~Year Four~
~Growth~
~Swift~ Traveling with Lord Sesshomaru is different.
He is a dog demon but he lacks or rejects many of the things that define dog demons. I should know, since I was once one, or at least a feral one.
The western lord does not engage in pack sharing, where packs come together and go over the events of the day. Actually the western lord hasn’t spoken since we originally left the western castle. The annoying little imp does enough talking for everyone in the group, especially when someone crosses our path.
The green annoyance acts as if I am hiding something and has been constantly prodding me for answers. I don’t completely blame him, because I am on edge and I know it shows. I should have never agreed to keep this secret, even if it was for Lady Kazuko. If only Jaken knew what giant weakness his master was carrying around, he might shut his trap instead of provoking the demons that come across us.
Sesshomaru also does not allow the closeness and comfort that dog demons desire, though I do feel that he secretly desires it. Dogs are pack animals and I find it extremely hard to believe that he can just cast aside his pack instincts, he may be able to restrain them, but he cannot get rid of them. I also suspect that this comes from the fact that he was a lone pup, which is quite a rarity in dog demon packs. Thus the western lord has probably never had anyone to truly learn to bond with.
It’s no secret that the Dog General only mated and bedded with Sesshomaru’s mother because of the council’s insistence that he produce a pure-bred heir and that she left soon after Sesshomaru was born. They were the last two pure-bred dog demons left.
Dog demon pups spend the first several decades sleeping in large dog piles with their parents and siblings, but I’m sure that Sesshomaru did not get to experience this. With the Dog General having to attend to his lands and his mother gone, Sesshomaru must have had a lonely upbringing, which explains his rejection of pack mentality.
It makes me relieved that he’s found a mate in Kazuko. Even though I haven’t known her very long she seems very outgoing and even a bit child-like in her behaviors, something Sesshomaru has probably never truly had.
Katrina, Ryo and Shippo told us how Kazuko and Sesshomaru ended up together, so I can guess that they’re feelings for each other while are strong, are not nearly as strong as they will be in the future. Even if their mating was unexpected and unplanned she’s good for him and I think he’s finally realized it.
During the spring he had paused and stared intently at an old oak tree we had passed. I swear I had felt Kazuko’s presence radiating from it, but she was nowhere to be seen. The western lord refused to leave the area for a week, even after her presence disappeared.
~Shippo~ Krein is going to join the Ryu-Inu clan.
She’s told me she wants to come back with us to the Ryu-Inu village and become part of the clan.
The half fox, half Ryu-Inu female told me this at the start of summer. She says she loves it at the northern castle, but she feels as if she belongs somewhere else. Krein has also said that she wants to help restore the clan of the mother she never knew. Lord Di must have known how she felt, because he didn’t seem all that surprise when she finally gathered the nerve to tell him of her choice. I’ve told her that I’m sure she’ll be welcomed and we can talk to Kazuko at the end of the decade.
I’m really happy that she’s decided to come. Over the past few years she had become a really good friend who is like an older sister to me. She shows me things when Lord Di has business to attend to, which has become more frequent since talks of an alliance between the east and south reached us. I confided in her my feelings for Rin and she says she can understand my sadness at knowing it could never be.
She purposely tries to keep me busy so to keep my mind off of the raven haired girl. It helps a lot but I cannot escape the feelings for Rin. I remind myself that this is not a matter of me being a demon and her being a human, but that by the time I would be ready to take a mate, Rin would be of old age, or even…dead.
Rin has written me and said that Sesshomaru has not returned to the village and she is no longer permitted to go to the western castle. She says she feels as if she is being cast out, but I’ve tried to convince her that this is being done for her safety. She won’t listen.
Now that Miroku and Sango’s wedding has passed, Rin no longer has it to keep her busy. Plus both Miroku and Sango have gone back to the slayer’s village to rebuild it with the help of some other slayer clans.
Rin’s letters are getting colder and less frequent. I feel as if she’s no longer writing out of joy like she did before, but instead as if she feels it’s an obligation since they are Kagome and the other’s only way of knowing any information on Kazuko or information we have gotten on Naraku. No longer does she ask about my training or even how I am. Now she gets straight to the point of asking how Kazuko, Ryo and Katina are doing in their training and if we’ve heard anything else from out of the east. Never before has she asked about Naraku, but now she asks more about news on him than anything about me.
I fear that Rin’s initial sadness is turning into a hatred for demons because to her, we are the ones that have cast her aside, even though there were humans involved, all she sees is Sesshomaru, Jaken, Kazuko, Inuyasha, Izu and I as being the ones involved.
But that’s what they sent her to the village for right? They wanted her to be more like the other humans and learn to live among them. Hatred and fear of demons is what most humans have. Right? So why is it I have this stabbing in my chest every time I think of how Rin’s behavior is changing?
~Katina~ Leaf has been great.
I’ve learned that we can draw upon each other and nature for greater healing, though right now it’s more of me drawing on her powers than the other way around. But I intend to return the favor as soon as I can. One thing that I’ve been taught is to never completely drain the life source of whatever you are using to heal an injury. That’s why in most cases trees and grass make the best resources since they have more life energy than just about anything else.
With Leaf’s added power I can now mend muscles, though bones are still out of my grasp. I’m learning that in order to heal a wound, you have to know the full extent of the injury, the correct way the muscles are supposed to mend and what goes into the healing. I draw upon nature for the elements needed to mend the wound.
We haven’t even begun to discuss how to repair severed appendages or regenerate them, other than to know that it is possible. I can only image the work that must be put into it and the resources from nature that would have to be used.
To my surprise the mages have even told me that one can be brought back to life, but it is a very tricky, and risky, spell. As with all injuries, you have to have enough life energy to restore what has been lost. Bringing back someone is the only time when we would have to completely drain the life of another. A life for a life. I’ve learned that typically that’s why capturing enemies alive was so common among Ryu clans, because then they would take the life of the enemy to bring back their fallen comrades.
But there are also rules. The life has to be on an equal or greater field than the one that it is bringing back. Children cannot bring back adults, animals cannot bring back humans, and humans cannot bring back demons, and so on. It is also a matter of time. If the soul reapers have already carried off the soul, then it is too late to bring the person back. It also requires immense concentration and power from the mage, because not only do they have to transfer the life energy, but they also have to heal the fatal wound, so that the person does not die again from the same wound. The Ryu-Okami have told me that sometimes even the mages die because they have used too much of their own energy to bring someone back.
Ryo’s pretty happy that his father’s swords are working better for him. He finally gotten them to ignite with his power and stay that way for a little while during his training, though it takes him a moment to concentrate and get them to work. He tells me that his father was able to get them to ignite with a single touch, and that he’s aiming for that. I’m excited for him and hope he can get the swords to work in the way his father could.
Masaru has written and told us about the new arrivals at the camp, and we’ve written back to tell him that the two half Ryu-Inu, half-Ryu-Okami twins, Kita and Kiyoshi, have said they wish to come back with us as well. The Ryu-Okamis have been very accepting of their choice, and I get the feeling that they had already discussed this.
It’s good to know our little clan is growing.
~Moon~ Totosai must have a death wish.
Again he has yet to work on the weapons that we have commissioned him for. Patience for the weapon smith among all of the guardians is running thin. We no longer report to Masaru about the lack of progress and instead tell Sage. Yet even Sage is starting to get a bit ticked off and that’s saying something.
Thankfully we’ve had a few events in the past year to take our minds off of the problem with Totosai for now. At the end of spring a group of travelers, numbering in fourteen wandered into our camp. At first we were wary of them because they smelled heavily of the south and of bull. While we weren’t at war with the south, word had gotten around that Lord Ryku had a meeting with Toro and rumor is that the south may be forming an alliance with the east.
Yet under the smell of east and bull we picked up the blend of Ryu-Inu in their blood.
Two were three-fourths Ryu-Inu and one-fourth Ryu-Neko; two males named Fuho and Wei. Fuho appeared around twelve in human years. He had the signature silver hair of Inus with orange streaks running through it, yellow eyes, an orange feline tail and pointed ears. Wei appeared to be twenty in human years. He had black hair with black dog ears poking out of the top of his head, silver eyes, and a black canine tail.
One was three-fourths Ryu-Inu and one-fourth Ryu Tori; a male named Nyko, who was the youngest of the group. He looked three in human years. He had glowing purple eyes, steely gray hair with two black, baby horns sticking out about an inch, a gray bull’s tail with a black tuff of hair at the end, and pointed ears.
Four had been half Ryu-Inu and half Ryu-Toro; three females named Sira, Ayki and Pyra, and one male named Iko. Sira and Ayki were identical twins who appeared to be eighteen. They appeared to be full Ryu-Inu with their silver hair, blue eyes, silver canine tails and pointed ears. Pyra looked twelve. She had light blue hair, silver eyes, a light blue bull’s tail and pointed ears. Iko was the oldest of the group, appearing twenty-one. He had black hair, red eyes, black horns, a black canine tail and pointed ears.
Three had been half Ryu-Inu and half Ryu-Neko; one female named Lia, and two males named Tryu and Hio. Lia appeared eleven. She had yellow hair, yellow feline ears, blue eyes and a yellow canine tail. Tryu, brother of Lia, appeared fourteen. He had yellow hair, silver canine ears, blue eyes and a silver canine tail. Hio also looked fourteen. He had orange hair, an orange feline tail, green eyes and pointed ears.
One had been one-fourth Ryu-Neko; a male named Meipo. He looked four. He had green hair, silver canine ears, a green feline tail and purple eyes.
The last three had been one-fourth Ryu-Inu and three-fourth Ryu-Toro; three males named Po, Riyu, and Xio. They were triplets all appearing around fifteen. Po had black hair, a silver canine tail, yellow eyes and pointed ears. Riyu had silver hair, an orange feline tail, green eyes and pointed ears. Xio had black hair, an orange canine tail, blue eyes and silver canine ears.
We found out that this group had been orphans who went into hiding after the slaughter of the Ryu-Inu clan because word had gotten out that the previous eastern lord wanted to make sure every drop of Ryu-Inu blood was erased. They had found each other over the years and gone into hiding in the southern lands, but now with word of the alliance they knew it wouldn’t be safe for them to stay in the south.
Iko, who was apparently their leader, said they had heard that full-blooded Ryu-Inus had returned to the west and Iko says their little group had been searching for us ever since. Each humbly bowed and asked to join our clan.
Masaru is a bit cautious of them for now, but has agreed to let them stay. His only rule is that no one speaks of where Kazuko and the others really are, in front of them.
~Kana~ Lord Toro went behind Naraku’s back.
Somehow the bull king managed to arrange and have the meeting with the southern lord, all while Naraku was out hunting new, stronger demons to absorb. The bull is craftier than he looks.
Naraku is furious but he maintains his composure and has not let Toro know that he has gotten under Naraku’s skin. Toro seems disappointed. I believe the bull intended for this to be a nuisance to Naraku. Toro still maintains that he is the leader in the east, but Kagura and I know better. Naraku allows Toro to still feel in charge, because he does not want to cause a dispute yet. But Naraku is the true leader here and once the war starts, he will make it known.
Both Toro and Naraku are fuming over the loss of one of the spies sent to observe the Ryu-Inu village. The spy has not reported back in months, and another of the spies says they believe they saw him captured by the feral looking Ryu-Inus.
The same spy that reported this has also reported that despite no signs of the three original Ryu-Inus, there has been an increase of people in the Ryu-Inu village. He says somewhere between ten and fifteen new demons have come into the village and it looks as if they are to stay. The most interesting part is that these demons have traces of Ryu-Inu blood in them.
For once Toro wasn’t surprised while Naraku had no idea what to make of this information. Toro informed us that he was aware of a few young who had Ryu-Inu heritage fleeing after his father ordered the killing of the clan and anyone who shared the Ryu-Inu blood. He said they were all young, none older than three hundred years at the time, so the bulls had not tracked them down. Toro says they assumed rouge demons would take care of them. Naraku wants more information on this group, but Toro says they’re too young to make a difference. I feel he is wrong.
No matter how hard I try I cannot find any signs of the one called Kazuko in my mirror. I found Sesshomaru wandering his lands and she is not with him. I have found the fox training among other foxes, and still no sign of her. The other two, Katina and Ryo are somewhere with wolves, but she remains out of my sight. There is one mountain range that when I try and see it, some barrier blocks me. I think she may be there.
Somehow Naraku feels safe enough to go through another one of his extractions, or he has no choice. His body and control is becoming unstable with so many new, powerful demons having been absorbed. He is going into hiding so that he may cast out the weaker demons and have a better control over the stronger ones. He has only told me this, as he still does not trust Kagura. Naraku says the process will take up to a year. He has a castle hidden within the mountain range that borders the east and north and he will be going there soon.
He’s told Toro that he’s going to talk with the northern lord and other small unallied clans. Naraku said that if Toro can get an alliance with the southern lands, then why not try for the northern lands as well. The north was once great allies with the west during the dog General’s rule, and Toro tells Naraku it is pointless to try. Naraku insist that it would not hurt to try, though he is only trying to make sure that Toro does not know the real reason he is leaving.
~Kagome~ I saw Shippo.
It wasn’t the little kid Shippo and he wasn’t in the feudal era.
I saw an adult Shippo in my time.
At first I believed that my mind was playing tricks on me because I had been missing the little guy. But I clearly remember it.
“So Kagome? How’s things been since you moved in with your bad boy?” Yuka asked as we wandered through the main square of the Tokyo Annual Demon Festival. She was referring to the lie I had come up with for why I wasn’t attending college after graduation. “Things are ok. His brother got married, but his wife is away on a business trip.” I said hearing the wistfulness in my voice. “Oh, so when are you two going to going to?” Eri asked with a devious glint in her eye. “Going to what?” I asked, turning as something caught my eye. “Get married duh!” Ayumi burst out, earning a few glances our way from the others around us. I nearly ran into a support beam for one of the tents as Ayumi shouted and I stuttered to come up with something to say back. Thankfully Eri diverted everyone’s attention. “Hey look! Those have to be the most realistic costumes I’ve seen!” She said motioning to a group of three talking not too far off from us. I could feel their demonic auras from here, though they were clearly suppressed. The female of the group was dressed normally enough as she was dressed in black jeans and a white hoodie. It was the tan, fox tail that came from under her hoodie with a silver tip that brushed the ground as she walked, that gave her away. She also had two fuzzy ears perked on top of her head that looked a mixture of fox and dog, that were the same tan as her tail only with light purple tips. The hair around it was an orange with silver and violet streaks running through it that ran to her waist. She had her back facing us and I could not see her eyes. She appeared no older than thirteen and was shorter than me. The shorter and perceivably younger male didn’t differ from the female much in physical appearance. He wore a pair of slightly baggy blue jeans and a green zip up jacket that was half zipped, with a solid black tee showing. His tail was the same tan only it was completely tan, no extra color on the tip. His ears were solid silver and peaked out from orange hair that was cut short and had a silver streak running from each ear. From the way he was half-turned I could see green in his left eye. He also appeared thirteen and was my height. And then there was Shippo. He was now taller than Inuyasha, perhaps as tall as Sesshomaru. He wore a pair of blue jeans and a red shirt with a leaf print on the chest. No longer was he the skinny, weak kid. His muscles were well toned and visible, though not in an overrated way like body builders, and it earned him several looks from passing women. It was clear that he was strong, and knowing he was a demon I could only imagine how strong. His orange hair was cut short and in a ponytail, showing off his pointed ears. His green eyes the same as I remembered. His tan tail had lengthened into a true fox’s tail that ran to the bottom of his knees. I caught a glimpse of fang as he laughed at something one of the other two said. “Let’s go see where they got their costumes. I would love to get one for next year. It’s not overdone like everyone else, but it’s still pretty believable.” Eri said referring to people who came dressed in giant costumes that were more animal than human representation of demons. “Yea me too.” Yuka cheered as they headed for the three. “What’s taking so long?” The younger male was saying as we got closer. “Your mother has gone to find your uncle, his mate and your cousins, Taichi.” Shippo responded. “It shouldn’t take this long.” Taichi groaned. “You know mom took the triplets with her. They’re probably out making trouble again.” The female said with a shake of her head. “The two of you weren’t exactly angels when you were their age, Kiyoko.” Shippo responded with a chuckle. “Yea, but dad, there were only two of us. Those three are like an army of disaster.” Taichi said defensively. “The two of you made enough trouble for three.” Shippo huffed, he almost reminded me of Inuyasha in the way he crossed his arms. “It’s the fox in us, makes us mischievous.” Kiyoko said with a smile. “That’s what your mother always said.” Shippo laughed and lowered his gaze to a ringing phone he pulled out of his pocked. “Hey mate…yea they’re still with me, you find your brother and his family?…What do you mean they destroyed it? We just bought that truck; this is going to cost us a fortune! ...Ok, ok don’t kill them… yet. We’re on our way; just make sure they don’t touch anything else.” He gave a long sigh as he hung up the phone and placed it back in his pocket. “The triplets?” Kiyoko and Taichi asked in unison. “Yea let’s go before your mother kills them.” He said shaking his head and leading the younger two away and into the crowd of people. “Aww, they got away.” Eri pouted as she watched them go. “The Festival still has a week and a half to go. I bet we’ll see them again. I doubt they would have such expensive costumes for only one day.” Ayumi suggested. But I didn’t see them again and I wish that I had. There was so much I wanted to ask Shippo. It was nice to know that he found a mate and had children of his own. As of late it hadn’t been a secret that the fox demon held some pretty strong feelings for Rin. It would have been nice to meet his mate, but I guess it wasn’t meant to be.
I told Inuyasha about it and he thinks I’ve just gone crazy. I even took him to the festival a few days after I saw Shippo, and he said he couldn’t pick up any traces of demons. But it’s ok because I know what I saw, though it does just make me miss little Shippo more.
~Kazuko~ ‘Finally a peaceful place.’ I thought as I looked around the field I was in. It was a large forest with leafy greenery as far as the eye could see.
I wandered through the forest waiting for the inevitable attack to come, having grown bored of sitting in the same place. The grass felt cool and inviting under my feet. Again the thought of sleeping a few weeks crossed my mind, but after what happened last time I quickly shook it away. The only part that was off was the stillness of the air and the lack of life outside of myself. The leaves just hung there, never moving so much as an inch.
Despite where I was, I couldn’t help but smile. This was the last element. I had managed to master the other three in three years, a year a piece. Hopefully this one wouldn’t take longer than a year and I could finish this training early. I really missed seeing others, as was made clear by my wind mastery. The only others I saw were copies, and brief minutes of Koru and Dagger while I ate. I was looking forward to getting off this mountain and seeing my friends, and mate, again.
“Come out, come out wherever you are.” I called in a bored tone, as I leaned against a particularly large oak tree.
“As you wish.”
I tried to turn and see where the voice had come from, but was stopped as vines found their way around me and chained me to the tree that I had been leaning against.
“Yay.” I grunted as I looked around the best I could without being able to move my body. “Alright so let me guess, the more I fight the more I’m going to get hurt some kind. Koru said that earth is the element of healing and serenity, so I have to learn to come to peace with something?” I questioned wanting to get this over with as soon as possible.
“That’s a very insightful guess, but not quite.” The voice said again and I saw a large green dragon with brown markings appear before me.
“You’re early.” I commented.
“Every Shogakko’s path of training is different chosen by what stands as their biggest challenge in reaching their destinies. Yours, Shogakko Kazuko is your emotions. Thus you started with water to learn how to not be overwhelmed with your emotions and let them flow through and with you. Once you finished there you moved on to fire where you learned to control your emotions. Then you moved to air where you learned to release your emotions. And lastly you are here, where you must learn to heal the scars from your emotions, as well as learn to become in tune with the emotions and feelings of all living around you.” The dragon said.
“So I was subconsciously following a pattern?” I said more to myself.
“Indeed. You were born with a natural mastery of electricity, the element of spontaneity and speed, because emotionally you’ve already mastered it.” I think I detected a chuckle in the dragon’s voice.
“Alright, I’m here to learning healing and how to be in tune with the emotions of those around me. How am I going to do that if no one else is here?” I questioned.
“Through these…” The dragon said motioning a wing in a sweeping motion towards the trees. “Trees are the true guardians of the world; some have been around for more centuries than even I. They record history better than any scribe ever could and deep within you will find secrets that no one has ever seen.” He started. “The trees will show you.” He said coming over and placing his snout on my head.
I closed my eyes and felt myself being pulled into the tree. I tried not to panic, but as I felt the bark encircling my body I couldn’t help the slight whimper that escaped, while I kept my eyes closed.
“Where am I?” I wondered as I looked around. I felt ghost-like and I could see straight through my body which now had a greenish hue. As I looked around I could see that I was back in the forest near Kaede’s village. “I don’t see Inuyasha’s Tree and that one kind of sticks out.” I grumbled as I felt something brush past me, and turned to see Inuyasha’s Tree right behind me. “Oh there it is…” “Leave me alone!” I turned to see a small red blur charging through the forest, followed by three nasty looking bear demons. ‘Is that Inuyasha?’
I thought as I ran to catch up with the small half-demon. As I closed in I could see that I was right. The small red blur, was Inuyasha and he was running with a look of pure fear on his face. ‘What is he doing out here alone?’
I continued to follow the half dog child, wishing I could help him. “We’re going to eat good tonight! The only thing a half-breed is good for is dinner.” One of the bear demons said as they continued to chase. I watched as Inuyasha managed to slip into a small fox’s hole under a tree, and the bear demons lose him. I felt a huge wave a sorry and pity wash over me as I watched the poor half-demon cry and curse his heritage. I could tell that these emotions were coming from the trees around us. I was soon sucked into another flash back into Inuyasha’s life. From there I continued to get glimpses into his life all the way up to Kikyo sealing him with her arrow. When the arrow struck the tree I could feel both the tree’s pain and Inuyasha’s emotions of betrayal.
“I don’t want to stay at the shrine father.” A young boy’s voice called. ‘Guess I’m done with Inuyasha now.’
I thought as I looked around the shrine that was centered in the middle of a forest with a water fall behind it. “I will not always be here Miroku, and you must continue your monk training.” A man’s voice answered. “But why can’t you teach me father?” The young Miroku whined as I could see the pair coming up a long stretch of stairs. Miroku was dressed in a similar smaller robe that I was used to seeing him in, and his father was wearing a matching set. The older male was carrying the staff that Miroku always had with him and Miroku’s hands were bare except for his prayer beads. The two continued in silence until they reached the front sliding door of the shrine. “Mushin!” The older monk called out. “Huh, oh you’re here huh?” And elderly looking monk slid the door open and walked out, a sake bottle firmly in his grasp. “So this is the young Miroku, he looks just like you.” He said to Miroku’s father. “I am entrusting him in your care Mushin.” Miroku’s father said grasping his cursed hand tightly. “I fear my time has drawn to an end.” He added. Now that I looked closely I could see a fine sheet of sweat covering Miroku’s father and his expression looked pain. He handed over his staff to his son with a sad smile. “Someday you’ll defeat Naraku so that this cursed tunnel will not be the end of you, as it will be me.” “What do you mean father? Father?!” Miroku shouted, as his father quickly stepped away into the open field beside the shrine, but Mushin kept a firm hold on the boy. I watched with wide eyes as a blinding light emitted from his cursed hand and a large wind begin to pick up. With Miroku and Mushin, I watched as Miroku’s father was engulfed by his own wind tunnel. By the time it finished, the young Miroku was now hoarse from his screaming, and I could feel my own tears blurring my vision. “Come I’ll help you with your grief.” Mushin said steering the grieving bow away from the large crater that was now beside the shrine. “Are we going to perform the death ritual?” Miroku sniffle. “Sure when we get back. But for now, I believe a trip to the bathhouses will help.” Mushin said with a lecherous smirk. I gave a shake of my head with a slight smile. From there I was pushed into the memories of Miroku up to the point when he met Kagome and Inuyasha. Seeing Miroku’s journey only renewed my wish to destroy Naraku so that he did not die like his father.
“Sango are you sure you want that particular weapon? Perhaps a Bone Scythe or a set of daggers would be better suited for you.” I looked towards the man, I guessed to be Sango’s father, talk to his daughter as they stood in the center of large weapon’s room. I couldn’t help the shiver that ran through me as I could feel that every weapon in here was made from the bones and skins of demons. “No father, I want the same weapon as you.” The young Sango said with a light pout. “As you wish.” He said picking up the Hiraikotsu and handing it over to his daughter, who promptly fell under the weight of the giant bone boomerang. “The first part of your training will be getting the strength to lift the Hiraikotsu, and we’ll continue with your sword training until then.” He said. “Don’t worry father, I won’t let you down.” Sango said as she pulled herself from under the weapon. Her father gave a small smile as she continued to try and at least prop the weapon up. From there I saw Sango’s struggle to strengthen herself into a proper slayer, and I noticed she was the only female slayer, all the other women were field workers. I cringed at the numerous demons she had killed, while earning the respect of her fellow slayers. Then I watched the treachery of Naraku and her meeting with Inuyasha and the others.
Once I had finished with Sango’s life, I was then taken into Kagome’s and Shippo’s memories. Theirs weren’t as bad as the three before them, but still not as easy as I had assumed. I was even surprised that I was taken into Kikyo, Naraku, and Toro’s memories. The trees truly had seen everything and now I had a much more realistic look at those around me. I thought I was done but I felt myself being pulled into one another memory.
“Where is mother going?” I heard a child’s voice ask. ‘Sesshomaru?!’
I thought as my eyes locked on the young, and adorable, Sesshomaru that stood next to a very large and powerful looking demon. “Your mother is returning to her sky palace.” The demon said in a gruff voice. “When will she return?” Sesshomaru asked. “Only time will tell. Now, you must resume your training. I have business in the north to attend to. Izu will watch after you while I am away.” The dog general said. As he spoke a younger, livelier Izu stood in the doorway of the grand castle. The fox was lean and powerful with the build of a true warrior, unlike the aged fox that inhabited the castle now. “Father, can’t I come with you?” Sesshomaru asked and dipped his head when his father shook his head. “Maybe when you’re older and stronger, Sesshomaru.” He said and took off towards the north. “Come prince Sesshomaru. Today we will start sword training.” Izu said guiding the young dog demon back into the castle. I watched as Sesshomaru grew, mostly under the direction of Izu, though even the fox only acted as teacher and guardian of the western heir until he was old enough to care for himself. Sesshomaru’s mother never came back. The dog general came around rarely, and stayed only a short amount of time before going off for business again. The only time the two dog demons spent together was when Inu Tashio was teaching Sesshomaru fighting styles that only dog demons knew. Otherwise, Sesshomaru spent most of his time alone rigorously going over his training and building up his strength. I watched all the way up until the Dog General died saving Inuyasha and his mother.
‘No wonder he’s so closed in.’ I thought as I found myself in a dense forest I recognized as being near the border between the west and east. In this distance I could see three figures heading my way, and my eyes sparked when I recognized them as Jaken, Swift and Sesshomaru.
“Sesshomaru!” I shouted, knowing that he wouldn’t be able to hear me. I watched as the western lord froze and his golden eyes turned to stare directly at me. Even though I knew he couldn’t see me, just seeing him, the real him, gave me some comfort before I felt myself being brought back into my body that was no longer bound to the tree, but now sitting at its base.
“Now you know of those around you and their emotions. You can see how they have overcome their emotions and have worked to heal the wounds their past has given them. You’ve also seen what happens to those who do not allow that healing to take place.” The dragon said as he still stood before me.
“Yea, I had no idea.” I said in a voice barely above a whisper.
“Take your knowledge and allow yourself to heal and help those around you heal as well.” The dragon said placing his snout to my forehead again.
“Congratulations. You’ve mastered the five elements.” Koru said as I opened my eyes to see him and Dagger sitting before me, with food waiting.
“Thanks.” I said, beginning to eat. They filled me in on the news going around and it seemed all was going well. “So…” I started when they had finished. “I’ve mastered all the elements in only four years. So does this mean I can go back early?” I asked hopefully.
Koru gave a chuckle and shook his head. “That was only level one. It’s time to start level two. I’ll explain in the morning. So I suggest you get that night’s sleep.”
“I really should learn to stop getting my hopes up with you, huh?” I said with a sigh.
“That would probably help you in the long run. But because of how well you’ve done, I’ll let you have two days’ rest.” He said with a smile.
His mouth moved as he said something else, but I was already gone into my dreamless sleep to hear him.
