Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of its characters. I only own Kieran and the very few OC characters in this fanfiction.
Chapter Three
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Feudal Era Japan
Three Years Later
Kaede's Village
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Kieran did not like it when girls touched what was his, unless it was Sango. There was blood there, and Sango had gone through hell and high water for her brother. Kieran was alright with her touching his human. He was weary of Kagome, even though the time traveler made it clear she only saw Kohaku as a friend. And then there was the little human girl named Rin; Kohaku had told him several times that Rin was like a little sister and they were only friends. He didn't really buy that, but he knew that the demon lord the child followed behind supported her and Kohaku's claim.
However he did not like the human girl who had taken to following his intended like a puppy. She was only a year younger than Kohaku; a girl of thirteen with long ebony hair that she kept in a braid and bright brown eyes. She was humming as she followed Kohaku through the village. The boy was seemingly unaware of her affections.
"How can I help you today Yuiko-chan?" Kohaku asked as he set the firewood Kaede has asked him to gather onto the floor. She was going to be making stew tonight Kohaku couldn't help but smile at that. Kaede-sama made really good stew and he was grateful she would be teaching him out to cook it for the days he was out on his own. He and his sister had decided to keep the art of demon extermination going. At the moment, he didn't have a job so he was staying around Kaede's village instead of going back to the village he and his sister were rebuilding.
Yuiko blushed but smiled. "Oh I just wanted to see how you were doing. I heard you got in last night and wanted to greet you properly."
He smiled warmly, unaware that the action caused the demon who watched them from the shadows to frown. Was he that blind? Kohaku ran a hand through his hair, "Thank you Yukio-chan. I'm honored that you wanted to see me."
She hummed, that blush still on her cheek. "Um...Kohaku-sama," she began and then blushed when he turned his eyes on her. "Would you...would you want to come with me to the festival tomorrow night?"
Kohaku smiled. "Of course," he said.
She smiled, her heart fluttering in her chest. "Thank you. I'll see you tomorrow night!"
"Til tomorrow," he called and watched her leave. She paused and turned around, peering at him over her shoulder. "Yes Yuiko-chan?"
She shook her head, "Oh nothing," she said with nervous giggle. "See you tomorrow night."
He nodded and watched her go. Once she was gone, Kokhaku sighed, "You can come out now, stupid demon."
Kieran stepped out of the darkness, a scowl on his face. "You should have said no."
"And hurt her feelings?" Kohaku asked. "I don't think so."
"You idiot," Kieran grumbled. "She likes you."
"I'm not blind," Kohaku said with a huff and stepped out of the hut, the demon trailing behind him. This was a routine of theirs. Kohaku would leave somewhere and Kieran would follow behind him. Kagome had thought it was cute. The two walked through the village, passing Miroku who was talking to a elder. The younger demon slayer smiled in his direction but the monk paid him no attention. He sighed and continued towards the hut he was staying in.
"He's still mad at you huh?" Kieran asked.
"Apparently."
"It's not your fault," the demon reasoned. "He did kinda push it on her and then end it before she could answer."
Kohaku stopped. Miroku's rash decision to end his engagement to his sister simply because she was making sure Kohaku was adjusting to his life outside of Naraku had been a bit rough. His sister wasn't as bothered by it as everyone thought she would be, she had simply gotten over it. Miroku had simply given Kohaku the cold shoulder every time the boy tried to make small talk. "I guess you're right."
Kieran nodded and then looked at Kohaku's neck. He bit his lip, "Hey," he called and the boy looked at him over his shoulder. "Feed me?"
Kohaku gave him an annoyed look. "Go feed off a demon or another woman like last time."
Kieran paused. Before, him sleeping with other women had not been a bother to the boy. But recently it had been. He could see it getting under his skin. He sighed softly. "I wouldn't be feeding off other people if you let me feed from you."
"I'm not risking it."
"Kohaku, I'm not gonna kill you." Kieran pouted.
"Go feed off someone else."
"But you taste better," he grumbled.
"Go find someone else!" Kohaku snapped and shoved him.
Kieran frowned. "Fine," he said. "I'll go feed on someone else."
He disappeared into the darkness before Kohaku could say anything else.
:::
The night of the festival, Kohaku was still fuming over his latest spat with Kieran. The demon hadn't come back the night before and he couldn't feel his eyes nor his presence through the bond. He sighed, he must have been blocking him.
"Are you alright?" he turned his head to Yuiko. He blushed having forgotten about her. She looked rather cute in her yukata.
"Sorry," he apologized. "I was thinking."
"Oh," she said and smiled. "I thought something was wrong. I'm glad you're okay."
In a way, something was wrong. It wasn't like Kieran to block him. What was wrong? Had he crossed a line yesterday? He sighed softly, he hadn't meant to be. He just...he really did care about Kieran but the idea of him feeding off other people wasn't something that sat well with Kohaku.
Was this how his sister felt when she was with Miroku?
"Kohaku-sama, are you alright?" he looked back at Yuiko and smiled warmly.
"I apologize again," he said. "I'm just not feeling well tonight. Perhaps I can make it up to you on another day?"
Yuiko smiled. "Of course," she said though the smile didn't reach her eyes. He blinked, what was he to do in this situation? He leaned in and kissed her cheek, hoping to make her feel better. Yuiko gave a soft gasp but remained perfectly still, her heart fluttering against her chest when he pulled away.
"Yuiko-chan?" he asked.
"Y-yes?" she replied.
"Would you like me to take you home?"
She nodded, "Of course."
He smiled. "Alright."
The walk to her house was short and Kohaku's mind was still on Kieran when he stopped in front of her hut. "Thank you for walking me home," Yuiko smiled to him and he nodded.
"Of course," he said. "You never know what kind of dangers could be luring around at night."
"If there are any I know Kohaku-sama would come save me, just like last time." she smiled, recalling the time he had swooped in like a hero out of her mother's stories, slaying the demon and carrying her home. That was a year ago and she had been infatuated with him ever since. She blushed softly at the memory and looked at the boy who held her affections.
When she had met him, his hair had been longer but now he has cut it some, so it was just to the nape of his neck. His brown eyes were always far off, like he was thinking of another time. He was lean, but there was some muscle there and she flustered at the thought of the handsome man he would become one day, the man she hope one day to call her husband.
Kohaku blushed, "Now you're just trying to flatter me."
Yuiko's blush deepened. "Um," she took a deep breath and stepped forward. "Good night Kohaku-sama," she said and leaned up, kissing him on the lips. She pulled back a second later and blushed. "Til tomorrow!" she called and rushed inside her hut.
Kohaku stood there.
What had just happened?
:::
"Come on kiddo," Inuyasha called. "Daylight's wasting away!"
Kohaku stepped out the hut, "I'm coming," he grumbled and paused. Inuyasha groaned aloud.
"What the hell is it?" snapped the half demon. "Totosai isn't gonna be around forever, kid. We've got weapons we need too..." he trailed off when he saw just what had caught Kohaku's attention. Kieran was walking up the pathway, his hands folded behind his back.
Kohaku took off towards him and tackled the incubus to the ground. "Ow!" cried the blonde. "You're either mad at me or happy to see me."
"You idiot!" Kohaku cried, slamming his fists against the blonde's chest.
"Well I figured it was mad," grumbled the blonde. "I missed you too, little one."
"Why were you blocking me!?" Kohaku snapped, looking down at him. "You could have been hurt and I wouldn't have known! You bastard, don't you ever do that to me again!"
Kieran grinned and sat up, cupping the boy's cheeks. "I'm alive," he said simply and then flicked Kohaku's nose. "I'll leave the bond open next time, okay? You might get some pointers for when we consummate our bond."
Kohaku's fist shot out, socking the demon square in the jaw. He scampered off Kieran and headed down the pathway. "Inuyasha-sama, let's go!" he called over his shoulder. Kieran grinned and followed behind him, Inuyasha trailing behind, muttering about how the boy was his sister. Kieran was rubbing his sore jaw.
"Your punches are getting better."
"Shut up you idiot."
Kieran pouted but it turned into a grin. "You were worried about me."
"I wasn't,"
"Liar."
"I wasn't worried!" Kohaku lied again, his cheek pink. "You stupid demon."
Kieran was about to say something when he noticed Sango and the others waiting for them at the bottom of the hill...with the little girl known as Yuiko. She was standing there with traveling equipment. He groaned, he hoped this wasn't going to go where he thought it would go.
"Yuiko-chan," Kohaku said noticing the girl. "What are you doing here? Why do you have all that with you?"
She took a step forward. "I'm coming with you, Kohaku-sama."
"Eh?" he muttered. "But...why?"
She removed her bag and dropped down to her knees. "Kohaku-sama, please allow me to come with you. Sango-sama has already said she will train me in the ways of defense and Kagome-sama has promised to teach me how to be a proper candidate."
Kieran blinked. Candidate?
Inuyasha grinned. "Well what do you know."
Kohaku blinked and looked at him. He was confused. Yuiko looked up at him, her eyes full of determination. "A candidate for what?" the young slayer asked.
"Kohaku-sama, I want to be strong enough to bare your children!" Yuiko declared. "I want to be trained to be the perfect wife for Kohaku-sama because...because I love you!"
Kieran growled while Kohaku looked confused. "Yuiko-chan..." he began.
"When you kissed me last night, it was what I needed."
"Kissed!?" Kieran snapped in Kohaku's direction.
"I want to be Kohaku-sama's wife," Yuiko declared once more and then got off her knees and took Kohaku's hands in his. "I will do everything I can to make you happy. My heart, soul and body are all yours."
Kohaku stood there speechless. Inuyasha grinned and clamped Kieran on the shoulders. "This is gonna be amusing," he said to the demon as he walked up to the others. "Come on you guys, let's go. You too lovebirds."
The half demon broke out into a snicker when he looked back to see Yuiko holding Kohaku's hand while Kieran was glaring at the back of her head.