Sana joined Chiase outside and they went off towards the forest.

"Where is your son?" Sana asked to strike up a conversation.

"Lady Iku is watching over him. The pups get along very well and it is a nice break." Chiase admitted.

"I do not mean to pry but I have been wondering where his father is. Is he back in the east?" Sana questioned.

"He has no father as far as I am concerned. Kino has taken on the responsibility of being a second parent to my son and I would much rather it be that way." Chiase quipped.

"I am sorry my lady. I did not mean to offend you." Sana said quickly somewhat recoiling.

"No, I am sorry Lady Sana. That was rude. You and I have more in common than you may think. The only difference is you were not bred." Chiase said.

"Are you saying you were….taken and raped?" Sana swallowed hard finding it difficult to say the words.

"Yes." Stopping as Sana did she saw tears in the human girls eyes. "Are you well?"

"I am. It was awful and it hurts me to hear that you went through that as well."

"Thank you my lady. I am also sorry that you were so grievously injured. May I ask you something?"

"Anything." Sana said.

"How did you take a male as a mate after what happened? The thought of being with one again makes me sick to my stomach." Chiase replied.

"Jiro and I became friends. I felt safe with him and protected. He was there when I needed someone and our feelings developed for one another from there."

Smiling wistfully at the memories she placed a hand to her stomach. "It wasn't long ago but seems like it, in reality it has only been a year."

"How did you get over it so quickly?" Chiase queried.

"I haven't. I can't remember it. It has become encased in a dense fog in my mind. I know it happened but I cannot recall the details of it, which I suppose is for the better in some ways."

"That is a blessing." Chiase said quickly. "Do not question it."

"I just wish I could remember some things. I know I lived in a village with other humans, I know I had a mother and father and brothers. I had a friend, we were close but I don't…what is it?"

Watching as Chiase suddenly seemed to go on high alert she stopped talking.

"There is a foul scent in the air. We need to head back, now." Chiase said quietly. Nodding Sana agreed and they began to make their way back towards the compound.

They had traveled far enough in the woods to be a good distance that would take some time to get back to their pack. Chiase would stop her every so often to scent the air and changed their direction a few times making it even longer.

"What is it?" Sana finally asked as they stopped again.

"I am not sure but it does not seem right." Chiase said shaking her head. Hearing a crashing sound behind them Chiase took Sanas hand and led her to hide behind a tree.

Turning back Sana was faced with her worst fear. The entity that stalked her nightmares waking her up in a cold sweat at night.

"Ogres." Sana breathed out as she became paralyzed unable to move. Chiase tugged on her to no avail.

"Sana!" She urged running around the front of her to see her staring with her eyes wide but blank. Shaking her by the shoulders did nothing and in an attempt to protect the human Chiase grabbed her to her in a protective embrace as she felt the ogre draw closer to them before breaking out in a run.

Turning her head at it she snarled and growled as loudly as she could. "Go away! Leave us alone!" As the demon closed the gap Chiase tipped Sanas head down to cover her better when she heard a scuffle behind her.

"Hey! Don't you touch my females!" Kino shouted at it. Glancing back Chiase saw as Kino jumped up as the ogre had bared its claws at them to strike.

Bringing the blade downwards she hit it square in the head slicing the ogres skull open. Turning away Chiase heard the thud of its body on the ground. "Chiase, Sana; are you alright?"

"Kino, there's something wrong with Sana." Chiase said worry in her tone. Flicking the blood off of her blade before sheathing it she walked over to them.

"Sana?" Kino waved her hand in front of her getting no response. Snapping her fingers in front of her face gave no results as well. "Oh, this is not good."

"We need to get her back to the main house. Kino, can you carry her and I will follow."

"I can carry both of you." She said taking Sana in her arms to hold bridal style. "Climb on my back."

"You can not carry both of us."

"Chiase, the pups weigh more than you and besides that isn't the only ogre around and I will not leave you alone."

"There are more?" She asked as she climbed on Kino wrapping her arms around her shoulders.

"Yeah. They're not too problematic and we pretty much have it under control. So far I've gotten rid of four." Kino said as she began to run towards the compound.

Approaching the main house where Kiyoshi stood guard he immediately took them in as they approached.

"Sana needs help. We came across an ogre and it gave her a terrible fright." Chiase explained.

"I am going back to find the chief and Jin. See what we have left to clean up." Kino said as she walked up the steps with Sana in her arms. Chiase knocked quickly on the door panel.

"Yes?" Rin was heard from inside.

"Lady Rin, Sana needs help." Chiase said. Hearing the sound of running footsteps the door was flung open widely as Rin stood in all seriousness. Standing aside she looked Sana over quickly worried it was something due to her pregnancy.

"Sana, what's wrong friend?" Rin asked as Kino brought her to Rins room. Placing her down on the futon Chiase informed her what had happened.

"Please fetch Iku." Wringing out a wet cloth she placed it against Sanas forehead.

"What's happened?" Izu asked entering the room from her own. They had been attending to the twins and Kozumi when they heard the knock.

"There are ogres on our property. Sana and Chiase were nearly attacked by one. Now Sana is not responding." Rin said forcing the words out.

"Out of everything, it had to be ogres." Izumi sighed out walking over to them. Taking in Sana as she breathed slowly and stared at nothing she became deeply concerned.

"Why did this have to happen now when she is pregnant? Why not before or after? Why now?" Rin lamented.

"Do you think it could have a negative effect on her pup?" Izumi asked timidly.

"It could, it could cause her to lose it. Too much stress or a traumatic situation could put her into labor. It's far too soon and it would never be able to survive." Rin managed out sniffling.

"Get out of my way Jiro!" They heard Iku bark from the front of the house through the still open door.

"My mate needs me!" He quipped back with a growl.

"She is my daughter first and your mate second." Iku replied as they both came down the hall quickly. Entering the room they went over to the futon with Izumi and Rin stepping aside.

"Sunflower, I'm here." Jiro said more calmly taking her hand in his feeling no response to his touch.

"Sana." Iku said taking her face between her hands and staring at her expressionless eyes. "She has locked herself away to protect herself."

"What can we do?" Rin asked.

"Normally, nothing. Eventually she should come around." Iku said.

"In the meantime she can't eat like this or drink. What does that mean for her, for our pup? If it takes days or weeks, they'll die." Jiro said his voice breaking. "Sana….no….I should have gone with you."

"We have an option but it may not work." Iku said slowly. "Hikari has a talent that was passed down in her original pack. She can reach into someones mind and speak with them."

"Maybe she can find Sana and bring her out of this." Rin said hopefully.

"Perhaps." Iku said standing. "Chiase, fetch Hikari. Tell her it is of the upmost importance."

"Yes my lady." Chiase said dutifully running off again.

"Have you seen her do this before Iku?" Izumi asked.

"Once. For your mother. It helped her." Iku said curtly. Watching as Jiro sat on the futon taking Sana in his arms she felt Rin stiffen beside her.