InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Love Can Do That to Ya, Kid ❯ 17 ( Chapter 18 )

Kagome was nervous. A formal mating ceremony in Inuyoukai traditions was apparently not the easiest thing in the world. Not to mention that she would be nearly bled out by her husband.

Husband. She liked the sound of that.

InuYasha had told her that most youkai matings were just that. Mating. But since he was nobility, they had to have a ceremony performed by their parents. It was just supposed to be jii-chan and Higurashi-san, but since the Inu Taiyoukai and his wife were there, it could involve all four of them.

InuYasha and Kagome knelt on the bed, facing each other. Between them was a small table on which was placed cups and a bottle of sake.

Solemnly, the four parents walked into the room,

Anami walked over to the pair.

"To be formally mated in the ways of the noble inu youkai is an honor. Once this promise is made it is sealed by love, family, blood, and drink. To betray this oath would be dangerous. Not only to you but to your mate and pups as well. There are severe consequences. Do you understand?" She sounded commanding. Both of the kids responded.

"Hai."

"Hai."

Inutaisho stepped in where his wife stood back. "My son, InuYasha. Hanyou of youkai heart, you will make this promise willingly?"

"Hai, chichi-ue. Willingly."

Higurashi-san stepped up. "Kagome, my daughter, human miko, more powerful than any in years, will you also promise this willingly?"

"Hai, haha-ue. Willingly."

Jii-chan walked to the bedside then. "This will be your last opportunity to back out. No turning back after this point. What say you?"

In unison they said, "I will not leave."

Inutaisho took jii-chan's place. "Very well. InuYasha, by your life, the life of your future mate and pups, my soul and your mother's, and the lives of Kagome's family will you promise never to leave the side of Kagome Higurashi? Will you promise to love her forever, throughout time? To never take another mate, whether she lives or not? Will you protect and care for her like no other? Will you promise all this and more until the day you die and beyond?"

"Chichi-ue, by the lives of my future mate and pups, by the soul of you and haha-ue, by the lives of my chosen's family, I will promise all that and more with gladness to do so in my heart," InuYasha answered. Serious, but you could tell he was happy.

Jii-chan stood proud, ecstatic to be part of something so ancient and legendary. "Kagome Higurashi, by your life, the life of your future mate and pups, by your mother's life, my life, your brother's life, and you father's and grandmother's souls, by the souls of the taiyoukai and his Lady Wife, will you promise never to leave the side of InuYasha? Will you promise to love him forever, throughout time? To never take another mate, whether he lives or not? Will you protect and care for him like no other? Will you promise all this and more until the day you die and beyond?"

"Jii-san, by my life, the life of my future mate and pups, by my mother's life, my life, my brother's life, and my father's and grandmother's souls, by the souls of the taiyoukai and his Lady Wife, I promise all that and more. Anything and everything I can give with gladness to do so in my heart."

Higurashi-san stood beside her father and the taiyoukai. "Will the both of you swear by blood on the name of love itself?"

"Hai, haha-ue," said Kagome.

"I will," replied InuYasha.

Looking stern and authoritative, she told them, "Then do so." Higurashi-san then held her hand out to Anami. Anami drew a beautiful dagger. "Kagome Higurashi, this goes to you, as I have no other sons to perform this ceremony for. When we are finished you may keep this blade to use in your own children's mating ceremony.

InuYasha," she nearly barked. "Give me your hand." InuYasha obeyed. She drew the blade across the skin. "This blade is enchanted, your skin will heal like a normal human's from any cut from it. Repeat after me. 'I InuYasha, swear on my blood, and all those who have come before me and who will come after, that Kagome Higurashi is my one and only chosen mate for life. I swear by love itself.'"

InuYasha repeated it, the entire time staring into his love's eyes.

"Kagome," Anami said. "Give me your hand." The blade was drawn across and surprisingly, the pain faded quickly. "Repeat. 'I Kagome Higurashi, swear on my blood and the blood of all those who have come before and will come after, that InuYasha is my one and only chosen mate for life. I swear by love itself.'"

Kagome repeated the words and felt something snap. InuYasha and Kagome's hands were being pressed together.

Inutaisho smiled and boomed. "Now the adults toast, and leave you to your…erm… business, shall we say?"

They poured sake and toasted the couple. All four left drunk and grinning.

"Kagome?" InuYasha asked.

"Yes?"

"Are you ready?"

"Uh-huh. I think so. It won't hurt?"

"Not if we're meant to be. And we are. We would not have survived the blood oath if we were not. Our auras would have clashed and killed us."

"Was that what I felt?"

"Yeah. You felt the mating bond snap into place. If you concentrate, you'll be able to tell what I'm thinking and feeling. Mates share telepathy. Even over long distances."

"Wow. Why did you not say something?"

"Well," he said pulling her into his lap. "I knew we were meant to be. So there was no point in worrying you unnecessarily." He kissed her pulse point. "My mate. We're finally mates. Kagome, I have a family."

"I know," she said. "I AM your family. And you know. I'll help you keep in touch with Lord Inutaisho and Lady Anami."

InuYasha sighed. Life was so, perfect right now. All that he needed was one thing. He kissed Kagome very deeply. Then trailed his kisses down to her pulse point again. Then, he bit her.