Ashley

Christmas. My favorite holiday. The day families came together and enjoyed each other's company. The actual meaning of Christmas might be gone in most people's eyes but that didn't mean we still couldn't just have a great time with everyone.

Sesshomaru kissed my forehead and I opened my eyes to see him staring at me. I smiled at him.

"Good morning," I whispered.

"Merry Christmas," he whispered back. He kissed me gently and I smiled into the kiss.

"Merry Christmas," I repeated. For a moment we held each other close. Then a knock was heard at the door.

"Who is it?" Sesshomaru asked.

"It is me, my lord," Rin's voice came from the other side of the door.

"Wait just a moment," Sesshomaru said

"Yes my lord!" Rin yelled. We got up and got dressed quickly.

"So, are you ready for your presents, Mr. Can't Wait For My Present So I Am Going to bug my mate until she tells me?" I glanced at him. He didn't look my way, or rather, he avoided my eyes.

"I don't know what you are talking about," he stated. I chuckled.

"I'm sure you don't. Now, why don't we stop making a little girl wait to open her presents?" I suggested. He looked at me and nodded. We walked to the door and opened it to reveal a very awake Rin who was jumping up and down, eagerly yet patiently waiting for us.

"MERRY CHRISTMAS!" she yelled. I laughed and patted her head to stop her from jumping.

"Merry Christmas, Rin," I said. She smiled up at me and stopped jumping. Then she turned her attention to Sesshomaru.

"Merry Christmas, my lord," she said. He nodded at her and she smiled. She then grabbed my hand and tried to drag me with her. "Come on, Ashley! Let's go open presents!" I laughed again then nodded. I glanced over at Sesshomaru.

"You coming?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. He didn't respond. He just started following us.

I'll take that as a yes I thought, chuckling to myself.

"Is something funny, Ashley?" Rin asked me.

"Huh? Oh, it's nothing," I smiled at her. Suddenly I didn't feel so good. "Uh, hey Rin? Why don't you and Sesshomaru go one ahead of me? I just remembered something I need to do quickly." She looked up at me confused. As did Sesshomaru.

"Are you feeling okay, Ashley? You look a little green," Rin stated, concerned.

"Don't worry about me, I'll be down in a minute," I reassured her. She smiled after a moment and then nodded.

"Okay! See you later!" she said. Then she ran ahead.

"Are you feeling well?" Sesshomaru asked me. I didn't look at him. I just continued watching Rin run down the hallway as I nodded.

"L-Like I said, I will be down in a moment. I am going to use the restroom," I said. I turned around and went back to our room and once Sesshomaru couldn't see me I ran to the toilet and threw up whatever could have been in my stomach.

Sesshomaru

"Lord Sesshomaru! Are you coming?" Rin yelled. Sesshomaru hadn't moved since Ashley hurried past him with a green face. Something was wrong and she wasn't telling him. Either that or she was trying to figure something out and she didn't like what results her mind gave her. Either way Sesshomaru was eventually going to find out. Suddenly he felt a slight tug on his pants. Sesshomaru looked down to see a worried Rin.

"What is it, Rin?" he asked, trying not to show her that he was worried about Ashley or that something might be wrong with her.

"Are you feeling ill as well, my lord?" she asked with a child-like worry. This was the rare moment that Sesshomaru ever showed kindness to a human. He kneeled down so they were face to face and placed his hand gently on Rin's head and rubbed her hair.

"I am perfectly healthy, Rin. As is Ashley. If she is not then I shall inform you right away, understood?" he said. Rin smiled and nodded. "Good. Now why don't you go on ahead and open some presents with Jaken? If he is not awake then wake him up." Rin nodded and ran ahead to find the demon imp that served Sesshomaru. He stood up and sighed very quietly. "Now for the more stubborn one." He muttered. He turned and walked to the room he and Ashley shared.

When Sesshomaru arrived at the door to their bedroom, he saw a few servants looking nervously inside.

"What do you all think you are doing? Slacking off?" Sesshomaru scolded. The servants flinched when they noticed he was there.

"We-we're sorry, my lord! But as we were passing by and doing our normal routines, we happened to hear a very strange and sickening noise come from your bedroom!" one of the servants quickly explained as he bowed at the waist.

"Strange noise? And where is this strange noise coming from, exactly?" Sesshomaru asked, slightly narrowing his eyes. It always worked in warning his servants not to be a smart aliche with him.

"Um, like I said, my lord. It came from your bedroom," the servant stuttered.

"I got that when you said it the first time. What I asked was where exactly did it come from?" Sesshomaru asked, starting to glare at the stupid servant.

"Um, um, well. I don't exactly know," the servant muttered, sweat starting to fall down his face.

"I think it might be coming from your bathroom, my lord. I just saw your mate running towards it just before the noise started," the female servant quickly said, just saving the other one from a beating for being stupid.

"Is that so? Shosuke, you are a very lucky demon today," Sesshomaru said. He glanced at Shosuke, the first servant.

"Ye-yes my lord! Thank you!" Shosuke bowed once again.

"Now go back to doing your jobs, I've got things from here," Sesshomaru said. He opened the doors to his bedroom wide open.

"Yes Lord Sesshomaru!" the servants said in unison. They bowed and then walked away to whatever they were supposed to be doing.

Once Sesshomaru closed the door he heard a noise come from the bathroom.

"Ashley?" Sesshomaru asked.

"Ju-just a minute!" Ashley's weak voice came from the bathroom. Sesshomaru walked to the bathroom door and gently opened it to reveal a slightly fragile looking Ashley.

"Are you well?" he asked. Ashley wiped her mouth of something Sesshomaru could not see.

"Y-yeah. I'm fine. I just ate something last night that didn't agree with my stomach," she stated. Sesshomaru looked at her disbelieving. "What? Don't believe me? Just take a look at the rim on the toilet and you'll see my proof." Sesshomaru slightly shook his head.

"It is not that I don't believe you in that way. I just don't believe what you vomited about. Ashley, are you hiding something from me?" Sesshomaru asked straightforwardly. Ashley blinked. She must have been a little shocked since Sesshomaru was usually never straightforward.

"Sesshomaru, you know everything I know. For what reason would I hide anything from you?" she asked.

"That is a good question," Sesshomaru muttered. Ashley briefly narrowed her eyes at him, then her eyes got wide a quick moment later.

"Has Rin already opened her presents?" she asked, suddenly perky. Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow at her sudden change in mood but just went with it.

"She might be opening them right now with Jaken, assuming that she got him awake enough to get out of bed," Sesshomaru said, eyeing Ashley warily. Ashley then smiled.

"Let's go! I don't want to miss her face when she opens our present to her!" she said. She grabbed Sesshomaru's hand and dragged him out of the room and all the way to the dining room where Rin was opening her presents with a grumpy Jaken. Something strange was happening either to Ashley or with her, and Sesshomaru was going to do his best to find out what.

Haley

The sun beat down on Haley as it rose over the horizon, showing the world a beautiful Christmas day. Sleepily Haley opened her eyes to find that she was staring at Inuyasha's bare chest. She blushed and quickly pushed away from him. She made it so that she was sitting next to him instead of lying on top of him.

"What's wrong?" Inuyasha asked. Haley looked up at his eyes to see slight concern in them. As well as the thought that Haley had gone slightly insane. She didn't say anything as a breeze blew her hair gently over her shoulders and she felt something fall down. She looked behind her to see Inuyasha's fire rat coat and his white shirt fly down to the ground in the gentle morning breeze.

A hand waved in front of her. She blinked and looked at Inuyasha.

"Huh?" Haley asked, his sudden motion giving her a little shock.

"Are you okay?" he asked warily. She laughed a little.

"Yeah, just spacing out I guess," she replied.

"Oh," was all he said. He looked forward and seemed deep in thought.

"Um, Inuyasha?" Haley poked his shoulder.

"Hm?" he asked, glancing at her from the corner of his eye. Haley gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.

"Merry Christmas!" she smiled when she pulled away. Inuyasha blushed and then coughed.

"M-Merry Christmas!" he muttered. Haley laughed. That made him blush even more. "What's so funny?" Haley hugged him around his shoulders.

"You're so cute when you're shy!" Haley teased him.

"Sh-shut up!" he muttered. He didn't pull away from her though so that must have meant that he took it as a compliment. Haley went to kiss the side of his head but she caught sight of Inuyasha's doggy ears. She couldn't resist the temptation. She stood up and went to kneel in front of Inuyasha. He looked at her with wide eyes. "What are you doing?"

"You'll see," Haley said. She smiled at him and put her hands up to the top of his head. He looked up as if he could see what she was doing. She rubbed his ears.

After realizing what she was doing Inuyasha slightly narrowed his eyes in annoyance. However he didn't stop her. For a while at least.

"I repeat, what are you doing?" Inuyasha asked.

"Rubbing your ears," Haley stated.

"Why?"

"Cuz they are soft, smooth, and cute!" Haley smiled down at him. He slightly blushed at her smile and then sighed.

"Whatever," he muttered, closing his eyes. After a moment Haley stopped rubbing his ears and leaned back on her legs, still kneeling in front of Inuyasha. His legs were like two mountains on either side of her. It was like they were protecting her.

Darn. Now I wish I was hugging him like before. Haley thought. Haley closed her eyes and sighed.

"Is something wrong?" he asked.

"No, everything is fine," Haley muttered.

"Liar," Inuyasha said flat out. Haley opened her eyes. She saw that he was looking at her with a worried look.

"What? I am not lying!" Haley almost yelled. "And what's with that look?"

"You sighed. You never sigh. What is making you sigh?" Inuyasha asked.

"It's nothing, Inuyasha. I promise I am okay," Haley slightly lied. She wasn't completely okay. She wanted to hug him and have him hold her close like he did last night. Sure they may have not done anything other than kiss a little and hug but that didn't matter. It was the fact that he held her close and didn't let go. That he wouldn't let go. He showed that night that she was the only one Inuyasha cared about.

"Liar," Inuyasha repeated. Haley widened her eyes. How can he know that she is lying? Not many people could tell.

"I am not lying!" she insisted. Inuyasha grabbed her shoulders and forced her to turn so that she was lying on the ground and he was above her with his hands on either side of her head.

"Haley, I can tell when you're lying. Even if it is a partial lie. Why are you lying? If there is anything I can do, just tell me and I will fix it!" Inuyasha looked at her seriously.

"Inuyasha," Haley muttered.

"Aw, so Master Inuyasha has finally found someone to be like this with?" a voice next to Haley's head said. Inuyasha and Haley turned their heads to see Myouga standing on Inuyasha's hand and wiping his eyes with a tiny rag. "You grew up so fast, Master! Oh, where has the time gone?"

"Myouga!" Inuyasha and Haley yelled.

"Myouga, how long have you been here?" Inuyasha asked.

"Oh, just when Miss Haley was petting your ears. By the way, Master. I am surprised you let her do that. You never let anyone touch your ears, not even me. Could this mean she means a lot to you?" Myouga asked. Inuyasha blushed and then flicked his hand away from them. Inuyasha then stood up and seemed to yell at air.

"Will ya shut it? Don't butt in on people's personal lives!" Inuyasha yelled at him. Haley stood up and chuckled at their little fight.

"So you do have a life, Master? I am thoroughly shocked," Myouga said, seeking refuge on Haley's shoulder. Inuyasha turned towards them and slightly growled at Myouga.

"Inuyasha! I thought you went after Haley to bring her back, not seek a fight with her!" Miroku's voice came from behind a tree. A second later Miroku and Sango appeared.

"I am not seeking a fight with her!" Inuyasha yelled at him. "And by the way, Myouga, I am going to get you for irritating me!" Inuyasha jumped at Haley and Myouga.

"Oh no! Please Master! I meant the upmost respect!" Myouga shrieked in fear. He jumped off Haley's shoulder and ran away. However, Inuyasha couldn't stop his momentum in midair so he accidentally landed on Haley and they were in the exact same position as they had been in before Myouga interrupted.

"We are going to leave you two alone now, enjoy your time alone together!" Miroku waved goodbye.

"Hey, Sango. What are they doing?" Shippou asked.

"Uh, why don't I have Miroku explain when we get back to the village? Come on, Shippou. You too, Kirara. Have a good time you two!" Sango said. She picked up Shippou and Kirara and all four of them walked away and out of sight. Inuyasha and Haley sweatdroppped.

"That couldn't have been more awkward," Inuyasha commented. Haley nervously chuckled.

"Yeah, right?" she said. Then they looked at each other.

"Now, about that thing you were lying about," Inuyasha started.

"Uh, hey, why don't we get your tops? You must be freezing?" Haley changed the subject. She tried to push him off her but he wasn't budging.

"Uh-uh. You are not going to get out of this!" he said. Then an idea popped into Haley's head. She propped her elbows behind her and lifted herself up to kiss Inuyasha on his lips. He seemed surprised by it but eventually kissed back. His arms lowered him down which forced Haley to lower herself back to the ground. Inuyasha then deepened the kiss by twisting his hands into her hair. Haley then gripped his shoulders like he did to her before and pushed so that Inuyasha and Haley rolled. Inuyasha was now on bottom and Haley broke away from the kiss by kneeling over him. She smirked and Inuyasha gave her a confused look. Haley quickly stood up and ran away from Inuyasha and ran towards his shirts.

It took him a moment but then Haley heard Inuyasha yell, "Hey! Get back here!" Haley laughed as she looked over her shoulder to see him chasing her with a smile on his face as well.

"Well well. Isn't this a lovely site?" a voice from ahead said. Haley looked ahead and stopped running. There was a female ice cat demon floating on the surface of the lake that was in front of them. Suddenly Inuyasha was by Haley's side and he gently pushed her behind him as he glared at the demon.

"Who are you and what do you want?" he asked her.

"I am Yuki, Princess Yuki of the Ice Cat Demon Lands. I understand that you have killed one of my kin. I will let you know right now that I don't take things like that very well. Tell me, why did you kill him?" Yuki said, ignoring Inuyasha's glare and instead looking at Haley.

"What a second. Yuki? The same Yuki that tried to steal Sesshomaru away from Ashley?" Haley asked.

"Haley? You know her?" Inuyasha asked, glancing back at her. Haley nodded.

"A little. I don't remember the specifics though," Haley responded.

"I see," Inuyasha said.

"So you are the same Haley that is friends with that she-mutt Ashley? Very well, then I guess it couldn't hurt to tell you that your precious friend and I are about to go to war. That is, once the holidays are over," Yuki said.

"What? Why?" Haley asked. Why didn't Ashley tell her about this?

"She corrupted my Sesshomaru with her wicked ways and deceiving tongue! She will pay for her deeds!" Yuki yelled.

"Well that's stupid. You really should get over him," Haley muttered.

"I will not! Sesshomaru is the love of my life and I will prove it to him that I am the love of his life too! He will see how worthless that Ashley is and then he will come running to me! Well, he will once I get rid of Ashley," Yuki smirked.

"What do you plan to do with her?" Haley asked.

"I obviously plan to kill her," Yuki stated.

"I won't let you!" Haley yelled. She pushed Inuyasha aside and took a step towards Yuki while she glared at her. Inuyasha skidded to a stop a few yards away. Yuki ran up to Haley and then stopped just inches away from her.

"Oh yeah? And how exactly is a half-breed like you going to stop me?" Yuki whispered. Haley glared at her even more.

"No comment. Come on, Inuyasha! Let's leave the she-devil to her loony self!" Haley said. She stepped away from Yuki and walked over to where Inuyasha's shirts lay. She bent over and picked them up.

"Haley! Watch out!" Inuyasha yelled. Haley quickly turned around to see Yuki flying at her with her claws out. She was just about to slice Haley when Inuyasha sliced Yuki's back and she cried out in pain. She hissed.

"I'll get you for that, mutt! Haley, I will see you two on the battlefield!" Yuki said. She flew away while glaring at them.

"Haley? Are you okay?" Inuyasha asked. He turned her around and looked her over to see if she was hurt.

"I'm fine, Inuyasha. Don't worry, you hurt her before she could hurt me, thanks," she said. Inuyasha blushed.

"Y-yeah. No problem. As long as you are okay," Inuyasha muttered. Haley smiled and kissed his cheek. Inuyasha looked at her and smiled. He put a hand behind her head and pulled her in for a kiss.

HELLO!

SORRY FOR NOT POSTING FOR SO LONG...

IT TOOK AWHILE TO COME UP FOR SOMETHING FOR THIS CHAPTER.

ANYWAY, THERE WILL ONE MORE INSTALLMENT IN THE CHRISTMAS CHAPTERS.

SO YEAH...

THE THANKS!

THANKS FOR REVIEWING:

HALEY

ALLIE

THANKS FOR REVIEWING!

PLEASE REVIEW PEOPLE!

IT MAKES ME HAPPY AND MAKES ME WANT TO WRITE MORE!

PLEASE?