A/N: Hello, hello. It's been a minute since I wrote out a sessxkag one shot so here is one. While I am currently working on my sessxrin stories I do love my Sesshomaru and Kagome.
They make such a beautiful couple.
Enjoy!
"Higurashi." The voice was out of place startling Kagome enough at her spot in the cafe to nearly knock her tea over onto her laptop.
Turning around behind her was a man who was a stranger yet they had met before, centuries before.
"Oh my god, it's you." She replied her mouth slightly agape. "Sesshomaru."
Receiving a nod she noted his hair was short, still pristine white in color. His eyes were a more brown, very soft brown that appeared gold if you caught his gaze a certain way.
"Would you like some company while I wait for my beverage?" He asked. Completely taken aback by the level of manners he was using she moved some of her text books out of the way.
"Sure, sure. Please, sit." She said quickly. Making himself comfortable she shut the laptop securely and moved it aside. "Hi."
"Hello Kagome." He replied.
"I didn't even know you knew my name." She laughed out. "You caught me totally off guard."
"That was the point." Sesshomaru mused.
"I'm surprised to see you here." She remarked. "I mean, I didn't know there were any demons left. I just assumed something must have happened to all of you."
"Demons are still very much alive, in much smaller numbers. We acclimated to the humans and joined in society, well those of us who were intelligent enough to do so." He explained.
"Is…Inuyasha…?" Kagome questioned timidly.
"Inuyasha lived a long time but being a half-breed meant he lived not as long as a full blooded demon." Sesshomaru said his face drawing down.
"Oh. I see." Glancing at the table she fought the tears that threatened to fall. "Was he happy?"
"Yes. It took him many years, a couple of centuries actually, to find someone else but he married and had children with a human woman."
"That's good." Taking a napkin she dabbed at her eyes. "I guess I'm not meant to go back then."
"No. You never returned to that time after you destroyed the sacred jewel." Looking to the text books he opened one reading the first page. "You're in university."
"Yeah. Second year." Sniffling she straightened out and smiled softly. "I'm taking up botany. I want to work in pharmaceuticals."
"That is a good career with many different options." Sesshomaru accepted the mug from the barista as she brought it over to him to which he nodded in thanks.
"Kaede and Jinenji taught me a lot and I didn't want all of that knowledge to go to waste. I had hoped I could go back but…anyways, what have you been up to the last…few…centuries?"
"Whatever I want." Sipping at his mug he gave a shrug.
"That must be nice." Kagome nearly scoffed. "Good to see you haven't changed."
"I would not accept it any other way." Kagomes phone alarm went off suddenly causing her to press it off.
"Well, I gotta be heading out." She stated taking her satchel off of the back of her chair to place her books inside along with her laptop.
"Of course." He complied standing as she did.
"Hey, Sesshomaru, would you want to meet back here again tomorrow? I come here to study and I wouldn't mind the company."
"Wouldn't you prefer to spend your time with a classmate or someone else?"
"I don't really talk to anyone. It makes it easier to just focus on my studies and work."
"I don't want to distract you from what's important."
"If you don't want to it's fine, it's cool, I just…I'll see you." She said starting to walk away.
"What time?" Turning back towards him Kagome smiled.
"One in the afternoon."
"I will be here."
"Great, well…see you tomorrow then." Waving she was out the door and down the street. Sitting back down Sesshomaru reflected on the last time he had seen the odd priestess.
They had defeated Naraku and back on the outskirts of the village by the bone eaters well when a meido had opened behind Kagome and swallowed her. That was the last time he had seen her.
Inuyasha had gone after her and returned after three days stating she was home, in her own time. While he had to take the long way through time he wondered how much time had passed for Kagome.
Not long he surmised as she was still young. Staring down into his mug he stopped thinking to the past, it only brought on feelings of longing that he didn't particularly wish to deal with on this day.
True to her word Kagome spent more time in the cafe studying than she did at home, Sesshomaru guessed.
"Why do you come here to study?"
"I like it here. I get to see people, have a drink or a pastry." Placing her pencil down in her notebook she glanced up at him. "It's to quiet at home to focus."
"The noise helps you focus?"
"No, not exactly. Do you remember where the sacred tree is and the bone eaters well? Kaedes village?"
"Yes."
"That's where my family shrine is. The Higurashi shrine that once protected the sacred jewel. Funny, hm? Apparently time travel has a sense of humor." Smirking sadly she sighed. "I lived there with my grandfather, mother, and younger brother."
"And now?"
"Grandpa had to go to the home, you know for old people. Mom remarried and took Souta with her and I stayed at the shrine. I had hoped the well would open and…" Looking away from him and sniffling she watched as tears plopped onto her notebook paper and bloomed smearing her hand writing.
"I am sorry Kagome." Moving her eyes back to his she saw the sincerity behind them.
"You've changed a lot."
"Time will do that." Taking in her appearance he saw how lonely she was, he understood. "Unlock your phone."
"Why?" Kagome questioned curiously.
"Just do it." He nearly commanded bringing a half smile to her lips.
"Same old Sesshomaru after all, barking orders and expecting everyone else to fall in line." She teased handing him her cell phone.
Going into the contact information he added his own number and information. Handing it back to her she glanced up at him. "You added your number?"
"If you ever should need it."
"Are you going somewhere?"
"No."
"So I can just…call you or text whenever I want?"
"Yes."
"Thank you." Closing out of the contacts she went into her messages promptly texting him with a smiley face emoji. "Now you're in trouble. I am a professional texter you know."
Taking his phone from his jacket pocket he looked to it and added her name. Replying to her message he sent an exasperated emoji causing her to laugh out.
Before long she gathered up her things and they bid their goodbyes. True to her word she sent him texts at all hours of the day and sometimes night.
Sesshomaru looked forward to her messages and seeing her each day at the cafe. After a few months it had become a routine that he hadn't realized he desperately needed.
Kagome was a stability that he had missed. A familiar face, someone to talk to, a person who knew those he knew that had become so very important to him.
They could talk about the past and reminisce back to a time that had been so very difficult yet had created so many memories for both of them.
Speaking with Kagome made him understand that that one year had been pivotal in her development as it had been in his as well. He understood her and toyed with the idea of maybe suggesting they take a leap by having dinner.
It was around this time that Kagome stopped texting him. He knew she was busy with school, exams were fast approaching and he didn't want to hinder her studies.
When she didn't show up to the cafe he became concerned. Taking out his phone he called her only having it ring before going to voice mail.
Making his way out of the cafe he ducked down an alley and got his bearings before transforming into his orb of light.
Standing in the middle of the shrine in front of the sacred tree he turned to look at the small two story home. Walking to the front door he knocked loudly.
Sniffing the air he could smell alcohol, a lot of it and Kagome. Pushing open the door easily breaking the lock he walked briskly into the entrance and through the kitchen to the living room.
Lying half off the couch with her head practically touching the floor Kagome laid on her back. Several wine bottles littered the floor that were empty or nearly.
"No." Rushing to her he straightened her out holding her in his arms. "Kagome." Shaking her did nothing to rouse her as she breathed shallowly.
Grasping his phone from his pocket he dialed for an ambulance placing her down to wrap his jacket around her, she felt cold to the touch. Her lips had a slight blue tinge and he worried he was to late.
Holding her tightly he stared at the priestess who had always had so much light and life.
Thinking back to their encounters over the last few months he had noticed she was sad but she always brushed it off and reassured him through text and in person.
"I should have come sooner." He whispered. Putting her back down as the paramedics came in and hooked her up to their equipment, placed an oxygen mask on her and began an I.V. to try to stabilize her enough.
Giving them what little information about her that he knew he watched them take her out quickly on the stretcher and down the steps of the shrine.
Searching through the kitchen drawers and by the house phone to try and find a number to call, her mother or the nursing home even her grandfather was in, he came across a crumpled newspaper.
It was dated for the past year, an article that was cut out…no an obituary. Three of them in fact.
"Oh." Shoving the paper into his pocket he ran outside making haste to get to the hospital.
Initially he had thought to fly with her there but was uncertain if she would be able to survive with the necessary energy it required to move as fast as he could.
Landing on the roof he let himself in via the roof access and made his way down to the emergency room. Kagome was still unconscious and had been admitted.
Walking into her room he felt wretched. It had been so long since he had had someone to worry over that he cared about, he certainly hadn't missed the feeling.
On the other hand he was glad she seemed to be safe and would be able to make a full recovery.
Waking Kagome felt slow. Cracking open an eye she found herself in a dark room, unfamiliar to her. The sounds of beeping and the drone of machines assaulted her senses first.
Feeling the steady flow of oxygen in her nostrils came next with the sensation of being cold. Flexing her fingers she winced, she had an intravenous needle in her hand.
"Welcome back." Sesshomarus voice brought her to reality somewhat.
"What happened?" She asked her voice sounding croaked as her throat cracked from being dry. Her tongue felt like a dried log in her sandy mouth.
"Alcohol poisoning." He replied. "I found the obituaries for your family."Groaning Kagome put a hand to her head.
"Why didn't you call me?" Looking in his direction Kagome met his gaze. He sat close but not to close allowing her space. His face was drawn down, his voice had come out broken.
"Sesshomaru?" She managed out.
"I am here Kagome, I'm right here for what that is worth."
"It means the world to me. After my family died in that train accident I put all of my hope and faith into the fact that one day the well would open again, that I'd see Inuyasha…Sango, Miroku…Shippo and Kirara." Tears fell from her eyes dripping down into her hair as she laid her head back to stare at the ceiling.
"But I never did. Everyone had a life and died. I'm the one left behind. I've tried, I've tried to be strong but it's so hard. I wanted to call you, to tell you everything but it was just easier in a way for me if you thought that everything was okay."
"I understand. I have felt the same way for a very long time." Sesshomaru sighed. "You have commented on how changed I am from the demon you knew. Do you remember Rin?"
"Of course I do." Kagome smirked to herself. "She was such a sweet little girl."
"Yes she was. Rin grew up to be a beautiful woman, in and out. Rin was my wife. We had children, then grandchildren but all of them have been lost to time." Turning her head back to him she reached her hand out.
Sesshomaru stood and walked over to her holding her hand tightly but gently at the same time. It felt so nice to hold someones hand again. "They left me behind too."
"I'm here." Kagome reassured. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to worry you."
"Don't be. We all fumble and fall, it's up to you if you choose to get back up again."
"Would it be to much to ask if you would help me up?" Kagome asked sheepishly.
Crouching down next to the hospital bed Sesshomaru took her hand and placed it to his lips lightly. "I am always only one call away."
Closing her eyes Kagome nodded her head grateful that he had found her.
