A Tale For The Holidays

Holly Jolly Christmas

Have a holly jolly Christmas
It's the best time of the year
I don't know if there'll be snow
But have a cup of cheer

Have a holly jolly Christmas
And when you walk down the street
Say hello to friends you know
and everyone you meet

Oh, the mistletoe hung where you can see
Somebody waits for you, kiss her once for me

Have a holly jolly Christmas
And in case you didn't here,
Oh, by golly have a holly jolly Christmas this year!

Have a holly jolly Christmas
It's the best time of the year

Have a holly jolly Christmas
And when you walk down the street,
Say hello to friends you know
and everyone you meet.

Oh, the mistletoe hung where you can see
Somebody waits for you, kiss her once for me!

Have a holly jolly Christmas
And in case you didn't here,
Oh, by golly have a holly jolly Christmas this year!

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Kagome waited at the castle for two days for her Otto and his Ani to return to the castle. While she had been waiting she worked on Christmas decorations to brighten up the rather dreary castle. The servants watched her and finally asked Kagome what she was doing since none of them had seen such long ropes of cranberries, which is what she asked for, before and soon Kagome started explaining about Christmas and the importance of this holiday to her mortal family.

The demon servants were fascinated by the tiny human woman although some were not pleased that she would be staying there until the tiny mortal had thanked them for the things that they would do around the castle. No one thanked servants, but this little woman did.

Kagome taught the servants how to make paper snowflakes that would be hung in between the cranberry strands that would be looped about the outside of the castle along with tied evergreen branches that contrasted with the bright red berries.

By the time Kagome was done decorating the castle there was a bit more liveliness and a feeling of joy amongst the castle staff. Types of fruitcakes with real fruit were prepared and kept for the arrival of their Lords all hoping that Lord Sesshoumaru would approve of the things Lady Kagome was teaching them.

Kagome also spent time embroidering silks so that she would have a nice new obi made for her husband and another one for Sesshoumaru although Kagome wasn’t certain if the demon would appreciate her attempt at embroidering a red eyed demon dog on white silk that looked very much like Sesshoumaru in his demon form.

Soon there was the sound of cold air pushing through the barrier around the castle as Sesshoumaru arrived with his Otouto and Rin on each side of him as he embraced Inuyasha and had Rin take a hold of his arm.

Aun came into the barrier with Kohaku shortly afterwards. He looked very cold and very nervous now that they were back home.

As they landed Sesshoumaru looked at the decorations that were now upon the main portion of the castle. He whole heartedly approved after seeing Inuyasha smile at the hard work his Tsuma had been doing to make the castle seem more like home rather than this imposing object of coldness that suited his Ani.

“It seems your Lady Tsuma has been keeping herself occupied Otouto.”

Sesshoumaru stated with a slight smile to his lips.

“I just hope Kagome was not putting up these things by herself.”

Inuyasha grumbled since he did not want his Tsuma to be harmed in any way especially after the fact that she had just bore him a pup.

“I doubt she did this alone Inuyasha. My servants know better than to allow my guests to do too much on their own and I doubt your Kagome would be able to reach such heights since my castle is not small by any means.’
“Rin…..”

Sesshoumaru looked down at his ward.

“You will go inside and assist Lady Kagome with whatever is needed to be done while I talk to your future mate. You are to have no contact with Kohaku until I advise such is that understood young Lady?”

Rin nodded as she went inside, but did not leave without casting a worried glance at Kohaku who was just getting off of Aun and allowing the stable master to take Aun’s reigns.

“Inuyasha, go inside ahead of me. I need to have a word with this boy.”

Inuyasha nodded and looked forward to seeing his Tsuma, but was a bit nervous also since he needed to tell Kagome that he was now mated to Sesshoumaru. He also needed to convince Kagome to allow him to bite her so that she would share their long life since he did not wish for Kagome to die before their children. All children needed a Mother and the last thing that Inuyasha wanted was for his pups to watch Kagome wither away like normal humans.

Pulling Kohaku aside Sesshoumaru stared down at the young man.

“You will not be touching my Rin again until you prove yourself to be worthy of her affections. You still have not trained Kohaku and although you have a small amount of wealth you have not invested it in order to provide the kind of life that my Rin will require. As I stated before, you will be building a castle for her even if it is in the slayer’s village and you will learn the requirements of a Lord. I will not settle for less for Rin.’
“Tonight instead of the guest room you have been provided you will sleep in the barracks with the men and learn all you can from my soldiers. Your training will start immediately after dinner tonight. Now go before I change my mind and put you on kitchen detail.”

Kohaku nodded and headed towards the barracks as Sesshoumaru sent one of his guards with the young man to insure Kohaku would not lose his way.

Sesshoumaru sighed knowing Kohaku would have things rough for a time, but it was best for the boy to learn to become a man and Sesshoumaru had indeed had the same treatment when his Father was alive.

Going inside the castle, Sesshoumaru was greeted by rings of evergreen wreaths with some small snowflakes created as well as the berries making the inside just as festive as the outside. There was also a rather large tree in the center of the room which had more garlands of berries, some of the snowflake designs, some kind of glass round baubles, and small tea light candles attached to it with the magical blue flames that would not burn the tree making it bright and cheery.

The tree was planted into a round hole that was cut into the floor so that it would not dry out and die so that perhaps this Christmas thing would be celebrated for another year.

Finding Kagome and Inuyasha in one of the small rooms, Inuyasha was talking to his wife about his two days in the cave.

“Kagome I know this was fast, but I probably wouldn’t have had the nerve to do anything with Sesshoumaru if I had hesitated.”

Kagome frowned a bit.

“I just kind of hoped you would allow me to witness. You know that although I think Sesshoumaru would never take me as a mate I still wanted to see you so I could understand this mating thing. I can see your mating mark so I wonder if I will have one. I am just a bit disappointed is all.”

Sesshoumaru was surprised that Kagome was so understanding and at the same time curious about what will be his new relationship with Inuyasha. Perhaps he was wrong about the human woman although he knew he would not ever consider her a mate. He himself enjoyed the gentle touches of a woman, but would be satisfied to watch Inuyasha with his female.

“I am sorry Kagome. I didn’t mean to upset you like this.”

Kagome sighed and patted her Otto’s hand.

“It is fine. I am not mad. I now wonder though what our sleeping arrangements will be like since I do not want to play bed tag with the both of you.”

Sesshoumaru stepped into the room at that moment.

“We will be using my room Kagome. It would be foolish to do anything except this.”

Sesshoumaru stated as he walked into the room.

Inuyasha smiled as Sesshoumaru took a seat watching Kagome string more of the berries onto another long thread of string and added a snowflake after so many berries were put in place making things uniform. Looking at what had to be a large amount of his scrolls Sesshoumaru would indeed have to order more from the marketplace.

“I have some colored seals if you wish to use them to decorate the castle Kagome. You colored the decorations at the village with colored wax did you not?”

Sesshoumaru asked politely.

“Thank you Sesshoumaru. I would like to make some colored decorations for the tree if you do not mind.”

Kagome stated softly pleased that Sesshoumaru had changed so much around her. She really hoped eventually he would see her as an Imouto (younger sister) since she already saw him as an Ani.

“No, I think it has brightened this old castle and it could use some color. You will have to explain this Christmas Holiday to me.”

Kagome smiled.

“Well I was hoping you would come to Kaede’s village and allow us to go since Miroku is the best one for explaining this Holiday. I will tell you that there is a gift exchange where everyone makes or buys presents to give to one another.’
“This Holiday is mainly about giving, hope, and sharing time with family and friends. It is based on Christian belief’s which Miroku can explain, but Christmas is celebrated around the world from where I come from. It is slowly becoming very popular in Japan.”

Sesshoumaru in all honesty did not really know about sharing or gift giving. He had never done such before except with Rin. However, with Rin it was more along the lines of giving her what she needed since she was his responsibility and insuring she was still recognized as belonging to him.

“We can go to the village if you are certain that the monk knows this Christmas thing best.”

Sesshoumaru stated with made Inuyasha and Kagome smile.

“Miroku read my books about Christmas. He practically memorized them and has become the fountain of knowledge itself since I do not recall everything that was in those books. I had to take them back to my home and I can never retrieve them again.”

Inuyasha held Kagome’s hand as she looked a bit sad that she couldn’t share this Holiday or the birth of their child with her Haha, Sofu (Grandfather), and Otouto.

“Kagome I think it is ok to tell my Ani where you are from.”

Sesshoumaru sat curious wondering why she couldn’t go back to her family and perhaps this would explain her odd ways as well as that very revealing clothing she wore in his time for all those years.

“Sesshoumaru, I am from the future. The bone eater’s well is a portal from my time 500 years into the future to here during the warring states era.’
“However, both Inuyasha and I have come to the conclusion that this place we are in now is another earth since there are no demons in my era so therefore that portal is what one would call a wormhole that moves between space and time. My world is what this world may become except instead of mainly humans treading here, the demons will live on and rule over them unless something drastic changes this course in time.’
“I do believe that this portal will allow only certain individuals with power are able to travel through the well although to be honest we have not tried to go back since the well itself is now sealed from us.’
“We also believe that the well’s power comes directly from my miko powers although for a time we thought it might be because of the jewel of four souls. I believe since my miko powers are created through the many priestesses before me that they are somehow connected to the well as well as the Kaede’s village since it is near the tree of life which has powers also. Now that the jewel is gone forever I believe my power has waned a bit and is thus the reason I cannot travel back home”

Sesshoumaru did not know what to say. He didn’t understand some of the things Kagome talked about, but got the gist of what she was trying to say.

“I see.”

Sesshoumaru stated softly as he tried to grasp this concept. Perhaps he was wrong about Kagome and indeed she would make a suitable mate. With her knowledge and strong miko powers his offspring would be as strong as Inuyasha if not more so.

“Tell me more about this future place.”

Inuyasha explained much of what he had seen and done over in Kagome’s world since he knew that Sesshoumaru was intelligent, but unfortunately was ignorant to many of the things that Kagome knew and he did not wish to confuse his Ani. It was best to leave some of the things out since without Kagome’s books it was hard enough for one to believe these things without seeing them first hand.

Kagome filled in some of the blanks and when they were done Sesshoumaru found himself pouting since he was supposed to be the most knowledgeable person alive in his kingdom and it would not do to know less than his Otouto and Kagome.

“Have either of you tried the well since Kagome’s return?”

Both Inuyasha and Kagome shook their heads no.

“We didn’t want to disrupt time itself again and both of us were unsure if we went back to Kagome’s home if it would cause a rift in space and time itself if we are wrong about the wormhole theory.”

Sesshoumaru nodded in understanding.

“You would not happen to have any of your books here Kagome?”

Kagome shook her head no.

“The last time I came through the well I did not even bring back my yellow backpack with supplies. I just made the decision after telling my Haha goodbye to come back home since my heart belongs to Inuyasha and that is where I wanted to be.’

Sesshoumaru listened to what Kagome stated about the three years she had been gone going to further her education and the inability to travel through the well. It was a miracle that she made it back to this time.

“Perhaps, after your Holiday, we could try the well again. I would like to see this place that you come from and I would like to see this for my own eyes since this information you have given me I can only trust your words. It is best that I see this place you speak of although it does explain some of the odd things that I have wondered about you Kagome.”

Sesshoumaru stated contemplating everything that he just learned. It was a lot of information.

“So will you come to the village with us to hear all about Christmas and its story?”

Inuyasha asked his Ani.

“I will do so.”

Sesshoumaru stated softly before excusing himself from the two. If this was all true Sesshoumaru would insist on mating Kagome. She would be a valuable asset in his life and this way there would be no arguments about who got to spend time with who when it came to the sleeping arrangements. It would also make things less complicated although Sesshoumaru was not certain he wanted to have intercourse with the human miko. However it was indeed unnecessary for Sesshoumaru to actually have sex with the girl even if she was beautiful. Sesshoumaru did not want to be like Chichi in that respect.

Inuyasha smiled at Kagome as he held her hand and ordered the servants to bring Fuyuki so that he could hold his little boy with no interruptions this time.