Returning to the village felt like entering another world, similarly to how Kagome had felt when she first arrived to the feudal era.

Sango and Miroku welcomed her return citing that Jaken had informed all of them that she was safe quite some months before. Rin, of course, stated that she knew Kagome was safe all along.

Kimi sat on her mother's lap chewing happily on a cloth doll as she babbled loudly.

"I can't believe how big she is." Kagome said in awe. "I guess I was gone longer than I realized. It was so hard to tell up there, being in the palace cooped up."

"Yes. You were gone for quite a while." Rin agreed. "Kagome, why didn't Lord Sesshomaru accompany you?"

"Oh. Well, Rin, Sesshomaru and I aren't...together anymore."

"That's unfortunate." She said her face drawn down. "I won't pry but I had hoped when you returned you would have come with a playmate for Kimi."

"Me too." Kagome whispered feeling a stabbing pain in her chest.

Yukime had lived in the hut Inuyasha had originally built for Kagome and himself.

Kagome had graciously allowed her to stay with Ichirio and Inuyasha citing that it was their home. She was happy that Yukime had adjusted to living in a village and had begun to build connections with others.

As far as Kagome was concerned she had never felt more disconnected within her own life. Her world had shattered into a million pieces and she didn't have the strength or the willpower to fix it.

She visited the waterfall often where she and Sesshomaru had made very fond memories. While it saddened her she decided that this was where she wanted to live.

Still close enough to the village but far enough away for privacy. Kagome relented that she would never fall in love again in her eternal lifetime. It would be easier to start distancing herself now to brace for the inevitable impact of what time would mean for her friends.

Her friends and villagers were more than happy to help build her a new home and when it was all said and done she couldn't believe the sheer size of it. Resting in the shade of the rock wall that faced the waterfall and stream allowing enough sunlight to filter in as the day went on.

It had steps leading up to it, a large front porch to sit on. Inside she had a front room, bedroom, a sitting room, a tea room and a study room. She cried not knowing how else to express herself.

"It's too much. I didn't need a mansion!" Kagome expressed covering her face with her arm.

"After everything that you have done for all of us and the sacrifices you've made in your duties as priestess to the village it was the least any of us could do." Miroku stated.

"Yeah besides, when Yukime and I fight I'll need a place to stay." Inuyasha said smiling.

"Oh, Inuyasha?" Yukime asked with a side eye. "If that is what you like then it can be arranged sooner than later."

"No, no. I was just saying..." He said taking his son from his wife as she wrapped her arms around him smiling.

Sango, Rin, and Yukime visited frequently with their children. By the end of the summer both Rin and Yukime were expecting their second children.

Kagome was elated and couldn't wait pushing aside that old nagging emptiness. It simply wasn't in the cards for her, she reasoned, she would not let that ruin her friends happiness or her own for them.

The winter came and went without much excitement. It was fairly mild allowing Kagome to sit on her porch with a tea in hand most days wrapped in a fur that had once been gifted to her by Sesshomaru.

She nuzzled into it as she had once done to him and sighed. She knew that Sesshomaru had been in the village since Kagome had arrived although she had not seen a trace of him. She guessed that was intentional on his part.

Pulling the blanket closer to her she wondered how it would be if she did see him again.

By early spring Rin and Yukime had their children, both daughters. Kagome was more than happy to take Kimi and Ichiriou while their mothers rested with newborns.

The two were both at the awkward end of babyhood nearing the toddler stage. She kept them occupied by showing them different types of flowers and bouncing them on her knees.

It was nice to have her friends children with her and be able to care for and enjoy them while she could. As she placed them down to nap in her room she heard a slight rapping on her door frame.

Peering out her eyes nearly bugged out from her skull.

"Koga?"

"Hey Kagome." He said as he had done in the past. "How's it going?"

"You really think that you're welcome here? After all of those nasty things you said about me?" She retorted.

"Look, I got carried away." He stated putting his hands up to show her he meant no ill will. "I'm sorry. Really. You've always been a good friend but politics are...messy."

"What are you doing here?" She crossed her arms over her chest standing at her full height. "Did you come here to bed me? Because if that's the case then I have a sacred arrow with your name on it."

"As tempting as that sounds, I'm gonna pass." He said. "I came to tell you that we all did go to war. It didn't amount to much given the south was accused of treason, that automatically absolved their land and it was handed over to the west and north east to share."

"Okay."

"Sesshomaru and Nari wiped out those other three lords." Koga continued with a sigh. "The only reason why I can figure they didn't kill me was because of you...maybe Sesshomaru thought you'd be upset about it but I don't know. That guys always been a hard read."

"Yes he is." Kagome said staring at the waterfall. "So, what's he doing now?" She tried to ask nonchalantly as if she didn't care.

"Don't know." Koga replied. "Haven't seen him in a few months. Pretty sure he hit the road again, as he is apt to do, with the imp and the dragon."

"I see."

"Yeah, well, I just wanted to let you know what the outcome was. I'm surprised you're not living in the village anymore. Seems isolated for you."

"After everything that happened, it's what I need." She said. "I can make some tea if you'd like Koga..."

"No, no. I'll be on my way." He gave a half wave. "Take care of yourself Kagome."

"You too Koga." She watched as he walked off and wondered what the future held for either of them.

As the sun began to streak below the horizon Kagome walked back to the village with Ichirio on one side of her and Kimi on the other.

The small children held onto her hands as they toddled slowly next to her giggling, saying some words but mostly still baby garble.

Kagome kept her eyes on them making sure they didn't stumble or stoop down to grasp a rock to chew on or a bug. Kimi began to pull at her hand as if she were trying to walk ahead of her.

"Ru, ru!" She yelled excitedly.

"What is it Kimi?" Kagome asked looking up. Her heart froze as her eyes fell upon none other than Lord Sesshomaru. Kagome let go of the little girls hand as she toddled over to Sesshomaru.

He picked her up easily from the ground holding her to him as she wrapped her small arms around his neck.

"Hello my little pup." He said softly. Ichirio let out a sound similar to a growl and a yip as he broke free from Kagomes grip and nearly tripped over his two feet.

He began clawing at his uncles pant leg and trying to bite him. Sesshomaru grasped him by the collar of his kimono bringing him up to eye level.

"Not now. We will play later Ichirio." He gently reprimanded. "Both of you, go back to Kagome." Placing the children on the ground they both obeyed him.

She kept her eyes on his as they made their way clumsily back towards her.

"Koga came by and told me what happened after I left." She blurted out. "Congratulations on winning your war." Sesshomaru remained silent his face not betraying his emotions. "Well, I have to get these two back home to their mothers. Lord Sesshomaru."

She gave a curt nod preparing herself to have to walk past him. As she neared him nearly passing him he remained stoic. Once she was a few feet away was when she heard him speak.

"It means nothing to this one." He said. Kagome stopped and turned to see him walking away.

When Kagome neared her home she saw Sesshomaru standing staring at the water. She tensed and took a steadying breath before moving forward.

She walked past him up her stairs and into her home. Lighting the hearth she made ready to make tea. That would calm her, she would offer some to Sesshomaru even though he had never accepted any in the past.

They may not have been together anymore but they could at least still be civil to one another. Balancing the teapot and cups on a bamboo tray she brought them out. She was happy that he was still there although she wouldn't admit it to herself.

"Hey, Sesshomaru! I made some tea if you'd like to join me." She called over the rumble of the falls. She knew that he could hear her but still he stood staring.

Kagome sat pouring herself a cup. By the time she had righted herself he was standing at the bottom of her steps. She placed the cup down and poured another.

"Come, sit." She invited. Sesshomaru seemed hesitant however he kneeled on her porch some distance from her. Kagome sipped her tea and allowed her mind to wander as she watched the falls tumble down filling the stream.

"This is impressive." Sesshomaru complimented.

"Thank you, even though I had nothing to do with it. Everyone from the village chipped in and built me this when all I wanted was a hut."

"You deserve it." He replied.

"That's what they all said but I don't know, it just seemed like a bit much."

"Kagome, you are special." He said sadly. "Everyone can see it, feel it. It makes others around you want to capture it and hold onto it for as long as they can."

"Sesshomaru I'm sorry, for everything that happened." She said. "I let someone get into my head and made me doubt you. Kurenai and Nari were nothing but good to me and I was just awful."

"That is not true. If it were not for you than who knows what damage Akiko may have done. This one is relieved that you opened up to Kurenai and let her know what had been occurring."

"I hurt you."

"I hurt you as well."

"What happened is done. It can't be fixed." Kagome said. "But I still want you around, if nothing else than as a friend."

"This Sesshomaru would very much like that." He agreed taking the tea cup and bringing it to his lips. Kagome gave a nod smirking as they sat in amicable silence.