Of Claws And Fangs
Episode 74

Breakfast was just finishing. Shakaku wiped at her lips after drinking and set down her cup. "Forgive me, I had planned to stay a little longer but I think I will be leaving today."

Picking up the breakfast dishes, Akisame smiled at the girl. "Please stay. I know you are anxious to tell Keikan, but you must think of your pup. You arrived yesterday afternoon, it is a hard days journey back to the castle. One you should not take again so soon." Resting a hand on her mate's shoulder she informed him of Keikan's request. "Besides Rin and Inu Yasha will be here soon, today is market day and the men have agreed to watch the pups while we women shop."

Sesshomaru nodded, "Hai, Shakaku. It has been so long since we saw you, stay awhile longer."

Shakaku sighed, realizing they were right. "all right...I suppose a few more days will be fine."

Nabikasu watched as Keikan leapt the wall at dawn. It wasn't hard for her to realize that he was furious about something. Putting that together with Ori's rush back to the quest quarters, something had happened between the two. She moved to the ningen's room, slamming the door aside she hissed, "What did you do? He is furious."

Ori winced at the sound of the slamming door. "I...I...I forgot he was hanyou. I took the tray from that stupid mouse, he heard. I tried to make it up to him by rubbing his shoulders and he..." The woman clamped her mouth shut. Things were not going well at all. Months of training were forgotten the moment she was in his presence. "Please help me Nabikasu."

Nabikasu glared at the ningen. "Baka ningen! He is not only hanyou but inu hanyou. To touch a mated inu is to risk your life. Inu males always must make the first move. You will bathe, you will dress in the best kimono you have and when he returns you will be at the door to greet him. You will apologize and beg for his forgiveness. Claim ningen stupidity." She spun to leave but stopped, "And after he forgives you, you will find that mouse and apologize to her... just make sure he hears it."

Akisame smiled, "Hai, a few more days will be fine. Having a pup is not an instantaneous event." She chuckled, hearing Kaiya's fussing, "Husband would you go check on Kaiya?"

"Why do you have to go shopping? I can provide anything we need." Inu Yasha whined. He didn't want to admit that he was terrified to be left alone with his son.

"Oh Inu Yasha, you do not know how to make a knife." Then dropping her voice to a soft whisper, "Sesshomaru will help you with Arashi."

Haya watched the exchange as the two entered the hut. Since her admission to Akisame and Sesshomaru a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. No longer was she jealous of the three women in the hut with her. "Morning, Inu Yasha, Rin, and Arashi."

He rose and went into the other room, picking up his fussing pup. “What is wrong little one?” he asked softly, cradling her to his chest, stroking her hair as he took and explorative sniff to see if she needed changing.

Shakaku looked to the door, smiling at the couple and their son. “Good morning.”

Ori nodded, wiping at her cheeks. She did as instructed, bathing carefully, picking out her most beautiful kimono and when Keikan leapt back over the wall, she stood pensively by the door. Her hands folded demurely in front of her, she bowed her head, not looking him in the eye. “Please forgive my impertinence Lord. I know nothing of youkai customs.”

Keikan's temper had not been improved by the run. Normally the wind on his face as he ran would blow away all his anger. At the ningen's apology his soul divided, his human half insisting he forgive her, his youkai half insisting he kill her. Without a word he moved past her. "JAKEN!" His call rang loudly through the castle. Within moments the small servant stood before him.

"You called, mi lord?"

"Jaken, I will be gone for the rest of the day. You will tend to our guest." Turning he stormed back out, as he past the ningen female her scent assaulted him. He growled and started to run again, with an easy bounce he cleared the wall. Landing he transformed and ran as fast as his demon form could go. Not stopping till he reached a clearing. Transforming back he laughed and called, 'Mika, I'm at the well have Keishou meet me. Don't tell Shakaku I'm here.'

Mika moved closer to Keishou. Shakaku and the others were speaking and their attention was not on her or her brother. She touched her brother's shoulder, allowing her newly sprouting power to transfer the message Keikan had given her. Keishou looked a little startled as he turned his head to gaze at his little sister but he nodded and quietly slipped out of the hut.

Keishou sped for the ancient well, finding his twin standing beside it. He knew something was troubling him. "What's wrong? Why don't you want Shakaku to know you are here?" he asked.

With a growl Keikan explained everything that was going on. "Then the damn ningen wench tried to rub my shoulders. She's lucky I was able to control myself and tell her to leave. Went out for my morning run... come back there she is all 'I'm sorry... I didn't know...' All I wanted to do was bodily throw her and that foul snake out and tell them to run home to their northern master. So I took off again.. ended up here.."

Keishou sat down on the rim of the well with a heavy sigh, "Well...to quote Uncle...you're in deep shit. If you want to play their game you're going to have to control yourself. You have to let them think they are winning otherwise you should kick them out before you do something you'll regret later," a thought suddenly popped in his head, "What about Shakaku? Does she know?"

"Very funny brother. Iie, Shakaku doesn't know anything. How was I suppose to tell her? 'By the way your father is sending two trained seductresses to our home. how was your day?' Like that would work." Quirking an eyebrow at his brother he grinned evilly, "I've got an idea YOU be the Western Lord for awhile."

The women had left shortly after Keishou had disappeared. Inu Yasha was enjoying the time with his son, when the boy started crying. By scent Inu Yasha knew he needed a fresh diaper, but Rin had always taken care of that duty. "I'll go get your mama."

"Oh iie...no way," Keishou said, waving his hands. The look on Keikan's face however, made him sigh heavily, covering his eyes with his hands. "What do you have in mind?"

"Wait Inu Yasha, I can show you how to change him. Here hold Kaiya." The half brother's exchanged children and Sesshomaru knelt, laying Arashi on a soft blanket. Expertly he removed the soiled clothing. "You see it really is very easy."

Miroku walked in time to see Sesshomaru begin changing Arashi. "Umm Sesshomaru... I wouldn't do it that way." He finished his sentence a fraction of a second too late. As Sesshomaru learned once again the difference between little boys and little girls.

He was just opening his mouth to ask the monk what he meant when a stream of warm liquid hit him square in the face. Sesshomaru glared down at the infant on the blanket who just blinked at him and waved his little fists in the air. Attempting to maintain some dignity, he merely continued to put the new diaper on the pup, as drops fell from his chin.

Miroku tried hard not to laugh, but failed. Inu Yasha laughed and handed his brother a towel. Taking his now freshly diapered son back he scolded, "Now no pissing in Uncle Fluffy's face." Miroku finally unable to stand collapsed at the use of Kagome's nickname for Sesshomaru.

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