--Happy Birthday--
Aloft in the branches of the great tree, Inuyasha looked out over the valley where his comrades slept peacefully. Above him, the faint light of the stars mingled with that of the young moon. Faintly, he could hear the soft breathing of his companions as they slept beneath him. Finally, they were all asleep.
Carefully, gently, Inuyasha slowly took off his haori and laid it aside. Beneath, he could see the angry red wound that covered half his side. The hanyou touched it and hissed in pain- the day's fight had been particularly hard. Ripping up some cloth he had nicked, Inuyasha began to bind up his injury. It would heal soon enough.
Shifting uncomfortably, Inuyasha tried to find a position that wouldn't make his side ache too much. As his eyes drifted closed, a wry smile flickered across his face. It was his birthday today.