A/N: Hello dear readers. Okay, I know some of you have been asking for a while for Kohaku and Izumi to have their own child. I promise they will, just not yet. It doesn't feel like the right time for them. I promise that I will not let any of you down who ship them.
For now, enjoy!
While Sesshomaru tended to stay closer to the household he did venture away further from time to time. On the edge of their land he stared up at the sky.
When had he become so complacent that he didn't mind staying in one spot? Well before he mated Rin he still had found himself lingering close by to the village where she was never wanting to be to far from her.
Thinking back to his centuries of wandering and obsessing over acquiring the Tessaiga seemed so empty. He had convinced himself he didn't need anyone, he was better off to be a solitary creature.
The only other he had been particularly close to had been his father. After his death he chose not to get close to anyone else.
The first one to invade his life had been Jaken who had proven useful at times and amusing at best. It had stunned him when he realized that despite the imps grating behavior he did consider him a confidant and began to value his knowledge.
A sound to his right brought his full attention in that direction. Narrowing his eyes he could smell a human, a very distressed human but none of his.
Moving forward he stopped in front of a tree hearing frantic breathing that someone was attempting to control.
"You have nothing to fear from me. You may come out." He said loud enough for the other to hear but not to frighten them.
Watching as a young female in a state of dishevelment peered around the trunk of the tree before freezing in place upon seeing him.
"Stay away from me demon." She shouted frightened before running off. Sesshomaru watched her as she went. She was injured with her kimono dirtied and ripped.
Deciding it would be best not to go after her and scare her more he returned home to appraise his mate and Izumi of the situation.
Summoning Kohaku they sat at the table earlier than usual.
"There is a young human female on our land that is injured. When I approached her she ran from me." Sesshomaru informed. "I believe it best if you go to her Rin with Kohaku."
"Yes, we should go right away in order to find her." Rin stated standing quickly. Going into their room she grasped her satchel that had medicinal herbs, salves, and ointments.
"Absolutely. Just point us in the right direction Lord Sesshomaru." Kohaku said standing when Rin came back into the room.
"The female was at the northern edge past the hot springs." He said.
"Wonderful. I'll find her and hopefully she will let me assist her." Rin said as they went to the door.
"Good luck." Izumi called as they went out. "I wonder where she is from. There aren't any human villages close by."
"I am not certain. She appeared to be running from something but I detected no other presence nearby."
"Perhaps whatever was after her stopped once she stepped foot onto our territory."
"That is a possibility."
"You know that Rin will bring her home to care for, yes?" Izumi mused.
"Probably." Sesshomaru replied. "If that is what she wishes to do then so be it."
"In that case I will let Iku know of the situation so she and Emi may prepare a space for this young woman." Izumi said standing.
"Insightful as always." Sesshomaru commended.
"Wait, are you…complimenting me?" She questioned raising a brow at him. "And here I thought you simply tolerated my presence most of the time."
"Shut up Izu." He quipped at her standing as well. Laughing Izumi left the house leaving him to mind the pups.
Coming to the edge of their land Rin glanced around staying close to Kohakus side. On alert he kept a hand to his kusurigama as he paid mind to their surroundings.
"This reminds me of when we were younger. When Lord Sesshomaru would go off and leave you to watch over me." Rin said smirking to herself.
"Sort of." Kohaku indulged. "Except I'm taller now than I was back then."
"And I'm not?" Rin asked.
"Barely." He teased hearing her huff before she giggled. Bringing his hand up she stopped.
"Kohaku?" She questioned him softly.
"Do you hear that?" Turning to glance at her she shook her head. "This way." Leading her to a fallen log Rin knelt down and peered inside.
There was a young woman hiding inside of it with her knees drawn up to her chest as she buried her face against her legs whimpering.
"Hello." Rin said gently. Jumping the other whipped her head in her direction. "Don't be afraid of me. My name is Rin. I want to help you."
"Are you a demon?" She whispered fearfully.
"No. I am a human. My friend is with me, his name is Kohaku. He's a human too." Rin stated.
"There was a demon earlier, it isn't safe here."
"Was he tall? Dressed in white with long white hair and a fur on one shoulder?" Rin smirked slightly when she received a curt nod. "That's my husband, Lord Sesshomaru."
"Your husband is a demon?"
"Yes and Kohakus wife is a demon as well." Offering her hand out to the other she was glad when she accepted it.
Crawling out Rin saw how dirty she was, she had cuts and bruises on her face and legs. "Sit. I brought my medicinal bag to treat you."
Hesitantly she did watching Rin as she inspected her injuries before taking out various items from her bag.
"What is your name?" Kohaku asked. Shaking her head Rin understood her hesitancy and her wariness.
"That's fine if you do not want to tell us. Are you alone?" Rin soothed.
"Yes." Looking away and biting at her lip she began to sniffle. "I was taken away by ogres. Many women in my village were over these last few weeks. We had thought they were being eaten but their leader…when they took me he…he…" Closing her eyes tightly she began to sob.
"Then I suggest you come with me to our compound where I can take care of you." Rin squared her gaze at her. "There are other females there who can help as well."
"Humans?"
"No. I'm the only human woman there right now."
"Our estate is safe. You will not be harmed there for as long as you may wish to stay." Kohaku said.
"Honestly I hope that you do." Rin said bandaging her arm. "I won't be able to rest tonight knowing you are out here by yourself."
"Alright." The woman relented nervously.
"Great. Come on. You'll meet Izu and Iku…Emi and all of our babies." Rin smiled offering her hand.
"There are…children there?" Allowing to be assisted down Rin nodded.
"I'll make sure you have a nice warm bed, a hot meal, and heal properly." With Kohaku leading them back home the woman seemed to tense as they came to the clearing where their home was.
Rin squeezed her hand reassuringly coaxing her to keep following her. "Izu!" She greeted seeing her friend standing by the side of the deck.
"Rin." She said with a welcoming smirk. "I informed Iku and Emi both of your arrival with a visitor."
"Thank you Izu and thank you Kohaku. Can you let Lord Sesshomaru know that we will be in the back?"
"Of course Rin." He said watching her go towards the rear. Izumi walked behind them seeing the female cast a wary eye at her.
"You're a demon." She stated.
"Yes." Izumi replied.
"This is Izu, Kohakus wife. She's the lady of the east but lives here with us in the west." Rin began to talk easily as was her way.
"My ladies." Iku greeted along with Emi as they came to the quarters she shared with her mate Riku.
"You don't mind do you Iku? If you do I can take her to my own room." Rin offered.
"No Lady Rin." Looking to the other human she stepped aside opening up the bamboo curtain for them to enter.
Sitting beside her Rin looked at Iku as the other women settled. "Now that it is just females I have to ask you; were you raped?" Rin questioned.
The other woman trembled in her spot bringing her hands to her face. "Both Iku and I are midwives and healers. We can help you if you need us."
"If it is early enough and you do not wish to be a pregnancy can be terminated or prevented." Iku said.
"I don't know…I don't know. I escaped…I ran and hid. I don't know how much time has passed. Sometimes it feels as if it were recently but others it's as if it were a long time ago." The woman said removing her hands swiping at her tears.
"Then let me examine you. Afterwards you can make your decision." Rin coaxed. Iku had made her a makeshift pallet to lay on.
Izumi watched Rins face as she prodded her stomach pressing down on her abdomen and rocking her hand against the other woman.
She was able to check her internally and cleaned up her vaginal area that was injured in her attack. "So far it doesn't seem as if you are. We can still take preventative measures."
"Yes. I can't have a half-breed." The woman said nearly choking out the word. Emi took a small breath at her demeanor and cleared her throat.
"Rin, Izu. May I be dismissed? The hatchlings need to be fed and poor Mitsuo doesn't seem to have the hand for it." She said.
"Go ahead Emi. Go take care of your children." Izumi nodded knowing the woman's words had cut into the little dove. "I don't know if Rin informed you that we do not suffer intolerance within our compound. We are demons and humans who have chosen to live alongside one another. Our young will not be referred to as half-breeds in such a spiteful manner."
Visibly recoiling the other took a breath holding it in. Clamoring to her knees she bowed.
"I meant no disrespect my lady." She said.
"Just please be mindful going forward."
"Yes. I will." Taking the tea that Rin had instructed Iku to brew she sipped at it screwing her face up at the bitterness of it.
"We will find you more suitable clothing. I suggest you wash. There is a hot spring not far from here or a pond if you prefer cooler water." Izumi instructed. "One of the guards can go with you if you feel safer with an escort. Iku, I trust we can leave the woman in your care."
"Yes Lady Izumi."
"Rin." Izumi pulled on her sleeve gently.
"Right. I will find clothes for you and be back." Rin said. Going outside she followed Izumi towards Emis. "Izu?"
"She upset Emi." Izumi said simply. Rapping on the door panel they went in.
"What happened?" Mitsuo asked as they entered. "Emi is beside herself."
"Oh sweet Emi." Rin said rushing to her side as she sobbed against her mate. "Don't take what the woman said to heart."
"It was not what she said, it was how she said it." Emi whispered.
"I won't let her talk that again in such a way." Rin assured.
"Once she is healed it may be best to send her on her way." Izumi said with her arms crossed against her front.
"We can have someone take her to the closest human village." Rin agreed. "She's afraid and injured with her only encounter with a demon being violent; maybe in time she might come around."
"For the time being, I think it would be best for Emi not to associate with her." Mitsuo stated.
"Of course." Izumi nodded. "Rin lets go. Our own pups need attending to."
"Right. I'm sorry Emi. I don't want you to feel badly." Rin spoke gingerly.
"It is not your fault Rin. I had just thought here we would not have to face prejudice again, like before." She whispered.
"You won't. I'll keep an eye on her and set her straight." Rin said with confidence. Exiting the hut Rin felt wretched. "Izu, I feel so terrible."
"You have no reason to. The woman will be dealt with in our way if she proves to be a nuisance." Izumi replied. Nodding Rin agreed as they went to the main house.