Hoshiko stared carefully at the oak tree for a moment before sketching in the branch in with a precise and steady hand. She was alert to everything about the ancient tree that stood on the castle grounds; the dark wood, the sleek leaves, and the extending limbs into the sky. She suddenly noticed the bird sitting in the branches. Its black beady eyes watched her carefully as she drew the oak tree onto the blank scroll she'd found in the library. She tilted her head. Whistling quietly in reassurance, she held out a hand for the bird. All was silent.

The bird tilted its head and returned the call with a small tweet of its own. She and the bird whistled or tweeted to the other for a moment. The bird glided down. She kept her hand still and the small creature landed onto her finger, tweeting as she lowered it to her eye level. She smiled gently at the creature.

"You are quite the beauty," she murmured to the bird. "So free and graceful."

Was it her or did the bird puff out its chest in pride? With a small giggle she petted its back with a soft finger. She wondered how it would be like to be a bird, so free to what they pleased and no care in the world. At her expression the bird gave a soft reassuring tweet. She smiled softly. Raising her hand to the sky the bird took off, tweeting in farewell before soaring into the sky. She watched it as she returned the call with a soft whistle of goodbye. The bird disappeared.

"That was cool," her pup murmured as she stepped up to her mother holding flowers.

"Indeed it was."

"How did you do that?"

"When I whistled I was promising it I was a friend and I wouldn't harm it. I've mimicked bird calls before."

"Wow."

"I agree. I'll teach you one day."

With a smile Rin observed her mother's careful drawing of the tree. There were a few glances between the two before the child gaped for a moment; it was a perfect drawing. A exact replica. Hoshiko chuckled at her pup's expression before rolling up the scroll.

"Did you find the flowers you wanted to make some necklaces," she asked.

"Hai! I got some of every color I could find!"

Hoshiko laughed.

"I thought that we could make some for-"

"LADY HOSHIKO! LADY HOSHIKO!"

The demoness and pup turned around to see Sakura hurrying toward them with a worried expression on her face. Hoshiko stood up from the stone she'd been sitting on to face her servant. Rin watched nervously. What was going on?

"What is the matter, Sakura?"

"Sesshomaru has been challenged to battle for procession of the Western Lands!"

Hoshiko was silent for a moment before it sank in.

"Someone has challenged Lord Sesshomaru? For control of the Western Lands?"

"Hai! He accepted it and the battle is taking place outside the castle walls!"

Rin dropped her flowers before reaching for her mother. She didn't feel the need to stay behind to make flower necklaces when her father was going to battle! Hoshiko crouched to allow her pup to crawl onto her back before standing up. She slipped the picture of the oak tree into her kimono. The two demonesses took off into the castle running full speed. Hoshiko was in surprise. Who would challenge the great Lord Sesshomaru? She had to know.

"Who challenged him," Hoshiko hissed.

"A demon named Hiroto. He and his group have been after the Western Lands for many generations."

"Why so desperate?"

"They think they are the rightful rulers of the Western Lands. They had it for only a century before the first dog demon of the West wanted them to protect their subjects. They wouldn't do such a thing. They were prideful and didn't care much about the subjects. They said the people and demons living on their lands could care for themselves, it was all up to them to protect the lands. He challenged them to a duel for the lands and you can guess who won. Ever since, they've been fighting to get it back but the dog demons have held tight to the lands."

"I see. What species of demon are they?"

"They are not the most powerful of demons," Sakura admitted. "They are rhino demons."

Hoshiko snorted in amusement. Rhino demons? From what she'd heard, they are a very prideful and tough group. If beaten, they didn't take it lightly. But they were well known for their protective instincts and tempers. She sighed mentally. She rather preferred the Western lands to be in the hands of the dog demons. By now they'd gotten to the castle doors. They were already open and some of the castle servants were gazing out in boredom. This had happened before, apparently.

"Is Lord Sesshomaru already out there," Sakura asked a random demon.

"Hai," he replied.

Without another word Hoshiko tore outside and to the gates of the castle. She wasn't hanging behind at all. Rin's arms tightened around her neck in anticipation. She exited and found Sesshomaru staring at two demons with a neutral expression and cold eyes. His usual. Her gaze slid to his opponent. He was handsome, no doubt about it. He had black hair with gray shimmers when he turned his head. His eyes were a dark purple. But she already hated him. He was threatening someone she cared about. She knew Sesshomaru could care for himself, however. Rin slid off her back.

"It would just be wise to surrender the lands," one of the demons, the elder, was saying.

"I will not surrender the Western Lands, Goro."

"Unwise I would say. These lands rightfully belong to my son, Hiroto!"

"My descendant rightfully won these lands from you. I would disagree. It is not my fault you fell beneath his feet."

Goro stilled in rage at the demon lord's words.

"You act like you are older than me, Sesshomaru. If you are unwise to remember, I am your elder. Do not disrespect me."

"No, Goro. It is you who should not disrespect me. I am the Lord of the West. You may be my elder, hai, but I am your leader. Be wise to remember."

Goro sputtered angrily but his son quickly intervened. Hiroto looked frustrated now.

"Sesshomaru," Hiroto rumbled deeply. "Do not speak my father that way. You have no right to do so."

Sesshomaru's cold gaze slid to the young demon.

"Remember who is your Lord, pup. I have my rights."

"I am no pup!"

The demon lord ignored him. He'd just realized his demoness and pup were watching him with interest and worry in their eyes. Sesshomaru looked at Rin for a moment before his demoness's eyes caught his. The blue sparkle in her eyes was duller than normal.

"What is this," Goro suddenly said. "A human girl? Have you gone soft, Sesshomaru?"

Sesshomaru said nothing.

"Not only do you have a human, a hybrid demoness too? How far have you fallen?"

"Be wise to how you address Hoshiko," Sesshomaru growled.

"Hoshiko? Hrm, you seem sensitive to how we speak to her."

"Please," Hoshiko intervened as she approached. "I feel no offense to being called a hybrid. That is what I am, after all. I do not care what you call me because it splatters no blood onto the ground. I am not offended by what you say. I've been called worse."

Goro and Hiroto stared for a moment at her.

"You speak wisely," Goro said.

"I've had many years of practice. You seem to be however at a loss to how you address a lord. Do not disrespect Lord Sesshomaru. I would rather favor with him."

"You seem to hold him in high respects."

"Greatly. I do," she murmured.

"Wise words," his son snapped. "But stained bloodline."

Hoshi's eyes met his with a calm expression.

"Stained bloodline you say? Then I am proud to bear that bloodline. My blood may be of two races but that bears no burden to me. Call me what you will. But it bears no slash upon me. I am pleased with who my parents are and what gifts they gave me. Hybrid is what I am."

There was a stunned silence.

"You are strong and intelligent," Hiroto said quietly. "I like that in demonesses."

Sesshomaru growled. How dare he speak to his demoness that way! Goro noted it. He decided there shouldn't be any more delay. These lands would be theirs for the taking, at long last! His son was older than the dog demon and should have more experience. Plus, they had the upper hand, he believed.

"Prepare yourself, Sesshomaru."

Goro and Hiroto wandered back over to their group who had come with them. Hoshiko watched them go with narrowed eyes. Sesshomaru waited for her to return her attention to him again. He tilted his head softly.

"Wise words," he said coldly.

"You learn things like that when you have many situations like this."

"Hn."

"You accepted his challenge for the Lands?"

"Hai. It is considered coward or weak to reject. To do so and win this battle will show other demons I am the Lord of the West and I am a powerful opponent."

She observed him quietly with respect and admiration.

"That is wise."

"You appear to be proud of your bloodline now. You were weary of it at first."

"Well," she murmured. "I've had other opinions rule over my own. I am a hybrid, yes, but I am proud to have a stained bloodline. That is who I am. My bloodline is unique and special."

He nodded in satisfaction. Before he could say something one of his attendants approached gaining his attention for the moment being. Her eyes slid back to their opponents. She saw Hiroto grab a small vile from what she assumed was his mother and he drank it. She stilled at the scent of the herb. Although there was no breeze and the distance between them as large, she could smell it. She had learned to identify herbs this way. Her eyes narrowed in rage.

'He's cheating,' she thought in outrage.

He was using a herb she knew was made to double a youki's powers. It was enhance his senses to a greater ability and she could smell another remedy put it to numb any pain he would receive. She glowered for a moment angrily. She couldn't do anything about it!

"Sesshomaru," she hissed.

He immediately turned his attention to her and wandered over at her gesturing hand movements.

"Your opponent is cheating. He is being unwise about his challenge."

The demon lord raised an eyebrow.

"Hiroto is using a herb to double his youki powers," she quickly said. "I am giving you a word of warning. Do not allow him to get the better of you. Always keep him in sight. That herb will give him an upper hand."

"If he is," Sesshomaru coldly stated. "Then it will show what a powerful opponent I will be. I will not let the pup get the better of me."

She faintly smiled. Typical Sesshomaru.

"Then remember this; do you have someone to protect?"

She drifted away but Sesshomaru stared with slightly wide eyes. What did she just say? She had just said his father's words! How did she know about that, did Inuyasha mention that to her? He'd never said that to her he was certain. Those were his father's last words to him. His cold eyes watched the demoness for a moment who avoided his gaze staring above the trees. He'd question her later.

"Are you ready, Sesshomaru?"

He turned to find Hiroto watching him with a bored expression but he could see the bright mischievous look in his eyes. Sesshomaru could smell the light scent of a herb remedy on his breath. No matter. Sesshomaru just flexed his fingers in response. Hiroto withdrew his blade.

"Let us begin, Sesshomaru. Prepare for your loss."

"You will not get the better of me, worthless whelp."

With a mimicked cold look he gestured for the dog demon lord to join him in the center of the clearing. Sesshomaru withdrew Bakusaiga as his opponent drew his own. They faced off for a split second before Hiroto charged at him swinging his blade in a horizontal slice. Sesshomaru blocked it before using the momentum to throw him to the side. The battle had begun. But this time, for the Western Lands. The ringing of swords filled the woods as the battle ensued. They danced around each other like wolves locked in battle.

Hoshiko was nervous. Something wasn't right. The rhino demons seemed smug about something as they watched the two battle. She slowly slid to her knees and pressed her fingers to the Earth below her while pushing herself out into the air. Eyes closing, she felt the Earth beneath her and the air around her as their spirits mended into one and she prodded about. Then she realized. She felt a deep surprise before she felt enraged. The herb wasn't the only trick they were using.

"Sakura."

"Milady?"

"Go to my quarters and get my herb bag. Now."

Sakura didn't question it. She took off in a breeze of wind as Rin stared at her mother. What was going on now? Hoshiko met her pup's eyes.

"The rhino demons," she murmured. "Are being sly. That herb they used to enhance our opponent's powers wasn't the only one. They used a herb used to cover up scents to hide the true weapon. The weapon is the dangerous one. Hiroto has a necklace around his neck used to dull the senses and steal power from opponents. I am confused to how they got it however. It is one of the rarest things."

Rin gaped quietly.

"Here it is," Sakura said appearing behind her.

Hoshiko ripped it from her hands and immediately began to rummage in her bag. For a moment no one was paying attention to the battle. But the rings of swords kept ringing out. She yanked out a dark green herb and threw it into her mouth chewing it as she pulled out a few other things.

"Help me, Rin."

Sesshomaru knocked his opponent's sword away from him as he leaped backward. Hiroto followed and Sesshomaru flicked up his Bakusaiga cutting the rhino demon's cheek. With a curse Hiroto leaped back. Again and again their swords met in the ringing sounds of impact but Sesshomaru felt his grip on his sword slackening. He felt weary. Something was off about this. He never felt weakened like this. It was like his power was slipping out of his hands.

"Sakura, give me your bow."

Immediately the servant complied handing her one of her arrows and bow. Hoshiko dipped it into the purple remedy for a moment and there was a loud hissing sound as the metal met the liquid. She yanked it out and spit the gob of herb onto its tip. Sakura and Rin's nose's wrinkled in disgust.

"What are you doing?"

"The arrow," Hoshiko stated. "is now covered by a remedy meant to dull the senses as well. It should shatter's the necklaces power for a time, enough time for Sesshomaru to win. It won't break it though."

"Incredible. How do you know these things, milady?"

"I have learned many things over the years, let us leave it at that."

"But Hoshiko you know the rules, right? You can't interfere!"

"Who said I was going to interfere?"

Without another word, Hoshiko loaded the bow and aimed. She waited for the exact second Hiroto spun on his heel to meet his opponent's sword. She fired. The arrow streaked into the air like a hawk diving to its prey.

Sesshomaru lunged at his enemy to deliver a blow meant to disarm his opponent but he felt his power fading away. It was getting harder to remain eye contact. Suddenly, an arrow streaked past him to hit the blue necklace on Hiroto's neck and a beam of light shot out with a hiss. For a moment there was silence as the necklace sizzled with electricity. Everyone turned to look at Hoshiko. She only smiled.

"I'm evening out the odds," she called to the rhino demons. "You must be fair in the midst of battle, wouldn't you say?"

The rhino demons couldn't speak, they were stunned into silence. How had she known? Hiroto couldn't believe it. But no one noticed Sesshomaru's aura flicker back into full power then suddenly he knew. The necklace had been stealing his aura. He growled making everyone's eyes flicker to him. He gave a cold look to Hiroto.

"Now, the battle can truly begin."

Hoshiko watched with pride as Sesshomaru lunged forward to take care of his opponent. There was a few more rings of swords before Hiroto stumbled back his arms bleeding but with a snarl on his face. Without the necklace giving him power his strength had decreased. Hiroto suddenly smiled coldly.

"Let us take this to the next level, milord."

He leaped backward as his power surrounded him in a black swirl around him. He emerged in his true form. Sesshomaru lunged away as the rhino demon charged at him swinging his horn at the demon lord. He wouldn't win, not this time. The western lands rightfully belonged to him! His opponent's powerful youki surrounded him a blue fire before he streaked into the sky emerging too in his true form. The dog demon dove at his opponent his paw outstretched to deliver a blow. He met his target. Blood splattered the ground.

Rin turned her face into her mother's kimono. As much as she loved to see father in his true form to see him engaged in such a brutal battle filled her with such an ill stomach. She felt her mother's hand gently caress her head in comfort. The demoness was still. Rin heard the outraged roars and snorts between the two demons locked in battle. She turned around a bit to see Hiroto charge at Sesshomaru but missing by a long shot. The dog demon whirled on the rhino and sank his fangs into the thick gray hide tearing at his throat. Rin looked away again.

'He will win,' Hoshi whispered to herself.

'Indeed he will,' her demon responded. 'He is one of the most powerful demons of this time. He is also a lord and our mate.'

'That is true I suppose.'

'He is the son of our father. Hiroto is no match against him.'

A shudder raked her body.

'I agree.'

Again, Sesshomaru tore his claws into the so not tough skin of his opponent. With a pained bellow, the rhino demon sidestepped out of his reach before jabbing his horn up to engorge him but failed to meet his target. Sesshomaru was lithe and graceful. Not to mention strong. He was beginning to get desperate. Hiroto couldn't lose! Carefully maneuvering around his opponent he waited for the moment to strike. The dog growled at him as venom dripped from his fangs. Hiroto lunged at him and waiting until the last moment before jerking his head sharply, stabbing his horn below Sesshomaru's left arm. The demon lord gave a sharp growl before snapping at him making him shy away. Sesshomaru limped lightly. Blood ran down his limb. Hiroto was pleased. He'd finally gotten a hit.

Hoshiko flinched as Hiroto gave a blow to her lord. She didn't like the sight of the blood dripping down his silky white fur. Her inner demon fumed in rage. How dare he harm their mate! Finally, Sesshomaru leaped into the sky to dance among the trees. His opponent snorted in frustration; he couldn't fly. The rhino whirled to keep him in sight. The demon lord dove like an eagle upon his back and tore at his shoulders. Hiroto wailed in pain. Claws tore at his hide but at the sight of the long elegant tail he stomped on it with his large foot. Sesshomaru gave a slight yelp before again tearing at him. Hiroto panicked and slammed the dog demon through a tree hoping to lessen his grip. Sesshomaru lunged off and leaped off the fallen tree taking to the sky again.

'This will be the final blow,' Sesshomaru thought.

The demon lord waited for the right moment to strike. Hiroto looked up at him with beady purple eyes narrowed in rage and pain but he didn't care. Sesshomaru dove and slammed into his opponents side sending them into a rolling tumble, roaring or screaming at each other. Sesshomaru sank his teeth below Hiroto's throat and held fast. For a moment the rhino demon struggled but stopped when the teeth sank deeper and laid there for a moment. He kicked at the dog demon but missed as he danced out of the way and clawed at his flesh again. Hiroto gave a scream and finally sank to the ground in defeat. He couldn't fight anymore; he was defeated.

For a moment there was a silence. Sesshomaru raised his head higher in triumph and let out a roar of victory over his foe. Hiroto laid there like a limp toy. The demon lord shrank into his more human form and glared at the stunned and horrified rhino demon clan.

"I am the Lord of the West," he stated coldly. "Do not challenge me again."

He turned on his heel and motioned for his group to join him. The servants, Rin, and Hoshiko immediately went to his side and began to walk to the castle. They had no need to attend to Hiroto; that was for his clan to do. But no one noticed Hiroto, who had also shifted to his human form, pick up his sword and charge. He would not lose! He was so enraged at losing he didn't care. Hoshiko whirled when she noticed his shadow and punched his blade away cutting her knuckles. She didn't care. The demoness landed a solid kick to his chest sending him tumbling into the dirt to stare into her now blood red eyes. Everyone else had turned around in shock. Sesshomaru didn't say a word but he wasn't too surprised. The demoness shook in rage.

"If that is the way you act in defeat, Hiroto," Hoshiko snapped. "You are in no way compatible to be the Lord of the West!"

Hiroto stared for a moment in rage before with a growl lowered his head in submission. He could sense Hoshiko's eyes on him for another moment. It was better to submit than to lose another battle. He felt so weakened already. She glided away ignoring the blood dripping down her fingers.

"Let's go," she snapped to everyone.

"No," Goro suddenly spoke. "That battle was not acceptable! You interfered, hybrid!"

Hoshiko whirled and pointed at him with the hand dripping with blood. Her eyes boiled with rage. Her face was twisted in an angry sneer. Her inner demon's rage at Hiroto harming their mate and then his attack on him after his defeat was its final blow to its temper, plus her own rage at all this got to her.

"I did not interfere," she shrieked angrily. "You are the ones who cheated if I do not recall! You not only gave a herb to Hiroto that would enhance his powers you used a necklace that sucks the power of the wearer's opponent! I made the battle fair by taking out what you used to cheat! And if you so call on me when I interfered, remember what YOU did!"

There was an angry but accepting silence for a moment. Sesshomaru had to gaze at the demoness with the most neutral expression he could muster but inside he felt his heart twist in surprise. He had never seen her so angry. Rin clung to Sakura's kimono in fright but in awe too. Her mother was tough!

"Remember who Sesshomaru is. He is your lord, the great and powerful Lord of the West! However, if you attack him again, so help me I will take care of you personally!"

The rhino demons backed off quickly. No one wanted to face off with a powerful demoness, much less an outraged one. Hoshiko watched them in satisfaction back down. She kept her tone cold.

"Be wise to who you are dealing with," she whispered icily before storming off.

Sesshomaru, in that moment, decided one thing that would be forever clear. Never make Hoshiko mad. His inner demon immediately agreed.

Big chapter I hope you guys enjoyed this, I sure did! The ending I found a bit amusing LOL Never make Hoshiko mad! Enjoy and review please! :3