Disclaimer: R-U-M-I-K-O! T-A-K-A-H-A-S-H-I! Now! What does that spell? RUMIKO TAKAHASHI!!!!!! And she owns the show Inuyasha…Not me…Arigatou.
Love Me as I Am
Chapter 47- Meri Kurisumasu to All
Suki and Kuno made their daily visit to Yasuo's house in the village. It had become routine since Yasuo and Suki had announced that they were 'going out' in modern terms.
Suki held Kuno and shifted him so she could open the door then walked straight in. Yasuo sat on the floor with his legs crossed and Asako in his lap giggling.
"Something funny?"
Yasuo shook his head.
"Nope."
Suki shot him a 'you're hiding something' look and he simply smiled in response. Suki sighed and shrugged it off going over to sit beside him.
"You know, sometimes you weird me out."
Yasuo smirked and handed her Asako, pulling the three of them into his lap.
"Is that a bad thing?"
Suki shook her head.
"Oh yeah. You haven't forgotten Christmas is tomorrow have you?"
Suki, having learned about Christmas on the other side of the well when she was young had explained it to him in great detail weeks ago.
"Of course I haven't. Look over there."
Suki blinked and turned her head as far to the left as it would go. She gasped. In the corner of the cabin was a bushy evergreen tree whose top brushed the ceiling.
"B-but…how did I miss it?"
"I think you were too busy gawking at Asako and I."
"You even decorated it…"
"Your mom's idea."
"It's beautiful…"
Yasuo smiled and set his chin on Suki's shoulder.
"So you like it then."
"I love it. And, I love you too."
Suki kissed his cheek and lay back against his chest.
"You know…it's past Asako's naptime and from the way Kuno's eyelids look all heavy he looks like he could use a nap as well." suggested Yasuo.
Suki nodded and stood up, going over to put them both in their crib. She smiled and went back to him. As he stood up she blinked confused.
"I want you to check this out."
He took her hand and led her over to the tree. There were lights on it and he turned them on.
"I still don't understand how you can make light without fire but your mother said the lights she gave me were run by something called batteries."
Suki smiled as he brought her down onto the floor and they stared up into the Christmas tree, observing the tiers of lights and branches. It had started to get dark outside and the lights shown even brighter.
"Suki. I have something for you."
"Oh…but you're supposed to wait till tomorrow…"
"Not for this I'm not."
Yasuo slipped a velvet box into her hand and opened it for her.
"Suki…will you marry me?"
Suki fought back tears, which was hard because she was lying on her back. She brought the box up to her face then shut it, setting it down beside her. Rubbing the remaining tears out of her eyes with her other arm she choked back the rest of her tears and forced herself up off the ground. Carefully she crawled on top of Yasuo, her hands on his chest and looked him in the eyes.
"Of course I'll marry you. I love you too much not to."
Yasuo smiled and brought his hand up to wipe another tear off her cheek.
"I couldn't ask for a better Christmas present."
"Suki brought her hand and his down to the ground and weaved her fingers with his, bringing her face to his and kissing him passionately as if she were to die the next minute. It surprised her when Yasuo deepened the kiss. He ran his hand gently through her hair as he regretfully broke away.
"Happy Christmas Suki."
~*~*~
"It seems very quiet these days." Kagome pointed out as always.
Inuyasha nodded.
"Maybe that's because Kuneau's asleep, Kanaye's got his own house, Suki's with Yasuo…"
"and tomorrow's Christmas."
"Kagome, you do realize that we've pretty much got the whole house to ourselves tonight."
She smiled.
"Of course."
~*~*~
"Kunara's in bed now." Alerted Rin as she walked over to stand next to Sesshomaru.
"I think…that my brother's woman's stupidity is beginning to rub off on you."
Rin looked curiously up at him as he stood eyes focused on something in front of him.
"That tree looks absolutely ridiculous. And why is it in the house?"
Rin smiled.
"It's a Christmas tree…and the star is crooked." She said as she reached up to fix it.
She was just too short and she gasped as she was lifted into the air by two strong arms. She fixed it and Sesshomaru put her down.
"I still say it looks ridic--"
"Shh…"
Rin flipped a switch on the lights.
"There."
Sesshomaru could only stare. The lights were hypnotizing. Rin took him over to the couch and sat him down, sitting in his lap. She reached over and blew on the flickering flame of the last lit candle in the house, putting it out and allowing the lights to shine to their fullest.
"Merry Christmas love."
~*~*~
Trinity poured a cup of tea for Kanaye and brought it over to him.
"Your mother sure knows how to make a house cheery doesn't she?"
Kanaye set his cup down and gathered her into his arms.
"Must be, because I can't see anything and yet there's this joy I feel in my heart. It's hard to explain."
"Joy surpasses physical capabilities."
"Of course it does. If it didn't our wedding would have been a real drag."
Trinity nodded.
"But it wasn't. It was perfect."
"Except for when Trouble spilled punch all over dad."
"How'd you know?"
"Language like that is only heard very rarely, and almost ALWAYS from dad. Plus, I heard the splash of the punch, the shatter of the glass, and the patter of that little rascals feet going out of the cave."
"You're very observant you know. And yes, we could have done without that little incident. But that was it."
"Uh huh."
Trinity sighed and leaned into him.
"You know, I'm proud of you."
"For what?"
"For being strong, through everything that's happened lately."
"Haven't you told me this before?"
Trinity nodded.
"But only because it's true."
Kanaye smiled and nuzzled her neck affectionately.
"And I'm proud of you also, because I would be nothing if not for you. Joyeux Noel Trinity."
~*~*~
"Sango, are you sure you're well enough to go?"
"Miroku, it's just next door. You forget I have legs."
"Aheh…sorry Sango."
"It's alright. Now, stand up and come with me. You wouldn't want me to slip on the ice would you?"
Miroku smiled.
"Of course not my lady. I am forever at your service." He said standing up and slipping his jacket on then taking her hand and following her out the door.
They managed to get to Inuyasha and Kagome's house without slipping once. Or at least, Sango didn't slip. Miroku on the other hand took three steps and slipped every time. Sango giggled as he opened the door to the house partially covered in snow, kind of forgetting to knock. As soon as he walked in he regretted it.
"Eh…Sango?" he whispered, trying to push her back out the door.
"Maybe this isn't a good time to visit…"
Kagome, who was currently being kissed by Inuyasha put her hand in front of her mouth to stop him and smiled.
"Nice to see you guys again. Come on in."
Inuyasha growled audibly, obviously ticked at Miroku now for interrupting them.
Kagome giggled and sat up, going to close the door and take their coats.
"Thanks Kagome. It sure is warm in here."
"Ya sure it's not that you're having a hot flash?" snapped Inuyasha irritably.
"Inuyasha! Be nice. Sorry Sango…he's just mad cause we were just getting to the good part of the 'movie'"
Sango smiled and Miroku blinked, not catching her hint.
"Hn." growled Inuyasha.
"How 'bout I make some tea for you guys?" asked Kagome, eagerly changing the subject.
Sango nodded catching her drift.
"That would be lovely."
Kagome grabbed Inuyasha hand and pulled him off the ground, whisking him off and away into the kitchen. She dragged him through the doorway and shut the door.
"You know what Inuyasha?! I'd REALLY appreciate it if you'd try and be nice once in a while."
"I was…till they showed up."
"That's not what I meant."
"Yeah? Well…"
"Well what?"
"I just didn't want them over okay? Is that too much to ask?"
Kagome sighed and leaned against his chest.
"No…but they're our friends. Don't worry. They'll leave later tonight, and we'll have the rest of the night to ourselves okay?"
Inuyasha nodded.
"Now, would you help me by putting the water on while I go get the cookies?"
Inuyasha nodded again and did as he was told.
'Is it that bad that I wanted to be alone with her tonight?' he asked himself sighing.
Kagome walked over to the pantry and took out a sheet of beautifully decorated cookies, setting them out on a red foiled plate. Inuyasha simply watched her.
"Gomen I yelled at you Inuyasha. I just…oh, I don't know. I'm just a little stressed around this time of year and I want to make Miroku and Sango feel at home. You never know, Sango could go into labor at anytime."
Inuyasha nodded as Kagome picked up the plate.
"As soon as they leave I promise you and I can have the entire rest of the night to ourselves. I already wrapped everyone else's presents. You do remember that there's going to be a Christmas party at Trinity and Kanaye's house tomorrow since they have the biggest house."
"Yeah, I remember."
"Well alright then. Come on ya big lug and help me out by carrying these." She said, handing him the plate of cookies and going over to get the kettle and teacups.
Inuyasha followed her out and back into the living room. Kagome passed out the cups and tea bags then poured the water for them, passing the plate of cookies around. When she was finished she set the kettle on a hot mat and went to go sit in Inuyasha's lap.
For a large portion of the night Miroku and Sango stayed and talked. Inuyasha really didn't mind. He enjoyed running his clawed fingers up Kagome's back every once in a while and watching her shiver. He wasn't really doing it to annoy her, just because he was growing increasingly bored. He didn't know it was possible for women to talk so much. How could they POSSIBLY have that much to say? Miroku was getting bored too. Inuyasha knew because he watched Miroku first twiddle his fingers against the wood floor then he pulled his legs closer and sat cross-legged sighing. He would do it and repeat, trying desperately to get his point across. Half an hour later Sango and Kagome smiled.
"You know, we've been catching your clues for the past hour." Said Kagome.
Sango nodded and turned to Miroku who sat behind her.
"Yes. From the way you sighed Miroku, I could tell you want to go home. And you Inuyasha, want us to leave so that you can be alone."
Sango smiled as Miroku extended his hand to help her up. Sango set her hand on her stomach and sighed.
"Well…the baby WAS sleeping. Have fun tonight you guys. Miroku and I will see you at the party tomorrow."
Kagome nodded and stood up, leaving Inuyasha on the floor.
"Yep. See you then."
When they had left she turned around and smiled, going back to sit in her very favorite hanyou's lap.
"Now. Where were we?"
"I forgot. Let's start from the beginning. Meri Kurisumasu…" Whispered Inuyasha into her ear.
Kagome smiled.
"Look up."
Inuyasha did as she said.
"What's that thing…wait…I know what that is. You told me the first year we were married."
Kagome nodded.
"Yeah. You did. It's uh...mistle…foot…?"
Kagome giggled and messed with his ears.
"No…mistletoe."
"Well I was close wasn't I?"
She smiled and continued rubbing his ears as they laid down on the floor, Kagome on top. For once SHE kissed him rather than the other way around and she decided to be creative with it, first nipping at his bottom lip. Inuyasha went along with it and deepened the kiss. And thus the night began, and now Inuyasha half didn't want Christmas to come because that would mean the end of the romantic mood…and the beginning of the Christmas rush.
~*~*~ I hope you guys liked it! It's the longest chapter in a VERY long time. I just HAD to make you guys happy. I mean…hey, you've almost helped me reach 200 reviews!!! I've GOT to thank you somehow right? Well anyway, that might be the last chapter till after Kurisumasu. (Christmas for those of you that don't remember) Well anyway, till next update, MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT! ~*~*~ Miyu