A/N: I had wanted to get this chapter out earlier, but…you know class is in session when it's Day 2 and you're a week behind. Thank you for your patience!

Shark Tank

If Kichiruka had hoped that the display of strength against the attacking demon would win him any points in Sesshomaru's favor, he was sorely disappointed. The daiyokai, when they resettled in Tensai's study, effectively ignored him, distracting himself with the interior design of the quarters instead.

"See anything interesting?" Kichiruka asked in a vain attempt for conversation.

Sesshomaru pulled his face into a flat look that stopped the water-demon from asking further questions. Kichiruka withdrew to his designated space in the room. Albeit with some difficulty in Sesshomaru's bulky armor. Well, it was a stupid question, Kichiruka groused inwardly. Of course the whole study chamber was interesting – the many colored vials that lined the shelves, some of the specimens inside still moving, as well as apparatus that had no equivalent in human speech. There was valve that was said to harness the power of an underwater volcano and its adjoining pipeline that networked over the ceiling and provided energy to light the room's interior. And, in the rounded asp on one side, glowed the sphere that Tensai used to occasionally tune into present events around Ichikawa's domain – mostly to get out of actually attending any of them. In any case, even a blind man could feel the swirl and pulse of energies that mingled and churned in the quarters. Lost in his own musings, the daiyokai gave himself a private tour of the room. At length, he finally inquired, "Do these do anything?"

Kichiruka watched him trace the deep etchings in the floor that marked platform of Tensai's more complex spells. "Depends on the medium and orientation of the subjects," he explained.

Sesshomaru nodded, still studying the engravings. Mediums? He looked at the items that lined the shelves again. Perhaps they are placed inside the stencils, he hypothesized. Suddenly, Sesshomaru felt a ripple go through the cavern. He turned toward the entrance. Tensai slung off a small pack that clinked when he set it down on his desk.

Wasting no time on greetings, he barked, "Kichiruka, get over here."

"Sir?" Kichiruka hovered over his teacher's shoulder.

"Pay attention to what's assembled." Drumming his fingers impatiently, Tensai gave his student all of five precious seconds to look over the materials – specific species of anemones, some bottled semi-liquids, a collection of hand-selected stones, and – Tensai skewered the petrified puffer fish on the table and set to work. Kichiruka's time was up. "I hope you got all that."

Kichiruka nodded feebly. Then felt himself being shouldered out of the way as Sesshomaru crowded closer to watch.

"Yes, you may observe, too, your lordship," Tensai drawled without looking up. Although he should have to known better to corral his sarcasm, his focus was to complete the task while the materials were still fresh. "Matrixes sixty-four and ninety-one. Bring five of each. We'll need a high viscosity for this."

Sesshomaru watched Kichiruka dart over the shelves on the other side of the study. "Master Tensai, uhhh, we've only got three bottles of sixty-four, should I—"

"You know the substitutions! Bring them!"

Sesshomaru shifted uncomfortably. Substitution didn't sit well with him, but the speed and efficiently with which old demon worked kept him from raising any questions. The swordfish worked quickly, moving with the fluidity of experience – Or maybe it's just his species, Sesshomaru demurred. Tensai pulled out his necessary utensils from under his desk – mixing, crushing, cutting, and blending as needed. It occurred to the dog-demon that although they were underwater the swordfish managed to "pour" out the liquids into a single mortar. Different densities?

"Get me two other bowls," Tensai ordered, already holding out his hand. Kichiruka supplied as requested. Tensai ladled equal amounts of the mortar's concoction into both. He left them on the desk to sit.

Sweeping into the nearest atrium, Tensai returned with large scroll, its breadth the length of a good sword. He motioned for Kichiruka to help him unfurl it. From his extensive peripheral vision, he noticed Sesshomaru cocked his head a certain way. "There's a coating we use to prevent deterioration of paper goods," Tensai automatically explained. Smoothing out the scroll, Sesshomaru realized it was a diagram of the floor. Certain areas inked darker than others. "Now, Kichiruka, complete this half and I'll take the rest."

Gliding easily over the floor in the current, both student and teacher worked in perfect tandem. His mind set to the task at hand, Kichiruka didn't seem as hindered as before by the strange body he occupied. Filling the correct grooves harnessed all his attention. Sesshomaru noticed that while they coated particular areas, the prawn and his instructor deliberately overlooked others. In a handful of minutes, they had everything complete.

"Stand over here," Tensai directed Sesshomaru, pointing above one design that looked like a small circle with letters in a language the dog-demon didn't recognize. Then with his free hand, the swordfish roughly dragged Kichiruka to the appropriate spot. "Stay."

Taking the central position, Tensai folded his hands together. Exhaling once, he closed his eyes and hummed the first syllable of the incantation.

About time, Sesshomaru thought. The feel of claws and fangs and fur filled his mind – he wanted nothing more than to have his body restored to its rightful occupant.

"Lord Sesshomaru, please be quiet," Tensai snipped.

"I've said not a word."

"Not that sort of quiet," Kichiruka said. "Still your mind." He realized a tad too late that his helpful suggestions might only work toward Sesshomaru's growing chagrin.

Sesshomaru glanced at his body beside him and the rather vacant stare that glazed amber eyes. Perhaps it's easy for you to have a blank mind.

Massaging his temples, Tensai inhaled slowly before cleared his throat. "Lord Sesshomaru, if you'd please?"

Fine. He could manage. Drawing on a lifetime of martial training, Sesshomaru found the quiet stillness within himself. The same blank piece of his heart with which he killed. There were only solitude and surety in that space.

There was a slight tickle on his face. The prawn's blasted tresses. Keeping his eyes closed, Sesshomaru tucked one of Kichiruka's long bangs behind an ear. But his mind was addled. Perhaps a far away thought would help. Something visual to distract the senses. Sesshomaru pictured one of the meadows he so often looked across. With a small, gentle creek that cut through it. No, creeks were too tame. And rivers too large. A brook. Something similar to where he trained with Rin. And where she liked to spend her free time. And probably met that prawn. Sesshomaru pictured himself throttling Kichiruka, tossing him back in the –

"Shut up!"

Sesshomaru opened his eyes. And looked down to find his hands still had spots on them.

Tensai heaved a gusty sigh. "I don't see how I'm supposed to focus when—"

"Master Tensai?"

"What, Kichiruka?" he snapped.

"You once said that yokai don't have souls, but I was wondering that if that's true, then how can Sesshomaru and I possibly be able to switch –"

Two fists clocked Kichiruka on either side of his head.

"Can we all focus now?" Tensai groaned.

Sesshomaru cracked his knuckles. That had helped him somewhat. He nodded.

Once again, all three yokai resumed their stations. And, once more, Sesshomaru tried to clear his mind. For someone who had an "academic" relationship with him, the daiyokai couldn't help but notice that Tensai was anxious for his student's return. Strangely, for no reason he could place, it reminded Sesshomaru of Rin. And the simple contentment she had graced his days with ever since.

A sharp, almost painful, sensation jolted Sesshomaru. It was like losing the milk teeth he had as a child. Just at that moment when the last thread of flesh was severed and a tooth dropped out, leaving a hollow numbness in its place. It was not a pain that would make someone cry out, but a shocking experience all the same. Then came the numbness.

Inhaling raggedly, Sesshomaru was suddenly grateful for the shell that masked his face and allowed him air. He breathed slowly. I'm here. Instinctively, Sesshomaru ran a check on all his vital signs. He flushed a bit of venom just under the surface of his claws and felt a pleasing tingle beneath his nail beds.

While they gave him space to recollect himself, Sesshomaru watched the swordfish peer into his student's eyes, twist his head this way and that, and generally fuss over him like some lost pup returned to the litter. Their exchange was simple: "You are such an idiot." "I know." "Truly." "So you've said." "Are you sure you're all there?" "Yes, Master Tensai, for the last –" "Don't interrupt me!"

He knew all the motions by heart. And dismissed them as uninteresting. Sesshomaru focused on cleaning some kelp out of his mane. When they started to prattle too long he insinuated his presence again.

"Ah, sorry, Lord Sesshomaru," Kichiruka apologized when he felt the prickle of yoki on the nape of his neck.

"I'm leaving," the daiyokai announced to no one in particular.

"Y'mean, out the front door?" Kichiruka's blue eyes widened at concern for Sesshomaru's cover. "Is that the best option?"

A silver brow arched in a challenge.

Kichiruka met it. "I can take you back."

"I've had enough."

Then Sesshomaru saw the swordfish's yellow eyes widen as he detected a pulse course through the cavern, similar to the one that had defined Tensai's presence when he had returned to the study. Only this charge was akin to that of stronger aura entering the area. It didn't have the regular cadence of lower yokai, the kind that mimicked human heartbeats, but a refined hum of continuously expanded energy.

Tensai swore under his breath. He executed a hasty series of kata that left his hands glowing. Tensai directed them toward the entrance in a pushing gesture, obviously attempting to keep out whoever was requesting passage. "Kichiruka, get Lord Sesshomaru out of here."

"Then this was premeditated," the daiyokai accused.

Greater demons were such ingrates. Tensai snorted. "If it were, I would have left Kichiruka in your body and affixed a bow around his head before sending him off to Ichikawa."

A second stronger pulse shook the study. Tensai winced. Ichikawa was being polite. "Now, Kichiruka."

"I beg your pardon, m'lord." Taking some liberty in light of the circumstances, Kichiruka looped his arm around Sesshomaru's waist. "Lord Sesshomaru, please think of the brook and where we were earlier this aftern—"

Sesshomaru huffed. "I know. Just do it."

They swirled out of sight just in time as Tensai's aura caved. Ichikawa swept in accompanied by two guards. The armor looked excessive on their heavily plated crustacean bodies. The expressions they wore weren't nearly as comical.

"How now, Tensai?" Ichikawa greeted with a friendly smile that was at odds with his entourage.

"I've felt better," the swordfish answered candidly.

Ichikawa laughed. "I'm sure."

"To what honor do I owe this visit?"

"Glad you asked." Ichikawa's eyes gleamed like the interior of a mussel shell. Tensai resisted the urge to comment on the saliva. It was, for all the chills it sent down his spine, a favorable look. Which only meant Ichikawa wouldn't kill him right away. "I have received word that Lord Sesshomaru of the Western Lands was here."

Tensai made no comment, and took the lapse in conversation to map out possible answers.

"Was he?" Ichikawa pressed.

Truth or dare a lie. Tensai knew the answer. "Yes, m'lord."

"Then why did you resist my entrance?" Ichikawa said with a sour note of displeasure. "I would have liked to meet him in person."

Tensai shrugged. "It was his first visit here, my lord. To my knowledge he has only just made the acquaintance of Kichiruka." Tensai avoided the detail of the circumstances. "The reserved nature of this Western Lord is markedly different from that of his sire. It may behoove us to proceed slowly. Though there are no guarantees." Tensai enunciated the last clearly as he usually did when he was stressing a point to Kichiruka.

The tips of Ichikawa's wings tapped together anxiously. "But he truly was here?"

Tensai nodded grimly. And his personal space was promptly violated.

"Ooo! I knew Kichiruka was a swell investment!" the Lord of Mikan gushed. His accompanying guards courteously looked the other way. "Didn't I tell you? Didn't I? I knew it would pay to have him under your tutelage. Have him learn something. And, oh, look at the connections its yielded!"

Actually, more of the mess it's made. "M'lord, with all due respect, LET GO!" But Tensai's protests were muffled by the heavy black wings the manta ray had wrapped around him.

Eventually, Ichikawa relented. He had to remember that not all his subjects were aware of the Far West expression of exuberance. And, putting everything in perspective, nothing was set in stone yet. He straightened. "Thank you, my dear Tensai. I look forward to seeing how this will turn out." He called for his guards to follow him out.

Although he made a shallow attempt for composure, Ichikawa left singing one of his strange foreign tunes. Tensai had no inkling what "zippa-dee-ay" meant, but it sounded disturbingly cheery.

The crowd gone, the old demon exhaled greatly. And sank behind his desk. Sliding aside a carefully placed stone, Tensai took out the gourd he kept under its hollow. Then thought better of it. When he returned, Kichiruka was going to need someone here to pick up the pieces.

.

A/N: So, I finally watched Ponyo from the Cliff by the Sea last week (been dying to see it since it came out in theaters). Admittedly, I had some reservations about watching it since I started writing "Hooked" as I didn't want to have any outside influence. I haven't even watched "The Little Mermaid" (despite previous gibes) since the beginning of this fanfic. Now, having seen Miyazaki's latest, I just have one thing to say and it's for the benefit of readers…If Kichiruka sounds like Adam Young, then Tensai's voiceover would be Liam Neeson on a bad day.