Of Claws And Fangs
Episode 40
Jaken bowed to the lady of the house and left.
As her arms went around him, Keikan breathed deep of her scent. Removing one arm from her waist he gently pulled back from her. His hand gently cupped her cheek, "We'll get through this, Shakaku." He leaned in and brushed his lips softly against hers. Then the door flew open. Turning his head he saw his twin standing there "Well? What?"
Sesshomaru chuckled, "You have a devious mind," he said kissing the top of her head, as Mika scampered away.
Keishou resisted his smile but couldn't wait until later to tease Keikan about the scene he'd interrupted. "Chichioya wants all of us to meet with the other Taiyoukai."
Shakaku felt a small wave of annoyance when the door opened. "I will go to. I won't hide from him." Keikan was right. They would get through this together.
"Of course I do. Don't forget some of the beings memories that float around in my head." Akisame said smiling, "And not all of them were nice people."
Keikan frowned at his brother and growled softly. "I'll consider this pay back for the time Totosai arrived. Reaching into the cabinet he pulled the Kuro-monstsuki he had worn at the banquet. "I think, brother, we should match."
Jaken entered the chamber again and bowed to the three lords waiting. "Forgive me, my lords. Lord Sesshomaru and his family will be with you shortly. They are at the family shrine thanking the Kami for blessing Lord Sesshomaru and Lady Akisame with yet another child." Bowing again he backed out of the room and raced for the stables.
"Hai brother, hai," Keishou responded to both questions before moving on to his own room so that he too could change.
Inari nodded, still watching his Northern comrade. He wondered how the tora was containing his true feelings about the news Sesshomaru-sama's vassal had just delivered. He himself was very happy for the inu clan. He loved children and looked forward to a day when he would have his own. "Well, what do you think of that my Lords? Sesshomaru-sama is expecting yet another ray of sunshine."
Shakaku looked down at her rumpled kimono, groaning inwardly. She had no other clothes to change into. She stood and attempted to smooth some of the wrinkles while also trying to finger comb her knotted hair.
Keikan watched her for a moment. Picking up his brush he walked behind her, "Be still. You and Rin are of similar size, I'm sure she has something you can wear." He took her tawny gold hair in hand and began to brush it. "I use to brush Mika's hair when she was younger, so I think I can handle this part."
At that moment Rin walked in holding a Kimono. "Here, I think this one should fit." She held out the Kimono smiling at both of them.
Okuribi snorted. It was bad enough his father had insisted on promising him to North's daughter. Then his father had insisted he come on this mission. Okuribi had to admit that West's sons were quite the pair. But he'd heard rumors that one of them was involved with a female. Perhaps it was the heir that was involved and he would be free to pursue the second born.
Reiketsu shuddered before he could stop himself. That there would be another western hanyou in a few months. Silently he cursed the assassin again for his failure, damming him to an even deeper level of hell.
Shippo entered the family wing surprised at all the activities. Looking in Akisame and Sesshomaru's door he called "What's going on?"
Shakaku accepted the offered kimono. It was a beautiful midnight blue with ivy leaves in gold around the bottom of the skirt and sleeves, accenting her coloring perfectly. She tilted her head back, silently asking for Keikan to continue brushing. She couldn't help the purr that rose in her throat.
Sesshomaru turned to his adopted son. "Too much to explain right now. The other Taiyoukai are here, I wish to present them with my family, united."
As he watched the Northern Lord's reactions Inari felt that his suspicions were fast becoming justified.
Shippo nodded and went to his rooms to prepare. As he passed Keikan's door he heard a purr. Peeking in he watched for a moment as Keikan brushed Shakaku's hair.
Her purr surprised him. He should have realized she would purr. With one final stroke through the now gleaming mass of hair he stepped back. "There. Perfect. Why don't you get changed and I'll be back." He turned and walked out shutting the door behind him. Leaning against the wall he listened to the sounds of fabric sliding.
As Shippo turned and left Akisame reached out to grasp Sesshomaru's arm. "Gomen nasi, Koishii." She studied the design on the cuff of his hiori. "I know I have no reason to be jealous of Akari. I didn't mean any of what I said. I was angry and hurt." A smile crossed her face, "Though that in itself should have let you know I was carrying a child. Seems I only get jealous of her while pregnant. I'm glad that what ails me is a kid-ney stone and not what I feared. I guess our journey will have to wait a bit longer."
Sesshomaru put an arm around her. "You are forgiven," he said laying his cheek against the top of hers. "Yes, love, our journey will have to wait." He turned his gaze to the window. "Now if only Jaken would hurry up and
find my brother..."
She changed as quickly as she could. "I'm finished," she called, in case he was waiting outside the door.
Inu Yasha was surprised to see Ah Uhn and Jaken appear before him. He had just been settling the large yellow back pack on his shoulders to start the run. "Jaken? What the... there's trouble isn't there?"
"Yes, Master Inu Yasha. The other three lords appeared at the castle this morning before lunch. Lord Sesshomaru has delayed them until I could return with you."
Climbing up on the dragon behind the toad, Inu Yasha said, "Then let's get moving."
Yamakaji watched his son as he dusted imaginary dust from his kimono. The boy had spent to much time in his mother's company. Speaking softly to the other lords. "I must say I am surprised to hear that Sesshomaru's mate is expecting again. She is ningen after all. Shouldn't she be to old by now to bear children. Perhaps he has taken a consort."
At her call Keikan opened the door to his room. "You're beautiful."
Snuggling in to her mates embrace, she grimaced as another small wave of pain moved through her. "Do you hope for a girl or a boy this time." She asked.
Inari pondered a moment. "It could be. Yet it could be that the mating process has changed her. What do you think Reiketsu-sama?"
He considered the question, "I think I would like if it were a girl," Sesshomaru replied.
Shakaku ducked her head, a blush coming to her cheeks once again. "Arigatou," she whispered, "I shall leave you so you can prepare." As she walked by him, she stopped and reached up to kiss his cheek. Then left the
room.
Reiketsu looked at the kitsune for a moment gathering his thoughts. He couldn't afford to alienate this lord, yet. His feelings for ningen and hanyou were too well known. "All I can say is that I would hope if Sesshomaru-sama has taken a consort she would be youkai. However, with the loyal nature of Inu Youkai I would suspect that your theory is correct. She after all didn't look like an old hag during the Coming Of Age ceremony. I do wonder what is taking them so long. It is rude to keep guest such as ourselves waiting all afternoon. The sun has all ready set and still Sesshomaru has not appeared." Lifting the tea cup at his side, he took a deep swallow.
As soon as Ah Uhn landed in the stables, Inu Yasha was off. Making his way through the kitchen and then the back halls he made it to the family wing unseen. Sango and Miroku were coming back into the hall from the guest wing, Haya slightly behind them. Pulling the back pack off, Inu Yasha moved towards them. "Got some gifts from Kagome's Mom for everyone."
"Inu Yasha." Rin's soft voice reached his ears turning he caught her as she ran into his arms.
"Gomen, Rin. I needed some advice and time to think." He explained stroking her hair.
"You're back that's all I care about."
"Chocolate?" Shippo said leaving his room. Seeing the familiar back pack he smiled, "Did she send chocolate?"
Inu Yasha laughed, "Hai, chocolate, osembis, raman, and some of those picture books you liked Sango, and magazines for you monk."
Sesshomaru heard his brother's voice in the hall. He sounded to be in a better mood. He moved into the doorway. "Inu Yasha?" he called softly.
"Ah," Inari said, raising his tea cup. "Are you assuming that his lateness proves his guilt in the disappearance of your daughter?"
Sango rolled her eyes at the mention of the magazines. She had a feeling she knew what kind Inu Yasha was talking about. Then she heard Sesshomaru's call and held her breath.
Inu Yasha saw his brother at the other end of the hall. "Hai. It's me." his voice dropped to a bare whisper, "Now how did Souta ask that..." Raising his voice to a more normal tone. "We're cool right?" He chuckled at his brothers raised eyebrow. "It means everything between us is settled and good."
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