Secrets of a Songstress

Summary: A wedding takes place under a now fully grown tree.

Don't own "˜em. Never will.
Note: I have no idea how a traditional Japanese wedding ceremony is held!! Please don't attack me if I am way off.... I don't even know the what color the garments are....eep! Well, I'm gonna do it in a semi-western wedding style, no bouquet, no flower girl, no ring bearer, no veil, just something simple that I have happened to think up with my tired mind.....enjoy! Oh wait, I did right that poem and thank you for the complement. It was originally written for a male, but I changed the words around to make them fit. You may borrow the poem if you want to Kitkat

Two years. Two years had passed since the death of Naraku. The days went by, turning into months, those months turning into years. But nothing was the same. Nothing would ever be the same since the death of their comrade Kagome. The tree which had sprouted at the spot of her death grew at an alarming rate, blossoming into a huge cherry tree in a little less than a year. Oddly enough, the grave of Kagome was not touched by the roots, as if they knew not to disturb the one who was forever resting there.

~2 years before~

Three days after Kagome's passing, Inuyasha informed her guardians. The day was gloomy, storm clouds covered the sun and sky, what little light that was let through the clouds was few and far between. As usual, he was greeted with a smiling face, a grumbling grandfather and a scary fan-boy. But when they saw the somber expression on his face, the face that was always full of courage, strength and pride, they were afraid for the first time since knowing Kagome's feudal Guardian. For the first time in a long while, they were truly afraid for Kagome.

Kagome's mother, Mikoumi, immediately pulled Inuyasha into her home. "Please," she looked into his eyes, searching for any other emotion in his eyes, "Please, tell me that Kagome is ok." Her pleading eyes, her desperate tone, the woman was going to be stricken with grief when she learned that her only daughter was dead.

Inuyasha could not bear to look at Mikoumi any longer. He lowered his gaze and looked to his left, his eyes meeting Souta's. The boy had grown considerably since the last time he had seen him. He was taller, and from what Inuyasha could see, more muscular as well. But what had really changed about the boy was his eyes. No longer did they hold the twinkle of innocent youth, they had hardened, giving him the look of one that was wise beyond his years. And he probably was too.

"She is dead isn't she." It wasn't a question that came from Souta, it was more of a statement. Meant not to console one or bring truth forward, but to bring the obvious that so many of the people standing in front of him wanted to hide from themselves. He raised his gaze up to Inuyasha, the one for so many years he had thought to be his hero. Now as he saw his hero in the fading light of a gloomy day, he saw a different person.

What he saw scared him a bit, seeing his hero this way. He didn't see the fearless warrior he had grown accustomed to seeing. His hair didn't blow behind him in the wind, he didn't even have his trademark cocky grin on his face. His red Fire Rat Hakama and Haori did not billow in the slight breeze and the Tetsaiga was not slung over his shoulder. What he saw was a lot different than the old hero he used to see. What he saw was a man that life had finally stopped smiling at. He saw a man who was sad and frightened, a person who would do anything for him was now gone and he would never see her again. What he saw was a broken man.

~2 years afterwards~

An alter had been set up in front of the tree. The tree, that had grown from a sapling to a full grown cherry tree in a little less than two years, had been dubbed "˜Serenity' for all that had been lost and gained on that tragic day that it chose to poke out from the earth. A simple alter, carved by the groom and painted in the next village over. That was where the wedding Kimono was to be made as well.
Finally, the day had come when he could at last lay his arms around her, love her and show her that he cared. His wedding day had finally arrived, and Miroku planed to make the best out of it. His air void had at last been sealed, just under two years ago. It was on that day that his close friend, closer to family even had died. The Air rip had sealed, giving him a long life that he had longed for, but for a price. Kagome was dead, the one face that he would not see in the crowd of onlookers that wished Sango and he a good life together. How he would miss the young woman he came to see as a sister in all the years they had traveled together.

Two years. That's how long it had taken Sango to greave. No matter how close he had been to the girl, Sango had been closer. She had lost two loved ones in that fateful day, the day they had fought against Naraku. Kohaku, who she brought down with her own blade, "˜A final act of mercy' he mused. And then there was Kagome. Her sister of at least four years worth of traveling. Being the only other female around to interact with, it wasn't shocking the two had gotten so close. They had bathed together(he knew that fact very well, though it wasn't necessarily Kagome he was trying to peek on), fought together, traveled together, laughed together and cried together. They went through almost every thing together, just not childbirth. And now she was dead, struck down by the one that no one had expected. Herself.

"˜She could have easily saved herself too' he thought to himself as he began walking up to the alter he had constructed. That wound, though severe, would not have taken her life is she had just stepped out of the battle. She could have healed herself and purified the wound, she could have even used the Tensaiga, the sword of healing on herself. But no, she chose death. Even more so, she embraced it. She disregarded the pain she was in and forgave those who had wronged her. Only a truly selfless person would do that. And now she was dead.

Miroku sighed as he stood on the alter that would forever bind him and the one he loved together for the rest of their lives. The wind played with his dark Hakama and Haori. His short hair danced with the slight breeze that seemed to be summoned from the tree itself.

People began to swarm into the area that was to hold the ceremony. Silence soon overcame all of the onlookers. The bride was here. She looked stunning to say the least. Her kimono clung to her body as she slowly walked towards him. Her breasts bounced a little with each passing step, getting a bit closer and closer agonizingly slowly. He could see by the slight sway of her hips that whatever man in the back rows was getting a good view. Her face was powdered, to make her face match her kimono a little better. A blush was applied to her cheeks, making her look innocent. Her lips were painted a dark red, as were the tops of her eyes.

Oh her eyes. Miroku could have stared at them for eternity. Those beautiful chocolate orbs staring straight at him. He could see the woman that he had fallen in love with through those eyes. The fierce warrior in body and spirit, her strong will and lovely face. Her body was soft yet so strong. She was like iron and porcelain at the same time. Sango, oh beautiful Sango, she was finally coming to be with him. She didn't need all of that flashy makeup to be beautiful in his mind. She just needed to be herself.

He was brought out of his stupor when Kaede spoke. "Houshi Miroku," she said with a look of indifference, "Do ye wish to bread the vows that ye made upon becoming a servant of Buddha?" she asked him in a wise tone of voice. "Yes, I do." he answered. Why couldn't this get on, it was the most terrifying moment of his life. He wanted this over with. Kaede turned to Sango. "Young huntress, do ye wish to be with this man, till the day that ye die?" she asked. Sango looked at him with a look that said one thing. She loved him, so he already knew the answer. The knot in his stomach did not loosen though. Sango flashed him a smile before saying one word, "Yes.".

The ceremony was over, they had finally been married. Though there was no breeze in the air, the leaves of the cherry blossom tree swayed, as if to show that they were happy.
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That was a really really really hard chapter to write!!! Oh well, I am satisfied with the amount of reviews, for now....... Please review!!!! Or you wont get to know what happens next! Btw, the next chap is called "˜Taken'.