Chapter 28: Siblings of The Estate

Hitsugaya watched impassively as slow bubbles traveled up from Kikyo's lips, her deteriorating faux-body floating just barely above the pond bed as two shikigami poured the dead miko's graveyard soil into the waters. The miko herself was unresponsive even at the captain's arrival, as he finally turned to them, his glance demanding an explanation. The one in the yellow kimono patterned with green butterflies spoke first; Kocho, her ebony hair pulled into a ponytail similar to Kaede, the two nearly the same height as him. "Her life is fading, your reiatsu was enough to sustain her for this long but, Naraku's miasma is strong."

Asuka, the one in the blue kimono with pink flowers and pigtails with blue ornaments, nodded at her sister's words. "But even if you are to continue giving her your reiatsu, Histugaya-taicho… She will not last until…"

"I will not perform anymore Healing Kido." Toshiro cut in, as his fingers brushed against the waters, teal eyes on the waterfall. "Anymore would condemn Lady Kikyo to the Netherworld — she needs reiryoku — and only Lady Kagome is able to give that away so easily for her to recover. Purifying the miasma is up to her."

The shikigami were silent, hands folded in their sleeves. "What will you do, Histugaya-taicho?"

"The question is not what I would do." Toshiro shook his head as he walked away, the shikigami turning to face him as the sun gleamed high in the sky. "Inform Lady Kagome to rub the soil from Lady Kikyo's grave onto her wounds — if she has the capabilities and enough reiryoku, she will be saved, but if her resolve falters, neither of them will existence any longer."

Kocho and Asuka blinked, startled. "Neither of them will survive?"

"As reincarnations, their souls are linked." Hitsugaya revealed as he pointed to the waters, swirling with a growing miasma. "With Kikyo's soul in shambles due to the miasma, Kagome cannot hope to be her reincarnation; effectively destroying the both of them if Kikyo's soul is consumed by the miasma. She has until sundown to purify it, otherwise, neither of them will exist in this time or any time."

"I see." Kocho nodded as she stared down the waters with her sister, not looking as the captain walked away, her voice as loud as a soft croon. "…Thank you, Hitsugaya-taicho."

But he had already disappeared, leaving the shikigami and their dead master.


A saimyosho buzzed softly as it overlooked a peaceful castle, a mere day's walk up a mountain from a town that danced with harmony, a rare sight in the Feudal Era, as the female guards of the Lady of the castle gossiped quietly. In a dark uniform that was armed with a ko-naginata, the women spoke softly in the courtyards, careful to not disturb their lord, visiting his still weak wife and new son.

"Everyone was dead?"

"Yes." One of them nodded firmly, her voice grave. "Everyone who was in the birthing room. According to the men who found them the following morning, they had perished under mysterious circumstances. And if that wasn't enough, the young lord had nightmares ever since that night."

"Was it the work of youkai?"

The other shook her head with a resigned expression. "That, I do not know. But it is a blessing that our Lady and her newborn were unharmed."

"Without a doubt, Buddha must have protected them."

"In any case, the circumstances really do not concern you, do they?" A child's voice twinkled as the guards quickly scrambled to attention, bowing to the young lord and heir apparent to the estate. Born thirteen years ago, the heir was dressed in a simple blue hakama patterned with brown reeds as a white sash held up his robes, ebony hair tied into a ponytail with a white ribbon. Chocolate brown eyes gleamed with more wisdom then they should have — only one revealed by angularly cut bangs, as he rose an eyebrow with his words; expectant for an answer as the guards groveled at his sandaled feet.

"Young lord!" They bowed as one of them piped up, clearly more experienced than the other who merely kept her tongue. "Forgive our loose tongues, there shall be no repeat of this incident."

"At ease." The heir waved as he made his way to the chambers, glancing at them. "I understand that the circumstances are gossip-worthy but for you all to inquire in conclusions that they do not have ample information in lead only to more questions and troublesome affairs. I only ask that you refrain before everything is known.

"Yes, my lord." And with a nod to the grateful guards who escaped with a simple reprimand, the young heir entered the chambers, to see his mother and father — her resting as she should be while his father was seated at her bed side, cradling his younger sibling. Bowing before joining his father, the heir gave a small smile.

"How are you feeling, Mother?"

"Better, my child." She smiled back warmly as he caught her uneasy glance to his younger sibling and then himself, but said nothing as his father smiled warmly at the child in his arms, oblivious.

"A fine child… A fine child, indeed!" The lord of the estate grinned proudly as if he had done something great, as he cradled his child.

"My lord…" His wife called out softly as her son and husband turned to her, one more expressive than the other.

"Hmm? What is it?"

The mother of two hesitated, her expression troubled before she spoke. "No… It is nothing…"

Smiling reassuringly as he incorrectly identified her worries, the lord tightened his hold over the slumbering baby. "Do not worry. Security around the castle has been tightened. Youkai or whatever, it will not get near this castle. I have another child to care for other than Kohaku and I shall protect both of them with my life."

His eldest son was silent before he turned to leave, waving off concerns when he declared he needed to lie down, making appear that it was the toll of the nightmares the obvious conclusion for his fatigue. Closing the folded doors to his private chambers, Kohaku gripped his temple in a gritted grimace, his struggles obvious as he fell to a knelt form; a stinging assault on his mind and little did he know, his memories.


A child… Toshiro whispered thoughtfully as he stood over the castle, his mask perfect. And with Kohaku posing as the firstborn and Kanna in silent surveillance, the hiding place is perfect for his heart. Although, I am sure that his choice in making his incarnation hide a human child is a taunt to me.

Actually, since we're in the past, Master; I believe that Naraku has you beaten in that argument. Hyorinmaru huffed lightly. But the taunt itself is still a viable conclusion. The hanyou is learning.

But not so much as to be careful. Toshiro frowned. He was careless last night, not at least faking an action to make it appear that his youkai was to search this castle for Kikyo. Kikyo's appearance has shaken up Naraku more than he would like.

Toushirou. Abi-hime has decided to turn against Naraku. She appears to be heading to the castle that you had decided to watch. With that boy's scent. Sesshomaru's voice rang in the captain's mind as both of them displayed expressions of slight interest. They are similar to your observations, I presume.

Kohaku and Kanna protect it. The captain confirmed. And with Abi-hime's apparent betrayal…

If Abi-hime truly went against Naraku now, then she would most likely go after this castle in the night, seeing how she is collecting blood for her ailing mother. Toshiro thought to himself, blocking the lord as of late.

But wouldn't that be disadvantageous to Naraku? His heart would be exposed. Hyorinmaru reasoned as the captain shook his head.

Not if he played it well enough. The moment Abi-hime attacks, her alliance with Naraku is broken and as far as from Sesshomaru's observations, the only reason she is able to help her mother is because of the trident he had gifted her. Once their agreement is gone, Abi-hime is dead.

Then why go through the trouble in trying to help Abi-hime in the first place?

Because, for some reason, her mother's life is more useful to him alive than dead at the moment… Toshiro trailed off before his teal eyes widened in shock, glare trailing to the castle. … So, that's why Abi-hime and her mother… blood… a river of blood.

… What will you do, Toushirou? Hyorinmaru voiced carefully as the captain was silent. Before turning back to the lord, his voice indifferent as he explained what he had just learned, finishing with a question.The last shard of the Shikon no Tama is in the Netherworld, and that is where Naraku will eventually go to in his pursuit, with Inuyasha and us following. Would you, Sesshomaru, allow this to occur or do you wish to have your father's grave to remain undisturbed and the jewel incomplete within the Netherworld?

The fate of Abi-hime and the life of Inuyasha are none of my concern, as well as the jewel. Sesshomaru stated coldly. Father's grave is his final resting place and to be undisturbed.

Regardless of your wishes of peaceful rest for your father, the Netherworld will be trespassed into one way or another. Toushirou retorted, his words matter-of-fact. But within the Netherworld, the living will be severely degraded in power. It is the land of the dead, it is no place for the living. However, it is also a place where my power is not limited and Naraku's is, not to mention Tensiga.

Tensiga? What of the blade? Sesshomaru's voice carried a hint of surprise.

It is the blade of the dead. As it's master, you carry more power in the Netherworld than you know; Sesshomaru. But know that even Tensiga, has his limits. Toushirou warned gravely as he glanced at his own blade. A zanpakuto is powerful but only to the extent that they allow their master to wield.

Sesshomaru was silent before he spoke, his words stating to watch as the events unfurl themselves without their interference, because in any case, knowing the nature of which Naraku was; they were to be involved anyway. Believing that their words were done, the captain was about to shunpo back to Jaken with the lord, when a soft question echoed in his mind.

Why? Why do you ask me, what course of action to undertake when it is the Netherworld that is to be trespassed? Sesshomaru was cold and indifferent. Is not your domain, Hitsugaya-taicho?

But is it not your father, Sesshomaru-sama? Toushirou was cold and indifferent — yet whimsical. I am dead. Naraku, Inuyasha, and you, my lord; are all alive. What matter would it be to me if your father's grave were to be disturbed or the jewel be incomplete? It is the land of the dead you all wish to enter, and who said that you all will be allowed to leave? It is my domain, as you say, my lord and do not forget that.


Kohaku sat up quickly with soft groans, his attendant hovering over his sweaty form with a worried gaze. The elderly attendant held out a cup of water as Kohaku thanked him with a weak smile. "Are you alright, young lord?"

"Yes… It was only a nightmare…"

"These are happening more frequently." The old man frowned in concern as Kohaku sighed, running a hand through his tied hair, despite the protests from his attendants to have it undone when he slept. "Are you feeling better, young lord?"

Nodding, the youkai-slayer smiled softly. "But I hope that these dreams remain as they are, and not —…"

Before the young boy could continue, a harsh yell of pain was heard, all five of them startled as Kohaku sat up quickly, adrenaline pumping in his blood as one of his servants moved to open the wooden doors. Opening before he could say anything to stop him, two youkai birds flew in with astonishing speeds, talons sharp and beaks pointed for blood extraction — Abi-hime's birds of prey. Upon pure instinct, the young master removed his white outer robe for slumber to reveal a simple lavender robe, short over his thighs with bandages at each joint for dexterity, as he reached for his primary weapon, ignoring the shouts to protect him from the youkai. With deadly accuracy, the curved blade of the kusarigama reaped the lives of the two birds swiftly, before returning with a yank from it's master.

"Close the doors immediately!" Kohaku ordered as he darted toward the doors, pushing aside his attendants before looking at all of them with a dark glare. "Do not go outside and keep yourselves safe in here."

"Y-Young master!"

Not allowing them to say anything further, the youkai-slayer opened the doors before closing them swiftly, locking them from behind as he readied his blade in one hand and attached chain in the other. Guards and servants alike littered the ground as bloodless corpses, Kohaku paying them no heed as he spotted the circulating birds, pale and pasty white with beady ebony eyes that screeched for blood.

Determined, Kohaku pulled his expression to a troubled frown, when a voice echoed in the depths of his troubled mind, the familiar throb of his vacant memories stirred. Kohaku… It whispered. Protect the child… the infant…

Under the gaze of teal eyes that watched with a silent scrutiny, the amnesic boy ran off to his 'mother's' chambers — to save his younger 'brother.'

Cutting down every bird that tried to drink his blood, the thirteen-year-old boy sprinted with beads of sweat trailing down his face, eyes concentrated as he dashed madly, the words still echoing in the forefront of his thoughts. Shouts of the human army bellowed into the night, as arrows met their targets by skilled archers; but Kohaku ignored them all his thoughts raced, teeth gritted. Have the bird youkai discovered that the child is in this castle? And how?

Consumed by his thoughts, the young slayer miscalculated his speed as he was unable to stop, running and tripping over a body. Breaking his fall with his arms, it was not enough for him to recover quick enough. And as youkai, an opening was all that was required for death. But fortunately for the boy, he was being watched. With twin spears, two guards slashed aside the birds that tried for the kill that would have been Kohaku, before one of them turned to him with a reprimand, when he recognized the silver ribbon that was of the firstborn of the lord of the estate.

"What the hell are you —! Young master! What are you doing here?! Go and protect yourself by hiding in the main chambers with his lord! We will escort you, young master." The guard said, thinking quickly as he moved to get the boy up. Grimacing, Kohaku thought just as quickly. There was a reason that Naraku had decided he was to be the young master as well…

"No! Not without my younger brother and Mother." Kohaku glared, daring them to counter his orders as he stood.

"You are the heir to the estate, young master! We cannot allow you to be so reckless!" The guard protested as Kohaku ignored him.

"Either you protect me from harm or I will leave you to do your duty and fend off the youkai; it is your choice!" Turning away, the young slayer made his escape from his guards, running towards his target, only to find the two guards by his side, killing the birds with him, protecting him. A familiar ache throbbed in his mind and heart as the thirteen-year-old resisted the urge to grip either one. They… are protecting me… why?


From the night sky, a white haired figure watched aloofly to the scene below, his shinigami eyes seeing more than the average youkai as the bloodless corpses were not stolen of only of their life essence but also of the soul, chain and converted reiatsu. Unmoved by the chaos below him, Hitsugaya caught a sight of an ongoing battle in the cries of the the pasty birds.

Princess Abi with Inuyasha and his party. The captain hummed, hidden in the clouds, as the condensed vapor swirled over his spirit platform. Although, it appears that Abi-hime has put two and two together, going against Naraku but that does not mean that she is ever so inclined to ally herself with the hanyou.

Even in his reincarnation, it appears Amagai Shusuke is too arrogant to see that he is clearly outmatched by both hanyous. Hyorinmaru mused. Only this time, it's his mother that he is obsessed over. And this time, the said parent wasn't even dead yet.

Nonetheless, Abi-hime has yet to outlive her usefulness. Toshiro shrugged, watching with keen disinterest as Kohaku led the infant to safety, out of the burning castle. After this, Naraku will most likely be done with her, now that her mother is nearly healed. And within her blood swims with enough soul and reiatsu to create a temporary gate to the Netherworld. Where my reincarnation dwells.

"Hitsugaya-taicho?"

"Kagura." Toshiro greeted, as he glanced at her, seated in her feather, her expression surprised. "Has Hakudoshi sent you to oversee the mayhem?"

"Hm. You seem to know the significance of this castle." Kagura hummed, lightly annoyed. "Has Sesshomaru become so sloppy with his ward that you have wandered off here?"

"Not in the slightest." Toshiro replied civilly, sniffing aside at the bait as his attention was taken by the chaos below. Kohaku was fleeing from the burning grounds, surrounded by guards and servant maidens that protected the lady of the estate; a child sleeping soundly in her arms. "Rather it appears that you have been the one who has been sloppy, Kagura. Where is your ward?"

"Sa~ You're talkative today, Hitsugaya." The sorceress noted as Sango was deterred from leaving the group, too many birds. While Toshiro made no reply, his expression blank as he watched the chaos below, deeming his conversation done as his teal eyes caught a white figure. Kanna has arrived.

You will not pursue her, Master? Hyorinmaru voiced curiously.

No. I cannot yet. Naraku's heart may be here but without Naraku, the jewel will not be complete or in my interests, Kano's zanpakuto. Therefore, for now, I will wait and abide my time until we enter the Netherworld. But that does not mean that we will allow him without several complications. With a small smirk to the earth, the captain's eyes dulled before they were locked into the distance, blank.


"Kohaku!"

Turning back at the sound of his name, the young lord assured his worried 'mother', his 'younger sibling' soundly asleep in her arms, protected by her handmaidens and female guard while he manned the circle of male guards by his side. Gripping his kusarigama in one hand and a chain in the other, the thirteen-year-old boy who was now the lord of the estate after the momentary death of his 'father' on the same night, frowned at their cornered position. When a voice hissed in his mind, already turbulent with fragmented memory. Kohaku. It purred. Take the child.

The young lord froze, his chocolate eyes distant as he swung his blade in a circle beside him. And kill everyone around you. Kill them.

"Don't let your guard down!" A guard bellowed, his knuckles white on his spear, taking the young lord from his thoughts.

"My lady…" A handmaiden cried softly behind him as his mother held his brother close, eyes befalling her children before stopping at her youngest.

"We will be safe." She assured. "I believe that we will be safe…"

Shaking himself from his troublesome mind, Kohaku threw the small weight at the end of his chain weapon at the opposing birds, slaying one before slicing through another with quick succession. Proud of their to-be lord, the guards sang praises to possesses ears.

"You are doing well, my lord!" Kill them.

"You are a great help!" Kill everyone around you.

"Kohaku…" Kill them!

Eyes leveled and blank, Kohaku lifted his curved blade in a high arc, spinning well above his head, moving almost mechanically as the guards circled in a somewhat stable formation. Ignorant to their to-be lord's chaotic mindset, they believed themselves to be safe, or at least in the brink of entering the threshold of safety.

"The birds are dwindling!" Kill them.

"My lady! My lord! Please bear it for just a bit longer." Kill everyone around you and take the child.

Sighs of relief breathed behind him as his 'moth — no, the lady of estate and her attendants lowered their tense postures, taking comfort that they would soon be out of danger.

"Thank goodness."

"My lady, we will be saved, won't we?" The servant's smile could be heard.

"Yes." The lady nodded before turning to her eldest 'son.' "Kohaku, it is because of you, my child, that we were saved. And your younger brother is without a single scratch."

Kohaku made no answer. Instead, the boy continued with twist his weapon overhead, increasing in velocity with a steady pace. A chill traveled up the lady's spine as she watched her eldest son, brown eyes unnerved at his blank gaze. Kohaku…?

"My lord?" The guards by his side glanced, noticing the boy's silence.

Then with a sudden throw of his kusarigama, the curved bone sliced through the warm flesh of the guards, spitting fresh blood upon the earth after easily cutting through the spears into two. With a anguished cry, the two men fell over, dead before they landed. Catching the handle with dangerously blank eyes, the young lord turned to his 'mother.' Shaking, the lady was the only one who was able to whisper in a horrified cry. "K-Kohaku…!"

"My lady!" The handmaidens cried as they gathered around her. "This way!"

While the guards all but interrogated him, Kohaku remained silent.

"Young lord!" Kohaku…

"What are you doing, my lord?!" Take the child…

"Stop, my lord!" And kill everyone around you…

Why must I kill these people? Kohaku thought instead as he gripped the leather handle of his sickle, dripping with dark blood. The shard on his back pulsed with orders that he could not stop, another guard slain like an animal as he charged toward the young lord foolishly. Following with a uppercut to the face and jugular of another, Kohaku twisted away before throwing his sickle straight at the final male guard's chest.

"Y-Young lord…"

"Have you gone mad?!" The female guards cried with pity, but charged anyway deciding it best to end the suffering of their possessed heir. But Kohaku held nothing but determination to kill in his eyes. Catching his blade, the slayer slaughtered them just as easily, cheeks splattered with blood and chain dancing around his form. I don't want to.

What is this terrible feeling I have? Kohaku asked himself. Take the child and kill everyone around you.

True to the words, the amnesiac slayer tore through the last of the guards, leaving only the handmaidens that have crouched around his 'mother', holding her newborn protectively from her elder child. No… I don't want to.

Slaying all four of them, the mother remained, bloodied with the essence of her attendants. Turning horrified eyes to her elder child, the lady cried softly. "Why?! Kohaku…" I don't want to…

Tears pooled from chocolate eyes as the lady of the estate watched her eldest child's face contort into a lost expression, blood smeared yet flowing with sadness. I don't want to…

"My eldest, who… who is controlling your heart?" My heart?

Kohaku lowered the sickle as his mother slumped over, dead. Moving automatically with tears flowing down his face, Kohaku crouched to gather the child from the dying mother's arms, dying from blood loss as she whispered through painted lips. "K-Kohaku… Y-Your… moth-er is p-proud of y-you…"

Kohaku. Another voice called out, but unlike the one from before, this one was cold and did not purr his intent upon him. He recognized this… voice.

Hitsugaya-taicho…? He replied hesitantly. How…? What…?

Naraku is not aware of our conversation. In fact, no one is. Other than myself and you, Kohaku. I am speaking to you through the jewel shard that keeps you alive and I do not have much time to explain further. Hitsugaya stated swiftly before pausing. You as a soul that has escaped the Netherworld, I am obligated to destroy your soul chain and drag you back. However, after you have been resurrected, I cannot and will not. But I will ask you, boy, do you want to die and go back to the Netherworld?

The amnesiac boy swallowed. I… I don't care if I die.

Even without knowing what these are? Hitsugaya inquired, as fragments of gruesome images flashed before him. Two men slaughtered. A young woman stabbed in her back by his kusarigama. Her face, crying. That one face that haunted him above the rest. I can get it back for you, these memories of yours before you make your decision.

They're… my memories…?

Choose wisely, Kohaku. Hitsugaya voiced softly. Your hands are marred with blood and death, know your mistakes well — past and present.

I… want them back…

Kohaku gasped as he returned to the real world, only a mere second passed since his lapse in concentration as the memories assaulted his mind, each one searing into his skull. T-That's right… I… I killed Father and everyone else with these hands just like… And that woman, Aneue… I remember everything… I killed my father and the rest of the youkai-slayers… and I even hurt Aneue. I was supposed to have died that day. But he… Naraku… Kohaku, you're trembling? You want to forget the terrible thing that you have done? Forget then. Forget everything. And work for me.

Memories of his bloody ventures as Naraku's underling stabbed his mind as Kohaku gripped his temples in pain, withering in tears as he opened his mouth in a silent scream, dropping his weapon beside a slumbering baby.

Enough. Hitsugaya's voice made him freeze. Kohaku. You must now choose, with your memory returned, do you still have no care to your demise?

Kohaku was silent before he stood, the kusarigama in one hand and the baby in the other. I don't care if I die. But I must decline, this time, I have a reason to kill before I do.

An inward smirk was implied as the captain receded from his mind, Kanna taking the baby from his arms as he climbed on the feather with Kagura, his sister and Kiara's arrival only allowing them a glimpse of one another. Aneue