A/N: Hello dear readers. After I wrote out the last chapter it didn't sit well with Nen that he had scared Rina.

It made me think about my entire life I have had to be the strong one, have been told I am when all I wanted to do was break down like everyone else around me.

That is how I picture Nen as being. Luckily he has someone now who can take care of him.

Enjoy!

After Nen was relieved by Riku for the night he made his way back towards his own domicile. Thinking back on what Izumi and Rin had said he stopped looking up at the sky.

He was strong, in both body and mind, but it wasn't because he had ever wanted to be. It was a necessity to become so in order to make sure not only he survived but Jiro as well.

Closing his eyes he allowed for a moment to feel what it had been like; the constant fear that someway he would lose Jiro be it to death or they would be separated.

Coaxing Jiro to teach himself how to transform so the beatings would stop for both of them, his litter mates whines and cries for their parents that were futile but even still he to longed for the distant memory of a father and mother.

At times he would lie awake staring at darkness on a freezing ground cuddled with Jiro thinking maybe he had been wrong and their parents weren't dead, imagining they had come to save them only to have to face the harsh reality nearly every moment that no one was coming for them.

Hunger, pain, cold…if he hadn't been strong then neither of them would have survived.

"Brother." Opening his eyes he saw Jiro coming towards him. "Are you well?"

"Yes. I am." Nen sighed out. "Nagi left, he went to the village or whatever it is with a human female."

"Oh. Good for him then." Jiro said before thinking on it. "Damn. That means more guard duty, Sana will not be pleased."

"Breed her, then you both can have time to yourselves." Nen smirked at his twin.

"Believe me, I have been trying but she is not interested. All in due time I suppose." Jiro smiled widely.

"A few months ago and you couldn't even tell what it was Sana was doing in that cave. Now look at you." Shaking his head he gave a small chortle. "I'm happy for you Jiro."

"You too Nen." He replied placing his hand to his shoulder. "I am glad that we both found someone, even if your mate is intolerable. For you, I will put up with him."

"That is all I could ask for and more little brother." Clapping his hand over Jiros they stood for a moment taking the other in, nearly a mirror image of themself. "Go to your mate. Enjoy tonight."

"Will do. Night Nen." Jiro removed his hand walking towards his hut.

"Good night Jiro." Watching him go inside he made his own way home opening the door. As he entered Jin was spooning some rice into a bowl.

"Hello husband." He said brightly.

"Mate." Nen returned placing his weapon and armor in their respective spots. "Did you cook this on your own?"

"I did." Jin placed a bowl down in front of him as he sat. "Be honest but not to honest because I tried really hard. Pretend you like it."

Smiling at him Nen sighed. "Thank you." Taking the bowl he ate the rice before moving to the fish.

"No complaints?" Jin pressed.

"I like it."

"Are you just being nice?"

"No. Even if it was bad I would still like it. You made it for me." Nen said.

"But if it was bad you would tell me." Receiving silence Jin shrugged.

"I like it not just because of the taste, it is because you cared enough about me to make it." Nen said slowly as if he were trying hard to relay what he wanted to say.

Placing his bowl down Jin watched him for a moment waiting to see if he would say anything else. When he didn't he decided to speak.

"I want to make you happy and cooking makes people happy, so…you're welcome." He said.

"Jin, do I really come across as being mean spirited?" Looking at his mate squarely he saw him fidget slightly.

"Honestly, yes. At first." Jin replied truthfully. "I figured out though you were only putting on an act to protect yourself. That was why I wanted to get to know you. Now, I do and I love you. Did something happen today?"?

"Nagi left to stay with the other humans at that post. A human female came here seeking him out, curious about where he went. I scared her, I didn't mean to." Nen explained softly.

Jin crawled closer to him wrapping his arms around his shoulders and tugging on him to lie his head down on his lap. Untying his hair he ran his fingers through it smirking down at him.

"I love you for all of you Nen. Even when you're mean and scary but I just know how to deal with you now when you get like that."

"Sometimes I wish I was more like Jiro. He has always been so sweet and friendly and…."

"Because you took care of him, that's why he is like that."

"I want to be taken care of." Nen whispered. Leaning down Jin kissed the side of his head lightly.

"As long as I'm living, I promise to take care of you." He murmured softly.

Cuddling against him further Nen closed his eyes as his mate stroked his hair and whispered reassurances in his ear.