Title: Naiveté

Author: Priestess Skye

Rating: G

Genre: Angst

Characters: Kohaku-centric

Word Count: 250

Written for issekiwa

She was on the ground weeping. He could feel the bile rise in his throat as he watched. Unlike his protector, he was not cold or uncaring.

But he just couldn't go to her.

Not now. Watching her, it still hurt, to be reminded of the past, of the things he had done, of the pain he had caused.

Despite the tears, her eyes were trusting. She had forgiven him. It was a heady feeling that he still had trouble coming to grips with. She was still green in so many ways when it came to tragedy, he thought. She believed him to be the same child he once was with her. She expected it of him, and if he went to her now, he'd have to disappoint her. It would be one more sin to add to his growing list and he found he couldn't do it.

He had grown, changed. He would never be the same child, not even for her.

"Sango, I'm sorry," he whispered, his voice strained. She couldn't heal him, not yet, and he refused to burden her by staying. There were several things he couldn't do for her, but this was one thing he could. Turning on his heel, he ran toward the small group waiting for him, the demon lord staring at him impassively. He needed this right now. He would not be a child here.

Walking away, he struggled not to let his heart break as he heard her echoing sobs.

"Kohaku."