[[I do not own InuYasha, I promise.]]
The feudal era, of course, had no such holiday as Christmas, but Kagome wasn't about to let that stop her. She went over the basics of the holiday with the the others, fairly certain she had explained it before, but dismissing that- she covered the current date in relation to the holiday. It was turning to Christmas eve right now, and so, they had one day to prepare Christmas for the Slayer's village. Ho, ho, ho.
Sango was particularly close to Inuyasha during this event, in fact she had been since he has returned. Even on the end of the table, Sango still managed to squeeze in to sit beside him, creating a the way conversation rather than simply sitting on all four sides. "I don't know Kagome, it sounds a lot like it's going to take a while to set up." Said Sango, holding on to Inuyasha's arm.
Inuyasha shifted a bit, finding it a bit difficult to sit still what with Sango tilting his posture.
"That's why I'll need all of you guy's help." Said Kagome with a smile, though she also seemed a little distracted, finding it hard to focus whenever Inuyasha shifted, causing Sango to shift as well. "...uh, what's up with you two?" Asked Kagome, feeling the familiar twinge of jealousy at the corners of her heart.
Sango made a nose of confusion as she went to ask what she meant before Miroku interrupted. "Sango was feeling particularly abandoned and lonely when inuyasha took off today." Said Miroku.
Sango flushed at the explanation. "I was not! ...It's just cold is all!" Said Sango, irrefutable logic indeed.
"How is tilting me over helping that?" Asked inuyasha suspiciously.
Sango glared at him for messing up her excuse. Inevitable she ended up with Inuyasha sitting behind her, his arms around her. Admittedly it was warmer, but now they were getting rather evil glares from the other two.
"I-i think we should be getting some sleep!" Said Sango, wanting to put some distance between them and the two onlookers.
"I think that would be best." Said Miroku with a particularly bitter tone.
"Agreed! We can go over this in the morning!" Kagome said, glaring daggers at inuyasha, ever get time had lost the Christmas spirit for the moment.
Now came the second dilemma. The sleeping situation. There was only one guest room, and a while lass of reasons why people wanted specific set ups. Kagome damn sure didn't find sharing a room with Miroku safe. Nor did she particularly enjoy the idea of Sango and Inuyasha sharing a room. Miroku didn't want Sango and Inuyasha retiring together either, especially with Sango being particularly attached to him tonight. He also didn't want to share a room with Kagome, if only because Sango would likely use it against him. Inuyasha didn't want Miroku and Sango sharing a room for obvious reasons, but he didn't particularly want to stay with Miroku either, safe yes, but there was enough tension normally. Sango wanted to go to bed like normal, but didn't feel Kagome was safe with Miroku, didn't feel she was safe with Miroku, and didn't feel Miroku was safe with Inuyasha. Inuyasha eventually determined that Sango would remain in her room, Miroku would sleep in Peru's room, he'd sleep in the living room, and Kagome would take Miroku's room. No one was pleased by that solution, but likewise, no one could complain either. So it was decided... sort of.
Sango could not get comfortable, the cold of the night seemed far worse than before- lacking a source of body heat that she had grown quite accustomed to over the course of the last several months.
Miroku, was trying to figure out a way to visit Sango, without running into InuYasha, whom he was certain would be guarding the passage between his half and their half of the house like a watch dog.
Kagome was particularly antsy due to the fact that her jealous impulses were getting the better of her, leaving her to pace and mutter, hoping to quell her feelings but only serving to increase them.
And so the night began. Miroku proceeded to escape the confines of his room through a window, careful to close it behind him in order to keep the warmth in for Peru. He soon discovered that all the windows in the house were closed though, and thanks to finagling the latch on Peru's window, he wasn't even able to get back. His only way in now would be through the front door, where InuYasha was.
Sango inevitably got fed up with her sleeplessness, intending on joining InuYasha in the living room, even if it meant getting no sleep at all. As she crept out into the living room though, she looked across it from the entrance-way and found that InuYasha wasn't there. She first considered whether he had left, but after reconsidering Kagome's presence, she let her rational mind succumb to her emotional state- as she began to creep down the hall towards Miroku's room, where Kagome was supposed to be- as if, in her mind, if she caught them, it'd make it alright.
Kagome, finally fed up with her stewing rage, decided that she was going to talk to InuYasha, even if she had to drag him out into the snow to do it. She finally charged for the door and opened it, causing Sango to duck Ame's room, suddenly fearful of seeing InuYasha leaving there or something.
She relaxed some as she heard Kagome creeping by, able to clearly hear her complaints as she muttered them to herself. '... WHO is showing off?! You screamed his name every ten minutes for a whole year while we were traveling! Now you get upset because I missed him!?' She thought, fuming slightly herself.
Kagome entered the living room, and surveyed from the doorway. No InuYAsha. '..Why that lying.. he went to Sango's room! Should've known he'd just figure out some way to get us to go, so he could do whatever he wanted!' Thought Kagome, fully prepared to storm in there and catch them, as if that would solve her issues.
She entered without a second thought, though was only more bothered as she found the room empty- as if they were hiding from them now! However, as she heard a light knock on the door and the whisper of Sango's name, she just knew it was InuYasha- he'd come calling for his girlfriend in secret, look at the shamelessness of this half demon! She moved over and unlocked the window before quickly diving into the bed, prepared to catch the demon in the act. An act she hadn't been prepared for.
Miroku's day was saved, when the window was unlocked- he quietly began to crawl in, thankful for being back inside, and more so in Sango's room. He moved over quietly and into the bed after closing the window- he just couldn't help himself, even if it had been Sango, he should've known that it wouldn't end well, as his hand crept over towards the other- an old habit, but one that has never paid off in the end.
Kagome Screamed, Miroku panicked as Kagome appeared from beneath the sheets- literally falling out of the bed and onto the floor with a hard thump. Sango immediately began that way, unsure of what sort of events could've happened on her side of the house! She charged into the room, to see Kagome in her pajamas, flushing, and looking quite uncomfortable, meanwhile on the other side- all she could see was two bare feet, seemed Miroku had taken his sandals off at least before getting into bed "Inu-" Began Sango, only to circle the corner and find the wounded Miroku. "...Mi..roku?" She asked, looking over to Kagome now as she seemed less embarrassed at the revelation, and more infuriated. "But... where's InuYasha if you two are in here?" Asked Sango, this certainly distracted Kagome, though she still walked around and kicked Miroku for good measure. "He isn't with you?" She asked, perhaps still a tad bitter. "No, I thought he was with you..." She admitted with a rather guilty expression. Kagome laughed slightly.. "..Well, he can't blame us, how many times has he ran after Kikyo despite saying he wouldn't?" She mused with a giggle. "That doesn't make me feel any better." She mumbled, finding her jealousy provoked just a bit by that statement. "Probably not, but at the very least, you know that if he did try that, I'd surely tell you." Noted Kagome with a chuckle. "Still not a pleasant image, but I guess I appreciate the fact that you would.." She muttered, feeling the slightest bit of annoyance with Kagome's logic. Sure, they were friends, but she definitely didn't say she'd do anything but tell her about it- AFTERWARDS most likely.
Sango ended up helping up Miroku, if only to prevent him from calling out to her any longer. The gang had a new mission, figure out what the hell was happening with InuYasha.. Miroku didn't have as much investment into it, but that being said, he was curious- after all, if he could've just walked through the house, maybe the cold evening stroll wouldn't have been necessary.
They all entered the living room once again, Miroku getting an annoyed expression as he realized the demon was not found. Kagome began to glance over at the other hallway, wondering if InuYAsha had moved to one of the other kid's rooms, while Miroku headed to the kitchen to see if perhaps he had gone to get something to eat- he was known for his appetite after all. Sango remained, considering the possibilities as the other distanced themselves- she could hear more clearly, and noted a distinct sound she had heard many times before... She moved over to the other side of the table, in the shadows created by the oil lamp on the table.. InuYasha was curled up there, fast asleep. His arms tucked firmly beneath each other, in some search of warmth. Sango smiled slightly and sighed, going to move in closer before remembering the other two. She whispered slightly to the sleeping InuYasha. "Give me just one moment, okay?" She said, though she knew he wouldn't answer.
Sango moved over to where Kagome had disappeared and told her that he must've went to sleep in the forest- he did that sometimes.. well he used to quite a bit, not so much in the winter, but she didn't need to know that.
She then moved over to Miroku's search, telling him that he went out for a walk, but would be back shortly, that way Miroku wouldn't be trying to sneak back across on her- she could figure out that much of his master scheme that ended up with him and Kagome in a bed together, however briefly it may have been.
Once she'd seen them both back to their rooms, she returned to the living room- after she gathered together the blanket they used and set it over him. 'You must've been cold... Why didn't you ask me to give you back your robe already?' She wondered, though at this moment, he had the blanket, so she chose to keep it a while longer still. She moved to sit beside his sleeping form, carefully picking his head up to rest on her lap. 'I guess you were really tired... you never sleep so soundly, unless the kids have worn you out..' She thought to herself as she petted his silvery hair, even rubbing his ears on occasion, though he clearly showed an uncomfortable expression when she did, so she did it only briefly when she did. "..Thanks, InuYasha- for coming home.. Even if I do believe you will stay.. I think I will always fear that you'll eventually not be here.." She admittedly quietly as she watched him sleep this time. Eventually though, even she dozed off, her body leaned against the table a bit, an arm beneath her head.
"Sango!" Said Kagome. Her head shot up, prepared to defend the fact that she'd slept with InuYasha despite the plan, or hid his presence from them. "Did you wait up all night on InuYasha?" Kagome asked. "What a jerk, he didn't come back yet?" She further said.
Sango looked down, expecting InuYasha to still be there, but only after she'd seen it did it occur to her that the weight on her legs had been gone, though the weight on her shoulders seemed heavier- she noted the blanket around her. 'You... jerk.. you should've woke me..' She thought, but smiled still. 'Thanks for letting me sleep though.' She thought as she turned back to Kagome. "I- I wouldn't say I waited for him, I just got my blanket and decided to sleep out here, in case he came in to warm up- I didn't want him to think he got away with it and all, y'know?" She lied.
Sango let Kagome tend to breakfast, she had decided soon after waking that she wished to go out for a bit, shopping and what not- that was easy enough to come up with. She did need to though, so she couldn't not go, but still- she detoured around a bit to see if she could find InuYasha, though to no avail- her pleasant thoughts of him were quickly becoming annoyed. 'What is he avoiding me or something?! We haven't had a moment's peace while we were both conscious in a full day now!'
Sango, irritated at her failure, now decided that going shopping was ALL she was going to do- he could come home whenever the hell he felt like it then. About the time she was just thinking '..And next time, we can find his own blanket! See if I spend half the night freezing so you can get up and run off without me, on today of all days! What, is your year up?!' She thought, fuming more and more before she spotted him. He was at the market stalls, the trade of the village kept alive by traveling shopkeepers. "Wh-What're you doing here?" She asked, having evidently snuck up on him as he seemed to react rather harshly, nearly jumping away.
'What the hell is that reaction!?' She thought.
"What the hell are you trying to kill me?!" Said InuYasha- still wearing that odd outfit from Kagome's time. "Geez, try Hiraikotsu next time- it's a hell of a lot less damaging to my heart." He said, trying to calm down. However, as he acknowledged whom it was, he seemed to get tense again. "S-Sango?!" He said, as he quickly hid his hands in his sleeve. "Wh-what're you doing up? You looked exhausted this morning..." He said, looking at her suspiciously.
"You might be able to figure out why, if you'd been bothered to actually remain in the house for more than a few waking minutes!" She said, letting her anger get the better of him.
"Hey now, I ain't got to explain myself to you! I felt like it, so I went out!" InuYasha responded, being particularly uncomprimising on his stance in this case.
Sango immediately felt the gaze of others fall upon them, as she growled a bit. "We'll talk about this later- help me get some food for tonight." Said Sango, deciding to keep her attention on the shopkeeper, if only to avoid a fight in public.
Despite her words though, they could be heard arguing at every stall they visited, then laughing, then talking, Sango couldn't tell you how it happened, but she noticed a long time ago- no matter what it was, it didn't matter if they were at each other's throats, just a few minutes together, and it felt as if they were the only one's in each other's worlds- their conversations didn't have any ears other than theirs, no eyes to watch them, it was just them- if only until something distracted them from each other. By the time they had gotten back, despite each having one arm occupied with groceries, the other connected them together.
Sango was in a pleasant mood that day, despite the uncertainty she seemed to be constantly plagued by regarding her and InuYasha. It all boiled down to the fact that, though they both knew of the other's feelings, there was really nothing between them- didn't either of them ever say it, the greatest promises they shared was that InuYasha wouldn't leave- without telling her, and that Sango's home was his as well, meaning even if he left, he could return- but what did that boil down to? Meaning, he leaves and tells her, and comes back maybe? All those promises did was to ensure it played out differently than Miroku, but that wasn't what she wanted- she wanted it to remain, not just be the same story again. The more she thought about it, the more she felt her cheery mood slipping away, until she had successfully stirred up enough doubt to completely overshadow her confidence. '..Why can't I just say it to him.. Wouldn't it be easier than always hoping he can understand the silence...' She sighed, self loathing setting in.