AN: Hello again! Thank you for the reviews - I am glad you're all enjoying it so far! I'm going to try to keep on a weekly schedule at a minimum, but there may be times where 2 chapters get posted in a week. All depends on the creative juice! As always, I don't own the characters of InuYasha, they belong to the fabulous Rumiko Takahashi.

Kagome swore under her breath, tucking the overly heavy suitcase into the trunk of the car. It was Saturday, and Sota would be leaving this morning for his trip to Kyoto. He was inside, helping with the breakfast dishes, trying to contain his excitement for their mothers sake. But, it was a mothers prerogative to worry over her children… which most likely explained the heavy suitcase that contained a little bit of everything for any situation. Just like when she would take off for the Sengoku Jidai. Shaking her head, Kagome closed the trunk, heading back up the steps to the shrine. She'd already been up for hours, thanks to her early night. She'd gotten the shrine swept free of the light snowfall, even though that had mostly melted already, practiced her archery, and cleaned her room. She tried to meditate, to see if she could sense the youki presence she felt last night, but still found nothing. She had to have imagined it, just wished that someone was still around. Anyone…well, almost anyone. There were definitely some youkai she did not want to see again.

Entering the house, Kagome smiled at the scene before her; Sota was drying the dishes as Momma washed, only a cup and a few utensils to go. He was attentively listening to her advice, which Kagome was sure had already included to listen to his sensei's, to mind his manners, make sure he's a respectful roommate and on and on. She'd gotten the same lecture when she'd headed to Mugetsu Shrine last summer for her training. Leaving the two to finish their chore, she moved up the stairs to her room. Changing from her working clothes, she reached for the outfit she planned for the day, jeans, and a warm sweater. Nothing fancy, she was only seeing Sota off for a couple weeks, after all. Brushing her hair, she examined herself in the mirror. She hadn't changed much in the years she'd been back - sure, her hair was longer, and she was a few inches taller, but she still felt like the same old Kagome. Turning to head downstairs, she paused. Her closet was still open, and she spied the bag from last weekend's shopping spree with Eri. Dumping the contents on her bed, she decided to change. Grabbing a long sleeved top, she cut the tags off her purchase before slipping into the top, then she tied the sash jauntily at her waist and headed down.

"Anything else I can help with, Mom?" Sota asked as he finished putting the dishes away, barely containing his excitement.

"No, Sota, thank you," Aiko smiled at her son, untying her apron. "Why don't you finish getting ready? We'll be leaving in half an hour."

"Sure Mom!" Sota all but flew up the stairs, feet pounding on the steps, leaving Kagome and Aiko laughing behind him.

"Grampa decided to stay here, Kagome. It'll be just us at the station," Aiko said. "He said Sato-San is stopping by to visit, and that Sota wouldn't appreciate an old man seeing him off."

Giggling, Kagome concurred. "Probably not, Momma. Sota is like every other kid his age, after all. What fourteen year old wants his family to see him off, right? Kami knows what Grampa would try to give him for 'protection'!"

"I still remember the kappa foot he gave you for your fifteenth birthday. You were so disappointed it wasn't a cell phone! Oh well, at least Buyo enjoyed it."

Sota came rushing down the stairs, his school tote bulging almost as much as his suitcase. "Ready, Mom! I told Grampa 'bye already. Can we get there a little early? I want to be able to grab seats with Satoru and Naoko."

"Sure," Aiko slipped her coat on, taking the keys from Kagome's hands. "Let's go!"

The ride to the station was uneventful, with a quick stop at a shop on the way to pick some snacks for the train. There were quite a few families dropping their own students off, some with far too many kisses for their children's liking. Kagome smiled at Sota's expression; he was clearly hoping to get off with as little familial emotional display as possible. There were several people she recognized - Naoko and Satoru with their parents, Hitomi hugging her little sister goodbye, as well as a couple teens from Sota's soccer team. She knew she didn't need to worry about him with so many people around him, especially his sensei's.

Kagome glanced around the station a little more. She hadn't expected quite this much of a crowd for seeing students off, but she noticed several differing school emblems on uniforms. It made sense, even though she didn't think of it before, that several groups of students would depart at the same time. She saw so many types of families - some, like hers, with only a mother. Others, just a father. A few were obviously grandparent caretakers. All types of wealth, although mostly all middle-class. Her eyes landed on a well-dressed man, tall, dark-haired and set apart slightly from the crowds of families saying their farewells, a much shorter man standing at his side and just behind him, with a notepad in hand, writing every so often. Unknowing, she stared at him, his countenance familiar and yet not. Several times she saw people approaching the man, who kept his answers short and sweet, judging by how many set off immediately upon receiving an answer to whatever was asked.

"Kagome?" Sota tugged on her shirt. "You spaced out, sis. Everything ok?"

Startled, Kagome jumped a little. "I'm sorry, Sota! Guess I'm not used to thinking of my baby brother being old enough to leave us for so long!"

"Aww, ick, Kagome, seriously?!" Sota's expression went slightly sour. " I thought you were going to be the normal one here!"

She laughed. It was so easy to tease him! "Relax, Sota. I promised all I'd do is give you a hug, and I'll keep it."

"SOTA!" Two boys rushed over, one with a gently watchful mother following. After his long illness, and his elder sister's death, Tomoko Ikeda had a small problem letting go. Not that Aiko or Kagome blamed her one bit. Kagome knew that Sota had told Aiko how she helped Mayu rest when her spirit was so tormented over the accident that led to her brother's injuries and her own death.

"Hello, Tomoko-san, how are you today?" Aiko greeted.

"It's nice to see you again, Tomoko-sama," Kagome said.

"Hello, Kagome-chan, Aiko-san, I'm well, thank you for asking, " Tomoko smiled at her friend. "How about yourself?"

"Oh fine, fine. Looking forward to two weeks of quiet, certainly!" Aiko returned, with a pointed look at the three boys who were merrily chatting amongst themselves over where the best seats would be, and who their fourth roommate would be, ignoring the adults in their excitement.

A slightly pained look entered Tomoko's eyes. "I fear I'll not appreciate the quiet as much as you, Aiko-san."

"Then I insist you join me at least a few times for lunch. Or dinner. I'm sure Kagome won't mind," Aiko replied, looking towards her daughter, who was staring off into the crowds again. Both women noticed and followed her line of sight. "Who are you looking at, Kagome?"

Startled again for the second time in only a few minutes, Kagome blushed. "Mainly people watching, Momma."

"Your face is far too expressive, Kagome-chan. You look as though you've caught your hand in the cookie jar!" Tomoko laughed gently. Nodding in the direction Kagome had been staring, she continued. "The gentleman that I believe has caught your eye is Tasiho-sama, CEO of Taisho Corporation. He's the main financier for this program. He believes very strongly that the sooner a child discovers their passion, the sooner they will do great things. He donates to many programs other than this."

Nodding slowly, Kagome's gaze returned to Taisho-sama. "He looks familiar. I must have seen him on TV or read about him." A gentle chime rang throughout the station.

"Good morning. The chartered train bound for Kyoto will be boarding shortly. Please have your bags checked and ticket ready for validation. Students, please see your sensei for your train car assignment." After repeating the message, the loudspeaker shut off as quietly as it started.

Aiko hugged her son, Kagome repeating the action, as both had promised before leaving that they would, in fact, keep the public display down. Satoru was lucky as well, his mother hugging him only a few seconds longer than Aiko had hugged Sota. Naoko's parents had already left, needing to get back to their restaurant before the lunch rush. The three boys headed over to their sensei, having already checked their main bags, then moved towards their assigned train car. All three women headed to a bench nearby, two to watch their sons head off on their adventure, the other to people watch.

Something was seriously bothering Kagome, as she tried to be as nonchalant about her staring. Taisho-sama looked so familiar, and yet not, almost like a missing memory. She knew she knew him from somewhere other than Tokyo, but she could not place him at all. It was annoying, to say the least. She nibbled at her lip, trying to get her thoughts to focus on recalling him. Suddenly, he turned in her direction, looking directly at her. Caught, face reddening instantly, Kagome averted her eyes, shifting slightly to remove him from her sight path, and hopefully the temptation to stare. She sincerely hoped he didn't think her rude. WHY couldn't she place him!?

Footsteps a few moments later caused her mother and Tomoko to cease speaking and stand, Aiko tugging Kagome to gain her attention. She bolted to her feet when she saw what was occurring. Taisho-sama was standing by them! Kagome was absolutely mortified. She knew he had come to chastise her for staring, not that she blamed him one bit. She followed the other ladies into a respectful bow, trying to keep her eyes in the vicinity of his collar.

"Good day, Taisho-sama," Aiko began. "I hope the day is finding you well?"

"Tolerable Mrs…" Taisho-sama trailed off.

"Higurashi, Taisho-sama. My son, Sota, is attending your robotics seminar. I thank you for your generosity to our schools and your other public works," Aiko bowed again, Kagome and Tomoko following suit. "This is Ikeda-sama, whose son Satoru is also attending, and my daughter, Kagome."

"A pleasure, ladies. It is the duty of those who can assist others to do so and I find myself in a position to do so. Fate has not always been kind, so I try to alleviate the burden where I can," Taisho-sama paused. "Please forgive me for interrupting you, however speaking with parents at these departures helps address issues before they begin. Do you have any concerns?"

"No, Taisho-sama, thank you for asking. Your generosity to provide everything from their transportation to their lodging, and even their instruction, is more than enough. We are indebted to you," Tomoko replied, Aiko nodding beside her.

"Hnn," was the response. Kagome started ever so slightly. Where had she heard that from before? Something was definitely going on. She lifted her stare from his collar to his face. Angled cheekbones provided a strong profile, his dark hair was pulled back into a ponytail, although that bothered Kagome for some reason. That color didn't seem...right. Continuing her study, she finally looked into his eyes again, able to see their color this time. Glittering amber stared right back at her. She sucked in a sudden breath. Recognition flooded her eyes as rapidly as her tears and she turned slightly, fighting to regain her composure.

"Taisho-sama," the short man's voice grated on the ears. "Your next appointment…"

"Hnn. Thank you for the reminder," he reached into his suit pocket, drawing out a small case. Opening it, he withdrew two business cards, handing one to each mother. "Please contact me if you do have any concerns. It was a parent such as yourself that brought to my attention that not all students could afford the train fare, or lodging. Any student who wishes to attend one of our programs should never feel they are not able to due to funds, and I overlooked this during our first year." He bowed to the women. "Again, I appreciate your time. I hope your sons enjoy the seminar."

All three women bowed, Kagome grateful for the excuse to hide her tears.

"We will let you know if we think of anything, Taisho-sama," Aiko replied. "I wish you well in your future endeavors."

Looking directly at Kagome, he replied, "I thank you for your kind wishes, Higurashi-sama. I hope they are blessed as well." And with that, he turned, beckoning to the smaller man. "Come."

"Yes, Taisho-sama!" The smaller man squeaked as he hurried to catch up.

As the three watched him walk away, the manner of his walk told Kagome all she needed to know. That proud, arrogant, smug walk. The "I am supreme above all" walk. It was him; somehow, he survived to her era. Finally working through her tears, Kagome smiled and spoke so softly, almost none could hear, but she knew he would.

"Hello again, Sesshomaru."