The Mori Christmas Gala by kaoruhana

"Home Away from Home"

Prompt: Wreath    

     Sesshomaru parked his car and took the elevator up from the parking garage to the banquet hall.  He had been busy the past two days but today he was free and had come by to take a peek at the decorations going along for the gala.  The receptionist greeted him and he gave the man a nod before he followed his ears to the sounds that were emanating from the banquet hall.  It sounded like a young woman was ordering people around.  For a moment, he was confused before he remembered that his regular party planner was retiring and had sent her best subordinate in her place. 

     He dodged a wreath and watched as it fell to the floor next to him.  A young woman had tossed it as she was bent down over a large box.  He assumed someone was to catch the wreath and that the party planners weren’t trying to main themselves with the Christmas objects.  He cleared his throat hoping to catch her attention since everyone else in the room had already noticed his presence. 

     Shinichi-kun?”  Kagome stated looking over her shoulder.  She froze and then stood, straightening herself as she did so.  “Sorry Mori-san.”  She eyed the fallen wreath next to him- a gaudy thing that had seen better days.  He distinctly recalled it from the past four years and how happy he had been to see it every time. 

     “It is fine.”  Now that he looked around the room, Sesshomaru realized he had walked into an unpacking zone.  Trees lay in corners at the far end of the room near the stage, and three workers were stationed in a triangle around the young woman.  They each had boxes next to them: some empty, some full. 

     “Anyway, I do apologize.  I should have been more careful. My name is Higurashi Kagome by the way.”  Kagome ran a hand through her hair. 

     “As I said, it is fine Higurashi-san.”  He took in the layout of the room.  Things were different this year.  Normally, Kaede would have decorators working on the ceilings while others brought in the boxes to be inventoried.  And normally, there were at least eight workers in the room compared to four.  Had the company downsized this year? 

     “Are you a smaller crew?”  He asked curiously before he noticed a drawing on a nearby table.  “Are those the plans for this year’s decorations?” 

     Kagome had barely had time to process the first question before he asked the second.  Still, she answered both and as she did so, handed him the plans for this year’s party- the same sheets he had noticed. 

     “We were hired for two parties this year so Kaede-san split our crew.  Rest assured, we will be just as productive as if it was eight of us.  And yes- these are the plans.  I want to make it a “home-away-from-home” party this year.  Fried chicken, sponge cake- some decorated already and some that kids can decorate themselves, and things like that.  I want to make this place a gigantic dining room with lots of mini-tables.  I’m going to have sparkling soda and grape juice, water, and popcorn decorations.  Oh and candy-canes!” 

     He took in the drawing and heard her words.  The concept actually sounded pleasing.  Being an orphan who had been brought up in the Japanese child-care system the one thing he had always wanted every Christmas was a family dinner with KFC.  The orphanage always had hot oden and delicious food that night but he and the rest of his orphanage friends had always longed for that sponge cake and fried chicken- the orders that they had to pick up.  This young woman saw that and whether she realized it or not was bringing joy to these children.  What was normal Christmas food for her was a feast for these children. 

     “KFC chicken.”  He stated softly his eyes finding the wreath that had fallen down.  Every year, it greeted children who walked in, like a sign beckoning someone to enter a house.  It had seen better days but it was a warm welcoming sight to him right now. 

     “I can do that.”  Kagome stated noting his gaze on the wreath.  She originally hadn’t wanted to put that up this year but seeing his face made her change her mind.  “Anything else?” 

     “No.”  Sesshomaru handed the papers back to her and squared his shoulders.  “I will be back to check on the progress later this week if I have time.” 

    “Of course!  Goodbye Mori-san!” 

     He waved goodbye and the workers watched him walk away before they got back to work themselves.