AN: Hello everyone! Thank you so much for the kind reviews ~ this has been the week from hecks, and they have definitely boosted my spirit! As always, I do not own InuYasha, just this story and any original characters. You'll see flashbacks on occasion through the story, and I promise to not set them too much, but as I'm diverting a smidge (ok, ok, a damn chasm) off canon, they've gotta be done!

Driving through downtown Tokyo, Sesshomaru was lost in his thoughts. The last several days had passed with inconsequential meetings that he swore the humans designed with the intent to drive him insane. Petty, mindless bickering over details that didn't concern them anyways; they would do as he dictated or they'd find themselves removed from their positions. Some he'd prefer to remove permanently due to their incompetence, but the human laws prevented that, something he did not view as one of their societal improvements, like running water.

Returning to the task he originally begun a few minutes prior, Sesshomaru checked his schedule to make sure his flight had been booked. Noting that task had been completed and his itinerary for that day updated, he returned to today's schedule. There were only two appointments, thankfully, and neither were expected to go into the afternoon, leaving him free for one of the last tasks he had before he approached the miko. There was one chance to complete this correctly, and he wanted all other pieces in place before that happened. A decades long search for the youkai witch who had the knowledge he needed was not to be wasted. He did not have the time to search for another with the knowledge to assist him again, not now that he knew that the miko had come into her full power. He looked up as the privacy window slid down.

"We'll be arriving momentarily, Taisho-sama," the driver announced, beginning to slow the vehicle.

"Very well," was the reply.

The driver stepped out elegantly, moving to open the door and dipping into a bow in one fluid motion. "Shall I wait, sir, or return at the appointed time?"

"Hnn. Please remain."

"As you wish, sir," he returned, closing the door. He returned to his position in the front, preparing to pull the town car around.

Sesshomaru headed into the station, not relishing the influx of smells and sounds. While this particular duty may have been beneath others in his position, it was one he would not shirk. There were several teachers and a few of his own staff administering tickets, checking bags, coordinating with the station staff and more. He preferred to be on hand for this; there were often some parents that required reassurance that their offspring would be in good hands, despite the program running for three years now without one incident. Even being a father as short a time as he had…he still remembered and understood. After consulting briefly with a staff member, his assistant stepped away from the hubbub to take his place behind him, ready to take any notes needed.

He looked around the station a little more closely; he had thought there were several Higurashi's on the list this year. It may not be a relation to her, but it was worth a chance. Surely, as caring as she was, she would be here to see her sibling off. He could recall some of her stories to Rin and Shippo, often when she was trying to impart a lesson of some sort, about her family.

~Flashback~

It was another day of travel for the weary shard hunters. InuYasha was leading, followed by Miroku and Sango, Kirara napping in her arms. Kagome was behind them, walking with Rin and Shippo, while Jaken, also napping, rode Ah-Un next to Sesshomaru, his two-headed staff loosely in his grasp. The children were pestering anyone who'd answer them with questions designed to stave off the boredom of the walk before they halted for the evening at a hot spring Sesshomaru had said they would reach before nightfall.

"Do you have a brother, Kagome-chan?" asked Rin, holding hands with Shippo as they walked. "Rin has always wanted a brother or sister."

"I do, Rin. He's nine, just a little older than you. But, I'll tell you a secret," Kagome said, glancing down at the pair. "I wasn't always happy to have a little brother."

Rin gasped. "Why, Kagome-chan?! If Rin had a brother, Rin would love him for always!"

Kagome laughed. "Well Rin, when Sota was born, I was only six years old. I didn't mind him very much when he was a baby, except that he cried a lot. I didn't mind sharing Momma with him, either. But when he started to walk and talk he was always following me, wanting to play. I didn't always want that, I was used to being by myself, so I would hide from him. One day, I hid from him for so long, he got upset. He thought I left forever and he didn't know I hadn't and he cried. When Momma found me, she explained that I was Sota's favorite person, and he just wanted me to know that, but he was still small and had no other way to tell me than to follow me. After that, I made time to play with him, and to let him know that even though he annoyed me, he was my favorite person, too. As we got older, I was able to teach him games and we became the best of friends."

Rin and Shippo both seemed lost in thought for a moment, before Rin brightened. "Rin promises to always make time for Shippo!"

"I promise too, Rin!" ecstatic at this revelation, Shippo grinned. "Let's go get InuYasha, Onēsan!"

Both darted off, determined to involve InuYasha in another of their pranks. Kagome smiled after them, grateful that Shippo was allowing his "family" to expand. As they continued, Sesshomaru thought about what she had said. When Izayoi was expecting InuYasha, he had, for a moment, wondered what it would be like to have a sibling. But when Touga left his mother and himself to fend for themselves to save her and her child, he was angry, because his father was strong and should not have succumbed to his injuries saving a weak human. Perhaps, however…it would have been pleasant to have been a brother at times to teach things to, and to play tricks on others with.

~Present~

Sota; he had been unable to recall the name until that moment. Higurashi Sota. At his estimation, he should be between twelve and fourteen, the target age his generous program was targeting. Now that he had a first name, he needed to see if there was a student in this group that matched.

"Is there a Higurashi Sota on the list for this year?" he asked his assistant.

Flipping pages, his assistant cleared his throat. "Yes, Taisho-sama. Higurashi Sota, age 12, class B of Fushiyoko Junior High. Emergency contacts are Higurashi Aiko and Higurashi Kagome."

Sesshomaru blinked. There was a chance she would be here today. She shouldn't recognize him; the glamour he wore among the humans removed his markings, changed his silver hair to a deep brown, nearly black color, and altered his ears. Some days, he didn't recognize himself in the mirror if he wanted to admit it. But, he acknowledged, she was special. She might see through it, and he worried it would cause undue harm, but there wasn't much he could do about it now. If he left before the students boarded, his staff would notice and possibly draw attention to it. Drawing another breath, calming himself, he returned to his silent observation of the station.

As the time for departure drew near, several staff approached, needing authorization for one thing or another, not really disturbing his concentration of the people milling about. Students, mostly decorous, went from parents to friends to coordinate their seating, say goodbye, chatter about their excitement and more. Their youthful excitement was always contagious, at least to his staff and the teachers.

"SOTA!" Sesshomaru focused on the two boys, with a parent following, who were rushing towards a dark-haired boy standing with two equally dark-haired females. Keeping his gaze away from the group, he watched them interact with one another, their conversations seeming amiable enough. Well used to stares, he noted the younger of the two females eyeing him. The soft chime of the boarding call sounded throughout the station. causing the three females to hug the youths who then headed towards what he presumed was their assigned car. After watching them make it to their sensei and present their passes, the three women walked towards a bench to sit. A moment later, he felt the younger's gaze turn on him again. Curious at this point, he turned his head and looked directly at her, holding her eyes for a moment before she blushed and averted her gaze.

It took all of his restraint to rein in his beast. 'She's here!' It sang in his head. Every lonely year, every horribly tragic moment that he had suffered through no longer mattered - she was here. Safe. Alive. Taking a good look at her, he noticed subtle differences from the last time he had seen her. She was a little taller and had finally grown into her long legs. Her curves, while well-hidden beneath… he drew in a sudden breath. It had to be a sign - she was here, alive and wearing a kimono-style top patterned like his traveling clothes. The top was white with red accents around the collar and wrists, a small pattern of sakura in hexagons drawing focus towards her face. For a moment, Sesshomaru forgot to breathe. And in that moment, he started walking towards her, his assistant squawking and hurrying to catch up. The two elder women stood up, one tugging lightly on Kagome's sleeve to gain her attention, causing her to scramble to her feet and slip into a deep bow with the other two.

"Good day, Taisho-sama," the one who tugged on Kagome's sleeve began. "I hope the day is finding you well?"

"Tolerable Mrs…" he 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," she bowed again, Kagome and the other woman 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," Sesshomaru paused, trying to not focus on Kagome. "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," Ikeda-sama replied, Higurashi-sama nodding beside her.

"Hnn," was his response, and he was slightly gratified to see Kagome jolt. He felt her eyes move from his collar upwards. Finally, she looked into his eyes. Those cerulean blue eyes that held his world in them. He noted that she became slightly overcome, although he was unsure why, averting her eyes, and was about to cut the visit short when his assistant spoke up.

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

"Hnn. Thank you for the reminder," Sesshomaru reached into his suit pocket, drawing out the small case that contained his 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."

As the three women returned his bow, he could smell Kagome's tears. An odd scent to miss for five hundred years, but he found that he did.

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

Looking directly at Kagome, even though her eyes were still not on him, 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!" his assistant turned to follow.

As he walked away, he could smell her tears start to fade, and her naturally addictive scent of lavender and honey filled his nostrils. Steeling his resolve, he continued to walk away, trying not to draw more of her attention to him. He worried that she was too fragile now to be able to assist him in his task; her tears worried him. It would not stop him asking her, but it would affect how he approached her. As they neared the exit, her voice, softer than he could ever remember reached his ears.

"Hello again, Sesshomaru."

Sliding into the open-door of his town car, with his assistant taking the seat next to the driver, Sesshomaru smiled to himself. Perhaps she was still as strong-willed as he recalled after all this time. He knew, without one single doubt, that the card he had given to her mother would find its way into her hands.

And that was one phone call he could not wait to receive.