I couldn't wait to tell master Tatosai about the surprise and my inventions completion. But above all I was happy by Kagome's reaction that I couldn't have asked for anything better. My only regret is that I would have to sell the Higurashi box but I could always make another.

My steps were happy and held a bounce to them. "Hi little brother." Until that voice ruined my entire good mood.
I turned to find Koga the stupid wolf demon leaning on a tree with one arm resting his head against it. His other arm griped his hip close to his sword that acted as a silent threat. Leaving one of his leg to support his weight while the other was tucked in front of it. He was dressed relatively well for the weather but he only ever dressed like a human, or when he wanted to impress Kagome, when he was in town. I smirked at the thought. He probably wanted to see Kagome today and I saved her in the nick of time. Maybe my mood wasn't so spoiled after all. "What do you want Koga?"
He stood up and walked over to me and put on the false face. "Just heard through some little birds that you finally managed to finish your little junk trap." What I wouldn't give for my musket so I could shoot the little birds that told him.

"What of it Koga?" I had to hold back of my anger before my teeth broke grinding together on each other.

"Just wanted to congratulate ya was all, and maybe your sister too." He chuckled. "Maybe while you're gone you'll get a brother in law." He smiled devilishly over that last sentence.

I marched and eyed him in the vilest way possible that would make even the devil cringe. "Now you listen and you listen good you no good flea bag. My sister wouldn't fall for you, marry you if you gave her a love potion or if you were the last living thing in creation. She's been through enough and deserves nothing but happiness to the fullest extent. Stay away from her or so help me god I will find every way possible to make you live in the very definition of hell."
He made comments after I began walking away but they fell on angry deaf ears. To anyone who would've walked by would agree that I was the definition of fuming with my red face and most likely a popped vein.
When I saw the brick chimney, choking on heavy smoke from the day's work, I sprinted in hopes of leaving my anger behind. If there was one thing me and my sister had in common it was our hot temper.
Kohaku was wailing away at a piece of metal that was no doubt a custom order as usual. Meanwhile Tatosai was looking as if he were napping on top of his demon bull.
"Sota!" Kohaku called after looking up from his work to catch sight of me. "Did you finish the chest yet or did another gear bust and you undead up spilling oil all over yourself." He chuckled as he put down the hammer and walked up to meet me and embraced me in a brotherly hug.

"Yeah I finished it not long ago and raced into town for sis. Should of seen the look on her face though it might've broken your heart at the sight." I recalled that moment but could only smile with pride.

"How did the demon gold I gave you work?" Tatosai asked as he leaped off his demon bull.
I smiled. "Just fine master I was a little surprised myself when I first tried it, it's a bit touchy."
He laughed at my words. "That it is. Once I tried to use it as a statue but when the client came into collect it, it only kept making faces with his face in the vilest of ways." He said a little bitterly.
"That's probably because you cursing about the client while you were working with the metal
Still I couldn't help laughing but had to do without the gold coins from that job." Of course he would've kept something like that with that sense if humor of his. Tatosai was one to play many of his own pranks when he wasn't being the serious master.
"Hey Sota what had you so angered earlier? I saw your face when I called out to you." Kohaku laid a hand on my shoulder in comfort but it only reminded me of why or properly who I was angry about.
"Yeah it was Koga. He was trying to say that after I left he was going to make sis his wife and he'd be my brother." I made a sick face at the thought. "As if I would let him marry my sister especially when she doesn't love him let alone like him."

"Don't worry so much Sota. Kagome can handle herself fine, because believe it or not she is the older sibling, not you." Kohaku said knowingly. "And if it troubles you that much then I'm sure master and I can watch over her for you while your away."
"I wouldn't mind one bit young Sota, just so long as I get to eat that food of hers." Tatosai cackled.
"I'm sure sis would love the company." I chuckled back at him. "One thing is for sure." I said firmly. "Over my dead body wiould I ever let him or any other man try to force Kagome to marry him."

"I second that."

"Not me I'm too old to die." We chuckled at our old master, but knew he would do his best to protect Kagome should the time arise.

"Anyway, the main reason I came here is because sis wanted me to invite you both to a celebratory dinner as thanks for supporting me and all."

"I'd be honored to join you and your sister. How about you master?"

"Why bother asking, I would take up every chance to eat her cooking whenever I have the chance. Count me there without a second thought Sota." He said happily while wiping at a slip of drool that managed to escape out of his mouth.

"Great I'll see you tonight." I chuckled at him.
"I'll walk back with you. Do you mind master Tatosai?" Kohaku said as he turned seeking out his master's consent.

"You go on ahead Kohaku. Got to keep Koga out of Sota's hair now don't we."

Kohaku chuckled. "I'll clean up after dinner."

"That's all right go on it'll all be done before I leave."

"Guess we'll be waiting on him to get things done since his record for finishing up is hours." I teased.

"Oh go on you rotten little brats." He playfully threatened as we ran off. We raced for a while but slowed and began discussing the same things we usually did like a little unknown ritual between us. We would talk about our apprenticing with Tatosai, then our sisters and then whatever the conversation would happen to drift towards later. This time it went towards my leaving which I surprised by.

"I don't think I'll be gone that long really. At least to me anyway since it'll pass so quickly with the buzz being around my invention." I replied to his question about the amount of time I would spend away.

"You say that as if the world revolved around you here." He teased.

"Funny I thought it did." I countered. I had often thought of him as my brother, even long before his big sister Sango had disappeared after going to look for work.

At one time along with many others I had thought she had abandoned him and I instantly regretted bringing that to his thoughts since I ended up with a black eye and a bruised ego. Though what had really changed my thought was Kagome saying that Sango was like her and that she would never abandoned Kohaku. Though the thought of her fate has long left us all in worry. But I don't none more so than Kohaku who had not long ago confessed to me that he was beginning to forget what she looked like. I would hate to be away for Kagome that long I didn't even want to imagine his pain that he has to live with.

"So you going to miss me?" I asked him hoping to clear my thoughts. He smiled back and gave me a side hug as we walked.

"As if you have to ask. You know I always thought of you like a brother." He chuckled.

"Well it's better that were not related though." I teased.

"How come?" He backed off a little offended.

I looked at him playfully. "Cause then Kagome would be your sister and you don't even want know what's its like having her for a sister." I laughed.

"I wouldn't mind. Maybe it would even be like..."

"If Sango were here?" He nodded. I began to feel guilty by what I had said and was beginning to wish my mouth were sewn shut. Kagome would no doubt be, the most willing person, pulling the thread. A thought rose up in my mind and I took a side glance at him and smiled. "No way. If Sango were here it would be peaceful." I declared loudly.

My words had obviously taken him by surprise as he looked at me with a bemused smirk. "Peaceful. Really?" Dragging out the really. I chuckled.

"Yeah peaceful. From what I remember she was always the one to break up the fights and if she were here Koga would be sleeping with the worms. Not to mention Kagome would be so much happier." I found the sky very interesting as I looked up and imagined the face Kagome would have if Sango were around. The two would no doubt be inseparable like the sister spirits they were at one time.

"It would be a sight to see..." He grew unusually quiet and he stopped in the midst of the road.

"What's the matter Kohaku?" I asked as I searched his expression in worry. He looked at me then all around as if fearing someone would hear.

"Can you keep a secret? I really mean it Sota this is very serious and you can't tell a soul not even your sister." He whispered. I nodded silently and moved closer as I became very interested in this conversation that was becoming a heavy secret. "About two years ago I began receiving things. First it started off as small parcels of food, later on it was clothes and I didn't think much of it until I received a small bag of gold." At the mention of the last item my eyes were saucers and something in my gut was saying it was weird. "Now just six months ago I received not only another bag of gold but a letter..."

"Is it from..."

"Shush." He exclaimed as he slapped his hand over my mouth to keep me quiet.

He released me after letting it sink in but I wasn't quiet for long. "Why didn't you tell us she's..."

"Shush, stupid." He quietly yelled.

"Why are we whispering?" I whisper yelled.

"Because I'm not allowed to breathe a word of the things I've been getting since the beginning. I'm not even supposed to tell you but the letter sounded so much like sis I couldn't let you continue to think that she was dead too."

"Do you have any clues as to where she may be or why you are getting these things now? Though I'm more curious as to what she did for it." I was hoping she wasn't doing anything too scandalous. The thoughts that went through my head were some that were better left unsaid.

Kohaku only shook his head. "I don't care as long as she is happy, safe and that I at least get to see her and tell her I love her." I sympathized with him and pulled him into a brotherly hug. I could only imagine what it would be like to lose all of my family and have little or no hope to see them again. "Sota am I crazy to hope."

I relaxed my tight grip and made harsh eye contact with a smirk. "Kohaku the day you stop hoping is the day I stop breathing." He laughed and so did I and we began to walk on with lighter steps at this new found hope in ourselves.

"Kohaku?"

"Yeah."

"I'll keep your secret as long as you promise me one thing." He chuckled as I glanced back at him.

"What is it?" He asked

When I turned to face forwards with Kohaku following I began to see home just over the hill with smoke coming out of the chimney and all I could seem to see was Kagome. "Promise me that while I'm gone you'll live with Kagome and protect her from Koga until I get back. I have a feeling that he's got something up his sleeve and I don't like it." I stopped and turned back to him. "I'm not saying to guard her 24 hours a day because sis would kill me if I asked you to do that. Just watch her and be there for her so that Koga can't harm her, ok?"

Kohaku smiled and walked up to me and patted me on the shoulder. "As if you have to ask or rather force me since it's the only way for you to keep my secret."

I laughed at him. "I'd do it even if you didn't stupid."

"Looks who's calling the kettle black, you're the stupid one you're the one who is going to get lost during your journey. That's the whole reason you have to leave early is cause you already know you're going to get lost."

We laughed at each other some more. "Not so long as I have this place in my heart." I said as our gaze fell on the house. I scoffed. "Besides, with Buyo with me he'd rather bite off my hand before I let him get us lost."

But if only I realized what this journey was to bring I would have never left home.

AUTHORS NOTE

Thanks to all who read this story and who are commenting I really appreciate it. Thanks to those who have started to follow as well. I'm so sorry that I have taken so long to do these few chapters but as you know, life loves to toss everything it has at you. For other writers or just for the readers I hope that your lives get easier from your harsh problems and I wish happy times for you all. Looking forward to other comments and coming soon new chapters for my other stories.