Laying flowers on top of a piece of cloth to dry on the porch Izumi heard Rin a short distance off laughing as she played with the two headed dragon.
Not too far from where she sat Sesshomaru rested as well. The silence was amicable as she arranged the blooms to dry, the wildflowers would look nice in her room once they were preserved.
"I remember you." Sesshomaru said suddenly.
"And I remember you." She said. "You were shorter."
"Hm." He mused. "You kept your hair in braids."
"Funny, I hadn't thought you would remember. You were never very sociable."
"My father would entertain the other lords. Naturally they would bring their daughters, your sire was no exception. Those empty headed females vied for my attention. It was really quite pathetic." Sesshomaru stared ahead at where Rin was seeing into the past. "However you did not. If this one recalls you were drawn to the gardens."
"The gardens of the western palace were very lovely. They were enjoyable to spend time in while my father attended to business with Lord Toga." Sitting back she looked down at the flowers she had collected.
"My mother had a beautiful garden. After she was killed my father forbade anyone from entering them again condemning the place to die with her."
Turning her attention to Sesshomaru for the first time fully since they had begun this arrangement she gave a small smirk. "I suppose if the western palace is no more than those gardens are gone too."
"Once it became known how my father died his most trusted kinsmen razed the western shiro to the ground. There has been no reason for this one to return to those grounds." Sesshomaru stated.
"It branded me among the other courts and packs, leaving myself to my own devices. How sardonic that after all the years of gaining power to truly be able to rule the western lands this Sesshomaru has thrown it away for the very same reason my sire lost his life."
"The humans are so different." Izumi said softly. Turning her attention to Rin watching as she knelt down holding one of the dragons heads in her lap. "It isn't hard to see why you would choose to be among them."
"Just Rin." He expressed. "If not for her then I would not be. She is whom I protect."
"Kohaku has told this one of how he traveled and learned from you as a boy. I find it ironic." Izumi mused.
"The situation with Kohaku at first was a precarious one. Once the matter was settled he chose to accompany me further."
"He thinks very highly of you my lord, as does Rin."
"It would seem as if you have become well acquainted with both of them."
"It seems so." Izumi gave a slight nod. Taking a breath and looking at the sky her mood seemed to sullen. "It will be difficult to return to the eastern house after this affair has been settled. Now that I have tasted some freedoms and real friendships the other life seems so empty."
"It is your choice whether you wish to or not." Sesshomaru said meeting her eyes. "If you choose to return this one will personally see to it that you are, especially given at that time you will be carrying my offspring."
"And if I choose not too." Izumi felt her chest tighten as she inadvertently held her breath waiting for him to speak.
"Do as you please. Stay or go wherever you like." Sesshomaru said.
"May I speak candidly?" She asked.
"We have been."
"Sesshomaru, I don't want to be with you in such a way. The idea terrifies me. My hand was forced in this but I complied because it's what must be done, at least it was what I have always been told." Closing her eyes and lowering her head slightly Izumi gripped the front of her kimono tightly.
"My father has no male heirs, only me. He doesn't believe that a female can rule. It is his desire for me to produce a male in order to take over for him and acquire the west. He will burn the lands if I don't comply. He will hurt Rin…he will…"
Feeling a warm hand grasp hers her eyes shot open widely as she suddenly realized she was shaking. Sesshomaru gripped her hand to settle her.
"We will do what we must but it will be on our terms, not theirs. We will unite and protect Rin." He said soothingly.
"Yes." Izumi managed out breathing relief.
"Izu, I am glad it was you. There is no one else that we once knew whom would accept this way of life as easily as you have." Sesshomaru said sincerely.
"Lord Sesshomaru! Izu! The lightening bugs are out." Rin shouted happily as the sun began to set and the small lights from the insects began to glow around their small compound.
"As am I." Izumi replied. "All I ask is to see Kohaku again before we breed."
"Like I said, on our own terms." Sesshomaru reiterated. Izumi gave another nod as he let go of her hand.