A disclaimer : I do not own Inuyasha

A note of gratitude : None of this would be possible without my fantastic beta (the lovely and talented Deathangel113) and viewers like you.

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Dusk fell on the wedding feast, but its steady creeping had gone unnoticed as confusion and rage flowed among the wedding party like the silk in canopy above.

"What do you mean they're not married?!" Amphitryon's father Alcaeus screamed at King Electryon. "You already paid the bride price!"

"I mean just what I said!" the King roared back. "They're not married until both families are present to give her away! And her family is not present!"

"You're her family! You're present! You gave her away!"

"I am one tenth of the males in the house hold! Not a ratio that would be even close to being acceptable!"

Back and forth they argued over the heads of the very confused bride and groom. The mantra was picked up at the lower tables as well until the entire celebration had dissolved into arguments and tantrums between households.

"Amphitryon, how could this happen?" Izayoi turned her doe eyes on her husband.

"I don't know, love," he tried for an explanation, but could only voice his confusion. "This was supposed to be a joyous occasion – now it seems everyone has fallen into bickering turmoil…."

"I was actually enjoying myself too…" she muttered to herself, but he caught her words.

"You were?" The sun broke through his bewilderment to return the smile from only a few hours ago.

"I really was," she glowed back at him, surprised to find that she was telling the truth.

"Do you want to….leave?" Amphitryon ventured.

"Can we leave our own wedding feast?"

"Well….I'm actually not sure….."

"You know what? Let's just go."

Izayoi took Amphitryon's hand and he helped her rise to her feet. She opened her mouth to say something to her father, or anyone of her household, but then decided it would be futile to try to excuse herself overtop of the storm. She grabbed one of the silks she had been seated on and wrapped it about her shoulders while Amphitryon also took up his silks and discretely wrapped some fruits inside. Then the newly married couple stole off into the night without blessings or farewells.

"I am very sorry about what happened back there…." Izayoi said as she and her husband strolled hand in hand down the rocky path towards his pastures.

"It's no fault of yours, I'm sure," he graciously replied. "I know that honor must be very important to a family such as yours."

"Yes, that and obstinacy…" she grumbled.

He laughed, looking at her with surprise. Would she always be like this? She was so different from the vapid princess she had been described as. While she did appear to have a gentle soul, it seemed to occasionally be countered with fiery spirit.

"Well, where would you like to go, my sweet?" he asked. "Would you like a tour? There are many fields to stroll through, provided you are comfortable with only the moonlight for a torch. Or we can visit the flocks? I'm sure some friendly faces may be welcome now and the animals your father gave me would have reached these fields long ago."

Izayoi was touched for his concern for her, but nothing had come close to her earlier shock at having been asked for her opinions on everything from the various foods to the people present at the ceremony. He seemed to wish for a partnership with her and not just another servant. She still appeared to have some of that freedom she so loved and that had almost eclipsed all of her apprehensions of married life. Hope dared flicker inside her heart, warming it while his words fanned it into a flame.

"I'd like a stroll through the grounds," she replied.

"Shall we then?" he offered, moving her small hand from his to the crook of his extended elbow.

The pinpricks of many stars and the much brighter moonlight showed Amphitryon and his little wife as they strolled through the fields and down the many rows of the vineyards, arm in arm, sharing in the stolen fruits of their disastrous wedding feast. He would point out particulars of the lands or the plants, and she would occasionally voice her own comments or agreements. Sometimes Amphitryon would stumble over some root, wickedly blending into the darkness, but Izayoi would gently help him upright again and they would continue onward, simply content to be in one another's company. They could barely hear the tempest of tempers of their arguing relatives from up the road.


"What do you think?" Excitement burned in his eyes – he wanted her to be happy here.

Izayoi took in the new furnishings with a smile. It really wasn't much different from her own home, lacking only in the surge of confusion created by her many brothers and their wives.

"It's lovely, Amphitryon. It really is."

"Do you think you could be happy, tending here?"

"I'm sure I'll be content as long as you are here to look after me."

He swept her off her feet once more, pressing his lips to hers in the first kiss she had ever received. Her whole body stiffened, unsure of what to do. Amphitryon kissed her again, insecurity beginning to shadow his earlier ecstasy. Izayoi moved her lips over his. This seemed to be the correct response, and they both relaxed into their kiss.

Amphitryon was reigning in his passion, unwilling to frighten his obviously youthful bride, but he could contain himself no longer. He pulled her slight frame tighter and used his tongue to beg her lips for entrance. He felt her freeze once more and cursed himself for his haste. He was still mentally berating himself when he felt her tongue. She had apparently taken to mimicking his motions, obviously inexperienced but showing willingness to learn.

Eyes closed and lips moving, Amphitryon walked with her to his bedroom, where he gently lay her down on the soft cloth. She started for a moment at the touch of cool material at her back, but then returned to her earlier concentration on her studying. He hovered over her, attempting to keep all of his weight off her delicate frame. Slowly, carefully, he shifted his weight to one hand and brought the other to delicately stroke her cheek. Izayoi sighed at the touch and encouraged, Amphitryon moved his hand down the fine lines of her face, to her neck and out across her shoulder. A gently shudder met this exploration, and he tried it again, moving a little deeper to the hollows of her neck before fanning out to her shoulder once more. Another shudder, and she lifted herself to press against his form. He was so heartened by her responding that he readied himself for the physical passion he had dreamed of, but then remembered her father's last words to him.

Groaning with frustration, he lifted himself off of her. Izayoi's eyes flew open at the feeling of space he put between them.

"What's wrong? Am I not doing it right?" She asked in a panic.

"Oh no dearest - you are sensational," he sighed. "I'm just not to lay with you just yet. I will respect your father's request."

"Oh," Izayoi replied in a quiet voice. "Perhaps it's all for the best. I am a bit frightened."

"You are? Oh my sweet, never fear!" he countered. "I won't ever force you to do anything you don't want to. Ever!"

Beaming up at him, Izayoi kissed him.

"Oh thank you!" she exclaimed.

She curled up into him and he wrapped his arms around her, content to keep her there. He couldn't have known he had just said the only words she had wanted to hear to ensure her future happiness, but he accepted her affection all the same. It was a pleasant change from the stoic and unresponsive bride he had received in the temple of Hera that afternoon.