Rin let out a squeal as Hoshiko lifted her onto her shoulders before laughing in delight. She looked over her mother's head eagerly to look over the valley. It was so beautiful up here! She could see so far into the valley with all the greenery, purple mountains, and the blue sky. She looked down to see her mother examining the valley too.

"It's pretty Momma."

"It really is. The best views are always from up high."

They had left the castle a few hours earlier and were still trailing down the mountain. They had stopped for a moment for Jaken to fill the water canteens for Rin while Sesshomaru scouted out the area before they left. It was his duty after all. Sakura was standing beside An-Un waiting for her companions while quietly speaking to their new member of their group. A male eagle demon named Minoru. His silver eyes watched the landscape carefully before a slow breeze gently blew his golden brown hair from his face. She listened in.

"Do you feel comfortable entering a human village?"

"No," he answered in a dark toned voice. "I will await our lord in the nearby forest."

"I don't feel very good about doing so, but I must attend to the lady."

"Has Sesshomaru assigned you to be Hoshiko's personal servant?"

"Hai."

"I see. Do you wonder if the master has grown soft? He has a human and a hybrid accompanying him."

"He has not grown soft but I know he has a place for both of them in his heart, Minoru."

"The small cold heart he has."

She heard a light smacking sound before she heard him hiss "ow." She wanted to laugh. Rin, completely unaware to the demons conversation, pointed up the sky where a flock of geese were flying ahead. She pulled lightly on Hoshiko's hair.

"Momma, look! Where do you think they are going?"

"They are probably coming back from the south."

"Oh. Why do they go there?"

"It is warmer there. It has been cold here after all."

"Come."

They turned to find Sesshomaru had returned and was looking at them, obviously waiting for them. Hoshiko held on tightly to her pups as she slowly slid down her back to end up in piggyback and followed the group. She ended up at An-Un's shoulder, Sesshomaru in the lead, and Sakura and Minoru trailing behind. Rin and Jaken struck up a conversation about why rainbows appeared after the rain not before. Hoshiko quietly sunk into her thoughts.

She ran forward with eager footsteps giggling like a child who knew they had done something funny. The soft grass tickled her toes. She glanced behind her to see if her pursuer was gone. Only shadows danced on the trees. With a squeal of delight she ran faster.

"Do you think you could lose me that quickly," a dark voice called.

Hoshiko screamed in shock as she was scooped up into two strong arms. She began to laugh as she wrapped her arms around the male demon's neck. His silver hair tickled her cheek.

"Father," she cried.

The great Inutaisho just flashed a smile.

She frowned for a moment as her gaze drifted over the trees. She was close to the place that memory had taken place. Her grip tightened slightly on her pups legs. Rin noticed it but didn't comment. The little girl continued her conversation with the imp demon. Hoshiko shoved the tears shining in her eyes back. She wouldn't cry.

"Hoshiko?"

She glanced at Sakura and Minoru's sudden appearance at her right shoulder. She blinked for a moment. The tears vanished.

"Hai?"

"You use a katana?"

She raised an eyebrow at Minoru's interest.

"I do," she confirmed. "I lost it a while back. So no longer. I use Taiyo now, swords forged from my mother's fang."

"It is an impressive set of swords. Like the swords forged from Sesshomaru's father, Inutaisho."

They missed Hoshi's wince and watering of the eyes before she got control of herself.

"Indeed," she answered quietly.

Sesshomaru listened in to the conversation the three demons where having behind him. They were simply talking about weapons and their weaponry skills. It interested him to listen in. His eyes remained locked forward. For hours this continued as they all walked talking except the demon lord himself. The sun rose high before sinking to the horizon. Sesshomaru noted it was getting late and decided it would be best for Rin to sleep at camp. Not in An-Un's saddle or Hoshiko's arms. He glanced back.

"Jaken."

"Hai, milord? You request your humble servant?"

Sesshomaru ignored the barely muffled sounds of amusement from the others and tilted his head to look at his retainer.

"Find a place to camp for the night. I will return momentarily."

With a swoosh of wind the great demon lord was gone. Hoshiko sighed heavily as she gestured for the others to follow her. Jaken at first protested but quieted at the punch to his head from Minoru. Let the lady decide. Hoshiko finally selected a small clearing big enough for all of them.

"Here. Jaken, prepare camp please."

Jaken immediately obeyed her. He decided he didn't need another bruise next to the one already forming. Minoru obviously favored the demoness and would obey her without question. The imp quickly lit a fire in the center of the clearing and settled the two headed dragon down. Hikaru leaped about the fire. Rin sat in Hoshi's lap weaving a flower necklace. Sakura and Minoru sparred with their talons. It was silent.

"Sakura?"

The phoenix demoness turned to her lady.

"Will you please go fetch some dinner for Rin?"

"Of course."

The demoness slunk away into the underbrush. Minoru looked after her for a moment but Hoshiko didn't miss the look of longing in his eyes. Suddenly, a slow smile appeared on her cheeks. She gestured for the demon to join her. He approached her to sit at her side with a low sigh. Rin had gotten up a moment before to help Jaken pull some things off An-Un's saddle.

"How long have you known Sakura," Hoshiko prodded.

"Since our young years. We both have served the house of the western lands all our lives."

"Impressive, I admit. You appear to have emotions for her."

He stared at her. His ears turned a bit pink.

"Why do you think that?"

"I saw you gaze after her as she went away. Do you have feelings for her, hmm?"

"Perhaps," he admitted.

"So why don't you act on it?"

"We are of different races. It would not work."

"Minoru. Let me tell you something. Me and Sesshomaru are courting," she said ignoring his look of shock. "And do we allow our races to get in the way?"

He didn't say anything. His gaze slid to the fire instead as if in thought. She was a bit surprised when he spoke up.

"It always is odd to talk to someone about this you barely know," he said quietly. "But I suppose I could speak to you of it."

'That is no surprise. You have no idea how many people have spoken to me of such things before they even knew me,' she thought in amusement.

"You can trust me, ally."

A faint smile appeared on his lips. He was truly different than Lord Sesshomaru. While the demon lord was distant and cold, Minoru was warm and open. So many differences.

"I have admired her for some time but I am unsure if she returns my attentions."

"I shall speak to her of it for you."

"That would be appreciated."

"What would be appreciated," the topic of their conversation, Sakura, said as she appeared holding some fish.

"We are speaking about how my terms will be appreciated."

"Terms?"

"Agreements we have made."

Sakura shrugged it off as she set Rin's dinner over the fire to cook. Night darkened as the laughter and talking filled the area around them. Rin eagerly ate before complimenting Sakura on her cooking skills. She had beamed in pride. Before long, Jaken went to sleep at An-Un's side, Sakura climbed into a tree to rest, and Minoru vanished saying he was going hunting for some meat. Hoshiko held a tired Rin in her arms.

"Go to sleep, little one."

Rin yawned opening her light pink plump lips into an wide 'o.'

"Okay Momma, I love you," she whispered as she curled into the demoness.

"I love you too, pup."

The demoness rocked the child to sleep. Her breathing deepened signaling she was asleep and Hoshiko leaned back against a tree as she set her pup in her lap. It was completely quiet except the fire crackling. Shadows danced on the trees. Her eyes watched the flames as she remained on alert. She suddenly felt someone behind her and before she could react, his voice whispered in her ear.

"Follow me, flower," Sesshomaru whispered softly.

She felt herself blush lightly. Hoshiko glanced back to see him disappear again into the trees. Standing up she picked up her pup and wandered over to the two headed dragon. She placed a hand on An's snout making him open an eye. Un looked at her too. She hadn't wished to disturb them. Jaken snorted from his place between their front paws.

"Protect Rin please."

The dragon curled his tail into a circle close to his belly for the demoness to place the child. With a smile, she did so, but kissed both their snouts as she left. The dragon rumbled affectionately to her before drifting off to sleep again. She quickly sniffed out Sesshomaru and followed his scent into the woods weaving between the trees. It took her a few moments but she finally found him sitting on a fallen tree watching her. She approached him.

"Where did you go, Maru?"

She saw the corner of his lips twitch at the nickname she'd given him as she sat beside him.

"There was a threat so this Sesshomaru destroyed the creature."

"Ah. I hadn't even noticed."

"Hn."

His arm slowly wrapped around her waist to pull her up against his side. She smiled softly at the demon lord, her Sesshomaru.

"Decided to steal me away," she teased lightly.

"Hn, indeed."

"Why so?"

"This Sesshomaru does not need an audience."

She laughed quietly.

"Do not laugh."

"I'm not laughing at you, Maru. I'm just amused just by how secretive we both are."

"Hn."

"Sesshomaru, will you need to leave me and Rin in the village after Sango's delivery?"

"Indeed."

"Alright, that will be –"

"Hoshiko."

She looked at him as his gaze softened. She took a sniff of his scent and found she couldn't detect his emotions. Odd. Her eyes stared into his.

"Hai, Maru?"

"After the demon slayer's delivery," he began. "I will need to attend to an affair with the Lord of the North. We are both receiving problems from the black panther clan."

"Oh, that is okay."

"Hoshiko, I wish for you to accompany me."

She could only stare at him for a moment. She, accompany him? She suddenly remembered when she always vowed she would protect the Western Lands. She looked down for a moment in thought.

"Rin?"

"Our pup will not be allowed to come. The panthers are crafty and mischievous not to mention sly. She will be in continuous danger."

"Then who will watch Rin," she stressed.

"You do not have to come, Hoshiko."

For a moment they were both silent. The demoness quickly decided what she would do. She didn't want to miss out on this!

"I will ask the miko and your half-brother to attend to Rin. They love her."

"Hn?"

"I will come with you, Sesshomaru."

He was silent for a moment. She could tell he was pleased just by looking in his eyes. Rin could survive without her for some time.

"How long will we be gone?"

"Hn, two weeks to a month."

Her eyes widened a bit but she decided that would be okay. If Kagome could not attend to Rin she would stay behind. She wouldn't leave Rin with anyone else. The miko and hanyou were her closest friends in the village.

"If they cannot attend to Rin I will stay behind, Maru. But if they will, I will come with you."

He gently nuzzled her cheek with a low growl. She leaned her head against his smiling softly as the gentle nuzzles continued. The demoness pressed a kiss to his cheek. It would be worth it to go with him, she knew that. His lips gently brushed hers for a second before she pressed her lips to his for a moment. Sesshomaru kissed her back gently.

"Flower," he murmured.

She ran her talons through his silky white-silver hair slowly as she kissed him again. She could get used to this.

Awwww fluff ahoy! X3! Hope you guys enjoyed this and review please!