I'm baaaaack! Please forgive me! I know I have pretty much apologized at every chapter, but I truly am sorry for going on this long-ass hiatus. I have my inspiration back, and will do my best to continue this as quickly as I can to keep my lovely readers happy.

I can't thank you enough!

Deal with the Devil

Kagome's fist tightened around the material that covered her body. She had grabbed it on her way out, not even realizing the stark difference between it and Sesshoumaru's. It didn't matter, she was finished, her end of the deal had been upheld.

But as her feet carried her through the empty room, Kagome found herself worrying. Could she truly leave the other girls in there? Naraku had been livid, ready to destroy everything in his path, and it was because of her. What if he took it out on the girls? Especially since she hadn't exactly tried very hard to make him happy.

I hate this place.

Her breath came out with a string of curses as she made her way back to the door. Damn him, damn him this whole world. She wasn't even twenty and already she had lost her virginity, been kidnapped, endured more pain than she thought would have ever happened, not to mention she was trying to stop a war, and now this? Pleasing some childish, awful demon just to gain one day at home?

Kagome stopped at the door, emotions swirling about. She did not have to go back in. It was not her responsibility. Her eyes closed and she laid her forehead against the wood. Yes it was. She had the means and the opportunity to help, how could she turn her back? She wouldn't be able to live with herself if she did.

Gathering what little courage she had left, Kagome lightly hit the door with her knuckles. She heard the water splashing about, before finally the voice came.

"Come in." It was Naraku's, of course, that much was obvious. But the tone was something she hadn't expected. Curiosity.

Nevertheless, Kagome pulled the door open, stepping inside quickly before her bravery could leave.

Naraku was still lounging against the rocks, but now he had a girl in his lap. Ayumi sat, her back to him and her legs slightly apart. Her face was contorted a little, the only indication that she was uncomfortable. Naraku had one hand around her waist to grasp her breast, and was currently squeezing it. His other hand was outstretched to the edge of the spring, where Shizu sat, her legs the only thing in the water. His hand was hidden behind one of those legs, and Kagome knew exactly what he was doing.

"Forget something?" His voice made her wince, and she realized she had probably been standing there for far too long, just staring.

"I- uh, yes. I accidentally grabbed your robe." She pulled at the material around her shoulders.

Naraku nodded, but otherwise ignored her to go back to what he was doing.

Kagome stepped forward, moving to switch the clothing. She was tempted to just grab it and run, but the sound Ayumi made had her pausing. The girl was not enjoying herself, which frankly surprised Kagome. With how much Ayumi had wanted to please the lords, it just seemed odd that she didn't feel ecstatic for the attention.

Kagome was a little glad about the reaction.

"Is there anything else?" Naraku spoke again, looking at her with an amused expression. She fought the desire to glower when she realized he knew she hadn't returned just for the robe.

Forcing herself to speak, Kagome said; "I had another request." It was worth a shot, right?

"Oh?" He was being far too calm for her liking, and the fact that he had continued his movements with the girls made her face grow hot.

"I want Ayumi and Shizu to come with me." Kagome waited, then added, "Now."

Naraku met her eyes, and it took all she had to keep their hold. "No." He said, almost bored as he went back to his entertainment.

"Please?" She added, hoping it would help. A thought occurred to her and she removed the robe from her shoulders, letting it slide to the floor almost silently. Hopefully it would distract him enough to agree to her request.

Naraku gave her a look that made her feel less than a speck of dirt. He didn't bother saying no this time, and simply continued making Ayumi squeak quietly.

"You said you had to listen to me." Kagome said, stepping forward absentmindedly.

"He also gave me the girls, knowing you would request to leave. They do not fall under your protection." He shoved his hips upwards, making Ayumi yelp in surprise. The look on Kagome's face made him smirk. "But I'd be happy to trade."

Kagome wrapped her arms around her waist, wondering just how she got herself into these situations. "What do you want?" She made herself ask.

"You," he said, as if it was obvious.

"Why?" She didn't snap, she was truly curious. What made her so damn special?

Naraku gave a shrug that meant everything and nothing. "My desires are my own, you have no need to know any reasonings I might have."

Kagome bit her already painful lip, staring as Naraku carried on in his pleasures. "What would you have of me?" Maybe it wouldn't be as bad.

"I would like to have you with me for the duration of my stay," he said immediately, as if he had the words ready. "My personal pet."

She didn't stop the glower that pulled at her lips. "I need more specifics than that."

Naraku smiled, expecting no less. "You will accompany me at all times, bathe me when I request, fetch me what I need," he let his gaze fall over every curve of her body. "And you will keep me happy. It is, after all, my birthday week."

"A week?" She stared at him incredulously, "You can't be serious."

His eyes found hers once more, "Is it worth it?" The words hit her hard, nearly making her stumble. She had asked Sango the exact same thing only hours before. For a moment she entertained the notion that it was pure coincidence; it had to be. There was absolutely no way he could have not only known what Sango had gone to do, but exactly what Kagome said as well. She was silent for too long again, but she didn't care. Her eyes bore into his, looking for the innocence by the words, but found none.

He knew. Kagome didn't know how it was possible, but he knew.

And he was threatening her with the knowledge.

"Yes." She whispered. Sango was her priority here. Naraku had made it clear that the girl was not allowed to see her brother, and given how he had acted towards a spill, she couldn't imagine what would happen for disobeying.

"Leave us." His voice was soft; too soft. It was the calm before the storm, and she knew the clouds wouldn't part for a long time.

As the girls left, Shizu meeting her eyes for a moment, Kagome felt her will begin to crumble. She had struck the deal, and there wasn't a damn thing she could do to get out of it. It felt like this was happening over and over; someone was in trouble, and she went to the extreme to help them. It wasn't fair.

Kagome closed her eyes, focusing on her breathing. No. It wasn't fair. But it was all she could do. And if it meant saving a life, or at the very least rescuing someone from probably torture, then she could do it. She would do it.

"Come, pet. I haven't finished my bath yet." Kagome opened her eyes, making them stay at his chest. She would have to be ...good. It wasn't worth the risk to be difficult.

Keeping the shake out of her limbs, Kagome stepped forward and into the bath, for the first time not enjoying the hot water lapping against her skin.

There wasn't a moment where Kagome didn't ask herself if she'd done the right thing. With every step towards the dark beast, she questioned her decision. Could she have just to Sesshoumaru and asked for the girls to be released? For that matter, were the girls even all that hurt?

Kagome found herself stopping then. Naraku hadn't been doing anything that bad, in fact it was downright nice compared to what she had seen. Had she truly saved them, or did she simply cause more problems for herself?

Sango…

Kagome almost glared at the demon who'd threatened her friend. She wanted him to see her anger, but she was too afraid of the consequences. After what she had seen earlier was being incredibly patient, nice even. She wasn't sure she wanted to test the sudden good mood.

"Are you going to just stand there?" Naraku asked, partly enjoying her fear and partly annoyed by it.

"We need to clarify what exactly I'll be doing." Kagome found herself saying.

"You have already agreed to my terms." He responded, growing agitated with the delay.

"I agreed to follow you around for a week, and nothing more." She countered. "So if you had something else in mind, say it now or I'll have grounds to refuse future requests."

Naraku was quiet then, sizing up her words with pursed lips. He didn't enjoy unintelligent women, but he had to admit the upsides of having them…

"Very well," he moved to sit forward, reaching out to capture her him in his wide hand. He pulled her towards him until he was able to comfortably hold her backside in each hand.

Kagome frowned at the grin he gave as her knees knocked into his; she had to fight to keep the disgust off her face when his fingers dug into her bare ass.

"I want you to be mine for the entirety of the week." He continued before she had the chance to argue. "You will remain at my side constantly, except for when fetching things like food and other needs of mine." He let his teeth show in his smile, "You will keep me happy."

"Yes, that's what you said before, but what does keeping you happy mean?" She said back, clenching her fists underneath the water.

"I do not know," Naraku admitted, "It will depend on the moment I suppose."

Kagome thought through his words, and knew he wasn't entirely wrong in that statement. Unless she forced him to say every scenario and reaction he would expect, she wouldn't get a thorough answer. But that didn't mean she had to like it.

For the first time she was wondering if it was worth it.

"What…" she hesitated, unsure how to phrase her question. "What precisely am I getting out of this deal?"

Naraku pulled her in further so she was leaning over him. Her hand flew out to steady herself and slapped against his bare chest. "I will not be with any other girl for the duration of my stay." He gave her ass a squeeze.

"No killing either," she said, wanting to be positive of that fact. It was vague enough, but it would at least include Sango without her admitting outloud what had happened.

This time he was the one to hesitate, but eventually viewed it as fair. "Done," he murmured.

Kagome figured that would be the end of it, but… She had one more request. And she had to ask it now, before she lost any advantage she'd gained.

"Let Sango see her brother," she blurted.

Naraku barely flinched at her words, as if he had been expecting it. "Let me take you." He countered.

She didn't have to ask what he meant, that much was obvious. But if it was that easy… then maybe he would be willing to go a little further.

"What if I asked that you gave Kohaku to Sesshoumaru?" She'd left the title off on purpose, hoping it would make him happier. "Release him, for good."

That he hadn't been expecting.

Naraku stared at her, his face utterly blank as if she hadn't said anything at all. His eyes swam, however, all the positives and negatives flitting past his mind.

"Someone would have to take his place." He muttered almost absentmindedly.

"No." Kagome said immediately. She wouldn't save someone at the cost of someone else.

Naraku pondered further, before finally settling on an idea. "Very well, but I must have something in return for my loss."

Kagome held her breath.

"I may not get a full replacement, but how about just for a week each month?"

She frowned at him, "Who would you want?"

Naraku gave her a look that said she knew exactly who he wanted.

Kagome mulled over the idea. He was horrendous, and frankly evil to the core, but it was worth it for Kohaku.

"One day," she bartered.

"Five." He shot back.

"Three," she returned, legs starting to cramp.

"Done," Naraku's smirk widened and he pulled until Kagome was forced to either straddle his legs for fall against him.

She went for the former, given that the other was too uncomfortable. Kagome swallowed her distaste for the man and lifted her legs so she sat in his lap.

"Now, let's finish our bath."