InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ If You Only Knew ❯ Chapter 18 ( Chapter 19 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

If You Only Knew: Chapter 18

Kagome squealed, turning Sango towards the two other women in the room. "Doesn't she look absolutely gorgeous?" She had pulled the taijia's hair into a tight french roll, pulling long strands of hair to hang about her face. She had a little make-up left, enough to do Sango and herself, which she saved for this occasion. Sango's eyeshadow was a very light blue, in three different shades from the brow to the lash. She used a thin black eyeliner on the top, and a dark blue on the bottom, topping it off with black mascara. Using a nearly tan blush, she accented her cheekbones with a single upward stroke. Using powder on her chin, forehead and nose, she made sure to reduce glare. Finally, a clear lip gloss to accent her lips.

Kaede nodded, a wide smile on her face, and Kay beamed at her daughter. "She looks lovely, dear. But now isn't it time you got yourself ready? You've been working on Sango all morning."

She grinned at her mother, "Well, I'm not the one getting married! Sango deserves the pampering. This is the happiest day of any girl's life."

Sango stood up, taking Kagome's hand, "Would you like to see the wedding kimono?" She winked at Kay as she led the hyper girl towards her mother's hut.

Kagome blinked as they entered the hut, a bright smile alighting her face. "Sango! It's beautiful!" She fingered the silky fabric of the gown. It's color was the perfect white, while it wasn't plain but seemed to radiate a pearl essence. The neckline was graced with small sapphire jewels, which came down in a V like shape on the chest, swooping up into a gentle arc across the shoulders. The same jewels lined the wide sleeves. Kagome picked up the dress, cooing at its beauty. "Wow! My mom did a good job!"

"Yes, it's lovely. I've never seen anything so magnificent."

"Another thing to add to the plus list of having a friend from the future, ne?"

Sango giggled. "Look at this." She picked the back of the dress up to show her friend, "You see the extra fabric and the sapphires across the bottom? They go half way up the back of the dress!"

Kagome smirked at her awe, "Where I came from, many dresses had that design. It's called a train, and I will be holding it up for you as you walk down the aisle to meet Miroku."

Sango looked at her questioningly.

"So it doesn't get dirty of course!"

The bride shook her head, "No, I was curious about the aisle part?"

Kagome giggled, "Sorry, umm... well, that's what we call the 'path' you take as you make your way up to Miroku at the altar."

"Marriage customs must have changed a lot, because it's not that extravigant."

"This will definately be the best day of your life, then." Kagome offered the warmest smile she could. "You deserve it."

"Thank you, Kagome-chan," Sango nearly burst at the seams, knowing that there was a similar dress hidden in her own hut for Kagome. 'Inuyasha is taking his good 'ole time with the proposal. If he doesn't do it soon, I'm gonna blow it.' She turned to her friend and grinned, "It's your turn!" Taking her hand, she led her back to Kaede's hut to do her make-up and hair.

x0x

"Inu! You look great!" Kagome gushed as he walked into the hut.

He straightened his shoulders and gave her a sexy grin, "Was there ever a doubt?"

She raised a skeptical eyebrow before rolling her eyes. She dropped her focus back to her hands, where she was trying to untangle a necklace. 'Figures! I knew I should have packed these better. The gold chains just wouldn't separate. Then she felt a hand on her chin, demanding gentle for her to raise her face.

"You look lovely, too," Inuyasha whispered, his nose surprisingly nearly touching hers.

For whatever strange reason, she blushed, "Thank you, Inuyasha. Now if you'll let me concentrate, I have to get these necklaces apart."

"Feh," He took them from her hands and called for Shippou, who came running, eager to do anything to help. "Here, fix this."

Shippou glared at him, "This is kid's work!"

Inuyasha smirked, "Well, Kagome was obviously having a hard time, so I figured you should try it."

Kagome glared at her mate, "I don't know if I should be thanking you or s-i-t you for being a jerk."

He pulled her up against him, almost crushing her against his chest. "Go ahead, koi, do it now," he taunted.

"Urg!" She attempted to push him away in frustration, but with her hands on his chest, she noticed his kimono was nearly identical to Miroku's. "Aren't you supposed to be wearing a less formal kimono than the groom?" She smiled as he looked dumbfounded, "You're not trying to out-do him, are you?"

He was interrupted before he could even respond, thankfully. "Here ya go, Kagome!" Shippou held up two separated necklaces.

"Thank you, Shippou-chan!" She hugged the little youkai after taking the chains into her own hands. "Sango!" She wanted to put the finishing touches on her so they could get the ceremony started. Sango slowly walked in, trying her best to hold the kimono up off the ground. "Oh my! You look so gorgeous!" Kagome ran to her, circling the poor girl twice before reaching up and clasping one of the necklaces around her neck. It was two different golds, both entertwined and knotted in the middle. A dark blue gem was held in the center.

Sango fingered the jewelry with a nervous smile, "Thank you," she whispered.

"You look great," Kagome smiled back and gave her a half hug. She took a step back and found herself right in Inuyasha's arms.

"I bet you would be breathtaking in a dress like that," he whispered in her ear, "Like an angel sent here from the heavens."

Kagome shivered with the breath on her neck, while her heart fluttered at his sweet words. Her mother smiled at her from the doorway, her brother stood next to her, holding a small rectangular box that held the wedding rings.

"Are we ready?" Her mother asked.

The miko nodded her head slightly, "I just have to get dressed." She stopped, staring blankly ahead of her. "Sango?"

"Hmm?" The exterminator was busy placing her mother's traditional combs in her hair. They were a plain but brilliant gold, but it was the sentimental value behind them that made the difference.

"I've been so busy trying to get every one ready for this wedding, and I forgot about my own dress. I know you said my mother was designing it according to your taste, but I haven't even seen it!" She was in a near panick. It was probably about a half hour before they were supposed to start the ceremony and she wasn't even dressed. If Inuyasha weren't holding her, she'd would've fell to her knees.

Sango nearly laughed, but instead, glared at the youkai holding her friend in regards to his horrible sense of time. Inuyasha offered her a smug grin before turning his love to face him. He pulled her left hand between them, kissing her fingertips.

Kagome stared into his eyes, getting lost in the emotions that seemed to surround her in a thrumming beat. And then she realized it was her heart beating rapidly as she felt the cool metal slide down her forth finger. Her mouth opened in shock and tears sprang to her own eyes that she couldn't take from the sight before her. The band was a delicate white, with the tiniest of crushed emerald placed along the metal, which gave the whole ring a light green candescense. The center stone was a diamond, with two emeralds on either side. Finally snapping her attention back to the man before her, she tried to form any words, but her mouth wouldn't co-operate.

"I know that we are mated. And although I was half demon, my lineage is also half human. While human traditions mean little to me, as long as you're by my side, I know what they mean to you. I've seen how happy you've been planning this whole thing for Sango." He kissed her forehead, lingering there and speaking against her skin, "I want to declare my love for you, and vow to always honor that love before the gods." He took her hand and kissed the ring, "My mate, my Kagome, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife on this day?"

Kagome finally managed to form words, "Today? But what about Sango and Miroku? I couldn't possibly take away from them-"

Sango interjected quickly, "Actually, it was my idea to have it on the same day."

Kagome turned her attention briefly to her friend, "You? I... I don't know what to say."

Inuyasha grasped her cheek, pulling her face back towards him, "Say yes, koi."

She locked gazes with him for a moment, drinking in the almost overwhelming love and passion that never seemed to dwindle. Throwing her arms around his neck, she hugged him tightly, "I love you so much, Inuyasha. You never cease to make me the happiest woman alive."

Inuyasha smiled against her hair, "Is that a yes then?"

Kagome giggled, pulling back and looking at everyone in the room, "Did you really have to ask?"

"Great! I've been waiting all month to show you this dress!" Sango pulled her arm, trying to hurriedly lead her from the hut. Kagome pulled up some of the kimono, attempting to help her friend. "Thanks. Now come on! It's in my home."

x0x

When Kagome saw her own gown, she clapped her hands and jumped up and down. She couldn't believe it! Fingering the dress, she found it to be nearly identical to Sango's, except the jewels were emerald on hers. Thankfully for her love of green, she was lucky her accessories already matched. Thanks to Sango, she didn't have to worry about her hair and make-up at least. Her ebony tresses were pulled up in waves about her head, some falling down her back and sides. A few pearl combs were placed randomly in the intricate bun, along with tiny white flowers. Her make-up was a light silver and green eyeshadow, black eyeliner on top and silver on the bottom, with black mascara. She'd used very light glitter on her cheeks, to give her a little shine, as well as a pink lip gloss.

After a few minutes, both women were ready and overly excited.

Kagome pulled her friend into a big hug, "Thank you so much, Sango."

Her friend smiled knowingly, "I thought you'd appreciate it." She noticed Kagome rub her belly affectionately. "I wanted to get married so soon, so that you'd be able to wear the wedding kimono without much showing."

Kagome smiled, "A pregnant woman has her own glow, but you're right, I really never wanted to be large with child when I got married." Her face turned thoughtful, "Honestly, when I fell in love with Inuyasha, I kind of forgot about this sort of thing. I never imagined getting married to him. When I was little, I dreamt of my wedding day. The dress, the decorations, who would be there, all kinds of things. Once my destiny changed, though, so did my dreams. Now that I think about it, it's strange how it happened so naturally."

"I'm glad I get to see my baby girl marry the man she loves," her mother entered.

"Thank you, Mama, the kimono is beautiful," Kagome kissed her cheek while hugging her.

"Anything to see you happy," Kay smiled, "Besides, it makes your grandfather feel better."

"Is it time, Kay?" Sango asked, not able to conceal the excitement in her voice.

"Hai, it is time, girls."

x0x

Inuyasha fidgeted next to his friend. The kimono was tight in all the wrong places, and he could smell the nervousness radiating from the monk, which in turn cause him to get nervous.

"Miroku, why are you so damn nervous?"

The monk looked at him, his face the perfect picture of neurotic, "Aren't you?"

"Feh! What do I have to be nervous about?"

"Well, this is the day that your life is no longer your own. From this day forth, you belong to another as they belong to you. No longer is it only yourself you have to look after."

Inuyasha stared down at him, as if he were oblivious, "I've been protecting Kagome from day one, so I don't see how it's different. Besides, we're already mated. This is just a human tradition. Our bond is already stronger than any marriage could make it."

Miroku studied his friend, his anxiety etched deeply into his features, "How does it feel?"

"How does what feel?"

"To be so closely entertwined with another. To be one in every way, heart, mind, body, and soul?"

The youkai gave him a incredulous look, "How do you feel when you're with Sango? When we battled together... when you feared for her well being. When you knew that you'd put your life on the line to make sure not a hair was harmed on her head. The times when Kohaku would show up, and you knew she was hurting. And if you really thought about it, you probably hurt just as bad as she was. And you'd take her pain as well, double your own, just so she wouldn't have to feel it anymore."

Miroku listened intently, bewildered on the intellect of his friend. Every word was true, every word made sense. He'd felt those things, those connections, more than once.

"Every hit she'd make on a youkai, every cry of victory; Those you shared, even if you were cheering on the inside. Your pride in her probably outweighs her own. A smile lasts for days in your mind, even if you saw it for a second. Her laugh echos longer in your heart than in your ears." Inuyasha smirked, "As for the body... well, that's for you to figure out." For once, he actually felt like boasting that he'd been farther than even the perverted bouzu. He would have, if it weren't for the breath-taking view in front of them. He heard Miroku's heartbeat quicken, and he knew his own did considerablely.

Kagome couldn't stop the smile as she made her way with Sango to the altar. Both boys looked completely awed, and she nearly giggled. Glancing over at Sango, she noticed her own nervous smile. "Relax, girl, it's going to be a long night," she whispered.

Sango gasped quietly and blushed a deep crimson. "Kagome!" She scolded playfully in a hushed manner.

Kaede smiled at the two brides as they met the grooms. Kohaku and Souta took their place on either side of the altar, on the appropriate bride's side, both holding a ring box. Kay stood with her father on the side, smiling brightly at her daughter, dabbing tears from her eyes. Shippou was throwing flower petals into the air, covering the four in a variety of colors. Inuyasha turned briefly to glare at him, while Kagome smiled lovingly at the kit.

Kaede cleared her throat before bowing her head, "If ye are ready, children, we will start the ceremony..."

The beginning of the rest of their lives...