I've been sitting on this idea ever since I started writing, and I'm finally getting around to it! So, of course it went from three parts to me being 10k and five chapters in with no end in sight. Luckily @mrfeenysmustache was nice enough to join me in this chaos and create some lovely illustrations.
Summary: As a world-travelling dancer, it isn't often that Kagome makes it home for Christmas. Making the most of her trip, she plays the role of dutiful daughter, helping her mother prepare for her annual Christmas party. But a lone wooden figure under the tree catches her eye, leading her into a world of magic drenched in turmoil, and she'll need more than a pair of shoes to get out unscathed.
Edging around the side of the tree, Kagome jumped back when something crinkled under her feet. She was about to yell at Kouga for opening his presents early but frowned when she realized the tissue paper was still inside the box. Kneeling down, she pushed a gnarled branch out of the way to reveal two pairs of gleaming, golden eyes.
They were made of wood, the paint of their uniforms untarnished—one in red, the other in white—and she lifted them out of the open box. There was no tag, no ripped ribbon, and she looked between the two figures, trying to decide who they were for—or from.
"I see you've found our newly invited guests," a familiar voice rumbled. Kagome nearly dropped the statues, on the verge of jumping to her feet when the daiyoukai sat down beside her. How he managed to do so in his three-piece suit was beyond her, but she was used to chalking it up to youkai magic.
Her eyes moved between the figures and her uncle. "You're supposed to run all invitations by Mama first."
He chuckled, his long silver hair tied back into a high ponytail. Most demons were more subtle about their appearance, trying to blend into their surroundings, but not Touga. He made a point of showing off his markings whenever possible, be it pulling his hair back or rolling up his sleeves. Mama constantly called him out on it, though it was more for Izayoi's sake than anything else.
"In this case, I think she'll make an exception." He had a mysterious twinkle in his eye that always preceded mischief, and Kagome held the two figures up to the light.
"Who are they?" she asked, turning them sideways.
An uncharacteristic sigh escaped his lips. "Two boys pretending to be men," he answered. "Both too big for their britches, which, incidentally, got them cursed into these forms in the first place."
