Of Claws and Fangs
Episode 48

The suns first light peeked through as Jaken opened the door to his office. True he never used it, other than to store a few things. Unable to find the scroll he had wanted, he had decided to check here. He wasn't, however prepared for the sight that met his eyes.

At the hiss of a breath sucked between teeth, Inu Yasha lifted his head and looked towards the door. Seeing the toad he frowned. He had been about to speak, telling the toad to leave, when the woman in his arms shifted. "Jaken, close the door. We'll be out in a moment." Her soft voice instructed. Rin smiled up at the silver haired man. "Good Morning. Shall we dress and let Jaken have his office back."

Inu Yasha's own smile grew as he brushed her nose with his. "Hai, Rin." Looking behind her he continued, "Hand me my yukata."

Akisame smiled down at Sesshomaru, knowing the sun peeking through the window would awaken the slumbering lord.

Sesshomaru felt the sunlight touch his face, saw the red grow behind his eyelids. Squeezing his eyes shut, he turned his face away from the sun. After a few futile moments, his golden orbs blinked open and he raised his head. "Do we have to get up?" he groaned.

"Well I wish you would. My legs have become numb staying in one position all night." Akisame said gently.

Sesshomaru blinked up at her sleepily then realized that he had not moved at all since laying down with her. Quickly he sat up, "Gomen, love...that's what you get for scratching my ears."

"Hai," she answered smiling at him, "See if I do it again while you lay with your head in my lap."

Keishou watched as the sun rose through his window. From his room, he could see the top branches of his tree. He looked at the woman beside him and smiled. 'I guess I'm going to have to find a new tree,' he thought, bending his head to kiss her forehead.

Keikan rose with the sun. This morning instead of immediately heading for his run, he mediated a moment. Then began searching through the cabinet for what to wear. He must be at his best pulling out the black and green hiori and hakama he nodded. After bathing he took more time than normal with his morning preparations. Deciding to not give his opponent an easy weapon he tied his hair back in a low tail at his shoulders with a leather thong. Satisfied he exited his room and headed for the banquet room, to wait.

Finally dressed, Inu Yasha sent Rin on her way with a playful pat. He and Sesshomaru needed to talk, the morning run could wait.

Jaken tottered through the hall, the sight he had just witnessed would not leave his mind. He shuddered, trying to clear the thought. He entered the kitchen, Shizuka squeaked in surprise when he appeared at her side, almost dropping the tray of bread. "Hai? Is there something you need?" she asked, quietly.

"Hai, Shizuka...make certain my study is cleaned," he turned to leave, "as soon as possible."

Shizuka bowed slightly and continued preparing the breakfast.

Inari made his way to the banquet hall, not expecting to find anyone there this early. He paused in the doorway seeing the Western heir, sitting calmly, meditatively. "Good morning, Keishou," the kitsune said warmly.

Keikan nodded to the Eastern Lord, "Keikan. I'm Keikan. Keishou is my twin."

Inari grinned sheepishly, "Please forgive my error. What has you up so early? Last night was certainly...adventurous."

"Certainly my lord." Keikan answered, "As for my reasons for being up they will become apparent soon enough."

Inari inclined his head, accepting the boy's explanation as he took a seat. "I take it that...Shiro is not common knowledge?"

"No, my lord, Shiro up until last night was a family secret. Why do you ask?" Keikan was puzzled by East's easy manner.

The kitsune Taiyoukai nodded again. "Merely wondering what I should instruct my mind to forget, young lord." Inari turned to the door way as the youngest of Sesshomaru's children came through the door, a troubled look on her face.

"Mika? What's wrong?" Keikan said moving towards her.

She looked up at her brother, eyes not completely focused on him. "I saw a lady, she..." Mika stopped, trying to remember what it was she had seen. "I don't remember niisan. Something awful is going to happen. Why can't I remember?"

Inari moved over to them. The girl seemed quite distressed and it pained him to see her thus. A child should not have such troubles. "What is wrong?"

Keikan hugged Mika to him, giving her comfort. "You have seen my Hahaoya's gift. Mika has a different type of gift, she can see the future. Midori's gift was stronger but the same." Turning back to the young girl he spoke softly, "Mika, sweetie, do you remember any of what you saw? What did the lady look like? Maybe Chichioya will know who she is."

Mika was silent a moment, thinking hard on what she had seen. "She...she was pretty. Her hair.. it kept changing colors. She was saying something, everyone got angry," she looked up, "That's all I can remember. Everything is going to be all right isn't it niisan?"

Inari listened to the conversation, shaking his head slightly. For one so young to bear such a burden as future sight. This family was truly blessed and cursed, he couldn't help but think.

Sesshomaru left his mate to dress, searching for his brother before the breakfast was served. Passing by Jaken's office he saw Shizuka, scrubbing the floor, humming a happy tune. Shrugging his shoulders, he continued his search, finally finding him "Good morning. Can we speak now brother or do you wish to wait until after breakfast?"

Inu Yasha smiled, "Actually I was looking for you too. Yea let's talk now." He looked down the hall, "Ummm I owe you an apology. I should have never said what I did ... two days ago. You had every right to be upset, Rin's your daughter, I'm your brother. It must have seemed damned odd to find me kissing her. I should have tried to see your side."

Sesshomaru smiled back. "I am just as much to blame as you brother. I should have seen both of yours," he held his hand out, "It's good to have you here brother."

Taking he brothers hand, Inu Yasha smiled. "Well about that.... I'm going to be heading back to Edo this afternoon. This is your home, mine is in Edo, in Kaede's hut. Before you say anything, it has nothing to do with what happened. Rin and I talked last night. She knows what she wants from me, told me too. It's what I want as well. Before that though I need to make her a home of her own. With the problem with North solved for now, I think it's best I get started. When I return, it will be to claim Rin as mine, if you have no objections." He chuckled, "If you do have any objections, I'll kick your ass."

Sesshomaru chuckled. "I have no objections, though I have a request. Keishou is moving to Edo as well...keep an eye on him for me?"

"As he will soon be my brother-in-law as well as my nephew and godson, sure." Inu Yasha furrowed his brow, "Rin said Akisame was ill yesterday, is she feeling better? Nothing serious I hope."

"Good Morning." Yamakaji said as he and Okubiri entered the room. He noticed the western heir sitting with his sister on his lap. The boy looked like he was ready for battle, the way he was dressed.

Inari inclined his head in greeting. "And to you as well Yamakaji-sama and Okubiri." The kitsune looked again at the child in her brother's lap. She still looked slightly troubled. He reached over and produced a pink rose from behind her ear, presenting it to her with a small bow. She smiled sweetly as she took the rose.

Keikan nodded his head to the two Southern lords. He studied Okubiri carefully. Though the young lord obviously preferred the company of men over that of women, nothing suggested effeminate habits. Okubiri's walk to a seat at the long table made Keikan rethink his earlier thoughts of an easy victory.

Rin, unaware of the tension building, walked into the banquet hall humming a happy tune. Taking a seat next to Keikan she reached over and tweaked Mika's nose. Keikan's eyes widened at the scent of his Uncle coming off Rin. Noticing his expression, Rin's smile grew.

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