The Snow Angel by SunsetMiko

The Father

Author's note: Sorry for the delay, again. Between teeth extraction, dry socket, and overdoing it with my foot, I just felt icky and got into a funk. I'm trying to shake it so hopefully you'll be hearing from me again tomorrow instead of a week from now again!

Chapter 147 - The Father *Palpitation* (Stella's Soundtrack Challenge)

With a head full of new information and new plans growing to accommodate what he learned, Sesshoumaru made his way back to the palace. He headed to his study, intent on working through the mountain of correspondence that had built up during his absence. His mother should have been handling it as it was, in fact, her responsibility, but she hadn't read or written a single character since he came of an age to be able to do it for her.

The taiyoukai sat down and fought the desire to sigh. This could not be allowed to continue. He had a life now and a woman to spend it with. He couldn't spend hours reading and responding to announcements of births and engagements, summaries of food stores, and the yields of the various crops. It was definitely time to get an assistant. He needed someone to deal with the day to day drudgery, who could keep him apprised, and alert him to anything important enough to need his attention.

Sesshoumaru began to sort through the various scrolls, organizing them into a basic system from most to least important. He had so much to do, it was ridiculous, and this wasn't even all of it. He also needed to announce his mating to both the Cardinal and the lesser Lords throughout all of Japan. He had no intention of holding a mating celebration, even if it was expected of him. It was a waste of time and resources, and his expanded pack had a spider hanyou to kill and a jewel to complete. Perhaps after, if Kagome desired it. It was a ball for her anyway, and she would have to be presented to everyone at some point.

Deciding to get started on the announcements first, Sesshoumaru bellowed "Jaken!"

The little toad's name echoed through the halls, and a few minutes later, Jaken showed up, huffing and puffing for breath. He bowed low in the doorway, revealing his charges behind him. "Pardon me, My Lord. The children slowed me down."

Sesshoumaru waved off his groveling and got right down to business. "Summon my scribe."

"Yes, My Lord," Jaken replied before rushing off, forgetting all about the children he was supposed to be supervising.

Rin walked into the study and beamed up at her new father. "Papa, when will Lady Kagome be back?"

Sesshoumaru lifted the little girl and set her on the edge of his desk so that they could speak eye to eye. "I will be retrieving her in three days time."

"Shippo says you're going to mate her. Is he right?"

"Indeed, he is."

"Does that mean she'll be Rin's Mama?" the child asked in an excited, hopeful tone.

"Yes, she will." The way Rin's already bright smile grew made Sesshoumaru smile as well, though it was much smaller than hers.

"And then you'll be Shippo's Papa too, right? He said he wasn't sure, but you will, right, Papa?"

"Rin, don't," Shippo whispered before turning his attention towards intense golden eyes. The kitsune's heart was racing as he tried to undo what Rin had done. "You don't have to, Lord Sesshoumaru. I mean, I know I'm not inu, and I'm not your responsibility."

"Nonsense," the taiyoukai said calmly. "You are Kagome's child, and as such are now mine as well. I will never be able to replace your father, but if you wish it, I will be happy to take over where he left off. You will need someone to teach you about your powers and guide you as you grow into a man."

"You... You mean it?" Shippo whispered.

"Of course. I love your mother, and I accept everything and everyone that comes with her. I acknowledged Inuyasha for her sake. Why would I not accept you as my pup, kit though you are?" Sesshoumaru could see Shippo's hesitance and sighed softly. "Come here, child."

Slowly, the quivering kitsune approached, and when he was within range, the taiyoukai scooped him up and set him on the edge of the desk beside Rin. The little girl took Shippo's hand in an attempt to reassure him, and Sesshoumaru smiled at the pair.

"I accept you as pack, my pack, and take full responsibility for your care and guidance. You are now an heir to the West, Shippo, just as Inuyasha and Rin are."

"I'm an heir?" the little human girl asked in shock.

"Of course you are, Rin."

"We're a weird pack, huh, Lord Sesshoumaru?"

Sesshoumaru smiled once again. "Indeed we are, but one I would never seek to change. You, Shippo, have no need to address me so formally."

"Then what should I call you?"

"Whatever you choose to."

"I can call you Papa?" Sesshoumaru nodded, and Shippo's eyes lit up, sparkling like emeralds. The little kitsune launched himself at his new father, wrapping his tiny arms around his neck, and the taiyoukai patted him softly on the back. "Thank you, Papa," the kit whispered.

Their family moment was interrupted by a hesitant voice. "You summoned me, My Lord?"

Sesshoumaru turned displeased eyes on the intruder, but forgave the fool immediately as he recognized his scribe. He nodded at the young inu and gestured for him to enter. A moment later, the pattering of little running feet grew louder as the person grew closer.

Looking at the children, he squawked, "How dare you bother your Lord when he is working?!" only to be shut up by a vicious glare.

"I intended to have the letter ready for you to copy when you arrived," Sesshoumaru spoke to the scribe, "but I was distracted."

"I'm sorry," Shippo whispered, ashamed, as he hopped down off the desk.

"There is nothing to apologize for, Shippo," Sesshoumaru said calmly. "Family is far more important than any paperwork. Why don't you two go play?"

A dazed Shippo, and a very happy Rin left the room and started down the hall. A few moments later, the taiyoukai heard his little girl whisper, "I told you so, Shippo."