On the Twelfth Day of Christmas
A/N: In which each day, Kagome gives Inuyasha a gift signed by his Secret Santa in hopes of bringing back his Christmas Spirit.
I got the idea from Hallmark as a prompt. So, enjoy! I'll post a ficlet a day until December 25th. Enjoy!
-IK-
"Thank you for shopping with us. See you next year!" Kagome smiled as she bid the final customer goodbye. Turning, she noticed her co-worker sitting on the counter. "Inuyasha, aren't you suppose to be stocking the shelves before we close?"
He huffed. "I'll get to it, wench."
Kagome rolled her eyes as she tucked a strand of raven hair behind her right ear. "Sure." She sighed as she leaned against the counter, Inuyasha had removed himself from the counter and was stocking the shelves- very unhappily- and mumbling to himself.
Tuning him out, she thought about her family, who were waiting patiently on her arrival for Christmas Eve, and all the things she had gotten them. She couldn't wait to give her brother his gift- a new video game he was dying to have- her twin sister was finally going to get that cell phone case she'd been dying to have and her cousin was receiving a new set of headphones that were bluetooth compatible- she'd thought of getting him a lump of coal since he was a womanizing moron, but she loved him none the less-. Now, her mother was the most important of the three.
Kagome bought her a new ornament she had specially made for her. Kagome smiled as she thought of her mother. The woman was the greatest mother in the world- according to Souta, Kikyou and herself- and she happen to collect ornaments. Sadly, her grandfather had passed at the beginning of the year from old age, and it was the first Christmas without him.
She never heard Inuyasha call her name, until his clawed hand was waving in her face. "Wait, what?"
"I said, I'm finished. We can go now. Come on wench! I need to get home before the snow starts." He was already throwing on his coat and shouldering his bag before she registered what he had said.
"Oh! Right!" Kagome flew around the counter, grabbing her coat and scarf, making sure to bundle up tightly, as Inuyasha closed down the bookstore and turned out the lights. "Ready!" She chirped, opening the door. Kagome noticed that he wasn't wearing a hat as his silver hair flew around his shoulders and the adorable ears he sported pinned down against his skull. Smiling, Kagome opened her bag and pulled out a red, wool hat. "Inuyasha, bend down."
The half-demon cocked an eyebrow. "Why?"
Popping a hand on her hip, she gave him her best do as I say look. With a huff and a roll of his golden eyes, Inuyasha consented and bent down to her level. "Thank you." Kagome whispered as she pulled the wool hat over his head. "You have got to be the tallest guy I have ever met."
Blushing, Inuyasha scoffed. "Feh. Maybe yer just the shortest woman I have ever met." Once her delicate hand smacked his arm, he grinned. "Let's go. It's fucking cold out here."
"Crude." Kagome pulled out her keys and opened her car door. "See you next year, Inuyasha and Merry Christmas."
"You too, wench."
Kagome smiled and hopped in, but when she tried to start her car, her smile faded. The car wouldn't turn over. "What?! Oh, don't do this to me!" She hissed. After several failed attempts, Kagome screamed in frustration and slammed her head against the steering wheel. Two soft knocks against her window, scared the poor girl half to death. "Dang it! Inuyasha, you scared me."
"Everything okay?" He moved back to let her exit the vehicle.
"No, car won't start. I have no way of getting home!"
"I'll drive ya, stupid. Don't start crying!"
Kagome wiped her eyes and sniffled. "Really? You would do that for me?"
"Sure. Hope in."
With a happy squeal, Kagome hopped in his truck and buckled up.
-IK-
"And other news, all traffic has come to a complete stop due to the blizzard rolling in. All highways are going to be impassible until further notice."
"Oh my god! Not now! I wanted to be home before this happened." Kagome groaned. "My mother and brother are expecting me for Christmas. I don't think I have ever missed Christmas Eve with them."
"Calm down, wench. I guess now I can give you your present." Inuyasha grinned as her brown eyes widened.
"Really? What is it?"
"I have just decided to give you the best Christmas ever. Next exit, we start!"
Kagome smiled. "That's sweet, thank you."
Once off the highway and on the back roads, Inuyasha pulled over near a park. He hopped out and bounded through the snow. Kagome looked confused, but she followed suit. They stood in the middle of the falling snow and before she could ask what he was doing, Inuyasha began to pack the snow in a large, white ball. "I'm not going to build it myself. Start packin'!"
Kagome giggled. "Sure thing, Captain."
The two spent the better part of twenty minutes making the world's most lopsided snowman known to man. "Er, well-"
"He's wonderful." Kagome looked to Inuyasha with the brightest smile and Inuyasha blushed at how beautiful she looked in that moment. "Let's take a picture!" She pulled out her cell and grabbed Inuyasha by the scarf and hauled him in front of the camera. Standing next to their creation, Kagome said smile, before she clicked the button. Once the photo loaded, she backed away. "I love it."
Inuyasha grinned. "One more. Just a selfie though." Kagome lifted an eyebrow, but moved in anyway. Wrapping an arm around each other, Kagome leaned in a bit closer than before and smiled. The phoned clicked and they looked at one another. Both noses donned red and cheeks scarlet red, Inuyasha found he wanted to kiss her. Shaking his head, he stepped away. "Uh, send that to me." He mumbled.
Kagome smiled. "Sure thing." She sent him the photo. "So, Inuyasha. What does your family do for Christmas?"
He laughed. "My mother loves Christmas. She decorates the whole house in tinsel and garland. The tree is at least seven foot tall, and she always needs help decorating it because she's about as tall as you. She cooks a meal that could feed an army when it's actually only my father, her, me, my brother, his wife and my niece Rin. We don't have a large family, but the way she acts, we do. My mother, Izayoi, she collects snow globes. There's this one snow globe- it has a raven-haired angel in it- that is as old as time." He smiled at the mention of his mother's hobby. "It's an antique and she can't find it anywhere. I was gonna find it for her and give it as her present, but I can't find the damn thing either."
Kagome giggled. "That's so sweet, Inuyasha. It's the thought that counts."
"Keh. Yeah, but she deserves it. She's the most important person in my life, well her and my niece. I love that little girl." His eyes sparkled as he spoke of his family. Kagome found it enduring. "Anyway, we need to go. I have more for us to do!"
Kagome laughed. "Let's do it!"
After that, the two went on an amazing adventure together doing everything one could do for Christmas. Soon, he was pulling his red truck into her driveway. "Well, here we are."
"Yeah." She whispered as she looked at the house decorated in multi-colored lights. "I guess this is it?"
Inuyasha chuckled. "I'll see ya after the new year. You can text me all you want until we go back to classes in January." He hopped out to open the door for her.
"Thank you." She gathered her things and turned around. "You can come in if you like."
He shook his head. "Nah, gotta get home to my own family. My mother is very strict about family time, since I came to stay on campus she wants me home as often as possible."
Nodding in understanding, she walked up the steps. Kagome turned to say goodbye. "Thank you again. This has been the best Christmas."
"It's number one in my book." He grinned. "See ya next year, Kagome. Don't forget to text me." He made to get in his truck. "Merry Christmas, wench."
"Merry Christmas, dog-boy." She grinned.
As he drove away, Kagome could only think about how bad she wanted him to kiss her goodnight.
She had no idea that would be the last time she saw him for nine long years.
-IK-
Nine Years Later
"You want me to do what now?" Twenty-eight year old Kagome Higurashi asked from her seat at her desk.
"I want you to write an article on the new company buying out the Gazette."
Kagome eyed the man standing before her- his black hair hanging down to his shoulders and his violet eyes dancing with excitement. "Kagome, come on. It'll be great for us. We could actually keep our jobs."
She sighed. "Fine Miroku. I'll do it." She stood. "But this is a waste of time."
"Best cousin ever." Gathering her laptop, she set off to research the new company building down the block. "Tashio Enterprises? What kind of name is that for a newspaper." As she reached for the door, someone bumped into her causing her to fall back on her backside. "Ow! Watch where you're goi-" Her brown eyes widened.
"Sorry. I'm in a hurry." Reaching down, he helped her to her feet.
"It's you." She whispered.
"It's me- wait, it's you." He pointed with a clawed finger, his golden eyes widening. "Higurashi?"
Kagome nodded. "Inuyasha. It's been awhile. You look different." Reaching up to touch his ears. "You cut off your hair."
"Yeah." He coughed, leaning away from her touch. "It was beginning to bother the hell outta me." He turned to open the door. "You coming?"
She nodded and followed him in. "You work here?"
Inuyasha let loose a bellowing laugh, causing Kagome to step back in shock. "Sorry, wench. I guess you could say I work here, I am part owner."
"Mr. Tashio, welcome back." A woman with long brown hair and glasses spoke. She was quite beautiful even with her intimidating glare she was sending to the gorgeous half-demon.
"Good morning, Sango. Wipe that scowl off your face."
As Kagome listened to the two bicker, she followed them to the top floor. As if just noticing her presence, Sango turned to assess her. "Excuse me, you are-"
"Oh, sorry. Kagome Higurashi." She held out her hand.
The woman smiled. "Sango Takana. Inuyasha's personal assistant. Nice to meet you, Kagome. May I ask why you're here?"
"I work for the Shikon Gazette. I'm here to interview the owner- in this case- Inuyasha."
His ears twitched in her direction. "Uh, no thanks."
Sango smacked him. "Yes. It's good publicity. His office it that way. Go." Sango scolded Inuyasha.
"Keh. Fine. This way, wench."
"Would you stop calling me that?"
"And why would I do that?" He smirked.
"Because my name is Kagome. Ka-Go-Me."
"I know your name we-" She glared. "-Ka-Go-Me."
Smiling, she made her way into his office, only to stop in her tracks. "Um, where is all your Christmas decorations? The whole office is decked out and I feel like i just walked into a parallel universe." Inuyasha said nothing as he sat down behind his large desk. "Didn't you say your mother loved Christmas so much that she decorated the whole house in tinsel and garland? I figured you'd have this place dec-"
"Ain't there a reason you're hear Mrs. Higurashi?" He snapped rudely.
"It's Miss, and yes." Pulling out her laptop with a slightly hurt expression, she got to work on interviewing Inuyasha Tashio.
-IK-
"I'm telling you, it's like he's the Grinch." Kagome flopped on her couch as her best friend popped a bowl of popcorn. "He use to love Christmas. He told me he didn't celebrate anymore. He never said why."
"Kagome. You're over thinking this." Kikyou plopped beside her and stuffed a handful of popcorn in her mouth.
"You are such a mess." Kagome giggled, taking a handful herself.
Kikyou didn't even attempt to comment as she chewed her popcorn.
"I just wish we could go back to that Christmas Eve nine years ago and have a great time."
"You mean that adventure you spoke so highly about?"
"Yeah. We did everything from building a snowman, making snow angels, snowball fights, sledding, taking a carriage ride to meet Santa. It was the best Christmas Eve, ever."
Kikyou hugged her sister. "I know. If only you could remind him of the fun you two ha-"
"That's it!" Kagome squealed as Kikyou shot back in surprise. "I'll become his secret santa! I'll send him a gift a day reminding him of the spirit he use to have. It'll be perfect."
"Won't he know it's you though?"
"I'll be discreet." Kagome shot up from the couch and took off to grab her coat and shoes. "I'll be back."
"Okay-" Kikyou was still shocked as her sister flew out the door.
Kagome ran down the block to a crafts store to gather a ton of glitter, stickers, markers, construction paper and boxes. She just knew this would work. With a giddy dance, Kagome made her way to the check out line.
Kagome knew she could bring back Inuyasha's Christmas Spirit. She only wished she knew why he turned into a Grinch. Oh well. She shrugged, paid for her things, and made her way home. She had a lot to do.
-IK-
"Good morning, Inuyasha."
"Sango-" He stopped in the doorway to assess her attire. "Um. What the fuck is that?"
Sending an icy glare at her boss, Sango huffed. "It's a Christmas sweater, you moron."
"Yeah, but why the hell is the reindeer's head missing?"
"I'm wearing antlers." She spoke as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"And-"
"I'm the reindeer's head."
Inuyasha stood there staring for a moment. "I don't get it."
"Shut up. You have a package." Sango walked to his desk and handed him a small red parcel. "It came this morning, addressed to you. You've been in town for less than two days and already women are flocking to you huh?" She grinned.
"Keh. Whatever." He took the package and opened it quickly. Inside was a red box with a beautiful, handmade-paper snowman on the top.
"Beautiful. Someone did excellent work on this."
"Someone has too much time on their hands." He opened the box to find a note and a carrot. "What the fuck?" He put down the carrot and picked up the note.
On the first day of Christmas,
My Secret Santa gave to thee:
Enough winter flakes
Two or three spheres are your goal
You can make this friend
With a scarf, carrot and some coal.
"What the fuck?!" Inuyasha looked from Sango to the small, stock paper. "What am I suppose to do with a carrot and a riddle?"
Sango plucked the note from him, her brown eyes scanning the neat handwriting. "It's a riddle."
"I know that, Sango. I don't pay you to tell me what I already know."
She smacked him lightly. "Shut up. Who do you think it's from?"
"No idea, but I don't care." He dropped the package in the trash. "Forget it. What time is my meeting?"
"In thirty minutes." She picked up the discarded package and snuck out to her desk, leaving Inuyasha to brood in his office.
"Who wants me to build a snowman?" He mumbled, looking out towards the city. "It's a fucking waste of time." With that, he discarded the thought.
-IK-
Kagome jumped when Miroku slammed a hand down on her desk that afternoon. "What the heck, Miro?!"
"I have a new story for you. Open your email."
Kagome looked confused before doing as commanded. "Um, okay. It says, Inuyasha Tashio has a secret santa." Kagome's eyes bugged out. "Oh."
"I want you to follow up on this and give me a story." Miroku's eyes shined with glee. "This will put us on the top! We'll definitely keep our jobs now."
Kagome shook her head. "No."
"Yes. Or else."
She glared at Miroku. "You're lucky you're my boss."
"Damn right."
Kagome groaned as she made her way back to Tashio Enterprises. "Inuyasha. Can I come in?"
He motioned her in as he finished his phone conversation. Hanging up, he turned to her. "Kagome. What do I owe the pleasure?"
"My story has changed. Now I am looking into your Secret Santa."
He held up a hand. "Nope. No way. Natta. I pass."
Kagome smiled. "Okay. Fine wi-"
"Oh ho ho! Yes you will, Mister." Sango appeared out of nowhere it seemed, startling them.
"I said-"
"It's good publicity, so do it."
"You know, you and my boss- er, my cousin- would be perfect for each other." Kagome mumbled.
Raising a perfect eyebrow, Sango chose to ignore the comment and glared at Inuyasha until he relented. "Fine!" Satisfied, Sango left with a nod. "I received this gift this morning." He handed her the note.
"Oh, okay. Well, no better way to start a story than to get involved. Come on! Let's go."
"You wanna build a snowman?" Inuyasha asked as he stood.
"Yes. Now, let's go."
Shrugging his shoulders, he gathered his things and followed her. Christmas wasn't his favorite time of year anymore, but seeing her eyes light up like that, he figured- hell, why not?
They stopped in a small park and built their very lopsided and disproportion snowman. Kagome laughed as Inuyasha wrapped a red scarf around the neck. "It looks funny." She commented.
"Yeah. It does. Would you like to do the honors?" He held up the carrot to her.
"Of course." Taking the vegetable, she stuck it right in the center- although she stuck it in too far and it ended up only the tip showed.
Inuyasha laughed. "Well, okay then. It looks nice."
Giggling around her words, Kagome reached for it. "It looks like a little baby unicorn nose." Inuyasha burst out laughing. "I need a picture for the paper."
He sighed. "Only if you're in it too." Shaking her head did no good. "Fine, no picture."
"Okay, okay. Geeze you're mean." She stood next to the snowman with him and snapped a couple photos. As they stepped away, he gripped her wrist. "Wha-"
"Now, just you and me." She blushed, and held up the camera. "Okay, say snowman!" They took the picture and when they looked at each other at the same time, Inuyasha had the urge to kiss her again. Deja Vu. He blushed and stepped back. Kagome was beautiful, but he had no right to kiss her.
Kagome smiled. "This is perfect."
He nodded. "Well, I guess so."
"Did you feel the magic?"
"What magic?" Golden eyes locked with hazel.
"Christmas magic!"
He scoffed. "I don't kn-" Her eyes sparkled and he had to advert his gaze. "-fine. Yes, I felt the Christmas magic. Happy?"
Kagome smiled as she nodded her head enthusiastically. "Very. It's getting late. Let's head back."
Inuyasha commented no further as he followed her to his truck. His only thought was, how glad he was that he met Kagome Higurashi again. He made a note to see her again the following day.
Only he had no idea that she had already planned on it. His Secret Santa gift was waiting on her table at home. Inuyasha was in for a big surprise.
She only hoped this idea of hers worked.
I will help you get the joy of Christmas back, Inuyasha. Wait and see.
-To Be Continued-
Until tomorrow my loves. Check back and see what day two has in store for out favorite couple!