It wasn't lost on Rin how different both Izumi and Iku acted in the eastern house. She understood that with their positions they both had to act a certain way but both seemed terribly depressed.
Given the circumstances were not the best for their arrival what bothered Rin the most was how distant they both seemed from everyone else, almost as if they were mentally sequestering themselves away.
"It is the way of it Rin." Sesshomaru said when she brought it up one night.
"I understand, I do my lord. I don't like it. They're not as affectionate as they normally are towards the children, or their mates…it bothers me." She replied.
"Our compound is unconventional. The close bonds and relationships that everyone has developed is not typical of how one is normally run. Izumi and Iku are behaving as is expected of them." Sesshomaru watched the frown cross her face as she sighed out.
"I like our home, I love everyone…all of our pack." Thinking on it a moment she stood up. "I am going to check on Izumi. Will you come with me Lord Sesshomaru?"
Knowing he would follow her anyways whether she had asked or not they walked down the halls to where Izumis chamber was.
Knocking loud enough to be heard there was a moment of complete silence before Kohaku cracked open the door.
He seemed to sigh relief letting them in and quickly shutting the door. Rin looked to him for a second in question before she looked to see Izumi sitting on the floor facing the corner of the room.
"Izu? Are you alright?" Walking closer to her she saw the large decanter in front of her and the overturned golden goblet that she had spilled.
The smell of rice wine was strong the closer she got. Feeling as if it were taking her much longer than it was to approach Izumi Rin knelt down behind her wrapping her arms around her shoulders.
"There's nothing good here." Izumi said softly. "It's all bad."
"We can do good things here, just like we have back home. Everyone here loves you and you came here for such a good reason. Your mother knew you were strong and capable enough to help your friend."
Letting out a small whimper she leaned against Rin. "Lord Sesshomaru and I will stay with you and Kohaku tonight, tomorrow let's take the pups to the garden with Iku and Sana. We can have tea out there and enjoy the day."
"Alright Rin." She whispered out.
"For now it's late. Will you lie down with me Izu?" Coaxing her to stand she helped her as she stumbled somewhat placing a hand to her head.
Helping Izumi to get settled Rin laid beside her to face her wrapping her arm around around her middle. Izumi cuddled against her resting her head against Rins shoulder.
Kohaku laid behind Izumi while Sesshomaru was on Rins side placing his moko-moko across all of them for warmth and comfort.
Begrudgingly, somewhat, the next day Izumi washed and followed Rin to the chambers that had been taken over as a nursery.
Immediately Hisashi and Hotaru fumbled over one another away from Sana and the wet nurse to their mothers.
Kneeling down Izumi picked Hisashi up who excitedly licked and nipped at her face. Hotaru babbled and shrieked hitting her leg as she used her to stand up and climbed onto her lap.
"I miss you both as well." She said softly as they began to whine to be fed. Rin took Hotaru and they went to the section of the room that the other females had set up lined with pillows, blankets, and other comfortable things.
Sana was all smiles kneeling in front of her friends.
"It is so good to see both of you. I was beginning to wonder if you had forgotten about us Lady Izumi." She joked.
"Never Lady Sana. Other things have kept me preoccupied." Izumi replied.
"I understand, it's just that I have missed both of you. I enjoy tending to the little ones with Iku and the other women but it is not the same as what we all share." Sana said.
"I have barely seen my husband since we arrived aside from in passing…do not misunderstand; I am very happy with my position and that you have given me a title, I suppose I am homesick and miss the life I am accustomed to in the west."
"We all are Sana." Rin agreed. "Hopefully we will be able to return soon."
"There is a matter we have to attend to first." Izumi said. "We should present the pups so they are acknowledged by the east."
"How do we do that?" Rin wondered looking to her friend.
"We will invite lords and ladies from other houses to the eastern house as well as the people here and hold court." Izumi explained.
"So, a…festival of sorts?" Rin asked.
"Yes, something like that." She nodded her head. "Once the presentation is complete there will be food and drink as well as mingling."
"That sounds exciting." Sana smiled widely.
"There will be many others there that Sesshomaru and I knew once, it will be interesting to say the least." Izumi mused a bit.
"Oh! The females who used to try to vie for his attention?" Rin blurted out with a laugh.
"Some, yes."
"I hope they all can come, I want to meet them." She said excitedly.
"Why do you want to meet women who liked your husband Rin?" Sana questioned.
"I want to meet them because they knew Lord Sesshomaru when he was younger. I want to know what he was like." Rin replied.
"You will be disappointed. I told you before Rin; your mate has always been as he is now granted he is older and has more life experience." Izumi retorted.
"Still, I want to meet them." Rin insisted. "You did say, mingling."
"Right." Izumi relented with a small forced smirk. "Do as you please within reason." Sitting back visibly pleased with herself Rin smirked back at Sana.
"Once all of the children are settled we can take them outside to the garden." Rin brought up. "Where is Lady Iku?"
"Lady Iku has preferred to care for Mizuchi in her chambers. I think she feels safer there." Sana said.
"Well, we will fetch her to get her outside. It will do all of us some good." Rin replied. "I for one want to take off this heavy kimono and kick off my gettas."
"Me too." Sana giggled out. "I don't know how you can always wear so many layers of clothing Lady Izumi."
"It is what I am used to. It doesn't bother me either way." Turning her attention to her youngest son as he woke up in his basket she watched as he blinked up at her a few times before smiling widely.
Making small sounds that were in between a human baby's coo and a dog demon pups yip he kicked his feet against the soft lining he was on.
"Hello precious." Picking him up in her other arm Sana helped her adjust to nurse both of her sons simultaneously. Taking a deep breath she let it out feeling a tremendous weight lift off of her.