I have a feeling that a lot of people will love this snippet! Anyway here is snippet 36: Christmas. Enjoy :)

It was decided that Kagome, Sesshomaru, and Rin were going to have Christmas dinner with the Taisho family and the Yamada family (Yamada was her mother's maiden name) at the Taisho mansion. Now that was something Kagome feared. While she knew that the Taisho family was usually relegated to spending Christmas within its immediate family only, hers (the Yamada family) was known to celebrate the holiday on a large scale. Her side consisted of four families that only met up at Christmas and other huge family events such as weddings, births, and so on.

Kagome had three uncles on her mother's side and that was all when it came to extended family members. Her father had been an only child and her grandparents on her father's side had long since passed away. Now she had to introduce Sesshomaru to her three doting uncles and her five cousins.

First there was Uncle Akira- the oldest and his wife Aunt Ami. Uncle Akira was the fatherly man and when any of the kids needed a grandfather-like figure that had more knowledge to give them compared to their regular grandfather, it was him that they turned to. Uncle Akira had a daughter Kagura and a son Hojo, Kagura being the older of the two. Kagura was divorced and a single mother of an adorable little girl named Kanna. Hojo was a doctor and was married. The last Kagome remembered his wife had been pregnant. She liked Kagura a lot more than she did Hojo because Kagura was the elder sister that Kagome always looked up to and followed. Hojo, though being Kagome's age, was a timid man who was just too innocent for her liking.

After Uncle Akira came Uncle Hiro and his wife Aunt Miyu. Kagome loved Uncle Hiro simply because he loved spoiling her rotten as a little kid (and all his nieces) and still continued to do so. Uncle Hiro had two daughters Yura and Kikyo. Kagome and Yura got along quite well but Yura was a bit too involved on the make-up front and she and Kagome never saw eye to eye in that. Kagura and Yura however, got along in that aspect wonderfully and if Kagome wasn't careful enough, would perform make-overs on her and Kikyo. Kikyo, the younger of the two, was Kagome's age and the two were always together. Much like Kagura and Yura were an inseparable duo, the younger two girls stuck to each other like glue as well. It had been rocky last Christmas and Kikyo had evaded the obvious drama that would ensue by not attending. This year however since the Taisho's were hosting the dinner, Kikyo was going to be in attendance with her husband Inuyasha.

The last Uncle- the youngest of her mother's three older brothers- was Uncle Kyo. Uncle Kyo was married to Aunt Rumi (Rumiko was her real name but it had been shortened over the years). They had an only son- Kohaku who was studying to be a police officer. He and Souta were around the same age and were close to each other. Uncle Kyo was known for being the funny, boisterous uncle in the family and always managed to bring them together with laughs. Aunt Rumi was the only one who could rein in his sometimes over-boisterous attitude however and the pair loved popping up announced at the Higurashi shrine whenever they could.

It was Christmas today and Kagome was nervous. When it came to the females in the Yamada line, it was known that the men were extremely protective. Kagome didn't even want to think about their reaction to Sesshomaru. Kagura and Yura would quiz him and she only hoped that he would answer correctly to whatever questions they asked.

She held Sesshomaru's hand and looked up to him hoping to hide the inner turmoil in her mind. That seemed to be a fruitless endeavor. He squeezed the hand he was holding and kissed her trying to calm her frazzled nerves. Sesshomaru couldn't understand what had Kagome so nervous. He had a bigger reason to be nervous.

Sesshomaru had decided to get permission to marry Kagome today and that meant he had to fall into the good graces of Kagome's family. He was raised on honor and if that meant asking for Kagome's hand from her family first, he would do it. Squeezing her hand once more he led them into the giant family room where the families had gathered.

The five older men- her uncles, his father, and her grandfather, were engaged in a card game. Inuyasha, Kohaku, Hojo, and Souta were watching a basketball game and had gotten Shippo involved in it as well. The aunts and mothers were all missing- probably in the kitchen Sesshomaru mused- but Rin was playing with a girl her age and four older women were watching them play. One of them was pregnant and the other Sesshomaru recognized as Kikyo. Rin noticed them as she looked up and came to greet them drawing everyone's eyes on the pair.

Kagome sheepishly smiled as she winced at Rin's outburst. It was uncomfortable to be met with so many stares. She squeezed Sesshomaru's hand and introduced him.

"Um everyone, this is my boyfriend Sesshomaru." She felt a little more confident and began the introductions. "Those are my three uncles- Uncle Akira, Uncle Kyo, and Uncle Hiro. The four over there are my cousins Kagura, Yura, Kikyo, and Rika. And those two are my other cousins- Hojo and Kohaku."

Sesshomaru inclined his head to each in turn silently glad that Kagome had already told him of her family dynamics. He already knew everyone's names but he was meeting everyone for the first time today. Kagura immediately grabbed Kagome while her Uncle Kyo dragged Sesshomaru off to see if he could play a good game of poker.

"So, you're Kagome's new man huh?" Kyo chided glad that Kagome had moved on. He, and his two older brothers were now on the lookout for the two girls who had yet to be married and they wondered if this man was a keeper.

"Hush Kyo." Hiro chided before asking a question himself. "He's obviously with her. But is he playing for keeps?" Sesshomaru was awestruck at how the men had managed to draw this conversation topic out before he could even hint at it.

"Yes Sesshomaru," Inutaisho mentioned to his son, "I know she's moved in with you all ready. When are you going to drop the ring?" The older men all let out a laugh as they turned curious eyes to Sesshomaru. He answered all their questions, wondering where his sudden courage had come from.

"I wanted to get your permission before I propose." He answered looking straight at Uncle Akira. The older man could see that the man Kagome had fallen in love with was a good man. It was obvious that he adored his daughter and his niece. And the fact that he had bothered to ask him before he proposed to Kagome brought a flood of emotion into him. His respect was uncommon and Akira nodded in consent.

The rest of the table which had gone silent at Sesshomaru's declaration whooped and gave Sesshomaru their approval as well.

Kagome couldn't help but keep glancing at Sesshomaru from across the room and Kagura had finally decided that she had enough of it. Before Kagome could protest, she had stalked across the room and brought Sesshomaru over to where the women were seated. She had been close enough to hear the men's conversation and knew she needed to have a talk with this man before he proposed. She didn't want Kagome to go through a nasty divorce like she had.

"Kagura!" Kagome admonished as she came over. "What if they were in the middle of an important discussion? You just can't drag him away!" Kagura scoffed, and sat down with Sesshomaru following suit.

"They were done by the time I got there." She glanced quickly in Sesshomaru's direction and spoke. "But I wanted to get to know him too Kagome."

"How long have you been together?" Yura asked understanding the reactions Kagura was giving. She had been the inseparable second part of the duo for years after all.

"Nine months." Sesshomaru replied unfazed by everything. If he was going to be grilled he had no problem. He had the permission he needed and now all he needed was Kagome's answer. No matter what these two women did, he was not going to be thwarted.

"Is there somewhere we can have a private conversation?" Kagura asked shooting a glance at Yura and getting a nod. Sesshomaru stood, leading them to a study nearby as Kagome bit her lip. She just hoped that things were going to go well.

She worried for ten minutes as everyone tried to placate her. Kagura and Yura were viciously protective of family and friends. She had faith in Sesshomaru but she had no idea how far her two cousins were going into the questioning. When they emerged from the hallway she stood and felt an immense sense of relief spread through her as she was greeted with her cousin's smiles.

"He's a keeper girl." Kagura whispered in her ear as Yura giggled.

"Now we have to know details hon." Yura stated, pulling Kagome to sit on a couch in-between them. "How is he in bed?"

"Yura!" Kagome blushed as she noticed Sesshomaru had heard what Yura said. Kikyo smiled good-naturedly along with Rika.

"Well Kagome, I'm pretty sure Sesshomaru wants to know if he satisfies you." Kikyo chided. With a hot blush on her face, Kagome ran away escaping to the kitchen to help the older women with last minute preparations. Ten minutes later, she came out to tell the family room's occupants that dinner was ready.

Dinner had been wonderful, Kagome mused as she slipped into bed beside Sesshomaru. The Taisho mansion was huge- twelve bedrooms- and all of them were full that night. However, the fact that her family had slowly opened up and included the Taisho's in the family affair of Christmas dinner had made her have a happy smile on her face all night. She didn't mind the teasing so much but she did wonder why her Uncles and Sesshomaru kept sharing knowing smiles with each other. Was there something he wasn't telling her?

"Merry Christmas." Sesshomaru stated turning to his girlfriend. He fingered the ring box that he had placed next to her pillow making sure it was covered. Kagome noticed it and after a brief fight managed to pry his fingers away to reveal the box.

He hadn't planned it to be this way but after the initial elation at getting her family's approval he had been tempted to propose. Unfortunately, it wasn't until bed-time that he was allowed to have a private moment with Kagome. Seeing her eyes light up in shock he decided that it was now or never.

Kagome watched as Sesshomaru opened the box and revealed a gorgeous diamond ring. Was he going to propose? He took the ring out of the box and met her gaze as he asked the question that would seal the deal.

"Will you marry me?" She squealed in her excitement and threw her arms around his before quickly pulling away and murmuring yes. He slipped the ring onto her finger and pulled her into deep kisses that lead to more.

The next morning as Kagome helped serve breakfast, Kagura noticed something on her cousin's left hand. Grabbing it before Kagome could protest she spilled out the words.

"They're engaged!"

Thanks a lot for reading and please review! As you can tell, it'll only be a few more chapters till the end.
Kaoruhana ^_^