Hearing a commotion from the back Izumi looked to Nen who turned in the direction of the rear of the main house.
"That sounds like Lady Iku." Nen said. Jumping up Izumi beckoned Nen to follow her both waking quickly.
"You promised me you dog!" Iku seethed with anger pointing her finger into Rikus chest hard.
"Mate, I am so sorry…" He replied all the same looking as if he were ready to start laughing.
"Get away from me." She shouted going in to their hut and locking the door.
"What happened?" Izumi asked confused. Turning to her Riku looked between her and Nen laughing softly.
"I made promises that I obviously could not keep." He said simply. "Everything is alright. Nen, return to your post. I guess it is the barracks for me then." Watching as the two went off in separate directions Izumi went to the door.
"Iku, it's Izumi. Open the door." She said knowing that the other would at her command. Visibly upset she stepped aside allowing Izumi to enter. "What is wrong?"
"With all due respect Lady Izumi it is between my mate and I." Iku replied softly.
"Fine. Are you alright?"
"Yes. I just would like to be left alone. Can you please tell Sana that I apologize but I need her to find somewhere else to stay for sometime."
"Certainly. You take however long you need. Just please tell me, your pup is doing well?"
"Yes. The pup is. My pregnancy is going along well."
Breathing relief Izu gave a nod. "I am here if you need anything."
"Thank you my lady." Letting herself out she sniffed out where Sana was and found her in the back off the stable braiding Jins hair.
"Hello Lady Izu." Jin greeted happily.
"Hello Jin, Sana. Having some fun?"
"Jin asked me how I braided my hair. That when he first saw me he liked how I did it." Sana smirked. "It is the best I can do for now with it being shorter than mine but it's done."
Reaching to the back to feel his hair he stood. "Thank you so much."
"You are very welcome Jin." Standing as well she wiped her hands off on her apron out of habit.
"Sana, I need to speak with you." Izumi said.
"Of course Izu." Leading her closer to the main house she explained what had happened.
"You are welcome to stay in the main house if you like or the quarters Jaken stays in while he is away." Izumi offered.
"Thank you. I will think on it and let you know." Sana bowed her head slightly. As Izumi went back to the front Sana went in the direction of the barracks to check on Riku.
She would honor Ikus request to be left alone but was worried as to what could have caused her to kick them out.
"Riku?" She called out rapping on the panel.
"Enter." He replied. Going inside she saw him sitting with his back to the farthest wall having taken off his armor and sword.
"Is everything alright?" She asked tentatively.
"Ah, don't worry yourself pup. Come sit." Walking over to him she knelt in front of him. "Iku is angry with me but more disappointed. As I'm sure you're aware we have two sons; Kiyoshi and Haruki."
"Yes. Iku explained that Kiyoshi is still in service to the east and Haruki took a mate in the south, where Iku is originally from." Sana said.
"That's right. Our sons are fine males and we are both very proud of them, what they have accomplished and that they are happy. Taking to you in made Iku want another daughter, one to have and to raise but I have given her another son."
"Oh." Sana said with a small smile. "I understand why she is angry now."
"Yeah… we just need to give her time. It isn't the first time she has kicked me out." Riku smirked.
"She requested I find other lodgings as well." Watching as Rikus smirk faltered somewhat his eyes widened a bit.
"Oh, she is really mad then if she doesn't even want you in the hut." Blowing out his cheeks he shrugged. "Sorry Sana."
"It's alright. Izumi offered the main house and the empty quarters, I'll figure it out. Maybe it is time to start thinking of requesting my own." She thought aloud.
"You want to leave us so soon?" Riku teased.
"No. You won't be rid of me, ever. I plan on being around for a long time." She said brightly.
"Then, be prepared to be our only daughter and whatever comes of that."
"Gladly."
"You can stay here in the barracks if you like. I personally promise that none of the other males will bother you."
"I will figure out something." Sana said.
"Alright. I will leave you to it then." Wondering what to do with her options she thought of the cave. It would be a good place to stay for some time but she didn't want to stay alone.
If asked Jiro may stay with her to keep her company at night, that was all she would need it for. She would make it very clear that if he didn't want too she would figure out something else.
Steadying her breath she felt herself heat up suddenly at the thought of them staying in the spot she had pleasure herself in. Closing her eyes didn't help either as she imagined him with her in an intimate way as she had seen Izu and Kohaku.
Sighing she put a hand to her head; these silly thoughts she had been having lately. Jiro was her friend, he had been nothing but nice to her and she was picturing him in such a lewd way.
While she believed he had stronger feelings for her she didn't know what they may be. Wondering about it she went to Emi who sat outside with her children.
The two girls were sitting upright while her son was with Mitsuo as he pointed out to him the different berry bushes he had planted.
"Hello." Sana greeted them both sitting.
"Sana. Is it not just the perfect day today?" Emi replied happily.
"It is nice out." Agreeing she bit at her lip gently. "Emi, I have a question about…men."
"Oh?" Emi nearly chirped out standing. "Mitsuo. Would you please watch all of them for a time. Sana needs me."
"Of course love." He came over placing their son down next to his sisters. Smiling at Sana he handed her a tied cloth. "Fresh blueberries."
"Thank you Mitsuo." Sana took them in gratitude. Following Emi into her home they sat.
"Tell me, what is your question?" Emi asked eagerly.
"How did you know that Mitsuo liked you and wanted you to be his mate?" Sana queried. Smiling widely Emi sighed wistfully.
"We became friends once he found that I was a demon and he would me bring nice things. He wanted to spend time with me and we just became closer to where we admitted our deep feelings to one another."
Quietly Sana nodded her head in understanding as she listened. "Do you think that maybe Jiro may like you?"
"I think so but I am sure." She said slowly. "He gave me the sunflower after I said that I liked it and wished I could keep it. Jiro spends time with me, we have become close in the sort time I have been here."
"Seems to be all that is left is for you both to express your feelings to each other." Emi offered.
"How? Do I just say it aloud to him or do I wait for him to say it first?"
"You'll feel it, when the time is right. That is all I can say about it. You will just know."
"I am going to invite Jiro to stay in the cave with me at night."
"That's…forward…" Emi said in surprise.
"Not…not for that!" Sana panicked. "Iku requested to be left alone for a time and I need to find somewhere to stay so I thought of the cave and then I thought of Jiro…" Laughing Emi placed her hand to Sanas shoulder.
"Okay, alright. Calm down Sana."
"Right." She breathed out.
"Certainly invite Jiro to stay with you. Spend time with one another away from the compound, even if it is just at night. Then you can both figure it out from there."
"Thank you Emi." Standing she straightened herself out. "I wonder how Izu and Kohaku came together."
"I don't know. You could ask."
"I think I will." Going outside Emi patted her friends shoulder in support. As she went off towards the main house.
"Is everything alright?" Mitsuo asked Emi.
"Oh yes." Sitting back she rubbed at her stomach absently. "This one is taking much longer to come out than the others did."
"Maybe it needs more time." He offered.
"My stomach has felt fluttery today. It is an odd feeling."
"Fluttery?" Mitsuo questioned. Emi nodded. "Are you alright?"
"Yes, it is just an odd sensation." Seeing Jiro she waved at him and smiled widely. "Sana likes Jiro and is sure that he feels the same."
"Good for them both." Sitting beside her as they watched their children chirp happily to one another he wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "I hope they are as happy as we are."
"Me also." Emi replied.