InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A Sesshomaru Story ❯ Chapter 16 ( Chapter 16 )

Chapter 16

 

Sesshomaru stood mulling over what Kagome had explained of the upcoming wedding ceremony as he watched Rin and Jaken carpeting the village in flowers. Jaken surprised him by his skill in decorating. The garlands really were quite pleasing and did much to embellish the dreary village.

 

He heard a sneeze behind him and turned to find Inu Yasha approaching him. “What's with all the flowers, Sesshomaru?” Inu Yasha asked him peevishly. “Don't you think these two have done enough damage?”

 

Sesshomaru looked at him disdainfully. “It was your wench's idea, brother,” he answered returning to watching his industrious servants at work. “Though I must say I rather like them. They almost totally mask the stench of you and your friends.”

 

He heard Inu Yasha give a low growl at the insult but made no move to leave. He just stood there. Sesshomaru let him wait awkwardly for a moment before recognizing him. “Was there something you wanted?” he asked.

 

“Here!” Inu Yasha said opening his hand to reveal two rings. He tried to give them to Sesshomaru who made no move to take them. “They're for the wedding.”

 

“Yes, I was told of the need for rings” he stated. “Also I understand from what your wench says...”

 

“Her name is Kagome,” Inu Yasha said interrupting him. “And she is not my wench!”

 

Sesshomaru sighed and hoped Alexandra would appreciate all he was doing for this wedding. “From what Kagome says I also need a `best man'.”

 

“Best man?” Inu Yasha asked.

 

“A best man is responsible for helping the groom with the wedding, traditionally the groom selects him,” Sesshomaru explained. “She seemed to think you would be the most suitable choice.”

 

Inu Yasha grinned at him. “OK, since you've asked so nicely,” he agreed. “I like the sound of that. What do I have to do?”

 

“Well given that the wedding will start in less than an hour most of your duties have already been completed for you,” Sesshomaru said as if this were his fault. “But one of the duties is to hold the rings until the ceremony so you may as well keep them.”

 

Any further comments from either of them were interrupted by the lowing of an ox. Sesshomaru turned to see Totosai sitting cross-legged on the beast as it landed. His eyes were shinning with emotion.

 

“Oh Sesshomaru, my boy! You're more like your father every day! To think that I would live to see your wedding day!” he exclaimed clasping his hands in delight.

 

“Who told him about this?” Sesshomaru asked Inu Yasha accusingly.

 

“Well who do you think made the rings?” Inu Yasha answered smugly.

 

 

 

 

 

Miroku and Kaede stood waiting by the small temporary shrine just outside the village. They had built it so as not to offend any of the locals by using theirs. It was hard to predict how they would react to demons. As it turned out it was lucky they did set up outside because otherwise there wouldn't have been room for all the people that showed up. It seemed the entire village and surrounding area was there. Miroku wondered if it was the free food at the reception afterward or merely curiosity that drew them. Perhaps both he decided.

 

For the most part the people hung back and talked quietly while they waited patiently for the ceremony to begin. Then at the appointed time the bridal party could be seen leaving the village. Silence descended over the crowd as the group approached the make-shift sanctuary through the sea of flowers that surrounded them. Miroku suspected that not a single posy had escaped Rin and Jaken's grasp in a five mile radius. Though he had to admit the effect was quite spectacular.

 

Alexandra was escorted by Kagome and Sango and Miroku couldn't recall seeing three women who looked more stunning. Alexandra's kimono was nothing less than spectacular and the other two wore matching kimonos in complimentary colours. Though three of them had their heads respectfully lowered it was evident that all of them were beaming as they approached.

 

Sesshomaru, Inu Yasha, Kaede and himself remained waiting. Miroku realized that he was the obvious choice to perform the ceremony since a Shinto priest might try to purify most of the wedding party. However by Buddhist standards weddings were a secular affair he had no idea how to perform one. Luckily Kagome being from the future herself knew something of Alexandra's culture and together they had worked out a blended ceremony. It was very unorthodox but he suspected it would do the job.

 

When the women reached the shrine everyone sat down. Alexandra and Sesshomaru sat facing each other directly in front of Miroku. Normally there should have been some sort of purification ceremony but because Sesshomaru and so many other demons were present they decided to forego it as it would probably cause them some discomfort. He began the ceremony.

 

“Friends and family, we are gathered here today to celebrate the joining of this man and woman in marriage,” he began nervously wondering for a moment if Sesshomaru would object to being called a “man” rather than “demon lord”. To the monk's relief he didn't even as much as glare at him. In fact Miroku would have had to say he seemed totally enraptured by Alexandra. So he continued with a bit more confidence.

 

“From this day forward their lives will be entwined forever.

 

“Happy occasions will come as surely as the morning and difficult times will come as surely as the night. To face the future you must guide each other with love, compassion and understanding. When difficulties, frustration and fear assail your relationship as they threaten all relations at one time or another, remember to focus on what is right between you, not only the part that seems wrong. In this way you can ride out the storms when clouds hide the face of the sun in your lives - remember that even if you lose sight of it for the moment, the sun is still there.” Miroku surveyed the audience listening attentively. Both Sango and Kagome had tears shining in their eyes, and not for the first time Miroku was grateful for his gift of gab. After the ceremony all of the women would be in a rather romantic mood and he could no doubt use it to his advantage. Especially with the lovely Sango.

 

He continued to address the couple before him, “Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter for the other.

Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth to the other.

Now there will be no loneliness, for each will be companion for the other.

You are two people with one life before you.

Cherish the memories of your individual pasts as you create the future before you together.”

 

Miroku made a motion for Alexandra and Sesshomaru to rise, which they did.

 

First Miroku addressed the groom. “The five ways a wife should be ministered by her husband: by respect, by courtesy, by faithfulness, by handing over authority to her and by providing her with ornaments. Do you Sesshomaru concede to this to the best of your ability?”

 

Sesshomaru answered clearly. “I do.”

 

Then he turned to the bride “The five ways a husband should be ministered to by his wife: love him, duties well-performed to kin of both, by faithfulness, by watching over the goods he brings and by skill and industry in discharging all business. Do you Alexandra concede to this to the best of your ability?”

 

Alexandra answered, “I do.”

 

Kaede brought out sake for the San-San-Kudo ceremony, the ritual of threes. Kaede gave Sesshomaru a small cup which Miroku poured sake into with three motions: two fake and one real. Then Sesshomaru drank it in three sips: two fake and one real in which he drained the cup. He handed it to Alexandra and she did the same. The ritual was repeated with a medium sized cup and then a large one.

 

“And now the couple will speak their vows, beginning with the bride,” Miroku said, clearing away the remaining cups.

 

Alexandra gazed up into Sesshomaru's intense golden eyes. “I, Alexandra, take you, Sesshomaru for my lawfully wedded husband,” she began. “I promise to love honour and cherish you, to remain faithful to you forsaking all others, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health until death do us part.”

 

Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow at `death do us part'. He could certainly appreciate that clause considering the trouble his brother had with that dead priestess, not to mention Sara who pursued him after her death. His new wife was most prudent.

 

She took his hand. Inu Yasha handed her a ring and she slipped it onto his fourth finger saying “This ring I give to you as a symbol of my promise.”

 

Sesshomaru decided at the last moment that he preferred Alexandra's vows to the ones he'd composed. He looked at her, emotion welling up inside him. He'd never seen anyone so exquisite and for her he would bare his very soul. “I, Sesshomaru take you, Alexandra as my wife. I promise to love, honour and protect you, to be faithful to you forsaking all others, to have and to hold until death do us part.”

 

He took the ring that was offered without taking his eyes off of her. “I give you this ring as proof of my pledge.” She held up her left hand and he easily slid it on her fourth finger.

 

“So we ask Kami-sama and Buddha to bless this union,” Miroku said as sakaki branches and gifts of food were given to Sesshomaru and Alexandra. They took them and placed them on the make-shift altar. Then the two of them lit candles and went back to stand in front of Miroku.

 

“So if anyone knows of any reason why these two cannot be married let them speak now or forever hold their peace.” Miroku said.

 

Sesshomaru turned and glared at the crowd as if daring anyone to say anything. A few of the by-standers stepped back.

 

When no one voiced any objections, Miroku continued, “Then by the power vested in me I now pronounce you - husband and wife! You may kiss your bride.”