Kohaku
AN: … I wonder when I'll finally be able to stop churning out these half-hearted drabbles. Don't tell me the title is unoriginal, I already know.
Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha. All characters belong to Ms. Rumiko Takahashi.
I know I can stop the pain
If I will it all away
~ Whisper, Evanescence
He closes his eyes, standing motionless in the middle of the courtyard. His weapon feels so light, and if he still had the powers of imagination, he could almost pretend it didn't exist anymore.
He can feel the warm tears course down his face. He can feel the uncomfortable sensation of blood against his skin. He hears the retreating footsteps of the lady of the castle, and finds himself gripped by a sudden urge to stop her.
Just throw it.
His knuckles tighten around his weapon, feeling the familiar smoothness of the leather grip under his fingers. He doesn't even need to open his eyes. He can hear her sobbing under her breath, can hear her footsteps as her slippers slide across the courtyard.
It would be so easy.
He inhales slowly and allows the weapon to drop to the ground. It takes all of his effort to loosen his muscles, and he regrets it the moment he hears the metal connect with the ground with a dull thump.
Kohaku has made his choice.
He feels his entire body tremble as he lurches forward, coming to rest on one knee. Eyes still closed, he presses his hands to his face, trying to stop the onslaught of tears. He needs to run. He has made his choice, and he can't return to the comfortable numbness of amnesia anymore. He takes a deep, shuddering breath, noticing how his surroundings have suddenly become quieter.
Can't I make myself forget? Can't I stop the pain?
He exhales sharply, dropping his hands to the blood-soaked soil beneath him. Without even opening his eyes, he can picture the sight. Bodies strewn across the area, most of them shriveled and bloodless. The buildings alight, greedy flames licking at the wooden huts and dead bodies. Something in his chest contracts, and he feels breathless.
One of his hands comes to land on the blade of his scythe. He opens his eyes, staring at the silver surface of the blade, at the faint sheen of scarlet that covered the tip. His stomach clenches.
He hears movement behind him. Almost instinctively, Kohaku grips his weapon and spins. He allows his body to react mechanically as it sends the scythe hurtling towards the person who had been staggering towards him. It embeds itself into the man's throat and he falls.
Kohaku's breath hitches as he stares at the dead man.
How many people have I slain?
He can't even count. The tears start up again as he stares at the corpse in disbelief. He'd just made his choice! He'd just decided not to kill!
But it is all he is capable of doing now.
His hands will always be stained, no matter how hard he tries to wash them clean.
Then why do I fight?
"Kohaku." That familiar, pained voice.
I fight for her.
AN: 473 words.