Disclaimer: Inuyasha is the intellectual property of Rumiko Takahashi.
Author's notes: Was meant to go with the previous chapter but I needed to edit some things. Please enjoy, don't forget to R !
Midwinter's Day Dream
888
For the stars' soft eyes alone may see,
And the flowers alone may know,
The feasts we hold, the tales we tell;
So't is time for Fae to go.
Louisa May Alcott
888
Sesshoumaru gave one final glance at the mirror, almost not recognizing himself. His alabaster hair was smoothed away from his face, having been expertly brushed back loosely into a long ropey braid by his hand-servants, with crystal diamonds encrusted every so often so that the light made his locks shimmer more than usual. His long legs were wrapped in white, blue-striped hakama pants, with a matching white yukata tucked into a stiff obi adorned with a fur lining. The monochromatic outfit was broken up by a navy blue sleeveless haori that matched the hexagonal navy pattern that dotted the ends of his yukata sleeves.
Traditionally, as was Winterling custom, he would have finished the look with a white fur boa across his shoulders (a visual metaphor of the heavy mantle of Winter) but as the wedding was taking place in Fär Elphame - known for its incredibly hot temperatures and eternal summer - the warm accessory was deemed too cumbersome to wear at present by his advisors, and even the Summerling delegates had advised against it. Sesshoumaru had begrudlingly acquiesced; it wouldn't do for the Winter King to be divesting himself of layers half-way through the ceremony (he was feeling stuffy with his choice of layers as it was). Although he had been consoled that it would not be offensive if he chose to do so, as apparently Summerland grooms were expected to lose their top garments at some point during the vows, as an offering to their future brides.
Kaede, ever perceptive and sensing great discomfort from him at the suggestion of exposing his naked torso in front of an entire country, pointedly grumbled that he need not follow that particular tradition, as the act of offering a garment would instead fall on the new Fairy Queen, Kagome.
Sesshoumaru liked that idea even less.
Powerless to go against his wife's traditions and not wishing to offend any Summerling guests, he had quietly permitted the ritual and tried not to feel deeply displeased by the thought of other males gazing at his bride's naked body (although Kaede had reassured him that she would be "tastefully covered" - whatever that meant by Summerling exhibitionist standards.)
Unable to stall any longer, Sesshoumaru placed the frosted crystal circlet atop his head, strapped Tenseiga to the side of his hip, and strode out the room with a cool aloofness sharply at odds with the storm raging in his mind.
He cast a cursory glance through the halls, unable to locate Inuyasha, and figured the hanyou had kept true to his word and was organizing the royal winter troops. As he rushed through the wooden walkways linking tower to tower, he kept his chin raised and eyes unfocused but sharp, resolutely ignoring any servants, guards or nobles he passed. Wether winter or summer fey, they all shared the same combination of anger, betrayal and pity etched across their faces, and it took an immense amount of patience for Sesshoumaru not to halt in his warpath and teach them a painful lesson with his claws. Regardless if their animosity was directed at him or Kagome, he would not stand for such insolence. His gaze, which had been passive until then as he was focused on getting through this ceremony, turned downright murderous at them, and sensing danger many scurried out of his way and averted their eyes. The evident fear he inspired through a simple look left Sesshoumaru feeling distinctly smug.
He still had it.
The Demon King had been so caught up in his thoughts that, as he turned the corner, his body solidly crashed with another. He grunted, managing to steady himself thanks to his much sturdier frame; the other person had been hit with enough force that they were sent sprawling to the ground.
"I apologize-" Sesshoumaru began his apology, the passive insult at the other party's clumsiness burning the tip of his tongue, but trailed off as he realized who it was.
A group of summer handmaidens, dressed in an assortment of red mesh and tulle, clustered around the fallen person fastidiously. By the manner in which they were fussing, the other person could only be-
"Your Highness, are you alright?" Kaede, who had been among the women crouched on the ground, asked as she grabbed the fallen woman by the shoulders.
The hunched figure was hidden completely by a golden sequined cloak, and from beneath it Sesshoumaru heard the pretty raven huff. "Yup! Nothing's broken." she groaned as she stood up, aided by the older woman and a handmaiden who looked remarkably like her twin. Sesshoumaru suspected she must be a relative of Kagome's.
Sesshoumaru nearly flinched at Kaede's accusing glare, already feeling remorseful about the accident, but opted for nonchalance. He sniffed loudly, an action meant to annoy the old regent further. "My apologies, your Highness. Next time I shall call out when I round a corner like at restaurants."
Kagome laughed, as he knew she would, suspecting she would appreciate a joke over groveling. He wished he could see her smile; the cloak, while impressive in its craftsmanship and glamour, hid the raven entirely from view, from her head all the way to her ankles. Only her feet, bare and decorated with strange intricate henna lines, were visible. She has pretty feet, the thought flittered intrusively, as he noted the slender toes painted a blush rose and adorned with jeweled rings, and the gold bangle surrounding a delicate ankle.
Shaking his head and banishing any inappropriate thoughts, Sesshoumaru moved forward to help his bride.
And was halted immediately by her entourage.
"The groom is not to see the bride before the ceremony!" Kaede snapped at him, batting his outstretched hand away fiercely. "And he most certainly is NOT allowed to touch her before, either."
Sesshoumaru grit his teeth, withdrawing the offending hand and feeling his temper rise. "That is fine by me, Lady Kaede. After all, I will have my fair share of seeing and touching tonight." Kaede's cheeks turned an ugly splotchy red, her lips pulled tight in a frown at his salacious reply. The handmaidens all blushed too.
Sesshoumaru had no plans to follow through with his threat; but the old crone needed to be put in her place and realize his position in this relationship. His tolerance of her rudeness was due only because of Kagome's fondness for the hag.
Kagome coughed, wanting to break up the heated stare-off between the two. "My Lord," she said politely, dipping her head in his direction. "You look...very nice."
Sesshoumaru bowed back, looking her cloaked and shapeless figure up and down.
"Ah...you, uh, you as well, my Lady."
Kagome chuckled at his obvious lie. "Come, let us walk together to the chapel."
Aware of Kaede and her handmaidens watching him with hawklike intensity, Sesshoumaru kept a respectable distance between him and his new bride as they made their way down the hall that would lead to their imminent fate, feeling his apprehension growing. Sesshoumaru tried to focus on other things besides the wedding event about to take place and focused all his attention down to his breathing.
Hm?
He sniffed experimentally again, and a peculiar scent caught his nose. It was fragrant, fresh; like somebody had bottled the smell of summer with its flowers and spices and sunlight, and condensed it into a perfume. It curled around his nose, lovingly and incredibly appealing. With a twist to his chest, he realized the aroma was coming from beside him.
Kagome.
Her scent was pleasant on a regular basis but this was like her essence had been heightened; the Summerling feys were probably unaware of the shift in smell, but Winterling noses were more attuned to catching scents.
And she smelled delicious.
Sesshoumaru made and odd noise, somewhere between a cough and a groan, and Kagome's head tilted towards him.
"Getting cold feet?" she whispered, so that her handmaidens wouldn't hear.
"Just...eager to get this over with." Sesshoumaru grit out, his head filled with her enticing aroma. He wondered if her smell would be amplified once she disrobed...
Kagome became quiet, and belatedly Sesshoumaru realized how his words came off.
"I meant-"
"We're here." Kaede announced with a growl, posting herself before the closed doors. "Ready yourselves." she commanded, as she waited for the cue to open them. In the distance, music began to play.
Unsatisfied with how their talk had ended and wanting their journey together to begin in a more positive manner, Sesshoumaru reached out and gently pressed the back of his hand to Kagome's side, where he guessed her own hand was under the cloak. Kagome flinched, but quickly caught on and let out a low breath, catching his fingers in her own warm ones.
Sesshoumaru marveled at the hotness of her fingers, so different from his own cool skin; just one more reminder of their cultural differences.
"Shall we?" Kagome's voice asked from beneath the golden hood; while her hand shook, her tone was even, collected.
He noticed those little firestarters trembling in his grasp, but holding on determinedly, and Sesshoumaru managed a brief smile at her bravery.
This was necessary. They could not fail.
"Lead the way, My Queen."