The Fighter's Heart (Inuyasha fan-fiction)

Chapter 10

While Koga searched, Kari and Kikyo decided to stop for a moment. "Kari, becareful. You'll fall in the water." Kikyo called to the girl she was traveling with. The two had stopped by a river to get some more food. Kari nodded.

"I'll get wet either way." She called back, watching the fish in the river with narrowed eyes on all fours, aiming one of her claws at them by having her index finger pointed at a certain spot in the water . "Aim... And..." Kari's eye bolted full open. "Fire!" She called then shot the claw, snagging a few fish. Kari looked towards Kikyo, who was giving the girl a smile from afar. Kari prepared lunch and began to eat happily while Kikyo wandered off for a bit.

Once Kikyo was back she looked to see Kari staring at the water, her knees hugged to her chest. The priestess sighed and walked over to her. "Kari," She stated, putting a gentle hand on the girl's head. "Let's be off now." Kari looked up at Kikyo and nodded. She grabbed her things and the two were off once again. After a while Kikyo stopped Kari and pulled her to the side to show her something.

"What?" Kari asked, tilting her head. Kikyo picked a few herbs.

"Here, hold these for a moment with both hands." Kari hesitantly grabbed the herbs from Kikyo and watched as the priestess turned her back to pick more. "Tell me something." Kikyo spoke once more while picking the herbs. "Why did you say you lost your smile?" Kari blinked and frowned as Kikyo handed her some more herbs, then going back to pick more. "You are young. You're eyes are wide with curiosity, you are still learning about the world." Kikyo grabbed a few more herbs and handed them to the child. "You should smile genuinely more often, regardless of what others think. Because a genuine smile is never lost, only locked away." Kari looked down then nodded.

"Yeh."  She replied softly. "I..." The child took a deep breath. "I know."

"Ew! Look at her smile! She has four weird fangs!"

"Monster!"

"Freak!"

"Freaky fangy Kari!"

"She's a monster! Get away!"

"I'm sorry. I... I'll get rid of my fangs! Just don't-don't run away... Please?"

"I know." Kari repeated. Kikyo looked down at the girl softly then the two continued walking after putting the herbs in Kari's bag. About an hour later Kikyo stopped suddenly causing the girl behind her to stop as well. Kari tilted her head and blinked. "Kikyo? What's wrong?" She asked, preparing for a fight. A gust of wind blew past them and a wolf demon appeared. Kari stared at the demon while Kikyo watched the demon's movements.

"I smell the girl here." He hummed, his nose to the sky. His head then snapped towards Kari and he smiled kindly. "You must be her!" Kari blinked and took a step back. "Oh, uh, here." The demon approached Kari and handed her the skate board.

"My skateboard?" Kari mumbled, taking it in her hands. "Wait, Kagome and the others have my stuff." She then slowly widened her eyes. "What happened to them?" She asked.

"What? Nothing! Kagome told me to give it to you while looking for you." The wolf replied. Kari growled.

"Alright. But I don't trust you."

"Kari." Kikyo put a hand on Kari's head. "Relax. I can see he means no harm. And if he does, I know you can protect yourself. You do not need to be like this."

Kari glanced up at the priestess. "Ok." She replied with a heavy sigh. Kikyo chuckled then began to walk away. "Wait, where are you going?!" Kari called, taking a few steps towards Kikyo.

"You do not need to worry about that. You are now traveling with the wolf." Kari frowned at Kikyo's words then sighed.

"So, where are they?" Kari asked. "Oh, my name's Kari."