Sango and Miroku held hands as they walked down the road towards Kaede's village. The seven of them had been walking like that, Sango, Miroku, Kagome, Akitoke Hojo, Shippo, Kilala, and Myoga all walked down the trail. It had been three whole years since they had come back to the village. They were happy to see Kaede hobble up, smiling. "Ye all have been gone quite some time!" she said lightly, embracing Miroku for a light hug. Sango and Kagome both chirped up, along with Shippo. "Kaede!" they all cried out, hugging the old woman tightly. She laughed and waved them off. "And who would ye be?" she asked a blushing Akitoke Hojo.

He smiled. "My name is Akitoke, Akitoke Hojo. I am Kagome's fiancée!" he said lightly, cupping her hand. Kagome smiled and held his hand tightly, tilting her head to Kaede. Kaede blinked. "That reminds me. Where be Inuyasha?" this caused a quiet to settle over the group. Kagome spoke up. "Oh Kaede…we'll tell you when we get to your hut, k?" Kaede sensed distress and nodded, leading the way. Miroku turned to see Sango staring at a tree, and Kilala too. "Sango, what is it?" "I thought I sensed a demonic aura there, but it quickly left…oh well, I must have imagined it. Come on, husband." When they were in the hut, Kaede leaned forward and placed another log on the fire. Kagome spoke up. "It…it happened about two and a half years ago." she reached into her pocket and pulled out the purified and whole sacred jewel. Kaede gasped. "We were in the final fight with Naraku. He was in his true form, a giant red spider with a tattoo on its back. Inuyasha used his backlash wave and I used my sacred arrow, both at once. But I…I…." Sango embraced her as Kagome began to cry. "Kagome…she shot it at Naraku, and had tripped. It veered off course and hit Inuyasha, in his heart. He fell into a crevice and we didn't…we didn't see him afterwards." Sango said disappointingly. Kaede covered her mouth, a tear sliding down her un-patched eye. "Inuyasha is…dead?"

Kagome sucked in air as Hojo silently held her in his lap. "…Yes." he said quietly. Kaede sighed. "I always knew Inuyasha would die in a glorious battle…but wait. He fell, doesn't mean he's dead. Do you have any proof?" Kagome sobbed and said 'yes', at the same time. She reached into her shirt and pulled out his necklace of subduing. Kaede frowned. "I see." "Miroku…" "Yes, I sense it too Sango. Do you, Kaede?" "Aye. A demonic aura. Probably drawn by the sacred jewel." they all got their weapons, Akitoke wielded the spear of spirits, an ancient and holy blade. They all came out to see a large panther demon, black and devastating. It was bad enough, but even worse when it swiped its claw before any of them had prepared and had the sacred jewel, powering it up and doubling its size, its fangs falling over its lower lip as the eyes glowed blood red. Sango and Miroku swore. "It's aura is even stronger than Naraku's!" Sango shouted. Kagome drew an arrow and shot at the beast. A barrier powered up and deflected the arrow.

She swore under her breath. The group had gotten a lot more aggressive since three years ago. The panther roared and swung its mighty claw down on-Shippo! The young fox could fight, but not stop this attack! "AH!" he screamed, about to cry. "Daddy…Daddy,…Daddy Inuyasha, Help me!" he screamed in terror. Suddenly, a black blur emerged from the forest. It passed by the beast, and took it's paw with it, the beast roared. They all turned their heads to see a clawed hand place on top of the paw, then pull the figure up. No one breathed. No one even blinked. Then Kagome spoke his name. "Inuyasha…?" There he stood, but a lot different than anyone had remembered. His silvery hair reached his knees and was tinted red at the end, like it had been dyed. Purple streaks etched down his cheek, yet his eyes remained a cool amber. His sword was sheathed at his side, his claws bloody from the slice.

His clothing had been changed as well, gone from its normal red to a deep black with rose designs on the edges of the sleeves. The panther demon roared and attacked again. Inuyasha leapt upwards and ran up the demon's arm, bringing back two fingers, then two dark energy whips flung out at the demon. "Tentacles Of Darkness!" the panther roared one final time as the tentacles took its head off, jewel shard and all. Inuyasha caught it and examined it in his palm as the demon's head slid to the ground. Inuyasha turned to see the group staring at him in complete and utter awe, disbelief, and, mostly, fear. His aura had gone from half demon powerful to demonic ultimatum powerful, totally unstoppable. His dog ear's perked, tinted red at the tips. He brought his arm back and tossed the jewel. It hit Kagome in the forehead before she snapped back and caught it.

"I-Inuyasha!" she shouted, running forward. She embraced him in a full hug. He didn't return it, but didn't pull from it either. "Hello." He said blatantly. His voice was the same sound but the tone was calm and smooth, like how Sesshomaru spoke. She backed up and looked at his purple stripes. "You're…a demon?" "No. I embraced my demon blood." "How are you alive?" Sango asked in happy confusion. "I fell into that hole and was taken by an old demon to her cave. She helped me, and trained me in the ways of darker aura." he said calmly, hands at his sides. Miroku, Sango, and Kagome all got a little tenser.

"Darker…aura?" "Yes. I have embraced my demonic blood." he said in monotone, eyes trained on the moon. "But what about becoming human, and us and Kikyo?" "…Yes Inuyasha, what of me?" The group turned to see Kikyo advancing, her pale face and eyes looking upon him ruthlessly. "You embraced your demon. Why. We had an agreement, Why?" she shouted, now up to him, anger and pain so evident in her face. Inuyasha lifted a hand to cup her cheek, thumb grazing as an eerie silence settled over the others. "Ah, Kikyo…." his hand moved quickly, his claws extended and ripped through her shoulder, down through her heart, and out her hip. She fell to the ground, coughing and wheezing, gasping for air as he souls flew from her body, the soul collectors dissipating and crumbling into dust that left on the breeze.

Blood splattered in a pool around her, and he smirked. "Foolish." he wept his hand to the side as the blood on his fingers came off. He shook his head. "I told you I would be the one to send you to hell." he looked up to see an in-stance Miroku, Kagome, and Sango, Akitoke as well. Ready to fight. Inuyasha blinked once. "You have the wish to fight, me?" he lifted his hand and drew his blade. Tetsusaiga had changed as well. It was a thin katana now, but just as long with the fur still on the hilt. The blade itself was a deep black, and the fur a dark blue. The hilt was the same, a rusty golden bottom and a brown leather handle. He spun it once and put the tip to the ground. "Then come." Kagome shook her head. "We're sorry Inuyasha. But for your own sake. We're going to have to kill and purify you." Miroku nodded, as did Akitoke. Sango did hesitantly, shutting her eyes in careful contemplation, then lifted her Hiraikotsu. Inuyasha smirked, fangs visible. "COME ON!" Kagome released a sacred arrow, the bow string flinging after it but stopping at its limit. Akitoke threw his sacred spear at Inuyasha, a bluish purple tint following the blade itself. Miroku charged forward, lifting his staff and swinging once with all his might, then sending two sacred sutra's at him as Sango threw Hiraikotsu.

Inuyasha turned to the side, the arrow's purity flying by his face. He moved when Akitoke's spear came forth, an after image of himself following. He lifted his blade and pushed it along the side of the spear, spinning it, and kicking the bottom of it, sending it right back at Akitoke. He turned on Miroku, the staff fell past his form and he lifted his sword, sending it into his gut and out of his back, then kicking his form into Sango's Hiraikotsu. Inuyasha twirled his blade and sheathed it. This all had taken place in one minute and fifty seconds. He walked up to the dying Miroku and lifted his hand. It began to glow blue. He sliced forward, stabbing into him.

Miroku's wound healed instantaneously, but he still lay unconscious. Inuyasha stood back up, cracking his knuckles. "Are you done?" they all watched in disbelief. He hadn't even used any powers or abilities. Just…wow. He turned around, and shook his head. "Foolish humans. Do not attack a lord. I will kill you in a matter of seconds if I wished it. But I don't." he lifted his hand and spoke. "Shiori. Bring in the boy." Shiori walked from the forest behind the group, her orb in hand. She wore the same white kimono as usual, her barrier orb in her palms.

A boy followed, wearing a demon slayers suit, looking confused but then quite happy when he saw Sango. Sango shouted. "Kohaku!" she ran up, dropping her weapons and embraced him fully. Inuyasha watched as Shiori walked up to him and stood behind him, just peeking out in shyness at the others. Inuyasha shook his head. Kagome just now noticed the long black tail on his shoulder, like that Sesshomaru had. He spoke. "I came to save Shippo from harm. Seeing as how I've moved from the panthers claws to my 'friends' fangs…I'm leaving." he turned around and walked towards the forest. Sango turned, joyful tears in her eyes. "Inuyasha, th-" "

Do not finish the sentence. I came here in hopes of returning. I embraced my blood and darkness for power so I could protect those closest to me." he lifted his hand and placed it on Shiori's head and she smiled with a happy giggle. "Shiori is all I have I see. So I will protect her. At least on this night She has not tried to kill and purify me. Come, Shiori. Back to camp." his tail swished once, then twirled around the pair. It turned a bright crimson, almost pink, and lifted them into the air, the tail twirling almost as if two snakes fighting. He continued to ascend until he was high up, then flew forward. He flew with the young half bat demon until they were out of sight. Kagome fell to her knees, wide eyed as Miroku stirred in Sango's arms. Akitoke watched as she spoke.

"He didn't even use the wind scar. or any of his powers. he just…." Kaede stood awestruck at the door of her hut, had being watching the whole thing. "These old bones won't let me fight…but Inuyasha…ye all must find him and destroy him for his own good!" Kagome nodded. she understood. Akitoke did as well, followed by Miroku, a crying but still nodding Shippo, and then Sango. Kaede sighed. "Be a grim night. Come. Gather supplies for your journey and get some rest." the group all stood up and brought each other to the hut. Inside, they slept silently one hour later. There was total silence, other than a sobbing young fox demon ordered to slay his new father.

"…Well, let's get this over with." Sango said as she placed her boomerang onto her shoulder and laid it across her back. Miroku nodded as Kagome approached with Kilala on her shoulder and Shippo walking up behind. Akitoke followed, nodding his head as well. Kagome let another tear fall from her eye. "Inuyasha…." "Yes?" she turned to see the half demon approaching once more, Shiori close behind. Kagome resisted the urge to hug him, knowing she had to do just the opposite. "We have to…to kill you. To make you peaceful again!"

"To bring me peace you will kill me. Knowing I will not go out with a smile and standing still. So. You're going to bring me peace by fighting and killing me. Your logic is undeniable." Sango shook her head. He was entirely different. He spoke intelligently, as if he knew every word usable in his reply, had dissected it, then put it in his sentence. Like Sesshomaru. "Inuyasha…you've turned into Sesshomaru!" shouted Sango. "And that is bad…because?" Miroku felt a chill run down his spine as Sesshomaru stepped from the trees.

Rin, Jaken, and Ah-Uhn followed closely behind. He slanted his eyes. "My brother has seen the light of the dog demon's blood. Why is that bad?" Kagome shouted. "Inuyasha isn't a demon, he has a heart!" Sesshomaru growled. Inuyasha shook his head. "I told you brother." Sesshomaru said, regaining his calm composure. Inuyasha nodded. "Told you what?" Miroku asked. "He told me when I embraced my demon blood none of you would accept me. You would all deny me and try to slay me. He was right to the most miniscule detail, as always. I have been given more power and strength, speed, and intelligence than I have ever wielded before. Why is that bad?"

"Because you're not the same." Sango said, fire in her eyes. "You're too calm, too composed, too cold. The old Inuyasha was happy, and nice, and brash! He may not have been as strong, but the old Inuyasha was better than you ever will be!" "…I see." Inuyasha closed his eyes and inhaled. "Older Brother…take the smaller ones and leave…I wish to speak and perhaps deal with them alone." "…As you wish. Rin. Jaken. Come." he turned and walked back into the trees, followed by the young girl, mumbling imp and silent dragon. They had to wait for some time before Sesshomaru's perceptive hearing was out of earshot, then Inuyasha spoke.

"I once called five of you friends. I called one of you best friend, and inside love." he said, closing his eyes when Kagome bit her lip at that statement. "…I embraced my blood. Because the arrow that had made its way into my body was purifying me. So I retaliated with my demon blood. And eventually, I embraced it to help myself stay alive. Then, as I lay dying on the ground from the strain, floating down an underground river, an old woman saved me."

"She taught me darker aura arts to heal myself because she was too weak and didn't know any else to do. I was in that cave for a day, and from all of the strain and pained suffering, I fell into a coma. I awoke to find my aura had been manifesting on its own. It was too far darkened to go back. Do you want to know? Kagome. Shoot me. Come." Inuyasha opened his eyes again, Kagome had already nocked the arrow. "I'm sorry…I'm so sorry…" she whispered under her breath before letting the arrow fly. It let out its pink flow and flew at Inuyasha. It was inches from his chest, closing in.

Then, a huge black wave appeared in front of his body. It ripped the arrows pink glowing aura to shreds and the arrow itself melted. The wave died down, it had caused a huge gust of wind and some trees to shake. He blinked once and raised two fingers. The tips began to glow black. "Goodbye." he raised them, when suddenly a voice called out. "Inuyaaaaashaaaaaaaaa!" he closed his eyes and the tips of his fingers dimmed to their normal state. He turned around to see a young girl running up to him. She had silver hair and pink eyes, with two cat-like ear perched atop her head, a long cats tail swishing back and forth behind her.

She jumped up onto his shoulders, climbing his tail. He watched as she did this, then she played with the tips of his ears before speaking. "Who are they?" "Luna. What are you doing." "Looking for you. Uncle said you were around here." "Hm. Stand aside while I deal with them." She blinked and nodded quickly, then jumped off of his back and shoulders to sit by a nearby tree. Inuyasha lifted his hand. "You are above my tentacles of darkness technique. My 'former' companions should feel my newest blade. This is no longer Tetsusaiga. This is Tetsuuga."

Inuyasha put the blade to the ground and lifted it. "You will pay for your incompetence." a black whirlwind began to form around the blade. Kagome squinted her eyes. "That whirlwind…I've seen it somewhere before…Oh NO!" Sango and Miroku looked at Kagome in confusion. "Run! It's the-" "DRAGON TWISTER!" Inuyasha sliced the blade downwards and a huge purple and black whirlwind, whipping at them flew forward, an orb of black energy almost slicing them to pieces as he did so. Sango and Miroku got onto Kilala and Kagome jumped onto Shippo, who had turned into a large white bird with a blue bow on it's head.

Inuyasha lifted the blade and slanted his eyes. He spun his sword and sheathed it. He was getting pissed. Very pissed. He slanted his eyes as his fangs grew long and his eyes turned red. His mouth and nose began to bulge until they were a snout and his hands turned into paws. Black fur covered his body and grew along with his shape until Sesshomaru's exact dog form replica, excluding the black fur, stood in front of them. It was about forty feet tall, and it let out a ferocious roar not even Sesshomaru could muster. Sango noticed the small cat-like girl had climbed her way onto Inuyasha's dog form, sitting on his neck and laughing like a little girl getting a present. She pointed. "Sick 'em!"

Inuyasha growled and leapt forward, taking a slash at Kagome and Shippo. Shippo avoided it, but lost some tail feathers in the process. The young girl spoke again. "Daddy, I'm bored. GO back to the other you." Inuyasha growled as he slowly transformed into his normal state. Before anyone could make a sound, Inuyasha moved. He dashed forward and up the trunk of a tree, then planted his foot on the top and leapt high upwards, an after image behind him. He spun in the air and swung his claws. "Darkness, REIGN!"

he slashed them downwards and four long black slashes, like his iron reaper soul stealer attack, came down on Sango and Miroku. Sango put her foot on Kilala and pushed off with the cat demon following, barely avoiding. Miroku leapt up. He reached out to catch Sango's hand. That's when Sango's world came crashing down on her. The claws sliced into Miroku's body, tearing him up. He gasped and then fell, slamming into the ground. Inuyasha landed down beside his body. He did the same process, bluish glow to his claws slashed forwards and healed Miroku. "…It would seem I cannot bring myself to kill any of you." he turned to the young girl. "Luna…come. Shiori awaits." the young cat demon nodded and rushed forward, leaping onto his shoulders. Inuyasha turned to Sango and the rest, Sango was holding Miroku's body in quiet prayer. Kohaku had stayed at Kaede's, Sango felt he had seen enough battle. Inuyasha spoke again. "…Do not bother me again." he turned around to face the forest ahead. "Ever…again." he walked forward, his tail swishing behind him as he did so. Kagome nocked another arrow.

"We need to purify you! Inuyasha, it has to be done!" he turned around sharply, eyes slanted. "Fine! You want to know what needs to be done! Then I'll tell Sango about you and the monk's little secret, shall I?" Miroku and Kagome's faces paled instantly. Akitoke looked off, and Sango looked confused. "Tell me…what secret?" "Oh, Sango doesn't know but you told Akitoke?" Inuyasha growled. Kagome put the arrow down. "Inuyasha, don't!" "How did he find out?" Miroku asked himself. "Oh please, monk. Your stench covers her from when you two slept together."

Sango froze. Her entire world came crashing down upon her. She turned her head to see Kagome holding her arm and glancing at the ground. Miroku was walking towards Sango, raising his hands. "I'd say they've done it twice, at most. Once before and once after your marriage." Inuyasha said matter-of-factly, shaking his head in disgust. Sango looked down, her brownish black hair hiding her eyes. Miroku spoke slowly, approaching her slowly. "Sango…?"

Sango stared at the ring on her finger. Kagome had informed her of the marriage procedures from her time, and enjoyed them. She and Miroku had gotten two golden rings forged. She lifted it to her other hand and slipped the ring off. She gazed at it for a moment and lifted it and aimed it, so Miroku's face was visible through the circular band. She closed her eyes as a single tear fell from her eye. As if he had been reading her mind, Inuyasha lifted two fingers and lashed out. A long black tentacle whipped forward and went through the band, slicing it in two. He retracted the whip and popped his knuckles.

"You're a devoted man, Akitoke, to forgive Kagome for such crimes. But doing something like that truly is unforgivable." he turned. "Come Luna." "Right!" the young cat demon ran up and grabbed onto Inuyasha's hand, holding it as she walked beside him. Sango looked up. "Inuyasha…wait…." the silver haired dog turned around to see Sango staring at him, turning her back on Miroku. "Let me come with you." Inuyasha turned to her, and glanced at Miroku. "And of the monk? And Kagome?" "…I'll miss them but…I just don't want to be near them anymore…." she hugged herself and looked away. "Little brother, have your dealings come to a close yet?"

Sesshomaru asked as he emerged from the forest once more. Inuyasha nodded once and lifted his hand. Two tentacles shot from his fingers and wrapped around Sango's waist. Inuyasha's tail began to twist in that same pattern, turning into a cloud as he pulled her to it. She willingly was caught in one of his powerful arms and brought into the sky. Sango closed her eyes and let herself drift into sleep.

Several hours later, she awoke to the feeling of being surrounded by a dark fabric. It was fluffy, and comfortable. She was laying on it, whatever it was. There was someone next to her, though. A cat? No, the cat girl. Luna, that was it. She opened her eyes completely and looked up. Inuyasha's face hit her gaze and she stared, then sat up. She had been laying on his tail. They were in a cave, a small fire blazed.

She sat up and looked out the entrance. She yelped as she backed up from the edge. They were on the side of a cliff, the cave was unreachable by foot. The mountainside was straight down like a cliff and sleek. She backed a little more when a pebble fell down the side. They were at least sixty five feet up. She turned around and walked back inside. There was a fire right in the middle, surrounded by stones to keep it down. Inuyasha lay against the wall, Luna on his tail. Shiori was leaning against someone, breathing slowly with a human arm hooked around her.

"Kohaku!" Sango said in surprise, running forward and bending in front of the boy. She grunted when a cold and moist item hit her lips and wrapped around her head, pulling her. She turned to see Inuyasha's dark whip. He put a finger to his lips. He was standing up, pointing to a small doorway that led to another, 'room', in the cavern. Sango nodded and followed him inside. He sat down and started a fire. Sango sat down on the other side of the room.

"Inuyasha?" "Yes?" "…I'm sorry." he looked up, putting the flint and rock down. "For what?" "Trying to purify-No. That's an excuse. Trying to kill you. It was wrong." he blinked, then nodded. "Apologies aren't needed. You were simply doing what you thought was right. I'm still unsure of whether you were right or wrong in your plight." Sango gave a soft smile. He was still quick to forgive.

She had to admit, she liked this Inuyasha more. The last one was emotion prone. This one was logical, smart. Dependable. She shook her head. Now was not the time. "How did you get Kohaku?" "Snuck him from Kaede's. She sensed my aura, I'm sure, but must have been asleep because I wasn't interrupted. I woke him, and told him everything. He came without fighting." Sango sighed. "Thank you." "No thanks are needed." he said with a dismissive wave and spoke again. "Where are you going to go now?"