Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha, it's characters nor do I earn profit from this story. I am simply a college graduate(my associates I guess still counts as undergrad) whose wish is to complete a fictional story about her favorite anime. Reader discretion advised.

Summary: Happy. That's what she was. That was what she stood for and presenting everyday for the entire world to see. It was what she sought out in so many people and created over a period in time that it became so close to her she could see the emotion so clearly as the sun. She was happy and he hated her for it.

Chapter 3: Playground Fun

He couldn't get her out of his head.

It was like some type of witch craft you hoped and prayed so much to be a reality but at the same time it bugged one so often that it could drive them to insanity and it had only been a week!

By the gods if one little onna can have his mind wrapped around her so vigorously then she must be something worth going after. However, if that was true, how would he go about doing so? The woman seemed to be so innocent and she spoke of her life so pleasantly and carefree when they were on the plane, how would she feel if she had known his secret and the life that he had been living. Would her innocence still be intact?

Probably not, but it was a risk he was surely take in order to get her. Kami didn't sit them together for nothing.

"Big Brother!"

Snapping out of his thoughts his blue eyes shot up to look at his younger feminine brother Jakotsu, who looked at him impatiently with one hand on his hip. His hair fanned out in soft curls and covered his right eye giving him a dark look that contrasted well with his dark red lipstick. Bankotsu shook his head knowing that his brother fooled a lot of men with his looks and often competed with some of the woman he had seen as well. He didn't know if that was a good thing or a bad thing.

"Yes Jak?"

Jakotsu had noticed that over the past month his brother had been more distant than usual and as the closest person to him he was a little insulted that he wouldn't share what was on his mind. He wondered if it had to do with that girl he mentioned before. Of course he just said that he his flight consisted of nonstop talk with a silly little girl but the way his eyes drifted off as he remembered their time together told Jak that this girl was more than some silly little onna. He shuddered involuntarily; he didn't know what was so special about women. They all were so disgusting in his opinion; but if that's what he his brother and leader was interested in then he had no choice but to support him.

No matter how disturbing it was.

"What's been on your mind Big Brother you didn't even want to cut the boys head off with your Banryuu? And don't give that crap about how it's nothing. You've been like this ever since you got back in town. Now spill!"

Bankotsu wanted to laugh at the expression on his brothers' face but held back. Of course he should have known that out of all people Jakotsu would notice his wandering mind and question it. The others wouldn't dare question why he, the leader of the Band of Seven, was slightly off his game and he surely wouldn't have told them it was over some girl- a beautiful girl that was funny, smart, talented, and kind all in one. No. They would laugh at him. Tell him he's going soft and that there are plenty more out there he was sure because that was what he told them. Would he become a hypocrite if he pursued her?

"Jak it's complicated and stupid and I'm not sure what I should do about it. That girl has my head all fucked up and I can't think about anything other than her laugh and her smile and I only spent 18 hours with the chick. 5 of those hours I was asleep!"

Jakotsu hated to see his big brother looking so confused and over a woman no less, he just had to help him even if it was just a little. "Maybe you just need to get her out of your system. You know that what we do wouldn't be a suitable or stable life for a woman, think about the potential dangers; our enemies can use the bitch as a weakness to you and then what would happen to our fearless leader. Believe me I know it always happens in those types of movies. I say just fuck her literally and get on with your life."

Bankotsu thought about, was that all that he needed to do was have sex with the girl to clear her out of his system. His brain gave the affirmative but his heart was settled in a totally different direction, she seemed way too innocent to be used as a fuck buddy.

"I'm going to take a drive I need time to think. Tell Suikotsu and Mukotsu to dispose of the bodies and you and Renkotsu go ahead and send the parts to their leaders, with a ransom note this time. And keep an eye on Renkotsu and the amount that he gives them. I'll be back later."

And with that Bankotsu left without another word, leaving his feminine brother shaking his head in his wake, "He has it bad"

~KHIYKH~

InuYasha sat back and watched his new little cousin with interest as she painted her first portrait of him and Kikyo. At first, he had rejected the idea whole-heartedly saying that he didn't want her to waste her time doing such a thing for them, but she waved him off and said she'd be honored. That had been four hours ago; him and Kikyo had been in the same spot for over half of the time but the look of pure concentration on his little cousin's face made him shut up and take the uncomfortable feeling of being in one spot for too long.

"I'm done!"

InuYasha smirked and broke away from Kikyo stretching his arms legs and popping his neck; While Kikyo threw herself on the bed and yawned. He smiled affectionately at her before his eyes moved back to Kagome,

"Well let's see it Da Vinci!" He was excited but he didn't care. People rarely took pictures of him and hardly anyone ever had painted him before. Popping a few more muscles he began to walk towards the little artist but ended up growling when she snatched the portrait away shaking her finger,

"Nu uh uh both of you will have to wait I'm not done with it just yet" She smiled deviously when InuYasha's jaw dropped and Kikyo groaned pathetically,

"Kags you had us sit there for Kami knows how long and we can't even see the thing?"

Kagome shook her head and grabbed her portrait smiling deviously, "You'll see it eventually" She wanted to laugh when she saw the light spark in both of their eyes, "Just not anytime soon"

Kikyo smiled at her little cousin, happy that last month's fiasco with the Ice King did nothing to deter her happiness of being back in her homeland. She knew that Kagome belonged here and what she would do here would be great; she had so much talent and spirit it would be hard to imagine her any other way. She looked at InuYasha as he prepared to snatch the portrait away and sighed happily. He was getting along great with Kagome they were almost like brother and sister the way they argued and carried about in the house and she could tell that Kagome thought of him as such.

"You little wench. Fine I don't want to see it anymore" Inuyasha proclaimed sticking his tongue out at her. Maybe if he feigned indifference for the piece she would grow anxious and let him peek.

"Fine with me!" Kagome exclaimed laughing at the dropped jaw look InuYasha was giving her. He was so easy to tease and a fun person to be around she was so happy that he was her new big cousin. Stretching he arms and curling her fingers she grinned at the both of them, "Well I have to go and dispose of this baby I'll see you all later on tonight!" She said before dashing out of the door portrait in hand and a sly smirk on her face. She wondered how long it would take before they noticed she was gone.

Sighing peacefully she stepped out onto the front porch and headed towards the garage which held InuYasha's many vehicles and Kikyo's beautiful Black sedan. She was told, by the little dog that she was only allowed to take the silver fusion, which she of course had no problem with. In America this had been her dream car and for her cousin to practically throw her one was a gift beyond all gifts. She would cherish this car forever…or at least until he told her she couldn't use it anymore. Skipping merrily to the car she popped the trunk and placed the portrait in gently so that the edges wouldn't be smashed up against the sides as the car moved and when she was satisfied she closed the trunk and got in. Her best friend Sango had a place that she could stash her portrait at for a little while. Unfortunately, Sango and her fiancé Miroku wouldn't be back in town until next weekend. She was just glad that her new cousin didn't like the car as much as he liked his corvette.

Strapping on her seat belt she peeled out of the driveway loving how smooth the drive was and the feeling of the steering wheel underneath her palms felt before she drove down the block at a more respectable pace. Truth b told she was tired especially her hands after drawing them for so long, she started the piece at 2 o ' clock and now it was going on 7:30! She needed rest but she had wanted to give the two some alone time. She had been in their hair for about a month now and she knew that they secretly wanted some alone time without her being in hearing range. So after finding that resolve and giving them a reason not to smother her she set off to a place she used to go a long time ago.

Kyoto wasn't too far of a drive but it wasn't practically near Tokyo either. When she was a girl her mom used to take her to this park all the time after her father died and they both used to sit and talk about any and everything. It was relaxing and a small ache wished that her mother could come along as well but she was already halfway there now. She smiled brightly as she saw the park come into view lit up by the lights that surrounded the area and unconsciously sped up to reach her destination quicker. In her excitement she failed to notice the other vehicle that was about to turn in her direction until the driver blew their horn rapidly knocking her out of her dazed expression. She turned the wheel hard to avoid the collision and stopped the car as soon as she realized she was safe.

"That was close" she whispered to herself. She looked back to see if the driver of the other vehicle was alright when a harsh knock on her window averted her attention away,

"Hey you crazy bitch where the hell did you learn to drive?" the man yelled clearly mad at their almost collision.

She faltered as she gazed at the man who she could barely see before sputtering out a "sorry" in his direction. The man rolled his eyes and pulled open the driver door, wanting to prove his point.

"Oh Crap the painting!" She cried jumping out of the car hitting the man with the door in the process and rushing to the trunk. She popped it without hesitation and breathed a sigh of relied when she saw that no harm came to her painting. She would have surely died if something happened to her work; or at least cried for a long time.

"Just where in the hell-Kagome?"

Tilting her head in confusion Kagome looked up towards the voice that called her name and as a car went past the light showed exactly who called her,

"B-Bankotsu?"

The Kami must either hate him or love him at this very moment cause he was sure his heart would burst out of his chest at the sweet way his name rolled off his tongue. Was everything that she did alluring to him?

'Gods Kagome!" He yanked her from behind the car and into a swift embrace, "How the heck are you?"

Kagome laughed as her friend from the plane hugged her in a vice grip and hugged him back equally as hard, "I'm pretty good actually. I'm so sorry I didn't call you by the way I've been so very busy getting situated" She replied sheepishly when he released her. The look in his eyes told her that he didn't mind in the least, he was just happy to see her now.

"I think I like this way better. Who would've thought we'd run into each other after almost narrowly missing a bad car wreck?" He gave a deep chuckle that Kagome found that she liked very much even if it was at her expense, "So where were you headed to speed racer?"

Kagome smiled and pushed his shoulder lightly, "Very funny. I was actually on my way here to this park"

Bankotsu looked around at the park noticing how dark it was and how deserted the park looked as well. Was she really about to come and sit at the park so late at night? And by herself? He couldn't just very well leave her out here by herself, and he wouldn't.

"Hello earth to Bankotsu!"

The gang leader was snapped out of his daze and looked towards the woman standing in front of him and felt blood rush to his cheeks when he realized the proximity between them. She was close to him that if he were to move just a tad bit forward he would be able to kiss those soft pink lips of hers. Should he? He knew that he was good-looking and he had bedded many females over the years simply because of his looks but something seemed different with her. She didn't fall at his nor did her personality scream 'I want to fuck you'. He wanted to know why.

"Sorry, I was just…thinking" When she raise her eyebrow at him he coughed, "Uhm, obviously but would you like some company? My conscious wouldn't let me leave you all alone at an empty park at night"

Kagome looked at him, briefly wondering what he was thinking about that had his mind so wrapped up in a daze before shrugging and smiling brightly, "Sure why not? It's beats being out here by myself. Come on I want to show you something!" She stated before taking his arm and dragging him towards the park towards the swing set.

Bankotsu mentally groaned when he looked upon the monstrosity and prayed that she would bypass it and go for something that didn't involve being airborne.

Almost as if she sensed his discomfort, she whipped around to face him and smirked knowingly, "In order for you to witness the sheer awesomeness of this park you must get on the swings with me and go as high as you possibly can. You know without flipping over and falling to your death"

That smile would be the death of him. Literally. She was way too beautiful for him to say no to. Especially wearing black leggings that hugged her long legs and wonderful thighs and matched her Victoria Secret Pink Yoga sweater which hung slightly off of her shoulder and gave her a very alluring look. Her raven hair fanned out over her shoulders and curled lightly from the based to the ends making it bounce about as she spoke. Her lips were painted with lip gloss that gave off the scent of jasmine and it just about set him off. Did she know what she did to him?

"Come on Bankotsu it's not that bad!"

Apparently not.

Kagome frowned when she noticed he was still rooted to his spot looking against getting on the swings at all. What was the point of him coming with her if he wasn't going to have fun with her? Maybe he needed motivation; and she knew exactly what to do. It worked on her cousin InuYasha all the time.

"What are you chicken? I thought that you were supposed to be some big bad leader! Some leader you are" She chuckled at his startled expression, "You can't even get on some little ole swing"

How dare she?

"Alright little girl your on! If you'll just shut up I'll get on the stupid swing."

Kagome wanted to clap excitedly in victory but held back as she simply sat on the swing next to her friend and watched as he prepared himself as well. She watched as his masculine hands gripped onto the chains of the swing in a vice grip and the flexing of his muscles as he tried to shift about to get comfortable. She furrowed her eyebrows together as a sudden revelation hit her.

He was afraid.

If she had known him for a longer period of time she would have laughed at his expense but she couldn't. Getting off of her swing she walked over towards him, watching as he struggled to keep his feet on the grown and laughed silently.

"Bankotsu, why didn't you just tell me you were afraid?"

He scoffed, "Ain't nobody scared of no swing girl"

Kagome rolled her eyes and moved to stand behind him, "Sure you just used like hella negatives in that statement. I'm not going to tell anyone okay? I just want to help now relax."

She reached out to place her hand atop of his masculine and shivered lightly at how warm it was, before doing the same with his other hand. She tried ignore the way he tilted his head to gaze up at her but her heart was beating so hard and so fast that she felt as if it would explode out of her chest.

She cleared her throat before speaking, "Relax and slowly lift your feet off the ground. Yeah that's it okay now kick your feet back and then push forward" She watched as he did so and smiled when he got the movement down, "Good! Now you're getting it okay I'm going to let go now. We have to go higher than this tree in order for me to show you why I came here but remember I'm right here"

Bankotsu just stared at her as she got on her own swing and wondered if he should be flattered or angry with the way she treated him. He was supposed to be a fearless leader and she treated him like a scared little boy. He'd show her.

"Keh, whatever, I didn't need your help anyway"

Kagome looked at him and smiled coyly, "Of course you didn't" She laughed before pushing her legs in order to gain momentum. "It's going to be quick so keep your eyes open."

"Blah blah blah"

"Oh and remember you have to jump off as soon as your about two inches above the trees"

Bankotsu whipped his head to look at her, before furrowing his eyebrows and pushing just as fast. He wouldn't let her think he was some punk. He'd show her.

"Hey! Good Job! Just a little higher then we can jump!"

Bankotsu nodded his head but didn't speak as he tried to dismiss the thought of falling to his death. That would be some second impression.

Once he reached the maximum height he could go on the swing and the chains bounces as he rose higher off the ground he looked over the trees and his breath caught in his throat. The city of Tokyo was lit up so beautifully, and looked so full of life! He could even see the water that surrounded the island and the misty abyss that followed. How did she know about this?

He wanted to ask her, but as his head turned in her direction his heart skipped a beat. How could one person be so beautiful?

"Get ready Bankotsu!"

He shook his head as he looked away from her and held onto the swing tighter. He could do this.

"Jump!"

He couldn't do this.

Kagome let go of the chains that held her to the swing seat and jumped the second she was high enough, flying through the air landing swiftly on her feet seconds later. She grinned at the rush she felt while airborne and laughed softly to herself happily. She wanted to go again, but she could tell that Bankotsu wouldn't want to.

Speaking of…

"Watch Out!"

Kagome didn't have time to react before Bankotsu came tumbling toward her knocking her onto her back, with him on top.

"Oomf! You are so heavy!"

Bankotsu frowned, "Hey! At least I didn't completely land on you. You would have suffocated from all the muscle!"

"What muscle? All I feel is fat right now!"

Bankotsu laughed at that comment and rolled off her, watching as she sucked I a deep breath and glared playfully at him, "You're telling me you didn't even feel a little bit of muscle?"

"None. Nada. Zip! You are fat!"

Bankotsu got up and dusted off his shoulders, "I'll show you fat little girl" Without warning he scooped her up off the ground and heaved her onto his shoulder before flipping her to lay bridal style in his arms.

Kagome looked at him skeptically, "What are you doing?"

"About to show you just how strong I am" He chuckled when her eyes widened, "You better hold on!" He stated before taking off in a full sprint down the bike trail.

Kagome screeched as he moved faster and tightened her arms around his neck . "Bankotsu!"

Hearing her scream his name did more to him than he let on, and if it were any other time he would comment on it, but he had a point to prove. Pushing his legs harder he ran until he reached a grassy area of the park before jumping up and doing a front flip with her nestled in his arms. He laughed when she screamed louder and collapsed back onto the grass with her on top of him this time.

He hadn't had this much fun since…okay he has never had this much fun before.

"You are an evil man" she laughed poking him in the chest, "How did you do that anyway? You must've practiced a lot!" She was impressed that he could do a flip while holding someone, hell she couldn't do a flip at all, let alone carrying another person.

Bankotsu smirked, "I'm just that awesome"

Kagome giggled at his tone. He was funny. She shifted a bit to sit comfortably noticing mentally that the ground seemed to be a bit un-even. She looked down to see what was up, before she realized that she was sitting on Bankotsu's pelvic region and his eyes had closed and appeared to be from pain.

Like she had been burnt she jumped off of his person and rolled to her feet, "I'm sorry I didn't mean to hurt you! I forgot that I was even on top of you"

Bankotsu wanted to laugh at her flustered appearance. She really believed that she had hurt him "Kagome you're good. I'm not hurt at all. See" He said as he stood up and dusted his pants off. He glanced down at his watch and cursed, "Shit"

Kagome looked at him, "What's wrong?

He looked at her then. He honestly couldn't just tell her that he was supposed to go and the deliver a death note to another gang leader that sent a spy to his turf now could he? Saying that would have her running for the hills and that was the last thing he wanted.

"I have to go"

Kagome frowned. She honestly, didn't want him to go. She was having so much fun, but she ignored that feeling and smiled brightly, "It's okay we can probably do this another time. You know without me almost killing us" She giggled and he laughed as well. The baritone voice made her gasp a bit. She had never heard him laugh before only a small chuckle and she found that she liked it a lot.

"So does that mean I'll be seeing you soon?" He sure hoped so. The way she made him feel was indescribable and he wanted to know more about her. Hell he wanted to be more with her. She was something special he knew that when he met her but he didn't want to move too fast either. She was 20 he was four years older. He had experienced things that most people haven't experienced in their entire life and he didn't wish to endanger her. So what should he do?

"How about this weekend. Same place?" She really wanted to get to know him better he was cute funny and she had a great time with him. He made her feel as if someone was excited that she was back in her homeland, unlike the Ice King who only made her feel like shit. Yes, he treated her way better than Sesshoumaru did and she deserved to be with someone who treated her like a normal person didn't she? Why was she thinking about him in the first place?

Bankotsu smirked, "Cool! We'll meet here at around 7 then?" He couldn't believe his luck! He was going to see her again! He felt like a school boy with a crush and he didn't know what to think but that he had a date with a beautiful woman.

Kagome nodded, loving the excitement in his voice, "It's a date then" She whispered as she made her way back to her car Bankotsu hot on her heels.

The walk was silent but it was comfortable for the two. Kagome had a permanent blush on her cheek because of the way Bankotsu kept glancing at her and Bankotsu had a smirk on his face for being the reason why she was blushing. Reality came back to the two as they approached their cars and the impromptu date they had would only be a small reminder of more to come in their budding relationship.

Kagome smiled at him when they stopped, "Well I guess I'll see you later Bankotsu" She reached out to give him a small kiss on his cheek before she felt warm lips caressing hers. Her eyes widened in shock but then slowly drifted closed as she relaxed and kissed him back.

The kiss was short and sweet but it sent a message to both parties. There was something there and both of them wanted to figure out what it was.

Unbeknownst to the two a figure stood in the shadows watching them, anticipating the time when he would make himself known.

It was only a matter of time.

~IIOIFG~

So this was a filler chapter mostly. I had a lot going on and I might even be going to Alaska for a job with Proncess Cruises:) Well I am going actually but thats months away lol. Anyway Thank you all for the continued support I will not abandon this story!

Reviews are LOVE!

Inume Takahashi