Chapter One:

-Fast forwarded a couple of years following the Price of Life-

Youmaru winced getting pressed back into the wall, but he didn't fight back. Just turning his head away from the black wolf demon, Lord Garou's son. Really Lyken didn't need to be so rough. He let things go from one thing to another, despite the wolf not wanting to, Youmaru forced him to use preventive measures. He most definitely didn't want another pup anytime soon. His last one was just getting to the age she didn't need him, he wasn't ready for another.

He winced when he tried to move to only have the black wolf growl and pull him closer. Youmaru sighed but gave up. He wasn't sure what had been worse. Dealing with Kuronue, who Youmaru believed, couldn't love him. Or dealing with the Eastern lords son, so his father could have that bit more of land so that village was part of the western lands. Youmaru was fairly certain he had to do this for his father, or the treaty would no longer be in affect. He couldn't do that to his father. He had to do this.

Youmaru laid there quietly as the wolf eventually fell asleep. He pulled away, slowly getting up once the wolf was completely asleep, thankfully the wolf slept heavily and it allowed him to go check on his daughter. Who pretty much lived with Kuronue all the time now. It made Youmaru sad that he was stuck in the Eastern lands, living with the eastern lords son. But with his father, and then this courtship he had to undertake, it was just easier, right? He would never admit he missed the bat, and when he visited his daughter Kaoru he was also indulging that feeling deep inside him that had wished the bat had just asked to be his mate.

Youmaru decided a while ago he had wanted to be the bats mate, but being the 'mother' of the pairing he wasn't suppose to be the one to ask. He heard about how his mother had constantly asked his father, but knew that wasn't how it was suppose to be. It was wrong to have to beg for a mating. Granted in his mothers case, he could understand his wanting to get mated to his father, his father was strong, powerful, and had a very level head, not to mention the lord of the western lands.

Youmaru took one last glance at the sleeping wolf before he headed out of the room, silently leaving the castle in a dark cloak to keep his white from showing in the night. Needn't get extra attention drawn to ones self.

One of the guards passed dangerously close to Youmaru's position as he fled, though he planned to return, his honour wouldn't allow him otherwise. Trees blurred together until he met a clearing and the sound of displaced wind had him tensing, claws ready to strike when he was scooped up from behind and a familiar scent engulfed him, "Maru," Kuronue breathed into his ear, "you're late, I've been circling for hours now. Did the wolf touch you again?" He couldn't hide the venom from his words, a possessive streak a mile wide.

Youmaru released a soft grumble, "You would best to put me down Kuronue." The voice was soft but a bit threatening. Really normally he wouldn't mind but his body was aching and being held like this wasn't making it any better. His golden eyes looked to the bat as he frowned, "Really making me sneak out here just to see you to go see Kaoru..."

Kuronue snorted and clutched the Inu tighter, "I'll put you down in a minute, Maru, we're almost there. You know that flying is faster than walking, and leaves no scent trail." He was worried for the silver male, he'd always been too serious, but since moving into the Eastern lands with his mate-to-be he'd stopped smiling at all, and he always looked tired, though he hid it well.

Youmaru huffed softly, yea the bat had a point but that didn't mean he had to admit it. He was silent the rest of the trip. Biting his tongue on complaining about the pain he was in. Really ever since he had moved to the east Lyken went from just rough to down right abusive. Using unnecessary force on him when doing anything. But it as his allotment. To keep the peace between the East and the West.

Kuronue decided on a spur of the moment to swing wide, and land at the hot springs not a mile off from the castle, it was secluded and smelled of fresh herbs and sulfur, though the tang of the mineral waters was mild. "Here, you look like you could use a nice bath. What say the three of us take one? Right here. I'll go get Kaoru." Before Youmaru could even say a word to object or agree, he was gone.

Youmaru huffed, he disliked having decisions made for him. But he was here. And it would help with the aches. Turning his head scenting the air he couldn't really smell anyone around, so he felt it was safe enough. Silently the cloak was removed, night clothes next since he hadn't gotten dressed fully before leaving. He silently slipped into the water, only wincing once, and it was there he waited, letting the hot water do it's work, glancing skyward fairly often watching for Kuronue and their pup.

The flutter of wings was the only warning before the air whistled and the water suddenly exploded outwards as Kaoru landed in the spring, shrieking happily as she surfaced from her cannon ball attack. "MOMMY!"

Youmaru had tensed using an arm to shield his face before he relaxed offering his pup a light smile that only lasted for a brief moment, not even able to really smile for his pup. "How are you my dear?" He asked gently.

Kaoru purred as she wriggled into her mother's arms, Kuronue landing silently by the spring to place his and their daughter's clothes safely out of reach of splashing water before easing into the water and stretching his wings out to absorb the warmth, keeping his back turned to the naked male for the moment to give him some semblance of privacy. Not that he didn't like looking at his silver hybrid, but they hadn't slept together properly since Kaoru was weaned.

"I'm great! We went to see Uncle InuYasha and Auntie Kagome, and I got to play with the twins, and Uncle Shippo taught me a new trick with his yo-yo." She prattled happily.

Youmaru nodded, missing being a daily part of his pup's life. But he nodded to her words, "A trick with a yo-yo hum? Do I dare ask which one?" he asked curiously and a tiny bit playfully though his voice held little jest. Really the 'courtship' he was going through was almost quite literally sucking the life out of him, but he dare not complain, for his fathers sake.

Kaoru grinned mischievously, "I'll show you next time! When I'm better at it." The little girl nodded and cuddled up to her Mother, humming happily, before asking, "Is that stinky wolf being mean to you again, Mommy? He doesn't like me, and you have a bruise on your arm." From the mouths of babes...

Youmaru moved a hand to lightly pet his pups hair as she cuddled up to him, not minding in the least, "I can't wait" he mused softly to her promise to show him next time. But when she spoke again he blinked, "Kaoru, that's not nice to say." He stated softly in a slight scolding manner, but really he didn't blame his pup for her words. He shook his head though, "No I was just training earlier today." A lie, but his pup-nor Kuronue for that matter-didn't need to know what was really going on.

Kaoru looked sheepishly at her mother, "Well, he does stink. Not even Kouga smelled that strong when he visited when Daddy and I were with Auntie Kagome." Besides, she didn't like him, she didn't have to be nice to him.

Kuronue made a small sound that clearly meant he didn't believe Youmaru for a minute, but he didn't dare call him on it in front of their pup. Tonight was about family.

Youmaru sighed, "True or not my pup, you shouldn't say such things about others." He answered softly, hand gently going through his pups black hair, so much unlike his own. Knowing he'd get a better answer from his daughter he asked gently, "How has your grammy and pappy been?" As much as Sesshoumaru seemed to dislike or like being called pappy his little pup could never call him anything else.

Kaoru giggled, "Ati and Tia are teaching the triplets how to garden. Granny's so mad! All the flowers are messed up."

Youmaru's lip twitched in a slight smile before it faded, "I can only imagine." He knew his twin sisters meant well, but that didn't mean they were the best for teaching.

The little girl, who was on the cusp of her teens, sighed happily as she hugged her mother tighter before drawing back slightly so that she could sit on her own rock and begin finger coming through her long hair. It's a good thing demons go through puberty differently than humans!

Youmaru felt a bit of longing when his daughter pulled away, but didn't make a sign of it. Watching her for a moment before he looked forward, relaxing in the water. He realized, "You didn't make mention of my father.." He looked to the pup, granted she never mentioned how his mother was either. She just spoke of his siblings and how the new garden made his mother upset, so otherwise his guess his mother was fine...

Kaoru paused, canting her head to the side consideringly, "Pappy worries about you." She blurted out, "I hear him and Granny talking. Granny doesn't like sti-Leyken."

Youmaru watched his pup brow raised a tad, but gave a faint nod. He was worried about him? Why? He was doing what his father wanted wasn't he? And it wasn't like he had anyone else to go to instead. It was nice in the aspect of he knew he wasn't really alone, granted who he was with was a bit rough with him... But he was doing this for the good of the west, so why would his father be worried?

Kaoru continued with tears in her eyes, "Granny thinks Lyken makes you unhappy, Mommy, and Pappy..." She looked down at her lap, "They stopped talking when they noticed I was listening."

Youmaru was silent for a few moments before he moved closer and gently hugged his daughter, a hand gently petting her hair, "Don't worry my dear. I am just fine, you can tell your grammy and pappy that." He stated softly, before he pulled back some.

Kaoru looked up, sniffling, hope in her golden eyes, "Are you sure, Mommy?"

"I am very sure my dear." Youmaru stated softly, letting a hand gently go through her hair as he managed a soft smile, before he pulled back and it faded, "So my dear, what do you and your daddy do all day?" He asked curiously. Wondering how much trouble Kuronue gets her into.

"Treasure hunting!" Kaoru crowed happily, reassured by her mother's words and touches, she splashed some water in her Daddy's direction, "Daddy! Show Mommy the shiny I found!"

Youmaru blinked. Treasure hunting. Really? He looked to Kuronue levelly, "Yes... Show me this.. Shiny..."

Kuronue chuckled, having finished washing his hair already, he was simply lounging out of the way, but still there. He reached up obediently for the belt pouch their daughter carried with her at all times, and walked it over to his Maru and Kaoru, offering her the honors of opening it to show off her find.

Youmaru kept his gaze else where when Kuronue was moving about, not needing to stare, considering he was all ready spoken for, and not that Kuronue was that interested.

Kuronue chuckled inwardly as he folded wings around his lower body, preserving Maru's modesty as Karou squealed and opened the little bag to fish out a very pretty bracelet. It was made of wrought silver, tasteful, and not too effeminate, the design on the top was in the shape of a dog, "For you, Mommy!"

Youmaru rose a brow, "For me? are you sure?" He looked at it to his pup, "May I ask where you...found it?" he was curious to know of the items origins. Really to go 'treasure hunting' sounded suspicious to him considering his mothers past, and the fact he knew the bat. Wasn't hard to link together they use to 'work' together.

Kaoru grinned impishly, "Some nasty lady dropped it after she tried to rob us. Finders keepers, losers weepers!" She sang, and Kuronue chuckled darkly, agreeing with his daughter.

Youmaru rose a brow, "Someone tried to rob from you?" He looked at Kuronue wanting a real answer, but doubted he'd get one with Kaoru here. He looked to her, "You sure you don't want to keep it with you?" He asked her gently.

Kaoru nodded firmly, "It's so you'll always have a piece of me with you, Mommy! And the lady dropped a lot of shinies, Daddy says she was a good thief, but she picked the wrong people to rob. I have one like a fox!" She pulled a matching white-gold fox from the bag, showing it off before tucking it away again, "Daddy says to wait 'til I'm older to wear it, though."

Youmaru gave a faint nod, "All right, if you're sure. Why don't we get out of the water though, before we're all pruny, hm?" he asked, waiting for them to move first before he moved himself, kept them from seeing more of the bruises this way. Quickly getting dressed, and slipping the cloak on over his sleeping yukata.

The bracelet was put into the pocket of his cloak. He would love to wear it but he knew if he did that it would get noticed and the controlling wolf would get upset if he didn't answer how he got it. Really it was all he could do to explain why he smelled different in the mornings, thankfully he finally stopped asking. Although around the time he quit asking was around the time he started getting rougher with him. But no matter. He turned to his pup and Kuronue, "It's getting late... You should probably get to bed my dear."

"Can't I come with you? Daddy and I can take you part way back, Mommy." Kaoru practically begged, she missed her mother, even if he was distant at times, she knew he loved her.

Youmaru sighed, gently resting a hand atop of her head, "Only if we walked my dear." He didn't want to make Kuronue carry them both, neither of them could fly, and Kaoru wasn't the small pup she use to be. She was getting tall. Was she this tall last time he saw her? Once a week was not enough...

Kuronue shifted nervously, looking to the sky, then the woods. "No, Maru, we need to fly. It's too dangerous to lead the scent trail here." Before the male could protest, the bat took a running start and swooped them both up into his arms, his eyes glowing like stars in the night as he used some of his innate magic to manipulate the wind beneath his wings. He didn't do this often, but he couldn't afford for them to realize the game. It was one thing for the silver male to disappear on walks in the woods where his scent might go cold for an hour or two, but another for him to return from a completely different spot. Kaoru's eyes widened at her father's hasty actions, but she cuddled up to her mother happily regardless, she knew better than to question him when he mentioned danger, he was much older than her -or- mommy, so he knew best.

Youmaru would of protested, unable to stop the faint sound of pain from escaping him at being picked up and so suddenly. He managed to push the pain back though and soon his daughter was cuddling up to him and he sighed, gently holding her close, not giving any complaint about getting flown back.

Kuronue circled the glade where he'd retrieved Youmaru earlier, looking for any signs of being observed before he landed and gently deposited the male. After a moment he leaned in and whispered a quick 'sorry' before turning tail and escaping with their daughter in his arms. Kaoru waved from over her father's shoulder until they were a mere speck in the distance.

Youmaru had only given the faintest nod, and stood where he was set down. Watching as Kuronue and Kaoru vanished from sight. He sighed softly once they were gone and turned, slowly making the walk back to the castle. He frowned getting spotted by a guard, who had to make a fuss, and led him back to the castle. Really, he was a prisoner here more than anything else.

Getting led back wouldn't of been so bad if the stupid guard didn't have to make a big deal of it. Really he went for a walk, what the hell did it matter? Apparently it upset Lyken, and he had to deal with another round of abuse. He laid in the bed afterwards, looking out towards the window. He sighed and eventually exhaustion won in and he fell into slumber.

-End Chapter one-

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