Disclaimer: The characters of InuYasha are not mine; they are property of Rumiko Takahashi, Shogakukan, Yomiuri TV, Sunrise, and Viz. The following story is for entertainment and not profit.

Drummers Drumming

Kagome stood in front of her mother's full length mirror hardly recognizing the woman staring back at her. Gramps had insisted on having everyone home for New Years. Inu Yasha had grumbled about all the time she had been spending in her own time recently, but she was not about to upset her grandfather when there was no emergency to stop her.

Her mother had fawned over all the elegant gifts she had found while helping Kagome clean out her pack and had insisted her daughter make the most of them.

Kagome ran her hands down the heavy fabric of her kimono to smooth out the none existent wrinkles, shifted her choker to center the emerald stone, and reached up to ensure her hair pin was secure. So much finery from her 'secret admirer' it really made her wonder.

Turning from the mirror, she let her eyes drift over the other gifts her mother had laid out on the bed. 'There should be no need for weapons at a New Year's festival,' she thought, mentally checking off the metal fan and enamelled tanto. 'Make the most of them' she smiled, remembering her mother's words as her eyes drifted over the remaining items. The bone whistle was both intricate enough and small enough to be used as an obi charm, so she borrowed a pin from her mother's dressing table to secure the ribbon on the tiny work of art to her clothing. That left only the vial of perfume.

Pulling the stopper, Kagome dabbed drops of the heady liquid behind her ears and on her wrists as she had seen her mother do many times. Kagome turned to give herself one last look in the mirror before heading out the door and off to the festival.

The grounds before the shrine were full of people, food stalls, games and the sounds of about a dozen taiko drummers. Her family had abandoned her for the festivities not long after they had arrived. Kagome slowly strolled down the center of the grand path that led to the main temple taking in the people around her and feeling out of place. She was far from the only person dressed traditionally, but it had been so long since she had been in her own time for a holiday that seeing so many people in kimono had her expecting to turn and find Sango, Miroku or Inu Yasha standing by any one of the many stalls lining the walk.

No sooner had the thought flitted through her mind than a flash of familiar white hair stopped her in her tracks. 'It couldn't be,' her heart skipped as she turned and was met by a wall of white silk. With a sharp intake of breath her gaze shot up to meet the golden eyes smiling down at her.

"It is satisfying to know I chose well," his deep voice rumbled through her as he took a half step closer, "the pattern suits you well."

"H-how…" she stuttered as words failed her.

"The long …hard way." He drawled as he leaned in, brushing her hair back to expose her neck and inhaling deeply. Her mind raced trying to move past the shock of his presence and comprehend his words.

"It …it was-"

"All me." He finished for her.

"But h-how…?"

"With great difficulty."

"I-I-I don't know what to say." She breathed as she replayed the events surrounding her twelve days of gifts.

"Say 'yes'." He whispered, tilting her chin upwards and brushing her lips with his own.

It didn't make sense. None of it made sense. This was not the demon she knew. This was not how she pictured this ending. But she couldn't deny the pull, the attraction, the desire. She couldn't deny him.

"Yes, Sesshomaru, yes."