Flaming Desire by Aurora Antheia Raine

Prologue: Left at the Altar

"And do you, Higurashi Kagome, take this man to be your lawful wedded husband, to live in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love, honor, comfort, and cherish him from this day forward, forsaking all others, keeping only unto him for as long as you both shall live?"

The two words should have been so effortless but it was lodged in her throat. Her silence was deafening as all strained to hear her response while the groom gazed at her with his piercing amber eyes.

Her engagement ring seemed to weigh her hand down while her western style wedding dress suddenly felt too tight as if it were suffocating her leisurely. Oh, how she now yearned to have gone for Japan's traditional wedding ceremony like how her mother had so wished. Certainly, a wedding kimono would not suffocate her so.

How had they moved so fast towards marriage? She did not even know. Was she ready to commit her life forever more to a man--to this particular man? She was only twenty-two! Perhaps a bit young to commit her life to a man and have such a future set for her. Not to mention, what of his half-brother?

She knew she could never forget his half-brother. He appeared so different than his older brother, especially towards her. He never made her guess his feelings for her.

She gazed out towards the audience gathered outside the shrine for her marriage ceremony, knowing he would be hidden in the shadows on this particular spring day. He had not approved of the marriage, she knew, for he was in love with her as she was with him.

So why was she here now with the seemingly stoic man beside her? Her sapphire eyes scanned the audience in search of the man who should be beside her as the sakura petals fluttered down in light curtains as the gentle breeze blew, creating a romantic atmosphere, a moment that she would always remember... if she were only here with the right person.

And it was then she saw him and her breath caught in her throat. Partially hidden by the shadow of the Goshinboku, he was wearing a tux that brought out the silver hue of his long hair and the golden gleam of his eyes.

"I--I'm sorry..." She finally whispered as she turned her attention back to the groom with sorrow, her eyes meeting his now expressionless orbs. Lifting her dress an inch or so above the ground, she ran towards her destined groom for her future, noticing how his eyes lit up with pure joy.

"Let's go." The groom's younger half-brother said gruffly when she finally reached him, taking her by the hand as the two ran to his sports car, leaving everything they had ever known behind.

I'm so sorry, Sesshoumaru. Kagome cried inwardly, not daring to look back. I'm so so sorry.

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~Sesshoumaru&Kagome4Ever