Twelve Lords

by Max Jager

  With a sigh Sanzo turned around and put his back to her as he started to walk away from them. "You need to realize too that you are my little sister and I am Lord. I know what I am doing believe it or not. You need to just let me handle it and stay out of it."

  Enraged, Ayame rushed around him and got in front of her brother stopping him as she pushed on his chest then glared up at him. "I will not stay out of it Sanzo! The South has the largest army of the three of us. We would depend on him for help if Motoichi were to try anything. If he is weak of mind because of some damned human wench, then we won't be as strong!"

  Though he knew she was being serious and in a way could understand where she was coming from, Sanzo had to laugh at her. "That is rich Ayame!"

  Glaring as she fumed, Ayame started to tap her foot and she glared at her brother. "What exactly is so funny about that?"

  Holding up a finger as he started to walk around her in a circle, Sanzo smiled at her. "That you think having a human miko for a mate is going to make him weak. If she is strong enough to survive mating with him, she is far from weak. Dogs mate like us Ayame. If anything it will make him stronger, fiercer to know that he has to protect her from more than just your typical stuff if she was a demon. And dear little sister, if or one don't want to get torn limb from limb if I try to push and do too much."

  Seeing her getting ready to argue some more he hissed at her as he narrowed his eyes at her. "You are to stay out of it Ayame. Enough. I know what I am doing and you just need to leave it alone." He then jumped high in the air and transformed back into his hawk form.

  Soaring through the sky he took a deep breath as he tried to collect his thoughts on the matter. He knew that Ayame meant well, and having their father murdered by a miko didn't help things with this. But he also knew that if she could live through the presentation itself, she would be worthy enough. And it was after all his choice after all what he wanted to do about it.

  Swooping back down to land transformed back to his human form, he had a glare and crossed arms for his sister. "You know what Ayame."

  "What is it now brother?" Giving him a glare, Ayame crossed her arms. She couldn't believe how he was being about this right now and so angry with him. Sometimes she wished she was mated so she wouldn't have enough time to deal with stuff like this.

  His glare serious, Sanzo sighed. "I am going to fly on to the South. You are to stay here with Atsana. And the rest of them. I will see you in two days when you reach the South."

  Her eyes going wide as her throat constricted, Ayame knew why he was doing this! She just couldn't believe it! "What?!"

  With a nod Sanzo closed his eyes. "I will deal with this on my own without the squawking of a closed minded little sister behind me. By the time you get there I will have done what I am going to do and you will see the result then Ayame." Not giving her the chance to argue about it more, Sanzo turned to Atsana. "Do not let her follow me and keep the same pace. Understood?"

  "My Lord."

  He then turned and jumped back into the air flying off in his bird form again. His eyes focused on his goal. The Southern Palace. He knew what he had to try. If she wasn't worthy enough, or this was done without a bond then she shouldn't be in the cut throat world of demon lords and ladies. But something told him that she was strong enough. Strong enough to make it and throw it for a whirl wind. "But either way I will find out soon enough when I get there tonight."

  X

  "My Lord. Lord Sanzo has arrived."

  Blinking from where he stood with Kamui, Kiyoshi let the now strong scent register as he growled with an annoyed sigh. "That damn bird. He is even earlier than he usually is. And no one is with him."

  "That is the strangest part."

  Moving toward the reception hall, Kiyoshi sighed. "Come with me."

  Nodding as he moved to walk next to him, Kamui gave him an odd look. "Where is Yokiyo at?"

  "Driving me mad. Her level of stress right now is through the roof and is grating on my nerves. She is with Umarus right now and Takara getting fitted for this unique kimono she wants to wear with the seamstress. Imae is with Mother and Father in the garden."

  As he walked through the reception hall door just as Sanzo was shown in from the other side he didn't hide the scowl on his face. The bird was nice enough, a good and strong ally. But he has never been able to get past his hyper personality and how he is early for everything that he inherited from his father.

  Noticing that he no one walked in behind him, he arched an eyebrow as they met in the middle of the hall. "You did not bring Ayame or your usual horde?"

  "I did." Laughing Sanzo crossed his arms. "We just had a little spat on the way here so I left her with Atsana and told her I would see her when she got here in two days." He then gave Kiyoshi a sly smile. "I had heard that she was a miko but wasn't sure it was true until now. And then I get here and she is very clearly pregnant already! You sure do work fast I will give you that one. You sly old dog. You sure you know what you are doing with this?"

  Growling as he glared, Kiyoshi turned and headed back for the door. "Come and see for yourself if you truly think I know what I am doing. She will surprise you."

  Nodding to Kamui, Sanzo followed his old friend out of the room and into the hall with a small laugh. "You know Kiyoshi this really isn't fair anyway."

  "What isn't?"

  Now walking right next to him, Sanzo turned his typical big grin to him as he laughed. "That I am now the last one to find a mate of our generation. I mean even that bastard Motoichi has a mate and a cub."

  "That is not my concern."

  Rolling his eyes as he shook his head, Sanzo sighed. "As few words as possible as always I see." But when they rounded a corner he turned serious. "I was going to be coming to pay you a visit soon anyway you know."

  Stopping in the middle of the hall with a glare out the corner of his eye for him, Kiyoshi growled. "Why is that now?"

  "News on dragons."

  Tensing, Kiyoshi narrowed his eyes. "Tell me."

  Turning to him as he kept his arms crossed, Sanzo dropped his head. "Well you remember Tikae don't you? I know my father said that he was around when you were small."

  "I do remember him. He came a few times to talk with Father."

  "Well he didn't manage to kill either of them, but he did drive Kenji and Shinra further into hiding. He is Lord of the Dragons now. He has taken a leopard mate named Toki and have made their home in the same demon village that her parents live in right where all four lands meet with each other."

  "That is very strategic. With the blood pact still standing, if Kenji attacked and hurt one demon or destroyed one building in the other three, it would spark a war that they might not be ready for."

  Turning his glare to the floor, Sanzo felt his feathers ruffle. "There is more. I do not hold what happened to my father against all mikos. Your mate didn't kill my father so I will not look at her any other way than your mate. But I never gave up trying to find her, or figure out who she was working with. I did find out that she was working for someone else, just like my mother's guard was when the poisoned her. And an extra funny little rumor that I heard not too long ago."

  "What kind of rumor would that be?"

  With a sigh Sanzo let his eyes half close. "That she and my mother's guard were all working for Kenji. That after my father flew into a rage with her guard, the miko was able to kill him and then she went to Kenji and went into hiding with him and Shinra." He then looked at Kiyoshi as his eyes narrowed. "I am not sure how many mouths it went through, but supposedly it came from dragons that were once loyal to him and now loyal to Tikae. But if that is true then Kenji orchestrated the entire thing."

  Growling Kiyoshi crossed his arms as he closed his eyes. Trying to force himself to calm down with this news, and whatever had Yokiyo agitated was not helping his mood any at all. "It would figure though that Kenji would have had something to do with it. Just do not say a word about it before my parents or Yukani. I do not ne
ed to hear how I need to hunt him down again from them. They are already ridding me enough about Yokiyo." Then he walked on down the hall.

  A smile Sanzo nodded. "Not a word. You can tell them when you are ready."

  X

  Glaring with a growl right back at the old seamstress, Yokiyo looked down from the stool she stood on. This thing didn't want to make what she wanted for herself and Imae. Which put her in a bad mood and the sudden surge of rage not too long ago from Kiyoshi was doing nothing to help her at the moment. Finally she turned her head from the old demon and stomped her foot. "So just what is it that is wrong with what I want?"

  Though she detested this human before her the seamstress kept her head bowed. "It is not seemly for the new Lady to wear such as a thing as you want. You will wear the traditional seven-layer kimono that all the new Lady's wear during their presentation."

  "The hell I will. If you won't make it then get out let me get what I need and I will make my own and Imae's." Turning sideways she kept her eyes closed as she took a deep breath. "I want what I want. Kiyoshi already said it was fine so that is what I am going to wear."

  "But My Lady it is tradition that the South follows. During the party you must look the part of a Lady, and Lady Imae a princess. This is how it is done." Though she only hoped that Umarus wouldn't say anything nor that Kiyoshi would show up. She had other plans for why she wanted this creature and the child to wear what she wanted to put them in. Neither of them belonged there, least of all the mutt she carried in her womb. "If you would just tell me what colors you would like."

  Stomping her foot, Yokiyo flared her powers for a second making everyone around her jump back to the walls. "You know what, Kiyoshi is already upset with the amount of stress I am under right now being pregnant. And I will not allow you to add to it. Now you will make what I want, or move aside let me get what I need and I will do it myself."

  "Yokiyo."

  Taking a deep breath, Yokiyo turned to her mate with a glare. "Don't you Yokiyo me and add to anymore stress that I got right now!" But as she focused on him, she saw the bird next to him with a large toothy grin. 'Great Yokiyo. Bird one you none. What a way to start.' Closing her eyes she lowered her hands before her and then took a deep breath. As she opened them with a smile, her demeanor was totally different. A glance to her mate then she gave a slight bow. "You must be Lord Sanzo I assume. It is a pleasure to meet you."

  Not really being the fool that everyone thought that he was, Sanzo noted on how Umarus hardened his glare at him as he approached her, and Kiyoshi tensed with the same hard glare. It was interesting to say the least. He then turned to her and smiled as he gave a very low sweeping motion of a bow. "Lady Yokiyo. Word has spread far and wide of Kiyoshi taking a human mate. Though I must add that not a single one of them told of your beauty."

  Standing tall and proud, Yokiyo smiled as she gave a nod. "I am flattered My Lord."

  When Sanzo saw how she started to look down he started to reach out, just to touch her under her chin to have her look up but just before his finger touched her, he jerked his hand back. The growls from both Umarus and Kiyoshi one part of it. But more os from the sudden sensation that his finger hit. Like he put it into a bee hive with millions stinging him at once.

  Looking at her with wide eyes he took a step back. This miko. She was mated to a demon, pregnant with a demon child and yet was using her purification, and it didn't seem to affect the baby in the least. 'I didn't expect that.'

  With her same sweet smile, but eyes that would have killed him ten times over, Yokiyo met the falcon's eyes as she took a deep breath. "My Lord I must ask that you do not try such a thing again. However small the intent, it does show a lack of good manners and respect for my mate in his own home to attempt to touch his mate without first asking. Please do try and remember that while you are here."

  Blinking, Sanzo could only look at her before he smiled as he gave her another bow. "Of course My Lady." But then the scent of Kiyoshi's blood hit his nose. Not something that he was used to smelling. Looking out the corner of his eyes he saw where the blood was dripping from his fist where he dug his claws into the palm of his hands. The other side of the room and Umarus already had his hand on his sword. Back to Kiyoshi and he could see it in his eyes. He was fighting with the urge to transform and bite him in half. 'Well the bond is for sure there. And she is pregnant after all. That means I know exactly what I am going to do. Though I am sure Ayame will hate me for this she will get over it.'

  Turning back to Yokiyo he once again gave a flamboyant bow. "I am truly sorry My Lady. I merely wished to see your beautiful face as I talked with you." When the growls still didn't stop he stood up and laughed. "However I do see you are busy here so I will take my leave with your mate and see you later tonight again. For the evening meal perhaps?"

  With a nod, Yokiyo's smile and eyes were both sweet as she laughed. "Very well My Lord." But then she turned to Kiyoshi with hard eyes. "Though there is one thing that you can help me with while you are here." She then pointed to the seamstress as she growled. "She won't make what I want her too."

  Walking into the room to stand next to his mate, Kiyoshi tried to focus on the seamstress but kept his eyes on the bird. He couldn't believe he thought he could actually touch her! With him standing right there! But he was thankful as he relaxed nearly instantly as she laid a gentle hand on his shoulder. His eyes fully on the seamstress now he arched an eyebrow. "What is the problem with what she wants?"

  With her nose nearly touching the floor, the seamstress let out a very small sigh. "My Lord I am trying to explain how it is tradition to wear the formal seven-layer kimono for the presentation of a new Lady of the South."

  "My mother did not wear one."

  "But My Lord….."

  Growling and making the seamstress tensed he glared down at her as he crossed his arms. "You are to make exactly what she wants and how."

  "Yes My Lord."

  A smile to Kiyoshi, Yokiyo then looked at the seamstress with a hard glare. "Not only are you going to make my outfit how I want it, but Imae's as well. I will tell you the colors and exactly how I want it made."

  "As you wish My Lady."

  As he left the room Kiyoshi sighed as he and Sanzo hit the hall, a glance back behind him and Kamui was still with them. It was almost time for the evening meal and he had to get away from this bird for a while. The meal should be few, seeing as his father and Yukani stayed as far away from Yokiyo as they could. Looking back at Kamui he sighed. "Kamui amuse Sanzo for a while for me. I have something I need to take care of." Then he turned and was off back in the other direction.

  Looking at each other, then toward Kiyoshi, Sanzo turned back to Kamui and laughed as he put his hands behind his head with his typical toothy grin. "So when is the evening meal around here these days? I am starving."

  Laughing as he smiled and walked on with him Kamui nodded. "Indeed. Shall we go?"

  The Priestess and The Demon Chapter 74

  Opening the door to the dining hall, Sanzo gave Sorae a gracious smile as he did an extravagant bow and let his hair fall forward to touch the floor. "My Lady. It is always an honor to be in your presence."

  Smiling as she stood and gave a slight bow, Sorae laughed. "It is always nice to see you as well Sanzo." Then she gave him an odd look as he stood up. "However where is your sister? I can't see her not coming to something like this."

  Going on in the room and sitting at the table Sanzo half laughed. "Well let's just say that we had a little disagreement on the way here, over why I am here. She is with Atsana and will be here in a few days. Nothing to worry about though, we will work it out in time and be right as rain again."

  "That is good."

  Turning his gold eyes to the small human girl next to her, he blinked to see the mirrored emotionless mask that Kiyoshi always had. Blinking he then smiled as he leaned on the table. "You must be the young princess Lady Imae. It is an honor as well. I am…."

  "Sanzo,
Lord of the East."

  Blinking again, Sanzo was baffled at the way this little girl acted. A small human, normally would be terrified. Yes she acted better than most of the demon children he has met in ages. "That is right. But you don't have to call me Lord. Just call me Sanzo alright?"

  Though before anyone could say anything, the doors opened and they turned to see that Kiyoshi was walking in alone rubbing his temples. Giving him an odd look Sorae blinked. "Where is she?"

  "Getting sick again."

  Her eyes taking on a true look of concern, Sorae sighed as she stood. "I will go and check on her." Then she left her son, granddaughter and Sanzo to go and see about the miko. They were going to be the only ones there, seeing as Kamui was still working on getting Yukani to come around, and Kurosai never left their room. 'I do hope this works out for everyone in time.'