A/N: Okay! So, this is my new story-and I'm quite excited about it. (Great ideas come from procrastination when dealing with writing papers for class. *sigh*) I've actually been toying with this idea for awhile, and decided to just go for it! So, this is my take on how Naraku became, well-Naraku. From the very beginning. A bit out there, perhaps, but it's at least very fun to write!

As another note, this story will eventually become another story-Intertwined-and that will begin from the epilogue of this particular fic. I won't start that one until this one is finished, though. Which may make for quick updates, since I'm super excited about that one, too!

Word Count: 1,034

Unconventional

It was a rainy day—one that promised nothing but turmoil for one young teenager. Haruka closed her eyes as she stepped out of the small hut located on the edge of the village that had unquestioningly taken her in. She took in a deep breath as she gave one last glance for the village she had called home for the past six months before looking at the tightly wrapped baby in her arms. "Thank you," she whispered back at the village before covering her baby's head and going straight towards the forest.

In no time she was soaked, but she paid no mind; her baby was dry, and that's what mattered more than anything. A tiny sneeze brought her attention down to the wrapped baby in her arms, and it came to her attention that she hadn't quite kept him as dry as she'd like. A soft smile spread across her face as she repositioned the child, though the rain was coming down so hard that keeping him dry was nigh impossible. "Onigumo," she spoke quietly, and at the familiar name caused him to open his eyes before closing them slowly, and then tightly as a fitful of coughs escaped the boy's lips.

Perhaps she should've waited before running away.

It wasn't that she was ungrateful for the village's hospitality; it was simply that she missed home. But, she had been so afraid of them finding out of her pregnancy that she had run away at the first sign of her baby bump. She inhaled deeply, the smell of rain and her month-old baby intensified to her.

She was going home, but she knew she couldn't bring him with her.

She was only fourteen, and unmarried, after all—she'd be the ridicule of the village if they knew. She knew she had some explaining to do after running away, but she knew the trip home was a long one, and she was sure she could come up with something.

Haruka knew she could've left him in the village that had taken her in, but it seemed like such a poor way to repay them. They all loved Onigumo, and Onigumo loved them—but she didn't feel that it was right to force it on them. She had never planned on actually telling them she was leaving, after all. But, she was sure she could find another nearby village who might want to take care of the baby.

It was then that a strong demonic aura nearly paralyzed her, and the only thing she could think to do was to hold Onigumo as closely to her chest as possible, her back facing whatever danger might be awaiting them.

"Akiko," Daichi murmured as he reached out a clawed hand, running fingers delicately through Akiko's black and purple hair. Pink eyes looked up at him, bright with happiness at her mate's proximity. She lifted up her own clawed fingers to run across one of the red stripes on his face—he had two on each cheek.

Suddenly, Akiko's head snapped around, and she whirled so that her back was facing her mate's, her long hair almost whipping him across the face.

"Akiko?" he murmured, but then the smell hit him—blood. Human blood. His red eyes slid over to her and he gave an almost-smirk. "You're going to get involved again, aren't you?" Her soft spot for humans was almost amusing to him—and it was certainly endearing.

"Daichi, you know I have to," she said with a smile, and before he could protest, she had run off. The mingled scent of human's blood and snake youkai could be tracked from over a mile away, which worked well since the attack happened just that distance away from a small youkai settlement. Luckily for Akiko, the snake youkai was not a part of this settlement, but a constant pest to them.

"Many things can be said about that woman," Daichi murmured before dashing after her, "but one can certainly never be bored with her."

At the two inuyoukai approaching, the snake youkai fled. It was obvious from their auras that they were stronger than him, and though he relished the thought of losing his snack, he valued his life more than his stomach.

"Oh…my," Akiko said with wide eyes as the sight of the blood-drenched teenager, lying like a lump in the ground, still protectively hovering over her baby, though the baby wasn't actually visible to the two inuyoukai. They could smell him, though—and then the young woman looked up, sorrow filling her big, brown eyes.

Akiko knelt down beside the teenager, instinct telling her that nothing could be done. Perhaps if their healer hadn't left to another youkai settlement to aid some of their wounded youkai, she could be saved—but even then, not many in their village would truly want to help a human. But she knew she could at least make her comfortable in some way—or, rather, she hoped so. She reached down to try to reposition the young girl, but was stopped by a weak voice.

"N-no," Haruka spoke softly, but shakily brought out Onigumo from her protective crouch, placing the baby boy in Akiko's still-outstretched arms. "H-his name is Onigumo." Those were her last words before she passed on, completely lifeless on the ground as the smell of death reached her nose.

Bringing the tiny baby protectively against her chest, she stood up and looked at her mate with big eyes. Immediately, Daichi came to her side and wrapped his arms around her, doing his best to protect both her and the tiny baby from the rain.

"You know they'll never understand," he murmured against her ear. But he knew better than anybody that Akiko wouldn't back down, and she would never leave the baby to die—and that's what he loved about her. She had the courage to do what he feared—to completely throw caution to the wind and do what she pleased, despite the comments and disapproval of others.

"I know." She closed her eyes and leaned her face into his chest, his chin resting on the top of her head. "It doesn't matter," she concluded, and smiled when he hummed his agreement.

"Let's go back home and get him—and us—dried up."

End Note: Okay, so I'd love to hear your all's thoughts! :) So please, review!