Jiro knelt in front of his pack leaders from his place on the ground. They sat on the deck of the estate with Rin and Izumi in the middle of them with Sesshomaru and Kohaku by their sides.
The soldier Riku knelt behind him to his left while his twin, Nen, was on his right.
"Kohaku, what say you?" Sesshomaru queried. Steadying his breath Kohaku swallowed hard.
"Under strict supervision and period of probation; Jiro of the west may return to his duties to this pack as deemed by myself." He said. "Let me make something very clear; you are indebted to the ladies of this house as they were both quite adamant in giving you a second chance. Do not waste it."
"Yes my lord." Jiro breathed out. "This one will not disappoint his pack again." Bowing low he stood and moved off with Riku and Nen.
"If he screws this up then there will no mercy next time." Kohaku stated gravely.
"I have the upmost confidence in him that he has learned his lesson." Izumi said. "Will you go for a walk with me?"
"Yes." Kohaku stood with her as they went off towards the wooded area. Rin relaxed and sighed relief.
"That was very stressful." She rubbed at the back of her neck.
"Kohaku is not wrong." Sesshomaru said. Rin stopped glancing at him. "If Jiro makes such an error again we will deal with him in our way."
"He won't." Rin affirmed. "We should plan a trip back to the village. I want to show off the pups to Lady Kaede, Sango, and Miroku. Kagome and Inuyasha will be surprised I'm certain to see how big Hotaru and Hisashi are."
"If that is what you want." He replied.
"Izumi had made mention of going to her house in the east this season but maybe we should make plans for next year."
"It may be in everyones best interest." He said.
"Oh!" Rin suddenly exclaimed. "I forgot to tell you, Emi and Mitsuo are expecting. Emi laid eggs and is quite certain that some will hatch."
"That is interesting." Sesshomarus curiosity peaked at that.
"Yes it is." Rin agreed. "I have been thinking my lord, once the air is settled here I went to have another child with you."
Sesshomaru turned his head to her. "So soon?"
"Yes. I enjoyed being pregnant, well until the very end." She smiled at him. That was all it took.
"As you said, once matters are settled then I would like to also." He smirked at her.
"I will give you a son this time, a brother for Hisashi." Rin wrapped her arms around him as he placed a hand to her hair smoothing it down.
"I don't care about such things Rin." Tilting her head up towards him she lost herself in his golden orbs as they shimmered. "Whatever children you give me will be cherished because they are ours."
Smirking at him Rin let go of him and stood. "We should practice. It has been some time now since we were last together. I think I may have forgotten how."
He watched her with a predatory eye as she sauntered into the house glancing back at him over her shoulder in a slinky gesture before pressing forward towards their room.
Quickly following after her he would make sure that she would remember well what his touch felt like.
Coming to rest by the hot spring Izumi sat on a fallen log patting next to her when Kohaku made no motion to join her.
Taking his hands into hers and leaning her head against his shoulder she nuzzled his neck.
"I do not deserve such affections from you." He said softly. Standing in front of him Izumi wrapped her arms around his shoulders.
"Yes you do. We are tied, remember? The string that binds us together is strong even when we are not." She replied. Pressing her forehead to his she rubbed her nose against his.
"Beautiful Izumi. With your golden hair and skin, pretty grey eyes that I have seen burn with all the colors of the rising sun." Kohaku sighed out.
"Sweet Kohaku. The very first time you looked in my direction I was so very attracted to you. Your beautiful brown eyes drew me in, your masculine scent and build. I had never met a human male before but I knew you to be very handsome."
Kohaku placed his lips to hers firmly as if he were claiming her for the first time. Izumi loosened her kimono and brought his hand to her mating mark that was scarred over.
Breaking their kiss Kohaku wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her closer to him. He ran his nose along the mark he had given her before kissing at it.
He remembered their wedding night. How beautiful Izumi was. How much it had meant to him to share it with Rin and Sesshomaru.
He recalled the pure joy on Sangos face as she was happy beyond measure to see him married. Looking up at Izumi he sunk into her warmth allowing himself that comfort of being held by his wife.
"I'm sorry for falling apart." Kohaku said. Izu brushed his bangs from his forehead and shook her head.
"No need. You were there for me when I did. You have been strong when I needed you to be and I will be also for you." She replied. "That is what it is to be mates."
"And what I hoped for when I took you for my wife." Kohaku closed his eyes listening to her heartbeat. It was slower than a humans but still strong. "Thank you for spending my life with me."
"Gladly." She whispered kissing the top of his head.
A/N: Shorter chapter since the last one was longer. I think they'll be okay going forward. Now that that's out of the way I plan on writing some feel good chapters to get to my next idea as what to include in this.
Until next time...