A/N: I haven't read the chapters that came out in Jump Giga so bear with me. In this story, the whole Utsuro debacle has been resolved and everyone is back to normal including Sadaharu. Kagura is 18 and Sougo is 22. It's going to be a multi-chapter fic. Please read and review! :)

It was a warm and sunny day. The skies were the clearest shade of blue and not a cloud was in sight. By all means, Kagura should be enjoying such a beautiful day at the park with Sadaharu especially since she missed this for the last 2 years. Sadaharu was back and was enjoying himself as he chased some small rodents a few meters away. The Yorozuya were complete and back in business again and best of all, there were no overprotective Papi and Kamui hounding her every minute of the day. They'd gone back to space to attend to their respective businesses with distant promises of visiting again in the future. They'd left her alone (for now) to enjoy and relax with her human family in Edo. And yet…

There it was again. The chill running down her spine and the uncomfortable feeling of being scrutinized. She frowned and turned her head, not at all surprised to find the Sadist staring at her. He was lounging on "his" park bench, legs spread apart comfortably and with his weird eye mask on his forehead. She had caught him watching her from time to time ever since she came back from space. Most of the time, she chose to ignore him - especially since she was previously preoccupied in getting her family back together and had no time to ponder what that sadist was doing. But now that everything was settled… She could feel the beginnings of irritation welling up inside her. Was there something on her face? Last she checked, she still looked like all the other Earthlings aside from her pale Yato skin and bright vermillion hair. Sure she grew a fair bit over the last 2 years but she still had some ways to go before achieving Mommy's model body. Was that it? Was he looking down on her development? Was he itching for a fight?

She narrowed her eyes and stalked over to where the sadist was resting.

"Why don't you take a picture, it lasts longer," Kagura said.

"What a great idea. I could use that to finally scare away the rats that have been terrorizing the kitchen at the Shinsengumi compound." Sougo smirked and leaned back on the bench, pulling the eye mask over his eyes.

Kagura gritted her teeth, struggling to reign in her anger and avoid bashing that sadist's face in. After all, she wasn't 14 anymore. The ordeals she'd gone through over the last few years had matured her. She was no longer that easily excitable, impetuous little girl who was quick to lose her temper. But still… Fuck that bastard for never failing to get on her nerves.

"O-ho? No comeback? Your brain as empty as your wallet? What's up with you, China girl? You've gotten boring?" Sougo lifted one corner of his eye mask to smirk at Kagura.

Kagura took a deep, calming breath and tossed her hair over her shoulder. She was not taking his bait. She gave him her most condescending look. "Whatever Sadist, I don't have time to play your little games anymore."

If anything, the smirk on Sougo's face seemed to grow exponentially bigger. His maroon eyes practically gleamed with delight and mischief. Kagura couldn't shake off the feeling that she was a cornered prey.

Sougo schooled his expression and tucked the eye mask into his pocket. He slowly stood up to face her, forcing her to look up due to their height difference. Kagura resisted the urge to take a step back. When did he get so tall?

"Oh, that's right. How old are you now? 18? You're all grown up, haven't you? I even saw you drinking sake at that old grandma's bar."

"Uh huh, your childish jibes won't work with me anymore. The playground's over there, why don't you find some kids to play with." Kagura declared, jabbing her finger in the direction of the playground.

"Is that right?" Sougo asked as he progressively stepped closer to her.

Kagura swallowed, feeling uncomfortable at the sudden invasion of her personal space. But she wasn't going to back down . She was not letting that sadist think that he was capable of intimidating her. She continued gazing fiercely at her opponent. Because that was what he was, her rival - the both of them always locked in a power struggle. By now, he was but a hair's breadth away. So close that she could smell the detergent he used to wash his uniform. She refused to crane her neck to look up at him and, instead, chose to glare at his chest - hoping to bore a hole right through him.

He raised a hand and she tensed, ready to jump back and defend herself if he attacked her. However, he merely fingered a few strands of loose hair framing her face and tucked it behind her ear. He leaned close to her ear and muttered, "Let's stop playing games then, China doll." His breath ghosted over her ear and she fought back a shiver. She could feel her face heating up in embarrassment.

Damn that sadist. He always knew how to get her flustered.

Did that asshole really think that he could get under her skin by acting all manly? Was this another one of his tricks to one-up her?

Kagura could feel her embarrassment quickly turning into anger. She raised both her hands to push his chest away but Sougo caught both of her wrists before she could. Fuck his quick reflexes. He did take a step back and she stared at him, her face still as red as a tomato. She was expecting him to be looking all smug but he was staring back at her with half-lidded eyes. His gaze intent and hot. Her eyes widened slightly in surprise and she pulled her hands back quickly from his grip. She bit her lip feeling anxious and unsure at the suddenly charged atmosphere. His gaze dropped to her mouth. He was looking at her like she was a meal and he hadn't eaten in months.

Kagura fidgeted nervously as the urge to escape rose. "I-I don't know what you mean, sadist. A-anyway, it's getting late. I promised Gin-chan I'd get him strawberry milk. Sadaharu! Let's go!" She stuttered as she hastily turned back and all but ran away from the park with Sadaharu catching up behind her and looking confused.

What the fuck was that was all she could think about as she pressed her hands to her hot cheeks.