The Snow Angel by SunsetMiko

The Hanyou

Chapter 197 - The Hanyou

*Try Again!* (Stella's Soundtrack Challenge)

The couple was on their way to Sesshoumaru's study to check on their interviewees for the day when they heard a voice echoing through the hall.

"I don't know why you're even here. Lord Sesshoumaru despises hanyou. He would never choose one to care for his children. You and your disgusting sister should run while you have the chance."

Kagome made a face and Sesshoumaru chuckled. It echoed down the stone hall, and the nasty voice, which had continued on, stopped mid-word at the sound. Soon they came into view and spotted three young women waiting outside of Sesshoumaru's study. Two were clearly hanyou, and the other was inu. She appeared to be a little bit older than they were and had a sour expression on her face until she felt the aura coming off of Kagome. When she realized that the new Lady of the Western Lands was human, her mouth fell open in shock.

The miko approached all three with a scowl. "You," she said to the oldest of the three, the one with the nasty attitude. "You are dismissed right now. I would never allow a hate-filled bigot to care for my children."

The woman's mouth closed with a snap, and she rushed off with a huff, relieved she was making it away with her life. She had no idea she was insulting the future children of the West with her spiel against hanyou, and she was lucky Sesshoumaru hadn't decided to teach her a lesson or make an example out of her.

*Azure Fox* (Stella's Soundtrack Challenge)

Kagome smiled at the two remaining candidates, quickly appraising their appearance. They appeared to be kitsune, something she saw as a plus. They were beautiful, both with brilliant red hair, quite similar in color to Shippo's. They had fox ears atop their heads, one with red ears and the other with black. The one with red ears had the usual green eyes of a kitsune, but the one with black ears had brilliant blue eyes that were very similar to Kagome's. They wore tattered clothing that didn't quite fit them right, and it was obvious that they didn't have much. That didn't matter to the miko, however. She would never judge them by appearances.

"I'm sorry for the wait. I didn't intend to sleep so late. Would you care to join us for lunch? I'm starving, and I have some questions for the two of you."

"Yes, My Lady," one said with a low, respectful bow, and the other did the same.

"It would be an honor."

The miko's smile widened, a blush on her cheeks. Being treated with such respect and reverence would take some getting used to. It was definitely new, and now that she was officially the new Lady, it would only happen more often.

*Different Despite the Resemblance* (Stella's Soundtrack Challenge)

The two young women fell in behind Kagome and Sesshoumaru as the couple led the way. When they reached the dining hall, the kitsune hanyou were surprised at having been seated towards the head of the table, right beside Inuyasha, who sat to the left of Sesshoumaru. Kagome wanted it that way so they could converse easily. Once the food was served, and the miko filled her grumbling stomach a little bit, the questions started.

"So, what are your names?"

"Oh! Our sincerest of apologies, My Lady, for not introducing ourselves earlier. I am Aika, and this is my twin sister, Aiko,” the girl with the black ears said.

"Very nice to meet you both," They seemed so very nervous, and Kagome smiled, hoping to set them at ease. "Do you have any experience with children?"

"Oh, yes," Aiko said. "In our village, from time to time, women will simply drop off their hanyou infants or children and never return. We have raised several."

"Don't they need you then?" Kagome asked with concern. She didn't want to take mothers away from their children, related by blood or not.

"No, the youngest have reached an age that they can now care for themselves. When we saw the missive, we thought, perhaps, since Lord Sesshoumaru acknowledged his hanyou half-brother, and because one of the children is a kitsune, that maybe..."

"Maybe we might have a chance," the other finished for her sister.

*Terra Incognita* (Stella's Soundtrack Challenge)

"There is a hanyou village in the West?" Sesshoumaru asked. He never heard of such a thing, and he thought he knew about everything that went on in his lands.

"Not a village, exactly. We move around a lot. It's safer that way," Aiko said.

"You will tell me where your people are," the taiyoukai demanded, setting both young women's nerves on edge.

"Oh, we couldn't do that," Aika reluctantly replied, sure she would be punished for denying him the information he desired.

"No harm will come to them," he reassured the kitsune hanyou. "I have learned that people should be judged individually, by their own actions, not by race. I have nothing against hanyou. I merely desire to give your people a plot of land so that they can build a proper village. They deserve a true home just as any other."

"A real village? You would do that?" Aika asked in shock.

"Indeed.”

*Stay As You Are * (Stella's Soundtrack Challenge)

Unable to contain himself any longer, Shippo chimed in. "Can you do magic?" he asked excitedly.

"We can," Aiko replied with a smile.

"Could you teach me?"

"If your parents approve, we could, yes."

Shippo turned bright eyes at Kagome, and she smiled back, her heart aching. If she hired these two as nannies, Shippo would become attached. They could teach him things she never could and relate to him in ways she would never understand. She could lose her little boy's heart, and the thought terrified her. Still, they would be good for him, and she had to trust in his love for her. He would never forget her for another. While she believed Sesshoumaru could do anything he set his mind to, she doubted he would be able to teach Shippo everything he needed to know about being a kitsune. They would have had to hire him a tutor anyway, so this was perfect. The girls seemed perfect.

"Well, I think you two are wonderful candidates, better than any I've met so far. If you don't mind, I'd like to do a trial run and have you take care of the children for the day. That way I can see how you interact and if it's a good fit."

*For the First Time* (Stella's Soundtrack Challenge)

The smiles on the faces of the two young women were brighter than the sun, and Kagome couldn't help but smile back. Only then did she notice that Inuyasha was staring at the female sitting beside him with the strangest expression on his face. Her smile turned into a smirk as it dawned on her. Her hanyou friend was attracted to the girl with the black ears, to Aika. Now she would have to hire the two, barring any terrible incidents. It wasn't like Inuyasha to be drawn to someone he didn't know, and she was going to do whatever it took to get those two together.

"We will discuss the specifics in my study after lunch," Sesshoumaru explained. "We can also discuss selecting a plot of land for your people."

"Thank you so much, for both opportunities!" Aiko bubbled with joy. They knew getting the job had been a long shot, and they almost hadn't bothered at all, but it was a good thing they had!

"And I will check out your accommodations to make sure they're appropriate," Kagome said. She gave Hana, who had been walking through the dining hall, a small nod, and the youkai nodded back. She knew exactly what her Lady desired and would be ready to escort her as soon as she was finished eating.