Of Claws And Fangs
Episode 2
Mika squirmed from Shippo's grasp, promising not to leave. She skipped over to Keikan and tugged his sleeve. "Don't be sad niisan...Hahaoya is bringing Rin home."
Keikan looked down at his little sister, like him she had been the first born that night. That was one of the reasons he felt so close to her. She also had the gift of prophecy, if she said something would happen, it would. Kneeling he met her gaze. "Ok. I won't be. But what will Hahaoya and Chichioya think of you and Midori not being with your tutors?" Looking over at his kitsune niisan he asked, "Did Uncle come with you?"
Shippo was still adjusting to the fact that Keikan and Keishou would be eighteen in a few days. But nodded his answer to his little brother, "Yea, he wanted to visit his parents graves first. Then he'll be here. Your Daibo is coming too, she and the houshi and their brood."
The little one's rosebud lips formed an 'o' as she realized that soon her parents would return and she was still avoiding the tutors. She kissed her brother on the cheek and grabbing her sister's hand ran back to where they had left their tutors looking for them.
Keishou watched his sisters run off and shook his head. "I don't want to know what kinda of condition she left Makoto in if neesan is coming back with them," turning to much happier matters he asked, "Sango is coming?" He had always preferred his Daibo's company to any other. The woman's silent strength had intrigued him. Plus he loved hearing stories she told of the battle for the Shikon Jewel.
Shippo smiled, "Yea. They should arrive tomorrow. Why don't we go inside and get something to eat. I'm starving. You can also tell me why Akisame-mama had to go fetch Rin."
Several hours later the three brothers rushed outside at the welcome scents of Akisame, Sesshomaru and Rin entering the castle. Keikan rushed over to his nee-san and pulled her into a hug. "Now every thing is perfect." At a soft growl he looked to his father. Seeing the disapproving glance, his ears drooped momentarily as he stepped back. "It is good to have you home, nee-san." He said formally.
Keishou rushed outside with his brothers, his heart swelling with joy when he saw Rin standing beside Sesshomaru. Keikan immediately rushed up to her and they heard Sesshomaru's disapproving growl. Keishou gave his brother a sympathetic look, for some reason Chichioya seemed to demand more of his twin than of himself. He thought it extremely unfair. Keishou slipped his hand in Rin's and gave it a squeeze. "We are very happy you have come nee-san."
Finally the tutors were finished with them, just in time too. Chichioya, Hahaoya and nee-san were returning. She ran to Rin wrapping her arms around her leg and squeezing it unmercifully. "You're back!" she squealed in delight.
Sesshomaru reached down and plucked the girl from her neesan's leg. "Let her breath Mika," he scolded gently. The girl turned her golden eyes on him with a serious look.
"Did Hahaoya spank that nasty man?"
Inu Yasha watched from his perch in the nearby cherry tree. He had always felt Sesshomaru was to harsh on Keikan. Always expecting more from him than any of his other children. He noticed the boy silently back away and move out of the castle. He almost followed, but the set of the boys shoulders was too familiar. Leaping down he joined his brother's family. Picking up the shy Midori who had held back he spoke, "Most likely Mika. Your Hahaoya has little tolerance of nasty men." Looking at his brother he frowned, "You're going to chase him away. He's a good pup."
Sesshomaru sighed. Was he being too hard on his eldest? Was it time to tell him the role he would have to take? He passed Mika to his mate. "I'll return shortly."
Mika pouted a little at being passed to her mother. "Where is Chichioya going?"
"Shhh. He's going to talk to your niisan." Akisame soothed the girl in her arms. She watched her mate go after Keikan. It had been his decision not to inform the boy of his very special destiny. Sesshomaru had vowed to never let that interfere with the way he treated him, yet he demanded so much from Keikan. She wasn't sure if he even realized how much.
Mika squirmed in her mother's arms until she was sitting on the woman's shoulder. She was looking off in the direction Sesshomaru and Keikan had gone, craning her neck as if trying to see over the castle walls. "Hahaoya...what's Chichioya telling Keikan?"
"Mika, that is between your Chichioya and your niisan." Akisame scolded the girl. "You are to big to be climbing up on my shoulders. Now go play with Shippo."
Mika reluctantly climbed down from her mother and bounced over to her eldest nii-san. "Come on Shippo... can you turn into the big ball again?"
Keishou tore his own gaze away from that direction. His father and brother were discussing something important. That much he could tell. Deciding to wait and see what would happen he turned to his sister. "Rin...are you all right?"
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