Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Inuyasha characters, mainly Sesshoumaru in this story. I do however own everyone and everything, including the rights to this story, in this story… that sounded kinda weird… oops.
Summary: Sesshoumaru Fukai, owner of Western Lands Co., has been left behind during the holidays while the rest of his family has gone on a cruise. A co-worker, Kadasa Mori, offers him a place to stay during the Christmas break. He accepts and then finds out she has 6 adopted brothers and sisters living with her. He'll have to survive through 'church' her family, shopping, and two teens and 4 toddlers for Christmas. Maybe he should've just stayed home…
Warning: Sesshoumaru is very much so out of character. Please excuse that…
Author's Note: Hoping you're having a happy holiday, here's The Meaning of Christmas: Part III
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The Meaning of Christmas
Part III - December 23rd
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Sesshoumaru grumbled lightly as he awoke, hearing music and yelling downstairs. He yawned and ruffled his hair before sliding out and heading downstairs. As he hit the bottom floor, he saw Neal and Hatsu running by, shooting at Yuki with imaginary guns. Yuki laughed running in front of them wearing an Indian wig.
He shook his head and went into the living room. Rin had her dolls spread over the rug, playing with Carrie. The music was coming from the library/den. He went in to find, Kadasa holding Cree with one arm and Cree's hand with her other, dancing around singing to the music. Cree laughing hysterically as she was tossed like a rag doll.
"I don't want a lot for Christmas
There is just one thing I need
(and I) Don't care about presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
I don't need to hang my stocking
There upon the fireplace
Santa Claus won't make me happy
With a toy on Christmas day
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is you...
You baby
Oh, I don't ask for much this Christmas
I won't even ask for sn-"
He cleared his throat and she spun around then looked sheepish. "Sorry. Forgot you lived here."
He smirked. "What are you doing?" he asked.
"Dancing!" she chirped then put Cree on the floor. "Go annoy your sisters." Cree giggled and ran to the living room. Kadasa motioned for him to follow her and went into the kitchen.
"So, we're going to my sister's house tomorrow, Christmas eve. Church will be tonight since most can't come Christmas eve. Christmas day, we'll probably chill here, maybe go sleigh riding. Sound good?"
He nodded. "Church…"
"You don't have to go." He nodded again. "Do you ever talk?" He smirked and nodded. She tossed her hands up. "I give up!"
"Good."
"HE SPEAKS!"
Yuki and the other two peered around the corner as they rushed by. "Uh… Asa? You okay?"
She scowled. "Neal, Hatsu, get 'im."
They let out a war cry and Yuki yelped racing away. "AAAAAASSSSSSSSSAAAAAAAA!"
She smirked. Sesshoumaru rolled his eyes and grabbed the mug of hot chocolate she'd made herself walking away. "Sadist."
"Hey. Hey! That's mine!"
He smirked and headed for the living room, leaving her grumbling behind him.
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At 4:30 having just finished having a nice relaxing shower and drying his long hair, the door to his room flew open and Neal came running in giggling. Carrie came in, her hair that had been in a ponytail now in disarray. She blew up a random strand and strode forward, grabbing Neal's arm and swinging him so she held him under one arm. He blinked then started giggling and laughing.
"We're leaving in a little while. Asa says to get ready," she said before disappearing. He raised an eyebrow and stood, heading downstairs.
Kadasa, wearing a blue turtle neck and an ankle length ruffled black skirt, was straightening Neal's emerald sweater and kakhi's before the boy rushed off. Hatsu stood next to her wearing a dark gray sweat and black pants, Yuki trying to straighten his shirt wearing a lighter shade of gray and jeans.
Cree wore a pretty blue top and a blue skirt she kept twisting in. Rin wore the same except the top was green and the bottom was black. Carrie suddenly came downstairs. She wore a red/gold peasant shirt and a tan knee length skirt, her hair down.
Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow at Kadasa. "Where you all going?"
"We're going to church. Come on! Coats on and out the door."
Sesshoumaru glanced at the kids as they rushed towards the closet. "I'll stay here," he said stoically. "Church doesn't agree with me."
She blinked then smiled. "All right. It's not reading from a bible church. It's celebrate the holidays."
"I'll stay here."
She nodded and headed for the door. "Come on kids! Car's awaiting!"
"Yay!" Neal and Hatsu rushed out the door, Yuki following at a slower pace. Kadasa reached forward, grabbing the back of Rin and Cree's sweaters just before they raced forward. "Where's your coats?" she asked.
They both let out a groan but giggled and went to the lowered rack and pulled their coats off. Kadasa handed Rin's coat to Sesshoumaru.
"Since you're not going, the least you can do is help her into it," she muttered.
Rin looked up at him in surprise, Cree trying to as Kadasa zipped and buttoned her up.
"You not going Mr. Sesshoumaru?" they echoed. He shook his head.
"Please come!" Rin cried.
"Yeah-yeah! Come-come!" Cree chirped.
He sighed, feeling a tug at his heart as they gave him puppy faces. He looked at Kadasa who was smirking. He growled irritably then nodded.
"Yay!" they cried, latching onto his hands and pulling him towards the door.
"Wait. Don't I need something… fancier?" he asked, glancing at a simple dark gray silky work-like shirt and jeans, hair pulled into a simple low ponytail.
Kadasa shook her head and grabbed his coat. "Nope. That's all. Church is more of a family event than anything."
He tried to hide his nervousness. The last time he'd gone to church was before his strict mother died and she'd made him go. He glanced at Kadasa who was giggled as Neal yelled for her to hurry up.
Please let me live through the night.
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Kadasa's car pulled into an almost half filled parking lot. "We're early for once," she said in surprise then looked back. "We're early!"
The kids cheered and she giggled and turned to Sesshoumaru. "You must be good luck or something. We're never early." She climbed out of her seat and slammed the door, him doing the same and opening the slider for the kids on one side while she opened the other.
"Everyone stay by the car. I don't need you run over," Kadasa ordered and once again, Sesshoumaru was surprised that the kids actually followed her orders.
"Buddy up guys. Rin and Carrie. Cree and Me. Neal and Yuki. Hatsu and Sesshoumaru."
They all crossed the street and went towards a huge building. As they neared he could hear music playing, but it wasn't normal church music, rather Christmas music, like Frosty the snowman.
He glanced at Kadasa who was picking up Cree because she'd just slipped on ice. Cree clutched the red wrapped box they'd brought for a 'Carole' person.
He turned back around and grabbed the door and tugged, holding it open for everyone to go in.
"Yay!" he glanced in and found a long hallway with doors on either end. A group of young girls and boys were running towards them.
Kadasa's toddler group cheered and quickly pulled off their coats (after Kadasa ordered them to) before running after the other group into one of the rooms. Kadasa put all the coats in one cubby hole as well as her own and Sesshoumaru's.
"Come on," she said. "You have to meet some people but first we need to give this to Carole."
She led him down the hallway and through a large doorway. Inside was a room with tables and chairs and a step up down front with a podium for the speaker to stand at. In the middle was a large dance floor. It was homey, not one would expect a church to look like. A huge Christmas tree sat up front, decorations everywhere. People stood, sat, talked, laughed. It looked like a family gathering. Yuki immediately darted off to a few older boys in the corner, Carrie to a group of girls.
"This doesn't look like a church," Sesshoumaru muttered to Kadasa who giggled.
"That's cause it's not silly."
He looked at her in surprise then narrowed his eyes. "Sadist."
"I try." She spotted someone and waved. "Carole!"
"Kadasa!" the woman came over. She was slightly heavy with an enormous smile. Short dark hair fell around her shoulders and warm dark brown eyes smiled at them.
"Merry Christmas!" Kadasa said, tossing an arm around her shoulders and handing her the present.
"Thank you Kadasa! You know you didn't have to."
"Well think of it as a thank you for babysitting."
Carole laughed. "Speaking of, where are the little terrors?"
"Playing," Kadasa smiled. She turned to Sesshoumaru. "Sesshoumaru, this is Carole Howe. Carole, Mr. Sesshoumaru Fukai." She leaned towards her and said, "he's my boss."
Carole laughed. "I do hope she's gotten raises."
He snorted. "With all of the annoying the staff she does?"
Carole laughed again and Kadasa giggled.
"Kadasa!" She shrieked as she was engulfed in a hug from behind and lifted into the air. As she was set down laughing she turned.
"Hello Lyon!" she chirped. The dark haired man grinned then motioned to Sesshoumaru.
"Who's this?"
"Mr. Sesshoumaru Fukai. He's my boss and has no family around so he's tagging along with me, terrorizing the chilids, the norm."
Lyon laughed and shook his hand. "Lyon O'Summers. I own O'Summers Bar and Grill in town."
"He's my brother's best friend."
"Ah…"
Lyon pointed to a table right on the edge of the dance floor. "We're sitting there. You're welcome to join us."
"Is there room?" Kadasa joked.
Lyon sighed. "Well if there's not we can always kick you out."
She scowled at him. "I'll kick you out."
He rolled his eyes. "Nice comeback."
"Thank you," she chirped. Sesshoumaru rolled his eyes and she scowled at him.
"Everyone! Everyone!" Carole shouted into the microphone. "Can we please get seated and start this bananza!"
They sat at a table, Kadasa with Sesshoumaru on her left, Cree on her lap, Rin, Carrie, Neal Yuki and Hatsu. After Hatsu was Lyon's two boys, his wife then Lyon on Sesshoumaru's left.
"All right!" Carole said. "First, how you all doing?"
"Good!" they all chorused.
"Next, we'd like to welcome all newcomers, including Mr. Sesshoumaru Fukai, Kadasa's boss." He kept his face stoic as people glanced at him. Kadasa mouthed 'sorry'. "Now you all tell him about all the stupid things she's done so he'll fire her."
Kadasa let out a cry of disbelief. "Carole!"
"We've got a few good ones out there," Lyon stated with a grin.
"I thought it was juice! Honest!" Kadasa cried, blushing. Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow. "Later," she murmured.
Carole waved her hands. "All right. No more picking on Kadasa till after we get some rhythm going. Mr. Bones, play us a dirge."
He nodded and turned to the piano.
Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow. Isn't a dirge what one plays at a funeral?
The music started up and he recognized "Joy to the world."
Carole cleared her throat then sung with a beautiful voice.
"Joy to the world
The Lord has come
Let earth receive his King
Let every heart prepare him room
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven and heaven and nature sing"
The song trailed off before it started a faster beat. Carole clapped her hands and everyone else started clapping as well, joining in, some people getting onto the floor and dancing, Carrie and a teenage boy being one of them.
"Joy to the world
The Lord has come
Let earth receive her King
Let every heart prepare him room
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven and heaven and nature sing
"Joy to the earth
The Savior reigns
Let men their songs employ
While fields and floods
Rocks, hills, and plains
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy"
Sesshoumaru risked a glance at Kadasa who was rocking with Cree. Cree's hands on her own as she clapped, both laughing.
She glanced at him and saw he wasn't singing and mouthed 'don't like to sing?'
He shook his head and she nodded an 'okay' before turning back to singing
"Joy to the world
All the boys and girls
Joy to the people everywhere you see
Joy to you and me"
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"And so, Ben says, well why don't we ask them again if they'd like to go with us? They'll love the steak house!" Lyon said. "And Jerry says, Ben, they're vegetarians."
The people at the table started laughing. 'Ben' a brotherly sort of guy flushed and protested 'I didn't know!'
Sesshoumaru grinned shaking his head and looked over at the dance floor. They currently had the Macarena going. Kadasa stood next to Carrie who was laughing at her because she kept putting the opposite arm in.
He turned his gaze from them to Lyon who'd finished his story. "Hey." The man turned to him. "Why would Kadasa call this 'church?' It's just a party."
Lyon grinned. "This is Carole's Church of fun." He leaned towards him. "See, when Carole was younger, her and a bunch of friends got together and hung out. When her father asked her where she was, she knew she'd get into trouble so she said church. Now, 20 years later, all of her friends and family gather for holidays or just fun and hang out and party. So, it's Carole's Church."
Sesshoumaru shook his head. "I was under the impression it was actually church and was about to stay home tonight."
Lyon snorted. "That would be Kadasa's doing, not mine?"
"What would be my doing?" they turned to find Kadasa grinning. She motioned to the floor. "I gave up. Couldn't get the right hand out in time." She sat down next to Sesshoumaru and leaned back.
"So… church huh?"
She glanced at him then grinned sheepishly. "Yeah, church."
"You are the weirdest person I've ever met."
She giggled and picked up her soda. "Good. So are you."
He rolled his eyes. "O'Summers was right. You have the worst comebacks ever."
She scowled then smirked. "Now just for that," she hooked her arm around his and dragged him onto the dance floor as they started a fast pace song. "You have to dance." He shook his head but reached out, grabbing her hand and placing his other hand at her waist, doing an almost fast slow song (how you dance during a slow song in a fast pace) She looked surprised.
He grinned. "What? Surprised Mr. Stoic can dance?"
She nodded. "Very surprised. You dance very well."
He raised an eyebrow, spinning her out then back in. "Was that a compliment?"
She laughed. "I suppose it was." She winked. "In return, you'll have to help me out with the kids tonight."
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Sesshoumaru carried Rin into the house, holding the door open for Kadasa, Carrie, and Yuki as they each carried a child into the house. Kadasa reached forward and pulled Yuki towards her, kissing his forehead. He made a face but she did the same to Carrie who gave her a one armed hug.
"Night Asa."
"Night Carrie."
The auburn haired girl gave Sesshoumaru a one armed hug as well. "Night Sesshoumaru."
"Good night Carrie," he said slightly surprised but the girl stumbled sleepily to the stairs, helped up by Yuki. He turned to Kadasa who shut the door and headed for the stairs. He followed, not knowing what to do with the sleeping girl.
Kadasa carefully tucked Cree into bed then turned for Rin. She blinked, not seeing Sesshoumaru. Stepping into the hall then peeking into the girl's room she found him pulling the covers back and lying the girl down. He moved to stand but found that Rin had fisted her hands in his shirt. Sighing he gently released himself from her grasp and brushed her hair from her forehead before covering her up. He stood and turned towards the doorway to find Kadasa watching him.
He scowled. "What?"
She shook her head and walked to her room, pulling off high heels as she did. "You're good with kids."
He blinked. "I… am?"
"Yes. You are." She smiled and ruffled his hair. "Night Sesshie." She stepped into her room and closed the door.
He stepped into his room and smiled. Good with kids huh? Smiling he went to get ready for bed.
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A/N: I do not own either of the songs in this chapter. They are both my Mariah Carey. The first is "All I Want for Christmas" and the second is "Joy To The World."