The Big Day

"You need to stay here," was what Kikyo told him with no life to be found in her voice as she stood before InuYasha nude, "it'll be better for you. You've already told me InuYasha that you feel more in control when you're here with me."

More in control? InuYasha hated it when Kikyo told him what was best for him. Did she not realize he wasn't the same as Naraku? He wasn't some collection of thousands of demons that screamed in his head demanding evil deeds be done. No he only had one voice in his head one that told him he'd lose everything his father had left him if he didn't obey his alpha brother... at least for the time being.

"We shouldn't do this anymore," InuYasha shook his head getting dressed as Kikyo was doing the same, "it's not better for me it's just- when I look at you I still see beauty Kikyo. Even if you don't see it yourself, but with that tone and the way you've been acting for a while I wonder if I should let you go."

Kikyo wanted to be angry, but she didn't even know how anymore. She couldn't tell him how how betrayed she would be if he never returned to her side. She wasn't capable of that kind of passion anymore. Ever since she died it was like a piece of her was missing. A piece of her that would allow for her to be invested in another enough to care. All people and demons were to her anymore were pieces on the board she could use to further her own game. The last of the first born would create a paradise for even a slave, that had been the prophecy Kikyo had learned of from her god, and she fully believed it was about herself having been a slave once. If she could find her paradise perhaps she could feel alive again, feel something real again. She just had to follow the path set out for her.

"You're too far in InuYasha," Kikyo spoke matter-of-factly, "there is no letting go. Do you still want to become a full fledged demon? I can make that happen for you. You just need to stay with me a little longer."

InuYasha looked uncomfortable not giving a yes or no answer, "Do you still want to be an average woman? That was what you told me once Kikyo, but instead here you are married to that spider and calling yourself queen. Doesn't seem very average to me. Kagome is the same you know? Did she really say she wanted me to propose to her? She would have given up being a princess and this life for me? Doesn't matter anyway. Sesshoumaru will change her. She'll just become like all the rest won't she?"

Finally some emotion stirred in Kikyo as she was only capable of displaying one emotion in that moment, which was complete and total jealousy.

"Don't speak of that wench," Kikyo turned around and showed him she was displeased, "my wish is a lot more complicated than it sounds. There are things I have to do and Naraku is the one who will get me where I need to be. He might love me and he might believe that one day he can have my heart, but that weakness of his is just something I am taking advantage of. He even knows it so there is so no sense in hiding anything. He'll endure it if it means just getting a glimpse of me returned to a true caring woman. You're the one I wish to give me heart to InuYasha. It's always been you I loved, but you wish to leave me and talk about Kagome of all people? She is just another pawn in this as well. I hope you realize that."

InuYasha let out a growl. He knew Kikyo had powers and that she worshipped a god that was seemingly real, but he was unaware of her intentions for Kagome. He had been hoping her being married off to Sesshoumaru was Naraku and Kikyo simply freeing themselves of the girl, but that didn't seem like the case.

When Kikyo talked about love the tone of her voice made it seem like a foreign concept. Something she couldn't recognize anymore. If she was fully admitting she didn't have a heart and was incapable of it her words should have meant nothing, but despite what InuYasha said he could never abandon that woman. He owed her too much to do that. He'd give his life for Kikyo if it ever came down to it, but his stance had changed a little when Kagome came into his life.

"Kagome isn't a pawn," InuYasha shook his head, "the girl has been through enough Kikyo. Sesshoumaru being my alpha is why I can't stay, but there is also her. I have to protect her. She'll be all alone and I don't think she knows what she's getting into."

"Protect her!?" Kikyo shouted turning around knowing how to play on InuYasha's emotions, "will you protect that first born heathen the same way you protected me InuYasha? You know how well that went."

That immediately shut the pup down and caused him to withdraw himself. Kikyo had no love for Naraku, but at least the spider had some fight to him when she tried to put him in his place. InuYasha was just pathetic. All she had to do was play on his guilt and he could be forced into submission.

"If Sesshoumaru orders you to return to Winter Spiral you'll have to obey," Kikyo spoke coldly, "it would be suspicious if you didn't but if he says nothing you remain by my side InuYasha. Don't worry about that girl. She isn't special and she will never touch your heart. She is just another spoiled brat princess ignorant of the world around her who deserves whatever befalls her. Protect her? You never will InuYasha. You told Sesshoumaru there is something rotten inside him? There is something rotten inside of you. Something that will never heal unless you mind my instructions."

Silence. Yes she had InuYasha exactly where she wanted him. She'd played on his guilt and his fear perfectly. She could no longer empathize with others or see them as anything other than pawns in her game but yet she knew how to play a person. Only thing she was lacking at the moment was reliable power, that much was certain since it would take a full two years for the curse put on Kagome to kill Sesshoumaru.

Killing the dogs, using the guilt of the man she loved, taking full of advantage of Naraku's love for her, and the amount of blood she wanted to spill to achieve her goals was playing out in her head like a sweet melody. For just a brief moment it began to frighten her, but only for a moment as she no longer had a heart.

"I was a good person once wasn't I?" she thought to herself, "and I can be again once I use Kagome's blood. This all isn't in vain I swear it. I can be a good person again. I just need the tools. For now I just have to be a monster. That is all I can do."

"I need to prepare," Kikyo shook her head trying to escape from that short lived pang of guilt and self reflection, "today is the big day. The selfish brat will get her husband and we all must play our part."

"Kikyo," InuYasha nodded ready to take his leave, "I will never leave you. I can't not after what I did, but I can't just leave Kagome alone. I can't help but want to protect her. I know I shouldn't be happy about her having feelings for me, but at least what she felt was something real. Something I haven't felt for a long time by your side."

Something real? That had been all Kagome was looking for. All she really wanted to fill that hole inside of her that had become a void for stolen goods and freedom was someone to want her for something other than power and status. She could never have that. Sesshoumaru had made that clear. She would be entering a loveless arranged marriage for the sole purpose of giving the blood her father once wanted to another.

She could never have her desires fulfilled it seemed, but what Sesshoumaru gave her for a temporary fix was real honesty. He'd been honest in what he wanted and hoped for, and his honesty was laced with promises that gave her hope. It was the lesser of two evils. Her father had demonstrated he was willing to kill her if that's what it'd take and being a princess in a castle was just a secondary prize for still being alive. Sesshoumaru, on the other hand, was promising he wouldn't hurt her and in exchange she'd be receiving the same amount of comfort with a possible family in the future that could give her the love she wanted.

When Sesshoumaru first put that collar on her and told her what her new life would be and how she would one day see him as her alpha, mate, and comfort she had told herself that he was trying to brainwash her and it wouldn't work. She was determined to stay against him, but she'd betrayed herself and let him win after a mere six days. She should have continued to debate if choosing him over her father's abuse was honestly the best idea or if running away was still an option, but she had thrown all of that out the window when she thought on that venomous first kiss.

Something real. That was what she'd felt. It wasn't a cold power move like she'd believe a kiss from him would be, like she'd been anticipating to share with him at their wedding ceremony. It was something real. Something that had sparked something within her. She was choosing Sesshoumaru against all better judgement just for that taste of something that would fill that hole in her heart.

Hours felt like minutes as she remained locked in her father's secret study in the arms of her betrothed silent as she just wanted to feel the warmth of his skin against hers as she sat calmly in his lap. It wasn't the same as his lips pressing against hers, but she felt safe there. She shouldn't have knowing what she knew, but she felt safe nonetheless.

Sesshoumaru was aware of how much time had passed and didn't need the sun peeking through the window and lighting up the dark room to tell him that it was finally time. He had done all he could and believed he was successful in his goal. Kagome now understood what she was to him and knew that those who were living under her roof as well as InuYasha were dishonest. Only he could take care of her, only he could let her grow and experience a real life. He was her salvation and the price she'd be paying was only minimal.

Kissing her seemed to help the situation and much like her learning the truth about Kikyo and InuYasha it wasn't something he had planned. How could he have not taken advantage of those lips? Why should he have had to wait until she was pronounced his? Kagome was already his in his mind and those lips were just too lucious and wanting to be neglected.

"It's time Kagome," Sesshoumaru announced maneuvering her small frame to face the window.

"The big day," Kagome's voice held no excitement but it didn't carry even a whiff of fear.

"Will you run?" he still asked her wanting to make sure he indeed had her.

Kagome shook her head seemingly disappointed as she parted from the safety of his warmth to stand up on tired legs. She took a moment to look over the objects in her father's room recalling that Sesshoumaru said she was free to take anything at her own discretion. He was playing on her weakness, her want to take something to get back at someone. She knew that, so tried to remain strong to show him she had no anxieties.

However, there was one item that seemed to be calling towards her. One small locked chest with a lock made of decorative steel that matched a certain key she had been holding on to. That had to be it, that had to be what the key she stole from Naraku went to. She wasn't looking to steal anything, but now her curiosity was preying upon her.

She said nothing as opened the chest before shutting it immediately. This whole time she thought she had gotten one over on her father, the once talented bandit that made sleight of hand look natural, but she had been the one that got played. The only reason she had that key was because Naraku let her have that key. He wanted her to break in and open that box to discover the dagger he'd previously tried gifting her. The painful looking one that was meant to kill Sesshoumaru.

"What is it?" Sesshoumaru was curious as to what she'd been up and if she'd found anything of value, "did you find that creature's heart?"

"Sesshoumaru," Kagome shook her head trying to regain her composure, "your promises were real weren't they? You'll never hurt me and you'll remain as honest with me like you did this day? You swear it?"

Sesshoumaru just gave a simple nod, "I vowed it to you last night, I'll vow it in front of everyone at the ceremony, and I will continue to hold onto my word until my one of us parts this world. I want my words to hold value, and I cannot hope to achieve that if I deceive the woman that will become my wife and mother to my children."

There was still the chance Kagome was being lied to. Why he would lie to her after revealing her value and origins she'd never be able to logically explain, but there was a chance she was making another mistake.

"Another gamble," she thought to herself, "everything is a risk and once again I'm going all in all because he admitted it's a rigged game."

Kagome opened the chest before taking a few steps away from it so Sesshoumaru could see its contents, "My father told me he wasn't sending me away to marry you. He told me he wants me to kill you and he wants me to do it with this blade and that it can cut through demo- youkai flesh."

Sesshoumaru studied the blade. He couldn't sense any deception in her words and simply looking at the blade proved it. It wasn't made of any mere steel but some kind of powerful youkai remains that carried a dark demonic energy that would indeed render his flesh useless. He recalled what she had said when they met in that tavern about why she wanted to runaway and that someone wanted her to kill someone. He had dismissed it as a silly story she had come up with for as the girl said she was no killer, but now he understood everything.

"Naraku intended to use you to kill me," he gave a slight dangerous chuckle which surprised her, "That shouldn't have been an unpredictable turn of events. I always figured that man for a coward and he has proven it by wishing to dirty the hands of another. I should have suspected no less when he accepted my proposal and seemingly had no issues throwing away a precious flower such as yourself."

"Shouldn't you be angry and declaring war?" Kagome rose an eyebrow thinking she'd get a much worse reaction out of him.

Sesshoumaru shook his head walking over to the chest and pulling out the knife, "Declare war? That is too much of a civilized move to make on a coward. No. I have nothing to fear from him at the moment. He intended to use you, but judging by your honesty you've picked where your loyalties lie now. Did he leave this here for you to find? Let us not disappoint him."

Kagome's eyes widened when Sesshoumaru placed the handle of the blade in her hand. She was surprised he was giving her such a dangerous weapon, but the warmth from his pale skin against hers outweighed her confusion. Why was he having such an affect on her?

"Keep the blade Kagome," Sesshoumaru allowed his touch to linger a little while longer wanting through touch to remember every piece of her flawless skin to see if it would feel the same to him after she truly became his, "carry it on you as often as you wish. If the day ever comes where I betray my word to you I will not have you thought of as a defenseless pawn. Stab that through my flesh and punish me for dishonor."

Were his words suppose to be flattering? They were just disturbing to Kagome. She would never believe what her father said and that there was something evil inside her just waiting to awaken. She could never hurt anyone unless she absolutely had to. She doubted Sesshoumaru breaking his word to her could even drive her that point. If that did happen she could only see herself becoming broken, much too broken to take on a youkai in a struggle.

"If you're unsure think of trusting in me as a wise investment and this blade as a bit of security," he tried to simplify his thoughts to her, "but you don't need to think on it too long. My word is my word and you will become my wife. I will never hurt you Kagome."

He could only repeat the same thing so many times. Kagome had made her decision and that decision was Sesshoumaru. Today was the day she would marry him and it would be up to the future to tell her if she should have had any regrets.

"He gave it to me already so it's not stealing," she made sure to clarify to keep up the perception that she was being strong, "however…"

The desire to steal was growing within her once more. Not because she was nervous or distrusting of Sesshoumaru, but because of that smug look Naraku would be wearing on his face if he was watching everything play out from elsewhere. He probably would enjoy her believing she had gotten one over on him only to discover it was all a set up. She had to do something to hurt him so she could have some sort of a win.

"Scrolls," Kagome exclaimed finding two tightly rolled up pieces of paper in a desk drawer, "these are magic aren't they?"

"Some sort of sutra," Sesshoumaru picked one up analyzing it briefly before becoming disinterested, "related to a barrier it seems by the markings."

"Two scrolls two barriers in the castle," Kagome said to herself looking both over, "the one in the treasury and the one that holds my brother Goshinki captive. I can't just take his gold and get away with it without causing trouble for you, but if the thing he seems to fear more than anything got away and was able to read his mind for only a moment that'd be a devastating loss for him and a win for my brother. Maybe I can see him before I leave."

Sesshoumaru wasn't going to stop her from whatever she was planning as her doing what she wanted with Naraku's belongings was part of the deal, but he hoped she wouldn't cause too many issues. There was only one thing on his mind that day and that was to have her publicly proclaimed as his so he could make preparations to get her away from her family as soon as possible. Sesshoumaru had her now, and even better had her willingly, so he wouldn't throw it all away because Naraku suffered a defeat at the hands of a young girl.

"Take it and let's go," he instructed holding the door open for her hoping Naraku wasn't completely aware of all their activities, "we have business elsewhere. Next time you come to me Kagome you will be coming to me as my willing bride. You understand that?"

"Are you disappointed I'm not kicking and screaming?" Kagome was curious as they made their way through the secret passage way back to the royal keep.

Sesshoumaru was silent for a moment before shaking his head, "As I said I enjoy the fight but I also enjoy having a bride that makes the correct decision. I will not fail you Kagome."

"I know," she gave him a cocky grin as they parted ways in front of her bedroom door where a guard was perplexed as to how she was outside her room when he'd been sure she was confined inside the whole time, "just remember to wear that kimono of yours."

Sesshoumaru gave a nod and seemed calm and composed despite feeling almost a pain within him when her door shut behind her. It seemed his longing for her had grown so much that simply being apart for even a moment pained him. He told himself it was because she was outside of his supervision in a place full of enemies that had gain to ruin today's event, but was that really all?

"It's only natural to want to protect her," Sesshoumaru thought to himself as he made his way to his study where his kimono would be waiting for him, "is that what this feeling is? Is she just merely something of high value I want to protect? That is all she is isn't she? You will not run this day Kagome, I know that so the only promise you've made to me in all of this is one you didn't have to say with words. You will grow into something I will be unable to stay away from. Something much more than merely someone I have to protect."

As far as the wedding ceremony itself would go Sesshoumaru was left completely in the dark. His promises were all true as he indeed wanted there to be a lot of value in his word especially to her. She had full control and all he was expected to do was show up and be at her mercy.

A mere few hours later he'd done exactly that, just shown up to Naraku's throne room where everything was positioned the way she wanted it. Tables were lined up on the sides for the guests with the flower arrangements she'd put a lot of thought into acting as center pieces. On the left of the hall were tables with arrangements of red, yellow, and orange tulips. That side seemingly seemed to be meant for her family as her siblings all stood upon his arrival in an inauthentic show of respect. On the right where the arrangements of blue and white tulips were served as tables for friends such as Sango and that seamstress wolf demon as well other nameless creatures he was unfamiliar with. At the last table on the right side seated as far away from the throne as possible was InuYasha all alone looking completely shut off from the world as though he'd rather be anywhere but there.

The layout had made sense to Sesshoumaru but he could tell someone wasn't playing by the rules. Naraku should have been seated at the first table on the left next to Kikyo, but instead sat smugley on his throne wearing rather plain deep purple silks that were not grand enough for such an occasion. Sesshoumaru might've done the same in that man's position as it was the castle Naraku was king of, but now that he knew that man was nothing more than an abusive coward the daiyoukai couldn't help but feel disgusted that the union would be carried out like a play for the spider's amusement.

However, the distaste in Sesshoumaru's mouth couldn't last for very long as he was given a sweet surprise. He'd been expecting that he would have to stand before Naraku's throne with his longing available for the world notice as he waited for his bride to come down the long hall, but it seemed she was already there. She had made it clear she wouldn't be given away and seemingly she also had no intention of coming to him. They'd meet each other front and center and stand facing one another as equals.

The part of him that longed to be the dominant figure in her life was displeased at how unceremonious the function was beginning, but he couldn't fall to those feelings as he took in her appearance and her dress.

She'd done everything to please him. She was betraying the tradition of her house by not wearing some sort of tiara and her hair was free to fall to her shoulders unyielded by any uncomplicated braids. He had no right to be surprised by any of that as he'd come to expect unwavering loyalty and submission, but he hadn't been expecting that dress.

That flawless milk toned skin that would soon become his was completely exposed as the dress had no sleeves and no collar. The fabric began at the top of her breasts and were correctly sized and curved to them going from there to her waist where there was seemingly only one layer of light blue fabric stopping him from seeing more of her. Below her waist was several layers of ruffled silks going down to her feet with flower shaped lace all apparent at the bottom of the hem traveling back up to her chest. There also seemed to be a bit of shiny material woven throughout a couple of layers forcing her dress to completely shine in the sunlight that poured through the windows of stained glass.

"Absolutely beautiful," was Sesshoumaru's first thought as he couldn't even tell if he was walking towards her or was stopped halfway through the hall as his thoughts were only on her.

He wanted to regret thinking such a thing and find ways to justify it to himself. After all before meeting that girl when did he ever think on something's beauty? Before all he had ever found appealing was the way blood splattered through the sky when his father use to slay a hundred demons with one stroke using the Tetsusagia, but now there was something else to cloud his thoughts with. Just her in that wedding dress, and more importantly what she'd look like out of it.

"Absolutely beautiful," was what Kagome was shocked to hear Sesshoumaru say.

Did he mean to say that? Was it a thought that had somehow escaped him or was he trying to make things more awkward than they already needed to be with her father sat above them in his throne? Indeed that had not been planned and Kagome was quite angry about it, but her thoughts didn't stay with that unsavory line of thinking for too long.

Sesshoumaru had come to her wearing the white kimono with red symbols sewn into the sleeves just as he had when they first met properly with no disguises. She had told him to wear it because she liked it and wanted an excuse to touch it to steal a key from his sleeves, but she was realizing that the kimono had a deeper meaning now. When she first saw him like that she was terrified. He was intimidating with such grand silks and fur hanging from his body. He looked the same just as he did that day, but she wasn't scared anymore. The man before her was the man that was going to be her husband and the man she'd be trusting with her life from that day forward, that was all that was on her mind this time rather than fear.

"I won't be given away and I won't be the one coming to you," Kagome played out the ceremony in her head as she listened to her own heart beat in her chest, "nor am I wearing a veil or going with what's traditional or expected of such a wedding. The only thing that will be predictable is you will kiss me at the end of this Sesshoumaru. Will it feel the same? Will it be real as it felt last night? Will that kiss be worth all of this?"

Between Kagome and Naraku was a simple humble priest that Kagome had enlisted from the city. She didn't want any grand figure from any popular religion that she had no real grasp on and instead settled for just a simple man who had the power to declare Kagome and Sesshoumaru husband and wife.

The man seemed intimidated not knowing if he had the right to just speak when there was a soon to be royal couple in front of him and his king behind him, but eventually after silence grew for what must've been minutes he cleared his throat.

"Shall we begin?" he asked.

Before Kagome or Naraku could give the man permission to begin the wedding ceremony Sesshoumaru gave the priest a glare.

"You will," his words sounded more like an order than any form of permission.

(End Chapter)

AN: The wedding is about to happen but what did we start off with? InuYasha is having feelings for Kagome because there is something real and lively about it as compared to what he has with Kikyo, but wants to be loyal to Kikyo because he feels like he owes it to her? Well doesn't this seem entirely overused and troupey? If this is the first you're reading one of my fics I never go down this road with Kikyo and InuYasha. Honestly I try to never have Kikyo as a villain cause I like Kikyo. So why am I seemingly having her totally out of character and being so cruel and evil? Well like all my plots I try to have a twist so I guess just trust me? A lot of what was going on there might not make sense and you don't need to be too bogged down with it. Those monsters will go back into the background when Sessy takes Kag home.