I'm sorry for my absence, but I'm back with a new chapter! Thank you for all the reviews and love! Keep 'em coming ;)

Kagome flipped on the light in her new room. It was perfect. Just the way she wanted it. A clean white and green bedspread, tan walls, plush white carpet. There was a desk set up in the corner and the book shelves were half full, giving her space to add to the collection. Kagome opened the closet door to find it filled with new clothes. Kagome had never had much of a style preference but she found herself smiling as she fingered long skirts, willowy tank tops and warm sweaters. She pulled out a gown in the back of her closet. It was a floor length, white, hand crochet beauty. Kagome could barely muster a smile. She felt terrible. There were shoes lining the floor, Kagome doubted she'd live long enough to wear them all. She put the dress back in the closet and threw herself backward on to the bed. Kagome didn't know how long she'd been asleep, but it must not have been long seeing as it was still night time. She rolled over and looked at her clock.

2:00 am.

Had they been beating Sango since they found me in the alley. What time did Sesshomaru find me? It must not have been long after I sat down.

The guilt Kagome felt was consuming. She wanted to make Sango talk to her, but if Sango wanted to be left alone she'd respect her wishes.

I don't think I'd want to see or talk to me either.

Kagome rolled on to her stomach and stared at the wall. Her eyes skimmed the bookshelf and landed on an interesting title. She got up and plucked the book off the shelf. Kagome read herself to sleep dreaming of beautifully wicked creatures and complicated relationships. And as Kagome hovered between rational thought and beautiful new worlds, she wondered if she was dreaming of her life or the book.

Kagome hadn't seen Sango in a full day. She heard her occasionally go to the restroom, and her voice as she declined food. Kagome kept her distance, but she was growing worried. While Sango hid from her Kagome did nothing but wallow, read, and check on Sango. Kagome finally called for help. Kagome didn't know if Miroku and Inuyasha had gone to school that day so she waited until around four to text them.

'Hey, I'm worried about Sango. I'll explain when you get here.'

Kagome pressed send and held on to her phone nervously. She sat in the middle of her bed, legs crossed underneath a floor length maxi skirt. In her attempt to distract herself from Sango she not only got dressed, but fixed her make up and hair. Her waist length hair was in soft curls with the front braided back. She wore a thin long sleeved shirt that was only acceptable in this weather because she was inside. She stared out the window, she felt uneasy. This place didn't feel right without Sango's presence. She watched as people moved on the streets below her, mostly riding in cars and walking in and out of small shops. The ground was covered in snow and she watched on as tracks were created and left for others to cover with their own. Kagome heard a knock at the front door so soft she thought she had imagined it. She got up to check, tripping over her long skirt in the process. She opened the door to a confused Miroku and Inuyasha.

She stepped aside and let them in.

"Let's talk in my room."

The last thing I want is for Sango to hear me talking about her.

The boys followed her to her room and she closed the door behind them, leaning on it.

"Kagome, what's wrong with Sango? What happened?" Miroku spoke quickly, clearly worried.

Kagome told them what happened, the guilt growing inside her as she watched Miroku's face change.

"I would have told you earlier, but I wasn't sure if you were in school or not."

The two boys looked at her for a moment.

"Miroku, why don't you go check on her," Inuyasha suggested.

Kagome pushed off the door and stepped aside as he walked out of the room, pausing only to give Kagome a small smile.

Kagome crossed to her bed and sat down. The sinking feeling of her mattress matching the one she was feeling inside.

Inuyasha sat beside Kagome.

"It'll be okay Kagome. Sesshomaru can be harsh. Sango knows that."

"We had just talked about how we were going to try to treat each other as equals. But we can never be equal. How can you be friends with someone you're supposed to serve and protect? I don't see Sango any differently, but I'm afraid she'll resent me."

"Sango won't resent you. She loves you like a little sister."

Kagome snorted, "Even worse, she feels like I'm her younger sister."

Inuyasha was quiet for a moment.

"Kagome do you know how old Sango and Miroku are?"

"They're the same age as me. Right?"

"No Sango is 20 and Miroku is 23."

Kagome laughed, "You're kidding me."

"No, I'm not. They are really older. Sango was privately tutored, so she would have more time to train. And Miroku graduated almost five years ago. We stopped going when you stopped going."

"Then why are they in high school again?"

"Because they were looking for you. Well, not you specifically, but the High Priestess."

"How old are you?"

Inuyasha looked uncomfortable.

"I'm about 200 years old."

Now Kagome was really stunned. Her surprise was written on her face, she looked at Inuyasha's young features, mouth agape.

"Demon's age much slower than humans. Sesshomaru is over 400 years old."

Kagome laughed hesitantly.

"That must seem like forever."

Inuyasha shrugged a little, "Years seem shorter to me. If everything goes well and we can protect you, you'll see what I mean."

Kagome narrowed her eyes at him.

"What does that mean?"

"The reason we haven't had that many High Priestesses before you is because they used to live for centuries."

"Like they were immortal?"

Kagome's eyes felt as big as saucers, but she didn't care, the idea was crazy and fascinating to her.

"No, Sesshomaru may very well be immortal, he's looked the same ever since I was born. But the High Priestess will eventually die. If she bears a child she will pass on her divinity, if she doesn't she will be reincarnated."

"Wow, that must be sad to outlive your friends, and husband."

"It's terrible." His face was closed off again, and he seemed to be lost to her.

"So, how many times have you been to high school?"

"I've never actually been before," Inuyasha laughed, "Formal schooling is not as big of a deal in the demon world as it is to humans. I've been alive for 200 years, I've already learned what I'm being taught in school, in one way or another."

That made sense.

Kagome seemed to know so little about her friends. But when she thought about it, they didn't know much about her actual life either. And though she was sure that could only strengthen their friendship, it wasn't necessary. She liked them because they were all remarkable people.

Kagome heard a light knock on her door. Miroku pushed it open. Sango stood behind him quietly Her cheeks were still blotchy and bruised. Kagome felt her breath catch.

"I'm going to take Sango out for a little while. I think she needs to eat."

Kagome nodded and smiled weakly. She watched as they walked away, and said nothing about how she had been offering Sango food all day.

Inuyasha looked at her, and their eyes connected.

"Let's get some air too." He pulled her gently to her feet and led her to Sango's room.

She didn't know where this was going and stood confused in Sango's room as Inuyasha fumbled in the dark. Sango's heavy curtains blocked out the sun.

Inuyasha pulled aside a wall of curtains to reveal a small balcony. He opened the sliding glass door and stepped outside. Kagome could feel the frigid breeze rolling in from outside, but she stepped out anyway.

The cement was cold, even through her plush socks and she watched Inuyasha sat on the side, his legs dangling off.

"The railing was faulty and so Sesshomaru had it removed, Sango thought about replacing it but we all seemed to like it better like this."

Kagome approached the edge slowly before plopping down beside Inuyasha.

"I think I can talk about it now."

Inuyasha stayed silent. The only sound between them was the wind howling.

"My mom left with my brother when I was seven years old. I don't blame her, my dad was beating her every day, she could only take one child so she took Souta. He was only two. My dad didn't start hitting me till I was 12."

Kagome felt herself gagging on the memory. She didn't want to talk about it, but she knew she had to. If she ever wanted to heal and be okay she had to talk about it and let that part of her life go.

"He pretty much beat me every day, but it got worse as I got older. This year has been the worst. He locked me in the closet and starved me for days and he-" Kagome felt the tears coming. She paused and took a few deep breaths. When she felt like she was in control again she continued.

"He raped me."

The memory was too much; she couldn't fight back the tears anymore. She tried not to sob, she had some pride, but her heart hurt.

"And when he tried to rape me again, I killed him. I didn't mean to. It just happened. I don't even know if his body's been found."

Inuyasha sat there quietly while she cried. Which she appreciated, him listening was enough.

"You can use my shoulder if you want."

Kagome looked up at him. He looked so handsome from this angle. Strong jawline, straight nose. He stared forward trying not to look at her. She smiled up at him, before gently leaning her head on his shoulder. She looked down at his hand. Strong. His fingers were long and spindly, but his palms were big. Butterflies rose in her stomach as she reached out and grabbed his hand, intertwining her fingers with his. He didn't move, continuing to stare straight ahead. He squeezed her hand lightly, and Kagome felt her smile grow.

"I'm so sorry that happened to you Kagome. No one deserves that, and I'm glad the bastard is dead, even if you aren't."

Kagome couldn't deny her relief in knowing he was dead.

She was quite, taking comfort from his hand in hers.

"Inuyasha, he said I smelled like him. Is that true?"

She hated how sad and weak she sounded, but she was dreading asking the question.

"No. You don't. That's not how that works. Scents can become intermingled from an exchange in blood, or just by being around someone a lot and if you happened to be wearing their clothes, but you wouldn't smell like someone just because you had sex."

Kagome relaxed, "I must smell a little like you and Sango then, I wear your clothes all the time."

They sat in silence. Kagome was freezing, but she was so comfortable, and she didn't want to ruin this moment.

Inuyasha's long fingernails tickled the back of her hand. And she giggled while looking up at him. He looked back at her. His gaze made her breath catch. He leaned down, their lips barely touching.

Kagome felt a warm rush come over her as their lips touched. She pulled back instinctively.

"I'm so sorry, Inuyasha."

He made a face at her, "No, I'm sorry. That was bad timing on my part."

His face relaxed and he smiled easily at her. She smiled back shyly. She leaned her head back on his shoulder. After another moment he wrapped his arm around her, and Kagome no longer felt cold.

They sat like that until Inuyasha's ears perked up.

"They're back. And they have a surprise for you."

Inuyasha helped Kagome to her feet and gestured for her to go first. She waited in the room as he closed the sliding glass door behind them.

The two made it in the living room just as Sango and Miroku opened the door. Sango came in first a smile on her face.

"We got something for you," She said to Kagome, stepping aside to let Miroku in. Over his shoulder was a small pine tree.

"It's a Christmas tree!"

Sango's excitement was palpable. Kagome felt the needles on the were thick and waxy between her finger. She hesitantly stuck her nose in the tree and breathed in the scent. It smelled amazing.

Kagome smiled at Sango.

"I haven't had a Christmas tree since before my mom left."

Sango looked at her, eyes shining with unshed tears.

"I haven't had one since my family died. I didn't have anyone to share one with. But now that you're here, it feels more like home."

Kagome felt herself tearing up to and she hugged Sango firmly.

"I'm so sorry Sango!" Kagome and Sango fell into tears, holding each other up.

"It's okay."

They hugged and cried for a few minutes before they pulled apart, wiping leaky eyes and noses.

"Well, let's set it up then," Inuyasha said as he easily took the tree from Miroku.

They spent the rest of the night decorating from the wealth of decorations Sango had stored in one of the closets. Christmas was only a few days away, but now Kagome could feel the Christmas spirit. Sango insisted the only way to properly decorate was to play Christmas music while you do it, even though Kagome didn't know many songs. Kagome quickly learned a few, she felt light as the bells jingled in time to light piano key strokes.

They stepped back to observe their handiwork. It looked beautiful. The tree sitting nestled into a corner of the living room, in front of a window. A small glittery beacon.

Kagome stood between the tree and window, looking down at the street.

She could see the lit trees lining the street, and she couldn't help but feel that winter was truly the best season. The hairs on the back of Kagome's neck rose, as she felt someone watching her. She searched the ground, trying to find the person she was sure was looking back at her. Kagome's breathing picked up as she looked around frantically. her eyes landed on a figure barely hidden in the shadows and she squinted her eyes, trying to see his face. She stared at the figure for a moment. The figure stepped out of the shadows and Kagome screamed reeling back, taking the tree with her.

Inuyasha caught her and the tree before it landed.

"What's wrong?"

Kagome rushed back to the window but saw nothing but an empty street.

"I just saw my dad."