"Momma, look at this one!"

Rin gently pressed a big white flower into her for her examination and approval. With a giggle, Hoshiko smiled softly as she gazed into the flower relishing in its sweet aroma. It had been a quiet and chilly morning with dew covering all the bright green leaves and the flowers gleaming in the morning with their bright colors and sweet aromas. One of the most beautiful mornings Hoshi had experienced for a long time. Sure, there had been many mornings like this one but this day was special. It was the first time she and her pup were in a garden together on such a morning on the grounds of Sesshomaru's castle. It was different.

"What do you think?"

The flower is very beautiful," Hoshi replied. "However, it needs some contrast."

"Huh?"

Hoshi gazed carefully at the flowers around her before walking down a small way between the rows of flowers. Rin followed, curious. What was her mother doing? Finally the demoness bent over to gather a small blue flower that she handed to her along with the white flower. Rin grinned brightly, finally getting what her mother meant. Contrast! She smelled at the pair loving how the smells blended into something unique and the colors reflected each other. She added it to her banquet of flowers.

"Do you wish to return inside, Rin?"

"No," Rin giggled. "More flowers!"

The little girl took off giggling to gather more flowers to present to Sesshomaru. Hoshi shook her head, completely amused. Sesshomaru, a male demon, receiving flowers from his human ward. Looking into the sky quietly she pondered the two large white birds soaring in the bright gray morning. So free and happy. She frowned lightly. She was free and happy, right?

Rin raced among the flowers to find her favorite flower. She wanted her mother to see it, the one that she had seen so long ago. She only hoped Sesshomaru had it in his royal gardens, but she really prayed he did. She looked this way and that and finally found the flower hidden behind a rose bush. The little girl all but squealed in delight. The bright purple petals gleamed brightly against the dark background and the orange center was a glowing contrast to its petals. It was beautiful. Gently picking it, she set off to find mother. She skipped happily kicking the pebbles into the dark dirt. Once she reached her she found Hoshiko staring into the sky with a peaceful but sad expression.

"Mommy?"

Her mother turned her eyes to her with a smile that rapidly grew on her face.

"This is my favorite flower."

Rin extended her hand out to her mother, who took the flower gently from her hand. She was quiet for a long moment as she gazed into the flower admiringly.

"Where did you see this flower, Rin," she finally questioned.

"I found it in the mountains as we were passing through when I was following daddy to Naraku's hideout."

The demoness knelt down to her level so she could meet her gaze better and she would not have the need to look up. Rin frowned once she saw the sad expression on her face. Was something wrong with the flower, her favorite flower? But she saw the tender expression shining in Hoshi's eyes along with newfound pain.

"Is everything okay, Mommy?"

"Hai."

"But why are you sad?"

"I am going to tell you something, Rin. A memory of mine."

Rin froze a bit. Hoshiko was going to tell her something about her past! She stood quietly completely ready to listen. She'd waited so long to hear something about the demonesses past and now here was her chance! Hoshi was silent for a moment as she stared at the flower in thought. Rin waited.

"When I was no older than you," Hoshiko began quietly. "I was in the company of my adopted demon father. I had been sad that day because I had been thinking a lot about my heritage and how cursed I was to be a half breed demon."

"You aren't a half breed, Momma. You are a pure breed," Rin said, sad to not get Hoshi's adoptive father's name but patient.

"Oh, I am child. I am not a hanyou, but I am considered the same as they are."

Rin remained silent.

"Now, he noticed my deep sadness and depression quickly. He didn't even question what was the matter; I soon realized he had left me alone. I was upset for a moment but I realized my company probably wasn't the most pleasant. I didn't blame him; I was depressed. I soon didn't care. However, he quickly returned carrying this flower and gently pushed it into my hair saying these words. . . Hoshiko, never frown upon your heritage. You are as bright as the sun and as beautiful as the most glorious flower. Your heritage is a blessing, a gift. Be proud of who you are. Remember, you are unique and glorious, the way you are. . . I will never forget those words. It has what has kept me going and realized who I am is unchangeable, but a gift and a blessing."

Rin stared as her mother gently pushed the flower into her own hair. Not only was this her favorite flower, but was part of a memory for Hoshiko. The demoness looked sad and pained, but she didn't cry. Rin dropped the flowers and hugged her.

"I'm sorry Momma!"

"Why," Hoshi questioned in surprise as she returned the hug gently.

"I didn't know this would hurt you!"

"It didn't hurt me, pup. It helped me remind me of a good memory and his wise words."

The two girls remained hugging for a long moment before a clearing of a throat interrupted their silence and broke them apart. Sesshomaru stared down at them. Rin immediately snatched up the flowers and presented them to him. Hoshi smiled gently. She heaved herself to her feet but was grateful no one noticed her falter in her steps as she stood up. No one was paying attention to her for the moment being.

"Here, daddy!"

Rin all but thrust the flowers at him. Sesshomaru accepted the flowers and nodded toward his pup in thanks but Hoshi could feel the amusement radiating off him in waves. His pup still hadn't realized flowers weren't proper gifts for a lord such as he, or what she thought he imagined. Sakura appeared by his side like a graceful dove gently smiling at the young girl but had a mischievous look in her eye. Hoshi wondered at that.

"Rin," Sesshomaru rumbled in his deep voice. "Go with Sakura. It is time for your schooling."

"Let's go, Momma," Rin exclaimed without protest as she snatched Hoshi's hand in hers.

"No, pup. Hoshiko will remain here in the garden with me for a moment."

Rin had to stare in surprise for a moment. Daddy wanted to talk to her momma? Alone? She suddenly had to smile cheekily and she let go of her mother's hand. She approached Sakura. If they wanted alone time, she would certainly give it to them.

"Okay," Rin said brightly.

Hoshiko had to stare in surprise too. He wanted to speak to her alone in the garden? Suddenly the look in Sakura's eyes made sense; she knew it was coming. She didn't miss the knowing grin between her pup and the demoness before letting a few giggles slip out. Oh dear, what was on their minds? Hoshi wanted to blush but resisted that. She didn't need them getting more thoughts.

"I'll see you soon Momma."

"I'll be right in once I'm done talking to Sesshomaru," Hoshi murmured in a daze and surprise.

"She will not be long," the demon stated.

Rin nodded in response with a smile before taking the phoenix demoness's hand and set off for the castle quickly disappearing behind a row of bushes. But Hoshi and Sesshomaru heard the giggling erupt once they were out of sight. Hoshi couldn't help but chuckle slightly. They waited until the castle door closed and silence was heard. Once the slam echoed through the garden she turned to look at the demon lord with a raised eyebrow.

"This Sesshomaru wished to inquire how you are," he stated as he placed the flowers in a stone vase.

"I am fine. Thank you for your concern."

"Has the wound opened again? I smelt blood."

"Hai. But nothing troublesome to quickly mend."

He nodded quickly before gesturing for her to walk by his side. She quietly responded to his command and together they walked. There was a long silence. She took the time to observe the flowers and the gray sky.

"May I inquire about what you told Rin?"

"You were listening," she stated flatly.

He merely raised his eyebrow at her making her groan lightly in frustration. She looked away before responding.

"What I told Rin was merely a memory from my time with him."

"However, full of purpose and meaning."

".. Indeed so. I just wanted her to know some things have deeper meanings. She will one day understand."

"Hai. But you haven't told me such things."

"Should I, my lord?"

"Only if you find it necessary."

"I doubt I would need to," Hoshi laughed.

"Hn."

"My lord, what was the reason for this walk?"

He stopped and gently plucked a flower from a nearby tree. He stared at it for a moment before gently pushing it into her hair. She froze in surprise.

"That flower," he began softly. "My father presented it to my mother once during his momentary visit from his duties. He clearly stated it meant forever. However, I found it later to be a lie once I found out he was courting a human woman."

Hoshi remained silent and brushed her hair away from her face. The flower meant forever? She froze when she realized Sesshomaru had clearly given the flower to her. She looked down and wandered from his side to sit on a bench hiding under the shadow of a flower tree. He followed slowly and took a seat next to her.

"Then why do you present me with this flower," she asked as she removed the flower from her hair.

He didn't reply as he gazed over the garden quietly. She spun the flower in her hands, waiting for his reply.

"Do you understand that not everyone is the same?"

She stared at him in confusion.

"I beg your pardon?"

"No one is the same. A person won't hurt you the same as someone else did in the past."

She didn't understand. What was he – wait, was he talking about her painful past? When Inutaisho hurt… her? She froze once she understood. He must of have sensed her pain because he didn't say anything just waited for her response.

"You never know that," she whispered.

"Do not compare me to him, Hoshiko. You know clearly I cannot be the same."

"I know. . ."

They remained in silence for a long time.

"I'm sorry, but I'm not ready yet, Sesshomaru. Please, give me time," she begged finally.

"It is understood. I will wait for you."

"Thank you. . ."

"Hn."

"Can I inquire why you gave me this flower?"

He glanced at her with a expressionless face but she could clearly see the conflict behind his eyes. It was immediate he was wondering if he should tell her. She gently smiled. She hoped he would tell her. Finally he let off a light sigh and glanced up at the sky.

"I was only telling you a story about my father, since you told a story to Rin. That at least involved flowers."

She could tell he was lying a bit, avoiding the real question. She knew. He had no point in saying it a loud to her. Hoshi gently pushed the flower back into her hair.

"Forever is a long time, Sesshomaru," she said.

"Indeed it is. There is no capacity for forever."

"He said the same."

"Indeed," he questioned in silent surprise.

"Yes he did. He said many wise things like that," she replied quietly. "He always had wise words for me to listen to or apply. He had been through so much he was understanding of many of life's lessons. He taught me more than that though. Father taught me honestly, loyalty, and kindness. He schooled me how to write, read, and fight. I doubt I would be alive today had it not been for his lessons."

Sesshomaru was surprised; that was the most she had spoken of her father without breaking down. He glanced at her to find her eyes watering full of pain and sorrow but at the same time, strength. She was fighting her agony away. She was finally allowing her past to come back to her. Wasn't running away from it anymore. She returned his gaze and he could tell her memories were haunting her behind those shining bright sky blue eyes. At least she wasn't crying.

"He gave me everything," she continued. "He gave me the love of a parent, took care of my needs, and he allowed me to follow him and remain in his presence. He was the only person who accepted me for who I was during that time. He knew what it took to get me to laugh and smile but at the same time knew what it took to make me cry. He knew everything about me; he was the one person I could talk to about anything."

Sesshomaru quietly listened to her speak. She was opening up, although not as much as he would like. This was good though; she trusted him enough to tell him this. She even hadn't told Rin yet. She looked at him again and smiled softly for a moment despite the tears. Before Sesshomaru knew what he was doing he was wiping away her tears. Hoshi froze a bit and her eyes closed slowly, allowing him to hold her face in his hand as he wiped the tears away.

"Even though he gave me so much, there was one thing he couldn't give me. One thing he had and I saw during our last years together that pained me," she whispered in agony.

"And that would be?"

"Love. . ."

He stilled his motions and stared at her face. She opened her eyes to find him gazing at her almost with a surprised expression but with.. understanding? Hoshi pulled away and looked down at the ground. That was too much.

"You clearly stated he gave you love," Sesshomaru stated.

"Not the love I wanted. He gave me the love of a parent. The love I wanted was to be in love. Have a mate."

He didn't say anything so she continued quietly.

"When he was with his mate I would feel the crushing pain of loneliness. I was a half breed in all's eyes. No one would want to mate a demoness like me because of my heritage. I would feel sad when I saw him and his mate but at the same a joy for them. They weren't the only ones; We'd pass by villages and I'd see humans with their mates and I could clearly see the love between them. It pained me to know I would not and could never have that."

Hoshiko rubbed her arm nervously but he still said nothing. It was weird for her to talk about this kind of thing to a male but she told this kind of thing to her father. Besides, he was his son. She winced at that thought. Perhaps that was why she was so comfortable in his presence. She felt like she could trust him with her life. Tell him anything. Rely on his strength and his help.

"He would always tell me my mate would come to me in time. I never believed him. Who would want to mate a hybrid, like me?"

"I would," Sesshomaru said huskily.

Her eyes snapped to his to find him gazing at her with one of the softest expressions she had ever seen, the ones he would give to his pup when they were alone. The iciness of his face was there still, but his eyes said all. She felt her breath catch.

"What," she said softly and dumbly.

"I would mate a hybrid."

She felt her gaze drop in shock. What was he saying exactly? That he would mate someone like her, a mix breed, not even part his own? She felt his hand find hers and intertwine their fingers slowly. After gazing at their interlocked hands for a moment she felt her gaze move upwards to his face as she felt heat creep up her cheeks and neck.

"Hoshiko," he murmured.

Before she knew what was happening they were leaning in to each other, closer and closer. The blush on her cheeks deepened as the distance began to close…

"LORD SESSHOMARU!"

The demon lord and hybrid demoness snapped back from each other just as Jaken came around the corner. He stared at them. Sesshomaru wanted to kill Jaken. He slowly withdrew his hand from Hoshiko's and stood up, glaring at Jaken. The demoness remained in place but he could feel the embarrassment radiating off her in waves.

"What is it, Jaken," he snapped.

Jaken immediately sensed his master's anger at being interrupted with whatever had been happening between himself and the demoness. He backed up a bit; he was afraid he was going to be hit. One glance at Hoshiko however proved something; she was blushing. He had interrupted more than an ordinary talk. He had seen the look on Sesshomaru's face, too. The softness in his eyes. A look he'd never imagined his master to be capable of. And how close they had been to each other; their faces had been not an inch from each other. Was he falling in love? With Hoshiko? Jaken froze at that thought. But he quickly remembered why he was there, interrupting his master's "conversation."

"Lord Nurato is here, milord. He wishes to speak to you," he squeaked.

Lord Sesshomaru almost snorted in frustration. The young lord of the North had better have some wise business with him. He'd interrupted his moment with Hoshiko. For a moment the lord was in surprise; why did he care? Then the dawning truth came to him. He stilled a bit. Him, of all people? His inner demon responded in acknowledgement and understanding. He knew.

"You have fallen in love, Sesshomaru. With her. You have fallen in love with Hoshiko," his inner demon whispered.

Sesshomaru couldn't deny it. His feelings proved it all. But him, the cold lord of the west, falling in love with her, a hybrid demoness? Hoshiko? He glanced back at the demoness. He couldn't help but notice how beautiful she was as she returned his gaze quietly. He signed heavily in his head.

"I am coming, Jaken."

The little demon took off. He immediately acknowledged that as the master's way of telling him to go. The demoness watched him run before looking at Sesshomaru. It was obvious he had to attend his meeting with the Lord of the North.

"I should go," she murmured. "Rin is waiting for me."

"Hn."

She stood up slowly and went to walk toward the castle doors.

"Hoshiko."

She turned back to look back at him. The softness in his eyes had returned. She felt the heat creep up her cheeks again but she didn't waver in her gaze.

"Hai, Sesshomaru?"

Instead of saying anything, to her surprise, he reached out and stroked her cheek. Hoshiko blushed heavily. She gently placed her own hand over his as he caressed her cheek. Her eyes drifted closed at the soft pleasure of the simple touch; she could feel the tenderness in his hand. There was a long silence as they stood there together relishing in the simple caress that sparked both of their feelings. Finally, he pulled away and without another word she turned and walked away slowly, her footsteps residing in the silent garden. He watched her go before departing himself. But little did they know, as they parted in different directions, their whole interaction had been watched by a giggling little girl and phoenix demoness.

Gah, LONG chapter! But I wanted this whole chapter to contain A LOT. Sesshomaru finally has realized his feelings, squeee! Besides, I wanted to show a farther softness to Sesshomaru that he keeps locked away that even Rin can't bring out, but only his "mate" can. The openness and love he hides behind his cold mask. He DOES have feelings, no matter how hard he hides them beyond his little mask! I hope you guys agree with me with how I'm putting out his softness and trying to keep it to his character though. Pffft! And I can't help but torture ya'll with another FAILED kiss hahahaa I'm so mean :3 Don't worry, soon, though! And the little spies, Rin and Sakura haha! Please enjoy and leave feedback! Also, if anyone has ANY ideas for this story I'd love to hear them, send me an email with your idea! Love to hear them!

P.S. Does anyone else agree with me writing a story about Hoshiko's past, with Inutaisho and Izayoi? Please leave feedback on that! I'll do it if at least 5 or more want me too! Enjoy!

I had a thought a few days ago. You guys are probably wondering how Hoshiko looks like because I have only described her, why not let you see what I see when I imagine the demoness? So, since this is complicated, go to DA (D e v i a n t a r t . c o m) and look up Hoshiko, Lady of the West or you can look up my user, Junothebronzedragon :)

Check her out and I hope you like her! :)