[chapter 7] Relearning the Christmas Spirit Part II

Kagome and Sesshoumaru sat on the living room floor of Kagome's apartment. The coffee table was pushed off to the side to allow a large space to work with. The floor was a mess of paper bits, wrinkled tape, and crumpled bow.

After going through two rolls trying to show Sesshoumaru how to make the pretty bows Kagome had given up and just made his for him. The wrapping paper was simple, red and gold, but shiny enough to see one's self in the surface and the bows were a satiny silver and green.

A little while after they arrived at her home Kagome discovered that Sesshoumaru had never seen nor heard of any of the classic Christmas movies. She immediately set about rectifying the travesty of not properly knowing the story of Rudolf and had the old claymation movie playing in the back ground while they chatted and drank eggnog.

"Now hold your finger there so I can tape it strait," Kagome instructed gently.

Sesshoumaru did as he was told but was still distractedly watching the movie. The rum in the eggnog relaxed him quite a bit and made his tongue a little looser. Hence Kagome's surprise when he suddenly blurted out, "Why is the reindeer poking the yeti in the butt with his horns?" He emphasized the question with a very childish pout. What a silly thing for a reindeer to do wasn't it?

Kagome snorted loudly and jerked suddenly, making an effort not to laugh at him. But the sudden motion of leaning forward had accidentally stuck the tape down right over Sesshoumaru's finger. The expression when he looked down to see his finger effectively trapped within the paper and tape confines only made Kagome laugh more. To her surprise, Sesshoumaru chuckled lightly as well before removing the tape from his finger.

By the end of the movie, they had all their presents wrapped and ready to go, carefully stacked in their bags as to not crush their bows. It was almost time for Sesshoumaru to leave, he didn't have to worry about Rin since she was staying the night at Kaede's but he obviously couldn't spend the night at Kagome's apartment.

He asked where the bathroom was so he could make use of it before he left. The small space was tastefully decorated with pale greens, soft golds, and a Japanese flowery pattern. While washing his hands he noticed what looked like a vintage make up case. The small case fit well with the décor but such a thing was strange to see after his earlier revelation that she never wore makeup. He carefully lifted the top to find a line of charcoal, a thick white foundation, and an alluringly bright red lipstick. Curious as to their purpose there he took the lipstick as he exited the bathroom and found Kagome in the kitchen placing their used cups in the sink.

"I've never seen you wear this color," Sesshoumaru said idly as he leaned against the door jam.

Kagome blushed a bit but smiled as she went to take the now uncapped lipstick from his hand, my mother got me those when I dressed up as a geisha for Halloween, and the case it was in was passed down from my grandmother."

He deftly moved it away from her grasp when she reached to take it from him, "You should put it on, it's a nice color." He ventured. His smile was a little mischievous then and Kagome quirked a brow at him. He was strange when he got a little alcohol in him, definitely less withdrawn and much more open.

"Fine," she acquiesced, how could she not bend to the small request when he was so very seldom open with anyone? She reached for the lipstick again but was surprised when it was once again held from her reach.

Sesshoumaru gently reached forward and took Kagome's chin in his hand. He carefully traced the heavy stick of rouge over her lips trying to keep the color in their plump outline.

"What are you doing?" She whispered. Though what he was doing was quite obvious, she really meant why but its hard to articulate proper words when your very handsome boss/friend is doing your makeup.

The movement of her lips made the slippery stick of lipstick slide and he accidentally got a bit of the color on one of her pearly white teeth. He frowned, "Don't do that...," and he gently brushed the tip of his over the excess on her lip and tooth to clear it away. It was a strangely intimate gesture.

The light blush on Kagome's cheeks grew darker as he leaned in, his nose nearly touching hers. She was too nervous to start asking obvious questions again. Not like she could have after his warm lips descended on hers. The kiss was fleeting, soft, abrupt, and even slightly awkward since she had been a little dumb and late to respond, but nonetheless it was nice and welcomed. She placed her hands on his shoulders and followed his motion as he leaned back and laid a small peck on his lips before he could stand back to his full height.

Her blush intensified and she chewed her bottom lip nervously, "It's getting late." She mumbled.

Sesshoumaru nodded and tucked a hair behind her ear. "It is." He agreed before stepping past her and into the living room. She helped him gather his things, blushing in silence. She helped him to wrap the new scarf around his neck, it was a lovely cranberry red color with a hexagon pattern on the edge and she bought it for him while they were shopping because it seemed to suit him.

As he was about to leave Kagome giggled shyly before reaction up and wiping away the small hint of red that clung to his lips from their kiss, using the inside cuff of her sleeve. Kagome was about to close the door behind him when he turned abruptly, indecision clear on his face.

"Would you join us... for Christmas I mean?" He asked uncertainly. If she didn't it would just be him, Rin, and his little brother, and while that was a nice group he was sure it would be more joyful with her there. After her continued presence in his life for the past few weeks, it only seemed fitting to have her there.

She smiled, "Of course, I'd be happy to." And she was, because a Christmas with good friends, and maybe more, was always much nicer then one home alone.

Part of her smile might have also been the happiness she saw in his eyes for her answer when they were so often void of such.