This Sesshoumaru Doesn't Do Christmas by SunsetMiko

Put to Work

This Sesshoumaru Doesn’t Do Christmas

Chapter 43 - Put to Work

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

*It's Important Never to Return* (Stella's Soundtrack Challenge)

"So, you're good to go?" Sango asked.

"Yup. I've got a huge list and enough energy drinks to fuel a frat house hidden away. I'm going to work him until he's ready to drop."

"And then the fun begins," the slayer added with a laugh.

"I just really hope this works. If he won't give it up voluntarily, then I guess I have to force it out of him. I've also got the perfect line to distract him if necessary."

"Oh, do tell."

"Shit, I think he's home. I'll call you tomorrow." Kagome quickly ended the call and slipped her phone into her pocket just in time as the front door opened.

Since the holidays were just about upon them, and he didn't want a repeat of the Black Friday incident, Sesshoumaru had only worked half a day. His secretary was thrilled that he was being less of a grinch this year and had a feeling that it had everything to do with his girlfriend, who she was very thankful for. A less cranky Sesshoumaru who knew when to stop working was a blessing.

"I'm so glad you're home!" Kagome exclaimed, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him.

Her eager greeting surprised the taiyoukai. She had been rather cold and standoffish ever since the hotel incident, though she didn't always show it. He knew it was bothering her constantly, and the guilt was overwhelming. Still, he was sticking to his guns on not confessing his lies until after Christmas. If he was going to lose her, he wanted to enjoy this holiday with her first. It was her favorite, and he hoped he hadn't already ruined it for her. She seemed too chipper at the moment; however, he thought it might just be possible for it to still be perfect anyway.

"Did you miss me?" he asked playfully.

"Of course I did, but I also need your help."

"With what?” he asked.

"Well, everyone is coming over for Christmas day, and we're going to be spending Christmas Eve tomorrow at the shrine, so everything has to be done today to make it perfect."

"We are going to the shrine?" he asked.

"Yeah," Kagome sighed. "Mama begged me to come. She promised Gramps will keep his bigot mouth shut, but if he doesn't, we'll be leaving."

"As you wish," the taiyoukai agreed. He didn't want to come between her and her family, especially because he desired to make her his mate. Any existing rift would have to be dealt with so that the miko did not lose the support and love of her family. His was all gone, besides Inuyasha, and he didn't want that for her. "So, what needs to be done?"

He watched as Kagome pulled a piece of paper from her pocket and unfolded it, revealing a very long list of chores to be done, and his heart sank. He hadn't dared take another nap at the hotel after Kagome found out about it, so he was already tired. Now she had what seemed like a million tasks for him to do. He wasn't sure he could do it all and still maintain his concealment spell.

- *Beyond the Horizon* (Stella's Soundtrack Challenge)

"How's this?" Sesshoumaru asked, having moved the couch in the living room a minimum of five times.

"I think that's perfect," Kagome said with a small smile. She could already see the exhaustion in his posture, and she was glad, too. That meant her plan was working. "Now, can you take all the books off that bookshelf? I think it would look better over here," she said while gesturing to the shelf's new location. "I have to go check on the cookies." 

The miko was making more cookies; partially because she had stress-eaten a great deal of them, and also because it saved her from having to help Sesshoumaru do any of the work without looking suspicious. If he realized she was trying to exhaust him purposely, her plan might fail. She was desperate to get this deception of his over with so things could go back to normal, and they could adjust to what he was hiding. She knew it had to include more of the delicious stripes on his body, but she doubted that was all of it. Why would he fight so hard just to hide a few markings?

Shippo had insinuated that there was something more she should definitely know about, but he hadn't elaborated beyond that, so she was intensely curious. By the end of the night she should know just what he was concealing. She could only hope it was nothing terrible that she couldn't handle. She loved him more than life itself, and she doubted there was anything that could change that. Even the knowledge that he was lying to her and hiding things from the very beginning hadn't put her off, because she knew he had to have thought he had a good reason for doing so. Soon, though, the lies would be over, and they could begin again fresh.