"Rikku! Mmmm, these are so yummy!" Kagome took another big bite of her fish cake.

The get well party was impromptu. Just the four of them, but the food came from Miomi's Father.

"Jiji said these will make your leg feel better!" Rikku grinned, holding a dango up to Kagome's lips.

She took a bite, even with her mouth already full, "Mmmm, yummm!"

Rikku giggled, her little curls bouncing on her shoulders as she ran around the table.

"I just got off the phone with the insurance company," sighed, slumping into the chair next to her daughter, "We'll be in a construction zone for quite a long while."

Kagome grimaced. The entire yard was one big massacre.

Her Mother rolled her shoulders, taking a deep breath. Rikku handed her a sesame dango, "Eat this! You'll feel better too!"

"She's right," Kagome grinned, "I'm feeling much better eating these yummy goodies."

Souta pulled up a chair, looking like he'd never been injured at all, "Save some for Daddy, Rikku!"

His daughter laughed, "We made lots for everybody!"

"Who wants cocoa?!" pulled out the western mugs.

"Yes, please!" Rikku shouted over a bite of mochi.

"Make that two!"

"Three!" Souta laughed, "Let's play some cards, we haven't played a game in awhile."

Their Mother shouted, "Let's play daifugo!"

"Yes!" Kagome and Rikku shouted at once, giggling afterwards.

"How can you do this to Daddy, Rikku?" Souta groaned as he was declared the poor man loser. She preened.

"You can't win every round, Souta." chuckled at her Son's dismay, taking a big sip of cocoa. "Kagome? You up for another round?"

She shook her head, "Go ahead and play this one without me, I'll be back for the next." At the edge of her senses, she felt something prodding her.

"Do you need any help?"

"No, I've got it, Mama. Sit. Have fun. Relax." She flashed her a smile. With one crutch in hand, she awkwardly hopped from the kitchen to the living room.

Looking out the door window, two shadows moved in the yard. The clouds shifted. Moonlight glinted off silver and red.

She narrowed her eyes. A white fluffy beard caught her eye. "What is that..." Her nose pressed against the glass as she leaned closer.

"Hey," Souta leaned over her shoulder, looking out, "What is it?"

"I'm not sure."

More clouds moved and the light grew brighter.

"Is that..." Souta swallowed hard, hand bracing the wall.

Kagome blinked, trying to see what it was, "What?" She huffed, "I can't see hardly anything."

Something in him stalled, "Please, Kagome, move," He unlocked the door and ran out into the cold. No jacket. No shoes.

"What's going on?" Their Mother ran into the living room, holding Rikku on her hip. She moved past Kagome and cried, "I can't believe it!"

Rikku jumped from her arms, running out into the snow, her voice an echo of pure joy, "Mommy!"

Her Mother sobbed, hand over her mouth as she stood in the doorway, "I just can't believe it!" She flung her arms around her daughter, face in her shoulder. "I just can't...I can't believe it!"

Heart thundering in her ears, Kagome held her Mother, determined not to let her leg buckle under the weight. Searching the darkness, the most breathtaking image caught her.

Standing beside the goshinboku, a family of three. "...Miomi."

Sesshomaru stalked her porch, decked out as Santa once again.

"I don't understand?" She whispered, chest on fire.

"Let me help," He took her Mother's hand and let her cry on his shoulder.

Kagome adjusted her crutch, eyes glued on Rikku hugging her now living mom. "How?" She swallowed her tears.

"Judgement passes on day 49, but spirits are not transported until the end of day 50." He caught her glittering blue gaze with brilliant amber.

She wiped her eyes, but the tears kept flowing down her smiling face. So exquisitely happy.

"Is this your doing?" Mrs. Higurashi looked up at the youkai dressed as Santa Claus, "Santa?" She didn't wait for him to answer, her arms crushing him into a hug, "We owe you so much. Come in. Come eat."

"Yes," Kagome nodded, tugging his fake beard as he mouthed the word, 'no.' "Come on, come eat. We have wagashi and a million types of tea."

"You will come in." demanded with a point blank stare.

He sighed, "Of course, Okaa-sama, you honor me."

Kagome pressed her lips together, grinning as her Mother pulled him into their house. She followed close behind, choking on a laugh at the questions her Mother was asking.

"So, tell me how long you have been working as a Mall Santa." She handed him a cup of steaming tea.

"Mama," She patted Sesshomaru's shoulder, "This is Sesshomaru-sama, Inuyasha's brother."

Her brown eyes bulged, "Ohhh! Let me see your ears!"

Kagome laughed. He frowned, but pulled off his hat and beard. Watching his markings reappear took her breath each and every time. Taking liberties, she tucked silky hair behind his ear, "I should have clarified, they are half brothers." He tensed.

Her Mother leaned forward, blinking. "Too bad for you about the ears, I'll go get you some mochi and dango."

"Sorry." Kagome laughed behind her hand.

Sesshomaru scoffed, but smiled, "You are enjoying my humiliation, admit it."

She grinned, holding her index finger and thumb just slightly apart, "Maybe a little." Tugging his thick red sleeve, she sobered, "I'm not sure of I'll ever be able to properly thank you."

He stared at her for a moment. Her cheeks were slightly flushed. Blue eyes clear and bright. Her smile radiated through the humble room. "I have a gift for you." He pulled a small rectangle from his coat.

"Sesshomaru-sama," She looked down at the plain red parcel in his hand reluctantly. "I ca-"

"It will displease me if you decline to accept it."

Her eyes widened and she took it into her hands, "Sorry. Of course, I'm very grateful."

Tearing the paper revealed an address book. She flipped through the pages. Inuyasha's name popped out at her. Shippo. Her fingers trembled as she read through more names, each with a phone number and address. Glancing back up at the stoic youkai beside her, she didn't know what to say. He was watching her fall apart. What in him changed so much that he would do all these things for her? For her family?

He pushed a strand of hair behind her ear, amber gaze making her heart jump, "I too am glad you are still alive."

"It is a wonder with as many times as she's injured herself!" Mrs. Higurashi interrupted with a tray of various treats and cups of cocoa.

Kagome blushed and winced, biting her lip. Her eyes were on the mochi, but her mind was on the taiyoukai.

"Tell me," Mrs. Higurashi served him with steady hands, "If you and Kagome have babies, will they have cute ears?"

He choked on his tea.

"Mama!"