Suddenly Hisashi was very mobile and everywhere at once it seemed but nowhere to be found unnerving his mothers to no end.
He'd follow Kohaku and Sesshomaru to the door happily yipping at his parents heels only to break out in sad whines when they left to patrol or take care of other matters.
"Hisashi, it's alright son." Rin soothed picking him up to her and cuddling against his head. Kissing between his ears she hummed gently rocking him. "Mama Rin is here, don't be sad my little one."
Izumi tsk'd sighing at the black streaks that still adorned his fur. It would only take time for it to come out. While Rin had found the entire situation endlessly amusing Izumi had been irate.
It was because of this she wouldn't speak to her husband or her sons sire, to which Sesshomaru didn't seem to mind but Kohaku was at his wits end about.
No matter how many times he explained it to her, because in the end it was Kohaku explaining it and not Sesshomaru, it only made her angrier.
"You left them, both of you left our pups alone…in the house with no protection!" Izumi had shouted at both of them standing up from the table. "Knowing that anything could come through that door and take their lives!"
"We were right outside the door Izumi. Nothing would get past us especially when it came to protecting our children." Kohaku countered.
"Izu, it's alright. Both Hisashi and Hotaru are safe, their fathers tried." She had smiled and laughed out.
"Rin…" She had began only to be cut off.
"Izumi, your concerns are not without merit but rest assured that we did not stray farther than the deck and the pups were not left alone for an extended period." Sesshomaru stated.
Shaking her head briskly a few times she suddenly stared him down narrowing her eyes at Sesshomaru.
"And for that short amount of time Hisashi drudged himself through the hearth and into Hotarus basket. What if the ash had still been hot? He could have been hurt!" She challenged. "And seriously injured Hotaru as well!"
"I do not indulge in nuances." He replied sternly. Taking Hisashi from Rin and grasping Hotaru from her basket Izumi left the pack and shut the door to her room with the infants.
Rin hated the fact that she was not speaking to either male but knew that Izumi would eventually come around. Stroking at Hisashis fur she sighed.
"The flowers will be out soon Izu."
"Yes."
"Iku is quite pleased with her new quarters as well as Emi." Smiling wistfully to herself she leaned against the open door frame. "Maybe soon there will be more babies, if Iku and Riku have anymore pups. What do you suppose a half-breed child between Emi and Mitsuo would look like?"
"I am uncertain." Izumi replied.
"Are you not talking with me now as well?" Rin practically sighed out.
"I am talking with you." Izumi countered.
"No, you're not. You are ending the conversation."
"Forgive me for not indulging you for once."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"Exactly how it sounds." Izumi stated bringing her gaze to Rins. Adverting her eyes from Izumi she took a deep breath.
"Fine. Then stay indoors and be miserable." Rin retorted walking outside with Hisashi. She was down the deck and onto the new grass when she heard it.
A deep rumble that sounded out from the forest and approaching fast. Turning her attention she saw the large boar demon barreling down on her quickly.
Opening her mouth to scream she clutched Hisashi to her and turned her back in an attempt to protect him. A growl and snarling bark reached her ears as she glanced backwards.
She saw Izumi fully transformed and running at the demon with her fangs bared.
"Lord Sesshomaru! Kohaku!" Rin screamed watching helplessly as her friend engaged the boar into a fight to get its attention away from Rin.
It was only a moment, Izumi bit down hard on its snout infuriating the creature as it squealed in pain and reared back its head striking her with its tusks.
Izumi howled whining in pain as it tossed her aside.
"Izu!" Rin screamed her tears falling down her face. In an instant Kohakus weapon struck the demon in its side as Sesshomaru made quick work of it with his claws.
"Izumi." Kohaku left his kusurigama in the demon carcass rushing to his wife. Taking off his cloak he held it to her wounds. "Rin, please."
Coming out of her stupor she thrust Hisashi at Sesshomaru. "I need Iku, now!" She commanded. Riku appeared with Nen along with Iku and Emi close behind.
"Lady Izumi." Iku choked out running to her side with Emi.
"Why were the females not being protected?!" Sesshomaru demanded.
"My lord." Riku bowed his head shamefully. "Jiro was tasked with guarding the main house. This one takes full responsibility for his grievous error."
"Find him now." Sesshomaru spat out barely containing his rage.
"Yes my lord." Both Riku and Nen bowed respectfully going off in separate directions to find the other soldier from the west.
"Beautiful girl, my love…Izumi." Kohaku spoke softly to her as Iku, Rin, and Emi inspected the deep wounds on either side of her torso.
"I am…afraid to move her." Iku gasped out. "Her wounds are…"
"She'll heal." Rin said. "Won't she? Demons heal faster than humans."
"With time, yes. A day sometimes a few more but…" Shaking her head Iku only sighed out. "Emi, bring sheets and cloth that we can fasten into bandages."
Kohaku held his cloak to her tightly as Sesshomaru stood guard on high alert. Izumi had been right, he had become complacent and over confident while she had tried to tell them all of dangers in and out of their home.
Now she laid on the ground with her life blood pooling out of her as it had been her whom had protected his mate and their pup.
Sesshomaru felt ashamed at his lack of action and inability to protect all of them.
Ripping sheets Rin and Emi set to work fastening bandages to wrap gingerly around her middle. As long as they stopped the bleeding they could deal with the wounds after.
For the time being Izumis breathing was a bit quicker but not shallow which was a good sign she had not punctured a lung. Her airway sounded clear as well which meant possibly no internal bleeding.
Using the full sheets Kohaku and Emi made a stretcher. Rolling Izumi onto her back they were able to get her onto it.
Sesshomaru placed Hisashi in the fold of his kimono securely assisting them with carefully carrying her into the house and to her room.
Laying her down Iku and Rin tightened the bandages around her and wrapped another sheet to act as a tourniquet around her torso. She laid unconscious as she panted in her restless state.
"Emi, come." Iku commanded. "Lady Rin, we will be right back."
"Yes, thank you." She said. Sesshomaru had taken Hotaru from their own room where she slept in her basket. Sesshomaru placed the moko-moko down alongside Izumi and wrapped Hotaru in it.
He put Hisashi down beside his sister watching as the small boy whimpered sniffing at his mother and nudged his head against her front leg in an attempt to rouse her.
"Your mother will be fine Hisashi." Sesshomaru said. "She just needs to heal."
Kohaku grit his teeth and clenched his jaw visibly shaking with grief, anger. Internally he raged wanting to make something pay for what had happened to his mate.
Wishing futilely that it was him and not her he lowered his head down to hers kissing at her forehead. "Be strong for us. We're right here, all of us are right here."
Rin checked her friends bandages sighing relief that only a small amount of blood seemed to leak through to the outer layer. Lying next to the moko-moko she placed her hand to Izumis face.
"I'll take care of you." Rin whispered out. "No matter what you need, I am here."
"My lords, Lady Rin; Riku has brought back Jiro." Emi said from the doorframe as she came in the room with Iku.
Seething Kohaku stood. Rin sat up watching her child hood friend walk out of the room. She had never seen him in such a state, his rage rolled off of him in waves creating a tension she remembered from him when they were children.
"Attend to Izu and the pups, please." Rin said walking outside after him leaving Sesshomaru to follow behind her.
The soldier Jiro knelt in front of him. He was much younger than Riku from what she understood, he and Nen were twins that had been orphaned at a young age.
Rin trembled watching as Kohaku stood silently staring him down. Biting her tongue as the silence ensued she became anxious needing something to be said.
"Lord Kohaku," Jiro said from his bowed position, "It was not this ones intention to leave the Lady Izumi and Lady Rin unattended. This one apologizes for his actions."
"Lady Izumi has been injured, seriously, protecting Lady Rin and the pups. Lord Sesshomaru and I trusted you, commanded you to stand guard. Did we not?" Kohakus tone was even and authoritative but had dangerous undertones to it.
"Yes my lord." Jiro replied. "This one will accept whatever punishment my lords see fit to deliver."
"I had fully intended to." Kohaku stated. "It would not be wise to make a decision out of anger and I am…furious. For now I am removing you from your post. Jiro, you are to assist Mitsuo with his work until the pack decides what is it to be done with you."
"Understood my lord." He acquiesced.
"Leave my sight." Kohaku commanded.
"Yes Lord Kohaku." Standing quickly Jiro bowed to the three of them before moving quickly to go behind the household.
Kohaku went back into the house. Riku and Nen both had taken a knee as well with their heads bowed.
"Explain." Sesshomarus voice boomed.
"Lord Sesshomaru, Jiro explained to this Riku that he had sensed the boar demon some ways off. He had thought to cut it off before it appeared within proximity to the household." Riku replied. "Jiro is young my lord and has much to learn. As his captain I take full responsibility for his actions."
"It was a mistake. Jiro misjudged is all." Rin said. "Now Izu is…"
"Riku, patrol the perimeter to ensure that there are no others. Nen, stand guard or are you as inept as your litter mate?" Sesshomaru sneered.
"No Lord Sesshomaru." Nen responded.
"Then do it. Rin, come." Leading her back into the house they went to Izumi and Kohakus chamber. Iku washed her hands in a basin as Emi had an arm load of bloodied cloth.
"Lord Sesshomaru, Lady Rin; as this one just informed Lord Kohaku the next few hours will be critical for Lady Izumi." Iku informed.
"Understood." Sesshomaru said. "My mate will be able to further assist Lady Izumi."
"Of course my lord. Emi." Iku bowed before commanding the younger demon.
"Emi, explain to your mate that the soldier Jiro will be assisting him until further notice." Sesshomaru stated.
"Yes, my lord." Emi bowed respectfully. Looking to Rin she took a breath. "Rin, please let us know how Izu is doing in a few hours."
"I will Emi." Rin replied. As the two females left the room and closed the door both Rin and Sesshomaru turned to Kohaku and Izumi.
She was still unconscious in her demon form. Kohaku sat up with her head in his lap holding Hisashi whom settled against him appearing deeply distressed.
Hotaru slept beside Izumi wrapped still in the moko-moko blissfully unaware of what had occurred. Rin went to Kohaku wrapping her arms around his shoulders to offer him comfort.
Sesshomaru sat on the edge of the futon placing his hand to Hotarus head lightly stroking the wispy strands from her forehead.
"What am I going to do Rin?" Kohaku asked leaning into her. Cuddling him she shushed him.
"Izumi will be just fine." Rin said. "She just needs to rest."
"Right." Kohaku sounded less than convinced bringing his hand to rest against his wifes head.