The Snow Angel by SunsetMiko

The Relief

Chapter 16 - The Relief *Stand By Me* (Stella's Soundtrack Challenge)

It had taken Sesshoumaru longer than he expected to located Kagome and her traveling party, but as soon as he spotted them, he barked loudly, announcing to the miko his return. Kagome stopped dead in her tracks, turning toward the sound, and searched wildly for its cause. Realizing that he must be blending into the field of white he was crossing, he barked several more times as he made his way closer. He knew the instant she spotted him. Her face lit up; joy in her eyes and a smile on her lips.

He slid to a stop in front of her, and Kagome dropped to her knees, throwing her arms around his neck and holding tight. "Prince! Oh, I was so worried! I'm so glad you came back! Where did you go? I missed you so much." Suddenly realizing where she was holding him, the miko pulled back. "I'm sorry, Big Guy. I forgot about your wounds. I hope I didn't hurt you."

Inuyasha mumbled his complaints, slowing but not stopping completely like everyone else had. Miroku, Sango, and Shippo watched the reunion with smiles, relieved that Kagome had not lost the dog that had found his way into her heart so quickly. The hanyou knew they would catch up soon enough, and he didn't want to hear all Kagome's blubbering. He hoped the mutt wouldn't come back because he knew that there was no way the miko was going to be separated from him willingly. It didn't take her long to get attached, and now they had another mouth to feed, someone else for him to protect.

It was just like when she found Shippo. Yes, he had a soft spot for the runt now, but in the beginning, he would have been happy to dump him on someone else so it could be just him and Kagome again. He appreciated the fact that she had given him more friends, but he often longed for the time when it was just the two of them. If he had known they would be picking up stragglers, he would have enjoyed that time more.

Sesshoumaru mentally smirked at his half-brother's complaining before leaning closer, burying his nose in her hair. She wrapped her arms around him again, this time a little lower, avoiding the area covered by bandages. "I was afraid you wouldn't come back. I didn't know what I would do without you."

Again, guilt flooded the mortal canine taiyoukai’s heart. Perhaps he should have stayed away. The longer he was with her, the harder it would be on Kagome when he was forced to leave permanently. Still, he couldn't bring himself to leave her again. He knew he was being selfish, but he couldn't help himself. She brought him such happiness, such a feeling of peace, that he never wanted to be separated from her. Knowing he eventually would be only made him want to savor every moment he had with her.

He pulled back slightly, and she loosened her arms so that he could pull away completely. He studied her face for a moment before leaning in to lick the trails of tears from her cheeks. Seeing her so affected by his absence, so pleased by his return, warmed him in an unfamiliar way. No one ever cared so much about him before. Yes, Rin would be happy to see him and Jaken had an unhealthy affection for him as well, but it never felt like this. The way she was looking at him... There was love in her eyes.

Kagome wiped her cheeks and pulled herself to her feet, looking up to see Inuyasha a few yards ahead of everyone else. "Alright, enough of that. Let's keep going." Her friends nodded and started walking once more. The miko did as well, though she kept pausing to look behind her, as if checking to make sure he was still following.

Deciding to reassure her, Sesshoumaru sped up slightly so that he was beside her and nudged her hand. She placed her palm on top of his head, a bright smile on her face, and they continued on. Her touch felt special, but then it wasn't often that someone touched him. He was the Killing Perfection, the Aristocratic Assassin. It wasn't like just anyone would come up and cuddle with him. Physical contact with another was few and far between, and usually occurred during a battle, the one daring to touch him quickly finding themselves dead. Kagome, though, she could touch him all she liked. He found himself wondering if there was some way to experience her touch once he was back to his usual self. It was incredibly unlikely, that he knew, but that didn't stop him from wanting it anyway.