Of Claws And Fangs
Episode 28
Sesshomaru blinked at his mate in surprise. "Avoiding you? I have not been avoiding you, love," he said, standing and walking over to her, putting his hands on her shoulders, "I couldn't live without you."
Akisame rested her head on his chest, "Nor I without you. I miss you." She tilted her head back to meet his puzzled golden eyes. Tears welled in her eyes, "I miss the feel of you, your touch. It has been weeks since Makoto's attack and still you won't touch me. Am I no longer pleasing to you because of this scar?" She placed her hand where the small scar of the dagger remained.
"That is ridiculous," he lowered his gaze from hers, "I suppose that despite what you said that day, I still feel as though I failed you." Before she could say anything though, he glanced up at her from beneath his silver bangs, "Shall I show you exactly how pleasing you still are to me?" Then putting on what he hoped was a sufficient pouting face, "Please?"
Akisame saw the pout cross his features and felt her heart race. Why did that lost puppy look of his arouse her so? She didn't care, her fears were at rest. "You have never failed me. I doubt that it is even possible. I remember the 'One Who Walked In Sorrow'. The youkai that had thoughts so ordered and controlled, they didn't cause me pain." She whispered as her arms moved up to encircle his neck. "My only home is in your arms. I have been away too long." Gently she pulled him down as their lips touched she whispered, "I want to come home."
As they left the castle, after convincing Mika that she needed to stay at home, Keishou wondered at the distant look in his twin's eyes. "What are you thinking about?"
For a while Keikan, didn't answer. "How did you know Keishou? About Haya I mean."
"Ahh, Keishou nodded, "I didn't at first, it was more like...I felt more at peace around her. I felt I could tell her anything and she would understand me. Then it took Uncle to kick me in the right direction. Why do you ask?"
"After you went in to break up the "girl talk" Uncle, Miroku and father continued their conversation." He took a deep breath, feeling his cheeks flame, "I couldn't handle talk of Chichioya and Hahaoya.... mating. So I left, I took my demon form and went North to check on the invaders. I then decided to go further north. I stopped at a lake to get a drink and met a tora female. We talked, I felt like I could tell her anything. She is a servant in a great Northern House. I don't even know her name. But I can recall her fire, her laugh, and the need to stay at her side. Is that love, Keishou?"
Shakaku traveled diligently south and west, transformed in her tora form, her tawny golden coat glistened in the autumn sun, the light brown stripes barely showing up. She had not known exactly where Sesshomaru-sama's castle was but she had been able to ask one of the servants. She was going to warn him of her father's treachery. No more would he hurt the inu Taiyoukai and his family. Keikan's words replayed in her mind again and again. Hanyou were not wanted by neither ningen nor youkai. She was not naive enough to be surprised by this but she did feel pain that the world worked that way. If she could, she would at least save Sesshomaru-sama's children from Reiketsu's wrath. She would do it for Keikan and then maybe she would try to find him, obviously she would not be able to return to her own home, not now. Not after she did this. Well she could, but she knew she would not live.
The wind blew her a familiar scent. It was Reiketsu's most trusted general. A growl rumbled in her chest, which she quickly suppressed, her striped tail lashed angrily. Soon she came upon the group. Obviously they had not moved in several days and from their conversation seemed eager to wreck havoc on the Western Lands. What she saw steeled her resolve and she quickly put distance between herself and the warriors.
Finally she saw the castle of the Western Lord, or what she assumed was the castle of the Western Lord and returned to her ningen form, approaching the guards at the gate. "Hold, tora," one called, none to kindly.
She shook her head, delicate triangular ears, drooping slightly, "I mean no harm," she said proudly, "I seek audience with the Western Lord. I have important news for him."
Inu Yasha had been searching for Rin, when he came upon the tawny haired tora being held up at the gate. He walked up to her. "This family has suffered due to treachery of a tora. Why should we believe you any different?"
"I know you're family has suffered and you have no reason to trust be but," Shakaku replied, "I've come to warn you. If you will bring Sesshomaru-sama to the gates...I will tell him from here and then I will go."
Mika, still annoyed at not being allowed to accompany her brother's, walked dejectedly through the courtyard. Hearing her Uncle's voice at the gates, she decided to investigate and heard the tora's words. She stepped up
beside Shippo and tugged his sleeve.
Keishou listened to his brother's words, recalling that was how he had felt about Haya before he had known exactly what his feelings were. "It may be brother. It is good Chichioya is not like most Lords who arrange marriages for their heirs. At least you have the chance to find out."
"Yes, if I can find her again." Keikan responded. Then pulling himself from his own situation he looked to his twin. "So, what had you planned on getting Haya?"
Keishou shrugged, "I'm not sure really. Something special. I'll know when I see it. Thanks for coming with me."
Shippo looked down at Mika, "Hai Mika? What is it?"
Inu Yasha studied the tora. His ears twitched, the only thing giving away his agitation.
"The pretty lady is telling the truth," she told him, "but Chichioya can't see her right now."
Shakaku ear's twitched forward to catch what the little girl was saying She wondered if the girl was the sister to the one who had been killed. She would apologize to each of them for what her father had done. She would
make sure she did at least that as well.
Hearing Mika's words Inu Yasha thought of the early morning conversation. "Come tora. Apparently my brother, is busy wrestling with a small problem. West, will not be accused of rudeness." He started towards the entrance seeing Shippo's mischievous expression he growled.
"What?" Shippo asked all innocence. He had seen Akisame enter Sesshomaru's office pushing the boys out. "I didn't say anything."
"Feh."
Shakaku breathed a sigh of relief and followed the silver-haired hanyou. "Arigato," she said, "I have traveled all night. Would you allow me to freshen up while I wait?"
"Mika, show our guest where she can wash up." Shippo said to the girl at his side. He caught up with Inu Yasha, "Wrestling? Small problem?" He whispered.
"Shut it kit, or would you like a reminder of all the punishments I gave you during the hunt for the jewel?"
"Hah, Inu Yasha you never did any real damage."
"Only because Kagome said that damn word."
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