Chapter 3-A light in the shadows
When they arrived at the Hills of Forbiddance it seemed peaceful enough and Sango felt that Inuyasha would choose this spot to find himself in his current state of mind. While she didn't know why it was called the Hills of Forbiddance she decided she didn't want to know and neither did the rest of fragile group. It was then they heard, saw, and felt an immense power of an attack being unleashed as well as the source of that power in the distance. It wasn't till they all got there that Sango gasped as she rolled a newly fresh transformed Inuyasha over. She saw his Tetsuigia was still in its sheathed state still attached to his waist. The ground was covered in his blood that came from what she determined were all self inflicted wounds. 'Whatever happened to you with Naraku Inuyasha must have caused you to do this to make an attempt to block the pain with another. I know I would have,' thought Sango as her thoughts drifted slightly to Kohaku and how he was a prisoner within his own body thanks to Naraku.
"Well what are we waiting for I say we kill the traitor now so we can move on and find Naraku," said Koga making Sango snap out of her thoughts as she turned and glared angrily at the wolf demon for the comment.
"Don't you dare! Inuyasha would never have made a deal with Naraku and you know it you stupid wolf demon. He left because he knew you were going to kill him after we had all killed Naraku. That is why he left us originally," said Sango as she held Inuyasha in her arms not caring to see the others shocked expressions.
"So he spied and caught us huh? Well when Inuyasha gets better I'm going to 'sit' him until he wishes he was dead," said Kagome with an evil smirk on her face.
Sango realized that until she looked down and saw that Inuyasha didn't have the rosary around his neck, but bits and pieces of it in his claws. 'Inuyasha is free. He's no longer under Kagome's control and is free to do what he wants. But is that good or bad now that he's transformed?' thought Sango who had unknowingly summoned Kilala to her.
Kilala was still in her transformed state when Sango summoned her and came to her mistress as Inuyasha was then put on her back. Kilala noticed he was much heavier then before, but then again he rarely rode on her back so it was hard to tell if he had gotten heavier. Even Shippo found that he was having a hard time holding the new form of Inuyasha stable as it was much different then what he was accustom too. "Sango what are you doing?" said Kagome questioning her 'friends' actions.
Sango glared at Kagome whose eyes told the reincarnation of Kikyo everything she needed to know. "What do you think? I'm going to take Inuyasha back to Kaede's so she can examine him properly. Maybe she can find outwhat is wrong with him," said Sango with anger and hope mixing into her voice.
"I'll tell you what's wrong with him and that is...HE'S ALIVE!" said Koga who leaped into the air to strike a seemingly unconscious Inuyasha.
Before Sango, Shippo, and/or Kilala or act a certain unexpected someone that they never thought would did on Inuyasha's behalf. It was Kanna who used her mirror to create a shield in front of the three living beings and one unconscious half-demon behind her. "You will not harm my new master," said Kanna whose doll like eyes showed a determination to protect something special to her.
Everyone was in shock as Koga, who was sent flying from his intended target by Kanna, got up painfully with Kagome by his side with concern. "YOU? What is an incarnation of Naraku doing protecting Inuyasha for? Unless...Naraku made the agreement and transformed Inuyasha into this new form," said Koga accusingly at both Inuyasha and Kanna.
"Is what Koga saying true Kanna did Inuyasha agree to serve Naraku?" said Sango while Miroku readied his Wind Tunnel for use.
Kanna shook her head. "No. My new master did not agree to Naraku's terms and in fact tried to fight the demon puppet that represented Naraku, but it was too powerful for him to stop. Though Naraku is responsible for Inuyasha's transformation...my new master is free from Naraku influence and was responsible from killing Naraku's powerful demon puppet," said Kanna as she turned and stared at Inuyasha with a sad look in her eyes that Sango, Shippo, and Kilala never saw before and wondered if what Kanna said was true.
"In any case I'm taking Inuyasha back to Kaede's to see about treating all the wounds on his upper body. (Sango pause's and looks at Kanna) If you want Kanna you can come with us provided you don't betray us or Inuyasha," said Sango who saw Kanna's eyes widen with an emotion Sango never saw before in the child's eyes.
"Thank you I would love that," said Kanna who was picked up by Sango and place next to Shippo who couldn't help feel afraid of having a mirror holding, soul stealing Naraku incarnation next to him.
"Sango what are you doing? Have you gone insane? Let me just kill Kanna so there is one less incarnation of Naraku's to worry about on our travels," said Miroku who was ready to launch his Wind Tunnel at the doll like creation.
"She saw what happened here Miroku and is cooperating with us. She may give us what information we need to understand what happened to Inuyasha. And personally, I want to know what happened as I'm sure all of you do," said Sango as she then signaled for her faithful feline companion to take to the air to Kaede's village leaving the others in shock.
(Several days later in the mountains)
Bova was surprised by very few things in her secluded time in the mountains, but this was the one exception that she was when a snow covered being that was Naraku entered her home after smashing the sliding door loudly to the side with a look to match his actions. "BOVA! You lied to me," said Naraku flat out with his blood pupil eyes burning as he stared at the half-demon cow.
"I never have lied Naraku and I didn't so to you either. I told you that the un-holy arrow was unpredictable when it struck half-demons yet you disregarded it as if it were nothing. If anyone here is to blame it's you," said Bova pointing a finger at Naraku while she took the other and that hand sand in it and tossed it into the fire not too far in front of her sending the fire a blaze.
Naraku let out a huff, but he admitted to himself that the half-demon cow of a former priestess was right and he shut the door behind him cutting of the cold weather outside. "The half-demon I hit with your arrow has an unexpected power inside him I did not foresee that overpowered the strongest demon puppetI have ever created that weakened me momentarily. I haven't forgotten you have the power of foresight Bova so I want to know what it is you see with your magic and demon abilities that grant you this power," said Naraku in a calmer yet irritated voice.
Bova was only half listening as she used her powers look at resent events as well as future ones. Her eyes suddenly opened to a point where Naraku thought her eyes were going to pop out their sockets as sweat from fear fell down from Bova's forehead. "This half-demon by the name of Inuyasha is truly powerful indeed Naraku. Never have I felt such power running through the veins of a half-demon in all my life," said Bova whose voice clearly had fear in it.
"What do you suggest I do to kill him then?" said Naraku as he waited for Bova to give him some advice to get rid of this new threat.
"You can't Naraku. I sense Inuyasha is more powerful then any full blooded demon that has ever existed. Even different types of demonic weapons or sorcery that have been in existence and forged combined together, cannot not stop this power no matter what you do," said Bova who was clearly scared out of her mind when she sensed Inuyasha's vast power.
Naraku was far from pleased at that moment with the response he received and left without saying another word except for five. "I...will...find...a...way," said Naraku as he opened the door and left the house to embrace the cold weather down the mountain.
(In Kaede's village)
Kaede wasn't sure what had surprised her more when Sango returned with a bleeding Inuyasha on Kilala. The wounds Inuyasha had inflicted on himself, to see Inuyasha transformed like he was, or to have Kanna by his side as Sango had Kilala carry him into the hut for the elderly priestess to examine him. "Where is Kagome and monk Miroku?" said Kaede curiously.
Sango told her everything that had happened with Inuyasha, Kagome and Miroku's little plot with Koga to kill Inuyasha after Naraku was dead. The meeting Naraku had with Inuyasha shortly after she left by the lake and all she had heard or experience with Inuyasha atthe time. "I fear for Inuyasha Priestess Kaede. I have never seen Inuyasha go through such pain before as well as such a transformation like this," said Sango.
Kaede nodded as she too had never seen Inuyasha like this before whether it was wounds or his transformation. "If it be all right with you Sango I would like to contact my sister Kikyo so she may help Inuyasha and perhaps reverse the transformation," said Kaede who saw Sango eyes go wide with fear.
Sango had a good reason to be since Kikyo wanted Inuyasha to go with her to hell and Kikyo's powers were more powerful then Kagome's. With Inuyasha currently out of it and unconscious Sango knew the undead priestess just may get her wish. "I don't know Kaede I was hoping you could take a look at Inuyasha while he is unconscious before doing something like that," aid Sango with a sense of fear in her voice.
"Yes, but I thought I would make another rosary while he was out and my sister who has more experience with Inuyasha in controlling him could see to it he doesn't wake up just yet," said Kaede who saw Sango's eyes widen this time in surprise.
"Another rosary? Kaede I thought Inuyasha had proven himself enough as to not to wear one anymore much less another one as a replacement for the one he ripped off while in pain. I can't explain it Kaede, but I don't think Inuyasha will become hostile to us along as were not hostile to him," said Sango.
"A woman intuition I would surmise from you lady Sango. An intuition about someone that was forged from loving that particular someone for sometime I believe," said Kaede causing Sango to blush slightly confirming the old priestess's assumption.
"Please Kaede. I...I ask that you do this for me more then Inuyasha. I've seen Kagome abuse the rosary time and time again in order for her to try and get her way. I don't want him to have one on him again when he's proven his loyalty more then once," said Sango in pleading voice.
"Very well Sango if it makes you feel better I will not construct a new rosary for Inuyasha out of respect for you. However, if he does become hostile I will be forced to make a new more powerful version of it that," said Kaede giving Sango one fair chance.
"Thank you Priestess Kaede for this you are both wise and merciful," said Sango who then bowed her head respectfully to the elderly priestess.
"Your welcome Sango, but I am still going to contact Kikyo so she will be here in case he DOES try anything," said Kaede emphasizing on the word 'does'.
"Yes I understand Kaede I will go see Inuyasha now," said Sango as she then ran to the hut where Inuyasha was to see how he was doing.
What Sango saw when she came into the house surprised more then shocked her as she saw Kanna not holding her soul stealing mirror. It was on the ground next to Inuyasha while she bandaged a heavily wounded area of his scarred chest. Shippo and Kilala had been watching her near the door so they would had a good head start in cast she tried anything on Inuyasha or them. "I'm sorry master I should have stopped Naraku when he tried this on you, but I couldn't. Forgive me," said Kanna to the unconscious Inuyasha as if he were actually awake.
Sango was surprised that Kanna would be apologetic to Inuyasha and refer to him as her "new master". "How long has she been bandaging him?" said Sango in a whisper that only Kilala and Shippo could hear at the moment.
"For sometime Sango and she keeps on repeating herself on how she should have stopped Naraku from causing him so much pain. It is so weird to see Kanna act like this it is almost creepy when you think about it," said Shippo and Kilala nodded her now small feline form in agreement with Shippo.
"All right you two watch her while Ilook out for Kikyo and the others since they should return shortly," said Sango who no sooner said those words then heard a tornado like wind blow outside knowing full well that Koga, Kagome, and a panting Miroku had arrived.
When the tornado left Koga looked around briefly to find the scent that would lead him to Inuyasha and Kanna and had just found it when Sango appeared out of the house. "I know he's in their Sango so get out of my way before I force you aside," said Koga as Kagome got off of his back so he could maneuver better.
"I told you before Koga you're not getting past me and even if you did you could never get passed Kanna's mirror," said Sango as she readied her giant demon slaying weapon for battle.
"Well see," said Koga confidently with a smile to match as he leaped into the air with a fist raised to come smacking down on the demon slayer.
Just then Shipp appeared at the door looking frantic at Sango who had her whole attention focused on Koga at the moment. "Sango! Sango! Inuyasha's awake and he doesn't look to happy," said Shippo causing Sango to turn her head to face Shippo in disbelief.
"What?" said Sango as red lightning came from the house and struck the wolf demon right as he was about to hit Sango clear in the face sending him instead flying into the sky and into a tree on the opposite side of the house.
Shippo turned around and Sango the same and saw through the door Inuyasha's blood red eye glowing with an unimaginable intensity she never saw before. Sango then notice he was stroking Kanna's hair affectionately like she was his daughter and he was a loving father. "WOLF! Don't...do that...again," said Inuyasha as the same red lightning that had hit Koga went around his demonic eyes with a purpose.
"I am so glad your alive my master. Please forgive me for not saving you earlier...I was afraid at the time," said Kanna who had tears running down her face much to the surprise of Sango, Shippo, and Kilala who had just seen what had happened to Koga.
Inuyasha's eyes looked from Shippo, Kilala, and reluctantly Sango to Kanna who had her head down not daring to face him for fearing his judgment on her. "My dear sweet Kanna I thank you for bandaging my wounds and protecting me against Koga when it mattered. As for not helping me...I forgive you for not aiding me because I too know what it means to be afraid at times," said Inuyasha calmly who then cupped her chin to raise it so she stared into his eyes and he kissed her on the forehead before hugging her, which she returned.
After he finished hugging Kanna in a fatherly manner Inuyasha's attention turned to those who were standing in the door watching him in disbelief. "Inuyasha...I don't...what you...did was...was well...incredible" said Sango who was practically speechless as was Shippo and Kilala who didn't even give a mew but just stared in silence.
"A small sample of my power Sango, but you do not need to fear me for I would not harm you or Kilala and Shippo. I like you all too much to hurt any of you," said Inuyasha in a dark voice that was both dangerous, yet calm as he looked into Sango eyes and winked real quick making the demon slayer blush a deep shaded red.
"How are your wounds coming Inuyasha?" said Shippo now that he knew Inuyasha was still his friend.
Inuyasha looked himself over and realized most of his upper body had been bandaged by Kanna while the rest of his wounds were slowly, but noticeably healing faster then usual. "I'll live little fox if that's what you're wondering, but for now I would like to rest by myself," said Inuyasha who slowly closed his eyes and drifted to sleep with Kanna slowly lowering his head to the hay that would be his pillow beneath him.
"We should go outside to protect him," said Kanna who then picked up her mirror and walked outside without even looking at Kilala, Shippo, or Sango who decided they should do the same as Kanna and let Inuyasha rest in the house till Kikyo got here.
When they were all outside however, Koga was being carried by Miroku and Kagome had an angry look on her face that looked like her head was going explode. "See Sango look what Inuyasha did to Koga. All the more reason for Inuyasha to be killed or possibly controlled right now before he does something more dangerous," said Kagome angrily.
"I hate to break this to you Kagome, but Inuyasha can't be controlled anymore because he's no longer wearing the rosary around his neck because he broke it. He's a free dog again as he was meant to be and not some pet for you to pick on when ever you see fit," said Sango who smiled at seeing Kagome's shocked reaction to the rosary not being around his neck.
"That...mutt...got a...lucky shot in...that's all," said Koga as he winced from the assault his boy had taken from the red lightning Inuyasha had shot from his body.
"I say you got what you deserved Koga considering you first tried to attack Inuyasha and then me when I was protecting him while Kanna bandages most of his wounds," said Sango as she looked at Kanna who smiled and Kanna did the same.
"Wait? Are you saying Kanna serves Inuyasha now and not Naraku?" said Miroku who could believe what he was hearing.
"Yes. I am forever loyal to Inuyasha. He is my master now till I am no more," said Kanna stepped in front of Sango till she was nearly in-between the two groups.
"I hope this means that you will be protecting Inuyasha for me Kanna?" said a new voice that came from their right (or left).
Sango turned her head to the direction of the new voice and recognized it instantly and knew who it was before she could mention the beings name. "Kikyo!" said Sango in surprise as to how the undead priestess with soul collector appeared before them so quickly.
"What are you doing here Kikyo?" said Kagome who had more curiosity then anger in her voice.
"My sister contacted me to examine Inuyasha and his newly acquired transformation however, (stares at Kanna) she did not tell me Naraku's incarnation would be here as his loyal and obedient servant," said Kikyo whose voice remained neutral.
"Well you can't see Inuyasha since he's asleep," said Shippo defiantly, but that only caused Kikyo to smile.
"Actually that works out well since I won't have to worry about him trying to fend me off with his powers that I sensed have grown dramatically since I saw him last," said Kikyo who without another word walked passed a worried Sango, Kanna, Shippo, and Kilala to the hut Inuyasha was in with Kaede now at her side.