Scars
Kohaku doesn't like letting Rin see the scar on his back. Or the much smaller ones scattered about his chest and shoulders. They are old, faint, faded -- but they are reminders, just the same -- reminders of his death, his resurrection, his servitude to Naraku.
She asks him once about the one on his back -- he responds shortly, harshly. That's where the Jewel fragment was. The one that kept me alive.
She nods. I see. Why do you look so sad, Kohaku?
He stares at her incredulously. That's how Naraku kept me as a slave! He shakes his head in bewilderment. I can't be happy about it, Rin. It's a constant reminder -- a reminder that I died.
She stares at him with wide, serious eyes, then tugs down the shoulder of her yukata.
Kohaku instantly goes red, then pale. Rin! Don't do that! What are you doing? Unspoken, Are you trying to get me killed He looks around frantically for Lord Sesshomaru. He knows he won't be there, he left Rin in the care of the village, but it's still a worry. After all, the demon Lord gives no warning before he appears before them.
She touches his face, brings his eyes back to hers, then gestures at her shoulder. There is a scar there, so faint he has to squint to see it. It's a wolf-bite, she says, as solemn as he as ever seen her. From their teeth. It's how I died.
He stops, stares at her incredulously. You...died? But... He doesn't know why he's so surprised -- he knew this, after all -- but it's still shocking to hear it.
Yes. And then Father saved me. It's not a reminder that I died -- it's a reminder that I was reborn, and that things got better than they were before.
He stares at her, wide-eyed. He had not expected such wisdom from her, as she generally came across as flighty and light-hearted. She tugs her kimono back into place and smiles, taking his hand.
Think of it that way. It helps. Besides, things have gotten better, haven't they?
He looks at her, then smiles and caresses her face. I love you, Rin. You make things better.
Rin's beautiful dark eyes widen, since he's never told her that until now, before she smiles. I love you, as well, Kohaku. Thank you.
He smiles, folds his fingers over hers, and thinks that being resurrected isn't such a bad thing after all, if you can spend the afternoon in the sunlight holding hands with a beautiful girl, simply spend time being in love, knowing that she doesn't mind your scars, because she has scars of her own.
He decides he doesn't hate life so much, after all.
End