A/N: Hello dear readers. Question, did chapter 30 post? I was having a lot of trouble with it and I'm not sure it did. It kept giving me an error and then when I deleted it and replaced it it never notified me that it was posted.

Let me know. Thanks.

Enjoy!

Kohaku watched as he was fairly certain his wife was slowly losing her mind. Standing beside their futon Izumi arranged the pillows and blankets a certain way, inspected it, then moved them around again before repeating.

He had asked her what she was doing when he entered their bedroom only to have her literally snap at him with her fangs. Now he stood wide eyed as she further frustrated herself.

"Should I get Rin or Iku?" He questioned at a loss as to her distress. Turning to him with her hands on her hips she seemed to stare through him.

"That's what I need." She muttered walking out of the room. Further perplexed he followed her to the sitting room where Rin sat with Sesshomaru.

Leaning against him with the sliding doors open to reveal the chill autumn day she had a cup of soothing mint tea to relax with.

"Izu? Rin saw as the other female came into the room with a scowl clear across her features. She didn't answer her but seemed to zero in on Sesshomaru.

Reaching for his moko-moko she brushed her fingers against it in an attempt to grasp it from him only to have him stand quickly placing a hand protectively over his fur.

"What are you doing Izumi?" He questioned facing her.

"I need that." She pointed at it and attempted to grasp it again only to have Sesshomaru move slightly out of her reach.

"It is mine."

"I don't care. I need it for your scent."

"I will provide you with something else of mine to nest with."

"No. I want that!"

"Then you should have brought your own."

"I don't want mine, I want yours!"

"No." Moving their fight outside Izumi had managed to take the end of the moko-moko in her hands and pulled on it as Sesshomaru held it in place.

"Rin, are you…seeing this?" Kohaku asked trying not to laugh. Rin couldn't hold it in and soon had tears streaming down her face watching the two fight over his fur like puppies.

"They're adorable." She finally managed out wiping her face. Both now baring their fangs at one another and growling Sesshomaru yanked the moko-moko back towards him taking Izumi with it in the process.

Catching her with one arm so she didn't fall to the ground he shook her hands loose placing her back down.

"Listen Sesshomaru; I do not want it but your son does. It will drive me insane until I get it into my bed." Izumi appealed. Narrowing his eyes at her he opened his mouth to speak when they heard the familiar shout of Jakens voice.

Both glancing upwards to see him arriving on An-Un landing some feet away from them. In one hand he carried his staff as always. In the other he had a sealed envelope and something wrapped around his wrist.

Lord Sesshomaru! Lady Izumi!" He called out coming to a stop in front of both of them. Squaring her shoulders Izumi knew he had news and from the looks of it it wasn't the best. "My lady. Captain Tadao has requested I give this to you as your humble servant."

Handing her the letter she took it from him more interested in what was around his wrist. Handing that to her as well it was a simple piece of leather string with a key attached to the end of it.

Holding it in the palm of her hand she ran her thumb over the brass. Looking to Jaken she cleared her throat.

"Tell me, what transpired in the east?"

"I think it best for you to read the captains letter my lady." Jaken suggested.

"Just tell me."

"Lord Akio has been executed." Jaken said. "His attempt on your life was the breaking point for your council my lady. Your father had plunged the east into countless wars over the years, senseless, that did no good for anyone. The key was found on his…person."

The shudder that ran through Izumi was visible. She closed her hand around the key and gripped it tightly. "What is it to my lady?"

"My mother's gardens." She whispered. The air suddenly felt colder and bit into her despite her heavier clothing she wore this time of year. Closing her eyes she let out a shaky breath feeling the tears begin to well as something soft and warm enveloped her.

Coming to full alert quickly she had the moko-moko wrapped around her shoulders. Burying her face into it she gave a slight nod to Sesshomaru in thanks. "I will be lying down in my chambers."

Walking back into the house Rin watched her friend go and Kohaku follow after her. Closing her own eyes she worried over her friend and their little one Hisashi.

Placing her cup down she let out a heavy sigh as Sesshomaru reentered the house. Taking his seat beside Rin he stared out at the open doors.

"That was very kind of you my lord to offer Izu your fur." She said softly.

"I was only teasing her. Eventually I would have let her have it." He said.

"Why does she want it so badly?" Rin wondered curiously.

"It is the closest personal affect of mine. Therefore it not only has my scent but also it has been effused with my aura for, well my entire life. As close as she is to Kohaku her instincts will seek me out for comfort as she comes closer to delivering the pup." He explained.

"That makes sense." Looking to her mate Rin felt a small smirk tugging on her lips. "Your scent and your strength have always been an immense source of comfort to me. You always made me feel so safe."

Placing her hand to her burgeoning belly she recalled being small and wrapped up in the moko-moko to be kept warm on chill nights. She hadn't understood the significance of it when she was young but knew it was something special he would not do for just anyone. "Lady Iku has said it is only a short time now before Izu gives birth."

"And you? When will you?" Sesshomaru asked.

"Late winter, early spring. Depends on how the weather holds outs as to what season it is."

"Will you need Kaede and Kagomes assistance?"

"Lady Iku is more than qualified to assist me. She has been instructing me on what to do when Izumi has Hisashi and I have been telling her how to tend to a human woman in labor." Rin said. "Lady Kaede, Kagome, and Sango wouldn't be able to come out at that time. Especially not Sango. I suspect she'll give birth before I do."

"Rin. I want to apologize. Do not think for one moment that Izumi has taken precedence over you." He said suddenly. "It seems as if since she has entered our lives much of us revolves around her."

"Lord Sesshomaru, I don't think that at all. She is going through a difficult time and needs extra care and attention. You still have not asked her to feel the baby, have you?" Turning her attention towards him his silence was all the answer she needed.

Standing Rin offered him her hand. "Come with me. I think Kohaku needs help to console Izumi." Accepting her outstretched hand he followed her down the short hall past their own room to the one next to theirs.

Rapping on the panel Rin opened the sliding door at Kohakus behest. Izumi sat on the edge of her futon with the moko-moko still wrapped securely around her shoulders. Her feet rested on the lower platform as Kohaku sat beside her holding her hand.

Practically dragging Sesshomaru into the room she shut the door and went over to them. Immediately wrapping her arms around her from behind and resting her head against Izumis shoulder.

Taking a breath Sesshomaru knelt down in front of her taking the hand that held the key holding it tightly. Pressing his forehead to hers to nuzzle her he felt her trembling. Emitting a deep growl he felt her relax slightly to lean back against Rin.

Squeezing both his and Kohakus hands she let out a whimper. Kohaku placed his head against her shoulder as Rin buried her face into Izumis hair.

With her hands resting against her front Rin sought out Sesshomarus other hand with hers. Taking it she placed it against Izumis stomach palm down with her own over his.

Quieting her whimpers she leaned into the pack more closing her eyes before falling asleep.