A/N: Thank you for all the reviews. I'm glad to see that people are interested in this odd little story. I have had this idea in my head since I started watching Yashahime; maybe if Sesshomaru had had a full blooded heir then it wouldn't have been such a big deal as far as other demons were concerned if he had half-breeds.
Anyways, enjoy!
As preparations were made to clear the ground that was found by Jaken, scouted by Sesshomaru, and given final approval from Rin, it was decided that Rin would continue to stay in the village until their home was finished.
While Izumi had wanted to hang back further away from the humans she begrudgingly followed Rin at the order of Sesshomaru.
Simple saying he had much to do he left stating to her that if anything happened to Rin or anyone else she cared for it would be her head, uncaring if all of the other cardinal directions came for him upon her death.
At every turn Rin tried to engage Izumi in conversation but she remained quiet, distant, and wary. Sesshomaru had certainly put a great deal of fear into her.
While her presence was a constant it was somewhat unnerving to have someone following her around. After a few days Rin thought of a way to maybe get her to speak to her on a more informal basis.
"Lord Sesshomaru told you to do as I say, is that correct Lady Izumi?"
"Yes Lady Rin."
"Then I am telling you to speak freely." Standing in front of one another for a few moments Izumi narrowed her eyes and seemed to be feeling Rin out. "Please, we're going to be spending a lot of time together and I think that it would be easier on both of us if we could at least talk to one another."
"Alright. How do you want me to address you?" Izumi asked.
"Rin, just Rin is fine my lady." Shrugging her shoulders and giving a small smirk.
"You may call me Izu." She stated. "No formality is needed when Lord Sesshomaru is not present."
"Great. Izu, Kagome invited us to her hut for tea. Would you like to join me? You don't have to if you don't want too." Rin slipped easily into a much less formal way of speaking.
"The young priestess." Izumi said receiving a nod from her.
"Sango will be there, just women." Rin replied. "We catch up every so often with one another when we have time."
"Alright Rin." She finally said.
"Kagome and Sango are nice. You will all get along just fine." She reassured leading the way as had become the norm as of late.
Settling down Kagome greeted them as she steeped the tea.
"So, I've been meaning to ask you Lady Izumi, are you a dog demon too?" Kagome questioned curiously.
"Yes I am."
"You look so different from Inuyasha and Sesshomaru." Sango remarked. "Your hair and your eyes are different colors."
"Do all humans look the same? You all have varying colors and markings however brown seems to be the most prevalent." Izumi said.
"It's common, yes. I didn't mean anything by it. I apologize if I offended you." Sango stated.
"No. You did not. I have no experience with humans. This is all very new." Izumi nodded her head in thanks taking the cup from Kagome and passed it to Rin before accepting her own.
"Where are you from?" Kagome asked sipping her tea.
"The East. In a demon province that is untouched by humans." Izumi sniffed at the tea lightly discerning what the infusion was.
"Did something happen that you had to accompany Sesshomaru?" Kagome pressed.
"The East and the west have made arrangements to form an alliance." Izumi informed.
"Izu and Lord Sesshomaru are to produce an heir but not before him and I are wed." Rin said. "Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you both. Lord Sesshomaru and I are engaged to be married."
Both women stared at her as if falling into a trance.
"It is a common arrangement on my end." Izumi said breaking their stares.
"Wait, you're marrying Sesshomaru?" Sango asked receiving a nod from Rin.
"And you're having his baby?" Kagome questioned pointing at Izumi.
"Baby?" Turning to Rin in question waiting for an answer.
"That is what us humans call our offspring when they're born." She informed.
"Yes, we are." Izumi brought her attention back to the other two.
"You are now?" Kagome couldn't help the open gape of her mouth as she processed the information.
"No. There is no place to breed as of yet."
"Lord Sesshomaru is building us a house. Once it's done and we are married then he will, how do you call it Izu? The informal way."
Taking in a small breath and sighing out Izumi brought her gaze to the kettle. "Lord Sesshomaru will pup me."
"That's it." Rin affirmed. Some silence ensued as Kagome and Sango took in the two sitting across from them and looked at each other communicating without saying a word.
"Are you both alright with this arrangement?" Sango was the first to ask.
"It was a surprise for me but it is what must be done." Rin said. "It will prevent a war."
"Agreed." Izumi acknowledged.
"Sango!" A males voice called out.
"Kohaku!" Sango stood quickly running to greet her younger, albeit taller, brother. "What brings you here? Is everything alright in the slayers village?"
"Do I need a reason to visit?" He smiled as they walked closer to the group. "Rin, it's good to see you." Stopping in beside his childhood friend he stilled as he noticed Izumi.
"Hello Kohaku." Rin stood taking his hand in hers. "It's been some time." Breaking his gaze from the other he smiled at her.
"Yes. You seem well."
"Oh yes. Quite. Kohaku I would like to introduce you to Lady Izumi of the east." Rin side stepped. Bringing her own gaze to Kohaku she gave a small nod. "Izu, this is Sangos younger brother Kohaku, head of the demon slayer village of the west."
"My lady." He bowed respectfully.
"Demon slayers, hm?" She said.
"Only troublesome demons." He replied with a small smirk.
"This one will keep that in mind." She stated adverting her gaze elsewhere.
Making their way back to the small hut that was Rins own she watched the other female carefully.
"What do you think of everyone?" Rin asked.
"The other humans seem to care about your well being a great deal."
"Kagome and Sango are like family to me. I've known them for quite a few years now."
"Family? What is, family?"
"Um, oh. I am a part of their pack."
"Ah, yes. That much is obvious."
"You can be a part of our pack too if you want to be." Rin offered.
"Ha! A part of a human pack." She laughed out before stopping abruptly. "I apologize for my rudeness."
"Stop it already. You are not being rude. Just be yourself."
"Myself?" Izumi thought on it for a moment as they entered Rins small abode. "There has always been someone to tell me what to do or how I should feel."
"Izu at the celestial palace I saw you, when we first met and I didn't know who you were. You saw me too. You were curious about me and I think that some of the reason you're willing to come along is to satisfy that curiosity."
Giving that small almost there smirk Izumi gave a small snort. "Yes. Yes I am. You are the first human I have ever interacted with and to be granted this unprecedented opportunity was not one to pass up."
"Well, aside from the politics, I hope that this experience is unique and ends up being enjoyable for you." Rin replied with a small smile. "Now, would you give me a hand in prepping our meal?"
"This one will assist you." She said with a small nod and her smirk almost became a smile.