Hi there people. Another chapter coming at you hot! Hope everyone is enjoying the longer chapters and the somewhat deeper plots. This next chapter is going to be like the one in my previous arc where it's showing two things happening at once. Maybe not EXACTLY the same time but I will try to make it as obvious as possible. Of course any reviews would be most helpful and appreciated. You know, I've read a lot of stuff off the site and I never reviewed. Now I know how much that SUCKS for the writer. Karma man, it's a bitch…Disclaimer. I don't own Inuyasha nor the other animes that I have written directly or indirectly. If you own these and are actually on here and further actually want some form of compensation….YOU'LL GET NOTHING AND LIKE IT!
This is taking place while Inuyasha and Tomasaru are having there chat. Myoga was a loyal flea. He just had no tolerance for anything remotely dangerous. While searching for one of his Lords he was delighted to see he found them both, together, actually having a conversation! Of course Lord Inuyasha was a bit angry but that was usual. Lord Tomasaru was trying to make peace with Lord Inuyasha. Again. Also not that unusual. Then they decided to duel. Well Lord Tomasaru did, Lord Inuyasha probably just wanted to beat Lord Tomasaru to a bloody pulp. Myoga just shrugged. It was just a normal night and he watched the proceedings. The fight went about how Myoga predicted. Though Lord Inuyasha's raw potential was great and he learned astonishingly fast, Lord Tomasaru had more than fifty years of combat experience. Almost all of the past fifty years was in combat. It reminded Myoga of their father. That drive, that passion! They are indeed his Lord's sons. Myoga had to smile when Lord Tomasaru gave his brother a few pointers. He was glad to see he wasn't taking this duel in a serious way. If he did Lord Inuyasha wouldn't have a chance with all the techniques he has at his disposal. Myoga's eyes widened when he saw the raw aggression Lord Inuyasha was displaying. Those were KILLING moves! In raw cases such as where both his charges are locked in a deadly battle Myoga can find a spine. If Lord Inuyasha forces Lord Tomasaru while he does not have his blade….He remembered the horrible monster he had become the last time.
Jumping for all he was worth he screamed at Lord Inuyasha. "Master Inuyasha, you have won the match, please you do not know what might happen if this should.." he was casually swatted away. Knowing there was no way to reach his Lords he raced off to where he sensed a powerful miko energy. Thinking only Kagome could stop Inuyasha with a sit he raced to her. While running toward her he ran into Miroku and Shippo who was chasing after him. Actually Miroku stepped on Myoga. Stopping to turn to what made a horrible snapping sound he saw Myoga pop back from being flat as a pancake.
"Miroku! Thank goodness. Lord Tomasaru and Lord Inuyasha are fighting. Lord Inuyasha BROKE Master Tomasaru's sword! You must stop the fight quickly before Master Tomasaru slips!" Miroku looked confused. "Slips, what do you.." He jumped up and down. "There's NO TIME, just stop Lord Inuyasha, I'll go get Kagome!" With that he leapt away.
Jumping and running as fast as his flee legs could carry him he ran into the house the group was staying in, following the sense of miko energy he was surprised to see Kikyo there as well as Kagome. He looked at Kikyo. "Oh thank the Kami you're here Lady Kikyo, the last I head you were at Lord Tomasaru's village of Outkast" He then paused and shook his head furiously. "We have no time! Lord Tomasaru and Lord Inuyasha are fighting! Lord Inuyasha broke Lord Tomasaru's sword! I don't think I need to tell you what will happen if he's in a serious fight without the sword!" Kikyo's face paled with shock and realization. Her face set she turned to Kagome. Keep up so that you may sit Inuyasha or I may….have a more permanent solution!" Kagome looked a bit pale but followed. She asked while they ran "So what's the big deal that his sword broke?" Myoga cut in so Kikyo could concentrate. "The sword is what keeps Master Tomasaru's demon blood from overwhelming him much like the Teisaiga does for Lord Inuyasha. Without it he will become an uncontrolled demon!"
Sprinting they come to the clearing and see Inuyasha lying in a pool of his own blood, Miroku and Shippo slowly getting up, and no sign of Tomasaru. Kagome rushes to the wounded hanyou's side. "Inuyasha!" She's looking at the bloody hole in his stomach and tries not to wretch. "This looks pretty bad…." Kikyo is looking at the broken hilt and the sheath not too far from it. Kikyo then turns to look at Kagome cradling Inuyasha's head in her la as he lay bleeding on the ground. Shaking her head at that too familiar scene she walks up and examines Inuyasha. She looks at Kagome. "Do not worry, he will live." Her voice then turns a shade darker "For the moment. We must go back inside and find out what happened here." Miroku staggers over to Inuyasha and lifts him up while Shippo leaps into Kagome's arms shivering. Kagome turns her attention to the child in her arms. "What's wrong Shippo?" He looked at her with haunted eyes. "Kagome, that guy, Inuyasha's brother….I hope Inuyasha is NOTHING like him!"
Kagome tended to Inuyasha's injuries throughout the night She fell asleep tending to him. As the sun rose a groan woke her up. "Inuyasha! You're awake!" He just groaned. "Wha…what happened?" His answer came as an irate flea that jumped right on his nose. "That is what WE would like to know! Tomasaru challenged you to an honorable duel and even conceded defeat but you attacked him with intent to KILL! Do you hate your brother so much Inuyasha!" Inuyasha looked a bit stunned. Both at the declaration he tried to kill Tomasaru and that Myoga didn't use Lord or Master when addressing him. He tried to stand but the pain washed over him forcing him back to a sitting position.
He gasped in pain. "I won the duel…..this doesn't really feel like winning Myoga!" Myoga just looked angrier. His paled to compare to the aura of menace Kikyo radiated like a cloak as she entered followed closely by a cross Miroku and a fear filled Shippo. Inuyasha gulped. Kikyo wasn't looking too happy with him at the moment.
She sat down like a Lady across from him and Kagome. Her eyes were locked on his however. "So Inuyasha…" she started with a light voice "…do you care to explain yourself?" she ended with more than a hint of menace. Inuyasha gulped and looked at Kagome. She looked down. He turned back toward Kikyo and looked over her shoulder to see Miroku looking stoic and Shippo looking a bit lost and scared. He looked back to Kikyo's eyes and just swallowed at the raw anger and….hate there. He looked at all the angry people in the room and asked "Uhm, so where is Tomasaru?" Everyone just stared harder at him.
"What? So he lost the duel and he's hiding or something?" They now looked at him in confusion. Myoga spoke. "Do you not remember the duel you had with your brother?" Inuyasha just looked confused. "I remember we were matching blades. He gave me a few pointers that really helped, then things get hazy. I remember fighting him but then I can't remember anything else until I woke up. I just remember feeling something, something that made the Teisaiga feel stronger than it ever felt! So what did happen?"
Kikyo looked unconvinced and pissed. "So you do not remember trying to cleave your brother in half? Convenient Inuyasha!" Miroku had a thoughtful look on his face. "Do not readily dismiss this Lady Kikyo. When I entered the clearing I felt a dark power. When I saw Tomasaru I naturally thought it was him. Perhaps it was not, but something that influenced Inuyasha when he was most vulnerable." Inuyasha looked cross. "What do you mean 'at his most vulnerable'?" Miroku looked unperturbed. "When you fight, Inuyasha, you rely on your emotions. Mostly dark ones like anger and hate. There are forces that can use those emotions to turn people into a type of berserker, to fight until the death." Inuyasha paled a bit as Tomasaru's words from the previous night came back to him. 'Calm the hell DOWN and THINK! You are a great fighter but not when you are so angry you can't see straight. Watch my style, watch how I fight, use my style to your advantage!' Inuyasha looked thoughtful. "He was trying to warn me…." The group looked at him to explain.
"I was angry at him before the fight and just got angrier during the fight cause I couldn't touch him! He was telling me to watch my anger so I can better read my opponent. And that's what I did, and the fight got better. But then I felt angry, real angry and that's where things start to get hazy! What the hell happened!" Myoga looked at him. "You charged the Teisaiga with a large amount of power and tried to blow your brother to pieces!" Inuyasha looked sick but then thoughtful. "But how? I don't know HOW I did that." Myoga looked thoughtful. Miroku cut in. "Perhaps the outside force helped you tap into more of the Teisaiga's power? But if that's the case one must ask why? Why give an enemy another possible weapon?"
Kikyo answered for everyone. "To kill a greater enemy. Tomasaru is a fully trained warrior. He could have ended the fight at any time but because Inuyasha was his brother….he did not use his full potential for fear of killing him!" She graced another one of her angry glares at Inuyasha. Kagome spoke up. "I know you are angry at Inuyasha, but if what Miroku says its true then someone manipulated Inuyasha into this! It's not really his fault." Kikyo stood up with a look of horror on her face. The visit from Naraku not so long ago then this. It's making a sick sort of sense. "Naraku…" she whispered. Miroku stiffened as well as Inuyasha. Kagome just glared off into the distance and Shippo looked a bit angry himself.
Kikyo growled. "Naraku is behind this! Of that I haven't a doubt. He tried to break Tomas and I up earlier. Apparently since our bond is strong he's moved on to a weaker one." She gives Inuyasha another glare. He just glared back as best he could. "Hey, it wasn't MY fault. It was HIS idea to fight after all!" he then crossed his arms and looked away. Kikyo kept him in her stare. "I KNOW Tomas. The ONLY reason he fights is to protect something. So tell me Inuyasha, did you leave him any choice BUT to fight to get through to you?" He was silent but everyone saw his ears drop down a bit. That was admission enough.
Kagome looked at everyone. "So now what? You said his demon blood makes him a monster, right?" Inuyasha's head snaps around "WHAT?" Kikyo smiled thinly. "Oh, you did not know? Count yourself lucky Inuyasha." He just glared up at her. "KNOW WHAT?" Myoga sighed. "I had hoped not to burden you with this knowledge Master Inuyasha, but I fear you must. Your brother, and indeed yourself, are hanyou. Born from your mighty father and kind mother. Unfortunately that is not the end. You father's blood is TOO strong for your hanyou bodies. You father knew of this and enchanted the Teisaiga in order to suppress your demon blood. Your brother went to Totosei, the man who forged the Teisaiga, to create for him a sword he could use. Totosei also enchanted it for him to suppress the power of his blood." Kikyo cut in. "But in a battle with a Guardian of a Kami to help a fallen tengue, it shattered. His blood awakened at Totosei's forge shortly after that, then in a battle with Sesshomaru." People's eyes widened at that, they knew Inuyasha's half brother was not to be taken lightly.
Myoga continued. "Yes, when his blood awakens he is not the Tomasaru you know. He becomes as dangerous and unremorseful as any demon! Unfortunately we do not have another sword for him. And I think Totosei is getting tired of forging him new fangs for every time he shatters one!" Kikyo interrupts. "That does not matter at the moment. What DOES matter is getting to him and stopping him from making a huge mistake and killing someone. He will never forgive himself if he kills someone in his state!" Kikyo looked down in sadness. She knew him best. He gave it his all to help those around him. Should he slay someone he was to protect…
Kagome looked determined. "OK, we have to find him, then what?" Myoga answered. "Then we have Kikyo here calm the Master down. She's done it before. And should that prove ineffective we should have him somehow touch Lord Inuyasha's Teisaiga. That also should help recede the demon blood in him." Inuyasha clutched the Teisaiga protectively. "He's NOT getting MY sword!" Kikyo growled at Inuyasha. "It's YOUR fault he is like this now! Take responsibility Inuyasha! Besides, you should know that your brother would never take something belonging to another!" He just gave Kikyo a withering look. "Yeah, I'd know about that wouldn't I….."
Miroku stepped between the two. "Please, what is important now is that we FIND Tomasaru. Anything else we can decide on the way or after." Kagome nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, great idea. But…." They all looked at her expectantly. "…Well, uhm…how are we going to FIND him? He's way faster than Inuyasha and you said he's stronger as a full demon…half demon…whatever he is! So he'll have a big head start. We don't know where he is or where he's going." Inuyasha answered. "I know. He left a trail for me. He isn't even bothering to hide it. Once I can move I can track him." Kagome looked at him in concern. "But your wound…" He just waved her off. "I'm not some weak human, I'll be fine in a few more hours, after that we have to get going or his trail will grow cold." They all nodded and prepared to find their missing comrade.
Tomasaru after he fled the clearing from Miroku and the others.
Damn, I love the forest! I jump from tree to tree. Man, I never felt so FREE! Stupid, weak human side….Hmph! Who needs it? What I need is a kill. I see a wolf. I sees my dinner right now! I dive off of a branch and cut into the wolf. It goes down without realizing it was dead. I start to eat the carcass while I think. Damn weak wolf, that was too easy. I was hungry, but I wanted a fight! Hmm, something about weaklings that piss me off. I feel like I should be….protecting the weak? Yeah right! I'll protect them by not slaughtering them. Not really worth the time. I want to kill something strong. Something that can fight. I sniff the air. Something is coming. Something is coming FAST. Hmm, good, maybe it's strong. I continue to chew on the wolf's carcass when I see a demon run into the clearing. It's watching me eat the wolf with disgust in its eyes. Hmph, like I care what the weakling is looking at!
The wolf demon looked on in disgust. "Inuyasha…..what the HELL do you think you're doing?" I glance up at the wolf demon unconcerned. "I'm having dinner. And the name's not Inuyasha. Also, who the HELL are you?" The demon just snarled at me. "Don't pretend you don't know who I am, MUTT! I'm Kouga of the wolf tribe!" I continue eating the remains and stand when I am finished. "Well, Kouga is it?" He nodded. I just nod with him, sending pieces of flesh stuck to my chin to fall on the ground. "Well, first off I told you I am not Inuyasha, and yet you call me that weak excuse for a brother's name. And second…." I slash my claws in a blinding flash movement that doesn't catch him completely unaware but does hit him on his upper left leg restricting his movements. "I don't like you calling me a Mutt….You see I.." I move again. He has some speed as well but no training really. It wasn't hard at all to read his moves. I punch him in the face and spin kick him into a tree as he falls away. "…REALLY don't like anything derogatory said about my family. Call me old fashioned but…" I use my energy whip to grab onto his right leg as he tried to put some distance between us. I then start smashing him into the ground to the left and right of myself. "…I don't believe weaklings, such as yourself. Have any right to talk to their betters with such vulgarity!" With that I spin him around. Faster and faster then I release him into a large group of trees that he smashes through. I walk leisurely to where his broken body lay bleeding. I use my whip to snag him by the throat and drag him up to meet me eye to eye. "You are lucky you are such a weak demon. I will get no pleasure from butchering you. If you ever cross my path again, be stronger." With that I tossed the wolf demon aside. I then walked away toward the west.
That wasn't even a fight. I have gotten much stronger than the last time I remember. I also remember I lost to someone. It's time to settle with my big brother….
I kept going west. I am deep into the Western Lands. I haven't caught his scent yet but it's only a matter of time. I NEED a strong opponent to fight and he is the only one that beat me and lives. My hearing catches a scream and I can smell the sweet scent of blood. I alter my course. I see a human couple cowering in front of a blue skinned demon. Seemed to have scales. Whatever. I call out "You really get off chasing and killing these weak humans?" I step out of the brush and into the light. The demon scoffs. "These humans are mine! There is a village a little that way, kill your own!" I look at the creature in disgust. "Surely you jest. I want to face a STRONG opponent, not some weak humans and definitely not some weak bully!" He snarled and lunged at me. Fool, he's so slow he might as well be standing still. I guess I should at least TRY to have some fun with him. I truly hate weak things! I simply blur, to his senses anyway, out of his apparent grasp and lean on the tree opposite of him near the human couple. They also cowered from me. They were weak fools but at least they had some sense to fear me.
"I am feeling generous. Leave and hunt weaklings no more or I will hand you a more permanent solution." The foolish demon just snarled and charged again. With a lazy flick of my wrist I sent out my energy whip and cut the fool into chunks of flesh. Hardly a challenge. Forget hardly it wasn't. Damn. The couple found some courage. The male stuttered "Th…thank you..You saved us." I snort. "Don't flatter yourself, human! I just hate to see weaklings prey on weaklings." His mate held onto him tightly and said "No matter your reason's you saved us, so thank you." I felt something. Something in my weak human blood. It felt….pleasurable. Almost as good as the hunt and fighting someone strong. No matter. "Whatever humans. I suggest you scurry back to your village before another demon comes along. I don't like fighting the weak." They nod and run back toward the smells I recognize as a village. I shake my head. Silly humans, thanking me for killing something so pathetic…
I catch my elder brother's scent. I've been traveling for a few days. I must say I am truly bored. Any battle I engage in I know for certain I have won. A few seconds into the battle it is a fact. My blood…..burns for something. A challenge! Something to test my might. I am closer to my brother. He seems to sense me and is traveling in my direction. Good.
Finally. I am waiting on a plain grassy hill for my brother to emerge. Hmm, he seems to have brought Jaken. Disgusting toad. Obnoxious voice as well. No matter. I'll kill him after his master so he may accompany Sesshomaru into the nether realm. Hmm, it seems he is missing his right arm. I hope it does not affect his overall performance. I do not a victory over a crippled enemy. He looks at me and sneer while Jaken looks on in amazement. "How can you, a Hanyou, have the royal markings?" I smile thinly at him. Irritating toad. "Because I am of royal blood, don't you know anything of your Lord's lineage?"
Sesshomaru was stoic. "It seems you have fallen victim of your blood yet again….little brother." I growl. "I still managed to beat you plenty of times over the years with my human blood diluting my power." He just smirked at me. "That human blood kept you balanced. Now you are nothing more than a hanyou on a power high with Father's blood. A bastard child like yourself is not even worthy of a drop of it, much less half!" I crack my claws and get into a fighting stance. "I'm not on a high Sessy, I'm as much Father's son as you are. Only difference is that the bastard son is going to slaughter the pure blood!" I rush at him and he gracefully slides out of the way. Not to be so easily thwarted I adjust my trajectory to manage to get closer. I manage to tear into his robes but don't land a wound. I smile. Finally, a TRUE battle.
Jaken was VERY upset. "How dare you attack Lord Sesshomaru-sama! You are nothing more than his Father's lapse in judgement! A worthless mistake! A…" he never did finish his statement. I just used my whip to knock the fool into a heavy rock and out of consciousness. Sesshomaru merely raised his eyebrow in mild surprise. "You did not kill him." I snorted. "He's not worth the effort. I want to kill the strong, those worthy to battle! I'll probably kill him if only so he may join you in the underworld." Sesshomaru looked a bit angry, maybe he likes the toad more that I thought. I attack again. He moves out of the way and lashes out with his poison whip. I use one of my own to block and the other hand to send out a few blades of power to slice him. He evaded four of the five but one caught him in the right shoulder. If he still had an arm there it would have been a good blow…
I smile in satisfaction and anticipation. This battle is lasting much longer than my previous ones. And Sess is just as good as I remember him to be. Still, with one arm and us being equal in terms of speed this is going to be an eventual victory. I don't want that. I want to fight tooth and nail for this. I don't want it to be a forgone conclusion. I jump away and Sess looks mildly surprised. "This is going well brother, but your lack of an arm is spoiling the battle for me. Fighting you in this way is like a one legged man in an ass kicking contest. You know who will lose." His face tightened. "Filthy half breed, you have yet to see my true power!" With that he glowed green and came at me. His speed was surprising and I was having a hard time dodging his claw. Difficult, but not overly so. If he had two claws I'd have been in real trouble, which burned in me. I dodge one last time and lash out with a powerful kick that sends him airborne and away. Straightening myself I snarl.
I watch him struggle to get up and for some reason I do not press my advantage. Damn it WHY? I can kill him, I KNOW I can. But, he is crippled. He was still a powerful opponent. He'd be more powerful with both his arms. But I beat him, his life belongs to me…..Damn it! It's like I have two sides screaming at me. Sesshomaru is just looking warily at me. I have him and he knows it. If he transforms he will be in a greater disadvantage without his arm. Why, why won't I strike the finishing blow? I look at him. Both my sides dislike him, but there is something else. I look at his face, his regal features. I see the smooth lines adorning his face and reach to feel mine, jagged and deformed. Is he truly of royal blood and I am merely a bastard offspring? My power. I can feel it bubbling to the surface, begging me to slaughter all I see. Wait. ALL I see?
I think back. My power was always whispering for me to use it and I did, but only against those I found worthy, and that was only Sesshomaru. All the others I fought I took no pleasure in killing them because….why? They were weak. My power wants me to crush all yet I only used it to try to fight strong demons. I looked at Sesshomaru, really looked. I see all his lines of power. But they are not random, they are organized. He has them under his tight control. Like I have mine. But his is better. More controlled. Control….
"Brother…" He backs away slowly but does not break eye contact. "I believe you in your observation." He looked a bit confused. "Which observation would that be?" I smiled at him, but I did not let the hunger leak in. What I see in front of me is proof that all these urges and so called needs can be restrained and controlled by a person's strength of will. Already more memories are coming back. Not just of fighting and battles but other moments. Happy moments…
"That I was a hanyou who was on a high from Father's blood." His eye's widened a bit and I can see him sniff. "Your scent has changed, but subtly. You still smell like a full demon." I smile at him and I can see his eye's widen. Its one of my old smiles. "I have you to thank, Elder Brother." He seems taken aback. "Me?" I nodded. "Yeah, our battle and it's insight allowed me to see past the cravings of the blood." He just looked skeptical at me. "Impossible. You are a hanyou, to be able to handle the demon blood within you, to be able to handle FATHER'S blood within you is impossible for a half breed mongrel such as yourself!" I feel a flare of anger and I suppress it. This is more difficult than I thought. And it's also not a matter of just clinging to my humanity or any such garbage. He's right, the demon blood within me wanted to burn away all of the human blood in me as well. My humanity tried to hide within myself until the demon blood subsided. It never did. Now I had my demon blood and human blood warring within myself for control. I looked at Sesshomau and something just…relaxed in me. My father and mother loved eachother. Human AND demon. They had me and Inuyasha. Why would my blood NEED to fight? I don't WANT to be either. I am my Father's Son as well as my Mother's. With that realization, I knew that I COULD control this. My blood may swing one way or the other. One night a month I am human. Why COULDN'T I be demon as well? As long as I remember what I am and who I am it shouldn't matter.
I felt a change in me but I could not put my finger on what. I can see Sess looking at me in horror. I never thought I'd see emotion on HIS face, but why the hell is he so upset? When I was prepared to kill him he didn't seem this….disgusted. I hear him murmur "Impossible!" I see Jaken come to and I look as he struggles to rise. "Oh, that lousy hanyou….Oh Lord Sesshomaru-sama!" He rushed to his Lord's side and turns to glare at me. "You good for….." I see his already huge eyes widen and his jaw hits the floor. What the hell is his problem? Both of them! Did I revert back to my regular hanyou form? I look at my claws. They seem a bit longer than usual, but nothing to be acting weird about. "What's wrong with you two?" I blink. My voice sounds a bit deeper. They are both looking at me in even further shock.
I just shake my head and turn and walk away. As I walk toward where I smell Yasha and the others I say "Sess, thanks. I'll find a way to repay you for this." Damn, I wonder why they looked like that?
It seems they were pretty much hot on my heels. It took me a little less than a day to reach them. I feel like I am much faster than before. Maybe it's because I am not denying anything about myself. I am not shunning my human blood nor my demon. Now I seem to be getting the peaks of both sides. As I emerge from some tree hopping I land in the road in front of them. I wave. "Hi guys, miss me?" They just looked at me in shock. I wave my hands. "Hello? You guys in there?" I see Kikyo hesitantly come toward me. She's shaking. I walk to her. She doesn't seem to be steady. "Hi Kikyo, I missed you." She started crying and grabbed me in a hug. Damn….DAMN! AIR!
"Kik….yo….air…." I wheeze and she lightened her death grip. She looks at me with tears in her eyes. "By the Kamis Tomas, what HAPPENED to you?" I look at her confused. "I….dunno. I managed to control my blood. That's always good. I don't think I'll be turning into a blood thirsty demon anytime." Inuyasha is just looking at me in disbelief and I see Myoga on his shoulders. Why in ALL Kamis is MYOGA crying? I look around and everyone seems to be staring at me.
"What the hell is WRONG with you people?" I yelled in exasperation. Kagome spoke up softly. "Well, you…you…look…well.." I blink. "Like I always do?" Everyone shook their heads no. Miroku looked to be at a loss for words. Which is a first. Which also got me VERY worried. Inuyasha was stumbling "Well, you look….uhm older…" Shippo cut in "You look taller too!" I look at Kagome "Uhm, a bit like Sesshomaru…" I looked into Kikyo's eyes but before she spoke I hear Myoga reverently say "You look just like your father…." I looked at him with wide eyes. "WHAT?" Along with everyone else.
Myoga looked….I don't know, nostalgic maybe? It was an expression I never quite saw on his face. "Well, you still have your hanyou ears and no tail, but you are almost his spitting image in his early days!" I just shrug. "Well, whatever. So I grew up a bit. We have bigger things to worry about. Like now I don't have a sword." I glare a bit at my brother.
Kagome came to his defense almost immediately. "It's not HIS fault. Someone was using a compulsion spell to make him angry enough to strike at you like that." I didn't soften my glare at him. "That wouldn't have made a difference if he fought with more control." I get right into Yasha's face. "here is something my pathetic human instructor told me. It's kept me alive in a few nasty battles so listen good! Control your emotions, don't let them control you. If you use your emotions like a horse you better be good at riding the horse or you'll be dragged along and killed by it!"
I turn to everyone. "Now that's out of the way, I guess we need to go to Totosei's to make me a new sword." Everyone agreed but Inuyasha. Damn it, why can't he agree just once! "We don't have time for this. We have to find the jewel shards!" I roll my eyes. The jewel pieces will still be there, or they won't and we'll still have to find them. It'd be better if we did this in a group. Naraku seems to be targeting us to break us up. That means…" Miroku finished my thought. "…He believes us to be a greater threat together!" I smile at him. "You are just like your ancestor." He groped Kagome, Inuyasha then hit him RIGHT into the ground. I sighed. "You are TOO much like your ancestor…."
We set up camp since Miroku was seeing a few more people than he should be seeing. I'd have healed him with my sword if SOMEONE didn't shatter it. I looked to see little Shippo was giving me somewhat nervous looks. I sighed and turned to Kikyo at my side. "I'll be right back. I think Shippo is a bit frightened of me." She put her hand on my arm, stopping me. "Leave the child be. He will get over it in time." I looked at her with haunted eyes. "Believe me Kikyo, to be a child and to be around something that frightens you is not something you should leave alone. I want to be sure he can at least sleep right in my presence." She just nodded. I make my way over to Kagome and Shipo. Shippo was in her arms enjoying her comfort as only a child can. "Hey Kagome, mind if me and Shippo have a chat?" I can see the little boy's eyes widen in fear and I nod at Kagome. She understands and tells Shippo she'll be right by Inuyasha.
I look at the little kit and sit right along side him. He's squirming and trying not to look me in the eyes. "Shippo, look at me." He's just shaking a bit, looks like he's on the verge of crying. I can see both Kagome and Kikyo looking at me. I feel the other two in our group are as well, only not so overtly. "Shippo, this is important. I need you to look at me. I want to teach you something. Please, just trust me one more time and look at me." I can see his eyes meet mine. I can see the fear there and it tears at my heart. "Good, what do you see?" His fear is overcome by confusion. "Wha…What do you meant, they're your eyes, there gold…." I smile and shake my head. "I'm going to show you a trick my Master taught me at your age" Although I am not going to stick him in the middle of a demon hating village to see who to trust….Baka Hiko!
"The eyes, Shippo, are the windows to the soul. My Master taught me to anticipate an enemy's movements by just looking at his eyes. You can tell what they plan to do. Naturally there are defenses for that but you can see the defenses. If they are up you know not to trust the person anyway. So look into my eyes Shippo, what do you see?"
Shippo looked a bit confused and he tried to comply. "I…I…I see calm. You're calm, and happy. Sad too?" I smile and nod. "Now I know it's a bad memory, but when I went nuts what did you see?" I saw him shiver and cursed myself. I never, EVER, wanted a child to react to me like I was a monster. That worst part about it is he has just cause for thinking me one. "Your eyes…they were hungry. And cold. Blood thirsty!" I nodded sadly at this. "If you ever feel unsure about me or anyone else. Look into the eyes. I wanted to teach you this because I didn't want you to fear a memory. I didn't want you to fear me." He looked at me with soulful green eyes. "Who would be scared of a wussy hanyou like you?" I smiled at him. "Right!" I put my hand on his head and ruffle his hair. "Night Shippo." She smiled at me. "Night Mog-san!" I smile and turn. I stop.
I look around. Kikyo wouldn't have told so that left…I crack my claws and I look at Miroku. The bastard is making to look like he was sleeping off the blow Inuyasha gave him earlier. I stomp over to him and talk over his too still body. "You know, the funny thing about sleeping. A person can't sleep when their heart is beating really fast, like yours monk!" I lift him up with one hand and I glare into his guilty eyes. "I told you not to tell. It was simple enough. Don't tell the story. I asked you Miroku. I told you what might happen." I grab his right arm with my other hand and I saw some real fear there. "Far be it from me to break my word…." He's pale and sweating. I feel a tap on the shoulder. Kikyo is standing there tapping her foot and looks to be a step away from grabbing my ear. I can see Shippo laughing and telling Inuyasha and Kagome. They looked confused at the name Shippo told them and Kikyo is looking for an explanation. I growl out, "The pervert talked about…..Mog….san" I let the last part out in a soft embarrassed whisper. It didn't help when Kikyo started laughing hysterically and fell to the ground clutching her sides. Kagome and inuyasha looked on in interest and Miroku seemed to be turning blue from lack of oxygen. Cursing the Kamis I let him fall in a heap in the ground. While he gasps for breath….and much to my annoyance Kikyo as well, Kagome comes up to me with a curious gaze. "What's the big deal with the name?"
I growl. "The damn monk KNEW I hated that name and I TOLD him not to tell anyone else. It's…..embarrassing!" Kikyo recovered from her fit of laughter on the floor and cut in. "I thought it was so endearing and cute! Come on, its not THAT bad!" I growl again. Not that bad for YOU maybe. It mocks my hanyou heritage! Yasha just looked annoyed. "What's the deal with that stupid name anyway?" I let out a much larger growl. Myoga chipped in. "Yes, this is a name I have never heard, much less referenced to you my Lord." I slump to a sitting position muttering "Against me, they are all against me…"
Kikyo rolled her eyes at me. Traitor! "Mog-chan rescued a little girl when we traveled together…for the first time. Anyway, the poor child just saw her whole village, family, and friends massacred by the demon Naraku. To help lift her spirits he made a very delightful name up…" She was enjoying this. I can tell by the look in her eyes. I think I might have referred the anti-social soul sucking Kikyo to this one… I whine "Kikyo…." She smirks at me. Oh I'll get even, mark my words woman…
"Oh, he's just a big baby. The child asks him what he was. So he put on this big production how he's a Mog, half man, half dog, he's his own best friend! It was SO adorable and the child just latched onto him and was glued to his side." I just had my head in my hand with Kagome giggled and I could feel my brother's amused gaze. "Inuyasha, may I have Teisaiga for a minute?" He gripped his sword possessively and asked "Why?" With my head still cradled in my hands I answered "I think Kikyo got most of my manhood with that story, I just wanted to make sure she got the rest…" Inuyasha snorted. Kagome blanched saying "Ewwww". Shippo just looked confused….don't worry kid, you're not in for this type of pain for years to come…I envy you! Miroku just smiled as he lay on the ground with swirly eyes. Kiyo just moved toward our bedroll and grabbed my right ear in a gentle, but firm, grip. "Come on you big baby, let's go to bed!" I just whine "I am nooot!" as I allow myself to be dragged away.
Everyone just blinked. Kagome looked at Inuyasha. "You have first watch." When he went to protest she was snug in her bedroll. He glared at her back. "Come ON, I KNOW you are not asleep!" She made a few fake snores. He glances over and sees everyone else in their bed rolls. "It's not fair…." He whined. I called out from my bedroll with Kikyo. "Welcome to my life brother!" I then got a sound smack on the top of my head and decided that silence was my best option at this point.
So after about a little more than a week we are at Totosei's forge. I asked him if he's like to live in Outkast once but he is too much the hermit to live with all those people around. Demon and otherwise. We walked into his forge. Seems smaller to me somehow. I guess growing a few inches takes some getting used to. My balance was a bit out of whack for a while but I compensated. Myoga called out. "Totosei!" We saw him stiffen bring his hammer down on his thumb. We watched in fascination as, starting from his toes, his whole body turned red as a tomato. We saw a vein on the back of his head throb as well as his injured thumb which grew three times larger. He then turned to us with tears streaming from his face crying in pain. I sweatdropped. Not the introduction I was going for. Kagome leaned into my ear. "THIS is the guy that forged your sword and the Teisaiga?" I shared an amused glance with Kikyo before answering yes. He looked at us in pain. When he got to me the pain act vanished and he paled in shock. "M…My LORD?"
Myoga looked smug on my shoulder. "Not QUITE Totosei. I'm sure you remember Lord Tomasaru?" He looked at me in renewed shock. "That can't be him! Look at those royal markings! No hanyou can have them that smooth! And he has THREE on each cheek. Just like…" Myoga nodded while the rest of the group felt as lost as I did. "What do the lines mean? Myoga?" Myoga looked a bit guilty on my shoulder and he leapt off to sit at the table. Totosei sat on the chair behind him. Myoga started his lecture mode. "The marking on a demon's face represents his class. A smooth line means he is of pure stock. That and the purity of the power he can wield. The amount of lines represents his power….well power and position." I looked on in a bit of shock. "Sesshomaru only has TWO lines. Why do I have one more?" Totosei seemed like he wanted to say something. "Yeah boy, that's what threw me for a loop. Your father had the three markings of power on his face. Sesshomaru had one, maybe he reached the second when your father died. You see, its not something EVERY demon is BORN with. It takes time. Usually the longer a demon lives the more powerful it becomes. The lines are a physical manifestation of a demon's power."
I just shake my head. "I'm a half demon. A HANYOU! NOT a full demon!" inuyasha spoke up softly. "You don't smell like a hanyou anymore. Hell, you don't smell like any demon I've ever met. Something changed but I don't know WHAT my nose is smelling!" Miroku nodded. "Yes, your power has changed. It used to be like a river when we met, now it feels more like an ocean." I can see Kikyo nodding at that. I shrug. "Well, I am who I always was so I have a few mines on my face and smell different, no big deal." Myoga just jumped up and down. "No big deal? Master what you have done most demons can not do! Not only that but you are a hanyou and yet your demon blood is not consuming your human blood and indeed your very soul!" I rub the back of my head. "Oh that, don't worry. That can't happen, not anymore." Everyone looked intrigued. Especially Inuyasha. Totosei muttered "How? How did you do it boy?"
All this attention is making me nervous but I answer. "I accepted myself." I see everyone just blink at that and sigh. How the hell am I going to explain an epiphany? "Well, my demon blood wanted to purge me of my human blood because it thought it was weak, and my human side was fighting my demonic urges because it felt they were morally wrong. My demon side is….well not PHYSICALLY stronger though that is the case but it was made to fight. There was no way my human side could win against my demonic side in a fight because my demonic side uses all the power and urges for battle." I see everyone is paying close attention. "While I fought with Sesshomaru I saw how controlled he was. He was a full demon, meaning he has all these urges I was feeling in spades. He was able to control it. Then I thought about it. I could control it as well. But……. why cage my demonic side? It's every bit a part of me as my human side. When I realized that I felt….I don't know, something, like an agreement reached inside my very soul! My demon side didn't NEED to eradicate my human side. And my human side didn't NEED to impose itself on my demon side. My father was ALL demon and he was as noble as they come. So I thought there was no reason for my two sides to fight!"
Miroku just looked at me. "You can't be serious, THAT was all?" with skepticism deep in his voice and I saw doubt on most of everyone's faces, including Inuyasha. I got a bit angry. "I'm not saying it was easy! I'm not saying it was a sort of switch I had to throw in my head! I'm saying that I reached a balance in myself. I accepted my human side as well as my demonic side. They are BOTH a part of me that I would not change for ANYTHING! When I realized this, I realized that I don't NEED to fight with myself or my instincts. I am still myself. My demonic side was just me out of balance. Doing things that deep in my blood I wanted to do. Fight a strong opponent. I did not kill anyone weaker than myself unless they were picking on those weaker than themselves." I saw them looking thoughtful. Good. I looked straight at Inuyasha. "I accepted both halves of myself. The good and the bad. I don't crave the power of the demon nor do I believe I am always right and have the arrogance of a human. What Myoga warned about our father's blood was correct. But I chose NOT to fight. Sometimes, that's the only way you can win."
Totosei was looking like he was falling asleep. God, I forgot how irritating it was to need his help. I stomp over to his ear. "HEY OLD MAN!" He jumped up and glared at me. "You want to kill me boy?" I shake my head. I've learned there are some questions you do NOT answer. That one is up there with the question Kikyo asks "Do I look fat?" No good can come from answering. "I need a new sword." His eyes bug out and I can see he is turning red from rage. "You BROKE another one?" I roll my eyes. "The first one you made was junk, remember that old man?" He had the decency to look a bit ashamed. "How did you break this one? Fighting a Kami this time instead of his guardian?" I shook my head and pointed a clawed thumb to my brother. "Grumpy there broke it with the Teisaiga!" Inuyasha looked indignant. "I am NOT grumpy!" Everyone in the room stared hard at him. He started twirling his toe in the dirt and mumbled "I am NOT…."
Totosei just looked at me in trepidation. "Uh, hey sonny, look up at the roof over there. I've got something you might want to see." I looked up with my mouth slightly open. His hand flashed and my mouth rumbled with pain.
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH…….
Kikyo hit me over the head pausing my screams of torment. "Do not be such a child Tomas!" I looked at her with tears of pain flowing down my cheeks. "It HURT! And this is the THIRD TIME!" She shook her head and started playing with my ears. I fell into her arms almost immediately and mumbled "No fair.." She just smiled smugly and hit a few…..oh DAMN nice spots….
Totosei just shook his head in disgust and walked away. The others looked on in various stages of amusement. All except Inuyasha who looked at the scene and stormed out. Kagome looked torn but followed. As I lay curled in her lap I hope the both of them can work things out.
A few hours later we are all in a spare room…..Actually we are in the only other room in the place. The forge takes up most of the place. We are all gathered in groups. My and Kikyo sat close together. To my other side there was Miroku. He's too much like his ancestor to trust near Kikyo. Inuyasha was on his other side with Kagome who had Shippo in her lap. Apparently he felt the same way about the monk's advances. He and Kagome look like something happened between them. I don't know what but I hope its for the better. Totosei with Myoga on his shoulder come in. They looked troubled. Myoga jumped into the center of our little circle.
"Lord Tomasaru, I have some….well rather interesting news about your sword." I roll my eyes. "Get to the point Myoga, and it's only been a few hours, it usually takes Totosei a week or more to create a sword." He nodded his small head. "Yes, that is true but while working with your fangs he….well….Totosei tell them what you found!" With that the flea tried to flee. I didn't bother trying to catch him. Kikyo's quick hands plucked him out of midair and tossed him into Inuyasha's waiting palms where he slapped him flat. We turned to Totosei who muttered about cowardly fleas.
"Well, while working with these fangs, they….reacted much like how the Tensaiga and Teisaiga did when I forged them. They also seem to have a shape much like….well…" Sheesh. "Just spit it out already!" He closed his eyes. "…Like how a fang would look in your true form!" I blinked as well as everyone else. "Uhm, you mean it's going to look like a toothpick or something?" He took his hammer and whammed me in the head with it! DAMN! "Owww, you wanna die or something?" He just looked angrily at me. "I'm trying to tell you something important and you are making fun of me!" I rub my sore head and snarl "Spit it out then!"
Myoga recaptured everyone's attention. "Apparently, with your new control over yourself and your blood, you are able to….shift forms much like your Father and older brother Sesshomaru." I blink as well as everyone else. Inuyasha points out "Myoga, what are you stupid or something? He's a hanyou, like me! We can't change out shapes like Pop or Sesshomaru!" Myoga looked angry at the suggestion he was dumb and did not know what he was talking about. "Look at your brother Lord Inuyasha. His facial marks CLEARLY shows he is a demon of high standing. Even though there are no real cases of hanyous being able to do such things there are no cases of Hanyous bearing the Royal Marks!" While everyone was stunned Totosei continued. "I am only telling you this because his fangs transformed while I was working with them. They bare a striking resemblance to the Tensaiga and Teisaiga! As before I am forging him a sword with both of their powers into one sword. I however do NOT know how this will end up."
He looks at me. "Each sword I forged for you has become stronger than the last. This is no different. However, this one may change forms as the Teisaiga. Or it may stay in the form of the Tensaiga. Normally I'd be able to tell you since I'm making it but putting the two forces into the sword like this will make it unstable." I interrupt. "Well, then let it have two forms. The war form of Teisaiga and the form of Tensaiga for healing. Just don't make the Tensaiga side as useless in a fight as the original. I'd like to be able to fight with that side a bit as well." Totosei looked intrigued. "It won't have many of the powers as if would in the Teisaiga form…" I wave my hand at that. "You know me by now. I can make do with a little power by using skill. I'd like to have that transformation as a nasty surprise if things get too rough." Totosei just nodded and left to forge my sword. Myoga hopped onto my shoulder.
"Master, I believe it to be wise to see if you can trigger a transformation into a dog form." I shook my head. "No offense Myoga, but I've had enough playing around with the blood in my veins for a while. What if I transform and go nuts?" Myoga just waved my concerns off. "We have your brother, Lady Kagome and Kikyo, as well as the powerful monk Miroku, what could go wrong?" My jaw went slack. I shake my head vigorously after that. "No way I'm trying after you said THAT!" Miroku shook his head. "Why not? Any advantage we can press against Naraku as well as recovering the Shikon no Tama fragments we should take." Everyone else nodded, even Inuyasha. I looked down hesitantly. "But….he said 'What could go wrong?'" I got a few blinks from that.
I stand up. "Come ON! When someone says THAT something ALWAYS goes wrong. Nope, no WAY I am doing it!" I see various blinks in the room. I don't care. I've learned something for the past fifty or so years. You do NOT ask what could go wrong. Some deity will happily prove all the nasty little things that could. Shippo muttered "He's nuts…" Fine, mock me. I am NOT turning into a big dog. It didn't work in Ghostbusters, it won't work here!
Kagome looked at me pleadingly. "Come on, if you can turn into something like Sesshomaru it would be a big help." I shook my head and crossed my arms. "Nope, no way!" Miroku tried. "Come now, you do not believe in such a silly superstition?" I shake my head. "I've seen way too much not to." Inuyasha just looked disgusted. "After all you've done, all you've been through your SCARED? What happened to the Mighty Tomasaru, warrior extraordinaire?" I look at him evenly. "He got turned into a rampaging demon enough, thank you very much!" I turned and saw Kikyo looking at me in disappointment. "This ability could greatly help us. Is your fear truly so great?" I growl. Damn IT! Not her….I can't say no to her.
"I think of it more of caution. I just got a handle on this demon blood. Rushing into transforming into something I know NOTHING of is dangerous. Too dangerous. The sword will be enough. I don't want to try this Kikyo, gives me a bad feeling. ESPECIALLY after certain comments." Kikyo just looked me into the eyes and put her hand in mine. "This new form. It is now a much a part of you as your blood. What if you trigger te transformation accidentally. I know it will be dangerous but it will be even more dangerous to simply ignore this and hope it never happens." I sigh. "I can't say no to you, and you know that…" I place my forehead on hers. "…I hope this doesn't go wrong." She looks at me and I can see the fear in her eyes. "As do I."
We were all outside. I was looking them all feeling rather stupid. Kagome asked "Well, go ahead. Then into a dog." I roll my eyes. "Yeah, well can anyone suggest how?" Miroku said with complete seriousness "Get in touch with your inner dog Mog-san." I heard a few wheezing laughs and I growled. "Keep talking monk and you are going to be a chew toy!" He just blanched a bit and looked elsewhere. I turn to Myoga. "Well this is your bright idea. Know how I'm supposed to do this?" Myoga looked thoughtful. "Hmm, well I never actually asked Your Father or Sesshomaru exactly HOW they transformed…" I shake my head. "I doubt Sess would be willing to train me. Well, I guess we should call this a day!" I try to head back in but Kikyo's arm on mine stopped me. "At least try Tomas.." Oh damn you Kikyo!
I sigh and go back to the clearing. I close my eyes. Turn into a dog…..Well thinking that didn't work! I really didn't want to try to screw around with the balance I created. So I'm not going to think I need to be more demon or anything. They said I can turn into a dog as is. Crap, how the hell do I get stuck in these situations? OK. Turning into a dog is natural….well at least for my Father and brother. I think back to the battle long ago when Sesshomaru transformed. His demonic aura flared then. That suggests that demonic power is used as a sort of trigger. Alright. I release my aura and let it wrap around me. Man, it's been a WHILE since I let my aura out. When keeping it wrapped inside I am harder to track and find. OK, stop getting sidetracked.
Alright. My power is released. Now what to DO with it? Well, shaping the aura in the shape of a dog didn't work due to the snickers I heard. Grrr…WHOAA! Growling and the aggression I felt made me feel…..something. I never felt anything like that. Could this be the key? I growl and think of some things I thought of while I was an unbalanced demon. Hunting and fighting. I can feel something….shape inside me. I feel….light headed…..wha…..
The others watched in shock as Tomasaru's aura manifested. They got a bit of a chuckle when it shaped itself to a dog looking like Scooby Doo. He then glowed. And growed…..and growed…….They looked up and saw where he once stood a huge, all white dog stood proudly. It was easily Sesshomaru's size, probably larger. It's golden eyes swept over them hungrily. It lifted its lips, and growled……
All right! Done. Sheesh, I can't believe I finished this. And why am I not getting ANY reviews. I got one for the new story arc! Come on, Let me know what you all THINK. What you suggest? Come on, I'm as open as 7-11 and twice as friendly!
