-1A Tempting Fate

Chapter 10: The Shikon

By Kaguya's Chaos

Shippo finished off the tale just as Rin had slipped into a troubled sleep. Both had been up the whole night, too scared to rest for even a moment. Miroku listened to all that had happened with angered horror. Kagome had been through so much! Wounded, poisoned, kidnapped, chased, and who knows what else! Sango listened to the part where Kagome had run off into the forest in fear and stifled the tears that threatened to fall. This Shippo kid was a great story teller.

"And then Rin and I came down onto the beach to wait for sunrise." Shippo finished as he snuggled his sister closer to him and stared at the people from the boats. The lady, Sango, looked devastated. The man with the priest powers, Miroku, looked royally pissed. The flea youkai looked amazed and the toad looked disturbed.

"So there is a hanyou on this island other then Inuyasha." The flea said and Shippo met his glance.

"Yes. He calls himself Naraku." The small kit said again and stifled the yawn that threatened to overtake his mouth. Beside him Rin moved and let out a small cry. "Kagome-nee…" She whispered and Shippo looked down at the girl in slight worry.

Sango looked down at the kid as well and picked her up, situating her in her arms. Shippo looked up at her in gratitude and then looked passed her to stare at the three people behind her. Miroku noticed his gaze and felt the presence of Hojo, Onigumo and the woman, Kikyou. He didn't turn around immediately. Instead he stood up slowly and growled in a low voice. "You aren't needed here, Masaru."

Hojo looked to the young man and smirked. "I think that I am…My Kagome needs me and so I will go to her." He said in a sickeningly smooth voice. Shippo frowned in confusion. Not once had Kagome mentioned having a man in her life…not that she really had the chance. This certainly threw a wrench in his plans to get Kagome and Sesshoumaru together.

Miroku stiffened even more so and turned around. Hojo faltered at the look of absolute hatred on his face. "She will never be yours, you son of a bitch." He whispered fiercely and Sango stood up just as tall beside her husband. It was, surprisingly, Onigumo who had stopped the beginnings of what could have been a fight.

"What the hell is that!" He shouted and all eyes turned to see him staring at the sky in confused fear. They all looked up to see a blindingly white cloaked person and dark haired woman floating high above them. Shippo let out a shriek of terror that could only be deciphered as, "Naraku!" Miroku, Myoga, Sango and Jaken were instantly alert. Hojo stared in dumbstruck horror, as did Kikyou. Onigumo was already swimming back to the boat. He had a really bad feeling.

Onigumo reached the boat and hoisted himself up the ladder and over the side. He had first felt a tugging at something within himself when he had looked up to see what was calling him. Seeing the white clad figure up there had triggered something from deep within himself. A feeling as if there was something really wrong with this situation. That he wasn't going to live for very long.

Above and in the sky, Naraku watched the scrambling Onigumo try to get on the ship just off shore. His lip curled in slight confusion as he tried to think of where he had seen the man before. 'I've been on this accursed island for over 6 hundred years…where could I have-' He suddenly thought of something that he hadn't thought of since Midoriko had died.

A slow dangerous smirk tilted his lips and a chuckle rose form his throat. Yes, he knew who the man was. He knew him very well, as if they were family. 'Yes…family…'

Kagura stared at the evil hanyou beside her and tried to stifle the sinking feeling inside of her. She also knew who the man was and was currently cursing the idiot for coming to this island. He had, unknowingly, made everything oh so much worse. Naraku's chuckling reached her sensitive ears and Kagura stifled the urge to groan.

'Where was that bottle of vodka when you needed it?'

:With Kagome:

Kagome stared at Midoriko in confusion. Her blue eyes speaking of her slight fear and mild recognition. 'Where have I heard of the Shikon no Tama?' She asked herself continually and ran a hand through her hair. It was just as her fingers were reaching the ends of her raven hair that a memory hit her like a ton of bricks.

"You have the Shikon no Tama."

Midoriko watched the young woman with sad eyes that told the truth of this memory more then anything else. Kagome felt immense confusion fill her being as she silently asked how that could be. Midoriko sighed as she tried to recall exactly how the jewel had come to be. How the whole nightmare, that was fated to be repeated, started.

It had been created by accident by a little girl who had no idea what it was she had done. On a terribly rainy night and in a time of great vulnerability, a lone voice had called out to a sobbing little girl, standing over the broken body of her family. Midoriko shuddered as the full memory hit her sharply. The pact she had made with the being in the dark, her premature powers ripped from her petite body, and the resurrection of her mother, father and younger sister.

Kagome spoke softly, drawing Midoriko from her little nightmare. "So, how did you die? What happened to Davis? And Subaki?"

"It all went by quickly after Damien died. Davis went crazy and ran off into the forest, leaving Subaki and myself alone. Subaki had gone mute. She didn't say anything other then to state that Damien wasn't supposed to die. She wouldn't look at me. I couldn't take the pressure in the atmosphere any more so I took off after Davis. Subaki just sat there, staring into space.

"I think that was when I realized that we had all been driven insane. I wondered around by myself for two days before I found Davis's body. He had killed himself by slitting his wrists. At least, I believed he had committed suicide at the time. I buried his body where I could and headed back to where I thought the cave was."

Kagome watched as Midoriko's eyes became glassy and her shoulders slumped. "I reached the cave and Subaki was no where to be found. That's when I resigned myself to my fate. But there were still questions swimming through my head. Why were we being tortured this way? Why did the storm leave us here in this hell? Did God abandon us here? Was it my fault because of the creation of this hideous piece of jewelry?

"On and on the questions went until the fourth day of my idyll thoughts. Naraku had decided to visit me once again. This time he wasn't hidden in that awful monkey suit of his. He had floated there taunting me over the death of Davis and Damien and the disappearance of Subaki. It wasn't until he mentioned the Shikon that I lost it. We fought for a long time, both of us doing extensive damage. He had these…freaky tentacles that shot out of his very body, so when you do fight him, beware of them. He had his tentacles, but I had the power of the Shikon and my own regained energy. He wouldn't last and it showed as I got him in the shoulder and down he went.

"In the end, just as I was about to finish him off, Subaki had shown up. I, at first, had false hope that she would help me and we could escape the damn island. Unfortunately, I should have also taken into account her deranged mind and new change. My own sister literally stabbed me in the back. The pain in the knowledge that my own sister had betrayed me was more intense then the pain in my back from her sword.

"Before I could actually die, three things happened. The first, was Naraku also decapitated Subaki before my fading eyesight. I was filled with such rage, that I had made a last request of the jewel that I had in my possession. My wish was for the jewel to go and choose a successor in which I could have revenge. A reincarnation, if you will. You, Kagome."

Kagome stared wide-eyed at the woman and her mouth gaped open. "I am your reincarnation?" She asked hoarsely and Midoriko smiled sadly. "W-what was the last thing that happened?" Kagome asked, trying to piece all of the story, the past and present, together. Midoriko leaned back and stared up at the darkening sky. A frown marred her features and a strange gleam entered her eyes.

"Naraku had also created a double of himself for when the Shikon would reappear." Kagome frowned as well and then smiled slightly, confusion in her eyes.

"But, we are on a deserted island…his double isn't here."

Midoriko looked up to the girl and shook her head. "Your cousin and a few others have landed on the island. As well as Naraku's double. It seems fate has decided that the past must be repeated. It is time for you to awaken Kagome, there are many others awaiting your return."

The scenery started to disappear and Kagome opened her mouth to protest. "Good luck, my little one. Take care of yourself, and do not fear the power within you. Trust the youkai that are on your side! And say hello to Damien for me!" Was the last thing Kagome heard before she was rudely awakened by choking on lukewarm water.

She stood up abruptly and shook her head. Her hands came up and brushed the large wet clumps of obsidian locks out of her face. She got out of the water and shivered at the sudden blast of cold air on her body. Her back stiffened as she sensed beings closing in on her from both openings of the cave and dove for her clothes, thankful that they were warm and dry. Well, not for long, due to her own wet body.

She got dressed as quickly as her stubborn clothes would allow and tied her hair back with a strip of torn clothing. She sat down and looked down at her leg to inspect the wound that had been there. She hadn't had time to look over herself when she had first awoken, only to make a mad dash for the cave she now rested in. A slight scar was visible, probably due to the poison that had been injected, only to be rejected by her powers.

The thought of these powers made her think of the reality of her position. 'Oh my lord. I am trapped on a hellish island with crazy youkai, evil monkey-men (Naraku), and two children to worry about. She sighed and stood slowly, rubbing her arms to rid herself of the chill now entering the cave. 'Wait…chill? But, there was a barrier that blocked…oh shit!' She thought just as three beings flew at her from one side and two from the other.

Kagome threw herself to the ground and rolled as her instincts dictated for her to do. The brief barks and threatening growls hovered just over her shoulder no matter where she moved. Her heart pounded in adrenaline and fear. 'What the hell is wrong with these guys!' She thought as she ducked her head and dodged a wide sweep of an arm.

All action stopped when a very loud and VERY scary growl thrummed threw the floor and reverberated inside Kagome's very bones. The fine hairs along her neck and arms stood on end and her wide eyes stared blankly ahead of her, afraid to move. Kouga, Inuyasha and the two unknown youkai stood in front of her panting and glaring with anger and slight fear at whoever was standing behind her.

Kagome put two and together and guessed that the one behind her was Sesshoumaru and he was the one to let out the hair-raising growl. She let out a startled 'eep!' when she felt two muscular arms fold around her stiffened body and an object identified as a nose press into her neck. The weird of sensation of hot puffs on her neck told her he was breathing in her scent and she stifled the urge to shudder at the way it made her feel.

The arms tightened slightly and Kagome felt him nuzzle next to her ear. This time she could hear him sniffing at her. 'Oh God. Please don't have him eat me! I don't want to die!' She thought as she tried to shift forward some, showing her discomfort. A loud growl was her answer and the arms became impossibly tight bands of steel. 'OH GOD I'M GONNA DIE!'

Her back came into complete contact with Sesshoumaru's and her mind froze. If the hard object jabbing into her lower back was any indication, she was definitely not going to die anytime soon… 'Oh my god! Sesshoumaru's horny!'

An answering growl sounded in front of her and Kagome looked up to see Inuyasha with his teeth bared and his triangular…adorable…fluffy…ears…laid back. Kagome felt her hand twitch and she fidgeted again. 'How cute!' Was her only thought, completely forgetting about where she was. That is…until she felt a furry appendage slid up her leg and wrapped around her waist. She glanced down and saw what she could only describe as a fluffy white tail.

Her eyes lit up and she slowly lifted her hand. Unknown to her, she had everyone's eyes on her, and her strange mood changes. Kagome let out a slight squeal as her fingers found the soft fur and she let out a slight giggle when the tail twitched under her hand. Her giggle's stopped and her breath hitched when Sesshoumaru nuzzled further into her neck and low purr echoed in her ears.

Her hand's stopped their movements and her face lit up in a blush.

"Er, sorry!" She said quietly and cringed at the echo-y quality it had due to the cave walls. "Um, can you let me go, Sesshoumaru?" She asked as she again tried to get out of the tight embrace.

"Yeah, fluffy! Let her go!" Inuyasha nearly shouted and caused Sesshoumaru to growl. Kagome shifted to the side, trying to loosen his arms and she was immediately turned to face a fanged, red-eyed, Sesshoumaru.

'Uh oh…This is not good.'

:with those by the sea:

Sango clutched the little girl closer and twined her other hand with her husbands. Miroku gripped Sango's hand and took an involuntary step backwards. Shippo was gripping onto the nearest leg and staring up at the floating youkai with hatred and fear.

Hojo, being the evil idiot he is, was the first to break the silence with a loud, "WHAT THE HELL!" Kikyou uneasily stepped away from the slightly dense man and more towards the boats. Sure she was a bitch, but she wasn't stupid THAT stupid. She's seen those movies where the first one to draw attention dies, and she did not want to die before she got a hold of her money, er, Inuyasha!

Naraku stared down at those before him and smirked. Kagura slumped on her feather and wished she had something strong to drink. Stopping at that thought she realized she was going to become an alcoholic, and all thanks to the idiots in her life. She shifted her red eyes to the one who forced her to call him master and awaited his orders. For surely, there would be some blood shed as a welcome party for these poor fools.

And she wasn't disappointed as Naraku chuckled and flung a hand out, indicating free attack. Kagura sighed and raised her hand above her head. Letting a forced smirk stretch her features she brought the fan down letting the wind rush past her to slice at those below her.

Myoga and Jaken both let out shrieks and rushed for the forest for cover. Miroku leapt at Sango and knocked both her and Rin to the ground. Shippo, who had been clutching at Miroku's leg was flung into the direction of the forest. Hojo howled in fear and jumped toward the waves, seeking safety and Kikyou just stood there screaming.

Kagura floated down toward the scattering humans and again attacked, providing the perfect distraction for Naraku. Meanwhile, Naraku was hunting down his own prey.

'Onigumo…'

He whispered in his head and smirked when the scent of terror washed over him from the captains cabin of the boat the man was hiding in.

'Onigumo…come out, come out, where ever you are…'

Onigumo bit his lip and squeezed his eyes shut. His heart was pounding and yet, he still heard the oily smooth voice tainted in malice roll through his mind.

'Don't you want to play, my pet?'

Onigumo's breath sped up and his chest heaved. He opened his eyes and searched for a weapon. ANY kind of weapon. His beady little eyes landed on a shot gun and he leapt at it, just as the door was blasted open.

'Found you!'

:XD:

KC: Ok, I know this is extremely short compared to how I usually write, but I am suffering from a horrible disease known as writers block. I also have these new ideas swimming in my head and I want to start them. There have also been some weird questions I've gotten…like… "I thought Naraku and Onigumo were the same person…?"

……

Um, I'm not going to explain that one cause the hilarity of the question still gets me going. If you don't understand, then just think of them as two different people. XD

Anyways, as always, Read and Review please. It's not one of my best chapters, and I feel like it has a different tone to it…maybe I'll go back and change it later. Thanks to all for being so patient!