InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Faithless Love ❯ Nuptials ( Chapter 3 )

Faithless Love

By: Memories Void

 

Disclaimer: The characters from Inuyasha were created by Rumiko Takahashi and I lay no claim to them.

 

Author's note: I guess I sort of went missing… Sorry, it's a long boring story. I'll just say: The drama of my life is a lot more tedious then the stories I write. Here's the next chapter.

 

Chapter 3: Nuptials

 

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The household was quiet, its inhabitants sleeping the night away as the silent figure traversed through the halls. He needed no light to see, nor did he need to be told where to find what he sought. His sense of smell was enough to guide him. There was a moment's pause as he sniffled lightly at the door he stood before. The door slid open without a sound as he stepped into the room, shutting it behind him.

 

There she was, mumbling softly in her sleep. Her dark hair spread around her lovely, pale face. With the smooth grace of a predator he approached her futon and knelt at her side. One clawed hand reached out and traced the contour of her cheek, still rounded with youth. She was still so young, at least in demon terms. His hand traveled down her neck, his claws light scraping her sides, brushing against the delicate curve of a breast. She stirred, and so he leaned down to whisper in her ear.

 

“Kagome,” his warm breath caressed her ear and her eyes opened, lashes fluttering before she focused on his face.

 

“hmm,” she mumbled, and reached out to take a lock of silver hair between her fingers. “Sesshoumaru?”

 

He nodded and the movement shook the sleepiness from her. She smiled shyly at him, blushing and turning her eyes away from his intense amber gaze.

 

“What are you doing here?” she whispered.

 

No answer, but he leaned forward, bringing their lips close together. She was about to ask her question again when he closed the distance between them. Warmth spread throughout her body as she parted her lips for his probing tongue. Kagome hardly noticed when he moved to straddle her legs, putting more of his weight onto her.

 

As she squirmed beneath him her innocence was more obvious then ever. She was artless in her passion, clumsy hands grasping at him, moving over him restlessly and inexperienced lips searing his as they kissed. It was quite possibly one of the most exquisite sensations he had ever felt. She was his to teach and touch as he saw fit.

 

When he finally pulled away, Kagome groaned and placed her lips against his neck, kissing the sensitive skin there. Sesshoumaru shivered, making his silver hair ripple in the moonlight. He took a deep breath before moving away from her. It was not his intention to take her now, in this way. There would be time enough for that later, when they were in his home, on his terms.

 

Kagome sat up on her futon and stretched before turning to look at Sesshoumaru.

 

“The ceremony will be tomorrow,” he informed her.

 

For a moment her face was blank as her mind fought away sleepy passion to comprehend what he had said. When understanding finally dawned on her, she frowned.

 

“It can't be!” the young woman whispered harshly, “Nothing is ready. We haven't even exchanged our betrothal gifts. I don't have my kimono yet…”

 

He stopped her minor rant with a raise of his long-fingered hand.

 

“I don't want to linger here any longer and I doubt your uncle appreciates my presence.”

 

The frown she wore made him uneasy. Her head was bowed as she looked down at her hands resting on her lap. Repressing a sigh, Sesshoumaru leaned forward resting his hand on her shoulder.

 

“When we get home you can have as many kimonos as you wish, Kagome. But for now, you must listen to what I say without argument.”

 

From beneath long lashes, she looked up at him and smiled. Perhaps she would not have the wedding she always wanted, but as long as she could be with him, everything was okay. She would be happy spending the rest of her life at his side.

 

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The ceremony was solemn and quiet. Normally only the close family members of the two being bound together would be in attendance. Thus the guest list for their wedding ceremony consisted solely of Kagome's uncle; her only living relative. The young woman did not know if her betrothed had any family. She had never asked and he had never been one to give information freely.

 

Throughout the ritual purification and the utterance of vows, Kagome had kept her head bowed and her eyes averted from the man next to her. She wasn't sure why, but when she had awoken that morning a nervous tension had filled her. Horrible thoughts like, `he probably changed his mind and doesn't want to marry me anymore,' and `This is just a dream and any moment I'm going to wake up married to some terribly fat lord with rancid breathe,' went through her mind. There was an irrational fear that if she looked at him and he saw her face-her plain, human face- that he would simply stand and walk away from the ceremony. Never to be seen again.

 

There was movement to the left of her, as a miko, dressed in the traditional red and white robes, stacked three sake cups before her. This was it; they were very near the end of the ceremony. It was too late for him to back out of it now, wasn't it? She hoped so.

 

Taking in a deep calming breath, Kagome took the top-most cup and sipped some of the rice wine. As she did this, she turned her head slightly to her right, where Sesshoumaru sat. As always, he wore a calm, almost bland expression, but his eyes held light that seemed to burn the darkness away from her mind. By the time Sesshoumaru had brought the same sake cup up to his own lips, Kagome found that she was once again, at ease in his presence. It felt like there was no scowling priest, or jittery priestesses. Her uncle was a distant memory; the only beings in the room were the two of them. They both sipped the sake from the last cup. Sesshoumaru placed the cup on the small alter before them and turned towards her. She smiled, her eyes glittering with unshed tears as she looked upon his face, beautiful and beloved. They were now married.

 

Afterwards, as they stepped out of the shrine into the bright morning sun, Sesshoumaru spoke.

 

“We are leaving immediately,” he informed her-again she gave that frown from the previous night. She was unhappy with his decision.

 

“But what about all my things? My clothes and…” Kagome fell silent, realizing that was the only thing she laid any claim to-her clothing. Everything else in that room, where she had spent much of her life, was the property of her uncle.

 

“You need nothing,” her husband stated, “I will provide anything you might require.”

 

Without another word he stepped away. The young woman made no further comment, but turned to her uncle, just looking at him for a few moments. Despite him being her only family, they had not been close. But, he had provided for her, and had taken her in when her parent's had died. Kagome smiled at him, taking a few steps forward to close the space separating them. For the first and last time, she embraced him, her arms going around his waist.

 

“Thank you,” she whispered into his shoulder. He nodded stiffly, unused to her affection. Almost as soon as she had stepped away, she found herself swept up into her demon husband's arms and her arms automatically went around his neck to help balance herself. It took only a moment before everything she was familiar with was out of sight.

 

There were the trees in the forest, tiny rays of sunlight finding their way through the thick emerald canopy and there was the smell of him, of Sesshoumaru; the scent of freshly cut bamboo, of new beginnings and of happiness.

 

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The sun was setting in his lands, just as Sesshoumaru reached his home. The youkai guards stationed at the gates into the compound stared curiously at the human-like bundle in their lord's arms, but knew better then to question him. The sound of light snoring could be heard as he walked silently past them into the courtyard.

 

Directly in front of him was the main housing area that was two stories high, where he and those serving directly under him resided. To the left there was the dojo and armory and to the right there was a bathhouse, connected to the servant's quarters. In the back of the house, currently hidden from view, was an extensive garden and storage shed.

 

As he walked through the courtyard to the main entrance, servants stopped what they had been doing to watch in barely hidden surprise as their lord carried a sleeping human girl into his home. Just as Sesshoumaru stepped onto the tatami mat covered floor, there was a high-pitched shout.

 

“Lord Sesshoumaru! You've finally returned! Why did you- Oh… what is that you are holding my lord?”

 

Jaken went up on the tips of his toes to try and get a better look at what, or who-as the case was-his master was carrying. What he saw caused him to squawk and fall over.

 

“My lord, that-that's a human!”

Sesshoumaru, looking quite bored, walked straight past his retainer.

 

“But Lord Sesshoumaru! Shouldn't I call for a servant to carry her? Or perhaps you-“ before he could make any more suggestions, Jaken found himself being walked on as Sesshoumaru made his way down a hallway and up the stairs.

 

Upon reaching his chambers, Sesshoumaru had to smirk; amused that Kagome could sleep so soundly that even Jaken's loud, annoying voice could not wake her. Gently, he placed her onto his futon. She didn't stir, but made a slightly discontent sound in the back of her throat before curling into the fetal position.

 

Her kimono, made of plain cotton, had become skewed doing their travel and allowed him to see the slight curve of one tender breast. At his sides, his fists clenched as he held himself back. Though he would never admit it to anyone-not even Kagome- he had dreamt of her like this before. Lying in his bed, asleep and unaware of the beast inside of him that wanted to ravage her.

 

The beast that made him reach out to pull the collar of her kimono further apart; that made him lean forward as if to taste her flesh. There was a knock from outside of his room and he was half annoyed and half thankful that he had been stopped from carrying on. The girl, his wife, was only human after all and needed sleep.

 

Instead of calling for the intruder to enter, he stood and went to the door himself, opening it and stepping out of the room. A young demoness knelt just outside of the entrance with her head bowed as her lord waited for her to relay the message she had been given.

 

“Lord Sesshoumaru, Jaken sent me to ask you if a room should be prepared for the-“ the girl hesitated, not knowing how to address the new visitor. “-the young lady you've brought home,” she finished.

 

The demon lord considered this for a second before nodding. It would seem that the toad did have a brain after all. He just refrained from using it a majority of the time.

 

“Have the chambers next to mine prepared for her. But wait until morning to begin.”

 

Startled, not by the request itself, but the specific rooms to be prepared for the human girl, the demoness' spine stiffened and her panicked, violet eyes met with her masters.

 

“My lord, what of the Lady Mitsuko?”

 

The silver-haired demon shrugged and walked past the cowering servant.

 

“Obviously, her things will have to be moved to a different room,” he said in his usual bored tone.

 

Thick black lashes descended over violet eyes as the young maid sighed in resignation. She had the utmost respect for the lord she served, and knew him to be wise, but what he asked… was much easier said than done.

 

-----

 

A wild, piercing screech is what initially woke her. The infuriated shouting is what kept her conscious. But it was only when the shouji screen was thrown open to reveal a red-eyed demoness that Kagome arose from the futon she had slept in. She really would have been beautiful if her eyes weren't so scary, Kagome thought as the demoness stalked towards her. Feeling the threat in the glare she received, the young human stepped back.

 

One sharp claw came up to point at the now terrified Kagome. The long silk sleeves of a formal kimono fluttered as the female demon shook with rage.

 

“You little human bitch!” There was a flash of movement that Kagome's eyes couldn't follow and then a sharp sting on her upper arm and the thud of her own body falling against the tatami mats. Then, all she could see was red. It took the young woman a moment to realize it was the demoness' thick red hair that clouded her vision. Then, not knowing what else to do, she screamed.

 

It wasn't long before someone had yanked the raging youkai off of the frightened human. Tears were pouring down her face as Kagome grasped her shoulder, where claws had met delicate flesh to leave a wound. It wasn't serious, nor was it overly painful, but for a moment she had feared for her life. Though her moisture-filled eyes couldn't see very well, she could make out the tall, lean form of Sesshoumaru standing over her.

 

He said nothing to her, but ordered everyone out of the room, shooting a dangerous look at the red-headed demoness that had attacked his human wife. Looking properly regretful, the demoness left silently. When the door closed, he finally turned to examine Kagome, who was sniffling and drying her eyes on the sleeve of the kimono she had fallen asleep in.

 

“Are you alright?” he asked, kneeling next to her. Silently, she nodded and scooted closer to put her arms around his waist.

 

“I was just afraid for a moment,” she answered. The demon nodded, rubbing her back soothingly.

 

“You need not worry for your life,” he said after a moment's silence, “I will protect you.”

 

With those words, the final doubt in her mind left her and she sighed contentedly. A smile formed on her lips and she kissed him lightly on the cheek before standing up. Sesshoumaru followed suit and walked over to a chest in the corner of his room. Kagome stretched, watching as her husband approached her with a strip of white cotton in his hand.

 

“Remove your kimono,” he ordered, watching as a blush stole across her cheeks and traveled down her neck. He could see the apprehension in her eyes as she bit down on her lower lip.

 

Her modesty was quite endearing. But he had better things to do that cajole her to undress. “I need to bandage your arm,” he explained.

 

The muscles in her throat flexed as she gulped, but proceeded to untie the obi at her waist. Kagome's breathe quickened and she closed her eyes so as not have to look at him during such an embarrassing moment.

 

It didn't matter if he was her husband and she now belonged to him. She had yet to experience the things that came with the position. Last night he had left her alone to sleep, but tonight… tonight would he take her? The thought alone made her temperature rise and she shut her eyes more tightly together.

 

Sesshoumaru watched in amusement as she became more flushed and could hear the thundering of her heard in her chest. She was in a state of panic, to be exposed to him. It was exciting-The thought of taking her purity, of making this modest girl into a passionate, writhing woman. He could hardly wait for night to fall. But for now…

 

“I'm finished. You may fasten your clothing.”

 

Her eyes shot open, the dreamy, blue depths of her gaze meeting his as she tied her obi in record time. It was a bit messy, but that didn't matter much as she would be taking it off again soon.

 

“I will escort you to the dining room where you may eat. By the time you are through the seamstress should have arrived and will be waiting for you in your chambers, which are next to mine. I suspect that this task will take much of the day.”

 

Kagome nodded, following behind him as he led her to the dining room.

 

“And what will you be doing today?” she asked, studying her new surroundings. He really did have a beautiful home.

 

They walked in silence until Sesshoumaru slid a door open and motioned for her to enter. It was a small room with a single low table. Apparently, she would be dining alone.

 

“I have business to attend to,” and with that, Sesshoumaru left her.

 

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Am I getting lazy? Let's hope not because this story has barely even begun. Anyways I just wanted to say how grateful I am for all the reviews. But it's been a while so I doubt anyone really remembers questions they asked or comments they made so I'll forego the individual responses for the moment. Just know that I love every single review I receive.