While I admit to having had my reservations about blending western and traditional customs for a wedding ceremony, it came together quite well. The hanyou and his bride decided to hold the ceremony at the Higurashi shrine with only immediate family and the hanyou's friends present. It was a struggle to get InuYasha to stop fidgeting with the more traditional style of kimono he has not worn in nearly a century, however, upon seeing Kikyou walking in, he seemed too mesmerised to remember his discomfort. I hear Kagome giggle on the other end of the shrine and glance over to find her hiding her smile behind her hand at InuYasha's expression. She catches me staring and blushes before nodding her head back towards the couple, a warning to pay attention. I allow myself one more glance at her in her emerald green kimono, pink flowers falling down the sleeves in an array of shades, gold obi cinched around her waist. Beautiful, I hide a smirk as I return my attention to the ceremony, more than a little proud when the hanyou does not fumble over his vows or commit any other blunders.
Upon arrival at the reception, Kikyou exits, along with her bridesmaids, to make her first of possibly several outfit changes, as is customary in a traditional Shinto wedding. She returns wearing a red kimono embroidered with black cherry blossoms along the sleeves, white dogs dancing between the blooms. The bride and groom sit at the front of the room, seemingly unable to stop staring at each other. Once everyone has been served, I stand up and cross the room to begin the speeches. InuYasha visibly pales as I take my place to their right and everyone silences, pulling a smirk from my lips. Kagome narrows her eyes and her warning from earlier plays in my head, Do not do anything to embarrass them. It's Kikyou's day just as much as InuYasha's and, as his older brother, you need to behave. I breathe out a chuckle, shaking my head, before addressing the small crowd.
"As many of you are already aware, InuYasha is my half-brother on my father's side. There was a long period of time in which we were incapable of being in the same room without someone making an attempt on the other's life." A few of the humans present laugh, not truly grasping the fact that such a thing is common among our kind. Those who do know better, however, or were there witness to our numerous fights groan at the memories. "It was not until after I graduated high school, again, that we slowly became capable of being civil, and even later until we could be considered on friendly terms. "While I was not involved in my younger brother's high school experiences, I do recall two young women often accompanying him, one of which now sits beside him. She was the year below me at the time, three years older than his own class, and so I did not even begin to consider the idea that she might be serious about him, a hanyou." I hear Kagome clear her throat, just softly enough for me to hear, and notice her unamused expression. "Especially when the other young woman, just a year below him, so clearly cared for his happiness and well-being." At this, both she and InuYasha blush, looking around the room. "This being the case, one can imagine my surprise at learning that they began a serious relationship after she graduated high school. I still did not think much of it, humans are a fickle species after all, and I could not bring myself to entertain the idea of a priestess and hanyou making it." I turn to face the newlyweds, InuYasha's head held up by his hand as he glares daggers in my direction, no doubt wishing he had made the monk his best man instead.
"However, I returned home from school one summer and began observing their interactions, their behaviours. Over the course of the following weeks, I found a woman with not only the patience to deal with my brother and his antics but the capacity to find them endearing. Around her, InuYasha was less brash, calmer in his demeanour, and all-around much more tolerable to be around. The more I watched them, I noticed Kikyou coming out of her shell, laughing more, talking more. I found that they both contained the missing pieces of the other in order to fill the holes they were otherwise unable to fill. It is this one's belief that this match, while seemingly doomed to fail at the start, is exactly what they require to live fulfilling lives. With that, Kikyou." She raises her eyebrow, a smile pulling at her lips. "He is your problem now." Laughter echoes throughout the room as InuYasha opens his mouth to express his displeasure, no doubt, but upon seeing the joy on his bride's face, he settles back down and nods in my direction. I nod back and take my seat at the bridal party's table, beside Kagome. She smiles up at me, pride shining through her eyes.
"That was actually really sweet," she whispers. "You did good."
"You had doubts?" She scoffs at my inquiry, knowing it is not serious, and rolls her eyes. "I believe it is your turn." At this, she groans and makes her way to the front of the room.
"Hi everyone," she greets the audience once they have collected themselves. "For those of you who don't know me, I'm Kagome, Kikyou's cousin and InuYasha's friend. I also happen to be the other girl from Sesshomaru's speech." She blushes again as she gestures towards me, earning a few chuckles from the crowd. "I remember the first day I met InuYasha. It was in the courtyard of our family's shrine just in front of the Goshinboku tree. He was sitting on the ground, leaning up against it, completely passed out… and I couldn't seem to stop staring," she admits, embarrassment coating her voice. "The hair, the ears, I'd never seen anyone like him. I thought he seemed pretty out so, I walked over to see if he was okay and before I knew it… I was rubbing his ears." More laughter from the crowd, and the bride, as both InuYasha and Kagome's faces stain bright red. "I know, it was horrible, but it woke him up and led to the first of many times that he mistook me for my older cousin. After that, I kept hanging around him, absolutely bothering the hell out of him. I knew he didn't really want me around, but you ladies know how it is when you get your first real crush. I'd be lying if I said he wasn't a big reason I applied to the same high school as the two of them.
"Eventually, I managed to get it through my thick skull that not only did I not have a chance, but that I didn't want one. My crush had faded without me realising and all I had left was someone I still consider to be the best friend I could have ever asked for." Her voice turns hoarse as her eyes shine with unshed tears and I notice InuYasha trying to inconspicuously wipe away his own. She turns to face him, a smile on her face as he stares at her as though they were the only two people in the room. "You've been by my side through everything that's happened, nearly failing middle school, barely getting accepted into high school, encouraging me every step of the way through my career, helping out with a few less than pleasant favours." InuYasha shudders at the reminder of his times with Jakotsu as Kikyou rests her hand over his, wiping away a stray tear. "Without Kikyou, I never would have met my best friend. And without InuYasha, I never would have gotten so close to the cousin I was always put against." Kagome wipes away a few stray tears on her kimono sleeve, positively beaming at the couple. "I owe two of the greatest relationships of my life to you guys and I couldn't be any happier that we're all officially family. No two people on this earth are so clearly made for each other more than you. You both deserve all the happiness that this world can give and then some. I love you guys." Unable to remain seated any longer, InuYasha shoots out of his seat and jumps down from the stage to pull Kagome tightly against him.
"I love you, too, Kagome." I hear him whisper back. Kikyou makes her way down the stage stairs just a second behind him and is soon pulled into the embrace as well. Everyone in the audience cheers at the emotional display, the demons sniffing the air in search of any hint of deception in the miko's words only to find genuine happiness. After a few moments, they all pull apart, wiping their eyes and fixing any smudged makeup, all smiling at each other.
"Thank you so much, Kagome." Kikyou cradles her younger cousin's face, pressing their foreheads together. "I love you, too." Kagome laughs as she pulls away, apologising to the audience.
"I always cry at weddings," she explains, earning several sympathetic smiles as she makes her way back to her seat to raise her glass. "To the happy couple!" Several more speeches are made, Sango leaning across the table during the monk's.
"Any news on the building yet?" She asks, keeping her voice low. Kagome shakes her head, swallowing a sip of champagne.
"Not yet. I'm all paid up on rent and bills for the next few months, but Naraku turned down my first offer. I'm trying to be civil about all of this but it's been suggested that I start looking for a lawyer. If I can prove he's been playing dirty, he might lose the property and I could buy it from the bank."
"That would be great!" At her enthusiasm, I sit up a little straighter and glance at Kagome from the corner of my eye. "I know we all would be more than willing to testify if it goes to court. I mean, he's screwed all of us over, I still blame him for my family's passing, he's gone after Miroku's family for years, and everyone knows about what he did to InuYasha and Kikyou. Have you started looking yet?"
"Yeah, no one really promising yet though." I clear my throat, drawing her gaze before she rolls her eyes. "Sesshomaru's offered up his company's lawyer, but I'd rather do this on my own if possible." Her friend's eyes widen visibly as I turn to face the dancer.
"I did not say he would take your case, merely that he is a viable option to speak with and requires no retainer." Kagome snorts, disbelief taking hold of her features.
"Right, like he would refuse his boss. You say jump and everyone on that payroll says how high. I want to handle it."
"And you will, but, should the need arise, my resources are at your disposal." Sango glances between the two of us in shock.
"I'm sorry, did I… miss something?" Kagome turns to face her once again, her cheeks stained red as she tucks a piece of hair behind her hair, pointedly not glancing in my direction. "Wait a minute. Did you…" she trails off, looking to me for confirmation as Kagome clearly isn't going to give it. I nod my head once in response, nearly smirking as the young woman's face lights up. "I knew it! Oh my god, when?" She asks excitedly, earning several irritated looks from those around us.
"After the dance competition last week," Kagome admits, looking slightly sheepish. "I was going to tell you, I swear, it's just been a crazy week what with everything going on." I tune out the rest of their chatter, having no interest in girl talk. The speeches wrap up shortly after, the monk having been included in the supposed secret of Kagome's and my relationship, and we are all required to change into more modern attire for our dance. When the women return from changing, I find myself unable to tear my gaze from the woman who had changed so much in me in very little time. The red velvet dress grazes the floor with each step she takes, the tops of short, billowy sleeves dip into a low v-neck, falling just at her sternum. Her hair has been swept up into a low bun, curls and waves escaping to frame her face and dance along her shoulders, drawing my attention to her slender neck. I cannot help but think there is nothing she does not look absolutely delectable in. As the piano begins the intro, InuYasha and Kikyou take their places in the centre of the dance floor. A smile on her face, Kikyou straightens her husband's lapel before placing her hand on his shoulder and taking his in her other.
"Heart beats fast, colours and promises. How to be brave? How can I love when I'm afraid to fall?" They start simply with a basic box step before Kikyou spins under InuYasha's arm, smiling as he dips her gently. He spins her once more, earning an applause from a very surprised audience, before resuming the basic steps from before."But watching you stand alone, all of my doubt suddenly goes away somehow. One step closer." They come to a stop in the middle, InuYasha gently caressing Kikyou's face. She rests her hand over his, the two of them practically radiating a nauseating level of affection."I have died every day waiting for you. Darling, don't be afraid, I have loved you for a thousand years, I'll love you for a thousand more." They spin around the room, eyes never leaving each other as my idiot half-brother manages to lead his wife in a near perfect dance. I glance over to find Kagome staring at them as though she were a proud mother. As the chorus drops into the next verse, the monk takes Sango's hand and leads her out onto the floor, Kagome and I following shortly placing my hand on her waist, I notice that her dress has a much lower v in the back and feel my breath catch in my throat.
"Time stands still, beauty in all she is." While I notice the other couples faltering in a few areas, Kagome and I easily glide through the routine. A blush stains her face as my fingers reach out to trace the edge of her dress, a single claw tracing the line across her skin sending goosebumps across her flesh. The look in her eyes is a cross between pleasure and irritation, her warning clear. Behave, they scream. I smirk down at her and respond in the smallest of nods."I will be brave, I will not let anything take away what's standing in front of me. Every breath, every hour has come to this." The women all spin out from their partners and, when we pull them back in, I pull Kagome in a bit closer than we are supposed to and brush a few strands of hair behind her ear before leaning down until my lips brush against her skin.
"Rather fitting lyrics, wouldn't you agree?" Her blush darkens as I step back to resume the routine, spinning her in time with the other dancers on the floor.
"Y-yeah, they've waited a long time for this. They really belong together." I smirk as she trips over her words, momentarily, enjoying being able to tease her so freely now.
"While that is true, I was not referring to them." Her eyebrows lower as her face takes on a confused expression, even as I spin her under my arm into a slight dip. "They are not the only ones who have waited for someone." She blushes again, biting her lip as she realises the months that passed while we were training for her competition, long since realising my attraction began that very first lesson. "I do not intend to allow you to slip away now that I have you." Her eyes widen before falling to the space between us.
"… loved you for a thousand years, I'll love you for a thousand more. And all along I believed I would find you, time has brought your heart to me I have loved you for a thousand years, I'll love you for a thousand more." She chews on the inside of her lip, careful of the lipstick staining her mouth, her eyes darting everywhere but at me without missing a single step or turn.
"What is it?" I ask, quietly. I watch as she takes a deep breath, gathering her thoughts, before finally meeting and holding my gaze.
"I've heard the pretty words before, Sesshomaru. While I know you and your brother are incredibly different… I, I can't help but worry that you'll find someone better like he did." I suppress a sigh at the damage inflicted on her self-confidence at the hanyou's doing and force my expression to remain relaxed as I meet her concerned eyes.
"I have been on this earth far longer than most. I have met many women, including those that were groomed to mate with someone of my status." Her face falls again, nerves coating her scent. Careful not to break her routine, I tilt her chin back up
"One step closer. One step closer." Careful not to break her routine, I tilt her chin back up and hold her gaze, her now free hand falling to grab her skirt.
"Not a single one of them could even begin to hold a candle you. In all my years of living, I've not met a single person more perfect for this Sesshomaru." A giggle escapes her crimson lips at the third-person reference she has been trying to break me of, forcing a smile from me.
"I thought you were working on taking yourself less seriously?" She asks, the teasing tone returning to her voice.
"It would appear that this one requires more practice," I admit, going along with what has now become a running joke.
"Oh really?" She smiles, trying not to laugh, and I nod in response.
"Evidently. I believe a more hands-on approach is required to fully break the habit." This time she is unable to contain her laughter as she leans against me in an attempt to, at least, keep the other guests from noticing. I lean down next to her ear again, careful to keep my voice low so as to keep any other demons present from hearing. "Perhaps we could arrange a more private practice this evening after the festivities," I suggest, loving the way her face heats up against my chest and her grip on my hand tightens ever so slightly. I hear her swallow in the back of her throat before she backs up, glancing at me from under her lashes.
"Not sick of me hanging around yet?" I smirk as she steps under my arm once more for a final spin before stepping back into my arms. I run the back of my finger across her cheekbone as everyone on the dance floor comes to a standstill.
"Never," I admit, already calculating how long I must wait before it is acceptable, by human customs, to request that she move in.
"I have loved you for a thousand years, I'll love you for a thousand more.
Well, guys, we made it to the end. I gotta say, when I started writing this story two or three years ago on Wattpad, I had no idea it would end up being this big or that so many people would want to read it. I can't even begin to explain how much it means to me that someone enjoyed what I wrote, especially when it's something I thought about almost daily for almost a year before actually sitting down to write it. It really grew into something that I'm actually quite proud of and I'm not quite ready to let go of the characters yet. So, I am pleased to announce that I have already started working on a sequel from Kagome's perspective a few months after this ends. I'm going to try to work on it during the rest of my winter break and get a few chapters done so I'm ahead of schedule when school does start back up like how I had this one for the first several months of posting, those who have been here since before quarantine will remember the days of consistent weekly posting lol. If anyone is interested, Kagome's bridesmaid dress is the Ellis dress at Jenny Yoo, you can type that into google and it should pop right up for my visual readers, but unfortunately, there is no link to the dance as I sort of just choreographed it myself (not very well mind you) and it really isn't focused on too much as I wanted to get in that last bit of dialogue between our two lovebirds.
Again, thank you so so much to all of you for reading and commenting on my little story if you did, I really do appreciate it more than you know, and please, if you are interested in the sequel, turn on the notifications for either this story or myself so you can be alerted of it's posting. I believe I will post a brief preview on this story a week or two before I'm ready to start posting the next story so you can get a little sneak peek and decide if you like where that one is going and how it is written as it will be from Kagome's point of view and not our beloved daiyoukai. I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season, if you're travelling stay safe, and I'll see you all in the new year!