Ok here's it is, I know you're all on the edge of your seats. Sorry it took so long, I just moved into this new house this week and the internet didn't didn't get all set up until yesterday. And don't expect too much from me because I'm getting ready to go away to school next Saturday so I'll do all the work that I can. Anyway, blah blah I'll let you get to the good stuff.

Chapter 10-A New Life?

Kagome stared at the ceiling all night. It didn't feel like all that long, and it felt like eternity as well. The time passed in the darkness like some bad dream. Nothing felt real. She could hear the sound of Sango breathing next to her and was soothed by the constant, soft rhythm. She turned to the window to watch the sun rise.

The subtle gray light of early morning began to seep between the blinds and Kagome could feel the weight of her eyelids but when she shut them that's was all that happened. Sleep would not come to her.

It was cold. Winter was approaching faster and cold was beginning to creep through the windows and up through the floor. Sango was hogging the covers, but it didn't matter to Kagome. She was still wearing Inuyasha's sweatshirt.

She pulled the front of the shirt over her nose and breathed deeply. If she kept her eyes closed and concentrated she could almost pretend she was in his arms again. The scent of him, the warmth, the memory of his beating heart. But soon enough she was forced to remember he wasn't there. She was alone.

She didn't bother to sort the jumbled thoughts that ran through her mind. There was just too much to think about. She kept playing those last few moments of her mother's life again in her mind. She had thought that her moment's hesitation had killed her mother, and worst of all, that she was just like the woman. But Inuyasha was right. She had called, and no matter what, she would never be like her. Never.

She couldn't pin down her feelings, however. The woman had given her life, but then she had turned her life into a living hell. She was not sad that she was dead. She could admit that now. What was upsetting was that she was glad that someone was dead. Is it really alright to be glad someone is no longer living? No matter how many people said they understood, how many people on her side, she couldn't help feel at little nauseated by the whole thing.

And this aunt, Hitomi Higurashi. Neither of them had ever known about the other. Seventeen years of ignorance, of lies. Did she know what Kagome's mother had been like? Why hadn't they ever met? She could even tell her about her father. But what if she had to move?

Assuming this woman will even want me.

Kagome sighed and rubbed her sore eyes. Sesshomaru had said she wanted to meat her. She was coming all he way from California just to see her.

What if she doesn't like me?

Kagome shook her head at her own piteous statement. She rolled over, away from the window, hoping to buy a little more time to fall asleep. If she'd been in a better mood, if so much hadn't happened all at once to throw her into this whirlwind of emotions she would have laughed at the sight before her. Sango hair was wild and matted as it stretched across her pillow. Her mouth was hanging open, arms positioned awkwardly above her head. Despite herself she managed a brief smile then exhaustion finally took her.

She only managed a few hours of sleep, but in the end she was just grateful to have gotten any. Sango had waited as long as she could to wake her, and was very loathe to do it. But it had to be done. Sesshomaru and Inuyasha would arrive soon enough to take her to the airport.

Different scenarios played over and over in her mind as she showered and dressed in clothes burrowed from Sango's closet. She looked at herself in the mirror when she was alone. Sango had used this opportunity to play dress up. Sango had always wanted to turn Kagome into her own personal paper doll and switch in some trendy pieces to replace her infinite supply of black shirts.

She felt like a different person. Sango was much taller than Kagome, and of a slightly more athletic build and most of the clothes didn't fit as they were intended to. The jeans were long, and she had to wear a belt, but they didn't look awful. There really wasn't any choice. Her clothes were torn and covered in blood. It wasn't bad. It actually felt good. And after all, it sort of fit. She was looking at the start of a new life, no matter what. It was all fairly daunting.

"Kagome?" The closed door muffled Sango's voice.

"What?" Kagome opened the door and Sango looked at her outfit.

"I always wanted to see you in color. Looks good."

"Looks big." Kagome managed a wry smile.

"Yeah, I thought it would. Here." She said looking defeated. "Dad took me to get them. Said you'd be more comfortable."

"He's my hero." Kagome said genuinely accepting a bug with an armful of her own clothes and every day survival supplies.

"Yeah, yeah." Sango smiled wryly. "Get dressed."

Kagome dressed as she did every day. Jeans, black shirt. Her mass of black hair into a messy bun. She looked in the mirror and nodded at her familiar reflection. Just because she was starting a new life didn't mean she had to change herself, she decided. This person was a survivor.

"Better." She whispered to herself, then went downstairs to wait.

There was some breakfast laid out for her, but Kagome couldn't bring herself to eat. She was too nervous. She managed to drink the orange juice, just to have something in her empty stomach.

She couldn't help watching the clock, the second hand jerking over number after number, the usually inaudible tick seemed to blare over everything corresponding with each beat of her heart.

Every time a car drove by she grew rigid in her seat, unmoving. Her stomach churned.

"Please try to eat something." Sango's father muttered over her shoulder.

Kagome shoveled a few spoonfuls into her mouth to keep their eyes off her without tasting it. When was the last time she'd been this nervous? That poetry presentation. She'd felt like this, maybe not as bad. But Inuyasha had been there, and he'd banished her fear. Just the simple touch of his hand had brought her peace. He would be there today, however, she didn't think his presence would have as profound an effect this time.

"I'm sure she's going to adore you." Sango said across the table.

"That's only one of my worries."

"I know, kid." Sango tried to smile reassuringly. "But it'll be over soon enough."

"Which is neither here, nor there." Kagome muttered darkly.

Sango opened her mouth but knew there wasn't anything to say to help the situation. She only nodded her head and continued to stare at her cereal.

The doorbell rang.

"I'll go get that." Sango's father said and briskly left the room.

"Kagome," Sango got up and slid around the table to give her friend a hug, "you call me the minute you get a chance. Ok?"

"Thanks Sango." Kagome said, breaking their embrace and headed for the door. "I will, I promise."

Inuyasha and Sesshomaru were standing at the door, the younger in front, looking anxious. Kagome was struck by how alike, and how different the two handsome brothers were. They had the same hair, and the same amber colored eyes. Inuyasha's eyes, however, were more clear and open, despite all that he'd been through. Sesshomaru's were more somber and as shadowed as his face. Sesshomaru's more delicate features matched his taller, and sleeker form. Inuyasha's face was more expressive; his body was lean and muscular, and made her knees weak.

"Ready?" Inuyasha asked.

"As ready as I'll ever be."

Inuyasha nodded at Sango, hovering in the kitchen doorway put his hand fleetingly on her lower back as he ushered her through the front door. The added butterflies it caused in her agitated stomach made her want to throw up what little cereal she had managed only moments before.

Inuyasha opened the door for Kagome to slide into the back seat of Sesshomaru's car and then slid in next to her. Kagome was glad he'd realized on some level that his presence was appreciated. He sighed and looked out the window as the car started moving, twisted her fingers together nervously.

Kagome watched him for a few minutes, but he was completely in a different world. Kagome closed her eyes, trying to clam her nerves but it had little effect. In a complete state already she didn't have room to be worried about her next action. Without hesitation she reached out and took his hand in hers.

Inuyasha jolted out of his trance and looked at her for a split second as if he'd forgotten where he was. Then his mouth twitched in that familiar lopsided smile, though smaller than usual, and pulled her forward by their linked hands. He let go of her hand only to wrap both arms securely around her and she buried her face in the curve of his neck where it met the shoulder, her own arms sliding around his solid torso. She felt him rest his cheek against the top of her head and she sighed. She'd been dreaming of him holding her like this. She wasn't sure how long they stayed like that, it was possible that she'd fallen asleep but in what felt like no time they were at the airport.

Kagome walked as if through a strange dream through the airport, her fingers linked securely with Inuyasha's like an anchor to reality. She'd never been in the airport before and her eyes flew everywhere as Sesshomaru led them purposefully.

They joined a crowd of people waiting intently, cheerful hushed conversations washing over her like gentle waves. Kagome and the brothers were silent. Kagome chewed her left index finger nervously and kept her eyes on the gate.

With a growing rumble she became aware of the crowd drawing near. She felt her entire body tense. Inuyasha squeezed her hand reassuringly, and Sesshomaru even touched her shoulder briefly. She swallowed but her throat was suddenly dry. Then they began pouring through the gate, and there were so many of them, and Kagome was looking for a complete stranger in a sea of strangers. She watched as some were claimed by their loved ones, as others headed for their luggage with a purpose. Her eyes drifted over the crowd, constantly moving, searching, appraising. Then she saw a figure stop in the middle of the roiling crowd and her eyes Kagome's eyes were drawn to a woman. Her eyes met a pair of questioning brown eyes and felt the breath catch in her throat.

"Kagome?" She was shocked to see this woman staring her with tears beginning to glisten in her eyes, and even more surprised to feel the tears welling in her own.

Kagome nodded, not trusting her voice as the sudden tears began to slip down her cheeks. She felt Inuyasha's hand slide gently out of hers and she stepped forward. Before she knew what was happening her aunt was there, holding her tightly, and Kagome was holding on to her like a life raft.

"I'm so sorry. I never knew. All this time, I never knew." Hitomi whispered in Kagome's ear in a voice raspy from crying and Kagome began to sob.

How long they stood there like that Kagome couldn't say but they stayed as the torrent of tears and sobs began to subside. She couldn't help feeling safe in the arms of this stranger. In the arms of her aunt, her fathers brother. She was a part of her that she never knew, a part that had always been missing.

"Oh dear," Hitomi said pulling back and wiping her tears away, "now let me get a look at you."

Her aunt held Kagome at arm's length and they looked at each other properly for the first time. Hitomi was much younger than Kagome had imagined, a great deal younger than her father would be. She looked to be in her late twenties, early thirties. Long dark hair, much like her own, and very unlike her mother's short brown hair. Her aunt had a kind smile, with perfect white teeth and a generous mouth. She had a short, little nose, and large, deep brown eyes that made her look much younger than she was at first glance. If someone were to look at them together only briefly they would look more like close sisters than what they really were. She was barely taller than Kagome, making her on the shorter side and rather willowy in frame.

"You're just like him." Hitomi said with a mixture of pride and sadness.

"Really?" Kagome said finally finding her voice.

"You're features are more delicate but its there."

"What happened between you two?"

"Time for that later, I promise." Hitomi turned, draping her arm across Kagome's shoulders and heading back Inuyasha and his brother. "First I'd like to speak to Sesshomaru." (If you haven't noticed I've been refusing to give the characters last names because it's a major pain in the ass, so just be aware of that.)

"Miss Higurashi." Sesshomaru nodded at Hitomi.

"Thank you for getting a hold of me, and for looking out for my niece."

"I only did what any rationally thinking adult would do," Inuyasha glared at his older brother and elbowed him swiftly and Sesshomaru added, "You're welcome."

"And you are?" Hitomi turned to Inuyasha.

"I'm Inuyasha, a friend of Kagome's, and Sesshomaru's brother."

"A very good friend, I think, to be such a help to my niece."

"He is." Kagome said smiling at him, a huge weight finally lifted from her.

"Is there anything else that I can do for you, Miss Higurashi?"

"Thank you, but I think we'll be ok. I have a rental car arranged."

"Then I suppose we'll leave you to it." Sesshomaru nodded in Hitomi's direction. "You have my number if there is anything more you require."

"Yes, thank you again." She turned to Inuyasha who had not turned to go just yet. "And you too Inuyasha." He nodded silently to Hitomi and turned his attention to Kagome.

"Call me when you get a chance, ok?" He said hugging her briefly.

"You and Sango."

"We just care."

"I know."

Kagome and her aunt were left alone for the first time in both their lives. It would be a lie to say it wasn't awkward. They shared the same blood but didn't share any memories. They knew nothing about each other, but were unsure where to start, or were too afraid to start where they wanted.

Hitomi first concentrated on getting the rental car situation settled. Kagome remained silent, deciding that waiting until they were alone might be the best time to begin her interrogation. She'd waited seventeen years, now it was hard to wait the few minutes that remained.

"I don't know what music you listen to but if you're anything like me when I was your age you're picky. I have some CDs in that bag, you're welcome to look through them and see if there's anything that won't kill you. I'm not that old, so maybe I'm not that out of touch."

"You're not old at all." Kagome said rummaging through CDs, remembering her earlier assessment of Hitomi's age.

"Flattery will get you everywhere, darling." Hitomi said laughing, and Kagome joined in, noticing that it erased some of the tension she felt.

"You actually have some decent stuff." Kagome said satisfied with the selection.

"Thank you." Hitomi sounded slightly affronted by the surprise in Kagome's voice.

"You could use some education however." Kagome said putting a familiar disc into the player.

"Teach me." Hitmoi giggled.

"So, what now?" Kagome asked, her courage bolstered.

"Let's see. I need to check into the hotel, we could sprawl out there for a little while we wait for lunch. Eat a little, then anything."

"Sounds like a plan." Kagome fiddled with the CD case. "Why haven't we ever met? What happened to you and my dad?"

There was a long pause, not completely uncomfortable as if Hitomi was angry. She was planning her answer.

"Your dad was twelve when I was born." Hitomi turned and smiled. "I wasn't exactly planned. I was only five when your dad dropped out and ran off with your mom. My parents had no idea where he went, he never left any indication. Now that I look back they must have run away when she was pregnant with you, Kagome. No one knew that of course. My parents never approved of your mother. I don't have many memories from that time. To be completely honest, I don't remember a lot about your dad."

"Really?" Kagome couldn't help sounding disappointed, she had wanted someone to be able to tell her about him.

"I remember some things." Hitomi said in a tender voice. "I remember how he was always sweet to me, he used to play with me. I worshipped him when I was little. I'll bet he was the same with you."

"You think you don't remember. I was only four when he died. I think I remember him holding me, talking to me. I remember feeling completely safe, and loved. But I don't know if it's a memory or just something I dreamed up. It's probably just a dream. I mean, mom was never right, not that I can remember. Then she had my brother and she had two kids to deal with and no man to help. I might have just made that up to feel like somehow, at some point in my life, someone had wanted me, loved me."

"I wish I'd known. He left a message one day. You would have been three, but he didn't exactly say anything in the message to let us know he'd had a daughter. It was probably why he had tried to finally talk to his estranged family again. My mother and I went to the house to see him. We didn't tell dad, he wouldn't have let us go if he'd known. It broke his heart when his boy ran off and he wouldn't even let us talk about him in the house. But when we got there, to your house, your dad wasn't home. Just your mother. She wouldn't let us in, sent us straight back home with an earful of unpleasant words. She didn't have to be drunk to be cruel, that one. But that was it. He died the next year."

"Hit by a drunk driver." Kagome said bitterly.

"Kagome, you can't change anything about the past. And believe me, if I could, I would do anything to give you what you deserved in your life. But your mother is gone, she can't hurt you anymore. And all you can do is go forward and not look back. You can make your life what you want." Hitomi said passionately, then smiled, shifting to a much gentler tone. "Your dad's gone too. But he loved you, you can be sure of that."

"How do I know that? I never knew him."

"He wouldn't have stayed if it weren't for you. I am sure of that."

"Thank you." Kagome felt like crying all over again, thoroughly touched by everything her aunt had told her.

"Don't cry, I don't think I can handle that." Hitomi said cheerfully. "Now we know why weren't a part of each other's lives and know nothing about each other. What are we going to do about that?"

"Twenty-one questions." Kagome laughed.

"Think of good ones."

"It's true! I swear." Hitomi shouted indignantly through her hysterical laughter.

"I believe you." Kagome could barely breath and the words came out halting and garbled from her laughter.

They were plowing through a large lunch at a local restaurant and they'd passed through favorite color and favorite band on to Hitomi's retelling of the Prom night from Hell. Complete with wasted, grabby date, and embarrassing fashion mistakes.

Kagome still hadn't let herself think about what was supposed to happen with her future let alone ask. It crossed her mind every so often but she let it drift off again into the edges of her mind.

"You won't make that mistake. We'll make sure you have a nice dress, give your date a breathalyzer maybe." The words were out of her mouth and she paused, her face serene as she thought over what she'd said. "Well there it is. I think we've both been trying to avoid it, but I guess it can't wait much longer."

Hitomi pushed her plate away and was suddenly very serious. Kagome shifted in her chair and looked down at her hands. She wasn't at all sure of where her future was going from here. With her mother finally gone she was just drifting in the sea waiting for the current to carry her. All she knew was that she wasn't ready to leave her stifling town. She wasn't ready to leave Sango, and Miroku…and Inuyasha. Her friends were her home, even if this town wasn't. Home is where the heart is. Isn't that the phrase.

"There's something I want to ask you, and you don't have to answer me just now. I'm the only family you have left, I mean technically, and I don't know what other options there might be, but I'm sure we could figure something out if you don't like my offer. I want to know what you think of moving in with me."

The pause between that and the next sentence seemed to stretch into eternity. She knew she couldn't keep the shifting emotions from her face, the conflict warring in her eyes. She didn't want to leave her friends, but to have a home, a family. She knew she was holding her breath.

"I mean here, I could get an apartment in the city. You could still go to the same school. The last thing I want is to tear you away from your friends after everything."

"I…Why would I say no?" Kagome laughed and leapt up from her seat, slipping around the table she threw herself into her aunts arms.

They laughed and hugged and finally Kagome pulled back and said, with a mischievous smile. "I feel like someone in a made for TV movie."

"I've been known to see one or two Lifetime originals." Hitomi said as she took her seat again.

"What about you? Won't this be tearing you from your life? What about your job?"

"Darling, this is what adults do. It's time I did something responsible, and it's about time someone did something to make your life what you deserve."

Mwhaha. I thought it was very cute that you guys were worried about Kagome leaving. Kagome and Inuyasha FOREVER! It's a romance like I sap like me would seperate the two main characters so early. Happy that she's staying? I know I am. I hope you still like the story. Working away like crazy and trying to decide if I should put up that Harry Potter fic or not. I think I will...