Of Claws and Fangs
Episode 49

Sesshomaru shook his head. "She has what Kagome's book calls a kid-ney stone. It said that she will be better in a few days. She also informed us that she is having another pup."

Inu Yasha impulsively hugged Sesshomaru. "Congratulations on the new pup! That is just fantastic news." Then remembering Akisame's expression when he had passed her, "Ummm the little incident between us didn't cause you two any problems did it?" He asked stepping back.

"Well," Sesshomaru replied, "In a way yes and in a way no. She was disappointed in my behavior and I made the mistake of mentioning my first mate. I know how she is when she is with pups and I should have noticed. Do not trouble yourself, brother, all is well now."

Inu Yasha grimaced, "Glad to hear it. How's the ears?" Having witnessed one argument about Akari, while Akisame carried the girls, he had experienced first hand the way such a small woman could make ones ears ring for a week.

Sesshomaru chuckled, "Recovering. Let us go to the banquet hall, I am certain our guests are waiting."

Mika batted at her nee-san's hand, giggling. Then turned serious, "Nee-san, do you feel anything bad coming?" she asked in a whisper.

Shakaku dressed carefully once again, wanting to look her best. As she still only had her traveling clothes and the kimono Rin had given her she put on the blue and gold kimono. She entered the banquet hall, giving Keikan a smile as she sat next to Rin. Inari gave her a nod. "You are feeling better this morning Shakaku?"

She nodded, "Hai my lord, much better."

Keishou and Haya were the next to enter the banquet hall and took seats on the other side of Shakaku.

Rin shook her head, "No, Mika. I don't feel anything bad coming. But, I do usually get those feelings after you do." Turning she smiled hello to the newcomers, her smile dropping at the sight of Shakaku's bruised face. "Shakaku! What happened to your face?"

After completing her morning duties, Akisame entered the banquet hall. Frowning softly at her children aligned at one table she scolded gently. "Girls, did you forget this was the cooks morning off? Our guest will be expecting a meal. Come Rin, Haya and you too Mika, help me prepare the meal."

Rin blanched. "Hai Akisame-mama, Gomen."

Akisame smiled at the girl as she leapt to her feet. "Understandable." Then noticing the mark on Haya's neck. "Haya you are excused for today." Bowing to her guest she continued, "It won't be but a moment my lords. Unless one of you has a special request."

Shakaku had been about to respond when Akisame swept into the room, scolding the girls. As the other lords shook their heads at the Western Lady's question, she half rose. "Might I assist you as well, my Lady?"

Mika took the matter in her own hands and grabbed Shakaku's hand dragging her to the kitchen as well. Once there the tora answered Rin's previous question. "My father."

Yamakaji was stunned. The Western Lady and her children were going to prepare the meal? Then the young tora had rose and asked to assist. "Does West have such troubles that he is unable to keep servants enough to do menial chores such as cooking?"

Inari turned to his Southern counterpart. "Did you not hear the Lady say that it was the cook's morning off?"

Akisame quickly gave each girl a job to do. "Rin start on the rice. Mika and Shakaku you two can begin cutting the mushrooms, tofu and green onions for the miso. Shakaku, when you finish that go into the cellar and see if there is any of that deer left. If there is bring it up and prepare it. I will do the eggs and begin the miso." Soon the kitchen was filled with the gentle laughter of women working together.

Miroku led his lovely bride into the banquet hall. Leaning to her he whispered, "Seems we have a new son, my love."

Sango smiled happily. "Good," she said, pinching her husband's arm lightly, "I'm glad you didn't scare the boy off."

Miroku, pouted at her as he led her to a side table. "I am not a fool, my love. If I had done that I would have to deal with you and Haya."

"Yes, yes... but should not the Western household have more than one cook? I myself have three cooks and am currently looking for a fourth." Yamakaji defended. "And, to force Shakaku, my sons intended to assist her in this foolishness. Reiketsu will be very disturbed by this when he joins us."

Keikan held back the growl that threatened at South's insults of his house, and his Hahaoya. He would have said something except for seeing the expression on his father's face as he heard South's last comments.

Sesshomaru swept into the banquet hall just as South finished his sentence. Years of practice kept his voice calm. "I do not come to your household Yamakaji-sama and question how you run it. As for Reiketsu...it seems our Northern comrade decided to leave last night after all and left Shakaku in our care."

Before Yamakaji could form a reply the ladies returned from the kitchen with the meal. Keikan took only a bowl of miso. He didn't want a meal weighing him down. Finally the meal was completed. Keikan rose from his seat, clearing his throat.

Sesshomaru turned his head, looking at his son curiously. He didn't fail to notice the worried/hopeful look on Shakaku's face. "There is something you wish to say Keikan?"

Moving to stand before the tables, Keikan took a deep breath. "Lord Inari, Lord Yamakaji and Chichioya, I wish aitedoru (to challenge) Okubiri for Shakaku. As I have been ignored by her chichigo (respected father), Lord Reiketsu in my request for permission to court her. I come before the remaining cardinal lords as is my right as heir to the Western Lands. I am of age, and have been acknowledged by my family as an adult. I have been recognized as the rightful heir. I have commanded troops." Meeting his father's gaze steadily, "Lord Sesshomaru, you are acting as Lady Shakaku's guardian. I ask if I have proven, to your satisfaction my suitability?"

Sesshomaru met his son's gaze steadily. It amazed him that his sons had changed so much in such a short space of time. Nodding his head once, "You have proven yourself in my eyes. What say the other Lords?" He looked first at Inari.

The kitsune Taiyoukai folded his arms. "I believe the boy as proven himself. I give the challenge my blessing."

Sesshomaru nodded again and turned his golden eyes on Yamakaji. "What say you Yamakaji-sama?"

Yamakaji hesitated for a moment. He knew that the only objection Reiketsu had was that the boy was hanyou. Even he would admit that the young heir was the better suitor. "Hai. The boy has proven he is suitable. I give the challenge my blessing. However," he continued, "as I have only the one heir, Lord Sesshomaru, I request that this challenge not be to the death."

Sesshomaru nodded his assent. "I grant your request." He looked around, seeing that everyone had effectively finished their meal. "Jaken." The toad came forward at his lord's call. "Escort Okubiri to his rooms and make certain he has proper attire for battle. We will be in the courtyard when he is ready."

As Jaken led the young neko towards his rooms, Keikan bowed to the assembled Lords. "If you will excuse me, I shall prepare myself as well."

Mika pushed a piece of fruit around on her plate. She was unable to shake her vision. She wanted to talk to her parents about it but not with the Southern Lord present. She didn't dislike him as she did the Northern Lord, she just didn't like him very much. From the corner of her eye she saw her Chichioya rise. "Shall we go to the courtyard?" he asked. Mika rose and followed along with the others out into the bright autumn sunshine.

Okubiri had changed into a borrowed hakama and hiori. He knew his nature would give him an advantage. Most males assumed that since he preferred them to females in his bed, he was weak. Nothing was farther from the truth. Being honest with himself, he admitted that this was a wonderful excuse to get out of the betrothal. All he had to do was make the fight good enough to convince his father he had tried to win. With a sly smile as he followed the toad youkai to the courtyard he realized it would be his only chance to lay a hand on West's handsome heir.

Keikan rose from his meditations as the southern heir entered the courtyard. Bowing to his opponent he took a ready stance. He quickly dismissed any preconceived notions as Okubiri fell into a ready stance of his own. 'So, the neko knows how to fight.' If not for the seriousness of the situation he would have loved to laugh at the irony of an inu fighting a neko.

The two stood for moments trying to determine the strategy of the other, neither wanting to be the first to move. Then as one they moved to each other, circled each other. Finally the first blow was struck, Okubiri crouched quickly his leg thrusting out to knock the inu off his feet. Reading his movements Keikan leapt flipping to grab the neko's shoulders as he soared over his head. Movements became a blur of arms, and legs as the two fought. Keikan kept his composure even as he felt several contacts that were not of a fighting nature. After several minutes Okubiri leapt back and transformed into his demon form.

From his place in the stands Yamakaji smirked. There was no way the inu hanyou could defeat his son now. Then his smirk faded as the air around the hanyou swirled and a white dog stood snarling at his son.

This time Keikan was in full control of his inu form. Kiara had practiced with him many times in this form. With a leap he landed his jaws clamped around the neko's neck. Forcing the cat down. Okubiri submitted. Releasing the neko, Keikan returned to his normal form and extended his hand to his opponent, helping him rise. "You surrender your claim to the female?"

"Hai, Keikan. She is yours." Okubiri responded.

Shakaku watched the fight, for some reason confident that Keikan would win. When Okubiri surrendered she could barely contain her joy. The Western Lord however stepped forward calmly. "You have beaten your enemy in battle," he said, "Shakaku is yours."

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