"Shippo and Crystal are very close," Miroku said, "sometimes I wonder if they are in love."
"It's hard to say," InuYasha said as he looked over at Miroku, "They are too young to understand what love is."
"I think you are wrong," Miroku replied, "Kagome was Crystal's age when you and Kagome became mates. She had finished school early so she could be with you and start a family."
InuYasha let out a heavy sigh, "Is she truly my daughter?" He asked sadly. Miroku was surprised by the question. In the past he would not ask a question like or show any emotion. He always hid behind a veil of darkness. The purity wave; did more then just purify his heart. "I don't deserve such daughter," he said. "She is just like Kagome all the way around. Not only that she is one of the most treasured demons in the Silver Dog Clan she is the most beautiful. That tiara she wears tells me that. I don't see how she could be mine. She is just like her. Even her facial features are Kagome's."
"She's yours I have no doubt about that," Miroku said, "She has your protectiveness and your eyes. The eyes that try to hide their emotions but never succeed. She is always alert and runs off on a certain time of the month."
"We better make sure nothing happens to them," InuYasha said as he looked straight ahead. "I would not be able to forgive myself if anything was to happen to them."
"Shippo and Crystal are warriors," Miroku said, "and they are strong as well. They will be fine. Shippo has grown much stronger then when you knew him."
"Miroku, InuYasha," Sango said running up to the twosome.
This got Miroku worried, "What is it?"
"You have got to see this." She exclaimed as she turned around. InuYasha and Miroku followed her.
The small group reached the tree where Shippo and Crystal slept. They looked so peaceful sleeping cuddled up together. Shippo's arm was draped protectively over Crystal's shoulder and Crystal's head was on Shippo's shoulder. There dreams only for the two of them. Their hearts intertwined in a deep sleep. InuYasha knew now what Miroku was talking about. They remained him, of him and Kagome. They had slept like that many times on their journeys together. Both had dreamed of being together with one another. As if the world was theirs and it bowed down before them. A love that blooms ever so slowly that they don't know what is happening so they just hold one another in their hearts forever.
InuYasha walked over to them and picked Crystal up into his arms and held her close. Silver grew to her full size and Miroku laid Shippo on her back. Crystal moved in closer to InuYasha. Together they took the two friends back to the campsite.
Before InuYasha laid his daughter down next to Shippo he stopped. He looked down at her, 'She is so beautiful,' he thought as he looked at his daughter, 'I wish I knew you as a child. You were always on my heart and mind my little one.' There were always two things that nagged his mind when he was trapped inside of himself. They were that of his mate and unborn pup. Deep down he knew that he had a daughter. He knew now why his father made his mother run when he, his mother, and father was in danger. He would die for Crystal. The beautiful silver haired girl began to stir in his arms. He bent down and laid her next to Shippo. She instantly moved closer to Shippo, in her sleep.
InuYasha watched them sleep, "They defiantly have a strong connection to each other." He said looking melodically.
"You and Kagome had that precious connection," Sango said she too was watching them sleep. All them were remained of InuYasha and Kagome, "I wish she was here." A tear slipped down her cheek. Kagome was like a little sister to Sango.
Miroku walked over to his wife. They had two children but lost both of them to a sickness that made its way through the village. Sango laid her head on Miroku's. He no longer groped women. He was satisfied with Sango, the love of his life. Sango loved the way Miroku held her whenever she cried for their two sons and Kagome.
"I see you two have finally realized how you felt about each other," InuYasha laughed when he saw their looks. "It wasn't that hard to notice." Then his face became sad once more. "Keep her close you don't know what you got until it is gone." He said as he jumped up into a tree as he did in the past. "Oh Kagome I miss you so much," he said quietly.
Just then he then he heard thump and felt the branches and leaves wrestle next to him. Crystal was sitting next to him and watching him. "She refused to be with anyone else. She only wanted you." Crystal said softly, "She loved you deeply." She jumped onto the branch that he sat on and nestled into his arms. She looked up into her father's face. "She felt so safe with you." She let a few tears fall down her cheeks.
"Don't cry my pup," InuYasha said wiping her tears away knowing full well what they were for. Then he drew her closer to him. "I wish I could have known you then."
"There's something I need to tell you," Crystal said knowing that in the morning he would look completely different.
"Can it wait 'til the morning?" He asked sleepily.
"No, it can't," She said and took a deep breath, "You are already turning. Tomorrow morning you will look like a full demon. Like that of Sesshomaru." She heard a low growl. Crystal let out a little chuckle. "I couldn't make you a hanyou again, you no longer have human blood. I am sorry, InuYasha. I just thought you should know before you go crazy. Your human heart remains though. Shippo is the only other person who knows." Crystal yawned and fell asleep in her father's arms. It was the first time that she had ever felt him hold her. She didn't want it to end. She had her father and didn't want to let go of him.
The Next Morning.
The next morning Crystal awoke to an InuYasha who know longer had a hanyou appearance but a full demon's appearance. He had three stripes on both of his cheeks and stripes on his wrists. On his forehead was the symbol of the crescent moon. He no longer had his dog-ears but the ears of a full demon. He looked like Sesshomaru but different, his face was not as pail and not as lifeless. InuYasha's face held a more serene look then that of his older half brother.
Crystal brought a hand up to her cheek and touched one of her stripes. Is that what I am going to look like when I turn full demon. She thought. Crystal knew that it was just a matter of months now when she will wake up a full demon. She had used too much miko powers to help her father with his ordeal. She looked down at Shippo as he started to stir and stretch his body. Will he still care when it happens, she wondered to herself. She was happy as a hanyou. In the past she tried not to think about it. But it crept in a few times. I can't let anyone know, no they deserve to know, She thought to herself. She was supposed to turn full demon on her twentieth birthday, but it will be only a few more months not years. Her blood is chorusing through her faster changing her human blood into demon.
InuYasha looked down at her as she moved to look up at him. He was her father and nothing can change that. She now had him; the picture would have been perfect if her mother was there with them. "What's wrong," he said with concern in his eyes.
"I was just thinking," she said, "that's all, I will tell you when everyone gets up."
"Too late I am already awake," Shippo called up to the father and daughter with a mischievous smile spreading across his face.
Laughing Crystal jumped down from the tree and ran after Shippo as his ran towards the forest in front of them. She could hear his laughter through the trees. Crystal stopped and sniffed the air. When she caught a whiff of Shippo's scent she disguised her scent and jumped into the trees. Jumping from tree to tree she tracked him down. When she caught sight of her prey she jumped down and quietly but swiftly she readied herself to pounce. Then jumped high into the air and straight onto him. Shippo didn't have a chance to get away. She was now on top of him looking him straight into his soft loving eyes. With swift move Shippo was now on top of Crystal. Crystal couldn't help but to blush when they looked into each other's eyes. She pushed him from on top of her and sat up. She started to laugh then Shippo joined in.
"Race you," Shippo said as he took off into a full run toward the campsite.
Crystal took off after him. Within seconds she was running past him and came to the campsite before Shippo. "I won," She said laughing when she saw him running toward her.
Everyone looked up at the two young people playing around like little pups. It was the first time, in a long time that anyone has seen or heard her laugh. It was a joyous sound to them.
Sango yelled at the two playmates, "Come and eat something."
When Crystal and Shippo came to sit down next to the fire Miroku said, "I haven't Crystal laugh like since her first run in with Sesshomaru."
Crystal down at the bowl in her hands, "I wonder if the wound has healed yet." Said stated.
InuYasha liked at everyone in interest as they started their story.
"When Crystal told Sesshomaru who she was to you. He pulled his tokijin and Straight at Crystal sword in front of him. She gracefully moved out of the way." Miroku said.
Shippo picked up where Miroku left off, "She then did one of her fancy jumps and landed in back of her. Before Sesshomaru could turn around Crystal held her hands in the air. In her hands appeared a bow. She aimed the arrow right at Sesshomaru's cheek. The arrow hit its target."
"The battle ended with Sesshomaru's cheek bleeding. All he said was 'Interesting'," Sango finished. "She told him during the battle that she did not want to fight."
InuYasha seemed to be thinking for a few minutes, "he was just testing her abilities. He probably sensed her strong powers and came to see what it was."
"That is what he said," Crystal said quietly she did not want to be remained how good she was in a battle. It only remained her of the demon's that came to challenge her.
InuYasha looked at her, "Crystal, he wanted to see if you were worthy of the tiara you are wearing. Only a silver dog demon whose power is great and pure is worthy to wear the tiara." InuYasha smiled, "You were the one that my father dreamed about. He saw a young hanyou girl wearing the tiara. He knew in his heart that it was his first-born granddaughter. And she is my daughter."
Crystal looked around at her new family. "Did father tell you why he is now a full demon?" She asked wondering if he had explained. Shippo was sitting next to her grinning, he already knew. (What a goofball)
"He became what he wanted," Miroku said.
"I was wondering about that," Sango said, "He also seemed to be more relaxed. He was always on edge."
"His calmness is a side effect of the purity wave, that's all." The Purity Sword said.
"Your sword talks," InuYasha exclaimed.
"Uhuh," Crystal replied, "It's the spirit of the Shikon jewel. The sword was made with the jewel." She explained. "Anyway father turned into a full demon because his human blood was no longer there. His human blood kept his true features hiding under the surface. When he lost he human blood and he was tripped in the hanyou not allowing changing and controlling the blood. When the purity wave hit him those three times it released his demon blood. His human heart was no longer kept his demon features bound inside his changing body. It was the turmoil and pain that kept him bound to that state. The wave helped him to release the built up emotions. Now he will be able to handle his emotions. He still has his human heart but it no long pumps his human blood."
"I see it was his human and demon blood that was always at war," Miroku said thoughtfully, "that is what causing the mood swings."
"By George, Miroku, I think you got it," Crystal said while laughing at his confusion at her comment. "I was only saying that you got the right idea." Turning to InuYasha, "I hope you are not mad."
He shook his head. "Now tell us what you were going say."
"About what?" Crystal asked.
"About the thing in the tree. You said you would tell me when everyone was up."
"Oh that," Crystal said now looking down at the now empty bowl, "It's that I was thinking of when I will become a full demon." She glanced around at the group who all looked surprised. "When a hanyou miko reach the age twenty she will become a full demon because her miko powers will reach her full strength. In some cases a hanyou miko powers are so strong and powerful that they become a full demon earlier. Their bodies can no longer handle so much power so they become a full demon. Since my demon blood is pure demon lord blood I am extremely powerful. At this very moment I can feel my powers growing. I have only a few more months as a hanyou."
Shippo looked over at Crystal, "I will have a demon lady as a best friend, cool." He said with a smile. Crystal knew he was reassuring her. He didn't care what she becomes. He will always be her best friend.
Crystal's thoughts went to her trainer, "Shikon, do you think we will ever be able to find my trainer. She has been for as long as mom has dead. Even longer." She said quietly.
"Is someone missing?" InuYasha asked looking over at Crystal.
"Ya," Crystal said figuring her purple marks. Went over to ruffle through her bag and found what she was looking for. She pulled out a mirror and looked at herself in the mirror. Just as she thought her marks are getting more defined. Crystal sighed can't I just stay the way I am. She liked being a hanyou and didn't want to become a full demon. She could just feel the power growing. "It may be sooner then I think." Crystal thought not realizing it was out loud.
"What will be sooner?" Miroku wondered,
Crystal looked at him, "It's nothing. I was just thinking."
"Who is missing?" InuYasha cried getting impatient.
'Everyone take cover he is going to blow,' Kirara said Crystal could almost see her roll her eyes. In response Silver ran behind Crystal.
Crystal couldn't hold back her laughter, "Kirara, I don't think going his cover. Not yet anyway. Silver you can come out from behind me. She was just kidding."
"What did Kirara say," Miroku asked.
"She said 'Everyone take cover his going to blow,'" Crystal answered, "and scared poor Silver."
'I wasn't scared. I was just a playing.' Silver said.
Everyone had a good laugh about what Kirara said expect of InuYasha. When the laughter died down Crystal looked at InuYasha, "The person who is missing is my Trainer Jane Layre. She has been missing for awhile."
"Maybe she went back home. Where ever that might be." InuYasha said in response.
Crystal remembers talking to her trainer retainer on the phone, "Her family doesn't know about her whereabouts either." Crystal explained, "I talked to her retainer. He has not seen neither hide nor hair of her for several months."
"Umm," was all InuYasha could muster. Then standing he turned to the group, "We better get going I want to see that old woman."
"Are sure ready to met up with anyone." Sango said. "You have just turned into a full demon. You ready for what people will say."
"As ready as I ever will be," InuYasha answered. "We will have to go sooner or later. Better sooner then later."
Crystal grabbed his silver tail and pulled, "you think that I going to go without bathing first. You must be crazy. Come on Sango I think I saw a hot spring close by. The two girls jumped up and started for the springs.
"Can't you do that when we reach the village," InuYasha yelled after them.
Crystal turned to InuYasha, "Sorry InuYasha, got to go have a bath."
InuYasha looked after the two girls as they walked off. He felt his heart crush inside of him. She is so much like Kagome, he thought. That was something Kagome would have done. Only Kagome wasn't here, in her place stood their daughter, their very treasured daughter. He looked down at Shippo who was also watching after Crystal and Sango. The two young teenagers had so much ahead of them but they had no idea what life had in store for them. It was his love for Kagome that brought him to the shrine everyday. Something told him that the same would happen with Shippo and Crystal. They were so young. Both have seen the hardships that only adults should have, not two young people who have their lives ahead of them.
Shippo got a mischievous grin on his face. "What is playing in your mind runt?"
"You'll see," Shippo said as he walked over to Crystal's bag. He looked through her bag and pulled out a small round disk. Crystal had shown Shippo how to use it. He made a swift motion and turned the disk upside down. It turned into a glass and Shippo speed away. He ran down by the creek and filled the glass up to the top with water. Then he ran down the path the women took. Sniffing the air Shippo ran toward the their scent. Then with his eyes closed he went down wind so Crystal wouldn't be able to smell him. Then he climbed up a tree that rested on top of the hot springs. Shippo scooted up onto a branch that looked over the two women. He then opened one eye to see where Crystal was. When he had her in his sight poured contents of the glass out over Crystal's head.
"Awwwwwwww, Shippo, I am going to get you for that." Crystal called after him.
Shippo laughed, "You got to catch me first." He called back. With that he took off in a full run.
Crystal jumped out of the spring. She speedily put on her kimono and ran after Shippo. She sniffed the air and couldn't smell him. 'Umm down wind eh,' Crystal thought. 'You cannot get away that easily Shippo. Crystal closed her eyes and used her other senses. Ha I got ya,' She thought as she started for the campsite. There she saw Shippo standing next to a tree with a mischievous grin on his face. Then he took off for the woods in a full gallop. Crystal ran after him. She had him in her sights and was ready to pounce when Shippo turned around pounced on her and in a swift motion he was on her.
"You are getting better at this Shippo," Crystal mused, as she pushed him off of her.
"I have a good teacher," Shippo grinned.
Crystal lunged at Shippo. Shippo sidestepped her with ease. Then he threw a mushroom at her and Crystal did a back flip. The mushroom missed her and she caught the mushroom and threw it at Shippo. Shippo wasn't expecting that and smack right in the face. The mushrooms covered his whole body. "Foxfire," Shippo called. Again Crystal dodged the attack. With her miko powers she turned the fire on him. Shippo fell to the ground. Crystal stood over Shippo, "Do you yield?" She asked. Shippo laughed, "Only if you help me up." He said as Crystal reached her hand to help her friend up. The two friends started back for the campsite laughing at their play fun.
"You need practice, Shippo." Crystal said through her laughter. "But you are good that's for sure."
When they reached camp the two friends noticed that the adults were getting ready to leave. "There you are Shippo and Crystal. Ready to go."
Crystal smiled, "yup" She looked over at her two tailed cat, "Silver are you ready," The bright silver moonbeams were her response. "I guess Silver's ready. Will you be riding on Silver with me and Shippo or are going to ride with Sango and Miroku?" She asked her father.
"I'll run there," With that InuYasha took off in a run.
Crystal shrugged and ran over to Silver pausing a moment to pick up her backpack. Then she climbed up behind Shippo on Silver. "Ready mistress."
"Yes," Crystal as she padded Silver lovingly on the side. With that Silver took off with full force.
Silver loved the wind whipping through her mane of silver hair and gold strips. There was just something that just felt magical about it. She was one with the sky. One with the wind as it flowed past her. She loved to look over at the high rising mountains. They always left her in a state of awe. Silver never knew she could feel so free flying so high above the land. She remembered her mother telling that only a few two-tailed cats can change shape and fly at birth. Flying and changing shape was something you must earn in service of her mistress. But she could fly right away. Maybe it was because she was meant for great things at Crystal's side.
Crystal the soft gentle mistress she waited ten months for. When Silver looked into Crystal's face she knew that she was her mistress. Silver loved the young girl right away. In fact she wanted to stay lying in her lap. So Silver just hung on to her when she went to put her down. At that time she did not know that Crystal could understand her language, so Silver didn't say anything. She did the thing that showed her she belonged to Crystal. Kirara her mother did the same to Sango when they first met. It is the thing that they did. They would hold on until the person says that the cat is theirs and then the cat would let go. Crystal had proved to be, in the short time that she had known her, to be a good mistress. She had a pure heart, all two-tailed were destined for pure hearted masters. Hers was one of the purest and most treasured of her clan.
"There's the village," Crystal cried with joy. Crystal loved the village. The villagers were friendly and always had a kind word for her. It was nothing like being in the United States where she was constantly put down and attacked for being a hanyou by both human and demon. And to deal with the mutants is another problem. They viewed all demons as evil so they try to destroy all the demons they came across.
Crystal looked over the land as Silver descended her flight and went into a landing. She saw her father standing by the well. He looked so mysterious in his kimono leaning onto the edge of the well. Crystal was wondering why he was standing there. Then she realized that he was looking straight into the forest at the sacred tree. He was staring at Sesshomaru who was standing next to the tree in his full armor. Crystal got off of Silver as her father walked toward Sesshomaru. He was walking so calmly toward his older brother. Sesshomaru stood still with his hand on his sword; he was ready battle if he needed to.
"InuYasha," Crystal cried as Shippo came up and stood next to her. She ran up toward her father.
InuYasha stopped his advance and looked at his daughter. "You are just like your mother," He said as looked at her. "I just don't like him in my territory. That is all Crystal don't worry." Turning to Sesshomaru, "Leave this land. I am Lord of this territory, Father had decreed before he died." InuYasha said in a formal tone. Crystal turned around and noticed all of her friends watching this.
Sesshomaru stood there with his unemotional look, "This territory belongs to my dead brother and his clan."
Crystal was afraid a battle was about to take place. It was clear to her that Sesshomaru ready to attack at any time. "Sesshomaru, he is InuYasha," she looked down at the ground, "When the tiara was put on my head, I could sense that he was still alive but trapped inside an angry hanyou body. He needed his heart to be healed from the dangers of his bondage. His soul was trapped inside a hanyou's body. There was no human blood to keep fighting." Crystal explained. "Please, believe me. He is InuYasha, my father.'