Of Claws And Fangs
Episode 68

Seeing Sango coming down the stairs Miroku smiled sadly to her. When she finally joined him on the porch of their hut, he whispered, "He seemed to take it well. How is she?"

She leaned on her husband's shoulder. "She will never get over the pain of not being able to give him children. I wish there was something we could do."

"I will continue to my petitions to Buddha. Perhaps in Kagome's time they could cure this, but here and now I know of none. I have hope. Look at us, my love. I see the gray beginning to touch my temples, yet Akisame looks as young as the day she arrived. Perhaps by mateing with Keishou, Haya will live until there is a way." He brushed his lips to her forehead, "At least now he knows and they can carry the burden together."

Her husband’s words renewed the hope that had been dwindling. “Hai, you are right. Come on,” she said, rising, “If we are going back to the castle for a few days we should start packing.”

Looking up at her, Miroku for a second saw the young exterminator he had met so many years ago. "You are still so beautiful." He told her as he rose.

Sango smiled at him, "Flattery will get you everywhere my dear houshi."

"I hope so," he replied, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and leading into their hut.

As the curtain fell hiding them, Keikan stepped from the shadows. He had only been going for an evening walk, he had not meant to eves drop and now he wished he hadn't decided to take the walk. Head down, he walked into the hut he was sharing with Shakaku. Kneeling he angrily stroked the fire.

Shakaku saw Keikan leave. She wanted to walk with him tonight, who knew when they would get a chance to do so again. The tora followed but saw that he went instead to their hut. Cocking her head to the side in curiosity she padded over and went inside. "Keikan?"

"Hmm?" He questioned not looking at her. His mind still full of what he had overheard.

"Would you like to walk with me? I don't know when we might get another chance."

"Sure," He answered moving to her side. "So which direction? Towards the well or the Goshinboku?"

"The tree," she replied. As they walked she noticed Keikan's silence. He seemed distracted. "What is wrong?"

Keikan debated for a moment telling her. He wasn't suppose to know, it was going to be hard not to treat Keishou and Haya different. Then the idea of keeping something from Shakaku didn't sit well with him. "I overheard something I shouldn't have. Something I wish now I had never overheard." His eyes lifted to the night sky for a moment, "Haya is unable to bear children."

She lowered her head, feeling sad for the young woman. "I understand your wish not to have heard. It will be hard not to look at them with sadness."

Keikan nodded. Together they walked through the forest finally reaching the Goshinboku. Reaching up, Keikan touched the scar still in the bark, where his uncle had rested for fifty years. "For fifty years my Uncle was pinned to this tree. He never speaks of it, yet I know this holds two memories for him. Until recently, he thought he would never have pups of his own. He once told me that being named Kyoufu was his greatest joy. Even if he never had pups of his own, he had us." He smiled at her puzzled expression, "I know that is a long way of getting to my point, I want to name Keishou and Haya, Kyoufu and Daibo to our pups."

"Of course, I would be glad if they were," she replied, then gave him a sly look, "You think we will have some soon? You're mother is impatient."

Lifting an eyebrow, Keikan studied his mate for a moment. "Hai, Hahaoya is impatient. It does take action on our part to produce said pups. I do not think the trunk of this tree is the appropriate place to take that specific action." Steadily he stalked his prey, "I can think of a much more comfortable spot for such action." He lunged towards her.

The gates of the Western Castle were opened wide and Inari's carriage carried him into the courtyard. Throughout his journey the kitsune Taiyoukai had pondered the meaning behind the inu's letter. He wanted to speak with Sesshomaru as soon as possible. The door of the carriage opened and Inari stepped into the sunlight. He was surprised to see not the Western Lord and Lady standing at the top of the stair to greet him but the Western heir and the daughter of Reiketsu. He walked gracefully up the steps, stopping before the pair, bowing slightly to them. The tora smiled warmly.

"Welcome Inari-sama. It is good to see you again."

"The pleasure is all my Shakaku," Inari turned his gaze to Keikan, "Where is Sesshomaru-sama?"

"My Chichioya, is spending time with Hahaoya and my new sister in the garden." Keikan said nodding to the Kitsune lord. "Come, you must be tired from your journey. I believe you know my mate."

Akisame wandered through the new garden beside her mate. Since returning to the castle she had often found her feet on the path of the garden. A small wooded glade teased her memory from the first moment she saw it. Each twist of the path took her to another haunting familiar vista. Finally the pieces fell into place, stopping she turned to meet his golden gaze. "It's the journey isn't it?" She questioned softly tears filling her eyes.

“That I am young one,” Inari replied. He followed the inu through the halls, “Congratulations on your mating.”

Sesshomaru smiled gently down at her, “Hai. Do you like it?”

"Arigato, Inari-sama. I hope you have had no difficulties in the East." Reaching the guest quarters Keikan opened the door to one set of rooms. "I hope these will be satisfactory. I'll leave you to refresh yourself."

"It's beautiful." she answered. Shifting Kaiya to one arm she reached for him with the other. "Aishiteru."

He pulled her close, bending his head to hers. "And I you," he said before turning. He had scented Jaken on the breeze. "What is it Jaken?" he asked as the toad turned the corner.

Jaken bowed low in his typical fashion, "The Eastern Lord has arrived my Lord and the Lord of the South will be here before sunset."

Sesshomaru sighed, "I suppose that means we must start to prepare."

Moving from his side, Akisame placed Kaiya in Jaken's arms. "Take her to Sango or Rin please." She ordered. Jaken nodded and left the garden. Turning back to her mate she smiled, "We have hours till sunset, I wish to spend time with my mate. Keikan and Shakaku are greeting the guest, it is their job now, not ours." A frown flitted across her face for a moment, "Unless you have changed your mind."

Sesshomaru shook his head, laughing at himself. "Iie, I have not...I merely...forgot for a moment."

Gliding to his side, she wrapped an arm about his waist, "Then let us walk our journey again. Koi."

Inari sat by the window looking out at the brilliant day. Deciding it was too nice a day to waste inside, the kitsune lord rose and left his rooms, telling his servants he was going to the gardens. He remembered that Sesshomaru-sama had one of the most beautiful gardens he had seen. Quickly he found them and was surprised to see that they were different. Inari set his feet on the path and ambled slowly through the changed gardens. They were just as beautiful as before and he couldn't help but feel that he was on a journey of some sort.

He yipped with surprise as he turned the corner to see the Western Lord and Lady also traveling the path of the garden, arm in arm.

At the sound of a kitsune yip, Akisame turned hoping to see Shippo. Instead the wide eyed Eastern Lord stood before her. "Konnichiwa Inari-sama."

Sesshomaru chuckled as Inari quickly regained himself. "Greetings Akisame-sama, Sesshomaru-sama. Everything has worked out I see?"

"Hai, Inari-sama, I believe it has," Sesshomaru replied with a sly glance at his mate.

Akisame saw the sly glance, deciding to play with her puppy of a mate she frowned, "Believe? You're not sure?" she pulled her arm from his and moved to Inari's side, "If you aren't sure then I will walk with Inari-sama."

Inari looked from one to the other in puzzlement. Sesshomaru stood in complete shock, his mouth working up and down as he tried to say something. Finally the inu taiyoukai gave up trying to say anything as a pout pulled his features.

"No Fair!" Akisame laughed at her mate. "You know I can't resist your pouts."

Sesshomaru chuckled. "I know," he replied making his way over to her, "Welcome Inari-sama."

Inari bowed his head in acknowledgment. "It is a pleasure to see the both of you and good to see you both happy again."

"It is a pleasure to be happy again." Akisame replied moving to her mate's side. "Now I'll never be able to tease you again."

The inu taiyoukai chuckled lightly. “I might let you sometimes.”

Inari smiled at the reunited couple and quietly took his leave. His questions could wait until after the banquet.

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