A/N: Hello, hello. I accomplished a lot of writing yesterday on my day off so here's another chapter. Hey Reaper...what weirdness were you talking about in your last review?

I'm curious by what you meant. If you get a minute let me know.

Enjoy!

Rin liked Emi, the young dove demon. She was sweet and reminded her of herself in ways. She appreciated the help that she offered especially in the beginning shortly after Hotarus birth.

Izumi had had her own metal wash tub brought to Rins room for her to use to be comfortable. Emi had heated the water while Izu took both of the pups to watch them giving Rin a much needed break.

The smell of the bathing oils didn't affect Emi as they did Izu or Iku so she had liberally dumped in her bottle of lilac fragrance. Sitting in the heat with steam rising around her she was eternally grateful to Emi who washed her shoulders with a cloth and alleviated some of the pressure on her breasts by massaging the top of her chest.

"Thank you so much Emi." Rin practically cried, she had been more emotional as of late.

"You are very welcome Lady Rin." She said back gently.

"Please, just call me Rin." She stated.

"Are you, certain my lady?" The other female asked hesitantly.

"Mhmm." Closing her eyes and laying her head back against the head rest she wiggled her toes in the water.

"Alright then…Rin." Emi replied testing it out.

"Much better." Smiling to herself she reopened her eyes to look up at the skylight. It was a lovely day and she hoped at some point she could take Hisashi and Hotaru out to sit on the deck with her and Izumi. "Emi, why did you wish to stay here?"

Pausing she seemed to take a small stifled breath. "I wished to assist you, Rin, and Lady Izumi as well." Glancing at her Rin took in her features. She wasn't being completely dishonest but there was more to what she was saying.

"You can tell me the real reason why. I am very good at keeping secrets and won't tell anyone not even Lord Sesshomaru if you don't want me too."

Emi stared at Rin clutching the damp washcloth in both of her hands as if it were her lifeline. Furrowing her brow and biting down on her lip she sighed.

"There is." She began slowly. "Originally where I am from there is a human village that mine overlooked. My…my mate is there. He is a human. When the elders of my flock found out they banished me to serve the court of the west, the dog demons."

"We can bring your mate here." Rin said quickly catching Emi by surprise. Sitting upright Rin stood. "What is your mates name?"

"Mitsuo." She said. "He is a farmer."

"Do not fret any longer Emi." Rin gave several nods as she climbed out of the tub. "I wish you had said something sooner. He could have already been here by now. Well, no matter." Grasping the cloth to dry herself she dressed and beckoned Emi to follow her.

Still somewhat in shock she was behind Rin in an instant walking behind her to the front of the house. Izumi sat with Hisashi sleeping in the small wicker basket beside her with Hotaru in her arms.

"Izu, have you seen Lord Sesshomaru or Kohaku?" Rin asked.

"Not recently, why? Is everything alright?" Glancing at Rin and Emi she took in the glance that passed between the two with the slight eager nod from Emi.

"Emi has a mate, a human mate Izu!" Rin exclaimed. "That's why she is here, she hoped she could see her mate. We should send for him."

"You do?" Izu questioned surprised. "Emi, why didn't you say something sooner?" Rin nodded her head crossing her arms in affirmation.

"That is exactly what I said as well." She chimed.

"Lady Izumi, I am here to serve both of you. My feelings and wants are of little consequence." Emi replied.

"First off, unless we are in stuffy company, call me Izu. Secondly, that is absolutely not how our pack is run." She cleared placing Hotaru down next to her elder brother.

"Emi…" Rin hugged her tightly. "Never, ever feel as if you are not important. You are a part of our family and we care about you."

"Care…about…me?" She questioned slowly as if it were a foreign concept to her. Izumi nodded her head and smirked at her.

"So very much." Rin reiterated. "I will find my husband and tell him to send someone to bring yours. For now, sit with Izu and the children." Offering her to be comfortable at the table Rin went to the door grasping her cloak and her gettas.

Closing the door behind her she took a deep breath of the damp, cool air as winter melted away. Walking to the back she took note of the stables that were empty as Jaken had taken An-Un to bring back the contractors.

"Lady Rin." Riku greeted. "I trust you are well, my lady."

"Oh yes, thank you. Riku, have you seen Lord Sesshomaru or Kohaku?"

"No my lady. They are both out patrolling the perimeter. May I be of assistance to you?"

"Yes. Come with me Riku." Leading him back to the front of the house she opened the sliding door motioning for him to follow her. Hesitantly he did. Generally as a rule soldiers did not enter the main house unless in an emergency. "Emi, tell Riku where your human mate is so that one of his men will bring him."

Slightly taken aback Riku looked amused as Emi told him where the man was. With a nod of his head he assured he would send Nen, one of the western soldiers, to bring Mitsuo.

"What if he does not come?" Emi asked suddenly after a few moments of silence had passed once Riku left.

"If he does not then we will be here for you." Izumi said.

"If he is anything like any other male I have met then he will." Rin assured. "Whether a demon or a human, a man will do anything for his mate. Relocation is easy."

"Tell us, have you both officially mated?" Izu queried.

"No. We were going to run away together, leave our villages, but when it was found out what I intended to do my flock sent me away. The elders, they said it would bring great shame to our people for one of their younglings to mate with a human." Emi replied.

"So, they sent you to a court to find a potential demon mate." Izu said as if she knew from experience.

"Yes." Emi closed her eyes and sighed. "I miss being free. Flying, the wind on my wingspan."

"Nothing is stopping you from being yourself." Rin said. "Furthermore, you do not have to stay here. I would very much like it if you did but everyone here is free to come and go as they please."

"I am?"

"Yes, you are. We are all equal." Izumi stated. Emi brought her hands to her face and stared at the two females. Completely overwhelmed she shook her head. "I will make us all tea. Just relax Emi."

Rin smiled at her taking her hand as she laid it on the table. She felt so fortunate that Sesshomaru had been able to give her so much freedom once she came under his protection.

Now she understood why.