Chapter 3: The Road to Forgiveness

Darkness encroached upon the land from both without and within. As the sun bid its final farewell for the night the shadows grew longer, the wind a little more chilly, and the day a little more lonesome. Darkness. Kindness feared darkness. Evil and pain and death lived for darkness.

The exact same clearing in a forest could change from warm and inviting to wicked and malicious just by the dropping of the sun. It was amazing how much power the sun had over the land.

Darkness was the time for the good to make camp, stay indoors, stay safe. In this time darkness signaled the freedom of evil. When the shadows were the darkest the foulest beings roamed the lands, taking great delight causing chaos and pain wherever they happened to wonder for the night.

Fire. Fire was what the good used to try and dispel the darkness from bearing down on them. It was with hope that any light at all, even the small amount that came from a tiny campfire, would be enough to make the evil take second thought at coming closer.

Wrapped in a small wool blanket, a teenage boy sat and stared at the flickering flames of the small fire. Curling himself tighter into the comforting presence the blanket provided, he moved his gaze from the fire to eye his sole companion. They weren't a very talkative pair, and they grew even more silent in the passing night, but it didn't matter. Sighing softly, the boy gazed back into the flames.

Kouga made one final pass around the small clearing he and Kohaku had decided to stop in for the night. All was clear for now. Sitting opposite the teenager, he leaned back against a tree and closed his eyes. He wouldn't sleep tonight, no, he would keep watch for this first night, but it still felt nice to just relax and let his eyes drift shut. His others senses were on full alert for any presence of danger, and being a wolf demon his sense of hearing and smell were much more powerful than sight, so he felt perfectly safe in letting his eyes close.

It was night. By this time Kagome should have been saved. Her mind would be melded with Sesshoumaru's and they would have more time to hunt down Akki and kill him. Taking a deep breath, he let it out slowly. Kill Akki. How were they ever supposed to manage that? The squirrel was unstoppable. He had murdered Naraku without even trying.

Eyes flying open, Kouga peered into the surrounding darkness. Something was bothering him. He couldn't place a finger on it, but something simply wasn't right. Rising to his feet he stole a look at Kohaku and was relieved to find the teen sleeping. That child desperately needed to sleep and let out his past transgressions against the others. Transgressions he in no shape or form was at fault for. The problem would be trying to get him to see that.

After all, was it not Kohaku's hand which held the blade which sent the deadly sickle flying into his sister's stomach? Was it not Kohaku's eyes which were emotionless and dead when his father died by his hand? No, it would be extremely hard to be successful in having Kohaku become at peace with the past. More than likely it would be nigh impossible. But the young teenager had to at least learn how to live with himself. After all, didn't they all?

Kouga knew he, Inuyasha, and Sesshoumaru all had inner demons they constantly had to battle ever since they became friends with Kagome. Kouga had commanded his own tribe to hunt down and kill the villagers Rin used to live with. His tribe had killed the young girl. Every time he looked upon Rin's face he would be pelted with memories of what he used to command his tribe to do. Hunt people.

Inuyasha attacked the very same village he used to live around because of false rumors Naraku had spread. Sesshoumaru, well, what was to be said about Sesshoumaru? Who knew how many innocent lives were murdered by Sesshoumaru's hand or his word?

Yes, there was no doubt about it, Kohaku had every right to grieve and mourn and hate himself for what he had committed. But he had to overcome his past and grow beyond what Naraku made him become. And he had one major advantage over the dog demon brothers and Kouga.

He wasn't in control of himself when he committed his atrocities. The same could not be said for the demons and hanyou. For they knew, everyone knew, the deeds they committed they committed because they wanted to. The lives that were lost, the horrible murders they committed, were done with sick pleasure and sadistic glee.

The thought almost made Kouga want to throw up. They owed so much to the kind miko. She saved them all from the path they were treading, the path of endless sorrow, pain, and death. And now for her kindness she was dying.

Clenching his fists tightly, Kouga glared out into the surrounding darkness. Yes, the darkness wished to intimidate him, wanted to tell him 'give it up, you and the others have no chance, no hope, of defeating Hell's creation. Give it up.'

Kouga would not give in. Not while he was still drew breath would he give in. Never again would he tread the path of mindless savagry. If he did he would be saved, that he was almost sure of. After all, why would an evil creature choose to hunt down and destroy another creature who was also mindlessly killing all who crossed his path? But Kouga wouldn't allow that to happen. Perhaps he was choosing the path of certain death, this idiotic venture of going against Akki, but it was all right. After all, he chose this path for himself.

Whether this path ended in sadness and tears or celebration and joy had yet to be seen. But however it happened to end Kouga would not regret his decision to continue to fight for Kagome.

Love, even unrequited love like his was, was the strongest bond there could be between two people. And it could just be love which would finally conquer the endless darkness and perhaps, just perhaps, make the night a little less frightening.

Returning his gaze to the darkened forest, Kouga's eyes strayed from tree to tree. Somewhere out there was the foulest creature imaginable, a creature even worse than Naraku. The creature this darkness came from in waves, the very same creature he and his friends would be hunting. They would be fighting darkness and evil itself. And Kouga could only hope with everything imaginable they would come through it relatively unscathed.

Not able to sense anything through the denseness of the forest, Kouga finally sat back down and tried to relax again. It would be a long first night, that he could be sure of.

As the wolf prince slowly relaxed back against the tree a pair of eyes watched. They glowed a crimson red even in the darkness of the forest and not a single living thing would stray within 500 feet of this creature.

Akki watched the wolf demon and child rest far into the night. Not once did he move a muscle, or even think about making any advances towards the lone pair. For the time being he was content with destroying the random villages scattered throughout the land. The fear he received from those who soon perished by his hand fulfilled his wants for the moment.

Yes, eventually he would be wanting for another fight, even if those he fought proved to be no challenge. But for the moment, he was content to watch. Watch those who foolishly believed they were a match for him.

How pathetic. No one was a match for him. And soon, soon, everyone in the land would fear the name of Akki. His name was spreading already, that he knew. The latest villages he destroyed knew of him. It was pleasurable seeing the knowing fright on his latest victim's faces before he destroyed them. They thought he wasn't a real entity. How utterly foolish.

Opening his eyes, Kouga stood up once again when he could sense dawn approaching. The night had been long, but uneventful. Which was odd. Normally these woods were crawling with demons who were always searching for a meal. To not come across a single one the entire night…no, something was definitely not right about this situation.

A single crack of a fallen branch brought Kohaku's eyes blazing open and the teenage boy was soon on his feet with his sickle in hand.

Kouga crouched down low and used the full strength of every last one of his senses to reach out and search the surrounding trees.

It was with a deep, dark, sinking realization in his chest that it hit him. Akki had been here. They had been resting the entire night and not once did Kouga realize how close the enemy was. How close he and Kohaku could have been to instant death.

Knowing better than to speak, Kohaku instead slunk next to a tree and pressed himself as close to the trunk as possible. His eyes roamed the trees as he kept his sickle ready to throw at anything he perceived as a threat. When Kouga raised one hand and pressed it down on the air, Kohaku allowed himself to relax by a slim margin.

"Was it him?" asked Kohaku softly, his hand still tense on the handle of his chosen weapon.

Nodding, Kouga said, "I couldn't sense him until he wanted me to. What are we getting ourselves into?" he asked to no one in particular.

Coming up to stand alongside the wolf prince, Kohaku finally let his weapon fall to his side. "Are we not fighting to save those who saved us?" he asked in a quiet voice.

Staring down at the boy in shock, Kouga let a small smile flit across his face. It was surprising to hear Kohaku speak such kind and caring words. From the looks of it before it appeared Kohaku had lost all hope and no longer cared whether he lived or died. Kouga was proud. The boy had more inner strength then they all gave him credit for. Not even a day had passes since they had left the village and already Kohaku was improving.

"That is all we can do," answered Kouga. "Kohaku, value your friends and loved ones. They will be your strength in the upcoming fight. Believe me when I say you'll need all of us and all of us will need you. You have more worth than you seem to give yourself credit for."

"I killed my father," said Kohaku in a weak voice. "All the innocent people I killed…I have no worth. I just wish…to help Sango."

"Naraku killed your father," responded Kouga with true feeling. "We all wish to help you, your sister especially, but we can do nothing until you begin to move forward yourself. I'm not telling you to forgive yourself. But you must give yourself another chance. For us to win against Akki, for you to help us win against Akki, you need to realize your worth. When you begin trusting others again, that is when you'll realize your true potential. I only hope that is what we need to defeat Akki. Akki fights for no one but himself. We fight for each other. With luck that is the only advantage we need."

"I'll fight for you Kouga," answered Kohaku after a small hesitation. Resolve slowly settled in Kohaku's eyes as he stood up straighter and brought his sickle close to his side, his hand tightening over it. He would not give in to the darkness that taunted him endlessly. Ever since he had been freed the darkness had been beckoning to him, telling him he had killed innocents once, he was tainted, no one would want him anymore. But did he want that? Did he want to tread the path of his life forever alone? Or did he wish to be loved and cherished like he had been before being taken by Naraku? Turning his head to look at the wolf demon, Kohaku nodded. "Yes, I'll fight for you. And my sister. And…I'd like to fight for the others as well. If they'd have me."

Gripping Kohaku firmly by the shoulder, Kouga grinned. "Welcome aboard kid. You'll soon learn we are all just a ragtag bunch of fools who gather around and enjoy annoying one certain demon lord. But I'm sure after a bit you'll soon discover the joy in that. Oh yes, for some insider info from one who knows, Sesshoumaru hates being called soft."

Allowing a small smile to appear for a split second, Kohaku opted to not say anything in reply to that.

Releasing the teenager, Kouga stretched his arms above his head and let out a soft sigh. "Well kid, shall we continue on and find my tribe? I wasn't kidding when I said I wanted to find them. We can go back to the others once I'm finished, all right?"

Content that they weren't going back to the village right away, after all, maybe Kohaku said he was willing to join them, but it was still much easier said than done. There was still so much he had to come to terms with. And it would be a lot easier to do that in the company of only the wolf prince. He had made the right decision in requesting to join Kouga.

"That will be fine," answered Kohaku. "I would still like more time before seeing everyone else again."

"Thought you might," said Kouga. "Well, let's be off. Who knows where my tribe has run off to while Hakkaku and Ginta are in command. If you think Inuyasha is a fool, well Kohaku, you haven't met a fool until you've met my two friends. They're quite a team." Smiling to himself, Kouga set off with Kohaku following a few feet behind him. He was becoming quite fond of the quiet boy who had more on his shoulders than any kid his age should have.

Sesshoumaru saved Rin. Inuyasha saved all of the others. Now perhaps Kouga finally found the human he could save and perhaps finally start to fully heal on the inside.


Aren't you guys proud of me? I updated relatively quickly this time! And I'd just like it to be known that I was going to update on Thursday. But my dorm's internet wasn't working until today.

That being said, thank you to the few of you who reviewed. I think my lousy updating has turned people away from my story for I lost a lot of reviewers this time around. It was slightly disappointing but hey, I never was writing for reviews (although they are much loved and appreciated!). So to those who took the time to review-thank you very very much! Hopefully you'll find it in your heart to keep on with me!

And yes, I'm sure some of you are disappointed that this chapter was all about Kohaku and Kouga (what happened to Sesshoumaru!). Heh, sorry! But I had to do it. Just wait for next chapter, some of your questions about your favorite demon lord should be answered then.

Ok, once again I shall try to update in less than 2 weeks. Wish me luck, and please review!