he was nothing. She held her breath as the last of his screams echoed before he fell backwards in death as he turned to dust.

  Once he was gone, and her katana was sheathed she turned and crossed her arms as she glared down into her sister's cobalt blue eyes as she stopped before her. "Why in the hell are you out here Kiara?"

  "I just wanted to see you fight sister." Her eyes wide as she showed her age, Kiara couldn't help but look at her big sister like she was everything with stars in her eyes. "You were amazing! I want to…."

  "Can it Kiara!" Imae growled making her sister flinch as she tried hard not to yell at her. But this was serious! It wasn't like she was sneaking away from Yoite to glue herself to her father's hip. This was a real fight where one was going to die and she has to do as she is told in a time like this. "What if Grandpa and Master Umarus were not done fighting this time Kiara? Do you really think I would have been able to fight and protect you at the same time? I wouldn't have and either you or I would have died because you think you have to see everything and you don't."

  Never having Imae talk to her like this before, Kiara dropped her head as her eyes half closed. "I know that sister. Had it been different I wouldn't of…."

  "Don't give me that Kiara. You didn't know who was fighting until you got here and by then it could have been too late. I get it that you want to soak in all you can." Relaxing some but keeping her glare she shook her head. "But there is a time and a place for you to see things and for you not to. This was not called for it and you should have stayed with Grandma and the others like you were told to do."

  "But….."

  Reaching out and turning her sister toward the palace Imae growled again as she pushed her. "But nothing. This is serious and you have to listen right now you can't just do it. Come on let's go and get Katana then go back to bed."

  "Imae! Kiara!"

  Looking back to see her mother leaping from Ryu, Imae crossed her arms as she sidestepped and watched as Kiara was flattened on the ground by their mother. "I think this is a good way to start your punishment."

  Kiara still in her arms, Yokiyo stood up as she looked at Imae then to her pup's down cast eyes and back to Imae. "Punishment? Punishment for what?"

  Stepping up behind his mate with his father, Kiyoshi growled sending his pup's head down even more. "When the leopards attacked she was sent to Mother and Yukani and didn't stay there. She snuck off and came outside to watch Imae fight."

  Her extra wide eyes jerking down to her daughter's Yokiyo couldn't move. She and Kiyoshi went over all the rules with her when the notices of Katana's birth went out. If there was a fight she was to stay away from it and with whomever she was sent to be with. "You did what!?"

  Not even looking up Kiara sighed. "I just wanted to see her in a real fight. And Grandfather was out here too."

  "I was out here yes." But his own iced blue eyes narrowing at his granddaughter, Kurosai growled. "But had I still been fighting? And Umarus? The one to notice you snuck out and tried to follow you was Chiren and he wouldn't have been able to do much against these fighters. What then Kiara?"

  She understood their point, but also seeing that her point didn't matter Kiara sighed. She knew she did wrong and should have stayed with her grandmother and aunt. But at the same time the lure of seeing her sister proved greater for her. "I see."

  Not missing how she just seemed to give up the fight with it, but didn't really see where she was wrong this time, Kiyoshi sighed as he crossed his arms. "Perhaps a bell."

  Her eyes going wide in chock as she jerked up to look at her father Kiara paled when she heard the word bell. "What!?"

  A smile as he nodded, Kurosai closed his eyes. "Indeed. If she can't do as she is told with something as serious as this, we will need some way to keep track of her."

  Uncrossing her arms as everyone seemed to be filing out of the palace now to see what was going on, Imae looked at her sister then turned to her mother as she laughed. "The punishment comes from the two of you. However Mama once all this is done and it settles down you have some training to do with Kiara. And be3fore war starts with at least a little of it."

  "What are you talking about Imae?"

  Blinking from Imae to Kiara who seemed just as confused, Kurosai laughed as he rubbed the back of his neck. "That's right. I nearly forgot about that for a moment there."

  With a nod as she laughed, Imae met her mother's curious eyes. "She still needs the bell or worse I think. But when I they tried to get in your room to them, the only thing I told her was hold Katana and stay behind the rest of us. She was so focused on that she didn't realize what she was doing. She is even more rare than we thought. Not only is she a full demon birthed by a miko, but she can also use purification powers."

  "She can what!?"

  Looking up into her father's shocked eyes Imae smiled as she nodded. "She can. I guess she was thinking only of keeping Katana safe and it just sort of happened. Next thing we knew everyone else flinched and she had a purple barrier around them and she was glowing purple. I think the only demon in the room it didn't bother was Katana."

  Sitting her daughter down between them, Yokiyo glared down at her as she crossed her arms. "Well I guess you or I teaching her how to do a barrier right now wouldn't be a bad thing. But instead of a bell this time, she is going to be punished differently." When Kiara's eyes shot to her she growled. "Don't give me that look it is only because I don't really have time to deal with the drama that would come from putting a bell on you right now. You aren't leaving my side. Ever. You stay with me until this is done and over with. The only time you won't be at my side, you will be with Umarus when the presentation of your brother is made. If you don't listen and do as you are told the rest of the time, then not
only are you getting one bell, you are getting a string of bells around your neck, waist, wrists and feet and a barrier around them so you can't quite them."

  With a gasp, Kiara paled at the thought of having that many bells on her. And she knew of everyone there her mother would do it. And probably enjoy it. Her head nodding vigorously, Kiara could only imagine how embarrassed she would be. "I understand mother."

  Reaching out and stopping her head and making her look at her, Yokiyo had a cross look. "And that doesn't only go for Katana's presentation but until you are grown and I can't control you anymore. Understand that?"

  "Yes."

  Turning to the other rather shocked eyes of those that came out, Yokiyo smiled as she relaxed as Sorae stepped up with her boy. "There is my boy. Now let's all get back inside and go back to bed."

  Reaching out Sorae touched Yokiyo's arm and stopped her for a second, seeing even more worry in her eyes she sighed as she smiled at her. "Everything will work out you will see."

  "I know. I know."

  Stepping up behind his mate as everyone else followed his son and his mate in, Kurosai gave his mate an odd look. "Sorae what was that about?"

  Welcoming his arms around her Sorae sighed as she leaned back in his arms. "Her age. Yokiyo is really starting to worry about it now. She is thirty, and even with the best care she could get here, her life is literally half over. She doesn't regret it, but her heart breaks about not watching them grow up."

  "I talked to Kiyoshi the other night and when the presentation itself is over he is going to take her to see Kai. If anyone knows anything he will. They need to figure something out before she does pass." Shaking his head as he lead his mate into the palace, Kurosai sighed. "He goes savage when he gets too far from her. I hate to see how he is going to be when she isn't here anymore."

  "I know."

  X

  Once everyone settled back in, and Yokiyo had Kiara and Katana asleep she couldn't stop the tears as they flowed, looking from one to the other. The sooner that this was over, the sooner they could get to Kai and hopefully find out what is going on. Taking a deep breath, she let her eyes linger on her infant. 'The sooner that happens, the sooner I can stop worrying so much about death and just focus on making the best memories I can with them all.'

  Moving to sit behind her, Kiyoshi sighed as he wrapped his arms around her shoulders and pulled her back against him. "Yokiyo. It is alright. Everything will be fine and then we see Kai."

  Leaning into his strong arms, Yokiyo took a shaky breath as even more tears fell from her eyes onto his now bare arm. Reaching up to put her hands on his arms as she leaned her head over on his, she closed her eyes. "I just wish that I could watch them grow up. See what kind of kids they have. As it stands, Imae will be the only one who I will get to see grandchildren on."

  Dropping his head to rest his forehead on her shoulder as his grip became rather desperate, Kiyoshi took his own deep breath. "Do you regret your choice to mate with me now?"

  Knowing that he could sense the regret she felt, Yokiyo sighed as she turned in his arms and reached out as she traced a single stripe down his face with a finger and a smile. "I do not now, I never have nor would I ever regret mating with you." When he smiled into her eyes she let out a small laugh before she sighed. "I do not get to see them grow up. I won't get to see anything of their lives past at the very most forty for Kiara and thirty for Katana. I won't get to see their children as they are born. That I regret. I knew that our children would be kids when they put me in the ground, and it breaks my heart cause I want to watch them grown into the adults I know they will."

  Moving so that she hugged him and moved her mouth closer to his she laughed as he pulled her closer around her waist. "But the one thing that would never happen is regretting mating you. I would not trade a single day of my life since that day to now for anything. I love you."

  Kissing her gently, Kiyoshi then pulled her fully to him as he hugged her and tucked her head under his chin as his body fully relaxed. His eyes also on the pups that would still be small he would have to raise on his own without a mother to guide them as well. But he would do just that and make them adults their mother would be proud of. And he would never let them forget about who she was. "I am sure Yokiyo that Kai will know something about what is going on. And as soon as the presentation is over we will go and see him and get the answers that we need."

  "Good."

  A New Heir Chapter 87

  Three days have passed and sometime today Yokiyo knew that Shoji would arrive and he would be one of the main threats on her son. But right now she couldn't help but smile as she held her sleeping son in the shade of a cherry tree. And feeling the contentment of Kiyoshi at the time was making her own just that much more. It was so peaceful now with everyone there and everyone getting along. A glimpse into what it will be like once Soichiro and Emiko took over.

  Looking over her shoulder to the right stood Umarus not even an arm's length behind her. Looking up she smiled to see that Kiara, Nyoko and Isamu were up in the tree. Once he apologized for how he acted, she was elated to see that he and Kiara became just as fast of friends as she did with Nyoko. Though her and Nyoko looked like they were going to have the friendship that Kiyoshi and Shone had, one that would stand the test of time no matter what. And as usual Yoite is not far away, standing directly under them.

  Looking over at the koi pond across the garden from her were Yukani and Zokeni talking together, their mates standing just behind them doing the same thing. She was still amazed that they were both pregnant at the same time, and nearly exactly as far along as each other.

  Hearing the clang of steel she looked another way to laugh as Sanzo and Imae spared with each other, Sanzo shamelessly flirting with Imae with a big toothy grin. And Ayame on the side lines glaring at them.

  Not far from them, Kurosai stood with Soichiro and Chiren, and next to some flowers near them were Emiko, Yuriko and Sorae. A glance up at the palace and she smiled to find Kiyoshi and Shone standing there so that they could see everything that was going on and where everyone was in the garden.

  The content sigh in her arms made her look down as she sighed and a sense of sadness swam through her once again. Though not the one that came from knowing she didn't have much time left with him. She sent a message to Izumi when she was close to having him and she didn't come. The day of and she refused again. She tried one more time just yesterday and again she refused to come. But she wanted Kiara to see Kazuo and Hana. And to have all three of them see her son. "But she turned us down because of her husband didn't she my boy. But I will have your daddy fix that."

  "Yokiyo?"

  Blinking as she looked up to see Sorae sitting down next to her, Yokiyo smiled as she sighed. "I am sorry Sorae. I was actually only thinking about how nice it is to have everyone here and getting along like this. I just wish my friend Izumi and her kids could be here to enjoy it. And how much of a shame it is that someone has to come and ruin it."

  With a nod as she looked down at her grandson, Sorae smiled. He slept soundly in his mother's arms and was a picture of perfection. "I know what you are talking about on that one Yokiyo. When Kiyoshi was his age, my father tried to kill him. And not Motoichi is going to try to kill my grandson. Hopefully by the time he has kids no one will try and kill his son and they can all just have fun." Then she gasped as she threw a hand over her mouth and shot her eyes up to Yokiyo's eyes. "I am sorry Yokiyo. I…"

  Laughing as her eyes looked back down at her son, Yokiyo smiled as she let out a long sigh. "It is alright Sorae. I have come to terms with it. It still hurts and cuts me deeply when I think about it too much. But I also know that both Katana and Kiara have grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and a wonderful father that will make sure that nothing like this happens to them. No one would stand a chance against them all."

  Relaxing, Sorae nodded as he laughed with a smile as well. "That is true. And each generation is stronger than the last. Kiyoshi was much stron
ger than his father, Kiara I am sure will be and can use purification. We aren't sure about him just yet. I don't think anyone will have anything to worry about when it comes to that."

  "Exaclty."

  But before either could say or do anything else, Yokiyo flinched as all the demons around jerked and growled as they shot to their feet looking at the door. Even the kids in the tree did the same thing. Standing just as Kiyoshi landed next to her she turned worried eyes up at him. "He is here isn't he?"

  Nodding as he reached her, Kiyoshi put an arm around her. "He is. Remember, he will be with us at the evening meal when you come down."

  "What did you say? Why?"