Of Claws And Fangs
Episode 76

"Baka! Baka! Baka! Is the son I thought grown now such a pup? She could handle it. She would stand at his side, as I did yours." Akisame fumed, trusting her mate to let her know when the tora approached. "She will find out and then there will be hell to pay."

Sesshomaru folded his arms, "Hai...I agree. We will not be able to keep her here long. We can only hope we can do it long enough for him to be rid of those females." He looked to the door, sensing her approach and moved closer to his mate, bending down to whisper in her ear. "We shall discuss it later with the others."

Shakaku knocked lightly on the frame of the door, before pushing aside the curtain. She had a strange feeling, sudden worry for her mate griping her. "Haha? Sesshomaru-sama? Is Mika in here?"

"Shh," Akisame said a finger to her lips. "The silly pup, forgot to eat lunch and fainted. Was there something you needed Shakaku?"

“Oh,” Shakaku replied, lowering her voice. “I thought maybe she could talk to Keikan for a moment. I just had a strange feeling, I wanted to make sure everything was all right.”

Ori felt her cheeks heating under the hanyou's scrutiny, as she reached for a skewer. She found it difficult swallowing the tender meat as his eyes studied her. 'Baka,' she told herself, 'You're the one supposedly doing the seducing.' She finally swallowed the mouthful. "This is delicious, my Lord."

"Hai, it is." Keikan agreed before taking a deep swallow of his soup. Lowering the bowl, he licked his lips, still keeping his eyes on the female before him. He felt his stomach turning, at the practiced seduction techniques he was using. However, from the girls scent he knew the monk had been right about how to arouse a woman.

She couldn’t take it anymore, she had to leave. Ori cleared her throat and started to rise. “Excuse me please, I’m not feeling well…I think I need some air.”

"I'm sure it's just that he's missing you." Akisame said soothingly. "You two haven't been apart since you became mates."

"Let me walk you to your quarters." Keikan said smoothly, moving to the ningen's side he held out his hand to help her stand.

'Damn,' she cursed inwardly, she needed to get away from him for a moment, compose herself. Ori took the offered hand, marveling at the strength in it. A shiver traveled up her spine. "Arigatou," she said softly.

His ears twitched at the sound of the silk of her kimono rustling. Her nervous scent tickling his nose. Allowing a low growl to enter his voice, "It is nothing. Come." He placed her hand in the crook of his arm, with a nod to the snake female he started towards the guest quarters.

Nabikasu was as confused as Ori was nervous as she watched the exchange. This was not what she expected of inu youkai instincts, yet she couldn't deny what was happening before her.

Shakaku nodded, "Hai...I suppose you are right."

"Of course I am." Akisame assured. "At least your mate hasn't been kidnapped by Naraku. As I was."

Shakaku smiled, laughing softly, chasing away the nagging fear in her heart. She had heard the stories of Akisame's and Sesshomaru's journey in Akisame's world while the two had been apart from Sesshomaru. Sometimes when she had taken food to the inu youkai, he had just started talking. "Forgive me, I know you are correct. I think I may take a walk to that old well, it may help to calm me."

Sesshomaru smiled at the young tora, moving to put a hand on her shoulder. "Would you like some company?"

"Why don't you go with her?" Akisame asked. "You two became very close, while I was carrying Kaiya, and really haven't had time to talk since her birth. I want to check on Mika."

"Hai," Shakaku replied, "That would be lovely."

Sesshomaru nodded and gave his mate a gentle kiss on the lips before offering his daughter-in-law his arm and escorting her out of the hut. The two set a slow leisurely pace toward the old well. The tora was silent for a bit before asking, "Sesshomaru-sama...do you ever hide things from you mate?"

The inu taiyoukai shook his head slightly. "Iie, I can hide nothing from Akisame...though," he continued, sensing what her question really was, "there are times when I wish I could to save her from worry."

Ori walked beside the hanyou. Her head was spinning, earlier he had looked like he was ready to kill her and now...now...he was so different. She wanted to act upon the signals she thought he was sending her but she did not want to anger him any further. "I take it you have overlooked my earlier transgression, my Lord?"

"Let me apologize for my behavior. I was overly violent. I'm sure you were unaware but by touching my shoulders you were indicating a willingness to mate." Keikan replied, not answering her question.

'Good pup' the voice came again. 'Never let an enemy trap you into a lie.'

'Not far from the truth,' Ori thought to herself. "As I said, I know nothing of youkai customs. Maybe you would have to time to teach me about your customs?" she asked, looking up at him with chocolate eyes wide with desire.

Keikan was glad they had reached her door. He stepped closer to her, dwarfing her petite frame with his larger one. "If time permits." He answered. Dipping his head, he took a deep sniff by her ear. "I hope you are feeling better soon." he whispered. Stepping back he once again aloud his eyes to trace her face stopping at her lips. He smiled as he compared the woman's thin pink lips to the luscious coral lips of his mate. With a nod of his head he turned and made his way to his quarters.

Ori watched him walk down the hall, then released the breath she had not known she was holding. She slipped into her room and shut the door, leaning against the wall, trying to calm her racing heart. His breath on her ear had caused shivers of pleasure. The woman smiled. Maybe taking him from his mate was not going to be so hard after all.

Her head pounded painfully, as she awoke. Mika heard her mother's voice, then the scents of her father and Shakaku moved out the door. "Haha?"

Akisame watched them walk out then hearing her child's voice went to the young girl. "I'm here Mika. Does your head pound?"

Mika winced, “Hai Haha. Will it always be like that?”

Shakaku considered her father-in-law’s words. She knew there was something Keikan was keeping from her. Was it to protect her? Protect her from what? A flare of anger burned away her worry, momentarily. “He’s a baka,” she spat.

Sesshomaru’s chuckled at her side, “Hai, that he is but he is a baka who cares for you as deeply as I care for Akisame. Remember that Shakaku…never forget it.”

The two continued on in silence, each lost in their own thoughts and worries, all centered on one young hanyou.

Reaching his quarters Keikan stripped himself of the kimono he had worn. Seeing the fire all ready lit for the night he tossed the garment on it watching the flames lick at the silk. Moving to the bath, that was waiting he began to scrub every inch of his body. His disgust at his own behavior filled him. The nausea that had plagued him, hit again. Barely making it to the small bucket provided for his needs he emptied his stomach into it.

Stroking her daughters hair, Akisame answered "No. I did not know you had that ability. From now on you will spend an hour a day with me. I will train you."

"I didn't know either, Hahaoya. Keikan asked me if I could so I just tried." Mika grinned mischievously. "Does that mean I get out of some of my chores?"

"No, we will work at night after dinner." Akisame said chuckling. "I suppose that means that we both get out of washing dishes."

Pulling his knees to his chest, Keikan leaned against the wall of his empty room. Keishou was right he knew his mate to well, she would not stay gone long. Then she and the pup would be in danger. A shiver passed through him as the sun set. Looking down he saw the now blunt nails of his human half. Pulling his dark auburn hair up into a top knot he dressed in a simple hakama and gi set. Leaving the room he made his way carefully to the kitchen, he needed some tea. As he reached the kitchen he heard the squeaks of Shizuka and Kanchou speaking. Stepping in he greeted the young mouse youkai. "Kanchou! You're back. Did you find anything about the third woman?" The mouse turned sad eyes to his lord shaking his head. "Did Shizuka tell you to go to Edo?" At the mouse's nod, Kenshin continued, "Good. Shizuka, could you make me a cup of tea? I hate to ask..."

Mika laughed, "Chichioya will have to do them."

Shizuka shook her head. "It is no trouble, my Lord. I do not think I will sleep much tonight anyway." She busied herself with the water, setting three cups on the table.

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