"Izu! Izu!" Rin ran into their home excitedly. Izumi sat at the drawing table to pen a letter to Captain Tadao in an exchange of information.
Rin in her excitement knocked over the ink well spilling it.
"Damn." Izumi said quickly putting it upright and standing to avoid any ink on her kimono.
"Sorry, sorry it's just…come on." Grasping her hand Rin led her to Emi and Mitsuos hut. Walking in she pointed to the nest.
"Now I understand. Congratulations Emi, Mitsuo." Izumi said smiling. The eggs had hatched. Emi held one of the small hatchlings in her arms while Mitsuo held two.
All of them had soft downy feathers on their heads instead of hair the color of their mothers. They were swaddled but appeared with human features from what Izumi could tell.
"They have two girls and one boy." Rin declared. "I wish you had been here Izu. It was wonderful to watch them be born."
"I'm certain that it was. Do either of you need anything from us?" Izumi asked.
"No, thank you Izu." Emi replied smiling at her brightly. "Both of you…we can never repay you for…for bringing Mitsuo to me."
"You are most welcome Emi. We are all very happy that you have joined our pack and blessed us with little ones." Rin said.
"We should be off. If you think of anything just let us know." Izumi said.
"Thank you." Mitsuo replied sincerely. "Likewise, if any of you need anything we are more than happy to assist."
Nodding in understanding Izumi had to practically drag Rin away from the hut.
"Aren't they beautiful Izu?" Rin beamed as they walked towards the front of the grounds.
"Yes. Do they look entirely human?" She questioned.
"For the most part. They have those pretty grey fluffy feathers on them but I know baby birds are born with down before they get their real feathers so maybe they will." Rin thought out loud. "Or maybe they will not have any."
Both sitting down Rin began to pluck at the flowers. "Izu, we should make our flower chains tomorrow."
"I'll look forward to it." She said. "Also, any news on if you are expecting yet?"
"I am fairly certain I am but I don't want to say anything just yet in case for some reason I am not. When I got pregnant with Hotaru I fell asleep when Lord Sesshomaru was in me." She stated. "It happened again when we went to the valley of fallen flowers."
"You fall asleep because of the energy he is expelling when he breeds you. It is because he is much stronger than you are with your aura." Izumi said. "I don't completely understand it, just what I have been told."
"That is what Lord Sesshomaru said the first time too, that my body was reacting to his." Placing her hand to her belly she rubbed at it. "I can't wait, to do it all over again and have another baby."
"This time we will be better prepared to care for you ourselves." Izumi assured more herself than Rin. "No matter what happens."
"I know Izu. I never doubted you or Iku." Taking the flowers she had plucked she began twisting the stems before grasping some more. "Master Jaken should be returning soon with word from Jinenji. I hope he can give you some more information on the byaku bark."
"Same." She agreed watching Rin as she worked at her task. "What Iku said to us, about it taking so long for me to be able to breed again…I know there are risks but they are risks I am willing to take. If it does leave me barren then so be it, I don't want any other pups other than my mates."
"I understand but you should think about the distant future as well. What if one day you met someone else and wanted to have children with them…"
"No. It won't happen."
"Why not?"
"Once Kohaku is gone the only other male I could ever be with would be Sesshomaru. I would not trust any other with our pups." Izumi said.
"Oh yeah. I had forgotten you had said that." Dropping the flowers she looked at her friend. "Would it really be so bad? To be with Lord Sesshomaru in that way?"
"I am not interested in your mate Rin."
"I know but, it's like you said before, there will come a day when it is the two of you. Why not become mates?"
"Sesshomaru and I will never be mates. We both already have one."
"Then, what is the term? A…bred pair. You both have had a child together so why not mate?"
"Rin, I have no desire to be with your husband in such a way." Izumi cleared. "I know you want to make sure that we will both be taken care of when you and Kohaku are gone. We will be in whatever way that may be."
"Alright Izu. I just want you to know that if it ever were to happen, I am okay with it." Rin said finishing the flower crown she had made. "There."
Placing it on Izumis head she sat back down to make her own. Taking a deep breath Izumi smirked to herself.
"I love you Rin." Glancing up at Izumi she smiled.
"I love you too Izu." Placing the flowers on her head she sat back contently sitting closer to her friend. Taking her hand she rested her head against Izumi.
"Are you tired little Cho?"
"A bit."
"Then rest. I'll watch over you."
"I know you will Izu." Unable to keep her eyes open anymore she suddenly dozed off leaning against the other.
In two days time Jaken returned as Iku assisted Rin and Izumi with stringing their flowers above and down the sides of the sliding doors.
"Lady Rin. I have Jinenjis correspondence." Jaken said making sure to keep his tongue. He hadn't forgotten how his indiscretion had irritated Izumi and didn't feel like trying her patience any time soon.
"Thank you master Jaken." Rin took the folded parchment as well as the small satchel he carried. Placing it into her kimono for safe keeping they finished their task. "Iku, would you mind taking the pups please?"
"Yes my lady." Iku said with a small bow of her head. Picking up Hisashi and Hotaru she went around to the back of the estate.
Going into their home Rin shut the door as they sat at the table. Taking out the satchel and the parchment she placed the bag on to the table.
Opening the paper she cleared her throat to read it aloud.
"My dear friend Rin. I have sent the byaku bark that you inquired about. It is in powder form and is to be drunk in warm water until it dissolves. It will have no effect on humans if it is consumed however it will on demons, both male and female." Jinenji said.
"There are side effects that should be taken into account. For a male they are sent into rut but the effects will dissipate in a days time if they do not seek relief."
"I suppose that is one way to put it." Izumi joked as Rin read on.
"For a female it takes considerably longer. The heat that will come on is intense, the demon woman must be in good physical health and have a good amount of demon energy to withstand it. Her relief will only come once she is pregnant."
Shaking her head Rin looked up at Izumi in doubt.
"Just, keep reading." Izumi said.
"If her heat goes on for an extended period of time then she will be unable to conceive again as her lower muscles will lock into place and she will not be able to copulate." Putting the letter down Rin shook her head. "No."
"I have Kohaku to breed me. That will not happen to me." Izumi said.
"I am not comfortable with this. The risks to you are to great. If this is the same thing that Lord Sesshomaru was dosed with then I can tell you how unpleasant it is."
"What are you talking about?"
"The first time we were together, he escaped from the celestial palace where he was told to breed with you. His mother poisoned him with what she called a stimulant. It was because of that that he lowered his guard and we were able to commit to one another in the way we both wanted."
"Oh." Izumi replied looking at the satchel.
"He was weak, in a considerable amount of pain. His mind was confused by the time I found him…he was feverish; this is not a good thing." Rin explained.
"Rin, it is my decision." Izumi said. Seeing Rins big brown eyes sparkle with tears as they welled she glanced away from her.
"Yes it is." Rin practically whispered. "We need to discuss this with our mates. Do not be reckless and take it on your own."
"I won't." Izumi offered a small reassuring smile. "I will bring it up later with our pack."
"Good." Sitting back Rin seemed to sigh relief.
"Absolutely not." Kohaku stated once it was explained to him and Sesshomaru.
"Kohaku, this may be our only chance to have a child together and I will have your child." Izumi stated determined.
"If it means risking your health then, no, I don't want one." Kohaku retorted. "Izumi, I am happy with our lives and the children we have. I will not gamble your well being on something like this."
"I need this, to do this." She countered.
"Then we will wait. If it takes decades then so be it. If it is meant to be then it will happen and if not then…"
"Not acceptable." Izumi replied taking a stilted breath. Sighing Kohaku felt at a loss.
"Rin, do you believe that under yours and Ikus guidance Izumi would be safe?" Sesshomaru questioned.
"With these things, there is no way to be certain. It can go in either direction. From what Jinenji said as long as the female is bred then she will be alright." Rin said. "That would fall on Kohaku."
"Kohaku I feel as if regardless of what either of us say to Izumi she will take this matter in to her own hands." Sesshomaru stated squaring his gaze at the other. "It is best to be prepared in case she does."
Closing his eyes tightly and exhaling he reached for his wifes hand. Looking at her he felt worry gnaw at him.
"Izu, what if…" Faltering he steadied himself. "What if I am unable to get you pregnant and you are stuck for the rest of your days in pain."
"I have no doubts in your ability to procreate." She said squeezing his hand more tightly.
"Iku and I will make certain that everything is alright. We will take care of her and provide for her whatever her needs are." Rin assured him.
"All I ask is that you do not take this on your own. As soon as it begins I will try and relieve your symptoms." Kohaku said finally.
"Agreed." Izumi said. "When we both agree that it is the right time."
"Yes." Nodding his head quickly he still had his concerns but felt confident that his mate would be strong enough to withstand the effects of the tree bark.
Now he just had to believe that he would be able to hold up his end of the bargain.