A/N: Hello dear readers. I want to say thank you to reaper007 for naming Jiro and Sanas pup. I adore the name Unmei. It is just perfect for them. As such you are officially the god parent for their little one, which is very suiting since you are their biggest fan.

Thank you to everyone who has been with this story and supported throughout. We still have a lot of ground to cover so I hope I can keep everyone engaged enough to keep reading.

Enjoy!


The days had been relatively longer it felt than most with Nens leaving and lack of presence hanging over the compound. Jiro took up his brothers night patrol and stayed out until dawn.

He hated leaving Sana alone at night but would do what he had to for the pack. Feeling an added weight of responsibility since it was his brother who had left made him want to try to make up for it to the others.

Walking into his hut he saw Sana up sipping at a steaming cup of tea with the porridge Rin had taught her to make.

"Good morning darling." She said with tiredness still in her voice.

"Morning sunflower. Did you sleep?" He asked taking off his armor and removing his sword.

"A bit. I was a little sick but it stopped." She replied. Sighing Jiro made his way over to her placing an arm around her shoulders.

"Sorry you had to deal with it on your own."

"There is nothing to be sorry for Jiro. It would have been that way if you were here or not."

"I know but I could have taken care of you both." Resting his head against her he heard her give a small contented breath.

"We're okay." She said rubbing at her stomach. She had begun to show with the small bump becoming visible but not so much yet to be in her way or limit her ability to her duties.

Moving away slightly from her Jiro laid his head down on her lap with his face against her stomach. Nuzzling at her through her yukata she placed her hand to his head stroking his hair aside. "How was your night?"

"Uneventful and boring." He replied. "Patrolling at night gives me too much time to think."

"About what?" Sana pressed.

"Nothing of importance and everything all at once." Jiro said. "Mostly about Nen and not understanding why he wanted to leave so badly. Joining this pack has given us so much, I don't know why he would want to go."

"I don't think he did. I think he had to otherwise it would consume him with having so much information but not acting on any of it." Sana thought out.

"He told me I am to blame for the way he is, his personality and his demeanor. I was too weak so he had to be strong and he resents that." Swallowing hard Jiro turned to face his wife as she rested her hand against his cheek.

"He was angry and didn't mean that. Your brother loves you with everything he has. The bond you two share is nothing short of amazing." Sana soothed.

"He did mean it but I know he cares for me in his way. I care about him too but this journey worries me."

"How so?" Sana asked.

"Time, the passage of it, can become meaningless to us as demons. When nothing changes around you and you don't either a century may very well be a year for us, two hundred is not even a ripple." Jiro explained.

"You're worried Nen will lose track of time and not be here for our lives as humans." Sana said.

"Yes. Mostly for Jin and Umi. I don't know how any of you age but I know it is fast or what we would consider being so."

"It would be. Iku and Riku are at least two thousand years old from what I have gathered probably older. It's unfathomable to me and seems like too long."

"It can become tedious and lonely. It was. My life meant nothing before I came here. I was just another faceless, nameless guard at the celestial palace. Here I can be myself and I can still perform my duties, I don't have to choose between one or the other."

"Oh my darling." Sana whispered out running her fingertips down the side of his face before bringing them back up again to rest her hand on his forehead. "Nen knows what he has here and he will return in the time he said he would. Until then we will be here for both Jin and Umi."

"Jin annoys me." Jiro stated with a small grin.

"I have always gotten along well with him. He is…unique."

"That's a nice way to say he's annoying." Jiro said causing Sana to giggle. Sitting up he cracked his neck glancing back at her as she stood. "What are your plans for the day?"

"Chiase and I are going to the forest to forage for some items that Iku and Rin have requested." Sana said taking her cloth from the wall to wash herself. "You're welcome to join us if you want."

"If it's all the same I need to rest. I've been going for days with no sleep and it's starting to catch up to me."

"Of course." Sana agreed.

"I won't take long. I will catch up with you both." Jiro said.

"Alright Jiro." She nodded taking the strands of her hair braiding it. Jiro spotted the sunflower clip she used close by. Taking it in hand he stood walking to her.

"May I?" He asked as she smiled at him softly and turned around to have her back facing him. Carefully he put it in place at the top of her braid and secured it.

"Thank you." She said leaning somewhat back as Jiro wrapped his arms around her placing his hands flat against her stomach. Nuzzling her neck she felt her eyes flutter close as she let out a small gasp. "Mmmm."

"You should stay." Jiro growled out his tone lower than usual. Licking at her lips and taking a breath she placed her hands against his.

"I thought you were going to rest?"

"We both can…afterwards."

"How about you sleep and I will hurry back as fast as I can. That way you're better rested and I can get my tasks done early." Sana appealed.

"Fine but after that the rest of your day belongs to me."

"Gladly mate." Sana agreed opening her eyes. Dressing she put on long stockings that she tied off at her thigh and her sandals as it was getting colder as the days went on.

Wrapping her cloak over her kimono she tied her hair back with a kerchief smoothing it down flat against her head.

As she got ready Jiro dressed down removing his top and hakamas to be more comfortable as he laid down on their futon.

"I won't be long." Sana said as she waved to him from the doorway.

"Like I said, I'll rest for some time and come join you." Jiro yawned out.

"Take all the time you need darling." Taking her basket in hand she opened the door and left as Jiro felt himself dozing off.