Author's Notes: "Dust'in" suggested I put Hanyou Inuyasha against Demon Inuyasha in a real one on one battle. I may be able to work that in, but it won't be until way later. So stay tuned for that. As for the story now, will Kagome be able to save Inuyasha or will his past pains and regrets keep him from conquering himself?
Return to Innocence"Let's go!" Jumping into the air to meet the threat, Kouga started a battle that would either save or destroy Hanyou Inuyasha. Besides the wolf demon leader fought Sesshoumaru, Ayame, Shippo, Kirara, Sango and Miroku, all trying to bring back his gentler and more caring side.
As Demon Inuyasha flew down towards Kagome, the miko stood there sadly, staring at red eyes and black bat wings that were once beautiful golden orbs and dependably strong arms. How she longed to see her Inuyasha once again.
Kouga intercepted the attack aimed at the miko and as the two demons' fist collided, both were thrown back. Kouga easily landed on his feet, skidding to a stop in the dry dirt of the open field while Inuyasha was able to sustain his aerial advantage.
"Has your backbone disappeared along with your looks, Inu-koro!?" Kouga taunted.
Growling, Demon Inuyasha's pride primitively changed his focus towards the wolf demon. "If I remember correctly, last time we fought you lost and had to be saved by that lowly human girl!"
Kagome flinched at the harshness of his tone and shrank back a little. It was only then that she noticed Ginta and Hakkaku cowering behind her. One was latched on to each leg and when Kagome blinked curiously at them, they smiled and waved slowly.
"Oi, Inu-koro! If you had half the brains that you seem to have brawn, you'd know now to talk that way about Kagome around me! Come down here and fight me one on one!" Kouga shouted.
"Demons such as myself don't waist their time with washouts and rejects like you." Inuyasha countered.
"And real demons wouldn't turn their back on their enemy." Sesshoumaru came from Inuyasha's side and slashed with his claws across Inuyasha's face, sufficiently shutting up the boastful dog-demon.
Inuyasha spit out blood from his mouth and angrily wiped away the remains. Before he could counter though, Sesshoumaru brought out his yellow whip and began lashing Inuyasha repeatedly. The demon blocked lash after lash, his arms being covered in blood, and only after several hits was he able to grab a hold of it and smirk. "That trick only lasts so long."
"Hiraikotsu!" Sango threw her boomerang causing Inuyasha to have to let go of Sesshoumaru and move to avoid the attack.
"Don't think I'm threw with you yet!" Kouga came and punched Inuyasha in the stomach, making him double over.
Stunned long enough, Kouga moved back and watched as Sango's youkai-bone boomerang came back, slamming into Inuyasha from the side.
Inuyasha barely recovered when Ayame came twirling towards him with a powerful roundhouse. Seeing it coming, Inuyasha caught her leg by the ankle and spun in mid-air throwing her back towards the ground.
"Ayame!" Kouga rushed forward and caught the demon girl before she met the merciless dirt face to face.
Ayame blushed in his embrace, but the world leader turned to his clan mates still hunched in hiding behind Kagome and shouted, "Would you good-for-nothings get in there and do something for a change!?"
Both brothers smiled nervously, but stayed glued to the miko's ankles.
Putting Ayame carefully down, Kouga joined into the fray sprung between Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha. Now both demons fought the one-time hanyou from two directions. When Inuyasha's attention turned to one of them, the other attacked.
It was painful for Kagome to watch. Usually in these battles, she always feared for Inuyasha's safety but now, she only prayed his body would give out and he would faint. It was odd, now that she thought about it, that although Inuyasha's speed was increased because of his wings, the cost of such a metamorphosis cost him the top of his haori, which was said to be stronger than any armor. Already, his exposed chest showed signs of scratches and scrapes from Sesshoumaru's claws and bruises from Kouga's punches and kicks.
Kagome's keen sight showed the Shikon no Tama's magnificent regenerative properties kicking in by the pulsating light and the gashes on Inuyasha's body began to close themselves.
Looking up, Kagome nodded to Sango aboard Kirara and Shippo who was seated behind her. If they were going to do this, now would be their only chance. The taijiya in turned looked to the monk who was on the ground next to Ayame.
Pulling out her bow and arrow, Kagome aimed at Inuyasha and when both Sesshoumaru and Kouga saw the sign, they pulled back from the dog-demon and gave her a clear shot.
Seeing the familiar weapon pointed at him, Demon Inuyasha smirked. "You can't do it. You don't have the guts."
Staying poised, Kagome replied, "I only do this for your own good, Inuyasha." She released the arrow and before Inuyasha's shock could even register, the arrow struck deep in his chest, although the miko had made sure not to strike his heart dead on.
The purity arrow had marvelous effects, sending the demon into excruciating pain as the defiled jewel was cleansed. He cried out loud and clutched the bleeding wound, glaring at the girl below. "You bitch, I'll make you pay for that!" Unable to pull the sacred weapon from his body, Inuyasha rushed down towards the miko once more, not noticing that this time there was no opposition.
Kouga stayed where he was, but prayed Kagome's planned worked.
Sesshoumaru simply watched from his standpoint, wondering if everything this human girl was going through was really worth it.
At the last possible minute, when Demon Inuyasha was practically on top of Kagome, Miroku threw a few of his holy ward papers and they landed square on Inuyasha's back.
Lightning danced across his body as the paper sealed his movement and froze him in place, at least temporarily.
"Shippo!" Sango called out, the fox demon immediately transforming himself into a long chain with a hook at the end. The taijiya quickly grabbed a hold of it and threw it at the struggling demon. It flew around him and pinned his arms to his sides. Miroku came and picked up the dropped sword just as it was released from its owner's hands and it transformed back into its original form.
"You think you can hold me!!?" Inuyasha growled, his eyes glowing brighter.
Shippo's little face could be seen in the hook and he struggled to sustain his hold on the demon. It all depended on him.
"Now!" Kagome shouted.
Behind Inuyasha, Kagura and Kanna materialized, Kanna walking up with her mirror already activated. There was a mighty gust of wind and as Inuyasha gave a shout out to the heavens, part of his soul was sucked into the mirror. Everyone watched amazed as his hair turned from white to black, his eyes go from red to brown, and his ears fangs and claws all retracted until Human Inuyasha collapsed to his knees.
Breathing heavily with his head down, nobody knew what to expect. But Kagome was the first to drop to her knees before her friend and look into his face. "Inu…yasha?"
Slowly his head came up and he forced a smile on a sweat-covered face. "Kagome."
Smiling with pure joy, Kagome threw her arms around his restrained form and cried into his shoulder. "I'm so glad you're okay!"
He snuggled back the best he could. "And it's all thanks to you."
Shippo transformed back into his regular form, but fell to the ground with swirling eyes. Ayame came and picked up and tiny demon. "I think he pushed himself too hard."
It was only then that Inuyasha noticed everyone around him. "Minna…?"
Kagome looked down at the ground unsurely. "Inuyasha, we were able to seal your youkai blood temporarily with the use of Kanna-san's mirror, but…" She paused. "We have to purify to Shikon no Tama in order for it to release you completely." She explained.
Inuyasha looked to the beautiful miko before him and raised her chin so she met him eye to eye. "I know and I trust you. Together we'll be able to get through this."
Nodding, Kagome smiled but her heart continued to beat nervously. He doesn't know what he's truly going to face yet…
Placing her hand on his chest, she stared at the spot where she could see the jewel pulsating weakly. "Minna, I'm not sure what will happen, so you'll all have to bare with me. But thank you for everything. Even if this doesn't work, at least I know we tried our best."
"We'll be here when you get back, Kagome-chan." Sango said, Miroku behind her reflecting her smile as well.
Inuyasha placed his hand gently on top of hers and smiled. "We'll be back soon."
With that, Kagome closed her eyes and concentrated on the jewel. Suddenly there was a bright light and everyone had to shield their eyes. When it died down, both Human Inuyasha and Kagome collapsed to the ground.
"Kagome-sama!" Miroku rushed to her side.
"Kagome!" Kouga did the same and both men carefully laid Inuyasha and Kagome next to each other. Although they only appeared to be asleep, they all knew better. They were battling a force that none of them could ever imagine. But they all hoped and prayed that in a little while, both would opens their eyes and everything would go back to normal.
* * *
When Inuyasha opened his eyes, he struggled to see anything in the surrounding blackness that seemed to go on forever. Usually seeing in the dark was no problem, but now with his human eyes, he was blind.
Suddenly, next to him Kagome appeared as well. He turned to her curiously as she pointed ahead. A door materialized, but Inuyasha still wasn't sure what it meant.
"Inside you're going to have to face your worst fears. Only once you concur them will I be able to purify the jewel. With it still having a hold of your heart, the only way to free yourself of it is to overcome your regrets and insecurities." She explained.
"What's in there?" He asked her.
"I can't tell you that, but…" She took a hold of his hand. "I won't let you face it alone. I'm here for you."
He smiled and squeezed her hand back. "You always are." Turning back towards the door Inuyasha took a deep breath and walked towards it. I wonder what I'll face inside. My worst fears… He reached for the handle and slowly turned it, stepping through the small threshold.
There was another bright flash, and he had to shield his eyes once more, but this time when he opened them, he felt different. Around him, he immediately recognized the surroundings as his home village. But it was destroyed around the same time his mother died and that meant…
Looking down at his hands, Inuyasha gasped when he saw five tiny digits wiggling where full-grown hands should've been.
"Ha ha! Look at the half breed!"
Gasping, Inuyasha's head shot up and he saw the village children teasing him just like they had been. "Half breed…" Even his voice was that of a child's.
"Inuyasha…"
The little hanyou turned around and saw Kagome standing behind him. She still held onto his hand and nodded. This was what he would have to face.
"Go away!" They shouted.
"We don't want you here! Go live with the other youkai!" When the children began throwing rocks, Inuyasha's insecurities got the better of him and he hid behind Kagome's legs.
"I bet he even has fleas!"
"I wonder if he even has a soul."
"I bet he doesn't! Demons come from hell, so that means he's like the walking dead!"
Inuyasha flinched at their harsh words and sniffed as it brought back old memories. He had to face this everyday. Sometimes he would stay indoors all day just to avoid seeing these kids. They never understood. Suddenly they started throwing rocks and Inuyasha closed his eyes against the memories.
"Inuyasha, remember where your strength lies." Kagome's soothing voice spoke to him. She had to shield her eyes and face from the rocks, which began hitting her too, but even wincing at the pain from the bruises, she stood in front of him and protected his little form.
My strength…?
FLASH!
As the huge red demon came down upon Inuyasha with his club, he roared Inuyasha's name. "Inuyasha! That body of yours is also a hanyou! Do you not find it repulsing? You cannot but think about it!"
Attacking over and over again, Inuyasha shouted back, "You keep saying, hanyou this and hanyou that. Just shut up already!" As he landed a kick to the demon's face he said, "I am who I am! I'm strong either way!"
FLASH!
That's right! I did say that… Five-year old Inuyasha stepped bravely out from behind Kagome and glared at the children. "I don't care what you think of me! I can't change who I am and I don't want to! I like being a hanyou!"
Upon hearing his words, the children and his village disappeared into darkness again but in their place, Inuyasha and Kagome found themselves at his father's castle.
"So, father decided to mate with a human. Despicable." Inuyasha, now back to his normal age, spun around to face his older brother's scornful glare. "Filthy half-breed."
Inuyasha gritted his teeth and clenched his hands into fists. "Sesshoumaru." He ground. "Our father loved my mother and I may not be as strong as you, but I don't need to be. I'm strong enough being me and if you don't like it then fine. But hanyou or youkai, we are still brothers and Father loved us both. You can't run away from that, and you can't ignore it. So live with it."
Bowing his head, the dog demon smirked as his form shifted. It was shorter, but white hair still fell down his shoulders. When he lifted his head again, Inuyasha stared back at the demon version of himself. "You may not mind being a hanyou, but you mind being a weak human. You even admitted that yourself to me. Unable to protect yourself, you're as good as dead to all the other real demons out there."
BA-DUM
Inuyasha gasped as he felt his youryoku leave him. Suddenly, his white hair turned black and he reverted back into a human. "N-no!" Fear wrapped around him like a wet blanket, making him feel cold to the bone.
Kagome saw this and took a challenging step forward. "All of his friends know Inuyasha's strength and they don't care what form he takes! He's always been there for us and we'll always be there for him!" Demon Inuyasha got mad and began growling, but the miko kept going. "Everyone has their weak moments, but its how you get through them that defines who you are! You, a creature who knows nothing but power, rely on it to much and that makes you weaker than any mortal human!" She insulted him.
"Silence!!" Demon Inuyasha rushed forward, but with Human Inuyasha's reflexes not up to what they usually were, he was unable to stop the youkai from getting to Kagome.
"K-Kagome!" Inuyasha shouted as the demon ran his claws through Kagome's stomach and out her back. She neither cried out nor made any sound whatsoever.
Shock was written all across her face, but the only thing Human Inuyasha could see were the faint, see-through tears that ran down her face. When Demon Inuyasha pulled his arm back, saturated with Kagome's blood, Human Inuyasha took a fearful step backward.
Demon Inuyasha smirked triumphantly and lifted his hand in victory. "I am never weak and humans should learn when to keep their mouths shut." He said.
Kagome…
Kagome fell slowly to the ground, a pool of blood surrounding her unmoving body.
Kagome…
FLASH!
"Inuyasha…do you have something you want to protect?"
"Protect?"
"Something you never want to go away?"
I do…
"Then let's never say goodbye. Promise?"
I promised…
FLASH!
"When everything's back to normal, will you…will you hold me like this again?"
"Whatever you want."
FLASH!
Kagome…
Human Inuyasha didn't even notice the tears on his own face as he glared defiantly at his other self. "You bastard!" He lunged forward with a punch, but the youkai confidently caught it and held it firm.
"Without me, you have nothing. You are as weak as the five year old everyone picked on. Get rid of me, and you will never taste true power again." The youkai leaned in and licked his lips. "Getting rid of every last human would be so much more fun than protecting one pathetic girl, don't you think?"
"NOO!!" Human Inuyasha, his right hand still stuck in his youkai form's fist, ran his left hand forward and drove it deep into Demon Inuyasha's chest. He found the Shikon no Tama, and as the youkai's mouth fell open in shock, he stated, "I am stronger being myself than giving up to you. So go away!" He pulled the jewel free from the demon, who immediately let go of Inuyasha's other hand and fell to the ground next to Kagome.
The Shikon no Tama glowed a bright pink and covered the entire room.
* * *
Inuyasha winced as he opened his eyes and the setting sun's rays fell upon his face. He moaned as he tried to sit up and suddenly realized he was back in the field.
"Inuyasha!" Shippo came running to the hanyou's side.
Yes hanyou, it appeared that Inuyasha had reverted back to his hanyou form just before waking up. Blinking curiously, Inuyasha brought up his left hand and was amazed to see the Shikon no Tama was gone.
"Kagome!" Kouga's voice alerted him.
"Kagome-chan!" Sango's hectic voice made him spin around.
There lay Kagome, just as he remembered her but asleep. He twisted towards her and lifted her head into his lap. "Kagome. It's over. Wake up." No response.
"Kagome-sama!" Miroku shouted.
Kouga suddenly got mad and glared at Inuyasha. "What did you do to her, Inu-koro!"
"It wasn't me!" The hanyou shouted in protest. "She tried to protect me from…" What would you call it? My other self? Me? Another demon? He shook his head, skipping the rest of the explanation and gently shook the miko, trying to stir her from her sleep. "Kagome, please wake up."
When she refused to open her eyes, Inuyasha himself began to get frantic and pulled her close, his body shaking in fear. "No, no, I won't believe it! You have to come back! You're stronger than I ever was, so you can pull through this!" His emotions caught everyone off guard. "I still have my promise to keep to you! So, please don't leave me!"
A quiet moan came from her lips and Kagome spoke with eyes still closed. "I'll never leave you."
Everyone gasped and shouted the miko's name, excluding Inuyasha. He remained frozen, his eyes wide with shock. "You…" He said slowly. Finally catching himself being so openly emotional in front of so many people, he scoffed. "You damn right you better be because if you didn't I'd have to go to the other world, wasting all that time and trouble just for you, and drag your sorry ass back here for being so stupid."
Keeping her eyes closed, Kagome spoke again. "Inuyasha…when I open my eyes, will it really be you?"
Inuyasha had to stop short and looked at her worriedly. Then he smiled and nodded. "I'm right here waiting for you." His voice going back to being so gentle, just like she remembered.
Finally getting the courage to look upon her Inuyasha, her real Inuyasha for the first time, Kagome's eyes watered up and she hide her crying face in his strong chest. "Oh, Inuyasha! Don't ever do that to me again!"
He hugged her back and apologized a million times in his head. "Kagome…you saved me and I can't thank you enough."
"But you can thank the rest of us!" Ayame shouted. "You nearly threw me into the ground and for what!?"
"You gave your brother a good workout too." Miroku mentioned, bringing the hanyou's attention to his older brother, standing a little ways away from everyone.
The dog demon was looking towards his castle, but he spoke to his brother behind him. "That mark on your forehead is proof that you've passed the trial. Father, even from the other world, recognizes your strength." Inuyasha never knew his brother to speak so many words in one sentence. Turning to meet his gaze, Sesshoumaru motioned to Inuyasha's forehead. "And now so do I."
Inuyasha turned and looked at himself in Kanna's mirror, which was still next to him, being held by the demon child herself, and saw a moon-shaped mark, just like Sesshoumaru's on his forehead, except his was red. It was the family crest, so to speak. And now everywhere Inuyasha went, youkai and human alike would recognize Inuyasha as the son of the great dog demon from long ago.
"Well, I'm tired, let's go home." Sango petted little Kirara in her arms and turned around, Miroku right behind her.
Everyone agreed and left the couple to decide what to do next. Everything seemed back to normal and it was all for the better.
Inuyasha looked back down at Kagome and smiled. She smiled back and fingered the new marking. "I think it's cute." He laughed. Then she raised her hand to his ears and gave them a little rub. "But these are still the cutest."
"Kagome…" He whined, but on the inside, he was loving it.
When she was finished he got to his feet and carried her in front of him bridal style. "I'm okay, I can walk now." She said.
Smirking mischievously, he replied. "I know, but I don't want to let you go yet."
"Mou, Inuyasha. Put me down."
"No, and don't ask again, cause I ain't gonna." Kagome crossed her arms, but after a few moments smiled and let him have his way.
Now that Inuyasha's back, everything's perfect…
Author's Notes: Well that's the longest chapter I've ever written, but I still have lots planned, the story's not done, so keep checking for more updates! Oh yeah, I made three new music videos:
Where Are You
Glory of Love
If I'm Not the One You Want (regarding Kouga and Inuyasha for Kagome)
Always available at nighttime on Kazaa unless someone else knows where I can upload them to. Thank you minn!
