Of Claws And Fangs
Episode 71



"What was what about, dear?" Akisame asked standing up.

"The growling," he replied, fixing Mika with a stern glance, "Don't think I didn't hear it."

"Just a tickle, Chichioya...really."

Moving to his side, Akisame patted his arm. "All settled, why do you think I brought her in here? Mika why don't you go on to your room and begin packing for the move."

Sesshomaru sighed, still wondering what it was that had happened yet knowing he would get no more out of the two females. Mika kissed them both on the cheek and scurried out of the room. "They seemed to take it well," he said, referring to his announcement as he looped an arm around his mates waist, guiding her to their own room to start packing.

"Hai. Inari-chan thinks it is very wise of you to allow Keikan time as the Western Lord with you available for council. Okubiri, thinks our sons are very handsome and is a bit concerned about something Shakaku said. I couldn't get it in the brief contact. Yamakaji wonders why, but thinks it has something to do with Kaiya." She informed him as they walked. "You sure you don't want to take any servants with us? I know I don't but you have never been without them."

"Iie, we will not. You wish to live as simple folk and do you really want Jaken around complaining and groveling all the time in such close proximity?" He questioned with a quirked brow.

Leaning heavily into him, Akisame sighed happily. "Just thought I'd ask. It is too bad though." At his puzzled look she smiled, "Well Kaiya is only three weeks old. We must wait another three. And this is our last night in our room." Suddenly a memory crossed her mind, her cheeks flushed with color. "Well maybe there is something we could do." Grabbing his hand she began leading him quickly to their room.

Keikan checked his study before returning to his room. He was glad to see the scroll was still where he had left it. No message from Shizuka's brother, perhaps in the morning. Remembering something he picked up the note he had written to his mate and headed towards their quarters.

She stared out at the star filled sky, thinking. She wondered what her father would have said had he been present tonight. Shakaku heard the door slid open and saw Keikan enter the room. She smiled at him. "How does it feel to officially be Lord of the Western Lands, my mate?"

"Strange." Keikan admitted. "I've been doing the job for five months, yet ultimately it was Chichioya who was still the Lord. Now I am." He smiled at her, "How does it to be the Western Lady?"

“Strange,” she replied, echoing his words. The tora moved to sit on their futon, pulling her knees up to her chest. “Like everything else that has happened. Strange yet wonderful. Not even in my dreams did I think my life would be this wonderful.”

Moving to sit behind her, Keikan wrapped his arm around her. "I'm glad to hear your life with me exceeds your dreams. However, I do know of one thing that would make my life perfect."

Shakaku leaned back into her mate, tilting her head to the side to look at him. "What would that be my dear Keikan?" she asked, bringing up a hand to caress his cheek.

Leaning his cheek into the caress he whispered his answer. "A pup."

She smiled. "As you said before," she said kissing his jaw bone, "It takes certain actions to make one."

He growled softly at her attentions. He sniffed her neck deeply. "Well, I don't think tonight will be one of those nights... However, my Chichioya taught me practice makes perfect."

"Yes," she purred, "It certainly does."

Akisame looked over the carts full of clothing, pots, pans, herbs, knives. Frowning she spoke to the mouse youkai beside her, "Shizuka, we are not going off into the wilds. Why do we have three carts worth of items?" Akisame wanted to get back to Edo. Each day delayed was another cart added, either Mika, Jaken, Shizuka or Sesshomaru discovered more things that they had to have. With each item her hopes of a simple life dwindled. Didn't any of them realize that there would not be a household of servants to put this stuff away?

The maid looked from her former mistress to the wagons, whiskers, ears and tail twitching nervously. "But my Lady...you will need all of it."

Sesshomaru joined them draping an arm over his mate's shoulder. "I had not realized we had packed so much...it seems I will need to build another house just for our possessions."

Glaring at both of them Akisame snorted, "Well mister... you wanted about a third of this stuff. Jaken insisted we needed another third of it. Mika couldn't decide what she couldn't live without. So guess what we will be doing when we get to Edo." She started towards the gate. "Unpacking, and I'm leaving before a fourth cart is added."

Sesshomaru bit back a chuckle. "Shizuka...fetch my daughters before my mate leaves me again."

Stopping at the gate she looked back at him and smiled. Watching as the mouse youkai dashed quickly to do his bidding. Soon enough they would be on their way to a quiet life. 'Strange,' she thought looking over the castle that had been her home for nineteen years, 'I'm not sad to leave it. This part of my life is over, now I get to be a mother and wife and only a mother and wife.' Contentment filled her as she saw the mouse youkai hand the bundle that was Kaiya to her mate.

Shakaku stood on the steps and waved to Sesshomaru and Akisame as they, their wagons and daughters disappeared through the gates. "Do you think they forgot anything?" she teased.

"I hope not." Keikan answered. "Hahaoya was more than a little upset at the third wagon load. Why don't you go get us some tea and dumplings and meet me in my office. Get a head start on the petitions and such." Giving her a soft kiss he turned to head inside.

"Hai," she replied, moving down the hall to the kitchen. The cook gave her a wary look as she entered the kitchen but Shakaku explained that she was merely there for tea and dumplings. Cook smiled and happily handed over the required items then politely told her to get out of the kitchen. Shakaku chuckled and hurried to Keikan's study.

As Keikan entered his study he saw the scroll sitting once again in the center of his desk. Quickly he opened it and read the missive. Placing the now blank scroll back in it's container, he wondered again what Reiketsu was up to. All those women and then to excuse all but two one ningen and one youkai. He only hoped the mouse youkai would be able to find out more soon.

Shakaku arrived in time to see Keikan placing a scroll in a container. "Anything interesting?" she asked, indicating the scroll.

"Iie, sweetie. It's blank... see." He held the now blank scroll out to her.

"Oh, well then," she replied, setting down the tray, and gesturing to the other piles of scrolls, "I'm sure these others will prove...entertaining."

"I'm sure they will." He answered, glad she didn't pursue the subject. No one knew of the scroll, or it's counterpart. He had found them as a child in one of his grandsire's trunks and now understood their purpose. Lifting one scroll he opened it, pretending to read as he tried to figure out what North was up to.

Shakaku reached for another scroll and almost screamed as she read it. "Another offer of daughters from one of the minor lords," she nodded at Keikan's cocked brow. "Hai...plural. He wants you to take all three."

Moving to her side he read the message. "Hmmm... I like the way he started it... the whole young virile heir thing... too much for one woman..."

Every time she read one of these petitions it made her blood boil. It might be acceptable for males to take concubines but Shakaku was not willing to share her Keikan with anyone. "I am just about ready to send out messages to all the lords stating that if we receive another of these...offers, I will personally remove their virility," she hissed.

Chuckling, he wrapped his arms around his fuming mate. "Hahaoya did that once. The request kept coming. If they didn't what would we use to start the fires?"

Shakaku leaned into her mates warmth, still annoyed. "Hai...I suppose they are useful in that," she paused thoughtfully, "Any word from the North? Is Father being good?"

"Not." He snorted not thinking, then covering quickly "When is he ever concerning West?"

Shakaku turned her head to look at Keikan. "You know something, don't you?"

"Now how would I know what your father is up to?" He asked innocently.

She fixed her mate with a narrowed gaze, then sighed. Shakaku had a feeling he knew more than he was telling but decided to let the subject drop. Talk of her father only served to depress her. "If you say so," she gestured to the piles, "Let's get back to these. I would like to walk in the gardens before the sun goes down."

Sensing her change in mood, Keikan hugged her tighter for a moment. After placing a soft kiss on her cheek, "Hai. A walk in the gardens sounds lovely. If you wish, we could leave these till tomorrow?"

"Hmm...Hai. Another day wait on them will not matter," Shakaku stood, pulling her mate with her, "Let us walk my love."

Keikan followed a smile playing on his lips. 'Kanchou find out what that baka tora is up to quickly. But stay safe little mouse.' he thought silently. As they made their way to the garden he nodded to Shizuka as they passed and gave her a small wink, silently letting the mouse now her brother was still alive and well.

She strode through the halls, her trainees on her heels, past the guards and into Reiketsu's private chambers. Nanshokagai bowed low before the Northern Taiyoukai before stepping aside to gesture to the females. "They are ready my Lord. Now it is your turn."

Tiny cries floated to his ears. Sesshomaru creaked an eye open. "Jaken...see why my pup cries," he groaned sleepily before rolling back over and draping an arm across his mate's waist.

Akisame frowned at her mate, "Jaken isn't here." she muttered. When he still didn't move, she elbowed him hard. "It's your turn."

He sat bolt upright when Akisame's elbow connected with his ribs. He blinked, looking around at his surroundings, it took him a few moments to remember just where he was. With another groan he rose, moving toward the sound of his crying pup. His nose told him immediately what was wrong with the little one and he groaned again. This was the part he hated most about not having servants around. Sesshomaru lifted Kaiya, murmuring softly to her. She stopped crying as soon as she was snuggled in her sire's arms. "all right little one...let's clean you up."

Akisame yawned and snuggled back into the covers, but the longer she lay there, she knew she wouldn't get back to sleep. Rising she moved to them. "She'll be hungry. Might as well feed her now." She explained. As he finished she took the small bundle in her arms and placed her to her breast. "Do you still not regret this simple life?"

Sesshomaru held the soiled cloth away from himself, crinkling his nose at it. "I regret it not...I despise this diaper changing."

"Just put it in the bucket I'll clean it in the morning." She chuckled. "Just another year and a bit and she will be out of them."

"That year will not pass quickly enough for my nose," he replied dropping the diaper into the bucket, "but I am certain I will live through it."

Akisame was about to answer when a very nervous Inu Yasha ran in. One look at his face and Akisame knew what was wrong. "Rin is in labor?" At Inu Yasha's nod she passed the now sleeping Kaiya to Sesshomaru. "I'll get Sango." Inu Yasha's hand locked around her wrist with bruising force.

"She's in such pain." He whispered.

Wincing Akisame removed his hand gently and smiled at him. "I know, it is part of it. She'll be fine." With a final pat on his arm she left leaving the two brothers alone.

Sesshomaru cradled his sleeping daughter close to him, stroking her soft silver hair with one hand. Looking up at his brother he said, "Now you will know how it feels to be a father my brother."

Inu Yasha didn't hear what Sesshomaru said, his eyes and ears trained on the door Akisame had just left through. "Maybe I should be with Rin." He started towards the door.

Sesshomaru quickly inserted himself between the hanyou and the door. "Iie, dear brother. You must remain here."

Sango looked up groggily as Akisame came into her hut but as soon as her brain processed what it was her friend was telling her the taijiya was awake immediately. She gave her husband a poke. "Fetch some water husband."

Miroku rolled over at the poke and grumbled, "Make Inu Yasha get the water. It's his mate and his pup."

Sango glared down at her houshi then prodded him with her foot. "I'll not have that baka hanyou getting in my way, now get the water or else."

Inu Yasha noticed for the first time his brother. He raised his claws to move the once Western Lord out of his way. Then noticing the small bundled held securely in his brother's arms he nodded, turning back to the hearth. In the distance he could still faintly hear Rin's cries.

Miroku grumbled, but finally rose and headed to the well at the center of town. Filling two buckets he slowly followed the women towards the small hut.

Hours past, finally as dawn broke over the village a new cry reached Inu Yasha's ears. A baby's cry. He didn't remember moving, only that he was suddenly standing at his hut. His mate holding a small bundle to her chest, a beautiful smile on her face. He felt the hand on his arm and turned to see Sango smiling at him.

Sango smiled at her friend, "Congratulations Inu Yasha...it's a boy."

Sesshomaru chuckled as he followed, more slowly behind his brother. He reached the hut in time to hear Sango announcing that the pup was male. The inu taiyoukai stopped beside his hanyou brother and said softly, "So does this make me an Uncle or a grandfather?"

Inu Yasha just shrugged. Slowly he made his way over to meet his son. Kneeling beside Rin, he was surprised when she placed the infant in his arms. Looking down at the small creature he blinked at the surprisingly human looking child. A fuzzy covering of black hair, human ears, blunt nails and as the babe opened his eyes violet not gold shown in the unfocused orbs.

"So, what shall we name him?" Rin asked.

"Arashi?" He questioned softly.

"Arashi... storm... Why?" she asked.

"I was thinking of the storm, that night..." Inu Yasha's cheeks flushed with color as did his mates.

"Arashi. It is a good name." Smiling Rin looked out, having heard Sesshomaru's comment earlier she smiled mischievously, "Come, Jii-chan, meet your grandson Arashi."

Sesshomaru snorted and stepped forward to look at the infant in Inu Yasha’s arms. “A fine looking pup brother.”

Inu Yasha nodded. He softly traced his sons features with a clawed finger. He followed the little arm down to the fisted hand. Rin watched the emotions play on her mate's face as their son wrapped his small hand around his father's finger.

Akisame watched as the new father bonded with his son. Tapping her mate on the shoulder she indicated it was time to leave with a nod of her head.

Mika met her mother and father as they exited her uncles hut. She yawned widely, rubbing sleep from her eyes. "What's going on?"

Sango sat down on the step of her hut, looking up at the sky. "Do you think it'll last Miroku?"

Sitting beside her, Miroku pulled her to his shoulder. "Will what last, my boomerang butterfly?"

Resting her head on her husband's shoulder, the taijiya sighed, "This peace?"

"I hope it will. Yet I fear it will not."

Akisame smiled at Mika, "You have a new... cousin."

The girl's eyes popped wide open. "I do? Can I see him?"

"Maybe later. Let your Uncle and Rin enjoy a little time with their new son." Akisame said gently.

Keikan read the message as always as he finished the last word the message vanished. He examined the facts, three women, one Kanchou can not describe, a snake youkai and a ningen female. The youkai and the ningen had left with a battalion of North soldiers. Unfortunately the mouse youkai did not know which way they were headed. What are you planning, Reiketsu he silently asked. Placing the scroll away he leaned heavily on the desk.

Shakaku peeked in the study. Her mate looked troubled. The tora slipped inside, moving behind him she began to rub his shoulders, noting the tenseness in his muscles. "You're tense...what is troubling you mate?"

With one hand he reached up and stopped her gentle rubbing, his voice soft he answered her question with one of his own. "How much do you trust me?" He now had a good idea of what Reiketsu planned.

Delicate triangular ears flicked in curiosity as she knelt beside him. "With all my heart."

He nodded, not turning to look at her, "Remember that. Remember that I chose you above everything else, and always will." He couldn't tell her. Even if he was almost positive what Reiketsu's plan was now, her reactions must be true and real. Standing he left the study.

"Now just what was that all about?" she wondered aloud. Standing Shakaku shrugged, Jaken appeared in the doorway. "Hai Jaken...what is it?"

"Will you and Lord Keikan be desiring lunch, my Lady?"

"Hai, I am quite hungry. Call us when it is ready."

Keikan walked through the gardens, for the first time in months alone. 'Damn you Reiketsu. What ever your feelings for me and my family, can you not let your daughter have peace?' He finally reached the small lake, it was changed now, but still it was his spot. Sitting heavily, he propped his chin on his hand.

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