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. I got the idea from Hallmark as a prompt. Im just using the idea for the story, the only thing I kept the same from the movie is the newspaper, so don't sue. I do not own Hallmark or Inuyasha and Co. So, enjoy! I'll post a ficlet a day until December 25th. Enjoy everyone!
Day Six December 17, 2016:
-IK-
"Kagome!" Said woman jolted from the bed at the sound of her sister's voice. Toppling out and stumbling down the stairs, -scared her sister was hurt- she came to a halt when she saw Kikyou standing at the door with a confused expression on her face. Behind her was none other than Yura, whom was grinning like a wicked cat.
"Um, what are you doing here?" Kagome groaned as she leaned against the stairs railing.
"I need to talk to you, alone." Her eyes cut at Kikyou, implying for her to leave.
"No, whatever you got to say, just say it. I have to get ready for work, so make it quick." Kagome ran a hand through her long locks. "Like now."
Yura narrowed her eyes. "Listen, I know you think you're all buddy, buddy with Inuyasha, but I called dibs when he got to town. So don't think just because you work for the Gazette and see him every day means anything. I suggest you back off or else." She walked a bit closer to her and leaned forward. "I saw him first. Capiche?" Yura's ruby, red grin was back full force.
Kagome looked over Yura's head to see Kikyou's confused expression morph into a vicious one as she rolled up her sleeves to give Yura a piece of her mind. Kagome held up a hand. "Wait, did you really just speak like that to me? Who exactly do you think you are, coming in here and claiming him as your own."
"Listen you little b-"
"No." Kagome's voice pierced the air and Kikyou stopped in her tracks. When Kagome's voice lowered to a certain octave, she knew it meant trouble. "You listen. Do not come into my home, throwing around empty threats as if you'll actually do anything. Now get out of our house, before we remove you by force. Capiche?"
Yura stuttered a moment before she straightened up and huffed. "Whatever."
"Don't let the door hit you on your way out, bitch." Kikyou spat as she slammed the door in Yura's appalled face.
The twin's laughed. "I am seriously in need of coffee." Kagome muttered. "Did that really just happen?"
Kikyou nodded as she took hold of her twin's arm. "Indeed little sister. Let me make you some coffee."
Kagome squawked and nudged her. "Little? We're the same age!"
"I'm older."
"By what? Two minutes?"
"Well, older is older, no matter the minutes." Kikyou shrugged.
Kagome could only scoff.
-IK-
Inuyasha had arrived to work a lot earlier than he usually would, and found his expected gift on his desk. He told Sango to head to the meeting straight from home and he'd meet her there, but first he wanted to stop and get his gift. He opened it gently, coming to admire the work put into each handmade box. It had a red sleigh that was shaped oddly like Santa's sleigh made out of the familiar stock paper.
Carefully opening the lid, he picked up the note.
On the sixth day of Christmas,
My Secret Santa gave to thee;
To lift your spirits,
All the way.
Take a ride,
In a horse drawn sleigh.
Merry Christmas, your Secret Santa.
He pulled out a long bundle of golden jingle bells from the box. "A carriage ride?" He smiled at the thought of inviting Kagome. Yesterday had been perfect and he enjoyed every moment he spent with her, of course after he retrieved his truck and went to talk to her, she had made her way home. Clearly she was avoiding him and that wasn't going to work.
He felt something and he knows she did too. There was no denying the attraction between them, like chemistry, -which he was extremely bad at in school- but that wasn't going to stop him. He pulled out his cell phone, dialing Kagome's number as he grinned like a fool. "Oi, Kagome. I got my sixth gift."
"Oh yeah? Pretty early today, what is it?"
"Horse drawn carriage ride. I'm guessing the stables off of Fifth street."
"That sounds fun! I'll meet you there!"
"Cool." He hung up and gathered his things, including the bells, before he turned to leave. He didn't realize he had company and that she was standing in the door way. "Yura? What are you doing here?"
She smiled. "I came to see how things were going."
"Good, but I got to get goin'-"
"Oh, you got the gift! Do you like it?"
Inuyasha's eyes widened. "Y- yes. I was just on my way to the stables now."
"Mind if I join in this time?" She was getting a little close to him, which was very uncomfortable.
"Uh, sure, but I already invited Kagome."
"Listen. There's something you need to know about her. She's has the tendency to use people when she's writing on a project. Her cousin, Miroku -we go way back- he told me she's in line for a promotion and this story will get her there." She touched the ends of his silver hair at the nape of his neck. "I just don't want you to get hurt."
Inuyasha moved out of her grasp. "Uh, sure." He growled. "You're wrong about her, so I suggest-"
"It was a warning Inuyasha. Not a threat or anything." He simmered down before she grabbed his arm. "Shall we?" Like an idiot, he let her lead him out the door and to his truck.
-IK-
Pulling into the lot, Inuyasha jumped out of his truck, Yura not far behind as he made his way to Kagome. He found her standing next to the sleigh admiring the white horses. He stopped to stare at her. She was breath-taking in her red coat and matching gloves, a black scarf tied snugly around her slender neck. He smirked, making his way to her and if he noticed the scowl and cat-like hiss coming from behind him, well, he ignored it.
"Oi, wench."
His voice lit a fire in her cheeks and deep in her heart. She had been avoiding him since the day before and she knew it wasn't fair. He didn't do anything wrong, in fact everything about the kiss was perfect. Kagome just feared he may regret it, or worst, condemn her for it. Taking a deep breath, -trying to control the abundance of butterflies loose in her stomach- she turned towards him, then wished she hadn't. Yura. Kagome had to reel back the green-eyed monster threatening to release itself in front of Inuyasha.
Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, she smiled. "Inuyasha. I beat you here. Well, here it is. They had it all ready for you when I got here. I was just talking to an old friend of mine, Hojo, and he said this is the best sleigh they have." Kagome pointed at the man standing next to the head of the left horse. "He's the driver." Hojo waved a hand in their direction.
"Shall we?" He gestured for her to get in, but Kagome stepped back. "Nah, you two go ahead."
"Tw-" As if he had actually forgotten about Yura, he turned to her. "-oh. Yeah. Listen, we need to ta-"
"Come on, Inuyasha. She obviously has something else to do, right Kagome?" Yura walked up to stand next to the half-demon.
"Right. I need a picture." As she pulled out her phone, Yura began fixing her hair.
"Do I look okay?"
Inuyasha glanced in her direction. "I guess- wait, look. I always take a picture with her when I complete these tasks. Christmas magic and all that."
Yura looked completely lost as Kagome mentally danced a little jig. "But she's not your secret santa, is she?" That caused Kagome to snap her head up and give an impressive in-human like growl. Bitch, neither are you.
"I know that, but-"
"No buts, Kagome take our picture." She tugged Inuyasha to her side and Kagome snapped the photo. "Is it a good one? I think I blinked."
Knowing full well that Yura had blinked, Kagome smiled. "It's perfect. I gotta get going. This won't write itself."
Inuyasha reached for her, but she was already speed walking away. "Kagome wai-"
"Come on. Let's go!" Yura climbed in, leaving Inuyasha watching Kagome's retreating back. Kagome-
-IK-
Kikyou nearly spit her coffee out as she read the article Kagome had written that morning. "Inuyasha is seen with an unidentified woman on a horse drawn sleigh ride around town this morning-" Looking up at her twin, who sat there grinning smugly over her hot cocoa.
"What?"
"You didn't really say unidentified-" The laugh she was holding down erupted past her rosy lips. "-oh this is gold. I can't believe you actually wrote that."
"She's implying she's his Secret Santa. I got mad. Seeing him with her makes my heart literally ache and I get the sudden urge to claw her eyes out-" she sneered.
"I get it, but what are you going to do tonight if she shows up as his date to the annual Gazette Christmas Party? He is going to show up, it'll be his company soon."
Kagome groaned. She hadn't thought of that. What was she going to do? "Did you drop that gift off at his office today?"
Kikyou nodded. "Yes-" she hesitated. "-why?"
"Just wondering. I won't have time in the morning and the office will be closed after the party. So, let's get ready, you're my plus one."
"I always am." Kikyou giggled as she followed Kagome upstairs.
-IK-
Inuyasha made a pit stop to the office on his way home to get ready for the party. Yura practically invited herself, and since she was technically his secret santa, -the fact Yura was implying it all day-, he felt obligated. He really wanted to ask Kagome, because Sango insisted it was a great idea, and he was going to ask her after he talked to her about the kiss they shared.
And what a great kiss it was. He felt things he never felt with anyone before. She was warm and kind and everything he wasn't, which was great because opposites attract right? Or some shit like that and he wanted it all with her. So why was he letting Yura drag him around like a rag-doll? He would clear things up with Kagome at the party, if it was the last thing he did.
Lost in his train of thought, he scooped up the gift certificates he was going to hand out at the party, almost missing brown parcel lying on the mahogany desktop. "Another one?"
Knowing he should probably wait until tomorrow to open it, he decided that a little peek wouldn't hurt. Looking at his watch and declaring he had a bit of time to spare, Inuyasha carefully opened the seventh gift from his secret santa.
-IK-
Kagome stood next to the punch bowl, - and if she knew Miroku, which she did- it was undoubtably spiked, as she scanned the large crowd. Everyone was glittery and fancy looking, including her and Kikyou, and it just screamed Christmas in the beautifully decorated ball room.
Kikyou waltzed up to her sister, sighing dramatically as she did so. "Is he here yet? I wanna know what happens-"
"Kikyou-" Kagome hissed. "-that is not funny." Her twin grinned. Kagome smiled, looking back at the door, gasping when the silver-haired half-demon was spotted walking through the door. Her brain momentarily shut down at how fucking gorgeous he looked in his pressed tux and red tie. Red was definitely his color. Looking down at the emerald, green dress she was wearing, she decided that the two colors went so well together after all. Kikyou nudged her.
"You look great." She whispered.
Kagome blushed as she noticed Inuyasha lock eyes with her and for a brief moment, they shared an intense stare. The moment was ruined when Yura stepped in wearing a white dress with a black belt. She touched his arm and pointed at the stage where Sesshomaru was waving them over, a beautiful raven-haired demon was standing next to him. He fixed his tie before walking to the podium. Miroku and Sango came up next to Kagome. "He has to greet everyone."
Kagome glanced at Sango. "You look lovely."
"Thank you. As do you." She turned to Kikyou. "Sango, I work for Inuyasha."
"Kikyou, Kagome's twin."
"I see, I love how you two wore the same dress, but it's not the same dress." As if that made perfect sense, Kagome laughed.
"We do that from time to time. I love green, she loves red and we both loved the dress style."
"Cocktail dresses are the best party dresses." Sango twirled for emphasis. She wore a pink cocktail dress with an A-line top, the fluttering skirt ending at her knees.
"You all three look beautiful." Miroku leaned forward to kiss his cousins' cheeks.
"Everyone, I would like to thank you all for coming tonight." He stood next to his brother while Yura stood next to him. "I am Inuyasha Tashio, for some of you who may not know me, I will be taking over ownership of the Shikon Gazette at the beginning of the year. my brother, Sesshomaru is my business partner, so you will be seeing a lot of us in the future. We hope to make this paper even better, even though it doesn't need a whole lot of improving-" as he spoke the words, his eyes landed on Kagome's. "-it's got a great staff and they are doing a great job on the latest project, my Secret Santa." Everyone laughed. "Now, I know you didn't come to listen to me squawk, so enjoy the party!" He placed the mic down and made his way to Kagome.
"Good job, boss-man."
"Shuddup Sango. Well, by the looks of it, you must be Kagome's twin I heard so much about." He extended his hand to Kikyou.
"I am. Kikyou Higurashi."
"It's nice to meet you. Thank you for the cookies the other day. Kagome said you both make excellent cookies and she wasn't lying."
"I told you it's our trade-mark." Kagome smirked. "I'm proud of you for all the hard work you're doing for our paper."
"So am I." Yura came up next to him, placing her hand on his arm.
"Well, Yura. You must be our potential Secret Santa." Miroku chimed in.
"Of course."
"Are you his secret santa?" Yura cut her eyes at Sango.
"I've been meaning to ask you that, Yura." Inuyasha turned to her.
"I- I am your not so secret Santa, then. There, I said it."
"Wait, are you or are you not? It's a simple question and everyone is dying from suspense." Inuyasha motioned to the growing crowd around them.
"I am." She hesitated.
Inuyasha looked from face to face, Kagome's held both anticipation and confusion while Sango was glaring at the raven-haired woman as if she was a fraud. He remembered his seventh gift that was lying on his desk and he grinned. "Okay, if you are, what is the seventh gift you got for me?"
Two pairs of eyes widened. "W- well that's cheating silly. I haven't given it to you yet. Tomorrow is the seventh day." Thinking she was in the clear, she reached for his hand.
Snatching away, he went on. "Oh, well someone left it on my desk tonight, and I was a little impatient so I opened it. What was in the box?"
Yura's eyes became saucers and she stuttered over her words. "O- okay fine. I'm not your secret santa, but what does it matter? We have great chemistry. If I was your secret santa, I would have sent mistletoe instead of a sleigh ride."
"Mistletoe is technically a parasitic plant." She snapped her mouth closed and leaned her head towards her sister. "I said that out loud didn't I?" Kikyou nodded her head.
"Well, thanks for the clear up, but I think you should leave."
"But the whole town is invited. You can't just kick me out."
Inuyasha sighed. "Fine, but go be anywhere but right here, okay?" Yura huffed and stomped away. "I feel both stupid and relived."
Sango laughed. "Let's dance!"
Everyone left the couple alone. Kagome smiled bashfully at him. "I'm sorry she wasn't the one, but there are plenty of women who still could be the one."
Inuyasha gave a soft keh. "I hate that she lied. I don't like liars."
She adverted her eyes. "Oh, well still-" then she smirked. "-maybe it's a man."
Inuyasha growled playfully as he pulled her by the waist. "Shuddup and dance with me." She nodded as she let him whisk her away on the dance floor. "Kagome, about yesterday, I don't regret what happened. That kiss was-"
"Accidental?"
"-no. I enjoyed the kiss, a lot. I don't like you avoiding me, so whatever is bothering you, just tell me."
"I don't know how to explain it. I liked the kiss to, a lot actually, but-"
"Guys, we have a problem." Inuyasha turned to Sango. "Our project for the upcoming year has a glitch. Some of the billing got messed up and they are planning to deny us ownership. We have to fix this now."
Inuyasha growled. He was finally getting somewhere with Kagome. "Fine. Get Sesshomaru, I'll meet you at the office." He turned to Kagome. "Whatever your thinking, keep thinking it. I'll see you tomorrow." He brushed a strand of her hair that fell loose from her curls, back behind her ear as he bent down and kissed her forehead.
Kagome finally opened her eyes to see him disappear through the door. Her fingertips touched the place he kissed and her heart nearly leapt from her chest. What was he going to do when he found out it was her? Would he be okay she lied when he asked, or would he let it go and be grateful it was her the whole time?
Kagome really hoped it was the latter of the two.
-To Be Continued-
Until tomorrow my loves. Check back and see what day seven has in store for our favorite couple!