Hello dear readers. Finally, I got them out of the east and I do not intend to return any time soon. That turned out to be a dark place, not what I was expecting at all.

Now we can move forward and heal our newest people and see what has been going on with everyone else.

Enjoy!

The grassy front that sprawled out before their home was covered in flowers. Rin ran her hands along them as they walked before spotting Nen as he walked from the back.

Coming to attention at their arrival Rin bounded over to him taking him in an embrace.

"Hello Nen." She greeted cheerfully.

"Hello Rin. How was your journey my lady?" He asked wrapping his arm around her briefly before they parted.

"Well, thank you. Has Lady Iku and Riku made it back yet?"

"Yes along with a female companion. The eastern guard and Jaken arrived first however with a female and her pup." He said.

"Good. Do you know where she and her pup are?"

"Emi has taken her in for the time being."

"Wonderful." Rin sighed out. Making to go to the back Izumi stopped her.

"Lets settle in the house first before we go to Chiase." She suggested.

"Alright, that makes sense." Rin agreed as Sesshomaru and Kohaku met with Nen to discuss what had been going on in their absence.

Kino stood somewhat awkwardly off seeming uncertain of what to do. "Kino, come inside with us. We could use the help with the pups."

Nodding she seemed grateful to be given some task and followed them in.

"Wow, you are roughing it out here compared to the east." She said as she followed them in. Sighing out Izumi glanced over at her. "It's nice. I like it."

"Everyone else lives out back." Rin explained. "Wherever you want your hut though is just fine. We can have the builders come and however you want it, it will be done."

"Thank you but I prefer to stay outside. Being indoors is confining." Kino replied.

"Lord Sesshomaru is the same way. He tolerates it for my sake but I know he much rather prefers to wander." Rin stated.

"Here, make yourself useful." Izu said dropping Hisashi into Kinos arms. "I have to wash Kozumi."

"I hope I can be, in some way." Kino mumbled out scratching behind his ears.

Rin took in her countenance and thought that Kino was just as hurt as everyone else from the east she had come to know.

"You will find your place Kino and I hope that it is here with us." Rin said sincerely.

"Thank you my lady." She replied in earnest.

Once all of the children were changed, fed, and either sleeping or satisfied Izumi and Rin made their way to the back of the estate to meet back up with everyone again.

Emi!" Rin called out seeing her friend tending to linens and other laundry. Dropping the wet cloth she dried her hands off quickly and nearly floated to them before they could reach her.

"Rin!" She almost shrieked embracing her tightly and smiling widely. "Izumi, how are you both? How was the east?"

"Challenging." Izumi said. "It is good to be back home. I heard from Nen that Chiase has been staying with you."

"Yes." Emi said releasing Rin. Her tone took on a more serious inflection. "The poor thing reminds me of how Sana was. She won't let anyone near her or her little one. The poor pup is beside himself with anxiety and not well socialized."

"May we see them?" Izu asked.

"Of course. Mitsuo took the hatchlings out for a walk, they are better at falling than walking but he insists." She gave a small laugh at that. Opening the bamboo curtain she entered with Rin and Izumi following her.

"Chiase." Izumi said seeing her huddled on the floor wrapped in a blanket. Glancing at her she seemed lost and almost dazed.

Kneeling beside her Izumi placed her hand to her shoulder feeling her flinch. "Did something happen on the way here?"

"No." Chiase whispered out. "We do not belong here."

"You just arrived, how can you be so certain?" Izumi asked. Receiving silence in response she looked to Rin for support.

"Chiase, our friend Sana went through a similar trauma. Maybe when she gets back you would like to talk with her." Rin offered. "For now come to the main house with us, you can stay as long as you need."

"I told your father that we would look after you. You don't intend to make me a liar, do you?" Izumi questioned partly as a joke.

"No." Chiase replied. Sitting up she unburied herself from the blanket shrugging it off. In her arms was her pup staring at them apprehensively.

"Do you want me to take him for you?" Rin asked only to see Chiase flinch again. "Alright, I won't touch him."

Emi picked up the blanket as they stood and placed it over Chiases shoulders.

"Keep it." She said with a small smile. "I hope that you come visit us again soon Chiase."

"Thank you for your kindness. Please thank your mate as well." Nodding her head somewhat Chiase looked to the door and took a deep breath.

"We are here. You are safe here. No one will harm either of you." Izumi soothed.

"Everyone will know." She said quietly.

"Only what you want them to know. None of us will say a word." Rin stated as she coaxed Chiase out of the hut. Slowly they made their way towards the house happening upon Jin.

"Rin, Izu; it is good to see both of you again." He said genuinely happy. "And we have not been properly introduced yet."

"Jin, this is Lady Chiase. She is my lady in waiting." Izumi introduced.

"Welcome Lady Chiase. If you need anything my mate Nen and I are available to assist." He offered taking in her haggard appearance and the skinny pup.

Nodding quickly she hurried away with Rin and Izumi beside her. Making their way into the main house Chiase seemed to sigh relief.

Kino had stayed behind to mind the pups. Upon seeing Chiase she smiled widely.

"It is good to see you again Lady Chiase." She greeted.

"Kino, you are here too?" Chiase stared at her as if in disbelief.

"Appears so." Standing she walked closer to Chiase. "I am sorry that I did not do more for you."

"You did more than enough, even when I discouraged you from it. Thank you. If it weren't for you we would not have survived the winter months." Chiase said.

"I am still here if you need me." She replied.

Turning to Rin and Izumi who watched on very interested and both looked away as if they hadn't been eavesdropping. "I must take my leave. There are matters that the captain and Lord Sesshomaru wish to discuss with me."

"Thank you Kino." Izumi said.

"Yes thank you and good luck being our guard. I know you will do well." Rin smiled and waved her farewell.

Bowing her head in respect she exited. Chiase stood where she was staring at the spot where Kino had stood.

"Come sit with us Chiase." Izumi beckoned. Stiffly she did. "What is your pups name?"

"I have not named him." She said. "I just call him, my son."

"Ichiro is a good name that can mean first son." Rin said.

"If that is what you wish my lady." Chiase said.

"No. I was only making a suggestion. It is very much up to you what you want to call him." Rin replied quickly.

"I don't know." Shaking her head she looked down at him. "I look at him and I love him because he is mine but he reminds me of…him and I just cannot figure out how to proceed with anything."

"You are exhausted and starving. You need a break. You don't have to worry anymore Chiase. We will take care of you." Izumi said. "We can set the partition up here for your own space."

"All I want to do is sleep." She said meekly.

"Then sleep." Rin assured. Looking to her for a moment Chiase closed her eyes seeming to relax somewhat.