Almost A Christmas Carol by ~Wick3d Ang3l~

Jaken's Ghost

Well I was bored and decided to write my own take on 'A Christmas Carol. I just started this yesterday and plan to have it finished by Christmas Eve :) Merry Christmas all!

Almost A Christmas Carol

"Mr. Takahashi, look, it's snowing!" his secretary called as she looked out the window. It was starting to look like they'd have a white Christmas after all.

"Hn," he replied and continued tapping away at his keyboard.

She looked over her shoulder at him and frowned. She'd worked for him for three years and even though he was always cold, it seemed to be worse around the holidays. "They say each snowflake has a different pattern," she said, trying to appeal to his interest in science.

"Higurashi, isn't there something you should be doing?" he asked without looking up.

She frowned. "I guess I should really be trying to get out of here early. Poor Rin is horribly ill."

He glanced at her for a second taking in her sudden change in mood. He had to admit the young woman was an anomaly. "Have you taken her to see the doctor?"

Kagome hugged her arms to her chest as if she had suddenly gotten cold. "The doctor said it's just the flu and gave us some medicine, but she's not getting any better. I was going to take her to the children's hospital, but I just don't have the time or money."

Sesshoumaru held in a sigh. How did he know she was going to wedge time off into that little window he had opened? "Higurashi this is a very busy time in our office, you've known this since you started here."

She looked away. "I'm sorry Mr. Takahashi. I did not mean to impose." She walked into her own office and shut the door that joined them. Tears flowed freely down her face once she was alone. As much as she loved the security her job offered she wished she could have a more understanding boss. Being a single mom, she had enough on her plate as it was, adding on a very time consuming job and an unrelenting boss just made things that much more difficult. Now her young daughter was sick and nobody could give her an explanation. The doctor said it could be a flu bug, but that had been days ago and she was only getting worse. She supposed it usually got worse before it got better, but something just didn't sit well with her. She shook her head and started working on the sales documents she had been given. Right now she needed to focus on her work so she could get home to her child.

---

Kagome stretched and cracked her fingers as she stood. She was finally done and early too! She smiled as she gathered her things. Rin would be so happy to see her home early and she was sure Momma would welcome the break. "Mr. Takahashi! I finished my work, is it okay if I..." She stopped, seeing Sesshoumaru's brother standing at his desk.

"Come on, just have Christmas dinner with us, What can it hurt?" Inuyasha pleaded, not seeming to notice her.

"I am not interested in joining your 'merriment," he said, the word dripping with venom.

"Why can't you just get into the spirit of the holiday? This is the time of year you are supposed to think of someone other than yourself!"

"I am not joining you, please leave so I can finish my work."

Inuyasha shook his head and turned to Kagome and bowed. "Have a Merry Christmas Kagome."

"You too, Inuyasha!" she stated happily. "Oh wait! I have a card," she said digging into her purse. "Here!" A look of satisfaction crossed her face. "Merry Christmas!" She handed him a card and he smiled.

"Thank you. I'll see you later."

After Inuyasha left Kagome stood in front of her bosses desk twiddling her thumbs, trying to decide if she should ask to leave early.

Sesshoumaru looked up from his computer to see the young woman standing in front of his desk, looking as if she was ready to leave no matter what his answer was. "You are free to go, just make sure you are here at seven tomorrow morning. We have a lot to get done."

Her face dropped as she stared at her boss. "Sir, tomorrow is Christmas!"

"I know what tomorrow is Higurashi, and I don't care. I want you here at seven or don't bother coming back, ever."

"Please sir, I'm only asking for this one day off, you don't even have to give me my holiday pay! My daughter is very sick and I just want to spend the holiday with her."

He growled. "Fine, you may have the day off and the government says I HAVE to pay you. Just know that your workload will be doubled when you return."

Her face brightened a bit. "Thank you so much sir! Have a Merry Christmas!"

If possible the corners of his mouth dropped even more. "Hn," was his only reply.

---

Sesshoumaru looked at the clock and sighed. It was well past six and he supposed he should be leaving. While he'd much rather stay and get work done, he didn't want to deal with the pesky night guard who felt it was his responsibility to keep anyone in the building company.

He shut down his computer and gathered his things, making sure to lock his office door behind him. He put on his heavy coat and wrapped a scarf around his neck, after all New York could be very cold in the winter. As he stepped into the elevator he started to reach for the parking garage button but hesitated. Usually he never made his final check of the lobby, but tonight something told him he needed to so he pushed the button for the first floor and waited as the elevator slowly made its way to the lobby.

When the doors opened, he saw nothing out of the ordinary, but a muffled sound caught his attention as the doors started to close again. He stepped out and looked around to see his normally happy-go-lucky secretary sitting in a chair, but what disturbed him most was that the noise he heard was the sound of her quiet sobs.

The sound of hollow footsteps on the tile floor caused her to look up. In a flash she was on her feet, she quickly wiped her eyes and plastered on a fake smile. "Mr. Takahashi, what are you doing here?"

"I was leaving and stopped for my nightly walkthrough, I believe the better question would be what are you doing here?" he asked, his eyebrow raised.

She twiddled her thumbs, opening and closing her mouth as she tried to think of an excuse. Finally she sighed, deciding just to tell him the truth. "My car won't start so I've been trying to get in touch with a cab service, but all of them are busy..."

He quickly pulled out his cell phone and dialed a number. "I need a car here at the office. ... No, it is for my secretary, she will give you directions when you get here. ... You have five minutes." He hung up and looked at her. "One of my drivers will be here to take you home, and I will have your car towed to a mechanic tonight."

She looked at him, mouth slightly agape. Never had he offered to help her in the slightest. A small smile crossed her face as she bowed. "Thank you very much sir!"

"Hn. I will stay and walk you to the car to make sure my driver knows his orders."

She nodded and they spent the next few minutes in silence. When the car pulled up, she grabbed her things out of the chair and followed him out the door.

Outside a woman and a young girl stood by a red bucket ringing a bell. "Can we trouble you for a small donation sir?" the woman asked.

Sesshoumaru turned and glared at the woman. "The state takes its cut of my hard earned money to help the under privileged, I believe that is donation enough to your... cause," he spat before turning back and heading toward the car.

Kagome turned and gave the duo an apologetic look before dropping a few coins in and followed after her boss.

The girl muttered something under her breath and pulled out a mirror. Suddenly a light swirled within and the woman smacked her in the back of the head with a fan. "Wrong show Kanna!"

---

"Momma! You're home!" a little girl yelled as she jumped into her mother's arms.

Kagome smiled, but her face soon contorted into a frown. "Rin, you're burning up!"

"Rin is better now that you are home."

Kagome shook her head as she took off her coat and shoes. "Where is grandma?"

"She's in the kitchen. We were making cookies for Santa!"

"I can see," she said as she took in her daughter's appearance. There was flour on her face and in her hair and Kagome couldn't contain a smile. "Why don't you go get cleaned up and then you can come help me make dinner?"

"Okay!"

Her heart and mind were heavy with worry as she watched Rin skip toward the restroom. She walked into the kitchen and laughed at the sight of her mother covered in flour. "Thank you for everything."

Mrs. Higurashi jumped, startled by her daughter's presence. "What do you mean honey?"

"I mean, ever since Kouga... You've helped me so much and I know I don't do much to show my gratitude."

"That's nonsense! Having you and Rin here with me is thanks enough. You buy groceries, and you help with rent and bills. If anything I should be thanking you!"

Kagome opened her mouth to speak, but a sound from the bathroom caught both women's attention. Her legs had never moved so fast. "Rin!" she yelled out as she dropped to her daughter's side. "Momma, call the hospital, I think she's having a seizure!"

Her mother just nodded, hands to her mouth in stunned silence. It felt like an eternity as the minutes ticked by waiting for the ambulance to arrive.

---

Sesshoumaru glared as he watched a young boy walk toward him as he headed back into the building.

The boy stopped and gave him a long look before smiling and beginning his carol. "God rest ye merry, gentleman! Let nothing ye dismay!"

Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed and the boys' voice caught in his throat. "Leave your nonsense to someone willing to listen," he grumbled and disappeared into the building.

The ride home was quiet as always and he parked his car for the night. His footsteps were light through the door and he gently shook the snow off his winter coat before hanging it on the rack. He looked into the kitchen to see his staff working diligently under the order of his head-maid, Kaede. "When will my supper be ready?" he asked coldly, surprising the elderly lady.

Kaede jumped and turned to him. "It should be ready soon sir!"

He nodded. "Have a servant bring it to me in my study."

"Yessir!"

Once he reached his study he sat down at his desk and pulled a few documents out of his briefcase. If Kagome wasn't coming into the office, he supposed he would stay home as well, but he could at least get some documents prepared.

A noise in the hallway caused him to look up. He ignored it, but when it came again he found his curiosity could not be squelched. He opened the door slowly and shrugged. Probably just one of the servants. He turned and caught the glimpse of someone standing by the fire place. When he turned fully there was nobody there and he shook his head. Perhaps a drink would calm his nerves from the busy day. He pinched the bridge of his nose as he poured a glass of scotch. He closed the folder on his desk and grabbed some kindling to make a fire.

Once the fire was built, he leaned back in his seat and sipped his drink. Another noise interrupted his thoughts, this time it sounded as if someone was ringing a bell. His eyes narrowed against the dark as he looked around, seeing nothing he started to stand. The sound of the bell was followed by the clanking of chains and the flames flared in the fireplace. His eyes widened slightly for only a moment as a specter appeared in front of him. Had it been in his nature he would have laughed at the sight of his old business partner, Jaken, standing in front of him.

"Sesshoumaru, you are in danger if you do not change your ways!"

He scoffed as he laid his drink on the table. "I supposed I've had one too many today."

Jaken held a hand up and showed that the flesh from some of his fingers had rotted away.

"Okay, suppose I do believe spirits walk among the living, why are you here?"

"As humans we must all walk with our fellow man, either in life or death."

"So then why the chains?"

Jaken laughs. "I forged my own chains in life, as do you."

"Then what can I do to change it?"

"I have no words of comfort for you. In life I spent all my time devoted to work and the office, now I have eternity to wander the world. It is torture my friend. If fact, any human who does no good in the world is to be chained and bound to the physical world as I am."

"You were always a good business man, Jaken. That must count for something in the afterlife."

Cold laughter resounded through the room. "My profession was not the same as my business, or the business of all humans. Charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence, these are the things intrusted to us, things that we either accept or deny."

Sesshoumaru shook his head as he thought of the woman and young girl collecting for charity outside the office. Perhaps if he had shown the slightest compassion for them he would have been able to save his soul.

"This season is the worst... While I was alive I never bothered to looked to the heavens. Perhaps they would have turned me in the right direction and saved my soul for eternal damnation. You, Sesshoumaru Takahashi, have a chance to escape hell. You will be visited by three spirits. The first will arrive at one Christmas morning, the next at the same time on the next night, and the last at midnight the following night. You have been warned my friend," the spirit says as it hovers toward the window.

Sesshoumaru runs to the window, which has opened by itself, and is astonished by the sea of spirits, all bound by chains below.

His eyes scanned the room and he walked into the hall. A servant stopped and watched her master closely. "Sir, I've brought your meal."

He looked at her then back into his empty study. "Have you heard any strange noises?"

She turned her head to the side. "Um, no sir. Are you feeling well?"

"Hn," he stated simply. He regarded the tray in her hands. "I am not hungry. I will be retiring now, tell the other servants I am not to be disturbed."

"Yessir."

Sesshoumaru took one last look into his office before closing the door. He shook his head. "Nonsense," he muttered under his breath as he made his way to his bedroom.