by Max Jager
Blinking then giggling, Akane pulled on her uncle's clothes to get his attention. When he looked down at her she pointed to her face. "Uncle do I get to do that too? Please?"
Nodding Katana smiled. "I would assume so."
With a giggle, Akane jumped up on Katana's shoulder and then jumped on in the air as she flared her own purification powers. Just like her brother, Akane's purification was unique only to her. Her purification came out in her wind that she got from her father. It looked like streaks of green lightning under her feet and whipping around her in a circle here and there as a ball of wind formed around her.
Seeing how happy his sister was made Torakus smile. Turning back to the dragon he flared his own to the max. Making it look like he was aflame with red and black fire. Glaring into the dragon's eyes he sighed. "What do you think? Do we pass? Or are you still going to say she is one of a kind? Myself and Katana helped her in breaking the spell on those bars. No one else."
Her eyes wide, Jonas could only stare at them in utter disbelief. It just wasn't possible that two mikos could produce not one but four purifying offspring! And three of them demons no less! She didn't understand why such power was granted to the children of Kiyoshi and Sanzo who were nothing compared to her father in str4ength and power. Even the little half demon has purification that was more powerful than any human that she had ever come across or heard about.
"That is very good to know. I am sure that my father and Noke will be more than interested in this information." She then flinched and vaulted up into the sky and headed away from them.
Her eyes bleeding this time, Kiara opened them and glared and she jumped. "Not this time!"
Gasping as he snagged his sister in the process, Torakus and Katana jumped back up to the palace walls. Turning he watched as the dragon shot for the sky as Kiara leapt in the air aiming for her tail only to miss and land with a tense thud and a nod. "That woman doesn't know what she has done I think."
Glaring as she watched her vanish, Kiara snarled as her lip quivered. The demonstration gave her just enough time to get the energy she needed to escape. She should have seen it! But she over calculated the situation and let her escape! 'Curse you! I will not do this next time. You will die the next we see each other you bitch.'
X
With a sigh as he sat in one of his other palaces, Kenji glared at the wall. His army was now less than a fourth of what it had been before they freed those women and children. Kenji had to think of another way to overthrow the other lands now that all he had was the damned sneaky wolf with him. But that wolf was far to sly and sneaky for his own good. Kenji often thought that somewhere he had some fox blood mixed in with as tricky as he could be with his games.
But he also couldn't get the black haired and dark blue eyed dog demon that could purify out of his head. The daughter of Kiyoshi. Then a sly smile graced his face as he pictured a child that was dragon full and through that was mothered by his daughter, sired by him. He would certainly enjoy taming her down and bending her to his will. 'I have to wonder how Kiyoshi would handle going against his own grandchild who was fathered by force by his greatest enemy? That would be something to see.'
"Father."
Looking up to see his daughter limping in the room and flinched to see how injured she was. As much as he did try not to he did end up really caring for her mother. And has always been very over protective when it came to Jonas. Instantly at her side he reached out to steady her. "What happened?"
After she took a deep breath, Jonas stepped away from her father and gave him a bow then looked at the back of her leg as it slowly started to heal. "That female retch that was with Chiren did this. She is much stronger than I expected of her so I expended too much energy in the fight. She got my leg." She then looked up as Shinra rushed into the room. "I will be fine Aunt Shinra."
Seeing the concern in her brother's eyes, Shinra sighed as she moved to her niece. "Come I will tend to it Jonas. The very same thing happened to me when I tried to kill her father when he was an infant. Come on."
Nodding, Jonas turned her eyes back to her father. "First Father you need to know something. Not only can she use purification but there are three others that can. Her brother uses the same kind she has. Torakus, the heir to the East is also a full demon with a human mother. He can too, but his are demonic in nature, but it is purification none the less. And his half demon little sister can do it too."
Taking a deep breath, knowing that this complicates things, Kenji sighed as he tapped her under her chin and then crossed his arms. "Thank you. Go on with your Aunt to get your leg healing faster. Good work my girl."
"Yes Father." A smile on her face, Jonas bowed to her father before allowing her Aunt to help her leave. She would never show it, but she loved when she got compliments from her father. It was the one thing in life that she strove for.
"I tried to tell you Kenji that she wasn't the only one. My mother personally witnessed her and her brother. I was with her and my grandfather when we saw Torakus." Sitting down with a sigh as he glared at the table, Noke crossed his arms. "I didn't realize that another in the East was born that could use it. It changes the plans some though. Not much but enough."
"What are you talking about how it changes things? It changes nothing." Going to stand and glare at the wolf, Kenji crossed his arms as he growled. "You get more wolves to make up for the dragons that I lost and we attack head on. I am done with all this hiding that you want to do. With myself, my sister and my daughter leading the charge, we can and will overwhelm them!"
Rolling his eyes Noke just growled back at him. "That was why you had to go with my plan to kidnap the mates and children of the dragons to get them to turn on Tikae?" When all he got was an angry glare, Noke sighed. He was done with using the fool. Standing he headed for the door as he shrugged his shoulders. "You can go and do whatever you want Kenji. Your use for me is done so I don't care."
Turning with a glare as he reached the door, Kenji was shaking now he was so angry! "What the hell was that!?"
Stopping as he turned an emotionless face to him that would rival even Kiyoshi, Noke sighed. "I only joined up with you because I was hoping for a chance to get Cho at some point from the West. Or at least figure out a way so that I could. And I wanted to see what the others can and cannot do. You have served the purpose that I needed you for so I no whave no more use for you. The only reason why I haven't killed you is because I don't want blood on me where I am going."
"You cocky little son of a bitch!" Kenji then charged the wolf, with his claws out and ready to take his head off! But just a second before he got to him he gasped when he was just gone, and then flinched at the pain in his chest. Looking down with wide eyes, Kenji blinked to see the bloody sword. "You…..bastard…"
Slicing down and pulling out, Noke side stepped the dragon, but then growled as he whipped his sword on the back of Kenji's clothes. "I didn't want to smell of dragon blood going to see her you bastard. But at least now when the time comes I will only have to deal with your sister and brat kid."
He then left and headed for his next target and task now that he was nearing coming of age. He would go and visit a tribe with a true princess worthier of carrying the title of Lady. She was a princess by birthright from both her mother and her father. She would give him exactly what he wanted and would go along with his plans. It was perfect.
X
"Brother."
Looking up to see Nyoko walking toward him with Seiji, Chiren smiled as he shook his head and crossed his arms. "Are you sure that you are ready to live there full time Nyoko? This isn't just a visit."
Laughing as she stepped away from Seiji to hug her brother, Nyoko smiled. "I am more than sure brother." Stepping back to his side as he put an arm around her, Nyoko smiled up at Seiji, she then winked at her brother. "I spent more time than you did anyway remember. I would spend all summer there for a number of years growing up."
Laughing again, Chiren nodded. "Yes I rem
ember. However Nyoko, this time it is for good. No coming home." But then he turned when he felt someone hit him in the back of his head, blinking when he saw his father standing there. "What was that for?"
"Because you were talking like a fool. No matter what, whenever it is, both Nyoko and Seiji are welcome here for however long they want. Though I do think rotating would do you some good." Soichiro then turned a sly smile to his son.
Growling as he glared, Chiren crossed his arms. "Really? How would that do me some good Father?"
Covering her mouth as she laughed, Nyoko pulled his eyes down to hers. "Because you try to act like it but we all know better. It is because Kiara. Perhaps bringing some insanity to the North might just help you tell her."
"Come on Nyoko not you too. It isn't like that." Shaking his head as he walked away, Chiren closed his eyes. "Then again on second thought, I think you are going to fit right in in the South."
Sticking her tongue out at him, Nyoko laughed. She then looked up at Seiji as she smiled. "Speaking of Kiara where is she?"
Laughing, Seiji smiled. "She is sticking with Imae right now. I think she plans on leaving to go with them to the East in the morning." Stepping to the side and behind her, Seiji smiled as he wrapped his arms around her. "Enough about my sister though. What is your most favorite place in all the Northern Land?"
With a gasp as she turned and looked up at him, Nyoko smiled. "The waterfall! There is a waterfall that isn't far from here. I would love to see it before we leave." Turning her eyes to her father, Nyoko blinked. "That is alright if we go right Papa?"
Smiling as he nodded, Soichiro reached out and laid his hand on her head. "I see no harm in that. He has already proven that he will let nothing happen to you. And I doubt that Noke or Kenji are anywhere around right now anyway."
Giving Soichiro a bow, Seiji then let Nyoko jump on his back and leapt up and over the wall. He knew the waterfall that she was talking about. Her most favorite place in the North, was the place that he was going to make everything official for them in more ways than one.
X
Stepping up to the window, Yokiyo sighed as she watched her youngest son and soon to be mate vanish over the wall. Letting out a sigh she leaned back into Kiyoshi's arms as he stepped up behind her. "Well that is two of them that are down. Three more to go. Though I do think that Kiara and Santrix are going to be harder to get mates for than Katana."
With a smile as he looked down at her, Kiyoshi let out a content sigh. "What makes you say that about them?"
Rolling her eyes, Yokiyo laughed. "Well Kiara. She is just as stubborn as you. Every time mating comes up with her she says no and literally runs off. Santrix is more open to it, but both of them tend to intimidate the males that are interested before they get too close at all."
Kissing the top of her head, Kiyoshi smiled as he gave her a soft look from the side. "I told you the day that Kiara was born that my daughters were going to be just as strong as any demon they come across didn't I?"
Turning in his arms, Yokiyo smiled up at him as she put her hands on his chest. "I know you did. And they are. Would I change it, oh hell no. We just need to go on the search and find some mates for them that are not intimidated by strong women is all. I found you after all."
Shaking his head, Kiyoshi sighed. "I think that if we just let time run its course it will happen when it is meant too. After all, you have the time to wait for it remember. As well Imae."
Laughing, Yokiyo half glared up at him. "I will wait for a while but not forever. I will have at least one grandchild from each one of my pups. I got four from Imae, and now I am for sure at least one for Seiji. Now for Katana, Kiara and Santrix. They are all old enough you know."
With a sigh as he lifted her in his arms, Kiyoshi turned and headed for the bed. "Enough. Sleep now. We are going to leave in the morning with Imae."
"Yeah, yeah I know." Yokiyo giggled when he growled at her. "Alright sleep it is."
Branching Out Chapter 133
Sitting on the wall at the Eastern Palace, Kiara sighed as she looked up at the sky. By now, her parents, siblings, cousin, and Nyoko were in the South. But right now she was torn in her heart and her mind. Completely at war with her head. Her feelings, her instinct from her demon were trying to make her race back to the North, claim Chiren as her mate and never let him go. But her head was screaming to run for home. Partly to get further away from Chiren, but also because she felt bad that she wasn't there for Nyoko on her first full night living in the South.
She knew that since Chiren never said anything to her, that he didn't feel the same so she was going to fight the bond on her end forever if she had too. He wasn't even there to see her off the morning that they all left. Growling as she dropped her head, Kiara sighed. 'I swear I don't know what I am thinking when it comes to him. I want to run to him and tell him, but then again I don't. I just know he doesn't even realize I am gone so it is useless.'
Walking out of the palace, Imae turned and went right for the palace wall. Kiara has been there most of the day today and all day yesterday. Though she would never admit it, she was just pinning away over a leopard from the North. Even if she tried to talk to her about it, Kiara just refuses to talk about it and shuts down. Or she gets really angry and an argument stars. But she had an idea to try and get her sister back. A hunting trip.
Reaching the wall, Imae gave her sister a smile as she looked up at her. "Hey Kiara. I have something I want you to do for me. And I bet that it will help get your mind off of stuff that has happened the last few weeks."
Rolling her eyes, Kiara growled as she turned and glared down at her sister with crossed arms. "And what exactly is that Imae?"
"I am sending Torakus hunting. You are going to go with him." When all Kiara did was look at her with wide blinking eyes, Imae laughed. "I am not doing it for safety. I know he can take care of himself. But because you need to get your mind off of things."
"I wanna go with them Mama!"
Turning to see her youngest daughter standing behind her with pleading eyes, Imae sighed as Kiara fell next to her. "I don't think so young lady."
Keeping her pleading, on the verge of tears, eyes on her mother, Akane pointed up to her aunt. "But I would be with Torakus and Aunt Kiara. Mom if they couldn't keep me safe then who could?"
With a sigh, Imae kept her glare on her chick. Akane was just like all the rest of them. Far too smart for her own good most of the time. She was a talented fighter, but it took her longer to get things that the others got right off the bat. And for that Sanzo was much more protective of her than he was her brothers and sister. "You know what. I tell you what Akane. If you really want to go that bad then you can go and talk to your father."
Dropping her head and her shoulders, Akane groaned. "But Mama that isn't fair. I am the smallest and youngest. Papa is way too over protective when it comes to me. You know he won't just let me go."
Smiling, Kiara laid her hand on Akane's head as she smiled. "You know Imae, she is right. She will be with me and Torakus. She will be just fine. If Torakus and Sanzo don't mine, I am alright with it."
Crossing her arms as she growled at her sister, Imae started to tap her foot. "Who said you could decide what she does and doesn't do Kiara?"
"No one. But I am going to go talk to Sanzo for her." Kiara then turned and walked toward the palace to go and find her sister's mate to talk to him about what is going on with Akane.
Giving her mother another pleading look, but with more sadness than eagerness, Akane sighed. "Please Mama. Let me go with them."
With a sigh as she softened, Imae dropped her arms to her side. "I am sorry honey but no. I just don't think that it is a good idea for you to go."
Letting out a sad sigh, Akane dropped her head and her shoulders. Her arm going limp by her side. She could probably get her father to say yes. But she wanted her mother to say she could go too. "But Mama I just don't understand what is different. I am taller than your waist now. And you said
we had to be taller than your waist before we could leave the palace without someone with us at all. I am not as good at fighting as Hoshiko. But I can take care of myself. Do you not think I can?"
"Oh Akane. It isn't that at all." Reaching down and making her chick look up into her eyes, Imae smiled. "It isn't that I don't think you can, or whether or not you would be safe with them. I know you can and I know you would be. It is all the evil in the world like Noke and Kenji."
Blinking as she let her head fall to the side, Akane gave her mother an odd look. "But Mama. You used to let me go with Uncle Atsana and Torakus for the last few years. Noke and Kenji were still out there then too. Why is this any different?"
Flinching, Imae gasped then dropped her head as she crossed her arms again. Once again, too smart for her own good. "I swear. I think you and your brothers and sister are some sort of an evil genius or something."