Rockefeller Center

New York City

Four years ago

By some astounding miracle she had found a bench, and quickly called her friends to join her as they waited for one of the guys to bring the hot chocolate. Before leaving their apartment, her roommate had decided it was best to make a thermos full of the stuff, but had forgotten the cups, as well as leaving the thermos on the counter. Kagome smiled. It was so much like Amy to forget the beverages. She'd forget her head if it weren't attached to her neck.

Thankfully her boyfriend was working the hot chocolate cart tonight and he'd be able to give them hot chocolate without any of them fighting in line. It was especially cold tonight as a northern wind was coming in. She snuggled into her pink fuzzy scarf, savouring the warmth it provided.

"So Kags, going home for Christmas?" Roderick, the newest member of their little gang asked.

"No, it's too expensive. Besides, I love Christmas in New York."

"There's something special about it, isn't there?" He pushed a little closer to her, causing her to blush. He had been trying to ask her out since September, but she wasn't ready to date yet and had hinted to him as much.

"Snow, lights, a decorated tree, plenty of eggnog, you don't get that in Tokyo," she replied.

"Then what are your plans?"

"I figure I'll sleep late, enjoy the luxury of not having to rush out of my bed to be anywhere since there are no classes and I don't have to work. I'll cook a good breakfast, probably grab my ice skates and come out here. It's peaceful, and it's festive." She had a dreamy look in her eyes as she thought about how she spent last Christmas and how much she enjoyed it.

"Well," she looked over at him and saw him fidgeting as he tried to speak. She nearly sighed, knowing where this was leading again. "My family will be in town this year, you can join us at our place for a traditional turkey dinner with all of the fixings."

She smiled softly at him. "Thanks, that's very kind, but I like how I celebrate Christmas. Besides, I don't want to intrude on your family time."

She nearly slumped in relief as she saw Amy and Cassie walking toward the bench. She liked Roderick and didn't want to break his heart. She was just thankful he wasn't as stubborn or thickheaded as Hojo. She nodded her thanks to her roommate as she was handed a cup of hot chocolate, and stared in silence at the tree, tuning her friends out as they began to catch up on the latest gossip.

She was blessed, she knew. This was her second year here in New York, she went to a prestigious American school, had good friends, and her family didn't pressure her to come home on the holidays. It was bad enough trying to spend the summers in a city she had trouble calling home now.

And where else would you get to see such a spectacle when a tree is lit up. She was so zoned out she nearly dropped her drink when she felt an elbow jab at her.

"Earth to Kags," Amy was waving her hand in front of her face. "We're heading out, Christmas shindig at Matthew's, you game?"

"No thanks," she grimaced. There was always a downside to everything and Matthew was it. They had dated for a few weeks last year, but she found that he was really quite boring and as mean as it was, she couldn't stand being near him. "I'll stay here a bit longer and enjoy the view, explore the sights. I'll catch a cab home." She watched as they left before moving to stand next to a large pole. There was no point in hogging a whole bench when it was just her, she'd rather leave it free for a family or for perhaps an elderly couple.

Leaning against the pole, she took in the fresh, winter air and watched as the lights on the tree twinkled. As she lifted her cup to her mouth, she caught a flash of silver from next to her and nearly had a heart attack.

He was here.

Again.

She turned and faced him, nodding as she greeted him. "Merry Christmas, Sesshoumaru," assuming he would understand the holiday.

"You as well," he replied. She watched him from the corner of her eye, the way his long hair blew in the wind, his leather clad hands dug deep into the long leather coat he was wearing, and the Burberry scarf around his neck. It had to be authentic, she thought. She doubted he'd settle for less.

"Are you quite finished staring yet?" She was about to tell him off when she saw a smirk playing on his lips and a slight twinkle in his eye. She smiled slightly before answering.

"Quite done," she said and took a sip of her drink. "What are you doing in New York?" she asked, quite surprised that would be her first question to him in over five hundred years. Last year she was so stunned she just stared after him as he walked away.

"Business," he replied. "I have numerous holdings across the world and I operate them all out of New York City."

"Why New York? Why not Tokyo?"

She was shocked when she could see the smirk forming on his face again. "Tokyo is nice, but it's not the business centre of the world, just the East. To make it truly, I'd have to be located here."

She resisted asking him anything of the past, of Inuyasha, telling herself that it would be better that she didn't know. But it was hard not to ask anything. What of little Shippo? How had he fared after she left? She knew he'd have been heartbroken.

"Tell me, Miko," he questioned. "How is it a mere human could learn to survive five hundred years?"

"My name's Kagome," she said, just in case he didn't know.

"I know," he smirked again. "But you didn't answer my question."

She sighed. "I was born in Tokyo, in this time." She gestured to the bench which remained empty and for two hours told him her story. It was the first time since she left that she had spoken to anybody about it, and it felt good. He had lived through it, he understood what it was like to leave people behind.

He, in a way, understood her.

They were both silent for a few minutes, neither uncomfortable and both in deep contemplation. She smiled, suddenly she felt free. For the first time since she had left the feudal era behind for good, she had felt free.

"Sesshoumaru?" she looked up at him, noting the minute changes that took place on his person, but nothing distinguishable. He looked back ather and she felt something flutter and come alive inside of her. "Would you like to come over for a traditional Christmas dinner with all the fixings?"

Author's Notes

Thanks so much to those of you who reviewed, you made my day!

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