A/N: Hello dear readers. I just want to say thank you to Cursedcardinal and Mai32 for just spending days binge reading my other stories. I am so impressed and flattered that all of you commit your time to read my stories.

Thank you for all of the reviews, follows, and favs.

Enjoy!

Weeks passed with some cooler days along with milder ones. Rin sat outside on one of the steps to the deck barefoot and her hair a tangled mess not caring much to brush it out.

Her stomach was starting to protrude more. Much to her delight she could feel her child's movements as she rubbed her hands over her abdomen humming softly to her baby.

Everything was perfect. Everyone was happy. There wasn't a thing that could sour her mood.

"Rin!" Glancing up to see Jaken approaching he gave her his disapproving look that etched onto his features into a grimace then a scowl. "Don't you think it would be in your best interest to make yourself presentable?"

"What do you mean master Jaken?" She wondered as he came closer to her.

"You sit there in rags; barefoot as a peasant, and your mane as wild as a forest creatures! Have you no pride in your appearance? You should at least look your best for our lord." He berated.

"Lord Sesshomaru likes me just fine however which way I am." She disputed.

"Hm, it doesn't matter now anyway. Lady Izumi is the alpha female running this pack, you are nothing more than the beta." He sneered out.

"What does that mean?" Rin questioned.

"Lady Izumi is the mother to Lord Sesshomarus heir apparent where as the child you carry is nothing more than a half-breed. It will never inherit anything from our lord since there is a pure blooded heir." Jaken stated. "You're nothing more to Lord Sesshomaru then a concubine. Lady Izumi is his true mate."

"No! You're wrong!" Rin shouted angrily. It had been a long time since Jaken had been so hateful and spiteful towards her, since he had made her cry. "Sesshomaru loves me! He is my mate, my husband!"

"You forget yourself and your place Rin! You will never be lady of the west, a mere human who simply satisfies Lord Sesshomarus more carnal desires that he would never inflict upon a lady of standing." Jaken fought back.

"Shut up Jaken!" She yelled standing and balling her hands into fists. Hot tears streamed down her face. Feeling a shadow suddenly come between her and Jaken she opened her eyes expecting Sesshomaru only to see Izumi standing between them.

"What is the meaning of this?" She demanded her voice commanding and sure.

"Forgive me my lady." Jaken whined bowing to her. "I was simply letting young Rin know her place within this pack."

"Lady Rin very well knows her place within this pack. She is the lady of the western house of the moon, your lords mate, you clearly show disrespect towards her. This is unacceptable." Izumi said harshly. "Be sure to know that Lord Sesshomaru will hear of this transgression and the anguish you have caused his mate in her fragile state."

"Lady Izumi please forgive this Jaken for his lack of judgement." He began to shake at the idea of facing Sesshomaru knowing well he'd be hit.

"Do not apologize to this one. Apologize to Lady Rin." Izumi said stepping aside.

"My lady please forgive me. I didn't mean it. I was only teasing you in the nature we did when you were younger, please Lady Rin…don't tell Lord Sesshomaru on me!" Jaken squealed out with his forehead on the ground.

"I won't tell Lord Sesshomaru Jaken." Rin said meekly.

"Ah, thank you Rin! Er, I mean mi'lady." Scurrying off behind the main house Izumi could have spat on him.

"Nasty little toad." She growled out before turning her attention to Rin. "Are you alright? What did he say to you to put you in such a state?"

Allowing herself to be gathered into Izumis arms she sniffled and sobbed against her unable to stop her tears. Guiding her up the step to sit on the deck Rin felt her hair being stroked and was calmed by the low growl Izu emitted.

It was similar to Sesshomarus but softer, not as deep. Still the rumble was soothing and soon she was able to speak.

"Jaken has always said cruel things to me. He is jealous of me. He had always been due to Lord Sesshomarus way with me. In the past Jaken would be tasked with watching over me when I was a child." Closing her eyes she felt how swollen they had become. "It's been a long time since he has been so mean to me and I just wasn't prepared for it."

"What did he say to you now?" Izumi coaxed.

"Nonsense. That you are Lord Sesshomarus true mate and I am no better than a concubine." Rin replied. "He doesn't understand our dynamics."

"Oh, I'm going to hit him myself." Izumis lips went thin and Rin suspected she was resisting the urge to snarl or bare her fangs.

"Just leave him be. It does no good. He enjoys upsetting me." Shaking her head slightly Rin rubbed at her face.

"I watched you stand up to my father without batting an eyelash to proclaim me as belonging to the west. Now, the stupid imp has you in tears." Izumi said. "Why?"

"Because I care about what Jaken says. I've known him for as long as I have known Lord Sesshomaru and it hurts me to have him still think so little of me."

"Little Cho." Izumi whispered taking Rin back into her arms. "If he is cruel to you again, tell me and I will put him in his place."

"Okay Izu." She said with a nod.

Izumi did not say a word to either Sesshomaru or Kohaku from what Rin observed and they carried on as normal. The milder days turned cold and the fires burned day and night to keep out the chill.

The pack still met every evening to discuss what was going on particularly with Rin and Izumi as both of their pregnancies advanced.

"Izu, are you alright?" Rin asked one night. She saw her nearly trembling where she sat and seemed to be having difficulty in sitting upright.

"She is having trouble maintaining her form." Sesshomaru said.

"Izumi please, I have told you many times to just relax. It is taking too much energy

for you to stay like this." Kohaku chided.

"If I go to my true form then I won't be able to talk to either of you anymore." She said.

"You think that Kohaku and I wouldn't be able to understand you? That is not true." Rin chimed in. "Nothing will change and you'll be better for it. The last thing I want to see is you to weakened to give birth Izumi."

"I know. I do." Izumi relented. "Alright. When I go to my chambers I will change." Kohaku assisted her to stand and walk to their room.

Closing the sliding door he sat with Izumi on their futon. She didn't make a move or shift her energy to transform. "I am going to miss kissing you."

"We still can. There's no reason why we can't still be intimate with one another." Kohaku said.

"It won't be the same." She replied.

"No but it is still us, together. That's all I want Izumi, just to be with you. Whichever way we can." Leaning against him she hummed out a sigh. "You're exhausted love. Lets turn in early for the night."

"One last kiss like this." Smirking at her Kohaku placed his lips to hers gently. Izumi placed a hand to his cheek running her fingertips down to his jaw tracing it. "Do you want to know what else I am going to miss?"

"What?"

"Telling you how much I love you."

"I don't need to hear you say it to know it's true." Kissing her again before resting his forehead to hers.

"I like saying it." Closing her eyes she backed away from him to stand in the middle of the room. "Don't blink or you'll miss it."

Settling back somewhat Kohaku watched as her golden skin glowed brightly enveloping her much the same way Sesshomarus own silver aura swallowed his form when he transformed.

Within a heart beat she stood in her canine form. Her eyes were the orange red color with green pupils and her fur was golden appearing sun kissed.

Sitting back she watched Kohaku for a moment, he surmised she was gauging his expression, before padding over to the platform and climbing up.

"Feel better mate?" He asked. Receiving a slight nod from her he adjusted the pillows in a way he knew she liked and laid down.

Similarly to how she normally did she laid beside him resting her head on his shoulder.

"I understand your concerns, do not think for a moment that I don't. Know that if you decided to remain this way or the other it doesn't matter to me. I want you to be happy and comfortable."

Running his fingers across her forehead she sighed out nuzzling her snout against his jaw to lick at his cheek.