Twelve Lords

by Max Jager

  "I do have to wonder though." With a smile as she reached out, Sorae let the baby grab her finger as she laughed. "My mother told me that my great great grandmother passed down through the years a story of a demon born long ago in the North. His father was a dog demon and his mother was a cat demon. But he was born with the abilities and powers of both demons. Perhaps that is what happened here. As he grows we may see he can do everything a dog and a leopard can do."

  Giggling as she leaned her head down and pulled a quiet laugh from her son, Nyoko rubbed her nose on his. "I am just happy that I have a healthy baby. I don't care what he can and cannot do other than that."

  "So what do I call my nephew?"

  Looking up at Kiara as he sighed, Nyoko smiled. "We talked about this. The only ones we could think of to name a boy after, we haven't lost yet. So we started making up names. If I had a girl, she was going to be Sayaka." Turning her misty eyes back to her boy, she patted his back. "But since we have a boy. He will be Kamatari."

  Smiling as she leaned down, Yokiyo lifted her newest grandchild into her arms. "Well then my little Kamatari. Let's go meet your Papa for the first time shall we? And the rest of your big and crazy pack."

  X

  Waiting through the silence, Seiji was still frozen in spot as he waited for someone to bring his baby to the door. When he heard footsteps finally he flinched and was there in a flash as his father and Umarus stepped to the side. His eyes meeting his mother's as the door opened he then let the flick to the bundle in her arms. "Mama?"

  "Dare I say that you have to stay true to this pack and be different my son. You have a beautiful and unique son of your own. Something that truly fits this pack." With a laugh Yokiyo reached up and threw the blanket back to reveal the newest member of the pack and the gasps that went with it. "According to Kiara and Sorae he has a scent that is all his own that is dog, and one that is leopard."

  As she helped her son take his son, Yokiyo smiled even brighter. "Sorae said that a long time ago, her great great grandmother knew a demon that was like this and could use all of both powers. Maybe."

  Watching as his grandson held his great grandson like glass, Kurosai put an arm around Sorae as she came out to stand at his side. "That wouldn't surprise me. After all, starting with you birthing Kiara, this hasn't been your typical pack since."

  With a smile as he finally started to relax with his son in his arms, Seiji sighed. "He is here. He is healthy. Nyoko is alright. At the moment, that is all I care about." He then walked past his mother into their room and smiled as Kiara and Takara helped Nyoko to sit on fresh bedding. "We have a boy." Laughing as he let Nyoko take him, he kissed the side of her head as he sat on the bed. "He is absolutely perfect."

  "Our Kamatari. It still doesn't feel real yet Seiji. We are finally parents." She then let out a content sigh as she leaned fully into his arms as even more happy tears fell. They finally had their own little family. 'Oh Mama. Papa. You two are going to just love him. I know it.'

  "I know that much." Looking toward the door Seiji laughed. "I think some others still want to see him."

  Looking over at the door, Nyoko laughed. "Come on in and see him then. Laughing as she turned and handed him up to his great grandmother first. "Pass him around so that everyone gets to see him."

  Looking up as she stood to see Chiren coming closer, Sorae laughed. "I will have more time than you. Here." She then handed Kamatari to his Uncle.

  Taking his tiny nephew in his arms, Chiren smiled as he looked at his wide eyes. He was indeed a true mix of the two different races of his parents. "He is perfect sister. I am sure that Mother and Father will be here shortly after I get home to see him before he gets too big." He then turned and handed him off to Kurosai.

  "Thank you Chiren." But then her eyes turned curious and serious at the same time. "I know that it should be all about me and Kamatari right now but I have to ask. Are you seriously courting Kaiya back home?"

  Standing at the end of her bed, Chiren gave her a nod. "I am sister. Not sure when exactly. But I can see myself mated to her very soon."

  With her grandson in her arms again, Yokiyo looked up at him with a curious look. "And you are serious about sending a wolf suitor for Kiara? I am shocked you got her to agree to it."

  Turning to Yokiyo with a smile Chiren sighed. "I am. I did not expect her to accept it either and was just as shocked." He then turned and smiled at his sister. "I will come back tomorrow to spend more time with you and my nephew Nyoko. I am going to go and send Mother a letter telling her what he looks like and his name."

  Watching as Chiren turned and left, Kiara knew that he was talking about her, but she couldn't show it. Going to her mother she pulled Kamatari out of her arms. "Give to me." Once he was safely in her arms she went and sat next to Nyoko n the bed. "I am elated that he looks more like his mother than his father. Much cuter that way. He is going to have your shaped face I think."

  With a growl and a glare, Seiji crossed his arms. "I am sitting right here you know Kiara."

  Laughing as she looked over at him Kiara smiled. "I know. That is precisely why I said it." She then turned and handed her nephew to his mother. "However, I think that I will take some pity on Katana today and relieve him of the rest of his duties today so he can come see him. And it will give you some alone time to bond with him. Right Mother?"

  Nodding and not able to argue about that one, Yokiyo smiled. "That's right. Everyone out. Let's go. Give the new family time to bond with each other. Move out."

  Once in the hall, Kiara turned to walk the opposite way of everyone else. She was elated that she had a nephew, but it was growing harder and harder to be near Chiren and still act like she hates him or doesn't see him. Not after the other night.

  "Kiara."

  Stopping to turn and see her father standing there still, Kiara blinked as her head fell to the side. "What is it Father?"

  With a smile as his emotions ran out of control, which he could say is because of Kamatari, Kiyoshi walked past his daughter and on down the hall. "Come." Once they were somewhere he knew no one could hear, he stopped and turned to his daughter. "Katana will be fine in the North until later or tomorrow. As well as Santrix. You are to go toward the West."

  Blinking as she gave her father an odd look, Kiara just stood there. "To the West?"

  Turning and going on down the hall, Kiyoshi smiled a true smile as his hair fluttered behind him. "Correct. Lady of the North."

  Gasping as her eyes went wide when he walked around the corner after giving her a soft smile, Kiara just stood there. That had to mean that Chiren had already went to him to ask permission at some point today. With a smile, she was out a window and over the Western Walls with a smile and excited eyes. To tell her to go to the West, meant that Chiren was in the West.

  Branching Out Chapter 139

  Pulling her clothes back over her shoulders, Nyoko smiled at her now sleeping son as the first few rays of morning shined through the window to dot on his face. Seiji still sleeping next to her with his arm draped over her lap, her perfect son in her arms. In many ways her life could not be more perfect than it was right now.

  Then her eyes half closed as she tried to picture her brother and Kiara with anyone other than each other. She just couldn't see that. She couldn't picture them with someone, without picturing them together with each other. She was drawn into a bond with Seiji so she knew that Kiara was bonded. And from what her mother said, Chiren was acting like he was a bonded mate as well. She just didn't understand how he could spring him courting someone on them like he did yesterday.

  "You know if you keep thinking about it, all you are gonna do is stress yourself out. It is what it is."

  Turning a glare over at her mate as he stretched with a yawn, Nyoko growled. "I can't help it alright. I thought we had the perfect plan to make them jealous and that she would be leaving with him when he left as his mate. I just don't understand him courting someone like he said yesterday. I am sure that Mama wou
ld have found out that he was courting somehow. If nothing else through gossip." Taking a deep breath as she looked at her son, Nyoko half smiled. "And we both know how Kiara has been, so the fact that she accepted the wolf shocked me even more I think than Chiren courting someone."

  With a sigh as he smiled, Chiren reached over and eased his son out of her arms and laid him on the bed next to them then pulled his mate into his arms. "I told you when you started thinking about it when you were pregnant. That the plan to force it to happen may backfire on you. And I know that Father told Mama she should have known better too. And Grandma. You can't make things happen they just do. Like with us."

  Though before Nyoko could answer, they heard a knock on the door, and an instant growl from her mate. "Come in." Laughing when the glare and growl at the door was turned on her.

  "Growling at your mate the morning after the birth of your child is no way to act kid come on." Smiling at his shocked look, Senri lead the way in the room, followed by his mate and two daughters. Though they have tried, they still have only had the two girls.

  "Uncle Senri." Sitting up all the way, Seiji gave him an odd look. "When did you guys get back? You have been gone forever."

  On the other side of the bed living her great nephew into her arms, Zokeni half glared at Seiji. "Really Seiji? Two years is not forever." Sitting down next to Nyoko, she smiled down into wide silvery amethyst eyes. "Oh he is just precious. What is his name?"

  Smiling as she watched her son look at the three new faces. "Kamatari."

  Walking over and looking down at the kid, Senri smiled. "Perfect blend of parents. You both did good." Then he turned to Seiji with an arched eyebrow. "By the way? Zokeni said that you and Nyoko were the only ones here. Where are your sisters and brother at anyway?"

  Shrugging as he stood next to his uncle and watched as his smiling son was passed around, Seiji smiled. "I have no idea where they are at. After he was born, Chiren and Katana went over the walls one way to spar they said. Kiara and Santrix another way to go do something with new troops. Probably to get away from Nyoko and Mama honestly. They are miffed about what is going on with Chiren and Kiara right now."

  "What was that?" Looking up at Seiji with an odd look, Zokeni let Kishiko take the baby as she let her head fall to the side. "But I thought that with the bond that was clear they would have ended up together before now."

  Nodding Nyoko leaned back on her pillows with a sigh. "We thought that too. But three years later and nothing. Yokiyo and I had a plan to force their demons to come out and claim each other while he was here when I had Kamatari. But that fell through yesterday when he said he was courting someone. And even somehow talked Kiara into meeting her half brother who is a wolf."

  Both dark blue and sea green eyes going wide, Zokeni and Senri didn't know what to think about that one. "Wait really?"

  Nodding Nyoko turned her eyes to her son when he laughed and smiled. "That's right. He said it yesterday just before I went…."

  "What in the hell?"

  All eyes turned to a rather shocked Seiji as he walked out on his balcony and looked up in the sky. Giving him an odd look, Senri had one eyebrow arched. "What is it Seiji?"

  Closing his eyes he focused for a moment but Seiji knew that there was no mistaking it! Kiara and Chiren were mated! To each other! Turning wide eyes to everyone else Seiji just blinked. "You don't smell that?"

  Shaking her head no, Nyoko sighed. "I don't smell anything Seiji. What are you….." But then she joined all the girls in gasping as their heads snapped up. "But that doesn't make any sense!"

  With an annoyed growl, Senri crossed his arms. "Could someone fill me in please? I would like to know what is going on here as well."

  Looking up into eyes that mirrored hers, Amaya smiled. "Kiara Papa. She is on her way home right now with Chiren, Katana and Santrix."

  Dropping his head, Senri sighed. "But why is that so shocking to everyone honey."

  With a giggle, Kishiko fell backwards and looked up at her father. "Papa. Chiren and Kiara are mated with each other. The smell is unmistakable."

  Before he could react, Senri jumped as the door burst open and he watched as a wide eyed Yokiyo rushed in the room and to the bed next to Nyoko. "Hello sister good to see you too."

  Waving her hand as she met Nyoko's shocked eyes, Yokiyo was a bit distracted at the moment. "Yeah you too. Nyoko do you smell…"

  "I do. But I thought that he was courting someone else! That is what he said yesterday! And then they come home smelling like this." Dropping her head as she rubbed her temples, Nyoko groaned. She was confused, frustrated and angry all at the same time. "I just don't get it."

  "I don't either Nyoko." Looking to the side, Yokiyo smiled to see the green and blue eyes of her nieces. "Hello girls." She then hugged them, and finally Zokeni. "Have they told you what is going on with Chiren and Kiara?"

  Nodding Zokeni sighed. "Yes they just finished telling us what was going on with them when Seiji was the first to notice."

  Now at his mate's side, Seiji looked down at his mother. "Wait? Mama we had to tell Uncle Senri what was going on. Who told you?"

  Looking up at him, Yokiyo sighed. "I was with Takara she told me. She was just as shocked about it as I was. I have no clue where your father is at. I just came straight here. I don't understand…."

  "I think we can explain that one."

  All eyes turned to see Chiren and a very bashful Kiara land on the balcony. Yokiyo's eyes went extra wide to see her hiding her face in his chest like she was. Of all the pups, Imae included, Kiara was the last one that they would have thought to act anything like that. "Oh Kiara."

  With a small laugh as he looked down at her, Chiren smiled. "She is fine. The realization that any demon or half demon is going to know what happened last night has her a bit shy right now is all."

  Her arms crossed, Nyoko stood by the bed now with a glare for her brother. "I thought you were courting someone in the North? Even having a wolf sent down here for her? Then you leave last night and come back mated. I don't get it!"

  Smiling as Kiara turned and went in to sit between her aunt and mother, Chiren turned to his sister as he smiled. "Well, the other night when you finally let me leave here, I went to the gardens for some fresh air. She was there. We started talking, one thing lead to another, and the bond was brought up, a kiss and we knew what we were going to do. But it was talking about how Katana wouldn't let her come in and see me that night when I first got here. Or the lecture that she got from her mother. Then yesterday, the shock in your face when I said I was courting someone. It was not hard to figure out that you most likely had a plan to force it to happen."

  "If it is meant to be it will be. I do hope that this is a lesson learned."

  Turning on her mate as he walked in with a glare, Yokiyo crossed his arms. Though his face didn't show it, she could tell that he thought this was quiet amusing to him. "Alright fine! You were right. This time. Happy now." When she got the feeling stronger she just shook her head as she turned back to Kiara and brushed her bangs from her face. "Trust me Sugar it gets better. Before long it won't bother you at all and will just be a part of everyday life."

  "Mother!" Dropping her head even more, Kiara flinched. "Stop calling me that!" Though when everyone laughed, she growled. 'Oh man.'

  Turning back to his sister, Chiren smiled. "I used Kaiya and Takuma to find out if you did have a plan or not because I knew if you managed to get them a message before anything really happened between Kiara and I, they would have went along with it and not thought about it." When all she did was growl at him, Chiren laughed. "The thought and what you wanted in the end is appreciated. But Nyoko, you should have known first hand that once you are bound, it will work itself out in time."

  As everyone laughed and settled down, Yokiyo blinked when she felt sadness was through her. Looking over at her mate, she saw flashes of it through his eyes. Following his line of sight, she sighed. He was looking right at Kiara. First Imae le
ft, and now very soon Kiara was going to leave as well. Moving to stand with hi m she smiled as he put his arm around her waist. Looking back at the bed she sighed. Chiren was now standing right next to Kiara, who has relaxed and was holding Kamatari. Senri next to Zokeni and her brother and his family around them.

  She understood why he was going through that, she was going to be at some point too. But at least now they knew that she was going to be happy and not crabby all the time. And Chiren has proven many times that he can be trusted with her and will keep her and their grandkids from her safe.

  Smiling up at her mate, she then moved and kissed Kiara on the side of her head and smiled into her eyes. "I am happy for you Kiara. That it all worked out in the end. Come and see your father and I later before bed." Turning to the baby in her arms she kissed his forehead and smiled. "We will see you later too you sweet thing."