Author's Note:
Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to kudos and review this story so far! It means so much to me! Even if you just want a drop a "Good job!" I will take it! Please please review, it lets me know that I'm doing a job, and you guys like my headcanon story of our favorite couple! Without further ado, on to our story!
Chapter 5
~Five Days Until the New Moon~
"My lord, your items will be ready as requested in two days." The merchant stated.
Sesshomaru could feel the relief coming off in waves from the merchant, "I am pleased to hear this. I will be back in two days to collect them."
Sesshomaru left the merchant to his own devices, walking away. On the first day where he had relayed what was needed for his items, Sesshomaru left, making his way back to the stall that sold the hair ornaments, procuring a few beautiful pieces that he believed would suit his mate's appearance. The next day Sesshomaru had gone back to see the merchant's stall was close. Sesshomaru was pleased to see this knowing that his order was being worked on.
Needing nothing else from the marketplace, Sesshomaru started heading back to where he had set up camp. He had been lingering around the village just on the outskirts. As he was walking back to the tree he had been staying close to, he felt a strong gust of wind blow pass him. Standing still and scenting the air around him, he spoke, "Mother."
Sesshomaru looked to his right to see his ageless mother looking as regal as ever.
"Sesshomaru."
Both stood silent, waiting for the other to speak.
Inukimi finally spoke first seeing that her son refused to make the first move.
"You are looking well, my son."
"Hm,"
"Nothing to say to your mother after the flattering compliment I bestow upon you?"
Sesshomaru merely eyed his mother.
"Hm, of course not," Inukimi said nonchalantly.
Inukimi came to where she was standing face to face with her son, "I came today because I ran into that little demon who faithfully follows you who was on his way to delivering a….rather interesting kimono to that girl you picked up all those years ago."
Only crickets could be heard in the deafening silence of the forest they stood in as neither spoke.
"When I asked what the kimono was for, the little demon only stated it was for his lord's future lady."
Birds could be heard chirping this time as the silence continued to linger.
"Seeing that you have no future prospects of any potential mates, I could only assume that this kimono was for her. The girl you risked the underworld for so many years ago."
Now only the wind whistling through the leaves could be heard as the silence stretched on.
"I must say I am surprised by your choice. You never displayed any fondness towards humans before." Inukimi said while raising an arched eyebrow at her son.
Inukimi seeing that her son was not going to say anything, sighed in exaggeration, "I suppose it cannot be helped, you are more like your father than I realized."
Sesshomaru stoic as ever started walking away.
Calling to her son's back, Inukimi asked, "Why her? She is only a human; her life will be in a blink of an eye for us. You will only be able to enjoy a fleeting moment with her…. What's so special about her?"
Sesshomaru stopped at his mother's last question. Turning to fully look at her, he stated, "She is everything we are not."
Inukimi feigned indifference and fingered the stone around her neck, buying herself time because in all honestly, her son's answer was one she was not expecting.
Inukimi realized she did not know what kind of answer would please her.
Dropping the stone and looking at her son, she stated, "You understand what this means, don't you?"
"Yes," Sesshomaru answered.
"I cannot protect you or her."
"This Sesshomaru needs no aid in protecting what is his."
Inukimi coming to stand directly in front of her son again, "Of course you don't…..I cannot say I understand why you are making this decision but from what I remember about love and your father, then I may understand a small fraction of what you may be feeling."
When Inukimi had married Toga the Inu No Tashio of the western lands there was no love. Their marriage more of an arrangement than anything else. Their union to bring forth the next heir of the inu youkai, the successor to the western lands. The successor that was now throwing it all away for a mere human. Her son was indeed like his father.
His father was a fool and died for Izayoi. Now her son may face the same fate. Inukimi remembered that at one point during their marriage she realized that she had fallen in love with his father. Upon realizing this, she had shut those feelings down. She knew her love was not meant to be. Toga's heart was never her's. Toga cared for her and had a love for her as the mother of his only child, but she knew he was never in love with her.
Inukimi had wondered one cloudless night when she watched him sneak out to meet his human lover, what could have been if Toga did love her in return…..
Now her son had a chance to have the love that escaped her. To have this love returned to him. She knew the human woman loved her son.
The choice was already made.
"Go, I will do what I can to hold them off so you may have some peace before everything catches up to you and your mate," Inukimi said softly running her fingers through his moko-moko and then stepping away.
Sesshomaru watched as his mother prepared her ki cloud to leave.
"Mother."
Inukimi paused to give her son a questioning look.
For the very first time, Sesshomaru stepped outside of his stoic nature and said what was on his heart.
"Thank you." And turned and walked away missing the surprised look that crossed his mother's face at his words.
'She suits you, my son,' Inukimi thought to herself reflecting on her conversation that she had with the young human woman only the day before as she took to the sky to return to her floating castle.
~The Day before in the Village~
Inukimi found the village where the human woman resided, she found her at the river filling up to two buckets of water. Inukimi tucked herself behind a large tree so she would not be seen and observed the young woman.
Looking at the human while she worked, Inukimi took in her appearance. Long chestnut-colored hair, her face was asymmetrical in appearance, a petite body. So petite, Inukimi could only hope she would be able to survive childbirth if she had any children. Inukimi noticed how she moved with ease filling up the buckets, her movements graceful. The human had finished filling up the buckets and was now wading in the river smiling fondly to herself. She could also hear the young human woman humming. After examining the young woman for a few more moments in silence, Inukimi could see she was beautiful… for a human.
Deciding to reveal herself to the human, Inukimi stepped forward purposely stepping on a branch to draw the woman's attention to herself.
"What brings such a smile to your face?" Inukimi asked.
She watched as the young woman turned in surprise to her and her eyes widen in shock. The human woman quickly dashed out of the river and bowed low before her once Inukimi reached her position.
"I asked you a question girl." Inukimi pressed.
Still bowing, the woman answered, "Your son, my lady."
"Ah, so you remember me."
"How could I forget someone as beautiful as my lord's mother?"
"You think flattery will win me over?"
"I do not speak to flatter, I only speak the truth, my lady."
Inukimi held back a small smile that started forming on her face. Masking her face once again, "Up girl, I wish to look upon who my son wants to take as a mate."
Inukimi heard the human gasped at her words and smirked to herself.
Inukimi studied the young woman once she rose to her full height, upon closer inspection she realized this human woman was not very tall. Her son had to be at least a foot taller than her. What did her son see in her?
"Don't be so surprised that I am aware, his scent lingers all over you. You carry his claiming mark. He must have laid two marks upon you because it is very potent." Inukimi said as she watched the human's face turn bright red.
"Ah, let me guess. He placed them on your inner thighs…."
The human woman ducked her head avoiding her eyes.
"You must truly trust him to allow him so near your most intimate of areas when he placed them….." Inukimi stated while stepping closer to the human woman and tipping her chin up to she could stare into the human woman's eyes.
"Nothing to be embarrassed about, Sesshomaru's father did the same to me. All inu youkai place claiming marks on their mate's thighs."
Inukimi looked around and found a tree stump to sit upon, turning she gracefully lowered herself and faced the woman again.
"Tell me your name girl. Unless you like me calling you girl."
"Rin, my lady."
Rin, what kind of name was Rin? Now Inukimi was really puzzled.
"Sit Rin, I wish to speak to you."
Inukimi watched as Rin came and sat before her, settling into a comfortable position.
"Did your kimono arrive?" Inukimi asked watching Rin's face very closely.
She saw the young woman try to hide her surprise and then answered, "Yes my lady."
"Hm."
"You do understand the possible outcome of you marrying my son, don't you?"
"Yes," Rin answered looking down at her hands that were clasped in front of her.
"You understand that my son may face possible exile, that you may be targeted by his enemies, or that any pups you bear will be half-breed and will be looked down upon? That they will be scorned for their mixed blood?"
She watched as Rin took a deep breath and met her eyes, "Yes, I understand."
Inukimi eyed Rin carefully, "You know all of this and you still choose to marry him?"
"Yes, I choose to marry your son."
"You also know that your life will be a blink of an eye to him, that he will outlive you by hundreds of years?"
"Yes, my lady." The young human woman answered not wavering.
Inukimi sighed, "Nothing will change your mind about this?"
Rin shook her head, "No my lady."
"You can find a human male that will marry you, you are young and pretty. Forget about my son."
"I cannot do that my lady." The human said not backing down.
Inukimi surprised herself when she knelt down from the tree stump and took Rin's face in her hands, asking, "You know all of the risks, know that my son will outlive you and yet you still choose to love and marry him. Why be with him?"
Inukimi felt Rin take a deep breath, and then look her in the eye, stating, "Did you love Sesshomaru's father, Toga my lady?"
Inukimi dropped her hands from Rin's face at her question, she did not expect this human woman to catch her off guard. Taking a moment to compose herself, "No, it was a marriage of convenience, to produce an heir."
"Forgive me my lady, but your eyes do not match your words." Inukimi heard the young human woman say.
"You dare to speak to me like th-" Inukimi stated but was cut off.
"I apologize for speaking brashly my lady, but I only meant for you to understand how I feel when I say I love your son, but it would be impossible for you to do so when you will not admit to your own feelings."
"Explain yourself, human." Inukimi sighed out.
"You say you did not love Sesshomaru's father but when you spoke your eyes and face soften just for a moment. Maybe you did not realize it until it was too late or maybe you did not want to face your pain when Toga died."
Inukimi sat back at the young woman's words, not expecting this human to speak on such familiar ground with her.
"So, you did love him…" Rin asked in a gentle voice.
Inukimi looked away from Rin, sighed, looked up, and noticed an owl flying by.
"Would you not give anything to have one more moment with Toga, my lady? One more moment no matter how brief it was?"
Inukimi looked down at her nails, noticing how well they were manicured. She took a deep breath and clench her hands.
Inukimi closed her eyes and blocked out everything around her including the human woman who was still waiting on an answer. She focused on taking in the smells around her, she could scent the forest and the dew that still laid upon the grass and small flowers around her. She could smell the lingering scents of the animals that had crossed by earlier in the day. She could smell the fresh river water that laid behind the human woman. She could also smell her. The woman that claimed her son's heart. She had a pleasing smell, she smelled of Sakura trees, she smelled sweet.
Inukimi finally looked back at Rin and took in her appearance, this human woman that claimed her son's heart. She had kind eyes but above all else, Inukimi knew she had a kind heart. A kind heart that broke down the barriers around her son's cold heart.
When raising Sesshomaru as a small pup, Inukimi knew she needed to make him strong. She saw that he had the best tutors and nannies available to him. He was going to be the ruler of the western lands one day and to rule, one needed to have a heart of stone. One also needed a strong mind, a mind that could not be easily swayed by emotions. What kind of ruler would her son be if she raised him with a soft heart and a feeble mind? It was only many many many years later that she realized she unknowingly had a hand in her son's callous cold heart. A heart that he locked away.
By that point, there was nothing to be done. So, she left her son to his stoic nature, left him to his closed-off guarded heart, and said nothing. Toga was not around by this point either. Always gone to go battles or some other event that would call him away.
Inukimi unclenched her hands and looked back at her nails, taking another deep calming breath. For the first time, Inukimi reached into her locked heart and searched for the feelings she had buried for Toga. She didn't want to admit it back then but…. she did love Toga.
She was a fool for loving Toga because look at what it cost her.
Her love only brought her pain.
But….to have another moment….however fleeting….
Inukimi stood up and walked to the river taking in the flowing clear water and the small fish swimming by.
"I have no more moments with the man I once loved child," Inukimi stated in a somber voice.
Inukimi heard Rin rustling to stand behind her.
Squaring her shoulders, Inukimi went back to Rin.
"Your love may only be a moment, but I will not stand in my son's way of him having something I could not. His heart is finally open."
Inukimi stepped back and started walking away, calling over her shoulder, "You have no idea what kind of power you hold over my son. Use it wisely my dear Rin."
"My lady?"
Inukimi stopped in her tracks, waiting, and closed her eyes.
Inukimi opened them to see Rin had come to stand in front of her. Inukimi was at a loss for words when she felt Rin take her hand and say, "You and your son both speak as if I have not considered my decisions and possible future. I believe you both underestimate me. I may be human and will not live as long as you but…it's my life and I chose to be with the youkai I love. I am prepared for what the future will bring for Sesshomaru and me. Nothing will stop me from loving Sesshomaru, he has my heart."
Inukimi felt Rin squeeze her hand and then step away giving her room to continue on her way.
"Goodbye Rin," Inukimi said with a nod and then disappeared with her ki cloud leaving a smiling Rin behind.
~oOo~
~Two Days Until the New Moon~
As Sesshomaru stood with his package under his arm, he waited on this new merchant to finish showing him his collection of fur pelts. Sesshomaru knew he would need bedding for their rutting night and as he was about to leave the marketplace, he came upon a merchant selling just that.
The cave that Sesshomaru would be spending the next few days with his new mate was secluded and private but also nothing but rock and hard earth. He needed to procure bedding so that he and his future mate would be comfortable. He also needed to show his mate that he could provide for her.
Sesshomaru allowed the merchant to show him all his finest fur pelts and after inspecting them all thoroughly, Sesshomaru finally decided on eight on them. Each varying colors of browns and black, all also very silk-like in texture and thick. Yes, these pelts should provide softness and comfort to his mate.
Sesshomaru paid the merchant and after the thick bundle of pelts were wrapped and tightly secured with twine, he was on his way.
As Sesshomaru traveled back to the cave to leave his possessions, his thoughts drifted back to his mate. He wondered how she was faring during the past several long days in his absence. He had also refrained from pleasuring himself since leaving her presence. He wanted to allow the buildup of his seed so if his mate did wish to carry his child, he would be ready. His baser instincts needed to show his mate he was able to plant his seed in her womb, that his seed was potent and that he was virile.
After securing his items for their rutting night, Sesshomaru's mind had eased. He knew Rin would be able to take him into her body after a bit of practice. His only concern now was his youkai. His youkai would want to take her at some point during the night and he needed to prepare Rin, he needed her to understand that she would not be in danger. That she needs to only follow his lead to appease his youkai.
His Rin was strong but also human, she could damage easily. She had a fragile body, he did not wish to cause any unnecessary harm to her, he knew that when it came time for him to lay the mating mark, she would feel pain. He had to be precise in his timing, if done correctly, then Rin would be distracted by pleasure when it came time to bite her.
Sesshomaru reached their cave which would be home for the next few days. He scented the air again and found no other scents other than Rin from when he led her here so she could bathe from the prior week. Coming inside Sesshomaru laid down both packages and scanned the cave. Content that everything was in order, Sesshomaru left deciding to check on Rin. Before leaving, Sesshomaru made sure that the entrance of the cave remained hidden by the bushes. Knowing that he would not be able to rest easy leaving his possessions here, he decided that he would keep guard until the time came to bring Rin here.
For now, though, he knew the cave would be safe from any prying eyes as he would be gone only for a short while.
Reaching out for Rin's scent in the village, he found it at the river along with his brother's miko.
Sesshomaru stayed behind a tree to spy on his unsuspecting mate.
He watched as she was laughing and smiling with the miko, she had her yukata tucked into her obi revealing her creamy upper thighs. Any higher and one would be able to see her claiming marks. She also had her sleeves rolled up, revealing her thin dainty arms. Both women were washing their garments. Sesshomaru felt his cock twitch in his robes, it had been too long since he had tasted her, too long since he felt her come in his mouth. His vision turning into a red haze because of his lust for his mate. Needing to center himself, Sesshomaru gripped onto the tree to bring himself back and once the red faded from his vision, he was able to see that he left gauges in the tree bark.
Once satisfied that he was back in control, Sesshomaru stepped forward and called out, "Rin."
He watched as she spun around and her face light up. Dropping her garment into her basket, she ran over to him exclaiming, "Lord Sesshomaru! You have returned!"
'Yes, you have been well?"
"Yes, my lord!"
"You received your kimono for the ceremony?"
"Yes, my lord! Thank you. It's beautiful, you did not have to go through the trouble of commissioning a kimono for me."
"It is no trouble. It would please this Sesshomaru to see you in your finest for our ceremony."
Sesshomaru watched a light red dust over his mate's face, her eyes shining in the sunlight.
Sesshomaru looked over to see his brother's miko had turned away to give them privacy.
Stepping forward, Sesshomaru cupped his mate's cheek, stating, "This Sesshomaru has missed your presence."
Rin leaned into his touch and softly spoke, "I've missed yours as well Lord Sesshomaru."
Giving his mate's cheek another caress, he slid his hand to her neck and finally settling on her upper chest to feel her heartbeat. It was strong, like she.
"Have you finished washing your garments?"
"Oh, just about. I think I have one more yukata to wash."
"Finish what you need, I will walk you back."
"Yes, Lord Sesshomaru!" His mate chipped out.
Sesshomaru silently stood guard while his mate and the miko finished attending to their garments, both turning to his direction in a silent gesture that they were ready to head back.
Sesshomaru allowed the women to lead the way, walking silently behind his mate. He used the time to take in his mate's scent. Her scent once again bringing him peace, he could also tell the scent between her legs was calling to him. His inner youkai purring in delight at how close she was after having been absent for well over a week and a half.
Soon enough, they reached the village, the young miko heading towards her hut, and Sesshomaru followed Rin to the old miko's hut walking in behind her.
"Ah lord Sesshomaru, ye have returned."
"Hm,"
Sesshomaru watched as Rin placed her basket of yukatas in the corner, took hold of his arm and lead them both to sit in front of the miko.
"Everything has been prepared for the ceremony, miko?" Sesshomaru asked.
"Ay, my lord. Miroku will be performing the ceremony. It will be a small affair, with ye, Inuyasha, Kagome, and Sango present. We planned on having a small feast after the ceremony. Afterward, ye and ye wife may leave at any time."
Sesshomaru considered the miko's words and turned to his mate, "Is this suitable to you?"
Rin smiled at him, stating, "Yes lord Sesshomaru. It will be a small ceremony that should not take too long into the evening."
Sesshomaru turned so he was fully looking at Rin, "Rin, this ceremony is for you. Are you certain is this everything you want?"
Rin grasped his hand and softly speaking, "Lord Sesshomaru I know how much you distaste crowds. I appreciate that you are willing to go through a human ceremony for me. The small ceremony and the feast are enough for me."
Sesshomaru nodded and turned back to the old miko, "See that everything is in order for the ceremony. I shall return at sunset on the new moon."
Sesshomaru gently squeezed Rin's hand, stood, and made his way out of the hut only to feel Rin grasped his hand once again stopping him from leaving.
"Will you not stay longer my lord? I have only seen you for a moment and you've been gone for over a week." Rin stated in a saddened voice, looking at her feet.
Sesshomaru leaned forward and bent over so he could whisper into his mate's ear, "I will be back the day after tomorrow. If I stay any longer this Sesshomaru cannot guarantee your purity will remain intact until the ceremony. Even now as I stand here, your womanhood is calling me. I need to leave to honor the miko's request."
Rin having looked up from the ground faced her lord and blushed deeply, whispering, "Ok."
"Do not fret, soon enough your body will be joined to mine in ways you cannot imagine." Sesshomaru stated brushing the back of his knuckles against Rin's cheek.
He smelled Rin's arousal spike at his words, and she merely nodded.
"Until the new moon."
"Yes, Lord Sesshomaru."
With that Sesshomaru was off back to the cave to keep guard until the new moon.
~oOo~
~Day of the New Moon~
Sesshomaru took inventory of everything in the cave. He had spent the prior day collecting firewood, fresh fruit, rice, and vegetables. He also made another trip to the village without Rin's knowledge to procure a pot for cooking and a bucket to keep freshwater in.
Sesshomaru had waited for Rin's scent to leave the village before making his way to the miko's hut. He had watched as she left with his brother's mate and the demon slayer.
He entered the old miko's hut clearing his throat alerting her to his presence.
"Ah, Lord Sesshomaru, ye graces ye with ye presence. What pray tell brings ye to this old's miko hut? Ye mate has just left to go on a small trip to collect more herbs."
"I am aware. This Sesshomaru needs a cooking pot and a bucket for collecting water for a small amount of time while Rin and I will be away. Both items will be returned to you once we return."
"Ye see, ye have an extra pot and bucket somewhere."
Sesshomaru watched as the weathered miko moved around her hut looking among her cookware until she came upon both items, she was looking for.
"Ah here ye is, this should be a good pot for cooking anything from rice to soup."
Sesshomaru took the pot and bucket from the miko gnarl hands and nodded.
"Was there anything else ye be needing my lord?"
Sesshomaru stopped mid-step on his way out, thinking.
Turning to the miko, Sesshomaru once again stepped outside his stoic nature, saying, "This Sesshomaru wishes to express gratitude for taking Rin in during the past years."
Kaede's single eye widen in shock. Quickly remembering who she was speaking to, the old miko quickly hid her expression. She was not expecting Sesshomaru to speak so plainly, "It was no trouble at all my lord. Rin has grown into her own person, she only needed time to make her own choice on what realm she wished to become a part of."
Kaede finished by bowing low to Sesshomaru.
"Hm," Was all Sesshomaru said and was out the hut leaving behind nothing but the swishing of the hut flap at his exit.
Sesshomaru was just about to take to the sky when his hanyou brother interrupted his flight.
"Oi bastard, did you deliberately plan this ceremony for today?" Inuyasha spoke with a disgruntled look on his face with his arms crossed.
Sesshomaru narrowed his amber eyes at his brother, "What are you speaking of?"
Sesshomaru watched as Inuyasha was trying to read him. Of course, Sesshomaru knew what the new moon was for his brother. He had always known, Sesshomaru simply never stated that he was aware. When he had picked the date for their ceremony, it actually did not cross his mind to take into consideration his brother's moonless night. At this point though, Sesshomaru did not care and was not going to change the day of the ceremony to accommodate his brother.
Seeing that his brother was not going to say anything further, Sesshomaru took a step away from him preparing to leave when Inuyasha finally spoke.
"The new moon…I can't be out during this night," Inuyasha spoke rubbing the back of one of his puppy dog ears.
Sesshomaru turned and looking Inuyasha right in the eye, spoke, "Because you lose your demon powers? You would truly allow something as small as this to keep you from leaving your small hut?"
He watched as his brother's jaw hung open and sputtered, "But…..how do you know?"
"I've always known, Inuyasha. Did you not notice that I never attacked during those nights?"
Watching his brother flounder like a gasping fish out of water, Sesshomaru turned once again to leave, calling out, "Be at the ceremony or not, this Sesshomaru cares not."
With that, Sesshomaru finally took the sky leaving his brother behind looking uncertain at his revelation.
Snapping out of the prior day's events, Sesshomaru exited the cave knowing that everything was in order. Looking towards the sky, he saw that the sun was soon to set. Deciding he was finally ready to head to the village, Sesshomaru made the quick journey to his soon-to-be wife and the other humans she considered close friends.
Reaching the small village, he softly landed outside the old miko's hut to see both mikos and the demon slayer waiting outside for him.
"Lord Sesshomaru, everything is in order for the ceremony, and ye bride waits for ye arrival inside," Kaede stated bowing. Sesshomaru noticed that both the other women also bowed as well.
"We are ready to begin when you are, my lord," Kagome added.
"Let us be on our way then." Sesshomaru stated.
He watched as Kaede pulled aside the flap of the hut allowing him to step in first.
Sesshomaru came upon Rin, his mate, his bride kneeling before him. Once she seen him enter, she bowed as well speaking, "Lord Sesshomaru."
Once rising from her bow, Sesshomaru took in her appearance and her garments. He had the kimono artisan began construction of it once he had begun to suspect his feelings were changing. Although at the time, he did not wish to foolishly think of such things that may or may not happen, Sesshomaru was content that he chose to make that decision.
Kneeling before him now, Rin looked stunning and worthy of any high lord. Truly in this moment, if Rin's family had survived, they would have received a high dowry for her hand in marriage. Dressed before him, she wore a uchikake. It was a long-sleeved with designs of bamboo, pine, and decorated fan leaves in white, green, red, black, and gold on a red damask ground with interlocking weaving pattern; lined with red plain-weave silk and padded at the hem. Atop of her head in her hair, she wore a kanzashi matching in color. Her hair pulled into two low buns on the side of her head to allow room for the hair ornament. Underneath it all, he knew that she wore a simple hadajuban.
As for himself, Sesshomaru wore his typical regal attire but he had spent his morning taking time soaking his robes allowing them to look as pristine as ever. He had also polished his swords to a high shine. Standing next to Rin when the time came, he knew that they were both looked of high standing. He knew that to the humans he would appear as a powerful daimyo of this region with a beautiful bride.
Crossing the small hut, Sesshomaru came to kneel next to his bride, taking her hand in his helping her stand.
"Rin, you look stunning," Sesshomaru spoke softly.
"Thank you, my lord," Rin said blushing.
Sesshomaru was broken out of trance by hearing the footsteps of the other companions of the ceremony entering the hut. Jaken had also appeared as well.
Sesshomaru could say he was almost surprised at seeing his brother appear at the ceremony considering he was in his human state. He figured though that his brother would not miss the event of him marrying a human female. He also suspected that his wife most likely had something to do with him appearing as well.
Miroku stepped forward and asked, "Shall we begin, my lord?"
The ceremony progressed through the evening at a faster pace than Sesshomaru expected. Kagome had prepared the tea and both Sesshomaru and Rin drank when the time called for it. Sesshomaru was glad that the old miko was true to her word, the ceremony was kept to only the people in the hut and had gone by without any issues.
The feast was enjoyable to his new wife. He witnessed as Kagome and Sango both gave small gifts to Rin. He watched as her face would soften when laughing with her friends and eating through the evening. Sesshomaru had situated himself closely next to Rin so he could inhale her sweet scent throughout the night. Sesshomaru on his part was quite done with being around the humans for the night but he allowed his mate this indulgence. It would only be a little a while longer and then he would have his mate all to himself for the next few days.
During the festivities, Kagome had sat beside him while Sango seemed to distract Rin turning Rin away from them both.
"Sesshomaru, here are the herbs you asked about. The herbs in the dark pouch are for any discomfort and the herbs in the light color pouch are for the other thing we spoke about." The young miko said speaking in a low voice.
Sesshomaru nodded in acknowledgment, taking both items and tucking them into his armor.
Kagome nodded and left Sesshomaru to his thoughts.
He allowed Rin to enjoy herself the rest of the evening simply staying silent waiting for her signal that she was ready to leave. He could make this small sacrifice for her.
After a period of time, he heard the old miko Kaede clear her throat and clap her hands, signaling all in the hut to cease their speaking.
"My lord, ye wish to thank ye for allowing this small ceremony and feast to commence."
Turning to Rin now, Kaede added, "Rin it brings joy to ye to see ye move onto the next journey of ye life with ye new husband. Ye know that ye is in good hands. Now ye must be off, our evening draws to a close."
Sesshomaru stood and once again offered his hand to his wife helping her up from her sitting position. As they exited the hut, he saw Rin turned towards Kagome and she took the small bag from her. Sesshomaru assumed that the bag most likely contained fresh yukatas and personal items for Rin.
Rin held his arm and spoke to the group of humans as they came out of the hut to bid their goodbyes, "We wish to thank everyone for their time and celebrating this event with us. You all have made this evening truly unforgettable; it means everything to me. Thank you."
After the goodbyes were spoken, Sesshomaru gently wrapped an arm around Rin's waist and took the sky leading them to the new home for the next several days.
~oOo~
Author's Notes:
Well, let me tell ya, writing the Inukimi part was hard! It's hard to envision what a character would say that has only been in two episodes! I used music to help me write that part. In case anyone is wondering I listened to Interstallar, track titled Murp on repeat for few times while coming up with the dialogue for both scenes with Sess and Rin.
As far for Inukimi, in my opinion, she's a hard character to read. To me, she is aloof and doesn't seem interested in anything. The idea popped into my head that I needed to have her have a conversation with both of them without the other knowing. I don't necessarily see her giving her blessing to Sesshomaru about getting married. More like "Oh you're getting married, alright." This is why in my story, she acts the way she does. She knows that Sess will do what he wants regardless of what anyone will say.
I can also see her sizing Rin up, but we all know Rin doesn't back down from anyone or anything. Rin stands her ground and will especially stand her ground when it comes to her lord Sesshomaru.
For Rin's uchikake, I tried googling sengoku era uchikake but it's hard to say if all the image results are accurate to that time period. So, I went ahead and looked at various uchikake and the one I found is something I think Sesshomaru would approve for Rin to wear. I included a link so you guys can check it out. Just in case anyone wants to yell at me, yes, I copied and pasted the description, there is no way I would do justice for this beautiful uchikake in my own words.
collections.
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Take out the spaces.
The next chapter is the mating night! Y'all better be prepared because it about to get hot in here. Warning, be sure to be sitting down cuz the next chapter is long!