Sitting in their hut Nen and Jin had been mostly silent since they had brought the infant to Rin and Izumi.
"I hope the baby is alright." Jin said softly breaking the quiet.
"Rin will know what to do to save it, if it can be." Nen replied. He had washed the blood from him but still the scent of the newborn stayed pervading his senses.
Looking at his arms he felt empty not understanding why. The infant had warmed up and settled in his grasp as he had walked back to the compound. Closing his eyes he recalled how peaceful it had been as he carried it.
"Nen, have you ever thought about having any children?" Jin asked.
"I am not interested in having any." He said opening his eyes. "I wouldn't want to bring anyone into this world, knowing how cruel it can be."
"What about one that is already here though? One that needs parents?" Jin continued.
"Jin, are you suggesting that we request to raise the pup as our own?" Nen countered gently. Jin locked his eyes on him and nodded his head.
"We found it, that means we have a claim to it."
"I don't think that is a right reason to want to take in one." Nen said.
"Then what is a good reason? The others had children because they wanted them, hell that's where Jiro and Sana are off doing right now. I think that taking in a child that was abandoned is a better reason than just wanting one." He stated.
"It would be better off with someone else here. What business do we have, two males, taking in an orphan?" Breaking his gaze from his mate he closed his eyes again.
"I saw you with that baby, you would be a good father to it."
"Based off of the small amount of time I carried it back here? That is not good enough Jin."
"You're afraid." Jin said with a small smirk. As Nen scoffed he sighed. "I am sure that any new parent would be."
"How would we feed it? Or care for it when we both have guard duty?"
"I know our pack will assist us, you do too." Jin moved closer to him taking his hand in his. "Tell me, flat out, that you don't want this and I will drop the subject."
Taking a deep breath Nen shook his head before reopening his eyes. Staring into Jins he felt his resolve breaking down.
"What if we make a mistake or are not good enough for it?" He questioned. Jin tightened his grasp on his husband and gave a small shrug.
"We will never know unless we try." Looking away from him Nen seemed to be searching for the right answer or maybe a counter argument. Not finding any he turned back to Jin.
Giving a small nod of his head was all Jin needed to stand and coax Nen to as well. Walking out to the front they saw both of their ladies and lords sitting on the deck with the woman Mui bowing to them on the ground below.
"This will never happen again." Izumi affirmed. "It is no coincidence that once we opened trade and protection to your people that a newborn was left on our property."
"Lady Izumi, I take full responsibility for what has happened. When I find out which one of my women did this she will be excommunicated from our post." Mui replied.
"The mother may need care or else she can become sick." Rin said. "When you do find out whom she is please do not hesitate to reach out to us so that she may be tended to."
"It is not uncommon for the women to become with child but this is the first that any one of them have done something of this nature. I do not punish them as some other mistresses do and offer whatever support they may need." Mui said. "With that said I have to ask, what you plan to do with the child?"
"It will remain with us, raised as one of our own." Izumi responded. "As far as this one is concerned none of you are capable to care for it."
"I understand. Thank you my ladies, my lords. Again, this will be a tragic one time occurrence." Mui bowed her head lower.
"Kiyoshi, return the woman to the post." Izumi commanded.
"My lady." Kiyoshi bowed to them all slightly assisting Mui up. Watching as they went to the wood line all attention turned to Nen and Jin.
"What is it?" Kohaku asked as they both took a knee to show their respect.
"Chief, Lord Sesshomaru, Lady Izumi, Lady Rin; Nen and I have been talking and we would like to take the baby in to raise as our own." Jin said feeling himself begin to tremble.
"You do?" Rin asked curiously.
"Yes." Nen gave a short nod. Rin looked to Izumi whom appeared more than a little surprised.
"On the grounds that we found it so it's ours." Jin interjected quickly. "Please."
"Rin? What do you think?" Izumi asked turning to her.
"I do not think it is an unreasonable request. As it is we do have enough children of our own to care for and we are close by to help, I'm sure Iku will offer her assistance as well…I have no issue with it." She replied.
Standing she went in to the house and re-emerged with the newborn wrapped back in Nens kimono. "I tried wrapping her back up in a clean blanket but she cried until she was back where you had her."
"Her?" Nen questioned as she went down the steps. Standing she placed the little girl back into Nens arms.
"Yes, this is your daughter. I know that you both will be wonderful fathers to her. I will give you the soothing cream I have been putting on her insect bites as well as some other things she will need that we are not using." Rin smiled as she let go of the baby. "We will nurse her for you and you both will be awarded the same advantages any of us have had to care for you daughter."
"Thank you." Jin took a deep breath as he placed his hand to her small cheek. Laden with a basket, clean clothes and blankets they took her to the back.
"I give them a week." Sesshomaru said quietly.
"That is being gracious." Kohaku shook his head smiling to himself.
"That is not being very fair. You looked after Kohaku and I and we turned out relatively fine." Rin said turning to them.
"Relatively, nice way to put it." Izumi giggled softly. Feeling the sharp look Sesshomaru threw in her direction she countered it with one of her own.
"All of you can make fun of them all you want but I know they will be alright." Rin said assertively. "With a lot of help."