Twelve Lords

by Max Jager

  Laughing Chirio crossed his arms as he pulled his son's startled eyes back up to him. "Don't be like that Soichiro. You are going with me this time. Just the two of us will be taking this trip."

  The sparkle back in his young eyes, Soichiro gasped as they went wide. "Really? Just the two of us? Thank you father! I do wish to see Sorae again. I enjoyed spending time with her and playing with Kiyoshi."

  Nodding Soichiro stood up and lifted his son into his arms, Chirio headed for the door. "Kurosai tells me that Sorae and his son like to spend time with you as well my son." He then reached up and rubbed his hair as he exited his study and headed for the gardens. "All you need to know is that I will take care of everything. Come. Let us go and see these new moves of yours."

  "Thank you so much Father!"

  X

  Once again, Yori stood in the room she shared with Chirio as she glared out the window into the gardens. There he was doting on Soichiro again. It made her sick that he was not thinking about the bigger picture and what Motoichi could be if he had the right guidance. Soichiro should have been given to a maid to care for and both of them doting on Motoichi and honing his skills. He is the heir and the strong of the two. And he is destined to one day destroy the rule of the South East and West. Uniting all the lands under his rule.

  Turning her head some, she spied the now nearly grown Tikae. A cruel smile gracing her face. She would use him! Three years he has done nothing but train with his so called guards daily. It was time that he start to earn his keep, and he would be the one to start the revolt of the North turning on Chirio. Not by killing him. But by taking the life of her younger cub.

  Turning her back to the window she kept her smile as she let her eyes flutter closed. 'And when Motoichi has proven he is the only one to rule all the lands, then Chirio. Then you will roll over in your grave and wish that you had helped to mod him to become that so much sooner. Instead of missing out on what should make you a proud parent.'

  Making of a Lord Chapter 24

  Walking through the open gate, Chirio smiled as he held his son in his arms. He expected to be greeted by Kurosai but instead finds himself and his son greeted by the Lady of the South. "Sorae. I did not expect for you to greet us."

  Folding her hands before her, Sorae smiled her bright smile as she laughed. "I see. However my mate is rather busy at the moment with his pup."

  Falling into step next to her as he sat Soichiro down to walk beside him, Chirio gave her a very puzzled look. "What do you mean his pup?"

  With a giggle, Sorae nodded as she crossed her arms. "I tell him that all the time. Umarus told us how much trouble he gave his mother as a pup the same age as Kiyoshi. And now it seems that Kiyoshi is going to do it to his father ten fold."

  "Kiyoshi!"

  Stopping at the sound of her mate's yell, she giggled as she closed her eyes. "You will see in a moment."

  "I am warning you pup! Damnit I don't have time to do this today Kiyoshi! Get back here!"

  Looking to the right, Chirio blinked with wide eyes. There was a white streak racing through the gardens giggling, with a very worn out Kurosai trying to catch up with him. Turning his shocked eyes to Sorae, Chirio didn't know what to say to that. "He really can't catch him?"

  With pride shinning in her eyes, Sorae stepped away from Chirio as Kiyoshi ran right toward them. "The day of the presentation, his eyes were bleeding like he wanted to transform. He acts like a normal pup, but his abilities are beyond that. He is stronger and faster your normal three year old. And no matter what can always manage to stay just ahead of his father." Then she held her arms out as she caught her giggling pup when he jumped into his arms. "I think it is funny. Kurosai not so much."

  Growling as he came to a stop breathing hard, Kurosai glared down at his son. "I swear. I don't get it why doesn't he listen to me like he does you? If I could get him to do that we would be just fine."

  Rubbing her nose on her son's pulling another chorus of giggles from him. "Oh that is simple sweetheart." Looking up at him she laughed herself to see his annoyed glare. Her eyes dancing into his. "Because I am Mama. He knows he can't push me around like you let him do for so long. So now he does it."

  Growling, Kurosai then turned a smile to Chirio as he shook his hand. "Sorry I couldn't greet you. I was having a bit of trouble as you could see. I trust your trip was good."

  "I noticed. You are too slow."

  Crossing his arms Kurosai growled as he narrowed his eyes at him. "Don't you start on me too."

  Laughing Chirio looked down at his son and smiled. "It was a peaceful trip this time." But then he turned his eyes back to Kurosai as they turned hard and serious. "We do need to talk though"

  Unlike Yori, Sorae was just like Kintare and Sarigi. They didn't get involved in anything about how the lands were run. It wasn't their place. They kept the friendships and paperwork up, but anything big it was up to their mates to do. She knew that look Chirio had. And the way his eyes flicked down to Soichiro.

  Looking down at Soichiro she smiled at him. He lived with Yori and Motoichi all the time. It couldn't be a pleasant living situation. "Soichiro. Would you like to come back with me to my study? You can play with Kurosai for me and keep him busy. Would you like that?"

  A bright smile, Soichiro reached out and took her hand as he laughed and gave her a nod. "Of course I would Lady Sorae."

  Walking away with her pup in her arms, Sorae gave Soichiro a playful glare. "Now remember Soichiro. We had a talk about this last time you were here. You are not to call me Lady Sorae. What are you calling me?"

  Gasping then giggling as they walked in the palace Soichiro looked up at her with a bright smile. "I forgot! Just Sorae or Aunty Sorae."

  "That's right."

  Both Chirio and Kurosai couldn't help but smile as they watched Sorae walk away with the children. Crossing his arms, Kurosai shook his head. "She has been looking forward to getting to see him all week."

  Nodding Chirio kept his soft smile. "So has Soichiro. That was the topic of conversation between us on the way here. How excited he was to see her again and play with Kiyoshi." He then turned to Kurosai with serious eyes. "Like I said however, we need to talk."

  "Right."

  X

  Watching as her son seemed totally focused on Soichiro as he made faces at him, Sorae was finding it hard to focus on work. Leaning against the wall, she smiled as she laughed along with the children as the cub made funny faces at her pup pulling gut busting laughter from him each time. "He really likes you making faces at him Soichiro."

  Turning his smiling eyes up to her, Soichiro nodded. "I really like to play with him like this too." Then his eyes misted over as he looked down and his entire body slumped. "I wish that brother and I were like this. But he doesn't care about me at all."

  Her smile gone as well, Sorae's heart went out to the cub. Going to him she sat next to him and pulled him on her lap and hugged him close. 'I know that his mother doesn't do this at all.' "I am sure that it just seems that way honey. He is the heir to the North after all. He is just probably really serious about it."

  Small tears falling from his eyes, Soichiro hugged her back. He wanted a mother like this. He wanted a brother like Kiyoshi. But for right now he was going to enjoy this. "I am sure that is all it is."

  But he knew better. His brother and his mother hated him for being just like his father was. They treated him like dirt because of it. He was sure that they would treat him worse if his father wasn't around. Letting his eyes close, Soichiro let out a sigh. 'I just hope that I never have to find out what they would do to me if father wasn't there anymore.'

  X

  Once he was in his study, Kurosai sat down across from Chirio and crossed his arms. Both in work mode now. "So what is going on up there? Does this have to do with the dragons?"

  Crossing his own arms, Chirio closed his eyes with a sigh. "No. The threat that I am worried about right now is a little closer to home than Kenji or his followers." Not h
iding the rage in his eyes as he opened them and glared into Kurosai's eyes. "I am talking about Yori and Motoichi."

  With wide eyes Kurosai gasped. "Wait a second really? I know Yori can be two faced and that cub of hers is cut out the same cloth as she is. But do you really think that they would be a threat?"

  His stern eyes staying on Kurosai's shocked ones, Chirio gave a nod. "I am certan of it. I have a plan to stop it, but I know them. They are going to do anything and everything to get around what I am going to do in the North. Which is why now that I am here I want to call Koraen and Torakus here as well. I am planning for the worst case with those two?"

  "What is your plan?"

  Standing and going to look out the window Chirio growled. "I told Yori a week ago that she needed to bring that cub of hers down a few notches. That the way he is right now, there was no way I was ever going to let him be Lord. I have another in mind who can be heir and would be a much better Lord when I am done."

  Joining him in standing by the window, Kiyoichi and Chirio glared at each other. "What are you going to do about them?"

  "Soon as I get home he is demoted and cut off. And I will officially be unmated and Yori will no longer be Lady of the East."

  Turning and leaning against the wall, Kurosai growled. "And you are worried about what they are going to do when Motoichi is big enough to challenge you or Soichiro for the title aren't you?"

  Rubbing his temples Chirio sighed. "I am actually. Soichiro will be able to hold his own against Motoichi. I will make sure of that as he gorws. But Yori. She is even more underhanded then Kenji. The only good thing that came out of mating her is Soichiro."

  Nodding as he half smiled, Kurosai looked over at him. "I agree with that totally. But do you really think that she would kill her own son?"

  Turning his serious eyes to meet Kurosai's, Chirio nodded. "I have no doubt that it if would further whatever plans she and Motoichi have, she would kill anyone that got in her way. Me, Soichiro. No one would be safe from her but Motoichi."

  Going back down and sitting down, Kurosai pulled out two empty scrolls. "Alright. I will have them come as soon as they can. I won't put in here why, that way no one gets word, just that I am inviting them for a visit."

  "Good." Once Kurosai was done writing it out, Chirio joined him in going to find someone who can take it to them. He smiled brightly. Once they got there, he had an idea for a blood pact that they were all four going to sign that would make sure that if he is right with them and they do something stupid and underhanded, that it will fix them. For the next thousand years. And knowing what may come, it will give Kurosai, Koraen and Torakus time to build their armies as well. If the worse should happen to him.

  X

  Trying to hide the fact that it annoyed him to be there, Tikae let out a sigh as he walked up to Yori's private study. He did not like her. She reminded him so much of his sister. But he was still not ready to face his brother or sister yet. He still needed a safe haven to train. The Norther Palace has been that for the last three years.

  He did find it odd that in all this time Yori had not even so much as looked at him. He was curious to know what it was she wanted of him all of the sudden. "My Lady."

  "Come in."

  Walking in the study, Tikae kept his eyes on her as she paced. Slowly sitting down on his knees on the cushion in the middle of the floor he was guarded with what his words were going to be. "You wished to see me My Lady?"

  Her eyes flashing as she turned them on the young dragon, Yori was holding her hands before her. "I think it is time for payment for your safe heaven the last three years Tikae."

  Arching his eyebrow Tikae gave her an odd look. His payment for the safe haven that Chirio wanted was to finally shut down Kenji and take rule over the dragons as an ally to him. Nothing else. "Payment My Lady?"

  The growl as she turned back on him, Yori made him flinch as she took a deep breath. "Chirio has lost his mind. He wishes to take away from Motoichi which is his birth right. I won't allow him to do that. I won't. The only way that Chirio can do that is if he has another son that he can name heir. Like Soichiro."

  Giving her another blank stare Tikae blinked for a second. "My Lady I am confused. How is knowing that have anything to do with payment for being here three years?"

  "Oh you still have much to learn. Chirio took Soichiro with him to the South. Said he was going to be gone at least two weeks. Could be as long as a three or a month. You are to find a place between here and the South and when you see them, you attack. You won't be able to harm Chirio. And I don't want you to do that. I will deal with him. But you are going to kill that cub. You are to kill Soichiro the second you reach him." The glare and gleam in her silvery blue eyes was clear. She was dead serious. And she wanted to make sure that Tikae knew it too.

  His eyes going wide as he gasped, Tikae was in a state of shock. He knew she was a heartless bitch when she had to deal with Soichiro. But to have her own cub killed! Finally taking a deep breath, he looked her in the eye. "So let me get this straight you want me to kill your own cub?"

  Going to the window, she looked out at where Motoichi was training once again with a smile. "I do. He is weak and has always stood in the way of his brother's ambition. And he always will. It is best he is rubbed out now. And you have no choice but to do this either Tikae."

  Glaring now, not caring who she was, this was madness! Standing he took a deep breath. "And why don't I have a choice but to do this?"

  Laughing with a sly smile, Yori turned back on the dragon. "Because of this little fact. It wasn't long after you got here when the few other dragons showed up that turned on your brother and sister. They already know you are a turn coat and will be waiting to destroy you the second that they can. I have known Shinra since before you were born runt. You will do this. Or I will make sure that they know exactly where you are and how to get you. And I will enjoy watching them as they rip you apart."

  His sky blue eyes full of rage, Tikae growled. This woman before him had always reminded him of his sister. And now he knew for sure that he hated her just as much. Right now, even in the next seven years he wasn't going to be ready to face Kenji or Shinra let. Crossing his arms as he stood, Tikae didn't hide the growl in his voice either. "Fine but there is one problem."

  "Oh what is that?"

  Making eye contact with her he let out another growl. "I don't know the route he takes to go to the South and back. It is sort of hard to do this cold hearted act if I can't figure out where they are even going to be at?"

  Growling as she gave him an annoyed glare, Yori reached in her sleeve and pulled out a small scroll and tossed it to him. "I have already made you a map and detailed who is with him, how to get through them and where some places to hide and wait for them are." Then she laughed. "And I won't give you the chance to turn coat on me either. You will be taking three dozen leopards that are loyal to me and hate Chirio as much with you. To make sure you don't chicken out and help do it too."

  Running through his mind quickly, Tikae turned and headed for the door stopping there. "Fine. Send the leopards. But I am taking Sidhae, Sakon and Hideo with me also."

  "That is fine. Oh and Tikae." When his glaring blue eyes met her gleaming silvery blue ones she laughed. "I won't tolerate failure. If Soichiro shows up with Chirio when he gets home. I will make sure that Kenji and Shinra know everything that way too. So if you don't do it, it better be because you are dead."

  Not saying anything, Tikae growled as he walked out and stormed through the halls to where the others were waiting for him in his room and slammed the map down on the desk that was in there. "I hate that woman."

  "What was it that she wanted?"

  Turning to Sidhae with eyes that held more rage now than ever before, so much so Sidhae actually flinched with wide eyes. When he spoke he did so in the slightest of a whisper. "We are going to be killing three dozen leopards in a few days. Then heading right for the Southern Palace. I know that Kurosai will greet
us with kindness."

  His violet eyes glaring now, Sidhae crossed her arms. "What did she want?"

  Looking back down at the map that was clearly Yori's handwriting his eyes narrowed. He could never and would never do such a thing as she was asking for any reason. Even if that meant being torn to pieces by his brother and sister because of it. "She wants us to find a place and wait for Chirio and Soichiro to come home from the south. As a way of payment for being safe for three years, threatening to tell Shinra and Kenji where we are if I said no."

  Stepping forward Sakon narrowed his own eyes. "What is it that she wants us to do?"

  "She wants us to kill her own cub. Our orders are to take out Soichiro."