Following Nen Jiro knew it was best to keep his distance but still be close enough for his brother to be able to sense his presence.
In his fit of anger he threw down his naginata and swiped his claws across a tree scarring it as bits of bark flew off. Growling as he glared at it he did it again with his other hand.
Snapping and snarling Nen finally punched at the weakness he had created cracking the trunk causing it to fall. With a loud crack and then a crash it went over.
Silence ensued aside from the sound of startled birds as they took flight from the sudden apparent danger and Nens heavy breathing.
"Are you done?" Jiro asked unimpressed by his twins display. Heaving as he gulped in breaths of air Nen turned to him slowly.
"I haven't even begun." He growled out as he went through the area they were in causing considerable damage to the forest. As the fifth tree fell he stopped visibly shaking.
"This won't solve a damn thing Nen and I doubt it's making you feel any better." Jiro appealed.
"It is either the trees or them, take your pick." He retorted angrily.
"You don't mean that." Jiro shook his head.
"No." Nen relented taking a deep breath inwards and allowing his shoulders to slump somewhat. Jiro walked closer to him standing beside him.
Looking around them Jiro couldn't help but smirk.
"At least we'll have plenty of fire wood for some time." He said glancing at his brother who didn't appreciate his joke as he glared at him.
"How long do you think they've known?" Nen questioned.
"From the sound of it they all just found out. If it was the captain and his mate who told Rin then who is to say." Jiro replied.
"They handed down our fate to us, that miserable existence we were forced to endure. Who the hell do they think they are subjecting us to that?" Nen growled out between his fangs.
"And what do you suppose the alternative would have been? They probably saved our lives by hiding us away." Jiro retorted. "We will never know unless we ask and I do want to know."
"Why aren't you angry?"
"At what Nen?" Jiro asked turning to look at him fully. "We cannot change the past but I will not jeopardize my future. Neither should you with yours. We're happy. We have mates and pups, an entire pack that cares for us; no, I'm not angry. If anything it has made me more curious and we may have all of our answers finally."
"Izumi is our cousin." Nen stated. "Meaning we share blood with not only her but Hisashi and Kozumi as well."
"Apparently." Jiro agreed. Watching as Nen closed his eyes he placed his hand to his brothers shoulder. "This changes things but for the better."
Reopening his eyes Jiro saw the tears pooling in his twins identical orbs. Placing his hands to his face he brought his forehead to his to comfort him.
Nen placed his hands on Jiros and sniffled.
"Since when are you the one comforting me?" He scoffed.
"Since you allow yourself to be." Jiro whispered out. "I've seen the change in you, being with Jin and caring for your daughter, I am so happy for you Nen. Don't throw it away. Don't run. Stay here with all of us."
"I love them." Nen whimpered out squeezing his hands tightly. "More than anything."
"And they love you beyond measure." Jiro soothed. "Brother, we will be alright. Everything will be alright."
Closing his eyes Nen breathed in Jiros scent deeply letting out a shaky breath.
Sana and Jin apologized to Izumi, Rin, Sesshomaru, and Kohaku before taking their leave. Jin retrieved Nozumi from Emi and they went to Sana and Jiros hut closing the door behind them.
Sana held her niece to her as she happily coo'd and made babbling noises completely unaware of what had occurred.
Jin stoked a fire in the hearth as the night began to fall and a chill settled in the air. Sana warmed up rice she had made the day before and they ate in silence.
Looking to the door she sighed.
"Jiro will be back. He said he would be." Jin said softly. "Nen on the other hand, I am not sure."
Turning back towards her brother in-law she kept her eye on him as he fed his daughter using a clean cloth he dipped in a bowl of milk wrapped around his finger.
"Nen will be back. He would never leave you Jin." Sana comforted. "And I know for certain he wouldn't abandon Umi."
"I wouldn't blame him if he didn't. He is the eldest son of a lord to a house. Maybe he still has land, a home, subjects waiting for him." Jin thought out. "He may want to reclaim his title."
"Even if that were true he would take you with him." Sana replied.
"I am sure that would go over well; a human, let alone a demon slayer, as his mate. No. There is nowhere else we can be together other than here. Demon and human relations are such a taboo, we wouldn't be accepted." Jin shook his head as he finished speaking.
"I know that. When I came here it was as if I were in a waking nightmare, being around so many demons. I thought I had died and been sent to hell. Everyone was so kind to me and genuinely cared about my well being…it was so overwhelming at first." Sana said.
"I would wake up in the night screaming, reliving the awful memories of being taken by the ogres, and Iku and Riku were there; comforting me, telling me I was safe and they would do anything to help me."
"They are good people." Jin said. "They want what is best for all of us and if they are the ones who knew about Nen and Jiro they withheld the information for good reasons."
"I don't doubt that." Sana agreed. Hearing the door open she turned standing quickly as both Nen and Jiro entered. Taking Jiro in her arms as Nen sat beside Jin laying his head on his shoulder.
"Are you alright Nen?" Jin asked softly turning his head to rest against his husbands.
"No." Nen breathed out. "But, I think in time I will be." Placing his hand to their daughters head her eyes moved to him holding his gaze. "It's getting late for her."
Nodding Jin agreed handing her over to Nen who cradled her close to him making sure she was wrapped in her blanket for the short distance home.
"Good night Nen, good night Jin." Sana said as they readied themselves to leave. Nodding Nen left with Jin close behind him.
Turning to Jiro he sighed heavily. "How are you darling?"
"I don't know." He replied shaking his head and untying his armor. Assisting him Sana placed the wooden shoulder and chest guard in their proper spot as well as his sword.
"It is out of nowhere it seems, this information." She stated as they sat beside one another. Nodding in agreement Jiro stared into the flames of the hearth.
"I am curious now, more than ever before. I am thinking about asking the captain and Iku about it." He said.
"You do think it is them that told Rin?" Sana asked.
"Who else is there here?" He questioned back.
"No one." Sana agreed. "Jin and I were talking and they had good reason, whatever it may have been."
"Oh of that I have no doubt. That's what I told Nen. He is quite emotional over this." Jiro closed his eyes taking a steady breath.
"Jiro, I want you to know that if you have to leave to find out what you need to know I am alright with it." Sana said softly.
Reopening his eyes he looked at her taking her in. She had her hair down with her sunflower clipped to the front of her kimono.
Her skin was brighter than usual, more so in the glow of the fire, and her scent had become stronger in the few weeks since she had become pregnant.
"Everything I want is right here. I will not chase after ghosts and miss out on or lose what I have gained." Smirking at her she smiled gently.
"Good, because, I really didn't want you to go." Forcing him to smile she did as well. Reaching for her she settled against him in his lap as he held her resting his hand against her stomach.
"I never imagined I could be so happy. I love you so much sunflower. You are my everything and everyday with you gets better and better." He whispered into her ear.
"Thank you." She said softly. "You are more than I could have ever hoped for in a friend, a husband, and now a father to our child."
Holding her more tightly he nuzzled the top of her head with his cheek growling softly with content.