Inuyasha
Coming of Age
((Ah, this one took a bit for me to write. Sorry about that. There's more talking in this one and the dialogue took a bit to think out. Also this now has a website with character profiles and the chapters. Other stuff too, plus the pictures I draw for them. I'll have the website on my stat page in a bit. Also I'm going to start the Fruits Basket one pretty soon, so keep an eye on that. My original story is going to start as well at Fanpress and I believe I may do a neopets one. Don't worry, chapter 8 is going to still be worked on so I won't forget this story. Ha, like I could.))
Chapter 7
Ever since Kisho had returned from his talk with Kohaku he seemed very distant from everyone. Shippo had invited the twins to come back to the village with them. It didn't take much convincing, Shippo just had to promise a big meal for all of them. Kisho didn't object to the twins coming along which made everyone wonder if something was wrong with him. He only shrugged when Shippo asked if he had any problems about them coming. Kisho didn't speak a word to them on the way back to the village. He didn't even attempt to argue with Keiji whom was surprise by the Kisho's silence when he threw a few insults his way. Once they returned to the village Kisho went straight to his room shutting his door tightly behind him.
"What happened?" Tora asked as he stepped out from the gardens seeing the group return from their short journey though he distinctly remembered only two leaving and now there were four of them. His hair was arranged a bit messy on his delicate head as he stared at the remaining three. His face seemed much brighter then before and his cheeks were rosy from the chill in the air. His health seemed to be better as the pale color to his skin had faded away after the day of rest.
Shippo shrugged, "I don't know...he spoke to Kohaku and then he came back like this."
Tora glanced to Kisho's room, "I see. Give him his space for now."
"You're not worried!?"
Tora smiled gently to Shippo as he petted his orange hair gently, "He's young like you. Sometimes you just need time to yourself to think, right?" Shippo remained silent, "So, who's your friends here?"
Kyoko and Keiji had been standing behind Shippo silently. Shippo glanced over his shoulder to see if they were going to introduce themselves, but they remained silent as they stared back at him.
"These are the Kouga twins," Shippo finally spoke up since no one else was.
Tora nodded to both whom in return did the same, "Well lets all come inside. There's a storm moving through here. I have some food ready."
"Good I'm starving," Keiji said as he brushed aside Shippo. Kyoko only followed her brother along silently past the two. Tora folded his arms inside his robe as he looked down to Shippo who was still looking off in the direction towards Kisho's room. "You really are worried."
Shippo glanced to Tora lightly and he let a deep sigh escape his lips as he slowly walked up to Tora, "...I don't think he'll listen to me, so can you speak to him? I really think he needs a talking to. Just letting him have time isn't enough-"
Tora raised his hand up gently in front of Shippo, "Alright, alright, I'll talk to him. Go and eat, don't worry so much though. Its not good for you."
Shippo nodded and smiled to Tora gently, "Thanks, you're the best."
Tora tilted his head back to see Shippo's form just exiting the room, "Only if those words were true."
Tora moved off down to hall to where Kisho's room was. His room was one of the more isolated rooms in the average size hut, but he got a nice view outside into the gardens though Tora guessed Kisho really didn't care. Tora was cautious in approaching his room. He carefully leaned towards the door to see if he could pick up any sounds. Even though Tora lost most of his powers he still had a few sensitive senses. There wasn't much to hear. The gentle breathing sound of Kisho's breath was all Tora could pick up. He placed his hand gentle against the sliding door and slid it open enough for him to fit through. He managed to get his body through the small opening without making to much sounds. His body was a bit broader in shape so it took a bit more concentration to move with grace and silence across the wooden floor. Tora turned his head towards the lifeless Kisho lying against the cushions on the ground. At first Tora thought he was asleep, but Kisho's eyes were open and pointed in his direction.
"What are you doing in here?"
"Uh..."
Kisho sat up slowly, letting his mix color hair fall back behind his shoulders, "Let me guess, you want to talk to me to make me feel better? Well don't waste your breath, there's nothing you can say that can help."
"I...uh...hmm," Tora's words slipped out from his mouth slowly as he struggled for the right words to say, but nothing came to him. Tora silently sat down by Kisho as he looked outside. Rain was tumbling out from the darkened clouds high in the skies by now. The water cleansed the tainted lands that had been suffocated for so long under Naraku's darkness. Tora's clear eyes reflected the tiny raindrops that washed against the land. Each sparkling in his eyes as he smiled slowly to himself. Kisho raised en eyebrow to his odd behavior, "What are you smiling about?"
"I'm smiling to a thought."
"No kidding..."
"Kisho..." Tora said his name slowly to emphasize the importance to what he was going to say, "...have you ever wondered about the rain and the lands that it washes?"
Kisho shook his head lightly, "I can't say that I have."
"So many drops of water fall from the sky and impact the land with its might. Sometimes it even destroys. Flooding the lands and destroying what we have worked so hard to build, but..." Tora's intense gaze moved to Kisho, "Even though we may not want to uncover something from the deepest parts of our land. What we sometimes find makes it worth the struggle and its something we shouldn't fear. Because with time everything heals, no matter how deep the scar is left."
Kisho was silent as he stared at Tora. He couldn't believe what Tora was saying. He somehow knew what was bothering him and he was now giving him advise, but Kisho had his doubts. No matter how much time he was able to receive the rain that fell in his mind was washing too much away to fast. There was no time to Kisho, just pain. Before Kisho could reply or even say anything Tora had his hand rested against his head.
"Don't worry Kisho. We are all here for you. I understand that you need time alone now so I'll bring some food in here for you later," Tora smiled down to him, but his smile was different. It seemed to Kisho that it was one filled with pain and it struggled to remain on his face. He slowly withdrew his hand and he made his exit, leaving Kisho there wide-eyed. Water filled his eyes and threatened to spill over his cheeks, "Why..."
Tora was only at the sliding door when Kisho manage to speak up, "What?"
"Why...why do you want to help me? Is it just because my father was Inuyasha or my mother was Kagome? Is there something I don't know about again! Do I have some freakish powers you want to exploit! Why do you want to help me when I have done nothing but let people use me!?" Kisho yelled out as much as he could as he struggled against the tears that flooded his vision.
Tora was shocked at this sudden outburst, but he should have expected it. He didn't turn around to face Kisho as he let his face press against the door lightly, "I want to help you because of who you are. Not what you are or whom you came from. Your powers mean nothing to me Kisho. Perhaps the only thing I'm guilty for is that I see a bit of my own son in you and I feel like...I need to make up for the mistakes in my own past..."
Tora glanced back to Kisho with a compassionate expression before he slid the door open and stepped out leaving Kisho there to his thoughts and struggles.
Kisho raised his sleeve and wiped his eyes clean. As he lowered his sleeve some his eyes gazed outside to the rain, "Is there really something worth to remember in my buried memory?"
"So did you talk to the sulking mutt?" Keiji said as Tora entered to join them in their meal.
"You really don't like him," Tora said as he sat down on the cushion.
"Of course not! He's claiming he's the son of Kagome. That's just completely wrong."
"Well I suppose it could be wrong though I hardly doubt it. He resembles them both. Not to mention he's got purifying powers."
"Hey, shut up you stupid..."
Shippo hit Keiji on top of the head with one of the spoons, "Give it a rest Keiji."
"Now isn't the best of times to fight brother," Kyoko commented as she took a bite of her food.
Keiji smacked Shippos spoon away as he turned around to grumble to himself. Tora shook his head lightly as he filled his bowl up with rice, "None the less, Kohaku must have said something that triggered something in Kisho's mind. He must be remembering something from his past."
"How do you know?" Shippo questioned, "Did he tell you?"
"No, but I can sense his feelings. He seems distress, but after the talk I had with him he seems to be settling down more. How about you give him his food a bit later Shippo?"
"Um, sure I can do that if you want."
"Good, now what are we doing with the twins here?" Tora pointed to them both just as Keiji looked over his shoulder.
"What do you mean!" Keiji yelled at the top of his lungs.
Kyoko waved her hand at her brother as she set her bowl back down on the table, "I have a request."
Everyone blinked lightly at her as they all starred. She cleared her throat lightly and looked straight at Shippo, "May we join you on your quest?"
"What?!" Everyone yelled in unison.
"Why do we want to join them!?" Keiji yelled at his sister with his arms flailing about.
"Because, I want to see what happens. Kisho...he seems so interesting to me. I feel that they are walking a dangerous path and I want to help."
"But he's the enemy..."
"Maybe, but Naraku is a bigger enemy."
Keiji snorted to her in defeat as he sat there grumbling again.
"I think its fine," Shippo said with a grin, "The more help, the better. Plus we need a female touch in this group."
Tora rolled his eyes, "Yeah right..."
The group sat and talked quietly, well mostly Kyoko and Tora talked. Shippo was busy preparing some food for Kisho and Keiji was just leaning against the wall watching the rainfall quietly. Shippo picked up the tray as they still talked and he headed off to Kisho's room. To his surprise the door was no longer shut and it was partly cracked. Shippo maneuvered around the door to get inside and he glanced around the empty room, "Um...Kisho?"
"Yes?" Kisho said as he dropped down from the ceiling giving Shippo a near heart attack. Kisho folded his arms over his chest proudly as Shippo clutched his chest with his hair standing on end, "Don't ever do that!"
"You do that to be all the time. Had to do a little pay back," Kisho said with a faint grin.
"I suppose I deserve it...well I brought you some food."
"Ah, great. I'm starving," Kisho took the tray from Shippo and walked over the small table he had to eat. Shippo walked over with him and sat down watching him. What ever Tora said to Kisho seemed to have helped a great deal. He seemed to be in high spirits again though Shippo wondered if he really felt better or was he just covering his problems up with his happy outgoing self.
"How is it?"
"Oh, its good. Who cooked?"
"Tora did."
"Not bad for a tiger."
"Yeah, well I suppose you don't want any company."
"No you can stay if you want," Kisho said with a light-hearted grin.
Shippo looked back towards him and he could tell the time to himself was actually making Kisho feel better so perhaps it was best just to give him his space, "Nah its ok. I wouldn't want to leave Tora alone to long with the twins, right? I'll come back in a bit. How's that?"
"Aw, alright then. I suppose you have a good point there."
Kisho and Shippo both gave each other a little wave before Shippo left Kisho alone completely. He shut the sliding door as he exited. Kisho was eating his food happily. His spirits felt a bit lifted though a heavy burden on his mind was still there. Kisho was eating his bowl of rice when thunder and lighting began to echo in the skies. His head raised up from his bowl to look outside just as lighting streak across the sky, "Wow its really pouring. I better close the door."
Kisho set his chopsticks and his bowl down on the table gently before he walked over to the large doors on the porch to shut the breeze out. As his hands rested against the wooden frame as a flash of lighting struck rather close to the porch. Kisho's eyes were set on the electrifying light that illuminated the darken skies suddenly a young women appeared within the lightnings bright light. Her head had two fixed horns on her head while a mixture of long hairs flowed down her shoulders. Her cold eyes stared at him while he stared back. As the flash of light died back into the shadows she was gone.
Kisho was perplexed by the sudden appearance of this woman and he leaped out into the rain and lighting to the spot where he last saw her. She didn't seem to have appeared to far from the hut. She had been standing on one of the larger rocks a few feet away. In a giant leap Kisho landed on the rocks he thought he had saw the women on. He wiped his face of the water the clung to him and his body shook lightly from the cold since he had taken off the top part of his robe when he was eating. He didn't see anyone there and he sighed lightly, "Guess I was seeing things."
Kisho looked around one last time. As he did another bolt of lighting struck against the ground in a large roar. Kisho snapped his head up from the sound and as he did the women he had saw before appeared. She flew through the air with grace as her fist drew back in an attempt to hit him. As she came tumbling down towards him Kisho figured he could take the hit and he embraced himself to block the punch. Kisho's hand reached out to block the hit and as her fist came in contact he could not believe the power behind it. The attack's power was crushing the rocks under his feet. Kisho's hand felt like all the bones were being shattered and he had to transform to his more youkai self to have a bit more power in his hands, but even that wasn't enough. Kisho was thrown down against the shattering rocks until the entire structure collapsed on him.
The women landed just at the edge of the shattered rocks. She tossed her wet hair back as she looked at the pile of rubble, "I know you're still in there. Get up."
The pile of debris remained motionless until a few clumps of rock began to fall away from Kisho's form. He pulled himself up from the rocky mess. His entire body cut up from the sharp rocks. What was even more interesting was that he had his transformation knocked right out of him. He was his normal self again as he stood completely erected. His hand was pretty torn up from blocking her attack at it hung loosely at his side at an odd angle, but the bones cracked as his powers began to go to work in healing the injury.
"There you are. I guess you didn't expect that attack."
Even with his enhance healing powers, Kisho was still in a lot of pain and there were so many wounds that his body was having a hard time in keeping up with the healing, "No kidding...it felt like a freight train fell on me."
"Ah, sort of was like that. Let me introduce myself. I am Oushi, the ox guardian."
'Another guardian like Tora...' Kisho thought to himself.
"I've come to test your skills. Come now, lets get this going."
"I have a shattered hand though..."
"To bad!" She didn't waste anytime in getting him to fight. She lunged at him with her fist balled again. Kisho had no way of defending against her except his one good hand and his arms. He choice his arm instead to block her blow. The attack was the same as the last and there was an incredible force of power behind it. His arm was about to break just as his hand did, but this time he countered with a spinning kick. The kick managed to ward her off the intensity of her attack so it wasn't at 100 percent of its capable power. Since Oushi wasted no time Kisho didn't either. He quickly went on the offensive and used his good arm to swing at her along with a few good kicks mixed in. Since he was limited on his punches she managed to duck or side stepped them. His kicks managed to land home a few times, but they weren't doing much to her. She drew her elbow back and slammed it right into his face knocking him back against the mud and bushes. Kisho leaped off the ground into the air to meet his attacker. The two collided against each in the sky in a power struggle, but of course Oushi was the more powerful one and Kisho was thrown against the ground again.
"Give up?" she questioned as she cracked her knuckles.
Kisho spit some blood out from his mouth, "Never."
He got back up and the two engaged in a close range fight of punches and kicks. Both exchanged blows against each other, but it was Kisho who was taking more of the abuse. Kisho kept with her despite the pain. She punched him in the face, which left his chest unguarded taking the opportunity she kicked him hard there. He tumbled backwards on his feet as he scrambled to stay standing.
"Pathetic, you can hardly lift your head and keep your balance. I don't see why everyone is so afraid and worried about you. You have nothing to really be worried about."
Kisho clenched his chest as he listened to her painful words, "No...you're wrong..." He said weakly as he stumbled towards her and swung a sloppy swing.
She easily avoided his feeble attempts and as he stumbled past her she spun kicked him in the back, knocking him down to his knees, "You know I'm right. You just can't admit it."
Kisho laid there in the mud as Oushi raised her head down with her horns pointed towards him, "No matter though. It ends here."
She charged forward towards Kisho to gorge him with her sharp horns. Kisho lifted his injured arm up and covered his face from the impeding doom.
"Not so fast," A familiar voice said.
Kisho lowered his arm down to see Tora holding Oushi horns in his hands as he struggled against her from coming any closer to Kisho.
"Tora...but your powers-"Kisho began to say but Tora interrupted, "I'm not entirely weak now. Powers aren't everything. Sometimes you just need a little leverage."
Tora jammed his foot in from of Oushi and lifted up. She lost her footing, which gave Tora the edge he needed. He pushed up against her horns and knocked her completely backwards against her back. Oushi was quick to recover as she rolled backwards to get back up on her feet. Mud dripped off her cloths and hair as she snarled angrily at Tora, "You traitor!"
Tora shook the cold water from his blond hair as he stood in a fighting stance, "Say what you want, but I won't let you harm him."
"But-"Kisho began again but he was cut short when someone pulled him up by the shoulders.
"Hey we were wondering what happened to you," Shippo said as he smiled to Kisho lightly.
"Speak for yourself you stupid fox," Keiji said.
"We were worried about you Kisho, even Keiji. He has no one to let his steam off if you're not in the same room," Kyoko said as she stood behind Kisho with her brother.
"Your all here..." Kisho said slowly as he glanced around.
"But of course. We are here to help Kisho. We are your friends after all," Tora said with a cool smile.
Oushi looked at them all, "You are all fools, but with this chance I can take you all down at one time."
Keiji and Kyoko both stepped out with there weapons drawn, Shippo stood out in front of the two with his blue fox fire flames in his hand, "We like to see you try."
Keiji glanced back to Kisho, "Stay here you stupid mutt. We'll take care of everything..."
Kisho blinked blankly at Keiji. He couldn't believe what he was hearing.
Oushi trembled in anger in the intense rains that ran over her body. Lightening struck the ground all around them and the loud rumbling thunder echoed throughout the lands. Tora stood his ground as Oushi targeted him first, "You will be the first to go. You were once a great leader now you are nothing but a puny human."
"Really? Care to test that?"
"I will show you first hand!"
Oushi lunged at Tora with her fist drawn back like she did when fighting against Kisho. She attacked him violently in rage and swung her fist left and then right from side to side. Tora was quick on his feet, even in the thick mud. He managed to duck down and then side to avoid her swings. Oushi was quick to counter his dodges and spin kick into the air. Tora was equally as fast and he leaped into the air to avoid the kick.
Kisho was stunned how well Tora was able to defend himself, "I don't get it how..."
Tora landed behind Oushi and he swept kicked her legs out from under her, "Like I said. Powers isn't everything. I'm well trained in martial arts."
Oushi laid against the ground on her back. She groaned lightly from the pain that ran up her spine, "You damn Tiger...you think you have everything figured out, but I managed to keep a few surprises from you."
Tora looked down at her, "Hmm?"
Oushi sat up and suddenly twisted her body in a half turn. As her arms neared Tora a sword hidden on the side of her arm extended out towards his face. Tora was unaware of what she was doing until the last moment. He moved his face away from the cold metal blade as it sliced through the fragile raindrops. As the rain poured a splash of dark red was added to the mixture as the sword slice through Tora's cheek. He was unable to move away quick enough and received a heavy blow. The rain carried the blood to the ground as a few drops lingered around Tora's neck. Tora held his injury as he took a step back. Oushi was already swinging her other arm around to strike with the second hidden blade.
Kisho took a step to help, but Keiji firmly pushed him back, "Just wait."
The second blade moved to strike Tora again. She brought the blade to Tora's face when suddenly it was instantly repelled back by some invisible force.
"What the-!"
Shippo leaped out from behind Tora and threw his Fox Fire at her. She quickly backed off to avoid the flames as the fizzled out against the wet ground. Shippo looked at Tora's cheek, "Ouch she really got you. Good thing I put my Fire Shield around you."
Tora winced some as he slouched down a bit, "Yeah...well go finish what I started."
"Can do!" Shippo said with thumbs up.
"Are you sure of that you little fox?" Oushi said as she twirled the two blades out in front of her.
Shippo frowned, "Er...maybe not. I mean fire is weak in the rain right and you know-"
Keiji and Kyoko stepped forward, "We'll take care of this you wimpy fox," Keiji said as he drew out his sword.
Shippo quickly scurried off to Kisho, "Whew that was close. Almost had to fight."
Kisho couldn't help but laugh even in this grim of situation. As Kisho watched Keiji and Kyoko fend off Oushi with Tora who was now back on his feet, he couldn't help but crack a small smile. He truly had friends that cared about him and were willing to defend him.
"I've been such a fool..."
Shippo looked at Kisho, "What do you mean?"
"I've always thought I was alone here in this world. I've convinced myself that if I couldn't find my parents then I should be alone...I was meant to be, but I really was never alone," Kisho raised his head up to the raining skies, "I've always had support from family and friends and I always will."
Shippo stared at Kisho in the rain as he watched him stare at the sky. Kisho looked so calm and innocent in the rainfall. His youth shown clearly in the darkness as his hands were outstretched to catch the falling raindrops. Shippo smiled lightly as he turned back to the fight, "You're right. We'll always be there no matter what. I may have failed once, but I won't ever fail again."
Kisho nodded to Shippo's courage. The fox sometimes seem to have faults in his bravery, but deep down Shippo had a good heart. Kisho felt his hand begin to crack more as his powers were almost finished with healing his hand completely. His eyes closed as he felt his healing powers move through his blood work, his youkai powers.
'I want to fight without my powers. I want to prove I am capable of being strong without them. To show my true courage in battle.'
'Your powers can never leave you.'
'I don't want them to leave completely I want them to be in another form...'
'...If you are strong enough then allow your powers to be drawn from your wounds. Let the pain remain as your will to fight guide you to your bravery.'
Shippo was watching the three fight Oushi. Keiji swung his sword about while his sister shot arrows when she could. Tora the entire time had to be concern about avoiding Oushi and the Kouga twins attacks. He ducked his head just as Keiji's sword flew over his head shaving off a few hairs, "Jeez, would you watch where that thing goes?"
"Shut up and just move out of my way," Keiji barked back just as an arrow flew past his eyes, "And you! You better watch where those arrows go."
Kyoko didn't say anything besides give Keiji the finger. Tora rolled his eyes, "Excuse me can we focus a bit?"
"You started it!"
"Well I'm finishing it-"Tora was cut off just a bit short as Oushi slammed his side with her sword knocking him to the ground. Keiji was stunned as he watched Tora fall. She spun again to hit the distracted Keiji in the face with the hilt of her sword.
"And then there was one," Oushi said as she wiped the cold water from her lips. Kyoko drew back an arrow as she pointed it at Oushi, "Don't come any closer."
Oushi was already leaping into the air with her swords pointed straight down at Kyoko, "Die!"
Kyoko dropped her arrow as she stumbled backwards against the ground falling against her butt lightly. As she sat there and looked up to the terror that came tumbling out of the sky something blocked her view. She was so scared at first she didn't realize it was actually a person who stood in front of her. His raven black hair flowed down against his head as his hands reached up to stop the swords.
Kyoko stared wide eyed, "Kisho?"
Kisho grabbed the blades in both hands as Oushi thrusted them down at him. He held the blades back in his strong grip. Oushi looked down at Kisho's intense gaze as he casually pushed her back, forcing her to let go. She flipped backwards and landed gently against the ground, "Have you gone insane?"
Kisho held the blades a little longer in his hands above his head. As he did a trickle of blood began to ooze out from his hands where the blades sliced his fragile skin. He didn't seem fazed by the injury and he let the weapons fall to the ground near his feet. He held out his hands to Oushi, a pool of blood resting in them. The rain gently fell in his hands creating a light splash that caused a few drops of blood to fall out of his hands and against the ground lightly, "Look at them...they don't heal like they usual do. They are normal hands. Hands of a human, hands I longed to own."
"You have gone insane," Oushi said as she took another step backwards since Kisho began to move forward.
Everyone watched the two with an intense gaze. It was Keiji who finally questioned the odd behavior, "Did he shake something loose?"
Tora laid in the mud with his eyes closed but he suddenly opened one of his eyes, "No...he's gained control of his other self."
Kisho's eyes flashed a bright red as he moved closer to Oushi. Oushis own eyes were stricken with fear as she frantically tried to move away, "Stay away from me!"
"Human hands these are indeed, but they are not truly mine," Kisho looked down to his hands as the blood from them began to move to take a shape, "No...no matter how much I want to be human or youkai I am neither. I have no place where I belong, but I have to make my own place where scum like you who harm my friends doesn't exist."
Kisho raised his hands up like he was holding a sword. At first there was nothing there but the blood from his hands. The dark red substance slowly began to take form in his hands and extend up over his head. Oushi called her swords back to her with her powers and quickly lunged forward at Kisho, "I'll kill you before you even knew what hit you!"
Kisho stood his ground as Kyoko struggled to get up out of the mud, "Kisho move!"
Kisho remained where he was as Oushi swung her swords at him. At that a strike of lghitning struck against the ground illuminating the surrounding area. Oushi and Kisho's figures were nothing more then shadows in the intense light until they were engulfed completely.
Shippo and the others shielded their eyes for a moment losing sight of the intense fight, "Ah! What happened?" Shippo yelled, the light soon faded away leaving behind the darkness in its wake.
Standing firmly against the ground was Kisho and Oushi standing almost back- to-back against each other. Within Kisho's hands now was an elegant curved sword. The blade was thin and light while the swords handle was wrapped in smooth leather. The hilt end had a bright red orb firmly set in place. The color was as dark as blood itself and it swirled inside the red stone. Dangling from the end was a decorative string with a patch of dog fur attach to the end.
The two fighters stood motionless as only the rain hitting the silent ground echoed in everyone's ears.
"You...proven yourself well, Kisho. Don't forget that even in the brightest of lights the darkest corners can be found. The purist of hearts can lose there ways and sprout the seeds of darkness...don't ever forget," Oushi said as she dropped her swords and fell against the ground dead.
Kisho's eyes twitched lightly to what she said as his sword he held slowly began to fade back into his body as blood. Kisho had swung his sword so fast that it took a moment for the injury to set in. He himself didn't actually get hit for a change and he stood uninjured.
Shippo bounded over to Kisho, "Wow that was great."
Kisho shook his head lightly, "Its never great to kill anyone...even if they were evil," Kisho slipped past Shippo.
"Humph, if you say it like that."
"Tora?" Kisho said lightly as he set his hand on his friends shoulder, "I'm sorry...I knew she was part of your clan and all-"
"Don't be. You did what you had to do and she realized her mistake in the end. You are truly becoming an honorable man."
Kisho was silent as he sat there, "I don't know about that."
Kyoko was up again and went to her brother's side who was still lying in the mud, "Keiji?"
"I'm ok..."
She smiled lightly as she glanced over to Shippo who gave her the thumbs up.
Kisho was glad everyone was ok and even the rain was beginning to let up. He looked to the clearing skies above him with a faint smile.
'My transformations scare me sometimes, but to protect others I will use them for their sakes. Mother...Father whereever you are I hope I can hear your voices again. In my mind my memories of the extreme past are so vague. I can only see shadows that were once your faces and your voices are now but whispers in my ears, but I have a feeling that the days to come will reveal more to me. Maybe more then I can handle, but I will remain strong. I promise.'
Deep within the darkest reaches of the planet kept in a hidden prison where Naraku dwelled was where the fallen Inuyasha was kept. His eyes fluttered slightly open. With all the other times he opened his eyes he was still met by the darkness but this time he smiled lightly, "A promise...it is then."
((*~*Note*~* The voice Kisho it taking to about wanting his powers to leave him is his inner youkai self. Just so you know))
Coming of Age
((Ah, this one took a bit for me to write. Sorry about that. There's more talking in this one and the dialogue took a bit to think out. Also this now has a website with character profiles and the chapters. Other stuff too, plus the pictures I draw for them. I'll have the website on my stat page in a bit. Also I'm going to start the Fruits Basket one pretty soon, so keep an eye on that. My original story is going to start as well at Fanpress and I believe I may do a neopets one. Don't worry, chapter 8 is going to still be worked on so I won't forget this story. Ha, like I could.))
Chapter 7
Ever since Kisho had returned from his talk with Kohaku he seemed very distant from everyone. Shippo had invited the twins to come back to the village with them. It didn't take much convincing, Shippo just had to promise a big meal for all of them. Kisho didn't object to the twins coming along which made everyone wonder if something was wrong with him. He only shrugged when Shippo asked if he had any problems about them coming. Kisho didn't speak a word to them on the way back to the village. He didn't even attempt to argue with Keiji whom was surprise by the Kisho's silence when he threw a few insults his way. Once they returned to the village Kisho went straight to his room shutting his door tightly behind him.
"What happened?" Tora asked as he stepped out from the gardens seeing the group return from their short journey though he distinctly remembered only two leaving and now there were four of them. His hair was arranged a bit messy on his delicate head as he stared at the remaining three. His face seemed much brighter then before and his cheeks were rosy from the chill in the air. His health seemed to be better as the pale color to his skin had faded away after the day of rest.
Shippo shrugged, "I don't know...he spoke to Kohaku and then he came back like this."
Tora glanced to Kisho's room, "I see. Give him his space for now."
"You're not worried!?"
Tora smiled gently to Shippo as he petted his orange hair gently, "He's young like you. Sometimes you just need time to yourself to think, right?" Shippo remained silent, "So, who's your friends here?"
Kyoko and Keiji had been standing behind Shippo silently. Shippo glanced over his shoulder to see if they were going to introduce themselves, but they remained silent as they stared back at him.
"These are the Kouga twins," Shippo finally spoke up since no one else was.
Tora nodded to both whom in return did the same, "Well lets all come inside. There's a storm moving through here. I have some food ready."
"Good I'm starving," Keiji said as he brushed aside Shippo. Kyoko only followed her brother along silently past the two. Tora folded his arms inside his robe as he looked down to Shippo who was still looking off in the direction towards Kisho's room. "You really are worried."
Shippo glanced to Tora lightly and he let a deep sigh escape his lips as he slowly walked up to Tora, "...I don't think he'll listen to me, so can you speak to him? I really think he needs a talking to. Just letting him have time isn't enough-"
Tora raised his hand up gently in front of Shippo, "Alright, alright, I'll talk to him. Go and eat, don't worry so much though. Its not good for you."
Shippo nodded and smiled to Tora gently, "Thanks, you're the best."
Tora tilted his head back to see Shippo's form just exiting the room, "Only if those words were true."
Tora moved off down to hall to where Kisho's room was. His room was one of the more isolated rooms in the average size hut, but he got a nice view outside into the gardens though Tora guessed Kisho really didn't care. Tora was cautious in approaching his room. He carefully leaned towards the door to see if he could pick up any sounds. Even though Tora lost most of his powers he still had a few sensitive senses. There wasn't much to hear. The gentle breathing sound of Kisho's breath was all Tora could pick up. He placed his hand gentle against the sliding door and slid it open enough for him to fit through. He managed to get his body through the small opening without making to much sounds. His body was a bit broader in shape so it took a bit more concentration to move with grace and silence across the wooden floor. Tora turned his head towards the lifeless Kisho lying against the cushions on the ground. At first Tora thought he was asleep, but Kisho's eyes were open and pointed in his direction.
"What are you doing in here?"
"Uh..."
Kisho sat up slowly, letting his mix color hair fall back behind his shoulders, "Let me guess, you want to talk to me to make me feel better? Well don't waste your breath, there's nothing you can say that can help."
"I...uh...hmm," Tora's words slipped out from his mouth slowly as he struggled for the right words to say, but nothing came to him. Tora silently sat down by Kisho as he looked outside. Rain was tumbling out from the darkened clouds high in the skies by now. The water cleansed the tainted lands that had been suffocated for so long under Naraku's darkness. Tora's clear eyes reflected the tiny raindrops that washed against the land. Each sparkling in his eyes as he smiled slowly to himself. Kisho raised en eyebrow to his odd behavior, "What are you smiling about?"
"I'm smiling to a thought."
"No kidding..."
"Kisho..." Tora said his name slowly to emphasize the importance to what he was going to say, "...have you ever wondered about the rain and the lands that it washes?"
Kisho shook his head lightly, "I can't say that I have."
"So many drops of water fall from the sky and impact the land with its might. Sometimes it even destroys. Flooding the lands and destroying what we have worked so hard to build, but..." Tora's intense gaze moved to Kisho, "Even though we may not want to uncover something from the deepest parts of our land. What we sometimes find makes it worth the struggle and its something we shouldn't fear. Because with time everything heals, no matter how deep the scar is left."
Kisho was silent as he stared at Tora. He couldn't believe what Tora was saying. He somehow knew what was bothering him and he was now giving him advise, but Kisho had his doubts. No matter how much time he was able to receive the rain that fell in his mind was washing too much away to fast. There was no time to Kisho, just pain. Before Kisho could reply or even say anything Tora had his hand rested against his head.
"Don't worry Kisho. We are all here for you. I understand that you need time alone now so I'll bring some food in here for you later," Tora smiled down to him, but his smile was different. It seemed to Kisho that it was one filled with pain and it struggled to remain on his face. He slowly withdrew his hand and he made his exit, leaving Kisho there wide-eyed. Water filled his eyes and threatened to spill over his cheeks, "Why..."
Tora was only at the sliding door when Kisho manage to speak up, "What?"
"Why...why do you want to help me? Is it just because my father was Inuyasha or my mother was Kagome? Is there something I don't know about again! Do I have some freakish powers you want to exploit! Why do you want to help me when I have done nothing but let people use me!?" Kisho yelled out as much as he could as he struggled against the tears that flooded his vision.
Tora was shocked at this sudden outburst, but he should have expected it. He didn't turn around to face Kisho as he let his face press against the door lightly, "I want to help you because of who you are. Not what you are or whom you came from. Your powers mean nothing to me Kisho. Perhaps the only thing I'm guilty for is that I see a bit of my own son in you and I feel like...I need to make up for the mistakes in my own past..."
Tora glanced back to Kisho with a compassionate expression before he slid the door open and stepped out leaving Kisho there to his thoughts and struggles.
Kisho raised his sleeve and wiped his eyes clean. As he lowered his sleeve some his eyes gazed outside to the rain, "Is there really something worth to remember in my buried memory?"
"So did you talk to the sulking mutt?" Keiji said as Tora entered to join them in their meal.
"You really don't like him," Tora said as he sat down on the cushion.
"Of course not! He's claiming he's the son of Kagome. That's just completely wrong."
"Well I suppose it could be wrong though I hardly doubt it. He resembles them both. Not to mention he's got purifying powers."
"Hey, shut up you stupid..."
Shippo hit Keiji on top of the head with one of the spoons, "Give it a rest Keiji."
"Now isn't the best of times to fight brother," Kyoko commented as she took a bite of her food.
Keiji smacked Shippos spoon away as he turned around to grumble to himself. Tora shook his head lightly as he filled his bowl up with rice, "None the less, Kohaku must have said something that triggered something in Kisho's mind. He must be remembering something from his past."
"How do you know?" Shippo questioned, "Did he tell you?"
"No, but I can sense his feelings. He seems distress, but after the talk I had with him he seems to be settling down more. How about you give him his food a bit later Shippo?"
"Um, sure I can do that if you want."
"Good, now what are we doing with the twins here?" Tora pointed to them both just as Keiji looked over his shoulder.
"What do you mean!" Keiji yelled at the top of his lungs.
Kyoko waved her hand at her brother as she set her bowl back down on the table, "I have a request."
Everyone blinked lightly at her as they all starred. She cleared her throat lightly and looked straight at Shippo, "May we join you on your quest?"
"What?!" Everyone yelled in unison.
"Why do we want to join them!?" Keiji yelled at his sister with his arms flailing about.
"Because, I want to see what happens. Kisho...he seems so interesting to me. I feel that they are walking a dangerous path and I want to help."
"But he's the enemy..."
"Maybe, but Naraku is a bigger enemy."
Keiji snorted to her in defeat as he sat there grumbling again.
"I think its fine," Shippo said with a grin, "The more help, the better. Plus we need a female touch in this group."
Tora rolled his eyes, "Yeah right..."
The group sat and talked quietly, well mostly Kyoko and Tora talked. Shippo was busy preparing some food for Kisho and Keiji was just leaning against the wall watching the rainfall quietly. Shippo picked up the tray as they still talked and he headed off to Kisho's room. To his surprise the door was no longer shut and it was partly cracked. Shippo maneuvered around the door to get inside and he glanced around the empty room, "Um...Kisho?"
"Yes?" Kisho said as he dropped down from the ceiling giving Shippo a near heart attack. Kisho folded his arms over his chest proudly as Shippo clutched his chest with his hair standing on end, "Don't ever do that!"
"You do that to be all the time. Had to do a little pay back," Kisho said with a faint grin.
"I suppose I deserve it...well I brought you some food."
"Ah, great. I'm starving," Kisho took the tray from Shippo and walked over the small table he had to eat. Shippo walked over with him and sat down watching him. What ever Tora said to Kisho seemed to have helped a great deal. He seemed to be in high spirits again though Shippo wondered if he really felt better or was he just covering his problems up with his happy outgoing self.
"How is it?"
"Oh, its good. Who cooked?"
"Tora did."
"Not bad for a tiger."
"Yeah, well I suppose you don't want any company."
"No you can stay if you want," Kisho said with a light-hearted grin.
Shippo looked back towards him and he could tell the time to himself was actually making Kisho feel better so perhaps it was best just to give him his space, "Nah its ok. I wouldn't want to leave Tora alone to long with the twins, right? I'll come back in a bit. How's that?"
"Aw, alright then. I suppose you have a good point there."
Kisho and Shippo both gave each other a little wave before Shippo left Kisho alone completely. He shut the sliding door as he exited. Kisho was eating his food happily. His spirits felt a bit lifted though a heavy burden on his mind was still there. Kisho was eating his bowl of rice when thunder and lighting began to echo in the skies. His head raised up from his bowl to look outside just as lighting streak across the sky, "Wow its really pouring. I better close the door."
Kisho set his chopsticks and his bowl down on the table gently before he walked over to the large doors on the porch to shut the breeze out. As his hands rested against the wooden frame as a flash of lighting struck rather close to the porch. Kisho's eyes were set on the electrifying light that illuminated the darken skies suddenly a young women appeared within the lightnings bright light. Her head had two fixed horns on her head while a mixture of long hairs flowed down her shoulders. Her cold eyes stared at him while he stared back. As the flash of light died back into the shadows she was gone.
Kisho was perplexed by the sudden appearance of this woman and he leaped out into the rain and lighting to the spot where he last saw her. She didn't seem to have appeared to far from the hut. She had been standing on one of the larger rocks a few feet away. In a giant leap Kisho landed on the rocks he thought he had saw the women on. He wiped his face of the water the clung to him and his body shook lightly from the cold since he had taken off the top part of his robe when he was eating. He didn't see anyone there and he sighed lightly, "Guess I was seeing things."
Kisho looked around one last time. As he did another bolt of lighting struck against the ground in a large roar. Kisho snapped his head up from the sound and as he did the women he had saw before appeared. She flew through the air with grace as her fist drew back in an attempt to hit him. As she came tumbling down towards him Kisho figured he could take the hit and he embraced himself to block the punch. Kisho's hand reached out to block the hit and as her fist came in contact he could not believe the power behind it. The attack's power was crushing the rocks under his feet. Kisho's hand felt like all the bones were being shattered and he had to transform to his more youkai self to have a bit more power in his hands, but even that wasn't enough. Kisho was thrown down against the shattering rocks until the entire structure collapsed on him.
The women landed just at the edge of the shattered rocks. She tossed her wet hair back as she looked at the pile of rubble, "I know you're still in there. Get up."
The pile of debris remained motionless until a few clumps of rock began to fall away from Kisho's form. He pulled himself up from the rocky mess. His entire body cut up from the sharp rocks. What was even more interesting was that he had his transformation knocked right out of him. He was his normal self again as he stood completely erected. His hand was pretty torn up from blocking her attack at it hung loosely at his side at an odd angle, but the bones cracked as his powers began to go to work in healing the injury.
"There you are. I guess you didn't expect that attack."
Even with his enhance healing powers, Kisho was still in a lot of pain and there were so many wounds that his body was having a hard time in keeping up with the healing, "No kidding...it felt like a freight train fell on me."
"Ah, sort of was like that. Let me introduce myself. I am Oushi, the ox guardian."
'Another guardian like Tora...' Kisho thought to himself.
"I've come to test your skills. Come now, lets get this going."
"I have a shattered hand though..."
"To bad!" She didn't waste anytime in getting him to fight. She lunged at him with her fist balled again. Kisho had no way of defending against her except his one good hand and his arms. He choice his arm instead to block her blow. The attack was the same as the last and there was an incredible force of power behind it. His arm was about to break just as his hand did, but this time he countered with a spinning kick. The kick managed to ward her off the intensity of her attack so it wasn't at 100 percent of its capable power. Since Oushi wasted no time Kisho didn't either. He quickly went on the offensive and used his good arm to swing at her along with a few good kicks mixed in. Since he was limited on his punches she managed to duck or side stepped them. His kicks managed to land home a few times, but they weren't doing much to her. She drew her elbow back and slammed it right into his face knocking him back against the mud and bushes. Kisho leaped off the ground into the air to meet his attacker. The two collided against each in the sky in a power struggle, but of course Oushi was the more powerful one and Kisho was thrown against the ground again.
"Give up?" she questioned as she cracked her knuckles.
Kisho spit some blood out from his mouth, "Never."
He got back up and the two engaged in a close range fight of punches and kicks. Both exchanged blows against each other, but it was Kisho who was taking more of the abuse. Kisho kept with her despite the pain. She punched him in the face, which left his chest unguarded taking the opportunity she kicked him hard there. He tumbled backwards on his feet as he scrambled to stay standing.
"Pathetic, you can hardly lift your head and keep your balance. I don't see why everyone is so afraid and worried about you. You have nothing to really be worried about."
Kisho clenched his chest as he listened to her painful words, "No...you're wrong..." He said weakly as he stumbled towards her and swung a sloppy swing.
She easily avoided his feeble attempts and as he stumbled past her she spun kicked him in the back, knocking him down to his knees, "You know I'm right. You just can't admit it."
Kisho laid there in the mud as Oushi raised her head down with her horns pointed towards him, "No matter though. It ends here."
She charged forward towards Kisho to gorge him with her sharp horns. Kisho lifted his injured arm up and covered his face from the impeding doom.
"Not so fast," A familiar voice said.
Kisho lowered his arm down to see Tora holding Oushi horns in his hands as he struggled against her from coming any closer to Kisho.
"Tora...but your powers-"Kisho began to say but Tora interrupted, "I'm not entirely weak now. Powers aren't everything. Sometimes you just need a little leverage."
Tora jammed his foot in from of Oushi and lifted up. She lost her footing, which gave Tora the edge he needed. He pushed up against her horns and knocked her completely backwards against her back. Oushi was quick to recover as she rolled backwards to get back up on her feet. Mud dripped off her cloths and hair as she snarled angrily at Tora, "You traitor!"
Tora shook the cold water from his blond hair as he stood in a fighting stance, "Say what you want, but I won't let you harm him."
"But-"Kisho began again but he was cut short when someone pulled him up by the shoulders.
"Hey we were wondering what happened to you," Shippo said as he smiled to Kisho lightly.
"Speak for yourself you stupid fox," Keiji said.
"We were worried about you Kisho, even Keiji. He has no one to let his steam off if you're not in the same room," Kyoko said as she stood behind Kisho with her brother.
"Your all here..." Kisho said slowly as he glanced around.
"But of course. We are here to help Kisho. We are your friends after all," Tora said with a cool smile.
Oushi looked at them all, "You are all fools, but with this chance I can take you all down at one time."
Keiji and Kyoko both stepped out with there weapons drawn, Shippo stood out in front of the two with his blue fox fire flames in his hand, "We like to see you try."
Keiji glanced back to Kisho, "Stay here you stupid mutt. We'll take care of everything..."
Kisho blinked blankly at Keiji. He couldn't believe what he was hearing.
Oushi trembled in anger in the intense rains that ran over her body. Lightening struck the ground all around them and the loud rumbling thunder echoed throughout the lands. Tora stood his ground as Oushi targeted him first, "You will be the first to go. You were once a great leader now you are nothing but a puny human."
"Really? Care to test that?"
"I will show you first hand!"
Oushi lunged at Tora with her fist drawn back like she did when fighting against Kisho. She attacked him violently in rage and swung her fist left and then right from side to side. Tora was quick on his feet, even in the thick mud. He managed to duck down and then side to avoid her swings. Oushi was quick to counter his dodges and spin kick into the air. Tora was equally as fast and he leaped into the air to avoid the kick.
Kisho was stunned how well Tora was able to defend himself, "I don't get it how..."
Tora landed behind Oushi and he swept kicked her legs out from under her, "Like I said. Powers isn't everything. I'm well trained in martial arts."
Oushi laid against the ground on her back. She groaned lightly from the pain that ran up her spine, "You damn Tiger...you think you have everything figured out, but I managed to keep a few surprises from you."
Tora looked down at her, "Hmm?"
Oushi sat up and suddenly twisted her body in a half turn. As her arms neared Tora a sword hidden on the side of her arm extended out towards his face. Tora was unaware of what she was doing until the last moment. He moved his face away from the cold metal blade as it sliced through the fragile raindrops. As the rain poured a splash of dark red was added to the mixture as the sword slice through Tora's cheek. He was unable to move away quick enough and received a heavy blow. The rain carried the blood to the ground as a few drops lingered around Tora's neck. Tora held his injury as he took a step back. Oushi was already swinging her other arm around to strike with the second hidden blade.
Kisho took a step to help, but Keiji firmly pushed him back, "Just wait."
The second blade moved to strike Tora again. She brought the blade to Tora's face when suddenly it was instantly repelled back by some invisible force.
"What the-!"
Shippo leaped out from behind Tora and threw his Fox Fire at her. She quickly backed off to avoid the flames as the fizzled out against the wet ground. Shippo looked at Tora's cheek, "Ouch she really got you. Good thing I put my Fire Shield around you."
Tora winced some as he slouched down a bit, "Yeah...well go finish what I started."
"Can do!" Shippo said with thumbs up.
"Are you sure of that you little fox?" Oushi said as she twirled the two blades out in front of her.
Shippo frowned, "Er...maybe not. I mean fire is weak in the rain right and you know-"
Keiji and Kyoko stepped forward, "We'll take care of this you wimpy fox," Keiji said as he drew out his sword.
Shippo quickly scurried off to Kisho, "Whew that was close. Almost had to fight."
Kisho couldn't help but laugh even in this grim of situation. As Kisho watched Keiji and Kyoko fend off Oushi with Tora who was now back on his feet, he couldn't help but crack a small smile. He truly had friends that cared about him and were willing to defend him.
"I've been such a fool..."
Shippo looked at Kisho, "What do you mean?"
"I've always thought I was alone here in this world. I've convinced myself that if I couldn't find my parents then I should be alone...I was meant to be, but I really was never alone," Kisho raised his head up to the raining skies, "I've always had support from family and friends and I always will."
Shippo stared at Kisho in the rain as he watched him stare at the sky. Kisho looked so calm and innocent in the rainfall. His youth shown clearly in the darkness as his hands were outstretched to catch the falling raindrops. Shippo smiled lightly as he turned back to the fight, "You're right. We'll always be there no matter what. I may have failed once, but I won't ever fail again."
Kisho nodded to Shippo's courage. The fox sometimes seem to have faults in his bravery, but deep down Shippo had a good heart. Kisho felt his hand begin to crack more as his powers were almost finished with healing his hand completely. His eyes closed as he felt his healing powers move through his blood work, his youkai powers.
'I want to fight without my powers. I want to prove I am capable of being strong without them. To show my true courage in battle.'
'Your powers can never leave you.'
'I don't want them to leave completely I want them to be in another form...'
'...If you are strong enough then allow your powers to be drawn from your wounds. Let the pain remain as your will to fight guide you to your bravery.'
Shippo was watching the three fight Oushi. Keiji swung his sword about while his sister shot arrows when she could. Tora the entire time had to be concern about avoiding Oushi and the Kouga twins attacks. He ducked his head just as Keiji's sword flew over his head shaving off a few hairs, "Jeez, would you watch where that thing goes?"
"Shut up and just move out of my way," Keiji barked back just as an arrow flew past his eyes, "And you! You better watch where those arrows go."
Kyoko didn't say anything besides give Keiji the finger. Tora rolled his eyes, "Excuse me can we focus a bit?"
"You started it!"
"Well I'm finishing it-"Tora was cut off just a bit short as Oushi slammed his side with her sword knocking him to the ground. Keiji was stunned as he watched Tora fall. She spun again to hit the distracted Keiji in the face with the hilt of her sword.
"And then there was one," Oushi said as she wiped the cold water from her lips. Kyoko drew back an arrow as she pointed it at Oushi, "Don't come any closer."
Oushi was already leaping into the air with her swords pointed straight down at Kyoko, "Die!"
Kyoko dropped her arrow as she stumbled backwards against the ground falling against her butt lightly. As she sat there and looked up to the terror that came tumbling out of the sky something blocked her view. She was so scared at first she didn't realize it was actually a person who stood in front of her. His raven black hair flowed down against his head as his hands reached up to stop the swords.
Kyoko stared wide eyed, "Kisho?"
Kisho grabbed the blades in both hands as Oushi thrusted them down at him. He held the blades back in his strong grip. Oushi looked down at Kisho's intense gaze as he casually pushed her back, forcing her to let go. She flipped backwards and landed gently against the ground, "Have you gone insane?"
Kisho held the blades a little longer in his hands above his head. As he did a trickle of blood began to ooze out from his hands where the blades sliced his fragile skin. He didn't seem fazed by the injury and he let the weapons fall to the ground near his feet. He held out his hands to Oushi, a pool of blood resting in them. The rain gently fell in his hands creating a light splash that caused a few drops of blood to fall out of his hands and against the ground lightly, "Look at them...they don't heal like they usual do. They are normal hands. Hands of a human, hands I longed to own."
"You have gone insane," Oushi said as she took another step backwards since Kisho began to move forward.
Everyone watched the two with an intense gaze. It was Keiji who finally questioned the odd behavior, "Did he shake something loose?"
Tora laid in the mud with his eyes closed but he suddenly opened one of his eyes, "No...he's gained control of his other self."
Kisho's eyes flashed a bright red as he moved closer to Oushi. Oushis own eyes were stricken with fear as she frantically tried to move away, "Stay away from me!"
"Human hands these are indeed, but they are not truly mine," Kisho looked down to his hands as the blood from them began to move to take a shape, "No...no matter how much I want to be human or youkai I am neither. I have no place where I belong, but I have to make my own place where scum like you who harm my friends doesn't exist."
Kisho raised his hands up like he was holding a sword. At first there was nothing there but the blood from his hands. The dark red substance slowly began to take form in his hands and extend up over his head. Oushi called her swords back to her with her powers and quickly lunged forward at Kisho, "I'll kill you before you even knew what hit you!"
Kisho stood his ground as Kyoko struggled to get up out of the mud, "Kisho move!"
Kisho remained where he was as Oushi swung her swords at him. At that a strike of lghitning struck against the ground illuminating the surrounding area. Oushi and Kisho's figures were nothing more then shadows in the intense light until they were engulfed completely.
Shippo and the others shielded their eyes for a moment losing sight of the intense fight, "Ah! What happened?" Shippo yelled, the light soon faded away leaving behind the darkness in its wake.
Standing firmly against the ground was Kisho and Oushi standing almost back- to-back against each other. Within Kisho's hands now was an elegant curved sword. The blade was thin and light while the swords handle was wrapped in smooth leather. The hilt end had a bright red orb firmly set in place. The color was as dark as blood itself and it swirled inside the red stone. Dangling from the end was a decorative string with a patch of dog fur attach to the end.
The two fighters stood motionless as only the rain hitting the silent ground echoed in everyone's ears.
"You...proven yourself well, Kisho. Don't forget that even in the brightest of lights the darkest corners can be found. The purist of hearts can lose there ways and sprout the seeds of darkness...don't ever forget," Oushi said as she dropped her swords and fell against the ground dead.
Kisho's eyes twitched lightly to what she said as his sword he held slowly began to fade back into his body as blood. Kisho had swung his sword so fast that it took a moment for the injury to set in. He himself didn't actually get hit for a change and he stood uninjured.
Shippo bounded over to Kisho, "Wow that was great."
Kisho shook his head lightly, "Its never great to kill anyone...even if they were evil," Kisho slipped past Shippo.
"Humph, if you say it like that."
"Tora?" Kisho said lightly as he set his hand on his friends shoulder, "I'm sorry...I knew she was part of your clan and all-"
"Don't be. You did what you had to do and she realized her mistake in the end. You are truly becoming an honorable man."
Kisho was silent as he sat there, "I don't know about that."
Kyoko was up again and went to her brother's side who was still lying in the mud, "Keiji?"
"I'm ok..."
She smiled lightly as she glanced over to Shippo who gave her the thumbs up.
Kisho was glad everyone was ok and even the rain was beginning to let up. He looked to the clearing skies above him with a faint smile.
'My transformations scare me sometimes, but to protect others I will use them for their sakes. Mother...Father whereever you are I hope I can hear your voices again. In my mind my memories of the extreme past are so vague. I can only see shadows that were once your faces and your voices are now but whispers in my ears, but I have a feeling that the days to come will reveal more to me. Maybe more then I can handle, but I will remain strong. I promise.'
Deep within the darkest reaches of the planet kept in a hidden prison where Naraku dwelled was where the fallen Inuyasha was kept. His eyes fluttered slightly open. With all the other times he opened his eyes he was still met by the darkness but this time he smiled lightly, "A promise...it is then."
((*~*Note*~* The voice Kisho it taking to about wanting his powers to leave him is his inner youkai self. Just so you know))