Of Claws And Fangs
Episode 29
Keikan had followed Keishou to every single shop in Edo. He had seen several things that he would like to get for the tora, yet his brother still looked. "How much longer?" He finally asked. He wanted to go see if the tora was at the lake again today.
Mika stepped forward and took the tora by the hand. "This way, pretty lady," she chirped.
Shakaku marveled at the girl's cheerfulness. She knew she would not be thus if her sister had died. She followed as the red-head lead her into the castle. "Was it your sister who died, little one?"
The girl nodded. "I am sorry."
The hanyou child looked up at her with wide golden eyes and seemed about to say something but did not. "Thank you," she said and they continued down the hall.
Keishou laughed at his twin's anxiousness but pointed to a beautiful bracelet that he had finally decided on. He paid for his purchase then turned to Keikan. "Go on, I'll go back on my own."
Keikan smiled at his brother's perceptiveness. Taking off at a run as soon as he cleared the village he transformed and increased his speed, not slowing until he neared the clearing. Her scent was there, but it was old. He was glad tora's didn't have the noses of inu's otherwise any passing tora could have caught his own remaining scent. Shrinking to his smaller size he cautiously made his way into the clearing, using his nose he found the freshest of her scent trails. Under a small rock, near where they sat was a note. Being more cautious he transformed and began reading while walking back to the cover of the forest.
Keikan,
I can only hope that you have found this. I had wanted to return here and meet you again but I have discovered that the Western Lord's children are in much danger. I have gone to warn them. I do not know that I will be able to return here, my absence will surely be noted and my Lord will not be pleased. Gomen.
P.S. My name is Shakaku.
Keikan read the note again. "Kusu! Chichioya please don't hurt her." He slipped the note into the sleeve of his hiori and transformed. Running faster than he had ever he raced home.
Akisame snuggled into her mate's arms. Sated she looked around the room, a girlish giggle escaping, "Umm we made a mess of your office."
Sesshomaru looked around the room with half open eyes, then closed them again, holding his mate tighter. "I'll make Jaken clean it later."
Jaken stood outside his master's office. The door was barricaded else he would have rushed in. "Mi lord, Lord Sesshomaru?" he called.
Akisame ran a hand along Sesshomaru's chest stopping when she heard Jaken's call. Sitting up she frowned at the door. "Can we kill him?"
Sesshomaru chuckled. "There have been many times when I have wished to do just that." He sat up and placed a kiss on the place he had marked her. "What is it Jaken?"
Mika had not left her alone for any length of time since Shakaku had entered the castle. The child did not speak much just sat with her, sometimes stroking her hair, others playing with her tail. Now she sat before the
tora, as Shakaku ran a brush through the silky curls. She was now even more convinced that Reiketsu's way of thinking was wrong and unjust. The blood that ran through one's veins did not make them useless, weak or pathetic and it certainly did not make one better than anyone else. "Mika, how did you know I was speaking truthfully?"
"I just did." This was all the answer the girl gave her so Shakaku let the subject drop and continued to brush. She recalled the one who had came to the gates, Inu Yasha she believed he was called, and it reminded her again of Keikan. She hoped he had gotten her note.
"Lord Sesshomaru, I beg to inform you that, Lord Inu Yasha says a tora female wishes to speak with you."
"Humph. Guess that means we have to go find out what she wants." Akisame grumbled reaching for her kimono, "But I expect to continue this... discussion later."
"I would be sincerely upset if you didn't," Sesshomaru responded slyly as he dressed. Finally when they were both situated he removed all of the furniture from in front of the door and opened it. "Where is the tora?"
Shakaku rose when the toad youkai entered the room, announcing the presence of the Western Lord and Lady. Giving them a low bow, she said. "Thank you for seeing me Sesshomaru-sama. I am Shakaku, daughter of Reiketsu," she saw him stiffen and continued quickly, "I have come to warn you of my father's plot against you and your family. It was he who sent the assassin after your daughter, though the target was all of your children. I fear he may be planning more."
He listened as the girl spoke. Should he trust her words? Sesshomaru glanced at his mate, then once he caught her gaze inclined his head towards the tora, silently asking her to use her gift.
Akisame nodded, and stepped towards the child. "May I have your hands please." She extended her own.
Shakaku wondered why the Western Lady wanted her hands but she obediently placed her hands in the womans.
Keikan was still far from the castle. He was beginning to tire from the long hard run he had forced himself to take. Forced to slow and take back his normal form, he reached for the only one who might hear his thoughts. "MIKA!" He screamed in his head.
Mika was sitting by the window, playing idly with one of her dolls. Suddenly her brother's voice pierced her thoughts. Her head snapped up. 'Keikan?' she asked back, 'What is wrong?'
Relief flooded Keikan, 'Is there a tora female there, she has tawny gold hair?" He quickly questioned. "Don't answer... if there is please tell Chichioya to not hurt her. I'm on my way home... I should be there in about four hours, faster if I can."
Akisame smiled as the girl took her hands. Quickly she read the girl, but one thought caught her attention, following it she found herself looking at her son through the young girls eyes. Releasing the tora's hands she turned back to her mate and took his hands. She didn't want the girl to know everything she was about to tell her mate. She told him of the girls sincerity and showed him, her meeting with a certain green eyed inu hanyou.
Mika smiled. Silly Keikan, she thought as she scrambled to her feet and padded over to her Chichioya.
Sesshomaru could not help the smile that played on his features. So this was the reason why Keikan had been asking questions. "It seems that you are telling the truth. You have our gratitude for bringing your warning."
Shakaku breathed another sigh of relief and bowed again. "I deserve no gratitude, I only hope I have prevented more undeserved suffering for your family."
Sesshomaru paused as a tugging on his sleeve demanded his attention. He looked down at his youngest. "Hai Mika?"
Mika pulled him down so that she whispered in his ear. "Keikan says not to hurt her and that he'll be here soon."
Sesshomaru shook his head, fondly and straightened. "You obviously can not return to your home. Please stay here for the night if not longer."
Again the tora bowed to him. "I thank you for your generosity, Sesshomaru-sama."
Akisame watched the girl. If she read her son's expression correctly from her memories, she would soon have a tora for a daughter in law. "Come child, you must be starving and tired. North's home is far from here. We do not blame you for Midori's death. She had a gift similar to mine." She explained leading the girl through the castle to the kitchen, "I can read another's mind if I am in contact with them. Midori was able to foresee events. We found out after that she had known her death was coming. She chose the location. She went into the courtyard and met her attacker as he leapt into it." She wiped away the tears that fell from her emerald eyes. "Do not fear for your safety in this house. I have a son who is kitsune, a daughter who is ningen and have birthed four inu hanyous. One of my dearest friends is a demon exterminator. Her mate is a Houshi. With luck soon my second born son, Keishou will make their daughter his. Listen to me rambling on, what would you like to eat?" She asked as they reached the kitchen. The kitchen was empty, the servant's gone for the afternoon.
As Rin approached the small stream in the garden, she saw him. "Inu Yasha?" she questioned softly.
"Rin." He turned to smile at her, "I think we need to talk, but not here." Kneeling in front of her he indicated for her to climb on his back. "I carried Kagome, over most of Japan this way." Once assured she was situated on his back he started off.
Miroku sat near the fountain, his lovely bride at his side. He pointed out the figures of Inu Yasha and Rin leaping the wall. "Do you think they will find love?" He asked brushing his lips against her forehead.
Sango smiled and nodded. "I think they already have," she replied.
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