A/N: Hey everyone. Just wanted to say, don't worry Mai32. I got you girl. Yes it's a tense situation but it's okay. Minimal drama here.

Enjoy!

Nagi had been nominated to summon Nen and Jin which had gone down with minimal irritation from both once they were loosely informed what was happening.

Along with Kohaku they all stood on guard securing a close perimeter with Jiro being sent to seek out Riku as Sesshomaru stood on the ready with the eldest son, Kiyoshi.

Rin came into the hut with Izumi behind her. Emi had been given charge over Hisashi and Hotaru notified she may be needed.

With her bag of medicines, herbs, and various tools she made her way over to Sana who held up Iku.

Taking in her pale appearance and sweaty brow Rin grasped her wrist counting her heart beats.

"Iku." Rin said to try to get her attention as she seemed to be drifting in and out of consciousness. "I don't think this is from the mahi leaves. This is a condition due to your pregnancy that has become toxic to you. I have to take the baby, there's no time to deliver."

"Trust you." Iku replied with a groan. With a nod and a hand against her friends Rin assisted Sana in lying her down.

"Izu." Rin looked over her shoulder at her as she stood with wide eyes appearing to be in shock. "Izumi we need your help."

"Right." She nodded her head walking over to them.

"Boil water. I need to clean my knives properly. Sana, make the strongest infusion you know of to put her to in to a deep sleep." Rin instructed.

"Yes." Nodding Sana set to work as Izumi seemed to fumble around. It was so unlike her that Rin began to worry about her as well. Focusing on Iku she adjusted her to gain access to her stomach untying her kosode.

"If anything goes wrong Lord Sesshomaru is outside with Tensaiga ready to lend help if he can." Rin soothed Iku.

"My…Riku." She whispered out. "See him, need too."

"Jiro is bringing him. Riku will be here." Placing her instruments in a bowl she told Izumi to pour the boiling water over them to sanitize them.

"Maybe you should go." Rin said as she took note of how tense Izumi was. Shaking her head she sniffled.

"No. Tell me what to do." She countered.

"Help me arrange these sheets. There will be a lot of blood. Sana ready my needle and sutures." Rin swallowed hard as her throat went dry.

"You're going to cut her open?" Sana asked fearfully as she poured her infusion in to a cup. Before she could answer Riku walked in reminding her of how her own husband had been when she gave birth to Hotaru.

"Iku."

"Koinnu." She smiled at him as he knelt beside her. Taking her hand in his he brought it to his face holding her there.

"What's happening?" Looking to Rin as she readied the rest of her things she met his eyes.

"I have to take the pup from her stomach. Iku is sick and needs to deliver fast otherwise it may kill both of them." Rin replied. "We're going to put her to sleep and hopefully she will heal."

"And if she doesn't?" Riku questioned somewhat tersely.

"There is no time. She knows what has to be done." Matching his tone somewhat Riku let out a shaky breath. "Lord Sesshomaru will do everything he can to help if either of them die."

"Riku." Turning his attention down to his mate he took her in as she spoke to him without saying a word. Pressing his forehead to hers and squeezing his eyes tightly he held her as her trembling became full on shakes.

"Sit her up." Rin commanded. Doing as he was told Riku held Iku up as her breathing came quicker. Sana brought the cup to her lips assisting to hold her still to sip at the liquid.

In a few minutes her breathing became calmer as her head lolled back against her mate. Clearly distraught he laid her down and removed his armor and sword tossing it aside haphazardly.

"Mate." He let out a soft whine rubbing his nose against hers.

"Ready the sheets." Rin said taking her knife in hand. "We have to act fast. Izu, Sana." Receiving confirmation from both she took a steadying breath bringing the sharp blade down to Ikus flesh.

Sesshomaru stood outside the hut staring ahead while keeping alert to all of his surroundings. When Kiyoshi had gone to the house asking for Rin he knew he had to as well.

Placing his hand against the Tensaiga he watched as the eastern guard stood stark still with tension. He was worried and had every right to be.

All there was left to do was wait. It felt as if an eternity had passed before he heard the small whimpers and mewls of a newborn pup. Glancing down at the Tensaiga he waited for it to stir in his hand indicating that it beckoned him to wield it.

The only time he had felt so compelled to do so was when it came to Rin and his futile attempt to revive her a second time in the underworld. Now his pack mate may very well be dying in an effort to whelp her offspring and he would save her.

Iku was worth protecting. All of them were. They had come to him, they were his to protect. Taking in a breath as of the idea had just suddenly struck him he saw for the first time the progress they had all made.

He wondered if his father had lived would he have done something similar with the Lady Izayoi? To raise Inuyasha in a mixed pack such as the one he had inadvertently created.

Izumi was the first to come out of the hut looking unwell. Sesshomaru stared at her waiting for her to say something.

"Izu." He said softly getting her attention.

"Iku is holding out. Rin is finishing up with her now. The pup is healthy. Everyone is fine." Her voice was distant and meek.

"Are you alright?" Sesshomaru questioned concerned.

"No." She sniffled out as tears fell down her face in torrents.

"Jiro, fetch Lord Kohaku." Sesshomaru ordered.

"Yes my Lord." The male turned to him with a slight bow moving off in the direction he knew the human to be.

"Tell me." Sesshomaru moved closer to Izumi lowering himself down to place his forehead against hers. At the gesture she let out a small sob. Gripping the sleeves of his kimono she closed her eyes tightly as he began to growl low to comfort her.

"Lord Sesshomaru. Izumi." Rin said as she came out of the hut. "I knew something was wrong." Going to her friend she wrapped her arms around her the best she could and nuzzled her face against her back. "Let's go to the hot spring to wash."

Receiving a nod from her Rin tightened her arms around her more securely.

Inside the hut Sana tied off the bloodied sheets as Riku laid beside Iku having laid their son on her chest to suckle her breast. Growling he rubbed his nose across her face licking at her cheek.

Making ready to leave she felt a hand clutch her wrist. Glancing down she saw that Riku was stopping her.

"You want me to stay?" She asked softly. His fingers tightened gently around her in response. "Alright, I'll stay."

Kneeling down beside them she placed her hand to the little dog demons head as he sniffed her out. "So precious. My little brother."

Feeling an arm wrap around her she froze for a moment before realizing it was Kiyoshi. Settling she leaned back into him as he growled similarly to how his father was. She knew the sound meant they were content.

Staring at Iku she fixed the blanket on her better making sure to tuck the edges in around their newest pack member.