Inuyasha
Coming of Age
((Author Note: Thanks for the reviews from everyone at fanfiction.net,
enjoy the next chapter and the major "bad guys" will soon appear to get things going a bit more. More characters from the original series to appear
and more twist to Kisho. That's all I'm telling for now.))
Chapter 3
"Lord Sessho-maru!" Jaken yelled as he came wandering out from the forest. He held his staff close to his body as he frantically looked around for his lord. He blinked some as he looked from left to right not seeing anything at first until he caught sight of Rin over by the cliffs edge.
"Rin! Where is Lord Sessho-maru?"
Rin looked up after she finished making a small fire. She had grown quiet a lot in the years, yet she still stayed with Sessho-maru and Jaken. Her black hair remained partly tied up in a loose tie while the rest of her hair laid gently against her shoulders. She wore a fine woven tunic, probably something Sessho-maru picked up when he went on his outings.
"Hmm? Oh, he went to go stand on the cliff's ledge. He said he isn't to be bothered. Jaken better leave him alone," she commented as she threw another piece of wood on the fire.
"This news is all but important. Lord Sessho-maru will understand for the minor interruption."
Sessho-maru was standing firmly at the cliffs' ledge. His hair and cloths blew gently back in the light wind as his cold eyes stared out over the lands. Jaken walked slowly up to him trying to be quiet as possible. Sessho- maru didn't even bother to turn around to look at the frighten Jaken, "For your sake Jaken, this better be important. I am most displeased when I am interrupted."
"Er...yes my lord, my greatest apologies! There's rumor of Inuyasha-"
"What of him?"
"Not him, there's rumors of his offspring reappearing. Rumors of him have been spreading."
"Him? He had a son?"
"If the rumors are true, then yes."
"You bring me rumors...Jaken?"
"Uh...er...my lord this information may be true my sources haven't proven to be wrong-yet"
Jaken caught the side glance of Sessho-maru and shivered with fear of the dog demons cold piercing eyes, "I'm sorry my lord!"
Jaken dropped to his knees and bowed to him multiple times while muttering a variety of apologies. Sessho-maru only walked swiftly passed him, moving down the small slope, "I will see for myself. Come Jaken." He continued to move down the slope to where Rin was seated in front of the fire warming her hands.
"Rin, stay here. We'll be back soon."
Rin nodded her head as she smiled up to him, "Ok. I won't move from this spot my lord!"
Sessho-maru didn't acknowledge her reply, besides a small stare before moving on with Jaken frantically trying to keep him.
'So Inuyasha had a son. Naraku has managed to keep himself hidden from most of us, keeping my brother hidden from all of our reach. I wonder if his offspring is strong enough to pick up what Inuyasha left. If not his own youkai blood will consume him. Father was strong and no mortal blood will be able to tame it. I shall test this new blood.' Sessho-maru thought to himself as he walked into the darkness of the woods.
"Hurray up Kisho, we're almost there!" Shippo yelled out as he jumped over fallen trees leaping and bonding where ever he went. Kisho was doing his best in keeping up, but he wasn't use to jumping so much and he slipped a lot on the logs. By the time he caught up with Shippo he was even more bruised and cut up then any of the minor fights he had recently fought.
"Shippo can we please take a break? I'm tired."
"Already? Well I guess we can take a small one. Man, you really suck at this," Shippo said as he grumbled to himself.
"Excuse me for not keeping up on my tree jumping."
Shippo snorted lightly, "Alright enough arguing. I get the point that you're not use to this yet. You're still a rookie after all."
"Keh, rookie? I'm just tired from the fight. Once a get some rest in you better watch your tail."
"Oh yeah?"
Kisho nodded with a sly grin. Shippo rolled his eyes as he sat down on one of the logs. Kisho smiled to himself as he rested happily on the log. Even though the land he was in was dark and dying he could somewhat relaxed almost at peace there. Kisho noticed the sudden change in expression on Shippos face. He seemed to be struggling with a thought. His eyes watered and his mouth quivered.
"Hey, I didn't mean to hurt your fe-"
"No, it isn't that," Shippo said quickly, "I was just thinking about the old days is all."
"Do you want to talk about it?"
"I prefer not..."
Kisho nodded his head lightly as he turned away. He wanted to talk about it since Shippo knew his parents, but he didn't want to bother the young fox even further. The young fox demon seemed to be the same age as him, but Kisho guessed that Shippo was probably older. Kisho himself looked younger then his age suggested. Over the past 16 years Kisho always thought his development was off, but it must be the youkai blood in him. He'd never guessed that was the problem back then.
"Can I ask you a question?" Shippo said, interrupting his thoughts.
Kisho glanced to him lightly, "Sure, ask away."
"What was life like back in your time? Was life hard?"
Kisho frowned lightly to the question. It was an odd question to be asking out of the blue, but Kisho guessed Shippo had his reasons for asking it, "I suppose it was a bit hard, but any life is tough no matter what time you live in. I lived as a normal kid could be. Maybe a little bit of the odd talents of mine slipping up from time to time, but life goes on right? I didn't have many friends; people at school were scared of me. I wasn't good at schoolwork either, my mind always drifted elsewhere. I mostly skipped school when I can. I faked a lot of illnesses to get out. The school believed me since for some reason they said illnesses runs in the family."
Shippo laughed at his last comment. Kisho just sat there watching him laugh since he didn't get it one bit. He lifted an eyebrow as Shippo kept laughing while Kisho remained with the dumbfounded look across his face.
Shippo finally stopped and he wiped his eyes of the tears coming down from laughing so hard, "...Sorry, thanks for telling me that. I need a good laugh. Things here gets a little to serious," Shippo got up but he didn't get far before Kisho grabbed him by the shoulder.
"Listen I told you about me, tell me something about my parents. I don't remember much of them. I can only see their faint shadows in my mind."
Shippo paused for a moment. Kisho watched Shippo as he seemed to be thinking of something to say, but there was nothing but silence. Kisho was getting angry by now and he gripped Shippo a bit harder, "Tell me!"
Shippo pulled away from Kisho and looked down at him, "Listen Kisho. I could tell you everything I know, but you should learn for yourself. In my eyes your mother was a kind-hearted women, though she had the courage to face anything in her way. She had purifying powers that could vanquish most demons. Your father was a bit rough around the edges, but once you got to know him and understand him more you knew he had a good heart. This is how I view them. Remember, no matter what anyone says about them you are the closes to them just follow your instincts and the truth will follow. Now, we're almost to the village. They manage to keep a barrier up so there's nice green grass there and some fresh water."
Shippo began moving on again as Kisho sat there taking in Shippos words. He placed his hand over his Chest where his heart was thinking about what Shippo had said.
"I'm close to them?" Somehow he felt comforted by these words. He never believed himself to be close with them since he never been there right beside them, but perhaps in spirit he has always been at their side.
"Kisho are you coming?"
Kisho snapped his head up, looking to Shippo, "Yea I'm coming."
He jogged up to catch up to Shippo and the two boys made their way down the hillside. The barrier around the village was a visible a thin green line that separated the dying land with the healthy, as they approached Kisho stopped before coming any closer. Shippo looked back at him, "What?"
"It isn't going to zap the hell out of me is it?"
"Well...yea that's why we have to wait for the miko to let as through. She'll be here soon."
Kisho narrowed his eyes at Shippo, "Were you going to let me walk into it?"
"Hehe, well..."
Kisho growled and balled his first to pummel him into the ground but before he got the chance a group of humans were approaching them from the other side of the barrier. Shippo waved to the group of people as he leaped and bounded with joy, "Hey...everyone I'm back!"
Kisho stood quietly behind Shippo as he spoke with the people of the village. Kisho noticed that most of them seemed to be older. One was an old woman, in a bent over position. She leaned her old body against a crooked cane. Over one of her eyes she wore an eye patch. Her long gray hair was tied back neatly. She greeted Shippo, but then leaned over to the side some to get a better view of Kisho, "Who might this be my young lad?"
"It's him," Shippo said under his breath so she could only hear him.
"So the time has come at last. My he is a bit banged up not to mention the boy is almost half-naked. Come you two, we shall fill your bellies and clothe your naked friend better." She began to move off down the beaten paths of the village.
Shippo chuckled lightly, but he only received a sharp jab in his side by Kisho's elbow. Shippo followed through the barrier with ease and Kisho quickly ran through right behind him. The grass felt welcoming against his bare feet and the air smelled sweet inside the barrier. Kisho noticed people were staring at him as he walked by and he looked down at his cloths. He was covered up with the cloths still, but they were just torn up a bit in some spots. Kisho wasn't paying attention at first and ended up running into Shippo who had stopped walking, "Hey, would you pay attention!"
"Sorry, I was just wondering why everyone is staring at me."
"Maybe because you're practically naked," Shippo muttered.
The old women hobbled up the steps of the old building, "They have been waiting for your return, Kisho"
"Eh?" Kisho narrowed his eyes at Shippo, but he glanced back to the old women's comment.
She didn't reply and she continued to walk inside the old hut until she disappeared in the darkness. Shippo nudged Kisho lightly, "Go on, she wants to show you some things."
Kisho leaped up the few stairs and he moved past the broken door. The hut was old and with each step the building cried out with a creak. Kisho ventured into the darkness looking for the old women. His eyes took a moment to adjust to the small amount of light. He sniffed around the hut some as he walked, in a way he felt like he had been there before.
"Any of this familiar?" She said as she sudden tapped him on the back.
"Ah! For crying out loud you old hag! You scared the hell out me."
"I see you have your fathers mouth," She hobbled on past him to a small bed to the corner.
Kisho followed after her, "What is all this about? Who are you?"
"I am Kaede."
"Ok, you answer one of my questions how about answering my other one."
She pointed to the bed with some cloths resting on it, "I suggest you get change. No one likes anyone in rags."
Kisho growled slightly as he walked past her. He mumbled to himself the entire time as he got undressed. He slipped off his torn up cloths he brought with him. First he wrapped a green wrapping around his chest and stomach for support while he pulled on blue pants. The top half of the kamono type shirt was a deep red and it seemed to first him just right, "How do I look?"
Kaede looked at him as she sat down on the bed slowly, "Like your father, but with a different touch of style."
"Really?" Kisho said a bit happy with the comment.
"Your fathers hair was white, yours is black though I can see it's slowly changing to white. What's on your face?"
Kisho lifted his hand lightly and resting it against his cheek to feel a rough line. It was a red marking of some kind and it felt like a scar almost, "Oh...I think it's from the snake poison a got on my eyes. Must have effected the skin right there."
"Come sit down and let me have a good look at you."
"Uh...why?"
"Are you scared?"
Kisho snorted, "Feh, yeah right. Look away."
Kisho said down next to her with his arms out. She studied his hands some before she grabbed his face firmly in her hand and made him open his mouth, "Ah, fangs are coming in."
"What are youll twying to dew?" As he tried to say with her fingers still in his mouth.
"I was concern about you when you were born. I helped deliver you and there isn't much known about the offspring's of hanyous. Your blood is completely off balance so it's hard to say what effects it has."
Kisho didn't say anything after that and she patted his head lightly as she stood up, "I will send someone here to deliver your food. You should rest. You seem to be injured from the fights. A good rest will speed up the healing."
Kisho nodded his head, he did feel a bit tired, "Thank you."
She nodded lightly as she shuffled her way out slowly.
Kisho remained sitting on the bedside wondering about what she said. What if something was wrong with him? There weren't many like him so no one would know what to do. Kisho felt scared and helpless as he sat there in the darkness of the building.
Meanwhile, Kaede had made her way slowly to another hut that was her own. Waiting inside was Shippo who had already lit a fire for her.
"Ah a fire to warm these old bones. I'm surprise you found him Shippo."
"It was more like he found me. Did you find anything out?"
She slowly got down on the floor, setting her cane down to the side of her, "I'm afraid not. He shows signs of being part youkai yet you say he doesn't have the smell."
"No..I mean for a moment he smelled sort of like Inuyasha. His scent switched a lot when he was fighting."
"I fear that his youkai blood is out of control. It could be tearing at his human soul while his human self is tearing on the youkai half. I was afraid of this and I was going to ask Inuyasha to seal his blood like his own father did for him, but..."
"I know," Shippo said as he placed a comforting arm on her shoulder. "It wasn't your fault. What matters is now we can make things right, we can help Kisho fine them. They are still alive, I know it."
She patted his hand lightly, "Thank you Shippo, but keep a close watch on him. We don't know the extent of his powers nor do we know what will happen as he grows older..."
Darkness fell fast among the dark lands. Kisho had fallen asleep way before the sun had set behind the mountains. He was curled up in the bed provided for him under the thin covers. He wasn't use to sleeping on such a bed, but he was so worn out he didn't care. No dreams or visions came to him that night, just the darkness and silence in his mind.
Kisho had slept a long time without being disturbed. Everyone in the village had settled down for the night and silence filled the air. As Kisho slept his ears picked up an interesting sound in the distance. The sound was faint so a normal human wouldn't be able to hear it. It was the sound of many demons fleeing in fear of something more powerful than they were. Kisho sat up in bed rubbing his eyes some as he listened a bit more. He realized the sounds were slowly becoming louder, which meant what ever was scaring the minor demons were headed right towards the village.
Kisho slipped out from his bed and creeped slowly out of the hut. He had taken note of where the sounds were made in the boards and he easily avoided making any creaking sounds. Kisho wanted to investigate this on his own this time. He leaped down to the soft soil and made a quick dash for the forest that rustled with sound.
The barrier was easy to slip out of and Kisho guessed that the shied probably repealed more then try and keep someone in. He leaped over the logs and fallen debris and a few small demons went flying past him, "Guess I'm getting close."
Kisho was moving quicker then he had been earlier that day. The short rest he had taken had done wonders for him as his energy level had been complete restored. His wounds were also healed except for the red marking on his right cheek.
Kisho perched himself on a log as he heard the quick footsteps of someone running through the grass. He crouched down on the log some as he waited for the creature to show its face. He expected a large creature to show up since so many other demons were fleeing the area. Kisho readied his hands in case he needed him and who ever was in the grass was finally appearing in full view.
Rolling out of the tall grasses came Jaken holding his staff still. He saw Kisho on the log staring at him, "What are you gawking at!"
Kisho laughed some, "Haha, I expected some huge demon instead a green speak rolls out."
"Bite your tongue boy!" Jaken stamped his staff against the ground and the old man on his staff blew a flame of fire at Kisho, turning everything around it into ash, "Ha, some talk for a weakling."
"Weakling?" Kisho said as he stood behind Jaken.
"How did-"Jaken was cut off when Kisho snatched his staff right out of his hand, "Hey! What do you think you are doing?"
Kisho looked it over some closely, "Pretty strange thing," Kisho sniffed it lightly, "Yuck! I'll pass on this."
He tossed it into the brushes while Jaken went running after it, "Stupid boy, you'll pay."
Kisho struggled as he turned back to the village, "Sure. I'll see you later now."
"Going so soon?"
Kisho stopped frozen in his tracks. This voice was from a different person this time. It had a chilling feeling to it, one filled with no emotion. Kisho turned around slowly to be face to face with a tall man with long white hair. His keen eyes stared at Kisho not moving an inch from his body. Kisho could tell by the scent of this demon it was a dog demon, his smell was a bit different from his, but had some familiar things about it. Perhaps this demon was some sort of relative. Kisho noticed that this man had two swords sitting soundly in his belt, which made Kisho felt uneasy since he had no weapons at all to defend himself. The little green Jaken waved his staff around at Kisho as he stood in front of the tall white man, "Ah, my Lord Sessho-maru has come and now he will show you a thing or two."
Kisho raised an eyebrow some and he noticed the one called Sessho-maru looked at Jaken in silence. Jaken immediately backed down and as he apologized bowing and moving backwards.
Sessho-maru watched as Jaken backed away before he looked to Kisho, "So the rumors are true. You have returned to this land. Why may I ask? Do you seek some sort of justice or do you seek revenge?"
"Whoa, wait a moment. Listen I'm just here looking for my parents. I can give less then a dame about everything else. I don't even know what's going on half the time. So if you're looking for something from me then you've come to the wrong place."
Sessho-maru was silent for a moment as he just started at Kisho, "Interesting creature you are."
Sessho-maru's hand moved to the hilt of one of his swords and he slowly drew it out, "I wonder what one as yourself is capable of."
Kisho took a step back from Sessho-maru. Kisho didn't know how to sense youkai powers, but Sessho-maru was so strong he didn't need to know how, he just knew Sessho-maru had incredible power from the start, "What do you mean?"
"You are a worst then a hanyou and yet you poses power. I want to see if you are worthy to wield the power you have."
Kisho wasn't so sure of this now, but he guessed it was too late to turn back now. Sessho-maru raised the blade Kaijin-bo had forged for him and a surge of its energy ripped through the air towards Kisho. The blade used pressurized air as an attack, making the winds sharp and incredible hard to dodge. Kisho couldn't even move one step to dodge the attack and took the full blow of it.
All Kisho could do was raise his arms in front of his face and body and block as much as he could that way. He was easily blown back by the attack and just barely remained upright. The winds continued to blow passed him tearing his cloths and skin apart, "Ahh!"
Kisho finally lost his footing and hit the ground with a loud thump. He rolled a few feet across the ground until he hit a dying tree that finally stopped him. Kisho didn't have much time to react as Sessho-maru was already right over him swing the blade down towards his body. Out of pure instinct Kisho used his hands to spring forward just missing the blade.
Sessho-maru didn't waste anytime again and was already countering with a direct attack. He concentrated the power of the sword at Kisho in a brilliant blue light. Of course Kisho wasn't near fast enough to dodge it and was hit again by the devastating blow to his shoulder. It nearly tore his whole arm off, but luckily it didn't amazingly. His shoulder was dislocated and it hung lifelessly at his side.
Kisho laid flat against the ground, torn, broken, and bleeding all over from his wounds. Sessho-maru slowly walked over this time, "As I thought. I weakly as you shouldn't posses any power."
Sessho-maru raised the blade above Kisho and thrusted down upon the injured boy, but something happened to Sessho-maru's that caught him by surprise. The blade had stopped in mid air. Sessho-maru looked down at the boy a realized that he was the one that had stopped the blade. The claw hand held the blade as a stream of blood ran down from the gash the sword was making into Kishos hand. Sessho-maru wanted to end this matter now and he had the blade release another pressurized attack. The power of the blade created a creator under Kisho and Sessho-maru as the two were locked in a power struggle. At first the blade was pushing Kisho pretty far into the ground, but in a sudden burst of energy Kisho swing his other claw and knocked Sessho-maru's blade right from his hands. The sword twirled in the air until it came back down and struck the dirt with the hilt sticking up in the air.
Sessho-maru was surprised, but he didn't show it and he stared at Kisho wondering how he pulled it off, it was only then did Sessho-maru understand.
Kisho had lost control of himself and his youkai blood had taken over just as it had done to Inuyasha except this time Kisho had nothing to switch him back from it. His blood was never sealed and he had no restraints on him. The change was obvious; Kisho's hair was now a pure white that was also sticking out wildly. His claws had grown to take the place of his human's hands. On his face was the red markings again, one on each cheek and another that was on his chin. His fangs were much longer now and he snarled and growled as he stood there staring at Sessho-maru. His injuries were getting severe but in his transformed state it wasn't enough to stop him.
Jaken watched from a safe distance, "Oh my. He's just like Inuyasha in his transformed state. No control. Lord Sessho-maru will take care of him."
Sessho-maru didn't care if Kisho changed and he leaped to attack him with his poison claw. He raised his hand to attack, but Kisho was quicker now and he dodged the attack and swung his left claw cross ways while his right claw quickly moved from behind to swipe side ways. Sessho-maru was quick to avoid these attacks, but to his surprise one of his claws had actrually manage to tear a bit of clothing.
"Interesting, you are able to retain some stratergy."
"More then that," Kisho growled, "I can recognize everything still. I havn't lost my entire self."
Sessho-maru had noticed that as well, but there was something else that he had taken note of. With this transformation it had caused Kisho's own scent to begin to disappear and the messangers from the underworld seemed to be watching Kisho closely. Sessho-maru narrowed his eyes some in seeing these devilish creatures.
"I see now. This transformation of yours is fighting to come out and the human part of you is fighting back. The parts are you are destroying each other. Pitiful, yet you still manage to fight while being half dead."
"Just isn't my style to leave things unfinished," Kisho hissed some under his breath.
Kisho leaped for Sessho-maru with bow blows raised, "Claws of Justice."
His claws glowed in an odd energy, but the attack Kisho was using was meant for someone of a pure heart and focused soul. At the time Kisho was neither and the power of his attack was distorted and the power behind it was weakened. Sessho-maru leaped backwards to avoid the attack and he slid across the ground as he planted his foot deep into the firm soil. Sessho- maru took his other sword out from his side, "This fight is over."
"No!" Kisho yelled as he leaped to attack Sessho-maru again before he could attempt any sort of attack on him. Sessho-maru had predicted the boys' movements and knew he would attack in an unprepared manner. He swung the sword straight down the middle of Kisho. The light was so bright it caused Kisho to shield his eyes as he went tumbling against his back.
Jaken covered his mouth, "How in the world did Tenseiga harm that boy?"
Sessho-maru set his sword back in its place at his side while he walk over to his other sword to retrieve it. He soon walked over to Jaken, "We're leaving now. Leave the boy I have seen what I needed to see."
"My Lord..."
Sessho-maru didn't say anything else as he walked on, leaving Kisho in the dirt unconscious. Kisho was no longer in his demon form. The light from Tenseiga had reverted him back by reviving his human half of his soul. Even though Kisho had his human soul again it was only a matter of time before his youkai half consumed him completely. Kisho remained lying against the dirt as an unsuspecting visitor moved closer to its unconscious prey.
Coming of Age
((Author Note: Thanks for the reviews from everyone at fanfiction.net,
enjoy the next chapter and the major "bad guys" will soon appear to get things going a bit more. More characters from the original series to appear
and more twist to Kisho. That's all I'm telling for now.))
Chapter 3
"Lord Sessho-maru!" Jaken yelled as he came wandering out from the forest. He held his staff close to his body as he frantically looked around for his lord. He blinked some as he looked from left to right not seeing anything at first until he caught sight of Rin over by the cliffs edge.
"Rin! Where is Lord Sessho-maru?"
Rin looked up after she finished making a small fire. She had grown quiet a lot in the years, yet she still stayed with Sessho-maru and Jaken. Her black hair remained partly tied up in a loose tie while the rest of her hair laid gently against her shoulders. She wore a fine woven tunic, probably something Sessho-maru picked up when he went on his outings.
"Hmm? Oh, he went to go stand on the cliff's ledge. He said he isn't to be bothered. Jaken better leave him alone," she commented as she threw another piece of wood on the fire.
"This news is all but important. Lord Sessho-maru will understand for the minor interruption."
Sessho-maru was standing firmly at the cliffs' ledge. His hair and cloths blew gently back in the light wind as his cold eyes stared out over the lands. Jaken walked slowly up to him trying to be quiet as possible. Sessho- maru didn't even bother to turn around to look at the frighten Jaken, "For your sake Jaken, this better be important. I am most displeased when I am interrupted."
"Er...yes my lord, my greatest apologies! There's rumor of Inuyasha-"
"What of him?"
"Not him, there's rumors of his offspring reappearing. Rumors of him have been spreading."
"Him? He had a son?"
"If the rumors are true, then yes."
"You bring me rumors...Jaken?"
"Uh...er...my lord this information may be true my sources haven't proven to be wrong-yet"
Jaken caught the side glance of Sessho-maru and shivered with fear of the dog demons cold piercing eyes, "I'm sorry my lord!"
Jaken dropped to his knees and bowed to him multiple times while muttering a variety of apologies. Sessho-maru only walked swiftly passed him, moving down the small slope, "I will see for myself. Come Jaken." He continued to move down the slope to where Rin was seated in front of the fire warming her hands.
"Rin, stay here. We'll be back soon."
Rin nodded her head as she smiled up to him, "Ok. I won't move from this spot my lord!"
Sessho-maru didn't acknowledge her reply, besides a small stare before moving on with Jaken frantically trying to keep him.
'So Inuyasha had a son. Naraku has managed to keep himself hidden from most of us, keeping my brother hidden from all of our reach. I wonder if his offspring is strong enough to pick up what Inuyasha left. If not his own youkai blood will consume him. Father was strong and no mortal blood will be able to tame it. I shall test this new blood.' Sessho-maru thought to himself as he walked into the darkness of the woods.
"Hurray up Kisho, we're almost there!" Shippo yelled out as he jumped over fallen trees leaping and bonding where ever he went. Kisho was doing his best in keeping up, but he wasn't use to jumping so much and he slipped a lot on the logs. By the time he caught up with Shippo he was even more bruised and cut up then any of the minor fights he had recently fought.
"Shippo can we please take a break? I'm tired."
"Already? Well I guess we can take a small one. Man, you really suck at this," Shippo said as he grumbled to himself.
"Excuse me for not keeping up on my tree jumping."
Shippo snorted lightly, "Alright enough arguing. I get the point that you're not use to this yet. You're still a rookie after all."
"Keh, rookie? I'm just tired from the fight. Once a get some rest in you better watch your tail."
"Oh yeah?"
Kisho nodded with a sly grin. Shippo rolled his eyes as he sat down on one of the logs. Kisho smiled to himself as he rested happily on the log. Even though the land he was in was dark and dying he could somewhat relaxed almost at peace there. Kisho noticed the sudden change in expression on Shippos face. He seemed to be struggling with a thought. His eyes watered and his mouth quivered.
"Hey, I didn't mean to hurt your fe-"
"No, it isn't that," Shippo said quickly, "I was just thinking about the old days is all."
"Do you want to talk about it?"
"I prefer not..."
Kisho nodded his head lightly as he turned away. He wanted to talk about it since Shippo knew his parents, but he didn't want to bother the young fox even further. The young fox demon seemed to be the same age as him, but Kisho guessed that Shippo was probably older. Kisho himself looked younger then his age suggested. Over the past 16 years Kisho always thought his development was off, but it must be the youkai blood in him. He'd never guessed that was the problem back then.
"Can I ask you a question?" Shippo said, interrupting his thoughts.
Kisho glanced to him lightly, "Sure, ask away."
"What was life like back in your time? Was life hard?"
Kisho frowned lightly to the question. It was an odd question to be asking out of the blue, but Kisho guessed Shippo had his reasons for asking it, "I suppose it was a bit hard, but any life is tough no matter what time you live in. I lived as a normal kid could be. Maybe a little bit of the odd talents of mine slipping up from time to time, but life goes on right? I didn't have many friends; people at school were scared of me. I wasn't good at schoolwork either, my mind always drifted elsewhere. I mostly skipped school when I can. I faked a lot of illnesses to get out. The school believed me since for some reason they said illnesses runs in the family."
Shippo laughed at his last comment. Kisho just sat there watching him laugh since he didn't get it one bit. He lifted an eyebrow as Shippo kept laughing while Kisho remained with the dumbfounded look across his face.
Shippo finally stopped and he wiped his eyes of the tears coming down from laughing so hard, "...Sorry, thanks for telling me that. I need a good laugh. Things here gets a little to serious," Shippo got up but he didn't get far before Kisho grabbed him by the shoulder.
"Listen I told you about me, tell me something about my parents. I don't remember much of them. I can only see their faint shadows in my mind."
Shippo paused for a moment. Kisho watched Shippo as he seemed to be thinking of something to say, but there was nothing but silence. Kisho was getting angry by now and he gripped Shippo a bit harder, "Tell me!"
Shippo pulled away from Kisho and looked down at him, "Listen Kisho. I could tell you everything I know, but you should learn for yourself. In my eyes your mother was a kind-hearted women, though she had the courage to face anything in her way. She had purifying powers that could vanquish most demons. Your father was a bit rough around the edges, but once you got to know him and understand him more you knew he had a good heart. This is how I view them. Remember, no matter what anyone says about them you are the closes to them just follow your instincts and the truth will follow. Now, we're almost to the village. They manage to keep a barrier up so there's nice green grass there and some fresh water."
Shippo began moving on again as Kisho sat there taking in Shippos words. He placed his hand over his Chest where his heart was thinking about what Shippo had said.
"I'm close to them?" Somehow he felt comforted by these words. He never believed himself to be close with them since he never been there right beside them, but perhaps in spirit he has always been at their side.
"Kisho are you coming?"
Kisho snapped his head up, looking to Shippo, "Yea I'm coming."
He jogged up to catch up to Shippo and the two boys made their way down the hillside. The barrier around the village was a visible a thin green line that separated the dying land with the healthy, as they approached Kisho stopped before coming any closer. Shippo looked back at him, "What?"
"It isn't going to zap the hell out of me is it?"
"Well...yea that's why we have to wait for the miko to let as through. She'll be here soon."
Kisho narrowed his eyes at Shippo, "Were you going to let me walk into it?"
"Hehe, well..."
Kisho growled and balled his first to pummel him into the ground but before he got the chance a group of humans were approaching them from the other side of the barrier. Shippo waved to the group of people as he leaped and bounded with joy, "Hey...everyone I'm back!"
Kisho stood quietly behind Shippo as he spoke with the people of the village. Kisho noticed that most of them seemed to be older. One was an old woman, in a bent over position. She leaned her old body against a crooked cane. Over one of her eyes she wore an eye patch. Her long gray hair was tied back neatly. She greeted Shippo, but then leaned over to the side some to get a better view of Kisho, "Who might this be my young lad?"
"It's him," Shippo said under his breath so she could only hear him.
"So the time has come at last. My he is a bit banged up not to mention the boy is almost half-naked. Come you two, we shall fill your bellies and clothe your naked friend better." She began to move off down the beaten paths of the village.
Shippo chuckled lightly, but he only received a sharp jab in his side by Kisho's elbow. Shippo followed through the barrier with ease and Kisho quickly ran through right behind him. The grass felt welcoming against his bare feet and the air smelled sweet inside the barrier. Kisho noticed people were staring at him as he walked by and he looked down at his cloths. He was covered up with the cloths still, but they were just torn up a bit in some spots. Kisho wasn't paying attention at first and ended up running into Shippo who had stopped walking, "Hey, would you pay attention!"
"Sorry, I was just wondering why everyone is staring at me."
"Maybe because you're practically naked," Shippo muttered.
The old women hobbled up the steps of the old building, "They have been waiting for your return, Kisho"
"Eh?" Kisho narrowed his eyes at Shippo, but he glanced back to the old women's comment.
She didn't reply and she continued to walk inside the old hut until she disappeared in the darkness. Shippo nudged Kisho lightly, "Go on, she wants to show you some things."
Kisho leaped up the few stairs and he moved past the broken door. The hut was old and with each step the building cried out with a creak. Kisho ventured into the darkness looking for the old women. His eyes took a moment to adjust to the small amount of light. He sniffed around the hut some as he walked, in a way he felt like he had been there before.
"Any of this familiar?" She said as she sudden tapped him on the back.
"Ah! For crying out loud you old hag! You scared the hell out me."
"I see you have your fathers mouth," She hobbled on past him to a small bed to the corner.
Kisho followed after her, "What is all this about? Who are you?"
"I am Kaede."
"Ok, you answer one of my questions how about answering my other one."
She pointed to the bed with some cloths resting on it, "I suggest you get change. No one likes anyone in rags."
Kisho growled slightly as he walked past her. He mumbled to himself the entire time as he got undressed. He slipped off his torn up cloths he brought with him. First he wrapped a green wrapping around his chest and stomach for support while he pulled on blue pants. The top half of the kamono type shirt was a deep red and it seemed to first him just right, "How do I look?"
Kaede looked at him as she sat down on the bed slowly, "Like your father, but with a different touch of style."
"Really?" Kisho said a bit happy with the comment.
"Your fathers hair was white, yours is black though I can see it's slowly changing to white. What's on your face?"
Kisho lifted his hand lightly and resting it against his cheek to feel a rough line. It was a red marking of some kind and it felt like a scar almost, "Oh...I think it's from the snake poison a got on my eyes. Must have effected the skin right there."
"Come sit down and let me have a good look at you."
"Uh...why?"
"Are you scared?"
Kisho snorted, "Feh, yeah right. Look away."
Kisho said down next to her with his arms out. She studied his hands some before she grabbed his face firmly in her hand and made him open his mouth, "Ah, fangs are coming in."
"What are youll twying to dew?" As he tried to say with her fingers still in his mouth.
"I was concern about you when you were born. I helped deliver you and there isn't much known about the offspring's of hanyous. Your blood is completely off balance so it's hard to say what effects it has."
Kisho didn't say anything after that and she patted his head lightly as she stood up, "I will send someone here to deliver your food. You should rest. You seem to be injured from the fights. A good rest will speed up the healing."
Kisho nodded his head, he did feel a bit tired, "Thank you."
She nodded lightly as she shuffled her way out slowly.
Kisho remained sitting on the bedside wondering about what she said. What if something was wrong with him? There weren't many like him so no one would know what to do. Kisho felt scared and helpless as he sat there in the darkness of the building.
Meanwhile, Kaede had made her way slowly to another hut that was her own. Waiting inside was Shippo who had already lit a fire for her.
"Ah a fire to warm these old bones. I'm surprise you found him Shippo."
"It was more like he found me. Did you find anything out?"
She slowly got down on the floor, setting her cane down to the side of her, "I'm afraid not. He shows signs of being part youkai yet you say he doesn't have the smell."
"No..I mean for a moment he smelled sort of like Inuyasha. His scent switched a lot when he was fighting."
"I fear that his youkai blood is out of control. It could be tearing at his human soul while his human self is tearing on the youkai half. I was afraid of this and I was going to ask Inuyasha to seal his blood like his own father did for him, but..."
"I know," Shippo said as he placed a comforting arm on her shoulder. "It wasn't your fault. What matters is now we can make things right, we can help Kisho fine them. They are still alive, I know it."
She patted his hand lightly, "Thank you Shippo, but keep a close watch on him. We don't know the extent of his powers nor do we know what will happen as he grows older..."
Darkness fell fast among the dark lands. Kisho had fallen asleep way before the sun had set behind the mountains. He was curled up in the bed provided for him under the thin covers. He wasn't use to sleeping on such a bed, but he was so worn out he didn't care. No dreams or visions came to him that night, just the darkness and silence in his mind.
Kisho had slept a long time without being disturbed. Everyone in the village had settled down for the night and silence filled the air. As Kisho slept his ears picked up an interesting sound in the distance. The sound was faint so a normal human wouldn't be able to hear it. It was the sound of many demons fleeing in fear of something more powerful than they were. Kisho sat up in bed rubbing his eyes some as he listened a bit more. He realized the sounds were slowly becoming louder, which meant what ever was scaring the minor demons were headed right towards the village.
Kisho slipped out from his bed and creeped slowly out of the hut. He had taken note of where the sounds were made in the boards and he easily avoided making any creaking sounds. Kisho wanted to investigate this on his own this time. He leaped down to the soft soil and made a quick dash for the forest that rustled with sound.
The barrier was easy to slip out of and Kisho guessed that the shied probably repealed more then try and keep someone in. He leaped over the logs and fallen debris and a few small demons went flying past him, "Guess I'm getting close."
Kisho was moving quicker then he had been earlier that day. The short rest he had taken had done wonders for him as his energy level had been complete restored. His wounds were also healed except for the red marking on his right cheek.
Kisho perched himself on a log as he heard the quick footsteps of someone running through the grass. He crouched down on the log some as he waited for the creature to show its face. He expected a large creature to show up since so many other demons were fleeing the area. Kisho readied his hands in case he needed him and who ever was in the grass was finally appearing in full view.
Rolling out of the tall grasses came Jaken holding his staff still. He saw Kisho on the log staring at him, "What are you gawking at!"
Kisho laughed some, "Haha, I expected some huge demon instead a green speak rolls out."
"Bite your tongue boy!" Jaken stamped his staff against the ground and the old man on his staff blew a flame of fire at Kisho, turning everything around it into ash, "Ha, some talk for a weakling."
"Weakling?" Kisho said as he stood behind Jaken.
"How did-"Jaken was cut off when Kisho snatched his staff right out of his hand, "Hey! What do you think you are doing?"
Kisho looked it over some closely, "Pretty strange thing," Kisho sniffed it lightly, "Yuck! I'll pass on this."
He tossed it into the brushes while Jaken went running after it, "Stupid boy, you'll pay."
Kisho struggled as he turned back to the village, "Sure. I'll see you later now."
"Going so soon?"
Kisho stopped frozen in his tracks. This voice was from a different person this time. It had a chilling feeling to it, one filled with no emotion. Kisho turned around slowly to be face to face with a tall man with long white hair. His keen eyes stared at Kisho not moving an inch from his body. Kisho could tell by the scent of this demon it was a dog demon, his smell was a bit different from his, but had some familiar things about it. Perhaps this demon was some sort of relative. Kisho noticed that this man had two swords sitting soundly in his belt, which made Kisho felt uneasy since he had no weapons at all to defend himself. The little green Jaken waved his staff around at Kisho as he stood in front of the tall white man, "Ah, my Lord Sessho-maru has come and now he will show you a thing or two."
Kisho raised an eyebrow some and he noticed the one called Sessho-maru looked at Jaken in silence. Jaken immediately backed down and as he apologized bowing and moving backwards.
Sessho-maru watched as Jaken backed away before he looked to Kisho, "So the rumors are true. You have returned to this land. Why may I ask? Do you seek some sort of justice or do you seek revenge?"
"Whoa, wait a moment. Listen I'm just here looking for my parents. I can give less then a dame about everything else. I don't even know what's going on half the time. So if you're looking for something from me then you've come to the wrong place."
Sessho-maru was silent for a moment as he just started at Kisho, "Interesting creature you are."
Sessho-maru's hand moved to the hilt of one of his swords and he slowly drew it out, "I wonder what one as yourself is capable of."
Kisho took a step back from Sessho-maru. Kisho didn't know how to sense youkai powers, but Sessho-maru was so strong he didn't need to know how, he just knew Sessho-maru had incredible power from the start, "What do you mean?"
"You are a worst then a hanyou and yet you poses power. I want to see if you are worthy to wield the power you have."
Kisho wasn't so sure of this now, but he guessed it was too late to turn back now. Sessho-maru raised the blade Kaijin-bo had forged for him and a surge of its energy ripped through the air towards Kisho. The blade used pressurized air as an attack, making the winds sharp and incredible hard to dodge. Kisho couldn't even move one step to dodge the attack and took the full blow of it.
All Kisho could do was raise his arms in front of his face and body and block as much as he could that way. He was easily blown back by the attack and just barely remained upright. The winds continued to blow passed him tearing his cloths and skin apart, "Ahh!"
Kisho finally lost his footing and hit the ground with a loud thump. He rolled a few feet across the ground until he hit a dying tree that finally stopped him. Kisho didn't have much time to react as Sessho-maru was already right over him swing the blade down towards his body. Out of pure instinct Kisho used his hands to spring forward just missing the blade.
Sessho-maru didn't waste anytime again and was already countering with a direct attack. He concentrated the power of the sword at Kisho in a brilliant blue light. Of course Kisho wasn't near fast enough to dodge it and was hit again by the devastating blow to his shoulder. It nearly tore his whole arm off, but luckily it didn't amazingly. His shoulder was dislocated and it hung lifelessly at his side.
Kisho laid flat against the ground, torn, broken, and bleeding all over from his wounds. Sessho-maru slowly walked over this time, "As I thought. I weakly as you shouldn't posses any power."
Sessho-maru raised the blade above Kisho and thrusted down upon the injured boy, but something happened to Sessho-maru's that caught him by surprise. The blade had stopped in mid air. Sessho-maru looked down at the boy a realized that he was the one that had stopped the blade. The claw hand held the blade as a stream of blood ran down from the gash the sword was making into Kishos hand. Sessho-maru wanted to end this matter now and he had the blade release another pressurized attack. The power of the blade created a creator under Kisho and Sessho-maru as the two were locked in a power struggle. At first the blade was pushing Kisho pretty far into the ground, but in a sudden burst of energy Kisho swing his other claw and knocked Sessho-maru's blade right from his hands. The sword twirled in the air until it came back down and struck the dirt with the hilt sticking up in the air.
Sessho-maru was surprised, but he didn't show it and he stared at Kisho wondering how he pulled it off, it was only then did Sessho-maru understand.
Kisho had lost control of himself and his youkai blood had taken over just as it had done to Inuyasha except this time Kisho had nothing to switch him back from it. His blood was never sealed and he had no restraints on him. The change was obvious; Kisho's hair was now a pure white that was also sticking out wildly. His claws had grown to take the place of his human's hands. On his face was the red markings again, one on each cheek and another that was on his chin. His fangs were much longer now and he snarled and growled as he stood there staring at Sessho-maru. His injuries were getting severe but in his transformed state it wasn't enough to stop him.
Jaken watched from a safe distance, "Oh my. He's just like Inuyasha in his transformed state. No control. Lord Sessho-maru will take care of him."
Sessho-maru didn't care if Kisho changed and he leaped to attack him with his poison claw. He raised his hand to attack, but Kisho was quicker now and he dodged the attack and swung his left claw cross ways while his right claw quickly moved from behind to swipe side ways. Sessho-maru was quick to avoid these attacks, but to his surprise one of his claws had actrually manage to tear a bit of clothing.
"Interesting, you are able to retain some stratergy."
"More then that," Kisho growled, "I can recognize everything still. I havn't lost my entire self."
Sessho-maru had noticed that as well, but there was something else that he had taken note of. With this transformation it had caused Kisho's own scent to begin to disappear and the messangers from the underworld seemed to be watching Kisho closely. Sessho-maru narrowed his eyes some in seeing these devilish creatures.
"I see now. This transformation of yours is fighting to come out and the human part of you is fighting back. The parts are you are destroying each other. Pitiful, yet you still manage to fight while being half dead."
"Just isn't my style to leave things unfinished," Kisho hissed some under his breath.
Kisho leaped for Sessho-maru with bow blows raised, "Claws of Justice."
His claws glowed in an odd energy, but the attack Kisho was using was meant for someone of a pure heart and focused soul. At the time Kisho was neither and the power of his attack was distorted and the power behind it was weakened. Sessho-maru leaped backwards to avoid the attack and he slid across the ground as he planted his foot deep into the firm soil. Sessho- maru took his other sword out from his side, "This fight is over."
"No!" Kisho yelled as he leaped to attack Sessho-maru again before he could attempt any sort of attack on him. Sessho-maru had predicted the boys' movements and knew he would attack in an unprepared manner. He swung the sword straight down the middle of Kisho. The light was so bright it caused Kisho to shield his eyes as he went tumbling against his back.
Jaken covered his mouth, "How in the world did Tenseiga harm that boy?"
Sessho-maru set his sword back in its place at his side while he walk over to his other sword to retrieve it. He soon walked over to Jaken, "We're leaving now. Leave the boy I have seen what I needed to see."
"My Lord..."
Sessho-maru didn't say anything else as he walked on, leaving Kisho in the dirt unconscious. Kisho was no longer in his demon form. The light from Tenseiga had reverted him back by reviving his human half of his soul. Even though Kisho had his human soul again it was only a matter of time before his youkai half consumed him completely. Kisho remained lying against the dirt as an unsuspecting visitor moved closer to its unconscious prey.