Disclaimer: I own neither Inuyasha nor Naruto.

Author's Note: I've been reading one too many Inuyasha crossovers, I think. Now, I know much more about the Inuyasha storyline than Naruto's—considering I started watching the Naruto anime about thirty or forty episodes in—so please forgive any errors you may find.

This fanfiction will either have a Kagome/Sasuke or Kag/Itachi pairing. We'll see how it goes :)

As I write this, I'm not even sure if I'll be posting the story. I've typed out the beginnings of MANY stories before, but I've never gotten around to posting them. So here's to hoping I actually get off my lazy, procrastinating ass for once. Oh, and if you're reading this, it means that yes, I have indeed gotten off my lazy, procrastinating ass, so you can congratulate me and reward me with a review, provided you enjoyed this chapter and want to read more, of course.

A Twist of Fate

Chapter 01: Past Secrets

*

Bijuu. Tailed demons that wreaked havoc throughout the great countries. Nine destructive beasts with unfathomable power. Each had a different number of tails, ranging from one to nine. They were Ichibi no Shukaku, the racoon; Nibi no Nekomata, the cat; Sanbi no Isonade, the fish; Yonbi no Sokou, the reptile; Gobi no Houkou, the dog; Rokubi no Raijuu, the weasel; Shichibi no Kaku, the badger; Hachibi no Hachimata, the snake; Kyuubi no Yoko, the fox.

To stop the destruction the tailed demons evoked across the lands, each were sealed away within newborn babies with powerful techniques used by ninja. The vessel, or human containers of the bijuu were called jinchuuriki. The bijuu would occasionally grant their power to jinchuuriki, but such power was not meant to be wielded by humans; if the immense chakra of the bijuu was ever fully harnessed, the jinchuuriki would be lost in a blood lust. As such, they were dangerous and detrimental to ordinary life, for there were some power-hungry individuals that wished to claim the power for themselves.

It was forbidden and taboo to ever speak of the event that laid waste to the land. Thus, the identities of the jinchuuriki were a well-kept secret amongst those that had survived the annihilation. Even the jinchuuriki themselves did not know what they truly were unless the bijuu within them were to awaken from their dormant state. However, though forbidden to speak of the subject, most did not feel the need to be discrete in their discrimination against the jinchuuriki that resided with them.

The jinchuuriki were a reminder of the tragic past and were thus despised and hated.

They were fated to never know happiness…

Kagome Higurashi sighed as she wiped the light sweat from her brow. She had only just finished sweeping the autumn leaves from the numerous steps leading up to the shrine in which she resided. Turning her gaze westward, Kagome gazed wistfully at the setting sun, with the vibrant shades of oranges, reds, yellows, and pinks strewn about the sky.

Despite her years, she had never ventured past the shrine gates; the head priest simply did not allow her to do so. Rather, she was educated in lessons that were deemed unorthodox for most priestesses. A prodigy in every sense of the word, Kagome had excelled in anything and everything the head priest thought to teach her. Oftentimes she wondered what the head priest's motives were in doing so. The young girl had gained full control over her ki, or spiritual powers, at the tender age of five; she mastered the martial arts she had been trained in, including hand to hand combat, as well as how to wield a longbow and sword; as well, she had been taught to read and write, and was tutored about the geography of the five great countries—the Fire Country, the Wind Country, the Water Country, the Lightning Country, and the Earth Country—and the remaining five lesser countries—the Sound Country, the Rain Country, the Grass Country, the Wave Country, and the Waterfall Country.

How depressing, she mused, to have learned of what the world has to offer, yet confined to this single place. Of all her lessons, what excited her most were stories of the ninja and their respective hidden villages. How she longed to see a ninja for herself and witness their prowess in combat with ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu.

Running a hand through her loose ebony locks, Kagome winced as her fingers snagged a knot. Turning, she strolled past the main grounds of the shrine and entered the building itself after propping her broom against the entrance. Blinking to adjust her eyes to the darkness of the indoors, Kagome strode purposefully down the long hallway before stopping in front of a shoji door. Kneeling down, she slid open the door and bowed respectfully to the head priest.

"I had finished with today's chores, Mushin-sama," Kagome said softly, still facing the tatami mats beneath her.

"Good work Kagome," Mushin replied warmly, "It has come to my attention that you have reached the age of twelve, is that correct?"

Still kneeled by the door, Kagome glanced upwards to see her mentor sitting at the low kotatsu table with a cup of steaming tea in hand. "Yes, Mushin-sama," she answered.

The old man sighed heavily and beckoned her over to the table. Kagome rose from her position to seat herself across the table from Mushin. Silently, the head priest placed a cup in front of her and began to ceremoniously pour her tea. The young girl fidgeted slightly, wondering what her master was obviously struggling to say.

Pondering over the subject of this seemingly spontaneous event, Kagome started when the priest's next words broke her reverie. "It is time I told you of your past, and of what you truly are, Kagome."

"What are you talking about? I am Kagome, born and bred on these shrine grounds. I know who and what I am." Confusion laced her words.

"You are mistaken, Kagome. Before you say anything, please allow me to fully recount your history. While your mother was indeed a priestess, your father was… a shinobi."

"No way!" Kagome interjected, too shocked to say anything else.

"Yes," Mushin began, looking past Kagome as though lost in his thought. "Your father was on a mission when he met your mother, who was under my tutelage at the time. Needless to say, they soon fell in love." He turned his gaze at Kagome, his eyes glistening with tears, "You look so very much like your mother. Although your eyes… You have your father's eyes: strong, determined, and full of passion…

"At first, I disapproved greatly of their union, but their love for one another overcame my protests. Each of them was destined to walk their own path: your mother was a priestess, destined for a life of celibacy and servitude to the gods, and your father was the Mizukage of Kirigakure, a position stained by bloodshed. Together, they were strong, and forged a new pathway for themselves. Despite this, disaster struck. Back then, the hidden villages were in a state of chaos, even more so than today. It was a time of civil unrest, with the disorder further fuelled by the havoc caused by the bijuu.

"There were those in Kirigakure that disapproved of their Mizukage bringing an outsider into the village. However, your father did not heed their warnings. Two years passed by quickly without much incident, and in that time, your mother and father bore you, their pride and joy. However, the unease amongst those in Kirigakure escalated, resulting in a faction against the Mizukage. Those loyal to the Mizukage fought long and hard to quell these rebels and managed to barely contain them before a great tragedy befell the great village."

"—The bijuu." Kagome stated quietly.

"Indeed. Soon after, the Nbi decided to attack. Kirigakure was greatly weakened after the civil war that had broken out prior and the few ninja that were able to fight were at a great disadvantage. Your father used a great deal of his chakra to seal the beast away, which left the last vestiges of the rebel faction a great opportunity. While the Mizukage was vulnerable, they killed him.

"The faction then turned towards your mother. However, with you in hand, she fled the village. It was an arduous journey, for she had highly skilled shinobi called "hunter-nin" following in pursuit. Code-named "The Undertaker Squad," the hunter-nin are a part of the ninja elite; they are a special tracker team in Kirigakure's ANBU squad usually given the task of hunting down missing-nin. They are ruthless when it comes to their missions: they kill their target, take only the head as proof, and then completely and utterly obliterate the remains of their target.

"Somehow, your mother made it—but just barely. The sky was an ominous shade of red that dawn when your mother finally arrived at the shrine gates. The hunter-nin managed to find her and injure her severely. But a mother's love for her child is strong. She accomplished an incredible feat when she evaded the hunter-nin wounded as she was. She made it in time to entrust us with you, but she herself—" Mushin's voice broke, "She was not so lucky."

Kagome choked on her tears. Mushin had never told her the story of her past, now she wished he never had; this was just too much! "Why did they have to kill her?"

Mushin eyes darkened, "The ones who had killed your father desired power. When he sealed the bijuu away, your mother was the only one who knew of its sealed location. With that knowledge, she fled from Kirigakure."

"And what of the bijuu?" Kagome asked, almost inaudibly, as if dreading the answer.

The old priest looked away momentarily, almost... guiltily. And suddenly, Kagome knew.

"It's sealed inside me, isn't it?" It was more of a statement than a question.

Mushin nodded gravely; empathy evident in his dark brown eyes.

Suddenly, Kagome felt ill; the feelings that arose from her stomach made her want to vomit. She clasped her hands over her mouth. "You're lying!" Tears welled up in her blue eyes, blurring her vision. "It can't be true! I'm just Kagome! I'm a priestess dedicated to this shrine!" She cried.

With painstaking effort, Mushin rose from his seated position and wrapped his arms tenderly around the distraught girl. "I'm sorry," he whispered. His own tears threatened to fall. There was nothing else he could do to comfort the girl he had raised as his own daughter for the past twelve years. There was nothing he could do, because she was a jinchuuriki. Her destiny would not allow her peace, for there would always be those who sought the power of the bijuu; they both knew that.

"No, no, no, no, no!" Kagome wailed into his robes; clinging to the soft material as though it were a barricade protecting her from reality's harsh grasp.

Mushin's heart went out to the little girl. "You were born for great things, Kagome. Your destiny will bring you to places you've never even dreamed of."

"I don't want it! Any of it!" Kagome cried into Mushin's robes. Her voice was muffled.

The priest gently petted Kagome's long black tresses. "Come with me, Kagome. There's something I've been meaning to give to you."

Mushin stood, while Kagome still lay curled in a sobbing heap. With strength he didn't know he still possessed, Mushin lifted the girl to her feet and took her by the hand. He led her through a vast number of corridors until they arrived before a room Kagome hadn't even known existed. Strewn across this particular shoji door was no small amount of seals, creating a strong barrier of sorts.

Dropping her hand, Mushin clasped his own two together and began to chant softly under his breath. Kagome looked up at the man curiously before an intense aura began to tickle her senses; growing stronger with each passing second. Almost instinctively, she moved forward. It was as though something was calling her, tempting her to come nearer.

"Come," was all Mushin said before taking her by the hand once more. He slid open the shoji door, revealing a small shrine illuminated by candles at each corner located at the centre of the otherwise barren room. Sitting atop the shrine alter was a small box, sealed by a lock. Before Kagome could say anything, Mushin drew a key from the folds of his robes and pressed the metal object in Kagome's small right hand.

"This was from your mother. I was instructed to give this to you when you turned twelve," he explained, "I'll leave you now. Come see me when you're ready." With that, Mushin pressed a kiss to Kagome's forehead and exited with a swish of his robes, leaving a faint scent of incense in his wake.

Hesitantly, Kagome glanced down from the key to the box.

From my… mother?

Curiosity compelled her and yet apprehension inhibited her. Overwhelmed by the two distinct feelings, Kagome closed her eyes and drew deep breaths. Gripping the key tightly in her hand, she stalked towards the seemingly innocent box. This was where the aura was coming from. What could possibly be contained within that box?

Slowly, unnervingly, Kagome inserted the key into the lock and twisted. In the silence of the room, the box opened with an audible, almost deafeningly loud click!

What was in the box? Kagome opened her eyes a sliver—she hadn't even known when she had clenched them shut!—to find a slip of paper resting at the top of the box.

She reached out for it, slowly, as though she were afraid it might burn her. Grasping the letter, Kagome noticed another object sitting neatly at the bottom. What a pretty necklace, she thought. Attached to a silver chain was a light pink bauble that shone many colours. It was unlike any stone Kagome had ever seen before. This was definitely the source of the aura she had felt since Mushin-sama had lifted the wards.

Slipping the chain around her neck, Kagome unfolded note, noting the scent of forest pine that wafted from the old preserved stationary. She began to read:

My Dearest Kagome,

If Mushin has followed the instructions I have left him, then you must already be twelve years of age. Oh, how I wish I could have seen you all grown up. Know that your father and I are truly proud of you, Kagome, our daughter. We're sorry that we couldn't be there for you.

However, there are circumstances regarding your existence that you must know. Within your body, the Nibi no Nekomata lies sealed in a dormant state. You must be careful, for there are some who will stop at nothing to gain its power. Do not allow the Nibi to dictate your life, however. You must follow your own heart; don't let anyone else decide your fate for you.

You have reached an important age, Kagome. You cannot spend the rest of your life locked away in the shrine. You have a destiny to fulfill.

You have learned the ways of the priestess, as I have. Now, you must follow the path of your father and learn the ways of the ninja. Seek out the Yondaime Minato-sama at Konohagakure, for he and your father are old friends and he will be able to assist you in this important mission.

Enclosed is a memento of your father. It is called the Shikon on Tama. Keep it with you always, for it will protect you in times of need.

Remember, your father and I will always love you, no matter where you are.

With love, always,

- Mother.

Silent tears began to roll down Kagome's cheeks and onto the parchment she held, dotting the paper and smearing the script. Her knees began to tremble and soon buckled beneath her weight. She clutched to her the letter tightly, immersing herself in the scent of her long-deceased mother; the mother she never had the chance to know or meet. She imagined her mother was right beside her, holding her in a mother's warm embrace.

Not knowing what else to do, Kagome wept.

It was a long time before Kagome found the will to move from her state; past midnight, perhaps. Exiting the room with the letter, box, and key in hand, she moved about the shadowy corridors as though in a daze; her bare feet treading soundlessly across the polished wooden floors.

Before realizing it, Kagome found herself in front of Mushin's chamber. Despite it being the middle of the night, a candle was still burning in Mushin's room, illuminating the hallway in which she stood.

Mushin was still awake—perhaps waiting for her?

Disregarding protocol, Kagome let herself in without formalities. She found her master in a meditative state, though it was obvious he had heard her entrance.

Kagome hesitated, unsure of how to begin.

Mushin saved her the trouble. "What is it you would like to know, Kagome?" His old, all-knowing eyes opened fully as he directed his gaze upon the girl, who stood fidgeting by the door. Immediately, Mushin noticed that she was wearing the Shikon no Tama. He gestured for her to take a seat in front of him.

Kagome kneeled by the old priest, but her gaze was directed downwards, almost shyly. Her fingers toyed with the edges of her sleeves.

Her mouth opened and closed numerous times, as though she couldn't get her voice out.

Several minutes of silence passed before she spoke, "Ne, Mushin-sama… Father's name… What was it?"

Mushin blinked a few times. He was expecting a more thought-provoking question. "His name was Isao. Higurashi Isao."

"And my mother? What was her name?"

"You mother…" Mushin spoke wistfully, as though lost in his memories, "She was called Asami."

"Asami and Isao…" Kagome murmured, testing the names as she spoke them. She closed her eyes and tried to envision her lost parents, but she couldn't evoke the memory of their images; she couldn't even imagine faces to match the warm smiles that she somehow knew would grace their faces.

She sighed. It was no use.

"Mushin-sama…" Kagome began again, "In my mother's letter, she said that I would have to follow my father's footsteps and learn ninja arts."

Mushin nodded, "I am familiar with the contents of the letter."

Kagome bit her lip, "Then… where—not to mention how—am I supposed to find Konohagakure?"

"This shrine is situated on the coast of the Fire Country. To the east would be Kirigakure. To find Konohagakure, you must travel west. However, I know not the exact location of the Hidden Leaf Village, that is something you must discover on your own."

Kagome wanted nothing more than to scream in frustration. She had no idea of what lay beyond the shrine gates, so how in the world was she supposed to find a Hidden Village with only a single compass direction as a hint?

"Alright. I'll set out by noon tomorrow," Kagome sighed; might as well get an early head start.

"If that is what you wish," Mushin said sadly. Even though he was prepared for his surrogate daughter's departure, it was hard to let go. He reached behind him for the freshly forged blade he had commissioned and presented it to her, "Take this for your journey. May it protect you from harm's way."

Kagome gasped when she drew the blade from its sheath. It was beautiful. Her eyes watered with gratitude towards the man that had cared for her throughout her entire life. "I will not let you down, Mushin-sama."

With a final bow, Kagome left her mentor with his thoughts as she went to prepare for her journey.