A/N: My holiday offering to everyone who bothers to read this.

Disclaimer: If I were in charge of the world…..


Kids ran through the hallways, happy it was Christmas, after all, what kid doesn't like getting gifts on Christmas day?

The orphanage was full of happy and bright-eyed children, all chatting and playing with newly found toys, when a couple stepped inside and walked towards the office. When they walked through the office doors, they were greeted by Ikioi Kaede, who asked them to sit down.

"Shikyo-san, Akikaze-san. What business do you have with us today?", Kaede directed her question towards the couple. Traditionally, the Shikyo family gave generously to the orphanage, and for that, Kaede was grateful.

"We are interested in adopting a child", Kagura replied, "We have come to look around." Her husband remained silent.

"Ah." With that, Kaede led them to where the children were so they might be able to observe them if they wished to, then left them.


Sesshomaru and Kagura looked around and found many smiling faces, so unlike their own childhood. Their life was strictly business, they grew up for business's sake, they had gotten married for the sake of business, but this was different. There was something about child-like innocence that stopped them labeling this venture business.

So they stood near the doorway, Kagura with her painted face hidden by her fan, and Sesshomaru gazing at all the children.

And it had all started with one child noticing them, and then the object above them, who then told his friend, who told his friend, who told his friends and so forth. Until they had the whole room's attention.

Sesshomaru and Kagura glanced at each other, what had they done to have all the children in the room stare at them? It wasn't until a little girl in an orange and white-checkered kimono tugged on Kagura's kimono and pointed above their heads, did they know what was the problem.

A spring of mistletoe.

Kagura's face broke out into a smile behind her fan, they had found a child who wasn't afraid of them. She looked at Sesshomaru.

'She seems alright, what do you think?'

'She isn't afraid of us.'

'Yes.'

"Come girl", Sesshomaru said, motioning to the orange and white-checkered girl, "We have some paperwork that is going to have to be done."

The girl smiled, she was missing a tooth, but she wouldn't move. A volunteer stepped and spoke for the girl.

"I'm sorry sir, this girl, Rin is mute, she hasn't talked since she came here two years ago. She's trying to point out the mistletoe above your heads though, sir."

"So,", Kagura let that hand in the air, "is that why you are all staring?", Kagura asked. Many heads around the room nodded. "Very well then, we can't go around breaking tradition."

Head held high, Kagura turned to face her husband and primly kissed his lips. As she started turning away, she felt a pair of arms go around herself, and was turned so she met golden eyes. Her fan dropped as Sesshomaru closed the gap between them.

"Come Rin, there is paper work to be done." And Sesshomaru left, leading Rin back to Kaede's office.

Kagura however stayed behind to pick up her fan, and as she left she smiled at the kids and mouthed, 'Thank you.'


A/N: I thought about updating one of my stories, but decided to do this instead. For those who read 'Koodori Joshuu', please be patient, the computer was wiped of all memory and we couldn't boot it up for several weeks.

To everyone, have a safe and happy holiday season!