Chapter 2

The monk of the temple all groaned & cried in pain on the ground. Kohaku only made it so they could not fight him, he didn't want to kill them. He looked up once more at Yoichi, then back down to Kanna. He had to get her out of here, as much as he would have liked to go at it with Yoichi right about now, he had to get her out of here. He sent his chain sickle, the opposite end of the scythe at Yoichi's feet it wrapped around his ankles before he could get out of the way. With a swift tug Kohaku pulled The monk over. He then brought his weapon back to him, & headed into the forest quickly, Kanna in his arms. He could here Yoichi yelling at him, he was following him.

Get Kanna safe that's all that matters

He saw a large tree with an indent in its trunk, up ahead.

This will have to do for now

He gently laid her against a tree root. He pulled his mask down, & spoke "Kanna can you hear me?" she didn't answer. The monk was closing in on him. He then climbed up into the tree, hopping into the tree next to it trying to do what he could to keep the fight away from Kanna, he kept tree hopping until he could see Yoichi clearly. The monk seemingly hadn't noticed Kohaku, & looked to be on high alert. Though Kohaku had grown infuriated by the monks attempt to destroy Kanna, though he still had no intention of killing him. He again opted the use the blunt end of his weapon. This way he could possibly knock him out & avoid a huge fight. Swinging the ball in a controllable speed he waited for the right moment. Now! He sent it flying out from behind the branch he was hiding.

It flew directly at the monks head. Yoichi however was to swift. Dodging the attack from within inches of his head he also managed to grab the chain & yank Kohaku (who was holding the other end) out of the tree. Kohaku was caught off guard but that didn't lose his focus. With acrobatic twists & flips he landed, crouched down on his feet. He didn't stay there long as the monk didn't wait to send exploding sutras Kohaku's way. In a series of back hand sprangs he was able to dodge the sutras. Finding a break in the constant flow of attacks Kohaku ran at him sending various kicks & punches directed at his head, all to be blocked. Yoichi made a quick hand motion & his spiritual energy formed a barrier. Kohaku stepped out of the barriers way. He paused looking at Yoichi, the monk looked tired. He must have been worn out from the hand to hand combat. Kohaku reached a hand out letting his finger tips touch the barrier. At first the barrier sent a small shock through him, then he felt something pulsate inside of him.

The jewel shard!

He was able the put his hand through the barrier, then his arm, the rest of his body following until he was inside the barrier completely.

"How is this possible?!?! What are you? Why do you protect that demon?" Yoichi was obviously confused & too tired to continue this battle.

Without another thought Kohaku unsheathed his sword.

"You betray your own kind! YOU WILL BURN IN HELL!" Yoichi screamed in fear.

Kohaku took the hilt of his sword & swung it hard into the side of the monks head. In one great thud the monk was knocked out on the forest floor & his barrier ceased to exist. Kohaku placed his sword back in its sheath & picked up his chain sickle. His attention now able to return to Kanna. Approaching her listless form he bent down & placed a hand under her head.

"Kanna? Can you hear me?" He asked to no reply.

Why won't she wake?

He tried to sit her up but she began to fall back down. Kohaku reacting quickly placed a hand on her back so she would hit her head on the tree root. As his hand touched her back, he heard a crinkling sound.

"What?" He said aloud. He leaned her forward & parted her hair to reveal a single sutra that had been stuck to her back. At first touching it, the same small shock from before occurred followed by the pulsing jewel shard then he was able to remove it. As soon as it came off, Kanna came to life with a large gasp.

"Uh, Hu, Uh! Ko-Ko-Kohaku" She appeared lost & confused. She was paranoid. She attempted to stand but was to weak to stand & fell down again.

"Wait, you must rest for a moment." Kanna continued looking around trying to get up. "Please sit still." Kohaku held her petite shoulders to get her attention. She looked into his eyes, & relaxed.
"Good. Now, how do you feel?" Kanna only stared for a moment & then replied. "I am better now. I was not able to move, I was aware of what was happening, but I could not do anything."

"Yoichi had put a sutra on your back, that is what must have been what paralyzed you."

"That is why I could not fight back." Kanna said recalling getting hit on her back.

"Kanna." Kohaku said getting her attention again. "where is your mirror?"

"Oh, I dropped it." She looked in the direction of the forest where she had dropped it. Kohaku watched her staring he wondered what she was doing, his question was answered when he saw the mirror floating through the trees the come to a halt directly in front of Kanna. She reached up & gently took the mirror into her arms. At once she looked more at ease.

Kohaku pulled off the slayer mask swinging around his neck, took out the scrolls from his sash set them down, sat back, & for the first time that whole night he was truly able to breath easy. They sat in silence for a few moments, suddenly Kanna stirred. She laid her mirror face down on the ground, without looking at him Kanna spoke "Kohaku why do you keep protecting me?"

Kohaku, trying to come up with something looked away. "I told you we have a mission, Naraku would not be happy if another incarnation was lost in the process of killing Inu-"

"Stop lying!" Kanna interrupted, "Why do you keep up this pretense?"

Kohaku had never heard her raise her voice so he was quite shocked. "What do you mean?"

"I know that you have your memory back!" She yelled then paused. "Why do you continue to serve Naraku?"

Kohaku, was completely speechless.

How did she know? Did Naraku know? Would she try to kill him? He didn't think he would be able to fight her.

"Answer." Kanna ordered. For once it was Kanna that was talking & Kohaku was unable to.

"How do you know this? How-" Kohaku asked trying to turn the tables.

"I have known for some time now. You speak in your sleep of your sister...Sango, & of avenging your fathers death. You only do this when you are away from Naraku, so he does not know. Now answer me."

"Why haven't you told him, are you not loyal to him?" Kohaku said defensively. They both now stood facing each other, in confused fury.

"Why do you protect me instead of kill me, you easily could have killed me long ago? Kanna spat back.

They both looked away from each other. Both faces had turned red with frustration. It was silent for a moment.

First to speak was Kohaku, who now looked at the dirt at his feet. "I could never kill you." He was barely audible. Kanna looked up sharply. It was silent again.

"What do you mean?" Kanna's voice returned to its normal sweet whisper.

"I can't bare to kill you Kanna. I just can't do it." Kohaku looked into her eyes. It was Kanna's turn to look at the dirt at her feet. She hid her blushing cheeks with her hair.

What was he saying?

"I could not bring myself to tell Naraku." She said finding the courage to look back up.

End of Chapter