Sesshomaru knew he should have left. He did his part in fostering a friendship between them. Truthfully, he had been on his way out, but a slightly ajar door caught his attention. Hence why he now found himself at his old office. Curiosity had taken over if this too would still look the same. He just couldn't help wondering if a room that was purely him still remain in the house? His hand hovered over the knob as he shook his head at the thought of how wrong and selfish it was to hope that there was.

He knew with everyone preoccupied outside no one would be the wiser and that it was unlikely anyone had noticed his absence. Turning the nob Sesshomaru told himself it was just one quick look then to the front door he would go. With that relayed in his mind and a deep breath he entered the room and closed it so he would not be found.

Looking around he could see the room still contained all his old furnishings. They even remained just as he had left them. Looking at the bookshelves he noticed a thin layer of dust had gathered on the shelves and items, indicating their stagnate state and the room's lack of use. But although the bones of the room still remained unchanged like the rest of the house, he found more of her things mingled with his. It seemed all the things that pertained to them were shoved in here. He noted what was his, hers and theirs. But in the end, he chuckled at the fact it was moot because it was all hers now no matter how he would like to categorize it.

His gaze swept the room to see that the mantle and shelves were littered with frames of them and mementoes from their travels. It was a peculiar sensation to know after all the years spent together it could all be shoved into one room. Yet he knew he could not say much on the matter though. Because of the fact he had but a few photos and those too fit in one drawer amongst his other things. Whereas she had a room, a whole house and the memories as well. Taking it all in he wondered if she was swept away in them like he was? And he didn't even have a fraction of the reminders that she does.

His fingers twitched at his side with want to trail along the dust and ghost his fingers on a few of the times. As though to cause a physical reminder that he still remained and was here at this moment in time. But what good was that? It would be covered and swept away by time one way or another. What did it prove other than to himself that he could not and cannot let go of what little remained even though he knew he should. Because when he closed his eyes, he did not see the lively youthful creature that greeted him earlier. No, what he saw was tears and sunken eyes; a shell of a person that he caused. Thinking back to that day he knew he did what was needed to pay the price to regain the one he once knew again, and in a way he did just now at arm's length. And seeing her now and how alive she was, he would do it again even if under false pretenses, it would be worth it. Taking a deep breath, he wondered If it was as suffocating for her as it was for him in this moment?

He noted the small table and chair that sat by the fire had a stack of photos on it. The chair had a forgotten throw in it and an empty wine glass on the floor. As he stood there studying the display, he could not help envisioning she had recently been in this room looking at them. Looking at fragments of their past curled up by the fire. It brought back memories of more sedated times. He could almost feel the weight of carrying her to bed after falling asleep in the same spot.

He picked up a few from the stack flipping through the photos recognizing a few as ones that once resided in the hallway frames. He continued to flip through them before pausing on two. In one she was beaming with windblown hair looking up at him and he looked down with soft smile at her. Looking at himself he felt like he was looking at a stranger, had he ever looked at another the way as he did her? He swallowed past the lump of whether he ever would. He could not think of a time since her that he was truly at ease. He wanted to put it down, but he simply couldn't. He turned his attention to the other photo of them from Christmas. They were curled up on the Higurashi couch wearing those god-awful sweaters she had gotten them. He didn't know what came over him, but he tucked both photos in his breast pocket before returning the others to the table.

Taking in more details of the room He then noticed that she seemed to have taken up his office or was going to due to the stack of case files on the desk and a pair of forgotten heels on the floor by its side. His brows crinkled in thought about what would happen to everything in here. Anyone could tell that things had been hastily tossed in with that was already here. She was not a tidy creature, but this did not fit in her realm of 'method to her madness' as she would put it. No, things had been tossed in to sit anywhere it could fit to get them out of the way because the room was not in use.

"I figured I'd find you here." His head snapped into the direction of the voice seeing Kagome leaning against the door frames. "As soon as I noticed you had snuck off, I knew just where to look."

She had a small playful smirk and eyes glinting as she looked at him. Her gaze quickly shifted to look around the room. He saw her visibly take a deep breath before releasing it and pushing off the door frame. She kept her arms crossed loosely around herself. He noticed her bare feet lightly touched the floor as she entered, as if afraid to make a sound. As she passed, she left wisps of the scent of fresh grass behind. Her eyes did not meet his again. It was as if she was taking in the room for the first time. Noting the details and fragments of them that were stuffed and stowed away in here to hind.

"Hnn, I have never been one for parties as you know."

"Yes, I know. Which makes it all the more meaningful that you came and stayed. Truthfully, I was stunned you held out as long as you did. I thought surely you would leave or stow away into your once hiding place." Kagome's eyes turned back to him. "And here you are, how right I was."

"I see you have taken up the study for you own use now."

"Oh, um yeah. I am remodeling upstairs and well, I figured why not use it. It gets great light, and I don't know, hearing the birds and the sway of the trees from the window is lovely too. Seemed such a waste to not enjoy this part of my home."

"Hm yes, and the fireplace is nice in the evenings as well, I am sure you recall." He watched her approach the fireplace. He tried to remain still and not approach her. He knew if he did the temptation to sweep her hair back over her shoulder to bare her neck would be too much.

"Yes, I remember. I am sure it will be heavily used again" A soft smile came on her face as she ran her fingers over the mantle. "I always loved reading a book in here or more often than not falling asleep." Sesshomaru hummed in response.

"I see you haven't changed anything in here either." His response came out sharper than intended causing him to clinch his jaw. He kept his eyes transfixed on her and saw the slight stiffening of her frame before her hand fell to her side.

"I, well… there was no point in just letting it sit unused... It all just works so well in here. I didn't see a reason to not keep things how they are. Truthfully, I don't think I can envision any other way for this room to look I guess." She worried her bottom lip between her teeth while fiddling with something she picked up from the mantle. She knew she was getting worked up. She just couldn't help the feeling of being judged.

"Well, you did always like green."

"I know these are all or well mostly your things… If there is anything you wish to take back don't hesitate." Kagome instantly felt relief knowing she wasn't holding things hostage and the offer was finally out there. She had told herself if he had shown up tonight that even if he did not ask for them, she would offer them up freely.

"Hmm, they are your things now." He looked around as he spoke around the lump in his through. "As you stated they fit perfectly. Which is to be expected since it was not just me to pick them out." She spoke with a calmness he didn't not feel as the photos in his breast pocket seemed to burn. He wasn't sure why, but he couldn't let the words pass his lips that he already took something we wanted

Kagome did not respond. She knew he wouldn't want anything, because why would he when he so freely abandoned it here. Her attention strayed to the small moon and star pendant necklace in her hand. She could remember the day he gave it to her so clearly. It had been a present for white day during her freshman year of college. And here it was still to this day.

She knew he did not remain in this room for nostalgia. She knew he had stumbled in on her mess and the bits and pieces of their life together that she tossed in here. She just couldn't bring herself to get rid of anything or even pack them away in box's. She had wanted them for her eyes only. For there to still be one room that was still "them". A place she could escape to pretend that she was still surrounded by him or at least that's how it had begun. How utterly pathetic she must seem. She flipped over the necklace in her hand thinking of that day and so many to come after.

"Kagome." It was spoken so softly. Seeming to come just behind her. She closed her eyes feeling his breath caress her neck.

"Kagome, Look at me." Wordlessly she turned and looked into the honey gold eyes of her once lover.

"Yes?" Her reply was but a whisper. She watched as his hand raised brushing a few stay hairs out of her face before his knuckles trailed down the side of her face.

"Oh, Kagome…" Hunger and longing burned bright in his eyes that took her breath away. He stepped closer, his hand lightly clasped her neck to draw her closer. She did not dare to move. His eyes flickered between her eyes and lips and just when she drew a breath he lunged. It was not soft and sweet like his caress, no, it was firm and hard. As if he could not bear to have a single breath between them. His grip tightened to angle her head to draw her closer.

"God, I've missed you." His whispered words were almost missed before he drew back in. This time she gave in and shut her eyes. Screwing them tight in hopes to hold on to this moment.

"Kagome"

"Kagome…" A firm hand gripped her shoulder.

"hmm?"

"Are you... alright?" She slowly blinked and jolted from the contact. She looked at him then down to the necklace in her hand before nodding. What wishful nonsense she was thinking.

"Yes. I guess my thoughts just ran away there for a moment."

"Hmm." Now that he was closer, he could see what she had been holding.

"You know nostalgia. You know what? I guess the room could use a little face lift or at least reorganizing." She could see his eyes narrowing and sweeping across her face accessing the situation. She hoped the breadcrumb she laid to bypass the awkwardness was enough to carry on. She sat the necklace down and swiped her hands down her sides. "Like I said don't hesitate to take anything you want. There are tons of little knickknacks of yours around here…just peak around."

Her voice carried a false vibrato, and her smile was brittle. He could sense the unease coming off of her. He battled with the idea of mentioning the necklace, his recollection of happier times. Yet, he held his tongue not wanting to chance cracking the walls she was building. It was best to act as if he didn't acknowledge. But with every word she uttered he could feel the photo he snagged burning a hole in his pocket. "I believe I have all I need for now. But I will take a look if you insist."

Kagome's shoulders relaxed and she bobbed her head pleased he finally relented. For some reason it just didn't sit well with her to have everything, literally she begrudgingly added. Not that she thought he would take things that was of them but maybe some of his personal belongings. Looking around she had to admit it was kind of a shrine. The thought making her cheeks heat in embarrassment, yet a grimace appeared.

"What?"

"Oh nothing." She chuckled attention snapping back to him, "just thinking. But anyways the real reason I came-"

"Kagome… Kaaagomeeee. Where did you go?" Rins voice could be heard from the open door.

"Looks like you are needed."

"Haha yeah, one min." She held up her finger in a pausing gesture and quickly stepped to the door frame. As she held on, she leaned out causing one foot to slightly lift off the floor while she yelled out to the voice she'd be out shortly. The sight made his eyes lightly crinkle in mirth, why she didn't simply step further out he did not know. But he enjoyed the view non the less. When she turned back her hair whipped around from the motion. "Oh yeah, I really came to look for you to tell you that things have winded down. But, well a few of us are going to have some tea if you want to stay?"

"Oh no, I think it is time to go."

"Are you sure? I um- well I have some of your secret tea. You don't have to stay but the offer standings. All the others, our usual group are hanging back." She tried to offer a smile in hopes it would convey her sincerity.

He stayed silent for a moment watching her face trying to decipher the look she was giving him. Did he dare say it was hope? Or was she just trying to be a polite host? "Hmm, the 'secret' tea." He smiled seeing her light up, "I suppose I can stay for one cup."

Kagome tried to keep her smile in check. It seemed maybe things would work out. They had already crossed paths a few times and here they were talking almost like friends. "Good I'm glad."

"Where are we receiving the tea at?"

"Oh, in the dining room."

"Ok I'll be there shortly after I stop at the washroom." His eyes cut to her, "And of course, look around a bit more."

"Haha ok, Good." She turned to bounce out of the room before turning again, "I am glad" and then she was off.