A/N: This story was started by Rikana, who wrote the first 4 chapters. After that, she turned the story over to me, and so from chapter 5 on, it's all me!

The fic was previously published under Rikana's name, but we decided to shift it over to my profile since I am writing the rest of the story.

Kohaku was used to their arguing by now, as were his sister and the monk; so much so that he wasn't even paying attention to the words. He just sat next to his sister on the ground, chin cupped in his hand, staring off into space. Ever since Naraku had severed his hold on him... everything seemed easier to remember. Even though he only remember things one at a time, in fragments, his sister would help him piece them together, help him reclaim his past. Now he found himself actually having fun, like a regular boy his age would. When he played with Shippo or talked to Kagome, he enjoyed himself, and was grateful that he had a second chance at life. He was relieved to no longer be killing innocent people or mindlessly following orders. He was glad he wasn't an enemy.

Kohaku's train of thought was broken when InuYasha returned to the group with a scowl upon his face, revealing that Kagome had once again won the argument. Finally, he would be able to relax and enjoy the company of his comrades.

"So, what were you arguing about this time, InuYasha? Personally, I lost interest." Miroku asked, gazing at the half-demon with intent eyes.

InuYasha chose not to respond, setting his jaw stubbornly. "None of your business," he snarled under his breath, heading off to find a tree to sleep in.

Miroku sighed, sharing an annoyed, knowing glance with Sango. The demon-slayer shook her head. "Those two are always at each others' throats," she said quietly, exasperated.

Miroku nodded. "And it seems that they've been disagreeing on almost everything lately."

Sango shrugged, brushing a stray bang from her face. "Well, Kagome can only be pushed so far. She's a teenage girl, with real feelings. InuYasha needs to remember that."

Miroku put a hand to his chin. "I'm starting to think he's incapable of remembering that."

Shippo bit his lip, upset by this conversation and feeling more concerned for his friend by the minute. "I'm gonna go talk to Kagome," he announced, scampering off to find her.

Kohaku watched the scene with little reaction, as he was used to this routine. Kagome seemed like a nice girl, and Kohaku couldn't understand why she loved InuYasha if this was what always happened any time she tried to talk to him. From what he remembered, and from what Sango had told him, his parents rarely fought. Love... love wasn't like this. Or, at least, it wasn't supposed to be. So, the young boy lost himself in thought once more, watching the day turn into night. But what happened the moment the sun set shook him to his core.

Sweat was dripping down Kohaku's forehead in the dark of the night while the others slept. The jewel shard embedded in his back was pulsing under his skin, pain searing throughout his body. He heard fervent voices in his head, screaming and whispering, driving him slowly insane, moment by moment. But loudest of all was the one voice he didn't want to hear -the voice he thought he had been rid of.

Kohaku's mind began to fog and his vision blurred. His head swirled round and round with an array of muted colors, and soon his body was no longer his own to control. He was moving involuntarily, transformed into a mindless slave, no longer Kohaku of the demon-slayers.

When the clatter of weapons and the sound of feet awoke the half-demon, he quickly came down from his spot on the tree branch and yelled for everyone to get up. His comrades did so groggily but quickly, rising from their spots on the ground. But when InuYasha did a head count, and found that one was missing, he let out a heavy sigh. He had hoped that they had finally won, that Kohaku was no longer under Naraku's control...but the scent of Kohaku mixed with the scent of the blood of strangers proved him to be wrong.

"Sango, it's your brother. He's covered in someone else's blood. He's not himself." InuYasha announced in a soft tone, not looking at the demon-slayer behind him.

Before Sango had a chance to react, her brother emerged from the darkness, the dripping blood that covered his weapon and body gleaming in the moon light. His eyes were clouded and his face expressionless, blood splattered down his torso and spotting his cheeks and legs. His weapon was held loose in his hands, but InuYasha and his comrades kept their weapons held high, quite used to Kohaku's sudden and unexpected attacks when under Naraku's control.

Soon they realized their weapons weren't necessary as Kohaku fell to his knees, the color returning to his eyes, before collapsing upon the ground, unconscious. Sango dropped her Hiraikotsu and ran to her brother, cradling his limp body and calling his name, choking back tears. The others watched the pair, having been through this many a time before but still unsure of what to do.

After several minutes, Kagome approached Sango, pulling her gently to her feet as Miroku scooped Kohaku into his arms. Together they brought the brother and sister over to the fire, setting them down gently to bask in its warmth. Sango pulled Kohaku to her protectively, no longer crying but still shaking. Miroku wrapped his arms around her, rubbing her back gently, wanting nothing more than to comfort her and ease her pain.

The night dragged on endlessly. Sango and Miroku finally fell into a deep sleep, huddled with Kohaku, but InuYasha stayed awake, on the watch for those who might seek revenge for their fallen comrades.

Kagome found herself lying awake, trying to will herself to sleep, haunted by the night's events. But it wasn't only what had happened with Kohaku that was keeping her from sleep. Everything seemed to be weighing heavily on her recently...the fight with Naraku, the hunt for the jewel shards, school...and InuYasha. She sighed. It's gonna be a long night...

As the group walked along the dirt path the next morning, Kagome glanced over at InuYasha, who was carrying Kohaku's sleeping form, and Sango who walked silently alongside them. Kagome turned to Miroku. "Do you think that... Sango and Kohaku will be okay?" She asked quietly.

"I'm not sure, Kagome. I'm really not." Miroku answered thoughtfully. "All I do know is that Kohaku is not as "healed" as we had thought..." he trailed off, pausing for a moment to collect his thoughts. "Sango will heal over time, I suppose, once Naraku is no longer an obstacle, but then again..."

"Kohaku's shikon shard." Kagome finished, lowering her gaze to the ground. Miroku knew what she meant even when she didn't continue. The shard in Kohaku's back was the only thing that was keeping him alive, and yet they needed that shard to complete the Sacred Jewel. If they took that shard, Kohaku would die. They all knew there was no other alternative.

Suddenly the group came to a stop so that InuYasha could lay Kohaku gently on the ground. The boy was stirring as his sister knelt next to him with hopeful eyes, watching her brother and ignoring the world around her. Miroku and Kagome gathered around the pair, watching Kohaku awake with baited breath. Slowly but surely, his eyes fluttered open to gaze upon the blinding sun and Sango. He blinked rapidly.

"Sister...?" he asked in confusion, "Why aren't we at camp...? What happened...?"

InuYasha sighed. He had expected this. Kohaku didn't remember that he attacked someone last night, he thought he had slept the night through. He clenched a fist in frustration. They had no idea whom Naraku had ordered him to murder, but at least Kohaku didn't have to suffer because of it.

"Oh, Kohaku," Sango said, closing her eyes in relief, "You just overslept, don't... don't worry."

It had been six days since the incident, and things were starting to revert to normal. Kagome had made a trip to her era and back to get more supplies and they had resumed their quest for the remaining jewel shards as if nothing had happened.

But it was the seventh day that changed everything.

The sun was high in the sky when the group decided to sit and rest after a long day of walking. Suddenly, InuYasha began to growl, interrupting the group's conversation.

"What is it, InuYasha?" Kagome asked, leaning towards him from across the circle.

InuYasha didn't answer, standing up as his growling ceased, drawing the Tetsusaiga.

"InuYasha..." Kagome began again, standing up as well.

"It's Koga. And he isn't exactly happy." InuYasha snapped, not looking back at her. "He's...bloodthirsty." He gritted his teeth. "I can sense it."

Kagome was taken aback. "Bloodthirsty"–? Koga is...bloodthirsty? she thought, confused. Koga wasn't the type to be bloodthirsty for anything but Naraku. What was going on?

She didn't have to wait long to find out. She watched in confusion as Koga came running towards her, the power of the jewel shards embedded in his legs making his form blurred with his increased speed. Once he was closer she realized it was as if he didn't notice her or InuYasha, he was staring at something behind them. Both InuYasha and Kagome's minds clicked at once.

Kohaku.

InuYasha lunged for Koga, drawing Tetsusaiga, ready to strike. Kagome turned to the others. "Koga–he's after Kohaku!" she warned, grabbing her bow. But why? She wondered, breaking into a run towards the two clashing demons.

Kagome watched Koga's actions in confusion. The wolf demon appeared to be trying to avoid contact with InuYasha, dodging his blows and attempting to run past him towards his true target.

As he came closer to the group, Kagome knew what she had to do. She ran straight towards him, acting as a human barrier between Koga and Kohaku. He stopped abruptly when he reached her, ramming into her and holding out his arms around her before she fell. Her diversion had worked, Koga had come to a complete halt, and she saw that he was breathing hard and ragged, the rage gleaming in his eyes. InuYasha reached the two in an instant, his own anger matching that of Koga's, clearly not happy to have his attacks completely ignored.

"Listen, Koga, I'll kill you if you don't back off." InuYasha warned, standing a couple feet away from Koga and Kagome.

Koga unwrapped his arms from Kagome's waist and walked up to InuYasha as the rest of the group gathered around behind the half-demon, "You're the one who should be backing off, mutt."

InuYasha set his jaw. "I won't, not until you leave. Kohaku hasn't done anything to you."

Kagome shivered at the foreign, cold laugh that left Koga's mouth, "Nothing? He's only killed a quarter of my pack."

Kagome's brown eyes widened in horror. So that's why Koga is so enraged! Kohaku killed members of Koga's clan!

InuYasha shook his head, his hand gripping the hilt of his sword. "You mean Naraku's only killed a quarter of your pack."

Koga narrowed his eyes. "If you say Naraku has done this, then why are you protecting his puppet?"

"I'm protecting Kohaku," InuYasha said, emphasizing Kohaku's name, "because he's done nothing. Naraku possessed his body to kill your pack. The kid doesn't even remember it, he thought he just overslept."

Koga shook his head, making a disbelieving noise in the back of his throat. "I'm still killing him, controlled by Naraku or not-"

"Koga," Kagome interrupted, eyes pleading, "Please..."

"No, Kagome, I can't listen to you this time." Koga snapped back, using unintentional force behind his words, too grief-stricken to remain calm, "He killed my comrades, and I will not let him get away with it."

Kagome put her hands to his chest, trying to make him see reason. "Naraku did this, Koga. Kohaku's only a child. Please... don't-"

Koga's blue eyes shone with something Kagome had never seen reflected in them before. "No." Forcefully but carefully, he pushed Kagome to the side and made a move to strike down Kohaku, only to be blocked by InuYasha's Tetsusaiga.

Kagome watched the battle for a few moments, wringing her hands in fear. She couldn't let this happen. She couldn't let InuYasha kill Koga, or vice-versa, and she wouldn't let Koga take his revenge on Kohaku, an eleven-year-old boy who had already had both his and his sister's life destroyed by Naraku. She curled her hands into fists at her side, knowing what she had to do.

Koga found an opening in his battle with InuYasha, and decided to seize the opportunity to turn his attention and race towards Sango and Kohaku.

It was now or never. Kagome leapt in between the siblings and Koga, holding out her arms wide.

Koga skidded to a halt, growling in frustration that Kagome had once again stood in the way. "Kagome-"

"I'll take his place."