Mizuki sat in her study with her parents and siblings. And pups. Her pups were being past from one to another, but were happy about it. Well her daughters were. Raidon seemed to only be happy when he was with his mother or father. Nariko was perched next to her brother in his crib.
Sora could see the happiness, pride, and there was also worry in her daughter's eyes. Already two of the Lords where here. Thus forcing her to stay inside and in this wing of the palace during the day. Dinner time, she would go and eat with her mate and guests while she, Koga and her pups kept her daughters pups.
Raidon was never happy about being without his parents but Sora seemed to be an expectable replacement. She figured that it was because she reminded him of Nariko, whom he had taken to right away. "Mizuki, calm yourself. Kisho and Koto will be here before dinner. After dinner Sesshomaru already told you that you will present him, and then send them all on their way."
"I know mama. I know. But I know that I can't let down my guard for an instant. I don't know what I would do if anything happened to them." She glanced up and found Emiko holding Sakura, Yuriko holding Kimi and Nariko was perched next to Raidon.
Sora followed her glance. "I know. I felt the same way when you and Kosha were born, and all the rest of them. When your father started to train you and Kosha I had a fit. I thought you were too young and would get hurt."
"Mama."
"I am just saying that I know what you are going through."
Mizuki sighed and slumped back against the wall. "I know mama. I didn't mean to say you didn't. I will feel much better after Koto is gone."
Sora let her eyes flutter. Being mated did her daughter a world of good. Yet it seemed that some of Sesshomaru's cold heartedness was rubbing off on her. And she didn't like that. "Mizuki you shouldn't say such things."
Mizuki sighed as she looked over at Nariko. "Bring him to me Nariko." Then she looked back at her mother as she took her son. "I know mama. And I hate it that I feel this way. Demo, it is not just my pups I am worried about. You, father, Kosha, Daisuke, Seiji, Yuriko Emiko, Isamu and Akira. Knowing her she might even try to go after Shippo, Nozomi and the kits!"
Sora sighed. Now she understood. Someone who could raise a daughter such as Hime would stoop to things such as that to get her way. "I understand now."
Koga had been sitting in the window watching his pack. Wrong environment, and they were still missing five members this time instead of three, but it was more the way it should be. Then a scent caught his nose and he stiffened as he turned. "She is here otome."
Mizuki visibly stiffened and tightened her grip on her son, her eyes darting around to find her daughters. "Now it begins."
x
Mizuki wore the same outfit that she wore at the celebration when she proclaimed her title and status. She glided into the dinning hall like she owned it. She bowed with a polite smile to Merkamou, The Lord Of The South, Kai, The Lord Of The East, and finally to Kisho. Koto was greeted with an angry glare as she took her seat next to Sesshomaru.
Kisho sighed inwardly to himself. It was clear that Mizuki had not forgotten who Koto was. He was going to drop the clever hints that he could through dinner to let Sesshomaru know that Koto had planned to take the life of his mate, and his pups. And his mates family.
He turned with a sweet smile to Mizuki, knowing he was getting the same evil glare that she was just given from his mate. "So Mizuki-sama, how are the pups?"
Mizuki smiled a gracious smile to him. "They are well."
Koto could not help it. "Where are the pups at? Sesshomaru-sama's mother and father always brought him with them when they ate."
Mizuki hardened her face. She looked as stone cold as Sesshomaru and glared. "My pups are safe. That is all you need to know Koto."
"Koto-sama. I am the same as you."
Mizuki stood up so fast that she nearly knocked the table over. "You may have mated a Lord like I did, however, I will never show you respect. I don't think I need to go into why." Without even a glance at Sesshomaru she bowed her head in apology to the other Lords and headed for the door. "I am going to my pups."
Koto growled after the female. Thinking that she was safe she turned her eyes to her food as she said, "That is the problem with oukami's. They don't know how to show respect to others."
Sesshomaru let a loud, low growl rumble through his chest. He glared at the female. A glance at Kisho's eyes told him everything that he needed to know. Koto was there after his pups and mate. "You do not demand respect when in someone else's home onna."
Koto turned started eyes to meet the angry eyes of Sesshomaru. "I am the same as her though. We are both one of the Lady's."
Sesshomaru bared fang at this wench. He turned his eyes to meet the steady gaze of Kisho. "Kisho-sama?"
"Hai."
Then he was heading for the door. He stopped at the door and said, "A servant will be in soon to show you to the room where we will present our pups to you." Then hew as gone.
Once gone Kisho snatched Koto up by her arm and growled in her ear, "I am warning you Koto, I will not stop Sesshomaru-sama or Mizuki-sama from taking your life if you are foolish enough to go after the pups."
Koto jerked her arm free of his. "I will do as I please. An eye for an eye my love. Mizuki's mother took my daughters life. Nothing was done. Besides, you made it clear, that what I do here I do on my own right?"
Kisho growled and then stomped out of the room.
Koto glared after him. 'I will not have the death of my daughter and first mate go without punishment.'
Once out of the dinning hall he snatched a servant. "I need you to take a message to Sesshomaru-sama and his mate."
x
Sesshomaru sat with his mate. She held their son and Sakura, he held Kimi. "She is up to something koishii. I am going to have a servant take them outside. We will do the presentation there."
"Hai."
Then there was a knock at the door. Sesshomaru gave Kimi to Sora and then went and opened the door. Koga right next to him. "What is it?"
The servant was on the floor bowing low. "I bring you a message from Kisho-sama regarding your pups My Lord."
"Nani?"
The servant never looked up. "His mate Koto-sama has some sort of plan to kill the pups. He wishes to let you know to do what you see fit to deal with the problem. He will not stand in your way."
Sesshomaru nodded then shut the door. He turned to the rest in the room. "I want my pups outside right now." He picked up his mate and flew out the window. The rest of the oukami following. Nariko on his heals.
Since she got back to help protect her brother and sisters she had said hardly anything at all. This is what she was waiting for. Koto to show her ugly head.
Once everyone was outside he sent a servant to bring the Lords to the gardens. Then he waited. Sora held Kimi, He now held his son, and Mizuki held Sakura. The rest of her family were spread out around them. Nariko in the very front.
x
The Lords were led out into the garden and found Sesshomaru, his mate, pups and more oukami around them. Kisho speed up his step toward the waiting family.
Koga reached for his sword but was stopped when his daughter put her hand on his arm. "Kisho is nothing to worry about. We have dealt with him in the past before he mated Koto. He is no danger to them."
Koga nodded and let his hand fall from his sword.
Kisho reached them and bowed low. "Sesshomaru-sama you received my message?"
"Hai."
"I am relieved to see you moved your pack outside. As in the message that I sent. Do as you see fit, I already told her that if she did something this stupid that she was on her own."
Mizuki growled as Koto came closer to her pups. "Arigato Kisho-sama."
When the rest of them reached the group, Sesshomaru nodded to them all. "My pack. My pack is more than just my mate and pups. Her pack is mine as well. You all know Nariko-sama. The rest are Kosha, Seiji, Daisuke, Emiko, Yuriko, Isamu, Akira, Koga and Sora. Sora is holding one of my pups. She has Kimi, my first born."
All the Lords filed past Sora nodding their approval of the pup. When Koto walked past she glared at the hanyou and the pup. Both were nothing more than stains on the ground to her.
"Mizuki-sama holds my second born. Sakura."
It was Merkamou who had until now been silent that spoke. "Both daughters are adorable. And I fear for the safety of a mate when they come of age."
Mizuki quirked her head. "Nani?"
"A father like Sesshomaru-sama, and a warrior for a mother, they will be exceptional themselves."
Sesshomaru nodded. Then he held his son in a slightly tighter hold. "I would now like to present to you, Raidon. My son and heir."