Chapter Three:

Youko was smiling was he watched his kits and Shippo 'playing' in the garden. They were really showing off who could do what. Well okay, it was Youtaira and Shippo, Rin was standing near by... He wasn't sure where Youmaru was.

Kagome was sitting beside him as they sipped on their tea. They were going to head home in a little while, but Shippo wanted to see what tricks Youtaira knew, so Youko told them to stay for a little while after breakfast. But he promised his mate they wouldn't be here for lunch. Even though Youko had no problem with that he didn't want to push Sesshoumarus temper to far.

-Scene Change-

Youtaira purred, the plants around Shippo moved and she purred, "I wouldn't touch them if I were you~" she warned before the fox even made a move.

Shippo's eyes flashed and he laughed as blue flames encased his feet, "But plants make such nice fire fuel." The red fox taunted as he incinerated the poisonous flowers.

Youtaira eeped, actually eeped, "Don't burn them!" she scolded moving a hand to revert the non burned ones back to seeds which she snapped up, fingers basically petting the seeds. "They wouldn't of hurt you!" she scolded glaring at Shippo for a moment longer before her lips broke out into a grin. "Gotch ya~" she stated playfully. She had wanted to see the fox squirm.

Shippo had only faltered the slightest bit at being scolded before he bared his sharp teeth in a distinctly vulpine grin, "No, no, I've got you, Youtaira." Shippo corrected as he threw three acorns down at the ground. The smoke that poured out of them muffled the hybrid's senses and she jumped back, startled. Shippo was behind her in an instant, one hand playfully cupping her chin, the other balanced on her shoulder. "Boo." Leaning in, he kissed the girl's cheek before he burst into another puff of colored smoke and reappeared balancing casually on the wall bordering the garden, looking entirely too smug.

Youtaira could only gasp blinking slowly left to blink a few times once he disappeared once more and she turned her head looking over to where she heard him. She smirked a bit, looking much like her father, "Well aren't we a cheeky little devil" she practically purred out. She moved over to join him though, looking up at him since he was on garden wall.

"The cheekiest." Shippo winked, playing with a yo-yo casually.

-Scene Change-

Youmaru stood quietly for awhile just watching the half demon, but eventually slowly walked over to the demon who stood by the gate... A small hand slowly tugged on his pant leg as he looked up at him. He wanted his attention.

Inuyasha's hand twitched as though his first reaction was to smack the pup, but he grumbled and looked down at his nephew with a mix of sourness and guarded wariness, "Whaddayawant runt?" His tone was rough, but not unkind.

Youmaru was unphased by how he acted. Golden eyes watched the older half demon and answered simply, "Play with me." It was more of a statement than a question as he watched him.

"Play what?" He asked suspiciously, hands falling to his sides from where they had been crossed over his chest.

The young boy stood still then held up a ball to answer his question as he watched him. His father wasn't one to play and the boy got bored with his mother easily.

Watching Inuyasha for only a moment more he sighed looking away, "I understand." Then the boy turned starting to head back inside. He'd just go study or something then.

Inuyasha groaned and snatched the ball from the ground where the boy had dropped it, he threw it over the pup's shoulder to land in front of him. If anyone had caught him doing this...

Youmaru blinked down at the ball and turned to look over at the half demon. The faintest of smiles ended up on the pups face before he picked up the ball and tossed it back to Inuyasha.

The two half dogs played ball until Inuyasha heard the others approaching. The ball fell at the pup's feet and the hanyou jumped to the top of the gate with his back to the boy.

Youmaru didn't understand why he didn't seem to like anyone. He was family. Mother always said you were suppose to be nice to family. But the pup didn't question it, he headed inside so he wouldn't be in the way.

Youko smiled warmly as he walked over to the gates with Kagome. Shippo and Youtaira were trailing behind them. "It was really great seeing you again little miko." He smiled warmly, "I'll try to send an invitation again some time, who knows when it might be though." he stated with a soft chuckle. He knew Kagome would understand though. Sesshoumaru was a bit antisocial.

Youtaira smiled softly walking along side of Shippo, "So, would you write to me?" she asked curiously.

Shippo's cheeks flushed a bit, and he chuckled, tugging at his hair, "Sure, don't see why not. Us foxes gotta stick together." He winked playfully at the silver hybrid.

Youtaira blinked but soon chuckled purring softly, "I suppose that's right. I'll look forward to your first letter" She stated, leaning in she gave his cheek a peck before she turned heading inside leaving the fox there to his own devices. Their father didn't like them to close to the gate for whatever reason unless he was with them.

Youko chuckled softly standing by Kagome at the gate, "Wasn't that adorable?" he purred softly. He was glad his daughter showed interest in another fox at least, rather than some other sort of demon.

Youko turned and gave a nod to the guard who worked the gate and it was open. "Travel safely, I"ll hopefully be in touch soon." He stated gently to them as they went to the gate to go through... The fox looked up, "Take care of them, yea?" He smiled softly watching the half demon.

"Keh," Inuyasha huffed as he leaped away. Of course he would, stupid fox. He didn't even need to ask.

Youko smirked a bit, at least he got a response out of him. Watching he waved as the gate was closed. Once the gate was shut he sighed and headed back inside. But he smiled softly, maybe he could talk Sesshoumaru into letting them come a bit more often. He wouldn't want them there a lot, maybe once every other month, just so they could stay in touch... Hum he headed to Sesshoumarus office giving a knock on the door before he entered, "Got a minute?"

Sesshoumaru's pen continued to move across the page. One would think being a Lord meant that one did not have to deal with paperwork. One would be wrong.

Youko watched him write but sighed softly, he knew he was often busy. He wondered if he should bother him, or wait until later when he wasn't busy. The fox stood quietly as he mulled it over, but decided to just out with it. "It doesn't have to be often, but every now and then, would you mind if I invited them over?" he asked gently.

The pen paused, and silence filled the room for what felt like forever before wary golden eyes peered through silver bangs up at the fox. The magenta markings covering his eyelids flickered for a moment, showing that the dog lord had blinked, before he sighed near-inaudibly and nodded.

Youko watched him, staying just as quiet. But eventually at the nod the fox smiled softly. "Thank you, I'll probably only invite them monthly-if that. Kagome is fun to be around, but I know you nor your half brother enjoy the meetings." He stated gently. Fewer meetings meant a happier Sesshoumaru, and he wanted his mate happy. But where Sesshoumaru was quite antisocial, foxs were known as the 'social butterfly' of the demon world.

Rumor has it social humans had a fox demon somewhere in their family history, whether that was true or not Youko didn't know nor really care.

Youko smiled softly, turning his head, "Lunch will be soon, will you be joining us, or would you like me to have yours sent here?" he asked his mate gently as he looked back over to him.

"Hn... This Sesshoumaru's work takes precedence today, fox." So, yes, that meant he'd be eating in his office, thank you very much.

Youko smiled softly and gave a faint nod, "All right, I'll see you later" He gave him a smile before he gently closed the door to leave him to work. The fox headed down the hall to check on his kits.

Finding them working in their 'class room' he smiled softly. They were all so bright. Youko also loved how Rin, as the older sister, helped them when they struggled. He smiled warmly watching them, before leaving them to work. Lunch wasn't for another hour or so.

-Small Time Skip-

After having his kits settled in the dining room for lunch with the words they were allowed to play after they ate, Youko carried up the tray with his mates lunch on it up to his office. Giving a gentle knock before opening the door Youko smiled, "Lunch" he stated softly.

Walking over and around the desk he purred, setting down the tray beside the paper his mate was working on. He purred and leaned in giving his mate a gentle nuzzle to the side of his head. "Why don't you take a moment to eat your lunch?" he asked gently.

Youko purred as he gave his mate another loving nuzzle before he finally pulled back to leave him to eat. "If I come back and you haven't even touched it your in trouble." he teased a bit, but he was serious.

Leaving the room the fox stretched and decided to go take a nap.

-End Chapter three-

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