A/N: Thank you to reaper007, docsgirl4, and cursedcardinal for the input on what direction to take these next few chapters. I think I'm going to spend quite a few exploring each of the other characters and see what comes of it.
We start with Iku.
Enjoy!
There was a lot you could tell from a couples living space and bed linens. Iku had found over her many years of service that observing your surroundings spoke far greater than words or actions ever could.
Granted Rin was an open book and kept nothing from any of them it seemed speaking freely and always with great passion.
Smirking to herself as she entered the chamber the petite lady of the west shared with the daiyoukai lord instantly cocking her head to the side.
Sniffing the air she opened the doors more widely looking at the room. She could scent both of them along with the pups but Rins scent was different.
"Already?" Iku mumbled under her breath. "I suppose I should start preparing for a new little one."
Moving into the room she started the task of cleaning out the hearth, changing out the water basins, and stripping the futon to shake out the mattress on the pallet flipping it over.
Once she was satisfied having wiped down the wall shelves she left the tied up linens outside the door shutting the room to go into Izumi and Kohakus.
Sliding open the door she brought her hand up to her nose as her eyes widened. "How in the hell is she in heat again so soon? Oh, I hope she didn't take that wretched bark."
Thinking on it a moment she shook her head. Izumi would have said something. Rin would have told her. Taking a breath she cleared her throat.
Repeating her cleaning process she noted the scent of the bed linens gave away all the information she needed. "These pups are going to be the death of me."
Dragging the linens out she took the other in hand walking outside. Sitting outside in the grass and flowers were none other than the young ladies in question.
Rin plucked at the blooms tickling Hisashis nose with them while Izumi held Hotaru under her arms so she was sitting up.
"Hello Iku!" Rin called out cheerfully. Giving a nod she decided to approach them both later on in the day with her findings.
Taking the linens she went to the back of the main house plopping them down in front of the large wash basin she used to laundry.
Off to her right she heard the flutter of small wings before Emi appeared before her transforming as she touched down.
"Would you like some assistance, Lady Iku?" She offered.
"If you can provide it then yes." Placing the large washboard into the water she glanced around. "Where has Sana gone off to?"
"While I was in flight I saw Sana with your mate and one of the dog twins. She was accompanying them on patrol it seemed." Untying the bundles of linen she dropped one of the sheets into the wash she took the soap that hung on the side.
Taking out her utility knife Emi shaved off some dropping it into the water. Iku set to work creating a lather on the sheet rubbing the fabric together.
"The human girl is as flighty as a bird, no offense." Iku said glancing at Emi who knelt beside her placing the other dirty sheet in the tub.
"I agree." She laughed out. "There is nothing wrong with stretching your wings. Perhaps she feels safer with the males, after what happened to her."
"More than likely." Nodding Iku began dragging the linen across the wash board.
"Ogres frighten me. They are brutes and to think they go after defenseless females in such a way to torture them is nightmarish." Emi frowned shuddering at the thought.
"It doesn't matter if is an ogre, a human or any other creature or entity. Being female brings certain risks all on its own. Regardless of whom we are." Iku stated. "One reason I am grateful I have not had any daughters."
"I do now." Emi said softly stopping in her work.
"You also have a strong pack who would defend you and yours if need be. Lord Sesshomaru on his own is more than capable with his swordsmanship and fighting prowess."
"Lord Kohaku is as well. I have seen him conducting training exercises and he is quite impressive. He can go up against your own mate whom has seen numerous battles I'm sure."
"Yes. What of yours Emi? Does Mitsuo fight?"
"In his way." She nodded. "He is not a soldier, as you know, but I know that if need be he would. He did try and find me when I was first taken to the west. It broke my heart when I saw how he was wounded."
"How did you come to be with a human?" Inspecting the sheet she held up a part of it standing to take it out and put it into the second basin of cooler water to rinse.
"Mitsuos village was at the base where our nests were, our village. The humans didn't know we were demons. They just thought we were morning doves." Emi said. "Some of us would go down to the human village to watch them. Mitsuos family were kind to us, they made a small bath outside of their home and leave seed for us to eat."
"Coexistence even if the humans did not realize you were demons." Iku smirked at her comment.
"Yes. It was that way for many years. One day some of the other young humans trapped me in a net. They threw stones at me and tried ripping my feathers out…Mitsuo saved me." Concentrating hard on her task she sighed.
"I showed myself to him and thanked him for his kindness. After that he asked if I was the bird who sang outside of his hut every morning, when I told him I was he promised to leave me good food every day if I would sing for him."
"What a lovely start for the two of you."
"Yes. For a time. It was wonderful. After some time we admitted our feelings for one another but I hadn't realized that we were being watched by some of my flock. The elders had grown suspicious with my daily absences and prolonged stays in the human village."
"And they sent you away." Iku concluded.
"Yes." Looking up at the elder demoness she gave a small smile. "It has worked out though. I never thought it would be possible yet here we are."
"Things work out in time I have come to find. Rarely does it go how you plan or predict."
"Mitsuo and I are together in a way we only ever dreamed about. It seems to good to be true that we have found such kind ladies and lords to serve." Emi stood tossing the sheet she had been working in to the rinse bucket as well.
"It has been my honor to be in service to Lady Izumi as I was to her mother. By extension now Lady Rin whom is nothing short of a delight." Placing the washboard into the rinse bucket she began scrubbing the soap from the linens.
"Rin is so very sweet. After everything I had heard about Lord Sesshomaru it was quite a surprise he made her his mate."
"Lord Sesshomaru is still young. He was left without a home or people to trust. It hardened him. Regrettably the east did not make things easy for him along with the other packs, seeing him as an outcast for how his father died." Iku said.
"I'm glad he has one now, that we all do." Emi smiled softly. "How are things different here then they were accustomed to in the east?"
"Never had I thought that a household could function in such a defunct sort of way. It is quite peculiar and I had my reservations when captain Tadao ordered my mate and I to stay on."
"But are you happy here Lady Iku?"
"Extremely." Looking up from her task she smiled back at the younger female. Once the linen was rinsed, wrung, and dried was when Sana reappeared with Riku and Jiro.
"Lady Iku. I found some of the roots you requested earlier." Holding out the basket to her she accepted it.
"Thank you Sana. You really do save me quite a bit of time with your foraging skills." Iku commended.
"It is my pleasure. My mother taught me how to find the right plants and their purposes." She replied seeming somewhat downtrodden.
"Rin also enjoys foraging I have come to find." Emi said. "Maybe she would like to join you some time for company."
"Maybe…" Sana stated taking the basket back from Iku and going into the hut.
"She is depressed." Iku said looking to Riku.
"Sana expressed to both Jiro and myself that she wishes to return to her people." Riku said. "However she is not certain how her return would be received."
"How so?" Iku questioned.
"I am not sure but she is apprehensive."
"I'll speak with her." Following after Sana into her quarters she decided the best approach was to be direct. "Riku informed me just now that you wish to return to your people."
Sana closed her eyes and set her jaw suddenly. "If you desire to return to your home then you may. Riku or Jiro can escort you back to your village."
"Lady Iku, I am forever grateful for the hospitality and care everyone here has shown me." Sana said opening her eyes to look at her. "The people of my village would never accept me back once they found out that I was assaulted and lived among demons."
"Surely your parents would." Iku furrowed her brow.
"No. They wouldn't." She replied quickly. "If you do not believe me ask Mitsuo or Rin, they will tell you."
"It is not that I don't believe you Sana, it's beyond my understanding as to why." Iku stated.
"Humans believe that all demons are evil. Associating with demon is seen as an irreversible sin." She said. "Until recently I was one of them, with what happened only strengthening that belief."
"I could never lie to anyone when asked how I managed after I escaped the ogres…but the others, they would not see what anyone has done here as a kindness."
"Then they do not deserve to have in you in their fold." Iku said possessively. "Stay here with us pup. Riku and I will take care of you."
With tears flooding the woman's eyes she gave a small nod. Iku placed her hands on her shoulders putting her forehead to hers. "Everything will be just fine Sana."
Sobbing she wrapped her arms around Iku and buried her face into her shoulder. Slowly she wrapped her arms around the young woman as well.