Secrets of the Hidden Temples by Creature of Shadow

Fate Is Set In Motion...

Secrets of the Hidden Temples.

DISCLAIMER: I Do Not Own Inuyasha, Or the other show that is tied in with this story, which I will have a disclaimer for at the end.

A/N: Ok, here's the first chapter to my newest story.(Obviously. ;D) I hope you like it, this will be a longer fic, so there is only so much going on in this chap. And also, this story is rated M for much later chapters. Anyway, enjoy!

Fate Is Set In Motion...

“A Great Evil will come against this land. In truth, it shall come onto all those who dwell upon the face of the whole earth. It will steal power and wreak havoc over the people and other creature's of the world, intent on taking all life for itself. Throughout these years, every period shall be accompanied by darkness, clashing in rivalry . Such are the laws of nature and balance. When you see the darkness growing in the world today, you will realize that this means there is equal light growing as well. Of all the people who have ever lived, in all the eras in history, she will be the one to broach the window of time during which the universe will bear witness to the ultimate conflict. The battle between absolute Dark, versus the most pure Light. The Evil will have countless numbers of youkai at its beckon call, the force of good will have the very elements on its side. On the eve of her nineteenth year, a sword of stars will appear in the night sky. Only those touched by this prophecy will be exposed to this phenomenon, and it will point the light to her only living aid. Though the stage is set, we are unable to predict who will emerge victorious. The flow of time is clouded in our vision, and it is unknown to us when this cataclysmic event will take place. You must hide the Light, in a time several eons from present so that she may grow enough to defend herself. The mother and her children may pass through the barrier, but the patriarch must remain behind to seal the portal until the Light is needed once again. Take heed and prepare, for the fate of the world lies with this child.”

♦♣♦

Two figures sat in darkness in a forest just outside a small village bordering the western lands.

“Is it done?” a female voice questioned her companion.

“It is. The elements have been locked away within the child.” a male voice responded. “You will need to leave soon, for the seals will only provide so much protection.”

The woman sighed sadly. “I know. Are the guardians in place?”

“They are.” he told her.

“Then I suppose it's time to go. Will I ever see you again?” she asked.

“I do not know, love. The sages were uncertain of the time it will take for the Great Evil to arise. That is one of the many reasons you must depart from this world.”

The woman sighed again, rubbing her hand over her protruding abdomen absently.

“I love you, my husband.”

“And I you. Be well, and keep our treasures safe.” he replied.

“I will. Goodbye.” she called as she floated down into the darkness.

“Goodbye.” he answered, deep longing lacing his voice.

**************Three Thousand Years In The Future**************

“I'll see you in a week, mom! Bye!” Kagome called to her mother as she raced to the well house.

“Goodbye, dear! Take care of yourself, and tell Inuyasha I said hello!” her mother called from the doorway.

“I will!” Kagome promised as she lept into the murky depths of the old well.

She sighed happily when she felt the familiar pull of magic grasp her form firmly, taking her back to her friends in the past. It had been three years since she had been forced five hundred years into the past by a nasty old centipede youkai. Three years of battling youkai, the evil hanyou Naraku, and dealing with Inuyasha' brashness.

Kagome smiled to herself, she loved every minute of it.

“What the hell took you so long, wench! You're late!” a familiar voice grumped at her when she landed on the soft dirt at the bottom of the well.

'Well, almost every minute.' Kagome thought wryly.

“Quit griping, and help me out of here will ya?” Kagome said. “And

I'm only a couple hours late, I slept in. I think I deserve a little extra sleep once in a while.” she added as Inuyasha yanked her out of the well.

“Keh, we ain't got time for you to be lazy!” Inuyasha scolded, following her down the path to the village. “In case you've forgotten, there are still jewel shards to find, and youkai to slay! Not to mention Naraku!”

Kagome rolled her eyes. “Have you found any new leads?” she asked.

“That's not the point!”

“Uhhuh, that's what I thought. Once again, you're in a rush to nowhere.”

“Keh, just shut up and keep walking.”

Kagome was about to respond when an orange blur launched itself into her arms.

“Kagome!”

“Hi Shippo!” Kagome said with a giggle.

“I missed you so much! Inuyasha's always extra mean when you're gone.” the little fox kit cried tragically.

“Shut it, runt! Nobody asked for your opinion!” Inuyasha snapped, winding up to bop Shippo on the head.

“Sit boy.” Kagome said calmly, continuing on to the village leaving the grumbling hanyou face first in the dirt.

Once they reached the village, Kagome smiled and waved to her feudal friends.

“Kagome, ye have returned.” Kaede stated, smiling.

“Welcome back Kagome.” Sango said with a wave of her own.

“Good to see you, Kagome. I trust your visit home went well?” Miroku greeted her.

“Yeah, I had a great time with my family. Though I totally bombed my math test.” Kagome replied, frowning slightly.

“You wouldn't have to worry about those test thingy's if you just stayed here with us, Kagome.” Shippo stated.

“Yeah, but I don't know if I'll be allowed to stay here once we complete the jewel, so I want to be prepared to live in my time just in case.” Kagome responded matter of factly.

“Understandable.” Miroku agreed.

“Where did Inuyasha get to?” Sango asked curiously.

“Kagome sat him into a crater, so he's probly back there pickin dirt out of his teeth, pouting.” Shippo said smugly.

“What did you say, shrimp?” Inuyasha growled, hauling Shippo up by the tail to glare at him.

“Waaah! Inuyasha you jerk! Lemme go!” Shippo cried, struggling to get away.

“Inuyasha...” Kagome started warningly. Just then, a familiar tingle tickled the edges of her senses. “Guys, I sense a jewel shard!”

“Which way?” Inuyasha asked, pausing long enough for Shippo to blast his face with a burst of his fox fire.

“Why you...!” Inuyasha yelled, starting after the kit.

“Inuyasha, the shard.” Kagome reminded him.

“Keh, which way?” he repeated.

“Seems like it's coming from the Eastern Mountains.” Kagome supplied.

“Well, what're we waitin for? Let's get going!” Inuyasha said, kneeling so Kagome could climb onto his back.

“Right!” Kagome replied.

Once Sango and Miroku seated themselves on Kirara's back, they headed for the gloomy looking mountain range. The group traveled without pause until dusk. They stopped in a clearing and began setting up camp. After dinner had been cooked and eaten, Kagome looked over and gestured pleasantly to Sango.

“I think I saw a hot spring not far from here, care to join me Sango?” she asked.

“Sure!” Sango replied.

“Can I come too?” Shippo pleaded.

“Of course Shippo!” Kagome said, patting his head affectionately.

“Women and their baths.” Inuyasha said, rolling his eyes after the girls had left.

“You know, bathing a little more frequently wouldn't hurt you either, Inuyasha. You're starting to smell a little ripe.” Miroku said wrinkling his nose. “I wouldn't mind taking a soak myself.” he added with a mischievous glint in his violet orbs.

“Keh, you just wanna go spy on them, ya pervert.” Inuyasha grunted sourly.

“Not true, my grumpy friend. I merely wish to ease this ache in my back. If the Kami's should happen to bless me with such a magnificent view, it is by their will, not mine.” Miroku replied defensively.

“Yeah right. Go ahead and go if you want. It's your funeral.” Inuyasha told him, jumping into a tree to rest.

“You're sure you don't want to join me?” Miroku drawled.

“Not on you're life, monk. I've been sat enough today.”

“As you wish.” Miroku said, following the trail of squashed grass the girls had left behind.

“Can you still feel the shard's presence, Kagome?” Sango asked, sitting on a rock across from the young miko.

“Yeah, I don't think it's really moved at all.” Kagome answered.

“That's fortunate. I wonder what sort of youkai has gotten it's claws on it this time.”

“Guess we'll have to wait and see. Though it is kind of strange that it hasn't gone tearing through the countryside yet.”

Sango regarded her for a moment. “Yeah, you're right. Most youkai would have demolished a village or two by now. Not that it's a bad thing it hasn't, but it's odd all the same.

“Guys, Miroku's coming. I can smell him, and he's not far.” Shippo informed them.

Sango sighed. “He'll never change.”

“Don't give up hope yet, Sango. I'm sure he'll grow out of it eventually. But until then, how about we mess with him a little bit?” Kagome said devilishly.

Sango shared a quick look with Shippo, before both raised their eyes to Kagome and nodded. “We're in!” they replied in unison.

“Ok, so here's what we'll do...”

Moments later, Miroku quietly hid behind a large oak tree bordering the hot spring, waiting for the most opportune moment to sneak a peak at the maidens bathing.

“Miroku, oh Miroku! Won't you come join us?” Sango's voice ghosted down seductively to his ears.

“We'll wash your back, if you wash ours.” Kagome's voice whispered sensually.

Miroku's eyes widened noticably. Muttering a quick prayer of thanks to Buddha, he quickly spun around ran stepped into the warm water, trying to tear his robes from his body as fast as possible.

Naked as the day he was born, Miroku stood with his arms spread wide. “Alright ladies, shall we...Gaaaaah!”

There was indeed another someone in the springs with him, though it was by no means the ones he had been looking for. Before him standing in calf-deep water was the wrinkliest, fatest old man he had ever had the displeasure of laying his eyes on.

“Ack! What do you think you are doing, young man! Don't you know it's rude to intrude upon someone bathing?” the old fat man chided. He paused, and looked the shuddering monk up and down slowly. “Though I suppose we could share. Tell me, young monk, can you scrub my backside for me? I just can't seem to reach.” he added with a suggestive waggle of his eyebrows.

“Aaaah! So sorry, didn't mean to interrupt you, old man. Good day!” Miroku cried, grabbing his discarded clothing and running for camp as fast as his legs would take him.

The fat man smirked, then a 'pop' sound was heard and the old man was replaced by a chuckling Shippo.

Kagome and Sango jumped down from the rock they had been perched atop of, laughing hysterically.

“Great job Shippo!” Kagome praised between fits of laughter.

“Yeah, you got him good! That'll teach him to spy on people bathing!” Sango cheered.

“At least for awhile.” Kagome chirped.

“I really fooled him, didn't I?” Shippo said proudly.

“You sure did, kiddo!” Kagome told him with a hug. “Now let's get back to camp and see how our dear friend is doing.”

When they arrived back at the clearing, Miroku was trembling against the base of a tree, holding his knees to his chest.

“Why Miroku, what ever's the matter?” Sango asked sweetly.

“I don't want to talk about it.” Miroku said in a horrified tone.

The threesome laughed again, and settled down for the night to sleep. The next morning went normally. The group got up, ate a quick breakfast, and continued on their journey. By mid-afternoon, they reached the base of the mountain.

“The shard is very close, I think it's over there.” Kagome said, pointing to a vine covered path.

“Let's go then, I ain't got all day.” Inuyasha replied, brandishing his claws to clear the way.

About a mile and a half later, the group reached what looked like a sheer face of the mountain.

“It appears we've hit a dead end.” Miroku observed.

“But I can feel the shard right through there!” Kagome protested, pointing at the solid looking wall.

“She's right, there's something back there. I can smell it.” Inuyasha agreed. He walked up to the wall, and sliced through the vegetation hanging thickly from the stone. The greenery fell with a thud, revealing a cave entrance.

“Ha, I knew it!” Kagome said triumphantly.

“Indeed. Shall we?” Miroku replied, walking into the dimly lit opening.

Inside the cave, they came face to face with a huge temple built into the rock of the cave wall.

“Whoa.” Kagome said in awe.

“It's incredible, and it looks as if no one has been here in centuries.” Sango remarked.

“Is the shard here somewhere, Kagome?” Inuyasha asked.

“Yeah, I think it's inside.” she replied.

Inuyasha nodded, and started for the large wooden doors in front of the temple. Before he reached them, however, the doors blew out, followed by a large rock which landed directly on top of the hanyou's gut.

“Argh! What the hell?! Get this thing off me!” he growled agitatedly.

“Who dares disturb my peace?” a deep, rumbling voice demanded from the shadowed doorway.

“Who's there?” Miroku questioned the mysterious voice.

A giant man resembling a boulder stepped out of the doorway into the light. “I am Ishi, guardian of this sacred temple. State your purpose, intruders.” he ordered.

“We are searching for a shard of the Shikon jewel. We believe it to be somewhere in your temple, good sir.” Miroku informed in politely.

The giant was about to respond when Kagome stepped up to Miroku's side tentatively. Ishi stared at her, for a moment, before inclining his head towards her.

“So, you have finally come.” he stated.

“Huh? Do you know me? ” Kagome asked, completely confused.

“I have been awaiting your arrival for centuries, young one. Though I must admit I am slightly disappointed by your small stature, and your demeanor. One such as yourself should stand tall and confident, not cower in uncertainty and fear.” Ishi told her.

“Hey! I am not cowering, I'm just a little nervous. It's not every day I run into a giant rock creature, ya know! And I have no idea who you are or what you're talking about!” she cried indignantly.

Ishi regarded her for a moment, mulling her words over in his head. “So I have the honor of being your first , then.” he said.

“First what? What are you talking about?”

“You must defeat me in battle, after you have completed that task, I shall explain.” Ishi told her cryptically.

“I'm your only opponent boulder brain!” Inuyasha shouted, finally freeing himself from beneath the stone. “You leave Kagome out of this!”

Ishi turned to the hanyou irritably. “Silence fool. I have no business with you.” he said, stomping on the ground with one foot. For a split second, it appeared nothing had happened, but the next, the stone Inuyasha had just been trapped under flew into the air to smack into the side of the hanyou's head with stunning force, effectively knocking him out cold.

Ishi focused on the rest of the group. “Keep your distance, this fight is between me and the girl.” he told them. “Trust that I will not harm her.”

Sango and Miroku glanced apprehensively back and forth between themselves and Kagome, but reluctantly steeped back.

“Why me?” Kagome asked the giant.

“It has always been you, my dear. Your destiny starts here, now fight!” Ishi shouted, stomping again on the ground sending a storm of small rocks flying at the girl.

Kagome yelped, and barely managed to dodge the rain of stones. She had no time to relax, as another stream of gravel came barreling down on her. Shooting arrow after arrow wildly, she desperately tried to hit the giant. Missing once again, she jumped away from the new onslaught of earth. She didn't know how long she had been avoiding the swarm of detached terrain being casually thrown at her by the strange creature, but she was getting tired. She rolled out of the way of yet another large boulder. Standing quickly, she pulled out her bow, and fired her last arrow directly at the heart of her opponent. Catching him by surprise, the glowing shaft hit the mark dead on.

Instead of disappearing into a pile of ash, Ishi merely relaxed his stance and smiled at her.

“Well done, young one, but you used much energy to conquer such a simple feat. But, I yield, you have won.” he half congratulated, half scolded her.

The world around Kagome was spinning. She had indeed used a lot of energy dodging his attacks, and promptly passed out.

Ishi caught the woman's tiny form before she hit the ground, and held her gently.

“Rest easy, young one. You have much to learn, and a short time to learn it. Let the world, however, rejoice, for the Avatar has finally returned.”

A/N: I Do Not Own Avatar: The Last Air Bender either!!!! Anyway, here it is. The next chap. Should be up soon! Please read and review! Thanx!

CoS