A/N: Thanks again for sticking with me and taking the time to read my story! Enjoy!

You look so pretty in the dark of night
But I'm getting wise in the early light
I can see you falling like a homemade kite.

-Ribbons by Ingrid Michaelson

Chapter 14: Between the Near and the Distant

Miroku returned a few hours later having successfully conned beds, baths, and food out of one of the wealthy villagers. Upon the inu-tachi's arrival, Sesshomaru politely declined the invitation so as not to stir the ningen villagers whom had just been "cleansed". He would wait outside the village with Ah-Un and Jaken until they regrouped in the morning, Rin would accompany the rest of the group to bathe and sleep. Kagome had protested the taiyoukai's proposal until his young ward had stilled her tongue as she tugged gently on the miko's hand and lead her through the gates with a smile.

"Sesshomaru-sama will wait for us until morning," she'd said cheerfully.

Kagome had frowned slightly in response and cast a glance back at the youkai, her azure gaze meeting his gold. The inu-youkai had nodded his head slightly in response, his gaze never leaving hers and ushering her forward. She wondered if that was his way of reassuring her before her attention was called back to the young girl in front of her, whom had now been joined by Shippou tugging on the miko's free hand. Kagome smiled gently and followed, appeased for the moment.

The night progressed much the same as any other night they had managed to stay in a village. Baths were first and separate, women in one bathhouse and men in the other. Shippou protested at his being excluded from bathing with Sango and Kagome, until the miko explained that Rin might not feel comfortable with the situation. Once the kit had realized what she'd meant he had flushed slightly and left with Miroku and Inuyasha begrudgingly. The shelter of the bathhouse walls had allowed the girls to relax without the threat of any lecherous houshi eyes in the back of their minds. They had taught Rin how to wash and condition her hair, both products supplied by Kagome, and played games with her until dinner was announced and they adorned fresh, new kimonos provided by the family they were staying with.

Mealtime was a bit less relaxing. Sango spent most of her time glaring daggers at pretty village girls flirting with a seemingly oblivious Miroku, whom was clearly enjoying the attention. Kagome attempted to defuse that situation – "Miroku-sama… perhaps you should let the girls be on their way." – while also attempting to make Shippou and Inuyasha eat and behave like reasonably civilized beings – "Breathe Sango-chan, I'm sure Miroku-sama is being a harmless flirt." – "Inuyasha! Don't make me S-I-T you!"

Meanwhile, Rin watched the exchanges quietly and curiously from the miko's side, idly petting Kirara and feeding her little scraps. In the few spare moments where Kagome had the opportunity to observe the tranquil girl she wondered what their time in this village would've been like had Sesshomaru and the rest of his group been present. In those instances she often found herself absentmindedly seeking the sharp pull of his youki. She found it always lead to just outside the village, where his presence remained radiant and unwavering. Something about that consistency soothed her during the commotion of the evening.

Eventually everything wound down and the inu-tachi settled into their blankets for the night - with the exception of Inuyasha, whom, as usual, insisted upon taking up his position by the door. Slowly, the easy chatter that had occupied the group as they settled into their bedtime routines died out and everyone began to drift off to sleep.

A few hours later Kagome awoke to the shoji door quietly sliding shut. Cobalt blue orbs glanced over the rest of her slumbering companions, despite knowing whom it was that had left. Her eyes lingered on the spot where her hanyou friend had once sat, the familiar tug in her chest further confirming his absence.

A stronger, colder sensation fell over her then, one that touched the core of her soul. Her breath shook slightly as the feeling settled in and she knew instantly where her red-clad friend had gone.

Despite her better judgment – she knew well the disappointment that would await her outside that door - Kagome carefully shuffled around the room to pull her kimono back on and then quietly left the room, the shoji door sliding shut behind her. The distant call of a shinidamachuu drew her attention in the direction she knew Inuyasha had gone. She followed the pull of his youki until she found herself on the outskirts of the village, looking out over the fields lit brightly by a waning gibbous moon. She knew that he must have already reached the shadows of the dark forest beyond them, where Kikiyou's shinidamachuu ghosted in and out of the treetops – a slim flash of bright white above the black trees.

She felt her stomach twist at the thought. She often wished that at times like this, when he disappeared in search of her former carnation, that the bond she felt with her hanyou friend would cease. That the distance he traveled to her would diminish the sensation that tugged like a string woven into the flesh and bones of her chest. She wished she could not feel his constant movement away from her, or the slight elation in his mood when he finally stumbled across the woman he'd been seeking.

When Inuyasha would head the shinidamachuu's call, she occasionally wondered if he shared a similar bond with the undead miko that beckoned him. She hoped not, despite how selfish that hope would later make her feel.

The vivid pull of the inu-youkai she had sought earlier that night caught her attention then, drawing her from her thoughts. Stormy blue eyes caught the taiyoukai's gold as he turned his attention from the distant shinidamachuu as well. He stood only a few feet away from her, his presence as bright and unwavering as it had remained the majority of that day every time she sought him out. She again found herself wondering if he could feel the bond between them as well.

In the short amount of time that Sesshomaru had been traveling with the inu-tachi he had found that the young miko was often easily read, her emotions playing out in her actions, expressions, and eyes vividly. He had even occasionally noticed that the strange pull her presence had on him would convey glimpses of her emotions. He had felt that peculiar connection several times that evening – first there was calm, then frustration and anger, followed by small spurts of curiosity and comfort whenever the pull sporadically seemed to strengthen. It was that same connection that had alerted him to her presence outside the village, where he had found her now. He hadn't needed those rare transferences of her emotions tonight. In her gaze he had seen confusion and the pain of rejection as she looked out upon the trees where his hanyou brother had gone, following the undead miko's summons. And when she turned her bright, blue orbs on him he saw something akin to relief soften her expression.

Despite her openness, the miko continued to surprise him. Even if the curiosity of the bizarre connection between them had not gained his interest, the taiyoukai often believed that this ningen onna would inspire his attention regardless.

A small smile curled the corner of her lips in greeting before she turned her gaze back to the ephemeral shinidamachuu. He remained silent, leaving her to her thoughts for several minutes.

"My brother is a fool." Sesshomaru said quietly, when her brow furrowed once again in frustration.

By the time Kagome had turned her gaze back towards the taiyoukai to question him, he had turned his own gaze once more upon the fields and dark trees beyond them. He glanced at her out of the corner of his eyes before turning his back on her.

"It's late. Go back to bed, Miko."

When she began to protest he said, "This Sesshomaru will remain here until morning."

Something in the gentle tone of his voice had silenced her as the same proclamation had earlier that day. She knew that Sesshomaru would do as he said, and that his radiant aura, should she seek it out again, would never waver. A calm, warm sensation moved through her at the thought as she made her way back into the village where the rest of her slumbering companions remained.

A/N: Well, I'm incredibly sorry that it took me so long to update this story! I was having a very difficult time shaping this chapter. I'm still not sure that I'm completely satisfied with it, but this will have to do. I hope you enjoyed it regardless! The next chapter will be up much sooner that this one was, promise! (Already have it started!)

Vocabulary: inu-tachi – Inuyasha's pack, ningen – human, taiyoukai – demon lord, sama- master, lord, or lady, youkai – demon, inu-youkai – dog demon, miko – priestess, hanyou – half demon, youki – demon aura, shinidamachuu – soul stealers, onna – woman

Thanks for reading and thank you all for your patience! –HM11