Okay…from all the stories I've read, Kohaku's giant scythe thingy is called a Kusarigama. If that's not right though, tell me, kay? Also…I'm so sorry this upload took so long! My muses have been so mean to me… TTTT

Box Queen: It's probably better if people tell me to update all the time…and possibly threaten me. Usually I'm very, very bad at finishing any story…

Child of the Ashes: lol. Don't you just hate those typos? Inuyasha really can't die…after all, Kagome would totally kill Naraku for doing so. Plus, I remember seeing one of Muso's tentacle things go through Inuyasha's neck once in an episode…so it'd take more than that to kill him. Finally, my writing probably has improved because I've been reading over my chapters and trying to put in more detail…or maybe it's just luck. Who knows?

Kags 21: Glad you liked it! You will see very soon….

Miko-Day-dreamer-3173-: I liked Igor Lollipop better…it wasn't so long…I was scared that Kagome going in shock like that, even for a few minutes, was too out of character…I haven't gotten any flames yet though, so I guess it's okay.

And I won't let Inuyasha die. I've, amazingly, got plans for him…Cue evil laughter.

spiret of fire: You got it.

Disclaimer: And so I hath protested…I do not own Inuyasha…

Kohaku turned suddenly, staring back the way he had came in a mixture of disgust, hatred, and amazement. He had come to greet Sango and Kirara, as he hadn't seen them in many days now.

He'd also wanted to see Kagome too, but had heard she was leaving to go to the well to flee Naraku. Hearing that, he was already interested and keeping his guard up but now…

His hand twitched instinctively to his Kusarigama, unhooking it from its resting place near his waist. And this, of course, attracted Sango's attention.

"Kohaku?"

He wrapped the chain twice around his wrist, and jerked his head towards the direction of the well, silently mouthing the one word that would immediately make her understand.

Her brown eyes widened, then narrowed, her own hand hefting Hiraikotsu higher onto her shoulder in response to that one, single word.

She had never changed out of her Tajiya uniform, she'd never gotten the chance to. So she was perfectly ready for a battle. She spared a single, worried glance at Miroku, who was eyeing the siblings curiously, watching their silent exchange of words.

She debated telling the monk Kohaku's hunch…if it could be called that. Her little brother had an odd bond with the once hanyou, possibly from being near him for so long, to her everlasting guilt. Or maybe from the Shikon shard, tainted with Naraku's malice, that had been embedded in her younger brothers flesh.

He knew, really truly knew, when Naraku was near. It reminded her, oddly enough, of Kagome's ability to sense the jewel shards, which scared her even more.

In the end though, she decided not to tell him, offering him the briefest of smiles instead.

"We'll be right back…We just have to check something out."

There was a flicker of doubt in his eyes that she instantly noticed, but it vanished as soon as it came and he answered her with a smile as well, though his was warmer, and lingered on his lips.

"Of course Sango. I'll wait for you back at the village."

She waited until he had vanished from sight until she turned to Kohaku, ignoring his questioning look.

"Let's go Kohaku. Kagome might be in danger."

With a brief nod, he tightened his grip on the Kusarigama, his silent, though deadly hatred almost visible as he turned towards the forest.

"Yes Sango."

It was Kohaku who had prevented her from swinging Hiraikotsu the minute she saw Naraku, his small hand clamping down on her arm with surprising strength.

It was Kohaku who stifled the gasp that sprang from her throat when Inuyasha fell to the ground from Naraku's attack, giving reason to the doubts of just whose side he really was on…

And it was Kohaku who had allowed them both a glimpse of the exchange between their most hated enemy, and their best friend. Of the way Naraku had once more twisted the strings so that, no matter what, he would always, always win.

"…Kagome?"

The schoolgirl lifted her head at the sound of her name, something small and forced creeping to her lips that, if you didn't know her at all, could be called a smile.

"Yes, Kohaku?"

He paused, eyes darting between her and the fallen hanyou, who Sango was beginning to hoist over her shoulder without too much effort.

"Are you…okay?"

She didn't follow his gaze to Inuyasha, instead glancing back towards the shattered well.

"I'm fine Kohaku…How is …Inuyasha?"

Another glance at his sister, and a short nod, confirmed his silent question, spoken in a way he didn't quite understand…

"He's…alive."

Silence greeted his ears after his reply, no further questions coming from the miko. Because she wasn't really a schoolgirl anymore with the well gone…

And so he stood, one small hand curling tightly around Kagome's and pulling her gently to her feet, despite her weak protests. And he never let go of her hand even when they went back to the village and were met with the villagers stares at Inuyasha, hoisted over Sango's shoulder instead of Hiraikotsu, and the questions of Kaede and Miroku at 'what happened' and 'why was Inuyasha injured?'. He silently led her past them all, into Kaede's hut, to the darkest corner, and only then did he release his firm grip on her hand. Because he knew that knowing you'll never see your home again, was painful. Or after seeing someone you loved injured, and being partly responsible for them being hurt, was even worse.

But he didn't try to comfort her either when she curled into a ball, pressed into the shadowy wooden corner. Because he understood…

He understood that better than anybody.

"Would you stop moping around already! It's not like I died."

Snow white ears twitched, awaiting the sound of an argument, a protest…anything. No sound came from the once schoolgirl in front of him. So he continued ranting.

"Kaede said that the well could be rebuilt. So stop sitting around feeling sorry for yourself!"

"…Sit."

As ordered, he immediately plummeted face first into the ground, only a slight grunt of pain sounding instead of the usual cursing and muttering. And when he lifted his head, expecting to see the solemn, almost bored looking girl staring down at him, he was surprised to see a flash of anger in her eyes.

"I am NOT sitting around just feeling sorry for myself! In case you hadn't noticed, I've been working nonstop trying to find Naraku!"

With a well hidden smirk he pushed himself to his face, hiding the wince of pain at the action even better. It had only been a few days since Naraku's last appearance… And Kagome started looking far too much like Kikyou for his taste.

"Feh. Could've fooled me."

Something hard collided with the back of his head, his hand instantly flying to the spot as he whirled around to stare at Kagome once more, only now she was missing a shoe.

He blinked, staring down at the 'weapon' used against his head only moments before, stooping for a second to pick up the seemingly innocent thing.

"Give me back my shoe, Inuyasha!"

If he wasn't for his pride, he would have grinned at her. Instead, he tucked the shoe away into his haori, his lips threatening to pull into a smile instead of his usual frown.

"Nah. I think I'll keep it."

He could almost feel the waves of annoyance rolling off the girl behind him as he began walking once more, silently waiting for the 'sit' he knew would come. Instead, he felt something else collide with his head, this time catching the shoe as it fell to the ground.

Kagome stormed past him, now completely barefoot, with her head held high, not even sparing him a glare for his childish antics. Though he did catch her shooting an annoyed glance at him when he tucked the second shoe next to the first.

Yeah…that last bit was sorta pointless I guess… Though it proves that Inuyasha IS alive. You guys won't let me kill off a single person will you? Sorry it took so long though… The next chapter will be longer. Promise.