Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha, or any of the characters from the anime and/or manga. Every one else is mine :)

Hello all! I hope wherever you are, you are healthy and safe.

Thank you again so much for all the support you've given this story. I love all these characters so much, so it truly means the world to me!

I felt like we needed a little pick-me-up today, so I'm happy to give you Inuyasha and Kagome's Shinto ceremony. I included some notes at the bottom about the ceremony itself, as well as the clothing. Enjoy!


Kagome looked in the mirror, hardly believing what she saw. She barely recognized herself. Her dark hair was pinned up in a traditional bun, although she'd insisted on allowing a few tendrils to escape around her face. Her furisode was a lovely shade of white, and the kakeshita trailing around her was padded and soft. Even when she'd traveled to Sengoku Jidai, she'd never looked so much like nobility. She was married already, sure, but she couldn't help but blush, her pink cheeks beautifully accessorizing her outfit.

"You look beautiful, you know," her mother said, grasping Kagome's shoulders and then slipping her arms around her daughter.

"Like something out of a fairytale!" Rin exclaimed. "Your hair is perfect. Let me finish your makeup, Kagome-chan." Rin turned Kagome's face as Mrs. Higurashi let her daughter go. Kagome closed her eyes obediently; Rin applied eyeshadow, dark eyeliner, and mascara. "What do you think, oba-sama?" she asked Mrs. Higurashi.

Mrs. Higurashi clasped her hands to her chest. "Lovely, my Lady. You have a real talent."

Kagome stood, the kakeshita of her furisode trailing around her. Suddenly, Rin handed her a long, thin box, smiling gently. When Kagome opened it, she found a beautiful fukuro obi inside. It was a silky cream with light gold brocade, barely noticeable against the cream. She found she was holding her breath.

"Allow me to tie it for you, Kagome-chan," said Rin gently. She carefully removed the obi from the box and wound it around Kagome's waist, expertly tying it. She stepped back to admire her work.

"Thank you, Rin," said Kagome. "It's beautiful."

Rin smiled. "It's our pleasure, Kagome-chan."

"The uchikake is next, dear," Mrs. Higurashi said.

"I'm going to suffocate from all these layers," Kagome replied.

"You only have to wear them for a little while," her mother reassured her. "Keep Jii-chan happy for an hour, please."

Kagome snorted, but allowed her mother and Rin to help her into the sparkling white uchikake. She thought all these symbols of purity were ridiculous, given she and Inuyasha had been mated for awhile now, but she didn't have much choice in the matter.

It had taken nearly two months to restore the shrine to its former glory after the gruesome battle that took place on its grounds. Jii-chan almost had a heart attack on the spot when Sesshomaru finally allowed Kagome's family to return to the property, and that was after his people had cleaned up the grounds. Sesshomaru had stuck a sign at the bottom of the steps that read "Closed for Repairs" and then set about restoring the property. The shrine house had needed a whole new wall and foundation; the wall that was destroyed happened to protect the kitchen, laundry room, and bathrooms, so they'd had to install those brand-new. Kagome remembered how her mother had delighted in selecting new countertops and appliances, and was finally able to install the glass wall around the bathtub that she'd always wanted. When the house was finished, it was updated and pragmatic: exactly what her mother wanted and needed.

Sesshomaru's restoration of the property had included one additional surprise: a small cottage for Inuyasha and Kagome, off to the side of the property, close to the forest. After the bear youkai attacked, as Sesshomaru and Inuyasha had decided, the forest was perhaps not the best place to build the cottage, opting instead for the safety of the shrine grounds.

While the rebuild had been going on, one more, very significant thing had happened. Inuyasha had told Kagome his idea after the battle, and she'd loved it, but didn't know how the remaining Lords would take it. Turned out, they accepted his idea, too.

Inuyasha had recommended that Sayua be installed as the Lord of the East.

It was unprecedented; no woman had ever held even the position of heir, let alone ruler. The idea was so novel they didn't even know what to call her. But Inuyasha firmly believed his niece had proven her worth at the bear youkai battle, and suggested to the remaining Lords that she be given the title, and that she be called "Lord" instead of "Lady," since the latter didn't have the same connotations. She'd earned it, with her victory over Hokutou. While the remaining lords expressed some hesitation over installing a woman, Sayua proved her worth again at the stadium, where youkai lined up to try and defeat her, and she brought them all down with ease. So with a lot of fanfare, Sayua was named Lord of the East, and just as Inuyasha had suspected, she was proving capable early on. She was a quick study, and had a thoughtful and critical mind, even if she still had Inuyasha's penchant for cursing.

Sayua and Hideaki remained at Sesshomaru's manor, and while the plan was for them to eventually move to a manor closer to the lands of the East, Kagome knew that Rin wasn't ready to let her daughter go just yet. And it was too tempting for Sesshomaru to continue to "guide" Sayua as she grew accustomed to the day-to-day of royal duties. Having Sayua and Hideaki around also meant that Inuyasha and Kagome could continue with their training, although Hideaki and Asuka had taken over most of the sessions with Sayua now occupied with her duties as the Lord of the East.

Kagome smiled as Mrs. Higurashi and Rin fussed with her white uchikake, her thoughts going from Sayua to Inuyasha. He'd had no problem with Sayua taking a position that had once been his for the taking. Instead, Sesshomaru had offered him more responsibilites as Prince of the West, mostly related to security, which Inuyasha accepted with grace. However, he was content to remain at the shrine, helping Jii-chan, studying for college exams, working for his brother, and living in their house. And their little house was so perfect. Three bedrooms, two toilets, one showering area, and one luxurious bathtub. Much to Jii-chan's chagrin, they had moved in as soon as the cottage was ready. Kagome had cried a little when she and Inuyasha packed up their old bedroom; it was in that room that he had come to visit her so many times over the years, and it was in that room where they shared so much love. But now they had an entire little house to themselves, and Kagome blushed thinking of all the ways they had christened their new home. Tonight, after their Shinto ceremony, she had one more way planned.

"It's time for the wataboshi, dear," Mrs. Higurashi said apologetically.

"Do I have to wear this thing?" Kagome muttered. "I think I've had all the bad spirits I'm going to deal with in my life."

"One can never be too sure, dear," commented Mrs. Higurashi, as she and Rin pinned the elaborate headdress into place.

"Now for one last touch," Rin said, pulling out a tube of red lipstick. Kagome obediently pouted her lips, and Rin gently applied the red to her lips, following it up with some clear lip gloss to make Kagome's lips shine. She stepped back, hugging Mrs. Higurashi around the shoulders.

"She's perfect," Rin said to Kagome's mother.

Mrs. Higurashi sighed, a look of pure love shining on her daughter. "I know."

Kagome blushed under the two older women's appreciative gaze. Honestly, she would have much rather spent the money from this ceremony on the cottage, or on her university applications and exams, but this made her family happy, so she could endure what she perceived as a waste of money and an annoying costume to make them smile.

"Ready, dear?" Mrs. Higurashi asked.

Kagome took one last look in the mirror. She didn't look like herself; she looked like a doll, dressed and made up for the ceremony. She wondered what Inuyasha would think. She sighed.

"I'm ready."


Inuyasha didn't know that it was possible to be uncomfortable in a hakama and haori, but damn, if this wedding attire wasn't going to be the death of him. He growled as Sesshomaru helped him with the layers of his clothing.

"This is no different than your fire-rat, little brother," Sesshomaru said impatiently. "Just put everything on."

Inuyasha put the kosode on, still grumbling, and then Sesshomaru helped him with his montsuki. Even though he was irritated, Inuyasha couldn't help but admire the family crests adorning the front lapels and along the back: the wisteria, the flower of nobility, winding around a glorious sun, encapsulated his family perfectly. Inuyasha next stepped into the black and white striped hakama, feeling how smooth the material was against his legs. Finally, Sesshomaru slipped the black haori over his shoulders.

"You need to put on your tabi, little brother," he told Inuyasha.

"Fuck that," Inuyasha responded immediately. "You're lucky you're getting me into this, and I'm only doing it because the old man wants Kagome in traditional wedding gear. I would have much rather worn my fire-rat."

"As long as he is alive, you are indebted to the miko's grandfather for taking you in and caring for you," Sesshomaru reminded him. "You would do well to remember that."

"I'm not wearing any fucking socks that cut off circulation to my toes," was the determined response.

Sesshomaru sighed, then turned his brother around by the shoulders. "Look in the mirror. What do you think?"

Inuyasha gazed at the figure in the mirror. The black of his montsuki and haori perfectly contrasted with his silver hair, which he had tied back with a black leather strap. He was not wearing his cloaking bracelet for the ceremony; Kagome had asked for no disguises, and besides, he wanted to marry Kagome, this time, exactly as he was.

"I look like a damn monk or something," he grunted. Sesshomaru tried very hard to turn a laugh into a snort.

There was a gentle knock at the door. "Uncle?" came Asuka's voice. "Auntie is ready. It's time."

"We will be there soon, Daughter," replied Sesshomaru. He turned to Inuyasha. "Are you ready?"

Inuyasha adjusted his haori and took a deep breath. He smiled, thinking of Kagome and how she must look in her shiromuku. "I am," he said.


The attendance for the wedding was small, as was tradition. Their families were there, as were Kouga, Ayame, and Kashikoi; and Kagome's friend Yuka, her pointed ears and long cat tail on full display. As Kagome had requested that no one wear a cloaking bracelet, they had to be very careful about who they invited to the ceremony and reception. Everyone milled about the courtyard of the shrine grounds, waiting for Kagome to make her appearance. Then, the bride and groom would walk from their respective places, meet in front of the shrine, and make the final walk into the shrine together, followed by the ceremony attendees. There, Jii-chan and Hideaki would be waiting to lead the ceremony.

Inuyasha stood at the door to their cottage, nervous as fuck. His feet pressed anxiously into the flagstones, looking out to the shrine house, waiting for his first glimpse of Kagome.

"Breathe, little brother," Sesshomaru gently reminded him. "You are already mated and married; this is merely a formality."

"I know," Inuyasha muttered, his ears twitching madly, hoping to hear Kagome open the door to the house.

"So why are you so anxious, then?"

"Because this is the big one, Sess. Everyone's here; everyone's watching." Inuyasha hid his hands inside his haori, his head down.

Sesshomaru sighed. "It's really just you and the miko. That's it. Everyone else will fade away, little brother; you will see."

Inuyasha's ears picked up the sound of the shrine house door opening and closing. He looked up, and his breath caught at what he saw.

She was a fucking vision in white.

Pink-cheeked, red-lipped, and a serene face, partially shielded by the wataboshi, Kagome positively glowed. Inuyasha whined appreciatively, and made to go join his mate. Sesshomaru held him back for a moment, whispering, "let her have this moment." Inuyasha watched as the wedding-goers basked in the view that was Kagome; even with Ayame there, Inuyasha didn't appreciate Kouga looking at his wife for more than a second. Would he ever get over feeling like shit because of how he'd treated her when it was so clear that Kouga's declarations of love were purely one-sided? His jealousy was more about how easily Kouga had always been able to compliment her, tell her how much he loved her, and back then, Inuyasha had only been mature enough to pick fights, and not mature enough to just be fucking honest and admit how he felt.

He hung his head again. He knew that he didn't deserve her.

Suddenly, Sesshomaru was shoving him in the direction of the courtyard; he almost tripped over his own feet in an attempt to stay upright. Pulling himself to his full height, he walked over to where she stood, waiting for him, flanked by her mother and Rin. Everything was out of focus; his senses were in overload. Fuck, was he panicking? He sure hoped not, although every instinct was telling him to grab his mate and get the fuck out of there.

Across the courtyard, through the small throng of people, he saw her smile. A million-watt, luxurious, smile.

She was happy.

She wanted this.

She wanted him.

Inuyasha paused and took a deep breath, counting in for four and out for four. Slowly, the world came into focus again; she came into focus again. He kept his gaze on her face, on her smile. And that grounded him. He found he was able to put one foot in front of the other. He found that he could walk to her.

He could hear the whispers of his family and friends as he and Kagome approached each other. "If only they'd been this nervous when they mated," Asuka commented softly to her sister, "maybe we wouldn't have had to hear them nonstop for those first few days." Sayua snorted as Inuyasha growled at his nieces. She may have been the Lord of the East, but she was still just a little girl to him.

At last they reached each other, and took a moment to take the other in.

"Hey," he said softly.

"Hi," she said, eyes downcast.

"You look…" he had no words.

"Like a doll," she said bitterly. "All dressed up and not myself."

He choked as he tried to hold back a laugh. "Mate, you look stunning," he said gently, taking her hands into his own. "It's not you, but that's okay. It's for an hour. We wear these silly clothes, we give Ojiji his glory, and then we get out of them and into something more comfortable." He smiled when she raised her eyes to his. "It'll be fine, koishii."

Her face flushed at his tender use of the term of endearment. "You look stunning, yourself, you know," she said softly.

He smiled and led her towards the shrine, the rest of the wedding party following. They opened the doors to the shrine, where Jii-chan and Hideaki waited for them.

Jii-chan's watery smile made Kagome feel warm in the pit of her stomach, while Hideaki's lopsided grin made that warmth roll around. Inuyasha kept tight hold of her hand, and she squeezed it back, each keeping the other steady.

First Jii-chan performed the purification rites, and then he and Hideaki made the prayers for good luck, happiness, prosperity, protection from the gods, and fertility. (Kagome blushed at that one, and Inuyasha smirked.)

Jii-chan then read the marriage oath, to Inuyasha first:

"Inuyasha, you will marry this woman and become her partner. Will you in peaceful times, will you during sickness, this person love, this person respect, this person comfort, this person help? And until death, do you promise to fulfill these vows?"

Inuyasha paused and took a deep breath. He looked at Kagome beside him; she turned her eyes to him, larger and darker under the wataboshi than he was used to seeing them, and the tightness in his chest turned to a delicious warmth.

"Hai," he said. "Chikaimasu."

Jii-chan let out a little huff, then turned to Hideaki. Hideaki looked at Kagome.

"Kagome, you will marry this man and become his partner. Will you in peaceful times, will you during sickness, this person love, this person respect, this person comfort, this person help? And until death, do you promise to fulfill these vows?"

"Hai," she said immediately, "Chikaimasu."

Hideaki let out a little smile. Jii-chan then motioned for Souta to come forward; Kagome's brother was dressed in traditional robes and carrying the sakazuki for the san san ku do. He poured the sake in each cup; Inuyasha and Kagome drank from the cups three times each, from each cup. When they finished the last cups, they grinned at each other. Officially, in the eyes of the gods, they were married.

Souta then poured more sake into the cups, and Mrs. Higurashi, Sesshomaru, and Rin stepped forward, symbolizing the two families being united. One by one, they each took three sips of sake from the three cups. Rin's eyes were dancing as she sipped the sake; Sesshomaru was as expressionless as ever; Mrs. Higurashi's eyes were a mix of anguish and joy.

Finally, Asuka and Sayua brought forth the sakaki branches for an offering. They gave them to Inuyasha and Kagome, who bowed and placed the sakaki at the altar. Inuyasha winked at Kagome, and together they bowed twice, and clapped twice, signaling the end of the ceremony.

"Since you already have your rings," Jii-chan said dryly, "let's all have some sake and celebrate the marriage of Inuyasha and Kagome."

Out of nowhere, Rin and Mrs. Higurashi were handing out cups of sake, and everyone raised a cup to the (sort of) newlyweds. "Kanpai!" they all shouted, and drank.

Inuyasha grabbed Kagome around the waist; she hissed at the sudden contact and muttered something about her uchikake. "Fuck it all," he murmured against her ear, and moved his lips down her jawline to kiss her deeply. She sighed and snaked her arms around his neck, pulling him closer.

"Later," she whispered.

"You owe me," he said.

She chuckled against his lips. "Don't worry, dog boy," she replied softly. "You'll get what's owed you."


Notes:

Whew! What surprise does Kagome have in store for Inuyasha? Find out at the next update! And as always, thanks so much for reading :3

And now for the wedding notes, if you are interested:

Clothing:

Kagome is wearing the shiromuku, or a traditional wedding outfit. It consists of white underclothes, a white furisode (kimono traditionally worn by unmarried women) with a trailing hem called a kakeshita, an ornate white obi (Kagome's is more of a cream color), and the uchikake, a thick and ornate kimono worn as a wedding coat. Kagome is also wearing a wataboshi, a wedding hood that is believed to hide the bad spirits that might be living in the bride's hair. Kagome would also be wearing tabi (split-toed socks) and zori (thonged sandals).

Inuyasha is wearing the traditional wedding attire for men, which consists of black and white striped hakama, a formal black kimono known as a montsuki that features the family crest, and a black haori as an overcoat. Because he's Inuyasha, he refuses the tabi and zori, and no one's going to push him on that ;)

The wedding is traditional Shinto, although Jii-chan was kind enough to allow Hideaki to help :) The wedding ceremony starts with a purification ritual, then prayers, then the marriage oath (of which I found several online and liked this one). Following that is the san san ku do, or basically, 3 X 3 = 9. Inuyasha and Kagome would each drink three times from three cups, for a total of nine sips of sake. I also read that sometimes the families will partake of the san san ku do ceremony as well, and thought that a nice touch. Having Souta pour the sake includes him, even though he cannot legally drink. And then finally, family members would bring forth sakaki branches to give to the married couple to leave at the altar; in this case, Asuka and Sayua. So, the whole family gets to be involved!