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Disclaimer- As much as I wish I did, I DO NOT own Inuyasha or NCIS, just the plot of this story and any OC's that happen to pop up! XD
-Reality and Truth-
Previously;
Two 'riiiip'ing sounds filled the air, causing Ziva to start, so quick it took a moment for her to register it.
Slight aching in her bicep caused her to look down, and she watched as calloused, large, tanned hands with unnaturally long 'nails' gently blot at the blood around her wounds with a strip of cloth none other from his clothes.
Her cocoa eyes flickered between Shippo's face and his animistic features, and the gentle ministrations as he methodically cleaned it as best as he could in their present situation, before wrapping the other cloth around her arm, tying it firmly, but not too tight.
She took in the scene before with acute and aware eyes, but what she really zeroed in on was the tenderness and determination in his gaze as he worked on her wound.
A paradox indeed...
—Phoenix—
Shippo snarled, and snapped. Whirling around, he slammed his fist against the nearest tree.
The end result: the force of the punch ripped the tree out from the ground, roots and all, sending it flying into the forest, stopping only when it hit a couple more trees.
Rei was nowhere to be found. His home was abandoned, furniture and other things scattered all over the place haphazardly.
"I'm gonna find that bastard, and rip his head off..." he vowed dangerously.
Ziva, who stood not far from him, was rigid with sparking nerves. She did not know this man very well, and therefore was unsure how adept his control was. "Well," she ventured cautiously, managing to muster a wry tone. "I think that is enough trees to destroy for the day."
She stiffened even more when his red-rimmed gaze settled on her. The whole time over to Rei's place it was like stepping on eggshells, they way she acted with the Kitsune.
He was brimming with so much rage, he was ticking time bomb one second short from exploding.
Seeing how tense she was, Shippo sighed, shoulder's drooping. "You can be assured," he began, voice rougher than usual, "That I won't harm you. Despite how destructive and unpredictable my rage can make me, I have more control that you may think. I promise you," he told her reassuringly.
Ziva relaxed noticeably, and nodded. "I believe you," she murmured softly. "I just was not sure."
Silence fell upon them as Shippo's feature morphed back to normal.
"Back to HQ then...?" Ziva wondered softly.
Shippo's now emerald eyes searched for hers in the dimming daylight. It was nearing dusk by now, and with all the traipsing they did in the woods that day, it wasn't that surprising. He shook his head, "And have that beast of a boss of yours bite my head off when I bring you in, in that condition?" he retorted dry.
Ziva snorted at the accurate description of her boss.
He was right – the NCIS leader would on him within a blink of an eye, intent on kicking his ass till he was red, black, and blue.
Shippo smiled slightly, seeing her expression. "See, I knew I was right," and Ziva rolled her eyes at him. "We'll go to the hotel after we swing by to pick Raito up and meet up with Inuyasha at the edge of the forest. He'll take the bastard off our hands."
—o—o—o—o—
The ride back to the hotel was a generally silent one save for one moment.
Halfway through it Tony had called to check up on her – or more like scream on about where the hell she was and why didn't she pick up when him and her other team members tried dialing her up.
Apparently the middle of a forest was a very bad place for reception.
Anyways, the conversation ended with her telling she was fine, with Shippo, and heading back to the hotel and with Tony pretty much inviting himself over.
Well, technically, by Gibbs orders anyways.
They walked onto the floor to see the ragged looking man pacing before the hotel door. He stopped, standing ramrod straight once he noticed them, and waited stiffly as they came closer.
Shippo groaned under his breath, knowing what was coming. He had hoped they would be back before Tony arrived... No such luck there...
His blue-green eyes snapped wide at the makeshift bandage wrapped around Ziva's arm, and the two's dirty, roughed up appearances. "What the hell happened?" he demanded dangerously as soon as they were close enough.
Ziva sighed in frustration, pinching the bridge of her nose. She waved impatiently at the door for Shippo to open. "I would rather not have this conversation out here," she said suggestively.
Taking the hint, Shippo rushed ahead to open the door, letting them in.
As soon as they reached the living area, Tony whirled on them, fury growing as it melded with concern, a dangerous combination especially now. "What. Happened." His tone was short and demanding.
Ziva let out an annoyed hiss at his attitude. "We had a little... tussle, with one of the demons."
At the word 'demons' Tony grew outraged. He spun on Shippo, furious. "You took her out there to face one of those demons?" he blew up angrily, shouting.
Shippo grimaced and held up a hand to stop so he could explained. "Wai-"
Tony plowed on. "After everything that's happened? Are you honestly that stupid? You're gonna get her killed!" he exploded.
Shippo's expression grew murderous, eyes flashing. His fuse was getting shorter and shorter today. "You mean, like you did with Kagome," he shot back, his tone a dangerous, chilly, quiet one.
Ziva sucked in a sharp breath, looking between the two in shock. How did it get to this point so quickly?
Tony froze and all the color drained from his features at the mention of her. Pain clouded his face, and he looked like he just got sucker punched. His fists closed tightly.
Shippo took a menacing step forward, a warning glare clear in his gaze. "I knew what I was doing, boy," he spat. "I knew what we were going into. And I bet you're well aware how stubborn your partner is – she wasn't gonna let me go in alone like I wanted," Shippo bit out. "I'd rather have her beside me, where I could keep an eye out for her, then trying to tail me and not paying attention to her surroundings."
Tony's jaws clenched. "Accidents happen. You can't always keep on eye on her – the injury on her arm proves it," he retorted darkly, pinning him with eyes that sparked with unleashed fury.
Shippo bared his teeth in a silent snarl and he flipped. "At least I didn't leave her alone," he snapped bitterly, and a twinge of regret pulled at him at hearing Ziva's sharp, aghast inhale and seeing the pure amount of agony that flooded Tony's face.
But right now, after everything that's happened, after losing Kagome, having no leads, Rei disappearing, the frustration filled drama Raito added to the mix, and now Tony shoving the fact that Ziva was that fucking close to dying and under his watch no less in his face when he goddamn already fucking knew that, it was just too fucking much.
She was his mother for Kami's sake! Surrogate or not. Human or not. Younger or not. She was, and he already went through the unbearable pain of losing a mother once.
To go through it again, after everything that's happened, everything they went through and survived, it was just ten times worse.
And now, at this point, he was too wired to care about offending someone.
"Shippo!" Ziva bit out with a mixture of fury and disbelief.
Shippo rounded on her now. "No, Ziva! Kagome is dead, and all because of some careless mistake! She died alone in some crappy rundown warehouse! And now he's gonna lecture me on keeping you safe!" he ranted in disbelief. "At least -" but he cut himself there, growling softly under his breath as he clenched his fists tightly.
Okay, maybe he cared a bit and wouldn't go that far.
But still, the intent was already out. His sentence finished loudly in their minds as if he finished saying it himself.
At least she's still alive...
Ziva's jaw slackened slightly.
Tony's eyes flashed and he snapped, and he pushed Shippo roughly. "You don't think I know its my fault?"
Shippo snarled at the intrusion, eyes bleeding red. "Lay one more hand on me and I'll rip out your throat!" he snapped harshly as he went to shove back.
It seemed he spent way too much time with Inuyasha over the years...
The moment his hands made contact with Tony, the agent's body glowed a bright blue-white and Shippo was suddenly sent flying, as if he was a fly smacked away.
His back hit the wall roughly with a loud grunt to follow up on it.
Ziva gasped, and whirled on her partner. "Tony?" she blurted out incredulously.
Shippo's head snapped up to stare at Tony, his anger long forgotten in place of utter shock. That wasn't possible.
Only one thing could cause that reaction.
He'd recognize that brand of ki anywhere...
"How in the hell did you do that...?" Shippo breathed out in horror, stunned stock-still.
Not really hearing his question, Tony opened his palm slowly to look at the jewel the glowed the same color that engulfed his body.
He never did realize it was also the same color Kagome's abilities were as well.
But Shippo remembered, and the little jewel was all he could see.
The freaking Shikon goddamn no Tama.
There was no damn way. It was impossible.
It's been centuries since it disappeared. Since it was put back together after they defeated Naraku and vanished out of existence, and Kagome returning back to her time.
Unless...
Shippo's eyes widened in absolute horror, all color draining from his face as he realized it.
Unless it just disappeared back into Kagome's body for safekeeping, until she died herself.
And with the explosion, Kagome's body may have not survived, but the Jewel definitely would.
The question that bothered him was – 'Why didn't I feel it before?'
"Where did you get that?" Shippo asked slowly, quietly, almost dangerously, daring him to lie as he slowly rose from the ground.
Tony's jaw opened and closed repeatedly, at a loss for words.
When he didn't get an answer, Shippo began growling softly. He stalked towards the human, like a predator would his prey. "Where did you get that?" he demanded once more, voice going sharp.
This time, Tony found his voice. "A-at the warehouse..." he mumbled, still in shock.
Ziva blinked in surprise. "You mean... where you found Kagome...?" she asked cautiously.
Tony just nodded silently.
Shippo froze, all breath leaving him as if someone just punched him in the gut. He was right. "Give it to me." His voice left no room for argument.
Tony's head snapped up, eyebrows furrowing in confusion. "What?" he said, as if he didn't hear him completely.
Shippo took a deep breath to calm him. "I said, give it back," he gritted out.
Tony blinked, confused. "Back?" Then a strong feeling overwhelmed Tony, telling him not to comply. Telling him to keep it close, not to let it go. He was surprised when he spoke, even more so by the confidence in his voice. "No."
Shippo stilled, and his eyes narrowed dangerously. "No?" he repeated, tone tinted with disbelief. "What do you mean no?" he exploded.
Just then, the doors slammed open and Inuyasha bounded through the hotel doors, the expression on his face murderous. "What the hell are you people doin'?" he hissed as he stomped into the room, "Do you have any idea what kind of commotion you're fuckin' causin'? People are getting antsy and askin' questions!"
That was when the scene before him finally registered. "What the fuck is goin' on?" he said in confusion, seeing the stand off between the cop and his friend, not to mention the state Shippo was in. "The hell crawled up your ass runt?"
Shippo never took his eyes off the hand that held the Shikon. "I just found out that the Shikon is here Inuyasha, and guess who has it," he said slowly.
Like Shippo, all the color drained from Inuyasha's face. He followed the kitsune's line of sight, and his eyes bugged. "How the hell did you get that?" he exclaimed in a stricken whisper.
The whole thing made Ziva shift uneasily. "Tony, just give them the damn thing," she hissed at him.
Tony shook his head adamantly, closing his fist around the bauble. "No, Ziva."
Ziva shot him an incredulous glance while Shippo glared at him murderously. Inuyasha was just confused, the jewel's appearance still sinking in. "And why not?" she demanded hotly.
Tony didn't turn to answer her, instead keeping wary eyes on the ticking time bomb before him. "Because," he replied with finality, almost childishly. "I got this feeling in my gut – and it's telling me to keep it. To not let it out of my sight."
Shippo snapped, getting impatient. "You need to hand that over right now!"
Inuyasha let out a slow breath, nodding. "Kid, you have no fucking idea how dangerous that is..." he warned slowly.
Tony's eyebrows furrowed. "How can this be dangerous?" he asked, skeptical. It was just a little jewel.
Shippo's lips thinned, and he stared at him. "It's powerful – or did you not notice how it just tossed me into the wall?" he retorted sarcastically.
Inuyasha looked at him in surprise, and the pair shared a knowing glance. 'Not only that, but it also grants a person's most desired wish – not that we're about to tell you that.' the two thought mutually.
They would be absolutely insane to let that juicy little tidbit get out in the open. Who knew what Tony would do, what he'd wish for – though Shippo had a good idea.
And Kami did he want Kagome back too, but Shippo couldn't let it happen – not after everything they went through. The only way the jewel would grant a wish without consequences was if it was a selfless wish.
And there was no such thing as an selfless wish...
Aware of the dangers, Shippo tried to calm himself down, knowing being angry wouldn't do any good now. "Look," he said quietly, gathering their attention. "That jewel – it belonged to Kagome,"
At the mention of the deceased woman, the pair stiffened.
"It's dangerous, powerful - so powerful that hundreds have died because of it, and it caused nothing but grief and pain to Kagome, Inuyasha, me, and all our other friends," he told them, dead serious. The raw emotion in his voice would attest to that.
Inuyasha took over from here, his usually gruff voice holding a softer undertone. "And if it ever got into the wrong hands, everything we went through to keep it safe, everything Kagome suffered through, would be for nothing."
Tony fidgeted, eyes showcasing the conflict he was in.
Ziva looked at him in sympathy. "Tony, think. What if a demon came for it – we are no match to stand against them..."
Tony's eyes closed, realizing she was right. In the end, he sighed in defeat. "Okay, yeah, I guess you're right," he mumbled reluctantly, stepping forward. "If this thing is as powerful as you say it is, it's probably better if you keep it..."
Shippo sighed in relief, stepping forward as Tony stretched out his hand, the Shikon lying innocently in the middle.
It was shining brightly, alluringly, purely, and Inuyasha was just floored how something so small and innocent could cause so much destruction. He remembered there was once a time it shined with a dark, chilling purple, and he looked away.
There were just so many horrifying memories associated with that innocuous bauble.
Shippo reached out to take the jewel.
However, it seemed the jewel had other ideas – the moment his fingertips grazed the surface of the jewel, Shippo sprang back as something akin to electrical currents shot through him. "Son of a bitch!" he yelped out, nursing his hand which was smoking. Literally.
Everyone froze.
"What the hell," Inuyasha hissed through his teeth, the hairs on the back of his neck rising.
Tony's eyes were wide as saucers. "I did not do that – or anything for that matter," he stated, feeling the need to clarify that.
Shippo blinked equally large eyes. "It won't let me touch it..." he murmured, dazed.
Inuyasha shifted from foot to foot. "Maybe 'cause you're demon?'
Shippo's eyes flickered to the hanyou. "You try."
Inuyasha scoffed, shaking his head. "And get fried like you? No thanks."
Shippo rolled his eyes. "You're half-demon. Maybe it'll let you grab it,"
Inuyasha didn't say anything, instead just stared. The two stared each other off, until Inuyasha finally caved. "This is fuckin' ridiculous..." he muttered under his breath.
Stepping up to Tony, Inuyasha grimaced as he reached out and grab the jewel.
And like Shippo, the hanyou jumped away cursing. Tony winced. "That hurt!" he gritted out.
Shippo would have snickered at the scene if the situation wasn't so dire. "Okay, so no demons can touch it,"
Tony shifted uncomfortably. "So, does that mean I have to keep it...?" There was no denying the hint of hope that managed to squeeze through.
Shippo pinched the bridge of his nose. "I dunno. Demons aren't our only enemies that would jump at the chance for the jewel..."
The disappointment that clouded Tony's gaze was obvious as well.
Ziva's eyebrows furrowed. "I wonder..." she murmured, gathering the men's attention. "Will it even let other humans to touch it?"
The kitsune stiffened. "I don't know, but we're not gonna find out," he said sharply. Inuyasha blinked at his tone.
Tony's eyes widened and he jerked the jewel closer, understanding where he was getting out. "Uh uh, no way you're playing guinea pig Ziva," he warned her, incredulous she would even think of the idea.
Ziva's eyes narrowed and her lips pursed. Her voice took on a dangerous lilt. "And who will stop me, To-ny?" she drawled out in that threatening way she always did.
Like always, it made Tony nervous but he straightened, looking her straight in the eye. "Me. I'm pulling rank – and as senior agent I say hell no."
Ziva twitched. "One day Tony, rank will not mean much when someone finds you with your throat slit one day," she warned, her hand inching over to finger the knife clipped on her belt.
Inuyasha snorted – the girl had balls. "Let her try," he said loftily in his rough voice. He rolled his eyes at the pair of glares sent his way. "Don't get your panties in a twist – the jewel is pure. It won't hurt an innocent human like it did us."
Shippo grumbled – the dog had a point. "If you're sure Ziva," he muttered.
A triumphant smile crossed her face. "Give it here DiNozzo," she said, a hint of taunting in her voice as she held out her hand, wiggling her fingers.
Tony groaned. "Don't hit me if you get shocked," he mumbled, and went to drop the jewel into her waiting palm.
The boys grimaced, waiting for a yelp that was sure to come.
But the jewel dropped into her palm, and nothing happened.
"Huh," Shippo muttered, dumbstruck.
"See, nothing bad happened," Ziva told them, smirking.
Just as she said that though, the jewel began glowing.
Everyone's eyes widened. "Awh shit," Inuyasha muttered.
"Ow!" Ziva yelped, dropping the jewel, a little 'ping' ringing out as it hit the ground and rolled. "It burned!" she gasped sharply, shaking her hand as if it would shake off the the tingling pain.
Tony was the first to act. "Let me see," he said, stepping up to grab her hand to check the damage. He grabbed her wrist gently and turned it over, prying her hand open. He blinked. "There's nothing there..." he murmured.
He was right; unlike the singe marks the jewel made on the two men, Ziva's skin held no blemishes.
"Weird..." Inuyasha whistled.
"Guess you get to keep it, Tony," Ziva said softly, taking back her hand to rub at her palm unconsciously.
Shippo and Inuyasha nodded their agreement. "I don't see any other choice. If we keep it here, there's no way to move it if we need to," the kitsune rubbed a tired hand over his face, the tolls of the last almost twenty four hours really getting to him. "It already proved it'll protect you from a demon attacking you..."
Tony nodded. "I'll keep it safe until we figure out a better way to guard it," he murmured thoughtfully. Stepping back, Tony swooped down to scoop up the jewel, staring at it in confusion.
The same question was running through all of their minds...
Why was Tony the only one allowed to touch the jewel...?
—o—o—o—o—
It was one week later, in the middle of the night that it happened.
Tony wearily trudged through his apartment door, kicking off his pricy Italian shoes without a care. He made a beeline towards his bedroom forgoing any food or drink – ever since... well, he was just too damn tired to care now...
Dropping his gear by his door, he took off his jacket, tossing the expensive piece of clothing to the ground. Then came off his socks, and shirt, and then his pants until he was down to his boxers.
He could always take a shower in the morning.
His movements were sluggish as he shuffled towards his bed, pausing only by his nightstand to drop off his cell phone and as well as the Shikon before unceremoniously dropping onto his bed.
He struggled halfheartedly to climb under his covers.
Within ten seconds, he promptly passed out.
It had been a week of late nights and no leads. Seven long days of beating himself up over and over again, going through and thinking 'what if'.
What if they actually called in for backup? What if he went in with her?
What if...? What if..? What fucking if...?"
It was torture, through and through. Healthy or not – as his team mates were adamant to quickly point out – it wasn't as if he could stop the questions from raiding his brain. And they ate at him, wearing him down, running his mind ragged.
And then there were the nightmares that put those 'what if's' to motion pictures...
Again - pure freaking torture.
Not only that but try and try as they might, with their resources they were better working on case that stuck to the non-supernatural area.
They have yet to find any patterns, and with Shippo and Inuyasha reluctant to share information now, they had little to go on.
Just as Tony fell asleep, the jewel on his nightstand began to pulse, emanating a shining white blue hue – growing brighter and brighter with each passing second.
Tony grumbled, tossing and turning, as if feeling something was going on. Regardless, he burrowed deeper into his covers, unconsciously trying to block out the light.
The jewel lifted up from his nightstand, levitating, and moved away from the furniture to the open space beside Tony's bed.
The light was still growing brighter, and wisps of light shot out and curled unbidden, reaching out and enveloping the room. Then, the wisps came together to the center, swirling around and around as the light became even more concentrated. And then, as if it reached its limit, it exploded suddenly in a burst of silent light.
As the light began to dim, only a figure was left standing in its wake.
Words- 3,927
Oooh, more cliffies? I think yes. ;) And I wonder who that it ;D Heheh!
Heheh, a little short, I know, but I like to think it makes up with content a.k.a. drama, suspense, angst, and more angst galore lol.
And again, I have got to say thank you to everyone. For reading, for the alerts, the favs, and definitely for the reviews! Some of you guys write really, really awesome reviews and say such nice things! It makes me so very happy, as well as happy to write more! So keep 'em coming! XD
So tell me whatchya think! ^^ Hope you enjoyed it! XD
Till laters!
-RainLily^^
-Reviews—
I really mean when it I say thank you guys, it's because of all of your encouragement and help that I keep on writing. Not to mention, some of your reviews crack me up sooo much and get me grinning like a crazy person! I LOVE it!
Again, thank you SO much! You all ROCK! XD
A big huge honking thanks to these awesome reviewers!
Reads-way-2-much, angel19872006, Pissed Off Irish Chick, MoonPrincess1989, ladyyuuki16, Kira Kyuuketsuki, SweetHunniiBunnii, Azumigurl,
Valleygoat- Lol, thanks! XD haha, yeah, maybe just a little bit ;) Shippo happens to be easy to fall in love with, he's so awesome! ^^ Hmm, do you know the episode where Gibbs goes into a coma, and has amnesia when he wakes up after the explosion on the ship with a terrorist? Well, when Ziva visits him and she tries to get him to remember, by reminding him she killed Ari to save him I think he calls her Ziver just as he starts to remember, but I'm not sure. It makes sense though, don'tchya think? He has nicknames for all the other girls – Abs for Abby, Jen for Jenny, and Ziver for Ziva. Dunno bout Kate though lol. Anyways, good luck on your NCIS fic!
Bishonen'sFoxyMiko- Hahah, thanks! I always love hearing that! ^^ Lmao, I absolutely loved writing that part, it was so much fun! I was giggling like a madwoman all the way through! Sadly, they won't get to the ringleader just yet lol. Hmm, it has been a while since I updated my other NCIS x-overs, I need to get on that! Lol. Hoped you liked the chapter! Thank you again!
Bruder-aus-Osten-und-Westen- Hehe thank you! ^^ Lmao, no, I think it's safe to say I didn't kill off Kagome just yet! I love Tony too much to make him stay this depressed ;) Thank you again!
MagicalFuture- Awhh, thank you! :D I'm glad you liked this so much! Hope you liked the chapter!
Kakashixangela- hehe thanks! Hope you liked your dosage of Tony, and the little hint of what's to come concerning Kagome lol! ^^
janey-in-a-bottle- Lol, trust me when I say, you are not the first to say that. I didn't even think this x-over would work so well, to be honest. But, thank you so much! XD Lol, I think the only reason I'm doing such a good job is because the characters themselves are so much fun to write together. And I guess it helps that I'm a NCIS and Inuyasha junkie heheh ;) Hope you liked the new chapter! And hope to hear from you again! ^^