Kagome held her tongue at the helpless expression on his face, idly wondering if he'd been hugged enough as a child. His arms hung awkwardly at his sides, as if he didn't know what to do with them, still in shock from her mother's reaction.
Emiko gave him an extra squeeze, then pulled back with a watery smile. "I'm glad you're alright. And thank you for keeping her safe."
Sessohumaru's shoulders hunched, and he met Kagome's gaze. "She did not require my help."
Emiko grinned as she pulled him to his feet. "Oh I know, but you protected her nonetheless, right?"
"Hnn."
"Good." She patted his head, having to go up on tiptoe to do it. The image was laughable to anyone outside of the situation—a human woman with no power to speak of treating a daiyoukai warrior like a child? It was unheard of.
Yet, as Kagome watched them both carefully, she saw the slight incline of Sesshoumaru's head, accepting the touch. It made her heart soar that he would go so far to placate her mother, especially since they both still reeked of miasma and smoke.
"Mama—" Her question was cut off as she was pulled into a similar embrace, and only then could she feel how much her mother was trembling. Kagome bit back a whimper. "I'm fine, Mama."
"As your mother, I'm entitled to worry more than others." Both women laughed softly, keeping the disquiet at bay for a little longer.
"What about me?" Kagura called from inside the cottage. "I'm the only one who was seriously injured."
"Which is why you're currently lying down," Emiko said pointedly.