Sesshomaru slowly moved through the dark hallways. Shadows danced lightly on the walls as he passed by the lit torches but his golden gaze rested lightly on the distance. It was obvious he was lost in thought had one passed by him. He was honestly baffled by the day's events and it seemed some things had completely gone off the course he'd imagined them to go.

The morning had started off with Jaken's usual unnecessary squabble with Rin, which had in fact been over who's turn it was to gather breakfast, had ended with its usual interference from Sesshomaru to the journeying for a few miles with the small talk between Rin, himself, and Jaken but this time Hoshi had been included. When the castle had come into view, however, that was when things began to turn.

It had begun with Hoshi's unexplained breakdown. She had just begun to cry like there was no tomorrow and appeared so heartbroken and lost it had even made him uneasy. But what bothered him so was, why? Did it have to do with something with her past? He had the pang it had to be so. Why else would she have broken down such as she had without a explanation? Then things had gotten odder when his pup had shown up to dinner without her adopted mother he had been a bit baffled. He remembered what his pup had told him as Hoshi's excuse to miss dinner.

"Momma said she was tired from the long trip so she went to bed," Rin had explained.

It was obvious that had been a lie. The truth was different. After all, he was a demon himself and would know if her body had been weary had he been so. But he wasn't weary or tired in anyway. It wasn't the journey that had tired her so, it was immediately tied to the fact she had broken down earlier. That was the truth. Had Hoshi been so upset that she couldn't bare coming to dinner that night? If so, why didn't she just tell them or even him what was bothering her so?

So lost in his thoughts, he passed a shadowed person in the hall without much notice although he did smell them. He had been so intent on going to his room to retire for the night he hadn't given them much attention until they spoke up softly.

"Milord?"

Silently he turned around to look at the demonesss standing behind him quietly. Sakura.

"What is it?"

"I wished to speak to you about Hoshi milord."

She had certainly already gotten to the point. But that caught his attention and he observed his servant quietly. Of all the servants he had, Sakura was one of the top on his list. She was obedient and respectful. That earned her his favor.

"Hn?"

"Do you know what happened earlier today when you first brought her?"

"Not fully. She simply began to break down at the sight of the castle and even looked at me almost in horror. I do not understand."

Sakura raised an eyebrow lightly, a bit surprised he spoke a bit more than usual of the subject. But she didn't dare prod it. This was good.

"Do you even know anything of why?"

"No. She simply refuses to tell anyone of her past, if it has anything to do with earlier."

"She is afraid."

Sesshomaru found no answer to this and watched his servant carefully for a moment. Sakura sensed his momentarily confusion so she began to explain her reasoning.

"Hoshi may be afraid of her past or it pains her to remember what occurred during that time. If anything, I do bet it does have to do with something in her past."

"It appears so," came the low response.

"It is so. Why else would she cry at the sight of the castle unless they were tears of happiness?"

"They were tears of sorrow."

"That would explain her earlier behavior. When I was preparing Rin for supper she just stared out the window deep in her thoughts. It was almost if she had forgotten me and Rin were even there. I swore once in awhile her face would sadden even more or even turn a bit green in the cheeks as though sickened."

Now that was a bit surprising. Usually she wouldn't close people out. Something was definitely troubling her from her past.

"Her behavior is odd," he replied.

"Milord, I beg not to offend you, but please do not push her for answers. Wait until she is ready. Don't pressure her to tell you or it will make her close herself up even more so!"

"I know."

Sakura watched the demon lord slowly move away from her and just simply smiled. He wasn't showing it, but she could tell he had feelings for the hybrid demoness, as he did for his adopted ward. She began to wander downstairs to clean the dining room with the others before heading off for bed. What excited her was, had the lord finally found his lady?

Sesshomaru picked up his pace a bit when his servant was out of sight. His exit might have seemed rude to others but it was normal to everyone here. Just as he was about to turn down the left hall to the library to grab a scroll to study when he smelled something odd wafting from the right hall. At first he decided to leave it, but later would regret. He quickly retrieved the scroll from the library and headed up the stairs when he smelled the same odd scent in the air again. The scent was that powerful? It smelled.. just like copper. He froze when it registered just as a strong waft of it drifted over his nose. Blood. The scroll dropped to the floor forgotten and began to run not caring who saw him. He had realized whose blood it was once the individuals scent came with the blood.

'Hoshi.'

I'M SO SORRY EVERYONE! I've just been so busy lately and just haven't had time to work on this but I finally was 'reminded' to work on it by two certain watchers who told me to update! Sorry short chapter too but hey this leaves suspense for the next chapter! Hope you enjoy and review! And I swear Sesshomaru is a bit OCC