This chapter is entirely a flashback.

Chapter 12

We lay on our backs, side by side, as Inuyasha points out the constellations to me. I scan the sky, and locate Perseus and Andromeda.

I point to them. "Look, there's the two lovers from that ancient myth! You know, the one who saved the other from the sea monster?"

"Oh yeah, I see them. Look, here's another." He directs my hand to a group of clustered stars, so bunched up it looks like one giant star.

"Those are the Pleiades. It's actually a bunch of stars closely clustered together, making it seem like one star." I nod, and let my hand relax, letting it drop to the ground.

I sigh, overwhelmed by the beauty of it all. "The night sky is so pretty." He nods, and puts his hands behind his head.

A single star blazes across the heavens. "Look, a shooting star!" I say, pointing to it. "Make a wish!" He closes his eyes, and so do I.

I fervently wish that this moment would last forever. I clasp his hand,, and he closes his hand around mine.

We look into each other's eyes, and he kisses me, full on the mouth.

I kiss him back, and the night is magical.