The Fighter's Heart (Inuyasha fan-fiction)

Chapter 18

After a week, the group had made their way into a village. They began asking questions about Naraku and his incarnations. The villagers had no clue about the demons they spoke of, but they did have other information.

"You see," One Of the villagers began. "About thirteen years ago the palace that belonged to our kind princess was blocked off by a barrier. She ruled with kind words and protected us from harm. So when the barrier appeared, we all began to worry. We haven't gotten any word from her or anyone from the palace." Miroku stepped up.

"We will gladly see what we can do." He informed.

"Yeah right, he just wants his chance with the princess." Everyone else thought with an unamused expression. With the information they collected and the villagers gratitude, they headed towards the palace.

"I bet the palace is haunted." Inuyasha smirked, attempting to scare Shippo.

"Stop it Inuyasha." The fox demon grumbled. Kari snickered at the half demon's attempt. Eventually the group arrived at the palace. Shippo was clinging to an unamused Inuyasha while Kari did the same.

"Get offa me, Shippo!"

"No way! What about Kari?!" Shippo protested. Miroku approached the entrance to the palace cautiously. He examined it then poked the barrier only to receive a small shock.

The monk sighed. "Alright, Inuyasha. Take it away." Inuyasha threw Shippo off of him but let Kari be as he took out Tetsusaiga. The blade turned red and began to pulse. He then slashed at the barrier but it did not break.

Kari...

The girl's ears twitched as she heard someone whisper her name. "Did you hear that?"

"Hear what?" Sango asked the girl.

Kari... Come here... Kari...

"There it is again." Kari let go of Inuyasha and looked around. She then turned towards the palace and blinked, rushing towards the gate.

"Kari wait! You'll be--" Miroku began but the girl passed through the barrier with ease then vanished. "Shocked..?" He tilted his head slightly in confusion. Everyone stared at the palace gate then swiftly worked on breaking the barrier.

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Kari skid to a stop then turned to call to the group. "Hey! C'mon g--" She blinked and stared at what was once the entrance to the palace. "Guys?" She asked and turned around. "Guys!" She called. There was no reply. "Great she grumbled then clicked her spiked cuffs, readying her weapons in case she needed them. She did not want to use her abilities here and cause damage to such an amazing place.

"Funny. The palace looked a bit older from the other side of the barrier." Kari thought as she got a better look at the palace. It was large with glossy and colorful walls of white and red with bits of gold and paper sliding doors, most of which decorated with cherry blossom flower patterns, others with some kind of flower or a tree other design. The cherry blossom trees in the garden were in bloom and some of the petals littered the ground and gave the area a nice feel. Outside of the barrier the palace looked a bit dull, even a bit damaged in some places. The girl walked towards the stairs leading into the hallway of the palace. She walked cautiously, looking around while doing so. She entered a few rooms. One was a study with brushes and scrolls neatly stacked on their shelves, untouched and clean from any dust. Another was some kind of class room with supplies and tools and more scrolls. There was an entertainment room with masks and costumes behind a curtain which overlooked a stage and many pillows for a decent sized audience, many of the masks looked kid friendly and kind of cute and there were even puppets of many kinds. There was another room filled to the brim with toys and knick knacks as well as blankets and other items used for children to play or cuddle with. The final room Kari took the time to inspect was a room big enough for two, maybe even three, with a comfy mat, pillow, and blanket and a window in the ceiling and a few ornaments, scrolls, and paintings decorating the walls.