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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;

He put in all that he felt when he saw, felt the explosion; the shock and surprise, the foreboding despair…

The emotions that flooded him like a tsunami when he couldn't find her… her body… and came to the horrifying conclusion that she was… that she was…; the loss that rushed at him, the anguish…

And then, the overpowering feeling she felt as reality sunk in… the urge that bubbled up in him to find her killer and conduct the most slow, painful, excruciating way to end. Their. Life; the anger, the fury…

…He put everything and anything in to it...

It was amazing how you can convert thoughts in to a simple thing such as a kiss.

Then again, this wasn't just any simple kiss…

—Questions, Questions, and More Questions—

They pulled away slowly when the need for air became imperative, breathing heavily, but remained embracing. Tony leaned forward, resting his forehead on Kagome's. They just stood there, staring into each other's eyes silently.

It seemed like an eternity before Tony broke it. "Go out with me," he asked breathlessly.

Kagome stiffened, eyes widening in surprise and reality came crashing down. As if sensing it, Tony became rigid as well, nervous.

"Did you just-?" Kagome mumbled in disbelief, not expecting that, or at least not so soon. She really should have though, with all those moments between them and the 'almost' kisses, not to forget the their kiss just a few seconds ago.

There was something bubbling between them, she knew it, but what exactly she wasn't sure yet.

Once more uncertainty clouded her mind, Ziva's comments from so long ago, of his flippancy when it came to women, came to light unbidden - flooding her, taunting her.

Then, of course, doubt filled her mind. The last time she really risked it, was with Inuyasha. And look how that turned out? This time she knew what she was getting herself into, so should she? She didn't want a fling, not this time, not with him.

But the question is - would it be different with her?

At that, she mentally scoffed. Why would it be different with her? She wasn't really anything special – Kami knew she was told so, many times over.

"Go out with me," Tony repeated, this time with less confidence. He looked at her and saw the hidden insecurity in her eyes, the hesitation, and he went for the pout. "Just one date?" he tried compromising. "No strings attached," he assured her, albeit reluctantly.

The reassurance did the trick. Kagome relaxed slightly.

One date was not that big of a deal, not at all. Nothing had to come out with it.

Mustering a bright smile, she nodded. "Yeah..." she murmured softly, her smile widening as a relieved grin found its way to his face. "What the heck," and she winked at him playfully.

Tony let out a little breathy laugh. "For a minute there, I thought you were gonna say no..." he murmured, his arms tightening around her.

Kagome shook her head at him amusedly.

He didn't see how her smile faltered slightly when he looked away.

—o—o—o—o—

The next day, Kagome and Shippo led Gibbs, Tony, and Ziva down a darkened hallway, the silence so overwhelming it vamped up their nerves.

Feeling the undeniable urge to whisper, Tony spoke in a low voice. "Where the hell are we?"

Shippo snickered at the anxiety in his voice, and Kagome elbowed the fox none too gently. "We're underground, obviously." Kagome answered wryly.

Gibbs snorted, shaking his head. He spoke instead, in an attempt to prevent any bickering from the 'children'. "We're in an underground tunnel, leading to wherever they're taking us DiNozzo," he said calmly.

Tony eyed the shadowed place warily. "Is it safe?" he inquired, face showing his skepticism.

Ziva, having already inspected the tunnel, answered matter-of-factly. "It is unusually clean for a tunnel underground. There are no puddles, so there are no leaks. We can breathe fine, so it is sufficiently ventilated. There is no pungent smell either," she remarked, curious.

Tony sent her a side long glance that was nothing but incredulous. "Ninjas..." he muttered under his breath.

Shippo grinned, hearing him while the others didn't. "Actually, you're right about that, DiNozzo." he said cheerily. "Ziva would make a very fine addition to our Ninja ranks..." his tone suggested he was speaking of something other than her actual skill...

Ziva's hand inched towards her Sig. "Kagome? You distinctly said that bullets cannot kill demons, correct?" she asked her friend sharply.

Seeing where this was going, Kagome smirked a little. "Yes, I did. But it hurts like a complete bitch though..." Amusement crept into her tone. "Especially when we have to remove them - if it isn't done in time, the skin heals over it, sealing it inside. Then it has to be surgically removed..." she went on nonchalantly.

A wicked gleam entered Ziva's eyes as she swiftly stepped in front of Shippo, halting him. "Permission to shoot, Gibbs?" She already had her gun put and pointed at Shippo, specifically his lower frontal region.

Shippo froze, his face paled. He shot Kagome a desperate, pleading glance.

Gibbs snorted, "No, it'll take too much time too dig it out of him."

Ziva's lips twisted in a coy smirk, "Who said we'd be digging it out of him...?"

Shippo 'eeped' like a little girl and scurried around the Israeli to hide behind Kagome, who snickered with glee. "Help me," he squeaked pleadingly.

Tony stared at him blankly. "You're a demon, and yet you're hiding from a human woman, behind another human woman..." he drawled out in disbelief.

Shippo shot him a sharp glare. "Demon or not, I'm still a male. Would you like to dig a bullet out of your family jewels?" he shot back and watched as Tony's face twisted in horror at the idea. "Yeah, I didn't think so."

Kagome snorted, shoving Shippo off of her. "Grow up, and keep moving kids," she commanded.

Ziva snickered wickedly as she walked by Shippo, tossing an evil glance at his 'family jewels' as her fingers casually tapped along her gun.

Shippo wisely took a step back, hands covering himself.

Gibbs let out an exasperated sigh at them, tinged with semi-disgust.

The group continued to walk down the tunnel until they reached the door.

Tony and Ziva were the only ones who gazed at the large metal door with a mix of apprehension, confusion, and curiosity. Gibbs, who already had seen it, stared indifferently as the last two watched the others with amusement.

"This is it," Kagome murmured, smirking as the two turned to stare at her skeptically.

Ziva looked back at the door, eyebrow raised as she studied the lock. "When you said we were going to your base, I admit I expected something more... advanced and formidable..." she commented slowly.

Tony snorted. "Basically, it looks like a regular door, with a weird couple of locks. Figured you might use something more secure."

Kagome crossed her arms. "Oh yeah?" she mused, voice sly. "You try picking the locks on that door..." she remarked casually. "You won't find yourselves very lucky..." Her voice was confident at this.

Ziva let out a hum as she studied the locks more closely. "True, this is an unconventional type of lock. I have never seen one in my life..." she admitted. "How does it work?"

Shippo grinned over at Kagome. "Would you like to do the honors?"

Kagome rolled her eyes playfully and moved forward, the other backing away to make room. "All I have to do is this." With that, she slipped her fingers in one of the locks.

As Tony and Ziva shared a weird look, Gibbs smirked wryly at them.

Of course, the weird looks halted once Kagome's hand began glowing blue as she twisted the lock.

Kagome and Shippo shared a grin at the pair's astonished faces as the doors parted open, revealing another even heavier duty door which soon parted between the top and bottom.

"The locks have a kind of scanner, I guess you could say. Anyone who wants to enter here has to have a energy signature," Shippo happily explained. "The lock has to recognize it for it to turn, so no one unauthorized can infiltrate it."

Comprehension dawned on the pairs faces and they were led in.

Tony blinked repeatedly, awe sketched across his face as he gazed around the warehouse, which was a stark difference than out in the tunnels. People were everywhere, and everything looked advanced and organized. "Toto, we aren't in Kansas anymore."

Ziva, who happened to be walking beside him, twitched. "Am I supposed to assume that Iam Toto?" she asked, a strange note in her voice.

Oblivious, DiNozzo snorted. "Well, it's definitely not gonna be Gibbs," he scoffed at thought.

Overhearing them, Shippo and Kagome gave each other a look, before shrugging in a agreement.

Ziva however took it a bit more personally. "Are you calling me a bitch?"

Tony froze. "No!" he said automatically, whirling on her with incredulous eyes. "Where'd you get that from?"

Ziva merely glared at him. "You called me a dog." she said accusingly.

Shippo began snickering.

As they rounded a corner, Inuyasha greeted them in all his demonic glory. "'Bout time you got here," he mumbled gruffly, turning on his heels to lead them towards the interrogation rooms. "We got them all ready – which one first?"

Before anyone could answer, Gibbs spoke. "Who's gonna be doing the interrogating?"

Kagome, Shippo, and Inuyasha shared a look. Sighing in reluctance, Inuyasha spoke. "Guess you can take the human mole. He ain't the one of the ones I trained, so it don't really matter to me."

Gibbs nodded, satisfied he wouldn't just be watching today.

"Shippo and I will take Raito though," Kagome murmured thoughtfully. "Though, it would be better if you go in there alone first – maybe I can spook him or something," she mused impishly, sharing a sly look with Shippo.

An evil smirk crossed the kitsune's face. "This is gonna be fun."

"What about the other one? The demon you caught a week ago in the alleys?" Ziva inquired.

Shippo shrugged. "Not much of a talker – not in human tongue anyways. Only Inuyasha and I can understand him fully," he explained. "We'll wait till later for that one."

"Then which one first?" Tony wondered.

Kagome tilted her head thoughtfully. "Raito. The human might get nervous after sitting there for so long," she mused.

With that decided, they made their way towards Raito.

—o—o—o—o—

From behind the reinforced screen in the observation room, the group watched as Shippo loudly entered the other room.

Raito jumped as the door banged open and slammed close.

Within a flash, Shippo zipped across the room and grabbed the puppet demon, swinging him into the wall. He leaned in close, almost nose to nose, a fierce look on his face. "I want answers," he stated with a quiet calm with a deadly edge. "And I want them now."

Raito, whose wounds were still not fully healed thanks to a lovely concoction that slowed down demon healing, gave a soft agonized groan. Once the pain had ebbed away, Raito glared at Shippo through pain lidded eyes. "Bite me," he spat.

Shippo bared his sharp to a point fangs in a silent snarl. "Oh, don't tempt me. I'll drag your ass to a bigger cell, pin you down with one paw and rip your goddamn head off in a millisecond. I'll take pleasure in feasting on your heart," he drawled out with a crazy glint in his eyes.

In the observation room, Gibbs slowly raised an eyebrow as Tony and Ziva stared in morbid fascination.

Inuyasha snorted while Kagome's lips twitched into a smirk. "Shippo has a... unique imagination," she phrased delicately.

Tony quickly shot her a glance before turning back to the show, not wanting to miss anything. "So the 'feasting' thing? He wasn't serious, right?" His voice expressed his uncertainty.

Kagome only gave a mysterious smile and a little shrug. "Eh."

Tony slowly turned to look back at her, eyes filled with disbelief. Even Ziva took her eyes off the pair in the other room to stare.

Kagome waved it off like no big deal. "Oh, don't worry. From what I hear, human's aren't really known for their taste – a little too bland or something," she went on with a straight face.

Inuyasha snorted, rolling his eyes. "There's only one kind of eating involved where Shippo's concerned, human or demon, and it sure as hell ain't the kind you're thinking about," he muttered under his breath, nose crinkled in disgust.

Ziva couldn't help it - she snickered, obviously getting it. It took a moment for Tony to understand, and when he did, he snorted, chuckling under his breath. Gibbs on the other hand wasn't amused, and ignored them in favor of observing the interrogation.

Though if you looked closely, there was a hint of exasperation in his gaze.

Kagome's face turned a suspicious shade of green and she gagged, throwing Inuyasha an astonished look and whacking him across the arm. "That's disgusting! I didn't not need to hear that!" she exclaimed.

Inuyasha twitched and glared at her. 'feh'ing. "Ain't my fault he spent so much time with the letch."

Kagome only breathed out a insufferable groan as they turned they attention back to the interrogation before them.

Shippo was stalking a circle around Raito, his face taking on predatory features. "There are only two ways this will go down – easy if you tell me, and hard if I have to force you." He bared his elongated fangs at him. "Personally, I'm hoping for the latter," he said in a soft, menacing voice.

Raito's face twisted into an ugly scowl. "You won't get anything out of me traitor," he spat. "How can you call yourself youkai? No self-respecting demon would lower themselves to play slave to mere humans!" Raito sneered. "And to a miko no less – our worst enemy. You're disgusting! You deserve to be put down like the little pet you are!" he raged, shouting now.

Shippo just grinned all the way through it. "I dunno – I'm always up for a little role-playing. Being a slave – sounds pretty kinky," he said nonchalantly, waggling his eyebrows. "But I guess you wouldn't know – humans happen to be much more responsive than demonesses," he murmured suggestively, but as his eyes scanned the puppet demon before him, he let out a mocking tsk. "Such a loss, but oh well," he said, shrugging.

The look on Raito's face was absolutely priceless as it was murderous.

Ziva grinned. Tony couldn't help the strangled sniggering, his shoulders shook and they slipped out from behind his hand. Kagome choked and Inuyasha let out an exasperated growl.

Even Gibbs had to smirk.

Raito jerked in his bonds, snarling ferociously. "You're a disgrace!" he snapped. "A disgusting, dishonorable stain on all youkai society! I should kill you where you stand!"

Shippo gave him a shit-eating grin. "Yeah, you tried that earlier – remember? Failed rather epically too," he taunted, eyes dancing wickedly.

Raito snorted, and sneered at the kitsune. "Yeah but you weren't so tough when I had my claws on that little human. I wonder what would have happened – what would you have done, had I been able to slice my claws through her slim, delicate little throat?" he breathed out, voice a soft, taunting whisper. "If I could have killed her, and made you watch, unable to do one single thing to save her..."

The reaction was exactly what he was going for.

Shippo's eyes flashed dangerously, pupil retracting into slits. They flickered between the usual green to red, and an air seemed to pick up in the room. "I would have dislocated all of your joints – tied you to the trunk of a tree, and spend the rest of your miserable life wishing you were never spawned. I would have severed each and every one of you fingers and toes. I would have used my bare hands to carve into your skin, before ripping you apart, piece by fucking piece. And if, if, you were still alive, I would leave you in that forest, and bring wolves to feast on you – whilst you are alive."

The words were spoken quietly and with care – deliberate and powerful. It held not a threat, but a promise.

Raito was white, and trembling slightly, unable to anything but imagine it. But eventually, he smirked.

However, as if like a switch, Shippo relaxed, and back came his shit-eating grin. "But I didn't, and you want to know why? Because that little human woman knifed your 'mighty' demon ass. She took you down like a pro. It's because of her that you're here sitting in this cell, all weak and powerless. A disgrace to what you used to be." Shippo smirked darkly now, and gave a sadistic little chuckle. "Soon, I'll have you on your knees, begging for mercy that won't be given."

Raito didn't expect that. Fury flashed in his eyes and they bled a wild red. "Say that again! I'll kill you!"

"You'll have to get by me first," Kagome announced as she threw open the door, the room reverberating as it slammed against the wall. She strolled into the interrogation room, sending out a flare of miko-ki, shocking the demon so much it leapt into the corner, backed up into a defensive position.

Kagome smirked. "Scared?" she said mockingly. "It's lovely to see you too, Raito-chan."

The demon's eyes widened comically. "Y-you're supposed to be dead!" he exclaimed, fear openly shining in his eyes.

Kagome's smirk only widened. "Gotta do better than blowing me up to put me down. Takes a lot more – trust me." Her eyes flickered to Shippo, and she shot him a mock-disappointed look. "There's a saying – you shouldn't play with your food," Kagome intoned, reprimanding.

Shippo only pouted. "But it's so much fun," he fake whined.

Kagome rolled her eyes, letting out a pained sigh before settling her stare on the puppet demon in the corner. She stalked toward him, eyes growing cold, face becoming impassive. "Now, if you're not going to talk to us..." she trailed off suggestively.

Despite his pale face, Raito managed to do a half-assed sneer. "Why makes you think I would?" he jeered.

But Kagome merely smiled – however, this smile was devilish, bordering sadistic really. "Oh, I didn't," she murmured in amusement. "I was just making sure," she continued, stepping closer to her.

Raito tried pressing himself further against the wall, apprehensive and fearfully. He didn't like the look on her face one bit...

"Tell me," Kagome began nonchalantly. "Do you know what purification feels like?"

Raito's eyes widened minutely, tensing, but he remained silent.

"I was curious, you know," Kagome went on, as if she didn't notice. Shippo grinned rather crazily as he moved towards the table, pulling on a chair and turning it around, sitting on it backwards and leaning against the back, eager to enjoy the show about to start.

"So I asked a demon friend of my, who happened to gotten on the wrong side of a miko, you know, back in the day," she told him. "You know what he said?" Kagome asked, peering at Raito disarmingly.

Raito merely glared at her – it was the safest thing he could do at the moment, considering the topic of conversation, and the fact a miko was in the same room at him.

"Oh, what am I saying, of course you don't," Kagome mused, smiling serenely to herself. "I'll tell you – he said it was like being burned from the inside out. It starts small, like boiling – right under the skin. But then, like a thousand needles, the pain it a hot, white kind, getting hotter and hotter with each passing second. You get a feeling like your blood is boiling, and you want to start clawing at your skin – but it happens so fast you never get a chance."

Kagome looked up at Raito, taking in his even paler face and shaking form. "It's not actually your blood being burned, you know? Well, not only at least. It's your soul too – the energy attacks your soul, tearing at it, trying to destroy every bit of it," she told him rather calmly, like she was talking about the weather – not how it feels for a demon to die via purification.

Kagome took a step closer, watching as Raito's pupils drew into slits with each step. "Are you curious?" Kagome taunted in a breathy, dark whisper. "Would you like to find out what it's like?" she wondered, and she reached out, hand glowing.

Raito turned his face away as he hand came closer, flinching as he felt the pulsing waves of her power.

"I don't mind showing you," Kagome told him seriously. "You tried killing me – you tried killing my friends. Something I really don't appreciate." Her tone was turning dark, angry. "And, you called me names," she snarled, slamming the glowing hand right next to his face, fingers splayed against the wall. "If there's one thing I don't like – it's people calling me something other than my name," she growled harshly.

Behind the glass, the three non-demons were watching in rapt fascination, as well as concern and shock.

Inuyasha, however, was used to it. "She really doesn't," he muttered darkly, bringing his hand up to his neck, as if remembering. He even shuddered, thinking back to way back when.

Mentally, Tony was taking notes.

One, do not call Kagome any names. Castration is possible.

Two, do not, under any circumstances, really piss Kagome off. She is scary, and death is inevitable.

Ziva and Gibbs though? Well, Ziva was mentally jotting down tips for her to use in future interrogation.

Gibbs would admit, he was pretty damned impressed. For such a small, nice woman, she could be damn intimidating if she wanted...

"Now," Kagome bit out. "You're going to tell me everything I want to know. Who are you working for? Why are you killing marines?

"Look, I don't know – I don't know any of that!" he growled quietly. "I was never told – neither was Tai. Rei – he was the one who contacted us. He told us there was someone – someone powerful – rising from the ranks." Raito's voice dropped down to a whisper, ominous and heavy. "They want to take back control – they don't want to have to hide from humans anymore, and they're trying to get anyone who feels the same to join in. I never touched those humans – marines. I have no idea why they want those marines dead. My job was only to help in recruiting or communications, and to be ready."

Kagome and Shippo stiffened at that. "For what?" she asked quietly.

His eyes swiveled to meet hers, and a dark smirk took place on his face. "For the opposition to be taken out," he said as if it was obvious.

"For youand all those working with you, to be taken out, so we can have free reign to do whatever we please." Raito's smirk widened in sadistic glee and he leaned forward. "They're gonna get you – they're gonna run this organization of yours into the ground. And let me tell you this – now that you're alive, I'm sure something very special will be planned for you."

The leer in his expression was undeniable, and it was obvious what he meant by that.

Shippo and Inuyasha broke out into threatening growls, and the humans of the group tensed, glaring.

Tony himself was glaring holes into the glare, fists clenching to the point of pain.

Kagome's eyes flashed at the Raito, and it was as if she moved with demonic speed. She shot forward and grabbed the man, jerking him roughly. "Shut your trap you sick fuck," she snarled under her breath.

The air in the room shifted, as if charged.

Said 'sick fuck' snarled at her, baring sharp fangs. "Go to hell bitch!" he snapped, tense.

Kagome just scoffed. "Been there, done that. Really isn't all what they say it is. A little hot, sure, but there's nothing to do there," she retorted nonchalantly, and with that, she spun on her heel and stalked out.

She opened the door, gesturing for Shippo to go through, parting with a few more words. "Enjoy your time in the cells – and remember, don't drop the soap. You are charged with treason and conspiracy and will be stripped of your demonic abilities. Do enjoy your time in jail." She chirped, before slamming the door on her way out.

Gibbs snorted in amusement.

—o—o—o—o—

The moment Kagome shut the door behind her, was the moment her smile dropped in favor for a more severe, serious expression.

Shippo's face held the same emotions hers did. "Not what you expected, hm?"

Kagome shook her head, jaw clenching. "No – this is... I never expected for it to be so advanced and complicated. How did we miss this?" Her voice dropped into a whisper, frustration clear in her tone.

Shippo sighed, leaning back into the wall and sagging against it. "This person – they're smart, careful, and powerful. He knows how the game works and how to cover his tracks."

"A dangerous combination..." Kagome muttered.

Shippo nodded. "We need to act quick."

"Damage control, huh?" Inuyasha said, stepping out from the observation room. "Figure we need to call in the cavalry?"

Kagome's eyes narrowed, ignoring Tony's furrowed eyebrows and silent mouthing of 'cavalry?'. She shook her head. "No, not yet. This is deeper than we expected, but the information still sketchy. We need more information before that – they'll never go for something so slim anyways. We can still handle this." She sighed tiredly, running a ragged hand through her hair.

"Reconnaissance?" Shippo murmured knowingly.

Kagome nodded, eyes darkening. "I have a feeling about this warehouse. We'll find answers in this one."

Tony snorted. "Or get blown up again in the process..." he muttered under his breath.

Even Ziva couldn't disagree with that.

Inuyasha growled. "No one's asking you to tag along," he snapped, irritated. "You humans are too fragile anyways..." he grunted under his breath.

Tony glared at him, before sending a sharp stare in Kagome's direction. "Does that mean you too? I won't argue with that," he remarked with a shrug.

Kagome's eyes narrowed at him, and she stepped forward, placing a placating hand on Inuyasha's shoulder, calming his growls. "I'm going," she said steadily, leaving no room for argument.

Tony matched her even gaze with one of his own. "Then I'm going to."

They stared at each other, a thick silence settling between them.

That is, until Shippo grinned widely and clapped eagerly. "Alright then, field trip scheduled for tomorrow night. Awesome!" he exclaimed, winking at Ziva when she gave him a rankled glare. "Don't worry sweetheart, you can hold my hand if you get too scared."

A smirk cracked Kagome's impassive mask, and she shook her head in wry amusement. "C'mon Shippo, we got another interrogation to do and we don't have the time to dig out bullets if Ziva does shoot you..." she muttered, beginning to walk. "You're up Gibbs," she called out.

Gibbs, who was observing this all with sharp eyes, alert ears, and eyebrows raised, actually smirked at that.

"So," Ziva murmured, quickly stepping up to catch up with Kagome. "Are you worried? Do you think they have a chance?" she questioned, curious as they walked down the hall.

Kagome's stride faltered at the questions, and she looked over at her friend, a small, pensive frown on her face. "Those are two very different questions," she murmured, sighing.

Ziva only waited, a patient eyebrow raised in question.

"I'd be stupid if I wasn't worried," Kagome admitted, knowing the rest were listening in. "Humans and demons – they can't knowingly get along. It just isn't possible," she said, trying to explain.

Ziva nodded knowingly. "People fear what they do not know. Not everyone has an open mind."

Kagome nodded deeply. "Exactly. Hundred of years ago, demons ruled over humans. They held the titles of Lord and Lady, and ruled over humans with either their power or mind. There were those who ruled in fairness and kindness – but there were also those that did so with cruelty and force. Soon, humans began to advance, technology came into play, and they no longer wanted to remain under the demon's rule."

"They rebelled," Gibbs put in knowingly.

"Mhm," Kagome murmured in agreement. "The two sides clashed. Humans were finally on equal grounds as demons. Not even a demon can escape or outrun the damaging effects of a tank, or heaven forbid, a nuclear bomb, save a select, very powerful, few. Population also factored in heavily – as there were much more humans than demons."

Soon, they reached their destination, and Kagome paused before the door leading to the observation room to finish her story.

"Demons almost went extinct because they fought for their presence to remain known – because they wanted to rule over humans. Eventually, demons realized they were fighting a losing battle and that the only way to survive was to blend in with the crowd. This way, no one is trying to rule over everyone – it's safer, and demons are no longer on the brink of extinction."

Kagome looked up, her gaze locking with Shippo's and Inuyasha's own haunted gaze. So many were lost over the centuries...

"I'm worried to death – if word of demons get out again, it'll be World War III," she murmured wearily, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Do I think they'd be able to pull this off?" she asked rhetorically, now pulling the door open. "I honestly don't know – it depends on who the leader is, and if he's calculative enough. And from what we can see so far, they have a damn good chance of pulling it off," she admitted solemnly, stepping into the room, leaving them to think on that.

"Let's just hope it doesn't come to that," Inuyasha murmured quietly, Shippo nodding with him.

"Not after all we've done to come back from it..."

—o—o—o—o—

"Gibbs?"

Said man strode into the interrogation room with his head held high and strong, looking down at the other man with something akin to disappointment. "Stallins," he murmured, shaking his head.

Greg A. Stallins was a man of average height, tanned, with light brown hair and brown eyes and dressed simply.

Greg Stallins wasn't the type of man you looked twice at if you saw him passing the street.

It was exactly how the organization wanted it. The less attention you get, the more you blend in and get information.

Unfortunately, it backfired on them.

"You work with – them?" the man sputtered incredulously.

Gibbs halted at his seat across the table from Stallins. He waited for a moment, as if giving it some thought, before nodding slowly. "It seems that I am..."

"All this time?" Stallins went on, paling.

Gibbs only gave a noncommittal shrug, making those behind the mirror snort. "Why did you do it, Stallins?" he asked instead, head tilted to the side in curiosity. "Why the betrayal?"

They two men stared at each other, silence settling between them, heavy with tension, until Stallins suddenly cracked.

"You don't understand, Gibbs," he moaned, hands reaching up to grip his head.

Gibbs merely shrugged, and pulled out the chair to sit in. He took a moment to settle in and lean back, relaxed. "Then help me to," he said as if it was so simple.

Inuyasha, Shippo, and Kagome blinked in obvious astonishment.

Tony smirked and Ziva let out a soft laugh under her breath. "And no, ladies and gentlemen, it is not merely a fluke. This happens more often than you'd think..."

The three demon savvy adults shared a look. "You think he has some latent demon blood in him?" Shippo said, joking.

Kagome snorted in amusement and Tony laughed at that. "You know, it wouldn't be much of a surprise. His stare alone has power, I swear," Tony chuckled wryly.

"I know... I know it was a bad idea – it was wrong. But... I couldn't..." Stallins sighed tiredly, rubbing a ragged hand against his face. "It was just too good of a deal to pass up," he muttered, pounding the table in frustration.

"Ah," Gibbs murmured, nodding knowingly. "And you didn't," he said, as if it was okay.

Stallins nodded, looking at him pleadingly. "Would you?"

Gibbs head slowly came to a stop, and his ice blue gaze hardened and narrowed into a freezing glare. "Yes, I would," he said, quietly but no less harshly. "People died – good people. People who were willing to sacrifice their life for this country, and came home only to be murdered on their own soil, where they should have been protected," he stated, voice slipping lower and lower, disgust and anger seeping into his tone.

Gibbs pinned him with a stony glare. "And you helped them," he went on, voice accusing. "And what for? Money? A cop's salary not good enough for you?" He scoffed, shaking his head in disappointment when it became clear he hit it right on the mark by Stallins guilty face.

"My children... the economy is going down the toilet Gibbs, and it's only going to sink further. There's no way I can put three kids through college and not struggle after – even with the incentives they give..."

In the other room, Inuyasha growled in frustration and Kagome shut her eyes, sighing. "All he had to do was ask... We could have worked out something..." she muttered darkly.

"Tell me what you know – what you told them, who you told," Gibbs told Stallins. Even he could be sympathetic to him, worrying so much about his children's future, even if it didn't justify what he did. "Make it right. Don't let those marines, and everyone else die in vain," he said persuasively.

It was hook, line, and sinker as Stallins' shoulders sagged and gave in.

Words- 5,599

dum, dum, duuummm!

Lol. Dramatic hmm? I know, I know, after such a wired interrogation with Kagome, Shippo, and Raito – Gibbs strolls in and takes charge, barely breaking a sweat breaking the mole lol. Dunno, I thought it was fitting. And, le gasp, not everything is well in Kagome and Tony paradise lol. What ever will happen? Why is Kagome so very reluctant?

Find out next time, and Reality and Truth ;D

Anyways, tell me your thoughts! ;) Hope you all enjoyed your Christmas/Holiday present ^^ And hope your holidays are a grand, spanking happy one! XD

Till next time all!

-RainLily^^

—Reviews—

Well, damn. I haven't had this many reviews in a while hahahh! Thank you so much for the amazing (and hilarious) feedback! Sorry if it was lagging, with all that filler and all.

Again, thank you SO much! You all ROCK! XD

A big huge honking thanks to these awesome reviewers!

maxeyn, SweetHunniiBunnii, MoonPrincess1989, Bruder-aus-Osten-und-Westen, kakashixangela, VB, jesswolf22, Kira Kyuu, rachel, Shado Kitsune, Azumigurl, MiyukiSun, fierynightangel, Kagome pairing, strawberryshinobi, ForgottenOncePromised

Pissed Off Irish Chick- Lol, definitely more speed bumps ;)

Bishonen'sFoxyMiko- Hehehe! ^^ Thanks! Awh, shucks, I forgot about Ducky! I'll see if I can manage adding him in the next chappy lol! Thanks again and Merry Christmas! XD

ShiTsukisama- Lol, Sesshomaru would totally go berserk if he found out – most likely due to the fact that he wasn't ever told about anything. Lmaoooo! Hmm, well, they'll get to the 'getting down and dirty' bit eventually, but until then (and sorry! ^^;) it'll be sexual frustration galore lmaoo! Hope you liked the chappy! Happy Holidays! ^^

Valleygoat- Lmaoo! Haha, they'd never hear the end of it from Shippo if he was the one walking in on them haha! And thanks! ^^ Hope you liked the chapter! ;) Happy Holidays! :D

Bunny.W.K- Haha, I know, right? Poor Tony – he's been through so much lol. But awh, I'm flattered you actually remembered to drop a review ^^ Hehe, thanks by the way! Hope you enjoyed the chapter and of course, Happy Holidays! XD

Blackmoon OniOokami- Lol, yeah, I actually liked writing the meat puzzle chapter – a little darker than my usual style, but it was the suspense it offered the cinched it hehe! Really, this fic is all about the suspense – or at least, I try for it to be haha! Thank you so much by the way! That is sooo sweet of you to mention my fic in my story! XD You totally made my day when you reviewed hahah! And I totally know what you mean – I just hate it when you're really into reading a story, that people try to interrupt you at like every other freaking minute! Grrr! Thank you so, so, so, SO much! Hehe! I really hope you liked this chapter, and that you enjoy all to come! XD Happy Holidays! ^^

VirusYoukaiChild- Lmao! Awhh, thank you! *^^* To answer your question, the jewel just as hidden in her presence. No one can sense it, which was why Inuyasha couldn't sense it earlier, and Shippo didn't notice it until he actually saw the jewel. It was supposed to be gone. Obviously, it's not lol. The difference between the severed feeling Inuyasha and Sesshomaru would have felt is that, Inuyasha is closer and he knew there was no reason for her to cover her whole presence. Seshomaru's connection, as he is on the other side of the world, is diluted so to speak. For all he knew, she just went off grid to go undercover or something. Lmfaoo! Thanks again! I had that kiss scene in my back pocket for like months. And I was just waiting for the 'right' moment to use it, and I'm so happy I finally got the chance to do so! I'm not one for sad endings, so don't worry ;) They'll have their happy ending... eventually... Lol. It's the ride over there that's gonna be bumpy as hell lmao! XD Thank you again, and I hope you enjoyed the chapter! ^^ Happy Holidays!

GeneralTao01- Lmao, oh wow, thank you! ^^ I'm really glad to hear you're enjoying the fic, as well as some of my other ones ^^ Happy Holidays! :)