I'd like thank a lot of people for the amount reviews I got! For this story and my other active one! It was the most I've gotten in a while, even if it was just 6 of em'! I really want to know what y'all think, so PLEASE review!

Chapter 11

Returning to the village with many stolen objects which included a few gold coins, some food and others of the sort, the group took them all straight to the village chief's hut. He was so ecstatic about the return of the villager's possessions, he insisted that they stay another night in the village and to mark the occasion, they would be invited to eat at his dinner table.

"Oh no sir, we couldn't possibly accept such a kind offer," said Sango, uncomfortably.

"Yeah we could!" exclaimed Inuyasha, quickly. As much as Inuyasha hated to eat with village folk, he would much rather delay the inevitable.

Before Sango could muster a response the village chief exploded with glee, "Grand!"

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Inuyasha and Kagome were babysitting Shippo while Sango, Miroku and Kirara went to patrol the surrounding forest to see that Hachi hadn't gone back on his word to return to the village and continue to steal. After all, their local reputation as Demon Slayers rested purely upon the 'slaying' of the demon.

"Where did Master go wrong?" Miroku grumbled, fearful Mushin would come down hard on Hachi for this time. They flew above the treetops o the invisible force of Kirara's paws while in her demon form. "What if Hachi quits?"

"Miroku, I'm sure Hachi isn't a bad demon, just. . . a little misled," Sango comforted. "I'm quite sure Mushin would know this as well, it will be a severe punishment in no doubt, but I'm confident he knows where to draw the line before that would happen, to make it such an unpleasant experience for Hachi to just up and quit."

Miroku thought for a moment, his worries quarried. "I'm in agreement with you this time Sango, you're usually right."

Silence fell again.

"Don't you think Inuyasha and Kagome have been acting a little strange lately?"

"I've noticed," Sango nodded, "Inuyasha seemed panicked about leaving so soon and the way Kagome looked after his outburst. . . it was peculiar. She was pleased. I wish I could know what they were thinking."

"Ah, I know what you mean," Miroku agreed, "They seem a bit distant lately. I wonder what they're up to," he wondered aloud.

"Like I said, I wish I could read minds."

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Shippo was the talk of the village even before dark decided to show on the horizon. Many had gathered around him as he showcased his fox magic skills. He was immediately a hit with the girls of all ages. Their parents however, didn't approve and seemed to shove spite into his personal space with looks that could kill, but seemingly, didn't do so much as scratch the small kitsune's confidence.

Inuyasha and Kagome looked on from a distance, admiring his skills with his own magic. "You know," started Inuyasha thoughtfully, "If we played our cards right, w could use this to our advantage."

Kagome was intrigued at this sudden observation. "What do you mean?"

"Well, I'm thinkin' this could be the solution to our money problems," he said slowly.

Her enthusiasm popped like a fragile bubble. "So, what, just sell him off like some kind of. . . sideshow?"

He seemed to have sensed her anxiety. "What's wrong with that?" he asked, looking at her.

"Well, we'd be exploiting him for one!" she replied with outrage.

"So, who cares? We need some money, bad. Shippo would just think of it as. . . his little way of helping us out."

"I don't want money that badly. To sink so low as to exploit a little kid."

Inuyasha had no response and just went back to watching Shippo wow his small following that had gathered. Miroku and Sango returned shortly before nightfall and their appointment with the chief.

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"Hurry up, Shippo!" said Inuyasha menacingly.

"Just one more!" called Shippo, pulling out another of his party tricks.

"Either that, you little runt or I'll make sure, personally," he added, "That you never get to reach puberty!"

Shippo jumped at this and slipped his small trinkets into his hakama, pell-mell, while the young girls that had gathered, all sighed whiningly and dispersed as Shippo, wearing a gloomy expression, sadly waved them off and said his farewells.

"Finally! I thought they'd never all leave!" bellowed Inuyasha, annoyed at the situation. Shippo begrudgingly walked over the rest of the group, who had been patiently waiting for Shippo to be done, save of course for Inuyasha. "Let's go," Inuyasha said, continuing on the path leading out of the village.

"I only wish I was as popular when I was a young man, coming up in the world," said Miroku, enviously. "I don't know how he does it."

Sango slapped him over the back of his head. Indeed, the sick Sango of two days passed had disappeared for good and she was once again on good terms with Miroku. "Ok, so we have a name to go on," Sango started, "What do we have to gain by chasing this rumour? It could just that. . . a rumour. Or even worse, it could be a trap set up by Naraku."

By now, they were near the defined outskirts with fewer and fewer huts on each left and right. "Well, what else are we going to do? We've really have nothing else to take up our time here," Miroku reasoned.

"We could just go back to the village and forget it ever happened," said Inuyasha, intrudingly.

"No, we can't, we have to find out who and why this 'Remoru' lured us here, even is it is a trap, we have to take that chance," said Sango, steely and forcefully.

"I agree with Sango," Miroku offered. "Not to do it, would be to invite a further attack or scheme."

"But-"

Miroku cut him off at the pass, "Inuyasha, we must seek out this enemy of else it will continue to be a nuisance to the point of which it will attack. It has been decided."

Inuyasha inwardly growled at himself and his secretive motives in strengthening his sword and endangering his friends. He was guilty for what he was about put them through and felt compelled to tell them right then about his midnight brooding sessions, his lack of sleep and most of all, the danger they faced with this snake in grass. . . well in the woods. Whether he was in with Naraku or not, he didn't care this moment, there was something about this demon, something sinister, something EVIL was the general word. But he instead kept his feelings to himself and walked on beside his friends, silently hoping this decision would not backfire within the near future.

Kagome had known this had been bothering him for a long time but now more than ever it seemed to had worsened over the course of the last day. Yes. . . it was far worse today than the previous day.

The smell of the food was intoxicating but he couldn't his mind off of his Tessaiga and that snake. It was as if the food was just a distraction from his thoughts. His strength in battle more important than his health.

Inuyasha usually ate like a horse but, his mind was elsewhere last night and Kagome was on edge. Today, he withdrew from the group and seemed to be taking more time to himself. He even missed one of Shippo's wisecracks about him. Shippo seemed surprised when Inuyasha's blow never fell.

I don't know what to do, I seems like something bad is going to happen. I know it.

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I honestly feel like ending it soon. I'm so sorry to people who like it but my other stories have me interested at the moment and my resolve to keep writing on this one is decreasing. I did start a new story a while ago. I CAN promise this will be a dramatic ending though. Anyway,

So sorry,

Nolan