He's afraid of thunder.

In the middle of the night as rain and nature's fury rages around them, their shouji flings open, and the hurried patter of little feet barely tears across the floor. Kimi opens her eyes, and before Touga has even had a chance to sit up, Sesshoumaru launches under the blanket at the foot of their bedding and skids all the way up to their faces.

Small. Perfect. Scared.

Lightning flashes followed by another crack of thunder, and he dives back under the blanket.

She and Touga share a knowing smile, and her mate chuckles quietly, lifting the edge of the covers to peer at their son.

His laughing smile gentles, and Touga reaches under to snag an arm and drag Sesshoumaru out. He gives him a knowing look. "A little too much thunder?"

Kimi watches as Sesshoumaru presses his lips into a flat line, trying his best to hide his fear. But even as a child, he's nothing if not honest, and with a small jerk of his head, he admits he's frightened.

Something deep inside of her swells and fills her with a pleasant warmth as she watches Touga's powerful arms wrap around Sesshoumaru and draw him close.

Father and son lay with their heads together, dry little sniffles almost lost to the sounds of the storm outside.

"What if I told you," Touga began, pressing Sesshoumaru's palm to his, "that one day you'll be big enough and powerful enough to withstand even the greatest tempests?"

Sesshoumaru's eyes widen slightly, but the look quickly turns skeptical and he snorts, turning his face to his mother as if to say why do you let him make up nonsense?

She reaches over and tweaks his nose. "I think your father is right."

That nose wrinkles its distaste with everything being said, and Touga laughs and tucks him closer, throwing her a wink as he does.

"It doesn't have to be tonight, Sesshoumaru." The long, silver hair of the Great Dog General spills over the still growing locks of his son, and he closes his eyes, resting his chin atop the child's head. "Sleep."

Kimi tucks closer, taking her mate's hand as their wrap a terrified Sesshoumaru in warmth.

Silently, she thanks the kami for her good fortune.