Well I'm glad to see people are enjoying my fanfic. Keep those reviews coming.
It was almost dusk when Kari reached the village. It was a strange sight to her, like something out of a history book. The houses were just big wooden blocks with blankets draped in the doorways. There were no cars. No sidewalks and it was quiet except for the occasional laughter from far off.
Kari was guessing what kind of people lived here, and whether she should bother sticking around to find out, when an arrow sailed by so close to her head it barely grazed her cheek. It stuck in a tree next to her, but Kari completely forgot about it as she sought out its owner.
Standing near a house, about ten paces away, was an old woman with long gray hair, wearing old robes and a patch over one eye. On her back was a quiver of arrows and in her hand was a large bow. "What business brings ye here demon?" she asked.
Kari blinked and looked around. "Are you…talking to me?" she wondered.
The old woman frowned. "Who else would I be talking to demon?"
"Demon?" Kari said, "What demon? Where?"
"Do not play dumb with me," the old woman growled, "Either ye answer my question and leave or die." She started toward Kari, but stopped, eyes wide, as though she had truly seen who she was. "Good heavens! Kagome, is that you?" She dropped her bow and ran toward Kari, wrapping her in a lung-crushing hug.
"Gaah! G-get off me, you old hag!" Kari choked.
The old woman dropped Kari and stared into her face. "Inuyasha?"
Kari got to her feet and rubbed her sore shoulders. "Look granny," she said, "I don't know who you are, but don't ever touch me again!" She glared at the old woman. "How do you know my parents anyway?"
The old lady gasped. "Your parents?"
"Yes! Kagome and Inuyasha. You know, the ones you were mumbling about a second ago!" Kari growled.
"They are your parents?" the old lady wondered.
"Arg! Yes! Isn't that what I've been saying!" Kari shouted, then more quietly, "Boy, for an old hag you sure are dumb!"
"Ah, I see it now," the old woman smiled. She took Kari's face in her hand. "Ye look like your mother." She beckoned Kari to follow her. "I'm sorry, child, for calling ye a demon. 'Twas your yellow eyes and pointed ears that confused me," she said gently.
"Yeah, well I like my ears," Kari stated, "They're cute."
The old woman nodded. "And what is your name, child?"
"My name is Kari," she replied proudly.
The woman nodded again. "Kari. That is a nice name. Come child."
Kari ran to catch up. "Hey, wait a minute!" she shouted, "Aren't you going to tell me who you are?"
"I am Kiede," she replied, "I am an old friend of your mother and father."
"Yeah, really old," Kari muttered under her breath. They entered Kiede's box house and Kari immediately felt the warmth of a roaring fire.
Kiede sat on the far side of the house, opposite the door. She motioned for Kari to do the same. "Tell me Kari, how did ye come to be here?"
Kari told about the well and the monster within.
Kiede was startled. "The monster pulled you in?" she questioned, "But why?"
"I don't know," Kari answered, "It said it wanted some jewel. But I don't own any jewels." She reached over to a bowl a fruit and selected an apple. "Its weird," she said, taking a bite.
Yes, it is strange. But could it be," thought Kiede, "That this child possesses the sacred Shikon jewel? But how is that possible?" She watched Kari get more fruit and chew appreciatively. Kagome had the jewel. Perhaps she…oh no, Kagome, ye didn't. Did ye?
Suddenly the ground began to shake. There was a loud crash and people screamed. Kari ran outside. Not too far away, a giant was making its way toward the village. Kari realized, with a start, that it was the same monster girl from the well.
She had grown about twenty feet tall. Her legs were thick as tree trunks and she was wearing a type of loincloth.
Kari shuddered as the monster's eyes fixed on her and it thundered toward her.
"Give me the jewel!" it screeched, before stomping on one of the blockhouses, completely smashing it. A shower of arrows rose up, striking it in several places.
"Kari!"
She looked around.
Kiede was fitting an arrow to her bow. "Run Kari!" she ordered, "Find someplace safe. Go, now!"
Kari did as she was told. She headed into the woods with no idea of where to go. Kari heard the monster screaming and the cries of dying warriors as they fought to keep the beast from advancing. She could see it coming after her, closing the distance.
Ok, I'm just going to leave you in suspense here. I have to study for my final exam in driver's ed. Lovely. I'll work on the next chapter when I can.