Rockefeller Center

New York City

Five years ago

She watched everything with wide eyes, full of wonder. She had been pushed to the back of the crowd, understandably as she had gotten there a little late, but the media coverage of the lighting was spectacular. Her first tree lighting, she thought happily. It was her first Christmas time event overseas and away from her family and she was determined to enjoy every minute of it. She learned almost right away that Christmas in the United States was going to be drastically different than Christmas in Japan. Hell, life in the United States was drastically different than life in Japan and she loved every minute of it.

She didn't really leave anybody behind by moving overseas. Her family yes, but they supported her decision wholeheartedly. Her friends had all moved on long ago, as they left home for universities across Japan while she was struggling to finish her high school. High school she could have completed with them if it weren't for the Shikon no Tama.

She smiled softly at the memories. She had some good times with Inuyasha and the gang, traipsing all over feudal Japan, fighting demons and collecting jewel shards. They faced some tough opponents along the way and it made them stronger.

Then there was Naraku, the toughest of them all. Nobody had ever told them that it would be easy facing off against this demon, but then they didn't count on Kohaku finally destroying Naraku's heart during the final battle, thus destroying the demon itself. Sango's brother proved his self-worth that day.

But when it came time to return to her own time, Kagome was lost, unsure of what to do or where to go. Her friends had all moved on and started their own lives, while she struggled to finish high school. But she did it. She put the past behind her and focused on her studies and graduated at thetop of her new class. That wasn't a surprise though as she had nothing else worth noting going for her but her studies.

By sheer luck she had been accepted as an international student at Columbia University in New York, and she snatched up the opportunity to start a new life. She was a history major, which was not surprising, but then she loved it, and thrived on it, especially when she got to focus on old legends.

So here she was in the 'Big Apple', living the life she never dreamed of living, but enjoying every moment of it. If she learned anything while battling demons in the feudal era, it was that life was short and you had to make the best of it. Well that's what she was doing, and to celebrate the spirit of American Christmas, she was at the lighting of the Rockefeller Centertree.

What she didn't realize was that it was such a big deal, but then the Americans tended to publicize and cover everything in the media. As best she could, she pushed through the people and found a local vendor selling some eggnog, a drink her friends at school swore by during the holidays. How could she say no? She pulled some change from her purse to pay the man before taking her drink and pushing through the crowds once more. She wanted to explore the square tonight, see what entertainment could be found, or possibly meet some interesting people.

There were families there, both large and small as they gathered in their small corners watching the lights twinkle. The skating rink up ahead was full of people skating, and she made a mental note to go out and buy some skates one day so she could do the same. There was a charge in the air as the Christmas spirit was in full swing. She only wished she could have her family here to share the moment, either family of hers, it didn't matter as she knew both her mother, or Sango and Miroku would have loved to see this.

She frowned for a second before shaking her head. Tonight was a night of happiness, of joy and cheer. It wouldn't do well to dwell on the past again. She was over all that, her role done and time for her to move on. She winced as she saw a small boy fall down on the ice and start crying. Her heart went out to him, but his mother picked him right back up again, and within moments he was laughing and giggling as he skated on the ice.

That was how she felt. Sad one moment for her loss, happy the next for her life as it was. She was finally back on track.

She had spent the better part of the day buying gifts for her friends, singing Christmas carols as she heard them on the radio, and wrapping the gifts she planned on sending off to her family. She had fallen in love with the season and the only thing that would make the day and evening more perfect, would be snow.

She pulled out her camera and took several pictures of the families skating, more pictures of some of the smaller trees lit up, and of course a dozen or more of the centrepiece tree itself. She would have to remember to develop two sets and send a set home to her mother, knowing that she'd love to see something like this.

She continued to push her way through the crowds, making mental notes to come back and do this or do that, or try this or that. There were hot dog vendors lining the streets, chip wagons and even a slushy truck, although why anybody would want a slushy in December was beyond her. What excited her though was the smell of roasted chestnuts from some of the vendors, or the fresh pretzels.

But then she'd be the type of person to buy one anyhow. You only live once, right? Despite beinga reincarnation, she is still Kagome, and as Kagome, she would only get to live Kagome's life once. She was determined that it would be full of fun and new things.

Taking one look back up at the tree, she turned around ready to leave. She had a paper to write. Without looking where she was going, her foot got caught on a divet in the pavement, and she fell forward, throwing her cup of eggnog in the process.

She groaned, her wrists sore from the impact. Of course, she thought. She had to go and trip and fall when there thousands of people packed in the square. She looked forward and saw a pair of black boots in front of her, with her empty eggnog cup next to them, and she wanted to groan again.

"I'm sorry," she apologized as she stood up. When she didn't hear the man speak or say anything to her, her eyes lit with fury at his manners. Here she was trying to apologize and he wasn't acknowledging it. What more did he want? When she was about to give him a piece of her mind, she looked at him and gasped, her intention of teaching him some manners leaving her head.

In front of her was the last person she thought she'd ever see in New York City.

Silver hair.

Gold eyes.

"Sesshoumaru," she whispered.

Author's Notes

Inuyasha and gang do not belong to me, they belong to Rumiko Takahashi