InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Price ❯ Severed Connections ( Chapter 9 )

Disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha; Rumiko Takahashi and a large publishing conglomerate hold his leash.

 

A/N: Feni recently discovered that she somehow lost track of her `timing' bunny. This fic is intended to take place over ten days in early Spring, beginning with Setsubun in the first week of February… but all the time-of-year markers used so far are from mid-Winter. Corrections have been made in previous chapters. Eheh.

 

Bouquets to my lovely CMAs, Forthright (put down the pitchfork!), Ranuel and SilverOnTheRose.

 

Warnings: Violence, coarse language, WAFF.

 

The Price

Chapter Nine: Severed Connections

 

Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж

 

Sha caught the stumbling figure on pure reflex, all his senses attuned for an attack. It stinks like… burned feathers? What the fuck? Aside from the heavy stench of death, all was still. No movement, no sound, except for the choked noises emanating from the slender young woman huddled against his chest, her fingers digging into the leather of his jacket. Despite the nauseating reek threatening to turn his stomach, he stooped to confirm her identity with a sniff. Kagome… covered in her own blood, but breathing and alive.

 

Glancing over his shoulder into the corridor to check for witnesses, Sha wrapped his arm around Kagome's waist and edged both of them away from the door. As soon as the panel swung shut, he locked it. Gotta try to contain this somehow. Sliding further along the wall, he cautiously peered around the first row of lockers just in case there were more attackers lying in wait… and swore softly at what he saw.

 

Crimson splattered the floor, sprayed across the walls and dripped slowly from the ceiling. At the base of the locker bank on the one wall, a wet-looking muneate rocked gently on the tiles. Stretching away from the discarded breastplate and a pile of scorched clothing was a long, evil-looking smear that glistened iridescently in the fluorescent light. The oily stain was liberally sprinkled with fluffy grey ashes that eddied and swirled across the tiled floor, wafting through the air and occasionally sticking in the droplets of blood. With growing horror, Sha realized that the strong undercurrent of roasted flesh permeating the room indicated that the stain had once been a living person. Holy gods… this is bad. Real bad. We need back-up!

 

Transferring his attention to the young woman trembling in his arms, Sha grimly listened to the strangled gasps shaking her entire frame while he tried to figure out their next move. Kagome's once-pristine white keiko-gi hung off one shoulder, the sodden material heavy with blood… and her bared skin bore the marks of savagery. “Let me see,” he whispered, steeling himself for the worst as she lifted her head. Her face was ghostly pale under a spattering of red, her grey eyes desolate. Very slowly, she tilted up her chin and leaned back. “Gods!” he hissed as he took in the full extent of the damages. Deep puncture wounds in both sides of her throat revealed the source of the blood decorating the walls and ceiling, and brutally raw gouges furrowed her tender breasts where it appeared someone had tried to tear open her ribcage. “Who did this?” he demanded, aghast.

 

Kagome's blank expression crumpled. “My friend,” she whimpered before collapsing in tears.

 

As raw sobs shook her body, Sha gathered her close as searing memories of Kikyo's bleak expression on that last day roared through his mind. This has Naraku's fucking fingerprints all over it! Damn that fucker's black soul straight to the eighth hell! In the midst of his fury, he heard the distinctive sound of the air conditioning system's fans start up. Fuck! If this scent circulates through the building…! Despite the urgency of the situation, he tenderly cupped the back of her neck with his hand. “We have to get you cleaned up and out of here,” he murmured in her ear, lightly rubbing his thumb up and down her nape.

 

After a long moment, she sniffled, “O-o-okay,” into his chest and straightened up.

 

Sha tugged her red-stained top back up onto her shoulder; she slowly covered herself, but he didn't immediately release her. Instead, he wiped her cheeks with the back of his hand and brushed her clumped bangs out of her eyes. “I don't blame you if you don't want to strip down here and shower… I'd feel too fucking vulnerable… but your hair is full of blood and the scent will attract attention,” he said.

 

Kagome nodded, swallowing hard, and he let her go. When she staggered, he quickly caught her arm and guided her across the locker room. When she shrank against him as they passed the oily smear, he gave her a reassuring squeeze. “My clothes were in the garment bag, so they should be all right,” she said dully, moving towards an open locker further down the row.

 

“Hustle,” the hanyou urged, “we gotta clear out before the men's competition is over.” Leaving her alone for a moment, he ran back to the door. Locating the glassed-in controls for the fans, he smashed the cover with Tetsusaiga's hilt and turned the system off. Dammit, this is turning into a major disaster. Double-timing back, he watched her weak attempts to extract a towel out of her gear bag. Amazing that she's still conscious, never mind moving around. Intervening to speed things up, he tossed her garment bag over his shoulder and handed her the towel. “Naraku's somewhere in the vicinity, so we have to move. Hurry… but carefully,” he ordered as he scooped her into his arms.

 

Kagome pressed her forehead against his shoulder as black spots twirled through her vision. “I'm doing my best,” she painfully rasped.

 

Stifling his impatience, he replied in a soothing tone, “I know.” Carrying her into the shower room, he carefully set her on her unsteady feet and hung up the garment bag. “Yell if you need anything, all right? I gotta make a call.” When she nodded, he exited the steam-filled room. Tucking Tetsusaiga under his arm, he dug in his pocket for his cell phone, then punched in Sess' number as the water turned on behind him. I bet she stood under it, clothes and all. As soon as his brother answered, he said without preamble, “I need a clean-up crew at the Isshi Sports Hall, Asakusa district.”

 

“Details.”

 

Sha considered the grease mark and rumpled clothes before stepping over them to gingerly examine an ash-smeared purse and gear bag. “Deceased youkai, species as yet unidentified; possibly avian.”

 

“Structural damage?”

 

“It wasn't me, asshole. Miss Higurashi fought off an attacker.” He extracted an I.D. card from the purse with his clawtips. “Deceased is Abihime Tekkaido.”

 

“Repeat.”

 

“Abihime Tek….”

 

“Where was Miss Higurashi was attacked?”

 

“Isshi Sports Hall.”

 

Sesshiro's voice dropped several degrees below zero. “Miss Higurashi was in a public venue?”

 

Sha's hackles went up an equal amount. “She was aware of the risks, but chose to attend anyways. I'm not her fucking jailor.”

 

“Indeed,” his brother frostily retorted. “My elderly housekeeper could do better.”

 

“Just send the crew and spare me the fucking lecture, asshole. Tell `em scent identification only, because Naraku was here… shit, damn and all seven hells! Fuck! That's probably how… dammit! Naraku must've told the Tekkaido girl about the Jewel and set her up to attack Miss Higurashi, then lured me away to give her enough time… fuck!” Sha punched the nearest locker hard enough to nearly wrap the steel door around his fist and created a small whirlwind of ash.

 

“The team has been dispatched; we will convene at the Sunset Shrine in an hour.”

 

Sha snapped closed his phone, growling ferociously as he put it away. Finally noticing the blood smeared all over his leather jacket, he distractedly cast about for a quick solution. That'll do; she won't be using it any more. Wiping off the fluid with a damp towel from the deceased young woman's gear bag while sorting through their options, it took him a few moments to realize that he wasn't alone. Kagome stood several feet away, looking wan and exhausted, her wet hair soaking into the light material of her blouse. “I left my uniform in there,” she said, hooking her thumb over her shoulder towards the bathroom.

 

“The crew'll take care of it,” he said, hastily dropping the besmirched towel back into the gear bag.

 

She wavered forward, using the lockers to prop herself up until she stood beside him. “I've known her since middle school,” she began, gesturing at the heaped clothing and blackened tiles. “We joined the archery club on the same day. Picked the same high school because of the archery program. After we graduated, we decided to join the Sokko Club so we could continue to compete and hang out together.” Raising a haunted gaze to Sha, she whispered, “Her eyes turned bright yellow and she had… talons instead of hands….”

 

“Did she say anything?” he gently prompted.

 

“That the Jewel would make her national champion.” Hunching her shoulders, Kagome murmured hollowly, “I'm a murderer….”

 

Sha immediately reacted. “Naraku set this up! Don't you dare blame yourself!” he snarled, but she only turned her head away.

 

“I couldn't breathe… there was blood everywhere, and it hurt so much… and then… and then… she… just dissolved….”

 

“Same as with Mistress Centipede. The Jewel will do whatever it takes to protect you,” Sha said, his tone coming out harsher than he intended, but he didn't like Kagome's defeated posture. “Naraku took advantage of her greed and ambition. Don't get me wrong, she didn't deserve to die, but you can't blame yourself for what happened.”

 

Shivering, she murmured, “Someone has to tell Abihime's mother.”

 

“It'll be taken care of. We're just waiting on the crew to secure this area.” Kagome nodded, her hair screening her face, and guided herself back towards her locker as Sha gnashed his fangs and imagined visiting hideously painful tortures upon his nemesis. He's trying to break her, the fucking slime!

 

Reappearing a few minutes later, wearing her leather jacket and carrying her bow in one hand with the quiver on her back, the young woman radiated guilt and distress. “If I hadn't insisted on competing, this wouldn't have happened.”

 

“Stop it, wench. If you're gonna throw blame around, then it's my fucking fault, too, because I was stupid enough to let Naraku lead me around by the nose.” Sha gripped Kagome's chin in his fingers and forced her to look him in the eye. “We're gonna get the fucking bastard who killed your friend. Got it? You ain't a helpless kitten… you're the fucking Shikon miko and you're gonna own his ass.”

 

She managed a faint smile. “Don't really want to be anywhere near his butt, thanks; too many tentacles.”

 

Sha released her chin and rapped her forehead with his knuckles. “That's more like it. Now, what in all the hells is taking those idiots so long?” he growled. As if in answer to his grumble, there came a brisk rapping on the door. “Stay here,” he ordered, then approached the door with Tetsusaiga raised. “Identify yourselves,” he growled through the panel.

 

“The Western House,” came the prompt reply. Unlocking the door and cracking it slightly, Sha fixed the dozen or so youkai outside with a steely glare and inhaled deeply.

 

“What's going on, sir?” one of the troopers asked in a hushed tone, his own nose twitching at the heavy scents of messily violent death.

 

“Just making sure that none of you jokers is Naraku in disguise, because he screwed me over once already today.”

 

“Is the Shikon miko all right?”

 

“More or less.” Sha stepped aside and allowed the dog-youkai to enter single file, but he sniffed each of them carefully just in case. The men came to a stop en masse when they saw the condition of the room, with a pale-faced young woman standing in the midst of swirling ashes and spattered gore. “Miss Higurashi… time to go,” Sha called. She seemed startled when the group bowed to her and hastily returned the salute, then one of the crew jumped to her rescue when the movement wreaked havoc with her balance.

 

“Thanks,” she said softly. “Not quite myself this afternoon.”

 

The trooper glanced at the red-streaked walls. “Understandably so, miss,” he calmly replied as he guided her to Sha's side. “Sir, two of us are ready to accompany you to your vehicle, and a couple of outriders will escort you both back to the Shrine.”

 

“Works for me.” Sha pulled the scabbard out of the carrying case and sheathed the Tetsusaiga before shoving it through his belt, heedless of the legal repercussions. “Whoever is delegated to speak to the girl's family… go easy. Naraku tricked her into attacking Miss Higurashi and probably intended to kill her if she was successful.”

 

“Yessir.”

 

He caught Kagome's arm and led her outside the locker room in company of two troopers, then surprised all of them by going down on one knee. “Climb on,” he ordered.

 

“M-mr. Nishiki?”

 

“You heard me. Don't want you fainting on the way to the car.”

 

“Er… okay….” Kagome wasn't quite sure what to do with her bow until one of their escorts offered to hold it for her, then hesitantly draped herself over Sha's back. She let out a faint squeak of surprise when he hooked his hands under her knees and stood upright. “Can you still reach your sword?” she asked as she moved the end of the leather carrying case out of the way and loosely wrapped her arms around Sha's neck, linking her hands on his chest.

 

“No worries,” he assured, hiking her a little higher, and their escorts fell into place before and behind them.

 

Moving quickly, but not fast enough to attract undue attention, the small group crossed the entry hall and ducked out onto the plaza, passing a utility truck Kagome thought she recognized from the previous day at the Shrine. Two identically-clad motorcycle riders idled their crest-marked machines at the entrance to the parking garage; straightening up at their approach, one asked, “Where should we meet you, sir?”

 

“The level below the roof,” Sha replied and they saluted before roaring away up the entrance ramp, while one of the troopers opened the door to the stairwell and they slipped inside. Sha paused, looking at the flights spiralling upwards as if weighing his options. “Hold on, Miss Higurashi,” was all the warning he gave before he launched them straight up, leaving her stomach somewhere down at ground level.

 

Kagome yelped, then hid her face in Sha's hair, acutely aware that compromising his balance by flailing in surprise would be a Very Bad Thing as they rapidly ascended by bounding back and forth from one side of the stairwell to the other. She had no idea that the warmth of her breath on his neck was doing a fine job of distracting him, not even when he overshot their floor. With a curse, he was about to fling them back over the railing and into space when she whimpered, “Please… just take the stairs? My stomach hasn't caught up with us.”

 

“Sure.” Sha quietly enjoyed the sort-of hug she bestowed on him by way of thanks as he thumped down the stairs to the correct landing, where one trooper held the door while the other flagged down the motorcycle escort. He let her down when they reached Tenmaru's car, but gave her the fob to unlock the doors while he had the motorcycle riders take off their helmets so that he could scent-check them. Her bow and quiver were stowed in the trunk and then a trooper held her door while she entered the vehicle.

 

“We'll make sure that your things are returned to the Shrine, miss,” he assured, and received a tired smile in exchange.

 

Sha slung the Tetsusaiga behind the driver's seat and slid behind the wheel. “Let's roll.” Plucking the keys from Kagome's palm, he fired up the car and threw the engine into reverse. Once backed up, he left a small patch of rubber as he took off down the row with the motorcycles in hot pursuit.

 

Kagome kept her eyes closed as they rapidly circled their way down the building to the exit ramp, feeling distinctly queasy when he kept applying the brakes on the curves and then speeding up on the flats. “Could you slow down a little? My head is spinning….”

 

“I'm in a hurry to put some distance between us and the venue before the shit hits the fan.”

 

“We were supposed to stay for the special exhibition shoot after the men's competition, so the crew has a little more time. Coach Sagara is going to be livid that Abihime and I disappeared.”

 

“Screw him,” Sha said with considerable feeling as he spun the wheel through another corner and aimed the car at the exit.

 

“Uh, don't we need to pay for the parking?”

 

“Taken care of,” he growled as one of the motorcyclists pulled up next to the pay kiosk and shoved a card under the wicket. The exit barrier had barely risen high enough before he sent the car diving underneath it and out into the afternoon sunshine… then almost turned the wrong way down the one-way street as the outriders caught up. Once heading in the correct direction, they drove in silence with only the music playing. Sha was thoroughly beating himself up for allowing Naraku to so easily draw him away from the young woman when a salty tang stung his nose.

 

Kagome stared sightlessly through the windshield, tears running down her cheeks and dripping off her jaw into her lap. Sha instantly reached across the console and wrapped his hand around her tightly-clenched fist, but wasn't sure what to say as waves of sadness fairly emanated from her body. “She didn't see me any more,” Kagome finally murmured. “She only saw the Shikon-no-Tama.” Shuddering, the tears flowing even more freely, she added, “That's how they'll all see me… as a means to an end.”

 

“Who?” he asked tightly, suddenly and deeply afraid of her stark tone.

 

“Naraku… and all the others that want to use the Jewel.” She looked down at where he gripped her fist, then turned over her hand and carefully laced her fingers with his. “They won't hesitate to use my family to get what they want.” Smearing away the tears on her sleeve, she gave him a haunted look. “I'll do whatever it takes to keep them safe; if the offer's still open, I'll stay with you.”

 

“I'm really fucking sorry that it's come to this,” he muttered, “but it's the best option. We'll have to tell your mother and grandfather enough of the truth that they'll understand the danger and go from there.” Silence descended again while Sha wrestled with various scenarios… until warm droplets spattered on the back of his hand.

 

Tears were again streaking Kagome's cheeks; when Sha desperately squeezed her hand, she murmured, “It's a nightmare come to life and I can't wake up… everything and everybody looks the same, but nothing is….”

 

“And you feel so fucking alone you just want to die,” he finished. He waited for a stoplight before turning to look the shocked young woman straight in the eye. “I know exactly how you feel, because after I woke up from my sealing, it was a living nightmare.” Extracting his hand from hers, he cupped her face between his palms and wiped away her tears with gentle fingers. “We're in this together, Miss Higurashi.”

 

She managed a small smile. “I think I've heard that line somewhere before.”

 

“No more tears, girl,” he gruffly ordered as he reluctantly returned to piloting the car.

 

Kagome pulled the cuffs of her blouse over her hands and scrubbed at her face. “Right. Crying won't help.” Taking a couple of deep breaths, she asked, “Where should we start with our cover story?”

 

“Too bad we can't discuss this with your brother and Buyo so we're all on the same page.”

 

“Mom will want to know my results; maybe while I'm telling her and helping with lunch, you can slip away and talk to one or the other of them?”

 

Sha snorted. “I'll corner your brother; I think I'd get a rep if someone caught me talking to a cat!”

 

“We'd better tell them that I'm the Shikon miko, but it's probably a good idea to limit the threats they need to know about to the criminal element, I guess.”

 

The hanyou smirked. “Luckily for us, those stupid yakuza showed up yesterday; this might be easier than we expect.”

 

Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж

 

“You can't be serious!”

 

The old man was plainly flustered, but repeated, “Kagome will only leave this house as a bride.”

 

Sha bit back a ferocious curse and ground out, “She's trying to save your life… what does that have to do with getting married?”

 

“The Higurashi family is well-known in important social circles; I will not have our name disgraced by gossip,” Genma loftily replied. “I have made my decision.”

 

The hanyou slammed his hands onto the table, making the tea cups jump. “Didn't you hear anything we've said? Because of the power within her, you're in grave danger so long as Miss Higurashi remains at the Shrine!”

 

“If what you say is true, then surely the Shikon-no-Tama will protect us,” Genma stubbornly insisted.

 

“The Jewel protects her and no one else,” Sha growled. “You're asking her to live with the constant stress of protecting her family as well as herself. Yakuza aren't the most polite of criminals… they won't hesitate to torture an old man to force his granddaughter to do what they want.”

 

While Genma stewed over that pronouncement for a few moments, and after a fielding a despairing look from his plainly-distressed mother, Sota cleared his throat. With a quick glance at Sha, he said, “Excuse me, Grandfather, but I think it would be best if we took Mr. Nishiki up on his offer. The situation must be really serious for Sis to even suggest this drastic action.”

 

The elder Higurashi frowned at the traitorous teen. “It is my decision as head of this family. We don't know anything about Mr. Nishiki… he could even be one of these criminals himself!”

 

Sha barely restrained himself from calling Genma's intelligence into question as Sota's eyebrows disappeared under his bangs. “That's a real nice thing to say about someone who spent major yen repairing the Shrine yesterday,” the teen couldn't help commenting.

 

“Exactly my point! Where does he get all this money?” the old man truculently demanded. “And, I doubt his intentions towards Kagome are honourable!”

 

“Forgive my impertinence, Grandfather… but that's enough,” came Kagome's quiet, tired voice, and all eyes snapped to the young woman. “People will kill for this power,” she murmured as rosy pink light flared between the fingers of her upraised hand. With her other hand, she abruptly pulled open her blouse and revealed the livid marks patterning her skin. Her audience was stunned into silence as she continued, “The only reason that I survived an attack this morning was because of the Jewel. The people who want it will stop at nothing to get it.”

 

“Kagome…!” Mrs. Higurashi gasped, her hands covering her mouth as she stared at her daughter's injuries.

 

The young woman calmly extinguished the flames and fastened her blouse before fixing her grandfather with a steady gaze. “Your lives are far more important than any social standing.”

 

“We know nothing of his family!” Mr. Higurashi desperately objected. “You expect me to allow you to throw your life… your medical career… away on a nobody?”

 

“I'm sure that my elder brother will find your opinion of our ancient lineage very interesting,” Sha growled, doing his very best to not bare his teeth or swear at the intransigent old man. At that moment, one of the outriders stationed in the foyer coughed discreetly. “As a matter of fact, the senior `nobody' has just arrived. Excuse me.” Rising to his feet, he bowed to Mrs. Higurashi and gave Kagome a tight smile, then swept from the room.

 

Kagome calmly watched Sha and his flaring youki disappear into the foyer before turning back to her red-faced grandfather. Buyo scurried under the table and climbed into her lap, offering tangible comfort in the form of warmth and a loud purr. “Mr. Nishiki is an honourable man who has chosen of his own free will to involve himself with our family, and if marrying him is the only way you will allow me to leave this house, then so be it.”

 

Genma turned up his nose. “I knew that he was trouble from the moment that I laid eyes on him!”

 

The young woman smiled wearily, but with an air of determination. “I'm sorry that you think so, Grandfather.” She lifted Buyo into her arms and stood up. “I had hoped that when I left the Shrine, it would be under more civil circumstances.”

 

In the face of Kagome's steely resolve, and in the interests of retaining some control over the rapidly-decaying situation, Genma suddenly did a one-eighty. “Very well, Granddaughter. In order to preserve your honour, I give you my permission to wed Mr. Nishiki, and I will meet with his family representative to discuss an appropriate bride price.”

 

She took his capitulation with a wry look and good grace since there was no point in continuing hostilities. “I think that the cost of the new courtyard more than covers any financial obligation from his side, Grandfather.”

 

Mrs. Higurashi also stood up. “Come, Kagome… let us put on our best to greet Mr. Nishiki's brother, so that he knows we are a family of substance,” she stiffly declared. “Sota, would you be a dear and make some fresh tea?”

 

The teenager was still boggled by the afternoon's whiplashing turns of event. “If Sis is actually being betrothed, shouldn't I bring out the saké?”

 

“That is for after we conclude negotiations,” Genma loftily declared. “Mr. Nishiki's brother will find that I drive a hard bargain!”

 

Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж

 

“… and then the old bastard said she could only leave the Shrine as a bride!”

 

Sesshiro appeared to admire the curve of the main shrine's tiled roof. “Marry the girl and be done with it, Brother,” he rumbled.

 

“But what if that isn't what she wants?”

 

“Miss Higurashi seems intelligent enough to recognize the social advantages of a marriage of convenience.”

 

Sha savagely kicked a piece of gravel the length of the courtyard. “Just to keep the old asshole happy.”

 

“Is it on her behalf that you protest, or yours?” As his brother shot him a filthy look, Sesshiro calmly continued, “The two of you were destined to meet. I fail to see the difficulty.”

 

“Says the youkai with hella more experience in reincarnated lovers.” Sha jumped when Sesshiro's hand landed on his shoulder and squeezed briefly.

 

“This meeting between you, at this time and in this place, was meant to be, Brother. Take the opportunity for happiness being handed to you on a gilded platter.” When Sha shuffled uncomfortably, he added, ““Naraku's machinations ended your first relationship before it had a chance; this time will be different.”

 

The hanyou sighed deeply before muttering, “Let's hope so… hey, kitty.”

 

Buyo marched up to where they stood beside Sess' limousine. Regally seating herself with her tail neatly wrapped around her legs, she gave the pair of dog-youkai a cool look; when they merely gazed back, somewhat bemused by her appearance, she rolled her eyes and jerked her head towards the car. Sha clued in first and reached for the door handle. Buyo flicked her tail and hopped into the luxurious passenger compartment, then used the tinted windows to her advantage and transformed. Sesshiro looked distinctly displeased at this invasion of his personal space and ducked inside to seat himself opposite to the cat-youkai. Deliberately lolling on the leather bench seat, Buyo purred, “Lord Genma has given his permission for Lady Kagome to leave the Shrine.”

 

“The old coot finally came to his senses?”

 

“As your bride, Lord Inuyasha.”

 

“Fuck. Is she okay with this?”

 

“She has agreed… with far less fuss than you, I might add.”

 

“A practical woman,” Sesshiro said thoughtfully.

 

Buyo switched her attention to the taiyoukai. “I will not countenance any attempt to intimidate Lord Genma, Western Lord.”

 

His spell-darkened gaze became uncomfortably sharp, and then turned bright yellow. “Do you truly think a mere human would get the better of this Sesshiro?”

 

“Lord Genma is remarkably stubborn.”

 

“Hn.”

 

“Lady Kagome is being trussed up in her furisode kimono in anticipation of a betrothal agreement. Give her lady mother a few more minutes to don her own formal finery, and if one of your guard dogs is handy, send him for a bottle of good saké. Ryukotsusei made short work of the last, but I do not think Lord Genma is as yet aware of that fact.” Sesshiro gave a low woof and a trooper instantly loped across the courtyard, only to be dispatched with equal speed on his errand.

 

Buyo stretched languidly. “Lord Genma is a very traditional man, Western Lord. Perhaps a change of clothing would be strategically wise?” she suggested, indicating the taiyoukai's elegant Italian-cut suit before she resumed feline form and stepped down from the car. Sesshiro merely looked thoughtful for a moment and then his youki rippled, leaving him garbed in traditional haori, kimono and pleated hakama.

 

Sha glanced at his brother's altered appearance and shuddered. “Fucking creeps me out when you do that.”

 

“Why?”

 

“Knowing that you're actually running around naked all the time is too much information, thanks. Why can't you just wear real clothes?”

 

“Personal preference.” When Buyo mewed, apparently in agreement, Sha slanted her a look but forbore saying anything. Instead, he brushed down his t-shirt and ran his claws through his hair. Sesshiro surveyed his brother with mild disdain as he exited the limo. “The ability to improve one's appearance would be an advantage for you right now.”

 

“S'okay; the old man thinks we're a bunch of nobodies, so I'd disappoint him if I showed up looking decent.” Sha flashed his teeth. “Let's go overawe the human, Brother dear… but play nice.”

 

“I am always a paragon of etiquette.”

 

“Keh. Tell that to those panther-youkai you dismembered last century.”

 

“They were neatly dismembered.”

 

Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж

 

Inside the house, Sha escorted his brother into the tatami room. “Lord Sesshiro Nishiki, this is Mr. Genma Higurashi, hereditary priest of the Sunset Shrine and Miss Higurashi's grandfather.” Mentally smirking at the elderly human's flabbergasted response as he took in the imposing sight of the taiyoukai, currently disguised as a wealthy middle-aged man in formal rig, Sha ushered Sesshiro to a seat at the table. He was about to join them when he noticed Sota beckoning urgently from around the shoji screen. “Excuse me for a moment,” he apologized and bowed himself out of the room, leaving Genma and Sesshiro to size each other up.

 

“What's up?” he asked in a low voice when he reached Sota.

 

“Mom wants to talk to you,” the teen replied, pointing up the stairs. “I gotta go find some saké.”

 

“Already taken care of. You go in and play referee.”

 

Sota gulped. “With your brother? I dunno….”

 

“Half-brother, and he isn't gonna bite… unless your gramps really pisses him off.”

 

“Great. Miss Buyo? I'm too young to die; wanna come play with the nice doggie?” the teen jokingly coaxed.

 

“He will kill you, because I know he heard that,” Sha snickered. “However, I'll put in a good word for you, since it appears that we're about to become family.”

 

“Having you as a brother would be cool… and I mean that,” Sota said, fixing Sha with a direct look.

 

Buyo interrupted with a commanding meow and led the way into the tatami room. Sota smiled gamely at the hanyou and followed, seating himself at Genma's right hand. The cat-youkai made herself comfortable in the teen's lap, crossed her front paws at the joint on his knee and regarded Sesshiro through half-closed lids. The taiyoukai's eyes might have narrowed a fraction, but he waited for Genma to open the negotiations. The old man elbowed Sota, who hastily poured two cups of tea and bowed as he placed one in front of Sesshiro.

 

Nervously clearing his throat, because he really wasn't expecting anyone as distinguished as Sesshiro to show up, Genma began, “The Higurashi family has been the hereditary caretakers of the Sunset Shrine since the Warring States era, and numbers many famous priests and priestesses in its lineage.”

 

Sesshiro steepled his long fingers. “The Nishiki clan has supplied both advisors and warriors to the Imperial Court since the Heian era. We retain our traditional rights and powers, which include our hereditary lands in Aichi prefecture as well as several holdings here in Tokyo and elsewhere on the Home Islands. We are involved in many sectors of business and are well-known patrons of the arts.”

 

“Ah… er, we have been entrusted with many national treasures….”

 

“Which will be at risk from criminal activity due to interest in the Shikon miko,” Sesshiro stated flatly.

 

“Uh… true, but….”

 

“Your family and your shrine require greater protection than you alone can currently provide. In the interests of national security, we will supply the necessary men and materials… but there is a price.”

 

“You would have me sell you my beloved granddaughter?” Genma demanded haughtily, completely put out by having the tables turned.

 

Sesshiro smiled faintly. “I believe it was your requirement that Miss Higurashi must be married before she could leave the Shrine, and I am here to negotiate an appropriate bride price.”

 

“Well! Er….”

 

“My brother has consented to this marriage in order to satisfy your sense of propriety. However, it is abundantly clear that your family gains the most by an alliance with our clan; therefore, I suggest that the repairs to the Shrine be accepted in lieu of a bride price… and the Western House will overlook Miss Higurashi's lack of a suitable dowry.”

 

“Ah, um… well, yes… I suppose….”

 

Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж

 

The sounds of rustling fabric and low feminine voices drew Sha to the door opposite to Kagome's room. Rapping his knuckles on the wooden panel while trying to keep one invisible ear cocked towards the conversation down stairs, he was taken off guard when the door opened and revealed Kagome dressed in a shimmering silk kimono. All he could do was stare at the transformed girl, from the delicate artificial flowers in her hair to the elaborate obi cinching her slender waist and the snow-white tabi encasing her dainty feet. It wasn't until he realized that those feet were fidgeting nervously because Kagome was awaiting his verdict that he found his voice. “You're beautiful,” he blurted out.

 

Her cheeks bloomed the same shade of rose as the blossoms embroidered on the kimono. “Thank you,” she murmured with a shy smile.

 

Sha indicated his jeans and t-shirt. “You look like a princess, and I'm a slob.”

 

“It isn't the clothing that makes the man,” Mrs. Higurashi said quietly. Dressed in a sober black kimono with softly-hued flowers gathering thickly at the hem, she stepped up to Sha and laid her hand over his heart. “You will protect my daughter?” she asked, intently searching his face.

 

As a lump rose in his throat, he answered, “With everything I have,” feeling like he had just sworn an oath.

 

Nodding, she simply replied, “I trust you,” and patted his chest. Retreating a step, she cupped Kagome's elbow. “Does your elder brother fully understand the situation?” she inquired as she urged the young woman forward.

 

“He does now,” Sha fibbed, as he preceded the two women down the steep staircase and irrationally worried that Kagome or Mrs. Higurashi might fall due to their snugly-wrapped kimono. However, they descended without incident, and after a last-minute fuss over the hang of Kagome's sleeves, Mrs. Higurashi indicated that Sha should lead them into the tatami room. Noting that Sesshiro appeared entirely too complacent while Genma looked like he had bitten into an unripe persimmon, he seated himself next to his brother. When Kagome knelt at his side in her silken finery, his stomach did a couple of nervous flips. They had just exchanged tremulous smiles when the trooper sent on the alcohol run arrived in the foyer, and Sota had to dislodge Buyo in order to go collect the bottle.

 

The cat-youkai developed a positively mischievous gleam in her eye and sauntered around the table. After pausing briefly to rub up against one of the wooden legs, she planted herself next to Sesshiro. When he sent her an icy look, complete with a distinct you-wouldn't-dare glint, Buyo deliberately rubbed her chin on his knee and purred loudly.

 

“Are you a cat person, Lord Nishiki?” Genma innocently inquired while Mrs. Higurashi retrieved a half-dozen small porcelain cups and a flask from the picture-topped chest, then gestured to Sota to join her in the kitchen.

 

“Not by choice.”

 

Sha was struck by a nearly overwhelming urge to giggle, until a subsonic growl vibrated through his body, and he almost dropped to the mats instead. Kagome picked up on his twitch and nudged him with her elbow; he made a tiny movement with his head towards the smug cat-youkai. Kagome's eyes nearly popped and she shot Sha a panicked look, but he just grinned and shrugged.

 

“Erm… how should we proceed?” Sota asked, hovering uncertainly with the saké flask while Mrs. Higurashi set down a lacquer tray. “I've never, um, attended a betrothal before.”

 

“Your grandfather and I will pour a measure for each other to seal the contract, then I will pour for my brother and you for your sister as they signal their acceptance,” Sesshiro replied evenly, folding his hands inside his sleeves as Buyo blithely continued snuggling up to the taiyoukai as if he was her new best friend.

 

Sota obeyed, placing two of the cups in the centre of the table and passing his grandfather the flask. After the old man carefully filled one of the cups and offered it to Sesshiro with a bow, the taiyoukai returned the favour. The human and the disguised youkai downed the saké simultaneously, and then it was Sha and Kagome's turn. Sota scuttled around the table to kneel at his sister's side just as Mrs. Higurashi arranged two cups in front of the couple.

 

“Here goes…” Sota muttered, carefully dribbling the liquor into Kagome's cup, then passing the flask to Sesshiro with a bow. Buyo left off tempting death and disappeared under the table, only to pop up next to Mrs. Higurashi, her pale eyes keen. The taiyoukai held his sleeve out of the way as he meticulously filled Sha's cup and set down the flask.

 

Sha squared his shoulders and carefully picked up the tiny cup, trying to not give away the presence of his claws as he did so. Bowing to Genma and then his brother, he downed the alcohol in one gulp and then had to blink rapidly as the saké burned smoothly over his sensitive palate. I'm fucking sure that coughing or sneezing would be taken as a sign of bad luck!

 

I never dreamed that this is how I'd meet someone and become engaged. Kagome exhaled and followed suit, bowing first to Genma and then Sesshiro before swallowing the liquor and thereby sealing the agreement.

 

Mrs. Higurashi slid a small plate with two bite-sized botamochi on it across the table. One was coated in kurogoma and the other in kinako, and the black and golden treats had been roughly formed into a yin-yang symbol. “I didn't have any plain mochi on hand; I hope that these will do?” she asked, her question directed at Sesshiro.

 

He politely inclined his head, “More than adequate, madam.”

 

Kagome and Sha ate the tiny morsels, and he realized with a jolt that they were now to all intents and purposes legally married. From her scent, she's figured that out, too… holy hells, what have we gotten ourselves into? Some of his nervous tension evaporated when she smiled bravely, and he impulsively caught her hand. As he pressed a kiss to her knuckles, there was a collective sigh from around the table… along with what sounded like a `harrumph' from Genma's direction.

 

In the following lull, as Mrs. Higurashi offered around the tray of botamochi and poured fresh tea, Genma spoke up. “The wedding, now… perhaps during Golden Week?”

 

“Tomorrow morning is preferable.” All eyes snapped to Sesshiro, who calmly sipped his tea. Mrs. Higurashi set down the teapot hard enough to rattle the lid; Sota rested a steadying hand on her shoulder.

 

“But… but… the guests!” Genma protested, with a distinctly quivering lip. “We have social obligations!”

 

“Considering the danger, do you really think it wise to collect all those you hold dear in one place for easy identification by the enemy?”

 

“Enemy?”

 

“Criminal elements,” Sesshiro smoothly amended.

 

“This is most irregular!” Genma huffed. “Where can we hold the ceremony on such short notice?”

 

Sesshiro slowly arched an eyebrow. “This is a shrine, is it not? And you are the head priest?”

 

“Begging your pardon, Lord Nishiki, but it isn't just that,” Mrs. Higurashi put in, her cheeks flushing red. “We have to rent the wedding kimono… and we haven't saved enough for the banquet,” she admitted in some embarrassment, trying not to wring her hands and failing.

 

The taiyoukai's gaze softened. “The Western House is honoured to supply anything required, madam. It is rather short notice.” Rising to his feet, he bowed. “I look forward to concluding this marriage tomorrow morning at ten o'clock.” He turned to Kagome and added, “Welcome to the House of the West, Sister.”

 

Her mouth dropped open, but she recovered quickly and bowed deeply; Sha was too startled by Sesshiro's gesture to respond negatively. “Th-thank you, uh… Elder Brother,” she squeaked.

 

He nodded agreeably. “A word, Brother.” Bobbing a curt bow to the room in general, he swept out.

 

Sha muttered, “Back in a minute,” and followed on his heels.

 

Outside, Sesshiro turned his face into the Spring wind and inhaled as they headed towards the limo. “The similarities are remarkable,” he said.

 

“Similarities?”

 

“Miss Higurashi's mother is most definitely the Lady Izayoi's reincarnation, right down to her mannerisms, and Father supplied appropriate clothing when he took her as his concubine.”

 

“I wouldn't know,” Sha growled.

 

“Your nuptials will be properly honoured to the letter, if not the spirit.”

 

“Whaddya mean, `not the spirit'?”

 

“Your courtship of Miss Higurashi in effect begins tomorrow, Brother… after the wedding. Doing things the hard way seems to be a specialty of yours.” As Sha muttered, Sesshiro clapped his hand on the hanyou's shoulder. “At least this time, your heart's delight isn't trying to skewer you with an arrow. Give Mrs. Higurashi's list of necessities to my housekeeper.”

 

“Oi… not your lady mother?”

 

“Unfortunately she is away on a Mediterranean cruise,” Sesshiro smirked. “She does so love a social occasion… to take over.” While Sha chortled, he seated himself in the limo and nodded to the uniformed driver. “I will have the staff prepare Wisteria House for occupancy.”

 

“Keh. About that….”

 

“Safety in numbers, Brother,” Sesshiro immediately answered and pulled the door shut.

 

Sha watched the limo purr across the courtyard towards the exit gates, chewing his lip. The asshole's right, he reluctantly concurred. Despite the disadvantages of being too fucking close to the brats for my liking, the dust bunnies at my place are growing fangs!

 

Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж

 

An hour and a half later, Sha steered Tenmaru's car through the main gates of Western House and into the gravelled parking forecourt. Exiting the vehicle, he nodded to the groundskeeper, who had immediately begun smoothing away all traces of the car's tire tracks. I wonder what Kagome will make of that, never mind all the other traditional crap that goes on here? Passing through the secondary gate and being saluted by a sentry, he crunched along the gravel path beneath a canopy of budding maple trees towards the central pavilion. Skirting a reflecting pool, he scared a heron into flight that was stalking one of the colourful and enormous koi fish. Good luck, featherbrain… those fish'll eat you for lunch!

 

Bounding up the stairs, he let himself into the foyer through the aged wooden door and kicked off his boots. Heading for the kitchen, he fingered the folded paper in his jacket pocket and with a pang, remembered Mrs. Higurashi's embarrassment mixed with gratefulness. I know why we have to rush this ceremony, but shit… it's gonna be tough for her to explain this `shotgun wedding' to the rest of their family.

 

“Congratulations, Lord Sha!”

 

“Thank you, Mrs. Nishino,” he replied, grinning at the bright-eyed housekeeper.

 

“It's been so long since we've welcomed a bride to the House; this is wonderful!” the elderly dog-youkai enthused. “Lord Nishiki has given permission for your betrothed to wear the `Silver Happiness' shiromuku kimono,” she continued, “Would you prefer the white or red uchikake… or perhaps the blue?”

 

“Er, the red… I suppose….”

 

“We could give Miss Higurashi the choice. It's no great difficulty to send them all along.”

 

“Good idea,” he agreed faintly as he handed over the list.

 

The housekeeper rapidly perused Mrs. Higurashi's neat columns. “This will be no problem at all to cater… small numbers due to haste, I suppose. All human on her side?”

 

“Except for one cat-youkai.”

 

“A cat?”

 

“She's been the shrine's guardian for the past five centuries, and the humans don't know what she is, or what we are, except for Miss Higurashi and her brother.”

 

“Hmmm… haven't yet met a feline that turned up its nose at seafood and the young lords will also attend, so I'll triple the amounts.”

 

“What? They're coming?” he exclaimed.

 

She gave him a serene look. “Of course, Lord Sha. They must greet their new aunt.” Rapping his arm with the paper, she shooed him towards the door back into the hallway. “They don't know yet, so why don't you pass on your good news?” Feeling a little overwhelmed, he detoured to the fridge and retrieved a cold beer, but quickly regretted giving Mrs. Nishino more time for interrogation. “Lord Sha, why did Lord Nishiki ask that two separate bedrooms be prepared in Wisteria House?”

 

“Uh… well… um, Miss Higurashi and I haven't known each other very long,” he squirmed.

 

She nodded and smiled kindly. “I firmly believe that couples who are thrown together so precipitously need some time to adjust. This is most wise, Lord Sha.” He gave her a sickly grin, flicked the cap from the bottle into the sink and escaped down the hall, following the sounds of thundering horsepower.

 

The giant screen television was showing an off-road car rally at full throttle, and since the sounds of spinning tires and gunning engines were nearly deafening, Sha guessed that Tenmaru had again won the battle for control of the remote. His nephews were sprawled comfortably over the Western-style sectional couch, their concealment spells tossed aside like the snack wrappers littering the coffee table.

 

Sha stood just behind the couch, sipping his beer and waiting for his presence to register. Tenmaru's nose twitched first, and he looked over his shoulder as he popped a handful of shrimp crackers into his mouth. Tsugane amiably waved his beer bottle after he took a swig. In a momentary lull as the telecast cut to a commercial break, Sha announced, “Congratulate me, brats… I'm getting married tomorrow.”

 

Ever after, he wished he'd had a camera to record that moment. Both Tenmaru's and Tsugane's eyes widened comically as their jaws sagged… just before crackers went down the wrong way and beer spewed.

Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж

 

Around midnight, when the stars were struggling to make themselves seen against the light thrown off by Tokyo's urban sprawl, Sha returned to the Sunset Shrine on foot with his sword strapped across his back. The brats were awfully pleased with the news, he mused. Better check my breakfast congee for curry sauce… and my bed sheets for cayenne pepper tomorrow night. The lining of his invisible canine ears turned the same bright pink as his cheeks as his libido supplied a naughty image of he and Kagome intimately entwined on those same sheets. Whoa, hanyou… put on a leash! She has her own bed, and the chances are good that you won't be in it for a very, very long time… if ever. That last truism made his ears and his shoulders droop, but there wasn't much he could do about it. Gotta keep her alive and defeat Naraku; then we'll worry about destiny an' all that crap.

 

Mrs. Nishino had taken charge of wedding planning with a vengeance; not only had she paid a visit to the shrine that afternoon to discuss the menu for the luncheon with Mrs. Higurashi, but had also delivered the wedding kimono and successfully cajoled Kagome into trying on the multiple layers. She reported back that the young woman had chosen the scarlet red uchikake embroidered with silvery-white cranes and plum blossoms as her outermost layer; he was rather pleased. If I didn't have to wear that black formal rig, I'd haul out my old fire-rat.

 

Crossing the grounds, he made sure that he remained out of sight of the kitchen window, even though the house was dark. Can't afford to get careless. Ending up under the Goshinboku, he gave a low woof for the benefit of the sentries and Buyo while surveying the peaceful scene. Satisfied, he leapt upwards to take up station on `his' branch… and nearly fell back off because it was already occupied. “Dammit, cat!” he hissed as he dangled by the claws of one hand while glaring ferociously at the feline youkai. “What in all the hells are you doing out here?”

 

As he swung himself back upright, Buyo sighed deeply. “Trying to stay alive,” she admitted, drawing up her long legs to make room for the hanyou on the thickest part of the branch.

 

Sha plunked himself down, still grumbling… until her words registered. “What? Oi, why do you smell scorched?”

 

“Watch… it's starting again,” she murmured, indicating Kagome's bedroom. Sha turned and paid attention. Training his ears on the open window, he was dismayed to hear the faint sounds of sobbing that quickly escalated to a panicked cry. As he crouched, intent on leaping to her rescue, Buyo grabbed the back of his jacket.

 

“Wait!” As she spoke, a sudden blast of pink energy momentarily blinded both of them; Sha whipped around and shielded Buyo with his body.

 

“By the fifth fucking hell… what was that?” he demanded, making sure his canine ears were still where they were supposed to be once the burst of light faded away.

 

Buyo shivered. “Lady Kagome is reliving this morning's attack… over and over and over.” She gave Sha a haunted look. “Lady Yayoi tried to calm her for the first little while, but Lady Kagome finally sent her to bed. Then, I did my best, but the only way to stop the nightmare was to keep her awake… and she's so tired that she's almost ill… but as soon as she dozes off….”

 

“You were caught by the Jewel's defensive reaction,” he murmured. As the quiet sobs from inside the bedroom began gaining in strength, he made a decision. “I'm going in; your turn to get bark burn tonight.”

 

“Lord Inuyasha!”

 

He tossed the cat-youkai a grin that he hoped looked more confident than he felt. “If I'm purified, it's no problem because I'll not only look human, but I'll be human for the ceremony tomorrow.”

 

“You could die!” Buyo hissed, distractedly digging her claws into the thick bark.

 

“It's a risk I'll take… for her.” Repeating his running leap from the previous night, he landed as quietly as possible on the roof tiles and waited for the next explosion; as soon as it occurred, he flipped upside down and swung through the open window. The lights were out, but he had no trouble seeing the tightly-curled ball of misery tucked into the young woman's bed. “Miss Higurashi?” he called softly, wondering belatedly if her mother was still awake.

 

The unhappy whimpering subsided; after a couple of sniffling hiccups, Kagome whispered, “M-mr. N-nishiki?”

 

“Keh. You're giving your cat fits, girl, and I almost didn't need my concealment spell,” he growled as he took off his boots and left them under the window. Pulling the Tetsusaiga off his back, he padded over to the bed and knelt so that his face was only inches away from hers. The air was saturated with her tears; he carefully wiped his thumb over her cheek and gently stroked his fingers through her damp hair. “So, why're you lighting up the neighbourhood like a fireworks display?”

 

Kagome drew a deep, shuddering breath. “Every time I close my eyes, I see her. I see Abihime… feel her claws in my throat… taste the blood in my mouth… watch her die….”

 

The edge of hysteria in her voice and the taint of fear in her scent brought all his protective instincts to the fore and he made a reckless decision. “Hush,” he ordered. “Move over a bit… I'm gonna lie down with you.”

 

“Wh-what?”

 

“Just do it. I promise I won't take advantage of you or anything.” As he moved around the foot of her bed, he shed his jacket. Kagome rolled over, watching him with wide eyes as Sha sat down on top of the layered blankets and swung his legs onto the bedding. Arranging his fur-lined jacket over his feet, he caught her puzzled look and said, “Spent enough centuries going barefoot; don't like the cold.” Stretching out, he rolled onto his side facing her and tucked Tetsusaiga behind her back. “Also don't like sleeping with my back to a window.”

 

Commandeering the other half of her pillow, he tucked his arm underneath it and smirked a little at her wary expression. Starting by gently running his fingers through her hair, he moved his hand closer to her face with each stroke until he was brushing the backs of his claws over her cheek and temple. When Kagome exhaled and her eyelashes fluttered to half-mast, he whispered, “Come a little closer.”

 

Her eyes snapped open again, but after a moment of consideration, she obeyed; Sha encouraged her to rest her head against his chest and made sure the blankets were tucked snugly around her shoulders after she moved. As soon as she was settled, more or less, he continued stroking her hair until she relaxed. “Listen to my heartbeat… concentrate on the sound, so even when you fall asleep, you know you're not alone.”

 

Kagome shifted a little, until her fingertips curled into his sidelock. “This is nice,” she admitted.

 

“When I was a little whelp, my lady mother would hold me like this when I had nightmares,” he answered, remembering the overwhelming sense of security and love from so long ago.

 

“Aren't you afraid that I might zap you?”

 

Sha lightly shrugged without missing a stroke. “It's a risk.”

 

“Quite a day… we had… today… huh?” Kagome ventured after a little while, her voice drowsily disjointed.

 

“Keh. Bet ya never thought you'd end up stuck with a hanyou.”

 

“Better you… than anyone else,” she sighed, rubbing her cheek against his chest. “Tough… to explain… random bodily harm… to an outsider.”

 

“Keh. Suppose so; go to sleep, Miss Higurashi, because the action's gonna start at the crack o' dawn,” Sha said gruffly.

 

“Mm-hmmm,” she hummed in agreement, and he could've sworn she immediately conked out, but then she mumbled, “D'you think… we could be… less formal?”

 

“How d'ya mean?” he carefully asked.

 

“Since we're… b'trothed an' everythin'… can I call you… by your firs' name?” she sleepily slurred.

 

“Sure.”

 

“N'yasha… or…?”

 

“Sha's good; my full name attracts too much attention.”

 

“M'kay. G'night… Sha….” Smiling crookedly, she nestled under his chin, her breath warming his skin through his t-shirt.

 

“Good night, Kagome,” he softly answered, nuzzling her hair. Her breathing quickly deepened and evened out; when he was sure that she was going to stay asleep without nightmarish interruption, he pressed a kiss to the crown of her head and continued stroking her hair with long, slow sweeps. Contemplating the patterns of the shadows on the opposite wall of her bedroom, he allowed himself to be lulled by her warm scent and the sheer indulgence of holding her in his arms. Maybe… maybe we'll be allowed to live out her life together? I don't want to lose her again!

 

Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж

 

 

A furisode kimono is worn by young Japanese women to celebrate Seijinshiki, their coming-of-age at 20 years old. Furisode have the brightest colours, most elaborate decoration and the longest hanging sleeves of all kimono. Social conventions have been changing in Japan, and women sometimes now wear this flashy, look-at-me kimono until they are either married (the traditional time to put it aside and wear more sober colours) or reach age 30, whichever comes first.

 

A haori is an open-fronted coat worn by Japanese men over their kimono; it started out as an essential cover-up for the samurai class and is now usually seen with only the most formal of traditional wear. A particularly flashy example is worn by the hero in Rumiko Takahashi's new manga, Rin-ne.

 

Tabi are the white split-toe socks worn with dressy, flat-soled zori sandals, while wooden-soled geta sandals are worn barefoot with casual yukata.

 

Betrothals/Marriages - there's no exchange of rings and no kissing in very traditional Japanese marriage ceremonies. Sha & Kagome are considered as good as married in the traditional sense after they drink the saké and eat the botamochi, but they will have the ceremony with all the silken trimmings the next morning to make Gramps (slightly) happy.

 

Shinto weddings often take place on Sundays in modern Japan because everyone has the day off. Larger shrines have `wedding halls' right on the grounds where the reception takes place, while couples who choose smaller shrines to perform the rites will often have only their immediate families in attendance, and then join the rest of the guests at a nearby hotel for the often-boisterous reception that features food, saké and karaoke.

 

Renting of the wedding finery is also a common practice, because the modern fashion for changing outfits throughout the reception (from kimono to Western-style wedding gown to evening gown) would bankrupt a middle-class family if the garments were purchased.

 

Shiromuku - the pure white wedding kimono that now symbolically indicates the bride's purity much like white Western wedding gowns. In former times, it also represented the bride's `death' as a member of her family and `rebirth' as a member of her husband's.

 

Uchikake - the trailing over-kimono worn by brides over their shiromuku ensembles. Often seen in white, scarlet red (for luck), royal blue or gold and elaborately embroidered with traditional symbols of happiness, fidelity and wealth such as Japanese cranes (which mate for life). The hem is padded, allowing the uchikake to fan out behind the bride as she walks and displaying the rich material to advantage.