Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha...wait, hold on a second...(runs to field where two people are fighting, one of the fighters falls defeated)...Flawless Victory...(Holds hand over loser)...Your soul is mine! (Runs back over) Ah, ok, now that that's settled...Enjoy!

Chapter 14 All of your Stars have Fallen

"Kohaku, I have heard many things about you," Yoshi said as the group was shocked into silence. The boy stood, nearly matching Shippo's height. "Do you want that to be the way you're remembered? Some heartless, mindless crony?" Kohaku lunged forward only slightly toward Yoshi.

"You're wrong!" he shouted. "I have a heart!" Yoshi tilted his head, sizing up the young boy.

"Well, then, prove it," Yoshi challenged. "Lead me to Naraku's castle and help me save one of your own!"

"...What good would it do?" Kohaku asked. "Naraku proved once that he can't be retained." He looked in the direction from whence he came. "All this time, I haven't even seen Hakadoshi."

"I don't know what good it would do, Kohaku," Yoshi answered truthfully, "but there's a girl whose soul I personally put on the table. I did it without thinking about her at all." Shippo and Sango looked at the other two with the same look of suspense. "Since it was I who harmed her, it is my job to see that he does not." Kohaku looked back upon Yoshi.

"Kagome...?" he breathed. Anger filled him when Yoshi made silence his answer. "You bastard!" he screamed. "I'll kill you!" The youth lunged at Yoshi, bringing his scythe before him. As he ran, a passing butterfly found its way beneath Kohaku's boot. Kohaku was too focused to think about it as he drew his weapon into a strike against Yoshi. The blade stuck deep within the sheath of Yoshi's ribs, for he made no move to dodge. Letting out a small cry of pain, Yoshi placed a firm hand on Kohaku.

"I know my decision was hasty," he forced on raspy voice, "so I cannot let myself sit idly by...I can't," he paused, "let you kill me!" he shouted; with the last word, he threw Kohaku off of him. The boy hit the ground hard, in shock. "This weapon," he said as he brought his hand to the grip. He began, with much effort, to pull the submersed blade from his skin, "I didn't think it could," the blade began to slid out then, crimson streams poured from the wound, "harm me." With one final jerk, and a cry of pain, Yoshi pulled the blade free. Blood pooled in final spurts as the bloodied tip made its appearance in open air. "Nothing of malice can cut me." He fell to a knee. Sango started, running to Yoshi. Shippo remained where he was, watching patiently.

"Don't move," Sango instructed, putting a hand on Yoshi's shoulder. Yoshi looked her full in the eyes then, his red irises full of compassion.

"I am fine," he assured. Sango's eyes went wide as Yoshi looked back to his ribs and pulled the fabric of his kimono outward. With one last cry of pain, the blood began to disappear from the cloth, and within, the wound started to close up. Through the tear in the now-clean kimono, all could see the skin of Yoshi's ribs bore no trace of the attack. The blood that fell to the ground was also dissipating. The grass began to grow as it seeped into the ground, and the little butterfly caught in the middle of the attack was alive once more. Yoshi stood then, as the insect tested its wings and began to fly.

"It would seem you put more than hate into that weapon to use against me," he surmised. "Tell me then, Kohaku. Was it love?" The boy's eyes narrowed.

"It was," he admitted through his anger, "though it does no good to keep." A tear streaked down his face. "Tell me, Yoshi, do you have any idea what its like to see all of your stars fall!" he demanded. The other was silent.

"So you have seen all of your stars fall?" Yoshi nearly mocked. "Have you heard them hit the ground as well?" he interrogated. "You know nothing of pain! Not until you have heard the sound a star makes when it has truly fallen! The wailing of pain and grinding of teeth! You know not what pain is until you have felt the star strike the ground! Felt as it did, and know that there is nothing more you can do!

"But there is something you can do, Kohaku!" he assured. "Catch your stars now so that you will not have to hear them fall!" Kohaku started. "A shattered star is an unsolvable puzzle."

...At Naraku's Castle...

Kagome rested against Naraku within the quiet of the castle courtyard. Her liege absently ran fingers through her smooth tresses. Deep within him he felt the need to keep her with him.

"Onigumo," he thought, "Still worthless as ever. I've only re-collected you this morning, and already you're compelling me to this woman." Kagome stirred against him; he took a liking to her doing that. She was so warm against him. "Hmmm...I guess I'll just have to rid myself of you again when the time comes, then, now won't I?" He stroked her wrist, looking at the strategic scar he left to mark her.

"Naraku," Kagome breathed in her sleep. In her dreams she fought with battling notions. "Naraku-sama, there is..." Naraku looked upon her, intrigued.

"There is what, my Kagome?" he asked gently. She nuzzled closer next to him.

"Am I going to die?" she asked without knowing.

Naraku didn't answer.

...Inside the Southern Lands...

There was due celebration when Kai reached his home in the Southern lands. It was the first time he'd returned in over seven years. Seizaburou hugged his arm tightly as they walked the corridors of the still standing castle. Once a proud monument of power, it stood only for his people's sake. Sesshomaru's "treaty" stripped it of any real power. Nonetheless, Kai was still treated as Kai-sama. Lord of the Southern Lands.

"Buntaro," Kai greeted as his cousin came forward, sporting the coy grin his people were famous for.

"Kai," Buntaro returned, opening his arms to receive the friendly hug from his kin and liege. "Seizaburou found you just fine, didn't she?" Kai drew back, looking to Seizaburou expectantly. She came to him on cue, accepting his found embrace.

"Thank you for sending her, cousin," he said, holding her tightly. "I couldn't have asked for anything greater." The few members of Kai's extended family and the many soldiers of his vast army let out a cheer.

"Well, it is time for our lord to stop scrubbing floors and start making some heirs!" Another cheer from the ambitious crowd. Seizaburou blushed as Kai laughed. He looked at her and planted a kiss on her un-expecting lips. As she got over the initial shock, she closed her eyes and pulled her arms around his neck. Whistles and hoots resounded in the main hall of the castle. Kai looked about, grinning from ear to ear after the kiss was complete.

"Break out the game and good sake! Call upon the musicians and dancers!" he shouted. "Today is due for celebration! My kingdom shall feast this night!" A roar of approval resounded throughout the building.

"Shall our lord do some celebrating of his own!" a voice from the crowd jeered. The room erupted in laughter. Kai looked in the direction it came from.

"That is for me to know my friend," he shouted, still smiling. Still more laughter. Seizaburou turned red as a cherry as Kai swung in for another public kiss. Needless to say, everyone approved.

...x...

The hall was livid with good cheer as the people of Kai's kingdom ate and drank their fill. Dancers and musicians performed in the open spaces in the dimming torchlight of the hall. Kai avoided sitting on the throne of the room the entire night, so no one knew for sure if he was there or not. He was, smiling and dancing with Seizaburou as the music grew softer and slower. He leaned into her ear.

"Shall we slip out?" he breathed. Seizaburou shivered, grinning.

"Kai-chan, you really must have missed me," she laughed. He tightened his arms around her, leaning over her shoulder.

"More than you could possibly know," Kai assured. Seizaburou returned the embrace.

"Let's go then," she whispered under the music. Kai led her away. Through the corridors only he knew, he guided her to his living space. It was quite large, with silken pillows and drapes, all in elaborate golds and violets. He laid her down atop a massive pile of the soft cushions, his fingertips just barely sliding the length of her arm. He moved to lay as well, but Seizaburou stopped him.

"Kai, are you going to remain here after this, or will you depart?" she asked. Kai sat beside her on the cushions, holding her left hand between his palms.

"You know that I cannot stay," he answered with some degree of regret in his voice. "I cannot risk the suspicion I would acquire from Sesshomaru." Seizaburou grimaced, adverting her gaze away from Kai.

"Sesshomaru," she hissed. "Why won't you just end him?" She looked back up to Kai, still angry. "He's humiliating you, Kai. He's humiliating your sister, and he's-"

"Humiliating you, precious?" Kai interrupted. Seizaburou shook her head, her expression becoming a sad one.

"No, my all, my Kai," she moused. "He is keeping you from me." Kai leaned down and kissed her lips.

"Nothing and no one could ever keep me away from you," he assured, "and I am sorry I've been absent so long." Seizaburou sat up.

"No, Kai," she argued, "he is. For seven years, he has," she said sadly, leaning into him. Kai drew his arms about her.

"Then let me make it up to you," he requested softly.

"My lord, my liege, my love," she voiced into his chest. "The only thing you could do for this is end him." Kai stroked her hair.

"I cannot do that, Seizaburou," he apologized. "With Sesshomaru gone, his borders would become chaotic. There will be more war. I'd be putting you in danger." "And Rin," he thought to himself, "could she really withstand his death?"

"I am not afraid," she declared. "As long as I could be with you."

"I am with you now," he responded. "So let us stop this discussion and seize the moment. There may not be a tomorrow." Seizaburou kissed him gently, still trying to stop the tears...

...At Sesshomaru's Castle...

"Kai-chan?" Rin voiced lowly as she opened the servant's chamber door. It was empty. Silently, the girl wondered whatever happened to him. She hadn't seen him since early that morning, and it was odd for Kai to just go off without saying anything. She pouted and closed the door behind her. There was nowhere for her to be right now, as Sesshomaru was in bad humor with Inuyasha.

...x...

Sango told Miroku everything that transpired outside the castle courtyards earlier that day. About Yoshi and Kohaku and seeing Shippo again. The monk thought to himself.

"So Kohaku is leading this Yoshi to Naraku's castle? Why didn't you follow?" he asked.

"Yoshi wouldn't allow it," she answered. "Said something about coming back when the time was right."

"And Inuyasha," Miroku began, "Have you told him yet?" Sango shook her head.

"Kohaku said it would be best not to, but I'm not sure of his reason," Sango was suddenly sad then. "Kohaku...will he ever be alright?" She began to cry then as Miroku encircled her in his arms.

"Everything will be fine," he reassured. "If Kohaku had that much control, Naraku's influence must be get-ting weaker." Sango tightened her hold on Miroku.

"I hope that's true..."

...Author's Note Below...

AN: So...Seizaburou wants Kai to kill Sesshomaru, but Kai doesn't seem to want to, Kohaku is leading Yoshi to Naraku, Rin is looking for Kai and is sad about his absence, and Inuyasha isn't allowed to know what's going on? Hmmm...so many plot devices...Review peoples! Love ya'!