Seishiro had been a quiet baby since the day he'd been born, he didn't really laugh and get excited the way his two elder siblings had when they'd been his age but that didn't mean that he didn't enjoy things. Kagome had learned quickly how to read her son, it was very similar to reading her husband and she knew it was likely he would grow up to be very similar to his father. She didn't mind too much, while she missed the rambunxious laughter of her two eldest who were now toddlers, she enjoyed Seishiro's quiet demeanor and the subtle cues he gave off to show that he liked or disliked something.

It was very easy to tell that he didn't like baths the first time Kagome gave him one. He'd whimpered and had clung to her; sinking his claws—which even then had been sharp—into her collar bone and had clung for dear life until she'd sat down in the warm water. After that he'd slowly eased his grip and had settled into the routine of his mother bathing him.

The next time was just the same and eventually Kagome had to persuade Sesshomaru into bathing their son so that her collarbone could recover. The demon lord agreed, taking over bathing of the boy while she took over his usual half of the routine—getting Kei and Kasumi ready for bed.

The next time she had to bathe him, it had been a month since she'd last done so, the marks from Seishiro's claws were but pinpricks of scabs by then. Sesshomaru was working late and would be for the rest of the foreseeable future from what he told her; the evening routine was all on her now.

So, with a little apprehension, she her two eldest scrubbed and dressed and in bed; then took Seishiro in her arms and headed for the bathroom. To her surprise, the white haired babe didn't whimper as they entered the bathroom. Not a sound escaped him as she ran the water and worked on undressing the both of them. Kagome filled the silence by humming, wondering if the changes would stay as they got into the water.

A towel was set on the back of the toilet for when they would get out and then all that was left was to actually get in. She turned off the water, climbed in and settled her youngest son against her to wash him. He didn't whine or whimper and those claws of his didn't sink their way into her flesh. There was no panic, no quiet hysteria; just the soft humming of the mother as she washed her child.

But what had changed?

The bath continued uneventfully, and just as they'd gotten out the front door opened. Wrapping herself in a robe and grabbing the towel off the toilet, she wrapped Seishiro up and stepped into the hall cuddling him. She found her husband starting his journey up the stairs, no doubt heading for their bedroom if the genuine exhaustion in his eyes were anything to go by.

"What did you do to my son?" He stopped at the top step as she spoke, "He didn't throw a tantrum or claw me or cry even once during his bath."

"Are you complaining?" Sesshomaru asked lightly, continuing his journey to their bedroom. Kagome followed, baby in arm.

"No, I'm worried…" The daiyoukai arched an eyebrow at his wife.

"I think he simply realized what a gift it is to have you give him his bath rather than me." She opened her mouth to question what he meant but as he stepped into their room and pulled off his shirt to get ready for bed any question she may have had was answered. Along the demon lord's chest and shoulders were familiar looking claw marks that were eerily similar to those that had finally healed for her.

Fighting down a laugh as she pictured her husband all but glaring his son into compliance, she turned and headed for the nursery to get Seishiro ready for bed.