Chapter 52

Kagome's birthday dinner was simple, with her mom and Izayoi making oden, which was a little out of season, usually being a winter dish, but it was Kagome's favorite, and everyone just enjoyed each other's company. There were no presents, since her wedding was days away and she'd get loaded up with things then, until they settled into the den, Sesshoumaru pulling her into his lap and presenting her with a square box about 12 inches on a side in familiar purple velvet, though this box looked faded compared to her more recent gifts.

She looked up to her one, shaking her head and blushing, "You didn't have to do this,"

"These are to match your rehearsal dress. Your wedding jewels are in the safe."

Her eyes grew wide. "You mean there's more?"

"Miko, it is this Sesshoumaru's duty to outfit you worthy of your station as my chosen. Did I not, it would bring shame to myself and my family." He nuzzled her neck and said, "You still have not opened your gift."

"Oh!" Blushing to her roots, she opened the box and stared with wonder at the contents. Inside were the most beautiful hair ornaments she had ever seen. Crafted from purest gold, a set of seven delicate, intricately carved butterflies with robin's egg blue enamel details were laid out on the purple velvet. Her hand involuntarily moved to graze over one lightly, afraid of breaking them.

"Mama, look!" she whispered reverently, displaying the box for everyone to see. There were several "ooh"s and "ahh"s from the gathered females.

Toga had a warm smile on his face and tears in his eyes. She didn't understand his profound reaction until Sesshoumaru announced, "They were my mother's, my father's final courting gift to her."

She was overwhelmed. "Oh, Sesshoumaru…" Turning to her InuPapa, she asked, "Are you sure this is alright?"

Toga nodded. "Yes, dear. Aiko's jewels were left to Sesshoumaru for his future mate. They are yours by right now and she would be proud to see you in them."

"I am honored," she said sincerely. "Sesshoumaru? How did you know the colors of my rehearsal dress? You promised no peeking," she pouted.

"This Sesshoumaru has not intruded on your surprise. I merely questioned the dress maker about your color choices for the rehearsal and wedding so I could choose your adornments appropriately. The rest of your bridal jewelry is safely stored in the vault in the basement."

She took his hand and brought it to her mouth, kissing his palm. "There's just no keeping up with you, is there? All I've done for you is make your wedding outfit."

"That is not all you have done, miko…" he said, gazing warmly into her eyes, his hand on her cheek as she leaned into the touch.

"Get a room, you two! Jeez!" Inuyasha brashed, earning an elbow in the side from his mate. "Hey, so when are we getting Kagome drunk? Our girl needs a proper send off!"

Turning in Sesshoumaru's hold to address her friend, she said, "I can't, Yasha. I have work to do tonight. Now that the Jewel is unhoused from my body, it can be sensed and I have to get rid of it before we find ourselves in another battle for power. Kaede says the only way that can happen is with a pure wish, so I have to think about it tonight and then we'll try in the morning."

Sesshoumaru spoke up, "A pure wish? There is no such thing."

"The Jewel lore states it may only be destroyed by a pure wish. Kagome has been chosen as the Shikon Miko, she will not fail," Kaede said, confident in her charge.

"The surest way to reach the answer to a problem is not to think about it for awhile. Why don't we have a movie night tonight, and we'll all keep the question in the back of our minds. If any of us come up with something, we will tell Kagome in the morning," Kaneko said.

"Fine, but there needs to be alcohol," Inuyasha insisted.

Toga stood up, "Experienced bartender, at your service!"

…

The next morning, Kagome was a veritable bear to wake up, as she was experiencing her very first hangover and she really didn't do pain well. Inuyasha had been augmenting her drinks last night and had dared her into a drinking game on top of that while they watched "The Big Lebowski." Never much of a drinker and a total lightweight besides, Kagome did not want to know how many Cherry Blossoms and White Russians she had guzzled last night. They were just so yummy…

Now her mouth felt like dirty cotton, even the tiniest sound made her head throb, and she was pretty sure if someone even mentioned breakfast, she was going to yak. Sesshoumaru tried to talk to her, but she was only capable of moaning and groaning, no higher level speech. In the shower, which he had practically dragged her into, all she wanted to do was stand under the spray, but her one actually insisted she get clean at some point. Where was the energy for that going to come from?

She lucked out because he tired of prodding her and just did it for her, even going so far as to comb out her hair, towel her off after, and plait her hair in a braid so she didn't have to worry about it. He drew the line at dressing his chosen. Just because she was entirely too susceptible to a challenge was no excuse to act an invalid. He set out her miko clothing on the bed and watched as she sat, naked, on the edge then closed her eyes and fell back on the mattress with a moan.

"Miko." No answer.

"Kagome," this time with warning in his tone.

She let out a pathetic whine.

"You are going to get up. You are going to get dressed. You are going to meet the priestess in the dojo and finish your sacred duty. Now, up!"

She emitted a moaning growl.

He had had enough. He went into the bathroom and got her two extra-strength pain relievers and a cup of water and returned, setting them on the night stand. He joined her on the bed, moving his hand over her body and kindling a fire in her blood. His mouth found her neck, kissing and nibbling before sucking on her sensitive skin. She was moaning and her hands moved to hold him and press him closer, thwarted as he pulled away from her and sat up.

Her eyes flew open and she whined at the sudden absence. He merely raised a brow.

She tilted her head and made pleading eyes at him, stretching her hand down to his arm and tugging at it. His brow lowered and he turned his face from her.

Never a girl who liked being ignored, she flew upright in bed, ready to give him a piece of her mind, but stopped and held her head with a groan when the room started spinning again. Her hand was pulled away from her head and the medicine placed in her palm. In her other hand, he placed the cup of water. She looked dumbly at them for a moment before tossing the pills into her mouth and washing them down.

He took the cup from her hand and repeated, "Now get dressed."

Reminded of her new sexual frustration that seemed insult to injury, she glared at him, lips pursed. He leaned towards her and growled a warning growl, but as usual, she was unaffected. Instead, she tried to close the gap and kiss him. Her reactions were dulled and that wasn't quite what happened.

When he realized what she was about to do, he used her forward momentum to grab her arm on which she was leaning, throwing her off balance so she tumbled across his lap. With a resounding smack, his clawed hand met the naked flesh of her buttocks before he stood, setting her on her feet.

Frustrated at her lack of coordination, she snatched up her clothes from the bed and angrily shoved her limbs into them, muttering about high-handed dogs.

…..

She stomped her way straight to the dojo, pointedly going nowhere near the kitchen or dining rooms as the aroma coming from that area of the shiro was sending her stomach in somersaults. Blessedly, Kaede was waiting for her and looked up from her meditations to greet her. Kagome merely nodded her reply. She went to the weapons rack and grabbed her katana.

She settled down on a cushion opposite her sensei and Kaede asked, "Have you formed a wish, child?"

Kagome nodded.

"Hold the Jewel in your palms and concentrate on your wish. Let it flow through you and into the Jewel."

She closed her eyes and focused.

As Kaede watched, her charge disappeared, leaving the Shikon no Tama to float eerily to the floor as if it were a feather and not a precious stone.

…..

A/N: So…still looking for a beta. Here, beta, beta, beta! This story is drawing to a close and I've amazingly got more stories in my head so something long term would be pretty awesome but I will take what I can get. PM me and let me know. If I can actually find someone who can even remotely keep pace with me, I promise to pay you in snickerdoodles and semi-illicit brownies.

…..