Hurray for a fluff chapter. It can only get better from here on out.

Chapter 16: Catching Moons and Storms

"Kagome, Kagome! I caught another one!" the kit cried in joy as he ran to her.

"Very good, Shippou-chan," she took the net from him and emptied yet another butterfly into their large tank, "I think we're going to need a bigger tank soon if we don't let some go, though."

Shippou pouted and puckered his lips, "But we've already let all the old ones go."

She rubbed his red hair and giggled, "I know, but as long as more butterflies come for us to catch, we'll just have to make room for them."

Shippou emptied his pockets, which were filled with leaves and twigs for the tank. They both took care to putting them inside without letting the butterflies escape.

Inuyasha, the hanyou perched in the single tree on the hill, had nothing unusual on his mind, except many the occasional pondering of his life. The storm that was his existence continued to shake the earth. Every memory he had from childhood left a mark of strong and deadly winds, so strong that the vibrations of it still echoed back to him. The very nature of human emotion void from his presence, he felt as though everyone he had ever laid eyes upon had abandoned him. He was their sacrifice to the world that hadn't loved them either, that fed their loved ones to various youkai. All around him, there was hatred. If he was lucky, the winds would disperse for but a moment to reveal memories of his mother, and happier moments with Kikyo. But they were all illusions of the storm, meant to lure him away further into the chaos until he would be ripped apart by the pain.

His thoughts were interrupted by the laughter of Kagome, a laughter which he hadn't heard in the three weeks since the well was closed. The tension in his face instantly loosened, and he forgot his pain. Her laughter always broke away the clouds in his eyes, made him see the sun again. Too little had he noticed the wonder of a full moon or a bright sun, for in his mind they were hardly there. She was why he now considered them to be so precious, too few to take advantage of. On this night, she broke away the clouds on a full moon. Taking in that treasured moment, he relished in its glow, breathing in its beams until filled with it. His amber gaze never left Kagome, who was becoming more and more his last salvation. Every smile was the gateway to a moment of cherished peace. The eyes of the storms, as it were.

With a silly wave, the kitsune bid Kagome goodnight and made his way to the hut where a warm blanket was waiting for him. Kagome remained. Without reason to, just pleasure. As she eyed the butterflies, she couldn't help but feel sad that they would die so quickly. Who knew how long before she might have to remove their dead bodies from the tank. Such beauty, in her mind, should be free to roam the skies forever. It was a cruel fate that something so magnificent was so given such a short time for brilliance. What made her smile in contrast was seeing the small cocoons lining the leaves, an indication at least to her that life would not stop, time would not stop.

Constantly, her thoughts went back to her family, and how she missed them. It became easier as time passed on to get by, but it also felt like it was getting harder. It felt like forever since she had seen them, and if it seemed so, it had to have been. But this reminder that they were still alive and well was of great comfort. She was one of those cocoons, isolated from time itself until allowed to break free again and take flight.

A southern wind enveloped her skin and she wrapped her arms around herself as she shivered. The winds soon died, but left her with the same chill as before. She felt so sure that something lingered overhead, waiting for her to make her next move before it struck her down lightning fast. Waiting for a flicker of warmth to soothe away her fears before piercing her heart in one swift thrust. As she gazed into the cloudless sky, she smiled at the full moon which cooed her. The moon was known for being cold, yet she felt no shiver looking upon it. She closed her eyes and allowed the beams to caress her skin with warmth. The heat ran more than so much deeper than the skin, it was like it had become a part of her. The writhing muscles and bones now as soft as cream, Kagome felt as though she might faint. For the first time in at least three weeks, she felt a sense of ultimate protection, as though she was not only safe, but maybe even…

It didn't take long to realize that it wasn't the moon to warm her, but a red haori that slipped around her. She gasped as she glanced up to see Inuyasha right above her, his hands still pressed to her shoulders. The innocence in his eyes exploded into a thousand pieces of curiosity, she couldn't even begin to understand. The moonlight sparkled in the form of tiny flecks in his amber eyes, bought to life the white in his silver hair, and created the wonder that was Inuyasha. He didn't move as he stared at her breathtaking glow as well. The hanyou silently cursed the moon for making her so glorious before him. As soon as her gaze met his and captured him, all sound died away… all movement. Another eye.

Inuyasha had never stopped to consider what touching Kagome would make him feel. As many times as he had before, it was never enough to convince him that he knew her. Somehow, he needed to feel her again, everyday, just to make sure he had her touch just right. The feel of her skin was how he knew her best. If blind and deaf, even with no nose, Inuyasha knew that he could find Kagome just by the feeling of her in his arms. When his hands grabbed onto her, he suddenly held the universe in his hands. One so fragile it might shatter even if he let go. He would cradle it in his mind, in his heart.

In her presence, he became purged of all evil, purified in a stronger way than she could ever know. There could be no doubt what he had become in those moments. Not a human, nor a youkai, nor a hanyou… but it had no name to speak of. Some dormant part of him that whispered into the dead of night for Kagome, some listless rhythm that suddenly leaped into rapid fire, and the heat of the Kaze no Kizu running from his soul to his fingertips. For those few moments, Inuyasha felt the power of a god.

Seeing that glow in her eyes made him dare to believe anything, and nothing scared him more than that. He pulled his arms away from her shoulders and turned his stare to some miscellaneous spot among the treetops, speaking in his usual gruff tone, "It's cold. We should go inside."

Without waiting for an answer, he began slow footsteps towards the hut. His ears dropped forward and his lips automatically formed into a pout. Her voice stopped him, "Wait."

He turned to look at her again, and already the attitude he demonstrated was slipping from him. She had to catch her breath before continuing, "Sit with me, just for a little while. Please?"

Knowing full-well he could never deny the silk in her voice, he rolled his eyes and returned to her side, sitting with his hands tucked into his sleeves as he looked at the ground. But he wouldn't face her. He turned his back on her. "Keh."

She sighed sadly and looked away from him before she could catch his ears twitching repeatedly. Her hands rustled the grass, and his sensitive ears could pick it up. The pace of her breathing, he could hear as well. He could listen to her movements and the rustle of the elements that gave way to her glory for as long as he had the ears to hear them.

"Do you remember, Inuyasha, when we first met?" Kagome said softly.

"Keh, how could I forget?" He replied bluntly, but something with a life of its own came through in his voice, and Kagome relished in the sound.

Through everything that had happened to her over the past few years, two things had remained constant: the moon and Inuyasha. It was why they both brought her such comfort when she was away from her family, possibly forever. As she recalled that day when she discovered she couldn't go home, one thing stood out more than anything else. That was when she had tumbled down the hill, only to have Inuyasha stop her, to hold her in his arms and comfort her as she wept. He watched over her that night while she slept, tracing her features and setting her every atom aglow. 'Inuyasha, you are my moon.'

Her head turned away from him, afraid to ask him the unsaid question. If he had asked it of her, she would give him the world, or at least as much as her strength would allow. Somehow, she trusted that much in herself to know that she loved Inuyasha, but did she trust Inuyasha? With that thought, she shook her head in spite of herself, reminding herself that from the bottom of her broken heart, she did. When she had first met him, the girl from the future cared not for this time, nor for him. Her only wish had been to go home. Now, her home was gone. But something had changed since two years. Where did she find comfort now? In the confines of her room or the love of her friends? Or the everlasting protection of a hanyou known only as Inuyasha?

"You tried to kill me, then, I remember," she replied.

His ears twitched more and he grimaced. "I remember."

"You trusted no one," she said.

He wanted to say he still didn't, that he never would as long as he lived, but his tongue betrayed him, "Yes…"

She smiled. She could tell by his voice that he was embarrassed, "How much have things changed, Inuyasha? Am I different?"

He turned enough so that he could see her out of the corner of his eye, and he ran his gaze over her raven hair. It blew lightly in the wind, along with the rise and fall of his own breath. Just as beautiful has he had always known her to be. 'You haven't changed. You're still Kagome. I hope you always will be.'

"Nah," he stated instead of what was truly on his mind.

"And how about you, Inuyasha?" She glanced over her shoulder as he turned away from her gaze.

Lifting his claws in front of him, he eyed the sharp nails, grimaced at the reminder of what he said he always wanted to become, what he was half of already. To think that he could become a youkai, forget his human heart… forget Kagome…'A monster,' he thought.

"What a stupid question. I don't look any different."

She shrugged and stretched, "I suppose not physically, but I think you've changed. I certainly hope you don't hate me anymore."

His body turned around completely to face her, a look of astonishment on his face. He opened his mouth to yell at her, but backed away. His eyes twinkled into the emptiness of space, hoping that somehow she could feel it vibrating through the air. 'I… could never hate you, Kagome.'

Her head was bowed, but she possessed a look of hope even as he looked at her profile. She nodded knowingly towards him, "I'm glad."

Changing the subject as fast as possible, Inuyasha eyed the butterfly tank and signaled towards it, "How many have you got now?"

Kagome smiled, "Fourteen."

He smirked for but a second, and then reached out his closed hand. She eyed him curiously as he opened the tank with his one hand and used the other to reach inside. The butterflies began to panic a bit, but cowered away from the imposing hand rather than trying to escape. When he opened his palm, a monarch flew out of his grasp and joined the others, as well as joined the panic. Kagome looked at Inuyasha in wonder as he closed the tank again. He leaned back and looked back to her for approval, and he saw it shining in her eyes. Inuyasha looked at her appreciative gaze for but a moment and smirked, "Fifteen."

Her smile was so bright, he felt as though he would die right then and there from the bliss of it all. It screamed something he was sure he had never received before, something that etched itself in his bones, leaving the mark on him forever. The question lingered in his mind, if she thought he was a fool for wanting her, if she was a fool for thinking such a thing were so incredible. "What?"

She knew what she wanted to say, but she knew he would be too embarrassed to know she had seen his sensitive side. In the end, she simply looked away again, leaving him a bit uneasy. She didn't notice behind her black hair as he stared at her intently. How many times had he watched her, a smile tugging at his lips, the urge to run to her? Over the years, he had lost count. For a few minutes, they sat in silence, unsure of what to say. Kagome fidgeted with her fingers, and Inuyasha's ears twitched. Finally, Kagome had enough and turned to face him, "Can I ask you something, Inuyasha?"

He shrugged simply, "Doesn't mean I'll answer."

"Back then, when I fell down the hill, why did you stop me?" she asked sweetly.

Pink rose to his cheeks before he had the time to notice it. At times he wondered why he always flew to her rescue, putting everything else aside to do so. But it was like walking for him. "I… you were gonna roll down into the valley, what was I supposed to do?"

"I suppose, but I wouldn't have died or anything. You didn't have to come for me."

He peered out through his silvery bangs, trying to keep down the lingering aspiration that her presence provided, "I had to catch you."

How he spoke to her seemed like it was a common fact, however the way he looked at her made a thousand daydreams reverberate in her head. Ripples of dormant emotions grew and grew from within her core until she felt she might burst. Nearly every happy thought she had about him came back to her in a stampede of silver and amber. She could feel every moment his arms wrapped around her protectively, every scream for her name, and every tender look she received from him. Her eyes shifted to the butterflies, and his gaze followed hers. Her voice was so gentle and warm it set his very soul aflame, "You always catch me…"

And she said more to herself than him that despite what he may have thought, "You always keep me."

He turned his head away out of shame, unable to look at her beauty. It was too powerful for him to trust himself anymore. And those words… sounded like he really could keep her. He inwardly groaned. It was a mistake to be out there with her. The urge to reach out to her assailed him, and he fought to keep his hands pressed against the ground. He had… responsibilities to Kikyo. How could he ignore that now? For three weeks, he had watched Kagome and felt the ache in his heart that he could not have her. Because honor was the only thing truly his now. Kikyo was forced to wander the world as the undead, helping to heal the wounded, witnessing people dying, consuming souls only to take on the burdens of their lives through their memories, feeling no warmth on her skin, and all for no compensation. He had to be her compensation for all the tragedy she had to face every day, for being killed by Naraku. He owed her this. He owed her his life.

Kagome's breath slowed down as she watched him. She could tell he was disturbed. Seeing as he was a dog-demon, one idea came to her mind on how to draw him out of his depression. She reached out with one hand and gently massaged his left ear. The tiny white hairs brought yet another smile to her face as she rubbed. To her surprise, Inuyasha didn't pull away. Rather he fell into her touch, and she giggled as she saw his left foot start to kick back. Inuyasha pulled back at her laugh, finally realizing what his reaction had been to her satin fingers. He instinctively reached out his hand to take hers off his head, and he glared at her for a moment. Those ears had betrayed him more times then he could count, pleading for the touch of Kagome, begging for her soft hands.

His annoyed stare fell short though, and his eyes lingered on the hand that stayed in his. The hand that wouldn't move away. The hand that remained constantly within his grasp, which always reached out to him, kept him away from the darkness that was the day. The hand that smothered him from the harsh winds that threatened to break his skin. Kagome, who was the center of his inmost calm, and the one who relieved the burden in more ways than she could ever know, was all that broke through the clouds. 'Kagome, you are…'

The lullaby of his own heart invaded his ears, deafening in its thump against his ribs. He was surer now that it wanted to break free of its prison. A rampant desire to kiss her, to taste her rose fresh in his mind and in his heart. Never had he wanted something quite so badly before. It was something he knew he could never have, but his instincts had different plans. His fingers squeezed tighter as he seemed to gravitate towards her. Her lips parted into a silent gasp under his intense gaze. Somehow nothing else moved or even existed. Only a hanyou and a miko and some butterflies underneath a full moon and an invisible storm that was their lives. That was all they really needed, after all. If nothing else, that would suffice. The pressure on his own heart was consuming, every breath a vast chore. Inuyasha's breath crept onto her skin as he came closer, she didn't even know what to expect. She didn't even comprehend what he was doing. For about two seconds as his lips paused just an inch from hers, she couldn't help but wonder… if maybe…

He couldn't help it, couldn't control himself. The innate beckoning ran through him like wildfire, and his aura felt like it exploded as he gently pressed his lips against hers. The cry to taste her compelled him to kiss her. He was lost the moment he grabbed her hand. He was weak, he was… quite possibly… in love. The power that shot through them both made her heart cry out to every little being that this was how it was always meant to be. He was her savior, her one comfort left in the world. She knew long ago that she would die for him, but it was only know that she knew she would live for him. His presence christened hers in the mere sway of his body, and she became holy. No more a mere priestess, but a saint, Kagome alone conquered the world. She no longer wished to fall, but to be carried forever in his sweet embrace. Her soul pulled at his, embraced him, promising to never let go even after they parted in the physical world.

Whether it lasted a second or an eternity, the endless visions of love bombarded him and broke him. Mountains crumbled, the oceans receded to the point where everything became flat. Every creature disappeared, so there could be no more death, nor life. The sky grew black and icy cold. The gods themselves shook under the fury of the earth, the sudden unbearable heartbreak. And then, just as quickly as the world had come to an end, life burst through the ashes. In an ecstasy of power, it spread like wildfire, consuming the earth in painful joy. Inuyasha felt as his human heart cracked and crumbled, then burst into a crash of thunder and lightning, slowly reforming into a utopia of his very own. Here within the confines of his romance, there could be no death, no pain, no responsibilities. Drunk with her love, he quenched his thirst for a new life, a better life.

The contact of his lips made shivers shake down her spine all the way to her feet and he felt her quiver suddenly. The shock of what he had down rescued him of his bliss and he broke away from her almost as soon as the kiss had begun. He scrambled back a few feet, as though she had poisoned him. The look on his face would have been priceless if it hadn't nearly crushed Kagome's heart as she held back the whimper in her throat. He was flushing furiously and his face was constricted with horror. He gulped and pleaded forgiveness, "I'm sorry. So sorry."

The words cut her deeper than he could ever know. She couldn't even say a thing. He got to his feet. "I'm… I just… you look like…"

He wanted to say she looked like a goddess, like some ethereal beckoning him with her beauty to kiss her even without her consent. In his weakness, he had not found the strength to resist. The hanyou had never felt so ashamed for leading her on like that. The beauty of her very soul seemed to have forced his lips on hers. It disgusted him. Did the world truly hate him so much they would tease him with Kagome's kisses before stealing her away?

But Kagome would never have assumed that's what he wanted to say, naturally. The sadness in Kagome's eyes was hidden away by her black bangs. He turned his body away from her, just in time to miss the anguish in her eyes. She forced a smile, "I know. You thought I was Kikyo for a moment."

He stopped short, "Huh?"

"It's okay. I know you're really tired. You were just mistaken, that's all."

"I…"

He wanted, yearned to correct her judgment, but even he knew it was better this way. After all, it wasn't fair to Kagome or to Kikyo that he had kissed her. He finally sighed and nodded his head, then bowed his head low in his shame. "I'm sorry. It didn't mean anything. I hope I didn't scare you."

He had half-expected her to run away from him, away from his grasp and his love. Any other human or youkai in their right mind would run away from a low-life hanyou. How he prayed she would be the exception. But his own words hurt him even more. The blackest of lies, it had been. He eyed her in shock as she looked to him with a huge smile, "It's alright, Inuyasha. I understand. It meant nothing to me either."

All the air escaped his lungs silently. The kiss meant nothing to her? He regained his composure before she could notice, "Come on, let's go inside."

She sighed in disappointment that his gruff attitude had returned. She walked past him without a second glance to make her way to the hut. 'Don't cry, Kagome. You can't cry. What would he think of you?'

Inuyasha stayed outside a few seconds later than her. He clenched his fists until he was close to drawing blood. His gaze was somewhat angry, but more it was sad than anything else. This was what he wanted. He had to be with Kikyo, no matter how much he yearned for Kagome, there could be no question what he had to do. Besides, Kagome deserved better than him. What had he to offer her but a life of solitude? Who would take in the lover of a hanyou? They hadn't taken in his mother for loving a youkai. Why would Kagome be any different? 'No, you can't think about that, baka. It ain't even gonna happen.'

The tingle of their kiss still lingered on his lips. It may have lasted less than a second, but somewhere within her kiss he could taste eternity, not the bitter side, but the sweet part. The part even beyond the world of the living. Not even Kikyo's kiss could make him feel that way. And Kagome… thought it was nothing. He scoffed into the emptiness of the night, 'Nothing. Kagome, to me that kiss was like… it was like… like I could have kept you.'

Flushed and a little downhearted, he followed Kagome's lead back into the hut, knowing full well he would get no sleep that night regardless.

To be continued…

Oooh, I'm so mean. Well at least I let them kiss. For awhile I was gonna make it close but no cigar. That'll give something for that baka to think about.

Kawaii-CherryWolf: Haha, yeah I did notice. This ain't a Kikyo-basher, just so you know, but…. Ah, I can't tell ya. You wouldn't want that, now would ya? Haha. (hugs)

Princess of stars: Thank you kindly, darlin'. And you're uber awesome for responding. (hugs)

Helikakileh: Aww, hugs for me? Hurray! Life is good! I'm glad it's drawing you in, cause I don't want anyone to leave before I get to the good stuff. (hugs)

Mental Mess: I'll explain it, and I'm sooo excited about it. Teeheehee! (hugs)

Random Reader: Oh, don't even get me started on the crying. He's so… cute… hot… puppy ears……Waaaaaah… (hugs)

Inuyasha05: You're close, reeeeal close, but no cigar. Keep checking in, and all will be revealed. (hugs)

EmeraldShine: Haha, yeah… yeah I do. Well I hope whatever you're thinking is wrong, cause I want it to be a big surprise. Probably won't reveal who it is for quite a while though. (hugs)

Jenn-silent breed: Well I'll be sad, but at least I'm not losing you for good. You're such a loyal reviewer and all. (hugs)

kawaiibritt: I love getting all poetic. Glad when you enjoy it. (hugs)

mooximxaxwhile: Bah, you don't waste my time, silly. I love reviews, and I love that you love this story. (hugs)

Lacey Beans: Kiaaa! Cookie! Gimme gimme gimme! I HATE DIET FOOD! GO AWAY, DIET FOOD! (hugs)

InuyashaGal: You're probably right about it, since everyone else seems to know. Oh well. The surprise really is later, anyway. Well, I'll reveal it next chapter. (hugs)

srg1: I'm really glad you said that, cause I was worried about that point coming across. Glad it got through. Thanks for all your support. (hugs)