The Snow Angel by SunsetMiko

The Reveal

Chapter 227 - The Reveal

*The Girl in the Drawing* (Stella's Soundtrack Challenge 2)

Seiko led the couple and the children, who had still not decided to release Kagome from their clutches despite her attempts, down the hall towards his room. He opened the door and gestured for them to enter, doing so after them. He approached where a large piece of fabric hung on the wall and turned to his audience.

"Like I said, I did this only in my spare time. It did not impact my work. I know I should have gotten permission first, but I wanted to show you what I can do and..."

"Just show us, Seiko," Sesshoumaru cut into the painter's ramblings.

Without another word, Seiko tugged at the fabric, allowing it to fall to the floor to reveal the portrait of Kagome. Sesshoumaru's eyes widened minutely as Kagome gasped, and the children immediately began to chatter. The painter waited nervously for any kind of response from his Lord, and as the moments ticked by, he became more and more afraid that he had done the wrong thing.

Finally, Sesshoumaru spoke. "That... is extraordinary. It would look perfect over the fireplace in my study. How did you manage to capture her image so accurately without her sitting for the portrait?"

"When I had a few moments, I would find the Lady and sketch her quickly. I worked from those sketches, but it was mostly done from memory. Sadly, it will not last as long as if it had been done on canvas, but the paper is heavy enough to be framed."

"Is... Is that supposed to be me?" Kagome asked in shock.

"It is," Sesshoumaru replied. "And it is a very impressive likeness."

"But I'm not that beautiful," she said. The woman in the painting was gorgeous, and Kagome had never seen herself like that. She always thought she was rather plain looking, so she couldn't believe that the woman in the painting was her.

 “Indeed you are," the taiyoukai responded. "Even more so."

"Yes, I did have trouble portraying her glow," Seiko said regretfully.

"Glow?" Kagome asked.

"When you smile, my angel, you glow from within. It is stunning."

*Phenomenon* (Stella's Soundtrack Challenge 2)

Kagome blushed brightly. Noticing another piece of fabric hanging from the wall, and desperate to change the subject away from her apparent beauty, she asked, "What's under that one?"

Seiko smirked. "That is my other masterpiece." He felt a great deal more comfortable showing them the second painting now that they liked the first so much, and he hurried over to pull down the fabric and reveal the former Lady of the West in her current form. She sat in all her furry glory, wearing both her harness and her collar, and Seiko's smirk widened as Kagome began to giggle.

Sesshoumaru smirked widely. "This is truly a masterpiece," the taiyoukai agreed. "I believe it will be hung in the guest wing, somewhere high enough that mother cannot reach it, of course. I doubt she will appreciate your artistry as much as we do."

"You're really good, Seiko," Kagome said with a smile. "I bet there's all kinds of things you can paint for us. Oh, portraits of the children! Rin in a field of flowers," she said thoughtfully, "and Shippo sitting atop a mountain of acorns!" The children both began to laugh, and Kagome's smile widened. "And then, of course, a traditional one of the two of them together. Oh, and you can paint Sango and Miroku on their wedding day!"

"I would be honored to do so," Seiko said with a bow, thrilled that he would be allowed to continue to paint. He had proven his skill and established himself as the palace artist. Life couldn't be better.

"We'll have to get you some real canvases," Kagome said. "Lots of them to keep you busy. Your work deserves the best supplies money can buy."

Sesshoumaru nodded his agreement. "New supplies will be purchased immediately. Perhaps you need a room solely for your work. It might begin to get cramped in here if you were forced to work in your room. One will be found for you."

"With good light, right, Sesshoumaru?" Kagome asked.

"Thank you, My Lord, My Lady," Seiko said with a wide smile. He was getting a studio, a place where he could work to his heart's content, and more supplies! Somehow, in a few moments, life had actually managed to get even better.

A few minutes later, Kagome was wrangling the children into bed, eager to head there herself, while Seiko ran off to locate Hana. He had been advised to speak to her about having one of the palace's craftsmen craft frames for his paintings. Sesshoumaru headed to his study once more to speak with Atsushi about what he wanted done with Seiko. Once the arrangements were made, the taiyoukai headed to his bedchambers, to await his angel's arrival.