Of Claws and Fangs
Episode 43

Mika frowned as Keikan left. Something had happened between him and Shakaku. She stood up, brushing the dirt from her kimono and entered the castle. Purposefully she moved through the halls to the guest wing and knocked on the door she knew held the Northern Lord.

Haya exited her parents room in time to see the Southern heir sizing up her Keishou. Moving quickly she came to her future mate's side. Her eyes shot daggers at the neko. "I care not that you prefer men neko." She hissed, "But keep your hands off mine." At the weary look the neko gave her, she continued. "My mother is a Taijiya, do not think she didn't train her daughter. I will exterminate you."

Keishou nearly fainted with relief, as he snaked an arm around Haya's waist. He smiled with false sweetness at the neko, "I do not believe you have met my mate, Haya."

Okuribi sighed, "Oh well. But I must say you are wasted on females. Should you decide to experiment I'm always willing." He turned and walked into his room shutting the door behind him.

Haya looked up at Keishou and smiled, "I could never be the mate of a liar." She teased, she watched his eyes widen with fear, "So did father give you permission?" At his nod her smile grew, "Then I suppose I should make your statement truth."

Keishou beamed a smile at Haya then bent his head to capture her lips with his.

At the howl Inu Yasha shook his head. Then looked again to the young woman sitting beside him. They had found the one room no one used. Not even the one it belonged to. Jaken's office was small, cramped but devoid of anything but dust. "Gomen Rin. I should have told you I wasn't leaving you." He said.

"It's all right. You came back." She reached out and caressed his cheek.

"No Rin it isn't. I heard you crying as I left. I needed advice, from someone older, someone outside the situation. I went and talked with Kagome's mother. I hope one day you can meet her. She helped me understand a lot of things. Sesshomaru's reaction. The reason I didn't want to admit how I felt." He leaned into her hand. "I know what I want now. I just need to know what you want."

Sesshomaru heard the howl and looked to the window. Was that Keikan? No, he thought, couldn't be. He turned his attention back to the kitsune lord before him. "Inari-sama, you wished to speak with me?"

Inari looked up from the scroll he had been reading. "Hai, Sesshomaru-sama, please close the door."

Sesshomaru closed the door and immediately felt a surge of power. Inari had closed his forest green eyes but soon opened them. "I do not wish any one to hear what we will discuss."

Sesshomaru nodded. "What is on your mind?"

Inari gestured for the inu to sit and when he did began to speak. "I know you did not lie. Reiketsu is trying to turn us against you. I had to play along with him, we must wait for him to make the first move."

Sesshomaru nodded, "I agree, Inari-sama. I only wish that the young ones were not involved."

The Eastern Taiyoukai sighed sadly. "I will have my spies watch his castle. If she is in any danger I will do my best to protect her. She is innocent."

"I will add my own spies to yours. My son will be relieved," Sesshomaru replied, then continued, "It was Reiketsu who ordered the murder of my daughter."

"I had feared as much." The kitsune yawned widely and Sesshomaru found himself repeating the gesture. Inari chuckled. "It seems we are both weary. Let us retire for now. Tread carefully Sesshomaru-sama."

Sesshomaru stood and bowed low to the Eastern Lord, glad to have the wise kitsune as his ally. "Arigatou. We will keep in contact."

The great dog followed the scent. Stopping at the door of the castle, he nudged it with his nose. There he caught another scent mixed with the one he sought. Growling he pawed at the door. The door was never intended to handle that type of abuse, it gave way with a loud crash.

Mika heard shuffling from behind the door, then the door opened a crack. The girl looked up into the tear stained face of North's daughter. "Mika?" Shakaku looked around fearfully. What would her father do if he found the girl here? "You shouldn't be here sweetie, go back to your family."

Mika put her hand on the door, preventing Shakaku from closing it. "What's wrong joudama (Pretty woman)?"

"Nothing," she fought the tears, "Really. Please go before he comes back."

The young hanyou looked at the youkai for a moment longer, then nodded. "Don't worry joudama, everything will be all right." As Mika left she heard Shakaku whisper, "I wish I could believe as you do young one."

The door clicked shut. Mika continued back down the hall, chewing on her bottom lip. She came to her parent's room and peeked in. "Hahaoya?" she whispered, not wanting to wake her if she was asleep, "Are you awake?"

Akisame sat up at her child's call, "Hai, Mika" putting her arms out she silently motioned the child to come to her.

Another scratch with his huge paw and the opening was large enough for him to enter. Head down sniffing he followed the one scent he sought. Suddenly before him was the scent that angered him. The hair down his back rose as a growl grew from his chest.

Reiketsu headed back towards the guest quarters. Sesshomaru's servants were annoyingly loyal, no amount of riches had turned even the lowliest to his will. A deep growl brought his attention back to where he was, thinking to see one of West hanyou brats he was surprised at the draft horse size white dog before him.

Mika went to her mother and sat beside her, leaning into the embrace. "Something's not right, Hahaoya. Keikan said he wasn't going to rescue Shakaku this time. That we were wrong about her. What did he mean Hahaoya?"

Akisame was puzzled by what Mika was telling her. Something must have happened after they left the audience chamber. "I don't know sweetie. I don't know." Hearing the a crash, followed by another she feared an attack. "Mika sweetie, I need you to find your Chichioya now, something is wrong."

The second crash caught Inu Yasha's ear. Lifting his lips from Rin's he sniffed the air. "Shit, stupid pup." Pulling Rin with him he stood, "Find Sesshomaru, tell him Keikan's lost control." Releasing her he ran towards the front of the castle through it's maze of corridors.

Rin nodded to the empty space before her and rushed towards Sesshomaru's study arriving as he and Lord Inari were leaving. "Sesshomaru-sama." She panted, "Inu Yasha says Keikan's lost control."

Reiketsu watched as the dog barred it's teeth at him. The growl issuing from it growing in volume. Leaping back at the last instant he barely avoided the snap at his midsection. The dog continued to advance on him, it's red eyes never leaving his form.

Sesshomaru sprinted through the castle, cursing as he ran. Coming upon the scene he cursed again. How to calm the situation without revealing that the dog was Keikan? Then he heard Mika running up behind him. "Shiro!" she screamed, throwing herself between Keikan and the Northern Lord.

"Mika, no!"

Keishou made it to the front of the castle in time to see Mika throwing herself between his rampaging brother and the tora. "Mika!"

As the little one stepped into his sight, the great dog sniffed. This one his mind knew. Whimpering at her yelling he lowered his head and bumped her gently with his muzzle.

Inu Yasha finally made his way through the castle and arrived just as Keikan bumped the girl. Moving to his brother's side, he whispered "Let Mika handle it. Shakaku might be better, but we dare not reveal who Shiro truly is."

Smelling the little ones fear, he gently licked her cheek, woofing softly. He was calming until he saw the movement behind her. The one who angered him was moving towards her. Lifting his head, Shiro growled a warning.

Sesshomaru nodded. Behind him Inari spoke. "Reiketsu-sama, I believe this pet is very protective of its master. I would be still if I were you."

Mika breathed a sigh of relief and buried her fingers in the silky white fur. "It's okay, Shiro," she started to edge away from the group. "Come on Shiro. This way."

With a whimper Shiro began to follow the little one away from the group. As he passed each he sniffed, all had a scent similar to his own but at one he stopped. Bumping his head into the one with that scent he waited for acknowledgment.

Inu Yasha watched as Keikan turned to follow Mika. He sniffed each of them, but bumped his head against Sesshomaru's chest. Hopefully Reiketsu didn't realize that Shiro was demonstrating his submission to Sesshomaru.

Sesshomaru gave his son a soft woof of approval. "Go on Shiro," he said scratching him behind the ear, "Go with Mika." He caught Inu Yasha's eye, indicating that he should go with them, then turned to Reiketsu. "Are you injured Reiketsu-sama? I apologize for my daughter's pet."

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