As Rin backed away slightly supporting herself with her hands on either side of Izumi she stared into her friends grey eyes as if trying to assess what she had made of their kiss.
"Izu." Rin said finally when she hadn't.
"Yes Rin?"
"No offense but I much prefer kissing Lord Sesshomaru." Rin replied. Smirking up at her Izumi sighed and shook her head slightly.
"None taken." Izumi took her in and thought for a moment. "That type of affection isn't meant for us."
"Agreed." Rin gave a nod sitting up. "Will you come out of your room now?"
Izumi propped herself up on her elbows and looked towards the door. "I suppose. Whatever I decide to do with my fathers situation I cannot stay in here. I have to speak with Kohaku."
"I am going to catch some fish. If you want to join me." She said standing.
"Maybe later." Izu said. Rin gave a small wave of acknowledgment and left her to her own devices hoping that she would finally come out on her own.
Walking outside she saw Kohaku speaking with the soldier, Riku. She noticed that the two seemed to have some interests as they both had been trained from an early age in the art of weapons and defense.
"Lady Rin." Riku greeted respectfully bowing his head slightly.
"Riku, Kohaku." She said friendly.
"Lady Rin, how is Lady Izumi?" Kohaku asked formally.
"Better. I am hoping she leaves her chambers today." Rin smiled at him and he seemed to sigh relief. "I will see you both later."
"Do you wish me to accompany you my lady?" Riku questioned dutifully.
"No thank you Riku." Rin waved him off. "I won't be far off." As they both watched Rin walk in the direction of the small pond Riku took it upon himself to stand guard close to the manor.
Kohaku grasped the chain of his kusurigama taking it by the hilt when his eyes moved to the deck to see Izumi sitting and staring at him.
"Lady Izumi." He greeted with a small nod.
"Kohaku." She breathed out. "Will you sit with me?"
"Of course." Walking up the few steps he sat placing his weapon down beside him.
"I am not upset with you." Izu said. "There were many things I had to think about. It did me more harm than good, just thinking."
"What happened with your father was traumatic. I didn't think you were mad at me Izu." Kohaku said. "I was afraid that you would push us away, that you wouldn't want to be with me anymore."
"No, never." Izumi turned towards him. "I need you." Reaching for her hand Kohaku smirked gently. He looked nervous. "What's wrong?"
"The thought of losing you was terrifying. My mind just came up with all of these scenarios where you left or refused me." Kohaku stated. "It made me relive my sins and have to, once again, confront and overcome them."
"I'm sorry. Kohaku I didn't think that…"
"Do not apologize. It has nothing to do with you. Sometimes I'm okay and at terms with my past. Others, things happen and it sets off my mind putting me in a dark place." Kohaku closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
Izumi entwined their fingers together for reassurance. Opening his eyes he looked at her straight with resolve in his light brown orbs. "I killed my father and his men. I nearly killed Sango before I, myself, was killed. Shot down by human soldiers."
It was not what Izumi had expected to hear. Still she remained quiet and her features did not quark as he searched her eyes.
"My father was the headman in our village, the leader of the demon slayers. My sister and I we were expected to become great warriors, me especially being his only son."
"Sango is an amazing fighter. She has always been just fantastic. I was timid, shy, and scared to fight demons but I wanted to make everyone proud. It was the first assignment that I had ever participated in and I was possessed by a demon named Naraku. He saw into my heart and twisted my weaknesses."
"He used me for his amusement. Naraku took on the guise of a human lord and used that position for as long as he could to his advantage. He resurrected me with a shard of the sacred jewel and forced me to relive what I had done over and over again until my mind broke. He made me a deal, he would take my memories and I would become his servant."
Izumi couldn't stand it any longer loosening their hands to wrap her arms around him tightly. One arm went around his shoulders while the other went around the back of his head as if it would shelter him from all of the bad.
"It is not your fault." She soothed.
"That is what everyone says." He whispered back wrapping his arms around her tightly. "Still, I live with it. Every single day."
"Thank you for sharing your burden with me." Izu said sincerely. "I am not going anywhere, at least not without you."
Kohaku let out a relieved sigh as if he were holding his breath.
"I love you Izumi." Placing his head against her shoulder she held him as she felt the dampness from his tears soak into her clothing.
With Rin returning with a cache of fish that she had caught with her hands Lady Iku insisted on cleaning them and preparing most to smoke while preparing some for Rin and Kohaku to eat.
"I thought that demons did not eat human food." Rin said watching as she skillfully descaled and cleaned the fish.
"There are many skills one can acquire over the course of a lifetime my lady." Iku replied.
Nodding in agreement Rin made her way into the house where Kohaku and Izumi were sitting. Izu sat at the drawing table penning a letter concentrating on what she was writing.
Quietly Rin sat down pouring herself some tea that had been prepared. Huffing Izumi took the paper and crumpled it tossing it on the ground. Replacing the ink brush into the bottle she appeared disheartened.
"Izumi, when Lord Sesshomaru returns would you like to share the news with our mates?" Rin asked trying to get her mind onto a happier matter.
Izumi looked up at her for a moment in question as to what she was referring to when she remembered.
"Oh, yes." She agreed although she didn't seem to be very enthusiastic about it. Rin gave a small smirk and sighed sipping the tea.
Practically bouncing up from her seated position Rin greeted Sesshomaru with an embrace. Smiling widely she settled next to him as he sat across from Kohaku and Izumi.
"Go ahead Izu." Rin encouraged excitedly. It was difficult not to get caught up in Rins enthusiasm as it exuded from her very being. Izumi straightened herself out and positioned herself so she could look at all three of them at the same time.
"The pup that I am carrying is a male." She announced.
"You can tell?" Kohaku asked amazed.
"Yes. I can discern his energy from mine and it is masculine." She replied with a nod.
"Are you happy my lord? Izu is having your son!" Rin declared. Sesshomaru remained silent and unmoving for a time as the information sunk in.
"Yes Rin. This is good news." He said finally.
"Have you decided on a name?" Izumi asked him. "You did win the wager after all."
"I have been thinking and it is not just my decision. We have all had a hand in this. We should all decide as a pack." Sesshomaru stated.
"I would very much like a say in what our little one is named." Kohaku agreed.
"Me too." Rin replied eagerly. "It should be something that holds meaning to all of us."
"We should all each make a list of five names that we like. Then we can pick one name from each list and narrow it down from there." Kohaku suggested.
"Good idea." Izumi said. Sesshomaru gave a nod of approval as well.
"With recent events being what they are the soldier and the healer have been staying in close quarters with Jaken. If you both decide to extend their stay then we will need to expand the building in the back." Sesshomaru said looking to Rin and Izumi as he spoke.
"We haven't had a chance to talk about it yet really." Rin replied. "It all depends on what happens next."
"I am not certain what to do." Izumi said when Seshomarus eyes fell on her.
"Do not push yourself to a hasty decision Izu." Sesshomaru said. "These depositions are a process, at times lengthy. Captain Tadao understands the condition that you are in at this time and I highly doubt he would go ahead with a decision without first consulting you as you are now the lady of the east."
"Yes, you're right. The captain is an honorable soldier whom will not take this matter lightly and without counsel." Izu stated.
"For now you should rest, both of you." Sesshomaru said. "There is no need to worry about any of this today. We will approach the subject again in a few days time."
"And have our lists ready." Rin chimed.
"That too." Turning his head to take in his mate he could feel her anticipation nearly crash into him.
"Izumi, would you take a walk with me?" Kohaku asked offering her his arm.
"Always." She said allowing him to help her stand. Exiting the sitting room to go outside Rin leaned into Sesshomaru.
"I felt the baby in Izu move." Rin said softly. "You should ask her if you can feel him."
"What about ours?" He questioned. Sitting back up Rin pressed her hands to her stomach.
"No, not yet. The child I'm carrying is much smaller and will grow more slowly. Soon enough though." She replied. Placing his hand over hers Rin sighed out her contentment.