My instincts, finely attuned to the nuances of battle, surged into hyperawareness. The once-vibrant atmosphere in the clearing shifted dramatically as Inuyasha hurled himself at me once more. This was no longer a friendly sparring match, no longer a display of skill and strategy. The force behind his attacks had transformed, fueled now by unbridled aggression.
Inuyasha's onslaught became unrelenting, each strike carrying the weight of his inner turmoil. It was a change from his earlier predictable maneuvers; I now grappled not just with his physical prowess but the unleashed fury of his inner demon. This new incarnation of Inuyasha was a force to reckoned with—an opponent veiled in unpredictability and seething power.
As I deftly evaded his initial barrage, I narrowly sidestepped what could have been a devastating strike. Inuyasha's unleashed demon side showed no signs of relenting; his movements grew even more erratic and unpredictable. It was as if he had relinquished all semblance of reason and control, succumbing wholly to the feral instincts that lay dormant within him.
Shippo and Koga, who had initially observed the match with eager anticipation, now stood in stunned silence. The gleeful anticipation that once colored their expressions had faded, replaced by a deep-seated concern etched onto their faces. Shippo's radiant smile had dimmed, replaced by a knot of worry. Koga, recognizing the gravity of the situation, observed with a furrowed brow, his usual confidence giving way to a somber awareness of the danger unfolding before them.
My priority was clear: I needed to find a way to reach the human part buried beneath the tumultuous surface. But in the immediate moment, my primary focus was on defending myself against his unceasing onslaught. Each strike carried the weight of his inner turmoil, and as I parried and dodged, I searched for an opening—not just to protect myself but to potentially reach the core of the warrior trapped within this unleashed fury.
Amidst the relentless storm of Inuyasha's strikes, I concentrated on maintaining my poise, seeking a way to neutralize him without inflicting harm. It was a delicate challenge that weighed heavily on my heart. Witnessing him torn between his human and demon nature complicated the situation. Patience and resilience became my allies as I prepared to pull him back from the brink.
But in the pivotal moment as I readied myself to intervene, an excruciating tension seized my chest, a vice-like grip squeezed at my very core. Amidst the chaos, Shippo's piercing cry tore through the battle's cacophony, jolting my attention. My gaze snapped to see him slipping away from Koga's side.
As Shippo rushed toward me, his expression a mixture of determination and fear, it was as if he embodied the role of a young protector shielding the one who had always been there for him. In that fleeting moment, Inuyasha's attention shifted from me to the young fox demon, his menacing red eyes fixating on Shippo, sensing the vulnerability that had intruded upon the battlefield.
A primal fear surged through me, an instinctual need to protect unlike anything I had felt in a long time. In that heartbeat, everything else faded away, consumed by an overwhelming determination to shield Shippo from the demonic force that had consumed Inuyasha. The urgency to keep my adopted child safe overrode any other concern; it was an innate instinct demanding that I put myself between them, my every fiber screaming to shield and protect him.
In the surge of the moment, adrenaline coursing through my veins, I pivoted toward Inuyasha, my claws extended with swift purpose. It was a move propelled by primal instinct, an attempt to quell the relentless demon within him, to force his submission.
My hand aimed for his throat, my resolve unyielding as I brought him forcefully to the ground. As I exerted my dominance, something primal within me responded. My own form began to shift, resonating with the potent power that surged through my being. Eyes aglow with an unearthly intensity, my features contorted, teeth elongating into a menacing snarl—an instinctual proclamation of my command over the situation.
Submit," I growled, my face inches from his, my voice a commanding presence that reverberated with an authority rarely unveiled. My purpose wasn't to inflict harm but to shatter the relentless hold of the demon that gripped Inuyasha, to guide him back from the brink.
Inuyasha whimpered under my grasp, a realization dawning upon him as he seemingly grasped the weight of the situation. He acknowledged the potent strength and authority I wielded—a power usually concealed beneath layers of patience and compassion, now laid bare for all to witness.
In response to the assertive dominance I exhibited, Inuyasha, his head still bowed and his form trembling beneath me, offered his bared neck—a definitive gesture of surrender. It spoke volumes, marking the symbolic end to the internal strife he had been battling, a silent plea for mercy and reconciliation.
Maintaining my position, my dominance unwavering, I observed Inuyasha closely. Gradually, the fiery red hue in his eyes began to ebb away, like a dissipating storm revealing the calm. The chaotic markings that had marred his visage receded, retreating back into the depths of his being. With each passing moment, his erratic breaths steadied, the tumultuous rhythm gradually giving way.
Having acknowledged his submission, I eased my grip, allowing Inuyasha to breathe freely once more. His tremors gradually subsided, the oppressive weight of his inner demon seemingly lessened. Granting him space, I stepped back, recognizing the necessity for him to gather himself after our powerful encounter—a stark reminder of the dual nature within him.
Inuyasha, his head still bowed in a posture of submission, cautiously pushed himself to a seated position on the forest floor. His disheveled appearance and the shadows of shame in his eyes bore witness to the inner turmoil he had just weathered. His silence and avoidance of direct eye contact spoke volumes, reflecting the weight of his recent transformation and the intense battle for his own identity etched into every line of his face.
Shippo finally arrived at my side, his young face reflecting a mix of concern and relief. Koga trailed closely behind, his expression a blend of worry and understanding. The lingering tension had ebbed away, indicating Inuyasha's return to his usual self, though marred by evident embarrassment from his earlier loss of control.
"Are you okay, Inuyasha?" Shippo's voice brimmed with genuine concern as he directed his worry toward his friend.
Inuyasha finally met Shippo's worried gaze as he looked up. "Yeah, I'm fine," he muttered dismissively.
Rising to his feet, Inuyasha retrieved his sword and wordlessly retreated into the woods, signaling his need for solitude to process the recent events and regain his composure.
"Is he going to be okay, Mama?" Shippo's concern lingered as he turned to me for reassurance.
"He will be," I comforted Shippo, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Inuyasha just needs some time to sort through things."
Sensing the unspoken need for space, Koga stepped forward. "I can take Shippo back to the training grounds, if that's all right," he offered, acknowledging Inuyasha's silent plea for solitude.
I nodded gratefully. "Thank you, Koga. Shippo, why don't you go with him? I'll catch up with you both later."
Shippo hesitated momentarily, torn between concern for Inuyasha and the urge to resume training. Eventually, he nodded and followed Koga back toward the training grounds.
With Shippo and Koga headed back, I knew it was time to seek out Toga and discuss the troubling events that had just unfolded. Inuyasha's sudden loss of control and transformation into his more feral side were deeply concerning, and I needed to understand what had triggered it.
Leaving the training grounds behind, I made my way toward the central area of the palace where Toga's quarters were located.
Upon reaching Toga's quarters, I announced my presence and was granted permission to enter. He stirred from his meditation, his gaze meeting mine as I approached.
"Kagome," he acknowledged with a nod. "What brings you here?"
Gathering my thoughts, I took a deep breath before recounting the troubling incident. "Toga, something occurred during our training. Inuyasha... he lost control and transformed into his feral self. It was sudden, and I had to intervene."
Toga's countenance remained composed, but concern flickered in his eyes. "Inuyasha's struggle with his demon heritage is a constant battle. He has made progress, but there are moments when the beast within him threatens to resurface."
My own worry echoed in Toga's words. "I understand, but this time was different. It felt triggered, as if something hastened the transformation, catching us off guard."
As I recounted the details of the training session, Toga listened attentively, his wisdom and experience evident in the questions he asked. After I finished, there was a moment of silence as Toga considered the situation.
"Kagome," he finally said, "I have sought the counsel of our clan's elders, but none have been able to provide a solution to Inuyasha's struggle."
I furrowed my brow, and considered the options.
"I understand, Toga," I replied, my determination to help Inuyasha unwavering. "I'll see what I can do."
Toga nodded in appreciation, his trust in my abilities evident. "Thank you, Kagome."
"Anything for an old friend," I echoed, offering a reassuring smile.