The Snow Angel by SunsetMiko

The Announcements

Chapter 203 - The Announcements

*Mate* (Stella's Soundtrack Challenge)

Sesshoumaru was very busy. He was working with Atsushi and his new young scribe to get their mating announcements out as quickly as possible. They were doing it as an assembly line. Atsushi wrote in the date on a scroll, and then the taiyoukai signed it. After giving it a few moments to dry, the new scribe would roll it up and seal it in wax with the sign of his house.

The taiyoukai was impressed with Atsushi as his assistant so far. Kagome's suggestion had been a good one. The former scribe already seemed to have a good grasp on what was important and needed Sesshoumaru's attention and what was the day-to-day drivel. He had already begun responding to the scrolls of lesser importance himself, such as the summaries of food stores and other information sent from the various villages in the West.

Soon there would be an influx of messages congratulating him on his mating and each of them would have to be replied to with thanks. There were also likely to be questions about a mating ball, where Kagome would be presented to everyone of any importance. It wasn't required that they have one, but it would be expected. It could wait, however, until the dark hanyou was defeated. Everyone's questions would have to be put off until the couple was ready. Hopefully Atsushi could handle it, because the Western Lord wasn't sure he would have the patience. He was tired of paperwork, and he wanted to spend his time with his new mate.

Gifts would likely also begin to arrive, a tedious affair, in his opinion. Some people had the most atrocious taste, but everything had to be used or displayed somehow, or the gift giver would be offended the next time they visited the palace. Extensive records had to be kept about who gave what so that their gifts could be displayed in a prominent position when they did visit, giving the impression that that particular gift was cherished. Oh, the drudgery of being a Lord. Sesshoumaru wondered, as he thought through all that would come, if it wouldn't be easier to be a peasant. He knew Kagome would be happy whether they were rich or poor, but he had his responsibilities, and he couldn't abandon them. Thankfully, he could pawn them off on his new assistant, though.

*Towards the Endless Path* (Stella's Soundtrack Challenge)

The taiyoukai smirked as he looked at the growing pile of finished scrolls. His messengers would be busy for days delivering all of them. Then he looked at the pile of those waiting to be signed, and he sighed. His hand was sure to fall off by the time he was finished. Still, he would not take a break. He wanted this task finished so that he could spend the evening with his angel.

She was currently supervising the two hanyou that were likely to become their new nannies as they played with the children. Never before would he have hired hanyou to work in the palace, but things were different now. Not only would he hire them, but he would likely hire more as well. Hell, he was giving their people a plot of land to build a proper village. His actions were sure to be questioned, by both village leaders and the other Cardinal Lords, but it was his right as Lord of the West to do as he pleased.

He would encourage hanyou and humans alike to come and find safety in his lands, whether others approved or not. Things would be changing, and quickly, as the human population grew in numbers, and he wanted to be prepared. His human Lady would definitely help him hold on to his power and his lands in this new world that was developing before his very eyes. Humans would feel better represented, and hanyou would finally feel that they had a true home. The demons would get used to things eventually and learn to live with the changes, and he was certain Kagome would be a big help in that, as well. No demon that met her could ever view humans quite the same way again.