DISCLAIMER: I don't own Inuyasha or the book called 'Hasse Simonsdochter' written by Thea Beckman, nor do I own the characters of these two stories!! But I do own the idea of mixing these two ingredients into a new story.
Italic: thoughts
-- --: locations
"...": spoken words
~*~*~*~*~: time gap
*...* : noises
-by Kittymui-
Saved by an angel
Previously:
The girl nodded again and turned to look at Sesshoumaru.
She gave him a gentle smile and said with a clear voice. "I, Kagome Higurashi,
wish to plead for this youkai, no, Sesshoumaru's life and am willing to marry
him."
[AN: In case you might be wondering, Kagome is dressed in a ragged gray dress with a V-shaped neckline and wearing a white half apron over it. What I mean with a 'half apron' is that the apron isn't tied around her neck like normal nowadays aprons, but it's tied around her waist only. An apron that starts from her waist to her knees, get the picture? ^-^]
Sesshoumaru's jaw almost dropped as he heard Kagome's words. She...she is willing to marry me in order to save me?? he thought astonished.
"What is your age, Kagome?" the judge asked.
"I'm 16 years old, Your Honor" Kagome replied politely.
"Old enough to marry," the judge pondered. "do your parents approve of this?"
Kagome stuck up her nose. "I do NOT need my parents permission, Your Honor." she stated plainly.
A truly remarkable girl. Sesshoumaru thought amused as he watched Kagome.
Sesshoumaru's gaze shifted to the judge as he spoke to him.
"Then Sesshoumaru, are you willing to be bound with this girl in order to escape your death sentence?" he asked.
Sesshoumaru turned to Kagome, who looked at him with the same question in her eyes.
That's right...Sesshoumaru could reject it and choose to die. Kagome thought disappointed but was surprised to see a smile appearing on his face.
Sesshoumaru turned to the judge again.
"If this girl is willing to have me, then I, Sesshoumaru, is also willing to be bound with her." he replied with a clear voice.
The judge sighed. "Then so be it." he said and turned around. "Free this youkai immediately and let a priest be summoned here!" he shouted, slightly annoyed that a youkai could get away after committing a crime.
The entire crowd became unquiet. It was part of the culture of the Western Land
that a man could escape his death sentence when a woman was willing to marry
him and plead for his life from the scaffold, yet this had never happened before
in Pali and they were all stunned to experience it for the first time between
an elf and a youkai.
Sesshoumaru was freed from his chains and led away to change his clothes. When he returned, he was wearing his clothes and armor again. Only his Toukijin was missing.
A priest soon arrived and the ceremony started with the priest saying the long oath.
~*~
Sesshoumaru and Kagome stood next to each other in front of the priest but they weren't listening him at all. They only looked at each other.
Kagome saw the question in his eyes. Are you sure about this?
She didn't say anything; she only gave him a determined look.
Seeing the determination in her eyes, Sesshoumaru smiled and turned to the priest. "I do." he spoke clearly.
I can't believe this is happening to me... Kagome smiled in her mind. "I do." she answered. Five days ago we were totally strangers to each other and now we're getting married...
"I hereby bind you as husband and wife." the priest said. "Get these newlyweds a fine horse!!" he shouted.
~*~
A beautiful white horse was led to the platform and a soldier gave back Sesshoumaru his Toukijin.
After attaching his sword to his waist, Sesshoumaru and Kagome silently walked to the horse.
The background was filled with whispers and mutters coming from the crowd.
Kagome wasn't sure if it was because of the whispers and mutters, but her conscience started to ask herself questions.
Are you sure you have made the right decision?
Yeah...I wanted to save him...and I did...I married him...
What if he's only using you to escape death?
W-what are you talking about? He...he wouldn't...and besides...we're already married...
He could just dump you right here, right now and flee, baka!
He...I... Kagome couldn't find any words anymore to defend her decision and she gave in. H-he could...couldn't he?
Suddenly a male's voice rose from the crowd and shouted, causing Kagome to snap out of her thoughts.
"Yeah! Leave this town and never return, you wicked forest monster!!! Leave with that murderer!!"
Sesshoumaru's ears twitched and looked at Kagome. He noticed the agonized look
on her face.
He growled in his throat. How dare he...!!!
Kagome heard Sesshoumaru growl and became afraid. That's it...he's ashamed
of me and is regretting his choice. H-he's going to flee...just like my conscience
had predicted. Kagome thought, pushing back sudden tears.
Without second thought, Sesshoumaru unsheathed his sword, grabbed Kagome's waist
and jumped into the air. The lower part of his tail floated in the air behind
him as he was landing.
Kagome's eyes grew wide. W-what is he doing? She thought surprised as she clasped his clothes.
Sesshoumaru landed gracefully in the middle of the crowd, right in front of
the person who dared to exclaim those insulting words and raised his sword to
his neck.
"One more insulting word coming from your foul mouth and I, Sesshoumaru will not hesitate in slitting your throat with my sword." he growled.
The man looked shocked and quickly glanced at Kagome with an expression of hatred and disgust.
Kagome quickly averted her gaze and buried her face in Sesshoumaru's clothes. She didn't want to see those eyes again.
Sesshoumaru noticed the fear coming from his mate and pushed his sword against the man's neck until he drew blood, forcing the man to wince and look at him again. "Don't you dare give her that look again!!" Sesshoumaru growled as he bared his fangs.
Sesshoumaru quickly looked around him at the rest of the townspeople that had backed away.
"And to you all!! Let this be my last verbal warning!!" he roared. "Don't you dare insult or hurt my mate again, if you treasure your lives!!"
Kagome pulled her head away from his chest and looked up at Sesshoumaru's furious face, astonished.
He's protecting me...and he called me his mate... Kagome thought surprised and relieved at the same time. All her doubts were taken away in an instance.
"S-Sesshoumaru..." she whispered.
Sesshoumaru looked down at her. "Let us leave." he said with a gentle voice.
Kagome nodded slightly and leaned her head onto his chest again.
Sesshoumaru gave the townspeople a glare of death before he jumped into the air again.
He landed softly next to the horse and released his grip on Kagome.
The horse backed away a bit from Sesshoumaru, but was reassured by Kagome again when she patted the horse's head and whispered. "Good girl, don't be afraid and please take us away from this dreadful place."
The horse hesitated for a moment but nodded and walked towards Sesshoumaru again.
Sesshoumaru climbed onto the back of the horse and offered Kagome his hand. Kagome looked up at Sesshoumaru and took it with a smile.
He pulled her up with a swift motion like he didn't have to use any strength at all. Within seconds, Kagome was already sitting in front of Sesshoumaru.
His arm that was stretched out to hold the rein of the horse was supporting her back. His other arm was stretched out in front of Kagome, securing her so that she couldn't fall forward and also holding the rein.
[AN: Kagome is not sitting on the horse with her legs spread to each side, but Sesshoumaru is. They're sitting on the horse just like a real prince and a princess ^-^ get the picture?]
Without looking at any of the townspeople, Kagome leaned her head onto his chest.
Sesshoumaru took that as a sign for take-off and kicked the horse softly on the side.
It turned around and galloped away.
[AN: Sesshoumaru isn't in love with Kagome right now, but he really respects her and is proud to have her as his mate so it's only a matter of time that he learns to love her. Hence he was willing to be bound with Kagome and protecting her as his mate.]
~*~*~*~
Sesshoumaru lowered the pace as soon as they left the town and entered the forest.
The trip through the forest proceeded with silence until Kagome finally decided to speak. "Arigatou." she said with a soft voice.
"Iie...I should be the grateful one." Sesshoumaru replied, knowing what Kagome meant.
Kagome looked up at him, only to find herself looking into two beautiful golden eyes.
Sesshoumaru gave her a gentle smile. "After all, I have been saved by a beautiful forest angel."
Kagome blushed and lowered her face to hide her red cheeks. Sesshoumaru grinned.
"Where are we going?" she asked, recovering from her blush.
"Searching for a place to stay..." he replied. "...the sun is going to set soon, it's not safe to travel at night."
"Euhm...I know a place..." Kagome mumbled. "...in the forest, where you rescued me." She looked up at Sesshoumaru and saw him nodding slightly before he drove the horse into another direction.
~*~*~*~
They have finally reached the open area when the sun set and the moon was visible up in the starry sky. The moon and stars shone brightly that you didn't need a lamp to find your way through the forest. And with Sesshoumaru's excellent eyes, there is no need for light at all to travel in the dark.
Sesshoumaru descended the horse and helped Kagome climb off.
"Up there." Kagome pointed at the hut up in a tree.
Sesshoumaru looked up. It was camouflaged but Sesshoumaru could clearly see the hut. "Did you build it yourself?" he asked surprised.
"Hai..." Kagome answered.
Sesshoumaru gave her a proud look. "Allow me." With that he scooped Kagome up in his arms and jumped into the tree.
He landed on the small balcony of the hut and gently put Kagome on her feet.
Kagome walked inside and he followed her.
It was small but very cozy and to Sesshoumaru's surprise, it was very sturdy for a hut in a tree made of such simple material. There were pillows and a huge blanket lying on the floor. The whole hut was clean and tidy.
"It's not a suite, but at least we wouldn't have to sleep in the open." Kagome said, slightly embarrassed.
Suddenly, she felt two arms hugging her from behind.
Sesshoumaru rested his head on her shoulder. "It's perfect." he whispered in her ear.
Kagome relaxed after hearing his words.
"It's our wedding-night, my love." he whispered and turned her around. Kagome didn't look at Sesshoumaru so he raised his hand to her chin and gently lifted her face, forcing her to look in his eyes.
As soon as their eyes met, Kagome couldn't take her eyes off of his again.
His eyes are really mesmerizing. Kagome thought as she continued to look into Sesshoumaru's eyes.
Sesshoumaru pulled her closer until she was leaning onto his chest. "I do not want you to do something you aren't ready for, my dear Kagome." he said with a gentle voice.
He touched her cheek with his hand. "So please give me a sign."
With that he released his embrace and turned around.
He's asking me? Kagome thought surprised. He could have taken me by now...yet he's asking me for permission...?
Kagome noticed that Sesshoumaru was starting to leave.
She quickly ran to him and hugged him from behind, causing Sesshoumaru to stop.
"I-it's okay, we're bound to each other, right?" she whispered.
Sesshoumaru held her hand that rested on his chest. "Kagome, you do not have to push yourself if you think it's too soon." he said.
Kagome motioned him to turn around and Sesshoumaru did.
As soon as he turned around he was caught off guard and surprised to feel Kagome's lips on his. When she pulled away, he was looking at her wide-eyed.
Sesshoumaru looked into her eyes. Kagome didn't say anything, but her eyes were telling him that she wanted this and that she was giving him permission. "I don't know what love is...show me?" she said with a soft voice.
[AN: Yes it was Kagome first kiss, nobody taught her but her instinct told her
that she wanted to kiss him so she did. Kagome's a straightforward and brave
girl. She doesn't want to be small and afraid anymore; she wants to grow up
and be an adult. First step towards growing up is to not be afraid to try and
experience things. She indeed doesn't know what love is and how it is to love
someone, so she wants to try. She knows that Sesshoumaru has more experience
than she did, since he's older than her, so she wants him to show her. She isn't
a person who would make love with anyone just for the experience, mind you,
she's very loyal!!! Since she is married to Sesshoumaru, she is giving him permission
to teach her about love. I hope you can still follow me ^-^]
Sesshoumaru smiled at her straightforwardness. He raised his hand to her face
and stroked her cheek before he leaned closer and put his lips on hers.
Kagome's eyes grew wider, softened and closed as Sesshoumaru put his arms around her waist and pulled her closer.
Kagome didn't know what the feeling was that was rising in her stomach but she knew she liked it and it was obviously because of Sesshoumaru.
She leaned onto the kiss and it deepened.
Without parting their lips, Sesshoumaru gently lifted her up and slowly laid her on the blanket on the floor. He settled himself on top of her and began to kiss her more hungrily. He licked her lips and asked her for permission.
Kagome smiled and slightly parted her lips. Sesshoumaru took that as a 'yes' and entered his tongue into her mouth. He savored every part of her mouth, causing Kagome to moan.
~*~*~
Before they relaxed, Sesshoumaru quickly bared his fangs and put his fangs in her, on the place where her shoulder and neck meet, causing Kagome to wince.
"I'm sorry for hurting you twice, my love, but this will be the last time..." he whispered as he licked the blood coming from the bite mark.
"Don't apologize...I have never felt such wonderful feelings before...thank you." Kagome smiled as she moved up her hand and stroked his silver silky hair. "But what was that for?" she asked curiously, pointing at her neck.
Sesshoumaru moved aside to his back to prevent himself from crushing Kagome, should his body go limp of exhaustion. He pulled Kagome with him so that she was resting on his chest with her upper body.
"Bearing that mark, shows every other youkai that you're taken." he said as he inhaled her sweet scent.
Kagome traced the bite mark with her fingers and giggled. "I see..."
Kagome shifted her position so that she was resting on top of Sesshoumaru with her whole body (on her side). She curled herself up a little and her head was now resting on his bare chest right below his chin.
After she found a comfortable position, she stopped shifting. Sesshoumaru put his arms around her protectively.
Kagome could hear his heartbeat. It was calm and worked just like a soothing lullaby. She soon fell asleep after listening a while.
Sesshoumaru waited until her breathing slowed down. She's sleeping... he thought as he watched the form that lifted up and down together with his chest; they were breathing in harmony. He somehow liked the way in which they were positioned.
Oyasumi nasai, my sweet angel. Were his last thoughts before he fell into a deep sleep.
Vocabulary:
Toukijin: A powerful fang (sword) owned by Sesshoumaru.
Baka: Stupid/Moron
Arigatou: Thank you.
Iie: No
Oyasumi nasai: Good night
Posted: 23 July 2003
Last Edited: 12 February 2004 (re-edited because of tags problem)
Spelling check: YES