It took time for her nerves to settle, her body feeling small and unsteady—unstable—in his arms. But that was where she took solace. His body was nothing but strength and reassurance, and Kagome had never been less inclined to move than in that moment.

"I'm not ready to go home," she said, her head tucked under his chin.

Sesshoumaru snorted, the rush of air ruffling her bangs. "You speak as if I would be willing to let you out of my sight."

A smile finally tugged at her lips, the sensation feeling so foreign that she touched her mouth to trace the shape. "Does that mean I can stay for a while? The semester just finished, so I don't have—" His hand cupped her jaw, turning her enough so he could brush his lips along hers, and Kagome grabbed his wrist, willing him not to pull away too soon.

"I take it by your friends' acceptance of my ruse that you are not currently seeing anyone?" She shook her head, already pulling him down for another taste. He obliged, the kiss anxious but unrushed, and it gave Kagome such hope for the future that she pressed against him, forcing him to open his mouth. He hadn't expected it, and she smiled again—if she could still surprise him, it was really him.

She cupped his face, stroking the magenta stripes. "I never wanted to leave, but the jewel sent me back here, and the well wouldn't open. I swear I would've come back the second it did."

"We knew it was a possibility, even without Magatsuhi's malice and need for revenge. I had not considered how quickly it would happen, however." His eyes took on a faraway look, and Kagome knew he'd gone through just as much heartache as she had—more with how long he'd been forced to wait.

Insecurities surfaced, ones she hadn't felt since she'd crossed paths with Kikyou, but she wasn't the pillar of strength she'd claimed to be in the past. She'd let sorrow and loneliness take hold and looked to dull the pain instead of facing it.

Was she even worthy of his devotion?

"Are you sure—"

"Not a single day has gone by without you crossing my mind." He gave her a level look that told her he knew exactly where her mind had gone, and she flushed, pursing her lips to hide her embarrassment.

"Good. It's been the same for me, so we've got a lot of time to make up for." His chuckle filled her with such warmth that she kissed him again, already envisioning a future of waking up to him every morning. "I should probably introduce you to Mama first. I still need to apologize for last night."

"If she is anything like you, she will understand," he said, shifting to get off the bed, an eyebrow raising when she pushed him back down.

"Later. My head still hurts, and you're comfortable." She settled down beside him, placing a hand over his heart. She couldn't say how long they lay like that or if she slept again, but the sense of utter contentment was constant, and Kagome knew she'd never have to worry about the phantoms of her past again.

They'd taken corporal form, and the warmth emanating from him was far better than anything alcohol could ever offer her.

She was going to be alright.