In the time she'd spent with her, the number of emotions Kagome had witnessed on Inukimi's face had been slowly increasing.
They were subtle in their variety, though perhaps that was more her upbringing, as Kagome had seen similar twitches with Sesshoumaru's as well.
Fear and skepticism had slowly given way to contentment and curiosity—when she'd been lucid enough to feel them. Kagome had encouraged it all, not wanting to stifle any of her progress, good or bad.
But in the dim light of the waning moon, Kagome witnessed a new one, one that spurred her on, regardless of the consequences.
Today, there was hope.