Disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha or any of its characters. They belong to Rumiko Takahashi. However, this story and created characters are mine.
Chapter 10: Phase One- Infiltrate the Fortress of Friends
Kohaku ran swiftly through the Western Forest, thousands of demons followed. Determination filled his eyes to the brim. He knew his task, his duty to Naraku. The demons that followed, though, did it out of fear, fear to their lives. The newest incarnation followed behind, waiting for the leader to stop.
The minion boy ceased at the top of a mountain, surrounded by two paths carved on each side. He scanned the land, checking for the best place to attack. After looking over the terrain, he ordered the demons to barricade the right path. The demons created a rockslide, blocking the trail.
"What was that?" Sango asked.
"Sounded like a rockslide," Shippo answered nervously, thinking about what might have caused it. He hugged Kagome's calf tighter as more rocks slid from the mountain side. Kagome's eyes grew soft, sensing a familiar jewel shard.
Kirara lifted her head, sniffing the air. Her heart began to race as her body burst into flames. She emerged from the fire tall and anxious. She nudged Sango who, knowing already what the cat found, breathed deeply with hope and fear.
"Kohaku." A whisper escaped the demon slayer's mouth, with a tear dropping silently down her cheek. What are you trying to do?
"If it is your brother," InuYasha commented unsympathetically to her feelings, "we will have to see him and ask him why he blocked the path."
"InuYasha!" He felt pain as Kagome gripped the tip of his ear, leaning it closer to her mouth, "be nice. She has been through a lot."
"I am being nice. I didn't say we had to kill him." InuYasha jerked from her stern grip, causing more pain to his sensitive ears. The pain subsided as his nose picked up the scent of blood.
"We better hurry." His tone became serious. Even if he was dead, he could pass out with blood loss, leaving him vulnerable.
Kirara snarled at the changing air. Her tails rose in the air as InuYasha grabbed the handle of the Tetsusaiga. Each froze, waiting for the oncoming visitors.
Demons, ugly and weak, rushed from the fallen rumble, chasing a boy. The boy, hobbled as fast as he could, with a gash in his left leg. The group watched as a rock tripped the poor boy.
"Kohaku!" A demon bone boomerang sliced through the air, slaughtering the demons that plagued the boy. He felt the wind of the weapon rush through his hair. With fear in his eyes he lifted his head up from the ground. He saw a girl towering over him, holding the slaying tool in her right hand. He watched tears fall from her eyes, yet she did not help him.
Kohaku, do you remember me? The thought made her tears become thicker. She was afraid of the answer. She anticipated disappointment, heartache once again from him.
"Sister, help me," Kohaku strained to say, making Sango gasp aloud. A smile seemed to spread slowly across her face. She bent down gently next to him. She scanned her eyes over his small body, hoping there were no injuries. Everything seemed okay until she came upon his leg. A deep hole which appeared to be oozing was planted in his right calf. The wound in his leg was so great that the jewel chard in his neck did not stop the pain, or bleeding.
"Come on Kohaku," Sango lifted her brother into her arms. Kirara, staying close to Kagome, sniffed the air. InuYasha followed her motion. The air seemed different, something ominous. He scanned the area, but the dust from the rockslide clouded his vision and his nose.
"We need to find a village or hut where Kohaku can heal."
"I concur," Miroku nodded upon noticing Sango's happy undertone. She was grateful that Kohaku was with her.
As the group left, in search of shelter, a figure stood atop the cliff, watching the fortress of friends.
Kohaku laid supine across a wooden slab. The group found an abandoned hut along the path, small yet effective. He opened his eyes, focusing his energy on the injured leg. Pain, something he has not felt in a long while, consumed him. Rustling caused his eyes, and his attention to the door.
"I didn't wake you, did I Kohaku?" Sango asked, hoping she did not. He shook his head as he pushed himself to a sitting position. Carefully, Sango carried a large pail of water to the boy. Using her hands, she scooped a handful of water. Kohaku tipped his head back, savoring the cool stream water. Following the drink, he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. Overcome with joy, Sango wrapped one arm around Kohaku's shoulders.
Hugging her brother, Sango thought about the life before Naraku, before their hardship began. A tear ran down her cheek. The boy lifted his head as she wiped the tear away. Feeling Kohaku moved she looked at his questioning eyes. Noticing his concern, she shook her head, allowing a stray strand to escape her loose ponytail. Kohaku eyed the hair which fell from Sango's head. The hair landed silently on the pillow. A smile crossed the face of the girl.
"You need to rest," she stated lovingly, rising to leave. She waved as she left the boy alone in the hut. After watching Sango leave, the boy shifted his eyes to the hair, knowing what must be done.
"I still don't trust him." InuYasha sniffed the air. Kagome sighed. Some things never changed.
"Be nice for Sango's sake," Miroku stated. The finding of Kohaku left him thinking about his own sister. The thought of her death flashed his mind. Chills rushed through his spine.
"We need to let Kohaku rest, then we can ask him about Naraku, okay," Kagome instructed, hoping to ease InuYasha's frustration. He shifted his eyes away from her calm voice. He knew he would not get anywhere as long as Kohaku was with them. He sniffed the air once again, this time, finding a different scent.
Kagome noticed InuYasha's frustration ebb away from his face. She felt sadness fill her heart as she looked into his eyes. She saw that look before, a look of longing and regret. Kagome's eyes went to the sky. Three soul collectors, all for Kikyo, flew passed the camp. She sighed to herself, knowing that InuYasha only had one thing in mind now.
"Go InuYasha, you need to find her. You need to know the truth." She stared at him, making sure he heard every word.
"Kagome," InuYasha whispered at her calming command. Her eyes had a hint of loneliness in them, trying to be hidden by friendliness.
"You need to know the truth," she stated again, refusing to cry.
"I told you I wouldn't leave your side again."
"Please go," she begged softly, "so that you will be able to move on."
InuYasha stood silent at her words. They were a joy yet painful to hear. He would not have to lie about where he was going, but he would leave Kagome unprotected, vulnerable to Naraku. He looked to the ground, waiting for her to take back her words. She remained firm in her stance and position, giving the half demon no other choice. She watched as he leapt into the trees, moving farther and farther from her.
The boy inside the tent heard the voices outside of the hut with one hair entwined in his fingers. He laid silently, recalling his task at hand. Collect the hairs. That is why you are here.