Disclaimer: Inuyasha is not mine...
Well, I should finish that story already, but I was never good with meeting deadlines so.. whatever. Anyway big thanks for my beta: Tsuki Ai and Sapphire Destiny Rose, arisu09, inu-babe34, Dominant-Snowcone and estelin for leaving me review.
Now enjoy!
4 days to Christmas- Healing heart
Sesshoumaru slowly climbed to Kagome's apartment. If he could, he would be fidgeting. However, he refused to show such a weakness. But the truth was lingering- he was nervous.
No, this Sesshoumaru is very nervous he told himself, and he mentally scolded himself for making it even worse. It's not as if I'm going on a date with her, it's only shopping for kami sake! Even when he repeated it, it didn't help.
With a little sigh, Sesshoumaru stopped before her doors and once again asked himself if he truly wanted to do this. It wouldn't take much to back off; he could always call and say he needed to stay longer at work.
I'm getting ridiculous. Get a grip; you're grown man Sesshoumaru. Behave like it. Happy to regain a bit of his normal mental peace, he knocked on the doors.
He was greeted by a grinning Kagome and the calm he gained left his body yet again. "Hello Sesshoumaru. Please come inside, I'll be ready in a minute," she said running inside. The man slowly went inside and curiously looked around.
Kagome's apartment wasn't the biggest one he's seen, but it had everything one person could need. It was decorated in tasteful manner and of course was ready for Christmas. Sesshoumaru smiled lightly seeing that Kagome's computer had on its monitor a red Santa-like hat. He chuckled lightly; he found his own computer with the same addition few days ago.
He turned to check if Kagome was coming back. Not seeing any movements, he once again turned around to continue to study his surroundings. This time pictures that were near her computer caught his attention. Probably her family, he decided. His eyes quickly scanned them before stopping at one particular picture.
Sesshoumaru gulped and quickly turned his eyes, but damage was already done. On the evil picture was Kagome and someone who looked like her younger brother on the seaside. And they were wearing swimsuits. Not that it was indecent or anything, but how he could look at her again knowing that under all the layers of her clothes laid such a body? He was male for the name of god!
A soft feminine voice snapped him from his thoughts. "I'm ready. Sesshoumaru, is something wrong?" Kagome asked putting on her coat. Sesshoumaru quickly tried to think of an excuse. He couldn't tell her he was thinking about her almost naked body, right? They were supposed to only go Christmas shopping. Frantically, his eyes went to the table and his eyes widened. Wait a minute, I know those books. He took one of them and read it title. "Law interpretation".
"Kagome, don't tell me you're studying law."
Kagome nodded uncertainly. "Well, I am. Why?"
Sesshoumaru smirked. "You have any idea what kind of career you are choosing?"
Kagome frowned. "I think I do. Why are you asking me this Sesshoumaru?" she demanded.
The man came to her and put his business card in her hand, before calmly walking to the door. Kagome read it curiously.
Sesshoumaru Taisho
Lawyer
Johnson & Taisho Co.
Kagome didn't read next line before she jumped into a run after silver haired man. She caught his arm and looked at him with wide eyes.
"You're a lawyer? Please tell me everything you know. Where have you been studying? What are you doing now? Are you taking part in trials? Start talking Taisho!"
Sesshoumaru chuckled, forgetting about his nervousness and led her from the apartment checking if she closed the doors.
Kagome was so enchanted with knowledge that Sesshoumaru was a lawyer that even after few years she couldn't remember how they made their way to the market that day.
"Kagome I think it's time to move on to our shopping," Sesshoumaru suggested once they were inside the market. The woman blinked a few times before nodding. He led her to the shops.
"So..." Kagome started, "What are you planning to give Rin?"
The man sighed. "I don't know. She didn't want to tell me anything and she told me she had sent her letter to the Santa by herself. I truly don't know what I should buy her."
Kagome frowned. "Did she mention anything lately? I don't know, a doll or teddy bear or even a dress." Sesshoumaru shook his head. Kagome tapped her chin in deep concentration. What could a father give his daughter as Christmas gift? Her hand went to her neck and her eyes brightened.
"I think I have idea," she said before catching Sesshoumaru's hand and pulling him to the jewelry store.
"How may I help you?"a man behind counter asked them politely. Sesshoumaru looked at Kagome with expectation; he had no idea what they were doing here.
"Yes, we are looking for necklace for 6-year old girl who loves ice-skating."
The man nodded. "I think we may have something. Please wait here. I'll be right back." the man excused himself and Sesshoumaru turned to his companion.
"A necklace for Rin? Don't you think she's a bit too young?"
Kagome shook her head, smiling mysteriously. "Wait until you will see." He arched his eyebrow but said nothing and waited until the man returned with a little golden necklace.
"Here is it," he said giving it to Kagome. She smiled soft smile before turning to Sesshoumaru and showing him the item.
He looked at with critical eye. Well, he needed to admit it was very nice thing. The chain was delicate and shined with every movement and attached to the chain was a shinning pair of white skates. Rin would love it he thought.
"My father gave me something like this after I started ice skating. It was the best gift I have ever received from him," Kagome explained, giving necklace back to the shop assistant.
Sesshoumaru nodded. "We will take it," he said and man grinned, quickly packing it as a gift.
In the meantime, Kagome started to look around and Sesshoumaru followed her. He could almost hear Rin's voice demanding him to buy Kagome some gift. Well, I don't have to buy her anything now, but it can't hurt to know what she likes he decided.
"Is there something you like?" he asked.
Kagome smiled. "Actually I like many things in here like every girl, but I would never wear them myself," she said, smiling before pointing at some heart shaped locket. Sesshoumaru cringed lightly; she had expensive taste.
"I thought about buying it for my mother, but it will have to wait. I'm only a student, and helping in the shop doesn't pay very well," she explained. The man nodded his head; he too was a student once. Not that his father didn't support him, but that wasn't the point.
"Personally I prefer more delicate items, like this bracelet," she continued pointing at a silver bracelet with a few heart-shaped zirconiums. Sesshoumaru nodded again, looking at it.
Kagome smiled and pulled him away. "Enough of this. I probably bored you. Come, I have to buy something for Rin too." Soon they exited the shop with one lighter wallet, but also one very happy father.
Giggling Kagome dragged him to few more shops before buying a children's make-up set. Sesshoumaru wasn't really happy about this, but Kagome said that Rin needed something to play with and finally he gave up. They were on their way back when Kagome stopped before a shop.
"Hey Sesshoumaru, which pen do you like?" she asked. The man looked at pens examining them critically.
"That one," he said pointing at silver pen with black additions. Kagome thanked him before coming away.
"Why did you ask?" Sesshoumaru asked.
The girl smiled. "I was planning to buy one for a friend of mine. I needed a man's advice." He nodded taking her to the car and driving to his house.
"Now you see? That will make your daddy kiss her." Shippou said knowingly. The girl grinned.
"Shippou is clever. Rin is happy Shippou is going to help Rin." The boy smiled.
"Me too. I'm curious about this Kagome you told me about. If she's like you're saying, she will be cool mommy, though it's pity she is immune to puppy eyes. But then you have your daddy."
Rin nodded looking at the kitchen clock. "Daddy will be back soon. Is Shippou ready?"
The boy nodded. "Yeah operation new mommy can be started." The children clapped their hands and went to prepare themselves.
"Sesshoumaru?"
"Hn?"
"Why did you tell me to be quiet?"
"You will see in a minute just be quiet." Kagome wanted to sigh, but decided against that and quietly followed the man before her. Suddenly, just before reaching the floor he lived on, she tripped. Sesshoumaru caught her arm and brought her closer.
The girl blushed when she hit his chest and looked at him in question. Sesshoumaru only smirked and pointed at something before his doors.
Kagome's eyes went round when she saw an elder woman bent down at Sesshoumaru's doors.
"What is she doing?" Kagome asked in whisper. The man smiled.
"She's watching over my daughter." Kagome frowned.
"She has strange way to do this." Sesshoumaru nodded.
"That woman is my neighbor. She's in her sixties and is terribly noisy. When I bought the apartment here, I caught her checking on me at strange hours like midnight or three a.m."
"Oh." was all Kagome managed to say while not bursting into laughter. Wow, that is so strange. Who would've thought that a woman her age would be eavesdropping? Kami! I hope my neighbors don't do this too! They could catch me when I talk to myself! the girl groaned at her thoughts. Then, she looked at the man who was still holding her and she blushed once again.
"Sesshoumaru how long are you planning to stand here?" she asked, snapping him from his thoughts.
"Huh?" he asked intelligently. Kagome giggled and repeated her question.
Sesshoumaru shook his head to clear his thoughts. For a few moments, he was reflecting how good it felt to have someone other than Rin in his arms. Especially when this someone was pretty, with a soft body and a sweet smile. Realization how he missed that hit him with full force.
He looked at Kagome who still was waiting for his answer. "I think that we have stayed here long enough," he said releasing her from his hold. "Shall we?' he asked guarding her with a hand that 'mysteriously' landed on her back.
"Good evening Mrs. White. It's a surprise to see you here," Sesshoumaru said aloud, startling the poor woman who jumped from his doors like they were on fire.
"Mr. Taisho!" she said with big smile. "I haven't seen you long time. I see you're ready for Christmas." The woman pointed at decoration on his doors. Sesshoumaru nodded.
"Indeed. Mrs. White allow me to introduce Kagome Higurashi. She's the one who made it." Kagome smiled at the woman who looked at her like hawk. Oh mother, she's looking at as if I was some kind of criminal.
After few seconds however, the elder woman smiled brightly and exchanged handshakes with the terrified girl.
"Hello my dear. It's nice to meet you. Mr. Taisho, say hello to your lovely daughter." Sesshoumaru nodded and opened the doors to his house.
When both young people were inside, the woman turned on her heel and stormed to her house.
"George!" she cried looking at her husband who was reading the newspaper in his favourite armchair. He looked at her from behind his glasses. "You won't believe it. Taisho has a girlfriend." The man shook his head.
"Impossible Emily, he's still mourning his wife." Emily shook her head.
"I'm telling you! He just came back with a girl who is not his relative and decorated his house." George White again shook his head.
"She must be Rin's babysitter," he said calmly. His wife huffed.
"A babysitter works when a child is alone, not when the father is in the house. There is something more!" When she didn't receive an answer, she took the newspaper from the man's hands.
"Move it you old, piece of junk. There is romance behind our neighbour's doors. We can't miss it!"
"Wow your neighbour is pretty scary." Kagome said when they were inside Sesshoumaru's apartment. He smirked, helping her with her coat.
"She can, but don't worry she liked you. You know, at first when I found out she was spying on me, I was furious, but now I don't mind. It's good to know that if something happens when I'm at work she would react." Kagome nodded then smiled.
"That's why you allowed me to stay with Rin while you were at work?" the woman asked.
"Indeed." Kagome nodded and opened her mouth to say something more when something attached itself to her leg. She looked down and smiled.
"Hello Rin. How are you today?" The child grinned happily.
"Rin is good. Come Kagome you have to meet Rin's friend." With that she pulled the woman to the living room where on the couch was a red-haired boy. The child turned around and smiled toothily at the newcomers.
"Hi! I'm Shippou and you must be Kagome. Rin told me about you. You seem to be nice." Kagome giggled and sat beside him, placing Rin on her lap.
"And hello to you too Shippou. Rin told me about you too, I'm happy I could meet you finally." Kagome said gaining herself a large grin.
"Hello Shippou." The boy turned and smiled at the man who stood behind them.
"Hi Mr. Taisho. Do you have those lollipops you promised me last time for Christmas?" Sesshoumaru sighed. Actually he hopped the kid would forget about that.
"Yes Shippou, but it's still a few days until Christmas." Shippou nodded.
"I know. I was just making sure you didn't forget," the boy said turning to Kagome.
"Do you like lollipops Kagome?" the woman giggled.
"Yep. I like almost all sweets. When I was younger, my brother and I would search the whole house to find some sweets. My mom was always very angry at us later because we made a big mess in the house." Shippou nodded.
"My mom is hiding the sweets too, but my pap is always the one who find them." The girls giggled and Sesshoumaru smiled looking at the peaceful picture the three of them made.
He truly wouldn't mind to have a family like that. Rin would be happier with some siblings and a loving mother. With a sigh, he thought about his wife who never got a chance to know her only child. Would she have been as caring as Kagome? Would she have agreed on another child?
Kagome laughed, pulling him from his thoughts. Shippou was now telling the story of how his father broke a finger trying to snatch some candy from his wife's hiding place. In the end, he and his son ended up with a month without sweets.
Kagome giggled again and turned to look at the silver –haired man who stood a little ways behind. She found him looking at her with an intense gaze and she blushed, quickly turning her head away.
Why is he starting at me like that? Did I say something wrong? Perhaps I have something on my face? Kami, can't he just look away? Finding it necessary to check if he did look away, Kagome peeked at Sesshoumaru from the corner of her eyes before turning a deeper shade of red and turning away again. Okay, now I know he's still staring.
On his side, Sesshoumaru found her embarassment highly amusing. It wasn't something new for him that girls blushed when he was looking at them or even when he wasn't, but Kagome was just so innocent in this, he simply wanted to laugh. He wanted to tease her just to see how much redder she could be, but decided against that. He didn't want to scare her, right?
With a little regret, he shook his head. Maybe later... he decided and loudly cleared his throat to get the attention of the talking trio.
"Kagome could you please watch over them while I make dinner?" he asked. Kagome smiled.
"Sure, but maybe I can help you in the kitchen?" Before he could answer, Rin grinned happily.
"Rin wants to help to!"
"Me too! I want to chop carrots!" Shippou added.
Sesshoumaru arched eyebrow. "How do you know I would need carrots?" he asked the boy. Shippou only grinned.
"Because you never let me chop anything else Mr. Taisho!" the boy said happily and Sesshoumaru sighed with defeat. All four of them went to the kitchen.
The children exchanged mischievous smiles. It was time to work again.
Shippou frowned looking at his bandaged finger. Rin shook her head.
"Shippou was supposed to cut Kagome not himself," the girl said sadly.
"It's not my fault she took her hand away too fast." Shippou tried to defend himself, but inside, he too was fuming. Their perfect plan wasn't working and they didn't have any idea what to do now. Rin sighed and tapped her chin. If she only had a back-up plan. Suddenly from the kitchen came a strange noise.
In the kitchen
Kagome looked at her hand unhappily.
"Ouch! Taisho you have some cursed knives. First Shippou, now me?" Sesshoumaru came closer to look at her bleeding finger.
"My knives are not cursed. It's just that you can't use them." Kagome huffed.
"I'm a good cook, and I can chop well. It's your knives," she said bringing her wound closer to her lips.
"Don't do that. You're not a vampire," Sesshoumaru said, stopping her from sucking her cut. He gently placed her hand under the cold water, and then put plaster on her finger.
"There. It's small cut. I think you will live," he said inspecting her small hand. Kagome giggled.
"Oh thank you for saving my life doctor Sesshoumaru," the woman said sarcastically.
"You're welcome," he answered before placing a small kiss on her cut, looking at how she turned ten shades of red.
"For better healing," he explained seeing she wasn't able to say anything at that moment.
"Uh-huh," she finally murmured taking her hand form his bigger one.
"Well, um... I think you have wounded my pride Sesshoumaru. I suppose I have to take care of it," Kagome said changing subject. The man arched his eyebrow.
"What do you mean?" The girl huffed.
"You suggested I can't use knifes. What are you doing tomorrow?" Sesshoumaru shrugged.
"Why?" The girl blushed lightly.
"Would you come to me for dinner with Rin? I will make chocolate cookies for dessert." Kagome said with sweet smile.
Sesshoumaru nearly gulped. Did she just say cookies? "Cookies?" he asked aloud making her giggle.
"Yep cookies." The man smirked.
"If you make cookies, you won't even have to do dinner." Kagome burst into laughter.
"I take it as yes, you cookie monster. Come after work then." Sesshoumaru nodded, putting chopped vegetables into the pan. After twenty minutes, everyone ate their dinner and then watched a movie, sipping hot chocolate that Kagome made. Soon, the children disappeared into Rin's room leaving the adults by themselves.
"Rin, we are not going to watch them? How would you know if they kissed already?" Shippou asked his young friend. The girl smiled.
"We will Shippou, but Rin is giving daddy a few minutes to make the mood." The boy nodded and both of them waited before quietly coming closer to the living room.
"Mmm... it was a really nice day. Thank you for this Sesshoumaru," Kagome said with a happy smile, taking sip from her cup. Sesshoumaru returned her smile with a small one of his own.
"I have to agree. I had a nice afternoon as well." The girl smiled wider and looked around the room.
For a moment, they sat in the silence when Kagome start to nip her lip. Sesshoumaru arched his eyebrow wondering what she was thinking about. He followed her line of sight and his eyes landed on the picture of him and Asami in their wedding day.
"Sesshoumaru, umm... I-I don't want to be noisy, but... why did you stop skating?" The man looked back and put his cup on a table sitting in silence.
After a moment, Kagome regretted her question. "I'm sorry, it's not my business I shouldn't-"
"I met her there." Sesshoumaru suddenly cut her off and Kagome looked at him curiously. "She came everyday on the ice-rink, but she would never skate. When I finally asked her, she told me she was coming there to see me," he chuckled silently.
"She was the worst ice-skater I have ever seen, but she liked to watch me. Even when we were married, she was taking me out to ice-rink and just watching. When she died, I didn't have reason to go back. She wasn't there to watch anymore."
Kagome bit her lip again staring at her hands. "You know," she said softly. "I never wanted to skate. It was all because of my father. He bought me skates for Christmas and took me to the ice-rink next day. I started to train because he was always there watching my progress. When he died two years later, at first I wanted to never go back." She stopped for a moment, wiping tears that gathered. Sesshoumaru was now looking at her with that intense gaze and she smiled at him softly.
"But you returned." he said finally. The girl nodded. "Why?"
"Because I missed him. I remember how happy he was every time he watched me and when I came back, it was like he was there with me. I didn't feel so lonely. Even now, in this strange city, but when I'm on the ice, I know he's with me and if I could see him, he would be smiling. It helped me to heal. You should try it," she finished with shinning eyes.
Sesshoumaru didn't say anything, just watched her. Who would've guess she was like him in so many ways. She too needed to heal her heart after the death of someone dear. She knew the pain of saying goodbye and struggling to continue to live and yet... she was different.
Her heart was healed. She had moved on, taking her memories with her, while he couldn't stand up to his demons. To close the void that Asami's death left in his life.
Gently and very slowly, his hand stroked her cheek running down to her chin only to move up to mix with her hairs.
"Thank you," he whispered and Kagome understood. She smiled and then blushed realizing that his hand was resting on her neck.
"You're welcome," she answered.
After that, they slowly returned to the lighter subjects and simply enjoyed each other company, learning more about each other. When the time came, Sesshoumaru offered to take Kagome home and she gratefully agreed. The woman bid good-byes to the children, assuring Rin they will meet tomorrow and inviting Shippou to visit her tomorrow too.
"You really want us tomorrow?" Sesshoumaru asked helping her with her coat. Kagome smiled.
"Yep I'm sure. I would be happy if you visited me." The man nodded, offering her a small smile. He then opened doors for her and both of them froze in place, looking at the two shocked elders.
"Mr. White?" Sesshoumaru asked with disbelief.
George White rubbed back of his neck. "Ah-ha ha... good evening?" Sesshoumaru rolled his eyes.
"I would understand your wife but even you?" the elder man waved his hand.
"Oh you know how it is. Curiosity killed the cat. Now don't pretend like we have disturbed you. By the way, it was nice to meet you young lady. Now if you excuse us, we old people have to go back to our house." With that, he quickly took his wife away.
Kagome shook her head, giggled lightly. "That was... odd," she said. Sesshoumaru said nothing staring at the door of his neighbours.
"I have to check something," he said before bending down and placing a small, sweet kiss on Kagome's cheek. The girl blushed and looked at the man with wide eyes falling to notice little giggling coming from Sesshoumaru's apartment. She however noticed the loud yell coming from the other flat.
"George! You won't believe what I just saw!" Sesshoumaru chuckled before closing his door and leading Kagome from the building.
She got her voice back when they were in the car. "Why did you kiss me?" she asked finally. Sesshoumaru smirked.
"I wanted to check if they were still looking." Kagome blushed lightly.
"And you needed to kiss me on the cheek, couldn't you do something else?"
"That was the most pleasurable way," he announced with some male pride in his voice.
The girl rolled her eyes. "You shocked me," she said turning her hand to the road. The man looked at her from the corner of his eye.
The truth was that he didn't have to do it, but when he got the idea, he decided to not think, just do, and the strangest thing was that he didn't regret that. He enjoyed that little kiss and seeing her blush, he thought she didn't regret either.
They arrived soon and said their goodbyes promising to meet tomorrow.
That evening Kagome went to sleep with smile on her face.
Meanwhile in Sesshoumaru's apartment
"So Rin how is your list?" Shippou asked. The girl quickly took out her secret page and looked at her plan.
"Let's see."
Make Kagome come again. Check.
Make daddy hold Kagome's hand. Check.
Make daddy meet Kagome tomorrow. Check.
Make daddy kiss Kagome. Half-check.
Shippou frowned. "Only half check? He kissed her hand and cheek; you should have given her two checks!" Rin shook her head.
"Daddy should kiss her like on the movies and they don't kiss cheeks." The boy rolled his eyes.
"Come now Rin, they have more time. Your dad kissed her hand and cheek so next time he will kiss her lips. It's the only place he didn't kiss."
"It's still not a full check for Rin!" the girl said looking sadly at her list. Then she smiled.
"But daddy did better than yesterday so Rin will try to make him kiss Kagome tomorrow as well!" Shippou nodded.
"It will be fine, now let's go sleep." the boy yawned, curling up on the bed. Rin hid her list and followed suit. That's how Sesshoumaru find them after his return.
He smiled and closed doors to the room quickly going to his own bedroom. He was in bed in record time. After all, he didn't want to be sleepy tomorrow when he visits Kagome.
His mind flashed him picture of her face after he kissed her and he smirked. No, he really didn't want to be sleepy.
AN: I hope you liked it, if not, well sorry to disapoint you. Anyway drop me some review!
See ya!