Twelve Lords

by Max Jager

  Patting her head, Shone sighed with a smile. "Don't worry about them Hiroko they are alright. They are the children of an old friend who is helping in the war. Their names are Chiren and Nyoko. I want you to be nice to them and on your best behavior while they are here. Along with the other two."

  "Other two?" Looking around him again, Hiroko blinked to see that standing there with them were four dog demons, a water sprite and a human. "Who are they Uncle? They all stink like humans and why is there a human with them anyway?"

  Crossing her arms, Yuriko gave her niece a cross look as she growled slightly. "Hiroko we had a talk about this. I really wish you wouldn't think like that, but if you insist you are not to talk like that in front of us. You know that we disapprove of it young lady."

  With a blinking, blank look, Hiroko looked at her Aunt odd. She knew they didn't agree with it, but her Papa said that she didn't have to stop talking about it if she didn't want too. No matter who was there to hear it. "But Papa said I could say it whenever I want, in front of whoever I want. But Auntie, who are they?"

  Pulling her eyes to his, Shone also had his arms crossed now. "That is Lady Kiara and her little brother Lord Katana. They are Kiyoshi's children with his mate Yokiyo."

  Looking back at the little pups, then back up to her Uncle, Hiroko was more than a little confused. There was no way that his human mate could have demon pups. "But Uncle they can't be his pups with her. He had pups with someone else right? I mean, a human can't really have demon pups so that has to be it."

  "My mother is indeed a miko that is strong enough to birth two demon pups. It really is just a simple fact."

  A glare on her face, Hiroko stormed up to the smaller pup as she put her arms on her hips with a small growl. "Liar. I refuse to believe that your mother is a human, let alone a miko. And there is no way that you can prove it either."

  Growling for a second then smiling as she closed her eyes, Kiara took a deep breath as all the demons around her and her brother took a step back from her, leaving her Uncle right behind her. "Would you want to see me prove it then?"

  "You can't prove it so don't even try to say anything. You are so much smaller and weaker than I am. What could you even possibly think you could…." But the sudden pain she felt, Hiroko jumped as she let out a yelp and ran to her Uncle. Hearing a gasp, she turned to see her mother standing there, Hiroko then ran to her and hid behind her. "Mama she tried to hurt me!"

  Turning a deep cross growl to his niece, Shone narrowed his eyes at her. "No she didn't. You walked up to her being rude and told her that there was no way to prove her mother is a miko. A demon that can use purification powers is proof enough don't you think so Hiroko? Or do you know others that can do it?"

  Letting her purification fade, Kiara turned and went to take her brother from Takara before going back to stand before her uncle. "And I am not the only one either. Katana can do it too and more. Can't you little brother?"

  Flinching, Kisa watched with wide eyes as the small baby boy transformed into a small puppy that was glowing blue with his own purification. It was an amazing feat, though she did wonder how they were able to do it. "I see then. The rumors were true that they did have a demon daughter. And now to add in a demon son that can do that at his young age. Amazing."

  "Nothing short of abominations. Shone I don't know why you brought those things and leopards to the palace. I think you have gone daft."

  Looking up with a bright smile to see her father walking past the large group Hiroko squealed. "Papa!" Running to him she walked next to him as he took her hand. "I asked him about that too Papa."

  Growling as Sume came closer, Shone kept his arms crossed. "Don't you even start Sume. I am not happy with you right now as it is. You really don't want to push your luck. You, Kisa and Hiroko are to show all of them respect, as well as their guard. Is that perfectly clear?"

  Stopping to glare himself, Sume let his eyes travel to the group that didn't belong then went back to Shone. He hated not having absolute control here. "So long as they know that their place is beneath Hiroko there won't be a problem."

  Feeling the rage coming from her mate, Kisa understood. She agreed with him about all the humans. She used to think that they were not all that bad, but the few years she stayed with him at his den after they mated he showed her. The humans of the country were nothing but vile beings that would rather kill a demon than look at it. Even children. But she didn't like seeing her mate and brother fight about it in front of Hiroko. "Sume." Stepping closer to him, she gave him a pleading look. "Let us just take Hiroko back to the palace. We can discuss this later when it is just the adults. Please?"

  Rolling his eyes then growling, Sume walked away from Kisa. He would never regret mating her, but she was too timid sometimes. "Whatever. Come on Hiroko. Don't get too close to them, you don't want to catch their stench."

  "Yes Papa."

  With a sigh as she shook his head, Shone turned back to the group. "Sorry about that. They do like to mouth off but I doubt that either of them would act on what they say."

  His eyes narrowed on Sume, Kisa and the pup, Yoite stood on the right of Takara who now held Katana, and Kiara between her and Senri. Behind them were the five men that he was over that they brought with them to keep them safe. Turning his gold eyes back to Shone he kept his narrowed eyes. "I can promise you My Lord so long as they don't act I won't do anything. If they do try to though, I will not stay my hand and see how it plays out either. Regardless of who they are to you."

  "I would not expect you to Yoite. I would not expect you too." Shone then turned to his mate as he winked at her and smiled. "I will be back in a while Yuriko."

  Giving him an odd look, Yuriko blinked as she let her head fall to the side. "Where are you going?"

  With a laugh, Shone bend down and scooped his son into his arms as he smiled at him. "I think that this one here and myself are going to go hunting and have a little talk before I have to leave." He then turned back to Yuriko and gave her a quick kiss before he and his son were over the wall and gone.

  A sigh as she smiled, Yuriko turned back to those that were there. "Well I will show you to your room. I assume of course that you are all staying together?"

  "Yes please My Lady." Takara then followed Yuriko as she lead them into the palace. She was uneasy and nervous about the plan all together. But after seeing Sume. And the way that Kisa and the pup acted about the whole thing. She didn't trust them at all. Not at all.

  Not understanding what happened with everyone, Kiara rushed away from Senri and stopped to walk right next to Yuriko as she looked up at her. "Yuriko?"

  "What is it honey?"

  Blinking as she kept her eyes on her, Kiara let her head fall to the side. "Why didn't Shone do more to him? If Uncle Kamui had said that about someone Father brought into the South, he would not have stood for it at all."

  With a half-smile, Yuriko looked down at the young pup and sighed. "Well, honey it is a little more difficult to explain. Right now let's get you settled in your room and then we can all relax with some tea and a light meal after three days of travel yes?"

  "Alright."

  X

  Once they were away from the palace, Shone stopped and dropped his son to his feet. When Isamu stopped and dropped his head, he sighed. "Isamu?"

  Taking a deep breath, Isamu knew what this talk was going to be about and he understood now seeing how everyone in the South was, and then seeing Sume and Kisa here. He would be the first to admit that he didn't understand at first. But now he did. He knew from hearing him, that Sume had a reason for not liking humans, but he had no clue what it was. But no one there did anything to him. All Kiara did was show Hiroko that she did have a miko for a mother like she said she would. And he never saw Sume show his parents that level disrespect before. And after spending time in the South with those that Sume speaks so down on. He now knew how wrong he was.

  Looking up at his father, he had wide eyes as he kept a stoic face. He kn
ew now, thinking like his parents, not his shallow minded uncle was the right path for him. "Father I know what you want to talk about. And you really don't have to say anything."

  Crossing his arms, Shone gave his son an odd look. "Really then? Well then son, enlighten me as to what it was about and then tell me why I don't have to say anything about it to you then."

  Trying to show maturity beyond his years, Isamu sighed as he kept his eyes looking into his father's. "About humans. You always told me that Uncle Sume was wrong about how he thought. I never understood why. I always assumed he had his reasons and he wouldn't say that if he didn't have a good one. I know now that it was because I had never met any that I didn't understand. The humans of the south can be odd. A lot. But Lady Yokiyo, her brother Senri and Imae, they were nothing but nice to us."

  Nodding as he blinked, Shone relaxed as he uncrossed his arms and put his hands on hips. "Well pup you got the subject that is right. Now tell me why I don't need to talk to you about it?"

  Taking a deep breath, Isamu then closed his eyes as he looked down then half opened them. "Part is what happened before we left. I have never seen Uncle Sume act like that to you and Mother before. Ever. Especially when there were visitors here. As far as I could tell, he always had respect for you. I didn't like seeing that he didn't. And it really bothered me what he said about Kiara and the others. I didn't like it."

  Smiling softly, Shone knelt down before his son as he filled with pride. Setting his hands on his son's shoulders, Shone pulled his eyes up to his. "It does seem that you learned your lesson my son. With your uncle, as your grandfather would say if he was still here, by not liking that is actually a good thing. You have a conscious, a little voice inside that tells you when something is right or wrong. Always let that guide you and you will always do the right thing. Okay?"

  Seeing the pride in his father's eyes, Isamu gave a sharp nod as he smiled. "I promise Father."

  Giving him a nod, Shone stood up. "That's my boy. Now let's get some hunting in then go spend time with your mother before I have to leave again. Sound good?"

  "Yes Father."

  X

  "Your brother is growing bold talking to me like that Kisa. I refuse to stand for it much longer." Pacing in their room, Sume glanced over at Hiroko as she watched his every move. Of everything that he ever did, or happened to him in his life, his little girl was the most important and the most precious thing to him. She had her mother's jet black hair and tail, but she had his bright amethyst eyes. To him, she was perfection walking. And everything was perfect with her the center of attention until Isamu was born. Once he was born it was like she was thrown to the side and suddenly Isamu was everything and he didn't like it! His daughter should be in line to be the next Lady! She had a Lady for a mother and an Alpha for a father. It only made sense.

  Standing by the bed next to her daughter, Kisa hugged herself. She knew her mate was right, but she did love her brother at the same time. "I know that Sume and I don't like it either. But he is Lord of the West and this is his home. We can't tell him what to do here, just like he can't tell us what to do with your pack. Once all of this is over, I have every intention of sitting down with him and talking about this."

  Growling as he stopped, Sume crossed his arms as he narrowed his eyes at her. "And say what Kisa?"

  With tears in her eyes, Kisa walked up to her mate as she gave him a pleading look. "That things need to go back the way they were before Isamu was born. That I don't like how they seem to throw Hiroko over for him like she is nothing when before he came along they treated her like she is, a princess. But for right now Sume, at least right now, Hiroko must do as she is told and play nice with them. The last thing we need is to be caught between the West and South in a war. Kiyoshi will not think twice about going after anyone that hurt his pups. Even another pup."

  Waving his hands in the air again as he started to pace again, Sume growled. "That damn traitor needs his head ripped off. Not only did he mate with a human over a demon, but a miko at that. He is a disgrace."

  "I didn't like it either when it happened. But Sume please you have to listen to reason right now. Once this war is done and over with, we tell them flat out. Things go back to the way they were before with Hiroko, or the three of us are leaving and going back to your tribe." She then dropped her head as tears fell from her eyes and she covered her mouth. "Since Isamu was born everything changed for us and I don't like it. I don't like how it restricts Hiroko. But right now just isn't the time Sume."

  Stopping, and fighting the urge to calm her down, Sume sighed as he took a deep breath. He had to put his feet down with this. He wasn't going to have his daughter treated like this. Ever. "Whatever Kisa. Whatever."

  Hearing him walking away from her to the window, Kisa flinched as she rushed to him and grabbed his arm just before he went out the window. "Sume please don't leave. Please."

  Gently easing his arm out of her grip, Sume met her eyes as he sighed. "I will be back. I would never just walk away from you, I just need to cool down before I end up going off and hurting someone. I know that he is your brother Kisa and you feel you need to be loyal to him. But I am your mate and she is your daughter. We should be your number one priority, not him and his mongrel." He then turned and jumped out the window.

  Watching as her anger at the new arrivals soared, Hiroko watched as her mother dropped to the floor and cried. Those that were the source of it right now were in the family wing! She didn't want them there, and she didn't want to see her parents fighting with each other like that. She didn't like it. Not at all.

  Quietly she stood up and left her parent's room and went across the hall to her own as she started to pace around the room. She knew what she had to do now. She would take out the pups. The leopards. And Isamu. With them gone, then her world would be perfect again. Stopping as she looked out her window, Hiroko smiled an evil little smile. 'That is it. I know what I have to do and I am going to do it.'

  X

  As evening closed, Yuriko stood with her mate and son at the palace gate with tears streaming down her face. She hated being away from Shone for any length of time, but never imagined it would be for as long as it was going to be this time. Looking up into his blue eyes she smiled through her own tears. "Just promise me that you will come home as soon as you possible."

  Kissing her with a passion they hadn't lost since they mated, Shone pulled her close to him. As he pulled his mouth from hers he smiled into her green eyes. "Nothing is going to keep me from making sure this goes as fast as it can and racing here the second that bastard is dead and gone. Keep your head up love, I will be home sooner than you think."

  Nodding as she tried to keep her smile, Yuriko held onto his clothes. "Right. I will be waiting right here for you."

  Keeping an arm around Yuriko's waist, Shone then turned and looked down at his son as he stood next to him. "While I am gone Isamu I am putting you in charge of the West. You make sure to keep everyone safe from harm while I am gone right?"

  "I promise father." He then smiled as he rubbed the top of his head. Watching as his parents embraced one last time before he went out the gate, transforming and running back for the South, Isamu wanted to cry and yet he was proud that his father trusted him with keeping the West safe.

  Looking up at his mother as he moved to her right side, he reached out and took her hand, which pulled her startled eyes down to him. With a bright smile he closed his eyes. "Don't worry Mother. I know Father will come home soon, and until then I will make sure you stay safe. No matter what."

  Smiling down at her son as she whipped her eyes, Yuriko couldn't help but laugh. "Well thank you my son." She then bent down and lifted him fully into her arms. "Right now let us go and greet our guests for dinner shall we?"

  "Right Mother." Isamu then wrapped his arms around her neck as she hugged him. He wasn't usually this loving, but he would make an exception this time, considering what was going on.

  A New Heir Chapte
r 96

  Looking up to see the palace gate now looming over them, Izumi stopped as she started to shake. She hadn't seen Yokiyo in ten years, not since she came to be with her when Kiara was born. And now she was there, leaving her husband. But how did she tell her best friend what her life has been like? How did she tell her what all she has put up with these last ten years without her looking down at her?

  With a small sigh she turned and looked over her shoulder and down the road. In one way she hoped to see her husband racing down the road after them crying and begging her to come back that he would change. But she knew better than that at the same time. Itachi was no longer the man she fell in love with and married.

  Crossing his arms as he turned and looked at his mother, Kazuo closed his eyes as he shook his head. "I know this is mean Mama but give it up on him already. We are nearly to the palace gates. We have been gone long enough that he has woken up and knows we are gone, and he knows where we would go too. If he wanted to come after us he would have by now."