Of Claws And Fangs
Episode 5
The two then headed back to the castle. Mika sprinted toward them, leaping into Keikan's arms. "I want to talk big talk too!" she pouted at him.
Keikan smiled down at the girl. "You do huh?" He questioned putting the girl back on the ground. "You are too big Mika to be climbing on everybody. You're nine years old now."
Akisame watched as the two entered. What ever had happened there was a closeness between the two that had never been there before. Leaning to Inu Yasha she whispered, "Seems they worked things out."
Inu Yasha nodded. He wondered if Keikan had told him about the transformations he was capable of. "Seems they did. I'm relieved. I feared he would chase the pup away with his demands of protocol."
Mika just smiled and slipping her hand into her Chichioya's, accompanied the two back to the family. "Look I found them," she proclaimed proudly.
Sesshomaru smiled down at his daughter. "Yes you did and just in time too."
"In time for what Chichioya?"
"Just in time for bed," he chuckled at the disappointed face and turned to his mate. "Don't you think love?"
Keishou fell in step silently beside his brother. "Is everything all right?"
Akisame smiled, "Why yes, it is bedtime for one who is as young as Mika. Since Midori is so much older than her sister she may stay up." Watching Mika's face contort, she continued holding back her laughter "Mika you need to run take your bath and have your nurse tuck you in." She wondered sometimes what they would do with the girl.
Keikan smiled at his twin. "Yea, we actually had a nice conversation."
Midori stepped up to Keishou's side and slid her small hand in his larger one. "Niisan?" she said softly.
Mika leapt around giving everyone good night kisses, then after extracting a promise from Keikan to tuck her in as well, ran off to her bath, not waiting for her sister.
Keishou looked down at his neechan, smiling at her. She was such a shy and quiet one, much more so than even himself. "Hai Midori?"
"Would you come and tell me a story before I go to sleep?" She asked in her soft voice.
Akisame went to Sesshomaru's side, "So you two have a good talk? Work everything out?"
Keishou nodded and leaned down to tap his finger on Midori's nose. "Of course I will little one. Now run along for your bath. I will be there in a few moments."
Sesshomaru put his arm around his mate. "Yes...there is something we need to discuss," he whispered in her ear. Then he turned his attention to Shippo and Inu Yasha, his guests. "Shippo, Inu Yasha...it is good to see you both. Shippo, I had Jaken prepare your old rooms for you. Are either of you hungry?"
Shippo shook his head "No thanks. I ate with the girls. Think I'll go to my old room and maybe check in on Rin. Then turn in early. I have the strangest feeling tomorrow is going to be a long day."
Inu Yasha smiled at his brother, "Food? I'm always hungry, you know that. But, first need to wash up a bit. Meet you two in the dinning room." He walked into the castle leaving them alone.
Akisame looked at her mate, "Ok, the children are gone, your brother has left. So what do we need to discuss? Does it have to do with your conversation with Keikan?"
He nodded. "Our pup has an ability that I didn't think possible...he can transform. His form is not as large as mine...but still he shouldn't be able to do it."
"Transform? But, how? I thought hanyou's weren't able to? How long has he been able to do this? Will he loose control like your brother?" She felt her legs weaken and quickly sat on the cushion she had recently vacated.
Sesshomaru knelt beside her. "I didn't think hanyou's could either. Remember Shiro?" at her nod he continued. "That was him. He got stuck and how I didn't know it was him..." He was ashamed that he didn't realize that the puppy was his son. He should have known by the scent but he hadn't paid the animal much head when Mika had brought it to the castle. Clearing his throat he continued. "I don't think he will, Keikan is more concerned about Keishou, Mika and Midori than himself."
She nodded and a memory tugged at her mind. A smile grew across her face and then laughter echoed, "Do you remember all the times Shiro would come up and scratch at your legs? You would just call Jaken and have him take the puppy back to the girls. Oh dear.... Do you remember when Shiro pee'd on Jaken?"
A chuckle burst from him at the memory. "Oh yes...I remember that well...I don't think we should ever tell Jaken that though."
"Knowing what I now do, I wonder why he did it." She laughed. She held her hand up for his assistance in standing. "We need to meet your brother I'm starving too."
"We shall have to ask him one day," he helped his mate to her feet and they went to join Inu Yasha for a meal.
Inu Yasha watched as Sesshomaru and Akisame entered the dinning room. With the ceremony tomorrow, Keikan and Keishou would be considered adults in Youkai society. He glanced down at his hands, he didn't want either of his nephews to live with the memories and guilt he did. Nor did he wish for them to wake each morning and reach for something to alleviate the fear it wasn't there. Clearing his throat he spoke, "Sesshomaru, I know you haven't thought of this. The boys will be adults after tomorrow's ceremony. I've told Keikan. He knows what happens to me without Tetsusaiga." a half smile crossed his face "Keishou and I aren't as close, so I haven't told him. I think the three of us need to discuss subduing charms for the boys at least."
Sesshomaru seated himself and nodded. "Yes brother...Keikan mentioned his fear of the same thing. I thought we might call on Totosai, since it was he who made yours. He has told me of his ability as well."
Inu Yasha thought hard for a moment. Then walked to Akisame. "You've never read me. I know you read the Inu Yasha from that world, but not me. I know you have Sesshomaru's memories of those times. I think you should see it, from the view point of someone who lives with it." He held his hand out to her.
Akisame met his golden eyes and nodded. Taking his hand she read only the memories he spoke of. Removing her hand she pulled him into a hug, tears streaming down her face.
Mika jumped awake, not certain what it was that she had dreamed but it had scared her. Midori was still sleeping peacefully beside her. The child quietly slipped from bed, the feeling of apprehension and fear still with her. She padded out into the hall way and sniffed the air delicately, trying to decide which of her family would be the best comfort. Deciding she turned left and went in search of Keikan.
Sesshomaru watched his mate share his brother's memories and became lost in his own. Were his pups in danger of Inu Yasha's fate? He had an image of his shy little Midori, over come with blood lust and shook his head with a small nearly inaudible whimper. "Jaken," he commanded softly, "Send a message to Totosai. His presence is requested."
The toad entered the room at his master's call. "Hai, my lord, I will send it in the morning."
"No...you will send it now. I want the sword maker here tomorrow."
Keikan opened his eyes and looked at the ceiling, for hours he had tried to sleep but it eluded him. He turned his head towards the door as it slid open, to reveal Mika. Sitting up he called her to him, "Another nightmare Mika?"
She went to her niisan and climbed into his lap, snuggling into his warm and comforting presence. She nodded. "You can not sleep either niisan?"
"Tomorrow is a big day for me and Keishou, Mika. One day you and Midori will have your own ceremony to mark your coming of age. Things will change. More for me than Keishou. I will have to begin to learn to govern and negotiate." He smiled into the darkness of the room. "What was your nightmare? Hmm, you always tell me."
"I don't remember it all niisan....I had done something very bad only I couldn't stop doing it," she looked up at him, her golden eyes shining in the dark, "Can I sleep here tonight?"
"Sure can." He answered her. He laid back and waited for her to curl up. Soon she had her head resting on his chest. Wrapping his arm around her he whispered, "That better?"
"Hai...arigatou niisan." Mika was soon sleeping, the rest of her night free of nightmares and dreams.
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