Disclaimer: I own nothing.
P.S.: even though this chapter is slightly shorter than most, the next is MUCH more drama-y and stuff. This one is just another sweet one. XD I MUST HAVE CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT!
Chapter twenty: So This is Christmas
"Kagome, wake up~ It's Christmas morning." A soft voice spoke to Kagome through her hazy dream, slowly pulling the six-year-old out of a pleasant slumber. Moaning softly, Kagome rubbed her crusty eyes and peeked through one to see Izayoi's eager and happy face.
"Christmas morning?" She repeated softly, sitting up in bed. She had her oxygen mask on, having to still need it during the night on rare occasions. Izayoi let out a short, excited laugh and stood up to scoop Kagome out of her bed after removing the mask. Balancing the child on her hip, Izayoi left the bedroom and continued down the hallway to the stairs. As they descended, the doting woman smoothed Kagome's still short hair and helped the small girl wake up even more before they entered the family room where everyone awaited.
"Yes! Christmas morning. And since you are the newest member of the household, this Christmas is for you. Everyone is waiting by the tree and we have a special treat before we start opening presents." Kagome was now fully awake and eager to see what they had planned. In all her years, Kagome couldn't remember celebrating Christmas. But for the majority of her life, she'd seen people out shopping and enjoying the seasons with their loved ones, and for the longest time she held onto the idea that she and her father would do that together one day. But that day never came. Those thoughts were instantly driven out of Kagome's mind though when she and Izayoi stepped into the family room.
All around were beautiful decorations and the tree glistened and sparkled so brightly that it lit up the whole room. Underneath it were boxes upon boxes of gifts of all varying sizes; and standing in front of all that were the men of the house, still in their pajamas like she and Izayoi were. The mere sight of it brought the biggest smile to Kagome's face and she couldn't contain herself from hugging Izayoi's neck tightly. Izayoi laughed again and hugged Kagome as well, then set her down on the ground next to her.
"Kagome, the boy's have something the each would like to tell you. Honey, why don't you start?" Izayoi hinted at her husband, her hands remaining on Kagome's small shoulders as the both of them waited. Inu-Taisho gave her a look just before smiling at Kagome, which earned him a smile back, and took out a folded paper from his housecoat pocket. Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru, who stood next to him in order of tallest, watched in amazement when they heard what their father had written.
"Kagome, I am thankful that you have become part of our family for the following reasons; you're teaching all of us a lesson in generosity and kindness, you've brought life back into this house, and everyone seems happier for it…including me. I don't expect you to call me father, but I promise I will take care of you like a father should. From your new daddy, Touga Inu-Taisho, happy Christmas Kagome." Even though it was read in the most robotic of tones, the words were effective enough to stun both his sons' and wife into silence. When Izayoi had requested each of them write down why they were happy Kagome was with them, she hadn't expected much; but to see her husband making such an effort brought happy tears to the woman's eyes.
Kagome, on the other hand, was not shocked. Not after the moment she and Inu-Taisho had shared in her bedroom a few nights previous. Smiling big, she ran up and hugged his firm waist and stared up at him. She didn't care that Inu-Taisho hated displays of affection in front of others and continued to keep her arms wrapped tightly around her new father's waist. Again, to everyone's surprise, Inu-Taisho broke all his normal behavior and petted Kagome's soft, short hair sweetly. They didn't need many words to tell each other how they felt. But next to them, a stunned Sesshoumaru had forgotten the words he was meant to have said as he stared wide-eyed at the pair next to him. It wasn't until Izayoi cleared her throat that he blinked and was jolted back to reality.
"Kagome," He started, waiting for her to look over at him. The teenager looked back at her, his expression calm and distant as always. "I am thankful that you're in our family because you are a very good friend to me and we share things in common. I promise to be a good older brother to you. Happy Christmas, Kagome." Just like his father, Sesshoumaru's emotions were under wraps and controlled perfectly; even as Kagome rushed to him and hugged his middle as well. Izayoi covered her mouth to suppress a giddy laugh when Sesshoumaru reluctantly wrapped his arms around Kagome in the most awkward looking of hugs she'd ever seen him give. But Kagome didn't mind at all. As she pulled away from her new older brother, Kagome looked over at Inuyasha warily. She doubted that he would ever be a brother in her eyes, and he reciprocated the feeling as he glared right back at her.
"Inuyasha, it's your turn. Tell Kagome why you're thankful she's here." Izayoi instructed sweetly as she joined Inu-Taisho by the tree. Everyone stared at the young boy, who was suddenly feeling very intimidated and embarrassed. Toeing the hem of his sleep pants nervously, Inuyasha stared at Kagome through his messy bangs. He knew he had to do this, so might as well get it over with.
"I'm thankful you're here because…because…" Kagome tilted her head out of curiosity as Inuyasha's words seemed to drop off. The waiting got to be annoying though and Sesshoumaru nudged Inuyasha to speak up so they could open presents. "Fine! I'm happy you're here because you make my mom happy! Happy Christmas, Ka-go-away!" The angry and bashful boy turned around and picked up his large, red stocking stuffed with goodies and stalked off to a corner of the room to open it in solidarity. Kagome just stood there, surprised and quiet. She hadn't expected that at all. Looking back at him, she just watched as he kept his back to everyone.
The rest of the morning went well. Everyone sat by the tree, Inu-Taisho on the loveseat with Izayoi while they watched the three children huddle around the tree tearing into packages. Inuyasha had gotten over his embarrassment and Kagome had forgiven him for calling her a name, and the both of them didn't mind laughing with each other over their excitement for new toys. Sesshoumaru forgot himself and allowed emotions onto his face for once as he opened a box containing over 100 mint condition, very rare Japanese pokemon cards. He looked up at Inu-Taisho with a face full of amazement and appreciation, and was surprised when his father motioned to Izayoi with a smile. The expression on Sesshoumaru's face fell for a moment as he looked down at his new beloved gift. He gently placed it on the floor next to him and went back to helping Kagome open her numerous amounts of presents.
Hours later, everyone had opened all of their presents and was individually reveling in the afterglow. Izayoi was admiring her new strand of pearls around her neck and dangling from her ears, Inuyasha had his new remote controlled helicopter buzzing around the room, and the oldest brother was consumed with his new card collection. But the youngest in the room was curled up atop the mountain of wrapping paper and bows, her new stuffed animals and Bratz dolls all cradled in her arms as she snoozed peacefully. Inu-Taisho smiled as he watched her, and with his new digital camera, took a picture of the scene. He wanted to capture Kagome's first Christmas with them. He was startled though when a plastic flying object struck him in the back of the head. Turning around on the couch, he saw Inuyasha staring at him with a terrified expression.
"I'm sorry dad! I'm still getting used to the controls! Sorry!" The young boy squeaked out nervously. If it had been a different setting, Inu-Taisho would have gotten upset and chastised his son. But not today, not this morning. Smiling softly, he plucked up the helicopter and motioned for Inuyasha to come over. Never one to object to his dad, Inuyasha rushed over and stood before the older man. Inu-Taisho gave his son a lop-sided smirk and ruffled the kid's hair before pulling him to sit in his lap. Inuyasha's trepidation melted away as he leaned into his father's sturdy frame. Izayoi took notice and smiled to herself.
"The control's are simple once you get the hang of it. This one controls the direction, and this controls how high or low it flies. See?" Putting his large hands over Inuyasha's small ones, Inu-Taisho guided his son in the art of flying a helicopter. Once Inuyasha was over the initial shock, he couldn't stop smiling and enjoying his father's undivided attention. It was the best Christmas of his life to date.
Kagome awoke not too much later, her stomach rumbling and mouth watering to the smells of a home cooked meal. As everyone enjoyed the beautiful food, there seemed to be a cloud of sadness hanging over Sesshoumaru's head. Kagome watched him throughout the meal, and once it was over, she followed him until she saw him come out of his bedroom with a wrapped package. Continuing to stalk him, she watched from the second story window facing the front of the house as he and Inu-Taisho left together in one of their pristine black cars. Her eager face was reflected in the window pane as she leaned close to it, but she turned her head quickly when a voice called out to her.
"Kagome~ come down stairs! We're going to watch a movie!" Came Izayoi's voice from down the stairs. The young girl lingered at the window as she watched the car drive away, and then ran down stairs to be with her family.