"Remember, only a couple more weeks until presentation day," Kaede sensei reminded her students shortly after the bell rang. Kagome quickly packed her bag when saw Inuyasha waiting for her at the door. Sesshoumaru witness them high five and scoffed.

"I hate that woman," he mumbled to no one in particular.

"Who?" Bankotsu asked as he gathered his belongings.

"That Hiro girl who befriended the hanyou," Sesshoumaru said coldly. "Ever since she showed up, that mutt is always in a good mood. It's no longer enjoyable to humiliate him."

"Sesshoumaru, since when did you become such a bully?" Bankotsu teased his best friend who ignored his question.

"Not only is that pathetic being happy, my father adores that girl. He and that disgrace has decided to throw her a surprise party for her this Saturday."

"A party for what?" Bankotsu asked with a raised brow as the walked to Sesshoumaru's locker.

"Something about her birthday," he replied and opened his locker. "Father asked me to ask everyone to come over on Saturday, but I'm telling everyone that they have to come, including you. Like hell I'm going to suffer alone."

"So, we have no say in the matter?"

"Correct. No gifts are required by us," Sesshoumaru informed. "Still coming over after school?"

"Yeah, I still need help with the chem homework from Monday," Bankotsu admitted.

"You're hopeless, you know that? I'm surprised you're still in the class."

"Oh, shut up, Sesshou. I'll see you later in bio," Bankotsu said as the friends went their own separate ways. He entered his next class and saw that Kagome was already there with her earbuds in, staring out the window. 'A party for her birthday, huh?' he thought as he took his seat next to her.

"Why are you two covered mud?" Inutashio asked as he saw his son and friend come through the front door.

"She/he pushed me!" they said in union while pointing their finger at one another and Inutashio shook his head.

"No Souji today?" he asked.

"Nah, not today. He went home to change and then he's meeting up with some friends to practice for their game on Friday," Kagome answered.

"But it's pouring out there."

"They're practicing in the school gym."

"Ah, that makes sense. Well now you two go shower and get cleaned up before mother comes home."

"Yes sir!" they both said and ran off to Inuyasha's bedroom.

"You can use my shower," Inuyasha said as they walked in.

"I'm fine with using the one in the hallway," Kagome said as she dropped her bag onto the floor and proceeded to pick out some clothes for her to wear from Inuyasha's dresser.

"I'll use the one down the hall," he insisted.

"I'm not kicking you out of your room. I'm borrowing these," she said as she held up some clothes and walked out of his room. "I'll be back soon!"

As promised, she came back about 20 minutes later with her muddy street clothes in her hand. Kagome heard the shower still running from the bathroom, so she sat her clothes down in his hamper and pulled out her homework for the day. The water stopped about 10 minutes later and Inuyasha came out in pj pants and a pullover hoodie.

"I'm going to throw these in the laundry, alright?" he said as he threw his clothes into the hamper and picked it up. "Back in two minutes."

Kagome took out her textbooks from her bag and began on her homework while she waited for her friend to return. When he came back a bit later, he turned the TV on for some sound and also began on his homework. Eventually the two friends fell asleep while working on their English studies, Kagome on the bed and Inuyasha on the bean bag chair.

"Kids, dinner's ready," Inutashio called out from the hallway. He didn't hear anything, so he knocked and tried again. "Inuyasha?"

No answer.

Inutashio opened the door and smiled at the sight, quickly pulling out his phone to take a picture. After he was done, Inutashio shook the kids awake and told them it was time to eat. Inuyasha and Kagome moaned and groaned as they groggily got themselves and followed the alpha dog out the door and to the dining room.

In their zombie like state, the two sat down at the table and leaned over to each other for support as they started to doze off. They were so tired that they didn't notice anyone around them, they didn't smell the food that was laid out on the table, or even hear the doorbell ring, followed by the voice of Souta.

"Hey, sis! Inuyasha!" Souta called out once he entered the dining room. The two were startled by the loudness of the boy's voice that they shot up in their seats, causing their chairs to rock back a bit and making them fall over.

"Oww," Kagome groaned and rolled out of her chair.

"What the hell just happened?" Inuyasha asked as he stared at the ceiling. "And why am sitting like I'm in a rocket that's about to launch?" He rolled off his chair and looked around. "When did we end up in the dining room?"

"I don't know," Kagome said as she tried to get up, but her vision was blurry at the moment. She saw a fuzzy hand stuck out in front of her and she took the offer. She was pulled up to her feet and she tried to regain her balance. No such luck, and her legs gave out. Luckily her hand was still in grasped and she didn't fall over. Instead, she had support from another body and an arm around her waist.

"Sorry, sis," Souta apologized. "Are you guys alright?"

"I'm alright and awake no- Oi! Let go of her!" Inuyasha screamed as he pushed himself off the ground.

"She would've fell over if I hadn't been holding her, idiot," Kagome heard Bankotsu's voice from above. It took her a few seconds to process what was going on, and as she tilted her head up, she saw the handsome face of Bankotsu's looking down at her. "You ok?"

Before she could utter one word, her body was pulled in the other direction and she was suddenly in the arms of her friend. "I said let go of her! I don't want you hurting her again!"

"She was fine with me and I wasn't going to hurt her!"

"Yeah, right. She'll come back with a broken wrist next time."

"Boys, Kagashi isn't a rag doll, so don't treat her like one," Inutashio spoke up. "Inu, Bankotsu didn't do anything but help her, don't accuse him of anything else. Now let's all enjoy dinner."

They boys grumbled but sat down at the table, followed by Souta who sat across from his sister, and Kagome was left standing in the midst of confusion, not knowing how she arrived downstairs or what she was just a part of.

"What just happened?" she blinked.

Everyone talked throughout dinner about anything and everything and somehow the conversation between Kagome and Souta turned into a heated argument that involved loud voices and shins being kicked.

"Are you kidding me?" Souta asked in a fit. "Just because you don't like them, means I can't have one!? That's like me saying I'm a vegetarian now, and meat isn't allowed in the house anymore!"

"That's not the same," Kagome argued. "It's freaking stupid to force someone to change their diet because you want to change yours. And I didn't say I didn't like them, I just know I'll have to look after it because you won't."

"Oh, come on, Kags! It's just a cat!"

"Exactly, it's a living creature that you will neglect and I will have to take care of it."

"How would you know? We've never had a pet before."

"Your tamagotchi died within days."

"That's different! Well, it doesn't matter, it's already at home," Souta said and Kagome choked on her drink. "And grandpa is fine with him."

"What!? Are you serious!? You better take that thing back!"

"But I found it all wet and scared in the bushes! I had to take him home, Kags."

"Well, take him to the pound!"

"No, he's staying with us!"

"Like hell he is!"

"Grandpa already said yes!"

"Then I'll take you to the pound with it!"

"Kagashi, don't be so hard on your brother. What he did was a good thing," Izayoi said.

"But mom! He didn't-" Kagome cut herself off by gasping and covering her mouth with her hand. Her eyes widened from realizing what she just said. "I'm sorry," she said and the jumped out of her seat and ran out of the dining room. Inuyasha got up to go after his friend, but was pulled down by the little brother.

"Let her be," was what Souta said as he cut up his chicken. "She wants to be left alone, trust me. Can someone pass the pepper?" Souta asked. While Souta kept Inuyasha busy, Bankotsu excused himself to use the bathroom.

Kagome ran out of the dining room and down the hall. She thought about going to Inuyasha's room, but decided against it, and she soon found her way out to the massive backyard. She closed the patio door behind her and made her way through the light rain and towards the swinging love seat.

"We miss you, mom," she said to herself. Kagome heard the door open and close behind her and sighed when she felt a hand on her shoulder. "Leave me alone, dude" she said and shrugged the hand off her body. "Didn't my brother tell you that I would rather be alone right now?"

"He told your boyfriend," a deep voice said and Kagome's eyes widened once again, "but he didn't say anything to me." Kagome lifted her head to see the last person she wanted to be alone with.

"What are you doing here? No, why are you here?"

"I came to see if you were alright," he said and moved to sit down beside her. Once he took his spot, Bankotsu began to move the swing with his feet.

"I'm fine," she said sternly and moved away from him as much as she could, which wasn't much at all. "And Inuyasha and I aren't dating."

"Doesn't seem that way by what you're wearing," he said while he eyed Inuyasha's clothes on her body.

"Oh, my god, my clothes are being- You know what? I don't have to explain myself to you," Kagome said and got up to leave, but Bankotsu got up as well.

"Kagashi, wait!" he said as he gently grabbed her shoulder.

"I believe I told you to leave me alone the last time we talked," she said as she shrugged his hand off her body once again.

"Just listen to me, please," Bankotsu begged. "I want to apologize for what I did to you. I've been trying to talk to you for so long, but you wouldn't listen, or I didn't have a chance to. I had no idea why I got angry."

"You also had no right! It was my third day at school and you don't know anything about me! So why the hell were you all up in my face?" she asked as they both stood out in the drizzling rain.

"I don't know, alright! I know it was your third day and that we don't know each other at all. But, I don't know what came over me or why I acted out like that. I'm sorry, Kagashi. I'm sorry I yelled at you, I'm sorry about what I said, and I'm so sorry I hurt you," he said as he looked at her healed wrist. "I'm sorry about everything. It's just something about you.."

"Something about me, what?"

"I don't know how to explain it. I feel weird around you, like a girl. You know, with the mood swings and all. I'll be happy one moment, then upset the next. Does that make sense?"

"Yeah, I got it," Kagome said after sometime. "You're hiding in the closet."

"W-what! How the hell did you come up with that solution!?"

"You said so yourself that you felt like a girl. You were probably jealous of me being around Kouga and Inuyasha," Kagome explained with a playful smile.

"Like hell I'd go for that mutt," he said while he sent her a glare.

"So, you admit you're gay!"

"I said no such thing!"

"You said you wouldn't go for Inuyasha, but you didn't say anything about Kouugaa," Kagome sang. "You were jealous of me!"

"God damn it, woman! Stop putting words in my mouth. I like girls and I'm not jealous of you!" he said. 'I was jealous of them,' he admitted to himself.

"Whatever you say, Ban-ban-chan. Keep telling yourself whatever you want, I promise I won't tell anyone until you're ready to come out. Now, we've been rude long enough. Let's get back to dinner," Kagome said as she grabbed his hand and lead him back into the house and to the dining room. They entered and sat back down in their seats, ignoring Inuyasha's foul mouth. "I apologize for my behavior, and for calling you out inappropriately, Izayoi-san. "

"My dear, you do not have to apologize for that," Izayoi said with a soft smile. "Everything is alright with you, though?"

"Mhmm," she nodded. "Bankotsu shared something personal with me, so he got my mind off things."

"Woman, I didn't share anything with you, and you're insane for coming up with that conclusion about me!" Bankotsu said with a huff.

"It's ok, my lips are sealed until you're comfortable."

"You're impossible. I think I liked it better when we weren't speaking to each other."

After dinner, Inuyasha and Souta went to his room to hang out while Kagome stayed behind to help the maids with the dishes, even though she was told multiples times that she didn't have to. After she was done, Kagome grabbed a small plate and placed some oreo cookies on top then she poured herself a glass of milk with her free hand. She made her way up the stairs and towards Inuyasha's room when she bumped into Bankotsu along the way.

"Hey, Ban-ban-chan!" she greeted cheerfully.

"Don't call me that, please," he said while crossing his arms, but walked along side with her.

"Fiiine, you big baby. Cookie?" she offered. He said nothing but grabbed a cookie none the less. They walked up to Inuyasha's door and Kagome tapped the door with her foot. "Open the door, Yash!" Bankotsu opened the door to the room for her and a loud thud was heard on the other side of the door.

"Ow! What the hell, woman!? I thought you couldn't open the - what the fuck is he doing here!?" Inuyasha yelled.

"Oh, Yash, stop it and relax," she said and walked into his room. Bankotsu moved to do the same but his way was blocked by the hanyou.

"He didn't hurt you or anything, did he?" Inuyasha asked as he kept a firm glare at the male standing in front of him.

"No, Yasha, he didn't. And move out of the way, will you? Be polite and let him in."

"Let him in? Seriously? What's the matter with you?" Inuyasha asked as he whipped his head around to look at his friend.

"Banko apologized to me," Kagome said as she placed the plate and glass down on his desk and turned around to face them.

"Banko?" they both asked her with a questioning look.

"It's better than Ban-ban-chan, isn't it?" she asked them.

"Never mind about that. You forgave him because he said he was sorry?" Inuyasha walked up to his friend, which allowed Bankotsu to walk in. "Would you forgive him for slapping you around or murdering your brother just because he said he was sorry?"

"Inuyasha, be real here. He wouldn't murder my brother. If he did, then I would hunt him down and torture him to death. And who knows, maybe being slapped around could be fun and a turn on in the bedroom."

"What!?" asked both Inuyasha and Bankotsu.

"Oh, I'm just kidding around, guys." she said with a laugh.

"Yeah, she's never had a boyfriend before, so she's really kidding," Souta, who has been silent and playing games the whole time, said from his spot on the bean bag chair.

"Dude!" Kagome looked at her brother with disbelief while blushing red in the face. "What the hell?"

"What? I'm only telling them the truth," the little brother said as Bankotsu and Inuyasha shared a look with one another that wasn't hatred.

"They didn't need to know that!" Kagome said, "and you don't know anything about my love life!"

"Oh, come on, Kags," Souta rolled his eyes. "With what happened to us, I know you've never been kissed."

"Why, you little brat!" Kagome dove to grab her brother, but he jumped away just in time and ran into the bathroom, closing and locking the door behind him. "Open the goddamn door, you twerp! I'm going to cut your head off and use it as a soccer ball while I feed the cat your intestines!" she yelled as she banged on the door with her fist.

"Whoa, Kagashi. Calm down before you break my door down," Inuyasha said trying to calm her down.

"That's the idea! Open the door, Souji!" she yelled as Inuyasha covered his ears and then Bankotsu walked up to the angry girl.

"Kagashi," he said as he placed a hand on her shoulder. "Take it easy, you're hurting Inuyasha's ears." Kagome stopped and turned around to look at Bankotsu. Inuyasha uncovered his ears and looked at the guy as well, stunned to no end.

"You used his/my name," the two friends said.

"Well, I figured it would make you even more mad if I called him anything else," Bankotsu explained. "I just want you to calm down," he said and have her shoulder a light squeeze. "You alright now?"

"Yeah, I'm good. I'm still going to kill you, you little prick!"

"You love me too much!" Souta said from the other side.

"Kagashi! You're clothes are ready!" Izayoi sang out as she danced into her son's room with a basket in her arms.

"Thank you," Kagome said as she walked up to the lady and grabbed the basket from her hands. Izayoi smiled and patted Kagome on the cheek and left. "Sou, we're leaving as soon as I get changed," Kagome said and left the room and headed for the bathroom in the hall. She came back a few moments later, fully dressed in her now cleaned clothes. "I'm surprised you're still in the room, Banko," she said after seeing him near Inuyasha's desk eating another cookie. She walked up to him and grabbed a cookie from the plate and dunked it into her milk.

"I thought I would walk with you to the door since-" Bankotsu started to say but was rudely interrupted.

"I'll walk her to the damn door," Inuyasha said. "I don't need you to push her down the stairs, or something."

"Holy shit, man. I'm not going to hurt her again, and I've already apologized to Kagashi for what I've done."

"Sorry ain't nothing but words! And I don't trust you!"

"Inuyasha, be nice, please," Kagome scolded lightly.

"No! After what he did to you, forget it!"

"Inuyasha, stop it and eat a damn cookie!" Kagome shoved four of the delicious treats into his mouth. "Here, hold on to this," Kagome handed him the glass of milk, which he gladly took. "Good, now have a good night. Let's go, Sou."

Kagome quickly grabbed her bag, along with Bankotsu's hand and ran out the door with her brother following behind a few moments later. Inuyasha tried to scream and yell but his mouth was full. He quickly downed the glass of milk and ran down the stairs and up to the front door to see his friend there talking with his mother and father.

"Leaving so soon, dear?" Inutashio asked.

"Yes, we have to get going," Kagome said as she placed her shoes on. "Thank you for having me over again. And I apologize for my behavior at dinner."

"You know you're more than welcome here, Kagashi. And do not worry about it, I'm not bothered by it at all," Izayoi said. "Have a good night everyone," Inutashio and Izayoi waved and left.

"Bye, sis! I'll see you at home!" Souta rushed out the door before his sister could strangle his neck and rip his organs out.

"Hey, wait!" Kagome called out but her brother started up his vespa and took off already. "God damn it, that kid was my ride home. Little asshole."

"I'll give you a lift," Bankotsu offered.

"Like hell you will! I'm taking her home!" Inuyasha said placing himself in between his friend and the human male.

"Inuyasha, we've talked about this numerous time," Kagome said with a huff. "You're not taking me home while you're already here. I'm a big girl, and I can take care of myself."

"Don't be stupid, Kaga-"

"Don't call me stupid!"

"I didn't -"

"Yes you did!"

"Holy crap, woman-"

"Bankotsu's is driving me home, and that's final!"

"Over my dead fucking body!"

"INUYASHA!" Inutashio's voice came from down the hall. "Watch your mouth, young man!"

"That piece of shit will not be-"

"What did I just say?" Inutashio came down the hall and grabbed his son by the neck of his shirt. "I'm going to scrub that mouth with soap until your tongue bleeds!" he said as he dragged his son into the kitchen.

"Bye, Yasha! I'll see you tomorrow!" Kagome called out and then turned to Bankotsu. "Ready to go?"

"Give me a sec, I gotta grab my bag." Bankotsu quickly left and went up the stairs. He came back a moment later with his bag on his shoulder. "Bye Sess, thanks for your help! All set and ready."

"Don't even think about it, braid boy!" Inuyasha came running from the kitchen with soap and bubbles foaming from his mouth. "And you!" he pointed his claw to his best friend while bubbles blew out as he talked, "you're staying right here and-"

"Don't think so, Yash," Kagome said and pointed behind him. Inuyasha turned around to see his father coming up to him with a bar of soap in his hand. "Bye!" Kagome quickly grabbed Bankotsu's hand and ran out the door, slamming it in her friend's face. The two ran down the walkway a bit and Kagome let out a sigh as she slowed down.

"Ahem," Bankotsu coughed. Kagome looked at him and he gestured to their hands. Kagome gasped and let go of his warm hand.

"Sorry," Kagome said softly as she adjusted her bag on her shoulder and kept her eyes on the wet ground. She looked up and noticed the rain had stopped.

"It's ok," Bankotsu said as he shoved his hands into his pockets. "Come on, let's get going."

They walked to his car in awkward silence, a few feet apart from each other. Bankotsu unlocked his car with his remote starter and walked up to the passenger door, holding it open for Kagome.

"Thank you," she said quietly with a small smile.

"Anytime," he replied them giving her his sexy grin. Her face flushed red and she hoped it was too dark for him to notice. He closed her door gently after she got in and walked to his side of the vehicle. "So, where are we heading to?" he asked after he got in and started the car up, bringing it to life.

'Ah shit! I didn't think about that!' Kagome panicked a bit. "Um, do you mind if we stop by your brother's cafe? I feel like if I go home now, I will want to murder my brother."

"Sure, that's ok with me," Bankotsu said and started driving off the estate. Neither of them spoke to one another, the only sound they heard was the switching of the radio station that Bankotsu was fiddling around with.

"Oh, oh! Go back to the last station!" Kagome cried out as she heard a familiar tune. Bankotsu did as she asked and went back a station for her and let the song play out.

"Yet I'm feeling like, there is no better place that right by your side," the radio played.

"Oh, I love this song! Can I turn it up a bit?" she asked.

"Go for it," Bankotsu said as he kept his eyes on the road. So Kagome turned up the volume and sang to parts of the song. Unconsciously, she moved her limbs to the beat of the music and lip synced while Bankotsu watched from the corner of his eye as he drove. The song ended, much to Kagome's disappointment, a few minutes later and other random songs played as they drove until Bankotsu pulled up to the cafe. He pulled into a parking spot and turned off the engine. The two got out and walked side by side together towards to shop.

"Man, that song is going to be stuck in my head for days, and I'm going to listen to it over and over again," Kagome said.

"It sounds kinda childish to me," Bankotsu said plainly.

"So what? It's about a guy missing his girl! She's all he sees, and all he thinks about. It's adorable and cute," she proclaimed as she held the door open for the man to go in.

"What the hell are you doing? It's ladies first," Bankotsu said, refusing to walk in first.

"I know, that's why I'm holding the door for you, Ban-ban-chan," Kagome replied and let out a grin.

"Oh, for the love of- Get your ass in there!" he shoved Kagome into the cafe as she laughed at his action and annoyed face.

"Hey! It's the lovely, cutie Kagashi!" a handsome voice called out. "I've missed your beautiful face."

"Hey, Yoshi," Kagome greeted with a bright smile. "Can you make me a soy chai latte, please?"

"Sure thing, babe," the barista said and gave her a wink.

"Make that two, Yoshida," Bankotsu said as he draped his arm around Kagome's shoulders.

"Bankotsu," Yoshida said, "didn't see you there."

Bankotsu scoffed at the remark. "Come on, Kagashi," he said as he gently pushed her over to the side. He kept his arm over her shoulders the entire time they were waiting for their hot beverages to be made, not taking his eyes off the guy he doesn't trust.

"Here you are, my darling cutie," Yoshida announced as he placed her drink on the counter, "and for you, Bankotsu."

"Thanks, Yoshi!" Kagome said as she grabbed her cup.

"Come on, let's get out of here," Bankotsu said as he grabbed his cup and made his way to the door. Kagome followed his a few steps behind.

"Hey, cutie!" Yoshida called out and both Kagome and Bankotsu looked back at the barista. They saw Yoshida holding an empty cup and pointing at it with a finger. "Give me a call sometime," he said with a wink. Kagome, being confused, looked down at her cup to find his name and phone number written on it. She blushed and looked up at Yoshida, who gave her another wink. Bankotsu growled and gave Yoshida a hard glare.

"Let's go," Bankotsu said angrily as he held the door open for Kagome. She walked out after giving a soft smile and a wave good bye.

"That's a first," Kagome said as she took off her hoodie and threw it into the back seat next to her bag, then got into the car as Bankotsu held the door open for her again. For some reason, she was producing too much body heat.

"What is?" he asked after he got in and set his drink down in the cup holder and started up the machine.

"No one has ever given me their number before," Kagome admitted. "Where are we going?" she asked as she looked out the window.

"To a park that's close by," Bankotsu said as and parked his car a few minutes later on the side of the street.

They both got out, drink in hand, and Kagome recognized the area. The shrine was only a couple of blocks away. The two sat down on the swings side by side as they sipped their drink.

"So," Bankotsu started, "you don't even have Inuyasha's number yet?"

"Nope, not at all," Kagome said as she swung her swing a bit with her feet.

"Jeez, what kind of boyfriend is he?" he asked as he brought his cup up to his lips.

"Holy crap, how many times do I have to tell you? Inuyasha and I are not dating! I know who he's crushing on and it's definitely not me. He's just my best friend," she said happily.

"How can you call him your best friend when you only met him about a month ago?" Bankotsu asked her seriously.

"Because he's my only friend," Kagome said quietly as she took a sip of her drink. Bankotsu stared at the girl beside him, not believing her words.

"That's not true," he said after a moment, "you got Kouga." Kagome laughed at what he said.

"I wouldn't consider that wolf a friend. More like a stalker or a predator," she said.

"You got Jak and Yoshida."

"That's kinda true with your brother, but it's not like I hang out with him outside of work. And I see Yoshi like twice a week, so he doesn't count."

"Well, you got me," Bankotsu mumbled as he looked away. Kagome looked at him in shock and smiled.

"Thanks, Bankotsu," she said as she place her right hand on his left. He looked at her and gave her a genuine smile.

"Anytime," he said as he 'clinked' his cup with hers. They both smiled at one another and took a sip. Kagome brought her hand back to her person and held her cup with both hands, looking down at the phone number that was written on it.

"I still can't believe I got a guy's number!" she giggled.

"Oh, jeez. Give me that thing!" Bankotsu said as he grabbed her cup and gave her his in return.

"Oi, give that back to me!"

"No, you don't need it," Bankotsu said as he drank from her cup and she did nothing but pout. "So, your brother was telling the truth about you never having a boyfriend?"

Kagome turned her head away.

"Yeah," she admitted softly.

"What happened to you guys?" Bankotsu asked, referring to Souta's comment earlier in Inuyasha's room.

"I would rather not talk about it," Kagome said and began moving the swing again.

"So you never got flowers from a guy?" he asked after a moment of silence.

"Nope."

"Never got a random present?"

"Nothing."

"Never received random texts saying he misses you?"

"Nada."

"No late night phone calls until 3 in the morning?"

"Tch, yeah right."

"Never had sex?"

"Obviously."

"Never been kissed?"

"Never," Kagome sighed after letting out a big sigh.

"Would you like one?" Bankotsu said as he leaned to the side of his swing towards her.

"What?" Kagome asked. "You're joking, right?"

Bankotsu stood up and got off his swing, placing his cup onto the rubber matting of the playground. He stood in front of her and grabbed the chains of Kagome's swing and lowered his body to her level.

"Does it look like I'm joking?" he asked as he lowered his head to hers. He was close enough to smell the chai off her breath, and to feel the heat radiating from her flushing face. "Would you like one?" he repeated.

"Get your face out of here!" Kagome said as she used a hand to push his face away from hers, causing her swing to swing back a bit.

"Oh, come on! How else am I going to prove I'm not gay?" he asked with a goofy grin. "Let me kiss you, woman!"

"Tough luck, Ban-ban-chan," she laughed. "I don't know you well enough to kiss you."

Bankotsu sighed and gave up as he said back down on his swing.

"I tried," he said as they both laughed. They sat in comfortable quietness for a few minutes, swinging the swing slightly and drinking their drink. "You know," Bankotsu started, "I've never had sex either."

"I call bull shit!" Kagome said instantly.

"And why is that?" he asked with a raised brow.

"Come on, just look at you. You're such a good looking guy and a major flirt!" Kagome said automatically. "I wouldn't be surprised if girls just threw themselves at you," she added, not knowing she was adding to his ego. "I bet you anything that you did it with Hana, and that turned you off. And booms goes the dynamite, now I know why you're gay."

"Woman! I'm not gay and like fucking hell I'd do it with that dirty hoe!"

"There's nothing wrong with being gay," she said. "There was a gay guy at my old school and he seemed pretty cool. He was absolutely stunning."

"Kagashi, I'm not-"

"Why is that all the sexy ones are running for the other team? Even the girls are incredibly beautiful."

"Listen to me-"

"Sucks for me, but not for you!"

"That's it!" Bankotsu got fed up with all her nonsense of him being gay, not that there's anything wrong with it. His brother is gay after all. He got up and out of his swing, then pulled Kagome by her free hand up to her feet.

"What are you-" Kagome started but was silenced by his lips on hers.

Kagome's eyes were wide with shock as she stared at the closed eyed man that was currently kissing her. She had to admit, the feeling of his soft, warm lips on hers was starting to feel pretty damn good. Bankotsu separated and loosened the grip of his arm that was magically around her waist. He looked down at the girl he just kissed and she couldn't meet his eyes.

"How many times do I have to tell you that I'm not gay?" he asked softly.

"And how many time do I have to tell you that Inuyasha and I aren't together?" she shot back with attitude.

"Fair enough" he said. "You ok?"

"Am I ok? Really, you're really going to ask that now? I was just telling you that that I've never been kissed before and you just go and steal away my first kiss! You're such a giant jerk! Who gives you the fucking right to do that?!"

"You were calling me gay! I had to shut you up somehow and prove to you that I'm not."

"That still doesn't give you the right! Argh!" Kagome broke free from his grasp and started walking away.

"Where are you going?"

"I'm going home! Don't you freaking dare following me!"

"Let me drop you off!" Bankotsu called out.

"I live around the corner!" she said as she was walking further away from him.

"See you tomorrow then!"

"Screw you, you freaking jerk!" she said as she turned around and glared at him while she showed off her pretty middle finger. Bankotsu laughed as he walked towards his car and drove home.

Kagome grumbled as she walked to the shrine and up the stairs. She walked into the house and saw her grandfather passed out on his chair with the tv on. After grabbing a blanket and draping it over Kenji, she turned off the tv then went upstairs to her room, hearing her brother playing games in his room. Opening the door to her room, she walked in and set the drink on her desk then began stripping her clothes off, changing into some pjs right after. Kagome sighed from relief after taking out her contact lens and wig, feeling free from her personal prison. After she was done, she flopped onto her bed and screamed into her pillow.

"That jerk!" she said after she turned her head to the side. She looked up at the half empty cup and noticed something. "What's that?" she asked herself as she lifted her body up and turned the cup around to fully face her. On her cup was a phone number written on it along with Bankotsu's name beside it. Another frustrated scream was let out into the pillow.

When the hell did he write that?

Bankotsu parked the car and got out, not before grabbing his bag from the back seat. He noticed that Kagome left her bag in his car, but he didn't see the dark hoodie that hid in the shadows. Bankotsu grabbed her bag along with his and went inside.

For once in his life, there was no fighting in the household.

He walked into the kitchen, setting the cooled chai latte on the counter, as he grabbed a snack from the fridge. After finding something to eat, he turned around and saw Yoshida's name and number inked onto the white cup.

He glared.

"Stupid prick," he said as he grabbed the cup and threw it into the garbage, walking up to his room afterwards. Like hell he's going to let a guy like Yoshida, or any guy for that matter, steal his girl away. At least she doesn't have that womanizer's number anymore.

Wait, what did he just say? Oh right.

His girl.

Bankotsu smile. He liked the sound of that.