The Snow Angel by SunsetMiko

The Interviews

Chapter 191 - The Interviews

*Phantom Lord* (Stella's Soundtrack Challenge)

Sesshoumaru sat slightly behind his angel, trying to pretend he was invisible for the most part. He said nothing during Kagome's interviews, instead filling her in on his impression of each candidate once they left the room. He knew his presence was an intimidating one, but it served its purpose of keeping the women honest.

The miko asked each candidate the same set of questions, listening intently to their answers and making notes of her thoughts as she went. Several she knew wouldn't work out from the beginning. When some of the women realized that she was the one meant to be Lady of the West, they panicked, having shot her rude looks when she passed them in the hall. Those tried their best to talk their way out of the situation they unintentionally put themselves in with their ignorance, but Kagome knew better. One's honest reaction was often far more telling than any words they might say.

After a break for lunch, she introduced those she approved of to the children, seeing how they interacted for the afternoon. The others were sent on their way with her thanks, though that did little to make them feel better. A position at the palace was well sought after and not getting it was a bitter disappointment. Only two of the four who already worked at the Western fortress remained in the running, though they weren't nearly as upset as they still had their original positions to go back to.

Bored being by himself, Inuyasha decided to sit with Kagome in the children's playroom, which allowed Sesshoumaru to attend to some business. The taiyoukai had a scribe to promote and a replacement to select. Once he told Atsushi about his new position, he would have to take some time explaining exactly what the young demon was supposed to do. Then he planned on watching as his new assistant sorted through the pile of scrolls currently on his desk, helping him decide what was important, until the boy got the hang of it.

*Protean* (Stella's Soundtrack Challenge)

"So, these are the best you could find?" Inuyasha asked the miko, unimpressed with the selection. Some of the women were attempting to play with the children while others felt that sitting and watching the kids was all that would be required of them. Rin and Shippo didn't seem all that pleased with their options either, but Kagome wasn't ready to dismiss them all. If the witch found Naraku soon, they would have to go immediately, and so she needed someone there. Hana was far too busy to keep filling in.

"Yeah, but Sesshoumaru expects more will show up tomorrow. They're not so bad."

"Ha! Shippo is running circles around that one... literally!"

"Shippo!" Kagome scolded. She asked the children to behave, and taunting their possible new caretakers was not what she considered behaving.

"Sorry, Mama," the kit said softly, looking ashamed of himself. He had been having fun teasing the demoness who seemed incapable of catching him. She was older and didn't move as quickly as some of the younger women, and he knew she wasn't one he wanted to get stuck with. He was only trying to show his Mama that the woman wasn't any good!

"Oh, I hope Sesshoumaru is right. I don't think any of these women can handle them. Maybe my standards are too high?" she asked the hanyou by her side.

"They're your kids, wench. Your standards can be as high as you want them to be. Do you know what you're looking for exactly?"

Kagome sighed. "Not really, no. Mostly someone who's versatile, who can change as the situation changes and handle anything that comes up. I feel like I'll know it when I see it."