Disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha.

Note: I changed the summary, because the first one annoyed me.

'thoughts and inner voices'

"talking"

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The two wandered the forest. The ancient trees awaited their next move. Soon the Prince of Wolves would die. His downfall would come.

Silently Sesshoumaru strode over the narrow path that followed the curves of the small stream crossing through the Ancient Forest. He heard the footsteps of the child that followed behind him and they reminded him of Rin.

He wasn't the person to admit it readily, but to Sesshoumaru, Rin was his everything. Maybe she was a little on the talkative side, but she was his daughter and only friend. She kept him from the loneliness that surrounded him everyday. He wasn't bothered by the loneliness, he was used to it. And still, having someone around was always better. He wondered if Rin was doing well with Jaken.

Kohaku was Rin's complete opposite. He was quiet. And he didn't have the childish innocence of Rin. Kohaku's innocence had long ago been robbed away that day when Naraku had taken over his mind and made him kill his entire village along with his father.

Yet Sesshoumaru was drawn to him. The child was brave, just like Rin. Kohaku was willing to follow Kikyou, even though he knew of her intensions towards him.

"How did you break from Naraku?" Sesshoumaru turned around to face his companion.

Kohaku blinked and looked up. He hadn't thought that the demon lord would strike up a conversation with him and he certainly hadn't expected that his life would interest the lord. Kohaku wasn't anyone important, so why would he be?

Still, if the lord asked him a question he was expected to answer. So, he did. "When Naraku took his heart back into his body, I ran away from him, Sesshoumaru-sama."

Sesshoumaru nodded. "And how did you break free from the control he had over your mind?" he continued.

"I…" Kohaku shivered as memories came back to him. "My sister…" he left the sentence linger and a silence fell over the two.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Sesshoumaru turned around and continued their journey again. "You do not need to answer," he said. He already had a suspicion what the answer to the question was.

"Sesshoumaru-sama?" Kohaku took a leap forward and landed beside the lord.

"Yes?" questioned Sesshoumaru. He cast a glance towards his companion.

"Uhm… Forgive me if my question sounds rude, but why do you chase Naraku?"

Sesshoumaru saw the boy fidget uncomfortably. "I have my reasons as you have yours," he stated, avoiding answering the question.

He wasn't entirely sure why he wanted Naraku. Or what he wanted from him. He thought Naraku to be a dirty little hanyou, with filthy tricks up his sleeve. The hanyou had insulted him and needed to be taught a lesson and put back in its place.

And yet Naraku intrigued Sesshoumaru. The hanyou was extremely clever and pretty strong. He had been an opponent unlike any Sesshoumaru had encountered before. The keyword was 'had been'. Since Naraku had taken his heart back, he had become much weaker than before.

'Wait for me, Naraku. This Sesshoumaru shall put you back in your place.'

"Sesshoumaru-sama…"

"What is it, Kohaku?"

"Uhm… you'll really help me get the Shikon shards?" the boy shyly asked as a little blush dusted his cheeks.

"I am not doing this for you," Sesshoumaru coldly stated. "I want Naraku's punishment just as much as you and that miko do. Be prepared to die."

"Yes, Sesshoumaru-sama."

Kohaku knew that after they gathered the two shards he would die. Not at the hands of Kikyou as he had assumed earlier. However, Kohaku was not afraid. He was willing to sacrifice his life to Sesshoumaru.

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