What Sarah said-

He stared at her from across the room and remembered what Rin had said. It had been years since his ward had died but through all of them he had waited, waited for the miko's presence to reappear. When Rin was on her deathbed she had told him one thing: "Love is watching someone die." Now as he watched the miko make her way to him he wondered, could he prove his love to Kagome by reminding her of how he watched her die?

"Lord Sesshomaru." She breathed out when she stood in front of him.

It had been years-centuries actually- since anyone had called him by that title. He wondered how she recognized him. His hair was dyed black, his watch-the charm that kept him looking human- was on, and he was sure he had suppressed his youki. Inclining his head he glanced around the art gallery before asking her to come to the balcony. It would be nice to talk to her again- to not have to wait 500 years after Tenseiga revived her to talk to her.

"How are you?" Sesshomaru asked as he leaned his back against the balcony and had a view into the ballroom where the gallery was held for the remainder of the week. He really wanted this conversation to be private and this could alert him if anyone decided to interrupt.

"Lonely." She answered, looking at him and wishing suddenly that she hadn't made her way over.

It was surprising to have recognized him at the gallery's December opening. She had felt as though she was being watched and turned to stare at the person who was staring at her. Almost immediately, she knew who it was. His eyes had given him away- even through all these years there was a sense of power and regality that he exuded- and she had made her way over to him. Now, she wasn't sure whether she wanted to cry in sadness or scream in joy.

"How have you been?" She questioned taking a sip from her champagne flute and trying to steel her nerves for any conversations to follow. A glance at the sky revealed a sprinkling of stars on the clear winter night.

Sesshomaru wasn't sure how to answer her. He was lonely in a sense since he only had a few allies- youkai like him- who had managed to survive after all these years. He was content since he had built up a veritable reputation as a philantroph and it gave him joy to help build artists by hosting venues in galleries such as this. But, at the same time he missed the sheer joy of being a lord free to roam Japan whenever he wanted.

"Content," he began looking at her as he replied; "I have learned of my love for the arts and have enjoyed the past few centuries. But at times, it has been rather hard to discuss the events of the past."

She knew what he meant. Yes, she had moved on; in a way it was the only thing she could do. However spending so much time in another home with another family- for in reality that was what the Inutachi was to her- had taken a toll on her. She had no one who understood what she had done. Her family had helped and she did appreciate them but Kagome was still alone.

"How were they after I left?" She asked as she looked out at the gardens which the balcony overlooked. Her eyes were tearing again as they usually did when she thought about her past with the Inutachi. She suddenly didn't mind the frigid cold outside as her thoughts were centered elsewhere.

"They never forgot you." It was the best answer he could give her and the answer that he hoped would make her happy. They had placed a memorial of sorts by the Old Well and upon Inuyasha's insistence had enclosed both the well and the memorial in a well-house.

"Oh." Kagome wasn't sure of what to say. She was kind of happy that they'd never forgotten her but hoped that her departure didn't hurt them as much as it did her.

"Rin told me that love is watching someone die." He began not sure of how to continue. He remembered the circumstances of Kagome's departure- the battle, the defeat, the jewel, her death.

"And-?" Kagome prompted not sure if he was referring to what she thought he was. He had resurrected her- it was odd to think of it that way and no one save for the two of them really knew that she had been given a second chance at life. It was ironic, she realized, that she had to think of that particular incident now, as the holiday season was in full swing.

"Stay with me?" It was a simple request but when Kagome turned to look at Sesshomaru she felt more than saw the raw emotion and power behind the words. It had been only five years for her but it had been at least five-hundred for him. Even though it had taken a while for them to find each other she knew what to say.

"Yes." Taking her hand, she cupped his face- the same face where his markings used to be- and memorized it. "Stay with me too okay?"

The flute in her hands dropped to the ground and shattered but neither cared as they stood there encased in the other's arms finally together again.