Chapter 15: Lost and Found
"What! They left without me!" Alice yelled in surprise and a bit of anger.
All of her weariness from before vanished as Densuke tried to calm her down saying, "Don't worry, everyone just wanted you to get some rest, they're all still in the village looking for information about the castle. They wanted you to do the same when you awoke."
"Hmph," Alice muttered as she grabbed her shoes and ran out the door.
They could've at least waited Alice thought as she ran through the village and before she knew it she was on the outskirts of the village which consisted of a tiny patch of woods.
"I guess I could ask the villagers out here," Alice said to herself as she walked through the peaceful woods.
When she turned the corner however she saw a demon poised to attack a boy standing in front of it.
"What a tasty looking child," the demon growled as it stared hungrily at the boy who just stood there facing the demon.
"Baka, what are you doing! Get away from there!" Alice yelled at him, unsheathing her sword in the process.
The demon jumped and turned around to face Alice but when it saw her it relaxed and laughed, "My, I thought it was a strong demon slayer or monk by the sound of your voice but you're nothing but a scared little girl trying to play hero!"
Alice felt fury ignite within her as she yelled back furiously, "Shut up! You don't know who you're dealing with!"
Sword in hand, Alice hurled herself at the demon, ready to show it how strong she really was, but before she could even swing her sword a sickle came out of nowhere and killed the demon.
"What!" Alice gasped as the weapon came within inches of her.
She dodged it easily and landed a few feet away from where the boy was. Looking up, she saw the boy catch the weapon and look over at her curiously.
"Are you okay?" Alice asked as she walked up to the kid.
"Yes, I'm okay," the boy replied in an almost monotonous tone.
Alice sighed in relief before continuing on more sternly, "That's good, but why didn't you listen to me when I told you to run away?"
The boy shifted his leg and looked down. Alice followed his gaze and saw a small kitten behind him. "Oh, so you wanted to protect that kitten?"
The boy nodded while Alice continued, "I see. That was very kind and brave of you."
"Really? It was nothing," the boy replied blushing a bit.
"Don't be so shy, it's true. That's a cool looking weapon you have there though," Alice answered as she looked at the weapon in the boy's hand.
It looks so familiar… But this is the first time I've met this kid. I guess I'm just thinking too hard.
"It's called a Kusarigama," the boy explained, holding out the weapon so Alice could see it better.
"Cool," Alice replied, "Can I hold it?"
The boy nodded and handed it to Alice who immediately tilted it back and forth to get a better view of it.
"Wow, this thing is heavier than it looks!" At this the boy giggled a little before he explained, "Yeah, it's a bit different from your usual weapon."
"Really, how come?" Alice asked as she gave the Kusarigama back to the boy.
"Um…" the boy stumbled looking at the ground.
Alice noticed a flash of sadness go through his brown eyes so she quickly said, "Oh never mind, you don't have to answer if you don't want to."
The boy looked up at Alice, gratitude glowing in his eyes as he nodded.
"So, are you from around here?" Alice asked.
"Nope, I arrived here three days ago," the boy replied.
"Hey, same here!" Alice added cheerfully.
The two laughed before Alice noticed the little kitten walk by her.
"Oh the kitten… I have to go now! Nice meeting you! Bye!" the boy called as he began to run after the cat.
Alice stopped him before he could pass her saying, "Wait, before you go can you tell me your name? I'm Alice."
The boy nodded, "I'm Kohaku. See you later Alice!"
After that he ran off after the kitten. Kohaku huh? Well I hope we meet again, he's such a nice kid. Alice then turned around and walked back to the village to look for the others.
After a few minutes Alice came to the center of the town she stopped and looked up at the huge drum above her head.
"Wow, what is that for?" she asked the elderly villager next to her.
The old woman chuckled before answering, "That is for the upcoming festival. You see…"
Alice stopped listening to the elderly woman explanation as soon as she spotted Sango next to the river that ran through the village.
"Thanks!" Alice called back as she ran over to Sango.
"Hey Sango!" Alice called to her as she came up beside her, "What're you doing here?"
Sango looked up from where she knelt gazing at the flowers growing by the river and replied simply, "Just looking at the flowers. Lilies were my brother's favorite."
"Oh, your brother's?" Alice mumbled as she turned her head away feeling guilty for bringing up the painful subject.
"I guess everyone told you about my past huh?" Sango replied.
"Yeah," Alice responded looking back at Sango.
The sad look in her eyes tugged at Alice's heart and she had to divert her eyes away from Sango's and towards the river to avoid any more of the pain and sadness clearly showing in Sango's eyes.
"My brother was very kind, to the point where he almost didn't belong in the Demon Slayer Village. You see, he never really liked to fight, but he adored flowers and animals of all kinds," Sango explained.
"He must've been an amazing brother," Alice replied glancing at Sango.
Sango nodded and turned to look at the river saying, "I'm going to stay here for a little while longer, you can go back now."
Before Alice could argue she added, "And don't worry, I'll be fine."
Alice nodded and called back to Sango as she walked back, "Don't be too long. We'll all be here if you need us you know!"
With that Alice walked north until she spotted Kagome on the bridge overlooking the river.
Kagome noticed Alice too and when Alice reached her Kagome asked, "What happened? Why the sad face?"
"Oh, Sango was just talking with me about her little brother," Alice admitted.
"I see. Naraku took Kohaku so he could try and control Sango. He's so despicable!" Kagome finished angrily.
"So he tried to use Kohaku… Wait! Did you say Kohaku!" Alice yelled in surprise as she grabbed Kagome's shoulders.
A flash of surprise went through Kagome's eyes before she replied, "Yes, I did."
Alice let go of Kagome and turned around in the direction she first met Kohaku. It couldn't be…
"What happened?" Kagome asked worriedly as she walked up beside Alice.
This can't possibly be a coincidence, that boy's name was Kohaku too. It all makes perfect sense now! That's why his weapon looked so familiar; it's from the same place as Sango's Hiraikotsu! I need to find him and bring him back now!
Before Kagome could grab her arm to get her attention, Alice bolted off calling back, "I'm sorry Kagome! I'll be back soon!"
"Alice!" Kagome yelled after her but Alice was too focused on her mission to turn back now.
As soon as she got to the clearing she met Kohaku in Alice yelled out, "Kohaku! Kohaku, where are you! Kohaku!"
Just then Alice heard a rustling in the bushes and turned around excitedly, "Kohaku!"
But it wasn't Kohaku who entered the clearing but a fisherman holding a dead sparrow.
"You're not Kohaku," Alice muttered in disappointment.
The man sighed, obviously not noticing Alice, and muttered to himself, "Maybe I should stick to fishing, all I caught was this tiny sparrow in front of the headman's house. It's not even close to enough for dinner."
"Excuse me; have you seen a boy pass through here?" Alice asked impatiently as the man looked up at her.
"The boy playing with the kitten? Yes, he ran over there a few minutes ago," the man replied pointing to the bushes on the left side of the clearing.
"Thank you," Alice responded before adding, "Oh, and I don't think you're allowed to hunt inside the village walls, it is quite dangerous with the little ones running around you know."
The man blushed a bit as Alice ran over to the bushes and saw the kitten from earlier in them.
"Hey it's you!" Alice whispered in surprise.
The kitten merely mewed as it walked off into the woods, tilting its tail as if to tell Alice to follow.
Alice followed the kitten and soon found a worn down path. "Wow, those bushes were so thick that I didn't even realize there was a path here."
Alice followed the path and soon spotted a familiar figure up ahead.
"Kohaku, there you are! I've been looking all over for you!" Alice called as she ran towards Kohaku.
But Kohaku seemed oblivious to Alice's calls because he just walked into a cave, completely ignoring her.
Huh, a cave? I didn't even know there was one back here Alice thought as she followed Kohaku into the cave.
"Kohaku!" Alice called, her voice echoing off the damp walls.
She tried to catch up with him but it seemed like her efforts were getting her nowhere. When Alice rounded a corner panic filled her gaze as she realized she couldn't see Kohaku anymore.
No I can't be losing him now! I have to find him and bring him back, for Sango's sake! Alice continued running until she spotted an old man digging in the tunnel.
"I keep on digging but still no money," the old man said to himself sadly.
"Hey old man" Alice said when she was right next to him, "can I ask you something?"
The old man jumped and turned around holding up his shovel in Alice's direction.
The action caused Alice to fall back and when she hit the ground she glared up at the man and yelled, "Hey, what's the deal!"
The old man took a closer look at Alice before helping her up saying, "I'm sorry, it's just you startled me. I thought for sure that I was the only one who knew of this secret back road."
"Secret back road? Does it go to the castle?" Alice said excitedly.
"Uh yeah, but don't tell anyone else about it," the old man reluctantly replied.
"Don't worry I won't," Alice smiled.
"Good, I don't want anyone taking my pot of gold before I find it," the old man muttered as he went back to work.
"Pot of gold? Whatever, good luck old man. Goodbye!" Alice called as she retraced her steps.
I guess he didn't see Kohaku come by or he wouldn't have been so surprised when he saw me. Still, I could've sworn Kohaku came this way… Alice sighed and returned to focusing on finding Kohaku.
To her relief, when Alice entered another chamber of the cave she saw Kohaku standing in the center of the cavern.
"Kohaku!" Alice yelled happily as she ran towards him. Kohaku turned and looked at her in surprise, "Alice?"
"Hey Kohaku why didn't you tell me Sango was your sister?" Alice called out to him.
But to Alice's confusion Kohaku replied just as confused as Alice, "Huh?"
Alice slowed to a stop, "What do you mean huh? Can't you remember your own sister?"
Kohaku just stared blankly back at Alice. Naraku must've done something to him, I'm sure of it Alice thought angrily. Just then Alice felt a familiar wave of aura that sent shivers down her spine and made her halt in her tracks. Naraku!
Alice quickly turned to look around the cave, desperately searching for the source and when she turned full circle she gasped as a searing pain hit her right arm. Alice screamed out in pain as she clutched her arm and fell to one knee. She looked up angrily to see who had attacked her but her heart stopped as she realized who it was.
"Ko…Kohaku?" Alice questioned fear and confusion filling her mind.
"What's wrong? Don't you know who it is? It's me Kohaku… Alice remember?" Alice tried in vain to reach Kohaku, but his eyes were emotionless as he just stared blankly at Alice.
Alice was about to try again when the searing pain in her arm got a thousand times worse. Alice gasped in pain as she looked down and saw a small purple fume of poisonous gas leak out of her wound.
What? Where did this come from? Alice thought as she felt herself becoming dizzy, black dots starting to form at the edge of her vision.
"Kohaku, stop!" Alice heard someone yell as she fell to both knees, clutching her arm as tears threatened to roll down her cheeks.
She managed to open one eye and stared in surprise at the new arrival. "Sango!" she gasped.
What is she doing here? Alice thought as Sango confronted her brother.
"You're pathetic." Alice stiffened as she recognized the voice and she turned to see Kagura come up beside Kohaku with annoyance shinning bright in her red eyes.
"Kagura!" Alice snarled as she held her arm tighter while glaring at the wind sorcerer.
Kagura looked back at Alice, amusement glowing in her eyes, as she replied, "How touching, you remembered my name."
Alice felt anger bubble up inside her as she jumped to her feet to confront Kagura, but the pain in her arm was too much for her to bear and she fell to a knee shortly after.
Kagura laughed at her pain, "It seems like the poison Naraku had Kohaku put on his weapon works pretty well on you, at least enough to keep you from moving."
"What do you want this time?" Alice demanded as she glared up at Kagura.
"I'm not the one who's doing anything right now, isn't that right Demon Slayer?" Kagura replied, glancing over at Sango.
"Why you…" Sango responded angrily.
Kagura grinned and opened her fan ready for an attack, "Kohaku is going to catch this girl, so stand back and watch."
Not on your life Alice thought as she clutched her arm painfully, which now had small black and purple bruises forming around the wound.
"Don't do anything you'll regret though, Kohaku's life does hang in the balance," Kagura warned.
What does she mean by that? Alice thought in confusion as she noticed Kohaku heading towards her.
Alice looked up at Kohaku, her feelings torn between lashing out at him due to her anger at him for wounding her and doing nothing and being captured because he was Sango's brother the boy and didn't want to hurt him.
Alice backed away from Kohaku, unsheathing her sword and saying, "Kohaku, please, stop…"
Kagura laughed, "Don't you get it? If you resist Kohaku will die."
Alice's eyes opened wide in surprise as she whipped her attention back to Kohaku.
"Kohaku, what should I do?" Alice could faintly hear Sango whisper.
What should I do? If I don't do anything Kohaku will capture me but on the other hand if I do something then Kohaku will be in danger. What do I do? Alice thought as she desperately looked for a way out of the mess she was in. Just then she saw something that brought hope to her.
Serpentine rock! That's it, if my timing is good then I can get out of here Alice thought as she looked at the massive stone above Kagura, Sango, and Kohaku's head. Alice closed her eyes and mustered up enough strength to form a large fire ball in her hand which she immediately threw up at that rock in the ceiling.
The raging ball of fire came within inches of Kagura before shooting up at the rock. Kagura laughed as she teased, "What were you aiming at?"
But after seeing a smirk form on Alice's face, Kagura's own face turned from a look of amusement into one of deep confusion and then into horror as she saw what Alice was aiming for.
Alice jumped up and ran as fast as she could, past the stunned Kagura and emotionless Kohaku, and barreled into Sango sending the two a good five feet back as the cave's ceiling started to collapse.
"Damn," Kagura spat as she grabbed Kohaku and ran out of the cascade of rocks falling on them.
Both Alice and Sango looked back to see the two running into the tunnel across the cave from them that was soon becoming blocked by huge boulders.
"Kohaku!" Sango cried out as she held out a hand to somehow stop Kohaku from following Kagura.
"Kohaku…" Sango whimpered as the dust cleared and neither Kohaku nor Kagura was in sight.
"Sango, are you alright?" Alice rasped as Sango went to her knees and stared at the blocked tunnel where Kohaku had disappeared to.
When she heard no reply Alice explained sadly with her head bent down, "I'm sorry Sango but I had to do it, otherwise Kohaku may have been hurt."
"I know… It's just…" Sango stuttered looking back at Alice with sorrow in her eyes.
"I'm sorry Sango," Alice replied.
"No, I'm the one who should be saying sorry," Sango responded. Alice looked down at the ground, still feeling the pain of guilt nag at her heart.
"Hey Sango, how did you know I was here anyway?" Alice asked shyly.
Sango let loose a small smile as she explained, "A fisherman came by and told me that you were looking for Kohaku."
"I see," Alice replied.
"I heard that you went by yourself so…" Sango trailed off before finishing, "I'm really sorry. I just froze when Kohaku attacked you and you ended up getting hurt."
"Oh Sango, don't worry about it! It's not as bad as it looks," Alice replied while smiling at Sango to show she forgave her, "And besides, he's your brother, your younger brother at that. There's no way you could in a situation like that."
"But that wound…" Sango continued before Alice cut her off, "Sango please, don't worry about it, I'll be fine see?"
Alice then healed her wound and the poison within it using her Shikigami. She noticed Sango's eyes were still sad but some relief flowed into them as Alice's wound was healed.
"So, why were you here by yourself anyways?" Sango asked as Alice finished healing her wound and got up.
"Hmm?" Alice replied while she helped Sango to her feet.
"Everyone told you about Kohaku, so you had to have known that Naraku was using him. So why did you go by yourself?" Sango pressed on.
Alice blushed before sighing. She looked at Sango and replied, "I wanted to bring Kohaku back with me Sango, so that you'd be happy. I almost couldn't take it seeing you so sad by the river this morning."
Sango gave a small smile and wrapped her arm around Alice saying, "That's very sweet of you but please, don't do dangerous things by yourself anymore. We're a team, remember?"
"Sango… Thanks, it makes me happy to know that," Alice replied with a smile.
"Let's head back, everyone must be waiting," Sango said as she smiled back at Alice.
The two both turned around and walked towards the cave's exit, each having one arm across the other's shoulder and smiling happily.
Enter Kohaku! Goodness, I love this kid! /huggles Kohaku/
He's so adorable in the series, I'm glad they added him in the game, but what a first encounter! Kohaku was so kind to protect the little kitten 3 That just adds him more points on the cuteness chart xD
Please read and review~
