The Snow Angel by SunsetMiko

The Value

Chapter 141 - The Value *Light and Shadow* (Stella's Soundtrack Challenge)

A slow smile spread across Totosai's face. "Ah, there he is. The soon to be mated man."

Sesshoumaru ignored the old demon's comment, getting right down to business. "Is it done?" This mating gift was very important. Kagome had to love it, but even more than that, it had to be of the highest quality. One's mating gift announced to everyone in demon society how valued one's mate was. His angel meant the world to him, more than his title, his lands, and his riches, and this gift had to convey that. He wanted to make sure that every demon, from the other Cardinal Lords to the lowest of servants, knew that his mate was revered above all others. It would go a long way in gaining her the respect she deserved.

"Yup, right over there," the sword smith replied while pointing.

The taiyoukai approached the worktable, spotting his commissioned piece laid out on a piece of fabric. He studied it for a moment before lifting it to more closely inspect each element. Sesshoumaru turned it slightly; taking in the way the light reflected off the highly shined materials, and he imagined it against Kagome's pale flesh. The detail work was exquisite, beautiful and flawless, and just as they had discussed. Satisfied, he returned his attention to Totosai. "How much?"

"You like it then?"

Sesshoumaru fought down the desire to frown. If he didn't like it, the old fool would certainly know. He nodded once in lieu of a reply, repeating his question. "How much?"

Totosai rolled his eyes. "Never have been one for small talk, huh? It's free if I get to meet your girl. I have to see the woman who fell in love with you. She's got to be something, alright." His tone made it clear that he was just as disbelieving as he had been when Sesshoumaru first arrived to have the mating gift made. He couldn't figure out how any female could possibly love such a cold, emotionless, and violent demon.

The taiyoukai smirked. "I am fairly certain you have already met my angel."

"How in the heck could I have done that? It's not like I'm invited to your fancy dress balls. I don't know you snobby elites."

Sesshoumaru chuckled, shocking Totosai, who had never heard a hint of amusement from the demon Lord before. "She is not one of the 'snobby elites'," he repeated the old man's words. "Kagome is an entirely different creature."

The sword smith's eyes widened, and his jaw dropped in shock. "Kagome? You mean to tell me you're mating Inuyasha's Kagome?"

A snarl escaped the taiyoukai before he could stop it. "She is not Inuyasha's Kagome," he clarified in a rather threatening tone. "She is mine."

"Tell me you didn't kill the boy," Totosai begged, sincere concern in his voice. "I swear, your father will come back to haunt you if you did."

Sesshoumaru allowed a small smirk to show on his face, his frustration over his angel being called Inuyasha's quickly fading. "I see that even the fastest spreading rumors do not reach you here. Inuyasha is alive and well, and is currently resting at the palace."

"Whaddya mean?"

"I acknowledged Inuyasha as our father's son and my brother."

"So he knows about you and the girl?" The shocked confusion was apparent on the old man's face and in his tone. The last time he saw the hanyou and the miko, they seemed awfully close, and Kagome's affection for Inuyasha had been obvious. He had been certain that the two would end up together eventually. He couldn't figure out how the girl had managed to jump from one brother to the other without the two males slaughtering each other over mating rights.

"Indeed, he does. He was actually somewhat helpful as I courted her."

"And you're really going to mate a human? What the hell happened to you?" Totosai knew that something big had to have occurred to change Sesshoumaru's views of both his brother and of human/demon matings. He had hated hanyou and resented his father for loving a human for so long that something tremendous and life altering had to have happened to make him change his opinions.

"My angel taught me that one's value is not determined by their race or social status, but by their individual worth, by what is in their heart, and by how they treat others. She saved me from a slow and painful death, and nursed me back to health without ever expecting anything in return. She changed everything for this Sesshoumaru."

The sincerity in the taiyoukai's voice and in his eyes was obvious, and Totosai smiled. "Well, if anyone was going to be able to change you, it would be Kagome. So, you think she'll like it?" he asked while gesturing towards the mating gift Sesshoumaru still held.

"I do. She does not desire a mating gift at all, but I believe this will suit her well."