A/N: Hello dear readers. I hope everyone is ready for war. I have had this story arc in mind for close to a year now and have run through so many scenarios mentally that I think I have it down fairly well. Thank you to everyone who has comments, favorited, and followed this story. It is much appreciated.

Enjoy!


Izumi sent Sesshomaru, Jaken, and Haruki with correspondence to deliver to the east. They would go there first to inform Tadao and his council of their intentions as well as to send guards and soldiers from the house of the sun to defend their lady and her heir.

Rin presented Izumi and Kohaku with their embroidered insignia before Sesshomaru left much to their happy surprise. Hanging it up alongside Rin and Sesshomarus the house finally felt complete.

Rin stood outside on the porch long after Sesshomaru had gone looking pensively at the area around them and the sky. The old feelings of wondering when he would be back and thinking on what he was doing left her deep in thought.

"Rin, are you okay?" Kohaku asked coming out of the house to begin his perimeter patrol.

"Oh yes." She turned to him with a smile. Kohaku had not seen this expression on her face in some time. It was not the happy smile that she wore, it was one she had adorned for many years living in the village when Sesshomaru was gone.

"Everything will be alright and Lord Sesshomaru will be back before you know it." He offered.

"I know." She nodded her head the wide smile faltering down slightly to a more wistful one. "Still…I miss him already, terribly."

"Have I ever told you what I think of you and Lord Sesshomaru?" Kohaku asked crossing his arms over his front. Shaking her head slightly he smirked. "I believe that you are twin souls."

"Twin souls?" Rin repeated wondering what he meant by that.

"It is two souls who were once one. For whatever reason it was separated and put into two different people. The two halves are always looking for and searching for their other half. When they find it they are inseparable because they are meant to be together." Kohaku said.

"That's beautiful." Rin sighed out.

"And true." Smirking at her wider Rin gave a small nod.

"I think you may be right." She agreed. "For now there is a lot to be done. Standing here all day daydreaming will not accomplish any of it. What good of a mate would I be to my husband if he is gone to help us and I sit around as useless as a lump of clay."

"I need to be off as well. Jiro brought back news from the post, they will assist us in any way they can." Kohaku informed. "I am going to check the eastern perimeter then make my way down to discuss these matters with Goro."

"Alright Kohaku. Be safe." She said as he gave a small wave before walking off the deck and towards the tree line. The ground below was still patchy with snow and muddy in other spots. Realizing how cool it was outside with her bare feet Rin turned to go inside.

"Lady Rin." Jin said from his spot where he stood guard at the bottom of the steps. Twisting back around Rin saw a woman fast approaching their compound. She moved with purpose and determination.

"I request to speak with the Lords and ladies of this compound." The woman nearly commanded. Jin blocked the steps placing his hands to where he held his weapons.

"What business do you have here?" He questioned. Rin felt her mouth dry out and a knot form in her stomach, was this woman sent to declare formal war on them?

"I am Lady Rin of the western house of the moon, mate to Lord Sesshomaru." Rin held her head high as she spoke and her shoulders back the way she had seen Izumi do.

"Lady Rin, I am Mira of the south. I am an acquaintance of Lord Nen of the southern house of the northern star. He and the Lady Yoake have dispatched me to you." Mira bowed her head respectfully as she spoke.

"Nen?" Jin asked his voice sounding pained at the mention of his mates name.

"Yes." Mira confirmed. "It has come to our attention that the Lady Zero of the far east is garnering troops and support. She has visited the south and gained some allies within the territory. Her plan is to advance on your compound."

"Then the rumors are true." Rin breathed out.

"You are aware of this then?" Mira asked.

"We are in the process of anticipating an attack, yes." Rin confirmed. "Jin, we need to gather everyone so Mira may tell us what is happening in the south. Tell them to meet us at the fire pit in the back."

"Yes my lady." Jin nodded his head walking quickly around the side of the main house.

"Please come in. Lady Izumi and I would very much like to hear what you have learned." Rin stepped aside in a welcome gesture.

"Of course." Going up the small steps Rin opened the door for her noticing the shaking of her own hand.

Jiro was sent to retrieve Kohaku as he had made his way nearly to the post to be brought back. Rin and Izumi walked to the back of the compound past the homes of their friends with their pups in tow and Mira.

Placing them down on the ground with the other children they made their way to the opposite side of where everyone was standing or sitting.

Rin scanned each of them; Iku, Riku, Emi, Mitsuo, Jiro, Sana, Jin, Nagi, Chiase, Kino, Kiyoshi, Hikari, and finally Kohaku as he came to stand beside them. Taking a deep breath she felt an incredible weight bear down on her.

"Mira has travelled from the south. Nen has sent with her confirmation that in fact Lady Zero is planning to attack." Kohaku said. Rin watched as expressions of worry and upset passed over the others faces. "Mira, if you would please tell everyone what it is you have found out."

"Yes my lord." Mira nodded her head at him. "Zero and her men came to our winter encampment seeking allegiance from those of us who are without houses and nomadic. She mistook Lord Nen for you, Lord Jiro. She misidentified him as she has seen you in the east. He did not correct her and was able to deign information from her after he claimed he left here after having a falling out."

"Smart of her to go south, there are many former houses who hold a grudge against the eastern house of the sun." Riku stated through gritted teeth.

"Yes. There are quite a few who did join her. My own adoptive father, Lord Kenji, left with her along with Lord Nen and several trusted males who have followed my father for centuries. They are going to be the eyes and ears within the ranks to give all of you a better advantage." Mira said.

"Nen…joined them?" Jin questioned his voice strained.

"He infiltrated them, yes, but not to go against anyone here." Mira replied.

"It is a common tactic used by many in order to spy on and retrieve information about the opposing side." Riku told him.

"What if he gets found out?" Jin worried. "Then what?"

"Nen is capable of taking care of himself." Jiro responded. "Right now we cannot concern ourselves with what my brother is doing."

"Jiro is right." Kiyoshi agreed. "Our efforts need to be concentrated here and our minds must be on task if we are to defend ourselves."

"Mira, is there an estimation as to when this attack will take place?" Kohaku asked.

"No. Zero travelled back to the east, where she is from. I am not sure what her plans are going forward." She answered.

"Then we need to act quickly and without hesitation." Iku ordered standing. "My ladies, you must send your young to a safe haven,"

"What?" Rin asked feeling her mouth drop slightly.

"The heirs to the west and the east must be taken elsewhere, to safety." Iku reiterated. "That includes your son, Chiase."

"Why would Chiases pup be included in that?" Nagi questioned curiously as Jin looked on as well.

"Akio…is his father." She breathed out saying it aloud in a definitive way for the first time.

"Izumi and…Kinos father? The reason why the south hates the east? The awful monster that…" Jin asked with wide eyes before being cut off.

"Enough Jin." Riku interrupted.

"Kaedes village." Rin whispered out. "My children will always be welcome and safe there."

"Then we will send the three of you; Rin, Izumi, and Chiase along with Nagi to take the pups." Kohaku said.

"I am not leaving." Izumi said.

"Izu…" Kohaku pressed.

"A lady does not flee her people in times of need." She turned her head to look at him with determination set.

"Neither will I." Rin said as well. "I won't leave anyone to fend for themselves. You're all here because I promised to keep you safe and now…" Tears began to stream down her face. "I won't leave any of you."

Iku, Emi, Sana, and Hikari stood walking over to her to comfort her. Izumi wrapped her arms around Rin tightly as she sobbed. "You should all go, now, while you have the chance." Rin managed out.

"Ladies in waiting do not abandon their ladies." Emi said softly rubbing small circles on her back.

"We will all get through this, together, as a pack. Just as we have done." Sana soothed.

"Chiase," Iku commanded, "You will accompany our lords and ladies heirs to the village Lady Rin has directed. Take your son."

"Nagi will go with you. Seek out my sister, Miroku, Kagome, and Inuyasha. Let them know what's going on. Stay there to protect Lady Chiase and the pups." Kohaku ordered.

"Yes chief." Nagi nodded.

"Chief, I need to bring my daughter somewhere safe. I'll take her to the trading post and appeal to…Rinas parents to watch over her." Jin requested.

"Yeah, absolutely." Kohaku approved.

"Rin, we need to get them ready to go." Izumi ground out feeling as if her heart were ripping apart. "The dragons can take them, we just need to secure them. There are only so many Chiase and Nagi can hold."

"He just left…he only just left… I need him. I can't do this…without him." Rin whispered against Izumis kimono.

"Yes, you can." Hikari said. "You are stronger than you know and braver than you believe." Moving away from Izumi Rin wiped at her eyes with the sleeve of her own kimono and sniffled.

"Alright, lets begin then."