'What a peaceful month it has been,' Hoshi reflected.

The demoness never thought she would ever be able to experience such a peaceful life full of happiness and contentment. She never thought this would happen again, as it had once in her life during the past. Her whole lifetime she'd been hunted down by numerous demons and almost killed countless times. She'd been completely alone in the world and she had thought she would die someday under the claws of some demon except during the time with her adoptive demon father. She'd accepted that. How had her life taken this turn, despite it all? She was have supposed to have died at some point, alone and sad at how her life had turned out. Hoshi wasn't supposed to be alive anymore. But here she was, breathing and completely at peace for the first time in her entire 487 years. For the first time, she felt completely alive.

'This life is even better than my fantasies that I always dreamed of.'

Oh yes, this life was so much better than what she had ever imagined in her dreams. She had the best of friends she could have ever asked for and she had come to love them like family. Kagome, Inuyasha, Miroku, Sango, Shippo, Kaede, and some of the villagers had become close to her and she spent as much time as she could with them. She had the sweetest pup she could have ever wanted. Rin was her little sunshine in her life and how she had come to completely adore and love that little girl. Sesshomaru on the other hand wasn't a best friend, she didn't actually know what to say about the demon lord. He'd been kind to her, despite his blank mask and usual quiet person. He'd been helping her whenever the task was too difficult for her or if she was in danger he'd protect her if necessary. He spent time with her during the times she was lonely and just accompanied her to speak to her. Honestly.. whenever he was around, she felt completely complete.

"Hoshi."

She looked up from where she was washing a bowl from breakfast to see the demon lord himself standing in the doorway of her hut. Speak or think of the devil and he shall appear. She smiled in greeting.

"Sesshomaru."

He immediately caught onto her invitation and walked into the hut before sitting across from her. Sesshomaru never entered the humans huts but only when necessary, but he also never seemed to have that problem with her hut. If he was invited, he'd come in without hesitation. She supposed because it belonged to a demon and his adopted pup lived here. Whatever his reason, she was glad he'd never hesitate to come in.

"What has brought you here tonight?"

His golden eyes flickered over to where his pup was sleeping quietly in the corner of the hut. It was about midnight, but Hoshi never went to bed until about 2 in the morning. He usually came here to speak to her privately about this time.

"I am leaving," he stated after a moment.

"You are.. leaving?"

"Hn. I must return to the western lands for some time to take care of some duties."

Hoshi didn't know how to respond. She just blankly looked at the demon lord almost sadly. She honestly didn't want him to leave, but he couldn't give up his duties for her, a hybrid demon. She quickly averted her gaze back to her work.

"You will be continuing your sword training with Inuyasha. I have already spoken to the hanyou about it."

"As you wish," she murmured.

It had been about a month since he'd purchased the sword for her training. At first, she'd been very clumsy and had no idea how to even wave the thing around, to her utter embarrassment. Sesshomaru however never mentioned it and calmly taught her how to properly hold it and swing it. He'd taught her sword stances and sword moves before actually having them engage in a sword fight. At first, she'd been very easy to beat but he never lost his patience or faith in her. Instead, he'd train her some more before engaging another fight. They'd practice at least 4 to 5 hours a day this past month and now she could finally hold her own against the demon lord. He had been very proud but never spoken his thoughts, but Hoshi knew what he would say if he wasn't so emotioness or quiet about his thoughts.

'Fighting with Inuyasha will be different,' she thought quietly to herself.

She'd never engaged Inuyasha in a fight, so it would be a whole lot different. But she needed to learn how to face other swordsmen, so it wouldn't be all that bad. While she was in her thoughts, Sesshomaru pulled out a bag of money and Hoshi registered the clicking of coins. She looked up in confusion and even more so when he dropped it beside her knee, seeing as she had a large pot of dirty dishes before her.

"So you can feed and clothe yourself and Rin," he instructed.

She didn't dare reject the money or disobey the command she heard behind those words. She just nodded in response.

"Yes, Sesshomaru," she murmured.

He watched her continue to clean her dishes quietly. Not only did she care for herself and Rin, he had noticed, she also helped the villagers. He'd seen her help Inuyasha protect the village, aid the villagers plant and tend to the crops and herbs in the fields either by her own hands or with her elemental powers, watch and play with the little children for the mothers while they did their chores and did personal business, repair broken tools or weapons for the villagers, and even help the two miko's with their healing duties and prepare medicine. He still didn't favor humans much, but he could Hoshi didn't feel that way. He swore she didn't have a hateful bone in her body. He could tell she loved to help others out and she never hesitated to offer kindness to others. She was just like Rin, he reflected, kind and gentle, but was different at the same time. Rin was a bright innocent sunshine. Hoshi was a twinkling star, gentle and sweet but could be dark and vicious like the star in death.

"Hoshi, may I ask a question of you."

The demoness looked up at him again, tilting her head in question, obviously giving him permission to ask.

"After I attend to a threat to the western lands, I will be coming back this way. Would you consent to coming with me with Rin to my castle for some time while I attend to other things?"

Her eyes widened slightly in response. Did he just ask her to accompany him to his castle and stay there for some time. She thought she'd be a burden and was about to reject the offer but as she thought about it, Rin would love to go. She knew there would be a library in his castle and she could school Rin, seeing as she did know how to read and write, and she could teach her pup to do those things as well. Maybe she could also learn more of Sesshomaru, seeing as he was a bit closed up, and about his past. She could get away out of the wild for a bit too and see how royal life was like, she was always interested about it. This might just be a good idea, and it would be fun. Rin would also enjoy herself. She decided to consent.

"Hai. I'd like that."

He smiled a tiny smile in response. She smiled in response and was about to dry another dish when he reached out and stroked her cheek. She was used to this by now and just leaned into his hand. Something she'd noticed during time is he wasn't so hesitant to be a bit.. affectionate to her. But he never did it in public. When they were alone, however, he'd sometimes hold her hand, stroke her cheek as he'd done now, or run his claws through her hair. Otherwise, nothing. He hadn't hugged her since that one time a month ago and he never tried to kiss her, ever. She was grateful for that, but wondered at it at the same time. Her inner demon also was confused about this and whenever he was close demanded she kiss him, still going on about the 'future mate' thing, but Hoshi would ignore her demon. She would never do that! She was a bit aware even his demon did that too. Both demons wouldn't shut up about the whole 'future mate' thing and it had been almost 2 months. Sigh.

"I will be going now."

He rose to his feet and she also got up, following him to the door.

"Without saying goodbye to Rin?"

"I won't leave until noon tomorrow."

She nodded in response. He looked at her with a almost soft expression before he covered it up with the complete blank mask but his eyes were still tender.

"Goodnight, Sesshomaru," she murmured.

"Hoshi."

He ran his claws through her softly before striding out into the night, leaving her alone and with a small smile on her face. She turned back into the hut and gently pulled the deer skin that served as a door over the doorway, but she didn't notice the golden eyes watching her until she went out of sight.

Morning Time

Rin almost literally dragged Hoshi out of their hut and tried to pull her mother down the path to the village. Hoshi halted quickly and pulled Rin's hair into a bun before the little girl could run off without her.

"Woah there, Rin," Hoshi giggled. "Slow down your horses."

"But Rin wants to find daddy! He's leaving today!"

Hoshi frowned at the reminder and just shook her head slowly. Rin could see Hoshi didn't want daddy to go either, seeing as Rin was aware of the relationship between them. But there was nothing they could do. After all, Sesshomaru did have duties as lord of the western lands and they couldn't stop any of that. Hoshi crouched down after a moment to let Rin climb onto her back without difficulty. Once her pup was secure, the demoness began to follow Sesshomaru's scent with her strong nose. Just because she wasn't a dog demon didn't mean she didn't have a strong sense of smell. They found Sesshomaru at one of the dirt roads that led out of the village with Jaken and An-Un right behind him looking a bit uncomfortable. Inuyasha was speaking to his elder half brother and both didn't seem happy about it. Hoshi landed in front of the two and Rin scrambled off her back to instead cling to Sesshomaru's leg.

"Daddy!"

Sesshomaru sighed lightly when he smelled the scent of her tears. She was always like this when he had to leave but this time it should be easier, seeing as Hoshi was now here. He gently peeled the child from his leg and crouched in front of her, letting her wrap her arms around his neck.

"I will return, pup."

Hoshi just watched the scene sadly and felt tears prick the back of her eyes. This reminded her of her father and herself when she was younger. But she didn't avert her gaze.

"But when will you come back?"

"In a month's time. Then you and Hoshi will accompany me to my castle."

Inuyasha glanced at Hoshi in response to this, a bit surprised. The demoness smiled weakly in return before returning her attention to her pup and her.. friend.

"Really," Rin squealed happily.

"Hai."

"Yay!"

Rin tightened her grip around her father's neck and giggled happily. Sesshomaru just wrapped his arm around the child in response.

"Rin, quit clinging to Lord Sesshomaru's neck like some leech," Jaken squealed.

Sesshomaru turned his head and shot his servant a death glare that made Jaken quickly hide behind An-Un. Hoshi tried not to laugh but a few chuckles slipped her control. The demon lord glanced up at her for a moment before winking at her slightly, keeping it hidden from Inuyasha. She was surprised at Sesshomaru's response and smiled weakly. He gently peeled the child from around his neck and stood up looking at Rin who returned his gaze sadly.

"Be good for Hoshi, Rin."

"Hai!"

He nodded and looked at Hoshi with a expression no one could read but Hoshi got the message.

'Take care and stay safe, protect Rin,' his expression read.

She nodded in response and picked up Rin as the demon lord began to walk away. Jaken and An-Un followed obediently after their master. Sesshomaru looked back once to everyone's surprise and Rin and even Hoshi waved to him. He bowed his head slightly forward in response to them before disappearing in the woods with the two other demons. Rin laid her head against Hoshi's shoulder softly staring at where Sesshomaru disappeared.

"I'll miss him," she murmured.

"I know," Hoshi whispered gently back.

'I will too,' she added quietly to herself.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter! I know, I forwarded time a full month but hey I told what happened during that time so we're good! Just nothing happened really LOL Oooh feelings between Hoshi and Sesshomaru hehe! I LOVE the soft side of Sesshomaru :D Please Review and enjoy!

P.S.

Since school is startin' up soon and I can't use the laptop as often as I did before, I don't know when I'll be able to update so I'm sorry and I will try so hard to get chapters up as soon as possible! :D