AN: Unfortunately, I am not sure if I am able to post tomorrow, since I start work again. Updates will slow down, but I will try to post as much as possible. So, I heard tomorrow is someone's birthday. I hope you enjoy this chapter and have a happy birthday tomorrow, Horsegirl1800.

English

'thoughts'

'thoughts of Sesshomaru's beast'

It was a few days after Hermione's birthday when Lord Sesshomaru came to visit again. Hermione was searching for herbs in the surrounding woods, and she happened to encounter Lord Sesshomaru, who was walking towards her.

"Good afternoon, Lord Sesshomaru. Are you here to visit Rin again?"

"Good afternoon, little witch. Yes, this Sesshomaru is here to drink tea with his ward."

She bristled a bit at hearing him call her 'little witch'. She didn't know how to take it, or if she liked it or not. Well, she decided to ignore it.

"Let me accompany you, and while we walk I have some questions regarding Rin."

"Hn."

"Do you know when Rin's birthday is?"

"This Sesshomaru does not understand what you mean."

"A birthday is the day you were born. In my time we celebrate it with friends and family every year. The birthday kid normally receives presents from the others to show their appreciation of having that person in their live. You also eat cake and sometimes play some games. Since it was my twenty-second birthday a few days ago, Rin has been asking around when someone's birthday is or if they know hers. I thought maybe you knew?"

"No, I don't know. Why didn't you tell this Sesshomaru that it was your birthday?"

"I didn't tell anybody. Rin heard me talk in my sleep and asked Kagome what it meant. If no one knows Rin's birthday, then we will just decide on a date, and we will celebrate it then with her. Would you be able to return tomorrow?"

He seemed to think shortly then nodded.

"Yes, this Sesshomaru will be able to get some presents for tomorrow and be here."

"That's great! Rin will be so happy!"

"What would you like as a birthday present?"

Hermione was so startled by that question that she starred at him open mouthed and did not see a tree root. She stumbled and would have fallen flat on her face if Lord Sesshomaru didn't catch her arm. He pulled at it and she found herself face to chest. Blushing heavily, she mumbled her thanks and made a few steps back. Then they continued towards the village.

"You did not answer this Sesshomaru's question."

She had her face under control again, at least until he reminded her what had caused all this.

"You don't have to give me anything," she said with a faint blush returning to her cheeks.

"Hn."

HxS

He smirked slightly, seeing her blush again, even if it was faintly. She had felt wonderful against him even though it was for only a short moment. His beast had agreed, and he had to restrain him because he wanted the little witch in his arms again. They had to be patient unless they wanted to scare her away.

'Why does she say that? We want to give her a gift, so she knows we like her!''I do not know, it is hard to understand females.' 'We will give her a present.' 'Yes, we will.'

His beast wouldn't budge on that. He would think what to give the little witch. Perhaps a book since she loved to read? She had told him on their first meeting that she loved to read and that she knew other languages.

"This Sesshomaru is curious. You said you could understand many languages, what are they?"

"Yes, I said so. I learned a few languages in my school years and later while doing some research. I obviously speak Japanese and Chinese while my mother tongue is English. I also speak Latin, French and Italian, and I am able to read some ancient languages like Norse runes or Egyptian hieroglyphs."

"Impressive."

"Thank you. Oh! And I discovered recently that I also understand animals when I am in my Animagus form. What languages do you speak?"

"This Sesshomaru is fluent in Chinese, Korean, Hindi, Latin and the language of canines as well as a lot of other animal and demon languages."

"Also impressive."

They continued to talk until they arrived at the hut. Rin was there and very happy to see them. They went inside and drank tea together, while conversing about the books, this time in Chinese. Sesshomaru was impressed by the improvements Rin had made. She wasn't perfect, but close to it.

Before he returned to his palace, he had given the witch the new books and received the old ones. She had come up to him and motioned for him to bend down a little and then whispered into his ear.

"Will you make it tomorrow at midday? I will get you at the old well in the forest. It will be a surprise for Rin." He nodded slightly, sniffing her hair which tickled his face discreetly. He could smell leather, ink and something flowery. He now could also smell the faint scent of feline. If he didn't know about her other form, he would assume that she was near some cat often. He stopped when she retreated, smiled at him and told him they would see him soon. They waved, while he only nodded slightly and jumped into the air.

Now what to get the females for their birthday?

HxS

Shortly before lunch on the next day, Hermione was waiting for the demon lord to arrive. She had explained the plan to have a surprise birthday party for Rin to the others, and they had thought it was great and had helped where they could. He arrived by flight this time and like the first time they had met the two headed dragon and Jaken were with him. He nodded at her slightly in greeting, which prompted the imp to bow.

"Good afternoon, Lord Sesshomaru, Jaken. I hope you had a pleasant journey," she greeted and bowed to them as well.

"Good afternoon, little witch."

"Why do you keep calling me 'little witch'?"

"Because you are little compared to this Sesshomaru, and you are a witch."

She huffed and replied: "You know, I have a name. It isn't that difficult. It's Hermione, try it sometimes."

"Hn."

She could sense the toad wanted to say something, but she saw Lord Sesshomaru glare threateningly at him, and he shot his mouth, staying silent. The demon Lord went to Ah-Un and took a packet out of a saddlebag. He came toward her, stopped in front of her and held it out to her.

"Happy belated birthday."

Her mind was blown away. She starred at the packet in his hand, then at his face and then back again, repeating this a few times. Blushing she mumbled a 'thank you, you didn't have to' and took the bundle from him. She kept starring at it for some time.

She heard a sigh before Lord Sesshomaru said: "Woman, you need to open it."

Blushing even more, she began to open the present. From the form and feeling of it, it was clear to her that it was a book, and as she finished opening the packet she also saw that it was a big book on all kinds of demons. She opened it and caressed the pages, smelling the scent of old paper. It was a wonderful gift.

"Thank you so much, it is perfect. I wanted to learn more about demons evet since I have come here. Really, thank you."

Overwhelmed, she didn't even realise what she did. He was still standing close to her, and she made a big step and just hugged him fiercely due to feeling so happy. Then she even kissed him lightly on the cheek, turned around and started walking toward the village, blushing red from head to toe.

HxS

It happened too fast for him to react, and it even took him a few moments to realise what actually had just happened. He touched his cheek lightly where she had kissed him and smiled softly, while a happy purr left him. He could feel his beast literally waging his tail; he was so happy. 'She likes us. You picked out a great gift. Let's give her more, then we get hugs and kisses, and maybe even something else!' He calmed his beast down. 'Not now. Today is Rin's birthday. We can give her more books as gifts another time.' Maybe he should take her to his palace and show her his library. He wondered for a moment what would happen. Then he shook his head slightly and started to follow the little witch to the village.

Neither of them had realised that the imp had fainted from shock.

Ah-Un took him and followed his master and his future mistress – if the way his master followed her like a lost puppy was anything to go by.

AN: I will put up Rin's birthday celebration at the latest on Saturday. I wanted to put it in this chapter, but I am just to tired, it's getting late and I have to go to work tomorrow, I am sorry. I will try to post it tomorrow, we will see.

Thank you for your support! I hope you continue liking the story! I am always thankful for your feedback.

This story is now betaed by Pyo-Kiyo, I am very grateful for her help. Thank you so so much.

Thanks, and enjoy!