Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, or any nursery rhymes.

The Mother Goose Escapades

No. 47

Star light, star bright,

First star I see tonight,

I wish I may, I wish I might,

Have the wish I wish tonight.

Far above the beings that looked up from earth, something magical was taking place. As heads looked up at the night sky, a shooting star streaked across it, leaving something akin to a sparkling tail behind it. Across feudal Japan that night, many wishes were made...

...but which wish made it first?

Kaede was sitting outside her hut as she counted the stars. Her old age was causing slight insomnia for whatever reason, and she found counting the stars helped put her to sleep. When she saw the tiny pinprick of light shoot across the sky, she frowned, remembering a night long ago when she had once made a wish as a child. Foolishly, she had wept for her sister to be back among the living. It had taken time, but she was indeed back. Shaking her head, Kaede went back inside, determined not to make another mistake.

I wish this nightmare would end, and the world to return to its proper order...

Kagome was lying flat on her back, staring up at the sky. When she saw that star fly across the sky she smiled. Wasn't there supposed to be something magical about them? Before this whole thing started, she might have refused to believe such a thing. But now...here she was, surrounded by the most magical story of all.

I wish Inuyasha and I can have a happily ever after...

Sango had been having trouble sleeping lately. She wasn't sure why, but something felt wrong to her. It wasn't due to her commitment to Miroku, of that she was certain. That was why, when she saw the star across the sky she had no hesitation when she thought about what she really wanted. The chill in the air led her to believe things would be changing soon.

I wish Kohaku could have a happy ending with us all...

It didn't seem right to Shippou, that he was always being left out of things. Sure, he knew he was younger than everyone, but he still wanted to be involved, part of the group. There was something to say for his attachment to Kagome and Inuyasha, he knew. They were not parents, but they had taken care of him when his own parents were no longer there. He saw the star shoot across the sky and wondered, in his childish mind, what he wanted most of all.

I wish I could repay Inuyasha and Kagome back...

Miroku had been watching Sango not sleep, and wanted to do something for her. He could tell she too had noticed something changing, that this long tale was going to have an end of some sort soon. He glanced up at the sky just in time to see the shooting star, and he found himself smiling at it. He looked back at Sango, with her eyes now peacefully closed. The fact that she had promised to commit to him still astounded him.

I wish things would turn out happily for my dear Sango and myself...

Almost every night he could remember Inuyasha had watched the stars, but never had he seen a shooting star such as this one. It was just one more thing that struck something in him, one more symbol that things were going to be changing soon. His mind went to Kikyou, but he looked down and his heart went out to Kagome. And just like that, the dead miko was gone from his mind. Remnants still remained, but all he could think about was Kagome, that beautiful girl from the future who had promised him they would remain together. He smiled.

I wish Kikyou would forgive me and rest in peace...

Normally Rin was asleep at this time of night, but she felt antsy. Sesshoumaru-sama had been slowly walking the perimeter of the place they currently were sleeping, and she found she couldn't sleep, not with him seeming almost...tense. Something big was happening, she realized, something that was beyond her own mind, but that didn't mean she didn't take note. Swallowing hard, Rin wondered if something was going to happen to the one person who protected her. Still, utmost faith in the taiyoukai caused her to cast out foolish thoughts, and so, when she glanced up at the sky and saw the shooting star, she only smiled in its beauty.

I wish I could always have a family such as this...

Jaken was feigning sleep, but mostly was keeping an eye on Sesshoumaru-sama. Something was definitely going on, something that was going to change things. Jaken didn't know for certain what that could be, but he figured it must have something to do with that hideous Naraku creature. The being was rising to formidable power and unless stopped, would probably take over...the world. Wanting to have the utmost faith in the taiyoukai currently pacing the grounds, Jaken found his faith being tested. Though he hid it well, Sesshoumaru was nervous. Jaken saw the shooting star and it unnerved him a little bit more.

I wish Sesshoumaru-sama has the power to slay Naraku and prove he deserves his father's title...

Sesshoumaru sniffed the air and glanced up at the night sky. Things were quickly getting out of hand concerning Naraku, and the taiyoukai could feel the winds of change sweeping over the lands he protected. Something was going to happen, and not knowing what it was was driving him mad. How could he protect those who needed it if he didn't know what they needed protecting from? Growling softly in frustration, Sesshoumaru stared at the shooting star. What would his father do? No, Sesshoumaru knew...his father had already done it.

I wish I can protect those whom I need to protect...

Kanna, that nothing creature, stared up at the night sky as she stood next to her master. The boy was beside her, but her little sister was not anymore. She certainly had the freedom she long desired. Kanna, devoid of anything, stood motionless as her dark eyes took in the shooting star. The boy shifted beside her as her master made to move. Kanna, empty vessel, blinked once before attaching her gaze back on her master. The boy bowed his head, and she heard the quiet sniffle.

I wish I knew what to wish...

Kohaku remembered, but for once remained silent. He saw the shooting star and its arcing trail reminded him of his weapon as it flew threw the night towards his family and comrades. He bit his lip as he thought of his dear sister, constantly trying to rescue him, save him from himself. The tears were coming. He felt the shard grow warm in his back, the life force he now had. Kohaku wasn't dumb. He knew that shard was all that was keeping him alive, it had been too long. Once it was removed, that would be it. How would Sango respond, he wondered dully. He didn't want to die, but he didn't want to live either.

I wish I could escape this imprisonment of a life...

Kikyou wove her way through the trees on her way to meet with Naraku. Something was going to be done to him tonight, she decided. Inuyasha was a lost cause, there was no doubt there. Rather than suffer a non-life, the dead miko decided to cut her losses and attempt to take Naraku down. She was not totally gone from this world yet, and had been her life to destroy beings such as Naraku. It would be a duel to the death, Kikyou knew. Things would change after tonight. She glanced up to see the shooting star and a cold smile crossed her face.

I only wish I can destroy Naraku for Inuyasha's sake...

Naraku watched the dead miko approach him, saw her ready her attack. He almost laughed in delight, ready for far to long for this battle. He had known it would come eventually – the hate the miko had would only last so long before she would grow weak as before. Time and time again, Naraku had learned that patience was his most valuable weapon in this battle he had undertaken. Now he launched his own attack, heard her cries of agony, and as he drew close to her before she died again, he grinned cruelly.

"I do wish I don't have to kill you a third time."

Author's Notes: Well, I tried to stay sort of true to the series line since I'm wrapping it up. I believe Kagura died in both anime and manga, and I know Kikyou died in the anime and apparently might be dying soon in the manga, so there you are. I tried to give her a somewhat respectable death, because I think she would have one. Anyway, this was a neat way to write, I think. That leaves us with 47 -check- and 3 -not check-...