Rin worried over Izumis state. Since the day she had been wounded she remained in her room only allowing Rin to come in to check on her.

The healer, Lady Iku, consulted with Rin as a secondary person asking her questions about Izus physical condition as the days went on since she was not very receptive to her presence.

Kohaku had tried to speak with her only to have Izumi not talk back, she had just sat on her futon staring at her hands as if she were catatonic.

"Izumi, please talk to me." Kohaku begged. "I'm sorry that I was angry the other day. It was not at you. It was upsetting because you were hurt and I wanted nothing more than to harm the one who did that to you."

Grasping her hands in his and squeezing hers remained limp.

Rin brought her fresh flowers and made sure she had plenty of water. Sitting across from Izumi on the futon she thought back to when she herself had been mute.

She had been so young but she just remembered feeling lost at first and alone, so very alone. Maybe that's how Izu was feeling with the knowledge that her father may very well be executed.

At that time no one had cared for an orphan girl calling her cold, distant, and even weak in the head because of her unwillingness to open up.

It wasn't that she hadn't wanted too, none of them would have listened. None of them cared and only thought of her as a burden they were forced to take on.

Sesshomaru had cared enough to ask her why her face was bruised. It was Sesshomaru who had fostered that feeling of being needed and wanted as she had attempted to help him when he was injured.

After following him for a few days from afar he had sat her down and waited for her to speak, he was if nothing but eternally patient with her always.

When she finally did he listened. It meant the world to be heard and just for someone to listen.

"When you're ready to talk Izu I am here." Rin said simply standing and turning to go towards the door. As she reached for the handle to push the door aside she heard a deep sigh come from behind her.

Stilling but not turning back around she waited. Rin could be patient too. The room was silent except for her own breathing and the dull thud of her heart beat in her ears as she stared at the door.

"I should return to the east." Izumi said softly. "To oversee the accusations that Captain Tadao has charged my father with."

Turning to face her Rin moved back towards her quietly sitting beside her but not too close to give her space. "At the same time I do not believe that I can sit there and not let my emotions get the best of me."

Closing her eyes tightly she clenched her hands into fists. "I keep thinking about it, going over the exchange we had in my head and I wish it had been different. That he would, for once, just listen to me and accept my wishes."

Taking a deep breath Izumi wiped at her eyes before the tears fell. "He was not always so quick to anger and to rule with an iron fist. That is what hurts, he was different. When I was younger my father was kind and fair. He wanted what was best for everyone, for me."

"When my mother died it was birthing my younger brother whom was stillborn. He lost his son and his mate, in a moment they were gone."

"That was when everything changed and I was the one that was left but I wasn't as beautiful or as graceful as my mother had been and I certainly wasn't a male to defend our home or our people."

"In a moment, all of a sudden, I was no longer good enough and the only thing he wanted me for was to have a son that would be."

Reaching out slowly Rin placed her hand lightly on Izumis knee. "He said awful things to me over the years but I still thought he cared for me, because I am his daughter…his only family. I was stunned he threatened me, it hurt far worse then when he hit me with his blade."

Weeping openly Izumi wrapped her arms around herself and sniffled. Rin edged closer to her to sit beside her wrapping her arm around her shoulders and resting her head against Izus shoulder.

Izumi placed her own head against Rins taking her hand with both of hers. "I don't want to deal with him anymore, I want him dead, but he is still my father and I just wanted things to be different. Why couldn't he just accept me?"

"I don't know." Rin answered softly.

"Rin, what should I do? I am so torn." Izumi questioned.

"Perhaps you could pen a letter to the captain. Master Jaken can deliver it to the east. In it you can express your wishes or things you want to say without having to leave the comfort and security of our home." Rin said. "I don't want you to go. I'm afraid you would never come back."

"Sesshomaru told me that if I decided to go back he would bring me but then I would want you to come as well and Kohaku…my head hurts." Izumi sighed out.

"Lie down relax. You don't need this stress." Rin said fixing the pillows for her and pushing her down practically to get comfortable. Izumi laid back reaching out for Rin to lay in her arms.

Settling against her Rin placed her hand to Izumis rounded stomach and rubbed at it.

"Maybe, I won't do anything." Izu ran her claws through Rins hair staring up at the skylight as rain began to pelt the glass.

Rin hummed an answer reaching for the blanket to cover them both. As she moved her hand she felt against her palm the smallest of movements. Gasping she put it back more firmly feeling the flurry of small kicks.

"Oh!" She exclaimed softly rubbing at the spot.

"You can feel it?" Izu asked looking down at Rin as she cuddled against her side.

"Yes." She replied smiling happily. "Our sweet baby."

"Boy." Izu said. "It's a male."

"You know what it is?" Rin asked.

"Yes, I can feel it. His energy and his presence is very strong. It is definitely a male."

"When you're feeling better we should tell Lord Sesshomaru and Kohaku they're having a son. They'll both be so happy." Rin said.

"Kohaku believes that I am upset with him and that is why I haven't spoken. I'm not. I just had a lot to think about." Izumi stated.

"He will understand and he will stand by your side no matter what decision you make. Just as we all will." Rin said. "We're a pack and you are our precious Izu."

"Am I?" She seemed to muse over what Rin said. Looking up at her in all seriousness Rin readjusted herself to place her forehead to hers and nuzzle her nose against Izumis.

"Yes, you are." She whispered closing her eyes before placing her lips over Izumis.