The Book of Sorcery
By: BlackShade
Updated:8/27/12
Disclaimer: All of the Inuyasha characters are not mine, they belong to Rumiko Takahashi. I own the plot of the story and my OC's.
Beta-ed by: ShadowEntity

Blackout

After Sesshomaru had informed his father about his decision, Inutaisho had told his youngest of the idea, who in turn was instantly ecstatic at the idea. Yet what was even better was that Izayoi told him of her decision to let Sakini and Katosagi train him in the Dark Arts of magic. With everything that was happening, it would make his mission easier if only just a little.

It had been a few days since Sesshomaru had made his decision. Now he was thinking over which fighting style to teach first, how to teach it – what pace would be too fast or too slow? – and a few other details that he would think far too hard on.

Izayoi continued in her Dark Magic training. As expected, she excelled in what she was taught.

It was two weeks later when Inuyasha had his first training session with his older brother.

Unsurprisingly, Inuyasha did very well. He learned many new techniques and performed them justly. Sesshomaru praised his brother, saying he would master the new fighting styles in no time at all. Little did he know, that was far too close to the truth.

Most nights Inuyasha would practice his new techniques nonstop; mastering them within the night. This left little time for rest and as such he usually caught himself drifting off during the day. That in turn caused a lot of worry from his friends, who more often than not would openly express their concerns for his health. It was always the same, they would ask if he was alright, and he would forcefully snap back that he was fine. Inuyasha hated watching their faces morph into a defeated expression and a knot of guilt would always tighten in his stomach.

Often Inuyasha would wonder if it was all worth it. Even if Naraku were to know if he said anything to his mother or trainers, wouldn't they be able to defeat Naraku? After all, just one of them alone was a force to be reckoned with, so wouldn't all three of them be able to handle Naraku? But Inuyasha always reminded himself that the rest of his family doesn't know magic. As well, the chances that they would be able to fight off a dark sorcerer... well...he'd rather not think about it.

On the first day of his Dark Magic training, everything went better than expected. The Dark Magic flowed easily through Inuyasha. Normally Sakini and Katosagi would be worried, but Dark Magic could be received easier when around it often. With Izayoi's recent dark magic advancements, they weren't much concerned.

All in all, Inuyasha was doing well in both training sessions. He often held back during training, so to not raise suspicions. He learned quietly and quickly and with little to no problems.

Naraku watched from the distance, impressed with the show of strength and skill Inuyasha was showing.

It was early morning, and as usual Inuyasha was in the trees that surrounded the garden, practicing several defensive stances. An hour or so after the morning meal he would always practice in the garden behind the foliage of the trees, a safe cover.

So it surprised him when he heard a female voice from beyond the trees.

"We keep trying, but so far nothing."

"That sounds like Shiori." Inuyasha thought, creeping closer to the voice but still safely hidden. He avoided stepping on stray leaves.

"Same with us." Another defeated voice joined the conversation and Inuyasha recognized it too.

"Sango," Inuyasha mused, pushing the branches aside to catch a glimpse of his friends.

"Don't you think we should express our concerns? Maybe if we tell-" Kagome began to suggest, before being cut of by her twin.

"No! If we say something he'll only become more withdrawn."

"I agree," Miroku said softly. "Besides, I'm sure they have already noticed as well."

A silence fell over the group. All the while, Inuyasha remained watching from the trees.

It was then that Sango's mother came rushing up her, saying that her brother had been injured in a training accident and was in the healing wing. Instantly the group rushed to the healers, expressing true concern and worry, temporarily forgetting about their previous conversation.

Inuyasha watched the figures of his friend disappear. Once more he felt that pang of guilt in his chest. He was the cause of everyone's worry. Sometimes it felt like instead of protecting his family, he was hurting them.

Inuyasha felt the familiar sting behind his eyes. Slowly, the tears began to flow down his face as the pain he had been burying was shown through each salty drop. His cheeks were splotchy and moist. Furiously, he wiped the tears away with his sleeve.

"I'm doing this for them!" He inwardly shouted, trying desperately to reassure himself.

He wanted to scream, to shout. He wanted to tell someone, anyone, everything that has been happening.

"But I can't..." Inuyasha thought, before his world turned sideways and everything went dark...

Inuyasha was sure he was hearing voices, too many voices. Whispers were coming from all around him. Why was everything so dark? Where was the light? Inuyasha squinted though it made no difference.

That was all that went through Inuyasha's mind before the darkness seemed to deepen. That was worrisome.

For the first time in what felt like decades, Inuyasha opened his eyes again. The light was a blinding white before it all came into focus.

Looking around, Inuyasha realized that he was in the healer's wing. How long had it been? Had he passed out?

"What happened?" Inuyasha voiced into the silence, not expecting an answer, and thus was surprised when a voice answered him.

"We were hoping you could tell us that."

Inuyasha jumped, clutching a hand over his heart. "What the hell?! You could've said something instead of scaring the crap out of me!" He exclaimed loudly, glaring at his parents. He crossed his arms defensively.

Inutaisho barked with laughter and Izayoi grinned. "Nice to know you're feeling better," Izayoi said, forcing herself not to laugh at her son's hilarious facial expression.

Taking deep breaths to calm himself, Inuyasha's glare gradually softened. "What happen?" He asked calmly.

"We found you in the trees around the garden unconscious," Taisho explained, his tone serious and his smile faltering. "He said it was fatigue from lack of sleep. Care to explain, son?"

"I..." Inuyasha trailed off. What could he say? Luckily, Izayoi chose that moment to step in.

"It's because he's been training at night on his new techniques."

Inuyasha's expression went from worried to shocked. How could she have possibly known that?

Inutaisho looked from his mate to his son. "Is this true?"

"Yes." Inuyasha bowed his head.

Inutaisho ran a clawed hand down his face. Letting out a sigh, Inuyasha prepared for the comeing lecture. Once more Izayoi decided to step in.

"I'll take care of this, Dearest," she said gently.

"Are you sure-?" Taisho was cut off by his mate.

"I'm sure." Her tone was stern.

Giving his son a worried look, but heeding her request none the less, Taisho left the room to give his son and Izayoi some privacy.

The two sat in an uncomfortable silence for a few minutes, both wondering what they should say to each other. Finally the silence was broken.

"How did you know?" Inuyasha wanted to know.

"I saw you sneak out the other night.'' Izayoi looked up at her son. "How long have you..."

"Not long' just the last two weeks," Inuyasha lied.

"What is this all about?"

"I...I... I'm trying to become stronger," Inuyasha choked out. His throat felt so unbearably tight.

"You're already strong-" Izayoi tried to only be interrupted.

"That's what you all say, but I know the truth! I'm never going to be anywhere near close to father's strength! Even when I'm fully grown, I'll only have a fraction of his strength..." Inuyasha revealed, his true feelings on his hanyou nature finally coming through. At first he was trying to find a good lie, but somehow part of the truth came out as well, along with the tears streaming down his face.

Izayoi embraced her son, burying her shocked face on Inuyasha's shoulder comfortably. She had no idea her son felt like that. She hated it, but she felt powerless to do anything to help solve this particular dilema.

"I'll need to speak to Taisho about this soon." Izayoi thought, rubbing soothing circles with her thumb over Inuyasha's back.

Little did she know the person of her thoughts was outside the door, and he himself was shocked at his son's confession.

Taisho knew his son's strengths but he also knew his limits. Although it was a possibility that he could reach his own power level, the chances were slim. He needed to find a way to ease his son's fears. He steeled his face and silently went down the hall. He needed to speak to Sesshomaru.

It was a few more hours before Inuyasha left the healing wing. When he went to his brother about the day's training session Sesshomaru declined, saying it would be best to wait for a few more days before resuming training.

Izayoi also informed Sakini and Katosagi of Inuyasha's current condition,so Inuyasha was free from magic training for a few days as well.

During this small period of free time, Inuyasha managed to fix up his appearance, which managed to ease his friends' fears to a degree. From the looks of it, Inuyasha was taking better care of himself while really everything was almost the same. Although he still trained at night, he retired a few hours earlier and made a habit a snacking during the day, as to keep his energy up.

Inutaisho had decided it was time to give Inuyasha Tessaiga, though Inuyasha was still very young he felt that Inuyasha could handle its power. Plus it would increase his strength as well as keep his youkai balanced. So, hopefully, there would be no more accidental releases. At first Sesshomaru protested to the idea but soon came around once he heard his father's reasoning.

For the next few days Inuyasha spent most of the afternoons with his friends, and most night training - just as he had done so before. It was nice to have a few days from training. He began to dread the day when training would start again. It just reminded him of what he would have to do.

Too soon came the day when Inuyasha returned to training. His father had told him that he had a surprise for him. At least he had something good (hopefully) to look forward to.

When Inutaisho had bestowed the Tessaiga, Inuyasha was speechless. Was his father really giving him this?

The sword of man. The Tessaiga was a powerful sword, said to be able to kill a hundred demons one strike, slice through barriers, and even open a portal to the underworld itself.

To say Inuyasha was honored was an understatement. To be given one of his sire's most prized possessions. He couldn't even find the words to express his gratitude other than saying "thank you" over and over, and embracing his parent with the tightest hug he could give.

Inuyasha immediately began training with his brother on using a sword, and as with everything else he learned quickly. Grasping the information that was given, he was able to learn the basics of wielding a weapon within the first few lessons, surpassing even Sesshomaru's pace when he was his age.

Things seemed to fall back into normal, Inuyasha always made sure to find some time during the day for his friends, hoping they wouldn't begin to worry to the same extent as before.

Naraku watched from the distance. Even more so impressed with Inuyasha's show of skill, despite what had happened.

"It's almost time," he whispered into the darkness surrounding him.

I am sorry for the late update! School has started and it's been murder on me. Hopefully I'll have the next chapter up soon...

~BlackShade-