The air within the compound was heavy and full of tension. By the end of the day both An and Un had been saddled with Chiase and Nagi strapped with carrying bags to their fronts and backs. Yue and Yuki were placed in the backpacks securely while Hisashi and Chiases son were snugly put into the slings on their fronts.
Hotaru and Kozumi would sit with Nagi and Chiase on the saddle on their trip to Kaedes village. Rin held all of her children before ensuring more than once they would be secure and safe.
"Please watch Hisashi, Nagi. He tries to chew through the fabric and wiggles around when we travel." She instructed.
"I will Rin." He assured giving her a hug when she offered one. "I promise to keep all of your little ones safe."
"Thank you my friend." Rin replied softly biting at her lower lip.
"I'm glad that you are going." Kino said to Chiase as they stood facing one another. "I don't want you here for any of this."
"Kino, I am so afraid to say goodbye to you. What if we…we never see one another again?" Chiase asked fearfully.
"Oh, you won't get rid me of that easily." Kino smirked at her. "You are stuck with me."
"Good." Chiase smirked back sadly. Kino reached out for her pup holding him close to her.
"Take care of your mother and cousins son." She whispered to him nuzzling the top of his head before placing him in the sling. Assisting Chiase into the saddle Nagi climbed in front of her to hold the reigns.
Reluctantly Hotaru and Kozumi were handed over to them by their mothers.
"Mama." Hotaru said her eyes full of questions while Kozumi stared at them confused.
"It will be alright. Be a good girl and take care of your brothers and sisters." Kohaku said calmly as Rin was overcome to speak. Izumi remained quiet as she attempted to come to terms with sending them off.
Rin walked around to An and Un prompting them to bend their heads down towards her and nuzzle against her. Patting them she sniffled.
"My friends, you kept me safe more times than I can count. Please keep our children safe." She whispered to them. Both bobbed their heads in understanding as she moved out of the way before they ran and took to the skies. "Please keep my children safe."
Iku and Sana set to work finishing the elixirs and infusions they may need while Jin accompanied Kohaku to the post with Nozumi.
Rin sat at the fire pit with Izumi, Hikari, and Emi with Kino guarding them while Riku instructed the men to tighten their perimeter until further assistance arrived.
"Lady Rin, Lady Izumi; is there anything I can do to help?" Mira asked calmly.
"No Mira, thank you." Izumi replied automatically.
"What about…your children Emi? Or Mizuchi?" Rin questioned her gaze falling on Hikari and her heavily pregnant midsection.
"Mitsuo and I have decided they will stay with us." Emi said. "Whatever happens, we will be together."
Iku and Sana approached them with two separate satchels.
"My ladies; we have made two different concoctions." Iku said. "The first is for Mizuchi and your children, Emi. It will settle them and put them to sleep to keep them quiet."
"And the second one?" Izumi asked looking to her elder.
"It is a poison." Iku answered matter of factly. "In the event that we are not able to win this fight, to avoid being captured."
"To kill ourselves." Sana concluded stoically. "And our children, if need be."
"It won't come to that." Rin managed out. "Lord Sesshomaru will save us."
"I have no doubt that he will do everything in his power to do so." Iku stated. "It is still good to have a contingency plan, a last resort."
"I will not be taken again." Hikari said determinedly, tears falling down her cheeks. "I will not be kidnapped and forced to live somewhere else again. This time to have my daughter possibly taken from me…no."
Standing up quickly Rin rushed past the huts of her friends towards the front of the house. Her chest was tight as she doubled over while she struggled to breath.
"Rin." Izumi worried over her having run after her.
"We can't let them kill themselves Izumi!" She heaved out through heavy sobs.
"You know neither of them will make that decision lightly. It is as Iku said, a last resort." Izumi tried to calm her down placing a hand to her back. "They have lived through things we cannot imagine and for them this makes sense."
"Lady Rin." Iku came up behind them grasping her by the shoulders to straighten her up. "I understand this is stressful and the prospect of losing is frightening but there are fates much worse than dying. If it does come to that I will make sure my son is with me and that I am the one to dispatch him before myself, not someone who will hurt him and abuse him."
Wrapping her arms tightly around Iku she buried her head against her and sobbed.