Part 3 to Chapter 32 (KimiKagu, Saleswoman, Puce) and Chapter 54 (Inukimi & Kag, Bartender, Pink)

"I am not sure about this," Kimiko admitted, eyeing the front door, the sun reflecting off the oil black paint. It wasn't entirely out of the realm of possibilities as many of the others in the area sported the same colour, but it felt like the opening to another world, and its meaning didn't escape her.

"You'll be fine," Kagura encouraged, pushing her up the next step. "They're expecting us, remember?"

"Only because you and Kagome have proven to be nothing but stalwart in this endeavour," she scowled. Ever since she'd come across her daughter-in-law at the bar, the two women refused to let the matter alone, setting up a dinner date between the four of them to get her and Sesshoumaru talking again.

"We wouldn't be here if Sesshoumaru hadn't agreed to it as well," Kagura said, nudging her again.

"There is a chance he has changed his mind."

"In the fifteen minutes it took us to drive here from the airport?" Kagura asked, much to her chagrin. Kimiko dug her heels into the stairs, and Kagura wrapped her arms around her waist. "Listen, if you're really not ready, we'll head to the hotel and come back tomorrow."

"But you will force me to explain to them why we missed dinner tonight," Kimiko huffed.

"Obviously."

"Brat." Kagura grinned, kissing her shoulder, then reached forward and rang the doorbell. Kimiko's eyes widened. "I thought you were giving me the chance to wait," she hissed.

"And then you called me a brat." She shifted her arm around Kimiko's waist, keeping her from escaping. "You're going to be fine," she reiterated. The door opened, and Kimiko froze, words failing her as she stared up at the son she hadn't spoken to in years.

Silence stretched between them, and Kagura patted her shoulder. "Just remember I love you," she said, ducking under Sesshoumaru's arm to find Kagome. Her placating words didn't help, leaving Kimiko to panic as he stood unmoving in the doorway.

She felt judged, just like those she had tried to shield him from at a young age, but for the life of her, she couldn't remember why she had sent him to military school instead of standing beside him with pride.

For she was proud to be his mother.

"As I am proud to be your son," he murmured, leaving Kimiko to realize she'd said the words aloud. His upturned hand, along with the expectant expression, had her crumbling, wrapping her arms around him as she begged for forgiveness.

The two other women watched from the kitchen, Kagura crossing her arms. "Took them long enough."

Kagome chuckled, then pulled her away to give them privacy. It was a start, and that's all they could hope for.