Sesshomaru felt blinded not being able to pick up Sanas scent. In the best scenario she ran off and was either hiding or found Jiro as he patrolled.
The worst was she left their perimeter or had done harm to herself. Stopping he scanned the area feeling the familiar rattle of the Tensaiga as it called for his attention.
"Tensaiga." Placing his hand over the hilt he could smell Jiro by the pond. Bracing himself he followed the scent taking note that the sword clamored more at his side.
Coming to the clearing where the pond was he stopped taking in what lay in front of him. Jiro had found Sana. From her appearance she had gone into the pond and drowned.
Jiro held her close to him having taken off his armor, he too was soaked through as she was. Sighing Sesshomaru moved closer.
Looking up at him he took in the younger demons pained appearance at the loss of his friend.
"Lord Sesshomaru, Sana has suffered an accident." His voice wavered as he spoke. It cut to Sesshomaru as he knelt down on one knee beside them.
"No. I do not believe it was an accident." He stated. Jiro stared at him with his mouth slightly agape. "Sana has killed herself."
"No. She wouldn't, she was getting better…she told me so…"
"Both Sana and Emi were attacked by Rentarou. He attempted to make off with her to rape her."
"Oh." Jiro slumped considerably bringing his nose to her hair. "I can't smell her anymore."
"The Tensaiga wishes for me to revive her. It can only cut down the denizens of the underworld once after the mortal body dies." Sesshomaru explained. "Or, we can let her rest."
"My lord…are you, asking what to do?" Jiro asked looking back at him.
"Yes. You are close with her. What do you think she would want." Watching as Jiro thought for a moment he closed his eyes and took a breath.
"Please bid the Tensaiga to revive her. Even if it is just to say good-bye, at least I will be with her if she decides to resume her path to the netherworld."
"Lie her down." Sesshomaru said standing. Jiro did as he was told placing Sana down on the ground. Standing he watched as the other demon unsheathed his blade and held it over Sana.
Narrowing his eyes Sesshomaru struck down and across her body with the sword as if he were cutting through something.
Staring at Sana her chest suddenly heaved as she sat up quickly shuddering and spitting water out as she choked.
"Sana." Kneeling beside her he placed his hand to her shoulder lightly. Startling she quickly turned her head to him.
"Jiro." Trembling she began to sob and cough throwing her arms around him crying into his kimono. "I thought I would die. It was a mistake. I made a mistake but I couldn't save myself before it was to late."
"You did die Sana." Feeling her stiffen against him she backed away to look at him. "Lord Sesshomaru saved you before your soul was taken to the netherworld."
Swallowing hard she turned to Sesshomaru bowing to him in thanks.
"Thank you Lord Sesshomaru. I am sorry for being such a burden."
"No. Do not apologize. The pack has let you down. You are not at fault. What you decide to do from here is on you." He replied. "Know that if something were to happen you cannot be revived again."
"Thank you Lord Sesshomaru. I promise that I will not throw away what you and the rest of the pack have given me." She said.
Jiro helped her to stand and he replaced his armor as Sesshomaru led them home.
"Riku." Kohaku said as they came out of the barracks. "I know that you want to join in Sanas search. I will stand guard here."
"Thank you Lord Kohaku." He said sincerely walking off. Izumi stood beside her mate studying him intently.
"You should tend to the others. Tell Mitsuo what has happened, if he already doesn't know." Kohaku stated.
"Are you alright?" She asked.
"Why wouldn't I be?" Turning his back to Izumi slightly he felt her arms wrap around him as she rested her head on his back. Closing his eyes he sighed. "I am fine mate. Don't worry."
Placing his hands over hers he glanced back at her. "You surprised me in there. Maybe I was wrong and you are a troublesome demon after all."
"Only if you want me to be." She replied tightening her grip around him. "Sana."
Kohaku looked to the direction she was suddenly staring at seeing the three emerge from the tree line. Sighing relief as Izumi let him loose she ran to them. "Sana!"
Pulling the other female to her she took in her soaking wet appearance and could smell something otherworldly about her scent that she couldn't place.
"Izu, I am alright. Is Emi?" She questioned worriedly.
"Lets go see. Jiro, Sesshomaru; Riku went off to look for her…"
"I will fetch him." Jiro said.
"Izumi. When you are done with the females the four of us need to meet over this matter."
"Yes, of course Sesshomaru." Taking Sana by the hand they walked to Ikus hut. Rapping on the panel Iku flung open the bamboo flap her eyes going wide as she took Sana into her arms tightly.
"You're safe. Thank goodness. I was so worried about you pup." She sighed relief.
"I am sorry for worrying you Iku. It was selfish to do so, especially in your condition." Sana said resting against her.
"Come, come. You are soaked to the bone. Lady Izumi, thank you for bringing her back to us."
"Sesshomaru and Jiro returned her. How is Emi?" Being let inside she saw Rin binding Emis arms tightly.
"Izu, Sana." Emi smiled with tears in her eyes. "You scared us. Why are you wet?"
"I…I drowned myself in the pond." She admitted. "Jiro and Lord Sesshomaru found me. Somehow Lord Sesshomaru saved me…"
"The Tensaiga." Rin said finishing her wrapping. "Lord Sesshomaru was able to bring you back with his fathers heirloom sword."
"I am grateful to him for giving me another chance." Sana said. "I am not going to waste it."
"Rin, Sesshomaru has summoned us." Izumi said.
"Alright. Iku, can you please stay with Hotaru and Hisashi." She requested.
"Yes my lady."
"Thank you." Rin didn't want to leave the others but knew they had to meet. Walking outside with Izumi next to her Riku ran from the forest skidding to a halt.
"Sana is inside." Izumi said. "She is safe."
"Thank you." Entering his hut Jiro emerged relieving Kohaku at the barracks.
"Nen, instruct Jin to stand guard with you and Nagi to stand with Jiro at the barracks." Sesshomaru commanded as they came to the front of the main house.
"Yes my lord." Nen said with an obedient nod. Closing the door behind them the pack sat themselves at the table.
"I apologize." Kohaku said lowering his head to the others. "Rentarou came here with me, he was my responsibility and I failed our pack grievously in my poor judgement."
"Kohaku, don't blame yourself." Rin said softly. "He is at fault for his own actions."
"As we accept others into our group problems will arise, granted this is an extreme circumstance." Sesshomaru said. "Rin is correct, to often the ones we trust the most are the ones who betray us. The question is what to do with him."
"Riku marked him for what he is, so others will know he is a danger." Izumi said. "He must live with it in plain sight for all to see."
"We can't just send him off. Someone like that will attack again." Rin stated. "But…I don't want him here…"
"I will see him back to the demon slayer village." Kohaku said. "Explain what occurred and have him dealt with there."
"His crime was committed here." Izumi replied. "I do not think it fair to send him back to your people to have to deal with."
"His father is the headman that I chose which is why when Renarou requested he join us I didn't hesitate to bring him. His father will take responsibility for his sons actions and punish him as he sees fit." Kohaku said.
"If we were to exact punishment on him here it may cause more problems as he is one of the ones whom is against my being here."
"And a man like that is running your former village?" Izumi pressed.
"I didn't know it at the time. He has agreed to be cordial as long as we keep our business to ourselves."
"How exactly did you have Riku mark him?" Sesshomaru questioned narrowing his eyes at the two across from him.
"I instructed him to cut into his forehead to scar him." Izumi replied.
"And you allowed this to happen Kohaku, knowing what you do?"
"Yes Lord Sesshomaru."
"I was under the impression that we were to not do such things within this pack. If that is the case then I would have killed the human in the forest and be done with it swiftly."
Rin closed her eyes and bit her lower lip. She could feel the anger coming off of Sesshomaru in waves as he seethed.
"You enacted a form of justice without consulting Rin or this one. Perhaps my own judgment has been misplaced."
"Lord Sesshomaru, Izumi and Kohaku were angry. They were not thinking clearly." Rin said.
"The pups will be returned to the two of you. You both are to remain in this manor until I tell you otherwise. Kohaku, with me." Sesshomaru ordered standing.
Silently they left and the silence ensued between Izumi and Rin. Closing her eyes and holding her head Izumi let out a breath.
"I am sorry Rin. Sesshomaru is right. Kohaku and I made a grave mistake." She said.
"Did Kohaku tell you any about Rentarou or his father beforehand?" Rin asked.
"No."
"Izumi, Kohaku should have told at least you straight away. He made a mistake in not explaining that situation to any of us." Sighing she went to the other side of the table. "We will get through this together. All of us."
Wrapping her arms around her friend she worried over what would happen next.