InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Demon Hunter ❯ Dark Core ( Chapter 6 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Chapter 6

“A...demon hunter?” Harry echoed, “But why me?”

He began to feel consumed by his growing anxiety. He had enough responsibility as it were. Now he was being visited left and right by demons and the like.

Inu Yasha squeezed Harry's shoulder, gave him a reassuring smile and spoke softy, “There aren't that many humans with the ability to kill demons, let alone use blood magic.”

“I don't get it,” Harry moaned, barely hearing what Inu Yasha was saying. He looked desolately at his hands, “why me? What the hell do I have to do with everything?”

Harry felt the clawed hand on his shoulder tighten momentarily before Inu Yasha looked at him warmly.

“You remind me a lot of myself when I was your age.”

Harry lifted his head to look at Inu Yasha and was suddenly in awe at how much authority and wisdom were held in those glowing cat-like eyes...along with pain. Harry could see the power radiating off him in waves—more power than Dumbledore possessed when he was angry. He found himself respecting the man sitting next to him more than he thought possible for such a short acquaintance.

“I do?” Harry asked, feeling a little proud to be comparable with someone so impressive.

The half demon smirked, looking very boyish and replied, “well yeah—we both grew up in an environment surrounded by people who hate us, spent our lives trying to fit in with along with everyone's stereotypes, all the while fighting to protect the very same people who hurt us.”

Harry felt his jaw drop. He never thought it was possible to hear his life described in a nutshell. Well, there it was.

Harry let out a harsh laugh, “Well, you turned out all right, so I guess there's some hope for me.”

Inu Yasha shook his head, “nah, I'm crazy. That's what living as long as I have does to you. Just look at Dumbledore, he's not even half my age and he's already nuts. Of course he is a human.”

“I've noticed,” Harry grumbled bitterly. There was a small silence as Inu Yasha regarded him quietly.

“Do you enjoy using blood magic?”

Harry felt a bit started by this question.

“Err... well yeah. A lot. That's not bad is it? I mean—I can't really help it. It just feels like—like—”

“A rush?” Inu Yasha finished with a grin. Harry nodded his head vigorously, happy that he understood.

“I know what you mean,” Inu Yasha continued, “I was around your age when I realized my potential with it. It was just after I first sailed to Europe...and found that book in the castle known as Hogwarts. Heard of it? I believe that it is a school.”

Harry shared a smile with Inu Yasha for a moment. For someone who was older than Dumbledore—he was pretty cool. But there was something bothering him about using the book. It seemed so dark that it sometimes felt like he was becoming more like Voldemort. Like he would do anything for power. He decided to voice his concerns to Inu Yasha.

“Harry, using blood magic does not make you evil,” Inu Yasha began to explain, “I use it, and I'm not evil. Dark does not mean evil, and light does not mean good. Please remember that.”

Harry looked back down at his hands dejectedly. He knew he could very well turn dark. He could become like Voldemort was.

“Listen to me;” Inu Yasha grabbed Harry's chin and forced him to meet his eyes, “every human is born light. A light heart and a light soul. Every child is light. Even Voldemort was. It is through experiences and choices that turn a human dark as they grow older. But the very core of every human, no matter how small it is, and no matter how evil their deeds are—will remain light. Voldemort cannot use blood magic, because the very core of his essence—that teeny, tiny core—is the speck of light within him.

“Now every demon is born dark; the exact opposite of humans. And like a human, depending on their upbringing, they can become light, but forever remain with that dark core. However, since most demons prefer to stay dark—not evil—but dark, whatever blood magic they try to use will become corrupt, and consume them. That is why there are so few individuals that can use blood magic; the few with just the right balance of light and darkness in them.

“Take me for example. I'm half demon. I have a dark core, but I was raised in a human society: I have a human heart and my soul is light. That is why I can use blood magic so efficiently. You also have this mixture as well. I believe, when Voldemort struck with that curse as a baby, he poured part of his darkness in you, and it stuck to your core. A will core stop developing at two years at the latest. Your core was still developing so it didn't fight the change. You have a dark core, but your soul is light. That is why you can use blood magic. And that is most likely your power against Voldemort.”

Harry's head shot up.

“You know the prophecy?”

I might have heard it somewhere...,” Inu Yasha answered evasively.

Harry sighed, simply accepting there were some things that were way over his head, “But Dumbledore said it was love that was my power.”

“And in a way he was right. Think of the conditions you were raised in and compare it to Voldemort's. Look at how he turned out. Mix that with your dark core and you'd be worse than a 1st class demon. But you did not turn out like him. And do you know why?”

“Um...love?”

“Yup. Your love for humans—muggle and wizard alike—has kept you from becoming bitter. It saved you from becoming like Voldemort. And if you don't mind me saying—your dark core saved you from becoming like Dumbledore. One of him is bad enough.”

Harry laughed fully at this, feeling lighter than he had in months.

“So I'm a human...,” he concluded, “with a dark core?”

“Accept it. Love it. Have some ramen.”

“what?”

“Never mind,” Inu Yasha said, “I'll get you some of you come with me quietly.”

“Oh, so you've resorted to bribes have you?” Harry quirked—he had long since decided to go with him, if not just to defy Dumbledore.

“Sadly, you've left me no choice.”

Harry smirked and asked, “How will being a demon hunter help me in the war though?”

“Is all you think about? What will help you in the war?'”

“Um...yes?”

“Good. Well, if you can kill a demon, I think you could kill a demon wannabe.”

“But you're a demon aren't you? Why do you kill other demons?”

“I'm a half demon. There's a large difference. Took me good couple centuries to figure that out too. I'll explain the rest later on.”

Harry laughed, “Exactly how old are you?”

Inu Yasha grinned cannily, “How old do I look?”

“I dunno...25?”

Inu Yasha shrugged, “close enough.”

“Hey wait!” Harry cried, “That's not fair.”

Inu Yasha raised a dark eyebrow as if to say`and I care…why?'

“Fine” Harry pouted, crossing his arms, and feeling decidedly childish, “then I won't go with you.”

A large tawny owl chose that moment to dive in through his open window, drop a letter on his lap, and leave, not waiting for a reply. Glancing once at Inu Yasha, who seemed faintly interested, Harry broke the seal on the letter and glazed over the contents. His jaw clenched in repressed fury as his eyes moved downward. After a deep, calming breath, he folded up the letter, and lifted his eyes to meet Inu Yasha's.

“Kidnap away.”