Twelve Lords

by Max Jager

  "Yuki."

  Looking to the right Yuki smiled as she watched Kaien come up on the roof and walk toward her. "Hey Kaien."

  Sitting down next to her Kaien smiled. "You alright Yuki?"

  Looking back up at the full moon, Yuki smiled as she let a tear fall from each eye. "I still miss them. It seems like I miss them more today than I did the day I found out they weren't coming home. But it is easier to think about them and not cry hysterically now."

  With a smile, Kaien also looked up at the moon. His jet black eyes half closing as he laid back on his back. "That's good. I heard Mama and Father talking tonight. About when you are sixteen. That you are going to be the village miko and moving out."

  Nodding as she looked back at him, her sky blue eyes shined in the moonlight. "That's right. I can't wait. I have heard everyone talking about it. About how when I am old enough taking Mama's place as village miko. For me it will be like a dream come true. Mama always told me I would be important to not only someone special but everyone I knew. So it will be like I am making her dream come true also."

  Laughing as he winked at her Kaien crossed his arms. "That's great. Just don't forget all about me when you are all important like that."

  Though she smiled, Yuki also glared at him. He was her best friend in the entire world. She couldn't see her life without him in it somehow. "Are you nuts? You are the only one that can keep up with me now. You are going to have to get over being so lazy and go fight with me when I have too."

  Sitting up with a wide smile, Kaien winked at her again. "Yuki you know I would follow you anywhere you wanted to go."

  "Good." Yuki then reached over and pushed him, laughing as he fell over and rolled off the roof flat on his back. "I think before you start following me anywhere you need to learn how to not fall down."

  Glaring up at her as he stood up, Kaien crossed his arms. "Whatever. Like you could jump from there and land right either."

  Giggling as she stood up Yuki shook her head and put her hands on her hips. "First of all Kaien you fell. You didn't jump."

  "Oh hush."

  Another light hearted laugh and Yuki walked to the end of the roof and jumped off, landing gracefully on her feet with her hair flowing down around her as it fell to her. She then gave Kaien a smug look as she stood tall. "What was that about I couldn't?"

  Kaien had to shake his head when he heard her voice. He was a few years older than her, and already knew he liked her. And seeing her move like that who couldn't? To him it was like she was moving in slow motion in perfect grace and harmony with everything around her. Her eyes and hair shinning as they moved in the moonlight. Looking in her eyes he blinked. "Wait what did you say?"

  With a smile Yuki turned and walked toward the house. "You said I couldn't jump and land it. I did so perfectly."

  "Whatever."

  "You are a sore loser Kaien. You are just mad cause I landed it and you fell on your back."

  "Whatever! I was distracted cause I am hungry!"

  "You liar!

  "Shut it! I want food!"

  Making of a Lady Chapter 47

  Eight years seemed to fly by for both Yuki and Kaien. She now stood side by side with him as they watched the final ceremonial dance that would officially make her the village miko. Glancing up Kaien as he stood with his arms crossed she smiled. Not only did she work closer and closer to her goal of being the village miko. But she and Kaien grew extra close as well. And just one week before, he told her how much he has loved her and how much he wanted to make her his wife then kissed her for the first time. And now one week from then, they were going to be married.

  Turning back to the ceremony she sighed then blushed for a moment as Kaien moved his arms to put one protectively around her waist. She could hardly believe it. All her dreams, and the dreams her parents had for her were finally coming true. She was walking in her mother's footsteps proudly. And she had a wonderful man who would be her husband that she was madly in love with. One she knew her father would approve of. Childhood sweethearts as Honaka tells them.

  With a half-smile, Kaien looked down at the woman next to him, keeping his arm protectively around her waist. For the longest time he watched as she grew and his love for her grew deeper and deeper. But he fumbled with the words to tell her. When he finally decided that he was going to tell her, some guy from another village was flirting like crazy and a rage filled him and he went off on him.

  Finally telling her exactly how much he loved her and wanted to spend his life with her that night as she bandaged his hand after her broke it on a tree when he missed the guys head. He was just so jealous and scared that the love of his life was going to be taken away from him by some guy that no one knew. He didn't know how to handle it.

  And now here he stood just a week later, side by side with her as her intended, watching as her greatest dream came true. She was following in her mother's footsteps and becoming the village miko for the village. 'And I couldn't be more proud of her either.'

  "Yuki. Come forward."

  Stepping away from Kaien's side, Yuki smiled as she walked up to the Sanzo priest that was going to anoint her as Village miko. Reaching him she bowed her head as she closed her eyes. "Yes."

  With a warm smile, the priest used a fan of soft feathers to blow sage over her. Chanting a prayer as he did so to bless her and keep her safe. Once he was done he smudged his thumb with the ash of the sage. "Stand now Yuki."

  Reaching out and putting a thumb print on her forehead, the Sanzo Priest gave her a bow. "And with that. I now appoint you as this village's miko. With your strength and sense of right and wrong forever protect this village and those you care about."

  "Thank you." Standing there Yuki couldn't help but feel thrilled. It was over. She was the village miko! Looking up at the sky, she covered her chest with her hand. 'Mama. Papa. I hope you are both proud of me.'

  Turning from the priest as she went back to Kaien she giggled with a bright smile as he pulled her into his arms. "I did it. I finally did it. Now I can say I have followed in Mama's footsteps. And tonight I get to go back to the home that I was born in."

  Smiling a sly smile down at her Kaien laughed. "That you did Yuki. And love, in one week I will be joining you in that home as well. As your husband."

  Putting her hands on his chest she looked up at him with somewhat of a pouty face. "I know. I do so wish you could come with me tonight though. It is going to be odd being there alone."

  Kissing her forehead, Kaien then hugged her to him and put her head under his chin. "You are a very important member of this village now Yuki. And the absolute love of my life. I will make sure that your reputation is as pure as the powers you have." Laughing he rubbed her back. "Though once we are married you are never getting rid of me."

  Resting her head on his chest, Yuki let out a content sigh. "Trust me Kaien I wouldn't want it any other way."

  "That's good." Then Kaien just stood there and held her. He always made sure whenever he was with her, it was very public. Though she didn't really like it. He respected her too much and did not want her labeled as anything. Her goal that she has reached was village miko. And she was going to have just a pure a reputation as she was at heart. He wanted everyone to admire her and look up to her for her power and protecting them. Not whispering about what may have happened at one time or another.

  X

  By the time everything was said and done with the ceremony it was early evening as Yuki walked into the home that she once shared with her parents, and only visited for a few moments at a time over the last eight years along with Honaka. It is actually a large home, one of the largest in the village. It had a large front room that was used for cooking and eating and just being together. And in the back, three rooms were sectioned off.

  A small smile on her face, Yuki walked into the middle room which was the largest of the three. It was once her parents room, and the bed that her father made them was still there and clean. Once they got word that h
er parents were killed, she and Honaka came back once a week to clean not only the bedrooms, but the entire house and Kaien and Tomoya did any repairs that it needed as well. And Yuki was elated and saddened at the same time to be back in this home that she could call home once again.

  Sitting on the bed she closed her eyes as tears spilled over and traced down her cheeks. She could hear the laughter of her as a child along with her parents. With her eyes closed she could almost see the day to day life before the war started. Laying over on her side on the bed she grasped her necklace as she quietly sobbed. She did so wish that Kaien could have come with her tonight. With him around she couldn't help but be happy even when all she wanted to do was cry.

  Curling under the blanket Yuki looked up and out the window. The perfect view of the crescent moon shinning into her room. "Mama. Papa. I promise that I will make you proud. I know you would approve of Kaien. He is ever so special to me. I will be the best that I can be. Aa a miko, a mother and a wife. You will see. I will make you proud."

  Laying back down, though tears still spilled from her eyes as she sobbed, a smile graced her face. Memories of a time with her parents playing through her mind as she slowly sobbed herself to sleep.

  X

  In a large tree that sat just outside the village, Kaien found himself high up in the tree. From that point he could see the roof of the house that the love of his life was in, and would be his home in one week. Though he wished that he could be there with her now knowing the storm of emotions that she was going to be going through tonight. "Yuki."

  "You know son, sitting there staring isn't going to make the next week happen any faster. Come on. Your mother thought she was ready for it, but isn't. She wants to enjoy the last week with her 'little boy' living with her."

  Rolling his eyes as he fell from the tree, Kaien smiled at his father. "Yeah I know. When Yuki was in prayer with the Sanzo Priest this morning I heard all about it. But I also wasn't going to sleep in our house with her there the last week since I told her I wanted to marry her. It is just habit right now."

  Crossing his arms, Tomoya couldn't help but smile. His son was always a good boy, and has grown up into a great man. Already worrying and protecting the woman he loves, before they are even married. And not forgetting about his parents as well. As he headed toward the village he sighed as he turned and headed a long way around. "Kaien come with me. Let's take a walk. Your mother will understand when I tell her."

  Giving his father a blank look, Kaien nodded and followed him deeper into the woods then on a curvy path that lead around to the other side of the village. Once they were on that path he gave his father more than a curious look. "So dad what is the walk for? We haven't done this in years."

  Winking over at his son Tomoya laughed. "That is the reason why I wanted to do it. We haven't done this since right after Yuki came to stay with us. I figured I would like to take one last walk with my son before he becomes a man with a wife and kids of his own to take care of."

  Putting his hands behind his head Kaien laughed also as he looked up. Glimpses of the crescent moon showing through the trees. "That's fine with me dad. I missed going on our walks."

  Crossing his arms Tomoya nodded as he closed his eyes. "That's good to know that you at least liked them. When you have a son you should do the same. I did with you because my dad did with me."

  Another laugh as he looked over at his dad Kaien smiled at him. "I had every intention of it. I loved it and want to share it with my son."

  Reaching a break in the trees, Tomoya stopped and watched as his son solowly walked just a few feet ahead then stopped and looked at him. Then up at the moon. Looking up as well, Tomoya couldn't help but feel a little sad. The day his son married Yuki, the moon would be full. And that would make the day even more magical. His eyes focused on his son again and his smile grew. His black hair shinning in the moonlight. He was mature beyond his years and had a good soul. Strong and an even stronger sense of what was right and wrong. It wasn't a bad thing, but he couldn't help but see his own father in his son.

  Turning his blinking eyes to his father to ask him why he stopped, Kaien blinked to see the look on his face. "Dad. What's up? You look like you are a million miles away from here."

  Turning to fully face his son, Tomoya kept his smile as he made eye contact with his son. "Son. I don't think that I have ever told you this enough. I am proud of you son. I always have been. And I know that no matter what happens in your life, you will always make me proud to call you my son. I know I don't say it enough. But I love you and I have always been proud of you and will forever."

  Kaien was at a loss for words right now. The amount of emotions in his father's eyes had him shocked. He always knew that his father loved him, though he hardly heard him ever say it. And this was the first time that he ever told him he was proud of him. Hearing it was elating in a way.

  Smiling finally Kaien turned back to look up at the moon as he crossed his arms. "Thanks dad. That means a lot and is really good to know. I always wondered if I made you proud. And now I know I hope that I always make you proud from here on out. As not only your son, but as a father and a husband as well."

  Walking on with his son, Tomoya smiled with closed eyes. Forcing his tears to stay at bay. This was a touching moment between he and his son. He wanted it to stay that way. "Now that's my boy."

  Making of a Lady Chapter 48

  Three years have passed since the day that Kaien and Yuki married. The constant attack of demons was so high, they took extra precautions to make sure that she did not end up pregnant right away. They wanted to make sure that the demons of the area knew who she was and what she could do. That way they would think twice before they attacked the village. And then when things finally calmed down, they decided it was time for a family.

  And now here she lay surrounded by a few good friends and Honaka, in labor with their first child. She hoped that this would be the first of many children that she could give Kaien. She just knew she would love being a mother, and seeing him with the kids of the village she knew her husband would be an amazing father. With Kaien twenty two, and she was only nineteen, she hoped that this was the first of many. And she really hoped to have a son first.

  "Just a little bit longer my dear. Then you will get to see what your first child is."

  Nodding Yuki tensed at the contraction that ripped through her body then let her head fall back on the pillow as she took a few heavy breaths. "I can't wait. I want this done so I can hold my son and see his father with him."

  Laughing as she wiped the sweat from her brow Honaka smiled. "You never know Yuki. I know you and Kaien are set that this is a boy. But you could be giving birth to a daughter soon."

  With a tired smile, Yuki looked up at her as she shook her head no. "I don't think so Honaka. I just know it. This is going to be a son. I know it."

  "We shall see. Soon."

  X

  Smiling as he stood just in front of the doorway to the birthing hut, Tomoya watched as his son paced, while his wife sat with Honaka. He could remember all too well being where his son was when he was born. "Just calm down Kaien. She will be fine. Your mother is with her and she is strong enough to do this and then some."

  Turning a glare on his father, Kaien stopped pacing for a moment. "Tell me you didn't do this when mom had me? Or that Souzou didn't do this the day that Yuki was born?" Then he glanced at the door behind his father and started to walk again.

  "I did actually." Laughing Tomoya shook his head as he dropped it down. "So did your grandfather when I was born. Your mother's father. Souzou is the exception. He wasn't in the village when Yuki was born. Knowing him, that was probably for the best."

  Keeping his pacing Kaien just closed his eyes as he rubbed the back of his neck. He wanted to be in that hut and at her side. Holding her hand when she gave birth to their first child. But not only was the village and custom against it, Yuki herself told him that he was not to be in the room. But he wasn't
going to be left out forever. 'I want to be there. I can't this one, I know I will the next one. I know it.'

  "Alright Yuki. It is time to bear down and push. The next contraction we will see if your feeling is right and you have a son."

  Both Kaien and Tomoya froze in the moment, looking at the door behind him. Both of them anxious to see a tired Yuki and hearing a healthy baby wail.

  X

  Grinding her teeth, Yuki groaned as she bore down for a third time no with all the might that she had. After a long moment of pushing she fell backwards with a sigh as she took a few deep breaths waiting for the next contraction. "Come on!"

  "You can do this Yuki. I know you can. Bear down again."

  Nodding as she closed her eyes, Yuki had one hand in Honaka's as she waited for the next contraction. 'Mama please. Give me some of your strength so this doesn't take longer. I want my son in my arms!' Then just as the contraction ripped through her, Yuki groaned as she nearly folded entire body in half.