The Christmas Bake Sale by Chiaztolite

The Christmas Bake Sale - Oneshot

A/N: This story is a spoof of 'You and Me Equals Three', using the same premise and the same set of characters, but this can be read as a standalone piece. Enjoy!

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One afternoon, when Sesshōmaru picked up his son, Haine, the pup announced each student was to participate in the school’s end-of-year bake sale. Sesshōmaru was flabbergasted. Not even knowing what a bake sale was, he had to text Inuyasha to ask quickly:

‘What the hell is a bake sale?’

His phone beeped not long after they entered the apartment. He reached for it and read Inuyasha’s response:

‘Each student brings baked goods, and the school sells them. Proceed goes to some charity.’

A crease appeared on Sesshōmaru’s forehead. Baked goods? Quickly, he went to check the contents of his pantry and fridge. And… yes, both were nearly empty. It had been a busy week, and he had just enough ingredients to make Haine a simple dinner. Yet, he was supposed to whip up a tray of something worthy enough to sell? For tomorrow? How could he achieve such a feat?

As if Inuyasha heard his thoughts, he texted:

‘Just buy something from a bakery and call it a day. The thought of you baking frightens me.’

Sesshōmaru sighed with relief. Once in a blue moon, Inuyasha’s brain managed to squeeze out an excellent idea. He knew a beautiful patisserie a few doors down from their apartment building where Haine could choose what to bring, and he would purchase a few dozen for the bake sale.

When Sesshōmaru suggested they go to the shop to get some confectionaries after dinner, Haine’s face lit up with excitement. But, when the pup realized the treats would not be homemade, his face dropped, and tears began to well up in his golden eyes.

“But… Higurashi Sensei said the homemade stuff is the best because they’re filled with love,” he said. “Papa, I want them to be homemade.”

Sesshōmaru was torn, wanting to comfort his son and not wanting to disappoint him at the same time. As much as he wanted to do something special for Haine, the thought of baking something from scratch was… frankly, quite daunting. 

But, as he gazed at Haine's pleading face, his heart ached, knowing the pup had been in low spirits as of late. Haine’s birth mother had not contacted him once during this holiday season. No letters, phone calls, or visits, and although the pup would never utter a word to express disappointment, Sesshōmaru knew his son felt the mother's absence like an abscess in the heart.

He knew he had to do something special for Haine. And so, despite his hesitation – and a horrible feeling that he would somehow mess this up, he agreed that they would make their own confections for tomorrow's bake sale.

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After dinner, Sesshōmaru and Haine braved the chilly weather and the holiday crowd and went out. Not to the patisserie, but to the nearest food shop to buy the ingredients they needed to make the baked goods. Haine had seen a picture of a Bûche de Noël, or Yule Log, on the shiny page of a magazine. It was coated with glossy milk chocolate ganache and decorated with delicately piped holly and berries. It certainly made a pretty picture, and though Sesshomaru had neither the confidence nor the skills to make such creations, he promised Haine he would do his best. 

It was one week to Christmas Day, and the entire Tokyo geared up to welcome the most glittering holiday of the year. All the trees flanking the busy avenue were bedecked with warm white string lights. In addition, the city had installed giant Christmas trees throughout several shopping hubs, decorated with red, gold, and silver ornaments, tinsel and fairy lights.

He was about to open the door to the food shop when a familiar woman came out. Her long, wavy raven hair was neatly tucked beneath a woollen beret hat; several shopping bags dangling from her wrists.

“Higurashi Sensei,” Sesshōmaru said, unable to keep the surprise out of his voice.

“Inukai-san, Haine.” Her bright blue eyes flickered with the same surprise, but a quick smile appeared on those soft-looking lips as she regarded him and Haine. “Good evening. How nice to see both of you here.”

“And you,” Sesshōmaru replied. He eyed her shopping bags. The Sensei did not live in this neighbourhood, and thus it was doubly surprising that they ran into each other at the food market. “You‘ve travelled quite a distance to shop.”

“A friend is going on vacation tomorrow,” Higurashi Sensei explained. The pink blush on her cheekbones from the cold December weather looked so becoming on her. “I wanted to get her a little something as a bon voyage gift, and this shop has the best cookies.”

Haine’s hand tugged gently at her sleeve to get her attention. Sesshōmaru nearly smiled. Since Haine had been in Higurashi Sensei’s class and spent time with her at home after school, he’d really opened up, become more spontaneous, and overall a happier child.

“Papa and I are making miniature Yule logs for the bake sale tomorrow,” the pup announced. “We’re here to buy the stuff we need to make them!”

“Yule Logs?” Kagome repeated, eyes widening with delight. “How lovely. But—“ Her eyes strayed to Sesshōmaru, concern swimming in those blue depths. “Is that… a little ambitious? The school will be delighted to accept anything you can whip up on last-minute notice. Perhaps simple cookies or… cupcakes?”

Sesshōmaru glanced at Haine, noting the stubborn, determined look in the pup’s golden eyes which was so much like his own, and smiled inwardly. 

“I am afraid nothing less than Yule Logs will be acceptable,” the daiyōkai replied dryly. He reached out to comb his fingers through the pup’s glossy grey mane. “Apparently, Haine has more faith in my culinary abilities than I do.”

As Higurashi Sensei lifted a hand to smother her chuckle, Haine looked up and said proudly: “Papa doesn’t burn the pancakes in the morning anymore. He makes them fluffy and golden. And his rice is no longer so chalky.”

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Kagome stared at Haine’s upturned, smiling face and could not stop herself from lighting up and beaming at the hanyō pup. It seemed only days ago when Sesshōmaru showed up at the school where she taught as a Kindergarten teacher to take Haine for the first day of school, not knowing a single thing about being a father. He had been late to morning drop-offs, late to pick-ups, oblivious about Haine’s preferences, forgetting to pack his snacks…

Now, as she looked at Haine’s hand grasped within his father’s firm, protective hold, they looked closer than ever, shopping together for ingredients. To make a Yule Log, of all things. 

“We should go inside and start our shopping,” the daiyōkai said, lips twitching into a slight smile. “If we were to have any hopes to finish our baking before sunrise.”

Kagome could feel her feet growing heavier as she stood there, not wanting to move. He was close enough that she could feel the warmth radiating from his body, and the lively Christmas music playing in the background seemed almost deafening. The bustling holiday shoppers seemed to blur into one continuous motion around them, but they stood still, their eyes locked in an intense gaze. She felt like time had stopped, and she could not bring herself to break the trance of this moment. She found herself unable to comprehend why leaving was proving so difficult; all she knew was that something kept her from taking a single step away.

“Shall I… help you?” Kagome blurted. “I love baking. And… three pairs of hands instead of two will make it less of a gargantuan task.”

Sesshomaru blinked, his lips parting as though he was about to politely refuse. But, before he had the chance to, Kagome took Haine’s small hand and led him into the store. The pup’s face lighting up with joy was all the reassurance she needed.

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Not for the first time tonight, Sesshōmaru was grateful that Higurashi Sensei had offered her help. He might have mastered some breakfast dishes — toast, omelettes, pancakes, fluffy rice with miso soup. He knew to do those simple dishes, and some of his noontime meals and dinners were not too bad either. But he was, as he had expected, useless at baking.

Higurashi Sensei, on the other hand, took control of his kitchen like the most seasoned pastry chef, and as he watched her gently guide Haine’s hand while they stirred the chocolate cake batter together, his heart warmed. The smells of butter, vanilla, and chocolate wafted through his home as the three busies themselves in the kitchen: whipping, mixing, and working together to bake sheets of chocolate sponge cakes that would be the base for Haine's Yule Logs. For the first time, his home was filled with the sounds of joy, of laughter. Haine's squeals of delights and Higurashi Sensei's gentle chuckles mixed together like music, joining with the melody of Christmas Carols that played on the stereo.

The heavenly scent of freshly-baked cakes filled the air, and all the layers were perfectly browned on the edges. Higurashi Sensei turned off the dial to let them cool for a few minutes before icing them. Haine had gathered a few sprigs of mistletoe from the florist at the food shop and had mischievously — and very strategically, placed them in areas where his father and Higurashi Sensei would need to stand close together. As the cakes cooled down, Sesshomaru and Higurashi Sensei moved around to different parts of the kitchen – though they had yet to stand side by side under a sprig of mistletoes.  

As Sesshomaru secretly watched Haine watching them, he felt like chuckling. He was unsure if his son understood the implications of hanging mistletoes, but the pup’s enthusiasm and sense of strategy were undeniable. Nevertheless, he was proud of his son's tenacity and clever tactics.

When the cakes finally cooled, they continued working, spreading whipped chocolate frosting over cooled sponge cakes and rolling them into a long log. Next, Higurashi Sensei melted some chocolate pieces and combined them with warm cream to make the ganache, continuously stirring the mix until it achieved smooth, silky, and shiny consistency.

Then, it was time to glaze the cakes, and both Sesshomaru and Higurashi Sensei leaned in toward the bowl, the smell of warm chocolate rising between them. Their fingers brushed against each other as they reached at the same time, and he felt a spark of electricity. Their eyes met and held for a moment that seemed to stretch longer than seconds. The warmth of her fingers was a stark contrast to the chill of the metal bowl. Then, as though through an unspoken agreement, both hands involuntarily retracted.

She cleared her throat, grabbed the bowl and turned to Haine while he went to the sink, both pretending that nothing had happened, even though he missed her warmth at once.

When all their cakes were glazed, Higurashi Sensei helped Haine decorate them with bright green holly leaves and red berries while Sesshōmaru took a step back, observing the scene. It had been a couple of months since Higurashi Sensei entered their lives, and Sesshōmaru had to admit he was more than content. Higurashi Sensei had brought so much joy into his home, into his and Haine's lives. It was astonishing.

He must have been staring at her for a very long time, because his throat went dry when she turned those blue orbs to him, and a broad smile appeared on her face.

“What?” she asked, blue eyes twinkling with so much happiness, oblivious to the effect that she had on him. 

He blinked and quickly fastened a slight smile on his face.

“Nothing,” he said, pushing the word past the tightness in his throat. "They certainly look beautiful." 

She turned to Haine, who was carefully topping off the last Yule Log with some holly and berries, and clapped her hands together. He was thankful neither Higurashi Sensei nor Haine noticed his sudden loss of words. 

“Well, looks like we’re done,” Higurashi Sensei said, grinning at Haine, who looked equally happy. He had smears of chocolate on his cheeks and forehead, but he looked happier than Sesshōmaru had ever seen him.

“They smell so good. They’re the best chocolate cake I’ve seen in my life,” the pup said, with his eyes half-lidded in bliss.

Sesshōmaru found himself at a loss for words again. He could tell that Higurashi Sensei was touched by his son’s words, as he was.

“Thank you,” she said, eyes shining as she gently wiped the chocolate off his face with a napkin. “I’m glad you like them.”

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The soft melody of Christmas music was still playing when he tucked Haine into bed, tired and sleepy, even after the last bit of sugar rush the pup got from licking the chocolate cake batter off the bowl. Higurashi Sensei insisted on helping clean up the kitchen while he put Haine to bed. The sounds of water running and the soft clinking of dishes as she washed them felt… strangely homey. It spoke of the domestic serenity he never knew he wanted. It filled him with a strange longing. Despite everything he had been through, despite never having had this kind of comfort before, he wanted it, and the fierceness of his wanting both pleased and unsettled him.

His son seemed to have the same thoughts.

“I like having Higurashi Sensei here,” Haine's face lit up as he spoke, blushing shyly as his gaze fell to the ground. Sesshōmaru watched fondly as he tucked the blanket around the pup's body, feeling a pang of sadness hit his chest when he heard Haine’s words. He could tell how much it meant to his son to have Higurashi Sensei around after being deprived of a mother figure for so long.

Sesshōmaru knelt and tucked back a few strands of Haine’s grey hair. “Do you want to know a secret?” he asked gently, placing a hand on the pup's cheek. When Haine nodded, he leaned close and whispered into her ear. “Me too.”

He paused for a few moments before pressing a soft kiss against the pup's forehead. Then, after switching on the nightlight, Sesshōmaru stood up and made his way toward the door.

“Papa,” Haine called out in a sleepy whisper just before he reached for the handle. “For Christmas, all I want… is for Higurashi Sensei to be my Mama.”

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The mistletoes Haine hung over the coat stand by the door to his private elevator were still there, and Sesshōmaru was painfully aware of the green leaves as he stood in front of it to help Higurashi Sensei with her coat. And when her blue eyes darted above to catch them within their sight, he knew she noticed them too. He could almost sense the heat rushing to her cheeks as they both painfully ignored the bright green leaves. As she slipped her arms into her coat sleeves, the warm, homey scents of butter, vanilla, and chocolate wafted from her skin and hair. They had masked her true fragrance, yet he found her no less alluring.

The urge to kiss her was tugging at him, demanding that he take the plunge, yet his hesitation prevented him from doing so. If he thought she was willing to move beyond their parent-teacher relationship, he would have taken the risk instantly, but he couldn't take the chance of scaring her away.

The prospect of not seeing her — even if it was just at school and at home when she was taking care of Haine — caused a crushing pain in his chest and made him stay his hand.

And so, he held back.

Her lips curved into a tender smile, and her kind blue eyes held a soothing power he would never understand, and probably never would. No matter what, she knew how to soothe his raging mind with a simple look and the warmth of her gaze.

"I had a good time tonight," she said, lingering at the door as though the thought of her walking away from this home pained her as much as it did him.

"We did as well." Then, after a few beats of hesitation, Sesshōmaru added: "Everything is better when you are here," he said, revealing more than he intended in those few simple but honest words. Her eyes gentled further as she smiled back, and he felt a wave of contentment wash through him.

“I will see you at school tomorrow,” she said softly. “Inukai-san.”

With one last lingering look, she turned and entered the elevator. The echoes of her words remained even as the elevator door closed with a soft, smooth swish, leaving the daiyōkai standing there feeling more alive than he ever had before.

He yearned to hear her say his name, but he knew she was not ready and would not force her to step over the line until she was prepared. So, he smiled, his chest already warm with the thought of seeing her tomorrow.

As he watched the elevator take her to the ground floor, he whispered his goodbye:

“See you tomorrow, Kagome.”                           

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A/N: Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to my SessKag family. I hope this holiday season brings you peace, joy, and some much-needed rest! Thank you so much for your support this year, and I look forward to sharing more stories with you next year! <3<3