A/N - Whoops! Forgot to post this one yesterday. You'll get a second update later!
The rose was on their doorstep the following day.
It had been another restless night, made worse by nightmares about the boar attacking Kagura, so Kagome had planned on taking an early morning walk to calm her nerves but paused at the bloom at her feet.
Careful of the thorns, she picked it up. The stem had been cut, so it hadn't blown there by chance, and she turned it around before inhaling its sweet scent.
The petals shifted, and the beast's youki slid past her cheeks, calming her like nothing else could. Kagome leaned against the doorway, suddenly lightheaded; she'd almost forgotten how it felt to be curled against him, but the sensation of silken fur tickled the back of her neck, easing away the tension that had been building up over the past months.
Quickly righting herself, she ran to the edge of the barrier, reiki searching, but she came up empty, greeted only by a summer breeze.
Any other day, she may have collapsed, but her skin still tingled from his youki, invigorating her with an energy she hadn't felt since snow covered the forest.
She sent out a silent thanks, then returned to the cottage, her steps light and carefree, Emiko instantly commenting on the bright smile on her face. Kagome hummed as she pulled a vase out of the cupboard, ignoring Kagura's questioning look before hugging them both.
"It's going to be a wonderful day!"