Hoshi slowly woke to the whispered voices not far from her. The voices were low but angry sounding and it made her wonder what was going on. Did something happen, while she was sleeping? It was obvious one of the voices was the one offering comfort, the lighter one, while the deep tone that sent a shiver through her spine was cold and angry. Sesshomaru. He sounded worried, though. She strained to listen to what was going on because she wasn't aware of the situation. But her consciousness was slowly returning and while her mind slowly oriented itself she listened.

"My lord, do not concern yourself. She will wake when she is ready. Her body lost a lot of blood," Sakura said softly.

"Will the wounds be affected," came Sesshomaru's low response ignoring the other statements.

"No, I applied some medication that will keep infections out."

No response to that but she could almost hear his worried but cold thoughts. It made her want to cringe into the bed and run for her life. What was going on? Who was hurt?

"Please, my lord. Do not worry over Hoshi, she will wake soon. Besides, she needs to heal."

Hoshi started. She was hurt? But she didn't feel any - No, wait.. She felt the dull pain of throbbing upper arms and on her temples making her groan lowly in pain as her body woke up. Okay, she hadn't been sleeping, but unconscious. Her memory slowly returned to her and she felt her chest twinge at the pain at both mental and physical as she remembered the last moments before she fainted. Oh dear, she was in trouble.

"I will return shortly," Sakura said as her voice carried out of the room.

Suddenly it was silent. Hoshi winced in time with her heart which she honestly wished would stop beating for the time being seeing as it was her headache and cut arms throbbed in time with the beating. She listened for Sesshomaru's retreat but nothing met her ears. It was too quiet. It frightened her a bit to think she was alone but then again, he must be angry at her. She'd cut herself, for heavens sake, but not on purpose. She'd been so grief stricken she had lost control over herself, obviously. It hurt so much to think about – No. She groaned at a rather painful throb.

"Are you well," Sesshomaru suddenly asked next to her bedside.

Hoshi couldn't help but shriek with surprise and get up scrambling to get away but ended up instead crying out with pain. That was honestly a stupid move to pull off, especially when your weak from blood loss. Her heart pounded in her ears. She'd been spooked by his sudden appearance at her side and honestly hadn't heard him approach, the stupid silent walker. Sesshomaru lowly cursed and yanked her down onto the bed again despite the small struggles and glared at her, who was gaping at him with her breast heaving.

"Rest," he hissed.

"It's not my fault you decided to pop out of nowhere and scare the crap out of me," she snapped back.

His golden eyes narrowed at her expression but he pulled back looking quite annoyed and angry. Suddenly the demoness was afraid of what he'd say, because when he was near she smelt her blood on him and immediately guessed it was he who found her. She was in for it now.

"What were you thinking?"

She sighed heavily and looked away. How could she tell him, the truth? She wasn't ready! She sensed his quiet patience but his interest to know, despite the expression.

"It was nothing," she mumbled softly.

"Then why do you have cuts on your arms and temples? You wouldn't have done so without reason."

"… I was upset."

"Hn, obviously."

She chanced a glance at him to see him stiffly tense sitting on a cushion next to her bed watching her quietly with his observant but cold gaze. She knew immediately what his thoughts were.

"I wasn't trying to hurt or kill myself."

His gaze narrowed in response to that before he slowly gestured to her stiffly.

"Then explain."

"I was upset," Hoshi whispered before licking her lips. "because I was having a flashback of my past when I lost my adoptive father and mother, my best friends."

Silence for a long moment. It made her a bit frightened at the tense atmosphere around them so she quickly glanced away staring at the moon high in the sky. A crescent moon in that dark cloudy sky. She winced.

"You miss him," came his low response.

"Hai. He was my best friend, teacher, and adoptive father. He taught me all I know. He protected me and raised me from my young years. He gave me what I needed and provided the love and care I needed. Of course I miss him…"

"Hn."

Hoshi's eyes wandered to his golden gaze and noticed a new expression there she hadn't seen before. It seemed cold but hard like he was having a fight with himself. No.. wait.. Sesshomaru couldn't be jealous, could he?

"Are you jealous," she stated. It wasn't a question.

He stared at her for a moment his expression hardening. That answered it enough.

"Sesshomaru, you shouldn't be jealous of my father. He was my father, teacher, and friend, nothing more to me. Do you think I loved him more?"

Sesshomaru couldn't find a response to that so he just slowly allowed his expression to soften and gaze at her quietly. She understood. Something that no one else did, expect his little Rin, his pup. She knew. She knew his feelings for her were more than friendly. She must of have seen the recognition in his eyes despite how hard he tried to hide it and she smiled softly despite the pain and suffering she was in. Before they both knew it, their hands slowly found each other and held each other tight, reluctant to let go even for a moment. Sesshomaru brushed her hair back from her eyes. He was glad he had found her because had she been unconscious for longer who would have known what would have happened had she bled to death. He didn't even know how he'd cope with her death after he'd grown so attached, just like with his Rin. They'd wormed their way into his heart and never would they leave. They were there to stay. Her eyes watched him with a kind but soft gaze and he was unsure what it really was behind that expression that made her look at him so. He found himself leaning in a bit and the demoness's eyes widened as if knowing what was happening. Suddenly the door burst open making their hands detangle and snap away from each other.

"Momma!"

Rin ran to Hoshi's side and crawled onto the bed throwing herself into Hoshi's arms. The demoness had to laugh softly and kiss the top of the little girl's head. Oh, her sweet, innocent, and gentle pup. She obviously didn't catch the moment she and Sesshomaru had been in a moment before. Rin hugged her. Sesshomaru was a bit annoyed at the interruption but it was his pup, after all.

'Failure number two,' his demon spoke in exasperation.

Sesshomaru threw his inner demon into his cage quickly before he could even hear the insults on how he failed to kiss her again. He forced himself back to the present. There was more of a chance later on, anyway.

"Are you okay, Momma?"

"I am fine sweetie, just a bit dizzy and tired."

Rin carefully traced the bandages on her upper arms and around her head. She felt sad to see her mom like this, so weak. She'd been hurt so much she even wondered how many other types of wounds the demoness had received. This wasn't a new thing for her to have. She always seemed to be wounded.

"I'm sorry this happened," the little girl whispered.

Hoshi winced. It wasn't her pup's fault, but hers. She'd failed to keep herself in check, honestly.

"It wasn't your fault, honey. It was mine. Don't worry, I'll be good by morning and I'll join you for breakfast, okay?"

"You shouldn't be walking around in your state," Sesshomaru suddenly stated.

She immediately glared at the demon. She knew he was only expressing concern for her well being but still, she did what she pleased. He ought to learn that.

"I am going to eat with Rin where she pleases," Hoshi stiffly replied.

Sesshomaru did not like it when someone told him no or disobeyed. Hoshi was getting herself into that bad situation now. Why couldn't she learn some things were good for her, instead of doing good for others? Rin could join her in here, but no, she was insisting on going to where Rin wanted. He loved that, but still, now? She couldn't be a rebel just for once and be a bit obedient? But as he gazed into her eyes he knew it was a lost battle. She would get her way and the stubborn but wise demoness knew it. The power she had. He admired her for it as well, for she was one of the few who stood up to him, unafraid. Sesshomaru sighed lightly.

"Fine."

Hoshi smiled smugly and hugged her pup, her eyes twinkling with mischief despite her pain. And without knowing it, the corner of his mouth turned upward in a tiny but slightly amused smile. She'd won.. again! Rin was giggling.

"Momma, can I stay here tonight?"

"If you wish, honey."

Rin buried herself in the sheets to Hoshi's left and slowly passed into sleep but holding her mom's hand tightly, as if to reassure her she was there. Hoshi gazed at the sleeping child while Sesshomaru observed her. She was such a mystery. Her personality was a mix between the miko's and his pup's but she had some of the violence Sango processed. She was kind, gentle, and loyal beyond compare and very trustworthy and intelligent. She was stubborn and rebellious with a touch of seriousness here and there. She was endlessly smiling like Rin, but she did have her moments of silence and sorrow, like today and yesterday. The demoness could be violent and protective. Bright like the star but deathly. Her name was so fitting.

'She will be a good mother,' his inner demon suddenly purred at his thoughts.

'Indeed.'

'Mate as well.'

'Hn, she will. A very good one.'

He didn't understand what this demoness was doing to him. He looked so blank and cold on the outside. Like he never had any feelings and only did things for his own good. But ever since he'd meet his pup and Hoshi, he had changed. They plagued his thoughts and he cared deeply for both of them, despite his cold outlook. He wasn't who he used to be, he knew that. He –

"Sesshomaru," Hoshi hissed loudly.

"Hai," he questioned startled from his thoughts.

She raised her eyebrows slowly at him.

"What were you thinking so intently about," she questioned innocently.

She didn't just ask the question he'd dreaded she would ask, did she? When he realized she truly had he rose to his feet quickly.

"I will check on you later," he stated.

She looked a bit disappointed at his response but shrugged lightly at that. He must not want her to know. Oh well.

"Alright."

She closed her eyes slowly and felt herself drift into sleep slowly, but she noticed the moment Sesshomaru slipped out the door, because a single tear ran down her cheek in response.

I am so sorry for taking so long for this chapter! I'll be better about posting, sorry again! Lots of stuff going on! Anyways, enjoy and review!