A/N: I love that feeling when you entirely overcome writer's block...such a triumphant feeling! Thank you for all of your wonderful reviews, I can't thank you guys enough for your support!
26.
"Kagome!"
Sango's smile was brighter than the sun as she greeted the other at the front gates.
"Sango." The raven-haired girl acknowledged with a small grin. "This is actually the first time I've seen you smile, you know that?"
"Yeah?" Sango cocked her head to the side. "Well I'm not surprised. This is first time I've been able to breathe in months. I swear – even the air gets better when Abi's not around to contaminate it."
Kagome chuckled at her friend's dreamy expression before her eyes fell to the younger male standing rather begrudgingly a few inches away.
"Who's this?" she asked curiously. The boy stiffened, only to be jerked forward with one powerful pull of Sango's arm.
"Let me introduce you!" Sango laughed. "Kagome – this is my younger brother, Kohaku! Kohaku, meet the scheming hero responsible for yesterday's chaos."
The raven-haired girl rolled her eyes. "For some reason, I sound like a villain?"
"Hero. I said hero." Sango reiterated.
"A scheming one." Kagome sniffed.
"What, you want me to build a damn statue in your honor or something?" the other girl scowled. "Take what you get."
"Stingy." She pouted slightly before focusing her attention on the younger male. It was easy to see the resemblance between the two siblings; Kohaku possessed the same large, chocolate eyes, complimented by a stubborn jaw that mirrored Sango's. He looked to be a few years younger, possibly in his mid-teens.
An unwelcome thought wormed its way into her thoughts.
As old as Souta.
"Nice to meet you, bud." Kagome held out one hand for a handshake.
"…Same." Kohaku's hand hung limply in her own for a brief moment before he retracted it back to his side. "Can I go now?" he asked Sango, who sighed deeply.
"Sure. Run along." She gestured dismissively, waiting for him to be out of earshot before turning to Kagome with an apologetic smile. "Sorry about that, my bro tends to be a bit…withdrawn."
"Don't worry, I get it. Little brothers can really be a handful, right?" Kagome replied lightly, dismissing the dull ache in her chest.
"That's what big sisters are for." Sango agreed, oblivious. "Still, Kohaku wasn't always like this. What happened last year hit him pretty hard."
Last year?
"What happened?" the raven-haired girl asked, careful to keep her tone light.
Sango's expression grew somber. "His best friend started acting strange, and then disappeared altogether." She explained gravely. "I still have no idea what happened, and Kohaku – he won't talk about it."
Kagome's throat constricted painfully and she fought to appear normal as Sango continued.
"I think that boy's name was…Souta?"