Heated steam rose from the large wash basin that Izumi sat in. Kohaku had gifted it to her shortly after Hisashi had been born much to her delight.
The rigors of labor and the endless cycle of nursing had left her body both physically and emotionally exhausted. Sitting in a hot bath certainly ease not only the aches in her muscles and sex but also her breasts.
They were always heavy and full. Leaking incessantly regardless if she were in her demon form or her humanoid, the entire experience so far had been an annoyance since giving birth.
Sighing out her cares she rested her head against the side with her arms hanging limply over beginning to let sleep claim her. The heat lulled her as the water surrounded her comfortably.
"Izu." Rin said from her spot on the futon. "Be careful. I don't want you to drown." Cracking open an eye she glanced at the other female as she held their pup on her pregnant stomach rubbing at his ears and supporting his rump so he didn't fall.
"I was just resting my eyes." She muttered out groggily.
"If you're tired then you should get out before you have an accident." Rin chided.
"Mhm." Izumi mumbled closing her eyes again. Sighing Rin placed Hisashi down and covered him with a blanket to keep him warm. She placed him against his fathers moko-moko for his comfort and scent so he wouldn't be lonely before making her way over to her friend.
"Dearest sister mine." Rin cooed as she approached. "If you die then your husband would be most upset and your pup may starve since I am not producing any milk yet."
"I am not going to drown Rin." She said opening her eyes to look at the other.
"I am fairly certain there have been a great number of people who have said that before they did." She countered.
Shaking her head and rolling her eyes Izumi stood from the tub grasping at her robe that was close by. Exiting the tub she sighed exasperated.
"Fine. I'm getting out." Tying her robe she kept her gaze trained on Rin. "Happy?"
"Yes." Rin smiled softly.
"Good." Walking over to her shelf Izumi grasped her brush to untangle her hair while it was wet. "Let me do you hair Rin."
"In what way?" She asked sitting on the futon again and smiling widely. Izumi sat behind her brushing out the tangles and snarls she let accumulate in her thick hair.
"I will plait it for you."
"What is that?"
"It is the fancy word for a braid."
"Oh. Alright." Rin sat back slightly to get comfortable. "I haven't had anyone do my hair in a very long time. Kagome used too, she likes to play with hair she says."
"What about when you were small?" Izumi questioned.
"I can't remember that far back." Rin replied. "I hope that this pup is a girl then I can do her hair. I had asked Lord Sesshomaru some time ago now if he could figure out what I am having but I suppose he forgot since he hasn't said anything. What do you think Izumi? What do you think I am having?"
"A little female would be nice to have." Izumi agreed. "It is different not knowing, it adds another element to the anticipation."
"Yes, yes it does." Rin agreed. Placing her hand to her stomach as Izumi did her hair in sections she sighed out. "Izu, do you think that I will live long enough to see this little one grown?"
"I suppose it depends on how fast it grows." She said. "Do half-breed children grow at a human pace?"
"Some do but Inuyasha was very small still when his mother died even though she was old for a human. Maybe it is because Lord Toga was a strong demon. If that is the case then I won't."
"You are still very young, yes? Don't worry about such things Rin." Izumi soothed. Grasping her hand she stopped fixing her hair. Rin turned her head to look at Izumi with her face solemn.
"You will take care of them right? Our pups? When I am gone?" Unshed tears sparkled in her eyes as she appealed her.
"Of course I will little Cho." Izumi wrapped her arms around her shoulders tightly placing a light kiss against her now damp cheek.
"And Lord Sesshomaru too." Before Izumi could open her mouth to say anything Rin began to sniffle. "I told him on our wedding night that…when I am gone he needs to find someone else to love. It worries me, what will become of him when I am gone."
"I will look out for Sesshomaru as well." She sighed out. "We are pack. It will be a tremendous loss when you and Kohaku are both…but as long as Sesshomaru and I strengthen our bonds now then we will still be."
"Do you remember the day Jaken made me cry?" Rin asked leaning against Izu.
"Yes." She practically snarled out.
"Did you hear all that he said to me?"
"No but I heard enough."
"He told me that I am nothing more than Sesshomarus concubine. That you are his lady, the alpha female. Hisashi will inherit everything and any child I bare will receive nothing." Rin said. "I do not care about titles or fortunes but does that meant that my lord won't care for our pups when I am gone?"
"No. What Jaken said…"
"Is not wrong." Rin interjected.
"Rin," Izumi moved around to face her, "You are the lady of the western house. You are the mate of Lord Sesshomaru, the great dog general of the west. Not me, you." She assured. "Sesshomaru will cherish and love any little ones you give him more than anything especially once you are gone."
Nodding her head slowly she sniffled. Hisashi began to squeak from his blanket kicking at it before his mewling cries began. Pulling the small bundle closer to them Rin picked him up cradling him to her kissing the top of his head.
"Please remember me Hisashi. Don't forget about mama Rin, okay?" She whispered to him.
"Let me help you into the bath Rin. The water is still clean and warm. It is your turn now to be spoiled." Izumi offered. "You take care of all of us, now let me take care of you."
"That sounds nice." Placing Hisashi back down Izumi helped her to undress with her hands lingering to her extended abdomen. Smiling to herself she took Rins hand and assisted her into the tub. "This is nice."
Closing her eyes she settled down into the heat and the comforting way the water surrounded her body. Izumi sat on the futon to nurse Hisashi as his whimpering had turned into pitiful little howls.
"Rin." She said after a few minutes had passed.
"Izu." Rin replied sleepily.
"Don't drown." She chided with a smile.
"I won't drown Izu." She replied smirking to herself.