Twelve Lords

by Max Jager

  Taking a sloppy stance, Imae nodded. "Alright then. Whenever you are ready then come at me Kazuo."

  Watching with wide eyes, Izumi couldn't help but blink once her son started to move. He pulled out all the moves that she taught him, and others she didn't know that he had and Imae was laughing like it seemed to be just effortless to avoid them and not even try to attack back. "Well now…"

  Keeping his eyes on Imae, Kurosai smiled as he crossed his arms. This was more than a good lesson for the kid. "Imae isn't your typical human fighter. And right now it is just her, she isn't even using her purification on the kid."

  "Using her purification?"

  Pulling her eyes to her, Yokiyo laughed. "That's right. Once we realized she was a miko, she was training in how to focus it on certain parts of her body to enhance them. She can enhance even her sight, hearing and smell. It isn't on par with a demon by any means, but it is ten times better than you or I can. She can also use it to move nearly as fast as her father can move and keep up with him when they spar."

  "I see." Izumi looked back when she heard Imae giggle again and the frustrated look on her son's face. "Kazuo….."

  "Don't worry this will be a good lesson for him. He did beat his dad good. But he got cocky about it. This way he will if for no other reason, always know that there is one miko out there that is strong than him, and give him something to strive for." Sanzo smiled as he watched his mate moving with the kid. She was perfect for him in every way. Now if they could only have a demon child. That would be a sign that she was bonding like Yokiyo and Kiyoshi did and he would love that. If not, just one chick would be enough for him.

  X

  With a laugh as once again Imae dodged him, but this time she figured that she would put him out of his misery. He was trying hard, but just wasn't enough, and he was over confident in what he could do that he didn't take the time to watch her and what she was doing. When he charged her again, she easily blocked him with one of her blades, and brought the other up and placed it on his neck making him freeze with wide eyes. "I win."

  As she moved the blades away from him, Kazuo dropped to his knees with wide eyes and just sat there for a moment. "But how did I lose? I don't get it."

  Dropping to her haunches, Imae smiled at him as she laughed. "You didn't win because you assumed that because you hadn't lost yet, and I am a girl that you could win no matter what. There is always going to be someone out there that is strong than you are. That is why no matter how strong you are, your training is going to last until you are dead or physically unable to pick up a sword."

  A glance to his mother then back to her, Kazuo sighed. "But I really did think that it would be easy for me to win against you. One day in the woods I came across a miko and she said that I was trying to do something evil and attacked me. I didn't kill her but I beat her with ease. That's why I thought I could."

  Pulling his eyes up to hers, Imae smiled as she winked at him. "But you also wouldn't listen to anyone here. I know they all tried to tell you even Sanzo. You assumed that I would be the same as she was. I am not like any miko you will ever meet outside of these palace walls Kazuo. Had I only been trained by normal humans, you and I would have been evenly matched and it would have been harder for me to win. But I was not trained by normal humans. Uncle Senri had some to do with it, but for the most part I was trained by Grandpa, Father, and Master Umarus. All super strong demons that I had to keep up with."

  Dropping his head, Kazuo let his eyes half close. He did still have a lot to learn if that was the case. "I see then."

  Standing as she saw the defeated look in his eyes, Imae sighed. "Don't worry about it. I will get Father to assign someone to train you that helped training me while we are all gone at war."

  "But can't you do it? I would rather learn from you." Giving her a pleading look, Kazuo still didn't move. He wouldn't argue with training from a demon, but she beat him. He wanted training from her."

  Holding her hand out to help him up, Imae sighed. "I will do some before I leave for the East after the war. But after that I will get Master Umarus to train you some. He will push you and make you strong. I promise that one."

  With a nod as he took her hand and stood up, Kazuo sighed as he half smiled. "Alright then."

  X

  Jerking awake from the sudden movement and blood curdling scream of his mate, Kiyoshi turned and pulled her into his arms as she fell into a mess of sobs. But she was shaking violently and her eyes were wild. "Settle down. What is it?"

  "The….the…..the pups!" Yokiyo tried to finish it, but she couldn't. The sobs were too hard. She had his clothes with a death grip as she shook. Something was wrong and they needed to get to them right now!

  With a serious look, and smelling everyone coming, Kiyoshi pried her hands off of his clothes and went to the door. They learned a long time ago that when she has a feeling like this, not to ignore it. If it is the pups, then they are being brought home. Just as he opened the door he saw everyone looking at him. Looking at his father he sighed. "Go get Mother, Yukani and everyone else and bring them back here."

  "Father what happened?"

  Turning his eyes down to Imae, Kiyoshi was serious. "Your mother had a feeling. Go get your brother and sister." He then turned and shut the door and went back to his mate.

  Reaching out and grabbing her arm, Kurosai had his own hard eyes. "Stop at the Southern camp and get Koraen before you leave."

  Nodding Imae turned and headed for her room. She had to hurry. She had to get to them.

  Looking down the hall at Kurosai, Sanzo whistled and made him stop. "You stop in the East and get Atsana. He will be about the only one that will get my sister to just come back here." When all he got was a nod he went in and joined Imae in getting ready to leave. And was actually a bit jealous that she was much faster than he was at it. "Imae what was that about a feeling your mother got?"

  Lacing her boots, Imae sighed. "For as long as we have all been together, we have all learned that when Mama has a feeling and is upset about it, or she wakes up in a scream like that we take it seriously." Standing she grabbed her katanas and raced out of the palace. Soon as her feet hit the grass she gave a loud shrill whistle. "I am going to take Ryu and go on ahead. You get Koraen and catch up."

  Before he could hardly blink, Sanzo watched as his mate was on the dragon and flying through the air at speeds he didn't know the dragon had. With a sighed he jumped in the air and transformed, only to land back in human form before Koraen's tent as he came out. "We need to go to the West."

  Flinching as his m ind went right to his mate and son, Koraen tensed. "What happened?"

  Shrugging Sanzo sighed as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Yokiyo screamed and woke everyone up. Kiyoshi told her to go get her brother and sister. Something about her having a feeling. She is already headed toward the West on Ryu."

  With a nod, Koraen jumped into the air. "Right."

  Once they reached them, Koraen made eye contact with Imae as she glanced over. "Imae what exactly is going on here?"

  With a sigh, Imae turned and looked straight. "Mama had a feeling. You know how that is. When she is frantic we take it seriously. Well this wasn't just frantic she woke up screaming like someone tried to kill her. It was so bad that father sent Grandfather to get Grandmother and Aunt Yukani, and me to get my brother and sister." Her eyes narrowed as she looked down at her mate and Koraen. "We don't stop until we get there."

  With a nod as he held onto Sanzo's feathers, Koraen nodded to her. "Right. You can handle that Sanzo right?"

  Hissing up at him, Sanzo gave a mighty flap of his wings as he pushed to stay with the dragon. He could do this no problem.

  X

  Smelling Kurosai landing just outside the flap of his Lord's tent, Atsana rushed from the tent. "My Lord what has happened? I could smell Lord Sanzo moving toward the West fast with his mate and now you are here. What happened?"

  With a sigh Kurosai crossed his arms. "Come on let's go. To ma
ke it easier to explain, you transform and I will go on you and tell you what is going on. But we need to get to the East and get my mate, daughter and everyone else home."

  "Right." Atsana then jumped into the air and transformed, allowing Kurosai to land on his back before flying hard toward the East. Flashes of Ayame flying through his mind as he pushed.

  Once they were on their way, Kurosai sighed when he hissed. "Long story short, we figured out when she was pregnant with Kiara that if she gets a bad feeling we take it seriously. She woke up screaming like someone tried to kill her. It was focused on the pups. Imae and Sanzo are going for them, we are going for the others."

  X

  With a sigh as he held his mate as she sobbed harder now than the day the pu ps left, Kiyoshi glared at nothing over her head. Though he wished that it was nothing more than a mother's worry about her children, he knew better at the same time.

  They learned when she was pregnant with Kiara. She had a feeling that something was wrong with his mother. He tried to explain it away as she was just emotional and pregnant. But she argued right back with him and demanded that he send Umarus to the Southern Shores Palace. On his way Umarus came across a small force that were headed to the Southern Shores to try and attack. Picking a time when Yukani and Kamui were with he and Yokiyo because of her being pregnant. And also because of that his father was on the rounds. They learned that day to take it seriously.

  Taking a deep breath, Kiyoshi looked out the window and into the clear night sky. 'I just hope that they make it there in time to make sure everyone is alright.'

  A New Heir Chapter 98

  With serious eyes, Yoite stood alone under the window to the room where up until tonight he and Takara stayed with their Lord's children. They were now with their uncle, his mate, and Takara, as well as Chiren and Nyoko. But they were not in the room.

  Right now they were hidden deep in the palace. He could smell them coming. Hunting. Transforming. Leopards that were coming with an intent on an attack. No doubt their main goal would be the pups of his Lord. "They will not get neary them. Those bastards will not harm a single hair on their heads. I will not let happen!"

  As they came closer and closer, Yoite took a deep breath as he let go of his restraints and transformed. Allowing the leopards that came over the wall to be greeted by his fully transformed dog demon form. His white fur glittering like silver in the moonlight and a snarl on his lips. The resolve in his eyes was clear. He was willing to die to achieve his goal of protecting them.

  Once there were three dozen leopards in the court yard he dipped his head as every hair on his body stood on end. Then he charged as he let out a snarl bark. The two dozen wolves that were in the room poured out into the court yard. All transforming as well. All of them determined that this is where they stop.

  X

  At the sudden surge of power, everyone in the safe room looked up. Some shaking when they felt the rumble under their feet. They all knew that the fight was on. Kiara stood next to Takara and held her breath as she forced herself to remain calm as she held Katana's hand. 'I know Master Yoite will protect us. But I do wish Mama was here.'

  Clinging to her father as she shook, Hiroko turned a glare on Kiara as she snarled some. "This is all your fault. You and your brat brother should have never been here in the first place!"

  With a growl as she held Isamu at her side, Yuriko turned a glare on her niece. She had a mouth yes, but this was not the time to run it and expect everyone to just deal with it. "Now is not the time for this Hiroko. Stop it and be quiet."

  A growl of his own, Sume glared down at Yuriko and her mongrel of a son. "She can say what she wants when she wants Yuriko. You and your mate try to quiet her far too much." He was really growing tired of them trying to make her show respect to those that are so far beneath his princess that it is pathetic.

  With a frustrated sigh, Yuriko took a deep breath as she turned away from Sume with closed eyes. "That is enough out of you as well Sume. I will not do this with you right now. I will not."

  Looking back and forth between her father and her aunt, Hiroko blinked as she turned back to the dogs. "You know what. I bet if they got what they wanted then they would just go away." And before anyone could react, she rushed forward and headed right for Katana. Her plan was to nab him and take him to the leopards. But just as suddenly as she moved and got to him she felt herself being pinned to the floor with her arm twisted painfully behind her back. With frantic eyes she looked up to find Kiara's eyes wild as they glared down at her. "Get off of me! Someone help! She is going to kill me!

  Taking a step toward the scene, Sume growled. "Get off of my daughter you mongrel little, but just as he started to take another step toward the two of them, he felt a hard punch in his gut and a blade go to his neck. The human and the leopard. Pushing the leopards blade away from him he started to move but then felt the blade of the spear in his stomach, and the one at his neck back instantly. "Get that bitch off of my daughter!"

  As Kisa started to move to her daughter's rescue, Yuriko held a hand out to stop her as she stood up and slowly walked over to Kiara and Hiroko. Much of her wanted to let this place out and show her niece that she couldn't treat everyone like dirt no matter who you are. But this was neither the time nor the place for it to happen. Kneeling before them, Yuriko gasped when Kiara turned her eyes on her. Just like her brother able to transform before he can sit up, her eyes were bleeding. "Kiara…."

  Refusing to let go, Kiara growled as she looked up at Yuriko. She knew her eyes were bleeding. She could feel an inner rage right now she had never felt before. All she wanted to do was kill the wolf beneath her. But she was fighting with it at the same time, since this was her father's best friends niece.

  Taking a deep breath Yuriko gave her a serious yet pleading look. "Honey please don't do this."

  Growling, Kiara didn't flinch. "She went after my brother."

  "This is her home you little retch! Get off of her…."

  Hearing her father and turning to see the blood trickle down his neck and the glare of her uncle, Kiara still didn't move. "Her home or not she threatened my pack. By all rights her life is mine to take. I don't care what you say about it."

  With a smile, Yuriko nodded as all eyes turned back to her. "That is very true and I understand Kiara. But with what is going on outside, and the war. This really isn't the time to cause stress is it? Just let this be a lesson for her? I doubt after this she would dare to do anything to you or your brother again. Please?"

  Growling as she looked down at the wolf that thrashed around beneath her but wasn't moving. Yuriko did have a point. It would not be good if she killed her right now. Even though the wolf started it by going after Katana, she would relent and let her have this as a lesson this time. She did not want to be the cause of any undo stress between her father and Shone with the war coming. "Fine." Kiara then let go as she stepped off of her and watched with a glare as she rushed back to her parents, and Chiren and Senri moved back over by them. "But if she goes after my brother again, I don't care what is going on I won't stop."

  With Hiroko safe in Kisa's arms, Sume shielded her from the dog's glare. Everyone in this room was going to pay for this. Everyone! No one treats his princess like this and gets away with it. No one. 'You will all get yours. I promise that one. Watch.'

  X

  With a harder glare as they got close enough to see the palace from the horizon, Imae flinched. There was dust everywhere. Something big was going on. "Damnit someone is there already! Faster Ryu!"

  A screech as he pushed harder to keep up with the dragon, Sanzo could see the battle in full force. It was bad. Once they got there, he figured that his mate would head right for her brother and sister, and he was going to be on her. He figured Shone would drop down to help Yoite.

  As they got closer and closer, Imae could see what was going on. Leopards did battle with wolves, with Yoite at the forefront. She didn't care what Shone and Sanzo did. She wanted her
brother and sister! Leaning down to give him more of a stream line flight, Imae "Hurry Ryu. When we get there ignore the fight and head right for Kiara and Katana. They will be somewhere in the palace."

  X

  A glance up, Yoite relaxed some to see Shone transforming as he fell from Sanzo, and Imae and Sanzo headed into the window of the palace. They were going to Kiara and Katana. He now didn't have to focus his nose on them to make sure that they were still in the safe room. Once Shone landed next to him, they set to work in tearing through the last dozen of leopards that were there.

  In full on work mode, Imae focused as Ryu raced through the palace. As they rounded the corner that went to the safe room she narrowed her eyes. There were actually wolves there! Not just leopards. "Go." She then slid off of Ryu as he barreled into the wolves and sent them flying down the hall. Looking in the room she did a quick head count and then sighed. "Everyone is here."

  Moving and using his spear on a wolf that was coming up again, Senri nodded. "That's right. Glad you got here when you did kid."