Chapter Twenty-Seven: Back to the Beginning

The world is all gates, all opportunities, strings of tension waiting to be struck.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Things had begun to die down within the first week after they'd paused Sesshomaru's misplaced vengeful rage against the soul reaper's. Kagome wasn't sure how things were progressing between her friends on the real world but assumed Miroku was in much worse of a position compared to most of the people in the soul society.

She'd barely seen Byakuya after they returned, instead being watched by a argumentative Rukia or Renji most of those days. More often Rukia as Renji even when he was babysitting her was busy with paperwork. It was obvious that while the immediate threat had passed there was still a lot of work that needed to be done.

"I really gotta talk to him about this though..." She thought as she idled on the couch in boredom while Renji was stuck at a desk covered in the aforementioned papers. "I'm getting a bit tired of being treated like a kid...I'm not that helpless. I know he's worried but this is a bit much."

"Do you think he'll be back tonight?" Kagome asked Renji, she had already mentioned it earlier but there had been one of the hell butterflies that had fluttered in a few moments before to communicate it's message with the lieutenant. She was hoping it was some kind of update.

"Who?" Renji blinked at her once before the light bulb came on. "Oh, Captain Kuchiki is still rather busy but I believe he was planning to be back late tonight for rest. Things are in the need of a lot of attention and a lot of us are injured."

"I know." Kagome sighed. "Isn't there something I could do to help with all the papers at least? I feel worthless just sitting here doing nothing."

"Byakuya would kill me if he came back and saw you doing paperwork I was suppose to do." Renji replied, shaking his head immediately. "No way. Why don't you practice your calligraphy? I've heard it's awful."

Kagome frowned at that, her calligraphy wasn't that bad. She huffed though and sat at her own desk to work on it in hopes it would at least distract her from her boredom. This wouldn't work though, she couldn't take being under constant protective watch like this.

She knew why, but she was hoping Byakuya would get over it soon. They're engagement would be up soon, the wedding was due at the end of the month, spring somehow seemed a fitting time for it. She had actually gotten more of a say in the design of the ceremony and party this time and had insisted on something in the spring. Without cherry blossoms it wouldn't work at all, it was something she'd wanted there for certain though more for Byakuya than herself.

Being her family already still thought she was married, it was more of a soul society wedding this time, but she was just glad she was getting to have a real wedding this time instead of a ruse for something else.

She was busy with her practice and lost in thought so she didn't see Renji get up and leave, or Byakuya until he settled hands on her shoulders and she messed up the line she was on, nearly inking the table as she jumped at the contact.

"That's not funny!" She scowled up at Byakuya from her chair. "What time is it anyway, you should sleep more, I'm tired of being locked up here unable to go anywhere you know."

"It's for your protection while there are still rogue enemies out there Kagome." Byakuya stated calmly. "Renji mentioned that you were growing restless so I left a bit early. Would you like to take a walk?"

"I can leave my cell for good behavior then?" Kagome asked, cleaning her brush before standing.

"Unless you'd rather stay here." He commented, watching the dirty look she sent him.

"This is cause I elbowed you last week." She concluded with another huff. "I was just trying to help."

"You are being dramatic." Byakuya returned, nodding toward the door and heading that way. "Come."

She fell in behind him as was the proper way here, frowning still. "You know, we could actually walk next to each other. I doubt anyone cares...our wedding is soon anyway."

The way he glanced over his shoulder at her was definitely much too business mode for him to give into the request. He was being much too cool for her liking, she'd been spoiled by the time they'd spent away from all this ceremony.

"I'm just saying." She muttered, looking away toward the gardens they were walking by, they'd just begun to sprout life and it wouldn't be too long before they'd be lively. Now though they were as muted as she felt. "I really don't think I wanna follow you around like this forever."

She was about to say something else but paused as he picked her up and flickered away, she had a moment of irritation before she smiled a bit. The contact that came with him carrying her away was better than most of the alternatives.

"Where are we going?" She asked curiously as he paused long enough to open the gate to the real world, not expecting the walk to include that.

His charcoal gaze held a edge of amused mystery and she found herself holding a little tighter as her heart jumped some in her chest. Somehow whenever he looked at her like that it managed to get her weak in the knees. He was up to something.

She leaned closer into his chest as he ran, it was still a dizzying experience, but she knew he wouldn't tell her after the look she'd gotten. Might as well enjoy being carried for a while, who knew when she'd get a little time with him again.

It was slow but she steadily became aware of the fact that it was raining, making her glance around, it looked like it was almost clear, but that was thanks to the flash-step. It was actually a small downpour, making her blink at the strange optical illusion that came with the immense speed at which they were moving.

Then she jumped as they paused and was hit by the drenching and cold late winter rain. Shivering a little and frowning, they were in a back alley and she assumed there was some sort of trouble if he'd stop them here.

"You don't recognize it?" Byakuya asked her, raising his voice just enough so she could hear him over the steady pounding.

She shook her head negatively. "I don't think so no...should I."

As she turned her gaze back to the sixth squad captain she blinked as he handed her an umbrella. She opened it and held it above them, making a curtain around them in the rain with the wide shield. "What's going on anyway?"

"Do you remember me telling you that I needed to ask you something." It was more of a statement than a question. He pulled a small jewelry box from a pocket, holding it in his hand still as she looked around again. "This is the alley where you first found me and saved me that night that seems so long ago now. Where we first met you could say. I don't remember everything clearly but I'm fairly certain it was raining."

She stared as he bent to one knee, taking her hand that wasn't holding the umbrella. The simple tool that helped them to stay dry also somehow separating them from the rest of the world and giving them their own perfect little space.

"In all that's happened I haven't had the chance to do this before. Kagome, will you marry me?" He asked, opening the box.

Within was a lovely platinum ring with three pink gems whose shape was that of gentle flower petals flowing across it's surface. She smiled at it, staring in surprise at the unexpected but sweet question a long moment before managing to nod.

"Yes." Her voice was a little broken with happy tears. "Of course, yes!"

She threw her arms around him, unconcerned with getting wet as she pressed her lips against his, the frustrations of the last week at least temporarily forgotten. She hadn't even really thought about it in so long she'd forgotten that they'd never really done this part of the engagement.

End Chapter

Aw! So cute. I've been planning this for a while but they've been too busy for it til now. The wedding will be soon, I figure just a chapter or two more before I'll be finished. If more, not much more than that. Should be amusing at least.

-Aura

P.S. To those interested my project for November instead of writing something new is to try to continue all the things I plan to continue. Or at least try.

To my reviewers:

Thanks to everyone for all reviews, to those with particular comments/questions:

SheDevil - They'll be at the wedding, I have evil plans.

Sugar0o - Many of those things won't be touched on in the fiction itself, but things I don't answer by the end you are welcome to ask and if I don't plan on using them in a possible future sequel I'll answer for you.

pclark - Rin and Miroku are going to be at the wedding when it happens.

eloquent dreams - ! I hope you got caught up on studies!