Pairing: Naraku/Kagome

Rating/Warnings: T / mentions of sex

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, nor do I make any profit from this story.

Reflections: An Interlude (The Ties that Bind Us Ch. 7)

by: Ryoko (Lewd Concubine)

Naraku liked Kagome as she was: resting against his arm. Having her dependant on him was a far greater pleasure than the one he had just allowed himself. He had a purpose for the activity, of course, but the fact remained that he was truly being indulgent at the moment.

Seconds and then minutes passed as they both calmed themselves. Interesting how time could become significant to a relatively immortal being. Naraku tucked himself back in and then zipped up his pants as he mused on Kagome's unique effect on him. The limousine drove on, but there was hardly a whisper of sound from the outside world. Their relative isolation was as sure a sign of his ownership of her as he had ever needed.

Naraku repressed the urge to chuckle. It was not the appropriate time. He could revel in it later, perhaps. He ran a hand through Kagome's hair instead. She looked up at him and he smiled. It was easy for him.

"We should get you cleaned up." They were close to his building. Not that it mattered. His servant would have driven them around had they not finished in time-Naraku had found effective methods for control over the years and he was employing one here. If there was anything that man had taught him, it was that he was right to install a failsafe in every one of his subordinates.

Warmth began to seep away as she moved and he found that he missed it, if only for the connotations it brought. She was his even though his initial slip-up had made his victory an unsure thing for a while.

The lack of a challenge almost disappointed him. Really, she was far too forgiving. But he was much more excited for her presence than was reasonable. Several centuries of relative peace must have taken their toll. After absorbing or rendering impotent all the demons in the world, he had been left powerful and alone with nothing but a vague sense of greater destiny to keep ennui at bay. That was until he had met them. Naraku avoided thinking about it so as not to draw one to him. They were tricky like that. Like him.

Naraku slid Kagome's panties up her legs. His crimson gaze lingered on her used sex for a proprietary moment before he covered it. His gaze met hers and he reveled in the way she drank him in with her eyes even as she blushed. Naraku leaned in to place a kiss, deceptive in its gentleness, on her forehead.

"We're almost there." A moment later and the limousine slid to a stop. Kagome placed her hands on him as if to push him away and began to babble-really, was she being modest now? Naraku moved back as if he were a gentleman and allowed her to collect herself before his driver opened the door. She was back to normal once more by the time the cool night breeze wafted inside.

Naraku looped his arm through Kagome's own once they were free of the car. He returned the bellman's dark gaze and smirked. Ah, so envious, his incarnations. Naraku led Kagome past him and into the building. Her eyes were as wide as he had ever seen them as she took in the décor. Such surprise there. No doubt because it was entirely different from all expectations. Dark woods were replaced by light and gold by silver. Instead of black marble, there was white. All this had been done on a whim. Eternity stretched never-ending before him and he was easily bored.

"Wow. I just-"

"Do you like it?" he asked, before she could ramble on. This was of her least attractive traits.

Ah, and there was her redemptive blush again. She nodded and he smiled.

Naraku guided her to the floor-to-ceiling windows that traveled the length of his penthouse apartment. They gazed out at the city for some minutes before Naraku sensed one of them coming. He remained impassive for a moment, and then took Kagome's arm again.

"You must be tired," he said, as he turned her from the windows to face him. Her smile was weary this time.

"I am. I mean. Well…" She trailed off as her cheeks flared to bright red life again. It was closer now, but Naraku couldn't rush her too much. He had to make the transition seem as natural as possible. There was an art to this, and one he was well versed in despite the pressure from having that obstacle show up to foil his plans.

"Would you like to shower?" She let out a breath and nodded again. He guided her away from the window and gestured in the direction of the bathroom. "Please, help yourself."

"Thank you." Naraku could see the tension in her shoulders-regret, was it?-as she walked away. He cast a glance behind him to the being that hovered grand and impotent outside of his well-protected apartment. He was nude and resplendent in his fury. Silver hair was cropped close to his head and bright, ethereal wings framed his glowing body.

Naraku smirked at the angel and, with a flick of his wrist, caused his blinds to begin their automatic descent. He followed Kagome into the depths of his untouchable fortress without looking back again.

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Oh boy. I'm not too sure about this chapter (can it even be called that?), but here it is! I care about Naraku very much so he is hard to write for me. Kagome? Easy peasy. So hopefully the next chapter will be faster and better. And the mystery is finally revealed though it is not as simple as it seems. Dedicated to Nathia for her wonderful review which prompted me to finish it. Thanks for reading and sticking with me, everyone.