Of Claws And Fangs
Episode 79

The first rays of the sun awoke Keikan. The feel of his mate pressed against him, her scent filling him. Carefully he lifted her and leapt to the ground. Walking slowly so not to wake the sleeping tora, he made his way back to his father's hut.

Sesshomaru watched as Keikan entered the hut, carrying his sleeping mate. He waited until he had placed her back in her bed, then motioned him outside. "Are you certain that was wise?"

Looking at his father, Keikan chuckled, "No I'm certain my staying till this morning was anything but wise. But, she has agreed to stay for the sake of the pup. I have not told her what the danger is, only that she is the one in danger. Kenchou has a quill," At his father's expression he chuckled again but continued, "Its ink only appears on one scroll, that scroll is in my office. That is how I learned of Reiketsu's plotting. If you have need of getting a message to me. That or Mika are the best ways."

Sesshomaru nodded, "It may be easier to keep her here if she realizes there is danger not only to her but the pup as well." He put a hand on his pup's shoulder. "I will contact you if necessary. Be careful."

"I will be. Tell Uncle I hope to meet Arashi before he learns to walk. Give Hahaoya a hug for me, and a kiss for Mika and Kaiya." He stepped off the porch and then turned back to his sire, "Sure you don't miss being the Lord of the Western Lands?"

The inu taiyoukai chuckled softly. "Sometimes, Keikan...sometimes."

He heaved a heavy sigh as he watched his son transform and lope off into the morning. He wished he could spare his children this suffering but knew that was impossible. Sesshomaru turned and went back into his hut, going to his own mate, kneeling beside her sleeping form. He empathized with Keikan's plight. Being separated from one's mate was not a pleasant experience. Bending down he placed a gentle kiss to her temple, then upon hearing Kaiya stirring, went to check on the pup.

As the sun reached it's zenith, Keikan stepped through the gate of the western castle. Stopping he looked up at the face of the statue gracing the fountain.

Ori gave up on sleep as the first rays of light crept through her window. She dressed and decided to go for a walk in the gardens. When she exited she saw Keikan standing before the fountain, relief washed over her as she rushed to his side. "My Lord!" she cried, "I am so relieved to see you back. I was so worried that something might have happened to you. Why did you stay out all night?"

Keikan looked down at the ningen. 'Cause I wanted to lay next to my mate. Feel her lips against mine. Hear her voice.' He thought but constrained himself to a cold, "My reasons are my reasons."

“Well you could at least TELL someone when you are going to be gone for so long,” Ori pressed. His absence had frightened her. What if Reiketsu’s assassins had been waiting somewhere outside the castle walls? She shuddered at the thought.

Shakaku arose soon after Keikan’s departure. At first when she awoke in her borrowed bed, she thought she might have dreamt the nights events but the scent of her mate still clinging to her skin told her it was no dream. She could hear Sesshomaru elsewhere in the hut, talking softly to Kaiya. The tora rose and padded out to the porch, eyes turned westward. She sighed and placed a hand on her abdomen. “Defeat the danger soon love…I want to come home.”

Keikan spun to face the woman. "I am the Lord of this castle not you. Nor are you it's mistress. I come and go as I see fit. You will remember your place, ningen." His words forceful and angry he continued, "Have you any desire to be a bound concubine to this house, you will remember your station. Or, you may gather your things and leave.... now."

Her mouth worked up and down as she struggled to speak, his words rebounding in her mind. Did that mean he was interested in her? Did that mean she had a chance? But if she did have a chance did she just ruin it...again. Where did everything go so wrong? Lowering her head, Ori bowed low, "Forgive me my Lord," she cried.

"Keh." He said moving past her. Useful word his Uncle had there. "I expect your decision by nightfall. You will either mend your ways or begone. Am I understood?"

"Inexplicably my Lord," Ori replied, bowing again. After he had gone, the woman allowed a smile to creep onto her face. Becoming his concubine was a step in the right direction. From there she would take him piece by piece from that tora. She would however have to learn to control herself better. She had been schooled in this, it was time to remember her lessons.

As he entered the castle he heard the sounds of a scuffle coming from the kitchens. Picking up his speed he ran. The door was open when he arrived. He quickly took in the sight before him. The snake youkai was attempting to corner Shizuka. So intent was she on her prey she did not hear him. Red filled his vision as a loud angry growl issued from his throat. Leaping he, grabbed the snake and tossed her out of the kitchen.

Shizuka's heart was pounding so hard, it felt like it might fly out of her chest. The snake had her cornered, a predatory gleam in her eyes. The timid mouse searched frantically for a way out when a growl split the air and a flash of silver grabbed the snake tossing it away. Shizuka's knees began to quiver and she fell to the stone floor, shaking with relief.

Ori had just entered the hall when she heard the noise and she hurried in the direction of the kitchens. She arrived in time to see Nabikasu fly through the kitchen door, hitting the ground hard. "Nabikasu...nani?"

With a sniff, Keikan was assured of the small mouse's health. Tossing his sword to the ground, he advanced on his enemy. The snake would die by his claws. With a powerful leap he landed on the youkai. "You dare." he snarled his arm coming up.

Nabikasu saw her death in those eyes. Hissing she tried to take her true form.

His arm descended claws extended. Before she could complete her transformation his claws separated the head from the body. Another swipe and she lay gutted. Keikan rose and spat at the carcass. With no further thought to the creature he turned and ran into the kitchen. Finding Shizuka still on the floor, he gathered the small mouse to him. With soft whines, he checked her carefully for injury. Finally he asked, "Are you injured? Did she bite you?"

Shizuka shook her head, comforted by the embrace. "Iie...you..." the mouse gave up on words and just threw her arms around her Lord's neck. She did not want to think about what may have happened had he arrived only moments later.

Ori gasped as Keikan's claws tore through her companions flesh. One hand flew to her mouth as she stared down at the decapitated body, the other went to the wall to steady her. The woman fought down a wave of nausea. What the hell had happened?

Holding the little mouse close to him, Keikan stood. "You will spend the rest of the day resting." He moved out of the kitchen carefully stepping over the body. He moved with a strong determined side, as one of the other servants passed he ordered the removal and burning of the snake, leaning down he whispered to have the head taken to Reiketsu.

As Keikan passed, the mouse youkai held tight to his side, Ori deduced what had happened and inwardly laughed. So Nabikasu had wanted a snack huh? Hurrying to catch up with Keikan's stride she fell into step beside them. "Is there anything I can do to help my Lord?" she asked quietly.

Keikan had no control, his blood still hot. With a snarl, "Not from you. Your friend," he spat the word, "attacked one of my servants. You have been rude and not give her the proper respect. Neither will I tolerate a moment longer." He felt the little mouse tremble in his arms and calmed himself, "Gomen-nasi Komori, for letting her get so close." He continued moving stopping when he reached the little mouse's quarters.

Shizuka had clamed slightly by the time they reached her quarters. "There are always dangers serving in a taiyoukai's house," she managed, "I do not blame you my Lord."

Ori heaved a sigh. She wondered if Nanshokagai were watching...and if she were was she regretting her decision in choosing Ori? 'It seems even when I try I can not please him,' she thought. Sighing again she walked slowly to her quarters.

Keikan nodded, "Arigatou, Komori. Do you want me to send for Kanchou?" He asked placing her on the floor. Whispering softly into her ear, "My pup will need you for his komori too. Be more careful chicchai nezumi (little mouse)."

She smiled up at him. Her heart was beginning to settle back to its regular beat, some of the fear was leaving. "Iie, let him stay and help guard my Lady. Arigatou my Lord...I look forward to being komori again," Shizuka replied just as softly.

Ori gazed out her window. Should she leave? Should she just give up and leave? Reiketsu would probably have her killed for failing. No, she had not failed yet. Keikan had not thrown her out of the castle. She still had a chance, he had said so this morning. Pursing her lips in determination, she turned and left her room again heading for the kitchens. Servants were hard at work, cleaning up the mess, that had been Nabikasu. She asked the cook for tea and some dumplings then headed for Shizuka's room.

Keikan smiled down at his old komori, "I would have no other." He told her before leaving. Stopping at the door he turned, "You rest, no going and helping in the kitchens understand?"

"Hai," Shizuka laughed, "You know me too well. I will stay here until the morning."

Ori approached the door. Keikan was just telling the mouse that she should rest. She took a deep breath and moved forward with her tray. "My Lord, I have brought some tea," she said uncertainly.

'What is she playing at?' Keikan asked himself. Reasoning that if her intention was to poison the small mouse, the ningen wouldn't want him to eat one of the dumplings. He snatched one, popping it in his mouth quickly.

Ori had a feeling that Keikan was testing her somehow. 'Probably thinks I want to kill the mouse too.' "I am sorry my Lord, I did not realize you would be wanting something as well...I only brought enough for one. Shall I get more?"

"Iie, I just like dumplings." He admitted, it was one of the most completely honest things he had said to her. Looking back at the mouse, he said warningly, "Remember Komori, rest, no work." Walking away he started to hum softly. He was happy. Things were looking up, one was gone, his mate was staying safe and the one left would be easy to play. 'Good, pup.' The voice was back. Keikan ignored it. Making his way to his study he frowned at the mountain of scrolls. With a heavy side he began the arduous task of reading through them.

Ori entered the room, setting the tray beside Shizuka. She smiled at the mouse who looked up at her warily, her whiskers still trembling from her fright. "Peace offering," she said in explanation then left. Still smiling she hurried back to the kitchens, got another tray of dumplings from the cook and headed to Keikan's office. After knocking for admittance she entered the room without a word and set the tray on his desk.

Keikan paid little attention to the person who placed the tray on his desk. Picking up a dumpling he ate it thoughtfully as he read through the scroll. Unrolling a blank scroll he quickly replied to Yamakaji's request for he and Shakaku to attend a meeting of cardinal lords in three weeks time. Sealing it he placed it in a basket that would be given to runners in the morning. Taking a sip of the tea he picked up the next scroll and began reading.

"Is there anything you require, my Lord?" Ori finally asked, as she paused in the doorway.

"Huh?" He asked looking up. 'When had she gotten here?' He asked himself. Then noticing the tray, he chuckled, "Iie. Arigatou Ori."

Ori beamed at him. Finally she had done something right. "You're welcome my Lord. Will I be joining you for dinner this evening?"

He looked at the number of scrolls. Without Shakaku to help him and trying to keep an eye on the now dead snake, they had piled up. He'd all ready discovered several invitations from lesser lords that the dates had passed. "Iie, I'll be working all night."

Ori inclined her head, "Very well, my Lord, if you have need of anything do not hesitate to call." With that she left him to his work, with a much lighter heart than she had earlier in the day. It seemed as if her luck were beginning to change.

Mika pulled yet another weed with a sound of disgust. Was there no end to these plants? She continued working alongside her mother until she remember something Keikan had said the other day when speaking to her father. "Hahaoya," she began, grabbing a particularly stubborn plant with both hands, "What's seduce mean?"

Akisame stopped and looked at the girl. "Well Mika, it means tempting someone to have sex with you. Why do you ask?"

She lost her balance a bit as the weed came free, righting herself she scrunched her nose up. “Cause that’s what Keikan said those women at the castle were trying to do. He’s not going to is he Hahaoya?”

"No." Akisame said gently. "His instincts will not allow it. I remember right after you were born. It was your and Midori's first birthday, your Chichioya had invited all the neighboring lords to come. There was an inu youkai bitch..." She trailed off.

Mika's eyes widened slightly at her mother's choice of phrase but after living near her Uncle for so long the word did not phase her much. "So what happened Haha?"

"That night after the banquet, your Chichioya went to his office to discuss something with Lord Inari. I went to our chambers. The rest I learned from him and Jaken. She waited until she saw him leave. She started towards him and pretended to trip. Landing conveniently on him, wrapping her arms about his neck. Oh did I mention she was in heat?"

Mika could not help the thoughts that entered her mind at the mention of the Eastern Taiyoukai but she pushed them away. "What did Chichioya do?"

Shakaku sat perched on the edge of the well, green-gold eyes gazing up at the sky, as she basked in the afternoon sun. Delicate ears swiveled and the orange-gold stripped tail twitched. "Houshi-sama? I know you are there."

"You know your Chichioya, not much flusters him. He calmly put her away from him informing her he had a mate. I think my reaction was more violent."

Stepping out into the clearing, Miroku smiled. "Ah Shakaku, and how are you today?"

Mika laughed. "Hai...what did you do to her Hahaoya?"

"I am well, Houshi-sama," the tora turned to look at him, "May I ask you a question?"

"Please, call me Miroku. None of my friends call me Houshi-sama any longer. Certainly you may." He answered coming to sit beside her.

Akisame looked over at her daughter, "If I remember correctly, I still have a lock of her hair somewhere." Bending back to the job before them.

She was quiet a moment, then asked softly. "Miroku, if you thought your mate were in danger...would you send her away?"

"Ahhh" Miroku smiled nodding as understanding flooded him. "It would depend on the danger and her condition. If as you are, she was expecting a child ... excuse me cub.... or would it be pup... at any rate. Yes I would keep her as far from danger as I could. Before you ask if my Sango would object. She would but she would also understand that the welfare of the life she carried was more important."

Putting aside another scroll requesting his presence, Keikan looked at the pillow Shakaku usually sat at. Stretching, he yawned. A nap wouldn't hurt, he thought. Reaching over he grabbed the pillow and sniffed. Smiling at the scent of his mate that clung to it. Curling his body around the pillow he closed his eyes, sleep taking him quickly.

Shakaku let the monk's words sink in, rolled them over in her mind. She had asked similar question of Sesshomaru and Inu Yasha and each time received the same answer. She stood, stretching languidly. "Then I suppose I should stop moping and worrying and enjoy the time I am spending here. Walk with me for a bit?"

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