Weeks went by and Kari had still not grown attached to anyone in the group. She kept to herself most of the time. She did try to interact with the others a little bit, but her fear of being hurt or left behind took control after a while and she just curled up into a ball, away from the group.

Soon it was time for lunch and everyone was eating happily, even the lizard-like creature which refused to leave Kari's side. After lunch everyone walked off only to be stopped by a strong wind, followed by a feminine chuckle. Kari gripped her hood to keep her face hidden while everyone else held form and put their guard up.

"Kagura." Inuyasha growled while a young woman landed on the ground atop a large feather, which shrank upon hitting the ground and was put back in the woman's hair. The woman looked about twenty with a white and crimson-violet pattern robe kimono. She wore earrings that were made out of beads, held onto a fan, and two feathers in her dark brown hair that was pulled up into a bun. Her eyes were a bright red color and her ears were pointed.

"Inuyasha, what a nice surprise." The woman said.

"What do you want, Kagura?" Sango asked in anger.

"I'm just here to get something. Naraku's orders." Kagura shrugged. "Well... Someone rather." She smirked then unfolded her fan and waved it, Kari and the lizard-like creature were sent flying. Kari's hood fell off of her head to reveal her hair and face. Kagura smirked then used her wind to catch Kari. Kagome shot an arrow at Kagura, but she moved out of the way.

"LET HER GO!!!" Kagome called in anger, shooting another arrow.

"HIRAIKOTSU!" Sango called and threw her hiraikotsu at Kagura while Inuyasha took out his tetsusaiga and swung it at her.

"Fox fire!!" Shippo used his fox magic to burn Kagura so she would return Kari.

"Kirara! Go help Kari." Sango ordered but a strange roar caught them all off guard. The lizard-like creature had grown into a big dragon with four legs that were a bit bulky with retractable claws, shimmering almond shaped golden eyes with a slim silver diamond shapes above each eye, oval-petal shaped ears that were half the size of his silver horns, large bat like wings, and a large tail with fins shaped similarly to his ears. He was tall and his body was a bit bulky yet he still looked like he was pretty fast despite all of the muscles. He quickly grabbed Kari like a lion cub and went down to the ground. He then put the child down and stood over her, growling protectively. Kari just stared at the dragon in shock. Kagura hissed in anger and began to attack but she was sliced by Inuyasha's sword before she could wave her fan.

"Get out of here before I kill you." The half demon growled, pointing the tip of his blade at the wind sorceress. Kagura narrowed her eyes then fled. Everyone rushed to Kari, hoping she was okay.

"You okay Kari?" Shippo asked with a worried expression. Kari nodded slowly then the dragon stepped to the side and sat down like a dog, his tail swaying from one side to the other. He looked at Kari as she stood up.

"I'm fine. Th-thanks for asking Shippo." The girl replied. Sango stepped up.

"If your friend here wasn't around Kagura might've taken you. Who know's what would've happened then." She stated, referring to the dragon. Kari looked down to her feet for a moment and hummed. She then looked to the dragon dead center in the eyes. He was a bit taller than her, but only by about a foot or so.

"... You won't leave me, will you?" She asked and the dragon shook his head. Kari sighed and shrugged. The others chuckled.

"What're you going to name him?" Miroku asked. Kari blinked and sighed in contentment.

"Chase." Kari said. Chase tackled Kari and began to lick her with his dog-snake like toung. Kari laughed and pushed his head away so he would stop licking her. It did not really help because he was stronger than her.

"Who would've guessed that Kari would make friends with a dragon." Inuyasha said bluntly while sheathing his sword. Chase then got off of Kari and shrunk down to be about the same size as Kirara. That was when Kari remembered about her hair and eyes. The girl scrambled to put her hood back up only to be stopped by Inuyasha grabbing her wrists. "Oh no you don't. We've already seen your face so there's no point in hiding any more." He said, holding her wrists firmly, being sure not to hurt her. Kari blinked then looked up at Inuyasha. She nodded and let go of her hood hesitantly then Inuyasha let go of her wrists.

"What could she want with me." Kari hummed lightly while Chase hopped onto her shoulder. She began following the group as they walked away.

"I am not entirely sure." Miroku began. "But just to be safe, you must stay with one of us for protection. I will gladly volen---" Sango smacked Miroku with an annoyed expression.

"No you won't, monk." She grumbled. It was eventually decided that everyone would take turns watching over Kari for a while, Shippo would watch Miroku when he was watching over her. This made Kari feel weird. She had never felt like this before.

"... My heart... It hurts like when I came back... What is this feeling..?" The child thought to herself while walking along side Kagome.

"Kari, are you alright?" Kagome asked the youngest member of the group. Kari looked up at Kagome and nodded.

"Yeah, I'm okay... Just thinking about stuff... That's all." Kari smiled shyly. The older girl nodded with a small frown in reply.

----------

A few days passed by and the group soon came across a town that needed help. Every night a child was to be brought to the large shrine in the forest as a sacrifice to the demon there. The towns people were distraught and feared for their young ones every night, hoping that they would not be taken. The group decided to stay and investigate. They were given two rooms at the village's best inn to stay at.

"A demon that requests children sacrifices." Miroku hummed in thought, sipping some tea.

"Kari, Shippo. Come on inside it's getting a bit late." Kagome called and the two rushed in happily, followed by Inuyasha who was watching them, per Kagome's request. The inn lady soon brought the group some food to eat such as; dumplings, rice, meat, vegetables, and noodles of different kinds like udon and soba. Once all the food was in the room she gave the group directions to the shrine.

"So, what's the plan on getting this demon?" Kagome asked after swallowing a bite of a dumpling. Kari shrugged while slurping up some noodles then began to chew and looked at Shippo, who was chewing a dumpling. Shippo shrugged in response.

"Well, it takes a child as a sacrifice every night, right?" Sango said. Everyone looked at her. "Well, maybe we could send in either Kari or Shippo with Chase or Kirara as a decoy to have this demon lower its guard then rush in to get it." Sango suggested. Kari and Shippo shivered. "We'll be sure nothing happens to you." Sango reassured. Kari gulped and raised her right hand.

"I... I'll g-go." She stammered, a flame flickering in her eyes. The group looked at her in slight shock. Sango sighed then nodded.

"What if Kagura comes back?" Inuyasha protested, not wanting Naraku to get Kari, who knows what could happen if he got what he wanted.

"That's why Chase will be going with her, he will be hidden of course." Sango said. "I said either Chase or Kirara would tag along just in case something happens." Inuyasha seemed to sigh in relief. At least Kari would have some protection. Kari gulped then looked out the window to her left. It was already sunset. The child stood up after a while.

"I should be getting ready huh?" She asked. Sango stood up as well and nodded.

"I'll help you then. Come with me." Sango took Kari to another room with Kagome and Kirara tagging along. Hours passed and Kari was finally ready. She was wearing a kimono that consisted of a dark blue top with similar kimono bottoms that were styled similarly to a miko's kimono though the pants were not as poofy and the sleeves of the kimono were a bit long, but other than that it was perfect. Along with the kimono top and bottoms she had a silver sash and a white undershirt. It was not very girly because Kari got mad when presented with a girly kimono. Kari was still wearing her scarf and bandages and ribbons. Her kimono top had a pocket on the inside of both sleeves for Chase to hide in one while the other sleeve had two small daggers for an emergency, given to Kari by Sango. Kagome also put something in Kari's hair to make it black temporarily along with blue contacts so she would appear normal. She said she brought colored contacts sometimes to relax so people would not bother her.

"W-well..?" Kari asked shyly, tugging on her scarf. The boys just stared for a moment. Inuyasha huffed and looked away while Miroku and Shippo smiled and nodded in approval. Once the moon was up the inn lady came to get Kari, since she knew of the plan. The inn lady then took Kari towards the shrine.

Once the two had arrived they bowed in respect. A hand came from the shadows of the shrine entrance and gestured for Kari to enter. The two exchanged glances then Kari approached the shrine. A web soon surrounded Kari and she was pulled inside abruptly.

"Hello my dear girl." A woman's voice called moments later. It was very dark so Kari could not see who or what was speaking. Kari tried to move but she was stuck. The girl shivered and grew scared. "What is your name?"

"K-kari." The child squeaked, still terrified.

"What a beautiful name. I am Sayuri." A few candles were soon lite to show that a being that had the top half of a woman and the bottom half of a spider looming over Kari. The demon had no clothing and the shrine was covered in webs that had web sacks on them, some of which moving in distress, others were opened and had dusty clothing in them. The moving ones must be the children that are still alive, but just barely. Kari gulped and looked at Sayuri. "I love this moment. The moment where you turn pale upon seeing your own death. I'll mummify you then wait for you to suffocate, or until you wear yourself out. Once you're dead or out cold I'll drink your innards like soup until you are nothing but bone." The demon said. Kari growled then glared at the demon, a Jorogumo. The spider grew confused. Why was this child not screaming for mercy or growing pale? She even stopped shaking! Sayuri grumbled then began to wrap Kari in webs, the child glaring at her the whole time. Eventually Kari was wrapped up from head to toe and the Jorogumo demon Sayuri left to tend to some other business.

"She'll pay..." Kari murmured. "She'll pay... They're just kids..." Kari began to get angry while gritting her teeth and growling. "Chase." Kari whispered to the dragon. "Get me outta here please." Chase roared and trotted out of Kari's right sleeve and unsheathed his claws then began to free Kari.

Once free Kari thanked the dragon and began to free the few children that were still alive. "Alright." Kari sighed while brushing off some webs while the other children fled. Her symbols began to glow through her clothing and hair. She began to feel a strange surge of power. "... Whoa..." Kari looked at her hands in awe. "This is... New." Kari looked up from her hands and heard foot steps. Multiple foot steps. "Sayuri." Kari whispered then rushed to a hiding spot and stayed there for a moment, watching to see what would happen.

"Hm-hm-hm time for--" Sayuri hummed happily as she walked in only to freeze to see that all of the children she had kept alive for food for another day were gone. She was furious and went into a rampage, looking to see if there were any kids hiding near by. Kari gulped.

"Any second now guys... Please..." Kari thought, wanting the group to bust in and help. She began to tremble and her courage diminished as well as her power. "Someone, anyone get me out of this situati--- Wait a minute! The daggers Sango gave me! Those could buy me just enough time to get to the others." Kari thought with a smirk. She reached into her left sleeve and pulled out two daggers and then looked at Chase.

"You've got my back, right Chase?" Kari asked in a low tone, her confidence growing again. The dragon nodded and Kari smiled. "Great. Now here's the plan---"

"Little children. Come out come out wherever you are. Come out now and I'll make your death painless... Maybe." Kari shivered then looked at Chase.

"Ready buddy?" She asked. Chase nodded and rushed into position. Kari ran out of hiding and behind Sayuri. "Hey big fat and hairy!" Kari boomed, keeping one dagger in each sleeve of her kimono so Sayuri would not suspect a thing.

"Huh? Oh, it's you! Get over here now dearie so I can have something to eat." Sayuri looked at Kari and sighed. "Skinny child... Oh well, you'll have to do." Kari growled then crossed her arms.

"You won't be able to touch me." Kari boasted in confidence. Sayuri was silent for a moment then laughed.

"Ohohohohoh!!! You flee my grasp?! You're but a mere human child! I'll be done with you before you can say "Big blood cake"! Hah!" Kari smirked then uncrossed her arms quickly, making it so the daggers in her sleeves would slide into her hands.

"Big blood cake." Kari smirked while her symbols began to glow. Sayuri growled and charged at Kari only to watch the child duck under her and slice off two of her legs. "Chase, now!!" The child yelled and Chase charged and then rammed into Sayuri with all his might, leaving her on her back. "Good job Chase. That should be enough time." Kari smiled and began to get on Chase's back. "Let's get going before she gets up again." Chase nodded with a huff and began to race out of the shrine.

"GET BACK HERE!!!" Sayuri roared in rage, quickly getting onto her feet and racing after them. Kari yelped, her symbols no longer glowing their bright silver.

"That plan didn't last long. AH!" Kari yelped then ducked down to avoid a web aimed right for her head. "HEY! WATCH WHERE YOU'RE AIMING THOSE WEBS YOU OVERGROWN PEST!!" Kari yelled in anger, looking back at Sayuri as she screamed. She then looked at Chase. "Chase pick it up. We need to-- Mmph!!" Kari got hit with a web as she spoke to the dragon. "This just isn't my day! ARGH!! It's so sticky!! Get it off!! ... Wait... These webs... smell... f-funny..." Kari began to slid off of Chase due to the webs being covered in a toxin that, when inhaled, causes the victim to fall asleep. She held on to the daggers as if her life depended on it. Chase noticed Kari falling and quickly took her in his mouth like a lion cub then fled to the skies, ripping off the webs carefully with his front claws. Soon he saw the rest of the group rushing towards the shrine. He let out a muffled roar to get their attention.

"Huh? Hey, it's Chase!!" Kagome called and everyone saw the dragon land on the ground with the unconscious child. Kagome took the girl in her arms and sighed in relief. "She's just unconscious..." Kagome was relieved Kari was okay.

"Huh... She's holding her daggers in a death grip..." Kagome thought. "Sango told her only to-- Oh no!" The teen girl gulped and looked at Sango, who nodded in reply.

"Guys the demon must be close behind." Sango called and Kirara grew in size.

"Heh, I can smell it. It's real close." Inuyasha said while taking out his tetsusaiga, getting ready for a fight.

"Chase, Shippo you stay with Kari and protect her." Kagome said while getting ready to fight. Shippo nodded in unison with Chase.

"Kirara, you do the same." Sango said to her demon cat. Kirara nodded and trotted over to Kari.

Soon Sayuri arrived with a growl. "Ugh, this is just NOT my day. First my food supply runs away, then I lose two of my legs, now this is happening! Whatever, just give me back my food!" Sayuri growled in annoyance. Inuyasha went to attack Sayuri first while growling in anger.

"Not a chance! Wind Scar!!" He called forth the power of his blade and slashed at the spider demon relentlessly.

"Inuyasha look out!!" Kagome yelled. Sayuri was about to pierce Inuyasha with one of her sharp legs. Kari's symbols began to glow dimly after Kagome yelled.

"Huh?" Shippo turned to look at Kari in awe. "Whoa, she's glowing."

"... pro... tect..." Kari murmured in her sleep and a translucent silver barrier surrounded Inuyasha before he got hit. Everyone went wide eyed in shock.

"What the hell?" Inuyasha grumbled but let it be and went for the finishing blow, killing Sayuri quickly. "That was weird." Inuyasha huffed, referring to the barrier that surrounded him out of nowhere only moments ago.

"Guys, guys!! Kari's glowing!!" Shippo called out. The four that were fighting walked up to the others and saw Kari's glowing symbols before they dimmed and were no longer glowing. "It started moments before the barrier formed around Inuyasha." The fox informed.

"Well, that is quite strange. Let's get back to the inn and rest for the night. We will ask Kari about it in the morning." Miroku suggested and everyone agreed then walked back to the inn.