Iku wasn't in heat and it would still be some time before she was again. She also knew that Izumi had come into the possession of the byaku bark.
Deciding to keep her decision to herself as to how she would go into heat from Riku she would take it herself.
It would not be the first time she had tested something on herself being a healer knowing full well how much her mate despised her doing so.
The problem was at the end of the day she didn't want to catch any flack from either Izumi or Rin about taking it, still she had to ask for it because she would never remove it without her lady's knowledge but also she did not know how it would affect her.
She wanted help to be informed of her decision if she needed it knowing that the two would offer it in spades along with Sana and Emi. Iku knew the females of her pack would support her with hopefully minimal teasing.
After a day of Riku whining to breed after she 'promised' him they would she relented. Approaching the main house she shook her head.
"Honestly, he is just a big pup." She mused to herself. Rapping on the door when she saw none of the ladies outside Rin answered the door."
"Iku. Hello." Smiling friendly as she always did. Stepping aside to let her in Iku bowed.
"Lady Rin. I hope that I was not out of place the other day with my accusations."
"No." Rin replied sweetly. "Actually you were correct. I have suspected for some time that I am pregnant but I was waiting it out. Now I know, so thank you Iku."
"You are welcome my lady. I wish to speak with you and Lady Izumi if either of you have time."
"Izu is putting the children to sleep for their nap. I will make some tea, sit."
"Oh, I will do that Lady Rin. Please." Iku said moving to the hearth gripping the kettle that sat by to fill it with water.
"Isn't it the lady of the houses duty to serve her guests tea?"
"I am not a guest my lady. I am here to serve you."
"No. You're not. You are a valuable member of this household. I personally value your expertise and knowledge. You are wise beyond any understanding that I could ever possibly posses."
"Do not be so certain of that. Time and experience do offer lessons however you are empathetic and naturally kind to others. Those are traits that you cannot teach and are hard learned."
"I just want everyone to be as happy as I am and have opportunities that I was afforded." Rin replied.
"That is why people are drawn to you; human and demon alike." Setting the kettle over the small fire she had built in the hearth she sat across from Rin as Izumi came in the sitting room.
"To what do we owe the pleasure?" Izumi questioned curiously but with some wariness as well.
"Let me assure you Lady Izumi, I am not here to further chastise you. This one apologizes my lady for the words I said. It was not my place." Iku said with a small bow.
"No, you were not wrong to do so." Izumi said with some defeat. "It probably was not the smartest thing to do on either of our parts to pup so soon after our first borns were whelped."
"That is along the lines of why I am here." Iku began. "Lady Izumi, Lady Rin; I wish to ingest the byaku bark so I may go into heat and breed with my mate."
Receiving blank stares for a moment from the pair she sucked in her breath waiting for their minds to catch up with what she had said.
"Wait…" Izumi said as she did when she was trying to process something.
"More babies." Rin muttered her eyes going wide as her body began to tremble.
"You just told us that we did a bad thing by having more and you want one." Izumi stated slowly.
"Oh! More babies!" Rin shouted happily. "You're so beautiful Iku and Riku is so handsome and your pups must be so beautiful!"
"Is she…alright?" Iku asked concerned.
"I don't know." Izumi replied as Rin's face had turned bright red as she tried to catch her breath from her sudden outburst.
"Ouch. That was intense." Placing her hand to her head she whimpered slightly.
"Perhaps you should lie down my lady." Iku offered going to her side.
"Yeah, yeah." Nodding her head in agreement she laid down curling up with her head in Izumis lap.
"I think you broke her." Izu said placing her hand to Rins forehead.
"I am alright. I just…need a minute."
"Anyway, of course you can use the byaku bark Iku." Izumi said looking to the healer. "The healer Jinenji wrote that for females it is intense and your effects will not subside until you are pupped."
"That has never been an issue in the past. My mate is quite virile." Iku said.
"Lucky you." Izu retorted coyly.
"Keep it up little one." Iku said. Smiling at her Izu grinned. As soon as Rin recovered Izumi brought Iku the small pouch with the powdered bark in it.
"I think it would be best if you took it in our presence so we can make sure that you are well enough." Rin said.
"You are right Lady Rin." Iku took the kettle and made tea for the two before placing a small amount of the powder into her small saucer. Pouring the water into it and stirring until it dissolved.
The water took on a brownish hue that almost resembled tea. Closing her eyes as she took the saucer in hand she held her breath. Exhaling she quickly downed the fluid wincing at the taste.
"What does it taste like?" Rin questioned curiously.
"Damp tree bark." Iku coughed out. "Disgusting."
"How do you feel?" Izumi asked after a few moments went by.
"The same." Iku said glancing at the small pouch.
"Jinenji had said the effects would be instantaneous. Perhaps you didn't take enough." Rin offered. Having a heat wash over her Iku closed her eyes tightly and swallowed hard.
"Oh." She groaned out clutching at her lower stomach.
"I think it just worked." Izumi said.
"Oh yes." Rin agreed as Iku began to pant. She opened her eyes bracing herself against the sheer intensity of her lower muscles clenching and relaxing with great force.
"I will fetch her mate." Izumi said standing and running out of the house quickly. Iku felt Rin next to her as she rubbed her back with one of her hands.
"Don't…don't tell Riku…" She panted out.
"What?"
"He…he doesn't know about the bark." Iku managed out.
"You didn't tell him about it?" Receiving a brisk head shake Rin bit her lower lip. "With all due respect Lady Iku, he needs to know that this is not a natural heat. That there is a risk to you."
"Riku doesn't approve of using myself to test things."
"Well, that is because he loves you and doesn't want to see you get hurt." Rin said.
"Iku." With Izumi leading the male in he was next to his mate in a moment. The scent of her heat was overpowering she knew and regardless if he were told about the bark he would know it was not normal to have come on so quickly.
"Riku, you need to breed your mate. Her heat has come on suddenly. I believe it is because of her body reacting perhaps to my own pregnancy." Iku listened intently as Rin continued. "I have seen this before in demon women, if she isn't bred it can cause issues with future copulation and child bearing given the intensity of it."
"Alright." Feeling his arms grasp her and be picked up by him Iku rested her head against Rikus chest.
"Mate." She whispered.
"I am here. We're going home." Riku made to leave before quickly turning to Rin and Izumi. "Thank you my ladies for assisting Iku."
"Oh, you are very welcome captain." Izumi smirked. The cooler air of dusk felt nice on her overheated skin as Riku took her down the main house to their hut.
"Jiro. I need you to take Sana in for the night." Riku commanded.
"Captain?" Jiro questioned curiously.
"That is an order pup." He nearly barked.
"Yes, yes sir." Quickly nodding he walked with him to the hut as Riku took his mate inside.
"Sana, go with Jiro for the night. Iku is not well and needs to be tended to." Laying her down on their futon Sana was by her side.
"I can help if Iku is ill." Sana said.
"No pup." Riku said kindly lifting the girl up and spinning her towards the door. "Iku will be fine under my care."
Practically being pushed out of the door Riku fastened the heavier wooden door shut that had been kept open to let cooler air in.
"He…kicked me out." Sana stood staring at the door. Turning to Jiro she saw the deep red blush staining his face as he attempted to remain impassive. "What is going on?"
"Uh, I am not certain." He stammered.
"I think you are certain and are not telling me." Sana coaxed.
"We should go elsewhere." Taking her by the elbow leading her away from the hut she glanced back at it confused.