Kagome found herself yet again standing in the middle of "the room". A room that held nothing but broken hopes and dreams. Every time she entered here; she would question herself on why she let it still remain. Repainting and packing everything up would be truly excepting she was moving on; it would be a closing of a chapter in life that would never be. She could still remember painting the walls and picking out every little thing in this room.

The room has merely become an empty tomb. Kagome ran the duster over a piece of furniture. Just maybe it was time. When she would first come into here it was for the excitement and joy of what was to come. It morphed overnight into grief of a future lost. Leaving the grief to nearly consumed her. She closed it off and a piece of herself with it. She ran, she packed up and moved away to simply escape. Kagome took a deep breath and walked to the door. She took one last look around before closing the door.

Not yet... someday yes, but not today. Maybe one day soon.

Today was a jam-packed day. Kagome mentally went over her list of things needing to be done today. She had to finalize the menu for her house warming party, pick up her order from the liquor store, lunch with Toga, drop the baby gift off for Koga and Ayame new cub and then dinner with her mother and Souta. Kagome released a deep breath, a busy day indeed. A quick glance at the clock in her room told her it was already 10:30 am, with not a minute to waist she hastily dressed and put up her hair.

Kagome glanced at herself in the mirror to give herself a once over. Going over a mental check list she noted her ponytail is centered then taking a few swishes around; she took in the angles of her jade green dress, fits perfect. As she made her way to the front door she grabbed some tan wedges, small gold bar earrings and a dainty necklace with a single tear drop pearl. She for sure wasn't trying to look good for everyone but herself. Because this was the new Kagome, or at least she told herself that. Now she just had to get to the boutique to pick up her gift.

As she drove away from the shop, she remembered the day she found the small place. She was walking down the street the day after she arrived home to pick up a decor piece for the house that Haruki ordered when she stumbled upon a small child/ infant store. And in the window, there were the cutest woodlands themed bedroom set up. Rich green backdrop with dark wood furnishing, with deep and neutral browns to accent. In the rocker was the cutest little knitted brown rabbit in overall shorts, stripped shirt and a pink bow. She knew right away it was perfect. When she made her way to the door a reflection on the changing table caught her eyes. There glistening was a paw shaped silver baby rattle. It was perfect, absolutely perfect. She even made sure they put a cute pink bow to the handle. Kagome glanced over to the package in her passenger seat.

Yes, perfect!

The drive to Kogas and Ayame's house was a pleasant and scenic one. It was a bit of a drive but Kagome just rolled down her windows and breathed in the fresh air. They resided in a cabin deep in the mountains. Ayame often complained of being a tad too rustic for her taste but Kagome knew she secretly wouldn't have any other way and just like to give Koga hard time about it. It seems just like yesterday Ayame was chasing him around all in high school and just when she gave up the tables turned. And Boy did give Koga a run for his money too. Kagome snickered to herself at the memories. Pulling up to the house she could see little Hayate in the yard with Koga attempting to make a little tornado on his way to her car. The boy may look just like Koga but he has Ayame's spunk.

As she got out of her car with arms wide open, she couldn't help but think why she ran in the first place. From all of this, these people. Oh, how she missed this and longed to regain every minute from when she was gone. Hayate was already so big and she missed Ayame's pregnancy. The guilt clawing at her, she was there to aid in all her nieces and nephews' births but hers. This was her home, her people, no never again will she leave. The cub barreled into her arms and she hugged back with the same vigor.

"DI-DID YOU SEE?" he smiled wide reveling a missing fang and his tail wagging behind him.

Chuckling, Kagome bopped his nose with the tip of her finger. "Yes, I did. Just like your papa!" Kagome looked up seeing Koga make his way leisurely over with one hand in his pocket.

"There's my women! About time you got here. How about we head inside, I think there's someone who's waiting to meet you." Koga jutted his thumb over his shoulder as his signature fanged grin came out.

Kagome gathered her gift form the seat and handed it to Koga in favor of carrying Hayate on one of her hips. "Hmm Yes, lets."

Before she knew it an hour had come and past. It was nearly not enough time and she hated to have to hand the little bundle in her arms back. Little Meilin, Mei-Mei. She has auburn hair like her mother but carried Koga's blue eyes. Kagome stroked her little soft hand and bent to take in the new baby smell just one more time. When she looked up, she saw just a glimpse of the life her friends were able to make. And to think she got to be a part of it. Yes, she longed for her own but that didn't make her bitter. It made her happy they were able to take hold of what they wanted in the end and make it a reality. Pack is pack as they always say, and her just kept growing. And Kagome filled with warm anew, her happy aura saturating the living room.

"Sorry guys I have to get going. I have to meet Toga for lunch so I really need to head back. And I mean it Ayame, I don't go back to work for at least another week come over one day and we will do a girls day plus little Meilin too."

Koga flashed a fang. "Well look at that, both my women-correctly all three of my women trying to run off on me. You guys wound me so."

"Love ya too Koga." Kagome's tinkling laugher filling the air.

Ayame winked. "At least one of us does. All I am is stuck up here with you stinky men so how about Tuesday."

"Drive safe auntie Gome." Hayate waved his chunky little hand.

"Sounds good and I will. Love you guys bye!"

Kagome bid her friends precious little family good while wishing all the while she could steal her little nephew away. That would be total fine, pack bonding in all, she teased to herself. Now on to lunch with Toga. Kagome glanced at the clock and saw it was nearly one. Drumming her fingers on the steering wheel she tried to think of what to get when she realized his and Sesshomaru's favorite café should still be open. As long as she could get there before 2 then she would be able to get Togas usual and hopefully a good soup and salad for herself.

Kagome put on her shades and rolled down the windows to take on the fresh air while it lasted. She loved her home but maybe if her future plans played out, she's look into selling. Or at the very least maybe get a small get away cottage. Yes, that would be nice. She took a deep breath of the rushing air just imagining sitting in a rocker on a porch overlooking a garden. Coffee or tea in the mornings and evenings, she sighed blissfully. Sure, she had a beautiful yard at home but there was still the noise and lights of the city. Just the simplicity of it all was so appealing. She could imagine herself reading a story and afternoon naps under a tree with hopefully a child or two. She truly never needed much to be happy, just her friends and family. She's only worked so hard so she could secure a good life for her own family one day. She wanted her children to look at her and know anything is possible in life.

Her thoughts continued to spiral as they often do on this topic. She simply couldn't understand why people couldn't just except someone for who they are and want to be. They call her an idealist but she only sought to live by her beliefs and help show that it is possible. That it's possible to be whatever and whoever you wanted. She would be damned if someone tried to tell her kids what they could couldn't be. She just knew she would do everything in her power for them to know that they were good enough just as they are. That they didn't have to be the perfect student, strongest warrior or even fit into the mold of what someone thought the perfect son should be... Or daughter she belatedly added.

Tall trees and rolling hills were quickly replaced with interstates and a concreate jungle. Hey mind was so muddled with her thoughts she forgot to simply enjoy the drive. Once entering the city with practiced ease, she arrived to the café in a blink of an eye. She knew it had only been two years but she found comfort that it was still as she remembered. Patrons was still enjoying a late lunch out in the patio under black and white parasols. Making her way side she kicked herself for not suggesting they just meet and eat here since the day was so gorgeous but not much could be done now. Since the menu hadn't really change other than seasonal additions it didn't take long to place her orders. It only took 10mins and she was already out the door heading to her car. Kagome searched her purse for her phone to tell Toga she was on her way.

*Ring-Ring*

"Hello, Higerashi speaking."

"Yes, this is she…. Please recon- WHAT?! No, I demand to speak-" Clink.

Kagome pulled her phone away from her face staring blankly at the screen, her and Toga's lunch clutched in her hand so tightly the bag began to rip. "They really just hung up on me." shock slowly seeped into anger.