A/N: Hello. I know last chapter wasn't great because of Jin being a twerp. I didn't plan on it being this way he just turned out that way.
I don't know if he'll be redeemed or not but the pack will move forward, however which way that may be.
Enjoy!
After three days Jiro had had enough. It was evident that Nens condition was becoming worse and Jin had not been seen by anyone other than Nagi in that human village.
Sana had been staying with Nen throughout the night while Jiro had to patrol while he watched over his brother during the day so she could rest.
Seeing Nagi return alone he became incensed. Approaching him he nearly growled with how angry he was.
"Where is Jin?" Jiro questioned.
"Staying at the inn." Nagi answered. "I've tried for three days now to get him to come back and he just is being a brat."
"Oh I will bring him back, whether he likes it or not. He is going to own to what he did and accept the consequences of that." Jiro ground out. "Tell Riku you've taken my post. I'll be back."
Running off Nagi sucked in his breath slowly. Jiro was usually so friendly and peaceful that it had thrown him off. Since the other demons had been poisoned however he seemed to take on a more dominant role, almost as if he were assuming small bits of Nens personality.
Surmising that he felt that he needed to be strong for his brother and the others he sought out Riku.
Walking closer to the compound Riku had been having his own issues that he hadn't told anyone other than Iku. His vision was blurred in one eye that did not seem to be getting any better or worse, it just was.
Other than that he didn't think he had any other ill effects but seeing Nen deteriorate he worried not just for himself but also for his mate and unborn pup.
Iku had not seemed to have been affected by it other than the immediate effects it had had but he knew she was not one to complain. Even if she were she would not voice what was happening to her until it became obvious.
Looking to Mitsuo and Emis hut he wondered how they were faring. They had not been outside in some days other than Mitsuo to bring in essentials. They had more or less sequestered themselves away for the time being.
He had had such high hopes for Lady Izumis pack but now he wasn't certain if it would survive in to another year. If it continued to deteriorate he wondered if she would want to return to the east but shook his head.
Izumi would never leave her mate or Rin and he doubted any of them would want to go so far once they realized how isolated the house of the sun was. Even if the others left he knew Iku would want to stay and he would as well.
They had both gone at captain Tadaos request given both of their statuses within the house hold in the east. When Iku had offered to stay Tadao had offered Riku up so as not to separate them otherwise he would have had to have left with out her.
It would not have been the first time over the course of their relationship that they were apart but it was not what either one wanted, being who they were they had to go where they were commanded.
Now they had immeasurable freedoms in this central western land to which they served their ladies and lords loyally. Riku had grown up in the east and was of the same generation as the former lord Akio. They had been well acquainted for centuries before Iku had arrived with Izumis mother from the south.
Everyone in the east was light haired and dark skinned with lighter eyes. While the lady had been beautiful he had found Iku to be stunning. The way she moved and carried herself, her paler skin and darker eyes had captivated him.
Stopping he stared at his own hut. Only another hour or so and he could go home to her, make sure she was comfortable and rest with her by his side.
"Captain." Nagi said coming alongside him. "Jiro has gone to fetch Jin."
"Has he?" Riku breathed out to look at the human.
"Yes sir. I will assume his post." Nagi stated. "If you wish to turn in early I don't mind to take on yours as well."
"I think I will. Thank you Nagi." Riku turned to him and gave a short nod of gratitude.
"No problem captain." Returning the gesture he made his way in the direction to the front where Riku had been heading.
Going inside of his hut he found Iku to be asleep. Shedding his armor as quietly as he could along with his sword he removed his clothing as well leaving only his fundoshi on.
Stealthily he made his way to their futon and laid down beside her wrapping his arm around her. Taking a sleepy breath Iku opened her eyes and smirked at him.
"Done so soon?" She asked stretching.
"It is still early mate. Rest some more." Riku said nuzzling her neck with his nose.
"Alright then koinu." She yawned out. Chuckling to himself at the hardly used pet name she had given him very long ago he licked upwards to her jaw.
Taking his hand that rested on her hip she put it to her stomach that had grown considerably in the last few days. "What should we call this one?"
"I do not know. I was hoping you had an idea." He replied softly in her ear. Sighing she shook her head.
"No. I am going to write to our eldest sons once Lady Izumi returns and I can send letters to them with Jaken." She stated. "They'll think we're insane."
"Possibly. Embarrass them more than likely." Riku smiled at the idea of their adult children coming to terms with the fact that they would soon have another brother. "Will you tell them about Sana?"
"I did that already. Months ago but you know them, no response from either. Maybe this will get a rise out of them both."
"Perhaps one may even visit with us."
"Now that is just absurd." Iku joked. "Why would you ever think that either Kiyoshi or Haruki would want to see us. We're only their parents."
"Ah yes. Only." Smiling to himself he ran his hand over her stomach. "It will be fun to start over again."
"Yes. It will be so nice to have a little one." She agreed. Cuddling against one another the loud knock on the outside panel brought them both back to reality.
Sitting up Riku grabbed his yukata putting it on quickly.
"Who?" Going to the bamboo curtain he cracked it open to see Mitsuo. "Mitsuo. Is everything alright?"
"Emi is in labor and it's…it's different than before. I'm sorry, we need Iku."
"I am coming." She said sitting up herself and putting on her kosode tying it in the back. Forgoing her sandals she followed him out to his own hut.
Inside Emi was on the futon sweating profusely with her eyes screwed shut gripping the sheets in pain as she cried out. "How long has she been like this?"
"Not long. She has been bleeding. She didn't bleed before with the others." Mitsuo said obviously in distress at his mates state.
"Emi." Iku kneeled down beside her. "Emi." Opening her eyes she furrowed her brow and breathed rapidly.
"It's wrong. It's wrong." She managed out before groaning again. Iku managed to get her legs apart and saw what Mitsuo had been saying, there was blood and also clear fluid.
Furrowing her brow in more curiosity than anything she broke off her claws quickly and decided to examine her internally. Pushing down on her lower stomach she felt the position of the hatchling except she felt a head beginning to protrude from her cervix.
"It's not an egg." Iku said. "Mitsuo boil water and get me clean sheets. I need you to tell Riku I need my satchel. We're going to need it. Emi is giving birth to live offspring."
"Not an egg." Mitsuo said as if it were slowly clicking in his head.
"This pup isn't waiting for you to stand there." Iku said quickly. "Now!"
"Yes, yes." Mitsuo bolted from the hut as Iku wet a cloth to wipe Emis face down.
"Everything is alright Emi. Nothing is wrong. Just different than what you are used too." Iku soothed as the younger demon writhed in pain.
Hearing a little chirp Iku glanced over at six sets of little eyes watching her intently. Smiling at the little hatchlings she turned back to their mother. "You have yet to name the ones you have and here you are with another."
"Pick on me later. Not now." Emi said sounding spent already.
"Come. Sit up with me." Iku went behind her pushing her up by the shoulders to lean against her. Rubbing at the small of her back with her fist Emi relaxed a bit against her.
"That's nice." She whispered.
"It will help relieve some of the pressure. Don't worry my friend. We will get through this."
"Thank you Iku." Emi mumbled out as Mitsuo came back in with the satchel. Iku instructed him on what to take out as well as what to do next.
"I heard there is going to be a baby." Sana poked her head in and entered with a smile.
"Yes. Good. You have helped with a delivery before you said." Iku said receiving a nod from Sana. "Whatever Mitsuo isn't doing, do that."
"Yes Iku." Sana held back her small laugh and went to the man who seemed out of sorts. "Why don't you go outside and get some air. Riku is visiting with Nen if you want to join them. He would appreciate the company."
Glancing at Emi who breathed in and out slowly Mitsuo agreed going to his wife and kissing her hand.
"Go on." Emi encouraged. "I'll be alright now."
"Alright dearest." Mitsuo said kissing at her forehead before leaving. Iku watched the act and filed it away for later on.
With Sanas assistance and Ikus help Emi birthed another son. His cries echoed throughout the hut causing his elder siblings to give off their own whines and chirps as if greeting their new sibling.
Sana cleaned him off and placed him in his mothers arms.
"How odd." Emi mused smiling. "You must have been what was fluttering around in me."
"I will get Mitsuo." Sana wiped off her hands on her apron and went outside as the sun came over the horizon. Going to where Nen was staying she entered finding him sitting up beside Riku and Mitsuo. "Mitsuo, Emi has delivered another son."
"And they're both okay?" Standing quickly as she gave an enthusiastic nod he thanked her profusely before exiting.
"This is good." Nen said softly his voice had been barely above a whisper as of late.
"Yes. A good sign." Riku agreed taking in the happy countenance of his daughter.