Chapter 17: Blessings and Beginnings

"I would like your blessing for your daughters hand in marriage sir. Now I know we don't get along very well but I think we can be mutual protectors of Lori." Sesshomaru said seriously...to his reflection.

He turned away embarrassed as he tried to imagine Lori's dad.

He wanted his blessing so Lori would be at ease when both were around the other.

But it was harder to grovel in Lori's name then he thought.

He sighed as he heard a knock at his door.

Jaken came in with a strict bow "Lord Sesshomaru? The blonde human is here again."

With her description announced, Lori stepped into the room. She wore traditional clothing of her era even though she was in the feudal era. She wore a forest green high low dress with black boots that hugged her legs. A fake golden hook hung low on her neck. A black studded pull over completed her outfit. She smiled at him as Jaken huffed about her being a human and showing no manners.

Sesshomaru stood and watched her wait for Jaken to leave before speaking.

"Good afternoon Sesshomaru."

He swallowed loudly "Good afternoon. May I ask why you are here?"

Before she could answer, violet, an old demoness maid walked in with a cart filled with teas and finger foods. She smiled brightly at Lori who took a cup as she fluttered to a chair right in front of Sesshomaru's desk. He took his tea and nodded to violet. She curtsied and left the two of them.

"I came to see if you're okay. You haven't come to visit and I was worried you didn't love me anymore" Lori spoke softly, hiding behind her cup.

Sesshomaru's cup stopped midway to his lips. He watched her avoid him and he started to laugh.

Her eyes shot to his in confusion.

"Lori. Relax. I'm perfectly healthy and I'm still in love with you. I've just been busy taking care of things that happened while I was in the glade with you and the rest."

She sighed happily "Is there anything I can do to help out?"

He smirked "You'd only distracted me. Give me a spin in that dress."

Lori slowly rose and twirled, her dress flaring around her as her hair moved around her face. When she stopped she simply took a sip of her drink with a happy smile.

"Beautiful. The cut is so different from this time frame."

Lori then noticed his kimono "I should try to dress like you when I'm here shouldn't I?"

"No. You dress the way you are comfortable Lori."

"Thank you Sesshomaru."

She came around the desk and wrapped her arms around his waste "I have something to ask you."

An eyebrow raises on the demons face "Go on."

Lori looks to his chest, a blush creeping from chin to her ears "Since when we've been dating for like four years I was thinking maybe it was time to move on to the next level?"

Sesshomaru lightly places his hands on her hips as he kisses her hair, "I was thinking the same thing."

She looked up at him with tears of happiness "You'd let me move in with you?"

This surprised him for a moment. She had told him that a custom of her era was when people were together for awhile they moved into the same home. Lori had her own place in her era but it seemed she was here more and more.

He smiled "You practically live here now anyway."

She smiled a huge grin "That's what I was thinking too."

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A week later Lori finally was moved into her own room. Her kitchen and living room packed away and stored since her boyfriend had a castle. She was free to go just about anywhere she pleased.

She sighed as she flopped onto the giant bed. Her colors were a different mellow shades of green and she just adored it. But it felt empty. Sesshomaru had said that they would sleep separate most of the time and that this room was hers alone.

A soft knock was heard and then, "Can I come in?"

She smiled at the ceiling "It's your castle dear."

Sesshomaru came in dressed in her eras attire. She looked over at him.

"Finished already?"

"Yup."

He sat next to her "What's wrong?"

"This room is lonely."

It was blunt but was what was on her mind.

"It's temporary."

"Huh?"

Sesshomaru wouldn't look at her as he smirked.

-A Few Hours Before-

Sesshomaru took a deep breath and knocked on the metal door he had hated as a dog.

A woman in her early 50s answered "Well hello Sesshomaru."

He bowed his head in greeting "How are you today?"

Lori's mother stood aside to let him in "I'm doing well. Keeping busy and such."

He let himself go to the living room and say down on the couch. Her mother sat opposite to him.

"You're not here for me though are you?"

He shook his head "I'd like to know where he is."

"Outside in the yard. He's in an okay mood. Why do you wish to speak to him?"

He looked at her softly "Because it's a tradition to get the father's approval for marriage to his daughter beforehand for my era."

The older woman was taken back "The era thing confuses me to no end but I do like how you handle things."

Wiping a tear away she said happily "I give my approval and blessing."

Sesshomaru smiled and stood "Thank you very much."

They hugged and she whispered "Good luck to you."

With that Sesshomaru headed out the door to find the one man he couldn't stand.

Her father was a big built man with good stature. Lori found him intimidating and Sesshomaru knew what he was capable of. The man always had a soft spot when he was in the mood so it was hard to tell how to approach him.

Currently he was staring out into the distant cornfield that surrounded his home.

"You gonna speak boy?" Her father said in a gruff voice.

Sesshomaru stood next to him and stared at the corn as well before he spoke.

"I want to marry Lori."

"Go ahead then."

He turned away but Sesshomaru stopped him.

"I want your blessing."

"Blessing huh? You sure seem cocky. After everything that's happened and how you stole my daughter from me, you think I'm gonna bless your union?"

"I want to help you protect her! Why can't you see that I'm your ally?"

"Why?! Because you were a dog before!"

Sesshomaru was getting frustrated.

"You know I can take care of her. Plus I'd never keep her from her family! She has access to my world as well!"

"Space and time traveling...still can't believe it" the older man grumbled.

"You're more than welcomed to visit us at my castle. I can and will take care of her but only along side you Carver!"

Loris father Carver looked at the demon in silence, not showing any emotion.

Sesshomaru lost hope of ever getting through to the man as he started to walk past him.

"You have my blessing if you keep your word" Carver said softly.

Sesshomaru turned to him stunned.

"You let me see her occasionally and protect her and I'll bless your marriage to her."

They sized each other up as Sesshomaru nodded " You have my word as a man and a demon."

Carver reached up and squeezed his shoulder in a small way of affection.

"Now get out of here. I've got work to do."

"Yes sir. Thank you."

They parted ways, both smiling for the same reason.

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Sesshomaru pulled Lori put to him and kissed her deeply. She melted into him slowly the way he loved. He pulled away to look in her eyes softly.

"I love you."

Her green eyes widened as she smiled " I love you too."

"I want to take you out tomorrow night for our anniversary."

"4 years" she whispered.

He nodded and kissed her cheek "4 years."

She smirked "Sessh? Can we go shopping at the mall tonight? I want to get something special."

He raised an eyebrow "Alright. What are you planning?"

She pulled him down for a kiss that quieted his thoughts.