Inutori: Japanese Snake, which has been complete for practically a year now, has suddenly become much more popular than I ever expected. Because of all of the new reviews and people adding the story to their "alerts" list and all that, I decided I would get my butt into gear and at LEAST put up the first chapter of the sequel. But know this, even if you haven't read JS, I think this story will still be enjoyable. I am trying my hardest to ensure that this is a self-contained story, despite being a sequel.
Kagome: It's about time.
Inutori: JS: Casino Gangs is an original story of mine, even though the characters don't belong to me, so please refrain from stealing it. Unfortunately, my brain is fried, and while I have a plot for this sequel-story, I just can't seem to be able to cast off the lines and get this bugger sailing.
Sango: Perhaps it has to do with your lack of attention to fanfiction in general and your focus on original stories.
Inutori: That's probably it. Chapter 2 won't be posted until I can get the story out of the harbor and onto the open sea. Sorry. Anyways, enjoy at least THIS chapter.

Chapter 1
Arrival

Kagome pulled her sunglasses down to cover her eyes as she stepped off the airplane. She felt the blaze of the summer heat encompass her form, giving her the foresight to mumble a sarcastic remark about Las Vegas really being man's heaven on earth.

Two men wearing ridiculously obvious and probably flaming hot suits stood near baggage claim with a sign reading "Ookami Party." Hidden behind her shades, Kagome took a fleeting glance at Kouga Ookami and his wingmen, Ginta and Hakku.

Was it really the smart thing to join their crusade? Either way, it was too late to turn back now. Kouga glanced her way, his blue eyes piercing into hers despite the glasses, and gave her a stupid grin like he had just won the Rubber-Duck-Shooting-Contest or something.

As best she could, Kagome peeled the corners of her lips up into a smile, hoping that Kouga would buy it. He apparently had, as he turned away and walked towards the greeting party set out for the small groups' arrival.

Another moment of inspecting the two suited guys and Kagome assessed that they were both holstering weapons. What was this, the yakuza? Kouga's uncle only ran a Casino. At least, that's what Kouga had told her.

Lies and more lies. That's all the world was nowadays. So much for going clean after the move to America. Kagome felt herself frown as she dragged herself after the three stooges.

They had to wait about 15 minutes at baggage, waiting for their luggage to arrive, before they followed the "escorts" to a fancy limo. With a sigh, Kagome slid into the car before Kouga, allowing for him to slide in after her and take the seat next to her side.

With a tired yawn, they were off.

"Kagome?" Kagome looked at Kouga through half-opened eyes, ready for a week-long nap. She hummed in lieu of a verbal response. "I have something I've been meaning to ask you."

Her eyes opened slightly wider, intuition signaling that this was going to be a pivotal moment. "And…?" She prompted him, leaning closer because of his soft tone.

"Well…Kagome…will you marry me?" He presented her with a large and sparkling diamond ring fastened to a white gold band dotted with delicate rubies around the outside, along with spirals of yellow gold accenting it.

Kagome sat back, stunned. She couldn't say she was entirely surprised, since she did just move halfway around the world with the guy. It was just that she needed more time to adjust; more like get over her crush on that American FBI agent.

The limo was silent as Kouga stared at her in anticipation, along with his two pack members. She noticed that they were all starting to lean closer to her as if to hear her better. Kagome let out a sigh and then smiled brightly.

Who was she kidding? Kouga and she had dated for nearly two years; a two-week fling wouldn't change that. That, and that ring looked awfully inviting to try on. Her fingers were starting to itch in anticipation.

"If that's what you want, Kouga-kun." The smile didn't leave her face as Kouga pulled her into a tight hug and kissed her square on the lips.

Ginta coughed, ending the moment and Kouga broke away with a grin. Kagome's hand entwined with his larger one, and they spent the rest of the ride exchanging smiles and secretive glances.

After, of course, Kagome donned that brilliantly beautiful piece of artwork Kouga had picked out as an engagement ring. Hey, the greedy thief in her hadn't had been dormant long enough not to appreciate it's value; and she couldn't deny that she liked to own pretty, shiny, and expensive things.

It hadn't really sunk in yet that Kouga had just PROPOSED, though, and Kagome kept trying to wrap her mind around the idea, not understanding why she just couldn't picture herself as Mrs. Kouga Ookami.

BLOB

This had to be the most boring day of his existence: Tuesday. You were already finished with the weekend rush of paperwork, and the new assignments hadn't quite arrived just yet. It was a day that a lot of the employees skipped out on just for this reason, putting off any potential work until Wednesday or Thursday.

Inuyasha yawned and stood up, deciding that an early lunch sounded perfect. If it weren't for the fact that his new partner was supposed to arrive in town today, he wouldn't have even bothered showing up at the office as he had been doing for the last week since returning from Japan empty handed.

He went home for lunch, looking around his quiet apartment with a blank expression. Everything was as Kagome had left it when she disappeared. The furniture she had purchased still arranged in the fashion she had decided. Her desk sitting unused in the corner, her computer sitting there, (to an extent) untouched…

Inuyasha's eyes widened when he saw that the computer was gone, the only evidence it had ever been there the thin layer of dust covering all but the areas the monitor, keyboard, and mouse pad had occupied. Had he been robbed? Or had she…

Shaking his head emphatically, Inuyasha kept his thoughts from turning in that direction. Instead, he decided that he would file a report of the theft. It wasn't really THAT pressing of a matter, as he had nothing on the computer, and he never needed it anyway. Why should he care if something of Kagome's had gotten pilfered? He just quickly assessed the rest of his apartment to be sure that nothing else had been stolen.

Nope. Even Kagome's dresser full of clothes remained untouched. Not that he cared, or anything…

Inuyasha fixed himself a couple packages of ramen before heading back to work, sighing at the disapproving look Kaede fixed on him upon his return. His new partner must have shown up while he was out.

Going into his office like nothing was wrong, Inuyasha froze as he laid eyes on the hourglass figure perched on the edge of his desk, glaring daggers at him and brandishing a particularly sharp-looking knife. Her red hair was pulled back into a tight bun, her green eyes piercing into his own golden orbs. The sharp, pointed nails adorning her long, slender fingers and ears that rose into a point did not go unnoticed, either.

There was a moment or two of awkward silence before the girl wearing black slacks and suit coat stood up and gave him a once over.

"I presume that you are Agent Jidai?" After a slight nod on Inuyasha's part, the woman continued. "I am called Ayame Hunt." Her crisp, trained words put him on edge, and Inuyasha could already tell that he wasn't going to get along very well with his new, and very obviously entirely demon, partner.

Nothing else was spoken verbally between them, though her body language clearly stated that she was not trusting of HIS sort. Whatever his sort was…Inuyasha didn't really care that much about it, though.

TICK TOCK

It took a moment for her eyes to adjust to the bright sunlight beaming down on her, and she knew that her young male companion who had just climbed out of the passenger seat was experiencing the same discomfort. It was hot, humid, and the A.C. in their car had been broken for quite some time now.

The young man, not quite seventeen, looked to her, squinting slightly against the sun in their eyes. "Are you sure this is the place?"

Kagura nodded, letting her eyes take in the grounds and everything around them. You could see for miles, the view only obscured by a slight hill or two sparsely placed on the horizon.

The third passenger finally emerged from the back seat of the car, fanning herself with her hand and grimacing at the blazing heat. "Who in their right minds would want to live here?"

Kohaku, the young man, shrugged and followed Kagura in her trek towards the ominous looking building, the cement walls standing out against the vegetation like some hideous tumor. He glanced back at his cousin, wondering how well she was actually taking all of this information, despite her calm exterior.

Noticing his look, the raven-haired girl smiled brightly at him, quickly falling into step behind him and Kagura.

As they stepped through the double doors of the building, they felt the cold air blast at them, as if blowing away the muggy atmosphere they brought upon their entrance. Kagura glanced at both of the people following her before going to the reception desk and telling the secretary, "My name is Kikyou Higurashi, and I have an appointment with Dr. Gregory Michaels."

The receptionist nodded, typing something into her computer. "Alright. It says here that you were bringing-"

"My sister," Kagura interrupted, "yes. She's right here: Kagome Higurashi." The scarlet eyed woman's eyes bore down on the curly haired brunette sitting behind the front desk, daring her to challenge what Kagura had said.

Kagura beckoned the other female with her to step forward to greet the receptionist; the smaller woman quickly obliged, smiling kindly at the poor girl. "I-I'll need y-your Pass-Passport, Green Card, and driver's l-license, pl-please?" The receptionist's scared stutters softened the woman's, introduced as Kagome, face, as if relaxing her own fears and trepidations.

The proper documents were promptly produced, and the woman tried to smile broader to perhaps lessen the effects Kagura's glare had had on the pitiable thing behind the desk. In return for the documents, the receptionist handed the girl, who had proven she was indeed Kagome Higurashi, a stack of paperwork to fill out.

"Miss Kikyou, I'll in-inform Dr. Michaels you're here."

Kagura nodded and turned to have a seat in the waiting area with Kohaku and the slightly flustered Kagome.

"I had no idea there would be this much paperwork! You told me I just had to come along and everything would be settled. Kagu-"

"It's Kikyou, Kagome." Kagura interrupted Kagome in a harsh whisper, eyes darting to the other patients as well as a random nurse that was speaking in soft undertones to the receptionist, probably to calm her down.

"Gomen-nasai, Kikyou onee-chan!" Kagome bowed slightly in her seat and proceeded to tackle the stack of papers like her life depended on it. Filling them all out would probably take her a good hour at the least.

"Kikyou Higurashi."

Kagura glanced up when her "name" was called, eyeing the nurse who stood there, scanning the waiting room and waiting for someone to respond. After a few seconds, Kagura stood and walked towards the nurse, letting the middle-aged woman lead her through a door and through a few passageways. Finally, they reached what must have been the right room, as the nurse let her in and shut the door as she left.

She glanced around the room, noticing quickly the window that led into a playroom where several toddlers were messing around, their actions monitored by a couple of nurses.

In fascination, she watched the children play together, laughter filling the room, yet not carrying to her through what must have been soundproof glass: or perhaps a one-way mirror. The infants were of all sizes, shapes, and color, no two looking alike: the only similarity was the bands on each of their wrists.

Kagura was unaware that much time had passed until a doctor slipped into the room and apologized for the length of time it took for him to come. "Ah, I see that the kids are in the playroom right now."

Reluctantly, Kagura turned away from the playing children and focused on the man before her. He was tall, around six foot three inches, and had dark brown hair splash excessively with silver. His brown eyes shown with knowledge as he took her in the same way she did him.

"It's been almost two and a half years since you were here last, Ms. Higurashi. According to the notes left by Dr. Giovani, there was a possibility that you weren't planning on returning?" He looked up at her in question, his eyebrows rising as he scrutinized her silently.

"That is correct, yes. I discussed with you over the phone everything over the phone, including my sister, Kagome Higurashi. She is in the waiting room filling out the paperwork your receptionist gave her as we speak."

Dr. Michaels gave her a steady look, his gaze locking with hers. "Are you sure this is what you want to do? There's no going back."

Kagura stretched her neck and straightened her back, allowing herself to stand at her full height. "Of course I'm sure. Were I not, I would not be here, nor would I have brought Kagome."

IN A MOMENT (One & some odd years later…)

Sango shoved all of the papers off of her desk in frustration. Documents and files scattered across the floor in a royal mess, leaving the only thing clean in the room Sango's desk.

The door opened at that moment to reveal Miroku carrying his morning coffee. He jumped back slightly at the sight, and then looked at Sango with an unreadable expression.

The female agent just slumped down in her chair and gave him a hard glare. She was at her ropes end, her last drop of sanity having been lost after their investigation of drug dealing in a traveling circus. As if clowns weren't creepy enough: top that with creepy clowns high on illegal substances.

"I'm done, Houshi." Sango practically ground out her words, the irritation in her voice extremely clear.

"Done with what, Sango-sama?" Miroku stepped over a file folder and pushed the office door shut with his foot. He moved over to his desk, trying to avoid stepping on the papers strewn across the floor. His expression was priceless; confusion mixed with mild amusement, and a bare hint of the thought, "Who's gonna clean up this mess?!"

"All of this. The people, the job, the hours. I quit." Sango dropped her forehead onto the wooden table in front of her with a loud thud. "This job is killing me."

"And being an assassin is less stressful?" Miroku mumbled, Sango barely picking up his words.

She wasn't sure she heard him right. "Excuse me?" Sango picked up her head and looked at Miroku suspiciously. Had he figured her out? She thought she had taken care of his curiosity regarding her background back in April of last year after their spontaneous trip to LA.

"I said being a sexy sin is less stressful?"

Sango narrowed her eyes at Miroku's lame cover-up. He knew something; she just didn't know how much. "Houshi, don't force me to use violence on you."

Miroku had the audacity to look appalled that she would consider such a thing before taking a calm sip of his coffee. "Sounds kinky."

Her face flared like a tomato, his words echoing in her mind like a broken record. Sango rose hastily to her feet. "Houshi-san, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go turn in my resignation." With a final glare at Miroku, Sango picked a few papers off the floor and stormed out the office door.

"Matte! Sango-sama! Matte!" She heard her partner's voice as it carried down the hall and into every other office on the floor. Instead of responding, Sango clenched her jaw, ground her teeth, and continued her way to their superior's office.

Someone grabbed her arm and jerked her around to face a panting Miroku. Subtly, Sango returned her hand gun to its holster where she had reflexively pulled it from; it was, after all, just Miroku. Her glare hardened as his grip didn't loosen and he slowly caught his breath.

"Sango-sama, you can't quit." Miroku met her gaze, his eyes searching her soul for something, but she didn't know what.

"And why not, Houshi?"

"…" For once, the delinquent agent was without words, his eyes still locked with hers. His demeanor changed suddenly without warning and Miroku pulled Sango in for a kiss, one hand on the back of her neck to keep her from pulling away.

After a moment, Miroku broke the contact, keeping it chaste.

"Sango-sama, I don't want you to leave my side." He rested his forehead against Sango's, his eyes closed as if he didn't want to face the rejection he probably expected to see in her eyes. "I want to hold you close, and know that you're safe. I…I want you to be mine."

Sango was now the one who was speechless, having not expected profound words like that to come from her partner's lecherous mouth. Was he…proposing?

"You are very special to me, Sango-sama. That's why I've never asked you to bear my children. But now…would you bear my children, m'lady?"

She felt her face heating up, her embarrassment doubling when she saw fellow agents peeking out of their offices at the pair over Miroku's shoulder. "H-Houshi-san…I…"

Miroku pulled her in for another kiss, and her muscles were unresponsive in trying to escape. Who was she kidding? She wanted to kiss Miroku so badly.

"Yes!" She felt herself smiling.

Her smile didn't even falter as Miroku continued with, "Even ten or twenty?"

"Yes!" She was so excited at Miroku's proposal (as obscure and unclear as it was) that she could barely think, until she remembered one vital detail. "There can't be any other women. You have to swear to that, Houshi." Sango spoke firmly after their lips parted again, resisting with all her being becoming a completely limp noodle in his arms.

Miroku was silent for a moment, continuing to stare into Sango's magenta eyes; the only thing out of place was the slight muscle spasms evident in one of his cheeks.

"Houshi…" Sango growled in the back of her throat, warning him subtly of the dangerous water he was treading in not answering.

"Then that means…Sango-sama! I love you!" Miroku picked Sango up by her waist and swung her around in his excitement. He then continued by pulling her in for another kiss, this one more passionate than the first two.

Sango felt herself sighing into the kiss, half out of the feeling of stress being released from her every pore and half out of pleasure. She couldn't deny that Miroku WAS a good kisser.

The pair finally broke off for air, and their ears were met by hoots and clapping. Miroku cocked an eyebrow and jerked around, as if just becoming aware of their audience. He was still short of breath as he snapped at them to mind their own business.

That surprised Sango. She figured that Miroku would gladly boast about conquering his lady partner. Then again, whenever she thought she had the man figured out, he'd always do something to throw her off balance.

I
Do
Not
Sleep

Inutori: That's it for now, as I don't feel so inspired right now, with writer's block, and all…
Kagome: I feel so shallow…and greedy…
Inuyasha: Traitorous wench. Why'd you go and say yes to that wimpy wolf?
Kagome: I…don't know…but at least he has good taste in jewelry. And his name is KOUGA! Not Wimpy Wolf!
Inuyasha: Keh. Same difference.
Inutori: ::coughs:: As I said in the author's note before the story, Chapter 2 won't be posted until I've overcome my writer's block, so if anyone has any story ideas or funny situations you think should be added, send me a review and will see what kind of inspirations you can give me and what all I can incorporate! Until then, ja ne, minna-san!