We stay until the zoo is closed, with no further incident, and realize it is time to take Kagome home. Rin tries asking her to stay the night but is refused, on the grounds that Kagome has work very early. Seemingly settled with the excuse, Rin curls up in the back seat and falls asleep. I quickly put the top back up and turn down the radio, a calm silence settling over the car.

"She's so cute. I don't think I've ever heard her this quiet." Kagome chuckles to herself. "You're so good with her too. Most guys are so awkward around kids, I expected you, Mr. Anti-Emotion, would have some trouble but you handle her perfectly. I have to say, I'm impressed." I shrug off her compliment, focusing on pinpointing the location of the sirens in the distance. "Thank you again for today, I had a blast. I haven't been to the zoo since middle school." I nod my head, the sirens growing louder the closer we get to Kagome's apartment building. "Hey, do you hear that?" Now only a few blocks away, the lights from the police cars are clear against the night sky. Three vehicles are parked outside of her building. "Oh, crap." I look over to find her wide-eyed, trying to find the reason for the police to be there. "You can stop here, the lights and sirens will wake her up. Thanks again for the great day. I'll see you later!" She jumps out of the car and runs over. There is a slight struggle before they let her through to speak with the police chief. Rolling down my window, I attempt to listen over all of the surrounding noise.

"Yes, I'm Kagome Higurashi, what's going on? What happened?" The chief sighs, crossing his arms over his chest.

"It looks like someone broke into your home. It doesn't look like anything was stolen, which is clearly a relief, and concern as you do have some valuables lying around." Kagome runs a hand through her hair, face clearly annoyed and frustrated.

"You've got to be kidding me."

"Typically, when someone breaks into a home without taking anything, it's either to send a message or because they were planning on someone being there. Do you live with anyone? Or know of anyone that would want to hurt you?" At the officer's statement, I climb out of the car, lock Rin in, and stride to stand beside Kagome as she answers.

"No, it's just me and no, I don't." She jumps at my sudden presence but relaxes almost instantly upon seeing my face.

"We believe it would be safest if you were to leave for a bit. Do you have any friends you could stay with for a few days?" Kagome starts to shake her head when I interject.

"She will stay with me." Kagome looks up at me in shock while the cop looks skeptical.

"And you are?" I extend my hand toward him, noting his weak shake.

"Sesshomaru Takahashi, I am a friend of Ms. Higurashi's. I assure you, she will be safe at my residence for the necessary time."

"Sesshomaru, it's fine, I couldn't impose on you like that. Besides, I'm sure it's nothing, they probably won't even come back."

"Better safe than sorry, ma'am. One of us can escort you up to collect your belongings." She is about to argue but, upon seeing my face and clear unwillingness to debate the matter, she sighs and follows one of the officers up to her door. "Most likely, she'll only have to stay for a few days, five at the very most. Typically, in this sort of situation, we advise..." I drown out the man's voice, focusing instead on the noises inside Kagome's house. The telephone rings and she ceases her packing to answer it.

"Hello?... Yes, sir, everything's fine, someone just broke in and the police are making a big fuss over it, nothing was damaged... I am aware, yes, I'd just left it at the studio assuming it would be picked up with the money for-" She is cut off by a rather loud yelling. It takes every ounce of my self-control not to run up the stairs, take the phone, and handle whoever is on the other line. "Yes, sir. I'm sorry. I'll get it to you tomorrow." The call is ended and Kagome finishes packing before rejoining me outside. "I'm all set. I don't suppose there's any way I'll be able to convince you how unnecessary all of this is? I'm sure it was just a fluke or something." The officer shakes his head, regarding the building in contempt.

"No ma'am, we believe this is the only way to assure your safety for the time being. Please, have a nice night, we'll be in touch to keep you posted on the progress of our investigation and when it will be alright for you to return home." Kagome sighs, nodding her head. We bid farewell to the officers before I place my hand on the small of her back and lead her back to the car where I place her belongings in the trunk.

"You really don't have to do this Sesshomaru, I'll be fine, honestly." I nearly tell her that nothing could make me happier than to have her under my roof, my protection, but bite my tongue before it, or something else rather incriminating, can escape.

"Your safety comes first," I tell her calmly, opening her door for her and helping her in. "If this is what it takes to keep you safe, then I am willing to allow your residence in my home." The ride home is silent, both of us lost in our own thoughts. Upon our arrival, I carry Rin out of the car and to her room, gesturing for Kagome to wait by the stairs. Once she is changed and tucked in, I turn off the lights and plug in her favorite night light before shutting the door and walking back down the stairs where Kagome is yawning. Noticing my presence, she looks up at me and smiles. I nod in her direction, pick up her bags, and begin to walk back up the stairs and down the hallway. I hear her struggling to keep up and slow my pace.

"Sesshomaru, I can get that! Here, let me take something. Really, I don't mind!" I send a look over my shoulder at her and she immediately quiets. I show her to a room that is only one door down from mine and place her things by the door, just inside the room.

"Will this do?" She looks over at me, eyes wide, smile in place.

"It's perfect, thank you so much. I'm sorry to be such an inconvenience, I promise I'll help out with whatever I can and I'll try to stay out of the way." I suppress an eye roll, walking a bit closer to her.

"You are no inconvenience, I assure you. We are pleased to have you in our home, though the circumstances are most unfortunate. You handled it rather well, however. Almost like you expected it to happen." She giggles, nervously, looking at the floor.

"What can I say, I'm pretty good under pressure."

"Hn." I know she is lying, but decide now is not the best time to address the matter. "It has been a long day, you should rest." She nods then, looking around the room once more.

"Yeah, you're right. Thank you, Sesshomaru. For everything." I am taken by surprise when she wraps her arms around my waist and it takes me a moment to return the embrace. Her head rests against my chest, she feels so fragile in my arms. I fear, for a moment, that should I hold her too tight she would shatter. She pulls away far too soon, a blush on her cheeks and a smile on her face as she refuses to meet my eyes. "Umm, good night, Sesshy." I nod my head and move to the door.

"Good night, Kagome."