The days passed quickly in the quiet tranquillity of their routine. Kagome's bed was left unused, the feel of the beast's fur her preferred place to rest.

Emiko never addressed it, her expression switching between motherly smugness and being pinched with worry when her daughter wasn't looking. Kagura finally accepted he wasn't a threat, for the most part, rubbing it in by using him to dry laundry or organize supplies.

And when the storm finally ebbed, he followed them into the snow to hunt, keeping watch as the sisters replenished their pantry, turning away all of Kagome's offerings when they sat down to eat.

"How're we supposed to call you a pet if you don't eat anything?" Kagura said, chewing on a piece of dried meat.

Kagome glared at her, then patted his head. "Ignore her. She's just bitter that I caught the bigger game today."

"You wouldn't have caught it if I hadn't chased it towards you," Kagura argued, her fork poking Kagome in the thigh.

"Details." The women grinned at each other, the beast pushing his head against Kagome's hand before returning to the fireplace. She watched him with curious eyes.

In all the time spent with them, he'd never snarled or bared his claws. She wondered if she'd completely imagined the quaking fear coursing through her body when they'd first crossed paths.