Rin laid beside Izumi. Kohaku had gone out to patrol with Riku leaving Sesshomaru with the two. They were both asleep lying against the moko-moko.

Inwardly he cursed Jaken for being the bearer of bad news but knew it couldn't be helped. Even though Izumi had named someone else in her place she still needed to be apprised of what was happening in her house, seeing as it was in fact now hers.

Taking note when her breathing began to become faster and her heart rate increased he placed his hand to her shoulder. She was afraid.

"Izu." He said gently to rouse her from her nightmare. In an instant she gasped and her eyes shot open fearfully. Meeting his gaze as she came to consciousness she brought a hand to her head and groaned.

"Where is Kohaku?" She asked groggily.

"On patrol." He replied. "He will be back shortly." Placing her hand against his as it laid on her shoulder she sighed.

"Thank you for coming in here with Rin." She said. "Having you both near is a great comfort."

"Rin brought me in." Sesshomaru stated.

"I noticed. I found it funny at first that she had such control over you but I know now why." Turning her head to face Rin she watched as the other slept facing her.

"So tell me then." Sesshomaru prodded when she didn't elaborate.

"It makes her happy. Her energy is contagious and revitalizing." Removing her hand from his she brushed Rins bangs away from her forehead. "For us, who lived in such rigidity and no free will, it is a breath of fresh air."

Resting his gaze on his mate he became curious. "Why you?"

"What do you mean?" Sitting up to be beside him she looked at him just as curious.

"Why did my mother choose you?"

"I don't know. I was told that I was going to the celestial palace of the west to breed with you." She stated. "No other explanation. It was a matter of fact."

Placing her hands to her stomach she rubbed at a spot and smirked. "I'm glad for how everything has turned out."

"Despite what has occurred in the east?" Sesshomaru turned to her slightly. Her face fell slightly but still she held an air of ease.

"I knew very well what the outcome may be when I penned the letter. Rin supported me to do what had to be done. He would have been a threat to us. I will not allow anyone to threaten our pack." She said.

"Agreed." As she moved her hands away he could see under her kimono her stomach moving. "None will harm any of you."

Smirking still she took his hand placing it against the spot where their son was most active. "Hisashi."

"This entire situation has been quite out of the ordinary." Izumi commented.

"Yes but better than what I expected." Sesshomaru conceded. Nodding her head in agreement they sat for some time until Kohaku returned.

Sesshomaru gathered Rin to him leaving behind the moko-moko taking her to their own room. Holding her to him tightly before laying her down on their futon he laid down beside her placing his hand to her cheek.

Watching her sleep he felt immense pride for his mate, his Rin. She had done so well with all of this, taken complete control of the situation and guided him through it when he was at odds with himself.

She was his true strength, conscious, and most precious belonging. "You have no idea how truly incredible you are my dearest." He whispered placing his lips to her forehead.

Humming in her sleep she smirked at the gesture cuddling closer to him. Wrapping his arm around her waist he tucked her under his chin securely listening to her steady breath.

The next day Kohaku went out to hunt for Izumi. Sesshomaru had accompanied him and trained him on what to catch for her as well as how to prepare it.

He was more than happy to provide sustenance for his wife and he had a feeling in the next few weeks he would be hunting a lot. Her appetite was increasing as the pup grew rapidly.

Coming into the sitting room Rin took note of how flustered Izumi seemed as she sat in front of the open sliding door.

"Are you alright?" Rin went to stand beside her.

"I am overheated." Rubbing at the back of her neck she had her hair up high and pulled back to hang down over one shoulder leaving her ears more noticeable.

"The breeze should help. It is quite cool." Bringing her robe around her more tightly Rin placed her hands into the sleeves of her kimono.

"It feels as if it's inside. The heat is from inside of me. The cold isn't helping." Izumi explained. "So hot."

"Don't worry Izu," Sitting in front of her friend she truly felt bad for her, "Human women go through odd things as well when they're pregnant. I knew a few women who ate things that were inedible."

"Such as?"

"Rocks, dirt, one girl ate grass which wasn't the worse thing considering the first two. Another one ate clay." Rin recalled counting it on her fingers.

"Why?"

"They said they just had to have it. Not everyone has these cravings for non food items. Actual edible cravings are common though in later pregnancy."

"And have you had any of these odd cravings, Rin?"

"No. I did have some nausea in the beginning and headaches but now I feel great." She said with a smile.

"You didn't tell me that. I remember you said about a headache the day I told you you were pregnant but you never said you felt sick." Izumi said concerned.

"It didn't last and I just kept it to myself."

"Why?"

"It was not that important." Brushing it off Izumi only shook her head.

"That is not true." Izumi grasped Rins hands staring into her eyes. "You are important. I told you this many times. Please, tell me you at least told your mate."

"It was around the time your father came and I didn't want to add any more worry or stress to everyone." Rin admitted. "You needed me."

"That was never my intent, to take attention away from you especially when it comes to your mate."

"Izumi. It is alright." Squeezing her hands Rin held her gaze. "We are in this together. Sure we have our husbands but there is only so much they can understand. I'm happy to be sharing this experience with you."

"Just say that if you have any other problems, share them. If not with me then Sesshomaru. Don't suffer in silence."

"Okay." Rin relented. "Here, have you noticed lately how much my stomach has grown?" Placing Izumis hands on her she leaned back slightly.

"Yes, I have. You are very small so it has been noticeable for some time. Before long you'll be as big as I am."

"I can't wait. A few more weeks and the two of us will hardly be able to move."

"Well we can stay in each others chambers and braid our hair." Izumi said with a small laugh.

"Oh yes! That will be fun." Rin said brightly. "Then when Hisashi is born we can lay with him and play with him, once I give birth we can nurse our babies together."

"Yes, we will." Taking her hands off of Rin she sat back. "I don't feel as warm as I did."

"Maybe you just needed to talk."

"I think you may be right." She said turning her head to outside to see Kohaku returning with her meal.