Written on New Years Eve. Posted on New Years

'Tis the Season

Chapter 9 ::: A Perfect Christmas Present

Whip: FYI: This is the last chapter, my New Years present to you! I don't care how long or short this one turns out, after this the story is done (except for the really short epilogue)and I'm moving on to my new fanfic. But don't worry, I'll try to make this chapter as good as I can.
I would just like to recognize my favorite reviewer, The Griminus. You have really helped me a lot through all this with your reviews (you've basically pushed me into writing more). Thanks for your support. I dedicate this chapter to you!
Whip: I'm going to be having nightmares tonight.

Juan: Why? And about what?

Whip: About huge shrimp that are attacking me. Every year my dad gets shrimp. Only, this year, the shrimp are HUGE! And they scare me....

Odie: You're frightened . . . of shrimp?

Whip: -glare- Those shrimp are huge! I half expect them to start moving and attack me!

Juan: Just back away, Odie. Back away. . .

Kagome and Inuyasha slid out the back of the school building. Kagome's wings spread and Kagome knew she could fly. How? She had no idea. But she knew that she could. Inuyasha ran and leaped at incredible speed as Kagome flew above him, her blue wings miraculous against the sky.

They headed for the shrine. There, they would put the jewel together. As Kagome flew, thoughts of the future entered her head. What would happen with her and Inuyasha? Would they stay together? Could they stay together?

Kagome landed on the shrine grands gently. Her wings folded. Inuyasha landed next to her. Kagome smiled at him. Inuyasha flew up to Kagome's widow, went in for a minute, and then came back out with Kagome's jewel shards in hand. He walked over and placed the jewel shards into her hand. Kagome added Naraku's portion and closed her hand around the jewel. A purplish, pinkish light flared. Kagome opened her hand to reveal a hole jewel.

"Finally. After all this time, I will become a full demon."

Kagome looked up at Inuyasha. He still wanted to become a full demon?

"Oh," she said, a sad look filling her face. She liked him as he was now. A half demon. She thought it was a very good form for him. Kagome looked down at her feet.

Inuyasha placed his hand under her chin and lifted her face. He noticed that Kagome blinked away tears. Inuyasha swiftly and gently kissed Kagome.

"Don't worry," he whispered, his lips barely moving. Kagome nodded and closed her eyes. "Kagome!" Kagome opened her eyes and stared questioningly at Inuyasha. "Your wings. They're gone." Kagome searched herself. Her wings were gone yes. The other changes that had taken place remained. Kagome smiled.

"Wow. That's cool. I was just thinking how I was going to get to sleep with those wings," she said. "I wonder . . ." She closed her eyes again and thought. When she opened her eyes, her hands reached around and encountered wings. Kagome smiled.

"I figured it out, Inuyasha." Inuyasha smiled at her. Kagome's wings disappeared again. Inuyasha wrapped Kagome in a hug. While she was still in his arms he jumped up and into her room. He carried her to her bed, setting her down very gently. Kagome smiled up at him.

"I have to get changed for bed," she said, and got up. Grabbing her PJs she changed from her 'angel clothing' and into her pajamas, not caring that Inuyasha watched her. When she finished she walked over to her desk and locked the jewel in one of the drawers. Then she walked over to her bed, pulled back the covers, and climbed in. She scooted to one side, leaving the covers drawn back. She looked at Inuyasha.

"You might want to change into your clothing." With that she turned on her side away from Inuyasha, to give him privacy if he wanted, and drifted off to sleep. Inuyasha did as she had said, changing into his red pants. He left his shirt off, going bare chested. He walked over to Kagome. She was asleep.

Inuyasha climbed into the bed, turning on his side to wrap his arm around Kagome. He pulled the covers up over them both and he himself drifted off to sleep.

Kagome woke to find herself wrapped in Inuyasha's arms. She was spooned against him. Soft sunlight filtered in to her room through the window, suggesting that the sun had risen not too long ago. Kagome turned herself to look at Inuyasha. He was awake. His golden eyes bore into her. Kagome smiled at him.

"Good morning," she said. Inuyasha smiled back. "It's Christmas. We have to get up." Inuyasha nodded but made no move to get up. "Inuyasha?"

Inuyasha kissed her. He held her close to him for a moment before releasing her and jumping out of bed. Kagome followed him and they made their way downstairs to the living room where the tree was. Sota sat on the couch there, staring at all the wrapped presents that were for him. Kagome tsked.

"Not supposed to be down here without Mom and Gramps, Sota," she scolded.

"I'm sorry, but I couldn't wait!" Kagome smiled at her little brother. Their mother and grandfather soon walked in, wiping sleep from their eyes. They smiled at Kagome, Sota and Inuyasha, who all sat on the couch, Kagome in Inuyasha's lap. The morning commenced. Everyone went to their piles. Even Inuyasha had a small pile. He got from Sota a picture that Sota had drawn of a dog boy strolling along. From Kagome's mother he got a hat to hide his ears. From her gramps he got an ancient scroll. Kagome got him several gifts. One was a leash and collar. Another was a pack of doggy treats. Inuyasha glared at her each time he got one of these gifts. Kagome could only laugh at him.

Inuyasha had one more gift from Kagome. A small painting of his hanyou self sitting on the branch of a tree, a sunset reflected in his eyes. At the bottom of the painting were the words, "I like you the way you are."

It was the new moon that night. Inuyasha was in his humans state. He and Kagome had spent the day describing events of the day before to Kagome's family. They had been interested to know how Kagome's hair had gotten so long.

Now Inuyasha and Kagome stood outside, looking at the star filled sky. Inuyasha wrapped his arms around Kagome's waist and she leaned back against him. His chin rested on the top of her head.

"I've been thinking," Inuyasha began.

"Thinking? About what?"

"About what to get you for this Christmas thing. I thought about the things you had ever said you wanted. And only one thing came to mind. Something you had expressed often enough."

"What was that?"

"You want me to remain a half demon."

"That's right." Kagome wanted to look into Inuyasha's eyes but she was too comfortable where she was st the moment.

"Kagome. I don't know if it's all that good of a present, but it's the only thing I have to give you. For you, I'll remain a half demon."

Kagome turned around, sliding in Inuyasha's hands, and looked him in the eye. She smiled up at him warmly.

"That's the best Christmas present I could ever hope for," she said. Inuyasha smiled at her and kissed her.