A paled hand touched an equally pale cheek. It was wet. An elegant eye brow raised minutely. Somewhere in the depths of her mind she knew what it could mean, but something was blocking it. Like a mental barrier that refused to allow past knowledge or memories or anything for that matter to pass. What was this strange feeling welling up in her chest? Why was her cheek wet, and what could have caused such a thing? She could see no rain, and even if she could, the protective bubble she was in would have stopped it from reaching her. Thousands of questions whizzed through her mind, not once giving her a chance to answer. She was about to voice her questions when a deep and husky voice broke her from her musings.

"I don't think i give you enough credit, my dear." it spoke, hot breath brushing her ear "I would have never thought you would actually do it."

"I thank you for your praise, my Lord." she replied, though her mouth seemed to move on auto pilot.

"You do not care for my praises." came the voice again, in a mock tone of hurt.

Her head moved quickly, almost crashing with the man beside her. Raising her hand once more, she placed it on his chest. Keeping her gaze on her hand as it traveled up towards his shoulder only to slowly drag back down.

"I do, my Lord. For it means i have pleased you." she answered, her voice void of emotions.

Naraku smirked darkly. It was like putty in his hand. Pulling her flush against his chest he then pressed his lips to her throat, earning him a light gasp and a muffled groan. Again he smirked, as he pressed open mouthed kisses long her throat and down to her collarbone.

"I can think of many, more satisfying, ways of pleasing me." he replied, his hands roaming her small frame.

"Your wish is my command, my Lord." she whispered.

Naraku smirked again when she gave a quick intake of breath as he raised her leg and fitted himself in between them, grinding slightly. Taking a sly glance at his creations, he almost snorted at Kagura's features. They were a mix of disgust and hatred. Two of his most favorite emotions. Trailing his tongue down the Miko's neck, the vile Hanyou then sunk his fangs into her throat once more. Kagome's eyes widened in shock and threw her head back. As Naraku injected her with deadly miasma through his fangs her eyes glazed over and her body went limp in his hold. Releasing her neck from his jaws, Naraku snarled into her ear.

"Did you think i would be so stupid that i would miss your little moment with the Hanyou?" he ground out through clenched teeth "You are mine and mine alone. Remember this and you shall come to little harm. Disobey me again and you will be begging for death. Understood?"

No reply came. Becoming angry, Naraku grabbed a handful of her midnight hair and wrenched it hard. Again she remained silent. No pain in her eyes, no tears, not even a struggle.

"Why do you remain silent?! Where is the fire you once had, hmm?! Why is it you cry for that worthless Hanyou yet you can not even scream in pain for me?!" he bellowed into her face.

Snorting in annoyance, Naraku let her fall lifelessly to his feet where she remained for the remainder of their journey. Once their were safely back at his hidden castle, Naraku slowly lowered the bubble like barrier to the ground.

"Take her to her chamber. She is of no use to me like this." he snapped to his second creation, Kagura.

"Yes, my Lord." she replied, bowing.

Using her wind control she raised the limp form of the Miko girl into the air and began her short walk to the girl's chamber. Once inside she gently laid her on the bed. Feeling a sudden flood of emotion, Kagura lightly brushed aside Kagome's bangs. Smiling weakly to herself, the wind witch then sat beside the unconscious girl.

"You got off lucky this time." she said softly "Take it from someone who knows. It is not wise to go against Naraku's orders for it aways ends badly."

With that she stood and went to leave. Just before she closed the door she looked back and whispered into the darkness of the room.

"Oh, and in case you were wondering. They survived the attack."

And she was gone. Even though she was unconscious, Kagome faintly heard the reassurance of the wind witch and a ghost of a smile appeared on her thin lips.

Walking away with Kanna in tow, Naraku silently fumed. How was it possible for her to break free from his control, even for that short amount of time. He would have to keep an extra eye on her from now on, until she was completely tainted and void of any control what so ever. Walking briskly to his chamber he then spoke.

"Kanna, you are to watch Kagome at all times. Never let her out of your site. I have a feeling she will cause a small amount of trouble in the near future."

"Yes, Master Naraku."

Kagome was awoken by a light nudge to her shoulder. Slowly lifting her heavy lids, her dull and empty eyes searched for the being that had rudely removed her from her slumber. When she finally found the culprit, she gave no emotion or indication she was shocked or surprised.

"'Morning miss." the girl said.

Pulling herself to a sitting position, Kagome trailed her gaze over the girl before her. By the intricate markings that traced her arms and face, it was plainly obvious the girl was of demonic blood. She was slim and well proportioned. Her skin was a light tanned color in contrast to the dark brown, almost black stripe around her wrists and up her arms. On each cheek were two more stripes of the same color. The deep blue kimono matched the color of her almond shaped eyes. Reaching her hand to the servant girl, Kagome spoke.

"Come here." she commanded softly.

Moving closer to her new mistress, the Yokai girl took Kagome's hand, flinching slightly at it's coldness and sparks of tainted energy. At the touch Kagome's eyes flashed, returning only slightly to their normal liveliness.

"So my touch reverts her..." thought the servant girl.

Using the tip of her fingers, the Miko girl traced the markings of the girl's wrist. A nagging familiarity called in the back of her mind.

"Where have i seen this before?" she asked silently.

Raising her attention to the girls face she stared intently into the deep ocean blue orbs. Using her other hand she cupped the girl's cheek.

"These eyes.......They hold so much light.....So much life...."

"Miss? Are you alright?" the Yokai girl asked, her voice wavering with worry.

Dropping her hands as if she was burnt, Kagome shifted her gaze to the wall.

"I'm fine. What is it you want?" she asked.

Standing and clearing her throat in embarrassment, the Yokai girl bowed respectfully.

"The Master has requested that you are washed and dressed for breakfast, Miss."

"Kagome."

"Beg pardon, Miss?"

"My name is Kagome. Not Miss. Not Miko. Kagome."

"Forgive me, Mi..Kagome

The Yokai girl watched with a saddened expression as the girl before her stared blankly at the wall. Her heart clenched in pain. This was not the powerful Miko she has heard so much about. No, this was a broken and tainted shell of the woman that was so consumed by hatred that she could feel nothing else, that she had left her village to see. She had only offered her services to the monster that was now her master, for the chance to meet this wonderful and powerful girl and see if she could release her from the dark Hanyou's grasp, and now she knew it was all in vain. Yes her touch had temporarily reverted her, but now she could see it had done more damage than good. Even now she could see the taint spreading further, crushing the little bit of her old self that was released in that instant. Hanging her head in despair, the Yokai girl brushed the creases out of her kimono.

"I will leave you to get ready then, Kagome. Call if you should need my assistance."

As she reached the door, Kagome's voice stopped her in her tracks, a cold shiver of fear running down her spine.

"Assistance!" he laughed bitterly "Why would i need something from a disgusting creature such as you? You Yokai are all the same, traitorous, lying, soulless abominations! The only reason i do not purify you were you stand is for fear i would harm and displease my lord. Leave me, and don't come back" she sniffed, waving her hand dismissively towards the door.

Her heart in shatters, the Yokai girl bowed deeply and turned to leave. Once outside she leaned heavily against the wall and let a few heart broken tears trail down her cheeks.

"He really has destroyed her, hasn't he?"

The voice made her jump, and she roughly wiped her cheeks, removing the evidence of her pain filled heart.

"I know not what you mean, Miss." she answered, her voice wavering in her nervousness.

"Cut the crap" Kagura snapped "I know why your here, and i wish to help you but you must understand the implications should i help. If we are caught, we will both suffer a fate worse than death by Naraku's hands."

The Yokai girl paled, and her shaking hands began to sweat.

"How could she know!?"

"Your not what i would call the 'usual' servants here." Kagura said sarcastically "Your not dead for one, but remember that could always change." making her point clear, she removed her fan from her belt and tapped her chin in a bored manner.

"Your not like the others." the Yokai girl stated.

"You think?"

"You care for her."

The wind witch blanched at the accusation. But recovered quickly when she realised it was true. How many times had the young Miko offered her to come with them? Promised to set her free from Naraku's grasp? Yes, in a way she did care for the strange girl. She felt free, as the wind should be, when she was near her. The girl' aura calming her own and purifying all the taint within her soul, or what she liked to think as her soul. Her eyes narrowed in anger as she felt what the girl's aura had become now. It was almost fully tainted, almost the the point of no return. If they were going to help her they would have to act fast.

"You, girl, what is your name?"

"Kimiko, Miss." the Yokai girl replied, a quick formal bow following.

"You are the only one out of us that is allowed freely to leave the castle. Listen well for i will only say this once." At Kimiko's nod, she continued "When you leave the castle, you need to find Kagome's friends, tell them they have not much time and that they will need an antidote for the miasma within the Miko's body. They will have two days to get here and save her before the taint is irreversible. Understand?"

"But Naraku.."

"Leave that to me. He follows my every move if i leave the castle so he will be to busy to watch you."

"Very well. I will leave within the hour." said Kimiko, determination set in her features.

Kagura watched with interest and Kimiko turned and left. She reminded her so much of a certain Yokai Lord that her chest constricted painfully. Thinking about pain, she was still covered in wounds from her battle with Inuyasha. Concentrating hard she willed her demonic powers to call forth a calming wind to heal her. Within seconds she was finished but she would never be able to heal the whole within her chest where her heart should be.

"You owe me Miko....I will make sure you give me the freedom you promised..."

Woo!! I finally managed to update this!! Let me tell ya it was not as easy as i thought it would be...I had to re-read the story to know what i was writing again as my plan has gone missing for this story...Ah well. Enjoy!