Author Note: I do not know how traditional japanese weddings go but I did my own thing cause I felt like it! Yarr!
Chapter Twenty-Nine: Wedding Day
"After all these years, I see that I was mistaken about Eve in the beginning; it is better to live outside the Garden with her than inside it without her."
-Mark Twain
Kagome groaned in annoyance, and if she wasn't still so groggy she'd jump up and punch him in the nose again on principle alone. Instead she yawned and rubbed her eyes before glaring and saying with distaste but calm. "Can you get the hell out of my room?"
He was perched on one of the rooms extra chairs she had never yet used, and half wished she could light on fire with her mind. The pale king looking just as smug as he ever did and as if he didn't have a care in the world, but he didn't get up to move and Kagome stayed snuggled beneath her sheets trying to will him out of existence.
"Now now, I don't have a particularly long time. Likely the guard are already in a huff about my disappearance, it would be most inappropriate if I was found here. I'm sure you'd rather not have to delay your wedding any further right?" He stated easily, the smile on his face matching the cheerfulness of his voice.
"If it was so inappropriate you could have knocked, jerk." Kagome narrowed her eyes are him, voice deadpan. "What do you want?"
"You never gave me that kiss we agreed to." He stated calmly. "It was well and fine enough, this disobedience of yours, when I was only the Prince. Then it could be tolerated, but given my new position it makes it most impossible to not keep those beneath me controlled."
"Over. My. Dead. Body." Kagome said each word slowly and clearly, her tone getting more angry as she went along. "Now, get the fuck OUT of my room."
"Tsk tsk." He clicked his tongue, smiling again in amusement at the fiery reply. "See, that's exactly the sort of thing that needs to be avoided. You are proving my point."
"You try to force me to kiss you I'm coming away with a mouthful of flesh." She returned harshly, wrapping the covers around herself and rising, pointing with her free hand at him. "How dare you, you you...sneaky, despicable, power-craving...creep! I will -NEVER- kiss you, this life or any other!"
He chuckled at her reply, raising his hands. "Alright, alright, I suppose I haven't given you two a wedding gift yet mmm?"
She stared at him distrustfully, not sure what he'd say next.
"I suppose mine can be letting that slide, as long as you can keep your name-calling out of the audio range of other nobles?" He stated, seeming amused with himself.
"This...this was just a joke to get a rise out of me?" She blinked at him, free hand planting on her hip as her expression turned to disapproval. "That's not funny."
"Humor is a matter of perspective Kagome. It's nearly eleven, you should be getting ready anyway shouldn't you?" Sestran stated offering her a winning grin. "Besides, it was completely my last chance to sneak into your bedroom without getting a sword pulled on me, I'd of never forgiven myself if I'd of passed that up."
"If I had a sword it'd be in your eye!" She stalked up to him but her intention to punch him didn't reach fruition, he'd given another smile and vanished from her site. She noticed the sun was in fact quite high and pushed the king's mischief from her mind as she badly needed to start getting ready, the staff chose today of all days to let her sleep in!
On the rooftops of the estate Sestran chuckled at the glare Byakuya was offering from nearby, he'd caught on to his presence faster than the royal had expected. "Don't worry, she still refused."
"Did you expect her to concede?" Byakuya asked with a skeptical slant to his eyebrow.
"I suppose not." Sestran answered with a shrug. "Keep her in line though, I'd rather not be forced to push the issue and have her hate me, forever is a long time to deal with a woman's wrath."
"Are you coming to the reception?" The captain simply changed the subject.
"No, I don't think so. My father wasn't completely wrong, I've lingered too long in this world, my presence will be limited from now on." Sestran replied, giving another small smile infused with mischief. "I have to go, my times up...but, sometime you both might visit me."
Byakuya took the bait and went to ask what he meant but the King had vanished, the sixth squad captain followed tradition and didn't look in on Kagome though he could hear her calling for her attendants and rushing to get ready. He had his own things that he needed to attend before the ceremony would begin.
Lots of rushing but not too much later in the day she was looking at herself in the mirror in surprise, she looked very much like the traditional bride. Her kimono for the day was quite lovely, holding the complex but beautiful pattern of the Kuchiki house. In her hair were pins with pieces that held lines that looked as if they had flower petals. She silently worried if he would get irritated with people always using the cherry blossom theme with him but then her attendants reminded her to stay calm and tried to push such concerns away.
She knew that really it was mostly a formality but was nervous anyway, she had to be reminded not to wring her hands several times as she waited in her place to walk to the alter to meet her husband, she didn't have a particular time until someone motioned her forward and she took a deep steadying breath before heading around the corner of the building and down along the wooden path between isles of onlookers with rice in their laps ready to toss when the ceremony was completed.
While there were many faces she didn't recognize as she snailed her way forward, but she realized there were many more now that she could name than the last time they'd done this. Then she met Byakuya's grey eyes and had to smile, the long path seemed to go much more quickly than she thought it would.
The courtyard was lovely, flowers everywhere, well dressed nobles and members of the guard squads as well, but she didn't want to concern herself with all the other details. It seemed as good a day if ever there was to lose herself in that charcoal gaze.
She took his hands and smiled at being able to do so in front of others where he so commonly would not, a grin breaking out when he actually smiled at her in the public forum as well, something else she didn't get to see much.
"We're gathered here to finally join this man and woman." Old Man Yamamoto was running the service and there was a small chuckle from the audience at his joke. "If there is anyone that would speak against them being wed, speak now or forever hold your peace."
Out of curiosity Kagome looked around, holding a sleeve over her lips when she saw Renji get up and glare threateningly at the rest of the people seated to witness. She wasn't certain if he was doing it on his own or if Byakuya had put him up to it but appreciated the gesture nonetheless.
"The Rings please." Yamamoto stated seriously.
Rukia cheerfully gave Kagome hers to give to Byakuya, while Renji did the same with the groom. Once both rings were had by the couple Yamamoto turned to Byakuya first.
"Repeat after me as you place the ring on her finger." the old man started. "I, your name, take you, Kagome, to be my beloved wife."
He did, sliding the ring carefully up her hand before squeezing her fingers. She felt herself starting to gather moisture in her eyes, listening to Byakuya as he repeated. "To have and to hold you, to honor you, to treasure you, to be at your side in sorrow and in joy, in the good times, and in the bad, and to love and cherish you always. I promise you this from my heart, for as long as I exist, in this life or the next."
Kagome repeated the words a moment later, putting the ring on his finger in return, nearly choking up and crying once in joy, but making herself calm down enough to finish.
"Then by the power of my position and the laws of the soul society, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride." The man finished his gesture at them and Byakuya had already pulled Kagome close, pressing her into a long kiss as cheers broke out. Started by Renji and Rukia around them. She felt rice falling on her head and laughed just as they came out of the kiss.
"Come on Byakuya, you're suppose to run down the isle. You getting slow in your old age?" The voice was an already obviously drinking Kyoraku called from nearby. "You'll never beat Yourichi at that rate."
Kagome glanced toward where the captain was yelling and didn't realize Byakuya had picked her up to flash step away with her until she was already in his arms.
"Don't you dare..." she frowned as she noticed she was saying it with just the two of them and the roar of cheers had died down to a dull buzz in the background. There were far from where the ceremony had taken place and she sighed. "What am I going to do with you, always picking me up and carrying me away."
"You don't like it at all?" He asked, settling her feet down carefully.
"Well...I guess I didn't say that...but I gotta walk on my own too." Kagome stated before kissing him lightly. "Not much of a worry being here before our guests."
"I am quite good with flash step." He said in a nod of agreement, making her laugh at him and roll her eyes.
They helped, well mostly Kagome helped, get a few things ready, then went with him to help greet people again with a groan of complaint. "Why are we doing this again? You told me yesterday we wouldn't have time today."
"If I hadn't said that you wouldn't have come, and it's tradition." He stated calmly, making her send him a dirty glare.
"Everyone here is such a trained liar." She complained and stuck her tongue out at him. "Just remember I owe you for this."
"I shall tremble in the future I'm certain." He returned with a small smile of his own.
They went through many more greetings and eventually were able to sit down at the lead table, food was placed for them.
She noticed Miroku looked particularly nervous and continued to change the subject at his table, a good sign she could get anything she wanted out of him in the future if she threatened to explain to Sesshomaru how he used to be.
Everyone seemed to be having a good time but she was more concerned with being close to Byakuya than mingling with all the rest. It was a good night, in a way it was a symbol of everyone recovering from the recent troubles. They would rebuild, and she knew they'd still face troubles from time to time but it all was all right for now, she had Byakuya next to her and they'd already survived hell and back, what else could the world possibly throw at them they couldn't make it through?
End Chapter
Hmm, well, thats the end of this piece of the fiction. Sometime I am going to write a third part of this epic but for now I'm glad to have completed two pieces of it. To anyone that thinks you have to have a baby to be happy - lol calm down.
-Aura
To my reviewers:
sugar0o - Thanks for all the lovely reviews and seeing me through a second completed fiction!
Teldra - hehe
m'lady91 - It wasn't left there long. Sestran likes to cause trouble. Everyone likes to ruffle Kagome's feathers though.
pclark - Only a little. He knows he has Kagome, that helps.
