InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Growing Up Hanyou ❯ Izayoi no Kurisumasu ( Chapter 9 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

* = Hotei-osho is a Buddhist monk who gives presents to children on Christmas. He has eyes in the back of his head, so he can see when any child is being naughty. For kids who are frightened of Hotei-osho, they tend to gravitate to the traditional Santa Claus, who travels with Rudolph.

** = Whether you think traditional, proper geisha were whores, kept women, or artistic entertainment, there's no doubt about it that those who worked before the second World War had some of the most artistic kimono ever made.

*** = I played with Santa's magic here... how else can he break in without you ever hearing? He magicks your into a deeper sleep while he works! =)

Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Suspense / Romance / Hentai / Drama / Comedy | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 12.24.2008 | Pages: 3 | Words: 3.5K | Visits: 727 | Status: Completed

Izayoi no Kurisumasu

By: InitialA/TuxedoUranus89

Disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha!

Author's Note: A little divergence for you in the holiday season. Oh, those kids and their Christmas… Enjoy!

“Santa Cwaus?” Nao asked, perplexed.

Kagome smiled, explaining the Western saint to the three-year old; the twins birthday was just behind them, and the poor things and their siblings were about to get spoiled again with the coming of Christmas. InuYasha, with Ryuu on his shoulders, was decorating the tree, their eldest two diligently placing ornaments where they could reach.

While her mouth went on autopilot, Kagome's mind wandered to earlier in the day, when she'd found Izayoi sulking in the tree out front…

“Izayoi, sweetheart, what are you doing out here?” Kagome asked, shivering through her sweater.

The young girl didn't answer, just flicking the snowflakes off her ears as they fell. Kagome rolled her eyes, recognizing this attitude with no question where it came from. “Honey, it's no use ignoring me. If I can make your father talk, I can make you talk.”

The girl pouted, and kicked against the branch. “Mama, there's no Santa Claus is there? And if there's no Santa, then there's definitely no Hotei-osho*.”

Kagome raised an eyebrow. “Izayoi, is that what this is about? You don't believe in Santa Claus anymore?”

The spotty-eared girl shook her head. Kagome steeled herself and climbed up next to her eldest. “Is there something more?”

Izayoi's mouth was set, and she was quiet for a while. Together, they watched the snow fall quietly across their yard, and the city lights winking in the distance. Kagome drew a breath to speak, when her daughter burst out, “It's not fair! It's not fair that I don't believe in Santa anymore, and I'm not going to get any presents! I didn't even get my real Christmas wish last year! I was really good all year, but then Toya told me I was a big baby in school last week because I still believed in Santa, and then I thought about it, and I can't make it make sense! And now I'm all confused, and I'm not going to get any presents, but Sachi, and Ryuu, and Nao all are!”

“Oh, Izayoi. You're still going to get presents. Your Papa and I buy the presents, just like we do with birthdays. Santa Claus is… well, he's a nice idea for children. It makes Christmas more magical. Does it seem like Christmas isn't going to be very special this year because of what Toya said?”

Izayoi glumly nodded. Kagome wrapped an arm around the girl's shoulders and hugged her. “It was like that for me too, sweetie. I wasn't much older than you when I figured it out. It gets better though, I promise.”

She wasn't sure she'd done a good enough job in reassuring her eldest, but Kagome really didn't know how to handle this kind of thing. The disenchantment she had had with Christmas had lasted a while, before realizing that it was finding joy in other's happiness that really brought that spark back. And, she figured, every child needed to mourn the loss of their childhood Christmas memories in their own way. Tickling Nao's stomach, Kagome gave her a cookie and sent her to help with the tree. `Well, we'll see in a few days how she's feeling…'

*~*~*~*~*

InuYasha plopped Izayoi into her bed. “Excited for tomorrow, pup?”

Izayoi shrugged. “I guess…”

A black brow went up. “That doesn't sound convincing.”

Her small mouth twisted into a wry smile. “Well, it's hard to be excited when everything's different…”

Kagome had explained the `Santa Ordeal' to him the other night. Personally, he didn't understand what the fuss was; then again, he hadn't grown up with the idea of a magic man who gave good children lots of presents. “It happens, pup. It's the tough part of growing up.”

“I don't like it.”

“Never said you had to. It just sucks.” He commented, then ruffled her hair. “Get some sleep, pup.”

“Night, Papa…”

InuYasha left her, closing the door behind him. The other three were out cold, exhausted from their intense snowball fight earlier in the afternoon. Kagome was downstairs, arranging the presents under the tree. She smiled brilliantly at him as he came down the stairs. “Everyone down?”

“Iza's still up, but she'll nod off soon. She's not too excited for tomorrow.” He commented, poking up the fire.

Kagome nodded. “I was like that, when it happened to me. She'll get better.”

The cat meowed in agreement, and InuYasha chuckled.

*~*~*~*~*

Her parents had gone to bed almost an hour ago, but Izayoi was still up. She sighed, rolling over. Why did Christmas have to be so depressing? Was it just because Santa wasn't real? Was Christmas always going to be like this then? Izayoi sat up in distress, before laying back. “Mama said it'd get better… I hope she knows what she's talking about…”

More time passed, and Izayoi grew more disgusted with herself. “Come on, why can't I sleep?” She grumbled, turning over again.

A loud `thud' jolted her to full awareness. Her ears pricked forward, straining to hear everything she could. Another `thud' followed, and she scrambled out of bed. She eased her door open, and hurried to her parents room. “Papa!” Izayoi whispered loudly, and crept to the bed.

Her parents were spooned together as always, but her father didn't budge when she touched his shoulder. “Papa! Mama, wake up! I heard something!” She whispered, louder this time.

She could hear them breathing, so she knew nothing was wrong, but now her hackles were up. Something was definitely amiss. She crept back into the hall, and peered through the banister. Someone was moving in the living room: a large silhouette against the electric candles her mother had left on in the windows. Izayoi mentally stacked her odds: they weren't good, but maybe if she made enough noise…

Mind made up, she made her way one step at a time downstairs. Her legs tensed, and she leapt from the banister across the room to grab Tessaiga from its resting place on the wall, and held the battered katana in front of her. `Almost like I knew what I was doing…' She thought wryly. “Freeze! I've got you cornered!” She yelled, as menacing as a four-foot girl in pajamas could be.

The figure turned, and suddenly the fireplace sprang to life, throwing a warm glow about the room. Izayoi froze, but kept her grip on the katana. “Well, well, Izayoi. You've given me quite a fright.” The figure's voice was deep, but warm and full of cheer.

“No funny business, mister. Just leave, nice and peaceably, and you won't have charges pressed.” She commanded, wishing she felt braver than she sounded.

The figure stepped forward, and she faltered. `Red suit, white beard… There's no way!' Izayoi thought, violet eyes wide. She slid back a bit, still pointing Tessaiga at the imposter Santa Claus. “Stay back! You're just some weirdo who gets his kicks from dressing like Santa and robbing houses on Christmas!” She cried.

The man in the Santa suit started to laugh, a rich and deep laugh that, oddly, made her relax some. “Oh, Izayoi, you're the image of your father, jumping to outrageous conclusions. I am the real Santa Claus, my dear.”

Her lips pursed. “Nuh-uh. Santa's not real. All the kids in my class say so, and even Mama admitted it.”

Santa's rosy mouth pulled itself into a smirk. “Your mother actually slept on Christmas Eve, my dear child, so she wasn't able to find out for herself. And why should you believe what your friends say? Isn't it what you think that matters?”

The katana was lowered a bit. “Not when they make fun of me.”

“Children make fun of others. Look at your own brothers.” Even Izayoi had to smile at that. “Now, what would I have to do to prove I was the real Santa Claus?”

She thought a minute. “How do you get all those presents to kids everywhere?” She demanded; her mother had never given a satisfactory answer.

“I only give one special present to each child. That's enough work as it is. And even then, Christmas isn't celebrated by every family. I only visit the ones who do.” He explained.

She still wasn't convinced. “Alright… only the real Santa would know this. What was the big wish I wanted for last Christmas? I didn't tell anyone but Santa, because I thought he could actually do this and he didn't.”

Santa sat down on the couch. The cat didn't even stir. “That was a big call, Izayoi. To make your mother well again, that would have taken more magic and more effort than I am able to manage. I did my best to nudge your father along, but he does things in his own time, for his own reasons. I wish I could have made your Christmas better with your mother being happy again, but it was beyond my control.”

The katana was lowered. Violet eyes wide, Izayoi stared at the real Santa Claus; it was almost impossible to believe. Seeing the look on her face, he laughed again. “I know these past few years have been difficult for you. You've had to grow up so fast, taking care of your siblings, but you've done a very good job. Not many girls your age could manage it. And… I know you've been having your doubts about me lately. Maybe this could change your mind.” Santa said, digging in his bag and pulling out a long, flat box wrapped in silver.

“What is it?” Izayoi asked, putting the katana on the floor and gingerly taking the box.

He smiled. “Something I know you've wanted for a while. You might not get to use it for a time, however.”

Carefully, Izayoi unwrapped the shining silver paper, taking care with the blue ribbons, and blinked at the ornate wooden box. “Open it.” Santa urged.

She eased the lid open, and her eyes flew wide. Her head snapped up to look at Santa's smiling face, and then back at the inside of the box. Izayoi ran her fingers over the silk, hardly believing what she saw. It was a kimono—a real kimono, one fitting for a lady or a proper geisha from before the war**. It was as deep purple as her own eyes, with a pattern of dancing cranes and chrysanthemum blossoms in gold, bronze, and white across the entire surface. “It's… it's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen…” She whispered.

“There's a gold silk under robe there too, and a white, patterned obi. It's a full-size kimono, Izayoi, so you'll have to wait until you're older to wear it.” Santa cautioned. “However, I felt—”

He was cut off by Izayoi throwing herself at him in a hug. “Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou, it's the most beautiful present I've ever gotten in my whole life!” She exclaimed with happiness.

He returned the hug. “I'm glad. I know you want to be a proper lady someday, and hopefully this gets you on the right path. You've been a very good girl, so I thought this was a proper reward.”

Izayoi wiped a few tears from her eyes, and nodded. Santa stood, and grabbed his pack. “Well, my dear, I think it's time you went to bed, and time for me to get moving. I've still got a long ways to go.”

“Okay… thanks, Santa. Good night.” Izayoi smiled.

“You're very welcome. Merry Christmas, Izayoi.”

“Merry Christmas, Santa.”

At the first stair, she paused. “Santa, I have one more question.”

His mouth twisted into another half-smile. “Quickly, the magic I put on your family won't last much longer***.”

“Okay—what about Hotei-osho? Is he real too?” She asked.

The question earned her another laugh. “Yes, my dear, he's real. How else do you think I keep an eye on all you youngsters around here? He helps me out from time to time.”

Izayoi grinned, and went upstairs.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Kagome marveled at the mess that was already in her living room. Tessaiga was on the floor, out of its sheath no less, and there was a wood box with silver paper and blue ribbons next to the coffee table. “What on earth…” She mused, but started cleaning it all up.

“MAMA!” Sachi screeched from his room. “Can we come down yet??”

“I want to see what Santa brought!” Ryuu's voice came next, with his twin parroting an agreement.

“Oh, hush, you three, you know the rules!” Izayoi commanded.

InuYasha was sitting on the stairs, guarding the way. “Yeah, Mama, can we come down yet? Pleasepleaseplease?” He teased, earning a scowl in return.

“And I wonder where their manners come from. Sometimes—oh my…” Kagome broke off, looking at the kimono in the wooden box. “What on earth is this doing here?”

InuYasha came to inspect, but said no more than looking at her with a raised eyebrow. The children took advantage and sprinted down the stairs, screeching their excitement at the pile of presents in the corner. Izayoi came to admire her kimono again. “Isn't it the most beautiful thing you've ever seen, Mama?”

“Iza, where did this come from? And why was Tessaiga on the floor?” Kagome asked.

Their eldest just smiled at them. “I had a visit last night from an old friend…”

Kagome and InuYasha just looked at her expectantly. The girl's smile broadened. “Yes, Mama, there is a Santa Claus.”

((Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!))