Chapter 1

"Are you even listening to me?"

Kagome's eyes snapped up, the woman in front of her had her hands on her hips, and a displeased look on her face. Kagome had been in deep thought, she shook her head almost as if she could shake the thoughts out.

"Urm...yes, Eri. You were saying something about my birthday?" Kagome questioned, silently cursing herself for drifting off in the middle of her conversation with her best friend.

Well, her modern day best friend.

Eri sighed, clearly exacerbated by Kagome's behavior this past week. She always became weird and distant around the same time every single year as if she were mourning an anniversary of something devastating. At first Eri thought it had something to do with that odd, silver-haired boyfriend she had when they were in high school but there was no way Kagome could still be pining after that guy, right? They graduated high school seven years ago for god's sake.

"As I was saying- Suki, Ayumi, Hojo, and Sho are all going to be at your birthday dinner tomorrow night. We're going to Yamazaki, so please attempt to dress semi nicely, I don't want to even see you in jeans or I'll drag you into the bathroom and make you change myself," Eri instructed as a playful smile began to form at her lips.

"Uh huh."

Eri and Kagome have been living together as roommates their entire adult life, thus she thought of Kagome as the closest thing to a sister she ever hoped for. Kagome seemed to share the same sentiment. Out of all their high school friends, Kagome spent the most time with Eri, it was only natural that their relationship blossomed beyond casual friendship.

Kagome got up from the dining table where she was sitting for the past half hour and made her way towards her room. The late afternoon sun shone through her open window, lighting up her room, turning the white walls into a golden amber color. Kagome hated the color. It reminded her too much of….

No. Stop it.

As she laid down on her bed, Kagome began to feel a familiar lump form at the base of her throat. Willing herself not to cry, she tried to think of anything other than what was pressing on her mind. Flashbacks of Inuyasha's amber eyes staring intently at her, Miroku's wise words, the evenings Sango and her spent talking in the hot springs, and the nights she held Shippo's body close to hers as if she were his mother invaded her mind anyways.

With each revolution of the Earth, the anniversary of the day she was forced to leave the Feudal Era came and went, leaving Kagome as heartbroken as the year prior.

Kagome thought back to all the injuries she sustained from trying to jump into the well in desperation the first few months she was permanently back home. It never opened for her despite all the sorrowful tears and sprained ankles. One day Kagome stopped trying to go back and she began to slowly heal. The nightmares, memories, and faith deteriorated day by day, month by month, year by year. Kagome, however, let herself mourn one week out of the fifty two weeks of the year. And that kept her sane, it kept her more or less content on her bad days, and even happy on her good ones.

Kagome sat up on her bed, glumly looking over at her open closet. Maybe if she wished hard enough an outfit that would please Eri would appear and she would not need to scramble for one. Kagome shook her head whilst taking her phone out of the pocket on her jeans, she scrolled through her contacts until she saw Ayumi's name and pressed the call button. It rang three times before she heard a voice on the other line.

"Hi Kagome," Ayumi said cheerfully.

"Hi Ayumi, I was wondering if you could bring me a dress or something to work tomorrow. Eri threatened me again about my birthday attire. You would think it was her birthday and not mine."

"Of course Kagome," Ayumi replied while stifling a laugh. "Do you have any preference on the style?"

"Um, no. Not really. I guess something that screams 'I'm 25!'"

"Gotcha, girl. I have the perfect outfit in mind. See you tomorrow!"

Ayumi hung up before Kagome could reply. Picking herself up off of her bed, Kagome reentered the kitchen and began to make herself dinner which she quickly consumed. Then she drew herself a bath, soaking in the tub longer than usual. Finally she was in bed, feeling as though she were exhausted yet sleep would not take her. Huffing to herself, Kagome reached into her bedside table, fishing out her prescription bottle in the dark. Swallowing the pill dry, Kagome stared up at her ceiling until sleep ultimately arrived, sweeping her away.

xXx

Kagome woke with a jolt upon hearing her alarm clock go off the next morning. Groaning to herself, she groggily made her way into the bathroom where she brushed her teeth and hair. Only after Kagome walked into the kitchen did she realize Eri was already up. She handed Kagome a very welcome cup of coffee way too cheerfully, in Kagome's opinion, considering the time of day it was.

"Happy Birthday!" Eri exclaimed, taking a wrapped gift from the off the kitchen counter and handing it to Kagome.

"Eri, I thought I said no gifts," Kagome grumbled as she eyed the small box that was now in her hand.

"You say that every year, Kagome. When have I ever listened to you?" Eri responded. "Now go on, open it."

Kagome gracefully undid the ribbon wrapped around the box. Undoing the lid, her breath caught in her throat. It was a pair of silver teardrop earrings, and Kagome instantly thought they were beautiful. Kagome looked up from the box to Eri, then back down, then up once more.

"Eri….I don't know what to say, they're gorgeous. I can't believe you got me these," Kagome stuttered out. Truthfully, in the past, Eri had not gotten Kagome birthday gifts that she had any necessary use for, or that she particularly liked. These earrings however, were so Kagome. Kagome eagerly took them out of the box, instantly slipping them into the small holes in her earlobes. Eri was beaming at her.

Setting down her copy of the Tokyo Times, Eri replied, "I'm so happy you love them. I just wanted to get you something so you'd know how much you mean to me."

The two girls then ate their breakfast while idly chatting with one another. As soon as the clock hit quarter to eight, Kagome stood up. She hugged Eri, said her goodbyes and thank yous, and walked out of their apartment, down the stairs, and onto the street. Kagome lived only a ten minute walk away from the law firm she recently began working for. Kagome graduated from law school only a few months earlier, and she was pleasantly surprised she was able to find a job so quickly and so close to where she lived.

The world has to pay me back in some way, Kagome thought as she briskly walked through the crowds of people on the sidewalk.

It was the beginning of fall in Tokyo, and thus the leaves were just starting to fall off countless trees that lined the street. Cascades of oranges, yellows, and reds flew through the air, riding the gentle breeze, as Kagome approached the ugly, grey skyscraper in which the law firm she worked at was located. She walked into the elevator, hit the button for the thirtieth floor and stood in silence as everyone else shuffled on. It took a few minutes until Kagome was sitting at her desk, awaking her computer from its slumber.

"Kagome! Happy birthday!"

Kagome swung around in her chair, now facing the pretty face of Ayumi. It was a significantly better view than the black screen of her still sleeping computer.

"Thank you Ayumi, how are you today?"

"I am doing wonderful this morning," Ayumi chirped as she handed Kagome a grocery bag filled with what she assumed was her birthday attire for the evening.

"Ugh, you are a lifesaver Ayumi," Kagome remarked as she took the bag. Kagome could already feel the relief rush over her. She went to peek inside and felt her hand receive a light slap. Kagome glanced up looking startled, Ayumi continued to smile her signature smile at her.

"No peeking! I don't want you to forget to wear the dress I picked out for you."

Kagome sighed, her eyes closing slowly in what could only be described as the onset of regret at allowing Ayumi to pick her outfit for tonight. Ayumi strolled back to her desk as Kagome turned back around and began to work, praying that the dress was not too short or revealing. But knowing Ayumi, that was a little too much to hope for.

xXx

When Kagome took the black, form fitting mini-dress and matching high heels out of the bag, she cringed.

"Why did Ayumi think this was a good choice for me," Kagome huffed to herself. "I guess this is what I deserve for not owning any dresses."

With that, Kagome squeezed-yes, squeezed, herself into the dress. Begrudgingly Kagome slipped the heels on and glanced at herself in the mirror. Her breath caught, she almost did not recognize herself from the neck down. Kagome's usual attire consisted of a pant suit for work or jeans and plain t-shirts when she was not at work. However, this dress came down to about mid thigh and formed to Kagome's petite, fit body.

I'm going to catch a cold if I wear this out at night.

The dress and shoes were very plain otherwise, and the sleeves of the dress were long, and for that, Kagome decided she was grateful.

If I can defeat one of the most powerful youkai in all of Feudal Japan in my old school uniform, I can wear this for one night.

Kagome heard a soft knock on her door, startling her back to reality.

"Kagome, can I come in?" Eri asked. Before Kagome could even respond, Eri opened the door anyways, gasping at the sight of her best friend. "Wow, you look hot."

"I'm not comfortable."

"But you look hot."

"I don't need to look hot."

"Yes, you do."

"Why?"

"Because the last time you got laid it was losing your virginity to Hojo four years ago, Kagome!" Eri chided. "I'm worried about you. All you do is hang around the house and then go to work. I want you to have fun. You're turning twenty five for crying out loud."

Kagome's eyebrows furrowed together. Eri was right, of course. Kagome rarely left the house if it was not to go to work or visit home. Kagome shuddered at the memory of losing her virginity to Hojo, whom she was briefly romantic with when she was twenty one. Kagome knew she was just trying to distract herself from the pain of losing Inuyasha, of losing all her friends, so she did the right thing and broke it off. It was awkward for a while afterwards, but their friendship recovered and now Hojo had a sweet, long time girlfriend.

And Kagome had no one.

"Okay, okay. Enough with the concern, let's just go to dinner," Kagome responded with her hands raised slightly above her head as if surrendering. Eri pursed her lips as if she just tried eating a raw lemon, then proceeded to shoo Kagome out of their apartment as they walked in comfortable silence to the restaurant Eri picked out.

As soon as they walked in, Kagome already spotted her group of friends at a booth on the other side of the restaurant. Kagome squeezed in next to Ayumi and Sho while Eri sat on the other side next to Suki and Hojo. Many greetings and 'Happy Birthdays' were given and Kagome felt both grateful for her friends as well as tired of all the attention her birthday forces upon her each year.

"So, Kagome, feeling old yet?" Sho asked her. He peered over Ayumi to catch her eyes.

"Ha Ha, very funny, Sho," Kagome retorted.

Ayumi was too engaged in a very serious debate with Suki and Hojo regarding the reproductive cycles of the fish they were eating to notice the conversation happening above her head.

"In all seriousness, you look great Kagome," Sho complimented. Kagome shied away and blushed, sending a silent prayer that Sho did not notice the flush of pink that crept up her cheeks.

Sho was most definitely a looker. His dark curls, chocolate eyes, and strong jaw were enough to make anyone think that. Kagome met him in one of her classes her first year of law school, and she instantly took a liking to him. However, it was not for his looks as one would assume. Instead it was because he reminded her of Inuyasha. He was bold, brash, and freely spoke his mind. Sho was not afraid to exchange banter with Kagome, he teased her until she became outraged, and she secretly enjoyed it.

"I need to go use the restroom," Kagome announced to the group before sliding out of the booth.

Kagome entered the bathroom and immediately splashed some cold water on her face. Looking into the mirror, Kagome absentmindedly stared at her reflection. She had aged somewhat since her teenage years- her cheekbones became prominent as the baby fat melted off her previously round face, her hair grew significantly and was now almost to her thighs in length, and Kagome finally grew breasts and hips, giving her body curves that she did not have when she was a teenager.

"Maybe Eri was right and I do need to get laid," Kagome moaned to herself out loud.

As Kagome exited the bathroom and made her way back to her table, something caught the corner of her eye. Something silver and something that was absolutely youkai. Kagome froze in her tracks, it felt as though someone dropped an ice cube down her back.

Kagome carefully turned her head a couple inches to the right and immediately she felt her lungs were incapable of working any longer. Although it has been years since Kagome has seen this particular demon, she recognized him immediately.

Kagome was now gazing upon the face of Sesshomaru and he was gazing right back at her.

To everyone who clicked on this story and read this chapter: Hi! First off, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I am not sure the direction of this story if I'm being completely honest. However, what this story will do is explore Kagome's relationship with Sesshomaru, as well as other characters. This story is also meant to be an exploration Kagome has with herself if she never had the opportunity to jump back in time to the Feudal Era after the elimination of the Shikon no Tama. Basically, expect angst, friendship, romance, and more angst. Please leave a review and let me know what you like/don't like/any suggestions. Thank you!