Many thanks to Tsuki Yume, for her gracious comments. Maybe with such pleasant thoughts, I can fly? All I need is that damn pixie dust. Oh tinker bell….

Kagome sighed. A cool, crisp wind swept her ebony hair; for once up in a low pony tail at the rear, center of her head. The element was blustering furiously as if trying to unleash itself from its rubber band captor. Her choppy bangs, somewhat longer than when she was a child, that usually hung in her eyes were now blown back as she gracefully walked through the park. This was a feel good day, topped off with an enjoyable early evening walk through the park soon to be surrounded by happy-go-lucky kids that she adored.

Kagome was wearing her favorite blessed cashmere sweater, periwinkle blue. It was fitted so that it was higher on the sides and bowed down towards her hips. The stretchy soft material was covering a dark navy blue tee shirt. She had slipped on the sweater at the last moment for warmth. She wore dark blue jeans that had faded horizontal striped at her upper thighs created with bleach. Adorned on her neck was a charcoal grey scarf wrapped twice, hiding her silver chain. The scarf was accompanied with matching gloves warming her hands. Her shoes were simple running sneakers that were basically white with silver and red highlights here and there.

Sango was at her side and smiling for all she was worth. Her friend was per usual wearing her long, straight exceptionally dark brunette hair that Kagome was embarrassingly jealous of, up in a high pony tail at the crown of her head. Her warm russet eyes were lined, like always, with hot pink eye shadow that highlighted the red in her irises. It was an unusual color and not just anyone could pull it off, but this young woman, certainly could.

Her friend was dressed accordingly for the chilly weather in a maroon sweatshirt that had a hood and had some weird logo on the front about tiki shops in the Caribbean. It was one from one of those stores that always put random ads that had nothing to do with each other or actual existing companies on their clothing line. There were light khakis that covered her long legs and flared at the bottom over her dark brown leather boots. Sango had a white and light pink striped scarf just lying around her neck. This was mainly for fashion, but also in case of a drop in temperature. On top of her sweatshirt was a jean jacket left unbuttoned with her maroon hood sticking out over the folded collar of the jacket.

Kagome smiled as Sango had a bounce in her step as well. Her bright blue eyes shined down anxiously at the bag currently residing in her hands. Kagome bit her lip even as she smiled. She could only wonder- will he like it?

Sango suddenly stuck out a jean coated arm pointing out their destination. There on the swing set were three persons, two of which were the ones Kagome and Sango were searching for. But in between the two boys, Shippou and Kohaku, was a young girl who seemed about Shippou's age. The girl had shoulder length black hair that dipped behind her as she swung back and forth. Her side ponytail that pulled up the front part of her hair so as to keep it from her eyes, bobbed with her exuberant motion. She was swinging much higher than the other two boys and Kagome laughed at the sight of Shippou furiously kicking his legs trying to keep up.

Shippou had a smaller stature than most his age coming only to just above Kagome's knee. He always pulled his hair up into a ponytail and more times than not it was rather sloppily done. The boy was always running late leaving the shelter for school. Yes- Kagome was sad to say that someone as sweet and guiltless as Shippou lived a good part of his adolescent years as a child of the state. He didn't speak much of his past, but of what Kagome had found out was mainly from the orphanage staff.

His parents had died in a car accident when Shippou was only three. He spent a few years, around four, traveling around between different adoptive parents or homes for orphans, but nothing really panned out for him. No one wanted to adopt him. He was too old; all they wanted was a baby, an infant. Kagome could only imagine what it felt like to be so discarded and to be passed around from one family to another, but never really belonging. Her heart broke for him and perhaps this is what drew her to him.

He was of the oldest still at the shelter and one of the very few who actually attempted to attend school. But no, he didn't go to just any school. Shippou was a prodigy. Of course none of the families looking to adopt knew that. Child services felt that it should be kept concealed so that Shippou wouldn't be taken just for the use of his genetic and natural gifts, but rather himself. Shippou, Kagome soon found out, was going to attend Sei-prep along with Kohaku, but would be two years ahead beyond what was normal. The little one would be a grade higher than Kohaku.

Shippou had an introverted nature to strangers and those who didn't know him familiarly. It took the boy a long time to warm up to you, but once he did, he wouldn't ever let you go. To Kagome that was a comforting thought, yet also a little scary. Shippou was a person and their relationship was permanent. And for once…Kagome didn't mind.

"Ka-chan!"

Shippou's high pitched, at least for a boy, voice was yelled across the great playground. The youngster than jumped off the swing while in mid-flight flying through the air at least eight feet in the air before landing adeptly on one bent knee. Kagome released the terror that gathered in her chest and noticed her hand had fisted some material of her sweater over her heart in an unconscious action. The boy then proceeded to race towards the approaching females at such great speeds that it was almost hard to keep track of his distance away from them.

Shippou pounced on his motherly figure, obviously catching her by surprise, seeing as how he caused her parcel to soar into the sky. Then the bag careened back towards the earth. The paper handled shopping bag would have crushed into the ground had Sango not caught it in a stunt of true agility, running to it, catching, and then spinning on her heel to face the hugging couple once again.

Shippou lay on top of Kagome with his arm's circling her almost all the way around her thin middle. That is before retreating back and apologizing with a blush. The Shippou Kagome first encountered could not compare to the one she now re-embraced in her limber arms with a small smile. She wouldn't trade this for the world. Shippou's affection towards her had, in the beginning, been shy and timid, but in a short few weeks he had practically grown attached to her at the hip. It was a tad overwhelming, but nothing could exceed the warmth that filled her empty, yet still optimistic heart whenever she beheld his smiling face, especially when aimed at her directly which it usually was.

Sango watched the two before turning her dancing eyes towards her brother.

"How was your first day, otouto?"
"Good, Onee-san. Onegai, meet Rin-chan."

It was then that Sango's eyes turned towards the young girl slowly, as if apprehensively approaching the small group. But at the mention of her name, she obviously lost all thoughts of intrusion, for she lightly jogged closer until she was standing right next to Kohaku.

-Rin…chan?-

Sango smiled at her thoughts and her brother's familiar suffix, but would tease him of it at a later time. It was just too cute.

"Konban'wa, Rin-san. It is a pleasure to meet you. This is Kagome."

Rin's caramel eyes alighted on the still kneeling figure of Kagome who looked up at the child and smiled kindly at her. Kagome then stood and offered a shallow, but humble bow in greeting. Rin greeted her and bowed as well, but since Kagome was her senior by a few years, Rin's was lower than Kagome's original bend.

"So, Kohaku, Shippou, how did you meet Rin-chan?"

Kagome was still somewhat out of breath from landing flat on her back because of Shippou's harmless, but loving assault. She had just finally righted her clothing and stood herself back on her feet, but not before scooping the young adolescent into her arms.

"She attends Seikio Prep as well."

Kagome and Sango exchanged glances. Rin must indeed either be older than she appears or be skipping levels like Shippou. But the two neither said anything on that only that it was great. Sango then invited her to tea like the group normally did on cold evenings.

It was then that Rin sent her gaze searchingly around the playground, obviously looking for a parent or more likely guardian. After all most that go to Seikio have busy, not to mention rich parents and even fewer would play with their kids at a local, and old playground.

But Rin's eyes had finally focused on a lone figure sitting on bench underneath a weeping cherry whose branches grazed the ground with thin, long leaves. The man had long, abnormal silver hair and skin that was noticeably pale even from this distance.

"Is that your Otou-san, Rin?" Kagome broke the ensuing silence.
"Yes."

She didn't go into detail and by looks only; Kagome could see no real similarities. Perhaps she was adopted as well? If so, Kagome was glad. Even after only meeting her, Kagome could see the respect and adoration she obviously held for this man. Rin didn't seem too easy around strangers. The laughing girl on the swings had disappeared and was exchanged for a nervous and somewhat tense one that stood before them with her back facing them as of now. Rin didn't say much and what she did, was short and to the point.

The man had obviously noticed that he had been spot and was now casually walking towards the little girl. That is before the little Rin sprinted off to wind her tiny arms around his leg with her face burying into the fabric at the outside of his upper thigh near his hip. Her father had in reaction placed his palm on the back of head. He smoothed her hair in greeting as well as a comforting gesture.

The unknown man's hair had been held back by a black rubber band at the back of his neck. And he had the most piercing golden eyes Kagome had ever seen. She shivered. She'd seen those eyes somewhere before, but the question is…where?

Late, I know, but only by a few hours. And they still really haven't met, but more interaction next chapter. I'm not exactly pleased with this chapter and may be due for some revising/ editing. Ideas?

Vocabulary-
Otouto younger brother
Oneesan elder sister
Onegai please
Konban'wa good evening
Otousan- father