Alls Fair in Love and War

Disclaimer: Inuyasha and everything about him is owned by Ms. Rumiko Takahashi and company. I don't own Yoko Kurama either someone else does.

Author's Note : Thank you everyone. ^_^

Warnings:There will be plenty of incest in the story. There will be mild shota sexual actions (child and adult content) Yaoi action (male and male relations). No underage readers please. Read at your own risk. You've been fairly warned.

Begin Work: 02/16/2011

Yoko Kurama Ch. 3

The trees, the flowers, the grass, the weeds, everything green and lush hummed with life. Such was their nature whenever one of their masters made his appearance into the gardens.

"Hello my pets. Did you miss me?" My answer is the same as any other day when I reach my hand out to graze over the flowers or leaves. The flowers and trees love to greet me with their blossoms or newest designs of beauty.

My lovelies enjoy the way I glide my claws over their stems or leaves in an intimate caress that only would satisfy them. I don't mind when they call out for a taste of my youki. My pets adore blessing me with their gorgeous displays, so I offer them my youki as a reward. This was a predictable task I took whenever my mind was full of confusion.

The conversation I've had with Sesshomaru still rung in my ears. Why did I reveal so much to him all at once? It almost seemed as if I was hard on for his and Inuyasha's affections. Was I becoming that desperate for attention? No surely not I. The greatest thief in all of demon world never failed in his need for attention nor did I crave it from anyone. I am not the type to beg for anything.

But then why did I say I was jealous of his and Inuyasha's relationship? Could what I said to him be true? Was I really feeling left out? Me Yoko Kurama the greatest thief one of the most power demons was feeling neglected like some depraved child? It's unheard of.

"Kurama?"

Damn I was caught daydreaming again. My father was never one to leave things unnoticed. He was one of the few in this world who was able to read me like a picture book. That's why I kept my back toward him when I said. "Good morning Father."

Kazo walked over to his only child standing next to him. "You seem distracted Kurama. Is there something on your mind you want to talk about?" This question is asked casually as he feeds a generous amount of his youki to the large tree we're standing under. I knew what he was doing. He wasn't rewarding our pets as I was. He was communicating with them to see if I would lie to his question.

Oh Father was good. But let's prove my theory. "No. No there isn't Father. I am fine."

"Hmm this Mizuki Oak tells me otherwise."

And that same oak will be chopped down if she didn't learn to mind her own business.

As if reading my mind, Father tugged a small lock of my hair. "The tree was only worried for you Kurama. So don't go getting thoughts of cutting her down because of her concern." He chuckled.

"Yes Father."

"Now." Kazo gave the tree another dose of his youki for her services before turning his eyes to me. "Do you mind telling me why you're sulking?"

"I'm not sulking Father."

"Oh? And what do you call sitting in the gardens for hours on end with that slight frown on your face?"

Father's perception was very annoying. "Don't you have better things to do then to spy on me?"

"No I do not. Especially when I feel my only kit is worried over something."

"I'm fine Father." Things I hated most were when I had to repeat myself.

Of course Father wasn't the type to be deterred. When he wanted something he intended to get it. "Hmm don't make me use the Truth Orchid Kurama. You know me better than that."

"Damn you father." I'd forgotten he had that power. A technique I failed to learn when he tried to teach it to me because I never saw any use in the skill. "Very well I'll talk to you about it."

Kazo smiled his satisfaction. He always got what he wanted.

The cocky old… "There's no need to look so smug." I scolded walking over to our favorite tree.

The Trinity Tree. There was no other like it in the entire world. It was one of a kind. And the only place I ever went to speak to about my problems. The old beauty always listened to my problems without the slightest whisper and would coax my youki with hers. She's been here since my grandfather was a kit. He was the one who planted her here a long ago. I could ask her to explain the reasoning for my downed mood.

"Ah I see you've been speaking to the old one." Kazo walked over to offer his respect by generating his energy into his own Father's tree and sighed. "Oh Inari, I do love this old tree."

"As do I Father."

"So you've been speaking to her about your issues have you? Keh, you're just like me when I was your age." Kazo steeled himself against her thick truck sighing as his body relaxed into its earthy scent.

I sat down next to him, inhaling her glorious smell. There was nothing like the smell of the earth. The scent would always sooth me to no end.

"Now tell me my son. What has the fierce Yoko Kurama so bothered?"

I sighed closing my eyes. "Ask the Trinity Father."

"I could, but I'd much rather hear it from your lips. Besides," He chuckled. "She says that it's best that you tell me and not her."

My eyes blinked, than I listened to the old one's whispered explanation of why she wouldn't explain my problems for me. "Traitor." I growled under my breathe. This old wood refused to answer my order. "See if you ever sample a taste of my youki again you despicable old wood."

Father laughed. "Do not fret old one. You can have some of mine. I'm sure it tastes more satisfying than that of my son." His hand pressed against the truck giving her a heaping offer of his youki. If the tree had a face, one would almost believe she sighed from his offer.

After finishing with that his hard blue eyes returned back to my own. "Now talk Kurama. I won't ask again."

I knew that serious tone. I may be bold in many things but challenging my father was not one of them. SO I answered. "I…I am jealous –"

Kazo sat up stunned. "Jealous? Jealous? My son jealous? Jealous of what?"

"If you would've let me finish Father I would've said so."

"Excuse my bluntness, but what the hell would you be jealous over?"

I sighed. Trust the Great Lord Kazo to make a mole hill out of a mountain. "Sesshomaru and Inuyasha."

"Your god-brothers?"

"Who else would they be Father?"

"Watch your tone Kurama. You're not too old for my rose whip." Kazo grunted lifting his hand up toward his silver hair for a seed.

The old goat. I can't believe he just threatened me with his whip. "I apologize."

His hand came back down by his side with a please grin. "You're forgiven. Now continue."

I took a deep breathe. "You see I've found myself feeling. I don't know maybe left out from Sesshomaru because he has Inuyasha now."

"Ah I see."

I waited for a long while wondering if he would say more. But he didn't. "Is that it?"

"Is what it?"

"Is that all you're going to say about it?"

Once again my Father had another good laugh at my expense. "My son, what more can I say? I already know what the problem is. Believe me I've been there."

"You have?" This was news to me.

"Yes but I wasn't the one feeling neglected."

"Then who was it?"

"InuTaisho."

Wow. This was definitely news. "Why would god father feel neglected?"

Kazo got comfortable against the tree knowing that this might be a long story. "Well as you are aware, Me and Taisho grew up together. We were thick as thieves you could say."

"You still are."

"Yes I know. But I thought we had grown apart at one time because he became jealous of someone who had entered my life."

"Who?"

"You."

"Me?"

"Yes."

"I don't understand."

Kazo sighed as the memories came rushing back. "As you know Taisho is older than me so when I finally gained a family he started to feel as if I'd forgotten him. With you in my life I felt like I'd gained someone worth more then what I was giving to Taisho."

Now this was interesting. "So how did you two fix it?"

"Hmm I think it was around the time you reached your fifth birthday."

"Five years? You made up after five years?" That wasn't what I was expecting to hear. This wouldn't solve my issue in the least.

"Well there was another reason for our sudden distance... " I noticed the way his crystal eyes darkened into a deep diamond blue.

"What happened?"

His eyes looked at me filled with something I couldn't recognize. I've never seen that emotion in his eyes before.

"That is a story for another time my son." His large hand clamped over my shoulder giving me a firm squeeze. "But just know that Sesshomaru isn't neglecting you on purpose. He's just spreading his affections to another who'll need it more."

I lifted my hand to close over my Father's. I was glad I got to discuss my issues with him but now I felt that he was the one who needed to discuss something with me. Why was that look of sadness and hurt in his eyes when he said that they had fallen apart so long ago? Did something happen? And if so, what?

---

"Come on you silly Youko! I've never seen any other creature that needed to brush their hair as much as you two do!" InuTaisho bellowed tapping his foot on the ground impatiently.

I ignored my god father purposely taking my time brushing my long silver hair and my tail. Youko were the vainest creatures in the entire world. We would never dare venture out in public in a distorted disarray. Every single thing had to be in place and prepped to perfection. Thus we were perfect after all.

"Honestly Kazo must you and Kurama take so long in your daily preparations of hygiene?"

"Oh be silent Dog!" Kazo growled continuing to brush his long shiny hair. "You Inu demons are just as bad as we are when it concerns grooming."

"Yes but we manage to do it so that we have enough time for the festival."

Kazo rolled his blue eyes upward. "Oh Inari please silence this moron. I'm close to tossing caution to the wind and ramming my whip up his -"

"Ahem. There is a child in here you immature canines." Sesshomaru scolded holding the sweet, well behaving hanyou in his lap.

"My apologies." They both mumbled, still sending glares at the other.

Such children I thought to myself.

After my hair is brushed to its brilliant radiance I walked over to have a turn holding my baby brother. "Hello little kit."

"Kissy Yoko!" Inuyasha cheered wrapping his arms around my neck.

"Certainly." I enjoyed giving the little tyke a kiss on his sweet lips. Others would find it strange to enjoy the kiss of a toddler but I've never been one to ignore an offer.

I know Sesshomaru gets irritated whenever I kiss Inuyasha on his mouth. This was the other reason why I enjoyed doing it. If there was anything I could do to ravel up my normally calm friend, it would be done in a heartbeat.

"If I didn't know you better Yoko I'd think you enjoyed molesting small children." Sesshomaru grumbled indifferently.

"Ah, jealous again Sesshomaru?"

"Hardly."

Yes he was. It was written all over his handsome face.

"Shall we go now? By the time we arrive to the festival my favorite treat will be eaten by the locals." Complained my impatient god father.

"Honestly Taisho you are such a child." Kazo finished brushing his tail, smoothing out anymore tangles and stood from his chair. "Youko must look decent for any event, no matter how trivial. Right Kurama?"

"Yes father."

"Good." Kazo smiled walking past his best friend. "Now let us be off before this foolish old dog wets his hakama." He teased with a whoosh of his bushy tail slapping against Taisho's hip.

"Damned Fox." Taisho grumbled following out after him.

"Such children." Was my comment. "What do you think Inuyasha?"

Inuyasha giggled and smiled brightly.

"I knew you'd agree."

Sesshomaru shook his head taking the child from my arms. "Yoko I believe you could use a younger brother of your own."

"Well if you happen to find one, I'm willing to take him from you." My tail lightly brushed over his arm teasingly. "Just make sure he's something worth looking at when he gets older."

"You depraved fool."

The extravagant Festival of Fools was always a day to remember. This event was the only one during the year when humans, demons and whoever else could mingle and have fun without the worries of discrimination or fear of attack. It was also the only day where we could enter into the bazaar without people having to bow at our every step.

Besides the occasional wave or polite bow, our presence wasn't too announced, although they all knew we were here. Our well woven silk kimonos and tunics were dead give a ways of our impeccable bloodlines. Not to mention the pale skin and lengthy silvery white hair. Also notes of royalty.

I walked alongside my brothers while Father walked ahead with Lord Taisho. Sesshomaru and I enjoyed the look of curious excitement written all over Inuyasha's face as he gazed and sniffed at every new sound, sight or smell. His senses were on full alert mood today.

"Ohh Sisso! Looky Sisso!" Inuyasha pointed at a stand where giant balls of sugar clouds were mounded on sticks.

"I see that Inuyasha wants to have a Sugar Cloud."

Sesshomaru shook his head. "I will not be responsible for the boy's sudden burst of energy."

"So what's a sugar rush for a small twenty year old babe?"

He gave me a look, I knew all too well. "You've never seen Inuyasha with a sugar attack Yoko."

"I'm sure it would be a sight to behold."

"And I pray to Kami that you aren't cursed with such a faint."

We laughed quietly walking pass the stand, to Inuyasha's displeasure. "I want yum yums." He pouted burying his teary eyes into Sesshomaru's kimono top.

"I'll find you something better to nibble on Little Brother." The older brother's hand patted the hanyou's head comfortably. Inuyasha lend into the caress purring like a cat.

I turn my head away from the display not wanting my envy to surface in my eyes. But when I did I caught a small glimpse of something small behind us. What on earth?

"Do you see it Yoko?"

I nodded discreetly. "Perhaps it's mere coincidence that it's following behind us."

"Let's check to be sure." Sesshomaru caught up with his father handing Inuyasha to him.

"Is there a problem my son?" He asked concerned taking the small pup from his arms.

"No Father. Yoko and I just wish to spend some time together without the worries of influencing Inuyasha in the improper matter."

Kazo grinned mischievously. "Oh so you two are going to the Geisha Shrine? Well just make sure to save a few of the women for the other's to enjoy."

"Father!" My face heated into a hot blush of embarrassment. That old fox was such blunt fool.

The two older demons shrugged and continued on looking around at all the wondrous sights and sounds like children.

Sesshomaru made sure that our elders were nowhere in sight before coming back to my side. "Has it moved yet?"

"No it's been there since we stopped."

"Let's see if it's really following us then. Follow me." My inuyoukai friend turned between two food stands heading towards the outskirts of the festival.

I followed him turning and twisting just as sharply as he was. The person following behind us managed to clumsily keep up with our pace. It didn't seem as if it planned to give up his chase either. For something so small it was pretty quick on its feet. Good. I wanted to see what it wanted anyway.

Our fake trail led us outside of the festival and into the dense forest of the middle kingdom. The person trailing behind us made sure to keep covered at all times.

"I've had enough of this." Another headache of mines was being followed around.

"So have I."

Our steps halted near a wide opening in the forest. I summoned up my youki toward the trees and shrubbery in the surround area beckoning them to my wishes. "Bring it to me." I ordered softly.

A second later we heard a tiny yelp and surprised squeal coming from within the bushes. It seems my plants had made their catch. The sneaky intruder was wrapped in a green leafy vine high into the air enfolded inside a giant flower like cage.

The cover was very thick so I couldn't make out what the being looked like. But there was only one way to find out.

My eyes narrowed at the shaky beast within my entrapment. "Well let's see what we have here."

^_^ Hmm I wonder who's inside?