If You're Not The One

When he got to the hospital, Sesshomaru rushed forward and was met by both Suikotsu and Bankotsu. Both men looked tired, but Suikotsu had a satisfied smile upon his lips.

“We got him. We got Naraku and have him red-handed for murder and kidnapping. His hot-shot lawyer won’t be able to get his ass out of this one.” He said, his tone smug.

Sesshomaru looked around. “Where is she? Where is my Kagome?” He demanded, his normally stoic façade replaced by a look of panic.

“Calm down. She is fine. Like before, she is deeply asleep and probably won’t remember a damn thing.” Bankotsu soothed. He placed his hand upon Sesshomaru’s shoulder. “You really love her, don’t you?”

Sesshomaru’s golden eyes darted down to Bankotsu’s. “With all of my heart. Now, where is my woman?” He demanded.

Bankotsu motioned for a nurse to come over and he directed her to take Sesshomaru to Kagome. He explained to Sesshomaru that once he signs the discharge papers, he could take Kagome home. Nodding, Sesshomaru followed the nurse and soon found himself standing beside Kagome’s bed.

He stared down at her peaceful face and then leaned over and kissed her lips with a tenderness that he did not know that he even held.

He had made his decision. After this last incident, he would make it clear that Kagome belonged to him and that no other man could have her. It would take care of several problems at once, and then, he could rest.

He sighed the discharge papers and followed Kagome and the nurse pushing her wheelchair out of the room and they walked out to where his car was parked. Sesshomaru’s eyes narrowed and he reached over and snatched the ticket off of the windshield.

Some damn security cop was seriously asking to be hurt. Suikotsu had seen Sesshomaru’s dark expression and walked over and took the ticket out of his hand.

“I will deal with this. You get her home and take good care of her. In many ways, it was Kagome who was Naraku’s fatal flaw. He got careless because he wanted her so much. He clearly saw that she was a good woman and he wanted her. I will be in touch.” He said, giving Sesshomaru a wave as he walked away.

Sesshomaru drove home and got his Kagome into their bed. He spent the next two days taking care of her while she slipped back and forth between consciousness and unconsciousness. Finally, she managed to stay awake.

When he told her what had gone on, she had laughed and shook her head. It was just too impossible to imagine. But, when the news came on that night, Kagome could feel herself pale and she had to swallow back the bile that tried to rise in her throat.

“What is going to happen to him?” She asked, her dark eyes large and afraid. She cuddled close to him and felt his cheek on top of her head.

“He will go to jail and stay there for a very long time. His associates are dead and he is all alone.” Sesshomaru replied.

Kagome sighed and snuggled her head against his shoulder. She sighed happily and looked down at her finger. Earlier in the day, Sesshomaru had asked her if she felt well enough to go outside and into the garden that he had made just for her. When they were sitting in the midst of the flowers, Sesshomaru reached into his pocket and extracted a small box.

Kagome was sure that her heart would have stopped, but he went down on bended knee and proposed to her, the right way. The last time she had been proposed to, Inu Yasha had looked at her and had grumbled, “So, you wanna get hitched, or what?”

Sesshomaru’s proposal made Kagome burst into tears, but she managed to nod. While he slipped the ring upon her finger, he kissed her passionately and for several minutes. When they finally broke apart, he held out his hand and led her to their bedroom, where they spent nearly all afternoon showing each other how much they loved one another.

Now, as she gazed at her engagement ring, she grinned. The ring was absolutely beautiful. He had chosen a silver band with gold leaves and the diamond was a princess cut. She looked up and smiled when his large hand covered hers.

“Just so you know, our wedding bands will be the same as your engagement ring. Do you like it, my Kagome?” He asked, huskily.

Kagome nodded. “Very much. Thank you so much, Sesshomaru. Thank you for everything.” She whispered.

Sesshomaru allowed a very rare smile to cross his features. “You do not have to thank me. You have given me much more than you have received. I will never cheat on you, I will never hurt you, and I will never let anyone harm you. The day we marry will be the first day of the rest of our lives and there will be no going back.” He said.

Nodding, Kagome allowed him to nudge her head back down and he turned off the lamp. Kagome grinned as she closed her eyes. So, this was what real love felt like. It was nice.
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Nearly a year later, Kagome stood nervously in front of the mirror while Sango helped her with her veil.

“I shouldn’t be wearing white.” Kagome grumbled. She squeaked with Sango poked her in her side.

“Don’t be silly. It is your wedding day, and if you want to wear white, then you will wear white. Besides, your dress goes with Sesshomaru’s hair.” Sango laughed.

Kagome stuck her tongue out at Sango and then glanced over at Ayame. The redhead was fussing with her new high heels.

“Are you alright, Ayame?” Kagome called. She watched as Ayame looked up, huffed a strand of hair out of her eyes, and snarled, “No! These damn shoes hates me. I swear, why we just don’t wear flats, I will never know.”

Yumi giggled. “Come here, and let me help you.” She said, her eyes twinkling. Kagome grinned as Yumi’s little girl babbled away in the playpen that was in the corner. The little one looked so much like Yumi that it was scary.

As Yumi and Ayame fiddled with the shoe, Kagome glanced at the mirror again and sighed.

“This feels like déjà vu.” She muttered. She heard Sango sigh. “Kagome, try not to think about him. He made his choice and it led you to Sesshomaru. Now, try and think about what your wedding night will hold.” Sango said, her eyebrows wiggling suggestively.

Ayame glanced up. “Damn, Sango. You are starting to sound more and more like Miroku.” She laughed.

Sango shrugged. “Well, he is rubbing off on me. Besides, he is only a hentai with me. That is why…I agreed to marry him this summer.” She said. The women squealed and crowed around her to look at the ring that Miroku had bought for her.

When they pulled back, Kagome lifted her eyebrow at Ayame. “So, how are things with you and Kouga working out?” She asked.

Suddenly, the room got very quiet and everyone looked at Ayame. She turned as red as her hair and she looked down at the floor.

“He asked me to move in with him and I said yes. And, he has hired a tutor to help me finish my schooling and has promised to pay for my college so that I can study anything I want.” She said.

Kagome gasped and grabbed her friend’s arm. She hugged Ayame tightly. “I can’t believe it. I am so happy for you.” She said.

Ayame nodded. “Yeah, he is a good guy, when his head is deflated, that is. He is still an arrogant prick most of the time.” She mumbled.

“Yes, but that is just his way of telling you that he loves you.” Yumi teased. Ayame made a face at her, and was about to reply, but the knock on the door made the women go silent as Sango opened the door.

Hojo stood on the other side, his tuxedo nicely pressed. He gave the women a bright smile.

“Are you ladies ready?” He asked, giving Kagome a wink. All of the bridesmaids grabbed their bouquets and hurried to their stations. Hojo held the door open for Kagome and Yumi.

Yumi gave her husband a quick kiss and then hugged Kagome. The baby waved bye-bye to her father and Kagome as they disappeared out of sight.

“Are you ready for this?” He asked as he wrapped her arm around his. “Yes. I really do love him, Hojo. Thank you for introducing him to me.” Kagome replied. She kissed him on his cheek and they quickly joined the others.

Everything had gone smoothly and soon, Kagome found herself standing at the alter with Hojo declaring that he was giving her away for her family. Soon, the vows started and when asked if she took Sesshomaru to be her husband, Kagome’s answer was immediate.

“I do.” She stated, firmly. She could hear Sango giggle softly. Well, she wasn’t letting Sesshomaru get away.

When it was Sesshomaru’s turn, he hesitated. Kagome stood there for what seemed like an eternity and watched as he looked down at their joined hands.

‘Please, Kami. Please don’t let this happen a second time. I can’t take it.’ She begged silently.

Finally, he lifted his head and his mouth opened.