Theatre

The sound of gongs echoed throughout the merchant's stalls. Ears of many of the kitsune perked and twitched, as they finished their shopping and headed down a stone path. Curious for what was to come, Kagome grabbed Sesshoumaru's hand tight in excitement.

"What's next?" she asked as he led her through the crowd.

"Dinner," he replied, just as the stone path gave way to an open field with a stage built directly in its center. Long communal tables were set up in rows in front of the stage, where already kitsune lounged about sipping sake and laughing with one another.

Sesshoumaru found them an open spot at a table to the right side of the stage. He held Kagome's hand as she carefully kneeled down to sit on a decorated zabuton before taking his seat next to her. Waiters swarmed around them, placing dishes of savory meats, soups, and rice on the table. A small kitsune dropped off cups and a jug of saké, much to Sesshoumaru's relief.

"Oh! Great, I'm starving!" Kagome said with a laugh as she grabbed a bowl and piled it high with meat and pickled vegetables, while Sesshoumaru poured himself a cup of saké.

She eyed him for a moment when he failed to pour another cup. "Don't be rude, pour me some too."

"No." He said simply before tossing the cup back, downing the alcohol in one gulp.

"What? Why not?" She asked with her lips pursed in a pout. There were already small grains of rice sticking to her cheeks.

"It's youkai sake."

"Hmf." Kagome huffed in defeat, choosing to soothe herself with another bite of food. She had her fair share of experience with youkai sake and it was probably best that she not drink; especially as none of those experiences had ended well. Her happiness returned when a few moments later another waiter appeared with a tea-pot, pouring her a cup and offering it to her with a bow before hurrying off again.

Sesshoumaru watched as she shoveled food into her mouth with enthusiasm. "It is good to see you eating." He said softly.

She paused with her chopsticks halfway to her mouth, before turning to look at him. "I...uh...it's good." Kagome stammered, brushing away the rice from her cheeks with her free hand. She turned her gaze to the stage.

"So what's the stage about?" She asked, changing the subject in attempt to take his attention off of her eating.

He poured himself some more sake. "Kitsune tend to like the dramatic arts."

"Oh, I never knew that, I guess..." She paused as her attention was drawn to a kitsune who had jumped on stage. His robes were bright and gaudy looking. He looked relatively young, but knowing youkai he could be a thousand years old, and she wouldn't know it. The speaker spread his arms out to address the audience.

"Welcome our most esteemed guests! Tonight we will perform for you the greatest love story ever told!" He turned and gestured to a male and female kitsune, who stepped up on stage.

"Tonight our actors will be Suzaki playing the part of Hajime" At this the male kitsune bowed before the crowd and in a flash he transformed into a Hajime-look-a-like. "And Toki here will play the part of Kiyomi." The actress bowed as smoke rose from her feet and covered her body. When the smoke cleared, a Kiyomi imitation stood in her place.

The audience cheered, barked, and whistled. This was taking theatre to a whole new level! A slow drum began to play, and the curtains surrounding the staged dropped, obscuring the actors. Smoke crept across the stage and a flute softly played as the curtain rose again.

"Kiyomi, my love!" The Hajime clone cried out before rushing to his lover. Kiyomi clone threw her arms around his neck.

"Oh I have missed you so much!" She cried, burying her face in the curve of his shoulder

"Defy your father and allow me to steal you away!" Hajime pleaded.

Kiyomi pulled back to look at him. "You know I could never do that. I respect my father and honor my clan. I would not shame them." She admonished.

"Something must be done to convince your stubborn father. We have been courting in secret for over a hundred years."

"I know, my love, but Father is not ready to relinquish his rule."

"I will find a way to make him see reason!" Hajime declared.

The audience cheered, and the curtain fell once more. Kagome couldn't help but feel happy for the star-crossed lovers. How romantic that Hajime never gave up on marrying Kiyomi!

The drum beat stopped, drawing her attention back to the stage. The curtain rose again to reveal the Hajime-actor seated seiza against the floor before another actor resembling the dour Atsushi clan leader.

"Please, Lord Atsushi, allow me to marry your daughter and join our clans together." Hajime asked politely, bowing low before Kiyomi's father with his hands on the floor.

The gruff leader crossed his arms over his chest. "No, I forbid it. You have asked me the same foolish question for a hundred years. Why would you think I would change my mind now?"

Hajime's raised from his bow, his expression serious. "You know that war is slowly creeping up on our lands. We must stand together otherwise we will all be destroyed. Do not become the lord who was remembered for allowing his pride to destroy his clan."

Atsushi paced around the stage. "Your father is passing his leadership to you?"

The young lord nodded. "Yes. He will remain by my side as an advisor. I had hoped you would do the same, and lend us your great knowledge."

The gruff kitsune stalked the stage, before turning to the audience.

"This kit is so foolish! I have given him every grueling test under the sun to deter him away from my daughter, but it has not stopped him." His shoulders slumped. "Should I allow this kit to rule my clan?"

The audience answered him with enthusiasm. "YES!"

Atsushi turned back to Hajime with a flourish of his robes, that Kagome seriously doubted the real Atsushi would ever get caught doing.

"I will allow you to marry my daughter, if only for the survival of our clans." He said sighing in an exaggerated manner.

The audience cheered and clapped while the actors bowed on stage.

"Eat, drink, and be merry! Let us celebrate this marriage that has waiting for a hundred years! The Hajime-actor called out the guests.

Kagome's eyes wandered down her side where his striped hand held hers. Her stomach fluttered with butterflies.

She rubbed her thumb across his skin. "Sesshoumaru-sama...what are we?"

He leaned into her, smelling her sharp pure scent. What were they? What did she mean?

She could see the confusion on his face. "I mean...us...I don't mean to offend you, but are you...uh...we cour-"

"Miko-sama, Sesshoumaru-sama. Good evening." A soft voice said behind them.

Kagome turned and looked to see the bride herself. "Oh!" She said surprised. Pulling her hand from Sesshoumaru's, she scrambled to stand up and bow respectfully. She looked with question at Kiyomi's empty side, for the bride had been tied to the groom.

Kiyomi chuckled behind her hand. "Ah, I see you noticed. My father was kind enough to release us from Hatakeyama's spell. I wanted to say thank you for attending our wedding." She turned to Sesshoumaru, bowing respectfully. "My Lord, would you mind if I spent some quality time with your companion here?"

He had opened his mouth to say 'no' immediately, but Kagome answered first. "Of course!"

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Author's note: First of all I have to give a HUGE thank you to Saruwarui, who actually co-wrote part of this chapter. She's pretty AMAZING.