Archive of Our Own ^beta

SHOPPING

Finding gifts for her friends in the past was difficult and she had stewed over it for a good long while. Mama eventually took pity on her and asked if she needed help.

“I don’t know what to get or make them. I need practical gifts, small things we can take on our trips.”

Mama thought good and hard for a few moments. “What is something only you can do? Something that no matter how strong or smart anyone else is, something that only Kagome Higurashi can do?”

Kagome frowned and then smiled brightly. “Barriers! I can make protection charms.”

COOKING

While Kagome did borrow and bless some of Grandpa’s charms for gifts, she also bought cheap spices and sturdy containers that would help protect against heat and humidity. Most of the spices would be left at Kaede’s home for her use while smaller containers would be taken with them on their hunts.

Mouth-watering scents wafted through the village, calling to her friends’ bellies. One by one they filtered into Kaede’s hut for supper, marveling over the rich flavors of soups, sides, and fish that had been caught earlier.

All were surprised when Rin called through the mat at the door.

WRAPPING

Rin watched Kagome wrap unknown items into coarse cloth and tie them off with thin rope. 

“What are you doing?”

Kagome’s eyes twinkled.. “Where I come from, we exchange gifts with our family members-” Rin’s eyes dimmed and Kagome quickly added, “I meant our pack members.” The little girl was happy to be included. Kagome supposed that she wouldn’t be familiar with the human term.

“Oh.” 

Rin’s face fell and Inuyasha had seen Rin’s reaction. He huffed, “don’t worry, kid. Kagome wouldn’t forget you.”

Brown eyes widened when Kagome wiggled a bundle with green rope.

“You’re our family too, Rin.”

GIFTING

As promised, Sesshoumaru returned in time for the special dinner the miko had planned and invited them to. AhUn was left at the den to keep warm but he was not forgotten when Kagome handed their present to Sesshoumaru for safe keeping.

Once all of Kagome’s first gifts were given out, everyone opened them with care. All were given blessed charms to wear on their person with the exception of Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha. Their charms were to be tied to their sword for added power and overall protection. Shippo and Rin also received fur-lined, waterproof boots for the colder months.

GAMING

It was a challenge to come up with games that would entertain the adults as well as the children but thanks to the internet and three teenage girlfriends, Kagome had enough for the night.

She shouldn’t have been surprised when the children caught on so quickly and beat them all. Even Sesshoumaru was surprised to have lost the first round to the children but that competitive spark that was usually saved for tiffs with Inuyasha was present. Not even Inuyasha or Jaken could withhold their merriment at the activities. Tonight had been successful and Kagome captured memories with her camera.

EATING

The scent of the food had teased their noses and appetites all afternoon and now that they had finished handing out gifts and played games, the food was ready to eat. Much to everyone’s surprise, even Sesshoumaru partook of select portions of the meal, curious about the seasonings used.

During Kagome's breaks from the shard hunt, she would practice cooking different foods with her mother. Some items could not be found in the past and Kagome brought those back with her but most recipes were ones she prepared for according to what could be hunted and gathered near the village.

GOSSIPPING/TALKING

Kagome sat on a grassy hill and watched her friends interact with the villagers. Sango and Miroku chatted with some hunters from the village, Inuyasha was talking to a man who needed hut repairs before snowfall and Shippo and Rin played with the other children. 

Youki gently rocked against reiki as Sesshoumaru took a seat near Kagome.

“Why do you not visit with your companions?”

Kagome smiled. Their friendship had come a long way and she savored it. “Even when I try, I don’t fit in and I don’t belong here.”

Sesshoumaru huffed. “It seems we have that in common.”

LAUGHING

Sesshoumaru’s eyes tracked Kagome as she walked through his home. Rin pulled her and Shippo through the halls while the slayer and monk followed close behind. Kaede wished to wait winter out in the village so the group prepared her hut for the cold season with repairs and firewood and whatever else she needed.

Laughter rolled through the halls, her laughter and it shook the shadows and heaviness from the stone walls and floors. More laughter came with the kit’s playful whines echoing after. He finally had Kagome where he wanted her but how would he convince her to stay?

DANCING

Beautiful streams of moonlight filled the private family garden as Kagome twirled and twined through the milky lights. Moonlight made the snowy grounds look bright as day.

Soft music lured Sesshoumaru to the family gardens. Inuyasha sat against the wall of the shiro with Tessaiga wrapped in his hold. 

“Leave her alone. She just wants to dance.”

Golden eyes watched the miko dance circles with the fox kit held tight against her chest, resting his head against the woman holding him like the kit he was. The image of Kagome doing the same to silver-haired, blue eyed-pups made him hope.

LOVING AND LIVING

Another year had passed, more traditions were shared, and life moved on. Now that Naraku was no longer an issue, Inuyasha’s group forged new paths as regular people leading regular lives. Inuyasha opted to stay with Kaede and Kagome agreed to become Sesshoumaru’s mate after five long years of chasing Naraku and the Jewel.

This winter, Kagome wasn’t dancing with the fox kit in her arms. Shippo was at school. It was Sesshoumaru who was wrapped in Kagome’s arms with her head against his chest as they slowly swayed to the strange music coming out from her little solar-powered speaker.