The Fighter's Heart (Inuyasha fan-fiction)

Chapter 9

About three days had passed ever since Kari fled Naraku's grasp. The child had neared a river so she was taking a quick break to gather fresh water. She sighed then decided to catch a few fish for the road.

"Pardon me." A voice called. Kari turned to see a woman that looked similar to Kagome. She wore the traditional dress of a miko, a white jacket with sode-kukuri, or cords,through the sleeves and open shoulders.  Strings, called muna-himo, were attached to each lapel and tied in front to keep the garment closed. Her sleeves were similar to modern loose shirt and extending slightly past the wrist. The slits on the side of her hakama, and the openings at the sleeves and shoulders of her jacket, known as a hitoe, showed the white kosode she sported. The woman also wore a bright red nagabakama, a very long hakama, which included a small board on the lower back. She wore common socks, called tabi, and rice straw sandals.  Finally she sported a red Obi, or belt, over all her other garments. Kari stared in awe at the woman then blinked and gulped.

"Y-yes?" She asked. The woman smiled lightly.

"Do you, by chance, know of a person by the name of Kagome?" Kari nodded slowly.

"Yeh, I'm actually looking for her and the group she's with." Kari smiled nervously. The woman sighed. "Was it the odd clothing?"

"Yes. In a sense." The woman replied. "My name is Kikyo." She introduced herself then put a gentle hand on Kari's shoulder. Kikyo stayed silent for a moment then removed her hand from the child's shoulder. "Maybe you and I could travel with each other for the time being. I'm sure we'll bump into them at some point. Not only that but it is not very safe for someone as young as you to be traveling alone." Kari thought over the offer then sighed. She remembered hearing about this Kikyo from Kagome. She did not sound all bad and if push came to shove Kari had a feeling she could flee if needed.

Kari nodded. "Alright. I'll join you for now." She smiled nervously and then stood up. "Oh, my name's Kari Himura." She stated. Kikyo nodded and then led Kari to the nearby village where she was staying. They then entered an inn and went into Kikyo's room.

"We will stay here for a while then move onward." Kikyo informed. Kari nodded and sighed.

"Alright. Thank you for letting me travel with you." The child stated. Kikyo nodded.

"No trouble. I only ask of one thing from you." Kari tilted her head in confusion. "Do not just tag along. Learn from the things that I do and make yourself useful in someway." She stated. Kari nodded. That night as Kari slept, Kikyo went out for a walk. She collected souls of the dead to stay strong and to stay attached to the world of the living while thoughts swirled in her head.

"When I touched that girl's shoulder, I felt an odd power. Locked away, purposefully. Something that I've not felt before. A power I never knew existed." She thought. "This girl, Kari, I wonder what it is she could be harboring in her soul's core." She hummed at her thoughts then went back to the inn to see Kari sleeping soundly, her face hidden by the hood of her hoodie. Kikyo sighed and let the girl be.

When two days passed Kari and Kikyo began to walk towards another village. They stayed silent for most of the walk until they stopped to take a break. Kikyo watched as Kari cooked some fish up for them then joined the girl.

"So, how did you get separated from your friends?" Kikyo asked.

Kari swallowed a bite of fish then answered. "Well, I don't really consider them friends. But I was separated from them when we were helping out a village being terrorized. Naraku took advantage of the situation and sent Kagura and Kanna after me. They kidnapped me and I stayed there for a while until Inuyasha, Kagome, and everyone else came to save me. But I showed them a false way to save me. They didn't know it was me and I regret it now." Kari frowned. Kikyo raised an eyebrow in confusion. "I don't really know how to explain it, but I just don't want them to worry any more. I've been such a burden to them, holding them back so much. So I want them to know I'm okay. E-Even though I don't really trust them. Even though they have reason to trust me or help me."