"Does he know of his change in status?"

The miko became pensive. "I think so. I mean, we talk more now, and he talks even less than you do."

Only because you will it to be so.

"And he's a lot nicer now too!"

"Is that something you look for in a friend?"

"Well, yeah. It helps when your friends aren't trying to kill you."

Sesshoumaru feigned dismay, and she laughed.

"I'm a miko; it kind of comes with the territory. And he had his reasons." She wound a lock of hair around her finger. "He started off being really cruel, but he actually cares a lot more than he lets on."