Chapter 24: Preliminaries
A/n: Obligatory disclaimer that I don't own Inuyasha or any of the characters.
It had been hard to leave Shippo behind but Kagome was happy to be going home. She and Sesshomaru had waited for the others to leave before grabbing Kagome's bag and taking off. Sesshomaru wanted to get there quickly and without interruptions from Kagome's wolf friend so he flew them to the well.
"It would be easier if we had something to contain our energy so we didn't have to summon it every time one of us wanted to pass through." Kagome muttered grabbing Sesshomaru's hand. The well glowed and they passed through.
Kagome and Sesshomaru spent the rest of the day with her mother since Sota was at school. Just before she was set to prepare dinner Ms. Higurashi announced she needed a few more ingredients and asked if they'd like to join her. Sesshomaru declined not wanting to deal with so many humans.
Kagome left Sesshomaru in her room and got in the car to leave with her mama. The ride there was quiet and the store was fairly empty for a Friday. They grabbed the few fresh ingredients they needed, checked out, and loaded into the car again.
"So are you happy there honey?" Her mama asked.
"Yeah, it's nice there. It's so nice to spend time with the group without constantly being attacked. The fresh air and sunshine is wonderful. Inuyasha and Kikyo decided to mate, er, get married so to speak. Sango and Miroku are getting closer too. Sesshomaru's castle is so big I still get lost. The food his kitchen prepares is delicious. Oh and Sesshomaru is so good with Shippo, the little fox demon I told you about." Kagome gushed.
"So you're happy with him?"
"Yeah, I am." Kagome said softly.
"He takes care of you?"
"Yeah, he does."
"Well then good. I'm glad you're happy dear." Her mama squeezed her hand before she returned it back to the wheel. The rest of the ride was quiet. They ended up picking up Sota from soccer practice on their way back.
Sesshomaru ate a little at dinner to be polite but he preferred his food fresh from a hunt. After dinner Kagome and Sesshomaru watched a movie with Sota then talked for a while in Kagome's room.
Sesshomaru had been sitting on her desk chair while she laid in bed facing him. She had been explaining what school was like when she started to doze off. Sesshomaru didn't need sleep so he decided to look through the books on her desk.
The first book he found was filled with mini paintings. The first few were of her and her family; her and Sota, her and her mother, her grandfather, another he assumed was her father and her when she was little. The second half was filled with her and 1 to 3 girls in various places; he assumed these were the friends she had told him about.
When he was finished with that book he picked up another. The second book was hand written. They seemed to be memories or thoughts written by Kagome. Memories of her falling off her 'bike', memories of entering middle school, thoughts of her favourite things about her friends, thoughts of how annoying her brother was. An entry in the middle of the book caught his attention. He was certain by now that she was going to be his mate, he'd given in to his beast and wanted to give her whatever she wanted.
Most girls talk about their perfect wedding; Perfect kimono, all their friends and family around. Marrying a rich guy to take care of them. But I want mine to be small and to someone I can share responsibility with. I don't need all of the traditional rituals. Just my husband, myself, and our families. Oh what I'd give to see him ask my father's blessing. I'm sure papa would give them a hard time. But I know as long as I'm happy he'd be happy.
She rambled even in her writing it seemed. The idea of marriage seemed important to her. Sesshomaru figured he should talk to her mother as she'd know more about it then he did. He heard a dish clank in the kitchen. Perfect he thought putting down the book and silently headed down to the kitchen.
"Oh! Sesshomaru, I didn't hear you come down." Ms. Higurashi said bringing her hand to her chest. "What can I help you with?"
"I'd like to know more about marriage." Ms. Higurashi blinked in surprise. "I intend to mate Kagome but 'marriage' appears to be important to her."
"Of course dear, what would you like to know?" She asked sitting down.
"I know Kagome wanted her father's blessing but he does not seem to be around to give it anymore." He hinted.
"No, unfortunately her father won't get to see this day, but I've seen and heard about the way you treat her and I'd be more than happy to give my blessing in his place. I have a feeling he'd like you." She said fondly.
"That's very kind, thank you." There was kind of an awkward pause. "I'm not entirely aware of the next steps." He confessed.
"Of course! Well, next we'll need to find a ring! We'll have to find a time to go shopping without her, she can't see it until you propose, uh, officially ask her to be your wife." She explained.
They sat and she explained what else would happen for a few more hours. Sesshomaru hadn't noticed the sun had risen. He heard Kagome patter down the stairs.
"Oh, there you are!" Kagome came around the corner. "Look, I know we came back together but my friends just called and were asking me to go hang out with them, do you mind if I go, do you?" She pleaded.
"It's fine by us dear." Her mama cut in quickly with a big smile. Kagome's face scrunched skeptically and she turned to Sesshomaru, he nodded once.
"Uh, okay, thanks. I'm gonna go get ready." She turned and rushed back up the stairs.
"Perfect, that gives us an opportunity to go shopping!" Ms. Higurashi said getting up to get ready.