This Sesshoumaru Doesn't Do Christmas by SunsetMiko

Research

This Sesshoumaru Doesn’t Do Christmas

Chapter 42 - Research

Monday, December 22, 2008

*You Never Know* (Stella's Soundtrack Challenge)

"So then Shippo tells me that Sesshoumaru is using a concealment spell to hide how he really looks!" Kagome exclaimed. "He said there's a way to break the concealment, but he doesn't know how."

"Time for us to do some research, then," Sango replied, grinning on her end of the phone call. "I say you give him one last chance, and if he doesn't come out with the full truth, including show and tell, you do whatever it takes to make that thing fall."

"Sounds like a plan," the miko agreed. "Do you have the books at your house, or is this going to take the library?"

"I'm not sure," the slayer replied, rising to look over her family's collection of knowledge concerning demons. "Hmm... 'Kitsune Magic', no, that doesn't sound right. Let me see here. Oh! 'Demonic Spells'. That one might have something. Wait, 'Demon Concealment: Hiding in Plain Sight'. That sounds promising."

"Shall I come over then?" Kagome asked, already standing and bouncing on her heels with excitement. "I want to know everything about this spell of his, not just how to break it."

"I'll leave the front door unlocked," Sango replied, already immersed in the table of contents. This situation with the taiyoukai and Kagome had just gotten extremely interesting.

- *A Wild Fancy* (Stella's Soundtrack Challenge)

"So tell me," Sango started. "How was the whole Santa thing, I mean besides Shippo's revelation?"

Kagome looked up from the book she was reading with a smile. "He was wonderful with the children. Man, I wish demons didn't have such a thing against adoption. Rin loved him. Sure, Shippo hates him, but I think he'd get over it. I've been aching to bring those two home with me since I first met them. It's not fair that they have almost no chance of ever finding a family. You and Miroku could adopt."

The slayer laughed. "Miroku is already planning on our having a dozen children. I don't think I could take more than that. Hell, I don't think I could manage more than three."

"He does have high hopes. Oh, Sango, the special presents he picked out for them, each one was perfect, designed to help them come into and control their powers. He would make an amazing father."

"So, you're not angry with him for hiding how he really looks from you? I thought for sure you'd be pissed."

"Nah, I think it's the same thing as his hiding his instincts. He must have been worried about... oh, how did you put it? Being 'blatantly demonic'?"

Sango giggled. "That's still a good one."

"Yes, yes it is. If he was worried that I wouldn't like him because he is a demon, then hiding markings makes sense, I guess. Remember those markings I saw on his back that time? I bet that's a part of what he's using the concealment spell for. He's being such an idiot, staying awake all night so his spell won't fall. That's why he's so tired that he has to nap at a hotel on his lunch break. What could be so terrible that he'd go to such lengths to hide it?"

*Nevermore* (Stella's Soundtrack Challenge)

Sango smirked but kept her mouth shut. After just reading a book on inu cover to cover, she had an idea of what the taiyoukai might be hiding, but she wasn't going to say a word. She wanted the miko to have a genuine reaction when she finally discovered his secret.

"I don't know, but he's definitely being stupid. He probably hid it in the beginning before he got to know you well, and then he didn't know how to come out with the truth. Starting a relationship with lies is never a good thing, and he would have to admit that he basically lied to you by concealing his true self."

"Like I've always said: Men are stupid. From now on, there had better be no more lies, though. This has been a huge pain over nothing. Never again."

*Moonlight Guidepost* (Stella's Soundtrack Challenge)

"Sesshoumaru?" Kagome started sweetly. "Is there anything you need to tell me?" She was giving him this one final out before she did things the messy way. She and Sango had successfully found a way to bring down his concealment spell, but she was giving him one last chance to show her what he was hiding himself.

The taiyoukai was silent for a long time while he mentally battled his beast.

'She is giving you a way out from under your lies to make things better! She asked you directly. Why not show her?'

'I cannot. If I do, it will only lead to a fight, which will ruin her holidays after she has worked so hard to make everything perfect. I can't do that to her.'

'You are truly an idiot. After everything, after her finding out about the hotel and worrying that you have betrayed her, you still will not take advantage of the opportunity she has presented you? Fool!'

'She will never be able to forgive me for lying to her for so long. I want to spend as much quality time with her as possible before I must confess. This is likely all the time I will have with her.'

'She won't leave you for hiding your true appearance if you explain why you did it!'

Sesshoumaru simply couldn't believe his beast. He was far too terrified of losing the miko he desired as his mate. He painted himself into a corner, and there was no way out without damaging their relationship. He refused to do so days before her favorite holiday. It simply wouldn't be fair to her. No, he would wait until after Christmas passed, and then he would confess and show her everything.

And so the taiyoukai turned to Kagome and lied once again. "No, there is nothing."

'Have it your way," the miko thought. 'This might just be fun.'