A/N: Here we go. Lets see if the pack is strong enough to fix themselves or if it just won't work out after all.
Enjoy!
The next few days were tentative. Sesshomaru kept close watch over Riku and the other males instructing them more closely than usual.
Rin assisted Izumi as she healed from her injuries passing the children more to Iku and Emi than normal.
At the same time Kohaku was dealing with his own mental anguish and was in no condition to handle any type of responsibility.
"We need to discuss what to do with Jiro from the west." Sesshomaru said sitting at the table with Rin and Izumi. "Izu, do you know what Kohakus position is on this?"
"If it were up to Kohaku at this time he'd take Jiros head more than likely." She sighed out. Rin gasped lightly and thinned her lips.
"Kohaku is not himself and would regret that decision." Rin stated.
"Execution is what is normally done in these circumstances." Sesshomaru said.
"Lord Sesshomaru, we are not executing Jiro." Rin retorted whipping her head in his direction.
"No." He assured. "However he should not go unpunished."
"It was a mistake. We all make mistakes." She replied.
"That put you and Hisashi in mortal danger nearly killing Izumi." Sesshomaru responded.
"I am sitting right here…" Izumi offered as they went on about the matter.
"Jiro has been punished enough my lord." Rin interjected. "We'll make sure that it doesn't happen again."
"I am not willing to potentially sacrifice any one of you in that type of gamble." Sesshomaru practically snapped. "Kohaku put the males into place and we expected them to comply. Jiro failed. He returns to the west."
"Isn't it up to Izumi and I? As the females of this pack?"
"Not this. Any and all matters that pertain to the soldiers fall upon the males." Watching as Rin huffed and looked away from him he knew she was upset with him. It was rare but did happen, it made him so very miserable to know she was.
"If I may," Izumi spoke up, "Sesshomaru, while your deposition on the matter does make sense at this time we cannot afford to send away a willing and able body."
"Elaborate." Flicking his gaze to Izumi she squared hers at his.
"Sending Jiro off would mean one less solider. Who is to say that Nen will not follow him back? That would leave yourself and Riku." Izumi said. "While I have no doubts Sesshomaru that you are willing and able to protect both females along with the pups, it would make things easier for the time being to reinstate Jiro until Kohaku is well enough and we can visit this matter further."
"No. Not reinstate." Sesshomaru counter argued. "As far as this one is concerned that one has lost all right to protect the dragons let alone the household."
"Then let him continue to assist Mitsuo my lord." Rin offered sounding hopeful. Closing his eyes he quickly mulled over his options.
He knew Rin was being kind and wanting to keep him on. What Izumi brought up made sense even if she were only appealing to him because of Rin, which was entirely possible.
Still, without his beta male able to assist him it would make it easier to spend more time around the estate as opposed to patrolling further out.
In light of these recent events he didn't intend to let either Rin or Izumi far from his sight as well as his children.
"Very well." He said finally reopening his lids. "Until we can revisit the matter Jiro will continue to assist Mitsuo in his duties."
"Thank you Lord Sesshomaru." Rin leaned against him wrapping her arms around one of his.
"You're welcome. Now, how is Kohaku?" Feeling Rin tense he knew the answer wouldn't be a desirable one.
"Kohaku is struggling." Izumi replied. "He has moments of clarity, it seems, but they are fleeting."
Sesshomaru knew all to well what she meant. He had been privy to one of Kohakus more violent outbursts a couple of years after the defeat of Naraku.
Until that time Kohaku had been traveling on his own from what he understood. Sesshomaru had come upon the burnt husk of a human village and found Kohaku in the center of it raving mad.
He didn't understand at the time what exactly had occurred, if Kohaku had been responsible, if he had witnessed what had occurred, or if he simply came upon it.
Regardless he had been able to get Kohaku to follow him. The boy had proven himself more than once that he was worth protecting and Sesshomaru did just that until he was able to fend for himself once again.
"It is alarming Izumi, to see him in such a state. I will speak with him. In the past he has listened to me and I seem to know what to say to him to help bring him out of this haze." He said.
"Thank you." Izumi bowed her head slightly truly grateful to him for his help.
"Then if there is nothing else…" Receiving shakes of the head from both he stood. "I will speak with Kohaku privately then." Turning he went down the hall to the room he shared with Izumi.
"Don't worry Izu. Kohaku will be alright." Rin said reaching across the table to offer her her hand. Izumi took it holding onto her tightly.
"Thank you Rin."
"For now, lets go and collect our pups from Emi. She has them in her quarters. The flowers have started to bloom but aren't quite right to be picked yet." Rin chatted. "I'd like to sit in the middle of the field with you and our children."
"That sounds very pleasant. I need the fresh air." As they both stood and made their way outside Sesshomaru stood in the room watching Kohaku as he paced like a caged animal.
Mumbling to himself he was in severe distress.
"Kohaku." Sesshomaru commanded sternly. Turning his attention to Sesshomaru Kohaku stared at him. "At ease."
"Lord Sesshomaru…Izumi is gone, my lord I can't remember when I saw her last. I see her, she was outside…but that was, that was not now."
"Izumi is with Rin. She has recovered. You did well in caring for your mate."
"That isn't how I remember it, no…no…"
"Would I lie to you, Kohaku?"
"No, my lord." He replied. Clutching at his head he gritted his teeth. "I can hear it. Rin screamed for us, she screamed out and then Izumi…I felt her pain and her anguish when she was hurt."
"You two are a mated, bonded pair. It is the same with Rin and myself. At times you will both be able to feel the other." Sesshomaru explained.
"All I ever do is watch the people I care for get hurt and die." Kohaku slumped to the floor on his knees holding his head down. "I am weak."
"Do you believe Kohaku that such a thing were true that this Sesshomaru would allow you to mate the alpha female of this pack?" He questioned. "That this one would instate you as his beta male?"
Breathing heavily Kohaku took a moment before glancing up at him.
"I have never understood why. After everything I have done…why do you protect me?" With tears in his eyes Kohaku felt them fall down his face uncaring if Sesshomaru saw them or not.
Closing the gap between them Sesshomaru knelt in front of him with one knee on the ground.
"I trust you in ways that I could never trust anyone else Kohaku. You have proven yourself to me time and again that you are worthy to be." Sesshomaru said.
"Now, it is not just you and I anymore. We are not without responsibility. We have young ones who rely upon us and mates who chose us to be with them. I need you to come back into the pack to assist me in protecting what is ours."
"Yes." Kohaku agreed.
"You will win once again Kohaku." Placing a hand to his shoulder Sesshomaru squeezed lightly. "We will overcome this."
"I'm trying." Wiping at his face and taking a shaky breath he groaned. "Rin says I should drink some tea to help me sleep."
"Rin is correct, you need to rest in order to heal."
"But I'll never heal, this…what Naraku did, my mind is fractured."
"At times, yes. This does not define you."
"You're right. I should rest, sleep."
"I will stay until you are."
"Now I just feel as if you are treating me like your pup." Smirking to himself he missed the sincere expression on Sesshomarus face.
Without knowing it he had hit the nail on the head as he had long come to think of Kohaku as a son.
Rin and Izumi walked around the back of the estate towards Emis quarters. Glancing towards the stable they both met eyes with Jiro.
The demon dropped what he was doing and purposefully walked towards both of them lowering himself to them both.
"Lady Rin, Lady Izumi." He greeted formerly lowering his head. "This Jiros actions were…" Bringing his head up quickly when he felt a hand on his shoulder. "My lady?"
"Relax. All is well." Izumi stated. "Neither Rin or myself hold any malice towards you for what occurred. You acted as you saw fit, based upon your instincts."
"Jiro, for now you'll be continuing to assist Mitsuo but don't worry. Izu and I are trying to get you back to your post. It just may take some time in persuading our mates to allow it." Rin explained.
"Thank you my ladies, sincerely." Taking a breath he stood. "If I am to be honest I was quite afraid of what my punishment might be."
"You have nothing to fear from any of us. I want our home to be a safe space for anyone who seeks one." Rin said with a smile.
"Your hospitality and kindness is much appreciated." Jiro said with a bow.
"Return to your chores Jiro. We will talk at a later date." Izumi said dismissing him.
"Yes my lady."
"Izu and she is Rin."
"Alright then…Izu, Rin."
"Have a nice day Jiro." Rin called after him with a little wave. Moving forward they came upon Emi and Mitsuos hut that Mitsuo had been more than happy to build for them.
"Mitsuo." Rin greeted. The man was breaking up ground beside his hut tossing rocks aside as he pulled them out of the soil.
"Rin, Lady Izumi." He answered.
"Okay, I am getting tired of explaining this." Izumi said with a sigh.
"Just call her Izu." Rin laughed out. Rapping on the wooden panel Mitsuo nodded in understanding going back to his work.
"Yes?" Emis soft voice sounded.
"It is Rin and Izu. May we come in?" Rin asked.
"Of course, of course." Emi said by the door in a moment opening the bamboo flap for them to enter. "I am glad you are both here. I have wanted to share this with you but know that things have not been well in the main house."
Hotaru coo'd from her basket with Hisashi curled up next to her asleep. Beside them was a bundle of blankets and sheets formed into a nest.
"Is that…?" Rins eyes lit up as Emi knelt down beside her nest pushing back some of the blankets to reveal four eggs comparable in size to a new born baby.
"Yes, it is." Emi smiled.
"Well you both wasted no time." Izu smirked at her in a teasing manner.
"With my kind when the females come of age we lay regardless if we have a male. They are just duds. Now though, being with Mitsuo I am confident that at least two of these are fertile." Emi said blushing.
"More babies!" Rin enthused dropping down to her own knees and staring at the eggs in absolute awe. "But Emi, you weren't alone when you laid your eggs right? You should have fetched me and I would have been more than happy to assist you."
"Lady Iku attended to me. She was very helpful." Emi replied.
"How long until they hatch?" Izu questioned curiously.
"A few weeks time. Not very long." She said.
"Please keep us apprised of your little ones so we may visit with them." Rin said. "I wonder what they will look like, being half-breeds. How interesting that they'll be born from an egg."
"I know of no others so yes, it will be." Emi agreed. Izumi picked up the basket and the two left Emi be to care for her own.
Making their way to the field in front of the estate Hisashi had awoken and was dragging himself through the grass with his nose to the ground.
"Graceful he is not." Izumi smiled as they watched him.
"Aw, he is just a baby." Rin picked him up and nuzzled against his nose with her own. "Say, 'Mama…I'm just learning.'"
Kissing at his crescent moon Rin glanced up at the house. "Izu, Kohaku is outside."
Following her gaze Izumi looked to the deck and took a deep breath. He was standing with Sesshomaru as the two watched them both.
"Hello Kohaku, Hello Lord Sesshomaru." Rin took one of Hisashis paws in her hand facing them and having him wave at them.
"You're ridiculous sometimes." Izumi giggled out.
"Why? There is nothing wrong with having him greet his fathers." Rin pouted playfully knowing her friend meant no harm in it.
"That is what we protect." Kohaku said more to himself than to Sesshomaru.
"Yes." He agreed taking in the sight of Rin happily playing with their pups and Izumi.