Inuyasha
Coming of Age
((Author Note: This chapter is broken down to a verity of point of views. So I'll state who's talking at the beginning of each thing. So you'll get an inside look in what's going on with each person as they head for the big show down.))
Chapter 18
As the sun rose everyone woke from their slumber. The increasingly large group began to stir more as the sun crept slower and slower in the sky. Inuyasha had stayed up the entire night in the trees. His leg rested down from the side of the trunk while he held his sword in his arms. With his sharp eyes, Inuyasha had stayed up to keep watch on the rather crippled group. Koga had no shards to increase his powers to protect himself. The shards were given to his offspring, Keiji and Kyoko. Keiji had lost his shard recently leaving Kyoko with just hers. Shippo was injured by Iluska and he was still moving rather slow. As far as Miroku and Sango went, Miroku's wind tunnel was proving difficult to hold back, but Sango was still fit to fight along with Kirara. Inuyasha would have felt increasingly better if Kisho was there among the group, but he wasn't.
-Flashback-
Inuyasha was walking side by side with Kisho as they lead Koga back to camp. As they walked Kisho suddenly stopped in the meadow with his head facing to the sky. Koga raised an eyebrow as he walked around the boy, "Hey, dog crap. Something's wrong with your kid."
Inuyasha didn't even realize that Kisho had stopped walking. He stopped a few feet away and called out to Kisho, "Come on!"
Kisho lifted his hands to his ears, "Something is calling me."
"What is? Is it Naraku?" Inuyasha asked as he quickly pushed Koga out of the way so he could reach Kisho. Koga fell back against the ground complaining, but Inuyasha ignored him.
"No...it isn't. They seem friendly enough. I'm going to see who it is."
"I'm going then," Inuyasha demanded as he towered over Kisho with an intimidating look.
"I...I think you should stay here with the others. Something with mom may come up. Plus they won't last long without you or I," Kisho looked up to Inuyasha with his pleading eyes.
"Feh, fine then," Inuyasha said with a snort, "Just don't get yourself killed."
Kisho winked as he ran off through the grass, "Don't worry, I won't!"
"You really letting him go?" Koga said from behind.
"I know he'll be fine alone, unlike you who always needs help."
"Ha, you wish!" Koga shouted while Inuyasha shouted back. The two went back and forth all the way back to camp.
-End Flashback-
"Inuyasha," Miroku called for the Inu from below.
Inuyasha leaped down from his tree next to Miroku, "What?"
"There you are we're ready to head off. Kisho will catch up with us right?"
"Yeah," Inuyasha said in a dull response. He walked past the monk to begin the long walk back to the village, where Naraku waited for them.
-Kisho POV-
Kisho ran through the night as fast as he could. He didn't try to use his demonic powers to help him, but somehow they still powered each step he took. His speed was quicker then a humans as he leaped and bounded over the ground, occasionally dodging a fallen tree or a turned rock. It took him all night until he arrived at a village where he was sure he heard the voice calling him. The sun had risen well into the sky as he stepped inside the village. There were a few children outside playing, but once he took a step inside the village all eyes were turned to him. He wasn't sure if they were going to retaliate or do something to him.
"Are you, Kisho?" One of the children spoke up.
"Yes, how did you know?"
"Lady Kikyo told us about you. She wants to speak to you down at the river."
Kisho didn't know who that was, but he thanked the villagers as he ran off towards the river. As Kisho ran he felt a strange urge in his chest and he instantly reacted on his feelings. He leaped forward quickly just as an arrow struck the spot where he stood last. The arrows purifying powers surged before they died down in the arrow it filled. Kisho glanced towards the women who had attempted to strike him, "Who are you?"
Kikyo pulled her bow back over her shoulder as she slowly walked towards Kisho, "I am Kikyo."
"Were you the one calling me?"
"I was."
"Then why did you try to shoot me?"
"A test was needed. I needed to make sure it was you," Kikyo said as she stood an arm length away from Kisho.
"Did I pass?"
"You did, before you ask another question though. I will explain why I called you."
Kisho nodded his head as he let his guard down. His clear eyes watched her closely though. Her smell was unusual to him. The smell of dirt and bones circled around her body and the scent of souls also hung heavily in the air. What was bothering Kisho the most was there was a faint smell of Tora on her cloths, but for now Kisho kept his mouth shut as he listened to her.
-Kikyo POV-
Kikyo was surprise to see someone who resembled Inuyasha so much. The boy had his built and his eyes. Despite being so much like his father in appearance, Kisho's soul was nothing like the Inu's. Kikyo had a difficult time reading his soul. His essence seemed to be mask by some sort of natural defense. Kikyo did see his mother's kindness in his heart and his expressions were much softer then his father's. Kikyo also had a good idea of Kisho's purifying powers if he was able to respond to her call. Deep in Kikyo's heart she was sad to be face to face with the first offspring from Inuyasha and her reincarnation, but she was glad the Inuyasha was able to move on and finally choose the path he wanted to take, even if it hurt her.
"Are you ok?" Kisho asked as he tilted his head slightly.
"I'm fine," Kikyo said rather sternly in response, "I called you here, because I wanted to see your potential."
"Doesn't everyone."
"I'm sure you are unaware of some of your powers, you should not confront Naraku yet."
Kisho ran a hand through his hair, "Well I'm going to. I can't let him get away with this any longer!"
Kikyo was silent for a moment as she looked down to the river, "You were friends with that tiger."
Kisho's eyes widened as she mentioned Tora, "Yes, do you know where he went?"
"No," Kikyo said as she began to walk away, "He was dying though. If you are fighting for revenge then you will loose."
She left Kisho standing there to think hard about what she said. The wind blew through his light hair as he clutched his fist, "That isn't all I'm fighting for, right?"
- Sesshomaru POV-
Sesshomaru had been following Kisho for quiet some time since he saw the boy transform into his beast dog form. Rin and Jaken were sleeping by the river when Sesshomaru went off to investigate things further. He heard what Iluska had said about being Kisho's twin sister from earlier and for a moment Sesshomaru wanted to step in, but he knew he couldn't do that. For some reason the girl didn't sit well with him. Maybe it was because she was trained by Naraku or maybe because she threaten Kisho's life. Either way, Sesshomaru wouldn't show mercy for the girl if he came face to face with her. Sesshomaru had no interest in the rest of the group, but when he didn't see Kisho there it made him wonder where his nephew went. He turned away from the group that was beginning to head off. Sesshomaru walked back to where Jaken and Rin rest. The scent of Kisho went off in a different direction and he would follow it, but first he would tell Jaken to remain there while he went to investigate things further.
"Jaken," Sesshomaru spoke up as he waited for the little green imp to open his eyes.
"Er...yes?" Jaken said rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
"Stay here with Rin. I'll return later."
"Oh, ok," Jaken said sleepily and he collapsed back down against the ground.
Sesshomaru began to walk off, but he stopped suddenly when he felt Rin tugging on his robe. He glanced down to her with his emotionless face demanding what she wanted.
"Is Lord Sesshomaru looking for Kisho?"
Sesshomaru didn't say anything, but Rin hugged the cloth in her hands, "Lord Sesshomaru will come back for Rin?"
"Have I always?" Sesshomaru said as he pulled away from her. He walked off into the forest to follow the scent he had picked up.
Rin smiled to herself as she waved goodbye to him.
-Miroku POV-
Walking back to the village with the group felt like old times for the monk. As he walked he occasionally looked to everyone. All their faces were grim as they somehow knew they were marching to their doom. Miroku wished Kagome was there to brighten the mood or maybe he wished Kisho was there to do the same. Miroku could hear the wind tunnel on his hand blow as it fought to come out. He looked down to his hand and he could feel its power wanting to be released. Miroku feared that his time would be up soon and he still had failed to tell Sango how he really felt. He sighed heavily against his staff which caught Sango's attention.
"Are you ok?"
"Oh, just fine," Miroku said quickly with a laugh.
"Alright, "Sango said as she went back to walking.
Miroku sighed as he rubbed his head, "I guess I'm not in much danger yet, since I still can't speak up."
-Sango POV-
After Miroku's strange reply to her question, Sango had decided she would ride on Kirara for awhile. While she rode on her faithful friend she began to think about her brother, Kohaku. She wondered how long Naraku would use him until he would take the shard out of his body. Sango feared that time would soon come and what should she do then? She couldn't stand seeing Naraku killing her brother twice. Sango gripped Kirara's fur lightly, "Maybe...there's another way."
That's when an idea struck Sango, 'Kisho has those healing powers. Maybe he can use them to save, Kohaku! I'll have to ask him when he returns.'
With her new plan in her mind Sango sat on Kirara happily. There was hope for Kohaku after all and she would do anything to get it.
-Keiji POV-
Keiji was glad his father was back again. He had talked with him the entire night until they finally fell asleep from exhaustion. Keiji always had looked up to his father, but something deep down plagued the young wolf's mind. As he watched his father walk he noticed the scars on his leg where his shards use to be. When Koga ran off to find Kagome after he heard she went missing he tore the shards from his legs to give them to Keiji and Kyoko. Keiji was proud to take the shard, but he also had to carry the heavy burden of them. As he grew up with his sister, countless demons attacked them. Most of the time they ran away, being lucky if they escaped. Soon countless scars began to cover their bodies until they ended up with what they had now. At times Kyoko blamed Keiji for not being able to stop their father when he ran off, but it wasn't anyone's fault really. Keiji sighed lightly as he walked. He adjusted the large sword on his back some noticing it's weight was slowing him down some. Keiji had crafted the sword himself out of a rare metal and it's been known to be unbreakable. Keiji wasn't sure if he would get his chance to test its full power against Naraku, but he wasn't going to just step down from the battle because Kisho was the main enemy of Naraku.
"I'll get him...that's a promise."
-Kyoko POV-
The quiet walk back with the group gave Kyoko time to think to herself. It had been sometime since things were quiet like this. She always expected a demon to pop out and try to attack her. Of course she kept her guard up since she still possessed a jewel shard in her leg. That's when something occurred to her. When Naraku was gone and things settled down, what would she do then? There wouldn't be a need to fight anymore. She glanced over to her brother, "Keiji..."
"Hmm?" Her twin brother said as he looked over towards her.
"When Naraku is destroyed, what will we do then?"
"I never really thought about that," Keiji said as he looked to the sky, "I don't think anyone here has."
Kyoko looked to the rest of the group who still walked quietly.
"I think...," Keiji began to say as he lowered his eyes towards her, "..I would like to maybe be a guard for a village. You know protect them with my cool sword. Maybe I'll settle down with some kids later. Have a nice demon lady for myself."
"Hearing you say that is disturbing," Kyoko said as she wrinkled her nose.
"Oh yeah? What are you going to do? Have kids with Kisho or something."
"Wha? What!"
Keiji laughed at his sister who was turning red from being embarrassed or being extremely angry. Before he knew it Kyoko tackled him to the ground and slammed his head into the ground, "Don't you ever repeat that, ever!"
Kyoko held Keiji's head up so he could speak for a second, "Ow...that really hurts Kyoko. Does that mean it's true?"
"Grrrr..." Kyoko's eyes were red as she continued slamming his head into the ground.
-Koga POV-
Koga finally broke the twins up once Keiji went unconscious for a few minutes. While the group rested at the rivers edge Koga found himself rubbing the back of his neck where the little creature Kisho ripped off him was. The pain in his neck was slowly going away, but the things he felt during that time weren't. The creature corrupted memories, twisted good memories until they were your worst nightmare. Koga was almost to a point where his mind could no longer distinguish between any sort of memories, but that's when he heard Kisho's voice. Deep in his mind he heard his voice calling him back. It was a strange feeling since he never met Kisho before, but Kisho's presents was very familiar in a way. Koga couldn't really place where he sensed Kisho's aura before. He snorted lightly as he took a hand full of water and splashed it against his face. Koga shook the water off his face and that's when he noticed Inuyasha on the other side of the river. At first Koga was going to yell something, but he saw a strange expression spread across the Inu's face. Koga lowered his head slightly as he stared at the waters, "He must be worrying about Kagome."
Koga touched the back of his neck, "Naraku must have done the same to her."
-Shippo POV-
Shippo was riding on Kirara with Sango since he still had the injury from Iluska on his chest.
"How are you doing, Shippo?" Sango asked as she glanced back to the tired fox.
"Better. That's the last time I'm fighting. Hurts way too much."
Sango laughed lightly as she patted Kirara's shoulder.
Shippo lowered his head slightly. He carried the least burden of the group. At first he felt guilty about being the only not captured, but he came to realize that it was fate. He was destine to meet Kisho and help him down the path he was walking, "I'll follow everyone this time to whatever end."
Sango glanced back to Shippo who had his hands clutched together.
"No running away scared this time," Shippo said in a serious tone.
-Naraku POV-
Naraku was leaning back against one of the rocks that surrounded him in the darkness. His head was leaned a bit forward as he looked into Kana's mirror to see the group slowly making their way back to the well that connected Kisho's and Kagome's world to the feudal era.
"Fools. They desperately think they will stop this Naraku there? This will be their final march across this world of existence. I will crush them each with this perfect body and your part in this will end soon."
Naraku said as he looked towards the darkness where Kagome sat. The creature attach to her didn't move much as it focused on controlling her. It was extremely difficult to gain control of Kagome since she had purifying energy which is why Naraku gave the little creature a corrupted jewel shard. When the time came to assemble the jewel he would simply just take it.
"You will be the first to fall," Naraku said as he looked into the mirror to see Kisho walking through the tall grasses."
-Iluska POV-
Iluska sat outside of where Naraku was dwelling, but she heard him speaking to himself. Something inside her didn't want to kill Kisho. Maybe because he had been the only one to ever hit her. She touched her right cheek as she thought to herself, "Pathetic. I have no feelings for my brother! I never knew him."
She sat for a moment and her eyes flashed back to Kisho letting his guard down so she would escape. His eyes were what got to Iluska as she gripped her head. The energy he admitted struck her down to the core. It made her rethink what she was doing, but she quickly shook that feeling away.
"He's the enemy. I had to grow up here in this world while he got to live his life as any normal human would. He'll pay! He'll pay with his blood!" Iluska suddenly swung her sword against one of the rocks behind her in rage. The rock instantly crumbled under her power as she breathed heavily, "We'll fight again and this time we'll both fight under a blue moon."
-Tora POV-
Was he dead or alive? Tora had no idea. He had traveled far across the lands until he finally collapsed where his life went wrong. His torn up tiger body laid at the foot of the tomb marking where his fallen family all this way, to seek your guidance, my beloved wife and son," Tora chocked as he laid there, "Is my fate to die here? I know I promised a great deal of things, but I am just one demon."
Tora didn't hear anything as he laid against the cold ground. He was the last of his bloodline. His powers for exceeded any youkai's but he didn't ever wanted to use them again. He thought he would find happiness in his powers, but he found happiness in his friends. Tora didn't want to be a demon anymore. He didn't want the powers he had even if though could save his life.
"You here me! I don't want them! I rather die then be lumped in with the rest of the demons!"
'There are demons that are not like the ones that you hate so much. Your friends use their powers for good. They bare the burden of being turned away as demons, but they are happy with who they are. Tora, move forward with your life. You can't cast your life away because of your hate. It's hate what makes you equal with bloodthirsty demons like Naraku.'
Tora's heart knew well who spoke to him as he laid there, "You're right..." Tora felt his heartache hearing her voice again, but he had to move on. Despite being who he was there was still a great deal Tora needed to learn.
'You have the power to help, use them. Your friends still haven't seen the real you under there. Come on, back then you were unstoppable.'
Another voice Tora knew well from his past. His son spoke with the same confidants as he did when he was alive. Tora felt himself stand up as he looked up to the heavens, "Thank you both. I will join Kisho and Inuyasha in their fighting against Naraku no matter what. I'll find a way."
As Tora looked to the skies he saw two snowflakes fall from the sky. His eyes watched the pure white snow as it danced on the winds. The images of his family played out before him until the tiny specks melted from his vision and so did the images. He was grateful he saw them again, but this wasn't the time to dwell on such matters.
Tora turned around and swung his claw across the sky to slice open a portal to hell. The dark portal swirled with dark energy until an eyeball opened up to fill in the dark void, "Who dares to disturb me?"
"Tora's my name. The last of the tiger lords."
"You...your soul is being drained as you speak to me. Do you wish for something?"
"I do. I have healing powers, but they are in no good compared to Kisho's. My demonic energy is spent and I can't reverse the hold that death has on me. Return my soul back to me I will give you something in return."
"Then we have a deal."
Tora knew it was risky to make such deals, but Tora was determined now to fight Naraku. He was determined to protect the people he cared for in this time. He would march to the final battle and reveal to the others where the final jewel shard rested.
Coming of Age
((Author Note: This chapter is broken down to a verity of point of views. So I'll state who's talking at the beginning of each thing. So you'll get an inside look in what's going on with each person as they head for the big show down.))
Chapter 18
As the sun rose everyone woke from their slumber. The increasingly large group began to stir more as the sun crept slower and slower in the sky. Inuyasha had stayed up the entire night in the trees. His leg rested down from the side of the trunk while he held his sword in his arms. With his sharp eyes, Inuyasha had stayed up to keep watch on the rather crippled group. Koga had no shards to increase his powers to protect himself. The shards were given to his offspring, Keiji and Kyoko. Keiji had lost his shard recently leaving Kyoko with just hers. Shippo was injured by Iluska and he was still moving rather slow. As far as Miroku and Sango went, Miroku's wind tunnel was proving difficult to hold back, but Sango was still fit to fight along with Kirara. Inuyasha would have felt increasingly better if Kisho was there among the group, but he wasn't.
-Flashback-
Inuyasha was walking side by side with Kisho as they lead Koga back to camp. As they walked Kisho suddenly stopped in the meadow with his head facing to the sky. Koga raised an eyebrow as he walked around the boy, "Hey, dog crap. Something's wrong with your kid."
Inuyasha didn't even realize that Kisho had stopped walking. He stopped a few feet away and called out to Kisho, "Come on!"
Kisho lifted his hands to his ears, "Something is calling me."
"What is? Is it Naraku?" Inuyasha asked as he quickly pushed Koga out of the way so he could reach Kisho. Koga fell back against the ground complaining, but Inuyasha ignored him.
"No...it isn't. They seem friendly enough. I'm going to see who it is."
"I'm going then," Inuyasha demanded as he towered over Kisho with an intimidating look.
"I...I think you should stay here with the others. Something with mom may come up. Plus they won't last long without you or I," Kisho looked up to Inuyasha with his pleading eyes.
"Feh, fine then," Inuyasha said with a snort, "Just don't get yourself killed."
Kisho winked as he ran off through the grass, "Don't worry, I won't!"
"You really letting him go?" Koga said from behind.
"I know he'll be fine alone, unlike you who always needs help."
"Ha, you wish!" Koga shouted while Inuyasha shouted back. The two went back and forth all the way back to camp.
-End Flashback-
"Inuyasha," Miroku called for the Inu from below.
Inuyasha leaped down from his tree next to Miroku, "What?"
"There you are we're ready to head off. Kisho will catch up with us right?"
"Yeah," Inuyasha said in a dull response. He walked past the monk to begin the long walk back to the village, where Naraku waited for them.
-Kisho POV-
Kisho ran through the night as fast as he could. He didn't try to use his demonic powers to help him, but somehow they still powered each step he took. His speed was quicker then a humans as he leaped and bounded over the ground, occasionally dodging a fallen tree or a turned rock. It took him all night until he arrived at a village where he was sure he heard the voice calling him. The sun had risen well into the sky as he stepped inside the village. There were a few children outside playing, but once he took a step inside the village all eyes were turned to him. He wasn't sure if they were going to retaliate or do something to him.
"Are you, Kisho?" One of the children spoke up.
"Yes, how did you know?"
"Lady Kikyo told us about you. She wants to speak to you down at the river."
Kisho didn't know who that was, but he thanked the villagers as he ran off towards the river. As Kisho ran he felt a strange urge in his chest and he instantly reacted on his feelings. He leaped forward quickly just as an arrow struck the spot where he stood last. The arrows purifying powers surged before they died down in the arrow it filled. Kisho glanced towards the women who had attempted to strike him, "Who are you?"
Kikyo pulled her bow back over her shoulder as she slowly walked towards Kisho, "I am Kikyo."
"Were you the one calling me?"
"I was."
"Then why did you try to shoot me?"
"A test was needed. I needed to make sure it was you," Kikyo said as she stood an arm length away from Kisho.
"Did I pass?"
"You did, before you ask another question though. I will explain why I called you."
Kisho nodded his head as he let his guard down. His clear eyes watched her closely though. Her smell was unusual to him. The smell of dirt and bones circled around her body and the scent of souls also hung heavily in the air. What was bothering Kisho the most was there was a faint smell of Tora on her cloths, but for now Kisho kept his mouth shut as he listened to her.
-Kikyo POV-
Kikyo was surprise to see someone who resembled Inuyasha so much. The boy had his built and his eyes. Despite being so much like his father in appearance, Kisho's soul was nothing like the Inu's. Kikyo had a difficult time reading his soul. His essence seemed to be mask by some sort of natural defense. Kikyo did see his mother's kindness in his heart and his expressions were much softer then his father's. Kikyo also had a good idea of Kisho's purifying powers if he was able to respond to her call. Deep in Kikyo's heart she was sad to be face to face with the first offspring from Inuyasha and her reincarnation, but she was glad the Inuyasha was able to move on and finally choose the path he wanted to take, even if it hurt her.
"Are you ok?" Kisho asked as he tilted his head slightly.
"I'm fine," Kikyo said rather sternly in response, "I called you here, because I wanted to see your potential."
"Doesn't everyone."
"I'm sure you are unaware of some of your powers, you should not confront Naraku yet."
Kisho ran a hand through his hair, "Well I'm going to. I can't let him get away with this any longer!"
Kikyo was silent for a moment as she looked down to the river, "You were friends with that tiger."
Kisho's eyes widened as she mentioned Tora, "Yes, do you know where he went?"
"No," Kikyo said as she began to walk away, "He was dying though. If you are fighting for revenge then you will loose."
She left Kisho standing there to think hard about what she said. The wind blew through his light hair as he clutched his fist, "That isn't all I'm fighting for, right?"
- Sesshomaru POV-
Sesshomaru had been following Kisho for quiet some time since he saw the boy transform into his beast dog form. Rin and Jaken were sleeping by the river when Sesshomaru went off to investigate things further. He heard what Iluska had said about being Kisho's twin sister from earlier and for a moment Sesshomaru wanted to step in, but he knew he couldn't do that. For some reason the girl didn't sit well with him. Maybe it was because she was trained by Naraku or maybe because she threaten Kisho's life. Either way, Sesshomaru wouldn't show mercy for the girl if he came face to face with her. Sesshomaru had no interest in the rest of the group, but when he didn't see Kisho there it made him wonder where his nephew went. He turned away from the group that was beginning to head off. Sesshomaru walked back to where Jaken and Rin rest. The scent of Kisho went off in a different direction and he would follow it, but first he would tell Jaken to remain there while he went to investigate things further.
"Jaken," Sesshomaru spoke up as he waited for the little green imp to open his eyes.
"Er...yes?" Jaken said rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
"Stay here with Rin. I'll return later."
"Oh, ok," Jaken said sleepily and he collapsed back down against the ground.
Sesshomaru began to walk off, but he stopped suddenly when he felt Rin tugging on his robe. He glanced down to her with his emotionless face demanding what she wanted.
"Is Lord Sesshomaru looking for Kisho?"
Sesshomaru didn't say anything, but Rin hugged the cloth in her hands, "Lord Sesshomaru will come back for Rin?"
"Have I always?" Sesshomaru said as he pulled away from her. He walked off into the forest to follow the scent he had picked up.
Rin smiled to herself as she waved goodbye to him.
-Miroku POV-
Walking back to the village with the group felt like old times for the monk. As he walked he occasionally looked to everyone. All their faces were grim as they somehow knew they were marching to their doom. Miroku wished Kagome was there to brighten the mood or maybe he wished Kisho was there to do the same. Miroku could hear the wind tunnel on his hand blow as it fought to come out. He looked down to his hand and he could feel its power wanting to be released. Miroku feared that his time would be up soon and he still had failed to tell Sango how he really felt. He sighed heavily against his staff which caught Sango's attention.
"Are you ok?"
"Oh, just fine," Miroku said quickly with a laugh.
"Alright, "Sango said as she went back to walking.
Miroku sighed as he rubbed his head, "I guess I'm not in much danger yet, since I still can't speak up."
-Sango POV-
After Miroku's strange reply to her question, Sango had decided she would ride on Kirara for awhile. While she rode on her faithful friend she began to think about her brother, Kohaku. She wondered how long Naraku would use him until he would take the shard out of his body. Sango feared that time would soon come and what should she do then? She couldn't stand seeing Naraku killing her brother twice. Sango gripped Kirara's fur lightly, "Maybe...there's another way."
That's when an idea struck Sango, 'Kisho has those healing powers. Maybe he can use them to save, Kohaku! I'll have to ask him when he returns.'
With her new plan in her mind Sango sat on Kirara happily. There was hope for Kohaku after all and she would do anything to get it.
-Keiji POV-
Keiji was glad his father was back again. He had talked with him the entire night until they finally fell asleep from exhaustion. Keiji always had looked up to his father, but something deep down plagued the young wolf's mind. As he watched his father walk he noticed the scars on his leg where his shards use to be. When Koga ran off to find Kagome after he heard she went missing he tore the shards from his legs to give them to Keiji and Kyoko. Keiji was proud to take the shard, but he also had to carry the heavy burden of them. As he grew up with his sister, countless demons attacked them. Most of the time they ran away, being lucky if they escaped. Soon countless scars began to cover their bodies until they ended up with what they had now. At times Kyoko blamed Keiji for not being able to stop their father when he ran off, but it wasn't anyone's fault really. Keiji sighed lightly as he walked. He adjusted the large sword on his back some noticing it's weight was slowing him down some. Keiji had crafted the sword himself out of a rare metal and it's been known to be unbreakable. Keiji wasn't sure if he would get his chance to test its full power against Naraku, but he wasn't going to just step down from the battle because Kisho was the main enemy of Naraku.
"I'll get him...that's a promise."
-Kyoko POV-
The quiet walk back with the group gave Kyoko time to think to herself. It had been sometime since things were quiet like this. She always expected a demon to pop out and try to attack her. Of course she kept her guard up since she still possessed a jewel shard in her leg. That's when something occurred to her. When Naraku was gone and things settled down, what would she do then? There wouldn't be a need to fight anymore. She glanced over to her brother, "Keiji..."
"Hmm?" Her twin brother said as he looked over towards her.
"When Naraku is destroyed, what will we do then?"
"I never really thought about that," Keiji said as he looked to the sky, "I don't think anyone here has."
Kyoko looked to the rest of the group who still walked quietly.
"I think...," Keiji began to say as he lowered his eyes towards her, "..I would like to maybe be a guard for a village. You know protect them with my cool sword. Maybe I'll settle down with some kids later. Have a nice demon lady for myself."
"Hearing you say that is disturbing," Kyoko said as she wrinkled her nose.
"Oh yeah? What are you going to do? Have kids with Kisho or something."
"Wha? What!"
Keiji laughed at his sister who was turning red from being embarrassed or being extremely angry. Before he knew it Kyoko tackled him to the ground and slammed his head into the ground, "Don't you ever repeat that, ever!"
Kyoko held Keiji's head up so he could speak for a second, "Ow...that really hurts Kyoko. Does that mean it's true?"
"Grrrr..." Kyoko's eyes were red as she continued slamming his head into the ground.
-Koga POV-
Koga finally broke the twins up once Keiji went unconscious for a few minutes. While the group rested at the rivers edge Koga found himself rubbing the back of his neck where the little creature Kisho ripped off him was. The pain in his neck was slowly going away, but the things he felt during that time weren't. The creature corrupted memories, twisted good memories until they were your worst nightmare. Koga was almost to a point where his mind could no longer distinguish between any sort of memories, but that's when he heard Kisho's voice. Deep in his mind he heard his voice calling him back. It was a strange feeling since he never met Kisho before, but Kisho's presents was very familiar in a way. Koga couldn't really place where he sensed Kisho's aura before. He snorted lightly as he took a hand full of water and splashed it against his face. Koga shook the water off his face and that's when he noticed Inuyasha on the other side of the river. At first Koga was going to yell something, but he saw a strange expression spread across the Inu's face. Koga lowered his head slightly as he stared at the waters, "He must be worrying about Kagome."
Koga touched the back of his neck, "Naraku must have done the same to her."
-Shippo POV-
Shippo was riding on Kirara with Sango since he still had the injury from Iluska on his chest.
"How are you doing, Shippo?" Sango asked as she glanced back to the tired fox.
"Better. That's the last time I'm fighting. Hurts way too much."
Sango laughed lightly as she patted Kirara's shoulder.
Shippo lowered his head slightly. He carried the least burden of the group. At first he felt guilty about being the only not captured, but he came to realize that it was fate. He was destine to meet Kisho and help him down the path he was walking, "I'll follow everyone this time to whatever end."
Sango glanced back to Shippo who had his hands clutched together.
"No running away scared this time," Shippo said in a serious tone.
-Naraku POV-
Naraku was leaning back against one of the rocks that surrounded him in the darkness. His head was leaned a bit forward as he looked into Kana's mirror to see the group slowly making their way back to the well that connected Kisho's and Kagome's world to the feudal era.
"Fools. They desperately think they will stop this Naraku there? This will be their final march across this world of existence. I will crush them each with this perfect body and your part in this will end soon."
Naraku said as he looked towards the darkness where Kagome sat. The creature attach to her didn't move much as it focused on controlling her. It was extremely difficult to gain control of Kagome since she had purifying energy which is why Naraku gave the little creature a corrupted jewel shard. When the time came to assemble the jewel he would simply just take it.
"You will be the first to fall," Naraku said as he looked into the mirror to see Kisho walking through the tall grasses."
-Iluska POV-
Iluska sat outside of where Naraku was dwelling, but she heard him speaking to himself. Something inside her didn't want to kill Kisho. Maybe because he had been the only one to ever hit her. She touched her right cheek as she thought to herself, "Pathetic. I have no feelings for my brother! I never knew him."
She sat for a moment and her eyes flashed back to Kisho letting his guard down so she would escape. His eyes were what got to Iluska as she gripped her head. The energy he admitted struck her down to the core. It made her rethink what she was doing, but she quickly shook that feeling away.
"He's the enemy. I had to grow up here in this world while he got to live his life as any normal human would. He'll pay! He'll pay with his blood!" Iluska suddenly swung her sword against one of the rocks behind her in rage. The rock instantly crumbled under her power as she breathed heavily, "We'll fight again and this time we'll both fight under a blue moon."
-Tora POV-
Was he dead or alive? Tora had no idea. He had traveled far across the lands until he finally collapsed where his life went wrong. His torn up tiger body laid at the foot of the tomb marking where his fallen family all this way, to seek your guidance, my beloved wife and son," Tora chocked as he laid there, "Is my fate to die here? I know I promised a great deal of things, but I am just one demon."
Tora didn't hear anything as he laid against the cold ground. He was the last of his bloodline. His powers for exceeded any youkai's but he didn't ever wanted to use them again. He thought he would find happiness in his powers, but he found happiness in his friends. Tora didn't want to be a demon anymore. He didn't want the powers he had even if though could save his life.
"You here me! I don't want them! I rather die then be lumped in with the rest of the demons!"
'There are demons that are not like the ones that you hate so much. Your friends use their powers for good. They bare the burden of being turned away as demons, but they are happy with who they are. Tora, move forward with your life. You can't cast your life away because of your hate. It's hate what makes you equal with bloodthirsty demons like Naraku.'
Tora's heart knew well who spoke to him as he laid there, "You're right..." Tora felt his heartache hearing her voice again, but he had to move on. Despite being who he was there was still a great deal Tora needed to learn.
'You have the power to help, use them. Your friends still haven't seen the real you under there. Come on, back then you were unstoppable.'
Another voice Tora knew well from his past. His son spoke with the same confidants as he did when he was alive. Tora felt himself stand up as he looked up to the heavens, "Thank you both. I will join Kisho and Inuyasha in their fighting against Naraku no matter what. I'll find a way."
As Tora looked to the skies he saw two snowflakes fall from the sky. His eyes watched the pure white snow as it danced on the winds. The images of his family played out before him until the tiny specks melted from his vision and so did the images. He was grateful he saw them again, but this wasn't the time to dwell on such matters.
Tora turned around and swung his claw across the sky to slice open a portal to hell. The dark portal swirled with dark energy until an eyeball opened up to fill in the dark void, "Who dares to disturb me?"
"Tora's my name. The last of the tiger lords."
"You...your soul is being drained as you speak to me. Do you wish for something?"
"I do. I have healing powers, but they are in no good compared to Kisho's. My demonic energy is spent and I can't reverse the hold that death has on me. Return my soul back to me I will give you something in return."
"Then we have a deal."
Tora knew it was risky to make such deals, but Tora was determined now to fight Naraku. He was determined to protect the people he cared for in this time. He would march to the final battle and reveal to the others where the final jewel shard rested.