Of Claws And Fangs
Episode 12

Rin nodded, it was all she could do. Her voice wouldn't work, again. She buried her head into his strong shoulder sobbing.

He held his daughter, waiting for her to finish her tears, stroking her hair gently. "He is in the dungeon," he told her, then despite the rebelling of his youkai nature he said, "His fate is in your hands daughter...if you so wish I will release him."

Rin shivered in Sesshomaru's arms. She knew what punishment Makoto's attack warranted under youkai law. She knew she would never return to him now. She would never forgive his attack.

Keishou whispered another thanks to his Uncle and then went in search of Haya. Following his nose he soon found her. Suddenly nervous he could not meet her gaze as he called her name softly. "Haya?"

After her talk with her mother, Haya had run to his tree thinking he would be there. Knowing he would eventually return she had sat waiting. Hearing her name she looked up. "Keishou, I... I shouldn't have run off like that." Her voice soft, her fingers drawing lazy circles in the grass.

He sat beside her, looking once again at the sky. "I did not know I had hurt you...I do not want to hurt you." He placed his hand on top of hers. "I like being with you."

Haya looked at the hand covering hers and glanced at him through the corners of her eyes. Remembering all the tales of Inu Yasha and Kagome her mother had told her she decided. Fixing her eyes on the fountain at the center of the courtyard she spoke. "I think I realized I loved you at Kaede's funeral rites. I remember looking at you and Keikan standing next to your father so tall and straight. The perfect young youkai lords. I know everyone says you two look alike, but I could always tell you apart. Keikan's eyes have a fire in them. Yours always remind me of the forest in spring. After you left, one of the boys in the village started making comments about how sad to see a demon exterminator and a houshi accept demons into their home. Treat them as equals, when all they were was animals. I ended up with a black eye and this scar above my eye." Taking a deep breath she continued, "I don't say this to trap you. I just thought you should know."

Keikan moved through the dungeon until he saw Makoto. The ningen remained where he had landed after being tossed into the cell. "So, Keishou didn't kill you. For his sake I am glad. Why Makoto? It's the one thing I don't understand. Six years ago you visited this castle often while courting Rin. Never once did I see any sign of your hatred of youkai. Why now? Why attack mother? She is ningen, like Rin. Had you attacked anyone else Father, Uncle, Keishou, myself or any of the guards, that I could have understood." He wasn't angry, which surprised him. He waited for the ningen's answer.

Makoto looked up at the demon before him. Nothing had gone the way he had thought. Was he wrong to hate all demons? No all of them were evil inside. He had seen it in the eyes of the one who had tossed him in this cell. The one who had always spoke kind words to him before, despite this one's anger. "I wanted to save them...save them from your kind."

"Save them? By killing them? Makoto that is insane. Do you not hear your own words?" Keikan frowned and looked at him. "I'm sorry Makoto. The punishment for your crime is death." He walked away still confused and knowing there would never be an answer he would understand.

He knew he had placed a heavy weight on Rin's shoulders but he could not order Makoto's death, knowing what it would do to his daughter. If she were the one to decide his death then she would have come to terms with his loss. He placed a finger under her chin and gently forced her to look in to his eyes. "I will abide by your decision daughter," then he kissed her forehead.

Akisame had sent Mika and Midori to find Sango and Miroku. Sitting beside Rin she rubbed her back. "I know it is hard. You have shared his home, his life and his bed for six years. Take the time you need to decide. Speak with him if you must."

Sesshomaru nodded, "Do you wish to be alone Rin?"

Rin looked into Sesshomaru's eyes and nodded. Akisame was right. She had shared his home, his laughter, his tears, but there remained the one thing he hadn't shared. Finally breaking her silence she spoke softly, "Sesshomaru-sama, may I see him? Before I give you my decision. He was my mate for six years."

"Of course, daughter," he stood, offering her his hand. Pulling his daughter gently to her feet he escorted her to the dungeons then left to allow her privacy, thought making certain one of his best guards was near, and returned to his mate. Once back in her presence, he fell to his knees before her. "I'm sorry," he whispered, burying his nose in her hair and breathing in her refreshing scent.

Keishou looked into Haya's eyes. "I want to be here but...there is something you too should know." Turning away so he could not see the horror in her eyes he told her what his Uncle had told him. He told her what could happen if he were to transform and then he was silent. Waiting for her to leave or say that she accepted him.

Haya turned and faced him, his face turned from hers. Reaching out she gently cupped his cheek and turned his face towards his. "You forget who my parents are. I know of your Uncle's terror. I've seen him awaken only to search frantically for Tetsusaiga. I hope a ward is being made for you; but even if it isn't I would choose to be at your side."

Keishou looked in Haya's eyes and saw the truth of her words. Without a sound he put his arms around her waist and lay his head on her shoulder.

Haya rested her cheek on his head marveling at the softness of his hair.

Rin stood in the one section of the castle she had avoided her entire life. Now was the time she had to decide. Was she Makoto's wife or Sesshomaru-sama's daughter. Her mind replayed her life. Her first family, the attack by the bandits. The months she spent in the small fishing village. Finding Sesshomaru-sama wounded and in pain. The wolf attack that killed her. Awakening to Sesshomaru-sama's face. Following him throughout his travels. Seeing his sorrow at Akari's death. Then Akisame came. She was like the beautiful autumn rain, so fitting that her name meant that. She had brought something to Sesshomaru-sama she never thought she would see. Joy. No, she couldn't turn from her family.

Makoto. He had been so kind to her. She knew some husbands hit their wives, he never had. Not until three days ago had she known his true feelings towards her family. Still she thought of the good times. Working side by side to plant, tend and harvest their land. The snowball fights in the depths of winter. The nights of passion they had shared. She didn't know the Makoto that waited in the cell. But even with that realization, could she order his death?

Taking a deep breath, she walked to his cell. "Why Makoto? Why did you try to kill her?" Unshed tears glistened in her eyes as she waited for his answer.

Next Episode
Home