Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or the gang, but I do own Karoru.
Scroll 5: Shard Hunt
When Kagome returned to the hut, she found her friends chatting amiably about their latest journey. Silently, she sat down and resumed eating her meal, her thoughts lost between Karoru's mysterious past and Inuyasha's. Miroku and Sango nodded at her as she arrived, and Shippo jumped onto her shoulders. Otherwise, no one seemed to be wondering what had gone on between her and Karoru. They all left her alone. That is until a few minutes later.
Inuyasha was watching her, and she clearly had something on her mind. "So. Did that Karoru demon leave, or what?"
Kagome gave no sign that she had heard. Then she said shortly, "Sit, boy."
The others only glanced in the hanyou's direction as he was slammed face fist into the floor. It was not an unusual sight nowadays, and none of them was surprised to see it.
When the spell released him, Inuyasha's head snapped up, and he glared angrily at Kagome. "Hey! What's the big id—"
A soft thud sounded abruptly overhead, and everyone turned their gaze upwards, ceasing talk.
"Something's on the roof," Sango said.
Inuyasha rose to his feet and went outside to investigate, Miroku, Sango, and Kagome following closely. They all looked up to see Karoru sitting there, staring silently up at the bright moon and stars. Her jade eyes shifted down to Inuyasha's irritated pair for a moment.
"What are you looking at, half breed?"
The hanyou growled threateningly. "She's as bad as Kouga!"
"Except Karoru isn't possessive," Miroku said with a sly smile.
"She could probably challenge Kouga and win, too," Sango stated impassively, keeping an eye on the monk.
Inuyasha glared at the two of them. "Will you shut up already?"
"Oh come on, let's just leave her alone," said Kagome, pushing him towards the entrance of Kaede's hut.
The next morning, Karoru was already awake when the others stepped outside to stretch their sleepiness away. She dropped down unexpectedly beside Kagome, making her jump.
"What are your plans for today?" she asked inquisitively.
"Uhh, we were just gonna do down the road towards the mountains to see if anyone's heard of a demon running around attacking villages," Kagome answered, surprised at the query.
"You mean a demon other than me?"
Everyone looked at her with mixed expressions.
Karoru shrugged. "I'm not very popular. When I sense a Jewel shard, I do all I can to get it. I have ways of getting what I want."
"Feh. Except for someone's trust," Inuyasha muttered.
Karoru remarkably ignored him. "Speaking of Jewel shards, there's one a few hours away towards the east."
"How can you tell?" Miroku asked. "I thought only Kagome could sense Jewel fragments."
"I am a demon, monk," Karoru replied. "All demons are drawn to the Shikon Jewel, and I've finely honed my skills as a demon over the span of many years."
"Hey!" Kagome suddenly exclaimed. "She's right! There is a shard in that direction!"
Sango strapped on her hiraikotsu. "Then what are we waiting for? Come on, Kirara!"
The tiny cat demon hopped obediently onto her shoulder, purring contentedly.
"Keh. Whatever. As long as there's a Jewel shard to get." Inuyasha turned and began walking down the path eastward. The others followed shortly after, Kagome pausing to wave back at the hut. "Bye, Kaede! We'll be back soon!"
Kaede stood watching them in front of the entrance, nodding at Kagome's words. "Good luck to ye all! Take care of yourselves!"
The company of seven traveled eat for four hours, resting periodically, and finally stopping for an uneventful lunch around noon. Karoru dozed peacefully in a tree, dapples of sunlight dancing upon her soft face. Inuyasha sat some distance away from her, casting suspicious glances towards the tiger demon now and then. The other of the gang were especially glad the two were avoiding each other.
After a time, they resumed their journey, the path taking them right into the mountains like Kagome had planned before. They met only a few travelers along the way, and each time, Karoru put on her gentle and innocent expression, complete with her strange and mesmerizing eyes. The gang soon found that what Kaede had said about her was true, except for Inuyasha, of course.
A few hours before twilight, the company slowed to a stop. The hanyou turned around to glare at Karoru, who had been trailing the others at a distance.
"So where's the Jewel shard already? We've been walking all day!"
"Something doesn't feel right," Miroku stated. "I sense an ominous presence in the area."
Karoru smiled smugly at Inuyasha. "What's the matter, half breed? Can't sniff out a demon this close to you?"
"What are you talking about?" Inuyasha said impatiently.
Without warning, a deafening crash rent the air, and a massive five-headed serpent rose up out of the trees hissing threateningly, "Mussst haave moore Shiiikon shardssss!"