"Santa?" Sesshomaru could still hear the painful rasp in the onna's voice. Santa? Is the fever making her delirious?

"Santa." Kagome croaked with more confidence as she struggled to a sitting position, something her weary body would be unable to handle without Sesshomaru's aid. Slipping a sturdy arm behind the miko's thin shoulders, the daiyoukai awkwardly pulled the young woman to a sitting position. He even rearranged the pillows around her so that she could sit up without much effort.

As soon as the girl was settled, Sesshomaru moved to go back to his spot on the edge of her bed but the miko's weak grip grew unexpectedly tight. Glancing from the pale hand on his sleeve to the curious blues staring at him, Sesshomaru was once again lost at what to do with his little miko.

"Santa, it is too early for Christmas isn't it?" A breathy chuckle turned in to a couch that had Sesshomaru instinctively moving closer until he sat right next to her. A big hand covered her entire forehead as the Inu tried to check her temperature. She was way too hot.

"Hn." Sesshomaru stroked the black mane of wavy locks away from Kagome's face in order to help cool her down. He then tried to take his Mokomoko back because he was sure the added heat of his youki couldn't be good for the woman, but even sick the girl was a fighter.

"Nn, no. Santa, what are you doing? This is mine you can't take it." Kagome pouted as she pulled the fluffy pelt around her like a security blanket. Her eyes narrowed in to a disapproving stare. Seriously, what was he to do with this human? A shallow smile grew on his face for the first time in centuries at the silly antics of his true mate. Even he found her undeniably cute.

"Kagome." The name rolled wonderfully off Sesshomaru's tongue for the first time, like he had been waiting to say her name since his conception. "Kagome, do you know why you're here?"

Big, glassy eyes blinked at him. Once, twice, and then a third time as her pout grew increasingly frustrated. Sesshomaru watched as her fever clouded mind struggled to process the events that landed her in her current circumstance. He was watching so intently the daiyoukai could practically hear realization hit her as her eyes snapped open wide.

"The children. Santa, are Rin and Shippo okay? Kagura didn't hurt them right? Please tell me they are ok! If those two little angels got hurt because of me.. Hic." Sesshomaru was unprepared for the full throttle break down that came to life before him. Tears and snot ran down the miko's face making her look like a toddler as she shook with fear and worry. Before Sesshomaru could even think about the consequences, the daiyoukai had picked the girl up and repositioned them so she now sat in the Demon Lord's lap as he cradled her to his chest.

"Cease your weeping, Kagome. The children are safe." The hand gripping his shirt relaxed minutely as Kagome's frantic gaze searched for his in the dark. It was obvious that she was unsure wether or not to believe him so Sesshomaru begrudgingly decided to go along with the miko's delusion in the hopes of calming her.

"Do you doubt Santa's knowledge network, child?" Claws made soothing circles on the miko's back as Sesshomaru battled back his own embarrassment at saying something so ridiculous, but his embarrassment was worth it as the miko's breathing slowly returned to normal. Sesshomaru thought he was in the clear but not a moment latter the emotive girl was blubbering again and burying her head against his chest. The contact would have been pleasurable if not for the salty scent of her tears and the sting of her disturbed aura.

"Why do you still weep? This one has already assured you that the children are unharmed." Sesshomaru could feel his nerves frying as he tried to understand what could be upsetting the onna now but, luckily, the miko didn't leave him in the dark for long.

"I want children!" Kagome wailed as she wrapped her arms around a shocked Sesshomaru's neck. The daiyoukai became a statue as the miko cried in to his shoulder. Why was he a statue? That is because his instincts were currently screaming for action at the moment.

Mate wants pups! Let us give her pups! The beast barked and panted as he pushed against his mental restraints and Sesshomaru was having an inexplicably difficult time holding the dog back. His logical side was warring with his instincts as he knew the miko did not mean she wanted his pups (not yet, at least). Plus, her condition was in no way shape or form suitable for such…strenuous and vigorous activities.

One clawed hand gently stocked the miko's back with restrained urges as the other dug in to his mattress out of sight. It took a painful length of time before the daiyoukai was able to control himself enough to trust his voice.

"Miko, explain your statement." Sesshomaru held his head high in the air as he tried to not breath in the girl's intoxicating scent. It wasn't helping.

"Ship-po," Kagome hiccuped as she mumbled into the skin of his neck. "And Rin. They are orphans." Kagome took some halting breaths as she struggled to calm herself down. When Sesshomaru nodded in acknowledgment the miko continued. "Their orphanage does a temporary housing during the holidays where homes can take in children so they can experience a homey Christmas." Kagome's voice was a disheartened sob by the end and Sesshomaru read between the lines.

"For some reason, you are unable to participate in the temporary homing program?" The miko nodded against his chest and Sesshomaru wanted to sigh for he had a vague idea about how this was going to end. "Why? Is it reserved for married couples?"

Kagome blinked the tears out of her eyes as she rubbed the back of her hand against her nose. A hiccup making her seem even more pitiful. "No, single people can do it but they have to be at least 30 years old."

Sesshomaru considered that and thought it was understandable. Adoption is usually done by married couples looking for children and a single home is not always seen as the ideal situation, especially if the individual is not older and more financially stable. By having an age restriction, the orphanage is probably trying to make sure the potential for adoption after the holiday is at the highest percentage possible. However, this was a restriction that held no bearing on Sesshomaru…

Looking down at the sulking woman in his arms, Sesshomaru had the irresistible urge to make her smile. As the wheels turned in his head, Sesshomaru pealed the miko out from under his chin and turned her so that she was facing him. A clawed finger came up to caress the heated pink cheeks of his little miko and a gentle light flooded his golden gaze.

"Kagome, what would you say if I promised you a Christmas miracle?" Sesshomaru couldn't resist the urge to chuckle when he saw excited expectation fill the onna's eyes. If there was anyone the miko would trust unconditionally, it would be Santa.

"A Christmas miracle?" Kagome's hopeful whisper brought another small smile to Sesshomaru's lips. Yes, he would make his miko happy and if the plan subsequently resulted in the progression of their relationship, well, that was just the star at the top of the Christmas tree.

"Yes," Sesshomaru vowed as he wrapped his arms around the onna's waist, securing him with his body and his unwavering gaze. "This one promises by the time you go to sleep tomorrow night, you will have the two children by your side." Sesshomaru filled with satisfaction as joy and pure trust filled the onna's scent. This was the right decision, Sesshomaru knew, and he would not hesitate in his new plan. He had decided on the miko, now the only question left was how to pursue her and his promise was only the beginning.

"Oh, Santa! Thank you!" Kagome was filled with gratitude as she lunged at the man who seemed determined to make her dreams come true. She had no doubt that if anyone could do the impossible, it was this man. Her heated embrace held the man's silvery white head to her chest as she kneeled between his legs. She was so excited the miko forgot herself as she placed a heated kiss at the crown of the man's head. It wasn't until strong hands were placed on her waist that Kagome realized she was in the arms of a man, mystical or not.

Leaning back to rest on her knees, a blush darkened her already pink cheeks. She was going to apologize for being too forward but as soon as she saw the man's face her apology froze on her tongue.

"Santa?" Kagome felt dizzy as she looked at the god-like man that sat before her. Bathed in moon-light, the man's white hair and gold eyes gave off an ethereal feel while the strong hands on her body made her feel safe and secure. Waves of heat engulfed her as the fever began to command her mind once more as she leaned her forehead against the male's in front of her. Her breath grew shorter and she knew she was going to faint soon, so she decided to use the last of her energy to make a fool of herself. Two clammy hands reached up and buried in the silken strands of her 'Santa', a silly grin on her lips as she pulled back to stare in to those beautiful golden eyes.

Sesshomaru was watching the miko's odd behavior with a mixture of amusement and clawing restraint as the miko's flushed and weak appearance called to the beast inside of him. He was about to put her to bed like a good child when a delicate finger released his hair to come play along his bottom lip. Gently, that finger traced his mouth as the spicy cinnamon of a muted arousal drifted in to his nose.

"You know," A husky voice on the edge of exhaustion called to him. "I never thought Santa would be so sexy."