Old Friends
Kagome put away the jewel then went to return to her slumber. She walked past Shippo and placed her cloak over his limp body like a caring mother to a sleeping child. Kagome lie down near where Shippo had fallen and fell asleep herself. Of course, the temperature dropped that night so Kagome began to shiver in her sleep. Kagome's whimpers of being cold woke Inu-Yasha. After awaking to her cries, Inu-Yasha laid his robe over her. At that, she curled up under it and stopped shivering and whimpering. He then went back to his space near the wall falling asleep again.
Shippo was the first to awaken. He noticed that he was covered in the cloak that Kagome had been wearing. He also noticed that he was still in the dark room where she had shot him. Kagome lay next to him like she always had. She was covered in Inu-Yasha's robe. Inu-Yasha always had cared for her. Speaking of, Inu-Yasha sat against the far wall in the shadows, asleep; yet, ready for action, cuddling his swordsssss… Wait a minute, why did Inu-Yasha have two swords? All he ever carried was Tetsusaiga; anything else would be dead weight. Shippo looked outside the sun hadn't yet risen. Maybe today he will be turned back into his demon form Shippo thought to himself. He knew that Inu-Yasha was worried Inu-Yasha would be stupid not to be. Shippo had known Inu-Yasha for a long time and nothing like this had ever happened before. Shippo also knew Inu-Yasha well enough to know that Inu-Yasha never slept when he was in his human form; he would be too vulnerable to an attack, so why was he asleep now? Had been in his human form that long, long enough to be forced into slumber? What caused it? How could it reversed?
Shippo crept over to Kagome looking for answers to his questions. He saw that Kagome carried the book that Kiada had written. Even though Kiada never let anyone read it, she told them it contained all of their adventures and one day they would find out everything that was contained within it. Shippo had learned to trust her so he vowed to protect the book, along with Kagome and Inu-Yasha's bodies, Kiada's village, and the Shikon No Tama. Shippo caught his own thought. The Shikon No Tama…that's why she shot me! I wonder if Inu-Yasha knows she has it. I don't believe she wouldn't have told him. At that thought, Shippo raced off to find the others. If she did have the jewel then they would all be needed to protect it.
Crash. This noise awoke Inu-Yasha from his slumber shortly before sunrise. Boxes fell in the alley next to the road. Inu-Yasha looked around. "Where did that demon go? …I'm gonna kill him." "Kiarra…" He heard. "…Where are you…"A young girl froze in her tracks staring blankly into Inu-Yasha's face. "…going…" she finished trailing off. Inu-Yasha and the young girl stared at each other, each afraid to move, but ready to fight.
The young girl had auburn hair, amber skin and green eyes. She looked human except for her ears and tail. A thick mane of hair hung down from her head framing her face and her demon ears that sprung from the sides her head like Kouga's. Her outfit was the same color as her own hair. She wore a fur shirt that only wrapped around her chest, a fur skirt around her waist out of which her tail sprung. She also wore fur leg protectors. The girl's tail was long, thin and bare with a puff of fur on the end. She wore black gloves on her hands that extended up to her forearms. Inu-Yasha was unsure of who this demon was, but this girl reminded him of Kouga. She had a small sword hung around her waist, a dagger attached to each leg and a dagger on her side opposite the sword, along with some new weapons Inu-Yasha had never seen before. What annoyed Inu-Yasha most was that he had no knowledge of this demon. She was a little younger than they were. He should have known who she was.
Kirararan up to Kagome whom had also been awoken by the noise. Kirarajumped into Kagome's lap then began nuzzling her. "Hello Kiarra" Kagome said sweetly. Stunned by the cat's affection for these strangers, the young girl asked, "Kiarra…Do you know these two?" The demon cat mewed in response then continued to nuzzle Kagome. Kagome laughed and petted Kirarahappily; after all, Kirarawas the first face that they recognized from this time. Inu-Yasha lowered his guard and stared out the holes in the walls for any more unwanted guests.
The young girl lowered her guard as well. "Any friend of Kiarra's is a friend of mine." Kagome smiled at her. "My name is Kohaku," Amber. "What's yours?" The name froze Inu-Yasha in his tracks. "Um…" Kagome was hesitant to reply. "I'm Kagome and this is Inu-Yasha." The girl suddenly became uncomfortable in their presence and it showed. She shifted from one foot to the other deciding what to say. "Who?" She finally asked. "Hitorashi, Kagome" Kagome replied. "Do you take me for a fool?" the girl stuttered. "Kagome and Inu-Yasha have been dead for years." Kagome looked over to Inu-Yasha for assistance; Inu-Yasha just shrugged it off and looked back out the hole.
The sky was becoming lighter; dawn would be here soon. Inu-Yasha was well aware what another day as a human would do him. Inu-Yasha could neither battle nor use Tetsusaiga, he felt defenseless. He didn't know how the other humans managed to stay alive through all their demon adventures. He was strong; of course, but in a battle…like this… he would probably lose.
Miroku appeared in front of Inu-Yasha causing Inu-Yasha to fall over backwards. As surprised as Miroku was that Inu-Yasha and Kagome were alive, he didn't show it. Miroku hadn't changed a bit. He was exactly as Kagome and Inu-Yasha had left him. "Hello my old friends." Miroku announced smugly. "You know them?" the girl asked. "Of course I do." Miroku answered. "This is Inu-Yasha, the great warrior," he announced draping his arm around Inu-Yasha who was dusting himself off "and that there is Kagome, the beautiful miko." "Miroku, are you sure? Inu-Yasha and Kagome have been dead for years." He let go of Inu-Yasha for fear of Inu-Yasha's rage playing it as if he wasn't afraid. "Kiarra…" Miroku started standing almost oblivious to his surroundings. "Is that Kagome?" Kiraramewed happily. "…And is that Inu-Yasha?" Miroku continued. Kiraramewed again; she was extremely happy. "There you have it. They are who they claim to be." Inu-Yasha was disappointed with Miroku. He thought for sure Miroku would give some sort of fail-safe test that Inu-Yasha was currently unable to achieve like drawing Tetsusaiga, but Miroku didn't. Inu-Yasha looked at Miroku for signs that he was who he claimed to be since Miroku should have aged like Shippo and the trees.
Miroku opened his robes slightly. "Miroku…" Kagome exclaimed diverting her eyes. Inu-Yasha growled. "What do you think your doing…Monk?" Before Miroku could respond a creature emerged from Miroku's robes. At first Kagome thought it was a puppy because it had a puppy like face, four fuzzy paws, a collar, and a tail, but…it also had a thin set of butterfly wings and fluffy white ears. When the creature landed in Kagome's lap, she noticed that the creature was a turquoise color and it also had antennas hidden by its fuzzy ears. The creature's wings were lined with jewels just like it's collar. It reminded her of a mini dog demon like Inu-Yasha, but with manners of course. Confusion captured her as to how she knew it, but it was too cute for her to care so she just cuddled and nuzzled it.
Kirarabecame jealous and went over to Inu-Yasha, her old sparing partner. Inu-Yasha sat down on the floor near the wall where he'd been sleeping and Kiraraclimbed into his lap. "How did you find us?" Inu-Yasha asked Miroku. Miroku sat across from Inu-Yasha. "You weren't hard to track down. When I heard the temple was destroyed by two unruly teens, a boy with long black hair and a girl dressed in odd clothing, I came to the village and ran into Shippo. He's really changed. Speaking of… Kagome, Shippo said you…you shot him?" "I did." She replied almost happily. Miroku laughed, "Serves him right." Inu-Yasha gave Miroku an interesting look. "Inu-Yasha, Shippo ended up a lot like you. Stubborn, hard-headed, way too confident for his own good, and sometimes very rude." A smirk crept across Inu-Yasha's face.
A pretty middle age woman burst though the door. She had black hair and wore a tattered dress with a floral print. She had a few scares, but all in all was in good shape.
"Great, Miroku, Does everyone know we're here?" Inu-Yasha exclaimed.
"Not much ever happens around here anymore, Inu-Yasha." Miroku admitted.
"So it is true." The woman said confidently. "He'll be ever so pleased to hear about this." "Who?" Inu-Yasha demanded standing ready to draw the rusty katana.
"Sesshoumaru" She replied then ducked out the door. She jumped upon the back of Ah and Un and rode away on this dragon type creature with two heads. Inu-Yasha looked up at the sky; he knew she would tell Sesshoumaru for that dragon thing belonged to him and for her to be riding it around meant that she was working for him. The sun had yet to rise. "If the sun doesn't rise soon…" Inu-Yasha spoke softly enough for only them to hear, "we won't have a prayer."
Some time passed and the sun stared to rise. Inu-Yasha wanted to leap out into the light just to see if he'd change back today, but he didn't. The wind picked up and Inu-Yasha stood frozen at the doorway. Sesshoumaru had come. Sesshoumaru spoke "The one who calls himself Inu-Yasha, come, fight me." Inu-Yasha wasn't one to turn down a battle with his brother; yet, he was in no condition to fight him. "Alright" he confidently yelled back to Sesshoumaru. "NO!" Kagome yelled at him, but before Kagome had time to reply Inu-Yasha had both rusty katanas out ready for battle.
The sun hit Inu-Yasha while he was standing in the doorway facing his brother. Inu-Yasha closed his black eyes. He glowed, his hair turned from back to white, his claws clutched the katanas tightly, the Tetsusaigas changed into their magical form that was so famously known. Then as the glowing around Inu-Yasha faded he opened his amber eyes and smiled at his brother revealing his long whites fangs.
Sesshoumaru was ready for battle as he always was; although, this battle felt different, like he could be defeated. Sesshoumaru antagonized Inu-Yasha into this fight; there was no way either one was backing down. Sesshoumaru wasn't exactly convinced that this character was Inu-Yasha; however, he did look like Inu-Yasha and he was purely run by his ego and his stupidity. One thing puzzled Sesshoumaru…why Inu-Yasha had two swords. They both looked like Tetsusaiga.
Inu-Yasha walked out into the street still smiling at Sesshoumaru, challenging Sesshoumaru to make the first move. Sesshoumaru flew at Inu-Yasha, but Inu-Yasha dodged every attack. Sesshoumaru had gotten faster. It was good that Inu-Yasha knew his brother so well. With every attack Sesshoumaru made Inu-Yasha swiped at Sesshoumaru with one of the Tetsusaigas. Nearly noon and the old town virtually destroyed, Sesshoumaru was forced to draw his demon sword to protect himself. Inu-Yasha had quickly gained the upper hand leaving Sesshoumaru on the defense. Both battled hard. Even though Inu-Yasha was more inexperienced, Sesshoumaru had a hard time holding his ground against Inu-Yasha's attacks. The two were evenly matched.
Inu-Yasha and Sesshoumaru battled in the streets until night fell when Inu-Yasha accidentally walked into Sesshoumaru's hand. Sesshoumaru knew Inu-Yasha would walk into a trap if it meant getting closer to him. Sesshoumaru had lowered his sword and glanced away, distracted. Inu-Yasha moved in for an advantage; however, Sesshoumaru was ready and used his poisoned hand to stop Inu-Yasha. Inu-Yasha ran straight through it. He froze in pain. Damn it, this was a trap. Inu-Yasha thought. Sesshoumaru pulled his hand free leaving Inu-Yasha standing in pain. Of course, Inu-Yasha's injures forced him to fall to his knees clutching the wound.
When Inu-Yasha fell to the ground, Kagome let an arrow fly. The arrow broke Sesshoumaru's armor. "I suggest you leave." Kagome said forcefully. "Stupid girl" Sesshoumaru replied. In retaliation for interfering and breaking his armor, he launched a blast from his evil sword at Kagome. Kagome shot another arrow through this blast, which purified the energy killing the attack. Disgruntled, Sesshoumaru attacked her again. This time he was successful. She flew backward with pebbles that use to be the area in which she was standing.
At this attack, Inu-Yasha's instinct to kill Sesshoumaru was thrown into overdrive. "You are a fair opponent." Sesshoumaru mocked Inu-Yasha. "I could almost believe you were my brother." "You hurt Kagome!" Inu-Yasha said infuriated. As Sesshoumaru let loose another attack, Inu-Yasha swung both swords with all the strength he had left. The two attacks collided with such intensity that an explosion threw the two apart. Inu-Yasha fell limply to the ground as Sesshoumaru was thrown back badly injured. Sesshoumaru may have been tough but the blast absorbed his energy. Sesshoumaru collapsed to one knee just as Inu-Yasha had done before holding his sword ready for a counter attack from this powerful demon, the demon that called himself Inu-Yasha. Sesshoumaru realized that if his energy had been drained then his opponent's energy must have been absorbed as well so neither would be in any shape to continue. Sesshoumaru decided that a retreat was appropriate, after all whomever he was fighting was seriously injured as well. If they both kept fighting like this they would both surely die. Why would I want to die today when I could have an easy victory tomorrow? With that thought, Sesshoumaru was gone.
Miroku had disappeared when the fight began, 'to protect the village girls.' The young girl, the puppy creature, and Kirarahad taken off to find Shippo and Sango. Therefore, Inu-Yasha and Kagome had been alone for this battle. Now the two were unconscious, in the streets, and had no one around to vouch for their identities.