Emi was becoming increasingly frustrated with her mate, Mitsuo. Since she had been injured some weeks before he treated her as if she were made of porcelain.
He tended to the children, he tended to the housework, he took care of the grounds along with his regular chores…she finally had had enough.
"I am perfectly capable of laundering our linens and garments." She said placing her hands to her hips and staring up at him. "I don't understand why all of a sudden you do not think me so."
"I have told you Emi; I want you to rest. You're pregnant, you were seriously injured…I don't want you to overexert yourself." He replied.
"Oooo! I am going crazy not able to do anything." She retorted clenching her hands into fists at her side. "Let me
do something! At least take care of the hatchlings. Besides I healed weeks ago now…"
Taking her wrists and rubbing at the spots that had been broken she stopped as he looked to her solemnly.
"Do you know how much it hurt me to see you in such a state? Hurt so badly by another male?" Mitsuo said. "I wanted to kill him and I would have if Riku hadn't stopped me."
"I…You didn't tell me that." She said softly.
"It wasn't anything I was going to tell you." Sighing Mitsuo ran his hands up to her shoulders. "It shredded my heart to see you that way. You're mine, my pretty little bird, and I let you get hurt."
"No love. It had nothing to do with you. How could you have known what was happening? I did it to save Sana and I would do it again and again with no regrets if I had to." Leaning towards him he embraced her tightly.
"I am proud of you. I am very lucky to have such a strong and beautiful wife, who is more than capable in ways I have yet to see." Squeezing him tightly before loosening her embrace she smiled up at him.
"So, does that mean I can at least do our washing now?" She asked hopefully.
"Just don't push yourself." He requested. "If you need help ask."
"I will. I won't be long." Grabbing her basket of sheets and light blankets she skipped outside happily.
Walking to the wash basin she knelt down carefully, as her pregnancy was beginning to get in her way, and she took out a smaller sheet to soak.
"Has Mitsuo let you resume chores?" Sana came up next to her with her own laundry and an amused smirk.
"Actually, yes he has." She stated. "It took some doing and reassuring." Looking at Sana she dropped her linen and gasped scooting closer to her.
"Your hair piece is beautiful!" She gushed staring at it. "It is so shiny and colorful, it looks just like a sunflower."
"It is a sunflower." Sana said blushing slightly. "Thank you."
"It's hard to the touch. How did you get it to do that?" Emi wondered as she touched one of the petals.
"Jiro gave it to me."
"Oh." Emi said with a small smile. Coming around her front she held her amusement written across her features. "Has Jiro given you anything else?"
"No. Just this." Sana replied innocently. Emi slumped a little nodding moving back to her work.
"Have you done anything about what we all spoke about?" Emi asked.
"No." Shaking her head Sana focused on her task.
"Why not?" Emi pressed.
"The day that was set aside, I spent with Jiro instead."
"Yes but, the captain is out of the hut all day and if you told Iku you wanted to then I know she would accommodate you again."
"In all honesty I have thought about it and I don't have any desire to do…that." She said. "It seems…dirty."
"After we are done with the wash we are going for a walk." Emi nearly commanded, uncharacteristic of her.
"Ah, alright Emi." Sana said hesitantly taken a back by her tone. Once the linens and clothing were washed, rinsed, and hung Emi nearly dragged Sana towards the tree line. "Where are we going?"
"Somewhere I found." She said simply. "It is private."
"Emi?" Feeling uncertain she broke Emis grip on her wrist. Turning toward her friend she saw the young human eyeing her with great apprehension.
"Sana, you need this. You have to understand that. Then you can heal." Emi said in a softer tone. Sighing Sana looked to the ground.
"Fine. Lets get it over with then." She replied.
"Yes, lets. I will still keep watch just in case to make sure you are not interrupted." Leading her further into the forest they came to a cave that was overgrown across the front.
"Is it…safe?" Sana looked at the cave mouth up and down uncertainly.
"Do you have so little faith in me Sana?" Emi questioned. "Of course it is. I explored it myself. It's abandoned, dry, and a little ways in there is an opening that lets the light in from above. That is how I found it."
"Okay." She said squaring her shoulders. Emi placed her hand on said shoulders.
"You can do this. I have faith in you. When you leave that cave, you'll be a different woman." She encouraged before pushing her gently towards the entrance.
Pushing forward Sana cleared some of the overgrowth to make her way inside. Light streamed in between the plants covering the entrance giving plenty of sunlight.
It was cooler in the cave than it was outside making it comfortable. Glancing around she saw the tunnel that led further in. Taking a breath she walked forward finding the spot Emi had told her about.
"This is nice in here." She said aloud. It was quiet and peaceful, as if it were another world away from the outside. Staring at the sky for a moment through the opening she unclipped her sunflower and held it up to see in the light. "Maybe I can show this place to Jiro."
Bringing it to her chest she held it tightly feeling her heart beat at the idea and her happiness swell. "Alright."
Kneeling on the ground she placed her flower next to her where she could see it. Untying her apron and taking off her hair cloth she put them aside. Loosening her kimono she shouldered it off to fall behind her leaving her in just her undergarment.
Rubbing her arms at the sudden chill she closed her eyes and ran her hand down her stomach to the hem of her clothing. Taking a steadying breath she tucked her fingers underneath reaching for herself.
Slowly she touched her folds and ran her fingers along the outside. Furrowing her brow as it brought a tingling feeling to her thighs she spread herself putting her fingertip to that little pearl and touched it.
Opening her eyes as she gasped she did it again and stilled her breath. Sitting back she laid down spreading her legs and using both hands.
With one she rubbed at herself gently while the other held her folds back. Curling her toes and biting her lip she let out small gasps at the sensation.
It felt good, it made her happy.
Standing outside of the cave Emi hoped that Sana was taking advantage of her time well.
"Emi." Jumping to see Jiro approaching she felt her mouth drop suddenly.
"Hello Jiro. What are you doing here?" She tried to sound nonchalant but knew she came off as nervous.
"Kohaku has extended our perimeter since you were injured and Sana was…well…"
"That makes sense." Emi calmed.
"I thought I scented Sana. Is she with you?" Emi had been around dog demons long enough to know how keen their sense of smell was, there was no hiding things from them.
If she lied he would know and ruin everything, possibly. Not that his heart was in the wrong place but the last thing Sana needed was a male intruding on her at this time, even if it was Jiro.
"Sana is in the cave. We were exploring it together. I came out here, it is very cold in there for me." Emi said not at all lying, well a little she surmised.
"I see." Jiro said. Walking towards the entrance Emi panicked.
"Wait, wait, wait Jiro. Where are you going? I thought you were on patrol." Putting her hands up in front as she stood before him to block the cave mouth he eyed her suspiciously.
"I want to check on her, make sure she is alright." Jiro stated.
"Sana is fine. She is having a good day and is in bright spirits." She replied.
"Still…" He wasn't dissuaded by her words as he placed his hands on her shoulders and easily, gently, moved her out of his way. "Sana." He called into the cave.
"Jiro." Sana mouthed softly hearing his voice. Suddenly her thoughts turned as his voice reached her. She wanted him to do this to her.
Clenching her thighs she felt a gush of warm liquid coat her slit as she wanted to be filled. Pushing her fingers into herself she gasped and moaned softly as the pleasure intensified, crashing into her with force.
Feeling it subside she laid on the cave floor panting as her eyes began to refocus on her surroundings.
"Sana." She heard again. "Are you alright?"
"Yes." She called back. "Yes, I'll…I will be right out Jiro." Sitting up she quickly wiped herself with her apron and put her kimono back on. Tying her hair back with her cloth and securing her flower in place she stood taking a breath.
Balling up her apron she went towards the mouth of the cave. Sure enough Jiro was standing with Emi whom looked guilty.
"Hello Jiro." She greeted smiling widely.
"Hello Sana." Cocking his head suddenly to the side he sniffed the air. "You smell…different."
"I-I don't know why. Maybe it was something in the cave." She offered.
"No. It is…you. Not something on you."
"Sana, we should go. My back is hurting dreadfully. Can you help me?" Emi interjected placing a hand to her stomach and feigning distress.
"Of course Emi. Jiro, I will see you later on." Sana said going quickly to Emi and wrapping an arm around her waist.
The scent was stronger as she got closer to him spiking his curiosity. Assisting Emi she gave him a small smile as she walked off.
Shuffling from one foot to another he wondered as he resumed his patrol what that scent was. It was still in his nostrils and he found himself breathing it in, it was heavy but sweet.
Not unlike sweat but not the same. Meeting Nen he tried to erase the expression he knew he wore on his face but his brother could read him just as he could him.
"What's wrong?" Nen questioned curtly.
"Sana smelled different than usual." Jiro replied. "It was her but there was something else."
"What did it smell like?"
"I can't describe it…it was not a bad smell just strong. I actually like it." He admitted with a small smirk.
"Where did you come across her?" Nen pressed his own curiosity peeking.
"In a cave. She was exploring it with Emi but was by herself in it when I found her. Emi was waiting for her outside."
"Take me to it." Following behind his litter mate they went to the cave. Cutting down the overgrowth with their weapons they entered.
Taking a deep inhale of the air Nen smirked to himself. Following the scent they came to a part where the ceiling had given out to bathe the inside with sunlight.
"It's so strong in this spot." Jiro said more to himself. "What was she doing in here."
"Oh brother. You are so innocent." Nen smiled wide taking his younger brother into a head lock. "That is the scent of your friends arousal."
Jiro struggled against Nen hitting him in the side until he let him go. Staring at him he looked to the spot where it was strongest.
"What do you know about females and arousal?"
"Male or female, once you have smelt it you understand what it is." Nen explained.
"I don't smell another with her, just Sana but the demon slayers have a way to mask their scent." Jiro said.
"Do you really think that Sana would come here with a male after what has happened to her?" Nen questioned.
"No." Jiro admitted. "But then, why would she be aroused by herself." Looking back at his brother he felt his defenses come up at the deadpan expression he gave. "What?! Don't look at me like that Nen."
"You are so stupid. Haven't you ever pleasured yourself?" He snapped.
"Yeah but I…how was I supposed to know females could do it too." He countered baring his fangs.
"I'm leaving." Nen was unimpressed by his litter mates display and lost interest now that he had figured it out. Lingering a moment longer Jiro followed him out.