At What Price

SUMMARY: She just continued in her thoughts. ‘He is so going to pay for this…’ she fumed. ‘Burning at the stake. Boiling in oil. Tar and feathering. Impalement….’

Author's Note: Latest chp here!!!! Yeah!!! Happy fourth of July everyone. Enjoy and review. Disclamer: chp1

CHAPTER 45: THE PLUNGE
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“Do you Kagome Higurashi take Sesshoumaru Masurau, alpha male of the Inuyoukai clan, and Lord of the Western Lands to be your lawfully wedded hushand?”

“I…” Kagome all of a sudden went quiet as a thought struck her. ‘This is the big plunge, your last night as a single girl Kags.’ *Gulp!* ‘Do you want to make a run for it?’ Her eyes glazed over from uncertainty.

Sesshoumaru thought Kagome was showing her rebellious streak again and was deliberately trying to get back at him for his earlier comment. ‘Ah, Kagome, do not make this harder than it already is. This stubborn streak in you will only prove to be very pointless. For you, anyways.’ Sesshoumaru squeezed her hands tightly in a threatening manner, which caused Kagome to stammer out her declaration. Once the words rolled out of her mouth, Sesshoumaru lessened his vice like grip on her dainty hands.

“I-iiiiiii…. do.” Kagome stuttered out. She knew Sesshoumaru thought she was being defiant again, yet it was anything but. She was merely having second thoughts, that’s all. ‘Isn’t it normal to second guess things like this?’ She pondered, but that all too reliable voice in her head answered her monologue question.

‘Yes Kags, but what is not normal is this entire situation in your head. This whole married is an arrangement for the two of you too both benefit out of in the end. Some, more so than others, however, you shouldn’t have these second thoughts. Because….’ The voice counted of many a good and valid reason, but Kagome didn’t like hearing that.

‘Says you!!!” Kagome replied back. ‘Your freedom isn’t at stake here!!! Neither is your sex life!!! Why do I even bother talking to you?’

“And do you Lord Sesshoumaru take Kagome Higurashi as your lawfully wedded wife?” The Judge said, out loud, in a clear and commanding tone for everyone to hear.

“I do.” As he said that, Sesshoumaru looked deep into Kagome’s eyes. Sesshoumaru wasn’t sure if he was reading Kagome accurately. She looked like a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming car, and she appeared like she wanted to run for the hills, but was frozen on the spot. ‘Must be nerves.’ Was all he could chalk it up to.

“Then by the powers vested in me, according to the laws of the state, I have the extreme honour and privilege to now pronounce you husband and wife. Lord Sesshoumaru you may now kiss Lady Kagome.”
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Crimson eyes narrow in malevolence as he watched the pair share a sickening sweet kiss. He watched in the back woods smiling. “So, that is your response for keeping her safe Lord Sesshoumaru?,” Naraku laughed. “I will have her, just you wait. I am a patient person. I’ve waited for over fifty years. What is a few more days, or months for that matter? She will be mine” He turned and left the festive occasion in the dead of midnight.

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Golden eyes beamed in disbelief at what had just taken place. ‘She did it!’ He couldn’t believe. 'Kagome married Sesshoumaru!' His grief had no bounds now. It felt like he’d lost a piece of himself tonight, a piece of his heart that would never be filled again. A friendship that could never again be, and with that he walked into the night to lose himself. His presence was unknown to anyone in the distance of the forest.
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At four in the morning….

Kagome sluggishly moved up the staircase to make way for their bedroom. All the guests had left for their homes, once again, much to Kagome’s relief. She wasn’t to sure how much longer she would be able to stay wake during the lively festivity. Kagome could feel her eyelids slowly lowering down in a sure sign of defeat. ‘So tired. Can’t think. Can’t move. Sleep. All I wanna do is to go bed.’

The bedroom door was opened, as it begged entrance to a fatigued bride. Had Kagome been more observant she would have noticed the bed was turned down with the same pink rose petals scattered all around the room. Hundreds of candles illuminated the dim room giving a romantic soft light.

Kagome’s feet dragged against the floor as she made it to the side of the all too inviting bed. She was too enwrapped in thoughts of slumber to discern the sexy lingerie laid out at the foot of the bed. Or, the fragrant body oil next to it. Nope, instead she came to a wobbly halt at the foot of the inviting bed with one lone thought in mind. ‘S-L-E-E-P.’ Kagome did a belly flop that end up being a nose dive into the down mattress. Snoring ensued seconds later with her face down into the pillow.

Sesshoumaru entered his chambers to find his bride in deep sleep and fully clothed to his disappointment. ‘Humans!’ he thought. ‘They can’t even function properly without one days sleep.’ Yet, Sesshoumaru knew better then to wake up Kagome from her slumber. He saw the aftermath from one of his servants Kagome had nearly killed. Poor Ah-Un had bruises around his neck. ‘Well then, onto plan B,’ Sesshoumaru smiled at the implied thought. His fingered undid the tiny buttons on the back of the wedding dress Kagome wore. One by one they fell away revealing smooth peach colored skin. As the last button was undone the dress peeled off her like a second skin. Sesshoumaru gently tugged the dress down to about her waist. Although, that is when he ran into some difficulties, things that concerned Kagome were never if ever simple.

Kagome turned over onto her back, trapping an unsuspecting Sesshoumaru, who was caught off guard by the movement. As Kagome turned over she forced Sesshoumaru to pitch forward into the mattress with his arms now pinned behind Kagome’s back. Sesshoumaru now found himself lying on top of Kagome, instead of standing over her, and the woman had still yet to wake. The Lord of the Western Land had to do some very careful maneuvering without the use of his hands, while on top of his sleep bride.

Sesshoumaru, after a few minutes of futile struggling, found himself nestled between Kagome’s breasts that were clothed with a familiar bra. He realized it was one of many that he had picked out of Fredricks of Hollywood. Sesshoumaru would have thought this amusing if it wasn’t for the fact that every breath Kagome took, the swells of her breasts would graze him in a sensual manor, and it was affecting him.

Sesshoumaru mentally groaned. He had successful extracted both of his hands from beneath her and immediately began to remove the dress that collected itself at her waist. His hands made a conscious tender effort to pull the material past her hips, but Kagome in her unconscious had other ideas. She must have felt his hands graze along her sides, for it caused her to giggle in her sleep. Next, Kagome mumbled something to which Sesshoumaru could only partial understand as ‘stop,’ ‘it tickles,’ and ‘I wanna sleep.’

Sesshoumaru shook his head and tried again, but this time Kagome smacked the bothersome hand away from her ticklish flesh. Kagome, even in sleep was disobeying him. “You’re as stubborn in sleep, as you are awake.” He muttered under his breath. Sesshoumaru was losing his patience, and all because he was fighting a losing battle. ‘Ah! I’ll lose this battle my sweet Kagome, but I will win the war.’ With that unspoken promise, Sesshoumaru grabbed two fists full of white silk and in one swift pull, took the dress off the unconscious woman.

Kagome laid there, in front of him, on his bed. Her raven tresses spread out around her face against the backdrop of cream colored sheets.

Clothes lay in a heaped pile at the side of the bed next to his slumber business partner, now wife’s wedding dress. Sesshoumaru pulled the covers back and got into bed with Kagome in his arm. He pulled the covers up around himself and Kagome.

Kagome, in her peaceful sleep, snuggled up against the hard lean body next to her for warmth. His arms, as if on there own accord, wrapped around the beauty sharing his bed. Kagome’s firm bottom wiggled against him in attempt to get closer.

Sesshoumaru bit is tongue in order to not groan. ‘This is going to be a very long night….’ Another thought came to him, haunting his wakeful thoughts however short it be. It was what Kagome had said in response to Inuyasha. ‘I love him.’
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A BIG THANK YOU GOES TO….

Hermionebrowneyes: Thank you for your review, I always look forward to receiving them.

lost child: Once again, lost child, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your review,
yet I find that leaving cliffies keeps you coming back for more.

Galadrihm_Star: *Wink- wink* I know am evil, but just wait. *authoress runs for the hills with that promise* Hahahaha! Kikyou got her @$$ kicked!

Chanda: Thank you again for the review.

Snowfall: I admit it, I am evil, but you must get use to it. For I fear that there will be more cliffies in this stories future.

Anon: Many thanks for your many reviews, and your excitement is welcome.

Shard: Glad you like this story, and thanks.

Angel: thanks a bunch.

Cassie: Thanks for your nice words on this humble story.

Tallen: Sorry, life as been keeping me very, very busy.

Abgel: thanks for your review.

Sareanna: Glad you enjoy the story.