Of Claws And Fangs
Episode 20
Sango nodded. She understood and agreed with her husbands resolve. Quietly she followed after Akisame, to help her prepare the body.
Mika extricated herself from her brothers arms, wiping at her tears and stepped over to her other brother. "Keishou," she whispered in his ear, "Someone is calling you."
Keishou looked up into Mika's golden gaze, it was then he heard the summons. Rising he said, "I'll return." Quickly he left the courtyard, speeding toward the shrine. The Weapons Master could not have chosen a worse time.
Sesshomaru watched Keishou leave, wondering where his son was going. "Keikan," he said rising, "It is time to write the other Lords."
Keikan rose nodding. All he wanted to do was kill North. "He didn't heed my warning." Keikan muttered following his father into the war room.
"Fools never do," Sesshomaru replied, as he pulled out parchment and ink. The involvement of the other lords had been something they had not yet decided upon. "So, do we ask them for assistance or just tell them to stay the hell out of our way?"
Keikan looked at his father, "Both. They either side with us or stay out of our way. If they join with him, we will destroy them as well."
Finished dressing her daughters body a memory not hers floated across Akisame's mind. Laying Midori gently on the ground she ran to Sesshomaru's war room. Slamming the door open she looked at him. "Taka." She said "Her mother. North killed.... when they attacked... after brother...murdered... "
"About time you got here boy." The Weapons Master said. "Quick lesson, then we've got work. Each maiden has something unique about them. Shussan is always a barren woman; Suki is always a woman whose love has died; Tenmou is always a loner and Karite is always a child and she can not speak, she is also never from the world where she will function in." He reached behind him and from thin air pulled a scythe. "You ready boy?"
Keishou wiped the still drying tears from his cheeks. "Forgive me sir, but ready for what...my sister was just..." he stopped, tears threatening again.
Miroku and Shippo had been speaking quietly when Akisame rushed past them. Looking at each other they followed. Miroku remembered that name. That was one of the ones on the other world where Akisame and Sesshomaru had met.
The Weapons Master looked at the boy before him. "I told you work. There is a new Karite being instated tonight on another world. You must present her this scythe. So are you ready or are you willing to let millions suffer? The girl wasn't." At the boy's puzzled expression he softened. "If there is no Karite in that world, no one can die. Those suffering from illness, those severely injured in battle, the old none of them are able to die.
"Midori," Keishou whispered. After a moment, Keishou nodded, holding his hands out for the scythe. "I will not dishonor my sister by mourning her when she asked us not to," he smiled slightly, "At least I will get to see her one last time."
Sesshomaru walked over and put his hands on Akisame's shoulders. "Slow down, love. What about Taka's mother?"
The Weapons Master smiled at his apprentice. "Yes, boy your sister is going to become Karite. So, you ready to jump worlds?"
Keishou nodded. "I'm ready."
The Weapons Master drew a dagger from his waist band, slicing through the air a separation as in a curtain appeared. Pushing it open he motioned the boy forward, as they walked through they appeared in a cave. Before them stood Midori, seeing Keishou she frowned. Seeing this the Weapons Master explained, "Karite has special requirements. First that she be a child, second that she can not speak, third that she willingly accept her place and fourth her brother must be the Weapons Master."
Akisame took several deep breaths and tried again. "After Taka's brother was murdered, she, her mother and her Grandsire went to exact vengeance. Her mother was killed by North. The Eastern Taiyoukai helped them."
Sesshomaru pondered what his mate had said. It was strange that despite the differences in the worlds so many of the events remained the same. He wanted revenge but he did not want it at the cost of another of his family member's lives. "What do we do?" he said to himself softly, "East was our ally?" At Akisame's nod, he said to Keikan, "Write to East only. We will await his arrival."
Keikan nodded. Lifting the quill he paused for a moment and thought. Finally with quick sure strokes he finished the request and handed it to Sesshomaru for his approval.
East,
We request your presence at our home. Tragic events have occurred within our family that require action. We wish to discuss these events and the actions we wish to take.
Sesshomaru
West
He put his seal upon the message and placed it in the hands of a messenger.
*Flashback*
"SISTERS, ASSIST ME."
Karite instantly transformed and called the scythe to herself. Taking a step she found herself in a castle. Why there were two Tenmous she didn't question. She was familiar with other worlds. Taking a spot to the demons right she watched the hanyou before her carefully. One of the Tenmou's began calling orders. "Sesshomaru stand there." She pointed to her side. "Taka, there" Pointing to Suki. "Akisame, There." pointing to Shussan. She took her place beside her counterpart. She took a deep breath. "When you're ready Akisame."
Karite for the first time took her eyes off the one before her and looked at the woman beside Shussan. Tears threatened in her eyes as she looked to the Youkai beside her. Turning her gaze back to Shussan she watched as her sister maiden reached into the night sky and a soul appeared in her hand. A brilliant and pure light. She slowly lowered her arm to touch Akisame's abdomen. The soul disappeared within. 'Keikan' she thought. 'I just witnessed the soul of my brother enter my mother's womb. A smile spread across Karite's face as the battle raged. With pride she stood beside her Chichioya and Hahaoya again.
Shussan raised her bow to her cheek. She watched as her Hahaoya touched the arrow. The arrow flew straight and true. The jewel pulsed as the pure emotions reached it. Purifying itself with them. As the light of it's purification poured forth the demon Naraku began to writhe in agony.
"NOW! Sesshomaru use Tokijin." screamed the other Tenmou leaping into the circle slaying the small demons that had made up Naraku.
So great was the skill of the three fighters that none of the small demons escaped. As the last demon was slain, Karite turned disappearing into the night. Returning to her small home she placed the scythe against the wall and dropped the illusion of the Karite. In the mirror a nine year old girl with red hair and golden eyes smiled.
Months passed and Karite continued in her duties content in her life. In the village they were kind to her, a child alone with horrible scars across her neck, unable to speak. They made sure she had food, and was cared for. Then one day the wind brought her a familiar pair of scents. Turning she saw the four from the castle walk quickly through. Her Hahaoya was getting large with Keikan and Keishou. Her Chichioya at her side, his eyes so full of worry. She wanted to go tell him not to, but that was impossible. Long ago the tora had stolen her voice. She watched as her Hahaoya bartered for some tea, frowning at the shopkeepers rudeness. Dashing to her hut she grabbed the tea she had gotten the day before, running back she went to the hanyou who had Desu at her side. 'Sister, take this.'
The hanyou smiled down at her. 'Karite?' Karite nodded. 'Thank you sister.' "Hey Akisame, we don't need this jerks tea." She said holding the bag up. "Seems this little girl was willing to share."
Akisame turned and smiled. She looked at the child who kept her eyes down for a moment and then lifted violet eyes to her. Seeing the scars on the child's neck, Akisame wanted nothing more than to take the child in her arms but as she moved to do so the child backed away. "It's all right little one, I won't harm you." The child smiled sadly and her eyes moved to Sesshomaru. Akisame watched as tears rolled from the child's eyes. Without warning the child spun and ran.
Once safely in her hut Karite threw herself on her futon and released her silent sobs. A hand on her back let her know she wasn't alone. Rolling over she met Shussan's silver eyes. "I know that was hard, but you did well, Midori." Gathering the child into her arms she let her cry.
*End*
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