Twelve Lords

by Max Jager

  Closing his eyes, Torakus focused on his nose. Glaring as he hissed, he opened his gold eyes and looked to the right with Katana. "Why in the hell are they here? No humans come on this mountain. The only human on this mountain ever was Kaori, Shian's mother."

  "I don't know." Turning to face to the right, Katana growled as he narrowed his eyes. "But considering your feeling and the fact they shouldn't be here, we should go and check it out and see what is going on."

  Nodding Torakus looked at Kiara. "Stay with them and we will be right back." When he got a nod, he followed Katana as they weaved through the brush until they got closer to the humans. Though once they were half way to them, Torakus stopped with a gasp as his eyes went wide. "What the hell?"

  Turning to him, Katana gave him an odd look. "Torakus what is it?"

  "They have her! They have Shian with them!" His gold eyes pools of pure rage, Torakus fisted his hands at his side as he glared into his uncle's eyes. "I knew something was wrong with her. I knew it. The half demon, her tears. There is no way that she would be with humans without Yusuke. None. That's her Katana."

  Looking toward the humans, and then back toward the others Katana sighed. "Then we will need to get her away from them. I will go get the others and throw together a plan real fast. You go on and find her."

  "Right." Torakus then went on closer to the humans. Once he was near the camp, he jumped up in a tree to hide and look for Shian. 'Just hurry Katana. They look like they are getting ready to leave. Damnit! Where are you Shian?'

  His eyes scanning the camp, Torakus knew he had to find her. She was crying. She was terrified. Her heart was racing. Seeing humans carring something out of a large tent he focused on them. But when they moved away from hit, the rage in him flew out of control. His heart broke to see how scared she was. Sitting in a cage no bigger than that for a dog. 'Damn them! Just hold on Shian. I am coming for you. Just a little longer and I will get you I promise.'

  X

  Looking around as she cried, Shian watched everyone around her packing up. The cage was stronger than it looked like and she couldn't just break it. She has tried many times. And to make matters worse, once dawn peeked, she would turn human. And be that way for two full days. She didn't know what to do to get away from them.

  Jumping when a dog growled at her as it walked past, Shian moved to the very back of the cage. Feeling the hopelessness of the situation, Shian put her head down so no one could see her cry anymore. But soon as she took a deep breath her eyes went wide as she tensed. It was Torakus! And he was close! Her nose was always the firs thing to go when she turned human, but he was close enough that she could smell him. She just knew he would come for her if he smelled her.

  Hugging her knees to her as she started to shake violently, Shian squeezed her eyes as tightly shut as she could. 'Please Torakus smell me! Please. Help me!'

  X

  With a glare, Sanzo fell from the sky and transformed as he landed on a thick branch. It takes three days normally to get to Yusuke, even for him flying. This was the exact path that Torakus knew and yet nothing. "I don't get it Atsana. There is not a track, no scents, nothing. And he doesn't know any other way up. It is like they just vanished somehow."

  With his own arms crossed, Atsana looked around as he sighed. "If they are going up this to check on her, and no signs here, they had to have went a different way up. But then the question is, what way would he have gone. There are hundreds of up the mountain. They could still be circling around the mountain for all we know."

  Rubbing his temples, Sanzo sighed as he dropped his head. "You know I bet that is exactly what he did. And knowing him it was all to stop us from finding them so soon. He more than likely went up the other side but who knows. All six of them are too smart for their own damn good." With a sigh as he looked up at the top of the mountain Sanzo sighed. "And the more I think about it, the more I understand why he did. He was really worried about her. I don't condone it, but I understand it. I just hope that nothing bad has happened, or isn't going to happen."

  Looking on up the mountain, Atsana then turned a serious look to Sanzo. "My Lord, if I used my wind along with my falcon form I can make it to the half way point by nightfall. I will rest a few hours and then go on up to Yusuke. Hopefully they will be there, if not I know he will join in the search."

  Nodding Sanzo looked back toward the palace. "That's a good idea, go on and do it. I just hope that I don't have my head gone when Kiyoshi and Yokiyo get here to get the pups later."

  With a smile and a laugh, Atsana sighed. "That is a good point. I think that I may be safer on the mountain after all. And bring them home tomorrow or the next day at the latest."

  With a nod Sanzo turned back to Atsana. "Be safe and fast." He then sighed as Atsana jumped into the air and flew off in a shot. This was one of the tallest mountains in the country. Where did he even start to look for six kids?

  Jumping in the air himself, Sanzo headed back toward the palace. He dreaded not having them with the emotional rollercoaster that Imae was already on, it would be even worse without the kids. He then shivered as he closed his eyes, he actually feared the reaction Yokiyo would have.

  X

  In a bush not far from where they kept Shian, Torakus looked from side to side as he narrowed his eyes. Everyone would use their arrows and speed back and forth to destroy a few things and release the horses that they had. While Hoshiko would focus her power in one arrow and blow the cage apart for him to get to Shian. "Everyone know their part?"

  Kiara kept her eyes darting back and forth, etching what they looked like and the symbols into her memory. She didn't want to forget who they were and where they came from in case they tried something like this again. "We got it Torakus. We cause the commotion as Hoshiko blows the cage apart. You dip in and get her and we head sideways around the mountain to the path they will be looking for us on."

  "Right." Torakus the poised himself to run as Hoshiko pulled her arrow back to focus energy in it. Once she nodded the arrows flew. Torakus though was on the back end of Hoshiko's as he went for Shian. 'I am coming.'

  Hearing everyone start yelling, Shian looked up and gasped to see a barrage of arrows flying around her. But let out a scared scream and a hiss when she felt the cage shake. Looking down at the ground she saw the arrow and knew it. "Hoshiko!"

  "Shian!"

  Hearing Torakus's voice, Shian looked up as he stopped next to the cage then let tears stream down her face as she lunged into his arms. "Torakus! You did know I was here! You did!"

  Hugging her for a second, Torakus smiled at her. "I know your scent anywhere. No way I was leaving you with them. But right now we have to go." He then grabbed her hand in his and started to run but looked back as arrows made the humans running at them stop. "Shian?"

  Her eyes pleading with him as she felt the big change, Shian was breathing hard. "I can't run like that Torakus. I can't." Grabbing his arm her ice blue eyes pleaded with his gold. "It's that time Torakus. Today!"

  Nodding as he smiled at her, Torakus wasted no time in lifting her in his arms and then racing back in the trees and past the others as they turned to follow. "Then I will carry you away."

  With her arms wrapped around his neck, Shian was still shaking. But at least she knew she was safe with him. "Thank you Torakus. Thank you so much."

  "I was coming to check on you I knew something was wrong. Don't worry about it." Looking to the side as Katana made his way to him, he glared. "Are we being followed by them?"

  Shaking his head Katana laughed. "No. They are still trying to figure out what happened I guess. No one is coming."

  With a sigh as he nodded, Torakus sat Shian down on her feet then side stepped as Hoshiko all but tackled her falling to the ground with her. That proved that he was right. He knew why he had such a bad feeling now. Seeing her in that cage set his blood boiling.

  Sitting up now as she kept her arms around her, Hoshiko had her own tears missing in her eyes. "Oh Shian what hap
pened? Why were you with them?"

  Clinging to Hoshiko, Shian couldn't stop her tears. "The humans they came….they came with eagles and attacked us. They killed everyone. They even killed…killed…..Papa!" She then dropped her head to Hoshiko's chest as she shook with sobs.

  Looking back toward where the humans were, Torakus hissed as he glared. But then turned softer eyes back to Shian. If he got the story from her now, then she wouldn't have to say it a million times. "Why did they take you with them Shian?"

  Trying to catch her breath for a few seconds, Shian then looked up at him. "To be a mate for a wolf in the west."

  Pulling gasps from everyone, even Kiara, Torakus felt the hair on his neck stand on end as his wind flared for a moment. "Did they say if this wolf was named Noke?" When she nodded, he hissed as the wind blew more. "Damn him!"

  Giving Torakus an odd look, Katana had his father's mask in place and full on work mode. "You know him?"

  Letting is wind die, Torakus nodded. "Yes and according to Mama, you, Kiara, Seiji and Santrix all met his mother in the West."

  Growling, Kiara glared. "Oh we met her. It was when Cho was born and she wanted Shone to betroth her to her son. But he wasn't there."

  With a nod, Torakus turned back to Kiara. "Well when that didn't work, Kaoru, her father and her son, Noke, came to the East and wanted to ask father to betroth Hoshiko to him. I made sure that wasn't going to work myself."

  Still holding onto Shian, Hoshiko looked up at her brother with an odd look as her head fell to the side. "Wait really? I don't remember any of that happening?"

  With a sigh as he forced himself to relax, Torakus shook his head. "You were only a month old at the time. But the real question is why they would take Shian for him? That is what I don't get right now. What would humans and eagles have to gain in doing something like this."

  Still shaking, and trying to stop crying, Shian stood up on shaky legs. "That was because of Mama."

  Looking back at her with shocked eyes, Torakus then gasped as he reached out and caught her as she started to fall. "Kaori? Why was she the reason?"

  Holding onto him as she held herself up, Shian half closed her eyes as she looked down at the ground. "Mama was a princess. The daughter of a Lord. But when she fell in love with Papa and left them to be with him, they were furious. Mama's father never got over it. Or her brother. They said that the Lord there now is actually her Great Nephew. He hated the 'disgrace' that Mama brought on his family too. The wolf who ordered it said that he would pay them in land and treasure to bring them a female to the West. They finally found Papa's strong hold. So they said I was perfect."

  "I see." Torakus looked toward the path that they needed. If they pushed, they would be able to get there by dark. Rest and then head down for home. "It is afternoon now. I know we are all tired but we got to keep going. Once we get to the path where we normally take to and from the top, someone will find us. No doubt either Father or Uncle Atsana."

  Groaning as she dropped her head then raised her hand, Hoshiko sighed. "I don't think that I will be able to do that Torakus. We just ran all night. I don't have the energy to go like that anymore."

  Nodding in full agreement, and still breathing heavy herself Santrix also raised her hand. "I second that notion. There is no way that I could make it like that Torakus. We got more stamina than humans, but not like demons either."

  With a sigh as he dropped his hands to his side, Katana closed his eyes. "I can carry them if you can manage her."

  Nodding as he looked down at Shian, Torakus sighed. "I will be fine with her."

  Glaring up at her uncle, Hoshiko crossed her arms. "You really think you can carry me and Santrix? Really?"

  Smiling as his energy whipped around, and then transforming into a giant dog about the size of a horse. Katana then turned to his niece as she glared even harder. "I can carry you like this and Seiji."

  Growling, Kiara crossed her arms. "I will be fine."

  With a sigh Seiji joined his sister and niece in getting on his brother's back. "Suit yourself if I don't have to run I am not."

  Lifting Shian in his arms, Torakus glared at them. "Just figure out who is doing what and let's go. I want to get as far as we can as fast as we can."

  Nodding Kiara turned to him and sighed. "Let's go."

  Dropping her head as she wrapped her arms around Torakus's neck, Shian let out a sigh. "I am sorry about this everyone."

  Giving her an odd look, Torakus blinked. "What in the world are you talking about Shian? You have absolutely nothing to be sorry about for anything that has happened."

  Hiding her face, Shian took a nervous breath then tensed as she pulsed a few times then her white hair turned black as she turned fully human. "I am sorry that I am a problem right now."

  Nodding to the others, Torakus took off in a mad run as they followed. "Shian don't you ever dare think that you are a problem for me or anyone here. Ever. Let's just go home and we can talk about that later."

  Branching Out Chapter 118

  Her eyes flying open, just as the sun reached it's peak in the sky, Yokiyo gasped as her heart started racing. Something wasn't right. "Oh man not this again!"

  Without even looking down at her, Kiyoshi sighed as he closed his eyes. He knew the tone of that voice. She had a feeling. Something she has had a lot of lately. "Who is it about?"

  Rubbing her temples, Yokiyo sighed. "The kids. Not just ours but Imae's too. Something is wrong with them."

  Looking down at her now, Kiyoshi was serious. "Dangerous or just off?"

  Looking up at him, Yokiyo sighed. "I don't know. Just off right now. It is like they are doing or have done something stupid that could be dangerous."

  "Right." Kiyoshi then urged his cloud to move faster. If she got a feeling and her heart raced and worry set in, they learned to go with it. And right now it had to do with not only their pups, but their grandchildren as well.

  As she started to feel the wind whip faster through her hair, Yokiyo put her face in his neck as she sighed. "I just hope that it is something they want to do and haven't done it yet."

  Rubbing her back, Kiyoshi sighed. "We shall know soon enough."

  Nodding as she took a deep breath, Yokiyo sighed. She hoped he was right. But this wasn't like the feeling she got about Kiara and Katana when they fought Motoichi. If it was that bad she would be a hysterical mess. She just hoped that it was kid stuff and nothing to do with anything that could threaten the peace they have had.

  X

  It was early evening by the time that Sanzo finally reached home. He could tell that Imae had finally calmed down some. At least until she realized that he was home and didn't have any of the kids with him. Falling toward the balcony to their room he transformed and landed just in time to look down into Imae's teary eyes. "Imae….."

  Grabbing his clothes as she started to shake and her heart raced, Imae was beside herself with worry as tears streamed down her face. "Why aren't they with you?"

  With a sigh, Sanzo could feel her hysteria climbing as he wrapped his arms around her and held her close. "We didn't see any sign of them going up the mountain the way that they should have gone to see Yusuke and Shian. That son of ours must have known a different way, or was hoping he could make one and went up a different path. Frankly I don't even know where to start looking next."

  Imae could feel the color drain from her face as she slumped against him and shook. "So what do we do now then? We have to find them, Mama and Father will be here soon too! I don't know what I am going to tell them! I don't know…"

  Moving her out of his arms, Sanzo gripped her upper arms as he gave her a small shake and a stern look. The hysteria was coming and he knew it. But she needed to stop this before she really lost it. "First of all Imae you need to calm down. You can't lose your head with Hajime. Second they are all well trained and stronger than they really should be. That mountain is not dangerous and they will be fine that way. Tomorrow morning, I am gathering my army and we a
re going to surround that mountain. Atsana went up to see if they made it to Yusuke. If in three days they aren't there, my entire army is going to tear that mountain apart. But you need to keep it together right now Imae."

  Breathing hard, Imae took a deep breath as she swallowed hard. She loved having chicks, but she hated the mood swings she would get for a few weeks after giving birth. She didn't know if it was the bond, or her body reacting to not having a chick anymore. Nodding, she took another deep breath. "You are right. I never thought that I would hate anything about having one of your chicks. But right now I do. I hate these mood swings I get."

  Looking over at his infant, and then to his confused sister and back down to his mate, Sanzo was more than a little confused about what she just said. "Wait what? Imae what in the world are you talking about?"

  Groaning, Imae forgot she didn't really say much about it them with Torakus and Hoshiko. But with them it wasn't like this. With them, she didn't have to worry about something like this at the time. She was never anything but content and happy. Just a few times she would get upset about something and cry and not know why, but even then, Sanzo wasn't there to see it.