'The mother of all that's holy,' Kaito cursed fearfully in his thoughts.

The dragon demon began to back away slowly from the unblinking outraged glare from the silver haired being in front of him, knowing if he didn't his neck would be wrung into oblivion. He hated to back down from a threat, even if he was naturally a gentle being, but the look he was receiving dared him to stand up for himself. But he knew better. The anger radiating from this demon seemed to come in violent waves and it frightened him more than anything he had ever experienced, even more than the deathly battles he'd been in and the dangerous situations he'd been through. The thing that scared him the most however was his mate's anger but now it seemed nothing but a playful game compared to this demon's fury. As he gazed up into those narrowed, outraged, and glowing golden eyes he knew he was completely screwed. Badly. But what had he done wrong to anger this demon?

'I'm going to die.'

Sesshomaru glared at the worthless demon before him ignoring when his name slipped past the demoness's lips. How dare this pitiful demon touch what rightfully belonged to him, his Hoshi? No one should ever lay a single claw on the demoness, his demoness no less, and should be allowed to get away with it without punishment. How he longed to tear apart this demon slowly and painfully into the smallest pieces he could before he burned the pieces and turned this creature into nothing but a pile of ashes. But he restrained himself, despite his inner demon screaming in fury for his death. He should pay with his flesh and blood for laying a hand on what was theirs!

'How dare he touch our mate,' his inner demon nearly screamed in fury.

'Silence.'

'He should die for touching her! Only we can touch what is ours!'

It took all of Sesshomaru's will to keep his inner demon contained. His beast continued to fight against his master's power, yelling to be set free and be able to take over to exterminate this demon. He wouldn't take what was theirs! No one would stand in his way to protect her! But nothing he could do broke Sesshomaru's tight control over him to his frustration. Why was his master just staring at the dragon demon and not taking action! Was it his pride holding him back? The inner demon began to fight even harder against Sesshomaru, but secretly began to wait when his master would lose his temper and he could take over before the dog demon could realize it.

'Oh crap,' the dragon demon groaned.

Kaito cringed away lightly when he saw the demon's eyes begin to turn red in fury. What had he done wrong? He didn't understand! The last thing he wanted was a battle and pull his young niece into this! He glanced over at her and instead of seeing a frightened reaction he had expected, her face was glowing in happiness? What was going on? Did she know this demon from somewhere?

"Sesshomaru!"

Against his will, the dog demon felt his golden gaze sliding over to the demoness but still listening for the dragon demon's movements. He wouldn't get near Hoshi again. To his surprise, her sky blue eyes were twinkling brightly in happiness and her smile was the biggest he had ever seen it. She was happy he had returned? Once he and his inner demon realized this, the beast inside him stopped resisting his power and quieted, beginning to purr in pleasure at the sight of her, forgetting the threat momentarily.

'She is happy we have returned,' he cooed happily.

'It would seem so,' Sesshomaru quietly responded.

'She knows she is ours. She belongs to us.'

'Indeed.'

'Wait, did you just agree with me!'

Sesshomaru ignored his inner demon's shocked protests and stared at Hoshi, feeling his anger began to fade away from him. The demon lord felt a calming peace slowly begin to fill his veins. She had the power to calm him? Hoshi must have sensed his need because she didn't move but returned his gaze gently. He was a bit surprised by her calmness. When he looked at others they usually would cringe or look away from him in fear when he gave them a outraged or cold look, but Hoshi did none of those things. She wasn't afraid of him?

'What in the blazes is going on,' Kaito thought baffled by the two demons.

Why were they staring at each other like they hadn't seen each in years and had been waiting for this moment? They were acting like they were lovers! Immediately, Kaito froze. Could it be his niece had finally found someone to love and care for her, despite her bloodline? Is that why the demon had reacted like he did when he had seen them together?

Hoshi watched as Sesshomaru turned lightly on his heel away from her uncle to walk to her side with astounding grace that would make any prideful demoness want to cry. So it appeared he wasn't going to kill her uncle after all. He stared intensely at her for a long moment with those stunning golden eyes of his and Hoshi began to wonder what he was thinking when she felt his fingers gently stroke her cheek, making her blush lightly. Both had completely forgotten about her wide-eyed watching uncle. To Hoshi's surprise, however, Sesshomaru kept stroking her cheek continuously and kept staring into her eyes without even blinking. Hoshi felt her cheeks go deep pink in response but she made no move to pull away, instead enjoying the attention.

'Future mate,' Sesshomaru's and Hoshi's inner demons purred.

The two were so focused on each other they didn't even mind what their inner demons had said. Even her uncle was so intensely watching them he didn't watch where he was backing up to and he misplaced his right foot, to his horror. So much for slipping away unnoticed.

Crack.

That immediately gained the dog demon's attention and his head turned to look at him with a death glare. Kaito froze, but he couldn't help but notice the two of them looked a bit embarrassed as if finally remembering he'd been watching them the whole time. Hoshi must have seen the frightened look in his eyes or something, because to his surprise she actually placed a hand on the demon's chest. At her touch, he relaxed lightly, but not completely and continuing watching him with a glare.

"Please don't hurt my uncle," she pleaded.

The demon froze lightly before locking gazes with his niece, surprise flickering in his eyes for a split second before it disappeared. It made Kaito think he maybe imagined it.

"Your uncle," the demon asked softly.

The dragon demon eyes widened even more when the demon spoke. His voice was deep and rich, not the cold evil sounding voice he had imagined he would have. But he swore he heard a kind note to it when he spoke to Hoshi.

"Yes, this is my uncle Kaito, my mother's brother," Hoshi answered.

Sesshomaru gazed at the demon for a long moment, finally seeing the resemblance between Hoshi and Kaito. His inner demon relaxed the second he heard they were family. He was no threat to them at all.

"And who is this, Hoshi," Kaito growled out.

He had seen all the anger and protectiveness fade from the silver haired demon's eyes and even had the courage to approach the two to their surprise. Hoshi sighed lightly. She hadn't told him about Sesshomaru.

"Uncle Kaito, this is Lord Sesshomaru of the Western Lands."

Uncle Kaito's eyes widened lightly. Not only did it appear Hoshi had began to fall for someone, but a lord no less. The demoness watched as her uncle smiled softly, as if something to hide. Sesshomaru watched the two carefully. Kaito was no longer a threat to him and Hoshi anymore, but that didn't mean he didn't care about Hoshi being touched again. No one could touch her, unless it was Rin or himself. His inner demon approved.

"It is good to meet you, milord," Kaito murmured respectively. "I am sorry our meeting didn't start out well."

"Hn."

Was Lord Sesshomaru always this blank and quiet? He gazed at his niece and found his answer there. Yep, apparently he was. But it was obvious he cared for Hoshi, and that was all that mattered. He wanted Hoshi to be happy.

"Hoshi, it was pleasant to see you again my dear, but I am afraid I must be off."

"Oh," Hoshi replied sadly.

"We will meet again, I promise. I will see you within a month's time or so."

"But why do you leave so soon? Why don't you stay?"

He heard Sesshomaru growl lightly at that, but Hoshi obviously ignored that as she gazed at the only family member of hers that didn't hate her or want her dead. Kaito sighed lightly. He did want to stay, but it would be better if he be off. Besides, he assumed Sesshomaru wished to be alone with Hoshi now and besides all the affection he had seen earlier made him lightly sad. He missed his mate. He suddenly made a split decision at the thought of his beloved demoness.

"I must go home to my mate and my pup on the way."

Hoshi grinned. Did he just say pup? Sesshomaru even raised an eyebrow lightly.

"Congratulations! I didn't know you had a mate."

"Ah, much has happened during our separation."

"What is her name?"

"Sora."

Hoshi smiled softly at her uncle before nodding. She understood if he wanted to get back to his family, even though she was his family too. Uncle Kaito grinned lightly. Suddenly, he felt like he should say one more thing.

"Sesshomaru, may I speak to you alone for a moment?"

Hoshi glanced at the dog demon nervously, but he nodded lightly. The demoness glared lightly at her uncle before wandering out of earshot so they could speak alone. Kaito glanced nervously at the dog demon before letting out a long sigh. As much as he didn't like Hoshi's father much, he should do a father's duty for the young demoness.

"I can see you care for my niece deeply."

Sesshomaru just raised an eyebrow lightly. What was Hoshi's uncle getting at?

"You love her, or no?"

"…"

The dog demon glared lightly at the other demon, not liking where this conversation was going. His inner demon suddenly sprang to life.

'Yes we do.'

'You do, who said I did?'

His inner demon sighed and just quietly faded away until it appeared he wasn't even there anymore. No point in arguing with his master. But the dog demon began to think about it. Did he love Hoshi? Was his inner demon speaking the truth of her being their future mate? He was pulled out of his thoughts by Kaito.

"You don't have to answer, Sesshomaru," the dragon demon said.

"Hn."

"But I swear, if you break her heart I will ensure you I will break yours."

Sesshomaru just stared at him, a bit amused but he took it seriously. He never wanted to hurt Hoshi like that anyway. The demon glanced behind him for a moment before returning his gaze to Sesshomaru's.

"Please, make her happy. I don't want her heart broken again. Tell Hoshi I said goodbye and I will see her in time."

The dog demon wasn't able to answer before Kaito was gone, disappearing with a soft breeze of the wind. Sesshomaru gazed in the direction her uncle had gone for a long moment wondering what her uncle had been meaning to get at when he instead changed the subject. What did he mean, he didn't want her heart broken again? He heard the soft sounds of the demoness's approach and turned to look at her with a almost gentle expression. He wouldn't break her heart. She smiled softly at him before coming to stand by his side gazing in the direction he'd been staring before, as if knowing where her uncle had gone. Sesshomaru almost unknowingly to himself wrapped his arm around Hoshi's waist gently before urging her to walk by his side to the village, which she complied to without a word of protest. The dog demon stared down at her for a moment before letting a tiny smile break through his usual blank features. Only one thought was on his mind.

'Mine.'

Wow, Sesshomaru is a bit protective and ooooo the suspense of what will happen between the two of them? Hoshi and Sesshomaru might truly end up together after all XDDD Kaito almost got his butt whooped XD Enjoy and review please!