The True Holder of Shikon

Disclaimer - Don't own Inuyasha.

Chapter 33 - Moonless Night

XxXxX

Kagome looked out the window in curiosity. She had no idea why Inuyasha had taken to staring out it like the end of the world was approaching.

"What's gotten into you?" She asked softly. They were in the privacy of her room so no one would interrupt their flow of conversation. "Why are you suddenly so quiet?" She got up from her desk and sat down on her bed.

"I'm waitin'." He said quietly. "The new moon is tonight." Her eyes widened. She had forgotten about that. "I wanted to come here so that Naraku wouldn't find out about it." She got back up and sat down next to him on the floor.

"Inuyasha, you don't have to worry about anything in this time. You being human tonight-" She stopped and stared at him with a wide smile on her face. He blinked and looked over at her.

"What are you thinking?" He didn't really like the look on her face. "Whatever it is, I don't want to be involved."

"You can go out with me tonight! Come on, we can have so much fun! That and we can be alone together." A blush spread across his face. She stood up and went over to her closet. "I'll start getting ready. Maybe..." She looked back at him before frowning. "Those clothes have to go if you're going to look normal." She bit her lip. "I could look through the clothes in the attic and see if any of my father's things fit you."

"W-Why?" He didn't get an answer but, instead, Kagome dragged him with her out her door and then up more stairs. "What are you doing?" They disturbed quite a bit of dust, which made the hanyou sneeze uncontrollably.

"My father's clothes are in some boxes up here. I don't know if they'd fit you..." She pulled one box down and opened it to find jeans and t-shirts, all neatly folded and untouched by any of the dust that must have laid in the room for years. She picked out a pair of jeans and a red t-shirt before tossing them to him. "Now for some socks, shoes, and..."

"Why did you keep all this stuff?" He asked curiously. "If he's dead or gone...then why keep it?"

"Because...Souta may be little now but sooner or later, he'll get big enough. Mom forgot about these boxes so many times. We were going to get rid of them but...sometimes the past is hard to let go of." She opened another box and found what she was looking for before pulling him back down to the bathroom. "Now, try and get dressed. If you need help, just ask." He nodded and she closed the door as she left him alone. He sorted through the things. A pair of short-like things, boxers, were folded on top with the socks. She had gotten some sneakers, too. He blinked and began to pull off his usual clothes. He set his haori on the counter and looked at himself in the mirror. Less than an hour and he would be completely human for one night.

I don't really want to go out without the security of my powers...

Not to mention that he couldn't even use the Tetsusaiga. He pulled on the boxers, thinking correctly that they went on first. He noticed a tag and looked at the jeans to see the same thing. But the button...was on the opposite side. He had seen Souta dressed in jeans before. The button always went in the front. So, he guessed that the tag went in the back.

"This isn't so hard..." He said to himself as he dressed. Everything seemed to fit him. It wasn't too tight but it was a little on the loose side. Then he pulled the red t-shirt over his head. He went out when he was finished with all but the socks and shoes.

"Good, you did everything right. Let's take your other things into my room." She folded his clothes and rested the sword on top before leading him back to her room. "It's getting darker out now. You'll be losing your powers..." She sighed. "I'll show you how to put the shoes on later. How does everything else fit?"

"A little loose." He stated truthfully. She smiled and left the room for about five minutes before coming back with a belt.

"He never used it but I think it should do the trick." She put it on before looking up at him. "Tell me when it gets just right." He nodded and she pulled. He gave her the signal on the third hole and she stood up when she was finished. "Now, I think I'll get dressed. Wait here for me." She took her clothes and went to the bathroom. He figured she would want to bathe. He wouldn't mind doing that when they got back. She came back in about a half-hour with damp hair but she was all set to go. He glanced out the window and noticed that it was almost time. They waited until his silver hair changed to black and his amber eyes to violet. His dog ears vanished to be replaced by normal human ears. "Come on." She grabbed some things and pulled him downstairs. "Mom, Inuyasha and I are going out for a while! We'll be back later."

"All right, dear. Just have Inuyasha wear the hat..." The woman trailed off when she walked into the room. "I-Inuyasha, is that you?" He nodded.

"I'm human for the night." He explained hastily before Kagome pressed him to watch her. She was dressed in a short pleated black skirt with a red sleeveless shirt. He noticed she was pulling on knee-high black stockings and then slipping into a pair of black shoes that looked kind of like her normal brown ones. So, he sat down and put on the socks before she helped him with the sneakers. When they were finished, her mother gave them some money and they left. He pulled out his rosary beads from under the shirt and ran his fingers along them. They got down to the bottom of the steps and Kagome took his hand, intertwining her fingers with his. He smiled at her when she looked back.

"What should we do? There's so many places we can go tonight." She said softly. "I've got an idea. I liked this place the first night Yuka, Eri, and Ayumi brought me here." They arrived at a club for teens. It played all kinds of music that blared from the speakers. Inuyasha felt a little overwhelmed at all of the people that were packed in the room. And none of them stared at him...all except girls who were there with no dates. The dancing was wild and it was something that Inuyasha had never seen before. He knew nothing about dancing. He didn't even know how to slow dance...

"Kagome, I don't...think this is a good idea." She looked back at him with a small frown. "I don't like crowds and I don't know how to dance." He admitted with a pleading look on his face. He also didn't really like the current music they were blasting from the speakers.

"All right, then. We'll go somewhere else." They left and Kagome decided to take him to a place where she used to go as a kid. She remembered running all the way there crying when she found out her father had been killed in a car accident. It was a secluded area that overlooked most of the city. She always used to go there when she was upset. "This place is really special to me." They climbed the small path and came out to the overhang. He stared out at all the bright lights and took in what he could of the city. She took him over to a bench that was set there. It was a place just off the park that people could go to but no one ever did. They sat down and she leaned against him. He rested his cheek in her hair and held her close.

"This place is so...big. I've never seen anything like it." He said softly. "Thank you for all of this, Kagome. I know you're trying to help me forget about being human tonight." She shifted and looked up at him before leaning up and kissing him gently. He loved the fact that he could be with her for a really long time. He was free to love her. She pulled away and brushed his bangs from his face.

"Inuyasha, I wanted to show you the wonders of the modern day. You never would have seen these things..." He noticed her look away. "I wanted to see you experience new things."

XxXxX

Sleepless on the moonless night. That was how one would describe Sango. She sat in the cave with little hope of ever escaping the hateful fate that followed her.

"You should get some sleep." Kouga's voice made her blink away her black thoughts. She looked over at him then back at the bright flames. Her gaze seemed to sate his appetite for a response. But she felt that she should reply anyway.

"I know you are right but...I cannot sleep unless Sesshoumaru is near me. I always feel so safe with him." The wolf youkai chuckled and tossed more wood on the fire.

"Well, you'll have to deal with me tonight. Get whatever you can for rest because tomorrow, you're pointin' me in the direction of that village." She sighed. He smirked at her. "You must really love him." A blush spread across her cheeks. Just the look on her face made him laugh.

"Yeah, I do." He noticed that he really liked her company. "We've been through a lot together. It only brought us closer rather than tearing us apart." She sighed. "I just wish that I wasn't putting him through so much." He looked at the fire.

"When youkai love someone, that person is their life and their future. It doesn't matter what we have to go through." He said softly. "You see, Sesshoumaru knows that he will feel pain. He knows and yet he doesn't care. All he sees is you, Sango." His gaze softened. "Not all youkai are evil like Naraku. We're no different from humans sometimes. We feel pain but we take it better."

"Kouga...thank you." She smiled. "I really needed to hear someone confirm my suspicions." He gave her a look. "Now, you better protect me while I'm asleep." He laughed at her.

"I will. It's a promise!"

XxXxX

Sesshoumaru rolled over and stared at the ceiling. It was stifling hot in the small house where they were all staying. He got up and went outside to bask in the cool night air.

Sango, if you do not return to me... I do not know what I would do.

He looked up at the moonless sky. He wanted to scour every inch of the planet until he found her. But if she was with the wolf and she found her way back... He doubted that Naraku got her. The scent of the wolf was mixed with her scent.

However, with the way the scents vanished like that, I could not be sure. I want to be here if she returns. If, after tomorrow, she does not come back then Naraku will feel my wrath.

Oh, he wanted to kill the hanyou already for what he was putting Sango through. But it would be foolhardy to rush in blind with rage. The fresh air made him tired so he walked to the forest and saw the tree that his brother was pinned to.

"Go-Shinboku..." He whispered; sitting beneath it. A calm feeling washed over him. He felt himself drifting off to sleep as he leaned against it. The presence of the tree was similar to his little brother's. He didn't know why but it made him feel safe. It comforted him somehow. Before he could resist, he was asleep.

XxXxX

"Be quiet. I don't want to wake them up." Kagome pulled Inuyasha into the house behind her. They slid off their shoes just as someone walked out from the kitchen. Daisuke stood there, smiling at them.

"Kagome, may I speak with you in the kitchen?" She nodded and told Inuyasha to wait in her room. He glared warningly at the man before going upstairs. Kagome blushed when her mother's fiancé raised a brow at her. "He's awfully protective. Boyfriend?"

"We just got together." She looked over at the stairs. "You do remember him, don't you? You've seen him before."

"Have I?" She nodded and smiled.

"He had silver hair and dog ears." His eyes widened. "Anyway, is there anything that you wanted to talk to me about?"

"I was just nervous. The wedding day is coming up and I have yet to get to know you." He explained. She sighed and shook her head.

"Not tonight. I'm tired. Tomorrow is a big day, too. All of this stuff is gonna really wear me out." She walked towards the stairs. "Good night." He watched her run up the stairs. After the many times he had been there, he never got to know her. She was never there. All he wanted was to become closer to the whole family.

Kagome walked into her room to see Inuyasha back in his normal outfit. He looked more like her hanyou in the red haori and pants.

"What'd he want?" She shrugged.

"To talk and get to know me. We are going to be family after the wedding." He watched as she picked something from one of her drawers in her dresser. "Be right back." He waited until she came back in. She wore a knee-length t-shirt and a pair of shorts. He raised a brow at her.

"When are we going back through the well?"

"I plan on staying for a little while. At least until the wedding is over." She answered; climbing onto the bed beside him. He wrapped his arms around her and brushed his lips against hers.

"Good night, Kagome." He let go of her and began to get off the bed. She grabbed his arm and pulled him back.

"Where are you going?" He looked at the floor then back at her. "No, you can stay on the bed." She tightened her grip on his arm. His eyes widened. "I want to be beside you." He didn't move. She took it as a refusal of her request. "Please, Inuyasha?" He let out a sigh and took the part of the bed by the wall. She smiled and got up to turn out the light.

"Comfortable?" He asked after she snuggled against him. She nodded.

XxXxX

The morning light shone through the cave on the two sleeping figures. Kouga was a light sleeper so even if a twig snapped, he would hear it and wake up. But that night he had the best sleep of his life. He was curled up near the front of the cave, guarding it, and the cool night air brushed his skin with chilled fingers. Now, he was nice and warm in the sun, his face hidden by his arms and his legs were stretched out. Sango was also still asleep, lying on the bed of hay. She began to stir, feeling the warmth of the day. Falling back asleep was her first priority. She didn't want to wake up. But then she remembered where she was and sat up. Kouga was asleep at the entrance with his back to her she knew she would wake him up if she went by him. However, she really had to go to the bathroom. So, walking as quietly as she could, she passed him and left. She went into the nearest bushes and went as fast as she was able. Then she quietly went back inside.

I wonder how early it is...?

It was pretty early morning since the dew on the leaves of the bush wasn't yet dried up. That and it was only warmer in the sun.

It is still pretty cool from the shade but it is definitely going to be warm today.

She sat down by where the ashes from last night's fire rested. She hoped that Sesshoumaru had enough sense to stay put at the village. About five minutes into her thoughts, Kouga began to stir. He sat up and stretched.

"When do you want to leave?" He looked back at her, fully expecting an answer. "Now would be a good time. I have other business to take care of today. Naraku isn't going to wait around for me to find him." She nodded and stood to get her things.

"I doubt if Sesshoumaru would wait around all day, doing nothing. If I'm not back soon, he will go looking for Naraku." She said as she situated her quiver on her back. Then she secured the bow. "I'm ready when you are." He finished stretching then stood in front of her. He turned around and bent down so she could get onto his back.

"Let's get moving, then." He ran out, going in the direction of the cliff. After a little while, they came to the spot where he had caught her. "Now, obviously, we have to get up there. Where do I go after that?" She looked up.

"There is a path which leads straight to the village. It should only take a moment or two with your speed." He jumped up onto the ledge and they both felt an eerie chill. Then he gave a more powerful leap and got them to the top. She looked back, feeling as though the beauty took her breath away. Then, it began to get further away as Kouga ran swiftly along the path. Around halfway there, the wolf slid to a stop. "What is it?" She peered over his shoulder.

"Saimyoushou." He raised his nose in the air. Then there was a brief pause before he jumped to the side, his grip on her legs tightening. The Saimyoushou and a puppet of Naraku attacked. Kouga jumped high into one of the trees and continued to go forward, using the trees.

"Kouga, you have to get into a position from which I can use the bow. That way this can end faster." He glanced back and tried to pinpoint where the puppet was. Sango clutched his shoulder, her eyes on the insects. "Okay, drop me! Now!" He slowed and dropped his hold on her, watching as she landed on her feet and her hands, like a cat. Then she stood and engaged her bow. When the puppet was in plain view, she dislodged. Kouga stopped and ran back toward her, killing the insects that got too close.

"Come on. We can outrun them." He crouched down and she got on his back. "Hurry up and point out the way!" She did so quickly, tightening her hold on him as he ran faster than he previously had.

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I'm gonna end it here. I figure that it's long enough for now.

See ya next chapter!