'What is she hiding?'

That was the only thing on Kagome's eyes as she watched the demoness gather herbs with her pup. Last night's incident had been bothering her for an unknown reason but she had no idea why she was so concerned. Hoshi had been troubled when she had returned and apologized for her earlier behavior, but the miko couldn't help but notice the frightened look was still there. What had spooked Hoshi so badly? She was completely aware the demoness had numerous scars coating her body like paint coated a canvas being as it was she had a violent past. Kagome understood that. But she felt like Hoshi was hiding something else from them. Maybe it pained her so to remember it she didn't want them asking about it? Maybe she thought they'd judge her because of her body? Hoshi was completely aware they wouldn't do that. She was their friend and they knew her, her personality and being. But what did her body have to do with all this? Did something mark her skin so badly she was scared for them to see? Or did a tale come from what marked her skin? Kagome didn't know, but she couldn't help but wonder.

'That miko has been staring at me for almost an hour,' Hoshi thought.

Hoshi wasn't disturbed by the gaze she was receiving but she wondered what was on the miko's mind. Was she thinking of last night? It sickened her to think of last night. She felt bad about her behavior but honestly she didn't regret her actions. She wasn't ready to tell them, not even Rin. She touched her shoulder and pressed, feeling the scar under her kimino. Hoshi shuddered lightly at the thought of how she had received this scar but afterward her life had been good for a good 311 years before another blinding pain had been a harsh blow to her. She hated her scar and how she had gotten it, but she wouldn't change it or she wouldn't have ever met.. and been in his company for 311 years before his death. Hoshi sighed lightly. The past was in the past, but she longed for that time to come back and her friend, who had become like a father to her, hadn't died. She missed him. She wasn't ready to reveal that part of her life with.. Stop thinking about that! Tears stung the back of her eyes again and she reined it in. She didn't need to cry in front of her pup!

"Momma, do you need this herb," Rin questioned, bringing her out of her thoughts.

"No. Let's go home," Hoshi snapped coldly.

Rin stared at her mother almost in shock, a bit hurt by her mother's cold tone but completely baffled at the same time. What did she do wrong? Was her mother angry at her? Hoshi stiffened at the scent of tears as it brushed past her sensitive nose and looked up to meet her pup's heartbroken gaze. What had she done? How could she have been so cold to her pup just now, when she hadn't do anything wrong! It wasn't her fault Hoshi's almost adoptive father had died and left her, the demon who had saved her. Hoshi reached out and pulled her pup into a hug.

"I'm sorry, pup," Hoshi whispered.

Rin hugged her mother back, feeling the sickened piece of her heart go away and be replaced by relief and love. But was her mother still mad?

"Momma, are you mad at me?"

"What? Oh no, sweetheart, never!"

"But why did you yell at Rin?"

"I.. was thinking of my past and relieving a horrible memory of mine and I let my pain come out… I'm sorry."

"Momma? What happened?"

Hoshi stilled, frightened all a sudden. It felt a bit silly to be afraid of this human, but for some reason she didn't want anyone to know her secret. But she could reveal some to her pup so she could be put at peace for now.

"I was once almost killed when.. a demon saved me and took me in. I accompanied him for 311 years before he died.. in an accident… long ago."

"I'm not your first friend?"

"Pup, you were my first true friend. That demon was more of a father to me than a friend."

"Oh. Who was he?"

Hoshi looked away. Even his name was hard for her to utter! She had loved him as her own father and he had thought of her as his own daughter, he'd even told her so! He'd been so kind to her and had been one of the 4 people in her past who had accepted her for who she was. He was part of the story behind her gruesome scar, and she wasn't ready to tell her, not anyone. She might never be able to tell her. He was still very close to her, though he was dead.

"I.. will tell you later, pup."

Rin didn't dare push it. She felt Hoshi's heartbeat in her chest and felt it was pounding harder than usual, but was aware it was because Hoshi was afraid and in pain of her memory. She looked up at her mothers teary eyes and hugged her tightly. She hated to see her mother like this.

"I'm sorry, momma."

"It's okay, pup. This is life. You are born, you live, you die. Such is the way of life."

Rin didn't comment but just tightened her grip on the demoness. Though young, she would wait until Hoshi told her on her own time. But she couldn't help but wonder who this demon was and why Hoshi had become so close to him back then. But how did this wrap up into Hoshi's behavior about her body last night? It didn't wrap up. Rin was young and completely innocent, but she was bright and very aware of things happening around her. She just hoped she'd understand this later on.

"Let's go home," Hoshi murmured softly after a long moment.

"Okay. Can we make some fish for dinner?"

"Hai."

The demoness rose up to her feet. Rin accepted her mother's offered hand and pulled herself to her feet before feeling herself swung onto Hoshi's back. Hoshi picked up her basket of herbs and made sure Rin was ready before running for their hut. Kagome watched them leave quietly before turning for her own hut. Hoshi would tell them in time.

"Momma, how old are you?"

Hoshi laughed.

"I am 614 years old, but in human years I am only 17."

Rin gasped in shock. She was completely aware demons lived for a long time, but that was longer than she suspected. She began to wonder how old Sesshomaru was. Hoshi seemed so young and so did Sesshomaru! Her mother was really only 17 in humans years? Wow! She knew Inuyasha was about 200 years old and he looked as if he was 15 or so.

"How old were you when you with your demon father?"

Hoshi was quiet for a long moment, and Rin thought she'd made Hoshi upset again. After a while, she thought she'd never answer but to her surprise she heard her mothers voice.

"I was only about 101 but he died when I was about 412."

"Momma, how is it Inuyasha is about 200 and he looks 15 or so, but your 614 and your only 17?"

"Ah. Inuyasha is a hanyou, so he is half human. He ages faster you could say and full demons age slower. Full demons live longer than half breeds. But Inuyasha will live for a long time still, at least 1000 years or so. But full demons such as me and Sesshomaru, we will live for at least twice or even triple that time."

"Wow."

Hoshi was about to respond when she heard a.. howl? She stopped dead and stared into the woods, listening hard. Rin was confused by the sudden stop and looked around in response.

"Momma, what is it?"

"Ssh, Rin."

Rin shut her mouth quickly and just patiently waited. Hoshi remained in the same position until she heard the howl again, but it seemed like this time, it was a howl of pain and a call for help all at once. She put down Rin quickly.

"Rin, stay here. I will be back shortly."

"Hai."

Hoshi bolted for the woods leaving Rin confused. What was going on? The demoness raced through the trees listening hard for another howl. Once it came, she detected it was coming from the west, straight ahead of her. She inhaled deeply but no scent or stench came across her, leaving her a bit confused. Usually there would be a scent from a person from this point, especially if they were wounded and not moving. She picked up her pace and listened for the howls carefully, finding they were getting closer as she got closer. Finally, a scent reached her. She inhaled it and found it was indeed injured, finding the stench of blood in the air and the nice aroma of a.. wolf? She jumped into a small clearing and stared in amazement.

"You're a wolf demon."

The wolf growled angrily. It was the size of a cat, to the confusion of Hoshi, but it was one of the cutest things she had ever seen to be honest. The wolf was a deep silver with blue and black markings at the end of its large ears, paws, and its three tails. Wait, three tails? Hoshi took a double take and found it did have three tails. Interesting. A dark blue thunderbolt was on its shoulder like a tattoo which she kinda liked. She stared into its dark blue eyes and its fierce expression. Why was this creature calling for help? Her eyes slid over its tiny body and found its hind leg was broken and bleeding. So that was why. This was no ordinary wolf, but a demon wolf.

"Don't worry little one, I won't hurt you."

A long angry growl was her reply.

"If you didn't want help, why call for help?"

Silence for a moment as the wolf looked her over wearily. Was this demon going to help? Once she saw the hesitation, she didn't even hesitate in her own actions and zipped to the wounded creatures side. It growled lightly, but stopped when she gently removed the trap from its broken leg causing the least pain possible. The wolf demon stared her down. Hoshi removed a piece of dried meat from her pouch and offered it to the creature, who hungrily ate it.

"Hmm, you don't seem as fierce as you are."

The wolf made the sweetest little growling sound in response. Hoshi gently rubbed its ears and it made a happy sound, leaning into her hand. Hoshi smiled and picked up the little demon wolf, who affectionately rubbed its nose against her cheek.

"You are the sweetest thing," Hoshi crooned.

Another cute growl sound. Hoshi stared around her, trying to see if there were any others but none were in sight. She decided to keep the little thing and began to head back to her pup, who was probably still waiting for her.

"Would you like to live with me, little one?"

A happy bark.

"Hmm, if so, you need a name."

A confused whining sound came from her new pet.

"But I think I need to know your gender."

She gently rose up the creature so she could check its sex. It was a boy. The little demon wolf made protesting whining sounds at her inspection.

"Oh, I'm sorry little one. Now lets see.."

The little wolf stared up at her with trust in its eyes. He liked this demoness, she was so gentle and kind. He tilted his little head, as if in wait for her to say something.

"How about.. Juro?"

Angry growl. That meant no obviously.

"Um, Akitro?"

Growl.

"Montaro?"

Growl.

"Roka?"

Angrier growl. Definitely not.

"Ren?"

Growl.

She sighed lightly, wondering if this was hopeless for her. She had never been with good with names being as it was she had never tried to name something. Suddenly, a name entered her mind and she totally loved it. But would the little wolf demon like it?

"Hikaru?"

The little wolf demon began to wag his three tails happily and let off several happy barks in response. He liked it! Hoshi grinned, finally happy she had found a name and her little demon wolf was no longer nameless.

"Alright, then, Hikaru."

"Momma?"

Hoshi looked up at her pup's voice and smiled.

"Momma, who's that?"

"Meet our new pet, Hikaru."

Rin slowly approached her mother until she could see the little wolf in her arms. Her pup stared almost in amazement before grinning widely.

"He's so cute, Momma!"

Her pup reached out for the little wolf and picked him up before Hoshi could even react. Hoshi panicked for a moment but to her surprise, Hikaru began to lick Rin's face like no other. She grinned in response.

'He likes her.'

Hikaru suddenly whimpered in pain when his broken leg got jostled too harshy. Rin noticed and stared almost horrified into Hoshi's eyes.

"He's hurt Momma!"

"I know, pup. Let's head home so I can take care of his wound."

"Alright. Let's go home."

Hikaru let off a cute growling sound, making both girls smile in response.

Awww they have a new pet! How cute! I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter and please review! :D