Disclaimer: I do not now nor will I ever own Inu-Yasha or anything Inu-Yasha copyrighted. I do own the thoughts and images that run through my head and I will never give them up, they are apart of my hoard.

Naraku's Prisoner

Chapter 6: Confusion of the Mind and Heart

By Ethril Dragon

'Do be careful Shippo,' Kagome thought as she watched her son parry another blow from the handsome silver kitsune that was training him. She chewed her lip as she watched Shippo dodge to the side and attempt to attack the older and more powerful kitsune. The two wooden swords met and there was a crunching sound as one broke. Kagome eeped as the silver kitsune sent Shippo sprawling after Shippo's failed attempt.

"You are a kitsune. Use your senses to find an opening. Don't just rely on your eyes," Taro said as he helped Shippo to his feet. "Even while using a weapon, you should rely on your natural abilities. They are your greatest weapon against any foe."

Shippo nodded and panted softly as he started to take up his stance, only to be stopped by Taro's hand on his shoulder. "That is enough for today." Taro said as he glanced up at Kagome. The woman looked out of her wits with worry for her small son. "Any more and your mother may have a heart attack." Taro said with a gentle grin. The silver kitsune had been one of Naraku's first allies when the spider demon had begun building his kingdom. When Naraku came to Taro to request his expertise in training Shippo, Taro had readily agreed. He owed Naraku quite a bit since the spider demon had helped his clan on various occasions. 'Ever since our alliance, my clan has had nothing but good fortune. There have been no human attacks or other youkai raids.'

"Are you alright Shippo?" Kagome asked kindly as she lifted Shippo into her arms. She felt Shippo squirm before relaxing in her arms.

"I'm fine momma. We use bokens so I don't really get hurt," Shippo said, crossing his arms over his chest in mock irritation. He stuck his nose into the air as Kagome carried him towards their room.

"I'm only worried about you sweet heart. You haven't been training that long and I don't like to see you get hurt," Kagome said comfortingly. Being raised in the modern era, she wasn't used to seeing very small children learn how to fight. Every day people only learned self defense, not the life and death fighting that was required in the Feudal times.

"I want to be stronger so I can protect you momma," Shippo said as he hugged his mother around the neck. He was tired of always running away when there was danger, and of having his mother protect him. As her eldest son it was his job to protect his mother when she had no mate to do so.

"You're already strong Shippo," Kagome said with a big loving grin. In her heart, she knew Shippo would have to learn to fight some day, it just hurt to think her little Shippo was growing up and learning what she considered to be adult things.

Shippo huffed and pouted. "Not strong enough," He muttered defiantly. He had to become stronger, if not for his momma then for himself. He had lost so many loved ones already because he wasn't strong enough, or brave enough, and he hated to have to rely on some one else's strength. 'Like Inu-Yasha," He thought with hurt pride. That stupid idiot had always complained about how week he and his momma were, and how Inu-Yasha would always have to rush in to save them from danger. Shippo growled with irritation at the thought. Some day, he would show Inu-Yasha he wasn't some week kit that needed protection. Shippo would challenge Inu-Yasha to a fight and then win the fight to prove he wasn't weak.

Kagome looked at her son worriedly as he started to brood. She started to frown as she heard a light growling sound emit from her son. "Shippo, are you alright?" She asked hesitantly as she set her son down onto their futon. It wasn't like Shippo to be this way, unless he had just fought with Inu-Yasha.

'Inu-Yasha…haven't thought about him for awhile,' Kagome thought as she started brooding herself. 'That stubborn dog, thinking he's all high and mighty. He makes me so mad!' Kagome thought with vehemence. What she wouldn't give to just sit him to hell. It had been a month since she had last seen him, but no amount of time had calmed her anger with him.

"I'm fine momma, just tired," Shippo whispered as he stopped brooding and started yawning. Before another word could be murmured, he crawled under the covers of the futon to take an afternoon nap before lunch.

Kagome looked at her son with surprise, his words snapping her out of her angry mental tirade. She smiled and leaned down to kiss him on the forehead. "Rest well my little kit," She murmured as she stood and left her room.

As she left her room she glanced around for a moment to see if anyone was around. She would have liked to have spent some time with Kagura, but she hadn't seen Kagura in a few days now. Kagome remembered Naraku mentioning that Kagura was out meeting with someone and wouldn't be back for some time. Kagome sighed.

During the month that she and Shippo had been in Naraku's palace, she and Kagura had grown close. Kagome remembered when Kagura would do almost anything to get out of the clutches of Naraku, but she had admitted to Kagome recently that she had only fought back because of how often Naraku had lost his temper. Things had cooled down for awhile, and Naraku was actually offering to return her heart to her before the final battle so she could make her own choice. 'Then I asked her if she could trust him to keep his word,' Kagome thought as she remembered that day.

*Flash Back*

"Kagura…You said you didn't want to serve Naraku," Kagome said during a nice breezy day as she and Kagura drank tea on one of the verandas of Naraku's palace.

Kagura grew quiet as she looked out at the horizon. "I once thought that was what I wanted, but now I realize there is more to it. I will willing serve Naraku, but I just want my freedom to do what I want. I want to make my own decisions on whether I stay or go. I am the wind."

Kagome thought about her words for a moment and sipped at the jasmine tea that Kanna had made for them. "What about your heart?" Kagome asked softly as she too watched the horizon.

Kagura smiled softly. "Naraku has promised me that before the final battle, he will return my heart to me."

Kagome looked at Kagura in surprise. "And you think he will keep his word? Do you think he'll decide not to and wait until after the battle?" She asked with skepticism.

Kagura sighed and placed a hand on her new friends shoulder. "Naraku is many things Kagome. One thing he is not is a word breaker. If he says he will do something, he will. He may bend the truth a little, but he has never outright lied about anything. He will keep his word, that is one thing I can guarantee about him."

Kagome nodded slowly. Although Naraku had been destructive and dark when confronting Kagome's old group he had never lied to them. "I guess you're right Kagura," Kagome said slowly.

They sat there for a few more minutes before Kagura asked something that completely threw Kagome off balance. "What are your feelings for Naraku Kagome? Be honest."

Kagome was about to say she hated him and that he was the most vile creature on the face of the planet, but her mouth snapped shut. Suddenly, she didn't fully believe that's what she thought of him. 'What do I think of him? How do I really feel about him?' She wondered quietly to herself.

*End Flash Back*

Kagome hadn't answered Kagura that day, or any of the other times Kagura had asked. 'What are my feelings now that I have seen another side of the man that has caused so much trouble in my life and the lives of my friends?' she wondered again quietly. She knew Sango would have little reason to fight Naraku now that Kohaku was whole again and had been promised his freedom. Kagome knew that Kikyo had never truly loved Inu-Yasha so her death had probably been more of a blessing for the hanyo. As for Miroku… "He has the only real reason to want to kill Naraku," Kagome said softly to herself, unaware of a presence behind her until the voice spoke.

"Who has the only real reason for wanting to kill me?" Kagome spun around in surprise to find Naraku standing a few feet to her right. During her thoughts, Kagome had wandered outside into the sand garden.

Kagome shifted uncomfortably. She had been nervous around Naraku ever since she realized she was unsure about her feelings. "I was thinking about Miroku. Out of everyone in my old group, he has the only real reason for wanting your death. He needs to lift the curse before it consumes him," Kagome said, her eyes avoiding Naraku's face.

Naraku sighed softly and walked towards Kagome. "He can lift it without my death you know," He stated simply. "Unlike his father, your friend Miroku still has the chance."
Kagome looked at Naraku in surprise. "Chance at what?" She asked curiously.

"The chance at true love. The wind tunnel can be lifted one of two ways. By killing the original caster, or by finding the person's true love. Your friend's father had simply found a woman that was willing to bare his child, and then had died from the wind tunnel sucking him into it. Your friend must only give himself to his true love. If he gives himself to any other then the only way is to kill me," Naraku didn't look at Kagome, instead he looked at the sand in it's rippled state.

Kagome moaned and rubbed her eyes. "Knowing Miroku he's already given himself to a dozen girls."

Naraku smirked slightly. "He has not." Naraku said before turning and walking.

Kagome, curious as to how Naraku would know such a thing, followed. "How would you know?" She asked curiously.

"The wind tunnel allows me to keep an eye on him. I've been keeping tabs on him since his birth," Naraku chuckled very softly. "As perverted as he is, your friend has yet to be with a woman."

Kagome thought about this for a minute or two. "So Sango is his true love?" Kagome asked slowly.

Naraku shrugged. "He needs to be brave and find out for himself."

Kagome smiled and fell into step next to Naraku. She had grown to enjoy these surprise walks he shared with her. Typically he would lead her into the center of his favorite garden where they would talk about things, or just rest and watch the koi.

Kagome wondered about why she was so comfortable around Naraku now. He'd been nothing but kind to her since that day he'd first brought her to his palace. To be honest a year ago if she'd been told she would actually think Naraku was a nice guy she would have never believed it. Now though, she was beginning to forget what Naraku had been like before her time here.

Kagome had become comfortable in Naraku's palace. She'd gotten to know many of the servants around the palace and had been surprised to find demons and humans working there. Her surprise had only gotten stronger when she found out that Naraku also employed several hanyos.

In time both she and Shippo had been included in the daily routine of Naraku's palace. Kagome admitted to herself that it was rather nice to not have to travel around or sleep in the dirt anymore.

Naraku glanced at Kagome out of the corner of his eye ever few seconds. She was just so beautiful today. Kagome was smiling gently and her eyes were half closed. She seemed to float with each step. Never would he have imagined Kagome would take to him so quickly. 'Waiting is starting to pay off,' he thought as he led the way deeper into his garden.

"You're walking next to me," Naraku commented idly as they followed the gentle spiral deeper and deeper into the garden. "When I first brought you here, you were always at least a step behind me."

Kagome stumbled for a moment and looked at Naraku in surprise. He was right; she was walking next to him. "Oh um…" She really had nothing to say; what could she say? It's not like she'd actively thought about walking next to him; it had just happened. Once again she wondered just when she'd become so comfortable in Naraku's presence.

Naraku looked at the confused expression in Kagome's face and he sighed. He'd made a great deal of progress with her, but she wasn't quite ready to hear his confession. He was so close, and yet he still had to be patient. "Forget I said anything Kagome."

Kagome bit her lip and took a few quick steps to catch up to Naraku. Again she was beside him as they walked. 'This feels right some how,' she thought as they continued on. Kagome forgot about her confusion for the moment so she could just enjoy the wonderful day.

It wasn't long until they were at the center of the garden once more. Naraku sat down on the bench and Kagome joined him, as she did every time they came here. She shivered as his hip brushed hers with the barest of touches.

Naraku felt his hip brush hers and he felt the shiver run through her body from the contact. He kept his outward expression calm even though he was mentally elated by Kagome's reaction.

"May I ask you something Naraku?" Kagome finally said after what felt like forever.

"You may always ask me anything Kagome, just remember I can't always answer." Naraku said, his eyes never leaving the pound.

Kagome bit her lip before asking the question that had been on her mind for sometime now. "Why did you attack my group so much? During my time here you've shown me a side of you I would have never believed possible before. So…why?"

Naraku looked at her contemplatively before looking away. "In a way I still felt anger towards Inu-Yasha. Kikyo had been the first woman I had ever felt love towards," Naraku began to slowly explain. "Now that I look back on it I think it was more lust then love." Naraku sighed. "Even though I was a horrible human being, she took me in and took care of me. She gave me sanctuary. So, to me, it was my duty to protect and care for her." Again Naraku sighed and his eyes were distant. "I was too weak to tell her, so when I found out about Inu-Yasha I felt…enraged. I felt like he had stolen her before I'd ever had a chance. I gave myself to the demons for the one chance at showing Kikyo that I was the better choice."

Naraku was silent for awhile and Kagome became worried. "You…don't have to continue." She whispered.

"No Kagome. I have to. When I….When I saw her in his arms, I lost control. What little humanity I had left was put into a deep sleep." Again Naraku sighed and he closed his eyes. Gently, almost to gentle for Kagome to feel, he touched her hand with the tips of his fingers. "Then when I saw him with you 50 years later…my only thought was that it wasn't fair. How come he, who didn't appreciate the love given to him, got to be with a wonderful woman like you? I swore vengeance against the dog for taking away my first love, and then taking her reincarnation whom he didn't deserve."

"So that's what I am to you; just her reincarnation?" Kagome felt her heart drop.

"Let me finish Kagome, please." Kagome felt his fingers on her chin and she looked up into his eyes. "The more I watched you and your group, the more I realized you were nothing like Kikyo." His face was slowly getting closer to hers. "I realized you were even more special then her. I realized that you had so much more life then Kikyo, that you were kind even to those that would kill you. You protected everyone, not just the weak." His face was only an inch from hers now. "You are so much more beautiful then her. I couldn't stand how Inu-Yasha treated you."

"I don't understand." Kagome's voice was so soft that Naraku could feel her breath ghost across his lips.

Naraku hesitated. Oh how he wished he could just tell her. He wanted to kiss her so much right at that moment that it took all of his will power not too. He pulled away and let go of her chin. "One day you will…" Naraku held out his hand to help her up. He felt her tiny hand slip into his and his fingers wrapped around her hand. She stood up gracefully and he watched as her other hand slipped down her waist and legs to smooth out her kimono.

"You should head back," Naraku told her. He reverted back to his calm and serious demeanor. Naraku shouldn't have let himself loose control like that. "Shippo should be waking up soon and dinner will be ready shortly. Kagura should be returning today and she will dine with you for lunch. I have important affairs to oversee," Naraku said, the sorrow leaving his expression as he led the way out of his garden.

Kagome nodded as she followed after Naraku once more. She was deep in thought and didn't realize her hand was still within Naraku's. She really didn't understand what Naraku had told her. Kagome had always known Naraku had been watching her group, but she hadn't realized for how long. What did she mean to him? Part of her wanted to believe he saw her as more then a replacement for Kikyo, but after years of dealing with Inu-Yasha it was hard for her to think otherwise.

Did Naraku really care about her? He wouldn't have said all those things if he didn't at least feel something. She had to wonder though just what his feelings were; was it possibly love or was it just lust?

They silently parted ways so Kagome could head back to her room and Naraku could make his way to the entrance of the palace. Her thoughts were on their very revealing conversation and his were on the borders of his land.

Kagome roused Shippo from his nap and carried him to the dinning hall for lunch. She was pleasantly surprised to find Kagura waiting there for them. To Kagome's pleasure Kanna had also elected to join them for dinner.

"I've missed you Kagura!" Kagome exclaimed as she hugged her new friend. She smiled and felt Kagura return the hug. "Where have you been?"

Kagura laughed and took her seat at the table for lunch. Kanna was sitting over by Shippo and Shippo was trying to pull Kanna into a conversation. Kanna was slowly responding with simple 'yes' and 'no' answers.

"Oh here and there," Kagura said with a wave of her fan. "I was meeting with a very important man." Kagura flicked her fan in front of her face to hide her large grin.

Kagome, being the teenage girl that she was, grinned and giggled. "You have a crush!" A blush spread across Kagura's cheeks and Kagome laughed. "Who is he? Is he gorgeous?"

Kagura blushed and fanned her self slightly. "He is quit handsome. I think I might be winning him over."

The conversation continued on this strain and after awhile Kagome was able to get Kagura to admit that the mystery man had been Sesshomaru. Kagome and Kagura were giggling and gossiping all through dinner in this manner. Shippo rolled his eyes constantly and Kanna couldn't help but frown at the two older women.

Finally Shippo had had enough. "Momma, can Kanna and I go play with Kohaku?" He asked loud enough to stop another spasm of his mothers giggling. It was the times like these that reminded him that Kagome was very much a young human. At these moments it was difficult for him to ignore the age gap between them. He was in fact older then Kagome by several years. Their age difference worried Shippo; she'd be long dead before he reached adulthood, and there was nothing he could do about it.

Kagome nodded. "Only if he isn't busy. Leave him alone if he is alright?"

Shippo nodded and hurried out the door, just in time to avoid hearing another burst of his mothers giggling and Kagura's pleads for her to stop teasing. Kanna followed after him just as quickly.

Kagome eventually relented in her teasing and the two women caught up on other things. After lunch Kagura pulled out a few maps to show Kagome where the borders of Naraku's lands were. The wind sorceress even pointed out where Naraku's palace was located. Seeing just where they were surprised Kagome; her old group had gotten so close to Naraku's palace and they had never even realized it.

The rest of the day went by quickly and when dinner rolled around Kagome was disappointed to find that Naraku had not joined them.. "I wonder where he is?" She wondered idly to herself. Kagome didn't realize she'd asked the question out loud until Kagura answered her.

"Naraku had to go deal with a border dispute. Not all the bordering lords are…accepting his lordship and have been pressing against his lands for some time." Kagura said lightly. "It's probably nothing to worry about; he's very good at protecting his army."

Dinner went by quickly and after dinner Kagome, Kagura, and Kanna left for the hot springs. The hot water felt so wonderful on Kagome's skin that she lowered herself all the way up to her ears. She rubbed her hands across her body to cleanse herself. Even with the warmth relaxing her muscles, Kagome felt a tension she couldn't explain.

"Lord Naraku is just fine." Kanna said suddenly. Kagome sat up and looked over at the pale white haired girl. Kanna reached out of the water and to the boards next to her. She lifted up her mirror and the surface flashed for a second. The clear surface changed and an image of Naraku filled the glassy surface. Naraku was standing on a rise, a large sword in his hand. His hair was waving in the silent breeze and his armor was covered in blood. Kagome felt a chill down her spine and her first thought was 'who's blood is that?' A wave of lesser demons came up to try and attack Naraku, but with a single swipe of his sword all of the demons vanished. Kagome relaxed slightly and released the breath she had been holding. At least he wasn't hurt.

"Aah, is wittle Kagome worried about Naraku-kun?" Kagura asked teasingly with a baby voice. Kagome frowned and glared at her. She lifted a hand and pushed it through the water towards Kagura. A wave of water formed and landed squarely in Kagura's laugh face.

Kagura sputtered for a moment before growling and sending a wave right back at Kagome. Kagome ducked and the wave went past her and landed right up against Kanna. Kanna blinked several times and then looked at her mirror. She set the mirror down carefully and slowly.

"Oh Kanna I'm so-" Kagome didn't get to finish her sentence when she swallowed a mouthful of water. Kanna had retaliated.

The three began an all out water fight which ended with a hell of a lot of water all over the floor. The fight ended with a great deal of laughter and a lot of slipping around the floor. After drying off three split up and Kagome returned to her room. She was still in the process of drying her hair when she entered her room. Shippo was staying in Kohaku's room so Kagome wasn't expecting anyone to be in her room.

She hummed softly as a soft light grew in her room. She was wearing a thin bathing kimono and she began slipping it off when she turned to head over to her futon. Kagome stopped with a gasp, her kimono slipping half off her shoulders. There sitting on her bed, was Naraku. His armor was gone and his body was clean of the blood she had seen earlier in Kanna's mirror.

Kagome was stunned as she looked at him. His eyes were closed and his hands were folded in his lap. She must have made some small noise, because his eyes opened slowly and he turned his head slightly to look at her.

Kagome felt heat spread over her cheeks and her kimono slipped a little more from her hands. There was a hunger in those crimson eyes that sent shivers up and down her spine. Kagome could feel goose bumps spread across her arms.

"N-Naraku…what are you doing here?" Her voice was barely a gasp of air as she tried to swallow down her shock. Kagome felt almost detached as she watched Naraku stand up. She felt hypnotized by the fluidity of his movements, so much so that she still could not move.

Naraku lightly grasped the hem of her kimono and slid it up back up onto her shoulder. Naraku was careful not to actually physically touch her.

Kagome shivered as she felt the silk of the kimono slide across her skin. He never touched her, but the slowness of his movements seemed almost too sensual.

Naraku continued to be silent as he looked into Kagome's eyes. "During battle, has your mind ever…lost focus?" Naraku asked softly. His fingers lifted to touch a damp strand of her hair. It curled around his finger and stuck to his skin. "Today, I couldn't stop thinking about you," his fingers let go of her damp lock and hovered over her shoulder. "I kept finding myself dreaming about you. Every time there was a lull in the fighting, I wondered what you were doing." The very tips of his fingers skimmed over her shoulder and neck, sending shivers across her body. "I don't think I could live if I had to be away from you for any length of time." Naraku whispered as he ran his fingers tenderly across her skin.

Kagome shivered at the feel of his hand skimming over her neck and shoulder. Her kimono slipped again and more of her shoulder was revealed to his trailing touches. His words confused and excited her. No one had ever said those kinds of things to her. The more she thought about what was happening, the more confused she became. Once more a part of her mind told her that Naraku was supposed to be the enemy. Memories of when he raped her filtered into her confused thoughts.

Kagome shook her head slightly and tried to take a step away from Naraku, but her body wouldn't respond. Confusion caused tears to build up in her eyes as she fought with herself emotionally. Naraku was kind to her, but he had been the enemy up until now. He'd…he'd raped her to get his way.

"Kagome…" Naraku gently placed his hands on her shoulders to keep her still. "Kagome tell me now that you feel nothing; nothing at all. Tell me you have no feelings for me and I'll let you go. You can leave tonight if that's what you want." Naraku said hurriedly. His eyes were burning with something Kagome had only ever seen once. The way he was looking at her reminded her of how Inu-Yasha would look at Kikyo some times. "I'll never again chase after you, I'll never fight you, I'll never touch you. I'll even return the jewel shards to you. Just…just tell me you don't feel anything."

Kagome didn't know what to say or do. Her body was in turmoil. His touch was so familiar and comforting that she didn't know what to do. She wanted to pull away, but she also wanted to be held. Kagome wanted to be held tight and she wanted to be protected; she wanted something she didn't know how to explain.

Kagome whimpered softly and looked down at the ground. Her hands came up and covered her eyes. She was so confused right now and she didn't know why! Kagome didn't know what she wanted; she didn't know what to tell Naraku. Did she care about him? Wasn't she supposed to hate him? She knew one thing, she couldn't lie to him. Kagome felt something; she just didn't know how to describe it.

Naraku watched her, his emotions dropping as her silence went on and on. He regretted his choice of telling her now; he should have been more patient. It's just, during battle he couldn't stop thinking about her. Naraku would never admit it to anyone, but he'd come close to death at one point. He'd been so distracted by his own thoughts that one of the lesser demons had nearly severed his head. If his instincts hadn't been as strong as they were, he'd be dead. That moment put into perspective just how much Kagome meant to him. Naraku couldn't keep going like this without her knowing how he felt.

Naraku felt Kagome buckle against his hands and she slid to her knees. Naraku carefully knelt next to her, his sadness turning to worry as he looked into her eyes. She looked so frightened; it was like he was looking at a rabbit cornered by a wolf. Naraku wrapped his arms around her quickly and held Kagome against his chest. He rocked her against him, his arms holding her tight. "You don't have to say anything right now. I can wait." Naraku told her over and over that he could wait for her answer. He would wait for her, for as long as it took. The waiting might kill him, but at least she would know he loved her enough to let her take her time.

Kagome slowly relaxed in Naraku's arms. Naraku sighed and breathed in deeply. Her scent rolled off of her in waves and his eyes rolled back into his head. She was so beautiful and all he could do was hold her. Naraku clenched his fangs together and he held Kagome tighter. He wanted Kagome so much it hurt. Naraku had to fight with all his will to keep from mating with Kagome. She meant so damned much to him.

Kagome shivered and tilted her head back slightly as she felt his claws run through the strands of her still damp hair. What did she want? She was just so…so confused. She clenched her fingers around his kimono and started to sob. If she really did love him, then was she betraying her friends and family? Was she betraying her mission to purify the shikon jewel? He had offered to return the jewel shards to her if she felt nothing, but she couldn't lie. Naraku was the supposed enemy here and she was starting to think that maybe…she did love him.

"I can wait,"

His words echoed in her mind. Didn't it count for something that he was willing to wait for her answer? She knew Inu-Yasha would have never been willing to wait. He would have forced her to make a decision. Even though she would have waited for him, she knew Inu-Yasha would have never waited for her. If Inu-Yasha had demanded a choice, her heart would have broken.

Kagome began to grow dizzy and the world started spinning for her. She panted softly and Kagome whimpered. "Do I love him?" She whispered in a near faint. "N-Naraku." And with that Kagome was out. She slumped into his arms and fell into a deep sleep.

Naraku was a little surprised at first that Kagome had passed out against his chest. Then her words hit him and he looked at her with affection. She hadn't said cared for, she hadn't said liked, no she had said loved. If she was questioning herself, then that meant he had a big chance to win her over.

He held her like that for the longest of time, half sitting while cradling the tired and confused miko in his arms. He hummed softly, an old tune he vaguely remembered from his childhood as he lifted Kagome into his arms and settled her into her futon. He hesitated for a moment before gently laying down next to her. 'Just for a few minutes,' he thought as he wrapped his arms around her. He wouldn't fall asleep; he just wanted to know what it would feel like to hold her close while she was asleep.

Against his better wishes, he eventually fell asleep.

'So warm,' Kagome thought blurrily as she snuggled deeper into the blankets on her futon. The warmth surrounded her and she smiled in contentment. She started to drift back into a full sleep when a small thought wriggled its way into her mind. She stayed still for a minute, listening to the thought and only realized what it was when an arm shifted from around her stomach pulling her closer to a firm surface behind her.

Kagome held very still, still half asleep as she tried to register what exactly was going on. Who was holding her? 'Can't be Inu-Yasha…he would never hold me like this,' Inu-Yasha had held her a few times in the past, but the embraces had never been anything like this.. So who could it be? 'Feels good though,' her mind commented as she shifted slightly to cuddle closer. The smell of rain filtered through her senses and Kagome blinked several times. The moment she did though, she gasped and blushed deeply.

. 'Naraku…but why would Naraku be holding me while I slept?' she thought, the rational part of her mind still fast asleep. 'No matter, it's comfy,' she snuggled happily into the warmth and sighed as she stayed in her half sleep state.

An hour later Kagome finally woke up enough to suddenly realize that it really was Naraku that was holding her. She blushed, but didn't move. To be honest she was still really comfortable and she couldn't remember when she had slept so well in her life. Every time she squirmed he would pull her back against him and nuzzle the back of her neck. She blushed and shook his arm gently.

"Um…Naraku…could you, could you please let go?" She whispered as she shook his arm gently.

Naraku felt the shaking of his arm, and knew it was Kagome. He had been awake for some time before she had woken up, but he had been too content to leave her just yet.

Sighing as he heard her hesitant and nervous words, he stretched, purposefully leaning forward into her and only to curl around her as he ended his stretch, similar to how a cat would stretch. He heard her eep and smiled warmly as she squirmed nervously, but not fearfully. 'Best stop the charade,' he thought sadly as he propped himself up on his elbow. He looked down at the flushed and nervous female under him and smiled.

Kagome blushed deeper as she looked up into the handsome face that was smiling just for her. Would he always smile for her like that if she choose to be with him? 'Why am I even thinking that?' she wondered embarrassingly. 'Because he is caring and so damn hot!' the irrational part of her mind answered. Kagome pushed that part of her mind away, but couldn't help thinking about it.

Kagome looked at him nervously, but stayed still. Naraku was a very handsome man, in the tall dark and handsome kind of way. But did she love him? 'I'm attracted to him, that much I have figured out…but love? I can only love some one that loves me for me,' she thought as she conjured up the image of Inu-Yasha. She could never love him as long as he saw Kikyo when he saw her.

"Good…Good morning Naraku," Kagome said, her voice shaking with suppressed nervousness.

Naraku sat up and stretched again. "Good morning Kagome. I am sorry to have fallen asleep in your presence. I had not meant too. If I have caused you discomfort I apologize," Naraku said with a bow of his head. He stood and held out a hand to help Kagome up. Kagome blushed and took his offered hand, unaware of how her kimono fell open to reveal a curve of her breast.

Naraku looked away for a moment as Kagome stood and straightened herself. "I will see you at breakfast Kagome. I will leave you for now so you may be able to change and freshen up," Naraku said as he bowed and exited the room.

Kagome stood there for a moment until her mind went into its turmoil again. 'Ug, it's too early for this,' she thought as she closed the door and removed her kimono. She looked over her body, noticing that she was starting to become a little curvier in the chest, and then choose a new kimono to wear for the day.

'What are my feelings though…' she wondered a final time before fixing her hair and heading for breakfast. "Perhaps I can get some alone time today to think about it," she whispered unaware of the presence that heard her wish.

A/N:

You know I never realized just how long this chapter was. Anyway edits are done and I'm actually a lot happier with the grammar of this chapter. I think this chapter flows a lot better now.