Hanako and Kagome sat side by side, sipping noodles quietly. They had become quite close in the short time they had known each other, and Hanako felt an unsettling feeling in her stomach. It was a feeling she had longed for, but was rather surprised to feel. The feeling of belonging. Hanako gazed at Kagome as she ate, and she felt a warmness towards the human woman. Kagome had accepted her without thought. Something many would never even consider.

"How's the soup?" Kagome's voice lashed through Hanako's thoughts, and the young she-demon yelped, nearly spilling her bowl. She quickly righted herself as Kagome began to give her an odd look.

Finding her voice once more, Hanako spoke softly, "It is delicious. Thank you for your kindess." She smiled and resumed eating, chewing slowly as to avoid further conversation.

Kagome sighed and stored her noodle soup with her chopsticks, "You know..." she paused as if deciding to reword herself, "Look. Three years ago, there was a big battle over the Jewel of Four Souls. The Shikon Jewel."

Swallowing, Hanako looked at Kagome, "I have heard stories of that battle. I am afraid I know little of the Jewel. I never had any interest in it."

"Really? Not even to use it to become a full-fledged demon?" Kagome asked, setting her bowl down.

There was a loud clattering as Hanako dropped her food, anger blazing in her blue eyes, "Why would want to be a full-fledged demon? Demons are monsters! No. I would rather be human..." She glared at Kagome, her lips curled back to reveal her sharp teeth.

Kagome squeaked and leaned back, "B-but your the mate to a Demon Lord! You can't say he is a monster! And if you were human, you wouldn't be able to live with Sesshomaru for very long!"

Her words caused Hanako to blink and relax, but tears formed in the young woman's eyes, "I know...I only ever wanted to live in peace among humans...then I got involved with a demon, and my best friend was killed. I was driven away, and I was forced to follow Sesshomaru, forced to be his mate." She covered her face in her hands and wept, her tears flowing rapidly, "All of my choice was taken away, all because someone else tried to take it from me as well! I should have just...I should have just opened my heart...Shuya would still be alive...nothing would have changed..." She wiped her eyes with her sleeve, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Who is Shuya?" Kagome asked softly, her face one of sadness as she gazed at the weeping half-demon.

"Sh-Shuya had been...my b-best friend. He died...protecting me. He loved me, and before he was killed, he said he wanted to marry me. I should have fallen in love with him! His death is all my fault!"

Kagome sighed and sat closer to her, "Hush...Shuya died bravely. He must have really cared about you to sacrifice himself for you. But he is gone, and you have your own life to live."

"But it's not my life! I am forced to be with Sesshomaru! I can't leave him! We are mates. I have no freedom! I didn't want to be some human Lord's wife, yet I am now the mate of a Demon Lord!" She scoffed and threw her hands up, "What kind of twisted joke is that?" she began speaking in a mocking voice, "Oh, you don't want to marry a powerful and wealthy human lord? Then we shall give you better! Behold! A DEMON Lord! Oh don't worry. He will just rape you, and then everything will be smooth sailing from there. Have a nice life!" She snorted and crossed her arms, glaring angrily at the wall.

Kagome blinked, her eyes wide as she stared at Hanako. She couldn't quite understand why she was so angry. I don't get it...why us she so...upset? Sesshomaru seems to genuinely care for her, and she seems to care for him, yet she acts like he is nothing but some demon who stole her away from her life. Maybe in some sense...he did. But that shouldn't mean she should despise him.

Taking a deep breath, Kagome reached her hand back, "Hanako.." just as Hanako turned around, Kagome swung her arm, her hand smacking solidly on Hanako's cheek. The force sent the slender woman sprawling head over tail, crashing into the wall. Hanako shook her head and shrunk back as Kagome loomed over her, one finger pointed at her scoldingly.

"Now listen up! Things happen for a reason, and sometimes we can't control what they are! Think about it! You were meant to marry a man of power, and since you refused the one who would have most likely given you what you wanted: human life, peace, and even the ability to choose, you were sent the one who would take that away! And now you are here! I may not be the brightest, but even I can see that you were meant to be someone important, hence why you are married to, or in your case, mated to a Lord, and why your name is Lady Hanako Yamanari!"

Hanako simply stared at Kagome, a dumbfounded look on her face as she held her cheek, which now sported a large red handprint. "Wh-what?" She squeaked, "W-was the slap necessary?"

"Yes it was! For I needed to get your attention! You're too focused on what you wanted, to not see what you now have!" Kagome huffed and crossed her arms, glaring down at Hanako.

Hanako stared back, and she squirmed, "Y-you're right...I am sorry." she sighed and lowered her gaze. She looked up as the door burst open, and Sesshomaru and Inuyasha rushed in.

"Kagome what's going on?" Inuyasha demanded, running over to her and hugging her tightly.

"Hanako what happened?" Sesshomaru rushed over to Hanako, scooping her up and carrying her several feet away, touching her cheek gently with his fingers. "Why did she strike you?" he turned a cold gaze to Kagome, pulling Hanako closer to him protectively.

"Sh-she did it for my own g-good. Please...it's fine. She is forgiven." Hanako murmured softly, grabbing Sesshomaru's arm when she felt him tense up. At her touch, Sesshomaru looked down at her, all traces of aggression gone as he gazed at her.

"Are you ok?" he asked worriedly, his eyes glimmering as he looked her over.

Hanako opened her mouth answer, unaware that Kagome and Inuyasha were staring at Sesshomaru in utter shock, "I am fine. Really." she smiled up at him, and Kagome's word lashed through her. She was right; Sesshomaru may have taken away her old life, her freedom, and her maidenhood, but he had given so much as well. Opened many new doors that she could explore.

With a sudden need to be held, Hanako wrapped her arms around Sesshomaru's neck, hugging him tightly to her. She felt him tense, then relax, and she felt his strong arms wrap around her back, tightened as he leaned back on his knees. Hanako buried her face in his neck, breathing in his scent. His scent caught her attention, and she inhaled deeply. He smelled of jasmine, a strangely sweet scent, accompanied by his own dog-like musk. It made Hanako's nose tingle, and she sighed deeply as his arms pulled her closer.

Sesshomaru paid little attention to his half-brother and sister-in-law as he held her, and with ease and grace, he lifted her up. With steady footsteps, he carried her into the guest bedroom that was his, or rather, theirs now. He sat down on the bed, his arms never loosening as she gently pulled away and looked around them briefly, before returning her gaze back to him. Sesshomaru took deep controlled breaths as he gazed back, her blue eyes seeming to glow as he looked deep into them. If there was one thing he admired, it was Hanako's icy blue eyes. It was uncommon for demons to have anything but red eyes, gold being the second most common eye color, blue being the hardest to come by.

But her eyes were unique. They were silvery blue, like ice, and Sesshomaru could see hidden power in the depths. Did she know of her strength, but was simply hiding it behind a façade? Or did she really not know how powerful she was? Sesshomaru searched her eyes, but he could find no indication that she was hiding anything. With a sigh, he reached up to caress her cheek, and he felt her shiver at his touch.

Rubbing his thumb across her cheek tenderly, Sesshomaru leaned in too give Hanako a long, but soft kiss. He could feel the air around them begin to spark and heat up, and Sesshomaru grunted as he maintained careful control. He felt her press deeper into the kiss, and he felt warm liquids on his cheek. He opened his eyes, seeing tears flowing down her face as she kissed him. He wiped her tears away, breaking the kiss gently and looking at her.

"Why are you crying?"

"I am sorry." she sniffled and wiped her eyes, "I was selfish. I only wanted things that would give me peace, but they weren't actually what I needed. I was a fool." she gazed at him, "I'm sorry Sesshomaru."

Sesshomaru took her hands in his, kissing her fingers and holding them in his, "You are a strange woman. You weep when you don't have any reason to..."

Hanako looked down, casting her eyes to the side as her cheeks began to grow pink from his tenderness, "I have my own reasons, but I think, that it is time I found a new way of thinking...we are mates...I have Rin now...even though she is human, she needs me."

Sesshomaru smiled, a genuine smile, and he pulled her in for a tight hug, "Well, I am making plans...great plans. You don't need to worry about anything anymore." He looked up as the door opened, and a small, sleepy figure stumbled in.

Rin rubbed he eyes. yawning deeply as she moved closer to the bed, "Mother...I am sleepy..."

Hanako blinked twice, flicking her ears as she heard the word 'mother' on Rin's lips. With a smile, she pulled away from Sesshomaru, standing to pick up Rin. "I think we should all get some sleep." she murmured, casting Sesshomaru a small smile as she crawled into bed, Rin securely held in one arms as she laid down. She felt Sesshomaru lay beside her, one arm wrapping around her and Rin in a strong embrace. She felt his lips on her ears, shivering as he whispered.

"Sleep well, Hanako Yamanari. You will be safe in my arms this night, and every night after this."

Author's Note:

This was a rather short chapter, but I hope you all enjoy it nonetheless!