Of Claws And Fangs
Episode 75



Patting his twin on the shoulder Keikan chuckled. "Nothing yet. But I think we can use our appearance to confound his plans. I just had to get away from their scheming." Calming from his earlier rage, his thoughts turned to his mate. "Are my guard staying with Shakaku? How is she? How are Chichioya and Hahaoya? Mika? Rin? Uncle? Arashi? Haya?"

Keishou smiled, "Everyone is fine, disappointed you couldn't come. Hai the guard is staying with your mate, much to her annoyance. Oh! Congratulations on the pup! I wonder if you'll have twins? Mika misses you...she's got Hahaoya's gift, found that out this morning" he continued to chatter on about the family.

Keikan tuned out everything his brother was saying. "Pup? PUP?!?" A smile spread across his face, "I'm going to be a father?" He leapt to his feet and immediately fell back to the ground. "I'm going to be a father..."

After getting over his initial shock at Keikan's outburst, Keishou's ears drooped. "Oh kuso...you mean you didn't know? She's gonna kill me!"

Sesshomaru wiped his face, then fixed both Miroku and Inu Yasha with a glare. Why was he always seemed to be at the center of his friends and family's jokes. He had to admit, the sight he had made was most likely very humorous but it wouldn't do to start laughing with them. "Fluffy?" he growled, "If that pup calls me that, I swear Inu Yasha..."

"You swear what, husband?" Akisame called from the door. Not having heard the beginning of the conversation. "And what is so funny?"

Miroku was the first to recover and moved to his wife's side. "Well, you see Akisame... Arashari needed a change. Inu Yasha didn't know how to so, Sesshomaru showed him and..."

"Discovered that little boys are different?" She volunteered when the monks laughter overtook him again. At his nod she bit her lip to keep from laughing. Behind her she heard Haya and Rin snort with their own suppressed giggles.

Sango and Shakaku joined in the laughter as Mika looked at them all curiously, trying to ask above the racket what they were talking about. Sesshomaru looked around the room at all the laughing faces. Finally he just sighed. “Much to my surprise, that is exactly what I found out.” Sweeping past all of them, head held high, he went outside, closing his eyes as the wind blew gently by. ‘Keikan?’

Keikan was still staring off into space. His brother's words broke through and then he remembered why he was here, and his eyes widened. Leaping up he grabbed Keishou by the collar, "You must keep her here. One of those women offered to work in the kitchens. I do not want them near Shakaku or my pup."

Keishou put his hand over his twin’s. “If you strangle the life out of me I won’t be able to do anything,” he nodded as Keikan let him go. “I will try brother…you know you’re mate but I will try.”

"Do more than try." He hissed. "If Reiketsu is capable of sending those two to destroy us. He would certainly make certain that they knew herbs and their purposes. One of them boasted she was an excellent cook." Turning he looked down the path that would lead to the small village and his mate, "I must keep her safe, even if it means keeping her away from me." His head dropped. "I should head back, they will suspect."

"All right, Keikan but I still think you should tell her," Keishou held up his hand, halting any explanation, "Just go before anyone else realizes your here and be careful."

"Hai, I've been here too long. If something happens, or she does leave have Mika tell me." Not waiting for an answer Keikan transformed and start off towards his empty castle at top speed.

Keishou watched until he could see no more sign of Keikan, then turned to head back to the village. He met his father coming up the path. Sesshomaru gave him a questioning look, "I thought I scented Keikan."

"Hai, he was here. He explained a few things. We must keep Shakaku here as long as we can," Keishou said as his father fell into step beside him. The hanyou took a deep sniff, "Chichioya...you smell like--"

"You will not finish that sentence Keishou."

Keikan transformed back as he made the final leap into the courtyard. The ningen woman still stood at the same spot only now joined by the snake youkai. He didn't acknowledge their presence as he moved towards the garden.

Nabikasu noticed the set of shoulders and turned to Ori, "He's in a better mood. Though from his appearance I would suggest now would be a good time to find the mouse. She is most likely in the kitchen and if what I was able to get from the cook is true, he will enter through the kitchen entrance to the gardens. Make certain he hears the apology. Go, and no more stupid mistakes like last night."

"Hai, arigatou Nabikasu," Ori said, hurrying to the kitchens. She waited outside the door until she heard footsteps in the hall and as Keikan turned the corner, Ori entered the kitchen. The mouse looked up at her and quickly looked back down at the vegetables she was chopping. Ori moved over to her and in her most sincere voice said, "Please forgive me for being so rude to you earlier. I did not mean it."

Shizuka looked up at the woman before her, whiskers twitching. She didn't like this ningen nor the snake the young Lord had brought home but the woman seemed earnest in her apology. As her Lord came through the door, she replied, in her quiet voice "You apology is accepted, my lady."

Ori resisted the urge to breathe a sigh of relief. "Arigatou Shizuka, if you need any help at all please call me," she turned to leave, nearly running into Keikan, "Oh my Lord, please excuse me...I was just apologizing to Shizuka. You were right, my behavior towards her earlier was completely uncalled for."

Keikan looked down at ningen, he couldn't tell if her apology was false. "Keh." Was his only answer as he moved further into the kitchen ignoring the woman. "Shizuka." He whined playfully, "is there any miso soup or maybe some of those wonderful sweet dumplings?" Giving the mouse his best puppy eyes, his ears twitching. Watching carefully he quickly snagged a mushroom popping it in his mouth. Despite the ningen and the snake he was happy. He was going to be a father, a pup. He and Shakaku were going to have a pup. It took everything in him to keep from lifting the small mouse up and spinning her around.

Ori could tell she was being ignored but also that Keikan was in a significantly better mood than when he had left. She decided that the best thing to do would be to leave the kitchens.

Shizuka swatted at Keikan's hand but was unable to prevent the theft of the mushroom. Lord of the West or not, this was still the pup she had watched grow up. "Hai, my Lord, there are some sweet dumplings over there," she replied, "I saved them for you." Out of the corner of her eye she saw the ningen leave the kitchen. Good riddance, she thought with a sniff. "What is it that has put you in such a good mood, my Lord?"

Keikan cocked his head to the right and in inu youkai answered, "My mate is with pup. But, do not say anything about it and for the sake of all you hold dear do not tell Jaken." He stood and moved to where the little mouse had indicated, "Kanchou will be returning soon. When he arrives tell him to go to Edo, I do not want to risk those two having known him." Switching back to Japanese, "Shizuka, you make the best sweet dumplings.

Shizuka nodded, indicating that she understood but kept her reaction neutral, in case either of the two "guests" were listening. "I am glad they please you my Lord. Will you be dining with your guests tonight?"

He thought for a while then answered, "Hai, I suppose I should. I would much rather eat here in the kitchen. Do you think cook would make yakatori?"

The mouse servant bowed, slightly. "Whatever you wish. It will be ready before sundown."

Haya listened quietly as Rin, Shakaku, Akisame and her mother joked about pregnancies and things small children did. She laughed in the right places she hoped. When they came to discussing father's holding their children for the first time, she stood, "I'm going to go do a quick patrol of the village." Walking out of the hut she made her way to the shrine.

Rin watched her friend go. She noticed the sadness that seemed to hang over her. She thought back to her comment prior to the girl leaving, 'You two just wait until your mate holds their pup in their arms for the first time. You'll see.' Why would that upset Haya? "Akisame? Sango? Did I say something wrong?"

"Rin, that is something you must discuss with Haya." Akisame said gently

Shakaku looked down at her hands, knowing what had upset the Taijiya's daughter but also knowing she could not reveal that she knew. Sango nodded. "Hai, Rin, you must ask her."

Keishou looked down from his perch atop his hut and saw his mate headed for the shrine. In a few leaps he was at her side. "Are you all right?"

Haya smiled at her mate. "Hai. I just didn't want to hear anymore about babies." She looked in his eyes and knew he didn't believe her. "What, I'm not allowed to be unhappy to discuss babies and mates holding them for the first time." This time it wasn't sadness that gripped her but anger, "Is there nothing else to discuss? Only babies, babies, babies. How to raise them. How wonderful it is to carry them. How funny mates are holding them for the first time. Nanshokagai and Reiketsu are most likely planning who knows what. Wanting nothing more than to hurt this family and we sit waiting. Discussing babies."

"Arigato, Komori (nursemaid)" Keikan answered before leaving to prepare himself for the evening before him. Stopping to check his study he was not pleased to see Nabikasu exiting it. Quickly he transformed pulling himself into the form of a small puppy. He bounded up to the snake youkai barking.

"Quiet mutt." Nabikasu snapped kicking at the white puppy barking at her.

"Hai, love, there are more important things" Keishou replied, in order to try and take her mind off of child bearing he decided to inform her of what Keikan told him. He inclined his head toward the shrine and once they were inside he proceeded to tell her of Reiketsu's plan. "My twin has decided to be a baka and not tell his mate. He wants us to keep her here."

Hearing the barking, Ori decided to investigate and found Nabikasu being assaulted by a small white puppy. "How adorable," she cooed, crouching down to scratch the animal's ears.

Keikan decided this form would allow him to find out there true plan. Playing up the cute puppy he nipped at the hand scratching his ears.

"That's going to be hard. All she talks about is going back and telling him." Haya said,

Ori chuckled at the puppy and knocked it gently onto it's back so she could scratch it's belly. She looked up at her companion. "What were you doing?"

Keishou sighed and nodded. "I know and if her father with an entire castle full of armed guard couldn't keep her from leaving I don't know what we're going to do."

Keikan rolled his eyes but continued to act the part he'd cast himself in. He wiggled and squirmed finally getting back to his feet.

"Trying to find out where that mate of his went." Nabikasu hissed. "The only thing I found was a stack of concubine offers next to the hearth."

Keikan barked at the snake and began growling. Had she understood Inu Youkai she would have heard, "Keep your slimy scales away from my mate."

Haya placed a hand on her mates arm. "Between Sesshomaru, Akisame, Mika, You, and me we should be able to stall her some. I could always tell my parents. Father would help."

"Oh what a fearsome little thing you are," Ori said to the puppy, ruffling its fur. "Keikan said she was away on family business. We know she is not with her father so it must be where ever his family is."

Keishou chuckled, placing his hand over his mates. "Hai, your father would definitely be able to help. "

"More so than you think." Keikan barked. He would have to make an escape soon, but decided to listen a bit more.

Nabikasu, "Hai, she would be with his family. Whatever you do, should his mother appear you must not touch her." At her companions puzzled look, "I know not why, I was only warned not to touch her or let her touch me. Come, we must not be here when he returns." She started down the hall.

Ori nodded and looked back down at the pup. She scratched behind it's ears. "You know," she mused softly, "this would be so much easier if I could not care about him." Giving him one final scratch she stood and followed Nabikasu.

Keikan watched as the two turned the corner. He listened a moment longer to be sure they were walking away before returning to his true form. Opening the door to his study he checked to be sure all was in order. Sitting at his desk he thought for a moment, then called 'Mika?'

Mika was in the herb garden, pulling weeds, yet another of the many chores she had been given. As she heard her brother's call, she looked up, her eyes staring off in the direction of the castle. 'Hai, Keikan?'

'Are you able to connect minds? Could Chichioya and I speak through you?' He asked. Keikan needed advice, and trusted only one who had been where he was.

'I can try,' Mika responded. 'Give me a moment.' Quickly she went in search of her father, deciding it might be easier if she could touch him. Mika found him in their hut, laying Kaiya down for a nap. "Chichioya...Keikan wants to speak with you."

Sesshomaru gave his daughter a confused look, as she took his hand. He was surprised when he heard her voice without any movement of her lips. 'Keikan? Try it.'

The wait had been agonizing, when her request came he tried, "Chichioya? Can you hear me?"

'Hai Keikan,' Sesshomaru replied, quickly recovering from the shock of his daughter's power, 'What is wrong?'

'I need your council, Chichioya. I do not wish to tire Mika, ask Keishou for more details. Reiketsu has sent two trained courtesans to me. He had his own men attack them, so I can't just throw them out. One of them is attempting to seduce me, but I have recently discovered she is genuinely attracted to me. The other is trying to locate Shakaku, I came upon them near my office. Am I wrong to keep Shakaku away? What should I do?'

Sesshomaru sighed inwardly, now he knew some of the reason his son wanted them to keep his mate in Edo. 'You are right to want to protect her and I assume she knows nothing of this. You must find out their plan before we can allow Shakaku to return to you,' he paused, no, he would not reveal the news of the pup, 'This one that is attracted to you...you can use her to your advantage, though it will hurt her in the end.'

"Chichioya, I do not care if it hurts her. She would come between me and my mate. I do not trust her not to harm my mate or my pup.' Keikan calmed himself and continued, 'How do I fight my instincts? They demand her blood for touching me.'

He looked down at Mika, thinking she had told Keikan but she just shook her head, the look of intense concentration never wavering from her face. Sesshomaru wasn't certain how to answer his son's last question. 'Call to your ningen blood to help you. You have not the leisure to learn control the way I did right now.'

'Hai, I will try. Chichioya, keep my mate safe. Arigato Mika.' He broke the link. Closing his eyes he began to center himself as his Hahaoya had taught him. When all his worries and fears had vanished he called to his ningen blood helping it to conquer his youkai instincts. Burying them deep.

Mika took a deep breath as she let go of Sesshomaru's hand. Connecting the two had been harder than she thought. The room started to move around her. She felt a hand on her shoulder and looked up at her father. The girl managed a weak smile before falling forward.

Sesshomaru caught his daughter as she fell, panic seizing him momentarily. He examined her quickly, breathing a sigh of relief when he realized she had merely fainted. Lifting her easily he took her to her bed.

Akisame walked in to see Sesshomaru carrying Mika towards her room. Taking in the girls limp form she rushed to his side. "What happened?"

"She connected me to Keikan...he needed my advice," he said, laying her on her bed, "Apparently it was more of a strain on her than she thought but she is fine."

"Before she tries that again, come find me. With some of the tricks Leena taught me I should be able to augment her." Akisame said helping tuck Mika in. After they had left the room she met his eyes, "So what did Keikan need advice on?"

Sesshomaru leaned against the wall, expanding his senses. Finding that Shakaku was not nearby he told his mate what Keikan had told him. "He wanted to know if keeping Shakaku away from him was the correct course and how to control his instincts.," he finished, "And it seems he does not want to inform her of the situation."

Keikan continued his attempt to bury his instincts when from deep within him he felt another presence, then a single thought came, 'Easy pup, do not try so hard. Trust your youki, let it know you are protecting your mate and pup.' As quickly as it had appeared it vanished. Deciding to trust the advice, he stopped trying to push away his demon blood and instead embraced it, flooding it with the knowledge of the danger. Suddenly a grim determination filled him. Opening his eyes he took a deep breath and exited his study.

As he entered the dining room, he noticed for the first time a bright outline around Shizuka and the other servants. When the snake and ningen female entered he saw a similar outline around each of them. Around the snake it was as if no light could penetrate, yet around the ningen there seemed to be a warring of light and dark. Taking his seat he watched as they sat at a farther table. "Come, there is only the three of us. We may as well not have to shout at each other while we speak." He indicated the two cushions across from his position.

Ori rose, suddenly painfully aware of every movement she made under his gaze. She sat opposite him as gracefully as she could. "I wish to apologize again for earlier...I was only trying to be helpful," she said.

'Good' Keikan heard the voice once again. 'Smell it? The ningen is nervous and aroused. Forget the centuries of ingrained retraining of instinct. You are a dog, pup, not a wolf.'

Keikan listened then questioned the voice, 'Who are you?'

He heard the voice chuckling, 'Let us simply say I am one of your blood.'

Satisfied that the voice was not a deception of another, he allowed himself to look at the ningen. His eyes traced the curve of her lips, the arch of her neck. He smiled taking a skewer of the Yakatori he grasped one of the strips with his teeth and pulled it off slowly. His eyes never leaving hers. 'Forgive me Shakaku, I do this for us.'



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