AN: Hi guys, I'm back and finally done with my semester! I am officially a Senior in college..YAY! (not that you guys care lol XD) Anyway... sorry about the long wait :( but this chapter is another long one because I was absolutely determined to include the wedding in it.
Whew! X/ this chapter took me three days, and a lot of research, to write. And I think I finally got it where it's acceptable by my standards. I'm still not quite happy with it though but the longer I worked on it the more I began to hate writing it lol. I cant WAIT to get to the good stuff after the wedding though.
Anyway without further adieu, here's the 10th chapter! I hope you guys enjoy and don't forget to leave me a review pretty please! It's fuel for my creative processes.
IMPORTANT: I found out that sometimes symbols like "at signs" or marks like border or line breaks don't appear in my uploaded version of chapters so if you find weird things in my chapters or grammar, please leave me a message or review telling me so I can try to fix it. Thanks!
***Reader review answers and remarks at the end****
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of its characters. I do own any OC characters that may appear in this story, however ;)
"Ow!"Kagome exclaimed as Sango wrapped the obi around her waist entirely too tight. "I actually like being able to breath" she said, rolling her eyes jokingly at her friend, when Sango looked up at her apologetically from where she stood in front of her on her knees.
Tying the finishing bow on the obi, Sango finally stood back to take a look at the end results of four and a half hours of preparation, primping, pulling, and styling. As she examined the woman in front of her she could find no flaw whatsoever, and felt nothing but pride in her hard work. Finally deeming her work complete enough to allow the young girl to look at herself in the mirror for the first time since waking up that morning , Sango turned the mirror from where it faced the wall so that Kagome could see.
Upon Kagome's first glance, she found herself rendered absolutely speechless and unable offer any words of praise or gratitude to her best-friend. Who stood anxiously watching her every reaction and expression for any sign of disapproval or dislike. Finally, she gathered enough of her thoughts to form a coherent sentence and thanked and praised Sango for her great styling prowess.
Sango had worked and slaved from early morning, before the sun even began to show signs of its rays in the sky, to make Kagome into the beautiful visage she had now become. Waking a cranky Kagome up to bathe her with a special bathing oil that had been brought from home by Kagome's mother specifically for the wedding night. A task that Kagome had not made extremely easy for her. Due to the fact that she tried multiple times to refuse the use of the bath oil by trying to convince Sango to use a lesser quality one instead, just for the "purpose" of which it was given to her.
"There's no reason why I should use it since there will be no 'consummating' done this night" she had tried to tell Sango, to which Sango's only reaction was to stare at Kagome incredulously as if she were a mad woman. 'Or any other night for that matter' she thought, ignoring Sango's avid disbelief. Sango did not know the type of relationship she and Lord Sesshomaru had. Undoubtedly Sesshomaru would not want to claim her in any more than last name, or at-least that was what Kagome was going to keep telling herself.
After failing in the battle with Sango over the bath oils, they had begun the long process of brushing and pre-styling Kagome's long tresses. Sango had brushed her hair until it shone and fell loose and straight around her shoulders. She then piled and pinned her hair high upon her head, allowing some of it to fall down in an upturned fan shape behind her head and took out various tendrils of hair to frame her face. She had repeated this process many times until every strand of hair was to her absolute satisfaction and deemed perfectly in place. The decorative pins and combs were then laid out to be placed into her hair after her dressing was complete.
Sango had left her in her room after that, warning Kagome to not even think about looking in a mirror under penalty of a horribly painful death should she be discovered. During that time Kagome had thought back on the past events of the previous day, one event being the conversation between her and her mother, which had drastically changed her view on her life and her current situation. She did not even want to think about what had been revealed to her by her mother that day, deciding instead tuck that conversation away in the back of her mind for later examination. She had enough to focus on today without going back over that memory.
Instead she focused on the many people she had met after her parents' arrival that day. Some of them being Lord Sesshomaru's mother Lady Kimi, his servant Jaken, and his ward Rin. Kagome had been completely unaware that Lord Sesshomaru even had a ward, and she was even more surprised to find out that that ward was human girl. She was under the impression that Lord Sesshomaru believed all humans to be weak and hated them for that apparent weakness. She never dreamed that he would willingly claim a human into his personal care.
If that wasn't surprising enough, upon entering the greeting area, with her mother behind her, she had been shocked into stupidity at the sight of the little girl grasping Lord Sesshomaru's sleeve as she talked to him about her stay at his mother's place. He had been standing patiently listening to the little girl enthuse about some prank she had pulled on the small demon Jaken, and how much he had flamed in anger at her antics and admonished her by lightly swatting her fingers with a small stick after recovering from whatever mishap the little girl caused to befall him.
The little girl had reveled this in complete innocence, but at the mention of Jaken's method of punishment the little toad looking demon turned an even more sickly shade of green and seemed to curl in on himself in fear. Rin had been completely ignorant of the look Lord Sesshomaru gave the small demon, but Kagome didn't miss the look that promised extreme pain for the now cowering servant, and laughed lightly at the unexpected scene before her.
Hearing her laughter, Sesshomaru and his mother turned their gaze upon her in surprise. For they did not hear her entrance, being so focused on the young girl and her story. Kagome immediately silenced herself, blushing a bright shade of red, in embarrassment from intruding upon their personal moment.
"Sorry," she said, turning her gaze to the floor "We did not mean to intrude."
"Nonsense my child" Lady Kimi began, looking at the girl reassuringly "this is hardly a private area." she finished, motioning to the room around her.
"Of course" Kagome said, offering the beautiful demoness a welcoming smile.
"Well Sesshomaru, aren't you going to introduce me to this beautiful young lady?" Lady Kimi asked her son, an innocent smile on her lips and mischief in her eyes.
Kimi was quite aware of her son's reluctance and disagreement in marrying the miko woman, and was interested to see whether or not he would introduce her as his soon to be mate.
Narrowing his eyes at his mother's apparent taunt he replied "Mother, this is the eastern princess and miko, Lady Kagome, I'm sure you've heard about her from father."
After his mother and Kagome exchanged small bows of greeting to each other he quickly continued his introductions. Seeing the mischief and glee in his mother's eyes grow, just knowing that she would make some witty remark about his omittance of Kagome's future title, if he allowed.
"And this is her Mother and Eastern Co-ruler, Isane." He finished, turning his gaze back to the small girl who continued to grasp his sleeve while now observing Lady Kimi. Who, after giving a respectable greeting to Lady Isane, was now openly observing the girl who was to become her son's mate.
Seeing Rin's interest in his mother's reaction to the miko, Sesshomaru decided to observe as well. Although, continuing to appear to the outside world as if his attention was entirely devoted to his young ward. He watched with dissatisfaction as his mother appeared to be pleased in whatever she found in eastern priestess, she being the only one left who could have put an end to this marriage arraignment.
Finding himself in a sore mood at his mother's acceptance of the eastern priestess, Sesshomaru decided to excuse himself from the group. However before the words could even form from his mouth, his mother halted his retreat by bring him back into the conversation that had continued with his input.
"Your daughter is absolutely stunning" she told Isane "I am sure she will make an even more beautiful bride. Wouldn't you agree Sesshomaru?" she asked, bringing her twinkling gaze to her son.
Lady Kimi found herself barely able to hold back her glee at seeing the irritation flash in Sesshomaru's eye and his body visibly stiffen. She loved teasing her son, especially since he seemed to possess absolutely zero amount of humor. Something he should have inherited from his father and her. She really had no idea at what had come about in him after his childhood to make him act so unfeeling and cold hearted as an adult. There had been a time when Sesshomaru acted no different from Izayoi's son InuYasha, minus the bad language and manners of course.
At hearing Lady Kimi's question Kagome found herself blushing and actually anticipating Lord Sesshomaru's answer. 'Surely he won't be so rude as to tell her no' she thought to herself, silently finding joy in his apparent discomfort. This was karma coming back around to bite him on the tail for the stunt he had pulled on her in the garden that day, Kagome thought with extreme satisfaction.
However, before Sesshomaru could answer, the door that led to the royal family's side of the castle opened to reveal Lord InuTaisho, Lady Izayoi, and InuYasha coming to greet them. Immediately relaxing, Sesshomaru turned his body to face the oncoming family, signaling to all in the previous party that he had no intentions on answering his mother's question. Pouting slightly and feeling put off by Sesshomaru's apparent good luck and denial of her small karmic revenge, Kagome and the rest turned to greet the royal family as well.
"Hello my dear Kimi" Lord InuTaisho warmly greeted the demoness "I trust you are well and your trip was a pleasant one, yes?" he asked, stopped to stand in front of her with Izayoi on his arm.
"Absolutely" she replied, returning his smile "How could it not be when I had this wonderful little one with me to pass the time." gesturing to Rin.
"Of course." he said "And how have you been sweet Rin?" he asked turning his attention to the little girl.
"I've been great Lord InuTaisho! I had lots of fun at Lady Kimi's palace and every day was an adventure!" she replied excitedly.
"Is that so?" he asked the girl raising his eyebrows in jest at Rin "Well you will have to tell me about some of these adventures sometime now won't you.
The little girl nodded her head in agreement enthusiastically at the Lord, while grinning from ear to ear.
"Lady Izayoi, Inuyasha" Lady Kimi began "how have the two of you been? Last I saw of you Inuyasha, you were just a wee pup. My, how you've grown." she finished, smiling genuinely at the two.
"We have been just fine Lady Kimi, as I hope you have." Lady Izayoi replied, returning her greeting with an earnest smile of her own "And yes he has, hasn't he" she agreed gesturing proudly to InuYasha, who bowed to Lady Kimi in greeting.
Kagome had watched the entire exchange between the families in avid interest, feeling all previous discomfort ease from her body at the sight of mutual harmony between the two women. Apparently the was no ill will between the royal family and Lady Kimi, which only made the reason behind Lord InuTaisho's remarriage even more of a mystery to Kagome. Not that it mattered to her, in truth the only thing that she cared about was the fact that there would be no awkwardness she would have to endure between the two parties, and in fact she admired the acceptance the two women shared.
"I see you have already met Lady Izayoi and her daughter Lady Kagome" Lord InuTaisho said.
"Oh yes, I was just remarking to Sesshomaru how beautiful a bride she would make on their wedding day" she said. And then grinning an even deeper grin, she continued turning to face Sesshomaru slowly "Don't you think so Sesshomaru?"
'Damn her!' Sesshomaru thought 'She thinks that I know not of what she does!'
Or perhaps she did, either way Sesshomaru did not like what she was so obviously trying to do. As if it wasn't bad enough that she had purposed the question in front of the miko princess and her mother, but now she asked in front of his father and InuYasha as well. 'As if I could answer negatively' he thought growling inwardly at his mother's shrewdness. InuYasha even had the nerve to openly laugh at his mother's question, further pissing Sesshomaru off, and cross his arms to indicate that he was just as interested in hearing his brother's answer as Lady Kimi was.
It was not as if Sesshomaru was blind and could not see the girl's beauty for himself. He had reluctantly admitted to himself many times since her arrival, and the first time he laid eyes on her, that he had seen none more beautiful than her. However, he had no intentions of ever letting that thought pass his lips. He would neither give his father nor mother that satisfaction, he thought, growing angrier by the second.
Sesshomaru had been backed into a corner, and everyone in the room could clearly tell that he wasn't too happy about it, in fact he almost seemed furious. At one point during the long ominous silence that followed, Kagome in fear, had been completely ready to forgive him for what he did in the garden. And she quickly began to think of ways to change the subject, or redirect their attention, before Sesshomaru killed them all.
"Indeed." He finally answered simply.
Kagome almost breathed a sigh of relief, and her shoulders finally relaxed from the stress Lord Sesshomaru's agitated aura had placed on her. However, if she thought it was over she quickly found out that she was wrong. Lady Kimi was not a woman to be denied so easily.
"Indeed what dear?" she asked, framing innocence.
Narrowing his eyes at his mother Sesshomaru almost lashed out her. But then in a moment of brilliance he decided to take a different course, one where his mother did not necessarily win this little game she had decided to play. Smoothing his features into a carefully charming mask, he turned his full attention to Kagome, and watched as she nervously stiffened as he gave her a slight bow.
"Indeed she will be quite a beautiful bride" he said, now smiling at her "No doubt there will be none present more beautiful than she."
And turning gracefully, he exited the room. Leaving all present in shocked silence. None more shocked, however, than Kagome. Even now she had chills thinking about how wonderfully sexy he had looked when he had turned those golden eyes upon her and spoken those words.
Shaking herself back to her senses, she thought ruefully, he probably only did that to get under her skin. 'And it worked' she thought shamefully. That encounter had set her heart racing, and she was sure that it was loud enough so that all in the room could have heard it that day. Well she would be darned if she fell for his tricks again she thought, steeling herself and brushing invisible lint from her yukata.
A moment later Kagome jumped up from the stool she was sitting on in fright, as Sango announced her return with a loud "Oh wow Kagome! Wait until you see how beautiful your wedding kimono is!" And indeed it was very beautiful Kagome had thought, as she laid eyes on her wedding dress for the first time.
It was made of the finest silk and of her family's royal colors of purple and gold. The left upper half of the kimono was solid gold, and over the place of her heart, was the white swan crest of her family. The rest of the kimono was purple with gold flower petals and green leaves falling down the front. On the back of the kimono was a large tree, whose roots began at the end of the long train that was attached to the bottom of the kimono.
The head of the tree rested between Kagome's shoulder blades and it had many green leaves on its branches. Some of these leaves were falling from its branches while many also lay on the ground below. Wrapping up the trunk of tree was a vine of golden flowers. This one vine flowed and twisted up and grew throughout the entire tree and its branches, enhancing the tree's beautiful majesty, and making it appear as if the tree itself bloomed the golden flowers.
Now after her dressing was completed, Kagome sat, waiting for Sango to put the final hair pieces in her hair. There was also a traditional wedding headdress that would be placed into her hair by her mother before the wedding actually began. Kagome had not seen her father since he had left to talk to Lord InuTaisho after arriving yesterday.
But when she remarked upon his absence after Sesshomaru's abrupt departure, and after Lady Kimi finally stopped her uncontrollable laughter (she seeming to be the only one to understand Lord Sesshomaru's strange behavior), Lord InuTaisho told her that he was simply taking care of a few matters that needed to be completed before the wedding took place.
Standing to take a look at herself in the mirror once, Kagome felt her stomach plummet as the realization that in a few short hours she would be a married woman finally sunk in. Not only that, but the person who was to be her mate was none other than the dull, egotistical, all powerful demon Lord Sesshomaru. Well, maybe dull was a strong word. But he definitely was not as enthusiastic about life and living in the moment as Kagome herself was.
"Kagome?" her mother Isane called, peeking her head around the door. Allowing herself in to help with the final preparations before the wedding she continued, eyes widening in pleasure at the sight of the bride. "Oh don't you just look stunning. I knew that I wouldn't be disappointed in my choice for the seamstress. And Sango you really did do an excellent job, I doubt anyone anywhere could do better." she finished, smiling at the young woman who graciously returned it.
Isane walked over to the headdress that was the finishing piece for Kagome's attire. Examining the beautiful diamonds and jewels that draped the down sides to frame the bride's face, it brought back the wonderfully happy memories of her very own wedding to Lord Miyuri Higurashi. But as she turned around to tell Kagome so, she stopped mid-turn with the headdress lying forgotten in her hands as she took in her daughter's pale terrified face.
"Oh my dear, whatever is the matter?" she asked, fully alarmed. There had only been a few occasions that she had seen her daughter so terrified, the most recent being yesterday.
"It's just…" Kagome began, looking as if she was having great difficulty finding words to express what she truly felt. She did not wish to make her mother believe that she had not found acceptance in the marriage between her and Lord Sesshomaru, or understood the reasons behind it for that matter.
The secrets revealed to her the past day, had wiped all traces of disagreement from her body and mind. Not to say that she was just going to sit back and be a meek docile human ornament for Lord Sesshomaru. She fully intended to have equal share in the ruling of their land, or at the very least her own eastern homelands, whether Sesshomaru agreed or not. 'This is just one more matter we are sure to fight terribly on' she thought, her despair growing.
"I fear that I will not be happy here" she finished lamely, gazing at the floor. Seeing her mother's expectant face waiting for her to continue, understanding replacing her previous alarmed features, Kagome quickly continued gazing deep into her mother's eyes for strength. "I doubt that Lord Sesshomaru is one to be overly cruel to people he has been forced to be around, but surely I cannot be expected to have an enjoyable pleasant life with him here."
Kagome was used to harmony and love in a household. Sure everything had not been easy in her home kingdom, but she had had friends and a loving family surrounding her, and they were always there to listen to her problems and vice-versa. Here she was being cast into an unknown environment with only a few people she might be able to consider friends and she still was not completely sure if that was so. If it came down to her or Lord Sesshomaru, who they would lend their support to, 'More than likely the latter' she thought.
Not that she expected or hoped for different. She admired Sango's devotion to Lord Sesshomaru, and preferred to surround herself with people of honor and undying devotion, than not. But still it was an unfamiliar environment for a girl who had been surrounded by her family her entire life, who would be leaving the day after the wedding to tend to the ruling of their own kingdom, and had never even ventured past her own castle grounds and security.
Maybe she had been a bit spoiled growing up, Kagome thought, looking back at her previous sheltered life. It had not been by her choice however. She had always wanted to explore and travel the world since childhood like her ancestors before her. But her parents made it clear that they would not allow it, and now after knowing what she now knew, she understood why.
"Kagome" her mother began, walking toward her daughter and placing the headdress upon her daughter's head, grabbing her hands in assurance. "I am not going to tell you that this marriage will be easy, but you are a strong and determined young woman. Only you can decide how and what your future will be." she finished, all her love for her daughter in her voice, and tears in her eyes.
"Thank you, Mom." Kagome said, feeling her previous will and strength flow through her body. She hadn't felt so sure in herself since the day of her arrival at the palace.
Squaring her shoulders she thought to herself 'Yes! She's right!' walking toward her room door, her mother and Sango behind her holding the long train that flowed behind her. 'Why should this marriage mean the end of all her dreams and aspirations?' She would continue to stay true to herself and accomplish herdreams. Sesshomaru would either have to support her, or stay behind and fume and sulk, either way it didn't matter to her. She would allow no one to stop her from achieving her goals. So, with brand new resolve, Kagome opened the door and prepared to embark on just one of the many adventures of her brand new life.
Sesshomaru stood waiting in the vastly decorated grand hall for Lady Kagome to arrive and join him in front of the priest, Kagome's father Lord Miyuri, and his father, Lord InuTaisho, who was to wed them. Because the couple being wed had different wedding traditions they had to change the normal Inu customs into a mixture that incorporated both, Kagome's clan and Sesshomaru's clan traditions, into one.
'The last special treatment the miko priestess would receive during her stay here' Sesshomaru thought in irritation. To him, the fact the wedding would have to take place almost twice, once under the priest's joining (Higurashi religious tradition) and then under his Father's permission (Inu Tribe alpha tradition), was an unnecessary inconvenience to all present. To him the only authorization needed was his father's, and because Lady Kagome would soon be under his name and possession, he felt it should not matter what she cared. He was her alpha and the alpha's rule is absolute, something that she would learn soon enough he thought with some satisfaction. If he was to be forced into this marriage, he would be damned if it would be to a non-complacent mate.
Feeling eyes upon him, he unintentionally turned to look at the source before he could think better upon it. What he found only further annoyed him because what else would he see but InuYasha sitting next to Izayoi, she smiling at him with an sympathetic grin that churned his stomach with its sickly sweetness, grinning at him as if he were thoroughly enjoying every moment of his older brother's misery.
Even though up until that point Sesshomaru made it appear to every guest present that this entire wedding interested him no more than he would find interest in a small ant crawling across the ground. Upon catching his idiotic brother's gaze, he allowed his yukai to flare about the room in clear threat to Inuyasha present life state, letting the other know that he would find no problem in taking time out of his schedule to change it. The hall and all its guests, demons and humans alike, immediately silenced and directed their attention towards him in an effort to discover the reason for the unexpected hostility.
Sesshomaru watched with extreme satisfaction, temporarily dissipating his previous bad mood, as Inuyasha's smile quickly died and he wisely found something else to direct his attention to. Feeling his father disapproving gaze upon him Sesshomaru turned to offer him, what only those who knew him well would see as, an unapologetic smile, immediately dispelling all the guest discomfort and allowing them to continuing their previous conversing. With the guest's attention once again on their own matters, Sesshomaru watched as his father took a small step toward him, opening his mouth no doubt to warn him that he would not stand for any more of his hostile disruptions.
However, before the words could leave his mouth the band, composed of Koto, Xun, Kagurabue, and Samisen (Japanese string and flute instruments), began to play signaling the arrival of the bride. Sesshomaru felt his previous bad mood return, and he turned his cool gaze to the now opening doors, all present following suit.
As the doors opened to reveal Lady Kagome, audible gasps and whispering were heard throughout the room. Kagome found herself lightly blushing as she heard someone nearby say "No wonder Lord Sesshomaru was getting married. Only a woman so beautiful would make him want to settle down". She quickly looked up the aisle to Sesshomaru only to find him, eyes wide, gazing back at her. Immediately upon catching her eye though, he quickly schooled his features back into the same cold look they had been before and directed his gaze to some spot just over her head.
Glancing about her quickly as she slowly walked toward the front, her mother and Sango holding her train and following behind, she noticed many female demons glaring daggers at her, some were even so bold as to silently snarl at her. The royal family, their court officials, and a few royal officers who had traveled with her parents from home sat in the first row, as well as open seats for her parents after the first ceremony was complete.
In the row just behind them sat the NorthernTaiyukai a young wolf demon named Koga, the Southern Taiyukai a bear demon named Rotunga, and each had brought with them some of their own royal court officials (as was required for a wedding between kingdoms). The rest of the rows were just filled with nobility and important people who resided in the western kingdom. The reception afterwards would be more of a personal gathering, and would only allow select court officials, the rulers of the four kingdoms, and the royal families to attend.
Continuing her walk down to aisle Kagome allowed herself to take in Sesshomaru's appearance. He truly was a magnificent creature that only God himself could create, and He had indeed broken the mold. His long hair flowed freely in waves down his straight proud back; his bangs hanging down to partially cover his amber gaze. He too wore a traditional kimono of his family colors of crimson and royal blue with his family crest over his heart, and if she were to see the back of it she would find a design of some ancestral dog demon's true form howling up at the moon with clouds surrounding his feet.
He stood at the end of the aisle waiting patiently for her to reach him, all signs of previous reluctance and ill feelings non-existent. As Kagome looked at him she couldn't help but wonder what would it take for a great being such as himself to willingly fall in love and marry. 'Obviously more than just great beauty.' she thought, thinking back on the comment she had overheard 'If only they knew the truth behind their relationship.'
Something told her that Lord Sesshomaru would rather cut off his own hands than allow people to know that this was an unwanted arranged marriage. The royal families had wisely kept the marriage under tight wrap from people outside of the family. Knowing that if people knew that Sesshomaru was marring against his will, nothing short of death if even that, would have made Sesshomaru go through with it.
Finally arriving at Lord Sesshomaru's side, Kagome was surprised to see him offer her his hand to help her up on the small platform he stood upon, and cast a quick glance at his face as she slowly took it. She was surprised to find some unreadable strange emotion in his eyes, but before she could further examine it, he quickly cast his gaze toward the front. Following his gaze, her eyes met her father's loving and assuring gaze and she cast a reassuring smile at him in return as he began the words that would bind her to the young demon Lord for as long as she lived.
AN: Hmmmnnn...I wonder what Sesshomaru was thinking about when he saw Kagome? Maybe we'll find out in a later chapter, eh? It only gets better from here, I can't stress to you how happy I am to get this chapter and the wedding out of the way! :D
Just one of the many things I'm looking forward to writing (as a little hint for you guys because i'm feeling generous) is... THE WEDDING NIGHT! (*woot woot* Sesshy smexy to the max) XD let me stop, just ignore my fangirl insanity
THANK YOU GUYS FOR ALL THE READS AND REVIEWS! This story has reached almost 9,000 views! (WOW! O_O)
***Review Comments***
Deathstarling556 : I searched for ways to answer your question without giving away the plot and I found absolutely none lol so I decided to just tell you that the answer to your question would be revealed soon, I promise! :)
Karen: I didn't know that, thanks for the info :D
CHAPTER 11 COMING SOON!