Mrs. Higurashi led Sesshou through her home, giving him a tour as they went in search of Kagome and Shippou. He didn't want to be rude and simply show her in her own home where they were, which they were not, simply because he could scent them out.
Instead he followed her respectfully, finding that there were pieces of Kagome everywhere in her home. Photos of her childhood on the walls, art projects from when she was small decorating the fridge, a winter scarf hung on the back of a door, hair pins in odd places with the tiniest traces of her scent on them. Sesshou had only known her at fifteen. Seeing her so small in some of the photos tugged at his heart. She would never know then that her life was going to become the hazardous mess that it was now.
Finally, they got to Kagome's room, and much to Mrs. Higurashi's surprise, her daughter and presumed grandson were not there. Sesshou was well aware they went out the window to continue exploring the shrine grounds together. One shout from the two playing outside led Mrs. Higurashi to the window. She peered down and smiled as they raced to the sacred tree from one of the storage sheds.
"I'm so glad to see her this way," She commented, still watching them from Kagome's window. "She's so happy. I have you to thank for this." Kagome's mother turned to Sesshou, her eyes moistened with tears.
"I have done nothing but bring mother and son together again. You may thank me when I repay my debt to her." Sesshou sniffed, aware of the added salt in the air. A screech from Kagome in the yard was heard as she was caught in their race turned chase.
"What all do you plan to do?" Mrs. Higurashi asked, leaning against the windowsill, watching her daughter play.
"I will train her to harness her full potential. She is to master her reiki, and learn a form of self defense. After that, she has expressed her desire to train others with the same potential, with the goal of introducing more humankind to my company's cause." Sesshou explained, "In between all this, I do plan to introduce her to many important demons in society, some of which she will know as children of her long dead friends."
"If you're here, and Inuyasha isn't, I can only assume he's gone." She held sorrow in her voice. He was aware of Inuyasha's time travels, but he did not know her family was just as fond of him as Kagome was. "My condolences, Sesshou. It's hard to lose a loved one." He didn't know what to say, he knew he couldn't correct her and express his disdain for his half brother. "I'm sure he's watching over us all." Sesshou could feel his throat tighten. He wasn't religious, and yet he still abided by Inuyasha's last wishes.
Why did he ever ask me to find you? He thought once more. What did Inuyasha know that he didn't? He didn't have time to dwell on his thoughts, though. Another scream was heard from outside, only this time it was in terror instead of play.
Sesshou was gone before Mrs. Higurashi could turn to see his reaction. The rush of wind coming from where he had been standing, whipping out to the window, had her leaning over the window to look down again.
She imagined she might see Kagome in harm, her heart frozen in her chest as she anticipated the worst. However, relief washed through her when she saw Kagome cradled like a bride in Sesshou's arms.
Even from the second story, she could tell it had been a prank on the elder demon. Shippou was snickering and took off running when Sesshou glared his way. She imagined if he were Inuyasha, he would have dropped Kagome and chased after the fox for a thumping.
She was truly safe, Kagome's mother was pleased to see. Even from something as simple as a prank, her new friend had reacted as if her daughter was in life threatening danger. She watched as the retired lord let her daughter down onto her feet gently and looked her over for evidence of harm. She was too far away to hear the giggle in Kagome's throat, or see the blush on her face, but regardless she knew. She knew her daughter's heart was open to loving this demon, and little did he know, he was too.