Christmas through the Well

Chapter four: The Perfect Gift

Author's Note: A little later in this chapter, Kagome tells her mother what gift she's decided to give Inuyasha. Just to let you know, it's my little tribute to one of my favorite fics, "Broken" by Quickening. For those of you who've read it, you'll instantly recognize the reference. For those of you who haven't read it?

Well, why the hell haven't you?! Go! Read it now! And I hope Quickening won't kill me for the semi-usage of her oh-so-fabulous idea.

On a further note, for anyone who might have wondered, I'd say this story takes place mid anime. Plop Christmas somewhere around episode 48, "Return to the place where we first met", and boom! You've got the time-set for the story! Just thought I'd clear that up for you. ^_^

On to chapter four!

~*~

Inuyasha, having never been to hell before, obviously didn't know what it was like; but as miserable as he was, he quickly decided that it had to resemble this afternoon spent with Eri and Ayumi in some way. Never before in his life had so many people surrounded him, and he was beginning to develop a sense of claustrophobia. Add in the overwhelming hassle of shopping and it felt as if he were drowning in a sea of despair.

Okay, so that last analogy might have been a little overly dramatic; but his little outing was, at any rate, nearly intolerable.

So far they had been out much longer than the quoted hour, and while the two girls had had little luck finding Kagome the perfect gift, they had no trouble finding ones for themselves. Like most men unwillingly dragged on shopping trips, Inuyasha had quickly found himself laden down with all their purchases. Presently, his arms were full of precariously stacked boxes, the top of which he had his chin hooked over in an attempt to give them some sort of stability. A low growl rumbling in the back of his throat, he glared irritably at the two girls walking in front of him.

"How much longer is this going to take?!" he demanded, nearly stumbling over a crack in the sidewalk. If it hadn't been for his demon-enhanced agility, he would have surely lost all of his boxes. Eri glanced back at him.

"We're done with our own shopping, so all that's left is finding a gift for you to give Kagome."

"I thought that was our only point in coming out in the first place!" grumbled Inuyasha in response. He was answered with Ayumi's giggling, and his back stiffened tensely as she patted him on the shoulder.

"Just hang in there a little longer, Inuyasha-san. We're almost done!"

Inuyasha stared at her flatly, and it was clear to Ayumi that he attempt to cheer him up had failed. With a sigh she reached out in order to tug on Eri's shirtsleeve, pointing to the nearest department store.

"Let's try here. They're having a sale on jewelry, and I think I have the perfect idea of what Inuyasha should get Kagome."

Grinning delightedly, Eri and Ayumi enthusiastically clasped their hands together, easily darting through the crowds of people and disappearing within the department store. And, like numerous times before, Inuyasha was left to clumsily lumber after them…

~*~

Kagome, meanwhile, was almost as miserable as Inuyasha-- for considerably different reasons.

She'd arrived home just a little after Eri and Ayumi had left with Inuyasha, and was now limply draped across the couch, staring up at the ceiling. She'd completely forgotten that she had agreed to hit the last minute sales with her two friends, and now she seriously wished that she hadn't. She could have gotten back earlier and completely avoided this whole dilemma!

Groaning, Kagome rolled over onto her stomach, burying her face in her arm. Heaven knew what Eri and Ayumi would tell Inuyasha while they had him alone! All the things they'd ever said and assumed about her "mysterious boyfriend"; they were no doubt berating Inuyasha at this very moment for being no-good and two-timing when he wasn't!

Well, okay. So there was the whole deal with him choosing Kikyou while unintentionally stringing Kagome on time after time, but he couldn't be blamed for that, right? And besides, he wasn't really her boyfriend, so she couldn't hold anything against him. … Unfortunately.

And, god, what was she supposed to do when they got back? Would Inuyasha question her about telling her friend's about him? Would he be angry, or embarrassed, or even… disgusted? There were just too many possible ways for this situation to go wrong, and it made Kagome want to flee back to the Sengoku Jidai until it all blew over. Dealing with a mistletoe-wielding Miroku was much more favorable compared to a ramping hanyou, after all.

A comforting weight on her back made Kagome open her eyes, which had previously been squinted shut. Mrs. Higurashi knelt beside her daughter, her face as reassuring and calm as ever.

"Don't squint like that, dear. You'll give yourself a headache." she chided, teasingly. Kagome pouted.

"I already have one."

Kagome's mother laughed, waiting for Kagome to sit up and move her legs before seating herself on the couch. Opening her arms in a welcoming gesture to her daughter, Kagome eagerly leaned into her mother's embrace, smiling contentedly when fingers began to stroke through her hair. It was moments like these that the young miko sorely missed.

"I wouldn't worry so much, Kagome," began her mother, her ministrations slowly lulling Kagome into a state of calm. "Eri and Ayumi don't bite. And neither will Inuyasha, I don't think. You'll see, they're return soon and everything will be fine."

"It not them taking Inuyasha shopping that worries me. He may hate it, but he'll live," began Kagome, nibbling on the inside of her lip. "I'm afraid of what they might say to him. They've made so many assumptions about him, mama! They're convinced he's not a good person when he really is, deep down inside. Plus, they seem to think we're together. What if they tell him how I… how I…"

"How you really feel about him?" her mother finished for her, leaving Kagome to merely nod in silent confirmation. Mrs. Higurashi squeezed her daughter's shoulder in a comforting gesture. "Don't you think he already knows? I thought you two had talked about this?"

"We did … sort of. But we don't discuss it all that often and… some important things just don't get said… and…"

Sensing her daughter's discomfort with their current topic of conversation, Mrs. Higurashi cleared her throat, quickly changing the subject.

"So, why did you return so early, Kagome-chan? I know you left last night… I really hadn't expected you back so soon," admitted Kagome's mother. Kagome smiled in response, thankful for the change of topic.

"I only went back long enough to give everyone the gifts I had bought for my friends there. I still wanted to spend the holiday at home, with you and grandpa, and Souta."

"Oh, I see. So you haven't yet given Inuyasha his gift?"

Kagome shook her head, frowning slightly.

"No. The gift I got him was stupid, anyway. It's just meant as a joke, really. His real gift is… well, you know those rosary beads around Inuyasha's neck?" asked Kagome, to which her mother nodded in response.

"Mmm. The enchanted ones, right?"

"Hai. He's always hated those, and I only I can remove them, so… I thought maybe he'd appreciate having them off."

Smiling softly, Mrs. Higurashi inclined her head in agreement, "I'm sure he'll like that. Plus, it will show just how much you trust him."

Kagome blinked, slightly confused. Seeing this, her mother continued.

"The rosary allows you to subdue him when he gets out of control, right? Taking it off means relinquishing that power you hold over him, and will show that you hold enough trust in him and the friendship between the two of you to give it up. Hadn't you thought of that?"

Kagome cast her gaze to the floor, going silent. Honestly, she hadn't read into the gift choice she'd made for Inuyasha, hadn't thought of all it might really meant. To take the rosary off really would mean giving up what little bit of power she held over him; it would also make her extremely vulnerable to the temper tantrums he was so accustomed to throwing whenever it came to herself and wanting to go home. And what about those rare-but-dangerous times when he lost control and succumbed to his youkai blood, and she needed the subduing spell to keep him from harming her? Did she really trust him enough to let lose her only shred of control?

Yes, she did; and the thought brought a little smile to her lips and a faint fluttering to her stomach. She trusted him, and she wanted him to know it. Unwittingly, she'd made quite a meaningful gift choice.

Giggling, Kagome shook her head, slowly pulling away from her mother's warm embrace.

"Actually, no, I hadn't. But now that you bring it to my attention, it only makes me want to give it to him more." Kagome proclaimed, leaning in to kiss her mother's cheek. "Thank you, mama."

"No problem dear." replied Mrs. Higurashi, grinning as she stood. "They should be returning soon. Why don't you help me prepare hot cocoa for your friends?"

"Hai!" exclaimed Kagome, eagerly following her mother into the kitchen.

~*~

"So…what's so great about this stupid little trinket, anyway?" questioned Inuyasha, poking at the golden heart that dangled around the chain he held within his hand. As soon as the girls had led him into the department store they'd darted straight to the jewelry counter, and had instantly began to search for… well, whatever the hell this thing was.

"It's a locket, Inuyasha-san. Don't you know anything?" Eri replied irritably, placing her hands on her hips. Inuyasha blinked.

"Lock… it? Does that mean it's some sort of special warding spell?"

Both girls exchanged confused glances, then simultaneously shook their heads out of frustration. Shopping with Inuyasha had proved most impossible—he acted as if he knew nothing, and the simplest of things would make him stop and stare in awe. They were seriously beginning to wonder if the white-haired youth had come from another planet.

Or, as Eri had suggested, perhaps he had been dropped on his head as a baby. Either would prove to be an adequate explanation for his odd behavior.

"No, no. Here, let me show you how it works," began Ayumi, the more patient of the pair. Taking the locket from Inuyasha's fingers, she slowly opened the tiny, hinged sides of the necklace. "See how it opens? You get a picture of yourself taken, and put it in one side. Then Kagome can place her own picture in the other side. It's a very cute and romantic gift to give your girlfriend!" she chirped, flashing him a beaming smile.

For the millionth time that day, Inuyasha found himself flustered and blushing. Normally he would deny the relationship between himself and Kagome until he was blue in the face, yet for some reason, he hadn't attempted to correct his current 'companions' even once. A small part of his mind argued that it wouldn't make a difference, as they wouldn't believe him; a smaller, frequently ignored side of him claimed that it was something much more—which, consequently, was why that side was so resolutely disregarded.

"You… you really think she'll like it?" he finally asked, sounding almost embarrassed. Eri and Ayumi nodded in unison.

"Yeah. All we have to do is get your picture taken so that we can put it inside. I think there's one of those sit-in booths just down the street." Said Eri, to which Ayumi nodded.

"Mmm! They've gotten really popular, especially to make pictures to stick on notebooks and things. Those booths are everywhere now!"

Inuyasha watched Kagome's two friends chatter, lost in dumb confusion. Didn't pictures take a long time to illustrate? And even after they were done, they had to be left to dry. Furthermore, where were they going to find someone who could paint his portrait tiny enough to fit into the locket? He was so terribly lost…

Which was why he was almost thankful when they began dragging him off again, leaving him to just sit back and enjoy the ride. That is, if being drug around a busy department store by two teenaged girls while lugging around a mountain of their purchases was considered enjoyable. Taking into account just how many males he'd seen doing so for their bitches-- all the while bearing love-sick expressions-- the hanyou guessed that it was some modern-era form of entertainment. He'd never understand this time, and quite frankly, he didn't really want to.

After the locket was paid for and placed with a shiny silver box, adding yet another item to his stack of things to carry, Eri and Ayumi led him out of the department store. The chilly breeze outside was a welcome change to the thick, perfume-laden air from within the store, and Inuyasha found himself taking several deep breaths. God, how long had he been shopping with these girls? Wasn't he done yet?

Failing to notice that the pair had stopped, Inuyasha plowed right into them. Grumbling a quick apology he stepped back, his gaze following theirs. They seemed to be looking at a relatively small booth, a thin curtain covering the entrance. The hanyou was quite surprised when he found the weight held within his arms being lessened; Ayumi was taking the boxes from him. Grabbing him by the upper arm, Eri guided him towards the curtain.

"Okay, this is what you're going to do. You go in, you sit, you stare at the black screen in front of you and you smile really pretty. Got that? Good boy." she explained in a rush, tone of voice almost condescending. Inuyasha was about to scream at her for telling him what to do, but thought against it. It would probably only serve to prolong his torture.

Stepping within the booth, Inuyasha obediently took a seat, staring curiously at the blank screen in front of him. From outside, his sensitive ears could pick up the sounds of the two girls punching buttons. Just what was this thing, anyway?

"Oi, Inuyasha! Are you ready?" called Eri, peeking in at him through the curtain. Though he wasn't sure what he was agreeing to, Inuyasha nodded.

"Look forward and smile!" added Ayumi, just seconds before a blinding flash of light went off in front of him.

Inuyasha howled, his sensitive eyes dilating painfully. Just when he thought he was about to recover another went off, then another. Hands flying up to clutch over his offended eyes he got to a stand, wildly stumbling out of the booth and right past the startled Eri and Ayumi. People hissed and yelled as he clumsily bumped into them, but he paid them no attention. He merely kept lumbering forward, blindly, nearly falling over as the sidewalk dipped and became coarser.

Though his sense of sight was temporarily rendered useless, his hearing remained just fine. He could hear the distant voices of Eri and Ayumi as they frantically called to him, and could feel the strange, rapid gusts of wind that whizzed by him in all directions. Every so often there would be a loud screeching noise, and yet another faceless voice would shout obscenities at him. After several moments he opened his eyes, hoping his sight had returned, only to find his vision swimming with dots.

They were beautiful, those dots. They glowed and flashed every color of the rainbow as they danced, and yet they caused him to growl furiously. Now was not the time to admire the very things that were obscuring his vision!

Two dots in particular seemed to glow much brighter than the rest, and if he wasn't mistaken, were growing larger by the minute. His sight was finally beginning to clear just enough for him to make out shapes and colors, and the gigantic blob that was speeding towards him made his jaw fall lax. The sound of a horn blaring mixed with that of Eri and Ayumi's terrified screams, and every muscle within Inuyasha's body stiffened.

It would have been so easy to simply slash the thing in two with his claws, or to simply leap right over it-- but both options would inevitably draw attention that he didn't need; force questions to arise that he didn't dare answer.

Shit! What the hell was a hanyou to do in a situation like this?!

The phrase, 'Damned if you do, damned if you don't,' absently flashed across Inuyasha's mind. Remaining motionless as he stood in the middle of the road, his mind became lost under waves indecision; all the while allowing the vehicle before him draw more dangerously near…

~*~

Uhm, cliffhanger?

I kind of have the urge to laugh maniacally, but I'm really too tired to do so. I usually wouldn't stop at such a weird point, but it's 3:30 in the morning, and it seemed like a good as spot as any to end this chapter.

Anyway! Be sure to stick around for chapter five. It will most definitely be the last, and it's where I'll finally get into the mushy holiday-goodness that I've been waiting for. I'll be working my butt of in order to get it done before the end of tomorrow, so I hope you all enjoy! See you then! Right now I'm off to marvel at my very first cliffhanger… and, you know, sleep. Because sleep is good.

Happy holidays!

-MsImp