A/N: Back again. Aiming for 2 chappies today again. I know everyone's getting busy, including me, so I don't think all of them will be out by Christmas. S'ok, though.
Disclaimer: Nothing. Nada. Zip. Zilch. None of this chapter belongs to me.
The 12 Pains of Christmas: chapter 7
The doorbell rang for the eighth time that morning. Kagome rolled onto her stomach, pulling a pillow over her head. All she wanted was some sleep. Was that too much to ask these people? She expected her mom or brother to answer the door, so she hadn't bothered to get up.
Then, from downstairs, she faintly heard Inuyasha yelling for her. She sighed and rolled back over, not anticipating the edge of the bed to be so near. With a thump she landed on the floor, severely tangled in her downy comforter. The darn bell rang again, accompanied by the hanyou's voice calling her name loudly and the sound of someone coming up the stairs. She didn't feel the urge to move anymore, so she stayed lost in the sea of blankets on the floor.
"Kago—What are you doing?" Inuyasha was a little startled seeing the bundle of sheets lying unmoving on the carpet. One little foot stuck out, but it was quickly pulled back into the warmth of the blankets. He reached in; fishing around a little bit before he found the limb again. Kagome felt a hand wrap around her ankle a moment before she was yanked from her cocoon. Met with Inuyasha's face so close to her own, she just made a face at him before awkwardly clambering to her feet.
"There's a bunch of people waiting outside, in case you didn't hear," he said, slowly rising from his crouch.
"I heard. But where's my mom? Couldn't you get her to answer it?" she whined. The bed was looking very enticing at that moment, and she was sorely tempted just to collapse onto it and sleep for a few more hours.
"Your mom went out with Souta and the old man a while ago. She told me to let you sleep," Inuyasha said, tugging on her arm and trying to lead her to the annoying doorbell.
"Where'd they go?"
"She said somethin' about taking the runt to the dok-ter's," he answered, looking very proud of himself for saying the new word right.
"Oh, that's right! Well, I guess I better go answer the door now," she said, looking down at her rumpled pajamas and bare feet. "Or maybe I should get changed first," she closed her bedroom door and threw on some black pants and a red shirt with long, belled sleeves. She ran a brush through her hair as she rushed downstairs. The doorbell rang again impatiently, and she heard muffled voices coming from outside.
When she opened the door, she found several people dressed in long coats with hats and gloves. One man stepped forward.
"Season's greetings, miss. We represent the local homeless shelter. We are collecting clothing and donations for the needy of the city during this time of giving. Any amount is appreciated—" It sounded like a very practiced speech to Kagome, and she really didn't have anything for them.
"I'm sorry, my mother is not home right now. I can't give you anything, but I do send my well wishes and prayers. Thank you for coming," she said, beginning to close the door.
"That's okay. Goodbye and happy holidays!" the group of them turned around and walked down the drive, on their way to the next house. Inuyasha came up behind her and shut the door before asking her who those people were.
"About this time of year, lots of charities send people to go around from house to house to ask for donations. They're actually pretty late this year," she commented. The hanyou still looked a little confused, but he didn't say anything. Kagome lead him back into the living room and plopped onto the couch. Remote in hand, she flipped channels for a little while before finding one she liked. That was how the two of them spent the rest of the morning.
That is, until Inuyasha's stomach signaled it was time for lunch. Kagome got up, laughing, to go make some ramen for him. The blush that painted his cheeks didn't go away until after the steaming bowl was in his lap and half empty. When she came back again, she had a tall glass of milk and a peanut butter sandwich for herself. Just as she was about to sit down, the doorbell rang again.
On her front stoop stood a man and about eight little boys ranging from five to ten. One of the older ones stepped for forward. It was then she noticed the little gold emblems on their scarves and knew they were Boy Scouts.
"Hello. This year we're s'posed to collect food for everybody who can't afford to have his or her own holiday celebrations. If you can just put some non-perishable foods in this bag, we'll be back on the 24th to collect it. Thanks a lot, lady!" he called, leaving a plastic bag in her hands as the troop of them walked away. Kagome couldn't help smiling. Little kids were so cute! She hung the bag on the coat rack in the hall so she wouldn't forget, and then went back to her lunch.
After finishing the sandwich, Kagome left Inuyasha watching T.V. so that she could wrap her presents in her room. She had just finished tying the ribbon on the present for her mother when the doorbell rang again. Going to answer it, she saw it was too late to stop Inuyasha from opening the door, scowling something fierce. He ripped the door open, growling as he saw there were more charity workers on the other side.
"What do ya people want now?!" he snapped. Even from the top of the stairs, Kagome could see the shocked faces of the people outside. It was a bunch of adults, probably from the Salvation Army or something. Wincing, she watched as the hanyou told them to get lost.
"A-Alright, then. G-Good day and happy holidays to you, sir," one stuttered out as the rest fled down the steps. Inuyasha was being down right rude, but she wasn't going to stop him if it meant she didn't have to disconnect the doorbell. There was only so much well wishing a girl could take. Hoping that there'd be no more interruptions, Kagome headed back to her room to finish wrapping. Inuyasha found her writing out the last card for the last present some time later.
"Your mom's home now. She wants to talk to us," he said, leaning on her doorjamb with his arms and ankles crossed. 'I didn't hear the doorbell this time,' she thought. 'He must have gotten sick of it.'
"Okay." They went downstairs and as they passed the hall, she looked and sure enough, the doorbell cable was cut. She giggled and then sat in front of her mother at the kitchen table.
"Kagome, there's been an accident. Your grandmother's in the hospital." Her mother said bluntly.
"Oh, God! What happened?" worry colored Kagome's voice. She started thinking of all sorts of things that could have happened. A broken hip, a fractured wrist, a concussion…
"Nothing too bad. She slipped on a patch of ice and hit her head. The doctors say she'll be fine, but they want to keep her for a few days for observation because of her age. And since Mahou can't look after the kids by himself, they're coming to stay until she's released," she answered and Kagome breathed a sigh of relief.
"Really? That'll be fun. Not for Nana Keiko, but for the kids, I mean—" Kagome rambled, excited that her three favorite cousins were coming over after they had left so suddenly yesterday.
"Feh. So we get to watch the runts for a few more days?" Inuyasha cut her off. He didn't sound all that pleased, but that was to be expected. Children were not his thing.
"Yep. They'll be here later tonight when Kagome's grandfather drops them off." Mrs. Higurashi replied. 'This will be just great,' Inuyasha thought. 'Another couple of days with three rambunctious pups climbing all over the place.'
**I had to get the kids back for the next chappie. I should have that one out tonight, too. Merry Christmas Eve, if you celebrate it. Happy holidays to everyone else.
Thankies to all who reviewed.
The seventh thing at Christmas that's such a pain to meThe Salvation Army
Facing my in-laws
Five months of bills
Sending Christmas cards
Oh gees
I' m trying to rig up these lights
And finding a Christmas tree.