Of Claws And Fangs
Episode 70



"Good evening Shakaku... What request?" Miroku wondered why the poor girl looked so flushed, but met her eyes steadily.

"Keikan...he told me to ask Inu Yasha for chocolate syrup but Inu Yasha said to ask you. Houshi-sama...what is this chocolate syrup and do you have any?"

Miroku's eyes widened at her question and request. He hadn't realized that Keikan had overheard that particular conversation. "Hai, Shakaku I have Chocolate syrup. It .... well you.... I'll let your mate explain. I'll have Jaken take it to your room."

She sighed, slightly annoyed that the monk had not told her what it was. "Arigatou houshi-sama." With a small bow she turned and made her way to her room to prepare for the banquet.

Miroku watched as the girl walked off. Returning to his room he pulled one of the unopened bottles of chocolate syrup out and looked at it longingly. "I'll just have to send Inu Yasha after more." He said.

Sango looked up from dressing at his words. When she saw the bottle she blushed slightly, "Miroku, put that away...we have to get ready for the dinner," she scolded.

"Ah my boomerang butterfly, I would except I have to send this bottle to Keikan." He answered, with a wink he continued, "But, do not worry I still have the other two bottles."

"Keikan? Why...oh never mind."

Sesshomaru was also getting ready for the banquet. He looked over at his mate. "Are you coming to the dinner?"

"Hai. I just have to finish feeding this little one." She glanced down at the infant at her breast. "Pick out a kimono for me, please."

Nodding Sesshomaru moved to pick one. His hands danced over the silks, finally settling on one. One that held memories for the both of them. The one Leena and Taka had bought her. "How about this one?"

Looking up she saw the one he held out. A smile crossed her face, "Only if you wear it's match. It was the one that started my journey to being the Western Lady, it is only right it end it as well."

He smiled back at her. "Of course, love. It's match is my favorite as well. How do you think the others will take my announcement?"

Laying Kaiya down, she rose and moved to his side. "I think some will be surprised, some will question, and some will be happy for you and him." Lifting to her tiptoes she kissed him gently. "Now entertain your daughter while I get dressed."

Dinner was served and eaten. Sesshomaru rose, calling all attention in the room upon himself. "You are all probably wondering why I have called you here this evening. As you know I have been indisposed as of late and my heir has been acting on my behalf. He has proven himself quite capable and thus I have decided for the next year to transfer all my authority onto him. For all intents and purposes...for the next year he is the Western Lord."

Akisame looked up at her mate from her seated position. Leaning towards the now Lady of the West, she whispered to Shakaku, "I hope your mate does not forget his child's naming ceremony, as mine has just done."

Keikan looked at his father, standing he leaned and whispered, "You forgot Kaiya, Chichioya."

Sesshomaru resisted the urge to smack himself in the forehead. 'Baka inu,' he thought, with a sidelong glance to his mate, knowing he was going to get it later, he cleared his throat. "Gomen...it seems I am getting forgetful in my old age. I have forgotten to introduce to you my newest pup, Kaiya."

Inari sipped his drink from his seat, near the head table, listening to the inu's announcement. He thought it very wise of the Taiyoukai to hand over authority to his heir now while Sesshomaru was still able to give counsel and advice if necessary. His forest green eyes swept down the head table, taking in the inu pack. The kitsune realized that Mika was gazing at him intermittently. When emerald met amber, she held his gaze a moment before turning away, a slight blush rising on her cheeks.

Yamakaji snorted at Sesshomaru's forgetting to introduce his youngest pup and his mates sidelong glance. He remembered when Okubiri was a kitten, his mates reaction to his own forgetfulness.

Akisame glanced up at her mate and shook her head. Rising to stand beside him she spoke, "My mate, always a wonderful father, has forgotten again. As with all our pups, Our brother Inu Yasha and our friend Sango will act as godparents for this pup." Pausing she glanced down the table and caught Rin's eye. At a nod and a blush from the young girl, she continued, "We are also pleased to announce that our ward Rin has now become our sister. Also that she is expecting her first pup."

Inari smiled, raising his glass. "Then I propose a toast to your newest family members. You have come through a dark period only to have blessings shine down upon you. May you continue along this happy road."

Akisame smiled at the room. This was the last time she would play hostess to a state dinner. She looked forward to the morning when Sesshomaru, Mika, Kaiya and she would return to Edo and a simple life. Nodding to Inari she took a sip from her glass.

Shakaku smiled as she took a sip from her own glass and Sesshomaru sat, doing the same thing. She leaned over and whispered in her mate's ear, "You're Chichioya seems relieved."

Keikan nodded, then whispered back, "Were you able to get the chocolate syrup?"

"Hai, and..." she paused, blush creeping into her cheeks, "I'm beginning to think I know what it is for."

The guests were filing out of the dining hall. Sesshomaru, Akisame, Keikan and Shakaku stood by the entrance to bid goodnight to them. Mika had crept up to stand beside her mother. As Inari filed past he clasped arms with both males and produced roses for both females. A tiny growl crept unbidden from the girl's throat.

"Didn't I tell you," Keikan whispered, "My favorite desert is Chocolate covered Tora."

Akisame looked down at Mika frowning. What had gotten into the girl.

Mika felt her mother's eyes upon her. She turned the growl into a cough and looked up innocently. "Is something wrong Hahaoya?"

Smiling Akisame wrapped an arm around the girls waist. "We'll be back in just a minute." She told the assembled males of the family. Leading Mika into a small hall off the banquet room she spoke. "Just what was that growling about young lady?"

Mika lowered her head, not looking her mother in the eye. "It was nothing Hahaoya...I thought...it was nothing."

"Don't nothing me, Mika." Akisame scolded. "Now why did you start growling when Inari-sama gave Shakaku and I a rose?" she thought she knew the answer to that question but wanted the girl to admit it.

"Gomen Haha...but I couldn't help it," the girl felt her cheeks heating up. Gathering her courage she said softly, "I know who my mate will be."

Akisame smiled and knelt on a cushion, motioning for the girl to do the same. "The first time I met your Chichioya, I had been cursed. With a touch I knew a person's life from birth to death. It was painful. Then your Chichioya touched me. I can still remember how calm and ordered his thoughts were and how sad. I wanted to comfort him, to ease his pain. Then I saw him in my arms. Your mate is Inari-sama isn't it?"

Mika knelt beside her mother, glad that she understood. "I knew there was going to be someone. I dreamt it but today...he gave me a rose and my fingers brushed his and I saw it. Just as you said Hahaoya," she paused, worrying her lip with her teeth, "Is it wrong to know your future?"

Brushing back the girls auburn hair, she smiled, "No. It is your gift. However... I would not mention this to Inari-sama just yet. He is much older than you and sees you as a child for now. A few more years and he will begin to see you as an adult." Pausing she winked at the girl, "Let's not tell your Chichioya yet. I don't think he is ready for his little girl to be thinking of husbands. There is no reason to growl when Inari-sama gives Shakaku and I a rose. I am your Hahaoya, and Shakaku is your sister."

A smile lit the young hanyou's face as she threw her arms around her mother's neck. "Hai, Hahaoya and gomen. I will apologize to Joudama as well." She pulled back a little and fixed Akisame with a questioning gaze. "You don't think Chichioya will be mad when it happens do you? Like with Uncle and Rin-neesan?"

"Iie. I don't think so. Your Chichioya's anger over Inu Yasha and Rin, had less to do with their love. Than his accepting his brother loving his daughter." Giving the girl a quick kiss on the forward, "Of course he is going to be a bit sad to loose his baby girl."

Ahh…I see,” she replied, then crinkled her nose at her mother, “I’m not a baby anymore Hahaoya.”

"To your Chichioya and I you are. So are Keikan and Keishou."

Mika laughed, turning her head toward the door just as Sesshomaru came through it. He looked down at her and Akisame. "Just what was that about?"

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