Of Claws And Fangs
Episode 34
"Sango, I'm not complaining... well not too much. Because apparently your eves dropping husband informed my mate of my reaction to his pouts. He did it twice today! Oh and thanks for teaching me that toss, it worked perfectly." Akisame said.
"TWICE!!" Rin and Haya squealed.
Sango laughed. "Yes that husband of mine, he loves to...um...how do I say it...help along other people's relationships. I'm glad my lessons helped someone."
Shakaku looked around at the laughing women. Such tragedy in their lives and they could still find reason to laugh like this. They each had mates and families that loved them. To her father she was just a means to expand his power. She lowered her head, hair falling forward to cover her face.
Rin walked over to the young tora, "What's wrong, Shakaku? You can tell us anything. Akisame sure does."
"Well, I told you a couple of sessions with Leena and you no longer have any shame in a girl talk session." Moving to the other side of Shakaku she placed an arm around her shoulder. "Why don't you tell us what's bothering you. No man in this castle will hear a word of it," Then raising her voice just in case, "unless that Houshi is eves dropping. Then I'll show him what made Kouga fear me so."
She looked up startled to see all the concerned looks. "Oh...it...it's nothing," she began but something made her start to speak, "I just envy you your families. The way you interact with one another, it's so...warm," she
ended for lack of a better word. "I am sorry for what my father is doing to you."
Sango leaned forward and putting her elbow on the table, chin on her hand. "It's not your fault Shakaku. Don't let anyone tell you any different."
"To quote my brother-in-law, Feh." placing a hand under Shakaku's chin, Akisame turned her head until they met eye to eye. "You have no control over what your father had done, or will do. Just as Rin had no control over Makoto. Had we gotten to Midori a few moments earlier she would still be with us."
Shakaku nodded. "I will try to remember that," she said. Then she asked a question that startled even herself. "Do you think he likes me?"
Akisame laughed at the question. "If the argument you two were having is any indication, then yes."
Sango looked from Akisame to Shakaku in confusion. "Who? What argument?"
Shakaku looked at Sango then blushed to the roots of her hair, her tail twitched once. "Keikan," she said softly.
Looking at each other, Rin and Haya nodded and in unison "Details!"
Sango laughed at the bewildered look on the young tora's face. "I believe they want to know how you met him, that kind of thing."
Shakaku nodded in understanding. "I was going to my favorite spot to think and he was there. I was annoyed that someone was in my special place and demanded to know who he was," she smiled at the memory, "He told me his name and we just...talked. Then my father's stupid guard came to fetch me."
"Boring." Rin commented, smiling. "So twice huh Akisame?"
Realizing they had to get yet another girl to relax, Akisame smiled. "Yep two pouts in one day. The first was cut short by someone's arrival. The second by that someone and my eldest screaming at each other. Shakaku, dear, you have the worst timing."
Rin snorted with laughter, "You should have Sesshomaru-sama take you for a run. Lots of nice quiet places where no one interrupts."
Akisame raised an eyebrow, "So? Did you become mates or just relieve tension?"
She wondered if she would ever cease to be amazed by this family. The one called Sango scooted over closer to her. "Don't listen to her. I'm sure you'll have plenty of juicy stuff to tell us soon," Sango whispered in
Shakaku's ear.
Shakaku laughed nervously, "Not if he doesn't forget that I dumped an entire pitcher of water on his head."
Haya smiled ignoring Rin and Akisame. "Oh well don't worry to much. I worried Keishou would ever figure things out."
"I never got the chance to apologize for my behavior earlier Haya...I didn't know Keikan had a twin," Shakaku replied, remembering her first meeting with the other twin, "Speaking of Keishou...I don't think he is happy with my presence here."
Sango shook her head, "Midori and he were very close but he will come to terms with it. Now," she said, tapping her fingers on the table, "What can we do to speed up things between you and Keikan, hmm?"
"Mother, Keishou is speaking to father tonight about that. He did finally figure things out." Haya said. "Don't worry about it, Shakaku. Neither of us understood why you reacted that way. So I took no offense." Looking to Rin, "Well are you going to answer Akisame's question or leave us all in suspense?"
Rin blushed, "Just relieving some tension. You'll understand better when you are mated Haya and Shakaku."
Akisame nodded, "Thank Budda for his servant Miroku or I might have lost my temper."
Sango nearly collapsed in giggles, "My husband often gets himself into trouble but sometimes...just sometimes he sticks his nose in at the right time."
As the women around her giggled she couldn't help but chuckle. "Do you think your husband might help me with Keikan?"
Rin laughed, "Ummm what kind of help would you like? Let's see... I could see if I could borrow a certain necklace."
Akisame and Haya burst into gales of laughter.
Sango joined Akisame and Haya in their laughter. Shakaku had a look of utter confusion on her face. "I don't understand," she said.
Sango tried to get ahold of her laughter but only managed to get out the word "Osuwari, Keikan," before collapsing again.
Rin had tried to gather some control. At Sango's comment they burst into fresh peals of laughter. Trying to speak through the laughs Rin said, "Sango, *giggle* maybe *snort* we *chuckle* should explain."
Sango finally was able to speak without laughing. "You've met Inu Yasha, right?" Shakaku nodded and the taijiya continued. "And you've seen the necklace he wears?" Another nod. "Well when Kagome first came here, Kaede put that rosary on him so that Kagome could keep him from hurting her...I'm sure you'll hear that whole story some other time. Anyway, Kagome was told to utter a subduing spell and the first thing that came to her mind was Osuwari. So whenever she said the word, the necklace would get heavy and Inu Yasha would come crashing to the ground. Don't tell him I said this but it was pretty funny to see the look on his face when she said the word. I tried it once...didn't work...priceless look though."
Shakaku chuckled. "Yes that would come in handy."
"Ah-choo." Inu Yasha looked around. "Ok why am I the topic of conversation?"
Miroku looked at his friend. "Oh I can think of a reason."
"Shut it monk."
Akisame had managed to gain control of her own laughter. "Shakaku, Keikan has a lot of his Uncle's traits. As for mated couples, he is use to Sango and Miroku and Sesshomaru and I. Keishou is my serious child and Haya is perfect for him. Keikan is full of fire and his mate must be able to withstand his temper, yet not be submissive."
Keishou wondered at the exchange between Inu Yasha and Miroku but said nothing about it. "Miroku-sama...Might I speak with you a moment?"
Sesshomaru trained narrowed golden eyes on his half brother. "What is it the monk knows that I do not?"
"Hai, Lady Akisame, I will remember that as well. My father was often frustrated by my lack of...cooperation with his wishes. Though in the end he most always won," Shakaku replied.
Miroku grinned at his friend of many years. "Sure thing, jerk." The look on Inu Yasha's face at the reminder of one of Kagome's nicknames was priceless. Seeing Sesshomaru's narrowed eye study of Inu Yasha, Miroku turned his attention to Keishou hoping to shift the Taiyoukai's attention. "Hai Keishou?"
At the term jerk, a multitude of emotions ran through Inu Yasha. Anger, at being called a jerk. Sadness at being reminded of Kagome. Puzzlement at it not hurting as much as usual. Last, happiness at the simple attachment that was his growing feelings for Rin. Looking up he caught his brother's study of him. 'Rin or I are going to have to tell him soon. Otherwise he'll catch the scent of one of us on the other.'
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