A soft voice spoke up before Sesshoumaru could say anything and the Daiyoukai turned to study the older woman who was suddenly beside him. She was not old, by any means; perhaps in her late 30s or so. From the shape of her face to the build of her body, he could see the younger Higurashi in her. Her eyes were brown but the smile was the same. "Ex-husband, Detective Senata. Kagome put the papers through shortly after the accident, as soon as she was released from the hospital." She moved forward and set a small hand on Kouga's shoulder. "Which you would know, had you not distanced yourself from us."
Kouga stared at the woman who had practically raised him and as he always did when facing her after everything that had happened, felt shame rise to his cheeks. "I'm sorry, Oba-san," he said quietly. "I didn't think Kagome would want to have me around after…"
"After what, Kouga?" she demanded. "After you did everything you could to help her? She thinks you blame her, you know. Thank you, at least, for calling me about this." Pursing her lips, she turned from the wolf to the Daiyoukai and glared at him. "And you. Making everything worse instead of just confronting her yourself! What's wrong with the both of you! Hmph! Men, all of you are useless!" With that, she walked away and didn't give either youkai a chance to answer.
Sesshoumaru stared after her, stunned and more than a little chagrinned. It would seem the girl got her temper from her mother, as he distinctly remembered the same scathing tone she'd yelled at him with in the café. Turning narrowed eyes back to the wolf, he frowned. "You blame yourself for what happened," he said quietly, watching the Detective.
