Hoshiko winced lightly as the bandage rubbed lightly against her wounded knuckles. It was greatly more tender than other wounds because it wasn't often she got a wound in such a place. With a sigh she gently brushed more medication onto the deep cut before beginning the process of wrapping it. Or perhaps it had been a while since she'd been in combat. She usually had cuts or deep wounds but it had been several months now. Maybe she should have pulled out Taiyo instead of punching the sword away. Nothing she could do about it now. She heard light footsteps.

"How is your hand," Sakura asked as she approached from behind.

"It is fine. Nothing more than a deep cut from the result of punching away a sword."

"It was probably unnecessary."

The demoness turned around to look at her servant coldly for a moment.

"Do you expect me to stand by and watch as a demon swings a sword at Lord Sesshomaru when the battle is over?"

"No."

"Then, it is not for questioning. My actions were justified. Would you have done the same had you been in my position, Sakura?"

"I don't know," her servant admitted. "I've never been put in the position of protecting Lord Sesshomaru."

"I wasn't protecting him," came her protesting reply.

"Oh? Then what were you doing?"

"Preventing another unnecessary battle with Sesshomaru that I knew Hiroto couldn't win. Perhaps I even did it to even save the rhino demons life. Sesshomaru could have destroyed him without thought."

'Liar.'

"Alright, Milady, as you say. Do you need anything?"

"No, but where is Rin?"

"She is waiting outside. She didn't want to disturb you without bothering you."

"… I see."

Hoshiko found that a bit odd. Rin usually came in without even knocking. But one glance at Sakura's eyes said it all and she couldn't help but feel a bit guilty. Was Rin afraid of her? Sakura sighed heavily when she noticed the demoness's expression.

"She isn't afraid of you. She was just weary, because you were quite angry on the battlefield."

Hoshiko lightly laughed in amusement.

"I don't usually get angry. It takes a lot to push my temper but Hiroto got to me I suppose. But Rin should know I couldn't angry at her like that, never."

"I know, Momma."

Rin slid into the room gazing at her mother with a smiling face. She skipped to her mother to give her a tight hug.

"Sakura wouldn't let me in," she whispered into her ear. "She wanted to ensure you weren't angry."

'Oh.'

Hoshiko wrapped her arms around the child immediately. Oh, how she hoped her sweet little pup would never come to fear her in any way. She'd never harm her. Rin nuzzled her neck gently to get closer to her mother. For a moment there was silence except for Sakura's retreating footsteps. It would be better if they were left alone. But Hoshiko glared at her servants back; so she didn't trust her with her own pup? She felt frustrated a bit.

"Are you okay," her pup asked as she sat in her lap.

"Hai. It is nothing more than a cut. It will heal quickly."

"Okay! I'm glad you didn't get as hurt this time."

"This time?"

"You didn't get hurt as bad! Like during your battle with that tiger demon, Yun?"

"Ah. But that time it was a true battle. This time was only a defensive move to protect."

"Protect Daddy?"

Hoshiko shook her head lightly.

"Perhaps I could have been," she admitted finally. "Or I was saving Hiroto's life."

"Oh."

There was a silence for a moment.

"Do you think Daddy is okay?"

"Oh, I bet he is pup. He is a demon after all. He will heal from any wounds quickly, just like I did. Perhaps faster. His powers are stronger than mine."

"Okay," Rin whispered.

"Why do you ask?"

"I don't know. I just was worried about him. Daddy did get stabbed from Hiroto's horn."

Hoshiko stilled a bit at that. She had forgotten about when Sesshomaru had been wounded. She thought about that for a few moments and felt a cold chill slide down her spine. Her father had received a wound just like with his final battle with – she cut that off quickly. Tears filled her eyes. She remembered the bleeding, the horrible bleeding, as they ran together to his mate. He wouldn't let her tend to him, time was precious. He'd died from such a wound. She froze. If Sesshomaru had a wound like that, could it mean he could be hurt just like his father before him? She had to redeem herself! For her foolish mistake! For not forcing him to accept treatment. He hadn't been able to heal himself, he'd used too much of his power. Was Sesshomaru in the same position?

Without a word she got up placing her pup on her feet. Rin gave her a confused look but saw the conflict about something in her mother's eyes. The demoness felt an ounce of concern she didn't have before. An urge to find the demon lord was hard to fight against. She needed to tend to him, now.

"Sakura."

The servant demoness immediately appeared at her side with an alert expression.

"Hai?"

"Watch Rin. I need to take care of something."

"Hai, milady."

The two noticed as the demoness grabbed her bag of herbs and quietly left. The door clicked shut with quietness but with urgency. Rin looked at her mother's attendant for a moment. Sakura sighed as she rubbed her forehead. Oh, how she wished Hoshiko was a bit more open to her thoughts and what she was doing. She looked at the pup.

"What should we do now?"

Meanwhile, Hoshiko traced the demon lord's scent. She could smell blood heavily in his scent and wondered why he hadn't attended to the wound. Or even used his youki power to mend it. Perhaps she had been right about his weakness. She stilled as she reached her destination. She was at Sesshomaru's quarters. She had never been here before and felt like she shouldn't be here. Hesitating for just a moment, she slowly and gently knocked on the dark wood door. She had a duty to attend to. It was silent for a moment before it slid open. Sesshomaru gazed down at her.

"I wished to see how you faired."

Without a word he gestured for her to come in. His expression and gaze were unreadable. She stepped inside and he closed the door behind her quietly. For a moment they gazed at each other. His eyes softened a bit once the door clicked shut.

"I fair well."

She smiled faintly at his reply. At least he wasn't acting off.

"That pleases me," she answered quietly. "You fought a fair battle, Sesshomaru."

"Hn. Perhaps so."

"No, you did. You didn't cheat like the rhino demons did with their remedies and secret plots. You battled well on your own two feet."

"I found no need to put myself into a position that my people would question my command had I used such trickery."

"Well said. You rightly deserve the title of Lord of the West. Like your ancestors before you."

"Hn."

There was a momentary comfortable silence.

"Sesshomaru?"

He tilted his head in question.

"You smelt like blood. How has the wound healed?"

"It has healed."

"I hate to request this, but please may I look at it? I wish to ensure there is no poisoning or such. Please."

He stared at her for a moment before the cold mask hardened. She assumed he was thinking about it. The demon lord was quiet for a few more moments before nodding his acceptance. She was surprised at that; she assumed he would reject her offer. She followed him farther into the room as he stripped of his armor and upper clothing, leaving him bare-chested before her. She couldn't help but notice how muscled he was. A faint heat crept up her cheeks.

'No no,' she scolded herself. 'You are here to attend to him, not check him out!'

With that thought in mind she watched as he sat in front of the fire obviously waiting. With a mental sigh she approached and sat by his wounded side laying her bag upon the ground beside her. She examined the healed wound. It was a light pink of a scar but she could tell it was fading back to his normal skin tone and she could see a light purple mark around the healing flesh. He was poisoned. She ran a talon carefully along the purple markings.

"It appears Hiroto was a bit clever than we thought," she murmured. "He must have had poison on his horn. The wound is showing signs of poisoning along the edges. I will have to open the wound again and put in some herbs. I know you probably won't need it but please allow me to do so."

"If you insist."

"Lay on your stomach then."

He slowly obeyed and stared into the flames of the fire. She was surprised he was being so submissive about this. Hoshiko waited until he wasn't waiting for it and sliced at the wound with her talons reopening it. Blood fell from the new cuts. Sesshomaru didn't shudder but she could sense he was in pain. The wound had been hurting him more then he let on.

"I am sorry milord if I am causing you pain."

"Hn. Do not call me milord, Hoshi. Call me Sesshomaru," he growled back.

"Sorry, Sesshomaru."

He shifted slightly. His eyes never wavered from the fire but probably because whatever emotion in his eyes he didn't want her to see. No matter. She whipped out the medicine already prepared and inserted it into the wound. The clear liquid seeped into the blood. In satisfaction her eyes watched as the purple around the wound began to fade almost upon the medicines insertion.

"You can heal it again, Sesshomaru. I'm done."

With a flare of his power the wound closed immediately. She put away her medicine and wiped the blood up from the floor before dropping the cloth into the bag. Her duty was done. For some reason she felt like her father was watching her in pride. A shudder raked her body.

"There you go. Does it feel better?"

"Hai."

He sat back up and glanced at her with a kind look in his eyes despite his cold features. She returned the gaze. He glanced down for a second.

"You are wearing the kimono I sent you," he suddenly stated neutrally.

"Hai. I thank you for the gift. It was wonderful to receive."

"That pleases me."

"I am glad. If you don't mind me asking, but why did you not kill Hiroto? I've heard during challenges the victor usually killed the fallen opponent to show power and dominance. So why didn't you?"

He was quiet for a second.

"It is better for the fallen to remember the shame upon being defeated."

"Very clever. But it appears the lords before you did the same."

"Indeed."

"A clever idea but it only evokes hatred."

"Let them hate if they will. They have no right to rule the Western Lands."

"I prefer the dog demons ruling the Western Lands than them, honestly."

To her surprise he gave a low amused sound at the back of his throat. She smiled at him. Sesshomaru changed the subject.

"How is our pup?"

"She is fine. She was worried about you, though."

"Hn. Were you the same?"

Hoshiko was quiet for a moment.

"H..Hai."

He glanced at the demoness he was courting now. Her usual blue eyes were purple in the fires light. Before he had noticed what he had been doing his arms had wrapped around her and pulled her into his lap. She froze for a second in surprise. He waited for her to slip away or reject the comfort of his arms but she laid her head on his shoulder instead.

"I was so happy you were okay," she whispered. "If you had been injured I don't know what I would have done."

He could hear the deep concern in her voice. His arms around her tightened in comfort as he gave a soft nuzzle to her hair. He inhaled deeply, smelling her heavenly scent. The ocean mixed with the scent of blossoms.

"I had a momentary urge to kill Hiroto when I realized he had harmed you," Sesshomaru quietly said as his hand stroked her bandaged hand.

"I am no damsel in distress."

"Hn."

"Do you disagree," she questioned coldly.

"No."

Nothing was said for a short time as the fire filled the silence with crackles.

"Hoshiko," Sesshomaru said huskily.

"Hai?"

"I refused to say I had someone to protect."

Her eyes slowly met his as sky blue gazed into gold.

"I denied it. But I do have someone to protect. You. Our pup. I will protect you both with my life."

"Sesshomaru," she whispered. "I have one last question. Are you happy? With Rin? With.. me?"

"Hai," he quietly answered.

Hoshiko hadn't realized how close he had gotten to her. Heat crept up her cheeks. His golden gaze had gotten so soft she felt like she was melting. Her hand caressed his cheek as their lips met in a soft kiss. She felt like she was flying. His arms tightened around her to hold her closer. She couldn't think about anything else except his lips pressed against hers so lovingly and soft. Suddenly the kiss ended as their lips gently broke apart. They gazed at each other for a moment.

"Maru," she whispered.

"Flower," he answered softly as he ran his claws through her hair. "My sweet and delicate flower."

She smiled at her new nickname before their lips met in another loving kiss.

D'awwwwwww Sesshy and Hoshi! X3! Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter and review please! Who would have thought Sesshomaru would give her a nickname? X3!

P.s. Since of some complications with Hoshiko's lifetime I decided to increase her age to 614 years old. I will be starting the story about Hoshiko's past soon because I got enough requests and I honestly want to. Woo! :3