Midnight Philosophy by Justina

A Midnight philosophy

Disclaimer: No, I don't own Inuyasha, or any of it's characters, settings, yada yada yada, if I did, do think think I'd be posting this?  It belongs to the wonderful and talented Rumiko Takahashi ^_^

Summary:  Two-shot* The Inutachi comes to a cave for the night only to discover that a certain demon lord and his ward and retainer have already taken it for the night....how is it that one certain miko has captured a stoic taiyoukai's attention? Sess/Kags

AN:  I know it's not indented, and I apologize; I own a mac, and for some reason it won't let me use the copy icon for word documents, the rest of the punctuation and the organization seems to be good.  And yes I use ellipsis aka (...)- I use it to indicate long pauses; what can I say... I used to be in theatre, he he -_-'  Oh and yes this is also posted of fanfiction.net, but you'll find that on here I added some minor things to help with transitions, and I deleted some things that didn't structurally make sense.  Happy reading!!

The Inutachi had been traveling for quite a while before Inuyasha finally gave in to Kagome’s yelling and Shippo’s whining. He grudgingly decided that they would stop for the night. While it was a beautiful night, the wind was cold and Inuyasha led the group to a nearby cave. When the group got there, however, it was very noticeable that it was already inhabited.

“What the hell are you doing here?!” Inuyasha yelled at a tall figure in a white haori.

“What language. You will refrain from using such half-breed.” The stoic demon lord looked at his half-brother without interest and then at his pack. He noticed that the young kitsune was shivering, as did his ward, whom ran over to her friend.

“Shippo-kun! Kagome-san!” The little girl ran over to her two friends and dragged them over beside the fire where she had been sitting previous to their arrival.

Kagome smiled at the young girl and allowed her to haul her adopted son over to her destination. “Hello Rin-chan, and how are you?”

Rin replied with a toothy smile. “Rin is very well, arigato! Sesshomaru-sama and Master Jaken are taking good care of Rin.”

Kagome smiled and looked over at the stoic demon lord approvingly. He simply glared at her and turned around with a “Hn.”

“This Sesshomaru has decided that you are to stay and protect Rin for the night.” And with that he turned away and walked toward the mouth of the cave and away from the noisy bunch.

It seemed as though Kagome was the only one to not only hear, but also understand the taiyoukai’s answer. She responded with a smile, a bow and an “arigato Sesshomaru-sama.”

Although Sesshomaru was standing at the opening of the cave at the time, he heard her answer. ‘Strange. It seems as though the young miko is the only one in my brother’s pack with any manners. And why is the undead miko traveling with them?’ He shook his head slightly and sighed inaudibly with relief at the silence of the night.

Kagome looked around the cave and groaned as she covered her ears from the noise. Inuyasha was currently arguing with Jaken. The imp-like demon was trying to prove his point about how Inuyasha was a “half-breed” and didn’t deserve to be in ‘the great’ Sesshomaru-sama’s presence. Inuyasha was yelling, (more like screaming) back at him to shut-up, and punted the annoying creature across the cave. Rin and Shippo were playing tag with Kirara and laughing. Kagome looked at the two children lovingly before hearing a slap and the scream of “hentai!” across from her. She shook her head and laughed lightly. Her gaze then went to the only silent figure in the cave. Kikyo was meditating, and only smirked slightly at Miroku’s antics.

The young miko sighed that she had had enough, and decided to step outside for a while. When she passed through the mouth of the cave she distinctly heard her hanyou best friend shout to her.

“Oi wench! Where do ya think your goin’?”

Kagome sighed and tiredly replied with an “out.”

“Out where? You’ll get yourself killed stupid!”

The young miko turned around to see a glowering Inuyasha, and for once, a silent cave. Everyone was staring at Inuyasha and shirking away from the angry looking miko. She growled lightly and in an icy voice said the one word that the hanyou hated above all others. “Inuyasha… sit.” With that she turned and walked gracefully out of the cave full of her laughing friends, and the cursing from a very disgruntled hanyou in an Inuyasha-shaped crater.

Kagome growled lightly with a scowl. “Inuyasha no baka.” She then turned her gaze to the sky and smiled at the star-filled heavens above her. She gasped quietly. “It’s beautiful.”

“Indeed.”

Kagome jumped and looked behind her to find the source of the voice. “Oh! Gomen Sesshomaru-sama… you startled me.”

Sesshomaru looked at the girl without expression and “Hn’d.” Kagome sighed and went to walk away. To the miko’s surprise, however, the taiyoukai addressed her. “I must say miko, this Sesshomaru found that to be quite amusing. How is it the half-breed was forced into the ground with such power, and without a weapon?”

Kagome laughed darkly at this, throwing the inu taiyoukai off-guard. “It’s a spell that is attached to the rosary around his neck. He slams into the ground whenever I say the magic word.” She smirked up at Sesshomaru mischievously.

“And what word is that?” His deep baritone made Kagome shiver slightly.

“Sit.”

Kagome jumped yet again when she heard something unthinkable. Sesshomaru chuckled. The young miko laughed with him as she got over her shock, and her sapphire gaze met his golden stare. She quickly looked away and sat on the ground, looking up at the sky. “You know, I can’t help but wonder at what’s out there. It’s amazing to even imagine that almost every star has its own solar system, and that all of those solar systems are part of only one galaxy. I wonder just how many galaxies there are, and if the universe does in fact go on for eternity. It makes me feel so small and insignificant.” She paused for a moment and sighed. “Socrates is right. We really do know nothing. It doesn’t matter how much knowledge we gather throughout our lifetime… it’s not even a small dent of what there is to know. And then, who knows whether or not what we learn is really real…” She stopped again to look at her current companion, whom was inwardly looking at the young onna with wonder. Kagome noticed that his eyes had softened slightly, but only enough to see if one knew his usual glare.

His stoic voice quietly cut through the silence. “You know of objects in motion and philosophy?”

The miko smiled slightly, her cerulean gaze going back to the wonder that lay above them. “Yes I do know of some astronomy, and the basics of philosophy. I like puzzles… they’re fun to try to solve, even if the answers only bring you back to the beginning again.”

Sesshomaru chuckled lightly for the second time that night, surprising Kagome once again. “This Sesshomaru finds paradoxes to be quite amusing, if not somewhat frustrating as well.”

Kagome laughed with him lightly, and Sesshomaru noticed that her laugh did not quite reach her eyes. Their was a certain sadness within them that somewhat unsettled the stoic demon lord. “Miko.”

Kagome scowled slightly and then pouted. “My name is Kagome. I cannot help that I am a miko. That is only what I am. I don’t appreciate being addressed by what I am. Would you find it acceptable if I called you taiyoukai?”

Sesshomaru (inwardly) was taken aback by this comment, and glared at her for the latter of it.

Kagome knew his answer from his eyes, and could tell that he was uncomfortable by the slight shift of his weight. She glared back at him before her eyes softened sadly. “I didn’t think so.” She looked away from him and stared at her hands. “At least you call me something that can be seen as positive.” Her voice softened to a whisper, and even with his demonic hearing, Sesshomaru had to struggle to hear her. “He doesn’t even say my name anymore…”

“Who?” It wasn’t a question, it was a statement.

“Inuyasha.” Kagome turned away from the demon lord.

Sesshomaru’s eyes narrowed at his half-brother’s name. “Why would your mate refuse to call you by your name?”

Kagome blinked as she turned to face Sesshomaru. “My what?! Inuyasha is not my mate!”

“I see… it simply seemed that you were in love with the half-breed.”

“That’s just it Sesshomaru. I don’t love him. I thought I did once, but he always chose her over me… he still does. I’ll never be good enough for him.” She laughed darkly and looked into his eyes. “I know why I’m still here. Kikyo can’t sense the jewel shards anymore… I’m simply a shard detector…”

Kagome abruptly turned away, and Sesshomaru smelled salt, although the tears that he expected did not fall. The miko simply sighed deeply and looked back at him with half a smile on her face. She noted the questioning look he gave her and sighed again. “I promised myself a long time ago that I would not cry for him again. I just wish that my incarnation did not ruin our friendship.”

Sesshomaru nodded and looked up at the sky. “He is foolish to choose someone who is not supposed to be in this world.”

Kagome looked at the god-like figure for a moment before she followed his eyes. “You are not what you seem, or what everyone makes you out to be Sesshomaru.”

The taiyoukai looked at the onna before him and raised an eyebrow.

“You are easy to talk to, and I find you to be enjoyable company. You know, you’re the only one who I knew would understand my musings. The others, while I love them dearly, are completely clueless about some things.”

He could not help but notice the peaceful expression on the miko’s face when she answered him. “What of these musings of yours?” His graceful arch nearly disappeared into his silver locks.

Kagome smiled at him. “Well, what I just told you about the universe for starters.” She hugged her knees to her chest and rested her head on them. “I know that I sometimes act like a child, but I’m not as naive and stupid as people think. I know that the world is filled with hypocrites. That is especially why I hate the politics of this era, well okay any era really.” Kagome glanced at Sesshomaru’s narrowed eyes, and quickly added, “present company excluded of course.”

Sesshomaru gave an “Hn,” and waved his hand for her to continue.

The miko gave a sigh in relief and went on. “It is because of this that I find that no form of government can really be completely successful. Sadly, there is no such place as a Utopian society. Although humans are rational animals by definition, that’s the problem. Humans are still animals; we have animalistic tendencies that need to be fulfilled. We have instincts. In order for a Utopian society to truly exist, we must dispatch our feelings toward everything, including our children, and look at everyone as a brother and sister. This is highly improbable… maternal instinct does exist in most every female, and this instinct cannot be ignored. Humans are very animalistic when these terms involve children. A mother’s child and her family is pack, not unlike dogs and wolves, and she will do anything to protect them… It doesn’t matter what kind of government rules over whom, or what type of person someone is… we all have desires. True that a few do not let their appetites control them, however, the majority are ruled by the spiritual and appetites in the soul.”

Kagome looked at a slightly stunned looking Sesshomaru before continuing. “I believe that higher demons are better at this… well at controlling the appetites at least. They separate themselves from their inner demon unless absolutely necessary. Instead, they rule with the rational part of themselves, and with only a small part of their spiritual for honor’s sake. So I suppose the question I have to ask myself is- do I truly believe that demons are better than humans?”

Sesshomaru’s breath took at her last question and he stared at her, clearly waiting for an explanation.

Kagome pondered her question for a moment before sighing, and looking at the demon lord in front of her. “I suppose in a way the answer is yes, some of them at least. Not because they are stronger than humans physically, but because they are stronger than us mentally…” She trailed off and once again turned her attention to the sky above her.

Sesshomaru took in the sight before him. With the wind blowing as it was, the onna’s perfect black hair blew around her before settling at her waist, and her porcelain skin almost matched the hue of the moon. Her deep blue eyes reflected the light of the orb in the sky and seemed to shine like the stars themselves. Her body was to contend any demoness’ he had ever known, and her intellect surpassed many, and rivaled his own. He found that the miko before him was a puzzle, and he did enjoy challenges after all. Perhaps they could establish a truce with one another, or perhaps a closer bond. A friendship? Perhaps…

“Us…”

Kagome turned her gaze back to Sesshomaru at his statement. “Hm?”

“You used the term ‘us.’ You identify yourself with those who have little control over their desires?” Both of his eyebrows raised at this and Kagome slightly winced.

“Well I am human after all.” There was amusement in her voice as he made her state the obvious.

“Perhaps, however, from what this Sesshomaru has observed you put everyone before yourself. You make sure the half-breed and his pack are well enough before you even notice your own wounds. You have even protected Rin with complete disregard for your own safety. It may not be a tactician’s mind at work, but it is honorable, and rational in its way. To put it bluntly you get those who are weaker and more prone to be injured out of harm’s way before they can be hurt.”

Kagome stared at the figure across from her with disbelief. ‘He’s defending me?’ She smiled, and then frowned thoughtfully. “I suppose it could be looked at that way, but once again, it was more of an instinct to protect Rin.”

Sesshomaru looked down at the miko with amusement. “She is not your pack.”

Kagome’s frown intensified as a battle took place within her mind. “You’re right.” The girl sighed and looked down at her hands and shifted. “Well, once again the puzzle arrives back to the beginning.”

“It seems this Sesshomaru may have misjudged you as well. You are more intelligent than this one could have thought possible, and you are tolerable company. Where is it you learned all of this, and how is it you became so wise?”

She blushed at his compliment. ‘He complimented me for something?’ She asked herself with surprise. “Ah, well I learned about Plato and this particular view of the soul in school… tutoring.” She added by his confused look. “As for being wise… if you’re referring to me being a ‘wise ass’ so to speak, then yes I can be one.” She looked at his smirk and smiled. “But if you actually mean wise… I’m not. It’s impossible.”

“And why is that?” “Wisdom does not have existence on Earth. If the truest definition of wisdom that we have is Socrates’ vision of ‘the act of knowing we know nothing’ then the definition itself is a paradox. If we believe that we know nothing then how is it we know that we know nothing? Besides, it’s a particular to Socrates itself, and if we follow Aristotle’s rules we know it has to be a universal. In other words, wisdom doesn’t have a definition. So in establishing that wisdom doesn’t exist, then obviously I’m not wise.” She looked at him embarrassedly and looked down.

Sesshomaru looked on at her in amazement. He gently took a claw under her chin and made her look at him. Sapphire looked up at gold and both figures’ breath hitched in their chests. “And that is why I say you are wise little one.”

Kagome looked away and blushed as the two fell into a comfortable silence; that is until the inu taiyoukai’s sensitive hearing picked up a light chatter of teeth. “Miko...”

The miko in question glared up at him with narrowed eyes and his eyes seemed to soften some.

“Kagome… you are cold.”

The girl smiled at the figure before her for using her name before a somewhat confused look crossed her graceful features. “Huh?”

Sesshomaru sighed almost audibly. “You are shivering.”

It was then Kagome noticed that she was indeed cold, and that her teeth were chattering slightly more than before. “Oh… I am.” She giggled embarrassedly and pulled her knees closer to her body to keep warm.

“Perhaps we should return.” He replied just as stoic as his usual self.

“I’d rather take my chances freezing out here thank you.” Noting the question in his eyes and his infamous raised eyebrow she added, “as much as I love my friends, they’re very loud, and I don’t feel like dealing with Inuyasha and the undead love of his life.” She spat the latter out bitterly and then sighed tiredly. “Perhaps I am more like her than I thought. I seem to be becoming even more bitter with every passing day.”

Her body shook, and as she closed her eyes she felt something warm curl around her and then lift her up onto something equally as warm. She gasped suddenly when she opened her eyes and found herself on Sesshomaru’s lap. His tail had wrapped itself around her body, and his arm wound around her delicate waist. She looked up at him in question.

“Since you find it so disapproving to return to the cave, this Sesshomaru will keep you warm. It would not do any good for you to become ill. In turn your human companions would become ill, and this one will not have a sick ningen around Rin.” But as he said it Kagome could see his cold gaze warm a bit, and she smiled.

She leaned against his chest, savoring the warmth from his body and rather fluffy and soft tail. “I suppose you’re right.”

“Of course. This Sesshomaru is never wrong karei.”

“Such arrogance.” Kagome looked up at him playfully, smirked at the nickname, and he smirked down at her in return.

She sighed and looked back at that which was their previous discussion.

The demon lord followed the girl’s gaze and smirked when he heard her “oh” at a falling star.

“Sesshomaru make a wish!” Kagome closed her eyes, but then opened them abruptly and smiled at her companion.

“A wish…” He raised an eyebrow at her. “Explain.”

She rolled her eyes and sighed. “If you make a wish on a shooting star it will come true.” Her eyes lit up at the last part of her explanation, and Sesshomaru sighed just audibly enough for Kagome to hear. “What?” She looked at him with puppy eyes and a pout that made him smirk.

“One of the most intelligent creatures I have ever come across, and you believe in shooting stars and wishes.” He looked at her with amusement which made her pout more pronounced.

Her pout slowly turned upward into a mischievous smirk. “Well… I did say that I sometimes act like a child.”

“Hn. You are not that much a child Kagome.” He looked at her softly, and held her close as his lips gently touched hers. She gasped and then smiled into his lips. Sighing softly she ran her fingers through his long silvery locks. At her response he deepened the kiss further and ran his tongue along her bottom lip. She obliged his request happily as she opened her mouth, and his tongue darted inside of it. She pushed hers against his and back into his mouth, as she explored his cavern. He growled at her fight for dominance and to his surprise she growled back. Sesshomaru chuckled softly and fought back against her. Kagome giggled and let him take over, knowing that with his possessive nature he would eventually win anyway. The couple pulled away from each other and Kagome smiled a true smile; one that Sesshomaru was happy to see met her eyes. She sighed contentedly as he kissed her neck. He grazed his fangs along it and up to her ear which he nibbled on lightly. She giggled silently at his instincts as he pulled her to his chest.

“So, I suppose that even great inu taiyoukai can’t always control their instincts huh?” She smirked at him and he smirked back.

“So it would seem little karei.”

“What did you wish for Sesshomaru?” Kagome looked at him expectantly, and smiled.

The inu taiyoukai simply smirked back her and rubbed her nose with his. “This Sesshomaru does not wish. This Sesshomaru takes action to get what he wishes. And what is it that you wished for?”

Kagome laughed lightly. “I thought it was obvious.” With that the demon lord ran his claws through her midnight hair and actually smiled down at her. She returned the gesture, and ran her delicate fingers through his silver hair; her head still on his chest. She looked at the silver locks and realized that he was her moon and her star, just as he realized that she was his sky.

The two embodied the night. His knee length silver, moon/star colored hair reflected off of her hair’s midnight hue. Both held a mystery that only the other could see. Both were content in being who they were, and both knew that without the other, the beauty of the two different entities would be fruitless. Falling asleep in each others embrace, they knew that at least at night, if only this one night, they held understanding, and they had each other.

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AN: There you are, I hope you liked it, please review, it keeps me writing!! ^_^