Images swam in and out of reach, and Kagome couldn't figure out if she was running from them or toward them. They assaulted her from each side until that familiar pounding started, pulling her away from the tantalizing dream and into the harsh light of reality.

Gripping the sheets, she rolled to the edge of the bed, gasping for air as her stomach clenched. Bile rose up, burning the back of her throat, but she scrunched her eyes shut, forcing herself to breathe. She felt a hand on her back, and shame replaced the nausea.

"I swear I didn't know," she choked out. "She said it was juice, I didn't… I never wanted…" Her stomach lurched, and she couldn't fight it this time, emptying her stomach into a garbage bin next to the bed. The hand moved up and down her back in soothing circles, waiting until she was finished.

Tears ran down her face, and she wiped her face angrily. If she weren't so weak, this wouldn't have happened. But now she'd have to tell Mama. And Souta. And give back her 90-day coin. The shame built again, another wave of nausea hitting her.

Her phone buzzed on the bedside table as the hand and bucket were removed, and Kagome grabbed it, trying to decide which of her contacts would be the worst to face, but when Yuka's name popped up on the screen, her brow furrowed in confusion.

Why was Yuka texting her from the other room?

'It's not your fault.' The first text read, making her tear up all over again. 'I already explained things to your mother. She doesn't blame you either. Good thing your boyfriend was nearby. Saved us having to drag you home in a cab. Next time introduce us properly, okay? He seems nice.'

Kagome finally looked around, blood draining from her face at the realization that she was not, in fact, in Yuka's apartment. She didn't have a boyfriend, so whoever had convinced Yuka otherwise was an excellent liar.

Hackles rising, she managed to push herself onto her knees, grabbing the headboard for support. She could remember being at dinner, and her friends helping her leave, but she'd passed out after that, so whoever this person was, they'd taken advantage of her when she was unconscious.

Relief spread through her when she looked down and found herself in the same clothing she'd worn the night before. Nothing was mussed, and no buttons were in the wrong spot, so she was fairly confident she hadn't been undressed.

Why had they claimed to be her boyfriend?

If Yuka wanted a proper introduction, it couldn't be anyone she knew, the images of the few male acquaintances running through her head, each quickly dismissed.

Gripping the headboard, she shifted her weight, getting one foot onto the floor before the stranger returned. "You should be resting." The voice was low, barely a whisper, but Kagome shook her head.

"I don't need to rest. I need to go home."

"Stubborn until the end," the person groused. "At least I know I have found the right person." They padded across the room, forcing her to lay back on the bed.

Now she knew she'd gone crazy. The voice was outside her head now, and Kagome recoiled, wanting nothing more than to curl up into a ball. "Why won't you leave me alone?" she hissed.

"Because the thought of finding you has plagued me for over five centuries, and I will not give you up on the grounds you refuse to see what is right in front of you." A warm hand was placed over her eyes, but she yanked it out of the way, needing to see what the stranger looked like so the illusion would end.

Blood drained from her face as sapphire found amber, slashes of magenta cut across high cheekbones, the moon on his brow wrinkling as he scowled at her.

"Sesshoumaru."