InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Secrets of the Shinju (Part IV): Power of the Purified Shinju ❯ Vows of Love ( Chapter 34 )

Chapter Thirty-Four
Vows of Love

Kagome woke to a familiar voice. She opened her eyes and turned around to see InuYasha standing in her room. She quickly sat up wide eyed. "InuYasha?" He gave her a sad smile.

"Yeah, Sesshoumaru came to get me. He told me about the wedding." Kagome looked at him closely and realized that he wanted to say something to her.

"InuYasha...what is it?" He took a deep breath and stared down at her unable to find a voice to speak with. Finally, he lowered his head, trying to hide the tears that were threatening to overtake him.

Kagome quickly realized something was wrong and got off the bed and came to his side. "InuYasha?" She said lightly. He lifted his head slowly, tears now shining in his eyes. Kagome quickly pulled him to her and held him closely. "InuYasha, what's wrong?"

He put his arms around her tightly, desperate to hold on to her. "Kagome. Oh God, Kagome...I'm so sorry. I'm sorry I didn't protect you from Naraku. I'm sorry I treated you like shit and I'm sorry I never told you that I love you." He buried his face in her hair and fought off the tears that were ready to fall. Kagome stood stunned at his emotional outburst.

"InuYasha..." She didn't know what else to say to him. God help her, she still cared about him so much that it hurt.

After a moment he released her and stared into her eyes. Kagome was nearly heartbroken by the look of anguish in him. She didn't even realize she was crying until she felt a tear run down her cheek. How long she had waited to hear him say those words to her. Even now they made her heart flutter. She bowed her head again. She loved Sesshoumaru dearly and would marry him, but a small piece of her heart would always belong to his brother.

"Don't cry, Kagome." He pleaded. She looked back up at him and forced a smile. "I'm sorry." He hugged her again, wishing he could take her away with him. Wishing he could go back and do things over again. He sighed, knowing that she didn't feel the same way about him made his heart ache, even now. Several minutes later she stepped back and stared up at him. She gave him a sad smile before speaking.

"I really miss your puppy ears." She said with a little giggle. He gave her a half-hearted smirk and turned to go to the door. "InuYasha." She called as he was about to leave the room. He turned back to her and waited for her to finish. She felt tears welling up again, but managed to choke out her words.

"I love you too, InuYasha. I always have. But I love Sesshoumaru, now. He is going to be my husband and the father of my baby." She walked closer to him and gave him a small smile. "But I will always be here for you, and I will always be your friend." He nodded slightly then turned and walked out of her room.

Kagome sat on her bed, confused. She did love InuYasha, but not nearly the same way she loved Sesshoumaru. InuYasha was a friend; almost like a brother to her, someone that protected her and kept her company.

She sighed and lay back on the bed again, her thoughts jumbled in her mind. A short time later, there was a knock at the door. She sat up and called for them to come in. Sesshoumaru walked in slowly and closed the door. He stood there watching her for a moment before approaching the bed.

"Your mother will be here shortly. She wishes to help you prepare yourself." Kagome nodded, knowing her mother would want to be with her before the wedding. Sesshoumaru watched Kagome suspiciously and then sat beside her.

"My brother spoke with you?" He said, though it was more a question. She nodded and Sesshoumaru looked at her. He very much desired to know what had been said, but he trusted Kagome and decided to leave the subject alone.

"I have been informed that this is the last time I am allowed to see you until the ceremony." Kagome glanced at him and nodded again.

"Yeah, you wouldn't want to be in here while mom is fussing over my hair and clothes anyway." She said with a slight smile. He continued to watch her closely, noting a sadness in her.

"Are you feeling well, Kagome?" She looked at him again and smiled. "I feel fine; I'm just a little tired." She then leaned into him, needing to feel him at the moment. He put his arm around her and pulled her closer to him.

Kagome smiled when his hand began stroking her stomach. Sesshoumaru always seemed fascinated with the changes in her and was always showing affection towards their unborn child. She placed her hand over his and held it still, knowing the baby would move again soon. Almost as if it could sense its parents, the baby began to move beneath their hands.

Kagome smiled, when Sesshoumaru's hand began stroking her lightly. She could tell he wanted to feel the baby again. She glanced up at him, noting the soft and curious look on his face. She always found herself wondering why he was so fascinated with the baby. She had seen many men around their pregnant wives and none had ever shown the same amount of affection and curiosity that he did.

"Sesshoumaru, can I ask you something?" He continued to caress her gently but focused on her. "Of course."

"You always seem very interested in the baby. Many men don't show that much interest, I know my dad didn't when my mom was pregnant with Souta." He watched her for a moment, taking in her words.

"Well, that wasn't really a question." He said and took in a ragged breath. Kagome watched him with curiosity. He seemed to be sad and she couldn't understand why.

"Kagome, my whole life I have been secluded from love. I had my mother, but as you know, she died when I was quite young. After that, I had no one. I spent my adult life isolated, hating everything and everyone, including myself. It has only been recently that I have felt anything, let alone love. I do not understand the feelings that I feel when I am near you and can feel the baby move. It intrigues me in ways I have never experienced."

Kagome looked at him closely. She saw an innocence in his eyes that had never been there before. He truly was awe struck with the idea of being a father. She could also tell that part of him feared he would be the same kind of father that InuTaisho had been. After all, InuTaisho had not always been cruel.

She leaned into him again. He wrapped his arm around her tightly and brought his face to her hair, taking in her scent before kissing her lightly. "I do love you, Kagome." She felt tears come to her eyes and looked at him. "I love you, too."

They were interrupted seconds later by a knock at the door. Mrs. Higurashi walked in when Kagome called to her. She smiled at the two of them and told Sesshoumaru that she wanted to spend some time with her daughter. He nodded and walked from the room. Kagome's mother came to her instantly and hugged her before telling her of her plans.

Kagome nearly laughed when her mom dragged her to her vanity and began brushing her hair. Kagome sat quietly, listening to her mom's chatter while she pulled her hair up into a more formal style. Mrs. Higurashi then asked Kagome's permission to put her in the traditional make-up. Kagome had little desire to be covered in white, paint like make-up but agreed. She knew this was her mother's only chance to do this and wanted her to be happy.

Nearly an hour later, Mrs. Higurashi was helping Kagome dress in her new kimono. It was so beautiful that she had to stare at herself in the mirror. She didn't even recognize herself. She turned to the side and ran her hand over her stomach and sighed. This was definitely not how she had pictured her wedding day, and yet it couldn't have been more perfect.

Her mom left to check on Sesshoumaru and make sure Jomei had arrived and returned a short time later to get her. Kagome's heart was thumping in her chest as she followed her mom to the shrine. Her grandfather and Souta were both there, waiting.

When she got closer she saw InuYasha standing near Sesshoumaru. He looked uncomfortable in one of her father's old kimonos, but she thought he looked quite handsome. Then she gazed at Sesshoumaru. She quickly wondered why he had always insisted upon wearing white. He looked amazing in the black kimono her mother had chosen.

He smiled at her warmly when she took her place next to him. Jomei looked Kagome over and then smiled at her. She could instantly tell that he was not judging her and that made her relax. Everyone stood quietly while the short ceremony was performed. Kagome kept glancing at Sesshoumaru nervously.

Not once did he take his eyes off of her. At the end of the ceremony, her grandfather presented them with rings. Kagome looked at them and realized they were both quite old and had probably been in her family for years. She looked at her grandfather curiously but he merely smiled and handed them to her.

Sesshoumaru pulled Kagome close to him and stayed near her side until they went back into the house. Kagome's mother insisted they all have a nice dinner before the three of them returned to the feudal era. Kagome hurried upstairs to change so that she could help. Sesshoumaru followed her and took her into his arms the moment they were alone. She giggled when he ran his finger down her nose and gave her a slightly playful look.

"You look much better without all of this paint on you." He said softly. She quickly pulled him down to her and kissed him. When she pulled away she gave him a devilish look and quickly ran her finger across her face and wiped some of her make-up on his cheek.

He smirked and quickly scooped her up and carried her to her bed. He lay down beside her and pulled her to him. Again his hand began caressing her stomach softly. He felt the baby moving around slightly and smiled. He then glanced up at Kagome before moving down the bed so that he could rest his head on her. She giggled when he began to release a soft growl, that didn't sound the least bit threatening. She listened as he continued to make small noised that she assumed where him speaking to the baby.

She did her best to suppress her laughter, but his growling was tickling her. He then moved back up and kissed her softly. She stared up at him afterward and then beamed him a wicked smile and began to explain to him about the honeymoon. He kissed her again and then looked at her thoughtfully.

"I am beginning to enjoy these human traditions." He said and then ran his hand over her cheek and down to her kimono. She was instantly aroused but he stopped. "Though we are now married, it is not appropriate to do this here." He said softly. She groaned and gave him a dirty look.

He smiled down at her pouting face. "We will return to the castle tonight, and then we can have our honeymoon." He promised. Kagome sighed and hugged into him. Both were nearly asleep when they heard Souta yelling for them at the bottom of the stairs.

"We'd better get down there before mom drags us down there." Kagome said with a sigh. She quickly grabbed some clothes and headed for the bathroom to wash up and change. When she was finished, Sesshoumaru had changed as well. He took her hand and walked her down to the dining room where they both sat and had a nice meal with her family.

Kagome kept glancing across the table at InuYasha. He looked sad, yet kept offered her a smile everytime she caught his eyes. Finally, dinner was over and Kagome told her mom that they had to return to Rin.

InuYasha walked with Kagome and Sesshoumaru to the well, but once they got there he turned abruptly.

"I'm glad you two are happy. I know Sesshoumaru will take care of you, Kagome." He then turned and jumped down the well. Kagome glanced at Sesshoumaru and then shrugged slightly. He was already gone when they made it to the other side. Kagome sighed and tried to enjoy her walk to the village where they would get Rin and head to her new home to start her new life.