The Snow Angel by SunsetMiko

The Preparations

Chapter 190 - The Preparations

*The Little Mermaid* (Stella's Soundtrack Challenge)

Kagome couldn't stop smiling as she carried her surprise from Amime's workshop to her room. It was finished and turned out perfectly. She couldn't wait to see Sesshoumaru's reaction. She was practically shaking as she tucked it away in her closet. Tonight she would slip it on and blow the taiyoukai's mind, and by morning she would be his mate. The anticipation was killing her, and she knew he wasn't holding up much better.

Once the item was safely hidden, the miko went to check on the children. She found that they had been painting again and decided that they needed a bath. They would be meeting some of the candidates for their nanny position that afternoon, and she wanted them to make a good first impression. Dirty, sticky, paint-covered children were not her idea of that, and so she hurried them to the hot spring in the family wing.

The kids were eager to get into the water, and she allowed them some time to play before washing up. She watched with a smile as Shippo swam happily in the large pool until she noticed Rin's slumped shoulders and sad disposition.

"Rin, honey, what's wrong?"

Rin looked at her with a sullen expression. "Rin cannot swim like Shippo."

The miko gave her a warm smile. "Don't worry about that," the miko said happily. "I'll teach you. We'll have you swimming like a mermaid too in no time."

"I am not a mermaid!" Shippo protested from where he was treading water in the center of the spring.

"Excuse me, merman," she corrected herself with a grin. "Come on, now, little merman, and let's wash that hair."

*Storm in a Teacup* (Stella's Soundtrack Challenge)

Though the kit groaned his disappointment at his playtime being cut short, he obliged his Mama and swam to the edge. Soon the children were clean, dried, and dressed, and Kagome handed them off to Hana who had been waiting outside.

"Please, keep them clean," she implored the head servant who was filling in as a part-time nanny until a suitable one was found. She knew she was asking for a lot. Both children could and would run circles around any adult. They were definitely a lot of energy wrapped up in small packages.

"I will do my best, My Lady," the demoness said with a bow. "We will find something to do that will not get them dirty again."

"Aww, but we wanted to paint more!" Rin whined while Shippo agreed with her.

"No paint," Kagome said firmly. "If you want to color, use your crayons. You haven't touched them in days."

"All right, Mama," Shippo agreed.

"Crayons?" Rin asked.

"Oh! You haven't seen my crayons yet! They're awesome. You'll love them!" the kit exclaimed, suddenly no longer disappointed about being banned from painting.

*They Come and Go* (Stella's Soundtrack Challenge)

Kagome smiled and said her good-byes before rushing off to Sesshoumaru's study. She was surprised to find more than ten women standing outside the door in the hall. She thought there would only be the four applying from the palace, but apparently several had braved the snowstorm outside to interview as well, just as the taiyoukai had predicted.

The miko looked the women over as she passed, making note of those that scowled in her direction. Those particular candidates were already at the bottom of her list. If they did not like the idea of a human passing by them, they certainly were not a good fit to be a nanny to a human child. They had no idea she was to be the Lady of the West, having just shown up at the palace, and they had already given away their prejudice.

Once inside the study, Kagome made sure to share what she had just seen with Sesshoumaru, telling him of her concerns. The taiyoukai agreed with her that those particular candidates would be interviewed along with the others but likely would be dismissed. They had no desire for anyone with prejudice against humans to be responsible for the care of their children.

The miko retrieved her list of questions and settled herself comfortably at Sesshoumaru's desk. He, in turn, was settled to her right and a chair’s width behind her to give the impression she was in charge, and he, her right hand support. Everyone in place, she called in the first interviewee.