Twelve Lords

by Max Jager

  "I doubt that." Then without warning, Motoichi charged Kiyoshi, forcing demons from both sides to jump clear of the hundred foot circle as the battle between the two was underway.

  X

  Stopping in the middle of practice, Kiara turned wide eyes toward the North as she froze. She could feel something was happening. She figured that finally the battle must have started. 'Mama. Papa. Imae. Be safe.' "It started."

  Giving her an odd look, Umarus crossed his arms as he blinked at the pup. "What are you talking about it started? What started?"

  Looking up at him, Kiara had a stern face with a worried look in her eyes. "Mama thinks that I will have her feelings when I grow up maybe. Because I get some feelings sometimes but not like her."

  "I see." Taking a deep breath as she looked toward the North. "And your feeling now?"

  Looking back toward the North now, Kiara was more than a little worried about her mother, father and sister. She could only hope now that they were all going to be alright and come home safe. "I just got worried right now. I can't pinpoint things like Mama can. So I guess it mean that the fighting started today."

  "You may be right about that. I don't see your father and grandfather waiting too long to get the fight started." He then turned to her with a smile as he winked at now a third generation of dogs. "And knowing the both of them, they will get it done and come home as soon as they can to you and your brother. Come let's show them what you can learn in the time they are gone."

  Turning and taking her stance, Kiara nodded as she smiled a rare, but true smile. "Right."

  X

  With a glare on her face, Yokiyo stood her ground as the leopard female came over the edge of the cliff and slid to a stop before her. The men there with her, quickly dealing with the ones that came with her. "You are Rinako I take it?"

  A hiss and a snarl, Rinako glared at this human wench before her. "Do not dare speak my name in such a formal way you filthy human bitch. I am here for but one reason and one reason alone. Your head will roll with your mate's for allowing him to take the life of my son! His will roll for the act of doing so!"

  Glaring and forcing even Emiko to leave her side, Yokiyo let her purification snap to a hundred percent around her. "Wait what? Did you really think that we were just going to let him kill all three of our children and not do anything? I mean you can't really be that stupid can you?"

  "Silence!" Rinako pulled her own sword out and took up her defense position. "I do not need to explain anything more to someone who is as low as you are. For the memory of my son, and the sake of a son I will have in the future, you will die here. I will take your life. Right now!"

  Pulling her own sword out, Yokiyo took up her own position as her eyes narrowed at the leopard. However she was focused on what could happen, in her mind she couldn't help but remember what happened the day her son was born, and the conversation with Kiara.

  *START FLASHBACK*

  "But Mama what will happen if you do have a boy?" Kiara gave her mother an annoyed look. She has been asking this and no one wants to give her a straight answer.

  Blinking, Yokiyo just looked at her. "And again what are you talking about that for? I have told you, your Father, sister and everyone else. You are not going to be fighting anyone so if that is what you are thinking just get it right out of your head right now young lady."

  With a groan, Kiara rolled her eyes as she crossed her arms and glared up at her mother. She then let her eyes soften as she moved her arms and laid a hand on her stomach with a sigh. "I heard you and Father talking today, and that you could give birth any day now."

  "That's right."

  With wide and innocent eyes that held nothing but truth in them, Kiara let her head fall to the side as she blinked at her. "And I just want to know everything that is going to happen if I have a brother. That way, one day I can use that when you and Father don't live here anymore and help my brother with everything. Even when he has a son with defense."

  Smiling, Yokiyo reached out and pulled her little girl into a hug and let her head fall down on Kiara's. She got her again. "How about this Sugar. We will tell you everything that is going to happen coming up, after I do give birth and we see if you have a brother or a sister? Sound fair?"

  With a smile as she wiggled out of her mother's arms, Kiara nodded. "And you stop calling me Sugar."

  "That is never going to happen Kiara." Yokiyo then laughed at her daughter's horrified look. But as she started to stand up off the bed she stopped once she was up and let a hand go to the underneath of her stomach. It hurt. But when it passed quickly she shook it off and started to walk on, but half way across the floor she froze as she grabbed her stomach and bent over. "Oh man."

  Flinching with terrified eyes, Kiara ran to her mother. "Mama what is it? Is something wrong?"

  Shaking her head no, Yokiyo looked up at her daughter and smiled as she winked. "Honey I will be fine I promise. Don't worry. But right now I need you to use that demon speed you got and get your grandmother. It is time to have the baby and see if you got a little brother or a little sister."

  "Right!" Kiara then turned and rushed off in a streak of black, out the door and down the hall. "Grandmother! Grandmother!"

  X

  Much later in the night, Yokiyo found herself once again settled in Kiyoshi's arms as he carried her back to their room where their pups were sleeping under the watchful eyes of Sorae and Kurosai. With her arms wrapped fully around his neck, Yokiyo let her head fall to his shoulder as she let out a content sigh.

  "What was that for?"

  Closing her eyes as she laughed, Yokiyo just smiled. "I am content. I have a mate that makes me happy every single day. I have the two most wonderful, beautiful and smart daughters that anyone could ask for. And now I have the most handsome son that anyone has ever seen. I am just happy with my life and fully content."

  Smiling as they walked back in his room, he nodded to his parents who quickly left after a quick kiss from his mother to his children in the bed. Standing her on her feet at the end of the bed, he then turned to get her a dry yukata to wear.

  Looking down at the scene in her bed, Yokiyo couldn't help but smile sweetly at them both. Her two youngest children, curled up with each other facing each other. Kiara had her arm draped over Katana, and he had his hand wrapped around one of her fingers. She let a tear run down her face as Katana moved and rolled closer to his sister, his hand landing on her cheek. "Oh my."

  Turning back at the smell of her tears, Kiyoshi came up behind her and gave her an odd look as he slipped her robe off and her yukata on her from behind. "What is it?"

  Pointing to the bed, Yokiyo never moved her eyes from her pups. "Just look at that. So sweet."

  Wrapping his arms around her from behind, Kiyoshi smiled as he took a deep breath and sighed it out. "Indeed. They have already bonded close with each other. Much like Yukani and I did."

  "And Senri and I." with a small laugh she leaned her head back on his shoulder and let her hands fall on his arms around her waist. "My family."

  END FLASHBACK

  Hardening her glare as she forced her purification to go even higher, Yokiyo stood her ground. The image of that night seared in her mind. "You have it wrong you bitch. I detest violence. I hate killing anything without reason. But protecting my kids is the best reason that I have. I will kill anyone I have to kill to make sure they stay safe!"

  Throwing her arm to the side, Rinako snarled. "Your mongrel brats are nothing! After we defeat you here, we will go to the South. I will take much pride in separating their heads from their bodies!"

  "You bitch!"

  X

  With a growl, Motoichi once again found himself being sent flying backwards by Kiyoshi yet again. 'Damnit. How can he be this strong? How is he doing this?' "You son of a bitch. It doesn't matter. I won't leave this valley without your headed mounted on a steak!"

  "Not." Though just as both readied to lunge again they stopped with a flinch when the
y heard the tormented sounds of a woman ring out across the battle field. Causing more than a few fights to stop and turn toward the miko. When he himself looked, Kiyoshi smiled and swelled with pride. There standing, a little out of breath be it, was Yokiyo. The armor that Rinako had been wearing laying on the ground with dust blowing in the wind. Turning back to the snarling Motoichi he kept his smile as his eyes narrowed. "See."

  Snarling at the miko, Motoichi was breathing hard. "You bitch! You're dead!" He then flinched and shot off right for her. He never cared about anyone before in his life. He did not think he was capable of love. But then Rinako. She was his perfect match in all ways. The one being in the world other than his son he actually loved. And now thanks to the miko she was gone! Now he was going to return the favor!

  Seeing him move, Kiyoshi flinched as he transformed and lunged, smacking Motoichi with his head and sent him flying backwards away from Yokiyo with a snarl as he bared his teeth. He wasn't going to get close to her. Not now or ever.

  "You both will pay for this you bastard!" Motoichi then lunged off the side of the cliff where he landed and transformed as he went straight for Kiyoshi. Sending demons from both sides jumping and running out of the way as the collided and began rolling. Each one trying to get a bite in as they scratched each other.

  X

  Feeling the rage from her mate, Yokiyo had wide eyes as she caught her breath. "Be careful."

  Stepping up next to her finally, Emiko smiled as she touched her back. "He will be fine Yokiyo. You will see."

  X

  On the ground now, Imae and Sanzo worked together and once again laid waste to another few dozen leopards that had nothing but judgement for her being human. Glaring as she put her hands on her hips, Imae growled. "I swear I hate being judged because I am human! It drives me insane!"

  Breathing hard himself, Sanzo stood next to her with a bright smile. "But that doesn't make it as much fun for me I'll have you know. I love seeing you so mad like that. You are simply adorable angry."

  Turning her glare on him, Imae crossed her arms with a growl. "Really Sanzo? We are in the middle of a demon war and you are talking like that."

  Laughing as he leaned closer to her, Sanzo smiled. "See that right there. Just adorable." Lowering his voice he winked at her. "It kinda makes me want to steel you away and go find a waterfall."

  Stomping her foot, Imae closed her eyes with another growl. "I swear. There is a time and place for such things and this isn't the nor is it the place for it. I really got my hands full now."

  Though before either one could react, they heard a woman's scream and looked up to where her mother was. She had won her fight and Rinako was gone. Seeing the proud look on her face Imae gave a nod. "Go Mama." But the sudden surge of power, and the rumbling under her feet, Imae turned in time to see a leopard Motoichi and her father in dog form righting hard. Turning back to her mother she paled. "Mama….."

  Without thought, Imae ran through the battle field, taking out leopards as she went. She whistled for Ryu but he wasn't coming. He could hear her wherever he was. Looking at Sanzo as he came up next to her she glared. "I need to get to Mama fast!"

  "Alright. She won. Why are we going to her?" But then Sanzo flinched at the glare that leapt into her eyes.

  Growling, Imae saw him flinch. "Don't you remember what happened with Reijiro? Motoichi will run at some point. Father will chase. And what will happen to Mama?"

  Gasping as his eyes went wide, Sanzo nearly forgot about that little detail. "Right." He then flung her on his back and took to the sky, headed right for Yokiyo.

  A New Heir Chapter 107

  Snarling and hissing, Motoichi tried to get ahold of this dogs neck. Anywhere on his neck! Break his spine, rip his throat out. But he just couldn't get a bite! 'What in the hell is going on here? Where did all this strength and fury come from in him? I have to get him off of me so I can get a pounce in!' Finally he was able to get all his paws on Kiyoshi's underbelly, and gave a mighty push and sent him flying back. Looking around as he jumped to his feet, Motoichi narrowed his eyes at Kiyoshi, then he was gone. His mate was gone. His brother and Tikae turned on him. Most of his army was gone. This battle was not going to end well for him.

  Racing toward the Northern Palace he narrowed his eyes. 'I have to get to the palace. Now! They can't take it and fortify it! Hopefully he stays true to dog instinct and won't leave that human to come after me.'

  Flexing every muscle in his body, Kiyoshi leapt after him and gave chase. Even if it too a solid year to get Yokiyo back to normal after this, he would do it. Keeping pace with him, he was waiting for that snap in his head to attack. That extra fury and rage would make sure that Motoichi was gone and his pack was safe.

  X

  Her eyes bulging out of her head, Yokiyo tensed. He was going to give chase. The further away they were, the more ferocious he was. "Emiko I need to head down. I need to find Kurosai or Imae to take me home. Now!"

  Blinking as she turned and gave chase after the miko, Emiko was confused. "What?"

  Already racing down the path to get off the cliff she was on, Yokiyo was frantic to get to someone. Just as she reached the bottom of the cliff she turned and looked at her. "He is going to go past that point I know he will. The further away I get the more ferocious he will be. I need…." But then she gasped a she fell to her hands and knees, tears streaming out her eyes. "No….."

  Flinching as the demons guarding her moved faster past her, Emiko noticed a leopard running right for the miko. "No Yokiyo look up!"

  Looking up and to the side to see a demon rushing her, Yokiyo glared and tried to use her purification to put up a barrier, but nothing. Bracing herself for the pain that would come, she closed her eyes. 'Damnit!'

  "Get the hell away from my mother!"

  Looking up, Yokiyo relaxed as much as she could to see Imae and Sanzo there. Her eyes rolling in the back of her head, Yokiyo fell to the side as she curled into a ball and sobbed.

  Sliding to a stop next to her mother, Imae dropped to her knees next to her. Worry clear on her face. "Mama are you alright?"

  Nodding, Yokiyo couldn't stop the sobs. The pain in her chest was strong this time. "I….home….take…..me…home."

  With a sigh as Emiko let her mother cling to her, Imae knew what her mother was thinking. But just as she opened her mouth to tell her that it wasn't a good idea and they couldn't take her home just yet, she had a sense of fear and rage shoot up her spine. Someone was watching them. Someone that had ill intentions, not to kill, but not good either.

  Standing now she tensed as she scanned the bodies that littered the ground. The battle was basically over. A few hours on one day and it was done. But this wasn't because of the war. It was different. Much different."

  "Imae?"

  Hearing her grandfather say her name, Imae didn't move as she kept her eyes moving. "Someone is watching us. I know this feeling. I have felt it before. I just can't remember when." Turning to her grandfather. "Are there any smells you know but haven't smelled since before Kiara was born close to us?"

  Seeing the look on her face, Kurosai knew something was going on. Imae didn't play like this. Closing his eyes, Kurosai focused on the scents around. "I don't Imae." Opening his ice blue eyes to glare into her chocolate, he was now tense himself. "What is going on?"

  Feeling Ryu land on her shoulder with a hiss as he snarled his lip, Imae nodded. Ryu felt the same thing. "Someone is hunting. I can feel it. Not to kill us, but nothing good either. I know I felt this before but I just can't remember when I did!"

  Closing her eyes, Imae took a deep breath as she went over every scary moment in her life. When her parents were killed by demons? Nope. When the mikos kept trying to force her father to send her away? Nope. When Akahito took her to the forest to let her die? Nope, not that either.

  But then the next time she was scared made her gasp as her eyes go wide. "That's it. It has to be that! He is here!"

  "Who is here Imae?" Kurosai gl
anced down at Yokiyo, and then toward where his son left from. He would have to be gone now.

  "Hachiro." Hearing the catch in her mother's voice even through the sobs, Imae glanced down at her mother and how she was tense now. "Mother wasn't fond of Hachiro and how he was. It made her nervous so Father sent him away. He came back during Mama's presentation for her, and that was when I felt this last." Turning her eyes to her grandfather she took a deep breath. "I know it is him."

  Moving to stand right behind Emiko and Yokiyo, Kurosai growled. "I remember him. But I don't smell him anywhere near this place Imae. Are you sure…."

  Gripping her katanas hard, Imae glared. "I know it's him!"

  Reaching out, Sanzo grabbed a tiger demon and hissed. "You stay right here until I get back. Anyone moves you, you die." He then took to the air and scanned everything he could see. He didn't anyone that was alive that he couldn't place scent wise. And he knew who he was.