She waits.

Sesshoumaru doesn't say anything at first, simply watches her. Watches how a cascade of blues flutter through her irises as she waits for him to speak.

Eyes wide.

Teeth pressing into her lip.

His eyes drift down to that bitten flesh, long months of waiting screaming from the paling pink where it's pulled taut, and he takes a measured breath, forcing himself back to his purpose.

"This is where I began to change."

There's a flash of confusion in her face. "I thought Rin—"

"Rin"—his voice chokes around the name—"only fostered what had already started."