A/N: Hello dear readers. After taking a break and becoming secure in my new job it was so nice to write and come back to the compound here.
I have a big story arc that I have had in mind for the better part of a year now that will take some time to write out. We're almost there so bear with me.
Enjoy!
At the compound the first snow had begun to fall. While the air wasn't necessarily chilled it made for a nice day that Rin sat in the front taking advantage of. Izumi joined her shortly with Hisashi and Hotaru, dressed in a warmer kimono and boots for the weather, while Sana stayed in the main house watching their younger children.
Kino stood guard at the bottom of the steps surveying the area on the ready to spring into action if necessary. Since the ogre attack there had been no other incidents allowing everyone to relax after preparing for the winter season.
Now settled with enough food stores, firewood, and other necessities the inhabitants of the compound went about their daily tasks and jobs with a sense of security.
"Kino, what became of Rina? Did you see anything when you were down there?" Rin questioned. Jiro had already gone and come back with Mitsuo volunteering to go down having not much to do now that the farming and harvesting season had come to a close.
Rin had been wondering if any action had been taken against Rina by her parents but hadn't had an opportunity in the past weeks to ask.
"I am not entirely certain. Rina was there one day and gone the next. I didn't ask, that isn't my place to but I suppose her parents kept true to their word and kicked her out." Kino replied.
"So, she is gone then?" Izumi asked looking to her sister while holding Hotarus hand as she walked along the edge of the deck.
"From what I saw, yes." Kino affirmed.
"I hope she is alright. The world is not kind to women, especially one on her own." Rin said.
"Rina made a poor choice and she was punished for it." Izumi remarked. "It would have been devastating if Nen and Jin had come across a dead infant instead of a live one." Izumi stated.
"I know, I can't help but worry about her though. Do you think as little Umi grows up she will want to know about her mother?" Rin wondered.
"If she does that will be up to her fathers to tell her." Izumi answered. Nodding her head and letting out a soft hum in response her eyes went to the glistening snow under the sun that shimmered and sparkled. Hisashi stayed close to the house jumping through the snow and eating most in his path.
Clumsily he trudged toward the middle of the lawn facing towards the tree line yipping and barking as Kohaku emerged with Nagi coming from their patrol.
Reaching down Kohaku picked up the pup and bumped his nose against his snout to greet him.
"Not giving your mothers too much trouble son, right?" He asked receiving excited chin licks from the little one. Walking closer to the house he set Hisashi down on the steps as Rin stood from her spot.
"Lets make a snowman, like we all used to do when we were children." Rin suggested happily.
"Sure Rin." Nagi smirked with a nod.
"Why not?" Kohaku agreed.
"A…snowman?" Izumi questioned looking between the three.
"Yes. Kagome showed us how to make one years ago. It is just a fun activity to do in the snow." Rin explained. "Want to help us?"
"I'll watch. You three go ahead and have fun." Izumi said not sure what to expect from the humans.
"Alright Izu." Rin said pulling on her snow boots that reached her mid calves and tightening the cloak around her. Pulling on her rabbit skin gloves she bounded down the stairs dictating to the men where to put it.
Crouching down Kino and Izumi watched as they began to roll balls of snow around, pushing on them soon the first one was larger than Rins entire body and she relented swiping the bottom of it to make a base before shoving it over to lay flat on the ground.
"Izu…" Sana greeted coming outside with Kozumi, "The twins are sleeping but this one will not relent."
"That's fine." She smiled drawing Hotaru back a bit to stand and take her son. "Do you want to help your father and mother Rin, Kozu?"
Clapping he laughed and made his little yip in response.
"Mama, too. Mama, Ru-Ru…papa…mama." Hotaru yelled out pointing to her mother. Taking her hand Izumi assisted her down the steps nudging Hisashi off slightly with her foot as he had stayed where Kohaku had left him.
"I knew you wouldn't be able to resist helping us love." Kohaku smirked in his crooked way at her.
"Oh no; I am merely here to hand off the pups." Handing over Kozumi to him Kohaku kissed his sons head kneeling back down in the snow.
"Are you going to help us son?"
"Ru-Ru…mama." Hotaru said referring to herself and reaching for Rin.
"Of course you can help us little bug." Rin reached down for her daughter as Izumi walked back to the raised deck. Watching Sana as she rubbed at her expanding middle she smiled warmly at her friend.
"Next year and your pup will be out here with us." Izumi stated.
"I know. I really cannot believe it, my pregnancy seems to be going quickly but so slow all at the same time. Some days it feels like it will never be done." Sana replied.
"I do understand. I felt the same with Hisashi but not with Kozumi. I think it was not knowing what to expect that made it feel that way." Izumi answered. "Kino, I have never asked; do you have any pups?"
"No." Kino shook her head keeping her eye on everyone and everything.
"Will you ever or is motherhood not something that interests you?" Izumi pressed.
"Chiase has allowed me to take on the responsibilities of a mother to her son, he is of our blood so it is the same as having a pup of my own." Kino said.
"But not one of your own?" Izumi insisted. Opening her mouth Kino turned her head suddenly towards the wooded area. "The captain has another dog demon male with him."
Sniffing the air Izumi straightened herself out.
"Do you recognize the scent?" Izumi asked. Shaking her head once Kino called to the others.
"Captain Riku is approaching with an unknown male, a demon." She announced. Nagi picked up Hisashi who had been nipping around his ankles as Riku emerged from the forest.
"My lord, my ladies." Riku greeted. "This is my youngest, well now middle son, Haruki.
He has come with news of Nen."
"Haruki." Sana breathed out biting at her lower lip.
"Stay here Sana, everything is alright." Izumi soothed her friend.
"I know he is not a threat but I am worried how Jiro will react to his presence." She responded.
"We will deal with that as it comes." Stepping off the deck she made her way to them. "Haru, I cannot recall the last time I saw you."
"Lady Izumi, you were quite young and I doubt you would." Haru said.
"Haru, this is our Lady Rin of the western house and Lord Kohaku of our own house." Riku introduced.
"My lord, my lady. This Haruki is honored to make your acquaintances." Haru said.
"Oh please, call me Rin." Rin smiled at him.
"What news do you have of Nen? I trust he made his way south?" Kohaku asked.
"Yes my lord. My mate, Lady Yoake of the southern house of the northern star, dispatched me to deliver word of his arrival personally." Haru informed.
"It is already late in the season. Will you be staying on with us?" Kohaku further questioned.
"For some time to become reacquainted with my parents and elder brother." Haru said.
"You can meet your younger brother as well." Rin chimed in. "He is a sweet pup and gets along well with Hisashi and Chiases son…oh Hikari is here as well and will welcome their second in some weeks…"
"Apologies, she rambles when she is excited." Izumi teased.
"I am not Izu, I am informing Haruki of what has been happening with his family here." Rin quipped back. Sana made her way over to them taking a breath.
"Haru, this is your sister Lady Sana; Jiros mate." Riku introduced.
"It is an honor to meet you. I did receive correspondence some time ago from my mother informing me that you were taken in. I am happy to finally meet you." Haru bowed slightly in respect.
Sana extended her hand out to him only to snap it back as Jiro rushed between them giving off an angry demonic presence that even she could feel, having no spiritual awareness it was alarming and nearly knocked her over with its power.
"Jiro." Riku said calmly. Jiro growled threateningly at Haru who stood expressionless dropping his happy countenance from a moment before.
Kozumi began to whine hiding his face against Kohakus neck while Hotaru began to cry. Hisashi growled and barked at him as all three of them detected the sudden threat.
"Stand down." Riku ordered him as Kino jumped over with her hand on the hilt of her sword.
"Jiro, stop. Not here, not now." Kohaku continued.
"Jiro please, you're scaring the little ones." Rin appealed. At her words Jiro lowered his hackles and took in a breath.
"Jiro, take the rest of the day off." Kohaku ordered. "Nagi and I will resume your patrol."
Although he had suppressed his demon energy Jiros eyes still were violet seeming to spark and his fangs were elongated.
"Keep your distance from my mate." He growled out at Haru.
"Understood." Haruki said simply.
"Darling, can you assist me home? My legs are sore from standing." Sana placed her hands lightly against his arms below the armor of his shoulders as not to further alarm him.
Turning around he looked at her as if he hadn't understood what she had said.
"Sunflower." He said softly as if coming out of a daze.
"Yes darling. Will you take me home?" She repeated taking his hand in hers. Nodding he wrapped his arm around her waist protectively leading her away.
"We will have to keep an eye on him." Riku said to Kohaku, Nagi, and Kino.
"No need father. Jiro has every right to his anger. I will take whatever may come from him, I owe him that." Haru said.
"I apologize Haru for that scene." Izumi offered.
"No need. I will not stay long." Haru turned to his father. "Now, about that younger brother…"
"Your mother will be glad to see you." Riku stated. "Come on, I will bring you to them then return to my patrol."
"My lord, my ladies." Haru nodded his head at them following Riku to the back.
"Such a mess." Kino commented shaking her head. "Are you alright flower?"
"Yes." Rin replied with a slight shake to her voice and soothed Hotaru as she clung to her. "I feel badly. I want Haru here but I do not want Jiro or Sana to be put out by his presence."
"You cannot have it both ways Rin. This is something they will have to work out between themselves." Kohaku said.
"I just want everyone to be happy and peaceful together." She added with a sigh as the children settled down.
"Rin, we all are but situations will arise that we don't have any control over. After all, we are the odd ones out as far as the rest of the world is concerned." Nagi said. With his words all of them nodded in agreement.