Even Better Than The Real Thing: The First of the New
Episode 5
Inuyasha is running as fast as he can with two people on his back. He hasn�t smelled Kohaku yet and he stops every so often to sniff the ground. For the sixth time, Shippo decries the unfairness of the universe, �How come we have to go with Inuyasha?!? Why couldn�t we have gone with Sango or Kagura? Instead we have to get stuck with the idiot!� �Hush Shippo!� Kagome says in an almost scolding manner. �He hasn�t done anything yet.� Inuyasha says, �Let him whine!� Such maturity is usually beyond the half-demon, but this is a special circumstance. One of his friends has been kidnapped by Naraku and being sitted will not speed the search. Besides, there�s always later...or is there? He doesn�t want to admit it, but he has been noticeably unresponsive to the foxling�s typical insults these last few days. Not that he hasn�t scrapped with him, only to a lesser extent than normal. Like it or not, he knows he�d rather not get Kagome mad. And not entirely because of the back breaking pain she can inflict. As he stops to sniff again, he notices a new smell; human blood. Not just any human either; Kohaku is nearby and bleeding badly. After informing his passengers, Inuyasha heads in a new direction at top speed. As he enters a clearing, he finds the boy having his wounds treated by Sango and Kagura. Kagome rushes to pass out supplies from her med-kit then turns to the monk who is standing aside knowing that the women are better left to their task alone. Kagome asks, �Miroku, do you know what happened?� The monk says, �Apparently a shape shifting incarnation of Naraku attacked him and Sango destroyed it.� Kagome has bent to the jewel shard. She says, �Uck! That�s gross.� Miroku says, �Indeed, that is a vile evil aura. Quickly Kagome, pick it up and purify it.� Kagome says, �No way! That thing is covered in demon guts, it�s disgusting. There�s no way I�m picking that up.� Inuyasha says, �Is that what you�re complaining about?!? Come on!� He bends down and, with the cuff of his sleeve, picks up the shard and wipes it clean. He drops it at Kagome�s feet and steps away. Kneeling down to check it, Kagome says, �Thanks.� She picks it up and tosses it. �All better.� she says.