Of Claws And Fangs
Episode 81

Keishou let loose a string of words that would have made his Uncle proud and turned to his father. "Chichioya?"

Sesshomaru nodded, "Mika, tell your Hahaoya, I'll be home soon. I'm taking your brother to the castle." Sesshomaru took his own demon form and bent down to allow Keishou and Haya to climb on his back.

Shakaku opened her mouth to respond, ready to yell at him for making her stay away. A movement behind him caught her eye and she saw the woman rise from her seat by the fountain. The woman made their way over to them. The look in the woman's eyes when she looked at Keikan did nothing to calm her temper. "Is this why you kept me away?"

"WHAT?" Keikan asked turning to see what Shakaku was looking at. Turning back to face her his own anger grew. "Didn't you listen? I said I had gone to Edo to bring you home." Taking a deep breath he tried to calm himself before he said something he would regret. Looking into her eyes he saw the green fire burning in them. "Oh hell believe what you want. I've never lied to you. Hell even when I thought you betrayed me, I still trusted you. But your father...." He bit back his words, "I'll be back by sunset."

Shakaku watched him go, unable to say anything to stop him. Had she been wrong to come? She had only wanted to be near him. His actions lately had worried her, like he was hiding things from her. She whirled on the woman, who was smiling at her. "So you are his mate? Not for long, tora...he is mine."

Shakaku itched to sink her fangs and claws into this woman but for some reason held herself back. Pushing roughly past the strange woman she went into the castle and slammed the door. She would wait for Keikan to return. Then hopefully they would be able to sort everything out.

He hadn't gone far, he couldn't. Once he had stormed out of the courtyard he'd stopped and leaned back against the wall that surrounded the castle. With a wave of his hand, he let the guard know not to approach. He heard Ori's words to Shakaku, he waited for his mate's anger to strike at the ningen, when they didn't come his head dropped. Had Reiketsu won? Had by not telling her, he allowed the Northern lord to destroy their happiness? Not knowing what to do next, Keikan sat watching as the midday sun began it's slow trek to the western horizon.

Sesshomaru landed into the courtyard near sunset. "Keishou, Haya find Shakaku." The inu taiyoukai had seen his son setting against the wall and leapt over it gracefully, landing beside Keikan. "Gomen, Keikan."

She paced the room, thoughts whirling in her mind. As the sun neared the horizon, she couldn't stay inside any longer and opened the window, landing lightly in the courtyard. Shakaku moved towards the gardens, they always seemed to calm her thoughts. Instead of solace however the young tora was once again faced with the strange woman, who smirked at her again. "Leave my home," she said softly.

Ori laughed at the tora. "I think not. I am going nowhere." She started to walk past the youkai but decided to sink one last barb, "After all, I am Keikan-sama's concubine."

Ori's words loosed the dam on her anger, red bled into her eyes as a growl rumbled in her chest. Her form changed swiftly and her enraged yowl split the still air. Ori screamed and started running for the courtyard.

Keikan looked at his father through his bangs. "Just say it Chichioya, I screwed up. I know it..." He was about to continue when he heard his mates yowl and Ori's scream. "So now what do I save the ningen whore, and will my mate thank me for saving her from having blood on her claws. Or will it anger her further?" He asked standing.

Haya having seen Keikan so despondent leaned her shoulder on her mate's shoulder. "I am glad you are the second born son. I'll gladly share you with the four maidens over what Keikan and Shakaku must face daily." She was about to turn to kiss him when the yowl of Shakaku sounded, followed soon by the screams of a female. With a quick glance to her mate she ran towards the garden.

Ori ducked just in time as Shakaku leapt at her, though she felt the claws tear through her hair. The tora landed and turned quickly for another attack. Ori looked up and saw another woman and Keikan heading toward them. She ran faster than she thought she could to the hanyou, throwing her arms around his neck. "Don't let her kill me! Please!"

Sesshomaru just shook his head. Even he was at a loss in this situation. He silently leapt the wall, landing on top and looking back at his son. "Come, you must see this."

Shakaku's eyes remained trained on the woman, who had flung herself at Keishou, who in any other situation would have a quite amusing look on his face. Her tail whipped back and forth, as she crouched down, muscles coiled, ready to spring.

Mika stood on the porch, gazing toward the castle. Something was happening there. Something bad.

With a sigh he leapt joining his father at the top of the wall. He quickly took in the scene below him. A slow chuckle started in his chest only to build at the comical scene below him. Keishou, his arms at his sides. Ori hanging on to him for dear life. Shakaku in tora form about to spring at the ningen. Haya looked ready to rip Ori's hair out.

Haya watched as the ningen ran past her only to run to her mate begging him to stop Shakaku. Spinning on her heel the young exterminator hissed, "I don't think you need to worry about Shakaku right now wench. That is MY mate you are hanging on."

Keikan gathered control of himself and leapt easily to the ground. Walking cautiously towards his, still angry mate he spoke. "Ori, I don't believe you've met my twin Keishou. Or his mate Haya."

Ori immediately let go of Keishou with a gasp and looked from him to Keikan with confusion. Then hearing the low growl still coming from the tora, she moved closer to Keikan. "My Lord, please. Don't let her hurt me. I have done nothing wrong. I was only walking in the gardens when she...ahh!!" She squealed in fright when Shakaku's growl deepened.

Sesshomaru came to stand beside Keishou, who relaxed visibly when the ningen let go of him. Shakaku had come out of her crouch but was still staring at the woman as if she were tonight's supper. Her growl deepened when Ori moved closer to Keikan.

"Nothing wrong? Hmmm.. telling my mate 'So you are his mate? Not for long, tora...he is mine' how does that classify as nothing?" He tilted his head waiting for the ningen to answer. "I've told you before, my ears work quite well. And Shakaku would you please resume your human form damn it."

Shakaku stood still a moment longer before returning to her human form. She almost laughed at the distraught look on the ningen's face as her mouth flopped up and down. "Who is she and why is she here?" Shakaku demanded.

Keishou looked to his father, asking silently if intervention was necessary. A slight shake of Sesshomaru's head and the hanyou remained still, watching the scene before him. Beside him, his own mate still fumed. He reached over and took her hand, squeezing it gently.

Keikan shrugged, "One of two whores your father sent me as a wedding gift."

"He...did...WHAT?" Shakaku felt rage flare within her. He had made her miserable for so many years and now just when she had found happiness he was trying to destroy it.

"I am not a whore," Ori replied indignantly, yelping when she discovered Shakaku had suddenly appeared before her, eyes burning.

"I suggest you shut your mouth before I finish what I started," she hissed, then she turned to Keikan.

"You knew about it before I left, didn't you?" she asked him, anger and pain trembling her voice

"Yes." Deciding to come clean, "Shortly after I took over as Lord of the Western Lands, I sent a spy to your father's home. Do you remember the messenger I sent after discovering your scars?" At her nod he continued, "Three day's later your father graciously returned his head. So I sent my best spy. Your father had the most beautiful women in his territory, Youkai and ningen brought to the castle. For six months they were trained. I can only assume it was in how to seduce me. The only thing, he couldn't find out was who did the training. Anyway this ningen and a snake youkai were sent out with a company of your father's soldiers. When they reached the border the guard attacked them. WELL that was the message that arrived the day the notice of Arashi's birth arrived. By the way I was kind enough to return the favor and send the snakes head back to Reiketsu. I was hoping to get this one to tell me who trained her.... BUT I missed you too much." He smiled tilting his head, "Am I forgiven?"

She was silent for a long moment, as his words sank in. She gazed in his eyes then finally a smile crept onto her face. "Only if I can be forgiven for being a baka tora wench who drives you crazy and cannot stand being away from you for so long."

Ori felt as if her heart were being ripped from her chest. "No!" she screamed, grabbing the tora's arm, "He's mine!"

Shakaku's other hand flashed out, her fingers wrapping around the ningen's throat, lifting her a few inches from the ground. "You will return to my father's castle," she said, voice low and deadly, "You will tell him of your failure and that if he attempts to interfere in my happiness again I will kill him. Now...you will tell us who trained you."

She clawed at the hand that held her, gasping for breath. Ori tried to speak but the hold was too strong.

Keikan calmly slipped his arms around his mates waist, "Don't strangle her Koi. If you do that we won't know who trained her." He nipped lightly at the mark on her neck. Seeming suddenly aware of the woman suspended by his mate he smiled at her. "Oh... I was never yours. Never would be... I like fire in my women. A trait you do not possess. Oh, your skills will land you an excellent ningen lord I'm sure. But I told you Inu Youkai are loyal to their mates unto death."

The voice and touches of her mate calmed her and Shakaku set the ningen on her feet. She leaned into her mate's embrace, raising a hand to touch his cheek. Forgetting about the woman before her she gazed into Keikan's golden eyes. "Until death," she whispered, in question and promise.

Ori fell to her knees, gasping and coughing, one hand on her throat. A pair of feet moved into her blurry vision and when she looked up it was into the stoic face of Sesshomaru, his golden eyes hard as a chips of amber. "You were asked a question, ningen," he said, voice soft yet deadly, like silk covered steel.

It took her a moment before she was able to answer but finally Ori managed to gasp, "Nanshokagai."

Keikan nodded, the ningen forgotten. "Hai love. Did you not wonder that Uncle even though not mated to Kagome took no other until Rin?"

"Nanshokagai." Haya hissed, meeting her father-in-laws eyes she asked, "Are you going after her? For I plan to for what she did to my mate?"

Shakaku nodded, "Hai...I wondered but never wanted to ask." Hearing Haya's words she turned her attention to the her father and sister-in-law.

Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed. Once again that spirit was causing pain to his family. "Hai daughter. We shall escort this ningen home to her Master."

Keishou nodded in agreement. "It is time she pay for her deeds."

"Ahem." A cleared throat drew the attention to the gate. A very tired group walked in. In the lead a petite red-head holding a baby. "Who pay for what deeds?" Akisame asked coming to join the group.

Inu Yasha took Arashi from Rin and helped her off Kiarara.

A guitar sounded through out the empty bar. A woman's foot tapped in time as she hummed before starting to sing. It was one of her favorites, Bleed for Me by Saliva. True it was originally written for a man to sing, somehow it worked with her singing. Her white hair was a shocking contrast to the black jeans, tank and jacket she wore. At a presence appearing in the bar and she slid a finger across her throat. Silence rained. "Come on out." She called. Looking at the man who stepped out of the shadows she frowned, "Aww hell, you need me to go somewhere don't you?"

The figure nodded. Green eyes peered out at her from under the hood. "Come along Tenmou."

"Well guys call the back up band. Don't know when I'll be back." Turning she smiled softly at her auburn haired mate and the little red headed girl sitting beside him, "Take care of Taka, and Taka mind your Papa."

Her mate held out a duffel bag to her. "Be careful." He cautioned.

"I will be." Closing her eyes she nodded. "Ok WM, I'm ready."

"You never have given me proper respect, Tenmou." He chuckled, as he sliced through the fabric of time and dimensions. He watched as she stepped through.

Stepping through the barrier she felt an almost forgotten weakness, this time she fought it. As it finally passed she collapsed to one knee in the dirt of a courtyard. The scent of multiple youkai, hanyou and ningen filled her nose. She remained as she was allowing her ears and nose to place each person. Finally she rose and turned her eyes locking on one figure. "Well Sesshomaru, do I hug you or fight with you?"

She stood on the rise of the hill, golden eyes scanning the village below. All was quiet now, her work here was done. She turned to go, a gentle breeze lifting the red-silver curls, making them seem to move with a life of their own. As she entered the forest a hooded figure stepped from behind a tree. Taka gave him a curious look. “Weapon’s Master,” she said, bowing slightly, “Is something wrong?”

The Weapon’s Master smiled, revealing sharp canines. “You are needed Tenmou. Come with me.”

Taka followed him, pausing as he removed the knife from his belt, slicing the fabric of space and time. She did not hesitate as she stepped through the barrier, fighting the feeling from so long ago that had made her black out. When the feeling passed, she feel to her knees. Scents filled the air around her, some she recognized, some she did not. She looked up and saw faces she had thought she would never see again.

Sesshomaru blinked in surprise as Leena suddenly appeared in the courtyard before him. Before he could answer her question he felt another presence behind him and saw Taka fall to her knees. “Leena? Taka? How…”

Keishou felt the opening of the portals just before each female appeared in the courtyard. He knew them both. Both were Tenmou but they were not the Tenmou of this world. The one that appeared first looked like a female version of himself. The second an older version of his sister. He took a tentative step forward. “Tenmou? What is going on?”

Leena's eyes narrowed as she looked at Sesshomaru, then she noticed the red-head beside him. Before she could answer another woman appeared, no scent, red silver curls. "Oh gods. I've missed you guys." The duffel slipped from her shoulders as she stepped towards them. She heard a male's voice and looked a male version of herself, and there were two of them. "Keikan?"

Keikan looked at the woman who he'd never met, but heard so much about. "I'm Keikan." He stammered out. He never saw the woman move, before he was enveloped in a hug from the woman.

Shakaku eyes narrowed as the woman embraced her mate. A growl rumbled up from her throat. "Get your claws off my mate," she hissed.

Taka had clambered to her feet, moving towards Akisame and Sesshomaru when the growl made her skid to a halt. A tora youkai was glaring daggers at Leena. "Uh-oh."

Leena heard the hissed growl but ignored it, her ears swiveling, orienting her on the girl. With a brief brush of the tora's mind, Leena knew everything she needed. Her emerald eyes met the pups. "Little tora, I have no interest in hurting you. And I am quite allowed to hug my nii-chan, whom I named."

Akisame watched the tense scene between Leena and Shakaku, but realized that Leena had changed. She wasn't the angry young woman she had known. This Leena had matured. Where before their had been an animalistic wildness to her, she now radiated detachment and calm. Handing Kaiya to Haya, Akisame turned to embrace Taka. "How are you Taka?"

Taka returned the embrace warmly, glad to see her friends again. "I am well, Akisame." She squeaked in surprise as another pair of arms enfolded both her and Akisame. "Sesshomaru," she said with a laugh, "It is good to see you again as well. I missed you all."

Shakaku looked at Keikan in surprise, "What is going on?"

Keishou stepped into the group at Shakaku's question. "These are the Tenmou of other worlds, Shakaku. Although...I do not know why they are here."

Releasing the boy she had named, Leena took in the scene. Akisame, Taka and Sesshomaru hugging. A girl who looked a lot like Sango holding a pup. The ningen on the ground a hand to her throat. Kiarara with a small group around her. "Don't know, WM said I was needed, and here I am." Moving towards her friends she pouted, "Hey I want in on that." She wrapped her arms around the group laughing.

Inu Yasha, had pushed Rin slightly behind him when the first woman had appeared. Satisfied that the situation was safe for his mate and pup, he wrapped an arm around his mate's waist and started forward.

Sesshomaru wiggled and arm free to throw across Leena's shoulders. "Leena," he said fondly, "It is good to know you are both well."

Taka laughed, "I can't breathe!" When they finally parted, she looked around at the group gathered. All faces full of confusion. "I suppose we should introduce ourselves, Leena, don't you think?"

"Keh." She laughed, "Didn't ya hear that one." She pointed at Keishou, "He introduced us, we're Tenmou. And what is that? The little pup who begged me to teach her to fight now Tenmou of her world? Hmmm? How did your Grandsire take that news." Turning she saw Inu Yasha approach a woman at his side. "Hi Inu....." Her legs became weak, unable to support her. She knew that face except for the eyes, she looked at it every new moon. "Hahaue?"

Taka had been about to laugh but turned to see what had caused Leena's reaction. She saw Inu Yasha standing beside a woman she had only seen in portraits. She quickly moved to put a supporting arm around the hanyou she had come to think of as a mother. Sesshomaru padded to Rin's side. "Rin...in Leena's world...you are her mother," he said softly in the woman's ear.

His mind was whirling. WM? Did Leena mean that the Weapon's Master had brought her here? And if that was true did that mean he had brought them? Keishou needed to think. He sank slowly to the ground, letting his thoughts wander. Why would they need Tenmou from another world? Did it have something to do with Nanshokagai? He could vaguely recall Tenmou of this world speaking with Nanshokagai while the Maidens had rescued him but not what the words had been. His mind had been clouded with the pain of his injuries. 'Think Keishou...think.'

Rin looked up at Sesshomaru puzzled, "But Sesshomaru-sama, you said Leena was your daughter."

Leena took a deep breath steadying herself, letting her eyes take in the rest of the company. Seeing the other members she pulled herself from Taka's support.

"Hai Rin that is true as well," he said, watching her reaction as it sank in.

Mika moved to stand before the two looking up at them with wide golden eyes. "I'm Mika."

Taka looked down at the girl before her. She reached out to ruffle the child's curls. "Hello Mika."

Mika stiffened as the Maiden's memories became her own, flooded into her mind. Tears began to form in her eyes as she wrapped her arms around Taka. Taka looked at the girl in alarm. "Mika?"

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