At this point we all know I do not own InuYasha.

But just in case you didn't, I don't own it.

So now you know.

I felt a lump form in my throat as the sun set.
What would I do? I knew I would report to him about InuYasha, firstly. That they had no definite idea of where he was. They had only a vague idea, based on information they had gathered from people at a village a few miles away. That would be the easy part.
I resolved not to think about the difficult task that lay ahead.

I had known where to meet him for some time. True to his word, he had sent a messenger of sorts to identify our meeting place. I had a dream, involving Naraku and I, meeting each other at the hot springs.
The closest hot springs to my location were about a mile west of the clearing. I would head there.

As I noted the setting sun, I decided that it would be imperative for me to leave right away.
I bid farewell to everyone, attempting to make my goodbye as short and sweet as possible.

At my slow pace, it took me nearly half an hour to reach the meeting place. And yet, I could feel the warmth of the hot springs before I was able to see them. Walking a few feet further, I could see the steam rising from the ground, and it was then that I could see the reflection of the water upon rocks.
There was something white hung over a tree branch. What could that be? Was it some sort of sign that I was heading in the right direction?
As I neared the strange object further, I was able to make out a blue baboon's face on the white garment. Entranced, I reached out to touch the fabric. It was softer than I could imagine, and I wanted nothing more than to wrap myself within the cloak. I wanted to melt within the soft fur. And as I held the cloak in my hands, a realization came over me.
These are Naraku's clothes.
"That means..." I whispered, to no one in particular.

"Kitsauma, I'm glad you have made it here." A voice interrupted me from my reverie. Not just any voice, his voice. I would recognize that rich but bitter texture anywhere. A sound that symbolized hatred for many, meant so much more to me. I felt my heart skip a beat.

I pushed the cloak to the side of the tree to see Naraku in the hot springs, waist up revealed, the rest submerged within the hot springs.
I suddenly found myself blushing.
It was all so strange. I was with Naraku, alone, though undoubtedly Kohaku was patrolling around somewhere. He was undressed and within the hot springs, and I was going to reveal my feelings for him. It all seemed so awkward.
Yet as I thought this, I felt my attention being drawn to a large rock in the center of the hot springs. There was something not quite right about it, yet I could not place it.

Blushing, I refocused my attention on Naraku, who was now sinking deeper into the hot springs, going so deep that only his neck remained above the water.

"What have you learned, Kitsauma?"

"InuYasha and his group have no definite lock on your trail. They merely make their way through the area aimlessly, hoping to find you. There is nothing to worry about."

"Worry? What on Earth could I possibly worry for? That group is comprised of a weak half-demon and humans."

For some strange reason, the word 'worry' continuously resonated in my head, more forceful with each echo. Each time the word rang throughout my head, I continued to feel compelled to look at the large boulder. I willed the echo silent. I would not allow myself to be distracted from my task by some rock.

"My Master, is there anything else you require?" I asked him, hoping I could somehow be of further use to him.

"What was the disposition of the group?"

"Master Naraku?" I was confused. Why on earth would he possibly want to know how they were feeling?

"I would like to be made aware of any internal problems that they were experiencing. Something I might use to my advantage in battles to come...."

Ah. I understood perfectly now. Although I wanted so much to tell him all that had occurred, I felt a bitter taste seeping into my mouth. Why... Why did I feel this way? It almost felt as though that by telling Naraku about the confliction between Kagome and InuYasha, I would be betraying Kagome's kindness to me in the worst way possible. Yet this information was crucial to Naraku. Undoubtedly he could manipulate their feelings to his advantage. He could collect their shards, becoming the most powerful demon in the land. Perhaps there was some way I could reveal the information he wanted without giving away too much, without giving away some form of information that might devastate their relationship...

"There is not much to tell, Master Naraku. The hanyou and the human girl, Kagome, have developed feelings for one another. Both refuse to admit their feelings to the other, yet it is clear they are in love." That would suffice. It was very vague, indeed. I spared all details. This was enough information for Naraku without doing further damage to Kagome and InuYasha.
It seemed that I did not feel so bad for InuYasha as I felt for Kagome. I held a sort of empathy for humans, as it was my father's village that showed me undying kindness for all those years. Although I was an orphan, they treated me like an equal member of the community, and not like a burden.

I was never quite able to pay them back in ways other than miscellaneous work. I would help a man work in his fields, or I would help a woman organize her thread. There was not much I could do. Yet it felt almost as though by withholding information for Kagome, I was repaying back the humans who had helped me. I realized the corruption of my own kind. This is not to say that humans themselves are free to corruption, they just do not let it get to their heads as easily as demons.

A demon would believe that, because he is a demon, he is invincible to humans. What a strange notion, as I had witnessed the execution of several demons by human hands. Humans realized when their lives were threatened. They realized their own mortality.

"Very interesting, Kitsauma. Perhaps in the future I will be able to put them off better than I ever could have expected... Of course, it will be of no comparison to the schism between Kikyo and InuYasha..." He smirked as he said this, making me feel disgusted. What he did to Kikyo and InuYasha was, in my opinion, one of the foulest things a being could do to another being. And by relaying any sort of information to him about Kagome and InuYasha, I was helping him to commit the same terror.

Naraku began to lean back, the glow of the water flickering on his face. He looked so striking there, as if he were some strange, beautiful illusion.
I would have to tell him now.

"Master Naraku. I have something to tell you. Your response will determine the next week of my life. You must supply ample amount of thought towards what I say."

He resumed his upright position, standing tall and alert. His eyes widened with concern.

"Kitsauma, what is it?"
"Master Naraku, please calm yourself. It is not a thing of worry."

He relaxed a little.

"Naraku, I have fe-"

I stopped short. Behind the boulder, something was there. Watching, listening. I stared at the boulder, not bothering to complete my sentence.

The boulder, something is behind it.
The something then stuck its head out.
It was a woman, beautiful and fair. Her skin so pale, she seemed to reflect the moonlight. She possessed a resemblance, to someone. The woman's long black hair brushed over her naked shoulders.

Kikyo.

Naked.
The thought began to process within my brain.

Of course. Had Naraku and Kikyo been in the hot springs together? Of course. He had loved her so. And now she merely returned the feelings.

Yes. I saw so clearly what had been going on before my very eyes.

They were in love.

He did not love me. How could I have been so foolish?
I felt the bruises darken underneath of my kimono. Despite my shikkon shard, pain erupted over my body. I winced, as standing became more and more of an impossible task with each passing second.

"I see..." I whispered, not taking my eyes off of Kikyo.

Naraku quickly turned around, following my gaze to the boulder.

"Kikyo!" He exclaimed.

"I see. It was all a ploy. You made me believe that you cared for me. I'm just another pawn in your game, a tool to taint your shards. Of course. That must be why you gave it to me. My bruises merely served as the perfect excuse."

I felt my despair steadily turning into rage. I felt anger. Deep, unrelenting anger. My demonic instincts began to tug at the surface of myself, my darker side itching to come out. I fought it. I kept them at bay for as long as I could, yet I could not contain it much longer, weak as I was. I felt myself loose my mind then, glaring down at the shard that hung around my neck as it changed from pink to red. It's aura became thick with malevolence. I could feel my eyes turning red, the anger obviously evoking my full demon side.

"And now I will do what you have always wanted me to do. You had wanted me to taint the shard from the start. It's about time I did your bidding, Master Naraku."

He opened his mouth to protest, but it was too late. I had already propelled myself into the sky, allowing the trees to carry me to my destination. I knew where I was going. I knew what I would do.

The trees passed me through their hands, branches upon branches carrying my body North. The twigs of the branches nearly recoiled the instant they touched me, fearing my evil.

A strange need overcame my body.

I thirsted for blood.

No . I whispered within myself. Replying my own thoughts, I laughed at my weakness.

The moment I had feared for so long had come.
I was changing. The curse was in full effect.