Special thanks to Shelby
"It's fine. Now do you see why you need to stay at the castle? You can only go out if you have protection," Sesshoumaru said. Kohaku nodded and helped his father to stand.
"That might be hard to keep him home now he shattered the jewel." Inuyasha says to Sesshoumaru.
"He what?!" Sesshoumaru yelled.
"Sorry I didn't w ant Kagura to have it but I have to find the rest of the shards now." Kohaku says to Sesshoumaru.
"Well we can always start looking you and I." Inuyasha says.
"You and Him, you're the reason we're in this mess and how dare you make my daughter cry!" Sesshoumaru growled at Inuyasha.
Inuyasha looked at him and said, "It was the only way we could get out. Make your daughter cry, then blame someone else so you're distracted, then sneak out. The perfect plan." He smiled proudly.
Sesshoumaru smacked the back of his head and said, "NOT a perfect plan! Look what happened here today!"
"Let's go home we will discuss what to do far as the shards go." Sesshoumaru tells him , the four began the walk back home.
Kohaku touched his lips tasting, Naraku. Inuyasha looked over at Kohaku and saw him touching his lips.
"That was your first kiss wasn't it?" Inuyasha asked him. Kohaku blushed as he looked at Inuyasha. Sesshoumaru growled as he heard this.
Kohaku cleared his throat and said, "Actually, it was."
Sesshoumaru growled to himself, his hands clenched in fists. Kohaku sighed, crossing his arms over his chest and staring at the ground as he walked.
Kagome and Kikyo were out in the garden with Rin and Souta as the two played around. "You think they found Kohaku and Inuyasha?" Kikyo asks Kagome.
"Yeah I am, but Sesshoumaru has to realize that Kohaku isn't a baby anymore." Kagome tells her.
"I know he isn't but there is Naraku to worry about." Kikyo says
"That's what the training is for. If he becomes a good priest, then he'll be able to protect himself," Kagome said. Kikyo sighed and said, "He can't pay attention to his lessons. His chest hurts too much most days now."
"That's because the jewel is almost ready to come out. Keski was the same age when the jewel was bestowed upon him," Kagome said.
"Oh I see, I just wish Kohaku could have a normal life." Kikyo says.
Souta ran over to his mother. "Mommy, mommy Kohaku is back!" he says pointing to his big brother who was walking in behind Sesshoumaru.
Rin saw Sesshoumaru and ran over to him and hugged him." Hi daddy!" she says happily and glares at Inuyasha.
"Sorry about that kid." Inuyasha says to her
Rin ignored him and smiled up at Kohaku. "You're back!" She said. He smiled down at her and said, "Yes. Sorry I worried you, Rin."
"It's okay," she said, hugging him. He hugged her back and looked up at his mother. "Hi, mom," he said.
Kikyo stood up as did Kagome. Suikotsu placed his hand on Kohaku's back and walked him over to his mother. "We have a problem the jewel came out and Kohaku shattered it." he says to Kikyo.
Kikyo looked at Kohaku but he had a glaze look in his eyes. "Kohaku are you okay you look different." she says.
"Being kissed will do that." Inuyasha says.
"Inuyasha get, go home now!" Sesshoumaru tells him.
"What no, I wanna go on this journey with Kohaku I am tired of being home." he tells Sesshoumaru
"I won't allow it. I will go with him," Sesshoumaru said.
"Why you!? You have a castle to run!" Inuyasha said.
"We'll all go. I won't sit here while you are out doing god-knows-what," Kagome said, walking up and placing a hand on Sesshoumaru's shoulder
"Kagome what about Rin, and Souta?" Sesshoumaru asked her.
"I want to go with Kohaku!" Souta says as he hugs his big brother.
"Wait, hold it who kissed you?" Kikyo asked with her hands on her hips.
"Naraku." Kohaku said to her.
"And you just stood there and let this happen?!" Kikyo yelled at Suikotsu .
"It happened so fast!" he defends himself.
Sesshoumaru sighed "Fine we will all go we'll pack to night. Bankotsu!" Sesshoumaru yelled.
"Yes, my lord?" Bankotsu said, running up. "Prepare a small group of guards, we're all going on a trip," Sesshoumaru said.
"Yes, sir," Bankotsu replied, bowing, before running off to do what he was told. "Come, we have to pack," Sesshoumaru said, the group walking into the castle.
Sesshoumaru walked inside to see Caren, Dante, Kira and Karas sitting in his office. "What are you all doing in here?" he asked.
"Hey Fluffy." Karas said to him
"We were just relaxing we were out helping some people." Kira says.
"Hey Kohaku." Karas says when the teen walks in.
"Hi Karas." he says to him.
"What happened?" Kira asked, seeing Kohaku's still-glazed eyes.
Kohaku got his first kiss." Inuyasha said and smirked when he heard Sesshoumaru growl.
"What?! really who was it?" Karas asked with a smile on his face.
"It was Naraku." Kagome said as she walked in and took Rin by the hand and out the study so she could pack.
"Naraku!?" Karas yelled. "It was one kiss stop talking about it!" Kohaku yelled at them and walked out the study.
"Sesshoumaru, how did you let this happen!?" Karas said, looking at him.
"I didn't just 'let' it happen! That mutt brother of mine snuck him out of the castle and Naraku caught them on their own, unprotected!" Sesshoumaru said, making gestures with his arms while he talked.
"If you didn't keep him locked up he wouldn't had to sneak out!" Inuyasha yelled at him. Sesshoumaru walked over to his desk,"Shut up you have no idea why I did this, Keski was killed by Naraku and I couldn't stop him, you think I want the same thing to happen to Kohaku?!, I want Kohaku to have freedom but I also want him alive." Sesshoumaru growled at him,"Now go home and pack we leave in the morning." Sesshoumaru tells Inuyasha. "Why are you guys traveling?" Karas asked.
"Kohaku shattered the jewel it came out his body he tried to stop Kagura from taking it and now it's in millions of pieces." Sesshoumaru says
Karas looked at Kira and said, "We should head home now. They need to pack." Kira nodded and stood.
"We'll see you soon," they said before walking out of the room, closing the door behind them. "We're going with them," Karas said. "I was thinking the same thing," Kira replied, placing his hand in Karas'.
"I'll be back soon after dad yells at me." Inuyasha says and walks out the room. Sesshoumaru sighed he was the only one in the room now he sat down in the chair. he wondered why Keski didn't take over Kohaku's body when Naraku kissed him, was Keski afraid to face Naraku again he wondered.
Sesshoumaru stood up and walked out the room and went up to Kohaku's bedroom and opened the door and grabbed Kohaku by his arms. "I want you to go to sleep and let me talk to Keski." Sesshoumaru says to him
"Sesshoumaru, I can't control that! Keski comes out on his own, you know that," Kohaku said, slightly frightened by Sesshoumaru's sudden urgency.
"I want you to try," Sesshoumaru said. Kohaku looked at him for a moment and said, "Fine, but I'll need you to let go of me."
Sesshoumaru let go of Kohaku's arms and the teen walked over and sat down on his bed cross-legged, and closed his eyes, trying to concentrate.
Kohaku took a deep breath as he waited for Keski to take over the body went limp for a few seconds then the brown eyes opened and glared at Sesshoumaru. "What do you want?" Keski asked him.
"Hello to you too." Sesshoumaru said to him. "Look I want to know why you stayed dormant when Naraku showed up, he even kissed Kohaku and you still didn't come out are you afraid of him?" Sesshoumaru asked.
Keski looked at him. "I didn't know what to say or how to react even in this body seeing Naraku brings all types of feelings to me." Keski says to him
"You're still in love with him, aren't you?" Sesshoumaru said, crossing his arms over his chest. "Yes. He was the one that was supposed to be for me. I don't understand why, but he was. Now he is meant for no one, though he is interested in this boy. But, I want to warn you, Sesshoumaru, Kohaku is interested in your daughter," Keski said, smiling.
Sesshoumaru narrowed his golden eyes at him."Not going to happen she is a demon I will not have half breeds for grandchildren." Sesshoumaru tells him "Naraku wants Kohaku and I am not going to let that happen nor am I going to let Rin mate with Kohaku I have enough problems already you being a fool made me a father figure before I was ready!" Sesshoumaru tells him.
Keski sighed "Yes I know all about it if there is nothing else I am going to give this body back to Kohaku and don't bother me again unless it's life or death." Keski tells him
Sesshoumaru sighed and said, "Fine. But next time, don't hesitate to come out." Keski rolled his eyes before closing them. They opened again a minute later to show Kohaku's eyes. "Woah...I hate that," he said, placing his hand on his head.
Sesshoumaru grabbed Kohaku and hugged him. "Sorry he won't be back unless you're in danger." Sesshoumaru tells him
Kohaku hugged him back. I won't pursue Rin I already told Inuyasha she's more like a sister." Kohaku tells him.
Sesshoumaru nodded his head and let him go. "Well finish packing and then we're going to eat okay." Sesshoumaru tells him
Kohaku nodded and watched Sesshoumaru leave the room, closing the door behind him. He sighed and sat down on the bed, his fingers at his lips again. He sighed and stood, saying, "Don't be stupid, Kohaku. He's only after the jewel, get over yourself." He continued to pack, angry at himself for starting to think differently.
After Kagome and Kikyo were packed they came back down to find the table set and food being placed on the table, Rin and Souta ran to the table and took their seats as did Shippo. Caren and Dante walked in and sat down." Would you like us to come along as well incase Kohaku needs back up?' Caren asked them.
"That would be nice." Kagome says.
Sesshoumaru came down and walked over to Rin and kissed her atop her head. "You want to uses Ah and Un for Rin and Souta?" Sesshoumaru asked Kagome as he patted Souta on his head.
"Yes, that would be best, since the rest of us could either walk or travel by air," Kagome said, sitting down next to her mate.
Sesshoumaru stood up and pulled Kagome up from her seat,."Excuse us for a second." Sesshoumaru tells them and pulls Kagome out the room.
"What is it?" Kagome asks him.
"Kagome, Keski came out for a bit and we talked he's still in love with Naraku and I don't think he's too happy that Naraku is looking at Kohaku in that way." he tells her.
"What do you think this will become a problem?' Kagome asked him.
"I don't know he claims he doesn't want to be bothered unless it's a life or death thing." Sesshoumaru tells her
Kagome sighed and said, "Sesshoumaru, this is getting out of control. Something has to be done."
"I know. I'm trying to figure something out. But for now, I don't think Kohaku should be left alone. At all," Sesshoumaru replied.
Kagome and Sesshoumaru came back in and sat down, Suikotsu and Kikyo were sitting now. "Should we wait for him?" Dante asked Sesshoumaru.
Sesshoumaru frowned as Kohaku was not down yet, Kohaku looked out the window he wasn't hungry, he pulled the window up and climbed out the window and walked over to the bench in the garden and sat down.
"Hello dear." Naraku said to him but was dressed wearing a black robe and his hair was not in a ponytail
Kohaku stood and backed away from him. "Please, why can't you just leave me alone!" he said.
"I can't do that Kohaku I want you, I have wanted you since you were born, you don't belong here." Naraku tells him.
"No you don't want me for me, it's because I look like Keski, that's why everyone is nice to me, the only person that cares a bout me for me is Inuyasha!" Kohaku tells him with tears in his eyes.
"While it's true, you do look like Keski, that isn't the reason that I have wanted you," Naraku said.
"I know why you've 'wanted' me. You just wanted the jewel. Well, I don't have it anymore, so if you want it, then go and find the pieces of it and put it back together," Kohaku said, glaring at him as he turned around and started toward the castle.
"You're the only one that can see the jewel, you're angry right now because I took your first kiss, it is only the first of many things I will take from you." Naraku says to him. Kohaku stopped walking and looked over his shoulder at Naraku.
"You know when Keski was your age he was already living on his own with Karas not stuck in a castle with a demon lord who feels guilty because he couldn't save Keski." Naraku tells him
"Well, I'm not Keski," Kohaku said, his hands clenching into fists at his sides as he glared at the demon. "I know you aren't. But how are you going to prove that to everyone else?" Naraku asked, smirking
"I am going to collect the jewel that's how and then leave." Kohaku tells him. Naraku walked up to Kohaku and placed his hand on Kohaku's chin. "Hmm I am not going to let you leave after you collect the jewel in fact I might take you while you're searching for it." Naraku tells him and kisses Kohaku on his lips for a second time that day.
Kohaku jumped back and slapped Naraku across his face. "How dare you!" Keski yelled as he took over Kohaku's body
Naraku's eyes widened slightly before he smirked. "Hello, Keski," he said, crossing his arms over his chest.
"I won't let you use him Naraku, he's pure and good." Keski tells him.
"Hmm I know that so were you, so you've been hiding all this time in his body, you're the cause of me not being able to get Kagome and her brat!" Naraku said to him
"Yes I am, I loved you and you killed me." Keski said letting his emotions get the better of him
Naraku smirked. "Yes I know you loved me, but you got in the way Keski you were not going to let me have the jewel so you had to die." Naraku tells him
Keski glared at him and said, "I wish that jewel never existed. Then I could have lived a normal life with my brother, and this boy would be living a normal life, hopefully without you in it!" Naraku growled and grabbed the front of the boy's kimono, pulling him close. "I would of had this boy even if he weren't your reincarnation, Keski," he hissed.
Keski's eyes went wide, "You really want him why?" Keski asked him feeling hurt that he was being tossed aside for Kohaku.
"They're reasons of my own, give it up I had my time with you, I even spared your brother now stay out of this before you make me hurt Karas." Naraku tells him and lets Keski go.
Keski held his head down "I'll make him kill you Naraku." Keski tells him
"How? By taking over his body whenever he's near me? You can barely keep it up right now. You're time is coming to completely vanish, Keski, and I'll be there when it happens," Naraku said, smirking.
Keski glared at him and said, "Yes, because that will be the time that I take you down with me."
Sesshoumaru growled and stood up and walked out the room to drag Kohaku down when he looked out the window and saw Naraku and Kohaku.
Sesshoumaru walked outside and quietly came into view Keski growled and walked over to Naraku and grabbed him by his shirt. "Why him, why do you want him and not me?" Keski asked him as he buried his face into Naraku's robe.
Sesshoumaru came out completely now. "Keski!" he growled.
Keski pulled back and looked at Sesshoumaru. "Stay out of this! This is between me and him," he said, turning back towards Naraku. "Keski, think about what you're doing! You're wasting the time you have here on this scum!" Sesshoumaru said
"Sesshoumaru I love him." Keski tells him.
"Keski he killed you, why don't you get that he used you!" Sesshoumaru says to him as he walks over to them.
Keski looked up at Naraku. "All I wanted was a family I was willing to be your slave." he tells Naraku
Naraku looked at him and said, "I know you would have, Keski. But you would not have given me the jewel, so I killed you for it, only to have you swallow the damn thing and make me wait all these years to get it back!"
Keski flinched when Naraku yelled at him. "You still don't have it Kohaku shattered it." Sesshoumaru says to him.
"Keski let Kohaku have control of his body." Sesshoumaru tells him. Keski turned around and cried into Sesshoumaru chest. "I know you hate this but you have to rest let Kohaku avenge you." Sesshoumaru tells him
"I can't let him kill him, Sesshoumaru. Naraku was to me like Kagome is to you," Keski said.
"I am sorry my friend, but you will not be in this vessel when the time comes. You will have gone for the next world," Sesshoumaru said sadly, tilting his friend's face up towards his own.
Keski smiled at Sesshoumaru before he closed his eyes, Sesshoumaru looked at Naraku as Kohaku came back. "That hurts every time he does that." Kohaku says and looks up at Sesshoumaru and blushes before stepping away.
"So you used Keski to form some spell around Kagome and your child." Naraku said to Sesshoumaru
"Yes, to keep you away from them. And if I have to, I'll do the same for Kohaku," Sesshoumaru said, glaring at him.
Naraku chuckled and said, "Just because you put that concoction on him does not mean that he won't come to me willingly. Isn't that right, Kohaku?" He smirked as he looked at the boy.
"You kissed me!" Kohaku yelled at him and then his face turned bright red.
"Kohaku go inside now dinner is getting cold." Sesshoumaru says to him.
"How rude Sesshoumaru I was talking to my mate to be." Naraku growls
"He will never be your mate! Ever!" Sesshoumaru hissed at him. "I suggest you leave now, before I call my guards or kill you myself!" he added, pushing Kohaku behind him.
Naraku laughed out loud and said, "You can't keep me from him, Sesshoumaru. And we both know you can't kill me."
"Kohaku remembered what I told you, I don't see you as a copy." Naraku tells him before leaving the palace grounds. Kohaku looked at where Naraku had been standing. "Is he right do you just see me as Keski's copy?" Kohaku asked Sesshoumaru.
"Of course not, Kohaku. In all honesty, I consider you as a part of my family, just as much as I consider your parents, and Karas and Kira," Sesshoumaru said, kneeling down in front of the teenager.
"But Naraku said that you just feel guilty about Keski ." Kohaku tells him.
"I do feel guilty about Keski's death but I don't see you as a copy, you're family as I just said, Naraku is just trying to twists your mind, trust me Kohaku if I didn't care about you, I would let you journey alone with my idiot brother." Sesshoumaru says to him
Kohaku sighed and looked at the ground. "I just don't know who to believe anymore," he whispered.
"You should believe in the people you trust most. You do trust us, right, Kohaku? Me, and Kagome," Sesshoumaru said.
Kohaku looked in Sesshoumaru's eyes, "Yes I trust you." Kohaku says to him. Sesshoumaru nodded his head and stood up
"We'll go back inside and we won't tell them that Naraku came and you kissed him again." Sesshoumaru says to him. "He kissed me!" Kohaku yells as they go inside,
"Shhh, either way, we won't talk about it," Sesshoumaru said, his hand on the small of Kohaku's back, guiding him to the dining room.
"I don' know what we're going to do," Kohaku said.
"We'll just focus on keeping you, Kagome, and Rin protected while we find the remnants of the jewel, okay? The rest we'll figure out on the way," Sesshoumaru said.
Kohaku walked back into the room and sat down and began eating , Kagome looked at Sesshoumaru and he said nothing as he sat down and started eating as well. After dinner was over the bags were brought down and Ah and un were taken out the stable.
"I am going to take Rin up to bed so we can get her up in the morning." Kagome says to Sesshoumaru.
"No I wanna stay with daddy." Rin says with a pout
"You're mother's right, Rin. You need your rest. I'll see you in the morning," Sesshoumaru said, kissing his daughter's forehead.
"Fine, but will you come with us and tuck me in?" Rin asked, pouting still.
He sighed and said, "Alright. Come on."
"Wrapped around your finger." Kagome said as Sesshoumaru picked Rin up and kissed her on the cheek. "Stop being jealous." Sesshoumaru said to her.
Kagome growled as she walked up the steps to Rin bedroom. "Kohaku are you okay?" Kikyo asked him as Souta rubbed his sleepy eyes.
Kohaku looked over at his mom. "I am fine mom, just thinking wondering how long it will take to find the shards." he says
"It'll take a while. But don't worry about it, sweetie. Sesshoumaru and Kagome are right, we need as much sleep as we can get. I'm turning in early," Kikyo said, standing and kissing the top of her son's head. "I love you," she added, looking into his eyes.
"Love you, too, Mom," Kohaku said, smiling at her. Suikotsu hugged his son and said, "We both love you. I'm turning in, too. Don't be up too late."
"I won't, Dad. Sleep well," Kohaku said, watching his parents leave the room.
"Goodnight, brother," Souta said, hugging him.
"Goodnight, Souta. Behave yourself," Kohaku said, hugging his brother tight before watching him run after their parents. He was the only one left, since Karas and Kira had left to go to their home, and Caren and Dante had gone to bed as well. He stood and walked outside, sitting in the gardens and feeling the cool breeze run through his hair.
Kohaku looked up at the sky seeing the stars twinkle. I guess Inuyasha will be here in the morning." Kohaku says as he turns his head he goes back inside not seeing a pair of red eyes watching him. At Keski and Karas former village there was quite a lot of activity going on there. A figure wearing a black hooded robe walked over to Keski's grave and bent down to it they took out a wooden bowl they put a potion in the bowl and placed it over the grave and watched as some of the soil went into it.
The new Priestess was walking when she saw the figure by the grave. "Who are you?!" she asked as s he walked over to the figure at Keski's grave
The figure turned towards the priestess and said, "You do not need to know who I am." The woman drew her bow and arrow and said, "You will identify yourself, or I will shoot you in assumption you are a demon." The figure chuckled, and she pulled back her hood. "My name, is Kaguya," she said, smiling darkly at her
The priestess saw that the demon was a beauty with her dark long wavy hair and blue eyes "I am almost done then I will be leaving this worthless village." Kaguya tells her. "What do you want with his grave?! the priestess asked her.
"I heard he was powerful when he was alive I would have had him if not for that damn spider getting to him first!" Kaguya growled. "But no matter this will be more fun." she tells the priestess as she picks up the bowl now.
The priestess drew her bow again. "I must request you replace the soil from where you got it. It is disrespectful to disrupt a grave," she said. "It's a good thing I'm not the respectful type, isn't it?" Kaguya said, laughing before disappearing, making the priestess curse.
Kaguya arrived back at her castle and walked over to a table where she placed the bowl. She then walked over to the clay she had and began forming it she left a hole where the heart would go and took the dirt and poured it into the hole and chanted over it before watching it close up she watched as the body formed flesh grew over the clay along with coal black hair. "That's it rise Keski." she said but growled when the body didn't move. "What have I done wrong ?" she wondered.
"You're missing a soul his soul is gone." A woman with long black hair and dark eyes, she wore a black and purple kimono.
"Who are you?" Kaguya asked her.
"My name is Tsubaki and he will not move till he has a soul you should know that." Tsubaki says
Kaguya hissed, "Of COURSE I know that! But where could his soul be?"
"Fool, he was reincarnated already! If you had kept up with the rumors like I have, the soul is in the body of a young boy by the name of Kohaku," Tsubaki said, glaring at the woman.
Kaguya glared at Tsubaki. "And where is this Kohaku at?" Kaguya asked her.
"He is in the Lord of the west palace under his care." Tsubaki tells her. Kaguya growled "Then I will just have to get this boy and suck his soul out." Kaguya tells her. "Well he has plenty of guards." Tsubaki says to her as he looks at the soulless body
Kaguya chuckled and said, "No man can resist me."
"They can if they're demons like yourself," Tsubaki said, inspecting her nails in the candle light. Kaguya growled and said, "What are you here for anyway, Tsubaki?"
"I just wanted to tell you that you need a soul and if you think it will be easy to get Kohaku you're mistaken, Naraku has his eyes on Kohaku and you will have to deal with him." Tsubaki tells her
Kaguya sighed and said, "What does he want with THIS one!? He probably has the jewel already."
"The jewel has been shattered," Tsubaki said, sighing, not looking up from her nails.
"WHAT!? When did this happen!?" Kaguya screeched.
"Like I said, you should have paid attention. Maybe you would have learned something," Tsubaki hissed, glaring at the woman before her.
Kaguya walked over to Tsubaki. "You help me and we can control the world once we have Kohaku's soul and use Keski to find the shards."she says to her.
Tsubaki smirked. "You have yourself a deal." Tsubaki tells her and the two women shake hands It seemed Kagome and Sesshoumaru were going to be in a lot of battles soon.