Of Claws And Fangs
Episode 26
In the North:
She slipped out of the castle through the servant entrances, her fine silks discarded for a simple peasant's kimono. Once she was outside the castle walls, she threw her head back, her tawny golden hair, brushing her shoulder blades as she twirled eyes closed in contentment. She loved being outside, something her father did not let her enjoy much these days. Despite the chill of autumn in the air, she was barefoot, her toes digging into the dry grass. Sighing happily, she started to run.
"Well, Sesshomaru, if I heard the conversation correctly, Rin is a bit nervous. Seems she isn't sure how her mystery man felt about her kissing him." Miroku had seen Sesshomaru's eye dart towards Inu Yasha. If the hanyou didn't learn better control, the monk didn't want to think about what would happen. "Seems the kiss, was more intense than she had planned on." Not for the world would he miss the nervous, blushing of Inu Yasha, or the puzzled, protectiveness of Sesshomaru. 'It will be amusing when Sesshomaru discovers exactly who Rin's mystery man is. IF he doesn't kill him.' He thought.
Keikan covered the ground easily finally arriving at a clearing with a small lake. Thirsty from his run, he cautiously made his way to it and began to quench his thirst with the lake's fresh cool water.
She could smell the cool waters of her favorite haunt. The breeze brought her another scent, there was someone at her special place. Bristling in anger, she slowed her steps, stalking towards the intruder, an inu by the smell of him. She could now see the edge of the lake, a beautiful white dog was drinking from the waters. Stepping into the clearing, her voice rang out, "Who are you? Why are you here?"
Sesshomaru spent of few more moments in puzzled contemplation. Who could this man be? Where could Rin have met him and why did Inu Yasha seem so nervous all of a sudden? Finally he sighed, "She will reveal in time who this person will be, I suppose I shall just have to wait," gesturing toward the house, he asked, "Do you think it's safe to go in now?"
Akisame stepped out into the courtyard, her eyes going to the three men standing talking. Each so different, yet so similar. Inu Yasha, fierce, loving, protective and terrified of loosing someone else he cared for. 'Yes Midori, you were right it will make them both happy.' The dark haired monk, watching the two brothers, stirring trouble as always. Yet he made Sango happy, and soon through their children he would be family.
Then her eyes rested on her mate, her lips curving in a soft smile. Nineteen years, and not since the moment Naraku's curse had shown her that he was hers had she ever doubted her love for him. She knew every emotion that his eyes held. She knew his fears and his joys. His eyes as he had held each of their children for the first time.
His nose caught the scent of his mate and he turned to see her looking at them. His heart swelled with the pride and love he felt for her. Walking over to her, he wrapped his arms around her, "Did you have a nice girl talk
session my mate?" he asked, wondering if he should let slip his knowledge of the subject. It would serve the houshi right to get a few more bumps on the head.
Keikan turned quickly, who ever she was she had come at him upwind. Damn, he was never this careless. She is pretty, he admitted grudgingly. Her tawny gold hair flowed around her. He growled softly, he was to far north to risk changing back.
Annoyed that the inu would not change and speak, she folded her arms, glaring at him. "Fine then, do not answer me." Pointedly ignoring him, she stepped to the water line and crouched down, dipping her fingers in the water.
Keikan transformed and met her eyes, taking a sniff he caught her nature. "Keikan." he answered her first question.
Akisame snuggled into his embrace, "Hai. We must talk, husband. But first we have a duty to perform."
"Hai, love," he responded, nuzzling her ear. Motioning to his brother and friend, he took Akisame's hand and went into the castle.
For a moment she just looked at him, appreciatively. Now she could scent the ningen blood in him and wondered at the fact that he could transform. Her tail, golden with light dark brown stripes twitched in interest. "Why are you here?" she asked, ignoring his question. She preferred to keep her anonymity, if he didn't know her face, he would most certainly know her name. That is if he was from the northern lands.
Keikan slowly released the breath he'd held. She didn't recognize his name. Deciding to stay close to the truth he answered. "My imoutosan died last night. I needed to get away." Silently he added 'Hearing about my parents and sex was too disturbing.'
Her ire at having this strange inu hanyou in her special place faded slightly. She met his emerald gaze as she stood. "I am sorry for your loss," she said honestly, then she looked away out over the still waters of the lake, her voice becoming softer. "I certainly understand the need to get away. Are you from near here?"
"No." He answered. "I can travel a long distance in my other form. I had just stopped because I was thirsty and about to head back. Why are you out here? Won't your lord be angry?"
She was glad to hear that he wasn't from near her home. She sniffed derisively, "Oh yes," she replied, still gazing across the lake, "He will be, if he finds out but I don't care. He can rage until the Northern Mountains crumble. I don't care....I needed to get away too." She was intrigued by this stranger; it seemed so easy to talk to him. His presence was somehow comforting.
Keikan laughed, "You sound like me, when my ... Lord gets angry. Well up till recently." Why did he enjoy this tora's company. He should hate her after what had happened with Midori. "Can I ask you a question?"
She laughed lightly, a soft musical sound. She hadn't laughed in a long time. She turned to look at him again, stepping closer. "You may."
"You don't mind that I'm hanyou do you?"
The question did not phase her, she often had to sit through her father's grumblings about filthy hanyous but for some reason the prejudice's of the father had not passed to the daughter. She shook her head, "No, that does not bother me at all," she paused considering as her tail twitched slowly, "In fact...I rather like you Keikan."
Where the hell did that come from? Her cheeks suddenly flushed and she looked away, her hair falling from behind her shoulder to hide her face.
"I'm glad. I rather like you too." He smiled at her blush. "I know that most youkai hate us. What they don't realize is while they classify us as ningen. Ningen say we are youkai and fear us. There really is no place for us. My Chichioya has been exposed to such ridicule for loving my Hahaoya. I watched as a ningen stabbed my mother" he paused before he revealed too much, "to save her from the demon who was her mate. Luckily my Hahaoya is a strong woman by some miracle she survived." 'A miracle named Tensaiga,' "You have seen my other form." He didn't know why he was telling this tora female all this, maybe because he couldn't speak with anyone else about his fears. "I have a brother, I saw his youki take control. Because I can control my own youki enough to transform I do not have to fear it as he will." Pausing he heard voices calling, they were too far for him to make out what they were saying. "Someone is coming. I must leave. I hope I will see you again." With that he turned and on the run transformed into his Akita size form. He spun and looked at her one last time, with a soft woof he turned and ran back into the forest.
She heard the voices, damn her father. "Wait," she cried but Keikan was gone. She had wanted to tell him her name. She whirled and sped to the place where the servants were searching high and low for her. As soon as
they saw her all bowed.
"Princess Shakaku, you're father requires your presence," one said, his eyes not meeting hers as he spoke.
"My father can go to hell for all I care," she snarled but made her way back to the castle. She wondered if maybe Keikan would return to the lake tomorrow.
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