Chapter 3

"Ok, we're off you guys," said Kagome waving back at Miroku, Sango and Shippo, "we should be back tomorrow."

As the three watched Inuyasha and Kagome head off to the well it wasn't long before they saw them get into an argument.

Miroku shook his head, "Same as usual, fighting before they even get there."

"If Kagome hasn't got it hard enough with all those exams she's going to be taking before they get back, I hope he lets her study," Sango put in.

Shippo sighed then turned around, "Hey where's Kirara?"

Miroku and Sango looked at each other then turned around, "Oh no, she's gone again," complained Sango going over to the abandoned hut that they had been staying at. Sure enough when she got there she saw no sign of the feline anywhere.

"How could she not go without telling me, she must know I worry about her," said Sango, heading back outside with Miroku and Shippo.

"Well don't," Miroku said, putting a hand on her shoulder, "we'll help you look for her, right Shippo."

Shippo nodded with a smile, "Sure, I'll help."

The three separated to individually search the area.

"Kirara," Shippo called, holding his hands around his mouth like a megaphone. As he walked he saw a rustling in the bushes ahead of him. Wishing he hadn't agreed to go searching on his own, Shippo asked in a meek voice, "Kirara, is that you?"

Out from the bushes jumped a little girl who looked to be Shippo's age. Shippo jumped back in alarm, holding his chest with his small hand and shaking from surprise.

"AH!" the girl yelped.

Shippo frowned at her, wondering what her problem was, he was the one that got scared. Then he got his answer.

"A demon, run away," the girl cried, running away with her arms waving in the air.

"No, it's ok, I'm a good demon," Shippo said.

The girl turned and stood still in confusion. Now Shippo got a good look at her. She had black hair that was tied into pigtails and an orange flowery kimono.

"A good demon?" she repeated, still a little uneasy.

"Um, yeah, actually I'm trying to find my friend Kirara," Shippo told her, maybe she could help.

"Kirara," the girl repeated.

"Yeah, that's right," Shippo answered, wondering if she was just going to repeat what he says, "but I better keep looking, so…"

"Oh, I'll help too," the girl said excitedly, "I'm good at finding things," she reached in her pocket and pulled out a round rock and a few other nick nacks, "see,"

Shippo laughed nervously, he thought she was cute and everything, but still kind of weird, "ok, well she's a demon cat, she's small and…"

The girl gasped, "I know Kirara."

"You do?" asked Shippo surprised.

The girl nodded, "Yeah, she's been hanging around our village; I can take you there if you want."

"Yeah," Shippo's face lit up, "Oh, but I need to get my friends first, they're looking for her too, I'll be right back," and with that Shippo took off to find Miroku and Sango.

When Shippo returned the girl was sitting on a big rock, swinging her legs back and forth, watching them as if she was bored.

"These are my friends, Miroku and Sango," Shippo said pointing to the monk and demon slayer behind him. The girl looked at them amazed, "Wow, a real demon slayer and monk cool."

Shippo laughed a little, wondering what was so amusing about it, then he remembered, "Oh yeah and I'm Shippo."

"My name's Minori," the girl said with a bashful yet warm smile. A smile that reddened Shippo's cheeks and gave him a goofy smile. Sango hid a chuckle behind her hand. Ever since Shippo told them that Kirara was in a nearby village her worry was lessened a great amount, at least she knew she was safe.

"Come on," said Minori motioning that she wanted them to follow her, so they did.

"I see you are infatuated with this girl Shippo," whispered Miroku so Minori couldn't hear. Sango covered up her laughter; it was so cute when Shippo had his little crushes.

"Am not!" said Shippo, a little to loudly as his cheeks proved Miroku's suspicion as they turned a bright shade of red.

Minori turned around and the three gave her a innocent grin. Minori shrugged the weird moment off, just happy to have the company.

"This is so exciting, it's like a secret mission to find the missing tiger baby," Minori finally said as she led the group through a forest.

Miroku and Sango looked at Shippo who only shrugged. Minori laughed as if she knew what they were doing and started to explain.

"It's a story my sister told me, she tells me a lot of stories, see I don't have many friends so my sister keeps me company,"

Shippo sighed sadly feeling sorry for her; he knew what it felt to be alone before he met Inuyasha and Kagome. Finally Minori stopped at a long bush that separated them from the village ahead. Minori peered over the bush and the others followed and peered over as well.

"See, that's my sister, Akiko," Minori said, pointing to a young woman who was carrying a basket of vegetables strapped to her back. She had on a similar kimono as Minori except pink and long dark hair with a kind expression.

"I see, well let's not waste any time just sitting around here," Miroku said about to make his way out of the bushes to the village.

"Oh no, you don't," Sango warned, pulling him back down by his ear, "can't you restrain yourself for once?" When Sango looked back towards the village she saw her familiar feline friend.

"Kirara," she said watching as Kirara ran up to Akiko and jumped in her arms. Sango's smile faded as she watched Kirara rub lovingly on Akiko and purr. Akiko in turn stroked Kirara with a huge smile as she said, "What a good kitty you are, are you hungry?"

With this Kirara meowed her answer. The young woman reached into her basket and pulled out a small turnip, "Ok, but don't tell the other villagers I gave you this one, ok?" she said before chuckling slightly.

"I didn't know she liked turnips," Sango said, feeling a little hurt.

"Oh yeah, she loves turnips," Minori said then laughed, "my sister sneaks one to her when ever she can and she nibbles on it, it's so cute."

Sango looked away and sighed. Miroku noticed and stared at her sympathetically.

'Are you happier here than with me Kirara?' Sango asked herself sadly.

A/N: sorry it's been a while since I updated, I'm stuck on my other story When Destiny Crumbles and it's really frustrating, but I hope this one is getting more interesting, please review;)