The Adventures of Hato

An Inuyasha fan fiction

Note: these stories take place a few years after the series, so the characters may be a little different. Please read the whole story before you make judgments. There are a few surprises. This is also my own little series (if anyone knows what Sango's boomerang is called, please, please, please tell me)

Shippo woke up and fell out of the tree he was sleeping in. He got up and looked around. He saw someone skulking around the campsite. He crept up behind her and used foxfire. It hit her on the back, and she cried out in surprise, waking everyone up. In a split second, there was an arrow pointed at her head, Tetsiaga was at her neck, and Sango was ready to throw her boomerang.

"Who are you, and what are you doing here?" Kagome asked.

"It's none of your business. Don't try to threaten me, or I will fight you." she moved to the middle of the camp. "This one may die one day." she added, pointing to Miroku.

"What do you mean he may die?" Sango asked, still ready to throw the boomerang. "Are you going to try to kill him?"

"No, he just sleeps through a lot, that's all. You're not the people I'm looking for so I will take my leave."

"Hey! You can't just wake us up and walk away like that. I want to know who you are, and who you are looking for." Inuyasha said, getting angry.

"That is for me to know. It doesn't affect any of you though, so I wouldn't worry." She turned to walk away when Kagome put a hand on her shoulder.

"Please tell us your name. Maybe we can help you find what you are looking for." Kagome said. "We are looking for Naraku, so maybe we can help each other out. You can leave if you don't like us."

"Fine, I'll tell you my name. My name is Hato. I am looking for my brother. I heard that he was alive, so I thought he might have been with you. He was never the best fighter. If you meet him, please tell him to go home." Hato turned quickly, and stared into the trees.

"Is anything wrong?" Shippo asked, from behind Sango.

"Quiet!" Hato hissed. She kicked Miroku in the side. "Get up, quickly. I want you to run. All of you." She plunged headlong into the trees. They stood there for a few minutes, until she came back. She was really upset.

"What were you looking for?" Inuyasha asked.

"And why did you kick me?" Miroku added, rubbing his side.

"There is someone watching me. Every so often I feel them watching me, but whenever I look for them, they disappear. Until I know who it is, I will keep asking people to leave." she looked at Miroku, "I kicked you in the side because you slept through all the excitement. It was that, or possible death." She looked at Shippo. "You are the one who attacked me, right?"

Shippo nodded his head. Sango stepped in front. "Don't think of hurting Shippo."

"I would never harm a child. What kind of person do you take me for? I just thought he was very brave." Hato said, as she squatted down.

Kagome came up from behind. "I was wandering if you would stay with us? We could use the company."

"Are you serious?" Inuyasha yelled. "We don't even know anything about her. She may be working for Naraku."

"Go to sleep." Hato said, moving swiftly to stop right in front of Inuyasha. He stumbled back in surprise, and tripped on a root.

"Why did you do that? He wasn't doing anything." Kagome said, walking to Inuyasha. She helped him up.

"If he knows a bit of what I am capable of, maybe he will trust me, right?" She walked up behind him. "He has no reason to fear me. You invited me to stay with you, did you not?"

"Yes I did. Why do you ask?" Kagome asked.

"Well, I was thinking of taking your offer. If you still like me, that is." She looked at Kagome, waiting for the answer.

"Sure, just don't wake us up." Kagome yawned and curled up to go to sleep. Hato jumped into a tree and watched everyone fall asleep. For the first time in the past year she never felt accepted, until now.

Shippo woke up in the middle of the night. He saw Hato on the ground, curled up into a ball. He watched her as she looked up at the night sky. He could see from there that she was crying. He jumped down, and walked up to her.

"Are you okay?" Hato looked up, and saw him standing a few feet away.

"I'm fine. And what about you?" she responded, wiping away some tears.

"I'm a little tired," he said. He gave a big yawn.

"Where are your parents?" She whispered gently. She scooped up Shippo, and held him like a baby.

"My parents died a few of years ago. Ever since then, I've been traveling with Inuyasha and Kagome. They have become as close to a family as I will ever have." Shippo looked up at her. "You said you were looking for your brother. Why are you looking for him?"

"Before I tell you, you have to promise me you won't tell anyone, okay?" When Shippo nodded, she continued. "My family was attacked by something, about a year ago. It killed almost everyone. I survived, because I was with my brother and sister. We went to spend some time alone, like we always used to do. Recently, I heard that my brother might still be alive. That is the reason I am looking for him." She looked at Shippo. "He was never the best fighter, so if he died, then my sister would be dead. That's my story." She looked up at the stars, "You should get some sleep though. In the morning, I'll talk to you some more." Shippo started to walk away, when a dagger flew out from the trees. It hit the tree where Hato was just a moment before. Hato charged headlong into the trees. There was a scuffle, and then Hato emerged. She was dragging someone behind her.

"Kounda!" Shippo whispered excitedly.

Hato looked at Shippo, "You know her?"

"Yes. Her name is Kounda. She's a friend." Shippo ran up to her. "Why did you attack Hato?"

"I don't trust her. I'm not going to let her go after any of you." Kounda picked herself up off of the ground. "I don't appreciate being dragged."

"Well, maybe you won't attack me then." Hato glared at her.

"You look like some other demons I fought. They were cat demons, just like you." Kounda stood there. She looked hard at Hato.

"They might have been my family." Hato grabbed Kounda, "Where did you fight them?"

"Oh, I don't know. Somewhere over there, I think. It doesn't really matter if you find them. They may already be dead. I don't think they made it to nightfall." Kounda looked at Hato. "If they are your family, then tell them to stay out of my way next time."

Hato glared at Kounda. "You had better hope they lived." Hato disappeared into the trees. Kounda followed.

"Where's Shippo?" Sango shouted.

"I told you not to trust her." Inuysha mumbled to himself. "I'll go search the surrounding area." As soon as he said that, Kounda walked into view.

"You guys don't have to search anymore. I followed that demon, and saw her attack Shippo. I rescued him, but he was already out cold." Kounda was holding Shippo.

"Thank you so much, Kounda! You saved him." Kagome went and took him from Kounda. "We won't trust her again."

When Shippo came to, he looked around. "Where am I?"

"You're safe. We won't let Hato come near us again." Sango held her boomerang, "I'll make sure of it."

"Don't hurt her. She didn't do anything. I talked to her, and she wouldn't have done this." Shippo stood up. "I'm going after her. No one follow me." He turned, and walked to the trees.

Shippo was running through the trees, when a demon stepped out of the trees.

"Well, well, well. This would be my lucky day. I've come across a tiny, little snack." He advanced on Shippo. Just as the demon reached Shippo, Shippo launched his yo-yo. It hit the demon square in the head. Shippo started to run in the opposite direction. He ran until he ran into Hato.

"What are you doing way out here? Shouldn't you be with Kagome?"

"I came after you. They think that you hurt me, but I know that you wouldn't hurt me." Shippo lost his train of thought, when the demon walked out into the open.

"He's mine." The demon advanced on Shippo.

"Shippo do you know this demon?" Hato moved in between Shippo and the demon.

"No, I don't know him."

"Well, then, I guess he should be scooting along now. He has no business here." The demon continued his advance. Hato kicked him in the chest. He flew back until he hit a rock.

"That's all you have? Don't make me laugh," he said standing up. He moved forward, and attempted another grab at Shippo. Shippo dodged, and retaliated by using foxfire. Inuyasha came into sight and attacked the demon. The demon decided he had enough and took off.

"Come on, you little brat. Kagome's all worried about you." Inuyasha started to walk away.

"No! I'm staying with Hato, for a little while." Shippo looked at Hato. He saw a smile appear on her face.

"I'm not leaving you with her. She is dangerous."

"No, she's not. She just saved me from another demon. She won't hurt me." Shippo ran behind Hato, "And I'm going with her no matter what you say." Hato picked Shippo up.

"I'll make sure he comes back in a couple days."

"No, he's coming back."

"Tell you what, if you can catch me I will make him go with you."

"Fine!" Inuyasha started to run after Hato. Hato just laughed. She kept just ahead of Inuyasha. They kept running, until Inuyasha pulled out Tetsiaga.

"Shippo, jump now." Inuyasha yelled. Then he used Wind Scar. Hato saw it coming, and rolled with it. When the dust had settled, Hato stood in the middle. She was bleeding from cuts on her legs, and arms.

"How…how did you survive that?" Inuyasha stood with a dumb look on his face. Hato ran up to Inuyasha and barreled into him. She got up, looked at Shippo, and beckoned him. He came and jumped onto her shoulder. Hato ran west.