AN: Okay, to clear stuff up, I thought about publishing it in a separate story, but then some people wouldn't know I updated. Kay? Again, I'm sorry it's so short!!!

"So, has anyone heard from Kouga?" Kaede asked briskly.

"No," Hakudoshi answered, sounding worried. "He went to steal the jewel shard from the evil Shippo... but he hasn't returned."

"Shippo's claimed another victim, then?" Naraku asked.

"Maybe, maybe not," Kaede shrugged. "He might have escaped. But anyway, we need to hurry, and find him. Because, as you all know, the ONLY way we can turn into placemats is if we get that Placemat-no-tama."

"Right," Sesshomaru said with zest. "Off we go!"

"Wait," Kaede said patiently. "We don't even know where Shippo is."

"So? I'll use my super-duper staff of heads!" Sesshomaru exclaimed. "It helped me find my father's grave, right? Jaken! Come here, with the staff!"

Jaken appeared, bearing a large staff with two heads on it.

"Alrighty, staffy, where's Shippo?"

The woman spoke. "Um... I dunno... ask him."

"Hey!" the man said. "How should I know, Carol?"

"Richard." The woman's (aka Carol's) voice was low and quick. "Just say it."

"I have come to a conclusion," the man (aka Richard) said finally, after some hesitation. "I have no idea."

Carol and Richard nodded resolutely and said no more.

"Hmp. Darn it," Sesshomaru said dejectedly. "Well, we need a sign! Aha! There!"

He pointed to a large, ordinary mushroom near the trees. "That's Shippo's mushroom!"

"I don't think so," Kaede shrugged. "But we don't have any other leads. Let's go!"

Everyone nodded, and traipsed through a convenient path. Sesshomaru picked up the mushroom and ate it.

"Uggh," he said two hours later. "I... I got a tummy ache."

Okay then, Fluffy.

"Everybody, REMAIN CALM!" Kaede yelled. "Sesshomaru, what do you want us to do?"

"Stop for a while," Sesshomaru said wearily. "I need to rest."

So the group stopped for an hour, during which time they discussed... um... stuff.

"I want to be plaid," Naraku squealed.

"Oh yeah?" Miroku snorted. "Well, I want to have raspberry chips at my next party?"

"Am I invited?" Kanna wondered quietly.

"No. Hakudoshi's not a pineapple."

"Oh, all RIGHT, but remember, just because you're not a walnut, don't think you can throw up on my salsa."

"Ooooh! Party!" Rin shrieked. "I'll wear lots of purple!"

And so the conversation went, as they waited for Sesshomaru's tummy ache to dissipate.

To be continued