Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of the characters in the following story. They belong to Rumiko Takahashi.

Eclipse

"Fine." He took Sesshomaru's hand, allowed himself to be pulled up.

"Good. A long and happy relationship to you." Sincere words fell on deaf ears. "You are doing the right thing by her."

"Shut up."

"I can see you're excited." The mask was back on. "Come now, I will take you to the garden shrine where the ceremony is to be performed."

Inuyasha just grunted. Sesshomaru gestured to the servant awaiting outside the room to take the girl to the same location.

The day was too sunny for his liking; too happy. The shrine was beautifully arranged; on a small cushion rested two small cups of sake, half-filled, glinting in the light. The bride wasn't there, and he found despite everything part of him was anxious.

"Hey!"

A blind-fold was being tied around his head.

"This union is all about trust, Inuyasha. You will go through it relying fully on your mate. After the whole debacle with the priestess who sealed you, I reasoned it's best that you have someone you can actually entrust yourself to."

"Oh, wow! That's so thoughtful of you." He intoned sarcastically.

"Inuyasha, I know I have done much to earn your ire and hatred, but, just take these actions as an apology. I am not naive to think you will forget…" The words ' and forgive' hung unspoken between them. Inuyasha was left reeling.

"If you wanted my forgiveness so damn much why torture me like this?"

"You will understand, someday."

"I don't want to understand – I want to know!

"And you will, all in good time. Now, calm down, your bride is here. It is time."

He gulped. Already?

They went to the vows, the words stuck thick in his throat and he had to force them out.

All the promises, everything – he had wanted to tell Kagome but...no, this was for her sake. He pledged everything to Kagome in his mind, all the while repeating empty words with his mouth. It was too much! Too much!

The sun was too warm on his face, the girl's hands too near his own, Sesshomaru's presence to close. He was going to suffocate!

The cup was pressed to his lips and he sipped tentatively three times. The drink seemed to dry his throat even more.

"The ceremony is complete." Sesshomaru announced. "I shall leave you to your devices. Your mate shall take you to your chambers. I wish a good night upon you."

He retired a bit too hastily for Inuyasha's liking. He didn't want to...to...not the way he was feeling. Still, he had made an oath, and he would have to live up to it.

With a sigh he offered his hand to his mate. She caressed it tenderly before raising it to her lips, and he couldn't help the shiver that slithered through him. Slowly, she began guiding him towards their room.

Small hands pushed him gently on the bed and began to undress him.

When the first kiss landed on his shoulder, a tremor snaked through him; the one pressed to his pulse made his heart tremble even more; but the one brushed across the spot where Kikyo's arrow had hit, broke him. All the pain from losing both Kikyo and Kagome spilled itself from blindfolded eyes.

The woman was there instantly, brushing away the tears, holding him tight, lacing their fingers together in what he understood was a gesture of comfort. He was grateful, still...

"If you do not feel well, we can wait." She whispered so softly he barely heard her.

"No...I'm fine."

He felt her head shake, still propped under his chin:

"You are anything but; and I understand – you did warn me after all. Rest assured I shall not hold it against you." Her voice had an oddly familiar tone to it; and, now that she was so close to him, he could sense shy tinges of the scent he adored as part of her own.

"Your scent's a bit like hers." He blurted out.

"Indeed?"

"Yeah. If you weren't full demon you'd smell quite a bit more like her."

"Shall I be her for you, tonight, my husband?"

He blushed at her tone, her words.

"No. She didn't like to be compared to Kikyo, and I know she would not wish it upon anyone to be compared to her. Especially not by me."

He felt her smile against him. "I am quite taken with your courage, your kindness, your compassion, your sense of honour..."

"Keh! And how do you know I've got any of those?"

Her hand caressed his cheek.

"Your lissome form, your strength, your obstinacy..." She raised herself to stand over him. "...your beautiful hair..." she brushed his bangs lightly. "...your graceful hands who are as gentle as they can be harmful..." she watched his cheeks darken in colour. "...your lips that smile so rarely but when they do they make the sun shine...your nose..." she kissed the tip of it "your ears..." she heard his heart skip a beat "and...especially..." she paused for a moment suddenly feeling very shy as she reached for the blindfold " I especially love your eyes." She tugged and watched his demeanour change, from dejected to completely shocked and then to something so strong and pure it stole her breath away.

"H-how?" He mumbled before pulling her down and cradling her to himself with urgency. "Is this real?" He asked more to himself. "How can this be real?"

"It is."

"It's you? It's really you?" He paused abruptly, joy going on a sudden halt. "How do I know it's you?"

"I made you a promise to always stay by your side. I gave you a golden locket in our second year together. I am the only one who knows that you cry at romantic movies."

A relieved sigh then:

"I do not cry at them movies. I just had something in my eye that time."

"Whatever you say, my dear husband."

His lips kissed her hair over and over while he inhaled her scent.

"Gods, Kagome! I thought I lost you! I thought I'd never...never get to tell you...and you wouldn't know...you wouldn't know I love you...have loved you...for so long now. I'm so sorry Kagome."

She raised herself up once more, to look him in the eye:

"It's alright. I am in love with you too, very, very much. And there is nothing to forgive. I'm just happy, just so happy to be with you."

"Kagome, Kagome..." Her name broke on his lips like waves onto a shore. "I am so...I don't deserve how happy I am...I don't deserve you..."

She smoothed his bangs before scattering kisses all over his face.

"Inuyasha, you know well, I would have no other."

She watched on in wonder as his eyes began to glisten. She saw every part of him – his past self, his present self, his demon and his human – all smiling to her in perfect happiness from behind dewy eyes.

"I love you, Inuyasha. It will never change."

Author's Note: It took me a while^^; Thank you all for continuing to read my story. I hope you all enjoy the denouement. ^_________^

I am very very grateful for all the lovely words and encouragement I've received throughout this journey. There may be an epilogue, depending on what time allows. Sankyuuuuuuuuuuuuuu~!!!! ^___________^