Of Claws And Fangs
Episode 16

The advisors and vassals were gone for the afternoon, Sesshomaru scented Rin's tears on the breeze and decided to go in search of his daughter, to try once again to comfort her. As he got closer he also discovered that his brother's scent was coming from the same direction. At least she wasn't alone, he thought, though deep down he felt a stirring of annoyance. Brushing it aside for the moment, he changed direction. The taiyoukai had not spent much time with his daughters lately.

Keishou returned from the shrine. Ever since the day he received his sword, he had gone there, it helped him clear his mind. He had yet to speak with Keikan but he saw him exiting the castle and decided that now was a good a time as any. "Keikan, do you have a moment?"

Keikan was nursing a headache from all the petitions and petty bickering of the court. "As long as it isn't related to running the Western Lands, I've got all the time you want." He had missed spending time with his twin. Once, not to long ago they were inseperable. Then things changed. Now he was trapped for hours on end in boring meetings and reading mountains of reports.

Keishou laughed. "Far from it brother," he said, falling into step beside him, "I just wanted to tell you I'm sorry."

"Sorry? For what? If you want my life you can have it. Hell, give me a pretty girl hanging on my arm and all the freedom to come and go." He grumbled.

He smiled. "No I was being a real baka after the Ceremony and you know it," Keishou replied, punching his brother playfully in the arm. "Now do you want to work out some of those frustrations?" He patted the sword at his side in invitation.

"Don't worry about it. You had every right, I mean I hadn't told you everything." He smiled, but still felt guilty about not telling Keishou everything. Grinning he continued "What did you have in mind?"

"Just some friendly sparring. We haven't done it in awhile," Keishou replied.

Rin's sobs finally subsided and she looked up at the man holding her. "Thanks." she said giving him a quick kiss on his cheek before standing. "Think we can meet here tomorrow?"

"Sure Rin." Inu Yasha watched her walk towards the castle. He smiled at how her head was now up with the pride and confidence she had always shown before. As she disappeared from sight he called, "Ok Sango, I know you're there."

Sango stepped, sheepishly from behind a bush. "I can't fool your nose can I, Inu Yasha?" she asked. The taijiya wore a sly grin as she sat beside him.

"No, specially not when you're upwind. Damn Sango, you know better than that. What's on your mind?" They had been friends too long. He knew she wanted to ask him something.

Sango chuckled. "I must be getting old," she said then shrugged, "I just want to make sure you aren't going to be a baka this time, Inu-chan."

"This time? What do you mean Sango?" Inu Yasha glared at the woman beside him.

Sango just smiled and patted Inu Yasha's shoulder. "I think you know what I mean, my friend."

Inu Yasha looked at the exterminator, "Are you nuts? She's a child. The little girl that tagged along behind my brother."

Sango just smiled and rose, tweaking Inu Yasha's ears. "You're right Inu-chan. She's too young for an old dog like you," she started to walk away trying to supress her laughter.

Inu Yasha watched Sango walk away. "Feh." He huffed and then thought. Rin hadn't been a child in a while. She was lovely though. "Baka." He chided himself and headed toward the bathing chamber. As he passed the fountain he looked at Kagome, for once the pain was not as sharp.

Rin walked passed Mika's and Midori's room. Hearing Sesshomaru's and Akisame's voice she decided to enter. "Hey everybody!" Funny how a good cry with someone who understood made her not feel so alone.

Akisame looked at Rin, there was her daughter. The strong young woman she had raised. She didn't know what had caused the change but was glad for it. "You look like you feel better."

Sesshomaru looked up from his place on the floor with a smile. Some of the sadness was gone from her scent. "It is good to see you're smile again Rin."

Keikan put his hand on his brothers shoulder. It took only a moment to make his decision. His life might depend on the one beside him. "Sure, but first I need to show you something." He led Keishou to the very clearing he and Sesshomaru had spoken at. "Ok, first I'm sorry I didn't show you this earlier. Second." He closed his eyes and let the transformation happen. Opening his eyes he looked at his brother and barked.

Keishou watched the transformation take place, he dropped to the ground, wide-eyed with shock. "You can...but...you're not supposed to...how can...um..."

Keikan cocked his head, then nudged his brother with his nose and indicated for him to climb on. In Inu Youkai barks he explained, "Don't know how. I just can. You, Uncle, Mom, Dad, and Myoga are the only ones that know."

Keishou overcame his shock enough to climb onto his brother's back, lacing his fingers in the silky white fur, carefully so not to pull. "Where are we going?"

"North." Keikan barked leaping into the air covering ground easily. "Remember Mika's puppy Shiro?" It was nice sharing this with Keishou.

Midori looked at her nee-san. She felt her happiness filling the room. Then her other gift showed her something. "Uh oh." she said softly. "Chichioya?"

Sesshomaru heard Midori's whispered words and gave the girl a curious look. "What is it Midori?"

Midori ducked her head and looked at her father. Her eyes showing a maturity that did not match her years. She decided not to tell him Rin's future, but decided on the other, "Keikan just showed Keishou."

Sesshomaru recovered quickly from the surprise at Midori knowing Keikan's secret. Then Mika punched her sister in the arm. "You shouldn't talk about that Midori," she scolded.

The inu taiyoukai sighed, it seemed like the whole family knew now. "Well, I don't think that's anything to worry about little ones. Keikan can tell his secret to whomever he likes." He was glad Keikan had decided to tell his brother. Sesshomaru had a feeling that it had been causing a rift between the once close twins.

Midori looked at her sister, "Well at least I didn't keep my niisan as a pet." She sniffed and walked to sit in her father's lap.

Mika stuck her tounge out at her sister "I was keeping him safe," she said, crossing her arms indignantly.

Sesshomaru chuckled at the girls' antics, as he combed his fingers through Midori's silky hair. Then a thought struck him, "You both knew that Shiro was Keikan?"

Keishou laughed out loud. "That was you?" At Keikan's affirmative bark, he continued, barely able to get out his next question. "Why did you pee on Jaken?"



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