Of Claws And Fangs
Episode 10
Keishou snarled, grabbing Makoto by the neck. Around him the guards drew their swords, as did Sesshomaru's guards. He could hear the king screaming but in his own anger and grief could not make out the words.
Sesshomaru held his mate gently, not wanting to injure her further, oblivious to the chaos erupting around them. "Don't leave me..."
Inu Yasha rushed to his brother's side. Kami, not twice in one lifetime. A quick look told him that Akisame still lived. He remembered a passage Kagome had once read from one of her books, the dagger in her chest was stopping the bleeding. "Sesshomaru, pull the dagger from her chest and use Tensaiga."
Keikan growled softly. He knew he had to take control. "Keishou, take that piece of filth to the dungeon. Father will decide his punishment later. Guards, lower your swords. You." He pointed to the king. "and I shall speak privately. If you fear for your safety, I will summon a Houshi and his wife who is a demon exterminator."
Akisame smiled weakly at the maiden before her and spoke her voice the barest of whispers. "I hope I don't offend you but, I don't wish to go with you today." Removing one blood stained hand from the daggers hilt she placed it on Sesshomaru's cheek "Show them husband, show them the magic of Tensaiga." She smiled softly into his golden eyes. "Please husband. Do not let the Maiden take me from you."
Keishou nodded and left the audience hall, dragging the now frightened Makoto to the dungeons. The hanyou reached the dungeon and tossed the human into a cell. Keikan's eyes burned red with the hatred he now had for this man he'd once called brother. As he looked into the Makoto's eyes, the fear stench rolling of him in waves, he felt as if something inside of him were slipping.
Sesshomaru nodded, setting Akisame gently on the ground as he pulled Tensaiga from it's sheath. The life giving sword practically hummed with power and desire to heal. With one hand he reached for the hilt of the dagger and quickly pulled it out, following with a slash from the Tensaiga.
The king signaled his guards to lower their weapons. Considering a long moment he finally decided to go with the demon before him. "We will talk demon."
Sango and Miroku rushed into the chamber, ready to fight. They entered in time to see Sesshomaru utilize his healing sword on a prone Akisame and Keikan leaving with a richly dressed man. Both looked to Inu Yasha, the one who had always lead them for guidance.
Akisame felt the warmth of Tensaiga's healing replace the cold that had been rapidly overtaking her. Taking a deep breath she reached for Sesshomaru's hand, her eyes watching as Maiden slowly faded from the room, a smile on her face.
Inu Yasha was impressed with his nephew's quick handling of the situation and went to speak with Sango and Miroku. As always a man of few words he explained. "Makoto went and found that Kami damned prince's brother. The asshole brother basically called Sesshomaru a liar in front of Akisame. Well naturally that pissed her off. She confronted him and Makoto stabbed her. Makoto is in the dungeon. Keikan is talking to the brother."
Keikan led the self proclaimed king to a small antechamber. "Please sit. I hope you will forgive the emotional display. Youkai are linked to their mates. My father not only saw his mate stabbed, he felt the dagger puncture her heart." Settling himself on a cushion Keikan smiled, careful not to show his own fangs. "My name is Keikan, I am the named heir to the Western Lands. The closest rank you would know is crown prince. I am also a hanyou." A thought crossed his mind, "Forgive me. Jaken!"
The toad entered quickly. "Yes milord."
In Inu Youkai Keikan spoke. "Find my Uncle, have him check on Keishou. He is bound to be upset I would hate for his Youki to take control."
"Yes, mi lord." Jaken answered in the same language and quickly exited.
"Family matter." Keikan explained. "Now let us allow cooler heads to prevail. I can answer no questions about your brother's or father's deaths. As I had no knowledge of them before a few moments ago. But, I shall do my best to answer any other questions you may have."
Relief replaced the pure terror that had gripped him moments before as Sesshomaru took Akisame's hand. He pulled her close, for the moment ignoring everyone and everything in the room.
Keishou returned to the main audience hall, his hands clenched at his sides, eyes glowing eerie red, a low menacing growl reverberated from his chest. "Where is the king?" he snarled to his uncle.
The king sat and considered the boy before him. Admittedly they were both of similar age it seemed, he only having come into power at the death of his father. He had seen much but none of it displaced his desire to have these youkai gone from his lands. "I have no questions to ask you demon...I only want you gone from my lands. There have been many deaths of late due to your kind."
Inu Yasha heard the menacing growl and turned to face Keishou. Pulling Tetsusaiga from his hip, he sent a silent prayer to who ever was listening that the sword would contain Keishou's demon as it did his. He thrust the sword into the boys hands.
Keikan pondered the so called king's statement for a moment then leaned forward resting his hands on his knees. "As my Father explained, this land has been ours since before your "kingdom" was formed. My families dominion over these lands extends back centuries." He paused for a moment letting his words sink into the ningen across from him. "However, as such we, the Western Inu Youkai, will not allow such lawlessness on OUR land. What form of demon has attacked? And where have they attacked? I will send our best to rid the land of such pests. It is not in the best interest of the Western Lands, to have minor youkai to challenge our authority." He smiled, this time allowing his fangs to show. "We thank you for bringing it to our attention." He held back the laugh at the ningen's face at his use of the royal form of referring to himself. "We believe your fiefdom is near Edo. A troop of our guard will leave today." Rising he smiled down and spoke his parting shot before the ningen could speak. "We shall try to forget that you brought into our home, the one who attempted to murder the Western Lady. We shall have our guards escort you back to your home." With that he rose and went to check on his mother. Entering the Audience Chamber he saw his father kneeling holding his mother close to him. Fear clutched his heart until he saw her arm move to stroke his hair.
Akisame stroked her mate's hair, much as she had her children's when they were upset. "Shhh husband, I will never willingly leave your side."
The demon's actions and words were completely against everything he had been taught to believe. The sincerity of the words caught the human off guard and he truly wished to be away from this castle before so he responded meekly. "All the attacks have been in the northern lands."
Sesshomaru closed his eyes a moment then stood bringing Akisame with him. "Nor will I leave yours," he responded, rubbing his cheek against the top of her head. He then became aware of the snarling coming from the youngest twin and turned to see Inu Yasha shoving Tetsusaiga at Keishou.
Keishou blinked, feeling the weight of something in his hands. He looked down and saw his uncle's sword. He looked up at Inu Yasha, who had a anxious look on his face. "Uncle...what...why do I have your sword?"
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