Of Claws and Fangs
Episode 45

Reiketsu leapt back to see the hanyou heir where the dog had been. How was this possible.

"As you can see, we would never have allowed 'Shiro' to be destroyed." Akisame said smoothly, "Since he is our 'weak, pathetic hanyou' heir." She quoted him deliberately.

Fear had griped her heart when her father started towards her. A protest had been on her lips when Keikan changed and spoke. She felt her heart swelling with emotion as he defended her.

Mika stepped up boldly to the tora, gazing straight into his eyes. "This is for my sister," she said, lifting her foot and kicking the Northern Lord in the shin as hard as she could before darting back to hide behind her brother.

Inari nearly applauded. West had turned North's plan right on its nose. He was however shocked that the hanyou heir possessed such an ability. He would have to remember to ask about it later. "Have a safe journey, Reiketsu-sama."

"Keishou, Keikan why don't you two boys show Reiketsu-baka the way out." Akisame said smiling, "But first..." she looked up at her mate, "Can I please?"

Sesshomaru shook his head, as he chuckled. "You have contained yourself so well my love, go on."

Keishou had a feeling he knew what his mother was asking permission for and kept his eye trained on the tora. He was not going to evade his punishment.

With an evil smile Akisame pulled every torturous memory she could find. Rin's childhood, Inu Yasha's childhood, Naraku's mind, all of them she pulled together and moved towards the tora. He tried to back away but was held fast by an invisible wall. Reaching up with one hand, Akisame paused momentarily before making contact, "All those with sensitive hearing may wish to cover their ears." She counted to ten the touched his cheek.

Inari watched in curiosity as the Western Lady approached the Northern Lord. At the warning her family immediately brought their hands to their ears. Shrugging he did the same but still was not prepared for the sounds that came from the tora's mouth.

Removing her hand she smiled at the now trembling lord, "Send another assassin after one of my children and I will lock your mind into those memories forever." Releasing him from the barrier she had created she smiled gently at her sons. "Now get that piece of offal out of my house."

Keikan nodded at his brother and grabbed one arm not even bothering to turn him around. Together the two half dragged, half carried the lord out and tossed him through the gate. "Think he learned this time?"

Dusting off his hands, Keishou turned to his twin. "If he didn't then he's a lot dumber than we thought. So, what happened?"

Inari removed his hands from his ears and looked wryly at his hosts. "Sesshomaru-sama, if I ever start to annoy you're mate, I give you full authority to kick me in the ass before I get to that point."

Akisame laughed and then gasped as yet another wave of pain hit her. "Oh don't worry... I don't have to many more memories of that type to share. I kind of gave them all away this time." She said between clenched teeth.

Sesshomaru gave her a concerned look. "Are you all right?"

Inari came to their side, "Is there anything I can do my Lady?"

"Yes, I'm fine just in pain as the book said I would be. No Inari-sama there is nothing you can do." Akisame calmed the two men before her. "I just need some of those aspirin and to rest."

Shakaku watched the twins drag her father away. Had Keikan heard and understood her explanation? She wrapped her arms around herself and waited for him to return.

Keikan looked at his twin and shrugged, "I don't know. I was walking out to talk with Shakaku. She and her father turned a corner he asked her something. I remember being upset. I decided to go check on the guards to the north, so I changed. The next thing I know I'm telling Reiketsu not to fucking touch her. Why what did I do?"

Keishou nodded sympathetically. When he'd lost control he had not been able to remember much either. "You were attacking the baka when we came outside. Mika took a chance and got in between the two of you. She took you off to try and calm you down and then you come around the corner leading Shakaku over to us. Do you remember what got you upset in the first place?"

"No, other than he asked Shakaku something... but I can't remember what it was." Keikan started back towards the castle then met his brother's gaze. "But I had my sword with me the entire time. Why did I loose control?"

Sesshomaru scooped her up and with an apology to Inari carried her back inside the castle.

Keishou shook his head. "I don't know," he replied. Then saw Mika coming toward them. "Maybe she or Uncle knows..."

She approached her brothers and put her hand in Keikan's. "You're not mad at Shakaku anymore are you niisan?"

Keikan looked down at Mika, "I was angry with Shakaku?"

She nodded, solemnly. "She said her father knew you were behind them so he asked her what she found out about you and Chichioya to trick you. She hit him and he hit her back. She tried to come after you but he wouldn't let her. Is that why you said she wouldn't want you to rescue her?"

Keikan frowned. Why couldn't he remember? "I guess, Mika. I don't know. The last thing I remember was following them out of the audience chamber." Lifting the young girl easily, "Let's go find Shakaku. I think I need to talk with her."

Haya's temper was growing. She could well understand Keishou running to find out what the noise he'd heard had been. Still he hadn't returned. Rising she grabbed her yukata. Throwing it on she tied the obi angrily.

Mika wrapped her arms around his neck, resting her head against his. She didn't quite understand what was going on either. Why had Uncle kept asking if Keikan had his sword with him? Did the swords Chichioya made for them have some kind of power? Her thoughts buzzed in her head but did not keep her awake. Soon her breath had settled into the soft easy breathing of sleep.

Shakaku saw Keikan, Keishou and Mika coming toward her. She looked up at him hopefully. Had he realized that her father had tricked him? Would he still want to court her?

As they approached the nervous looking tora Keishou turned to his twin. "Here," he said, reaching for Mika, "give her to me. I think you two will want to be alone and I should get back to Haya."

Keikan nodded and handed Mika to his twin. Slowly he walked towards Shakaku. Stopping before her, he held his hand up when she started to speak. "I don't remember anything after leaving the audience chamber following you. I do remember being angry and hurt, but I don't know why. Keishou said I attacked your father. Mika told me that I overheard something. That it was your father trying to trick me..." He met her eyes, "I'm sorry if I hurt you in anyway while I was lost to myself."

For a moment she just looked at him, then Shakaku threw her arms around Keikan's neck as tears fell onto his shoulder.

Haya started off towards the kitchen. There had to be something that needed chopping, slicing, or pounding there.

Keishou put Mika in her room and returned to his, surprised to find Haya gone. Testing the air he followed her scent to the kitchen. "Haya?"

Haya had been lucky in finding a haunch of beef. She remembered that the cook was going to dry this for the winter. Which meant long hours slicing the beef in long thin strips. She was working on that, her back to the door when she heard Keishou's call. "Everything handled?" she asked icicles dripping from her words.

Keishou quirked an eyebrow at her town. "You're angry..."

"What ever gave you that idea?" Haya asked in the same tone. "I thought we were going to ... Oh never mind." She plunged the knife into the beef and stormed past him.

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