Naraku

Disclaimer:: You know who owns this greatness. R. Takahashi

Chapter 10:: Tell me

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She walked ahead of him, leading him on the path back to Edo. He should have left when he saw her in the spring. He watched her for a while as she bathed. She grew. It really hadn't been that long but to a human, he guessed nine months was much. It's not like he any choice. He himself was summoned and had priorities to uphold. The timing may not have been great, but he had no say in the matter. She had definitely grown, she looked so much more mature than when he left. She had shed the frail little girl and in place stood a strong, toned well built woman. She looked the same in the face and maybe her hair had become a little longer, but she didn't have that childish look in her eyes anymore. She began to massage herself and the noises she was making made Naraku lose focus. The last sigh that escaped her breath made him stumble. It was completely unintentional and it shocked even he, but that stumble was right into a tree and into a broken branch. Which is what she heard, and why she got out.

He had not meant to stumble and he had not meant to lay eyes on her bare body. He felt as though he invaded her space and even he, the sly demon he was, felt guilty for not looking away. How could he not, she had most definitely grew out of the shell she was. His red eyes drank her flesh in and he felt a tightness in his chest and a rush of emotion to his groin. It had been too long since someone made him feel even remotely aroused. Droplets of water ran down her arms, legs, back... breasts. She crouched low next to her belongings and he could see the soft black curls enveloping her womanhood. His teeth grit, tightly clenched together. He didn't move a muscle. She scanned the area and threw a red top across her body and dashed off towards the village. He still did not move. He just stared at the place she stood, image burned into his mind. She was wearing his clothes. The top she covered herself was the one Inuyasha wore. Naraku's claws gauged the tree bark. He gripped and ran his claws down the trunk, and sat. For hours he sat.

He decided to visit the well. There were a few more hours before daylight and he decided it would be best if he left before sunrise, but he wanted to look down the well one more time. It seemed to call to him.

Kagome. I should never have taken you out of that hole.

He reached the area of interest and sat at the base of the bone eaters well. He was there alone for no longer than 5 minutes before his senses picked up hers. He could feel her aura probe into his. She broke into the clearing and they locked gazes.

And that is what brought them here. They reached the village and Kagome led them into Kaede's home. She opened the door, looking at him to come inside. He stepped in hesitantly and she could see that he felt out of place. Hell, he looked out of place.

"Please sit. Can I make you some tea, water?" Be hospitable.

He shook his head. "No. Thank you." He scanned the room, it looked the same as the last time he had visited, when he met and left Kagome here. She sat on the soft mat next to a table.

"Sit with me? I feel like we have a lot to talk about."

"Hm." Naraku surprised himself by actually indulging in her request.

"Do you mind that I ask you where you went?" Her voice was soft, almost pleading.

"Do you remember what I spoke of my father?"

She nodded. "He was the general to the Western Lord, right?"

He also nodded. She had good memory. "He died a long time ago?" she questioned and he nodded again.

"The night I left I received word from the western Lord. I was to be in western palace in two days with no exceptions. The Lord of the west is seeking council for a new high general to his army. My father... who was high general, his role would have been passed down to his heir. Just as if Lord Sesshoumaru were to pass... Lord Inuyasha would take his place."

Kagome sucked in a huge gulp of air at this new. The western Lord and Inuyasha... were brothers! Whoa. That's news. Why hadn't Inuyasha said anything before?

"Inuyasha is also the result of mixed breeding. He too is Hanyou." Kagome didn't seem too surprised at this news. That must have been one thing he shared with her. Apparently he still hated his brother and spoke nothing of him.

So many questions! "What does this Sesshoumaru want with you? You're hanyou... he doesn't want you, does he?" She was putting the pieces together as she asked her question. Her eyes looked into his slightly panicked.

"He does." He stared at her coolly.

"And you'd do it?! He killed your parents... didn't he? Why would you say yes?

Naraku kept their gazes connected. "His shun was the reason they were sought out to destroy. I have no reason to want, I do not want... but I have no choice in the matter. There is a battle. I have been summoned to battle for the position of High General to the Lord of the West. The alternative is death." Her eyes were steady, he could see the swirl of emotion filtering through her eyes but she held her calm.

"I see."

"Yes. I have been... preparing."

"You could have come back sooner... and we could have trained together. Instead you missed out on all the fun." She tried to smile but it was forced. This whole thing may have been forced.

"I can see you have been training hard. You.. are different."

"Yeah, hehe. I do nothing but train..." to help me stop thinking about you..

"Naraku."

His name falling from her lips caught his attention quick. They locked eyes. It seemed every time they looked at each other, their entire surrounding melted into oblivion.

"Do not... leave me here again. Promise me you will take me next time no matter what. I can handle myself this time, I can protect myself. Please promise me."

Her dark gray eyes melted into his red ones. He could see her desperation, but he could also see her fight. But could he promise to take her? He was a man who had enemies. People would come after him for no reason. She would constantly be endangered. Her look became angrier the longer he did not speak.

"I... I think I'm going to rest before sunrise." She stood abruptly. "If you leave I will never forgive you." It was a cold statement. She walked to her door and slipped into her room without another word.

Kamisama you weren't supposed to ruffle my feathers.

He stood and walked to her door, listening. It was quiet. Was she already in bed? It had only been ten minutes. His hand rested against her door and it cracked open a bit. She was asleep. Wrapped in his white bamboo pelt he had given her the day before leaving. She nuzzled her face into its fur and sighed one of her lovely sighs.

He smirked.

Interesting.

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Authors Note:: I'm going to keep updating! Got a new laptop and some new accessories and I'm feeling ultra inspired! Leave me a review to let me know you're interested! xoxo