Inuyasha
Coming of Age
Chapter 16
"So, that's when I used my Wind Scar to tear right through the demon to save your mother and everyone else."
"Wow," Kisho said as he listened to his father story.
Since Kisho was still injured pretty badly, Inuyasha had decided it was best if he walked for a bit so Kisho wouldn't get jolted around so much. Even with Kisho's healing powers, it took quiet a bit to heal all his wounds, but Inuyasha didn't mind really. Walking through the woods like this gave him the time he needed to talk with his son. The two had been telling stories with each other the entire time and Inuyasha occasionally asked Kisho questions on the things he liked or disliked. It took a lot of courage for Inuyasha to ask since he felted guilty still about loosing Kisho to the well.
"I never knew my mother and you were together for so long," Kisho said as he rested his head down against his father's shoulders.
"It never felt long. We were so wrapped up in finding Naraku that time just past by so quickly."
"Yeah, I'm beginning to see that now," Kisho laughed lightly, "So, are we close to the others? I can smell far, but your nose is way better then mine."
"We're close, just over this hill now."
"Ah, good I can't wait to see everyone again."
Inuyasha cleared his throat lightly as he walked, "Who named you?"
Kisho was caught a bit off guard by his sudden question, "Uh...hmm. That's right I forgot about how I was named. Mom named me," Kisho said with a faint smile.
"Huh?" Inuyasha said a bit confused, "What are you talking about? She was still here with Naraku and we never agreed on a name."
"Grandma told me she found a piece of paper that had my name written on it attach to me. She said it looked like my mothers handwriting."
Inuyasha nodded his head lightly, "Figure's she would do something like that."
"Do you not like my name?" Kisho asked in a jokingly tone.
"What?! No, I mean yes...I mean wait I like the name! Stop confusing me!" Inuyasha snapped as he stopped walking.
Kisho laughed as he leaped out of Inuyasha's grip and landed on the ground, "I think you should rest."
"I don't need rest," Inuyasha said as he looked at Kisho on the ground.
Kisho stared back up to Inuyasha, "Well I'm going to sit here for a few minutes then."
Inuyasha didn't say anything as he stared at Kisho. Even though Kisho resembled Inuyasha more then Kagome. Inuyasha could still see Kagome in Kisho. His clawed hand went to his face as he tried to stop the memory from surfacing in his mind again. Kisho stood up and went to Inuyasha, "Are you ok? You don't look to good."
"I'm fine!," Inuyasha said as he took a step back.
Kisho frowned lightly as he nodded his head. He turned back around and that's when he felt Inuyasha grip his shoulder, "I'm sorry..." Inuyasha paused a moment as Kisho slowly turned back around, "I'm just not use to all this still."
Kisho rubbed one of his eyes, "Don't worry about it. I'm not bothered by it."
Inuyasha could tell he was lying. Why did Kisho have to be so like himself?
Kisho took a seat on one of the rocks, "To be honest, I've always dreamed of being able to talk with you and mom, but I was also scared. I was scared that maybe you forgot about me...or maybe you both didn't like what I have become."
Kisho looked down at his human hands, "I never wanted these powers, but I have now accepted the fact that it's who I am. At first I thought I was the only one like this and I was scared that if I found you, that you would turn away in disgust. Pretty horrible thought, right?"
Inuyasha placed his hand on Kisho's head lightly, "No..." he took in a light breath, "I never wanted you to be like me. I've had it tough since I was born and I sure didn't want it to be past on to my offspring. You looked more like your mother when you were born, I thought things were to be different, but there not. So I'm sorry."
Kisho's eyes were a bit watery as he lifted his sleeve to wipe them, "Don't be sorry. I've always wanted to be like you and I'm happy to know that I have."
Inuyasha was taken aback by what Kisho said and he ruffled his hair lightly, "Then we both will stop Naraku."
Kisho beamed with joy as he nodded his head, "I'll do my best to make you proud."
Out of no where Miroku suddenly popped up out of the bushes, "Hey am I interrupting a father son moment?"
Inuyasha leaped back from being startled while Kisho just stood there frozen.
"Miroku! How long were you standing there?" Inuyasha demanded as he stomped over to him.
"Long enough to know that it was a touching moment. I was very moved," Miroku put an arm around Kisho, "I see a bound growing between you two. Such a wonderful thing."
Kisho pulled away from Miroku, "You're freaking me out."
"Leave him alone, you bastard," Inuyasha said as he stepped out in front of Kisho.
"I see you are assuming the roll of protective father now," Miroku said with a finger in the air and with a goofy smile plastered against his face.
"I can see you're not surprise about Kisho not being dead," Inuyasha folded his arms together while he stared at the monk.
"Hmm? Oh, no. I knew he was alive."
"You knew?" Kisho questioned as he stood next to Inuyasha.
"Feh, no. He thought it was hopeless when I left him."
Miroku laughed lightly as he picked up some wood, "Well...we should get back to camp now. I'm sure everyone else will be excited to see you both."
Miroku went trotting off into the woods while Inuyasha chased after him, "Get back here! I'm not done with you!"
Kisho just stood their as he tried to follow them, but his leg was still a bit sore and he couldn't go any faster then a walk, "Uh, wait up?"
Miroku, Kisho, and Inuyasha all showed up at the camp after Inuyasha ran back to get Kisho once Miroku pointed out that he was missing.
"We're back everyone. We would have been here sooner if Inuyasha didn't forget his own son in the forest."
"Shut up!" Inuyasha barked as Kisho climbed off his back, "You say one more thing-"
"Don't worry about it. I knew he'd come back," Kisho said with a smile to Inuyasha.
Everyone at the camp ran up to hug Kisho or just to pat him to see if it was really him. They did the same with Inuyasha, but Inuyasha was strong enough to squirm out of their grip.
"It's really you, right?" Shippo said as he hugged Kisho tightly around the neck.
"Yes it's me," Kisho gasped for air, "Can we stop chocking me?"
Keiji rubbed Kisho's hair all over on his head until it was a tangled mess "I can't believe you came back alive."
Kyoko smiled as she just patted Kisho, "Yup that's him."
"It's nice to see them all happy again," Sango said as she walked over to Inuyasha who had perched himself up on one of the branches.
"He really has made a big impact," Inuyasha said with his eyes closed and his arms behind his back.
"It's amazing he has so little youkai in him and yet he's so strong."
Inuyasha didn't respond as he watched everyone still playing around with Kisho. It was amazing he was strong almost too amazing. Inuyasha felt that there had to be a downside to his powers. He knew about the blue moon, but was there something else he had overlooked?
"Inyuasha?" Sango said to get the Inu's attention again.
"What?
"Keiji saw Kagome..."
Inuyasha sat up on his branch with his eyes wide open, "Tell me!"
--
"So, Kisho how did you survive that fall?" Keiji asked as he leaned up against one of the boulders.
"I'm not sure. I woke up at the lake so maybe someone caught me? It wasn't my father."
"I would like to know how you survived that arrow. It had purifying energy in it and it hit you where your heart would be," Kyoko said as she looked at Kisho.
Kisho gripped his chest, "Yeah it just missed my heart though."
"So you do know that's your weakness?"
"I've always known...but I don't think anything will get me there. Everyone's usually aiming for my head."
Kyoko laughed lightly as Keiji rolled his eyes. Shippo was lying on the ground smiling lightly, "So did you get a scar from it?" Shippo asked as soon as Kyoko stopped laughing.
"Yeah, check it out," Kisho pulled off his shirt and turned around to reveal where the arrow pierced him. The wound had left a large scar where the purifying energy had burned his skin. His healing powers couldn't heal the pure energy since youkai energy can't touch such a force. Keiji and Shippo were both admiring it while Kyoko covered her eyes blushing.
"You may want to put your shirt back on. You're going to frighten the women in a good way," Miroku shouted.
"Eh?" Kisho said not sure what Miroku was getting at, but Inuyasha over heard and he growled at Miroku for it.
"Don't make perverted comments," Inuyasha shouted.
"They were just observations," Miroku said in his defense while Sango just sighed heavily.
After everyone had settled down some Kisho began to explain what had happened, at lest some of it since he didn't remember some parts. Keiji and Kyoko sat together near the fire as they gave Kisho their full attention. Shippo was sitting on the other side of the fire listening with his tail wrapped around his body. Miroku had taken a seat further away from the younger members of their group, but he could still hear Kisho. Sango was sitting on the grass with Kirara, listening silently. Inuyasha however was still up on a tree branch keeping a guard out. He didn't need to really hear the story since he was there for the entire event.
"Do you think this Iluska is a new detachment of Naraku's?" Miroku asked as he raised his head up slightly.
Kisho was silently as he thought back on Iluska, "No...she seems like another demon of some kind. Defiantly wasn't created from Naraku. She knew a lot about me, though."
"Hey Kisho, why are you still in your human form?" Shippo asked as he sat up, "You told me you liked staying in your normal form."
Kisho looked down at his hands, "Oh...yeah. I just haven't transformed back yet."
"Idiot..." Keiji mumbled.
"What was that?" Kisho hissed as he raised his fist.
"Not now you guys," Kyoko said as she threw a stick into the fire, "Kisho is still hurt, sp give him a break Keiji."
Keiji didn't say anything as he just snorted to his sister. Kisho focused on his powers to shift back to his normal part youkai self, but nothing happened. No matter how hard he focused he couldn't transform. Inuyasha noticed he was struggling and he leaped down from his perch, "What's wrong?"
"I can't change back."
Inuyasha squinted his eyes some, "Your demonic energy is low. It's hard to sense even if you're in a human form."
"He must have used it up in healing," Sango commented as she stood up, "It will return with rest and time."
Kisho sighed, "I've been resting this whole time..."
"Oh, I know!" Shippo said as he sprang up on his feet, "You need a good hot spring bath. That should spring you back in that Inu fighting mode."
"Mode?" Inuyasha said as he gave Shippo a look that said 'idiot.'
"Where did you find a hot spring, Shippo?" Sango asked as she walked over with Kirara.
"I found it when I was looking for fire wood. It's perfect since we all need to get reenergized after all this fighting. Inuyasha and Kisho need it the most though, so I say we should do it for their sakes."
"Hey, don't make us your excuse to go play in the water," Kisho commented as he sat there, but he wasn't sitting for long. Keiji picked him up by the arms while Shippo had him by the legs.
"Let's go!" Shippo yelled as he ran off down the hill carrying Kisho with Keiji.
"Ah! Let go of me! I don't want to take a bath now," Kisho yelled.
Miroku laughed lightly as he began to follow along the teens down the hill, "I guess we have no choice now."
"Guess not," Inuyasha said as he walked along.
Sango, Kirara and Kyoko all went to take a bath on the other side of the tree's so the boys couldn't see.
Inuyasha, Miroku, Keiji, Shippo, and Kisho were all sitting in the hot springs now. Kisho had to admit it did make him feel a little better. Though he'd prefer to keep his cloths on, but no one else was around so he guessed he could relax a bit.
"Kisho," Inuyasha said lightly as he gestured for him to come over.
Kisho swam over to him and sank a little bit in the water, "Hmm?"
"Keiji told me that he saw Kagome before he left the caves. He didn't get a good look at her to see if she was being control or not. Did you sense anything in the caves before we left?"
"I can't really say. The energy that was being given off was strange. I can somewhat sense the Shikon Jewel, but I'm still trying to master my senses. My powers are still really wacky and they are getting worst."
"You'll learn," Inuyasha said as he rested his chin against one of the rocks.
Kisho guessed he would, but it just seemed so hard sometimes.
"Hey, Shippo heat the hot springs up some more," Miroku said as he pointed to the water.
"You got it," Shippo lifted one of his fingers and pointed it at the water to create his fox fire which heated up the water slowly.
"Watch where you point that thing," Keiji growled as he moved away.
"Oh sorry, I almost burned your-"
"Don't finish that sentence," Inuyasha said quickly as Kisho began to laugh.
Watching the boys from afar was a devious youkai. Its yellow eyes flashed in the darkness as it slowly moved forward.
The flash of yellow caught Kisho's attention and he turned his head towards the bushes, "Who's there?"
Everyone in the hot springs paused as they looked to where Kisho was looking now.
"I am the boar youkai. I'm the last youkai guardian and I have come to challenge you Kisho," the youkai said in a deep almost menacing voice.
"Gah, I just destroyed one of you. Can you come back next time?"
The youkai boar came walking out, "There's no next time!"
Everyone froze as they looked at the boar youkai who was in reality extremely small. He only measured up to Kisho's knees and he looked like he didn't know what he was doing. Its voice went from deep and terrifying to squeaky and fun. After the brief pause everyone laughed in the hot springs.
"What the hell happen to the rest of you?" Inuyasha said as he laughed against the rocks.
"No kidding, did Naraku use you as his stomping toy," Keiji commented between laughs.
Kisho was laughing too hard to even say a word. Miroku and Shippo were in the same condition as they splashed around in the water laughing. The boar youkai growled, "Oh yeah? Well taste my Boar Tusk Attack!" The boar shot his tusk at Kisho.
Kisho saw them coming and he lightly blew a breath of air which caused the tusk to blow away, "I win! Is that the best you got?"
"No, for my next attack it's called. I got all your cloths so see you later," the little youkai boar ran off with all their cloths and everyone stopped laughing.
"That little bastard," Kisho said as he sat there shocked.
Inuyasha growled as he stood up, "He's not getting away from me!"
He ran after the youkai while Miroku, Shippo and Kisho ran with him leaving Keiji who stayed put.
"Uh, you guys do realize you're running around naked," Keiji looked up, but they were gone, "I guess not."
It wasn't long until he heard the girls scream.
"What the hell is wrong with all of them?" Sango shouted.
"I don't want to know, at lest my brother wasn't with them," Kyoko said as she kept her face turned away.
The boys chased around the boar youkai until Inuyasha finally caught him by the shirt, "Grrr...you better give us our cloths back."
"I will!" the boar youkai cried.
Once everyone was dressed and settled again the group sat down with the little boar youkai.
"So, you're the last one," Sango asked as she bent down to the little boar.
"Yeah, I'm not a fighter so I didn't do much for Naraku."
"No kidding," Kisho said as he leaned up against a rock.
"Come on, Kisho. Be a little more sensitive," Sango said as she looked pleadingly to Kisho.
"Fine," Kisho looked over to the boar youkai, "Did you know Tora?"
"Yeah...after I found out he died I didn't know what to do so I just came out looking for you guys since I heard he hung out with all of you, but I had to make it look like I was still on Naraku's side since he'll come looking for me."
Kisho was silently as he dropped his head down some. He let his long bangs cover his eyes as he tried to control the urge to cry. He didn't want to hear those words about Tora's death still. He felt a hand press against his back and he lightly looked up to see Inuyasha.
"Hey, do you know for sure this tiger is dead? I saw him alive after his fight with Ryo and he disappeared after that," Inuyasha demanded for the boar youkai.
"It's just been assumed since we can't sense him anymore...or I can't sense him anymore."
Inuyasha nodded his head lightly. That wasn't what he hoped to hear, but Kisho slowly lifted his head up, "Maybe he's alive somewhere...since you were with Naraku. Do you know where Naraku had fled?"
"He said he was going back to where Kisho fell...what ever that means."
"Does he mean-?" Inuyasha began to say when suddenly an arrow from out of no where flew out of the trees and struck the little boar youkai. The injured youkai fell back into Sango's arms as it tried to breath, but the arrow had struck a vital organ and the youkai died within minutes.
Kisho got to his feet quickly as he looked up to the trees to see who shot the arrow, "Who's there?"
"Some youkai talk way to much these days," Iluska said as she stepped out into the open with a bow in her hand.
"You!" Kisho growled while everyone stared up to the Inu girl.
"Yes, me. I have come to take your purifying powers, Kisho."
"What?"
"I will fight you until you are on your last breath and once you are then your powers will come to me," Iluska said with a smile across her face.
"You do realize everyone here is going to fight you?"
"I do. You all are no match for me anyways. It just makes it more interesting," Iluska drew out her sword, "Now let the fun begin!"
Kisho had his eyes narrowed as Iluska charged them, 'What is up with this girl? What ever happens I hope my powers will come back, because if they don't then this is going to be a real problem.'
Everyone in the group readied themselves as Iluska charged them all. Kisho had a bad feeling about all this and he knew the biggest battle of his life was to come; he just hoped he survived this one.
Coming of Age
Chapter 16
"So, that's when I used my Wind Scar to tear right through the demon to save your mother and everyone else."
"Wow," Kisho said as he listened to his father story.
Since Kisho was still injured pretty badly, Inuyasha had decided it was best if he walked for a bit so Kisho wouldn't get jolted around so much. Even with Kisho's healing powers, it took quiet a bit to heal all his wounds, but Inuyasha didn't mind really. Walking through the woods like this gave him the time he needed to talk with his son. The two had been telling stories with each other the entire time and Inuyasha occasionally asked Kisho questions on the things he liked or disliked. It took a lot of courage for Inuyasha to ask since he felted guilty still about loosing Kisho to the well.
"I never knew my mother and you were together for so long," Kisho said as he rested his head down against his father's shoulders.
"It never felt long. We were so wrapped up in finding Naraku that time just past by so quickly."
"Yeah, I'm beginning to see that now," Kisho laughed lightly, "So, are we close to the others? I can smell far, but your nose is way better then mine."
"We're close, just over this hill now."
"Ah, good I can't wait to see everyone again."
Inuyasha cleared his throat lightly as he walked, "Who named you?"
Kisho was caught a bit off guard by his sudden question, "Uh...hmm. That's right I forgot about how I was named. Mom named me," Kisho said with a faint smile.
"Huh?" Inuyasha said a bit confused, "What are you talking about? She was still here with Naraku and we never agreed on a name."
"Grandma told me she found a piece of paper that had my name written on it attach to me. She said it looked like my mothers handwriting."
Inuyasha nodded his head lightly, "Figure's she would do something like that."
"Do you not like my name?" Kisho asked in a jokingly tone.
"What?! No, I mean yes...I mean wait I like the name! Stop confusing me!" Inuyasha snapped as he stopped walking.
Kisho laughed as he leaped out of Inuyasha's grip and landed on the ground, "I think you should rest."
"I don't need rest," Inuyasha said as he looked at Kisho on the ground.
Kisho stared back up to Inuyasha, "Well I'm going to sit here for a few minutes then."
Inuyasha didn't say anything as he stared at Kisho. Even though Kisho resembled Inuyasha more then Kagome. Inuyasha could still see Kagome in Kisho. His clawed hand went to his face as he tried to stop the memory from surfacing in his mind again. Kisho stood up and went to Inuyasha, "Are you ok? You don't look to good."
"I'm fine!," Inuyasha said as he took a step back.
Kisho frowned lightly as he nodded his head. He turned back around and that's when he felt Inuyasha grip his shoulder, "I'm sorry..." Inuyasha paused a moment as Kisho slowly turned back around, "I'm just not use to all this still."
Kisho rubbed one of his eyes, "Don't worry about it. I'm not bothered by it."
Inuyasha could tell he was lying. Why did Kisho have to be so like himself?
Kisho took a seat on one of the rocks, "To be honest, I've always dreamed of being able to talk with you and mom, but I was also scared. I was scared that maybe you forgot about me...or maybe you both didn't like what I have become."
Kisho looked down at his human hands, "I never wanted these powers, but I have now accepted the fact that it's who I am. At first I thought I was the only one like this and I was scared that if I found you, that you would turn away in disgust. Pretty horrible thought, right?"
Inuyasha placed his hand on Kisho's head lightly, "No..." he took in a light breath, "I never wanted you to be like me. I've had it tough since I was born and I sure didn't want it to be past on to my offspring. You looked more like your mother when you were born, I thought things were to be different, but there not. So I'm sorry."
Kisho's eyes were a bit watery as he lifted his sleeve to wipe them, "Don't be sorry. I've always wanted to be like you and I'm happy to know that I have."
Inuyasha was taken aback by what Kisho said and he ruffled his hair lightly, "Then we both will stop Naraku."
Kisho beamed with joy as he nodded his head, "I'll do my best to make you proud."
Out of no where Miroku suddenly popped up out of the bushes, "Hey am I interrupting a father son moment?"
Inuyasha leaped back from being startled while Kisho just stood there frozen.
"Miroku! How long were you standing there?" Inuyasha demanded as he stomped over to him.
"Long enough to know that it was a touching moment. I was very moved," Miroku put an arm around Kisho, "I see a bound growing between you two. Such a wonderful thing."
Kisho pulled away from Miroku, "You're freaking me out."
"Leave him alone, you bastard," Inuyasha said as he stepped out in front of Kisho.
"I see you are assuming the roll of protective father now," Miroku said with a finger in the air and with a goofy smile plastered against his face.
"I can see you're not surprise about Kisho not being dead," Inuyasha folded his arms together while he stared at the monk.
"Hmm? Oh, no. I knew he was alive."
"You knew?" Kisho questioned as he stood next to Inuyasha.
"Feh, no. He thought it was hopeless when I left him."
Miroku laughed lightly as he picked up some wood, "Well...we should get back to camp now. I'm sure everyone else will be excited to see you both."
Miroku went trotting off into the woods while Inuyasha chased after him, "Get back here! I'm not done with you!"
Kisho just stood their as he tried to follow them, but his leg was still a bit sore and he couldn't go any faster then a walk, "Uh, wait up?"
Miroku, Kisho, and Inuyasha all showed up at the camp after Inuyasha ran back to get Kisho once Miroku pointed out that he was missing.
"We're back everyone. We would have been here sooner if Inuyasha didn't forget his own son in the forest."
"Shut up!" Inuyasha barked as Kisho climbed off his back, "You say one more thing-"
"Don't worry about it. I knew he'd come back," Kisho said with a smile to Inuyasha.
Everyone at the camp ran up to hug Kisho or just to pat him to see if it was really him. They did the same with Inuyasha, but Inuyasha was strong enough to squirm out of their grip.
"It's really you, right?" Shippo said as he hugged Kisho tightly around the neck.
"Yes it's me," Kisho gasped for air, "Can we stop chocking me?"
Keiji rubbed Kisho's hair all over on his head until it was a tangled mess "I can't believe you came back alive."
Kyoko smiled as she just patted Kisho, "Yup that's him."
"It's nice to see them all happy again," Sango said as she walked over to Inuyasha who had perched himself up on one of the branches.
"He really has made a big impact," Inuyasha said with his eyes closed and his arms behind his back.
"It's amazing he has so little youkai in him and yet he's so strong."
Inuyasha didn't respond as he watched everyone still playing around with Kisho. It was amazing he was strong almost too amazing. Inuyasha felt that there had to be a downside to his powers. He knew about the blue moon, but was there something else he had overlooked?
"Inyuasha?" Sango said to get the Inu's attention again.
"What?
"Keiji saw Kagome..."
Inuyasha sat up on his branch with his eyes wide open, "Tell me!"
--
"So, Kisho how did you survive that fall?" Keiji asked as he leaned up against one of the boulders.
"I'm not sure. I woke up at the lake so maybe someone caught me? It wasn't my father."
"I would like to know how you survived that arrow. It had purifying energy in it and it hit you where your heart would be," Kyoko said as she looked at Kisho.
Kisho gripped his chest, "Yeah it just missed my heart though."
"So you do know that's your weakness?"
"I've always known...but I don't think anything will get me there. Everyone's usually aiming for my head."
Kyoko laughed lightly as Keiji rolled his eyes. Shippo was lying on the ground smiling lightly, "So did you get a scar from it?" Shippo asked as soon as Kyoko stopped laughing.
"Yeah, check it out," Kisho pulled off his shirt and turned around to reveal where the arrow pierced him. The wound had left a large scar where the purifying energy had burned his skin. His healing powers couldn't heal the pure energy since youkai energy can't touch such a force. Keiji and Shippo were both admiring it while Kyoko covered her eyes blushing.
"You may want to put your shirt back on. You're going to frighten the women in a good way," Miroku shouted.
"Eh?" Kisho said not sure what Miroku was getting at, but Inuyasha over heard and he growled at Miroku for it.
"Don't make perverted comments," Inuyasha shouted.
"They were just observations," Miroku said in his defense while Sango just sighed heavily.
After everyone had settled down some Kisho began to explain what had happened, at lest some of it since he didn't remember some parts. Keiji and Kyoko sat together near the fire as they gave Kisho their full attention. Shippo was sitting on the other side of the fire listening with his tail wrapped around his body. Miroku had taken a seat further away from the younger members of their group, but he could still hear Kisho. Sango was sitting on the grass with Kirara, listening silently. Inuyasha however was still up on a tree branch keeping a guard out. He didn't need to really hear the story since he was there for the entire event.
"Do you think this Iluska is a new detachment of Naraku's?" Miroku asked as he raised his head up slightly.
Kisho was silently as he thought back on Iluska, "No...she seems like another demon of some kind. Defiantly wasn't created from Naraku. She knew a lot about me, though."
"Hey Kisho, why are you still in your human form?" Shippo asked as he sat up, "You told me you liked staying in your normal form."
Kisho looked down at his hands, "Oh...yeah. I just haven't transformed back yet."
"Idiot..." Keiji mumbled.
"What was that?" Kisho hissed as he raised his fist.
"Not now you guys," Kyoko said as she threw a stick into the fire, "Kisho is still hurt, sp give him a break Keiji."
Keiji didn't say anything as he just snorted to his sister. Kisho focused on his powers to shift back to his normal part youkai self, but nothing happened. No matter how hard he focused he couldn't transform. Inuyasha noticed he was struggling and he leaped down from his perch, "What's wrong?"
"I can't change back."
Inuyasha squinted his eyes some, "Your demonic energy is low. It's hard to sense even if you're in a human form."
"He must have used it up in healing," Sango commented as she stood up, "It will return with rest and time."
Kisho sighed, "I've been resting this whole time..."
"Oh, I know!" Shippo said as he sprang up on his feet, "You need a good hot spring bath. That should spring you back in that Inu fighting mode."
"Mode?" Inuyasha said as he gave Shippo a look that said 'idiot.'
"Where did you find a hot spring, Shippo?" Sango asked as she walked over with Kirara.
"I found it when I was looking for fire wood. It's perfect since we all need to get reenergized after all this fighting. Inuyasha and Kisho need it the most though, so I say we should do it for their sakes."
"Hey, don't make us your excuse to go play in the water," Kisho commented as he sat there, but he wasn't sitting for long. Keiji picked him up by the arms while Shippo had him by the legs.
"Let's go!" Shippo yelled as he ran off down the hill carrying Kisho with Keiji.
"Ah! Let go of me! I don't want to take a bath now," Kisho yelled.
Miroku laughed lightly as he began to follow along the teens down the hill, "I guess we have no choice now."
"Guess not," Inuyasha said as he walked along.
Sango, Kirara and Kyoko all went to take a bath on the other side of the tree's so the boys couldn't see.
Inuyasha, Miroku, Keiji, Shippo, and Kisho were all sitting in the hot springs now. Kisho had to admit it did make him feel a little better. Though he'd prefer to keep his cloths on, but no one else was around so he guessed he could relax a bit.
"Kisho," Inuyasha said lightly as he gestured for him to come over.
Kisho swam over to him and sank a little bit in the water, "Hmm?"
"Keiji told me that he saw Kagome before he left the caves. He didn't get a good look at her to see if she was being control or not. Did you sense anything in the caves before we left?"
"I can't really say. The energy that was being given off was strange. I can somewhat sense the Shikon Jewel, but I'm still trying to master my senses. My powers are still really wacky and they are getting worst."
"You'll learn," Inuyasha said as he rested his chin against one of the rocks.
Kisho guessed he would, but it just seemed so hard sometimes.
"Hey, Shippo heat the hot springs up some more," Miroku said as he pointed to the water.
"You got it," Shippo lifted one of his fingers and pointed it at the water to create his fox fire which heated up the water slowly.
"Watch where you point that thing," Keiji growled as he moved away.
"Oh sorry, I almost burned your-"
"Don't finish that sentence," Inuyasha said quickly as Kisho began to laugh.
Watching the boys from afar was a devious youkai. Its yellow eyes flashed in the darkness as it slowly moved forward.
The flash of yellow caught Kisho's attention and he turned his head towards the bushes, "Who's there?"
Everyone in the hot springs paused as they looked to where Kisho was looking now.
"I am the boar youkai. I'm the last youkai guardian and I have come to challenge you Kisho," the youkai said in a deep almost menacing voice.
"Gah, I just destroyed one of you. Can you come back next time?"
The youkai boar came walking out, "There's no next time!"
Everyone froze as they looked at the boar youkai who was in reality extremely small. He only measured up to Kisho's knees and he looked like he didn't know what he was doing. Its voice went from deep and terrifying to squeaky and fun. After the brief pause everyone laughed in the hot springs.
"What the hell happen to the rest of you?" Inuyasha said as he laughed against the rocks.
"No kidding, did Naraku use you as his stomping toy," Keiji commented between laughs.
Kisho was laughing too hard to even say a word. Miroku and Shippo were in the same condition as they splashed around in the water laughing. The boar youkai growled, "Oh yeah? Well taste my Boar Tusk Attack!" The boar shot his tusk at Kisho.
Kisho saw them coming and he lightly blew a breath of air which caused the tusk to blow away, "I win! Is that the best you got?"
"No, for my next attack it's called. I got all your cloths so see you later," the little youkai boar ran off with all their cloths and everyone stopped laughing.
"That little bastard," Kisho said as he sat there shocked.
Inuyasha growled as he stood up, "He's not getting away from me!"
He ran after the youkai while Miroku, Shippo and Kisho ran with him leaving Keiji who stayed put.
"Uh, you guys do realize you're running around naked," Keiji looked up, but they were gone, "I guess not."
It wasn't long until he heard the girls scream.
"What the hell is wrong with all of them?" Sango shouted.
"I don't want to know, at lest my brother wasn't with them," Kyoko said as she kept her face turned away.
The boys chased around the boar youkai until Inuyasha finally caught him by the shirt, "Grrr...you better give us our cloths back."
"I will!" the boar youkai cried.
Once everyone was dressed and settled again the group sat down with the little boar youkai.
"So, you're the last one," Sango asked as she bent down to the little boar.
"Yeah, I'm not a fighter so I didn't do much for Naraku."
"No kidding," Kisho said as he leaned up against a rock.
"Come on, Kisho. Be a little more sensitive," Sango said as she looked pleadingly to Kisho.
"Fine," Kisho looked over to the boar youkai, "Did you know Tora?"
"Yeah...after I found out he died I didn't know what to do so I just came out looking for you guys since I heard he hung out with all of you, but I had to make it look like I was still on Naraku's side since he'll come looking for me."
Kisho was silently as he dropped his head down some. He let his long bangs cover his eyes as he tried to control the urge to cry. He didn't want to hear those words about Tora's death still. He felt a hand press against his back and he lightly looked up to see Inuyasha.
"Hey, do you know for sure this tiger is dead? I saw him alive after his fight with Ryo and he disappeared after that," Inuyasha demanded for the boar youkai.
"It's just been assumed since we can't sense him anymore...or I can't sense him anymore."
Inuyasha nodded his head lightly. That wasn't what he hoped to hear, but Kisho slowly lifted his head up, "Maybe he's alive somewhere...since you were with Naraku. Do you know where Naraku had fled?"
"He said he was going back to where Kisho fell...what ever that means."
"Does he mean-?" Inuyasha began to say when suddenly an arrow from out of no where flew out of the trees and struck the little boar youkai. The injured youkai fell back into Sango's arms as it tried to breath, but the arrow had struck a vital organ and the youkai died within minutes.
Kisho got to his feet quickly as he looked up to the trees to see who shot the arrow, "Who's there?"
"Some youkai talk way to much these days," Iluska said as she stepped out into the open with a bow in her hand.
"You!" Kisho growled while everyone stared up to the Inu girl.
"Yes, me. I have come to take your purifying powers, Kisho."
"What?"
"I will fight you until you are on your last breath and once you are then your powers will come to me," Iluska said with a smile across her face.
"You do realize everyone here is going to fight you?"
"I do. You all are no match for me anyways. It just makes it more interesting," Iluska drew out her sword, "Now let the fun begin!"
Kisho had his eyes narrowed as Iluska charged them, 'What is up with this girl? What ever happens I hope my powers will come back, because if they don't then this is going to be a real problem.'
Everyone in the group readied themselves as Iluska charged them all. Kisho had a bad feeling about all this and he knew the biggest battle of his life was to come; he just hoped he survived this one.