Twelve Lords

by Max Jager

  Taking a deep breath and closing her eyes to compose herself, Chiyo put her hands on her hips as she gave her daughter a glare when she opened her eyes. "Kurosai? Where did that come from young lady? I taught you from the day you could talk, Lord Kurosai and his parents were to be addressed with the proper respect that their titles deserve. In his case he is to be My Lord or Lord Kurosai. Do not forget your manners so easily."

  With a giggle as Sorae turned her mother around, she smiled. "I am not permitted to call him anything but Kurosai. He told me I am a guest in his house and it is his wish that I do not call him My Lord or Lord Kurosai. Only Kurosai."

  With wide and shocked eyes that he would make such a request of her daughter, Chiyo couldn't help but be hopeful. "Really? He told you this personally?"

  Giving her mother a sharp nod, Sorae giggled again. "He did. While he brought me here to this study. Look I think you know who they are."

  Following her daughter's hand, Chiyo smiled brightly as she folded her hands before her. Yes she knew who they were exactly. "Ah I do at that. Lord Kento and Lady Miyu. Clearly not long after she had Lord Kurosai. Both of them fair and kind in every way. And with what he has done for you, raised the perfect pup."

  Beaming as she moved around and looked around the room as she went back to the flowers. "This was Lady Miyu's personal study that she used for her duties as Lady of the South. These boxes on the wall are hundreds of flowers. Kurosai told me I could use them all to make the court yard into a grand garden just like his mother wanted. You could even come and help me I am sur he wouldn't mind."

  Sitting down as she smiled, Chiyo watched as her daughter went on and on about the flowers and gardens and the basic plans Lady Miyu left that she was going to follow. It was so nice to see her excited about something again. The last time she was this excited about something was when she was barely to her knees. That was when no matter what she did to try and stop him, Horani turned his violence from only Chiyo herself, but to his small pup as well.

  She knew she had to tell Sorae what happened when he returned home and that according to Umarus she wasn't leaving the palace. Looking up with a small smile Chiyo grabbed her hand and patted the cushion next to her. "Sorae dear. Come here and sit with me. I have something to tell you."

  Freezing, Sorae knew that tone of voice. She tried to make it sound like it was nothing, but it was the same tone she had every time her father beat one or the other. Sometimes both. And unless Umarus got there in time, he probably did something horrible to her. Dropping her head and hiding her eyes she sighed. "What did he do Mama? What did he do to you when he got home after what Kurosai did to him?"

  With a smile as she pulled her daughter down to sit next to her, Chiyo shook her head. "Well thanks to Lord Umarus nothing. He was going to but he got there in time and stopped him. He then had me gather some things and come here."

  "That's good. I was actually going to see if in a few weeks he would let you live here with me. Since I don't trust him outside these walls."

  Nodding as she took a breath Chiyo let her eyes fall down. "That is true. But my dear he is still a threat to you and Lord Kurosai I am afraid."

  Shocking her mother and turning stern eyes on her, Sorae glared. "I don't think so Mama. Even if he does show up and try something, Kurosai won't tolerate it and kill him on spot. I know it. And I am sorry to say but I would watch at his side with pride as he does so."

  With a gasp Chiyo was first taken back by the venom in her daughter's voice. But she should have known it would come at some point. Fresh tears falling she sighed. "I am so sorry Sorae. I wish you had never had to endure what you did at the hands of your father. I wish I could have seen how he was sooner and then none of this would have happened."

  Dropping down to her knees, Sorae sighed as she smiled. "Oh Mama don't be like that. It wasn't your fault at all. He was the one who put on the good act until you were mated. You never did anything wrong. Ever."

  Her eyes still full of fear, Chiyo looked at her daughter as she reached up and placed a gentle hand to her face. "But he swears his revenge Sorae. The look in his eyes just before Lord Umarus was there. He will try something. I know he will. I am not sure when but there is no doubt that he will. You must promise me you will be careful. Please promise me that."

  Giving her a sharp nod Sorae laughed. "I promise Mama. You don't have to worry about anything so long as I am inside the palace walls. And I am not allowed to leave unless with Kurosai himself or a guard. Or I have a mate that is able to protect me. He wouldn't dare to do anything. And if he did it would only back fire on him and cause his death anyway."

  Seeing the elated way her daughter turned back to the flowers and started to talk about them again, Chiyo smiled. "I hope you are right dear."

  X

  Following his nose, Umarus quickly found his Lord coming back to the palace from the Western Gate. When he reached him just outside the palace he crossed his arms. "My Lord I have brought Lady Chiyo back with me."

  With a nod Kurosai sighed as he reached him. "That is fine with me. I already told Sorae that her mother can come anytime she wishes." He then walked on past Umarus and headed for the palace.

  Closing his eyes, Umarus crossed his arms as he sighed. "If you send her home at any point My Lord you will send her to her death."

  Stopping just behind him, he growled as he glanced over his shoulder. "What happened?"

  Turning to face his Lord and friend Umarus had a dark galre about him. "First off he swears his revenge. Just as I arrived he was about to show just how heartless he really is. Even to his own mate. Had I not stayed his hand he would of struck Lady Chiyo with a good deal of force. After realizing I was not going to let him, he transformed and ran for the North. I brought her here with a few belongings. I would have went after him myself, however the look in his eyes. He would have no doubt tried to double back to Lady Chiyo."

  His arms crossed and his jaw tight, Kurosai glared at the ground. "I should have killed that bastard when I had the chance."

  Giving Kurosai an odd look, Umarus just blinked. With the beating that he gave Horani before he was sent out, surely he wasn't stupid enough to come back to the palace. "My Lord surely you don't think he is stupid enough to come back and try anything here do you?"

  Nodding as he turned to face Umarus, Kurosai relaxed a bit. "Oh he will try something. He is just that stupid. We just need to be ready for him and expect it anytime. Post more guards around the palace walls. And when I can't be around to watch over her I want you to do it. Understood."

  Giving a low bow, Umarus smiled. "My Lord. By the way what was Lord Koraen doing here?"

  With a relaxed smile as he dropped his hands, he shook his head. "A warning about Horani. A little too late though. Oh and wanted to tell me that Kintare is pregnant."

  A smug smirk as he crossed his own arms, Umarus looked Kurosai in his eye. "Well then. All the Lords have mates and children with the exception of you. Doesn't that tell you anything?"

  Growling then turning and heading for the palace, Kurosai shook his head. "Don't you even dare start on me Umarus. When it is time it will happen and not a moment before."

  Making of a Lord Chapter 4

  Not realizing that it was nearly time for the evening meal, Sorae beamed as she and her mother went through the many different kinds of flowers that were on the wall. She had such a grand plan for a maze like Kurosai said his mother wanted to do. With a small giggle she looked over at her mother. "Mama I just can't wait until spring so that I can start planting these flowers. In the beds. They are going to be so wonderful.

  With her own bright smile as she looked over the sketches that her daughter did Chiyo nodded. "Indeed this is going to be an amazing garden. I am sure that you will do Lady Miyu proud. I am certain of it."

  Another giggle and Sorae moved around and pulled her mother into her arms for yet another hug as she smiled. "And I am even more elated that I get to work on them with you. He would never let us ga
rden the way that we always wanted to. And now we can garden to our hearts content. Isn't it amazing Mama!"

  Before Chiyo could answer her daughter they heard a small knock at the door but it didn't open. Blushing Sorae cast her head down. "They treat me like I am a Lady. It is rather unusual." She then turned to the door. "Come in."

  Standing with her daughter, Chiyo watched as an elderly servant walked into the room and then turned to her daughter and gave a gracious bow to her. With a smile she looked at her red faced little girl. 'Well then now. If he already has them treating her like this. I will have to see how Lord Kurosai reacts to her. Though I do have a feeling she will have to get used to this sort of treatment. Or at least I hope with all I have that she does.'

  Bowed, Retsuko smiled as she greeted the new Lady. "My Lady. It was requested of me by My Lord Kurosai that I come to assist you and your mother in dressing for the evening meal."

  Arching her eyebrow, Sorae blinked at the elderly maid. She didn't know what she was talking about dressing for the evening meal. "What do you mean to help us dress for the evening meal?"

  Reaching over and touching her daughter's shoulder Chiyo smiled. "Yes dear. In this palace you are in the world of demon lords. Lords, Ladies and their families dress formally for the meals in the palace."

  Giving her mother an odd look, Sorae didn't know what to say about that. "I had no clue about that. But Mama I don't have a single thing that I can wear that is formal."

  "Of course you do. I packed something formal for you this morning. One of my finest. I wanted to make sure you had all you needed since at the time I didn't think I would ever get to see you again."

  Bowing her head, Sorae hid the glare from her mother, yet couldn't stop the growl. "It is the one that you would wear with him when you had to isn't it?"

  Fighting back her tears Chiyo dropped her head. To hear such venom from her daughter about her own father was not something she ever wanted to hear. But she couldn't blame her after all she went through at his hands. "It is."

  Stepping away from her mother and turning her back to them both, Sorae crossed her arms. Taking a deep breath she closed her eyes. "Please inform him that neither myself nor my mother will be joining him for the evening meal tonight for we have nothing to wear for it."

  "Sorae I just told you that you had…"

  Turning a hard glare on her mother Sorae wasn't about to budge on this. "I won't do it Mama! I won't wear something that is associated with him anywhere near Kurosai. I refuse. It won't happen."

  Her old eyes dancing with a bright smile as she stood, Retsuko folded her hands before her. "If you would come with me My Lady. Lord Kurosai did not think that either of you had anything formal to wear for the meal this evening. He took the liberty of having the seamstress make kimonos for the two of you. I know it would please him greatly to see you and your mother wearing them as you join him for the evening meal."

  Blushing as she looked down, Sorae once again didn't know what to say about that. "He did? Really?"

  With a smile Retsuko bowed once more. "Yes he did My Lady. So if you and your mother will follow me to your room so that I can help you and your mother dress."

  Nodding now as her mother joined her, Sorae smiled with a giggle. "Of course. Lead the way."

  X

  Sitting in his usual spot, Kurosai was waiting for his guests to come and join him for the evening meal. Excited to see what both, Sorae especially would look like in the kimonos that he had the seamstress make for them today. When he smelled them getting closer he stood as she walked in. But his heart stopped and he forgot to breath. She was an absolute picture of sheer beauty. Wearing a kimono of snow white with small royal blue colored flowers that lined the edges of it all and the same color for the sash. Shaking his head with a smile he bowed low to them as they walked toward him. "Welcome My Ladies."

  With a deepening blush Sorae stopped before him and joined her mother in bowing to him as well. "Thank you. And also thank you very much for the kimonos. They are absolutely beautiful." Then she glanced down at hers. Never had she imagined something so beautiful and so soft as what she wore right now. And in her two most favorite colors as well.

  Then looking at her mother she had to smile even more. She had her favorite colors too. Light and dark pink. The same kimono that she wore as far as pattern, but different colors. 'Mama's is made for her though. Perfect fit and the perfect colors.'

  Moving to the seat right next to him, Kurosai reached out and took Sorae's hand helping her to sit down at the table. Then lead her mother around to sit across from her. "The pleasure is all mine. I enjoy doing these things. And I might add that you both look absolutely lovey in them." Though his eyes as he sat down were glued on Sorae.

  Once she looked up to see them looking at each other, Chiyo saw this as what would be her only chance this meal to speak to him about what he did for her daughter today. Clearing her throat and pulling both eyes to her Chiyo once again bowed her head as she folded her hands in her lap. "My Lord. I wish to thank you with everything that I have for what you have done for my dau….."

  Holding his hand up with a sigh to stop her, Kurosai smiled. "It was no problem at all. I wasn't about to just let it happen. And you are both welcome here until one of the two conditions happen. He is killed, or she has a mate that is strong enough to protect her from him."

  Forcing her tears back she bowed her head deeper as she took a deep breath. "Thank you My Lord."

  Knowing he had to try but not going to push it with her, Kurosai smiled. "With one condition though."

  Blinking as she looked up and confused, Chiyo just sat there. What could that be? "What is that?"

  Not being able to hold it in anymore, Sorae giggled. "I wish you all the luck in the world with what you are about to do. Mama will dig her heals in worse than what I did on that one and refuse to simply call you by your name."

  Smiling as she relaxed Chiyo nodded. That was going to be his condition for her. She would not insist that Sorae still call him My Lord. The looks in their eyes she could only hope what would happen. Then she looked into his eyes and sighed. "My parents raised me to show respect where it is deserved. And I raised Sorae the same way. And with what you have done for her, and to honor your parents while in this palace. I will call you My Lord."

  With a laugh Kurosai sat back in his chair as the brought the food. "Alright then. I will not push the issue with you. Especially when you put it like that." He then glanced at Sorae before going back to her. "Sorae however is not permitted to call me anything other than Kurosai. I have already told her that. Even though she did try to refuse it at first."

  "At least she did try. And if that is your wish for her My Lord then that will be how it is done." Watching as he nodded and turned right back to Sorae. There was more than one way to draw out a demon. Some demons wanted the strength that came with a strong and independent mate that would stand up to them and with them. Others wanted the sweet nature like her daughter had. Some wanted a little of both. But she had seen enough mating's in her time that she could see that both demons were starting to stir. 'I can only hope and pray now that I am reading this right and it happens. At least then if something ever did happen to me I would know without a doubt that she would be safe.'

  His eyes now totally focused on Sorae, Kurosai smiled. "I can deal with that. Though it is not required of you to call me such things." Once they finished setting the food before them Kurosai took a bite then looked back at Sorae. "You spent the entire time since I sent your father away in the study. I take it that you have an idea of what you are going to do with the gardens?"

  Taking a sip of tea Sorae nodded with a smile. She didn't have much to figure out. "I did. Actually your mother was well on her way to having everything planned out just not done. Detailed notes and a sketch of what it was to look like. A true maze of flowers. Some of them I didn't even know existed. I am going to build off of that."

  "That sounds wonderful. Use whatever in
that room that you wish to use. Build it up as much as you like." Kurosai smiled when she blushed and batted her eyes dropping them to the table tagin.

  She could feel her heart pounding in her chest as she looked up at him and his eyes still intense on her. "Thank you very much Kurosai."

  Watching the interaction as she ate, Chiyo was growing more and more confident. Though they talked about flowers and plants and gardens. She saw it in their eyes. It was more than just a physical attraction. Though she didn't think either would realize it. The demons hadn't come out full force yet. But they would. In time. In time her daughter would not only be safe forever more from her father, but Lady of the South. She just knew it.

  X

  Storming in through the gate, Horani growled as he pushed past a couple of the guards. "Get out of my way I need to speak with Kenji!" Then followed his nose to where he found him in the court yard under a Cherry Blossom Tree. "We have a problem Kenji."