by Max Jager
But he gasped as his thoughts were cut off when a fist connected with his face, followed a fraction of a second later with one connect with his gut. Sliding back through a few trees. Growling as he pushed himself up Akahito was ready to fight. "Who the hell….." But then stopped and narrowed his eyes to see Kamui and Yoite standing there side by side with a dozen or so behind them. "What the hell? Who did that?"
Flinching and moving before Akahito could see Yoite charged him kicking him in the gut. He then grabbed him by the hair before he could fly backwards, turned and flipped him over his head slamming him hard into the ground. "Where is she you son of a bitch!"
Coughing as he was froze, Akahito did not expect Yoite to have that speed and strength to him. "I don't know what the hell you are talking about!"
There now slamming his foot in his gut causing blood to fly from his mouth, Kamui lifted his head off the ground by his hair. "Where the hell is my niece you bastard!?"
Realizing that they figured him out, through pain filled eyes he laughed as he coughed up more blood. "You will never get to her in time. She is probably dead right now. She never belonged here in the firs tplace! Now that she is gone and can't warp his thoughts Lord Kiyoshi will be better off for it!"
Keeping his fists clenched, Kamui refused to believe that Imae was gone already. She smelled enough like Kiyoshi that the demons would be scared to do anything to her at first. Fearing their Lord. Which he was counting on right now. "Yoite I know you wanted to go with me to find her along with the rest of you. I can move faster and track better on my own. You are in charge of keeping this bastard detained until Lord Kiyoshi gets back. Right?"
"My Lord."
Kamui then stomped again on his gut before he was gone in a flash, following Akahito's trail through the woods. He had to find her! He had to!
Laughing back toward the palace by his hair, Akahito looked up through one eye as his body started to shake from pain. "It won't matter. He can't find her. Many demons have tried to track me through those woods and none have done it."
"My mate has never tried." All eyes turned to find Yukani glaring with tears streaming from her eyes. "He will do it."
Glaring as he was hogtied Akahito growled. "What the hell are you talking about?"
Turning from this traitor that her brother was going to deal with when he got home, she smiled as she looked in the direction her mate went. "His mother was a full dog demon. Her father was a full wolf and her mother was a full dog. His father was all wolf. His mother was a wolf and his father was a dog. He spent his time growing up in a wolf den where his mother went to live with his father. He was taught how to track no matter what was covered over the scent. Nothing will stop him from finding her. He has a nose as keen as any dog and wolf, but trained to go over the lavender or other demon scents." She then glared at him as he was carried past her. "You however have your fate sealed no matter what happens to Imae. But unless you wish to suffer as my mother's father did at the hands of my father, you better pray she is still alive."
Making of a Lord Chapter 44
With her dark eyes glaring, Yokiyo circled with the cat demon before her. The glow of blue around her bright and clear, telling anyone who saw it what exactly she was. Though she didn't dress like a miko did in red and white. She wore her mother's colors of light blue and white. "What is wrong with you kitty? Can't you take down one little miko like me? You must not be that strong after all."
A snarl for the miko the cat lunged again, only once again to jump back in pain when his paw connected to a barrier. It was small and stayed only around her but it was strong. She was stronger than some of the other mikos he had ever come up against. But the scent of tears from a young human hit his nose. To him the young always had the most tender flesh for meals. With a sly smile he made eye contact with her. "Mikos of your stature aren't exactly my style. Much to rough. I am sorry miko but play time is over with you. My pray is much smaller than you are tonight."
Her eyes narrowed as he turned and raced away from her, Yokiyo gave chace. "No way in hell. You bastard I won't let you touch a child!"
X
Imae sat there looking around as she shook and sobbed. Her head hurt now and she could feel the welt on her face where he smacked her hard. She could hear the growls and feel the eyes on her. The demons were watching her. "Please. Please someone help me. Anyone! Grandma. Grandpa. Auntie Yukani. Uncle Kamui."
Hearing a twig snap scared her to death as she sucked in a wild breath as she closed her eyes and let out a scream like she had never done before. "Father help me!"
"Get away from her you bastard!"
Her eyes flying open, Imae jerked her head up just in time to see a woman diving out of the bushes and knocking her out of the way just before she was clawed really badly by the cat. Her eyes blinking Imae could only look at her. 'Who is she?"
The second she and the girl hit the ground she threw a barrier up around them, Yokiyo glared up at the cat as he started to beat at her barrier with abandon. He was holding nothing back and she used too much energy already. 'Damnit this is bad. I got to think of something fast to get use out of this!'
"Who are you?"
Turning to smile at the little girl Yokiyo was breathing heavy. "My name is Yokiyo. What is your name honey?"
"My name is Imae." Blinking as she looked up at the barrier Imae then looked back at the woman with blinking eyes. "Are you a miko?"
Nodding Yokiyo smiled again as she closed one eye. "That's right I am. Don't worry honey I promise I won't let any demons near you alright?"
Laughing Imae covered her mouth as she sat there with the miko. "You will have to let a few of them when they get here."
Blinking at her, Yokiyo let her own head fall to the side as she gave her an odd look. "What are you talking about?"
"Lord Kiyoshi. I know that he will be coming for me. Or Master Yoite or Uncle Kamui."
Yokiyo couldn't do anything but look down at the little girl. There was no way she was talking about the Demon Lord of the South Kiyoshi. He was nothing but an ass and had a reputation of hating all humans with a passion. Not to mention everything that a miko tried to do he did the opposite! "Honey I am sure that you may want to think that he will save you but…."
Shaking her head side to side, Imae smiled as she held her ankle again. "He will. He saved me after demons like the cat destroyed my village. I was an orphan and the village treated me really bad. He let me go home with him and then adopted me as his daughter. You will see. He will come for me I know he knows I am in trouble and is on his way."
Grinding her teeth together as she closed both his eyes from the barrage of hits from the cat, Yokiyo fisted her hands in the grass. Ignoring the blood that ran down her back. "If that is true he better get here fast is all I can say."
"He will be here just in time. You will see. He would never let anything happen to me. Or Uncle Kamui or Master Yoite."
Slumping down as she shook, Yokiyo knew that at best she had only a short time before she passed out. Between the blood loss and the barrier, she was draining what she had left fast. 'I still need to try to think of something fast. I will not put my faith in that bastard showing up like she does. I can't do that.'
X
As he raced through the woods, Kamui glared as he followed Akahito's tracks. Akahito was clearly trying to cover his tracks and had he been anyone else and not had the training his father put him through he would have lost it. But he didn't cover it continuously so it was easy to track for him. If he lost it all he had to do was stop a second and focus and then find it again and was back on the run.
He didn't know how long he had been running through the woods when he slid to a stop with every hair on the back of his neck standing on end. Every demon that was in the woods seemed to be racing toward him. Then the smell of purification hit his nose. Feint but it was there. And from what he could tell, this miko was really strong.
Reaching out he grabbed a small bird demon and pulled it t
o his face. "What the hell is going on where the miko is?"
Struggling to get away from the dog, the bird was crying. "A cat demon attacked her! I didn't touch her! The miko has a barrier up please I don't want to die! I didn't touch the little girl! I promise!"
Tightening his hold on the bird Kamui growled. "The little girl. Is she a human girl that smells of Lord Kiyoshi?"
"Yes please let me go! I didn't touch her!"
Growling as he let the bird go, Kamui looked in the direction the purification was. He was on the right track. He would take out the cat demon. But then what would happen if the miko didn't want to let Imae go with him? Several have tried and Kiyoshi has sent them all packing. "Damnit I have to try!"
X
With Ryu racing over the palace, Kiyoshi looked down to see his sister pacing in the court yard. Akahito tied. Kamui's scent coming from the woods. A miko. A barrier. "Hurry Ryu."
Rushing aster through the sky Ryu let out a mightier roar as he pushed himself aster yet.
Glaring Kiyoshi could see where there was a small clearing where the miko's barrier was and could smell the cat. He knew the cat was going to be nothing to deal with. The miko may be another story though. His eyes narrowed as he growled. 'I won't let some filthy miko take her away from me. Never!'
X
Jerking her head up when she heard that familiar roar, Imae smiled. It was Ryu! Her father was coming! He was almost there! Turning and looking at the miko she laughed. "Did you hear that! It is Ryu! Father is coming and he sounds close!"
As she lay there on her side, Yokiyo cracked her eyes open to look at her. For her sake she hoped she was right. She was almost out of energy and there was no way that she could stand up to the kid, let alone Kiyoshi for her right now.
"Father!"
Looking up through hazed eyes, Yokiyo saw that it was in fact the demon Lord Kiyoshi in the flesh. The bastard. But he did have a glare for the cat that seemed frozen in fear at the moment. 'Well then could she be right?'
"Imae!"
Jerking her head to the other side, Imae let even more happy tears fall from her eyes when she saw her uncle! "Uncle Kamui!"
Looking the other way, Yokiyo saw another demon standing there. 'She does seem to know them personally and he said her name.' "At least you are going to be alright." Then another ragged breath as her body went limp as her barrier crashed around them.
Looking down at the miko, Imae gasped as she grabbed her and shook her. "Yokiyo wake up! Wake up!"
Kiyoshi looked at Imae and the miko then back to the cat as it thought it could run. "Kamui."
"Right." Kamui then turned and raced after the cat to deal with him for trying to touch his niece. Kiyoshi would deal with the miko.
Falling from Ryu as he landed behind the girl, Kiyoshi kept his eye on the miko. She was hurt from the cat on her back, but she would live. It would appear that she used too much purification and passed out. "Imae."
Turning to look up at her father as he walked to stand behind her with crying eyes. "Father she saved me from the cat. She didn't let the cat hurt me we can't just leave her like this she is hurt. Can she come back to the palace with us please? Just till she heals."
Her chocolate eyes playing on his heart again as he turned his eyes back to the miko. With a sigh Kiyoshi nodded. He did owe the miko that much. She did keep his daughter safe until he could reach her. "Very well. The second her back is healed she is gone."
"Oh thank you Father!" For just an instant she forgot what happened to her ankle and tried to jump up to hug him but gasped as she closed her eyes and started to fall, but landed in his arms. "Ouch."
His eyes intense and worried as he looked down at her, Kiyoshi lifted her into his arms. "What happened?"
Tears once again gushing from her eyes that day, Imae let out a sigh as she was placed on Ryu. "Master Yoite and I were in the gardens. Aunt Yukani and Uncle Kamui were still in the palace. Akahito came and told us that you were seen on the horizon. I heard Master Yoite start to talk to me. Akahito hit him and then grabbed me and covered my mouth as he brought me here. When he dropped me from his back I twisted my foot."
"I see." Though his daughter wouldn't know it, his rage was now through the roof! Thanks to that bastard he almost lost his daughter and now he had to touch a miko for keeping her safe till he could get to her side. Turning back to the miko he lifted her and as gently as he could without having too much of her touch his body, draped her over Ryu on her stomach, the mounted behind Imae as he took to the sky at a much slower pace toward the palace.
"Father."
Looking down at the way his pup still kept her eyes down he didn't like it. "What is it Imae?"
Looking up at him over her shoulder, she had fresh tears coming from her eyes. She was worried about what would happen to Master Yoite. "Master Yoite is not going to be in trouble is he?"
Blinking Kiyoshi gave her an odd look. "Why on earth would you ask me something like that?"
Turning her head from him Imae let her eyes half close. "Because he was my guard. I told Akahito that he was a traitor. We knew he didn't like me but didn't think he would do that. I am sure that Master Yoite didn't think he would hit him and take me like that."
With a soft smile, Kiyoshi wrapped his arms around her shoulders and pulled her back against him, smiling into her wide eyes as she looked up at him and he looked down at her. "I am sure that he has guilt for what happened. I will be having a talk with him still. He did let down his guard when he shouldn't have. But he will not be in trouble and will remain your guard."
"He will?"
"He has proven he is not only loyal to me when it comes to you, but he is loyal to you as well. He will stay your guard. And this will teach him no matter who it is not to let down his guard."
"Thank you Father!"
X
Looking up, Yukani had tears of relief rushing from her face when she saw her brother Imae in front of him land Ryu in the court yard. Seconds later her mate landing not far from them. Running to them she pulled Imae from her brother and hugged her. "Are you alright Imae?"
"I am Aunt Yukai thanks to the Miko." Imae then hugged her aunt as she looked back at the miko.
With blinking and shocked eyes, Yukani looked over to see the woman on Ryu. She was dressed just like a miko but wearing blue not red. "Miko huh?"
"She saved me from a cat demon. Not long after Father and Uncle Kamui were there. Father said she could come back and heal hear because she saved me."
Interrupting the scene before him, Yoite walked up and dropped to a knee as he bowed his head before his Lord. Ready for whatever was going to happen. "This whole mess is my fault My Lord. I knew better than to take my eyes off of him when Lady Imae is near. Yet I did for that split second and I am sorry for that. I will accept any form of punishment that you see fit."
Looking up at her brother as he stood silent for a moment Yukani smiled. Relaxed now her niece was back in her arms. "When we woke him up, he was going to go with some men to help Kamui. Just before that, Akahito has some broken bones thanks to him and his anger at it."
With a sigh as he crossed his arms, Kiyoshi closed his eyes. "Yoite you and I will have a talk later. Right now you are to go with Yukani and Imae to her room. Imae and I have already spoken about what happened. For now go with them. And you will remain her head guard if that is what you are worried about. You have shown who you are loyal too and I trust you."
"Thank you My Lord."
Turning hard eyes to Yukani, Kiyoshi growled. "Where is he?"
A glare on her face as well as her amber eyes me this iced blue ones, Yukani growled herself. "The stables." Then she turned and rushed toward the palace with Yoite on her heels. Imae didn't need to hear what was about to happen to that traitor.
Turning to Kamui Kiyoshi crossed his arms. "Kamui. Take the miko to the palace. Imae wants her to be in the room next to hers."
"Yes My Lord." He then lifted the miko from Ryu and turned to see him walki
ng toward the stables. "So you are handling this right now then?"
"That bastard is dead."
Nodding Kamui then headed into the palace and toward the room that was next to Imae's. He knew that the next thing Kiyoshi was going to have done was have someone get Takahashi to look at her wounds. Once he had her laying in the bed, he left and found a young maid going down the hall. Stopping her he looked back at the door. "This room here has a miko in it that is hurt. Have Takahashi come and look at her wounds on her back."
"Miko?"
Nodding as he looked toward where his mate was with his niece he was finally able to relax with her scent there. "She saves Lady Imae from a cat and as payment she is going to have her wounds healed then leave. If you would please?"