{Chapter Twelve}

I smiled brightly as I directed the maids were to place the arrangements of light purple flowers where they needed to be around the large chamber room that was used for large gatherings, it was a ball room but was by far the most beautiful part of the palace except for the private gardens. Today was finally the day that Kagome had waited for, today she would become married and mated to Inuyasha. My job was to ensure that it went perfectly.

The ceremony room would remain the same as a traditional ceremony for a royal with the room bathed in the colors of the west. The only changes were that they would add the exchange of the rings and Miroku would perform the traditional wedding ceremony then the mating ceremony would begin. Sesshomaru had gained the rings made from Inuyasha's fang just as requested. Kagome would be wearing the wedding dress of her dreams.

She had been rather surprised that I remembered every detail of the dress, an elegant dress that was ivory with long sleeves with white floral design starting at the train encircling her perfectly with a sweet heart neck line. She would be wearing the dress throughout everything. Sango, Rin, and I were required to wear two separate outfits. For the ceremony, we would be wearing our officially western clothing in according to Sesshomaru's customs. They were beautifully made Kimonos that I couldn't hate no matter how I tried.

In according to the colors that Kagome had chosen three dresses were made for each of us to wear for the reception afterwards. They were each separate design made to match the outfits that our counterparts were wearing for the evening. All three colors were of course involved with the colors of the wedding. Rin would be wearing a dark blue flowing gown that had a modest neck line with silver floral designs along her waist to match Shippo's formal outfit. Sango was in the light purple dress that was made of lace and modest but suited her perfectly to match Miroku. I would be wearing a gown that was fitting at the top flowing out with flared sleeves in an emerald green with a detailed design in light gold and silver to match my escort for the evening, Lord Sesshomaru.

I finished directing the maid quickly going to check on the maids setting up the guest wings to the palace. Several people, leaders of the other nations and towns within the west were coming to the royal wedding. I needed to ensure that everything was perfect for their arrival today. They would be staying until the war conference the following week, my idea to ensure there was no talk about it on Kagome and Inuyasha's day. After checking with them happy to find that everything was being done on schedule I went to the kitchens to check with Jobe who assured me that everything would be ready in time. Including another addition, a wedding cake that Kagome had chosen.

Trusting him to get all the food completed for the reception in time I set off quickly to check the anchors one last time. Another precaution to ensure their day was perfect was the barriers were set up all around the palace to protect the pack just in case anyone attending was a threat. I had spent a lot of time setting up barriers many miles away from the palace as well, I would have done it over the entire west if Sesshomaru hadn't managed to talk me out of it. I was going a little overboard on protections, but this way the western soldiers were able to attend as well, which they appreciated greatly according to Juntao.

I went back to my room to get ready quickly and looking at myself happily as not a hair was out of place. I left it down having curled it the night before with some ribbons and pinned with golden pins that matched my dress that Sesshomaru had made for me. The hair would flow with both of my outfits I would be wearing this evening. Feeling confident I was finished I left my room quickly to go to find Kagome. I smiled entering the room where Kagome was preparing for her big day. Rin and Sango were already ready to go looking beautiful in their kimonos assisting Kagome putting the final touches on her hair and makeup. I felt my eyes tear up at the sight of her, she was getting her happily ever after.

"You look beautiful" I whispered in awe causing her to blush

"Is everything going okay?" She questioned worriedly, and I nodded in confirmation

"Everyone is arriving and getting settled, nothing will happen. This is your day and I will ensure it will be perfect, Sesshomaru and I will ensure it" I said with conviction knowing that Sesshomaru was greeting everyone with Inuyasha

"Okay" Kagome said taking a breath before smiling at me "You look really amazing in that"

"Thank you" I said as a soft knock was hear at the door and Rain entered looking at us brightly

"The ceremony is preparing to begin" Rain informed, and I nodded in thanks

"Thank you, Rain, we will be ready shortly" I said with a smile looking at Kagome "There is still something I need to do"

"Of course, Milady, I shall inform Lord Sesshomaru" She said bowing to me before leaving quickly as Kagome looked at me in confusion

"I have something you need" I said with a smile revealing a box and handing it to her "You don't think I would have forgotten this"

Kagome gasped in shock as she opened it taking out a blue sapphire bracelet "Something new and something blue" I whispered as she looked at me with tears "Something old and something borrow"

Kagome smiled taking out two dog tags that were not on their chain "Ellie" She whispered with wide eyes looking at me "Your dog tags"

"Of course, it is something borrowed and something old" I said taking them and tucking them into the pocket on the inside of her dress that was made for them "They have never been used for a greater purpose"

"Ellie" Kagome said throwing her arms around me "I couldn't have done this without you, thank you so much"

"There is no place I would rather be" I whispered hugging her tightly before standing holding out my hand "Let's go get you married to your true love"

Kagome smiled accepting my hand and I knew without a doubt that it would be a magically evening. Kagome happily allowed me to lead her to the door. Rin and Sango entered separately ahead of me as the doors opened. I smiled at Kagome letting go of her hand allowing Juntao to take it from here. I turned and walked around the frame through the door walking as elegantly as I could smiling at Inuyasha before looking at Sesshomaru looking like a god with a stunned look in his eyes showing that he was taken by surprise at my appearance. I took my place turning as Kagome entered the doors, all eyes on her as she deserved.

I felt my eyes tears up as Miroku stepped forward as Kagome reached the end of the isle "Who gives this woman?" He questioned softly as I took Kagome's left hand smiling at her

"I, Lady Elessandria, does" I said softly feeling seeing Miroku nod and placed her left hand in Inuyasha who still looked a little stunned "Take good care of her Inuyasha" I whispered as he smiled to assure me

I stepped back feeling every single emotion possible as I watch the ceremony occur. Kagome smiled happily when they exchanged the rings and Miroku announced them. Sesshomaru stepped forward giving his formal blessing and announced his approval of his brother choice for mate. Inuyasha smiled as Kagome tilted her head to the side revealing her neck and with a few whispered words he bit her gently causing their auras to wrap around each other in the first step of the mark. I smiled as the wound healed quickly revealing a pale mark that wouldn't be permanent until this evening, that wasn't something I wanted to think about.

I smiled as Sesshomaru held out an arm for me after they left the room and he directed evening to the reception hall. We walked out of the hall side by side after the newlyweds. I ignored in curiosity of the others as well as the jealously that swelled from our guests. I knew that it would happen, after all Sesshomaru was the Lord of the West and many demonesses wanted to be his mated.

"I will see you outside the reception hall" I said with a smile looking at him brightly

"Very well, if I must" He said before leaning closely to me "You look very beautiful milady"

"You look very handsome my lord" I said with a smirk before turning to quickly changed

~Sesshomaru's point of view~

I waited impatiently outside of the reception hall with the others for the woman to finish getting ready. I had greeted the other Lords as the entered the hall with their mates and to my disgust their families, daughters that were unaware that I had already chosen my mate and wished to do so. I turned feeling her approaching quickly as the others arrived causing wide eyes at their dresses, they were very different to those of these lands. I felt all breath leave me as she turned the corner.

She looked like a goddess as she glowed in happiness with her dress and hair moving with every step. The dress hugged her perfectly in a deep green showing off those perfect curves and enhanced her neck line revealing her chest slightly but enough to make it tantalize. The dress was still respectable but suited her so perfectly. I took in every detail on the dress as it drew my complete attention, she was the most beautiful creature I had ever seen. She smiled at me brightly and I couldn't help but return it.

"There are no words" I whispered into her ear softly pulling back and capturing those perfect lips

I felt her gasp against my kiss as I deepened it and shuttered as she returned it with the same amount of force. I pulled back breathing heavily leaning my head on her forehead. I wanted nothing more then to take her away from here, something so perfect shouldn't grace others with her presence. I breathed in her scent deeply relaxing at her scent and with much trouble pushed aside the urges I was feeling hearing the others being introduced.

"Lord Sesshomaru and Lady Elessandria of the West" Juntao announced as she wrapped her arm around mine allowing me to escort her through the doors with all eyes on us

I knew what Juntao had done with his announcement, he clearly showed everyone in attendance that he already accepted Elessandria as the Lady of the West and that she was my choice. Several were curious, many were overjoyed, some were surprised, and to my own surprise very few were enraged. I knew that she was aware of it as well, but I was impressed that she didn't show any sign of it, she didn't falter. She was perfect in every single way.

We took our places at the front of the hall as my brother and his new mate entered the room. They approached us with the guests bowing in a show of respect. My brother stood before my announcing that reception to begin and he had that everyone in attendance would enjoy the occasion as much as they were and thanked them for coming. The maids quickly went about bringing out trays of food that Elessandria had selected for both humans and demons. It was then I noticed how she had put everything together and how magically it looked, I wondered if she would put the same effort to our own mating ceremony.

"it is a joyous occasion Lord Sesshomaru" Lord Kimura from the North said approaching with the Southern Lord with their mates

"Indeed" I confirmed pulling Elessandria closer to me "Lady Elessandria, these are the Northern Lord Kimura and his mate Lady Hikari as well as the Southern Lord Obato and his mate Lady Sakura. This is Lady Elessandria, the future Lady of the West"

"I am pleased to meet you" Elessandria said brightly not bowing as she was beneath no one here "I trust you are enjoying the occasion as well"

"It is rather unique" Obato said with a nod before looking at me "It is a welcome occasion in such dark times"

"It was wise of you to set up the conference while everyone was already in attendance" Kimura said lowly and I nodded in agreement

"It was, this Sesshomaru thought so when Lady Elessandria suggested it" I responded with pride shocking the others "She will be attending as well"

"You allow her to assist with such?" Obato questioned in shock as the hand of his mate found his shoulder

"Dear, I do believe that from the rumors she is more then welcome" Sakura said brightly before looking at me seriously "I am glad to see that you have met your match Lord Sesshomaru and will look forward to another occasion of celebration"

I was surprised by her statement and nodded to her statement "Indeed" Kimura said brightly staring at me "It is a wise choice Lord Sesshomaru"

"Truly" Hikari said looking at Elessandria with a smile "I must know more about these clothes as well, I do not believe that I have seen anything quite like it"

"I agree" Sakura said happily before smiling at her "I believe this week we will find time to discuss such things"

"Of course, I will look forward to it" Elessandria said with a smile "I would enjoy that"

"Come, let's enjoy the reception" Obato said with a chuckle seeing how this conversation would go

I nodded as they went about the room to enjoy the party surprised that the other nations had just approved of my match whether she knew it or not. The approval was not necessary, but they provided it all the same and in doing so offered the allegiance to her as well. I saw her smile brightly relaxing slightly and I knew she was aware of what had just occurred as well. I placed a hand on her back and she allowed me to lead her around the around.

I watched her come alive as she talked over a variety of topics with the guests, she was quickly winning over any that would have doubted my choice. Kagome had happily introduced her to people she had invited from the time she searched for the jewel. The half demon healer, a bat half demon, Koga and his mate, a few human lords, and a few others that were all taken by her. She listened to the stories from their point of views in happiness, she was enjoying herself.

The reception had gone perfectly, and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. Elessandria spared no detail and it was quickly known. A few demonesses had attempted to approach me, most being deterred by the constant presence at kept at my side and others quickly learning that it would never happen. Kagome and Inuyasha were enjoying themselves as well the rest of the pack. I found myself enjoying the peaceful occasion as well.

"There is one more surprise I have for Kagome" Elessandria said softly pulling away from my side "This is where I leave you"

I stared at her confused as she quickly departed grabbing a few people to go with her and disappeared behind a curtain that was covering one third of the hall, something I thought was done on purpose. I looked for Inuyasha to find he had also disappeared. Apparently, she had another surprise for Kagome.