[Chapter 5] The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come
Sesshoumaru walked through the housewares department as usual, making his first rounds of the day. The uniforms were as they had been for the past week and a half, elf suits, and the entire floor was still elegantly decorated with tinsels, garlands, and shiny ornaments.
Kaede had come back a few days ago but Rin still told him how much fun she'd had with Kagome and how she wanted to see her again. As he walked quietly through the department with his clipboard in hand, he scanned the area for his elfishly dressed coworkers. He spotted the both of them restocking some shelves not to far away from him. He started to walk over to them, intent on asking Kagome to accompany him Christmas shopping. Rin refused to tell him what she wanted this year saying 'Santa knows already' and he hoped that maybe Kagome could give him some insight since they'd spent so much time together the past week.
As he got closer to them he smiled, hearing Kagome talk so happily about the time spent watching Rin made him feel surprisingly good. He paused as he heard her coworker respond, Ayame was always one to voice her thoughts and never bothered to think if the offended some one. She was a veritable fountain of brutal honesty.
"...I don't know how he's got such a sweet daughter. I mean he's always such the stick in the mud 'get to work now or your fired' sort of guy! I always thought he'd have a house like a military base."
"Ayame you can't judge people so quickly. I think he's just like that when he's here; he wants everyone to respect him. He was really sweet when he came to pick up Rin and things, he even asked about my family just to make small-talk." Sesshoumaru smiled as Kagome defended him, though Ayame's words still stung a bit.
"Oh come on Kagome, he acts so bitter sometimes. I can't see him not being that way at home, he was probably just nice in front of you. He's got to be a total dictator when he's alone."
Kagome shook her head at her friend, both of them still oblivious to his presence on the other side of a display of dishes not far away. "I think your wrong Ayame."
"Don't be delusional Kagome. You see too much good in people all the time. The guy's gotta be a total brick in and out of work. He's probably bitter all the time. You watch, his kid'll probably move away first chance she gets just to get away from and he'll be too bitter for anyone to love. He'll be alone for ever and he probably would act like it wouldn't bother him either."
"Ayame!" Kagome admonished in a serious tone. Ayame blushed in embarrassment realizing she'd probably gone too far with that bit. "You shouldn't say such terrible things! And you're wrong!" Kagome whipped around to go back to the counter to make sure no customers needed anything.
She stopped dead in her tracks and gasped as she saw the pristine grey wool suit and long white hair of their manager, Sesshoumaru. He was stalking quietly away, his shoulders tense and his nose buried purposefully in his clipboard. Ayame turned at the sound of Kagome's gasp and clapped her hands over her mouth. "You don't think he heard me did you?" she asked in a very trembling voice.
Kagome shook he head as she watch him walk out of sight. "He must have... He must be so upset." she chewed her lip hoping maybe he would return later so she could speak to him.
Ayame buried her face in her hands and groaned, "Oh I wish I could just keep my mouth shut sometimes..."
Kagome just nodded and patted her friend on the shoulder before they went solemnly back to their work.