Sorry it's been a while guys but I've just been so busy. Thanks once again for all the wonderful comments and I hope you enjoy this next chapter. But…it was almost completely unanimous! It seems everyone wants a Rin/Sess pairing so that's what I'll do. Thank you for your patience and sorry if the chapter after this takes a while. I do have school and homework and stuff.

Fallenstar127-Well, Rin will pair with Sess so you got your wish! I thought that was the funniest part too. Lol.

Haunting Hanyou-Well, it was a suggestion I liked so I went ahead and used it. I'm sorry you got confused.

Sugarsweet pie-I don't know if I'll have Sesshomaru sweat but I'll consider it…Kagome totally kicks butt!

Cloud Strife Lover-I'm sorry, but more people wanted a Rin/Sess pairing. Is there anyone else you'd like to see Kohaku end up with?

Demon-dreamgirl-Cool, I got a new computer a while back for my birthday. I'm glad you won't miss any chapters and the last chapter was for you because you've always been a loyal reviewer and reader. Thank you so much!

Inuyashalover0210-Ok, finally it's the Christmas chapter! Too bad Christmas is over but oh well I guess!

Xxsimple-mindxX-Rin/Sess it is then! Lol

Since I've been dedicating chapters to people I'd like to dedicate this one to Sugarsweet pie. You were my very first reviewer and loyal reader. I'm so grateful to you and hope you enjoy this. The Christmas chapter is dedicated to you!

Chapter Nine

Christmas

"Make up your mind!"

"Are you coming or not?"

"What if he asks you to go with him?"

Rin was having a tough time deciding whether to join Kohaku and Sango's family for Christmas. She wanted to, but what if Sesshomaru asked her? She was still in love with him but she loved Kohaku too.

Kagome, Sango, and Ayame were up in her face demanding answers but Rin just couldn't give them yet.

"Look, I'll have to think about it!" Rin huffed. "Why can't we all just stay here for Christmas!"

Kagome blinked and straightened. "Ya know, Rin, that's not a bad idea. We could all just stay here at the school and celebrate together!"

"But my family's expecting me!" Ayame said sadly.

"You have one of the biggest family's I've ever seen Ayame!" Sango told her breezily. "They won't mind if you aren't there this one year!"

"Well…I guess so," Ayame looked down and starred at her slippers. It was early morning on the first day of vacation. "Should we ask the guys what they think?"

"Yes," Kagome nodded as she reached for her hair brush. She began brushing out her long raven hair and picking out an outfit. Sango did the same while the other two girls headed straight for the bathroom. As Rin brushed her teeth, Ayame showered.

Once everyone was ready, the four of them took off down the hall and rushed down the stairs. Out the door, and through the courtyard, they found the guys lounging under a large willow tree. Kagome lifted a finger to her mouth and picked up some snow. Luckily her hands had gloves on them as she patted the snow into a perfectly round ball. She reeled back and threw with all her might.

The ball of snow hit InuYasha square in the face. He coughed loudly and sat up, flustered. He looked around quickly and jumped to his feet. Another ball came whizzing through the air and hit Miroku in the stomach. The pervert sat up suddenly and joined InuYasha on his feet.

"Who threw that!" InuYasha shouted, eyeing the area.

"Ya!" Miroku agreed, whipping the snow from his sweatshirt.

Their answer was yet again another snowball flying past them and smashing into Koga. He yelped and leaped up.

"Who did that?" he demanded.

"Ha ha ha!" Sesshomaru laughed as he leaned back against the tree. "Idiots." He mumbled softly. But he shut up as a ball of snow hit him in the eye. He sat there, stunned, with cold snow against his bare cheek and eye.

"Where'd that damn snowball come from!" InuYasha kept saying. They heard giggling and gasped as the girls emerged.

"S-Sorry! Couldn't…resist!" Kagome said between giggles.

"Ha ha, very funny, now what d'you want?" InuYasha asked, sitting down again. He brushed all the now melting, wet snow from his body and stretched out.

"We wanted to know if you guys wanted to stay here for Christmas with us?" Sango answered, sitting by Miroku who starred at her in confusion.

"I've got plans!" InuYasha muttered. "Which means so does Sesshomaru!"

"Hey, now, little bro, come on!" Sesshomaru grinned. "How bout we stay this year?"

"Stop calling me little bro!" InuYasha growled as he glared at his brother. "And I'm goin' home for Christmas and you can't stop me!"

"I don't wanna stop you," Sesshomaru continued. "In fact, I think it would merrier and more peaceful if you were gone."

"I agree," Koga chided, looking at Kagome as she rolled her eyes.

"Me too," Miroku said.

"Miroku! You're supposed to be my best friend!"

"Sorry dude but you are quite loud."

"It's settled then!" Kagome said happily. "Everyone stays but InuYasha! Come on, guys, we've got some decorating to do!"

Everyone laughed and darted after Kagome as InuYasha sat there starring at them all.

"Wait! I've changed my mind! Come back! I'll stay! I'll stay!" And with that he leaped up and raced after his friends.


Sango phoned her parents and told them she wouldn't be home for Christmas. They were disappointed, but said she was old enough to make her own decisions. Koga, Ayame, Miroku, and Sesshomaru did the same. Last was Kagome. Her mom was sad but understood.

"Thanks Mom," Kagome said into the phone. "I promise I'll be home for the next break."

"Alright honey," Mrs. Higurashi smiled. "Bye. I'll send you your gifts."

"Ok. Bye bye." Kagome hung up and faced her eager friends. "It was a yes!" The three girls who had been anxiously waiting for an answer squealed and smiled. Kagome decided to shower while the three others went to tell the guys.

"So that's all of us," Miroku said as he picked out an apple from the salad bar. "Christmas isn't too far away. We'd better start shopping and decorating."

"I'm ahead of you Miroku," Ayame smiled. "I did my shopping weeks ago!" She sat down at their usual table and the others joined her.

"What!" Miroku cried, nearly choking on his apple. "You're finished! I haven't even started!" Rin exchanged a look with Sesshomaru and burst out laughing.

"Miroku, what's wrong with you!" she asked, setting down her fork. "It's December 22nd! The shops will be all sold out!"

"I'll go later!" Miroku mumbled, biting into his apple. And he kept his word. Later on, around 2:00, he and InuYasha took the city bus down town. They walked into a clothing store to shop for the girls. Miroku picked out a pair of shoes for Rin, some earrings for Sango, and a new pink watch for Kagome. InuYasha had a more difficult time.

"How the hell am I supposed to know what size any of 'em are?" he shouted, throwing down a purple shirt. Miroku was calm, however, and sighed.

"Listen, InuYasha, if you purchase the wrong size they can always come back and exchange it." InuYasha brightened a bit and went on searching. He found some boots for Sango, a coat for Rin, and a pair of jeans for Kagome. As he stepped in line he heard a voice from behind him.

"InuYasha!" it was high pitched and annoying but he recognized it. "Are you shopping for me? Aw, you're too sweet!"

He gulped and turned slowly. Kikyo was standing there with Tsubaki beaming. In her hand was an expensive new sweater. He glanced around for support from Miroku but his friend was flirting with a pretty clerk.

"Uh, hi Kikyo," he flustered. "Um, actually, I…I...already got you something!"

"Oh, so thoughtful!" Kikyo smiled, almost bragging to Tsubaki. "I already got you're present too!"

"You did?" InuYasha looked startled but he smiled. He bought his things with Miroku and hurried out of the store.

When they reached another store he quickly bought Kikyo some perfume. For Sesshomaru, he chose cologne, and for Koga he got earmuffs.

"Is that a good choice?" Miroku asked, nodding towards the earmuffs. InuYasha looked down at the newly purchased earmuffs and smirked.

"Ya, he'll love 'em!" he laughed and started off towards the bus stop.


Kagome hung a pretty wreath on her dorm door. She put up tinsel and lights all around the room and even in the bathroom. When the other girls returned, they praised her hard work and asked if she wanted to come with them to get hot cocoa.

"Sure," Kagome agreed and followed them down to the cafeteria. It was so festive it was amazing. The four starred in awe and giggled. They got their drinks and returned to their dorm to wrap presents.

"Wow, you got Sesshomaru a new iPod?" Sango gasped as she starred at Rin's gift to Sesshomaru.

"Uh-huh!" Rin smiled and nodded. "InuYasha stepped on his other one."

"And what you'd get the other three?" Ayame asked curiously. Rin grinned mischievously.

"Well, I got InuYasha a tie! And Miroku a book, and Koga some socks."

"A tie, a book, and socks?" Kagome burst out in a fit of giggles. "You sure know them well!"

"What about you Sango?" Ayame asked.

"Let's see…I got Miroku some gloves, InuYasha a movie, Sesshomaru a gift certificate, and Koga shoes."

"Kagome?" Ayame looked over at her other friend.

"For Sesshomaru I got a portable DVD player, for Miroku I got a new printer, for Koga I got some cologne and for InuYasha…"

"Yeeeesss?" the other three asked, leaning in closer. Kagome smirked.

"You'll have to wait and see," she said simply. Sango groaned, Ayame pouted, but Rin only smiled and said, "I understand."


On Christmas morning, Kagome woke up to the smell of turkey. She was very confused and sat up. Sango was up and humming a Christmas song as she dressed. Rin was brushing her teeth but smiling as she did so, and Ayame (who always got up last) was gathering up her gifts.

"Why does it smell like---"

"Turkey?" Sango interrupted, facing Kagome with a huge grin. "It's coming from the cafe. Come on, we're meeting the boys in half an hour to exchange gifts."

Kagome nodded and yawned as she showered and dressed. She put on a green turtleneck with a red pair of jeans. On her feet she wore fuzzy white boots. She pinned her hair up and let some of it fall loosely down.

The guys were waiting in the cafeteria for the girls and had already eaten their breakfast. Now they just sat there drinking eggnog. When the girls arrived everyone smiled at each other and started chatting. Christmas songs were playing in the back round and all eight of them placed their gifts on the table.

"Me first!" Rin smiled, handing each person their present. Kagome was delighted to open hers and find a new pair of sparkly earrings. Sango was also happy to get a new stereo while Ayame received a new purse. The guys liked their presents as well.

"Now me!" Ayame grinned. For all the girls she had bought matching skirts, and for the guys matching hats.

"Hey, cool!" InuYasha grinned, trying his on. Sesshomaru went next and he gave everyone a copy of their favorite movie. After him was Koga, and then Miroku, Sango, Ayame, and finally the last was Kagome and InuYasha.

"Go ahead InuYasha," Kagome smiled sweetly.

"Fine," he said, pushing her gift towards her.

"Oh, some new jeans!" Kagome said, walking out to try them on. When she came back, though, she was so angry steam was practically coming out of her ears.

"You…got me…a size…25!" she screamed. "I'm a sixteen you moron!" She stormed out, took them off, and when she returned threw them at him.

"B-But…you can exchange them," InuYasha pleaded guiltily.

"That's not the point!" Kagome fumed as she took her seat once more and crossed her arms. It was her turn suddenly and she gave everyone their gift except for InuYasha.

"Hey, where's mine?" he asked.

Kagome seemed reluctant to answer but she sighed. "It's outside and I was so sure it was a good gift but now…now I just don't know."

"Oh come on, Kag, give him his gift!" Sango smiled gently. Kagome looked from her to InuYasha and sighed again.

"Fine…follow me. But everyone else stay here." She stood swiftly and motioned to InuYasha to follow her. He did and soon found himself outside in the cold. It was snowing lightly and but it was somewhat dark out due to clouds.

"So where is it?" InuYasha asked sternly. Kagome was starring at the ground and was turning redder and redder. InuYasha's expression softened.

"It's…it's up there," Kagome said softly, pointing towards the covering of the cafeteria building. InuYasha starred at her as though she were crazy and slowly looked up. He gasped and nearly fainted.

Up there, hanging from the covering, was a piece mistletoe. InuYasha couldn't take his eyes off it and slowly looked back in shock at Kagome. She was blushing deeper by the second.

"I-It was supposed to be a joke," she said quietly, trying to let out a small laugh.

"Kagome…" InuYasha whispered. She looked up and gasped. He was leaning in closer and had grasped her arms. She tensed and thought, What the hell is he doing!

His lips were puckered and Kagome's eyes widened. But…it felt…right. She leaned in too and their lips were so close. Kagome could feel InuYasha's breath and she loosened a bit. It was so perfect…a perfect moment…

"Uh…are we interrupting?" Miroku's voice asked. Kagome screamed and jumped away from InuYasha quickly. He did the same and gulped up air.

"What the hell did you think you were doing?" he shouted at her.

"Me!" Kagome shouted back. "You tried to kiss me first!"

"What!" InuYasha bickered. "I did not!" And they continued to argue like this for the rest of the day, much to the annoyance of their friends.

But the truth was, neither could stop thinking about that one magical moment when they almost…kissed.


Ya! Christmas chapter done! Soon, it will be Valentines Day and I bet you're all anxious to see what happens then! So please, please, please review if you want the next chapter soon and I promise if I get…oh…ten reviews or so I'll update by this weekend! Thank you to all my loyal reviewers and readers!