Twelve Lords

by Max Jager

  A sharp nod and a smile Yokiyo glanced down at her pups then back up to the cub. "So I take it that you approve of us then?"

  Smiling as he gave a sharp nod of his own, Chiren looked up at her again. "Yes May Lady. Very much so."

  X

  Waiting for everyone to leave that did, Shoji sighed. He did not want to feel the purification again. The pup and the kid were strong, he could only imagine their mother. Once he was sure they were far enough away, he opened his eyes and turned to Kiyoshi. "I must say Lord Kiyoshi that is one fascinating pack that you have. A miko for a mate, a miko for a pup, a demon that can use purification. You must truly have a death wish do you not?"

  Not hiding the venom in his voice nor the glare on his face, Kiyoshi didn't even look at him. "What exactly do you mean by that leopard?"

  Leaning back in his chair as he finally started to relax some, Shoji sighed. Choosing his words very carefully. "It is just that when a human chooses someone to be with and have children, they base it out of love. Not a binding bond like a dog, wolf, falcon or something like that. It is very different."

  His patience now quickly running out for this fool, Kiyoshi clenched his fists as he turned his glare onto him. "What does the bond that I have with my mate have anything to do with what you just said?"

  Laughing as he kept his eyes closed, Shoji shook his head side to side. "That you would be absolutely screwed if she decided that a life like this wasn't for her after all and left you to go be with a human instead. Or just leave you in general." Though the instant that he said it, he could feel the heat from his glare as he felt the rumble of his growl. He really hit a nerve that time.

  Clenching his fists to keep from taking his head off too soon, Kiyoshi could feel the blood dripping from his fingers as he growled. "You would do well not to sit there and assume to know anything about the bond that myself and my mate have, nor the bond that we have with our children."

  With a small laugh Shoji smiled as he kept his arms crossed. "Even if your mate does not? What about Lady Imae? If she falls in love with a human and leaves to live with him. What will you do when she realizes that she should have been with them from the start and wants nothing to do with you or your mate?"

  Taking a deep breath, Kiyoshi forced himself to relax but kept his emotionless mask. "Again you really should not assume something you know nothing about leopard. I know very well that the chances are high that both of my daughters will mate and leave the palace. My sister stayed, but not many of them do. Even Shone's sister Kisa left for a spell. However, I do know that neither Imae nor Kiara would refuse to see us again. And I would pity the human or demon that would try and make them stay away."

  Opening his eyes, Kiyoshi gave the leopard a sly grin pulling a confused look from him. "And Yokiyo would never leave anyway. Not only will she tell anyone that she is in love with me, but she has been drawn into the bond of this mating just like a dog demon would."

  Nodding as he looked down, Shoji let out a sigh. 'Well that explains why her scent isn't that of a normal human. Something is off about her scent, that has to be it. But still she is only human after all.' "That is most impressive. She has bonded like a demon and birthed two as well. It would seem that she is strong indeed after all. However the situation that you and she both face soon must be getting hard by now."

  The sudden growl from Kiyoshi made Shoji visibly jump. He was really starting to push his luck with what he said about his mate and pups. "What the hell are you talking about now?"

  A smug look on his face, Shoji smiled, he was only speaking the truth and he couldn't kill him for that. "Just the fact that she is human. She may have been drawn into a demon bond with you but that doesn't change what she is. Lady Kiara and your heir will outlive her by thousands of years. I just figured that must be getting hard on the both of you right now. Knowing that you won't be able to mate again and have a very small limited amount of time with her." When all he got was a harder glare, Shoji leaned back in his seat fully as he closed his eyes. "And I am sure that at least Lady Kiara picks up on it. She won't even be a juvenile by the time she has to put her mother in the ground."

  Though just as he started to open his eyes, Shoji gasped when he felt a vice grip around his neck. His frantic eyes flew open and into the bleeding iced blue ones of Kiyoshi as he felt himself lifted off the ground. His own eyes filled with fear as he held his breath. He may have just pushed him too far!

  Holding this noble off the floor, Kiyoshi fought not to lose control and take his head off. But he was not going to stand for any more of the insults and assumptions, or badgering from him about his pack. Growling up into his eyes as his turned black around his ice blue he bared fang. "What will or will not happen with my pack at any point in time or space is not of your concern leopard. The insults you have given my daughters and my mate while in their home tonight are grounds enough for me to take your life. If you wish to live until dawn, watch your mouth you bastard." He then dropped him in a heap on the floor and went back to his seat with closed eyes. He wanted so much to just rip his head off now.

  Coughing, Shoji could feel the eyes on him and none of them were pleasant. If not for the reason why he was here and the blood pact he was sure he would have already been killed. He wasn't about to push it anymore and tried to think of a way to change the subject. The he got it. Turning to Kiyoshi, with softer eyes and a curious look, he knew this question wouldn't warrant his death or even a glare. Or at least shouldn't. "My Lord, I would like to ask though. How was it that Lady Imae defeated Kado?"

  "She killed him."

  Dropping his eyes to the table, Shoji let out a sigh. "Yes but how was she able to do such a thing. Many mikos have tried and all have fallen at his feet."

  With a deep hiss, Sanzo glared as the leopard turned toward him. He would not hide his attraction to Imae. Though he was waiting to see what his blood did before he made a move for that. But he would kill anyone who dared hurt her in any way. First this bastard insinuates that she is sleeping with her father and asks her to him. With a small pup in the room no less. And then soon as they are gone, starts running his mouth about the entire pack.

  Narrowing his eyes as Shoji's blinked, Sanzo was tense, then he smiled a sly smile at him. "Lady Imae would not be happy if we told you all her secrets you know."

  Letting his head fall fully to one side, Shoji blinked at the bird. He didn't follow what he was saying. He just wanted to know how she managed to kill him was all. Not everything she knew. "I do not follow you Lord Sanzo? I do not want her training detailed, just how she managed to kill him?"

  His eyes gleaming, Sanzo laughed as he shook his head. "To the point, we aren't going to tell you. Not one being in this palace is going to tell you anything about how she trains or how she fights. Not happening."

  Looking around at the nodding heads, Shoji did his best to play the stupid fool here. "But I really don't understand what the big deal is about the question? It is after all just a question. I have no intentions on challenging her and using it to win. I am just merely curious."

  Standing with a growl, Kiysohi sighed as he closed his eyes. He has had enough of this leopard and his mouth. If he didn't leave right then, he wasn't going to wait until morning to kill him. Headed for the door, he glared at the leopard. "That is right Shoji it is just a question. And we have the right to refuse to answer that question. You will be shown to your room now and in the morning you will be presented my son then get the hell out."

  Bowing as he closed his eyes to hide the glare, it took all Shoji had not to growl back at him. "Yes Lord Kiyoshi." 'Though your mate and pups, and hopefully you will be dead and gone by the time I walk out of this palace tomorrow.'

  Storming through the hall, Kiyoshi headed for his mate and pups in their room. 'Son of a bitch. He dies painfully tomorrow, along with Reijiro. Then Motoichi and things can get back to normal for a while with Yokiyo and the pups. For as long as she has left.'

  A New Heir Chapter 88
/>   It was just after dawn, and Kiyoshi stood with everyone as he growled and glared at the reception hall door. This was to be done inside, unlike when he was born. Knowing that Motoichi had his son outside ready to attack, he wasn't going to have them outside where anyone could block a way for Umarus to get her in the palace like when he was presented as a pup.

  Taking a deep breath as he looked around the room, Kiysohi sighed. Takara, Yuriko, Emiko, Nyoko, Isamu, Zokeni, Yukani, his mother, and Ayame were all in the safe room along with several guards and Kamui.

  Looking to his right, Yokiyo stood tall and proud next to him with their son in her arms. Next to her was Kiara then Imae. Just behind Kiara stood Umarus and Yoite. After Imae stood Sanzo, Chiren, Soichiro then a string of guards.

  On his left hand side, was his father, Shone, Senri and then several guards as well. Turning back to the door he fixed it with a glare as he growled and tensed. He was coming.

  Yokiyo had been tense and stiff all morning. Today was the day that started the war, she was still worried about the bond, about maybe having to leave the pups for the war. But she kept telling herself that she had to just focus on today. After this they would go see Kai and then go from there. So right now she would show herself as the Lady of the South. Standing tall and proud next to her mate as she kept a tight grip on her son.

  Glancing up at her mate, Yokiyo let the worry wash over her. The amount of rage rolling off of him was fathomable. And yet her stood there like the calm before the storm. A stoic look on his face, but a hot, cold rage storming through his iced blue eyes.

  Jerking her head to the door at the outburst of growls and hissing, Yokiyo took a deep breath. He had to be getting close. When Kiysohi tensed even more she closed her eyes for a moment. But it was hearing the tiny growl in her arms that drew her out of it. Looking down her eyes went wide.

  Just a moment ago she was holding a baby. But now she held a small puppy! Like an actually puppy! He was transformed! He didn't grow in size like the rest of them did, but he was a tiny demon pup in the truest form. But he changed his colors too. When Kiyoshi transformed he kept his white fur, the same blue crescent moon by his eyes that was ice blue just like his eyes.

  Yet her son totally changed. He was born with her dark blue eyes just like Kiara. He had his father's white hair, but his markings were different. He had a single ice blue crescent moon on his forehead. And yet it would seem in this form the only thing that stayed the same was the crescent moon on his head. His fur was jet black, and he had an ice blue ring around his neck. Even his eyes changed in this and took on an amber color that were just like Yukani's!

  Looking back up at her mate she gave him a nudge with her elbow to get his attention. When his eyes met hers, Yokiyo smiled. "Look down at your son."

  Looking down they both gasp loudly this time as the growls seemed turned back to them. As he lay in his mother's arms, Katana was baring fang as he snarled at the door, but was glowing the same bright light blue color as Yokiyo did. The heavy smell of strong purification heavy in the air. "Interesting."

  Crossing her arms as she looked first at her brother, then down at her sister, Imae couldn't help but smile as she turned toward the door. Her parents defied the odds when she got pregnant to start with. Then again two more times when she birthed two demons. And now not only did Kiara do it, but Katana defied them when they could use purification. 'Now the true power of my pack will be shown to you Shoji. Just before you are took out.'

  Feeling the worry wash over him, Kiyoshi looked down to see the look on her face as she watched his son. This was not something that was normal even when parents were both demons. Tapping his finger he pulled her eyes up to him. "We will ask Kai about this. He is here." He then turned toward the door as he glared though pride washed over him as his son's growls got even louder. "He will now see first-hand before his death the true power of the Heir of the South."

  Taking a deep breath Yokiyo nodded. She shared in her mate's pride of all three of their children. They prove daily how much stronger they are than anyone seems to think they are. With a smile she held her head high as she even heard the footsteps. 'And I dare anyone of any age ever to piss off our family line. It won't be pretty.'

  X

  Walking into the reception hall, Shoji had his eyes closed as he walked forward. He could smell the purification but figured it was the mikos trying to be intimidating. But they were not in the least. But he did find it odd that he still didn't smell a half demon there. Surely they couldn't have had two demons together?

  Being stopped just short of being close to where they were, Shoji gave a bow then opened his eyes as he looked up he let out a loud gasp as he took a step back away from them with wide eyes. There in her arms, Yokiyo held a small pup that was glaring and growling at him with a snarl on his lips. His fur standing on end, and glowing blue in purification as well! He couldn't believe that this infant not only was demon, but also the power to transform at a few weeks and use purification.

  Taking a deep breath as he put the words together in his head what to say, he couldn't stop his heart from racing. 'Well. I can't believe that these two made two demons that can use purification when one is a human. Though it would be a shame. With the right treatment from Lord Motoichi he would have made a formidable warrior if he were to grow up.'

  When he didn't say anything, Kiyoshi growled as he pulled the leopards eyes up to him. "I present to you my son and Heir to the South. Lord Katana."

  Giving a low bow, Shoji smiled his first true smile since getting there the day before. "Lord Kiyoshi. Lady Yokiyo. Congratulations. You have a most amazing pack. And a son that can transform as an infant is most remarkable. Though it is a shame." He then tensed as he reached up to pull something out of his robe. "It is a shame he won't live to see tomorrow!" He then slammed the smoke bomb on the floor and smiled as the smoke filled the room sending everyone running everywhere. He ran back through the place toward his next destination.

  Seeing his movement Imae gasped. "Mama!" Then just as she and her mother threw the barriers up the room filled with smoke and sent everyone running. She glared as she instantly let a hand fall on her katana. "It has to be poison."

  Looking down as her son transformed back to a baby in a ball of light then pass out, Yokiyo was breathing hard. "Imae we can't see anything. Who is with you?"

  "I have Kiara, Chiren and Sanzo. I tried to get Umarus and Yoite but I couldn't reach them." Feeling eyes on her, Imae looked down into the worried eyes of her little sister as she grabbed her clothes. "Kiara every…"

  "What are we going to do now Imae? Are we all going to…" But she couldn't finish her question when her eyes filled with tears as she started shaking.

  Shaking her head Imae rested her hand on her head. "No Kiara. Nothing is going to happen to us we are going to be just fine."

  Hearing the fear in Kiara's voice, Yokiyo turned her own tear filled eyes up to her mate as she started to shake as well. "What now? We can't move with barriers. And…"

  Growling Kiyoshi looked toward where his daughters were. "Sanzo."

  "Yes?"

  "Get them out of this."

  With a sharp nod, Sanzo narrowed his eyes. "Count on it."

  With a sigh Kiyoshi then lifted his mate in his arms. "Hold your breath and hide his face then drop the barrier. We are making for the safe room."

  Nodding, Yokiyo used the blanket that was around her son and covered his face with it, she then held her breath as she covered it with her free hand and then dropped her barrier and felt her hair fly as he flew through the smoke.

  With a sigh, Sanzo crossed his arms for a moment as he turned to Imae. He could barely see them through the smoke as it started to clear. Turning to Imae he nodded. "They made it free of the smoke. Now it is time to get you and your sister out." He then gave Chiren a stern look. "You can run right?"

  "I can I will be fine."

  Nodding Kiara then lifted the now crying Kiara as he smiled at her and positioned
her so she could bury her face in his chest. "Just hold your breath as long as you can and bury your face in my clothes." Looking at Imae he nodded. "You get on my back and do the same with my shoulder. The way your father went toward the safe room drew most the smoke that way with him running. We head outside."

  Nodding as he knelt down Imae jumped on his back and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Hold your breath Kiara."

  Waiting for them to get a breath, Sanzo and Chiren poised themselves for the run toward where they knew the windows were. Once she dropped the barrier they rushed it, and dove out the door and a window. After a few seconds he stopped and let them go.

  Imae fell from his back and glared to see that everyone was locked in battle with leopards. "Damnit. Now what? With Kiara here…."

  But hearing a gasp she looked down at Kiara who was now hiding behind Chiren with a nervous look as she looked up at the wall. Following her eyes she growled as her eyes narrowed. "It's him."