Chapter Text
The sound of metal scraping on cement and twisting as an explosion rang in several pairs of ears. It brought a halt to the traffic on the interstate as many stared in horror and fascination while others pulled up their phones to either record it or, in the case of a few, call the emergency hotline.
But for the driver who had been hit head-on and the car had been shoved into the Meridian lane wall, the world was nothing but black dots and pain. Letting his gaze land on the dashcam, he tried to lift his hands to hit the button to send the last twelve hours to the security system. The other driver had rammed him after merging onto the interstate.
The moment his finger touched the button, his vision turned fully dark. A wave of nausea hit, eliciting a groan from him just as the faint sound of sirens in the distance rang out. It was the last thing he heard before the world vanished, and silence was all that was left.
"Nurse, has the patient in Room 506 of the VIP Ward woke up yet?"
A pair of blue eyes under slightly damp, wavy hair lifted to look at the woman asking the question."
"Ah, no. The patient is still unconscious, though there is a response when he hears talking and slight stimulation from soft touch."
"Oh, okay. I will come back in a few days."
With that, the lady left her four-inch sheepskin heels clicking and clacking as she walked away. It had been that way for the past few weeks. She was the daughter of a prominent Investment company CEO and the supposed fiance of the patient in Room 506.
Everyone in City A would know who the patient in Room 506 was. He was the eldest son of Toga Inui, an active politician who was running for City A's Governor. The man started his corporation from scratch at age 16 and built it up by his mid-twenties to the international market in tech and shipping.
Even without his family background, he was impressive and a person she could respect. She came from a modest background and had struggled to pass all her tests to get into an excellent eight-year college with a mix of student loans, scholarships, and part-time jobs to get her RN license.
The long-term goal was to get not just a bachelor's and master's but also a specialization in rehabilitation and trauma. Her degree would keep her in constant company with Room 506's occupant. His mother had been adamant that he would rehabilitate whether he wanted it. Yet that isn't how rehabilitation worked; it relied on the patient's will to want to improve themselves to a state of 'normalcy.'
Already, she knew she had no aspirations to rise above her station. This man was well out of her reach. She was a realist and only looked towards her life goals, which were to eventually get promoted to research better techniques for rehabilitating people. It had been her passion since she was a small child, and her father had become paralyzed due to lack of rehabilitation back in the 80s after a bad accident at work that almost killed him.
Giving a soft sigh, she turned to make her rounds on the fifth floor. Her shift was almost over, and she'd get to go home, shower, and rest.
He had woken up a few days ago to learn he had been in a coma-like state for almost nine weeks. The differences in his body were abundantly clear since he had always been kept in shape, though he had an office job. But learning that if he didn't do the rehabilitation, he more than likely would be paralyzed from the waist down. His right leg was in cast and sling due to being broken in three places. Then there was his mother, who was intent on him doing the rehabilitation as soon as he was capable of it.
Yet, the Doctor and attending RN explained in great detail that there were two facts to note even if he did the rehabilitation. One was his will regarding rehabilitation. One was that his body would never be 100% again. That there was a high chance he'd have a limp and need a walking cane later in life. Hearing that news had delivered a huge blow.
Of course, this news had pissed his mother off, and she had gone to ask several others for a second opinion, only to hear the same prognosis over and over. But he took no satisfaction in his mother's gloomy state of being. He knew rehabilitation was the right option, yet now he had no drive to do so.
The little RN next to the Doctor would have designed the rehabilitation program for him. However, as he looked out of the corner of his eye, he saw that the RN kept calm and her face blank. However, he could see a spark of stubbornness in the depths of her blue eyes. Letting his gaze drop to the name tag on her pink nurse outfit over her left breast 'Kagome.'
Lifting his gaze again, he met those blue eyes staring at him. They held a brief glint of amusement before she looked away and continued to listen to the Doctor lecture his mother.
"I tell you, my son needs to be able to stand and walk. I don't care; he will do so."
Turning his head to look out the window, he sighed in annoyance. Yet he didn't get a chance to speak as the door burst open, silencing the room. All attention went to the person who burst in.
"Kimi, you will cease your tantrum. I have read what the hospital sent me via email. If Sesshomaru does not want to undergo rehabilitation, that is his state of being. My position as Governor doesn't ride on him being whole, nor is it something that can be inherited," His father growled.
Opening his eyes just in time to see a dove fly by the window, he felt a twinge deep in his heart. He knew his father was referencing his half-brother, born of his first love and mistress. A mistress who never wanted the title of the wife but was content to live outside, quietly (thankfully), and raise his obnoxious brother, InuYasha.
"By the way, Kimi, where is his fiancee, Sarah?"
He felt his body stiffen and grow cold. Since awakening, he had only seen her once, and the disgust in her eyes at his current state said it all. But while she came from an excellent family, his mother had arranged it (against both his and his father's wishes) because she wanted a grandchild before she grew too old to appreciate it. He had two years until he turned thirty. His body was healthy in that respect; he just chose to be chased. The idiotic power and money-hungry women were like parasites in his eyes. At least with Sarah, he didn't have to worry too much.
"Ah, she is busy; last I heard last night," his mother said, her voice oddly quiet.
This had him and his father snorting in tandem.
Kagome smiled professionally as she pushed the wheelchair out into the hospital garden. What she wanted to do was strangle the white-haired bastard sitting in the wheelchair she was pushing. The man was beyond frustrating with his air of superiority(even though he technically was) and the arrogance he spoke with when he talked down to her, all mixed with his stubborn nature.
It had been two and a half weeks since that day when his mother had her meltdown after hearing the same prognosis from others in the rehabilitation field. Then, his father burst in and aggravated both his mother and son. However, she had come every day like she was supposed to on her assigned days, Wednesday through Sunday. Alternating days, starting on Wednesday, were the rehabilitation days, with two days of rest between the rehabilitation days, followed by testing days.
It was a strenuous program; she knew this cold and aloof man could easily do it. He had proven it the first week. Yet something had happened during a visit from this mother or fiancee. She wasn't sure which, but he suddenly didn't want to even try and seemed to take a sadistic pleasure in tormenting her. However, the joke was on him; if she could be stubborn with her father, she could be stubborn with him.
There was an old saying about 'killing with kindness,' and it was something she had been taught from a young age via her grandmother and then practiced on her father, who had developed severe depression. It had strained the whole family since they didn't know how to cope then. Back then, the ability to rehabilitate was almost non-existent, and what they had for rehabilitation was expensive beyond their meager means.
She lowered her gaze as they stopped under the shade of a tree and saw those pale golden orbs looking up at her. Feeling suddenly cheeky, Kagome flashed a toothy and cheery smile at him, reached down, locked the wheels in place, and walked to sit under the tree. The cool breeze felt good as she watched this man for a few seconds before pulling out a notebook where she kept his chart notes for mood and other things.
Sesshomaru ground his teeth hard enough to hear the popping sound, indicating that he was too shy to put cracks in his back molars. The RN Kagome was like a spot on a monitor that he couldn't wipe away easily, not at least damaging the damn screen. Her constant patience, calm, and professional smile as she spoke softly and her gentle gaze, as if he were a spoilt toddler, made him want to break her.
However, now that he had started doing the rehabilitation exercises again, he discovered how ruthless she was. Seeing her face become both encouraging and detached was something not even some of the seasoned businessmen he dealt with at the company could pull off. She was young and had a small family, which she provided for her brother, who was in his last year of high school.
After coming to the hospital for a session after being mocked by his younger half-brother, he spotted her talking to an older man in a wheelchair. The loving look she gave the man had(for some reason) angered him as he watched the two. After that session, he sent out Byakuya to investigate her background. What he learned was rather astounding.
Shaking his head, he strengthened his upper body by holding onto the twin poles and using his hands to move his body forward while also trying to make at least his legs(now cast free) do more than drag behind him. Sesshomaru could feel the sweat roll down his back and make his white Metallica T-shirt stick to his skin.
"Good, Mister Inui. You are halfway, and I see your legs trying to respond to each movement forward with your arms. See, I told you if you keep at this, there will eventually be visual progress.
The chipper chirping of Kagome's voice made him physically twitch as it scratched at his ears. Feeling his anger swell again, he kept up the pace he set himself and glared openly at Kagome while she stood at the end of the twin five-foot poles. His mind kept picturing what her face would look like if he throttled her out of nowhere.
Kagome arched an eyebrow and did her best to keep her face from turning as red as it felt hot. They had come a long way since(actually) starting the exercises for Mister Inui's rehabilitation. And she had to say once he got motivated, Mister Inui could take and do(mostly) her strict regimen. His first steps were working his upper body since he was wheelchair-bound until he had his first surgery that would help his lower body nerve swelling decrease. Thus promoting their healing and allowing the signals from the brain to reach his lower extremities.
She was sure he was doing what he was doing on purpose. Her mind returned to Wednesday last week when he appeared two hours before his routine appointment, looking upset. Kagome was well aware that his fiancee, Sarah, had come to visit him. Since her client didn't seem to mind having a watcher for those two hours, she said nothing to him. But Mister Inui's face only seemed to grow darker as if he wanted it to turn black with his mood.
When the session ended, and she watched the patient head off with their family, Kagome felt she was kicking an iron plate. Mister Inui didn't want to cooperate and was short with his answers. It was a very long two hours with what felt like an instant toddler, and boy, did she start treating him like that.
After the session, he had rudely asked if she had a thing for her prior patient. Kagome had felt affronted that he was taking a jab at her professional work ethic and had stepped away after settling him back in his wheelchair and turned to leave. Of course, this pompous man had grabbed her wrist. He didn't even bother apologizing after that, but his gaze told her he had wronged her. But that was for a second, and then he more stated than asked if she didn't like him and only treated him with cold, professional indifference.
His words and tone only left her feeling more wrong. She pulled her wrist from his grasp, glared at him, and walked off without answering.
Then, things started to go weird with him when she saw him on Friday. He was 'very' cooperative but did random little things that were out of the norm for him at first. Like leaning more on her when she and the aide were lifting him to stand at the poles or sit on the floor to work his core, he'd lean more on her. Or, as he did, lift the edge of his T-shirt that depicted the DeLorean from Back to the Future and showed some of his abs.
Kagome was human; she was a hot-blooded young woman. She knew he was a damn good-looking man. And by lifting him, she had intentionally gotten to feel his chest, back, and abdominal muscles.
Sesshomaru raised his eyebrows as he watched Kagome move around rather explicitly while singing softly. He hadn't expected to see her outside of the hospital. He also knew through Byakuya's updates on the continuous investigation of Ms. Higurashi.
He had learned that the patient had seen that day was a friend's brother who was younger than her by two years. He had his leg amputated from the knee below after a snowboarding accident and was almost done with his rehabilitation. The boy was learning to walk comfortably in his prosthetic.
Seeing Kagome smiling warmly and speaking animatedly with the young man after he had fought with Sarah(who had picked it) triggered him. At the time, he didn't understand why, but after seeing her walk off thoroughly pissed, he had thought about his actions. But it amused him to see her expression actually shift due to his actions.
Thus, he took the time to start trying to get her reactions. It was easy to figure out that getting into her personal space and being slightly physical did what he wanted. He saw her ears turn red, and a faint pink hue rushed up her neck to her cheeks. Hence, he had taken to leaning more on her, forcing her to place her hands on his chest, abs, and back when having to help move him because he didn't want to make it easy on her.
He smiled as he watched Kagome remain oblivious as she danced and cleaned up the playroom for the Boys and Girls Club. Her hips swung in a circle before she dipped precariously low, ass thrusting out and popping as she picked up a few toys and stood in a fluid motion. It was very enticing as he felt the heat begin to flush the back of his neck as the song's words reached him.
"And when we are all alone, I might just tip her
She slides down the pole like a certified stripper
When we are all alone, I might tip, tip her
She slides down the pole like a certified stripper
When we all alone, I might tip her
She slides down the pole like a certified stripper
When we are all alone, I might jump to her
She slides down the pole like a certified stripper ; I kinda like that."
Sesshomaru had heard this song before on the radio due to his younger brother and his friends at the house. It was something else, and seeing someone who usually presented themselves as prim, proper, and professional singing and dancing had him wondering what she was really like when not at work.
Considering his position and fiancee, he knew he was playing with fire but didn't care. Miss Higurashi.
Kagome kept her excitement internal since today was the day that Mister Inui would attempt to walk with a cane. It had been nine months since he was first admitted to the hospital after the accident, but she was proud of the progress he had made, though he had been acting weird in the past three and a half months.
Mister Inui had already been discharged after he had healed from the surgery, which released the pressure off the nerves that had been impinged by bone and compressed in muscles.
Her eyes watched as he stood on his feet without help, grasping the cane and wobbling before finding his balance. Off to the side were his parents, half-brother, his fiancee(who was her elder cousin; small world), and Mister Inui's fiancee, Sarah. Who had been coming to the appointments like it was a religious thing. And Kagome didn't like the woman. Sarah glared at her as if she was trying to spot anything unprofessional going on.
It was not the first time Kagome had seen this happen. Jealous wives, fiancees, and girlfriends came often. Most were not happy with a female RN doing the rehabilitation. But Sarah hadn't been participating in the rehabilitation from the get-go. She had given off the vibe that it was inconvenient for her to have a potentially disabled significant other. Nor had she cared about Kagome being the one doing the rehabilitation.
But after Mister Inui started acting weird after the confrontation, and she saw him act like that, she started showing up to every appointment. Kagome had done loads of eye-rolling where this woman couldn't see. It was ridiculous for her to be paranoid that he would even give her a second thought. They were from two different worlds except for the connection via her elder cousin marrying Mister Inui's half-brother.
All she could do was wait for this rehabilitation to be over with the last session. But for now, she was happy to see her patient walking with the aid of a cane. This step was a huge one in the whole process. It gave the patient confidence that they were returning to normal.
"You are a fucking moron. Your heart is so frozen you don't even know yourself and have screwed yourself."
Sesshomaru lifted his head just enough to glare at his half-brother, who had barged into his office. The first words out of his mouth were to insult him, and he was neither amused nor insulted.
"If you have free time to be an annoyance here, then you should go and do your job."
That said, he lowered his gaze back to the desk to finish the paperwork that needed his signature. He regretted allowing his father to entice him into hiring InuYasha for a lower management position even though he had the corresponding college degree.
"I will, but I wonder if you know what your fiance and mother have done?" InuYasha snapped with a disdainful sniff. "Of course, you don't, as you only care about yourself and your profits."
Sesshomaru felt his hand grip the pen tighter, eliciting a creaking sound from the cover. His annoyance with his little brother turned into anger as he lifted his head to look at InuYasha, who looked smug as he crossed his arms over his chest. It was shocking to see the level of confidence on InuYasha's face.
"Well, either way, I am only here to tell you because my wife said I should," InuYasha said, his voice dropping a few octaves to just above a whisper.
A sudden unease filled him as he tilted his head to indicate that InuYasha should continue.
"Kikyo just told me that Kagome was let go from the hospital for having inappropriate relations with her patients. And yes, you are one of them. The aid that was helping her apparently testified with your mom and fiancee that Kagome was all kinds of handsy with you," InuYasha said. "I know it is bullshit. Dad doesn't need a scandal of this level when trying to join the Diet Committee. But for some reason, they decided targeting Kagome was a good idea. And now she is leaving."
Sesshomaru stood so quickly that he heard his chair slam into the floor-to-ceiling windows behind him. He looked at his brother, who was now standing with his arms at his side, and looked truly sad. It had been only a month since his final appointment.
"Thank you," Sesshomaru said. "Tell that to Kikyo now. I will handle it now."
Watching as InuYasha left, Sesshomaru shut the door quietly (for once), leaving him alone in the office. Turning, he looked out the windows at the cityscape.
He had thought of many ways to contact Kagome, yet couldn't take that step. She was a person who had high job ethics and a level of professionalism that he respected. Thus if he had gone back to try to meet up with her without a damn good reason, she'd not be pleased. And reaching out to her through his half-brother and sister-in-law was a huge no.
Sighing, Sesshomaru pulled out a very old-fashioned Nokia flip phone and opened it. Soon, the ringing sound came from the other end, and he smiled coldly.
With a sigh, Kagome stepped off the international flight and blinked as she looked around Reagan Airport. She had come to Washington, DC, for the first time since graduating. And now, after all these years, she is back.
"Kagome!"
Smiling as she turned to look at who called her name was all she could do before her body was pounced on, and she was hugged fiercely by a dark-haired woman.
"Hi, Sango, how are you?"
The hug gradually tightened before a low, deep chuckle was heard. Kagome flicked her eyes to meet a pair of blue-purple eyes dancing with mirth and a bit of pervertedness.
"Sango, my love, Kagome can't breathe."
The way her body was released quickly had Kagome gasping for breath and struggling to maintain her balance. But she couldn't help but laugh as her good friend's face flushed darkly.
"I—Kagome, I am sorry. I was so happy to see you," Sango said.
Once she could stand steadily, Kagome looked at Sango and Miroku, who had come up and wrapped his arm around her lovingly. The sight warmed her and sent a little wave of jealousy through her.
"It's cool; I mean, I am so awesome that you can't help but be excited to see me for the first time in years," She said with a cocky yet playful wink.
There were a few seconds before the three of them burst out into laughter, and a round of hugging started again, this time without the extra strength being added.
"So, our teacher Mushin is waiting for us at George Washington University Hospital. He is happy you came, though he does not know why."
At Miroku's words, Kagome gave a solemn nod and indicated with her eyes that they should be going.
*********
Kagome sat down and lifted the cup of oolong tea freshly brewed by her teacher, Mushin. The man was like a second father to Miroku and had rubbed off on his pervertedness. She was sure that the world would be a better place without the duo's need to be perverts. But it didn't matter. She loved her mentor and the pseudo-brother she adopted.
"Kagome, are you not going to fight back?"
"No. It's not worth it. I know I am innocent, and those who have been bribed and coerced will live with a guilty conscience for the rest of their life."
Her words were met with blank stares.
"Haha, my girl, you are still so strict with your principals. But the silver lining of this situation is that you took up my offer to come back and join my research team to advance the ways of rehabilitation. I have stacks of documents based on the few theories you developed before deciding on your thesis. Some are already showing signs of bearing fruit."
At Mushin's words, Kagome couldn't help but tense in excitement as she looked at the elderly man. Like Miroku and Sango, who burst out laughing, she felt a bit flushed in embarrassment.
He looked through the one-way mirror to the room beyond, enjoying the scene in the room while a pang of guilt filled his heart. It had been a few months since his brother had entered his office and delivered the news of his mother and now ex-finance's dirty deed.
Both had called him cold and ruthless, yet he hadn't cared. His father was shocked upon learning what had happened after news leaked about it. Then again, that leaked news had been by himself after receiving the report from a connection he didn't like using, as the damn woman was as fickle as a cat. Toran also asked for a high price to boot.
But what he had learned had incensed him to the point that he had his assistant dig as well, using his connections with other people. The fact that Sarah felt threatened by Kagome showed that she was more involved in their fake relationship. The reason was that her father's business had become a sinkhole after taking on a project that was way too good to be true.
His mother chose Sarah because of her family background, which is that of a social circle of elites. But to him, that meant nothing. A pedigree that served no damn purpose. His mother, usually rational and cynical, fell for Sarah's lies without thinking due to her own social prejudices. They had both bribed the young man who had served as her aide for a year and the hospital director, leading to Kagome being 'let go' since she had a clean track record and a high rate of successful rehabilitation.
When his father stepped in, Sesshomaru focused on ensuring Sarah's father's business went bankrupt. He absorbed it for a low price that wasn't even two-tenths of what it was worth at its peak. Then, he broke things off with Sarah and exposed all her affairs while they were 'engaged' since he couldn't tolerate a dirty woman. It took months, but it finally calmed down.
He was eight months from turning thirty, and if he couldn't figure out how to get Kagome to look at him, let alone talk to him, he would have to agree to the person his father chose for him years ago as a marriage partner. Sesshomaru wanted something else. He wanted Kagome, who was full of life and exuded her unique air.
His brother was right. He was so cold and shut off that he hadn't realized the truth until after this matter started settling. His half-brother and father had come to visit him while he worked late and asked why he went to such lengths for Kagome. The question had made him pause as he thought about it. His hand subconsciously clicked on the folder he kept on his desktop, which Byakuya sent regular updates to.
It was filled with reports on Kagome, who had gone abroad to Washington, D.C., and joined a research team. The pictures showed her happy, content, frustrated, and so many other emotions. In some, she was alone; in others, she was with two specific people and a renowned specialist named Mushin, who he learned had been her teacher when she was much younger.
As he looked at those photos, he felt a warmth fill his chest. Sesshomaru wasn't an idiot. He had fallen in love, and now he was here, where she worked, watching her like some sneaky. He had donated a few million to help fund the research. His eyes could see how happy Kagome truly was doing what she was passionate about.
"So, would you like to meet the team?"
Glancing at the Hospital Director, he shook his head. What Sesshomaru wanted to do was rush in there, kidnap Kagome, and whisk her away. To lock her up where only he could keep her. The fact he felt so possessive after a year for this tiny little woman scared him, but he knew she'd be pissed if he did it. He was partly culpable for her situation thanks to his mother and ex.
"Okay. I will pass on the fact that you, the donator, wish to remain anonymous."
Sesshomaru looked at the old, stooped man, Myoga, and flashed a half smile. Turning his gaze back to the room, he watched as an alarm blared, signaling that the data was being processed for the machine they had been using. The way three faces lit up with smiles before happy laughter echoed.
"I will be leaving tonight. Thank you, Myoga."
"Hey, kiddo, have you found anyone yet? Or will you give in and marry the person your father arranged for you?"
He paused and narrowed his eyes on Kagome.
"I had found someone, but that chance was ruined. I will submit to my father's will. In eight months, I will meet my intended fiancee."
Sesshomaru did not want to hear anything more, shot one last look at Kagome, and left.
It had been two long years since she came to the US and started working on research to advance her field. The project was born fruit after a rather large donation from an anonymous donor a year ago. It helped a lot when they needed it most.
"Kagome, are you going back? What is so important that your father calls you back?"
Smiling and looking at Mishin, she nodded, ascent that she was returning to Japan. Her mind suddenly thought about how to tell them her purpose for returning. It was the same reason she never gave anyone who showed a romantic interest a second look.
It was one of those moments where you know you have just to bite the damn bullet and tell the truth. So, Kagome took a deep breath and spoke loud and clearly, "It is to get married. Since I was young, I have been in an arranged marriage with one of my father's good friends' sons. The agreement was that we would be wed when the man turned thirty if he hadn't found anyone else."
"What!?"
The loud shout made her body tense for a few seconds, and then she laughed.
"Yeah, my father, as you know, was in a horrible accident that left him disabled. But I didn't mention that he was returning from work with a few other people that day. He saved a few people but ended up as he did. That day, he had agreed to drinks while socializing after work."
Her explanation wasn't grand, and she could tell from Mushin's reaction that it wasn't what he had thought.
"Well, girl, you will do what you must do. I only ask that you stay safe and find your own happiness."
Mushin's words were honest, and a second later, her eyes burned before tears fell. His words warmed her heart and seemed to release a burden Kagome didn't know existed.
"Yes, Teach Mushin, I will do my best to stay safe and happy."
Then, without thinking, she threw herself into the old man's arms and hugged him as she tried to control her now rampaging emotions. She had told Miroku and Sango last night after they'd left the lab to eat dinner.
Sesshomaru tugged at the collar of his tuxedo. He was getting married today and still needed to meet his future wife. To say that he wasn't nervous was an understatement. He had agreed years ago to this deal, and now, since he hadn't found anyone, there was no way out.
What irritated him was his dad and half-brothers' amusement at his current state of being. Both looked smug and happy that he was now left to marry a complete stranger. However, as he got ready to head out and walk down the groom's path to the wedding venue, InuYasha leaned in and whispered.
"Look, we don't always see eye to eye and can barely be civil. But I can tell you that this girl is truly a one in a million and will suit a stiff, frozen-hearted man like you perfectly."
The way the words were spoken was not in a mocking tone but in sincerity. So he could only shoot a side glance as he strode forward, hating how the tuxedo was clinging to his body. It was made of the finest material, but it was like he was covered in burlap and wanted to tear it off. His mind was still on the bubbly young woman who had helped him through the most challenging thing he had ever experienced in his life. A woman who was well out of his reach now, and that could be for the best.
The sound of Pacabella canon playing as he walked down the aisle made him glance to the left to see the bride walking the bride's road to the altar. Her face is hidden by a white Wataboshi(white hood to hide the elaborate hairstyle of the bride). What shocked him and almost made him miss a step was her pushing a man in a wheelchair wearing a black haori and Hakama.
The man looked familiar, but he couldn't place why the man was familiar. Soon, he stood at the end of his road, waiting for the bride and her father to stop. His gaze dropped to the man in the wheelchair, who looked up at him with shrewd black eyes that narrowed as he spoke in a low baritone.
"I am giving my precious daughter to you; all I ask is that you remain faithful and caring. This marriage is arranged, and thus, I do not ask you to love my daughter immediately. But I ask you to try to get to know her and find someplace in your heart that will be warm and soft."
The words were very blunt and honest, leaving him a bit speechless, so all he could do was nod his head in acceptance of what was asked. Then Sesshomaru watched as one hand was grasped, and a tiny, pale, long-fingered hand was placed in his and squeezed.
The moment he held that hand, he felt familiar callouses on the pads of his fingers and palms, and Sesshomaru couldn't help but swallow as he let his eyes lift up the lines of the arm to the shoulder, only to see the edges of the Wataboshi and internally curse. His heart was beating fast as he took the last few steps up the joined roads of both the bride and groom to the altar and the officiant.
His eyes darted to the tiny woman beside him, who stood still and stared forward. It seemed as if this whole affair had nothing to do with him.
"Do you, Sesshomaru Inui, promise to love and cherish this woman through sickness and health, for better and poorer?"
Taking a deep breath, he spoke, taking the ring from his brother to put on the ring, zoning out, "I do."
Then, in the next moment, his body stiffened when the officiant spoke and said the woman's full name. He was tempted to turn the woman to face him so he could see her tiny face and large blue eyes. It couldn't be true. How was it possible for him to marry her? Wasn't she still in Washington, D.C., doing research?
"I do."
He looked down just as her head lowered, and she slipped a simple silver band with a delicately carved piece of amber embedded in it on his finger.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife, and you may kiss each other."
The officiant's voice sounded as if he wanted to laugh, but he didn't care. Sesshomaru reached out a hand and tilted up his wife's head. He looked down into familiar wide blue eyes that stared back at him with confusion. Not caring, he bent down and easily captured her painted pouty lips with an eagerness he hadn't felt since childhood, getting a snack as a reward.
His mind recalled his brother's words and knew he had to give him some grief and thank him. His father thought he'd be giving that sly old man a lot of hell after he got back from his honeymoon.
The warm sun shone down on the cabin's teak wood porch, and the sound of waves filled the air, lending a soothing melody to the calm quiet on the private beach. Four days into the honeymoon, the couple was resting peacefully in a hammock that swayed from the light summer breeze.
Both had taken the arranged marriage in stride; neither had known who their future life partner had been. But they each had accepted the agreement for different reasons. Their fate had been entwined since they were young children of five and eight. After a shocking reveal at the wedding, a long wedding night, and four days into their honeymoon, they both felt a sense of calm and peace.
There had been loads of talking(mostly pillow talk after coitus) about various things over the years. Many truths had come to life and helped to create that tenuous bond that was new and raw between them. They were content and happy with only the complaint of a sore back, weak legs, and lack of leaving the bedroom other than to eat and bathe.
Now, though, each was more than happy to accept what life had thrown their way. They were amazed that fate could be so fickle and twist two parallel lives to merge them.
Now, the only question was how to deal with two families that would be demanding a grandchild sooner rather than later when they returned.
THE END!