A/N: Hello. So, how was that for awkwardness last chapter? Nothing like having a baby and having your sex life all thrown off in the worst, most stupid way.
Don't worry. I'm sure they'll work through it.
Enjoy!
Izumi wasted no time in summoning Iku to her room and asking Rin to join them. Bringing Hisashi with her the women sat in across from one another close to the hearth.
"I think I may be broken." Izu said bluntly.
"Why do you say that Izu?" Rin questioned knitting her brows together.
"My mate engaged me in mating however it was not the same as it has been. It was not very satisfying or at least not as much as it has been up until I whelped Hisashi." She explained.
Iku looked as if she were holding back a smirk as she listened to her. "My lady I understand and know what it is that is troubling you. Rest assured, it is perfectly normal."
"When will it fix itself?" She inquired.
"Not until you are ready to breed again in a few years time. The way our bodies react when we are bred is to ensure we are impregnated." Iku stated. "Once we have successfully conceived our bodies still act in the way they do to make certain our mates successfully bond with us and the pup."
"Wait, you are telling me that I won't be pleasured in the same way as I have been?" Izumi more demanded than questioned as she stared vapidly at the healer.
"It does not mean that you will not be satisfied it simply will be different than what you have become accustomed to." She replied calmly.
"Kohaku knew. He could tell that something wasn't the same. He stopped before he finished. What if this…affects our bond." Izumi wondered more to herself than to the other too.
Rin understood all too well how she felt. If suddenly she were unable to satisfy Sesshomaru she would be devastated.
"You should talk with Kohaku." Rin suggested. "I know that he will listen."
"If I may, my ladies, speak freely?" Iku asked.
"You are always free to speak your mind Iku." Rin said surprised she had asked for permission.
"If your mate were a demon, one of our kind, then you would not feel so rushed to mate so soon after whelping." Nothing but concern came from Iku as she voiced her opinion. "Human males are impulsive and driven by carnal desires."
"Just humans?" Izumi queried back sounding annoyed. "I have come across quite a few of our kind just as worse."
"Lady Izumi, a male of our kind would be able to sense when you are ready and not rush you." Iku said.
"Kohaku did not rush me into anything. We engaged one another." Izu replied. "Thank you Lady Iku, you may go."
Standing she gave a slight bow. "Yes my lady." Leaving the room Rin watched as Izumi shook her head clearly frustrated.
"It has not been very long since you had Hisashi. Maybe it was too soon. I have always advised human women to wait some weeks if they can to avoid any injury or complications." Rin said.
"You know what? I will not be stressed out over this." Izumi turned her attention to Rin. "You were right, I will talk with Kohaku and we will figure this out.
"Good." Rin said glancing up at the skylights. "It's getting dark already. Lets go the sitting room. I'm sure that Lord Sesshomaru and Kohaku will be along shortly."
With a nod Izumi picked up Hisashi swaddling him into his blanket and following Rin to the table sitting across from one another waiting for their mates.
It wasn't long before both Sesshomaru and Kohaku returned from patrol with they stopped just outside the door. Sesshomaru spoke to Kohaku and Riku quietly before dismissing the other.
Both Rin and Izumi followed them with their eyes as they entered their home sitting beside their respective partners.
"Are you well wife?" Kohaku asked concerned.
"Yes, thank you husband." Izumi replied confidently.
"Rin." Sesshomaru looked to her from her seat beside him.
"I am fairing well my lord." She said with a smile.
"Izu. I have informed both the western and eastern houses of Hisashis birth. Undoubtedly both will come to confirm the declaration. Assist Rin with preparations to the household to accommodate guests." Sesshomaru stated.
"Of course." Izumi agreed.
"As we were discussing with Riku, we will ensure that any who may come will abide by the rules set by our pack my lord." Kohaku assured.
"Very good." Nodding in acceptance he turned to Rin. "I have a confession to make mate."
"My lord?" Meeting his gaze Rin blinked a few times taken aback by the suddenness.
"Some time ago now you asked if I would be able to discern what the gender is of our pup." He said. "I have known since before Hisashi was born and have not said."
"That is alright Lord Sesshomaru." Rin replied brightly.
"Would you like to know?" He smirked at her gently. Taking a slow breath and biting down on her lower lip she let out small giggle.
"Hmmm." Thinking about it she absently rubbed her stomach and looked to Izumi. "What do you think Izu?"
"It is up to you Rin. I would very much like to know but we can all wait if that is what you decide."
"That is not a very helpful answer." She laughed out. "Okay, yes. Please Lord Sesshomaru, tell us."
"You are carrying a female."
"A girl?!" Rin enthused her eyes sparkling brightly as she clapped her hands together happily. "Oh my lord! We're having a daughter!" Hugging him tightly he rested his hand against the top of her head.
"Congratulations Lord Sesshomaru, Rin." Kohaku smiled.
"Hisashi, you are going to have a small sister." Izumi coo'd nuzzling the top of his head that peaked through the warmth of the blanket.
Rins happiness soon gave way to overwhelming sobs despite her best effort not to cry. Burying her face against her husbands kimono she wept.
"I'm sorry. I can't help myself." Gulping down air in an effort to regain her composure she felt Sesshomarus arms wrap around her and effortlessly lift her up to carry her into their room.
"Poor Rin." Kohaku stated at her pathetic state.
"She will be fine." Standing she summoned Kohaku to follow her. Once in their own room she took Hisashi from his blanket checking him to make sure he was still clean.
Kohaku placed his Kusurigama on the wall and hung up the heavy cloak he wore before tending to the hearth to ensure it was warm enough in the room for Hisashi.
Settling comfortably to nurse against their pillows Izumi watched Kohaku as he moved about the room placing the kettle into the bucket of water they kept for whatever they needed it for.
"Kohaku." Izumi said as he hung the kettle over the fire from the large hook set over the hearth and bolted into the floor. "Can we speak about what happened earlier outside?"
Sitting beside her he made himself comfortable placing his arm around her shoulders. "I was worried I had hurt you." He said.
"No mate. You didn't. The fact that I did not react to you the way we're used too bothered me." She replied. "It hurt me that I could not satisfy you."
"There's no need to feel that way." Kohaku assured. "I feel the need to apologize to you."
"What for?" Turning her head to him she saw his downturned mouth as if he felt ashamed for something.
"From the start we have been intimate and have engaged in a sexual relationship. If I have made you feel that that is all I want from you or that is what our marriage is based upon then I have been a very poor mate."
"Oh sweet boy, I don't think that way at all." Izumi placed her free hand to rest against his placed on her shoulder. "I believe our relationship is based on the strength of our bond. We were meant to be together. I do need you to know that I spoke with both Rin and Iku. Until I am ready to breed again then sex will not be the same as we have become accustomed to."
"Sex means nothing to me Izu. It is just a nice bonus." Smirking crookedly his eyes softened. "I love you and there many other ways for us to show one another how we care without it."
"I am not saying we can't. It just won't be the same." Izumi cleared. "Because I do very, very much enjoy mating with you."
"As do I." Snickering slightly at her proclamation he nuzzled her nose with his. "Beautiful girl. How fortunate I am to have such a loving wife and healthy son."
Feeling suddenly embarrassed as a blush crept across her tanned skin Kohaku smiled widely catching her lips in a kiss.
Sesshomaru wrapped Rin up in the moko-moko and held her to him tightly once he removed his armor. Sniffling she snuggled into the fur and against her husband.
"All is well my little mate." He soothed. "My beautiful Rin." Hearing her soft sigh as she calmed against him she wiped at her eyes.
"I am a mess." She whispered. "All I want to do is fall apart but I can't…"
"Then fall apart." Sesshomaru said. "I am here, Izumi is here to care for you. Kohaku will assist me in providing for you. You have nothing to worry about and not a thing to prove."
"I like to take care of everyone, make sure that all of you are well." She retorted.
"Do you remember how concerned you were about Izumis well being during the end of her pregnancy?" Nodding she brought her eyes to rest on him as he spoke. "You should take your own advice to heart."
"You're right." She acquiesced. "As soon as the houses come and go then I will relax more."
"Or, you can dictate to Izumi and Iku what you would like done."
"Yeah, that sounds like a good idea." She yawned out closing her eyes. "I am so happy Lord Sesshomaru, that we'll be having a daughter."
Stroking her hair as she fell asleep he couldn't agree with her more.