The morning brought with it another perfectly beautiful sunrise. Kagome kissed her Mate on the cheek, and he knew not to follow. Chamber pots. She would never get used to them, but it wasn't the reason why she snuck out of bed so early. Tossing on her very wrinkled yukata, she ran down the hall to his Mother's room to grab the spring key.

InuKimi growled through the rice paper door. Kagome knocked until a clawed hand reached out holding the golden chain. "Here." InuKimi hissed, "Take it, and be gone."

"Thank you!" Kagome skipped all the way to her rooms.

Sesshomaru was waiting, sitting on the edge of the futon with a smug grin on his face. "You want to take a bath, with me."

"I do." She giggled, biting her lip. "Grab some clothes and lets go." Her hands were already full of silk. "I was in there yesterday, and your Mom has gotten in some new types of soap." She grinned like a cheshire cat, "I only tried three of them, so we need to try the rest today."

"You do love your soap." He kissed her temple, "We should discuss our decision with Mother before speaking with the love birds."

"Agreed." Kagome grinned, scratching the scruffy hair on his jaw, "I kind of like this when you're going down on me."

He laughed, a slight blush tinged his cheeks. Her breath hitched. "It is a shame it will be shaved off."

"I didn't think I could talk you into keeping it. There are always special occasions," She teased, gliding one finger along the line of stubble.

"Like holidays."

She snorted, clapping her hand over her mouth and nose as she doubled over. "Kami." She held her aching side. "I'm not sure Christmas will ever be a romantic holiday for me after this."

Sesshomaru smirked, ticking holidays off his fingers, "There are Birthdays. Winter solstice. Setsubun. New Years. Hana Matsuri."

Kagome grinned, "Sesshomaru, you're so generous."

"Hn," He tilted her chin to capture her soft lips, "Nothing is free." Blue irises hid behind dilated pupils. Hot breath fanned over his jaw. He licked the tip of her nose.

"Kami, Sesshomaru." She groaned, wiping saliva off her face with her sleeve. "Quit teasing me. I need a bath. You need to shave, and bathe. We have to have important chats with half the Pack." She huffed, "We will never get home if we keep screwing around."

"Fine, he slid open the door, "We will screw when we get home. Lots of screwing." He laughed, the sound sliding over her skin like a wicked threat.

"Oh, I'll screw you all right." She hissed, stomping after him.

The door to the spring winked at them from the end of the hall. Sunlight streamed in from a small window, gleaming off the shiny metal.

Kagome sighed. Her arms were sore from so much hair brushing.

She could practically feel the steam on her face as Sesshomaru turned the lock. "I'm so excited." His hand slid over her ass. "Sess!" She couldn't help but grin, tugging him through to the spring.

Heat hit their faces.

Two steps and the barrier washed over them. Steam hid the view, but nothing stopped the sounds.

"Ho ho ho yes!" Santa growled, "I have a big present for you."

Stomping her foot, Kagome snarled, "OH NO! Nope! You do not! Not here!" Sesshomaru had to drag her out kicking and screaming. Her hand stopped them at the doorway, fingers gripping hold of the molding as she screamed, "You dirty senior citizens! You're ruining the bath!"

Sesshomaru had to pry her away.

Deposited in their rooms, tears streamed down her face. Fists clenched at her sides. She pouted, "I didn't get to try anymore soaps."

A permanent scowl marred Sesshomaru's perfect face, "Get dressed. We will speak to Mother."

Kagome sulked. "Fine."

InuKimi reluctantly opened her door. Her scowl turned into an amused smile, "By the look on your face, I'd say you walked in on your Grandma again." When the couple didn't have a quick come back, Her amber eyes screamed red. "No! They are in the hot spring again, aren't they?! Those horny animals!" She seethed. Canines gnashing.

"That is not why we are here though," Kagome huffed, "And I'd like to get it over with because I really need a bath, and I don't like being dirty." Her eyes narrowed at her Mate, as if it were all his fault.

Sesshomaru got the point. "Grandmother is in love with that fiend, there is no way around granting her my blessing."

Frowning, InuKimi sighed, "You are right. It would hurt the pack to deny their foolish desire." She rested the back of her manicured hand on her forehead, "Her dementia is worse than I previously thought."

Kagome rubbed her shoulder, trying not to roll her eyes. InuKimi, ever the dramatic. "Well," She grabbed Sesshomaru's hand, "We understand if you would rather not live alone, and wanted to let you know you are welcome to join us at the fortress."

InuKimi laughed. She looked from Kagome to her tight lipped son. He was on edge, but there were many reasons for him to be. "Do you really wish for this? This one will not intrude upon your newly Mated life if you do not wish it, Sesshomaru."

There were selfish reasons to keep her away, and out of his affairs. With a reluctant pause, he peered into the endless void of her molten eyes. She'd drive him insane, but it couldn't be helped, "It would please This Sesshomaru to know you are not alone." He frowned as her arms enclosed around him. Squeezing. "Remove yourself."

"Great!" Ignoring his demand, Kagome joined in on the group hug.

"You'll be so glad I'm there. The rooms have needed redecorating for a hundred years, and the parties!" She gasped, releasing the pair, "Oh, Kagome Dear, I shall teach you how to throw a decent party. You can't have had too many opportunities to learn such an important skill while traveling as a Miko." With a flurry of silk, she disappeared behind a silk screen. Suddenly, a trunk flung from behind, "Shoo, Sesshomaru go tell your Grandmother. There is much packing to do. How many servants can I bring?" Her face popped out from behind the screen, "Oh who am I kidding, like you care!" She cackled.

"I didn't expect her to be so excited," Kagome whispered, wincing, as they walked down the hall.

Sesshomaru huffed, "This will be a regret to endure together."

"Well," She grinned, "At least you can fly us away at any time."

Their rooms felt more suffocating than they had in the wee hours of the morning. She slid her fingers over the thick curtain. The balcony glowed in the sun. Bright and gleaming.

"Do not go anywhere." Sesshomaru kissed her temple, and disappeared into his small study. She watched him settle into a piece of parchment with a quill and ink.

"What are you up to?"

"This letter will be enough to appease Grandmother. Meeting with her again is not a risk worth taking." He grimaced, horror in his eyes.

Kagome laughed, "How long before they go, you think?"

"Hopefully, immediately."

Not long after the letter delivered, did a parcel arrive at the door. Covered in flashy golden paper and covered in shimmery tinsel, Kagome grabbed it from the servant's hands. Giddy. "Sesshomaru!" She gasped, "A present! For us!" She dug into the wrapping paper.

Beneath the paper, beautiful calligraphy signed, "From Mr. and (Soon to be!) Mrs. Claus."

Sesshomaru slowly blinked, "This is odd."

"It's not odd!" Kagome grabbed his hand, using his claw as a knife to slice through the tape. "It's a gift, a thank you gift," She pulled the lid off the box. Unfolding knitted sleeves, she giggled with a smile, "Oh, these are fantastic!"

"What is this?" Sesshomaru held up the odd wool fabric by two claws, sniffing.

"They are ugly sweaters!" Kagome gushed, hugging hers to her chest, "And look!" She held it up for his expression, pressing a little button in the hem. Multi Colored lights ignited in the fabric, "Christmas lights! Oh!" She squealed, "I love them." She grabbed his, "We have to get ready. Better send for one of those awful tubs and hot water. Hurry!"

A brow cocked, "You want to wear dead lightning bugs?"

Blue eyes opened wide, her mouth gaping, "What!? No! These are electronic." She shook them in front of his face, "They aren't organic at all. And they are fun." With a huff, she pushed him toward the door, "Go summon a bath."