Of Claws And Fangs
Episode 73

Akisame stopped in the doorway at her mate's reasoning with the infant she began to laugh. Soon tears fell from her eyes. "Do you need any help with her?" She managed to get out.

Kaiya wasn't at all pleased. The nice sound was gone, and now the silky stuff was gone too. Scrunching up her little face she began screaming her frustration.

Sesshomaru shook his head at his mate's question, sighed and held out a lock of hair in Kaiya's reach. When she stopped howling and clutched the hair tightly, he couldn't help but laugh again. "You certainly know how to get what you want little one."

Shakaku wiped at the tears trickling from the corners of her eyes. "I certainly hope my little one does not have such a liking to my hair." She couldn't wait to get home and tell Keikan the news, he would be so pleased.

"Iie," Akisame said coming to stand beside him. "She knows how to get her Papa to do what she wants. You spoil her, husband." She watched as the now happy infant brought the fist full of hair to her mouth and began gumming it. "And Shakaku, the trick is not to let them get hold of the hair in the first place."

Sesshomaru gave a sheepish grin through his wince. “Maybe I should just cut off a bit for her,” he murmured to himself.

“Ah,” Shakaku said, then teasingly, “I guess the mighty Sesshomaru is too proud to tie his hair back?”

"You will not." Akisame hissed at him. With an efficiency learned from practice she flipped her own hair over her shoulder, untangled Kaiya's hand from his and took the girl in her own arms. Once the hair left her hands, Kaiya began her screaming again. "Shhhh.." Akisame said softly then began humming. She watched as the small ears twitched and the screaming stopped. Soon a yawn stretched the little mouth as eyelids covered her golden eyes, followed by soft snores.

Haya nodded into Keishou's shoulder. "They won't hate me will they?"

"No, Haya, they will not. Of that I am certain," Keishou said softly. "Come...we can clean these rabbits for supper tonight."

Haya stood lifting the rabbits. "How goes your training?"

“It goes well,” Keishou replied, “It is interesting how different yet the same all the worlds are.”

As she finished cleaning the last rabbit Haya turned to Keishou. "I think I'm ready now."

Sesshomaru shrugged, "It was just a thought." He looked to the door as Keishou and Haya entered the hut. Shakaku went to them greeting them both with a hug but Sesshomaru could tell the two had something on their minds. "What is it Keishou?"

Keishou smiled slightly at his father's perceptiveness, then said "We...have something to tell you." He looked to his mate, taking her hand in his, nodding. This was hers to tell.

"Could we speak with you and Akisame privately for a moment?" Haya almost whispered.

Sesshomaru nodded and looked at Mika and Shakaku. Shakaku moved to Akisame and took Kaiya from her. "Come Mika, let's go see if Sango needs help. She was laughing rather hard."

After the two were gone Sesshomaru motioned for them all to sit as he did the same. "What is troubling you?" he asked, gently.

Akisame thought briefly that perhaps they were going to say Haya was expecting. Then she looked into the girls eyes. They were still red from tears. Smiling gently she sat beside her mate.

Haya took a deep breath, holding Keishou's hand she squeezed slightly. "A few years ago I was very ill. From what Mother and Father say I had a very high fever, it raged for days. A few months later, I stopped..." She looked at the ground no longer able to meet their eyes. "having my woman's time. I haven't had one since." Her eyes closed holding in the tears. Now they knew, would they force Keishou away from her? Would they make him take a concubine? All her fears raged through her mind.

Sesshomaru looked at the woman for a moment, the implications of her words slowly seeping in. His golden gaze met his son's emerald one. Keishou's eyes held silent pleading for understanding. He spoke, his voice remaining calm and gentle. "You think this would change the caring we hold for you?"

Akisame didn't say anything. She stood and pulled the girl into a hug. "Oh Haya, I'm so sorry." Tears fell silently, "How can you ever forgive me for being so callus." Everytime she had jokingly asked when the girl was going to have her grandchild filled her mind.

"You didn't know." Haya sniffed, "You both mean so much to me. I was afraid, if you found out ... you wouldn't want Keishou to be with me...."

The inu taiyoukai rose and moved to the two women. "Haya, Keishou loves you and you him. I would never dream of keeping the two of you apart." Sesshomaru put an arm around both women, as Keishou stood, looking relieved. "I do not want you to fret upon it any longer."

As Haya's tears increased Akisame smiled, trying to lighten the mood, "This just puts more pressure on Shakaku, Keikan and Mika." She teased. "Besides, Inu Yasha once said, the best thing about being an Uncle was he could spoil the kids then give them back." With an evil grin she met her mates eyes, "Payback is so much fun." Sesshomaru returned her grin. "Hai love, it is."

Keishou wrapped his arms around Haya, nuzzling her neck. "See," he whispered in her ear, "Nothing to fear."

Outside Mika sat on Sango's porch with Shakaku, who cradled the sleeping Kaiya. "How long are you staying, joudama?" Mika asked quietly.

"Oh I had planned on staying a week but now...I want to go home to tell Keikan the news. Your brother will be very happy."

Mika nodded. She would have to remember to speak with her mother and father later. They needed to find out how long Keikan wanted to keep Shakaku in Edo.

Ori found the study with ease. The mouse youkai servant was just approaching the door, a tray of tea and sweet dumplings in hand. She stepped between the meek Shizuka and the door, taking the tray from her. "I'll take that," she hissed.

The mouse merely bowed, whiskers twitching and scurried off. Ori knocked on the door and when permission to enter was given she opened it. "Good evening, my Lord. I thought you might be hungry."

Keikan bit back the growl that threatened. Did the woman forget his ears? For that matter his nose? Placing a smile on his face he spoke, "Thank you Ori. However there was no reason to take my dinner from Shizuka, or for that matter to be rude to her." He twitched his ears forward then back. "These work quite well. Shizuka is a valued member of this household, she has served both me and my sire, I will thank you to remember that."

Ori scolded herself mentally for her lapse in thinking, as she knelt before Keikan, bowing low. “Please forgive me my Lord, I only wish to serve you.” She stood again, moving behind him, placing her hands on his shoulders, “You are tense my Lord,” she said, as her hands began to knead his muscles.

Keikan's temper flared, with a growl he leapt to his feet, spinning to snarl at the woman, "You will not be so familiar." As red entered his eyes, he didn't even try to stop his anger. "You will leave now."

Ori left quickly and shut the door, running down the hall until she reached the room she had been given. Once there she fell to her knees in tears.

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