Kagome’s mouth twisted. “Why would you think that?”
“Why else would you be here,” Kohaku retorted, “unless you were in some sort of crisis? You only come to me when there’s something you need.”
Kagome regarded him in steady silence. The slashes on his cheek were faint now, yet somehow they seemed to glare at her as stubbornly as he did. He’d been drunk off his ass the last time they’d crossed paths—which was a good thing, Kagome figured. His parting words to her haunted her still, and she wished she could forget them as easily as he seemed to have.
“Well,” Kohaku said to her after a moment, “what has he done?”
Kagome’s heart skipped a beat, her thoughts flying unbidden to Sesshoumaru. “…He?”
“That wolf you let in at the door,” Kohaku replied, and when she continued simply to stare at him, he added tersely, “Ren, of course. Who else?”
“Right…” she muttered, recovering. “Well, now that you mention it, I couldn’t help but notice that a couple of your officers seem to have gone over to his side. What’s that all about?”
Kohaku smiled archly. “I thought a mixing of the ranks was what you wanted.”
“Still, I was surprised to see those faces.”
“Well, I wouldn’t be,” Kohaku replied, and Kagome realized then that she should’ve known better than to assume he wouldn’t be keeping close tabs on Ren himself.
Encouraged by this, she sighed a little in relief. “You’re right, Kohaku-kun—I do need your help. Ren’s ego has been growing by leaps and bounds recently, we both know that. I think it’s time we gave him a reality check.”
“We?” At the sharpness in his tone, Kagome’s expression slipped into a frown. “You’ve lost control of him, haven’t you? And now you’re wanting me to force him back into line for you.”
“Kohaku—”
“Don’t try to deny it. I know what he’s up to, and if you had any sense, you would have seen this coming from the start. He struts and blathers like a bad actor, but he’s ruthless at the core. What sort of man do you think prevails in the face of disaster?” Bitterness seeped into Kohaku’s tone. “Not the harmless sort, that’s for certain.”
“I know you tried to warn me about him,” Kagome conceded. “And of course, I had reservations about him myself—but I needed him, back then. You can’t deny he’s done a good service for Edo, whatever his motives.”
“I don’t deny it,” Kohaku said, and Kagome felt some of her tension abate—before he added, “He and I have established a truce of sorts. It’s quite simple: we stay out of each other’s way.”
The miko frowned heavily. “But, Kohaku-kun, surely you see that what he’s aiming for—”
“Why should I care about that?” Kohaku cut her off. “It seems the one who cares is you. And I’ve told you before, I’m done taking orders from you. You still seem to think I’ll bow and scrape to follow your every command, just because I care for you. Well, that time has passed. If there’s something you want from me, Kagome, I’ll do it—but not for free. Not anymore.”
Inuyasha © Rumiko Takahashi
*rubs hands together* okay kohaku I see you
XD
<3
Oh boy! I want a little bit of smut between Kohaku and Kagome, just cuz I want her to realize her feelings for Sesshy
Haha I love to hear it!
(Btw, I’ll just leave these here in case you’re interested 😉
https://www.ficaholic.com/2020/02/20/control-side-stories-fever-dream-explicit/
https://www.ficaholic.com/2020/07/10/control-side-stories-expiation-explicit/
https://www.ficaholic.com/2020/07/27/control-side-stories-somewhere-between-explicit/
)
<3 <3 <3
Ah, man. Well for once I can kind of see where Kohaku is coming from. Kagome let Ren undermine Kohaku’s authority when it was convenient and now she wants him to ally with her against him. I don’t blame Kohaku for being salty–though I have to wonder if he really knows what Ren is after. It seems odd he’d be so blasé about someone else marrying the woman he’s convinced himself he’s in love with. Will he demand Kagome marry him or fuck him in exchange for stepping in? It seems she will have to decide who she would rather owe–Kohaku or Sesshoumaru. Though I’m kind of hoping she’ll punish them both by choosing neither XD Another wonderful update! Thanks for sharing!
Ahh thanks for sharing your thoughts, Alex!! You raise so many great points & questions! Hope you enjoy the next part <3
He wants to barter a sexual (?) favor from the woman who is his older sister’s best friend, the mentor of his childhood best friend, (who’s in love with him) and the sister-in-law of the yokai lord he owes his life too, and his combative rivals object of desire. Even without the added issues with Sesshomaru, he would be setting himself up.
😉
Solid points, thanks for sharing, Goth!! <3
Sesshoumaru has entered the chat laughing 😂
Bahaha omg, I spit up my drink – thanks for that XD
<3
“If there’s something you want from me, Kagome, I’ll do it—but not for free. Not anymore.”
Wow, I hate to say it but oh how the mighty have fallen. Kagome is way too powerful to be sleeping around in exchange for favors (if that’s what he means of course). I feel like this fic has caused me to tetter on the edge of hating Kagome; although wonderfully written, she’s so selfish, careless, and short sighted. Granted, she’s been through some crazy shit, but so many people have gotten hurt and will continue to it seems. I’ve been on the edge of my seat in suspense of what Hirokin is up to. And what about Sesshomaru? He’s not going to going to put up with sleeping with Kanako as a replacement for much longer. This is definitely building to some disastrous climax and I. cannot. wait!!! Wonderfully written as always~
Thank you so much!! *cries* Yeah, Kagome is pretty hate-able, no matter the justifications D: So glad you’re exited to see what happens next – and what’s been brewing with some of the other characters in the background 😉
Thanks again for sharing!! <3 <3 <3