Do not own Inuyasha.
Hunting
Shippo slipped out easily. He felt bad about lying to Rin, but he also wanted to prove himself. If he could find the jewel shard and assess the situation, he would return to camp and tell the others. He had no illusions, he was no fighter, but he did have confidence in his skills as a sneak.
He hid behind houses, barrels, and bushes. He climbed on top of roofs, once the huts were close enough together. He sensed another demonic signature to his right, it was faint but noticeable and made his way there. It didn't seem malevolent, but best not to take chances. He couldn't rely on his nose, the salt from the sea overpowered all other scents. He scanned the area with his eyes, being a demon himself, his eyes were more acute then a humans. He didn't see anything unusual. He listened, normal village noises, fires in nearby huts, voices asking how the catch went, what others did that day. He creep closer to the aura, all his senses attuned to the hut before him. He waited, heard nothing, saw nothing.
"You are welcome to come in little one." a female voice said from inside the hut.
Shippo debated with himself for a moment before sighing, jumping down, and entering the house. He figured he'd been caught, might as well talk to whoever it is. A fire danced in a pit at the center of the structure. A woman sat opposite the door, she poked the fire with a stick.
"Are you hungry?" she asked.
"Thank you, but no." Shippo replied.
"What brings you here little fox?" she questioned.
"A jewel." he answered.
"A shard of the Shikon no Tama?" she asked.
"Who are you?" Shippo returned.
"I am no one important. Merely a traveler, like yourself no doubt." she said.
"I very much doubt that." Shippo commented.
A full belly laugh erupted from the woman upon his statement, "You are clever little fox." she said, once she controlled herself.
"You are not what I expected." Shippo said.
"What did you expect?" she questioned, still amused.
"Fighting, chasing, and maybe a, 'You will never take my shard.' the last said in a menacing tone.
A laugh reverberated throughout the hut.