First place winner in the "Tree" competition at Live Journal's Inuyasha Fanfic Contest. April 2007. 168 words, Rating: G, Drama / General.

The shard glittered in the sunlight; its point embedded in the trunk of the weeping cherry.

Heavy boughs of white blossoms shudder in the spring breeze. There are other petals, whispers of pink clouds above a demon's head, soft clusters of serenity. Emphemera. White clouds gather. Tadpoles swarm and pool and disperse. The willow trails into the creek; drips her still-closed green buds into the current. A breeze moves the fronds and carries the light and airy essence of purple; wisteria from across the bank.

A full-grown fox reaches out and plucks the fragment from the tree.

The demon is keen-eyed, his tails brushy and red. Healthy, clever and young, eager and determined to live a long, trick-filled life. He shows his find to the kit beside him. On his face he feels the breeze.

"Look, son! A shard of the Shikon jewel!"

Shippo's delighted eyes are green. He claps his hands.

The shard glints pink; a frozen petal, icy spring, cherry's tear. Sharp-edged. Unbreakable. Destined to last.