Chapter the First

Kikyou looked at the form of Naraku from behind a tree. Naraku smiled to himself.

"I can smell you, miko," he said. "Come to try and kill me again?"

Kikyou stepped from behind the tree. "No, Onigumo," she said. "I've come to tell you something."

"Away with you, wench. If you have not come to kill me, then go away."

"But you don't want me to leave." Naraku smiled. It was true. After all, she was so beautiful....No! He would not let his emotions take control of him. He was Naraku. He loved no one, nothing!

"I've been meaning to tell you...," she continued. "It...it is difficult."

Naraku turned and looked at her with cold staring eyes, blue warpaint smeared across them, dark, frightening. "Tell me what?"

"Onigumo...."

Naraku finally realized what she was saying. 'Oh no,' he thought. 'No, no, no! I will not give in to her will! I am Naraku! Emotionless, all powerful! The gods tremble before my wake! Then why...why is she winning?'

"I believe I have heard enough, miko," Naraku said, turning from her, irritably.

"Onigumo-"

"THAT NAME MEANS NOTHING TO ME!!! I AM NARAKU!!!"

"No, stop! You will always be Onigumo! My Onigumo!"

Naraku became fed up with it. He turned around and struck Kikyou across the face. She fell down and wept. Naraku found no satisfaction in doing this, as he did with others. He touched her cheek, and wiped a tear from her eye with a claw.

"Kikyou...," he began, but regained himself. "I have a feeling for you. This can not be allowed. You must be eliminated."

"Then kill me!" she cried.

A build up of energy began to flow in Naraku's claw. But as he saw her... lying there... he just...

"I-" he began. "I haven't the power. I haven't the power!" He would kill her if he could. Right then and there. He would smite her down and drink from her skull...but that emotion lingered upon him. That longing for her...that desire for her....

He left her. As soon as he did, new emotions built up in his mind. Pity. Sorrow. Despair. Love....