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Careful of her sharp claws, she carefully placed the tape along the edge of the cheerful green wrapping paper, brushing her bangs away from her face after. Humming to herself, she sorted through the small pile of bows covered in glitter, deciding on a bright red one, much like the one on her head and stuck it right on top. Letting out a high pitched squeal, ten-year-old Moroha held up the present, admiring the prettily wrapped gift for her mama. It looked absolutely perfect to her. I really hope she likes it!
You missed a spot and it looks messy .” Her cousin stated, her nose turned upward. Sticking out her tongue, Moroha clutched the gift that held her mama’s new music box to her chest, feelings hurt.
“Like yours is so much better, Towa.” She frowned, her lips forming a pout. Looking over the growing stack of perfectly wrapped presents next to her, each one with the exact amount of glitter and sparkle without looking too tacky, Moroha couldn’t help but look down at her own and sighed.
She turned the box over slowly, spotting the hole that was pointed out, the bow on top a little lopsided and the green paper now crumpled from holding it too tight. She even spotted a few tiny holes made from her claws, internally groaning at the idea of rewrapping it. She’s right. It’s not like I hate doing this, but I’m not a crafty person, like Mama is.
“Aunt ‘Gome isn’t going to care what it looks like, as long as it came from you.” A small hand patted her arm, Moroha giving her eldest cousin a smile, silently thanking her. Rin leaned in closer, a smile on her own lips. “Besides, you know Towa is a perfectionist.”
“Am not.” Towa piped up, crossing her arms.
“You are too.” Setsuna, who had been silent up until now, rolled her eyes at her twin’s retort. “Everyone knows the only reason you wrap gifts is to make the actual gift a surprise. Rin’s correct Moro, she’s going to love it no matter what.”
Feeling giddy and tad embarrassed at their praise and her childhood nickname, Moroha smirked, snatched up another matching bow and covered the hole. Now, it’s perfect. Mama’s always loves whatever I give her. I wonder if her and Dad plan on telling everyone soon about their secret.
“We need to finish these before Mom and Dad come back, so don’t listen to my little sister and keep on wrapping!” She sliced a thin gold ribbon, holding up the pair in triumph and Moroha let out a giggle, thankful for her. She grabbed the box labeled “Dad” and the peppermint striped paper as her cousins chatted away.
“Rinny, when do you go back to school?” Towa chirped.
“Oh, not until the 9th! Holiday break is always a month long.”
“I can’t wait until college.” Towa sighed, a twinkle in her eye. “Do you know what mistletoe is?”
“Yes.” Rin laughed, a curious look on her features, “Why do you ask?”
“Hisui said it was something adults used to kiss each other with?” She grimaced, shuddering in disgust.
“Kissing?! Gross.” Moroha screeched, her nose wrinkling at the idea of kissing any one outside of her family. I’m never gonna do that. I see Mama and Dad do it all the time.
“I know!” Towa agreed, “Hisui says his dad waves it around his mom and she laughs, but they always kiss.”
“Well,” Rin hummed, imitating her dad, “It's a plant with berries that kind of look like cherries, but they’re white and waxy. I recently learned that humans used to use them to ward off witches and demons, while also encouraging fertility in the new year, which seems a bit silly to me. Now, I think it’s just more of a decoration or a fairytale, but it is nicknamed the kissing plant.”
Trying to picture the plant she described, Moroha shook her head. She’s so smart. I can’t wait to go to college and learn so many new things. It’s called the kissing plant? Why would anyone want to use a plant for that?
“Mama and Dad are always being lovey dovey, so why would they need a plant for that?” Confused, Moroha asked out loud, tilting her head.
“You don’t use the plant to kiss, it’s just something to encourage it.” Setsuna shook her head, her long ponytail swinging behind her as she softly smiled.
“They’ve been like that since I was a kid.” Rin laughed, the sound melodic as she placed her finished present beside her. “It’s just something people have fun with, like poppers for New Year’s and balloons for birthdays, that’s all. Oh, I get it now. My parents love to have fun. We play games, tell jokes and laugh like all the time.
“Where do you get something like that?” Towa asked.
“Why, is there someone you want to kiss?” She teased.
“No! I just want to make one for Mom and Dad.” Her cousin threw a bow at her, everyone laughing. “Rin, can we make one?”
“Sure, there’s plenty of supplies here. I’ll show you.”
Pausing in her wrapping, Moroha joined her cousins in making mistletoe, an idea forming in her mind to show everyone how much her parents loved each other . I need to talk to Grandpa Toga.
~~~~~~~
Her favorite Christmas movie played in the background, a singing snowman dancing across the screen, and Moroha smiled at the scene around her. Despite being almost fifteen she was securely nestled in between her parent’s legs, sitting with legs crossed on the floor. Around her, filling the front room in her grandparent’s mansion, sat her family, everyone partaking in their annual tradition.
Ever since she could remember, Moroha, her parents, her extended family and even her parents' friends with their kids, would all arrive two or three days before Christmas and stay through New Year’s. Her mama’s family would be coming in a few days to spend the rest of their vacation with them and she was excited. Uncle Souta always brings the best gifts.
After they watched a movie, each year someone getting to choose, she and her cousins would share a room, staying up late to tell each other silly stories. Their parents would often come in later in the night, telling them to be quiet a few times.
Then, each morning, her Grandma Izzy would cook the best french toast, Moroha always stuffing her face after pouring half a bottle of syrup over them. After breakfast, everyone always did family pictures, something she wasn’t too fond of, but could appreciate as the years went by. Then, it was finally time for presents and hot chocolate, her absolute most favorite part of the holidays. This is always my favorite time of the year.
“Okay, okay. You know the rule.” Uncle Miroku announced, his indigo eyes sparkling as the chattering quieted down, his arms filled with his youngest Asahi. “Each person can open one gift before everyone heads off to bed.”
“Can we pick which ones?” Hisui asked excitedly.
“Now you know it’s up to the adults.” His dad smirked, Asahi cooing softly.
“But, Daaaaaad!” He whined, soft chuckles from the adults filling the air. Rolling her eyes, Moroha leaned back against the couch, giggling when Kin’u placed a hand over his mouth, silencing him swiftly.
“Hisui.” Auntie Sango quickly rose, her voice in that tone that even sent shivers down her spine as she took the baby from him. Hearing her dad’s soft chuckle, Moroha glanced up at him, snickering when he crossed his eyes, his face looking all funny. She waited patiently, fingering the long braid her mama did as Miroku started to pass out the presents, Rin being first this year.
The rule was, each person would open their gift before the next one was passed out, so nobody felt left out. A rule initiated when she and all of her cousins were little, wrestling with each other for attention. Smiling at the memory, Moroha sat back and admired the tree.
Reaching almost the ceiling and topped with the brightest Kagome star she had ever seen, her family Christmas tree was filled with an abundance of ornaments. Spotting the dog shaped clay one she had made in preschool, she peered closer, noticing an ear had broken off. Well, it is old.
Looking back at each branch brightly lit with a rainbow of colors, gifts of all shapes and sizes underneath, Moroha memorized the scene, wanting to remember it for years to come. Uncle Omaru opened his gift, Aunt Kagure aweing over the shiny silver picture frame with her kids in it, something Setsuna had decided on.
Uncle Miroku proceeded to hand her a small box with her name written on it in perfect letters, Moroha recognizing her grandparent’s handwriting anywhere. Smiling up at Grandpa Toga, he winked, his fangs appearing as he smiled. Just as she was ready to tear into it, her mama spoke up.
“We don’t get one?” She asked as Miroku sank into the couch, right next to Sango, placing his arm around her shoulder.
“Moroha wanted to do that one, once everyone was finished.” He shrugged, smiling wickedly, wagging his brows in her direction. Oh, Uncle Miroku.
“Whatcha up to there, kiddo?” Her dad leaned down, poking her in the side with his claw. Squealing, she moved away, sticking her tongue out at him before settling back in her favorite spot. It’s gonna be a surprise for everyone. I can’t wait.
“Go ahead and open yours, honey.” Her mama smiled, running her hand over her hair. I know Towa and Setsune don’t like getting affection from their parents, but I think I would cry if Mama stopped with me. Clutching her gift, she ripped the paper away, gasping as happiness filled her.
“I got a Nintendo Switch!”
“Oh, that’s so much fun! You’ve been wanting one for a while now.” Kagome asked, sorting through the discarded paper to see the tag. “Who is it from, Moro?”
Sorting through the stack of games that went with her console, Moroha grinned when she spotted the newest version of Animal Crossing, missing her mama’s question. Sweet! I can’t wait to sit in my treehouse in the backyard and play this all afternoon.
“Moroha, what do you say?” Her dad asked, her voice matching Aunt Sango’s from earlier. Freezing, she sheepishly looked up, giving him her best innocent smile. Carefully setting down her gift, she dashed across the room and landed in Toga’s lap.
“Thank you so much, I love it!” She giggled, placing a soft kiss on her grandmother’s cheek, then hugging her grandfather tightly.
“I’m so glad, dear. Your Grandfather was really excited about getting this for you.” Grandma Izzy ran her fingers down her braid, leaning in close to whisper. “He even got one of his own to play with you, if you’d like?”
“You can show this old man how to get with the times.” He joked. Nodding eagerly, she laughed when Toga squeezed her tight. If I didn’t know any better, I would say I’m his favorite.
Rising to her feet, she clapped her hands, everyone turning their attention on her. It’s time! Stepping around her cousins, she stood underneath the archway that led into the kitchen, waving her parents to join her, snatching the small gift tucked in the back of the tree along the way.
She grinned as her dad helped her mama to her feet, Moroha inhaling the excitement and happiness that filled the room. Pushing back the nerves that had risen, she told them to stay there when they joined her. Nodding to her Uncle Miroku, she watched as he pulled on a bow, the handmade mistletoe she made, appearing.
“I know you know what that is, so don’t kiss her yet!” She arched her brow when her dad lowered his head, ready to do just that. The adults laughed, her mama sporting a warm blush across her nose.
Holding out the gift, she stood on her tiptoes as they slowly opened it, a look of awe appearing on Kagome’s face as Inuyasha started laughing loudly. He pulled out a tiny pair of shoes, waiting for her to explain as she heard gasps behind her.
“This had better not be your way of telling me I’m a grandfather.” Her dad arched his brow.
“Oh gross, no way!” She shuddered, shaking her head. I ain’t having kids for a long time.
“I guess our daughter is going to give away our secret before we can.” He laughed again. “We’re having another baby!”
She giggled as he pulled her mama in close, placing a kiss to her forehead as her family clapped and cheered around them. She figured some of them had an idea, but didn’t want to spoil it for her parents.
“Moro, how did you know?” Kagome asked, leaning over to brush a stray lock behind her ear.
“I’m not a baby, ya know.” She smirked before shrugging, “I overheard you and Dad talking about it the other day, plus you smelled kinda like Auntie Sango when she was pregnant. Besides, nobody likes pickles with ice cream.”
Her mama shook her head, giving Inuyasha a knowing smile.
“Oh! I asked Grandpa Toga and he told me.” She added, giving away her secret.
“Dad!” Inuyasha rolled his eyes, sighing in exasperation as her mama fixed the braid along Moroha’s back.
“Does this mean you’re okay with being a big sister?” She asked softly, her mama’s brown eyes searching hers. Nodding, Moroha smiled.
“I couldn’t ask for anything better for Christmas.” She replied quietly, happiness blooming at her mama’s smile. “Now, kiss and show everyone how much you love each other under the mistletoe!”
“Mistletoe, huh?” Her mama smirked, imitating her dad.
“Hisui told Towa that Uncle Miroku likes to chase Aunt Sango around with it!”
“Miroku.” Sango growled, a mischievous look appearing in Moroha’s eyes when her dad arched his brow.
“I’m only guilty of loving you, my dear.” She heard him reply.
Pointing above them, Moroha just laughed when her dad sighed and dipped her mama into a low sweep, kissing her soundly. Once they were done, he pulled her in for a family hug, Moroha deciding she couldn’t wait to share the next Christmas and family traditions with her new baby brother or sister as she hugged her parents tight.