Author's Note: Okay, this chapter will probably be much longer than usual. Plus, I think you should expect this but, Hiei will also probably be a little out of character. Well, it's a wedding, so that's only to be expected. Also, the wedding ceremony is completely made up off the top of my head, so don't expect anything overly traditional. Anyway, I hope you enjoy it all anyway.
The Cathedral was huge. Kagome had made sure it was sparkling clean for the weddings. It hadn't been used for many, many long years. Kanzuka had no use for it, as he was too busy with his other, evil pursuits, and so the Cathedral fell into a dormant state and covered in dust. Now, with the dust gone, the cobwebs swept away, the chandeliers lit, and flowers in ancient vases, it looked much nicer.
There were some guests as well. Several Kitsune's and other demons living in Kurama's territory showed up for the ceremonies. Somehow, Kagome had also managed to get word to Miroku and the other's about this. Miroku would perform the matrimonial ceremonies and the coronation ceremonies as well. Inuyasha, Shippo, Yukina, Botan, and Koenma (who also surprisingly showed up) sat in the front row on the left of the Cathedral. Akira and various high-ranking nobles sat in the front row on the right side.
Behind Inuyasha and the others, sat Kagome's mother and Sota, who she had somehow also managed to bring to the ceremonies (everyone suspected she used her new power's to do this). She had flatly refused to get married (here at the very least) if her mother was not able to witness it as well. No on argued with her as they saw the sense in this, as well as the strong, loving mother-daughter bond the two shared. Sota too, loved his sister, and was very envious that she was becoming a queen and got to live in such an interesting world. Behind them and the other noble's of the land, sat various other classes of people in Kurama's new kingdom. They all wanted to be here to witness the rebirth of the land under a better ruling pair.
Sango was a little dispirited that she had no family of her own to attend the ceremonies.
" Sango," Kagome told her as the entered the Cathedral, " You are a sister to me. Mother thinks of you as a daughter, and to Sota, you are a sister. My family is also your family. Inuyasha is our older brother, as is Miroku. Shippo is of course, our younger brother. Then of course, Yukina will be your sister as well. You do have a family. And from the heaven's, surely your own family, and Kohaku, are also watching, and are also very proud of you."
Sango smiled. " You speak truth," Sango said, " I am lucky to have a wonderful sister such as you."
" Come then," Kagome said, " For it is time to walk to aisle."
Taking a deep breath, Sango nodded to the two guards at the doors. They too nodded back at her, and opened the door's rather formally. Kagome preceded her as she was the Maid of Honour. She stepped lightly on the red carpet and walked confidently down the aisle. Several demons off to one side played a soft melody without words to announce the beginning of the ceremony.
Sango followed her a few paces later, blushing lightly. She couldn't believe she was going through with this. It felt like a dream. Something she would wake up from any moment, just when the dream was getting to the best part. She bit her lip, and tightened her hold the flowers. Nothing happened. She relaxed. It wasn't a dream after all. This was really happening. She was almost to the altar too. The faces of the people she loved the best were there. The people she trusted so much, all here, with her on this journey, like they had always been. Tears threatened to fall, but she blinked them back.
She stopped two paces in front of Miroku, and in the middle of Hiei and Kagome. Kurama stood on Hiei's other side. Miroku grinned widely at Sango. She smiled.
The song ended. It was so beautiful, so magical, that no one really wanted it to end. It enthralled everyone in wonder. Misty-eyed again, Sango blinked as all waited for Miroku to begin.
" Ladies and gentlemen," Miroku began, gesturing to the crowd before him. " Welcome. Today, is a special day. A day that no one will forget. A day in which, we all witness two weddings. A day which promises to be a turning point in everyone's lives."
He went on into a rather long and boring speech that no one found particularly interesting. They caught random words and phrases, but they were all still caught unawares at the end of the speech.
" Now," Miroku was saying, " If Lady Sango and Sir Hiei would please step forward."
Sango gulped and stepped forward a few paces, Hiei at her side. Miroku placed one hand on one of their shoulder's each. He took a deep breath and began the ceremony.
" Today," Miroku began, " You both reflect the true love felt within. Your separate hearts today will be joined with this special ceremony. You will forever-"
" Get on with you stupid Monk!" Hiei hissed at Miroku angrily, " We don't have all day!"
" Err…ah, yes," Miroku agreed quickly, eyeing Hiei's angry glare apprehensively. He cleared his throat. " Ah anyway…continuing on…"
Sango and Kagome tried not to laugh. It was rather amusing, seeing poor Miroku squirm under Hiei's glare.
Miroku nodded at Sango. She handed her bouquet of flower's to Kagome to hold for a moment and then turned to her other side and held out her hand. Hiei took it in his and then they turned to look at Miroku.
" Now," he said a softer voice, yet it still rang clear through the building.
" Make a promise to each other to validate this union."
Sango gulped, and felt Hiei's hand stiffen. She turned to him, blushing and nervous.
" A promise," she said slowly, " Very well. I promise to love and respect you through all times of life so long as I am alive." She blushed ever harder at these words. They were so easy to practice with Kagome, yet so hard and nerve-racking to say now.
He nodded. " A promise," he began, " Yes…I shall promise the same as you. I will love and respect you all the days of my life." A little different, yet still the same meaning. She made a deep curtsy he kissed her lightly. Nothing big in front of all these people.
Kagome nudged Sango's ankle with her foot. She turned and took her bouquet of flower's back. The band started up music again, a very cheery tune that made everyone feel cheerful and happy. The crowd cheered and clapped as the two walked back down the aisle together. Some threw rice in the air. Sango was beaming with pleasure. Yet, there was no time to waste. Kagome was next, so she needed to get ready right away.
" You were beautiful, Sango," Kagome said appraisingly as she and Sango looked through the gowns again for Kagome's dress.
" Thanks to you," Sango said, fingering a silk dress carefully, " You helped me with all my jewels and makeup."
Kagome smiled and again turned her attention to the dresses. Most were white silk, but a few were coloured. Kagome liked the look of the crimson gown, scattered with diamonds, but Sango went against that choice. She favoured the silk white one that opened at the front of the skirt to show crimson damask. It was lovely, Kagome had to admit, and the next best thing to the crimson one.
" It'll look lovely one you Kagome!" Sango assured her. " It'll bring out your lovely features very nicely indeed."
" If you say so…" Kagome said, gently taking it out of the closet.
It did indeed look very good on her. But Kagome didn't like it. She thought it didn't suit her figure and insisted on wearing something else.
" Besides," she argued, " The sleeves are far too long."
They looked again through the gowns. They agreed the emerald green one would not suit her, nor the silver and gold one. Yet Kagome refused to wear a plain white gown, or one with very long sleeves. Many had long sleeves, so their choices were narrowed down. She also refused to wear anything that had green on it. In the end, she chose a white silk gown that opened at the front of the skirt to reveal silver satin. Her dress was a 'halter top' style, with no sleeves at all. She wore a blue stone around her neck and in her ears.
" You look beautiful, Kagome," Sango whispered as she put the cosmetics on Kagome's face and arranged her hair. " Like a true queen."
" Queen, Sango?" Kagome asked her softly, " No, not yet. I am merely a more…radiant looking self. When I was merely Kikyo's reincarnation, I never looked like this. When I became the Jewel's Guardian, I still did not radiate with this glow. Nor even when I became the Miko of Twilight. No Sango. I am still just me. No more, no less. I shine like this not because of what I was, what I am, or what I am to become. I shine like this because of my joy in my love."
" You misunderstand me," Sango whispered, " You are a queen. Maybe not formally yet, but you are. I shine too, in my love, but you, dearest sister, shine with more. You were destined for this, and so you shine with the light of all your life, all your friends, all your family, and the love you posses."
Her words touched Kagome. She hugged her tightly. " Come," she said, " It is time."
The Cathedral was just a lovely as it was for Sango, yet even more so. Banners and pennants hung from the ceiling rafters. The band played an even more loud tune for the opening song as Kagome entered, following Sango. It seemed a much more lively affair than it had been only a few hours earlier.
Sitting on a small table beside Miroku were two crowns. A thick circlet of gold set with a three rubies, and a thinner gold one set with three diamonds. Kagome tried to hide her frown at them. Wasn't the coronation tomorrow….? She pushed that thought aside. Instead of worrying about it, she walked to her place and smiled at everyone gathered around her.
" Ladies and gentlemen," Miroku began, just as he had earlier that day. " Welcome. Today, is a special day. A day that no one will forget. A day in which, we all witness two weddings. A day which promises to be a turning point in everyone's lives. We have already witnessed one. Let us now witness the second, and the official coronation of the new Monarch's-to-be."
Well…that, at least, explained the crowns. So the coronation was moved. Kagome wryly wished someone had forewarned her of this; she would worn a different dress, perhaps. She would have prepared herself for it. Ah, but no matter now. What'd done is done, and there was nothing she could do to rewind Time to change her dress or jewellery.
Kagome felt a sharp jab in her side. She glanced at Sango and caught her sharp look. Evidentially, Miroku had called her and Kurama forward, and she hadn't been listening. Quickly she went forward and stood beside him. Curses, she thought, to have been daydreaming during her own wedding.
" Today," Miroku began again, relieved that Hiei could not interrupt him again, " You both reflect the true love felt within. Your separate hearts today will be joined with this special ceremony. You will forever be by each other's side, walking through each journey side by side. Also, the governing of this land will fall upon your shoulder's. Be just with each other, your friends, family, and your subjects. Always keep a cool head and be calm during times of hardship. Love and trust each other for all time to come.
Softly, again, he said " Now make a promise to each other to validate this bond of love."
Kagome blushed a furious red as she turned to face the green-eyed man beside her. What would she say? How could she think of something so quickly that would mean so much? That would be so important?
" Hmm. Well. You know full well the depth of my love, so what else need I say?" She asked him finally. There. That would do.
He nodded. " Nothing more. I say the same."
He gave a loving kiss, and then turned back to Miroku.
Miroku smiled enthusiastically. " And now," he said brightly, " To end this ceremony. Both of you, kneel."
He sounded rather commanding, a little too commanding, Kagome thought, but they knelt anyway. Kagome handed her flower's to Sango to hold for her, tears of joy bright in her eyes.
The crowning began. It was quicker than anyone had expected. Miroku wasted no time, and very few words. Something so important, so beautiful, need not be cluttered with the words of speech. It just needs to happen. Not too fast, but not slowly. Everything in the ceremony needed a certain speed to it, a certain beauty. Everything needed a purpose. If all these were present, then the ceremony would be a wondrous success, and there would be much laughter and love later.
As was custom in many countries, the king was crowned first. Miroku took the golden circlet in his hands with almost complete reverence and awe. He held it high for a moment, so all could see, and said " Behold! You who have all gathered here, witness this and be glad! You who dwell in this kingdom are no longer leader-less and you will now enter a period of prosperity!"
He thus lowered the circlet down on Kurama's head. Before he could move, Miroku took the second one. As before, he held it high, for all to see. In a ringing voice, he said " Behold! You who have all gathered here, witness and be glad! You who dwell in this kingdom have a king, and you now also have a queen! Let your voices cry in joy, for you are now heading into a period of prosperity!"
And he lowered the silver circlet down on Kagome's silky hair.
" Rise, king and queen, of this new and reborn land," Miroku cried, throwing up his hands in a holy gesture, " Your new life awaits you, and you have much to rejoice in before you start to see to diplomatic details of your new kingdom!"
Cheering erupted around them. Together, hand in hand, every couple, every person (for that matter) left hand in hand with someone. Together, everyone walked into the bright sunlight, laughing and smiling with joy. Together, everyone walked into the future, unsure of what it may hold, yet joyous at finding their destinies. Together. Hand in hand.
One lone figure stood many leagues away, on a hill, under a Tree. She looked down at the joyous crowd below Her, and She smiled. The breeze ruffled through Her dark, windblown hair, but if anything, it made Her look more beautiful than ever.
" Ah…what you they bring to My heart," She said, smiling down at the scene below. " This joy…it transformed Me, as I knew it would."
The wind ruffled Her hair again, and it whispered through the Tree.
" I suppose I shall explain, for these words will reach you," She said. Still smiling, turned to the Tree.
" This is the Tree of Love, and it will help to protect your kingdom," She said, knowing that Kagome would hear her words. " It stands for all that it is good. Care for it, love it, treasure it, and it will always keep a loving watch over you and yours. Harm it, hate it, loath it, and it will harm, hate, and loath you in return."
" I planted this Tree, and I hurried its growth so as for all you to see. I Myself have changed. I am no longer a ghost, and I am no longer dead. Your joy, love, and happiness caused me to be reborn. I am Love. I guard not a jewel, but Love itself. I am no longer a priestess. I am a deity, a goddess, or whatever else you would call me by. Know only that I am Love, and for all eternity, I shall protect Love, and I shall love all the peoples of the world."
She paused, letting her words sink into Kagome's soul, and then continued more softly. " Know also, I give you My greatest Love, and My blessing. Your love for all your family and friends is strong. Keep it strong, and you keep yourself strong. And thank you, for everything. Thanks to you, I have finally found My eternal peace."
With that, Kikyo smiled. An instant later, she was gone. Only a Tree was left on that lonely hilltop, the wind whistling serenely through its branches.
Everyone. Its over. Completely finished. I hope you all enjoyed this. I'm sorry it took me so long to finish, but I was having trouble writing the two wedding ceremonies. I hope those turned out alright. So, after this, I have one more chapter. It is not an epilogue, I'm not writing one of those. Its more of an answering chapter to any of your last questions and comments.
Also, the sequel will be up shortly after this next chapter to come, so be watching if you're interested in reading it. I do have an idea on what will start it. The receptions for the weddings. So basically, the first two will contain songs and dancing and feasting, ext. After that, I'm not sure what I'll write, so I'll decide when the time comes.
Reviewer Responses
atth99: Oh yes. So much to do. I'm getting (got) a headache from it all actually XP Yeah, same here. I can't wait for school to start again. I have nothing to fill my days with. At least school kept me busy. Yeah, it will be, but its only gonna be a collection of a few one-shots, then its gonna be done completely. LoL yeah, I'll try not to be too lazy anymore. Bad habit to get into, ne?
OxAshiteruxO: Yep, she did. Yeah, but I thought to give them all a little more fancy look with more colours. I love fancy things XD and shiny things XDD So I sorta put that into their looks.
AnimeMoonlightGoddess:Okay. I promise this next (and last) update will not take nearly as long as this did.
sacaku:Sorry! I was having trouble with those wedding scenes, hence why it took me so long. The next (and last) update will not take nearly as long, I promise.
WhyWhatShutup:LoL yes, so do I.
Vanya the Elven Maiden of the Valar: Thanks :) I try to do a lot of describing. Nah, the sequel isn't going to be long or complex. Small one-shots basically, on the lives after their weddings and stuff. It likely will not be as long as this.
WhiteRose-Kurama:Yeah :) I sorta wanted a double wedding king of thing, yet to have them separate. So I had them on the same day, within hours of each other XD You do? That's great :) I did too. I love the fanciness of them, and the colours. Yep, okay. The sequel will be fluffy. Very much so. XP I have no clue. I'm thinking of re-writing it, or possibly ending it sooner than I thought 'cause I have a terrible writer's block for it.
The Violent Tomboy:Yes, Sango's a princess, which will be formally recognized in the 'sequel'. Since Kagome's queen, and the two of them are 'sister's', she therefore is a princess. Which would thus make Hiei a prince since he's married to her…but then again, my logic on this is probably not completely right since well…these family tree things confuse me XP Anyway, moving on…XD
Kill-All-Flamers:I know eh? So'm I :hugs: XDD yeah, it does take a while to get so many…in a way I wish I had less, only 'cause it takes so long to answer everyone XPP Otherwise I'm glad that I get so many :)
Inu-chan's luver: I just had to. I didn't want it to get too long and then end too soon.
saiyanprincesscat:Maybe but…hmm…I dunno, I kinda like how Sango turned out. Course, that's usually how I feel about my characters XD (like Mithos in my other stories…he turned out quite accurate I think…:ahem: anyway). Yep. Its good to improve :)
Yeah, I was at Chapters the night they released it with my friend (we were there the entire time this party thing was held -- we read manga the entire time XD). I didn't like the second or third books very much. The fourth and fifth ones are my favourites. The sixth was much too short (I love long books), but pretty good. Not great in my opinion, but very good. Kept me on the edge of my seat. Did you finish it? I did, but I won't say anything else in case you haven't yet.
Yep, that's right. Writing is hard, ne? Takes practice, and people like him/her to tell you where you could improve. No, you're not. I get random idea's for things at the strangest of times XD Oh yes, no problem. It'll be great, I'm sure.
LoL okay, I will. Hope you enjoyed this.
cookiiex: Yep :jumps for joy too: Ah, yeah, I'll try…problem is, like with Anata to Ireba, I'm at a writer's block for it, and I may just end it quicker than I thought, or completely re-write it. I don't like how its turned out so far…Anyway, hopefully I'll get a burst of inspiration for both of them :)
Child of the Silvery Moon:Basically, yes, until I post the sequel. Though, that's only going to be a collection of one-shots about their lives. Not too much, and not nearly so complex.
Amin Vanima Mellonea: Aww, that's making me blush. LoL yes, isn't it? Just thought it might add something to the story. Yeah, that is a good idea, except I'm not going to make a big sequel. Its not going to be nearly as long as this, and not nearly as complex. Truly, its going to be a bunch of one-shots looking into everybody's individual lives. Anyway, hope you enjoyed the weddings.
shiningsilveritsune:Thanks…hmm…well, as of now, I'm not discontinuing anything. I am thinking of taking down Anata to Ireba and My Angel to re-write and re-post since I don't like how they've turned out, but I haven't come to a conclusion about that yet. My one-shots: Moment, Aftermath, Together Forever, The Smallest Wish, Break Through, 'First Love, Only Love', Daisuki, I Wish For Your Love, My Love For You, and Let The Rain Fall Down On Me; are all complete and will not be taken down any time soon. I'm still working on A Twilight Song and currently writing Genis' entry for it. Harry Potter and the Unseen Future may also come down, as now having read book six, I no longer like it, though I haven't decided if I'll take it down or not. Hmm…I think that's everything. Did that help you?
SunStar Kitsune: Yusuke, Kuwabara, and Yukina were all in audience. Kurama was the best man for Sango and Hiei's wedding.
Princess Random:Oh yes. I hope the weddings turned out well. They were rather difficult to write. Yeah, I love one-shots. So fluffy, most of them. Thanks! I will.
Ryu Sneaky Lil Fox:Yep. That'd be too big a cliff hanger for the ending. Oh yes, so do I. I wish I had her gown XD
tbiris: Yes, that's very true. Yeah, no one could. I hope they turned out all right…
inukuramaRmine: Yep. Oh no, don't worry about that at all. Did you enjoy your time in Penn.? I will. Hope you enjoyed.
Fa113bn 5akura:Thanks. I love one-shots. Fluffiness usually abounds in them. Nope, nothing truly ends, but I guess the point of an ending is for the reader to make up their own mind about how the story finally would end. LoL anyway, thanks.
pitbull123:LoL I will. Sorry about this long wait.
Sess luva: No, its not going to be long and complex like this one. Its gonna be short and sweet basically.
Kali: Thank you! I hope to do so.
Sango-Hiei:LoL yes, I sorta wanted that but I went against it. Mostly because I also needed to have the coronation in this. Since Sango and Hiei aren't become a king or queen, and Kurama and Kagome were being made king and queen at the same time as their wedding, it wouldn't really have worked to have a double wedding. Ah umm…well I'm not really sure…I'm sorry, but I don't really know you well enough to give an honest opinion on the matter.
SparklingSilverTearDrop: Thanks. I will.