Disclaimer: Sesshoumaru came to me in a dream and told me that I was his new owner because I owned InuYasha. Then I woke up, and found out it wasn't true. I cried.

Just a note to someone who reviewed this anonymously, someone who used the name Alcyone. Future Kagome's name is "Ao," which means blue. I would like to note that while aoi also means blue, it is the adjective, as in "I like her blue scarf." "Ao" also means blue, but it is the noun form, as in "Blue is my favorite color." But I thank you anyway for caring enough to correct me.

Once again, I am not updating this well. These chapters will be posted as they come to me, no sooner or later. They are the nonsensical ramblings of my muses, and I am still trying to see if there is a plot in here somewhere.

Reminders:

Ao = Kagome

Kin = Sesshoumaru

!#!#!#!#!#!#!#!#!#!#!#!#!#!#!#!# REACHING UNDERSTANDING !#!#!#!#!#!#!#!#!# !#!#!#!#!#!#!#!#!#

Kagome started down the front steps and started jogging towards Tokyo Conservational Park. As she jogged, she took a breath and enjoyed how her breath fogged before her. Winter had come to her era, and it was beautiful as always. The snow littered the ground, and a thin layer of frost covered almost everything. Christmas was tomorrow, and Kagome had all of her gifts ready to go. It had taken all her willpower to get home for Christmas. InuYasha had almost not let her go.

Kagome's smile turned into a frown at the thought of InuYasha. She was so tired of fighting with him over every little thing. She put up with his whining and complaining all the time, didn't fight back when he insulted her, and she barely even sat him anymore. And the only thing she asked in return was that she be allowed to return home at least once every two weeks. And every single time, he fought tooth and nail to keep her there. She had to practically blackmail him in order to get the three days off she needed.

With a deep breath, Kagome focused on her run. She refused to let InuYasha ruin her Christmas. As Kagome ran through the park, she caught herself unconsciously looking for Ao and Kin. She hadn't seen the elderly couple since the mess with Muso, and she was slightly worried. She sincerely hoped nothing had happened to them.

Kagome raced on, until she was panting for breathe. Just as she was going to head home, when she saw long silver hair out in front of me. She smiled as a thought occurred to her, and she pushed herself forward until she was right behind a very familiar couple.

". . . suffocating in there." Kin groused. "If one more person asks if I'm alright, I'm going to gut them."

Ao laughed and adoringly looped her arm through her husband's. "And then you'd feel terrible, and never forgive yourself. Admit it. You're nothing more than an old softie." Kin shot her a rather nasty glare, but Ao only laughed in response. "I love you too."

Then Ao turned around with a smile. "Kagome! How wonderful to see you again."

Kagome jumped at the sudden acknowledgment. "How did you know I was there?"

Ao shrugged it off with a smile. "Just woman's intuition. And you-" Ao whirled on Kin, who looked as if he were about to speak. "Had better not mention that time on Okinawa. One time, and you won't let me forget it."

Kin raised an eyebrow, and Kagome resisted the urge to laugh. Instead, she reached into her backpack. She had taken to carrying a backpack around, after noticing that running without one made her feel unbalanced. "I don't know why I brought these, but I'm glad that I did." Kagome pulled out two beautifully wrapped gifts and held them out to the couple, bowing slightly. "Merry Christmas!"

"Oh my!" Ao squealed, sounding more like a young school girl than an adult. "You shouldn't have." But she still took the two gifts, looked at them carefully, then turned to Kin. "Oh Kin."

Kin glared at her again, then took the two gifts. Ao smiled and looped her arm through Kagome's. "Come on. We weren't sure when we'd see you again, so we decided that for your gift, we would take you to this gorgeous café on the corner of Tokinawa and Okyo."

"Oh, I couldn't possibly-"

Her protests were stopped with a single glare from Kin. "You will come." He ordered.

Kagome was once again reminded of Sesshoumaru as she looked as Kin. "O. . . kay." Kagome said, a small shiver running up her spine.

Ao laughed. "Oh, don't mind him. He's just worried that I'll whine all day if you turn me down." She leaned forward to look at Kin. "Now, you go put those in the car, and I'll get Kagome to the café."

"I will do no such thing." Kin answered. "You will get lost."

Ao scowled. "I am perfectly capable of getting the café in one piece." She huffed. She pulled Kagome forward and stalked off, leaving Kin behind.

"Don't you think that might have possibly been a bit harsh?" Kagome asked, not sure if she was pushing her limits with the elderly woman.

Ao sighed. "It probably was. I'll have to apologize when he catches up with us." She shook her head as she dragged Kagome forward. "Now, I'm more worried about you, missy. I can see that those shadows under your eyes are gone. Are you really doing better?"

Kagome smiled, touched by the older woman's concern. "Yes, I'm doing fine. I actually ended up talking to someone."

Ao turned to her, a huge smile on her face. "That's wonderful. Obviously, it worked out well."

Kagome nodded. "I feel kind of guilty though. I kind of blasted Sesshoumaru with the entire incident. But he didn't blame me at all. In fact, he took care of the entire situation for me." Kagome sighed, a small smile on her face. She really owed Sesshoumaru a lot for destroying Muso. But they'd only seen him once then, and he had brushed off her attempts to say thank you.

Ao smiled in return as she opened up the door to the café. "You got lucky then. There are so few people in the world nowadays who still have the honor necessary to go after those who deserve it."

Kagome nodded. A part of her wanted to protest, that she knew a lot of people with honor. But when she thought about it, only Sesshoumaru had gone after Muso for nearly kidnapping her.

Ao walked straight up to the counter, and perused the menu quickly. "Pick anything you'd like, Kagome. This café has some of the best stuff you've ever tasted."

Kagome looked over the menu, and with a sinking feeling of dread, she saw that nothing on the menu was priced. This was normally a really bad sign. "I really don't see anything I'd like." Kagome said quickly.

"You are a terrible liar, Kagome." Ao chuckled. "But that's fine. I'll just order for you. I think you'll like what I get."

The cashier finally appeared at the counter. "May I help you?"

"I'll have two Gingerbread Cookie Lattes, no foam, and a large Demonic Espresso." Ao said. "And two Choco Lavas and a coffee cake."

The cashier punched in the order. "Anything else?"

Ao quickly looked behind her, then turned back to the cashier. "I want fifty boxes of your signature hot chocolate sent to a specific address, as well as fifty boxes of the Demonic Espresso sent to the same address."

The cashier nodded slowly. "What is the address?"

Ao gave him the address, then paid for the order. Kagome's eyes widened as she saw the price. "Ao, I can't let you pay 100,00 yen!"

Ao shushed her and quickly clamped her hand over Kagome's mouth. "Are you trying to get me killed?" Kagome mumbled, but Ao seemed to understand. "I got the boxes of espresso for Kin. He's addicted to the stuff. But if he finds out I've been sending it to him, he'll kill me."

Kagome slowly nodded, and Ao released her mouth. "But why would he get mad that you bought him his favorite coffee?"

"Because he's trying to quit." Ao whispered fervently. "And I told him that if he somehow managed to quit, then I would give up my hot chocolate." She glared off into space. "I will not give up my hot chocolate."

Kagome stared at her for a moment, then burst out laughing. "Alright, I'll give you that. I won't mention that to Kin."

"Won't mention what to Kin?"

The women eeped as Kin seemed to appear out of nowhere. Ao even whipped her purse around and whacked Kin in the face before she realized who it was. "Kin, you jerk! Don't sneak up on me like that." Ao snapped.

Kin raised an eyebrow at her, and almost looked like he would say something, but then shrugged. "There is a free table by the window."

Kagome gasped and grinned. "Really? Oh, that's great, I love the window seats." Kin gave her a look, as if to say I know, but she ignored it. Instead, she ran over to the open table and quickly sat with a grin. Ao was soon beside her, a huge grin on her face, followed by Kin.

"I will get the drinks." Kin announced, placing his coat on one of the chairs. "The usual?"

"With double my order." Ao responded with a smile. "Thank you." Kin didn't answer, but instead went to wait by the counter. Kagome smiled softly as she watched Ao watch Kin walk away.

"You're lucky that you have Kin." She said. "It's obvious that he's completely in love with you."

Ao laughed, a light blush on her face. "Thank you. I am rather lucky." She sighed and laid her head down on the table. "I really am lucky." She whispered again.

Kagome smiled and sat back in her chair as she waited for Kin to come back. As she waited, his silver hair caught her eyes, and she couldn't help but think of another silver haired man. She scowled slightly as her thoughts returned to Sesshoumaru. He still didn't understand why the obnoxious dog wouldn't let her thank him. It wasn't like it would kill him. He'd done something great, and it deserved her thanks. So what was the big deal? She just didn't understand the stupid dog.

Kagome looked over at Kin and saw that he had already returned to the table with their things. Kagome stared in shock at what Ao had ordered her. It was a large brownie in the shape of a volacano, with a light white sugar frosting dusting the top. On either side of the chocolate volcano was a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and as she carefully cut into the brownie, she discovered that it was filled with hot fudge. Kagome took a bite and nearly moaned. "This has got to be the most delicious thing I've ever tasted!" She exclaimed.

Kin smirked as he placed the same order in front of Ao. "She says the same thing." Kin leaned over Ao, and Kagome's breath caught as a small smile graced his face. "It would appear that she has fallen asleep." Kagome saw that Ao's eyes were indeed closed, and her breathing had evened.

"Should we wake her up?" Kagome asked softly.

"No, let her sleep." Kin answered. "Our family is visiting for Christmas, and she has been stressed. It will be good for her to sleep." Kin placed a light kiss on her forehead, then went back up to the counter. After a short consultation, he returned with a box. He placed Ao's Choco Lava in the box, and put her latte in the cupholder on the side.

Kagome smiled. "That's really sweet of you."

Kin shook his head. "It is self-preservation. Ao would throw a fit if she missed out on her Choco Lava." But he disproved his own words when he gently brushed back Ao's hair.

Kagome watched them, and inspiration struck her. "Kin, you're a guy, right?"

Kin slowly turned to her with a glare that would have made Sesshoumaru proud. Kagome shivered. "That. . . that didn't come out right." Kagome stuttered. "I swear, I didn't mean it like that! I meant, if I told you about a guy, you'd be able to explain it to me, right?"

Kagome sent up a silent prayer as Kin continued to glare at her. Just when she thought that he would turn her down, Ao began to sleep talk. ". . . stubborn. . . stupid. . . answer the question. . . doesn't get it. . . love you. . ."

The more Ao spoke, the softer Kin's face got. Finally, he sighed and turned back to Kagome. "Very well. I will do my best."

"Well see, there's this guy named Sesshoumaru." Kagome saw something flash in Kin's eyes, but it was gone so quickly she couldn't identify it. "He did something really great for me, and I wanted to thank him. But every time I try, he either walks away, or he interrupts me and says that he doesn't need apologies from a pathetic being like me." She sighed and took a sip from her latte. "I just wish I could understand why."

Kin looked at her for a moment, as if he were thinking something through. Then he calmly set down his coffee. "I believe this boy, this Sesshoumaru, perhaps does not feel that he has done something worth being thanked."

Kagome blinked at that. "But he saved me from Muso. I definitely believe that at the very least, I owe him my thanks."

Kin slowly shook his head. "The words 'thank you' are meaningless in reality. They are very easily and very often thrown out. Haven't you thanked someone, but not really meant it?"

"Well sure." Kagome answered, confused at his answer. "But everyone's done that at one point or another."

"And that is exactly why the words no longer hold meaning." Kin answered. "They are used so often, that their true meaning has long since been wasted and used up." Ao stirred, and Kin gently rubbed her cheek until she settled down again. "In the end, the only thing that truly shows a person's feelings, or their intent, is their actions. It's probably why this Sesshoumaru boy does not want a thank you."

Kagome thought about that, and a small smile spread over her face. "I guess I'd have to agree with that." Kagome said with a smile. "You're very insightful, Kin."

Kin nodded in thanks to the compliment before nudging his wife. " Ao."

Ao shifted around, and finally raised her head. "Hmmm. . . what?"

"It's late." Kin answered.

Ao sighed, then jerked up. "I'm so sorry, Kagome! I didn't even think, I've just been so tired recently."

"It's alright, Ao." Kagome assured her. "It doesn't bother me at all, I promise." She stood, taking her Choco Lava with her. "Awesome recommendation, by the way. I just might become addicted!"

Ao laughed out loud and hugged the younger woman tightly. "It was lovely to see you again, Kagome. I hope I see you soon."

"I hope so as well." Kagome returned the hug, then released the woman. "Maybe next time you'll stay awake."

The two women laughed, and then they went their separate ways. Kagome waved to the elderly couple, then ran down the street.

Sesshoumaru wrapped a hand around Kagome's. "What was the purpose of this meeting?"

Kagome shrugged. "You tell me. You're the one who talked to her, after all." She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him on the cheek. "You did beautifully, by the way. Even I couldn't have said it better."

They started walking to the car, when Sesshoumaru remembered something. "What were the two of you talking about when I entered the café?"

Kagome froze, her eyes widening. "Oh, nothing of importance." Kagome quickly stuttered. Shoot, I thought he forgot about that. She quickly looked around for a distraction. "Oh no! Is it really that late? We should head back."

"Kagome."

"I mean everyone is going to be worried, and I wouldn't want to start a panic."

Sesshoumaru listened to her babbling, his eyes narrowed. She was trying to divert his attention away from the conversation before he had arrived. What wasn't he supposed to know? He tried to consider the variable: the people, the location, any objects, any actions. . . Sesshoumaru's eyes widened as he realized something. He was fifty percent sure of what she had been doing.

"You had the Demonic Espresso and your hot chocolate sent to the mansion."

Kagome stumbled, and Sesshoumaru easily caught her. He narrowed his eyes at his mate and wife as she stuttered. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

Sesshoumaru smirked. Oh, he knew Kagome like the back of his hand, and he had no doubts about it now. "How much did you buy?" He figured only a few cases. He'd be able to deal with that much.

Kagome bit her lip and turned away, before whispering quietly. "Fifty cases."

Sesshoumaru's eyes widened, and the smirk fell off his face. "You bought fifty cases?"

Kagome bit her lip harder. "Each."

Sesshoumaru just stared at her. He wasn't even angry. He was just in shock, and a part of him was in awe of the audacity of his female. Fifty cases each? Where would they keep them all? Obviously, Kagome needed to visit the doctor if she actually thought that that had been a good idea. He grabbed Kagome's arm and pulled her back towards the café.

"What are you doing?"

"You are canceling the order."

Kagome stared at him in shock, before putting her foot down. "You can't make me."

Sesshoumaru stopped and slowly turned. For a moment, Kagome was reminded of why he was one of the most feared demons in Japan. Then, a smirk grew on his face. Without a single word, Sesshoumaru turned and started towards the car.

"Sesshoumaru?"

No answer. Tentatively, Kagome wrapped a hand around his. "Sesshoumaru?" Still no answer. "Sesshoumaru." Kagome saw the wrinkles around Sesshoumaru's mouth lift, and she glared. He was ignoring her. She hated when he did that.

"Sesshoumaru, stop ignoring me!" Sesshoumaru just kept smiling as Kagome began to freak out. Of all the things he loved about his mate, it was her childish tendencies that were his favorite. They were so easily turned against her.

Revenge, as it had been five hundred years ago, was still sweet.

InuYasha was growling. Not that that was much of a surprise, since he growled about pretty much everything nowadays. But it was particularly loud today, and he kept jumping at the slightest things. She was starting to get worried about him.

"InuYasha, are you alright?" Kagome asked.

InuYasha shook his head, then jumped as the fire cracked. "Something just ain't right. I'm getting a bad feeling."

Kagome wilted a bit. The last time he'd had one of his "bad feelings," Naraku had popped up out of nowhere. Nobody wanted a repeat of that. One look around told her that everyone else was just as much on edge now. With a sigh, Kagome grabbed her bow and arrows and put her bag away. She'd really hoped to be able to give out her Christmas gifts, but apparently that wasn't going to happen until InuYasha was more relaxed.

The entire group remained quiet as they continued trekking on. The silence dragged on until Kagome had lulled herself into a false sense of security. If something were really tracking us, wouldn't they have attacked by now? I'll bet that InuYasha's getting all upset over noth-

InuYasha whirled and pulled out Tetsusaiga in one swift movement. He growled at Kagome, and she quickly stepped back. "What the heck, InuYasha!"

"Get out of the way!" InuYasha snarled.

"What are you-"

"Reckless as always, hanyou."

Kagome froze in shock for half a second, then whirled to see Sesshoumaru directly behind her. "Sesshoumaru!" She squeaked, stumbling backwards. Under normal circumstances, she probably would have just kept her mouth shut and got out of the way. But she did not always react well when she was surprised. "Jesus, Mary, and Joseph! Do you enjoy giving people a heart attack?"

Sesshoumaru stared down at Kagome, and slowly raised an eyebrow. "I assure you, Miko. If I wished you dead, I would not use something so painless as a heart attack."

Kagome glared at him, then realized with a blush who she was talking to. She stared up at him in horror, then bowed to him. "I didn't mean to say that! You just surprised me, and I just blurted out the first thing that came to mind."

Kagome heard a giggle, and her eyes widened as she saw Rin, Ah-Un, and Jaken behind Sesshoumaru. How was it that she just now noticed them? She raised a hand in greeting, and was about to go over to properly greet Rin when something grabbed her from behind.

"Get away from her, Sesshoumaru!" InuYasha burst forward to try and stand between Kagome and Sesshoumaru. Kagome found herself being thrown backwards with an oomph. "If you're going to fight, it will be with me!"

Sesshoumaru surprised himself when he growled, unsheathing his claws with a few cracks of his fingers. The reaction had been instinctive, but he didn't understand what he was reacting to. He quickly shook off the confusion and prepared for InuYasha's inevitable attack.

"InuYasha, don't you dare!" Kagome shrieked.

InuYasha shot a glared at her. "What are you talking about? He came here to fight, so I'm going to kick his ass!"

"InuYasha, if you make one more move, I will sit you!" Kagome threatened.

The entire group stared at Kagome in shock. There was an unspoken agreement among them that Kagome would never sit InuYasha when there was danger. To break that trust. . . surely Kagome wouldn't do that! InuYasha turned back to Sesshoumaru, who was watching the entire exchange in amusement. To think, InuYasha was so ruled by the whims of a human, a miko no less. It was possibly the funniest thing he'd seen in quite a few years.

"InuYasha." Kagome reclaimed the hanyou's attention, and Sesshoumaru resheathed his claws. He could tell by InuYasha's subtle reactions that he was going to give in to the miko. "He hasn't done anything but show up. He has Rin with him. He's not going to let her see the violence you two do to one another. So there's no reason to waste energy in a pointless fight with someone who has no intention of attacking."

"And what if he is attacking us?" InuYasha demanded.

Kagome sighed and stood. "Then you can fight to your heart's content. But you will not start a confrontation for no reason."

Damn it, she was making sense. He hated it when she did that. "Keh." He glared at Sesshoumaru for another moment, then replaced Tetsusaiga in its sheath. "Not worth my time anyway."

"I believe that is my line, little brother." Sesshoumaru said, his bored tone aggravating InuYasha's already short patience.

"Damn it, Sesshoumaru, I'm going to-"

"Enough!" Kagome had run up to stand between the two brothers. Sesshoumaru looked at her curiously. Did she truly think she could stop the two from fighting? Sesshoumaru certainly didn't care about her life. He'd plow right through her without a second thought. . . but then again, as the miko had pointed out, he did not want Rin to see him kill. "InuYasha, go pick out some ramen." Ignoring InuYasha, Kagome turned her back to him and bowed to Sesshoumaru. "We would be honored if you would join us for a meal."

Sesshoumaru looked as though he would say no, but before he could answer, Rin jumped off of Au-Un and ran directly to Kagome. "Can we please, Lady Kagome?"

Kagome laughed and picked up the little girl. "If Lord Sesshoumaru agrees, then of course you can."

Sesshoumaru nearly growled in frustration as two sets of big doe eyes turned to him. Mentally cursing, he nodded slightly. Rin let out a shout of happiness, and Kagome nodded her head in thanks. "Hey Rin, why don't you go play with Shippou for a while?"

"Okay!" Kagome gently placed Rin on the ground and smiled as she immediately headed for Shippou. His eyes grew big as he recognized the little girl he'd only been able to play with a few times, and in mere seconds, they were running around the makeshift campsite.

"Oi wench! There's too much crap in this bag!" InuYasha shouted. In his grumpy mood, he didn't really care about what he was doing as he pulled items from her bag and threw them behind him. Kagome's eyes widened in horror as he began pulling out the Christmas gifts, especially the one in his hand.

"InuYasha, don't-" She was too late. The gift flew from his hand, and to her horror, headed towards the fire. "No!" She raced forward, praying that she got there in time. She lunged as she reached the fire, and miraculously, caught the gift before it landed. Of course, it was only then that she realized that she was now falling directly into the fire. She heard the screams of the people around her, but nothing seemed to permeate her brain. The only thought she had was Of all the ways I could have died in this era, I get burned to death because of my own stupidity.

Then suddenly, the fire was gone. Kagome stared at the ground blankly for a moment before realizing that there was something holding her up. She blinked, then looked over her shoulder to see a rather annoyed-looking Sesshoumaru holding her in his one arm. She was only there for a second before he dropped her, and she landed with an oomph. Then she was surrounded by the others, scolding her violently. Most of it came from InuYasha, who ranted about her stupidity. Finally, she got sick of it and stood.

"InuYasha!" InuYasha froze at the tone of her voice. Was she really going to sit him? "I am perfectly fine. Calm down." She strode passed him, towards her bag which lay in a forgotten mess, the rest of the gifts piled around it. She sighed and knelt beside it to attempt restore order to it.

"Um, Kagome?"

It was Sango this time who interrupted her. Kagome put on her happy face and turned to Sango with a smile. "What's up?"

"May I ask what all of these shiny things are?" Sango asked, pointing to the wrapped gifts.

Kagome smiled, a real smile this time. "Those, my friend, are Christmas gifts."

Shippou perked at the mention of gifts. "Wait, you mean that holiday you went home for? Where everybody gets gifts and stuff?"

Kagome nodded. "That's right. I got gifts for everyone. I nearly forgot in all the madness." She picked a few of the gifts, and noted how they seemed a bit dinged up. "I think InuYasha damaged them." She shot him a glare, and his ears went down. He was going to get sat for sure.

But Kagome only sighed and picked up the gifts. "Just tell me if there's a problem with the gift. I'll take it home and get a new one that works." She shook her head, and smiled as she went around and her gifts to her group. She immediately noticed Rin's dejected face when she handed Shippou a gift, and not her. Kagome smiled at her and hugged her, much to the little girl's surprise. "Oh, don't you worry, Rin. I am prepared for all eventualities." She released Rin and ran over to her bag, picking up the very gift she had nearly dove into the fire for. Then she ran back to Rin. "This is for you."

Rin's smile was huge, and Kagome couldn't help but smile back. Rin quickly took the gift and murmured her thanks before ripping the wrapping paper off as she had seen Shippou do. Then a squeal filled the clearing as Rin unwrapped a white fluffy dog. "Sesshoumaru-sama!" Rin shouted.

Kagome laughed, noticing that Sesshoumaru had turned to Rin. "Well, that was the inspiration. I thought you'd like that more than a teddy bear."

Shippou scowled. "Who needs a dog? I got crayons!" He held up his prize with pride, then dragged Rin away to join him with the coloring books Kagome always had for him. Kagome smiled as Rin clutched the dog to her chest as she colored and played with Shippou.

"Why?"

Kagome eeped and whirled, annoyed to see that Sesshoumaru had once again snuck up behind her. "Do you enjoy watching me panic?" Sesshoumaru's usual indifferent gaze was her only answer. She sighed, and addressed his question. "Why what?"

"Why did you risk your life for a gift?" Sesshoumaru clarified.

Kagome pointed. "Because of that." Sesshoumaru looked to where she pointed, and saw Rin squeezing her stuffed dog tightly. She had a huge smile on her face, and it was obvious that she already adored the little dog.

"Rin is not your responsibility." Sesshoumaru answered. "You were under no obligation to get her a gift, nor were you required to nearly kill yourself to retrieve it."

Kagome shook her head. "To be honest, I didn't really have much in mind except saving Rin's gift. As to why, none of what you mentioned matters to me. She's a little girl, and every little girl should have a stuffed animal. It's a human thing." She clapped her hands. "That reminds me!" She once again raced over to her bag, and removed another wrapped gift. It was smaller than the others had been, and Sesshoumaru stared at it curiously. What could she be planning to do with it?

Kagome stood in front of him and held out the gift with a small bow. "Merry Christmas, Sesshoumaru." She smiled up at him. "If it makes you uncomfortable to accept a Christmas gift from a human, then consider it a thank you for saving me from my own stupidity."

Sesshoumaru stared down at the box for a moment, as if assessing the small box. Kagome waited patiently, though she felt the others around her staring. But still, she held out the gift. She refused to move until he took the gift from her hands. She wouldn't back down this time.

Slowly, as if he were testing what would happen, Sesshoumaru took the gift from her hands. Her grin grew. "Okay, well, you open that whenever you feel like. I hope you'll enjoy what I got you."

Kagome went back to the group, ignoring their looks and InuYasha's sputtering protests. He'd finally accepted a thank you!

In the darkness of the night, Sesshoumaru watched Rin sleep beside Ah-Un. They had left his half-brother's group after lunch, and he had yet to open the gift that the miko had given him. It was burning a hole in his robe, but he would not open the gift while the others watched. After all, he was still Sesshoumaru.

After checking once again to make sure that the others were asleep, Sesshoumaru reached into his haori and pulled out the little package. He stared at it one last time, and took a hesitant sniff. It didn't smell dangerous, but one could never be too careful. Slowly, he slit the paper with a single claw, and when nothing happened, he continued to open it. Once all the paper was removed, he stared down at the small box in his hand. It was clear, much like glass, but obviously stronger. Inside were several small objects that he could not identify. He stared at it in confusion until he noticed a note attached to the box.

To Sesshoumaru:

These things are called clips. The side with the design should be left alone. The other side you can flip back, and then when you shut it, it will hold on to whatever you place it on. I've put a special spell on them, and tested them, so you know they work. The spell will allow you to find whatever you clip it to, no matter where they are or what kind of protections there are on it. We've even been able to test it on Naraku's barrier, and it still works.

I wasn't really sure what to get you, but I thought that this was something useful. If you don't really want it, you can always throw them away. But I did want some way to thank you, since you wouldn't let me just say it.

Kagome.

Sesshoumaru wasn't sure whether the miko was a genius or a fool. Her idea was genius, and the fact that it could penetrate even Naraku's barrier was very impressive. But to throw away such a valuable item? Even considering it was ludicrous!

Sesshoumaru quickly placed the box back into haori. Come tomorrow, he would give one of the clips to Rin. Perhaps if he was in a good mood, he'd give one to Jaken as well. But only if he was in a really good mood.

Author's Rant

Horse Wolves: OOH! Good idea OG!

Kagome: Stupid.

Sesshoumaru: Unbeliveable.

Horse Wolves: Well, I like it OG. . . OG. . . OG!

Kagome: Oh, didn't we mention? OG is a bit. . . tied up at the moment.

Sesshoumaru: Yes, she isn't able to reach the computer.

Horse Wolves: What. Did. You. DO!

Kagome: No idea what you're talking about.

Sesshoumaru: No idea at all.

End of Author's Rant