AN: Is Inuyasha x Jankotsu still a rare pair? I haven't checked in a couple years it feels like and this is an idea I'd been sitting on for at least a year and finally wrote out now. Hope you guys enjoy. This is a pretty modern au. I'm doing what I want with characters' sexualities while still keeping close to one of the interpretations I have of them.

Background info for those who may need it or if you just like author notes for extra info: Inuyasha is a half demon, his kind are still discriminated against as a minority but in the current AU its not so bad that they're killed on sight like is implied(or stated) in the canon series.

He and Kagome had been in an established relationship for some time (at least a year and a half) before the start of the fic. Before his relationship with Kagome he had a fiance (Kikyo) who was murdered by a stalker (3 guesses who and the 1st two don't count) and despite not being the killer, having an alibi and being cleared of charges, there's still people who whisper about how he belongs in jail regardless. He had to move a few cities over just to stop throwing hands with opinionated idiots so frequently-which was easy to do, the only other person he felt close to was lil Kaede, his would be younger sister in law but her guardians didn't want him near her so they're just friends on facebook and catch up from time to time that way.

Also he has one of those prayer mini shrines for his mom and a similar one for Kikyo. It's part of how he grieves.

Story start:

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: : : Day 3 of Breakup : : :

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"Bitch said WHAT?!"

Inuyasha held the phone away from his face, ears flat against his skull, whilst simultaneously turning the speaker volume on it down a bit to ease the pain assaulting his ears from Sango's incredulous yell.

He could still hear her clearly even as she went on a rambling rant of disbelief over his explanation on why he had to break up with Kagome.

Letting out a deep sigh he cut her off to state wearily, "Look. I don't give a damn what she's going around telling people. We both know Kagome has a tendency to understate and exaggerate shit so I ain't surprised. Not like I'm not used to people making up shit about me anyway."

The line went silent for a moment after his comment.

"You deserve better." Was the blunt response he received.

Barking out a laugh Inuyasha shook his head, not that she could see. He never cared for doing video calls.

"Nah, see that would mean I'd get to experience actual joy for the rest of my life", he snarked.

"Ok lets trim those edges, Mr. Edgelord. I'm gonna talk to Kagome about this, see just what the hell is her malfunction because I just don't understand that but I respect your decision to remove yourself from it", Sango offered.

"Thanks", Inuyasha sighed as he rolled his head to loosen the tension in his neck.

"Also, you should go clubbing with me".

"What?" Inuyasha startled.

"You. Me. Clubbing. Get your mind off that and have some fun. Find a distraction."

"Why would I-"

"I know you. The fact it took you almost three days to say a damn thing to ANYONE about this til now lets me know how much this hurt you. I'm glad you regained your composure enough to talk and didn't just shut us all out and disappear without a word instead-shut up" Sango interjected quickly to make sure he didn't interrupt her, "-I know you would've done it if you felt like it was your best option, so you need some positive social interaction. I know some good clubs, the people tend to be nice. And very accepting." Sango pitched.

"Oh?" He inquired halfheartedly.

"Yup. In my experience most gay bars are", she noted.

Inuyasha nearly choked, he was so surprised by her suggestion. He liked his friend to bits, honestly this whole conversation served to alleviate some of his anxiety and reaffirm his confidence in their friendship since he and Kagome met and got to know her at the same time. He thinks that may be why she never immediately sided with Kagome whenever they used to have arguments. Unlike Kagome's friends Yuka and Eri. But for her to suggest he goes to a club for gays?

"Why? What are you- But I'm not gay!" He sputtered.

"You're not?" Sango asked doubtfully in a teasing voice.

"No!" He shouted, "I don't think I've ever even met a gay guy before", he paused to think, "Well…Sesshomaru's always been kinda sus but y'know what I mean. How would I even interact with them?"

"You're thinking way too much about this Inuyasha. I'm not asking you to try to hook up with anyone, though I greatly encourage it, I just want you to enjoy a new experience", she coaxed.

"I dunno", he felt an uneasy feeling wash over him, "Probably not a good idea".

"Let me know if you change your mind. Anyways, you want me and Kilala to drop by? Or are you ready to emerge from your domain?"

"Nah to both."He snorted, "I…I'll talk to you later. I just want to be alone. But, uh, thanks. Alright?"

"'Course. Don't do anything dumb as hell", Sango demanded in a overly cheerful tone before hanging up.

Sighing from his nose, he sat up from the bed to go lay morosely on the couch instead until his shift started. He just wasn't in the mood to do anything at all unless it was necessary.

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:: Day 17 of break up ::

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Answering the door, Inuyasha came face to face with Sango with Kilala in one of her arms and a bag in the other.

"Yo!" She greeted the half demon while shoving the duffel bag in his arms, which he accepted automatically as he stared at the woman who apparently just invited herself over to his place.

She looked at him expectedly and he stood aside so she could come in. Watching her set the demon cat down he closed his door.

"Didn't you just text me? Like two minutes ago…is that why you asked if I was awake?" He asked, confused.

"Yup. I was already here when I texted that. You said you have the day off tomorrow right?" Sango inquired as she rummaged through the bag to pull some stuff out.

"Yeah, but-"

"You're gonna spend that time with Kilala. You two adore each other and I think it'd be good for you to spend time with some company instead of doing the lonely workaholic with no life routine you've been on for weeks now".

Inuyasha blinked, unable to deny it. Outside of the texts and few calls from Sango, Miroku, the random text or two from Kagome's friend Ayumi, and that little brat Shippo wanting to make fun of him for 'stupidly upsetting' Kagome; he'd made no efforts to really talk to anyone or go out. Instead he booked as many jobs as he could and had been working overtime pretty much everyday since he had no reason not to and it kept him plenty busy.

Sango turned to him with a fast food bag, he recognized the logo as being from one of the places he liked to get authentic ramen from and it'd been awhile since he had some. He'd just been eating cup ramen or ramen packs with some peppers and onions thrown in for almost a month when he wasn't ordering take out for variety.

Seeing that he wasn't taking the bag, she set it on the small table next to him. "That's for you, make sure you eat it and-" turning away and back again quickly to proudly show him the two movies she brought.

"I'm letting you borrow My Neighbor Totoro and Treasure Planet to watch and relax. Or even just listen to, they both have awesome soundtracks."

Tilting his head to the side as he looked at the kid cartoon movies he only had one thought, "Why?"

"Because your childhood sucked and these two movies are fantastic, mainly feel good, and with no romance plots", she asserted firmly.

Was…was she mothering him? Sango?

Feeling bemused he slowly reached out to take the movies from her hands and read over the summaries for both, quickly taking in the cover art.

"So the other stuff in the bag is just things for Kilala y'know? Cat bed, a few toys, snacks, different food for her to choose, portable litter box with scooper, and of course a easily collapsible box for her to decide is the best thing out of all the things I brought", a loud 'mew' interrupted her and as they both looked at the small demon cat Inuyasha smirked. "Oh hush, you know it's true! Anyways, Kilala's gonna be with you until tomorrow or maybe the day after. Depends." Sango shrugged casually.

"You forcing me to catsit for free?"

"No! Well…technically yeah but no. I'm forcing you to get cat therapy free of charge." He huffed a laugh at that causing Sango to grin smugly.

"Well that's all I dropped by for." Patting him on the shoulder before she reached his door as she passed him, "Oh, and I still think you should come clubbing with me. Even more so now, overworking isn't healthy", she stressed before slipping out. The door closed firmly behind her, already locked.

Standing there silently for a few minutes, Inuyasha's mind was blank until he jolted back to attention when he felt Kilala rub against his shin for attention.

Crouching down to gently rub the top of her head he contemplated talking to her like Sango implied. It wouldn't be too hard, Kilala's mild telepathy made conversing easier and being a non-judgemental wizened old lady he knew she could probably even provide advice but he wasn't sure how to start or even where.

After a while Kilala forced him to stop stroking her fur by standing on her hind legs to pat his hand off her as she looked up at him. He could feel the question she had as her mind lightly brushed his.

"Right. Guess Sango's…Sango's what a real best friend is like…let me set your stuff up and then we can try out the movies."

Ok so Treasure Planet might be one of his new favorite movies now. Sango was right, it was good. He liked how the kid was obviously close but respectful of his mom and wished he'd had come across a helpful father figure like he had. And as if the likable characters weren't enough it also had fun futuristic stuff despite basically being a pirates in space movie. He might have to buy his own copy of this…and now he was curious about the other movie she left.

Since Kilala was dozing against his thigh he decided to go ahead and push play. Good thing he had let himself be talked into buying the dvd/blue-ray system that could hold up to 6 discs to play any of them you wanted whenever. Saved him from disturbing Kilala by having to get up to swap movies.

Settling in carefully to get more comfortable since it was starting to get late, Inuyasha emptied his mind to focus on the opening scene of the movie.

Waking up to the feel of little cat paws landing on his chest, Inuyasha found that he had fallen asleep on his couch. Checking his phone, he saw it was morning but barely. Awake now, he felt content to just lay there with Kilala's warm little body purring on his chest.

He strangely felt like talking now, so he did.

He unloaded his feelings about his decision to break up with Kagome, how hurt he felt by her and his worry that he may not ever find the right partner to trust and love and get that in return. He also shared his confusion in Sango's insistence on getting him out, clubbing in particular-more specifically at a gay bar, to meet people when he didn't see the point of it.

And throughout his venting session with Kilala she listened attentively while patiently enduring his restless hands playing with her paws and twin tails.