Iku and Sana made sure that the pups were settled with the other females in the nursery before making their exit. As Sana went to head back to the great hall Iku turned the other way.

"Lady Iku, are you not coming along?" Sana asked turning to her. Stopping she was quiet for a moment before glancing back at her.

"I will be. I just need a moment to myself." Iku replied.

"Alright but if you take too long I will come after you." Sana said with a soft smile. Getting a nod of acknowledgment she watched Iku continue down the hall until she was out of sight.

Walking past many doors as she had for so many years Iku went to the one where all of her worries, bitterness, and hatred had began. Mizukis chambers.

Looking the door up and down she clenched her hands into fists before swallowing down the lump in her throat and opened the door. While Akio had locked the gardens she had been the one that had locked the room away not wanting anyone else to ever grace it.

It held too many memories, mostly bad, but also her own personal history. Closing the door behind her she closed her eyes tightly willing the tears away that she knew would come as soon as she turned around.

Breathing deeply she could still smell Mizukis scent as faded as it was.

"My moon." She said aloud. Turning towards where the futon once was she went to the platform sitting down.

Placing her palm flat against the wood she steadied herself. "There are so many things I want to say, to tell you but I suppose you must know."

"At times the years we spent here together seem like a blur and others; some memories are so sharp and vivid it is as if I am reliving them all over again." She stated. "Riku and I have never been happier than we are now in the west, he really did turn out to be a wonderful mate. I do love him very much."

"I wish it could have been the same for you. You deserved so much more than what happened to you. I tried so hard to protect you and to take care of you but it was never enough, everything was so far beyond my control."

Turning towards the head of the platform she sighed. "I guess what I want to say aloud to you is that Izu is safe. She is loved and happy and free; everything you ever wanted for her."

"I will not be returning here and I hope that you do not linger here. I have always been hopeful that when you and your son became moonlight you found your freedom."

"I love you Mizuki." Iku sighed out. "And I always will." Standing she straightened out her robe taking one last inhale of her females scent. "Well, I suppose…"

Walking to the door she turned back. In the silence she thought she had heard a soft whisper but chalked it up to her imagination. Opening the door she saw Riku standing against the opposite wall.

Smiling at him gently she closed the door.

"Did Sana send you after me?" Iku questioned.

"No. I just wanted to make certain you are alright. I know how difficult this has been for you, how painful." Riku replied.

"It has been but it is just a building and I refuse to let it harm me any longer." She said walking closer to him. "The problem is gone, both Mizuki and Akio are dead. They are in the past and we have such a wonderful future ahead of us, I will not let the past ruin it."

"I will forever be grateful that you chose me to share it with you." He reached out his hand to her placing it on her cheek lovingly.

"There is no one else I would want to share it with." Leaning into her mates touch he pulled her closer to him kissing her full on the lips.

Sana had watched Iku disappear from sight down the hall. Setting her jaw she sighed worried over her. Turning she let out a small yelp of surprise as Hikari stood right behind her.

"You scared the day lights out of me." Sana said breathlessly placing a hand to her chest.

"I apologize Lady Sana. I have wanted to speak with you but Lady Iku has forbidden it. This may be my only opportunity." Hikari apologized.

"I have wanted to speak with you as well, we are sisters after all." Sana smiled at her. Hikari seemed relieved and overwhelmed by her words tearing up.

"Come with me to my chamber, we can talk there." She motioned Sana to follow her down another hallway. Nodding Sana did just that.