Looks like Kaori and Sesshomaru are going to be fighting for a while. Sort of reminds me of the times of Kagome and Inuyasha fights! Just to warn you, no Miroku, Shippo, or Sango. Sorry! There might be a little more of Kagome and Inuyasha, but it's just going to revolve around Kaori and Sesshomaru.

Let's continue with the story!

Chapter 6: Christmas Eve Brings Us All Together

Kaori fluttered her eyes, trying to make the tears disappear. She had been crying all night. Why did she have to be destined to love someone from the past? To add onto it, a demon? She turned her head into the pillow, and sat up. She looked at the window and saw a clear, sunny day. The complete opposite on how she felt. She got up and put her robe on. She slipped her slippers on and traveled downstairs. Kaori could smell bacon being cook and saw her father reading the paper. She completely avoided her father and the food and sat on the couch, staring at a TV. screen that was blank. Kaori's father turned to her and saw that she wasn't as cheerful as she usually was on Christmas Eve. He sighed and looked at his wife and shrugged. Kaori's mother shook her head and finished the last batch of bacon.

"Kaori, we have some bacon here. Want any?" Kaori's mother asked as cheerful as possible though she felt guilty for making her daughter like this.

"I'm not so hungry," Kaori said in a blank tone.

"Dear, you have to eat," Kaori's father told her.

"I'm not hungry," Kaori told him.

"If this is because of what I said last night, I apologize. I didn't mean to upset you," Kaori's mother told her.

"It's not that. When I saw Sesshomaru upstairs, the way he looked at me was completely different than how he usually looked at me. And I saw him leave to the past as soon as I slammed the door," Kaori told them.

"How about you go back and apologize or talk?" Kaori's father offered.

"I'll try, but he's not one to talk," Kaori said.

She went upstairs and got some pants and a sweater on. She got her coat on along with her boots and left to the past.

She climbed out and went to the village. If Jaken was still there, Sesshomaru was nearby somewhere.

She didn't even make it to the village without feeling the presence of a strong, angry aroa around her. She looked around, but found nothing. She wasn't stupid enough to run to the village for safety or she would lead the demon to a rich feeding ground of humans. She stood in the middle of the forest, silently.

"What are you doing back?" Sesshomaru voice asked and she saw him walk out of the trees.

"Look, I'm sorry for what happened last night. My mother-" Kaori started.

"I did not leave because of you," Sesshomaru told her. "Your father talked to me and angered me."

"What did he say?" Kaori asked.

"I was told not to tell you," Sesshomaru told her.

"Really?" Kaori asked, putting a hand on her hip. "You haven't kept anything from me before."

"I have kept a lot from you, Lady Kaori. Some information that no one knows, not even Jaken," Sesshomaru told her.

"Yes, we all have our secrets," Kaori told him.

It was quiet and then a rustle in the trees brought both Kaori and Sesshomaru's attention away from each other.

"That girl... Give her to me!" A dark, coarse voice said. A tentacle shot out and aimed at Kaori. She used her fire to burn it before it touched her. Then she froze. Her mother had told her about the fire. The emotion... It was love. She looked over at Sesshomaru, but he wasn't looking at her.

An ugly, big squid was shown, tentacles all around it. It aimed a few more at Kaori, but she dodged out of the way. A fourth one aimed at her, grabbing her arm.

"Come with me," the squid said.

Sesshomaru drew Tokijin and slashed the tentacle, releasing Kaori. She had been struggling against the tentacle and fell back when the tentacle was broken.

"Die," Sesshomaru said, jumping high and slashing the squid in two and landing gracefully. The demon dissipated as it died and Sesshomaru sheathed his sword again.

"How about we head back for Christmas? I think it will be safer there than here," Kaori suggested and saw Sesshomaru offered her his hand.

"I agree," Sesshomaru told her and she accepted his hand and he helped her up. "It seems too many people want to take you here."

Kaori laughed and they traveled back to Kaori's house. Kaori's parents were sitting, watching a movie on T.V.

"So, did you find him?" Kaori's father asked, not looking back.

"Yep," Kaori told him.

"Kaori, Yori called. She invited you to a party that was happening at three. I told her you would call back," Kaori's mother said.

"Thanks mom," Kaori said and hurried upstairs. Sesshomaru followed silently and sat in Kaori's room while Kaori talked with Yori. She brought the cordless phone to her room and dialled Yori's number.

One ring. Two ring. Third ring Yori picked up.

"Hello?" Yori asked.

"Yori! It's Kaori," Kaori said.

"Hey, your mom said you would phone back."

"Yeah, well I always do."

"Well, there's this party that's happening at three o'clock and I wanted to invite you and your man."

"My man?"

"Yeah. The guy that dragged you away one day. In front of Jenji."

"Oh, him," Kaori said, blushing and looking over at Sesshomaru.

"Yeah, well, I'm celebrating Christmas and wanted to invite you two. There's going to be mistletoe."

"Really? That's nice. I'll ask him," Kaori said and hit the hold button on the phone. "Sesshomaru, want to go to a party?"

"What is a party?" Sesshomaru asked.

"People gather to dance and chat with fellow friends," Kaori explained. "There's going to be mistletoe there."

"Are you?" Sesshomaru asked.

"Yeah," Kaori told him.

"I will follow you," Sesshomaru said.

"I take that as a yes," Kaori said and hit hold again. "We're coming. Where is it?"

"It's at my place. Remember where that is?" Yori joked.

"Of course," Kaori told her. "See you then."

"Yep," Yori said and a click was heard. Kaori put the phone down and laid down on her bed.

"So, what are we going to wear?" Kaori asked, staring at the ceiling.

Sesshomaru just looked at Kaori. He had no clue what to expect at this party, so he didn't care what he wore at the party.

"Well, I could wear that dress I always wanted to, but what about you?" Kaori asked Sesshomaru sitting up.

"I do not care," Sesshomaru told her.

"Oh, come on. It has to be something good, but not formal," Kaori said, looking at Sesshomaru's body. "Jeans and a red tank top?"

Kaori nodded before Sesshomaru could answer and went to her closet. She got a bag out and passed it to Sesshomaru. Then she looked at her clothes.

"No, the dress won't work," Kaori said to herself. "Maybe that would..."

"Can I help?" Sesshomaru asked.

"Yes," she answered, turning with three outfits in hand. "Black, red, or green?"

"Red," Sesshomaru answered without looking at the outfits. He liked red.

He saw Kaori pick the red outfit out of the others and threw the others on her bed. She inspected it and smiled at Sesshomaru afterwards. "Great choice!" Kaori told him.

Sesshomaru looked in the bag and found blue jeans and a red tank top in it. He pulled them out and found them his size. Dropping them back in, he pushed the bag to the side. Kaori put the other outfits back in her closet, hanging the red one on her desk chair. She then leaned against it, looking at Sesshomaru.

"Now what?" Kaori asked.

"Training," Sesshomaru told her, standing up.

"And get all sweaty and smelly before the party? No way. I could take a bath instead," Kaori said, leaving the room. Sesshomaru nearly rolled his eyes. If she bathed, what was he supposed to do?

His question was answered when Kaori opened the door and Cleo pranced in. Sesshomaru just watched the cap leap onto his lap and curl into a ball. Sesshomaru petted the cat and saw Kaori run back and forth in the hallway, getting ready for her bath. She came into her room, once, to get her shampoo and soap and then hurried to the bathroom. Sesshomaru heard a door close and a lock turn and then running water. He was curious to know where the running water had started, seeing that there was no rivers or creeks nearby, but he knew better than to walk in on a girl bathing. Mistakes like that nearly got his head chopped off a few times. If you thought demons were deadly, walking in on a girl bathing was a death wish.

The phone laying on Kaori's bed rang and Sesshomaru glanced over at it. He had no idea how to work a phone. It just rang and rang and Kaori's mother called from downstairs, "Kaori, answer it."

"She is bathing," Sesshomaru said, standing up and grabbing the phone off of the bed. Cleo screeched at him and ran downstairs, Sesshomaru following her out of the room. He walked to the banister and threw the phone to an awaiting father at the bottom of the stairs. He caught it and answered it.

"Yes, I understand. I will, tomorrow. Good bye sir and have a merry Christmas," Kaori's father said and hung up.

"Who was it?" Kaori's mother asked.

"My boss," Kaori's father answered.

The door opened from the bathroom and a very wet Kaori walked out, a towel wrapped around her.

"I heard the phone. Was it for me?" Kaori asked.

Sesshomaru turned to Kaori and saw what she was wearing and couldn't take his eyes off of her. She looked good from what he could see.

"Stop staring Sesshomaru. Has anyone taught you better?" Kaori snapped and walked pass him, slamming the door behind her. The door opened a crack and Kaori threw the bag containing clothes for Sesshomaru at him. "Get dressed."

Sesshomaru caught the bag and walked to Kaori's parents' room and changed. The clothes were a great fit and when he walked out, he saw Kaori's father standing at the top of the stairs. He saw Kaori's door was still closed and could hear Kaori cursing in her room. Sesshomaru passed by Kaori's father without a word and noticed Kaori's father didn't attempt to talk to him either. He saw Kaori's father stand anxiously, with some small device in his hand.

Kaori's door opened and Sesshomaru heard Kaori whimper. He turned around swiftly and saw no one walking out of Kaori's room.

"Mom, I do not want to go out like this," Kaori whined.

"Why not? You look nice," Kaori's mother said.

"No, I look dorky," Kaori said.

Kaori's mother walked out and turned to Kaori's father and Sesshomaru. "She refuses to come out," Kaori's mother said.

"Darling, we won't laugh. Let's just see you," Kaori's father said.

Kaori walked out in the outfit she had chosen for the night. It had red bell-bottoms with a darker red lace at the bottom. Her top was long sleeved and low cut in the shape of a V. Her hair was in a high ponytail with a red streak down the middle. Her lips were bright red from lipstick and a touch of blush was added. She wore red high heel boots that brought her an inch higher than she usually was.

"This is all your fault!" Kaori exclaimed, pointing a finger at Sesshomaru.

"You look presentable," Sesshomaru told her. According to him, that was a compliment. No one ever looked presentable for him until now.

Kaori lowered her finger and blushed. 'I think that was a compliment from him,' Kaori thought.

"Well, you kids should get going. Wouldn't want to be late, now would you?" Kaori's mother insisted.

"I need to get some pictures of my little girl's first date!" Kaori's father insisted.

"Dad! This isn't a date!" Kaori exclaimed. "And the flash from the camera would most likely blind Sesshomaru for the rest of the night."

"Well, you have a point there, dear. Now, get. Go," Kaori's mother insisted, nudging Kaori forward. Sesshomaru was slightly blown away by Kaori's appearance still and was almost dragged downstairs until her regained his posture and walked down next to Kaori.

"Now, where is that coat?" Kaori asked out loud, searching through the closet for her coat.

"Here," Kaori's mother offered, giving her a long, red trench coat.

"This won't be warm enough," Kaori told her mother.

"It's a winter coat. Trust me," Kaori's mother told her. "Now, go or you'll be late."

"It's just next door," Kaori told her mother. "We won't be late."

"Oh," Kaori's mother said. "You should still hurry up."

Sesshomaru put his blue coat on and waited for Kaori to put hers on. They left almost immediately after they got their coats on. A light snow was falling and it was a nice winter sight. Kaori smiled and looked over at Sesshomaru. He looked ahead, never looking down at Kaori.

She led the way to Yori's party and arrive slightly early. Yori was still setting up and was shocked when Kaori and Sesshomaru arrived. She welcomed them and asked for their coats. Putting them in the closet, she finished setting up.

Kaori looked around the room. The furniture that usually was around was put upstairs and the floor was empty. A table for snacks and drinks was put to the side and an entertainment system was set up off to the side. It was playing some tunes softly, allowing Yori to finish up her set up quickly and without loud music pounding her ears.

Once Yori finished, she cranked the tunes and saw some more people arrive. Everyone welcomed each other and set their coats away and made their way to the dance floor. Kaori stood to the side with Sesshomaru, bobbing her head to the music. Sesshomaru was nearly deaf with the loud music, but he eventually got used to it and it didn't sound so loud.

Kaori then tugged on Sesshomaru's arm and walked to the dance floor. Sesshomaru didn't move. He saw Kaori say something, but the music was too high to hear it. Kaori motioned Sesshomaru to come to her and he walked forward calmly. The song was ending at the moment and a slow tune was starting. Kaori shook her head and walked to the side again, pulling Sesshomaru next to her. Yori turned the volume down slightly for a more romantic atmosphere for the song and Sesshomaru could finally hear Kaori.

"Hey, why didn't you join me as soon as I walked on the dance floor?" Kaori asked, watching other couples walk onto the dance floor and start dancing, wishing she could be on that dance floor with a guy.

"I did not understand your signal," Sesshomaru told her emotionless.

"Well, we're going to wait for the next fast song before we try to dance again," Kaori told him.

"We will dance the next song," he told her.

"What if it's slow?" Kaori asked.

"It is better slow. I do not understand how you can dance with such a fast beat and rhythm," he told her.

"So, what you're saying is that you only know how to dance slow?" Kaori asked.

"Interoperate my words as you wish," Sesshomaru told her.

Kaori laughed and the song playing finished. Kaori and Sesshomaru walked to the middle of the dance floor and The Only Gift by N' Sync played. Kaori sighed and crept her hands around Sesshomaru's neck. He just lightly touched Kaori's waist and they danced slowly to the tune.

Halfway through the song, Kaori took a risk and looked up at Sesshomaru. He didn't seemed to be looking down at her. Kaori then suddenly noticed they were directly under mistletoe and blushed. She really hoped Sesshomaru wouldn't notice it and looked back down to avoid him catching her staring at him.

Little did Kaori know that Sesshomaru had noticed both the mistletoe and her staring at him. He wanted to avoid any awkward situations with her and looked away. He saw other couples kissing while dancing and were not even under mistletoe. They were a lot closer than Kaori and him were and leaning into each other. Sesshomaru looked away and just looked out into space.

The song's volume lowered and another song started up. It was faster and people began to start dancing again. Kaori and Sesshomaru separated and walked in different directions, trying to get as much awkwardness off. Sesshomaru went outside while Kaori went over to Yori.

"I saw you and mysterious boy over there dancing," Yori teased, refreshing the punch bowl.

"Yeah," Kaori answered, looking over at Sesshomaru.

"How was it?" Yori asked.

"Umm, awkward," Kaori said.

"First dances are always awkward," Yori told her best friend. "You just have to try and try again."

"Well, maybe some other time," Kaori said. "What time is it?"

"Almost six o'clock. Why?" Yori asked.

"Well, we still haven't gotten our tree up or decorated it. I still need to wrap the presents I bought and get a good night sleep. I better get going," Kaori answered, waving to her friend. "See you some other time."

"Yeah, see you!" Yori called, waving to her friend.

Kaori got her jacket and Sesshomaru's and walked outside into the light snow that was still falling. Night had fallen a while ago. Kaori walked over to Sesshomaru and tapped him on the shoulder. He turned to her, his expression unreadable.

"We should head home. Wouldn't want you to miss putting up the tree or decorating it," Kaori told him.

"Why would we decorate a tree?" Sesshomaru asked.

"Well, our Christmas tree. It's what we put our presents under. It's a definite Christmas tradition," Kaori explained.

Sesshomaru just stared at her and she felt really nervous.

"We were under mistletoe," he said.

"Oh, really?" Kaori asked.

Sesshomaru just stared.

"Look, I'm sorry that we lost the opportunity while we danced," Kaori said to him.

"I do not care," Sesshomaru told her.

"Really? Good. I don't either," Kaori said.

It was silent between them and Kaori stood next to him.

"We should really get back. Here's you coat," Kaori said, giving him his coat and putting on her own.

Sesshomaru put his on and headed back to Kaori's house. Kaori followed close by, slightly upset. Her one opportunity to have her Christmas wish was blown by her shyness.

They walked inside and took off their outerwear. Kaori rubbed her hands together and saw her mom bring them both hot chocolate and pushed them near the fireplace.

Kaori looked around and was relieved when she saw no tree up. At least she didn't miss the decorating or put it up. She looked around again and saw her father no where.

"Mom, where's dad?" Kaori asked.

"Your father has gone out to get the Christmas tree. We seemed to had forgotten it until your father and I were watching a Christmas movie and saw the Christmas tree in it. Your father rushed out to get it. He should be back sometime soon," Kaori's mother said.

Sesshomaru sat in silence, listening the conversation. He placed his mug down and went to the door when he heard the doorbell. Kaori did the same, slightly behind Sesshomaru. Kaori opened the door and a choir stood singing carols. Kaori smiled at them and listened to them sing one carol and then they left. Sesshomaru just growled when he first saw them and walked away.

Once the choir had left, Sesshomaru heard Kaori squeal and run outside.

"Dad, it's great!" Kaori squealed.

"Thanks dear. I need some help," Kaori's father said.

"Sesshomaru, please come help," Kaori begged, coming inside. She saw him raise and walk over to her and outside. He saw the tree tied to the car. He snipped the rope and carried the tree inside, placing where Kaori's mother instructed. He sat down and Kaori ran upstairs, getting the ornaments. She returned with a box and it opened to many round orbs that were the ornaments. Kaori picked one up and gave it to Sesshomaru.

Sesshomaru took it with one finger and examined it. It was gold with the words, "To a loving daughter of 1990." Sesshomaru twirled it and saw that it had a gold Christmas tree on it. Kaori saw the fascination in Sesshomaru eyes as he examined the ornament. Kaori picked another one up and stood, walking over to the tree. She placed one on a tree branch and went for another. Kaori's parents sat back and allowed their daughter to put the ornaments on the tree. Sesshomaru helped with a few high ones, but just stood by the tree, looking at the different colours shimmer off of the ornaments. Kaori put one up and another and another and Sesshomaru saw one hanging off a thin branch. As Kaori placed a red and green ornament below the dangling one, it fell and had a destination; to hit Kaori. Sesshomaru caught it with one hand above Kaori's head and Kaori looked up to find Sesshomaru's hand above her head. She ignored it and went for the last ornament; the star on top. She picked it up and examined it. The year before, the tree had fallen over in the middle of the night and broke most of their ornaments. They hadn't looked at the star, so Kaori was just looking it over to find out if there was any scratches or marks. She gave it to Sesshomaru, seeing he was the tallest and the only one who could possibly reach the top without having to stand on a chair.

"Kaori, you usually put the star on top," Kaori's mother exclaimed.

"I want him to," Kaori said, placing it in Sesshomaru's hand.

"But you used to whine whenever we would go to put it on top when you were a kid," Kaori's father reminded her.

"That was when I was kid. I'm an adult now, father. And I'm more mature," Kaori said.

She looked up at Sesshomaru and saw him nod and place the star on top of the tree gracefully. Kaori closed the box that held the ornaments and left upstairs to put the box away. While she was gone, Kaori's father stepped beside Sesshomaru.

"You know, you must be really special to Kaori. She never let anyone put the star up, not even us," Kaori's father whispered.

Sesshomaru had listened, but did not show it. He just stepped away from Kaori's father and to his hot chocolate. It felt cooler, but not cold yet. Kaori's was the same and he took the cups upstairs. He found Kaori in her room, shiny paper on her bed and her bags from the mall next to her. She was sitting at her desk, concentrated on whatever was on the desk.

"Kaori, I brought your hot chocolate up for you," Sesshomaru told her. Kaori turned to look at him and completely forgot about her present on the desk.

"Umm, thanks Sesshomaru," Kaori said, taking the cup from Sesshomaru's hands.

"So, what are you doing?" Sesshomaru asked.

"Wrapping presents," Kaori answered and placed her mug on the table and started wrapping a few gifts. On her third one, her elbow hit the mug, knocking the hot chocolate to her carpet. She sighed and left the room to get a wet rag to clean it up. Sesshomaru just sat and watched her clean it up and throw the dirty rag away. She sighed again and held her head in her hands.

"This Christmas is so stressful," Kaori mumbled.

"I believe you told me that Christmas was a joyful time of the year," Sesshomaru stated.

"Don't make me feel any worst, Sesshomaru," Kaori said, turning to him. "I have enough problems on my hands."

"I can help," Sesshomaru told her. "If you teach me."

"Sure," Kaori said. Sesshomaru placed the hot chocolate on the desk and stood next to Kaori.

"You do this how?" Sesshomaru asked.

"Well, just watch," Kaori said, picking up a box. "You see, I don't exact trust you with the tape."

"Tape?" Sesshomaru asked.

"Sticky ribbon. It helps to keep the wrapping paper together," Kaori said.

Sesshomaru watched Kaori wrap a box that she said was for her mother. She did the same for another few, but then an odd shape showed up; a basket.

"This is for a special friend of mine," Kaori told him.

"Yori?" Sesshomaru asked.

"No, someone else," Kaori said.

"Understood," Sesshomaru said.

"Anyways, this shape is the oddest of them all. I usually just drape a piece of wrapping paper over it and then tape it in place. It's usually the messiest of my presents," Kaori explained and draped a piece of wrapping paper over the basket and taped it in place.

She finished with the other presents and then took out some paper. She ripped them into small rectangles and started writing names and her name on the slips of paper. Sesshomaru meanwhile took the tape and cut a piece, folding it the way Kaori taught him and placed it on a box. He gave it to Kaori and she gasped.

"How did you do that so well?" Kaori asked.

"I had a good teacher," he answered, doing the same for the other presents.

They finished and Kaori looked at the clock. Almost ten. Kaori leaned back in her chair and looked at Sesshomaru.

"A cup of hot chocolate would really relax me right about now," Kaori told him.

"Have mine," Sesshomaru told her.

"Thanks," Kaori said, taking the cup off of the desk.

Little did she know that Sesshomaru had taken a few sips while he awaited for Kaori to finish wrapping the presents.

Kaori took a sip exactly where Sesshomaru had taken his. It tasted sweeter and licked her lips after one sip.

"Did you add sugar or something?" Kaori asked.

"Why?" Sesshomaru asked.

"It tastes sweeter," Kaori told him.

A smirk crept across Sesshomaru's face and Kaori cocked her head to the side.

"I think you just drank from where I drank," Sesshomaru told her.

Kaori's eyes went wide and she put the cup on the table before rushing out of the room. She held onto the banister and took a few deep breaths. She didn't just do that, did she? She shook her head. Even if she did, why did it taste so sweet and nice?

Sesshomaru stood at Kaori's desk, slightly confused. Was Kaori sick? Was it because she drank from where he drank? He did not understand why she had rushed out of there, her eyes wide. He watched as Kaori glanced back at him and then looked over the banister.

"Why?" Kaori whispered.

"Lady Kaori, I do not understand," Sesshomaru said.

"Sesshomaru, call me by name, like I call you," Kaori said.

"Kaori, I do not understand," Sesshomaru admitted.

"Neither do I," Kaori said. He mother's words from the night before hit her. I will tell you that Sesshomaru is the one. 'That might explain why he tastes so sweet,' Kaori thought.

Kaori returned to the room and sat down on the bed that was no longer covered in wrapping paper. She took the cup with her and Sesshomaru sat down next to her. Kaori brought her legs up next to her and looked up at Sesshomaru.

"Please explain, Kaori," Sesshomaru said.

"I don't understand it myself," Kaori told him. "So how am I supposed to explain it?"

Sesshomaru thought she had a point. Kaori held both hands around the mug and looked down at it.

"So what are we doing tomorrow?" Sesshomaru asked.

"Well, nothing's open so we can't go shopping. I guess we're stuck at home, bored," Kaori told him.

"Training," Sesshomaru said.

"Or we could do that," Kaori laughed.

Sesshomaru and Kaori sat in silence until around eleven o'clock. Kaori looked at the clock and then at the mug in her hands. She and Sesshomaru shared the hot chocolate while they had sat in silence. It was completely empty and Kaori placed it on the desk.

She returned and attempted to lay down on her pillow, but Sesshomaru took her arm into his hand. She looked up at him with confusion.

"No need to sleep on material," Sesshomaru told her.

"It's a pillow," she told him.

"I do not care," Sesshomaru told her.

"What are you purposing?" Kaori asked.

Sesshomaru pulled her to him and Kaori found her head resting against Sesshomaru's chest. Sesshomaru carefully took Kaori's legs and laid them across his. His arm held Kaori securely. Kaori closed her eyes and could hear his heartbeat and feel his breathing. She fell asleep in the arms of the most feared and dangerous demon in world, knowing she was safe in his arms.