On her way home, Kagome stopped at Inuyasha’s grave, but it was as cold a comfort to her now as it ever was. Her fingers numbed as she held them to the frigid stone. Her frozen breath veiled the characters of his name. At her side, Ikiryou whimpered, anxious. Stuffing the unlit incense back into her satchel, Kagome rose from her crouch and tossed a bit of jerky to him, and he trailed contentedly after her down the pitted steps.
She was surprised, and yet she wasn’t, to find Kohaku sitting on her porch. Reclined against the outer wall of her home, he was drinking sake from a bottle he must have swiped on his way out of the temple. Bound up to mid-calf with strips of pale linen, one of his dark-clad legs hung carelessly off the side of the deck, but his slayer’s gaze was fixed and clear—
Intent.
“Here,” he said, raising the bottle to her as she reached the top of the steps. “You look like you could use it.”
Tiredly, Kagome shook her head. “It doesn’t help.”
Nothing did. Stepping past him, she continued on inside the house.
“…No,” Kohaku agreed, taking another swig all the same. “It doesn’t.”
The curtain swished again as he stood and followed after her. Kagome sighed, feeling the weight of her sleepless nights come to bear.
“What do you want from me?” she asked him, glancing back.
“What I’ve always wanted.” Setting the sake down on a shelf, he closed the scant distance between them. “You’re the one who doesn’t seem to know what she wants. Or maybe you’re just too afraid to admit it.”
Kagome frowned, crossing her arms at the chest. “What I ‘wanted’ doesn’t matter anymore. Because it’s never going to happen.”
“No?” She tensed as he took her by the shoulders, drawing her in despite her resistance. “Then let it go. Stop clinging to your disappointed hopes. Stop torturing yourself with impossibilities. You’re desperate, I can see it: the way that you’re struggling, at war with yourself and everyone around you. You’re floundering, Kagome. You’re pushing away the ones who care about you and inviting in lowlifes who’ll take advantage of you the moment your back is turned.”
Kagome’s eyes flashed as she shrugged out of his hold. “So that’s what this is all about: you’re jealous of Ren. You think I prefer him to you, and you know what?—maybe I do. At least he does exactly what I tell him to.”
Kohaku glared. “You really are shameless.”
“And you’re not?” Kagome scoffed. “Quit acting so noble, Kohaku—we both know what you’re really after. You’re no different than any other man.”
Mirthlessly, he smiled. “So you’re fucking him, then.”
“Watch your mouth,” the miko snapped, bristling in indignation.
“At least admit that you’re attracted to him.”
“I’m attracted to a lot of people,” Kagome said archly.
“Who else?” Kohaku demanded, low and dark, as he advanced upon her.
Kagome’s cool expression didn’t quite match her tone. “Are you making a kill list, Kohaku-kun? Because you’ll have to add yourself to it.”
“Don’t think I wouldn’t kill for you,” he said, forcing her back against the wall. “There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you, but I think you know that already…”
Inuyasha © Rumiko Takahashi
HOW DO YOU DO IT?!?!??
like Kohaku/Kagome had never occurred to me before I started reading your work, but HOLY HELL. You make this ship *nearly* as seductive as sesskag!!!!
That’s a huge compliment! Thank you <3 I've always found Kohaku to be an intriguing character 🙂 Tragic backstory, demon slayer abilities, enslaved by Naraku...it's one hell of a hefty cocktail. No matter how strong a guy's heart is, he's bound to be a little fucked in the head with all that going on lol
Anyway, glad you're enjoying his role in this story!! <3 <3 <3
Kohaku drunk some alcohol and it instantly gave him a pair. He’s growing up before our eyes. He’s super cute when he’s jealous and fawning over Kagome. Although him thinking Ren is his only competition has me in tears. If only he knew! hahaha
Lol yepppp XD
<3 <3 <3
Argh. I really do dislike the boy. I find him unpolished, bratty and needy. I don’t why but I still feel like Kohaku is so close when he describes Kagome and yet he misses completely. It’s as if he is so enamored with her that he can’t see her fully. His own limited understanding of life due to the fact that he doesn’t have the spiritual insight allows him to see Kagome only through his desire but he doesn’t see he true self.
I feel the same about Rin. Rin is too emotional and too naive and judges Kagome for her ‘brutality’ but she doesn’t have the guts to do the dirty work and be strict as Kagome.
Alle the people around Kagome only see small fragments – mostly those that either reflect their own values or those that are in contrast.
Looking at all that has happened and what is really happening – because right now Kagome is the only one who know he full magnitude if what is happening – she has shown tremendous strenght and will.
People do tend to see what they want to see, and it’s hard for anyone to really appreciate what it’s like to live in someone else’s shoes. Excellent observations about the character dynamics at play here 🙂 Thank you for sharing!
<3 <3 <3
Si hot and seductive oh please a willing kiss hahaha awesome!! I love their seductive interaction. He knows her deeply ,her character, and he still wants her and she knows how he is, and is open to him like a book. She is not trying to act around him anymore.
So between all people that knows her ,he knows her more intimate. Almost her true face….
This small chapter made my day brighter.
I love kag/kohaku but your characterization because frankly mostly fics that have them is puppy love and it sucks….
This relationship is more intense and twisted… passionate .
Thanks, Mari!! – So glad you’re enjoying their interaction in this scene <3 <3
A specific song by Garbage comes to mine when it comes to Kohaku. Definitely a number 1 crush.
haha, ‘stupid girl’ maybe? 😉 <3
Are you making a kill list, Kohaku-kun? Because you’ll have to add yourself to it.”
Is she acepting that she is atracted to him.
Also she tells him that he is a man…. not a boy anymore.
Echen is Sesshomaru comino back? 😫
*When
Lol I haven’t forgotten about him 😉 <3
Really excited about this chapter. It seems the story is starting to move along again, with more action and character building. Even though it includes a ton of Kohaku, it is nice to see that Kagome still has her psychotically-obsessed fan club. I was a bit worried that he resented her more than desired her, but clearly that is not the case. I love when you write jealousy and possessiveness–it is delicious. Dare I hope we will see some from Sesshoumaru soon?
Thanks, Alex! So glad you’re enjoying the dark emotions in the scene <3
Soon is right 😉