InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Starlight ❯ Chapter 1 ( Chapter 1 )

Starlight, Star Bright

Disclaimer: I most definitely do not own Inuyasha, but this plot is all mine, so please don't steal it... And this is the only time I'm going to have a disclaimer...

Okay, this is my MediaMiner debut, and my first Inuyasha fic, but I have some art up somewhere around here, so if you're reading this, please check it out and, if possible, leave a review. I also must admit, I have not seen the entire Inuyasha series, and I'm in the process of collecting the manga, so what I know of the ending comes only from those authors who have `spoilers' in their fics. So, just as a heads-up, there may be lots of things in here that are wrong, and if you see anything *absolutely* serious, drop a line and let me know! ^_^ And as for the pairing... well, don't like the pair, don't read! I've read several fics that do this pairing, but are really...bad about it. I'm going to try and make it believable, but then again I might be stretching. Let me know how it goes. Also, this is about 4 years after the anime, so Kagome is a lot older and a bit more mature. You'll see what I mean. Well, that said, enjoy!

Oh, yeah, (This is thinking.)... "And of course this is talking."

Chapter 1

Kagome slumped heavily onto the rock next to the fire and instantly regretted it as a shoot of pain went up her back. (Oh, that was smart.) She grimaced and shifted on the rock. There was a sharp clang in the distance, and Kagome looked up. (Sesshomaru's going to just kill Inuyasha one day... Or maybe the other way around.) She sighed suddenly and dropped her chin into her hands. (No way. They both like the battles way too much to actually kill each other.)

The cracking of wood brought her attention back to her surroundings and she focused back on the small fire before her. (Just forget about it.) Slowly, tiredly, Kagome stood up and lifted the shallow metal bucket that had sat next to her. Making her way over to the spring, she knelt down and pulled the bucket through the water. (I'd better get this water heated up soon, or the medicine won't be ready when Inuyasha gets back, and God knows he's going to need it.) She pursed her lips as the sound of the earth being ripped up echoed through off the surrounding mountains. Kagome blinked as she set the bucket down next to the stream. (It's so weird... Is this my life now?) She leaned forward and watched her reflection ripple on the surface of the water. (Is this my whole life now? Waiting for Inuyasha to come back from a battle with Sesshomaru or some other demon so I can try to heal the wounds that would end up healing on their own anyway?) Her reflection finally smoothed out to show the face of the depressed 19 year old girl/woman that Kagome had grown into. The white clothed shoulders of her reflection rose and fell with her sigh, and her breath sent shivers through the water. Her reflection distorted and Kagome's heart climbed into her throat. She looked apprehensively through the ripples and saw a face not so different from her own.

(Kikyo.) Anger surged suddenly and Kagome flung her hand through the water, dashing the image flickering between her own face and the dead miko's.

Snatching up the bucket, Kagome stormed back to her dying fire and angrily dropped the bucket onto the thin wire rack over the flames. The fire hissed in protest as trickles of water were splashed from the bucket. Her anger dulling, Kagome looked at the fire for a moment, pursed her lips and sat back on her rock. (Why am I getting so worked up over this? It's not like it's exactly a new issue...) She sighed again and leaned forward, clutching her arms against her.

"What're you sighing about now?" Inuyasha's rough voice asked irritably. He dropped down beside her, lying the Tesusaiga down next to him. He snorted and made to cross his arms, but winced and thought better of it.

"Nothing. So, how did the battle go?" Kagome asked, changing the subject absently, staring over at the spring. (What am I really sighing about?) She frowned. (How can I tell him? Um yeah, Inuyasha, I'm just freaking out because I'm slowly turning into your lost love and I know you'll never be able to see me as anything but...) Her eyes drifted as the thought played out before she could stop it. `Anything but her.'

An irritated groan to her right brought Kagome's eyes back to Inuyasha. The hanyou had slipped out of his fire rat coat and was leaning curiously over the pot.

"Is this water even warm yet? How long have you had it on?" He demanded impatiently.

"It's been on long enough, Inuyasha..." Kagome responded dully, still immersed in her thoughts. She returned her gaze to the spring. "But you know your bruises won't need it..."

Ignoring the comment, he dipped a clawed finger into the water. "You stupid girl, it's not even warm!"

(That ungrateful...) Suddenly furious, Kagome jumped to her feet, snatched up the handle of the bucket and tossed the lukewarm water over Inuyasha.

He let out a startled cry and jumped back. A tense silence settled, broken only by the hollow drips of water hitting the rocks and Inuyasha's wavering breaths.

But the silence didn't last long.

"You stupid wench!"

Kagome rolled her eyes and set the bucket down, her sudden anger quickly filtering into her usual irritation. "I'm going to go take a bath." She decided quickly, heading off the rant that was sure to come. "In the meantime, I suggest you check that attitude of yours." She considered making him sit but thought decided against it as she slung her bag over her shoulder and retreated into the forest.

* * *

Thoroughly satisfied with his past battle with Inuyasha, Sesshomaru sank into the steaming waters of the hot spring. Breathing in the heavy mists, he caught a different, very faint scent. (Inuyasha and his human are somewhere around...) Sesshomaru opened his eyes and took in another slow breath. (He will not come here. Even he is not arrogant enough to fight me immediately after getting beaten.) He refused to admit, even to himself, that their past match had come up a draw. Casting an amber eye over his own collection of bruises and cuts, he resisted a smile. He shifted his gaze down to his left arm and flexed it. Bringing his palm up to the surface of the water, he watched the fluid run off his skin in rivulets. (Even after these many months, I cannot adjust to having two arms...) Pure demon blood ran in his veins; of course his arm would grow back. Granted, it had been nearly two years before it was completely healed, but he had lost interest in the Tetsusaiga long before then. Clenching the hand into a fist, he stopped a grimace before it could register on his face. (That dirty half-breed needs it far more than I do.) A shifting in the forest weeds called his attention.

"Jaken." He summoned and the lost creature stumbled out of the nearby bushes.

"My Lord! I have been searching everywhere for you-"

"Jaken, bring me new clothing."

"Y-yes, my Lord!" Jaken scurried over to retrieve his master's torn clothing and broken armor. "I shall return in just a moment, my Lord!" Nearly buckling under the weight, Jaken scurried off into the bushed as fast as he could.

Sesshomaru leaned back on the rock as his attention shifted to Tojikin and Tenseiga, crossed, well within arms reach next to a large rock. (He will not be so ignorant as to engage me now.) With this thought, the Lord of the Western Lands let the darkness of sleep take him.

* * *

(I can't believe him! I wait patiently for him whenever he just decides to run off, I never bother him about where he goes, and on top of everything, I spend my time getting things ready to heal his wounds!) Kagome slapped a branch out of her way and jerked forward as it smacked the back of her shoulder. She sighed and plucked its twigs out of her shirt. (Guess I deserve that...letting myself get all worked up over him...) She rolled her eyes. (Again.)

Kagome paused under a collection of vines and shifted her faded yellow bag on her shoulder. (Why do I let him get to me?) Tilting her head back, Kagome looked up at the sunlight filtering through the trees and suppressed a sigh. (He's just...so...immature.) She settled on the word and managed a wry smile as she started walking again. (That's exactly the right word. But then again-) She let her thoughts wander as she eased over a fallen tree trunk. (Demons go forever without getting so much as a wrinkle; I guess it makes sense that their minds take a while to grow up too...)

Kagome paused to step around an overgrown rock. (Geez, that means if Sesshomaru's already all serious and everything, he must be way older than Inuyasha.) Kagome couldn't resist a smirk. (Sesshomaru acting immature. Those words just don't belong together.) A giggle rose in her throat, but she stifled it as she reached the hot springs. Steam rose off the water in silent furls, and even the waters were still. Stepping into the clearing, Kagome was suddenly reluctant to disturb the calm.

(It's so peaceful here...) A smile crept across her face. (And as long as I'm quiet and all this steam masks my scent, Inuyasha won't be able to find me once my trail's gone dry.) Inching towards the water, Kagome pulled off her shoes and set them down with her bag. She leaned over a rock and dipped her hand into the heated water and watched the gentle ripples steal over the water's surface.

Quietly stepping out of her kimono she slipped into the water, careful not to disturb it too much.

(Wow, this is just paradise.) She leaned back on a rock and closed her eyes.

A shuffling noise emitted from the bushed and Kagome's eyes snapped open. (Did he follow me?) Frowning, she went over her choices of action. (I really don't want to get into it with him, definitely not here, and I won't be able to dress in time to run...) The shuffling grew louder and, out of time, Kagome silently dipped under the water.

* * *

"My Lord?" Jaken called tentatively, and clamped down on another call as he caught sight of his master resting against a rock. (It will be my head if I disturb his rest...) Setting down the new clothing and armor, a white bundle caught his eye. (What's this?) He scurried over and held up the cloth. (Clothing! And woman's clothing no less! I cannot have my master so near such filth! I must remove it at once, before he awakes...) With the comforting thought of doing his master a great favor, Jaken snatched up the bundle and scurried off with it.

* * *

Running out of breath, Kagome finally decided it would be better to just face Inuyasha than to suffocate. Finding footing in the rocks of the bottom, she broke the surface gently, and braced herself for the barrage to come. But it never came. Kagome opened her eyes and blinked as she looked around. The clearing was empty, save herself and the rocks. (Wait...me, rocks... Where's my kimono!)

Pushing slowly through the water, she made her way over to the edge of the spring. (What happened?!)

* * *

A vague swishing against his chest brought Sesshomaru to the edge of consciousness. (The water...is moving.) Something else brought him closer. (That scent...Inuyasha's human...and Inuyasha.)

"Here you are, you stupid bitch!"

Inuyasha's voice suddenly yanked him awake, and Sesshomaru's hand was on Tojikin before he realized Inuyasha wasn't speaking to him.

"So you took my clothes!" The human was close. The water splashed behind his rock; she was in the water.

"No! I was out looking for you and caught Jaken with them!" Irritation rose and Sesshomaru tightened his grip on Tojikin. (Jaken knew there was a human here. Why did he take her clothing? No. If Jaken took them, why would the human have mistaken him for the hanyou?) Confusion gave way to anger as silence settled on the springs.

"Why on Earth would Jaken take my clothes?" The human bit back.

A dangerous silence settled, and Sesshomaru suddenly wondered what the hanyou's reaction would be if he found his woman and his half-brother bathing in the same spring, if unknowingly. (Hm. Interesting.)

A slight sound caught Sesshomaru's ears and he reached for Tojikin once again. The hanyou was sniffing for him.

"I smell...I smell Sesshomaru!"

"Well, duh!" The human retorted sharply. "He would be nearby if Jaken is! Now gave me back my clothes."

The hanyou's sniffing stopped, and yet another silence settled. (The stupid half-breed...) Sesshomaru could see the coming events already.

"No."

"Give them back!"

"No." The hanyou's answer was smug. "Come and get them."

"Sit!" There was a loud crack and the faint smell of blood came to Sesshomaru's nose. (Did he reopen his wounds?)

"Hehe, stupid wench. You still can't reach me without getting out..." The muffled reply came.

A frustrated splash came and the human growled loudly. "Just give them back, you dumbass. I'm not getting out for you." She snapped.

"Dumbass? You should talk! I'm not lying around getting a bath when Sesshomaru could be around!"

(Irony is sweet indeed.) A smile glimmered in Sesshomaru's eyes.

"Even if he was around, he wouldn't attack me right after a battle with you, and not while I'm getting a bath! Unlike someone I know, he seems to have some sense of honor." The human spat harshly, and this time, the smile reached Sesshomaru's lips. (Humans are indeed smarter than they look.) Though he admitted to himself, he had recently discovered humans to be quite intelligent, especially since his experiences Rin.

"You...don't compare me to him!"

"Maybe if you acted just a little more mature, I wouldn't have to!"

The hanyou growled loudly and a violent rip proceeded a large splash behind Sesshomaru's rock. (What-)

"Ouch! Get off! S-"

"No! This time you're going to hear me out. This time-" The hanyou stopped and a high whimper implied his action.

(That vile-) Finally pushed over, Sesshomaru unsheathed Tojikin and emerged from behind his rock.

Inuyasha had the human painfully by her wrists and was forcing his lips over hers as she struggled, tears straining from eyes squeezed shut.

"Filthy creature." Sesshomaru's voice brought both of their eyes to him, and the hanyou turned to find a blade to his throat. He backed away quickly, running into a rock and stayed there, surprised into fear. Sesshomaru's eyes held with Kagome's and the sapphire orbs filled with fear, then confusion. Turning his gaze back to the shocked Inuyasha, he found his half-brother scampering out of the water. Casting a fearful gaze over his shoulder, at both Sesshomaru and Kagome, he limped into the forest as fast as his previous injuries would allow.

"This isn't over!" Inuyasha shouted from the cover of the woodland darkness. And more ruffling of weeds indicated his quick retreat.

"Thank you." Turning back to the human, he found her inching along the edge of the spring towards her clothes. She stopped and looked at him squarely, and her eyes darkened for a moment. "Even if it's for some ulterior motive," And they lightened again. "Or if it's just because you hate him more than me, thank you."

Sesshomaru hesitated before moving towards her torn clothing. "I do not hate humans." He picked it up and examined it. "I find you weak and essentially useless, but I do not hate you." (I cannot allow her to go off in this. It is ruined beyond decent wear and the hanyou will be waiting.) "Do you have spare clothing?"

The human's eyes wandered in distracted thought. "N- Oh. Yes. I have...my pajamas."

* * *

Still nervous at the very close and personal vicinity she held with the demon lord, Kagome held her arms over her chest in an attempt to mask her shivering, but relaxed slightly as she remembered she still had at least one pair of clothes in her bag. "They're in my bag, over by the bushes." She nodded to the yellow bag, almost hidden by the leaves.

"Turn."

Kagome looked up in confusion. Sesshomaru's hands were on the edge of the spring, ready to get out. "Oh!" And she turned away, shutting her eyes.

* * *

Sesshomaru pushed out of the steamed waters and wrapped his tail over himself. Dressing quickly, save his armor, he paused near her bag. (Why am I helping this human? Am I getting soft?) He turned slightly towards the human, her back towards him and her hands over her eyes. She was above the water just enough to expose the small of her back to him. His eyes skimmed over the smooth indent of her spine. (She is not disgusting, as far as humans go. I see what the half-breed could see in-) He stopped the thought short. (I am truly getting soft.) Giving the bag a firm kick rolled it to the water's edge, within reach of the human.

"Dress and get to safety quickly." The human nodded, her hands still over her eyes. "Do not approach the hanyou." He warned tightly and left.

* * *

It took a moment of silence to assure Kagome that Sesshomaru had left before she turned around. Her bag, dirty from the forest floor, lay close to the water's edge. She stood in the steaming waters for a moment before the weight of the past minute's events hit her. (Inuyasha, he...and...Why would he have...) Her hands shook as she reached for her bag. (I thought we got past this...) Their single sexual encounter had ended badly; Inuyasha had lost control of his inner demon and the proceeding disaster left Kagome's throat raw from crying and a long scar down the inside of her thigh. Her mind went to the scar and her hands fell onto the bag, shaking more than ever. (We...we said we'd never go there again... But now...)

Suddenly overcome, she gripped the bag and leaned over it, tears pouring down her face to mix with the waters below.

* * *

(Why did I help the girl? I could have killed Inuyasha there, why did I first look to her?) A nearby tree felt Sesshomaru's silent wrath and he stared for a moment at its sizzling remains. (That girl has no use to me, why did I bother to save her?) He stopped and looked ahead, seeing only Inuyasha's claws clutching the girl's wrists and tears running down her cheeks. (That vile hanyou has no honor.) Satisfied with the excuse, he continued walking, slashing a branch out of his way. (Not the basest creatures would force themselves upon a woman like that. Even a human would deserve better.) He stopped again as Rin's scent touched his nose. (Especially humans.)

"Sesshomaru-sama! You're back!" The girl ran up to him and threw her arms around his waist. "Me and Ah and Un-"

"Ah, Un, and I." Sesshomaru corrected absently.

"Oh. Ah, Un, and I collected so many more flowers for my book! We found new purple ones I didn't have so we picked some for my book and..." She reached into her pocket. "Some for you!" Holding up a slightly crushed bundle of purple flowers in one hand, her flower-pressing book in the other, Rin smiled triumphantly as Sesshomaru gently took the flowers.

"Thank you, Rin. Did Jaken return?"

Rin nodded fervently, her ponytail bobbing with her. "Yes, he came back a while ago, and his eyes were big and swirly," she demonstrated, swirling her fingers over her eyes. "And he fell down and went to sleep over by the tree." She pointed behind her where, sure enough, an exhausted Jaken slept soundly. Several bumps and bruises covered his wrinkled, green face. "He must be really, really tired..." Rin observed quietly.

Sesshomaru didn't respond but decided to let his retainer sleep. "I will rest as well Rin. Do not make much noise." Sitting down under a nearby tree, he closed his eyes.

"Did you not sleep well at the springs?" Rin asked quietly, concerned.

"No. Now let me sleep."

This time, Rin took the order to heart and left her master to rest.

* * *

Kagome stood at the edge of the forest, letting the cool air slowly replace the steam of the springs. (Sesshomaru said not to see Inuyasha again. He's right, but...) In her mind's eye, she saw the future she had once planned slipping away. (How can I ever...trust Inuyasha again? We agreed never to try a physical relationship after...but is he...am I asking too much of him?)

She sighed and entered the forest. Dusk was coming and the darkness of the trees enveloped her like a warm blanket. (What do I do now? I can't go back to Inuyasha, not now. Maybe, later. I'll go visit Kaede. And I'll stop by Sango and Miroku's on the way.) She smiled faintly at the memories of everyone together. (We were such a team then... I could use some good company now.) She started walking towards the setting sun, looking up through the vines as she moved.

When she finally reached the forest limits, it was almost night and she stopped in the middle of a grassy field. (I'm not going to make it to Sango's tonight. May as well sleep here...) Kagome lay down in the long grass and looked up to the darkening sky above. She took a deep breath and inhaled the scent of grass and dirt. (Why do I feel empty? Well, I guess this is the first time I've been away from Inuyasha in a long time...) Since the Shikon no Tama disappeared, she had been unable to go back home. (No, it's not my family... maybe. Maybe I miss someone. But why do I just feel...incomplete?) She opened her eyes without realizing she had closed them and returned her gaze to the sky. A faint twinkle caught her eye and she smiled.

"Star light, star bright..." she whispered the rhyme. "First star I see tonight. I wish I may, I wish I might, have..." Her voice faltered. "This wish I wish tonight." The star seemed to flicker in anticipation. `Just, I just wish I could be...happy.' And this fallen thought accompanied her into the darkness of sleep.

* * *

"There! That was it!"

"I don't know..."

"How could you possibly deny that!"

"She's right. The girl is depressed. She needs to come back."

"But does she even remember what she would come back to? Coming back to all this after a mortal life isn't exactly easy..."

"Look, whether her consciousness realizes it or not, that was the agreed signal. We need to awaken her."

"Right."

"Exactly."

"But can't she just keep something from her mortal life?"

"Damn, fine. Bring up that guy she was thinking about."

"Which one?"

"Who the hell cares?! Just bring them both and be done with it!"

Done!!!! Whoa, longest chapter I have ever written, I must say... But just a few after-notes. Yes, Sesshomaru is *very* stoic and though he seems to be very active here, he always struck me as someone who would always think more than he talks. Thus, the abundance of thoughts. Second, I don't know this, but I always thought steam helps block scents, so forgive me if Inuyasha was a little bad on sniffing out Sesshomaru. Thirdly, (sigh) I know there will be some people who will yell at me about Inuyasha's behavior, but tough. I write em as I see em and Inuyasha seems to be one who would be very...wanting of a physical relationship.

Um, that's all. I guess. Okay, I hope everyone is enjoying this story so far, so leave a review, please!!!! (And I do have a pic of Kagome later on in the story somewhere around this site, "Starlight Kagome", check it out if you want!)