The Snow Angel by SunsetMiko

The Acceptance

Chapter 53 - The Acceptance *Fairytale* (Skye's Weekly Challenges)

As he held her, Sesshoumaru began to fly once more. The air was getting warmer as they got closer to the ground. The snow was beginning to melt, and the taiyoukai hoped that Kagome's red cheeks would heal quickly. The wind and cold had done a number on her delicate skin, and he did not want her to be in pain because of him. It was bad enough she was suffering emotionally. She didn't need physical pain on top of it.

He silently apologized to the miko over and over again as he ran his fingers through her hair. Her obvious discomfort with his touch that had started that morning had faded and nervousness no longer tainted her scent. He didn't know what to think, and had no idea what had changed. He was thankful, however. Knowing he was making her uncomfortable had been torture. Being so conflicted about enjoying touching her while he knew doing so was bothering her felt so very wrong.

When his feet hit the ground, his cloud dissolved, but Kagome stayed close. Sesshoumaru was beyond relieved that she did not try to escape him the second she could. That might just have broken his heart, which was on the verge of shattering as it was. Guilt was a horrible emotion, he had decided, and he never wanted to experience it again. Too bad he knew he would. Until he finally confessed everything to the miko, the guilt would remain, tainting every moment he spent with her.

"Shall we check the location of the next spell bag?" Miroku asked, somewhat uncomfortable watching his friend pressed so close to the imposing taiyoukai. In truth, he was a little jealous. Sesshoumaru just showed up days ago, but already he was able to hold his woman close. Meanwhile, he had been in love with Sango for months and months, having fallen for her very soon after she had joined them, and yet she would not even allow him to hold her hand. He ached to wrap his arms around her, to comfort her when thoughts of Kohaku upset her, but she kept him at arm's length.

Kagome nodded and pulled away from the taiyoukai, wiping the tears from her eyes, wincing as she brushed the dry skin of her cheeks. She was lucky the skin hadn't cracked yet. She should have known better than to push so hard, but it seemed as if she had gotten the worst of it. Sango and Miroku didn't look nearly as bad as she felt.

Sesshoumaru led the miko to the edge of the barrier and she stepped inside, holding her hand outside so that her arm passed through. The taiyoukai took her offered hand and watched as Kagome concentrated. "It's still a good distance away. If we could find some shelter around here, it would be great to stop for the day and start fresh tomorrow. I'm not... I'm not feeling so hot."

Everyone seemed to agree with the miko, and Sesshoumaru nodded and turned away, heading out to find the shelter she desired. Sango and Shippo both went to her side, concerned about her. Shippo hugged her tightly while Sango leaned in close.

"Were you really crying about Prince? I mean, you were acting kind of weird all morning, like you were suddenly uncomfortable with Sesshoumaru," the slayer whispered.

"Was it that obvious?" Kagome asked with a groan. "What you said, it kind of freaked me out."

Shippo laughed. "It was obvious. What were you so freaked out by? Is it so bad that Sesshoumaru is interested in you?"

"Oh, Shippo, I don't know. It's just so sudden. I mean, when would he have gotten to know me enough to decide he liked me to begin with? It doesn't make sense. And why me? Why would he want a human miko?"

"Because you're great! It doesn't take long to see that, Mama."

"Why does it matter what you are, Kagome?" Sango asked. "What matters is who you are."

Kagome shook her head. "I don't know. I just... I have this image in my mind of how my life was supposed to go, and nothing has gone the way I thought.”

"Inuyasha did a number on you, Mama," Shippo said while woefully shaking his little head.

"Hey now, don't blame this shit on me. She's right not to trust him. You think he's being completely honest with us about the barrier and everything? I don't think he knows how."

"I haven't sensed a lie," the kit retorted, "and I think I'd know better than you."

"You don't have a fucking clue what you're talking about," the hanyou growled. He was so close to just blurting out what he had discovered, but something held him back. He knew he had broken Kagome's heart. It was his fault she was finding Sesshoumaru's attraction to her so difficult to believe, and his fault she couldn't simply open her heart and take a chance. There was something about the way the taiyoukai looked at her that told him to keep his mouth shut. It was Sesshoumaru's secret and for now, it would stay that way.

Kagome deserved to be happy, to find a man that would treat her right, and who would never betray her. He knew his brother was honorable, even if it was difficult to admit. If Sesshoumaru truly desired her as his mate, he would never abandon her. He would never cheat on her. He would honor her, protect her, provide for her, and maybe even love her. Was that such a terrible thing? It all boiled down to how deeply Sesshoumaru felt for the miko, and if she was ready to give the whole love thing another shot. She deserved her fairytale. She had already met her 'Prince', twice now. She just didn't know it.