AN: I must warn you, this chapter has a Bak/Son pairing, and lots of violence, as well as some pretty sick stuff.
Chapter Two
Ten's A Crowd
Songo looked around, making sure no one was around. When she was certain that the coast was clear, she ran out of the house in a pink tank top, short white skirt, and sandals that she 'borrowed' from Kagome's closet. As she climbed down the stairs, she smoothed down her long hair, tightened the ribbon, and took a deep breath. Then, as she walked down the street, she turned the corner and saw the person she'd hoped to see.
"Good afternoon, Bakura," Songo said, butterflies flying around in her stomach.
"Thank you for meeting me, Songo," Bakura said, blushing. He offered her his arm, and they walked on together.
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"You guys are gonna eat the store out of business,' Tea said as she watched Joey and Tristan wolf down all the candy in sight.
"Yeah, I'm not made of money like Joey is now," Yugi said.
"Relax," Joey said, popping jelly beans in his mouth, "I'll pay for it."
As he finished off a chocolate bunny, Yugi looked out the window. "Hey guys," Yugi said. "There's Bakura, with a girl!"
"Who with what?!" They said, astonished. As they pressed their faces to the glass, they saw that it was indeed their friend Ryou Bakura. And it wasn't just any girl he was with.
"It can't be," Joey said.
"It's Songo!" Tea said. "But…But isn't-?"
"We gotta check this out," Tristan said. He dropped the sweets and ran outside, jumping into some nearby bushes for cover. Tea grabbed a large lollipop and went outside, too, with Joey on her heals, grabbing an old newspaper. All the while, Yugi was left standing there when the store owner approached him with a rather lengthy bill.
Outside, the snoops were hiding as Bakura and his 'date' walked by. And at that moment, they heard a snippet of their conversation.
"You look very lovely, Songo," Bakura said. "I hope my asking you out didn't put you on short notice."
"No, but I still have such a hard time figuring out these support garments," Songo replied.
"Ahem," Bakura coughed, "Support garments," he said blushing, sheepishly.
"Yes," she replied, whispering. "Like those bra things. I can never figure out how you put it on, so I didn't bother."
"Um…Um…It's not polite to talk about this kind of thing in public."
Te gasped as she heard this. 'How could she not be wearing a-' she thought as a large bumblebee suddenly buzzed by her head. She held her breath to keep from screaming.
When the couple had passed, Yugi came out of the store, looking dejectedly at his empty wallet. Tristan came out of the bushes, while Joey dropped his paper and Tea flung the bee infested lollipop away from her.
"I'm calling Kagome right now," Tea said, taking out her cell phone. She dialed the number, and told her everything.
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"She's with who?" Kagome said to the phone. "She not wearing a WHAT!? How do you know? She told him!? In public?! Wait right there!" she said, hanging up the phone. She rushed out the door, and passing Inu-yasha and Miroku, looking wide eyed at a magazine.
"I can't believe this legal here," Miroku said, unfolding the center fold.
"Is that even possible?" Inu-yasha said, looking over his shoulder. Then, they felt Kagome grabbed them both by the ears.
"OW owowowow OW!!!!!!" they both yelled. She let go, and stared at Miroku with murder in her eyes.
"You lecherous pig!" Kagome shouted. "Where did you get those things?"
"From a rather large box in you're grandfather's shop. He was doubled over drooling over one of them."
"I don't even want to think about that," she said, "All I know is that behavior like this is why Songo may now possibly leave you!"
"What?" Miroku asked. "Where is she?"
"She's on a date with Bakura," Kagome said, "And from I've been told, she might be in the mood to do something very stupid!"
"Like what?" Inu-yasha asked, and she grabbed a dog ear and whispered into it, Miroku leaning in to listen. Miroku went white as Inu-yasha asked, "With Bakura? Well I guess it takes all kinds."
"I will not allow this!" Miroku declared. "No one shall bring shame to my beautiful Songo!"
"Before you go rushing off, you'd both better get disguises," Kagome said.
"Disguises?!" Inu-yasha shouted. "What disguises?"
"Come on," she said, dragging them back to the house, "I'll show you." They came out twenty minutes later, Inu-yasha and Miroku wearing black suits, long trench coats, and black fedoras, and dark sunglasses. Kagome came out in a sundress, shawl, and sunbonnet, with sunglasses of her own. "Now we don't look so conspicuous."
"What are you talking about?" Inu-yasha said angrily, "I've never seen anyone from your time dress like this."
"You don't watch spy movies," Kagome said in a huff. " In spy movies, everyone dresses like this."
"May we please hurry and save my dear Songo's honor before Bakura steal it away like a theif in the night!" Miroku said in anguish.
"Relax," Inu-yasha said, "He's one of those nice guys."
"But Songo's never been on a date," Kagome said, "And he's showing her a lot of attention, and manners, that certain other guys have never shown her. She's liable to make big mistakes! Let's go!" she said, dashing off, Miroku close behind.
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Songo watched as the sun set over the city. The colors of the sunset and the lights of the buildings made everything look like a beautiful painting. She felt like she was dreaming. She leaned her head on Bakura's- Ryou's- shoulder. He reached up, and cover her hand with his. She felt like she could sprout wings and fly! They sat on a bench, on a hill overlooking the Tokyo skyline. This was the most magical and beautiful evening she'd ever had. She only wished that it would never end.
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"I can't believe she'd actually do this," Miroku whispered. He and their other friends crouched in the bushes, watching the couple on the bench.
"I don't see why not," Inu-yasha said dryly. "It's not like you two had anything to begin with."
"But surely she knows the words in my heart that my lips dare not speak!" Miroku said overdramatically.
"I wouldn't count on it, dude," Joey said.
Tea gasped, "Guys, look!" When they all looked, they saw Bakura- shy, meek Bakura- kiss Songo full on the lips. Miroku's face went ashen before he moaned in turmoil. Should he go out there and stop them now? Or accept that his dear Songo had chosen another. "What should I do?" he asked his friends. "Honor demands that I face him!" he said angrily, grabbing the prayer beads on his covered hand. But they all grabbed both his hands, and parted them before any damage could be done.
"Just let it go, man. It's not worth it!" Trsiatn said.
"How would you feel if you sucked poor Bakura into your wind tunnel?" Kagome asked.
"I would rid of a rogue and woman stealing maggot!" he said.
"And Songo would hate you forever," Kagome interjected.
The monk sighed, and bowed his head. "You are correct. I would rather love be happy with another than miserable with me."
"That's very noble of you," Yugi said, pating his head. But then, Miroku leaped up, and said, "I still have the urge to dismember him!"
They all reached up and dragged back down. They put their fingers to their lips, and said, "SSSHHH!"
" They're gonna hear us!" Shippo added.
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Songo and Bakura looked over their shoulders at the bushes. They were rustling violently.
"Oh no," Bakura said slapping his face. "Don't tell me they've been here the whole time!"
"Why those!" Songo said. She got up, and stormed over to the bushes. She reached her hands in, and grabbed a random collar. When she pulled them back out, she had Shippo in her hands. He laughed nervously, and waved a tiny hand.
"Who else is with you!?" She demanded. Then, the bushes rustled.
"Maybe she won't know we're here," Joey's voice said.
"Quiet!" went Tea's.
"Someone's on my foot!"
"You must let go and save my love!" Miroku protested.
"Everyone out NOW!" Songo shouted. One by one, the tumbled out of the foliage. As they all looked up at her, her face burned red with rage. "Why I never! How could-?! Why!?" she could barely speak for the embarrassment.
Miroku stood up and said, "Songo, please, you must listen to me-" She slapped his face before he could finish.
"Songo, don't be mad," Kagome pleaded, "We-" she stopped short. Her face turned to the west.
"Kagome?" Bakura asked. "What is it?"
"Shards," she said. "There are Jewel Shards nearby."
"In our time?" Tea asked.
"We've found them here before," Kagome said. Inu-yasha unsheathed hissword, and said, "Let's go."
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Vash and Viola walked down the length of the beach as the sunset in Tokyo. Viola, now in the guise of a black school uniform, had kicked off her sandals and grabbed her brother's arm. "Please, Vash," she pleaded, "Let's go shopping now. I haven't bought a new dress in ages."
Vash, in a black t-shirt, leather jacket, and jeans, smiled at his sister. "You don't need a new dress," he said pulling her back, "You so look cute in hat your wearing."
"But we don't come into town very often," she said. "And I'm bored."
"Maybe I can help liven up your evening," said a almost growling voice. Suddenly, a boy with flowing, white hair and dog ears slid down the sandy slope, a large white sword in hand.
"Oh, such adorable ears," Viola said giddily. She ran up to him and started to play with his ears. The dog boy stood flabbergasted.
"What are you doing?!" he yelled at her, "You think this is a game?!"
"Vash, I want him!" Viola said, whipping around to her brother, pointing back up at the dog eared young man, who could only utter "Huh?"
"But sister Viola," Vash said, grinning and walking towards them, why would you want such a mangy, ill-mannered beast?"
"He's so cute!" she said, clasping her hands and smiling wide, "And I adore his ears. I want to take him home right now!"
"Done," Vash said. He lifted his hand, and suddenly, his sister's new whim was floating up into the air in a bubble.
"Inu-yasha!" said a girl running from nowhere. She quickliy drew an arrow from her quiver, nocked it on the bowstring, and fired. The arrow went through Vash's hand, making the bubble around Inu-yasha burst.
"Brother, are you alright?" Viola said, running to him. Vash grasped his gem in his injured hand, and when he let go, it was healed.
"Get back, Kagome" Inu-yasha said. "I can handle this!"
"Not without us," said another girl. She threw a large boomerang that Vash, but Viola simply looked at the projectile and sent it hurdling back at the woman who'd thrown it. Then, more people came down the slope. And one of them was more familiar than the rest.
"Pharaoh!" Vash and Viola said together. "So our prey comes to us," Vash said, grabbing his deck from his belt.
Viola was the quicker draw, and said, "Allow me, brother. Amazoness Tiger!" And in an instant, the enormous, roaring, blue eyed creature appeared before them. She pet it's back, and said, "Attack them, my Tiger. But leave the dog man alive!" It lunged at the group, and they scattered. Whenever one of them tried to get near Vash and Viola, it raised a mighty paw, and swatted them away with it's sword like claws.
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Shippo waited for his chance. He dived underneath the sandy beach, and burrowed his way to just the right spot. He stuck is head out, and was directly underneath Viola. He closed is eyes, and jumped up and out behind her. He clung to her back, and quickly relieved her of her jewel shard. She instantly gagged, and her skin went pale, almost deathly pale. She clutched her chest, and fell to her knees, gasping for air. At once, the Tiger vanished.
"Viola!" Vash shouted, he picked her up, and she wimpered, almost too quiet to hear, "I…I can't breath."
Meanwhile, Shippo was running towards Bakura, saying, "I got one! I got a shard."
"Give that back you vermin!" Vash shouted, laying his sister down, and chasing the kitsune. He made a flying leap, and caught him by the tail. Shippo tried to get free, but couldn't.
"Bakura!" Shippo cried, "Catch!" he threw the Shard to Bakura, who caught it in his hands.
"I got it!" Bakura shouted,but then, his face went blank, and then he started to laugh wickedly. Then his face changed again, and he cried, "NO! not again!" Without warning, a third arm burst from his back, and grabbed Bakura by the neck. Then, slowly, a whole human body climbed out of the wound in Bakura's back. When the person was finally out, he held the shard, and Bakura fell to his knee, covered with blood.
"Bakura!" shouted Songo, running to him. She looked up at the fearsome human, and watched him turn around. They all gasped. He had Bakura's face, only twisted in dementia.
He started to laugh again. Then, he looked at the Shard in his palm and said, "The power of the Jewel has given me flesh once again. I am free! Free of that tiresome boy! I live!" He whipped around, and grabbed Songo's arm, pulling her up. "And I have you to thank, my lovely girl," he licked her face, making her cringe and cry out. "If you had not accepted his invitation, neither of us would have been here to receive this marvelous gift."
"Let her go!" Miroku cried, reaching for his beads.
"I wouldn't, my boy," the evil Bakura said. "You might take her right along with me. And I won't die alone. Not this time."
"Then think about changing your plans!" Kagome said, shooting through the chest with a sacred arrow. He cried out in pain, and let go of Songo, who fell back, crying.
"Get his hand, Inu-yasha!" Kagome ordered. The han-you nodded, and brought his sword down, severing the hand that held the shard.
The evil Bakura screamed with the pain, and Miroku unwrapped his hand, and cried, "Wind Tunnel!" The black hole sucked up sand, and the evil Bakura grabbed at the ground in panic.
"No! No not again no! I will not go back to the shadows!" the vacuum picked him up, but before he could be sucked in, he grabbed pipe that protruded forth from the sand with his good hand. His shirt ripped off his back, and revealed a burn scar in the shape of a spider. Then, the pipe broke, and he shrieked as he was consumed by the void. Miroku wrapped up his hand, and went over to Songo, and the good Bakura whom she cradled in her lap. But then, she and Kagome screamed. The severed hand of the evil Bakura was moving, and was heading for the good Bakura. It jumped up, and leaped back into the wound on his back where it was reabsorbed.
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Vash picked up the shard where it lay, and while their enemies were distracted, he placed it back around his sister's neck. She instantly recovered, and got up.
"We're going home," he said. "And I have just the card to cover our retreat."
"But I still want-"
"Another time," he insisted. He drew the card, and cried, "Burning Land!" They were engulfed in the flames, and disappeared.
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They sat in the emergency room of the hospital, waiting for news of Bakura's recovery. Songo looked down at the floor, and Kagome had her arm around her friend. She knew that Songo blamed herself for what happened.
"It's not your fault," she said comfortingly.
"You know what this means, don't you?" Inu-yasha said. "He's one of Naraku's incarnations!"
"That not possible," Yugi said, "I've known Bakura my whole life. We even went to preschool together."
"Then explain the Spider burn on that thing's back!" Inu-yasha shouted.
"Bakura was possessed by an evil spirit that came from the Millennium Ring," Tea said. "Maybe the spirit had been one of those incarnations."
Kagome remembered the parallel timeline. She remembered Naraku's desire for the Millennium Items. What if, somehow, in this timeline, he or one of his incarnations had gone to Egypt to get them, and been sealed away in the Ring? She shuddered with the thought.
"Could Bakura really be an incarnation of Naraku?" she asked.
"There's only one way to be sure," Inu-yasha said. "We have to check is back."
"But the doctors would have it bandaged up," Tristan said. "How are you gonna check him?"
"Easy," Inu-yasha said, sharpening his claws.
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Later, they sat around their friend in his hospital room, and watched him wake up. He looked at them pleasantly, and said, "Hello everyone."
"Roll over," Inu-yasha commanded.
"What?" Bakura said.
"We need to check your back," Miroku said. "We need to know if you are indeed our friend."
"But…Of course I'm your friend," he said. "It's me, guys."
"We know it's you, man," Tristan said, "There was that thing that came out of your back."
"Bakura," Kagome said gently, taking the boy's hand, "That thing that came out of you had a Spider shaped burn on it's back. Only Naraku and his incarnations have that. And if we're ever going to trust you, we need to know…"
"You need to know if the burn is on my back," he finished. He sat up, and took off his shirt. "Very well." Inu-yasha stepped over, and shred open the bandages. They gasped. Nothing. His back was clean, except for the wound on his shoulder.
"What kind of a joke is this?!" Inu-yasha demanded. "Why's he always do this?! Just when we think we have him-"
"At least this proves the spirit came from the Ring," Kagome said. "And I wouldn't let a Shard on a Millennium Item near him. The power of either one could make that thing come back, either in his mind, or…" Kagome looked at Songo, who turned away. She refused to let anyone see her cry.
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Viola sipped her cup of mead, and sulked. "Why can't we send Hunters to get him," she pouted. All she had on her mind was the strange boy, Inu-yasha.
"Would you forget about that mutt," Vash said harshly. "The Pharaoh is here! And he has the map, I know it!"
"He also has that dog boy," she shouted. "I want him!" whined.
"He's not some idle toy or pet. He's beast with a sharp fang."
"I have no one down here my age to talk to," she said, "And you hardly ever let me go anywhere but to school ever since I got healthy again. He's my age, he's cute! I want him!"
He grabbed his sister by her arm and pulled her over to him. "Now you listen, little sister. So long as the Pharaoh lives, we are threatened. Control over the Rare Hunters is dependant on my show of strength, and I will not suffer any stronger than I. I need your help to get rid of him. Need I remind you that they tried to take our gems away? The gems that made us healthy. The gems that made us strong."
"I…I don't want to be sick again," she said. "No one licked me when I was sick. I could never play or do anything the other kids could do."
"I know, and that's why we have to keep these jewel at any cost."
"I can use it control him," she said, "Like I do most of the Hunters."
"When we have the treasure, you can have any boy toy you want, but for now, I'm asking you to help me, just this one last time. We must defeat the Pharaoh."
"Yes big brother," she said, rolling her eyes.
"That's my girl." he said, and kissed her on the cheek.
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AN: I know that scene earlier was really twisted! Now ya see why the rating? Please review (and nothing too mean, to those of you this may concern.)
Chapter Two
Ten's A Crowd
Songo looked around, making sure no one was around. When she was certain that the coast was clear, she ran out of the house in a pink tank top, short white skirt, and sandals that she 'borrowed' from Kagome's closet. As she climbed down the stairs, she smoothed down her long hair, tightened the ribbon, and took a deep breath. Then, as she walked down the street, she turned the corner and saw the person she'd hoped to see.
"Good afternoon, Bakura," Songo said, butterflies flying around in her stomach.
"Thank you for meeting me, Songo," Bakura said, blushing. He offered her his arm, and they walked on together.
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"You guys are gonna eat the store out of business,' Tea said as she watched Joey and Tristan wolf down all the candy in sight.
"Yeah, I'm not made of money like Joey is now," Yugi said.
"Relax," Joey said, popping jelly beans in his mouth, "I'll pay for it."
As he finished off a chocolate bunny, Yugi looked out the window. "Hey guys," Yugi said. "There's Bakura, with a girl!"
"Who with what?!" They said, astonished. As they pressed their faces to the glass, they saw that it was indeed their friend Ryou Bakura. And it wasn't just any girl he was with.
"It can't be," Joey said.
"It's Songo!" Tea said. "But…But isn't-?"
"We gotta check this out," Tristan said. He dropped the sweets and ran outside, jumping into some nearby bushes for cover. Tea grabbed a large lollipop and went outside, too, with Joey on her heals, grabbing an old newspaper. All the while, Yugi was left standing there when the store owner approached him with a rather lengthy bill.
Outside, the snoops were hiding as Bakura and his 'date' walked by. And at that moment, they heard a snippet of their conversation.
"You look very lovely, Songo," Bakura said. "I hope my asking you out didn't put you on short notice."
"No, but I still have such a hard time figuring out these support garments," Songo replied.
"Ahem," Bakura coughed, "Support garments," he said blushing, sheepishly.
"Yes," she replied, whispering. "Like those bra things. I can never figure out how you put it on, so I didn't bother."
"Um…Um…It's not polite to talk about this kind of thing in public."
Te gasped as she heard this. 'How could she not be wearing a-' she thought as a large bumblebee suddenly buzzed by her head. She held her breath to keep from screaming.
When the couple had passed, Yugi came out of the store, looking dejectedly at his empty wallet. Tristan came out of the bushes, while Joey dropped his paper and Tea flung the bee infested lollipop away from her.
"I'm calling Kagome right now," Tea said, taking out her cell phone. She dialed the number, and told her everything.
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"She's with who?" Kagome said to the phone. "She not wearing a WHAT!? How do you know? She told him!? In public?! Wait right there!" she said, hanging up the phone. She rushed out the door, and passing Inu-yasha and Miroku, looking wide eyed at a magazine.
"I can't believe this legal here," Miroku said, unfolding the center fold.
"Is that even possible?" Inu-yasha said, looking over his shoulder. Then, they felt Kagome grabbed them both by the ears.
"OW owowowow OW!!!!!!" they both yelled. She let go, and stared at Miroku with murder in her eyes.
"You lecherous pig!" Kagome shouted. "Where did you get those things?"
"From a rather large box in you're grandfather's shop. He was doubled over drooling over one of them."
"I don't even want to think about that," she said, "All I know is that behavior like this is why Songo may now possibly leave you!"
"What?" Miroku asked. "Where is she?"
"She's on a date with Bakura," Kagome said, "And from I've been told, she might be in the mood to do something very stupid!"
"Like what?" Inu-yasha asked, and she grabbed a dog ear and whispered into it, Miroku leaning in to listen. Miroku went white as Inu-yasha asked, "With Bakura? Well I guess it takes all kinds."
"I will not allow this!" Miroku declared. "No one shall bring shame to my beautiful Songo!"
"Before you go rushing off, you'd both better get disguises," Kagome said.
"Disguises?!" Inu-yasha shouted. "What disguises?"
"Come on," she said, dragging them back to the house, "I'll show you." They came out twenty minutes later, Inu-yasha and Miroku wearing black suits, long trench coats, and black fedoras, and dark sunglasses. Kagome came out in a sundress, shawl, and sunbonnet, with sunglasses of her own. "Now we don't look so conspicuous."
"What are you talking about?" Inu-yasha said angrily, "I've never seen anyone from your time dress like this."
"You don't watch spy movies," Kagome said in a huff. " In spy movies, everyone dresses like this."
"May we please hurry and save my dear Songo's honor before Bakura steal it away like a theif in the night!" Miroku said in anguish.
"Relax," Inu-yasha said, "He's one of those nice guys."
"But Songo's never been on a date," Kagome said, "And he's showing her a lot of attention, and manners, that certain other guys have never shown her. She's liable to make big mistakes! Let's go!" she said, dashing off, Miroku close behind.
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Songo watched as the sun set over the city. The colors of the sunset and the lights of the buildings made everything look like a beautiful painting. She felt like she was dreaming. She leaned her head on Bakura's- Ryou's- shoulder. He reached up, and cover her hand with his. She felt like she could sprout wings and fly! They sat on a bench, on a hill overlooking the Tokyo skyline. This was the most magical and beautiful evening she'd ever had. She only wished that it would never end.
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"I can't believe she'd actually do this," Miroku whispered. He and their other friends crouched in the bushes, watching the couple on the bench.
"I don't see why not," Inu-yasha said dryly. "It's not like you two had anything to begin with."
"But surely she knows the words in my heart that my lips dare not speak!" Miroku said overdramatically.
"I wouldn't count on it, dude," Joey said.
Tea gasped, "Guys, look!" When they all looked, they saw Bakura- shy, meek Bakura- kiss Songo full on the lips. Miroku's face went ashen before he moaned in turmoil. Should he go out there and stop them now? Or accept that his dear Songo had chosen another. "What should I do?" he asked his friends. "Honor demands that I face him!" he said angrily, grabbing the prayer beads on his covered hand. But they all grabbed both his hands, and parted them before any damage could be done.
"Just let it go, man. It's not worth it!" Trsiatn said.
"How would you feel if you sucked poor Bakura into your wind tunnel?" Kagome asked.
"I would rid of a rogue and woman stealing maggot!" he said.
"And Songo would hate you forever," Kagome interjected.
The monk sighed, and bowed his head. "You are correct. I would rather love be happy with another than miserable with me."
"That's very noble of you," Yugi said, pating his head. But then, Miroku leaped up, and said, "I still have the urge to dismember him!"
They all reached up and dragged back down. They put their fingers to their lips, and said, "SSSHHH!"
" They're gonna hear us!" Shippo added.
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Songo and Bakura looked over their shoulders at the bushes. They were rustling violently.
"Oh no," Bakura said slapping his face. "Don't tell me they've been here the whole time!"
"Why those!" Songo said. She got up, and stormed over to the bushes. She reached her hands in, and grabbed a random collar. When she pulled them back out, she had Shippo in her hands. He laughed nervously, and waved a tiny hand.
"Who else is with you!?" She demanded. Then, the bushes rustled.
"Maybe she won't know we're here," Joey's voice said.
"Quiet!" went Tea's.
"Someone's on my foot!"
"You must let go and save my love!" Miroku protested.
"Everyone out NOW!" Songo shouted. One by one, the tumbled out of the foliage. As they all looked up at her, her face burned red with rage. "Why I never! How could-?! Why!?" she could barely speak for the embarrassment.
Miroku stood up and said, "Songo, please, you must listen to me-" She slapped his face before he could finish.
"Songo, don't be mad," Kagome pleaded, "We-" she stopped short. Her face turned to the west.
"Kagome?" Bakura asked. "What is it?"
"Shards," she said. "There are Jewel Shards nearby."
"In our time?" Tea asked.
"We've found them here before," Kagome said. Inu-yasha unsheathed hissword, and said, "Let's go."
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Vash and Viola walked down the length of the beach as the sunset in Tokyo. Viola, now in the guise of a black school uniform, had kicked off her sandals and grabbed her brother's arm. "Please, Vash," she pleaded, "Let's go shopping now. I haven't bought a new dress in ages."
Vash, in a black t-shirt, leather jacket, and jeans, smiled at his sister. "You don't need a new dress," he said pulling her back, "You so look cute in hat your wearing."
"But we don't come into town very often," she said. "And I'm bored."
"Maybe I can help liven up your evening," said a almost growling voice. Suddenly, a boy with flowing, white hair and dog ears slid down the sandy slope, a large white sword in hand.
"Oh, such adorable ears," Viola said giddily. She ran up to him and started to play with his ears. The dog boy stood flabbergasted.
"What are you doing?!" he yelled at her, "You think this is a game?!"
"Vash, I want him!" Viola said, whipping around to her brother, pointing back up at the dog eared young man, who could only utter "Huh?"
"But sister Viola," Vash said, grinning and walking towards them, why would you want such a mangy, ill-mannered beast?"
"He's so cute!" she said, clasping her hands and smiling wide, "And I adore his ears. I want to take him home right now!"
"Done," Vash said. He lifted his hand, and suddenly, his sister's new whim was floating up into the air in a bubble.
"Inu-yasha!" said a girl running from nowhere. She quickliy drew an arrow from her quiver, nocked it on the bowstring, and fired. The arrow went through Vash's hand, making the bubble around Inu-yasha burst.
"Brother, are you alright?" Viola said, running to him. Vash grasped his gem in his injured hand, and when he let go, it was healed.
"Get back, Kagome" Inu-yasha said. "I can handle this!"
"Not without us," said another girl. She threw a large boomerang that Vash, but Viola simply looked at the projectile and sent it hurdling back at the woman who'd thrown it. Then, more people came down the slope. And one of them was more familiar than the rest.
"Pharaoh!" Vash and Viola said together. "So our prey comes to us," Vash said, grabbing his deck from his belt.
Viola was the quicker draw, and said, "Allow me, brother. Amazoness Tiger!" And in an instant, the enormous, roaring, blue eyed creature appeared before them. She pet it's back, and said, "Attack them, my Tiger. But leave the dog man alive!" It lunged at the group, and they scattered. Whenever one of them tried to get near Vash and Viola, it raised a mighty paw, and swatted them away with it's sword like claws.
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Shippo waited for his chance. He dived underneath the sandy beach, and burrowed his way to just the right spot. He stuck is head out, and was directly underneath Viola. He closed is eyes, and jumped up and out behind her. He clung to her back, and quickly relieved her of her jewel shard. She instantly gagged, and her skin went pale, almost deathly pale. She clutched her chest, and fell to her knees, gasping for air. At once, the Tiger vanished.
"Viola!" Vash shouted, he picked her up, and she wimpered, almost too quiet to hear, "I…I can't breath."
Meanwhile, Shippo was running towards Bakura, saying, "I got one! I got a shard."
"Give that back you vermin!" Vash shouted, laying his sister down, and chasing the kitsune. He made a flying leap, and caught him by the tail. Shippo tried to get free, but couldn't.
"Bakura!" Shippo cried, "Catch!" he threw the Shard to Bakura, who caught it in his hands.
"I got it!" Bakura shouted,but then, his face went blank, and then he started to laugh wickedly. Then his face changed again, and he cried, "NO! not again!" Without warning, a third arm burst from his back, and grabbed Bakura by the neck. Then, slowly, a whole human body climbed out of the wound in Bakura's back. When the person was finally out, he held the shard, and Bakura fell to his knee, covered with blood.
"Bakura!" shouted Songo, running to him. She looked up at the fearsome human, and watched him turn around. They all gasped. He had Bakura's face, only twisted in dementia.
He started to laugh again. Then, he looked at the Shard in his palm and said, "The power of the Jewel has given me flesh once again. I am free! Free of that tiresome boy! I live!" He whipped around, and grabbed Songo's arm, pulling her up. "And I have you to thank, my lovely girl," he licked her face, making her cringe and cry out. "If you had not accepted his invitation, neither of us would have been here to receive this marvelous gift."
"Let her go!" Miroku cried, reaching for his beads.
"I wouldn't, my boy," the evil Bakura said. "You might take her right along with me. And I won't die alone. Not this time."
"Then think about changing your plans!" Kagome said, shooting through the chest with a sacred arrow. He cried out in pain, and let go of Songo, who fell back, crying.
"Get his hand, Inu-yasha!" Kagome ordered. The han-you nodded, and brought his sword down, severing the hand that held the shard.
The evil Bakura screamed with the pain, and Miroku unwrapped his hand, and cried, "Wind Tunnel!" The black hole sucked up sand, and the evil Bakura grabbed at the ground in panic.
"No! No not again no! I will not go back to the shadows!" the vacuum picked him up, but before he could be sucked in, he grabbed pipe that protruded forth from the sand with his good hand. His shirt ripped off his back, and revealed a burn scar in the shape of a spider. Then, the pipe broke, and he shrieked as he was consumed by the void. Miroku wrapped up his hand, and went over to Songo, and the good Bakura whom she cradled in her lap. But then, she and Kagome screamed. The severed hand of the evil Bakura was moving, and was heading for the good Bakura. It jumped up, and leaped back into the wound on his back where it was reabsorbed.
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Vash picked up the shard where it lay, and while their enemies were distracted, he placed it back around his sister's neck. She instantly recovered, and got up.
"We're going home," he said. "And I have just the card to cover our retreat."
"But I still want-"
"Another time," he insisted. He drew the card, and cried, "Burning Land!" They were engulfed in the flames, and disappeared.
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They sat in the emergency room of the hospital, waiting for news of Bakura's recovery. Songo looked down at the floor, and Kagome had her arm around her friend. She knew that Songo blamed herself for what happened.
"It's not your fault," she said comfortingly.
"You know what this means, don't you?" Inu-yasha said. "He's one of Naraku's incarnations!"
"That not possible," Yugi said, "I've known Bakura my whole life. We even went to preschool together."
"Then explain the Spider burn on that thing's back!" Inu-yasha shouted.
"Bakura was possessed by an evil spirit that came from the Millennium Ring," Tea said. "Maybe the spirit had been one of those incarnations."
Kagome remembered the parallel timeline. She remembered Naraku's desire for the Millennium Items. What if, somehow, in this timeline, he or one of his incarnations had gone to Egypt to get them, and been sealed away in the Ring? She shuddered with the thought.
"Could Bakura really be an incarnation of Naraku?" she asked.
"There's only one way to be sure," Inu-yasha said. "We have to check is back."
"But the doctors would have it bandaged up," Tristan said. "How are you gonna check him?"
"Easy," Inu-yasha said, sharpening his claws.
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Later, they sat around their friend in his hospital room, and watched him wake up. He looked at them pleasantly, and said, "Hello everyone."
"Roll over," Inu-yasha commanded.
"What?" Bakura said.
"We need to check your back," Miroku said. "We need to know if you are indeed our friend."
"But…Of course I'm your friend," he said. "It's me, guys."
"We know it's you, man," Tristan said, "There was that thing that came out of your back."
"Bakura," Kagome said gently, taking the boy's hand, "That thing that came out of you had a Spider shaped burn on it's back. Only Naraku and his incarnations have that. And if we're ever going to trust you, we need to know…"
"You need to know if the burn is on my back," he finished. He sat up, and took off his shirt. "Very well." Inu-yasha stepped over, and shred open the bandages. They gasped. Nothing. His back was clean, except for the wound on his shoulder.
"What kind of a joke is this?!" Inu-yasha demanded. "Why's he always do this?! Just when we think we have him-"
"At least this proves the spirit came from the Ring," Kagome said. "And I wouldn't let a Shard on a Millennium Item near him. The power of either one could make that thing come back, either in his mind, or…" Kagome looked at Songo, who turned away. She refused to let anyone see her cry.
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Viola sipped her cup of mead, and sulked. "Why can't we send Hunters to get him," she pouted. All she had on her mind was the strange boy, Inu-yasha.
"Would you forget about that mutt," Vash said harshly. "The Pharaoh is here! And he has the map, I know it!"
"He also has that dog boy," she shouted. "I want him!" whined.
"He's not some idle toy or pet. He's beast with a sharp fang."
"I have no one down here my age to talk to," she said, "And you hardly ever let me go anywhere but to school ever since I got healthy again. He's my age, he's cute! I want him!"
He grabbed his sister by her arm and pulled her over to him. "Now you listen, little sister. So long as the Pharaoh lives, we are threatened. Control over the Rare Hunters is dependant on my show of strength, and I will not suffer any stronger than I. I need your help to get rid of him. Need I remind you that they tried to take our gems away? The gems that made us healthy. The gems that made us strong."
"I…I don't want to be sick again," she said. "No one licked me when I was sick. I could never play or do anything the other kids could do."
"I know, and that's why we have to keep these jewel at any cost."
"I can use it control him," she said, "Like I do most of the Hunters."
"When we have the treasure, you can have any boy toy you want, but for now, I'm asking you to help me, just this one last time. We must defeat the Pharaoh."
"Yes big brother," she said, rolling her eyes.
"That's my girl." he said, and kissed her on the cheek.
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AN: I know that scene earlier was really twisted! Now ya see why the rating? Please review (and nothing too mean, to those of you this may concern.)