Sesshomaru wandered into the miko's hut, gently setting Hoshi and Rin down against one of the walls. The demoness sent him a grateful look before watching him wander into one of the back rooms, returning with a pillow for her back. She was shocked. Never had she thought Sesshomaru would care about that, of all things. He set the pillow behind Hoshi's back, ensuring she was comfortable before he himself sat down beside her.

"Thank you, Sesshomaru."

"Hn."

Rin had gotten up for a moment to get out of the way, apparently, and she wandered up to Hoshi after the demoness was comfortable.

"Are you okay, momma?"

Hoshi reached out and brought the little girl to sit in her lap. She kept back her groan of pain when her wounded leg was jostled, but made sure Rin didn't hear. But Sesshomaru did, however, as he looked at her out of the corner of his eye but he said nothing.

"I'm fine, Rin. I'm glad your-"

Hoshi cut off, gasping in shock. The left side of Rin's face was burned.

"Rin, what happened?"

"I-I was running by a hut when it exploded. But it doesn't hurt."

'Liar,' Hoshi thought as the girl's eyes flashed in her pain when the demoness gently touched it with a claw.

"Sesshomaru, could you get me two boiling cups of water?

The dog demon didn't even put up a protest and just did as she asked. Rin was shocked. He never took commands from others, much less Hoshi. What was going on, especially between him and Hoshi? But Rin didn't comment. Hoshi pulled out a herb hanging at her belt and dropped it into one of the boiling water cups, waiting until it turned a light green. Sesshomaru watched as she dipped her fingertips into it and began to gently apply it to Rin's burn.

"It doesn't hurt. It just feels cool."

"Mmhmm. This herb can treat minor to severe burns, so I'm grateful I had it on me today."

She applied it until Rin's burn was covered and dropped a different herb into the other cup, allowing it just to simmer. She held it up to Rin's lips once the herb was gone.

"Drink this, pup."

Sesshomaru felt a sense of pride when Hoshi said that. He liked her referring Rin as her pup, but even more so as their pup but he wouldn't admit it. Rin obeyed her mother and drank the medicine, wincing lightly at the bitter taste. Hoshi wanted to laugh at the expression her pup's face but didn't. Just as Rin finished, the others appeared in the doorway. Kagome wandered over, seeing the protectiveness in Sesshomaru's eyes, and knelt at Hoshi's side.

"May I?"

Hoshi glanced at Sesshomaru for a moment before nodding her consent. Hoshi shifted Rin so she was sitting on her upper hips and she stretched out her leg slowly, wincing in pain. Kagome gave a weak smile as she began to examine the wound slowly and carefully. Inuyasha, Sango, Miroku, and Shippo followed just right after the miko, watching the situation carefully. Hoshi watched Kagome carefully as well, to ensure the miko wouldn't try anything. Rin sat against Hoshi, laying her head against the demoness's shoulder. The others were a bit startled by her affection and no fear toward this demoness, and Sesshomaru didn't even seem to have a problem with it.

"The wound is deep, but nothing I can't take care of."

Kagome rose up to sort through her herbs before putting a few different types in boiling water to make medicine. Hoshi watched every herb put into the medication, able to identify every one put in, and was relieved to see no poisons or anything unnecessary not put in. The miko came back to clean wound, but not before noticing the medication cup sitting by the demoness. She also noted the medication on Rin's burn.

"You are a healer as well?"

Hoshi hesitated for a moment, before slowly nodding.

"You don't need to be afraid, Hoshi correct?"

Hoshi yet again nodded. She wouldn't speak until she knew this miko and the others a bit better. Kagome carefully cleaned the wound, watching the demoness's face. She half expected the demoness to slash at her in her pain, or even howl or hiss, but nothing came from those lips. She noticed the demoness was playing with Rin's hair and watching her with affectionate eyes.

'She's gentle, I see that,' Kagome thought. 'And powerful, too.'

Inuyasha approached after a moment but stopped dead at Sesshomaru's expression. He also saw Hoshi eyes flash with fear.

'She's deathly afraid, but she isn't showing it, except through her eyes.'

"Aren't you going to speak, wench?"

Hoshi cringed after so lightly into the wall he barely noticed it, but if he was human he wouldn't have seen it at all. He saw Rin wrap her arms around her shoulders, gently offering comfort.

"Don't speak to her that way, hanyou," Sesshomaru snarled.

Everyone's eyes turned to look at the dog demon, who was looking quite pissed. Hoshi wrapped her arms around the child in her arms, silent still. Kagome sent her husband a annoyed look before wrapping the demoness's leg wound. Inuyasha just growled lightly in frustration before looking away.

"There, your good to go, Hoshi."

"Thank you, miko," Hoshi whispered.

Yet again everyone's eyes shot to Hoshi. It was almost like it was a miracle she had spoken. Hoshi's grip tightened on the child in her arms, sort of frightened by every's reaction. Sesshomaru wanted to laugh. Rin reached up and gently stroked the demoness's hair.

"It's okay, momma."

"Momma!"

Rin turned to look at the others.

"She's my momma."

Everyone turned to look at Sesshomaru, the question clear in their eyes. Sesshomaru understood and just shook his head. It took Hoshi another second to process what the unspoken question was, but her cheeks flushed lightly in response once she understood. Rin giggled at her mother's expression.

"I think we should get more of a explanation, Rin."

"I think that is my duty, miko," Hoshi murmured.

Kagome's eyes turned to look at the demoness with surprise.

"What is it you want to know," Hoshi asked, ignoring the looks she was getting.

"How did you meet Rin?"

Hoshi sighed. She knew that she'd have to tell all that Rin didn't. But she was afraid. What would they do when they knew of her past? Sesshomaru immediately sensed it and noticed her hand was laying on the side of her. He placed his hand next to her's for a moment before slowly reaching over and grabbing her hand, gently holding it. He felt Hoshi's eyes snap to his for a moment. He wondered if he had crossed a boundary when her hand tightened around his. Luckily, this was hidden by the sleeve of Sesshomaru's kimino and no one could see them holding hands. Hoshi took a deep breath. She would be okay, she suddenly felt like she could trust these people. Plus, Rin and Sesshomaru were here with her, and both with protect her in their own ways. She felt Sesshomaru rubbing comforting circles against the back of her hand while he held her hand tightly, giving her courage.

"Well, that's a long story," Hoshi began as she started to tell them her tale.

Rin felt her gaze wander to Sesshomaru for a moment, and she began to close her eyes when something caught her attention. She could see mostly hidden by Sesshomaru's kimino sleeve but was completely hidden to the others.. Sesshomaru and Hoshi were holding hands. She grinned but didn't say anything, instead curling up against her mother and listening to her tell her life story to the others.

I feel rather proud of this chapter, honestly. I love showing the softer side of Sesshomaru and how he treats Hoshi, despite how he tries to deny his "feelings" for her. I love the affection and comfort he shows at the end here when he holds her hand. I think he might be a bit occ though, lol. I hope you guys anyway enjoyed this chapter anyways and please review, I love hearing your input!