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Chapter Twelve: The Moonless Night

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A small smile graced Ceotae's features as she felt Rin's small hands daintily tie up her hair. She could feel the girl lower the now braided locks to the ground far behind the yokai, so Ceotae turned body to look at the child. "Get some sleep Rin." With a small nod, the human grinned sleepily and walked away, leaving the elemental to her thoughts.

Tearing her eyes from the frail form, Ceotae stared at the fire for a few moments then shifted her gaze towards her companions. Kagome was sleeping across from her near the blaze, her arm pillowing her head with Shippo at her back, using her hair like a blanket. Sango's form rested not far off, her breathing still as she slept on her side; Kirara was curled up against her stomach. Miroku had lain behind the slayer, and now was fast asleep, every movement he made in his slumber bringing him ever closer to the warrior. Ceotae watched the monk move a little closer; her grin broadened as she predicted how everyone would be awakened in the morning.

Rin had, by now, made it over to two demons sitting farther off, their own small fire cackling as Jaken threw more wood on the flames. The girl was clambering up onto Ah-Un's saddle, her eyes drooping with exhaustion. The dragon's heads were resting on the ground, its eyes closed in deep sleep. The imp, however, stayed awake, keeping a wary gaze upon the small human child.

With a sigh, Ceotae stood slowly and stretched, her braided hair gently bumping the back of her knees as she shook her head to clear it. Inuyasha had departed the group at sundown, and the elemental thought she understood as she looked up at the moonless sky. The faint scent of a lake nearby came to her, and she made her way towards it, desperately needing the solitude and calm she knew she could only gain from the still waters.

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Inuyasha scowled as he stared at his reflection that was barely visible on the surface of the lake. Where his once demon features were, now resided human characteristics that told his pride he was weak. His white hair now was jet black; his golden eyes a dark violet blue. Two very human ears were upon the sides of his head, his puppy ones long gone. He frowned at himself, anger filling his chest when he saw his fangs were gone as well. Forcing his eyes away, he stared at the sky, the stars above him giving off the only light with the absence of the moon. Their feeble illuminations hit the tranquil waters before him, giving the atmosphere around him a wraithlike glow.

The hanyou gripped Tessaiga closer to his body; he cradled it across his chest, the hilt poking his shoulder. It was the times within the moonless night's vision that he felt completely helpless. He hated the feeling of powerlessness, but he forced himself to be grateful that the transformation wasn't painful anymore.

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The Lady Izayoi hugged her son tightly, holding his small form close to her chest so he could listen to her heartbeat. She remained calm as another whimper escaped him, and she could see his white, dog ears slowly shrinking into the darkness of his now midnight colored hair. She forced his face towards hers with a gentle hand under his chin. His golden eyes were now shifting colors from amber to blue then back to amber. Tears were running down his face as he whimpered again, trying desperately to be strong. Her smile gave him strength to fight another tremor of change. His claws shot back into his fingers, making the young pup howl in pain. Crying now, Izayoi pulled her son tighter to her chest, rubbing his back as more shivers rocked his tiny body. They stayed like that for a few more moments until his form stilled, and the pup could hug his mother without pain.

For the rest of the night, they were at peace, but as the time came for sunrise, Izayoi once more embraced her son as she waited for the pain to come again. His eyes were full of fear, but he remained still in her lap, allowing her to kiss his forehead and tell him how proud she was of him. Just before the first rays broke through the horizon, she was able to look into his courageous orbs and whisper, "Be strong Inuyasha. Be strong for us…"

Then, all peace and silence evaporated as the light broke through and the pup howled in agony as the tremors started again.

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Sorrow came to replace the anger as he remembered his mother. He missed her, but was finding it hard to remember her fully. She had been beautiful, he remembered that much at least. Her black hair had fallen to the floor, and her blue eyes had always been gentle. Her voice had always been calm and soothing, like a lullaby that never ended. He couldn't believe how long it had been since she had died. He had been a young boy then, around eleven or twelve in human appearance, but still a pup by demon standards.

She had been his safety, his home, the only one who loved him.

But, with her death, he had become an outcast; shunned by all others, demon and human alike.

Until… her

The image of the priestess Kikyo flashed into Inuyasha's mind, and he allowed a small smile to form in the corners of his mouth. She had trusted him, spared him, listened to him, and, in time, even grew to love him. She had become a new safe haven for him, and he had even considered becoming human for her.

Yet, like all the things that had brought joy to his life, she had died, and he was all alone once again.

But, he wasn't alone now… wasn't he?

His heart began to beat fiercely as a new figure popped into his mind, his eyes closing in comfort.

Kagome…

"I guess I'm not the only one seeking solitude, am I, Inuyasha?"

The half demon gave a start, and his eyes snapped open. He twisted his body as far as his sitting position would allow, and focused his eyes on the newcomer. For one fleeting moment, he thought he was back in his memories as he found himself staring into familiar blue orbs, but then the scent came to him and he turned away in disappointment.

"I thought you went to bed Ceotae…"

Her smile was evident, even though he wasn't looking at her, and she quietly sat beside him. They were silent for a long while, just staring at the lake and watching the reflections of the stars on its glassy surface. "What were you thinking about?"

Her question tore him up as the memories flamed anew. "My mother…"

"Oh…" Ceotae looked at him, her smile gone and replaced with a worried frown. "I'm sorry."

Unbidden anger towards her flared up within him as she said that. He didn't want her pity! "No you aren't! You don't even know a thing about me! You have now idea what type of a hell my life has been!" The second the words left his mouth, he regretted them, and braced himself for a "sit" command. But then he remembered that Kagome was sleeping, and noticed that Ceotae was simply staring at him sadly.

"Actually Inuyasha," she whispered, misery evident on every word, "I do know what you've been through, and I can sympathize." She locked his gaze, the sorrow within her holding firm. "I never knew my father, and I too have lost my mother. You being a hanyou, I'm sure your life was hard, because no one wanted a half breed. Well, my family was all elementals, and we have spiritual powers." She hardened her eyes as she continued, "Only mortals have those abilities, which means that my blood is influenced by human lineage."

Ceotae turned away from Inuyasha, who was dumbstruck. "That's why I have the same emotions as you and the others do. I too have been shunned by all others… until Sesshomaru…" She reached down and ran the tips of her fingers over the surface of the lake. "But you shouldn't let that get to you, not knowing your father I mean." Removing her hand, she let a droplet fall and stopped it before it hit the water with her power. "I knew the Inu no Tashio personally, and, even though Sesshomaru shares some of the same characteristics and abilities, you are definitely more like him." She looked at the half-demon again, allowing the droplet to break the black glass of water below it. "When I look at you, I see your father, and that is something to be proud of. You two share so much, so don't ever think about being something other than what you are…"

After she finished, a deep silence drifted over them. Inuyasha glanced over at her occasionally, transfixed by her simple beauty that imitated his mother's. Even in his human form, he could smell his brother's scent slightly, and decided to break the silence with a question he had been pondering for weeks.

"So… are you like Sesshomaru's mate or something?"

Ceotae's smile grew sad as she reached absentmindedly for the neckline of her kimono. She pulled out a necklace made of ribbon with a horn seashell on the end. Without looking at the hanyou, she began to twist the shell between her fingers, her eyes focusing into a distant memory. "No… but that doesn't change the fact that I love him. We traveled together, and we saved each other's lives." She fixed her gaze upon Inuyasha's and showed him the end of the horn. "His scent remains upon this bead because he fused it onto the bottom with his power." The elemental turned away, and added quietly, "That is why you could smell him when we first met."

"Oh… I guess that makes since…"

Ceotae shook her head gently and let her horn fall out of her grasp. She felt it bump against her chest and she leaned back slightly, trying to block out the uncomfortable feelings that surrounded them as more silence issued. "Kagome has told me many stories of how you have tried to kill her Inuyasha…"

The half demon jerked his gaze towards the yokai, anger and shame a burning blaze behind his eyes. He was about to retort, but the elemental cut through before he could start. "I'm not trying to beat you down, Inuyasha. I'm trying to tell you how lucky you are to have her in your life." She brought her own fiery stare to his, her navy inferno so potent he flinched as though she had truly burned him. "Don't you ever let her go… She cares for you too much for you to just push her away…"

The hanyou looked away, unable to remain under her gaze. He brought his voice down low, his shame making it hard to speak. "She's a good person. I don't deserve her friendship."

He expected to see Ceotae nod out of the corner of his eye, but found that her eyes instead grew gentle. "That's not friendship Inuyasha…" He looked at the elemental in surprise, his heart remaining steady in its furious assault on his ribcage. He waited vainly for her to continue, leaning inattentively in anticipation. Ceotae looked away when he did this, her eyes once again finding outer space as a gloom settled around her features, her smile somehow gaining more sorrow.

"That's love…"

"Feh." Inuyasha looked away, trying to make his cool exterior the perfect opposite to his emotions. "How could she love a half-demon?"

To his surprise, the yokai gave a curt laugh, gaining a startled frown from him. Her eyes remained upon the black glass of water before them, but he could see that the navy depths had returned to the present. "That is simply one of the wonders that makes up your Kagome." She emphasized that word and returned his stare, smirking when she saw her words hit home. "She truly is an astonishing person."

Uncomfortably aware that his cheeks were getting hot, Inuyasha twisted away, looking up at the sky as it brightened with the promise of a new dawn.

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