Inu, Takai, Shippou and Hana all started to get ready to leave for their journey. Though, Inu was sitting outside Sango's and Miroku's hut since they wanted to speak to him. Whatever for, Inu wasn't sure, and had a feeling that he shouldn't care. Shaking his head, Inu didn't know what was coming over him. He normally never thinks like this. Not caring about his friend? That was just so strange. Even for him. Sighing softly, Inu stared at the sky, wondering what was to happen now that the future was gone thanks to Naraku.
Looking toward the door, Inu tried to think on what Sango and Miroku wanted Takai for. But, thought of nothing. He couldn't think of anything. Which, to him didn't make any kind of sense at all; sighing softly Inu looked on ahead of him. Trying to see if he could figure out something about that dream he had of his father. How would he even know what his father looked like if he's never met him? No, he knew what his father looked like. People said that he was the mirror image of his father. Least not including the black streaks in his hair since his father has pure silvery white hair.
Shaking his head, Inu heard the sound of a curtain being pushed aside. Blinking he looked up and saw Takai dressed in some sort of black leotard and tilted his head to the side. There was some black coloured padding on his forearms, his shins, shoulders, chest, and his stomach. Inu wondered if there was any of that padding on his back. But said nothing about it, but… "Dude, you look like a dork."
Takai almost fell over. He hadn't expected that, sighing Takai sat next to his friend saying "look Inu; this is the clothing of the Demon Slayers, and, I just so happen to be a descendant of a slayer and a great and powerful monk." Inu burst out laughing and fell over to his side and had his arms around his stomach. "Are you laughing with jealousy?" Takai said with a grin.
"Ha! In your dreams! I'm laughing because the only 'monk' here is one of the biggest perverts in the world! And before you tell me, I know that Miroku is your ancestor. I've known for a while because he's the only monk that is married to a demon slayer." Inu said as he tried to stop laughing. This, in itself was extremely hard since his friend did also inherit the whole 'pervert' thing from his own ancestor. Which just so happened to be the only thing he got from Miroku besides the sacred powers.
Takai just glared. Damn it, Inu had a point there didn't he? Sighing softly, Takai sat down next to the young half-demon as they waited for Hana. The girl had told them that she had a few things that she had to do before they left. Whatever that was anyway… Sighing softly, Inu stared at the sky, wondering how long it would take them to find the painting of his father. He wasn't sure, but hoped that it would be soon. If there was one thing that Inu hated besides losing it was the wait, or at least a very long wait. But he knew that good things come to those who wait… That is true isn't it? Isn't it?
"Hey you two, still waiting for Hana?" Asked Shippou as he walked over to them, holding a small cat demon that Inu knew was known as Kirara.
Kirara was still just as cute as when Inu met her. Yellowish white fur, black ears and paws, and black stripes on her twin tails, and to finish off her look were her red eyes and black slit-like pupils. There was nothing more to her really, less you count when she transformed into a huge saber-cat-like creature. Not that Inu was complaining, hell no! Kirara can fly, that's what made this adventure so cool and worthwhile.
"Yeah still waiting for her." Inu said with a sigh, he didn't know what she could do really. And that was what had him worried. What if they were in a battle and she couldn't defend herself? What if she got killed? That was what had Inu worried the most. Shaking his head, Inu tried to think of something else. Anything to get his mind off what could happen if Hana was in danger; he tried thinking on how he would react if he met his father for the first time. Inu had a feeling that it would be amazing. It couldn't be worse right? Not like it was when he lost his mother… Nothing could top that…
"Hey, sorry if I kept you three waiting long." Said a woman's voice, soft like a chime of a bell.
Inu blinked out of his trance and looked up. Only to blush a soft pink, he could feel the blood build up in his cheeks and knew that he was blushing. Hana's hair was pulled back in a flowery braid, her clothing… It was just a long simple outfit, two side splits that started near her ankles, and stopped at her thighs. Under that, looked some red pants that stopped at her ankles, the red, matched the black colouring of her outfit. Inu gulped and slowly stood up and stared at Hana. The emotions in his eyes were hard to read.
"Inu-kun, you okay?" Asked Hana with concern in her eyes, which made Inu's face blush even more. Almost to the point of it being the same colour of his robe of the fire rat robes.
Blinking his golden orbs, Inu shook his head saying "I'm fine. Don't worry." He wasn't sure what more to say. But he knew what to do. Inu had to try to ignore it. He had to try to hide the blush on his face. But he wasn't sure what more he could do at the moment. Taking a deep breath Inu looked over at Shippou asking "so, ready to go?" Seeing the fox demon's nod, they all started to move out. At least this was better than doing nothing. But, as they walked Inu had a strange feeling of dread, but why?
That, he wasn't sure of; it could mean anything, like of incoming danger, a threat that is after something they have. Whatever that is, sighing the young man tried to think of anything that could lead them to his father. But so far he couldn't think of anything. Not a thing.
"So, which way do we need to go through now?" Asked Takai as he rode Kirara, for they had been walking for quite some time now. And, it felt like they've walked like this for days instead of just mere hours. Inu though sometimes wished that he could punch his friend to shut up. Since, he's been either asking if they were there yet, or which way they were going.
"We're going to take a right, through the Forest of Darkness." Said Hana as she looked around for any signs that she left that helped her find her way through the forest.
Inu had a bad feeling about this place. He wasn't sure why, but this forest was giving him the creeps. Why was it called 'The Forest of Darkness'? That just didn't make any kind of sense at all. And it bothered Inu to a deep and new level.
"You all have to be careful; this forest can bring out any dark powers that live within you. Or, make your strongest dark emotions stronger like you couldn't imagine possible…" Hana calmly explained. Inu couldn't help but believe her. And, it was starting to understand why the forest was called that. It was like bring out any darkness that a human or demon soul or heart would contain and make it control you. That was something that made Inu worry even more then he thought would be possible for him.
Taking a deep breath, Inu started to take the first steps into the forest. Though, as he walked Inu right away, felt a dark power flow right through him. But fought off the strange desire to kill that was pulsing through him like the demon blood that flows in his veins, the young hanyou didn't know why he was feeling this. Was everyone else having this strange feeling or just him? Shaking his head, Inu kept on walking. Trying, hoping to ignore the dark feeling. That was the last thing Inu wanted, was to kill his friends. There was no way that he could do that. The feel of their blood on his claws, it made him sick.
"Inu, you okay?" Asked Hana, staring at him with her blue eyes filled with concern. Inu couldn't help but blush at her. The dark feeling that he had flowing through him was fading. He didn't know why that was, but not that he was complaining. All the young half-demon could do was nod, showing her that he was alright.
"I'm fine… just fine." Inu said with a faint smile. Trying to show her that he really was alright, that Hana was just worrying over nothing. That is, he was sure that she was worrying over nothing.
Taking a deep breath, Inu started to walk on ahead. Shippou on the other hand, started to sense something was wrong with Inu. But didn't say anything, thinking that if he said anything that something bad would happen. Normally, him getting hit in the head, and if Inu was anything like his father then Shippou had a feeling that Inu would give him a good punch to the head just like Inuyasha.
Kirara had transformed a while ago just in case someone started to get tired. She walked over to Inu and nudged him with her nose. Inu smiled down at the cat demon, petting her soft fur as he tried to tell her that he was okay. Trying to reassure her, though Inu highly doubted that she believed him for after all, he didn't feel so hot himself.
Shaking his head Inu kept walking. So far the only one that hadn't asked him if he was alright was Takai or Shippou. Not that Inu was complaining. He was fine with it. Yawning, Inu didn't even notice the dark circles that showed under his eyes. Taking a deep breath, Inu kept trying to focus on their journey ahead of them. There was no way that he could fail this mission. He had to save his father. That was his mission.
Suddenly, Inu fell to the ground. His skin pale, black crescents rested under his eyes. Takai gasped and tried to pull Inu to his feet and help his best friend to get out of here. Something was wrong with Inu, and Takai had a guess that it was the forest that was causing this.
"Inu, what's wrong?" Asked Takai, staring at his friend with great concern, his only responds was Inu lifting his head. Eyes' flashing from gold to crimson in a rate of a heart beating the only sound was from Shippou. This made everyone turn to him. "What's wrong Shippou?" Takai asked with confusion in both his eyes, and voice.
Shippou took a deep breath as he tried to calm himself down. Staring at Inu and Shippou calmly started to explain. "Inu is half-demon, and cause of that his demon blood is trying to take control. But, it's different. His father always transformed when he didn't have his sword and was in grave danger. But Inu, it might be the forest causing an effect to his negative emotions, such as grief and guilt."
"Why would he feel that?" Asked Takai,
"Grief, cause he lost his mother and guilt because he couldn't save her." Shippou explained.
They all nodded, and knew that they had to get out of here for if they don't, then Inu might lose control over his mind soon.
Takai stared at his best friend; he could slowly sense Inu losing his human heart. The light of the sacred energy that was flowing through him, it was fading quickly. Takai lifted Inu a bit more to help support the young half-demon and get him out of this forest. There was nothing that they could do if Inu lost his mind. Takai remembered the one time when Inu had… fully lost his mind. Even if Inu doesn't, that memory was still fresh in his mind.
Takai was in an alley. He had tried hiding from the school's football team; he wasn't sure how long they had been tracking him down. But, he knew was that they wanted Inu to join, and the only way to do that was to fight Takai. Since, they knew that Takai wouldn't fight back, and that Inu would do just about anything to protect his friend. Even if it meant joining a team he wanted nothing to do with.
And Takai had been badly beaten. He had a black eye, a gash on his left cheek, some bruises on his arms, legs, chest… And, some dried blood under his nose. He didn't know what he was to do. His sacred aura couldn't heal him for if he did, then people would know that he wasn't like them. That he had sacred powers that no one should have in this day and age.
'Sometimes, I wished that I could use my training on those jerks… Save Inu the trouble…' Takai thought to himself. He knew that Inu would think it would be better if the young sacred energy wielding man to fight his own battles.
But, on the other hand Takai was always taught to never use his own powers or his un-natural strength on anyone that would be weaker than him. That much was for sure, and Takai knew that.
Taking a deep breath, Takai looked up and almost yelped. For standing before him were the top five members of the football team. He couldn't remember their names. Or see their faces very well, for his eyes were a little blinded from the pain that was surging through his body. "We told your friend that if he had any respect and honour for his friends then he should join us. But he hasn't shown up has he?"
Takai gulped, this was it. He was done. Caput! He was doomed! Taking a deep breath, Takai said "even if you beat me, Inu will never join you. He's stubborn as hell." Which was true, if Inu didn't want to do something then he wouldn't do it. That was just how he was. Taking a deep Takai waited for the pain to come. Knowing, that this was the end for him, his eyes were tightly shut, waiting for the pain. Waiting… and waiting… and waiting… But nothing happened.
All he heard were screams.
Takai blinked and looked up. What he saw, was something that would have made anyone's blood go cold. For standing in front of him was some sort of beast. A human-like figure, long silvery white hair, black jeans and a matching black shirt, Takai would have thought that this was Inu, but there was something that this creature had that Inu didn't. And that was the long thin silvery tail that swayed behind him.
Growling, the beast stalked toward the teens. Its claws long and razor sharp, and Takai guessed that its fangs were bared since it was growling. He wondered what this creature was. It had the same demonic aura as Inu. Was it like him? Were there more creatures that wondered around this city that were like Inu that they weren't aware of? Maybe Inu could learn more about himself from this beast.
"Stay… away… from Takai." Growled the beast,
That had just confused Takai greatly. How would this monster know him? And, why did that voice sound familiar? He didn't know, but he had a feeling that he knew this thing. Whatever he was, Takai stared at the beast as he charged at the football team. They all screamed. Takai couldn't look. He looked his eyes, trying to block out the sounds of their screams. The sounds of their bones breaking, the sound of their flesh ripping, it made him sick to his stomach.
Soon, he heard footsteps. And Takai knew that it was over, but was too afraid to open his eyes. But he did. Slowly, the young teen opened his eyes and saw the shaking body. Something was wrong with this monster. Getting a closer look at the beasts back, Takai saw the flashing of two black high lights. And right away, he knew who it was. "Inu?"
The beasts twitched its ears and turned. It had the snout of a dog. Blue streaks on its cheeks, or he should say on the sides of its snout. The only thing human on that face, were the eyes. Even though, the eyes were blood red with blue irises. Takai couldn't believe it. Even though the eyes were different as were the furry face, Takai knew that this was his best friend. He didn't know what was happening, but he had to do something.
"Inu, it's me Takai… Calm down what's going on?" Asked Takai with worry in his eyes.
Inu just stared, taking deep breaths as if he was fighting something deep in his heart. He fell to his knees, gripping his chest. Hands slowly turning into paws, the snout was becoming more dog-like. Takai didn't know what was happening, but the longer this kept happening the further away Inu would become.
"Inu! Dude it's me! Can you hear me? Focus on the light in your heart! In your blood! Focus on that!" Takai shouted at his transforming friend, gripping his shoulders and shaking him. But he didn't know if his words were even reaching Inu. Though, he had a feeling that it was. Taking a deep breath Takai tried giving Inu some of his sacred energy to help stop this transformation. Inu's screams filled the alley, his body slowly starting to shift back into his normal self. The snout disappearing. The paws turning back into hands, the long claws shrinking as were his fangs. The black high lights stopped disappearing and remained in his hair. And finally, the blue lines on his face finally disappeared and returned into birthmarks.
Inu's screams soon faded into the shadows as he fell to the ground. Takai just stared at the body of his friend, not sure what had just happened to his friend. But had a feeling that it was something that involved his blood. Sighing softly Takai hoped that this never happened again. But, still wondered what had caused this.
Shaking his head of the memory, Takai said "we have to get Inu out of here. This forest might be messing with his blood! He's gonna turn into some sort of dog beast!" Shippou nodded and helped Takai with the sleeping hanyou. He knew, just knew that Inu was losing himself to his blood. Shippou helped carry Inu out of the forest. Hana stared at the hanyou with worry and concern shining through her ocean blue eyes. She didn't know why, but she could see the human heart that lived within Inu, was slowly starting to fade from his body.
"What are you doing Takai?" Asked Shippou.
"I'm giving him my sacred aura. It helped change him back before. But, I'm not sure if it's helping this time." Said Takai, worried that his aura wasn't helping Inu this time.
Inu's body was slowly changing. Fangs growing over his lower lip, his claws getting sharper and longer and the birthmarks on his cheeks started to turn blue. His face stretching into a snout, hands turning into paws. Inu slowly started to open his eyes. Growling deadly as his once gold eyes flashed red in a pulse of a heart.
Inu howled with rage and blood lust. Soon, his eyes turned to his friends and ripped himself away from Takai and Shippou. And charged at Hana.