The Snow Angel by SunsetMiko

The Illustrations

Chapter 171 - The Illustrations *Crooked Diaries* and *Because I'm Human* (Stella's Soundtrack Challenge)

Several hours passed as Sesshoumaru worked his way through the pile of scrolls on his desk. It seemed never-ending, for each scroll he finished; two more arrived to take its place. He was beginning to get anxious, however, as more time passed. Kagome should have finished with the seamstress by now. How long could it possibly take to explain what she wished to have made? He was slowly becoming concerned that she may have gotten lost on her way to his study. Surely she hadn't attempted the walk on her own. The palace could be very confusing to a newcomer, and Kagome had already demonstrated her poor sense of direction. He was just about to go searching for her when the study door slid open, revealing his angel, a wicked grin on her face.

Kagome was feeling pretty proud of herself. She had successfully described what she wanted to Amime, and the elder youkai had sketched it out and declared that she could, indeed, make the item. The only problem was fabric. What the seamstress had available, while beautiful, was not what she needed, so the miko needed to figure out a way to select different material and have it sent to Amime so she could get started.

Sesshoumaru rose and pulled her into his arms. He missed her more than one might expect, even though they were only apart for a few hours. He had plans for that evening; pleasurable plans that would result in him being a mated demon by morning. Now it was much later than he expected, and though it didn't show, he could sense Kagome's exhaustion.

The miko let out a surprised yelp as Sesshoumaru scooped her up in his arms and began to carry her away towards their bedroom. He talked while he walked, wanting to let her in on his newest plans. "I have asked Seiko to attempt to reproduce the images in your textbooks."

"Seiko?" Wasn't that the name of your torturer?"

"Indeed. He is also quite the artist, though I do not believe he has ever had access to the proper supplies."

"So how do you know he's an artist then?"

"He used..." Sesshoumaru hesitated for a moment, searching for the right words, "unconventional methods."

"I don't want to know, do I?"

"Probably not," the taiyoukai agreed. "I am going to visit a nearby village tomorrow to purchase him the necessary art supplies. Since time is limited, I thought perhaps you could go through the books and choose which are the most important."

"Why are you trying so hard? I mean, they're my books."

"Because you wished to have them copied. I also believe they would be a great resource for educating our pups, when we have them." He added on the last bit in the hopes of not sounding like he was pushing her to become pregnant before she was ready. They had all the time in the world now to have pups, and he could wait as long as she wished to. The time together, just the two of them, would be precious and rare once they started a family.

Kagome smiled. "Alright. I can do that. Mostly the diagrams, I imagine. They'd be the ones you need most. Can I come to the village too?"

Start *Because I'm Human* (Stella's Soundtrack Challenge)

"Of course. It would be an excellent opportunity to introduce you to some of the citizens of the West and for them to meet you as well."

"You're awfully intent on showing me off to everyone, aren't you?"

"You thought I would not be? I wish to share your beauty and kindness with the world, as well as show everyone you are mine."

The miko leaned up and pressed a kiss to his cheek. "I love you."

"And I you, my angel."

"You really think they'll accept a human as their Lady?"

"They have no choice but to do so, but yes, I do, once they get to know you. Besides, by then, I intend for you to officially be the Lady of the Western."

Kagome's eyes widened and she mentally winced. She had no idea how she was going to explain this. "Um... Well, you see... About that..."