"Lady Hoshiko, I truly insist! Let me take over for tonight."

"Sakura, your request is kind but truly I can do it myself. It is no matter."

"Please, let me attend to it for you."

Hoshiko and Sakura had been arguing about who was going to help Rin bathe for several minutes already, to Rin's amusement. The little girl had always asked for some help (which usually consisted of helping her pick out the hair cleaning supplies and brushing her hair out afterward; sometimes, even do her hair for her) so Hoshiko had immediately gotten prepared to help when Sakura had requested she take over the duty for tonight. She said Hoshiko ought to take a break and take some time for herself. But for heaven's sake, she was Rin's mother! That was a mother's duty, right? Help their children bathe? She sighed heavily as she responded to the intent demoness.

"I truly can take care of it."

"Lady Hoshiko, please let me take over. I insist you take some time for yourself. Perhaps read a scroll you've been wanting to read for some time? Or sew? Do something you'd like to do."

"I already have enough time for myself, Sakura. Rin is more important to me though, I enjoy being with her. She is no burden."

"Of course Rin is no burden. I am only requesting you take some time to enjoy yourself. Besides, when was the last time you've taken some time for yourself?"

"Last night, honestly enough. I went to train after I put Rin to bed."

Sakura raised an eyebrow in question. Hoshiko folded her arms with a smug smile in victory. But the victory would be short lived as the next question wiped the smile away.

"However, that was after Rin had been put to bed. Then the time before that?"

"Uh," Hoshiko said in surprise. "Well… I.. Maybe a few weeks ago."

"See? Now, go take some time for yourself!"

"Sakura, I really think I'm okay with the fa-"

"Milady, please."

"Momma, take some time for yourself!"

With a grumble of defeat Hoshiko fell onto her mat. There was no point in arguing anymore, she could see was going to lose. Not only was Sakura getting after her but now even her own pup was! Rin grinned at her when she realized the demoness had pretty much given up.

"It's really okay Momma," she spoke up. "I don't mind if Sakura helps me bathe tonight."

The demoness looked at her pup with a weary expression for a moment. She sighed heavily. Might as well let them have their way.

"Alright then. Be careful."

Rin giggled in excitement as Sakura came to stand beside her taking the girls hand. The girl turned to look at her mother one last time before she left. She could tell Hoshiko was nervous. It bothered her a bit to leave Rin in another's care, even for a little bit. Unless she trusted them, but it was obvious Sakura wasn't fully on that list yet. She wanted to soothe her mother's worries.

"Don't worry Momma, I'll be okay. I promise to be careful!"

"Alright, pup. Don't take too long."

"Momma, when I come back, will you braid my hair?"

"Hai."

"We'll be quick," Sakura said to her lady gently.

Rin waved at her mother before leaving with her mother's personal servant.. She hoped that Hoshiko would see how calm she was and she knew she was safe in Sakura's care. Hoshiko stared after them as they departed before screwing up her face for a moment in worry. As much as she liked Sakura, it still made her weary to leave them alone. She turned to Hikaru who was looking up at her with big eyes.

"Go after them," she whispered to the wolf demon. "Keep an eye on Sakura and guard Rin."

Hikaru barked affectionately before rubbing his head on her knee before scampering away after the two. She smiled faintly; it made her feel better to know Hikaru would be watching over the two. Hoshiko sat there for a long moment. What was she to do? She had trained last night and didn't find a need to do so again right now. She'd read many scrolls already. She sighed as she rubbed her forehead. Maybe a stroll around the castle would do it. That would be interesting, she hadn't seen all of the castle. She got up and headed toward the door, entering the dark hall.

'We should check out the left side of the castle,' her inner demon said.

'True. We haven't been there really.'

She set out and found herself examining every picture she found in the halls and peeking into the many rooms. Many of them were different studies, guest rooms, and storage rooms for weapons or such. But some were interesting, like another library and a room full of history scrolls. It was amazing to her the castle was so big. It was like you needed a map to navigate the halls. Honestly, she felt like a child. But she was bored.

'This castle is bigger than I thought,' her demon mused.

'True enough. Sometimes you would think castles would be too big.'

'But what would we know? This is the only castle we have ever been in.'

'Hai.'

'I wonder who built this castle.'

'Perhaps the first Lord of the West?'

'Indeed.'

Her inner demon slipped back into the deep abyss of her mind, leaving her alone again. She didn't mind. Their conversation had been pointless. Hoshiko gazed out the window for a moment to stare at the full moon high in the sky. It was such a peaceful night. She brushed her hair back from her eyes. Then that was when she noticed the balcony. Curious to see what majestic view it would have she began to travel toward where she'd seen the overhang. A few quiet minutes of silence passed besides the sounds of her footsteps and her silent thoughts. When she reached the doors, however, she stilled in surprise. Sesshomaru was gazing out at the view already. What was he doing here? Smiling warmly, she slid open the glass door and stepped out onto the cool stone of the balcony. She saw his ears twitch at the sounds of the door closing and her approaching him. She looked out at the view and felt her breathe taken away. It was gorgeous.

"It's amazing to me these lands are yours."

"Hn. Perhaps many would agree with you."

She stood by his side and placed one of her hands onto the cool stone of the railing. The golden gaze she had gotten so familiar with rested on her face for a moment before returning to the lands before him. Both were silent for a time. She slowly traced a crack in the stone with her talon.

"Are you enjoying your time here," he finally said.

"Hai. It has been fun to school Rin and spend time here. I have liked the experiences I've had here. I thank you for inviting me and Rin to accompany you."

"Hn. Then that means would you come here again?"

"Of course, milord."

He didn't answer. Another peaceful silence fell between them. That is until the demoness broke the silence.

"Sesshomaru?"

He turned to find her gaze already locked on his face. The demon lord tilted his head in question.

"How long have you been Lord over the West?"

"Hn, a century or so."

"Do you enjoy being its Lord?"

"Hai," he murmured. "It was an inheritance from my father."

He couldn't help but notice the slight wince that raked her frame. She looked away for a moment.

"Your father… Do you miss him?"

He was silent for a long moment and she worried she had asked a sensitive question. She waited patiently, though. She already knew the answer to that question from herself. She felt the tears sting her eyes. When he answered his voice was a bit husky.

"Hai."

"I'm sorry for your loss," she whispered.

He glanced at her to find her eyes were sparkling with tears. Before he knew what he was doing he had wiped a tear from her cheek. She turned to look at him with wide eyes.

"You don't need to be sorry, Hoshiko. It wasn't your fault."

She winced and looked away. Oh, if he only knew the truth of her past. He gently pressed two fingers on her right cheek to gently make her look at him again. She looked at him with an unreadable expression.

"Sometimes I wonder why you care about me," she suddenly said. "I'm a hybrid, after all. No better than a hanyou."

"Do you believe what I said to you in the gardens?"

She blinked at the sudden change of subject. Did this have anything to do with this?

"What do you mean?"

"Every word I said I meant, Hoshiko."

She frowned for a moment while she got lost in thought for a second. Then remembering, she felt her cheeks flush in embarrassment. She looked down. Forever? Mating a hybrid? He meant it? He waited for her to respond.

"Oh," she breathed.

"Do not think I would lie to you. My feelings toward you are not false."

"How could I ever think that of you? I find no reason of why you would lie to me. As for your feelings.. I guess that is why you care then."

"Hn," he rumbled in agreement.

"Do you think I lied to you?"

"No."

She didn't reply.

"Hoshiko, I do realize you are a hybrid. I did not lie about forever, saying I would mate a hybrid also. However, what interests me the most is, you think you wouldn't find a mate?"

"Hai," she laughed quietly. "I knew no pure blooded demon would want to mate with someone like me, who could only give birth to hybrids too. I never could find that someone could love me. I knew someone wouldn't look past the fact I'm a hybrid."

"Hn, I see. Why you would think that I ask?"

"Because I'm not a pure blood, I'm a hybrid. My bloodline is stained is what others would call it. I'm no better than a hanyou in others eyes. Besides, I'm not the same as other demonesses. I know that."

"I would disagree. Your bloodline is not stained. You are different, hai, but it makes you unique from the others."

"T..That is kind, milord."

He said nothing. She felt his hand cover hers and for a moment she looked at their hands as they intertwined together. She couldn't help but realize her fingers fit perfectly between his. Smiling, she gazed at the view as he caressed her hand. The warmth of his hand felt nice. Whenever he touched her, the pain went away. Only joy resided in her heart now. To her surprise, a snowflake fell on her nose and she giggled lightly. Sesshomaru looked at her as the snow began to fall around them. She looked so beautiful, with the snow falling around her and the glow of the moonlight on her face. Hoshiko looked at him with a bright smile.

"It's so beautiful," she said happily.

"Indeed so. However, I am gazing at true beauty."

She blushed heavily when she realized what he'd said. She was beautiful? The demoness brushed her hair back from her eyes as her gaze traveled downward. For a moment he gazed at her quietly.

"Hoshiko."

She looked up to find how close he was to her. To see his handsome face with snow falling around them and the moonlight shining in his hair, it made it feel like a cold heaven. She felt the blush on her cheeks deepen lightly as the heat flared up her neck. One of his arms snaked around her waist gently as his other hand slowly came up to caress her cheek. Before she realized what was happening once again, she realized they were leaning in toward each other, closer and closer. But she expected the interruption, another end to another moment. But it didn't come as their noses brushed against each other.

"Sesshomaru," she whispered softly, so soft he barely heard it.

She felt the soft brush of his breath on her cheek, he was so close now. Then in the next moment his mouth was covering hers, gently, warmly, and so sweetly. All thoughts were swept from her mind. She had never felt so alive or so loved. Never had she imagined his lips would be so soft and tender as they pressed against hers. She leaned closer to him as her arms twined around his neck and he hugged her tightly to his chest. She wanted the kiss to go on forever, she was in heaven. She almost protested when in the next moment he drew away enough to gaze into her eyes. She melted at the soft look in his eyes.

"Hoshiko, may I be allowed to court you," he quietly asked.

"Hai," she whispered.

With a smile threatening at the corners of his lips, he leaned over and kissed her again so gently she thought she would die in happiness. She had finally found love, in her Lord Sesshomaru. And in the background, the snow continued to fall around them as the moonlight glowed down upon the new lovers.

SQUEEEEEEEE THE MOMENT WE'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR X3! Enjoy and Review! ;)