Hesitation continued to stay his hand. He needed to find her—needed to see her, no matter the outcome.
He tasted blood as the thought of explaining her death to the kit entered his mind.
She was the boy's reason for training, for wanting to prove himself a capable packmate. He'd trusted the Shiro, trusted Sesshoumaru to keep her safe.
Failure had never tasted so bitter.
He reached for the door, promising himself he'd shield the kit from the atrocities that lay on the other side.
But he never had the chance.
The door flew open, Kagome staring up at him, chest heaving, before leaping into his arms.
"I did it!"