InuYasha- Chapter 360- Memories of Father

The group was running and flying through the forest, covered by the blackness of night. The moon shown high above them, illuminating their path.

"I sense the presence of a shikon fragment. Kohaku-kun is nearby!" Kagome shouted.

"It's not just Kohaku," InuYasha told, "I smell other humans too!"

"Is he with someone else?" Miroku asked. Sango stared on ahead, praying that he wasn't killing anyone. He had already taken so ma lives, and she couldn't bear it if he took anymore.

Kohaku slept soundly, laying next to the man who had been so kind to him. He dreamt of his father, and his old days in the village;

"You got injured because you weren't paying attention," his father shouted. "You're in the way, so go somewhere else!"

Kohaku went inside, sitting with Sango. She tended to his wounds.

"Kohaku, did father get angry with you again?" she asked, wrapping a bandage around his arm.

Kohaku sighed, ashamed by his actions. "Because I failed to catch the sickle-chain…"

Sango and Kohaku's father sped up to the house.

"Father…" Sango said, hoping he would go easy on him.

He came inside, shutting the door behind him. "How's the injury?" he asked, concern in his voice.

"It's ok, only a graze," Sango stated.

"I see," their father said, holding Kohaku's arm gently. "That's good."

"You don't have to hide going to see him," Sango said, cleaning up the bandages.

"I have to set an example in front of the others," he explained, folding his arms into his kimono. "You understand, right Kohaku? I don't hate you, and I'm not angry with you."

Kohaku's face widened with a heart-felt smile. "Yes father."

Kohaku awoke with a start. The kind man sat up, staring down at him.

"Can't sleep?"

Kohaku looked up at him.

"Does your wound hurt?" he asked.

Daichi stepped into the hut before Kohaku could answer. The father turned to him.

"What's the matter Daichi?"

The light from the moon revealed the boy, holding a farming sickle above his head. The hitoukon rested in his eye, possessing him. Kohaku gasped, shooting up from his blankets. Daichi swung his weapon down, intending to kill. Kohaku jumped up, blocking the sickle with his scythe, just in the nick of time.

He's been possessed by the youkai, Kohaku observed.

"Daichi…" the father whispered, disbelieving.

"Stay back!" Kohaku commanded, just as Daichi attacked again. They continued to block each other's attacks, Kohaku trying all the while not to hit him. Finally, Daichi tripped over his feet, falling backwards. Kohaku knocked the scythe from his hand, letting it fall into his hand. He now held both, leaving the child weaponless.

"Daichi!" the father yelled, running to him.

Kohaku shouted, "Don't! He's still-!"

Daichi grabbed around, searching for a weapon. His hand rested on a kitchen knife, a machete. He grasped it tightly, swinging it up. It cut deep into his father's arm, causing blood to splatter onto the floor. Kohaku and the father gasped.

Kohaku's memories flooded back to him, remembering how he, too, had hurt his family. The image returned to his mind, his scythe digging into his father's neck.

Tears came to his eyes, Father…!

"D-Daichi?" the father asked, holding his wound. Daichi swung his weapon into the air again, ready to strike. Kohaku couldn't let him. Wouldn't let him. No one should have to go through what he had gone through, the pain of killing his family! He couldn't let this poor innocent boy go through it!

He blocked the blade with his own, determination in his face.

He struck him back, trying to knock this weapon away as well.

"D-daichi…" the father stuttered. "Why…?"

Kohaku turned to him, tears pooling in his eyes again.

"He's being controlled!" he screeched. "He's just being controlled!"

He remembered his own possession, his own sin.

The image of his father came again.

Father.

The root on the child's eye grew larger.

What should I do?! Kohaku panicked. How can I drive the youkai from him?!

The child was forced out of the house, the force of the demon pulling him into the air. Kohaku gasped. It was trying to escape again! But this time, it was trying to drag the child with it. Kohaku glared. He wasn't letting this happen.

Trying to run away, huh?! He thrust the chain from the hilt of his sickle, wrapping the chain around his ankle. He pulled him to the ground roughly, slamming him into the ground. He bound up to him, resting his knees upon the child's sides. He held his scythe at the ready, trying to figure out how to dispel the demon.

InuYasha and the group came upon them just then, seeing the scene displayed before them. Sango gasped. Not a child!

"Kohaku!" she screamed, trying to stop him.

"Ah…" he gasped. Ane-ue!

Sango's eyes laid on the injured father behind him. Her eyes filled with fury and hatred.

"Kohaku! You…!"

You're wrong Ane-ue! He thought, trying to defend himself.

"Let go of that kid!" Sango yelled, throwing Hirakotsu at him. He barely dodged it as it crashed into the ground. Rocks and debris sprayed everywhere. She caught it on the rebound, jumping off Kirara. The two faced each other, both ready to fight.

"Kohaku!" Sango shouted, "Is this another order from Naraku?!"

Kohaku stared at her, trying so hard to restrain himself. He wanted to tell her everything! That he had his memory back, and that he wanted to destroy Naraku! That he regretted what he had done, more than she could ever know!

Just then, Daichi flew into the air yet again. Kohaku, have been distracted by Sango, was unable to protect himself from the boy's attack. His arm was slit as he tried to block.

"Wha…" Sango gasped, staring at the two.

"Sango-chan!" Kagome yelled, "That child!"

"He's been possessed by the Hitoukon!?" Miroku shouted.

Daichi flew farther into the air, high above the house.

"DAICHI!!" the father shouted. "Please save my son!" He looked at Kohaku, begging him.

"What the heck is going on?!" Shippo asked from Kagome's shoulder.

"Bah!" InuYasha shouted, running towards the kid, "Anyway…For now, just grab the brat!" InuYasha jumped on the tree branches, hunting the child down. "I'll drag the youkai out of him!"

"InuYasha! Don't get violent!" Sango shouted, mounting Kirara. "You can't drag the hitoukon out by force!"

Ane-ue knows the methods of getting it out, Kohaku thought.

"Ummm…are you ok?!" Kagome asked the man.

"D-Daichi is…" the father stuttered, staring into the distance.

"I'll save him!" Kohaku decided, tearing off after Sango and InuYasha.

Eh?! Kagome thought, her eyes wide. Just now…did Kohaku-kun?!

Sango flew through the forest, trying to catch up to the child. I mustn't let him die, she thought, determination on her face. Since he got possessed by the Hitoukon by being involved with Kohaku.