The Morning of the Wedding…
Mrs. Higurashi opened the door slowly, peeking into the room. She smiled as he looked at the happy couple, their arms wrapped around each other as they slept. 'I won't have to wait long for grandchildren,' she thought. "Inuyasha, Kagome, wake up. It's already 8."
Inuyasha's ears twitched as he tightened his arms around Kagome. He was too comfortable, unwilling to get out of bed. He yawned, kissing Kagome's forehead. "Kagome, wake up," he said, shaking her shoulder. Kagome buried her face in Inuyasha's chest, shaking her head.
"Come on Kagome, we only have 4 hours before the wedding starts," Mrs. Higurashi said.
"I'm up I'm up," Kagome said tiredly, stretching and sitting upright.
"Inuyasha, go downstairs please; you're not allowed to see Kagome until the wedding starts," Mrs. Higurashi said sternly, ushering her almost son-in-law out of the room.
"What? Why?" Inuyasha asked, surprised. No one told him he couldn't see Kagome.
"It's bad luck to see the bride before the wedding," Kagome said.
"Exactly, so go downstairs and have some breakfast with Sota. He and Grandpa will help you get dressed today," Mrs. Higurashi said, closing the room door.
'Great, the kid and the old man are going to dress me,' Inuyasha thought as he walked downstairs. 'I'd rather have the lecher of a monk help me. At least there's food.'
"Morning Inuyasha," Sota said as Inuyasha sat across from him.
"Hey kid," Inuyasha replied, picking up a big bowl of ramen. Even though she practically threw him out of Kagome's room, he was grateful that she made him some ramen.
"Nervous about today?" Sota asked.
"Keh, why would I get nervous?" Inuyasha asked, his mouth full of noodles.
Sota shrugged, finishing his waffles. "On TV when there's a wedding the bride and groom always get nervous."
Inuyasha continued eating, thinking about Sota's words. 'I'm not nervous,' he thought. 'I don't get nervous….But my stomach feels weird like that thing Kagome said once. Butterflies.' Inuyasha pictured the butterflies he always saw in the Feudal Era, their wings fluttering. That was definitely how he felt. 'Maybe I ate too much ramen.'
"Come on Inuyasha; we have to set up outside," Sota said, getting up from the table.
"Why?" Inuyasha asked, putting down his now empty bowl.
"Cause we have to set up for the wedding. Mom said so." Inuyasha got to his feet, following Sota outside. 'How hard could it be to set up stuff?'
Mrs. Higurashi peeked through the curtains, watching as Inuyasha and Sota began setting up for the wedding. "Okay Inuyasha is outside so I can bring you some breakfast," she said, turning toward the bed where Kagome sat.
"What's he doing outside?" she asked.
"Oh he and Sota are setting up everything for the wedding."
"Really?" Kagome said, going toward the window.
"Do not look outside," Mrs. Higurashi said frantically, blocking thee window. "I want it to be a surprise." Kagome sighed, sinking into her desk chair. "I'll be right back," she said before walking out of the room.
Kagome was tempted to peek outside, just to see what they were doing, but decided against it. 'I can wait a few more hours,' she thought. Her eyes drifted around her room, finally landing on her corkboard of pictures. She smiled as she looked at them, a different memory contained in each. Her and Sota playing in the snow last winder. Yuka, Eri, Ayumi, and herself when they were in pre-school. A picture of herself that Shippo had taken with a disposable camera. A picture of Miroku and Sango sitting very close together one evening. A row of small pictures of Inuyasha and herself that they got from a photobooth.
The last picture she looked at made her sigh wistfully. It was a family picture from the beach years ago, featuring Kagome, Sota, her mother, and her father. She had been thinking of her father more and more as the wedding drew closer. What girl didn't dream of having her father walk her down the aisle? Kagome remembered playing dress up as a child, pretending she was a bride and having her father walk her around the house. 'I never thought you would miss out on this day Dad,' she thought sadly.
She started as her mom entered the room, carrying a tray. "I made you your favorite, French toast. What's wrong Kagome?" Mrs. Higurashi asked, setting the tray on the bed as she looked at her daughter.
"Nothing," Kagome replied, sitting on the bed and nibbling a piece of French toast.
"Kagome, I'm your mother; I always know when something is bothering you. What's on your mind?"
"I just…I miss Dad a lot today," Kagome said sadly. "I never thought this day would come and he wouldn't be here."
Mrs. Higurashi nodded understandingly, holding Kagome's hand. "I thought he would be here too. But I know he's happy for you, happy you've found Inuyasha; happy you're starting a new part of your life; that's all that any parent wants. So no sadness today; it's supposed to be the best day of you and Inuyasha's lives," she said with a smile.
Kagome hugged her mother tightly, her eyes filled with tears. She may not have her father anymore but she had one hell of a mother. A mother who was okay with her daughter missing school to hunt jewel shards in the Feudal Era. Who encouraged her to develop her miko powers. Who was supportive of her marrying a half-demon. Her mother was truly one of a kind. "Thanks a lot mom, for everything," Kagome said, wiping her eyes.
Mrs. Higurashi smiled, wiping a stray tear. "Eat up Kagome; you've got a long day ahead of you."