Disclaimer: I don't own jack!

Summary: Only beneath the silver light of the moon would her reprieve from solitude come.

Pairing: Amagiri/Kagome/Saito

Suggested Listening: Silent Moon by Jia Pen Fang

Phases of the Moon

Chapter One: Hunter's Moon

The evening was as still as she'd ever heard it before. The air was thick and humid after a summer shower. A thin veil of dew covered the vegetation that surrounded her home—making all the shrubbery glimmer faintly in the day's dying light. Kagome swept her bangs from her eyes. It stuck to her forehead along with rivulets of beaded sweat. She chewed on her bottom lip and waited nervously. Something, or more precisely, someone was coming.

She was used to these visits by now. They'd become a frequent part of her life. The time between each could vary anywhere between the span of a few months or as short as two days. It usually depended on his schedule. The man was as busy as she'd ever heard of one being. She supposed it had something to do with the village he, his lord and a few others were trying to build.

Kagome clasped her hands behind her back. She waited patiently on the ledge of her home's engawa. She'd built this tiny abode from the very timber that surrounded her. She remembered the feeling of accomplishment as she finished the last panel. If one house had given her so much pride, surely an entire town would have a much more profound affect on its architects. A small smile warmed her lips. Quite the feat indeed.

Her eyes focused as a snap of power rushed through her senses. He was here. From beyond the thick foliage the silhouette of a man became outlined in the forest's shadows. In the distance his hair appeared a silvery white and his eyes a deep gold. However as he stepped into the fading breath of twilight, it was revealed that he possessed neither of those qualities. Auburn hair reflected in the scarlet monochrome as steely azure eyes focused on her form.

"It's been some time. Would you like to rest?" It was their usual greeting. His answer always changed but what never did was his insistence on remaining longer than what their transaction would normally take.

"If you don't mind. It's been a wearisome travel." The man approached. His footfalls were silent. Not even the leaves rustled beneath his feet. Her warm smile grew.

"Of course. I'll prepare the tea. Come inside." He followed after her into the tiny common area of her home. It had only been made large enough to fit the hearth and eight people around it at the maximum. Any more and it would be virtually impossible to move. Thankfully she rarely had more than three visitors at a time. So it never felt too cramped. "How's progress going? Last we spoke you mentioned that much of the trades were being redirected as necessary."

He nodded once, "Yes. That's been settled. Construction is well under way. We believe that if the pace remains steady then it should only be a matter of months before the village is habitable." The man sat stiffly by the fire. He was always so direct and to the point. There was never a wasted word or action. Everything had a purpose in his eyes. If it didn't, then he wouldn't bother with it. That was just the type of person he was.

"Ah, so things are coming along well. That's good." She removed the freshly steeped tea from the fire. "For you." She poured it into two individual cups before handing one to him and taking the other for herself. Kagome took a seat beside her visitor comfortably. This was how their night usually started. A conversation, tea and the unassuming silence that would follow.

The male sipped at the brew. The lines in his face relaxed somewhat as he savored the flavor. She tried hers as well. It was sweet with the smallest hint of something bitter. She took another drink. It was perfect.

Night slowly fell over the forest. The moon's soft light shone above her home. Her eyes drifted towards her temporary companion. He always arrived at dusk and left by night. He never came to her during the daytime. She supposed that it had something to do with his schedule. Either that or he was actively avoiding being traced back here. Somehow that thought wasn't too far outside the realm of possibility for her to believe.

The two remained in silence, basking in the peace that came with such tranquil company. Minutes passed like hours but neither felt the need to break the understanding that'd settled between them. Then after several long minutes, the moment was finally broken.

"This setting," His steely gaze took in the natural surroundings that circled her home. "Is it preferable for you?" Kagome felt that there was something deeper hidden in his words, so she answered as honestly as she could.

"Not really, no." She sipped at her tea serenely. Memories she wished to leave behind threatened to come forward. Pain, suffering and all the things that caused so much hurt in the world beckoned her recollections. Pushing back at them, she continued. "But I can't go back to that village and I am more skilled in demon healing arts than human." She set the cup in her lap. She rubbed her index finger along the rim absent-mindedly. The smoothed-lines of its ridges had become so familiar by now. "Leaving here isn't much of an option either." A wry smile suddenly split her lips. "Besides if I left, my clientele would be very upset. They've gotten quite attached."

The barest hint of a smile warmed his lips in response, "I see." He glanced towards the silver half-coin of the moon hanging high in the sky. "Then I shall not pry." She knew that he wouldn't either. Above all else, he was a man of his word. That much she could trust in.

"What brings you the urge to ask? It's not something that you normally concern yourself with." Kagome lifted her gaze towards his impassive face. For the first time, she spied the slight shifting of his features into something akin to concern. She blinked curiously at the notion. How odd, she hardly took him as a man to express such things so visibly. Surely something must be pressing upon him to cause this subtle change in his behavior.

"Once Yase is completed, we oni shall remain within its borders." He held his drink firmly, his eyes drifting towards the half moon above them. "When that happens our ties to the human realm will be severed." She took a slow breath through her lips. So that was it. In a few short months these visits would come to an end. Somehow that notion left her feeling a bit empty. Azure eyes glimmered back at her from the darkly colored surface of her tea. A ripple was sent through the image as she tilted the cup to the side; observing as her reflection became disrupted. She glanced back towards her companion.

Auburn hair drifted in the slight breeze that picked up, "You are not kin of the humans." It was a statement that still stung her pride. Her finger roved along the brim of her cup once more. "Your skills are highly valued by our kind. There are only few left in the way of practicing medicine for our people." The young woman briefly wondered if he saw her more as one of their own than the human she actually was. Such a strange notion but one that left her feeling oddly content.

"Is that an offer I'm sensing?" A slight smile crossed her lips. If he'd shown concern then it was likely that this topic had been bothering him for some time. He was never one to avoid a subject, so by listing off his reasoning first, she assumed that he was trying to assuage any doubt she'd might have before diving into the real reason of this conversation.

His expression relaxed somewhat, "It is." The man didn't deny it. "It won't be for some months yet. But if you wish, Yase village would be more than willing to offer you a home there in exchange for your medicinal remedies."

Kagome thought over the prospect. Would it really be that simple? Kindness not something she had been given in the eighteen years she'd wandered this earth. She bit into her bottom lip nervously. Though surely leaving the forest wasn't such a leap of character for her. She'd wanted to depart from this pallid existence for some time but there were simply obligations that she'd needed to fulfill. Memories of scarlet clouded her thoughts. If only she could forget that wintry day. The young woman took another sip from her drink.

"Might I have some time to consider?" Truthfully she wanted to leave. She wanted it so desperately that she could practically taste it. The promise of freedom from this current existence was so tangible. If it was him offering it to her, then she knew that she could put her faith in the path he was opening up to her. The issue however lied not in her desires, but in the consequences of her departure. Even as ostracized from society as she was, she still had an important role to play. She couldn't leave without first speaking to the ones that'd be most affected by her absence.

"Of course." The answer was quick and a flash of understanding flickered briefly through the man's expression. Even if he didn't say it, it was clear that he fully understood her reasoning for her reluctance. More than anyone, he was aware of the importance her work had for those such as themselves. The oni were not the only people who sought her guidance. Kagome took a small drink from her tea. That was one thing she would always appreciate about him. So calm and unflappable, it was as if nothing ever got beneath his skin.

The silence grew but with it a comfort that they'd become so familiar with. Their visits usually lasted a few hours. Her eyes drifted towards the stars' twinkling light in the sky above. How many more would they have like this? How many more would come? Her companion was an incredibly busy man. She could only hope that it'd be swift. As the tea slowly cooled and emptied from their cups, Kagome realized that their time together was drawing to a close this night. She collected their dishes silently, moving to retrieve the item he'd originally come to her for.

The young woman pulled at the drawstring that held the pouch closed. The small bag opened to reveal a menagerie of ointments and medicinal herbs packed neatly inside. Each one's purpose detailed perfectly to the needs of his people. From burns to infection and even a purification soother—a rare remedy she'd created with her own two hands. It'd taken many months of dedication to create it, but now there was a faint glimmer of hope for those afflicted by the harsh purification of those too swift in their judgment.

"Just as you requested. Those would be best used on infections and burns. Your bodies may heal quick but this will take off some of the pain of those injuries." She pointed towards the small vial within the pouch that was stored in a glass container versus the ceramic. "That's the special request you made. Use it wisely." She smiled at him, gently dropping the bag into his splayed palm.

"We appreciate your aid." He paused for a moment, as if a thought crossed his mind that he was unsure he should voice. Then after a second's deliberation, he spoke, "I'll return in three days time for your answer." Her brows lifted towards her bangs. That was a first. He usually did not announce such things as when his next visit would be. She glanced downward as he placed a small handful of coins in her open palm. "Please make any arrangements you need during that time."

Kagome couldn't hold back a playful smile, "You're assuming I'll say yes?"

The ghost of a smile touched his lips in return, "I'm assuming that you'll be logical." With that he stood from her engawa. The moon was still so bright despite being only half of its usual size. She could see all the stress lines upon his face soften and the pinprick of something warm in his steely gaze that hadn't quite been there before. Had he just teased her? Now that was quite rare, indeed.

"Have a safe travel." The young woman clasped her hands behind her as she watched his back start to move towards the forest from which he once emerged. "I look forward to the next time we meet." If she hadn't watched carefully, she would've missed the slight falter in his step. If she hadn't listened intently, she would've missed the barest intake of breath from his lips. But she did. She'd witnessed it all. She hadn't missed a single detail. In that second her heart softened. Even as unflappable as he was, Amagiri still had his moments where his guards fell. It was those moments that reminded her that she wasn't so alone in this tiny little home. Perhaps one day she would be able to experience the liveliness of a village once more. Her smile deepened. She rather enjoyed that thought.

Kagome watched as the oni trekked further into the shroud of night that blanketed the forest. Auburn hair glimmered a faint silver and from this distance his eyes took on a faint hue of amber. She blinked once and back to the shadows in which the world beyond returned. All evidence of the man's visit disappeared with him. Not even the barest hint of a footprint remained. The only trace was the faint lingering of his scent that seemed to fade as swiftly as he did. Her lips pressed downward in a thin line. Three days. That wasn't much time to prepare. She still had to find him and his visits were even less frequent. She tangled her fingers together and clutched them tightly. Flexing and releasing with her nervousness.

For tonight she would rest. Starting tomorrow she would have to begin preparations for her departure. Kagome's expression softened. Her eyed drifted towards the moon still half filled in the night sky above. It was always beneath its calming light that she found her reprieve in the form of these brief moments in time. Soon, she hoped to seek that same companionship within the warmth of the sun as well. With that thought in mind she turned back to her home and shut the screen that led to the world outside.

A/n: I decided to go ahead and cut the chapters to shorter amounts so as to make completing them more efficient for me. With OPAH taking up much of my time and energy this method seems to work the best. XD Anyways, what did you guys think so far? This has been an idea that's been bothering me for a while so I figured I'd go ahead and jump on it. Did I mention that you're all freaking amazing? Thanks so much guys! You're the best! XD