The Mori Christmas Gala by kaoruhana

Forgetful Kagome

A/N: Prompt: Ribbons

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     "Hello!”  Kagome greeted Sesshomaru as he walked into the banquet hall a few days later. He had just caught her on her way out- a good thing he mused. 

     “Hello.”  He greeted back before looking at his car parked on the side of the street.  “I had actually come to drop off gifts.  Every year we give the party planners the gifts to wrap.  I have them in the car.” 

     “Oh!” 

     Kagome had forgotten all about it and she silently cursed.  Her schedule did not include for that much. She had allocated a day for gift arranging but that was so that she and her colleagues could memorize their faces and have the right gifts going to the right child.  She had completely forgotten that she was supposed to wrap them as well!

     “Is everything all right Higurashi-san?”  Sesshomaru asked watching her facial expression change to worry. 

     Had she gotten gifts as well?  But he had told her he was getting them.  Had she expected them to arrive later?  He looked at her and noticed that she was still lost in her mental anxiety and worry- that wouldn’t do.  Gently, he put a hand on her shoulder, and when even that didn’t faze her, shook her shoulder.  That got her attention immediately and she looked up at him sharply.  As she understood the reasoning behind his actions a small embarrassed blush took over her cheeks. 

     “I’m sorry for spacing out.”  She apologized looking at his car.  “It’s just I forgot that we usually wrap presents as well.  I can’t ask any of the workers to stay overtime- Sano and Satoshi have college classes and Sango has dates.  And I kind of hadn’t factored that cost into the budget.  I mean I have some money set aside in the budget for extra expenses but it won’t cover all the presents.”  She was rambling in her frustration and he decided to stop her, lest she blame herself for something that could easily be fixed. 

     “What do you usually use to wrap these items?”  He asked interrupting her ramble.  She continued for a moment before his question registered and she stopped to look at him in wonder. 

     “What?” 

     “I asked you what you generally use to wrap the gifts.”  Sesshomaru stated feeling a little wary at her gaze.  And why was he doing this?  When had he decided to help her? 

     “Ribbons and wrapping paper.”  Kagome answered her smile wide.  Her face changed and she sighed.  “We might have to buy cardboard this year too- I think there’s a recycling center downtown that sells old used boxes and I can salvage that.” 

     “And what would the cost be to purchase these items?”  He prodded deciding that since he had already hinted at the offer he might as well go through with it. 

     “I’m not sure.  Prices have gone up at the center so what I say is probably not what is really the cost anymore.  Don’t worry, Mori-san, I’ll figure it out.”  He sighed and instead pointed to his car. 

     “It is of no matter.  I can spare extra money for the wrapping items.  If you show me where to purchase them, I shall take you.”  Kagome’s wide eyes once again found his and he squirmed under their gaze. 

     “Are you sure?  I mean… if it’s not  a bother.” 

     “Just get in the car Higurashi-san.”  He stated already heading towards the driver’s seat.  She beamed at him- that smile really did bad things to one’s heart and stomach- and he drove them to their destinations. 

     A few hours later, as he received a call from Kagura informing him that Hasegawa-san was personally looking into the matter of Rin and her fellow orphanage counterparts, he informed her that he would be busy that following Saturday- actually two days away. 

     “Oh and what are you going to be doing?”  Kagura asked over the phone. 

     “Wrapping presents with-“  He caught himself in time.  Yes, he had agreed to help Higurashi since she needed it, but he wasn’t too keen on letting his assistant think too much on the matter. They were acquaintances who both were working towards the same goal- a gala that happened without any hitches.  That was all there was there was to the matter. 

     “A date then?”  Kagura asked slyly having put pieces together.  “Remember take her flowers!” 

     Sesshomaru hung up on his assistant and turned off the T.V.  It was early but it was time for bed where he didn’t have to think about his party planner or evade his personal assistant.  It was the best decision he had made all day.