"Ah, he's already left? Guess I'll go too."
It was far enough away, he was unlikely to make it even if he'd ran at top speed. It's not like he told Shippo he'd planned on coming, that he was going to watch, maybe even give him some free marks on his Kitsune Exam. The kid was part of his family now, he couldn't stay mad at the fox demon, even when he acted mischievously. A good heart was beating in there, made it feel like he had a real brother, rather than what he'd been put through by the brother he shared half of his lineage with.
He'd been sure if he were there by morning, he'd have caught Shippo before he made the trip back to Kaede's Village. Ah, well.
Silent footsteps, it was going to be three days travel back. It was intentional, avoidance of the nearby village. Miroku wasn't here to claim him as an apprentice. Inuyasha wouldn't be allowed in a human village. However, sensitive ears were sensitive ears. There was no changing those, and he heard discussion even as he passed quietly within the grassy area away from the buildings. At first listen, the half demon wasn't paying much attention at all.
Then the word that made his right ear flick.
Kill. They planned on killing something. He was way more efficient at that than even a powerful group of humans, these were no Demon Slayers. In full knowledge that his aid wouldn't be accepted, he'd follow in secret. Didn't need anyone getting themselves killed if whatever great thing they were talking about lead to them walking to their deaths.
The only reason his sigh was silent, was to keep his presence a secret.
Arms resting in the sleeves of his robe, Inuyasha is following behind the group. Didn't even look like they'd brought any particularly good weapons. He could see swords, and stupidity by sight alone. Who would hold their weapon before coming across their opponent? That made you look like a threat. A threat attracted attention from other demons.
For him? That's nothing, but for humans...
Well. He wasn't the type to demand a reward, he followed what he believed was right, and nothing more. But if they offered a free meal for jumping in at the last second to protect them, he wasn't going to be turning it down. Homemade food wasn't an indulgence he got very often.