The Snow Angel by SunsetMiko

The Truths

Chapter 91 - The Truths *Teleology of Death* (Stella's Soundtrack Challenge)

Kagome headed inside with a smile on her face. She made herself comfortable beside Sesshoumaru, who sat on the floor leaned against a chair, one knee bent as he usually did. The miko snuggled closer, catching his eye, and her smile widened at the warmth she saw there.

"You really want to make a human your mate?" she asked again.

"More than anything."

"Even though it's going to make problems for you?"

"Being with you is worth whatever else I have to deal with," he said with a smirk as he caressed her cheek.

"But what about your heir?"

"With you as their mother, whatever pups we have will be beautiful and strong, powerful and compassionate, more than worthy of being my heir."

"But they'll be half human," Kagome said, her worries clear in her voice.

"That matters very little. There is already a great deal more humans than demons, their numbers growing every day. A hanyou as a ruler would be more accepted by the humans in the West, as well as the demons, once they have learned to see past their prejudices. You will be an important part of that. Human or demon, no one will be able to resist your charms. Our people will love you just as I do."

The miko laughed. "Oh, sure. They're just going to line up to welcome a human miko as their Lady," she said sarcastically.

"It may take some time, but once they witness your kindness and generosity, they will learn what I have, that each person should be measured by their worth, not their species."

"You really have a lot of faith in me, huh?"

"Indeed. And even if I have to personally force each person in the West to heed you, I will. You deserve nothing less."

Kagome sighed and leaned her head against his shoulder. When she nudged closer once more, Sesshoumaru took the hint and wrapped his arm around her, his hand on the curve of her waist possessively. They fell silent, each accepting the food offered by Sango. After they had all eaten, the others turned in one by one. Eventually, even Inuyasha said his goodnights and headed off to one of the bedrooms.

"You think he's actually going to go to sleep?" the miko asked softly.

"Not intentionally, but if he lays down, I imagine that he would eventually drift off. The beds are quite comfortable."

Kagome giggled at the thought. "I'm surprised he went to a room at all."

"I believe he intended to give us some privacy," Sesshoumaru purred in her ear before pressing his lips to her temple. The miko sighed heavily, and he turned to study her expression, concerned. "Is something wrong?"

"I'm going to die, Sesshoumaru," Kagome said softly. "I'll live for a few more decades at best. You'll have to watch me grow old and die."

"But first I will watch you live," he replied in an equally hushed tone. "I will cherish every moment we have together, and once you are gone, those memories will sustain me until we meet again on the other side." The scent of salt assaulted his senses, and the taiyoukai shifted, pulling her into his arms. He licked her tears from her cheeks, just as he had when he was Prince, before kissing her forehead. "Besides, I have no intention of allowing time to take you from me."

"Now there's that Lord of the West arrogance. How could you possibly stop me from aging?" she asked with a giggle, trying to lighten the mood.

"I am not the first demon to choose a human as their mate. I have heard tales of demons who somehow managed to keep their humans alive, keep them young. I will not rest until I have found the way to do the same for you. I know there is a way," he assured her. "The Gods are not so cruel as to allow me to find love only to take you away from me so quickly."

"You really think so?"

"I do."

"But what if you fail? What if you never find a way?"

"I told you. The memories of our time together will be enough to sustain me until I leave this world and find you in the next. I would rather have one human lifetime with you than the entirety of my long life without you."

"You wouldn't mate someone else? But you'd be so alone."

"I would never choose someone else," he whispered in her ear. "You are the only woman I will ever want, Kagome, that I will ever love. I can only pray you come to love me as well."