A/N: Awww, so much happiness from you guys! XD I'm glad you like the story so far! Thank you so much for all the kind reviews!
Also, a part of this fic is dedicated to Kaiwren522 :3 thanks for the suggestion!
-MissKatt
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or its characters. All credit goes to the amazing Takahashi-san!
A Christmas Healing
By: MissKatt
Chapter Ten: Shopping
"S-Sesshoumaru?" Kagome asked, stunned. She could hardly believe what she had heard. Granted, she was very, very happy about it, but…did he truly mean it?
"Taisho-san? Are ye sure?" Kaede questioned, approaching the inuyoukai. She had to tilt her head back to gaze up at the tall demon, her wiry gray hair nearly touching her knees.
Sesshoumaru glanced from Kagome to Kaede and nodded. "When may I fill out the paperwork?" He asked and then paused suddenly, as if remembering something. He turned towards Rin, his golden eyes focusing in on her chocolate brown ones. "Is that acceptable, Rin?"
For a moment, Sesshoumaru wondered if she did indeed not wish to live with him for the little girl was frozen in her chair, her mouth slightly agape. He would accept it if she denied, of course, but hoped otherwise. But then the girl broke out into a large grin, her eyes filling up with tears. She scrambled out of her chair and ran towards him, lurching herself into his arms as she happily chimed, "Hai Sesshoumaru-sama, HAI!"
He was surprised when the awkwardness that usually came with physical contact did not come. He smoothed her hair out with a small smile as she buried her face into his collared shirt. He then looked up to see a very taken back Kaede.
"My, my. I cannot say no to that, now can I? I will draw up the paperwork immediately." Kaede said with a joyous smile. She was so worried about the 'not-so-mute' girl getting adopted and yet here she was getting adopted by one of the richest men in Japan.
"Arigato, Shikon-san." Sesshoumaru said with the nod of his head to her.
She nodded back before turning to Kikyou. "I am sorry, Kikyou, but I refuse to let ye adopt any of my children. I wish ye the best of luck in ye search." She said, her tone serious.
Kikyou stuttered over her words before clenching her hands in fury. "Whatever, I didn't want any of these pathetic brats anyways! Good luck trying to get homes for these things!" She shouted before turning on her heel and walking out the front door, making sure to dramatically slam the door behind her.
Kaede pinched the bridge of her nose and let out a sigh. "Thank goodness she is gone. I will bring down the papers in a few moments." She said and left the kitchen to walk up the stairs to her office.
Kagome turned back towards the table to see the children frowning in sadness. She knew that each of them had silently hoped to be adopted by Sesshoumaru and it had to have crushed them when he had chosen Rin. Still, as bad as it made her seem, she was very happy he had chosen Rin. Not only did he get her to speak, but he would be taking her away from whoever was tormenting her.
"Children, finish up so you can have some dessert!" She said, trying to sound optimistic and bring them from their fowl moods. They nodded at her, a few smiling, before continuing to eat. Rin joined them back at the table, happily digging into her food.
"Kagome, may I speak with you?" Sesshoumaru asked, gaining her attention.
She smiled at him and nervously tucked a piece of her stray hair behind her ear before nodding. She followed him from the room and into the formal living room. She watched as his long ponytail swayed behind him. She felt the butterflies lurch when he closed the doors behind him, closing them off from the rest of the house. "Sesshoumaru?"
"I have a request," He started, adverting his gaze. He had never really asked anything from someone, except Sakura, but that was her job.
"H-hai?" She questioned, looking down at her hands as the nervousness began to gnaw at her. How badly did she want to hug him for saving Rin, but she would settle for doing him a favor.
"Will you and Shippou accompany Rin and I tomorrow? I will need to get things for her room and," he paused, looking for the right phrase. Instead, he settled for the truth. "It is something I have never had to do before."
Kagome looked at him and blinked her blue eyes at him before giving a soft giggle. "Sesshoumaru, you're so cute." She said. Apparently her mind filter was off and she blushed profusely at what she said. "I-I mean, it's funny. Well, no it's not. I'm not trying to make fun of you. I was just commenting that it was different that you were-, no that's not the word either because it's not different to buy stuff for your daughter. Umm well, what I was trying to say-"
He silenced her by putting his clawed hand on her cheek, a small smile on his lips. "You are rambling, Kagome. I understand what you are trying to say. So, will you come with us?"
Kagome blushed, her cheeks burning with embarrassment and excitement at the feeling of his hand. "H-hai."
"Thank you." He replied, a smile still on his face. As if just remembering where his hand was, he promptly took it away, nearly cursing his stupidity.
She gave him a sad smile, hurt by his sudden movement. Was he that repulsed by her? The idea of him possibly having a crush on her crumbled before her. Stupid Kagome! She knew better than to expect such stupid things.
"Um, so, we'll meet you at the mall say 10am? Okay, sounds good!" She uttered briskly, walking past him towards the door.
"Also, is it alright if she stays the night at your house? I do not want her to stay another night here if it can be helped." He asked, raising a brow at her curtness.
"Hai, hai!" She forced enthusiasm in her voice as she answered, not turning his way, and walked from the room.
He sighed once she was gone. Now what had he done?
*~~~CH~~~*
"How about this one, Rin-chan?" Kagome asked the little girl as they walked through the department store bedding section. They had just finished up at the furniture store and her Princess four-post bed would be delivered later that day along with her dresser and night stand.
"Oh, I like this one, Kagome-neesan!" She beamed, pointing at the baby pink colored comforter.
Kagome smiled and gave a soft laugh. "Alright, alright. Matching sheets and pillows?" When the girl nodded enthusiastically, she went to pull it off the shelf, but Sesshoumaru beat her to it. She blushed at his gentleman gesture, but otherwise ignored it. She spotted a big, pink, crown-shaped pillow and held it up for Rin to see. The little girl nearly squealed before clutching it tightly to her small frame, making Kagome laugh once more.
Sesshoumaru was not a happy camper. No, he did not mind spending a bunch of yen on Rin. That was not the issue at all. It was the fact that Kagome was pointedly ignoring him. She hadn't smiled at him all day! Hmm, was he addicted to it? Could you get addicted to such a trivial, mundane thing?
He finished paying for Rin's things and carried the bags as they walked, refusing when Kagome offered to help. As they walked, he tensed slightly at the scent of his business partner. He hated the person, but had to deal with him due to their financial agreement. Expecting to be bombarded with useless suggestions, he prepared himself for a steady stream of 'noes'.
"Kagome~!" Kouga called before appearing in front of Kagome with his demon speed, making her jump from being startled.
"K-Kouga-kun!" She stuttered, putting her hand to her racing heart. "What are you doing?"
"Keh, I was walking around when I smelled the wonderful scent of my woman. I had to come and say hi." He said, grabbing her soft hand within his calloused one.
'Woman?' Sesshoumaru thought curiously. His eyes narrowed and his youkai flared with warning. He took a deep breath to try and sooth his beast, trying to remind it that she was not theirs, but it let out a growl against his will.
Kouga turned his attention to the inuyoukai as if noticing him for the first time. "Ah, Sesshoumaru. What a pleasant surprise." His voice was bland as he spoke.
"Kouga," He replied with a slight incline of his head.
The wolf than turned his head to Kagome, his light blue eyes staring into hers. "So, my love, when are we going to go out again? I miss you."
Kagome attempted to pull her hand from his, but he held tight. "Kouga-kun, we broke up several months ago." She stated, eager to clear up any misunderstanding Sesshoumaru may get from it, despite the fact that he did not like her.
After hearing her statement, it took every fiber of his will and strength to prevent himself from ripping the wolf's hand off of Kagome. He really didn't want to create any issues with one of his business partners, but he would if needed.
"Aw, don't be like that, Kagome. I forgive you, so let's just kiss and make up!" He urged, moving his face towards her.
Sesshoumaru growled and at the same time Kagome released an 'eep' and let out a spark of her power, smacking Kouga in the face with it. He stepped back, stunned, before grinning and rubbing his stinging cheek. "Ha! Good to know you still have that fire in you!" He smirked and then looked at his watch. "Ah, I have to go, Kagome. I have a conference I must be at. I will see you soon!" He waved before taking off.
Kagome shook her head as he left and continued on with their walk throughout the mall, Shippou and Rin at her sides while Sesshoumaru brought up the rear, a very pleased smirk on his face.
"Papa," Rin said softly, tugging on Sesshoumaru's coat hem as they stood outside of the mall.
If not for pressure on his coat, he would have ignored the name. Not out of spite, but because he was not used to it. He had never really thought he was going to be called any term even closely related to the word father. He turned his attention to the little girl. "Hn?"
"C-can Kagome-neesan and Shippou-chan come with us? I want them to see it too!" She asked shyly, an embarrassed blush on her cheeks.
Kagome stared at the girl, her mouth slightly ajar. She couldn't believe how chatty the girl had been all day! Was it because she felt safe now that she didn't have to stay at the orphanage? She felt kind of sad that the girl hadn't opened up to her like she so willingly until she did with Sesshoumaru. She mentally slapped herself for being so selfish.
"If they wish to." He replied, raising his eyes to Kagome, who quickly looked away towards a sudden very interesting wall.
"Hai! Hai! Right, Mama? We want to go see Taisho-san's house and Rin-chan's new room! Right? Please, Mama!" Shippou pleaded, tugging on his mother's hand.
"I don't know, Shippou-chan. You have school tomorrow." She said, now looking down at her son.
"Not-uh! I'm off for Winter Holiday!" He protested, grinning triumphantly. Now his mother had no reason to say they couldn't go to Taisho-san's house!
She sighed. "That may be true, Shippou-chan, but I have papers to grade." She replied. It wasn't exactly untrue. She had been putting it off. She inwardly groaned when her son gave her a heart melting frown. "Ah, alright, alright."
Sesshoumaru stared at the miko as she crumpled under her son's sadness. He didn't mind it, he was rather glad actually, but it bugged him that she had made excuses to not come over. Did she truly hate him all of a sudden? She hadn't really said anything the whole time they were shopping for Rin's bedroom and it had bothered him a great deal. "I have a car coming for us. Is dinner acceptable?"
"Sure." Was all that came as her reply.
Frowning, they waited in silence for his car to come. When it did, they gathered inside of it and drove off towards his house, all the while remaining silent. It was the same as they pulled into the driveway of the house and walked into it, the butlers moving to go and pick up the bags from the trunk.
The silence was nearly driving Sesshoumaru mad. Normally, he preferred it to the stupid banter that was normally around him, but with her it was different. He enjoyed her talks and chatter. Her laugh filled his ears and she made him smile with a mere glimpse of her own. What was the woman doing to him? And what was wrong with her? Was she mad he adopted Rin?
Waiting until the children ran upstairs to pick out a bedroom for Rin, he turned to the silent Kagome. "Kagome, have I done something to anger you?" He had to ask. He needed answers for the lack of, well, her.
She blinked as she processed his question. Was that how she was coming off? Oh, no! That's not what she meant to do at all! She mad at herself! "No, no. Of course not, Sesshoumaru-san. Why do you ask?"
He frowned at her sudden use of the honorific. He didn't like it; it was too formal. He thought that they had moved past that. "Besides you using 'san'? You are exceptionally quiet. It is not you."
The miko blushed; she thought that perhaps using 'san' would have made him happier. Wasn't it too informal to not use an honorific? Speaking of which, when had they stopped using them with each other? "I'm sorry; I just have a lot on my mind." She replied.
He raised a brow and led her to his large living room. He removed his coat and tossed it over the arm of the couch before sitting down. He let out an audible exhale when she simply stood there, looking around blankly. "Kagome, will you join me on the couch?" When she complied, he continued. "What is on your mind?" Why was he trying so hard? Did he really care that much about her?
Yes. He already knew it to be true.
"Um," She paused, fidgeting next to him. "It's okay, I don't want to bother you with my issues." How could she possibly tell him how she felt about him?
"Kagome," His tone was stern. He reached over and put his hand on hers, causing her cheeks to stain red. "It is no bother. It only is when you are not your normal, happy self." What was he saying?
She looked down at their hands, her heart slamming in her chest. What to say...what to say… "Uh, well, you see, there is this guy that I kind of like…" She trailed off, her face hot from the embarrassment.
A/N: Ohhh~ SNAP!