Of Claws and Fangs
Episode 53

Shakaku looked at the disaster that was now the gardens. They used to be so beautiful. The last few days had been so emotional. Had Keikan really meant what he told Fate? She had not seen him since after she had put Mika to bed. Turning she went back into the castle to find him.

Keikan sat among a mountain of scrolls. Each a request for something. One wanted a garrison of guards positioned around his home for protection. One an offer of a daughter as a concubine. One a request for leniency for a confessed murderer. The list went on and on. He wanted to run from this work, yet the thought of his father's childlike questions, his eyes so full of loss and his single minded determination now to redesign the gardens, kept him at the work. Keikan would act as Western Lord until his father was ready to take up the job again. Standing he stretched and moved to pour a cup of tea from the pot on the fire. As the door opened he looked to see Shakaku standing there. Smiling, he motioned her to join him. "Tea?"

Shakaku returned his smile, nodding as she moved to sit beside him. As Keikan poured the tea her eyes traveled over the scrolls. "Want some help?"

Keikan smiled, handing her the tea. "Yes! If you could just sort through these request. Let's see the basics, West does not keep concubines, we don't pardon murderers, and if it sounds silly we don't do it either. That way I can work on this stack." He indicated another stack of scrolls. "This is the reports of the lords under us."

She nodded and began sorting through the requests as her tea cooled a little. A few moments passed in silence. Finally she looked up at him, "Keikan?" When he looked at her she found she couldn't ask the question she truly wanted to ask so instead said, "Last night, you asked if Shiro had hurt me. Why did you call your form a different name?"

Suki nodded, "Hai young Weapons Master. You may tell them of Nanshokagai's deceptions, but they must find their love again. That young one, you can not assist with. It may speed the course if they know of Nanshokagai's true nature. Beware young one, for Nanshokagai may turn her schemes on you or your brother next." Smiling she faded away leaving him alone to ponder her words.

Keishou sat a long moment, thinking on what Suki had told him. He hoped that his parents would resolve their problems quickly, everyone could see how much pain they were both in. He stood, wondering if he should wait until morning to speak with his Hahaoya. He left his hut, padding quietly to the one she was in. He stopped, swiveling his ears forward to catch the sounds from inside. She was asleep. It would wait till morning then. He returned to his hut and his own restless sleep.

Rin made her way through the castle stopping at the door to Sesshomaru's office. Hearing him and Mika discussing something quietly she knocked softly. "Sesshomaru-sama? May I speak with you?"

"Hai Rin," he said softly, "Come in."

Entering the office she noticed his bandaged hands, "Sesshomaru-sama, I went to the shrine you built for the Maiden and Midoriko. Midoriko appeared to me and said that the woman who claimed to be fate... was a spirit that fed off the distress of others. Her name is Nanshokagai. I just thought you should know." She watched his face carefully for any reaction.

Sesshomaru stared at Rin, allowing the words to sink in. "It doesn't matter. The damage is done, now I must try to find a way to fix it. If there is even a way."

Rin wanted to yank his silver hair out in great handfuls. "But, Sesshomaru you taught me that the first step to defeating an enemy is knowing who the enemy is. We know now. Go to Akisame-mama. Tell her. Please Sesshomaru-sama." She begged.

Mika looked up at her father hopefully. "Listen to Rin, Chichioya, please," the girl pleaded.

Keikan smirked, "Well it's actually a funny story. The first time I changed, I didn't know how to change back. I was, oh about twelve, Mika and Midori were three. Anyway they found this cute white puppy," he pointed to himself. "and named him Shiro. I was stuck for about a week until my Uncle came with Myoga. The old flea, taught me how to change back. So ever since then I just associate that form with the name Shiro. It also keeps Jaken from knowing exactly who Shiro is."

Shakaku giggled and sipped her tea. "Why do you wish to keep the knowledge from Jaken?"

Keikan leaned over and whispered, "Cause I got pissed at him and pissed on him."

Nanshokagai floated through the roof of the hut, stopping beside the sleeping Akisame. She leaned down close to the woman. "You feed me well, Akisame." The youkai reached out and touched a cool hand to the woman's forehead, slipping easily into her dreams. As she entered the dream world, she changed her appearance to match that of Akari. "Akisame," she called to Akisame's dream self.

Akisame turned there before her stood Akari. Just as she had looked in Iroke's and Sesshomaru's memories. "A...A...Akari?" she gasped.

Nanshokagai smiled at Akisame. "He is mine, I won't let him go. Your attempts are in vain."

Akisame felt the tears start. "Please Akari, please. You had your time with him. I'm sorry the prince had you murdered. I even helped Sesshomaru take revenge for your death." She implored the woman before her. Within the dreamscape, Akisame watched helplessly as Sesshomaru came and put his arms around Akari. His lips grazing her neck. "Sesshomaru, please... I love you..." Lifting his head he laughed at her tears.

Inu Yasha heard Akisame's whimpers, rising from his futon he went to her room. The door was held by some force. "Akisame?!" He called.

Nanshokagai turned and wrapped her arms around the Sesshomaru she had created, laughing and allowed the two of them to slowly fade out of Akisame's dream.

The banging on the door awoke her as much as her dream. Suddenly the door flew open and Inu Yasha stumbled in. Hiding her face in her hands, Akisame murmured softly, "He won't come. He doesn't want me, or this baby."

Inu Yasha heard her murmured words and quickly knelt beside her, his arm going around her shoulder. "He does Akisame, you know he does. I've never seen my brother as happy as he is with you. Go back to the castle, you two can work through this."

Shaking her head, "No... If he truly wants me and this baby he'll come for us." She gave up trying to hold back the sobs that shook her small frame.

Sesshomaru lowered his head, shaking it slowly. "What if she doesn't want me to come to her? I wont hurt her anymore than I already have," he sat Mika on her feet. "I will work on the gardens for when she returns. I will make them beautiful and just for her." With that he picked up his brush again.

Rin frowned at him, but something in his eyes, they were the eyes of a lost and frightened child. Taking Mika by the hand, she started out. "Sesshomaru-sama, at least consider going after her. You must think of the pup she carries."

Shakaku laughed. "Hai, I can see how you would not want him to know then." She returned to looking through the scrolls, tossing aside three more offers of concubines. 'Oh just ask him, baka,' she demanded of herself. "Keikan, did you mean what you said to Fate this morning?"

Keikan looked up from the report of the spies watching the now retreating invasion force. "What part where I called her oban? Or the part where I said I would chart my destiny with you at my side?" He frowned at her, "I wouldn't have fought Okubiri if I didn't. If not for the concession Chichioya gave, I would have died rather than see you with anyone else."

Shakaku blinked in surprise. She didn't think any words could respond appropriately to his confession so she leaned over and kissed him.

Placing his hands on her shoulders, Keikan pushed Shakaku back. "Remember that. I choose you above everything. Never doubt it." He searched her greenish gold eyes for assurance she understood and believed.

"Hai Keikan. I will always remember," she replied. She took his hand, pressing it to her cheek, then released him. "Let's finish this work."

Nanshokagai twirled in glee. She hadn't had this much fun in ages. She would have to try the son's mate tomorrow.

Miroku awoke, a disturbing presence was in the village. With speed born from years of being ready for battle in a moment, he dressed and moved through the village. As he reached Kaede's hut he heard the sound of crying. Without knocking he entered following the sound. His eyes made contact with the golden orbs of his friend, over the woman's head. Nodding he left heading for the newest hut in the village. Reaching it he called, "Keishou!"

After the door closed, Sesshomaru paused, looking out the window. Was Rin right? Should he go to her? No, he shook his head. She would come back. She always came back.

Keishou sat bolt upright, immediately on the alert. Stepping to the door of his hut he saw Miroku and Sango, both looked ready for battle. "What's wrong?"

Haya had followed Keishou to the door. One look at her parents and she knew something was wrong. She listened as her father spoke.

"Keishou, go to Kaede's hut. Your Hahaoya is upset and Inu Yasha is having a hard time comforting her. Haya go to our hut and gather your weapons, there is an evil in this village tonight."

Keishou sped to the hut, kneeling beside his mother, putting an arm around her. "Hahaoya? What happened?"

Mika walked silently beside Rin, thinking. Her parents were hurting because of some stupid spirit? "I'll kill her," the girl whispered.

Rin looked down at Mika, she quickly made a decision and changed directions towards Keikan's study. Finding him and Shakaku, "Keikan, we need to talk."

Keikan's eyes studied both of his sisters. Nodding he beckoned them in. "What is it?" He listened as Rin told him everything she had learned and his father's reaction. When she finished he thought for a moment. "You were right Rin, now that we know we can fight her. I'll send a message to Uncle informing him. We can not allow this Nanshokagai to feed her abnormal appetite with our family."

Mika clenched her fists at her side, "Let me take the message nii-san."

Rin looked at Mika then back up at Keikan and Shakaku. "Hai, Mika. You and I will leave at first light for Edo. Perhaps we can convince her to return."

Nanshokagai sat atop one of the huts, her chin resting in her hands as she leaned forward on her elbows. A gentle breeze toyed with her shifting hair as she watched the humans gather their weapons. Her last meal had fed her well. 'So little monk, you wish to play?'

Sesshomaru put down his brush, hearing the door open, he looked up, expecting to see Akisame standing there. His face fell when it opened completely revealing only Shizuka. She bowed. "Would my Lord like something to eat?"

He shook his head. "See to my children Shizuka. I am not hungry." The servant bowed again and left. He leaned forward resting his elbows on the table, holding his head in his hands. 'Come home soon, love.'

Akisame leaned into Keishou's embrace. Her emerald eyes met his for a moment before fresh tears started again. "Did he ever love me?" she whispered into his shoulder.

Haya opened her senses as her father had taught her finally she felt the presence. Turning she pointed to the woman laying on the roof of Kaede's hut. "There!"

She laughed, materializing before them. "You're good little one but you're not good enough." Nanshokagai stood, gesturing toward the young woman, knocking her off her feet.

"Hai, he did and he still does," Keishou whispered in her ear, his own flicking towards the sounds of battle beginning outside. "Listen to me Hahaoya...that woman...she's not Fate. Suki, she told me, its a spirit who feeds on despair and pain. Nanshokagai and she's out there right now."

Haya fell and rolled as she had been taught, rolling to her feet she through the scythe end of her chain scythe at the woman.

Akisame smiled sadly at her sun, "It doesn't matter. The damage is done. If he truly loves me he will come for me. I will wait here." Seeing the expression in her sons eyes she cautioned, "You will not force him to come either, nor you Inu Yasha. He must come of his own will, otherwise I will never know." The sounds of something moving on the roof caught her attention. "Go both of you, they will need your help to defeat this enemy." She watched as both left the hut.

Inu Yasha exited the hut in time to see the woman who called herself Fate leap lightly to the ground. Raising a hand he stopped the fighting. He spoke to her "Nanshokagai. We know who you are, and what you are. No longer will this family be food for your amusement. Leave," he pulled Tetsusaiga and transformed it, "or face me."

Nanshokagai looked at the hanyou before her, at his sword. The sword that had beaten Naraku. She hesitated. "I know you Inu Yasha...I will leave but know this," she said pointing at him, "None can ever truly escape me."

With that she leapt into the air and took off into the night

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