Renovate

It was…surprisingly comfortable. The house was too big, too old, just plain too everything. And in a way, it reminded Kagome of him. This admittedly might have been part of the appeal.

Moving slowly through the house, she made careful note of everything that would have to be replaced and repaired. It was a fixer up, that was for sure, but despite all the decay and rot, it was sturdy and it felt safe, despite its size. The barriers and wards that she had created with the help of Miroku and Keade certainly helped with that aspect. "What do you think, Mama?"

Nodoka glanced uncertainly around the house. It was in such disrepair that she shuddered to think of the amount of money and time Kagome would have to put into it in order to make the place even remotely livable. "It…has charm," she managed, forcing a smile as she turned her attention to the girl. "Are you sure this is such a good idea though, in your condition, Kagome? You're almost five months pregnant now…"

Kagome smiled and settled her hand on her slowly growing stomach. "I won't do any of the heavy work myself, Mama. That's what Kohaku and Souta are for." Taking a few steps until she was standing at her mother's side, she took the older woman's hands and squeezed gently. "A year ago, I couldn't have done this. I would have stayed at Sesshoumaru's side and been content with that coldly civil, disinterested attitude. I would have thought that maybe I deserved it, maybe I had done something wrong."

Pale brown eyes widened and a stern frown settled on Nodoka's lips. "You—

Her daughter grinned and moved her hand to cover her mother's mouth. "That was a year ago. Sesshoumaru made his choice when he chose not to stop me from leaving, when he decided to stop contacting me over the past three weeks. I won't be his doormat Mama, and I won't go crawling back to him every time I need help, or something is wrong. And…I think I need to do this. To strike out completely on my own with a new slate, where the only thing I have to worry about is my baby, myself and my shop." Looking around the house with a slow smile, she felt excitement tingle inside her. "I think that….renovating this house is going to give me a new outlook on myself, Mama."

o.O.o

Word Count - 406