Mating Ceremoney

By Angel Dust

A SesshomaruxOC, InuyashaxKagome, KougaxSango fic. You've been warned!

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Inuyasha or any of the other characters or the original story line. I DO own my characters, they're as obvious as the nose on your face.

The mating ceremony of the reluctant princess and the ice prince.

Chapter 2

The next morning, bright and early, Nikki was disturbed by two maids. She complied as they escorted her to the baths to clean up. She sighed as the hot water wrapped around her cold and tired body like a blanket and warmed her. She had but a moment before the two assaulted her and scrubbed her down, stood her up, and dumped water on her that was much cooler than what was in the tub. They patted her down and wrapped her yukata around her tightly to warm her back up.

"Princess, are you excited for today?" One of the maids asked her. She looked at the human girl who was probably a year or so younger than her, but no more than that.

"Yes," she said softly as they walked back to her room. "No face make up though today. I know, it's a tradition I should wear it, but it's rather horrible smelling and I'd rather not spend the day looking like something awful is under my nose." The girls nodded in agreement, they were certain she was pale enough without the paints.

They walked into the room, closed it up, though Sesshomaru was moved to another room further away so he couldn't try to spy on them. As the one girl helped her finish drying off and put on her undergarments, the other pulled open the first chest and started to take out her shiro. She smiled as they put the kimono around her and worked on her obi. They worked on her hair and soon they had her completely dressed up and were slipping her shoes onto her feet.

"You look to beautiful," the one maid said happily. "We are so happy to see this day, princess." Nikki smiled at them shyly and allowed them to take her to a room closer to the entrance of the garden where they were holding the ceremony.

"I'm sure the princess is much more interested in getting out of this shiro and into her uchikake," the other maid said as they finished the last of the preparations. They pulled the white hood over her hair and handed her her purse.

"Alright, I think we're set," the first maid said happily. "Your kaiken and fan are tucked in the obi securely." Nikki smiled at them as they finished cleaning her up and making sure her kimono was clean.

Once signaled by someone in the garden, the two maids helped Nikki to her spot. She was highly unused to the shoes, which were also uncomfortable, and the kimono was hard to hold without them. She was very distracted by the beauty of the garden though. It was as if the garden itself knew what was going on, because all of the trees were budding or in bloom and shone with all the golden origami cranes hanging from the trees. Really it was more beautiful than she could ever believe.

As she turned and faced Sesshomaru, who seemed quite in awe of it all as well. She felt the familiar nervous butterflies as they faced the alter with the three cups of sake. Behind them, while barely noticeable, was a flea demon. He bowed deeply, as far as Nikki could tell, to them both.

"It is a great honor to be at the mating ceremony of the young Lord of the West," he said as he started. "My lord and lady, each cup before you represents three different aspects. The first, smallest represents love; you are not just binding yourselves in body but in mind and heart as well." He motioned to Nikki, who picked up the smallest of the cups and took three sips of the sake. It wasn't bad, but she could definitely tell she was not one to drink much. She handed and bowed the cup to Sesshomaru who repeated the three sips and put the cup back.

"The second, and slightly larger cup, represents wisdom. Wisdom not just in decisions made daily, alone and together, but to avoid the greatest of flaws; passion, hatred, and ignorance." He motioned the second cup to Nikki, who picked it up and once more took three sips. She bowed and handed the cup to Sesshomaru, who repeated and put the cup back. Nikki wanted to laugh, she could tell Sesshomaru was getting frustrated with how long the flea was taking with this ceremony, most were done by now.

"The final, and largest cup, represents happiness. May it bloom from today and grow with you through your lives together." He said and motioned for the final cup. Nikki repeated what she had done with the first three cups and then bowed and handed it to Sesshomaru, who also repeated for a final time.

With a little help from the two maids, who were close on hand, Sesshomaru pushed Nikki's kimono back. She removed his as well from his shoulder. At the same time the two bit each other on the shoulder, marking each other as their own. Everyone applauded again. And once everyone's clothes were correct on them they had a toast with Izayoi, Nishi, and Higashi and then everyone headed towards the dinning hall.

Nikki was taken back to her room, where they took the shiro off of her and quickly changed her into uchikake. Nikki marveled at the silvers, reds, violets, and blues; the colors of both houses. They were patterned all through out as cherry blossoms and various other flowers, but so beautifully she couldn't help but stare at it as the girls finished everything up.

"You are so beautiful, princess," one of the girls said excitedly. Nikki smiled her thanks to both girls.

"But no more gawking," the other girl said happily, "I'm sure Lord Sesshomaru is waiting to escort the princess to the meal." They helped her with some new, much more comfortable shoes and then led her out of the room to where Sesshomaru was waiting. As the two headed towards the celebration meal, the girls returned to the room to quickly pack Nikki's belongings since they were leaving that night for their own castle.

"You look beautiful," Sesshomaru said as they slowly walked towards the hall. Nikki smiled and blushed.

"You look absolutely wonderful, Sesshomaru," she said softly as he smiled at her. All through the ceremony he had been stony faced Sesshomaru, not an ounce of emotion on him. She hoped she didn't look like a nervous wreck. "How is your shoulder? I didn't hurt you, did I?" She grew worried, she had never bitten anyone like that before. Sesshomaru chuckled and shook his head.

"I am fine, mate," he said as she blushed at her new title. "I was hoping I didn't hurt you." Nikki smirked at him beneath her blush.

"Like that's going to happen," she said holding her head up. She laughed a little with him as they walked into the room to see everyone standing and waiting for them. The dining hall had been changed around and now there was a head table, where Nikki and Sesshomaru were to sit. A table below them was where their parents, Inuyasha and Kagome, and all of Nikki's brothers were to sit. Then all around were the tables for the various guests and such. Sesshomaru assisted Nikki as she sat down and smiled as her father looked back at her and seemed to get choked up.

They all had a wonderful time eating, all nine courses; chatting away with everyone, and just as a gathering together. After the eating there was a small bit of dancing as everyone was just too happy to separate. While they were all free to roam and gather together Nikki got the golden and rare opportunity to tease her brothers as they seemed to partner off, though she was quickly informed that only two were serious.

As the day ended and Nikki and Sesshomaru were ready to leave everyone gathered to wish them the best. Nikki hugged her father and all of her brothers goodbye, teasing Seiji and Shinta about announcements of mating ceremonies for them soon enough. Sesshomaru remained beside her and said his farewells as best he could without rushing them, he knew Nikki wanted this time with them, and he really did have the rest of their lifetimes together.

Everyone watched and waved as their carriage took off and the two were whisked away. After a very tumultuous two years, the two were finally able to have their happily ever after.

I'm sure someone's going to go, say what? I'm trying to hard with all the words and such. I actually did some research on the ceremony and such itself.

San-san-kudo is a wedding tradition that goes as far back as the Edo period. I believe that is when Kagome ends up coming out of the well in the original series, I know they multiple times call it the Feudal Era and nothing more. I do know that both Shinto and Buddhist shrines perform this ceremony.

A shiro is a traditional white kimono worn during the ceremony, it's usually embroidered and the bride also has her hair up in fancy knots, is given golden horns to show she is obedient to her husband, and they are covered in a white hood. It's actually quite beautiful, I'm sure more modern than this the era I placed it, oh well. It is typically adorned with a small encased sword, a kaiken, and a fan in the obi and she carries a small purse. The uchikake is a patterned embroidered or brocade kimono worn for the reception.

The ceremony, the only thing I don't know is what is (if anything) said. So I improvised and thought it turned out great. :) I hope you enjoyed it and look forward to reading my other stories!