Merry Christmas!
Disclaimer: Disclaimers are in my profile bio. This is not grammatically corrected. I may go back and clean it up. But just wanted to get it out.
Chapter 52: No Reservations
"A little to the left."
"No, it's crooked."
"Maybe you should move it to center, dear."
"A green tree! How unoriginal. We should have gotten all white trees with red ombre ends."
"Who says we need a tree at all? Humans and their scrupulous traditions."
"Ladies!" Growled a frustrated Touga as he lifted the tree again and sat it down cautiously under Rin's watchful eye. "There! This is where it will go." He said with finality as he stood up to his full height and stepped back. Rin's hands applauded in the background before her feet carried her body past the women and into the arms of her grandfather.
"Rin, loves." She growled out happily as he scooped her up into his arms. He found her to be quite adorable with her bright red onesie with green Christmas trees patterns scattered around.
"Yes!" He pinched her nose and wiggled it around. "Rinny you have quite an eye for picking trees."
Rin hugged him back and hummed while running her small fingers through his mane of hair. Touga sighed contently to hold his newly minted grandchild in his arms. He rubbed her back soothingly and moved to sit on the couch. His eyes turned to the women occupying the large living room performing various decorative activities. Colored paper, boxes of various sizes, old quilts, soft blankets, bowls of food, and holiday decorations littered the entire den area. Everyone was doing their part to get into the swing of the holiday spirit. It wasn't one their normally celebrated given their longevity however, it was a tradition that arrived with the Higurashi's and brought great joy to the little pup in his arms.
Izayoi and Kimi brought along a designer decorator for the exterior and main entry ways of the house. However, the interior and the places they communed were for family hands only. According to Rin's rules, they were to use only the decorations found in the commercial stores. His eyes scanned the ceiling where long green and red shiny garland hung from the high chandeliers. Globs of silver tinsel draped along the plants in the room. He, his father's, his grandfathers, and his great grandfather's military portraits all held red, green, and gold cutouts of Christmas trees dangling from their corners and undermining their serious expressions.
He looked over at the women all bustling about in their own world of what he publicly deemed as Christmas comradery. The room was aglow with various colored Christmas lights flashing across the floor as Shiori worked to untangle the line in her lap while sitting on the floor next to Kimi. Her hair was pulled messily in a bun on top of her head as her eyes darted from the tangled paradox to her Alphas. Kimi lounged across a love seat while pointing out the desired placement of Izayoi's prized holiday ornament given to her by the French Queen Anne of Austria. Her long green silk robes hung from her body like pools of water as she moved her slender clawed finger about. Izayoi took a step back to admire her gifted treasure among the dangling candy canes and drunk Santas. Her layered traditional kimono in bright reds and forest greens moved about her as she shuffled about looking at it from different angles.
"To the left, love. And darling, she had to get rid of the gift somehow. Could you imagine the public shame of your lover sending you extravagant gifts the day after your coronation? Your husband's body hasn't even gotten cold yet. The debauchery!" Kimi retold with such embellishment as Izayoi tilted her head in deep thought.
The Jeweled crystal bauble sat pristine on a decorative shelf among their treasured family heirlooms as Kimi proceeded to gossip about the old French Queen and her alleged liaisons with her royal general after her husband's passing. Shiori sat enraptured in the tale while Izayoi fact checked with her own memory of shared events during their visit to the French palace during that time. During the conversation, Izayoi moved to lounge with Kimi while both shared relishing thoughts about their visit to the new Queen.
"We did look very good in lace and pearls." Izayoi lamented while playing with the ends of Kimi's long platinum strands of hair. "Too bad, she never extended another invitation after she discovered her lover took quite the interest in you, Kimi."
Kimi waved the thought off. "You mean when she found out she couldn't be part of our family harem." The older Inu princess said while wiggling her eyes causing Izayoi to laugh and Shiori to turn back to her task with a slight blush on her face.
Touga's eyes then followed the wayward placement of bags filled with odd knickknacks to the crackling fireplace mantle. His daughter in laws were deep into conversation about their brother's new girlfriend now as they stuffed the stockings with hand stitched lettering of their initials on the front. The two sisters stood with the light and shadows playing off their thick Christmas sweaters with their heads hung down in collaborative strategy. Their mouths balancing speaking and munching on decorative gingerbread reindeer.
"She's a floozy roach." Kagome stated while shoving a small fluffy dog she had found in Sesshomaru's stocking.
"We don't know yet." Kikyo took another bite out of her cookie while staring into the fire for a short moment in contemplation.
"Well, he's hiding her from us. How are we supposed to know!" Kagome pulled her hand out of the stocking to shake it, so his gifts fell to the bottom of the stocking.
"You're right, we should call him again." Kikyo stated while reaching into her back pocket to call Souta. "I'm sure he hung up in our faces by accident the first 5 times."
Both ladies stared at the glowing device before putting their ears down to hear the ringer. A rough voice picked up. "Hello?"
"You sure she can't come here for the holidays? And what is her blood type?" Kagome asked quickly while Kikyo nodded her head in agreement. "We can do a few tea readings about this." Kikyo added while ticking off the things she would need in her head.
"Oh, my Kami!" Souta groaned on the other end of the line. "Guys… It's the holidays. She is spending it with her own family. And I'm coming to see you tomorrow."
"Hmmm" Both sisters hummed in sync. "Don't forget to bring your jacket, the temperature has dropped here. Farther than normal." Kagome added.
"Make sure you drink your citrus and ginger tea before the flight. It will boost your immune system for the flight over." Kikyo added. "I'll make you a batch too when you get here."
Kagome patted her on the shoulder in praise. "Great idea. And add that sea moss stuff that you gave me too."
"My lovely sisters. I think I'll survive the flight over guys. Thanks for checking on me for the 10th time. And I'll be sure to share all the pictures of my girlfriend and answer all the questions when I get there."
"Great…But did you really meet her at school?" Kagome asked suddenly. "Or did you meet her in a club? This is a safe space, Souta. You can tell us."
A laugh echoed in the background that sounded rather feminine before a click sounded and the line went silent.
"Souta?" Kikyo asked as she lifted the phone up closer between their ears.
"Souta, do you have a girl in your room!" Kagome gasped comically. The disconnect tone rang loudly between them as the two sisters shared a look.
"Call him back!" Kagome encouraged while placing her hands on her hips defiantly. Unbeknownst that her mate shuffled along with his brother into the room.
"Yay! You're back!" Shiori shouted and bounced to her feet. The pile of lights having fallen to the floor. Her citrine eyes took in their bags as they sat them on the floor. All the attention was now upon them as the ladies made their way around them.
"The people out there, are nuts!" Inuyasha exclaimed as he dropped the bags at his feet. Pieces of snow layered along the brim of his red beanie and clung to his jacket. Kikyo rubbed his cheek affectionately and took the bags from his hands. She made her way to the table with them.
"Never again." Was all that Sesshomaru spoke while Kagome helped him set his bags down and take his coat. Kisses of admiration and gratitude went to the young Inu men as space was made for them on the cushions.
"We admire your bravery." Touga barked in laughter at seeing his sons look frazzled from the "holiday cheer" that was the late Christmas shoppers and family cooks. Both gave him narrowed gazes of irritation. Kagome and Kikyo took the bags to the table to sort.
"Kouga and Kagura are spending Christmas back in Kyoto. She asked if we could keep an eye on her place until her new bar head can get his feet under him." Inuyasha spoke loudly as he pulled out his phone to scroll through some of his messages.
"Of course." Kikyo yelled from the hallway while she sorted through the items with her sister and carried them into the kitchen.
"You think she will open another bar there? I mean being princess of the wolf pack isn't exactly going to keep her busy and out of the bar scene you know." Kagome asked Kikyo thoughtfully as she examined a few ingredients they managed to get for dinner that night.
"That or a fight club." Kikyo said nonchalantly as she reached for another reindeer to finish. "I could write her a letter of support too from the Council." Kikyo responded while looking up at the ceiling in thought. "Maybe talk her into running it as a nonprofit like they do in the states with their football organization. You know…beat people up…for charity."
"For the children." Kagome supplied with a nod and a laugh.
"For the children!" Kikyo repeated as she bit the head off her reindeer cookie.
"And speaking of the Council…are they treating you good up there?" Kagome asked.
"I've made mistakes that are going to take time to get over. So, every day is still challenging. But I can hold my own." Kikyo supplied as she bit into her cookie again with gusto. "Besides it helps to have a raging Inu from the Tashio Clan threatening to shove his sword up everyone's asses on a daily basis." She laughed at the memory of one moment where Inuyasha really put on a show after hearing someone say something underneath their breath. "Besides what mikos besides us two that you know that have the power to disintegrate living things with just a concentrated glance?" She said while finishing off the last piece of her cookie.
"What?" Kagome asked, with a pointed look at her sister.
"The new rumor is that we have powers to disintegrate living things with a bat of our eyelashes." Kikyo mumbled as she brushed the crumbs from her hands.
"Pfttt!" Kagome rolled her eyes and went back to sorting through the bags. "I swear. Reina Yomi must be telling stories from her jail cell. She still trying to get out?"
"Every day, she's petitioning seems like with a new lawyer. But she's made so many enemies… And thanks to Naraku for that tape recorder, she will be old and decrepit by the time she gets out. Her confession written in stone, on repeat. And somehow it floated around on social media." Kikyo supplied as she reached for another freshly baked cookie off the red serve-ware plate. A hand reached out and stalled her in mid-reach.
"Hey!" Kikyo exclaimed.
"You don't eat like this…what's going on?" Kagome asked as she eyed her sister. "You've consumed like three of those already when before you would barely make it through one."
"I'm starving Kags! I'm hungry like all the time now. The flight was long and my back hurts probably from all of this traveling that I do now." Kikyo supplied as she dropped her hand and reached to rub her mating mark that sat proudly on the side of her neck for all to see. The crescent moon slightly pink from its recent bestowing.
Kagome looked her up and down contemplatively for a moment. Her head tilted to the side as she let go of Kikyo's hand and watched the woman reach for another cookie. "Sesshomaru!" She yelled before making her way towards to the den.
"Huh?" Kikyo asked biting the head off another cookie and placing it down on a napkin for later. She quickly ran after her sister into the den to see Kagome already across the room.
"Pop-Pop, down." Rin said as she wiggled in Touga's grasp. He settled her white socked feet on the ground and watched as she barreled her way into the two men's laps. Inuyasha wrestled with her a bit while Sesshomaru patted her head affectionately. He looked up at the calling of his name to see his mate rush into the room with her sister hot on her tail.
Kagome threw herself on his other side and whispered lowly into his ear. Kikyo and everyone watched curiously as his amber eyes flickered towards her and his nose went into the air. Sesshomaru rubbed her sides affectionately as she kissed him on the cheek. A few sniffs in the air later and a rumbled sound projected from his throat. He looked over to his father who also tilted his head up as well followed by Kimi. Shiori tilted her head in question as she sniffed the air but couldn't determine anything.
"I don't get it!" Shiori asked as she continued sniffing the air randomly.
A loud laughing bark came from Touga as his face lit up in excitement. "My boy!" He yelled aloud as he looked to his youngest son with a proud grin on his face.
"What the hell!" Inuyasha yelled as his head spun from all the various expressions of joy and pride. He halted Rin's movements and transitioned her to sit in Sesshomaru's arms. "What is everyone sniffing at!?" He tilted his own nose in the air getting nothing but the smell of ginger, sugar, and green tea from the kitchen…along with the various Christmas and family related scents. His eyes darted to Kikyo as she stood looking confused as well. "Are you sick or something?" He asked, feeling the need to have her under him protectively.
"Darling! He doesn't know what to look for and I'm sure everything is throwing him off." Kimi supplied with a smile and a nod. Kikyo walked over and sat down at his side looking slightly miffed from the crazy smiles and expressions on just about everyone. She darted her gaze over across the men to look at her sister.
"What do you know?" Kikyo glared at Kagome who shook her head in resistance. Sesshomaru's arm came up around her and pulled her into his side affectionately.
"Just a suspicion." Kagome provided. "I'll make sure you're well fed and resting my big sister Kikyo." Her eyes seemingly began to gloss for a minute and Kikyo recoiled at the strange behavior.
"What?" Izayoi asked softly as her delicate feet moved to sit at Touga's side. He bent down and whispered to her while nudging her chin with his nose affectionately. Her eyes grew big, and she looked over at the pair seemingly with hearts and stars in her eyes. "And they don't know!" Her hands flew up over her mouth in a soft gasp.
"Know what!" Kikyo, Inuyasha, and Shiori asked instantaneously.
"Another Inu trait to teach our young." Touga stated with smugness. "After dinner son. We will go for a walk. And Kikyo, I will let Inuyasha supply you with the answers you need soon as he discovers them for himself." Touga seemingly puffed his chest. "Shiori, you will have to wait. Hopefully a long time!" He said as he thought about his baby girl and her understanding of the situation. "Where's that Shippo boy? And Izayoi, you made sure he's sleeping on the opposite side of the house."
Izayoi hit his shoulder lightly. "They are adults, my love. Besides, I hope you match the pride that you have for your sons Inu traits to your daughter's." She said with a playful wink to Shiori.
Shiori looked down at her phone messages. "His train arrives in two hours. He just left Sweden. Apparently, the chef is really grieving Shippo leaving his post to come back to France."
"He's becoming insanely good at balancing between milk and acidic ingredients for elevated umami." Kagome thought out loud while tapping her chin. "That school did wonders with getting him additional experience. Well, Shippo is my protégé so of course he would be amazing and get picked by one of the top chefs in the world to receive mentorship!" Kagome exclaimed while Sesshomaru sighed next to her while continuing to hold Rin in his arms close to his chest.
"And the boy's own merit meant nothing I suppose in achieving his apprenticeship with Frantzén." Sesshomaru replied earning him an eye squint from his mate. "Shippo cooks with simplicity but uses flavor techniques that trick the senses. Frantzen is best at using the natural ingredients and pairing them for elevate a dish. Things he had learned from the war." Sesshomaru responded as everyone looked to him for understanding. Demons appreciated the culinary field for the strict attention to details to not just overwhelm the palette but to also balance flavors and scents. Rin yipped at Sesshomaru and he looked down as she tried to pull her lip back for him to see inside of her mouth.
"Her canines are coming in." Touga announced with a nod of his head.
"Which means one canine has fallen out." Sesshomaru deduced as he looked at his pup reveal the glistening gap. He lifted her up in the air with both hands while Kagome reached out and rubbed her back encouragingly. "Smile." He commanded while Inuyasha leaned over to see as well. Rin opened her mouth wide to show the biggest smile she could give. And sure enough, in the very front…one of her canines was missing.
Inuyasha playfully pushed his pinky claw through the little gap with a smirk. "Now you can slurp your noodles at the dinner table without them getting caught in your teeth."
"INUYASHA!" All the women yelled simultaneously. Rin happily beamed at the prospect. Her feet kicking as Sesshomaru continued to hold her up. He barked affectionately at her and she yipped back. He then settled her down onto his lap and her body turned to get comfortable.
They continued like this with Rin telling him about her great popcorn string work that hung around his sword upstairs. Kagome smiled knowing that Sesshomaru would soon discover the accompanied butter and chocolate fingerprints that followed the trail of Christmas popcorn decorations along his sword and armor and yet he will soon after swallowing his irritation at seeing how happy Rin was to honor him.
"Where's those mussels!"
"Yes Chef!"
Kagome smiled as she worked back in her kitchen. Her eyes were intense as she surveyed her crew while they worked diligently in the wider space.
"Bank, is that cut working for you?" She asked.
The man nodded as he cut through another piece with the precision of a swordsman. "Like butter!"
"Looking good on that plate, Miroku." She yelled out as said man saluted her from his station. Miroku looked about saying a few things to some of the other chefs cooking on the line. His eyes flickered to the corner before he yelled and turned the fire down low on his pot. "Babe! You should be sitting!"
"Calm your tits!" The now very pregnant Sango yelled out as she carried three trays of bread from the back where the ovens stacked to the front. "Girls!" She called.
The twins rushed forward each with several baskets of fresh breads and butters. They all worked quickly and very well to get them ready to go onto the floor. Kagome bit her lip and laughed humorously as she watched Sango take a loaf and snack while managing to muscle her way around the kitchen.
"Make sure you and the new recruit take 30!" Kagome yelled out as she moved towards Sango and patted her gently on the back. Sango laughed as she began to rub her belly affectionately. "I'm afraid he's still on the learning curve, Kags." Both women shared a laugh, while Kagome made her way through her kitchen.
The light from outside, shined through the new windows. The fight that had broken out, caused for a much-needed renovation. But this time, she wanted to have a space that felt breathable. A space where anyone can come in and enjoy whatever she wanted to create. With the help of Sesshomaru leading the design team, they came up with a concept that brought the outside, indoors. A space that felt Japanese and Parisian all at the same time. Greenery, oakwood, and pieces of iron work was everywhere. They expanded the space by acquiring the spaces next door. Intimate eating areas were created with bamboo partitions separating them. Open tables were still available for walk-ins. Overall, it was a space that made everyone feel invited and welcomed.
The new spacious kitchen had enough space for triple the staff. Gleaming silver and chrome from her new stoves, ovens, countertops, and the like shined during the lunch time rush. Balancing out the modern surfaces was the various wood tones everywhere and added greenery. As she surveyed the room, it all looked like a kitchen from some rich fantasy home in Lord of the Rings. There was lots of natural lighting coming in from the skylight and all the windows. Fresh air came in and took the edge off their stress. She watched as everyone worked quickly but in rhythm during their soft opening.
Kagome continued to walk about the kitchen space. Giving feedback and jumping in where needed. But for the most part, everything was going smoothly. She stopped by a young woman working hard on the sauce and she watched as she put great effort into her task. Kagome smiled, remembering a bushy haired kitsune that had the same lines in his forehead once. Kagome patted her gently on the back and nodded in approval. "Keep that sauce from sticking." She said as she made her way back towards her office. She sat down in her chair heavily and finger combed her bangs back. Her brown eyes darted to an old photo of her original staff. Her restaurant had grown quite a lot over time. Her fingers reached out and trailed over their faces before tracing over another photo of her standing next to her bushy Kitsune in front of his own joint. His hair just as wild as it had always been. Bright green eyes staring happily at the camera next to her. Her standing just as proudly next to him like a proud parent.
"You miss him."
Kagome turned to the door to see Miroku looking smugly at her. She rolled her eyes and leaned back in her chair. "He's my pride and joy. I think I had two kids and didn't realize it."
"Yeah…" Miroku stated as he leaned against the door frame. "Well, he's not dead. Just making his own way back in the States. And I hear his place is getting high remarks. I'm sure he wouldn't mind a visit from his mom and French family."
"Yeah…" She pulled her hand back and turned towards her computer. "Right after Esmerelda's opening. If I had known cooking with chocolate would have such mass appeal, I would have opened a candy store first instead of struggling through finances when I started." Kagome ran through quickly a few numbers and information while reaching for a sticky note.
"Well, her excellent chocolatier experience and tutelage under Amaury Guichon has definitely made her quite a giant in her field. I'm glad she continued our partnership. The concern will come when she gets asked to do worldly gigs." He rubbed his chin in thought.
"Yeah. But she's so deserving. And her creations…I'm still shocked she made that chandelier for our anniversary out of pure chocolate. And it hung from the ceiling and showcased her lava cakes." Kagome paused in writing in wonder.
"And the light in the middle worked, too!" Miroku nodded his head.
Suddenly a server was in the hallway making his way towards them in a hurry. Miroku stood up straighter to see the demoness looking a little bit perplexed. "What's the matter, love?"
"Your guest Naraku sent for me. He says he needs to talk to you. Its urgent!" The demoness explained holding her tray to her chest. "He says he also sent for Sesshomaru. He's on his way now."
Both Miroku and Kagome shared a glance. "What on earth?" They quickly walked down the hallway and made their way to the front of the house. As they exited onto the dining floor, people toasted to them and expressed their salutations. Their eyes roamed around with soft smiles while they followed their server to Naraku's table. He sat at his table and sipped on his wine. A pregnant Marie sat next to him, holding his hand tightly in her grasp with her lips tight.
"Miss Muffet…I believe we are no longer alone." Naraku stated as he nudged his chin towards the door. "It seems we have possibly another challenger."
Miroku rubbed his face roughly. "No Way! Why is he dressed like you?" He asked as he looked to Naraku.
Kagome looked over and narrowed her eyes at her new visitor. The resemblance to the man next to her was striking. She looked at Naraku and looked back at the young demon. "You've got to be kidding me. Who is this?"
Marie looked to her mate and squeezed his hand reassuringly. "What do you think he wants?"
Naraku narrowed his eyes at the demon and flared his aura capturing a bit of the attention around them. "Reina left someone out of the family loop that I thought I could mentor. I thought we shared similar past and similar interests. But he has inherited the betrayal and conniving trait that I can't seem to root out unless I snuff it completely."
Kagome crossed her arms over her chest and frowned. "Let's hear what he's got to say." Her mind ran over the potential outcomes of the situation they found themselves in. Despite Naraku's flux of power, the demon made no threatening move.
A young demon put his hands in his pockets and bounced as he looked about the renovated restaurant. His long white hair hung down his back as he continued to take the place in. His well-tailored black suit was well pressed with a Japanese styled jacket folded over the top. His red eyes looked towards the far corner, catching the aura of the demon he wanted to see. The couple in front of him were taken away to their tables and Myoga ushered the man forward. Myoga smiled as he took in the young gentleman. "How can I be of service, sir?"
Two young women stood behind him and giggled as he smiled casually at them, revealing a fanged smile. "The women in my life all had something to say about this place." He said as he waved flirtatiously back at the women.
Myoga beamed proudly at the man while he turned back to face them. "Yes! We run a fine establishment here in France. How many are we seating today?"
"Oh sorry!" The young demon bowed slightly. "Party of one. But I see some people here that I'm quite familiar with." He said as he surveyed the room with a grin. His eyes alight with mischief. His eyes landed on Naraku, Kagome, and Miroku in the back. "My mentor is in the back. With friends I see. Can't wait to have a little chat about my Aunt's wishes."
Myoga nodded unaware of the heavy weight of the words coming from the young demon's mouth. "What's your name, sir?"
The demon looked over at a scowling Naraku before scanning over the faces of Miroku and Marie. Finally, his eyes made eye contact with Kagome. He smiled crookedly and titled his head to reveal several tattoos going up the side of his throat. "Magatsuhi Yomi."
Fin
Thanks my loves!