I'm so sorry I didn't get this posted Christmas day as planned! I feel horrible that it's late! T.T
Later that night Risa woke suddenly and silently slid down the hallway. She peeked into the living area and frowned at the person currently walking around in a red suit. She quickly made her way over and grabbed him from behind, pinning him against a wall. She heard a sharp intake of breath before he completely stilled.
"Who are you?"
"I… I'm Santa Claus." Risa frowned and spun him around as she let go. She poked at his stomach.
"Wha? This isn't flesh. The Santa is a fat old man." She squinted at him. "You are neither truly fat nor old." The man nervously stepped away and Risa grabbed him, looking into his eyes before suddenly letting him go with a gasp. "Kakashi?!"
"… Please don't kill me." He said meekly. Risa gaped at him.
"I… what? What are you doing? Where is the Santa?" Kakashi rubbed his head and took off the fake beard and hat with a sigh.
"Risa… Santa doesn't actually exist. He's a legend." Risa frowned again.
"Then why do you tell everyone about him? I better go tell the boys."
"No wait! It's Christmas, why would you want to crush their hopes like that?"
"Because it's a lie and I do not want to lie to them. They'll find out eventually anyway right? It's better to get it out of the way now. Before they start counting on it too much."
"Can't it at least wait until after the holiday? Come on… that's just mean. And Santa was probably real at one point just… mortal. Unlike you." Risa stared down the hall before sighing and crossing her arms.
"Fine. But I'm going to get these ridiculous notions out of their heads directly afterward. I don't like them believing lies." She looked over at him again and smirked. "You look good in red. Maybe you should just become him forever. Take up a new profession?" Kakashi just rolled his eye and headed to the window.
"Somehow I don't think that'll happen. See you in the morning."
Risa woke the next morning to the boys jumping on her. She barely managed to catch them both before they jumped back off. With a smile she got up and tossed them back onto the bed, making them laugh.
"Come on Mom! Christmas! Presents! Let's go!" She laughed lightly.
"What's this? Don't you two want breakfast?"
"We can eat later!" They both grabbed onto her arms and began trying to pull her out of the room.
"All right, all right. Let's go." They both grinned and ran ahead of her into the living room. Risa chuckled and followed them when she saw they had stopped at the entrance. Curious, she went up to them just as they yelled.
"BIG BROTHER!" They jumped on Itachi as he laughed and Risa's eyes widened. She stared at him for a second.
"Wha… Itachi? What are you doing here?"
"It's Christmas."
"But what if someone sees you?! They'll attack you instantly!"
"No. I would stop them." Risa froze at the new voice and slowly turned. She gaped at him until the boys finally screamed at him.
"DAD! DAD YOU'RE HERE!" They detached from Itachi and rushed over to him. After greeting them he smiled at Risa.
"Are you angry?" She stared at him for another second.
"I… I think I'm in shock…" Itachi laughed and pushed her forward.
"It was his idea to come." Risa finally smiled and grabbed onto Sesshomaru, letting down the barrier around the tree in the process.
"Of course it was. You should be careful my love. I'm starting to really like this holiday." He wrapped his arms around her and nodded at the boys.
"They have gifts to open."
"Yes… All right boys, grab some gifts." She suddenly pulled away and dashed down the hall, returning a few seconds later with a few more. "I had gotten you some too Itachi. I couldn't keep them out because of… Oh no."
"What?" The doorbell rang just them and everyone froze. Risa sighed.
"I invited Kakashi to spend Christmas with us. If I had known… I'm sorry." Itachi sighed lightly.
"I'll leave or hide in a bedroom."
"No!" Naruto cried out.
"Don't leave big brother!" Sasuke grabbed him.
"… They're right Itachi. Just wait here. I'll talk to him. If he's not okay with you he doesn't have to stay."
"That's not the problem. You'll get in trouble for allowing me-"
"I'm always in trouble somehow." She smiled and went to answer the door. Everyone waited for a few minutes before she returned with a pale Kakashi. He glanced at Itachi in shock before his gaze was drawn to Sesshomaru and he paled even further. Naruto was the first to speak up.
"Hi Kakashi! Look! Daddy came for Christmas! Big brother too!" Naruto cocked his head to the side curiously when he didn't respond and handed a small present to him. "There's some for you too." Kakashi finally looked down and smiled tightly.
"Thanks Naruto. Why don't we open some?" Naruto grinned and Kakashi went to sit down, as far from Sesshomaru as possible. Itachi went over to Risa.
"What did you tell him?"
"The truth. You're not evil and part of the family. And Sesshomaru isn't kind to those that attack our family." She smiled and patted his head. "I promised to talk to the Hokage soon… and try to get Sesshomaru to go."
"You didn't have to."
"Of course I did. You both made the trip here and I won't have you spending it hidden away." She pushed him towards the tree so he could open presents and went back to Sesshomaru with a grin. "So… did Itachi tell you about mistletoe?"
Later, after the boys were running around trying out their new stuff Risa finally managed to convince Sesshomaru to meet the Hokage. Kakashi had all ready left to prepare him so Risa was left wondering how to get to him without attracting too much attention. They finally decided that she would head there first and he would get there as a ball of light. Still could attract attention, but hopefully no one would be out. When she got to the office Kakashi was waiting outside for her. He told her he was going back to her place to get dinner ready and disappeared. As soon as she entered the office Sarutobi glared at her.
"What is the meaning of this? Christmas morning and Kakashi gets me over here telling me Itachi is here? And with you no less."
"That's all he told you?"
"There's more than you harboring a criminal?"
"Of course, but I'll tell you about Itachi first."
"Quickly then." He sat back to listen and sighed when she finished. "Are you absolutely certain of this? What about Sasuke?"
"They talked it out. He likes having his brother back. And yes, I am quite sure."
"How?"
"Because his soul is fairly pure. I would show you it, but that could get complicated and I doubt you'd be able to tell anything from it." She smiled as her head tilted to listen. She turned to the door.
"Where are you going?"
"To rescue your guards. My mate is here and I thought you'd like to meet him." She opened the door and waved him in. "Don't kill them. It's their job to be cautious." There was silence for a while before Sesshomaru entered. Sarutobi waited silently until the door closed before opening his mouth to speak.
"So you're her husband?"
"I am her mate. You are the annoying human that has threatened my family." Sarutobi's smile faded at his glare.
"I didn't threaten anything. All I've done is remind your mate of the contract she signed." There was silence for a while before Sesshomaru turned to leave.
"Sesshomaru?" Risa watched him as he paused.
"You did not wish for him to die, so I am leaving." He glanced at Sarutobi who paled slightly. "If you threaten my children again I will destroy you." With that he disappeared and Risa smiled lightly.
"That didn't go too bad." She looked at Sarutobi and sighed. "I should tell you that he's a demon lord and can cross the barrier as easily as I can. He's surprisingly protective for someone that once claimed to hate humans." She grinned suddenly. "But he used to hate half-breeds too." She turned to leave and Sarutobi sighed.
"I'm sorry Risa. I should've known better than to even think about taking the boys away." He paused and pulled out a paper. "Did you want to formally adopt Itachi? I'll take him out of the bingo book and let everyone know the truth for you so that he can come with you when you do decide to return." Risa looked at him in shock for a moment before chuckling.
"Wow, if I knew I just had to scare you to get things to work out I would have done so sooner." He frowned at her.
"That's not the reason."
"Sure it's not. Merry Christmas." She left and went back to the apartment. Once she entered she laughed at the sight. Itachi was helping Kakashi in the kitchen and Sesshomaru was sitting on the floor as the boys jumped around him. What made her laugh though, was they had managed to get a fuzzy Santa hat on Sesshomaru. And at that moment, she couldn't imagine a better sight as he looked up with a smile.
Aww, I love how cute the ending is. Hope you liked it and once again... I'M SORRY IT WAS LATE. ... T.T I got writer's block at the worst possible time and forgot that holidays are busy.
