Human

His words should have angered her, should have knocked whatever remained of that giddy laughter and sweet warmth into the horizon. Instead, all she could feel was resigned as she too looked around.

It was her first apartment after her marriage, the first on completely in her name, free and clear. Kagome had gotten over fear after fear in these three small rooms and had learned more about herself than she had anywhere else. But it wasn't safe, not anymore. Jirōbō seemed to have no trouble getting to her here, despite the barrier, despite the locks and unlisted phone number.

It bothered her in ways she didn't want to think about and even with Kirara, at night she still felt scared. What if he came when she was alone, when she was sick or hurt or whatever? Did his mark still work on her? Did it still block her powers? Judging by his ease in getting past the barrier, it certainly seemed to have no effect on him.

And at least moving in with Sesshoumaru would be better than moving back home. At least he would treat her like a human, instead of like a victim. The young Miko did love her family, no doubt, but there were times when all she wanted was to forget that her past had happened and it was so hard to do that when Mama was always looking at her, waiting for that other shoe to drop.

Sighing, she took his hand and allowed him to pull her up from the couch. "Alright. But I get to keep my cat," she said, smiling a little. "And I'm still going about my regular day to day tasks."

Sesshoumaru nodded, though he was already thinking about the guards he would hire for her.

o.O.o

Word Count - 297