Miko... Kitsune?

Disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha... if I did would I honestly be writing a disclaimer?

Chapter 9: Ceremony

Weeks passed, two hearts grew closer together with the thoughts of a timeless distance, while another pair grew closer day days of unending peace and lack of battle. All four were within a certain azure colored kitsune’s amused and empathic gaze. Such things also seemed obvious to a certain cursed monk as well. The longing sighs emitted by the hanyou in the confines of the garden. There was a change in temperament whenever said hanyou was in the tajia’s view or in her presence. A look of sadness and regret seemed to always be in Kagome’s brilliant eyes. Kagome was in love with Sesshomaru, and from what Tsaisuki had heard from not only Kagome, but InuYasha, the taiyoukai seemed to reciprocate.

“Sesshomaru has arrived, milady,” a servant said to the sitting retainer.

Tsaisuki looked up from the scrolls on her desk, her silver eyes sending a message to the servant before returning to them. Minutes passed and the taiyoukai of the West was suddenly before her.

“Tsaisuki-dono,” he greeted.

Tsaisuki looked up again, her silver eyes meeting gold. Sesshomaru seemed tired, and troubled with something. Inwardly, she smirked, ‘Ah, so I was right.’ “I take it that you have traveled well?” she asked.

“For the most part.”

“Little incident?”

“Very little.”

“You have brought Jaken and your ward?” she inquired.

“Only them.”

“That is fine. Are your quarters to your liking?” she asked.

“They are suitable. Rin is especially fond of the gardens.”

“I thought she would, from the letters you have sent me about her. Has she met Kuni?”

“She is with her and Jaken now.”

“Ah, I see. You wished to speak to me?”

“This Sesshomaru requires your advice.”

“Oh?” she asked. “And what advice would a great taiyoukai require from a lowly sorceress and retainer?”

“Retainer?” he questioned, his voice curious and unguarded for a moment.

Tsaisuki raised a brow. “Hai, I am retainer to my cousin, your bride.”

“Send your servant away,” he ordered suddenly.

Tsaisuki nodded. “Leave Katsu,” she commanded sedately.

The room was quiet, save for the sounds of feet retreating from the door. The two youkai sat in perfect silence for a time, only keeping their eyes locked.

“Why did you command me to send my servant away?” Tsaisuki’s voice shattered the silence.

“This conversation need not leave this room, nor should it go beyond ourselves.”

“What do you wish to ask of me?” she asked.

“Break the marriage contract.”

Tsaisuki raised a brow. “You know I cannot.”

“Do not play this with me, Tsaisuki. I need you to break the contract,” he pleaded.

“Why? Why would you command me to do such a thing?” she demanded. “You know that I could be killed for such an act. What could be worth sacrificing my life?”

“This Sesshomaru has fallen in love.”

“Oh? And why did you not mate with this female before the contract reappeared?” she asked, her voice slightly severe.

“She demanded love first, and though I may love her. I know nothing of what she feels.”

“What if she does not? Would that be worth my sacrifice?”

Sesshomaru stood suddenly. “I would sacrifice my own if only I could know her heart!”

Tsaisuki froze. “And who is this woman you love so dearly, my friend?”

Sesshomaru stood still, as though something had caught him. A knock came to the door. “Milady? Lady Kagome is here to see you,” a sedate and subservient voice said.

Tsaisuki smiled inwardly and motioned for Sesshomaru to sit. “Send her in.”

The door opened and Kagome entered the room. Slowly, she passed the taiyoukai, her blue eyes becoming saddened as soon as she saw him. “Tsaisuki, I did not know you had company.”

Tsaisuki smiled warmly to the white kitsune. “How could you know? What troubles you, cousin?” she said the last word with almost a smug air.

Kagome sighed. “The other lords have arrived and I have been sent to you by my father.”

Tsaisuki rolled her eyes and groaned. “What does the old fox want now?”

“He demands that you help me prepare for this evening’s announcement. He also demands that you drag InuYasha from the tree he has been staying in for the past week. Apparently, he and Sango had an argument and he’s been sulking. Sango herself has been in a most terrible state in her room. He orders you to liven their spirits for this evening at least.”

Tsaisuki laughed. “I apologize for this rude laughing at my uncle, Sesshomaru-sama, but you must admit this amusing,” she said.

Sesshomaru and Kagome locked eyes. Sesshomaru nodded. “Quite.”

Kagome smiled. “Hello, Sesshomaru-sama. It has been a long time since we last saw one another.”

“Ages,” he added unconsciously.

Kagome’s smile widened. “I must be off to prepare. Good day, Sesshomaru-sama. Tsaisuki, I trust I shall see you shortly?”

Tsaisuki nodded. “Soon.”

Kagome bowed to both youkai before leaving. As soon as the door closed Sesshomaru was on his feet, his eyes blazing. “You did not tell me that Kagome was your cousin!”

Tsaisuki simply smiled. “I did not know until after our last meeting. Nor did Lord Inari know that she was his daughter until then.”

Sesshomaru’s mask fell, a look of pure shock on his face. “Inari’s daughter… Kagome is his heir? Kagome is…”

“Your soon-to-be bride? Hai. Now, about breaking that contract…” she began.

“NO!” Sesshomaru shouted before composing himself. “I mean, no, you need not worry about my reluctance. I shall take my responsibility to both the Western and Eastern Lands with pride.”

Tsaisuki grinned. “So, the rumors were true?”

Sesshomaru glared at the azure colored female. “You knew? You were teasing this Sesshomaru?”

Tsaisuki laughed. “But of course. What are good friends for?”

~*~*~*~

The large dining room was filled with the sounds of the many lords and ladies of youkai society. Lord Otomo, the Northern Lord, stood beside Inari, the tall, wolf youkai smiled to the kitsune lord. His dark black hair was pulled back as a pair of gold eyes watched for Sesshomaru.

“You know that Hisho and I have been anticipating this, Inari,” the wolf lord said with a grin.

Inari rolled his eyes. “Hai, I know. You, Hisho, and I all have been waiting for the day when Inutaisho’s boys found their mates. Our fathers felt the same for us when we went through this as well.”

“Strange, isn’t it?” Hisho said as he slid up beside the other two males. His golden blonde hair dancing behind him as his golden brown cat eyes scanned for the young lord as well. “That only you, Inari were the one to bear a girl-child. Inutaisho would be proud of his boy, methinks.”

Inari nodded. “Hai, the old dog would be very proud. Now where is that pup?”

It was then that Sesshomaru entered their sights, his countenance that of his usual disinterest. He had been garbed in a ceremonial haori and hakama of white, bearing only the crest of the west to commemorate his betrothal. Otomo was suddenly at his side, his speed matching that of his own son. “Sesshomaru! We have been waiting. All are excited to meet your new bride.”

“As am I,” Sesshomaru said curtly.

“So? I hear you were having affairs with a human miko… taking after your father, now?” Hisho insinuated.

Sesshomaru shot a desperate glance to Inari before turning to the tiger lord. “I do not deny my close friendship with Kagome,” he said her name loud enough for Inari to hear. “But we had no affair.”

Inari grinned. “Well then, perhaps that is most fortunate.”

Sesshomaru nodded as the other two lords grinned and continued to congratulate the western taiyoukai. It was not long before a great gong was heard throughout the room, pausing all conversation and turning attention towards Tsaisuki’s presence. The azure colored, high sorceress stood dressed in a kimono of white, the crest of the east upon her breast and what appeared to be blue mist at her sleeves and hem of her garb. Her cerulean colored hair was pulled up into a simple bun, her silver eyes showing only the most calm and serene of looks.

“Ladies and gentlemen, Lords of the four kingdoms, as high sorceress and retainer to the eastern heir, I am proud to announce the alignment of two kingdoms. I present to you this day the daughter of our most esteemed host, Lord Inari. She who has been gone from our presence since Lady Miya took her into time for her own protection. I am greatly honored to introduce, Lady Kagome, heir to the Eastern Lands,” Tsaisuki announced.

Doors opened, revealing Kagome dressed in a simple kimono of white bearing the eastern crest. A thin veil of white silk covered her face as her hair of the same color shimmered lossely down her back, the streak of lavender the only color other than her brilliant sapphire eyes. Kagome smiled and bowed to the crowd.

The Lords and ladies in the audience applauded calmly as Tsaisuki prepared to continue. “My Lord Inari, if you would be so kind as to introduce the groom to this pure and beautiful bride?”

Inari stepped forward. “I would be most honored, my niece,” he thanked as Tsaisuki stepped back. “My most honored guests. This day is one of great joy for me. My daughter, a treasure that I have long missed from my presence has returned to my side.” Applause washed through the room again. “And not only that, but a youkai, son of my most dearest and beloved friend, is to be her mate. As tradition, the bride and groom have known naught of one another until tonight. I am very proud to introduce a youkai I think of as my own son, and now shall become so: Sesshomaru, taiyoukai of the Western Lands.”

Applause filled the room as InuYasha’s jaw dropped. Kagome gasped in shock as Sesshomaru stepped forward and stood opposite of Kagome. Kagome looked to Tsaisuki, who smiled and nodded. Kagome then looked to her father, whom appeared most happy for her.

“I, Sesshomaru, do swear to uphold the contract placed by both our fathers. The East and West shall never hold any animosity toward one another. I accept this kitsune-miko as my mate,” Sesshomaru’s voice broke through Kagome’s shocked stated.

Kagome turned to lock eyes with the taiyoukai and bowed her head as she recited her part of the ritual. “I, Kagome, do swear to honor the contract placed by both our fathers. I accept this taiyoukai as my mate and do swear to be by his side until death take me.”

Inari grinned. “As youkai of high standing, you are obligated to uphold these oaths you have spoke this evening. Tonight, you shall complete the mating ritual and by morning light be mates for life. Do you accept?”

Sesshomaru nodded. “This Sesshomaru accepts.”

Kagome smiled warmly to the taiyoukai. “As does this Kagome.”

Inari could hear InuYasha snicker and Tsaisuki chuckle lowly. He then took both their hands and pressed their palms together. “May your mating be long and prosperous for all the lands.”

Applause and cheers suddenly roared through the great hall, but none registered to the pair that gazed into the eyes of one another. To them, time had stopped and only they existed. To them, all fears and worries about this moment had passed, for they had only eyes for one another.

~*~*~*~
Levii: Awww!
Sess: That took you too long, woman.
Inu: But it was so worth it
Levii: I don't care, Sessho. Inu is right, it was worth the wait... Oh, my, a paradox! InuYasha being right?... Gah! The world is ending!
Inu: Hey!
Sess: I read our reviews...
Levii: OUR reviews?
Sess: [eye roll] Your reviews.
Levii: Better.
Sess: You should thank Sarah for her suggestion, it gave you inspiration.
Levii: Indeed, Thank your Sarah! Here be a cookie for you! [hands Sarah a big cookie with the words thank you written in buttercream icing] You rock! Yay! Now... as for the lemony goodness... that will be coming up soon. So all you that have been cravinga bit of lemon, it's a-coming!
Inu: Hey! What about me and Sango?
Levii: You mean, Sango and I?
Inu: Whatever!
Levii: I'll be getting to that romance soon as well. Now, Naraku and Kikyo will be making thier appearences soon. (As much as I hate to admit it.) Oh! And the gathering shall be continuing as well! We're going to have cameos from Kouga and we'll be also sending some stage time to Rin and Shippo as well. I've been neglecting the children lately. I will also be introducing some of Inari's other children and maybe we'll get Miroku hooked up with someone. Also, as ususal, Tsaisuki shall be dolling out advice and will be giving a show of her, only slightly mentioned, kick ass magic powers! Oh, and Jaken will be there too. I have so much to do and so little free time to do it in! It's enough to drive a girl insane with stress!
Sess: I am here to assist.
Inu: Yo! Me too!
Miroku: I am known for my massages.
Levii: You mean your tendancy to grope my ass?
Miroku: You could call it that.
Levii: Whatever.... you know I need some help with stress releif right now.
Sess: [tosses Levii over shoulder and runs offstage followed by InuYasha and Miroku]
Tsaisuki [walks on stage] : While our most treasured authroess is... relaxing. Please send your comments and reviews. These are great motivators for chapters! Thank you and please remember to Review!
[Curtain drops and lights go out on today's act]