Chapter 7

Tainted Shards

Naomi woke up, and looked around. Somehow she had ended up back in her bed. She sat up and yawned and her stomach gave a loud growl. She forgot she hadn't eaten for a day. So she went and found Mika who was fixing breakfast. Naomi gladly ate, having over three helpings. She then decided that she would take a bath. Mika advised using the hot springs outside the village. The river was much too cold and the springs had plenty of cover. Miroku volunteered to take her to the springs, but got slapped and got put to the task of watching Nai while Sango went to pick herbs. Mika had to go and see how the man with the broken leg was doing so it left Inuyasha having to go and show her the way. It really wasn't that far away. Naomi assured Inuyasha that she could find her way back and that he could go back. He agreed, saying that he'd be bored sitting there anyway.

The springs were surrounded by tall bushes, to Naomi's relief. She undressed and got in. It felt good to rinse out her hair and stuff. After she was done, she got back dressed and walked back to the village. She was walking down the dirt road when she heard a loud roar behind her. Naomi whirled around to see a large rat demon. Naomi took out her wand and yelled "Impedimenta!" The demon was thrown backwards. Not what the spell was suppost to do. The demon got up and charged at Naomi again. Naomi felt a twinge of panic, but ignored it. She needed to stay calm.

"Stupefy!" She yelled, it hit the demon and it was flung backwards. Naomi sighed, the demon had stopped moving. At least that spell worked properly… she thought, turning around and walking away.

She didn't know that the demon got up again. It shook it's head, annoyed that it's prey kept knocking it backward. It gave another irritated, screechy roar, making Naomi stop. She looked back to see the demon rat charging at her. Not knowing what else to do, Naomi ran.

It was pretty useless. The demon quickly was catching up. Naomi was almost to the village when she saw a red blur run up and pick her up. She was now suddenly up in the air. They landed and she realized it was in fact, Inuyasha. Inuyasha set her down, and then turned back to the demon. The demon gave another screechy cry before charging at them.

"Stupid worthless demon…" he growled before jumping at it, claws bared.

Is he… protecting me? Naomi thought this was kind of strange. Flattering, but still strange. They haven't known each other that long.

"Iron Reaver Soul Stealer!" Inuyasha yelled, slashing at the demon. Making yellow blades that sliced the demon to pieces. Inuyasha landed behind the puddle of blood, and then turned.

"Hey, you ok?" Naomi nodded. She walked up next to him, looking at the pool of blood.

"You sure made nice work of that demon." She complemented.

"Please, that was nuthin'." He replied proudly. Naomi sighed. Why the sudden need to show off? She looked at the pool of blood, and saw something sparkle. She crouched town to get a closer look.

"What is it?" Inuyasha asked, crouching down beside her. Naomi reached over and tried to grab it, but it sent what felt like an electrical shock throughout her body. She quickly let it go and fell backwards, holding her hand.

"Hey, hey. You alright?" Inuyasha asked, wondering what happened. He took a closer look at what she was trying to grab. "Hey, wait a minute…" Inuyasha picked up what was sparkling. It was a Shikon no Tama jewel shard. It emitted a dark and powerful aura.

"What the heck is that thing? It like, electrocuted me!" said Naomi, scowling. Inuyasha just looked at the shard in disbelief. Wasn't the shard now powerless? Why was it emitting such a dark aura?

"Cum on, lets go back to the others." said Inuyasha, getting up and walking towards the village, still looking at the jewel in his hand. Naomi frowned, she didn't like to be ignored, but followed anyway.

Inuyasha continued forward, until he came to Mika's hut. His mind riddled with questions.

"Mika! Come here! I want to show you something!" Inuyasha called. Mika appeared in the doorway.

"What is it Inuyasha?" she asked, leaning against the door frame. Inuyasha held out his hand, revealing the shard. Mika looked at it, her expression turned very serious.

"Is that a shard of the Shikon no Tama, Inuyasha?" she asked, Inuyasha nodded. She reached over to touch it, but immediately backed away. "I can't even touch it it's so tainted. We must speak to Kaede about this." She said. Inuyasha scoffed.

"She probably doesn't even know anything anymore."

"She may be old, but is still wise. Well… Mostly. Come, we shall go and see her." Mika walked off. Inuyasha and Naomi followed. They didn't walk far, they stopped in front of another hut, and stepped inside.

Kaede was sitting in bed, propped up by the wall. She stared daggers at Inuyasha.

"And why does thee come to a place where he isn't welcome." Said Kaede Bitterly. She looked much older then she was so many years ago. Inuyasha held up the blackened jewel shard in his fingers.

"This is why woman, why is the jewel so tainted?" he asked. Kaede looked at the jewel, in shock.

"That… That aura… She didn't…. How could she?" Kaede moaned. Inuyasha looked at Kaede suspiciously.

"What do you know?" he asked. Kaede started shivering. Mika gave Kaede another blanket. Kaede gave a tired sigh.

"Kagome let Midoriko's soul free from the jewel, correct?" Inuyasha nodded. Kaede gave another tired sigh.

"She shouldn't of. Now that her soul is gone, there is nothing to fight the evil in the jewel. It can never be purified." She said, a grave look on her face. Something clicked in Inuyasha's brain. That's why Naomi and Mika couldn't touch the shard. But I can… I'm a demon.

"What are we gonna do?" asked Naomi. Kaede gave a wheezy breath then coughed.

"Ye must gather the shards. Once done so you must destroy them." Kaede wheezed.

"But how will we find them?" Inuyasha asked, for Kagome wasn't with them now.

"Stupid dog. Did ye think I would ever tell a traitor like you?" she growled.

"Kaede, Inuyasha is not evil. He was being controlled by Naraku!" said Mika.

"Hush child, do ye really think that I am such a fool? Naraku was slain long before."

"Inuyasha was under a spell! It broke once Kagome left." Mika said again.

"Do not speak to me such lies! Now leave me be so that I may rest." Wheezed Kaede again. Inuyasha turned on his heels and left. That stupid woman. She is too old to remember again. Inuyasha growled to himself, he stopped beside the river. He looked out at the land, unseeing. Will his past forever haunt him?

Inuyasha felt a hand on his shoulder, he turned to see it was Naomi. She looked at him sadly.

"Inuyasha." She said softly. "I'm sorry she didn't believe you."

Inuyasha looked at her, her eyes looked more green than hazel in the light. He sighed.

"That old bat will keep ranting till the day she dies." Said Inuyasha, looking back at the river. Naomi rested her chin on his shoulder.

"Oh Inuyasha, it is so sad how we are alike. We both have troubled pasts that will forever haunt us." She said softly. Inuyasha looked down at the ground. Yea, it's true. Both from different worlds, but with the same problem… the past.

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Authors Note: Hello! Please review! Why should I write if no one reads it? I hope more people review. Sorry for such a short chapter .

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