Twelve Lords

by Max Jager

  Releasing her mouth, Kiyoshi lifted her and went back to the bed laying her down next to Katana, and the moving around to lay next to Kiara. Both of them smiling as the pups kept their hands together, but moved closer to them at the same time.

  "Kiyoshi." When he looked at her, Yokiyo held her hand up and smiled. With a content sigh as he reached out and wove his fingers between hers and then they laid them over the pups. "At least we have one more night with them before we have to leave. Kiara is probably going to be a mess tomorrow night and try to stay up as long as she can."

  "She will be fine." Kiyoshi then methodically began to rub his thumb up and down on her own. "Sleep now."

  "Right." Settling in as she sighed with a small smile. She hadn't told him this in a long time, and even though he didn't always say it back to her, she could always feel the love for her as he looked up at her after she would say it. "I love you."

  Opening his eyes, Kiyoshi smiled as he took a deep breath and sighed it out. "I did not think it was possible at first. However, I do." Looking down at the pups, then back to her, Kiyoshi moved his hand from hers for a second as he reached up and cupped her face. "I love you."

  Smiling as they joined hands again, Yokiyo slowly let her eyes drift close. If not for the threat of looming war this would have been a perfect moment for her.

  A New Heir Chapter 102

  After a long day of visiting with the newest pack member, Yokiyo once again found herself sitting in her room. Watching as Kiara and Katana played and giggled on the bed. But this wasn't like any other night. Tonight, she was leaving once they were sleeping. They would wake up without her there. She didn't like that at all. But, like Kiyoshi told her. Once this is dealt with, peace will reign and she won't have to worry about it again. 'It helps but not fully. I just wish this part of our bond never happened.'

  Moving to stand behind her, Kiyoshi sighed as he wrapped his arms around her waist and dropped his forehead to rest on the back of her head. "Regret again?"

  "Not really regret." Leaning fully into his arms she sighed. "More like just wishing this part of our bond wasn't there. I love getting to watch them grow up and see them with kids of their own. But I hate leaving them for even a second."

  "As do I. However with the situation there is no way around it." Kiyoshi turned his eyes to Kiara as she moved to the edge of the bed along with Yokiyo. "Kiara?"

  Her eyes full of worry, Kiara took a deep breath. She knew this wasn't like her. She always wanted to be the shadow of either her father or Imae, but this was them leaving. To fight in a demon war. She was terrified that even with as strong as they were that they might not come home. "I just…" Dropping her eyes as her shoulders slumped. "Make sure you come home."

  Her heart breaking, Yokiyo moved from Kiyoshi's arms and sat on the bed hugging her daughter as he moved to get their son. "Oh honey you don't have to worry about that one. Motoichi is no match for your father, I will be with Emiko, and dozens of demons from the army handpicked by your father and Umarus themselves. We are going to be just fine and come home to you and your brother as soon as we can. I promise."

  Relenting with it just them, Kiara let a few tears fall as she clung to her mother and hid her face. "But nothing is certain in war. I….."

  "Kiara."

  Looking up as her father came to stand before them with her brother in his arms, she blinked to see the stern look on his face. "Father?"

  Handing Katana down to his daughter he sighed as he crossed his arms. "I will not be taken down by Motoichi. With the South, West, East and Tikae working along with us, victory is a promise. Your mother will not be harmed, I will see to that personally. And besides you have other things you must do while we are gone, other than worry about your parents."

  Blinking as she dropped her head to the side, Kiara just looked at him. What did she have to do while they were gone? "But what is that Father? What could I have to do while you are not here?"

  "Imae is mated to Sanzo now. She is not only our daughter, but she is also now officially Lady of the East. But she will be at war with us. Grandfather is going with us as well. That leaves you to make sure that things run like they should. Grandmother knows some, but you know more about the ins and outs, security as well as rounds." Taking a deep breath as he closed his eyes, Kiyoshi shifted his stance so that he was standing more on one leg. "You have to be in charge of the South, and your brother while we are gone."

  Yokiyo smiled as she watched her daughter's eyes get bigger and bigger with each word she said. Everyone knew that either Sorae or Umarus would assume the role of someone who would make sure the South was run properly and took care of. But to think that it was up to her, it would give Kiara something to do while they were gone. "That's right. I never thought about that honey. You are going to be the eldest child of the Lord here. You get the leadership role instantly. You can do it right?"

  Looking at her father, down at her brother, into her mother's eyes, and then back to her father, she smiled brightly as she gave a sharp nod. "I can do it. I will make sure everything is done while you are gone." But then her eyes turned sad. "Do you know how long it will be?"

  "We are hoping no more than a couple of months." Reaching out and resting his hand on his daughter's head Kiyoshi sighed. "We march tonight, and will be to the valley in three days give or take and set up camps while we wait for Motoichi. He should get there give or take about a month after we do. Then it is just waiting to see who is going to start the war."

  "I see….ouch Katana no! Not my hair!" Kiara then growled at the laugh of her parents as her mother got his hands free of her hair. "It is not funny."

  Handing Katana back to Kiyoshi, Yokiyo reached out and started to tickle Kiara as they fell back on the bed, Kiara not being able to hold the giggles in. "Oh yes it is. My little sugar."

  "Don't call me that Mama!" Kiara wiggled as she tried to push her mother's hands away from her. She would no sooner get her moved from one spot and she found another spot that tickled her. When she just wouldn't stop, Kiara finally just gave in. "Alright! It's funny! It's funny!"

  Laughing as she stopped tickling her, Yokiyo sighed. "Alright then. It's late as it is and you two need to get in bed and go to sleep." Standing and taking her boy from Kiyoshi, she watched as Kiara moved to the middle of the bed, right next to her father. Laying Katana down next to her, Yokiyo then laid down in the bed same time as Kiyoshi. "Alright my pups. Close your eyes and go to sleep. I love you." She then leaned over and kissed Katana on the forehead, and then the same to Kiara.

  Reaching over, Kiyoshi sighed as he touched each head. Then let his eyes focus on his mate as worry and sadness washed over him. Kiara curled over in a ball, one hand reaching out and grabbing Katana's hand, and the other fidgeted around until she had a fist full of black and white hair as she settled in under the blanekts.

  Yokiyo couldn't help but smile as tears streamed down her face. Soon as he was curled up with his sister, holding her hand, Katana's eyes were already heavy. Kiara had hers closed, but her breathing was still heavy right now. She would wait for Kiyoshi's cue to move when he knew from her heart beat that she was sleeping.

  X

  Looking up as they waited in the hall, Kurosai stood with Sorae and Umarus. As the door opened he sighed to see that Yokiyo was already in his son's arms. "They will be fine."

  Moving to touch Yokiyo's back, Sorae smiled as she fought back her own tears as Yokiyo looked at her. "I know I am not Mama, but I will take the best care of them. Alright?"

  "Thank you Sorae."

  Kiyoshi then watched as Umarus followed his mother into the room and slid the door shut after he got one last glimpse of his now sound asleep pups. Turning to his father he sighed. "Imae and Sanzo?"

  "They are already outside the palace gates with the entire Eastern Army ready to move." Laughing as they headed down the hall, Kurosai rubbed the back of his neck. "Though most of them don't know what to think of her, a few couldn't care less, and there are the hate
looks."

  Closing his eyes as they turned a hall, Kiyoshi sighed. "They would be foolish to say or do anything to her."

  "Agreed." Looking up as the exited the main door to the palace Kurosai looked up to see the gate open, with Imae, Sanzo, Soichiro, and Shone all waiting on them. "Looks like we have a welcoming party."

  "Indeed." Reaching everyone, Kiyoshi only nodded as his eyes met the worried eyes of his daughter. "Imae?"

  Her eyes still on her mother, Imae smiled as she nodded. "I have already had the Southern Army ready to march. They are just on the other side of the palace walls between us and the Western Army. Sanzo got the East and Shone the West. Everyone is ready."

  "Good. We leave at once. The sooner we get this done the sooner we can come home." Kiyoshi then walked through them and at a rather fast clip began the march North. With the other Lords, his father and daughter falling in on either side of him, and the massive forces behind them. It was finally time to avenge the deaths of Chirio and Hiro. Give Soichiro his rightful place as Lord of the North, and then go home.

  X

  Settling in next to Katana, Sorae sighed as she watched them sleep. Umarus in a chair between them and the door, and Yoite already under the window where Kiyoshi told him to stay at night. But just as she let her eyes start to close, she heard the door open and looked up to see Yukani coming in. "Yukani? Why are you in here? We told you yesterday that you didn't have too with a new pup."

  Looking behind her as Kamui walked in as well, Yukani laughed as she and her daughter went to the other side of the bed. She sat down and looked at her niece and nephew then her mother. "I know that Mama but we promised Kiara that while they were gone, we would both sleep in here. Kamui came in with me and will be next to the bed and I will keep her between me and him. It's alright."

  "But you are both new parents and…" But seeing the look in Kamui's face as he moved another chair over to sit right next to the bed she sighed. "You really should just be the three of you."

  Looking over at his sleeping daughter as Yukani laid down, Kamui reached out and gently touched her head. "It is alright Sorae. I am here with them, and sleeping there isn't much bonding going on anyway. Besides, as Yokiyo always says. The more the merrier."

  Opening his eyes for a moment, Umarus looked at the bed and then smiled. That bed once belonged to Kento and Miyu. Then Kurosai and Sorae. Now Kiyoshi and Yokiyo. And one day, it will also belong to Katana and whomever he mates and so on. And right now, there were three generations in the bed all at once. 'Two dog demons birthed by a miko, a dog demon born like her father's wolf blood with no markings. This pack as truly taken an unpredictable path Kento. Though I know you approve of them fully.' He then let out a sigh as he closed his eyes and saw flashes of Kento and Miyu before they left for the Southern Shores, the last time that he would see them alive. 'And just like I promised you before you left that day to watch over Kurosai. I will watch over and protect all other generations that come following my friend.'

  A New Heir Chapter 103

  Blinking her eyes, Kiara yawned as she sat up and stretched her arms over her head. Looking around the room she sighed as she let her eyes half close. They were still in her parents room, but her grandmother, Umarus and even Yukani, Kamui and Koto were in the room with her. But everyone was still sleeping.

  Movement next to her made her smile as she remembered what her father told her. She had to make sure she took care of the South, and her brother. Reaching over Kiara lifted her brother from the bed to her lap where she pulled a ring of giggles from him as she made faces at him.

  Movement in her arms, and the giggling behind her, Yukani opened her eyes to see sky blue eyes looking up at her. "You know what. I swear all three of you are just like Kiyoshi. Up at dawn." Sitting up, she smiled at Kamui and handed him their daughter so she could stretch and yawn. "It is far too damn early to be awake yet."

  "Watch your mouth Yukani!" Sitting up herself, Sorae crossed her arms at her daughter. "Really there are pups in the room?"

  Looking at her mother's glare, Yukani laughed as she stood then took Koto back from her mate. "What? Mama please. They live with Umarus, so I know they have heard way worse than that. And that will include Koto as she grows so you can't use her right now either."

  Taking a deep breath, Sorae shook her head as she stood up and then reached out and lifted Katana into her arms. "Really Yukani? How about you just humore your mother and no more of that before the pups?"

  Scooting over to the edge of the bed, Kiara sat there for a moment as she quickly ran her fingers through her hair and then braided it. "Grandmother. Do you really think that they will be back before Aunt Zokeni has her baby? Or do you think it will take longer than that?"

  Smiling as she headed out of the room with Umarus, Sorae looked at Kiara as she sighed. "I certainly hope it does not take that long at all. Your mother I am sure can't wait to get home and see you, your brother, your new cousin. And see the birth of another cousin." Stopping at Kiara's bedroom door, Sorae sighed. "I know I for one will be glad when all this is over with. Then the only one who could give us trouble would be Kenji and Shinra."

  Nodding as she slid her door open, Kiara left it open a little as she raced in her room and got her some clothes out. Changing she gave a quick look in the mirror then joined her mother, as Yukani, Kamui, Senri and Zokeni all joined them and headed for the dining hall. But her mood changed as she narrowed her eyes with a growl. Hiroko, Kisa and Sume were already there. But they were all in the wrong seats, and she wasn't going to just let this go either. Not where they were.

  Her head tall, she moved in front of her grandmother and went to stand behind Kisa as she kept her father's blank face. "I ask that the three of you move. Down to the midways of the table. Now."

  Giving the smaller pup a glare with a slight growl in her groan, Hiroko leaned her head on the table. "It is too early to be awake right now. And besides pup it is just a dining table where we eat. What does it even matter where we sit anyway?"

  Crossing her arms as Kiara growled and glared hard at the wolf pup. "Because simply put your mother is in my mother's seat. Your father is in my father's seat, and you are in my seat. With my mother not here, my grandmother will take her seat as she feeds my brother. I will sit in my own seat. Aunt Yukani and Koto will sit next to me, next to her will be Uncle Kamui. On the other side of the table will be Lady Yuriko, Isami, Nyoko, Chiren, Aunt Zokeni and Uncle Senri. Any other seats are free for you to sit in. Now move."

  Not letting anything stifle his words, Sume glared at the little bitch of a pup that dared to glare at his daughter. Closing his eyes, he sighed. "Just move Hiroko. Let the spoiled little half-blood princess have her way so she can think she is someone better than she is." But just as he reached his feet he gasped as a fist collided with his face, a fraction of a second later a foot in his stomach. The force sent him flying backwards and through the wall. On his feet, Sume growled as he watched his mate and daughter rush to him. "Who in the hell did that?"

  Now standing back to back, Kamui and Senri both growled as they crossed their arms. Both with a look that could kill for the wolf. Pointing at him, Senri narrowed his eyes. "If you ever speak to our niece like that again you bastard…"

  Not hiding the growl in his voice at all, Kamui finished Senri's thought. "You will not leave this palace alive. Understood?"

  Her amethyst eyes full of worry as she clung to her father, Hiroko was shaking. She never seen that happen to him before. "Papa?"

  Not understanding at all the assault on her mate for the feelings he has a right to have if he wishes, Kisa touched his other arm. "Are you alright Sume?"

  Growling as he glared with the two, Sume was livid right now but it wasn't the time to act. "Clear." Turning to his daughter then his mate he nodded as he put himself between them and the rest as they sat down and moved to the far other end of the table. 'Just you wait. All of you.'

  Smiling now the seats were empty, Kiara took her place alo
ng with everyone else that was there. "Much better."

  Now standing behind the women, Yoite turned his hard glare softer as he looked down at Kiara, as everyone else piled around them at the table. He and Umarus talked with Kiyoshi and Yokiyo just before they left, and had something that would make at least Kiara a very happy little pup while they were gone. But had to wait until she at least started eating.

  Looking as the food was bright in, Sorae blinked to see that not everyone ws there. "Everyone is not here right now? where are Ayame, Yuriko, Isami, Emiko, Nyoko and Chiren?"

  Walking in with a sigh, Yuriko smiled to Sorae. "We are here. Isamu hates mornings and it took me forever to get him up and going." She then reached down and pulled a very grumpy looking isamru behind her. She was followed in by Emiko, Chiren and Nyoko. Taking a seat across from Sorae, Yuriko sighed. "We stopped to get Ayame as well, but she wants to remain in her room and as she put it, 'respectfully' requests that her meals be sent to her room."