I woke up the next morning and sat up, attempting to rub my eyes. Instead I found out that while I slept I had somehow gotten my claws on both my hands and feet wrapped up in the sheets. I looked over to find Sesshoumaru watching me with an amused look on his face as I struggled with them. "Help me!" I cried and he crawled over to my side.
He took my hands and feet and carefully pried my claws out of the material. "Thanks," I muttered, face turning red, as I gathered them in my arms and left the room. The others were all waiting around for me. "Why didn't you get me up?" I asked.
"We wanted you to be well rested for today." Kurama said. "Did you sleep well?"
"Kinda." I glanced at Hiei. "I had many nightmares." I felt my face turning red again at how childish I must've sounded.
Yusuke took the sheets from me. "What about?"
"Uhhh..." I looked down. "Inuyasha and the others were in trouble at first and then... I dreamed of that ball of light."
"I don't blame you." Said Yusuke, nodding. "Wait... what did you do?" He was holding up the sheets which were now full of holes."
I felt my face turning bright red again. "I haven't gotten used to these claws yet..." I muttered.
"Well, I guess it's all right." Yusuke said and put the sheets back in the closet. "Let's go outside and figure out what to do next."
Everyone agreed and left the room. As I began to follow Sesshoumaru reached out and grabbed my arm, forcing me to turn and face him.
"What?" I asked, looking up at him.
"What would you like me to call you?"
"Like... for my name?" I asked. He nodded. "Kira, if that's alright..." I said quietly.
"Kira..." He nodded his approval and went with me outside to where the others waited.
"Ok," Kurama said when he saw me. "We need to test your basics. To find out how much training you will need."
I looked up at him. "How?"
"First we need someone for you to fight. Then we watch and see how it goes."
"Just... like that?" I asked and he nodded. "What if someone gets hurt?"
Botan popped up laughing. "You're so sweet! That's why Yukina showed up this morning!" she said, bringing Yukina forward.
"Oh..." I said, watching as Hiei backed slightly away.
Kurama looked around. "Who's going to be first?"
Yusuke stepped forward grinning and popping his knuckles. "I'll volunteer." He said.
"This isn't a real fight." Kurama scolded. "You're just testing her limits, that's all." Yusuke nodded and then Kurama gently nudged me forward and I stood, watching Yusuke nervously.
"Don't be so tense!" Yusuke kidded.
I looked back at him and nodded slowly, trying to relax as my eyes swirled many different colors, never resting on one for very long, showing how nervous I was. Sesshoumaru stepped forward to make it stop but Hiei held him back. "Nothing will happen to her, we're just seeing how much training will be needed." He muttered and Sesshoumaru stopped.
I looked back at everyone as they backed away to give us more space. Kurama gave me a reassuring smile and I turned back to Yusuke. "You ready?" he asked.
I swallowed and nodded, knowing in my mind I wasn't at all ready. Suddenly Yusuke leapt at me and with a startled cry I jumped to the side, dodging it barely. He nodded. "Your reflexes are pretty good. Get ready and try to hit back this time." I nodded and watched him carefully. He charged again and I spun to the side, swiping at him but just before I hit he turned and caught my hand. He then rammed his other into my stomach, stopping before making contact. He laughed as I stared at him in shock. "Not fast enough." He sprang away and stood at the ready again.
My ears twitched and I glanced to the others. "We have a lot of work to do..." I heard Kurama say and I glared at him. He didn't notice though and I turned back to Yusuke, determined to land at least one hit before we ended. My eyes turned red, not glowing, just the normally green parts were nowred like Hiei's as I watched Yusuke again.
He charged at me and jumped to the side at the last moment, punching into my side. I jumped to the right and felt his hand brush my shirt but that was it. He looked at me. "Not bad, for a girl."
"What?" I yelled, and my eyes flashed once before turning red again. He stepped back slightly at the sudden change in my attitude but quickly recovered. He ran straight at me and instead of jumping away I stood where I was. He threw a punch at my stomach and I caught it. I heard another whistle coming towards my head and snatched it too. Yusuke looked surprised for a moment and then grinned. He brought back a foot to kick me but I kicked his leg before he could. We sprang apart again and he laughed, rubbing his leg. "Getting better. Was it something I said?"
"Shut up!" I growled through my teeth. I ran at him this time and he jumped to the side right into my outstretched leg and fell forward. I pressed two clawed hands into his back, forcing him down all the way and kept them there so he couldn't get back up. "Do I win?" I muttered. His hand shot out to grab my foot and I stepped on it. "You're not in a position to be doing things like that." I said menacingly and pressed my hands down slightly harder. I heard him swallow nervously and turned to Kurama. "Are we done?"
He stared at me for a second to take in the sight of me crouching with Yusuke pinned. He nodded and then laughed. "Yes, very good."
Kuwabara burst out laughing and pointed at Yusuke. "Ha ha Urameshi! She beat you! I think you're the one who needs the extra training!"
"Shut it Kuwabara." Yusuke muttered from under me and I removed my hands. He got up on his knees and I lent him a hand, grinning as my eyes swirled green again, and helped him up. "Maybe you won't be so cocky next time. And cool it with the comments ok?" I said.
He smiled and scratched the back of his head. "Yeah, I'll keep that in mind." He leaned down to me and whispered. "Did you actually scratch me? I felt the claws but I couldn't tell if they pierced anything."
I had him turn around and I looked at his back. "No, there's nothing there, not even holes in the shirt. I didn't want to hurt anyone..." I muttered.
"Well, you'll have to change that attitude once we're in the tournament." He advised and I nodded as we rejoined the others.
They warmly greeted me and a lot of teases were directed at Yusuke who accepted it fairly well. I grinned and blushed at every compliment I got. After everyone calmed down Kurama spoke again. "Well, we know you can take care of yourself fairly well, but Yusuke has had a large break from missions. He hasn't fought in a while. Your speed is very good. Yusuke is very fast yet you could pretty easily keep up. We'll have to test its lengths later. I guess your brothers can help you learn to fight with your claws and Hiei will train you in sword use. Since he volunteered first Yusuke gets to work with your hand-to-hand fighting and Kuwabara and I will help you learn to control your spirit energy once you get the rest of it. You have a little right now that we could work with as a start."
I nodded. "Umm... When do we start it all?"
"We just did." Yusuke said. "Do you want to go a few more rounds? I'll tell you what to do in some situations and stuff."
"That's good. We'll wait inside and you two can practice. Later we'll have a snack and then continue with something else."
Everyone agreed with Kurama's suggestionand entered the house, even Sesshoumaru, leaving Yusuke and me outside. "Get ready." Yusuke said. I nodded and kind of just stood there. "What are you doing?"
I looked at him. "What do you mean?"
He shook his head. "How you're standing. You don't look ready at all. How did you block me like that?"
I shrugged. "What am I supposed to do?"
"You have to be on guard, leaving no openings. You never know what tricks the people in these things might pull." Yusuke then instructed me on how to stand at the ready, yet somehow I still managed to look totally off guard. He tested my stance several times but could never get a decent hit without being blocked at least slightly or having me dodge. He laughed and shook his head. "I guess that's ok. They'll attack and you'll knock them flat before they even knew that you were ready for them! At least the lesser demons... All right, now come at me!"
We continued on in this way for several more hours before someone came out, finally making us stop. We staggered inside, both tired from our work and sat down. Botan laughed and gave us each a drink. "Looks like you two have accomplished a lot! We were watching."
Yusuke grinned. "She was already pretty good but she's improved a lot more now."
"Good." Kurama said. "Are either of you hungry? You've missed lunch." Yusuke nodded but I shook my head. "Are you not feeling well?" Kurama asked me.
"No, I'm fine. I'm just not that hungry right now." I answered.
"She won't need to eat everyday anymore." Sesshoumaru said. "She's not a pathetic human so she doesn't need constant food to stay healthy and I don't eat human foods."
"But," I added. "I'm not a full demonso I do need to eat every now and then, just not right now and I do eat human foods." So I sat and watched as Yusuke had his meal.
Kurama looked around and stopped, glancing at Sesshoumaru. "Sesshoumaru, wasn't it?" he asked.
Sesshoumaru looked at him and slightly nodded so Kurama continued. "Do you want to go out and practice with her for a while?"
He didn't respond but instead grasped my arm and pulled me outside after him. Once outside he asked me, "why are you going through with this nonsense?"
"Because they need my help!" I answered. "Plus, don't you want me to be able to protect myself? Especially when I'm with Inuyasha. They're teaching me how to do so and now it's your turn."
Sesshoumaru nodded and looked away. After a moments thought he turned back to me. "Did that boy teach you how to punch?"
I nodded. "Yeah, but it hurt a little because my claws are too long."
"Here." Sesshoumaru took my hand and balled it up in a way so my nails didn't stab into my palm. "That's how you do it unless you want to scratch your opponent. I suppose it's good to know both though." I nodded and he continued. "If you face someone running at you they might jump away if you swing at them. If they do feel free to just swipe at them with you fingers extended. You'll probably catch hold of something. Be it flesh or cloth I don't know but either one will scare them. That boy was terrified when he felt your claws in his back. I could smell his fear."
I nodded. "I heard him swallow hard too."
Sesshoumaru continued. "But this attack is very easy to do. You just tense your fingers slightly and swipe at something." He picked up a pinecone. "I'm going to throw this at you and you have to cut it to pieces before it hits."
I nodded and backed up a step. He brought back his hand and threw the pinecone at me. I dived out of the way.
"What are you doing?" Sesshoumaru asked, staring down at me.
"I didn't know you were throwing it that hard!"
"Well, if I go easy on you you'll never learn." He replied. "Now get up and prepare yourself."
I stood slowly and took my strange stance while watching him closely. He calmly brought back his hand and then suddenly threw it forward. I threw my hand forward and five pieces of pinecone landed at my feet. I laughed happily. "Look! I did it!" I yelped as another one came shooting past my head.
"You should always be on you guard." Sesshoumaru said with an amused smile. He continued throwing various objects at me, sometimes even rocks or branches, for a few more hours before we headed back inside. I had several new bruises and bumps but Sesshoumaru said they would be gone by morning so I didn't worry about it.
Everyone except for Sesshoumaru and I had a quick dinner and then we all turned in for the night. I awoke several times again in a cold sweat during the night. The dreams were growing worse, this time containing images of Inuyasha and the others badly injured. They were calling my name, needing help but as I ran towards them they would fade into the distance. The last image I saw was of Inuyasha in his human form badly wounded with his hand weakly outstretched. "Help..." he muttered, coughing up blood and I snapped out of me sleep in a cold sweat with tears running down my face. I sat up and leaned against the wall, jumping as something touched my shoulder.
"Are you ok?" It was Hiei again.
I looked at him with deep blue eyes and a tear stained face, shaking my head. "Come on." He whispered, taking my arm and pulling me outside again. This time we didn't head for the roof and for this I was grateful. Instead we just went away from the house so no one would hear us and sat down, side by side. I wiped away my tears as best as I could and sat there quietly, staring into the darkness.
Meanwhile, Yusuke, Kurama, Kuwabara and Botan were gathered inside the house, sitting around the kitchen table when Sesshoumaru suddenly burst into the room. "Where did she go? What did you do to her?" he shouted.
"Calm down." Yusuke muttered. "She was having nightmares so Hiei came to comfort her." Yusuke ignored Kuwabara's shocked face. "They're right outside."
Sesshoumaru glared at him for a moment and then spoke. "The short one?"
Kuwabara burst out laughing. "Yeah, that's him!"
Kurama shot out an arm to keep Sesshoumaru from leaving. "Don't worry. He won't try anything. He's much too nervous. He just felt bad hearing her crying and groaning in her sleep so he felt he must do something."
Sesshoumaru knocked his arm away and glared at him. "I didn't hear her..." he muttered.
"You were sleeping. When's the last time you've slept peacefully? You would've sensed if she was in real trouble. You just happened to wake up and she wasn't there so you freaked out." Kurama explained.
Outside, Hiei and I were still sitting there quietly and not looking at each other. I felt my face grow hot but ignored it, staring into the darkness surrounding me. My scream suddenly filled the air and I fell backwards causing Hiei to leap to my side.
"What's wrong?" he yelled.
I lifted a shaky finger, pointing straight ahead. "I saw him, I saw him!"
"Who?"
"Inuyasha! He was dying! And the others too!" I threw my face into my hands and sat there sobbing into them. Hiei hovered over me, unsure of what to do. Tentatively he placed and hand on my back and very lightly rubbed it. It was so soft I almost couldn't feel his hand there at all but when I realized it I lifted my head and looked over at him, my face red and tearstained. "He's in trouble." I whimpered.
"It's ok... he'll be fine!" Hiei attempted to speak to me in a soothing voice. "Let's go back inside and talk to the others in the morning."
I nodded, too afraid for Inuyasha to speak and staggered to my feet, my eyes still a very deep ocean blue and leaking tears. He walked slightly in front of me, attempting to hide his red face but it didn't work.
We reached the silent, dark house and peered into the room where I slept. Sesshoumaru was leaning against the wall at the foot of my bed, his head lolling against his chest. We went silently to my make shift bed. I sat down on it and he sat in front of me, checking for the last time if I would be ok for the rest of the night. I nodded and looked at him. "Thank you..." I whispered.
He turned away as his face went red and nodded before quickly leaving the room. I looked around and instead of lying down to sleep, I stayed sitting and pulled the covers around myself so only my face was showing. I leaned back against the wall and didn't move for several minutes.
"Why were you with him?"
I nearly jumped out of my skin and barely stopped the scream that threatened to escape. "Don't do that!" I yelled in a whisper, turning to Sesshoumaru. He was wide-awake staring at me now, his golden eyes gleaming in the dark. "He was comforting me..." I muttered in response.
"What were you dreaming about?"
I looked away. "Inuyasha and the others, but mainly Inuyasha." I looked back at him with tears filling my eyes. "Sesshoumaru, he was dying! He was in his human form and he was so badly hurt..." My voice trailed off as the picture came back to me. I closed my eyes tight and grasped both sides of my head. I felt an arm go around me but didn't move.
"He's ok." Sesshoumaru assured me. "If he was in trouble I'd be able to sense it as well. I may hate him but he is my brother." Sesshoumaru removed his arm and stared at me. "Now go back to sleep. They're going to make you train hard tomorrow."
"I can't..." The image of Inuyasha coughing up blood repeated over and over in my mind and I couldn't make it stop! Sesshoumaru moved beside me on the blankets and gently took hold of my ears. Slowly his fingers began to move around and I felt myself relax. My eyes gently swayed green again and I sank back against the wall. "No fair..." I sighed. He kept doing it and I felt my eyes begin to close. I slowly fell to my side and went into a peaceful sleep. Sesshoumaru gently moved me so my head was on the pillow and then lifted the blanket on top of me before moving back to his place at the foot of my bed and falling asleep himself. Hiei crouched quietly on the couch, watching his every move and when all went still he slipped silently out, unnoticed.
The next morning I was awaked with a nudge from Yusuke. "Time to get up. We have a visitor."
I woke up yawning and rubbing my eyes. "A visitor?"
He nodded and pulled me outside. I jumped in surprise at who was standing there. "Koenma?"
He nodded and grinned, again in his teenage form. "I have come to ask how you're doing and how your training's going."
"Um... it's going fine I think." I said nervously.
"Koenma," Kurama said stepping forward. "I have a request."
Koenma raised an eyebrow. "And what might that be?"
"Kira has been having nightmares. They all consist of the same thing, her other brother and is friends in trouble. Would it be alright if she could go visit him to make sure he's ok?"
My face lit up as I looked gratefully at Kurama but it quickly fell when I heard Koenma. "No."
"But, why not?" I cried desperately.
He crossed his arms, trying to look very thoughtful. "I don't want you to run away and refuse to come back. I saw how scared you were of the energy I showed you."
"I wasn't scared..." I muttered.
"Oh no? Then come over right now and absorb it. Then you can go see your brother."
"She's not ready yet!" Yusuke yelled. "It's her brother! She hasn't seen him in forever and now you're doing this?"
Koenma looked away. "I understand her situation but ours is very important as well. We actually are here and obviously real and serious. You can't take her dreams seriously, can you?"
"She could be seeing the future slightly." Everyone stopped to stare at Kurama who then continued. "She has a strong connection to her brother and she's already done it once. She wrote a story about how a girl was found by Inuyasha and brought back to his world. In her story the girl was his long lost sister. I haven't read it yet but she told me about it. It sounded as if the only real difference was that we weren't there."
"My condition stands." Koenma said finally.
In the arguments that followed no one noticed me fall the ground with my hands clamped over my head. A terrified scream erupted from my mouth and I saw everyone stare at me in shock before I lost consciousness.
I woke up inside, on a couch with everyone staring down at me. "She's awake!" Botan called happily.
"What... happened?" I asked, sitting up slowly.
"You screamed and passed out." Koenma said calmly.
I closed my eyes for a second, trying to recall what I had been thinking of. Suddenly they snapped open and I yelled out, "Inuyasha really is in trouble! I see him now too, not just in dreams, but when I'm really standing outside too!" My eyes swirled blue as I looked around at everyone. "I need to go see him!"
"Then take your energy back." Koenma said.
I stared at him in shocked. "I can't believe you! You're so selfish! My brother is in trouble, I can feel it!" My eyes flashed red and Koenma staggered backwards. My eyes widened in realization. "Is tonight the new moon?" I screamed.
Kurama nodded and I leapt to my feet, running to Yusuke and shaking his arm. "In my dreams Inuyasha was in his human form! Tonight he will change! We have to get there before then! Do you have your watch?" I screamed hysterically.
"K-Koenma took it back." Yusuke stuttered in surprise and I released him.
"Koenma please!" I begged. I looked at him closely with tear filled eyes and realized he wasn't about to change his mind. I hung my head in defeat. "I'll do it now."
He staggered back in surprise. "I thought you were going to kill me! Alright then, anyone coming take hold of me." He said as he strapped a watch to his wrist and set the destination.
I grabbed his arm tightly and then Sesshoumaru did followed by Yusuke, Kuwabara, Kurama, Hiei, Botan and Yukina. "Ready... Go!" Koenma yelled and I felt my feet rise. Hiei stared at me waiting for me to grab someone but I never did, my face set with grim determination.
We landed in the room full of all the file cabinets and I ran to where I remembered it was. "Open it!" I nearly screamed and an ogre seemed to appear out of nowhere to obey.
Koenma walked up angrily. "Hey! You're supposed to listen to me!" He snatched away the key and began to open it.
"I'm sorry sir, she's just so scary!" The ogre muttered before backing away.
Koenma tossed the key back to the ogre and reached deep into the drawer. He emerged with the glowing green ball and I took a step back. "Let's go to a different room. Can't have you destroying this one..." He suggested and I impatiently followed. Yusuke nodded at the memory of tearing the cave apart to help handle the pain of when he did it and followed.
We emerged through another door into a brightly lit and very large room with grass and even trees growing around in strategically placed spots. "This is where we stop." Koenma said, turning to me. "Are you ready?"
I stepped nervously from behind Sesshoumaru and nodded. He caught my wrist and pulled me back. "If this kills you then I will kill everyone here. Remember that." I nodded slowly and stepped up to Koenma.
He released the neon ball of light and it hovered in the air for a second. Suddenly it charged forward and slammed into my chest, forcing it's way inside of me. Everyone leapt out of my way as I staggered back into a wall, clawing at the air and holding back screams.
"This isn't good." Yusuke muttered.
"What do you mean?" Sesshoumaru asked, staring sharply at him.
Yusuke turned to him. "When I went through this my energy ball was about the size of a softball while hers is several times larger. I felt a delayed reaction before the pain began but hers isn't even in yet and it's already hurting her!" He finished and turned to watch me again.
Cracks were appearing in the stone wall behind me as the light continued forcing it's way inside. I clawed at it but nothing happened so instead I laid my hands upon its surface and started pushing it in, helping it on its way. My eyes began to water and I shut them tight as I continued. The others watched in stunned silence as I tried to take it with pointed teeth clenched tight.
"It's in!" Kuwabara yelled in shock and it was true. There was no sign of the ball as I stood there breathing heavily with both hands clenched and my eyes still shut tightly. Suddenly I fell forward and a huge wave of green light shot out from around me. Kuwabara jumped in front of Yukina and Yusuke in front of Botan as everyone shielded their faces.
"This isn't safe." Koenma muttered from his back. He had been knocked flat from the force. "Everyone, get behind me." He said as a shield appeared around him and all near. Sesshoumaru stood where he was, staring at me helplessly and I staggered back to my feet and fell to my knees again as a bolt of green light shot out and hit a tree beside him. He liftedhis arm to shield his face from the flying pieces of bark and wood that flew everywhere.
I stared at him, and he took a step back as he saw my face. My entire eyes were glowing bright green from all the energy built up inside me. "Get... behind... him!" I panted, struggling for breath. He stared at me for a moment more and then obeyed.
I staggered to my feet and leaned against the nearest tree, gripping it as hard as I could. The trunk crumpled like paper under my hands and I ground my teeth to keep from screaming. I couldn't take it anymore. With a tremendous scream I let all my anger and sadness and pain erupt from myself as I lunged forward and hit the tree as hard as I could. It shattered and chunks of it flew off in all directions as I fell forward, no longer having something to lean on. My eyes were wide but you couldn't see the whites or pupil, just glowing neon green all around. I lay on the ground with both fists clenched tightly and my teeth grinding together. Red puddles began forming under my hands and I lay there motionless.
"She's stabbing herself!" Sesshoumaru cried. "Take it out of her now! I know you said you could!"
"Wait." Said Kurama, picking up a piece of shattered trunk. He tossed it at me and as it touched my leg it burst into flame and disintegrated.
"But... what do we do now?" Yusuke yelled. He turned to Koenma and grabbed the front of his shirt, lifting him from the ground. "This is all your fault!"
"My fault?"
"If you had just let her go back she wouldn't have forced herself to do this!"
Koenma looked away sadly. "But there's nothing we can do now..."
"What are you doing?" Kurama yelled, grabbing Sesshoumaru's arm as he started to leave the shield. Sesshoumaru snatched his arm away and growled at him, his eyes glowing red. "If you cowards won't do something I will!" Everyone stared at him guiltily and Sesshoumaru continued forward.
He crouched down by my side and a tiny bolt zipped over and struck his arm. He clenched his fist to keep from crying out and turned to me. My face was still and my eyes remained bright green. He reached a hand as if to stroke my face but another bolt struck his fingers and he pulled back, bleeding. "Kira." He whispered. "You aren't trying to leave me are you?"
My ear twitched at the sound of a voice so close and I spoke. "I told... you to... stay behind him." I managed to say.
"Don't talk, just focus. Do you remember why you agreed to do this so soon?" I barely managed to shake my head and cried in pain when I did. "You dreamed Inuyasha was in trouble. I think he is. I feel suddenly strange and it's not only from seeing you like this. We need to find him!"
Tears were streaming down my face as I remembered what he said was true. As I forced myself to sit up a massive bolt of green lightening shot out from my body and struck Sesshoumaru in his stomach. His eyes grew wide as he grunted and fell forward and I heard Botan scream. I sat in shock as I stared at his still form, the pain now forgotten. "Sesshoumaru?" I reached out to touch him but a spark flew off my hand and I quickly pulled back. "Sesshoumaru!" I screamed. "Wake up!" He didn't move.
I crawled backwards in shock, green tears pouring from my glowing eyes. The others behind the shield stared at me as my hair began to turn green. Long neon green streaks were appearing in my black hair and running down to the bottom as I sat there crying, sparks flying off of me. I fell over and collapsed, shaking with sobs as the others stood back, afraid to leave the shield. A massive wave of energy erupted from my body and the force of it rolled Sesshoumaru's body over a few times and everyone behind the shield fell over backwards. Every tree in the entire room shattered or burst into flames and cracks appeared, running throughout the walls. Large chunks fell from the ceiling and crashed to the ground.
Suddenly my entire body glowed green and I forced myself to sit, glaring at everyone. "What's happening?" I heard someone shout, though I couldn't tell who it was. My entire body was burning yet it somehow felt numb at the same time and my eyes changed again. They were now entirely red with tears still pouring out and down my face looking like streams of blood. Puddles of it appeared around me as they dripped off my face. My hands tensed up as the cuts from my claws disappeared and my fangs felt as if they were growing longer. An immense pain filled my entire body as I stared up at the sky painted ceiling and let a piercing scream erupt from my lips. I didn't realize it but I was sitting crouched on two legs with my hands in front supporting me, keeping me from toppling forward. As I sat there screaming I began to change.
"What's going on?" Kurama shouted, wincing as he covered his ears. Everyone else behind the shield covered theirs as well, while they stared at me.
I shrunk in size and my shape became blurry and hard to make out from within the light. Slowly my scream turned into a howl and my form fell forward and lay still. As the green light diminished instead of my form lying on the ground there was instead a black wolf. Its eyes were closed but bright green fur was scattered among the black and a blue crescent moon was on its forehead with two red streaks below the left eye. A silver locket hung around its neck. Everyone stared in shock at it until Yusuke spoke up. "Is that... her?"
"I think so..." Kurama said slowly. He tossed another chunk of wood at me but instead of bursting, this time it just hit my side and bounced off, causing me to twitch slightly. "It's safe. Botan, Yukina, see to Sesshoumaru." They nodded and went to his side while the others slowly approached me.
Kurama placed a hand on my chest. "She's still breathing." He sighed in relief.
Yusuke walked over and sat beside me, placing a hand on my head. He jumped backwards as I lifted it with a snarl, my eyes glowing bright red. I looked around myself, seeing everything in a red haze and shook my head. My eyes turned to glow green next and I closed them for a moment before looking around again. This time it was normal. My eyes were back to their normal emerald green. I staggered to my feet and with Yusuke and Kurama's help I managed to stand. I looked at myself as best I could and yelped in shock before sniffing the air. I stumbled over to Sesshoumaru's side and laid my head on his chest with my eyes closed. When I reopened them they were glowing green again but I kept my head on my brother. A green light radiated from me and spread all throughout his body.
"She's healing him..." Kurama whispered.
With a choking cough Sesshoumaru'seyes flutteredopen as he stared slowly around at all the concerned faces watching him. "W-where's Kira?" He muttered and then looked down. "You?" He said to me.
I raised my head and barked once and as I lightly licked his arm my eyes turned their normal green once more before swirling deep blue. I stared up at him and he shakily raised a hand to pet my head.
As I sat watching him another image of Inuyasha flashed before my eyes. He was calling my name as he coughed up blood, wounds covering his entire body. I leapt to my feet and began barking hysterically, unsure of how to change back.
"Hiei." Kurama said. "Read her thoughts so we can know what she needs!"
Hiei stepped forward from the crowd and came to my side. He stared at me and closed his eyes, concentrating hard. "I can't."
"What do you mean?" Yusuke yelled.
"I mean she's blocking me out!" Hiei screamed back.
"Make direct contact." Kurama suggested.
Hiei glared at him and reached a hand out, placing it on the side of my head. "Still nothing." I whimpered and laid my head on his lap and closed my eyes. He almost jumped back with embarrassment but instead set both hands on my head and closed his eyes again as everyone watched him, amazed at his reaction. "She's seen more images of her other brother." Hiei said with his eyes still closed. "She knows he's in trouble and needs to find him right now." I removed my head and ran around everyone, barking again as he got to his feet. Koenma handed the watch to Yusuke who strapped it on andgrabbed a handful of the fur on the back of my neck. I reached out and grabbed Hiei's pants in my teeth.
Kurama laughed. "You should go with her. That's the only way we'll know what she's saying."
Hiei tried to hide his red face as he nodded and grabbed Yusuke's arm.
"I want... to go." Sesshoumaru muttered, trying to get to his feet. I growled at him and snapped at his hand as he reached for Yusuke. "What's... wrong?"
"You're too hurt. She won't allow you to injure yourself further."
Sesshoumaru stared at me for a second. "Then... take this. But don't... touch the... handle." He gasped, shakily lifting my sword.
Yusuke nodded and took it in his hand as he set the watch's destination. With a flash we were gone leaving the others to tend to Sesshoumaru and wait.
We arrived at the well and I ran to the side and peered down into it, barking for the others to hurry as I noticed it was already night. They each took hold of me and we all leapt into the darkness. We appeared on the other side and I jumped out and waited for the others. I paused to sniff the air and then caught the scent of fresh blood, Inuyasha's blood. I howled and took off. Even Hiei had trouble keeping up with my speed. I skidded to a stop and closed my eyes, concentrating. Slowly my size began to increase until I was several times larger than before. I laid my head on Hiei's chest, almost knocking him over and he said, "She wants us to get on."
They both scrambled onto my back and I took off, the trees bending almost in half from the wind I created as I flew past, my desperation driving me.
I lost the scent only once but then a fresh breeze brought it back to me, much stronger than before and I took off again. In a few minutes I skidded to a halt at the edges of a very thick forest and peered through the gloom as the two guys slid off of my back. I set my head on Hiei again and he spoke my thoughts. "They're in there. Be on your guard."
Yusuke nodded and I closed my eyes, shrinking back to the size of a slightly larger than normal wolf. We entered the woods quietly, none of us making a sound as we continued forward. Suddenly I stopped and the sounds of shouts could be heard just ahead. I looked at Hiei and Yusuke and they nodded as we crept forward.
The scene that greeted us was one of mass chaos. There was blood everywhere and it took all of my will power just to block its smell out and stay alert. I looked around, searching for Inuyasha first but my attention was taken. Sango was fighting against her little brother Kohaku who was under Naraku's control, trying to evade his attacks while still not striking back and Kirara stood by, afraid to attack her old master. Miroku was fighting the urge to use the wind tunnel for Naraku's poisonous insects flew around him, trapping him in their midst. He struck at the bugs with his staff but wasn't getting anywhere for every time he killed one, two more took its place. Minor demons also flew at him but were quickly killed by the swinging staff.
I looked over and Kouga was fighting alone against Kagura. She laughed as he struggled against the powers of her fan. The waves of wind hit him repeatedly, never giving him a chance to defend himself. I watched in horror as he fell against a tree and coughed up blood. My dreams... I thought as my eyes widened. With a high pitched howl I leapt into the fray, Hiei and Yusuke failing to stop me, and ran to Kouga's side. His eyes widened in surprised as he felt my cold nose on his hand. He looked at me and sniffed while Kagura stopped attacking, caught off guard by my sudden appearance. She laughed. "One of your pets?" She asked, highly amused.
He ignored her and stared at me. "You're that girl!" He whispered.
I nodded and licked one of his wounds, whimpering. He winced at my touch. "I'll be fine." He muttered.
With a yelp I slammed into him, knocking him out of the way as Kagura attacked again. The tree Kouga had just been leaning on burstinto pieces and she glared at us. "Stupid little wolf!" She screamed, pointing the fan at us. "I will kill you too!"
I growled at her, my whole face wrinkling in rage as I grew in size. Kagura stepped back as I kept growing and stared in shock. I barked and she stepped back a bit more before she sent a wave of attacks at me. I turned my head and they seemed to bounce right off. I growled at her more fiercely than before, one of my fangs equal to the length of her arm and her face grew full of fear.
I felt a hand on my leg. "She says to see to the boy." Hiei said, shooting a glance at Kouga who sat on the ground watching me in shock. I lunged at Kagura, catching a side of her clothes as she dodged. It tore off in my teeth and hung there as I growled at her more. "Curse you." She spat as she pulled a feather from her hair. In a swirl of smoke a massive feather appeared under her and she flew away. I snapped at her as she soared over my head and dived to Kohaku, snatching the back of his shirt and pulling him up beside her.
"Kohaku!" Sango screamed, reaching up to him as he faded into the distance. The bugs and demons surrounding Miroku slowly began to leave as well. Glaring after them as they disappeared, I slowly shrunk to the size of a normal wolf and ran in circles, barking widely. Hiei came to my side and placed both hands on my head. He didn't get anything so I placed my head on his chest, causing him to blush. "Where is Inuyasha?" He recited.
Kouga lifted a shaky hand and pointed off into the woods. I licked it as he smiled at me and then passed out and I whimpered as I stared at him but Miroku assured me he would be ok. Hiei, Yusuke and I then took off into the woods in the direction Kouga had indicated.
We stumbled across another clearing and stopped dead, staring. Inuyasha lay back against a tree as Naraku laughed crazily staring at him from underneath the baboon skin. I watched in horror as Inuyasha began to wobble, growing dizzy. I stared at the sky. It's the night of the new moon! I thought frantically. The Inuyasha in front of us now was not the one from before. This one had dark black hair and no dog-ears, claws or fangs. He was a human!
Naraku continued laughing, unaware of us as he savored his victory. Suddenly I realized that Kagome was lying by his feet, a desperate Shippou shaking her. Naraku leaned down and slapped Shippou away. "Little nuisance." He muttered. Kagome's eyes fluttered open and she screamed as he appeared in her view. "That wasn't very nice." He laughed menacingly as he wrapped his fingers around her neck, lifting her from the ground.
"Inu...yasha..." Kagome choked, but he was too injured to move spending everything he had on staying awake.
With a snarl I charged forward and leapt at Naraku, sinking my fangs into his arm. Hiei followed behind me and Yusuke rushed to Inuyasha, trying to keep him conscious. In his surprise Naraku dropped Kagome and Hiei scooped her and Shippou up, bringing them to Inuyasha and Yusuke. As my fangs sunk deep, a purple poison gas sprayed from it, filling my mouth. I fell writhing to the ground, my eyes watering.
Recovering, I leapt away and stood growling at Naraku. I jumped back with a yelp as root like tentacles erupted from the wounds I had made in his arm and wound their way towards Inuyasha and the others. I leapt in their path, biting and clawing at them, with Hiei destroying whatever I missed. I stared at Naraku's body, now just a baboon head sitting in the middle of the tentacles. I charged at it but was knocked away by a flying root and Hiei caught me. He wrapped his arms around my head and shouted. "Urameshi, she says to attack the head!"
He nodded and pointed a finger at it. "Spirit gun!" He yelled and a massive bolt of blue light erupted from his finger, disintegrating everything in his path, trees, tentacles, head and all.
