Epilogue

Sometimes Kagome wished that she could turn back the clocks on the day before Kikyo had shot Sesshoumaru, just to see him one last time.

She had asked him to love her like it was the last time, thinking that his kisses would never end. If she could go back, she would have asked her to love her like it was the first time. . . like they were innocent, and in love. Like he hadn't forced her, naked, from her camp the first time. That he hadn't cheated, lied and manipulated to get her beneath him. Like they were normal, like they were happy. . . Like they would be happy from then to forever more.

And sometimes, when she was feeling particularly depressed, she would get a little angry with him that he had made her a promise. . . one promise. . . and he hadn't kept it.

"It'll never be the last time with us."

Kagome boarded the train at the station, the same as she did every day to get to college. She had been surprised that she had passed high school. But, when all was said and done, she knew that if she hadn't kept herself busy with all the work she had to make up, she would have probably just ended up drowning in sorrow. . .

She was drowning in more than a man. . .

Kagome shivered, and looked out the window. So much had changed, since that one day. So much. . .

DING!

The intercom of the train came on loudly, telling the passengers that the engine was malfunctioning, and that they would be asking people to exit at the next stop.

Kagome cast a glance at a map, and to see if she could walk to class and make it. Ten miles separated her from her school, and she sighed. 'No school for me, today.'

As she exited the train, an attendant offered her apologies and gave her a free train token.

Kagome accepted it and found another schedule to see when the next train home was.

Seeing that it would be three hours till her train came, Kagome sighed.

Her sigh, though, was lost among the sea of people, hustling and bustling, packed like sardines in the tiny building. Her pulse raised, and suddenly she felt so homesick for Sesshoumaru's arms that she thought she might throw up.

Hurriedly, she pushed her way out of the crowded building and into the bright sunlight. She gasped, temporarily blinded by it. But she blinked a few times, and her vision clicked back in to place.

She was surprised to see that there was a park outside of the train station, secluded and shaded and nearly empty.

Of course it's empty. . . Kagome thought sarcastically everyone's at work or school now, just like I should be. . .

Remembering that she had three hours to blow, Kagome sauntered slowly down the stairs of the train station and in to the gates of the park.

It was a nice park, the trees muffling the sounds of the city. She closed her eyes and listened to the near silence. . . the few cars she heard, she convinced herself were the tiny waterfalls of Sengoku Jidai. The sun that shone through her lids was not hidden in smog, the smell of the city practically vanished. . .

A motorcycle screamed past the park, and her temporary illusion was broken.

Kagome sighed heavily, relieved at least that she could hear that, and sat down on a bench.

I wish Sesshoumaru was here now. . . she thought, cupping her chin in her palm. She smiled. Now, when she thought of him, it was usually triggered by something. After all, five years had passed since then and that was enough time to begin to heal even the deepest of wounds.

It was nice to just sit back and remember him sometimes, too.

"Is this seat taken?"

Kagome jumped and made a slight eep sound. And stared. And stared.

The man who had interrupted her musings was tall. . . at least a foot taller than her. His hair, which some would call albino, but most would call platinum, was shorter than when she had last seen him, cut just above his chin so it lay in easy waves.

"Sesshoumaru?" She whispered quietly, standing quickly. It had to be him! No one else could look so alike, or have that same slow drawl, or stare at her like she actually mattered. . .

"Sorry, lady." The man said, running a hand – Sesshoumaru's hand – through his hair. "You must have me confused with someone else. My name is Jin. I come by here sometimes before I take the train."

Kagome shook her head, feeling nauseous all over again. "Yes. . . I'm sorry. That must be it."

Because as she stared at him, she began to realize that it wasn't him. . . his eyes, which had first struck her as gold, were flecked with brown. His cheekbones, normally so high, were fuller and unmarked, making him look more a man and less a demon. But still. . .

"The resemblance is frightening." Kagome said, echoing the words Sesshoumaru had once spoken to her.

"Is it now?" Jin said, smiling. "Well, Miss. . ."

"Kagome." She answered. "Hard on the second syllable. Ka–go–me."

Jin nodded. "Well, Ka-Go-Me, would you mind if I sat a while?" He asked, not bothering to wait for an answer.

Sesshoumaru wouldn't have even asked.

Kagome shook her head, and sat down as well. And after a few moments of silence. . .

"Would you like to hear a story?" Kagome blurted out before she even knew what she was thinking.

Jin looked at his watch, and nodded. "Sure. My train isn't here for at least another hour and a half."

Kagome took a deep breath. I could laugh, she thought. Say that I was kidding. Ask him out for a cup of coffee. Walk away. Anything but tell the story. . .

But then, there was a warm feeling on the back of her neck. The sun, which had been shining so brightly, had moved just enough to warm her. It wasn't much, but it reminded her of someone else. . . someone else who had tried to comfort her. . .

"Once upon a time there was a Demon Lord who was so kind, the girl that fell in love with him would do anything to please him. . ."

Maybe Sesshoumaru hadn't lied to her after all. . .