Chances Not Worth Losing
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from Inuyasha.
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Friday arrived, and Rin started going through her usual routine. Most mornings she would go over to Sesshomaru's house for a few minutes before going to work, but this morning he was already gone. The strange thing was that Sango and Miroku were gone also, and Fridays were normally their day off. The kids had gone to school early for some before school program that day, so Rin was left all alone.
At work people seemed to be in quite a rush to get things done because most of them claimed that they had something to do that evening. When it got closer to four o'clock she walked across the street to the State House. She had a meeting at four with the President of the Senate, which was not out of the ordinary except that as soon as she stepped into his office she was whisked out the door. "I've got to pick up something from a place on the west side of town. Why don't you accompany me, and I will drop you back off at the office when we're done."
Seeing as she had little choice, Rin consented as they got into his car. They discussed business until he pulled up to a banquet hall. "I'll wait in the car if it's not going to take long," Rin volunteered.
"It could take at least 10 minutes. You better come in or Sesshomaru will kill me for letting you freeze in the car."
He jumped out of the car and Rin followed him until she noticed two of the cars in the parking lot. "Um, what's going on here?"
He turned around and looked at her standing there in the middle of the parking lot. "What do you mean?"
"Why is it that Sesshomaru's and my best friend's cars are here? And isn't that the Governor's license plate?" she noticing the other cars. "And that belongs to one of my coworkers, and so does that one? Is there something I am unaware of?"
"Yes," Sango's voice called out from the front door. "Welcome, Rin, to your wedding." Thankfully the President was standing close enough that he could rush to her side before her head hit the ground. "I certainly never expected her to faint." The President chuckled hardily as he carried the unconscious woman into the room designated for her to change in.
He set her down on a couple of chairs that Sango lined up. "What do we do now?"
Sango pulled out smelling salts from her purse and put it under Rin's nose. Rin's eyes shot open almost immediately. "Good morning, Rin," Sango laughed. "You gave us quite a scare."
"I'm sorry, but where am I again?" Rin asked confused. The last thing she could remember, or what she thought she could remember, was Sango telling her that this was her wedding.
"You are in a banquet hall that has been set up specifically for your wedding. We used him as a tactic to get you here," she said gesturing the President, who then excused himself.
"But-but…how?" she stuttered out.
"Sesshomaru has been working really hard since the day after your engagement to get this set up. He's had some help along the way, but for the most part, this was his all his planning."
"Really?" Her face fell. "And I was just yelling at him the other day about how he was trying to stall the planning. The whole time I was yelling at him he knew that I was entirely wrong, and yet he didn't say anything."
"Yep. I think it's quite romantic. You remember how much trouble I had getting Miroku to help me."
"Yeah, but I have to admit, your getting married to him was the best thing for him. I can't believe that as soon as you exchanged vows he stopped chasing after women."
"That's because he's constantly chasing me," she laughed. She aided Rin in sitting up and asked someone in the hallway to get her hot tea. Coming back to Rin she started playing with Rin's hair. "I have been practicing how to get your hair into that style you wanted. Do you still want me to put it up like that?"
Rin, deep in thought, nodded her head numbly. Sango worked skillfully as Rin thought about how much of an apology she owed Sesshomaru. A knock was heard on the door and then Miroku's voice carried through the door, "Sango, I brought that tea you asked for."
"Come on in. She's still dressed." He walked in carefully and put the cup in Rin's somewhat trembling hands. "Nervous, Rin?"
"A bit. Sango was nervous before your wedding."
A stunned Miroku then had to ask, "You were? About what?"
Sango eyed him quickly before continuing with her task. "I was a bit worried about your skirt chasing. I wasn't sure if you could just be happy with me."
"Sango, I'm astonished that you would think that."
"Sango has a point," Rin informed him. "Even on the day of your wedding you groped me twice. Most men pledge their faithfulness to a woman while they're dating."
"Well, if you felt that way, then why did you marry me?"
Sango turned a little red at her admission, "I don't know." He huffed in displeasure, but Sango quickly made up for it when she leaned over and gave him a passionate kiss. "If you are really good tonight, I'll let you grope me in public once."
He suddenly perked up. "I have to say, Rin, that Sesshomaru is also nervous."
"Why's that?"
"According to him, nothing is going quite right. I think he's afraid that you might be disappointed with his choices."
"He knows what I like, so everything must be perfect."
"Miroku, where are the kids?" Sango interrupted.
"They're fine. They're talking to the Governor and his mate so that they don't get in Sesshomaru's way. He's probably going to kill me if I stay in here too long. Damn demons are too territorial sometimes, especially when they're nervous and it has something to do with their mate."
"Wait," Rin called out to him as he turned to leave. "If I write him something, can you take it to him?"
"Sure."
Miroku found a piece of scrap paper in Sango's purse and a pen and handed them to Rin. She spent a couple of minutes trying to write without disturbing what Sango was doing. Finally she folded up the paper and hand back the pen. "Thanks, Miroku."
"Hey, anything to make him feel better will save my skin." He kissed Sango on the cheek before he left.
"Miroku has definitely matured since college," Rin remarked.
"And I am thankful every day for that."
Miroku walked to where Sesshomaru now stood talking to the Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court. They were lucky enough to get her to do this, but she was always willing to do something for another government official. "Rin asked for me to give you this," he said offering the piece of paper to Sesshomaru.
"How is she doing?"
"She's a little nervous, but you have to expect that since it is her wedding day that she was only informed about it half an hour ago."
Sesshomaru opened up the paper as Miroku started walked away. The note did enough to calm his nerves somewhat: My Dear Sesshomaru, After the shock of it all, I can't express how lucky I am to be to have you as my fiancé and soon-to-be husband and mate. All that time on Tuesday I yelled at you about stalling the planning and you really had been planning it all along. How can I ever apologize for my behavior? I only hope that I can make it up to you somehow. Please don't be nervous, I am sure everything is set up fine, and I will love it even if everything goes wrong because it came from your heart. Just remember that the only important thing about today is that I am marrying you. I am truly lucky to have you. All of my love, Rin.
Sango finished up with Rin's hair and put the veil on afterward. "This is wonderful!" Rin exclaimed looking at herself in the mirror. "You are a woman of many talents."
"That's what happens when you have children, or in your case, pups."
"Well, it's still great!" She sipped the last of her tea and stood for the first time since she fainted. "I'm definitely feeling much better."
"Good, because it's time for you to sit down again and let me do your make-up." As Rin opened her mouth to protest, Sango said, "All I am going to put on you is lip gloss since Sesshomaru has already told me that he finds you beautiful without make-up. I also know that you won't have much time to wash this stuff off, and it's not good for your skin if it's on over night. Now that you are going to have the body of a 20 year old again, you're going to have to work at keeping your face from breaking out again."
Rin giggled, "Who would have ever thought that would happen?"
"After graduation I certainly thought you had blown your chance with him. To be honest with you, I wished that I had told you that I knew he was in love with you."
"You knew?"
"He looked at you in the same way that Miroku looked at me. I knew you were too clueless to see it, but I didn't tell you because I thought you had the courage to tell him." She straightened up and let Rin look in the mirror again. "Do you like the color?"
"Yes."
Sango took a pair of earrings out of a box in her purse and handed them to Rin. "These were my mother's earrings. You may borrow them tonight. Don't worry, I cleaned them. Just don't lose these. If you have to, give them back to me after the ceremony."
"Okay. I can do that."
She then took out a baby blue trimmed garter. "The earrings are borrowed and old; your dress, shoes, and veil are new; and this garter is new and blue. Now you are ready."
"I guess I am." She turned around and hugged Sango. "Thank you. I am eternally grateful."
"It's the least that I could do. You were there for me when I got married, and that was much more nerve wrecking."
"It's still wonderful." Rin let go and stood up. "Let's finish getting me ready since there is an already nervous groom probably growing more nervous every second the waiting drags on."
Ten minutes later Rin was standing in her dress admiring herself in a full length mirror in the women's bathroom. She was given a bouquet of fresh flowers. "Sesshomaru went through a lot to get fresh flowers since you love them so much."
"How?"
"We found a florist out here that has a large greenhouse and grows most types of flowers all year round. You'll be pleasantly surprised when you see the rest of this place. Now, are you ready to make the next step in your life?"
"I've been ready for a looooong time," she giggled.
"Let's go then."
They stepped out and Sango opened the doors to the main room. Clearing her throat she walked to her seat signaling to the others to do the same. Those who were sitting down stood up and all eyes focused on Rin.
She was in awe of the room. It was decorated in all kinds and colors of flowers, everything she had ever wanted for her wedding and more. Sesshomaru stood regally waiting for her in a black tuxedo that made his silver hair and golden eyes stand out even more. Rin smiled at him, and he smiled back.
She linked arms with Sesshomaru when she got to the other end of the aisle. "You look beautiful," he whispered to her. Rin's response was a bigger smile and a small blush.
The music stopped and their guests sat down. The Chief Justice started her speech, "Sesshomaru wanted me to start by thanking all of you for coming today and helping him with the planning. I must say, Rin, that you are a lucky woman because this is better than what most men do for their wives.
"Love is what brought us here today: the love between Rin and Sesshomaru. I haven't known either of them for long, but I have been a great many things about their relationship. It is said that they first met in college, and during that time they fell in love. However, they did not tell each other. Fifteen years later they had thought of no one else but the other. When he moved to Springfield he decided that he was going to look for her, but he didn't have to go far when one of the kids she was babysitting ran through his backyard. He normally won't have cared, but his mother was there. When he returned the boy to her, it was like time froze for both of them. From then on they started having Friday evening dinner and political discussions until Sesshomaru had a dream that pushed him to finally court her.
"Their relationship became famous once he hit the campaign trail with her joining them on the weekends. Sesshomaru's mother became rather upset about Rin being associated with Sesshomaru, and after a fight, Rin thought it best to cut her ties with Sesshomaru in hopes that he would be able to repair his relationship with his mother. While the public was rather distraught over the true rumors, no one was more upset than either of them. It was for that reason that Sesshomaru's mother decided to kill Rin to help Sesshomaru get over his broken heart, but it ended up backfiring for her and being the biggest advantage for them. I'm told by Sesshomaru that while they were still in the police station they admitted their love for each other and he proposed to her.
"What I find the most interesting about them is that they are not afraid to show the world that they love each other when it seems like the world is against them. While much of the world doesn't find it right for humans and demons to love each other, they still pursued a relationship. While his mother is against their union, here they stand. That is only a glimpse into the love they share for each other.
"It is for that reason why I am proud to be marrying this worthy couple. If there is anyone now that believes that they should not be married, they should speak now or forever hold their peace." She paused for a couple of seconds before continuing, "Sesshomaru, do you take Rin to be your lawfully wedded wife, to live together in marriage? Do you promise to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health and forsaking all others, be faithful only to her so long as you both shall live?"
"I do."
"Rin, do you take Sesshomaru to be your lawfully wedded husband to live together in marriage? Do you promise to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health and forsaking all others, be faithful only to him so long as you both shall live?"
"I do."
She reached into her suit coat and pulled out two rings. She handed them to each other, and Rin snuck a peek at his ring to see if he had even gotten the rings engraved in time, which he had. "The wedding ring is the outward and visible sign of an inward bond which unites two loyal hearts in endless love. It is a seal of the vows Sesshomaru and Rin have made to one another. May Sesshomaru and Rin, who give these rings and who wear them, may they ever abide in peace and live together in unity, love, and happiness for the rest of their lives.
"Sesshomaru, repeat after me: I come here today, Rin, to join my life to yours before this company." He slipped the ring on her finger while repeating it. "In their presence I pledge to be true to you, to respect you, and to grow with you through the years." He repeated the words. "Time may pass, fortune may smile, trials may come; no matter what we may encounter together, I vow here that this love will be my only love." He again repeated it. "I will make my home in your heart from this day forward." He finished the vows as tears of joy started falling from Rin's eyes.
"Rin, please repeat after me: I come here today, Sesshomaru, to join my life to yours before this company." She slipped the ring on his finger trying to be careful of his claws while repeating the phrase. "In their presence I pledge to be true to you, to respect you, and to grow with you through the years." She repeated the words. "Time may pass, fortune may smile, trials may come; no matter what we may encounter together, I vow here that this love will be my only love." As she repeated the words her voice cracked with emotion. "I will make my home in your heart from this day forward." She finished the vows as Sesshomaru's right hand wiped away the tears.
"And now since you have signified your love by the exchange of vows and the exchange of rings, I pronounce you husband and wife. These were two and are now one. Sesshomaru, you may now kiss your bride." Sesshomaru lifted the veil from Rin's face before cupping it between his hands and pulling her in for a kiss. Their friends cheered as they broke their kiss.
The women hugged Rin as Sesshomaru shook Miroku's hand. The rest of the men gave their congratulations while knowing better to touch his wife and very-soon-to-be mate. Before they left, they filled out the marriage license and the forms that changed Rin's last name from Ito to Ito-Takahashi.
Sesshomaru wasted no time in marking Rin they got home. The minute he closed the door to the garage from the house he threw off his coat and unbuttoned the top of his shirt. With one hand he moved one of hers to hold the shirt collar away from his neck while his other unzipped her dress enough to move it off of the junction of her neck. "When I mark you, I want you to bite that spot on me. Make sure you draw blood before you let go." Rin nodded her head and gulped.
He leaned down and licked the spot before she felt his fangs dig in. Rin gasped quickly before remembering what she was supposed to be doing. With all of her might she bit him and held as tightly as she could despite the fact that she was suddenly feeling very strange. Her body went numb and then began buzzing and her skin began to stretch and pull. Sesshomaru could feel her losing control as she slumped against him, so he held her closer to himself. When she could taste something foreign in her mouth she let go and collapsed. He licked her wound as he held her in one arm and rubbed his blood away with the other hand.
Then just as quickly as the feeling came, it was gone. Her feet were able to hold her weight again, and she leaned off Sesshomaru slowly. His hand was still pressed against his neck to keep from bleeding onto the shirt and possibly her dress. He looked into the face of his mate; the youth of when he first fell in love with her had returned to her face. "What happened? Why did I feel like that?"
"Your body was getting use to immortality."
She realized now that her body did feel different and she was gaining energy she hadn't had in years. Taking him by his free hand, she dragged him through the first floor to the bathroom. One look in the mirror confirmed that she really had gotten younger, but there was no time to think of that with Sesshomaru still bleeding. She got a towel wet and applied it to where she had bitten him. "I'm sorry. I can't believe I could cause so much blood."
"That is the only way it will remain. Every other cut or scrape I get heals rather quickly and leaves no scars."
"You will always have my mark?"
"Yes, just like I did in my dream." She removed the towel and rinsed it out before sponging the area to rid it of the drying blood.
"There, I think it's done bleeding."
"Rin, are you okay with your new body?"
That caught her off guard. "Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be? I will now be with you forever."
"You didn't say anything about it."
"That's because I was more worried about you." She leaned in and kissed him. "Besides, I'm still gaining back energy from the ordeal and more. I haven't been this full of energy since I was 20, but then again, that would make sense since I'm physically 20 in human years again." She laughed at her statement and out of nervousness. The way he was eying her drove strange chills down spine that were both frightening and pleasurable. In a matter of only seconds their lips crashed against each other in a heated passion they never had felt before.
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I got the vows off of