There was a dead silence between Rin and the demoness as they stared each other down almost in shock. Rin didn't know what to say now the demoness was awake, but after a long moment, she saw pain appear in those sky blue eyes. She raised her head carefully off the demoness's chest to just stare at her. A groan of pain escaped those pale pink lips and her tongue snaked out to lick her lips. Rin just watched. When the demoness appeared to be done examining her surroundings and remembering what happened, she met Rin's wide gaze. Rin thought this was honestly going good so far, because the demoness hadn't attacked in any way. But she maybe didn't because of her wounds?

"A human girl," the demoness murmured in a soft but quite lovely voice almost to herself as her gaze went toward the sky gaining her attention."I wasn't expecting to wake up to see that."

"Who are you?"

The demoness looked at her but hissed in pain at jolting her injured shoulder. After a moment's hesitation, she tried to get up, groaning in pain. Rin could see the demoness shaking in her pain and weakness.

"Please let me help you, demoness."

Those beautiful sky blue eyes searched Rin's brown ones in surprise before nodding slowly her consent. Rin wrapped her arm around the demoness's back, being careful not to touch her wounds, and helped her up into a sitting position. Rin pulled out the bandages she'd brought as well as a medication to clean wounds.

"Please stay still, this may sting."

The demoness didn't even flinch when Rin began carefully rubbing the medication into her wounds. She was surprised, expecting her to groan or even scream in pain, but nothing escaped her. Finally, once the wounds were clean she began to wrap them. The demoness stared at this human girl, who was helping her. Helping her. She didn't protest, though. Rin finally completed her task and stared at the demoness again. The demoness returned the gaze almost nervously.

"I'm Rin."

"Huh, what" the demoness questioned in surprise.

"My name is Rin. What is your name, demoness?"

The demoness looked nervously at her for a long moment before letting out a long sigh. She looked straight into her eyes, almost with a frightened look.

'Is this demoness scared of me? I'm just a human! Even if she's wounded, she could still kill me easily.'

"You must have name, demoness."

She didn't answer. She just stared at her for a long moment in silence before her gaze lowered to the ground. Rin smiled brightly still although she didn't answer. She decided not to push it. Rin could almost sense the nervousness and fear cloaking the demoness like a deep mist.

"I'm going to go gather some wood. Stay here, okay?"

The demoness nodded her consent and she watched the little girl run off. She was surprised mostly.

'Why did this girl help me? I'm a demoness, why doesn't she fear me? She treats me like I'm.. normal."

Hoshi continued thinking, wondering if she could trust this human girl with her name. She wasn't able to think much more beyond that, because Rin came back with all smiles and sticks. Rin started a fire easily and ran off again, returning with a small metal cup of water within minutes. Hoshi watched in silence as the girl heated up the water and dropped herbs into the water. She was able to identify all the herbs easily, being she was also a healer. Finally, the girl handed her the cup. Hoshi stared down into it and drank it quickly so she wouldn't shy away. Rin smiled at her.

'What has scared this demoness so' Rin questioned to herself.

"Why did you help me, Rin," the demoness murmured pulling Rin out of her thoughts.

"Because you needed the help."

"But I'm a demoness. You're a human. We're supposed to be enemies as far as I know."

"We don't have to be enemies. My daddy, Sesshomaru, is a demon."

The demoness choked in surprise and spit some of the liquid from her mouth.

"WHAT?"

"My parents and siblings were killed by bandits a long time ago. Sesshomaru saved me. He is a demon and he raised me, but he left me here for now. I will be going back to him soon."

The demoness stared at her, not even bothering to mask her shock. Rin giggled at the expression on her face. She then knew without a doubt this demoness was kind and no threat or danger to her or her friends. The demoness suddenly had a thoughtful expression come over her face before turning into a slight pain filled expression. She looked down.

"Hoshiko."

"Is that your name," Rin gasped in surprise immediately catching on.

The demoness nodded her head. A small silence filled the air around them and Hoshi suddenly felt like a crushing weight was on her chest.

"That's a pretty name, Hoshiko! I like it!

"Really?"

"Yes!"

"Thank you.. But you can call me Hoshi."

"Okay, Hoshi!"

Hoshi sighed and started to get up, groaning in pain. Rin immediately grabbed her.

"What are you doing? Stay down and rest!"

"Rin, I can't stay here. If my enemies find me here in such a weak state I will be killed."

"But what did you do, Hoshi, to gain enemies?"

Hoshi didn't answer her, instead staring at the ground. Rin suddenly wondered something.

"Hoshi, have you any friends?"

"No. I had only four friends but they're either gone or dead now. I've been on my own since-" Hoshi cut herself off.

Rin didn't push it. She saw tears had filled Hoshi's eyes and her body trembled.

"Hoshi," Rin whispered. "Please stay. I can take care of you if you stay. I want to be your friend too."

"Rin, I shouldn't stay here."

"Stay!"

"No Rin! If word gets around that I'm alive gets to my enemies they will try to attack me in my weak state. I cannot put anyone in danger."

"Then no one will know you're here."

"What?"

"I won't tell anyone you're here. I will be the only one. I can take care of you. You can leave once your well. Please."

"Promise me, Rin. Promise you won't tell. No one can know."

"Okay," Rin whispered past tears. "I won't tell anyone."

Rin wanted to help Hoshi, no matter what. She didn't want her new friend to die! She would protect her and help her all she could in her human ability. Hoshi sent her a grateful look.

"Thank you, Rin."

Rin nodded. Hoshi looked around for a moment before meeting her gaze again.

"If I'm staying here, I better find a better place than this bush," she mused.

"I know," Rin squealed already back to her happy self. "There is a small cave deeper in the woods. I found it awhile ago, with Lady Kaede, but I doubt she'll ever go there. Let's go!"

Hoshi let Rin help her up and found the girl was at least 2 feet smaller than her, Hoshi being about 5"6 foot. Rin didn't even seem to notice as she made sure she didn't stumble or fall. Hoshi managed for a good hundred feet before she fell to her knees. She was still weak and it wasn't the best thing for her to do right now. But she had to get to a better place! She immediately smelled concern radiate from the small human at her side.

"Hoshi!"

"I'm okay, Rin."

Hoshi stumbled to her feet, leaning onto a tree gasping for breath. It took a good two hours before they managed to get to get to the cave. It was big enough for at least 5 people to fit inside and it was at least 4 feet tall. Hoshi walked inside before falling with a light thud to her knees and to her side to the ground. Rin ran to her.

"Hoshi!"

Hoshi was red faced, breathing hard, and trembling from the effort this little trip had brought on her. Rin knelt by her and looked at her worried. She should have waited to bring her new friend here. But the demoness gently smiled in response to her. She would be okay.

'She cares,' Hoshi thought to herself. 'Even though she just met me.'

Rin pulled out a small jug of water and helped Hoshi drink, who was currently relieved for the cool water, and she leaned back and relaxed. Rin immediately began telling her about herself and Hoshi was more than happy to listen. She enjoyed listening to her story. Rin stayed for another hour before leaving, promising to bring food and more medication for her. Hoshi watched the girl go with an almost affectionate look on her face. She already missed her new friend and couldn't wait to see her again. It had been so long since she had talked to someone.. it was nice to talk to someone who wouldn't kill her again. She shivered lightly.

Rin skipped through the woods. She was so excited she had a new friend! She looked up at the descending sun and smiled. She hurried home, before anyone could really notice she was gone.

Enjoy and Review! Hope you like it.