A/N:

I hope everyone likes the new story ;D please point out any mistakes that you, gramatic or contradiction wise.

A new chapter of Monster should be out in the next couple days, I'm planning the ending of it as I figure out the new plot to this one so let's hope I don't them confused XD

Enjoy the chappy...


Kagome was ushered forward by the guards, bumping into her friends, Sango and Miroku, as the group was rushed closer to the looming castle in the distance. How the heck had they been captured? Sure, they'd heard the rumors of people disappearing in the region, that was what had brought them to this town, what Kagome hadn't expected was that the disappearances were caused by humans.

Kagome was a Priestess who had the ability to manipulate time, something rare and amazing, but very deadly to the time stream. Because of this, only her village knew, with the exception of Miroku and Sango. She'd picked up the monk and demon slayer on one of her missions, and after accidentally mixing with their time streams their fates had been tangled together. Kagome had tried to explain the concept to them. Time was like a big ocean, everything occurring at once and mixing and changing at every person's individual choice. Everyone's time stream went in different directions, pushing and shoving through the endless amount of streams, and when they mixed with other streams they'd have an 'encounter' or 'fate-full meeting' with whoever the stream belonged to. And it wasn't just human's that had streams, everything that could think for itself made it's own 'ripple' so to speak. Kagome could travel through time by using her stream to flow to whatever part of the ocean she wanted to, as long as her stream had been there before. But in most cases she hadn't, so she had to use another person's stream who was there. It was all hard to understand, but she'd used Sango and Miroku's streams and had ended up spending too much time in them so that they each had a little bit of her stream in theirs. This happened rarely, but once it did the victims were tied to the time traveler's fate.

Of course, those two hadn't understood one bit of it. But no matter where they went, Kagome seemed to cross their path, so they finally agreed to travel together and work as a team until Kagome could manage to free them from her stream.

And now, after three years together, they'd been captured for the first time by regular, boring humans with the physical strength of kittens. Seriously, how low could they get? After dealing with everything from poison-spitting dragons, to snake-haired witches you'd have thought they could handle a few guards with spears, but apparently they were so unaccustomed to regular attacks that they were caught off guard, hands bound, and forced into the position they were in now.

As they neared the castle Kagome could make out more groups of people, most of them travelers dressed in foreign clothing. They were near a trade route after all, stranger's were bound to appear, maybe even get robbed, but this was a little extreme.

"Kagome," Miroku whispered, "what should we do?"

"What you should do," Sango quipped, "is get your hand off my ass."

Miroku smirked, "I swear, this time it wasn't my will to do so. If you've been paying attention, I was shoved forward and my hand just so happened to land there. This was fate's choice."

"Well, have fate remove it then!"

"Be quiet!" One of the guard's snapped, waving his fancy sword like a flag, "continue moving!"

They entered the gates to the castle and then were roughly escorted to the center of the courtyard where the other travelers were being held. Whispers and murmurs came from the other groups as they eyed the three up and down. It was obvious what they were by their clothing. The armor, the robe, the miko outfit, you'd have to be blind not to figure out that they were one of the few exorcist teams that were in Japan. Most had been wiped out by the Demon Wars during the Dark Era, and those who had tried to re-start the training programs were quickly targeted by demons and disposed of. Now, only those who were strong enough to form groups and resist constant attacks could remain together. If you were a lone exorcist, strong demons usually left you alone because an exorcist by themselves went after the easy targets like demon bugs or the occasional demonic snake. Kagome had gone full force at the big dogs, but could only have done so with the little 'reset' button. Yes, Kagome knew what a reset button was. After all, this wasn't her time period.

An old man near the large castle doors held up a staff in the air to quiet the voices from his captors, "Hello," he spoke in a raspy, barely audible voice, "I am sorry to have brought you all here under such rough conditions. Do not worry, most of you will be escorted out within the next half-hour, but I require your attention for just a moment. You see, my son if gravely ill. He had been possessed by a vile demon since he was born, it's soul was reincarnated with his own. It is a curse that has been passed for many generations in our family. Since ancient times, all of our son's have been attached to demons. Even myself, in my old age, bare this curse, but do not fear, I am too weak to be of much use to my own guest. I just wish for this curse to be broken, at least for my son," his eyes watered at these words, and he sighed deeply, "please, understand my position. No one will take the job because my family is so hated, only those who haven't known us for generations tried and all have failed. All I'm asking is for you to consider it. Of course, those incapable of performing exorcisms may leave, but have you even the slightest experience I beg you for your help," he bowed low to the ground, practically groveling at his own prisoner's feet, "you will be rewarded greatly for your troubles."

Through the see-though curtain behind him, Kagome made out a tall figure with long black hair. Eyes flashed from behind the thin cloth, the red, soul-less eyes of a demon. They met her own with such ferocity she took a step backwards, bumping into another traveler who snarled a comment at her before shoving her, hard. The figure behind the curtain lifted a hand and pointed. There was no doubt in Kagome's mind that it was her he meant.

"Father," the man called softly, "if you insist in taking these measures, allow me to pick one, and only one person to perform the exorcism. Let the others go immediately."

The old man looked backwards and followed his son's finger to the young miko in the crowd. He narrowed his eyes at her, no doubt surprised to see the monk and demon slayer with her, "You wish that this be the one to save you? Very well, I cannot deny my only son. Guards! Bring forward the Priestess!"

Hands roughly pulled Kagome away from her friends, not even giving her enough time to scream.

"Kagome!" Sango called, rushing to her aid only to be stopped by a sword that cut across her path, "Kagome!"

"It's all right Sango!" Kagome shouted back, "They'll let you guys go, I'll meet you by the gates, alright?"

Sango was about to choke out an argument, but Miroku held up a hand to silence her, "Keep your word, Kagome!"

"I will!" Kagome managed to say as the guards hurried her over to the unlit castle. She glanced at the old man, who gave her an odd look, before the curtain brushed her face and she entered into the room. The guards threw her onto the floor and replaced the curtain.

"Man, that hurt," Kagome muttered as she pushed herself up. She looked around the room, bare and completely devoid of signs of life, "where'd that guy go?"

"Are you referring to me, miko?"

Kagome spun around, coming face to face with an attractive looking male with long black hair and those crimson eyes she'd spotted earlier. He was dressed in a simple purple robe and had on black shoes that were pointed at the end. He looked completely normal, but then again so had the old man and according to him he also harbored a demon.

"I do apologize for your loss," he whispered to her, leaning down towards her, "and I know my father is furious because I ruined his plans again, but I suppose saving one of you is enough, someone who had a chance in a world ruled by demons," Kagome felt the ropes around her arms come untied and droop loosely to the gray, mat-covered floor, "You hold a lot of spiritual energy, I'm sure he was going to enjoy you."

"What do mean, my loss?" she shot at him, "your father said he'd let the others go!"

"Of course he did, he likes to put hope in his prey, fill their heads with false stories and watch them freight about ways to solve a poor mans troubles. So far he likes this story the most, because it frightens them while making them feel sympathy at the same time," he sighed deeply, "and he still hopes I'll acquire a taste for human flesh, but if you ask me that's just disgusting."

"You're demons," Kagome gasped.

"Good job at figuring that one out after I explained everything," The man sarcastically responded, "But you're not entirely correct. You see-I'm only half demon."

"Then what's the other half?"

"Fairy."

"Really?"

"No, you idiot, what do you think?"

"Human?"

"You really aren't that smart, now let's get you out of here," he held out a hand, but Kagome didn't even bother with it and quickly stood up.

"I have to save those people out there," She said, firmly.

The man lifted an eyebrow in surprise, "I know you want to be the hero, you're an exorcist after all, but my father only allows one person of my choosing to live, that's out deal. I'm lucky he agrees to that."

"Why don't you stop him?"

"He's my father, and on top of that he's very hard to injure. I don't want to have to kill him."

Kagome turned away from him briskly, "Then I'll do it for you."

"Wait!" The man reached forward and grabbed her arm, "They'll just capture you again and kill you with the rest!"

"My friends are out there, I'm going to save them," her tone held no ounce of self doubt in that statement and the man loosened his hold, surprised by how self-assured she was.

"Why...why haven't you tried to attack me yet?" He asked her, "I know that I saved you, but I'm part demon. You kill demons. You just took everything I said calmly and rationally, why?"

"I know a half-demon," she smirked, "and trust me, he's a lot worse then you, but he has a good heart, and I have a feeling you might too."

That made him release her all the way, completely shocked by her statement, "What kind of person are you?"

"An amazing one," she bragged, "be happy to have met me...er...what's your name?"

"Naraku," the hanyou said, "may I ask yours?"

The miko smiled, "So polite. Kagome Higurashi. Nice to meet you, Naraku. Now I have to go," without waiting for a response she jumped out of the room and through the curtain. It took her a moment to register the old man's face half a centimeter away from her nose, and then of course she screamed once she saw the spider-like arms protruding from his mid-section.

"Hello, little Priestess," he hissed, "care to join the fray?" Kagome heard shouts and the clash of weapons. Sango and Miroku's voices were the loudest as they called out directions to the travelers who were trying desperately to defend themselves against guards who had also sprouted extra limbs, "Now that you've left the castle, you are my food. You and your friends will die slowly for causing such a fuss with the other captors," he shot out a line of web from his mouth and wrapped it tightly around her arms, then swung her out into the center of the fighting before cutting the line.

"Kagome?" Miroku questioned. The group hesitated for a moment, following their leader's eyes to the helpless girl who was struggling wildly against her bonds.

"Miroku, watch it!" Kagome hissed as one of the spider-men came up from behind him. The monk had barely turned around before it had smashed six fists into his skull, immediately knocking him unconscious.

"Miroku!" Sango yelped, leaning down next to her fallen comrade. The spider-man didn't hesitate to do the same to her and she collapsed on top of Miroku, something Kagome was sure the monk would be mad he missed later.

"Idiots," she couldn't help mumbling under her breath. The civilians held their weapons-mostly stolen from the guards-low to the ground, unsure if they should continue to fight without the guidance from the demon slayer and monk. Kagome pushed herself up and addressed the crowd with fire in her eyes, "Run, you morons, they're going to eat you!"

That got 'em going.

The travelers screamed and hightailed it towards the gates, mauling any guards in their path. Sometimes the best weapon was the panic of stressed out people who had nothing but their lives to lose.

"You bitch!" the old man screeched, "kill her! Kill-!" he was cut short as a sword pierced the back of his head, slicing his face completely in half as black blood began to ooze over his shoulders. Naraku stood behind him as the corpse began to dissolve into nothing, blade perfectly clean of any blood. He had a baboon skin draped over his shoulders and Kagome cringed as he pulled the face of it over his head like a sick mask. She really needed to talk to him about animal cruelty and wearing dead flesh like a trophy.

"Traitor!" The spider-henchmen yowled, a group of them cluttering in front of Kagome and her friends. They really are stupid, Kagome thought, "You've killed father!"

"I've been meaning to do so for sometime," Naraku responded in a flat voice, "Now, please move."

"We'll kill you for killing father!" they rasped, running forward with unnatural speed, clawed hands reaching towards the hanyou as they quickly approached.

Naraku narrowed his eyes, a small glimmer of amusement running through them, "You are nothing compared to your creator," he replied, swiftly moving his blade in a solid line across all five spider-men chests without even flinching. They fell to the ground, turning to black ash as their life force left them, "Pathetic, second-wave offspring. Your don't possess the intelligence needed to survive in this world," he stared down as the last bit of dust floated into the sky, "for once, I am glad not to have been born idiotic followers like the likes of you," he glanced over at the miko who was still tied by the webbed goo. Kagome's heart thudded in her chest as he approached, thoughts bubbling in her mind faster then she could think them all through. He killed his kinsman! His own kind, without even a bit of remorse! Hadn't he just said that he didn't want to kill his father moments ago? What kind of person was he?

"What are you-," Kagome started, but stopped as he raised the blade above his head, "No-please I-!" the crafted steel whooshed through the air and Kagome let out a small squeaking sound as it sliced through the web-goo easily. As soon as her arms were free she backed away.

His mouth twisted in a smile beneath the baboon mask. "Scared, I see? I though that you liked hanyou's, and after all I just saved you."

"That was...creepy," she hesitated, unsure if 'creepy' was the right word since her unconscious companions had done the same thing.

"Why, because of the mask?" he smirked, "I think it suits me."

"Whatever," Kagome stood up, still looking unsure of the half-breed. He'd seemed so...different earlier. Had it just been a show so he could get her to distract his father? "You're acting cheeky," she commented.

"I guess I'm not as polite as you though," he answered, his smirk changing to a smile, "but I'm feeling generous, why don't you shake your friends awake and leave? I promise not to come after you if you just...forget this ever happened."

"Can I trust you?" Kagome asked, still eying him like a he was about to sprout a second head-which he might, she wasn't an expert on demon spiders.

He ginned wickedly, "Not at all, but my word is the best I can give to an exorcist."

"I suppose that's better then nothing," she got onto her knees and placed Miroku's hand on Sango's butt.

"What are you-?"

"Just watch."

Within seconds Miroku's arm automatically started to go up and down and Sango's head shot up, "Miroku, you ass-hole!" she spat, slapping the monk on the face.

"Yaaa!" Miroku jumped to his feet and held out a golden staff. Kagome realized he must have gotten it back from one of the guards, "What's going on?" He looked at Naraku and took a step back, "Sango, run, there's a baboon!"

"Moron, it's a man in a skin," she hissed, getting up herself, "Kagome, get up off your knees, it makes me wonder what you were doing to us while we were unconscious."

"Miroku's perverseness is rubbing off on you," Kagome giggled before standing up, "Ignore the baboon, let's just get out of here."

"Did he save us?" Sango asked.

"Yes," Naraku murmured with obvious smugness, "I did, and you won't have to pay me back if you get off my property."

"Your property? Are you the possessed son?"

"Possessed is such an interesting word..."

"Bastard! You trickled us all!" Sango shouted, "Miroku, where's my boomerang? The guards confiscated it."

"Here," Miroku tossed the demon-slayer a giant boomerang made of high quality demon bones, complete with attached ribbons on each end to add a little flair.

"Hey, he's giving us a free pass here, let's take it!" Kagome insisted, "I don't want this to end badly!"

"I don't give a shit!" Sango yelled, "He's gonna pay for what he did to those people, and what he probably did to those other missing ones! Miroku, use one of those pieces of paper with squiggly lines!"

"It's called a ward," he huffed as he threw one onto Narku's forehead. The hanyou cringed as it burned him through the thick fur of the skin. He angrily brushed it off like an annoying bug.

"You've done it now, mortal. I was going to let you fools live."

Sango flung her boomerang, but Naraku easily dodged it and lunged forward. Sango released a hidden blade in her armor and managed to cut through the the animal skin so that the half-demon was exposed with nothing left to cushion their blows. He growled in frustration and knocked her backwards with a powerful blow to the temple that easily knocked her unconscious. He walked up to her calmly and placed his blade above her heart, "You brought this on your selves."

"No!" Miroku cried, running forward as the sword pushed itself into her heart. Sango's eyes popped open and her lips parted slightly as she let out a low coughing noise that was between a scream and a gasp, "You monster!" Miroku yelled, his staff waving in the air, "I swear I'll-!" He didn't get to finish his sentence as Naraku's blade drove itself through his skull. He fell to the ground, blood spilling onto the soil.

"NOOOOO!" Kagome screeched, eyes burning with tears. He killed them, he actually killed them! How could this happen? Their fate was tied with hers, so did that mean that soon... she'd...?

No! No! No! She could fix this, she just had to jump into a time stream, she could use her own. She took a deep breath and felt internally for her inner stream, but she was just too damn nervous, she couldn't do it! All time was occurring at once, there were two fates right now that had both already happened and assessed an outcome, she just had to pick one-to hijack Naraku's stream or die trying.

She grabbed the first weapons she found-luckily it was a bow an arrow, her favored choice- and pointed it at the hanyou who was drilling daggers at her with those deep red eyes, "Do you plan to kill me?"

"Not quite," she released the arrow and watched as it drove itself deep into his right arm, not enough to kill him, but enough to critically injury him. Time seemed to stop for a moment as bits of his skin and bone burst into the air and began to shrivel and dissipate just like regular demons, the life in his eyes flicked in and out, but that was fine with Kagome. She just needed him alive and immobile long enough to escape into his time wave. In the suspended moment between life and death she dove in, entering the world of his fate, his own part of time. She floated aimlessly for a moment as she watched distorted images pass by, searching for a good place to stop. At last she found it, right before Miroku and Sango had woken up. She saw herself leaning down and, just about to move Miroku's hand, but then her past self stopped as she felt another version of herself staring at her, "Damn it, something bad was about to happen," it was then future Kagome dove back into herself. It was an odd feeling, like being under water for a really long time and then finally breaking the surface for a big gulp of air, tired and out of breath, but feeling totally amazing that you'd entered another world completely separate from humans.

"What...just happened?" Naraku said. Kagome looked at him sharply, anger still burning at what he had been about to do, "I thought I killed those two..."

What? Why did he remember that? Oh God no, he didn't get pulled back with her did he? Last time that happened...Miroku and Sango...

Kagome took a deep breath and felt inside her stream, searching it quickly and easily feeling the missing pieces that were with Miroku and Sango, but as she reached deeper she felt another, much larger piece of her time missing. Her heart sank as she realized were that piece was.

"I think I'll just call Kirara," Kagome whispered, putting two fingers in her mouth and whistling as loud as she could. A large demon cat flew from the sky and down towards her, landing lightly beside the two unconscious humans, "Lift them up for me, will you?" Kirara grunted in reply, grabbing Miroku by the robe and hoisting him up onto her back like a potato sack. With Sango she was careful and took much more time.

"What did you do, miko," Naraku hissed.

Kagome glance at him out of the corner of her eye, complete hatred radiating from her, "Our fates are linked, we'll see each other again soon," she hopped onto Kirara's back and quickly flew up over the castle, as far away as she could. As soon as they were at a distance where no one could see her Kagome allowed herself to cry, "After all," she said through the tears, "you took my very life essence, my time. From now on, you are bound to me, my enemy. Naraku."


A/N:

Anyone expecting THAT? I sure wasn't.

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