Of Claws And Fangs
Episode 22


As they reached the kitchens, Keikan opened the door to the cellar. The cool air from it's depths welcoming, he climbed down the stairs. Picking up a few of the stored vegetables and a haunch of beef. Returning to the main room. "Well I was successful in my search how did you two fare?"

Sesshomaru held up a jug of wine and a loaf of fresh bread and Keishou had a pie in each hand. Sesshomaru chewed thoughtfully on a piece of meat. "I miss her already."

Keishou kept his head down as he broke the bread, handing slices to his father and brother. He wondered if he would be able to tell them now.

Taking the slice of bread Keikan asked the question that was bothering him. "Mika said she had known. How long had she known? Why didn't she tell us?" He shook his head, "I want North's blood, Chichioya. I know rushing out and attacking without a plan is dangerous and fool hearty. I know that waiting and letting him make the first .... second attack is the wise thing to do, but all I want to do is rip him to shreds."

Keishou nodded, biting into a vegetable with a crunch. He was not one for bloodshed but he too wanted to sink his claws into the tora. "I agree brother." He wondered why they were not planning a counter attack, "Why are we waiting?"

He understood his sons' desire for blood, he too felt it. His youkai instincts were screaming at him, as they had done with Makoto, yet he had heard Akisame's warning. "My counterpart in another world did not wait. He struck and lost another loved one," he told Keishou, "I will not risk any more of you to his ambition."

Keikan let a feral grin cross his face, "North is foolish. He has seen my abilities, well most of them. He insulted us in our home. He has obviously disregarded my warning. He forgets we are the family that defeated Naraku. He will make a mistake and we will be ready and waiting."

In a far corner of the gardens Inu Yasha held Rin as she sobbed. Finally the sobs lessened and she looked into his golden eyes. "Does fate hate us? Kagome, Makoto, Akari, and now Midori. Does she do nothing but torment us?"

"Rin, don't. Fate is a .... well I won't call her a mesuinu." He saw her smile slightly.

"You're right. I guess I should head back to bed." She started to rise, but her foot got caught in the folds of her kimono. She grasped the first thing her hands made contact with, his shoulders. Their faces inches from each other, she leaned in slightly and kissed the lips near hers. She had meant it only to be a light kiss of thanks, but at his gasp of surprise she deepened the kiss holding him tightly to herself. Finally breaking for air she blushed, and pushed from his arms, "Gomen." She ran, stopping only once her door was safely shut. Leaning against the wall she raised a hand to her lips, replaying the kiss in her mind.

Inu Yasha watched as Rin ran off. Sitting back down on the bench, he rested his head in his hands. "Sesshomaru is going to kill me."

Sesshomaru's grin matched Keikan's and he was about to respond but a giant yawn stopped him. Keishou laughed. "I think you need to go back to bed Chichioya."

Sesshomaru nodded, sleepily. "I wonder if Mika is taking up the whole bed," he said as he rose, "You're right my son, North will fall."

Keishou watched his Chichioya leave the kitchen then groaned. "He left us with clean up."

Keikan looked around and groaned as well, "He did, didn't he. Which do you want to do, wash or dry?"

Haya stepped into the kitchen and smiled at the two of them, both yawning as largely as Sesshomaru, whom she had passed in the hall. "Go on you two. I'll handle the clean up." She saw Keikan about to say something but held up her hand, "Go to bed. You two would just make a bigger mess."

Keishou smiled at Haya as he put his arms around her, rubbing his cheek against hers. "Have I told you yet how wonderful you are?" he murmured in her ear.

"Hmph." Haya answered, "You're just happy you don't have to wash the dishes. But, Keishou," She met his eyes, "You owe me."

Keishou looked at her with mischief sparkling in his emerald eyes. He knew he should be sad now, it was what would be expected of him after losing the sister he had been so close to but he could not bring himself to feel it. He was proud of Midori, now that he knew what she had become. One day he would be able to tell the others. "Oh I will," he said, nipping her neck lightly before leaving the kitchen.

Sesshomaru made it back to his rooms and collapsed gracefully onto the futon. Mika mumbled something in her sleep and rolled over. He reached out and stroked her auburn hair. Then looked at his mate, "Are you all right?"

Akisame smiled softly, "Hai. Just wondering if we will ever have peace again. First Makoto, then North, and now our baby." Raising tearstained eyes to him "I know what Rin said and Midori told Mika as well. But ..."

Sesshomaru pulled his mate to him. "I know love, I know." He paused thoughtfully, "That girl in the market, I keep thinking about her when I think of our pup...I want to visit Midoriko's cave, maybe she will tell us something."

With a snort Akisame looked up at him "Hmph, Midoriko give a straight answer? Never happen. I went in that morning and asked her to let us be together. She only said she would consider it. Then when you made your wish I was so happy. But I awoke in a strange village with you no where in sight. Better to ask Leena, at least she would give a straight answer."

Sesshomaru tried to repress his chuckle. "You are right," he replied kissing her temple, another yawn tried to overtake him, "Let's try to sleep

Rin had tried to fall asleep but her mind still raced. Why had she kissed him? Why had he returned the kiss? What did she want from him? "Arrrggg" she groaned rising. "I have to talk with someone." Thinking for a moment she decided. "This would be so much easier if I was Inu Youkai." Stepping from the room she saw Keishou in the hall, "Keishou, do you know where Haya is?"

"In the kitchen," Keishou replied, something was strange about Rin's scent. It was very much like Haya's was that day that was so short a time ago yet seemed so far away. "Is something..." his voice trailed away as his sister sprinted toward the kitchen. Shrugging he went to his room.

Keishou lay on his futon, thinking. He almost wished he could go back in time to just before the coming of age ceremony and freeze it there. Since the ceremony it seemed the only ray of light had been Haya. Finally the hanyou drifted off to a troubled sleep.

Rin dashed into the kitchen just as Haya finished the last dish. "At least they didn't make to much of a mess." She mused turning she saw Rin. "Something wrong?"

"I kissed Inu Yasha."

"So?" Haya didn't understand the panic filling the older girls voice.

"No you don't understand. Not just a kiss on the cheek. How did Kagome say it? I laid one on him?"

Haya blushed. "Oh. Ummm... how did he react?"



Home Next Episode