InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Dancing with Scissors ❯ Giving Thanks and Obvious Culmination ( Chapter 28 )

Rose Taisho held up two fabric samples, unable to choose between saffron satin and crimson velvet. “I'm just not sure. Yellow is cheerier, but this red is so lush and vibrant. Either will influence the overall effect.” She laid them next to the already chosen colors for the background—a variety deep, dark purples and blues. “What do you think, dear? I'm leaning toward the yellow.”

 

Mrs. Taisho, the Chair of the Endowment and Gifts Committee of the city's Children's Hospital, had decided to commission a piece of art for the main waiting room honoring the memory of her late son and daughter-in-law. She could think of no one to whom better to grant the commission than Kagome. After clearing the necessary hurdles regarding project approval, she was now surrounded by fabric swatches, making the last choices for the beautiful wall hanging that Kagome had designed. It was a scene of a child-like figure astride a whimsical Pegasus flying through a starry night sky, and the only question remaining was the color of the contrasting accents.

 

Kagome nodded. “The yellow is happier. I'd say, since it's going to be seen primarily by sick kids and their worried parents, yellow is the way to go.” Typically she hated when clients tried to micromanage details, but the older woman had a shrewd eye for color, and Kagome enjoyed the time spent with her pouring. While having coffee together earlier that week, Kagome confided to Mrs. Taisho about the paralyzing depression she fought after her attack, giving the two women a link that went beyond their love for Inuyasha and Rin.

 

“Good. It's settled. And I believe we agreed on three thousand dollars.”

 

Kagome blushed and shook her head. “Mrs. Taisho, I can't accept that—”

 

Mrs. Taisho silenced her protest with a dismissive wave of her hand. “With the success of your show, you are making quite a name for yourself, and you need to stop undervaluing your work.” She glanced at her watch. “I must be off. Library board meeting.”

 

“Thank you for having tea with me,” Kagome said as they walked to the door.

 

“Oh, Kagome, there's a favor I need to ask. Every year we go to the Hideoshi's for Thanksgiving. I received the invitation in the mail this morning, and Rin's name is on it. I understand you must have your own traditions, but it would mean so much to Ken and me if you would allow us to bring Rin.” Mrs. Taisho hated asking. She didn't want to split Rin and her aunt up and prayed Kagome had someone with whom to spend the holiday. The invitation specifically named Ken, Rose, Sesshoumaru, and Rin Taisho, and it would be the height of rudeness to bring an uninvited guest. She, of course, didn't expect her friends to realize how much a part of the family Kagome had become.

 

“Oh. Oh…that's fine.” Kagome hoped she recovered well enough to hide her disappointment. She had been planning on asking the three Taishos to the guest house for Thanksgiving dinner. “Rin will enjoy that. I'm having Sango and Miroku over, so I won't be lonely. But will you come over here later, for dessert?”

 

Mrs. Taisho squeezed Kagome's hand in thanks. Kagome had never been anything but gracious and accommodating in allowing access to Rin, and she felt a prick of guilt for ever trying to get custody of the girl. “That sounds lovely, darling.”

 

“What time should I have her ready?”

 

“Cocktails are at three, so we will come for her at two thirty.” She kissed her cheek. “Thank you, Kagome. This means so much.”

 

Kagome closed the door and tried to think of something other than her heavy heart. Thanksgiving was a week and a half away. She had already planned on making Rin a pretty, frou-frou holiday dress for Christmas festivities, but now perhaps she would make it early. One couldn't attend a high-society function without appropriate attire.

 

XxXxX

 

Kagome was basting the turkey when she heard a knock at the door. Expecting the Taishos, she called, “Rin Baby, let your grandparents in!”

 

A moment later she heard Rin squeal, “Sango! Miroku! Look at my new dress! Do I look like a Sugar Plum fairy?”

 

Kagome laughed out loud. She had gotten tickets to Nutcracker for her, Rin, and Sango, and after showing Rin some YouTube clips of the ballet, the child became moderately obsessed with the story and costumes. The holiday frock she made had a riotous skirt made of pink and purple tulle with a matching sleeveless velvet bodice. Rin, with the dress and her unruly black hair tied back with silk roses, looked sweet enough to induce a diabetic coma.

 

Kagome quickly shut the oven door and went to greet her guests. “I wasn't expecting you this early, but I am so glad you're here. Happy Thanksgiving!” She entered the living room to see Rin twirling about to show off her new dress, as the wagging dog stood out of her way. Sango and Miroku watched and held each other, teary-eyed. “Are you two okay?” Kagome asked.

 

“We're fine,” Miroku said, hugging her. “Rin is…adorable.”

 

“Yes, she is.” Kagome looked suspiciously at Sango, who was close to crying. “What?”

 

“Nothing. Happy Thanksgiving, Kagome.”

 

The two women embraced tightly. “You too. I'm trying out a couple new recipes, so I hope you don't mind being my guinea pigs.”

 

“It smells incredible,” Miroku said. “Starving. I haven't eaten yet today, and suddenly the deprivation all seems worth it. I'm going to put this,” he held up a bottle of white wine, “in the cooler.”

 

“You stay away from that turkey,” Kagome yelled as he went into the kitchen. “It's got an hour to cook…you'll get worms!”

 

A moment later there was another knock, and Mr. and Mrs. Taisho entered and exchanged Thanksgiving greetings with Kagome and Sango. Rin launched herself at them, capably caught by Mr. Taisho.

 

“Are you ready, young lady?”

 

Rin nodded enthusiastically, then looked behind him. Someone was missing. “Where's my Uncle?”

 

“He's meeting us at the Hideoshi's. He had some work to do today.”

 

Rin scrunched up her face. “He works too much.”

 

“You'll hear no argument from me, my dear,” Mrs. Taisho said with a kiss to Rin's cheek and a barbed glance at her husband. “Are we still welcome back for dessert?” she asked Kagome.

 

“Yes, of course,” Kagome answered. “I made a Praline Pumpkin Cheesecake last night.” She looked at Mr. Taisho, who she knew was on a low-fat diet because of his past heart attack. “A sliver won't hurt,” she said, winking slyly. The wink was returned with conspiratorial agreement. “We are eating, if my meticulous planning pays out, at four thirty, so I was thinking coffee and dessert around six thirty or sevenish? Does that work out?”

 

“Perfectly,” Rose replied. “We will see you then.”

 

Rin reached for Kagome and gave her a long hug, whispering, “I love you, Kagome. We'll be back soon, and I'll make sure Uncle Sesshoumaru comes too. I promise.”

 

Kagome got a lump in her throat watching them leave. “I need to start peeling potatoes.”

 

Sango followed Kagome into the kitchen, where they found Miroku peeking into saucepans on the stove. Kagome scolded and swatted his hands away, then dug a sack of Yukon Golds from the lower recesses of the pantry.

 

“What can I do to help?” Sango asked.

 

“Do you have any objections to chopping walnuts?”

 

Miroku recognized his wife's Give Us a Few Minutes Alone look. Kagome had never been shy about discussing intimate matters in front of him, but Sango wanted to speak to her privately and see how she was handling Thanksgiving without Kikyou and Inuyasha before they shared their news. “I'm going to watch football,” he said, kissing the two women.

 

“How are you, Kagome?” Sango asked. “I know the holidays can be a difficult time for those separated from loved ones.”

 

“I'm fine,” Kagome said with a confidence she didn't feel. “Kikyou and I tended to rely on each other when we were missing our parents...makes it even weirder not to have her and Inuyasha here. I'm sad, but determined to have fun today.” She measured out some nuts and gave Sango a knife and cutting board. “I told Rin some stories about Thanksgivings past this morning. Funny stories that made us both laugh and cry, but it felt good. Cathartic.”

 

“Feel like telling them again?”

 

Kagome smiled. “Just all the little things. Keeping Inuyasha from getting into the turkey before it was done. My first attempt at mashed potatoes and the results that resembled wallpaper paste…and didn't taste much better. Two years ago the discovery that the bird was still frozen inside and the hectic, last minute defrosting. The pie forgotten in the oven that burned to a crisp and Inuyasha's trying to cover up the acrid taste with whipped cream. The first year Kikyou was nursing Rin and decided she would eat meat and ordered a turkey from a local farm. It came fresh with the feathers still attached.” Kagome laughed at the memory of her sister's horrified face. Rin had been most charmed by this particular anecdote. “By the time she was done plucking she said she'd never, ever eat meat again. I thought about having a Tofurkey on the table for old time's sake, but it seems like a waste—not even the dog will eat it.” She looked at Sango gratefully. “I'm so blessed to have you guys with me. Thanks for coming over.”

 

“We wouldn't have missed it,” Sango said. “My parents are on a cruise, Kohaku is with his girlfriend, and we're grateful that you asked us over. How else are things?”

 

“Okay.” She paused. “Sad about the Taishos and Rin,” she admitted. “We've been doing some stuff together the last couple weeks. I know they aren't my family, but I guess I kinda started to think of them that way. Having them go elsewhere with Rin…just gives me the unwanted feeling of being an outsider.” She sighed. “It's good to talk about this. I guess it's been at the back of my mind more than I realized.”

 

Sango put her arm around Kagome's shoulders. “I'm sure if they didn't have this annual engagement, they would have been happy to be here.”

 

“I know. But it doesn't make it hurt any less. And it leaves me torn between wanting to keep spending time with them, getting closer, and pulling away so I don't put my feelings any more on the line.”

 

“Kagome, every time we make new friends, we are taking chances. You are an affectionate, loving person; it isn't in your nature to be reserved. Relax, sweetie.”

 

Kagome nodded. “You're right. I just can't shake this feeling that I'm…flailing around without a clue. I don't want to lose the old traditions I had with Kikyou and Inuyasha, but I also didn't want to get stuck trying in vain to recreate something I'll never have again. Hence the new recipes added to the tried and true. I hope I'm doing the right things.”

 

Sango kissed Kagome's cheek. “My two cents? You are adjusting to this wonderfully. It's difficult and may get worse, but you're doing everything right. I'd be worried if you were holed up, afraid to face the world, but here you are, entertaining, letting Rin go for the day. And you aren't ignoring your sadness; you're looking at it, feeling it, and moving forward. You are strong, Kagome.”

 

Kagome quickly swiped at her eyes. “Shit. I refuse to do this self-pity thing.” She straightened and smiled, resolute. “No whining.”

 

“Talking to a friend isn't whining,” Sango reminded her gently.

 

Kagome smiled with a mischievous glint in her eye. “Is it whining to boo-hoo about how much weight I must have gained in the past two days making cheesecake and side dishes?”

 

Sango looked at Kagome's willowy figure and thought about weight gain. She snapped her friend's butt with a tea towel. “Don't be an idiot.”

 

They continued to chop and peel, washing dishes and wiping the counter as they went along. The mother lode of gossip was mined, namely the skyrocketing price tag of Kouga and Ayame's upcoming nuptials. Eventually the prep work was finished, so they made a pot of tea and joined Miroku. They chatted and laughed, further debating the value of a to-die-for wedding versus a down payment on a house and wondering what had happened to Kouga's normally firm grasp on frugality. Kagome began to ease into acceptance of her new normal—hanging out with her friends was familiar territory, though she had no idea why they seemed so interested in Rin's baby book.

 

There was something else that Sango wanted to ask Kagome about, but felt it best to not push too much and hoped Kagome would spill it on her own. Eventually her curiosity overcame her patience. “Has Sesshoumaru asked you out again?”

 

She shook her head nonchalantly. “I don't think he's interested in me that way anymore.”

 

“Why do you think that?” Miroku asked. “It's not like he's a monk anything.”

 

“It's been almost three weeks since our aborted date, and he hasn't said a word. I guess that night scared him off. Can't blame him. I wouldn't want to deal with someone so high maintenance.”

 

“You're not high maintenance,” Miroku scoffed. “Kagome, you're so easy to deal with, you're practically a guy.” He shrank from the dirty looks the implied sexism of his inadvertent comment brought out.

 

Sango rolled her eyes, not sure with whom she was more irritated. “I refuse to believe that he's no longer interested,” she said, exasperated at what she thought was Kagome's deliberate obtuseness. “He's probably just being respectful, giving you space considering what you've been through.”

 

“I agree,” Miroku said. “He seems like an honorable man. Maybe he's waiting for you to give him a signal that you aren't so emotionally vulnerable.”

 

“Maybe.” Kagome frowned at hearing herself called emotionally vulnerable. She couldn't abide the thought of Sesshoumaru pitying her. “It's just as well. We are becoming close friends and that's more important to me than scoring a date with the city's most eligible bachelor.”

 

“You could always ask him out,” Sango said.

 

Kagome gave her a patronizing Duh look. “I know that. But the amount of courage I'd have to summon to be the one to ask him…if he turned me down, after all the feelings and insecurities this Thanksgiving has dredged up, I don't think I'd handle it well. I'm good with the status quo. I know I need to take chances. I do.” She raised her hand to silence the inevitable lecture. “But right now, I'm playing safe.”

 

Sango smiled softly. “I don't blame you a bit. My only request is that if he surprises you and asks you out again, don't shut him out.” She was confident Sesshoumaru had not yet given up on Kagome.

 

“I promise…if he asks me out again, I will be most receptive,” Kagome said.

 

Miroku and Sango traded discreet looks, silently communicating, but before either had a chance to say anything, Kagome excused herself to check on the food.

 

XxXxX

 

Sesshoumaru finished his cocktail and politely turned down the tuxedoed server who offered him a selection from an appetizer tray. He knew it meant a lot to his mother, considering the amount he and his father worked, for them to be together every Thanksgiving, but the Hideoshi mansion was literally the last place he wanted to be. He had only seen Kagome in passing the last few days, and the fact that he was stuck socializing with people he had little in common with beyond income ate at him. He began to wonder at what point he could leave without an early exit seeming a snub.

 

“There you are.” Kagura appeared at his side, wrapping her arms around his torso. “I could be justified in thinking you are avoiding me, but I know that's not true. Happy Thanksgiving, darling.”

 

He hadn't been avoiding her more than any of the other people at the party, but he suddenly wished he had. “Happy Thanksgiving, Kagura,” he said, disengaging her vise-like grip. “I know as hostess, you need to see to your guests. I'll not keep you.”

 

Kagura instantly claimed his arm. “Oh, I can spare a minute for you. You are special, after all,” she purred, “and we have something to discuss. Your father wants me to go over some contracts with you. I wouldn't dream of business interfering with pleasure today. How does lunch next Monday sound?”

 

He sighed with relief. “I'm swamped next week. Literally every day is booked solid.”

 

Kagura couldn't believe the good news. “Then I suppose that means dinner. Tuesday night? This really can't wait. Otherwise it will slow down construction on not only your father's latest venture, but it could impact negatively on the opening of the new hotel.”

 

Hands tied and trapped, Sesshoumaru nodded in frustration.

 

“I think…Portabella will give us plenty of privacy. I'll speak with the owner about getting one of the alcoves reserved for Tuesday.”

 

He groaned. “The place hardly has sufficient lighting for reviewing paperwork. Perhaps my office—”

 

“Nonsense, silly. I'll have it all scanned onto my laptop.” The thought of the two of them huddled over a computer in a darkened corner made her giddy with girlish delight. It may be a work-related dinner, but she intended for that foot in the door to ultimately lead to her into his bed. “I don't see you have any room to argue.”

 

“Fine. I'm going to check on my niece. I'll have my secretary call you.”

 

As he walked toward the basement where the children were, he overheard someone say, “My goodness, what a beautiful couple. Could we be toasting newlyweds at this time next year?” He hoped his mother was nowhere within earshot. She didn't need encouragement of her fantasy that he and Kagura were more than casual family acquaintances. It almost made him want to tell his parents that he intended to pursue Kagome. Almost. He was still possessive and private about his feelings, and he didn't want to risk anything getting in the way. He had already waited out too many obstacles.

 

He went down to the playroom and was surprised to find Rin sitting alone on the steps. He sat next to her. “Rin, you're all alone.”

 

“It doesn't smell like Thanksgiving here.”

 

“I think the caterers have started to bring in the food.” He had never thought of the child's usual experience of Thanksgiving; certainly this fete bore scant resemblance. “Why aren't you playing with the other children?”

 

Rin shrugged. The other children were toddlers attended by their nannies and older children with no interest in anything beside the Sponge Bob marathon on television. There were no four, five, or six year olds to play with. She was good at entertaining herself, but seeing the kiddie table, set up far from where her grandparents and uncle would be dining, made her stomach hurt. “I miss Kagome.”

 

“So do I.” Sesshoumaru thought for a moment and settled on a solution. He was not above manipulating a situation for the greater good. “Rin, are you feeling okay? You look a little pale. Because if you are ill, I can take you home. Right now.”

 

Rin looked up at him confused, before comprehension bloomed like a naughty flower on her not-quite innocent face. “Uncle Sesshoumaru, I don't feel well.” She crawled into his lap and whispered in his ear, “Kagome said she wants to eat at four thirty.”

 

He glanced at his watch. Five until four. “Well, by all means, let's say goodbye to our hosts.” He picked her up and carried her to the main reception room and tried not to laugh at her attempts to appear near death. “Just lay your head on my shoulder and let me do the talking.”

 

“What about grandmother and grandfather?”

 

“They'll understand. No one wants to be sick over Thanksgiving. And they will see us for dessert.”

 

Rin looped her arms around her uncle's neck and stopped worrying. She stopped worrying about the smells she had been enjoying at home and not liking the food here. She stopped worrying about Kagome's sadness and missing her parents. And she stopped worrying about spending Thanksgiving with strangers at the kiddie table.

 

XxXxX

 

Sango watched as Kagome spooned stuffing from the turkey. It looked like bacteria-laden deliciousness. “Is it safe to eat?” She had seen Kagome check the temperature and despite evidence that it had reached sufficient temperature, she still had her doubts.

 

Kagome glanced up from what she was doing with an expression of irritated disbelief. “Have you always been a stuffing alarmist?” The table was set, the gravy was thickening, the sides were dished up and covered in foil, waiting for the bird to be carved. Everything had come together without a hitch, but Sango's question threw her rhythm off.

 

“I simply don't wish to end up in the hospital with salmonella.”

 

Kagome bit back her comment of `show me all the dead in-the-bird stuffing enthusiasts' and instead put some in a bowl and stuck it in the microwave for two minutes. “Does Miroku want his nuked too, or are you uniquely fussy?” she teased.

 

Sango smiled. She couldn't wait to tell Kagome the reason she was being so careful. “He's fine with taking his chances.”

 

Oberon, to whom the height of the counter wasn't an obstacle, nosed around in the hope that Kagome had spilled something. She resisted her impulse to give him a sample, knowing how easily bad habits became established. She typically had no tolerance for the dog encroaching on her kitchen space, but he was one of the constants that she took comfort in and wasn't going to banish him. Suddenly his big black head disappeared, and she heard the sound of the front door closing. “What the?”

 

“Look who decided to join us,” Miroku's voice rang out from the other room.

 

Kagome hurried from the kitchen and saw Sesshoumaru, Rin in his arms, shaking hands with Miroku. It was a most unexpected sight.

 

Sesshoumaru set his niece down. “Rin wasn't feeling well.”

 

Kagome hurried over and put her hand to Rin's forehead. “You aren't hot, sweetie. Is it your tummy?”

 

“I feel better now.” Rin kissed Kagome's cheek and petted the dog, happy to be home. The house smelled exactly like a house should smell, and Kagome seemed happier than she had all day. She grabbed Miroku's hand and dragged him off to find Sango.

 

Kagome stared at Sesshoumaru, amused accusation clear on her face. “You aren't teaching the child to lie, are you?”

 

“Of course not,” he said, not guilty in the least. “Merely recognizing Rin's need to be where she belongs.”

 

“And where do you belong, Sesshoumaru?” Kagome hadn't intended to say it aloud, but once out, she didn't regret it.

 

If he was surprised at all by her question, he betrayed nothing. “I hoped to be welcome here.”

 

“You are. Very welcome.” She hesitated only a moment before stepping close to hug him. “Happy Thanksgiving, Sesshoumaru.”

 

In contrast to Kagura, Kagome against him felt right. He enclosed her in his arms and pulled her close, soaking up every subtle curve that fit along his body and the scent of her soft black hair. “Happy Thanksgiving, Kagome.”

 

The embrace went beyond a friendly hug. It was long and intimate, and the slowness with which he let her go spoke of future promises. Kagome felt her face flush; perhaps there still was some interested on his part. Now self-conscious, she stepped away. “We're almost ready to eat. Oh shit, I was in the middle of finishing.”

 

Between the four adults and Rin, two extra places were added to the table; the turkey was carved; wine was poured; food-filled dishes were brought to the table.

 

“Okay,” Kagome said, once everyone was sitting. “I have spent the past week thinking about how Kikyou and Inuyasha and I had done things in the past and what traditions I wanted to continue. We were a vegan and an unapologetic carnivore…who also happened to be a crunchy tree-hugger and an atheist…and me. I, floating between, was the one who managed to achieve balance; a feat that, at times, wasn't easy.” She took the hands of Rin and Sango, seated on either side of her, and nodded to encourage everyone to do the same. “On this Thanksgiving 2007, I am most thankful for my memories, both good and bad, and that I, surrounded by my best friends and family, am actively making new, good memories to add to them.” She looked at Rin. “Okay Rin, tell us what you are most thankful for.”

 

Rin vaguely remembered this pre-eating ritual of Thanksgiving from the year before. She didn't see the point. To her it was obvious. “I'm most thankful that it's gonna be Christmas soon.”

 

The others laughed, but not too hard. Holiday attacks of sentimentality should be primarily reserved for adults, and they were glad Rin, with the loss she experienced that year, seemed immune. They envied her ability to dismiss the past as past and her focus on the thing that is next. Proof of adulthood was the burden of clinging regret, something no child should bear.

 

Sesshoumaru knew it was his turn and spoke up, rejecting the bland and inclusive to focus on Rin. “I am most thankful for the opportunity to spend the first holidays of many with my niece.”

 

A wide grin spread across Rin's face. She considered both Halloween and her birthday very important holidays, but didn't nitpick. “Me too!”

 

They looked to Miroku, next in the circle. “Rin took mine,” he said, winking in the girl's direction. He looked at Sango a moment before continuing. “I'm most thankful that my forced period of starvation is about to be over.”

 

“I didn't tell you not to eat before you came here,” Kagome reminded him.

 

“But you haven't even let me have half a roll.”

 

“I didn't want you to spoil your appetite,” Kagome growled. “Besides, they say that hunger is the best sauce.”

 

Sango cleared her throat to stop the bickering. Finally, after nearly two hours of holding her tongue, she had the floor. “I'm most thankful that…in nine months…” she wrestled with her emotions to get the next words out, “I'm going to be a Mommy.”

 

Predictably, Kagome buried her face in her hands and burst into tears. “You whore! Why didn't you tell me?”

 

“Well, the time didn't seem right before, and I have so few opportunities to be dramatic…I wanted to save the news until now.” Sango's tears, which she had carefully kept at bay, flowed freely.

 

Kagome got up and gave her a crushing hug. “Congratulations! How long have you known? I still can't believe you didn't tell me until now,” she said between sniffles.

 

“My period is only three days late. I did a second pee-on-stick test this morning. We haven't told anyone else, including my parents, but I had to tell someone. I can keep a secret…but this had me feeling like I was going to explode.”

 

“You'll be an awesome Momma.”

 

“Will you be my doula?”

 

“I'd be honored. I'll dig out my childbirth books tonight.”

 

Sango laughed. “No hurry. You've got until August.”

 

Miroku and Sesshoumaru stood and did the manly handshaking and backslapping, followed by Kagome's far more affectionate method of offering congratulations.

 

“Miroku…I'm so happy for you.” The tears were threatening to come back.

 

He let her cling to him a moment, before gently pulling back. “Thanks. Now don't go getting weepy on me. I'll end up starting again.”

 

“I was wondering why you guys kept looking at Rin's baby pictures” she laughed as they retook their seats. “And now Sango's shunning potential food hazards and drinking milk instead of wine suddenly make so much sense.”

 

Rin observed with confusion. She had no idea why Sango would pee on a stick, and in her experience, women who were going to have babies looked like they had tucked a medium-sized kickball under their shirts. “But Sango…you still have a lap.”

 

Sango smiled and wiped her eyes. “Over the next several months, my lap is going to disappear, but honey, I promise I'll still be able to cuddle you.”

 

“Now,” Miroku said, “in the interests of my knocked-up wife's nutritional needs, can we please eat?”

 

They passed plates and dishes, Kagome and Sesshoumaru helping Rin. Kagome only cried twice during the meal, once to burn off some lingering sadness and once because of pure, unfiltered joy.

 

XxXxX

 

Kagome rinsed the last of the heavy pots and watched Oberon running in the backyard, flitting in and out of the dark shadows. Sesshoumaru was in the living room borrowing her laptop to catch up on a few emails, Mr. and Mrs. Taisho were putting Rin to bed, and she was left alone to enjoy a moment of peace and reflect on the day. Her first Thanksgiving without Kikyou and Inuyasha, one she approached with such methodical fierceness, so concerned about not lapsing into depression, had ended up easy and pleasant. She needn't have worried.

 

Miroku and Sango had said their goodbyes early. They pleaded tiredness, but Kagome suspected they wanted some time alone together to savor their first days as expectant parents. She remembered when Kikyou announced her pregnancy—Inuyasha's pride and befuddlement over the prospect of becoming a father and her sister's deep introspection and fresh mournfulness at the absence of their mother. Kikyou had kept meticulous journals during her pregnancy, detailing physical changes and thoughts on the process of growing another human and all the ensuing responsibilities. Kagome had never read them. They would be so much more appreciated, she had reasoned, if she saved the experience of living of her sister's journey into motherhood for when she herself was in that position. But she had to honestly admit that may never happen, and it would be a shame if Kikyou's words were put away forever. Kagome felt confident that, as long as she kept them safe to be given to Rin someday, Kikyou would approve Sango's access.

 

Dishes washed and put away, Kagome let the dog in and was overcome by a horrific realization—she had left a window open on her PC. Her column inbox. She summoned indignation mode and rushed over to the couch where Sesshoumaru was sitting. “Don't bother with denial,” she snarled. “You were reading it.” His single raised eyebrow and the slow, deliberate way he shut the lid of her computer and set it on the coffee table made her wonder if he was capable of feeling shame.

 

“Interesting column this week, Scarlet,” he said. “I had no idea you were such an authority on threesomes. Does this knowledge come from direct personal experience?”

 

Kagome flopped onto the couch next to him and closed her eyes as if in a great deal of pain. “None of your fucking business.”

 

He would have preferred to prolong the teasing, but she didn't seem in the mood to play along. “I didn't read anything. I saw what it was and minimized the window. You can trust me, you know.” His interest, after all, was not in the questions, but her answers and insightful, humorous off-topic commentary.

 

She opened her eyes and looked at him, trying to detect if he was being truthful. “Yeah, I trust you.” She put on her apologetic face. “Now I feel guilty.”

 

“Don't.” He paused a moment, thoughtful. “Your advice to the woman who almost cheated on her husband was unexpected.”

 

“Really?” Kagome scooted toward him. “I didn't think it was that off the wall.”

 

He was pleased she was willing to talk about her column. “Usually you advocate quite strongly for honesty and communication.”

 

“I do…but this just seemed like a good time to keep the trap shut. It would have been a different story if she had screwed the other guy, but it was just a make-out session. The actual letter was longer than what made it to print and so full of remorse I could practically taste it. I doubt she would ever let anything like that happen again, so fessing up in this case seemed kinda pointless.”

 

“So if the cheater is sorry, it's okay?”

 

Kagome rolled her eyes. “Did I say it was okay? Let me put it this way…if my partner kissed someone else, felt like utter shit about it, and was seriously unlikely to ever repeat, I would not want to know.”

 

He couldn't resist. “But sex is different?”

 

“Of course.”

 

“What if she had done everything but intercourse…should she tell then? And at what point on Scarlet's cheating scale does an offense move from ignorable to divorceable?”

 

She looked at him with narrowed eyes. “Are you enjoying the role of Devil's Advocate?”

 

“Immensely.”

 

Kagome's face broke into a huge grin. “Well, of course I draw no line in the sand…there is no black and white and every situation is judged on its own. But yeah, I'd say once genitals become involved, even just touching with no orgasm, all attempts to claim innocuousness fly out the window.” Kagome squirmed with delight. “Any other stuff you'd like to ask me?”

 

Before Sesshoumaru could again broach the subject of her threesome experience, his parents came into the living room.

 

“That child is simply the most precious thing,” Mrs. Taisho sighed.

 

“Sometimes I think your mother would spend the entire night staring at her while she sleeps.” Mr. Taisho regarded the pair on the sofa with suspicion. He and his wife had obviously interrupted a rather lively exchange. He knew Sesshoumaru and Kagome had struck up a friendship because of Rin, but he had thought of their relationship as purely platonic. There was something, however, about the intensity in his son's expression that made him wonder. Rose, still under the enchantment of her granddaughter, appeared not to notice. “It's nine o'clock. Not too early, not too late. Cribbage game?”

 

“I'm Kagome's partner,” Sesshoumaru said quickly. The four of them had played once before, and his father and Kagome made an unbeatable team. It drove the competitor in him crazy.

 

An hour and a few games later, Mr. and Mrs. Taisho declared their evening over. After thanking Kagome for the wonderful dessert and company, they said good night, leaving Kagome and Sesshoumaru truly alone for the first time since she had received the parole notice letter nearly three weeks before.

 

“Would you like to stay for a glass of wine?” Kagome asked. Though not necessarily into continuing the discussion of her former sex life, she didn't want him to leave and was relieved when he accepted her offer. She poured two glasses of Pinot, put on a Tchaikovsky CD, dimmed the lights, and lit some candles.

 

Sesshoumaru hid a smile. “Are you trying to seduce me, Kagome?”

 

A furious blush spread across her face. “Don't be ridiculous,” she laughed, thoroughly unconvincing. “I was just making it cozy.”

 

They sat, and he pulled her close. She stiffened in his arms. “It's…cozier this way,” he said. The pause before cozier gave the word an entirely new meaning.

 

She settled against him and laid her cheek on his shoulder, feeling the crisp cotton of his shirt and the heat of his skin just beneath. Her inner alarm was screaming `you're the one being seduced!' Her inner alarm was ignored.

 

Sesshoumaru stroked her hair, smoothing it past her neck and down her back. This wasn't the first or even the second time they had been in this position, but it was the first time they had been in close physical proximity when he wasn't offering some sort of consolation. They were together, simply taking pleasure in one another other's company, content as candles flickered and music played. Words had become unimportant. Kagome was now adjusted to his long periods of silence, and he found himself more interested in conversation than he had ever been. They achieved balanced with each other.

 

“How are you?” he asked after several minutes of quiet.

 

“Happy.”

 

His hand moved lower and caressed the dipping curve of her waist.

 

“You haven't been around much,” she said softly, not moving to separate. “Rin and I have missed you.”

 

“I've missed you too. Things should calm down at the office sometime before the end of December.”

 

She raised her face to his. “You work way too much. Please tell me aren't going in tomorrow.”

 

“Unfortunately, bright and early. I have a meeting at eight with my attorneys.” He stared into her dark eyes, mirroring the glints of copper candlelight. “A day off is a luxury I won't have for the foreseeable future.”

 

Kagome snuggled in closer. “I worry about you. That much work isn't healthy…even for a Type A personality. I thought the point of being the boss was you don't have to sweat the small stuff.”

 

Sesshoumaru closed his eyes. She was soft, warm, and very near. “I don't have a choice. And none of this is small stuff.” The amount he worked was non-negotiable. He had too much at stake—decades of school and personal sacrifice—to flinch now that his years of careful planning were finally coming to fruition. “Are you participating in the traditional Black Friday retail frenzy?” The talk of work had sucked some intimacy from the situation. He regretted that reality had to intrude, but that didn't change the fact that he had to get up at five.

 

“Fuck no. I make most of my gifts. And I would rather get a root canal than go to the malls during holiday shopping season.” She absorbed the silent rumble of laughter in his chest. “Actually…that's not quite true. Rin and I have plans to go to OakView Mall next Friday after school so she can get her picture taken with Santa. I figure this is the last year she'll consent to sit on Santa's lap.” She looked up at him with an impish smile. “And you're going with us. I'll not take No for an answer.”

 

She had a similar, non-negotiable tone to her voice. He recognized obstinacy, a trait that had to be a dominant gene in his family, a mile away. Certainly cuddled up next to him, it was unmistakable. He didn't dare refuse. “I'll clear my schedule for Friday afternoon next. You still owe me a dinner.”

 

Kagome smiled. “I'm pretty sure I fed you that night. I think you owe me.”

 

“You'll get nothing and like it.”

 

“Did you just quote pop culture?” she asked in amazement. “I'm impressed.

 

“You need to have your preconceived notions of me knocked down.”

 

“You surprise me every time we talk like this.” Kagome finished her wine. His glass had been empty for several minutes. “Should I open a new bottle?”

 

“I can't stay.” After all the waiting, those three words were detested. “My alarm is going off in six hours, and I need to be prepared to deal with a fight among the firm's lawyers.”

 

She nodded, understanding the importance of both responsibility and sleep. “Don't forget…you are expected next Friday afternoon. I'm telling Rin first thing in the morning, so no backing out.”

 

As if I could say No to you, he thought.

 

They let the dog out and washed stemware, hanging on to the last few minutes of their time together before the unwelcome, inevitable goodbye.

 

Kagome walked him to the door, cognizant of the silence, but unsure of what to say. Before she could speak, there was a large, warm hand at the small of her back, tracing her spine and pulling her closer. He smoothed the hair from her face, tucking it behind an ear, and followed an invisible line along her jaw and down the side of her neck.

 

“Thank you for dinner.”

 

He lightly grasped her chin and, obedient to the slight pressure, she tilted her face to his. The darkness made her near-blind, but she could feel him as the space that separated them became nothing. His mouth gently touched hers, almost asking permission, then, sensing no hesitation, he kissed her.

 

It was the obvious culmination to everything that had transpired between them that night, yet the heat and pressure of his mouth on hers still surprised her. “Wha…what the hell was that?” she stammered when he pulled back, her voice barely a whisper.

 

“A fitting end to a perfect evening. Good night, Kagome.” He went through the door and disappeared. For weeks they had been in a holding pattern of familiarity, friendship, and unresolved sexual tension. And one kiss had reduced it to hopeful, delicious pieces. He walked away, leaving their future wide open, uncertain, huge.

 

Kagome locked the door and wandered into the living room as if in a trance. She sank into the spot on the couch they had, only minutes before, occupied together.

 

Sesshoumaru kissed her. A good kiss. Kagome leaned back, shut the world out, and hit Rewind in her brain. His fingers were warm and strong; his lips were soft and firm. The kiss was not too long, not too short. It was a real kiss, not one between Just Friends. It was perfect.

 

After an unknowable amount of time, she took care of her nightly bathroom ritual, undressed, and crawled into bed. The kiss was again replayed.

 

It was still perfect.

 

&&&

 

I do not own Inuyasha, YouTube, Sponge Bob, or quotes from A Christmas Story and Caddyshack. Thank you for reading!