Waking Izumi opened her eyes to see Sesshomaru propped on his elbow and watching over them as they slept. Glancing behind her she saw Rin and Kohaku both still asleep.
Sitting up she cleared her throat feeling some slight effects from the alcohol she had consumed but nothing she couldn't shake off.
Moving off of the futon she put her robe on closing it and went to the door knowing there would be attending females waiting outside.
Cracking open the door they both turned to attention.
"Lady Rin and our lords will be taking tea and breakfast this morning in the chambers." She said. Both bowing their heads in acknowledgment she shut the door turning back to the bed.
Climbing back in she sighed enjoying the comfort of Sesshomarus fur as she ran her hands along it.
"You are alright with the events that took place last night?" She questioned meeting his eye.
"Yes." He replied in his way.
"I am a bit worried that Rin and Kohaku may have some regrets." She stated.
"I don't believe so." Sesshomaru said. Looking back at her mate and bonded female she saw Kohaku open his eyes sleepily.
"Good morning beautiful girl." He said his voice thick with sleep.
"Good morning sweet boy." She returned. Turning onto his back he rubbed at his eyes before sitting up.
Rin groaned in her sleep at the loss of heat and contact reaching back towards him.
"Rin, it's time to get up. The ladies will be coming in soon with our food and tea." Izumi coaxed.
"My head hurts." She whispered out cuddling closer to Izumi. Sitting back up Izumi assisted Rin to do so as well.
"Come on. You forced me up on the day I wanted to stay in." She said as Rin drew her knees up and rested her head on them.
"Thanks for returning the favor." She said wryly.
"Anytime." Standing she got Rin to her feet leading her to the wash basin. Helping her wash the remnants off of the night before she wrapped her robe around her and guided her to sit down.
Sesshomaru and Kohaku both dressed and were sitting beside them when Iku and another attending female brought in a tray of tea and some plain rice for Rin and Kohaku.
"Lady Izumi. You have meetings today with some of the lords and ladies who would like to discuss future relations with the eastern house." Iku informed.
"Thank you Lady Iku. Please let them know I will take an audience by midmorning in the great hall." Izumi stated.
"Yes my lady." Looking to Rin she took in her appearance. "Lady Rin, is there anything you require?"
"Ginger tea please." She replied meekly.
"Of course." Iku bowed leaving the room with the other lady and left the four alone.
"Sesshomaru, would you accompany me in meeting with the others?" Izumi asked.
"Yes." Sesshomaru nodded in affirmation. "Kohaku, look after Rin while we are gone."
"Yes Lord Sesshomaru." Kohaku said obediently. Rin sipped at the tea they had brought and smirked. "What is it Rin?"
"How you both said that, reminded me of when we were traveling together…when we were younger."
"Some things never change I suppose." Kohaku smirked back at her. "I'm sorry if I took advantage of the situation last night Rin, of you."
"No. Not at all. I remember everything and I think that this will strengthen our bonds with one another and our relationships. Make us stronger as a pack." Rin assured.
"It will." Sesshomaru said. "It will also attest to others whom may challenge us that we are one unit and will stand together."
"I am worried about that lord, Kirinmaru, and his sister, Lady Zero." Rin frowned. "I do not trust them."
"Lord Kirinmaru has pledged his alliance to Hisashi. That was the reason why he was born, so that we can continue on with our mates as we please." Izumi said.
"That sounds awful now, as if we're using him as a shield to protect our way of life." Rin closed her eyes. "He is so much more than that. He's our baby."
"Yes, he is, but to others he is a political arrangement." Kohaku chimed in. "That does not mean we will love him any less or treat him differently than the others."
Rin shook her head a bit too quickly placing her hand to her forehead.
"I need to lie down." She said standing unsteadily. Sesshomaru stood with her to help her to the futon. Drawing the sheet up around her she smiled at him.
Taking a breath he brushed her bangs away from her forehead before resting his hand against her cheek.
"Rest. We can talk more later." He suggested.
"Yes my lord." Closing her eyes she sighed out. Izumi dressed but didn't wash as Sesshomaru secured his armor into place along with his swords.
Once they were presentable Izumi went to Kohaku to lay a light kiss against his lips.
"Don't worry mate. When we get back Sesshomaru will share all of the gossip with you." She teased.
"Oh, absolutely." Kohaku smiled in his crooked way at her.
"Let's go." Sesshomaru urged wanting to get it over with and be back with Rin as quickly as possible. As they exited the room Kohaku went to sit by Rin.
"Do you need anything?" He questioned. Shaking her head slowly she cracked open a lid.
"Do you know what this reminds me of?" She asked back.
"What?"
"That time I ate those awful mushrooms and got sick. Lord Sesshomaru was away from us and you took care of me." She mused.
"Yeah, I do remember that. Jaken was no help. He was more worried about getting annihilated when Lord Sesshomaru got back for letting you eat them." Kohaku reminisced.
"You were one of my first friends. One of the only people in the world that cared about me." She said. "Thank you."
"I do care about you Rin. Very much. Even if you do talk to much." Smirking at her she let out a soft giggle.
"I'm glad that we are so close, all of us. Now I feel complete." Rin whispered closing her eyes.
"Me too." Kohaku agreed.