The day had finally come that Hoshiko had both eagerly awaited for and dreaded with every inch of her being; she was leaving with Sesshomaru. She shivered lightly. It filled her inner core with delight to know she would be spending time with the great Lord of the West, her lover no less, and would face this upcoming trail by his side. They would be together, just them, for a rare time. They would fight side by side as a team to conquer a threat to the Western Lands and that pleased her to know her vow to protect the lands would be kept. She had looked forward to this for many days, truly. But with upsides, there always has to be a downside she reasoned. Why could there never be a time when there was only joy and no heartache? She shook her head lightly at that thought. She would be leaving Rin, her beloved pup, behind. It was a dark shadow lurking behind the bright glow of excitement to know she would be leaving her little Rin for some time. Her heart ached lightly at the thought she wouldn't hear the child's laughter nor would she see her delighted smile. Not only that, she'd be leaving her friends behind. It was like she was leaving her family for a long journey, which was true in some sense. She sighed heavily. She would honestly miss little Rin the most. She could get through this after all; she had wandered alone for 2 centuries after Inu No Taisho's death no matter the pain she'd been in so this would be a breeze compared to her earlier experience. A faint smile crossed her lips. All the same, she felt this was right; she had to go with Sesshomaru for now. She belonged at his side. No matter the pain she would have at leaving her family behind. Including Rin.

Her hands, gleaming with a faint silver glow, plucked several kimonos and yukatas down from the shelf. She wondered which ones she should bring and upon that thought, placed a few of her plainer ones into another bag. She should probably bring her finer ones. Sesshomaru would expect no less; Sakura and Minoru, despite being his servants, dressed finely and properly. She wouldn't want to shame him in any regard and upon thinking about it; Father had always ensured she was dressed finely. She sighed heavily as she examined each one of her pieces of clothing, carefully dropping them into the correct place, either to go or to stay.

'I feel so feminine right now,' she thought, amused. 'I'm losing my boyish touch; I never cared for my outfits, no less my appearance.'

Hoshi was grateful that her companions had given her a large saddle bag considering how much she had to bring with her but yet, managed to keep her burden light. She sighed heavily for the third time upon inspecting the rest of her room. Her cot had been neatly made, the windows covered with blankets, and the floor swept and cleaned; she had no doubt dust would cover almost everything when she returned. She picked up several other belongings and put them into the proper place. Making sure everything else was to her satisfaction in her room, she picked up her belongings. She didn't need to spend any more time here. It was time to go now. Still, her heart felt a bit heavy at leaving this familiar place with her beloved family. At that moment, her ears registered footsteps walking toward her door with a few heavy sniffles; the scent of tears assaulted her senses.

'Oh no,' she groaned to herself.

"Momma?"

Hoshiko paused to turn to look at Rin. The young girl stood now in the doorway looking absolutely miserable with tears running down her flushed cheeks. It appeared her pup wasn't taking her leave easily. The demoness immediately dropped her things and made her way around her cot toward her pup. Hoshi couldn't bear it if her pup was crying. Though it hurt her too, she knew this separation would be only temporary. A mental sigh ran through her head; her moods kept going up and down today. Rin hurried toward her and embraced the demoness as tightly as she could. Up close she could smell fresh tears but it cloaked the child like a veil, obviously saying she had been crying for a while. Her heart went out to her pup with yearning and love. Her arms went around Rin and she dropped a light kiss onto the silky black hair, rocking her lightly side to side. Rin clung to her tighter, a light sob shaking her tiny frame.

"Rin," she whispered, tightening her grip on the child. Oh, she wished her pup wouldn't cry!

"I'm going to miss you," the little girl whimpered.

"I will miss you too, Rin. I will think of you every day."

"Do you have to go?"

Hoshiko pursued her lips. Leave it to her pup to go directly to the point.

"Hai, Rin," she answered tapping her pup lightly on the nose. "Your Papa needs me to help him to restrain the clan who are rebelling against his power and the Northern Lord. Once that is done, I will come back as fast as my feet will carry me. I promise."

"But Papa is strong."

"He is," Hoshiko returned, fumbling lightly with her words. "But I think he just needs my help this once. Besides, I did make a promise to protect the Western lands at all costs and here is another chance I have to do so."

"Oh," Rin whimpered.

"I think he wants me for himself, too," she whispered to her pup.

Rin faintly smiled before burying her face into the soft curve of her neck, sniffling lightly. Hoshiko kissed her little cheek. Oh, she couldn't bear to leave little Rin and wished with all her heart the little one could come with her. She didn't want to separate from her beloved pup but at the same time, it had to be. Rin nuzzled her throat lightly. Her hands gently massaged the tense muscles in the child's back and felt the body leaning against hers sag lightly in small relief, but the stress didn't leave. She sighed heavily and breathed deeply in to calm her nerves. The sweet smell of her pup assaulted her nose with the faint smell of herb, sweat, but the heavy scent of rain and sunflowers most of all. Oh, she truly didn't want to leave Rin behind.

"Momma," she whispered. "Why can't I come with you?"

Hoshi cursed herself; of course Rin would ask that a moment after she had thought of it!

"Sweetheart, you will be in constant danger. I couldn't bear to put you in harm's way and besides, I think you will have fun with Aunt Kagome and Uncle Inuyasha more than with us boring adults. You will have fun here and be safe."

"I want to come with you and Papa!"

"I wish you could, but we can't."

Rin trembled against her, but didn't protest it. Her arms tightened around her mother's neck so tightly Hoshi had to squirm a bit to get comfortable but once she was, returned her pup's fierce embrace. For several moments they simply clung to each other. Finally, Rin pulled away wiping at her eyes. Hoshi tucked some of her black hair behind her ear and nuzzled her pup's nose, earning a small smile from her pup. She smiled back. Rin's smile grew wider.

"I won't let us be separated for long," Hoshi promised.

Rin nodded with a happy but sad smile. It looked like Rin would accept it, despite how much she didn't want to. But something didn't feel right around her pup's aura. Hoshiko stood up to her full height and wandered back over to her cot to grab her bag, deciding to ignore it. Rin glanced around the room quietly and when her mother returned to her side, they wandered out the door into the main room and out the door. The demoness reached out to gather her pup's hand in her own. She didn't want the child to cry again if possible and besides, it would sooth some of the nerves they were both feeling about being separated. Her pup seemed to eagerly clutch at her hand and cling to it, as though it would anchor her there and never let her leave. They walked in silence for a few moments the gravel beneath their feet crunching as they walked toward the Northern part of the village to meet up with Sesshomaru and the others. The aura around Rin began to grow more stressed with each step. What was the child thinking about? Hoshi glanced up as a bird tweeted shrilly in the trees.

"Momma," Rin asked quietly, as the bird flew away.

"Hai?"

"Why is it safe for you and not me?"

"I am a demoness, little one. I have abilities you don't. You are human and can't stand up closely to a demon without proper training. I won't have you in harm's way," she repeated the last line.

"You won't die," Rin all but whispered.

The hand around hers slackened; Hoshi stopped dead and stared down blankly at her, as if she had lost her voice. Rin forced herself to meet the gaze of the utterly stunned demoness with a trembling lip. Was it bad she thought this? Did she offend her or say something wrong? To her surprise, the demoness breathed in deeply with her eyes fluttering closed for a moment. Her lips moved wordlessly. Rin tried not to cry.

"Rin, do you truly think I will die," she asked softly.

The child bit her lip.

"No, but I'm scared for you," she whimpered out.

Those startling sky blues reopened at the tremble she heard in Rin's voice and looked at her with worry, pain, and sorrow. Rin trembled at the emotion burning in her eyes. To her surprise, the demoness knelt down and pulled her pup to face her with a gentle look appearing in her expression. As her Momma stared into her own tearing up eyes she swore she felt her heart crack in pain and realized, this was what she was afraid of. Hoshi never returning; the demoness dying in battle drenched in her own blood. She frowned deeply and avoided Hoshi's eyes for a moment, but a hand coaxed her head back up until her eyes met her Mother's.

"Dear little Rin," Hoshiko murmured gently. "Do you think I would have lived this long if I was weak?"

Rin felt very shameful in that moment.

"I'm sorry, Momma," she sobbed.

"Rin, I promise you. I will not die. I will fight with all my strength and return to you as fast as my feet will carry me to you. I won't let anything stand in my way to return to you, not even the face of death or hell. Do you understand? I promise."

Rin hugged her Mother tightly sobbing. How could she have ever thought Hoshi would die? She felt the demoness embrace her tightly to her before rocking her side to side as before. She had never known it would be this hard to let go. She sighed heavily and broke away from the demoness, wiping her eyes. Hoshi gently cupped her face.

"Are you okay, Rin," she asked with Motherly concern, a frown marring her features.

"I will be," she admitted with a soft smile. "Just return home soon."

Hoshi smiled in response before standing back up, holding out her hand to her. Rin took it.

"I will," Hoshi answered as they continued on their way.

The demoness gazed at her pup's face the rest of the way as they walked in silence; she had not known Rin was that worried about this. It was good to know Rin had told her before she had left. What would she have said when she had returned to learn how distressed Rin had been but not said anything to her? Her eyes closed for a moment. She would have been upset at herself for it. It had taken her twice to assure Rin of her return but it was worth it to know her pup would not lose hope nor joy. Rin suddenly began to skip lightly at her side making her smile; her pup was going to be okay.

"Where is she," Jaken demanded.

Kagome sighed heavily. The little demon was growing irritating with his demanding of Hoshiko; he kept complaining they would have been long gone by now, she wasn't needed on this journey, yada yada yada. She wondered why Sesshomaru hadn't done anything about his yapping. Or even, why did he keep Jaken in his service? She would never understand that. Her eyes sought out over the village and still saw no green hair. Her eyes met the equally curious and somewhat worried gaze of the demon slayer.

"Where is she," Sango mouthed to her.

"I don't know," she mouthed back.

Sango's forehead furrowed.

"Should we go look for her?"

"It might be best if we wait."

The demon slayer pursued her lips in thought but said nothing in return, especially when Seina began to fuss. She had to roll her eyes at that. Seina was the fussiest baby she had met so far. She wondered how her own would be and immediately squished that thought for now, especially when she heard her mate approach. Inuyasha growled right by her ear, sounding downright irritated.

"Is she leaving with the bastard or not," he complained.

"Inuyasha," she chastised gently.

"What, he is a bastard," he huffed.

"Shh!"

They both glanced over at the demon lord, who was ignoring them, though he probably had heard Inuyasha clearly. His two servants, Minoru and Sakura, were farther on down the road with An-Un.

"It's a wonder that he doesn't kill you," she huffed back.

"Keh, he can't do nothing!"

"Inuyasha!"

"The half breed's words are meaningless," Sesshomaru drawled, bored but suddenly focused on them. "I wonder how we are of blood."

"You Bastard!"

Kagome sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of her nose. Despite the fact they didn't try to kill each other anymore, they still bullied each other at each opportunity. It was like an eternal sibling war. Erase that, it was true; it was a forever rivalry, no matter the alliance and low respect they had for each other. Seina suddenly squealed with delight and Sango looked up in response, catching a glimpse of both dark and green hair.

"Hoshiko! Rin! There you two are!"

"Sorry," Hoshiko apologized as she approached with Rin. "I had to deal with some matters."

One glance at his pup, Sesshomaru knew. Her eyes were still watery and light pink from crying. He noticed the demon slayer and miko also notice, exchanging worried glances, but not saying anything about it. Wise choice. The Western Lord eyed his demoness with cold favor; she had dressed beautifully today in one of her finer kimono's. Suddenly, his golden gaze met her kind blue eyes. She smiled gently at him and he realized he had been caught gazing at her but he simply raised an eyebrow in response.

"Are we ready to depart," she asked him.

He gave a slight nod. He honestly was eager to be gone.

"Can I have a moment to say goodbye?"

"Hn."

Hoshiko turned to her human friends and embraced them, murmuring soft goodbyes and exchanges. Sango smiled when the demoness kissed the babe's forehead goodbye, immediately ceasing the newborn's whimpers. She was about to move on to Inuyasha when the miko grabbed her arm fiercely, pulling Hoshiko to her side closely. She did not protest. Sesshomaru raised his eyebrow sharply at what was exchanged.

"Tell us what happens, you hear," Kagome almost growled.

"About what exactly," Hoshiko returned dryly.

"You know exactly what! We want to know the details about how your relationship with Sesshomaru goes, especially the juicy ones!"

"Maybe," Hoshi all but groaned.

Sesshomaru was a bit surprised; she had told them? He wasn't pleased much by this but accepted it all the same. They would have found out anyways. She gave Inuyasha and Miroku one armed hugs which were returned kindly. Miroku luckily kept his hands to himself or he probably would have lost that hand. No one touched his demoness. He heard footsteps approaching him and looked down to see his pup gazing up at him with big brown eyes.

"Papa?"

He knelt down to her.

"I'll miss you Papa," she whispered to him.

He rested his hand gently on her shoulder.

"We will return soon," he said to her.

"Okay," she whispered. "Hurry home."

He just inclined his head in response to that.

"I wish I could come."

"You must stay safe. The hanyou and miko will protect you."

"I know," she whispered. "But Papa? Will you make Rin a promise?"

"Name it."

"Take care of Momma."

He was a bit surprised but nodded nevertheless. He would never let harm come to his demoness, let alone never take care of her. He saw the sad but faint happy smile trail across his pup's face and knew this 'promise' meant a lot to her; he wouldn't break it. He heard the demoness walk their way. As he watched Hoshiko approach them with slow but graceful movements he knew this would be altering to their relationship. Forever. As he rose, Hoshi sighed heavily and knelt down to Rin with a sad but firm expression.

"Rin," she said softly.

"Momma."

"You take care of yourself, okay?"

"Hai, I will."

Hoshi sighed sadly.

"Don't be sad, little one. I will ensure the time we spend apart will be short and we will be together again."

"Okay, Momma. I'll miss you."

"Me too, pup. I love you, little one," she said, embracing Rin.

"I love you too, Momma."

Hoshiko kissed Rin's forehead and rose to her feet, holding both of her pup's hands in her own. Rin smiled gently at her before pulling away to walk toward Kagome with new tears sparkling in her eyes.

"Bye Momma."

"Farewell, Rin."

Hoshiko almost died right there when she heard a soft sob. She wanted nothing more to run to Rin to bring her back into her embrace to comfort her but she knew it would do no good. Rin would only be hurt more so. So she forced herself to look at Sesshomaru instead. He gazed after Rin for a moment, somewhat troubled, before he met her gaze. They looked at each other for a moment before he turned sharply on his heel, with a low "Come" trailing on the wind. With a deep breath, she followed. This was a new beginning and she was ready for it. The sand crunched under their feet as the village began to disappear over the horizon behind them. But before she stepped into the trees, she turned around to gaze at the distant forms of her friends and raised her hand in farewell.

'Goodbye.'

Hoshiko's adventure with Sesshomaru begins! I wonder what will happen ;) Please enjoy and review, it motivates me to post faster!

P.S. You should check out my art account, I have gotten several pictures of Hoshiko on there made by myself or by other people! Check it out and for another piece of info, my icon is none other than Hoshiko herself :D Enjoy!