Sesshoumaru tried not to growl when his brother pulled Kagome into a protective embrace, though her constant reassurances that she was, in fact, in one piece helped.

"I'm fine, Inuyasha," she said, exasperation leaching into her tone. "Sesshoumaru apologized."

"You can say that 'til you're blue in the face, but it ain't gonna make it true." Inuyasha checked Kagome for non-existent wounds.

She scoffed, and Sesshoumaru's heart swelled. "He would never hurt me."

"You were gone for a while, Kagome-chan," the slayer said. "We were starting to worry."

Kagome gave Sesshoumaru a knowing smile, and he felt his cheeks warm, Shippou snickering on his shoulder.