Humble

Kagome could only sweat drop as she and the kids stood in front of their new home. She recalled asking him to keep it simple, yet deep down she knew that to him this was simple. Even so the 'hut' that stood before them was more like a small manor. It easily had to have three rooms plus a hearth and a sitting area.

Feeling a headache start to bloom she pushed the thoughts away and forced a small smile as the kids next to her bounced on their heels. Both of them were excited to have their own space as well as to see what their lord had provided for them. Resting her hands on their heads in an affectionate manner she gave them both a small pat. "Go on, go look around." They needed little more encouragement before they both raced into the manor laughing and squealing echoing behind them.

Smiling, a full true smile, she turned to face their benefactor and gave him a low bow, her back throbbing in pain as she did so. Holding back the wince she straightened and tired her best to hide the mild discomfort. Not wanting the smidge of pain to ruin such a nice day, though she would have to ask Rin to rub some numbing cream on her back later on in the evening.

Molten gold eyes narrowed slightly, her body tensed as if in pain yet he made no comment on it, instead he clasped his hands behind his back waiting for her to speak. Deep down a part of him was waiting for her to voice her pleasure at the home he had provided for her and the pups, it was his more bestial side and he doubled down on his locks in place to get it to quiet down.

"Thank you my lord, though I must say this is a bit more than what we talked about." A muscle in his face twitched, her words making him fret that he had made the hut to humble. Yet that fear was quickly squashed as she gave him a small impish smile indicating that she was teasing him.

"Miko, this is humble." She gave a small snort laugh as she entered the small manor a low whistle escaping her as she looked around before turning back to him.

"This is what you consider humble?" He gave a curt nod that made her shake her head and mutter under her breath. "Jeez makes me wonder what you consider lavish..." His ears twitched at the low words and he vaguely wondered what it would be like to show her the western stronghold, let alone his mother's castle in the sky. He quickly shoved that thought down and instead entered the manor after her.

"I take it, this is to your liking?" His voice was low and she turned to him with a smile on her lips, just as she was about to reply Shippo and Rin came bounding back into the entrance room.

"It has a built-in hot springs!" Rin was giddy as she bounced on her heels, happy that her lord had thought of just about everything they would ever need. Smiling down at the small child Kagome could only arch a brow at Sesshomaru and mouth the word 'humble' at him. He chose to ignore it and instead leveled his gaze on his ward. She preened under it, her small cheeks displaying dimples as she smiled up at him with her loving smile. No longer was it gaped like in her youth but in his mind's eye she would always be that small child smiling up at him with a gapped tooth grin, her bright brown eyes shining with an innocence that could only be found in childhood.

A feeling of warmth spread through him, pride at seeing her so happy due to something he had done. While not his pup by blood she was his kin and he would fight tooth and nail to keep her safe and happy and now that she had taken the miko on as a mothering figure and the kit as a sibling they were quickly falling into that category and he was not daft enough to deny that it was more than just pack obligation that made him want to provide for them as well.

Nodding at the Kit and the two females he turned on his heel to leave, he had matters to attend to. He had spent far too much time waiting for his half brother to show his face in the village again. He had to return to the stronghold and take care of his lordly duties, a feat that would no doubt take a week or so considering how long he had neglected them. Once they were taken care of he would return and hopefully by then the whelp would have returned and he could get his answers as well as impart not only a lesson or two but a small fraction of the frustration this absence had caused him.

Kagome could only shake her head, a small smile on her lips as she watched his silver hair disappear into the woods, her heart twinging in pain as a not so fond memory shoved itself to the forefront of her mind. She just as quickly shoved it back down and turned to look at the two smiling children she called her own. Not wanting to ruin their happiness, yet again, she forced a smile. "So, who wants to pick out their rooms?" No sooner had the words left mouth and the two were off laughing as they tried to beat the other to the larger of the two rooms left after the master room which was undoubtedly tailor made for Kagome.

Kagome could only smile and slowly trail after them a small weight lifted off her shoulders.