All righty peoples, first off I would like to announce to everyone that I HAVE NO LIFE! All I could think of is how much I'd rather be on the computer than sleeping, or doing this and that. Next off I would like to comment on how much I like getting reviews, even if they talk about something completely unrelated to my story. So be nice people and send reviews.

I couldn't help but want to reply to this reviewer.

Sesshomaru4eva203: Thanks for defending me. And you're very smart on your views on the villain.

Disclaimer: shakes head and wanders off

Chapter Two Snow

Kagome had undergone a radical change the day after the unfortunate mall incident. She was bustling around her home helping the cook fix a large, early dinner so the gang could come over. Even though they all had jobs they all said they would take time off to come, it seemed as if they didn't want to upset her.

Sitting down to take a break Kagome looked out the window. The first snow had fallen last night and she felt like a new person. She had come to grips with the fact that Sesshomaru no longer loved her and felt drained. Unfortunately she also felt emotionless, and because she was used to constantly feeling the jumbled emotions, she was starting to wonder if she was still human.

Shaking herself from her musings she stood up again. She walked down the hallway and back to her room to ready herself. She sighed as she passed through all the clothes than didn't fit her any more, but at least she was past the morning sickness phase.

Outside it was cloudy and the windows were frosted over. The trees were sprinkled with snow, it would appear to be like a fairyland, but to Kagome it was a memory. It was a day like this when they had first met. Taking a trip own memory lane she thought back to the first time she met Sesshomaru.

Flashback

She was late! Kagome ran down the sidewalk towards the school. It was her first day at this school and she had slept in. Her family had moved down here because there were better police jobs down here. For her short fourteen years, Kagome had seen more of Japan than most other people.

"We are always moving. We can't just stay in one place for a few years," Kagome complained.

So caught up in her whining she didn't notice that she didn't see that ahead of her the sidewalk was glazed over with ice. Kagome walked on it and her feet slipped out from under her.

"Eep!" She squeaked in surprise.

Before she could make contact with the hard ground a strong arm caught around her waist. She cautiously open her eyes and peered straight in to cold amber eyes.

"Is the pretty lady okay?" Another voiced asked.

Kagome broke eye contacted and examined her rescuer. The guy was tall and good looking. He had pale skin and waist long silver hair that was tied back. He in turn examined her, his amber eyes showed no emotion as he swept them over her body. She blushed and then saw a little girl approaching them from behind.

"Hi, I'm Rin and this is my big brother," the little girl said.

"Uh, hello I'm Kagome Higurashi," Kagome answered.

"We're going to school, but I took a long time to get ready so we're late," Rin chattered.

Kagome smiled and turn to her rescuer. His cold attitude didn't affect her at all.

"Thanks for catching me," she thanked.

"It was nothing. You should know better than to run on ice," he replied.

Then he turned and walked away with Rin trailing behind him still talking. Kagome stood there in shock for a second, then flushed lightly in anger.

"Humph, stupid arrogant jerk. I can't believe I though he was good looking. He's too rude to be good looking," she muttered as she continued walking.

It wasn't until later that she learned her nemesis's name, Sesshomaru Matsura.

End Flashback

By the time she was done reliving their meeting Kagome was ready to meet her friends. She walked though the walls and sat it the living room by the doorway to wait for them. Soon enough they started arriving, to her surprise Souta, Kohaku, and Musou were first to arrive. A servant opened the door as soon as they knock and Kagome got up and hugged them.

"I can't believe you are the first people to get here, usually you three are some of the last," Kagome said in greetings.

"Yeah, it feels weird getting here first, but since we're early, can we borrow your PS2?" Souta asked.

"I should have known. I knew there was a reason you gave it to me. But go ahead it's in the closet, you can hook it up in the living room," Kagome answered.

Souta jumped up and ran to get it and Kohaku went to get the games in the car. Musou watch Kagome carefully, she turn to him with a slight smile.

"Are you okay Kagome?" He asked.

"I'm fine," she answered.

"Yesterday you were pretty upset."

"I just came to grips with reality, that's all."

"You know we're all here for you to talk to Kagome. You may be able to hide your sadness from some of us, but a few of us are bound to notice."

"You're old before your time Musou."

"Being force into a gang will do that to you."

Kohaku came back inside and pulled Musou away, so they could all play. Souta had already hooked up the PS2 to the TV while they were talking. The doorbell rang and the servant opened the door. Sango and Miroku walked inside. Sango looked around and her eyes rested on the three guys sitting in front of the TV.

"Wow, they beat us," Sango said.

"That's a first," Miroku added.

"Hi sis," Kohaku said without turning around.

"Hello you two," Kagome greeted.

"Hi Kagome," Sango replied.

She hugged Kagome and Miroku then did the same. The doorbell rang again and Kouga and Ayame came in. Kouga saw the boys on the PS2 and shook his head. Ayame immediately rushed over and hugged Kagome.

"Are you feeling better today?" she asked.

"A lot, thanks for asking," Kagome replied.

Kouga gave Kagome a little hug and she smiled brightly. Juroumaru came in through the kitchen, he was not smiling.

"You left the back door open," he accused.

"Only because I know you won't go in through the front," Kagome retorted.

His scowl got blacker and he sat down on the couch sulkily.

"Everyone but Inu Yasha is here," Kagome announced.

"Then everyone that needs to be here is here," Kouga replied.

"I herd that stupid," Inu Yasha said from the doorway.

"What ya gonna do about it?" Kouga asked.

"Kouga," Ayame said warningly.

Kouga turned and proceeded to ignore Inu Yasha. Inu Yasha just smirked.

"Can we go eat now?" Kagome asked coolly.

Inu Yasha cocked his head at her tone of voice and lack of facial expression, but then followed everyone into the dinning room.

Dinner was everything but a quiet affair. Miroku's hands wandered, and he ended getting slapped foe his trouble. Kohaku and Souta were arguing about which games had better graphics. Sango and Ayame were talking about babies in an effort to pull Kagome into the conversation. Inu Yasha and Kouga appeared to be having an eating contest. Juroumaru and Musou were watching Kagome closely. Kagome herself was quietly eating her food.

The food was gone quickly and everyone was gone, except for Juroumaru. He sat across the table from Kagome and continued to watch her. She squirmed under the scrutiny.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" She asked finally.

Juroumaru shrugged, "come take a walk with me."

Kagome stood and went to get a jacket. Juroumaru waited for her at the front door. Together in silent mutual agreement they walked to the park. They walked in companionable silence until they got to the middle of the park. This is where she was married, four months ago. Kagome stopped and stared at the place where the altar used to be.

"It seems like a life time ago," she whispered.

"I know," he replied.

"I remember being happy, but I never knew something like this would happen."

"Everyone thought you two were meant for each other."

"But everyone was wrong weren't they. I guess we weren't meant to be together. Maybe I wasn't meant to be happy."

"Everyone was meant to find happiness."

"Why did you ask me to walk with you?"

"I want to know why you changed Kagome. You don't act like you any more."

Kagome was looking at Juroumaru, but now she turned back to the scenery. She wanted to talk to someone, but she also didn't want to. So she gave him an indirect answer.

"Snow is so pretty, isn't it? So white and pure, it seems to erase all traces of ugliness, but when it melts all the ugliness is still there. And all that's left is the wetness," Kagome said.

Juroumaru looked slightly confused but he also had a knowing look in his eyes. So she continued.

"Even though I know it will melt, I always hope that the snow will clean away all the ugliness. It can never happen, but I can wish, can't I?"

"You can't just erase the past Kagome. Trying to do so is like, trying to keep snow from falling. The past will always be there, you have to face it. And hopefully you come away with a peace of wisdom," Juroumaru replied.

Kagome just continued to watch as more snow fell. Juroumaru sighed in defeat. It seemed that Kagome wouldn't say any more.

"Come Kagome, I'll walk you home," he said.

"No I want to stay here for a while. I'll be fine, you go ahead and go home," Kagome replied.

"Okay, but remember that me and Musou are here for you. I think we'll understand better than anyone else, after all we were both abandoned too," Juroumaru said.

He turned and walked away. Kagome walked slowly to a bench and sat down. She continued to watch as the snow fell, and when it finally stopped she stood and started to leave. She stopped by a small duck pond. It wasn't frozen over yet but would soon be.

Remembering when she was little her mom had told her about the lake goddess that granted wishes. She took out her handkerchief and out a few late blooming sakura blossoms on it. She gently set the hanky in the water and watched it sink. A few fish swam to where some of the blossoms still floated.

Kagome smiled slightly and stood. She turned and left walking home, her heart slightly lighter than before. Turning back to look at the pond her smile disappeared.

"Please lake goddess, grant my wish," she whispered.

As she continued to walk the snow started to fall again.

In A Valley By The Mountains

Sesshomaru watched as the snow continued to fall. His face blank save for the angry fire in his eyes.

"He will pay."

An Apartment

Juroumaru opened the door and saw that Musou was sitting on the couch. He waved and sat on a sofa across form him.

"Well?" Musou asked.

"She doesn't want to talk about it, but she's trying to distance herself and keep herself from getting hurt," Juroumaru answered.

"We should call him," Musou commented.

"But of course," Juroumaru replied.

Musou stood and grabbed the phone. He looked on a nearby stick note and dialed a number.

"Hello, it's Musou."

Juroumaru lifted his arm slightly and predicted what the man on the other side on the call was saying.

"Juroumaru was talking to her. She's starting to distance herself."

Musou listened to the other person, while Juroumaru predicted what the other guy would say.

"You'll have to make a move soon."

Musou held the phone away from his ear as shouting started from the phone. Juroumaru grinned the guy was so predictable. Musou replaced the phone on his ear, wincing slightly.

"Yes we'll follow her."

Juroumaru perked up at that, maybe this guy wasn't that predictable. Musou nodded.

"Of course we won't interfere with your plan."

Juroumaru's eyes glittered, nothing like a little undercover work to solve a boredom problem.

"Oh, and Miroku is getting close. He's a smart one," Musou laughed slightly.

Juroumaru chuckled. Miroku was getting close, and he hadn't even hired a detective, but everyone else remained obliviously ignorant.

"See you then."

Musou hung up the phone. He collapsed back into the recliner. He looked up at Juroumaru.

"Do you think Kagome will expect anything?" He asked.

"No," Juroumaru answered.

Elsewhere

The shadow hung up a phone. His two undercover people had just reported. It seemed as if everything was going as planed. He would have to make a move soon.

"Ah, but I do love playing cat and mouse. Especially with such a beautiful, and ignorant mouse."

End Chapter

Akikazu: That took a while.

Kejie: You bend your characters too much.

Akikazu: But it makes the story so much more interesting.

Kejie: raises brow

Akikazu: Bye people.