They had decided on a fall wedding. Fall was perfect and it depicted the two of them perfectly. Fall was chilly and often filled with surprises, but in the midst of its cold overlay upon the earth, colors swam in the trees and highlighted a darkness that would otherwise be empty. The vibrant array of leaves that fell into the streets and on the sidewalks contrasted with the cold wind and the dark granite. They were opposites that made the entire season worthwhile. Together they created beauty.
As fall ends, there is always a storm. But in this year, the storm would come early.
Kagome spun around in what felt like the hundredth dress she had adorned in the changing room. Her friends sat giggling in chairs, cracking jokes about Sesshomaru's reaction, or on whether or not it would make it through the night. With a blush high on her cheeks, she ducked into the changing room to take off the dress. She changed back into her white summer dress and exited the stall, careful to not trip over the dress she was carrying. After handing it off to the employee, she exited the store with her friends in tow.
They pointed out multiple other dress shops that she was certain she wouldn't find anything in. She wanted something simple and elegant; maybe even with a small bit of lace. Her friends gushed about a dress in another window and she inwardly cringed. It was big, fluffy, and was crafted with bows and ribbons. She sighed as she turned away from the window, until one window caught her eyes.
The store its self was rickety and aged, but the dresses appeared to be timeless. She cut off from her friends and walked up to the window, her fingers lightly tracing the glass that kept her from feeling the lovely gowns. She entered the store and smiled at the elderly woman who was seated inside. The woman was a bit shorter than her, probably at 5'3" and was dressed in a traditional kimono. The kimono was just as timeless as the pieces in the window had been. Her hair was tied back with a white ribbon and she was blind in one eye.
"Hello dear. My name is Kaede. Are you looking for something?" With a bright eager smile, Kagome nodded. "My name is Kagome, I'm getting married this fall and I saw the dresses in the window and I was hoping I could try those on." The woman eyed her warmly.
"Of course, I'll be just a moment." The woman hobbled to the window and pulled one of the dresses down with careful steady hands. She ushered Kagome to the changing room in the back and handed her the dress.
"This dress is special. It is said that if you wear it on your wedding day; you'll live happily together with your husband forever. Not even death will stop you." Kagome felt a chill travel up her spine and the old woman chuckled. "But that's only if the two of you are truly in love." Kagome nodded as she entered the dressing room. She shimmied out of her dress, and replaced it with the long strapless dress that fell passed her ankles on each side. On the top of the dress, cherry blossoms were painted as if they were falling; they traveled down her left side and in small commodities traced the bottom of the dress. The dress itself felt like silk and it had a sheer overlay of lace from the very top to the bottom. The dress parted in the front and revealed her long calves and slim ankles. Kaede knocked on the door and entered with a pair of simple white heels.
Kaede smiled appreciatively as Kagome walked out.
"You look lovely dear. It's been a long time since somebody came to my shop, shall I ring you up?" Kagome nodded and went back to change. Upon her return to the check out she cast a curious glance around Kaede's shop.
"Why is it that few people come here?" She asked. Kaede smiled wistfully.
"Few people ever see it." Kagome nodded and smiled.
"Then I'll be sure to visit!" Kaede chuckled as cool wind swept in from the door. An elderly man walked in and embraced her lovingly.
"Well child, I'm not exactly lonely. This is my husband, Hiro." He nodded; his eyes just as aged as hers. He gestured to the dress as he looked at Kaede.
"It's been a while since I've seen that dress." His eyes sparkled as if he was teasing about a hidden secret and he gave a raspy chuckle. As she exited the store, the little bell above the door rang and she made her way to find her friends, with a skip in her step and a bag in her hand.
"What a lovely girl." Kaede insisted. Hiro chuckled and wrapped his arms around her. "Not as lovely as mine."
/AN: So I know that technically Kaede is Kikyo's sister, but I liked this idea as I was writing it and figured what the heck! I also noted that the blossoms on the dress are for spring, but I liked the idea of the blossoms on the dress. So it's kind of contradicting, but what ever! My favorite part of this was the lovey dovey part between Hiro and Kaede! 3 I also like the line where Kaede says that few ever see it. The idea of this shop is to have it be a place that can only be found with love in mind. I thought it would be interesting to make it a shop that disappears after she leaves, and when she comes back its gone, but that seems to have a different purpose than what I wanted. But if anyone wants to take that idea and make a run with it, go for it. I'd love to read a story similar to that. And if anyone knows one, let me know! - Angeline! /