In my last chapter I tried to make Kikyo not really that evil. Since I've seen most of the series so far, she's not evil at all in fact, that is except int he begining when she tried to kill Inu and all that, but later on in the series she becomes a lot nicer. I just made her slightly mad at Sesshoumaru for saying that Inu-Yasha would not be going with her to hell, which I might add is still her main goal, but until more episodes are released and more in the manga, I can only guess what her real personality is. But anyway, I made Sesshoumaru a little chatty because Miroku and the others did a lot of talking, I felt Sesshoumaru needed to be doing some talking too. Anyway, I have some bad news for you all. I have been able to get chapters up quickly, however I'm getting a job. So with school and work, the chapters might be a little bit more slower to get up, but they will eventually. Anyhow, if any of you were confused with Rin pulling them through the barrier, it's pretty basic. Only someone from the outside can help them escape. When Rin grabbed onto Sango's hand, the exterminator was able to walk through it. But enough of that, I guess I should get onto the chapter!

Winter Wonderland

Chapter Seventeen

The Christmas lights in the living room glowed brightly, illuminating the Christmas tree and the many presents under it. Sota sat in front of the tree, wrapped tightly in his fuzzy blanket, waiting for the others to wake. For the hundredth time he stared at the clock again to see it was one five thirty in the morning. Sighing, his darted to the presents, trying to count how many he had gotten this years. Finally Sota decided he waited long enough and bolted to the stairs. He first headed to his grandpa's room and silently opened the door. Sota smiled and crept inside, but had to cover his ears due to grandpa's loud snoring. Giggling slightly, Sota stood by the bed and reached forward, taking a hold of Grandpa's nose. The old man suddenly jolted awake, his arms flailing.

"What's . . . what's going on?' whispered Grandpa.

"It's Christmas!" cried Sota.

"It's five thirty . . ."

"Yeah, time for presents!" said Sota, running to his mothers room.

The loud sound of footsteps caused Inu-Yasha to wake up from his deep slumber. Yawning, the half demon looked around the room, wondering why someone would be up at this hour. He could hear Sota yelling something about Christmas and smiled. The kid would not go to sleep last night. It took two tablespoons of Niquil to put the kid to sleep (hey it worked on my sister). Inu-Yasha softly shook Kagome who was sleeping peacefully on his chest.

"mmmmm,"

"Hey, are you awake?" whispered Inu-Yasha.

"I am now," yawned Kagome.

"Well your little brother is about to come screaming in here that it is Christmas,"

"Just like the year before,"

"You know what?"

"What?"

"Guess,"

"Oh! I get my present today!"

"Yeah, and tonight, we're heading back to Miroku and the others,"

"What?"

"Well, I thought we could spend Christmas with them too, unless you want to stay here,"

"No, I want to see the others, its been so long, and I can't wait for them to see their presents. But how are we getting there?"

"Well after Christmas Supper we're taking a . . . I think your mother called it a tacksi or something,"

Kagome giggled, "That would be nice," she leaned forward and kissed Inu- Yasha on the lips.

Suddenly the door opened, "Kagome! Inu-Yasha it's . . . ewwww, mom they're kissing!"

Kagome tried to pull away but Inu-Yasha just kept her in place, "He's going to have to get used to it," he whispered against her lips.

Kagome smiled, and pulled Inu-Yasha out of bed with her as they headed downstairs. Sota waited for everyone by the tree, "Come one everyone!"

"Sota, can't you wait till later?" asked his mother.

"Well we are all up," said Kagome.

Mrs. Higurashi smiled and followed her father down the stairs. Kagome and Inu-Yasha took a seat on the couch, Grandpa in his chair, and Sota and his mother on the floor.

"Well let's get started then, we'll go with youngest first so Sota, you go right ahead,"

Sota dived into his presents and started to open them all. He go his movie from Inu-Yasha, three new video games from Kagome, a new soccer ball and net from his mother, and grandpa had given him a book on how to become a priest. (Sota is old enough to know that there is no Santa Claus).

"Grandpa! I told you I'm not going to . . ."

"Sota!"

"Thank you for the gift,"

Mrs. Higurashi smiled and turned to Kagome, "Alright dear, now it's your turn,"

Grandpa handed Kagome his gift to her, which she was a little hesitant to open, but it turned out to be a few SHAM shirts (you see her wearing them when she's home) and some skirts. Sota was next and had gotten her a new back pack that was even bigger than her last.

"I think Inu-Yasha should go next to give you your next gift," suggested Mrs. Higurashi.

Inu-Yasha went upstairs and came back a moment later with a rather large present in his hands. He had a big toothy grin on his face as the half demon passed his mate the huge gift.

Kagome pulled at the wrapping paper, anxious to see what was in the box, but when he opened it, there was another box. "Oh not this game,"

Inu-Yasha just smiled as Kagome went through box after box until finally she came to the last one which as five times smaller than the original. There were two medium sized boxes and one that was really small. She opened one of the medium boxes which was a leather case. Kagome opened the box which revealed a gold locket. Giving a small gasp she opened it to see a picture of her Inu-Yasha.

"Open the next one," whispered Inu-Yasha.

Kagome grabbed the next medium sized box which turned out to be silver picture frame with the words 'Inu-Yasha and Kagome' on the bottom and had a picture of them sleeping on the couch.

"Your mother took that," said Inu-Yasha wrapping his arms around Kagome's waist.

Kagome then reached for the small box which happened to be a ring case, and with shaky fingers Kagome opened to reveal a gold, diamond, engagement ring.

"Kagome . . . will you marry me?" Inu-Yasha whispered in her ear.

The girl couldn't respond, so instead she just nodded her head.

Inu-Yasha smiled and grabbed the ring, putting it on Kagome's left hand, "I know you are already my mate, but I wanted to give you this so men in your era know you're taken,"

Kagome giggled and kissed Inu-Yasha briefly before Sota starting singing, 'Inu-Yasha and Kagome sitting in a tree'.

"Now for my present, its actually for both of you," said Mrs. Higurashi, handing her daughter a card.

Kagome looked curious at her mother, but when she opened it something slipped out. The card had wished her a Merry Christmas from her mother, but when she grabbed the thing that had fallen out of the card she gasped.

"What is it?" asked Inu-Yasha.

"Its a gift card," said Kagome, looking at her mother, "But mom . . . you already paid for my dress and his tux, you shouldn't of,"

"I know honey, but I just couldn't' help it,"

"Kagome what's going on?"

"My mother has paid for my wedding dress and our wedding rings, we just have to go and pick them out,"

Inu-Yasha's and almost everyone in the rooms did too. The half demon had remembered to prices of wedding rings and the store he had passed with wedding dresses.

"Th . . . thank you," whispered Inu-Yasha.

Mrs. Higurashi nodded, "Now Inu-Yasha it's your turn to open your other presents,"

"Um actually it's your turn, I'm 71," said Inu-Yasha.

"Oh, well I guess that does make you older than me," smiled Kagome's mother. She had gotten the bird feeder from Inu-Yasha, some perfume and bubble bath from her father, Sota had gotten her favorite movies on dvd, and Kagome had gotten her a thirty dollar certificate at the nearest spa.

"Thank you everyone, now Inu-Yasha it is your turn,"

Inu-Yasha opened his first gift from Sota which turned out to be a garbage bag full of Ramen, Mrs. Higurashi had gotten him some ear muffs that covered his dog ears perfectly, along with an anger management book. Grandpa had gotten him some spirit wards to protect his and Kagome's house when ever they got it built.

"Now for mine," said Kagome handing Kagome handing him a rather large box.

The half demon unwrapped it and stared at the leather photo album that had written in gold letters 'To Inu-Yasha, Love Kagome,'. Glancing briefly at Kagome he opened it up. There were pictures beyond pictures. Some were of them and the gang back in the past, but most of them were of him and Kagome on the vacation. The photo album was so huge, but only half of it was full.

"The other half is for our wedding and then any other pictures after that," whispered Kagome.

Inu-Yasha smiled and pulled Kagome in for a kiss.

"Alright enough you two, time for my presents!" said grandpa. He had gotten his book from Inu-Yasha, some real talismans from Kagome (who had gotten them from Miroku of course), Mrs. Higurashi had gotten him a foot massager, and Sota had gotten his grandfather a new broom for sweeping the shrine grounds ( Grandparents are so hard to buy for I find)

"Well that was a nice Christmas," said Mrs. Higurashi, eyeing all the wrapping paper, "Well let's get this cleaned up and then we can get our Christmas dinner ready,"

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Kagome stared out the window of the taxi window as familiar buildings and stores came into sight. The weather had turned for the worst, but they were lucky to have left the cabin when they did or they would have been trapped in it in the middle of the country. Kagome glanced over at Inu- Yasha who was sleeping peacefully at her side with his stomach full. The half demon had eaten most of the Christmas dinner so that there were no left overs. Kagome then looked down at her engagement ring and smiled. She couldn't wait to tell Miroku and the others . . . that is after Naraku was destroyed and there was no more danger. She sighed and snuggled closer to her mate. They would reach the shrine grounds soon, but Kagome didn't feel like heading back to others quite yet. Shrugging her shoulders she decided that her and Inu-Yasha would go in the morning since it was almost eleven at night.

"We are here miss," said the taxi driver, pulling up beside Kagome's shrine.

The girl shook the half demon awake, "Hey sweetie, we're here,"

Inu-Yasha yawned and stared down at Kagome, "Did you just call me sweetie?"

Kagome giggled and nodded as she got out of the taxi. Inu-Yasha grabbed their bags while Kagome paid the driver.

"So are we heading back tonight?" asked Inu-Yasha as they walked up the long stairs.

"I think we should go in the morning,"

Inu-Yasha nodded, "So when is your family coming back?"

"In about three more days, it really depends how this storm holds," said Kagome, moving closer to Inu-Yasha. The wind had started to blow even harder, and the snow was coming down in huge flakes. She unlocked the door and stepped into the darken house.

"Mrrroowww!"

"Hello Buyo," said Kagome, turning on the light.

Inu-Yasha closed the door behind him, setting their bags to the floor.

"Well I say we go to bed, it's late," yawned Kagome.

"Agreed," said Inu-Yasha, following Kagome upstairs. The half demon had grabbed his red pants to wear to bed as he waited outside of Kagome's door, waiting for her to change. Kagome appeared a moment later wearing her familiar striped PJ's.

"Let's go to my mothers room, my room is freezing," said Kagome.

Inu-Yasha nodded and briefly went into Kagome's room to change. He then went into Kagome's mothers room to see his mate already in the rather large bed. Inu-Yasha blushed slightly before crawling in next to her and wrapping his arms protectively around her. Kagome couldn't help but continue to stare at her ring, "Thank you so much,"

"Your welcome," whispered Inu-Yasha, kissing Kagome's forehead.

"I feel kind of bad that I didn't get you more," said Kagome, glancing at the locket around her neck.

"You didn't need to, I love my present,"

Yet Kagome still felt rather guilty she didn't get him something more. She then leaned up and kissed her lover on the lips. Inu-Yasha responded a moment later, pulling himself on top of his mate so he could deepen the kiss as their tongue's battle playfully.

"Inu-Yasha . . ."

"Hmmm?" he mumbled.

"Merry Christmas . . ."whispered Kagome, pulling the blankets over their heads.

(I'll let you figure out on your own what Kagome's second gift is)

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A gust of wind had made it's way into the cave, causing Sesshoumaru to shiver slightly. Everyone else, including Kikyo were peacefully sleeping against the cave wall. Sesshoumaru felt rage spread through his body. He . . . Sesshoumaru . . . Lord of the Western lands had been kidnaped by a dead priestess who was after his half breed brother. Growling low in his throat he subconsciously pulled Rin closer to his body. It was just then that a thought struck him as the lord stared down at the young girl in his arms who mumbled something in her sleep, snuggling more closer to his fur. *Why do I put up with her, but I guess the same question does go for Jaken, he is sometimes useless as well* thought Sesshoumaru, staring at the imp who was sleeping close by. It was a mystery he just couldn't figure out, why had he saved her that day? What made her so special to him? It was a feeling he couldn't explain.

Sesshoumaru POV

Why do I bother keeping her around? Is it that I need company? No, that's not it, I kind of have Jaken for that reason . . . that annoying little imp, though he is good for running errands and taking care of any weak, pathetic demons that cross my path. But why is this little girl so special to me?

When ever I return to camp after a long battle, her smiling face seems to cheer me up, and . . . and . . . damn it I just can't figure it out! I'm becoming as weak as my father protecting humans when they are so weak and pathetic, but Rin . . . Rin is different from them. She's not afraid of me like most humans are, but what is it that makes her so special to me? She takes care of my steed, and always make sure that food is prepared. At first I saw her just as an companion that kept me company, but now . . . she has almost grown into a woman. Damn it! I'm falling into the same trap as my father when he met my brothers wench of a mother. He too fell in love with a child, and when she had grown up he had claimed her as his mate. No, I won't follow in his footsteps! I won't! I can't! Damn it who am I kidding? Kikyo seemed to see right through me for the reason I'm after Naraku. I . . . Sesshoumaru have fallen for a human, even when I swore that I would never be as weak and pathetic as my father, but then again. After he did meet Inu-Yasha's mother . . . he did become stronger . . . but why? He was strong enough as it is . . . how did he become stronger?

Out of Sesshoumaru's POV

He looked down at the girl in his arms and finally hit him. His father had someone to protect, like he had to protect Rin. It then he realized what it was the made Rin different from anyone else. She saw him, the way no one else did . . . this little girl was able to see the small caring side of him. He wouldn't admit it, but after meeting Rin he had become kinder to his brother, and was even starting to care for the half breed, like the time he went to stop Inu-Yasha for killing everyone when he was transformed (Episodes 51 and 52). However he always showed his emotionless side so no one would suspect a thing, but it was becoming harder now that Rin was growing up. And soon when she would become sixteen, he would have a hard time with her. She was only twelve and already he was in love with her. He mentally slapped himself, but he couldn't deny the truth. Moving slightly, he cuddled Rin more closer to his body, trying to keep her warm. *Sleep well . . . my Rin*

(Sorry I didn't write more, but Sesshoumaru is a little hard to write about him since you don't see him much in the series or the manga)

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Light spread throughout the house from the morning sun, causing Buyo to open his eyes. The snow storm had subsided a little, but it the wind was still blowing rather hard. The cat gave off a small yawn, and jumped off the couch and headed upstairs for a new place to take another nap. He headed for a particular room, but the door was closed. Blinking, he started to claw at the door, trying to get in. The curtains had been closed tightly, not letting any light into Mrs. Higurashi's room, making it completely dark. A small scratching noise caused Inu-Yasha to awaken from his deepen slumber. His ears twitched as he recognized Buyo's soft whining meows.

"Buyo! Go away!" hissed Inu-Yasha, not wanting to get up and shoo the cat away. He could hear Buyo leave and head into Kagome's room. The half demon sighed and snuggled more closer into the blankets. The last thing he wanted to do now was get up. He was still quite exhausted from the nights events that had taken place. Even in the dark he could still see Kagome sleeping peacefully on his chest, her head resting under his chin. His grip tightened around the girl as his hands ran smoothly along her bare back, down her sides, but finally stopped at her hip. He could feel the small scar and was glad that the gash wasn't bleeding anymore. Inu-Yasha felt happy and content with his mate lying on his chest and in his arms. He would have preferred to wait till later to show his act of love, but he didn't mind that it was Kagome's Christmas present to him. Leaning his head down, he ran his lips over the mate mark, and the small bite marks on Kagome's neck and shoulder. He could hear Kagome's breath becoming slightly uneven, which meant she would wake up soon. Inu-Yasha brushed his lips against hers, wanting to see those blue-gray eyes look into his own golden orbs. His mates eyes slowly opened, and she gave off a rather large yawn, snuggling more into Inu-Yasha's warm bare chest.

"Morning . . ." whispered Inu-Yasha.

"Morning to you too." Kagome propped he self up so she could look into Inu-Yasha's eyes. Even though it was dark, she could still see her half demons golden eyes. She touched her hand to his cheek, feeling the warmness of the flesh spread to her hand.

"Do we have to go back today?" asked Inu-Yasha, his hands massaging her back.

"Yes, but we don't have to go back till this afternoon," said Kagome, nuzzling her nose against her lovers.

Inu-Yasha suddenly tightened his grip on Kagome's back and rolled over so that he was on top, "Do you think you're mom will mind?"

"Probably not," smiled Kagome, kissing Inu-Yasha on the cheek.

Inu-Yasha rested his head under Kagome's chin as she petted his head, her other hand massaging his ear, "Do you think we're moving too fast?"

"No, but I think we should before we do this again,"

"Sure," whispered Kagome.

Inu-Yasha sat up slightly and nuzzled his head against Kagome's, "You are now my mate for life, which means no other demon may touch you,"

Kagome smiled and brought Inu-Yasha back down to his original position on her chest, her fingers running across his ears, "Gods, I'm still tired," yawned Kagome.

"So am I, how does a few more hours of sleep sound and then we'll return to Miroku and the others?"

Kagome nodded and pulled the covers more over their bodies. Inu-Yasha wrapped his arms around her waist, keeping his mate close to him. He could now hear Kagome's even breathing as she drifted back to sleep. He just couldn't get last nights thoughts out of his head. The love . . . the passion . . . the way they had looked at each other as they had made love. Smiling with contentment, Inu-Yasha closed his eyes, falling into a dreamless sleep.

TBC . . .

Alright there folks, that is the end of the next chapter! So the next one should be up soon. Just a small note here, I noticed in most of my reviews that I have Kikyo haters here. Well frankly I don't hate Kikyo . . . . but wait let me explain. I have nothing against the original Kikyo that Inu- Yasha knew those many years ago, but the one walking around now kind of pissess me off now and then. Anyway, it might actually be a while for the next chapter since I have to finish the second and final chapter for my small fic Rain of Blood. So just review!!!!!!!

Lynns.