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Kikyou fiddled with the collar of her coat as she waited outside the main entrance to the hospital. The snow had been shovelled away from the walk, but she'd settled with ankle boots instead of the usual high heels. She'd never last in them after a twelve-hour shift, anyway.
She supposed she'd have to thank her cousin's husband for stopping by her apartment, but she was more interested in his brother at the moment. She'd never paid him any mind before, but the rumours about the pediatric oncology unit being taken over by pirates had caught everyone's attention.
The higher-ups had squinted, not wanting to disturb the other patients, but had quickly been cut off by the doctors and psychiatrists who worked in the unit. The children may have been riled up, but their general outlook and overall demeanour were always that much higher after a visit from the mysterious pirate captain.
Picturing the broad-shouldered lab tech in a red bandana and brandishing a sword wasn't difficult, and she chuckled to herself as she checked her watch. She'd have to find out if there was a schedule for his visits so she could see him in action.
Snow crunched, and she perked up, expecting to see silver hair and amber eyes, trying to keep herself from deflating when she realized it wasn't him. "Hey, Kikyou. You're looking dapper tonight. You going to Kagome's party?" Sango asked.
Kikyou nodded, hoping the cold biting into her skin hid her blush. "Yeah, she managed to convince me. You?"
The firefighter sighed, pulling her hair out of the high ponytail it had been in. "Same. Along with an annoyingly convincing rescue from the construction site fire last week."
Dark brows rose in surprise. "The guy who's been blowing up your phone?"
Sango ran her fingers through her hair. "Miroku thought it would be funny to give him my number with how smitten he was." She was about to remind her of what the definition of harassment was, but Sango got a faraway look on her face that Kikyou knew all too well.
This guy wasn't the only one who was smitten.
An engine revved, startling them both, and Kikyou glanced over her shoulder at the figure clad in dark, crimson leather. A silver ponytail hung out of the motorist's helmet, and the bottom may have dropped out of her stomach when he raised the face shield, golden eyes gleaming in the artificial light.
"I take it that's your ride?" Sango guessed with a smirk.
Kikyou couldn't hide her blush this time but flipped her dark hair over her shoulder. "He brought me coffee today."
Sango faked a swoon, the back of her hand on her forehead. "Why didn't you say so? I'll start on the wedding invitations right away." Kikyou kicked some snow at her, but Sango was already walking away, shoulders shaking with laughter.
"Do I wanna know?" Inuyasha asked, handing her a spare helmet.
Kikyou shook her head, climbing onto the back of the motorcycle. "Nothing important." She wrapped her arms around his waist, trying not to think about how well they fit together, his voice filling her helmet as he patted her hands.
"Hope you're not the squeamish type," he said. "I like to go fast."
"Could've fooled me," she muttered. His game was strong, considering he'd swooped in with nothing more than a coffee and had ended up with a date. The engine revved again, and he peeled out of the parking lot, a soft chuckle sounding in her ears.
"Does this mean I can bring you coffee more often?" he asked, reading her thoughts.
"If you think it'll help," she answered, tightening her arms around him.
He snorted. "I'll take all the help I can get."
"Hoping for another kiss?" she asked, not wanting to give away how much she was hoping for one. He didn't answer right away, and she shifted on the back of the bike.
They went through a few traffic lights in silence before he finally sighed. "My brother would say I needed to earn it."
"From what I heard, your brother was stealing kisses before even asking for a date."
That earned her some real laughter, and he took a turn harder than he should've. "Your cousin is the one who kissed him." She should've been shocked, but knowing Kagome, it didn't surprise her at all.
Maybe it was the fact that he'd known her favourite brew, or that he'd known she'd needed the extra large cup to survive her shift—or maybe it was just because he was cute, but Kikyou found herself asking, "And if I want to follow in her footsteps?"
Inuyasha cursed under his breath. "Wait until I've parked to say shit like that!" She grinned and leaned against his back, leaving him to stew until he pulled off the street at the base of the shrine steps.
His movements were jerky as he yanked his helmet off, hanging it on one of the handlebars as he reached for hers. She ducked under his arms as soon as he freed her, brushing her lips against his. He stood frozen as she smirked, giving him another for good measure before patting his head and swinging her leg over the bike.
"That's for the coffee. If you want another one, you'll have to get me another drink first," she said, hips swaying as she walked toward the stairs.
There was a string of muffled curses behind her, helmets clanging together before his other arm wrapped around her waist. "If I get ya a double, will you let me kiss you back?"
Kikyou clicked her tongue. "Sounds like a tall order. You might need to bring me food first."
Fangs flashed as he smirked at her. "Done."
Bankotsu stuffed his hand into his pockets to stop himself from grabbing another drink. The first had been to settle his nerves, the second going down easier as he waited for Sango to arrive.
His guardian angel.
He'd called her that when she'd come to visit him in the hospital after the fire, and she'd threatened to strangle him with his IV. Luckily, the paramedic from the ambulance had taken pity on him, offering up her phone number after he'd struck out.
He'd been wary about using it—she had saved his life, after all—and he'd fully expected her to block him immediately, but although her responses had been curt, they'd kept coming, and she'd eventually warmed up to the idea of him taking her out.
He hadn't expected it to be to a lavish Christmas party, but he wasn't about to complain. His company parties usually consisted of a couple of free beers and shitty food, but the rows of appetizers sitting under glowing lights were probably worth more than what he made in a week.
"I fully expected you to be drunk off your ass already."
Managing not to whirl around instantly, Bankotsu slid his hand through his hair. "I didn't want to spoil—" The rest of the words died in his throat as Sango stepped into view, the green satin of her dress showing off lush curves.
He cleared his throat to keep himself from drooling, and she raised an eyebrow. "Something wrong?"
"You're beautiful," he blurted, cursing his loose tongue. "Fuck, sorry. But damn."
"Trying to get under my skirt already?" she asked, eyes narrowing.
"That's not—I mean, maybe," he amended sheepishly. "But hell, that colour suits you."
She eyed him a moment more, her face turning a delightful shade of pink before she gifted him with a smile to match. "Thanks. I don't usually wear stuff like this." She motioned to her heels. "Guys don't like it when I'm taller than them."
"Fuck those guys," he said automatically. "Just gives me a better view." Her smile widened, and he was thankful he'd stopped himself from grabbing a third drink. He wanted to remember everything about tonight.
She waved toward the tables of food. "Any recommendations?" she asked.
He shrugged, still staring at her. "None whatsoever. Haven't touched it."
She frowned at that, looking between him and the steaming appetizers. "Why not? The party started almost an hour ago."
"I was waiting for you." The confession was quiet but truthful, and he was rewarded with a deeper blush. Taking a chance, Bankotsu held out his hand, Sango's fingers sliding between his before he led them over to the table. "Any chance you might be up for a dance later?" he asked, tone hopeful.
She stole a small piece of cake without bothering for a plate, going right for the desserts. "Depends on who's asking."
"Guess I'll have to ask before each song, then." Eyes glinting, he held up a plate for her, giving her free range to make her selections.
"Guess you will," she said after swallowing. "If you're lucky, you might end up with more than one."
"I'm always lucky." Sango raised an eyebrow at him, and he leaned closer, breath wafting past her ear. "I was rescued by an angel, and she was nice enough to humour me with a date."
She raised her chin, even as the blush returned to her cheeks. "I can't deny your luck then. If you'd made it to the stairs, you would've been rescued by Miroku." Bankotsu's mouth dropped open, and she shoved a piece of cake inside, laughter twinkling like the lanterns around them, but never once letting go of his hand.
She agreed to every dance he asked her for that night.