The sun rises. The rain is a drizzle.

Kagome carefully slips out of the furry nest they're sleeping in, hard-pressed not to laugh when Rin pops up like a daisy and pounces on his chest.

"Good morning, Lord Sesshoumaru!"

Like anyone ambushed out of sleep, his breath exhales forcefully, and there's a flash of annoyance before Rin's smiling face makes him forget the inconvenience.

The girl snuggles down under his chin, and Sesshoumaru's eyes close for a few more minutes of sleep, an arm circling her.

Kagome's heart catches in her throat.

"Miko," he murmurs. "Rest."

She crawls back in.