The Fighter's Heart (Inuyasha fan-fiction)

Chapter 19

A week passed and the group began to notice that Kari was acting strange. She seemed more tired than usual and a bit more tense and high strung. Every so often while sparing with Inuyasha, she would fall asleep and collapse for only a few seconds only to jolt back up with a whine. The group began to worry about the girl even more so since this showed no sign of stopping. They all decided to stop by a river for lunch. Inuyasha stretched while Shippo set up a fire with Chase, Kirara helped Sango with some laundry, Miroku watched from afar while Kagome cooked some food. Kari looked off into the distance blankly. She always looked in the same direction, directly up, every time she was able and with the same blank, emotionless expression. Inuyasha smacked the girl's head lightly to get her attention. She jolted and looked at the half demon.

"Let's go spar." He stated. Kari nodded after a moment, as if processing the statement. Inuyasha eyed the girl's body posture, one eyebrow raised in concern as a load of questions swirled in his head. Miroku watched as the two began to spar. The others managed to catch a glance every so often. Inuyasha drew his sword and took a stance while Kari stood limp in the same place.

You should sleep...

"Shut up..." Kari yawned. Inuyasha tilted his head at the girl's words.

Ok, but you need sleep.

"I said--"

I know, but look at yourself. You've gotten slower, and you all around look terrible

Kari growled and held her head as if in pain. That was when Kagome intervene. "Kari, why not come help me cook?" She hollered to the girl. Kari nodded and walked towards Kagome then sat next to her. Inuyasha grumbled and sheathed his sword and went to gather some firewood.

That night Kari watched the moon pass her by, it was half empty and had a few clouds covering it. The girl yawned.

I'm gonna say this again, you need sleep.

"I know. But teacher said that I've gotta keep my guard up." The girl informed. "Wait, who are you?"

You only now question that? Whatever, it's not important now. Trust me, your fat-- err, someone who... You know what, someone you will most likely meet in the future wants you to get your sleep.

"Wait, who?"

You might meet them in the future. Now close your eyes and go to sleep.

"But---"

CLOSE YOUR EYES AND GO TO SLEEP!

Kari jolted, so much so that she fell out of the tree she was in with a slight yelp and next to Inuyasha, who was sleeping under the same tree. He groaned and opened his eyes slightly only to see Kari rubbing her head in pain. He sat up and looked at her.

"You alright, short stuff?"

Kari groaned. "Y-yeh. Just got shocked is all." Kari smiled weakly. "An' don't call me short." She huffed. Inuyasha narrowed his eyes and grabbed the girl by the scarf and pulled her to him. "Watch the scarf!" She protested only to feel something soft on her face. She looked up and noticed Inuyasha holding her with one arm into his side. The girl could not help but feel safe enough to let her guard down. Kari yawned.

"Get some sleep." He grumbled. Kari was already sound asleep at this point. The half demon sighed and looked at the sky for a moment, taking in how much time he had until he was completely human for a night. He grumbled and felt Kari adjust her sleeping position. The half demon leaned against the tree and rubbed the child's back then eventually fell asleep himself.

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She's stubborn.

Yes, just like her mother.

But she's also very smart like her father.

Let's watch her continue to grow.

As we were ordered.

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Kari woke up with a stretch and sat up while looking around. She noticed that The others were already working on packing up. Kari's hair bristled like a surprised cat and she panicked.

"Wh-Why didn't anybody wake me up?!" She shrieked. The group looked at her and smiled.

"Afternoon." Sango greeted. This further panicked the girl since she was usually able to help the others pack up.

"We didn't want to wake you since you looked so peaceful. You looked like you needed your sleep and we weren't going to bother you." Miroku informed. Kagome smiled then walked up to Kari and handed her some food.

"Here you go, I'm sure you're hungry." Kari hesitantly nodded and took the food.

"Th-thanks." She murmured then grabbed her things while eating and followed the group as they continued on their quest to find Naraku. They came across a few villages and asked around. Every so often some villagers said they had seen someone following the description that was given to them towards a mountain area so they began heading that direction.

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Naraku hummed while he watched through his newest incarnation empty eye socket. The incarnation was Byakuya.

He had pale skin with purple eyes; he also had black hair, which was tied into a long ponytail while his lips appeared to be painted red. His outfit consisted of a light blue haori coat with red patterns on it and wore brown hakama pants with them. He had a dark blue vest with yellow markings on it and wore socks with his sandals. Byakuya kept a bladeless sword tied to his back along with a gourd. He grumbled at how uncomfortable his current situation was. The incarnation the noticed the smallest in the group he was watching turned and stared right at his eye. She glared and bore her fangs.

"Is that Kari?" He asked with a hum, unsure of those in the group.

"Yes, that's the one I've told you about." Naraku informed with a slight chuckle. Kari's ears twitched and she turned to look at the group, she spoke then turned back to Byakuya's eye and backed away slowly then turned around and rushed to join the group. "She looks stronger after the past year." Naraku hummed. "That'll be all Byakuya." He informed then began to think of a way to obtain what he desired. Byakuya controlled his eye back to his body and he began to do his own thing while awaiting Naraku's orders.