J: I'm sorry! I promised to update once every week and I missed last week, thing is is that I wasn't too happy with the recent chapter I wrote so I kept debating on actually using it. But now that it's past the deadline I'm just going to put it up and let you decide if the chapter is meh or decent lol.

The follower count is now up to 59! You guys are all awesome!

Thanks to: Silentmidnightdeath and hatami for reviewing!

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha characters!

P.S. There will definitely be another chapter posted this week to be THIS week's chapter ahha, it's fitting considering that it's Christmas tomorrow right? :)

"Check please."

"Right away sir." Kagome answered reflexively over her shoulder. Her attention was on the clock rather than the customer. Her half hour meal break was at 2:30, the clock read 2:15. 'Move faster you old ticker!' Kagome's nerves had been humming in anxiety for the past hour and a half. Every time she left Shippo somewhere different for an extended period of time our of her sensory range she became nervous. The only way for her to be at ease was to talk to Shippo and confirm that he was perfectly safe.

A metal ladle tapped her none too gently on the forehead. In a daze she'd gone back to the kitchen without knowing why. Kikyo stood with her hands on her hips, "You're spacing out Kagome. You clearly need to go on your lunch early and make a phone call."

"But...How did you know?" The fog lifted from her mind as the realization of being given her lunch early sank in.

Kikyo Edo was the manager of 'One Cup Cafe.' Shaking her head with a small smile the older woman that could have been Kagome's sister told her gently, "I've known you longer than I've been the manager Kagome. I can tell when you're worried about your kit. Go call him then get something to eat. Your grumbling stomach is louder than Kagura's snarl on her bad days."

The two nearly identical women glanced over at their pastry chef. The woman with black hair and dull brown eyes from a disguise charm ignored them despite having heard them.

Kagome smiled in appreciation, "Thanks Kikyo, sorry if I caused any trouble."

"A couple broken plates and one of the customer's swearing revenge for his ruined suit jacket isn't too bad. The plates are coming out of your cheque and you can stay late to clean the floors." Kagome inwardly groaned, she often forgot that Kikyo's colder side came out the strongest when work was involved. There was nothing she could say to these condition, brutal as they were, they were still fair. Off to the side Kagura snickered, she had twisted sense of humour that brought her joy from other people's bad luck.

Resigned to this punishment Kagome went to the lounge room in the back designed for the employees to get away from the customers during their free time. It was simple in design with light beige walls, two black leather arm chairs, a black leather couch, and a plain square table that could seat two people next to each other on each side. Choosing an arm chair she pulled out her cell phone and dialled the Taishou home.

Shippo and Rin were in the kitchen making cooking for their dessert after supper when the phone rang. Shippo put down his ball of peanut butter cookie dough to focus on Jaken as he answered the phone, "Taishou Residence...Hm?...Fine! Get over here fox brat it's your mother."

"Ha! I knew it!" Shippo jumped across the room from his seat to land next to Jaken. Rin put down her own cookie dough to keep an eye on her best friend in case something bad had happened.

"Hi Momma!"

"Hey Shippo! How has your day been so far?" Kagome's bunched up nerves immediately eased at the sound of Shippo's happy voice.

"It's been awesome! We played in Rin's room and coloured. She has a computer with a lot of cool games that actually have spelling and counting in them. Oh and we had instant ramen for lunch. Are you okay Momma?" Shippo's enthusiasm went down a notch to ask his own question.

Pleased to hear things were going well Kagome reassured her son, "Everything is perfectly fine Shippo, I did break a couple dishes though."

"Again?!" Kagome pictured Shippo's exasperated expression as he asked this. "Momma Aunti Kikyo will take away your job if you break all her dishes."

"I know, I promise I'll be more careful for the rest of the day. You're not giving Jaken a hard time are you?"

Shippo smiled cheekily at the grumpy toad, "Of course not Momma. He's helping me and Rin make cookies for dessert tonight."

"Right about tonight, I'm going to be later than I thought. Can you put me back on the phone with Jaken?"

"O-Okay Momma, I love you."

"I love you too Shippo. It's okay nothing bad I promise."

Believing his Momma Shippo handed the phone back to Jaken, "What is it?"

"Jaken I'm afraid I'm going to be later than 7. I'm sorry to trouble you but could Shippo stay there until 7:30 possibly 8?" Kagome crossed her fingers and prayed to whoever might be listening. Negotiating out of work with Kikyo was worse than just doing the extra work.

"Hmph! You have some nerve! The great and powerful Sesshoumaru's home is not a daycare!"

On the other side of the kitchen Rin caught on to what was happening in the conversation. More than happy with Shippo staying longer she didn't hesitate to run over behind Jaken and yell loud enough for Kagome to hear, "SHIPPO CAN STAY LONGER! PAPA WON'T MIND!"

Startled and frazzled Jaken turned on the girl, "Rin! You cannot make decisions for other people when it doesn't involve you!"

Kagome had to smile,"Erm... Would it be possible for you to contact Mr. Taishou and ask him Jaken? I would myself but I don't have his work number."

"This is not important enough to bother Sesshoumaru-sama! Your fox kit may stay longer but no longer than 8:30! That is Rin's bed time." Jaken glared and pointed for the runts to go back to their cookies. They did so cheering and grinning at having more time to play.

"Thank you so much Jaken! I really do appreciate this."

"You better you annoying woman. Good bye!" Jaken slammed the phone onto the receiver making Kagome wince on her end.

Relieved that it was all worked out and Shippo was safe Kagome turned her attention to food, "Time to pester Kagura for a snack."

J: Just wanted to wish everyone Happy Holidays! Be safe and if you get into the spirits make sure not to drive!