Inuvember:

Kohaku

Inuyasha © Rumiko Takahashi

Kohaku took in a deep breath as he approached the hut where his sister and brother-in-law lived along with their kids. He was nervous, but he had to tell them. Better that they know now so it wouldn't be a surprise.

Soon, Kohaku knocked on the door, which slid open to reveal Sango, who was holding her baby girl, Unmo.

"Oh, Kohaku!" Sango greeted as she gave her younger brother a hug. "So good to see you!"

"You, too, Sango," Kohaku replied as she returned her hug.

"Come on in!" Sango said as she brought her brother inside. "Miroku! Kohaku's here to visit!"

"Wonderful!" Miroku replied as he was sitting with Shio and Roku at the hearth. "I'll make tea!"

"Uncle Kohaku!" Shio exclaimed as he ran to hug his favorite uncle, who laughed as he returned his hug.

"Is that Uncle Kohaku I hear?" asked Shiratsuki as she and her sister, Haruhana came from the backyard, having been out practicing.

"Hey, girls!" Kohaku greeted as he hugged his nieces. "How's your training coming along?"

"It's going great!" said Haruhana. "Although we should really start practicing somewhere else. We almost made a hole in the roof, last time."

"Hahaha!" Kohaku laughed. "I had that same problem back when I was in training." He then sat down with his nephews while Miroku was preparing tea. Even Kirara, not one to be left out, ran up and rubbed herself against the young man's ankles, causing him to chuckle as he stroked her back, eliciting a pleased purr from the nekomata.

"How's Mikumi, by the way?" Sango asked. "I heard she's been sick, lately."

"Oh, she's fine," said Kohaku. "In fact, that's why I'm here. I have an announcement to make. Actually, I have two announcements."

"Oh?" Miroku asked. "And what are they?"

"First of all," Kohaku began, "Mikumi and I are having a baby."

Sango gasped while her small brood smiled in amazement at the news.

"Kohaku, that's wonderful!" Sango exclaimed as she hugged her brother. "Congratulations!"

"You're going to be a father!" Miroku added.

"Just try not to have too many," Roku advised, causing his sisters to playfully nudge him, which caused him to laugh. "I'm kidding!"

"Yeah, I know," Kohaku said. "I was surprised, too. We didn't even know ourselves, really! We only went to see Kagome for some herbs, but then Inuyasha walks up and starts sniffing Mikumi...and, well, here we are! Mikumi's pregnant!"

"Ah, of course," Sango and Miroku realized. Of course, Inuyasha had something to do with.

"And...that actually leads me to my next point," Kohaku said. "There's just no other way to say this." He then took in a deep breath and sighed. "When the baby is born in 9 months, Mikumi and I are leaving the village."

Miroku and Sango both gasped silently while their children gaped in disbelief. Even Kirara seemed stunned as she stared at Kohaku

"Y...you're leaving?" asked Haruhana.

"But...why?" asked Roku. "Don't you like being here?"

"That's not why," said Kohaku. "Believe me, I love you all!"

"So why then?" Sango asked, causing her brother to look at her, sadly.

"...You remember our old home, right?" Kohaku asked. "The Demon Slayer Village?"

"...Is that where you're going?" asked Sango.

"Yes," Kohaku replied. "Once Mikumi has the baby and after she's rested, we're going to move there so we can reestablish the demon slayers. I actually found a few people who will help me rebuild everything! We'll even fortify the walls so that the village won't be destroyed, again!"

"You've obviously been giving this a lot of thought," Miroku surmised as he sat with his wife. "I can tell that you're very serious about this, Kohaku."

"I know it sounds sudden," Kohaku answered, "but Mikumi and I actually talked about this some time ago and we both agreed that this is what we would do."

Sango bit her lip as she looked down at the floor while Kohaku sat before her, watching her worriedly. Sango was always protective of him, even now. He hoped that he hadn't said something too out of line or anything.

Instead, she smiled at him...small and sad as it was, though.

"Well...it's not like you're leaving, right away," she said, "but still..."

"...I'll miss you, too," Kohaku said with a smile of his own. "Sango...all my regrets...all my guilt...I feel like I can finally leave them behind me...and start a new life. One with Mikumi and my child and the new demon slayers. I'll work hard and make sure that I can become someone that you...and even our Father can be proud of."

"...I was always proud of you, Kohaku," Sango said. "From the very day you were born."

Kohaku paused for a moment, then sniffled as he wiped his eyes, causing his sister to hug him, once more, and soon after, Miroku and the children joined in.

"...I love you all..." Kohaku whispered.

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