Of Claws And Fangs
Episode 33


Shakaku shook her head. "Not my mother and father."

By this time they had made it once again to the kitchen, Mika once again awake and trying to sneak mushrooms. When Keikan came in she ran over to him and threw her arms around his waist. "Hello niisan."

"Hello to you too, nee-chan." He said picking Mika up and kissing her cheek. "Stop stealing mushrooms or there will be none in the miso." He snapped at her nose playfully, before putting her back down. Turning to Shakaku he met her yellow-green eyes "I feel sorry for them then. I don't think I could be happy with a subservient mate. I was taught that a mate was your equal." He shrugged, "But not everyone has a family who spent time with a time traveling miko. Haya? How much longer?" He whined, "I'm starving."

"Keikan everything is almost done... You could go get your parents and tell them dinner is ready." The girl teased turning the deer haunch one last time, before checking placing the water for the miso soup on the fire.

Keishou laughed. "I'll go with you brother, you might need help."

Mika giggled "All right, I won't take anymore," she said, then slipped her hand in Shakaku's. "Are you going to stay with us?"

Shakaku found herself wondering if Keikan thought she would be a good mate but shook the thought away and looked down at the girl, meeting her golden gaze. "I think I would like that Mika....I think I would like that a lot."

"Help Keikan with what?" Akisame's voice rang through the kitchen as she walked in. Her hair still damp from her quick bath. Stopping she leaned back into Sesshomaru's chest, a bright smile on her face, catching Sango's eye she winked.

"Retrieving you my friend," Sango said, returning the wink.

Sesshomaru smiled at his family, as he put an arm around his mate. "It seems you have found our guest, my son."

Shakaku looked down, shyly. "Thank you again, my Lord, for allowing me the hospitality of your home. I do not truly deserve your kindness."

"Shakaku, Gomen nasi. I should not have yelled at you so." Akisame said gently, a blush growing on her cheeks as she remembered exactly why she had been so furious. Seeing Keikan's questioning look "I'm not apologizing to you. You now better than to yell in the house."

Haya watched puzzled then quickly turned back to the soup. Pulling the boiling water off the fire she quickly stirred in the miso. "Dinner's ready." She called, "Keishou if you would pull the meat out of the fire and slice it."

She bowed again, "I too should know better, Lady Akisame."

Mika pulled her to a spot between herself and Keikan. Shakaku hoped no one would notice the blush that appeared on her own face as she brushed Keikan's shoulder as she sat.

Keishou pulled the deer from the flames and set about slicing it. "So Shakaku...whose house did you serve in. Keikan mentioned that you were a servant in on of the Northern houses."

Keikan snorted a laugh, but held his silence at the glare Akisame sent him.

Shakaku gave Keishou a curious look. "You're brother was mistaken, Keishou. I am the daughter of the Northern Lord," she stopped as Keishou's knife clattered to the table.

"What?"

Before anyone could say anything else Sesshomaru growled softly, capturing all attention. "Shakaku is a guest in this house and will be treated as such," he said leaving no room for argument. "She has proven to us that she thinks not as her father does."

"Speaking of that," Keikan rubbed his eyes again, trying force away the headache that was developing. "Chichioya, I have an idea if we could speak a moment after dinner?"

Sesshomaru nodded slightly, accepting the plate passed to him, "If it will only take a moment. I think you need more rest, you look like hell."

Sango nearly spit her water on Miroku trying to suppress her laughter.

"I Know!" Keikan said a bit forcefully. "As everyone is determined to tell me, I look like hell. I'm tired. My head hurts. My ears hurt. Can I just have some dinner?"

Keishou passed his twin a plate, attempting to keep the smile from his face. Then sat down to his own. He was concerned that they were taking a meal with the daughter of their enemy but if Chichioya said she was no threat then he would listen to him.

After the meal was over, Sesshomaru rose, excusing himself and gestured to Keikan. Once out in the hall, he asked. "You are planning something."

As she helped clean up, Shakaku was once again amazed by the easy camaraderie between the members of this family. She couldn't help but wish that her family had been as loving as this one.

"Shakaku, she's our proof. I don't want to use her but, it's only a matter of time before her father discovers her location. We need her to write to the other three cardinal lords telling them what she knows. That she chose to come to us with the information and we have offered her sanctuary." Another yawn interrupted any further comment he might make. "Now, I'm going to get some sleep."

Sesshomaru put a hand on his son's shoulder. "She is stronger than she sometimes lets on, Keikan. I think she would help even if we told her not to. Go," he said gently pushing Keikan in the direction of his room.

He returned to the kitchen and cleared his throat. "I do believe I heard talk of a girl talk session taking place in my castle and before I am thrown out of it I will take my leave." He lifted Mika in his arms, who was rubbing her eyes sleepily. "First I will put this little one to bed. Houshi-sama," he gave the monk a meaningful look.

Akisame walked over to him. Kissing Mika on the cheek she whispered "Good night sweetie." The raising to her tiptoes she kissed her mate's cheek. Looking deep into the eyes that had long ago stolen her heart, "Don't sleep to soundly, my love. We still have much to discuss, like two pouts in one day." At his quirked eyebrow she giggled girlishly, "I'm not complaining. But keep Houshi-sama from listening this time."

Haya leaned over to Keishou, "Go, now would be an excellent time for you to speak with him."

Miroku snorted, but leaned down and kiss his wife's lips, his hand moving to grasp her still firm backside.

Mika mumbled a good night and wiggled further into Sesshomaru's arms. Sesshomaru returned the kiss on Akisame's cheek and left the kitchen. "I'll be waiting," he whispered to her.

Sango felt the hand caressing her backside and reached up to grasp the tiny ponytail her husband still sported, tugging gently. "You never learn do you my houshi?" she asked, swatting at his hand. "Get going."

Keishou nodded, suddenly aware that his mouth had gone completely dry but got up and followed Miroku out of the kitchen. "Miroku-sama...can I speak with you?"

"Never, where you are concerned my dear Sango" Miroku said.

"Come on you lech." Inu Yasha called from the door. When Miroku didn't move fast enough to suit the hanyou, he stepped forward and grabbed the monks robe. "Come on Keishou. Have a nice conversation ladies." Pulling the resisting monk, Inu Yasha headed away from the kitchen.

Lifting her tea cup Akisame smiled at Shakaku, "Girl talk is only for girls, no boys allowed and never is the conversation repeated to a male. Which by the way Sango, how does Miroku manage to listen in? Rin, you are lucky... He didn't devulge your mystery man to Sesshomaru."

"That, my friend is one thing I have not been able to figure out," Sango replied dryly.

Shakaku listened to the light banter between the women. She still wasn't exactly sure what she should say. "What do you mean by mystery man?"

Haya turned to the newest member of the session. "Well, Rin is a widow.... sort of. Long story here's the condensed version. Rin was married for six years, her mate wouldn't let her visit. About a month ago now, Keikan and Keishou had their Coming of Age Ceremony, and naturally the two wanted their elder sister to attend. Rin's mate didn't want her to come, I'm not sure on all the details for that. Anyway the day after the ceremony he shows up with some ningen 'king' who demands that Sesshomaru leave his lands. Blah Blah Blah, Makoto, Rin's ex mate, stabs Akisame in the chest. So Makoto was banished from Japan. And Rin has a new man... Sesshomaru would have a fit if he knew who Rin's new man is so... we refer to him as her 'mystery man'"



Next Episode
Home