Hoshi silently held her pup to her, rubbing soothing circles in between Rin's shoulders. She was listening to her pup's breathing deepen lightly and to the crickets outside in the night. She was currently in Inuyasha's and Kagome's hut, trying to sleep, but she just couldn't. Earlier that day, after she had told them her life story except keeping some things secret, they'd felt bad for her and Kagome had offered for the demoness to sleep over for the night. Hoshi had been to reject the offer when Rin had sent her pleading eyes, wanting for the demoness to stay here so she could stay with her for the night, and Hoshi couldn't resist those puppy eyes. She'd accepted in the end and here she was, but in a place she didn't know well and people around her that were almost complete strangers to her, she couldn't sleep. Hoshi was honestly waiting for Rin to fall asleep so she could slip outside to find a place to sleep.

'I don't understand, why do these people be so kind to me? Its like my life just immediately changed upon meeting Rin.'

Hoshi was glad she'd met Rin, nevertheless. But it was still a huge change. From completely friendless and alone, to just one friend, and then to at least 10 friends within just a good 2 months. It was amazing to her. She utterly adored Rin, though, and hoped within time she could make good friends with the others in this village. She planned on staying, that was for sure, at least in this area. Sesshomaru, on the other hand.. she trembled lightly at the thought of him. Ever since she'd met him, her inner demon still wouldn't shut up about the whole "future mate" thing. It annoyed her beyond reason. She liked Sesshomaru that was for sure, though. He was caring and kind, despite his blank mask. He would be a good friend.

'No,' her inner demon snarled. 'He will be a good mate.'

'Can't you shut up!'

'No. You know he is ours.'

Hoshi growled lightly, but not loud enough for Rin to hear.

'Hoshi, you know what you felt the minute you saw him. You were meant to be from the start. You love him already.'

'SHUT UP!'

Hoshi slammed her inner demon into its cage, listening to its angry growls for a moment before it finally gave up and went to sulk into the depths of her mind. She sighed and looked down at the pup in her arms, who was finally asleep. The demoness gently slid Rin out of her arms onto the soft mat on the floor carefully, trying not to jolt her too much. Rin shifted for a moment with a annoyed sigh before finding a comfortable position and slept on. Hoshi crept out of the hut with light footsteps. But what she didn't notice, was a pair of golden eyes watching her and begin to follow her.

'Finally,' Hoshi groaned in her mind, as her joints popped.

As much as she loved her pup, she had made her sit in a uncomfortable position for awhile and it felt painful but good to move around. Hoshi began to run, not even noticing the small throbbing pains in her thigh. The demoness enjoyed the cool air and the light wind in her hair, the peaceful sound of the crickets chirping into the night, and the soft sound of the river in the distance. This village was very peaceful. She could smell Sesshomaru farther off and went to find him, when she felt a presence behind her. She looked behind her, but saw nothing. Hoshi however knew better and crouched down, pressing a hand to the Earth and using her elemental powers, she felt for a presence. She went past all the life of the Earth, the animals that lived upon the ground, to find a presence that wasn't normal. She could feel through the ground, light footsteps coming from the direction she came. Hoshi gave a light smile. Someone wanted to talk to her, it seemed. She looked around to find a nearby tree and darted for it, leaping into its branches. She climbed up nearly to the top and sat upon a large branch, waiting for the person to arrive.

'So he wanted to talk to me alone, heh,' Hoshi thought with some amusement.

She could feel his presence below her and his hesitation through her connection to the Earth. She looked down to see a shadowed figure, but his golden eyes revealed who he was.

"Inuyasha, if you wish to come talk to me, please don't be hesitant."

She could feel his shock resonate into the Earth before she could smell it on his scent, that had finally caught up to her. The hanyou leaped up into tree, obviously watching her carefully, before landing beside her. She looked at him. What did he want, especially to speak to her alone about at this time of night? He sat down beside her, silent for a moment. He fingered the sword that hung at his side before speaking carefully.

"Why are you here, Hoshi?"

"You heard me earlier, Inuyasha. I was attacked by a pair of demon dragons and crash landed here."

"No, why are you still here, Hoshi."

Hoshi glanced at him.

"I honestly can't answer that," she admitted. "I've always even wondered that myself. I could have left after Rin had healed me…."

Inuyasha met her gaze with his golden eyes, which were so much like Sesshomaru's but yet different at the same time. While the dog demon's eyes were usually so emotionless, his half brother's was full of emotion. His current emotion, though, was curiosity and suspicion.

"Then why didn't you?"

"Rin."

Inuyasha looked away for a moment, considering that, before looking back at her.

"You aren't a threat."

"Hmm?"

"Keh! You heard what I said, wench."

"And how come you think that?"

He looked away.

"Rin was right earlier," he roughly admitted. "I was a bit rude earlier to you and judged you, but I do that to every demon I've met. I apologize. You did save my friends life, protected the village, and even saved Rin. You aren't going to attack anyone unless your attacked, true enough?"

"That is true. I don't attack unless I'm attacked, or when I feel threatened."

"Feh."

A silence fell between them for a moment, while Hoshi admired the stars high above her.

"I know how its like," Inuyasha murmured.

"What?"

Hoshi turned to look at him again, noticing he didn't look as tense as before.

"To be completely alone, after your parents die."

Hoshi just looked away. She didn't have a response to that. Inuyasha noted it, but he didn't stop what he had to say.

"I never even really knew my father before he died. My mother tried to protect me all she could, but she died later on. After that, I was completely alone. I was almost killed by numerous demons in my past."

Hoshi looked at him again, surprised. Why was he being so open with her? Rin had said he was so closed up to strangers. This was weird. It was like she was able to completely open up these people who she didn't even know.

"Why are you telling me this, Inuyasha?"

"I'm telling you this because I understand you, in that way. To be alone. But it got better for me later on, because I found friends in the monk, demon slayer, my adopted kit, my mate, the old bat Kaede, Rin, and even the old demon dog Sesshomaru, though he's my half brother. I can't guarantee things, but I bet things for you will get better."

Hoshi looked at him, a bit shocked at his kindness. Inuyasha could tell he wasn't acting like himself, he admitted it himself, but he felt like he should help her. Honestly, if he didn't, Kagome would kill him. She had told him before bed she really liked Hoshi and hoped she would stick around.

"Thank you, Inuyasha," Hoshi continued as if nothing had really happened, despite her expression.

"Keh, don't get used to it."

"Of course not."

"Wench.."

Hoshi had to smile lightly. Back he was to his old self. But she could tell his intentions were friendly and he was trying to be kind to her.

"Hoshi?"

"Yes, Inuyasha?"

"What do you intend on doing now?"

"I was thinking about staying in this area. After all, Sesshomaru has granted me permission to raise Rin and be her adopted mother if anything, so I want to keep the little girl in a place that is familiar. I'd like to raise Rin here."

Inuyasha raised his eyebrows up in surprise. Hoshi was considering to stay here? Even if she didn't know anyone? That was a bit surprising. But she was doing it for Rin.

"In this village?"

"Perhaps, or somewhere nearby at the most, if that is fine."

"Actually, Kagome hopes you will stay. I honestly don't mind."

Hoshi looked at him with amusement.

"Oh, do you?"

He snorted and looked away.

"Do you think it really is okay if I stay here, to raise Rin?"

"Keh, whatever."

Hoshi felt quite happy. She could stay here! Rin would be pleased, nevertheless, and Hoshi could finally move out of that cave and build a hut nearby or maybe find a abandoned one.

"Thank you, Inuyasha."

"Feh," he grunted.

Hoshi smiled and looked away, staring up at the full moon. Inuyasha glanced at her and though he was married and all, he still had to admit she was quite beautiful. She would be a good mother to Rin, honestly enough, he had to admit she was kind, gentle, and loyal. He was surprised Sesshomaru was allowing such a thing.

"Oh, wench?"

She just sent him a questioning gaze.

"What is between you and Sesshomaru?"

He swore even in the dim light, he could see a faint blush on her cheeks and her light embarrassment in the air with her scent.

"N-Nothing," she stuttered after a moment.

'Liar,' he thought.

"Are you sure about that?"

"We are only just friends, Inuyasha."

Inuyasha sighed lightly, but didn't push her for answers. He could see there was a certain something between Hoshi and the dog demon. Sesshomaru though would ring his neck if he asked him, however, so he had decided to just ask Hoshi, but she wasn't a good source of information about that either. Whatever, he'd just have to watch carefully and decide for himself.

"Will you be coming back?"

".. No. I'll sleep out here tonight."

"Whatever, wench. Night."

Hoshi watched as he leaped out of the tree and ran back in the direction of his hut. She sighed and admired the moon for another moment. These people were kind, despite if they had a bit of a ego. She waited until the hanyou was out of sight before quickly darting out of the tree herself, running in the direction she could smell Sesshomaru's scent. Earlier that day as well, Inuyasha and Kagome had gently offered to the demon lord to also stay in the hut with Rin and Hoshi, but he had declined and left shortly afterward. Hoshi could see the lighting of a fire in the distance and sped up.

Sesshomaru was leaning up against a tree, as blank as ever. His golden eyes were watching the flames dance before him. Jaken and An-Un had stopped by earlier, but left a bit later when he had told them he'd be here for at least another week. Suddenly, his nose detected Hoshi's scent coming closer. He felt a bit of amusement. He knew that the demoness would be running to him sometime during the night, because he knew she wouldn't stay or she'd be uncomfortable. He closed his eyes and didn't move as her footsteps entered the small clearing he was staying in and he could hear her settle on the other side of the fire. He could hear her moving around to get comfortable and her light breathing. He decided to let her know he was awake.

"The hanyou and miko not pleasing enough hosts?"

Hoshi jumped when she heard the demon lord's voice and looked up to see his golden eyes watching her with no emotion.

"No, I cannot let my guard down around people or demon alike I do not know."

He raised his eyebrow lightly in response.

"But you do not fear this Sesshomaru?"

"No."

He just looked back at the fire, knowing what she said was true, despite it all. He would never hurt her or be unkind to Hoshi. His inner demon wouldn't allow it and if he did, oh how is inner demon would make his life hell in his mind. Besides, he did like her and she was his pup's mother now.

'You don't like her,' his inner demon immediately said. 'You love her.'

'!'

Sesshomaru threw his inner demon into its cage, ignoring the angry howls and snarls. He just suddenly wanted to kill his inner demon. Hoshi didn't seem to notice, however.

"Milord?"

"This Sesshomaru has said you may just call him Sesshomaru, Hoshi."

"I apologize, Sesshomaru. May I ask of your half brother's mate, the miko?"

He raised his eyebrow once again, but this time in question.

"I sensed a great power from her. She is no ordinary miko, like with the old miko Kaede."

"She is the reincarnation of a powerful miko, Kikyo."

"I see. You mean the miko who once protected and was said to be purifying the Sacred Jewel?"

"Indeed, but how did you know of the sacred jewel?"

"I heard word of it and knew what it was, but it held no interest for me, however."

"Hn."

Sesshomaru watched as the demoness leaned back against the tree, resting her head lightly against the rough bark.

"Good night, Sesshomaru."

He didn't answer, but instead watched as her eyes fluttered closed and she tried to fall asleep. But he could sense she was uncomfortable and her leg hurt her, from the light smell of her blood in the air. He glanced around them to see if anyone was watching him.

'Help her,' his inner demon carefully murmured.

'I..'

'Stop being prideful and help future mate! You know who she is to us, ours!'

Sesshomaru lightly growled and shoved his inner demon away again, to his inner demons anger but he didn't push it. His master was angry at him. But he didn't growl softly enough, because when he looked back at the demoness her bright eyes were on him.

"Sesshomaru, does my presence disturb you? Do you wish me to go?"

"No," Sesshomaru murmured quietly, trying to rein in his temper.

Hoshi turned away from him again, but her eyes remained open and alert.

"Hoshi," Sesshomaru bit out after a few minutes.

"Yes?"

"Do you wish.."

She looked at him to see him gently nodding at his side. Her eyes widened when she got what he meant.

"You do not mind?"

".. No."

"But why do you offer this Hoshi your comfort?"

He didn't answer but just watched her. She watched his expression carefully, reading nothing in his face but his eyes gave his true emotion away. Love. She trembled and almost cursed a loud when her inner demon jumped into action.

'Don't reject his offer, Hoshi,' her inner demon hissed. 'Be grateful and accept it. Future mate is offering his kindness.'

'He's doing it because he doesn't want to disappoint Rin by making her mother sleep on a hard tree,' Hoshi growled back.

'No, he's doing it for you.'

Hoshi felt surprised at her inner demon's comment. Was he truly doing it for her? Well, she should find out. Hoshi slowly stood, to Sesshomaru's surprise, and made her way over to him. She slowly sank down beside him and leaned up against the same large tree, feeling his body's warmth. He hesitated for a moment before wrapping his arm lightly around her shoulders, pulling her into his side. Hoshi rested her head lightly against his shoulder and her eyes closed almost immediately. How did she trust this demon so, when she had only known him for a week and a half? Was he truly her future mate? Sesshomaru leaned his head down lightly so his cheek was resting against her soft hair.

'What is happening,' they both thought. 'Why do I act like this around her/him?'

'Future mate!'

'SHUT UP!'

Sorry for making you guys wait for a bit for this next chapter. I hope you guys enjoyed this and I swear, everyone seems a bit or really OCC, so I apologize. Sesshomaru and Hoshi once again cannot deny the feelings between them, despite their short time together dun dun dun! LOL enjoy and review please!