Sometimes I look up to the sky and wonder. I'm used to wondering, losing myself in that familiar sky of blue. I wonder about you, your eyes substitute the sun for a few brief moments before I look away. It's my little secret.

Nothing can take me away from my last memories of you, though fading, they will always be strong enough. That's another thing I wonder about. Am I ever going to be able to let you go? I know, in some ways I have. But, I don't think my will is strong enough to fully, fully release you from my mind's grip. I laugh, a small humorless, sound. Your haunting me, last lingering sorrows paining me in their depths. Death, won't even heal this wound. Not when death inflicted it.

I'm used to this sad smile. I wear it often, engraved onto my features whenever I glance at the sun. It blinds me of course, but for a short moment, I see you. Your amber eyes, golden confidence and pride. I don't miss them though. Their a part of me, true, and I have never gone a day without visualizing them, ever since the day I met you. And the day I lost you. And the day she found you.

I'm a part of her too. I can feel you through her, on occasion of course. I wish I was as lucky as her, but I'm not bitter. I'm happy for her, as long as- as long as your happy.

As I finish this little ritual of mine, looking up, seeing your eyes and thinking back and thinking of you both, dusk hits the world. Your amber fades into black. Do you remember the dusk? So very long ago, a secret ritual we both shared...

"Kikyou?"

"Hmmm?"

"Since, umm, all the demons are gone, do you think we could go rest for a while?"

The miko swayed her head over to meet his eyes. Pausing for a moment, taking in the 'we' she smiled.

"Of course, beloved."

Blushing as he always did at the affectionate term, he led her to a small cliff overlooking their lake. A single tree, deep and melancholy, it reminded her of the Sacred Tree where their fate would seal.

"This is one my favourite trees to sleep on." he said glancing over at Kikyou, who taking in the sight. Warm amber and strong red where melting in a rich blank black. Color flew delicately across the stars. Inuyasha too, noticed the sight, but her smile was something greater. Remembering to answer his previous statement, she replied warmly, "It does look very...entrancing."

"Yeah." he uttered. A minute passed while the hanyou stared at his miko. Black hair was let free, cascading, coinciding the color the night. Her brown eyes were warm and darker in the loss of light. But her skin's milky complection remained as bright. Noticing his watch full eye, Kikyou's cheeks matched the color of the red of the sun. Interrupting him, she coughed lightly. Inuyasha quickly averted his eyes.

"Shall we?" gesturing to this single tree. Inuyasha glanced over at her awkwardly, did she not notice their was only one tree? And too of them? Or just not care? Apparently, she already had a solution. She sat down against the tree, and looked at him intently, just standing there.

She smiled at his puzzled expression, "Well, Inuyasha," she began in a joking manner,"You seem to be quite fascinated by my facial features, so why don't you sit here," motioning down at her lap, "so then we both can gaze up."

Her eyes were fixated on the dying day and Inuyasha sat down cautiously. The next day, they returned to the same spot after a weary battle, and continued to do so aftermore. The two lonely souls ritual by dusk

I debate whether to smile, to laugh or to cry at such a humane memory. But in the end, thinking escapes me, as I lean against our other tree, imagining my hands on your velvet ears, and the only thing I see, is my little secret. Dusk in your amber eyes.