[Another chapter! Please review, enjoy, and check out the poll on my profile!]
They left in the morning, Kagome and Sesshomaru seemingly closer, though no one knew why. The journey was long and tiring, and in the buzz of their return, the two managed to slip away, into the gardens.
"I'm sure I don't have to tell you this," she said as they walked, "But I'm in love with you. I have been since I was thirteen."
"I've loved you since I was sixteen."
"When?"
"When you had that fit and fainted in my arms."
"When I had to leave."
Their eyes met, and suddenly they were in each other's arms, lips crashing against one another in a frenzied passion. Both savored the moment, the first time they'd been able to live in the present since they could remember. Sesshomaru's carefully controlled yoki exploded around them, and her reiki rose to meet it, sparks raining down around them as the two clashed, and the two kissed, unaware of their surroundings, or of the two handmaidens peeking around the garden's entrance in a conspirative manner.
When the two finally parted, gasping for air, Kagome murmured, "We can't go too far. Not yet at least."
The lord nodded, and the two continued their walk through the gardens as if nothing had happened.
She kissed him goodbye as they reached the palace doors, and the two parted ways for the night. When she arrived back in her room, Sango, and Suzuhara practically pulled her in.
"What happened, Kagome-sama?" Sango said, a mischievous grin on her face.
"What do you mean?" Kagome asked, blushing.
"Please. The entire palace could feel that explosion of energy. Even I could sense it, and I don't have any spiritual powers."
Kagome's blush spread, "Erm..."
"Come on," Sango urged.
"We kissed. It was... wow."
The girls dissolved into giggles.
"Well what about you, Sango?"
Now it was Sango's turn to blush, "Miroku and I have been dating for a few months. We're thinking of getting married."
It was times like this when Kagome remembered that Sango was six years older than her. At twenty-three, she was considered old enough to make her own decisions. It made Kagome slightly jealous.
"Suzuhara? What about you?"
The other girl smiled, "There's someone back home. He's one of the help at an old manor I worked at. His goes by his last name, Nara."
"Is he cute?" Sango asked, while Kagome asked, "What's he like?"
She grinned, "He's tall, with black hair and brown eyes. He's a little hard to approach, but he's loyal and kind once you get to know him."
All three girls sighed dreamily, and separated, all going about their individual duties.
When Miroku finally proposed to Sango one month later, preparations got under way immediately. Sango had requested a simple wedding, with Toga to perform the ceremony and Sesshomaru to give her away in her father's place. The day approached rapidly, until Kagome found herself in Lady Izayoi's dressing room, helping Sango along with Suzuhara and Izayoi herself.
The older girl was biting her lip, and practically bouncing.
"Sango-chan, you have to hold still," Kagome said for the fifth time.
"I know but I'm-"
"It is difficult to paint lips that are moving," Suzuhara put in, and Sango closed her mouth.
Suzuhara was doing her makeup, Izayoi dressing her, and Kagome patiently arranging her hair. When they finished, they looked over the finished product carefully. Sango had never looked more stunning.
"Are you ready Sango-chan?"
Sango nodded, taking up her bouquet of Chrysanthemums, Cattails, and White Carnations, her mother's favorites.
"We'll see you out there."
The three stepped out ahead of her, taking their place beside where Sango would stand, and waited quietly.
Miroku waited, barely keeping himself from bouncing where he stood. Of course, he was nervous, but excitement ruled as he waited for his bride to emerge. And when she did, her hand placed lightly on Sesshomaru's arm, his jaw nearly dropped. She had been made up beautifully, her face pale, lips glistening red, her hair arranged in an intricate crown of braids, and layer upon layer of white kimonos, but that wasn't what astounded him the most.
The smile on her face was genuine, and she practically glowed with happiness. She looked like a kami come to Earth. And as she walked toward him, he knew was going to love her until the day he died.
Kagome found Sesshomaru once the wedding ended.
"That will be us in a few months. Should we start preparing?"
"Hnn. Probably. In my office?"
"Erm... how about my room? We can talk over a game of Shogi."
He nodded, "I need to talk with my father. I will join you after dinner."
"Alright. See you then."
Sango had been given the week off, so her room was eerily silent with just her and Suzuhara.
"Do you think I could light some candles on the balcony? It's getting rather dark."
"Of course my lady," Suzuhara answered, and went off to get them.
Kagome sat quietly, wondering when Sesshomaru would arrive. Dinner had ended nearly half-an-hour ago, and the young lord still hadn't arrived.
Suzuhara returned then, interrupting her thoughts, and handed her the candles.
"Thank you very much," Kagome said, and moved to the balcony to prepare.
When her lord arrived, she rose to greet him, sliding open the door.
"You're here."
"Hnn."
"Come on."
She took his hand and lead him to her balcony, where candles bordered the space, and gave it an unearthly glow.
Her shogi table sat in the center of it, and there were cushions on either side. He sat on one, she on the other, and Kagome moved her first piece.
"Where?"
"I would prefer the gardens, but I suppose it has to be public, huh? The Great Room then?"
He nodded, "Alright. When?"
She paused, thinking.
"My birthday is in two months. Maybe a week later?"
He sent her a teasing look, "I don't believe I can wait so long."
She laughed, "Alright. Three days later."
He nodded his agreement, "Who would be in attendance?"
"Hmm. Sango, Miroku, Suzuhara, Koga, Hojo, Bankotsu, Shippo, the whole family, and maybe Naraku, if I'm feeling nice. The council members will be invited out of courtesy, and... they can all bring plus-ones."
"Is my mother included in this 'whole family'?"
"I should hope so!" Kagome said, "She's truly wonderful. I had assumed it would be obvious."
Sesshomaru smiled a small smile.
"What else?"
She frowned in concentration, "I don't know really. I don't have any family to invite, so... I suppose that's all."
She yawned as Sesshomaru took her king, then stood.
"We'd better say goodnight now."
He nodded, "Goodnight beloved."
"Goodnight."
He kissed her quickly, and then was gone, leaving her lips tingling as she slipped into bed.
[Is it just me or was that just filler-y? Please review and check out my poll. Thanks! Byeee!]