The rain pelted the roof dripping off the slanted ends away from the porch. Rin had fallen asleep restlessly. There was a new type of tension in the air now just as the first had dissipated.
Sesshomaru slid open the door to outside shutting it gently behind him with his eyes falling on Izumi as she sat with her back straight and unmoving.
"This Sesshomaru apologies Lady Izumi. I forget. When I am reminded or it is brought to my attention that Rin will only be here for such a brief moment it's a pain that can be unbearable, so I forget again." He stated watching the water drip down steadily in streams to the ground.
"There is nothing to apologize for Lord Sesshomaru. This one forgets herself, I apologize." She replied softly.
"With this newfound knowledge what will you do?" Sesshomaru queried. Watching as she sat statuesque he could sense the waves of anguish flowing from her.
"There is nothing to be done. It's too late. Kohaku is my mate. Rin is my, well I'm not entirely sure what Rin is but she's special to me."
"It was never this ones intention for you to bond with any of the humans. I merely wanted to make sure that Rin was protected while I was away, especially from you." He replied. "I was wary of the entire situation, leaving you with her, however I trusted that you would not do any thing to jeopardize your own life."
"Rin wanted me to talk with her, for us to become better acquainted. She showed an interest in me that no one ever had. We saw one another from the beginning and become curious about the other." Izumi said. "Tell me my lord, why did you build a separate chamber for this Izumi?"
"I wanted you to be comfortable. You are just as much being used in this as I am. When my anger subsided there was a need to try to make amends in some small way, for this ones behavior and as a token of gratitude for what you will be giving up my lady."
"By the time Kohaku and Rins lives are over, if we do breed in their lifetime, our pup will still be on my tit. She wants us to raise our children together but she will never see her own grown."
"It is a possibility. Half-breeds are all different and grow differently, some slower than others."
"I am staying." Izumi said. "No matter what may happen, I want to be here. If you would allow it my lord." Turning to face Sesshomaru she looked up at him expectantly.
"Rin would never forgive me if I let you leave." He said with a small smirk. "So for her, I will allow it."
"But of course, for Rin." Izumi agreed amused. A strong wind swept across the side of the house where they were. On it carried a scent of blood accompanied by an unmistakeable howling of a demon. "Kohaku."
In a burst of bright light Izumi had transformed into her true form and was running on all fours in the direction of the noise and Kohakus blood.
"Izumi!" Sesshomaru called after her. Running to the back quarters he instructed Jaken to watch over Rin.
"Lord Sesshomaru, that ghastly howling, what was that just now?" Jaken asked curiously.
"The eastern house. Apparently they have come to check on us." He stated quickly before racing off in the same direction Izumi had gone.
By the time Sesshomaru arrived Izumi had changed back to her more human appearance while two soldiers bowed at her feet. Kohaku lay behind her with a visible facial injury. It was difficult to discern where he was bleeding from as he lay on his side.
"Lady Izumi. The human has your scent on him. We were concerned that he may have brutalized you." One of them spoke up.
"This human is a vassal of Lord Sesshomarus. You dare to come into the territory of another lord and begin assaulting those under his subjugation."
With her voice steady and unwavering she maintained her composure even though inside she wanted to scream and cry over the fact they had hurt Kohaku. "Your lord will have your heads for threatening the sanctity of this arrangement, that is if Lord Sesshomaru does not take them first."
"My lady, our lord has sent us to bring back word to him on the progress of said arrangement." The other stated. "With this to tell you; if you do not produce an heir by years end to both the eastern and western houses he will personally come here to declare war against the west."
"Deliver this message to Lord Akio personally and make certain you tell him whom it is from; this Sesshomaru will not be threatened nor forced. If he is so intent on bringing war then bring it. If the old fool really believes he has a chance to take the west from me then come."
"No." Izumi said quickly. "Tell my father, we will meet his terms."
"Yes my lady." They both nodded. Sesshomaru couldn't help the growl that escaped his throat at being undermined.
"Now go and make haste. Leave the west." She commanded. As soon as they were out of sight and had put some distance between them Izumi was by Kohakus side.
"You should not have done that." Sesshomaru said angrily as she turned Kohaku onto his back.
The rain began to wash some of the blood away but Izumi ripped a piece of her kimono sleeve and dipped it into a clean puddle beside her to wipe at his face.
"They smelt me on him. They know that I have mated with him. What makes you think they didn't smell Rin on you?" Izumi said glancing up at him. "If you meet his desire for war he will not wait until years end to come, especially if he is told that his daughter has lain with a human."
"Years end." Sesshomaru shook his head. "In order for that to occur we will need to breed now."
"This one is aware." Sitting back Izumi ran her claws down her mates cheek and felt determined. "This is how we can protect them. Once we do as they say then it won't matter anymore who we're with."
"For now, we will take Kohaku to Rin. She can tend to his wounds so they do not become infected." Sesshomaru said.
"Alright." Izumi said standing. It wasn't lost on Sesshomaru her look of distress. Picking Kohaku up they both made their way back quickly to the manor.
Sesshomaru laid Kohaku down on Izumis futon in her chambers. Izumi roused Rin stating that Kohaku was hurt and needed assistance.
As she tended to him Sesshomaru instructed Jaken on his intent and what he expected of Jaken. "If I may mi'lord; perhaps we should wait for Kohaku to heal in order for him to assist me in protecting the compound while you are predisposed."
"While that would be ideal unfortunately there isn't time. The task will fall upon you and An-Un." Sesshomaru stated. "Two days time."
"As you wish Lord Sesshomaru. I will be certain to keep Rin away…"
"Rin will be with us." Izumi said sitting with her back against the wall and her knees drawn up to her chest.
"Ah, oh…if that is what you wish my lady." Jaken stammered.
"That will be all for now Jaken. Begin now by patrolling the perimeter with the dragons." He ordered. With a nod Jaken made his way out.
"Izu." Rin came down the hall and put her hand against her shoulder. "Kohaku will be alright. He has a bad injury to his face that will more than likely scar but other than that he be will just fine."
"Thank you Rin." She said with a nod. "Is he awake?"
"No but you should go to him." Rin suggested. Slowly Izumi stood and walked to her room.
"Rin, we must talk." She heard Sesshomaru say as she closed the sliding door to her room. Making her way over to the futon she stared down at Kohaku for a moment.
His face was bandaged across his forehead and nose. Dark bruises were under both of his eyes and his face appeared to be swollen. Lying down beside him she rested her head against his chest.
"I'm sorry." She whispered nuzzling her head under his chin.