InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Young Ones ❯ Chapter 22 - Power Unleashed ( Chapter 22 )

Disclaimer: InuYasha belongs to Rumiko Takahasi and her publishers. No profit is made from this story. No copyright infringement is intended.

Sorry about the chapters becoming so short, but they seem to be naturally breaking up into small sections that should be separated.

Chapter 22 - Power Unleashed

Once more back in the main cave, the group quickly set about eating their delayed dinner, while simultaneously discussing the unbelievable turn of events that had just transpired.

After checking (several times) that both InuYasha and Yasha were acting totally normal Kagome noticed that Tsuru had eaten very little and was rubbing his forehead. Concerned she inquired “Tsuru are you OK? You've hardly touched your food.”

Nodding, Tsuru replied “I'm not sure what's wrong, I feel - odd. It started with that flash of light, right when those crowns were absorbed by InuYasha and Yasha.”

Suddenly Tsuru grabbed his head and began to double over. Fearing that the tall crane would tip forward into the fire, both InuYasha and Yasha sprang forward and simultaneously grabbed the youkai. The moment their hands touched Tsuru he arched back screaming, only to pass out a moment later.

Within seconds Tsuru's eyes opened once again and realizing he was still in the grip of the two concerned hanyous, the crane struggled to sit up. Then with wonder in his voice he proclaimed “Its back, I'm back, I'm back!!!” The excited youkai then jumped up, ran to the mouth of the cave and suddenly transformed into his true form, a huge crane twice the size of a man.

Within moments the crane once more returned to his human form and running back into the cave swept the two stunned hanyous into a joyful hug, exclaiming “Thank you so much, you did it, you broke the spell, my youki is once more unbound!”

Then pulling back from the two flustered men he continued “Now that I have access to all of my youki, I think I know what happened, to the both of you and to me.”

As the group once more settled down around the fire, Tsuru, sensing that InuYasha was eager for information began. “First off I am fairly sure that the unbinding of my youki was strictly a side effect of what the crown, or I should say crowns, did to the two of you. The very moment those crowns were absorbed is the same moment I began to feel ill. My own distress slowly increased to the point where I nearly passed out, but the moment both InuYasha and Yasha touched me, it was like an explosion and my youki was once again unbound. Since I am part of the prophecy, I believe I was meant to witness what happened, just so that my own youki could be freed, what other part I may play is still to be revealed, but that I must remain with you and complete the quest is something that I am certain of. Anyway back to my explanation, as soon as InuYasha broke that barrier, we were all assaulted by that overwhelming youki, that both InuYasha and Yasha said felt like that of their daiyoukai brother. Then when they absorbed the crowns they developed daiyoukai demon markings, something which Kagome had told us, during her retelling of your past adventures, only happened when InuYasha's youkai blood completely took him over. Now that my youki is free, I can feel the full effects of the crowns. Both of you, InuYasha and Yasha are more than you were before, if I did not know that you were hanyou I would swear that you were full youkai. In fact, InuYasha your aura is very much like a daiyoukai's, though sitting here as close to you as I am I can still sense that you have some human blood. I believe the crowns are acting as a - filter or perhaps a regulator for your youkai blood, it is no longer bound or subdued, just more controlled the way it is in a full blooded youkai.”

Interrupting, the little princess asked “Why is only InuYasha's aura like a daiyoukai's and not Yasha's?”

Smiling the crane replied “While daiyoukai are born with the potential, they must grow and develop their powers to achieve the status of daiyoukai, and to be quite honest, the majority fail to reach their full potential and consequently never become true daiyoukai. Yasha is still far too young, but I am confident that he will eventually grow to the same power level as InuYasha, who as far as I can tell is some sort of dai - hanyou!”

Jaw almost hanging to the ground InuYasha managed to squeak out “A what?”

Laughing Tsuru continued “You are the hanyou version of a daiyoukai. Think about it, your youkai blood is immensely powerful, so powerful you do not dare let it take you over, lest you lose your human heart and turn into a murderous youkai. You say your sword acts as a suppressant, a seal, but it can not regulate, you are either hanyou and in control, or youkai and totally out of control. The crown has taken over the job from your sword and it is allowing you to access virtually all of your youki, with absolutely no loss of control. You will no longer run the risk of succumbing to blood lust or I dare say destroying your human heart, your different natures should no longer be battling each other, and therefore you are even more powerful than you were before!”

With wonder in her eyes, the Princess ventured to add “So this is Yasha and InuYasha's destiny, to gain full control of their powerful youkai blood.”

Suddenly, Kagome rose to her knees before her mate and in a single motion pulled the beads of subjugation up and over the stunned hanyou's head proclaiming “I've wanted to get rid of these for so long, I only left them on because of your fear of losing control - that these would be the only way I would be able to stop you from hurting innocents. Now that you can't lose control there's no need for these and I don't want this sort of control over you any longer, I'm your wife and mate, not your keeper.”

Moved by her counterparts actions the Princess turned to Yasha and began to reach for his gold slave collar, only to be stopped by the young hanyou's hands upon hers. Looking deeply into his mistress and mate's eyes Yasha whispered “No my Princess, I still belong to you, this is neither the time nor place to free me, perhaps someday, but not now.”

Nodding her understanding the Princess replied “I understand, but soon, in the presence of the King, you will be freed and you will take your rightful place by my side. “

Then turning back to the other the Princess continued “Well we've found the crown all that's left is that darned relic!”