Chapter Forty-Six: Wedding Jitters

Fear is a darkroom where negatives develop.

-Usman B. Asif

For the first time in her life Kagome was beginning to realize how much insanity actually went into planning a wedding. Thankfully she fit into her mother's lovely (if somewhat antique) dress so that wasn't a issue...though her friends were very cross that they needed to find matching bridesmaids gowns in a week's time.

If Eri, Yuka, and Ayumi weren't difficult enough it was also a bit odd involving Rukia in the mix of women searching for dresses. The shorter member of the Kuchiki siblings was a little odd but thankfully she had seemed to hit it off with Kagome's friends well enough and could talk about classes with them. She was certain the three would hit Rukia up for information on her mysterious handsome brother as soon as they possibly could but Kagome couldn't stand about playing information referee. She had to trust Rukia would know what things to say and continue the dozens of other things she had to plan.

She hired a caterer, a baker, an orchestra (she just wanted a D.J. but Byakuya had insisted on having one), someone to take video as well as a photographer. She had wanted to have time to decorate herself but Byakuya had insisted she hire someone for almost everything...he'd even sent an assistant to help her mother with invitations or whatever other small odds and ends needed to be accomplished. It was the middle of day four and with a day to spare she only had to make sure of a number of guests and call the caterer back. Her estimate had frighteningly been two hundred and fifty but Byakuya had told her more people than usual were taking the trip from soul society to attend the event.

She was frazzled from stress and lack of sleep, even when she'd laid down the past few days too many worries had kept her from getting any real rest. She was so delighted to get home and find out her mom had already called for her with exact numbers she gave her a tight hug and ran up to take a bath. It was exactly what she needed to relax her overworked nerves.

"Two days til I'm married..." She was running the water as she pondered it. She'd been so busy it wasn't something that had entered her mind much. "It won't be that bad right? Byakuya's a good man, he's rich and handsome...a lot of women would jump at the chance to be in my place. Still..."

That line of thought was darker than she wanted so she stopped before turning off the water and slipping out of her clothes. "At least it wasn't that white haired jerk kid they wanted me with. I think I would have protested way more."

"I will like the baths there at least." She noted as her tub at home wasn't long enough for her to really lounge like she had at Byakuya's mansion/palace in soul society. "I guess really it won't be too much different than it's been. We'll get married and have our dance and....wait....I can't dance...."

The thought was such a small one but infinitely horrifying...there would be hundreds of guests from soul society, nobles she would have to face at any sort of social function...and many of them would be seeing her for the first time. Tripping over her feet and making a general fool of herself... "Oh god, why didn't I think about taking lessons!?"

"They even had dancing at the last event and I was able to decline by saying I wasn't feeling one hundred percent but I can't keep getting away with that excuse. Shit! Damn damn damn damn damn! How could I forget something like that!" She dipped her head under the water to keep from breaking into tears. Holding her breath and gaining a mantra in her head that it might not be too late... "Maybe I can find someone willing to teach me in the next day and a half. It won't make me the best looking girl out there but it might keep me from stepping on Byakuya's toes all night while making a utter mockery of us both."

Her lungs were starting to burn by the time she surfaced and pushed her hair back with a deep breath. She half pondered going back under with a groan when she realized Souta had been pounding at the door.

"Ka-Go-Me!" She came up just in time to hear him yell it as three syllables. "If you don't answer I'm gonna go get the key."

"What!?" She finally managed to half-scream back...irritated she couldn't get a moment to herself, even if the bath wasn't helping her de-stress, her brother interrupting her self-pity wasn't helping either!

"Some guy is here to see you. Mom gave him some yakisoba and had to go to the store but wanted you to know so I've been knocking for a while. What the hell are you doing in there?" Souta returned, voice still raised more than it needed to be.

"Who is it?" Kagome hadn't even gotten to wash her hair but was starting to shampoo it as Souta spoke.

"I dunno...he says he's on the groom's side. He's sorta creepy." Souta announced loud enough that whoever was there could probably hear him downstairs. "He has really blond hair...almost like it's gold."

...

Kagome froze and immediately went back under the water. "So much for being lucky that I haven't come across the Prince...oh god...mom gave him fried noodles and left? Oh god...I'm so screwed...Souta...please shut up...just shut up...I know you are probably still insulting him..."

She got out of the tub in a hurry, drying off as best she could before tossing her clothes on and rushing down the steps. Her hair was still dripping when she burst into the kitchen, she was only vaguely aware of Souta staring at her in her hurried steps.

The prince was indeed settled at her kitchen table eating Yakisoba. Perfect, golden, a single eyebrow starting to slowly raise on a otherwise calm polite face.

"I'm sorry...I didn't realize it was you...yo...your highness." She was doing her best not to gasp in breaths, holding her breaths under the water followed by the rush wasn't the best plan for her respiratory health.

"Are you not well Kagome?" His voice seemed to wash a level of serenity over her she hadn't had in days...instantly wiping away her agitation but not her breathlessness or terror. "Your mother was kind enough to let me in and give me dinner. Your brother agreed to retrieve you but I imagine he's likely left by now. Most mortals don't like to linger in my presence for long periods."

"Might be that whole 'I could kill you with a passing glance' aura." Kagome thought to herself as she continued to catch her breath. She was more nervous now that Byakuya wasn't there but to a point fascinated as well...her dinner table had to be the most supernaturally used table in existence.

"I just...um...why are you here?" She managed the stupid question as she stayed where she was in the door. Certain she looked like a semi-drown rat as she felt her hair soaking through the back of her shirt and dripping along the floor.

"I needed to get away from Byakuya's manor for a time." He said amiably, his demeanor almost cheerful. "These noodles are very good...your mother is quite the chef."

Kagome still didn't know how her mom seemed to wow everyone with her cooking but she wasn't about to be sad about it...at least he wasn't unhappy. "I'm glad you like them..."

It was robotic responses mostly...to date she decided this was the strangest thing yet to happen to her.

"If you need to dry your hair and dress properly I can wait." He offered, he hadn't been looking at her much when he spoke and she noticed for the first time her shirt was on backwards. Her cheeks and neck transformed into a pretty maroon and she bolted back out of the room to get dressed properly.

"What the hell is he doing here? Isn't he suppose to be horribly hunted by the people after soul society...damn damn I have the worst luck. I gotta get dressed and get him out of the house." She was moving quickly as she fixed up her clothing, picking out something a little nicer than her pajama's, dried her hair and willed the dryer to work faster and brushed it out. A lot more of it was missing than usual but she was done within fifteen minutes and he was putting his chopsticks at the edge of the plate as she walked back into the kitchen. Moving to clean the guests plate out of good habit.

"Better?" He seemed vaguely amused but his voice was so amazing it was easy to forgive the trespass into her home.

"Yeah uh sorry." She was blushing again as she thought about how stupid she must have looked before. "Um...can we go for a walk...or can you not do that?"

"There is little I can't do Priestess Kagome." He smiled at her just lightly and she felt like she'd melt. "No wonder Byakuya didn't want me to agree to him...I can't imagine there is much I'd disagree to if he asked me without any sort of magical influence."

"Shall we then?" He was near her before she knew he'd moved, making her jump a little and blush more when he offered an arm.

She looked at the arm like it was some sort of foreign object a full few seconds before taking it and walking with him toward the exit of the house. "This isn't happening, Byakuya's going to kill me...take a walk? Isn't it worse if he's out where he can be spotted?"

The whole exchange seemed to happen at light speed but they were out of the house before she could offer a word of protest. His arm was exceptionally soft and comfortable but at the same time being in contact with him made her feel secure and warm. She wanted to pull away but knew it wasn't wise to irritate him.

"You seem less fortified than usual." He pointed out...his mannerisms and choice of words still a little alien to her. She decided he must have meant she seemed tired.

"Just been busy." She explained, talking made it easier to not think about how silky his skin was. "I've had so much to do with the wedding and I've been so worried things wouldn't get done that I haven't slept much. It's crazy I've managed to do almost everything I've needed to do with a day to spare."

"What haven't you accomplished?" He was looking around as they walked through a nearby park...she vaguely remembered it was the same one where she'd been attacked but the warning sirens in her brain were muted by the fact that she doubted the man she was walking with could have been moved by a large army if he didn't want it to be so.

"I just wish I'd of set up dance lessons." She muttered, the more she talked, the more it seemed to help her break this strange spell the Prince's presence was trying to blanket her in. "I'm afraid I'm going to step on Byakuya's toes constantly."

"That would be quite an enjoyable evening." He commented, she sensed a bit of a playful tone but he was harder to read than when she'd seen him last. "But if that is the only problem I can show you how to dance."

"I didn't mean to say..." She immediately started to apologize but her words fell away when he put a finger to her lips...instead fighting the urge to close her eyes and enjoy his touch.

"It is fine Priestess Kagome...I believe your lack of rest is making you far less fascinating than our last encounter." She couldn't read him at all then, he was calm and masked just as well as she'd ever seen Byakuya. "I should return you to your room so you can rest."

She was shaking her head to try to get the lightheaded feeling to go away. She'd never been drunk but she was starting to believe this must be what it felt like. She couldn't quite concentrate as she wanted to, finally pulling herself away from the Prince and closing her eyes to try to get her mind back where it should be.

She missed the slightly surprised expression and didn't even notice the feeling of air passing her. By the time she'd regained her composure she noticed that they were back at her home. She didn't remember walking but wasn't sure she wanted to ask what happened. Something akin to flash step was all she could assume. "What are you trying to do?"

The question came out as more accusing than she intended but she was angry, he was somehow toying with her emotions and she didn't like it. She was outright frowning at him and now that she wasn't in as close of contact she was regaining her senses faster.

"I'll come by tomorrow afternoon, we can practice then Priestess Kagome." He smiled at her again though she scowled at the lack of a real response to her question. "Do try to get some rest by then."

Then he was just gone and she was sighing in annoyance.

"I so need to punch him in the nose...people you punch in the nose are instantly less intimidating." She decided as she grumbled to herself and headed back into her home. She suddenly was wishing she hadn't wanted lessons on dancing nearly so much. She wouldn't be able to see Byakuya at all at this rate before the wedding...

End Chapter

It took me a long while to get this up but it's finally here. I was really fighting for a long time with what to do with this chapter...there are four other chapters that are muchly different before I finally decided this one goes toward my planned ending the best. Thanks for putting up with my crazy muse.

-Aura

To my reviewers:

Ayjah - Yeah, backstory is good imo. Time limits on life I guess isn't so good but you have to even things out.

Traitor-Hero - Yes and it's one of my favorites too.

Veil of Flesh - He doesn't think he's ruining anything...the Prince that is.

Shrine Keeper - I'm glad you've enjoyed it so much so far. I hope I remain creative and different for you...I do attempt to be that way.

Sugar0o - I hope you haven't gone crazy in the meantime and continue to read though I had such a hard time with this chapter.

Bibi Kitten - The Prince is also about cause there is always talk of nobility in the manga but never a real person that's a noble. I dunno if there was someone like that in the filler episodes though cause I try not to watch the filler seasons.

whirleeq - SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!