An Off-White Christmas by UnknownRandomness

Reflection Leads To Our First Christmas!

Prompts: Bells, Fireworks

Word Count: 1,241

Chimes rang through his head, multiplying in intensity as he struggled against the bindings that smothered him, crashing the air from his lungs like an ocean, pounding against his chest in time with the noise in his ears-

Sesshoumaru opened unfocused golden eyes to darkness, to discover the bindings were Kagome's arms wrapped around him and the almost apocalyptic chimes had been from his mate's small (pink) alarm clock, signifying the beginning of the witching hour. The daiyoukai made to snuggle back into oblivion when something very important occurred to him.

It was Christmas.

Sneaking a peek at the woman ensconced in his much larger frame, he couldn't help but place a gentle kiss on her forehead before slipping out of her unconscious embrace. He had things to do.

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Kagome awoke to the smell of cookies and smiled. Jumping out of bed, she noted the absence of her other half and raced down the stairs, her stomach grumbling the whole way.

"Mama, that smells absolutely amazi-"

The miko's compliment broke off abruptly as the figure in front of the oven turned quickly, long silver hair swishing around the ties of the frilly apron he was wearing over his casual clothes. Sesshoumaru was most definitely not her mother, and he was baking. The demon almost looked like an animal stunned by headlights as she stared at him, her mouth hanging open.

Sesshoumaru picked up one of the great-smelling goodies.

"Would you like a cookie?"

He offered one to her.

The young woman looked at it warily, before asking,

"It isn't going to cause my tongue to swell up again is it?"

The argent-haired male winced before taking a bite out of the treat in his hand. Once she saw his apologetic expression and reluctance to eat the sweet, she knew it was safe - Sesshoumaru wasn't one for chocolate chip cookies, but he'd had no problem munching on the one that had made her sick. Taking the half-eaten object from his grip, she ate it with relish, pleased with the satisfied glint in his golden eyes.

'I think I'm going to enjoy this Christmas.'

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Presents were exchanged and local people came and visited the shrine, Kagome helping the wishers with their bags and the elderly on the ice that had solidified in the night into a treacherous surface for those with questionable balance. Christmas dinner was an absolutely gorgeous affair - mother had really outdone herself this year, and the young Higurashi siblings ate more than their own weight (or at least, they tried to).  

Evening came swiftly, and the entire household had been forced to watch one of Kagome's childish movies, and all but Sesshoumaru had seen it so many times, that they knew all of the lyrics to all of the songs and they sung them with enthusiastic glee.

"Hurry up everyone, I wanna see the fireworks!"

Souta's exclamation caught Sesshoumaru by surprise and he turned to his mother-in-law, who read his unspoken question immediately.

"Ah, we don't have fireworks here, but in the park they light wonderful fireworks which we have a perfect view of from up here. And if they keep to the timetable, they should be starting in..." She looked back at the clock hanging above the kitchen sink, "Seven minutes."

The demon raised his brows, surprised. It sounded like a glorious way to mark any event - who knew Christmas could have such interesting things involved?

Hurriedly, they all donned outdoor layers before being dragged outside by Kagome and Souta, Gramps grumbling at them to slow down the whole way. Placing blankets down on the top of stairs, the five of them sat down and the fireworks started.

Vibrant colours lit up the dark sky, the bright flashes lighting the torii arches leading up to the shrine and playing over their awed faces. Sesshoumaru's eyes were drawn to his mate's face and the happiness there, the pure enjoyment she felt from being alive in this moment stunned him. How could he have ever doubted the joy one could find in Christmas?

Abruptly, he remembered something he had meant to give to her.

"Kagome, a moment?"

Her shining eyes turned towards him and she nodded. They got up from the steps and walked back towards the house, stopping midway in the snow, the displays making their smiles clear to one another.

"Yes, Angel-sama?"

His smile widened at the sound of his nickname. Without any explanation, the inu rummaged in his pocket before handing her a perfectly wrapped, rectangular package.

"What's this? Present-giving was earlier!" Her confusion couldn't hide the excitement he could feel radiating off of her at the receiving of this surprise. Sesshoumaru chuckled. She hadn't changed at all.

With trembling fingers, Kagome opened the deep red paper and gasped when its content was revealed.

It was a brand new copy of the latest book from her favourite author. Glancing up with reverence at her mate, she didn't question him when he said,

"Look inside."

Turning back the cover, her hands shaking from emotion as well as the cold, the young woman let out a choked sob when she saw the inscription inside.

To Kagome-san,

I've never met you, but I happen to know Sesshoumaru-san and from his description of you, I think we could be great friends. Would you like to meet up for coffee (or some other beverage coupled with a chat) next week Wednesday? He clearly loves you very much - so try not to hold a grudge against his 'stupid and ignorant person' (only quoting him!)... He also told me that I should spend Christmas with the people I care about, because it is the best time of year! (Good advice - make sure he follows it!)

Thank you for reading my books, Kagome-san!

The neat handwriting was followed by a smiley face and a signature.

Sesshoumaru's eyes were like molten pools as she looked up into their depths, feeling her emotions whirling about inside her. This was the best Christmas ever! Throwing her arms around him, she laughed, the fireworks exploding in the sky completely forgotten, dwarfed as they were by the fireworks of happiness bursting in her chest.

"And to think, if we had still been fighting, all the copies of your book would have remained in Shippo's house!"

Kagome paused.

"Shippo's?"

Sesshoumaru winced. He had walked into that one.

"Yes, Shippo's." 

"Shippo was helping you prank me?"

The Western Lord nodded warily.

Kagome sighed, before resuming her burrowing into Sesshoumaru's coat.

"Ah well, we were doing the same thing to you. It's not surprising that our cheeky trickster would play us both against each other. One day he's going to go too far though and it is going to come back to bite him."

Silence reigned for several seconds before Sesshoumaru said,

"Why not today?"

The miko blinked.

"But it's still Christmas!"

Sesshoumaru smirked.

"Of course; the kitsune would never expect a counterattack, now that your mother has informed him of our mutual surrender. It is perfect to cause a little mayhem for the master of trouble." 

The pair turned their heads to look at the glorious fireworks finale, wrapped in each other's arms. Kagome drew in a deep breath. Oh, she would so live to regret this!

"Sesshoumaru!" Her inuyoukai looked at her upturned face, a devious grin spreading across his perfect face like treacle. His tone was teasing - he already knew what she was going to say.

"Yes, mate?"

"Let's prank Shippo!"

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A/N: And that is it people! I hope the ending didn't disappoint, and I am grateful for all of you great folks who stuck around 'till the end. This story is dedicated to two amazing people; inu eyes, for politely requesting a sequel to 'Living Life' and inspiring me to write this, and the wonderful Himura Asami, who leaves the most enthusiastic and complimentary reviews I have ever had the pleasure of receiving.