The Perfect Christmas

A/N: First things first. I don’t know the full story of Hiei’s Hiroseki stone that was shed by his mother. I know the story of it up until the point of him exchanging it in return for the implantation of his Jagan, but after that, I have only rumors that he may have killed the guy to get it back, or something or other…so anyway, in this particular fic, he does not have possession of it, and doesn’t know where it is. On another note, this is a Kagome/Hiei ONE-SHOT. Hope you all enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don’t own Inuyasha or Yu Yu Hakusho. :: cry ::

The Perfect Christmas

A raven haired girl growled slightly in frustration as she exited yet another store at the mall. Nothing seemed to get her attention, and Keiko and Botan’s over cheery personalities were finally getting to her. She was looking for something for Hiei for Christmas, although the fire apparition didn’t seem to celebrate the ningen holiday, he said that he would attend the Christmas Eve party that the Reikai Tantei and their friends were planning on having, plus one Kagome, who fit in perfectly with their strange conglomerate of friends.

Kagome was flat out in love with Hiei, and had admitted it only to herself. This Christmas, she was going to give away something that had been bruised and shattered at one time, but now, four years later, she was going to trust him not to break her again. If he said he was someone who just wanted a friend, she could accept that, and she wouldn’t break like with Inuyasha. He had always been anti-social, but he had never degraded her like the hanyou had. He was polite, well, as polite as Hiei could be, and never saw her as someone else. Her Guardianship of the Shikon no Tama was just a job to him. Something that she was honor bound to do, but something that didn’t exactly define her. She was a ningen onna. Nothing more, nor less. Yes, she was a miko, but that too, was a genetical thing. There was nothing she could do to change it, so why worry about it?

The Rekai Tantei were exponentially strengthened when Kagome agreed to become part of their detective team, her purification powers being put to good use by protecting the Ningenkai. Genkai had taught her well to use her massive, wild power, and she took every opportunity to strengthen herself as much as possible, in order to be able to protect herself, should the occasion arise that she was alone and none of the team were around.

Kurama helped her with her powers manipulating plant energy, so if she should ever need certain herbs or healing plants and she didn’t have the means to collect them, she could sprout them out of the ground as needed. She was almost as good as him after three years of focused training on the side of her miko training and then, of course, was the training Hiei gave her. Surprising to everyone, the fire apparition agreed to teach her the way of the sword, and Kagome proved to be a fast learner. The moves were no problem, but her speed needed help. That was where the Taiyoukai, Sesshoumaru, came in.

Three years after she left the Senkoku Jidai for good, Kagome was confronted by the stoic lord she had come to deeply respect in the final undoing of Naraku. With the Taiyoukai’s help, she was able to purify the evil hanyou, and purify the complete Shikon no Tama once again. Her healing powers had somehow reached him, restoring his lost arm, thus, earning the respect of said Taiyoukai.

She was asked a very important question, one that perplexed her. He asked if she was willing to become part of his family. He has said that five-hundred years with her gone had done something to his perception of family, his brother honoring a promise that was truly broken when Kikyou died the first time, and Sesshoumaru losing said brother in the process had wounded the Taiyoukai more than he would have liked to admit.

His ward, Rin, had lived a long, healthy, ningen life, leaving the Taiyoukai alone for most of his years, save for his one, ever-faithful servant, Jaken. As the years passed, he realized that there was no one worthy to become his family ever again. He did not take a mate, but still, that didn’t mean he stopped searching.

At the time he first approached Kagome, the first thing she did was hug him, as one would a brother, and that was all it took for him to finally share some of his grief with her. She didn’t condemn him, nor scold him, nor turn him away. She comforted him, and offered her help in anyway she could. She was the same Kagome he had come to trust in and honor back in the Senkoku Jidai.

At his proposition, the girl didn’t hesitate to accept. She had her own worries at that time. She had become friends with the Rekai Tantei, and all of them would be living their lives long after her ningen life would end, and it was distressing to her. With this Kazoku Bond, she would have the lifespan of her ‘brother’, and she would also gain some of his characteristics. Decision made, the next day, they were officially family, and he couldn’t have been happier to finally have someone to go to when he needed contact other than his own staff. He is still on his search to this day, but it was not so frantic now, as he had someone to share time with, someone he was no longer afraid to lose.

Once the full effect of the bond was discovered, speed was no longer an issue, and now, Kagome could also call upon acid in her hands when needed. There was also a crescent shaped mark upon her forehead, identifying her as the Taiyoukai’s family.

When Kagome and Hiei trained, at first, she would have rather purified him than trained with him. He worked her hard, almost as hard as Genkai, and that was saying something. He expected perfection, and she, sorry to say, was not perfect. But she came damn close, and earned his respect from her hard work and dedication, something he had thought human’s lacked altogether, save for Kuwabara, and Shuuichi.

In that time, Kagome had learned much about Hiei, though he never really talked to her. It was more her miko powers leading her to find out things about the fire apparition, things he told no one. Upon their first encounter, Kagome knew he was an elemental, from there, she began to see just how isolated he made himself because of that. His birth heritage was held over him like a dark, abysmal looking cloud. Kagome saw that, and she tried her hardest to treat him as everyone else, which wasn’t hard, he seemed almost like Inuyasha, and that made things much easier to deal with.

After a couple of years, Kagome was told a very important secret by none other than Hiei himself. Sure, it was an accident that she was told, because she was about to confront Yukina about it, but the koorime stopped her. Hiei told her that Yukina was his twin sister, but that he was protecting her by not telling her. Somehow, Kagome understood, and kept the secret, but whether her advice at the time, or just the fact that she knew, Hiei let Yukina know his secret, and instead of turning him away, she embraced him, letting him know that no matter what happened, she loved him more than anything.

From then, Hiei spent his company with the young miko. Kagome knew that he felt comfortable around her, and was glad that he was there. She felt safe when he was around, even if he said nothing and was in and out of her life at times. She told him her story, the complete, unedited version from the one she told them all in the beginning, and he began to understand her more than before. He didn’t share anything with her, but that was okay to her. She knew that the past was hard to talk about; as she had her own troubles just talking about her own story to the koorime.

He did tell her of his parentage though, and for that, Kagome was very glad. Her time with him was treasured, and they, on occasion, shared ice cream together in the park, way after hours, so they could enjoy the sounds of nature, and the peacefulness of the atmosphere. They had a silent understanding with one another. Kagome spoke most of the time, and he listened, whether it be painful things, or happy things, or corny jokes, or even laughing over something stupid one of the others did, there was a comfortable relationship that had formed over the years. Kagome had gotten to Hiei in a way that not even Kurama had been able to do, and the rest of the team had noticed it, but they left it alone, leaving it be what it was, companionable friendship.

Coming back to the present, Kagome saw a jewelry store next to the weaponry store she had just exited and went to check it out. Something was calling to her power, yet she knew not what. Frowning, she saw a tiny blue orb in the display case, and she could automatically tell that it was special. Going inside the store, followed by Keiko and Botan, who instantly went to the wedding rings, she leaned over the glass, inspecting the stone further. It shown with a mystical light, and called to her almost on a subconscious level.

“Do you need any help, Miss?” a young woman with short brown hair asked, stepping in front of the young miko.

“That blue stone, may I look at it?” she asked, almost in a trance as the lady pulled it out and placed it on the counter for Kagome to look at it.

She stared in awe at it a moment before cautiously reaching out for it, apprehension finally coming forth as she recalled the Shikon. But as her fingers touched it, the worry left her entirely, as a warm, achy feeling came upon her. Time stopped as she heard a mother’s cry as a voice said, ‘You cannot keep him here! He will destroy us all! The forbidden child cannot stay here!’

Frowning, the fog in her mind swirled, showing a twin trail of glittering crystal go down a woman’s face, before solidifying into two orbs that looked like the one she was touching. Her eyes were drawn to an object in the woman’s hands, wrapped in cloth and sutras. She was walking to the edge of a snowy cliff, holding the bundle close. She reached out a hand and felt Hiei’s aura, although it was much weaker than his aura today.

Crying out, she watched as the child was thrown from the cliff, before she opened her eyes, looking into a pair of eyes that regarded her peculiarly. Shaking away the thoughts, she looked to the woman as she asked, “Are you okay, Miss? You are crying…”

Confusion came to Kagome’s face before she reached up a hand and was surprised to find tears trailing down her cheeks. Wiping them away, she smiled, nodding softly.

“A memory…sorry about that. I want this. I don’t care how much it is, I want it.” Kagome said, nodding firmly.

Smiling, the woman returned her nod and set it aside, in case Kagome wanted anything else. As she was looking she came upon a beautiful oval locket with orange and blue swirls on it. Smiling, she looked closer at it, Hiei coming to mind. Botan and Keiko came up, noticing their friend seemed much more relaxed than she had before. They knew what was about to go down at the party, and they couldn’t wait to see the outcome. Looking over her shoulder, they noticed her gaze and smiled. It was beautiful.

“Why don’t you get that, Kagome? It would look awesome on you.” Keiko suggested, looking at the locket again.

“I don’t have the money. I found something for Hiei, and I don’t have enough for both. It is pretty though, isn’t it?” she replied half heartedly, still entranced by the piece of jewelry.

Frowning, but understanding, Keiko and Botan both nodded, and followed her away to pay for the strange pendant she had found.

As they left, the girls ran into Kurama, who was with his mother shopping for last minute gifts. Kagome looked at her watch and sighed. “Guys, I gotta go. I still have to help Momma with decorating the shrine, and then there’s all these presents I have to wrap before the party. I’ll see you guys later, ne?” she smiled, glad now that she didn’t have to worry about a present for Hiei.

They said their good-byes and Kurama gave a little sigh. He was having shopping troubles of his own. “What’s wrong, Shuuichi?” his mother asked, her ever worrying nature coming out for her son.

“Nothing mother. It’s just that Kagome is so hard to shop for!”

Hearing their friend’s name, Keiko and Botan both laughed. “It isn’t that hard! She’s happy with anything! She’d rather have nothing at all and you at the party, than something meaningless to her and you not there.” Keiko said, smiling.

“Yeah, but I still want to get her something worthwhile, but I don’t know what she really likes. She hasn’t done anything these past few years except Eat, Sleep, Train, Go on Missions, and Graduate High School. I don’t know of any hobbies she really has, or anything. How do I shop for someone like her?” he protested, earning a fresh set of giggles from the girls at his whining. It was a new thing for him, but he looked even more cute for it.

“She was staring at that locket really hard though…” Botan brought up, perking up Kurama’s ears, figuratively speaking.

“What locket?” he asked, hope rising in him.

“It’s in there.” Keiko said, leading him back into the jewelry store to show him the shining item.

“It is beautiful, but I don’t know about jewelry. I mean, isn’t that something one would get a girlfriend?” Botan informed them, looking to Kurama as she spoke. She was in a relationship with Koenma, and had learned a thing or two about human relationships from Keiko.

“You are right, but if she wanted it…” he trailed off before shaking his head. He was back at ground zero.

Sighing, he turned and walked away, before the girls said, “Well, she likes the band Journey. Maybe you could get her a CD?”

Looking up with a smile on his face, he nodded. A CD was more like her anyway than a piece of jewelry.

“Which ones does she already have, or do you guys know?” He asked, before they were off and running, finishing their Christmas shopping as they talked about the upcoming party.

~*~

Hiei was in a tree, brooding, for not the first time since this ningen holiday season started. He was asked by Kagome to attend this party of hers, and he wasn’t so much worried about IT, as what would happen at the party. The others of the group had mentioned something about gift exchange, and he had studied other ningens and leaned that this Christmas holiday of theirs was based on a story of an old man in Germany, whose name was St. Klaus. He gave presents to children once a year, and the tradition spread to nearby countries, as word of his generosity spread. Soon, everyone was getting into it, and the holiday was created. Once a year, families would gather, exchange gifts, and enjoy the presence of family and friends.

So, he decided to get gifts for the others, as he knew they would do for him. Most important, was Yukina, whom he didn’t find hard to get her something. She was a kind spirit, and he found that a large stuffed animal would suffice for her, and it was something she would enjoy. He shopped for the others easily, looking at sales papers in Kurama’s house, and giving him the money to buy the things he chose. He even had the patience to wrap each of them and label them.

Kurama’s gift was bought by himself, but it was found in the Makai, so Kurama had no idea what it was.

The only person he was absolutely worrying over to buy for was Kagome, and there was only one reason for that, he cared about her, more than he cared about any other creature, and her opinion of him mattered deeply to him. She had an idea of what his past entailed, yet she never shied away from him, nor turned him away. If anything, she became closer to him because of his past, having some things in common with her. She knew what it was like for forbidden children in life, and she also knew what it was like to fight for your life everyday.

In their training sessions, she didn’t fight against his authority, and worked to her full potential for him, giving him something that only two other people had, her complete faith and trust. She believed in him with her entire being and trusted him with her very soul. That revelation shocked him one night, as her mind assaulted his without provocation. She was deep in sleep, but her soul had a mind of its own, and shared many things with him, one of which was that she was slowly falling in love with him, and was on the verge of sharing her heart with him.

That night had him in a state he had not been in a long while, fear. He was afraid of the relationship she would propose to him, more because he didn’t understand what a pure and innocent soul like her would want with someone like him…the forbidden child. After a few weeks more, though, the fear lessened. She never left him alone, and he often sought her out, if only to share the same air as her for awhile. She never bothered him, as other humans did, her scent didn’t bother him, and while she talked often, about many things, her voice was soothing, and when she was talking, that meant she was happy. He listened closely to the many things she shared with him, and learned more about her the more time he spent in her presence.

Eventually, she told him of her story, the un-cut version she hid from everyone. He felt honored to be allowed in to a more private section of her life, her past. Though he didn’t return the favor, she didn’t seem to mind, and he eased even more in her presence.

Now, now he was bothered because he realized that he didn’t know what to get her. She was so easily pleased that she would rather be in his company than have an object given to her and him gone. He knew this more than anything. She didn’t put worth on material things, instead, she put worth in friendships, and love, and life. Things that somehow, in her time with him, he had come to appreciate more.

So here he was, in a tree near the ningen mall, wondering what to get his little miko for Christmas.

That was where Kurama found him not more than four hours later, his shopping finally complete. The look on Hiei’s face was foreign to him. He was deep in contemplation, but he seemed on edge.

‘Hiei?’ he called mentally, taking a seat underneath the tree he resided in.

‘Fox.’ He regarded him a moment before returning to his thinking.

‘You okay?’ he asked, slight concern in his voice.

‘Nothing I can’t handle.’ He replied, still contemplating what to get for Kagome.

‘Sure?’

‘…’

‘I can help you, if you want. Did you need me to get something else from the mall for someone?’ he asked, thinking that would be the only reason for his unease. He knew that Hiei wasn’t really a people person, hell, he would rather fight in the Dark Tournament again than mingle with humans, the ones in their group being the exception.

‘…what did you end up getting Kagome for Christmas?’ he finally asked, getting the kitsune’s attention.

‘A CD…it’s Journey, and the girls told me that was her favorite band.’ He said off hand, wondering where this was going.

‘I see.’

Kurama waited, he knew that his friend was struggling with something, he only hoped that it wasn’t too important, or life-threatening.

‘I am having…difficulties…on what to get her. She isn’t the type to enjoy material things.’ He replied, keeping his voice neutral to what he was feeling.

The sly kitsune grinned mentally, and Youko’s mischievous nature came out full force in that moment.

“I know something she would like. The girl’s were showing it to me earlier. They said she rather was entranced by it.” He spoke, standing.

Confusion came to Hiei’s mind, but also a bit of hope. Maybe he could get her something after all that he knew she would enjoy.

‘You going to share your information, or what, Fox?’ he asked, a bit of irritation in his voice. He was sick of this holiday business already.

‘It was a locket. They said that she would have bought it, but she already had spent her limit today on everyone else’s gifts.’

That sounded like Kagome. Putting others before herself. That thought brought a tiny smile to his face.

‘Whatever the cost, I will buy it.’ Then he was standing beside Kurama, bringing a look of shock to the fox’s face.

‘What are you doing? I will go buy it for you…’

“I want to buy this one myself. Lead the way, Kitsune.” He said aloud, further shocking Kurama.

“Okay, whatever you say.”

“I do say, now lets go, before I lose what’s left of my patience.” He said, earning another look from Kurama. Hiei wasn’t know for being a patient creature, and for him to openly admit that this was taking patience to begin with made Kurama move a bit faster than normal.

They quickly went to the jewelry store, and Hiei was glad that no one else was there. He looked at the prices and knew why. Most of the items were rather pricey, something that most ningens couldn’t afford. He, on the other hand, had nothing to spend his salary on from Koenma, so it just accumulated, and he could easily buy half of the store without putting a dent into his savings.

Kurama led him to a display case and showed him the sparkling pendent, and he too, could appreciate its beauty. The swirls of orange and blue particularly caught his attention, and he could easily see the fascination Kagome would have with it. Nodding to himself, an old man came up and eyed him a moment before saying, “May I help you, young man?”

“I want that.” He said simply, pointing to the locket and nodding. The man pulled it out and let Hiei look it over a moment before he nodded again, saying, “I will take it. No matter the cost.” Then, noticing a bracelet of pink stones, he asked for it too.

After he paid, they walked out of the store quickly, Hiei now feeling better than before now that he had a gift worthy of Kagome. He pulled it out again and opened the locket, only to frown. There were pictures of ningens that he didn’t know it in. Ever so gently pulling out the set pictures, he tossed them away, only to look to Kurama again.

The fox watched with curiosity as his friend examined the locket, so he was startled slightly to hear Hiei’s question of, “Is it alright for me to put her picture in here?”

Nodding softly, Kurama added, “With lockets, it’s customary for the giver to put a picture of themselves in it, as well as a picture of the one who will receive it.”

Now Hiei understood the two sided picture holder. He looked to Kurama and asked, “Do you have a camera?”

As Kurama nodded, he then asked, “Do you have a picture of Kagome that I could use?”

The red head nodded again and lead him into his house, and pulled out a photo album. Hiei sifted through the many pictures of their team together and found one that he particularly liked of Kagome. She was smiling brightly, her eyes twinkling with happiness. He remembered that day. She had just become a sibling to the Taiyoukai of the Western Lands, Sesshoumaru, and she was celebrating with her new brother, and friends.

A tiny smile came to his face before he placed it to the side, still looking through the rest of the album. He was only disrupted when Kurama came up and gestured to his silver digital camera.
Hiei stood, and he walked over to the window, sitting on the ledge.

“Are you going to smile?” Kurama asked, putting the camera down from his eye for a moment.

Hiei just glared slightly at him before looking out the window a moment. He thought of Kagome, and his eyes softened. The sun was just setting behind him, and before he could stop himself, he turned to face Kurama again, this time, there was no objection to taking the picture. His face held so many wonderful emotions that the kitsune had never had the pleasure of seeing on his friend’s face, that he had a soft smile on his face even after the picture was long taken.

He printed it out from his digital printer port and measured the locket size to cut out the picture. He also nodded approvingly to the picture Hiei had chosen of Kagome to fill the other side of the locket as he cut that one out too to complete her gift.

Finally, it was ready, and they had nothing to do, but to wait for Christmas Eve to arrive.

~*~

Kagome sighed happily as she examined her handy work. The shrine looked amazing and she grinned when she watched her cat, Buyo, play with a low hanging ornament on the Christmas tree. Pulling out the ingredients for Egg Nog, she began her work anew, and started to prepare a small feast of snack foods for her party that was to happen in a couple of hours.

Her mind wandered to the past. She sighed deeply as she remembered her friends from beyond the well. ‘Sango and Miroku should be long married by now, and have lots and lots of kids…’ the young miko thought to herself, a tiny smile coming to her face. It had been over five years now since she left the Senkoku Jidai, and every year it seemed to get a little easier to get through the next one without breaking down at the thought of the past.

She arranged some crackers and a cheese ball on a holiday tray before washing her hands and continuing fixing up trays for her friends. As she finished, she washed what little dishes that were left from earlier in the morning, and her eyes wandered out the window to the Goshinboku. Sighing again slightly, she stared almost unseeingly at it, her mind conjuring the image of her first crush, an arrow through his heart, the wind playing with his silky, silver hair. But before her thoughts could get too far, she thought of Hiei, whom always seemed to be resting upon it’s branches and looking into her bedroom window. She knew when he was there, and his presence and just the thought of him comforted her like nothing ever before.

Smiling to herself, she headed on upstairs to finish getting ready.

~*~

Hiei walked with his sister and Kuwabara, hiding his growl at the orange haired ningen. The boy was constantly going after his sister, and the fire apparition was on the verge of knocking his brains out, but the look his sister gave to the ningen boy was one of love, and compassion. He would not ever hurt Kuwabara, because he would never hurt his sister. He found himself slowly accepting the fact that if she ever chose a mate, he would rather it be Kuwabara than anyone else. He knew that the boy would give his life to keep his sister safe, and there was nothing more that he could ask from her chosen mate.

Shaking the thoughts away, his hand subconsciously clutched around the small wrapped box in his pocket. His mind filled with images of his Kagome, her smiling face, her soft voice, and suddenly, he was assaulted by not-so-clean images of her, panting roughly and writhing beneath him.

Frowning slightly, he pushed the thoughts away. Just because she may have loved him, did not mean that she would even consider doing something of that nature with him. He was, after all, the forbidden child. He was lucky to be able to even be within two feet of her without being purified into oblivion.

Before he knew it, they were all standing at the front door of the Higurashi household, and Kuwabara rung the doorbell. Within moments, it was opened and Kagome’s happy squeal reached his ears.

“Come in guys! I have food over here, presents can go underneath the tree until we open them, and your coats and shoes can go over there.” She pointed, before hugging Yukina and Kuwabara quickly and saying, “I’m so glad you guys could come!” but when she said it, she was staring right at the fire apparition, making a slight tingling go through his body.

She smiled at him, and the feeling only intensified. He nodded barely to her, before taking off his boots and cloak and putting them up like everyone else.

He stood against a wall in the living room and a few minutes later, the doorbell could be heard again, this time, Kurama and Shizuru came in, arm in arm. “Heya, Kags.” the brown haired woman said, smiling firmly and holding out a sack of wrapped presents.

“Those can go under the tree for now. How are you guys doing?” she asked, and Kurama nodded, saying, “Much better now that I found something for you. You are one of the most difficult people I have ever shopped for!” he complained, his rich voice filled with mirth.

Kagome’s eyes went wide and she was slightly shocked before saying, “I would have rather not had anything and had you guys here than had something and you guys not be here.”

His laughter rang clear through the house, before it was added to by Keiko and Botan, who came up behind the fox and Shizuru. “That’s what we told him!” they said together, laughing as they came out of the cold, with Yusuke and Koenma in tow.

“Hi guys!” Kagome greeted them, before they were interrupted again by Jin, Touya, Rinku and Chu came up, Chu who was obviously under the influence, as usual.

“How do you do, Miss Kagome?” Jin said, his ever present smile plastered on his face. She nodded and said, “Fine, and you?”

“It’s been a long time since I’ve been to a party, but I do believe I will have a fine time.” He replied, winking to her, unintentionally stirring feelings of jealousy into Hiei, who had come to stand behind Kagome and was watching with hidden fury and curiosity.

“Hi, Rinku!” Kagome waved patting the child looking demon on the head, earning a blush from him.

“Aw, Kagome…do you have to do that?” he whined, earning laughter from everyone as she smiled softly.

“Touya.” She said softly, nodding to the quiet demon, who nodded back in turn. She knew he was like Hiei, and not a talker, and she respected that, and he respected her.

“Well, lets go inside and get this party started!!” she shouted out happily before leading her company into the house, showing them where the food and drinks were into which it was promptly delved into.

Kagome sat and watched her strange group of friends, a small frown coming to her face. She was missing someone, and that made her even more melancholy. Hiei noticed her slightly changed mood, and hesitantly put a hand on her own that was resting on her lap.

‘He will be here, do not worry.’ He said gently in her mind, earning himself a teardrop for his softly spoken words and a small smile.

‘Thank you, Hiei.’

Just as the words left her mind, the doorbell rang once more, and Kagome jumped up at the familiar aura. Everyone stopped eating as she rushed to the door, threatening to break it off of its hinges as she flung it open, her tears now flowing harder as she finally saw her brother.

“Sesshoumaru!” she shouted out in a whisper, as her throat turned dry. She flung her arms around the Taiyoukai, earning his soft soothing growl and his own arms around her. This is something he missed over the year. Seeing her, smelling her unique scent, and most of all, he wished to see her smile. He frowned at her tears, but understood her reason for them. She missed him very much, and he was amazed for not the first time at how personal and private she made him as soon as the Kazoku bond was made. It was like they truly were family, and that made him smile a little.

“It’s good to see you too, Kagome chan.” He said, earning a laugh and smile from said miko. “I missed you.” She said softly, hugging him tightly once more before letting him go. “Everyone else is in the kitchen.” She added, before dragging him by the hand to have the other empty seat beside her.

His eyes locked with Hiei’s and he noticed something that he hadn’t seen before in the small fire apparitions eye; compassion for Kagome. Frowning to himself, he studied Hiei a bit before Kagome stood and raised a glass of something she called Egg Nog. Sesshoumaru took a small sip and realized that he rather liked the taste, and gave his full attention to his sister.

“I’d like to propose a toast.” She started, earning looks from all of her friends and family.

“To my friends, who’ve helped me get through everything all these years, and teaching me to become stronger. Keiko and Botan, you’ve helped by being there for me, talking to me when I’ve needed someone to have fun with, and even when I just needed a shopping buddy. Koenma, for keeping me on task, and helping me deal with the past by keeping me in contact with these guys who are more dear to me than anything.” The girls smiled brightly, soft tears going down their faces, while Koenma blushed but nodded firmly.

“Kuwabara and Yusuke, you guys are like my personal bodyguards. You guys never let anything bad happen to me, and stand up for me under any circumstances.” They ‘feh’d’ but nodded to her none-the-less.

“Yukina, you have healed me and everyone else to the best of your ability and taught me how to help heal others with my power as well. Kurama, you taught me everything you knew about plants and their manipulation, and you guys, “ she looked to Jin, Touya, Rinku, and Chu, who sobered up at her look. “…you guys were always there to help us out…to help me out, whenever we needed the extra strength, and the extra companionship. I can’t thank you guys enough for everything you’ve done for us…for me.” They nodded softly to her, and even Touya gave her a small smile, his eyes softening from icy to a gentle glance.

She turned to Sesshoumaru, and then took his hand gently into hers, earning a look from the Taiyoukai. “To my family….You have been one of the most important people to me. Through everything, even with Naraku, in the end, I knew that I could count on you for anything I would need or want. When I became your sister, it was the happiest day of my entire life, and for that…I can’t express how much I…” she began to cry softly as she whispered out, “I love you. You are the best brother a girl could ever ask for, Sesshoumaru.” She hugged him quickly, and suddenly, a warm, pink light engulfed the group, letting her pure love reach each of them, sending warm and fuzzy feelings through them, and letting them all know just how much she appreciated each of them.

Then, she reached out mentally for Hiei, caressing him softly and letting him know that she meant him too.

“And to my friends in the past. I hope they are as happy as I right now.” She said, raising her glass and the guys shouted out, “Here, here!” while the girls laughed and nodded.

“She wiped away her tears and grinned brightly, saying, “Who wants to open presents?”

A resounding, “Yeah!” went around the table, and they headed into the living room to the tree which was stuffed past the brim with presents for everyone.

Handing them out one at a time, Koenma started out, getting a new stamper from Botan, a new stationary set from Yusuke and Keiko, a new sweater from Kuwabara, a handmade scarf from Yukina, among other things.

Kurama was surprised to get a large collection of rare herbs from the Makai from Hiei, and gave his thanks, while getting an expensive looking hair kit from Kagome, and a gift of condoms from Shizuru, which had nearly everyone in tears with laughter and a light blush upon the kitsune’s cheeks.

Kuwabara received a very elaborate knitted blanket from Yukina, a poker set from Shizuru (she said he needed the practice, which earned more laughter and an indignant shout of “HEY” from the boy) and a gift card for PetSmart from Kagome.

Yusuke was rendered speechless when he opened the envelope from Kagome and found a pair of tickets to Rumble Mania 18 that was to take place at the Tokyo Dome later on in the year. “How did you get these?! I tried forever to get tickets!” he exclaimed, earning a smile from Kagome as she said, “So you like them?”

“Hell yeah! Thanks Kagome!” he shouted, earning a small blush from the girl and a nod of “You’re welcome.”

Hiei unwrapped his presents and got an assortment of meaningless things, except for a new katana from Kurama, and a new cloak from Yusuke. He opened Kagome’s gift, and felt holy energy coming from the strips of cloth inside.

“It’s new bandages, for your arm. I saw the ones you have are kind of worn, and I wanted to get you something useful.” Kagome elaborated, before saying mentally, hoping he would get the message, ‘I have something else for you, but I would rather give it to you in private.’

He looked to her and nodded before replying, ‘As do I.’

Then, everyone was looking to Kagome, who was confused at first. “You’re the only one left. C’mon girl, open up your presents!” Botan shouted, grinning at the young miko.

“Okay, okay…” she said, rolling her eyes as she picked up her first gift. It was from Yukina, and it was a handmade kimono that was made with fabric with snowflakes upon it. Standing up and modeling it, she thanked the girl before opening Kuwabara’s gift, to find a new miko outfit. “Yukina helped me pick it out.” He smiled fondly to the koorime and Kagome gave her thanks again.

She went around opening her gifts, loving her CD from Kurama, and the set of rosaries from Koenma, and finally she came to Hiei’s gift. She swallowed a nervous lump in her throat, as she unwrapped the small gift and couldn’t contain the small gasp as she examined the pink stones that glittered so gently at her.

Everyone nodded approvingly to the gift before Kagome put it on, examining it as she smiled to the fire apparition, her thanks making those strange feelings come back to him.

Then, everyone sang Christmas carols together, laughing merrily and enjoying the moment. Kagome put on “It’s a Wonderful Life” and everyone sat together and watched, while Kagome slipped away to clean up somewhat in the kitchen.

Watching as Kagome left, Hiei also melded with the shadows and went to the kitchen, watching as even now, as her friends were relaxing, she was still working to make everything perfect for them.

Kagome felt his presence as he entered the kitchen and smiled, saying, “What’s wrong? Did you need something?”

“Hn.” He replied, shaking his head ‘no’ to her.

She turned around and he felt something give once more within himself at her soft smile. “I might as well give you your other present now.” She said, walking over to a cupboard and retrieving a small box much like her present was in.

A confused look came to his face, before he felt a strangely familiar energy come from the box. “Open it…I hope it’s what I think it is…as soon as I saw it…touched it…I thought of you…I…saw…you.” She said gently, as he unwrapped it only to be shocked at what he revealed.

“You…how did you…” he looked to her, his eyes glowing with so many emotions it almost overloaded her.

“I saw it in the jewelry shop. I touched it, and saw a memory from long ago…a memory of your mother, I think.” Kagome didn’t elaborate, and she didn’t need to. He understood, and yet, she didn’t condemn him for it, as many others had done. Instead, she walked up to him and hugged him gently, offering her comfort once more to him, while he tried to calm his blood beast, who was now stirring rather madly as he came in contact with the female he had become close to.

“I have something else for you, Kagome.” He said, pulling out the small box, earning a confused look from the miko.

“You didn’t have to, you know. This bracelet was enough…you being here tonight was enough.” She nodded, smiling. He gestured back to the box, and Kagome opened it slowly, and as she clicked up the lid, she gasped silently, her hand trembling slightly over the very locket that had entranced her so much earlier in the day.

“How did you know? Oh, Hiei…” she whispered out before he said, “Open it.”

She looked back into his crimson eyes and nodded before her fingernail slipped through the small space opening the locket to reveal his picture and hers. If there was anything he was expecting, it wasn’t the reaction he got. Tears poured out of her eyes, and he thought that she was unhappy with it, making him upset slightly, before she flung her arms around the fire apparition, shocking him. “Hiei!” she choked out, holding onto him tightly.

After a few moments, he asked, “Do you like it?”

She pulled back slightly before looking into his eyes again, and he saw the love that swam beneath her sapphire eyes. “I love it, Hiei. Thank you so much.” She whispered out before she looked up, a small blush and smile coming to her face.

He followed her gaze and noticed a strange plant hanging above them in the doorway.

“Do you know what that is, Hiei?” she asked, while he felt her heartbeat picking up speed.

“No.” he answered, a bit of apprehension coming to him.

“That’s mistletoe. It’s tradition that if two people stand beneath the mistletoe together, they have to…” she paused before he questioned, “They have to do what?”

“They have to…kiss.” She whispered, blushing even more.

He paused, and his own heartbeat responded in kind to her nearness, and the concept of being able to kiss the girl in his arms. He smirked slightly before looking back to the mistletoe, and then her.

“Well then…who are we to mess with tradition?” he whispered back, before leaning down and capturing her lips with his own.

As they pulled back slightly, something caught Kagome’s eye. She looked over to the window and saw something that made her smile. There was a gentle snow falling, and she went out to touch it as it fell. She stood in the middle of the yard, spinning around softly before being caught in someone’s arms.

She turned and smiled at Hiei, kissing him softly again, before she said something that made the fire apparition warm and very happy.

“I love you, Hiei.”

~*~

A/N: Merri Kurisumasu, Minna San!! Sorry there’s no lemon, but it just didn’t seem to fit with this story. I know it’s fluffy, but I felt in the fluffy mood. ^^; Hope you guys enjoyed it! Please R/R!