Kagome had spent the day up to her elbows in rice and she was not excited about that. It was already unseasonably warm and she was sweating from the heat of the hearth. Her doormat was open, and she was making trips back and forth to Sango and Kaede's kitchens so that she didn't have to spend quite as long prepping. She had thrown together a few side dishes that included vegetables and plenty of sauces and herbs to make everyone happy.
"Okay." She said out loud as she stood."Sango!" She called out and the woman appeared at her door.
"What's up Kagome?"
"Tables?" The two drug the tables out into a common area with enough space and started laying out tablecloths and cushions. Inuyasha and Miroku were bringing out the heavy pickling containers from their storage in a nearby shed.
"Jeez Kagome!" Inuyasha called as they drug the containers out. "Did you make enough for the whole village?" He rolled his eyes.
"No! If we were feeding the whole village it would have taken days. I just wanted to make sure we had enough that everyone could have seconds and thirds of everything! It's not everyday you get to celebrate your marriage, you jerk." She whispered the last part but he clearly heard her as his ears twitched in her direction.
"Who you callin' a jerk? I was just asking." Sango and Miroku's eyes met and they laughed.
"I swear you two have already been married for years." Miroku said, receiving a glare from them both.
"Helps that they've always been like this." Sango added to take some of the heat off. "Man they've always been in love haven't they?" She said it in a sing-song voice, teasing them.
"Basically since the day we met." Kagome said it with soft eyes looking over her future husband. "Though it took me a long time to admit that." She chuckled and he took her hand.
"Not as long as I did." He gave her a squeeze and they all went back to their tasks.
"God you guys are nauseating. I'm so glad I don't live here." Shippo popped up in front of them.
"Hey!" Kagome said. Inuyasha landed a smack on the top of his head.
"Lay off pipsqueak! We're getting married tomorrow! We're allowed to be a little nauseating." Inuyasha said, annoyed. Shippo rubbed the growing bump on top of his head.
"Why do you always have to hit me so hard?" And so the bickering began. The two went back and forth for a moment before Kagome stepped between them.
"Okay okay boys. Calm down. Shippo, you're getting too old for me to keep protecting you from him. Stop antagonizing!" She scolded. Shippo looked away from her, crossing his arms. It was defiance, but he wasn't happy about it either. "Go help Sango." She pushed him toward her and they straightened the place settings.
Kagome, Miroku, and Inuyasha busied themselves with bringing out the plates of cooked dishes and centering them on the table as the sunset slowly flared to life overhead. The sky with bright reds and yellows, and the sun still help plenty high in the sky for them to enjoy their evening. Sango set up a few lanterns to have them ready before dark.
Kaede emerged from her hut with Rin, the twins, and Kohaku right as they wrapped up the preparation. Everyone took their seats with Kagome and Inuyasha together at the head of the table.
"Thank you so much for eating with us tonight. Inuyasha and I just want to say a sincere thank you from the bottom of our hearts." Inuyasha nodded reverently from beside her. "It means so much that we have this little community of people who love and support us. And I am so incredibly glad to be back here with all of the people who mean the most to me." A tear fell from her eye, but her smile widened.
"Alright in front of you is grilled fish, rice, six different sauces to try, vegetable tempura, plain seasoned vegetables, and a salad. I made a special batch of pickled vegetables using the same recipe as my mom and I have to say they're my best yet. Please dig in!"
Everyone excitedly started reaching for chopsticks and serving utensils as they took helpings of everything prepared. They couldn't remember the last time they had eaten like this. Conversation was effortless as they recalled memories of Inuyasha and Kagome over the years. They had so many stories to tell and so many things to talk about.
"Oh I have an idea!" Sango said excitedly, the sake warming her a bit. "Let's tell our favorite Inuyasha and Kagome love story. I'll start!" She thought for a moment and then lit up at a memory.
"Does everyone remember when Kagome had that terrible cold? Sickest I've ever seen her." There were a few nods of agreement around the table. "Inuyasha went out of his way to bring her So. Many. Gifts. I think there was even a whole lobster in there. She fell asleep against his shoulder that night and all of us knew they were so clearly in love with each other but unable to say it." They all laughed and agreed. Inuyasha blushed slightly but laughed.
"I remember," Shippo started. "It's actually a favorite memory of mine. When we were fighting Renkotsu and that giant explosion happened. Kagome really thought the Inuyasha was hurt or dead because he forced the robe of the fire rat on her to keep her safe. When we all came out of the cave to look around and thought he was dead.
Then he just kind of appeared and Kagome burst into tears. This was back when Koga was still pining after her. He made some kind of ignorant comment about her to Inuyasha and she rushed forward into Inuyasha's arms and held on so tight. Shut Koga right up. And Inuyasha held her back so tenderly. It was the first time I ever saw a soft side in him."
Inuyasha put an arm around Kagome's shoulders and pulled her close to him.
"We weren't there for that, but I remember you telling us about it afterward. I'm so glad you all made it out of that." Miroku said wistfully.
"Reminds me of the time I thought I lost all of you to the poison and smoke after Mukotsu attacked Kagome." Inuyasha shuddered at her side. "Worst moment of my life."
"First time I ever saw you cry, once we were awake again." Miroku agreed. "Honestly, I know it's the obvious story, but after Naraku went down and Inuyasha used the Meido to get to Kagome inside the jewel…. That was all the proof any of us ever needed that they were meant to be. And from what she said, she relied on his strength to destroy the jewel too."
The table grew somber for a moment as all of them reflected on that day. It was difficult for everyone when Kagome was forced back to her time. They thought they might never recover from her loss.
"I wish all of ye had been there the day Inuyasha and Kagome met." Kaede called the attention back to the present. "Ye should have seen the way they squabled like an old married couple. But even as the time ticked on Inuyasha didn't leave her side. He liked to say it was for the Shikon Jewel, but it was clear to me that it was becoming about the girl next to him." The table laughed at that and Miroku and Sango exchanged a knowing look.
"See! It's not just us. Everything agrees. You fight like you've been married for years." Sango exclaimed from her end of the table.
The rest of the dinner carried on with the group enjoying their time together. When it was time for them to adjourn to their hut, Kagome and Sango held each other tightly.
"Tomorrow is going to be great. Don't let the nerves get you!" She gave Kagome's hand another squeeze as they tidied up the space they had used.
Kagome found that she felt much less anxious as she drifted off to sleep that night in Inuyasha's arms. The flutter in her heart came from her excitement for what was to come.
The morning of the wedding was mostly boring. Kagome found herself pacing in circles around her hut instead of resting as everyone expected of her. She needed to do something. She left her hut and headed out toward the nearby clearing they would be married in. She had wanted to have the ceremony at the bone eater's well, but Inuyasha had insisted that they have it here. She looked around the clearing and saw that it was already well decorated.
"Kagome!" Sango yelled out from across the way. Wedding preparations were underway, and Sango had spent a lot of time decorating and making sure everything was running smoothly. "Go rest! You aren't supposed to be up and out on your day. You shouldn't have to lift a finger."
"Sannngggoooo." Kagome drug her name out with a whine. "I'm so bored though! Can't I do something."
"Nay girl." Kaede appeared from nowhere with bundles of cloth in her hands. "We will finish this very shortly. Ye should go to your hut and get dressed." It was mid morning. Kagome let out a sigh.
"Fine. But I'm not happy about it." Sango and Kaede looked at each other, perplexed by the girl. Kagome stalked back to her hurt. Stopping along the way here and there to keep herself out enjoying the sunlight of the afternoon.
Before long everything had come together, and Sango came to her hut.
"We are finally done! Everything looks fantastic if I do say so myself." She paused and took Kagome in for a moment. "You look so lovely!" She was wearing a white wedding Kimono that went to the floor. It was the one Sango had worn with Miroku.
"Thank you! I really appreciate you lending this to me. It's perfect." Sango wrapped her in a hug, squeezing her tightly.
"Alright bride, let's get that hair done. Inuyasha gave me this earlier." Sango pulled out a beautiful kansashi from her pocket. It was gold and red, and covered in delicate vines. It perfectly matched the ring that he had given her. "He said it was also his mother's." She added. Tears filled Kagome's eyes and Sango placed it in her hands.
"That man really knows how to make me cry." Her fingers traced two smooth vines on the kanzashi. "Okay. Updo it is!" She turned around to sit on the floor so Sango could get to work.
After a few minutes of twisting and braiding Sango seemed pleased, and handed her a small hand mirror. Her hair was on top of her head in a smooth bun. Several braids flowed away from her face and held her hair in place. The kanzashi was pinned at the back of head and it sparkled when it caught the light.
"It's perfect. Let's go do this." Kagome said with a squeal of excitement.
She and Sango headed out to the clearing, which was very close to their huts. Kagome took in the beautiful site around her. The field was littered with flowers, all shades of red and pink and yellow. They were surrounded by trees on all sides, which made the circular space full of flowers look like a magical paradise within the forest. At the center of the clearing was a simple wooden pergola draped in wispy red and gold cloth that blew gently with the breeze.
Under the pergola stood Inuyasha in his traditional black and white kosode and hakama. He looked out of a fairy tale with his shining silver hair and bright eyes. When he saw her his eyes widened a bit and took her in.
"Sango. This is absolutely incredible."
"I know it's a small affair with just the handful of us. But I wanted it to feel special." Kagome could hear her unspoken words Because your family can't be here. Kagome pulled her friend into a hug.
"This means more to me than you will ever know." She whispered to Sango as the woman released her and she walked toward Inuyasha. He met her halfway and took her hand, guiding her to the pergola.
"You look stunning." He said quietly. She smiled brightly at him.
"So do you." She agreed, giving his hand a squeeze. When they were back under the pergola Kaede cleared her throat. And their group of guests moved in a little closer all around them to hear.
"Hello everyone. Thank ye for being here to witness Inuyasha and Kagome's commitment for the rest of their lives, and beyond. These two souls have come together and bound themselves across time, always fighting to share the same space. No obstacle enough to separate them or drive them apart for long. It is the will of fate that they have found their true soul mate, and for this we give thanks." Kaede's speech had tears welling up in Kagome's eyes. It was a reminder of everything they had been through, yes, but also a testament to what their love meant.
"From here they will say their vows, and pledge themselves to one another in mind, body and spirit. Kagome, please repeat after me." She gestured for Kagome to face Inuyasha. She started into his golden eyes and found herself getting lost for a moment in their depths.
"I, Kagome Higurashi." Kaede began, and Kagome kept pace with the vow. "Vow to love you, Inuyasha, for all eternity. As fate guided us here may it continue to guide us on the path of our entwined lives. From this day forward you are mine, and I am yours." As Kagome finished the vow Kaede began weaving red rope around their collapsed hands. Kaede looked to Inuyasha next.
"I, Inuyasha, vow to love you, Kagome, for all eternity. As fate guided us here may it continue to guide us on the path of our entwined lives. From this day forward you are mine, and I am yours." The rope circled Inuyasha's hand as well, binding them together.
"With the red thread of fate I declare these two bound in heart, soul, and body. May fate smile upon ye." Kaede ended the prayer and the two were drawn together. Kagome felt as though something in her chest was tugging her to Inuyasha. Their lips met, sealing their vows, and cheers erupted around the clearing.
"We did it!" She exclaimed look up at him.
"We really did!" He agreed. A single tear slipped out of his eye, and she quickly caught it before it ran down his cheek.
"Our secret." She said with a wink, and they turned to face their friends.
The group spent an hour in the clearing celebrating. They talked, danced, drank, and enjoyed each other's company. Kagome and Inuyasha didn't leave each other's side for the rest of the day. Every few minutes they found another way to sneak a kiss, or a loving touch as everyone stole their attention away from each other. As darkness began to settle they parted ways.
"Alright everyone. It's been great. But I'm going to take my wife anywhere thats not here." He said with a laugh, sweeping her off her feet. Her excited squeal echoed around them. There was a chorus of "Ooh." From the adults around as they ran off through the tree line. As they neared the village again Inuyasha set her down on her feet.
"I have a surprise for you." Inuyasha walked around her and placed a scrap of fabric over Kagome's eyes.
"Oh!" she gasped surprised. "You know I can still see with my Reiryoku right?"
"Yeah.." He said a little defensive. "I just– think this would be better this way." She felt him shrug and laughed in response.
"I'm kidding, I promise I won't peek. Where are we going?" Inuyasha scooped her up bridal style and started to run away. Kagome could hear the sound of twigs snapping and grass swishing under his feet as they moved. It wasn't long before Inuyasha stopped. From her position against his chest she could hear his heart beating quickly.
"Okay." He said nervously and cleared his throat. "Ready?" He reached up to remove the fabric from her face and she blinked as her eyes adjusted to the faint light of the sunset.
"Inuyasha-" Kagome looked around the area. They were at the well. It was covered in vines as it usually was and she touched them affectionately, memories of all the times they had used it flooded her. The lack of energy within the well shot a pang of longing through her chest. She was happy to be here on the day she finally married the love of her life, but the reminders that her family was absent never seemed to cease. "Is there something-'' She questioned turning around to look at the man, and was caught off guard as just beyond him stood a Minka.
It was the most charming home she had ever seen. The small triangle shaped structure with a thatched roof was nestled among the trees. There were two shuttered windows on the front, and the door was painted with red and white designs. Kagome held a hand to her chest, speechless. Inuyasha wrapped his arms around her, settling his head on her shoulder to look at their home together.
"Miroku and I have been working on this in secret for a while. I did most of the work." He laughed and kissed her cheek. "This place is just for us. A real home to replace the temporary hut Kaede was able to snag us. Wanna go in?" Kagome nodded enthusiastically, not trusting her voice. She squeaked as Inuyasha pulled her into his arms again and started walking toward the door.
"One of these days you're going to pick me up without asking and I'm going to release my powers on you." She warned with a teasing tone. He just chuckled and opened the door.
The two entered the home and Kagome looked around in awe. It was a simple open space that had a beautiful hearth built into the middle of the living space. The furnishings were simple, with several plants filling up any obviously empty spaces. Inuyasha set her down and Kagome ran her hands over the table near the front door that was surrounded by floor cushions.
"It's so lovely." The wood was smooth under her fingers as she ran them
"Heh. Of course it is!" He puffed out his chest. "I made it myself." He announced with pride.
"You made this? Inuyasha this is skillfully done." He laughed and led his wife into the two rooms beyond the sitting area.
"Sango did do all of the decorating. She insisted on red. Everywhere." Inuyasha pinched his face up a bit.
"How did you manage to get Sango to keep a secret like this?" She was surprised.
"The only way I knew how." He paused, "By promising to name our first child after her."
"A reasonable request for Sango, I must say." Kagome shook her head with a laugh. "I love seeing her come into her own now that we aren't fighting anymore. She's such a fun person."
They entered what was clearly a spare room. Kagome noticed that there was a spare mat on the floor in case they had guests sleep over.
"For Shippo?" She joked and Inuyasha rolled his eyes.
"At least it keeps him out of our bed. And your arms." Inuyasha crossed his arms over his chest.
Kagome turned back to the room to take in the other walls were lined with shelves made of the same wood as the table in the sitting room. The shelves drew her in and she looked back at Inuyasha."Did you make these too?" She asked, eyes bright. "They remind me of the shelves Grandpa built in the Shrine storage."
"Yeah! That was what inspired me to make 'em. I wanted you to have a place to keep all of those scrolls and books you're always reading. And a place to store things you want out of the way."
"This is very thoughtful. I love them." She reached up on her toes and kissed him softly. His hands went to her waist and pulled her in close. Their bodies now flush against each other. She deepened the kiss and he felt himself falling apart at the feeling of her tongue against his. He sighed as he pulled back from her.
"Before we get too… distracted… There's one more room." He pulled her toward their bedroom with fervor. They walked into the larger space and immediately tears flooded Kagome's eyes and she gasped in surprise.
"It's a bed! A real bed like my old one." She excitedly ran to the bed and fell onto it over the decorative blankets and pillows arranged on top. The base of the bed was wood and it was raised slightly off the floor. The mattress was soft and plush, and she relished the feeling of laying on something so familiar and soft.
"You've always complained about how much you miss your bed. Even before you came back. I knew I had to make something like yours at home. I want you to feel as at home here as possible" He smiled at her, happy that her reaction was so positive. But there was a slight sadness in his eyes. He was worried. Would this be enough? Could she truly be happy so far away from all of the comforts of her time? Would she grow to resent being stuck here? Would she.. grow to resent him? Kagome saw the turmoil on his face.
"Inuyasha." She stood and went to him, pulling him by his wrist toward the bed to lay down with her. He obliged and they laid side by side, her head pressed against his shoulder. "This is so wonderful, and I love it so much. But I need you to know that this, here with you, is my home. My time with you means everything to me. As long as I have you I am the happiest woman in the entire world." She said it with such conviction that he felt his worry fading. He tilted her chin up with a finger to look into her eyes and saw so much love there. Love for him.
"I love you." He said. It was a fervent whisper. He pulled her into a kiss, hungry to have her lips on his. She kissed him back eagerly and after a moment he was hovering over her. Her arms wrapped around his neck and her legs around his hips pulling him to her. At his low growl she met his eyes, quickly bleeding crimson.
"I'm calling the shots tonight, wife." He said it with a teasing glint in his eye, but she could tell he was serious. His yokai was rearing up. Preparing to make her his. Giving up on her efforts to guide him she relaxed into the bed and enjoyed the feeling of his lips on her neck. His words washed over her and a thrill went through her at the word "wife". She was his wife! The thought made her smile against his lips.
He made his way down her neck, pulling the hair on the back of her head to open her neck to him, peppering kisses along the way. Occasionally his tongue darted out to taste her and she moaned in response. He got to her left shoulder and grazed his fangs over the spot he would mark soon. When she arched her back to him he growled again, this time fully aroused at her responsiveness. He moved back to kissing her lips as he freed her from the top of her kimono.
He groaned at the stunning view. She was laid beneath him, flushed and breathing harder. Her beasts raising in time with each gasp, and her nipples grazing his chest as they moved. He drug a claw from her collarbone and made circles around her nipple. She shuddered at the motion, his claw leaving a trail of goosebumps behind.
She gasped as he teased her nipples. He took one between his claws and pinched it lightly, sending bolts of pleasure through her body. At her response he quickly moved to lavishing her breasts with licks and bites. She squirmed under the ministrations as heat rapidly accumulated between her thighs. She tried to rub them together to relieve the tension, but his legs were between them, holding her open already. He chuckled as they squeezed against his hips.
Making eye contact with her, and without breaking the contact of his tongue against her, he pushed his hips against hers and ground in deeply. The sudden contact caused her to release a deep groan of pleasure. He continued stimulating her this way until she was melting in his hands. He could smell her arousal, a heady almost floral concoction that flooded the room. His claws grew longer and his eyes were fully red now, though he felt in control despite his instincts taking root.
Trailing his claws slowly down her sides he helped her shed the kimono covering the rest of her body. With him between her legs, and her lack of undergarments, she was bared to him immediately. The incredible smell of her pulled him in and he buried his tongue inside her without warning. Her hands flew to his hair and she moaned loudly, his name on her lips.
He swirled his tongue around her clit and then continued in concentric circles at a steady pace. He needed her to be as ready as he could get her. And he had a feeling that that at least would be an easy task.
The pace caused her to stiffen as the pleasure hit her in waves. She was already so close. Her breathing came in short gasps and her feet pressed into his back and she tightened against him. Then she felt him roughly push two fingers inside of her and she came undone. Her entire body spasmed and pulsed as her orgasm came over her.
She slowly came down from the high, panting hard to catch her breath. He didn't let up immediately, continuing moving his fingers inside of her and slowing his movements against her clit. He stayed between her legs knowing that if he persisted she would come again quickly. Her hips bucked of their own accord from the brushes against her now over sensitive skin. He slowed down the movement of his tongue again and increased the speed of his fingers.
She pushed against him at the continued contact, looking for some reprieve against the intense sensation. It was almost too much.
"Inuyasha." She protested. He removed his fingers then and wrapped his arms tightly around her hips. He pulled her toward his mouth and held her, slightly elevated off the bed, in place against his mouth so that her squirms were unsuccessful. He flattened his tongue against her and with several quick movements her body went stiff shuddering again under him as her fluids ran down his face.
She pressed her thighs tightly against him as her second orgasm hit her, and he was surrounded by her scent. He groaned at her release feeling himself harden, and she felt the vibrations run through her. His yokai couldn't be contained any longer. He had to have her, to mark her, now.
He growled as he stood and ripped off his haori and kimono. She sighed at the sight of him as he sprang free from his clothes. His defined muscles shone in the dim light, and his cock glistened in the evidence of his arousal.
As quickly as he stood he was over her, his clawed fingers wrapped around her throat and held her in place. He lined himself up with her entrance and slowly pushed into her.
She gasped at the sensation, quickly adjusting to the full feeling. Her walls clenched as he rubbed against them and he growled at the contact, thrusting his hips further to seat himself fully inside. To help ease her discomfort he dropped a hand to her clit and moved in slow circles, his lips on hers. When she felt him bottom out inside of her a thrill ran through her. This feeling was indescribable.
"Kagome," he whispered in her ear. "You're so perfect. I can't wait to hear you scream" His teeth nipped at her ear lobe as her breaths came in short pants. She had relaxed underneath him and looked into his eyes as he started to thrust his hips again. He was hitting a deep place inside of her that brought intense waves of pleasure through her entire body. She moaned with every movement, encouraging him to continue.
He felt how wet she continued to grow as he moved his hips. He was sliding in and out of her with minimal effort, and both of them were overcome with how good their bodies felt connected in this way. It wasn't like the typical sensation they felt when they were intimate. This was their souls mingling, and it clouded everything around them until it was only the two of them together in this moment. Nothing else existed. It felt as though they were locked in an invisible battle, Yoki and Reiryoku butting up against each other and merging.
Their hips rocked against each other as each of them moaned. He took her hands in his and pinned her to the bed by them. She squeezed his hands back as if they were her lifeline to this world. She felt like if he let go she might float away. The heat pooled in each of them as they got closer to their releases. Inuyasha gasped for breath as his fangs elongated, and he leaned forward plunging them into her skin.
The moment his fangs hit her skin her orgasm overtook her. She felt no pain, only heightened pleasure. This was the most intense it had ever been, the most wonderful. At that moment she felt a surge of power within her, as though an instinctual part of her awoke, telling her to bite him back. She clasped her mouth onto his shoulder and bit down with fangs she didn't realize had formed. His blood filled her mouth, and it tasted almost sweet. She let the feeling of his love for her, and her love for him consume her completely. They shared this moment, connected in every way as they both drifted back down to earth.
They released each other at the same time, and Inuyasha scooped her up from underneath himself and flipped them around so that she was now laying on his chest. He nuzzled his face into her neck and breathed her in. They laid this way for a long time, enjoying the bliss of this moment, not wanting it to end yet. Their auras felt warm against each other, like they had won the battle and found a way to mingle and mix. Everything felt different and new, as though they had truly been bound to each other in every sense of the word.