InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Live and Let Die (Part 3): Learning To Deal ❯ With This Ring... ( Chapter 22 )

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

Disclaimers: I do not own InuYasha or any of the manga/anime characters. They belong to the wonderful genius Rumiko Takahashi. Any original characters do belong to me.
 
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Live and Let Die: Learning to Deal
 
 
Chapter 22:With This Ring... (Warning: Lemon)
 
Ah-Un dropped Miroku off near the hut and returned to the pasture near the river. He would remain awake and alert throughout the night so that he could give warning if needed.
 
Miroku jumped down from the dragon's back to find Sango now waiting with Kaede. The worried looks on their faces said everything; words were not needed.
 
“It was indeed Byakuya,” Miroku started. “He says he wishes to help us against Naraku.”
 
“You do not believe him, do you?” Sango asked.
 
Miroku answered, “Actually, I think I do. I do not trust him, but I do believe him. I think something happened that gave him pause regarding his service to Naraku. He was fishing around trying to find out more about Kagome and InuYasha, however. I believe that he may be working on both sides in order to ensure his own survival when we meet Naraku. He was also very interested in where Kohaku was. Apparently, Naraku has been looking for him and has so far been unable to find him. Kikyou must be keeping him well hidden.”
 
“It has been necessary.” They all jumped at the unexpected statement, but Kikyou continued, “As long as Kohaku's shard remains pure, Naraku cannot control him.”
 
“Kohaku,” Sango whispered as her brother stepped into the clearing. She wanted to run and hold him, but the look of determination on his face made her stay where she was. She felt Miroku's arm wrap around her in an attempt to help her remain calm.
 
“Sister Kikyou,” Kaede said. “You know that Byakuya was here?”
 
“Yes. I could see him from where we were hidden. I could not hear what he had to say, however.”
 
Miroku gave a brief rundown of the discussion between the incarnation, Sesshomaru, Kouga and himself, including what Naraku believed to be true. “So, what do you think?” he asked when he was finished.
 
“I think that Naraku will know of his betrayal and will appear here soon. I believe he has all of the jewel shards in his possession with the exception of the one that Kohaku has, and the few that the girl has. Sister Kaede, it appears that he will search for you when he comes if he believes that you have those shards. We must be prepared. Where are InuYasha and my rein- … Kagome?”
 
“They had to return to her time for the evening. They are due back tomorrow,” Sango offered.
 
“Poor timing for them to be gone; then again, it may be an advantage if Byakuya actually believes them to be dead. He will not be able to tell Naraku what he does not know. We shall see. Kohaku and I shall remain close by so that we will be ready,” the undead miko concluded.
 
“Very well,” Kaede said.
 
Miroku and Sango just looked at each other. Apparently Kikyou had no idea that InuYasha was human tonight. They were actually grateful he was gone for the evening. Knowing how stubborn the hanyou was, he would have insisted on meeting the incarnation in spite of his mortality for the night.
 
 
~ ^~^ ~
 
 
Sesshomaru and Rin had returned to their suite after bidding Totosai goodnight. While Rin went in the bedroom to change out of her dress, he picked up the phone and made a call. “I need it sooner than expected. Is it ready? … I am in Tokyo. I need for it to be delivered to my hotel by tomorrow morning. … Yes, I am at the Hotel Okura. They will need to be in my possession by eight-thirty a.m. … The Imperial Suite … Yes, it must be delivered to her in the morning.”
 
Rin returned to her husband. “So is it ready?”
 
“Almost - it will be finished and delivered by morning. I thought I would have more time. I should have realized sooner that her garments must have come from me. Her family would have no way of obtaining such an item, and even InuYasha really would not have the means of getting them. She told me then it was a wedding gift.” Sesshomaru sighed. “I thought we would have more time once we finally made contact with them. I did not realize that it would be so soon.”
 
Rin wrapped her arms around Sesshomaru, and he returned the gesture as she said, “You've done what you can. Everything probably worked out the way it was supposed to. As it is, they have not had a lot of time to ask questions, and that may be a good thing. There will be time enough when it is all said and done.”
 
Sesshomaru kissed his wife on top of the head. “You are probably right. For now, all we can do is wait for the outcome.”
 
 
~ ^~^ ~
 
 
Kagome woke sometime before dawn to the feeling of her hanyou, still in his human form, curled around her. She snuggled back against him and sighed. Today, they would actually be married. It was earlier than she had ever thought; getting married at such a young age was not unheard of, but very uncommon in modern day Japan. She still couldn't believe that her grandfather not only accepted the fact she was marrying a hanyou from five hundred years past, but actually wanted to perform the ceremony himself. So much had happened since her fifteenth birthday. It was difficult to believe that her real life was stranger than those manga that her girlfriends liked to read.
 
Her breath hitched as she felt a gentle thumb brush across her nipple. Even without his claws, he still made her tingle when he did that. She reached back between them to find his erection that was pressing into her leg, and wrapped her hand around it. His hand slid from her breast down to between her legs, and delicately brushed the curls that covered her most private parts, before slipping a finger between her folds. He toyed with her clit before dipping into her, making her moan. It wasn't long before she was aching to feel him inside of her, and so she guided him towards her entrance, turning loose when his head had slid in.
 
She gave a small `oomph' when he bucked against her to fill her completely. And then, he just held her.
 
“InuYasha?” she whispered, wondering if something was wrong.
 
She felt him kiss her shoulder. “I just wanted to hold you for a minute. Besides, the sun will be up in a little while.”
 
She smiled at that thought. It had been incredible when he made love to her as the sun crossed the horizon, and he changed from human back to hanyou.
 
Kagome felt him moving against her in a slow and steady rhythm, just enough to keep him hard and make her want even more. She rolled with him when she felt him gently push to move her from her side to her stomach, and rose to her knees with him still buried in her core. She didn't have time to ponder exactly how they did that before he started driving into her harder, his hands gripping her hips to hold her steady as their flesh slapped together. She couldn't help but to grunt in pleasure as he plunged into her again and again. His hand slid up to cup her breast, rolling easily towards it as sweat began to bead on her body. As the light of the new day broke the horizon, the change washed over him and InuYasha was hanyou again. He grinned as he covered his mate's back and slid his other hand around and between her legs. His thrusts picked up in speed and intensity as he gripped her tightly, his forehead pressed against her back.
 
She felt his hair fanning over her as he pounded against her, sending shivers down her spine. Her black locks fell forward, weighted down as the sweat started to roll through them. She could feel her belly begin to tighten as he hit that spot deep inside of her and pulled the pillow to her face to help muffle her cries of pleasure. She screamed his name into the pillow as her walls clamped down on him, and he cried her name into her back as he almost immediately exploded to fill her. Panting, he collapsed on top of her, flattening her into the bed.
 
Kagome was a bit surprised when she suddenly felt all of his weight on her back. She had worked her pillow so that it ran lengthwise with her body with her arms wrapped around it. It was pushed just far enough back so her face was not pressed into unless she so desired. Instead, she moved her chin up so that it could drape over the edge. Fairly comfortable other than her breasts being a little squashed, she reached back with one hand and found an ear. InuYasha rolled his head enough to give her easier access and pressed his cheek into her back. Kagome smiled as she felt his chest rumble, making her lower back vibrate along with it. Together, they lay there as the morning sun filled the sky.
 
 
~ ^~^ ~
 
 
In the past everyone was up as the sun rose. Even Shippou kept his mouth shut as he could feel the tension that permeated the air. Rin also remained quiet since even she could sense the seriousness in everyone. Neither of them knew what had happened overnight as they slept, but it was obvious that something had. Not wanting to interfere, even if he was curious, Shippou got up and shook himself off before going outside. He went and gathered firewood nearby without saying a word.
 
 
Miroku, Sango, and Kaede were gathered around the fire outside, with Kikyou standing nearby, staring off into the distance. Kohaku tentatively approached the group at the smell of the cooking stew, and Kaede waved at him to join them. He sat across the flames from his sister and stared vacantly in the direction that Kikyou was.
 
Sango reached up to wipe away a tear that had escaped and rolled down her cheek. Her brother was so close and yet so far. She felt the monk's hand land in the middle of her back and begin to gently rub in circles in an attempt to soothe her. She wanted so desperately to reassure him that she didn't blame him - that she knew the things he'd done were not his fault. However, she had finally come to accept that he could not accept her forgiveness until he was able to forgive himself. She didn't know if that would ever happen.
 
Kikyou eventually turned to face the others, and stared at Miroku. “You have jewel shards in your possession, yet you have not mentioned it. Why do you not give them to me?”
 
Everyone looked sharply at Miroku, including Sango. He looked up at the miko and said, “They were Kouga's shards. He gave them to me last night to hand over to Kagome.”
 
Kikyou furrowed her brow. “You would not give them to me to keep?”
 
“No, Kikyou. I must honor the promise I made to Kouga, and that was that I would give them to Kagome the minute she returns to us. I intend to keep that promise,” Miroku stated.
 
“You mean Kouga…” Sango started.
 
Miroku nodded. “He promised Ayame he would fight without them. She insisted when he asked her to become his mate. He did not want to keep his shards any longer, so he gave them to me last night after Byakuya left.”
 
 
Sesshomaru had spent the night combing through the surrounding forest. As the sun came up, he ended back in the vicinity of the well and ancient tree. He found himself peering down the well, hoping that his half-brother and the miko would return soon.
 
The Taiyoukai had found himself a bit unnerved with the sudden appearance of Byakuya the previous evening and to find some of what he believed to actually be true. It had been to their advantage that the hanyou and miko were nowhere to be found when he arrived, giving the impression that the two really were dead. He also suspected that Naraku would know of his incarnation's betrayal, just as he had Kagura's before he took away her life. Sesshomaru could not afford to let his guard down for even a minute, for there was no way of knowing when Naraku would finally make his appearance. He could only hope that the dark hanyou would be caught unaware when he found all of them together, alive and well.
 
 
Kouga found himself running back and forth along the bank of the river, testing his speed without the jewel shards. While he wasn't as fast as he was when they were embedded in his legs, he was still faster than even he had suspected. He finally came to a halt, barely out of breath. He found himself staring off in the direction Byakuya had disappeared in. The ookami prince trusted his instincts. He was certain that they would not have much longer to wait.
 
 
~ ^~^ ~
 
 
They should have known that with a wedding later that morning, they would not get much of a chance to stay in bed. A soft rap at the door told them it was time to get up. InuYasha threw back the covers as Kagome yawned and stumbled out of bed. He reached out to squeeze her butt before she was out of reach.
 
“Taking lessons from Miroku?” Kagome asked as she put on her robe.
 
“Let's just say I better understand his fascination with butts now,” InuYasha quipped.
 
Kagome grinned. “I'm going to take a shower. I won't be long because you need one, too.”
 
The hanyou wrinkled his nose. “Keh. You mean you don't like smelling like me?”
 
The miko padded softly back to him and kissed him. “Yes, but not so much that even the humans can tell. Just be ready when I'm done.”
 
“Keh,” InuYasha answered in resignation. He'd rather have taken his shower with her, but they tried to restrain themselves when the entire household was home.
 
 
They arrived downstairs to discover that Mama had cooked a rather hearty breakfast of bacon and eggs, in addition to rice and miso soup. Both were rather reserved as they took their places at the table, and Mama placed a cup of tea and their food in front of them.
 
Mama broke the silence when she asked, “So, when will your brother be here?”
 
InuYasha looked at Kagome before he answered, “I'm not sure. Kagome told them the wedding was at…”
 
“Ten this morning,” the miko finished for him. “I hope they come a little early so we can introduce you. As much as I hate to, we need to go back once the ceremony is completed.”
 
InuYasha nodded in agreement.
 
There was something so serious about the two that not even Souta tried to argue with them, asking that they stay for at least a little while.
 
Wanting to lighten up the heavy mood that had settled over everyone, Mama asked, “Kagome, I thought you could get dressed in my room. It'll be easier than trying to come down the stairs dressed for the ceremony.”
 
Kagome flashed a smile at her mother. “Thanks, Mama. That'd be great. You're going to help me get dressed, aren't you?”
 
“Of course, Dear. We'd better clear the dishes away and get started. We want to make certain you are ready in time,” she answered.
 
“Young man?” Jii-chan addressed InuYasha.
 
“Yeah, Jijii?”
 
“I could use your help before you get dressed. You still want to hold this under Goshinboku?”
 
Kagome and InuYasha both nodded `yes' in response.
 
“Come along, then,” the old man said as he stood from the table. “We have work to do.”
 
InuYasha nodded meekly and followed him out of the house and towards the shrine.
 
 
 
Rin was afraid her husband would wear a path in the tatami mats on the floor of the living area in the suite with his pacing. It was not 8:30 yet, but would be soon enough. “Finally,” he breathed as he heard a knock at the door.
 
Rin went to the door to let her husband's servant in. “I am glad you made it in time. We must leave shortly.”
 
“I came as soon as it was ready, My Lord,” Jaken stated as he bowed low, offering the wrapped package by extending his arms in front of him.
 
“Jaken, you could have sent one of your staff,” Sesshomaru said gently to his aging vassal as he took the package. “There is a room for your use. You may eat and rest before you return home. Rin and I have further business here before we will be ready to leave.”
 
“I felt it was too important. Thank you, My Lord,” he replied as he bowed again.
 
Rin slipped the card key for the room he was to use into his hand as he turned to leave. “Thank you, Jaken. Rest well.”
 
Jaken nodded and shuffled out of the room. Right now, a bath, nap, and room service sounded like an excellent idea.
 
 
~ ^~^ ~
 
 
Naraku was furious. He had never expected his most faithful incarnation next to Kanna to betray him. He should have realized it was a mistake to give Byakuya so much freedom. He should not have made him so much like Kagura, except that he thought, this time, he had created the perfect incarnation. Once again, he had miscalculated. He thought Kagura had betrayed him because he refused to allow her freedom, and assumed that letting Byakuya roam free would keep him happy and under his total control. It had never even occurred to Naraku that after having a taste of freedom, the incarnation might want to keep it. The dark hanyou had never considered that Byakuya might actually like living. First, he'd hunt him down. And then he'd go after the shards in the old miko's possession. Surrounded in his protective barrier with the Saimyoushou swarming around him, he left his hiding place and headed out.
 
 
~ ^~^ ~
 
 
They had finished setting the altar in front of Goshinboku, along with the items that would be needed for the ceremony. Jii-chan needed a branch from Goshinboku that would be used to purify everyone in attendance. The final item needed was two small branches, which Jii-chan explained would be offered to the Kami at the end of the ceremony. Twigs from a sakaki tree were used for this, and InuYasha agreed there was no tree more sacred to him or Kagome than the ancient tree that stood before them.
 
“I believe everything is ready, InuYasha. I have one more task. Please come with me,” Jii-chan stated as he headed for the house.
 
InuYasha respectfully followed after the old man, the head of the family he was marrying into, towards the house.
 
“Wait here,” he was told when they reached the kitchen, while Jii-chan went to his room.
 
He returned with a pair of black and white pinstriped hakama. “InuYasha, these are for you. I know you do not understand all of the customs of this time. These are given to the bridegroom in order to welcome him into the family. I can say that it is an honor to know you, and I know that you will do right by my granddaughter. These are for you to wear today for the ceremony.”
 
InuYasha accepted the gift, and respectfully bowed before he said, “Thank you. I… I… I don't know what to say.”
 
“The rest of your formal attire is in Souta's room. Now, you'd better go and get dressed. We don't want you to be late for your own wedding.”
 
“Keh.” InuYasha headed up the stairs to Souta's room where he found the boy struggling with the formal kimono and hakama.
 
“Let me help you,” the hanyou said as he saw the boy trying to figure out what to tie, where. It was the least he could do considering how many times Souta had helped him in this era. For once, this was something that InuYasha knew how to do.
 
 
~ ^~^ ~
 
 
In the past, Sesshomaru suddenly appeared at the hut. Kikyou bristled at his arrival, but Kaede asked, “What is it, Sesshomaru-sama?”
 
Rin had run out of the hut where she had been coloring with Shippou and stood expectantly before him. Shippou, curious what was up, was right behind her.
 
“This Sesshomaru does not believe it will be much longer before Naraku makes his appearance.” He looked directly at Kaede. “You shall remain here with the young ones and keep them safe.” He then looked down at his ward. “Rin, you are to remain here until this Sesshomaru comes for you.”
 
“What makes you so certain?” Kikyou asked, disdain for the youkai dripping from her voice.
 
“You do not feel it? The stillness in the wood? Even the insects make no noise. Something is coming.”
 
 
~ ^~^ ~
 
 
The arrival of Sesshomaru and Rin was basically unannounced as the limo dropped them off at the bottom of the long stair. Sesshomaru looked at his mate, who was dressed in a tomesode of black with a pattern of embroidered golden cranes against hand painted squares of gold and earth tones, containing mums, plum blossoms, and pines in a wavy framework that swept along the hem. She was also wearing a pair of traditional geta with the formal kimono. Looking around to see there wasn't a soul in sight, he placed the package he was carrying in her hands, picked her up, and then just glided up the stairs. Rin giggled as he set her back on her feet at the top of the staircase.
 
Rin had to admit it was a bit unusual seeing her husband in his hakama and haori from centuries ago. He had not worn it in a very long time, but felt it was appropriate to wear to the wedding of his only brother. Since it was tied to his youki, it looked as good as it did the day it was made. What was odd this time was that he was wearing his concealment ring, so while the clothing he wore from long ago was very familiar, he had dark hair and no visible demon markings.
 
Sesshomaru looked at the grounds as they walked towards the shrine. He had not really visited here in centuries, since back when he first acquired the land. Considering the amount of money he had donated to the shrine anonymously over the years, he knew they could have had whatever they wanted. But instead of a mansion, they had a comfortable but modest house. The ancient tree had been well cared for, and a house built around the well to protect it. He knew that much had been invested in obtaining pieces of Japanese history in order to protect them over the many years that the shrine had been here. He wondered if the current Higurashi family really had any idea of what treasures were hidden in their shrine. He also knew that the current priest took a lot of pride in the shrine and his duties. He was curious to see how much spiritual power the old man actually had. Considering the purifying rites that were performed as part of Shinto weddings, he hoped he didn't have enough to do any damage.
 
 
Jii-chan saw the couple when they topped the stairs, and was about to go and tell them the shrine was closed for a private service that morning when he noticed their clothing. The man was dressed in the most unusual haori and hakama he'd ever seen. He had dark hair, though Jii-chan couldn't tell much since it looked like it was pulled back. The woman was stunning in the tomesode, which would normally only be worn to happy family functions like weddings.
 
`Wedding?' he thought, and suddenly he realized who they must be. He turned to go back to the house to get InuYasha for a proper introduction when the hanyou joined him. Even masked by the ring, InuYasha recognized the signature youki of his only brother when he drew near. With Souta quietly, but excitedly, following after, they went to meet the couple.
 
Sesshomaru almost smiled when he saw his brother dressed in the formal hakama, kimono, and haori he would be wed in, flanked by the little boy who was dressed almost like him, and the elderly human in formal priest's robes. He almost laughed when he saw the hanyou's bare feet. Well, some things would take longer to change.
 
Rin and Sesshomaru bowed when the three stopped in front of them.
 
Jii-chan and Souta bowed back, though Souta was trying very hard to keep his feet planted on the ground.
 
“Jijii, Souta, this is my brother, Sesshomaru, and his mate, Rin. You know them as-” he looked to his brother for their human names.
 
“Susumu Nishiou, and my wife is still know as `Rin',” Sesshomaru answered. “It is an honor to meet you.”
 
“The honor is ours,” Jii-chan responded. “I am Kagome's grandfather, and this is her younger brother, Souta. I believe the ladies are still getting dressed. Would you like to come inside?”
 
“Yes, thank you,” Rin responded. “We have a gift for Kagome, if we may.”
 
InuYasha looked puzzled, so Jii-chan whispered, “It is customary for the groom's family to give an obi to accept the intended bride into the family, just as we gave you the hakama that you wear.”
 
InuYasha nodded in understanding as they entered the house; he waited while everyone else removed their shoes.
 
 
Mama came out of her bedroom after hearing the other voices. She, too, was dressed in a tomesode, those hers was not as extravagant as Rin's. The black kimono she wore was decorated in a pattern of chrysanthemums in blues and white, connected by vines and leaves in varying shades of green. The flowers created a triangular pattern that ran from just below the waist down to the hem, with the sleeves decorated to match. Her pattern had been dyed in the yuzen method, and then embellished with embroidery.
 
“Jii-chan, what's going on?” she asked, before she saw their guests. She came to a stop at the sight of Mr. and Mrs. Nishiou in her living room.
 
“You must be Kagome's mother,” Rin said, and then she proceeded to make the introductions. After everyone had been properly introduced, she asked, “We have something we would like to give to Kagome. May we see her?”
 
Mama just nodded, still somewhat in shock that everything Kagome had told her the evening before was true. Then, realizing they would not just go down the hall and barge in on her daughter, she said, “Please, come with me.”
 
Sesshomaru and Rin followed her down the hall and waited when she knocked and then opened the door to the soft, “Come in.”
 
Mama caught her breath at the sight of her daughter dressed in all but the shiromuku. Well, almost. She was struggling with the obi.
 
“Kagome, you're beautiful,” Mama said as she entered the room. “And I have someone to see you.”
 
Kagome turned and smiled when she saw her visitors. Mama quietly left the room and closed the door behind her.
 
“I'm so glad you came,” the miko said quietly as she looked at the commanding pair before her.
 
“Your mother was right. You are beautiful,” Rin said, and then added, “We have something for you.”
 
“You didn't-”
 
Sesshomaru cut her off. “We did. First, to welcome you to the family; perhaps Rin can help you with your obi. She has become something of an expert with them.”
 
Kagome couldn't help but to giggle. Five hundred years of practice probably helped. “I'd be honored.”
 
Instead of her mother's obi she had intended to wear, Rin unwrapped one that was a soft white with the family crest embroidered in silver thread scattered about it. Kagome held her hands up and held her sleeves out of the way while Rin tied the intricate knot in the back. When she stepped back to admire her handiwork, the miko lowered her arms and ran her hands across the fabric in the front. “It's beautiful, but how did you know?”
 
“That is unimportant,” Sesshomaru said. He had known this day would come, even if he didn't know exactly when. And there were only so many colors that brides wore to be married in.
 
“We do have one more gift for you, a more practical one,” he added as he unwrapped the second package he was carrying. After pulling the corners of the cloth back to reveal the contents, he presented them to Kagome.
 
“I… I… it looks like InuYasha's…” Kagome started as she lay the bundle down on her mother's bed, and picked up the first piece to hold out in front of her.
 
“Correct.”
 
“It's for you to wear when you go back, Kagome,” Rin offered. “It is made of firerat like InuYasha's haori. The kimono and hakama to wear with it are made from the thread spun by a special silk youkai. It should protect you like InuYasha's firerat does. It will bond to your aura, and recognize you and your mate. It will help protect you from most manner of physical attack. It will also help keep you warm as the days and nights get colder. It isn't fashionable, but it is practical.”
 
“They're beautiful,” Kagome said as she looked at the outfit she'd now laid out on the bed. The kimono was a creamy white like InuYasha's, but the hakama and short haori were dyed a beautiful emerald green. “I'd hug you but I'm afraid I'll mess something up.”
 
“Wear them and they will help InuYasha protect you.”
 
Something about the tone of Sesshomaru's voice made Kagome give pause. “Thank you, I will.”
 
 
~ ^~^ ~
 
 
It was with some difficulty that Naraku tracked down Byakuya.
 
“So, you thought to betray me!” he shouted at his incarnation.
 
“Whatever do you mean, Master?” Byakuya responded, trying to sound confused.
 
“You thought to betray me to my enemies!” the dark hanyou yelled. “Is that not why you have not returned with the information I told you to find?”
 
“Master, you told me not to return until I'd found the boy. I have not seen him or the demon slayer girl yet.” That was the truth. “I have only been doing as I was told. I have searched all over, and cannot find a trace of them.
 
“You went to the village, what did you find?”
 
The incarnation thought fast. How much should he tell him? “There is no sign of InuYasha or the miko, or the undead miko, for that matter. However, Sesshomaru and Kouga both were there.”
 
Naraku's red eyes glinted in the morning sun. “The wolf is there? With his shards?”
 
Byakuya shrugged his shoulders. “That I do not know, but he was there.”
 
In a flash, Naraku had impaled Byakuya and hurled him as far as he could throw him. With the loss of his paper crane, he fell into a heap and just lay where he landed.
 
“That will teach you to think about betraying me again!” Naraku screamed at him.
 
Byakuya just lay there as he thought, `I really hope they defeat your ass. Even if I died with you, it would be worth it to know you lost.'
 
 
~ ^~^ ~
 
 
The morning was bright and cheerful as they gathered under Goshinboku. InuYasha could not believe how beautiful Kagome was in her bridal ensemble. He'd never really seen her in traditional dress. They stood side by side, facing the altar, with the two families to the side, facing each other. Jii-chan stood on the other side of the altar, his back to the ancient tree, as he prepared to start the ceremony.
 
“Before we begin, I would like to say that we should not try to keep any secrets from the kami that we want to bless this union. Please let us see you in your true form before we start the ceremony,” Jii-chan said solemnly as he stood before them.
 
Sesshomaru looked at his wife, who nodded, and he removed the ring from his finger and handed it to her. Immediately, his black hair turned white, and his markings and ears became apparent. InuYasha reached up to remove the tie from his hair, and allowed his ears to pop up from where he'd plastered them to his head. Kagome smiled at him as he swiveled them towards her.
 
They heard a small “wow” from Souta as he stared as the demon lord. The old man just tried to maintain a cool façade and not look surprised at having a full youkai revealed to him at his shrine. He picked up the largest of the branches that InuYasha helped him retrieve from the tree, and proceeded to chant the blessings to purify everyone there. Sesshomaru just raised his eyebrow since the priest had virtually no spiritual power.
 
InuYasha glanced around to see that everyone was keeping their head respectfully bowed, so he followed suit. Kagome had tried to explain everything to him, but said if all else failed, do whatever the others were.
 
He felt Kagome elbow him when it was time for them to step forward to the altar. The hanyou was surprised that the scroll he was to chant from was in the script from his time. Together, he and the miko recited the vows and promises from the scrolls.
 
When the chanting was finished, Jii-chan blessed them again, and then motioned for Souta to step forward. He carried a small pillow that held both of their rings.
 
InuYasha held his breath as he picked up Kagome's ring. Kagome had said they could say something when they placed the bands on each other's finger. Kagome picked up his ring, and Souta returned to his place. She smiled softly as she looked up at him, encouraging him.
 
“Kagome, I… I…” InuYasha had to stop and take a breath. He heard Kagome whisper, “Breathe.”
 
“Kagome, when we first met, well, I never thought we'd end up like this. You were stubborn and had a knack for getting in trouble. I tried to hate you, but couldn't. Instead, I said I'd protect you, and became stronger for it. You've shown strength in a human that I wouldn't have thought possible, and you've stood by me when others would have run. You've stayed with me; you freed me. You released me from the spell that pinned me to the tree, and you've freed my heart, allowing me to love you. I do love you, Kagome. Wear this ring as a sign of my devotion to you. I hope that it will help protect you if ever I'm not there.”
 
Kagome's eyes were shining with tears as InuYasha slipped the ring over her finger. Her hands were shaking as she began her vows, “InuYasha, I think I loved you from almost the first time I saw you. You've been through so much and had so much to overcome. My life has changed more than I ever imagined since I fell through the well, and I would do it all over again if it meant that was the only way I could be with you. InuYasha, I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Wear this ring as a token of my love for you. Nothing can stop us as long as we're together.”
 
Kagome slipped the ring over the third finger on InuYasha's left hand. She had barely slid it into place when the two of them were engulfed in a fiery luminescence of Kagome's pink aura and InuYasha's red. They swirled together and then blended into the hot pink neon glow similar to what they had created when meditating.
 
Every pair of eyes opened wide as they watched the spectacle in front of them. Kagome and InuYasha's eyes locked on to each other as they felt the tingle of the combined auras enveloping their bodies from the top of their head down to their very toes. Then, as quickly as it began, the light that covered them receded, disappearing last on their fingers, where it appeared to be sucked up by their rings.
 
InuYasha couldn't help but to smile and say, “I think they work.”
 
Even Sesshomaru had difficulty hiding his stunned expression when the rings were exchanged. He had not seen such a display in nearly five hundred years.
 
Everyone was brought back to the ceremony underway by a cough from the presiding priest. It was time for the san san kudo. Jii-chan poured the sake into the ceremonial cups, three pours each time. Fortunately, Kagome had also explained this to InuYasha, and told him he had to take three sips from each cup, though the first two could be faked each time.
 
They passed the three cups between them, with three sips each to reach the lucky number of nine. When Kagome set down the last cup, Jii-chan indicated for them to pick up their small sakaki branches and take them into the sanctuary to offer to the kami. The couple smiled at each other and did as told.
 
When they returned to the others, Jii-chan was busy filling small cups of sake for the two families to share. He carefully handed them to the family members present, alternating from one side to the other, and then took one for himself. With a toast of “Kanpai!” the two families drank together.
 
InuYasha and Kagome were married, at least in the eyes of the kami and their families, if not the law.
 
 
Kagome hugged her mother and little brother. When she came to her grandfather, her eyes were bright with tears, again. “Thank you, Jii-chan. Thank you for doing this for us.”
 
The old man sighed as he looked at the hanyou and youkai that graced the shrine grounds. “You're welcome, Granddaughter. However, even I knew that I could not stand in the way of fate.”
 
She was holding InuYasha's hand when she came to Sesshomaru and Rin. “Thank you for coming. It meant a lot to both of us.”
 
“Keh,” InuYasha agreed.
 
“We were honored to attend,” Sesshomaru said and then leaned over to whisper, “And now, you need to change and get back. Try not to dawdle.”
 
The pair looked wide-eyed at the Inuyoukai and then each other before InuYasha swept Kagome off of her feet and ran for the house.
 
 
To be continued…
 
 
AN: Rin kept her name, for one of its many translations is “companion”. That is the definition and characters when written that she chose.
 
Kampai = Japanese equivalent of “Cheers!”