Excuse the Christmas chapter at this time of year.

63000 hits, huh? I remember being overjoyed at 500. I feel kinda… I don't know. How are you supposed to feel when 63000 people are waiting for you? Stressed is a good one…

OXOXOXO

"Inuyasha, come on. Stop dragging." Kagome pulled his arm to his car waiting just outside. "My family is holding up the decorating for us." One more hard tug. Not that it mattered since she lost her hanyou powers and the jewel.

"I really don't think I want to participate," he grumbled.

"You already promised," she reminded. "So get your butt in that car before I call Sesshomaru to do it for you." He growled low in his throat. Just what the heck was his brother's fascination with his girlfriend, anyway? If he didn't know any better, he'd say Sesshomaru even liked her. "Besides, if you don't get in you'll never know what I got you." She winked playfully and pulled once more at his arm.

"Alright, alright. I'm coming, dang it."

"That's hardly a thankful attitude," she told him.

"I'm hardly thankful," he returned. She stuck her tongue out and climbed into the passenger seat.

"Oh well. Souta's excited so you're going anyway." She laid her head back on the seat and closed her eyes. "Wait till you see what he got you." Inuyasha groaned.

"Oh be still my beating heart." Kagome giggled as they pulled out the impressive Tashio gates.

Oxoxoxo

"Um, Inuyasha? Have you ever decorated a tree before?" Kagome peaked around to see his half. Each branch had exactly three ornaments hanging on it, pulling them dangerously downward.

"No. So?" She smothered the smile she knew would upset him and moved around to his side. "Souta, take over my half. I'm gonna coach the rookie." She did smile playfully at her brother.

"Okay, how did the rookie mess up?" Inuyasha asked grudgingly.

"If you keep hanging them like that, the tree is going to topple over." He looked at his work and then at the other side.

"Oh."

"Try to spread them just a little more sparingly." She removed the top dozen before dappling them around the freshly cleared area.

"Alright, got it now." He scrunched his brows slightly as if puzzling a particularly hard problem.

"How's that?" he asked after four or five branches. She smiled up at him.

"Perfect." Red flooded his cheeks.

"Kids, toffee's ready to stir!" Mrs. Higurashi called from the kitchen.

"Oh, come on Inuyasha!" Souta said excitingly and dashed from the room. "We gotta get to it before it sets!"

"Before what sets?"

"You'll see." Kagome followed her brother at a more dignified pace. By the time Inuyasha wandered into the kitchen Kagome and Souta were both holding onto the wooden paddle in the middle of the huge pot and stirring the contents. He figured it must be thick to take two people. Toffee, was it?

"Okay, my arms are tired," Souta informed them roughly ten minutes later. Mrs. Higurashi took his place across from Kagome and helped her daughter. Both kept at it for another ten minutes until they gave out. "Your turn Inuyasha!" Souta happily ordered. Inuyasha cocked an eyebrow but grabbed the paddle. He easily moved the wooden utensil through the creamy sweet-smelling stuff.

"Well, I could keep going," he said a little later, "but I think it'd break the spoon."

"Then it's time to twist it," Kagome said. "Help me dump it out."

Inuyasha'd never done anything like this. He and Kagome twisted, braided, and smoothed the sticky gunk while Souta, Mrs. Higurashi and Gramps worked on another piece. They stretched it out until it almost split then folded it back on itself. His claws were full of the junk, but he was having too much fun to notice. When it was cool and soft, they cut it into small blocks and wrapped them in plastic wrap for the church dinner. The local Christian communities were opening their doors and rooms for the homeless, as well as feeding them. Homemade toffee was a nice gift for them. Not to mention for the family that makes it. Wonderful stocking stuffers, if truth be told.

"Kagome, will you clean the table for the cookies and popcorn?" her mother asked as they all washed the edible glue off.

"Sure, Mom. Hey Souta, how 'bout some help?"

"Coming."

"Cookies and popcorn?" Inuyasha asked as he grabbed the wash cloth from her to clean the table. "You guys go all-out hunky dory, don't you?" She bumped him with her hip as she passed.

"Just hush up and enjoy it, you wet blanket." He gently threw the wet rag at the back of her head. "Hey!" She threw some soap bubbles from the sink in his direction.

"I thought we were cleaning up, not messing up," Souta said from the doorway. Kagome smiled to herself.

"Right, we just got a little distracted. Come on, no cookies till we get it done." Moments later they were seated at the table, bowls of popcorn and strings working.

"Why are we doing this?" Inuyasha asked and popped a couple in his mouth.

"To put on the tree."

"Why?"

"It looks pretty."

"So?"

"And we give it to the birds the day after Christmas."

"Why?"

"If you'll notice, the ground is covered with snow and ice. It makes it hard for a bird to find a good meal."

"Who cares? They're just birds."

"It's an act of kindness. I'll introduce you to the concept later."

"Look you two," Souta said from over his pile of popcorn, "these public displays of affection have got to stop." He was promptly pelted with popcorn. "Just sayin'…"

"Alright, you three," Mrs. Higurashi scolded gently, "try to finish before the cookies are ready to roll out."

The tree strung with popcorn, everyone worked on the cookies at the table. These particular cookies were a little more stiff than usual so as to hang them on the tree, but still edible. But, from the time Kagome and Souta were small, very few of them made it to the tree. Most made it into the stomachs of the workers. They cut out the cookies then used a straw to make a small hole in the top for the string. When they finished baking, they added icing and sprinkles.

"I've never been in a kitchen so long in my life," Inuyasha said boredly. Kagome flicked some icing at him which landed on his nose.

"Just have fun, stop grumping," she laughed. He licked it off, growling half-heartedly. He did have to admit, though, once they were in the oven those cookies smelled fantastic. Were they really going to hang them on the tree? What a waste…

"Okay, we decorated the tree, strung the popcorn, make the cookies and the toffee, what else is there?" he asked and leaned back in his chair at the kitchen table.

"Now," Kagome said stretching over her head, "we watch Miracle on 34th St."

"Which is…?" he prompted.

"A heart-felt and touching story that I can almost quote word for word." She yawned, obviously not all that thrilled with this particular tradition. Inuyasha consulted the wall clock. It was almost 11:30.

"You think your mom would be totally heart-broken to miss it this year? My family opens all the gifts at midnight and wanted you there. My mom got something for you." Her face remained bland, but he saw her attitude perk from the look in her eyes.

"Let me ask." It took surprisingly little cajoling to convince her mother. Inuyasha got the feeling that, had it not been his family, she'd have said no. She had a particularly soft spot for his family. At about 11:55 they walked through the Tashio front door and headed to the family room just beyond. His family had already gathered below the perfect Christmas tree. Inuyasha and Kagome joined them, claiming the love seat as theirs. They all sat watching the antsy and squirming Rin until the grandfather clock in the corner tolled midnight.

"Yes!" she shouted and dove for the tree. Sweet girl that she was, first she saw everyone else seated with a gift before grabbing one labeled for her. They were all sized and shaped exactly the same, even wrapped in the same paper. Kagome took a stab in the dark that they were all the same thing. And she was right. Matching glove and scarf sets, hers green, Inuyasha's red, Sesshomaru's white, Rin's orange, Hakoda's blue, and Izyoi's pink. It was the servants' presents to the family. Kagome was more than touched that they had included her. She was thankful that Rin was distributing presents once more before anyone could notice that she was having a moment. She was practically shocked that the next one came from Sesshomaru. Inuyasha didn't miss it. He was glancing between them, a frown tugging at the corner of his mouth. Kagome opened it to find a picture frame, with an adorable sight staring back at her. It was a little Inuyasha, less than a year old, digging his fangs into the bear skin rug they had placed the naked little baby on.

"Sesshomaru!" Inuyasha barked and sprung up. He hadn't taken a step when his father gently, but sternly, stopped him.

"Now, now, Inuyasha. Behave yourself." Inuyasha ground his teeth but sat down again. Hakoda did have the decency to stare pointedly at Sesshomaru.

"It is so on, Fluffy."

"Boys," Mrs. Tashio admonished lightly.

"Here," Rin said bringing Kagome yet another gift. She really hadn't expected so much. "I got you this one," the little girl said proudly. Kagome opened the silver bag and peaked inside.

"It's lovely!" Kagome gushed, a little more than she actually felt but still honest. It was gorgeous. "I've never had a sterling silver anything, much less a hair set." One by one she pulled out the tray, the brush, the mirror, and the comb. Kagome wasn't even going to ask how much this set Sesshomaru back. Kagome was soon surrounded by piles of paper and tons of junk she never wanted. Although, Mrs. Tashio's gift was absolutely amazing. A pair of diamond earrings, silver strands looping around the five white diamonds in the center of each. They were so intricate, they must have been handmade. Kagome did her best to turn her mind away from how much this gift alone cost them. With all the money they were shelling out, they acted as if they'd gone to the nearest Wal-Mart to get them, not antique merchants or specialty jewelers. Kagome sighed and pulled her feet up under her. Well, if they didn't care then she wouldn't either.

The only one, other than Inuyasha of course, that she bought a present for was Rin. And that little girl just adored that porcelain doll. She immediately ran up to her room to get a hair brush to work on the small blonde curls. She named it Casandra, Cassy for short, of course. She was dressed in old-styled blue clothes, a button up coat and knickers with a black fur hat and golden trim like a small Russian girl from decades ago. Rin cooed to it, almost forgetting the rest of her gifts. She liked to run her fingers lightly over the smooth face and hands of the doll. Hakoda had to gently convince Rin that she should probably open the rest, then return to Cassy. She nodded, however reluctantly.

Kagome started getting drowsy towards the end. She folded her arms on top of the couch's and rested her head on top. Inuyasha sat at the other end, his feet crossed under him like he was sitting on the ground, absently-mindedly stroking the top of one of her socked feet in his lap.

"We really need to be getting back," Kagome murmured. "Souta's gonna wake us up early to open gifts. We oughta be there."

"Yeah, sure," he said between yawns.

"Maybe you should take a driver this time, dears," Mrs. Tashio said sweetly from over a dozing Rin. She fell asleep leaning into Sesshomaru, Cassy cradled in her arms.

"Yes, Mother," Inuyasha said and rolled his eyes, smiling to take the sting out of it. She threw a used bow, actually hitting his chest as he stretched.

"The least you could do for the person that brought you into this world is have a little respect," she said feigning haughty. Inuyasha casually saluted. "That's more like it," she laughed before heading upstairs with Hakoda, arm in arm. Sesshomaru scooped up Rin without waking her and headed after them.

"We really need to go now," she told him without moving.

"Yup," he agreed, "but I kinda like it here."

"Me, too," she said and rolled to her back to stretch her legs out and her arms over her head. She sighed long and low before swinging her legs over and off the couch. "Okay, up up."

"Yes ma'am," he said through a yawn. They met the driver outside, glad to collapse on the couch at her house. It didn't seem like very long though before Souta bounded down, excited an giddy, and overly chipper to be waking them from the dead.

Oxoxoxo

"Kagome! Inuyasha! Wake up sleepy heads! It's Christmas!"

"Remember that for my eulogy," Inuyasha whispered to Kagome. "I died on Christmas." She giggled and opened her eyes to look at her brother. He'd already ditched them to dig through the gifts under the tree.

"Awesome! The big one's for me!"

"Wait for Mom, Souta," Kagome reminded gently and yawned. "After we open presents, I'm going to bed."

"Poor little human Kagome. Sleepy?" Inuyasha taunted.

"Oh, shut up. You're tired too."

"True. So, what did you get me?"

"Souta, grab the one for Inuyasha that you got him, will you?" Souta complied and tossed it to Inuyasha.

"That's not what I asked."

"Oh, good morning. I thought I heard people up." Mrs. Higurashi and Gramps came down the stairs. "Yes, Souta, you can start opening now." He grinned from ear to ear before ripping the paper off one of the smaller packages.

"Yes! Mutant Wars III!" He'd asked for the game a month ago.

"So what did you get me?" Inuyasha asked again.

"Just open that one," she said and poked the one he was holding. He cast her a skeptical glance, but obeyed. Inside was a coupon for the local fast-food restaurant for 50 free ramens. Inuyasha then proceeded to anime feint. Kagome laughed and hugged his arm. "You should thank him, Inuyasha. He put a lot of thought into that." Inuyasha looked at her like 'do I have to?' "Inuyasha…" He rolled his eyes.

"Hey kid," Souta looked up and saw that Inuyasha had opened his present, "thanks." Souta absolutely beamed.

"You're welcome, Inuyasha." With that he dove back into his pile of presents. Mrs. Higurashi then tossed him her present, which turned out to be an okay red and black sweater. Gramps just handed him some seal on a key chain.

"Wards off cats," he explained. Kagome shoved her face in the couch pillow to stifle the laughs.

"Now I know where you get your sense of humor," Inuyasha grumped.

"If you give me mine, I'll give you yours," she bargained holding something behind her back. He smiled and handed her a small box from his back pocket. He forestalls opening his own to watch her reaction. She slit the paper and pulled the wrapping off to see a jewelry case. Inside was a silver chain with four blood-red garnets hanging from it in the shape of a paw. "Oh, Inuyasha! It's gorgeous!" She pounced on him and almost threw both of them off the couch.

"So you remember your trip to the wild side," he teased. She grinned and opened the clasp to put it on right away. "Let me." He looped it over her head and redid the clasp.

"Inuyasha, it is absolutely breath-taking!" she gushed.

"What is, Sis? Oh, way cool, Inuyasha!" Souta touched it gently before bounding back to his growing pile. Inuyasha picked up his box and shook it gently.

"Am I gonna like it?" he asked skeptically.

"Oh, yes." She nodded affirmative and sat straighter and closer. "I garuntee it." He raised an eyebrow at her before pulling the paper back. Sitting on top of the box was a Christmas tree ornament, a little man dressed in red with silver hair and ears.

"Woah, where did you find this?" He held it with two fingers to inspect the thing. It was a perfect miniature likeness. "It's pretty cool."

"Open the box, Inuyasha."

"Huh? Oh, yeah." He put the ornament on the coffee table for a moment. He pulled the lid to the box open and pulled out a small wad of greenery. Kagome plucked the mistletoe from his hand to hold it above them both.

"Merry Christmas, Inuyasha," she whispered leaning forward.

"You, too, Kagome," he whispered back just before they met.

OXOXOXO

Woo! Everybody clap. (let me know if you really did clap. That's kinda funny…) I think I can wrap this dang thing up pretty quickly now that I'm over that one dang snag.