"You can't catch me," Rin squealed happily.

Hoshi just smiled wickedly in response. She had kind of wondered how she'd ended up in this situation, but honestly she didn't know. Her pup had woken her up that morning, claiming she wanted to play 'tag' after breakfast. Hoshi was baffled. What in the blazes was 'tag?' Rin had been amazed but completely amused when she had discovered her mother didn't know what 'tag' was. Once breakfast was over, she had dragged her mother outside and taught her the rules of tag and how to play. Hoshi had caught on almost immediately. So here she was, being 'it,' and was chasing her pup in a nearby clearing by the village. She may not be able to run her full speed but she still she clearly enjoyed herself. Her pup was happy and having the time of her life, so she was too.

"Come on Momma! Don't be a slow poke!"

Hoshi raised an eyebrow. Slow poke, eh? Oh, she'd show her pup how much of a slow poke she really wasn't. Rin looked back just as her mother picked up her pace and she gaped at the speed Hoshi completely possessed. Hoshi had been holding out on her! She was just like a blur when you weren't on her back! Rin gasped when she felt her mothers arms wrap around her and spin her around in a circle.

"Gotcha."

"You cheated!"

Hoshi just laughed and hugged her pup tightly to her. Rin smiled happily response and wrapped her arms about her mother's neck. The two girls lowered their foreheads until they touched, sharing a sweet mother and pup moment. Rin grinned and patted her mother's cheek gently in her affection. Hoshi smiled in response and nuzzled her pup affectionately. Rin pulled back after a minute or two with a huge smile.

"Momma?"

"Hai?"

"Can I go frog hunting with Shippo?"

Hoshi wanted to laugh. That was a bit random, honestly, in her opinion. But if what is what her pup wanted, as long as Kagome was okay with it.

"Hai. I do not mind."

Rin grinned eagerly and hopped onto her mother's back. The demoness, once making sure Rin was secure on her back, bolted for the village. Her pup squealed with joy and hung on, enjoying the wind blowing through her hair. Rin noted Hoshi wasn't limping anymore. That was a good sign, and her mom was really fast too! Almost within a minute or two, she could see Kagome sitting by the river obviously doing her laundry and she could see Shippo crawling in the weeds looking for frogs. Hoshi slammed to a stop and Kagome immediately looked up.

"Oh, hi Hoshi!"

"Kagome," Hoshi greeted.

Rin slid off her back and ran to Shippo, giving him a hug. He immediately returned the hug and once that was done, the kit and girl began their hunt. Kagome smiled at her.

"How are you?"

"I am quite well. Yourself?"

"I'm good. I see you and Rin get along great!"

"Hai."

"You are a good mother to little Rin, Hoshi."

Hoshi looked at the miko, not sure what to say. She lowered her face slightly until her bangs covered her eyes.

"Thank you, Kagome."

Kagome could see the demoness was embarrassed, but yet flattered by the compliment. She looked at the light purple kimino with dark purple dots along the sleeves and neckline Hoshi wore and saw there was some grass stains with small mud spots on it.

"Been on a hike, Hoshi?"

Hoshi looked down at her newly made kimino and almost groaned a loud. It was rather filthy in the front. She sighed though, making Kagome laugh lightly.

"Or where you playing tag with your pup?"

"Hai."

"She loves that game. I'll tell you what. I'll watch Rin while go you on ahead and go change into another outfit so you can wash that out."

Hoshi sent the miko a grateful look.

"Thank you again, miko."

Hoshi didn't even question the request much, to Kagome's surprise. Hoshi must trust her enough to watch her pup while she quickly changed and returned to wash her dirty one. The demoness wandered over to where Rin was crouched in the weeds.

"Pup, I'm going to change my kimino. Stay here with the miko."

"Hai, momma!"

Hoshi took off for the old miko's hut, where she was currently staying. But she didn't ever get there, as fast as she had wanted. She stilled once she was out of sight of the river. Someone was watching her, she could sense it, despite how she couldn't see the person. She could feel their gaze on her skin and it made her skin crawl lightly. Suddenly, his scent washed over her and her tension left, immediately knowing who it was.

"Sesshomaru, I know you're watching me."

"Hn."

She turned lightly to see the dog demon emerge from the trees along the path, watching her carefully. She was honestly relieved. He'd returned, safe, just like he had many times in the past. She knew she wouldn't ever doubt him to return, however. He approached her slowly and stared her down for a moment.

"I see you are well."

"Indeed, Sesshomaru."

"How is our pup?"

Hoshi stilled lightly again. Did he just call Rin their pup? Oh geeze, it sounded like they'd.. she shivered lightly. It didn't go unnoticed and Sesshomaru raised a brow in amusement. She licked her lips quickly.

"She is good."

"Hn."

She looked down and suddenly remembered the reason she'd left Rin. To go change her kimino.

"Uh, if you'll excuse me, Sesshomaru, I must go change."

He looked down and noted the grass stains and mud on her lovely kimino, that had brought out her curves and he noted she had a very curvy womanly figure. Hoshi flushed lightly when she noticed his gaze. She turned away slightly.

"This Sesshomaru will accompany you."

She didn't even protest. Hoshi began to head to the village the dog demon by her side. He felt a bit nervous. He'd bought her two gifts, the necklace and sword, but he didn't know how she'd take them. Well, it was now or ever. He didn't want the human villagers to see him giving gifts to her.

"Hoshi?"

"Hm?"

"This Sesshomaru.. has something for you."

She stopped and turned to look at him with a raised brow. He showed no emotion, but she could sense it. He was a bit nervous, despite the blank expression. He slowly pulled out the sword he'd bought and held it out to her. Her eyes widened and she slowly took it before pulling the blade from its sheath, examining the blade carefully.

"Sesshomaru.. Did you leave to buy me this?"

He didn't answer, but that was enough answer for Hoshi. He'd gone to get her a sword, so she could train with him. That was.. very sweet of him. She smiled up at him.

"Thank you, Sesshomaru. It's very nice. It was kind of you to do this."

"Hn."

She immediately strapped it to her waist, to the dog demons surprise. She must really like it. She tried to walk to the village but to her shock, a grasp wrapped around her wrist. She looked at the dog demon in question. He actually showed slight hesitation before slowly reaching into his kimino with another hand and pulled out the most beautiful necklace she'd never seen. It was made of blue beads but it had a white bead every three blue beads and a lightly heart shaped sapphire was the charm surrounded by real pearls of the sea. She looked up at him in her shock. This must of have been so expensive!

"I-Is this for.. me?"

He nodded slowly in response. She smiled and gently touched it with the tip of her talons.

"Its so beautiful, Sesshomaru, but I cannot accept it. It must of have been so expensive."

"It is for you, Hoshi. I got it for you. Cost does not matter."

She stared up at him. He'd just admitted it! She hesitated for a moment before nodding. She might as well accept the gift, seeing as he'd gotten it for her. She didn't wish to hurt his feelings.

"Sesshomaru.. you are kind. Thank you."

She reached out to take it when she stopped. She'd like to put it on. Hoshi got the best idea and smiled up softly at him. Sesshomaru raised his eyebrow in question at her expression.

"Would you help me put it on?"

His eyes widened slightly.

"Hai," he murmured softly after a moment or two.

She turned her back to him and reached back to pull her hair out of the way. She heard him inhale softly and swallow before she felt him slide the necklace around her neck slowly and clasp it. It fit perfectly. She turned back around and dropped her hair, smiling, to gaze up into his beautiful golden eyes.

"It's beautiful."

"I am glad you think so, Hoshi."

She could tell he was relieved. Before she realized what she was doing, she had reached out and grabbed his hand. She froze when she saw his eyes widen visibly and she realized what she'd done. She'd overstepped her bounds, shoot. She made to let go, but his hand slowly tightened around hers.

"Let's go get you a new kimino to wear," he muttered.

She smiled and began to lead him back to the village but they didn't release the others hand. Who cared if someone saw? But Sesshomaru knew if Inuyasha however saw him like this, he'd never hear the end of it, as he was gently lead by the demoness he now had began to consider his.

I think this chapter ain't the greatest but I hope you all enjoyed this. I think Sesshomaru is a bit OCC in this and awwww he gave her the gifts and even held her hand :D LOL I love showing his soft side and how he treats Hoshi. I love this couple now, even though I made them up ^^; Enjoy this chapter and please review, I love hearing your input! If anyone has any ideas for this story, please I'd love to hear them!