Chapter Nineteen:

Youmaru was just laying his and Kuronue's daughter down for her nap when he heard a sound. He huffed turning, golden eyes landing on the bat before he looked back down to their pup. Watching her sleep. He always worried over her. But he finally turned some and started to walk away, the bat seemed extra quiet and he didn't like it, so once away he asked softly, "What is eating you?" he asked gently. His voice was soft so as not to disturb his sleeping pup.

Kuronue grunted and reached for his hat, plucking it from the wall to set it atop his head, ears poking through the holes in the ragged material. "Your father doesn't like me."

Youmaru rose a brow, "What else is new?" he asked him bluntly. Really, why would Kuronue be brooding over that now more than any other time? It was painfully obvious his father didn't like the bat demon. From Kuronue's past with his mother, to what happened between himself and the bat. He couldn't really blame his father for not being trusting of him, let alone liking him.

Kuronue barked a sharp laugh, and muffled it after a quick glance at the stirring babe. Pulling the mother of his cub closer to the door, the bat levled a serious look at the hybrid. "He wants me to move out."

Youmaru let Kuronue guide him to the door after almost waking their pup. Seriously he should smack the bat a good one. But at his words his eyes widened, but only for a moment as he soon concealed it. "Are you going to?" he asked softly.

"Will you come with me?" His gaze turned meaningfully to their daughter.

Youmaru was left speechless, at least for the moment. Left to think about the bats words. Go with him? He looked to him, but looked away again a soft sigh escaping him, "Kuronue... I.." He stopped looking sadly at the bat, "I don't want to be there, just for you to have Kaoru with you.." He didn't think he could handle that. The bat seemed well enough, but they were not mates. He didn't want to be tossed off once their daughter no longer needed him.

Kuronue's lips nearly disappeared as he pressed them into a thin line. "Then I'm not leaving. Your father can shove that boa up his arse. She's my daughter too."

Youmaru watched him, but gave a faint nod. "And it's not a Boa." He stated softly as he walked silently down the hall. Feeling as if those words were Kuronue's omission to not wanting to be mates. That was fine... He could detach himself from the bat. It couldn't be to hard, right?

-ff of a few weeks-

Youko couldn't believe it. Pregnant again. And by the size of him? It was probably twins again! He sighed, huffing. Sulking as he laid on his side in the bed. He hated having to do anything anymore. He always tired quickly, and he was nearly always hungry. But with his ever-growing stomach he couldn't eat much at once, so had to do a lot of picking.

But after the healer said the words, Youko's eyes widened and he stared up at the goat that was checking on his progress with the latest kits... Triplets. Holy fucking god Triplets. Youko took a deep break, cleared his throat, and just spoke, "You may go...but do send my mate." he stated softly.

The Goat didn't need to be told twice and hurried to go get the dog lord. Knocking on his office door he spoke softly but clearly, "Your mates check up is finished, your mate requests to see you in your room." Then the goat demon fled before he could be made into dinner.

Sesshoumaru scowled and finished with his scroll, marking the tally on his wall scroll. He hated to be interrupted. But dealing with a pregnant Youko had taught him to heed the kitsune's whims or there would be crying. He detested crying.

He walked calmly into his room, and arched a brow at the pitiful (and beautiful) sight of his pregnant Fox.

The fox's golden eyes landed on his mate, and despite from where he still laid he snarled looking and sounding quite the vicious thing. "You son of a bitch! You jinxed it!"

The dog blinked, lip curling from his teeth in a show of dominance as he let his mate's words flow through his analytical mind. Finally, he figured it out, and he barked a laugh, "The kami's must have blessed you with fertility, Mate." He leered, smirking.

Youko snarled, but it only lasted a few moments more before he whined, auds dropping back... "I barely made it through two!" the worry the fox felt over having three showing through plain as day, "I don't know if I could handle having three!" He whimpered again burying his face into his pillow as he turned away from his mate. What was he going to do? And knowing his body? He wouldn't go into labor until Sesshomaru had to leave for some stupid thing! What if something happened? What if he lost one? Youko never thought once of his own well being.

Sesshoumaru eyed the distraught male before approaching the bed and petting his hair comfortingly. "This Sesshoumaru believes you can do it, Fox. You're my Mate, after all." As if that explained everything. He squeezed his shoulder comfortingly before turning back to the door, he had papers to sort through, and didn't trust his servants to do a good enough job.

Youko glanced up at Sesshomaru huffed, but laid his head down, his mate did help him feel a little better, but then again he knew Sesshomaru's ego was way to big...

-ffs approx 9 months-

Youko whined, "You're shitting me? You're leaving, now?" He huffed. Really what was with Sesshomaru's timing? He always picked a time to leave when he was close to delivery!

The arrogant dog sniffed haughtily, "This Sesshoumaru does not joke. There's a border dispute that must be dealt with, lest it grow out of control." He slid his swords into his belt and tightened the straps on his armor, the door to the balcony open and letting a cool breeze into the master bedroom.

Youko groaned, flopping into the mattress, "Fine go on then" he stated obviously sulking. Granted it's not like he could make Sesshomaru stay!

Sesshoumaru stepped back to the bed, petting his mate and smoothing the hair back from his forehead before vanishing out the open doors. Sesshoumaru had a plan, knowing Youko's tendency to go into labor only when he's off for the day on an important meeting or other lordly duties.

Youko set about shifting carefully, making yet another blanket-burrow, but this time on the bed instead of on the floor in a corner as he didn't have the strength to really get up and move. Really, this one was pathetic. He wasn't happy with it, so he tossed it to a side with light growl. Really, He couldn't move well! Three babies were way to many!

But just as it always seemed to be, as soon as his mate was gone the familiar pains started to come and he growled, pretty much at himself, as he glared at nothing. Figures! Stupid body! Making him deliver as soon as his mate was gone! He just hoped he could do this... Twins took everything out of him last time, lets hope he could hold on for three...

It was probably a good few hours before the first was born. Youko didn't have the strength to worry about the fact his new little girl looked just like a fox. No sign of dog traits in her at all. He would of been elated if he wasn't currently suffering more pain from his next kit wanting to be born all ready. He cried out trembling as the pain got worse. Something wasn't right, he could feel it.

Sesshoumaru hadn't gone far. There was a small dispute to settle, but he'd taken care of it with a few simple words and the threat of his sword. He had returned shortly after the birth of his first pup, and at his mate's cry, his instincts urged him into the room and at the straining fox's side in moments. There was a problem.

Youko was startled by his mates appearance looking up at him for a moment, before another pain caused another cry from the fox as his bodied trembled, panting heavily. He didn't know what was wrong, he just knew something didn't feel right. Where as the kits usually, well, slid along, this one was... Was stuck. He cried out again a whine escaped him as he started to curl up a bit. He didn't think it would help but he didn't know what else to do, he just knew he was in a lot pain.

Sesshoumaru's nose was filled with the ripe tang of birthing blood, and his ears rang with the Fox's cries. The ripples through Youko's abdomen showed the contractions, and he could tell that the male was trying his best, but there was a problem. Obeying his instincts, the fear of the pup strangling on the cord, he did the unthinkable and slid his hands carefully into the passage that would birth his pup. He felt a thrashing foot, and grabbed gently, working his way up to find that the pup's elbows had gotten stuck somehow, and the fragile bones could break if forced from this angle. So he pushed gently upwards, heedless of Youko's scream, and finally the demon-to-be slid down the right way, aided by his gentle tugging and the still contracting muscles. A little girl, he had another daughter, and despite himself, he couldn't be happier.

Youko couldn't help but cry out, but he didn't snarl or snap at his mate, he knew he was helping, knew it was for the best, even if it hurt like no tomorrow. When the pup was finally free of his body, Youko slumped weakly against the mattress panting heavily. He felt ready for sleep, but he knew he wasn't done yet. He just hoped the last would not be as difficult. He watched as Sesshomaru held the daughter, giving a faint sound as he watched him. He wanted to clean their daughter up, knowing it needed to be done and preferably before the other was ready to be born. If he was lucky he would have a small break before he had to worry about the last pup. He couldn't help but think that it served Sesshomaru right. Giving him triplets. He deserved all daughters!

Sesshoumaru handed his pup over to her mother, watching his family protectively as he waited with the already exhausted fox for the final birth.

Youko set about cleaning up his second new daughter, and when he finished he settled next to them to rest a bit since he didn't feel the pains of the next one yet. He was mildly concerned, but at the same time relieved to have the chance to rest... He looked up at Sesshomaru silently, but before he could say anything a surprised yelp escaped him before his body trembled. The last one decided it was ready finally! He winced groaning as his body went through the process of birthing yet another kit. Thankfully it went smoothly this time, and soon enough, the last kit was born. Very much a dog, not a hint of kitsune in him... Seems Sesshomaru earned his boy after all.

Youko started to carefully clean the little boy, surprised to find some odd fuzz thing attached to his shoulder, actually attached. He rose a brow, and tired eyes looked to his mate in question.

Sesshoumaru had already cleansed his hands of the blood and was carefully petting a clawed finger over his first daughter's hair, when he looked up at Youko's surprised noise. Golden eyes took in the pup, a son, and a rare smile broke out across his face. He didn't know how the Fox did it, and perhaps did not want to know, but there in his arms was as close to a true blooded inu he's seen in centuries. "Our son will be powerful." He announced with solemn pride.

Youko wasn't sure how Sesshomaru knew that all ready, but he just gave a tired nod not wanting to worry about questioning or even arguing at the moment. He sighed and gently set the little boy next to his sisters once he was cleaned, before he pretty much flopped over next to him. He was exhausted. Completely and utterly exhausted.

-End Chapter nineteen-

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