The Snow Angel by SunsetMiko

The Admission

Chapter 79 - The Admission *Gentle Words* (Stella's Soundtrack Challenge)

"Miroku!" Kagome gasped. "You shouldn't be walking around. I have to stitch up your wounds!"

Inuyasha rolled his eyes while Shippo laughed. "You were just dead, wench. Take a minute. You don't have to jump up and do everything."

"You gonna stitch him?" she asked. "Or you?" she repeated with a grin, this time to Sango, who she knew was too squeamish to do so. "Yeah, I didn't think so. Really, Sango. You can fight in blood and guts waist deep but you can't handle a flesh wound?"

"Not on him," the slayer responded.

"Do I somehow repel you?" the monk asked in concern.

"Not in the least," Kagome answered for her. "It is difficult to work on someone you care about."

"You manage just fine, Mama," the kit said while snuggling close.

"It took me a long time before I could treat you guys without getting nauseas. I still have to pretend I'm working on a pillow instead of flesh sometimes." Kagome looked around at the destruction left behind from their battle. "We are so not camping here tonight. Too much blood and powdered demons," she said with a grin. "How are you feeling, Miroku? Think you can travel a bit until we can find someplace a little less... gruesome?"

The monk nodded. "I am fine. The bleeding seems to have slowed, if not stopped completely."

"Yeah, for now. When we unwrap it, it'll start up again. If I remember correctly, the next bag was really close. Shall we?" the miko asked.

Sesshoumaru smirked and helped her to her feet. It seemed as if she wasn't upset in the least that he had failed to protect her. He couldn't understand how this woman worked. How could such a small form house so much strength and bravery? There was so much compassion and determination in one perfect package. How he loved her. The more time he spent in her presence, the more powerful the feeling became. Unable to contain himself, the taiyoukai pulled her into his arms and held her close.

"I thought I had lost you," he whispered in her ear.

"Did you mean what you said?" she asked. "That you'd give up your lands for me?"

"In a second," he replied without hesitation.

"I don't get it," Kagome said, her confusion obvious. "Why do you care so much about me?"

Sesshoumaru pulled back and stared into her eyes. "Because I..." The taiyoukai found that declaring his love to the miko was harder than he had expected. She was looking at him with so much trust in her eyes after he had just allowed her to be murdered. The dragons would never have attacked her if she had not been in his presence. Still, she stayed by his side and wanted to bring down the barrier so that he could finally go home. She still believed in him. It was incredible and overwhelming.

"Because he's figured out it sucks to be alone," Inuyasha muttered.

Kagome and Sesshoumaru both glared at the hanyou before returning their focus to each other.

"I know that you do not feel the same way about this Sesshoumaru as I do about you, but I still want you to know. I only hope that I will not scare you away by moving too quickly."

The miko gave the taiyoukai a confused look. "If you don't want to say..." she started, ready to give him an out.

"I love you, Kagome, more than anything in this world or the next. I would willingly give up my title, my lands, my wealth, and everything that goes with it if only to be by your side."

Kagome looked around at all her friends; surprised that Inuyasha hadn't already begun to yell his head off. Instead, she found a small smile on the hanyou's face. Sango had fresh tears in her eyes, while Miroku grinned, and Shippo bounced on his heels eagerly. Everyone was waiting for her response, and slowly the miko began to panic. What were they expecting her to say? She wasn't in love with Sesshoumaru! Sure, she was enjoying getting to know him and had begun to feel something, but she wasn't in love! There was no way she would have allowed herself to fall for someone so quickly again.

Sesshoumaru could see her fear rising to the surface and sighed. "You don't have to say anything, Kagome. Just... please don't leave me."

The miko laughed nervously. "Leave? Where would I go? I've got spell bags to find and wounds to stitch."

Sango decided to try and lighten the mood. "And my shoulder is dislocated too, so if you could get on that," she said with a grin. "Come on, Kagome. Let's find that bag and then pick a place to camp." The miko let out a sigh of relief and slipped away from Sesshoumaru, guilt washing over her at his dejected expression.

"What the hell was that?" she whispered, far too stressed to realize he could hear every word. "What did he think I was going to say? 'Oh, I love you too, Sesshoumaru!' I... I can't."

The taiyoukai's shoulders slumped, and Inuyasha patted him on the back. "Relax man. She just found out she was dead."

"Yes, she is under a great deal of stress. Things will get better," Miroku agreed.

Sesshoumaru shook his head but followed the girls as they approached the barrier, ready to do his part in finding the next spell bag. He had probably just cost himself his angel, but he wasn't going to lose so easily. He was going to take advantage of every single second he remained in her presence in an attempt to win her heart.