"What on earth—" Emiko rose from her chair, Kagome's mind screaming to stop her.

"Some of the snow probably fell off the roof," Kagura said, grabbing a broom.

Kagome's eyes widened in horror. Couldn't they feel it?

"D-Don't—" She scrambled to her feet, finally finding her voice. She reached Kagura in time, yanking her away from the door, her sister letting out a yelp when she hit the floor.

Her mother's hand wrapped around the handle. "Calm down, Kagome. We're safe inside your barrier. If it's not snow, then it must be a hurt animal. Usually, you're the first one wanting to help."

"Mama, this is different! It could be—"

Emiko opened the door, ice hitting her in the face as something collapsed at her feet. Her gasp was cut off as Kagome stepped in front of her, hands glowing.

The beast was smaller than before but still took up the entire doorway, fur caked with ice as it whined softly. Kagome's eyes narrowed, and she cupped her hands together, ready to blast it into oblivion.

Her mother's hand on her shoulder made her pause. "Does it feel like a threat?"

Kagome gave her an incredulous look. "Mama, this is the same thing from—"

"Does it feel like a threat?" Her mother's voice was stern, her grip firm, and Kagome glanced down at the creature.

"No."

"Then it doesn't deserve whatever you were about to do to it." She turned to Kagura. "Heat up some water and grab towels."

"But—"

Emiko's eyes narrowed, and her daughters fell in line, brushing off as much snow as they could before wrapping the creature up and dragging it further into the house.