Disclaimer: I don't own any Inuyasha character
Okay my darlings, here is another chapter checked and corrected by wonderful Tsuki Ai. Big bravo for her!
Also thanks for: inu-babe34 and Chrissie0770 for leaving me reviews.
Now enjoy!
6 days to Christmas- Christmas mood
Kagome carefully climbed to the floor where Rin and her father lived. She paid special attention not to twist her ankle again or drop anything from the big box she was carrying. Finally, panting and sweating she stood before the dark doors and knocked on them. I wonder what I can do with Rin in this place. I mean, it's not like its bad place, but it has no Christmas atmosphere in it. Well, I'm going to change that! She smiled at her thoughts when little girl opened door for her.
"Kagome came to Rin!" the child chirped happily, seeing elder woman. Kagome nodded her head and came inside, thankful she could place the box on the floor. Rin eyed it with curiosity. "What is in the box?" she asked.
"Christmas," Kagome said with mysterious smile and Rin's face brightened. She helped her friend to take off her coat and both of them went to the living room. Kagome looked around with critical eyes. At least they have a Christmas tree, but it's not even decorated! Kami, there is a lot of work today. We need to start right now. Kagome nodded her head in agreement with her thoughts, "Okay Rin it seems we will have busy day. Are you ready to help?" The young girl grinned.
"Rin will do everything Kagome says! Rin wants this Christmas to be the best!" Kagome smiled at the child's willingness and started to unpack her box. Rin's eyes shined with delight at seeing the decorations Kagome brought.
"Is Kagome going to use all the pretty things?" she asked. Woman shook her head.
"No, Rin. We will use a few things, but we will also make a few things ourselves. Do you have some decorations that you normally use on the Christmas tree?" Rin nodded and ran to her room. She was back with some bags. She placed it on the table and Kagome's eyes widened. In the bag was... everything. Glass balls in every possible shape and colour, smooth and decorated, stars with brocade, Christmas lamps, and many other things, some of it in better shape, others wearing proof from the years of use.
"Rin, what do you usually use from here?" Kagome asked, fearing the answer. Rin looked at her as if she was mad.
"Rin always use all of it, though when Rin finishes decorating the house, it doesn't look like Rin wants it to. But daddy always says that it looks very nice and Rin is happy again," the girl said with a little frown. Kagome smiled thinking about how caring a parent Mr. Taisho was. From what she heard from Rin already, she could almost swear he was one of the world's best fathers. She patted the girl's head.
"Well Rin, this year we will try to do everything to make it look exactly how you want to." Rin nodded her head and both females started their work. After a few choices about colors, they were walking around the apartment, adding decorations and lights.
When they finished with living room, they took a small break and the two girls sat and drank hot tea.
"Rin is so happy Kagome agreed to help Rin!" The older girl smiled.
"I'm also very happy that I could help you. Do you like what we have already done?" The child nodded her head eagerly.
"Rin likes it very much. Is Kagome going to decorate rest of the rooms?"
"You want to do it?" Another happy nod.
"Yes! Rin wants to surprise daddy!" They left their empty cups on the table and returned to work. In next two and half hours, the whole apartment was tastefully decorated, even Mr. Taisho's bedroom, though Kagome prayed that he didn't become furious when he found out she was in his room. She looked at her watch. It was four p.m. Hmm... it will take us around half hour to made Christmas tree perfect.. I wonder...
"Hey Rin, do you prefer anything for Christmas?" Rin frowned at her.
"Umm Rin and Kagome just prepared the house for it, right?" Kagome shook her head.
"Sorry, I mean do you make any sweets?" Rin shook her head sadly.
"No. Daddy can't make sweets, and Rin is too small to know how to do it. Can Kagome make sweets?" Kagome nodded and looked with smile how the girl's face changed into a big toothy grin. She laughed and hung a glass ball on the green tree.
"If we have time, perhaps we could do some before your daddy comes back. Would you like that?" Rin was so happy she ran to her and embraced her knees.
"Kagome is a good Christmas fairy!" she said, making other girl laugh. This year daddy, even Santa won't give you better present than Rin will! Rin only wonders if Kagome can be wrapped in shiny paper.
Sesshoumaru sighed heavily, leaning in his chair. I wonder what those two did in my apartment this year. I just hope that Kagome girl won't make a bigger mess than Rin and Inuyasha last year. Kami, to wrap armchairs in shiny paper! And once, I thought my brother had matured.
The man shook his head, cleaning it from disturbing thoughts. Whatever they do, if it makes Rin happy, he will allow it. With another sigh, he returned to his work, eager to finish it and be able to go home and examine the damage.
Kagome looked at the baking tins she planned to use for her cookies. The green substance on them was really suspicious.
"You told me you have never baked right?" Rin nodded her head and Kagome once again looked at star-shaped tin. If that's so, it's impossible that it's mould. But if it's not mould, what in the seven hells is it?
"Oh, but Rin used them when Rin had a party for her dolly!" the girl suddenly said. Kagome looked at her in surprise.
"And what you do in them?" she asked. Rin grinned at her memories.
"Rin made the best plasticines bakes in the world." Kagome smiled and quickly threw all the tins in the sink. When she was sure they were clean from the results of Rin's game, she dried them and placed them on the counter.
"Okay Rin, it's time for your first lesson on how to bake cookies. First, we wash our hands and put on our aprons. I hope your dad won't mind if I use his." Rin grinned and listened as Kagome patiently told her how to make cookies. Soon the kitchen was full of laugher, lovely smells and flour.
Sesshoumaru slowly climbed to his apartment, dreaming about some peace from the Christmas-crazy people he met on his way home. What am I dreaming about? I have two females in my home and one of them is Christmas lover!
He sighed and was about to open his door when gentle decorations on his doors caught his eyes. It wasn't extremely shining or colorful, just few twigs of spruce with deep red ribbon and a small shining snowflake. To Sesshoumaru's deep shock, he found that he liked its presence on the dark wood. Hn, perhaps this year inside my home wait for me very nice surprise.
Quietly, he opened his door and went inside. He could hear laughs coming from the kitchen and assumed the girls didn't hear him. He didn't make any sound as he took off his coat and heavy boots and went to look around his house.
It was totally out of his character but every step he took, every single decoration he saw, had him smiling wider. His house hadn't look so good in years. If one wants to be exact from the time of Asami's death.
She would like it. He thought looking around living room. Without turning on the light, he could see gentle swings of ribbons shining discreetly with brocaded stars and snowflakes. In a few corners, colorful lamps were sparkling giving the room a happy atmosphere.
I can't deny that Kagome and Rin did a wonderful job. I actually could smell Christmas on my... wait. I can smell it. Hn. I find it necessary for this Sesshoumaru to visit the kitchen. When he arrived there, he stood in the doorway and felt his soul lightened. The whole place was covered with flour, including the two girls standing at the counter working over something. They were laughing and gossiping about some girl stuff. The man choked back a sigh that threaten to escape his lips. It was so peaceful, so warm that even his cold heart started to beat faster. And there was Rin, he couldn't remember when he last saw her so happy. The man took a deep breath and he again caught the scent of warm cinnamon. His eyes followed his nose and Sesshoumaru turned into small child at the sight.
Cookies! Kami, he loves cookies and there were a lot of them. There were some cinnamon cookies, chocolate, sugar, and some were covered with honey and nuts, others with colorful decoration he couldn't name. They were also in different shapes. He could feel the drool come to his mouth and his traitorous hand reach towards the sweets.
They wouldn't notice if one was missing, right? His hand could already feel the warm texture of the cookie when a piercing scream stopped his movements.
"Kya! You gremlin! Step back from the cookies!" Sesshoumaru's eyes widened-he was just called a gremlin in his own home. Someone up there must hate me. Can't I just get one cookie? Was I bad this year?
Rin grinned at seeing her father looking rather dumbly at Kagome. The girl giggled lightly before running to him and embracing his knees.
"Daddy! Rin is so happy you came already!" Now Rin could start to work on her gift again- she added in her thoughts. Sesshoumaru patted her head affectionately while Kagome took away the plate with cookies. The man just looked sadly after them and decided it would be better to behave like the adult he was. Perhaps if he was good, the evil woman would give him one?
Kagome shook her head giggling at the pained look she received. Who would guess Mr. Taisho is such a cookie monster? She whisked away flour that was covering her and smiled at the man.
"Don't give me that look Mr. Taisho. It's unhealthy to eat sweets before dinner." Sesshoumaru decided it was time to save rest of his dignity. He rose to his full size and shot his best deathly glare to happily oblivious girl.
"I had no plan to eat them; I was merely interested in their shape."
Rin suddenly came to his aid. "But daddy, Rin thought you were drooling," she said with an innocent face and Sesshoumaru groaned, while Kagome burst into laugher.
"Thank you Rin. Shouldn't you be on my side?" he asked, but Rin only grinned.
Daddy is so silly. Rin is doing everything for him. Kagome wiped away tears from the corners of her eyes and once again smiled.
"It's nice you finally came Mr. Taisho. Rin waited for you to place the star on the Christmas tree." Sesshoumaru looked at his daughter.
"Is that so?" When the girl nodded, he took her in his arms not really caring about the flour that fell on his perfectly clean suit.
"Then lets not make the star wait," he commented as he took her into the living room, while Kagome followed them quietly.
"So where is the star?" the man asked, sitting Rin on his shoulders.
"Here it is," Kagome said, giving him the silver star. Rin bent the tree's peak and Sesshoumaru secured the decoration. When it was placed well enough for his taste, they stepped back and Rin clapped her hands.
"Rin thinks it's the most beautiful tree in the whole world!" Sesshoumaru gently took her from his person and looked at the tree.
"I must agree with you. It's very pretty." Rin grinned. Time for Rin's part.
"It's all thanks to Kagome. She showed Rin how to make our house pretty and taught Rin how to make cookies." Kagome blushed lightly and smiled.
"I had wonderful assistant Mr. Taisho, your daughter is true treasure." The man inclined his head.
"Thank you Kagome, but please call me Sesshoumaru." Kagome happily agreed and Rin smiled. It was a big step for her daddy to allow someone to use his name. Her plan was working beautifully.
"So now my ladies shall we eat some dinner?" the man asked and girls agreed. Sesshoumaru went to the kitchen while girls went to clean themselves. Soon all three of them sat at the table eating some warm dish, which to Kagome's surprise was simply delicious. After dinner, Kagome put the plate with the cookies on the table and Sesshoumaru could say he was finally happy. They had a nice conversation and Rin grinned wider and wider.
Daddy is doing very well; he doesn't even need Rin to help him. Rin knew he wasn't as silly as other boys.
Kagome looked at her watch. "Um, I have to go, I'm helping tomorrow in the shop and I must wake up early. It was a very nice day. Thank you for inviting me."
Sesshoumaru smiled. "There is no need for your gratitude. You helped us a lot. The house looks wonderful and I get to have some sugar in my system. We should be thanking you."
Kagome blushed lightly, waving her hand. "Ah not big deal, it was all my pleasure," she said as she gathered her things. Afterwards, Sesshoumaru helped her with her coat.
Rin decided she needed to help. "Is that box heavy Kagome? It's bad to carry heavy things."
Kagome smiled warmly at little girl. "No honey, it's not heavy."
Sesshoumaru looked at the box. "Rin is right. You shouldn't carry it all way back. I will take you home." Kagome blushed at the problems she was causing.
She shook her head, "No, no there's no need. It's really light, you don't need to." The man took the box from her, and she knew that no matter what she said, he would do what he wants. Kagome just smiled thankfully. "Thank you very much." She turned to the girl to say her goodbyes, and Rin knew she once again needed to work.
"Daddy and Rin are going to shopping tomorrow. Can Kagome come and help Rin with daddy's present? Kagome chose well for daddy's birthday." I hope daddy listened carefully; Rin doesn't want to repeat it.
Sesshoumaru arched his eyebrow. "You were that girl that chose my birthday gift?" he asked.
Kagome nodded. "Well, yes. It was how I met Rin," she explained.
Rin grinned happily. "Yes daddy, and Rin got a new friend. Daddy, can Kagome go with us please?" the girl asked. Seeing that her dad was considering it, Rin grinned mischievously and pulled out her winning card. Now daddy, try to say no to Rin's puppy eyes.
Sesshoumaru sighed mentally. Not this eyes again. Well, he liked his present last time, so there was no harm allowing Kagome to go with them. Besides, he found he liked her company. It can't hurt, right? "If Kagome agrees, she is welcomed to join us. Would you like to come with us?"
Kagome thought about it for a moment and Rin had to bite her lip. Kagome was immune to her puppy eyes. If she said no…
"Yes, I would love to. I need to go Christmas shopping myself. You can help me as well." Rin sighed with relief. Her plan could continue. Sesshoumaru nodded and after Kagome said her farewells, the adults left the apartment.
"Thank you Kagome." Sesshoumaru said when they were almost in the car.
The woman looked at him curiously. "Umm… for what?"
"You brought the true Christmas mood to our house and you made Rin happier than I ever remember her being. Thank you for that."
Kagome smiled happily. "You're most welcome."
In the apartment, Rin watched her father's car drive from the parking lot, and the child grinned. Quickly, she went to her room and took out her list. She grinned again, checking what she had planned for this day:
Have good time with Kagome. Check.
Make daddy smile at Kagome. Check.
Make daddy take Kagome home. Check.
Invite Kagome for shopping. Check.
Rin grinned and added a little note to her list.
Turn daddy into a cookie monster. Check.
AN: Please, please drop some little review! Thanks!