There was a light knock on Kagome's door. Opening it, Kagome was surprised. "Sesshomaru?" she asked, confusion in her voice. She hadn't talked much to the taiyoukai in the past- unless attempts to kill her, on his part counted, in which case, they were on excellent speaking terms.
"This Sesshomaru apologizes for the intrusion. I had hoped to speak with you, miko Kagome." Sesshomaru said formally.
"Uh…yeah, sure." Kagome replied, less…eloquently, stepping aside to let him in.
He leaned against her desk, as she perched on the edge of her bed.
Sesshomaru spoke. "This Sesshomaru realizes we have had precious few…civil encounters. I sincerely regret any rudeness on my part, before. And, also…" He paused. Kagome waited. "This Sesshomaru would like to acknowledge the respect he has for you."
Kagome's jaw dropped in shock.
He explained himself. "You chose to go through with this, even though, with the knowledge you now posses, you could easily save yourself. Without being asked, or urged, you sacrifice yourself for us. And for that, I…admire you, miko Kagome. Not many miko would willingly do this for youkai. This Sesshomaru regrets that we did not get the chance to better know each other."
That, more than anything, made the tears fill up Kagome's eyes yet again. She felt embarrassed, bawling like a child, in front of the great Lord Sesshomaru, but, it was like once the dam had broken, there was no way to keep all the water inside.
Head in her hands, she didn't see Sesshomaru straighten and approach her, until he hesitantly put his arms around her.
"This Sesshomaru is…unused to comforting crying females. This is an acceptable gesture, yes, miko Kagome?"
Unable to speak, she could only nod and hiccup.
He continued. "Rin does not cry much, not when she was human, even less, now that she is hanyou, and this Sesshomaru's mate and child are full youkai, who do not shed tears. However, I see nothing wrong with your grief, miko Kagome." He paused a moment, thinking over his next words. "Sometimes…it takes much more courage to bare your emotions, than to lock them away, away from yourself, away from others."
He stood. Leaning over her, he whispered in her ear, "If you show less bravery against Naraku, no one will think any less of you, or be any less proud of you, miko."