Of Claws And Fangs
Episode 39
Akisame tried to smile. "Then I hope you never meet her my friend." She managed through the pain, "For I owe her my happiness." Remembering something she looked at her mate, "Kagome's book," at the puzzled look in his eyes she explained, "The one Inu Yasha gave us that time Keikan was so ill as a pup. The one with the healing information." As Sango's hand pushed in one spot she screamed.
His mate's cries were driving him to the edge of control. Sesshomaru rose to get the book, he nearly ran over Mika who was just coming in the doorway. She held up the brightly covered book with a small smile. "Arigatou Mika," he said, taking the book in one hand and gave her a quick scratch behind her ear.
Sango gave her friend a look of apology for causing her more pain. "It's not the baby. Hand it over," she said, holding out her hand for the book. The Taiyoukai immediately complied and soon the taijiya was flipping through it mumbling to herself. Finally she slammed her finger down on the book. "Kid-ney stone," she read carefully.
Akisame smiled weakly. "What is a Kid-ney stone?"
Haya read over her mother's shoulder, " Kidney stones occur when minerals in urine are out of balance and form crystals that become stones. Kidney stones vary in size and can be painless or cause severe pain as they break loose and travel down the narrow tubes connecting each kidney to the bladder and then through the tube that goes to the outside of the body. Symptoms of a kidney stone include: Severe pain located to one side of the back, just below the rib cage (flank pain). As the stone moves through the urinary tract, the pain can spread to the lower abdomen, groin, and genital area. Blood in the urine. Painful or frequent urination. Nausea and vomiting. Kidney stones occur most often in adults. In most cases the cause is not clear, but chronic dehydration may be a factor. Once a person has had a kidney stone, he or she is likely to have more in the future. Kidney stones are rare in children, but they may occur in children who have spina bifida or chronic urinary tract infections. A kidney stone is usually treated by increasing your fluid intake and taking medications to relieve pain until the stone has passed. This usually occurs within a few days. If the stone seems unlikely to pass on its own or is causing severe pain, treatment options include a shock wave treatment which can break up a large stone into smaller pieces that are easier to pass or, rarely, surgery."
Sesshomaru blinked in confusion. There were so many strange terms in that book. "So what does this mean?"
"It means all mighty and powerful Sesshomaru-sama," Sango replied, teasingly, "That your mate should be all right within the next couple of days."
Sesshomaru's shoulders sagged in relief, now all that remained was to see if she had forgiven him. Keishou arrived with the tea. "Here, Hahaoya."
Akisame sat up slowly and carefully. Taking the cup from Keishou she took as deep swallow and grimaced, "Willow bark tea." She shuddered and finished the cup in one swallow. Looking at Sango she smiled, "Arigato my friend." Turning to her mate she had felt his fears while he carried her, "Of course I forgive you puppy."
Sesshomaru nearly collapsed in relief and leaned over to kiss her lightly. Mika had come to sit nearby and was gazing at her mother intently. Sango just nodded, glad that everything was going to be fine. All that remained now was for Inu Yasha to return.
Keikan watched the exchange between his parents and turned to his twin. "Did I miss something?"
Haya looked at him and began to giggle. She had forgotten Keikan had slept through the whole thing. Soon she heard Akisame join her.
Keishou joined the laughter and soon he heard the bass chuckling of his father. Mika was rolling on the floor in giggles. Sango was just barely containing her own laughter. "Okay...let's see. Your baka of a sire found out about Rin and Inu Yasha. He got mad, Inu Yasha got madder and left. Rin left with him. Your father went after them, came back and fought with your mother. And none of us have slept a wink so I'm sure now WE look like hell," she said before finally dissolving into her own giggles.
"Mika and I slept." Akisame chirped between giggles.
"What about Rin and Uncle?" Keikan was totally confused. It didn't help when everyone laughed harder at his latest question. Throwing his hands up in the air he turned, "I'm going to check on those advancing forces." As he reached the end of the hall Jaken appeared, "What is it Jaken?"
"Master Keikan, the other Taiyoukai's are here and demanding to see Lord Sesshomaru."
Sango snorted behind her hand. "Poor boy."
Keishou leaned over and kissed Haya on the cheek. "I'm going with him," he stepped out and heard Jaken's comment. "Uh-oh."
Sesshomaru looked to the door. "Uh-oh?"
Jaken rushed into his masters room. "Lord Sesshomaru, the other Taiyoukai's are here and they are demanding to see you."
Keikan knew that they were too late. No note had been sent, if Shakaku was found here, they would be accused of kidnapping her. Slowly he turned to his room and knelt beside the futon where she slept.
He sighed, a saying of Kagome's ran through his head, 'when it rains, it pours.' He rose, "Very well...where are they now?"
Shakaku stirred in her sleep. She had been having a very pleasant dream. Keikan had carried her to bed and then given her a kiss. Slowly her eyes fluttered open to see him kneeling beside her. She smiled at him, sleepily then frowned at the look on his face. "What's wrong?"
"In the audience chamber my lord." Jaken replied.
Akisame struggled to stand, it was her place to stand at his side. A hiss of pain escaped her and she placed a hand high on her back. "I'm going with you."
Keikan took her hand in his. "Your father is here."
Reiketsu sneered at the servants of the Western Taiyoukai as the scurried about preparing the chamber. His rebellious daughter, would pay for her defection but first he would use it to his advantage. He saw the kitsune Eastern Lord, Inari, watching him closely. Carefully he kept his face schooled into the "worried father" face he had worn. Beside him sat the Fire Nekko Southern Lord Yamakaji and his son Okuribi. First he would turn East against West by claiming kidnapping; then he would punish the cub by turning the hanyou she cared for against her. Yes he thought his plan was coming together perfectly.
Sesshomaru placed a firm but gentle hand on her shoulder. "You are staying here. You need rest."
Sango nodded in agreement, though she knew Akisame wouldn't stay behind very willingly.
Shakaku sat bolt upright. "What? How did he find out so soon?" She wasn't ready to face her father, she unknowing squeezed Keikan's hand in her nervousness.
Inari sat watching the Northern Lord. Something was not adding up. He wished he could speak with Sesshomaru in private before this public talk. He sat back with folded arms. The kitsune Taiyoukai would keep observing the other lord, eventually the tora would give something away.
Akisame met his gaze, "No, If I was on my death bed I would rise up and walk into that meeting with you. I will not give that Northern baka one thing to insult you with. He would definitely make a comment about your weak ningen wife not being at your side." Her tone became quiet, she continued. "Besides I want to look in the eyes of the creature who ordered the murder of my child."
Keikan smelled her fear, and pulled Shakaku to him. His arms wrapped protectively around her. He wanted to tell her that everything would be all right. He wanted to say anything to comfort her, but words failed him. Hoping that actions spoke louder than words he held her giving her his strength.
She was surprised but after a moment she relaxed, resting her head against his shoulder. Her nose brushed the soft skin of his neck and she breathed in his scent. Her own arms went around him and returned the embrace. She remembered Akisame's words and steeled herself for the encounter with her father.
Sesshomaru looked his mate in the eye for a long moment. Finally he nodded and reached down to help her to her feet. "Keishou," he said, "Find Keikan. Meet us at the audience chamber. Haya, Sango, Miroku...I want you all to come as well." he looked around, "Where the hell is Shippo?" He wanted his whole family to meet with the other Lords as well, to show their unified strength. There was only one family member missing.
Sesshomaru felt a tug on his sleeve and looked down into solemn golden eyes.
"Can I come to Chichioya? I will be good. I promise."
Akisame answered, "Hai Mika. But first go wake Rin." She watched the girl run towards Rin's room. "Jaken, go get Ah Uhnm, go find Inu Yasha and Shippo. Give that rude prick some excuse... Hell tell him the truth." An evil grin crossed her face, "Yes tell him that Lord Sesshomaru and his family will join them in a moment as we are thanking the Kami for blessing us with yet another child." She nodded. "That should unnerve him."
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