Table 32 by Caleesci

Table 32

Hello all, here is my entry for Dokuga-Contest's oneshot #76 Best-Laid Plans conest. It is also my entry for The Lovely Miko's Prompts and Quote's Weekly Challenge! Hope you all enjoy :)

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                Kagome let the tear slip down her cheek, unsure if it was from joy, or if it as from the pain. His lips pressed against the lip’s of the woman dressed in white in a way she had always dreamed they would press against hers. The warmth in his eyes only intensified her loss. He was happy, standing in front of the woman he loved more than anything; more than her. She was happy for him, truly she was. Her head dipped low, her eyes closing in attempt to keep the tears at bay.

“I now pronounce you man and wife, and go forth as Mr. And Mrs. Inuyasha Taisho.” The priest declared warmly. The people cheered for the new couple as they strode down the isle. Kagome could not bear to watch them pass. There walked her life, the man who held her heart, the man whom haunted her dreams for years; and beside him, her rival, her better, his lover, his wife, the woman who stole everything from her. She smiled at the others sitting beside her, commenting on the beautiful ceremony, and the happy couple. She pretended the tears were like theirs, emotion from the beautiful wedding. She kept pretending, even as they got into the car and drove to the reception, the brilliant red painted plaque attached to the limo saying “Just Married.” It was mocking her, tormenting her, and she felt her heart breaking, or at least whatever was left of it to break.

                The reception was much of the same. The deceitful tears, the painful well wishes. Even as the bride embraced her, Kagome embraced her back as warmly as she could. None could see the broken soul behind the cheery smile. Inuyasha had hugged her, kissed her on the forehead and thanked her for always being there for him. Kagome wished she could die.

                The cocktail hour left her standing in a quieter portion of the room, away from the crowds. A waitress delivered her glass before moving off to the other guests. Kagome grabbed her drink, downing it quickly.  

“Excuse me miss?” The waitress held up a card. “The gentleman over there told me that this belonged to you. It is your table card. The reception will begin and this has your seating arrangement on it.” She explained. Kagome took the little card in her hand, thanking the waitress. She looked at the card, noticing that she was in the far corner of the room at table number 32, as far away from Inuyasha as possible. She bit back the bitter laugh. The room was growing warmer and smaller, and she felt as if it were closing in on her. Every where she turned, she saw reminders that the love of her life had taken another.

                Kgaome spotted the doors to the patio and made a break for them. As the cool air hit her exposed skin, Kagome let out a sigh of relief. The open air calmed her aching heart, and the wind against her skin was refreshing. Though it was chilly, she dared not venture back into the wedding reception for her coat. Instead she wrapped her arms about her shoulders.

                Intense amber eyes watched as a vision in dark blue stepped out from the doors. The dress was shimmering silk that clung to her body in a way that had his heart racing. Her long black hair had been pulled to the side where a pretty purple flower was pinned. Soft tendrils framed her pretty face. He watched her curl into herself, the sadness like a shining beacon in the night. He knew why she grieved, and it annoyed him. His half brother was an idiot, a moron, a waste of flesh and blood. How could he not see that the one he ignored was the one any man would kill for?

                Sesshomaru hated to admit it, but he had been attracted to the pretty young female since he had first laid eyes on her, at Inuyasha’s sixteenth birthday. It was awful, he had felt like a pervert for wanting her. She had been so young, and he already halfway through college. Luckily, his ever present control had kept him from making a fool of himself. She had been so lively then, and the woman he saw before him was but a shell of what she once was, what she could be again. He made his way towards her, his steps determined.

                Kagome was so lost in her heartbreak that she did not even hear him coming. It was not until she felt the warmth of a jacket placed upon her shoulders that brought her from her reverie.

“Sesshomaru-san.” She whispered, surprised that he would make such a kind, intimate gesture. There was something different about him tonight, something comforting.

“Higurashi-san.” He acknowledge, always respectful. She gave a soft snort.

“Please, Sesshomaru-san, I believe we have known each other long enough for you to call me by my name.” Even her voice reflected the broken heart within, and it made him angry.

“Kagome,” The way he said her name gave her goose bumps.

“What brings you out here, Sesshomaru-san? Are you not enjoying the festivities?” She knew the answer, the whole city knew Inuyasha and Sesshomaru did not make a peaceful mix.

“I found I needed to escape, the event much too large for my tastes.” Kagome smiled.

“I agree with you there, this wedding was magnificent, yet huge. I don’t even know a quarter of the people in there, and I know everyone Inuyasha knows.” It made her slightly bitter.

“Hn.” Was his only response.

“A wedding should be intimate, with your closest family and friends.” She whispered aloud. “Not that I will ever marry.” She added bitterly to herself.

“You mourn.” He said suddenly, catching her by surprise.

“What do you mean?” She said quickly, trying to hide the emotion he had clearly seen. How had he been able to sense it? Had she not been hiding it well?

“You know what I mean. You love him.” It must have been her mind, but she almost thought he sounded bitter.

“You knew?”

“I did.”

“How?” She turned her gaze to his now, and he saw firsthand the damage within. It made his own heart ache.

“You wear your heart on your sleeve, Kagome. There is not much that I do not see.” The tears gathered, and he watched as they fell freely. He felt suddenly uncomfortable, he had not intended on making her cry. He hated when she cried.

“You must think me foolish.” She whispered as she hastily whipped the tears. “Pinning after someone that never sees.”

“The man who does not see is the foolish one.” He answered. Kagome dipped her head, her shoulders shaking as she cried silently. “Eventually, you will see that as well. And you will leave the memory of the mutt behind.” He fought the urge to bring her close. He had never been in such a predicament before.

“Move on? Where am I to move on too? Everything I know is connected to him. How can I trust that it won’t just happen again?” She tried to keep the painful bitterness from her voice, yet she did not succeed.

“You doubt your ability to trust?” He asked. Kagome whipped her eyes again, hoping that her makeup wasn’t running too badly. She did not know why, but the thought of looking like a deranged mess in front of Sesshomaru was terrifying.

“I do not know. My best-laid plans had always involved him being with me. I have loved him for eight years, Sesshomaru. To see him with her, it breaks me. How can it be expected for me to trust anyone after that?” She said, noticing that she had crushed her table card. “Trust is like paper, once it’s crumbled, it can never be perfect again.” A large hand reached out and closed over the hand holding the wrinkled table card.

“Then that means it is time to get a different piece of paper.” He took her table number, and slipped his into her hand. Her eyes shot to his, and she noticed that he had moved closer. There was a soft look on his face, one that she had never seen before.

“Sesshomaru…” She whispered softly as their gazes locked. Her heart began to pound within her chest.

“Besides, it would appear that we were at the same table anyways.”  He said nodding to the number 32 scrawled on the card. His voice had gotten lower, his breath mingling with hers. A sudden noise from the patio doors interrupted the moment, and the two separated, although unwillingly. A waiter gave them a sheepish look before slipping back inside.

“It looks like they are entering the ballroom.” Sesshomaru said as he stood straight. He turned his gaze to her and held out his arm. “Allow me to escort you, Kagome.” She gave him a warm, thankful smile.

“I would be honored, Sesshomaru.”

________________ Four Years Later ________________

“Are you ready?” He whispered, his gaze bearing down into hers. She gave him a teary wistful smile.

“I am ready, Mr. Taisho.”

“I now pronounce you man and wife, you may kiss the bride.” Sesshomaru’s lips descended upon hers in haste, the passion burning before the eyes of their gathered family and friends. Cheers from the small crowd reached their ears, and they smiled against each other’s lips. At the prompt of the priest, they turned and gazed upon their loved ones.

“I am pleased to announce Mr. and Mrs. Sesshomaru Taisho!” The priest declared. Kagome gave him a brilliant teary smile, her arm wound through his. He gifted her with a rare smile, the happiness reflected in his normally stoic eyes touching her soul.

“I love you Mr. Taisho.” She whispered happily. She slipped something into his hands, and his gaze widened ever so slightly. There, in his hand was a laminated card, with the number 32 elegantly scrawled on it. “I made sure it would never crumble.” She whispered as she leaned up to give him a warm kiss.

“This Sesshomaru loves you, Mrs. Taisho.” He whispered back against her lips.

                Later that night, that laminated card would be framed and placed upon the mantle of their new home, so that they always remember to love and trust in one another. Yet with love as true and wholesome as theirs, nothing could ever make that paper crumble.

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Love,

Caleesci