A/N: Hello dear readers. I hope that everyone celebrating a holiday had a good one and are enjoying themselves. All of my holiday work will be belated over this weekend when I'm not working so I won't be posting much.
For now enjoy!
Preparations were made ahead of time to accommodate as many guests that Izumi believed could arrive. Iku was adept at ensuring the small household was in order as Izumi busied herself as well leaving Rin in awe.
She watched as she had told Izumi to do as she saw fit but to see the other female in action as a lady of a household was something to behold.
Izumi held her head, spoke confidently and with a sternness to her voice that left no room for interruption unless Rin supposed she were to interject. Deciding to observe instead it made her realize just how different their worlds had been.
The way she moved, her hand motions; everything seemed carefully contrived and orchestrated. These were actions that Sesshomaru himself had as well. How he spoke was always intelligently and his actions always had a purpose.
He never floundered or fumbled, at least never that she had seen, he was completely aware of himself and always a step ahead she felt knowing how to approach a situation.
"Thank you Izu." Rin said as they sat for tea together. Iku had prepared it then went to the servants quarters to prepare them. "I didn't even know where to begin."
"Everything so far is to your liking Rin?"
"Oh yes. The house looks lovely, I mean not that it doesn't always but the way that the two of you have prepared for company is very nice." Coddling Hisashi to her she cradled him in her arm to take her tea with one hand.
"I am glad you approve Lady Rin." Izu smiled as she spoke. "I am not looking forward to any of this."
"How come?" Placing the cup down before she sipped she looked to her friend curiously.
"I enjoy it just being us." She said softly. "The east and the west will come and they will judge all of us. No doubt talk about us all behind our backs and just be rude in a very aristocratic way."
"So let them. I personally do not care what any of them think." Rin replied with conviction. "I will say that if any wish to stay I am giving them the offer to do so."
"We will have to expand the quarters in the back. Depending on whom decides to stay construct a barracks as well." Izumi said. "With just Riku and Iku living together alongside Jaken the back house is fine but will not house any more than that."
"As I am certain it is improper to house males and females together. All of the soldiers with the ladies in waiting could cause issue." Rin smirked at her coyly.
"Absolutely." Izumi laughed out. "Quite improper."
Rin brought her tea cup back up blowing on the liquid and taking a long sip. As soon as the infusion hit her stomach she felt it churning.
"Take Hisashi." She said quickly.
"Rin?" Moving quickly she was by Rins side taking their son from her and helping her stand.
"I feel…" Clamping a hand to her mouth she ran down the hall to her room barely getting the door open. Grasping her empty wash basin she barely made it in time before her stomach heaved.
"Oh." Izumi placed Hisashi on the futon and went to her friend pulling her hair back as she stood with her hands gripping the edge of the basin.
"Ugh." Rin managed out before she vomited again. Spitting into the bowl she whined slightly as she felt more settled.
"Are you okay?" Izumi asked receiving a nod from her. "You should lie down." Assisting her to her futon Izumi made certain she was alright before grabbing a clean cloth and dipping it into her water barrel.
Swiping it across Rins forehead to relieve her of the sweat that had accumulated she looked at her in deep concern. Hisashi began his whimper whine from where he laid as he had been unceremoniously dumped onto the bed.
Clearing her throat Rin pulled him to her placing him on her chest. "Don't worry baby. We're here. Mama Rin is here."
"What happened?" Izumi questioned.
"The tea made me sick to my stomach." Rin said. "I will be fine."
"If you say so Rin." Izumi replied. "Stay put. I will fetch Iku to clean up."
"I'll take care of it. She's already busy." Rin said gripping Hisashi to her attempting to sit up. Izu held Rin in place with a single finger poked lightly onto her shoulder.
"No. That is what she is here for." Izumi stated with a smirk. "You want others to stay, why?"
"I like having people around."
"Fair enough. If anyone does decide to stay they will be your servants and will look to you for tasks to accomplish, things to get done." Izumi said.
"I'm used to doing things for myself. I don't want to rely entirely on others."
"You do not have to. Still do things that you want to do but in cases such as this there is nothing wrong with being assisted."
"Alright." Rin relented. It was difficult as she had always been so strongly independent to accept help but as she laid with their small pup she really didn't want to get up.
Izumi left the room leaving Rin with Hisashi. Lying on her side she felt her daughter move about and kick in her womb. Smiling at the sensation she kissed the top of her sons head.
"What do you think we should name your sister, Hisashi?" Rin asked receiving a little wet tongue to her nose as he turned his face to hers. Nuzzling her nose to his she backed off slightly.
Blinking wearily up at her through slitted lids Hisashis eyes appeared muddled and bleary. Closing them again and yawning he opened them again a bit wider than before. "Hello son. My sweet little boy. You have your papas beautiful red eyes."
Sniffing her out she placed a soft kiss to the tip of his nose.
Coming upon the house Sesshomaru saw Izumi taking Iku into the house causing his internal alarms to go off. Walking briskly he followed them into the bedroom he shared with Rin.
"Lord Sesshomaru." Rin said as they entered. Both females turning quickly on their heels saw in fact he had followed them in.
"My lord." Iku said respectfully as Izumi pointed to the wash basin. "Of course Lady Izumi." Taking the basin away without another word she left the room to wash the pot.
"Rin." Sitting beside her on the futon he placed his hand to her forehead.
"I am fine my lord." Rin assured. "I just was a bit sick to my stomach is all."
"You have no color." He remarked concern heavy in his tone.
"I feel alright. Look my lord, Izumi; Hisashi has opened his eyes." She said happily. Taking the pup from her Sesshomaru held him up seeing that he blinked slowly unfocusing, red orbs with no discernible pupil.
"So he has." He replied. Holding his son in his arm he rubbed Rins cheek with the knuckles of one hand. "For now, rest. I will not be far if you require me."
"Thank you my lord." Smiling she moved his hand to her abdomen. "Our daughter is very active."
"She is." Feeling the activity under her skin he couldn't help the sigh that escaped him. He felt great pride as he held his son to him and felt his daughters kicks. His pack was strong and thriving. "I love you Rin."
"And I love you, Sesshomaru." Her eyes sparkled with adoration as he pulled their blanket over her. Standing he met Izumis gaze as she stood by the door watching their exchange. She was smiling softly.
Handing Hisashi to her they both left the room. "Tell me what happened."
"We were having tea. Rin became ill from it. She said that it is not uncommon. I am guessing it is due to her condition." Izumi stated.
"Is Lady Iku confident that she will be able to assist Rin when it comes time for her?" He queried.
"She seems confident enough but still, I believe it may be best to send for Kagome. It would put my mind at ease to have a human woman with her to help, someone Rin knows and is comfortable with." Izu said.
"Likewise. I will leave it in your hands then Izumi to send for Kagome. Undoubtedly Inuyasha will accompany her." Watching as Izumi glanced around their space she seemed to be in thought before looking back to him.
"I will make sure proper accommodations are made for your brother and his mate in the household."
"Half-brother." Sesshomaru corrected.
"Sesshomaru, given our own pack circumstances I don't think you should hold onto such distinctions." Smirking at him seemed to be holding his breath. "Am I wrong?"
"Shut up Izu." He said good-naturedly walking away down the hall.
"So rude." She called back after him sticking out her tongue for good measure.