Disclaimer: Inuyasha don't belong to me

Okay before you start to read I have to ask for one favor: Please don't flare me for that chapter, I have feeling it's kinda suck and I swear I will try to made next better, so don't falre me!

Also big thanks for my beta: Tsuki Ai and everyone who left me review: Ashlyn Darke, Silver Jasmine Diamond, inu-babe34, MoonPrincess1989, naruto-fan600, wickedlfairy17, bookpotato795 and kyekye. Big thanks for your support!

Now enjoy!

5 days to Christmas- Presents are not everything

Amelia smiled at her friend giving her cup with hot coffee. Kagome took it gratefully and took big sip of the liquid. "Thank you kami for coffee. Without it, I would be already asleep and don't you dare try to laugh at me Mia. You're the reason I needed to wake up so early."

The other woman rolled her eyes. "Come on Kagome 7 a.m is not so early."

Kagome put her head on a table and groaned. "It is for me. I want to sleep." Mia laughed again. She knew that Kagome never was a morning person, and she was that much more grateful that she agreed to help her in her shop today.

"Okay, okay Kagome. I get it. I'm monster, now stop whining and tell me about that guy you mentioned earlier."

Kagome arched her eyebrow. "You mean Sesshoumaru?" The blond haired woman nodded her head. "Well, there is not much I can tell you about him, I know his father was Japanese, he's a widower, his daughter is the sweetest creature in the world and he's a cookie monster. Beside that I don't know much." The woman waved her hand.

"It's a good start, are you going to date him?" Kagome's face turn light shade of red and she quickly took sip of her coffee. Mia, however, was very patient person and was ready to wait for her answer.

Seeing that there was no way to run from the question, Kagome took a breath of resignation. "No."

Mia huffed, very irritated. "And why not? Come now girl, you can't end up as a nun. I won't allow that."

Kagome rolled her eyes. "Why are you so interested in my life? You are married, concentrate on your husband."

"I just thinking about your future, girl. You said yourself that his daughter likes you, so it's not so far from daughter to father. Don't make poor child made all work to bring you two together." The woman said with a mischievous grin. Amelia was happily married since the previous year and her only wish was to help her friends achieve such a happy state, and Kagome was on top of her list.

Oblivious, Kagome just sat quietly deep in her thoughts. "I wonder what my family is going to do on that Christmas," she said suddenly.

Mia looked at her. "You know you're always welcomed to join us Kagome. I'm sure Inuyasha would be thrilled to see you and his brother won't have anything against it if we bring friend with us."

The girl shook her head. "It's your first Christmas as married pair. I'm not going to play the third wheel." Mia huffed.

"Be serious Kagome. His entire family will be there. We are not going to do anything naughty before they fall asleep." Kagome blushed and rose from her seat.

"Thanks, but I think I will stay at home, and maybe I will catch how Santa is breaking into my house," the girl said with wink. Taking her cup, she went to stand behind the counter.

Mia shook her head. Kagome if you stay in your house this year, I will catch Santa and beat crap of him for not doing his work. Then I'm going to do the same with Cupid!

Rin looked with boredom at how her father took another folder with papers and started to read them. The girl sighed. It wasn't fun to sit here without Shippou.

"Daddy, can we go to Kagome now?"

Sesshoumaru sighed. His daughter was giving him that question from two hours, and it was only noon. How was he going to survive until four? "No Rin, I must take care of that case. The trial will be soon and I need to be ready."

Rin frowned. People are silly, it's because of those silly people that daddy can't concentrate on Kagome. "Daddy can't that wait a bit. We have Christmas! On Christmas, everyone should be nice and good to one another. There shouldn't be any trials."

Sesshoumaru smiled. His Asami always said the same thing. She believed that Christmas is a magical time when people cherish each other, show their gratitude for their family and friends, and do everything to make something nice for strangers. Rin was just like her, and it hurt him that she never knew her wonderful mother. He closed his eyes and a memory shot before his eyes.

--FLASHBACK--

"Daddy!"A four-year old Rin attached herself to his legs. He knelt to embrace her but stopped seeing she was crying.

"Rin, sweetheart what happened?" he asked worriedly.

The small girl sniffed. "Someone said that mommy went away because she didn't love me. Did I make her leave us daddy?"

Sesshoumaru gathered his daughter in his arms and waited until she calmed down before sitting her on his lap. "Rin, honey, mommy loved you very much, and she left because she was very ill."

Rin sniffed, wiping the remaining tears. "But she should be back when she is better right?" she asked with hope and Sesshoumaru sighed.

When he told her Asami was gone, he decided it was too early to explain that means she was dead, but it seems now was that time and he feared it. "No Rin, mommy won't get better and she can't go back. Come I will show you where she is."

That day Rin cried again over the grave of his late wife. That was day when she fully understood the word 'gone', and that was also the last day she spoke normally.

--END FLASHBACK—

The man shook his head to clear it from his thoughts. Even now, after those all years, it hurt, and it was always worse around Christmas. Asami loved that time.

No, he told himself I finally accepted it. It's a closed scar. His mind reflected a picture of Rin baking cookies with Kagome and he felt a bit better.

"Daddy? Daddy? Daddy, wake up!"

Sesshoumaru looked at his child who was now mere inches from his face looking at him with worry in her big, honey eyes. "What's wrong Rin?"

Rin shook her head. "Rin was talking to you for ten minutes and you didn't respond. Rin was becoming afraid some bad gremlin petrified you in front of Rin."

The man chuckled lightly, stroking the young girl's hairs. "I'm sorry Rin, I was thinking." She nodded her head. "So what were you telling me?"

Rin grinned happily. "Rin asked if we could go get Kagome now."

Mia watched how Kagome helped some woman chose a Christmas gift for her husband, and she smiled. It was good to have help. Then a little girl ran into the shop and Amelia recognized her immediately. "Rin!"

"Aunt Mia!" the girl chirped happily, running to her. Mia's eyes widened in fright and she quickly looked around to check if Kagome heard that. Thankfully, she was still talking with a customer.

"Shh Rin, Kagome could hear you." Rin clapped hand over her mouth before grinning brightly. "So how is your plan going?" the woman asked and Rin's smile widened even more.

"It's working very well; Rin thinks Santa would be very proud of her. But Rin had one big problem." Amelia looked at her worriedly. She would do everything to help this wonderful child.

"Rin doesn't know how to pack Kagome in shiny paper." The woman tried her best but in the end, she burst into laughter. She laughed so much that tears streamed from her eyes.

"Well, Rin" she said when she finally calmed "I doubt Kagome would allow herself to be packed in shiny paper, but we can wrap a ribbon around her head. How does that sound?"

Rin frowned and thought about it for a few minutes. "Rin can agree, but the ribbon has to be red so daddy knows it's his gift." Mia nodded, trying to remain calm. Visions of Kagome wrapped in shiny paper still danced around her head.

"Well young lady, better take Kagome before your father comes in and gives me away." Rin nodded and quickly ran to her chosen second-mother-to-be. They exchanged a few words before Kagome said goodbye to Amelia and took Rin out of the shop.

The woman watched them go with big smile. After she met Inuyasha and got to know a bit more about his family, she decided Sesshoumaru needed someone in his life. Sure, she felt sorry for his loss, but for the good of his daughter and his own, he needed to move on. Then she started to think about Kagome. She was nice, friendly, compassionate and it was hard not to love that girl. She was even studying to be lawyer, just like Sesshoumaru and she was skater. Who would be better for him? She tried to bring them together, but when she failed to even introduce them on her wedding, she lost her hope.

Then one day Rin met Kagome while looking for birthday gift for her father and those two became friends. Two weeks before Christmas, Rin told her she was going to give Kagome as a Christmas gift for Sesshoumaru and Mia promised to help. For now, she didn't have to do anything; Rin was even better than professional matchmakers.

With another happy smile, Mia turned to her obligations, sending little prayer for those two lonely hearts to find their way together.

"Daddy! Rin is back!" Kagome smiled and greeted Mr. Taisho who was sitting on the bench in the hall. It was good that Amelia's shop was in one of the biggest market so now they didn't need to go far to go Christmas shopping.

Rin took her father's and Kagome's hands and start to push them to the shop, grinning. They already looked like happy family; it was just matter of time before they really would be.

"Let's go! Rin has to buy many gifts! We must hurry!" Kagome giggled and Sesshoumaru sighed; it was going to be one crazy sprint around shops. Like every year. Kami, have me in your protection.

Two hours later, Sesshoumaru decided that Christmas shopping was not so bad; they were even bearable. Especially when it wasn't him who needed to persuade Rin that pants with the words: 'I'm super size' was not the best present for her grandfather.

Finally, it was time when he and Rin should separate and bought each other's presents.

"Okay daddy, you wait here and Kagome and Rin will buy something." Rin decided pushing him on some bench.

Kagome giggled and took Rin's hand. "Don't worry Sesshoumaru we will be back quickly." The man nodded, but before they could leave he catch her hand and bring her closer.

Kagome blushed and trembled when he leaned to her ear. "Just don't let her buy me those pants," he pleaded in a whisper. Kagome chuckled before nodding. Slightly calmer Sesshoumaru sat on the bench and watched them walk away.

"What did daddy tell Kagome?" Rin asked slyly.

Kagome smiled at her. "A secret," the woman said mysteriously.

"Can Rin know the secret too?"

"Then it wouldn't be a secret right? But, you know, I can tell you my secret. Do you want too?"

Rin nodded happily and waited until Kagome kneeled before her and told her the secret, "If your father agreed we can go ice-skate today. Would you like it?"

Rin's face brightened. "Yes! Rin would love to go!"

Kagome nodded. "Then we should go and made this quick."

Rin nodded again and soon, both of them were looking for the perfect gift. "Look Kagome, Rin thought about buying theses pants and a lot of ties. You said it's not for grandfather, but Rin thinks daddy would like it. Rin saw how last year uncle gave one like this to daddy."

Kagome held her breath to keep from giggling. "You know Rin, if your uncle gave something like this to your father already, it wouldn't be good to copy his idea. Perhaps we should look for something else?"

Rin thought about it few minutes. "Okay. Rin doesn't want to copy. Rin wants to give something new to daddy. Kagome what would you buy for daddy?"

Kagome thought about question. "What do you think about a bottle of cologne?" she asked taking little girl to the cosmetic store.

Rin looked at the bottles and shook her head. "They're too small. Rin thought about buying something bigger." Kagome chuckled, taking one scent to test it. She sprinkled it on her wrist and let Rin sniff it. "It smells nice."

Kagome smiled. "You know Rin presents we give on Christmas show our love to family and friends. They don't have to be big to show it; it must be given from heart."

Rin tapped her chin. "So if Rin gives daddy small present and a card where she writes 'I love you' he would be happy?"

The blue-eyed woman nodded. "I think he would be very happy, even if you give him only a card. Presents are not everything. But it's nice way to show how we feel."

Rin grinned and took Kagome to search for perfect scent for Sesshoumaru. With little help of shop assistants, they finally found the perfect one. Rin hid the precious bottle deep in her bag. Rin had her gift now she needed to work on the bigger one. "Kagome, are you going to give something to my daddy?"

Kagome blushed lightly. "I'm not sure, I don't think I--"

"You don't like Rin's daddy?" the girl asked with worry.

Kagome shook her head and Rin calmed a bit, enough to wait for explanation. "No Rin, I like him, I just haven't known him for long--" she got out before she was interrupted again.

"But didn't Kagome say that gifts are to show our feelings? If Kagome likes daddy, she should give him a gift."

Kagome sighed, not wanting to explain herself. She didn't mind giving a gift to Sesshoumaru she just didn't want to be taken as impudent. "Well I think I can buy something for your dad."

Rin grinned. "And what Kagome will give daddy?"

Ah Rin, you little gremlin. When I tell you, I will really have to buy it. Oh well, it couldn't hurt right? "I thought about some pens."

Rin smiled at her small victory. "Is Kagome going to buy it now?"

Kagome looked at her watch. "No, I think we were gone long enough. Come on before your father starts to worry."

Sesshoumaru wasn't worried yet, but he was dangerously close to falling from the bench in his sleep.

Sitting and observing people running around wasn't really as interesting as many claim it to be, and he was so tired. He just wanted to get some peace, so leaned his head on his bent hands and slowly, his eyes started to close.

He wasn't really sure how long he was sitting like this, when a warm hand touched his back, rubbing it lightly. The man purred at the gesture and his nose was filled with a very nice flower scent.

Then he caught a voice calling him. "Sesshoumaru? Sesshoumaru? Are you alright?"

Hn... I think I'm not alright, I'm hearing voices... In the background, he heard some giggling and he was sure it was familiar.

"Don't worry Kagome, daddy is hard to wake up."

Daddy? Wake up? That was the moment when consciousness came back to him. Oh shit!

Kagome almost jumped when Sesshoumaru sat up and looked around with wide eyes. Rin laughed at this, and even the elder girl chuckled, but she tried to hide it. "Daddy Rin and Kagome came back." Sesshoumaru nodded still not fully awake.

The girls giggled again. "Sesshoumaru I think we're finish for today. You should take a nap," Kagome said.

The man only rolled his eyes. "I'm perfectly fine, thank you. I was merely resting." he lied trying to save his dignity.

As always, Rin was ready to defend him. "But you were snoring." Kagome burst into laughter and Sesshoumaru just looked speechless at his innocently looking six-year old devil. When did she become like that?

After few attempts, Kagome calmed down and took her things into her hands. "Sesshoumaru, let's go. You can finish your shopping tomorrow. For now, you need a nap." Sesshoumaru once again rolled his eyes, but allowed himself to be pulled up and led out of the market. He couldn't deny it was nice to be taken care of.

The three jumped inside the car and Kagome asked if she could take Rin ice-skating.

Sesshoumaru agreed to Rin's delight, but once again failed her when Kagome decided he should stay in home and sleep for a while and he agreed.

Uhh... Kagome and daddy are silly; they are making it harder for Rin. But Rin will win in the end!

They arrived to Sesshoumaru's house in the next ten minutes. Rin quickly went to change and took her skates. Meanwhile, Kagome helped Sesshoumaru with bags, made him tea, and even tucked him in on the couch. She blushed lightly when she realized what she had done.

"Sorry, I was always tucking my brother in. He always slept on the couch when we were watching movies. It's a habit, I think," she said, embarrassed.

Sesshoumaru waved his hand. "It's fine. It's just no one has tucked me in for fifteen years. I almost forgot how it feels."

Kagome giggled. "My mother tucks me every time when I visit them, even when I remind her I'm not a child anymore."

At that moment, Rin ran into the room and they decided Sesshoumaru would pick Rin up in two hours. After that, the girls went out and he fell into light slumber.

---*2 hours later*---

Rin sighed deeply. She loved her father, she really did, but today she was disappointed with him. Does daddy always have to be punctual? Can't he just come early, just once? Rin didn't have occasion to work on him enough today!

Five minutes later Sesshoumaru came, right on time. Rin sighed again. Her daddy was sometimes too perfect for his own good. Her attention was on an object he was carrying with him. "Daddy! What do you have there?" she asked, curiously sliding to him, followed closely by Kagome.

"I thought that after such a long time outside, you ladies would like to drink something warm. I made you chocolate." Rin's eyes shinned with delight. How she loved her perfect father!

Kagome smiled at him. "Sesshoumaru you're a genius," Kagome said gratefully, taking the cup the man handed to her.

"I know," he said smirking.

Kagome rolled her eyes. "It looks you're full of yourself also."

The man smirked again. "Indeed." Rin giggled when Kagome pouted. Sesshoumaru chuckled. In that moment, Kagome looked simply sweet. The man quickly shook his head. Where did that thought come from? he asked himself.

He turned to Rin. "Maybe you will show me what have you learned already?" The girl grinned happily and went on ice. Sesshoumaru and Kagome watched how she made eights and tried to slide back.

Without turning his eyes from the child, Sesshoumaru suddenly spoke. "I haven't bought a present for Rin yet. Would you accompany me in this?"

Kagome looked at him curiously but he was concentrated on the Rin. "I would love to. I wanted to buy her something as well."

Sesshoumaru nodded. "What time would be the best for you?"

Kagome sipped her chocolate. "Oh, I'm free all day. You can come whenever it's fine with you."

Once again, Sesshoumaru lightly nodded. Perhaps he should ask about more. He really found it nice to have that woman around and Rin liked her. He should try. He took deep calming breath. "I will come around two, and perhaps after we will finish you will join us for dinner as well?"

Kagome blushed and smiled shyly. "I... um… it would be my pleasure," she said just as Rin slid back to them.

"Did you like it daddy?" the child asked.

Sesshoumaru patted her head before taking her on nearest bench and changing her shoes. "I think you will be very good ice skater one day Rin."

The girl smiled. "What you were talking with Kagome about while Rin was on the ice?" she asked curiously.

"I asked her to come tomorrow for dinner. Would you like that?"

Rin grinned happily. Did she like it? She was happy beyond anything! "Yes! Kagome will meet Shippou! Rin is so happy!" Kagome smiled at her. It was now time for last step for today. "Will we take Kagome home daddy?" she asked, watching her daddy's reaction closely.

"I was about to propose that." Kagome shook her head telling she didn't want to make problems, but in the end, she found herself in Sesshoumaru's car. This time the ride was full of talk and laughter and Sesshoumaru needed to admit to himself that this day was really nice even with Christmas shopping.

When they arrived, Sesshoumaru helped Kagome from the car and walked her to the doors of her apartment building. Rin watched them from the back seat, smiling widely.

Come on daddy! Rin wants to see it! However, her smile dropped when Kagome simply went inside and Sesshoumaru came back and took them home. Rin frowned. What had gone wrong?

Sesshoumaru took off his coat and put it in the wardrobe. All the way back Rin was strangely quiet and he was about to ask what was wrong when she spoke. "Daddy, are you going to give Kagome a Christmas present?"

"I haven't thought about it," the man said quickly, trying to avoid that subject.

"Rin thinks you should."

Sesshoumaru arched his eyebrow. "Oh and why is that?"

"Because gifts show we care for someone and that we are their friends," Rin said remembering the words Kagome said earlier.

Sesshoumaru nodded. "But gifts are not everything Rin."

The child nodded. "Kagome said the same thing, but she also said it's nice way to show how we feel and if you like her daddy, you should give her something."

Sesshoumaru smiled. "I promise to think about it, okay?" Rin nodded, not fully satisfied with his answer, but that had to be for now.

With a little sigh, she took her bath and soon she was in her bed, reading her list.

Take Kagome shopping. Check

Make Kagome buy a gift for daddy. Check

Make Daddy buy a gift for Kagome. Half-check

Make Kagome come tomorrow. Check.

She sighed, looking at the next point. She had no idea why she failed to do this. Everything was perfect like in the movies she sometimes watched with her grandmother.

Well, Rin will try again tomorrow.

She rewrote the last point before sighing and reading it again.

Make daddy kiss Kagome.

AN: Thank you for reading and once again please don't flare me for this chapter!

Bye bye!