A/N: Merry Christmas to one and all! Okay, it's not first thing in the morning, but like I said I have been sick and my family was all gun-ho on opening presents the second I got up this morning. I got a lot of great gifts, I hope all of you guys did too. Especially a lot of music, a new sketch pad, and a pair of Spiderman socks, yay! Anyway, here is the last chapter for this story, I hope you all enjoy it. It's been a really pleasure writing for you.
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, or the songs in this chapter, but I do like to bend them to my will.
All I Want For Christmas Is You
Chapter 7: No Refunds
It was hours before Kagome could bring herself to sleep, and almost two days before she could look into the mirror. The full impact of what she had told Inuyasha weighed her down. What was his real reaction to her story? She had carried Hojo's secret most of her life, and it made her feel very old. There were times when she resented him for that, but then she felt guilty for being angry with him. It was a volatile circle she went in, but by telling Inuyasha, she'd broken it. For the first time in months, it was really like she wasn't alone.
When it was Christmas Eve, Rin and Sango appeared on Kagome's porch first thing in the morning. In their arms, they carried amps and instruments. Kagome showered and dressed quickly, tossing the costumes she had made for the three of them into a bag and departing for the concert early. Her family agreed to meet them later.
The Shikon Jewels were playing the annual Tokyo Heights Christmas Festival. The school gym was decorated in red, white, green, and silver. It was a veritable winter wonderland decked out with candies and gingerbread men. It was enough Christmas Spirit to knock even a buff like Kagome for a loop. All she could do was bask in the glow of Christmas light. It truly wouldn't be hard now.
The Jewels weren't set to go on until last. Kaede had arranged for them to be the closing act, due to the amazing popular demand that had come after them for their first appearance at the coffee house. Much of the turnout for the festival were there to see the three juniors.
"Do you think we're worth groupies?" Rin asked with a dazzling smile.
"I think if we weren't, they wouldn't be here," Sango added wisely, but then she blushed. "But it still doesn't seem real, you know?"
"Yeah," Kagome agreed with a smile. "We're here, and it is real though. All of it is real." The other two girls couldn't understand the real meaning to her words, but Kagome made a vow to tell them after Christmas. Without her really noticing, Sango and Rin had become such important fixtures in Kagome's newfound life.
Sango, always wearing black lipstick and always ready to smile, with her casual and accepting attitude, had turned into the soulful big-sister figure Kagome never thought to have. And Rin, sweet, soft-spoken Rin who was always the peacekeeper and secret bad-girl was the double-life partner Kagome longed for back home. With these two friends, Kagome had found the home where she really belonged. This Christmas, she made it her mission to let the ones who mattered know just how much they did.
While waiting for the festival to begin, the Jewels helped with last minute decorations and sound checks. Kagome and Sango found themselves in the middle of a crêpe-paper fight soon after volunteering to finish the stage decorations. Rin blasted both of them with a can of fake snow after she finished with the gym windows. That only provoked both the other girls to chase her around. Kaede was forced to take all the snow away from them in the end.
By three o'clock, the gym was done and the festival began. The first few acts were just reading so Christmas poems, stories, or songs. There were groups who did scenes from plays like A Christmas Carol, and there were groups of carolers.
Kagome saw her family come at seven, like they promised. She saved them good seats, near the stage. Sango's father and little brother were already waiting. Rin's parents and her younger siblings--all three of them--were already there as well. Who she was really waiting for, was Inuyasha. He, Miroku, and Sesshomaru swaggered in near eight o'clock, just before the Jewels were set to take the stage.
Sango had to tug on Kagome's elbow to remind her that they needed to change into the locker room. She cast one last look in his direction, even though he hadn't yet spotted her, and then followed her friends into the room to change. It took all of twenty minutes before Kouga, the designated announcer of all events, introduced the Shikon Jewels for their Christmas presentation.
The lights dimmed, apart from three spotlights set on the stage. Their instruments and amps were set up as they had been at the coffee house. All that was missing was the band. Inuyasha sat high in the bleachers beside his brother and best friend. His pulse sped up when the Jewels were announced. He waited for Kagome to take the stage in her 'bad-ass' get up, but when they appeared, there were no words.
No one could ever say that The Shikon Jewels didn't get into the Christmas spirit. Rin entered first, and sat at her drums, flashing the new sticks Kagome had given her. She was dressed like a reindeer, complete with decorative antlers and a skin-tight brown jumpsuit. Her gloves were brown and fingerless, and she still wore a pair of old sneakers. Rin even had the guts to wear a red clown nose to give off the appearance of Rudolph, it had been her idea.
Sango was dressed like Santa, and for once, not donning black lipstick. This time it was red, along with her eye shadow. She was wearing a short skirt, hemmed with white, complete with red nylon tights and red high heels. Her top was also lined with white. It was long sleeves and ended with red, fingerless gloves. On her head was a Santa hat, and she was happily glowing as she took her position in front of the keyboard.
Kagome exited last, like before. She was dressed like an elf. On the top of her head was a green hat, complete with a red feather, that looked like a prop from a Robin Hood movie. She wore green lipstick and eye shadow to match her tight green jumper. Beneath it was a lime green turtleneck shirt and green nylon tights. Her shoes weren't green, but she had drawn small Christmas Trees on to white sneakers as an added touch. Her hands were donned with green fingerless gloves, as always, and she grabbed her tree pick when pulling on her guitar.
Once all three of them were in position, Kagome smiled broadly and turned to the microphone. "Merry Christmas Tokyo Heights," she cried. All the watchers cheered. The Jewels cheered back.
Inuyasha just smiled to himself, seeing the spectacle that only those three could create. Miroku, who sat on his left, drooled with wide eyes. Inuyasha knew that if one were to poke him, he'd simply fall over stiffly. Sesshomaru, who was on Inuyasha's right, sat stiffly upright, but there was a look of vague surprise on his face. It changed subtly into interest as the girls continued their show.
"This first song we're going to do," Kagome said with flourish, "is dedicated to our families. It's an old song, but it's our personal favorite. Silent Night!" They paused for a moment, Rin beating off the count, then they began to play the haunting carol.
Silent night, holy night!
All is calm, all is bright.
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child.
Holy Infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.
Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight.
Glories stream from heaven a far,
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia,
Christ the Savior is born!
Christ the Savior is born!
Silent night, holy night!
Son of God love's pure light.
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth."
The song ended and everyone applauded happily. The girls could pull off classic as beautifully as they could do contemporary rock. After a minutes pause, where the Jewels conversed amongst themselves, Kagome returned to her microphone with a shy smile.
"This next song is a more personal tune," she began, glancing around the bleachers. "A lot of people have been asking me what I want for Christmas this year, and I finally decided on what I want." When she spotted him, Inuyasha knew she was looking straight at him. "This is for you, and you know who you are." And that was when she started to play, wit the other two girls backing up, and smiling broadly.
I don't want a lot for Christmas
There is just one thing I need
I don't care about the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true...
All I want for Christmas is
You... yea yea
I don't want a lot for Christmas
There is just one thing I need
(and I) Don't care about presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
I don't need to hang my stocking
There upon the fireplace
Santa Claus won't make me happy
With a toy on Christmas day
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is you...
You baby
Oh I won't ask for much this Christmas
I won't even wish for snow
(and I) I'm just gonna keep on waiting
Underneath the mistletoe
I won't make a list and send it
To the North Pole for Saint Nick
I won't even stay awake to
Hear those magic reindeer click
'Cause I just want you here tonight
Holding on to me so tight
What more can I do
Baby all I want for Christmas is you
You baby
All the lights are shining
So brightly everywhere (so brightly yea)
And the sound of children's
Laughter fills the air
And everyone is singing (oh yea)
I hear those sleigh bells ringing
Santa won't you bring me the one I really need -
won't you please bring my baby to me...
Oh I don't want a lot for Christmas
This is all I'm asking for
I just want to see my baby
Standing right outside my door
Oh I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
Baby all I want for Christmas is
You (You) baby
All I want for Christmas is you baby...
All I want for Christmas is you baby...
When the song ended, the gym erupted in cheers. It had truly been the best showing performed the night, and the Shikon Jewels were the best musical performance to grace the stage of Tokyo Heights High School in a great number of years, if ever. But that was the last thing on the minds of any of the band members. They played because they loved it, and they played because it made them who they were.
For Sango, music established that she could be the best of both worlds. She was a young woman, even if she did act more like a boy. For Rin, the drums let her break free of the image the world seemed to hold on her. She was not just that quiet little girl, forever trapped in the body of a six-year-old child. For Kagome, it let her remember who she truly was. As bad as things got, as horrible as her life became, music was her way to reconnect with her world and with everyone who made that world hers. That was the purpose of the Shikon Jewels, and there was no doubt to anyone that they would be around for years to come. But that was the last thing on the minds of the band members. Today it was Christmas, and they played for their best fans, the boys who loved them.
Right now, Miroku and Inuyasha bounded down from the bleachers and stormed the stage. Miroku bowed at the keyboard before stepping behind and kissing Sango right there, in front of the entire festival. Inuyasha was a little more subtle. He casually stood by Kagome and smiled.
"So what do you really want for Christmas?" he teased.
Kagome closed one eye and pressed her lips together, thinking hard. She took off her guitar and placed it gently on the stand, then she stepped right up to him. "You," she said with a smile.
"I'm non-refundable," he said in all seriousness. "Once you have me, you'll be stuck with me."
"That's okay," she assured him. "You'll just have to make it up to me later." And then she wrapped her arms around his neck and eagerly pulled him down to her so she could properly kiss him. That was the best Christmas present Inuyasha had ever received, and he was more than happy to return it to the sender.
Meanwhile, Rin watched both of her friends with a happy sigh. Like always, she was the one left standing along, but this was the time she didn't mind. Christmas was a magical time, after all, and she wouldn't begrudge the two best friends she ever had the happiness they so richly deserved.
Yet, a lone figure caught her eye from the side of the stage. Casually leaning against the wall was Sesshomaru, waiting for her grand exit. He cast her that look that could almost be interpreted as a smile, if you knew him well enough. Rin smiled herself and joined him out of the spotlight.
"Nice antlers," he said when she took her place at his side.
"I was feeling festive," she said. It wasn't n defense, it was only a statement.
"You look cute." Rin smiled and she felt content in her spot. This time, she wasn't standing alone. This time she stood with the one she had secretly loved from afar for more years than she cared to count. This time, he stood with her. It really was a Merry Christmas for the Shikon Jewels.
A/N: The End! For now anyway. That's right, you heard me, for now! I fully intend to continue the adventures of the Shikon Jewels. I'm thinking of making this a recurring Holiday Theme story. We'll see as we go along, but they will return, mark my words. Thanks to all of you who have been faithful readers. You guys really made my holiday. Merry Christmas, and a very Happy New Year.