Chapter 5:

Ever since the Inu-tachi gained a new "ally", they received even more stares. Some were out of curiosity but most were out of weariness since Hana isn't exactly a harmless kit. The group couldn't really blame the villagers because they did look a tad bit suspicious. After all, their group was composed of humans, demons, and a hanyou.

Anyway, Inuyasha was bouncing off the balls on his feet as he ran through the forest. They've just received information that the notorious Shichinin Tai came back from the afterlife with the help of the shikon shards. And what more could make Inuyasha more 'hyper' than the thought of the shards?

The group would talk every now and then, discussing whatever concerns they have.

"Hey Kagome-chan… Can I… You know… possibly skip this up coming battle?" Hana suddenly said.

This made Inuyasha stop which Sango was mentally thankful for, since Kirara was getting quite tired.

"Yeah sure! You can go back from wherever you go to and don't even bother to come back! Finally you get the hint that we don't need you in battle!" Inuyasha barked, annoyed that their travel was delayed for a few minutes.

"Inuyasha." Kagome smiled sweetly and he grimaced in return.

'I should have known my words would hurt me more than anyone else. Damn it!' he thought as he saw Kagome glare at him. "Osuwari."

After Kagome was sure that there will no longer be any outbursts from Inuyasha, she shifter her gaze to Hana.

Kagome spoke for the group. "Sure! We won't mind. I'm sure you're worried about your family or something."

"Yeah. Thanks for understanding guys…" She scratched the back of her head. "I'll be back as soon as possible!" And with that she was off.

When Inuyasha finally recovered from the spell, he quickly told everyone to move.

"Inuyasha. It would be better if we set up camp. We need to rest for the battle." Sango said while she cradled Kirara in her arms.

He growled. "It's still early!"

"The sun will set soon, my friend." Miroku quipped.

"Why don't you go look for firewood? So we can prepare dinner. We're going to have ramen." Kagome grinned as she saw his ears twitch.

"Keh." Was all he said before he dashed to find said firewood.

"When he hears the word ramen he won't even put up a fight!" Kagome said as they all laughed.

Meanwhile Hana was having a not so happy time.

"I should have left after we ate dinner." she growled to herself as she looked at her human like hands. "Uh, and what a pathetic growl that was!"

She walked into a village with heavy steps. She hated it when she goes to an unfamiliar place with so many people but she had no choice. Her stomach was in command now.

"I wonder when they'll be done with their business…" She mused out loud. "It could take them days to finish the battle..." she sighed.

Slowly, she made her way farther into the village, never noticing the being, concealed in the trees, on her trail.

As she assumed, the group was gone for five days… and when Hana felt that they were finished, she immediately took off in their direction.

"Hey! How did you find us so fast?" Kagome inquired. "And you just missed dinner. Sango and I were on our way to bathe."

Hana laughed a bit, somewhat nervously. 'Well, you see. I was just following you from a distance and when was I sure that there were no longer any enemies around, I decided to come back.' She thought sarcastically, though her face did not show any inkling of her thoughts.

"Don't worry. I ate already. Anyway, can I join you bath?" Kagome noticed her avoid the question, but she just shrugged it off.

Miroku then chose to butt in. "Yes, may I join too?" He smiled in his unique perverted way.

"HENTAI!" Sango screamed which obviously resulted to an unconscious monk.

"Keh! Just hurry up and go to your stupid bath. I'll watch the pervert and Shippo." Inuyasha gruffly said.

Shippo whined at the announcement. "What?! I wanna come too Kagome!"

"You're not coming with them runt!" Inuyasha grabbed the kit's tail.

"Inuyasha." Kagome warned him. "Don't bully him Inuyasha and Shippo, you can just join us next time. Ne?" With that said, the women went off to a nearby hot spring.

The moment the three women relaxed in the hot spring, they immediately started talking.

"Yes, yes. We know you wanna know about the battle." Kagome leisurely replied before Hana could even ask, making her fluster and Sango giggle.

So for the rest of the bath they talked about what happened in the five days they were away fighting. Sadly for Sango and Kagome who were alternately telling the story, Hana was no longer interested with the rest of the story after the part where Sesshoumaru saved Kagome.

"So that's about it." Sango finished.

"Yeah… yeah… So Sesshoumaru really did save Kagome?" Hana looked incredulous.

"Yes. Well that's what Kagome said. Unbelievable isn't it?" And now both women looked at Kagome.

"What? He did say he just got rid of someone who was in his way." Kagome supplied. Trying her best not to look nervous.

"Ok. I'll just go ahead." Hana told them as she hurriedly dressed.

She didn't really get that far away from the springs before she stopped and seethed.

"Do not interfere in their battles." She mocked.

"Interfere my ass!" she hissed. In her anger she punched a near by tree making it fall, only to grab it.

"What are you doing hugging that tree?" Kagome asked, causing Hana's heart to pound in her chest.

"Did you knock that tree down?" Sango added.

'Damn I was too busy getting angry to notice them!' She nervously thought.

Slowly, she laid the tree down so Inuyasha won't sense anything amiss then sluggishly turned to them.

"HAHAHAHA! That's funny Sango!" She nervously said. Trying to make them change the topic.

"You're obviously hiding something." Sango replied squinting her eyes. "Tell us what you're up to."

"Nothing! I'm up to nothing! Right, Kagome-chan?" She turned her eyes to Kagome only to have her looking at her even more suspiciously than Sango.

"Hana-chan. I notice that you have been acting strange since our bath."

She sighed. "Do you know why Sesshoumaru is the way he is right now?"

Sango looked even more perplexed.

"W-what has Sesshoumaru got to do with this?" Kagome stammered a little. 'Does she know…?'

"Everything. I'll tell you the details later. Can we talk about it where we'll have some privacy?" Hana asked, her tone serious.

"Can we trust you? Are you our ally or enemy?" Sango took a defensive stance.

"I am your friend." Hana replied evenly, not blaming Sango for her doubt.

Sango and Kagome smiled. "That's good to hear and we can talk about it later, before going to bed we'll tell the others that we're going to take a bath before bed."

"But won't Inuyasha be suspicious. I don't bathe that often." Sango inquired.

"Hm. That is a problem." Kagome tilted her head to the side thinking of an excuse.

"We'll just tell the puppy that while we went to get some water, Kagome slipped and Sango tried to break your fall causing you both to get dirty." Hana suggested.

"That's a bit believable." Sango said while she started to go back to camp.

"Yes, isn't it?" Hana agreed while Kagome ran to catch up with the two.

"What does that mean huh?! That I'm clumsy?" And the three entered the camp laughing.

A/N: I know it's been so long since I've updated… And I'm sorry if it isn't really much. I tried my best so please leave a review :D

Thanks to all!