Chapter 2- Tainted
Kagome followed Kagura through the maze that represented Narakus castle. The Wind Sorceress hadn't even spoken to her since she kidnapped, or took her willing. Nevertheless, Kagome was mad at Inuyasha and just wanted to go home…but first she wanted to know what the hell Naraku wanted. Kagome lost all sense of direction, and she was starting to tire from the day's events. Kagura must have sensed this because she said without stopping, "We are almost there, miko. Don't faint, I don't feel like carrying you the rest of the way."
Kagome narrowed her eyes, but she clenched her jaw to keep from snapping back. Another ten minutes passed before they finally came to Narakus room. Kagome looked at Kagura quizzically when she didn't enter; she only shrugged and said, "Naraku wants to see you alone." And with that, she was gone. Kagome shook her head and without a moment's hesitation, she enters the foul smelling room. Naraku sat at the far end, smiling at her maliciously. Kagome didn't flinch but kept walking, back straight, until she reached Naraku. Kagome glared at him then asked, "What do you want?"
Naraku only smiled back, but she could see that he was thinking. Kagome patiently waited for his response, she was forced to, since she couldn't leave. Naraku finally stirred enough to say, "To hurt Inuyasha as much as possible, but most of it was already done for me, I was told. Tell me miko, what did Inuyasha do to you to make you so….hateful?"
Kagome eyes narrowed dangerously….again. She felt her anger bubble up again and she spat, "Because Inuyasha is a despicable hanyou that doesn't deserve to breathe the same air as I."
"I expected as much." Naraku replied, hatred in his voice.
Kagome ignored that and asked again, "What do you want with me then?"
"I simply want to extend a hand out to you to offer vengeance….and to see who Inuyasha chooses."
"He'll choose Kikyo, who else? It's not like he ever returned my feelings." She said sarcastically.
Naraku noted how pissed off she was. If his plan were to work, he'd need her on his side. But then again….a little teasing wouldn't hurt.
"Of course he wouldn't. Did you really expect he would with Kikyo around? He would prefer that dead claypot over you any day."
Kagome actually snarled, "Shut up. What do you know anyway? You're the same way! All hanyous are the same." Naraku was pissed off now. He quickly grabbed Kagome by the neck and suspended her in mid-air. He didn't hear so much as a whimper or look of fear from her chocolate brown eyes. She was…smiling? Naraku smiled back and let her go. She didn't even rub her neck to ease the pain. Now she had his respect, a little of it anyway.
"What's wrong, Naraku? Going soft are we? Not good for you, you know." Kagome teased, getting up from the floor. Naraku smirked, but he let his anger melt away.
"I wonder what he sees in Kikyo for them to…mate?" Naraku thought aloud. He got the reaction he wanted.
"When did he mate with that claypot?" She asked, a little too coldly for his comfort. Naraku only gestured at Kanna, who suddenly appeared holding her mysterious mirror. Kagome watched as Kanna held up the mirror and it showed the claypot and Inuyasha in the forest, mating. Kagome couldn't believe it. Her shock, anger, betrayal finally hit her in waves. A lot of other emotions were mixed in too, but betrayal was evident. That pushed her over the edge. Quite suddenly, the Shikon no Tama chunk she had around her neck tainted an inky black color.
Naraku was so surprised, he forgot his composer. A miko…a reincarnation of the famous Kikyo actually made the Shikon no Tama taint. This was big. He really had to have her now. He had his feeling and suspicions but this? There could be no mistaking it, the Shikon no Tama is tainted and Inuyasha was the one to actually push her to her limits. Naraku saw her burst in tears, the salty tears rolling down her cheeks. But in a matter of minutes, she was done, wiping the tears way with her sleeve. Her eyes turned steely hard, cold as ice. She held herself regally, all emotions behind a well constructed shield.
"I accept your offer of vengeance, Naraku." She said, removing the Shikon no Tama chunk she had and throwing it at Narakus feet.
"You know Inuyasha….The wolf prince Kouga left a while ago…Why do you still pace?" Miroku asked innocently, while sipping at his tea he made.
"Yeah I know that. Something doesn't feel right." He answered, feeling slightly off. He had just gotten back with Kikyo, smelling kind of funny and a bit happy. Kikyo was the same way.
"Do you think Kagome is okay?" Sango asked, worried about her best friend. Shippo perked up and hoped for a convincing answer. Inuyasha didn't reply, bashing all of Shippos' and Sangos' hopes in one fell swoop. The group fell silent, too into their own thoughts to even start another conversation.
The night sky twinkled with billions of little lights and the moon was high, spilling its eerie light on everything from trees, to the tiniest flower on the forest floor. Everything was so quiet; nobody was prepared for what happened next.
A huge arm of sorts rushed at Kikyo, wrapping around her waist and yanking her away from the group. She let out a little gasp before anyone saw her go. Only Inuyasha sensed her miko powers dwindling farther and farther away. Inuyasha swore and drew Tetsusaiga, running after her. The rest of the group followed after their comrade.
