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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 Three

Kagome, already in her pajamas, had finished clearing away random sticks and stones and was setting out her sleeping bag. She'd learned the hard way that twigs and rocks were extremely unpleasant to sleep on. Returning back to her backpack she started rifling through it once more, pulling out her text books and supplies so that she could do some studying. She should try to do some since she was awake. It seemed like she could never study enough with High School.

Sapphire blue eyes moved back to Inuyasha as he argued with Miroku and Sango – his voice was loud enough that she caught snippets of the conversation needing to strain her ears. She wasn't surprised by Inuyasha's stubborn refusal to stay in one spot. She didn't blame him considering everything that Naraku had done, both in the past and more recently. But she could honestly say she wasn't looking forward to the idea of hiking through ice and snow in the middle of winter. It didn't sound enjoyable at all.

"No fucking way," Inuyasha spat irritably as he continued to eat the fish that Kagome had handed to him, finding himself hungrier than he'd originally thought. "I'm not sitting around in a village all winter while Naraku is out there somewhere."

"Be reasonable Inuyasha, likely Naraku will remain hidden away recuperating throughout the winter and almost all the Shikon shards have been claimed already." Sango interjected from where she'd nestled down against Kirara, her hand idly stroking the soft cream fur as the feline purred. "There is no need for us to tromp through snow and tire ourselves out through the whole winter."

"It makes perfect sense that we should stay somewhere and do the same thing, we can make plans for the spring and train. Traveling through snow is very difficult Inuyasha and we could no longer sleep outside," Miroku said with a frown as he shifted his position slightly in an attempt to be more comfortable, golden rings jingling softly as he rested the staff against his shoulder.

"I said fuck no! You're all just weaklings. I would be fine traveling and sleeping outside, even in the fucking snow!" He said tossing the sticks and fish bones into the fire before crossing his arms over his chest, quite visibly irritated.

"Well, we are only human," Miroku stated with a wry smile.

"That's not my damn problem, suck it up and be a man!"

"Kagome and I are not men," Sango interjected. "Are you saying you are alright with Kagome sleeping out in the snow and cold night after night?"

White ears twitched at the words and then lowered slightly, golden eyes moving towards the young woman in question who was currently a short distance away pulling out those books she always studied from. Would it really be such a terrible thing to spend a few months in Kaede's village? It would allow Kagome the ability to spend more time with her family and that 'school' she was so adamant about going to all the time. It would probably make her happy.

Naraku's ability to just vanish was incredibly frustrating, they'd been traveling for five days now and there were no leads. Not unless you counted rumours of Spirits and Demons fleeing down from the mountains and making trouble in the towns at the base of those mountains. It seemed as promising as anything else so that's where they were headed, but even he knew for all his grumbling that it was ineffective.

Perhaps they really would be better off resting over the winter months.

Inuyasha came back from his thoughts to find Sango and Miroku peering at him with undisguised curiosity. Realising that he'd stopped talking in the middle of the conversation, voice rough as he said, "Feh I don't care. Why can't you just find some ominous black clouds over some mansion like you usually do Monk?"

Miroku winced at that jab, it was almost exactly what Shippo had said. "Inuyasha unless you plan on following the main trail I cannot guarantee that we will come across any villages for me to find us lodging in."

Kagome smiled listening to her friends' friendly banter though it was mildly strained, Sango had voiced what she'd been worrying about over the last few months. There hadn't been any sign of any fragments of the sacred jewel either. That in its own was a bit worrying for her – did that mean that Naraku had managed to acquire the rest? It was an anxiety that ate at her but she had never stated out loud.

With Naraku's disappearance it meant that they could take it easy and recuperate from injuries they sustained. Overall they'd attained far less life threatening injuries lately even with battling stray youkai. Kagome wanted to destroy Naraku but she found no pleasure in fighting and it also meant she'd been able to coerce Inuyasha into letting her go home more frequently.

It seemed like there were always exams around the corner with high school but her results hadn't been too bad last Term. Inuyasha had let her spend two weeks in Tokyo to attend classes and to play catch up, even Souta had helped. She still wasn't sure what to think about that – it was pretty bad when it felt like your younger brother had a better grasp than you did. It had been an enjoyable trip even with Inuyasha making a nuisance of himself towards the end of the trip home.

If they spent winter in Kaede's village it would mean she could do a lot more perhaps even celebrate Christmas this year. It would be nice not to spend it tromping through snow chasing demons. Kagome felt a pang of guilt at thinking such a selfish thing.

Kagome lightly slapped her cheeks before collecting her supplies she moved closer to the fire. She could at least do something productive with her time. It was better than sitting around worrying which she was prone to doing at times. A smile tugged on her lips – she doubted that reading by a mixture of torch light and fire light would be recommended by modern optometrists but she was a bit limited in the Feudal Era.

Two hours later she sighed softly, rubbing her neck as she rolled her shoulders. She had finished highlighting and writing notes on two chapters for History before revising her notes from the previous chapters to refresh the information. To be honest it was one of the simpler subjects for her – you just had to memorize and remember dates and events. No formulas or complicated formats like maths, God she hated maths.

History was far more helpful in her current situation than maths was. Plus living in history tended to make it more interesting, or perhaps just more relatable. Occasionally though she found it amusing how certain things got recorded so incorrectly or never recorded at all, while other things became myths and legends.

Looking around she saw that sometime in the last two hours the rest of the group had all separated and gone to bed. Towards her left Kirara and Sango were sleeping a short distance away from Miroku who was leaning against a tree. Shippo had made his way into her sleeping bag and Inuyasha was to her right seemingly sleeping against a tree as well, though it was always difficult to know if he really was asleep.

Kagome stood up, stretching her arms over her head in a long stretch before collecting her books and walking over to where she'd spread out her sleeping bag. Trying to be as quiet as possible as to not wake Shippo, she piled the books beside her backpack – she would organise it in the morning. It was late and Inuyasha had a habit of waking her far too early so if she wanted to get enough hours sleep she should go to sleep soon herself.

Her gaze fell on Inuyasha's shirt still folded on top of her backpack. Picking up the folded crimson material she rubbed her thumb gently against the fabric before her gaze shifted back to Inuyasha. This shirt had a lot of memories, it had saved her against Yura of the Hair and that time they got captured by the sage Tokajin Inuyasha had given it to her to wear like a gentleman. There were other times he'd lent it to her as well to keep her safe or warm.

Still she should check on Inuyasha after his fully clothed dip into the hot spring, even if he would just tell her to stop worrying and he wasn't a weak human. Did hanyou's even get colds? Still he should at least put his fire-rat hitatare back on – it was cold.

Kagome tucked it against her chest and made her way over to Inuyasha. She was surprised when he didn't open his eyes when she approached, kneeling down beside him she brushed the silvery-white strands away from his face. Pressing her hand against his forehead she felt for any sign of fever, but he felt fine, perhaps she was being unnecessarily worried.

She fell into silence, just watching him as he slept and it brought a smile to her lips. It wasn't very often that she could manage such a feat without him waking up and asking what she was looking at. It reminded her of the very first time she'd seen him pinned against the tree. He looked younger when he was asleep, softer almost or perhaps it was just that he looked peaceful – something that was rare to see on Inuyasha. Still he must have been really tired not to have woken up, either that or he could sense it was her and not an enemy.

"Still my life has definitely changed a lot since I came down the well and found you pinned to the Goshinboku," she murmured as she leaned forward, one hand moving towards one velvety soft dog-like ear. She rubbed and stroked it gently, letting out a soft laugh as the appendage twitched in her grasp though she thought she heard a rumbling almost purr like sound coming from Inuyasha in response.

Kagome switched to the other ear silently, continuing her ministrations. His ears really were adorable and she often wished she could touch them just like the first time she saw him, but she doubted he'd ever consent to that. After a few minutes she felt him stirring under her touch and she reluctantly drew back her hand, not wanting to cause an altercation, only to have it caught in a strong grip.

Long slender fingers remained wrapped around her wrist and blinking in surprise she looked at the owner of that hand, only to realise she was looking into a pair of somewhat sleepy gold eyes. Getting caught caused her cheeks to flush and she hoped that it was dark enough that he wouldn't notice, still she'd been caught in the act so there wasn't much she could say.

After a few moments of silence Inuyasha finally said, "Kagome, is there a reason you are over here playing with my ears instead of sleeping?"

Kagome had still been somewhat expecting a reprimand of sorts about touching his ears, when there was none forthcoming she smiled brightly at him. "Well, your ears distracted me because they are so cute and I never get to touch them."

"Hn, it wasn't so bad," he said noncommittally at her comment, his ears flicking slightly towards a distant sound before his attention reverted back to her. He knew she was expecting him to start an argument over it, but didn't really mind waking up in that kind of manner – it was Kagome after all. Plus it had felt kind of nice. "So why aren't you aren't sleeping? We'll be leaving early ya know."

She groaned quietly at his reminder and lowered her other arm which had still been clutching his over-shirt. Holding the folded material out to him with her free hand. "I know. I was bringing you back your shirt because it's kind of cold tonight and I was a little worried about you. Did your clothes dry?"

Inuyasha rolled his eyes at her questioning. She really did worry too much, no matter how often he reminded her he wasn't human and that he wouldn't be affected by such small things. "I'll be fine I keep tellin' ya, you worry too much Kagome."

"I can't help it," she said quietly.

"Go to sleep Kagome, I'll be fine."

"But…"

"I will be fine Kagome," Inuyasha stated firmly before tugging on the hand that he was still gripping within his own, pulling the young woman closer so that she fell into his arms with a sound of surprise. Even with feeling somewhat awkward about their position he enjoyed the sensation of her soft body against his and despite previous comments, Inuyasha really did enjoy her scent. It permeated the air and tickled his nose as he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer to him. "Go to sleep."

She was speechless within his arms as the minutes ticked by and the two sat there together. She wasn't entirely certain what just happened there. Did he mean that she supposed to sleep now in his arms? She wasn't sure she'd be able to do that. Still after gathering her courage she did shift into a more comfortable position on his lap, moving her legs to the side before resting her cheek against his shoulder.

The heat had subsided from her cheeks but Kagome still felt too flustered to be able to relax let alone sleep. "Miroku and Sango had another fight."

Inuyasha raised an eyebrow at the topic of conversation, "Isn't that normal?"

"No. Maybe," Kagome sighed softly, her breath ruffling the silvery strands. "I suppose you are right…I just wish those two could get along, I'm sure that Sango likes him but Miroku just seems to always do something to upset her."

"Kagome, those two can look after their own love life. Stop askin' coz I don't even agree that they like each other. Sango seems to hate him from what I've seen." Inuyasha said exasperated as he ran his fingers through his hair and gazed down at his girlfriend not wanting to get into a conversation about love and emotion at this time of night. "So either go to sleep or at least let me sleep."

She pouted as he closed his eyes, presumably to try and sleep. She couldn't really blame him, she was just jealous that he thought he could sleep in this situation. Once more minutes ticked by and she moved one hand upwards, fingers threading through the silky silvery-white locks in an absent kind of way as she thought to herself.

"Hey…Inuyasha?"

"Hn?" he murmured sleepily though he didn't open his eyes this time as fingers slid through his locks, not quite consent but he didn't stop her either. Maybe it was a bad idea. Still he couldn't seem to bring himself to stop her from touching him. It was nice.

"Can I touch your ears please?" She whispered though this time he didn't reply she took the absence of a no as close enough to an agreement. Her fingers shifting from the silky strands and towards the top of his head, fingers rubbing and stroking the soft dog-like ear. It was soothing, just sitting there petting him like this…it would be nice if he'd let her do this again some time. Maybe she'd ask him.

She yawned softly, pressing her face against his shoulder as her hand movements slowed. She really should move back to her sleeping bag…but it really was so comfortable right here in his arms.

Dark lashes flickered against pale cheeks before rising and chocolate brown eyes moved towards the sky. Dawn approached, lighting the horizon with a hint of gold as the sun began to rise bringing warmth with it. Watching the sunrise was an enjoyable pastime as the sky changed from onyx to varying shades of blue while the trees and surroundings were silhouetted black against the changing colours of the sky.

Still, she could probably do with a bit of morning training, it was a habit that she had discontinued as of late. It wouldn't do to get rusty after all, she thought as she pulled the blanket away from where she'd draped it around herself the night before and stood up. Shivering slightly at the cool morning air as she folded it carefully before placing it on one of the rocks. Her gaze shifting to the fire she had cared for, it had gone out some time overnight leaving only embers and ash in its place.

Sango picked up her weapons from where she'd placed them the night before and turned away when Kirara rubbed against her ankles startling her. The feline had shifted into her smaller form and she bent down to rub the soft head, speaking quietly, "Hey there Kirara, want to come with me?"

"Meeeew," was the soft answer as Kirara jumped into Sango's arms.

"Alright, let's go then," Sango said with a smile as she moved around the fire while being careful not to wake her companions though she paused mid-step when her gaze settled on Kagome who instead of being in her sleeping bag was curled up in Inuyasha's arms with his fire-rat shirt over her to keep her warm.

Well now…that was something that she'd have to ask Kagome about later, she thought with a smile as she walked out of the clearing and into the forest.

I'm on a roll~ though it's a little shorter than my other chapters I think.
I probably should be making you all wait longer between chapters on the off chance that I have a dry spell...
But I'm really not very good at to waiting to post the chapters. Just keep in mind that they won't always be this quick.