The news spread through out the compound quickly as to the most recent events and the pack rallied more around Jin to assist him with Nozumi giving her extra attention and love.

Handing her to Chiase to care for for the day he smiled at her gratefully.

"Thank you my lady. She seems to like you a lot." Jin said. Holding Umi to her she smirked back at him.

"Umi and my son get along well. I am more than happy to care for such a sweet little female." Nuzzling her head with her nose the baby let out a soft coo. "Do you know who will relieve Kino at the post?"

"I believe it is Jiro. He has not been down yet so it is his turn." Jin said.

"Oh. Then we must take extra care for Sana with her mate gone." Watching as Jin's face fell somewhat she instantly felt bad. "I am sorry."

"Don't be. You are right but we may need to fight Lady Iku over it. She has already declared that Sana will be staying with them for the days Jiro is away." Jin said.

"They have taken her in as their own so that is as it should be." Chiase replied. "Jin, what does Kino do down at the post or any of you for that matter?"

"Assist the others with whatever they may need. Make sure there are no threats, especially to the women that work down there." Jin thought out. "When I was leaving I saw Kino go with some of the women in to the pleasure house. I asked Nagi what she does in there and he didn't seem to really know, not that it is any of my business."

"I see." Chiase said slowly. "You are absolutely right. It is not our business what Kino does."

"Can I ask you something?" Jin queried taking in her tone to hide some inflection. Receiving a nod he continued. "Are you and Kino mates?"

"No." Chiase replied quickly. "We are friends."

"Alright. I was just curious is all." Jin said somewhat defensively. "I need to be off. I will be by later on to pick her up."

"Sure." Chiase nodded her head once taking Umi in her hut. Placing her down on a blanket she watched as her son came over happily sniffing at his friend and licking her face. Sitting beside them as Umi giggled and grabbed at his fur she sighed out.

It was not her business what Kino did at all. Even still she felt upset and jealous that Kino would be spending time in a pleasure house. It was obvious she was not interested in males of any type, given her past Chiase understood why.

"I am not anything to her other than a friend. A friend who has done more for me than anyone else in my entire life." She said to herself. "Kino brings me things and has assumed responsibility for my pup…but we are still distanced. There are things I know I cannot do that she may need or desire."

Shaking her head she felt her eyes begin to water over with tears. "Why am I feeling this way? Why am I worrying over these helpless human women that Kino is protecting?"

Closing her eyes she thought back to when she had been living on her own after fleeing the eastern house. She had been released from Akios chamber once he left for the west under strict orders to mind herself and tell no one what he occurred between them until he returned.

Once she knew he was gone she had fled distancing herself from the only home she knew. Being so close to giving birth she had to stop luckily finding a small abandoned hut hidden in a hill side.

Claiming it as her own it became quickly apparent that she was in adept at hunting or procuring anything essential she may need.

Shuddering at the memory she recalled walking through the snow cold and alone feeling the uncomfortable effects of her pregnancy when she saw another female watching her.

Panicking she made to flee.

"Whoa. Hold on." The other had said. "Are you from the eastern house?"

"I won't go back." Chiase had called to her. "I will die before I go back."

"Alright. I am Kino." Kino had said. "What is your name?"

"Leave me alone!" Chiase had yelled running away from her. Kino had followed her and asked her questions through the door. "Go away!"

Curled up on herself she had tried to drown out the other.

"Fine. Just tell me, what is your name?"

"Chiase." She had managed out.

"Lady Chiase? You are…Lady Izumis lady. Lady Chiase what has happened? Was it Akio? Did he do this to you?" Kino fired off.

"Leave me!" She sobbed out.

"Let me help you. I can bring you food and assist when you whelp. Please…I only want to help. I have no affiliation to the eastern house, I am no one important." Kino had pressed.

"No, no…no one can help me." Chiase sobbed out.

"I understand. If you let me in then I can…"

"Go away! I don't trust you! You're one of Akios bastards!" Chiase screamed out at her.

"Okay." Kino had said sounding hurt. Reopening her eyes Chiase brought a hand to her hair running her fingers and claws through the short strands. That was the day she had cut it all out of shame and fear of being further noticed and identified.

"If I had let Kino in things would have been different. I wouldn't have been alone and we could have bonded. Now…after how I have treated her, it may be too late." Chiase whispered.

Watching as Umi rolled from her stomach onto her back she made the decision to meet Kino halfway when she was returning from the post.