Kaya's Story (An InuYasha Fanfic)

Chapter 97: "Control the Demon Within"

We had returned to the small abandoned temple where they had been hiding. Immediately when we touched down I attacked, only to be knocked down easily by Hakudoshi. "You still haven't learned yet, girl?" Naraku asked. "No, because I'm just getting started," I told him before advancing. I already knew it would take a miracle for me to get out of this in one piece, but I was filled with a determination I had never felt. I wasn't quite able to break the ropes that bound my hands, but I was still able to get in a few good blows. No matter how many times Hakudoshi knocked me to the ground I got back up and dodged his attacks. I wasn't going die until Naraku and all of his minions were dust. My determination hadn't wavered, but my energy was starting too; letting Hakudoshi get in a good blow to my chest, causing me to fall to the ground. My pain was replaced with anger and hatred causing me to stand up. When Naraku and Hakudoshi looked at me, their triumphant smirks wavered for a moment. I could feel that my fangs and claws had lengthened, but my mind was clear. I was a full demon but in complete control. My wound had even started healing, just before I pulled my wrists apart, tearing apart their rope bonds. Again, I advanced with more speed and renewed strength. "You have used me for the last time!" I yelled before slashing again. My voice was higher pitched than normal and there was more growl than speech to it. One of us was leaving here unscathed and I was determined that was going to be me. With one final attack, Hakudoshi and Naraku disappeared, cursing me as they did. After they were gone, I fell to my knees and returned to normal. I still wasn't fully healed from any of my wounds, but I was free at last. When I stood up, I ran for my weapons and left down the mountain. Honestly, it was more like I climbed half-way down and lost my grip, so I fell the other half. Regardless, I was on my way and out of Naraku's hands.

The adrenaline I had acquired during my fight with Naraku and Hakudoshi was starting to fade. I was just glad it had lasted me as long as it did so I could run as fast as possible away from that temple. The small mountain temple was several miles behind me now, but I was utterly lost. I had no trail to follow of any kind and there were no human villages around for miles. Lost traveler disguise it is. Does this disguise work? Sometimes. Does it attract creepy demons/humans? Absolutely. Do I get to the nearest village without having to kill anyone? Not always. Did it work this time? Yes, a little too well. I ended up in this small human village that had been plagued by a demon. So, after the villagers learned I was a priestess they tasked me with dispatching the demon. Given my weakened state, it took me two spiritual arrows to take it down, but the villagers were relieved to have the demon gone. Instead of accepting their payment, I asked for directions to any other villages in the area. All they could tell me about was one west of the village we were at, so I thanked them and headed west. Half-way through the journey, I heard a cow moo and begin looking around thinking I had found the outskirts of the village. The only problem was there were no cows in sight, so I looked up and moved out of the way as master Totosai and his cow crashed down in front of me. "Good evening, Master Totosai. What brings you here?" I questioned. "Your demonic half." I quickly understood. I had controlled my demonic half, something InuYasha and I had never been able to do. "I controlled it somehow while I was fighting Naraku. I wasn't even aware I was doing it at the time because I was fighting to stay alive," I explained. "You found a balance between your demonic and spiritual halves and that is what caused you to control it," Master Totosai told me. "My two halves were balanced. So, that means if I went full demon, again, I wouldn't lose myself instead I would be conscious of my surroundings?" "More or less." "Great, thanks for the help," I muttered. "Good-bye, Kaya, and good luck." With that Master Totosai left and I sat down under a nearby tree. I couldn't travel anymore. If I was going to find InuYasha and his friends, I would have to wait until morning.

I woke up, sword in hand. Someone had been poking me and I looked down to see a couple of kids holding sticks. Apparently, I was closer to the village than I had realized previously. I quickly put my sword away and sat down in front of the kids with a small smile, "I'm sorry I frightened you." "Are you a human or a demon?" The little boy asked. I looked down at my hands to make sure I hadn't transformed in my sleep, "I'm a human priestess. Just like you two are human children." The little girl was slightly older than the boy and they looked alike, so I assumed they were siblings. As I was making that observation, the girl spoke, "If you are a priestess, then why do you carry that sword? It's a demon sword, isn't it?" I giggled, "it is. This sword is special because it can be used by a priestess." That wasn't a total lie, I am a priestess, but I am also a demon. Not that I was going to tell these kids that. "Where are your parents? They are probably worried about you." "They are back in the village. Priestess, would you like to come back with us?" The girl asked, hopefully. I nodded, "Lead the way."

The village the children led me to was very lively and peaceful. No demonic auras, no sense of impending doom; just children's laughter and the happy muttering of villagers. "Ayako! Harue! Where are you?" I heard a woman yell. "That's mother calling us, we should probably go," The little boy stated. The little girl grabbed my hand, "come with us." I let the children drag me in the direction of their mother's voice. When we arrived, the woman's eyes became wide with shock, "you two were telling me the truth." The children nodded. "Excuse me, I was wondering what you are talking about?" I asked, kindly. "Oh, right, yes, well these two," she started pointing at the children, "told me there was a woman passed out in the forest several days ago. I am assuming you are that woman." I looked at her sheepishly, "I suppose I am." "Mother, she's a priestess." The little girl started. The little boy finished, "the one who will stop the curse." I looked at the children with confusion, "What?"