Kimiko leaned back in her chair, taking a sip of her tea. Children laughed and screamed as they chased each other on the playground. She sighed, eying her young son from the picnic table. She'd hoped that bringing Sesshoumaru to a public place would encourage him to engage with others, but her son was proving to be as stubborn as she was at his age.

Checking her watch, she promised herself she'd give it five more minutes, though he hadn't moved from his small patch of lush green grass next to the swing set. The playground was a myriad of humans, hanyou, and youkai, but everyone time someone even remotely came close to Sesshoumaru, they'd suddenly notice his markings and slink away.

"Mama, can I go play?" Gravel crunched under a set of stroller wheels, and Kimiko watched as a human mother walked up with her young daughter and infant son.

"Of course, honey. Just make sure you can see me," the woman replied. "I'm going to feed your brother." The little girl flashed her a toothy grin and then took off, the dark curls pulled into low pigtails bouncing as she went.

The woman looked around for a place to sit, finally giving up and settling down on the ground, her son fussing as she tried to find a comfortable position. Kimiko sighed, then tapped her table. "You are welcome to sit here," she said.

The woman looked up in surprise. "Are you sure? I don't want to impose."

Kimiko shook her head, waving to the three empty chairs around the table. "I am not expecting anyone else." She glanced at her son, who still hadn't moved. "And I will not be staying very much longer."

She gave her a grateful smile, the baby quieting down and focusing on his meal once she'd sat down. "Thank you. My husband was supposed to come with us but was called into work at the last minute, and I didn't have it in me to say no to Kagome." Kimiko raised an eyebrow, and the woman pointed to her daughter, who was currently struggling to get into a swing by herself. "She's been wanting to come here all week."

"I wish I could say the same about my son."

"Does he not like parks?"

"Sesshoumaru doesn't like anything," she said with a smirk. "But I was hoping he'd at least learn to make friends."

The woman gave her an awkward smile. "That's always hard. Kagome loves making friends. I've had to stop her from—"

"Mama, can you come push me?" The little girl in question popped up with a flushed face, having tried multiple times to get into the swing without success.

Kimiko saw the pained expression on the woman's face, and she leaned over the table. "You should ask my son. He is currently not doing anything and would be more than happy to help." She pointed him out, and Kagome looked back at her mother, the slight incline of her head sending her running after she kissed the top of her brother's head.

"One last try?" The woman asked, chuckling softly.

Kimiko shrugged. "At this point, I will try anything." They both watched as Kagome approached the young daiyoukai, golden eyes narrowing as she voiced her request, then widening when small hands grabbed him and pulled him to his feet. She dragged him to the swing set, smacking the swing she wanted with both hands.

Sesshoumaru stood there, looking between her and the swing, finally giving in and lifting her up. However, her smile and gratitude were short-lived when he retreated to his patch of shade. Kimiko sighed, getting ready to pack up their things, but Kagome slipped off the swing and grabbed his hand again, pulling him back and pointing to her swing and the one beside it.

Kimiko looked over at Kagome's mother, finding a soft smile on her face. "I take it this is not abnormal behaviour?"

The woman chuckled. "Not in the slightest. She'd probably already planned on forcing him to play with her when we got here." She shifted her son to her other breast. "Kagome has a talent for finding those who need a friend the most." Kimiko turned back to her son and found him sitting in a swing, a begrudging but intrigued look on his face.

Kagome chatted animatedly, leaning over to poke Sesshoumaru in the face, tracing the outlines on his cheeks. Taking a thoughtful sip of her tea, Kimiko settled back in her chair. "I do not suppose you would be willing to get them together at a later date?"

"Oh, she'd love that! Do you live nearby?"

"No, but I can send a car to collect you." Her eyes slid to the baby in her arms. "Or we can come to you."

She gave her a grateful smile, then held out her hand. "I'm Emiko Higurashi."