The Snow Angel by SunsetMiko

The Mother

Chapter 173 - The Mother *Delicious*, *Outsider* & *Daughter* (Stella's Soundtrack Challenge)

Kagome smiled brightly. "You know, now that I have a warm and dry place to go home to, I'm enjoying the snow a lot more."

"I know just what you mean," Sango agreed. "It truly is beautiful."

"Exactly. Snow does something to the world. Even in my time, where there isn't much natural beauty left, a fresh coat of snow makes everything seem brand new."

Unable to resist, Sesshoumaru reached over and wrapped his arm around Kagome's waist, pulling her closer. She looked absolutely delicious, her cheeks flushed from the cold and her eyes glowing with joy. The knowledge that he could not make love to her for days was definitely torture, just as he'd expected, as just touching her in such an innocent way had him quickly growing aroused. He fought down his slowly rising erection with a mental sigh. He could wait.

"I am glad to hear that you consider the palace home."

The miko grinned and leaned up to press a kiss to his chin. "That's what it is, isn't it? My new home?"

"Indeed, it is."

"So, where's this village? Are we almost there?" she asked.

"It should be coming into sight in a few minutes."

Start *Outsider* (Stella's Soundtrack Challenge)

Kagome nodded her understanding and turned her attention elsewhere. She was very curious about their new companion. Seiko had been invited to join them so that he could pick out painting supplies, as Sesshoumaru did not know what he would need, and the taiyoukai had no desire make multiple trips.

"Seiko," the miko started. "Do you know what supplies you need to copy the pictures in my books?"

The youkai looked nervous for a moment, despite her friendly tone. This was the new. He wasn’t used to the Lady of the West addressing him directly. Usually, he only dealt with General Toumoku and occasionally with Lord Sesshoumaru himself, but never the Lady of the palace. Worried that he would offend her with his hesitation, he forced himself to look directly at her as he responded.

"I am not certain, My Lady. I have never worked with paints before."

"Really? What mediums have you worked in then?" She had already forgotten her discussion with Sesshoumaru the previous evening about the interrogator turned artist, the discussion about waiting to mate until her surprise for him was finished having overshadowed it in importance.

Now Seiko was definitely nervous. He had no idea what to say, and he glanced at the Western Lord as if seeking instructions.

Kagome saw the worry in his eyes and smiled. "I don't want to know the answer to that question, do I?" she asked, repeating herself unknowingly. When he shook his head, she nodded. "Alright then. I've done some painting in school. Maybe, between the two of us, we can figure it out."

"You paint, Kagome?" Miroku asked; interested in yet another surprising aspect of the miko they all loved.

"No, I was terrible at it. It was an elective, a class I didn't have to take. I thought I'd give it a try and see if I could learn, but I'm simply not a painter."

Sango laughed softly, and the miko joined her. "At least you'll have some idea of what he needs though. None of us has ever painted before, unless you have, Sesshoumaru?"

"No," the taiyoukai replied, shaking his head. "I have never had the desire to try."

"This is going to be so much fun. I've never had money to spend in the villages before," Kagome said, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Well, now you certainly do. All of you," he said while focusing on the others, "may purchase anything you desire."

Start *Daughter* (Stella's Soundtrack Challenge)

"Me too, Mama?" Shippo asked.

"And me?" Rin echoed the kit.

Kagome slipped away from Sesshoumaru and crouched before the children, where they bounced eagerly, the idea of getting anything they wanted infusing them with extra energy. "No, guys, not you. You can have things, yes, but you have to ask us first. We can't have you running through the village snatching up whatever you want and getting things you shouldn’t," she said with a small smirk. “If there's something you want, just ask, okay?"

"Yes, Mama," Shippo replied, his tone relaying his disappointment.

"Yes, Lady Kagome," Rin said, her tone similar to the kitsune's.

Kagome frowned minutely. "Rin, you don't have to call me that. You can call me Mama if you’d like.  If you don't want to, that's fine. You can just call me Kagome."

"But you haven't mated Papa yet. I wasn't sure if it was okay."

"I'm telling you it is, Rin. Even if I don't mate Sesshoumaru for weeks or months..." The taiyoukai let out a low, rumbling growl and Kagome shot him a scowl. "You, hush." Her focus returned to the little girl in front of her. “Or ever," she added in just to tweak the taiyoukai's nerves, punishment for his sound of displeasure interrupting her conversation, "I still think of you as my daughter. If you want to call me Mama, you can."

Kagome was knocked off balance by one very happy child now nestled in her arms, and landed on her butt in the snow.

"Thank you, Mama!"