A/N: The titles for each chapter are based on the song that inspired them.

I can't thank my beta, Evervescent, enough for her brilliant editing jobs. Please, I'm telling you, go check her out because you will love her.

A Christmas Story
Chapter 2:
Jingle Bell Rock

Kagome's agate eyes glanced up as she craned her neck to gaze upon the magnificent Christmas tree Sango's family had in their living room. It was certainly tall (it must have taken at least six men to lug it back to the house) and embellished with maroon and silver garland, twinkling every now and then from the white lights. Beautiful ornaments hung from the branches, each swaying gently and shimmering under the dimmed lights.

Presents were crowded beneath the tree, wrapped in red, silver, or green, varying in size, with large ribbons on top. Name tags hung off them, written with love and adoration. Kagome smiled, noticing her name on a few of them. Although presents were nice, they were not her favorite part of the holiday.

No, her favorite part was much simpler. She loved that the season was one of utter bliss. Warmth and kindness permeated and the excited smiles of children warmed the frosty air. The season always ignited her senses, and sparked youthfulness in even the elderly. The magic of the season brought people together from corners of the globe. Christmas was not only a time for excitement, but also one for serenity. Christmas was like the last crackling embers of a fire as the year drew to a close.

"Hey," Inuyasha greeted, coming to stand beside her.

Kagome smiled, not taking her eyes off the Christmas tree, and sighed deeply. "I love Christmas."

"Keh," he scoffed with an eye roll. "You're like Mother Christmas over here."

She narrowed her eyes and threw him a playful glare. "Is that such a bad thing?"

He shrugged. "Suppose not."

"Hey you two!" Sango called, meeting up with them in the middle of the living room. She handed Kagome a cup of hot chocolate, complete with the little marshmallows. "How's it going?"

Inuyasha frowned. "Where's my cup of cocoa?"

"You don't like the marshmallows," Sango pointed out. "You don't deserve any."

Kagome giggled, curling her hands around the warm mug and breathing in the chocolaty scent. "The marshmallows are the best part."

"Yeah, yeah," Inuyasha grumbled, crossing his arms over his chest. "So you've said."

"Love the sweater, Inuyasha," Miroku chuckled, entering the living room and taking a seat on the arm rest of the sofa. "It really brings out your, er, eyes?"

Inuyasha scowled and glowered at his friend. "Do you want to die today, Miroku?" he snarled sharply, clenching his hand into a fist to prove his point.

Miroku held up his hands defensively. "I'm just saying, you should dress like this more often. I'm sure the ladies would love it."

Sango smirked, eyeing the red and green sweater that currently adorned Inuyasha, complete with balls of cotton and all. "Tell me again why you're wearing it exactly?" she questioned, trying to stifle a laugh.

Heated amber eyes turned in her direction. "My mother made it for me. Got a problem with that?"

"Not at all," Kagome soothed, placing a hand on his arm. "I think it's very sweet of your mother to make you a gift. And it looks great on you."

She was being genuine, but Miroku couldn't take it, and practically fell off the couch laughing so hard. Sango quickly hit him upside the head before Inuyasha had the chance. "Give it a rest," she ordered, shaking her head before finishing off her cup of cocoa.

Just then, their families entered the living room, everyone full from Christmas dinner. Sango's mother smiled as she placed a lit candle upon the fireplace, allowing the aroma of fresh pine to fill their senses. Allured by the scent of freshly baked Christmas cookies, Kagome turned to see her brother enter with a tray of baked goods, fresh out of the oven thanks to their mother.

Sango's father cleared his throat, taking his place by the warmth of the grand fireplace. He patiently waited for everyone to find their place, before raising his glass of champagne in a toast.

"Christmas is a good time; a kind, forgiving, generous, pleasant time; a time in which men and women open their hearts freely to strangers. I am thankful to see all of my dear friends this evening, and that no matter how much distance the years bring us, we are still able to come together on this one holiday. Here's wishing you all more happiness than my words can tell, not just alone for Christmas, but for the rest of the year as well. God bless us."

Shouts of "God Bless" rang through the room as everyone raised their glass of champagne, eggnog, or hot cocoa in a toast to friendship and family. Then suddenly music filled the space and dancing commenced.

Kagome watched with a smile as Sango's parents began to waltz across the living room floor. They were quickly followed by her own mother led by young Souta, and the Taisho's. Inuyasha's mother was pale and sickly, much thinner than she should have been. But her eyes still sparkled and a soft smile caressed her lips. Mr. Taisho grasped her hand tenderly and slowly stepped across the living room floor.

"Come on, Inuyasha," Kagome prodded, taking his hand and giving it an insistent pull. "Dance with me."

He scoffed and stood his ground. "Not on your life," he grumbled. "I wouldn't be caught dead doin' that."

Her lips pulled into a pout as her eyes turned pleading. "Why not?" she whined, hoping to convince him.

"Inuyasha doesn't know how to dance," Miroku said matter-of-factly, appearing beside Kagome. "Shall we?" He bowed low at the waist and held out his hand for her to take.

She grinned at his gesture and curtsied as she laughed. "We shall."

Inuyasha watched as Miroku pulled Kagome to the dance floor, spinning her under the sparkling lights of the Christmas tree. Kagome's eyes shone brightly as she placed her hand in his; he placed his hand on her waist, and whisked her onto the dance floor. They turned and twirled as if they were professionals, with Miroku leading each precise step.

Kagome's laughter echoed through the room. Inuyasha crossed his arms over his chest and leaned up against the wall, his amber eyes carefully watching his friends. "You know," Sango said from beside him, sipping on her hot cocoa gingerly. "If you didn't want Miroku to dance with her, you should've just taken her up on her offer."

"As if," Inuyasha grumbled, shrugging off her words. "What does it matter what Kagome does? I'm not her keeper."

Sango gave him a pointed look. "Please, it's obvious to everyone that the two of you are going to end up together some day."

A heated blush crept into Inuyasha's cheeks as he averted his gaze. "Keep dreamin'," he scoffed. "Kagome and I are just friends. She's like my sister."

She rolled her eyes and giggled. "Whatever you say, Inuyasha."

Grumbling incoherently, he pushed off the wall and stormed to the kitchen, hell bent on getting himself a cup of hot cocoa, without the little marshmallows. Sango was just seeing things. There was nothing going on between him and Kagome. Simple as that.

A couple hours later, the party had winded down as everyone bid their farewells and headed toward their homes. Sango stood at the doorway as Kagome shrugged on her jacket with Inuyasha waiting just outside for her.

"You get her home safe, Inuyasha," Sango called with a silly grin. "You hear? Otherwise I'll have your head."

Inuyasha waved a hand over his head with acknowledgement before shoving them into the pockets of his jacket to keep warm. Kagome giggled as she wrapped her scarf around her neck. "We'll be fine, Sango," she assured. "I'm only a few houses down."

She shrugged. "I know. I just like teasing him. I'll see you later."

Kagome reached in for a hug. "Merry Christmas, Sango."

"Same to you," she replied as they pulled away.

With a final wave, Kagome exited the house as Sango closed the door behind her. She jogged to catch up with Inuyasha, who was already a house away. "Wait up," she hollered as she met up with him, shoving her mitten clad hands in her jacket. "What's the rush?"

"No rush. You just take forever," he barbed.

She frowned and furrowed her brows. "Maybe you should have more patience."

"Keh, you just have too good of a time when it comes to these parties."

"Oh?" she questioned incredulously. "And that's a bad thing?"

He crossed his arms behind his head and shrugged. "Why didn't you have Miroku walk you home? You seemed to be having a great time with him."

Kagome paused in walking and gave him a wide-eyed look. "Inuyasha…" she began, trying to wrap her mind around his words. "Are you… Are you jealous?"

A blush dusted his cheeks. "Hell no. What would I have to be jealous for?"

She laughed as she skipped up beside him. "You are, aren't you?" she interrogated. "Inuyasha, please, there's no need to be jealous." She pulled at his arm and held his hand in hers. "You're my best friend. Nothing is ever going to change that."

He smiled softly as she leaned her head against his shoulder. Sango's words from earlier came to mind, but he quickly dismissed them with a small shake of his head. They were friends, nothing more. Even Kagome had agreed.

But he couldn't help the warmth that pooled in his stomach and the way his heart palpitated against his chest.

They arrived at Kagome's doorstep minutes later. "Thank you for walking me home, Inuyasha," she said.

"No problem," he replied, his amber eyes glowing in the darkness. He stood so close to her he could see the small puffs of their breath dance with one another between them.

Kagome grinned up at him, watching as snowflakes melted into his hair and disappearing in his mane of silver. "Well, I guess I should go in," she mumbled. "You get home safe, okay?"

"Kagome, wait," he suddenly called.

She eyed him hesitantly. "What is it?"

He averted his gaze and seemed to be fumbling for words. "I… uh… I have something for you."

Eyebrows raised with surprise. "For me?"

Inuyasha swallowed thickly. He pulled a small package from inside his pocket and handed it to her. "My mother made it for me years ago. I thought you might like it."

Her eyes questioned him as she delicately took the package. The wrapping job was horrible, and she hid a smile from the boy who had done it. What was inside, though, took her breath away.

The Christmas ornament wasn't nearly as fancy as the ones in the store. It wasn't all that modern, and truth be told, the face had smudges of dirt. It was an angel fashioned from beige cloth and denim, the wings on the back had once been shiny but had become dulled with age.

Kagome knew it should've been thrown out long ago, replaced with something that sparkled. But dirt was not the only thing this little angel had accumulated. It was soaked in memories, drenched in happy times, a bridge back to the years gone by. Each stitch had been sewn by his mother before she had become so sick. And Inuyasha had entrusted her with it.

Tears came to her eyes. "You're giving this to me?" she questioned quietly.

He nodded, watching her reaction carefully.

She smiled and wrapped her arms around his waist. "Thank you, Inuyasha. This means so much."

"Keh," he replied. "It's nothin' really."

A small imperceptible smile found its way to his lips, as he wrapped his arms around her in return.