Before she can say no, he lifts her in his arms.

A shriek of rage cuts through her grief, and she smacks his shoulder, struggling. But the emotional strain of it is too much, and she crumples, surrendering again to tears.

"I hate you," she says, but her arms loop around his neck.

Sesshoumaru doesn't miss how they tighten, even as the scent of her disgust peaks. "That is fair."

Anguished tears turn angry. "And I hate me."

"That is not."

"You'll just abandon me again."

"No." Laying on the couch, he drags her onto his chest. "I will not."