November 28
"Next we're going to talk about sensing demonic energy," Anana said during our training session today.
"I already know how to sense demonic energy," I replied.
"But do you know how to determine different levels of demonic energy? And do you know how to use it to your advantage?"
I'd never taken it that far before. The most I knew was how to sense a demonic presence. "I guess not."
"And so we're going to learn today. I'm glad we have your husband here." Anana turned to the tree where Inuyasha was sitting, as usual, watching us train. "Inuyasha, come down here please."
Inuyasha jumped out of the tree and looked confused about why he was needed. "Yes?"
"Stand right there," Anana said before he could come closer. "Now Kagome, sense the flow of Inuyasha's demonic aura. What do you notice?"
As I concentrated I could see the waves moving around him as he stood there with his hands in his sleeves. "It...it's very strong. Because he's very powerful. It's also moving around him slowly."
"What does that also tell you?"
I thought about it for a moment. "Could it be because he's calm?"
"Yes. You would be able to feel his demonic aura rushing around him if he were feeling strong emotions such as anger. If he were a full demon, you would be able to sense his aura even stronger. But there's something else about Inuyasha's demonic aura. That's his pure heart."
Inuyasha raised his eyebrows. "Pure heart?"
"I can tell," I said. "It makes his demonic aura seem lighter."
"Yes," Anana said. "You could pick out his purity and kindness among a million demons."
"Keh, you must be mistaken," Inuyasha said.
"The stubbornness doesn't count," Anana said. I giggled at that. "When you're up against a demon, there are a couple of ways you can use their demonic energy to your advantage. Raise your arrow." She glanced at Inuyasha. "I promise we won't shoot you."
I raised my arrow and it was already glowing.
"You can counter the demon aura by using that energy against him. If you were to attack him, this would make for a much more powerful shot. You can also use his purity to enhance your own."
"I never knew I could use demonic energy to enhance my own attacks," I said.
"It's very advanced but I think you're ready for it." She then turned to Inuyasha. "Alright Inuyasha, you can go sit now. Thank you for your help."
Inuyasha smirked. "Yeah, yeah." He resumed his place and Anana and I continued our training.
After training, Inuyasha and I were sitting in our room until dinner. I was kind of tired, training had been wearing me down a little bit. So we were under the covers, I lay on his chest, and his arms were around me as I tried not to fall asleep.
"Kagome, you know what Anana said out there about me having a pure heart?"
"Yes."
"Do you think that's true?"
"Of course." I looked up at him and found him looking at the ceiling thoughtfully. "You don't?"
"After all the shit I've been through and said and done, I highly doubt that."
"But you do, Yasha. I could feel it so strongly. I could sense your demonic aura before and there was always something very calming about it but I could never put into words what it was. Anana is right. You do have a pure heart."
"I never imagined that I would."
"You don't see yourself clearly, you know that? No matter what happened in the past, you're so kind and loving. I've seen you grow so much after all this time I've known you. Remember all of those times when we were on our mission and you would always put your friends first? Even people who weren't your friends. You tried to see the good in people. You wouldn't kill someone if you didn't have to. You were always compassionate, determined, caring. So of course you have a pure heart."
A smile touched his face. "Things are different when you have someone to protect."
"Exactly, and that's where I think your purity comes from. And maybe that's why our spirits are so interconnected, because of the love and care in our hearts for each other."
