In From the Cold by Aimee Blue

An Unexpected Gift

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha and make no profit from this work of fiction.

A/N: This was written back on January 1st 2011 for the brief period that the LJ community Ebony Silks stirred into life again, a cut version of this was posted to that community

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Yawning hugely, Kagome padded across the wooden floorboards of her open plan apartment to the window that overlooked the street. In the cold, the panes were speckled with frost that curled in pretty patterns. Fumbling fingers filled the kettle with water and put it to the boil as she stifled another huge yawn behind her pyjama sleeve.

Stretching in a feline manner, she ran a hand through her sleep mussed hair as clear blue eyes gazed appreciatively out of the window. Apartments in Tokyo were expensive, and even her tiny flat had a rather heady rent that would have made living there almost impossible if not for this view. On days like today, when snow had fallen overnight and diffused the grime and dirt of the city under a festive blanket of pure white, the view from this particular window over her sink was about as glorious as she could ask. The window above her futon, similarly provided an awe inspiring view of the beautiful sunsets over the Tokyo skyline, when the bustling city was speckled with oranges, pinks and purples.

Today, the persimmon tree outside her window in the little garden had donned a white coat and became just as picturesque as it was in full bloom. The small patch of garden right outside her window was as glorious in summer as it was beautiful and elegant in winter.

It was Christmas, and she knew that most of her friends were spending the day snuggling with their partners. Miroku, for one, had always been a genius at exploiting the chill of the season to garner some close and generally heated contact with members of the fairer sex. Unfortunately, the only dating options Kagome had available to her were the over amorous advances of a certain wolf-like next door neighbour. Kouga was a lovely man who was valiantly chivalrous and always offering to help her with odd jobs, but his repeated invasions of her personal space made him impossible to put up with. And she didn’t want to have to put up with anyone; she wanted to want somebody. Not to mention, she didn’t think Kouga deserved a half-hearted relationship from her.

Shaking her head to disperse the negative and faintly depressing thoughts, Kagome moved to grab the teabags from their cupboard and froze as something caught her eye. Skidding across the kitchen in her mismatched socks, she peered out of the window cautiously.

Yes. There was definitely a snow angel sprawled in the street. Or at least the person might have been making one... before they’d... fallen asleep?

Indeed, there was a figure in a large black trench coat sprawled face down in the snow beyond the picket fence of her miniature garden.

Kagome’s conscience chose that moment to pipe up. Are they okay?

Hastily donning her coat over her sheep speckled pyjamas and jamming her feet into wellington boots that were two sizes too big, Kagome’s fumbling fingers managed to unlock the door and she sprinted across the street.

Skidding to a stop in front of the fallen person, she belatedly realised that it was a man. His long spun silver hair had disconcerted her for a moment but now, up close, the angle of his jaw line exuded a masculine beauty. The markings, decorating his forehead and his cheekbones were entrancing, and before she knew it her littlest finger was tracing the curve of the eggshell blue crescent moon on his forehead.

He was ethereally beautiful.

I guess I was a good girl this year, she mused idly.

Magenta eyelids fluttered and she squeaked as his eyes opened to reveal beautiful golden irises with slitted pupils, a clawed hand shot out and gripped her arm with crushing pressure. They gazed at each other for an immeasurable moment, before he slowly slumped back into unconsciousness. As his head lowered onto her knee she got the impression that he was fighting the lure of sleep with all that he had, but he was powerless to stop the seductive sway of somnolence.

“What are you?” she whispered as she carefully held his head in her lap, stroking his long hair back from his brow.

Santa had certainly delivered her something spectacular this year...

Yet, as she eyed the distance between them and her front door, she thought that she’d have liked her present better if it had been delivered straight to her door. How was she supposed to haul a man twice her size up the steps to her front door anyway?

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A/N: I hope you enjoyed this enough to review!