For Friends and Family

With an order such as that one the humble priest had no other choice but to begin the wedding ceremony. Kagome tried to stay focused on the man and his words hoping he recited them all just as she asked him to. She wasn't terrified anymore, but she was still nervous about the wedding as a whole. It needed to be perfect to show everyone she'd been responsible and do anything she sat her mind to even with a small amount of time and limited resources. She could be an adult that needed to be taken seriously.

The idea of becoming an adult, however, was what had her shaking at the knees. She had no choice in marrying Sesshoumaru, but it was her decision to trust him and leave her fears at the door to start a new life. She would become a wife and forced to take on all new responsibilities, and she wasn't sure she was quite yet ready, but there would be no more stalling or plotting. It was time.

"Friends and family of the bride and groom," the priest began trying to find confidence in his voice, "today you shall witness not only a wedding but a true union of souls. This day will mark the joining of fire and ice as King- I mean Lord Sesshoumaru of Winter Spiral will wed Princess Kagome of Havenbrooke. May Sesshoumaru's icy demeanor harden our soft beautiful princess as she will now be only thought on as a true woman, and may the warmth of her fiery heart touch him in a way he hasn't been touched before. Two souls have entered this room as separate entities and shall leave as one with nothing more than two halves strengthening one another."

To Sesshoumaru the words that he was being presented with sounded ridiculous and were obviously the words of a fifteen-year-old girl who believed they carried deep meaning. If it weren't for his eyes being locked on his beautiful bride dressed in blue he'd almost be tempted to roll them until it came to the last part. Two beings strengthening each other into something stronger, that was what the speech was about and something Sesshoumaru believed to be true. He'd become stronger physically while she became something new, something he didn't know he wanted until the possibilities presented themselves from just meeting the princess.

"Princess Kagome," the priest looked on to the girl in the brilliant blue dress, "will you take this man as your husband into your brand new adult life? Will you trust him to care for you and nurture you as you move forward on your path?"

"This all sounded so more meaningful when I wrote it on paper!" Kagome looked calm on the outside but in the inside she was screaming at herself, "he hates it doesn't he? I can tell he does. I must look like the biggest idiot in all the kingdom right now."

"So she will say yes and then I will say yes when I am asked something similar?" Sesshoumaru only had the look of seriousness upon his face as he continued to look at her dress, "then this will be over and she will be mine? Just say the words Kagome. Say it and let's be finished so I can have you."

"I will take this man as my husband," Kagome's voice sounded confident not betraying to anyone in the room of the meltdown going on in her mind.

"Lord Sesshoumaru," the man then looked on to the intimidating daiyoukai but tried his hardest not to make eye contact, "will you-

"I will take this girl to be my wife," Sesshoumaru did not deal well with anticipation.

"He does hate it all!" Kagome gave him that brief look of disappointment he despised so much unaware she was disappointed with herself, "it probably sounds so stupid to him he just wants to skip it. Should I let him? No. Kikyo obviously has her faults but I have to remember what she told me. Sesshoumaru wants things to go his way and if I let him push me around and belittle me with something as important as this he won't let me be myself and everything about him letting me grow and be trusting of him was a lie."

The priest looked confused but was ready to just accept Sesshoumaru's answer, however soon the princess imposed a scary glare on to him. It was the kind of glare that said he needed to follow his script no matter what Sesshoumaru did to speed the ceremony up.

"Lord Sesshoumaru," the man tried to restart speaking in almost a low whisper this time, "will you take this girl as your wife and do all you can in your power to protect her and provide for her until one of you draws your last breath, even if it means sacrificing your own life?"

Sesshoumaru rose an eyebrow, so just a simple yes wasn't good enough it appeared. He couldn't just get to the part where he got what he wanted and now he was being forced to take a vow he was unsure about. Protect Kagome? Yes, she was something to protect because she was valuable, but at the cost of his own life? She was beautiful and would probably amuse him for a long time, however, what would be the point in giving his life for one whose sole purpose was strengthen him and improve his own? Dying for her would be a waste of his own potential.

"Do you honestly believe this girl would ever be the death of you and that you'd fail so badly in your duties such a scenario would ever happen?" Sesshoumaru asked himself, "just say the words. They are nothing more than ceremonial words after all no matter how seriously you take your vows and oaths. I might as well agree. This situation I am questioning will never happen so I will not be a liar."

Kagome rose an eyebrow as well noticing that he was hesitating. Why on earth would he hesitate? The man that put a dagger in her hands giving her permission to kill him if he failed to honor his words was taking too long to agree to the marriage he sought out.

Sesshoumaru had only been silent for a couple seconds, but to Kagome his answer seemed to take eons.

"I already said I would," was Sesshoumaru's reply not wanting to bother with the whole 'I'll take this girl as my wife' line again.

"Really Sesshoumaru!?" Kagome's quivering lip could barely hide her distaste for how the ceremony was going, "you're the one that ruined everything and made it so he had to do the line over and now you can't even bother doing your part? This man really did trick me and brainwash me didn't he? I almost forgot how irritating he was. Will I be putting up with this for the rest of my life?"

"Great now the woman is displeased," Sesshoumaru rewarded her with a glare, "has everyone forgot that even without the title that I myself abandoned I am still a king and yet I'm being expected to repeat myself for no good reason? I did sign on to be in this play, but I've almost forgotten how irritating this girl can be when things don't go her way. Has she forgotten already that such behavior is no longer going to be tolerated? Has she forgotten who her alpha will be? Will I be forced to endure this brash defiance for the rest of her life or possibly my own depending on what sort of lifespan she inherited from that odd bloodline?"

"This is boring me," Naraku had his own personal thoughts regarding the wedding ceremony as he still appeared cocky sitting on his throne before them, "the marriage needs to happen but I'm displeased with how well it's going. The girl said she'd rather be dead than marry him but yet there is no screaming or tears. No dramatics. No instead she dresses like a whore for him in his colors showing the whole kingdom where her loyalties lie. What a disappointment you are Kagome. If you're not going to even pretend to be loyal to me you could have at least provided me with some entertainment. I positively loathe this. When she comes crying to me later about how badly he hurt her and how she had to kill him or her blood becomes tainted like Kikyo promised I'm going to remind her of the torture she put me through."

InuYasha had his eyes to the ground the whole time during all of it, "You didn't even try to runaway Kagome. I know it wouldn't have done you any good but have you really given up? I'm sure you hate your father you and hate me, but can't you see the monster in front of you? You don't even know the real Sesshoumaru yet but you wasted all your effort into making this happen. Did she really say she wanted me to propose? Kagome maybe in a different world this could have been us."

Sesshoumaru's eyes finally left his bride as he shot the priest another intimidating glare, "Fine seems I will have to repeat my words. I will take this girl as my wife."

"This will be the last shred of generosity I show you without you earning it from me Kagome. The wedding in itself was a gift and you are just now deciding to appreciate it by making a fool of me. I have to forgive it. This display is as if I gave her a loan because soon she'll be earning it. Soon that skin, those lips, and that entire body will be mine."

"Why are you making a fool of me Sesshoumaru?" Kagome had her own opinion, "you're acting all displeased but you're the one who was difficult in the first place. This isn't the first time either he created the situation then got mad at the results. I know I'll have to do a lot more with him than just kiss him today and this is how we're starting off everything? I think I can use a drink later."

The slight animosity Kagome was beginning to feel towards her betrothed soon was amplified and turned on to a completely different target. She knew something had gone array the moment the priest turned to Naraku and bowed.

"My king," he spoke to Naraku, "do you the father of princess Kagome and sovereign of this nation consent to this union?"

Kagome could no longer hide her displeasure as a scowl appeared on her face. Her father had no place in any of this other than a courtesy invite. He wasn't supposed to be sitting on the throne and he wasn't at all suppose to even be referred to. There was a reason Kagome didn't want to be given away by her father like most brides were on their wedding day, and that was because he already did that by agreeing to Sesshoumaru's request. Why rub more salt in the wound? Now he was publically being allowed to bless the union he threw her into?

The priest, as a citizen of Naraku's kingdom felt as though he had no other choice than to make a detour from Kagome's script. He didn't want the king finding him later and punishing him for any sort of treason.

Naraku's eyes traveled to Kagome's expression before he revealed a smug smile, "Oh let me think on this. The union between fire and ice? I already gave my blessing when I accepted Lord Sesshoumaru's request, but has anything happened in these proceedings to force me to change my mind? Is this the part where if anyone objects to this marriage they can speak now or forever hold their peace? Someone speaking out during one of my weddings would have been treason, but there will be no punishment for someone speaking their mind this day it seems. In honor of my lovely daughter who values freedom so much I will open this hall up for any and all undesirable opinions. I do not object to this union, but what of you Kagome? Do you still wish you'd rather be dead, or are you fine with it now? Not that you have any choice of course kukuku."

That chuckle of his sent fear down Kagome's spine as she realized just how much she despised every bit of her father.

Naraku was no longer bored by the ceremony as he took it upon himself to create some entertainment. He knew the demons in his head were to blame for it. They loved seeing Kagome scared and feeling trapped so he couldn't help himself but to remind her of how this marriage wasn't her choice and she was no more than property. Why was it when he could hear the voices he only wanted that girl's pain? Had his attempt to mercy kill her all those years ago been the only time he was a true parent?

Sesshoumaru didn't care what Naraku was going to say. He had already agreed to Sesshoumaru's official marriage request so doing anything to prevent the marriage at this point would result in a conflict neither country would want to be involved in. He just wanted to ignore it and let the spider have the moment in the spotlight he so obviously longed for so they could get to the end, but then he noticed Kagome's reaction.

Her fear. He'd seen less of it since he'd been keeping the girl under his wing the last few days but Naraku's performance was bringing it back. It reminded Sesshoumaru of what he needed to do and what his current desires were. Kagome needed to become his to begin the process of purifying herself from that rotten creature.

"She needs to be saved," was the first thing that came to Sesshoumaru's mind, "needs to be protected from him. I do not ever want to see her like this again. The fire in the girl's eyes. It sparked, but only for a moment. She wants to say something, she wants to stand up for herself and fight but she can't. This man has conditioned her into a state of fear. Kagome when you said you'd rather die than marry me I wasn't offended but I'll never forget those words. You muttered them so lowly because it was the first time you found the power to stand up to him wasn't it? We will strengthen each other Kagome. I will not allow this to continue or for him to ruin your ceremony. I do admire those eyes of yours."

"The girl already agreed to take me as her husband," Sesshoumaru spoke to the room coldly, "she does not need to speak anymore of it. She may not have come here willingly, as you felt the need to point out to her family and friends, but she came here gracefully. An unrivaled grace it would appear."

"Sesshoumaru?" Kagome began to regain her composure, "I wouldn't have blamed you if you just stayed silent and let him have his moment but you were there for me. This can be real if I just let it. I trust him. He might be a very irritating and cold man, but if he can embrace the dark parts of me maybe one day I can embrace him and all his faults as well."

"Are you implying that I the king have no grace?" Naraku shook his head before releasing another chuckle, "I suppose I did open the floor to all sorts of opinions even those that are negative. Very well the girl seems quite content with this fate. However, we're not the only three in the room are we? Last chance. Does anyone else have a problem with this union? Don't be shy. She's marrying him no matter what, but a strong marriage needs to be able to endure any storm. Now is a good time for practice."

They were met with silence, that was what both Kagome and Sesshoumaru longed for so Naraku's ominous play at ruining the very ceremony he demanded to host in his kingdom would fail. The priest stood up and faced the bride and groom so he could continue the ceremony believing that the awkwardness was over, but before he could even open his mouth a voice was heard.

"I think it's wrong," came the voice of InuYasha as he stood up from his seat with his eyes still planted on the ground.

Kagome didn't notice it as her eyes looked upon the hanyou in shock, but the whole time Kikyo was giving both Naraku and InuYasha death glares from her seat. InuYasha could feel Kikyo's hatred being cast upon him, but like Naraku he was use to it at that point. Maybe he never could protect Kagome the way he wanted to, but he at least needed to do something for her.

Kagome wasn't at all flattered by what InuYasha was doing. She was just hurt. First he lied to her about why he took such an interest in her, then she discovered that he was aiding Kikyo in having an affair, and now he was playing into her father's twisted game. Why? He had no right to speak out about the marriage he planted the seeds for.

InuYasha knew he wouldn't enjoy Kagome's reaction, so he never dared to look her in the eyes.

"She doesn't have a choice I know that," InuYasha shook his head, "but she still should have the right to know what she's getting into. Kagome you're a lot of things, but dishonest is not one of them. When you speak you speak truthfully about whatever is on your mind, that's what I like about you. You don't deserve this. You don't deserve to be surrounded by such dishonest people myself included. Kagome do you even know why Sesshoumaru sought you out? What he wants to do with you?"

"Yes," Kagome kept her glare of anger glued to the floor, "he wants me for my blood plain and simple but at least he had the decency to warn me ahead of time and promise me whatever he is going to do isn't going to be the same as before. He isn't a liar like you. Don't even put yourself in the same league."

"I did not agree to this marriage," Kagome finally spoke shaking her head now that her pain and suffering was becoming public knowledge, "not that the bride herself has been allowed to have her voice truly heard and recognized in all of this but as Sesshoumaru said I came here today with grace. I come to accept him as my husband while trying to show him the respect and honor he deserves, because unlike some in this room he has made an effort not to deceive me. May this union of fire and ice continue to be a transparent one as its shown itself to be this day."

Sesshoumaru was impressed by Kagome's words, but at the same time livid that his bastard brother dare make things worse. InuYasha's job was to simply stay seated and keep his mouth shut while witnessing Kagome becoming his. Apparently that was much too difficult for the pup and he would be punished for it harshly later.

"I've never broken a promise," Sesshoumaru recalled, "but the ones father forced me to uphold about not killing that half-breed are testing my limits. It'd be so much easier with him gone forever. At least Kagome knows not to be touched by his words or by him anymore. The only thing I have in common with that Kikyo woman is we both know what InuYasha really is and what he is capable of. These two will never be allowed in the same room again."

InuYasha was shocked that Kagome was standing up for Sesshoumaru of all people. Why was she being so foolish? Just cause she had no choice in this arranged marriage didn't mean she couldn't go out without a fight. Why was she calling him honest? Did Kagome honestly know about the value of her blood? If so did she know the full extent of what she was truly getting into?

"It doesn't matter anyway," InuYasha almost sounded like a juvenile having a good pout before sitting down, "this whole wedding is just a show. If Sesshoumaru is so honest he'd tell you how pointless it all is. I'm sure this kingdom takes the whole marriage thing seriously especially for stuck up true born royals like all of you, but you do know Sesshoumaru wants more than that right? That he is going to make you his mate? You can get out of a marriage or live in separate castles when you grow tired of each other, but being a youkai's mate is literally for life and you're just going to let that happen Kagome.

Mates? Kagome didn't know too much about youkai mating rituals since her father never opted for them always doing things the human way, but she did know InuYasha's words on the subject were true. Once you became a demon's mate you became theirs for the rest of your life unable to ever be truly apart from their influence. Sesshoumaru never said anything about becoming mates. That wasn't part of the deal.

"Of course she will become my mate," Sesshoumaru had been weary of such a life altering choice when he first plotted to marry Kagome but had since made up his mind, "when I am ready and in private. Us youkai do not make such public displays of that sort like humans and the king's family does. This wedding after all is as the king said something for her friends and family as well as a venue for me to declare my responsibility for her life from now on. The king offered a platform for opinions and it has been honored, but if you wish to speak out against this union again InuYasha I'll see to it myself you are escorted out of here."

Kagome closed her eyes in disbelief at what was happening. She had agreed to have trust in Sesshoumaru and for a show of good faith she wanted to have a somewhat decent ceremony, but it was all falling apart before her very eyes. It was true her father was the antagonist that began the ruin but now Kagome had no faith in anyone. InuYasha had no right to be concerned about her and now Sesshoumaru was showing his true colors by reminding her exactly what was happening. This wedding wasn't anything but a venue for her father to relinquish custody of her on to Sesshoumaru. Once Sesshoumaru had her in his claws she wouldn't have any choice or say in the matter of becoming mates with him. She would be his and forced to obey and endure such a practice.

"I don't know what I want," Kagome was trembling, "I trusted you and felt safe with you because of your honesty and promises, but was I mistaken? You said nothing about becoming mates. Not a thing. I don't think I'll ever be ready for that."

"Proceed," Sesshoumaru ordered the priest not wanting to reflect on what was going through Kagome's mind.

In his mind he had committed no sins. Kagome was going to become his so if he wanted her for a mate he would have her as a mate without having to have any regard for her feelings. He felt he had already warned her as well. When they were alone together for the first time not in disguises he had plainly said that he would be her mate, her alpha, and her comfort. Surely she hadn't forgotten had she?

"The union of fire and ice shall commence now," the priest continued now that the floor had been returned to him, "first the couple will be bound by material of the world they inhabit with a gift. May these gifts be worn always by the couple to serve as reminders to the promises they make to each other this day."

In Kagome's hand was the box that held the bracelet she had made for Sesshoumaru. She was supposed to put it on his wrist and promise to be loyal to only him, but she was scared now. She couldn't stop the wedding, she couldn't run away, so all she could be was paralyzed.

She was now the one hesitating and Sesshoumaru didn't approve. He did not like that she could pull herself together after Naraku and InuYasha's words but was now so upset about whatever was going on her head that she was losing control of her own event. He was losing sight of the fire in her eyes and he couldn't allow that.

"This," Sesshoumaru pulled the snowflake shaped diamond and sapphire necklace from his obi and held it over her head, "these jewels are more than just a gift from me to you Kagome. It will serve as a reminder to all that I've promised you in public and private. If you have any doubts in your husband you just look upon it and recall my words to you. I will never hurt you and your husband will look after your interests. If my actions ever result in you becoming broken or unable to recover may whatever gods exist in this world strike me down."

Kagome didn't accept the gift so it was forced upon her. The necklace was dropped over her head and slid down her neck. She thought it was so beautiful the first time she saw it and it had made her regret being so distrustful of her betrothed, but now it felt the same as that steel collar did around her neck. Sesshoumaru was basically saying she had no choice in anything and he was the only one that knew what was good for her. That was what the snowflake necklace would remind her, and now that she was given it all she could do was play her part in the little play.

"This," Kagome pretty much forced the garnet bracelet around his wrist just wanting to get everything over with, "is me promising to be loyal to you. I will be your wife and I'll never abandon you."

She originally was going to say a lot more and reference the wedding's theme again by pointing out what she hoped her fire would do for him and how she wanted the bracelet to be a reminder that her flames would never burn out, but why bother? She was convinced he didn't care much for any of the thought she put into the ceremony so why bore him further? Everything was a complete failure.

"Kagome," Sesshoumaru spoke out of turn again as he held her wrist, "may all our promises to each other be true. I'll never betray you. I will only treasure you."

"Whatever," Kagome pretended to be amused for the audience's sake, "let's just end this. I have no say and will probably fail at running away as much as I do at creating a civilized marriage ceremony. There is nothing real here is there? Let's just move on to our loveless arranged marriage where you use me for my blood. You're just a vampire Sesshoumaru. You don't care what I want and I don't know what I want without Goshinki looking into my mind and telling me. I just wanted to be loved and cared about for something. That was all I ever wanted."

She'd gone from being an accepting bride to being confused and angry at everyone around her. There was nothing to steal and no place to go to. She was trapped and felt more vunerable than she ever had before.

Sesshoumaru could feel the animosity. He was sure he would hear about all her concerns and complaints when he furthered her training later down the line, but in that moment there was nothing he could really do about it. Unlike Kagome he was able to reset his mind back to the thoughts he'd had when he came into that hall and seen her in her wedding dress. He wanted her to be his both as a wife and a mate. They needed each other and it was too late for her to go thinking on a reality where that wasn't the case. He longed for her and didn't care what was going through her head.

"With that this hall smiles upon you this day," the priest rose his hands up in the air, "and now your everything will be bounded together as you're hereby officially pronounced as man and wife. You may now kiss the bride."

'You may now kiss the bride.'

Those were the words Sesshoumaru had been wanting to hear since the very beginning and after a bit of show and some dramatics he was finally where he wanted to be. He was just one mere action away from getting what he came for. Her. That pang of dread he had felt when they were separated for only a mere couple of hours was nothing he'd ever feel again, because she was his and he'd never be letting her go. A simple peck on the lips would seal the deal, but it wasn't that simple. Sesshoumaru needed her to know what he was feeling and what he was wanting.

He refused to hesitate for a moment longer as he swiftly put a claw under her chin forcing her to look up at him before pressing his lips to hers. He cupped her cheek refusing to let her move prolonging the kiss for what was almost a full minute. He needed her to feel his warmth and his desire.

Kagome had a lot of doubts now, but the moment his lips grazed hers that heated spark flared within her body again returning fire to her eyes. She didn't fully understand what he was conveying to her but she could feel his want. She wanted to be wanted no matter the reasons, that was what she needed to cure her wounded heart in that moment.

"This is something real," she tried to confirm to herself.

(End Chapter)