Twelve Lords

by Max Jager

  "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 walking 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?"

  With a nod and a smile, Takara gave a bow. "Of course My Lord." Then she rushed off to find Takahashi.

  Going to the room where his mate and niece were he smiled and his mood brightened. Things were right to appoint now. With the exception of the miko in the next room. But Kiyoshi would deal with that when she woke up. In a week or so at most when the miko was gone, it would be back to normal with only those that care about her around her.

  X

  A/N: This end Part 2 :D Next up is going to be The Demon and The Priestess which tells how they meet, fall in love mate and start their family which only starts the road of chaos off and on as they grow.

  ~ 7 ~

  The Priestess and The Demon Chapter 59

  Hearing the sound of the rumble as it came closer, Akahito had wide eyes. He knew that growl. He could of sworn that he felt the earth tremble as Kiyoshi got closer and closer to him. He could tell by the smell, the brat was alright, and then the smell of the purification and the miko there. He could guess what happened in the forest. And knew what was going to happen to him if he didn't do something and fast!

  When everyone around him rushed away from him toward the back of the stables he looked up. His face fully drained of color when he looked into the eyes of his lord. They were bleeding. "Please My Lord… I did this for you! Motoichi would have tried to exploit her as a weakness! If she wasn't here he couldn't do that! I did what I did for the future of the South!"

  With his mind already reeling from anger, Kiyoshi said nothing as he slowly advanced on him. If he let go of his leash anymore, his bleeding black eyes would transform him instantly. He saw rage when he looked at this being before him. He tried to do away with the one being other his parents and little sister that he cared about. His daughter. Adopted or not she was his pup. It didn't matter that she was human. And he dared to not only touch her but try to kill her!

  Reaching him, he gave no warning as he reached out and backhanded him, sending him flying through several stalls and out the side of the stable. Instantly there with a foot slamming down into his gut as he growled at him. "What made you think that you wouldn't be put to death for this? Even if she had been killed you would have been killed for it. That pathetic excuse of doing it for me and for the South. Tell me why that would be something that I would even consider as truth? Is it supposed to appease me into letting you life after you tried to kill my daughter?!"

  His own eyes now glaring, Horani could see the rage and anger that roared in his eyes. It didn't matter what he did, or what he said. He was going to die. So he might as well just say it and get it over with. At least he will be able to tell him what he has thought since the day he brought the human home with him! "She isn't your daughter! She is nothing more than a weak human brat that should have never come here! All she is for you is a phase that you are going through. I knew she would be forgotten as soon as she was gone and couldn't come back! Motoichi will target her for being weak and you will be took down because of it! She has never been anything more than a pet that you need to be rid of!"

  With every word that this traitor before him spoke, Kiyoshi could feel his blood boil that much hotter. His composure quickly loosing against the rage. His demon calling for his head to be mounted on his wall! Reaching down and grabbing his throat, Kiyoshi growled low. "You see her as nothing more than my pet? You bastard. You will never have the chance to get within sight of my daughter again." He then flung him through a wall. He would pay for what he has done in pain then he would kill him.

  X

  Barely able to hear the screams of pain themselves, Yukani and Kamui gave each other a stern and yet relieved look. Imae was safe and sound back with them in the palace, and Akahito was getting his just payment for what he tried to do to her. Neither one of them could fathom how anyone who actually got to know this darling little girl couldn't instantly love her. Even winning over her parents who were so dead set against it.

  A glance toward the wall and Yukani let worry wash over her again. Now the next threat is being treated by their healer in the very next room. She couldn't help but wonder what this miko might do when she wakes up and sees the relationship that they all have with Imae. More than a few mikos in the last few months have demanded that her brother send Imae with them back to live with humans. And each and every time, Imae races to her brother fear in her eyes as she cries, scared that he is going to do just that one time. With that none have fought, and even said she was a lost cause and left her. 'But will this one fight us on this? Will she try to force her to leave? I hate to think what Kiyoshi will do if she does.'

  "Aunt Yukani?"

  Shaking her head with a smile, Yukani looked down into the wide eyes of Imae. "I am sorry dear. I was just thinking. When Uncle Kamui and I came out to the garden to see Yoite unconscious and you gone, we
were so worried about you. I was scared I would never see you again."

  Giggling Imae jumped into her Aunt's arms with a smile. "Of course you would see me again Aunt Yukani. I knew that Father would know somehow and come to save me. The miko kept the cat away from me, and Father and Uncle Kamui took care of the cat. I knew I would be home."

  Smiling as she laughed and hugged the little girl, Yukani sighed. "That's right honey. We will always come and bring you home."

  After a moment, Imae took on a rather serious look though as she looked at the wall that separated her from the miko. A look much unlike her. But she wanted the miko to stay. At least for a little while. "I wonder."

  "Wonder about what Imae?"

  Looking up as her Uncle came closer to her she blinked as she let her head fall to the side. She did so hope her father would be alright with it. "I wonder if I asked father if she could, and she says she would, if the miko could stay with me for a while."

  Paling but smiling, Yukani pulled her niece up on her lap. "Why would you want her to stay here with you Imae? You have us with you."

  Nodding as she looked up at her Aunt, Imae still had a rather serious face. "It is just that she is really nice and I like her. And you and Uncle Kamui are going to go visit with Grandma and Grandpa soon. She can be with me when Father can't then."

  Hugging her again, Yukani sighed. "Honey if that is what is going on and you don't want to be lonely when your father is busy, we don't have to go. We can stay right here if you want us too."

  "You know as well as I do that Mother will never allow that Yukani."

  Turning glaring eyes over her niece's head, Yukani forced the growl out of her voice. "But she just….."

  "You have promised mother for some time that you are going to spend time at the Southern Shores Palace with Kamui. She will not allow you to break that nor will I." Stopping next to the bed and smiling as Imae giggled and jumped into his arms. "I will be talking to my daughter about her question. Now if you would excuse me."

  Dropping her head with a nod, Yukani sighed as she left the room with her mate. Just the two of them, she had to figure that the miko was going to be a part of the South at least for a while. She was thankful that she only promised her parents six months. The faster she can get back, the faster she can force the miko out if she is still there.

  Once in the hall, Kamui put his arm around his mate as the headed down the hall. "Don't worry so much Yukani. I am sure that your brother is not going to let the miko stay here any longer than he has too. Imae is one thing. She is our natural enemy. And the level of purification that she has is more than any I have seen in my life."

  Rolling her eyes as she crossed her arms, Yukani half glared up at him. "I have to figure out a way to get Mama and Papa to come back here soon as I can. I have a feeling that the miko is going to be here when we get back in six months anyway."

  "What makes you say that?"

  Stopping to growl up at her mate, Yukani glared now. "Tell me this. Do you think that if you spent every day with Imae for even a week that you could just walk away from her without her tears making you fall apart?"

  Laughing as he urged her on down the hall, Kamui nodded. "That is a good point. However I still trust your brother. Even if your parents came, just like with Imae if he says she can stay a year or a day. There would be nothing that they could do about it. Even if they tried it would backfire on them faster than with Imae. Seeing as they wouldn't be arguing with just your brother over it."

  "Who else would they be arguing with?"

  Laughing as he lifted his mate into his arms Kamui winked at her. "Imae. She turns those tear eyes and that begging voice she gets to get her way on your parents they will melt. Just like I hear you did to them when you were her size. Just relax and enjoy the time with your parents. You wouldn't be able to tell your niece no with those crying eyes begging you either and you know it."

  Dropping her head to his shoulder, Yukani sighed as she relaxed. "I forgot about that. I wouldn't either. Mama has some really bad timing in wanting us to come out. I guess just stay the six months and hope that the miko is gone when we get back. If my brother has some sense she will be."

  "There you go love. Positive thinking."

  "OH shut up."

  X

  With a small smile, Kiyoshi sat his daughter on her bed and took his seat next to her as he brushed her bangs from her eyes. "Imae the miko cannot stay here."

  Trying her best begging face, Imae let tears start to mist in her eyes. "Not even until Aunt Yukani and Uncle Kamui get home? Oh please Father."

  Shaking his head side to side, Kiyoshi gave her a soft and yet very stern look. "I am sorry Imae. A miko is the natural enemy of a demon. And the strength that she has, and the level of her purification is strong. She is dangerous to all the demons of this palace. Because she saved you from the cat, and protected you until Kamui and I could reach you, I will not send her away the second she wakes. She will stay a week or two while she heals then she has to leave. Understand?"

  Letting her shoulders slump, Imae gave a nod as she dropped her head. "I understand Father. But I can still be friends with her and spend time with her while she heals right?"

  Reaching with a finger to make her look up at him, Kiyoshi felt his heart break to see her upset like this. If this woman was a normal woman and not a miko, he wouldn't have a problem with it. But not only is she a miko she has more purification than he has ever seen. Even more than the only two that didn't mouth off on his first rounds hundreds of years ago. She is not a good thing to be walking around a demon palace.

  But one look from those sad chocolate eyes and he couldn't tell this little girl no. He would make sure that the miko knew her boundaries while she was here and let his daughter see her. "So long as she doesn't start talking about taking you with her when she leaves, yes Imae you can spend time with her while she heals along with Yoite."

  With a squeal of delight, Imae perked up and threw her small arms around his neck and hugged him as tightly as she could. "OH thank you so much Father! Thank you!"

  X

  With a small grown, Yokiyo slowly opened her eyes. Her head was pounding. She used so much purification toying with the cat, then chasing him and then the barrier to protect the little girl. She was nearly at her limit when she passed out. Rolling her head to the side her eyes went wide and she gasped. She was in a bed! And not just any bed! This bed was the size of the home that she had with her parents even with the three extra rooms in it!

  Shooting into a sitting position her heart raced as she looked around to try and figure out where she was. Though once she was up she winced and grabbed her head as a sharp pain caused her to wince. 'Oh man. That was not the best of ideas.'

  Slowly so she didn't hurt her head again, she moved back so that she was leaning on the pillows and the headboard behind her. With her eyes half opened she looked around as her mind raced. 'Where am I? I don't know anyone who could have a bed this big. The last thing air member was the little girl getting excited when she saw Kiyoshi. I don't even remember letting my….'

  With a gasp as her eyes went wide, Yokiyo froze. Could that heartless bastard of actually bright her back to his home? But that couldn't be it. Everyone, no matter if they were a poor human child, half demons, and even most demons knew how much he hated humans. All humans. So bringing her back to his home wasn't something he would have done.

  But then she saw a flash of that little girl. The smile on her face as she looked up at him like he was the best thing ever. With a sigh she closed her eyes and dropped her head some as she relaxed. 'I didn't think she was talking about that Kiyoshi. But the way she looked at him was like I used to look at Papa. But I doubt he really cares about her. He can't care about any human let alone a little girl like that.'

  "You are awake! I was hoping you would wake up today!"

  Turning to look at the door, Yokiyo couldn't help but smile at the streak of blue and white from her clothes as the little girl
ran into the room stopping at her bedside with a bright smile and large dancing chocolate eyes. She was at least safe and seemed happy enough. Dropping her hands from her head to her lap Yokiyo looked at the girl. "I see that you are alright. Safe and sound. That's good. But I forget what is your name again honey?"

  Giggling as she stood tall and proud next to the bed, Imae smiled as brightly as she could. "I am Imae. Daughter of Lord Kiysohi."

  Laughing as she looked at the little girl, Yokiyo shook her head with a smile of her own. She had endless energy she could see. It was cute. She had one of those attitudes though. If she wasn't careful around her she knew she would be drawn into caring for her easily. "I see. Well then Imae. It is nice to meet you."