Disclaimer: As I stated previously, Inuyasha is not mine and I do not claim it as such.

Dear reader,

I realize that my fan fiction isn't exactly coming along quickly and, for that matter, doesn't have all that much romance in it. Please be patient with me. I am trying. Also I'd like to clarify that this fan fiction is a retelling of a previous work of mine. Thank you for reading and please enjoy.

Schi

'Due to the unusual circumstances surrounding his death, autopsy information regarding Hideki Higurashi is not to be released to the general public. It is also advised not to disclose too many of the details to Higurashi's next of kin, Kagome Higurashi.'

"Ms. Higurashi?" An inquiring voice whispered to the background of a soft buzzing lull. Like a thick fog the buzz enveloped any sounds within the room.

Kagome sat quietly on an un-upholstered wooden chair, its back hard and carved to look like a weeping willow. Petals of sakura fell at the base where the back and the seat met. The chair held a glow of warmth, energy shared by Kagome's own body and testament to the amount of time she'd spent sitting, unmoving. Kagome had been daydreaming, noticing little else when the figure had come upon her.

"Ms. Higurashi?" Kagome's head slowly lifted at the smooth male voice, her eyes falling on a young man dressed smartly in a dapper suit and brown hair combed flat to his head. He looked to be about 20, perhaps younger. Kagome couldn't be sure.

"Yes?" She finally responded in a soft whisper barely heard above the hum of air vents in the room. Her eyes never parted from the man's face.

He smiled politely then and bent himself forward in a bow. With a fluid grace that reminded her of someone the man extended his hand and spoke. "Hello, Ms. Higurashi. My name is Hojo and I was sent to see you to the house."

His expression was almost goofy now belying an immaturity that all young men had and Kagome would not have suspected of him upon first glance. Kagome noted his genuine expression and extended her hand in silent thanks. Hojo used their grasp to pull Kagome unhurriedly to her feet, steadying her then moving away to allow for personal space.

"If you'll follow me to the car, ma'am, we can be on our way," Hojo explained as he motioned Kagome towards two large wooden planked doors at the rear of the old room. Kagome had only just noticed their presence along the wall. She could feel the breath leave her as she walked forward, the nerves finally beginning to take hold of her.

The two stepped out into a cold, brisk winter day, snow falling about them in a blanket of crystalline promise. Hojo, still at Kagome's side, again motioned for Kagome to follow him down the stairs directly in front of them. At the end of the stair case, parked on a make-shift drive way, was an expensive looking town car whose driver waited next to an open passenger door in the back. Kagome took in the scene before her with an inward sigh. Hojo smiled at her with a look of genuine interest as he guided her to the open car door and indicated that this was to be her seat. Kagome was beginning to think this man never held any animosity, much less an unhappy thought.

Once Kagome was securely in her assigned seat the driver closed the door softly but firmly and rounded the car quickly to seat himself in his respective seat. Hojo followed suit, seating himself neatly next to the driver up front and buckling himself in.

"Good day to you, Ms. Higurashi," the driver finally greeted.

Kagome simply nodded in recognition then turned to look out the window as the car's engine roared to life.

Kagome continued to stare out the window as the car pulled out of the drive way and began to make its way out onto the snow laden road. About an hour into their drive the car made a sudden turn onto an unmarked road made of dirt. Kagome had been daydreaming again, not noticing anything beyond the occasional tree. Besides the car all else had remained silent for the length of the trip thus far. The jostling caused by driving onto the unpaved road broke Kagome's concentration forcing her to look about her in surprise.

"We'll be getting closer to the manor now, Ms. Higurashi." Hojo was the first to address her.

"Please, I wish you would call me Kagome." Her voice almost sounded pleading. It surprised Kagome to hear herself now after such a long silence but equally as surprising was the tone she'd taken on. The atmosphere and the people, although kind, seemed uncomfortable to Kagome, leaving her feeling more lonely even as they neared the manor.

Hojo turned from his front seat position and smiled brightly. "It would be most disrespectful of me to do so, ma'am," he simply stated then turned back around to face forward.

The formality was killing Kagome. The atmosphere only stiffened her even more than her nerves had.

Kagome realized after a few moments that the car no longer moved and turned to face forward herself to see what was going on. The car had come upon a large caste-iron gate of at least 12 feet high and immeasurable distance.

"Here we are now. The Fukazawa manor," Hojo exclaimed, waving a hand almost exaggeratedly to emphasize the significance of what he had just said.

Kagome only bristled at the name. Fukazawa. How trite it all sounded even now. The name sent Kagome into a sick whirl, her eyes shutting instinctively with the memories of the past weeks.

Kagome had been thrown from reality when, at school, she'd been called to the principal's office and informed that her father, Hideki Higurashi, was dead…burned up in a fiery car accident that had killed several others as well. Kagome had just stared at the man disbelieving at first. With a small nod of recognition she had excused herself from his presence and sprinted to the closest girl's bathroom she could find. Once inside she'd locked herself in the first stall that was open and slumped in a corner, eyes drowning in tears and face void of all else. Kagome began to retreat into a sort of numbness that day, barely speaking or reacting to anything.

At her father's funeral Kagome had simply sat in front of the grave, a stone taller than she when standing, and ignored all else. Kagome was again lost in herself when an older woman approached the grave dressed in all black, respectfully sniffling and dabbing at faux tears.

"You poor, poor girl," the woman had said, hands then clasped tightly to her bosom in a show of emotion.

When Kagome neither responded nor made any acknowledgement of the woman's presence, the woman spoke again, a bit more sharply this time.

"Do tell Sakura I said hello…" She had moved to leave when she turned and added, "Oh, I'm Mrs. Yoshida…Kaede Yoshida. Tell her Mrs. Yoshida says hello."

Kagome, still partially ignoring what the woman had said and wanting to detach herself from the funeral party asked quietly, "Who is Sakura?"

The woman seemed taken aback by this question. Finally realizing Kagome's seriousness she responded.

"Well, your mother of course."

Mother. With that simple answer Kagome had been jarred to life, her mind racing with confusion. Sakura Fukazawa, heiress to an old money family and supposed mother of Kagome Higurashi. A mother Kagome had up until then assumed to be dead.

As expected by the prefecture, Kagome's mother had taken legal guardianship of Kagome at Hideki's death. In an attempt to get things moving Sakura had arranged for Kagome to live further north with her and the rest of the family. Kagome was informed of such plans through short nondescript letters and her father's lawyer had also acted as informant. Through the entire process Kagome had shied away from any phone talks or personal contact, save letters, with her mother. Kagome was too numb at this point to object to her mother's wishes, but there was also a bit of curiosity that spurred Kagome on. She was interested. No, that wasn't the proper sentiment. She was intrigued by the explanation she expected from her mother. Intrigued by the prospect of confronting a family Kagome had never known.

All her life the Higurashis had been a twosome and no real mentioning of a mother had come up. Of course at a young age Kagome had asked questions, but her father had always shied away from those conversations, usually leaving Kagome to make her own assumptions. Kagome had supposed her mother to be dead. She'd never been contacted by the woman so how could she possibly be anything else but dead? For awhile she also speculated that she'd been adopted, but Kagome's theory had been quelled as soon as she'd confronted her father. It was rather obvious they were related once Hideki had blood tests run to halt any future adoption accusations on Kagome's part. A rather extreme way to stop any questions from ensuing.

Now Kagome was facing a demon of another shade, her real mother.

"Ms. Higurashi, welcome to Fukazawa manor," a voice, Hojo's, interrupted Kagome's thoughts.

Kagome hadn't even realized the car had begun to move again, the gates open, and was now driving along a tree lined path paved with large cut stones. Kagome could see to their front rows of smaller Japanese style houses surrounding a large castle-like house. The structures sat neatly on top of a small slope that tapered off to join with the surrounding forests. As they neared the houses Kagome was gripped by an almost looming atmosphere that fell over each building. The structures seemed almost alive, but heavy with eeriness and an off sense.

Just as Kagome was noting this the car came to a full stop in front of the smallest of the houses, several paths leading away from it to the other buildings. Hojo turned to Kagome with another smile, which Kagome had come to associate with him in their short acquaintance, and began to open his door to exit. Kagome followed and stood beside him quietly awaiting further instruction. The building before her, though small, still seemed to bear down on them as Hojo indicated for her to follow him then began to walk towards it. As they walked down the path Kagome observed Hojo from the corner of her eye. She hadn't realized how out of place he seemed among the gloomy buildings. His charismatic demeanor just didn't suit the grave tone of the Fukazawa manor.

"Here we are, Ms. Higurashi," Hojo explained as they reached the foot of small wooden steps that led up to the house's front doors. "I won't be joining you any further, but please feel free to call upon me any time."

Kagome just stood, a little confused as to what she was supposed to do exactly. Hojo, picking up on Kagome's confusion extended his hand in the direction of the front doors. "I believe the lady of the house awaits within. She has instructed me to leave you at this house in order that she may attend to you personally. You may simply enter." With that Hojo left Kagome at the foot of the stairs, staring at his back in utter horror.

She was to meet her mother so soon? Kagome had hoped for at least some preparation for this moment. What did one even say to a mother whom they had never met? Kagome turned back to the wooden steps before her and inhaled deeply trying to stop the dizzying thoughts from unnerving her. She was going to have to face Sakura sooner or later and she didn't want her mother's first impression to be of a weak, little pushover with uncommonly jittery nerves. No, she didn't want to botch this. For once she would command her life. That was the least Kagome deserved after the lie she'd lived so unknowingly.

With her breath finally caught and a renewed strength of mind Kagome made her way up the wooden steps and walked straight to the front door. The doors were sliding, traditional Japanese style. Not thinking too much of knocking Kagome slid the doors aside and entered the house that would take her to a mother she'd never known.

Kagome was a bit overwhelmed at the sight in front of her upon entering. She was presented with the epitome of elegance and opulence. Never had she seen so many graceful tapestries and wall hangings, luxurious vases upon even more elegant tables carved of the finest woods and set amongst even finer seating furniture. All these lavish belongings decorated a long, wide hall planked with wood that shined like mirrors and smelled freshly of lemons and mint. Kagome paused after taking the sight in. She was almost afraid to step any further for fear of ruining this perfect scene, of damaging the beautiful floor with her inexpensive shoes. Even though she had just arrived, Kagome was aware that she wouldn't fit in quite so easily with the affluent style present here.

Suddenly the sound of soft foot steps could be heard coming towards Kagome from ahead, just a little ways down the hall. Kagome had been so engrossed in not scuffing the floor she hadn't even bothered to look up for more than a few seconds. But as she turned her head up to see who approached she was forced to calculate her next actions. Walking gracefully towards Kagome was a petite woman of about 40 with short blackish hair pulled neatly into a bun. Her face was striking with wide brown eyes that were complimented by thick dark lashes and flawlessly arched eyebrows of a similar shade. The woman's nose sat perfectly between two graceful high cheekbones and above full pouty lips lightly glossed with a shimmer that complimented her skin well. She wore what Kagome guessed to be one of the latest French designs, a cobalt blue dress that clung tightly to her perfect figure in a style popular to the 1950s.

The woman paused for a moment, her face showing an expression of assessment as she took Kagome's appearance in. Suddenly a smile broke her refined features and she began to approach Kagome with a stamina and quickness that startled Kagome. The woman stopped only inches from her, the same easy beam gracing her lips. With a swift flourish of her arms the woman embraced Kagome's astonished form in a clenching hug.

"Kagome, I presume?" the woman finally asked after releasing Kagome from her overwhelming hold.

Kagome, who was still taken aback at the woman's brazenness, stepped back a bit and nodded wordlessly eyes looking about her as if in search of help. Even the woman's voice held a gentle beauty, each note flowing like silken petals falling serenely from a sakura tree.

The woman smiled even brighter then clasped both hands behind her back.

"Do you know who I am, Kagome?"

"No…"Kagome responded in a bemused tone. She was sure the woman was about to tell her, but still Kagome didn't enjoy the easy grace of her, the light laughter that had accompanied the woman's question. The situation smelt suspiciously of trickery and made Kagome nervous as the woman seemed only to brighten at her every movement.

Leaning a bit closer to Kagome, a smile still spread sweetly over her mouth, the woman whispered her answer mischievously, "My name is Sakura Fukazawa…I'm your mother."

Kagome stepped back in her shock, trying to distance herself from this woman, this entity. Before her stood the bane of her every thought since her father's funeral. This woman was to be her mother…well, she was her mother already, but Kagome had come to the offhanded conclusion that since she hadn't really known the woman that it was more like this Sakura was becoming her mother rather than already claiming such a title.

Sakura seemed to stiffen immediately from Kagome's response to this new information. Kagome knew she'd offended her, but at this point her empathy was not to be found, replaced by a dwelling apathy for the woman who stood, proudly and gracefully, in front of her awaiting some sort of mouthed response. Kagome was not one to cave so easily, despite a slight pang of guilt she'd experienced when her mother had stiffened.

"Well then," pausing Sakura seemed to be choosing what to say next, "There is someone I'd like you to meet, Kagome. If you would just follow me…" She held her hand out toward an adjoining hallway while still looking to Kagome's face, her brilliant smile plastered respectfully back onto her mouth.

Kagome simply nodded once again and began to walk in the direction Sakura indicated all the while emotions consuming her every thought.

Kagome wondered at her mother's appearance, at the way she spoke and moved, and how she'd responded to Kagome's own reaction. The entire situation puzzled Kagome. Sakura seemed offended, hurt by Kagome's recoiling at the knowledge that before her stood Sakura Fukazawa…before her stood her mother. How was she to respond, Kagome wondered. How was she supposed to act? Kagome was meeting, for the first time in many years, a woman who had abandoned her and her father. Kagome certainly was not about to express any sentiments other than those deserved. She wasn't about to act as if meeting her mother wasn't the most difficult experience she'd had thus far.

As they walked down the long corridor Kagome noted again her mother's easy grace. She seemed to float next to Kagome with an ease that could befitting an angel or some other ethereal, cloud dwelling creature. Her mother had been faking that smile back there, Kagome knew, for the sake of Kagome. She'd wanted to reassure her daughter and lighten the tense mood that had muddied their introduction to one another. Kagome tried not to care that Sakura had taken such pains in the first place to send for and receive her, but it was becoming harder with every step the pair took down the long hallway.

Finally Sakura stopped and turned to Kagome with another bright smile on her flawless face.

"The person I want you to meet is very important to me and, I hope, will become the same for you in the days to come," Sakura stated, pride filled words pouring out of her. Kagome stood still in almost disgust. Sakura actually expected something of her.

'A man, a husband probably,' Kagome thought in repugnance.

Sakura turned to her left and opened a door of cherry wood then ushered her daughter in. Kagome expected to feel a sharp pang of hatred for a man that had replaced her father. Instead she was met with only surprise…before her stood not a man of 40 or so, but a young boy with dark hair, wide eyes and pale skin.

Coming up behind Kagome and closing the door Sakura finally said, "Kagome, this is Souta…your brother."