Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this modern twist... especially for the one whose perspectives are changing. A nod of recognition is bent towards Rumiko Takahashi for her creative prowess.


Little Brother

When the campers returned to Midori the following summer, Sango watched Kohaku with keen interest. Ever since he'd taken top honors at the midwinter tournament, she'd been trying to look at him as a fellow taijiya rather than as her little brother, but it wasn't easy. At fourteen, his face had lost all the lingering softness of childhood, but a stubborn sprinkling of freckles lent him a boyish air. Also, he was still shorter than most boys his age, but that couldn't last much longer. Uncle Hideki predicted a summer growth spurt.

With skills she usually reserved for avoiding the notice of monkish perverts, Sango kept to the fringes to see what Kohaku would do when Kagome stepped off the bus. Much to her surprise, she spotted Shippo first, but once the redhead bounded into view, it was simple enough to find her best friend. The young woman walked beside the kitsune, talking excitedly while he gently steered her over to where Kohaku waited. Figures our resident meddler already sniffed out the crush, but why's he encouraging him?

Now that she knew what to look for, Kohaku's feelings were painfully obvious. He stood ramrod straight and shyly offered his hand in greeting, and true to form, Kagome ignored formalities and threw her arms around him for a welcome hug that turned his ears pink.

Sango noticed with interest that her brother and Kagome were pretty much eye-to-eye, but that didn't put them on equal footing. He's practically a village hero, but Kagome will probably never see him as anything but another younger brother. Catching a fleeting glimpse of the longing expression on Kohaku's face as he fell in step beside Shippo, Sango sighed and shook her head. She's going to break his heart.


End Note: This drabble was originally written for the Live Journal community iyfic contest and their prompt for Week 258—Unsung Hero. Posted on August 16, 2011. 293 words.