I don't own Inuyasha, Rumiko Takahashi does.

Chapter 2: The proposition

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Kagome went after Yuna, begging her not to go but Yuna had made up her mind. She didn't want to spend more time with Inuyasha any longer. "No Kagome I'm not staying, he is drying me insane." She picked up her back and checked if everything was still in place. "I'll be fine with Kaede-sama. I can help her and she can help me. It's a perfect deal if you ask me." Kagome shook her head, "but I want you to stay." Yuna just looked at her, "don't be selfish. That's not you and besides you know where I am."

She hung the strap of her bag over her shoulder and walked away. "Keh. You really are going aren't you." snorted Inuyasha. "Shut up Inuyasha" Yuna kept walking when the cold voice of Sesshomaru sounded through the air: "what if this Sesshomaru gives you the proposition to join his pack. Rin will need a tutor like you."

Shocked looked the others towards him. "You want Yuna to join you?" Inuyasha fell on the ground and laughed loudly, "that's a shock!"

Yuna slowly turned around, "you mean it Sesshomaru-sama? You want me to join your pack?" At his affirmative nod she smiled. "Well I would love to teach Rin everything I know. And I have a high chance to not see him that often." She glared at the still laughing Inuyasha. "Ok I will do it." With that said she walked to Sesshomaru. "Don't worry about me Kagome. I'll be fine." Kagome could only nod. With that both Sesshomaru and Yuna left and disappeared in the forest.

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They were walking for a while now when Yuna had to ask him, "Sesshomaru-sama where are we going? I remember that you ordered Jaken and Rin to go to the palace. Is that where we are going to now?" She glanced up to him waiting for his answer. He stayed silent and just when she thought that he wouldn't answer at all he said: "this Sesshomaru will bring you to the palace. There will Rin be and my pups as well. You shall look over them." Yuna blinked 'Pups? Did he just said pups? I thought that Inuyasha said that he wasn't mated. How does he have pups then?' She had to ask him "you have pups? Inuyasha said that you weren't mated. Or is he wrong?" Sesshomaru just snorted and answered: "this Sesshomaru is not mated. I was in need of heirs so a few Inu bitches offered themselves for this task. Just to raise their status." Yuna looked at him "so if I understand it correctly you have pups from multiple women and they do it just for their status? Do they live in the palace with their pups?" Sesshomaru snorted again, "no they are not in the palace. After the birth they gave the pups." He looked at her "don't feel sorry for them, the bitches would have just killed them because they believe that they are a nuisance." "I see" Yuna nodded in understanding, "well I'll be happy to teach them."

They kept walking in silence for a while when Sesshomaru stopped and turned to look at her. "This Sesshomaru however does not wish you to be dressed like that. When you are at the palace you will wear a kimono and only that. You will be an example for the pups after all. Is this Sesshomaru clear on that?" Yuna could only nod for his voice did not leave any option to debate. "Yes Sesshomaru-sama. I will wear a kimono."

With this cleared did Sesshomaru sigh deeply. In order to bring the onna to this palace was he needing to carry her. And the only reason why they walked first was because he didn't want Inuyasha to see that. He had his pride after all. In one swift motion he picked her up and transformed them into his shining orb, his fastest traveling transportation. He didn't want the smell of her lingering on him for too long. The orb flew fast towards the Western palace, house of the Inu youkai.

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Meanwhile in the castle was Rin able to track down her little brothers, something they kept hidden from Sesshomaru. They weren't sure how he would react if he heard of this. She really wanted to tell them about Yuna.

They sat down in a small circle, Rin looked at them one by one, to her they looked like miniature Sesshomaru's but then with emotions. They looked like their father with white hair and markings, just slightly different colors. "Yuna-chan is really sweet and she smells really nice. And she tell wonderful stories." She smiled widely at the memory of it as she continued describing what happened the night before and the morning.

"She really sounds nice Rin. Do you think father will invite her one day? I really hope so." Said Yoshirou, the eldest of the four pups. "Yeah" agreed Hibiki while his twin brother Hideki nodded his agreement. The youngest of the four, Kiyoshi just looked with big eyes at Rin and cuddled against her. "Onee-chan do you really think she will come then?" The others looked at her as well, hoping she would know the answer. She shrugged, "Rin doesn't know but hopes it too."

Yoshirou looked up and realized that his father was returning, "father is returning" he said happily and stood up quickly so he could greet him. The others followed him as he ran towards the youki that was fast approaching.

The four pups and Rin stood in a perfect line when the shining orb appeared and changed into Sesshomaru. And to their surprise a young woman was standing against him while she was collecting her footing to stand steady again. "Yuna-chan!" Rin ran to her and hugged her legs, "you came to visit?" Big brown eyes looked up to her. The boys looked surprised at each other. This was the famous Yuna? The one onee-chan was talking about? Yoshirou recovered quickly and greeted his father, his little brothers followed after him. Sesshomaru greeted them back in return and then turned to Yuna. "They are starting from now your responsibility. You will make sure they get dressed properly, getting fed properly and getting their teachings received properly. You will report to this Sesshomaru every evening in my office. Understood?" Yuna nodded, "yes Sesshomaru-sama. I will report every evening to you." Sesshomaru then turned to the pups "you will listen to Yuna and will not disobey. If this Sesshomaru hear of such will punishment be in place." The five children nodded quickly and followed Sesshomaru and Yuna inside.

Once inside a servant appeared, she bowed down deeply and awaited her instructions. Sesshomaru ordered her to bring Yuna to a room near the nursery. She quickly stood up to lead Yuna to the assigned room.

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Yuna entered the room and looked around "this is my room?" she said in awe. The room was big and bright, filled with lovely decorations. A big dark colored bed stood in the middle which looked very comfy, it had a desk which had the color of the bed, near the windows for the light. She saw a table which also had the same color as the bed, that looked like a dressing table from her own time, on it lay things like make-up and combs. She looked further and saw big fluffy pillows on the ground, a sitting place in which she already could see the children and herself sitting for storytelling. After that she noticed two shoji doors but didn't open them to check what was behind them, she figured she would find out soon enough.

" Yes milady." the servant spoke up, "is everything at wish? We can change it if it isn't as you wish." She bowed down again and awaited her answer. "It's absolutely the most beautiful room I even seen. I don't need changes." smiled Yuna at her. "Please stand and call me Yuna. I'm no lady. And please tell me your name." The servant rose and looked shyly at her, "It's Natsumi mi- Yuna."

"Sesshomaru-sama told me that I have to wear a kimono. And I would love to take a bath. Can that be arranged?" Yuna looked a bit shy, she didn't want to give orders. Natsumi nodded and walked to one of the doors and opened it; it revealed a sort of walk in closet. Curious as she was Yuna followed and peaked inside, her eyes widened when she did. "So many kimono's" she gasped, "I couldn't wear them. They are too expensive for me as a simple ningen to wear." Natsumi picked out a kimono pretending not to hear the young girl complaint. After that she ushered her out "Sesshomaru-sama wants his guests to wear the best of the best." She laid the kimono on the bed. "And now I shall lead you to the hot spring."

Before they left did Yuna place down her bag and retrieved from it her shampoo and shower cream. No way she would go without them! After that she followed the servant to the hot spring located inside the palace. Walking through the corridors, taking many turns Yuna found her soon to be lost if it wasn't for Natsumi. "How can you remember where to go. I would be lost ages ago." Natsumi giggled softly and replied: "I live her all my life. So I know every corridor and every room." She stopped in front a shoji door and opened it, "this is the hot spring." She moved out the way to let Yuna enter, "will you need assistance?" Yuna shook her head as she entered, "I'll manage. Just wait for me outside please." Natsumi nodded and closed the door.

Yuna looked around the hot spring, it wasn't a big one but still big enough for multiple people to bathe at the same time. It had a few small waterfalls and a few plants as decoration. If you didn't knew better you would say you were outside.

She quickly undressed and got in the water, letting out a small moan out of contentment from the hot water that relaxed her muscles. She sat down and let her body soak for a bit, after that she wet her hair and poured a bit of shampoo on her hand and started to wash it thoroughly. As she let that soak in she washed the rest of her body, not leaving a spot forgotten. When that was done she washed the shampoo out of her hair and leaned back to enjoy the hot water for a bit longer.

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Rin, Yoshirou, Hibiki, Hideki and Kiyoshi were talking excitedly about the new arrival in the palace. "You think she will stay long?" asked Hideki, "I do hope so. She smelled really good and looked friendly just like you said onee-chan."

They looked at each other and secretly vowed to make her stay as long as possible. Rin looked around and whispered: "Sesshomaru-sama must like her in order to let her stay long. We must find a way to make that happen." The boys nodded, there was a truth in that. But how would they make their father like her enough to not letting her go? He was Sesshomaru after all and not some other youkai. Soon the five were conspiring on how to keep Yuna with them as long as possible. As busy as they were they didn't hear the servant who came to get them for the meal. It downed to them when she stood next to them shouting. They got up and rushed to the dining room where Sesshomaru was waiting.

Hideki looked around and asked softly, "will Yuna not join us father?" Sesshomaru looked at him but remained silent, his stoic mask on as always. He motioned them to sit and looked at the shoji door, he could smell her which meant that she was on her way.

The boys turned their looks to the door as well, now that she was nearby they could smell her too. They waited excitedly for her arrival, they wanted to make a good impression on her so she would want to stay forever. Hibiki signed to Rin and they all sat straight so it would appear that they had perfect table manners.

The shoji door opened and in came Yuna in a beautiful kimono. It was white with flowers on it, it wasn't to flashy or overly decorated. The obi had a pale red color which was just like the kimono decorated with flowers. She was blushing a bit and looked shy, "I hope I'm not late. If so it will not happen again." Sesshomaru nodded, "you are not late but this Sesshomaru expects that the next time it is you who will call the pups for the meal. You may sit here now." He pointed to his right side where an empty pillow lay. She went to there and sat down.

The meal was consumed quietly which Sesshomaru appreciated. Normally were the pups quite noisy, eager to tell him of their process in class and training. He assumed the reason was Yuna, they wanted to impress her. He smiled inwards. He glanced at Yuna and was impressed how the kimono suited her, it was like it was made for her. He was glad he ordered her to wear one. Yes this onna would do wonders to his pups, especially Rin. She was just like her ningen and needed to be taught the ningen things which the teachers or servants didn't know of. "After the meal you will follow this Sesshomaru to the study. This Sesshomaru has matters to discuss with you." he informed her and sipped from his tea.

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After the meal was finished did Sesshomaru lead Yuna to the study. He sat down at his desk and pointed her to the pillow in front of it. She took place and waited for him to begin.

"You must know that one more pup is on its way. It's not born yet but will be soon." Yuna blinked, 'another one?' "just one?" she carefully asked, she didn't want to anger him. She preferred herself alive after all. "Just one," he confirmed. "This Sesshomaru is not in need of more." He stood up and looked outside the window "But we better get down to business. This Sesshomaru will leave from time to time to check the Western lands. When I'm gone you will make sure the pups are properly taught and trained. Once I return I expect full report on the process instead of the reports every night. The newborn will be needed to be fed on regularly basis, this will be your responsibility as well. Your servant will assist in this. Any questions so far?" he turned to look at her. "Just two. How old are the boys? And what are their names?" Sesshomaru nodded, that was a fair question. "The oldest is 6 months old and is named Yoshirou, Hibiki and Hideki are a twin and are 5 months old and Kiyoshi, the youngest is 3,5 months old. They look older in human years because in their first year they have to grow fast for their safety." Yuna repeated their names so she could memorize them "Yoshirou, Hibiki, Hideki and Kiyoshi," she nodded. "Ok I'll be able to remember them," she smiled.

"Once this Sesshomaru leave for the check-ups," continued Sesshomaru, "you will receive authority over Jaken. He will have to do whatever you say. I will make sure he understands." He sat back on his pillow and leaned his elbows on the desk, folding his hands together and leaned his head on it. He looked at her, "this Sesshomaru will give you a great responsibility to you onna. Will you be able to handle it?" Yuna thought about it and answered truthfully: "I have helped my mom raising my little sister and brother, our father left when my brother was born. So I do know about children and babies. Plus I love children, I'm fair with them and if I can't handle it I'll ask for help. Please have faith in me Sesshomaru-sama, I promise I'll do my very best."

Satisfied with this answer he dismissed her and told her that her servant would take her to her room. She was free to do what she wanted to do for the rest of the day. Starting the next day her job would begin.

She bowed down to him and left the study, and just like Sesshomaru said was Natsumi waiting for her outside the room. They silently walked to Yuna's room. Once there she decided to write her weekly letter to her mom. She would find a way to give it to Kagome so she could bring it to her. She grabbed her notebook and a pen and sat down at the desk. Smiling she opened it and started to write the letter, it would be a long one this time.

Please review, I would love to hear your opinion about the story ^-^

【FirequeenofPhoenix】