Sesshomaru stood beneath the corridor with Sakura in his arms while Kanade Hime softly told him the amusing little things Sakura had done over the past two months.
"She learned to roll over recently. When she wakes up in the morning, she flips back and forth on her own, like a little ball."
As Kanade Hime spoke, she reached out and gently poked Sakura's cheek.
Sakura giggled, her little hand still clutching Sesshomaru's finger, refusing to let go.
Sesshomaru lowered his head and looked at her without speaking.
But Kanade Hime noticed that he adjusted the angle of his arm ever so slightly, letting Sakura lie more comfortably.
"Lord Sesshomaru..."
Jaken's eyes were sharp as torches, taking in every one of his tiny movements.
His face was full of emotion.
More than ten minutes passed.
Jaken could not help reminding him.
"Would you like to go see Lord Inuyasha? Lady Izayoi's bedchamber is next door."
Sesshomaru paused.
Then he handed Sakura back to Kanade Hime.
When Sakura was passed over, her little hand was still clutching Sesshomaru's finger, unwilling to let go.
"Ah! Da!"
She made a displeased sound, her little mouth crumpling as she looked ready to cry.
Sesshomaru gently drew his finger out.
Sakura froze for a moment, then burst into tears with a "wah."
"Oh dear..."
Kanade Hime quickly gathered her into her arms and gently patted her back.
"Don't cry, Sakura, don't cry... your brother will come see you again..."
Sesshomaru stood where he was.
At the word "brother," his ears moved slightly.
He reached out and lightly touched Sakura's face with his fingertip.
Sakura's crying paused.
She opened her tear-filled big eyes and looked at Sesshomaru.
"Be good."
Sesshomaru's voice was very soft.
So soft that Kanade Hime and Jaken almost thought they had misheard.