Twelve Lords

by Max Jager

  Her chocolate eyes as wide as they could go, Imae could only look up at him in shock. "Really!? You really mean it Father?"

  With a smile, Kiyoshi reached out and laid his hand on Imae's head as he laughed. "I really mean it. You start training today. Umarus will be here any moment with Yoite and you will be going with them to start your training."

  With an excited giggle, Imae jumped off the floor and into her father's arms as she hugged him. "Oh thank you Father! Thank you so much! That makes me so happy!"

  Another laugh as he smiled at her and moved her so she sat on his right shoulder, Kiyoshi shook his head. "Well you are my daughter after all. I will make you the strongest woman in the world. So you have to start now. That way if anything happens, you will be able to stand at my side."

  Giving him a sharp nod Imae giggled as she laid her arms and head on his head. "Thank you Father. And I will always do my very best to make you proud of me."

  "I am sure you will Imae."

  Opening her eyes again, Imae looked behind them when she heard more footsteps and saw Yoite standing there. But Umarus wasn't with him. "Father Master Yoite is here now. But where is Master Umarus?"

  With a growl, Kiyoshi glared. "He went to train some new recruits yesterday. I guess he hasn't come back yet."

  "Are you going to go and get him then?"

  Lifting her from his shoulder he sat her on the floor and sighed. "Yes I am."

  Gasping as she smiled up at him, Imae folded her hands behind her. "While you go and get him, May Master Yoite take me to see Yokiyo for a little while Father? Please?"

  Giving his daughter a lingering look for a moment, Kiyoshi wanted to tell her no and forbid her. That miko had a temper on her that for some reason he wanted to break every time he got near her. He was actually glad when her one request was as little interaction with him as possible. But these big chocolate eyes that she had. He couldn't say no to them no matter what he tried it would seem. "That is fine. I will come and get you so you can start training when Umarus and I get back."

  "Right! Thank you gain Father!"

  X

  Another knock on the door, Yokiyo once again looked at it and sat the tea to the side. Takara hadn't been gone for that long, and there was a demon standing on the other side. "Who is it?"

  "It is Imae! May I come in please? My guard Master Yoite is with me also. He can come in too right?"

  Smiling, Yokiyo sighed as she dropped her head. Another demon. "Of course you both can." Looking up as the door opened and she flew to the side of the bed, the demon taking his place next to the door, Yokiyo smiled as Imae gently climbed up on the bed. "And how are you this morning Imae?"

  With a bright smile, Imae nodded her head a few times. "I am doing wonderful today. Father just told me that I get to start training with Master Umarus and Master Yoite today. That way when I grow up, if he has to fight I can fight with him and protect myself. Isn't that wonderful!?"

  Keeping her smile, Yokiyo didn't know if she would ever be able to do that. And she didn't think it was such a good idea to let her think she can fight demon lords either. But it really wasn't her business anyway. She thought she was too young for it, but she was so excited about it. Reaching out and pushing in on her nose, Yokiyo laughed. "That is wonderful news sweetheart. I know you will do great and be really strong."

  Letting out another giggle, Imae hugged her. "Thank you!" But as she eased back, her smile faded as she had a serious look on her face. "How are you feeling today Yokiyo? With your injury?"

  Shaking her head, Yokiyo laid her hands in her lap. "I am healing. I feel better than I did yesterday. You don't need to worry about it though Imae. I will be back to normal soon enough."

  Letting her head fall to the side as she blinked her eyes, Imae half smiled. "Do you feel good enough to move around?"

  Confused herself now, Yokiyo blinked at the girl. What was she up too? "Good enough to move around for what?"

  Still serious, Imae locked eyes with the miko as she grabbed one of her hands. "Well I wanted to know, because I wanted you to come and have the evening meal with us tomorrow. Oh please would you come and eat with us if he says that it is alright to do so Yokiyo?"

  Now she understood the question. But how did she answer that? Just like she just told Takara. How can she tell this little girl that she didn't want to be near who she called Father because she hated him and he was nothing but a cold bastard that didn't care about anyone? After a moment she smiled as she leaned back on the pillows. "I tell you what Imae. You talk to your father about it today and let me know later. And then we will go from there. Does that sound good for you?"

  Another giggle as she hugged the miko, Imae smiled. "That sounds perfect!"

  Soon as Imae asked the question, Yoite kept his eyes on the miko as he tensed. He really did not see Lord Kiyoshi letting the miko go anywhere but the room and the hot spring with guards at that. When she answered the way she did, he let out a sigh as he relaxed some. 'There is really no point in telling her either. I will leave the talk to Lord Kiyoshi. She listens to him best.'

  Looking toward the window, Yoite smiled as he headed for the bed. "My Lady. Your Father and Master Umarus are almost back. Shall we meet them outside?"

  Nodding to Yoite, Imae then giggled as she threw her arms around the miko's neck as she smiled. "I will come back to see you again before I have to go to bed! Goodbye!" Then she jumped off the bed and rushed to Yoite, laughing as he picked her up and walked across the room and leapt out the window with her.

  Shaking her head with a half-smile and a half glare, Yokiyo let out a long sigh. She really liked the little girl, but at the same time she was trouble. Dropping her head she groaned. "Those damned eyes of hers. They are going to get me in trouble at some point I just know it."

  X

  Looking up to see Yoite land in the garden, Umarus couldn't help but smile to see Imae hit the ground from his arms running as she raced to him. Training this one was at least going to be fun. Unlike her father and grandfather she did hang on every word he said like it was gold. Once she slid to a stop next to him he put a hand on her head. "Well then My Lady. Are you ready to learn how to fight?"

  Giving a sharp nod with a giggle and a smile, Imae held her hands in fists by her chest. "I am ready to learn Master Umarus!" But then she stopped and turned blinking eyes to her father. "Father may I ask you something?"

  Turning to see her and the odd look in her face, Kiyoshi almost hated to hear what her question was going to be. Too often anymore it was about the miko. The sooner that woman was gone out of their lives the better. "What is it?"

  Turning to fully face him she smiled up at him. "I asked Yokiyo and she said it was up to you. Do you think she could have dinner with us tomorrow night in the dining hall instead of her room?"

  Shocked at first, Kiyoshi wasn't sure how to answer the question at first. After a long moment he sighed as he reached out and laid his hand on her head as he looked up at the palace. "I will have a talk about it with the miko. For now you clear your head about her and focus on training. Alright?"

  "Yes Father!" Flipping around back to Umarus Imae giggled again. "I am ready to start Master Umarus. What are we going to start with?"

  "With this." Umarus handed her a small practice blade and laughed at her odd look. "You learn with this first then we will move on to the real thing. First you have to learn the basics so for now just watch me and copy my every move."

  "Right!"

  Satisfied that she was now fully focused on training and not the miko, Kiyoshi turned and headed for the palace. Once again with a glare on his face as he stormed through the halls headed for the miko's room. Without knocking he stormed in the room and growled as purification hit him full force. "You will tell Imae later that you are not feeling up to eating in the dining hall. Understood?"

  "I will not do it just because you tell me to do it."

  His face twisting to an even deeper glare, Kiyoshi fisted his hands. "Excuse me?
"

  Flaring even more of her powers, Yokiyo narrowed her eyes at him. "Don't excuse me to me! I don't get it why she thinks that you care so much or why you make her think you do. But I am not going buy in it. I am sure that soon as she is old enough and wants to start traveling, you will just drop her all together."

  Taking a step closer to her, Kiyoshi growled deeper. "She will not leave my side or this palace but for two different ways, she has an appropriate mate or death. She is now and will always be my eldest pup."

  Shaking her head as she turned her eyes away from him, Yokiyo growled herself. "Right. Like I really believe that a son of a bitch like you cares that much for a human little girl."

  Moving before he knew what he was doing, Kiyoshi was next to the bed holding the miko in the air by her clothes. Right about now the pins and needles that radiated across his entire body were barely phasing him. "Watch your tongue in my home miko."

  Throwing up a barrier around herself, she forced him to let go of her and groaned with a sob in her throat as she hit the floor shaking. "You really have no right to tell me anything Kiyoshi. I still remember that day. I was the same age as Imae. My brother and I were seconds away from being killed by a demon, only days after our parents and everyone we knew were killed when our village was destroyed. You flew over, and I guess who you are was enough to make it run off. But you didn't even look down. It was like it was a bother for you to bring yourself to do it. So tell me this. Why would I have anything but a seething, loathing hate for you?"

  Backing up a few feet, Kiyoshi let out a sigh. Her powers were fading with each word. But that didn't mean that he wasn't still just as frustrated with the way she was acting. But he did remember what she was talking about. Crossing his arms he turned his head away from her. "I did not look down nor stop that day because of simply how low level that demon was. A coward. The second he sensed my presence it was miles away before I would have been out of your eye sight. I was looking for someone then as I flew over. I did…"

  "Enough!" Closing her eyes as angry and frustrated tears came out of them, Yokiyo dropped her head. "Enough excuses. My father was so wrong about you that it's pathetic! Mama too!"

  "About me?"

  Trying to get her breathing under control so she could stop the tears, Yokiyo pushed herself up into the bed again as she glared up at him through red and swollen eyes. "That's right. Papa made Senri and I promise that the first thing we would do was find you and tell you it was Shinra who lead the attack on our village. He always said he believed that you had a good heart, just stupid humans ruined it for everyone else with you. He honestly believed that you would have helped us and treated us fairly. How wrong he was to think that you could ever care about anyone but yourself. Just leave me alone!" She then closed her eyes a she lay down and rolled so that her back was to him. Holding her breath to stop the sobs, at least until he was gone. She would never let him see her cry. Never would he see her that weak again. Not him.

  Letting out a sigh, Kiyoshi closed his eyes and turned and left the room again with a disgruntled growl. Slamming the door shut as he entered his study with such force it nearly broke. "The sooner that female gets the hell out of this palace the better all the way around. Damn her!" Slamming his hand on his desk and sending papers flying everywhere he growled low. "Showing me no respect like that. I will end up killing her if she doesn't just stop it!"

  The sudden knock on the door caused him to jerk his head around as he growled low. "Who the hell is it?"

  "It is Takara My Lord."

  "What do you want?"

  Keeping her bow nearly to the floor, Takara smiled. "I wish to know if I might take Lady Yokiyo to the hot springs. It would help her to heal and…I beg your pardon My Lord for the intrusion. It might also help you to calm down if she were further away for a while."

  Falling to his knees before his desk, Kiyoshi sighed as he closed his eyes with a small growl. That would help him. "Take her. just make sure that she is right back in that room the second she is through."

  "Of course My Lord. Thank you."

  X

  Stopping at her Lady's door, Takara gave a small knock then waited just a moment. When the only sound were the small sobs and the smell of tears she knocked again. "My Lady?"

  "Go away Takara! I really just want to be alone right now alright."

  Refusing to budge, Takara smiled as she knocked again on the door. "My Lady are you sure you would not like to take a refreshing dip in our hot spring? It might make you feel better."

  "I said go away!"

  "I cannot do that My Lady. If we were to delay at all then I would not be able to get you there without others there." Waiting another moment she didn't hear anything so she knocked again. "My Lady?"

  "Come in."

  Walking in, Takara saw how the miko was drying her eyes and smiled sweetly at her. She understood why she felt the way she did. But knew that if she just gave Lord Kiyoshi a chance that she would see he isn't like she thinks. "Come I shall help you through the halls and with your bath."

  Pushing herself up to her feet Yokiyo half smiled as she welcomed Takara's arm around her waist as she draped one arm around her shoulders. "I am only doing this because you clearly are not going to go away and leave me alone if I don't. Even though I would much rather just be left alone right now."

  Once she had her out in the hall, Takara closed her eyes as she smiled and lead her through the halls. "Forgive my boldness My Lady but sometimes being alone isn't the best thing."

  As she dropped her head, Yokiyo could feel her eyes brim with tears again. "When I am alone in the world I am safe. No one and nothing can hurt me that way. I had my life ripped apart three different times. The first was when my parents were killed. Then my brother abandoned me to get revenge for them. Again just two years ago when the village that took me in and my best friends were destroyed by demons again. If I just stay all alone in the world, I will be better off."

  Smiling though she gave her a sympathetic look, Takara sighed. "I doubt that is true even in your case. You will see one day. I just know you will fall in love with someone and want to be with him all the time and a family. Even in the demon world that is what we strive for. To mate with our perfect match, have pups and watch them grow."

  "I highly doubt that will ever happen for me Takara." Glad when she didn't say anything else, Yokiyo kept her eyes on her feet the rest of the way to the hot spring. But expecting to go outside at some point, she blinked when she looked up as they went through a door and there was the hot spring. High walls all around it, a roof, with large gaps in the wall at the top to allow the steam to escape. "Well now this is different."

  With a smile, Takara laughed as she looked around herself. "Yes it is. It has been like this since before I was even born. From what I have heard from other demons, it used to be an open place like you find near the human villages. But Lady Miyu, Lord Kiyoshi's grandmother was so uncomfortable with it as it offered no privacy from her guard or anyone else, her mate Lord Kento had this built and connected to the palace just for her."

  Giving her an odd look, Yokiyo really didn't know if she should believe that or not. "Really?"

  Another smile as she helped the miko take her robe off and then sink into the water, Takara turned to get soap to wash her hair. "That's right. Actually it was Lord Kento that overthrew the tyrant of tiger that was here many years ago. It was he who started trying to work with the humans of the South."

  Moving back to where she knelt down behind Yokiyo, Takara sighed as she cast her eyes down. "However. It is because of the demons out there that are like Akahito and all the low level ones that roam the lands that kill humans that make everything that the Lords try to do worth nothing. It is like they don't take the time out to get to know them, just try to kill them. Some I understand, but the ones who don't hurt humans I don't."

  "That is because of how the human mind works. There are so many out there that are a threat to humans, that they believe if th
ey strike first, then the demon can't hurt them. Whether they want to or not." She then looked behind her with an odd look at Takara. "Why are you sitting there like that?"

  "I am going to wash your hair."

  "No really. I can do it myself." But when she cast her eyes down and let her shoulders slump, Yokiyo groaned as she turned back around and rolled her eyes. "Fine. Just this one Takara. After this I will do it myself until I leave. I have never had anyone make over me like this and it is odd and new to me. I haven't had anyone wash my hair since Mama."

  Smiling brightly Takara started to wet down her hair. Once she had her hair started in a good lather, she let her smile start to fade. She seemed vastly different from the other mikos that she had ever seen. She probably didn't want to know the answer but she also had to ask. "My Lady could I ask you something if you wouldn't mind?"

  "Sure."

  Keeping what she was doing, Takara let out a sigh. "You seem different from other mikos. If we were to meet under different situation or circumstances what would you do?"