Chapter 25: Kagura and Hiro's Wedding

Gaara and Kagome walked around the village, Katsuragi following behind them. He still could not let Kagome go anywhere by herself, even if she was the strongest in her clan. She paid him little attention. When she got back she would ask Hitoki about who kept going in her room while she was away. It was getting annoying to her. Someone was entering her personal space and she was almost completely sure who it was. She would have to deal with that later.

She entered a store and headed towards the back where the owner was located. She already had every clan member measured here and only had to put in her order to have it filled. The owner would have it ready within a few days. She just had to say what colors for Hiro, which would be the Higurashi clan colors. Kagura would wear white, which was tradition for all brides. But a red crescent moon would always be present.

"Kagome-sama!" The owner greeted frantically.

"Hello again. I require a kimono and a set of haori and hakamai made." She watched the elderly man nod. "The haori and hakamai are to be the clan colors and the kimono white. Both need to have my family crest."

"It will be done in a few days." She nodded. "Come back in a few days around this time. I am pretty sure you have other things you need to do today." She nodded and walked off, but remembered Gaara.

"I also need a haori and hakamai made for the Kazekage here." She signaled to Gaara and the elderly man eyed him.

"I need to take measurements. A dark red will suit him." He nodded and pulled out some measuring tape. He started to measure Gaara, who was still.

"Go with red and white, mostly white," Kagome said. The man nodded as he jotted down notes. "I will be sending two more over to get measured. One is a female. Her kimono is to be purple. The male I am sure you can find a color for." Truth is she didn't much care for Kankuro. She knew he tried to hit on her and was cruel to Gaara.

"All finished." He stepped away. "His will be done in a few days as well." She nodded and they left.

"That man seems very fond of you," Gaara commented.

"I am well aware. He claims I remind him of someone, so he usually charges me less for kimonos." He nodded and they stopped again at the flower shop Ino's family owned. "I need you to make arrangements for the reception as well as the boutique Kagura will be holding."

"Very well, Kagome-san," Ino said with a smile, noticing Gaara. It was a while since he was last here. He was in Kagome's presence so knew he was no trouble to the village. "When do you want them by?"

"Five days from now." Ino nodded and wrote it down. "I trust you to pick the right flowers."

"I will. Have a nice day." She watched as they left her flower shop.

"There is a lot that I need to do." He nodded and they continued on.

The preparations had been completed the day before. Right now the females of the Higurashi house were getting Kagura ready for her big day as the males got Hiro ready. Sango and Kohaku were not in the clan so were left to their own devices. Kohaku had no clue that he was to join the clan within a few years, when he turned nineteen. He was a year younger than Kagome by a year. It would be much the same as everyone else's in the clan. The marriage that would be different and probably the most grand for years to come would be Kagome and Itachi's wedding. It would be the merging of two of the most powerful clan's Konoha had ever known.

"There," Kanna said as she finished the last touch of makeup. She stepped back and Kagome nodded. She liked how Kagura looked. Her white kimono had a red crescent moon on the bottom of each sleeve. Her short hair was left down so that it caressed each cheek. And fell neatly to her shoulders.

"Today you become part of the Higurashi clan. Hold your head high and proud," Kagome told her before leaving the room to take her place beside the Hokage and Kazekage. Gaara was a special guest and was not expected to say anything to the couple. But this was the first marriage since the alliance with Suna.

Kakashi and Katsuragi stood with Hiro as he dressed in the dark blue haori and black hakamai. On the back was a red crescent moon. Hiro's hair was pulled into a ponytail. His hair had gotten longer since he's been here. He was also starting to get aggravated. He has been unable to bed Kagura since her approval into the clan. But tonight she would be his. His sapphire eyes held a hint of glee. He had waited for this day since the day of Kagura's approval from Kagome.

"Let's go," Katsuragi said. They nodded and walked out. Kagome was standing with the Hokage and Gaara. Hiro took his position and the twins walked out in dark blue, a red crescent moon on their backs. Souta was with them as well. The women came out and Hitoki was escorting Kagura, as was custom. He placed her hand in Hiro's calloused hand. He stepped to the side and looked to Kagome and nodded.

"The Hokage has a few words before we start," Kagome said as everyone was seated. She stepped back and the Hokage stepped forward.

"The Higurashi clan has done much for the village. They helped against the attack on the village during the chuunin exams and has helped secure an alliance with a demon slayer village and recently Suna. It is times like these that we need such alliances. I support this marriage." He stepped back and Kagome came forward.

"Any words from you, Gaara-san." He shook his head. "Then I will start with the ceremony." She chanted quickly, something only the head and the elders knew how to do. A light cam and she looked to Hiro and started to speak. "I grant unto you Kagura's hand." She dipped her finger into a red mixture. He moved aside his bangs and she drew upon his forehead a red crescent moon. She turned to Kagura and started to speak. "I approve of your union with this man." Upon her forehead she drew the same red crescent moon. Both kneeled and she started to speak again. "This union has now been sealed." She kissed the mark on both of them and more chanting and soon the marks shined.

Kagura and Hiro stood looking at each other. Kagura was smiling and he smirked before kissing her on the lips. There were a few cheers from the crowd. He stepped away and they turned to the crowd as everyone gathered to congratulate them. Kagome walked away from the platform. She patted the two on the shoulder and started to walk towards where the reception was being held, everyone following behind her, including Sasuke. He would try to dance with her.

Ino was in the crowd. She had dragged Chouji and Shikamaru with her to the wedding. She wanted to talk to Kagome about her schooling. She was the top of her class right now. She saw Kagome and hurried, still dragging the two boys.

"Kagome-san!" She stopped and looked to the others with her. One was Kankuro, another was Temari, and the last was Gaara.

"Hello Ino." She nodded. "You remember Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro." She nodded. "I was catching up with Gaara here but these two decided to tag along." Ino nodded and pushed Shikamaru forward.

"Shikamaru, dance with Temari," Ino said and he seemed to refuse so she hit him on the head until he took Temari away. "The medical school is going well for me. I wanted to thank you for all you have taught me." She smiled and bowed. "And I know you want nothing to do with Sasuke so I have no problem with you."

"Ino, you are a nice girl. You shouldn't waste time waiting for the youngest Uchiha. He will not have feelings for you."

"I know this," Ino said with a blush. "I came here with Chouji." Kagome nodded. "The only thing I have to worry about with him is his love to eat."

"Yes. I could see that." She smirked.

"Are you calling me fat!"

"No, Chouji," Kagome said. "We are only saying you like to eat." He nodded. "Go enjoy yourselves." They nodded and Ino pulled Chouji off to go dance. "Go Kankuro," Kagome said dismissively. he tried to argue but Gaara sent him a glare and he was gone. "Kankuro is a bit creepy," she stated.

"I can see that. He seems to be attracted to you." He looked at her. Her kimono suited her.

"I could tell. It is like the other men here," she said. "Sasuke has been trying to gain my affection but he annoys me. Itachi is different from him. Even he has a soft side. I am the only one to truly see it." Gaara nodded.

"I wish to find a love like yours one day," he said. "I do like you romantically but I figured you already loved someone. You are the first person to really show that you cared about me."

"You will find someone for you in the future, Gaara," she stated. "You will know her when you see her." He nodded and looked around them.

"I am surprised Itachi is not here."

"He had a mission," she said. "Even we should be enjoying ourselves." He nodded and they walked off to dance.

Author's Corner:

Someone said it was Souta but if you do not remember from a couple of chapters ago, Hitoki had discovered Katsuragi in Kagome's room. Her reaction might be in the next chapter, maybe not.

Next chapter Sesshomaru will make his long awaited appearance. I know, about time. Hopefully you all will enjoy that chapter.

Hope you all enjoyed this chapter.

Memory Corner:

Kagome approached Hitoki after a long day of getting everything ready for the wedding. She wanted to know who was entering her room when she was not home. He looked up at her.

"Kagome-sama." He looked at her to see annoyance. "What is wrong?"

"Who has been entering my room when I was on missions?"

"That would be Katsuragi. I told him not to enter your room, but his feelings for you keep him from thinking straight."

"I expect something to be done about this." He nodded and she walked away.