After All This Time

Ch.27 Every Scar

His walk home was slow.

He took his time walking through that garden. For a moment he felt a presence. It wasn't Masami and it didn't seem likely to be any other human.

Then he smelled something. Felt something.

Kouga followed it, this floral scent.

Unsurprisingly, that scent belonged to sweet Moroha.

She stood at the edge of the step looking here and there. She must've sensed him. Kouga appeared in front of her and she smiled brightly.

"Kouga!" She yelled as loud as she could without alerting anyone. She ran to him bare foot. Kouga swiftly picking her up twirling her in the air and then into his arms. She giggled.

"Little Lady," he spoke fondly.
"I've missed you Kouga." She wrapped her arms around his neck tight enough to choke him.

He stroked her head.

"Me too." 

She let go and got a good look at him. "It's been so lonely," her small lips turned into a frown. "Where have you been? No one's told me anything. I've asked so much, Father, Masami, Yua. They say that you left, just like that. Is that true?"

Kouga didn't know how to explain it to her. What would he say? If he were to insult her Father what type of impression would that leave on her.

"I'm sorry." That's all he could say.

Moroha didn't like this answer either, but more so it worried her. She's never seen Kouga so..melancholy.

She put her hands at the sides of his face.

"Are you well? You're not hurt, are you?" She quickly scanned him and checked inside his robe. The bandages peeked out. "You are!" She moved his clothes further out of the way. Bandages seemed to cover his entire shoulder.

"Your shoulder!" Moroha wiggled out of his hold and back onto the ground. "You should have told me!"

"It's nothing."
"It looks like something! Kouga! What happened?!"

Kouga wanted to laugh and maybe he did let out a chuckle. She scolded like a mother, but she's just so small.

"It's not funny!" She huffed.

Maybe he's never focused on it before but she really was a small little thing. The memory of her sobbing crossed his mind. 

Kouga crouched down and caressed her soft cheek. "I'm sorry, Moroha."

He should've saved the boy.

She could tell he wasn't just talking about the unforeseen leave of absence.  

"Kouga, what's wrong?" Her eyes watered as she held onto his wrist.
"I'm sorry I didn't come back to see you. I didn't mean to leave you alone. How is your hand?"

"It healed soon after you left. There nothing left of it." Moroha's eyes glossed over with a matured sadness. Grief. He pulled the girl into his arms. Kouga held her dearly.

"Does this mean you'll come back?" Her words muffled.

"Yes."

She squeezed him and let go. Her smile was back.

"You should go back to sleep," Kouga told her.

She nodded. "Okay. Will you be here tomorrow?"

Kouga mimics her little head nods. "Yes, I'll wait for you in Inuyasha's study."

His name left a bittersweet taste in his mouth.

"Okay!" She smiled and hugged him one more time before running back inside while waving him off.