Of Claws and Fangs
Episode 47

Keikan returned her smile. "How is that?"

Shakaku glanced away, suddenly a little shy. "I...would like it very much if you still wanted to court me," came her response.

Keikan raised up to lean on his hands, meeting her eyes, "Oh that I definitely want. Is that all you want from me?"

Shakaku held his gaze. "I want all you are willing to give. I want you to take the love I am offering you."

Keikan froze, "Shakaku," he swallowed hard, "Are you asking me to be your mate?"

Shakaku couldn't help but grin at him mischievously. Her tail twitched once. "No," she replied coyly, "I'm asking you to ask me."

Keikan caught the grin and gave her one of his own. Sitting back he tilted his head to one side, "Ahh but there is the problem. You see I do not have your father's permission to even court you." Lifting one hand to rub his chin he continued, "On one hand it would align West and North, and with East all ready our ally only south would remain to cause trouble. Hmmm... Are you of age, Shakaku?"

Keishou found Haya and stepped hesitantly into the room. "Haya...I'm sorry...I was wrong."

"Keishou," Haya rose from the futon she had been sitting on, "I forgive you." She didn't move but opened her arms to him.

Keishou immediately went to her, falling to his knees before her as he wrapped his arms around her waist, laying his head against her stomach. "Aishiteru, Haya, koibito"

"Aishiteru, Keishou. Aishiteru." Haya unknowingly copied Akisame's movements stroking the silver hair of her love, before moving to scratch behind his ears.

As Sesshomaru entered the room, Akisame smiled at him. "All taken care of?"

Sesshomaru nodded and lay down beside her, snuggling next to her warmth. "He's had a home built in Edo," he said after a moment.

Akisame smoothed his hair absently as she thought. "It had to happen eventually. At least he will be near, and we still have Keikan, Mika and this new little one."

Sesshomaru rested a hand on Akisame's abdomen. "Yes we do."

"So," Akisame said beginning to scratch behind his ear, "What do you hope for? A girl or a boy? I would like another girl, with your hair and eyes."

Shakaku narrowed her eyes at him, her tail thumped the floor as she snorted. "Of course I am and if you think I'm going to wait for my father's permission, you are sorely mistaken."

Keikan grinned evilly, "Oh no Shakaku. That means I've just got to challenge the one your father has chosen."

"And just who do you think that will be?" Shakaku asked, curious. She wondered if her father was in any mental state to do anything.

Keikan's eyes twinkled in glee, "Baka female, don't you remember? Okubiri. Your father announced in front of all the cardinal lords that Okubiri was your betrothed. Now a little lesson in demon law, since I'm sure your father neglected that. If a suitable suitor is rejected or ignored by the female's father AND said female has been promised to another by her father; THEN said ignored and/or rejected suitor may challenge the suitor accepted by the father. There is one draw back, if I loose I must renounce all claim on you."

She was quiet for a moment, seemingly lost in thought. Then Shakaku rose and moved closer to Keikan, bending down so that her face was inches from his. "Then I suggest," she purred, "That you do not loose."

Keishou too leaned his head into the hand scratching his ears. "I was going to surprise you," he said, turning his head slightly so that Haya's fingers reached the right spot, "When I went to Edo...I had some of the villagers begin a house for us."

"Don't plan on it." Keikan told her. Before she had a chance to reply, or move away his hand grasped the back of her neck. "You will be mine Shakaku." He growled possesively before pulling her to him. He kissed her, not the gentle testing kiss of earlier, but that of a man to a woman.

Shakaku's arms wrapped around his neck and pulled him closer, deepening their kiss.

Breaking the kiss, Keikan looked into Shakaku's eyes. "Go." He told her, his breath ragged. "In the morning I shall challenge the fool." She opened her mouth to protest, but he shook his head. "No, Shakaku. I will not dishonor you, and if you stay I will make you mine now."

Haya's fingers stopped in their movements. Tears filled her eyes as she thought of what his simple statement meant. He would give up all this to live a simple life in Edo with her. "Koishii." she whispered.

Keishou looked up into her tear filled eyes. "That would make you happy, hai?"

Haya nodded smiling through her tears. "You are sure that is what you want? To give up living in a castle with servants, for a simple hut in a simple village?"

Sesshomaru leaned his head into her hand, eyes sliding shut, in pleasure. "Hai...another girl," he said sleepily.

Akisame smiled at the powerful Inu Taiyoukai of the West. He resembled more a puppy at that moment, than the powerful lord he truly was. His eyes closed, relaxation and contentment radiated from him. "I'd like to name her after your mother, Koi."

Sesshomaru smiled, "Hai, that would be lovely."

Sesshomaru's eyes hadn't opened, he still lay with his head in her lap. His soft snore the only thing that told her he had finally drifted off. Akisame frowned down at him, "Now how do you expect me to sleep? Hmm?" she whispered. Continuing her soft stroking of his hair she watched as he curled tighter around her. "Sleep, koi, sleep. I have the feeling things are going to get very complicated, very soon."

Keishou laughed, "I've never been one for the glamour. I gladly give it all up. The hut is finished. As long as I have you," he said, tightening his hold on her, "I have everything I could ever desire.

Haya slid down in his embrace till she was kneeling before him. "Then make me yours, Keishou."

Keishou leaned forward, capturing her lips. After a long moment, he released her lips, trailing his own across her cheeks and down her neck to the soft spot at the junction of neck and shoulder. He nuzzled the spot then opened his mouth, letting his fangs first graze the area.

Haya tilted her head giving him better access. A slight shiver shook her at the thought of his sharp fangs penetrating her skin. She only hoped it wouldn't hurt.

Instinctively, a growl of reassurance rose from Keishou's chest, as he sank his fangs into his mate's flesh. Removing them quickly he lapped at the wound, then lifted his head, looking Haya in the eye. "Now," he said softly, "You are mine."

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