Entered in the "Untold Secrets" competition at Live Journal's Inuyasha Fanfic Contest. September 2009, Rating: PG-13 (for themes), Dark Introspection. 240 words.
I'll consign you to oblivion without suffering.
- Naraku to Princess Abi
Shrill, bird-like in her quickness and coldness. There is even something strangely endearing in her loyalty and obedience to her powerful and stupid mother. Powerful, useful, and stupid mother, Naraku amends. He admires her rich black hair and the aura of metallic tang--like blood, or the sharpness of autumn--that follows her. Admires her well-formed limbs, the glints of burnished gold around her shapely ankles.
She is aristocratic, fearless, born of fire. He wants to impress and spare her. Look, look at what a self-made half-demon with brains and ambition can do. Double-cross me because I am a hanyou? The indignation curls in his belly.
Is it lust? Somewhat. Yet he doesn't want to hear her scream, doesn't even want to see her kneel; instead, Naraku imagines victory or foolish amusement flashing in Abi's sharp red eyes. He likes her. He finds himself sincerely wishing that she won't betray him, that he might somehow allow her to live.
Naraku closes his eyes and smiles. He can't even blame the milkish Onigumo for this attraction.
*
"You killed Abi-hime quickly," observes Kagura later. He hears the click and swish of her fan as she hides her expression even in the shadows.
"More than I would do for you," Naraku says lazily. He squeezes her heart until she's gulping for air like a fish, then squeezes it again.