InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Consciousness ❯ An Affair to Remember ( Chapter 21 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

An Affair to Remember



Kagome was struggling to remember to breath. She had never expected to be as nervous as she was. She could feel the butterflies in her stomach, tickling the back of her throat.

Sango was there, with her hand on her elbow, leading her forward as she balanced the layers of material on her arms and shoulders. She was completely caught off guard when she looked up to see Inuyasha kneeling before Miroku. Dressed in silver and red, there was a rather large image of a dog youkai in full form across the back of Inuyasha’s garb. Kagome thought distantly that she knew that dog, the image of his father’s bones forever etched into her memory.

As she moved forward to kneel across from Inuyasha, she marveled at the tricks the mind plays. She had heard stories from friends about their brothers or sisters complaining that they didn’t remember the wedding ceremony. Yet, here she knelt, while her mind picked out the oddest things on which to focus.

Staring at Miroku while he droned on, she was grateful that they had rehearsed. Apparently, her mind wasn’t going to stay with her. She knew she was going through the motions as her eyes moved over Miroku’s hands as he moved back and forth over each of them. She was struck with how strong his hands were and watched closely for the flicker of the scar she could see in his palm.

Her eyes shifted to Inuyasha; she could see the nervous movement of his eyes as they darted around, looking at her, then to Miroku and then over her shoulder toward Sango. He caught her eye momentarily and grinned. She looked at him and felt her lips twitch in a smile.

Letting her gaze trail away as she went through the motions that were well rehearsed, she caught sight of Sesshomaru staring at her. There was a look deep in his eyes that she couldn’t discern. She knelt there and felt herself caught up in a swirl of emotion. Sesshomaru always kept reign of his emotions, so she was always shocked when she looked at him and found the swirl of activity there. It seemed to be their little secret. She always watched others closely around him; it seemed that everyone was oblivious to the uproar that only she could see in him.

Sesshomaru’s lips quirked into a sneer as the mask fell into place again. He let his gaze shift out over the sea of faces that were surrounding the wedding party. While wholly unconventional he had to admit, it was not the complete and utter disaster he had expected. He knew that the Miko would never hold to traditions of their time and had worried over her ability to fit into demon society.

His eyes roamed catching sight of his guards patrolling the perimeter they had set up around the camp. He was determined that this was going to go off without a hitch. It would have been so simple if they had just consented to mating and been done with these human customs. He would not be suffering through this farce, and he would know that the Miko safely belonged to his House.

Kagome’s eyes shifted toward the sky; it had turned into a beautiful day. The sky was blue, and the day felt somewhat cool. She knew that the festivities planned after the ceremony should last late into the night. She was glad for Kaede’s sake that the weather seemed to be holding. They had much to prepare for before winter arrived.

Sango’s eyes wandered from her soon-to-be-husband who was presiding over the union of her two best friends to settle on Kagome. As she looked on, she watched as Kagome went through the motions flawlessly. Sango marveled at her friend’s ability to be so calm and so collected through the ceremony. She took a few moments to admire the kimono that Sesshomaru had so thoughtfully provided. There was an image of a silver dog with the Shikon-No-Tama in its jaws sprawled across her back; the main section of her kimono was red with silver gauze wrapped about the arms and trailing down both sides of the kimono. The headdress and veil were a thin sheen of silver, and bits of gold trailed throughout it, highlighting Kagome’s soft skin. At the base of the kimono, Kagome’s gold underskirts could be seen peeking out along with her feet. Sango sighed; she had never seen a more beautiful bride. She was so happy for her little sister. She not only had the man she had always wanted, but she was having the fairytale wedding eevery young girl dreams of having.

Before any of them realized, Miroku was concluding their ceremony. Inuyasha jerked into awareness as Miroku nudged him with his toe. Blinking several times, his mind cleared of its wanderings as he reached out to the layers of gauzy material to move them gently away from Kagome’s face-revealing the shining face of his bride, his wife, his soon-to-be-mate. Knowing that the human customs had no bearing on his right to her, he knew that before the sun rose again, she would be his.

Sesshomaru and Sango moved forward in unison to assist them to their feet. Placing the two forward, side-by-side, the pair that were set to escort the couple, flanked the outside. Ensuring that all that had attended had a moment to look upon the faces of the bride and groom, Sesshomaru and Sango began to escort them down the aisle and into their life as a couple.


*****


The festivities began in earnest as the couple were passed along and offered food and sake. Well-wishers took their moments to offer blessing upon the couple’s house, while also offering their respects to the House of Sesshomaru. While the villagers found it rather intimidating to have the Lord in their presence, there was enough sake flowing at the expense of the Lord that most soon forgot their wariness and began in earnest to enjoy themselves.

Inuyasha and Kagome were soon seated around a long outdoor table, with plates of food and drink piled before them. Sesshomaru, Sango, Miroku, and Kaede flanked the outer seats around them. While Kagura, Kanna, Ayame, and Koga were seated to the sides of the table. The couple prepared for the onslaught of well-wishers.

Giggling, Kagome reached over and placed her hand on Inuyasha’s thigh. “Inuyasha? Are you doing alright?” she asked, knowing that he avoided sake when he could.

“Keh,” he responded. “All these frigging people! When do we get time to ourselves?” he grouched.

“My, impatient aren’t we little brother?” Sesshomaru sneered.

“Fuck you, Sesshomaru.” Inuyasha growled back lowly and dangerous.

Miroku snickered and coughed indelicately as Sango elbowed him in the ribs.

“Behave yourselves!” Sango admonished. Reaching over to brush Kagome’s hair back, she looked at her little sister. “Have I told you how beautiful you are today?”

“Thank you, Sango. It wouldn’t have been possible without you, Kaede, and the help of Kagura, Kanna and Ayame. You all worked so hard!”

Turning toward Sesshomaru, she inclined her head. “Without you, I don’t know how we would have pulled this off. I know you don’t understand, but thank you so much for everything. This means the world to me.”

Sesshomaru’s lip twitched just the slightest. “Remember that Miko.” He knew that things were coming that she would not appreciate as much. Taking advantage of the lull in well-wishers, he stood and cleared his throat. The milling crowds stopped, knowing that the first toast of the couple was about to be offered.

Sesshomaru stooped low, filling the sake cups of the couple, then those close by-his own, Sango’s, Miroku’s and Kaede’s. Straightening, he turned toward the couple and began the ritual blessing that was to be offered by the Demon Lord. While this was not a traditional mating, he was obligated to offer the observance and blessing of his House. Wishing the couple a long life, blessings of their home, wishing the couple many healthy offspring and blessing the power of their union was traditional. Kagome blushed as Sesshomaru related the strengths of each of them, justifying to the crowd assembled how this union would bring strength to his House.

Sango stood as Sesshomaru finished. She followed suit pouring sake for each of them. As she raised her sake’ glass, she began offering her insight into her brother and sister, offering them blessings, and wishing them a long life.

Each of their friends took their turn, and they all repeated the process. Sesshomaru smirked as he watched Inuyasha. He knew that the hanyou didn’t drink. While youkai were able to process the alcohol quite easily, the human side of his half-brother was a little more susceptible. He knew Inuyasha’s nose was slightly affected by the drink, and that his heightened senses were slightly dulled.

As the daylight faded and darkness took its place, torches were lit, and some of the older village residents retired. Kaede stood up and came over to the couple. Kneeling between the two, she placed her arms around each of their shoulders. “Ye know that over the years ye both have become like my two wayward children. Kagome, ye are so special to me; I know that you wanted this more than anything. Inuyasha, over the years, I have watched ye grow from the lost young boy with my sister to the man ye are becoming now. This old woman is so happy for the two of ye; may ye bless us with many children and grandchildren through the years. I know hard times are to come for ye, but remember to always find strength in one another.” With that, Kaede stood up, made her bows, and left the table.

As Kaede left, Sango helped Kagome to her feet. “Come on, Kagome! It’s time for us to leave,” she said softly. Inuyasha looked up at her with glowing eyes. Kagome shivered as she watched his eyes roam over her. He was more relaxed and open tonight. She knew that the drink had softened his reserves.

“Soon” he whispered as she let Sango lead her away.


*****


Sango and Kagome headed toward the make-shift lodging that Kagome and Inuyasha were to share that night. Settling Kagome onto a pile of pillows, she took down her hair and began to brush it out. Sango reveled in these last moments of her sister’s freedom. “Kagome, are you ready for this?” Sango asked softly.

Laughing, she turned to look at her sister. “Yes, I am. I’ve been ready for this for a long time to come,” she sighed softly. “Sango? Is there anything I need to know?”

It was Sango’s turn to laugh. “Let me put it to you this way; I don’t plan on seeing you before the sun goes down again.”

Kagome turned and looked at her, slightly aghast. “Really?” she mumbled as she blushed and turned her head away. “What do I do if I have to hit the tree, or if I need to take a bath?”

Sango laughed again. “Don’t worry. This is a demon mating, now. There are things you really should know. Don’t worry. I’ll be outside your tent all night with Sesshomaru. If you need anything, I’ll be right outside. If you need a tree, I’ll be right here.”

Kagome looked at her. “What do you mean? You and Sesshomaru will be right outside?”

Sango sighed as she sat down next to Kagome. There were a lot of things she had hoped Sesshomaru had explained to Kagome. “Kagome, let me explain a few things. There have to be witnesses to your, umm, your, uh, first time-your mating.” Sango began to stammer. “If, if, if Inuyasha does mark you, I’m not sure that he needs to, what with Midoriko’s involvement, but should he, if this was a normal mating between, well, you know, since you’re human and Inuyasha is hanyou, if you were two demons, well, then it wouldn’t have mattered, but since…” Sango trailed off.

“Sango! Slow down! You’re not making any sense. What are trying to say?” Kagome asked.

Sango took a deep breath. “Well, you see, if this was a normal mating between a human and hanyou, if there was a demon who stood with the couple for the ceremony, they would witness the first mating. Since one is human, they would make sure that the human could mark the hanyou. Obviously the hanyou won’t have any trouble, well, because they are part demon. The human though, the human can’t quite do that; I mean you’d have to be able to, well, you know, mark the hanyou and that’s just not something a human can do by themselves…” Sango trailed off as she realized that she was rambling again.

Sango stopped, looked at Kagome, and burst out laughing. Kagome, letting go of all her reservations and nerves, looked at Sango and began to laugh in earnest. The two were laughing so hard that tears were streaming down their faces.

“Let me get this straight? There is going to be someone in here?” Kagome asked as she looked around. There wasn’t much in the tent, really. Some clothing was laid out: a robe or two; a small fire pit had a small fire burning with a grate over hot coals. The floor was covered in tatami mats and silks, furs, and pillows. The tent was draped with layers of heavy material, almost dimming the outside noise to nothing.

“Well, kinda,” Sango hedged. “We will actually be right outside. Well, sorta.” She hedged again.

“What do you mean, sorta?”

“Well, only a demon need witness your mating. Sesshomaru will need to be here at some time. Trust me; he’s a master at stealth, you’ll not even know.” She looked at Kagome sheepishly. “Unless you, ummm, unless you need, well, you know. If he marks you,” Sango stammered.

Kagome laughed at her friend. “I’m so glad I have you, Sango!” she reached out, wrapped her arms around her friend, and leaned against her. “I’d be lost without you.”

Sango hugged Kagome tightly. “I’m so glad you came into our lives, too.”

Brushing off the moment, Sango stood and got Kagome to her feet, pulling at the wedding garments, turning her this way and that, and finally, relieving her of the heavy clothes. When she had Kagome down to nothing but her undergarments, she headed for the flap of the tent to pass the garments off to Kanna, Kagura, and Ayame. They in turn handed Sango a basket filled with lotions, creams, and fresh flowers.

Sango, making her way back over to Kagome, began to help her out of her undergarments; she stripped and wiped Kagome down with warm, wet towels, Sango began layering Kagome in rich lightly scented creams and oils. When she was done, she held out one of the sheer gauzy nightgowns that Kagome had brought back from her time. Brushing Kagome’s hair again, she brushed it until it shined.

Kagome grinned as Sango finished with her. They could hear the din of the wedding celebration going into full swing. If one thing could be said about the tiny village, when it came to a celebration, they really knew how to keep it going. She felt bad that Sango would miss out on the festivities, doomed to stand guard over the makeshift lodging.

“Sango? I hope you don’t mind that you will spend the nights festivities outside with Sesshomaru,” Kagome affected a mock shudder.

Just as she finished, Sesshomaru slipped into the tent. Looking from one to the other, they burst out laughing. Sesshomaru just lifted his chin and stared at them. “When you are done…” he sneered.

They both just laughed harder, neither looking at the stoic demon lord.

Sesshomaru stood still, waiting for them to cease their nonsense. When they finally wound down, he walked into the middle of the room and settled himself on the floor in front of Kagome. Waving a hand at Sango in a dismissive manner, he ordered, “Wait outside for me.”

Sango leaned down and hugged Kagome as she headed outside.

“I trust Sango educated you?” he said quietly.

“If you mean, did she tell me about your customs?” Kagome asked in a slightly wavering voice. “Then yes, she did.”

“Good,” he nodded his head in approval.

“Wait,” She said as he began to rise.

Looking at her, he sank back down.

“What do I do?” she asked.

“Let instinct guide you. Inside, he’s still a demon. He’ll know what to do,” Sesshomaru answered in the same matter-of-fact tone that he would use to describe the weather.

“What do I do, if I need your help?” She asked as a blush darkened her cheeks.

“Don’t worry, Miko, I’ll be here. If you need me, I’ll know.”

“Really? How is that? Why is it that this is necessary?” she asked quietly.

“It’s simple, Miko. Someone must bear witness to your mating. Would you rather it be me or a stranger?” He answered with a smirk on his face.

“I get that, but why?” she asked again.

“We must ensure that no one can break the claim my House has upon you. You belong to my brother, and ultimately, you and he belong to me and to our House,” he said softly.

Kagome’s eyes opened wide with understanding. “I see,” she said. Sesshomaru looked at her and knew that she did fully, finally understand.

“Good, ” he said as he rose and headed toward the tent flap. As he reached the flap, he heard Kagome’s softly uttered “Thank you.”

Slipping outside, he nodded toward Sango as he headed off to find his half-brother. Striding toward where the monk was supposed to have him, he slipped up behind the two of them, un-noticed. Miroku was attempting to give Inuyasha advice on what to do and on what to expect from his wedding night. Sesshomaru barked out a laugh as he listened to the monk ramble. “Truly, Inuyasha, do not trust in the words of this human,” he sneered.

Spinning around to face Sesshomaru, Inuyasha quirked his eyebrow at him. “And please, tell me, Oh Lord of Ice, exactly what you would know of it?”

Miroku, too far into the drink to be able to rationalize his response, roared with laughter.

Raising his chin and shifting his gaze toward the monk, Sesshomaru did not bother to answer the query as he looked back toward Inuyasha. “Well? Are you going to leave your mate alone all night?”

Inuyasha’s head snapped up. A ghost of a smile appeared on his face as he headed toward the tent. Sesshomaru fell in step next to his half-brother. His voice low, he began. “You know this is to be a recognized mating. It must be official,” he allowed his eyes to slide to the side. He watched as Inuyasha gave a curt nod of understanding.

“Trust your instincts; you are demon, after all.” With that, Sesshomaru veered off toward Sango, where she sat under a tree, close to the entrance of the tent. Sinking down beside her, he leaned his back against the rough bark. It would be a long night. His guards had cleared the area and set up a perimeter around the area; no one that was not sent for would get near the tent. Jaken was the only one that Sesshomaru trusted to move in and out of the area. He may have been rather worthless, more often than not, but he was loyal to a fault and completely trustworthy.


*****


Moving with quiet grace, Inuyasha entered the tent. Sitting cross-legged in the middle of the floor was Kagome. He stood there for a long moment, staring at her, taking in the sight of her.

She sat there, surrounded by thick furs, deep red velvets, and blood red silks, black and gold pillows strewn about her. She was like a beacon in the night. She was wearing a white gauzy gown, trimmed in red. Red ribbons twisted loosely in her hair, the silver shock of hair left free to dangle along her cheek.

She was his sanity, his savior, his heart, and his mind. Without her, he knew he would sink into a world of despair, loneliness, and sheer madness. Finally breaking eye contact, he moved closer toward her. Sinking down on the fur in front of her, he gave a hint of a smile.

“Hey, there.”

“Hey there, yourself.”



Disclaimer again…

I don’t own Inuyasha, its characters, or its story line. That joy belongs solely to Rumiko Takahashi.
I’ll let you know which characters I own as I go along.