A/N: Here we are. The one hundredth chapter of the story that was meant to be only a Sess/Rin one shot lemon. Thank you everyone for all of your reviews, favorites, and follows over the last few months. I never would have taken this story so far if it weren't for the interest in it and what a great story it has become.
I love how the initial title and idea of people coming together and choosing to share their lives has echoed through the chapters with how the relationships have grown and formed.
Thank you all so much for encouraging me and inspiring me to keep this going.
Enjoy!
As soon as Rin touched her feet on to the ground of their compound she beelined straight for the first person she saw. It just so happened to be Nagi.
Before he knew what hit him Rin had wrapped her arms around his middle tightly resting her head against his chest.
"What are you doing?!" He panicked putting his hands out to the side avoiding touching her at all costs.
"I missed you Nagi. I missed everyone." She declared tightening her grip on him.
"You are going to get me killed! Lord Sesshomaru is definitely going to kill me!" Closing his eyes tightly to avoid the undoubtable glare that the demon was sending his way as he approached with the others. "Let me go Rin!"
"I won't and he won't!" She said adamantly.
"Poor Nagi looks as if his soul has been drained from him." Izumi snickered behind her hand.
"Good." Sesshomaru retorted pleased the human had a healthy dose of fear to keep him at bay from his mate, the current situation not withstanding.
Breaking their hug Rin seemed more at ease and smiled at him.
"I am going to go see the others. We can catch up later Nagi." She stated as she went past him to the back. Swallowing hard he fell to his knees trembling.
"I think I'm going to throw up." He moaned into his hand. Izumi followed Rin to the back seeing she had found Sana and was crushing the younger woman to her as well.
"Rin. I am so happy you are back." Sana gushed. "There are so many things I want to tell you."
"I hope it is about you and Jiro." Rin sang out as they parted. Sana gave a small nod and smiled widely. Rin clapped her hands together giving a small squeal while Sana led her into the quarters where Nen was staying as he recovered.
He welcomed the warm gesture from the young human female holding on to her tightly until she was ready to let go.
"Jin is patrolling. He will be back soon." Nen said. Kneeling Rin took in his appearance.
"How have you been feeling?" She asked concerned.
"Better. The toxins affected me in a bad way but with Lady Ikus infusions I am getting stronger." He assured.
"If there is anything you need from me just ask." She stated.
"Thank you Rin. It is good to have you back with us." Smiling at him she followed Sana out meeting up with Iku. Hugging her as well she invited her and Sana to the house for some tea once they were settled.
"Where is Emi?" She looked around not seeing her friend anywhere. "Is she out flying?"
"Emi has recently given birth." Iku replied.
"What? She had another egg? Izu, you didn't tell me Emi was pregnant." Rin pouted.
"It is not an egg." Sana smirked knowingly.
"Not an egg." Rin repeated her eyes going wide. "She had a baby!" Moving past the rest of them she made her way to the Emis hut and knocked on the panel.
"Come in." Mitsuo said standing as she entered.
"Rin." He smiled warmly at her.
"Mitsuo." Whispering as she saw Emi sleeping she moved closer to him hugging the man before going to the hatchlings who coo'd and chirped as she got closer.
Kissing each of them on their foreheads she looked to the small basket beside Emi on the futon. "Oh!Congratulations."
"Thank you. When Emi wakes I will let her know you are home." He said.
"I would appreciate that Mitsuo. I will see you both later." Tip toeing out she breathed in the familiar smell of her home and felt giddy.
Rejoining the other three she hugged them once again for good measure before going with Izumi to the house.
"Everything seems to be alright." Rin said as they went inside. Stopping as they entered she saw the fabric on the wall that she had asked Izumi to embroider.
The crescent moon was intricately detailed in fine purple threads with the tree pendant hanging down from its tip almost appearing metallic made from silver thread.
"Do you like it?" Izumi questioned sounding a bit nervous.
"It is so beautiful." Tearing up Rin sniffled. Turning to her friend she wrapped her arms around her middle. "You're so wonderful to me Izumi. I never knew how much I needed you in my life until we met."
"I am glad you like it." Resting her head against Rins she breathed in her scent reveling in the smoky ash she smelt of during pregnancy. "Come. Our mates can watch the pups. We are both beyond exhausted and very pregnant. We can rest in my bed."
"Okay Izu. That sounds really nice right now." Allowing Izumi to lead her to her chambers she smiled at the familiar surroundings.
The wall shelves were lined with the dried flowers Izumi liked to decorate her room with, the way the sunlight filtered in from the skylights in the ceiling, and the rich smell of the wood their home was made from gave her a sense of security allowing her to release tension she didn't know she had.
Rin felt her body nearly melt as she removed her summer kimono letting it fall to the floor. Izumi similarly removed her outer robe and kimono so they both were in their undergarments.
Leading Rin to the futon she fixed the pillows the way she knew she liked them and climbed beside her. Izumi drew the blanket up over them as they settled.
Rin cuddled against her putting her hand to Izumis stomach.
"No one will ever understand." Rin said softly. "And that's alright. I am just lucky to know what true love and happiness is."
Izumi placed her forehead to Rins and rubbed her nose against hers.
"I have missed you so." She said softly. "I was starting to get worried that something had happened to keep the two of you away."
"Not at first. I helped the villagers the way I used to, Kaede with her tasks. Then Kagome needed help so I stayed on longer, the storm came and kept us there more time." She replied. "Izu, tell me, are you really alright after what happened?"
"Yes. Hishashi and I were far enough away not to have any after effects once we recovered. The others were outside or closer." Sighing she closed her eyes. "We need to speak with everyone and Jin about his behavior."
"We will. Just not right now." Rin yawned out closing her eyes as well.
Sesshomaru and Kohaku stayed outside with Hotaru and Hisashi. Sitting on the deck with them as Hisashi jumped up on them both while Kohaku held Hotaru up in a sitting position on his lap.
"What do you think the odds are we will get Rin and Izumi apart any time soon?" Kohaku asked.
"Not likely." Sesshomaru said turning his attention to Nagi who had come to stand by the stairs on guard of the household seemingly to have recovered from his fright.
"I wonder what exactly Kagome said to Rin." Kohaku thought out.
"Kagome expressed the notion that the relationship Rin shares with Izumi is odd given their closeness with one another." Sesshomaru explained. "Also it disturbed her that Rin nursed Hisashi as he is and told her how Izumi nurses Hotaru in her natural form."
"It isn't odd." Kohaku felt defensive suddenly. "What business is it of Kagomes how they choose to live or any of us for that matter?"
"It is not. The only ones we need to concern ourselves with are those here, that have chosen to be here."
"Yes my lord. You are right." Shaking his head Kohaku gave a small smirk. "All of this, the relationships everyone shares with each other regardless of what they may be, I would not change any of it."
Staring out across the grounds to the surrounding forest Sesshomaru silently agreed.