The Stripper

A/N: Hideyoshi is about 2 now and it's starting out in Sesshomaru's POV

It has been approximately one year and 6 months since our pup started rebelling. He tried to mark me a few more times, but I was too wise to fall for his ploy. I was proud to have a pup ready to claim others under him, but I was not happy to have him try to do so on me. Lately he has been behaving. Kagome believed it, I did not. I would not be caught off guard. Plus, I was now on my fifth pair of boots because of him. My last pair lasted me 560 years before he got ahold of them and that wasn't even the worst of what he has done...

Flashback to Hideyoshi's first cold

It was a few months after Hideyoshi's first birthday when he started coughing through the night. Kagome was terrified since she has never heard of a demon becoming ill before. Not only did I have experience in this department, but I could also smell that it was only a cold. As I tried to explain that to her, she gave me the mama bear "shut up and get out of my way if you ever want to see me naked again" look. I instantly backed down and went with her to check on him.

"Aww. My poor baby. Sess, he's warm."

"Hn. It is a cold mate. There is no need to worry."

"I know. He is going to stay with us until he feels better."

"No. I will not give on this fully. He may stay in his bed next to us, but not with us."

"But Sess-"

"No." I understood why she wanted to have him sleep with us, but I also knew they would both like it and once that happened, I would never get a night alone with my mate again. Hideyoshi would not be an only pup, nor would they stop practicing.

It wasn't that bad that he kept waking up and calling out for us. No, that I could deal with as a father. It was Kagome's "brilliant" idea to leave my mokomoko with him because "he could smell it and feel comfortable while he sleeps since you won't let him sleep with us."

This Sesshomaru, the Western Lord, an Inu Daiyokai, caved to the small human woman who had her hands on her hips while she glared at me.

Perfect alpha bitch.

Hn. It didn't mean I didn't have to like it when it was against myself.

With my beloved mokomoko wrapped around him, Hideyoshi fell asleep quickly. Kagome and I followed not knowing how long we had before he was up again. I honestly had no idea a pup could be so loud and whiny. How Kagome handles it all day I will never know.

A few hours later I woke to a strange feeling...

A smell of burnt hair greeted me...

Right as it hit me Kagome started crying to me while she spoke.

MOKOMOKO!

"Oh my Kamis! Sesshomaru, I'm so so soooo sorry! I had no idea this would happen. Please don't hate us."

I slowly stood and walked towards my sick son and crying mate with as much dignity as I could to see how much damage our pup did. I kept repeating over and over again that it could not be that bad, there was no way he could do worse than he did to my boots.

As I reached his temporary bed, I looked at my family one last time before my opinion of them changed. I looked down to end up speaking without thinking for the first time in my life.

"He is your son."

"Sesshomaru, calm down. He's just a pup, he didn't mean it."

How could I calm down? There, in my pup's bed, was my mokomoko. Or what was left of it I should say. Hideyoshi chewed/burned half the fur off! It looked like a skinned dog. My poor, poor mokomoko.

I grabbed it and took it with me to the hot spring while my heart broke.

End of Flashback

It took a total of three months, one week, and four days to grow back completely. To make matters worse Kagome seem to think, and remind me often, that I was "over estimating" what our pup is capable of. It was clear that Hideyoshi had her fooled. We each had different names for these moments; she referred to them as "incidents" while my beast and I would refer to them as "attacks." Either way it was clear this pup hated us.

Kagome brought me out of my thoughts. I could hear her running down the hall towards me. I was not sure what would cause her to run towards me as I could feel Hideyoshi still napping. While mother says all women were confusing, Kagome was from the future, so it was clear she was worse.

I waited for her to come into the room, that was when I heard it. I smirked as her feet slid past my door. She sounded surprise when she tried to stop. I could hear her stumbling into a guard and apologize over and over as the guard laughed and said it was fine. It made me smile that after all this time she was still so Kagome.

She finally started heading back to my door when I heard it, she wasn't wearing any shoes, again, which meant a certain pup got her shoes. She did not try to hide it as she burst through the doors almost yelling as she spoke.

"Sesshomaru! I just got the most wonderful news!"

"What would that be, Koi?"

My pet name seemed to bring her even more joy as she threw her body into mine. Once she was situated in my lap she continued with her news. "I just received a letter from the East! Guess what! Kouga and Ayame are inviting us to their mating ceremony!"

"Why would you receive such an invitat-"

"Before you continue, they also wrote in the letter that you'll get a formal invitation as well, but I'm a family friend so they wanted to send me this personal one. Besides, we write each other all the time with updates on what's going on with our packs."

I narrowed my eyes at her. She knows how much I hate being interrupted. If it were anyone else I would have killed them for such disrespect. "Hn. We will go."

"I'm glad you feel that way because I want to bring-"

"No." I smirked. I wondered how she enjoyed being interrupted.

"Sesshomaru, I am your mate and the mother of your pup. I have a say in this. I want our son to go. He needs to see his Uncle Kouga and Aunt Ayame."

"That wolf is not his uncle." Inuyasha was bad enough, how could she even entertain the idea of the wolf in his life too?

She glared at me before giving me one of her famous eye rolls. She surprised me with what she said next. I was not expecting a deal.

"If he gets to come with us to the mating ceremony then we would go on a vacation without him... Which would me no interruptions and you get anything you want." She leaned in kissing my neck in between each word near the end to seal her win.

She was good. She knew I would never turn down a chance to not only be alone with her but have time where I would not have to share her attention.

Mate will not dress once if we agree.

Do it. We miss alone time with mate. It is only one night. We can handle pup for one night.

Hn. I agreed with my beast. If it was only a night then we could go, and I would be rewarded greatly. However, I would bring an extra set of eyes.

"If Rin can accompany us, then yes."

Kagome squealed in delight before leaning in to kiss me hard on the mouth. She made a butterfly, which always fascinated me, with her Miko powers to send to Rin. Sadly, she left me to work after she grabbed her work from her desk. She must have other things to work on if she wasn't staying in here.

We still used the system she set up when we were only courting to keep paperwork from taking too long. She was also involved in the day to day running of the Western Lands. From the last update Kagome gave me she managed to finish redoing the barracks and was almost finished with the staff... "daycare" so they could work without having to worry about their young.

She was truly the perfect Lady.

Her communication allowed Rin to get back to us by dinner. A butterfly returned with Rin's message that she'd love to come with us and help watch Hideyoshi. It would seem everything was settled. We were going to the East with our master mind of a pup.

It was clear I was the only one who had not fallen under our pup's spell. As we entered the East everyone wanted to meet him. Each time a demon spoke to him and then to us they told us nothing but high praise of him and how well behaved he was or how lucky we were.

Hideyoshi was good. He acted innocent the entire time, as if he had never done wrong. He was wiggling in Kagome's arms, so she let him down to play with the other pups here. He had a large smile on his face, his blue eyes always held a bit of stubbornness as his mother's do.

If only he was more like me. He would be much easier to handle.

With Hideyoshi leaving us, Kagome also left me to the wolves. She instantly went off to speak with the other females so the males could come speak with me. Kouga has clearly rutted with his mate already since anyone with a nose could smell them on each other. It pleases me that he will no longer look at my mate in such away any longer. I knew Kagome would not forgive me for killing the wolf a second time and during their mating ceremony. Thanks to that fact Kouga will now live much longer than I thought when I first met him. If only I could get through this "male bonding" as Kagome would call it.

Joy.

Hn.

When I walked up behind her I heard someone asking Kagome how she knew I wouldn't choose another later on as my father did. My answer was simple. "This One would never choose someone who was not perfect for him." I leaned down and kiss her, not caring who saw our open display of affection. I opened our bond fully so she could feel the rest that I couldn't say. I was becoming more open with everything, but feelings would always be new to me.

Thankfully she was always pleased by my actions and excused herself so we could go to bed. "If you'll excuses us, I think it's time we head up to bed before our little one wakes up early again. We'll see you all tomorrow for the celebration though! It's going to be beautiful."

All Kouga had to do was shut up, mate his woman, and throw a party so I could go home. How do you, how does anyone mess that up? We woke up earlier to fighting. It turned out the damn wolf said something to his future mate that upset her so Kagome rushed off to try and fix things with her. She told me before she took off to help Kouga. Now I was stuck with the brooding pup. I hate socializing with a passion. She will owe me dearly during our trip away.

I should have known I'd be in these situations more often than not with Kagome as a mate. Somehow, she seemed so completely at ease with everyone, even if they didn't like her. I would not have believed this would be the female I would not only mate but find at a mating ceremony. I would assume them insane. A miko amongst so many demons was unheard of, yet here we are. She was determined to break the idea that all mikos and monks were only here to kill demons and befriend everyone. I could not help but wish father were here to meet her. I think he would have enjoyed getting to know her.

While she was doing that, I was stuck listening to this fool, "and all I said was you don't even look fat yet!"

"Fool." Truly, what did he expect?

"What did I say? She doesn't look it; you only know because of the smell."

Thankfully, I didn't have to answer that with anything because Kagome came in with Ayame. "Kouga, I explained to Ayame how you don't always think before speaking and what you meant to say was you aren't showing. That no matter what she'll always be beautiful." Kagome gave him a glare that sent shivers down the pup's spine.

Kouga nodded rapidly as he rushed to Ayame's side. "Yes, that! I'm sorry, I-"

"Just don't talk. If you do we won't be mated until this pup is born." Ayame was still irritated but didn't want to let it ruin their big day. They'd already pushed the ceremony from morning to mid-day.

"Would you like us to get everyone ready for it to start?" Kagome offered.

"Yes, please. Thanks, Kags." Kouga answered before speaking quietly to his woman.

Fool.

Hn. May his pup be just like him.

His beast laughed as they set up the ceremony area. I did not pay much attention as I was watching my own pup to keep him out of trouble. The last thing I needed was him getting into something. With all the guests, minus Rin and Kagome, being demons, it was only a few minutes before they were ready to start.

I had Hideyoshi sit in my lap. He would not try anything with me so close. Plus, my reflects were quicker so I could stop him if he did try anything. Kagome leaned over me to explain what was about to happen the best she could to a two-and-a-half-year-old. She had such a way with him. While demons and humans aged differently you would still think they had spent decades together, not years. I smirked down at them in pride. I had chosen well.

While their ceremony was going I could not help but think back to my own. Binding my soul with Kagome was the greatest moment of my life. She was so angry with me when I said that, but it was true. If I had not done so our son would not know his mother well. She would have died before he reached maturity, she would have died at such a young age in this time compared to them. No, now she was safe with her life tied to my own. Plus, I am certain our son is evil. There is no way normal pups act out this much.

When the new mates took their turns biting down on the other's neck, I looked out the corner of my eye to see Kagome scrunch her nose when the blood started to drip down. She seems to forget she drank my own blood. As amused as I was, I could not help but reach over and give her hand a squeeze. I do love this woman, I just was not, nor would I ever, be someone to express it as she does.

She squeezed my hand back as she gave me one of her bright smiles. "I love you," she whispered only to have our son whisper it back to her. She giggled at him while still looking at me. I gave her a nod in return which she accepted as an "I love you too."

When it was time to move towards the feast they prepared, Hideyoshi took off after Rin while Kagome and I followed at a slower pace. If there was one thing he had common with his uncle Inuyasha it was his apatite. You would think the pup had never seen food before by how much and fast he eats. Evan as a full-blooded demon he seems to have a bottomless pit of a stomach. I truly had no idea how people without wealth could manage to feed their pups. Did all pups eat like this or was it just him? I would investigate this further when we were home.

The meal was pleasant. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. The feast was full of laughter and conversation. Best of all Kagome was able to steer all conversation away from me, which I was thankful for. She seemed to be enjoying herself which made this all bearable. Kouga was lucky he had such a good relationship with Kagome, or they would not even be here since he was not a Lord yet.

I was becoming increasingly irritated by others seeming to think they could speak to me as if they knew me as my mate did. My reputation had changed since our mating. This was not okay and would need to be rectified without Kagome knowing.

Thankfully dinner was finally over and Rin was taking Hideyoshi up to our room for bed. Rin smelled of exhaustion too. Not that I could blame her seeing as chasing around our pup would cause anyone to become tired. Perhaps I would speak with her about exercising more in the village. She would become mad at me, but it would be good for her to care for herself and be able to defend her self while training with the old miko. There is always a chance something could happen on Inuyasha's human night.

"Sesshomaru, come on." Kagome pulled on my arm to bring me out of my thoughts and bring me towards the ceremonial dance the wolves were known for. Kagome was lucky she was loved.

Once we had what Kagome deemed "perfect spots" we watched the new mates move as one. I could not deny they looked good together. The only part of their dance I was dreading was the second dance where everyone joined in. I knew Kagome would drag me out there to dance, which I was not happy about, but whenever we would dance she managed to work herself up and it ended up being a great night for me.

Yes. Dance with mate and we will enjoy the reward later.

I looked down at my mate. This ceremony was bringing up many emotions. I truly was lucky to have her. I glanced back to the mated couple in time to see their dance was just about over. They locked eyes with each other as Kouga leaned in to kiss his woman when my world stopped.

"Oh Kamis." Kagome gasped.

Oh Hell.

Damn pup!

There, in the middle of the circle made by guest for the mates to dance was my son; bare as the day he was born.

"Dancey, Dancey!"

I watched, frozen in horror as he ran to his "aunt" and "uncle" while Kagome jumped up to grab him. He was too quick for her and dodged her attempt to grab him. Everyone was laughing when I finally accepted what was happening was real.

I stood and let my aura loose, so he hit the ground. I growled lowly at him to show him his Alpha was not pleased. He gave me a whined apology, that I accepted with an incline of my head. "Mate, take Hideyoshi to his room. This Sesshomaru will speak to him in a moment."

Kagome nodded and picked up our little monster. She walked away as quick as possible, understanding I was in Alpha mode. Everyone was still laughing as Kagome walked away which irritated me. Damn pup. Now This One must apologize to the Eastern family.

I turned towards Kouga, Ayame, and their parents, I didn't even bother hiding my irritation on my face. Kouga was holding his stomach while he laughed harder than anyone else. Oh how being a father was the best and most challenging role I had ever had.

"This One apologizes for my son's actions." Kouga didn't respond, but I had a comeback for him, so it did not matter. "Laugh now wolf, but This Sesshomaru clearly remembers you disrobing and exposing yourself at many events." My tone was my typically monotone voice, but on the inside I was filled with joy as I waited for his response.

Kouga stopped laughing and glared at me. He opened his mouth to say something, but his mother came up behind us giggling. "He's right, son. I've never been through anything as difficult as keeping you dressed, and I gave birth to you!"

Kouga sent her a glare as well before turning back to his laughing mate. "Oi! Are we going to dance or talk about naked pups?" Clearly, he was irritated the focus was on him and not my son. Good.

As I made my way back to my son's room, I realized there was a bright side to this. I was still angry he would do such a thing and worse, in such a place, but now I did not have to dance. Although I doubt Kagome would want any pleasure tonight either.

This Sesshomaru told that woman he was trouble.

He's our pup. Much like we were trouble for our mother.

This One would never behave in such a way.

Hn.

I spend the walk to his room arguing with my beast about how much better of a pup I was compared to Hideyoshi and trying to figure out how to talk to my son. How do I explain he cannot strip?

Pups.

Hn.