The forest was alive.

She hadn't really paid much attention to it before, but today she was expanding her senses out, and was almost amazing at the amount of life in the woods.

The trees themselves had a serene, undisturbing presence. They were filled with the light, barely there sense of small animals and bugs.

If she had to describe them, Kagome would have said that plants seemed to be a mild green in the theatre of her mind. The little animals resided in milky brown spots.

Then there were the demons. They were every color of the rainbow, ranging from a murky yellow to dark red. She was attempting to find Sesshoamru, who's energy blazed in an electric blue fire.

It was actually rather beautiful, not that she was going to tell him that, but it was worth thinking.

Her head snapped up as she felt the flicker of blue flames, turning to look into the surrounding woods.

She almost cried out in frustration as the illusion shattered. Her senses returned to normal, and the forest seemed to be just trees, the life hidden within it once more.

Sesshomaru walked out of the spot that she had sensed him in. "You must stay concentrated longer than that Miko. In a battle, an enemy could easily overwhelm you."

She rolled her eyes. "I can still sense demons, I think that I'd be okay."

His eyes narrowed, the honey darkening as he scoffed at her naivety. "Only those with malicious intent, and those senses won't save you from humans. Do not be foolish woman."

Kagome through her hands up in frustration, a tremendous sigh escaping her. "I can't help it! We've been practicing for three days, and I still can't hold onto the illusion. Every time I find you, it disappears."

Sesshomaru sat down next her gracefully, folding his hands in his lap. "It will take time. Try again."

Kagome huffed, but closed her eyes and spread out her senses once more.

She almost jumped in surprise as she immediately encountered Sesshomaru. His life force burned like a fire, icy blue flames glowing with power. A contained Star of energy.

Sesshomaru felt a shiver run down his back as the mikos tentative energy surrounded his aura. She burned a quite pink, little tendrils of power reaching out into the surrounding woods. He had a tight hold on his youki, to keep from reacting to her reiki.

A good thing too, since he felt his demonic energy bubble up to the surface as her reiki flowed across his skin. Shockingly, it wasn't in self preservation, as he would have expected from the contact. He felt some of his youki leaking out, drawing her energy into the woods around them.

Sesshomaru's eyes snapped open as a growl rumbled deep in his chest. Kagome's cerulean orbs flew open at the threatening sound, her concentration shattering.

The taiyoukai sigh. He needed to he training her, not letting his demon side be dawn out.

"What...what did I do wrong?" She asked, voice awash with confusion and resignation.

"Nothing," he said shortly.

She crossed her arms, temper stirring a bit. "If that's true, then why'd you growl at me?"

"None of your concern." She didn't need to know if his temporary lapse in control.

"It's not very nice, or fair to keep things from others." She said crossly.

Sesshomaru felt his short temper snap at the childish woman. His voice was icy as he retorted, "The world is rarely fair, or nice, Miko. Shouldn't you have learned that by now?"

Kagome reeled back slightly, her eyes instantly glazing over with tears at the unexpectedly hurtful words. Words that only reminded her of Inuyasha, a perfect example of how unfair life really was. Her voice was a quavering, insecure whisper.

"You'd have thought that I would know that by now..."

Sesshomaru heaved a sigh, his eyes closing with frustration at himself. He hadn't really meant to be so harsh, but he couldn't stand it when she stuck her nose into his business. He had been a solitary man for too long to change now.

"That was perhaps uncalled for." He relented as the small of salty tears stung the air.

Kagome sniffed lightly, wiping away the unshed evidence of her still broken heart. "S'okay. I shouldn't be so nosy, should I?" She said sheepishly.

He growled lightly again, but it was more in grimly playful agreement.

Oh shush." She grinned at him softly, eyes twinkling with amusement.

The taiyoukai bristled at the light challenge, eyes narrowing at the young woman before him. His tone was dark, growled low in his throat, but he couldn't hide the glimmer of amusement deep in his eyes.

"You would think to quiet this Sesshomaru?"

Kagome's cheeks flushed. His Deep baritone was soothing to the ears, and the challenge in his tone sent her blood rushing, a shiver of excitement running over her.

"Why wouldn't I? What's there to be afraid of?" Her lips twisted into a confident smirk at her bold words, wondering how he would take them.

The taiyoukais eyes flashed red for a brief moment. He opened his Mouth to speak.

"Yo-"

"Kagome-chan! Shippo is being unfair!" Both of the adults were startled from their thoughts as Rin and Shippo tumbled loudly into the small clearing.

Sesshomaru composed himself quickly, his face becoming impassive again. But he couldn't completely quell the spark of excitement that her challenge had sparked in him.

"Yes Rin-chan?" Kagome was slightly breathless, her confidence shaken up a bit. His aura was quite demanding when focused solely on her. Luckily, the young girl was a good distraction.

"Shippo said that you love him much more than you love me! Is that true?" Her chocolate brown eyes were sad as she looked at the woman before her.

Kagome shocked them all as she laugh lightly, a crystalline sound. "Is that what the little rascal said?" Shippos Blushed and looked away from both of the women quickly.

"He's very wrong, Rin-chan. I may have known you for less, but I love you both very much." The young woman radiated Motherly warmth.

Even Sesshomaru was slightly entranced by the positive aura she gave off. She seemed so pure, and heartfelt. Both of the children basked in the glow of her affections as the smiled.

~WLITS~

A few hours later, the group was gathered around a camp fire. The children had fallen asleep on Ah-Uns side, with Jaken unfortunately clutched to Rins side like a pillow.

Kagome sighed as she peered into her black backpack. She was running low on supplies, things like deodorant, shampoo, and wanted a change of clothes.

Generally, she would just ask to go home. But she was fairly certain that Sesshomaru didn't know where, or more exactly when, she was from.

She wasn't sure if she could trust him. He'd proved that he was honorable, and he'd saved her and Shippo...

She'd bring it up, and see what he asked.

"Uhm, Sesshomaru? I need to return to my hometown, for some supplies." She felt her nerves rise as the seated demon gave her an inquisitive look.

"And where might that be?" His eyes had a slight gleam of curiosity in them.

"J-just past the village of Edo." Well, it wasn't necessarily a lie, as the bone eaters well was in the surrounding woods. Unfortunately. The demons eyes narrowed.

"There is nothing around that village for miles."

She smiled sheepishly. "No, trust me there is. Please, just take me there and I'll show you."

"Show me what?" The curiosity had grown, but now it was guarded with wariness.

"Where...how I travel to my home. I promise that you'll be surprised."

He sniffed delicately. "Though I doubt such a thing, we shall leave tomorrow."

Her form softened with relief, and she sat back down tiredly. "Thank you, Sesshomaru."

He could hear the obvious gratitude in her voice. "For what? You are not asking for a great deal, Miko."

Her eyes flicked up to his in surprise, and her voice was filled with shock.

"That's what I thought! But that damn Inuyasha, every time I asked to go home he threw up such a fit..." She trailed off, unhappy memories dancing before her eyes.

Sesshomaru's lip curled in distaste, once again. His half brother was even more worthless than he thought. Who cared if the woman wished to return home for a short while? It wasn't some ungodly task to travel to that village.

"He is lowered to this Sesshomaru once again." Perhaps his view was biased though. He could not deny the curiosity he felt. As far as he knew, that village was in the middle of an unremarkable patch of woods.

There would need to be some heavy enchantments to hide an entire village, although if it was a village of priestesses, that could easily be done.

But, judging by the woman's untrained state, she didn't originate from a formal village.

"The longer I stay with you, the more flaws I see in him...is that wrong of me?" Her voice was quite, but still shook him out of his reverie. She had her knees pulled her to her chest, chick resting on top of them. Her blue eyes were melancholy, and filled with self doubt.

"No. 'Love' blinds you if the flaws in ones character." He watched her reaction carefully, but she only sighed in resignation.

"I don't want to think terribly of him..." Her eyes grew clouded as her voice gained some strength to it. "But I can't deny how much happier I am now. I'm not filled with uncertainties, and I'm learning things...what happened was for the best." She finished softly, and closed her eyes, seeming satisfied.

Sesshomaru gave her a long, searching look. He of course knew of his superiority to his younger brother, but hadn't really considered it to this degree. He had wanted the woman to feel at ease, to join his pack as a protector for Rin. He hadn't counted on enjoying her company.

Her words almost made him...contented. There was something about having the companionship of another...not an equal yet, but someone who could understand more of him, that was enjoyable.

He almost laughed at that. The great lord of west was growing soft indeed, though at this point he couldn't say that it was for the worst.

/sorry kinda a filler chapter here. I want to show that Kags is learning, and sessho is starting to open up. I want to bring the rest of the tachi around eventually, but it'll probably be around five more chapters before that happens.

Please review, and thank you for reading!