Her home smells of salt.

Sesshoumaru finds her curled on her bed, tears streaming as she clings to an old school uniform and pictures of friends she'll never see again.

"I can't do this," she rasps.

He slides in behind her, pulling her to him. "You are doing this, Kagome." The reminder is bitter, and he fights his own anguish, holding her tighter as heartache bleeds between them. "And you are not alone."

Sniffles softening, she turns in his arms. "What did you say?"

"You—"

"No, my name." Her cheeks turn pink. "Say it again."

"Kagome," he whispers.

She smiles.