A/N: Ok, I know it's been a while and most of you probably think I have died. I realize that I now have TWO unfinished fics, but they're on hiatus for a little bit. Although, you'll be pleased to know that I'm slowly overcoming my writer's block and will be posting new chapters to those fics here soon. Yay me!
Any way, the holiday's are near and I'd like to write a tribute fic in honor of the once anticipated Christmas day. It feels like such a chore now a days, to prepare for Christmas. It feels as though noone remembers what the holiday is TRULY about any more. Advertisers want you to believe that if you don't buy their product for that special someone, you will be the very reason as to why the holidays are forever ruined and greedy little kids would rather have high priced goods and electronics that'll only be collecting dust in the months to come.
I don't think that a lot of us appreciate the fact that Christmas is about the celebration of light were darkness once ruled. We remember tradition of old and as we get older and splinter off, we develop new traditions of our own and at the same time, those old traditions still stand true.
For us, the most special tradition I can ever remember is the Christmas dinner. We have ham every year and although we are miles away from the family I grew up with, we spare a few moments out of our busy day to contact family and friends all over the nation. For me, Christmas helps bring back loved ones who aren't here today and as I unwrap carefully preserved ornaments, the special ones bring back memories of the day I received them from loved ones that have since passed on and they refresh those memories as if it were only yesterday. I take this time to cherish those close to me and remember the people who've died over the years and although it feels that it'll never get better, I remember that this is what this time of year is all about...
...making new memories while never letting go of old ones. Loving the family I've gained while missing the family I've loved and lost.
And I know, deep down, you all feel the same as well, despite material possessions. And it's to all of you who feel my words to be true in your hearts, that I dedicate this story to you, as well as all your loved ones, present and past.
On with the story...
Chapter one: Which one is home?
Kagome Higurashi, now twenty-three years of age, sat at her desk drumming her pencil on a blank piece of lined paper as if willing it to be filled with the words that would make up her final paper for school. She couldn't even begin to think of what to write for her final paper. The t.v hummed lightly in the background of her studio apartment as she wracked her brain for answers. She knew what she wanted to write about, but just couldn't straighten out the jumbled mess of words in her head.
"Come on Kags, you want to be a creative writer, so CREATE and WRITE!" Kagome demanded to herself out loud. Living alone, Kagome found that the most interesting conversationalist tended to be herself. Her friends where just as strapped for finals as she was, so it wasn't like they were much of a relief, all they did now a days was talk about how hard classes were and whine about how close Christmas was and how they had no clue what to get people with what little funds they had.
Kagome sighed for what had to be the hundredth time that night as another commercial rang on the television. It was a Lexus commercial, advertising how it was the 'ultimate' Christmas gift, releasing the ultimate guilt trip if one wasn't able to afford such an 'obvious' gift for the holiday season. It made Kagome sick to think that somewhere, some poor schmuck was shelling out his life savings, convinced that this car would make someone love him even more. If that really was the case for quite a few, then was the receiver of that gift really worth the money if they didn't fully love them in the first place? Kagome just didn't get it and probably never would.
Time ticked on, as it always did when Kagome found herself in a mental rut, and she saw that there was no finishing the paper tonight. It wasn't like it was a tough subject to start with, the teacher just wanted the class to write a story depicting what the holidays truly meant to them. Most people would write about the gifts they had received in the past that meant a lot to them, but Kagome wasn't a material kind of girl, so material possessions where out of the question. Some would write about looking forward to spending the holidays with extended family, but Kagome only had her mother, grandfather and little brother, Souta, so no particularly special visitors to write about. And that is what had her at a stand still. 'What does make the holidays special for me?' Kagome sighed, yet again and clicked the t.v off when the seven-hundredth commercial came on that declared that the holidays would be nothing without their product under the tree.
"Damn you, monopolizing Christmas with your over-priced crap!" Kagome yelled at the t.v as though demanding it to show a commercial that left a feel good message. "Why don't you advertise spending Christmas with family? Maybe not ALL of us have the money to spend on your useless crap that we're only going to cram into closets and forget about" Kagome was fuming. True, she had little money to buy gifts with, but that wasn't really her issue. Her mom, who probably had just as much fundage for the holidays, was harassing Kagome for clues as to what extravagant gift she could blow her holiday savings on for her Christmas gift this year.
Just as Kagome's resolve began to fade, she remembered her friends in the past who she hadn't visited in months. Inuyasha was probably sulking, as he usually did when she returned to her era. With Nuraku gone and Inuyasha's wish on the jewel for Kagome's soul to be totally intact after Kikyo's death, Inuyasha was, for what ever reason, unable to pass through the well to Kagome's time.
Kagome smiled a bit when she thought of the era she loved to visit, it's pure state was untainted by the social poison that today's business' used to distort the meaning of Christmas. She did miss her friends sorely and knew that they probably missed her too. For the longest time, the feudal era was as good of a second home as her first and she missed it terribly. She only got to visit a couple of times a month, when her schooling didn't interfere. It had taken her so long to make up classes and try to repair her badly damaged highschool education and was barely able to squeak by and graduate with her friends, but with a lot of hard work and determination, she managed what was thought the impossible and got her diploma and was excepted into college.
"I think a visit to the feudal era is just what I need to clear my head." Kagome said aloud to nobody in particular. "Maybe I can bring Christmas there and even celebrate it with my friends too." Kagome smiled as she thought up a way to explain the whole Christmas idea to her friends. She knew Shippo would instantly jump on the idea of setting aside a day to spend together and of course receive gifts.
With her mind set, Kagome turned off the lights to her apartment and locked the door behind her as she left, bundled up with a backpack stuffed with assorted goods for her friends and necessities for herself. Kagome hopped in her little light blue Honda Accord and took off towards her family shrine where most of her fondest memories sat, waiting for her to come and revisit.
"Mom, Sota, I've decided to come home for the weekend. I'm having a mental block, and it's been forever since I've been down the well so I deci..."
"It's been forever since you've come home too, dear." Kagome's mother's cheerful voice sounded from the living room.
"Hi mom, sorry I haven't been calling or visiting, but this past month has been hectic with school and work. I just can't wait to get my masters and get out of secretarial work. It's such a bore." Kagome explained.
"I understand, but Kagome, really, would it kill you to just pick up the phone and call us? At least assure me that you haven't hung yourself in that tiny apartment of yours." She pleaded.
"Oh, mom, you're such a worrier. After all I've been through, you worry about me hanging myself over school work? Geeze, if I were going to hang myself, I would have done it a very long time ago." Kagome huffed and tried to act pouty.
Kagome's mother giggled at her daughter's attempt to act like a child, because she wasn't doing a good job at it. "Dear, give up the acting, you're a far more better writer." She laughed.
"Thanks mom. Any way, how's Gramps doing?" Kagome suddenly found the subject of her Grandfather more interesting.
Kagome's Grandfather had decided to move a little more out of the city and into an independent living complex and was only working the shrine on weekends. He knew it'd be a hard job to keep up, so he thought that rather be a burden to the family now that Souta was taking interest in keep up the Shrine, he'd move out and still be able to take care of the shrine.
After Kagome's father's death, there was a large lump of money set aside so that his family and shrine would be taken care of. What little money the Shrine brought in went towards the children's education and Kagome's mother worked for extra income to make sure they could afford their creature comforts and of course always set aside money incase of 'emergencies'.
"Well grandfather is really liking his new home. He has one neighbor who he claims is senile and mean, but I'm sure granddad doesn't exactly leave him alone either." Kagome's mother chuckled.
"Yea, that sounds like gramps." Souta's voice rang as he walked through the front door. "Hey sis! So you are alive. See mom, I told you she wouldn't hang herself in her dorm." Sota pointed an accusing finger at his mother. "And besides, if she wanted to kill herself over school, she would have done it years ago when she had to deal with the feudal era too."
Kagome couldn't help but start cracking up. So her mother had been worried that she had hung herself in her dorm. She almost felt guilty for not having gotten in contact with her family, but the phone did work both ways. "Hey Souta, how's school?" Kagome asked as Souta removed his shoes and hung up his coat.
"Fine. So what brings you here?" Souta asked.
"Well, I wanted to visit the feudal era. If you guys thought I hung myself, I can only imagine what fantastic stories Inuyasha's put into everyone's head and probably has them worried that I've been eaten by a 'modern day demon'." Kagome stated.
The 'modern day demon' Inuyasha would be referring to is the automobile. He once saw one accidentally hit a stray cat and swore that they killed mercilessly, sparing nothing in their path. He also felt horrible for the poor kitten and told Kagome he thanks Kami that they don't have those things in his time.
"No kidding? Inuyasha thinks our time is THAT dangerous? Wow, does he ever need to look in the mirror." Souta said.
"Hey, that's not totally fair. Remember Inuyasha's world is not like our own. He's use to his dangers while our era is louder, more crowded than he's use to, not to mention our modern day inventions are extremely alien to him." Kagome's mom stated.
"Yea, I suppose. So you're going back? For how long?" Souta inquired.
"Hmm, I thought about staying the weekend, then coming back here. I'll have the next three weeks off and I have a paper due for finals when I get back. My teacher said that he expects papers to be written after the holidays because it'll be then that we understand the assignment better." Kagome sighed. She really didn't get her teacher at times. He was really smart, but a little too philosophical if you asked her. At some times she expected Yoda to come whirling out of the skin of her teacher and lecture about the force. He was thirty-two with the knowledge of an eighty-year-old.
"Sounds like you have a smart teacher." Kagome's mother suggested.
"I suppose." Kagome sighed.
"Well, if you're staying the whole weekend, at least have something to eat, it's coming on supper time." Kagome's mother smiled and before Kagome could even reply, she turned and disappeared into the kitchen.
"Ok." Kagome said a little dumbfounded.
"Yea, like you had a choice. Hey, I know what mom got you for Christmas." Souta teased.
"Yea? Will I like it?" Kagome mused.
"Pshh, like you even need to ask. I'm positive you'll love it. I helped in picking it out too." Souta smiled with pride as he gloated to his sister.
"That's cool." Kagome simply replied.
"What?" Souta's jaw dropped. By this point in past year conversations, Kagome would be frothing at the mouth to know what her 'really cool' present was. And it always made Souta's holiday fun to watch Kagome bridle her curiosity until Christmas day, as Souta tended to suffer the same fate as he too waited to unwrap his own presents. So in all reality, it was mom who got the most enjoyment from their torture. "Aren't you going to bug me to give you hints? And aren't I suppose to get hints from you about my presents in return?" Souta asked, hurt shining in his eyes.
"No. I figured why don't we try something new this year and just be patient and wait to find out what they are. Besides, I don't know what mom got you, but I bet my present tops any of hers that she got you this year." Kagome's over-sweet smile dripped with poison as she brushed past her little brother and up the stairs.
Souta glared after his sister with his jaw gaping and he suddenly snapped out of his shock and proceeded after his sister. "You got me something cool? What is it?" He called out.
Kagome appeared over the top rail winking at him and shaking a finger in the air. "In good time, be patient and it will come to you in good time." And with that disappeared back over the railing.
"Well, I know what mom got me, so I doubt your present's better. You might as well tell me." Souta smiled.
"Nope." Was all Kagome's response from beyond her bedroom door.
Souta hurried up the stairs and jiggled the locked handle. "Aw, come on sis! I'll tell you what mom got you." Souta pleaded.
"No deal." Kagome said back.
"Souta! Your sister hasn't been home for even ten minutes and you're already snooping about your presents! Knock it off, or I take 'em back to the store!" Mrs. Higurashi's voice sounded from the kitchen.
"Okay mom!" Souta called back. "Some sis you are." He hissed into the door before making his way to his own room to play one of his hundred video games for Kami know's which console.
Kagome sighed in relief when she heard her mother come to her rescue, as she knew she would. Maybe she shouldn't have provoked Souta, but the pure thought of making him squirm was worth the guilt trip. Kagome covered her face as a giggle escaped from the thought.
Kagome took in the sight of her room and realized it hadn't changed much over the years. The same soft pink curtains blew in a gentle breeze from her window. She wondered how many times Inuyasha had been caught sneaking into that window. 'More than I can even count', Kagome thought to herself as she recalled the many time's she's be caught off guard by his sudden presence in her room when she least expected him, specially those times after taking a bath. At that thought, Kagome blushed a furious red and turned her attention to her bed. She bent over and reached under the bed, feeling around the floor and mentally reminded herself to get a vacuum up here as the dust tickled her nose, producing a sneeze. She felt the familiar texture of her old tattered yellow knapsack and grabbed hold of the worn and stretched strap, and dragged it out from under her bed.
She sat on top of her bed as she dusted herself and the sack off. She opened it up and pulled out the contents from inside. She hadn't seen this thing in a good two and a half months. It use to be that she could hardly stay a week away from her friends, but then she started college and every thing had changed. Although, she hadn't stayed away from them this long before and they had to be worried. She remembered the tradition she started with Shippo and Sango, that every time she had to go back to her time for more than a week, she'd trade something with them so that she was guaranteed to come back, and every time it was something different.
She dug through the bag and smiled when her hand retreated with a small top. She remember when Shippo stuffed it in her bad and said if she ever needed help, this would be like having him with her to save her with his fox magic. Sango had left her with her favorite hair piece, a demon bone comb and Kagome gave Sango her favorite neckless, a chain with a pewter yin-yang symbol. She had left Shippo her favorite teddy bear and said she wanted him to sleep with it so that when she got it back, she'd have a part of him with her always.
Kagome did her hair up and wore Sango's comb in it, thinking it was an appropriate time to wear such a beautiful item. Kagome never had the heart to wear it in public, afraid it'd break or get lost or stolen. But her heart skipped a beat when she looked at herself in the mirror and realized how pretty her hair looked tied back with the bone sculpted flower protruding from her ebony locks. She really missed her friends and couldn't wait until she got to see them again.
"Kagome, supper's on the table." Mrs. Higurashi's voice came from behind Kagome's door. She tapped softly on the wooden frame and asked, "is everything allright in there?".
"Huh? Oh, yea, just fine. I'll be down in a bit, just have to pack a couple of things." Kagome said as she stuffed the top into the pocket of her slacks. She unlocked the door and proceeded downstairs to the dining room.
"Wow, Kagome, you look pretty good with your hair like that." Souta said when Kagome sat down.
"That is very nice, where did you get that?" Kagome's mom asked as she set a warm bowl of rice beside a bowl of steaming leak and miso soup. The smell of home cooked tempura mad Kagome's mouth water as she forgot what it meant to eat real food.
"Sango gave it to me, I never had the heart to take it past the house. So I'm wearing it today, for when I see them again." Kagome replied as she gently patted the comb to make sure it was still in place.
"That's awfully sweet." Kagome's mother said.
"You know, the thought crossed my mind to bring a little Christmas back to Inuyasha's time. I thought my friends would really enjoy it. I'm thinking about bringing some books back for the weekend and see if I can sell it to my friends. I kind of like the idea of experiencing a feudal Christmas." Kagome carefully said over her dinner, gauging her mother's reactions.
"Hmm, would you be celebrating Christmas here too?" Kagome's mother asked.
"Well, I thought about it, and what would it hurt if I celebrated Christmas in the past a day early and be here on Christmas day. I would just come home late on Christmas eve." Kagome offered.
"Actually, that would be perfect. I think your friends are pretty lucky to have some one like you in their lives." Mrs. Higurashi smiled with pride.
"Great!" Kagome exclaimed before shoveling her food into her mouth. She gulped down the tempura and slurped down the soup and as she finished her rice, she realized that the two occupants of the room were glaring at her. "Sorry, I'm kinda hungry and I haven't eaten home cooked food in months. Not to mention I'm in kinda a hurry to see my friends." She explained.
"Understandable, but it really would be better for you if you slowed down. You might inhale something down the wrong pipe." Kagome's mother replied.
"No kidding, sis. How many times a week do they feed you any way?" Souta asked.
"If we're lucky, three." Kagome replied.
"It shows." Souta countered.
Kagome stretched after placing her near empty rice bowl down on the table. "I'm really full. Thank you mom, the food was more than delicious. I'm going to take off now. I'll see you guys on Monday." Kagome gave her mother and brother a hug and took off out the back door with her backpack slung over her shoulder.
Kagome reached the well house with a smile on her face and threw open the doors while exclaiming, "Inuyasha, here I come, so you can stop worrying". She swiftly descended the steps and quickly jumped over the lip of the well and fell into the time transporter feeling the sensation of weightlessness and mystical purple light as time took a hold of her and brought her gently to the floor of the well in the feudal era.
Kagome's eyes were immediately assaulted by light and the heavenly sound of chirping birds chorused above. "Finally back. I can't wait to see my friends." Kagome said as she started the tedious climb up the walls of the well.
She tossed her sack over and after breaching the opening of the well, Kagome stood up and dusted off her knees from the frozen dirt and stood straight while taking in the familiar surroundings and clean, cold air. She stretched up towards the sky, as if shedding off all the weights she had carried around with her for the past couple of months, and sighed heavily.
Kagome looked around a bit, wondering if Inuyasha was around or maybe Sango or Miroku cutting wood for the obvious snow that was threatening to come. Kagome hugged her coat to her as the chill in the air bit at her face. When she saw that the area was empty, she sighed. She really had hoped to run into someone when she got back, but realized that she would have to walk alone to the village. It was at this realization that Kagome suddenly heard a twig snap from behind her and as she turned around to see what had produced the noise, she heard a thump and found herself grabbed from behind and lifted into the air.
The shock of the assault knocked the air out of Kagome, but at the sensation of being lifted into the air, she screamed with all her might.
"Inuyashaaaaaaa!"
And her voice carried over the entire forest and even was heard from the village. At the distressed scream, Sango and Miroku were already on their feet and making their way to the woods to help who ever may need them.
:.End of Chappy.:
A/N: Hope you all like the first chapter to my first holiday fic. I'm really hoping I can leave you with a warm sensation in your heart. I've already promised my boyfriend that I won't be killing anyone off. It's going to be tempting, but I'll keep myself in check. Any way, I'd really like feedback with this story. Did it start too slowly? And let me know if it get's too sappy, which I'm hopping it won't turn out to be overly sappy and OOC for the characters. I try to stay in their personalities and I hope it works out. So after this story is done (hopefully by Christmas) I'll have some inspiration to finish my other two stories.
Thanks again for reading my works, can't wait to hear from you guys! And maybe soon, if I can get a scanner, I'll do some fanart for you all!
Sunny