Twelve Lords

by Max Jager

  Making of a Lord Chapter 36

  "Kiyoshi!"

  Looking up as his study door flew open, Kiyoshi blinked at his sister. "What is it Yukani?" The tears that streamed from his eyes concerning, but he tensed when he saw the scroll in her hand. That was from the West! "What happened?"

  Falling to her knees just inside his study door, Yukani looked him in the eye. The sparkle that was usually in her eyes gone. Her eyes were red and swollen already. "This was an urgent message from the West. It is Koraen."

  "What about him?"

  Tossing him the scroll she dropped her face and cried as she covered her face with her hands. "He is gone!" Her heart going out to both Shone and Kisa. They now had neither parent! Her best friend was going through a hard time right now and she just didn't know what to do!

  Opening the scroll Kiyoshi let sadness wash over him and th rough his eyes as he read through it. Shone didn't know how his father died, but that a few weeks ago he just got sick and never seemed to get better no matter what they did. And that Kisa thinks that he grieved himself to death over the years since Kintare's death. At the end of it he asked if he would let his parents know and that he would be in touch soon. That right then he had to focus on getting him buried with his mother. "Damnit."

  "What can we do brother?" Yukani looked up at him again as she wiped the tears from her face and tried to catch her breath.

  "I want to go to the West like I did with Kintare." Leaning against the wall behind him, Kiyoshi growled as he crossed his arms. "But the rounds are coming up in a few days. And we have gotten word from several mikos about demons and what not. I can't just abandon everything and go. Damnit all to hell!"

  "I am going."

  Looking over at his standing sister, Kiyoshi sighed. She could pin her father with ease now. Kept her training going with Umarus as well. And he knew that he couldn't keep her there. "Go then. But first find Umarus and tell him I want him. And give him some time to put a guard to go with you. Mother and Father will killme if I let you go without at least doing that."

  Finally breathing deeply and forcing tears back Yukani nodded. "Alright. You are going to tell Mama and Papa right? I have a feeling they will want to be going to the West also."

  "What is going on? Why would they want to be at the West?"

  Looking past his sister as Umarus walked in the room, Kiyoshi sighed as he looked down. "Koraen passed. They aren't sure what happened other than he got sick and never got better. I want you to put together your most trusted men and escort my sister to the Southern Shores. And then Umarus you are coming back and letting her go with my parents to the West. I know father will want to go with it being Koraen. I need you here to look after things while I go ahead and deal with the rounds and trouble reports."

  "My Lord."

  "Yukani wait a second." Kiyoshi met her eyes as he sighed. "I know that you are going to comfort Kisa. However dress in your armor just as a precaution. I will leave it to you to tell Mother and Father."

  "Right brother."

  X

  As he exited the palace, Umarus had three men with him that he was going to use to escort Yukani to her father and leave to escort the pack to the West. Just as he headed for the stables he turned with a glare as an eagle transformed and landed on his knees before him. A Northern outfit. Narrowing his eyes he crossed his arms. "What business do you have here that you feel you can just barge over the palace walls like this? Motoichi's messengers are to wait at the gates for My Lord."

  Breathing heavy the eagle nodded his head as he kept it bowed and on a knee. "I know this. However I am not here for him. I am here for Lord Soichiro with a message for Lord Kiyoshi." Standing now he held out the scroll. "I wear the colors of the North still but only because of him. My family was loyal to Lord Chirio and we will remain loyal to Lord Soichiro and hope that he will one day be able to rid the world of his brother. And now nephew."

  "Nephew?" When he looked down at the scroll Umarus took it and opened it. growling as he read what it said. He was elated to know that Soichiro has been doing good for the most part, and that finally Yori was gone, though he wished that it was anyone other than Motoichi. But annoyed that Motoichi had taken a mate and that she just recently birthed a cub. That would only make things harder when it came time to fight.

  Rolling the scroll he looked at the eagle with a sigh. "I see. That is good to know Lord Soichiro has those that are looking out for him. Return to him and let him know message was received. Also that Lord Koraen took ill and has passed recently because of it."

  With a gasp the eagle's eyes went wide then his head lowed with a sad look. "That means that now only Lord Kurosai and Lady Sorae are the only ones left from their generation."

  "That's right. Go now."

  X

  Looking up as Umarus walked in, Kiyoshi sighed as he rolled the scroll he used for notes when he went on his rounds on where he needed to go first. "What is it?"

  Tossing him the scroll, Umarus sighed. "We got a message from Soichiro this time."

  Looking down at the scroll, Kiyoshi blinked his eyes as he read. "I see that he seems doing alright considering what all he has had to go through at their hands. I can't say that I am sad to hear of his mother. Though with a son for Motoichi. That only makes things harder when war comes. Damnit."

  "But at least he made sure that we knew about it. The Eagle said his family is still loyal to Lord Soichiro like they were Lord Chirio. I am sure that we can count on a mutiny from Soichiro when it comes."

  Handing him the scroll back, Kiyoshi sighed as he headed for the door. "I am going to leave now for the rounds so I can get them done faster. Let Mother and Father see that."

  "My Lord."

  Making of a Lord Chapter 37

  With an annoyed growl, Kiyoshi looked down behind him. His eyebrows twitching with annoyance. One village he came to nearly a week ago was destroyed but for one small human girl. He just lifted the wall off her and then walked on without a word. And she has done nothing but follow him since then! He even tried leaving in the middle of the night while she slept but somehow she always manages to find him again!

  Her humming making him growl louder as he turned on her with crossed arms. Making eye contact with her he narrowed his eyes. "Alright that is enough. What is it exactly that you want from me?"

  Smiling as she stood there looking up at him, Imae giggled as she put her hands behind her. "My name is Imae. I don't want anything from you. I just want to go with you." Her smile getting brighter as she spied the small dragon on his shoulder.

  Closing his eyes as he shook his head side to side, Kiyoshi was having none of it. She needed to leave. "No."

  "Please My Lord? I won't be any trouble I promise." Then she closed her eyes and kept her smile. "It is just that I do not have a home anymore."

  Growling again as he glared from behind his closed eyes, Kiyoshi ground his teeth together. "You know what I am correct?"

  Another giggle, Imae gave a sharp nod. "Yes I do. You are a demon."

  Opening his eyes to glare at her, Kiyoshi growled so loudly that the ground beneath his feet vibrated. "I detest all humans. You can die now for all I care. It wouldn't bother me and I would just go on about my business. Why would I take you with me?"

  Her eyes shining still, with that same bright smile, Imae knew he was a demon. And a strong one too. But he didn't try to hurt her when he saw her. He lifted the wall off of her and saved her. He was different from the demons that attacked the village. "I know you are different though. I don't want to go home with you. I just want to go with you until we find another village that will let me stay. Pretty please?"

  Seeing as he had rounds to finish, he couldn't waste his time arguing with her. "fine. If you can keep up with me. But I like quiet, so no making annoying human sounds. Just keep quiet if you can keep up."

  Nodding as she giggled, Imae rushed up to walk next to him as she once again folded her hands behind her back. "Thank you. You know what my
name is. What should I call you?"

  "Lord Kiyoshi. Nothing more and nothing less."

  Nodding Imae giggled again. "Thank you Lord Kiyoshi."

  "Whatever." Just as the word left his mouth, he froze and growled. There was a dragon in the South! He knew it but didn't know it. looking down at the girl he sighed. He shouldn't care if she lived or died, but something didn't want her to go with him right now. "Imae."

  Looking up at him with wide and blinking chocolate eyes, Imae nodded. "Yes Lord Kiyoshi?"

  Walking from her he pulled a single katana. "Stay here I will be back. Don't move."

  Giving him a nod, she stopped moving and sat down on a rock. Yes Lord Kiyoshi. I will be right here waiting for you to return."

  Walking on he looked at this hissing dragon on his shoulder with an annoyed growl. Every time he would see her there when he would wake up, she was always sleeping with him. Now he understood. Ryu was going back and getting her! Growling at him he narrowed his eyes. "Don't give me that. You stay with her." Then growled again as Ryu flew from his shoulder.

  Once he was in the little girls arms, Ryu hissed at Kiyoshi again. He didn't know why, but he knew that this little girl was important and would be a big part of his master's life. Though it made him angry right now, he just had to do it. He would see at some point."

  As he walked through the woods, the closer he got the more he knew that scent but he couldn't place it. But the closer he got, the stronger it was and the more rage filled him. He had never had a scent send him over the edge like this. As he broke the trees he pulled his second sword and glared. He passed these humans not long ago as they traveled from one village to the other. They were all dead now and the hordes with the female dragon were feasting. His eyes narrowed at the dragon. "Who are you? What dragon dares to set foot in the South without permission first?"

  Looking to her right, Shinra blinked when she saw who was standing there glaring and growling at her. The pup she tried to kill those hundreds of years ago. Kiyoshi. All grown up and looking like he was itching for a fight. Turning to face him fully, Shinra put one hand on her hip and let her other hand hang down. "Well now. It has been a long time hasn't. I didn't expect you to show up here. Nor did I think you would know who I am. But I remember you. Kiyoshi."

  His eyes narrowing, Kiyoshi walked on into the clearing. When the hordes started to flee, a fling of his fire sword and they were dealt with. His eyes never leaving the dragon before him. "You will address me as Lord Kiyoshi wench. One more time. Who are you and why are you in the South?"

  Laughing as she closed her eyes Shinra shook her head. "I see right to the point just like your father. But at least you grew up to be quite handsome. Why don't you give up and come with me. I promise to play extra nice with you."

  His eyes narrowed as he kept his growl. His eyes starting to bleed as he let his rage soar. Now he put two and two together. Saying how he grew up. She remembered him and even knew his name. A female dragon that tried to use her charms to get her way. This could only be her. Shinra. "Go to hell. I would never touch you. Now you are going to die."

  Laughing Shinra winked at him as she smiled. "Come on now don't be like that. You mean to tell me that you don't wanna come and play with me?" She then side stepped and revealed nearly an entire leg. "It will be fun I promise."

  Not moving, Kiyoshi kept his eyes glaring into hers. "You are the revolting. I would rather couple with a human than look at you. Now you die."

  Flinching at the comment Shinra crossed her arms as she growled and the wind around her started to whip around her. "Revolting! Comparing me to a damn human! You stupid little mongrel! I will show you revolting!"

  A flash of blue and there in the clearing, Shinra hovered over the ground in the form of a giant blue dragon. But when she opened her eyes to find Kiyoshi standing there in human form, he was in dog form! He was stunning in color, pure white with ice blue eyes and ice blue crescent moons by his eyes. But what startled her was his sheer size! He was huge! Much bigger than any wolf or dog she had ever seen! And he looked a hundred times stronger than his father was in this form. 'It would seem I was right about him. Damnit. Bleeding eyes at a few weeks old how could I forget that! Now how am I going to get out of this one with my life!'

  His lips curling as he growled, Kiyoshi poised himself to pounce on the dragon. In his mind he already put together who she was, and now knew that she was responsible for destroying the village where a powerful miko lived. That scent was all over there. His tail flipped back and forth in anticipation of her next move. When he saw her muscles ripple he flinched. "Die"

  Shinra tried to turn in the sky to fly away, but just like his father did when he was a pup, he was able to jump up and get her tail. The force that he jerked her to the ground knocked the wind out of her for a moment. The weight of this huge dog brought her back to reality. Now they were rolling, scratching and growling at the other. Each trying to land a blow. Kiyoshi the kill bite on her neck, she was just trying to get him off balance so she could get out of there with her life! He was stronger than his father was by far.

  Kiyoshi only had once focus right now. He was going to finish her off once and for all. She was the one who tried to kill him. The sister to the one who causes trouble for everyone he has ever known. And most likely the one responsible for the hordes attacking the humans that he had to deal with in the South. He would deal with her right now. Her brother when he found him.

  However just as he saw the opening he was waiting on and went in for a kill bite on her neck, his entire body tensed when he heard the small scream of the little girl that was following him. Jerking his head to the side he growled to see that Ryu was in the air with her, but nothing followed. All he could smell was more humans.

  Turning back to finish it, he was caught off guard for the slightest of a second and Shinra was able to push on his belly and get him off balance. By the time he got his footing and ready to pounce again, she was already gone and in the air. "Damnit."

  Looking up at Ryu as he let his aura fade and transformed back into his human form just as his mount sat her on the ground and she rushed to him with tears as she grabbed his legs. 'But why in the hell did her scream affect me like that I wonder?'

  Once she had her hands on Kiyoshi's legs, Imae let the tears stream down her face. "Please help me My Lord! Please don't make me go with them!"

  "What them?" He then looked up at the sound of many horses coming toward him. Growling he narrowed his eyes as they stopped not far from him. "What business is it you have here?"

  The one large man that rode in the front glared at the demon then looked at the little girl that hid behind his legs. "We are on orders of the Feudal Lord of this area. When we heard of a girl that survived a demon attack, we set out to find her. So she is going to be coming with us."

  Looking down at the girl who clung to his leg with shaky hands and crying eyes, Kiyoshi sighed. He didn't have a clue why the second her scream hit his ears he tensed and lost focus on killing the dragon. She was nothing more than the vermin offspring of vermin humans as far as he was concerned. But he felt worry for her right now and wanted to know why that was. "Imae." When she looked up at him he now had his emotionless mask. "Do you wish to go with them?"

  Shaking her head side to side as her hands gripped tighter. "I do not. I want to stay with you My Lord!"

  Turning narrowed eyes back to the man on the horse Kiyoshi stood his ground. "You have your answer. She does not wish to go with you and I will not force her. Be on your way and we will be on ours."

  Gripping his horses reins tighter, the man glared at him. "Listen. I know exactly who you are. You are notorious for hating all humans. What do you care what happens to that little brat?"

  "Why are you adamant about taking her with you? What are these orders you are following?"

  "That's simple. She is going to be put to work." Laughing as he crossed his arms, the man glanced at her terrified chocolate eyes then back to the demon's e
yes. "Who knows. My Lord likes to take the women that work for him to bed. She might get that if she isn't ugly when she grows up. Just hand her over and you won't have any problems from My Lord."

  Once again looking down at the girl who cried silently as she clung to him, Kiyoshi sighed. He couldn't make her go with them. He couldn't force her to do anything. "I told you. I will not force her. She has been under my protection for days now. You will not touch her. If you think that your Lord can cause trouble for me you are mistaken."

  "Lord Asu…."

  "Askuakawa?"

  "That's right. He will not stand by and…"