After years of staying with Kagome, Tomoe assists her in any way he can, even offering her son a lesson in controlling his foxfire - just to repay his debt to her.

Despite their arrangement, Kagome was glad that someone would willingly help her son with his youki and come with her to another village, not only did he become her friend during his stay, she was able to relish being his companion aside from Shippo, giving her the time to really know him aside from his impoverished habits and vice versa.

Flashback

One year has passed since Kagome decided to ask him. Blue eyes looking at him lifting piles of wood before placing them in her bathroom, striding in his direction, head turning to her as violet slitted eyes look at her.

"Tomoe… why did you stay?"

Ears twitched at her question, before lifting his clawed fingers on his chin - thinking.

"Because of our agreement, Kagome"

"If that was it, you can just leave me now because those debts of yours have been paid months ago…so why?"

'Eh, I see a year has passed'

Looking at her, staying quiet, not knowing what to answer. Nodding at him, she patted his chest before going back to her chores.

"Just think about it, okay? You know you have been a great help to me this year. However, I don't want to tie you with me just because of silly debts, you can always leave anytime you want"

Leaving him behind to gather some herbs in the woods that weren't found in her garden, when he senses youki flying in his direction, eyes glance in the air seeing two human beings riding a fire nekoma, before landing.

'Humans'

A huge boomerang was thrown in his direction, seeing a woman clad in black outfit - a demon slayer, I see. Glancing at the man beside her, clad in an expensive monk outfit while holding a shakujo staff.

'What an odd group, a demon slayer and a monk with a fire nekoma'

"Who are you?!"

'Sigh, those words…'

The monk clutched his staff and went in a defensive position before stepping forward, while the woman caught her boomerang with ease.

"What business do you have with Kagome-sama, youkai?"

"I live here"

Claws flexing as firefox appeared, his fangs glinting whilst his eyes narrowed at them.

"What do you mean? WHERE IS THE WOMAN WHO LIVES THERE?!"

"Sango-chan?"

Three pairs of eyes glance at the person, stepping out of the bushes, face confused, looking at her visitors before glancing back at Tomoe.

"Oh, I'm sorry there seems to be a misunderstanding here. Tomoe was the new resident here, he's been living with us since last year."

Apologetic eyes glance at him, before nodding back. Relief was shown from the two newcomers as the nekoma transformed in smaller form before mewling at them.

"I see, then Kagome-sama, I'm sorry we're rude to your guest"

"Tomoe, what do you think?"

"It's fine Kagome, it was only natural for them"

"Now that we're settled, let's go inside my hut. I'm going to prepare tea for you guys. Welcome, Sango-chan and Miroku-sama, and of course, Kirara"

Smiling at them, before ushering them inside.

"So, how have you been Kagome-sama? We heard that Inuyasha came here a few days ago."

"Are you okay, Kagome-chan? He didn't do anything to you, right?"

Looking down on her hands clamp together as her fringe covers her eyes, before lifting her head, smiling.

"I'm fine Miroku-sama and Sango-chan. I'm okay, Inuyasha didn't do anything that he never did before. Oh, how about I prepare your tea, wait here I'm going to fetch you guys some teacups"

Standing up, she left them in the living room while Tomoe decided to entertain himself by lighting his claws on and off, darting his eyes toward them once in a while.

"Miroku-sama"

"Yes, Sango?"

"I think something happened between them, I recognize that smile. She always smiles -that smile - whenever Inuyasha goes to Kikyo during our journey. I hate it. I really want to kill him for hurting Kagome-chan."

"Now, now Sango,you know you can't do that. Despite his actions during those days, he was still our friend. I cannot say for certain what he did was right, especially in choosing Kikyo-sama but, we must let them resolve this conflict, without us."

Silence fell between them before footsteps were heard entering the room. Violet slitted eyes observing her cheerful facade.

"I'm back, I'm sorry for staying longer in the kitchen. Would you like some tea Sango-chan? How about you Miroku-sama?

"Thank you Kagome-chan"

"Thank you Kagome-sama"

"Oh, I prepared this for you Kirara, how about after you eat, you can go to my room and play with Shippo? He's inside sleeping for now."

Mewling, before diving in her food. Blue eyes darted on another figure, staying silent.

"Tomoe, would you like some? Oh, I would like you to meet my friends, Sango-chan, Miroku-sama, and Kirara. They been my companion since the time I've travelled to defeat Naraku"

Nodding at them as his ears twitch forward, thanking her for the tea before excusing himself.

"My, Kagome-chan what a beauty he is, ready to switch to a fox?"

Grinned was sent her way as Sango decided to tease her friend; she really deserved better than Inuyasha, I hope he would treat her nicely if they ever became a couple.

"No, Sango-chan. Tomoe is - he is…"

'What are we?'

Frowning, when she cannot find the answer to that. Brown eyes met violet eyes before nodding to one another, standing up Sango stretched her arms before placing them on her shoulder, pulling her out of her thoughts.

"It's okay Kagome, don't think about it now. However, I advise that you ask him about it. By the way, Kagome-chan be careful, nowadays some would call you a… loose woman if a man staying with you was not a friend or a relative. We're going now, we just wanted to check on you. We won't be staying for long, Ami might get insane from the children."

"Thank you Sango-chan and Miroku-sama!"

Hugging them before guiding them outside, Sango smiling at her motherly while Miroku caresses his swollen cheeks - still his habits in groping other women didn't die with Naraku last time.

Waving at them, seeing them take off before going inside to clean the table and cups.

After taking a bath for the night, she saw Tomoe standing just outside, moonlight highlighting his physique as he glows looking like an otherworldly being - well he is if not for her ability to travel in the past.

Sensing her, violet slitted eyes glance at her before his right hand reaches inside his kimono and presents her an orb like jewel, placing them between her hands.

"What is this?"

"It is a pupil from a powerful sea creature said to be powerful to cure critical illness when ingested, I want to give it to you as a present."

"Why?"

Meeting her blue eyes, reaching for her hand and kissing it.

"Because I want to court you, Kagome"

Blue eyes widen at his statement, getting confused.

'Eh, why?'

"Sighing, Tomoe if you heard what Sango-chan mentioned earlier and made this an obligation then, I would give this back to you."

"No, Kagome! It wasn't that."

"Then what is? No, don't answer that. I… I want to know "what am I to you?"

Painful expression painting her face, as tears gather on the corner of her eyes - tired of hoping and meeting the same end. Brushing past him, unaware of his gift still clutching on her other hand, leaving him behind with wide eyes.

'No more'