The rest, as they say, is history. Kagome signed a contract and her fame was almost overnight. With Sesshomaru having the final word, Kagome chose what songs would be on her first CD, simply titled 'Kagome'. After only two months (which was a very rushed process), her first album was sent to mass production. She toured and sang with legends like Reba McEntire, Gretchen Wilson and Garth Brooks. Kagome was living her dream. Every country music radio station in the country was playing her songs and her name was everywhere. Her first CD went platinum, as did the next three after that. She sang to sold-out arenas every night and signed hundreds of autographs a day. She was named 'Most eligible female for 2011' by People Magazine. But, as with living all big dreams, Kagome paid a price. She missed her friends and family and sometimes missed the life she once had. She was always grateful to live her dream, she knew that so many never got that chance. But still…

One night, she collapsed onto her bed, moaning about how wonderful it felt to lie down. Her backup guitarist, Miroku, chuckled as he sat down on the end of it. "Fluffy is going to work you to death Kags…"

Kagome's face flew out of the pillow and she gave him a dirty, but amused, look. "Roku, you know better than to call him that, Sesshomaru would kill you." She grinned widely and threw her pillow at him.

"He'd have to hear me say it first… Besides, he needs me. I'm the best there is." His chest puffed out as he caught her pillow and tossed it back beside her.

"Right, keep telling yourself that." She laughed and stretched. "Now, shoo. I want to go to sleep, I am beat."

Miroku stood and saluted. "Ma'am yes Ma'am. Oh, hey, before I leave, just wanted to tell you that something is going on."

"What is it?"

"I don't know exactly, but Rin seems more… excited than normal and she has been very secretive about where the next gig is…" he shrugged and waved as he stepped out the door. "Nighty night, Super-Star."

Kagome waved back. "Night!" Hmmm… Rin is always excited, I don't know where she gets her energy, but if I could bottle is and sell it to the masses, we'd be 100x richer than I will ever be doing this… she chuckled to herself as she changed into her pajamas and crawled into bed. But… Maybe there is something to this… I'll ask her tomorrow… Yawning, sleep found Kagome quickly. It was a good thing too, because she was going to need the rest. Rin was a schemer and she seemed to have Sesshomaru wrapped around her little finger. Of course, no one would EVER say that. But that didn't mean it wasn't true.

"We are going WHERE?" Kagome was in shock. She never would have imagined that they would be going back to her home town.

Rin grinned widely and Sesshomaru was looking down at the papers on his desk. "Kagome, you know I hate repeating myself."

"I just… Why?" She couldn't keep her smile off her face. It had been almost a year since she had been home. She had missed her best friend's first day of high school, his first dance and meeting his first girlfriend. They emailed each other often and he had sent her pictures, but she still felt like she was missing out on his life.

"A charity concert, speaking out against bullying. And you'll get a bit of a break, too." Rin was so happy. She loved bring joy to others and watching Kagome hear this news filled her heart to near bursting levels of happiness. She couldn't stop herself any longer and ran over, hugging the star tightly. "I can't WAIT to meet your friends and family!" She giggled as Kagome hugged her back and laughed.

"I am sure they will love you, who cannot love you? I am so excited! When do we leave?" She couldn't wait to send emails back home.

Sesshomaru looked up and gave her a small smirk. Rin and Kagome were the only people who ever saw any kind of emotion from him besides annoyance, boredom and anger. "In about an hour. Your things are being packed as we speak."

Kagome's smile lit up the room and she gave Rin one last hug. "Thank you SO much Sesshomaru, you have NO idea how much this means to me." She skipped out of the room to find Miroku. "Look out everyone, I am COMIN HOME!"

The driver drove way too slowly. Kagome's fingers drummed on the door handle as they drove through town. Nothing in Littlerock, California had changed much. A few new buildings and more housing complexes had been built, but Kagome was more focused on seeing her family and friends. As the car drove up to her home, a modest two story 4-bedroom home, she flew out the door and ran up the driveway. Rin laughed and followed, jogging after her. Miroku chuckled, following after them. Sesshomaru sighed, walking at a normal pace. Really, these females were just too excitable. He smiled softly, watching them. But I guess that's ok.

"Momma!" Kagome yelled as the door opened before she reached it.

"Kagome!" Her mother Hitomi called back, her smile as wide as her arms were held open. Kagome ran right into them, unable to stop the tears that began to pour down her face. "Shhh, dear, you're home."

Kagome nodded. "I missed you so much!" She blubbered, holding on for dear life.

"Kagome!" Her little brother ran out the door, latching on to her waist.

"Oh Sota! You've gotten taller!" She pulled him into the group hug, the tears still running down her face. At this point, Rin, Miroku and Sesshomaru had caught up and were watching the happy reunion.

Rin looked up at Sesshomaru, smiling softly. "We keep her away from him way too much."

He looked down at her, his stoic mask back in place. "She chose this lifestyle. There is a price for following your dreams, Rin. Remember that. Life is full of sacrifices, it is up to you if your dream is worth the loss."

"Where is Grandfather, Momma?" Kagome asked, wiping away her tears.

"He is napping, dear. He went to the doctors for a checkup and they really put him through his paces. Everything is fine, the doctor said that he is healthier than many 50 year olds he sees." She smiled and Kagome laughed.

"That sounds like Grandfather. Oh, Momma, Sota, you remember Sesshomaru and Rin from the production agency, this is Miroku, my backup guitarist and best friend on the road. Everyone, my mother Hitomi and my little brother Sota." Kagome grinned, throwing her arms open.

Miroku stepped forward, taking Hitomi's hand and kissing it lightly. "A pleasure to meet you, Ma' am. I see where Kagome gets her stunning beauty." He looked down at Sota. "Hello buddy, pleasure to meet you too."

Kagome rolled her eyes as Hitomi giggled. "My, aren't we the flatterer."

Sesshomaru fought the urge to rolled his eyes as well and Rin giggled as Kagome snorted. "You don't know the HALF of it, Momma. Roku, best behavior, understand?"

"Yes, my love, of course." He wiggled his eyebrows at her and she punched him in the shoulder.

"Suck up." She shook her head and laughed. Miroku only smiled.

Hitomi smiled. "It looks like you are living the dream, Kagome. I am so proud of you."

Her daughter nodded. "This is everything I wanted… I have great friends and I get to do what I love and travel all over the world. I just miss this little town sometimes, my friends and family…"

"Oh, speaking of friends, guess who is waiting for you at the park…" Her mother smiled as Kagome's face lit up.

"Right now?" Her mother only nodded. "I have to go see him! I'll be back later, ok Momma?"

Rin cleared her throat. "Remember Kagome, you only have about 5 hours before the concert. After that, your free for a week."

The singer physically deflated before perking back up. "Will you give Momma the info Rin? We have to go see him before the show, he HAS to be there." Rin only nodded and Kagome grabbed Miroku's arm and drug him back to the limo. He waved to her mother and brother, laughing as she grumbled about him not moving fast enough. Sesshomaru sighed inwardly, waiting for Rin to finish speaking with Hitomi, before saying their goodbyes and going back to the car.

"This will be fun, Kagome talks about him all the time." Rin bubbled.

Sesshomaru looked down at her. "And what is his name?"

She paused, her brows knitting together before she shrugged. "I don't know. I don't think she ever said. It's always 'my best friend back home'. But I still can't wait to meet him!" She smiled and Sesshomaru sighed, shaking his head as he got in the car.