At least Jaken had the decency to avoid their gazes as he flummoxed into the room, sputtering apologies as Sesshoumaru threatened to melt him into the floor with his eyes alone.

"What is your excuse for disturbing us?" he growled, Kagome blushing at the insinuation.

"I would never think of encroaching on your free time, my lord," Jaken squeaked, bowing low, "especially when you have been away so long—" Another growl had him falling to the ground.

Kagome covered her mouth to stifle her laughter. She might've felt sympathy for the toad—if he hadn't stuck her in the dungeon just to spite her.

"I digress, my lord! But you have spoken at length of the need to know when your mother intends to visit!" She felt Sesshoumaru freeze above her, the tension between them shifting into something far less enjoyable.

The muscles along his jaw rolled, and he sat up. "How long until she arrives?"

Jaken's incessant grovelling ceased, and he lay flat against the floor. "Well, you see…"

Kagome placed a hand over Sesshoumaru's as claws lengthened and threatened to do bodily harm. "Spit it out, Jaken. Before I let Ah-Un use you as a chew toy."

The vassal finally raised his head, glaring at her before catching Sesshoumaru's warning look, all the remaining colour draining from his face. "She is already here."