Blood Blades

Awakening

         Karuma started walking around the garden, the beauty of it lost on her. Damn it all anyway, she had already blamed herself for Taisho's death. But having it spelled out by Kimi's harsh words made it all the more hurtful. Angrily, she swiped at the tears falling down her face.
         Taisho himself would never blame her, she knew. If only he was here to council her, she missed his kind words. 'If you have no pressing business Karuma, please feel free to stick around. We could ease our loneliness together. You could even stay in the human village with my tenants if you are more comfortable there. My friends are few and far between, mostly other demons of rank trying to find out what they can gain from me...you, I know, are different. Never have you asked me for anything, but I ask something of you. Will you stay? I need a loyal friend I can count on and trust. You are it.'
         The tears came freely again. That trust had gotten him killed. She remembered the first time she had Serenaded for him. 'The elves must have been incredible creatures, or maybe it's just you, Karuma. Do you know the flute? I love that hauntingly beautiful sound. It reminds me of you.' To this day, she still could not play the flute during her Serenade.
         'You worry too much, Karuma. If you were mortal, it would age you. Learn to look for the humor in all situations, I know that ghost of a smile is a facade. I will not tolerate that mask on your face, it doesn't suit you at all. If you shed tears, it should be tears of joy and happiness. Strive to find that joy, and if it cannot be found, make your own. I have faith in you, my friend, dig deep into yourself and know you are worth all the happiness in the universe.'
          The tears blinded her vision as she came to a cherry tree in full bloom. A figure stood beneath the tree. He turned to her and she had a vision of Taisho. 'You have to be strong now. Hardships lie before you, but you do not stand alone. Your strength far outweighs your fears, hold your head high and take them head on, no more tears over things that cannot be changed. You are needed, Karuma, if you slip and fall, then look inside yourself ...I will be right there to pick you up again. My sons will shadow you, rely on their love and strength and know your family will never give up on you. Do not give up on yourself...and next time you Serenade, play the flute for me, I miss it...'
          Taisho wrapped his arms around her and squeezed her tight. Her vision cleared as his scent disappeared. Inuyasha stood hugging her, his scent so close to his father's, even more so than Sesshomaru. She squeezed him tightly, shaking. Thank you, Taisho... she knew that he had just given her his final council, and she was ready to face those hardships with her head held high.
         "Are you alright, Karuma? What happened? Was it that bitch Kimi again?...talk to me, Ruma."
          Her tears had stopped. She leaned back. "I'll be fine now. And yes, I did have a rough moment with Kimi, but her harsh words will never blacken my heart again... thank you, Inuyasha, for being here for me."
         He wiped her tears away. "You sure you're okay? It was almost like you were somewhere else. You scared me...sister."
        Sister...yes, I like that. A wide smile graced her face. Foster mother to sister, her laughter bubbled up. She was a sister. "I like the sound of that...brother. I am wonderful, no more tears will fall from my eyes over the past. I will pursue happiness and cry for joy."
        "Good to hear. Your tears could rip someone in two."
         Sesshomaru! She had run off on him in a state of despair. She had to see him.
        "Kohaku is here...I don't imagine with good news. We should go talk to him."

         Sesshomaru followed her scent to where she and Inuyasha stood. At least she had stopped crying. She smelled him and turned. There was something different about her... he didn't sense her sadness. In fact, she was smiling at him. She rushed to him, not stopping until she bowled him over. They both fell to the ground, her laughter ringing out across the garden.
         "What's gotten into you?...you were a mess a short while ago."
         "Not anymore, my love. Would you believe that Taisho gave me council? I feel like my old self back when he was alive...so what's wrong? I can tell you have something on your mind."
         He didn't want to destroy her newfound joy, but they had to get moving.
        Speaking low so Inuyasha couldn't hear yet, he delivered the awful news, dreading her reaction. "The dragons have taken Rin and Kagome to lure us out. We have to move. Now."
         She didn't break as he thought, oh no, not his princess. She stiffened, straightening. Anger washed across her features, a fang peaked out and her claws grew as she started panting, breathing deeply to remain still. The fur stood on end on her tail, feathers fluffed up and her eyes, oh gods, her eyes, they shone the purest blue he had ever seen them.
         Something had definitely shifted, maybe Father had come to her. Her aura had completely changed, it was hard to get a read on it, like it was masked. Almost like she could mask her scent, she could now mask her aura as well. If he did not know her, he would have taken pause, finding a worthy adversary.
        And her anger...she is like thunderheads in the summer. A beautiful beast...so beautiful. In a low voice she asked, "Where?"
      "Back at the mountains to the northeast."
        She started growling, a low rumble that grew ever louder until a howl burst through her lips. There was an answering roar, and Ah-Un appeared in the sky above them.
        Karuma jumped off him and landed on Ah-Un. "Inuyasha!" He had been standing gape mouthed after her ear piercing howl. "The dragons have taken Kagome and Rin. They are back at the mountains."
       "What!? Kagome..."
        "Calm, brother...we have to move, there is no time to waste. I go to dress and then we leave. Sesshomaru, come." She leaned down to him holding out her hand. Huh, she was taking charge and calling Inuyasha brother, which soon he would be. Her confidence was growing. He grabbed her hand and she hoisted him up without a problem, to the back of Ah-Un.
         "Back to the balcony, my friends." She petted their necks and they took off.
          They flew low through the garden, past the fountain and up to the balcony. Karuma immediately hopped off Ah-Un and through the doors to find four pairs of eyes staring at her. "Guys, we can talk after I dress. Out to the garden please." She shooed them out. Sesshomaru smirked, she shows no fear whatsoever of the mangy wolf.
        He walked into the bedroom behind her after they had filed out. Karuma had stopped short in front of him. The painting of her father sat on the bed and a map to the temple sat beside it. She cocked her head to the side, looking at the painting. Then a slow smile crossed her features, it was uncanny, how alike they looked. She was definitely the prince's daughter.
        She said nothing, just started dressing. He did the same. When they had finished dressing and after she had quietly helped him with his armor, she pocketed the map to the temple and finally spoke to him. "Sesshomaru, I would like to try to use your blood again. I don't know, it somehow feels different on my insides. Like something aligned. I think I can control it now. Do you wanna give it another quick test?"
         She wanted to try again? "Time is short. We would have to do it quickly." She nodded. He went to the doors and slid them opened. She rushed over and grabbed his hand, walking out with him.
         "I would like to draw two blades, and keep them drawn for our mission. I need to be armed. The question is, do you trust me with a power that could cripple you?"
         "We shall see after your test, sweetheart." He wanted to see what she could do.
           They walked out to the balcony. Inuyasha was waiting with the rest, arguing with the wolf. She nodded to them. "Hang on, boys." She turned and held out her palms to Sesshomaru. He smirked, she now had an avid audience. He wondered if she was nervous...

          Karuma stood waiting as Sesshomaru punctured his hand with his claws. She caught the blood smell and growled low, shaking a bit. I can do this... he filled both her palms. She stepped back. "Blood Blades." She quietly commanded. Two twin katanas formed in their unique upward blood drip. She heard the wolf exclaim. "Woah! She just made two blades outta blood!" She smirked, this was kinda fun.
          She turned to Sesshomaru. "You ready for this?" He nodded.
         Karuma took her stance, only this time she crossed the blades. Smoke started to rise off the blades, acrid smelling. No foaming acid dripped out, but the blades glowed a yellowish green. She zipped to the railing and sliced down through it. It melted back from her blades, turning into a pile of sizzling goop. Only a taste of Feedback.
         She turned to Sesshomaru. "Well, love? How do you feel?"
        He smiled at her, exposing his fangs...oh, my heart... "I feel fine Karuma! What happened? You have gotten so much stronger. You amaze me, princess."
        Inuyasha spoke up. "That was awesome sister!...but we gotta get moving. Come on!"
      "Agreed, Inuyasha." She slid both blades into her hakama and flipped to Ah-Un's back. "Sesshomaru, can we exit from the garden?"
      "Yes, over the western edge of it. Those who can't fly should be riding."
       Karuma smiled. "Wolf, who are you?"
       He stood up straighter and hit his chest. "I am Koga, leader of the northern wolf pack."
      "You get involved in this, Koga, you are in it until the end and all the dragons lie dead. If we fail, they will come for you, and all you hold dear. Are you ready to take that risk?"
      "Look, I know what I'm getting myself into. We will destroy them. They won't even see it coming. Dragons are all brawn and little brains. We will strategize and save the girls. And route every single damn dragon we see."
       She nodded to him. "Thank you, Koga." She reached a hand out to him. His cheeks turned pink, but he grabbed her hand. She yarded him on top of Ah-Un behind her. "I am Karuma. It's nice to finally meet you, Koga, I have heard a lot about you."
       She could feel Sesshomaru's eyes on her. "Ah-Un, carry Koga down from the cloud for me." She hopped off. "Inuyasha, climb on with Kohaku. She reached down and plucked up Jaken and set him on Ah-Un with Koga.
       "Um, thank you, my Lady." She didn't correct him again. Soon it would be true anyhow. "You're welcome, Jaken. Hold tight now."
       She strolled to her love and grabbed his hand. "Ready?"
      Sesshomaru swooped down and lifted her up. "I am now." He jumped in the air and took off. "I cannot believe the change in you, Karuma. You have thoroughly impressed me. You said Father gave you council? What exactly did he say to you?"
       "Basically that my strength far outweighs my fears, and to rely on you and Inuyasha...and he would always be inside my heart, and to not give up on myself."
        "Hmm...well maybe he helped you along. I could feel something different about you when I saw you with Inuyasha by the cherry tree. Your aura has changed again, I can no longer sense it...like you can mask it, just like your scent. That is an amazing ability, Karuma."
"Really? I had no idea...I do know I feel lighter, like a huge weight came off my shoulders...I got to hug him, Sesshomaru, and make my peace with the past. I can move on now." She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek. "I love you, Sesshomaru...now lets go save our little girl."