Chapter Twenty-one:

Youko waved to the last leaving lords. Glad they were finally gone. Once out of sight-and ear shot he turned to his mate with a snarl, "What on earth were you thinking? Promising Youmaru like that!" he snapped growling lightly. He knew Sesshoumaru usually made the rules, but he was not going to let one of his babies get used like a bargaining chip!

Sesshoumaru turned with an answering snarl, eyes tinged red, "The East and West have a tradition to uphold, and Lord Garou will take any excuse for a war. This Sesshoumaru ensured our son has a way out, at least." He growled, "This is what it means to be a member of the ruling class, Fox."

Youko growled but at least the volume of it softened, auds folding back, "But doesn't Youmaru get a say?" he asked bitterly looking away from his mate. His tail flicked back and forth irritably. Really if he'd known his children would be used as bargaining chips, he probably wouldn't of had more than Youtaira!

Sesshoumaru snarled again, and his claws glowed green for a moment, the sickeningly sweet smell of his poison drifting into the air before he turned, "This matter is closed, the pups will work it out themselves, or a new mating will be arranged for younger pups to grow with each other."

Youko seemed to have noticed, and he felt bad instantly.. Since his mates claws were no longer glowing with their poison he slowly moved up to his mates turned back, a hand gently taking one of his mates as he moved to let his forehead rest against his mates back, "I'm sorry... I shouldn't be taking it out on you." He stated softly.

The silver dog stood stiffly for a moment before he sighed through his nose, "We should rescue Jaken from the triplets," he changed the subject, accepting his mate's apology, but too proud to speak further on it.

Youko slowly moved from where he was giving a faint nod, "Of course." He stated softly, moving from his mate to head inside to get to his newest kits. He just hoped, they wouldn't have to have an arranged mating either... He was unhappy about Youmaru getting pushed into one. He silently hoped it wouldn't work out and the other lord would not pressure them for another to be offered...

-Smallish FF-

Youmaru watched his daughter Kaoru with her father. Glad to see they got along so well. Sometimes he felt like Kuronue was her favorite parent. Really made him hurt inside a little bit, but he stepped over, unable to bring a smile to his face-he was to much like his father-and watched them silently for a moment before he spoke, "Do I want to ask if she's done any of her work today?" Really his pup should take care of her studies, he had to do it growing up...

Kaoru looked utterly innocent, and Kuronue laughed, tossing his cub into the air and catching her, "She's done plenty of studying, this is play time."

Youmaru rose a slender brow, "If you say so... Have you had lunch yet?" He asked softly instead.

Kaoru wriggled around in her father's arms and leaped at her mother with a squeal, "Food! Mommy, let's have lunch together!"

Youmaru moved catching his pup as she leap at him smiling the faintest bit before it faded, looking to Kuronue. "Need help up?" He asked. Indirectly calling the bat old.

Kuronue snorted, catching the hint at his age before nodding and accepting the hand and pulling himself up to sandwich his cub between himself and her mother. "Food sounds good, Maru."

Youmaru looked up at the bat demon for a moment, before he forced himself to turn, he knew Kuronue was just toying with him... So he carried Kaoru out of the room after having pulled from him to head to the kitchen, "What do you want for lunch my pup?"

"Fish!" Kaoru cried, wriggling excitedly in her mother's arms. "Daddy promised to show me the ocean next week."

Youmaru rose a brow, "He has huh?" He looked to Kuronue for a moment before looking ahead, would of been nice to know about this. He doubted he was needed to go... He just steeled himself, but nodded, "Fish sounds fine Kaoru." He stated gently. Finally setting her down once they reached the dining room, going to go inform the chef they would like some fish for lunch.

Kuronue canted his head, eying the dog-fox curiously. Was he hurt? "It was going to be a surprise for your mother, Kaoru." He scolded gently, but sat with her at the table to await their meal. He knew a colony of bats lived on a nearby beach, and faintly recalled something about a hanyou girl there who was very nice, perhaps his daughter would like to play with her.

Due to being in the kitchen he hadn't heard Kuronue's 'scolding' to their pup. Returning a few minutes later he stepped over to take a seat, "It'll be out soon." He stated gently before either could ask.

Just as lunch was being served Ati and Tia came barreling in, squealing about food.

Youmaru rose a brow watching his younger twin sisters, but didn't comment, thankfully the chef's always knew to prepare lots of food for how big their family was.

It was three little ones that came in next. Two little girls barreling in after their role models, giving shared shouts of "Food!" just like their older sisters. The last one to arrive, the young boy didn't give any shouts as he was still much to tired form after his nap, but he just climbed up onto a chair to await his lunch.

Youtaira followed the triplets in chuckling a bit to herself. All of her little siblings were adorable! She was also watching over the triplets while her parents got their own nap in. Really it as hard work keeping up with them all the time. So she didn't mind doing it for her parents-especially when they were actually after sleep. Her poor father had bags under his eyes whether he wanted to admit it or not!

-smallish ff-

Youmaru sighed, sitting down at the desk. He was suppose to be doing some work, but he couldn't get focused onto it. He knew tomorrow his pup was leaving with Kuronue to go to the beach. He was happy his pup was getting to explore, but for some reason he couldn't really feel happy about her going without him. She was his pup after all, it was normal to not want to be apart from her right? She was still little. What if something happened? He wouldn't be there for her... A rare groan escaped the hybrid as he eventually stood from the desk, going to the window looking out the glass to the garden. He sighed softly.

Kuronue chose that moment to wander into Youmaru's office space, a sly grin on his face as he noticed the hybrid's distraction. He crept on the male and placed his hands on the others shoulders, whispering 'boo' into his ear teasingly.

Youmaru had stiffened at the touch at the voice and smell he knew it was Kuronue so it kept him from snarling. "I really wish you wouldn't do that."

"And I really wish you'd lighten up, Maru. Want to come to the beach?"

Youmaru blinked at the words, turning to look at Kuronue with a brow slightly raised, "You want me to go?"

"It was supposed to be a surprise," he admitted, "I thought you might like the break from your papers."

Youmaru watched Kuronue for a few moments before he sighed and gave a nod, "Yes, I'll go." He did want to go, but he wouldn't outright admit to it.

-Small ff-

Youmaru sighed, relieved once they arrived. Having an excited pup wiggling around and just being the loud excited child she was was a bit much for a long trip. He loved his daughter don't get him wrong, and he never once scolded her. But it was hard on his ears.

Which a stretch he watched his little one and he stopped her before she ran off, kneeling down to her level, "Stay close enough that we can see and hear you, all right?" He didn't want anything to happen to his pup.

Kaoru bounced in the sand, excited and barefoot, and nodded. "Of course, mommy!"

Satisfied with the answer he nodded, "Go have fun." He stated softly as he stood, glad they used that 'sun screen', Kagome had introduced them to, on his pup before they got here. She was just so excited, but he couldn't blame her, it was her first time here. Golden eyes kept watch over his pup for a moment before he glanced to Kuronue wondering what was on his mind, but he looked away again to keep an eye on his pup.

Kuronue hummed as he eyed the cave off to the west, stereotypically spooky and with the nearly overpowering scent of bat. That was the colony, then. "Kaoru, dear, do you want to meet a nice hanyou lady? She's part bat, like you." Kuronue called after watching his daughter at play for a few minutes.

Youmaru rose a curious brow at Kuronue's words, but looked to Kaoru, letting her decide since she was the one who was asked.

Karou looked up from the hole she was digging in the sand and thought about it very hard, "Can we go later? I want to try burying mommy in the sand."

Youmaru rose a brow, wait. bury him in the sand? "You sure you don't want to do it to daddy instead?"

"I'd need a much bigger hole!" Kaoru exclaimed, "Does mommy want to help me bury daddy?"

Youmaru wasn't to sure about digging in the sand. He really didn't like the idea, but his pup was so excited. He sighed, "All right.. I'll help." He slowly stepped over, and knelt next to her, "So what would you like me to do?" He'd never done anything like this when he was little. Really, what gave her the idea to bury someone anyhow?

"Uncle Shippo showed me a good way to dig a hole really fast!" Kaoru explained, crouching forward to start shoveling the dirt between her legs in flying handfuls, the skirt of her yukata pulled up to her thighs to be out of the way. "You can help me make it wide enough for daddy's wings."

Kuronue chuckled. "Do I have any say in this?"

"No," Kaoru and Youmaru said in unison.

Youmaru didn't realize the smile on his face as he let his gaze leave Kuronue to watch his daughter a moment, but he eventually moved to help his daughter, granted he didn't dig like she did, slowly moving it to the side to let her have the fun of doing most of it.

"Is this big enough yet?" Kaoru called up from her hole, just deep enough that when she was crouched like this her head was below ground level, and the ocean waves were muffled.

Youmaru nodded, "Looks plenty big." He moved gently lifting her out still smiling softly, "So..." He looked up, with a slight grin, "If daddy would be so kind.."

Kuronue huffed playfully, flexing his wings before giving in gracefully and walking over to the hole, peering down at it, "A mighty fine hole, Kaoru. Looks just the right size." He clambered in obediently, sitting up with his wings folded comfortably. "I'm ready to be buried!" He announced with a chuckle. "Do your worst."

Youmaru chuckled softly, and let his pup go about burying her father, it was amusing to watch. He would of taken part, but he knew his pup was having way to much burying her father in the sand, so he let her have this moment.

Kaoru couldn't be happier when she finished burying her daddy in the sand until only his head was showing. She collapsed to the grainy earth herself, panting slightly and a bit tired. She curled up in the warmth of the sun and the ground and started to doze, leaving Kuronue buried.

Youmaru chuckled softly, moving a bit closer, perhaps it was the fox nature that wanted to tease Kuronue, perhaps it was just wanting to get even for something the bat may have done. A hand gently lifted his mat-...the bat's hat off his head and gently set it atop of Kaoru's to protect her face and head from the sun a bit, a hand then moved and gently toyed with the bats black hair. "Humm, I think I like you better this way, not flittering around.."

Kuronue huffed and chuckled, "As long as you unbury me before the tide comes in, Maru, you can have me any way you like."

Youmaru was startled by the bat's words. Watching their dozing pup for a moment before he looked down at the bat. He wasn't sure what possessed him, but a hand lightly took hold of the bats hair, to make him lean his head back, he didn't do it hard enough to hurt him, and leaned down, lightly pressing his lips to the bats. If asked he would blame the heat, yea, that would be it.. Since the bat wasn't his mate, never asked and never really seemed that interested. It seemed to just be sex to the bat, even if it might of been more to Youmaru.

Kuronue stifled his moan into the kiss and wiggled in the sand, flexing muscles that longed to wrap around the hybrid and... Kaoru stirred a bit and he chuckled breathily into Maru's mouth, nipping his lower lip playfully.

It was hearing Kaoru that made Youmaru pull back panting a bit his golden eyes seemed a bit unfocused for a moment, before he shook his head and got his senses about him. With a sigh, he moved, starting to unbury the bat, needing to get him out of the sand, since this trip was his idea he was bound to know where to go to let Kaoru get some rest...

Once Kuronue was free Youmaru moved and skilfully lifted his daughter without waking her and looked ot Kuronue, "Lead the way then.." he spoke softly...

Kuronue nodded, leaving his hat atop his daughter's head as he walked towards the ominous cave, he knew there was a village nearby where the bat hanyou lived, and she was known to give shelter to friendly demons. Shelter also meant a snack, getting buried was hungry work.

Youmaru queitly followed after Kuronue. Even walking in the sand carrying his pup he stil managed to move smoothly and gracefully.

When they reached the destination it seemed, Youmaru gave a questioning glance to Kuronue, hoping he knew what he was doing.

Kuronue flared his wings as he sensed something in the air, and the barrier shimmered in recognition. He canted his head and knocked lightly upon it, waiting. It didn't take more than two minutes for a silver haired girl to appear, her dark skin contrasting with her pale locks and lavender eyes. "Hello." Shiori greeted, "are you here for a visit?"

Kuronue nodded, gesturing to his pup and not-mate, "Yes."

Shiori's eyes glowed as she tested their intentions, before smiling at their peaceful auras, "My name is Shiori, welcome to my village." The barrier shimmered and an open section appeared, wide enough for the two males to walk through side by side.

Youmaru looked about the barrier, curious as to why it was there. But when Shiori arrived asked her question and Kuronue answered, he felt a tingling for a brief moment before she welcomed them and the barrier opened. Hopefully they would be able to just walk out later? He glanced to Kuronue and decided to trust him, walking through the now opened up barrier beside th bat, still gently but yet securely holding their pup.

Shiori gestured to a hut, leading the two demons and their child to it, "You can rest in here, and I will bring refreshments if you like." She was a gracious host.

Youmaru gave a faint nod, "Thank you, but we'll be fine for awhile." He stated gently, really he didn't need anything at the moment, they wouldn't need anything until Kaoru woke up... He glanced to Kuronue, before he bowed to the woman ever-so-slightly due to holding his daughter, "Thank you." He headed inside afterwards wanting to lay his daughter down, she wasn't to big yet but holding her for so long she was starting to feel heavy.

Kaoru stirred a bit, but hummed sleepily as she was set onto a bed, and went right back to dream land. Kuronue sized Shiori up for a moment before grinning cheekily, "Kaoru would like to play a game with you later, Shiori." There was an innate camaraderie between them for sharing the bat part of themselves, bats were social creatures with large families, perhaps one of the only demons not to abuse their hanyou cousins and offspring.

Shiori tilted her head inquisitively, then nodded, smiling and walking off to check on her mother. She'd be back when the little girl awoke.

Youmaru smiled softly, a hand gently smoothing out her hair after he removed Kuronue's hat. Once he had his pup tucked in he turned, brushing the little bit of sand off the hat and offered it to Kuronue, "Thank you for letting her borrow it.." He did know it meant a lot to him. He watched Kuronue for a moment almost as if gauging him, then sighed, "How do you know Shiori?" he asked curiously. He had heard Kuronue say the name after all.

Kuronue shrugged, "Think of her as a very distant cousin. Bat demons are very social, family oriented demons, this colony is related to my own, though I've never really gone back."

Youmaru gave a faint nod, "All right." He decided to not ask more. Watching their sleeping pup he wasn't sure what to do... When Kuronue was restricted by sand he had felt braver taking action, but now? Yea...

Kaoru stirred approximately ten minutes later, yawning sleepily and about to rub her sandy hands into her eyes when Youmaru stopped her and gave her a somewhat strained smile before he turned to Kuronue to ask him a question when a gentle knock came at the hanging door. Shiori entered with a small tray of light food- fish, and two rice cakes. "Hello Kaoru, my name is Shiori." The bat hanyou greeted, her pale lavender eyes showing quiet pleasure at meeting another like her, though Kaoru's other half was also demon, not human. The girl looked to be about thirteen, but when Kaoru stood to approach her, they were surprisingly similar in height, and the little mixling girl smiled at Shiori. The two hit it off instantly, and within moments of finishing the food were outside playing with a white ball.

Youmaru had stayed back, just watching over his pup with the other girl. Really Shiori never did anything to cause for him to worry, but Kaoru was still his pup and he couldn't help but to worry. He watched as they even headed outside to go play, watching them for a little while more. He was glad she had someone to play with, he really was. It was nice to be able to just relax though. Granted he didn't look relaxed, he was relaxed for Youmaru standards. Youmaru turned his head glancing over to where Kuronue stood as well, he was fairly certain he was watching their pup as well. Youmaru didn't let his gaze linger long, looking back out to the yard his pup was playing in.

"So," Kuronue started after another few minutes of observing Kaoru and Shiori, "are you enjoying our day at the beach, Maru?" He leaned a bit closer to prop his head on Youmaru's shoulder for a moment.

Youmaru turned a bit but stopped when Kuronue's head was resting against his shoulder, and he turned his head to watch his pup playing once more. "It's all right." He stated softly.

Kuronue chuckled and wrapped an arm around Youmaru's waist, pulling him back to his chest. "All right? I can accept that." Squeezing him in a half-hug he pulled back and walked out the door to catch the ball as it flew wild from the sudden gust of wind. "Who wants to build a sand castle?" He called, and immediately five other children poured out of their homes with a cry as they held up their hands chanting 'me! Me!' and the bat laughed good naturedly as he led the group of children down to the shoreline inside the protective bubble shield. Kaoru glanced back at her mommy and waved before running after the other kids, with a grin so wide it nearly split her face.

Youmaru didn't fight against getting pulled back into Kuronue, not bothered by it. But Kuronue didn't linger long as he watched him walk out of the door. Slowly he stepped after him though, watching him and their daughter with her play mate, Shiori. Youmaru couldn't help the faint smile as more children arrived at his shout about making a sandcastle. Youmaru waved back to his daughter, smiling a bit but it didn't last long.

Hours passed with castle after castle popping up on the beach until there was a miniature kingdom built out of sand, decorated with shells, and more than one of them had butt prints on the battlements as kids fell over in the soft sand and laughed. The sun was starting to set, dying the waters red when the kids filed back to their homes and Shiori stood by Kuronue's side, giving him a rather meaningful look and glancing to the barrier before crouching by Kaoru and helping her to finish the last tower on the last castle. Kuronue nodded and stood, beckoning to Youmaru as he did so. "It's time to leave." The bat demons in the cave not far from the village would be stirring and he wanted to be gone before they woke. The village was safe, and most of the bat youkai were even on good terms with the protected place, but strangers were another matter entirely.

Youmaru looked over at Kuronue, giving him a nod, stepping over to the bat demon he looked to Kaoru and watched her finishing her castle. He looked to Kuronue, but said nothing as he waited for their daughter.

Kaoru gave Shiori a hug and laughed, "We can play again later!" Shiori nodded and an opening formed in the barrier above the waves, and Kuronue gave her a nod before grabbing Youmaru and their daughter and winging his way out of the village. He rose higher and higher as he found the right updrafts and warm currents to lead them back to the Western Castle, and looked down to observe his family. Today was a nice day at the beach, and when they got back he would gobble at least three plates of food.

Youmaru sighed and held his daughter close as he watched the landscape below them. The Eastern Prince would be coming back to visit next week, and… Well, it was his duty to ensure the treaty went well, so he'd try his hardest to get along and actually make it work. He had to.

-End Chapter twenty-one-

As always, reviews are loved!