Chapter 13 -Union of the Hanyous
It was nearly three weeks since they had returned from the Central. The funeral for the Northern Lord was held several days after his departure. Shiroginko mourned him for he was like her father and was in depression. InuYasha was lost and tried his best to comfort her through the mourning period and he was relieved to see Shiroginko finally coming out after three weeks, smiling and laughing once again, yet it has not reached her eyes. He hoped the smiles would reach her eyes soon; he could not stand the sorrowfulness in her eyes.
InuYasha sat in the garden, holding Shiroginko in his arms as they watched the night sky. They saw a star shoot by and InuYasha smiled, dropping his head to land a kiss on top of her head. He kept his head there and murmured in her hair, "Shiroginko…" she turned in his arm to face him, landing a kiss on his nose. "Yeah, InuYasha?"
He stared into her golden eyes, unlike his bright sunny gold, she was molten gold that swirled with emotions and it was easy to read her. He could see the love and happiness in her eyes and it made his resolve much stronger. "Will you be my mate?" he finally asked.
She gasped, her eyes lit up and he smiled at her. Caressing her cheek as tears started to roll down. "You, you want me to be your mate" She asked with quavering voice.
InuYasha gave a soft laugh, "Yeah. I want you to be my mate. I love you, even in three months I've known you, and I've fallen for you. You make me feel the way that I've never felt with Kikyou and Kagome… it's much more. I can't explain it." He said, holding her hands in his hands, staring deep into her golden eyes.
She closed her eyes and rested her head in his hand and nodded. "Yes. I will be your mate." She opened to find InuYasha's eyes full of joy and love. She smiled at him. "I love you too, InuYasha."
He held her in his arms as they settled, watching the night sky again. He softly asked in her ear, "When do you want to be mated?"
Shiroginko shrugged as she snuggled deeper into his arm, allowing the sleeves of his haori completely cover her to ward from the chill of the night air. "It does not matter to me. The moment you asked, I felt like I'm already your mate."
He smiled into her hair, "Then, we should have the ceremony soon. How about next week?"
She nodded and turned her head to kiss him.
The moment InuYasha announced that he had proposed to Shiroginko and wanted to do a small ceremony in a week time. Kagome sent the entire palace into frenzy, leaving SesshoMaru and InuYasha baffled. She had ordered the entire servants to prepare for the ceremony, bringing in materials for the kimonos, decorations in the grand hall and basically, in the end, she went over board.
The grand dining hall was decked in white and silver. The kimonos were made and fitted two days before the ceremony. SesshoMaru had to duck and go around the entire procedure and wondered the entire time if it were the best idea having Kagome as a mate. In the end, everything was prepared for the ceremony and all of the other lords were invited, many hanyous were also invited that they knew from their journey.
Kagome smiled at Shiroginko, resting on the bed in Shiroginko's room, watching as the servants did the hanyou's hair, bringing up the white hair in simple but elegant do and doing her face in simple make up. "You look so beautiful, I'm so happy for you and InuYasha." She said with a smile as Shiroginko was finished with preparing for the ceremony. She looked beautiful in white kimono with silver accent. The coloring with her pale hair made her look like an goddess. Her golden eyes stood out the most, shining with happiness.
"I can't believe it. I do wish Lord Shoujun would be here." Shiroginko said with sadness in her tone.
Kagome stood up and waddled her way over to Shiroginko and hugged her best she could with large belly. "At least he is watching from the otherworld, I am sure he is proud of you and is happy with your choice in mate. He liked InuYasha, which is saying a lot because usually, the father of the bride did not like the future son-in-law."
Shiroginko giggled and stepped back, "Are you sure I look all right?" She gave a twirl.
Kagome nodded, "You look absolutely beautiful. Are you wearing the lacy underclothes that I had the servants made for you?"
Shiroginko blushed deep red. "Yes! Will InuYasha like it?"
Kagome laughed, "Of course. I had few made for me before I became this, SesshoMaru just went bonkers over it. I'm sure InuYasha will." The hanyou giggled and gave a deep sigh, showing signs of nervousness as she started to fiddle with the tassels on her kimono. Kagome placed her hand onto Shiroginko's hand to calm her down and smiled at her, "Don't worry. InuYasha's a wonderful guy. If it does make you any better, I am quiet sure he's nervous as you are right now."
In the other chamber, SesshoMaru looked about ready to kill his brother as InuYasha was pacing back and forth, fretting and muttering. "What if I flunk the ceremony… gah, this kimono is uncomfortable… what if…"
SesshoMaru was starting to develop a twitch in his eyes and was considering reaching for his sword when Miroku interrupted him, "SesshoMaru, why don't you go and check on the girls." He said and with a swift move, he bonked InuYasha on the head with his staff, causing the hanyou to fall to the floor unconscious.
The Taiyoukai's silver eyebrow rose as he stared at his half brother on the floor out cold. "Are you sure that's wise?"
Miroku gave a hearty laugh, "He always wakes up in a few minutes. I've hit him over the head enough time to know it does not last very long. He got a very hard head."
SesshoMaru rolled his eyes and said, "Unfortunately," and walked out of the room to head to Shiroginko's chamber.
Sango and SesshoMaru intercepted in the hall and they walked together in silence to Shiroginko's chamber. The Taiyoukai noticed that Sango was carrying bunches of pale iris in soft yellow and ivory colors in her arms and suspected it was for Shiroginko. His prediction were proven right when they reached the chamber and Sango handed the flowers to Kagome and she started to place some in Shiroginko's hair.
"It is almost time." SesshoMaru said after leaning against the door, watching the women putters around Shiroginko. Kagome turned to him and went over to his side, allowing him to wrap his arms around her waist, resting his hands onto her swelling belly. He took a deep sniff and rested his nose into her hair murmuring into her ear, "Soon, the pups are almost ready." Kagome nodded, covering his hands with her own, afraid to reply. He could sense the nervousness in her and asked, "Nervous?"
"Yes. Sometime I wish my mother would be here, to help me out."
"You will be fine, you're a strong woman, and I wouldn't have any other. Come." He said, leading her out of the room into the grand hall to wait for the others to begin the ceremony.
As they reached the grand hall, they saw the room was already prepared and filled with guests from all around. They had invited the other lords and their families, several hanyous that they've met over the travels. Kagome smiled at the children that she had met at the Fire Island; they looked older and were faring very well. She waved at them as she passed them by.
SesshoMaru and Kagome finally seated themselves at the head of the room, where the throne chairs were set. The ceremony would be set before them, between them and the guests. A small table was set up at the foot of the throne stage with Kaede and Miroku kneeling at each end of the table. The table were covered with beautiful cloth and set with tea and bowl along with two thin tapered candles and a large fat candle decorated in pearls and glass sitting in the middle of table. Flowers were scattered across, decorating it tastefully.
As soon everyone was present, Sango came in lastly with Rin and Shippo, she ushered them to their place and waited. InuYasha finally came into the room, looking handsome and regal in his kimono, his hair tied back tastefully in topknot, he looked every bit a lord. He somberly made his way to the table and bowed before Kagome and SesshoMaru and stood in his place next to Miroku at the table.
The gong rang and everyone rose to their feet, turning to the door at the other end of the room. SesshoMaru and Kagome stood up. SesshoMaru nodded once, gesturing for the doors to open. The gong rang out once again and the room was filled in hushed silence as the soft music played from a group of music player in the corner of the room.
Shiroginko slowly walked into the grand hall. Her head was covered with heavy silk veil, nearly going down to her knees. She was walking slowly to be sure she wouldn't trip over her layered kimono. She looked beautiful and ethereal. InuYasha felt as if his heart stilled and he was in heaven, simply staring at Shiroginko as she approached him slowly. He could imagine her sweet face, beautiful smile and shining golden eyes underneath the veil.
He felt Miroku sharply smacked him on the back and realized he was holding his breath. He gave a long exhale and took Shiroginko's hand into his and carefully leading her to the altar, helping her to kneel on the placed pillow before the table. He knelt then beside her, and reached out, taking the veil off her head to reveal her smiling face. He smiled softly, taking in her radiant beauty. He placed the veil down on the floor beside her and took her hand into his own.
Miroku and Kaede started the ceremony, praying and preparing the cups on the table. The ceremony was prepared differently than Kagome and SesshoMaru's ceremony was, adding in some human tradition and Kagome's suggestion of western styled tradition from the future, in the end, it was different for everyone.
Miroku and Kaede finished their prayers and knelt on each end of the table, turning their head to SesshoMaru, giving him single that it was his turn. SesshoMaru stood from his chair and stepped down to the altar, he held both hands out, palm up indicating InuYasha and Shiroginko. "The Four Kingdoms, I present you Lady Shiroginko of the North and Lord InuYasha of the Central, they've come together to join in unity, bond of everlasting love and commitment." He then lowered his hands, everyone sat down and watched. He picked up the first bowl in his right hand and the dagger in his left hand, handing the knife to InuYasha who held his right hand forward. With quick motion, SesshoMaru slashed InuYasha's hand and secretly held pride noting his younger brother did not flinch.
The blood quickly poured into the bowl and the wound healed as there was just enough blood spilt. He turned to Shiroginko who held out her hand, and the motion was done same, though she winced openly. The bowl was filled with both of their blood, mingling. Unlike the ceremony involving SesshoMaru and Kagome, they were the Lady and the Lord, they showed their own commitment to each other by sacrificing their blood. In this ceremony, the meaning were different, the two uniting couple showed their commitment to each other and to the Taiyoukai, sacrificing their blood for one another and to the Lord of the Land that they united upon.
SesshoMaru handed the bowl to InuYasha and said, "Lord InuYasha, your blood given willingly, you've shown your promise to protect her mind, body and soul with your own very being."
InuYasha took the bowl and said, "Hai, I promise to protect Lady Shiroginko with my being, binding her mind, body and soul to me." He tilted the bowl to his lip and drank half of the content. He lowered it and turned it three times before turning to her and handing her the bowl.
Shiroginko smiled as she took the bowl. Staring into his golden eyes as SesshoMaru said, "Lady Shiroginko, your blood given willingly, you've shown your promise to devote your mind, body and soul to Lord InuYasha and serve him dutifully with your own very being."
She lifted the bowl to her face and said, "Hai, I promise to devote to Lord InuYasha with my being, binding my mind, body and soul to him, serving him dutifully as his mate." She tilted the bowl and swallowed the rest of the content and then lowered it, turning it three times, wiping the edge and handing it back to SesshoMaru who placed it down and brought up another bowl.
"Drink from this bowl, to commit yourselves to the Western Land and its people, serving them dutifully and wisely, as given by the Kami-sama." He said as he handed the second bowl to InuYasha, who drank the sake from it. He turned it three time and handed it to Shiroginko, who drank the rest of it and turning it three times, wiping the rim as well before handing it back to SesshoMaru.
The third and last bowl was brought up, filled with sweet cold water, "Gift of the Kami-sama and the nature's life blood. Your devotion to one another and to Kami, to serve him and do as he commands to care of the nature he created for us." SesshoMaru said as he handed the last bowl to InuYasha who repeated actions. As Shiroginko finished, she smiled at InuYasha, giving the bowl back to SesshoMaru.
SesshoMaru held his hands out to the audience and announced, "The two have joined in union and is now one, mated for as long they live." The audience cheered, as InuYasha stood up, helping Shiroginko up as well and they both walked together back down the aisle to the exit.
SesshoMaru gave a smirk, "Then, let's us adjourn to the Dining hall for a feast!" He clapped his hand and everyone waited as he and Kagome walked together down the aisle leaving the room as well.
The feast was a jovial event, the guests mingled, talked and joked, enjoying their time together, celebrating the two hanyous' joining. Kagome watched from where she sat at the head of the table, smiling as she rested her hand over her belly, feeling her pups move within. She knew they could hear the noise and feel the joyful aura that filled the dining hall. She sighed in content and rested her head onto SesshoMaru's shoulder.
He glanced down to her and wrapped his arm around her waist, whispering in her ear, "Are you all right, love?"
She nodded, "Yes, happy and contended. Even I missed my family on the other side of the well, I have my own here." She said and looked up to him, meeting his golden eyes and saw them soft and filled with love.
"I am glad. Your happiness is important to me." He said softly and stood up, clapping his hand, getting attention. "You all are welcome to stay and feast more. My mate and I are going to retire for the night. I am sure our new couple would like to as well."
The guests laughed and InuYasha blushed as he helped Shiroginko up. SesshoMaru bowed his head and watched as the two hanyous made their leave. He turned to Kagome and helped her up, guiding her out of the room as well. The gong rang, announcing the Lord and his Lady had left the room.
AN:
Thanks to Crystal for betaing this chapter.
Thanks to my wonderful readers, for your patience and wonderful reivews!
Water and Fire's cming nicely, though slowly.
If you're a Harry Potter fan, please check out my new story, As Time Turns and review.
If you're a Final Fantasy VII fan, please check out the rest of my stories, I have tons and I encourage you to check out Road to Damascus, which is one of my long and best story of them all.
There's Rin's Waiting, for those who like Sess/Rin pairing! I need suggestion for a sequel for this story if you want one. Hugs thank you all!
Two more chapters to go! And you all know what's the next chapter!!
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