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The White Stars

So I'm trying to write some of these chapters ahead of time so that I can update somewhat regularly because I am prone to procrastination and distraction. I'm not sure how well this is going to go but I will do my best to not make you wait too long.

Ages are approximately Kagome is 17, Sango is 18, Miroku is 20, Inuyasha is 17 (150+) and Shippo is 8. Koga is 17, Sesshomaru 20 (200+), Rin is 10 and Kohaku is 13.

These are guesses since I don't know how demons (especially Shippo) are supposed to age since its obvious demons obviously don't age the same since Inuyasha is over 100 and Sesshomaru is over 200 and obviously they are much younger than that.

Chapter Two

Sango stoked the coals, the golden flames licking at the long stick as she did so. Her sharp movements sending a shower of sparks before she dropped the stick, allowing it to be engulfed by the fire. Moving towards the small pile of wood that they'd created she picked up two large pieces and placed them across the coals before straightening once more, brushing back the long chocolate strands that had slid over her shoulder before brushing her hands over her skirt absently.

Her gaze had shifted towards the path that Kagome had taken when they'd settled into camp, wondering absently whether the other girl was alright. She hadn't been gone long enough to worry, but it hadn't seemed right to leave the other girl to bathe alone, even without Naraku there were plenty of dangers in this era. It was for that reason she'd coerced Inuyasha into following her to the hot springs – unlike a certain pervert, the hanyou wouldn't take advantage of the situation. The two were far too shy and awkward despite the fact that they were practically dating.

Plus Kagome could always 'sit' him.

"It is getting cold quite quickly this year," stated a deep voice to her right.

Miroku was seated a short distance away from the fire, his breath hovering like a white cloud in the air above him. Firelight flickered across the Monks profile, casting shadows even as it glinted off the gold of his earrings and the golden rings of his staff. He was very handsome, she thought with a faint sigh, it was too bad that the lecherous monk couldn't be serious about any particular woman…

"Don't you agree Sango?" He asked jolting her from her thoughts.

The voice was a lot closer than she'd been expecting. Just when had he moved so close to her? She wondered whilst trying to conceal the fact that he had startled her before she berated herself silently for being so preoccupied as to not notice someone approaching her. She was a warrior. Even if it was only Miroku.

On second thought, that should be especially when it was Miroku…

"Sorry, what did you say?" Sango asked finally giving up the charade of knowing what he'd said previously as she turned towards him as she finished smoothing out her skirt. It was dangerous to agree with Miroku without knowing what he'd said firstly.

"I said it's getting cold quite quickly this year. Hopefully we can find shelter or lodgings most nights once winter is upon us, sleeping outside isn't very pleasant once the snow starts to pile up." While he wished to get rid of the hanyou as much as the rest of them for his own time was running out like grains of sand through an hour glass. Still he was not looking forward to wading through several feet of snow looking for Naraku or any of his underlings. Usually he went back home to Mushin for the winter or moved between wealthier towns that wouldn't find it too troublesome for a boarder.

"Yes, since it is unlikely that Inuyasha will slow his search during the winter months. Perhaps Kagome can bring more of those bags from her home." Sango said as she accepted a fish from Shippo and blew on it softly. "They seem quite portable and comfortable, though they may not help against snow."

"Can't you just exorcise some 'dark ominous clouds' from the largest mansion in the village like you usually do?" Shippo asked playfully, the green gaze focusing on Miroku as the he walked around the front of the fire. His fluffy chestnut tail swishing behind him as he checked the skewered fish before removing the first few from where the sticks were wedged between the stones surrounding the fire.

Miroku winced slightly at the playful jab before smiling wryly. He probably deserved that, after all he'd done it more than just a few times over their travel, and while he had no problem with the occasional white lie to get lodging. The monk reached out and took the offered fish from the young kit and took a small bite as he thought about their situation. As it was it was difficult to get towns to accept their strangely mixed group, but he felt the situation would be worse in winter months.

Townsfolk became more suspicious and coveted their stockpiles to survive the colder months. So it would be more difficult over winter. "People are more wary in the cold months but I can probably manage to get us lodging. Still there will not always be a village nearby unless we follow the main roads."

Shippo jumped over a few rocks, his fish in his mouth before stopping beside Kirara. The neko youkai was already content from having eaten its share of fish when it helped the Kit catch them earlier. Now it was stretched out in its larger form, creating a comfortable nook to snuggle into, which Shippo promptly did.

"That is true…and there are so few jewel shards left unclaimed other than Kohaku's and Koga's." Sango said thoughtfully staring into the darkness as she ate her fish while being careful of the bones. "Perhaps we should discuss with Kagome and Inuyasha about staying in Kaede's village for a few months. It is possible that Naraku will remain hidden throughout the whole winter to recuperate, which while convenient…"

Miroku knew why she trailed off. It perhaps wasn't the paramount choice. It meant that they were giving Naraku time to get to heal. Time to get to full power again, when to be honest they had a better chance to eradicate him before then. But it also wouldn't do them any good to wear themselves down while Naraku was resting and recuperating either. Moving through snow was tiring and difficult to fight in.

He admitted out loud what he knew Sango was also likely thinking, "Which while convenient isn't a perfect solution. Even if he remains hidden he may send incarnations, or a demon puppet. I doubt that he would allow us a reprieve over the winter months but we would get more of one if we were to stay in one place."

The two of them stood in silence as the minutes ticked by, both of them silently eating amid the sounds of the crackling fire and the breeze as it moved through the colourful leaves. Thinking about the seemingly no-win situation, but it was nothing new. Against Naraku they were outmatched in strength considering he almost had the completed Shikon no Tama. They were always the underdogs. Yet he never managed to crush them, they were still strong despite the many altercations and it only drove them to try harder to eradicate him and his evil from the world.

The warm indigo gaze lingered on Sango's face, catching her gaze and he smiled though it didn't quite meet his eyes. He was painfully aware of the wariness that she was aiming in his direction considering the narrowed gaze and her slight change in stance. He knew that she trusted him when it came to the battleground, they'd paired up many times and had each other's backs. However, she didn't trust him in private where his hands were concerned…and it was better that way.

But sometimes…sometimes he wanted more.

"Stay still," Miroku said softly as he walked closer to her, invading her space as he reached out with his left hand. Leaning against his staff, the golden rings jingling softly as he shifted his stance, he hushed her softly by pressing a finger against her lips before his thumb brushed gently across her cheek.

Sango watched him warily as he approached and opened her mouth to ask him what he thought he was doing but he hushed her. Rather than growing angry she was instead perplexed, closing her mouth once more as he gazed at her so intently. She froze somewhat like a deer in headlights at the feather light brush of his thumb rubbing across her cheek sent her speechless even as her heart quickened, thudding loudly in her ears – so loud she was certain he could hear it.

He continued lightly brushing his thumb across her cheek, enjoying the soft smooth skin even after he finished removing the smudged ash and charcoal that had marked her skin from tending to the fire. If only she was someone that he could truly hold and love, but he didn't have the right for such a thing. So he did what he always did to regain the distance despite the ache it caused in his chest.

Affection she wasn't certain how to deal with, it flustered her. So it was both a relief and disappointment when his right hand, sealed with prayer-beads rubbed across her bottom, "Hentai!" she exclaimed and slapped him hard on the cheek.

"Ouch…" Miroku said with a mild smile as he used his staff to lever himself up from the ground. He rubbed his jaw and cheek, as always her hits were painful, but nothing he couldn't handle.

Shippo shook his head with a sigh as he made his way back to the fire to check on the fish. He didn't understand grown-ups sometimes, especially Miroku. Still if Kagome and Inuyasha didn't come back soon then the fish were going to end up overcooked or go cold. Getting a large green leaf he placed it onto one of the rocks and started removing the remaining fish from where their sticks were wedged between the rocks around the fire. Resting the fish on the leaf as he made his way around before turning back to Sango and Miroku, "There is more fish if you want some…though Kagome sure is taking a while bathing tonight, I wonder what is taking so long. The fish is going to end up cold if they don't come back soon."

Miroku made his way over to the young kit and picked up another fish from the leaf and took a bite. A familiar glimmer in the violet eyes as he knelt down beside Shippo, his voice taking on a hint of suggestiveness in the conspiratorial tone, "I'm glad you asked. You see Shippo when a man and a woman like each other very much they find it very easy to become caught up in the moment, they give into passion–"

Shippo blinked up at Miroku with confusion whilst trying to imagine what Kagome and Inuyasha could be possibly doing. Caught up in passion? What did that mean?

"Monk! I'll thank you not to corrupt his head with your fantasies," Sango exclaimed as she stalked towards him, having grabbed Hiraikotsu from where she'd placed it earlier against a tree. Fully with the intention of hitting him with the weapon.

"I wasn't doing anything Sango," he said as he backed away quite quickly not wanting to add a new injury so soon after the first. His palms upturned as he retreated, the innocent expression on his face belied the path his mind had been quite obviously taking, which earned him a glare from Sango.

As Sango approached there was a sudden rustling of the bushes and she paused, turning away from Miroku – causing the Monk to give a sigh of relief as he took the chance to put some distance between them. Her gaze focusing on the sounds that were approaching them and automatically took on a battle stance, her ears straining towards the sounds. Until she heard a familiar voice come from that direction and she relaxed once more, lowering her weapon.

"That's the last time I save your ass from drowning," Inuyasha muttered as he walked down the path, his arms crossed over the fabric of his off-white undershirt. Silky silver-white strands stuck wetly to his back and he was quite obviously dripping wet and he left a trail of water behind him as he walked.

"I wasn't drowning and I told you I was sorry!" Kagome exclaimed as she ran to catch up with him. She was carrying the large yellow backpack as well as his dry hitatare back towards their camp. Her attention remained focused on the grumpy hanyou at her side, though she couldn't entirely blame him for his ill temper.

He had been worried about her and had rescued her, it was just she'd been naked at the time. Anyone would have been embarrassed about that. But rather than just dropping her he'd ended up falling in as well and unlike her he didn't have a spare change of clothing to change into which is why he was still soaked.

"Feh…" he muttered as he continued walking towards camp, the silvery-white ears twitched and moved towards the sounds within the forest as he stepped into the clearing of their camp. Holding the branches out of the way so that Kagome could pass him, belying his irritable attitude. "Stop apologizing already."

Kagome smiled at the action and moved into the clearing, only to catch sight of their companions who were staring at them. She flushed slightly, self-conscious suddenly despite the fact that nothing had happened, she doubted Inuyasha had even caught a glimpse knowing how panicked he'd been. Additionally it wasn't the first time he'd seen her naked over the last two years either.

"What happened?" Sango asked taking in their appearance one at a time. It was obvious that Kagome looked refreshed after her bath but Inuyasha looked surprisingly irritable and very, very wet. It led her to wonder if perhaps he wasn't as trustworthy as she had originally thought. Perhaps the Monk was a bad influence.

"Perhaps he was caught peeping?" Miroku offered from the other side of the fire, still keeping his distance from Sango considering her previous aggression.

Inuyasha looked aghast at the insinuation before once more crossing his arms across his chest, golden eyes narrowed on Miroku as he spat out, "What…I …I'm not like you Monk, I thought she was damn well drowning!"

"Oh so that's your excuse for touching her soft supple skin is it?" Miroku muttered softly with a raised eyebrow, but not so softly that the hanyou would miss it. "So you jumped in fully clothed after her, very commendable in this cold weather."

"Feh! I'm not weak like you humans. A little water aint going to kill me!" He muttered and he once more tried to wring the extra water from his hair and his pants without too much success. Miroku's words though drew a response from him, colour painting his cheeks as his memory of wet supple curves as he held her against him.

"Now, now Inuyasha…no need to get so upset," Miroku said teasingly, a glint in his gaze as he stated. "I can understand your need to touch…"

"She was under the water for too long! Normal people don't remain under water like she does when bathing." Inuyasha exclaimed loudly before stomping over towards one of the trees and sitting down in front of it. Removing his sword he folded his legs before resting the blade between his legs so that it leaned back against his shoulder. "Leave me the fuck alone would ya."

Kagome sighed softly, she wished Miroku wouldn't needle him like that, with Inuyasha's temper it could easily escalate, but then she supposed that never stopped him with Sango either. Maybe he was a masochist…

"Kagome!" Shippo called out her name pulling her from her inner thoughts as he came bounding over to her before jumping up onto her shoulder. He looked so proud, his green eyes sparkled and his chest puffed out in pride and she couldn't help but smile at him as he talked a mile a minute. "I missed you! I caught fish with Kirara and cooked them! I was worried they would go cold before you got back!"

"Oh did you? I'm so proud of you." Smiling she reached out and ruffled the auburn strands before the kitsune jumped back off her shoulder. She followed him back towards the fire while silently apologising to Inuyasha for abandoning him to the teasing. But really he was big enough to look after himself, right? That thought caused a soft laugh to escape her as she put her bag down, placing Inuyasha's shirt on top of it before sitting cross-legged near the fire.

Kagome ate while listening to Shippo chat about what had happened while they were gone. It was entertaining and peaceful to listen to his dialogue. She made the proper sounds of agreement and encouragement as he continued.

"But Sango and Miroku were talking and getting along fine most of the time you were gone. They were even talking about winter and how it would be difficult to travel in until he groped her so she hit him…"

She couldn't help but sigh when he mentioned the fact that Sango and Miroku had another altercation. Why couldn't those two get along? She was positive from Sango's reactions to him flirting elsewhere that she was smitten with the Monk but every time he made an advance she hit him. Of course, it didn't help that Miroku kept on groping her at the most inopportune moments, and it was difficult to take someone serious when they flirted with every female they came across. How could you take someone like that serious? No woman wanted to experience heart-break after all and to be honest she couldn't tell what Miroku's feelings were on this matter.

"Then he told me that you and Inuyasha were late coming back because you had given into passion…and Sango got really mad and tried to hit him again but I'm not certain what he meant. Did you and Inuyasha do something Kagome?"

The young woman almost choked on her fish at the unexpected question and her cheeks went bright red. Coughing she lowered her fish and after taking a drink from a canteen that Shippo provided her she managed to compose herself. Wiping the juices from her chin with the back of her hand as she glared daggers in Miroku's direction, honestly couldn't he stop trying to fill Shippo's head with those kinds of ideas. "No Shippo, Miroku was just being Miroku. Nothing happened."

"But Inuyasha got all wet, it wasn't because he wanted to go bathing with you?"

"Uh well… Inuyasha was just worried because I stayed under the water too long so he jumped into the hot spring still in his clothing," Kagome stated somewhat evasively hoping that the questions would settle soon while trying to ignore the fact that she was fairly certain that she was blushing right about now.

Ugh…stop blushing, stop blushing, stop blushing!

"I still don't understand why you don't bathe together like mama and papa used to." He asked with innocent curiosity in the bright emerald eyes as he gazed at her.

Kagome silently groaned and looked for an escape, seeing the fish that were obviously for Inuyasha she grabbed the chance. Standing up she picked up the remaining fish and after telling him that she'd be right back headed towards the rest of their group. As she approached she could tell that they were arguing still, though it did seem that the topic of conversation had changed from their trip to the hot spring to the approach of winter and their travel plans.

Pausing in front of Inuyasha she thrust her hand out, offering him two of the fish on sticks. "Here, you should eat, if you're still hungry afterwards I'll make you some ramen…and get over near the fire. You're soaking wet and it's cold."

"I keep tellin' ya that I'm not some fragile mortal." Inuyasha huffed as he took the food despite his grumbling and it was difficult to hide the way his ears perked at the word ramen. He really did like those instant noodles Kagome brought from her time.

Despite Inuyasha's rough comments that he wasn't human and that the cold wouldn't bother him, she was still worried about his health. He'd thwarted her attempts earlier at the hot springs to get him to remove the wet clothing so she could dry it while he stayed in the water or even just wore his hitatare. He wouldn't have any of it despite the fact he was drenched and it was a cold night.

Though she supposed he'd lived through a lot worse – stabbed, shot, poison, fists going through his stomach among other things. On second thought thinking about those injuries didn't make her feel any less worried…he was just accident prone.

"Don't make me s-i-t you Inuyasha," Kagome threatened with a half-hearted glare in his direction before she made her way back over to Shippo, quite pleased with the fact that the rest of their group were close on her heels.

So! Chapter two already. I surprise myself with the speed I managed to get this one done in. I was quite inspired I suppose, or motivated. Don't expect them to come out quite so quickly in the future, work and real life keeps me busy but I'll do my best!

Comment and review~ I'd like to know what you think.