Of Claws And Fangs
Episode 4
Easily the Taiyoukai followed Keikan scent and approached him slowly. "Keikan..."
Keikan turned and saw his Chichioya approaching. 'Great more lecturing. Damn all I did was hug Rin.' "Sir?" He squared his shoulders unaware how like his Uncle the motion was.
He almost smiled at the similarity between his brother and the hanyou before him. Sesshomaru sat and gestured for his son to do the same. "Keikan...I am sorry. I do not mean to be so harsh on you," he paused, unsure how to continue, "But you are my first born, you will inherit the Western Lands one day not your brother. Do you understand?" He didn't want to tell Keikan what the Maiden had told him many years ago. That was too much for a young pup to handle, he wasn't sure if telling him about being future ruler was too much.
Keikan bowed his head slightly allowing his hair to hide his face while he thought. Finally he met his fathers eyes, trying hard to act as an adult and not a spoiled pup. "I know that sir. I've always known that." He felt something a hesitation coming from his father. "There is something you are not telling me, Chichioya. There is more than the Western Lands leadership. There is something even more specific to me, isn't there? I overheard you and Hahaoya were talking one night. I wasn't much younger than Mika and Midori. I had a nightmare. You were speaking of me. Not me and Keishou, but just me and a destiny. What is it Chichioya?"
He was glad his son had seen part of the reason he had been hard on him. He sighed. "You are your Hahahoya's son, Keikan. All right...I will tell you. When your soul was placed in Akisame, we were told that you would grow to be more powerful than me, more powerful than even your Grandsire. We were not told exactly what your destiny would be only that you were very special and that it would be great." There, he had said it...now how would his eldest handle the news.
Keikan looked away from his father and out into the forest. For a while silence stretched between them. Rising he spoke, "Maybe, that special destiny would explain it. I knew from Uncle that he couldn't and that to his and Myoga's knowledge no hanyou had ever been able to." He turned to his father. "Chichioya after today no more secrets between us." With that he concentrated he felt the change take place. He knew he wasn't as large as a full demon but his canine form was still large roughly the size of a draft horse. He held the form and looked at his father.
Sesshomaru could not hide his surprise at seeing his son transform as he rose, reaching out to touch his son's fur. "How...how long have you know about this? Who else knows?"
Keikan shivered and took his normal form. Meeting his father's surprised gaze he answered truthfully. "Do you remember when I disappeared for a week? It was right after Rin married. Mika and Midori were three. Mika found that puppy. She called him Shiro. I got stuck, I didn't know how to change back. When Uncle arrived to help you and mother search for me Myoga was with him. Myoga found me and taught me how to change back." Thinking a moment he answered the second question, "Just me, Myoga, Uncle and now you."
Sesshomaru nodded, he certainly did remember that night. He had been extremely worried when Keikan had disappeared, he was somewhat relieved by the revelation. He put a hand on Keikan's shoulder. "If you wish to keep this from the others I will not tell them...with the exception of your Hahaoya. I can keep nothing from her."
"I don't know. What do you advise? It is customary at the Coming-of-Age Ceremony to reveal one's abilities to the family. And Chichioya, I'd never ask you to keep something from Hahaoya."
He nodded. "Yes it is," he pause thoughtfully, "It is your decision. I stand behind whatever you decide to do."
Keikan looked at his Chichioya and sighed deeply. He realized that he was being treated as an adult and no longer would his Chichioya tell him the answers. He thought for a long time then spoke "I think it would be best if I do not show anyone this ability. It is a defense and a weapon my enemies would not expect. It would also hurt Keishou that he is not able to do it." He met his Chichioya's gaze silently asking if he had made a wise choice.
He saw the silent need for approval and nodded. "I believe you may be right. Now...is there anything else you can do that you have not shared?"
"No. Well not that I know of." He thought for a moment more then spoke again. "Chichioya, At the Coming-of-Age Ceremony, it is tradition to name the intended mate of the heir. Will you name an intended for me? If so who is it?"
Sesshomaru smiled at Keikan. "My father did not choose a mate for me, much to my Hahahoya's annoyance. I will not choose one for you. My children will be free to choose their own mates as I was free to choose mine."
"Thank you Chichioya. Who is Leena? I hear Hahaoya sometimes mutter about me being like her."
Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow and decided that he should sit down again. It seemed as though his firstborn was full of questions. He sat and again gestured for Keikan to do the same. "Leena is my daughter...well another version of me. Your Hahaoya and I met in another world, Keikan. A world where I, Akisame, my daughter from another world and my granddaughter from another world were called to defeat Naraku." Even now he knew it sounded crazy and he hoped his son would accept what he said. All of his children had grown up with stories of the time traveling Kagome and the legendary battle with Naraku but this particular story had been left out. "In Leena's world, her Sesshomaru rejected her and she was raised by Inu Yasha. Your hahoya is very correct when she says you are a lot like Leena."
Keikan thought about the possibilities of their being other worlds. Then a strange thought occurred to him. "Chichioya... you said that this Leena was from one world and your granddaughter from another. You are from here. Is Hahayou from another world as well? Is that why we have never met any of her family?"
He nodded, pleased that Keikan had accepted what he had said. "Yes she is from the world I was summoned to. It was her wish on the jewel to be with me and my wish that hers be granted. I can only assume that my other companions wished the same otherwise...I would be here, alone."
"That must have been frightening for you, not knowing if you would be with your mate. I always wondered what Uncle had meant by he found Hahayou outside Kaede-san's hut with you no where around." Enjoying the first true conversation he'd ever had with his sire, Keikan asked another question. "Sir, Uncle explained what happens to him when he is without Tetsusaiga. Will the same thing happen to me and Keishou? What about Mika and Midori? I think since I can take demon form, it won't effect me but I worry about my siblings."
Sesshomaru was startled by the last question but was glad that he was having this conversation with his son. Very rarely had they ever talked in this way. "Truly I do not know. There is the possibility that it will happen to them as well. It will be something we will deal with if it ever arises."
"Would it be possible to make a ward for them? Like Uncle's Tetsusaiga?"
He nodded. "It is worth trying," he scratched behind his ear, "I wonder if Totosai might know something...he was the one who forged Tetsusaiga. Would you like me to try Keikan?" Sesshomaru had to admit that he had not really thought about his pups loosing control to their demon blood.
"Yes Sir. I've spent more time with Uncle than anyone. I know how terrified he is of loosing control like that." He meet his father's gaze and continued, "Watch him sometime, when he's washing his hands." Turning he looked to the sky, "Sir, we should head back before Hahayou becomes worried. I enjoyed this conversation. I suppose I should take more interest in the daily running of the Western Lands. Would it be acceptable to you if I accompanied you tomorrow to your meeting?""
Sesshomaru stood and put a hand on Keikan's shoulder. He too had enjoyed the conversation. "Hai...I would like it very much if you would."
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