Well, it wasn't the best job but what could Rin say? She needed the money, even if she had to wear the green elf suit. She sighed and smiled as another child came running up the red carpet to meet the big man in the red suit. She was glade that she didn't play that part, but hell an elf...come on. She was sure there had to be another job for her to do besides an elf. Her friend was just having a laugh at her dressed to the nines in green and red with bells on the points of her shoes and hat, jiggling every time she moved.
"Come on, Rin smile more. You're Santa's number one elf." a man teased as he walked to her.
"Ho ho ho, Inuyasha."
Inuyasha, the son of the big check signing boss and her friend's husband. He wasn't a bad looking man with his long black hair and golden eyes. It was his attitude that got to her. He teased her non stop and was happy go lucky all the time. Rin would be too if she had all that money his family did.
"No really perk up, Rin. Dad and the Ice man is coming down today."
She groaned. The man who signed her check was coming down to the store. "Great an elf costume, you and now this! What a wonderful day I am having!"
"Come on, its Christmas."
"Ho ho..."
She stopped as a man with black hair chopped short dressed in a green suit with an elf hat topping his head covered in bells. She couldn't help but laugh at the silliness of it all. She could say that he would make a perfect elf and maybe even the big red guy as well if he put his mind to it.
"Ah, he's smiling and in a good mood. That should mean that he got away with it again and that Ice man is not far behind."
No sooner then Inuyasha said it, a man also with black hair, longer then the first man but still shorter then Inuyasha, strolled in. He oozed business and money. One look and you knew he didn't put up with anyone's crap. Well, anyone's, but the older man grinning at him and the green elf hat sitting on his head.
"Yep...the old man got away with it again."
Rin covered her month to stop the laughter. "You got to be kidding me."
"Every year, dad threatens him with something, cutting his work load, giving me the business, or even selling the place and giving the money away just to see him wear that hat for the Christmas season."
"He looks ready to murder someone."
"Oh ya, normally he tries to take his anger out on the workers and fire them, but dad doesn't allow that...at least for no good reason and the man has a heart the size of this world. So there are such things as second chances."
"I have a bad feeling they came to see the elf and Santa." Rin gave him a pointed look as the two men started their way.
"Now, whatever gave you that idea..."
She glared as she watched him rush off to take care of something or other. Shaking her head causing the bells to jiggle which made her even more testy. But she smiled all the same and led the next child up the steps to Santa as another elf led the family member to the exit to await their child.
"You must be my daughter in law's friend. Rin, am I right?"
She turned from Santa and looked into the golden eyes of the man in the silly Christmas suit. He was smiling and bobbing his head a little causing the bells to jangle and jiggle. She smiled and nodded, her own bells ringing out as well causing him to grin even more.
"Love bells, you?"
She faced him after lifting the child on to the man playing Santa lap. "It's not that I hate them sir. Just the jiggling and jangling every time I move does grate one's nerves. Other then that, I love bells. Deck the halls." She smiled.
He laughed and took her hand in his, kissing the back of it, "You are a delight, just an absolute delight. Must join me for lunch dear. I will not allow you to refuse me. I will return at noon for you, my dear."
"Father, we have a lunch meeting at noon with Macy's" the other man reminded him.
"Oh yes, see what you made me forget, my dear." He shook his head, bells ringing again, "Oh right then, dinner...let me see...nope nothing that I can remember so I will see you after the store closes, say front door at eight?" He didn't wait for an answer, but turned and started speaking with the other man as they both walked away leaving her to gasp after him.
...}{...
Sesshomaru looked out his office window and stared down at the young woman standing in her stupid elf outfit. He looked back at his desk were the green elf hat covered in bells laid. She hated the damn hat as much as he did, but he wore it for different reasons then her.
Ever since his stepmother died almost five years ago, his father had been down and Christmas was about the only time he seemed happy. Why? Sesshomaru did not know nor could come to understand, but he would make sure that it remained that way for many more years. His father thought it was his threats that got him to wear the damn thing and Sesshomaru would dress as an elf himself before he allowed him or anyone else to know that he wore the thing for his father's happiness.
He signed and turned back to the window where he could still see the woman leading children to Santa. He smiled and took a sip of the brandy in his hand, wondering if it would be alright to lie to his father and set up a dinner meeting for him tonight so he cancel the dinner date with this woman, this woman who has caught not only his father's eye, but his as well.
...}{...
"She is delighful, Kagome." Taisho smiled at his son's wife. Kagome was right about the sweet Rin. She did have spunk and would do just nicely for his plans.
"She can be a fireball, Taisho. Just remember that." Kagome sternly reminded him wagging a finger at him.
He smiled and leaned back in his chair, "Don't I know it. She wasn't afraid that I fire her for telling me off about the bells..." he laughed. "She will make a great addition to the company this coming spring when you leave us."
"Oh yes...and who are you going to call in for her replacement when your other plan comes around?"
He frowned at her, "Whatever do you mean, my dear?"
She just gave him a look, "Just remember that she ismy friend and I don't mind hurting anyone who hurts her."
She stood and left his office leaving him to smile and plan his dinner with Rin that night. He got on to and soon had a restaurant reserved for them and the limo on call, as well a little surprise waiting for after the meal. Surely she didn't get sea sick, he hoped.
He went to the lunch meeting and after dealing with them and the parade of lights, returned to his office to continue his paper work, remembering only then that he forgot to get flowers for the sweet little elf who would be waiting for him soon. He was just about to phone a shop that he loved using for their gardens when his eldest son strolled in.
"What can I do for you, Sesshomaru?" He sighed, replacing the phone.
"I just got a call reminding me that dinner meeting with that toy factory, tonight." Sesshomaru stated sitting down in front of his father's desk.
Taisho signed. His son was something else. "I'm sure you can handle it by yourself. I have a date remember?" He went to pick up the phone again only to replace at the look his son was giving. "Say whatever is on your mind. I have things to do." Like flowers for that delightful elf.
His son narrowed his eyes, "Don't you think she a little young for you?"
"Wonder when this was going to come up." He leaned back and waited for his son to continue.
"Come on dad, she's the same age as Kagome for god sake. You could be her father or worst her grandfather."
"I'm not that old thank you very much and I am aware how old she is. I'm not marrying the girl, Sesshomaru. When I tell you you have a new mother, then you have every right to jump all over me." He stood and placed his hands flat on the top of his desk, "Now, get out of my office, deal with this dinner you forgot about and stay away from my private love life." He walked out of his office, gaining a new idea from the reaction of his son, he was going to give Rin something a bit more flashy hen flowers.
...}{...
(Already standing on stage waiting)Welcome back my friend, and welcome if this is our first meeting. Since its Christmas, I thought it might be nice to make one for the season. It will be shorter then my last one, but of course it is only for the holidays. I know you must all be thinking that I put Rin and Taisho together in this tale...and you may be right or you maybe wrong...who knows. No throwing fruits please I had enough of the fruit throwing. (Looks around the room at everyone) OK then, please review and tell me what you think. The next chapter we will be following the two on their date and Sesshomaru will be needing to remodel something when he founds out what his father is giving Rin. Oh and no bad Naraku...well not as bad as the last one that is.
Love Ya
