A.N. Sorry for the wait! I do not own Inuyasha or Yu Yu Hakusho.
Kouga stood with the inu taiyoukai as they looked down at the map. "Naraku's stronghold is here." He tapped a former human castle in the North. "Yet he has no trouble navigating his people and resources. There've been attacks here, here and here. There's not a single human outpost left with the exception of Mount Hakurei, which has been attacked many times." The ookami prince frowned. It felt so odd speaking like this, the miko not present.
Obviously feeling the same, the white haired male couldn't help but glance to his side for her. He frowned and forced himself to concentrate. "There are miko and psychics there, but not enough power to warrant the attacks. The abomination should be focused on this Sesshomaru and all the other Lords of the land."
"Be glad for the distraction," Mukuro cut in as she walked into the study. "The attacks on the mountain are blessedly fruitless and divert his resources."
Izayoi came forward after a moment, on the arm of the Southern Lord.
"I hope you were not thinking to bar me from the meeting." Sightless, the many eared youkai smiled. "Besides, Lord Mukuro is correct. If all his resources were gathered, the fight would be far more difficult."
Frowning, the Northern ookami lord looked down at the map. "But that goes back to what Sesshomaru said. He's putting forth a great deal of effort for a victory that would hold more symbolism than real results."
"Obviously, there's something there he wants very badly." The blind youkai looked serene in the moment. "I say we negotiate to find out what that is."
Previously silent, the former Lady cleared her throat. "I have had visions. Naraku seeks power. A false power derived of something called the shikon no tama."
A sharp bark of laughter ripped from the ookami's throat. "You're kidding with us, right Lady?"
"I assure you, I do not joke." The violet eyed woman frowned at the youkai.
"She is quite serious, I assure you." A tilt of Yomi's lips was a little condescending. "I was once a part of a band of thieves that actively sought the gem in question. It is quite real."
"This Sesshomaru has never heard of such a thing," the inu bristled, a little irked at not being in on the conversation.
"It is a silly legend. A miko falls in love with a koorime, leaves her husband and he goes crazy and brings out some assassins. She traps her soul and the youkai assassins' in the shikon no tama. Supposedly, the jewel has the power to grant wishes." Kouga looked unimpressed by the story.
Painted lips turned downwards. The gentle lady had been unaware of this.
"Who told you that?" Mukuro demanded, tone measured. She knew nothing of the myth either, yet the two other Lords obviously did.
Eying Izayoi awkwardly, the ookami shrugged. "Slave nanny. She was a descendent of the Kuwabara taijya. Her family was owned by us for generations. She always had all sorts of myths and legends to tell me before bed."
"And I learned from my associates who claimed to have encountered Onigumo in a band of human thieves before his marriage to Midoriko. They said they met him again as Naraku." Smiling, it was obvious that the blind male had already pieced this together.
"Well, where is the jewel?" Izayoi questioned.
x~x~x~x
Setting the box she'd managed to keep hidden into the closet, Kagome prayed silently for strength. She took a cleansing breath and smiled as Rin entered to help her dress for her wedding. "Are they being treated well?"
"Shippou and Shiori are resting comfortably. Sango and Miroku are quite curious about you, but I told them that they could converse with you after your wedding night." The younger girl smiled a little as she tightened the obi.
Catching sight of herself in the mirror, Kagome actually smiled. It was a simple kimono, a soft blue that matched her eyes with a black dragon wound around her bosom, the Kuwabara and Higurashi seals rested atop its head. It was well suited to her body and not overly elaborate. "Thank you, Rin-chan."
x~x~x~x
"I won't pretend I don't want her to myself, but I know you want to complete your mating bond with her." Kuwabara straightened his formal wear, nervous. After so long, finally marrying her was both thrilling and nerve wracking.
"Hn." The hybrid turned from him, obviously irked. "She loves you."
"As much as I don't like it, she loves you too. She wouldn't have let you mark her otherwise." The orange haired man sighed and grasped his shoulder gently.
Shrugging the hand off, the male stared sullenly ahead. "Let's go, Baka. She won't wait forever."
x~x~x~x
Taking deep breaths, the miko stepped out onto the grass. They'd chosen for their wedding to be outside, on the edge of the mountain. It was as close to their old village as possible. Blades of green tickled her feet as she walked the path, her sapphire eyes meeting dark brown.
Kuwabara felt his breath catch as he caught sight of her, his mouth dry. "She's so beautiful, isn't she?"
At his side, the hybrid shifted, fighting the possessive edge that was fighting its way to the surface. His mate. His mate. But not. The Kuwabara's wife.
Rin cleared her throat as her ancestor came to a stop before the orange haired man. "We are gathered here for a ceremony long overdue. Uniting Kuwabara and Higurashi, and bringing two souls that have longed for one another together."
Swallowing thickly, the large man took the older miko's hand, threading their fingers together. He met her eyes, his heart hammering wildly in his chest. This was really happening.
Tears of happiness glossed over Kagome's eyes as she looked up at him. My love... She peered at the dark youkai at his side and smiled gently. And more. She was lucky to have a bond with not one, but two amazing men.
Bringing the two out of their reverie, the young miko coughed discreetly. "Do you, Higurashi Miko Kagome, take the psychic Kuwabara Kazuma to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and health, til death do you part?"
"I do," Kagome answered without hesitation.
"Then do you, Kuwabara Kazuma-" she continued.
"I do," he cut her off, blushing sheepishly at her look.
"Well then, by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride." Rin smiled at the two, watching curiously.
The orange haired man took her hand, pulling it up to his face. Her skin was soft, her delicate hand resting against his cheek as he dipped down.
Tilting her head back, the miko slid her thumb nail along his cheek bone, before resting gently against his flesh. She stood on her toes and met him halfway. The kiss was sweet but there was a passion boiling underneath.
x~x~x~x
A gasp was pulled from her throat as her obi was pulled loose. Her kimono fell to the floor and she felt his hands peeling away the under layers of the garment. Before she knew it, she was bare to him. She turned then, looking at him as he stared down at her. The air against her exposed skin made her shiver.
Licking his lips, the large man looked down at her longingly. He suddenly felt inept, having kept himself chaste for her, yet now lacking the knowledge to bring her pleasure.
Sensing his hesitation, she kissed him, untying the binding about his waist. She trailed her lips down to his throat, kissing and nicking his pulse point lightly as she took his clothes off, leaving him as bare as herself. Stepping back, it was her turn to stare. Her face flushed. She'd not seen a man like this... So exposed.
x~x~x~x
Crimson eyes watched them the entire time. Watched the man's clumsy yet gentle hands pull sounds of pleasure from her lip. Watched him glide inside her body as tears rolled down her cheeks. He watched the two shift and writhe, both inexperienced yet they made love to one another.
When they were done, all intertwined, he finally went in. He met the Kuwabara's eyes and nodded. His eyes flickered to her, taking in her flustered appearance. He shed his clothing and crawled into bed with them. He spread her legs and took his place inside her, his lips on hers. Claiming, completing. She was his.
She was theirs.