A/N: Hello, hello. Thanks for the reviews last chapter. I agree with you Quandi that Kohaku does seem tame but don't you worry, we'll see a more dominant side of him in a few chapters.

I found that the picture I mentioned a few chapters back was not working for the cover art. I only use mobile so I don't know what it looks like on a desktop anymore for this site. Anyways, I uploaded it as my profile picture.

My daughter really enjoyed drawing Rins pendant and asked if there is any other cover art she could do for me. She's such a sweetheart. I have finally figured out Izumi and Kohakus symbol so I will commission her to draw that as well once it is introduced in to the story and share it.

Enjoy!

Sana was assisting Iku with some tasks within her hut that had become more cumbersome for her as of late.

Riku was more than happy to help but had backed off when he had nearly had his hand bitten off by his mate for touching the herbs and roots she had set aside.

Sitting he watched the two females work alongside one another quite well as Sana grasped different items that Iku instructed her to prepare.

Having always been very protective of her work he was glad they had Sana in their lives to help his mate in her later stage of pregnancy.

A rapping on the panel caused him to rise to answer.

"Who." He called out as he went to the door.

"This Kiyoshi requests entry, captain." Dropping her things Iku was opening the door in front of her mate in a heartbeat. "Hello mother."

"Son." She smiled at her eldest pushing Riku aside to let him in. "You are fortunate our lords and ladies are so accommodating seeing as you did not inform either of us of your arrival."

"Forgive me. I wanted it to be a surprise." Receiving a small smirk and a knowing eye from his father he matched it taking his hand to squeeze when he offered it.

"It has been some time. How is the east?" Riku asked.

"Unusually quiet and peaceful." Kiyoshi replied. "It is…different but in a good way."

"Enough of that talk." Iku said walking to where Sana stood. Taking her hand she pulled her from behind her large cauldron to proudly present her. "Kiyoshi, this is your sister, Sana. Sana, this is your eldest brother, Kiyoshi."

Bowing a bit nervously Sana clutched her apron to still her hands.

"It is an honor to meet you." She said respectfully.

"The honor is mine." He returned straightening herself out she saw he had bowed to her as well. "Believe it or not Haru and I had always wanted a small sister when we were younger so I for one was quite pleased when I received word you had come to stay with my parents."

"Thank you. Really. To hear you say that, means a great deal to me." Sana said feeling the pinprick of tears in her eyes. "I had brothers growing up but I will probably never see them again. I have missed that connection, well I have Nen whom is my mates litter mate but he is busy as of late."

"Then I will make certain to be a very good brother to you." Kiyoshi assured. Receiving a small nod he soon went out with Riku to be introduced to the others.

"You never told me that you had brothers." Iku said as they went back to work.

"It is difficult to think back on…before." Sana nearly whispered. "I don't feel like my life was mine from when I was younger. It's as if someone else lived it and I just have the memories."

"Dissociation. Your mind has fractured the two separate parts of your life; before you came to be with us and after to leave out what happened in between." Iku explained. "It is a defense mechanism that can help one get through a traumatic experience."

"Have you seen it before with others?"

"Oh yes. There was a point in time where the east raged war on the south. Akio felt slighted by a lesser lord and felt the need to decimate their house. Riku saw and did many things under order, when he returned he was not well." She said with a sigh.

"What type of, things?" Sana ventured not able to picture her adoptive father being anything other than supportive and kind.

"I have no idea other than something I cannot speak of." She said. "Now, hand me that bundle over there."

"Yes Iku." Sana replied knowing their conversation on that matter was over.