A/N: Thank you everyone for all of your support on the last chapter and reassurances. I want to especially say a huge thanks to Reaper007 for sending me a list of sessxrin authors on here that I can read up on.

A few of them have reached out to me regarding this story already but there are quite a few that I haven't found yet so I will for be checking them out.

Enjoy!

It was late. The fire in the hearth had died down considerably leaving Sesshomaru to debate whether or not to add another piece of wood onto it. It wasn't cold in their room but then again his tolerance for such things as changes in temperature was higher than Rins.

Although if he stayed beside her the way they were on their futon he didn't doubt he could keep her warm enough throughout the night. He tucked the blanket around them more securely as he ran his hand over her stomach.

Smirking to himself he thought about what she had asked him, if he could tell what the sex of their offspring was. He didn't know if she had actually wanted to know or if it was just one of her many passing thoughts.

Deciding himself that he was curious about it he closed his eyes flaring his energy slightly to focus on and connect with the new life force apart from Rins.

As he reached out he felt their pup moving under his hand as if it were seeking him out in answer. Growling low in his chest at the movement Sesshomaru felt the little ones energy spike considerably as it was suddenly a flurry of activity on all sides of its mother's womb.

"Hm." He mused to himself as he reopened his eyes knowing full well what gender their child was. Rin remained blissfully unaware in sleep as he pushed aside the blanket slightly to nuzzle her abdomen. "Be calm and let your mother rest."

Growling low again it seemed to settle the pup considerably as it stilled. Placing his ear down to her stomach he listened to his wife's inner workings, the most predominant sound being her heart beat.

He remembered the first time he took notice of the steady beat was after he had brought her back with the Tensaiga. The first time he had held her close to him and waited with bated breath hearing the slow restart of her heart.

Her breathing had started shortly after as she released a small soft sigh before opening her eyes to meet his gaze holding him in place for a moment with her big brown orbs. If only he knew then in that instant she had captured him so.

Placing the blanket back over her he sat up cupping her cheek gently. Sighing he glanced back over to the hearth knowing it would be best for her to bring it back to life.

As he stood he heard the light but quick rapping on the door panel. Adjusting his yukata he knew it was Kohaku. Walking the short distance he slid open the door.

"Lord Sesshomaru, Izumi is in pain. It may be time for her to give birth." He cleared his throat but Sesshomaru could still hear the breathlessness of his voice.

"I will wake Rin. Go to your mate for now. I will send Rin to you and fetch Lady Iku." He said. Kohaku gave a nod turning to his room while Sesshomaru went back to his wife. "Rin." Placing a hand on her shoulder and rubbing down her arm she sighed opening her eyes sleepily.

"Yes my lord?" Groggily she smiled at him even as her lids began to fall back down as she wasn't fully awake.

"Izumi may be ready to whelp." He said. In a shot she sat up ripping her blanket off of her. Standing she quickly fixed her robe and ran to the other room.

Opening the door widely Izumi was leaning against her pillows panting with her eyes shut tightly. Kohaku rubbed her back close to her hips above her tail slowly.

Greeting Rin he looked worried. With a smile she walked in closing the door behind her.

"Is it time?" He asked.

"Let me see." Walking to the futon she waited until Izumi reopened her eyes and met hers.

Her friend rested her head against Rins arm as she seemed to tense.

"Oh, you're close Izu. Kohaku please fetch clean sheets and water to boil."

"Of course Rin." Kohaku stood quickly rushing out the door. "I'm certain that Lord Sesshomaru is getting Lady Iku. I will assist her." Placing her hand to Izumis stomach she felt the contractions that gripped her, they were strong.

When she relaxed and her muscles eased Rin ran her hand over the top of her head. "Have you been in pain for long?" Rin questioned receiving a small head shake.

"Was it sudden?" Getting a nod she watched as another wave gripped Izu causing her to whine softly. "We'll get through this. I am right here my dear friend."

As Iku entered with Kohaku behind her he set water to heat up over their hearth throwing more wood on. "Thank you Kohaku." Rin said.

"Is there anything else I can do?" Kohaku asked.

"Lord Kohaku," Iku addressed, "Will you be staying to watch Lady Izumi whelp?"

"Stay?" He asked somewhat dumbfounded. Getting a nod in response he looked to Rin. "Um, I was alway told that the males could bring back bad luck witnessing a birth."

"That is a superstition." Rin stated.

"If you do not want too that is fine as well. Lord Sesshomaru declined. As Lady Izumis mate you may if you wish." She said. As Kohaku sat beside her Rin moved out of way to make space.

"Izumi, do you want me to stay?" In response she placed her head in his lap and nuzzled his hand with her snout. "Alright then love. I won't leave your side."

As the minutes passed her contractions came faster and increased in intensity. She stood up and laid down getting no relief from the constant pain that seemed relentless.

Whines became whimpers that forced howls and yelps from her as she squeezed her eyes shut panting hard. Kohaku held onto her when she needed him to and backed away when she didn't.

Rin brought over clean sheets as her water broke and her howls became loud barks and snarls as she braced herself with each new clench of her muscles.

"You're so close Izu." Rin said from her backside watching as Iku moved Izus tail aside as she tucked it underneath her out of instinct. Placing her hand between her hips she looked to Rin.

"Lady Rin, please ready the blanket and your knife." Iku requested. Grasping the items that Rin had put close by she saw Izumi baring down as she squatted her haunches down with her front legs pin straight supporting her.

Resting her head against Kohakus shoulder she growled loudly as he stroked her paws gently. "I'm here love. You're amazing beautiful girl." He whispered in her ear kissing the side of her head.

"Here he comes!" Rin exclaimed excitedly as the small body began to protrude slightly from his mother. She paid close attention as Iku put her fingers on either side of Izumi stretching her slightly to allow the pup easier exit.

With a yelp from Izumi Rin caught the newborn in the blanket she had as Iku broke the membrane that surrounded him. Sitting back Izumi looked down moving to Hisashi licking at him and nuzzling him with her nose.

"Look at him Kohaku." Rin said running her hand over their sons small back. Hisashi was the size of a small human newborn but appeared as a puppy.

"I see him." Kohaku whispered out overcome with emotion. Settling back when Hisashi began to whine and yelp Izumi leaned against Kohaku.

He wrapped an arm around her as she laid down resting her head on his lap. "Lady Rin, please present the pup to Lord Sesshomaru for his acceptance." Iku said cutting the cord on his abdomen and tying it off.

"Acceptance?" Rin asked her eyes falling on the healer.

"Yes. The sire must accept the pup in order for him to join the pack." Iku said simply.

"Oh, he will accept this child." Rin grit her teeth and wrapped Hisashi in the blanket for warmth holding him to her. Placing her nose to the top of his head she breathed in his scent kissing between his small floppy ears.

She saw Izumi watching her anxiously as she stood. "Don't worry Izu." Rin soothed walking out the door briskly.

Moving to the sitting room she held the whimpering bundle to her chest tightly stopping in front of the door to outside.

"Lord Sesshomaru, please come in here." She said loudly enough for him to hear her. Quickly he entered and froze in place with his eyes going wide. "Close the door. It's too cold for Hisashi."

Sliding it shut he stood still otherwise. "This is your son, Hisashi. You will accept him." Rin said. When he still made no move she closed the gap to him. "Sesshomaru, hold your son."

Placing Hisashi between them she held him in one arm taking Sesshomarus and bending it up against his middle. Still holding the newborn she used his arm to support Hisashi.

Finally glancing down at the blanket he took a deep breath as Rin moved the top of it aside and he saw the silvery short fur atop a small head. The small yelps from the pup were strong as he wiggled in the blanket with his eyes still fused shut.

"Come on. Lets go to Izu and Kohaku with our son." Rin coaxed. His gaze went to hers when she spoke and she took in his shocked expression. "It's alright my dear husband."

"Rin…" He managed out before swallowing hard.

"Yes my lord?" Bringing his attention back down to Hisashi he placed his arm more securely to hold their son to him. Lowering his head he sniffed the top of his pups head licking at him gently.

Rins tension released as she watched him nuzzle the small boy with his nose. "Will they want me present?" He questioned.

"Of course. We're pack." She replied with a smile. Handing Hisashi back to Rin he followed her down the hall to Izumis room.

Entering Iku had already cleaned Izumi and replaced the sheets with clean ones tying off the soiled linens. Rin smiled widely as Kohaku greeted both of them with Izumi lying on her side and Kohaku still supporting her head on his lap.

Feeling something push her in the back slightly she turned to see Sesshomaru behind her, he had transformed into his true form as well.

She had only ever seen him twice in his demon form and once had been in battle, he had been a giant but now he stood to her midsection.

Smiling even wider it wasn't lost on Sesshomaru as her eyes widened and she seemed to nearly bounce on her toes with excitement. She was able to contain herself for the time being as they both brought Hisashi back to Izumi.

Rin unwrapped the blanket from him putting him down at Izumis chest assisting him to latch onto her breast to suckle milk. Watching as he nursed for the first time Izumi coddled him with her nose before looking to Rin who placed her forehead to Izus.

"Thank you for our son. He is perfect Izumi. Good job." She said happily. Giving Kohaku a squeeze around his shoulders she sat beside him as Sesshomaru approached her.

Izumi stared at him wide eyed as she took in his natural state. Quaking a brow at her as if he were asking her, what, she smirked at him before laying her head back down against her mate.

Sighing out tiredly she closed her eyes breathing relief that it was over. Sesshomaru nuzzled his snout to hers before moving behind her to lie down. Resting his head against Izumis he licked at the top of her head.

Shaking her head she glanced back at him and groaned at the gesture. Snorting at her Sesshomaru placed her head back down with his paw to settle her.

Rin placed her hand to his head and giggled softly. "I don't think Izu likes you doing that my lord."

"Lord Sesshomaru was just showing you his appreciation mate." Kohaku said understanding the gesture. Breathing out Izumi only shook her head again.

Rin settled against her friends side as Kohaku wrapped his arm around her shoulders. Sesshomaru laid his head down on Izumis shoulder where he could watch Hisashi as he eagerly fed.

Sighing out Rin let her happy tears fall.