"Mother!"

Fawks paused, turning as the younger girl bounded up to her.

"Oh, Tensei, have you finished your lessons?"

"Yes, Kana-kun and Gin-chan told me Yuki wasn't feeling so well" the girl began, her golden-green eyes wide with worry.

"She's just got a bit of a fever. I just laid her down for a nap…"

"I can watch her if you are busy, mother!"

"Could you? I'm just running to the kitchen to see if I can get her something to eat" Fawks smiled, smoothing aside the girl's strawberry blonde hair.

"I know father must be disappointed, this was the first time you've been alone since Yuki was born since you had to constantly watch her…" Tensei whispered.

"It's fine, Ten-chan!" Fawks blushed.

"…Oh…you two were right in the middle of it when…" The younger girl began.

"Tensei!" Fawks cried. The girl laughed, dashing down the hallway.

"Girls your age shouldn't know about things like that!"

"She takes after you, you know"

Fawks glanced up at the teenage boy, his long silver hair in a ponytail and golden eyes so much like his father's.

"Oh Sensuke…" she smiled.

"Good day, mother, I hope you are faring well" He bowed.

"I swear, you and your father grow more alike as time wears on…" Fawks sighed pinching his cheek.

"…I'm no longer a child, mother…" Sensuke began, flustered.

"But you're still my child and you're not fooling anyone when you pretend you don't like it when I pay you attention" she winked.

"…Mother…" he gave a small smile, following her down the hallway. "I heard Yukinatsu has fallen ill again…"

"Mm, it can't be helped, she can't handle so much activity…" Fawks sighed.

"She hasn't overcome her weak constitution yet?"

"Yuki was born a lot earlier then she should have been, she may never have the same resilience as a normal demon…"

"I've made you worry…" Sensuke began.

"Now don't make that face! It's a mother's job to worry about her children, I still worry about you and Tensei"

"You are a very good mother. You always took such good care of all of us, I can only hope to marry a woman as loving as you" Sensuke bowed his head.

"Oi oi! Sixteen is a bit early to be thinking about marriage…" Fawks blushed.

"You started having intimate relations with father when you were but sixteen…" Sensuke stated matter-of-factly.

"…This and that are…Who…told you that anyway?!" Fawks cried, her face a dark shade of crimson.

"Father did. It was his idea that I start looking for a suitable mate"

"Oi! I'm your mother and I say you're too young to be mating with anybody!" Fawks crossed her arms in front of her chest. "If your father disagrees with that, he can come talk to me!"

"Heh, I doubt he would. After all, you are the only one he truly fears" Sensuke chuckled.

"Hmph…as it should be…" Fawks nodded.

"Hmm, well it seems I'm in luck since I've caught you in between pregnancies" Lady Sachiko smiled coldly.

"Sachiko-san, always a pleasure…" Fawks said with a stiff smile.

"Welcome grandmother…" Tensei smiled awkwardly.

"So the pup as taken ill again?" She noted kneeling at Yukinatsu's bedside.

"I'm afraid so…" Fawks sighed as Tensei placed a wet rag against the child's forehead.

"…It's not so bad this time, though. She should be better soon" Tensei smiled.

"Hmph, you proved to be a better mother then I first thought" Sachiko smirked at Fawks.

"Gee, and here I thought my maternal instincts were the whole reason you let me marry Sessho-maru" Fawks smirked back.

"I let you marry my son because I believed wholeheartedly in your ability to bare many children. You do not disappoint"

"…Thanks…"

"Where is Sessho-maru by the way? Doesn't he usually dote on all his pups?"

"Father's off training with big brother. They left a little while ago" Tensei replied.

"Hmm…perhaps we can talk…in a more private setting…" Sachiko began. Fawks' eyes narrowed.

"Tensei, could please watch your sister while I discuss some things with Lady Sachiko?" she smiled.

"Of course" the younger girl nodded.