Kagura entered the den and met the eyes of the Miko, who stood at the forefront of the cave with her hand on the wall.

"Kaugra," Kagome breathed,
"Hm," Kagura walked forward and looked at her. "It has been some time since you have danced in my winds, girl," Kagura sniffed. "Still a child by a man's eye, I see."

Kagome blushed,

"A pity, the thing you fought so hard to deny is now grabbing hold of you."

"What?"

"A Miko, in truth, is a vowed virgin, no?"

Kagome blushed, "Hai, but I didn't vow."

Kagura laughed, "Didn't you, did you not drink from the cup, did you not kiss our Lord's lips?"

Kagome's mouth opened,

"You will remind a virgin forever, even if the elders are cruel and feed you the fire herb."

Kagome's heart quickened then she calmed "I didn't refuse all my training,"

"Oh?"

"I am immune to most herbs."

Kagura found that bit of information useful, "I see."

Kagome looked away, "Is he angry."

"You care?"

Kagome looked at her. Kagura pulled a flower from her sleep and handed it to Kagome. Kagomes' face twisted. "Why is it covered in blood?"

Kagura smiled. "The answer to your question, dear wife," Kagura walked into the cave, leaving Kagome to stare at the now falling rain. He was angry, and she was finally sad. Kagome reached her hand out and let the flower fall. The rain washed away the blood, but it could not erase the anger and sadness. No, the rain just made that worse.
Hours seem to tick by as she watched the rain. He would not come; she would not go. She sat against the wall close to the storm.

"Miko, come away from there, you will catch sick," Mal stated. Kagura rolled her eyes.

Kagome ignored them and watched as day turned into night. She reached out once more to feel the rain. She liked rain. It was free; it was water.
It reminded him of her.

Kagome closed her eyes and let the sound of the rain take her away.

Kio was worried, "She is sad; I feel it deep."

Kaugra eyed the girl "He would assume touch her before you, why are you not sad?"

Kio shrugged, "I was bred for this, I have truly accepted my fate, and I love all of you."

The others sneered at the girl's open affection, but she knew they would all care for her like she was their own.

"I do not understand," Oceana spoke, "Why did the West need the marriage when it is clear they hate each other, I did not know the elder Lord to be a cruel man."

Kagura took out her fan, "Diplomatic reason, and for the simple fact that he has not produced a child with any of us."

Kio looked at Kagura, "But what does that have to do with Lady Kagome?"

"She is powerful, but who knows what the great Lord Inutasio is thinking," Kagura answered, "Either way, she would have belonged to the West."

Kagura looked at Kagome. Kagome thought it was Kikyo's fault, but she knew it didnt matter about them. Lord Inutashio would have chosen her either way, for she held the jewel.

Kagura felt Sesshomaru, "To bed everyone."

The bowed and vanished deep into the cave. She stood still a little longer before backing up to darkness and to be unseen. It was well past midnight. Sesshomaru entered and looked down at Kagome. She was a little wet and cold, judging by the color of her lips. But he would not move her, not touch her, not speak. He entered the cave and found his other wives laying around. Normally he would not come, but tonight he had to.

He moved to sit in the middle, his back against the wall, his woman all around him.

"Are you not going to move her here?" Kagura asked,

Sesshomaru closed his eyes. "If she wishes to sleep there, so be it."

Kagura looked back at Kagome as she shivered in her sleep.

"After all it is her wedding night" He spoke again, and Kagura knew not the press anymore.