The Fox's Son

Chapter 15 - The Shikon Jewel Shards

Kagome and the rest of team Inu walked back to the village, talking and laughing. Miroku had a big lump as he muttered something about Sango and her violent ways. Kippou was curled up in a fuzzy ball, being held by Kagome who was laughing about something Sango said. Inuyasha was brooding while Kirara was walking contently by her master.

When they arrived to Kaede's hut, Kagome placed her towel out to dry before entering the hut. As they entered, they saw Kaede stirring something in a pot. From the smell, Inuyasha could tell she was cooking stew. On a tray, they saw large balls of rice, they identified onigiri.

"You're just in time for breakfast." Kaede said as everyone entered her hurt. She stood from the pot and walked to the back of the hut. "Please, help yourselves." she said.

She didn't have to tell them twice. Everyone went and grabbed a bowl before going to the pot and pouring themselves some stew. Everyone grabbed a onigiri to eat with their stew and sat around the fire pit. Kaede smiled as she saw everyone dining, enjoying their meal.

"Thank you, Lady Kaede." Sango said appreciatively.

"It's no problem child." Kaede said.

"Say....." Miruku started as he swallowed the chunk of rice he had in his mouth. "Where's Naruto?"

"Yeah, where did he go?" Kagome chimed.

"You know, now that you've mentioned it, I don't see Kagura either." Kippou said.

Everyone turned to Kaede, who just shrugged her shoulders.

"I do not know where they went." Kaede said. "They were here when I left to get ingredients for the stew. However, when I returned, they were gone with no trace of where they went."

"How odd" Miruku commented.

"Do you think that is something we should be concerned about, Lady Kaede?" Sango asked the older miko.

Kaede thought about it for a moment. The man hadn't done anything to warrant caution or anything suspicious. He hasn't attacked them and had only been kind to them. She didn't sense any lies whenever she spoke to him and for some odd reason, the older woman felt like she could trust this young man. The older woman hesitantly answered the demon slayer's question.

"I do not think so, Sango. He said he was here to help and I sensed no lies from him when he said so." Kaede answered. "I guess we will have to wait and see when he returns."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Naruto was making his way down the hill, towards the rice fields, down the path to the village. He had just returned from his little 2 hour trip with Kagura. After he knocked her out, he took her far away, deep into the forests, where he knew Naraku would find her. When he got to a good place, he laid her under a tree and left it there. Was it cruel to leave her out in the open like that and use her as bait? Yeah. However, it needed to be done.

He had plans in mind the kumo-teme, but needed to close enough so he could actually execute it. He knew, once Kagura was back in Naraku's hands, he knew she would probably be upset with him. Call him a jerk if you want, but it was honestly for a greater good. All he had to do was be patient and wait to see what Naraku's next move would be.

Deciding to take a scenic route, Naruto began to wonder around the village. At this time, most of everyone was awake and going about their daily chores. As he was walking, he felt something hit his leg.

When he looked down, he saw that it was a child on the ground. The boy was rubbing his head, indicating that that was what had it him. At the that time, other children came from around the corner. When they got near, they stopped at the sight of the straw hatted man.