Warning: This is a Naraku/Kagome story.

It has been created from the twisted (oh-so-twisted) depths of my mind.

You haven't experienced crack like this before.

- Ami

Desires Beyond Blood

A Taste of Innocence

He wanted her.

He wanted her body, her mind, and cliché though it may be, her soul. This brought new life to the phrase, "opposites attract" and in fact was a key example of the expression. Because truthfully, she was his polar opposite. Her warm light to his cold, cold darkness. Her innocence to his malicious intentions. She was of Heaven, with a pure heart and soft smile. While Naraku—he lacked a heart and smile all together. Unless, of course, you counted the infamous smirk he had whenever something went according to plan. And if something went according to plan, it meant destruction, chaos; a prime example of Hell itself. He was Hell, a mightier being than the Devil, or so he thought. He was the bringer of pain, while she was the bringer of everything but.

He would get her, capture her, taste her. She would be forced to stay by his side; the dark side. Because in reality, she didn't really have a choice. Dreams, something he never really had before, started occurring. He dreamt of her warm flesh melding against his. Just one touch, even in an alternate universe, and he was hooked on her essence. It was only right that they become one. He yearned for her. More than he ever did with Kikyo. Whether this was more than lust or not, he was unsure. All he knew, though, was that he needed her. Hell, she was practically already his.

"Bring her to me. And do not fail me this time." Yes, because if Kagura failed again, he would have to go after her himself...Which wouldn't be a very good thing for anyone.

"Got it," Kagura replied. Her crimson eyes held a glint of hatred toward the man who wouldn't set her free. She was forever trapped. Ironically, Kagome would soon be, too. The girl who was so free, so able, would now be a prisoner to him. Her creator. Her father. Her God. Without further confrontation, Kagura quickly left the perimeter of the dark castle that housed her heart - quite literally. Reaching up and plucking a feather from her hair, it swooped down and transformed into a massive, boat-like carrier. And away she floated.

An uneasy black had taken the sky ransom, executing all light from the moon and stars. Along the dry dirt slept the members of Inuyasha's group, save for Inuyasha himself. He lie awake, watching over his friends as per his routine. Arms and legs crossed, Tetsusiaga rested securely in his arms. Eyes closed, his alerts remained on high.

Today had been a normal day. Demon-fighting, Jewel Shard-hunting (though to no avail, of course), and the usual bickering between group members. It had been only weeks ago since Kagura had last come to try and take Kagome hostage. Or what he thought was hostage—how the Hell was he supposed to know Naraku never planned to use her as a bargaining chip, or better yet, hold her prisoner for the rest of her human years?

Ever since the day he stuck the wind bitch down with his Wind Scar and sent her flying home empty-handed, he'd been even more over-protective of the reincarnated priestess than usual. Glancing back every minute or two when he lead the group just to make sure she was there, assigning either Sango or Miroku as her personal body guard (technically a secondary one, since he had self-appointed him to that position already) when they fought demons, he was truly on edge. She wasn't allowed to go storm off into the woods like usual when she got angry at Inuyasha, nor was she allowed to even pee on her own (Miroku had kindly offered to watch over her while she did this, but only received evil glares.).

No, he couldn't let her be alone. Not since he found out Naraku ordered her capture. After the Hakudoshi incident, he promised her, and himself, that he would protect her from the likes of Naraku. He wouldn't let another woman he cared for die, especially by the hands of Naraku.

Inuyasha's eyes flashed open at the pull of an ominous wind. Baring his fangs toward the newcomer, he quickly jumped up. "Kagura," he ground out, a growl resonating in his throat. He had been expecting her to come, but not nearly this soon. Was Naraku impatient? It'd only been three weeks since his failed attempt...

The Wind Sorceress landed on the ground gracefully, a fan held in her right hand properly. "Inuyasha," she replied with a hint of cockiness in her voice. She knew this time she would succeed in her mission.

By this time, the other group members started stirring from all of the commotion. Miroku was the first to jump to his feet, his holy staff in hand. "Kagura!" he voiced sternly.

Sango was right behind him, her Hiraikotsu held in an offensive position. Kirara had transformed by this time and was growling beside her comrade.

Kagome was the last to awake, and when she did, her eyes widened reflexively in fear. Kagura! Her fear was quickly pushed down and her usual courageous and supportive side floated to the surface. Standing to her feet, she notched an arrow in her bow, aiming it directly at the Wind Witch's nonexistent heart.

"Get back, Kagome!" Inuyasha yelled, unsheathing his fang and gripping the hilt dangerously tight as he stepped in front of her.

Perfect, Kagura thought. She had anticipated this move. All weapons would be focused on her, as well as the wielder's attentions. "My, my, you all seem rather jumpy." She tried restraining a knowing grin from showing, because right about now, Kohaku was starting his part of the mission.

The young demon-slayer crept up behind Kagome, a stoic and dull expression on his face as his eyes were glazed over with a dead brown. Chopping a hand against the back of her neck in a precise spot, the young woman fell to the ground with a slight thud. Kohaku knelt down and scooped up the limp figure, earning glances from the other people.

"Kohaku!" Sango's voice rang with mixed emotions as she saw her younger brother standing up with an unconscious Kagome in his arms.

Normally, Inuyasha wouldn't think of acting violently toward the boy since it was Sango's sibling, but he had Kagome. And anyone who had Kagome would be punished. "Put her down!"

"I think you three should be paying attention to me!" Kagura bit out, waving her fan downward. A wind rushed over the group, its immense push causing them to shield their faces from getting cut from flying objects, thus blocking their vision.

When the wind faded, Inuyasha quickly scanned the area wildly in search of Kagura, Kohaku, or Kagome. "Damn it! KAGOME! Kagooomeee!" he yelled continuously as she wasn't found anywhere within sight.

Kagura looked down to the motionless girl as the three rode away on her feather. With Kagome on our side, we'll be able to find the Jewel Shards, she mused to herself. Obviously she wasn't aware of Naraku's slight obsession with the human.

Naraku walked among the floors of his house, feeling the need to ease his mind. After all, there was so much going on inside. For one, he was more than likely to attract Inuyasha in his direction faster than usual if Kagura was successful and he attained Kagome. Second, the thought alone that Kagome would be here sent a thrilling chill through his bones. And among other things, he still was concocting those evil plans of his that no one ever figured out until they were already followed through with. He was truly an evil ma—half-man.

When the half-demon felt the presence of Kagura nearing the castle, he tapped into Kohaku's mental thoughts to speak with him. "Have you brought the girl?"

"Yes, master," replied the drone boy.

A grin spread across the lips of Naraku. "Bring her directly to me once you arrive," he added and then left the empty mind of Sango's young brother. He could tell they had just entered through the barrier as he made his way to one of the many rooms in the castle. The one he entered would be her's. Scanning the cold and dreary room, he deemed it well enough to be the one she stayed in. The walls were a bland off-white, the floor was wooden, and the only two objects in the room were a bed on the far back wall and a mirror hanging up on the left side.

The creaking of the door behind him made his crimson eyes shift to the side, knowing it was one of his servants.

Kohaku walked past his master and then faced him, still holding Kagome bridal-style. He stared forward, as if at attention, and waited for further instruction.

"Where is Kagura?" Naraku asked monotonously.

"She has gone to find Kanna somewhere inside of the castle, sir." Kohaku remained obedient, even if inside, somewhere down there, he knew Miss Sango was very displeased with him about taking her friend.

Figures. When Kagura wasn't following orders or planning behind his back, she followed her elder sister around. "Set her on the bed," he ordered. Once the boy did so, Naraku dismissed him.

Stepping forward, he towered over the sleeping beauty. She was an angel. It would be so wrong for him to have her. He liked that thought, but the way he glared at her spoke differently. His eyes looked furious, as if they loathed her. His jaw tightened as his eyes were fixated upon the rising and falling of her chest. Without so much as another thought, he turned around and headed for the door. He was looking forward to when she awoke.

Author's Note: That wasn't too sadistic and...evil, compared to what's to come, eh? :D

Your thoughts would be appreciated (: