Theme 34: Stars

"How pretty" Kagome gasped, looking up at the glittering sky above. The group had just escaped from a run in with a group of Jackal Youkai with five of the Shikon shards. The battle had been swift and simple, because for some reason, along with a personality change, this new Inuyasha had suddenly come out with an entirely new fighting style, all supportive on strategy. Very quickly, the leader was isolated and dispatched. Kagome lightly touched the bottle around her neck where the shards had condensed.

Finding them had been a stroke of pure luck, getting them had been a little too easy. But why worry about things like that when there were beautiful nights like these to enjoy.

"Yes, the night sky does indeed look most lovely tonight Kagome-san" Miroku agreed smiling; his smile was halted as Sango realised where his hand was wondering and a swift chop from her hand rectified the issue.

Inuyasha blankly gazed upwards "I don't see anything different" he announced.

The entire group looked surprised. He didn't usually take part in their conversation, though Miroku was quickly noticed with a smirk, he tended to join in more often if Kagome was taking an interest. "It's the stars" he pointed out, "They're brighter tonight"

"And there are more of them" Sango said smiling.

Inuyasha turned to him and Miroku was struck again, with just how unlike Inuyasha the boy before them was, colder, calculating and harsh. But he did not allow any of these thought to cross his face. "Stars?" he asked "I do not understand what is so special about stars."

"They're pretty" Kagome announced, staring up in awe. Suddenly she flopped down in the grass with a sigh, her arms tucked under to support her head. "Kagome" Inuyasha said frowning "What are you doing"

Kagome opened one eye and clapped two hands together "Oh come on Inuyasha, Please" she said "We've been traveling for hours and we've found five shards, it's such a warm night, let's take a break and admire the stars."

Inuyasha said nothing, so the group assumed that he was about to disagree, as he usually did. Instead he inclined his head "Very well" Kagome and Shippo cheered "Yeeey" and flopped back down again.

Miroku laughed heartily "It is good to rest some times and take in the beauty of the world we live" he agreed and settled down.

Soon the only one still standing was Inuyasha. Kagome patted the empty space beside her. Inuyasha seemed hesitant. He moved like he wanted to sit down, but remained as if he was refusing himself the pleasure. "No" he eventually said, arms crossed over his red uniform. His dg ears twitched in the breeze.

Kagome smiled, this Inuyasha had a habit if wanting things but not allowing himself to have it. Most of the time he was very good at hiding the fact he wanted it, but Kagome had invested a lot of time watching him, so now she felt she could see the little signs here and there. He either had very good self-control, or was very hard on himself. She felt it was a bit of both.

"There aren't many where I'm from" she announced "Stars, that is."

Inuyasha was quiet for a while, then he asked "Dose that bother you?"

Kagome shrugged "Well, it used to. When I was little, there was usually too much smog and dirt in the air to actually see the stars, and I was sad because I felt like I was missing out on something wonderful. But now that I'm here, I can see them better. It's sad how much the world changes, so we can't even see such beautiful stars anymore" she sighed heavily "I wish I could see them more often.

Inuyasha finally allowed himself to sit, unlike the Inuyasha she knew, he said with one leg starched out, and leant forward on one knee, completely confident from all angles. Kagome liked that confidence in him, it made her feel safe. Not that the other Inuyasha didn't make her feel safe too. It's just this one was…different. Neither was better and neither was worse.

X-X-xx-xx-xx-xx-xx-xx-XX

Two days later, they didn't see any more stars. It rained heavily and clouds filled the night sky. Kagome missed them, but not heavily.

But one night, after a particularly nasty nightmare, she went for a walk and found Inuyasha. He seemed to have been about to wake her "Inuyasha?" she asked.

"Come" was all he said and turned, Kagome sighed and his presumptuousness and followed him obediently.

Eventually they reached an area with long grass "A field?" she asked sarcastically.

Inuyasha rolled his eyes and picked up a rock. Kagome watched as he chucked in into the field and gasped as from the tall grass, dozens and dozens of tiny glowing lights began to float up. Whizzing and dancing across the sky, millions of fireflies.

Inuyasha showed no obvious expression, but a slight raise of the eyebrow and a crease in his mouth told Kagome he was pleased with himself as he announced "Not a 'field,'" sarcastically "Stars. You wished to see them more often. These are not stars, but they are…similar"

"They're beautiful!" she gasped, living shooting stars. Kagome rarely saw stars in her time, but she saw fire files even less. She felt so touched that he would actually come to get her to see this "Thank-you" she said, truly pleased "Thank-you so much"

Inuyasha only said "Hm" but he chucked another rock farther away, setting off another round of dazzling lights.

I think that what people forget quite a lot is despite how old he looks, Sesshomaru is actually quite young in Youkai terms, maybe 18 or 19. Remember how the author first drew him.

Anyway, new chapter, PLEASE review. Domo Arigatou