Ah, I know that all of you are thinking that something bad is going to happen to our wonderful couple on the day of their wedding. Maybe there will be and maybe there won't. I will let you just read and find out.
In the last chapter:
All of the guests have arrived at the palace for the wedding. Akoro and Sheila have asked for everyone's approval before making their courting official. Kagome spent the night in her old room with her mother. And Akoro and Sheila shared their first kiss of their new relationship!
Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha but I do have my words! Muhahahaha!
The next morning before sunrise, Kagome was awake. She hadn't slept that well in her old room that was now her mother's last night. She was already sipping tea and looking out the window and thinking how the scenery looks so different on this side of the palace than in Sesshomaru's bedchambers. She had grown so accustom to the sights and the sounds from his window that she just couldn't believe how beautiful everything looked everywhere.
"Are you ready to start your day with your new husband?"
Kagome turned around quickly and saw her mother wrapping her robe around her.
"Mother you just about scared me to death!" Kagome said grabbing her chest.
"I am sorry Kagome. I guess that I thought that you heard me get out of bed."
"I was not paying much attention."
"Are you nervous for the formal ceremony?"
"Yes, I just hope that everything goes ok. I am a little nervous at how everyone is going to react to how I look and stuff."
"Kagome, they are going to think that you are the most beautiful bride that these lands have seen in a long time."
"Awe mother, you are just too kind to me." Kagome said wrapping her mother in her arms.
"Kagome, that is what mother's are here for. Now, let's get you into the hot springs for a bath! You know that it takes ages for your hair to dry!"
"Yeah I know." Kagome said while they got their things together and went into the hot spring.
Meanwhile, Sesshomaru was looking out his window when InuYasha came in.
"Don't you knock anymore?"
"I have no need. We need to get you ready." InuYasha said.
"I do not need your help today."
"Oh yes you do big boy!" Kouga said from the doorway.
Kagome's scent wafted into the room and Sesshomaru turned away and looked towards the door. Kouga noticed this and shut the door quickly.
"Remember, her mother said that you are not allowed to look at her until she walks down the aisle." Kouga said sharply.
Sesshomaru growled as he remembered that from the previous night. He had such the urges to go and see her during the night, just to watch her sleep. But then he knew that he would be going against her times rules and did not want to do that. He could not disrespect her that way. But the smell of her scent almost drove him over the edge when Kouga appeared in the doorway.
Kouga walked into the room more and started to prepare Sesshomaru's kimono as InuYasha was getting the soaps and shampoo ready for the hot spring. Sesshomaru did not take notice in what they were doing. He was thinking about how he slept last night. How each time he closed his eyes, he saw his father, his mother and InuYasha's mother holding his child in her arms. He did not know the reason for that but he knew that they all would be looking down at him today. He somewhat felt their presence all around him.
"Come on Sesshomaru, you need to take a bath now." Kouga said as he pointed to the hot spring.
Sesshomaru growled at him and then took off his night pants and got into the hot spring. He was washing his hair when Miroku walked in.
"Doesn't anyone ever knock anymore!" Sesshomaru screamed out.
Miroku chuckled. "Forgive me Sesshomaru but Rin requested that I come in and make sure that your nerves are doing fine. And I see that you are rather razzed."
"I am fine Miroku. I just would like to see Kagome." Sesshomaru said.
"I am sorry but there is a law in her world where you cannot.."
"I know that!" Sesshomaru screamed at him.
"Well, I will tell Rin that you are doing fine then." Miroku said smiling as he left.
Sesshomaru got out of the hot spring and started to dry himself off. InuYasha and Kouga helped him comb out his tail and his hair while he put on the lotion that Kagome left for him. Sesshomaru put his robe back on and draped his tail over his shoulder like he used to.
"Sesshomaru, you have two hours until you need to be in the great hall." Kouga told him.
"I know." Sesshomaru said.
"I will make sure that he gets dressed and ready to go wolfie." InuYasha said.
"Yeah you will pay for that one dog boy later on." Kouga said with a smile as he shut the door.
Sesshomaru sat down at the little table and poured himself some tea.
InuYasha looked at him curiously.
"You are nervous." InuYasha said.
"A little."
"I never would have thought that you of all people would be doing this and then to be nervous!"
"I know. I guess that I never thought that anyone would like me that much to actually go through with it."
"Sesshomaru, I never thought that you would ever love someone else. I remember back when there was a time when we were fighting that you told me that you never understood why I was protecting a human. I really thought that I loved Kagome at that time and that I would die for her. I admit that I was wrong in thinking that at the time when I really only have loved Kikyou. But the feelings that I have for Kagome are more than friendship. They are more like family in a way. I have found that I can still protect her with all my heart and soul and not feel guilty about it. I know that she loved me with all her heart but it was never meant to be. I know that she really belonged to you all along. That for some reason, father made it so."
"What do you mean, father made it so?"
"What I mean by that is, do you notice that some of the choices that he made long ago directed us in the paths that we chose? You despised humans for the longest time and now you have taken one in as your pup. You were mad at father for some time for marrying my mother who was human. Which created you to despise humans for the longest time until Rin came and tried to help you after our fight. Then Kagome came around and you did not like her yet at times, I found that you protected her when you didn't even know it. There was admiration and respect between the both of you before you even took the time to think about it. And you were there helping us defeat Naraku when you really did not need to. My mother also had a part in it when she brought me into this world. If you think about it Sesshomaru, fates have worked night and day on us and now they are finished. Now they are going to let us live out our lives."
Sesshomaru thought about it for a bit and then he said to InuYasha.
"Little brother, I think that the miko is getting to you a little bit. But you do have a point. I do believe that the fates have been working hard on guiding us to where we are today. But if the fates were doing such, then why did I lose my daughter in the process?"
"Because you had to experience loss and love at the same time. Those are the two things that you have not yet experienced. Can you tell me that after she died that you did not feel the true power of the love that you have for Kagome?"
"I did and I noticed that I would do anything at that point to make her happy and to take away her pain."
"Then there you go. You lost someone that you may never know yet you love terribly. And you found out that the love that you have for Kagome was so strong and pure that you would do anything to keep it that way."
"You know what InuYasha."
"What?"
"I am amazed that there are times in your life when your brain actually works."
"Thanks Sesshomaru!"
Sesshomaru laughed a little and slapped InuYasha on the shoulders.
"Well, should I get ready or what?"
"Yeah let's get you ready you nervous buffoon." InuYasha said as he got up and walked over to the armoire.
Meanwhile, Kagome and the girls were getting ready in her old room. There was tons of laughter and giggling going on as they were getting things finished up. Kagome came out of the bathing quarters and looked at everyone.
"So, how do I look?" She asked.
Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at her.
"Oh my gosh you look wonderful!" Gasped Rin as she went over to her and hugged her.
"You look ravishing!" Sango said as she got in line for a hug.
"My. My. I think that we have a cutie on our hands!" Sheila said as she just gazed at her grown up daughter.
"You look so skinny and beautiful!" Aiayme said as she waddled her way over to her.
"You look like a true miko princess Kagome." Kikyou said with a smile.
"Now, do you have everything that you need Kagome?" Sheila asked her.
"I think so mother."
"Do you have something borrowed?"
"Yes, I borrowed Sango's bracelet."
"Do you have something new?"
"Yes, the dress"
"Do you have something blue?"
"Yes, the garter is blue."
"Wonderful then you are all set."
"Mother?"
"Yes Kagome?"
"I am so nervous!"
"Kagome there is nothing that you have to worry about! You have family and friends here with you and you have us."
"I know mother but I still cannot believe that I am doing this!"
"Sesshomaru is a good man and a great demon lord Kagome. I think that you couldn't have picked a better guy! Even in our time!"
Kagome smiled and looked at herself in the mirror one more time before she had to leave. She still could not believe that she was going to be marrying Sesshomaru in a few minutes.
Sesshomaru looked around his bedchambers and saw that InuYasha was finally dressed and ready to go.
"Well, how do I look?" Sesshomaru asked.
"I think that you don't look half bad. You actually clean up well brother."
"Yeah I was thinking the same thing about you too!" Sesshomaru said as they both went out his door and headed down the hallway to the great hall. When they walked in, everyone was prepared for them and got up and bowed at the two lords. They bowed back and headed down the aisle that was created and met Miroku at the front of the great hall.
"You look nice Sesshomaru." Miroku said smiling.
"Thank you Miroku."
"Are you ready to see your bride?"
"Yes."
Miroku nodded and Sayla went and got the women together and ready. The doors opened and standing there was Aiayme with Kouga on her arm. Both of them dressed in the traditional kimono that Kagome requested. Kouga even had his hair combed and pulled back in a very nice ponytail as Aiayme had hers down with a ring of flowers in her hair. They slowly made their way to the front of the great hall as the doors closed behind them. They separated at the front and turned to face the doors as they were opening once again. Sheila and Akoro were now making their way down the aisle. Sheila wore a very beautiful pink, silver and royal blue kimono to represent her family and Sesshomaru's family. Akoro wore his royal blue and silver kimono to represent that he was Sesshomaru's servant. As they reached the front, they too separated and watched for the next pair, which was Rin and Sota. Rin wore her royal blue and silver kimono with flowers in her basket. Sota wore his pink and silver with some royal blue kimono. He made sure that he was clean-shaven and since being there, his hair has started to grow a little longer so it was pulled back into a small ponytail. They slowly made their way down and turned around to see Sango and Kanna walk down the aisle. Sango wore a royal violet colored kimono with silver orchids and Kanna wore a white with royal blue kimono to represent her and Kohaku's colors. As they parted ways and turned around everyone stood up and turned to the doors. As they opened there stood Kohaku and Kagome. Kohaku wore a royal blue with white orchids kimono. And Kagome wore her beautiful kimono that Aiayme and everyone helped put together. Sesshomaru could not believe his eyes.
Her hair was in loose curls with flowers holding some of it back. Her face was slightly painted with makeup and her smile was one that could blind people. As they made their way down the aisle he could not stop looking at her.
Kagome looked at Sesshomaru and the others standing at the alter. She was happy that she did not go through with making them wear silver kimonos and royal blue ones for the boys. She loved it that they look ravishing in their own colors.
"Kagome, thank you for letting me give you away." Kohaku whispered to her.
"Kohaku you are the brother that I had when my own was gone from me while I was here. I am proud to be able to feel like family with you."
As they reached Miroku and Sesshomaru, they stopped.
"Lord Kohaku, do you willingly release Lady Kagome to Lord Sesshomaru?" Miroku asked.
"I do release her willingly on behalf of the Artic Fox clan that is represented by Lady Sheila and Lord Sota." Kohaku said seriously.
At that time, Kohaku turned to Kagome and smiled at her. He gave her a quick hug and then kissed her cheek and went to stand by Sota. Kagome then walked slowly up to Sesshomaru and he took her arm and they faced Miroku.
"Lord Sesshomaru. Lord of the Western Lands. Do you willingly take Lady Kagome as your mate for life?" Miroku asked.
"Yes I do."
"Lady Kagome. Lady of the Artic Fox clan. Do you willingly take Lord Sesshomaru as your mate for life?"
"Yes I do."
Miroku then nodded his head and Sango came over to him and gave him the red ribbon that was in her hands. He took it with a smile and then faced them once again.
"Please put your hands on top of one another for me please."
They then faced each other and put their hands together as he asked.
Miroku went towards them.
"With this red ribbon, I am binding your love, your hate, your dreams and your life together. This red ribbon is to represent all that you mean to each other and more. No one outside the two of you can break this ribbon for any reason. When he feels pain, you will feel pain. When she feels happiness, you will feel happiness. This ribbon is the seal of the love that you share and the love that will grow as time passes on." Miroku said as he wrapped the red ribbon around their left hands.
InuYasha then came over with a golden chalice in his hands. He gave it to Miroku and bowed his head. Miroku bowed back as he took the chalice from InuYasha. He placed the chalice under their right hands. He then withdrew a small dagger, which bore the Tachido insignia. With the dagger, he sliced through their hands letting the blood run into the chalice. Once he thought that there was enough, he withdrew the dagger and their wounds were healed. He placed the chalice into Sesshomaru's hand.
"Lord Sesshomaru, this is your final step to accepting Lady Kagome fully into your life. Do you willingly take her into your life?"
"Yes I do."
"Then drink the blood that you want to share with her."
Sesshomaru looked at Kagome and smiled. He then brought the chalice up to his mouth and took a big swig. He then handed it to Kagome.
"Lady Kagome, this is your final step to accepting Lord Sesshomaru fully into your life. Do you willingly take him into your life?"
"Yes I do."
"Then drink the blood that you want to share with him."
Kagome smiled and drank what was left in the chalice. She then handed the chalice to Miroku and they faced the whole great hall.
"I would like to present to you, Lord and Lady Tachido of the western lands." Miroku said proudly.
With that everyone started hooting and hollering in excitement. Kagome looked at Sesshomaru and took him into her arms and kissed him deeply. He embraced her tightly during the kiss and then released her.
"I love you Sesshomaru." Kagome said smiling. Her eyes sparkling in the afternoon light that was coming through the windows.
"I love you Kagome." Sesshomaru said.
Kagome and Sesshomaru then started to walk around and talk to everyone that was there. They were having a lot of fun and they were happy that things were finally official between the two of them. Sheila cried the whole time, which she was thankful for waterproof makeup that she brought with her.
It was not until later when they were getting ready for the feast that Rin came up to them.
"Why did you not include me in the blood exchange ceremony?" She asked.
"I thought that since you are going to be with Sota, that you should remain the way that you are. He loves you for whom you are now and would not want to change that with the blood exchange that you would have done with us. It was a last minute request that he made to me before the ceremony." Kagome said.
Rin looked down at her feet and then over at Sota where he was chatting with InuYasha and Kouga.
"He loves me that much that he just wants me to be a hanyou like him and InuYasha?"
"Yes, Rin you don't know how much he truly loves you. But if you look into his eyes, you will see the truth."
"Sesshomaru-sama, do you feel the same way?"
"Yes I do Rin. I think that it was a good idea. I love you just the way that you are as well but yes, I do feel that Sota loves you more than me."
Rin's face started to blush and Sota glancing over came to her.
"Are you ok Rin?" He asked her with concern in his voice.
"I am fine. I am just fine." Rin said smiling as she looked into his eyes and saw just how deep the love that he has for her really is.
"Let's eat! I am starving!" Kagome said smiling and everyone started to sit down at their tables. At the head table it was Aiayme and Kouga, then Sango and Miroku, InuYasha and Kikyou, then Sesshomaru and Kagome, Sheila and Akoro, and finally Rin and Sota.
Once everyone was seated, the servants started to come out with trays loaded with meats, veggies, and fruits for everyone to dine on. They brought out large flasks full of sake for everyone to drink from. They then brought out large pots of tea that was set out for the guests to drink from when they wanted on each of the tables. For the next hour or so everyone in the great hall were eating, drinking, laughing, or just chatting. Kagome looked around the great hall at who all were there to help celebrate this day and she couldn't believe that so many had arrived.
Sesshomaru stood up and motioned her to stand as well. She proudly stood next to the great Taiyoukai and entangled her arm into his.
"Everyone I would like to say on behalf of both of us that we are very pleased to see the great hall in the Tachido palace filled once again with friends and family to celebrate this day. Now, let us dance the night away and rest later. For now is the time for fun and celebration." Sesshomaru said happily. He then bent over and kissed his bride on the lips softly as the music started to play in the background.
The night was full of laughter, drinking, dancing and talking. It was not until later in the night that the palace was finally quiet as everyone slumbered into their beds. There was only one couple left awake as they stood on the veranda of their bedchambers.
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