The Snow Angel by SunsetMiko

The Pleading

Chapter 136 - The Pleading *Hesitation* (Stella's Soundtrack Challenge)

Sesshoumaru thought over what he wanted to say to her for several long minutes before finally starting. He turned Kagome slightly so he could see her eyes as he spoke. "When we mate, my beast will rise to the surface and share consciousness with this Sesshoumaru. Both sides must accept you for the mating mark to take."

He studied her closely for a few moments, expecting to see fear or disgust in her eyes, but he found none. "This does not upset you?" he asked, confusion apparent in his tone.

"Why would it?" Kagome asked. "It's still you." The miko looked up at him with trust shining in her eyes. "How does he feel about me?"

"He adores you, of course, just as much as I do."

"Then what are you so worried about?

The taiyoukai shook his head. This woman would never fail to surprise him. "In doing so, I will not have full control. He may be," he paused, searching for a word that would not incite panic, "rougher with you than I have been. He may not be as careful of our claws. I will have to bite you," he shifted her slightly and pulled back the collar of her shirt, pressing his lips to the spot, "here to mark you, but he may desire to bite more than is necessary."

"And?"

"That does not worry you?"

Kagome smiled. "I know what you are, Sesshoumaru. I know you have claws," she said while holding one of his larger hands in her two much smaller ones. She toyed with his fingers before running the tips of his claws along her palm. "And I know you have fangs," she continued, turning to kiss him passionately, running her tongue carefully over his elongated canines. "I like them."

A slight blush stained her cheeks, but she forced herself forward, knowing he needed to hear her thoughts.

"They... They excite me, Sesshoumaru. The way you touch me, so delicate, so careful, when I know what kind of damage these hands can do, is amazing, and when I feel your fangs on my skin it sends tingles through me. I trust you, no matter what. If mating you means getting a few cuts and bites from time to time, I can live with that. I might even enjoy it," she finished in a teasing tone.

"Really?" he asked in awe.

"Really." They both fell silent for several minutes, Sesshoumaru soaking in the new information while his beast gloated in his mind. Kagome, however, had a request and was trying to work up the nerve to ask him for what she wanted. They moved, lying down on the bed, their limbs entwined, and after a while, the miko decided to go for it. She didn't want him to fall asleep before she got the words out, and she wasn't sure how tired he was. It had been a long, emotionally tiring day after all.

"Sesshoumaru," she whispered. "Do you think maybe I could meet him?"

"Meet him?" he repeated.

"Yeah, I mean, I think it would be nice to get to know him like I know you. He's a part of you, and you shouldn't have to keep him hidden."

The taiyoukai's mind was thrown into turmoil. Did he dare unleash the beast inside him and trust it with the woman he loved? Could he deny her when what she asked of him was something the beast desired as well? "I'm not sure it would be a good idea," he finally replied, though he regretted his words as he heard both Kagome and his beast whine their disappointment. "This means that much to you?"

"Of course it does! I'm going to be mated to him just as much as I am to you. I trust you, and I trust him. Should I not? Should I be afraid of him?"

"No," he breathed softly. "He will not hurt you purposely. I only fear that he will not realize your delicate nature."

"I'm not so delicate," she said with a huff. "I've been fighting demons and running for my life for two years now. Cuts and bruises are nothing compared to what I've been through. Bite marks can't be much worse. I mean, Mistress Centipede bit the jewel right out of my side, and I survived. I want to meet him. I want to know all of you, Sesshoumaru."

Between her gentle pleading and his beast's whimpering and begging, the taiyoukai felt his resolve wavering. Finally, he caved. "Fine, but I will not surrender full control. I will only allow him to rise as he will during mating and share consciousness."

Kagome jumped to her knees and bounced in her excitement. Halfway wasn't quite what she wanted, but perhaps this would make him comfortable enough to do so in the future. She didn't like the idea of him feeling the need to hide half of himself from her. She truly wished to know everything he was, and that included the beast that lived inside him.

"Now?" he asked.

"Of course now!"