Chapter One:
-This is the sequel to "The Price of his Crime" Please read that story first or you might be a bit clueless!-
-If you did read the "The Price of his Crime" You may be wondering "what happened to the ages?" We changed them mildly to fit well.-

Youko jolted awake when he heard a thud and a crash. The fox quickly left the bed and pulled his kimono on opened his bed room door and soon frowned down at the little boy staring down at a broken vase. Youko sighed, at least he wasn't hurt...

"Youmaru, what did you do?" he asked softly, slowly kneeling beside Youmaru, since he wasn't right next to the broken vase.

Youmaru looked at his mother frowning a bit, "It attacked me, and you're asking what I did?" the boy frowned staring at his mother a bit coldly.

Youko only sighed if it wasn't for his little boy having fox ears you'd think he was a clone of his father. "Youmaru, the Vase and side table it sat on are inanimate objects. Neither of them would of attacked you my boy. Now honestly, please, just tell me what happened."

Youmaru frowned staring at his mother a while longer looking away, "They fell, simple as that." he stated and started to walk off.

Youko blinked slowly, "Now wait just a minute young man." Youko stood hands on his hips. "Where do you think you're going?"

Youmaru glanced back over his shoulder at his mother, frowning a bit, "To see dad" he stated simply then continued down the hall.

Youko groaned rubbing his forehead once his kit was further down the hall. He didn't know what to do with that little guy. Youmaru was the sweetest boy you could ever meet-if said little boy didn't think he was in any form of trouble. Soon as Youmaru thought he'd be in trouble for something he reverted to what Youko called his 'Daddy mask'.

With a shake of his head Youko found a maid and asked if she'd clean the vase, then he went down the hall and headed back to his room, he wanted some sleep.

-scene change-

Youmaru sighed, and slowly knocked on his fathers door, his silvery fox ears were folded back. He waited though, not opening the door before his father could have the chance to answer. The boy wasn't as rude as his older sister to just barge in.

There was no response, but the curious Youmaru pressed his ear to the door before a vicious smirk curled his lips and he slipped into the room with what would be - to his family - an innocent look (that was actually a stoic mask, much like his father) to watch Rin-onee-sama's newest suitor get interrogated by his papa.

"And what," Sesshoumaru asked, voice void of emotion, "makes you think you are good enough to marry this one's ward, human?"

The young noble gulped and shifted nervously, his clothes well made and obviously dressed by a servant. The wide brown doe eyes darted about te room anxiously at the arrival of a new demon and he had to clear his throat three times before he spoke.

Youmaru watched the fidgiting man blankly, glancing to his father once, not sure if he was even noticed yet, then his eyes-just like his fathers- looked back to the human. Other than Rin-onee-sama, he shared his fathers views that humans were not something to consider an equal, and was nothing worth his attention, but when his sister was involved, he was ready to be a little jerk. But he would wait a few moments to see what idiocy would come out of his mouth.

"W-well... Sesshoumaru-sama," the young man spoke, gaining confidence after not being struck down within seconds of opening his mouth, "Rin-sama is human. Doesnsn't she deserve a human husband? I would provide for her." He sounded earnest enough, though he flinched when the demon lord moved his hand to spread some papers across his desk. Sesshoumaru said nothing, merely looking over what he knew of the ningen daimyou's* son whose lands bordered his own.

Youmaru couldn't help the faint huff, more of a scoffing sound, as he rolled his eyes ever so slightly. A deserving human did not exsist unless it was his Rin-onee-sama. And with that thought a soft muttered, "a deserving human doesn't exsist" came from Youmaru. The small boy didn't think to much on the fact his father would probably hear him, but he knew the human wouldn't. Their ears were so weak.

Sesshoumaru's gaze flicked briefly to his son, something unreadable passing through his eyes before he resumed his scrutiny of the human, "Deserve, what a presumptuous word Ningen. That did not answer this Sesshoumaru's question."

The young lord shifted about again, clearly uneasy in the presence of the two demons, "Forgive me, my lord, I do not have a better answer."

"Hn... you are dismissed." Sesshoumaru's nostrils flared imperceptibly as he scented the human's conflicted resignation and relief.

The mortal opened his mouth as though he were about to say something, perhaps question, perhaps argue, before he mutely bowed his head and turned to leave, nearly running into Youmaru before jerking back in shock, pale cheeks flushing with embarassment.

Youmaru only frowned when he was nearly ran into and he scoffed once again and stepped to a side so the human could leave.

It wasn't until after the human left and the door closed that he looked over to his father, his silvery ears pinning back once more... He decided to just out with it, "I... accidently broke the vase in the hall..."

Golden eyes, a mirror of his own, slanted towards him, "I am aware."

Youmaru couldn't hide his bit of surprise. How did his father know of it all ready? It just happened moments ago. The young boy lowered his gaze to the floor his silvery auds splayed a bit but he remained quiet. The small boy probably looked a bit devestated as he stood there waiting for whatever his punishment might be. Surely he was in trouble for it, right?

The boy's father sighed silently before getting to his feet and gliding on quiet feet towards the solemn pup. "You know the punishment, Youmaru. An extra hour in sparring, blindfolded."

Youmaru gave a silent nod, "Yes father" was given softly. Not sure if he wanted him to go now, or to wait. So the pup stayed rooted to his spot, waiting for his father to either continue, or to dismiss him.

Sesshoumaru's hand settled atop his son's head before he moved past him to the door, "Come, let us collect your mother and sisters for lunch." That was the end of the discussion regarding punishment. If the boy had tried to hide his deed, or reroute the blame, his punishment would have been much more huminilating to teach the pup a lesson about hiding things from his alpha.

Youmaru glanced up without moving his head when the hand touched the top of his head and he smiled a bit, "hai papa" he stated softly, and turned to follow his father out of the room. Youmaru tended to call him 'father' when he knew he was in trouble, when he was not? it was usually 'papa' that came from the young pup.

Sesshoumaru led the way down the hall towards the dojo where Rin and Youtaira were scheduled to practice their self defense lessons - let it never be said any child raised in Sesshoumaru's den was weak - allowing his once again pregnant mate extra time to nap before their meal. He slid the door open silently to observe the pair only to find Youtaria looking right at him, seemingly startled right as Rin's staff swung low and swept the dog-fox hybrid pup off her feet. Youtaira hit the ground with an 'oomph' of displaced air while Rin's staff found its way to the demoness' throat. "I win, You-imouto."

Youtaira stared blinking up at the ceiling for a few moments. It was also at that time, a small hand gripped his fathers pant leg as the other covered his mouth as he fought back the laugh at seeing his big sister stunned and on the ground.

"Very good, Rin. Never hesitate." Sesshoumaru praised his human pup for taking advantage of her 'sister's distraction. Youtaira made a face before rolling over and hopping to her feet in one fluid motion, tail twitching, "Is it lunch time, daddy?"

Rin beamed, smile no longer missing any teeth, and bowed her head as she moved with her own fluid grace - from long practice - to put her staff back on its wall perch, "Is Youko-kaa-san awake, Sesshoumaru-tou-sama?"

Youmaru watched his two older sister a faint smile on his face, but at least he wasn't struggling to hold back laughter anymore. "Mama was up, but he went to lay back down" he stated softly.

The small boy glanced up to his father, and realizing he let go of his fathers pant leg, and looked down at the floor, silvery auds dropped back a bit.

Youtaira gave the faintest of nods, before looking to her sister with a smile, "We'll go get changed then meet you in the dining room?" she asked looking over to her father.

"Hn," Sesshoumaru hummed in agreement before tugging Youmaru along with him, "Come, pup, we'll wake your mother."

"h-Hai papa" Youmaru turned to follow his father. He glanced back at his sisters for a moment before he followed his father.

Once they reached the room, they entered to find Youko pretty much burrowed under the covers and curled up, his back towards them. His arms were around Sesshoumarus pillow as he snuggled with it.

Youmaru glanced up his dad not sure if he wanted to wake him or if his father wanted him to. But after a few moments, he slowly walked over to the bed and peered up at his mother, well best he could considering his mom was pretty well burrowed into the blankets.

Eyes just like his father looked to said father figure. "You sure we should wake mommy?" he asked softly. He knew he had over heard staff saying sleep was good for his mother.

Sesshoumaru just gave the faintest of nods, a had moved pulling the cover from his mate. His lips twitched ever so slightly before they were still again. Watching his sleeping mate for only a moment he pulled the blanket down smirking in the slighest as the fox attempted to curl up to keep warm.

So that he would be away from any claws, since Sesshoumaru has long since learned the fox hated being woken up. The blanket was used to wrap around the foxs one ankle and with a tug pulled the fox down the bed a bit, but not enough he'd fall off, Sesshoumaru didn't want to risk hurting his pup.

The jolt was enough to wake the fox who gasped bolting up as he growled. It took only a moment for Youko to realize and he glared, "What is the big idea, waking me up like that?!"

In lieu of answer, Sesshoumaru bent and hoisted Youmaru up under his armpits, tossing the pup lightly at his mate, "It is lunch time, fox."

Youmaru probably eeped louder than his mom who managed to catch his kit. Youko tilted his head blinking a few times, glancing to Youmaru then back to Sesshoumaru, "Oh... Could of just said so" he stated with a soft smile.

Youmaru squirmed, and soon as his mother let go, he slid to the floor gave a soft huff and left the room. He didn't like being small and tossed around like that!

Youko tilted his head frowning a bit. "Whats with him?" he asked softly, looking up at his mate wondering if he had any idea.

"The pup is just hungry," Sesshoumaru explained, knowing full well his son was sulking about being so much smaller than his siblings. Youmaru would need to learn to deal with it. Holding out his hand gentlemanly to his mate, his lips twitched in a smirk.

Youko blinked, was that really all? But he sighed giving a nod, and was surprised, but a soft smile placed itself on Youko's face and he took his mates hand as he slipped from the bed. The silver fox stepped closer nuzzling against his mate for at least the moment. A minute or so of waiting wouldn't kill his hungry kits.

After awhile though Youko pulled away from his mate and headed out of the room, glancing over shis shoulder he purred, "Come on, we have some hungry kits to get to." with that said Youko headed down the hall heading for the dining room.

-Scene Change-

An older Shippo rushed into the shrine, "mom! Mom!" was shouted as he hurried to slip his shoes off at the door then scampered inside. Once he found her he grinned, "We got another letter from Youko!" He stated happily. The fox loved hearing form his idol. He was excited, the last letter was years ago when he had had Youmaru, Youko had written to tell them.

Kagome turned brown eyes blinking in surprise. But she smiled giving a nod, "Well bring it here"

Shippo brought the letter over and knelt beside his kneeling mother as she opened the letter up.

Dear Little Miko and Dog Breath,

It's been awhile since I have gotten to meet with you. For that, I do apologize.

I'm happy to let you know we're expecting our third.

Due to that, Sesshoumaru won't allow me to travel anywhere.

I understand after all, he is a possesive dog after all!

But to the point of this letter, since I may not travel to you,

I would like to formally invite you to dinner and to stay the nite here at the castle.

It would give us plenty of time to catch up with one another.

I don't mind if you bring your old group with you, but not more than that,

Sesshoumaru would be displeased having a huge group show up,

I probably would be to to be quite honest with you.

Make sure Dog Breath gets a flea bath!

Don't want my kits getting fleas~

~Youko

Beside Youkos signed name was the flower and vine symbol he used for all his letters.

Shippo grinned, "May we go mom? Please!" He liked the fox and wanted to meet him, he also wanted to meet the other kits! Of course, Shippo didn't know they were all more like thier father in canine attributes.

Kagome giggled a bit at the letter, but smiled softly to Shippo, "You know we'll have to ask Inuyasha."

Shippo groaned, "But hes a jerk..."

Kagome glared, "Don't talk like that about him. He does what he thinks is best and you know it."

Shippo frowned looking down at his lap, "I know but... I really want to see Youko again. And Inuyasha doesn't like Sesshoumaru."

Kagome sighed but smiled softly, "That doesn't make it okay to not talk to him about it."

Shippo sulked, "I know..."

Kagome smiled, "We'll talk to Inuyasha after he gets back home."

-End Chapter one-

Daimyou = Japanese feudal lord