Simply Business Chapter 35, an inuyasha fanfic

A.N. Last chapter was my favorite batch of reviews I've ever received at one time lol. You guys are simply so wonderful that you make me proud to be an 'author.' Thanks so much!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to Inuyasha and never claimed ownership at any point during this story.

(Tsuki)

Simply Business

Chapter Thirty-Five

(Tsuki)

Sesshoumaru noted that Kagome spent the rest of her days afterward acting completely normal. It was as if she was unaffected by the fact that she had been broken up with via a tag connected to dead flora.

It was two days before Christmas and she seemed almost determined to play some sort of Santa's helper-like entity for Rin and Shippou.

Besides helping with decorations, she stayed later than usual to tell them bedtime stories before going home to spread undoubtedly more merriment there.

He had to question whether it was healthy.

It was the day before Christmas Eve and several days after the incident.

Today, they drove in separately. Sesshoumaru had forgone heading to work so that he could figure out how to confront the girl about her lack of emotional response to something that was damned well supposed to have one.

The children were spending their last morning at the orphanage until after Christmas, so it would just be her and the girl.

Or so he thought.

When Kagome finally skipped through the door, laden with shopping bags, she was shortly trailed by a cold flushed Sango. The brunette was carrying bags of an equal burden.

Kagome instantly beamed as she saw Sesshoumaru. "Merry Almost Christmas!"

Sesshoumaru raised a brow at the girls and as they took off their coats. Said brow rose higher as he saw the full extent of what they were wearing. Never before had he seen such a fervent display of red and green on two human bodies.

Sango was decked out in fuzzy red boots and green skinny jeans. A lengthy tunic sweater, the same color of her boots adorned her torso and fell down nearly to middle her thighs. Her nails were painted red and the clips that held her straight hair away from her face were green.

Kagome had on a red sweater with cheerful cartoonish reindeer dragging irrationally dragging the morbidly obese man that was Santa. She had a green pencil skirt and tights and though her boots were forest green, and unlike Sango's hers were only ankle high. Rather than clips, to add more green to her attire, she had chosen a headband.

But both, despite their love of time consuming coordination, in his opinion looked ridiculous.

Considering as it was only the day before the eve of Christmas, it seemed a profligate effort.

Sango also gave him a merry greeting and the two delved into the bags that they had brought it.

Sesshoumaru stood at the doorway of the living room, simply in a fleece and pajama bottoms, as he sipped his tea and watched them. He supplied a crisp, 'Good morning,' knowing Kagome would take offense if he didn't.

Sango brought out two neatly wrapped presents from her large bag, "Where's your tree, Sesshoumaru?"

He softly tossed his head back in wordless answer and Kagome heaved two silvery boxes into her own arms.

Sesshoumaru raised a brow as he counted the presents, "I do very much hope you didn't spend money on a present for a dog."

Sango grinned as they brushed past him and headed towards the tree that stood proudly next to the living room television, "Don't worry we went and split the bill on it. But trust me it was worth the buy."

The silver haired man kept his post at the doorway, but merely rotated his body so that he could keep his eyes on the girls. He decided to disregard the fact that neither girl seemed to think it odd to dote frivolous gifts onto a pup.

"Rin and Shippou placed your gifts under the tree. There are three extra you two need to take as well." he said disappearing into the foyer.

Sango nudged her friend and whispered, "Do you see his present?"

Kagome blinked and gently shook a silver box in her hand, "I'm still holding it…"

The girl rolled her eyes playfully and asked, still in her low tone, "No, I mean, what he got you, Kagome."

The raven haired girl placed Sesshoumaru's present down.

There were over two dozen other wrapped and bagged presents under the tree, excluding the ones that the girls had brought in. She wasn't sure if Sesshoumaru had wrapped them all himself, but if he had he definitely missed his calling. All the presents looked like something out of a magazine.

Kagome's head started to spin out as she attempted to scan all the various names. With a small giggle, she found one addressed to her mother and her and Sango's brothers.

Abruptly the girl saw her cutely wrapped, bow accented, present from Rin and Shippou, "I found Rin and Shippou's!"

Sango, after letting out of sigh, located hers. The brunette was curious as to what Sesshoumaru would have gotten Kagome. Her eyes glanced over the presents they had picked up for the Taishos. Come to think of it, though she was also curious as to what Kagome wrapped up for Sesshoumaru.

She knew what the others received, sure. After all she had assisted in the wrapping.

For Rin, she and Kagome had gotten the girl two sets. One was a colorful array of nail polish and the other held flavored lip gloss. The nail lacquer came in the seven major colors, while the lip gloss came in clear strawberry, watermelon pink, cherry red, blueberry though it would go on virtually clear, and a grape scented purple gloss. Kagome had wrapped a Christmas card in with it that was in the shape of a candy cane. Her message had been: 'Merry Christmas, Rin, from Sango and Kagome. We hope you'll enjoy using these, Love always'. And the girls had signed their names beneath the already generically printed rhyme that came with the card.

Shippou's gift was for once not on the edible side. Though he got a candy cane card too, that was where the food motif ended. The boy seemed to love Souta's talks of video games so they had purchased several PC formatted games that he could play with out taking over the living room. His card read: 'We hope you took the time to actually read this card munchkin! Enjoy the games and Merry Christmas.' Again both their names had been signed.

Gome's gift was a box of chew toys, because unlike Sesshoumaru, Kagome was starting to notice the suspicious, Gome sized, bite marks that lined the bottoms of his couches. Kaede had sent the raven haired girl a complimentary box of dog biscuits for the dog, so Kagome wrapped those in too.

Sesshoumaru's gift from the girl, though, Sango had no clue what it was.

'Speak of the devil.' Sango thought and giggled a bit as Sesshoumaru returned then. He was carrying an envelope and a silver medium sized gift bag.

"Higurashi… my father sent you a Christmas card. It seems he actually was genuinely taken with you." To write a card, was nothing short of a spectacle to behold with that man. If it was up to him, written word would be obsolete, so for him to write something to another person definitely said something.

He handed the stark white envelope off to the surprised raven haired girl and she took it with confusion. She looked at the bag in the man's other hand with alarm. "Did he send that as well? But I didn't even get him—!"

Sesshoumaru smirked a bit, "This, Higurashi, is my gift to you."

With a deep set blush, Kagome thanked him and took the package with a gentle voice of thanks.

Sango softly smiled a bit and in lieu of a way to make herself disappear, she said, "I'm off to my office to get some of the other presents out of the way."

Kagome looked at the brunette and smiled, "Okay. Whenever you're ready to head to Kyoto though, just tell me."

In addition to the gifts that they had, the girls had packed the trunk of Sango's car with the clothes that they would need to last through the holidays at home.

Sango suddenly groaned as she remembered something, "Shoot!" She turned back around almost sheepishly, "Which wrapper did you use on your gift to Kouga's? We're you the blue or was I?"

Kagome froze up at the name and Sesshoumaru eyes gazed with a new focus on her person.

In a low voice Kagome answered, "I was blue…"

"Okay, thanks! I'll see you later, Kags. Bye, Sesshoumaru." As Sango departed blissfully unaware of what damage she had inadvertently caused, Sesshoumaru stared down a certain raven haired girl.

Quite clearly, Kagome hadn't told Sango about what happened with Kouga. Sesshoumaru appraised the girl and tried to imagine what was going on in her head.

In a disbelief coated tone he asked, "Are seriously you pretending that nothing happened?"

Kagome shrugged helplessly, "I already bought his gift and I didn't feel like returning it." She averted his gaze, "Just like I don't feel like talking about this." She slid Inu Taisho's card into Sesshoumaru's gift bag.

"I… should start on lunch."

Sesshoumaru shook his head at her foolishness and went upstairs to start on his work.

(Tsuki)

"My mother wanted to invite you to spend New Year's Eve with our family, by the way." Kagome said softly as she killed time waiting Sango. The brunette would be there within ten minutes, so Kagome was preparing to leave. Rin and Shippou were sound asleep after a long day, which just left Sesshoumaru and Kagome to clean up after dinner. The girl joked weakly, "Apparently you really have a way with my family."

Sesshoumaru looked at her, "Higurashi, I realize that I told you not to mix work with your personal affairs, but exceptions can be made. There's no need to continue to put on a show."

Kagome looked frustrated as she shoved a spoon into its designated slot, "This isn't even a show… I'm not upset at all." Despite her words, large tears rolled down her cheeks, "I-I'm really not upset at all…"

The man sighed and put down the plate he had been about to place in the dishwasher. He one handedly engulfed her in a partial hug, "You're a truly foolish girl."

"I know…"

(Tsuki)

The drive to Kyoto was quiet that year, despite the fact that they had an extra passenger. Mirouku was seated in the passenger seat that year. Ryuu and Sango's father had been talking a lot more since their children had become a couple.

That was, after all, how the Takinamas knew that Ryuu had an emergency call out of the country and Mirouku would be alone for the holiday.

So the violet eyed man was joining them on the ride home.

Not that Kagome minded, Mirouku was a good guy and he was undoubtedly funny. But every time he glanced back at her, she instantly got the feeling that he had spoken to Kouga.

Kagome leaned up so that her head was in between the front two seats, "Do you mind stopping at Chibi Pets? I saw something perfect for Kaede that I picked up on my way home from the bank the other day."

Sango smiled, "No problem, it's on the way."

As Sango pointed out, they pulled up to Chibi Pets, several minutes later and Kagome quickly hopped out.

Kagome made her way to the back of the car and pulled out a gold wrapped present. She had gotten the woman gel candles that were so pleasantly aromatic that she was sure the candle-lover would enjoy them.

She hurriedly entered the store and found the woman just as she was closing up the register.

Kagome smiled at the sight of the elderly woman and breathed, "Merry Christmas, Kaede."

The woman chuckled and crossed over to the girl, "Ye shouldn't have, dear."

Kagome hugged the woman and reveled in her warmth, "I wanted to."

"Merry Christmas to ye too, child."

Christmas…

The first present Kagome went to open was Sesshoumaru's. It had been a teasingly open display since she had received it and it seemed to itch for her to take it. So she did. Souta seemed almost appalled with how careful she was with removing what was in the bag.

Her mother chuckled at Kagome's antics as she gingerly slipped her hand into the bag to remove the tissue paper.

Kagome face flamed up as she pulled out the first thing she touched. Mrs. Higurashi looked amused as Kagome brought out a first aid kit. It was followed by two boxes of neon colored bandages, a thick wrap of gauze, and several tubes of Neosporin. After a moment, she had one of the best laughs she had had in awhile.

-tsuki-

As Rin and Shippou, eagerly went about opening presents, Sesshoumaru's hand pulled up the glistening present, Kagome had tagged as his. He looked at the silver wrapping for a moment and couldn't help but note the care she put into tying ribbons around her presents. He undid the bow of the tie, and carefully unraveled the wrapping.

He was met with a plain white gift box. He took the lid off.

Sesshoumaru looked at the gift. It was a dry erase board with several colors of dry erase markers. Kagome had written across the board, "Maybe this will save a few post-its. Just in case though…"

Sesshoumaru lifted the board and beneath it were various sized sticky notes in every shape from the letter S to the standard square.

Before he knew it, he was chuckling.

(Tsuki)

"Mirouku! Tell me you're not trying to sleep in on Christmas!" Sango's voice called through the door of the guest room. After another knock, she entered the room and crossed over to the raven haired man's bed.

She shook her head at him. One thing about Mirouku was that he loved to sleep just in his boxers regardless of the temperature.

Right now, the man was simply sitting on the bed staring out the window into the snowing sky. The white flakes swirled about in a chaotically beautiful rhythm and he murmured, "La neige... c'est très belle ici, n'est-ce pas?"

Sango shrugged off her heavy blue robe and placed it gently over his shoulders. She laughed a bit as she sat with him on the bed, "I have a feeling that if I humor you, you'd never want to get up."

Mirouku looked her then and smiled slightly. He leaned forward so that he was leaning on her shoulder. Sango blushed a bit, "Come on, silly! My mother refuses to start breakfast without you."

He groaned but rose, looking absolutely ridiculous in her robe. "I'll be down in a moment, love."

Sango tucked her pajama clad knees to her chest as she watched him leave and she smiled softly to herself.

She honestly hoped to spend the rest of her life with that man…

(Tsuki)

The Higurashi household was bustling the day of the New Year's Eve. Jii-chan seemed extra diligent in his sweeping of the shrine and Mrs. Higurashi tidied up the house as soon as she woke up. Her family always had had the habit of starting the year off as neatly as possible, in a sort of superstition that it would promote of less cluster filled new year.

Kagome, for the first time since she could remember, assiduously set out to help her mother clean after breakfast. Whether a neat home could help clear up a life as cluttered as hers, she didn't know. But as she dusted the living room mantel she grimaced, 'Any little bit can't hurt…'

As she brought the living room to order, she came across Sesshoumaru's present. She had left it on the coffee table along with the rest of what she received.

Sango's emerald and black halter dress, Rin and Shippou's cute gift of raspberry bath popsicle bars, a gift card from Sango's parents to her favorite store, the book she had wanted but never had time to purchase from her brother, a prosperity talisman from her jii-chan, and the knitted hat and gloves from her mother…

Even though she loved everything she had received, her favorite thing was oddly enough the medical supplies she had received.

She giggled softly at the sight of them and was about bring the entire bunch to her room, when she remembered that Sesshoumaru's father had sent her a card.

Kagome dub into the bag that she was now thankful she hadn't thrown out with the rest of the wrappings.

She pulled out the white envelope from yesterday and slowly opened it.

The card was a personalized one and she guessed that the gorgeous snow covered house on the front was one of Inu Taisho's estates. The front read: Thinking of You This Holiday Season.

But in red ink, the words, 'Sesshoumaru is' had been scribbled in.

Kagome sat on the arm of the couch with furrowed brows and lifted the card. Based on the neatness of the handwriting inside, whoever had made 'edits' was a different person.

The note read:

Hello Kagome,

I hope you are having a very wonderful holiday season, Kagome. Due to my lack of literary prowess, I'll keep this brief: Sesshoumaru has a birthday coming up the fifth of January.

Inu Taisho

P.S. My other idiot son added his greetings to the front.

Kagome had to laugh at that and she tucked the card into the bag. She placed her other gifts in there as well so she could carry them to her room.

January 5th was Sesshoumaru's birthday. The girl grinned.

She most definitely had to thank Inu Taisho for that information.

(Tsuki)

The doorbell of the Higurashi house rang several hours later, just as Kagome and Souta were getting ready to hit the town New Year's festivals.

Kagome was sliding into a pair of jeans when her younger brother went to get the door. Kagome called, "If it's Sango, tell her I'm almost ready." She flung her hair into two buns on either sided of her head with glossy speckled blue chopsticks that matched the white of her tank top and the blue of her jeans.

Souta never replied so Kagome stuck her head out of her door to see what was up.

All she heard was Souta gushing about something and her mother's surprised exclaim of, "I'm so glad you decided to join us, dear!"

Kagome slowly descended the steps in sock clad feet and as soon as abruptly gasped, "You came?"

In their foyer were Sesshoumaru, Rin, and Shippou. The excited barking she heard outside signaled that Gome was outside and had found Buyo.

Sesshoumaru looked up at her and smirked, "It would have been rude to disregard your mother's invitation."

Kagome descended the rest of the steps and Rin ran to hug her, "Nee-chan! Happy New Year!"

The raven haired girl laughed, "It's not the new year yet, but thanks Rin." Shippou gave her a yawn interrupted New Year's greeting and Kagome ruffled his hair, "Hey Ship-chan!"

Mrs. Higurashi took Sesshoumaru's arm, "Have you three eaten recently? If not, I'd be happy to whip up something."

Sesshoumaru smiled politely, "We have eaten, thank you for your offer though."

Souta grinned, "Then come out with us to check out the festivals! They're so cool, Sesshoumaru, and they have the best fireworks!"

Rin gasped at that information. She tugged at Sesshoumaru's coat, "Fireworks, Papa!" Shippou, though he had a slightly more restrained response looked excited as well.

Kagome giggled and said, "Grab your coats, Souta. I'll tell Sango we're leaving from her house."

-tsuki-

The New Year's evening had the streets loaded with people. Some people were wearing 2007 glasses and others were garbed in beautiful kimonos.

But whatever people were wearing, everyone exuded the same amount of energy.

The first hour, the large group attempted to stick together, but eventually they started breaking into groups. Mrs. Higurashi and her father ventured out that night as did Sango's parents but they were soon lost among the crowd after being drawn to various sales.

Sango and Mirouku were dragged by Shippou to wherever there was anything with a sugar content.

Souta found a group of his classmates and left with Kohaku and Rin.

And without Kagome realizing it, she was walking alone with Sesshoumaru.

The male looked at her, "Feel free to remind me why this is an enjoyable event."

Kagome took his hand and let him away from the crowds, "It helps if you're extroverted at heart. However," she stressed in wake of his glare, "I'll show you what's amazing about tonight."

They walked until they reached an opening to the embankment that was adjacent to a river. Kagome stepped down onto the snow covered grass and looked up at Sesshoumaru to do the same.

After a roll of his eyes, Sesshoumaru followed her.

Kagome grinned and took off her coat, "The nice with about tonight is that there are so many people and things going on, that it almost feels like spring." She smiled brighter, "As we keep walking you'll get what I'm saying."

True to the girl's word the further along the bank that the walked, the less snow the came across and the warmer it got.

Sesshoumaru chuckled, "Perhaps I should trust your word in Kyoto."

Kagome laid her jacket down onto the damp grass and giggled. "Perhaps you should." The silver haired man mirrored her actions and the two looked up into the dark blanket of sky that was speckled with numerous stars.

Sesshoumaru snorted, "Believe it or not, this is the first time in years that I've taken the time to look at stars."

The raven haired girl smiled and leaned back against the slope of the hill, "I actually believe that."

And then Sesshoumaru said something she hadn't expected to hear, "I enjoyed your gift Higurashi. It was very entertaining… Thank you"

She hadn't expected him to hate her gift, but she had been worried that such a wealthy man would perhaps want something extravagant.

But hearing those words made her heart flutter.

Kagome shyly admitted, "Yours was my favorite gift, to be honest, so thank you. I needed that laugh."

In the moonlit setting, beneath the stars and in the open air, Kagome's beating heart urged her to tell Sesshoumaru what she thought she felt for him.

What did she really have to lose?

As soon as she opened her mouth to utter the words she direly wished to say, the fireworks started up in a loud heated blaze.

Kagome's mouth quickly snapped shut.

(Tsuki)

And then the clock struck midnight.

January…

Her one and only wish for New Years was that Sesshoumaru be happy. Whether it included her in the picture, she didn't care anymore.

Just having spent as much time as she had with a man like him was enough for her…

(Tsuki)

Kouga had been avoiding phone calls and perhaps the entirety of his family by staying in a small twenty four diner a half hour's drive from anything he was familiar with.

It had pretty decent food and the diner acted as a refuge where he didn't have to put up a happy farce with his family or try to talk to Kagome.

A part of him wanted to apologize or just hear her say something.

After Sango had left him with that gift, he had felt like he needed to get away from things. He didn't even want to consider the reasons that would have made Kagome not tell Sango about what he did.

There was too much confusion in bringing that up.

All he wanted was to…not think. He waited for the waitress to work her way to his table so he could order his breakfast.

When the waitress finally did reach him though, she didn't ask the familiar, 'what will you be having?' Instead, she took a seat across from him called that she was taking a break and asked, "What the hell is wrong with you?"

Kouga blinked in surprised, "N-nothi—"

The woman in front of him scoffed, "The hell it's nothing! You're in here almost all day! But I'm sure it'd be a full twenty four hours if there was a shower and bedroom in here!"

The girl was a fiery red head with striking turquoise eyes. She was wearing a white blouse with blue jeans. A small apron for tips was slung around her hips and she had a nametag that read, 'Ayame.'

Her oceanic eyes pierced his, "Well? You better start talking because I only have half an hour…"

Kouga propped his elbows on the table and leaned his head on his elevated hand "You really don't want to know…"

Ayame's eyes softened, "Listen. I don't waste my breaks for no reason. What's wrong?"

Kouga looked into the girl's encouraging eyes and he could not help but confide in her.

(Tsuki)

January 5th

Kagome left for Sesshoumaru's house as soon as she got out of class. She didn't bother changing out of her tan corduroy pants and purple dressy sweater or to throw her books in the dorm. Instead she hopped into her car was off.

She had woken up at six that morning to get ready and head to the grocery store to pick up supplies.

The girl was a bundle of excitement as she unlocked the Taisho front door. After checking Gome's food bowl, she instantly went about the process of baking a cake, using a Funfetti cake mix seeing as she didn't have the time to start from scratch. While that was baking she wrapped streamers around banisters and a mantels and anything she could reach. She pulled out a 'Happy Birthday' sign she had picked up and hung it where Sesshoumaru would see the moment he stepped into the house.

When all the preliminary stuff was set up, she set to work on making lunch for Rin and Shippou.

Dinner was on the back burner while Kagome worked and soon her cake was done. She shoved it in the freezer, hoping that it would cool fast with no adverse effects.

The door bell rang just as a lunch of homemade macaroni and cheese was finished and Kagome scurried to open the door.

She quickly let in Rin and Shippou and the two instantly bubbled with enthusiasm.

Kagome had briefed the two in on the fact that it was Sesshoumaru's birthday the night before. The fact that even Rin did not know when Sesshoumaru was born had to make her wonder how tight lipped the man was about his date of birth.

With all the fervor in the room, though, even Gome was catching on.

Kagome handed Rin and Shippou each a bottle of silly string, "Wash up in the kitchen and eat quickly, so I can turn off all the lights before Sesshoumaru returns."

She grinned, "When he opens the door, you guys need to shoot him with those bottles, okay?

Shippou nodded eagerly and he and Rin hurried into the kitchen. Kagome followed so she could start icing the cake.

By five o'clock they were all in place in a dark house. Gome was chewing on one of her Christmas chew toys upstairs so the three didn't have to worry about the pup giving away their locations.

A key jingled in the front door and the door opened.

Sesshoumaru walked into the foyer with a raised brow, his hand blinded searched for the lights and as soon as they went on, he was assaulted with lime scented silly string and under the bombardment of flash.

Three voices called out, "Happy Birthday, Papa / Sesshoumaru / old man!"

Sesshoumaru stood, still with brow raised as he removed a clump moist spongy string from his person.

Kagome giggled and set her digital camera to video, "On a scale of one to ten how pissed are you at your father."

Sesshoumaru did not say anything. Instead he smirked and lifted his string saturated arm and flipped off the camera.

(Tsuki)

Once Sesshoumaru no longer smelled like citrus fruit, he was actually not as mad as he seemed.

At her at least.

"I can assure that my father will no longer be sending you any mail, Higurashi," he said as he returned down stairs, freshly showered. "We are going to have a long talk tonight."

Kagome giggled as she gathered Rin and Shippou around Sesshoumaru's birthday cake. "At least let me send him these pictures! He'll love them."

Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes at her but Kagome only snapped a picture of him.

The man let out a sigh, "You're infuriating."

Kagome lit the candles with a giggle, "You know you enjoyed the silly string. Who wouldn't? Now make a wish."

Shippou exclaimed abruptly, "Nee-chan, you have to throw a party for my birthday too!"

Kagome grinned brought the boy up onto her lap, "Okay kiddo, when's your birthday?"

Shippou beamed and said, "June 30th! Don't forget okay?"

The raven haired girl's cheer suddenly dampened and she pasted on a smile. "Of course not."

She instantly looked over at Sesshoumaru who was staring right back at her.

The two of them were the only ones in that room who knew that that was entirely impossible.

Sesshoumaru leaned over the cake and the large 'two-six' candles went out.

As Kagome documented the moment with half the enthusiasm as before, she had to wonder what the man wished for.

(Tsuki)

A.N. I don't know why I wanted to end it there, but it felt like a decent place to leave things off. It's turning out that my chappies are probably going to be no more than five or 6,000 words, and I definitely think that's a comfortable pace. But speaking of B-days, SB is turning four years old tomorrow! Woot!

R&R 'cause I love it so much when you guys do!