A/N: Hello! I apologize for the long break between chapters. I was actually quite sick, and also I was waiting for the drama surrounding the sequel to die down. I had no idea that this story would gather any interest, but I'm really glad it has! Simple reminder that this really isn't a InuKag tale, I ran into some trouble with this because I tagged it that way, seeing as in a way, they DO still exist and it's them inside NarKik, but I don't want to mislead anyone into thinking there could be some type of happy ending for the two, though I may try and do something nice at the end for them…I have actually been thinking it could lead towards a little SessKag if there's an interest for it?! Let me know and I could work something out…I've been reading some of that pairing and feeling a bit inspired, but I really do love NarKik and that's endgame here. I have another story like this called The Bandit and The Lady if you like that pairing but with a human version of Naraku called Onigumo instead. Enough rambling, onto the story!

Darkness surrounded him. InuYasha opened his eyes, taking in what little he could see. There was only the faint glistening of wetness surrounding him, and the occasional scuttling of insectoid limbs on the wet floorboards. The heavy, moist heat around him was unlike when he was trapped inside Naraku, amongst the cold, slow throbbing of Onigumo's weakened human heart. This was different entirely, he realized, as he reached out with one hand to feel around.

His fingertips dragged across the floor with blunt nails, as he came to realize what had taken place. He'd transformed to his human state, in what was the terrifying tearing open of Naraku's chest in order to discard Onigumo's heart. InuYasha gulped, looking around the room for a possible exit. Naraku had spoken of getting rid of him, so maybe this was the most opportune time? InuYasha carefully walked across the floor, eying the other demons in the room, all twisted together and held in place by bulbous veins, tentacles and webbed black flesh that oozed with toxic venom. The stench was unbearable, rife with the deepest, innermost miasma that exuded from what InuYasha concluded must be the shedded demon fragments of Naraku, strewn about the room.

Was I discarded as well? He wondered, glancing around himself as he covered his face with a sleeve, seeing the weakened demons squirming all around him, seemingly all attached to one another; similar to the demons trapped in the Fuko spell. He shuddered, ready to get himself out of the terrifying basement. InuYasha made his way across the room, stepping over the lumpy flesh that bubbled beneath him, and towards the rattling trap door on the ceiling. He reached up, scenting the fresh air coming in from above, and pushed on the trap door, finding it was heavier than he thought it would have been.

"Urg.. damn it!" He growled, and went to punch the door. His fist never made impact though, instead cutting through the air, as the wind was knocked out of him by a long tentacle, wrapping tightly around his ribs. InuYasha gasped and was yanked violently back into the darkness, grabbing for whatever he could, he tore a segment off the demon's body, but it only kept dragging him, a malicious chuckle right behind him as InuYasha screamed out in horror.

Naraku ensnared the straying half demon back into his grasp, spearing him in the back with his scorpion like tail, hefting him up roughly to face him. InuYasha was paralyzed; struggling to move, what remained of his strength was quickly being weakened by Naraku's potent venom.

"You thought you could escape, did you..?" Naraku rasped, his disembodied head hanging by strands of hair, his pale skin dripping with translucent slime. InuYasha flinched back in disgust at seeing his true form, not wishing to be any nearer than he was now as he was being slowly dragged closer. He struggled, the venom of the scorpion tail lanced through his back impeding his movements.

"Why do you want me, I'm just a half demon...like you..." InuYasha whispered raspily, before letting his body fall slack. Naraku smirked, then closed his eyes and rested, eager for his body to be made anew.

"InuYasha…You have something that I do not, a thing I desire to use to my advantage. Perhaps you don't realize how instrumental the hold you have over Kikyo's heart is in achieving my goals. With that, and your strength, I have in me all I need to rid myself of her… curse." Naraku spat bitterly, watching the motley of disgust, anger and despair going across InuYasha's face.

"You're disgusting, Naraku… No matter how you try to use me to your advantage, she will never come to love you. She's not yours to take, Kikyo's free. She didn't need me, and she doesn't need you." He growled lowly, wincing as the stinger dug deeper into his chest, his arms hanging limp behind his back.

" 'Love'...heheh...Who said I wanted her love?" Naraku whispered in a curdled breath, and tightened his grip on the half-demon, wedging the scorpion tail deep into his sternum until he fell limp, blood dripping from the large gash in his chest as Naraku slipped his appendage from him, and InuYasha's body fell limp to the floor. Naraku glared down at the sleeping countenance of the boy, and snaked out a tendril to drink his blood from the floor.

He may not be able to rid himself fully of the half-demon's interference, but without the heart of Onigumo that loved Kikyo, Naraku found the heart that Kikyo loved much more desirable. He was sure of it this time, she would come to him without resistance. He desired Kikyo so much, desired to see her fair features twisted in agony, her frail and exposed before him. Loathing, lust, bitterness. Those were all acceptable averices he held for the priestess.

Miasma rose from the floor as his grin spread, the images of her torment rolling through his mind. By the end she would be crying out his name, crying out in pain, without that insufferable voice screaming from deep within that told him that he loved her, that Kikyo was precious to him.

"You will know no other master than myself, Kikyo. Your heart shall be mine, mine to take, mine to break." He whispered cruelly, then from the tangled masses of bodies, a red glow emanated, and Naraku squeezed the tainted jewel shard in his hand, calling Kikyo back to him.

As the tendrils drank the last of the blood puddle on the floor, Naraku chuckled to himself, and closed his eyes as the flesh surrounding him began to pulse, and writhe. Bright blue light lit the basement walls as there was a loud, cracking and slurping sound of flesh being rendered, devoured as it all came into one being, the fragile human man's body curled into itself as massive joints and claws suctioned into his back; becoming one with him.

~•x•X•x•~

Kikyo had been making her way out of the bowels of the dark basement after defeating Tsubaki and taking her jewel shard, when she felt it. Hot, searing pain spiked through her entire being as Kikyo felt her soul being pulled, her nails digging into the skin above the red, glowing anomaly inside of her chest where the tainted jewel shard remained. She stopped in place, and fell to her knees at the base of the stairs, panting.

She heard the sound of an old door swinging, and stairs creaking as someone came down to the dark basement.

"Mistress Tsubaki, I thought I heard something odd down here, is everything alright?" A voice called down to the fathoms, and a pink light gleamed from the woman's hand as she lit it with her spiritual power to see better what the dim red glow was in the dark.

"Lady Priestess, are you hurt?" The black haired young woman said, coming to her side to attempt to help her stand, placing her hand beneath her arm.

"Away with you! Leave me be!" Kikyo shouted, and her dark eyes changed hue for a moment. Kikyo almost succeeded in frightening the woman, her large blue eyes widening, but she did not relent, shaking her head of shaggy midnight black curls.

"No. You're hurt and you need help," The patient girl said with a gentle smile,

"Let us heal you. I am a student of Mistress Tsubaki, my name is Kagumei." The girl said, and Kikyo felt her soul shudder within her after hearing her name, the kind smile on her heart shaped face so hauntingly familiar.

It's...me! She's just like me! This is so freaky! Kagome said from within, and this only enraged Kikyo further.

Kikyo gripped the shoulders of the woman holding her and hissed, baring her fangs. Kagumei was startled, gasping upon realizing that the other Miko had been possessed in some way, her claws causing blood to seep out into her white haiori, and drip onto her long, pleated green skirt.

"Leave me be." Kikyo snarled, and glared deeply into the other woman's eyes, attempting to use her demon powers to ensnare her. Kagumei held up two hands and interlaced her fingers, creating a barrier around herself. "You have been corrupted. Allow me to rectify that." Kagumei said sternly, and nodded her head slightly; invoking a large bubble of light that surrounded the two of them. Kikyo gasped, and glanced around herself in apprehension; not expecting the other priestess to be so capable. Kagumei chanted an incantation, and Kikyo stiffened; her body paralyzed by the purification spell.

Dark bolts like arrows shot out of Kikyo's body and ricocheted inside the bubble, deflecting off of Kagumei and Kikyo. Kagumei continued to chant, her white aura washing out in circular waves that bent the air and caused the darkness within Kikyo to rush out unhindered, then become trapped in individual bubbles, which shrunk, then popped, eliminating the darkness from Kikyo bit by bit.

Kikyo felt as if her entire body were burning, the red jewel shard at the center of her chest trembling as Kagumei struggled to combat Naraku's incredible strength. The young girl was weakening, her face becoming pale and sweating, her bright blue eyes dimming.

You can do it, Kagumei! Come on! Kagome encouraged her twin of the past, Kikyo, internally cursing the pest but incapable of retorting back at her. Kagome looked around herself in the darkness of Kikyo's soul, and saw a light at the end that led to Kagumei.

She attempted to move her limbs, but they were like lead. If she could only run towards Kagumei, and lend her some of her strength!

Kagome froze as there was an overwhelming amount of red light within the bubble, and heard a chilling laugh. No… it can't be!

Kikyo took a breath at last, feeling the paralysis ebbing away as Naraku slipped past Kagumei's barrier easily, and the dark and light battled brightly for a moment, flashes blinding Kikyo and sending her and Kagumei hurtling back as Naraku used the jewel inside her chest to assist her, it glowing brightly as he pushed Kagumei back aggressively. Kagumei! Kagome cried, worried for the priestess, who she could tell was inherently good.

Kikyo fell down the stairs, but quickly righted herself before she could hit the ground, unfolding her wings that seemed to be in tatters, tiny shreds of black disintegrating. "No… no…my power!" She cried, but then heard the same rattling laugh again. "Do not worry, Kikyo. Once you share my power, you can be torn apart and yet come together as whole once again." Naraku whispered, Kikyo glancing around herself to attempt to find him in the darkness.

"I am not here. Return to me. Take the girl, use my gift sealed with a kiss to enslave her mind. You will find that you and I have a mind one and the same. I wish to rid myself of InuYasha, and you wish to rid yourself of Kagome. Come back to me, Kikyo." Naraku whispered, and Kikyo found her heart struggling inside her chest as she listened to his voice. He spoke the truth.

"The time is now. Act quickly." He said, his voice fading. Kikyo turned back to see that

Kagumei had become frozen in a trance, and Kikyo watched the girl's eyes dulling curiously. I wonder if perhaps Naraku believes this girl would be a good host for my annoying little passenger as well. Kikyo mused. She looked, and acted so much like Kagome, who had identified with her immediately. Kikyo dug into her own chest with a claw and made pained gasp, as red sparks surrounded her sharp nails as they took hold of the red jewel shard. Kikyo retrieved the shard and placed two fingers on Kagumei's forehead, a red diamond shape remaining where the tainted jewel had sunken in. Kagumei's eyes turned red and she remained silent as she and Kikyo stood up. She had to leave these grounds at once, now that Tsubaki's presence was gone, the shrine was returning to a holy place, and she couldn't allow anyone else to notice her escorting one of their own away.

Something is pulling me to it…I feel it. Does he… wish for me to come back so soon? Kikyo wondered, even without the jewel shard inside her any longer, she still felt his influence, though now he could no longer speak through her shard. Kikyo was capable of removing the shard all along, but now she'd found the perfect use for it, despite it being with Naraku's assistance. She smiled, and felt the ache subside somewhat in her chest, allowing her to stand.

Kikyo left the basement with Kagumei in tow, following obediently behind her. She came outside at last and took a deep breath, retaining her human form. Kikyo found a horse tied to a tree, and untied it's rope. Whatever this new pull was toward Naraku, it was too powerful to be deflected by her own demon power, shard or no shard.

Naraku. I should have known that you would beg for my return. Fine then, I'll come to you. And when I do, I shall kill you.

"Kagumei, are you leaving so soon? Who is in your company?" A young monk called to her, and she glanced back momentarily; seeing a youthful man with a mole on his chin. Kagumei was incapable of turning around to the name, instead staring at nothing as Kikyo regarded the monks tensely.

"Kagumei is capable, Musou. This other woman carries the aura of something malevolent. She is not to be trusted." His mentor scolded lowly, and Kikyo smirked at his clever words.

"You'd be wise to take your Mentor's advice. Besides, we are leaving this place." She said, and pulled herself up onto the horse, Kagumei following to sit behind her obediently. Musou watched the two leave, Kikyo's long, black hair carrying on the wind behind her as the equally lovely Kagumei held onto her back, and gulped. Kikyo was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, second to Kagumei.

"Musou!" His mentor scolded, and snapped his fingers at him. "Do not long after that woman. Though beautiful, she is no ordinary woman. I am unsure just how a miko could allow herself to become corrupted, but such an abomination of good and evil cannot exist in harmony in this world." The priest spat, and placed his hand on his pupil's shoulder.

"But, Master… Did she not appear to suffer? What of Kagumei, why do you think she would go along with her? She was oddly silent." He questioned softly, and his mentor looked to the direction where Kikyo and Kagumei had gone.

"Perhaps Kagumei has a plan, but the other Miko is not long for this world, and purification would be best to lay her to rest." He said softly, then gripped Musou's shoulder and shook him.

"Are you prepared for the task that Buddha has entrusted us with? Shall you come to slay the demon priestess?" He questioned sharply, and his pupil nodded eagerly.

"Yes, Master. I'm ready." He said with conviction, and nodded. Musou's mentor smiled, and the two followed her cursed path.

~•x•X•x•~

The rancid scent of miasma and burnt corpses lingered where Naraku's scent had led them. Sesshomaru walked through the abandoned village, looking down with an apathetic glance; seeing how the faceless man had laid waste to the warriors, leaving corpses strewn about, with black faces where skin had once been. A massive pyre was at the center of the blood sodden ground, riddled with blackened bones tangled amongst the white ash of still smouldering wood. As further evidence of the tragedy that befell this village, a hollowed out human skull with flame flickering inside of it balanced at the forefront as Sesshomaru passed.

Shippo and Jaken followed closely behind, the young fox demon shuddering at the sights around him. Their lord paused, and they fell into his pant leg with the sudden halt in movement.

"Stay here." He said lowly, and walked carefully over the battlefield, disregarding what he stepped in, or over with his black boots, as he came to a wooded area beyond the stench of death, and saw a small child there in the field, picking flowers. A bandit man with half of his face hanging off was walking slowly towards her with a knife in his hand. He was the only one left of Yakatsue's band that had survived the attack, which would have never happened had they not stopped to take the little girl for Naraku. The other demons assured him that their Master would enjoy a young, virginal girl like this as a reward to play with and eat. He planned to take her for himself now, having tasted human flesh, seeing how delicious it was; not realizing how it addled his brain.

The girl was completely unaware of his presence, and hummed to herself just as Sesshomaru surged forth and used one arm to slice through the air with green slashes, striking the man down with his poison claws. He fell to the ground bleeding, gasping for his breath, but only coughing up more blood until he made a gurgling sound with his death. The girl scurried away and hid behind a nearby tree, frightened of the demon's claws still dripping with acid. Sesshomaru lowered his hand and his grimace relaxed. He wasn't sure why he saved the girl. Sesshomaru approached the small human child and knelt on one knee, seeing how she was dirty, and covered in bruises. She wore a tattered scarlet kosode, and had one swollen shut eye. Her long, scraggly black hair was to her waist, a tiny pigtail sticking out the side.

"What are you doing here?" He questioned more softly then he knew he was capable of, and the child looked at him in surprise. Though her dark brown eyes indicated she was surprised, she did not answer him, only taking in the impressive demon man, attempting to decipher if he was good or bad.

"Answer me, why are you here?" He said in a low baritone, and the girl looked away quickly, hiding behind the tree.

She had been a captive of Naraku's henchmen, beaten by the Oni, and left in a burlap sack when the faceless man had come, and slaughtered them all one by one.

She had only survived because she had been rendered mute after witnessing what was done to her village, and how her family was eaten by men and demons. She trusted neither, and wasn't totally sure of the demon man before her now, though his robes were white, and free of bloodstains.

"I am not going to hurt you like that man." Sesshomaru stated, his sharp amber eyes softening along with his baritone voice. Rin admired his purple moon crescent marking, the magenta slashes beneath both amber eyes with red colored eyelids. Such a pretty demon can't be evil, she thought with hope. The ugliest demons had always been the meanest to her, yet she'd never seen one like this. He was regal like a prince, and just as curious about her, as she was him.

Sesshomaru's pointed ears perked and he scented the air as the little child came out from behind the tree, though she was dirty, she carried a light gardenia aroma beneath other scents of dirt and her blood. Upon seeing his inquiring head tilting just barely to the left; revealing a tiny shred of canine nature, Rin laughed happily, a tooth missing from the front of her mouth.

"Why are you laughing? I simply asked you a question." Sesshomaru huffed and stood up, readying himself to leave. Rin walked closer and offered him a small, pink flower as gratitude, a shy smile on her face. Sesshomaru opened his large, nimble fingered hand, and she placed it there, not fearing the long claws that had saved her life. He closed his hand around it and his lips parted then closed soundlessly; as if looking for the correct thing to say. Rin smiled up at him and a faint warmth came over his cat-like eyes, though his face remained a stoic façade.

Shippo and Jaken had appeared beside him without his knowledge, and the two children looked at each other curiously. The girl had never seen a demon child, but he looked friendly enough.

"Hi, I'm Shippo. What's your name?" He questioned, coming closer and looking bashful. The girl glanced back at the tall demon, then back at the little one.

"Hello. I'm Rin." She said softly, and gave him a shy smile.

"Go on, get, you, shoo! We've got no scraps, or coin for a vagrant brat, you're testing Lord Sesshomaru's patience!" Jaken shouted with a shake of his staff, and Rin furrowed her brows at him.

"Jaken..." Sesshomaru scolded, then decided he had enough of this, he was only wasting time dawdling on the girl when he could still follow the scent trail of Naraku carried by the faceless man.

"Bye, Rin! I hope I can see you again!" Shippo waved as he left with the others, and Rin waved back after a moment's hesitation, a shaky smile forming on her face. She glanced back to the trail where footprints still flattened the grass, and considered that perhaps she could be taken in at the neighboring village, though she felt wary now of other humans. On the other hand, she was curious about the beautiful demon man in white, and where he was going. The imp had turned her down, but he was only the lowly retainer of the powerful Lord Sesshomaru, her savior.

Rin smiled and gathered up her flowers, bringing them close to her chest and breathing the fragrant scent in. Then, she thought herself clever with her idea, and ran away from where she had been, not choosing either path but her own into the dark forest, leaving a trail of flower petals in her wake.

~•x•X•x•~ ~•x•X•x•~

Water splashed as a man bathed in the river, a head of shaggy black hair concealing his face as he looked down, stroking his hands across his sculpted abdomen. I have a body at last that's all mine, to do with what I wish. He thought, reaching now to scrub his face with his hands, feeling the flat planes of it where there was nothing but skin. He mused that perhaps he lost his face due to the fact that most of it was burned away in his former life. Back when Kikyo cared for him in the cave, and all he had left was a gaping mouth with a few loose teeth and bulging eyes, his skin burned away and shriveled. She had cared for him then, she had never shown disgust for him, only remorse. Lady Kikyo was the most pure, most kind priestess he'd ever laid eyes on. Now that he was free from Naraku, he no longer had to watch and wail when his host would lash out at their woman, their beloved.

His host body was made up of the spider demon, and many others demons who had promised him a strong body to pursue Kikyo with, but it had betrayed him!

When he became Naraku, the malcontent of the demon's took him over, and he grew more envious, spiteful and manipulative against InuYasha and Kikyo. Kikyo was supposed to be his, but she had given into the half-demon and desired a life with him.

The Faceless Man, the essence of Onigumo cried, but no tears came from his fleshy sockets. Water dripped down his nude body, and waves splashed around his inert manhood that also ached for Kikyo. He was in a body that was at least man, though he had lost his face when he was attacked by Sesshomaru's servant. He was able to regenerate, though, and his skin healed. That seemed to be his primary power, regeneration. He could generate weapons at will too, and it proved useful to him. He was strong and invincible against anything.

He stepped out of the water, his wet hair spread across his back revealing the large burn mark of the spider that still remained. He heard a jangling sound, and crept into some bushes and waited. A merchant's caravan passed by, and he grinned, though his impassive face did not show it. He generated a long, black spike from his palm, and jumped out of the bushes, spearing the merchant at the reins through the heart quickly.

A while later, the caravan was overturned and its contents spilled after being rummaged through. For clothing himself, he found a blue kimono, a green headband to hold back his wild, shoulder length hair, and a black steel cuirass with red and yellow embellishments to armour his chest and arms. To arm himself, he chose a curved sword which he hooked at his belt, an expensive cologne he used to hopefully woo Kikyo, and of course, to speed along their reunion, the merchant's horse he now rode, with a large sack of coin hanging from the saddle. He felt immense joy and exuded confidence as he urged the horse into a deadly stampede along the dirt road towards her scent. He was now as rich, and powerful as he had been in life before he had been betrayed by Rasetsu and his men that he'd stolen out from beneath him.

The bastard, he recalled it well now that his memories became more clear to him. He had been nothing, a poor, centless bandit who had lost his army. Thief and vagrant, he had used trickery to have Rasetsu's help. He dared for him to go after Kikyo and steal the jewel from her, and when the bandit leader had taken his challenge, he took the opportunity to steal his army. He knew that with the priestesses power, she could easily overpower him. While Rasetsu fought the woman, they slashed through their enemies and drank to their victory, feasting until their bellies were gorged, indulging in sultry courtesans in a cozy inn. Onigumo had never expected Rasetsu to survive his encounter with Kikyo, though he failed to retrieve the jewel, he did survive, though with one eye less. He returned to have his vengeance, and burned down the inn that Onigumo was staying in as his revenge. Once the embers died down, they found his badly burned body and laughed as they stabbed him, beat him with sticks, then rolled him into a carpet and tossed him off a cliff.

The faceless man shook his head. Perhaps he didn't want to go on as Onigumo, but now as a new man if he could find himself a handsome face, and a new name. That name was shameful to him and only reminded him of his failure. He did not want Kikyo to pity him, but instead fawn in awe over him, and fall into his arms at last as he had always wished. His chest ached for that, yearned for that. That feeling that Naraku had chosen to discard, love. He knew that he was capable of it, but inside of Naraku his feelings towards Kikyo were all twisted and turned to malcontent. He needed to show her that he was sorry, and he could be an honest man that could care for her, just as she cared for him. I'll find you, Kikyo. I'll make you my woman. We can be together at last! The heart that yearned for Kikyo squeezed, pushing his new body forward faster towards her as darkness fell, and a full harvest moon swelled above the cedar trees. Tonight, she would know romance like no other. Kikyo would be a whimpering mess beneath him. She'd forever forget the half-demon, and he'd claim his woman at last.

~•x•X•x•~

After night had fallen, Kikyo and Kagumei found themselves inching ever closer to the dark lands of Naraku's castle. The sky above was ribboned with violet swirls of miasma that made the horse slow its gait, and come to kneel on its shaking knees, shuddering with heavy sounds of exhaustion. Kikyo frowned and kicked at the side of it but the horse only stretched its neck out and laid it's head on the grass, snorting. It refused to move for her, the hours long journey she had made it endure had brought it to exhaustion, not to mention the miasma in the air made it grow even more drowsy. Kikyo was unaffected by the poison gas and stood from her place on the saddle, turning to see that Kagumei had slumped down onto her side and was curled up beside the warmth of the steed, the steady rise of her chest indicating that she was sleeping. Kikyo huffed.

She placed one hand on her chest and felt that it was quiet. Naraku had relinquished his pull on her for now, as perhaps he too was at rest, but she felt restless. After all that had happened, Kikyo's mind was buzzing. She felt like she needed time to comprehend all that had happened and make sense of it. She felt herself going back to the time at Naraku's castle when they had seemed to tolerate each other's presence and drank sake together. Naraku really was quite a handsome man, though she found his personality and presence loathsome, at times his intellect matched hers and lashing spiteful insults back and forth with him was almost... thrilling. Kikyo shook her head at such silly thoughts, but it was true.

InuYasha had never given her such a challenge, instead he cowered and wished to be her servant, 'protector'. She scoffed at the notion. Kikyo needed no protection, though…She did desire love, passion. A man's rough, warm touch to make her feel weak in his arms for just a moment. She wished to surrender herself just once to a man who desired her before she died. Her experience with Yuki Onna had revealed her heart's true wish to her, and had broken her bitterness just enough to form cracks in her wall of hatred. Weakening the misery that fueled her against InuYasha and Naraku, and revealing to her the answer. Yes, she would be a strong woman that bowed to no man, but one that took what she wanted, when she wanted. She would also allow herself to be weak, for just a moment.

Kikyo stood in a tall field of grass, staring out at the moon, and smiled. A large amount of darkness had been sucked from the jewel that resided in her chest, leaving it with a pinpoint of black that could grow and be defiled again at any moment. But at this moment, Kikyo felt like herself again. Her demonic aura had been dispelled by Kagumei and she felt a lightness inside her that she hadn't felt since she was alive. She and Kagome existed in harmony, the girl was sleeping inside of her in silence and she felt freedom once again, to be whoever she wished to be.

~•x•X•x•~

The two holy men crouched in the bushes, whispering, their presence enraging him. How dare they spy on Lady Kikyo, allowing her no privacy! The Nothing Man clenched his fist around the handle of his sword, preparing himself for attack, but Kikyo had already turned her beautiful face, and eyed the monk with apprehension, as his pupil hung back.

"Stay here, Musou, I'll deal with her." The monk said, and his younger nodded. The faceless man wished to move after them to come to her aid, but he felt confident of the miko's ability, and laid back in wait, watching the young monk, and admiring his face as he walked a little ways away, and sat down, his fair face looking worried. The faceless man advanced on him, finding his name, and his comely face to be exactly what he wanted.

"Who goes there?" Kikyo said with warning, drawing her arrow and holding her bow steady. The elder monk approached her, holding out his staff to show that he wouldn't hesitate to attack either. And yet, this priestess seemed different somehow than she had earlier. Her evil aura seemed to have been dispelled, though something about her was still amiss that he couldn't place.

"I have come on account of Kagumei. Why did you need to use a compliance spell on the girl, have you ill will?"

"That is none of your business. Did you stalk me?" Kikyo said sternly, aiming her arrow at him. The faceless man extended three long, sharp claws from his knuckles, and approached the crying monk hiding in the weeds. He heard a twig snap, and saw boots before him, looking up quickly. As soon as he looked up, he was pierced through the heart, and lost his breath almost immediately, slumping in place. Claws cut away his face with precision.

"We followed you, you seemed to leave the temple urgently. What is your purpose for taking Kagumei?" The monk asked sharply, and Kikyo sneered at him.

"I have no reason to explain anything to you. What do you alone plan to do against me?" She laughed, her velvety, vampy voice like silk caressing the faceless man's ears.

"Musou! Come here!" The master shouted just as he lifted a familiar face, a thin line of blood dripping down the side of his cheek where it attached. The nothing man had now taken Musou's appearance and name, and so he came when he was called.

"Yes, Master?" He answered in a deep timbre, making the monk turn quickly to see who had answered, because it clearly wasn't his Musou. Kikyo looked on curiously at the man that walked up the hill to where her meager fire was burning, and gulped.

"Y-you're not Musou, what did you do with him?" The monk asked with a trembling voice, and Musou grinned with perfectly white teeth, his eyes sparkling with mirth as he felt satisfied by the man's frightened reaction. "I killed him. I'll kill anyone in my way, I'll kill all my enemies and burn them." He said with a bitter growl, and stalked closer to the man. The monk went to slash at him with his staff, but the breath was knocked out of him all in one gust as an arrow hit him, and sent him hurtling down the hillside with its sheer power. Musou stepped aside and watched as Kikyo lowered her bow, grimacing. She looked down the hill and saw the monk at the bottom of the hill come to a still, dead. The handsome man who had come to her aid turned his face and she tensed as he eyed her in awe.

"I didn't need your help, those stalkers were tailing me all day. I would have lost them if it weren't for my horse tiring like it did." Kikyo said, and Musou smiled.

"I know you didn't." He said simply, and looked at her with a soft smile. Kikyo's heart froze mid-beat as she looked into his eyes, and examined his gaze in the darkness. Something was odd about him that she couldn't place.

"My name is Musou. May I have a word with you, priestess?" He questioned softly, and she nodded, stepping back. She had taken the time to make a fire in the clearing at the center of the tall, swaying grass, and sat herself on a log. Musou hesitated to take a seat by the fire, glancing at it nervously.

"Come sit." She said, and patted the place a few feet away from her. He looked to be fighting an internal battle as he looked at the fire warily, then to her and relented. He came to sit next to her, and Kikyo's nose was filled with his scent of warm vanilla and musky sandalwood. He was dressed like a wealthy noble, but carried himself almost clumsily as he dropped his body onto the log, then gripped it to balance himself. Kikyo found a tiny smile teasing at the corners of her mouth, though she had just killed a man.

"I apologize for interrupting you tonight. I see you were able to handle that nosy monk quite easily." He said, and Kikyo shrugged.

"I do not mind. Is that water in your jug?" She questioned, leaning closer to point to the container hanging from his belt. Musou's heart sped up and he shook his head and laughed.

"Um.. If you like water that gets you drunk, Lady Priestess. Hehe." He chuckled like a schoolboy. Kikyo giggled, and brushed a long bang away from her face.

"I like drinking that kind of water... to a limit. Don't worry about formalities. My name is Kikyo." She said, and offered her hand to him to shake. Musou wiped his sweating hand on his pants and extended it out to her to shake. She slid her cool palm into the warmth and roughness of his and gripped it.

"Musou." He responded, and Kikyo narrowed her eyes at this, retracting her hand as he reached for his sake jug with a shaky hand. "Wasn't Musou the name of the Monk's pupil?" She said slyly, and he looked back at her quickly. Kikyo examined his green-blue eyes curiously as he thought of an answer.

"It was, isn't that a coincidence." He said, and she nodded. "It is." Kikyo smiled. He offered her a small cup of the shimmering drink.

"Here, have some." He said anxiously, and Kikyo took it.

"Thank you. There is no need to be nervous in my presence." She said softly, and he nodded.

"Oh, you're very welcome. I'll try to be less nervous now." He chuckled bashfully. Musou glanced at their surroundings and saw a woman dressed as a priestess sleeping by the horse. Kikyo took the jug and poured him a drink.

"So, tell me about yourself." She stated, and he felt panicked. How can I tell her about himself without giving away my true identity?

"What's there to tell about me…? I am… a traveling ronin." He stated, hoping that his new attire was convincing enough. Kikyo's brows raised at his statement. He couldn't help but fall into her chocolate gaze, and began talking, his lies and his truth melding together as he told her about his conquests as Onigumo with pride, neglecting to mention his old name or anything that would give him away. In his past he had been a bandit, and surely Kikyo didn't recall every little thing from fifty years ago. This land was rife with battle, so he neglected to give the names of the warlords he struck down and did not reveal how they raided the villages afterwards.

"Oh, how impressive. Where is your army, Musou?" Kikyo questioned as he poured her another glass. "I–I have no army, I'm a mercenary now. I just join wherever the pay is good and my strength is needed." He said with a feeble smile, but Kikyo accepted what he said easily enough. In truth, she hadn't been listening to everything he said, but instead studying him. She noticed the mole on his chin and found it vaguely familiar.

"What about you, Lady Kikyo? What battles and foes have you conquered with your powerful arrows of purification?" He asked eagerly, and she blushed at his interested gaze. He seemed to be genuinely interested, and she was convinced that he would hang onto her every word, until drool was dripping from his lower lip, and the thought made her shoulders shake with laughter.

"I've enough talk of battle and foes for one night. I just want to relax, and I think these drinks are doing it." She said softly, and tossed her arrows and bow to the ground. Kikyo was startled when Musou did the same, tossing his sword to the ground, and looking at her with a gaze that she couldn't quite read, except that it made warmth stir up inside of her with the way he stared right through her.

"Kikyo. You're so strong. Strong and beautiful, if you don't mind me saying so." He said with conviction, and she glanced away from him with a smug smile on her face. She felt like her head was starting to spin maybe a bit too fast, but she didn't care.

"I don't mind. I like a man who knows what he's up against." Kikyo said coyly, then reached back and let her hair down from her ribbon. Musou watched, and gulped. He removed his headband and his wild black waves fell around his handsome face. Kikyo took a sharp intake of breath at his seemingly bold action. What is he doing, is he playing a game with me? She stared at him, licking her lips, and felt her face heating up as he inched closer. Kikyo realized something. His hair was shorter and less tightly waved, but it was like Naraku's. Why? A shudder went through her.

"Tell me what you're thinking, Kikyo..." He said in a low, husky voice full of passion, and Kikyo took a deep breath, braving herself as the man seemed to be closing the distance between them, seeing if perhaps he could make a clever move on her.

"I'm thinking that something is familiar about you." She said, and he stopped moving closer, frozen in place. His hand that had been reaching to caress her thigh paused in mid-air.

"Yes?" His eyes widened. Kikyo recognized his eyes, if that was one thing she would never forget, was how they spun in his bloodshot sockets while he writhed in pain, but still retained their vibrant blue-green shade.

"I once cared for a wounded bandit in a cave, 50 years ago. He was badly burned and beaten, then tossed down a cliff where I found him at the very cusp of death. He could do little but sip gruel and talk, but when he did, I found his sentiments dark, and full of malicious intent. I didn't trust him, but still I chose to shelter him, and the foolish young girl I was, I forgave his lustful gazes because I knew he was incapable of acting upon them. His name was Onigumo, and you remind me of him. Your eyes are just like his." She shuddered and shrunk away from him.

Musou looked torn, defeated, his face drawn with agony when she admitted that she felt such a way for him.

"Kikyo…you are a benevolent, beautiful woman, but also…cruel." He sobbed, and turned his face away, placing his hands there and gripping his face. Kikyo turned towards him quickly and grabbed him by the arm and tugged harshly, his fake face fell away and before her was a blank slate.

"Nothing Man. Who created you?" She said coldly, and he gasped, though he had no lips or mouth. He covered his face again and his shoulders shook with muffled sobs.

"Naraku discarded me. I am the heart of Onigumo that cares for you, Kikyo. Please don't hate me… I mean you no harm." He sobbed, and Kikyo smirked at him.

"So this is what lies inside of him, a weak, sobbing little man." She snickered, and ground the deceptive face into the ground.

"Show me your true face." She commanded, and he glanced up at her.

"My true face…? I forget." He said weakly, and Kikyo shook her head. She came close and knelt between his legs, placing both hands on his face.

"Onigumo." She whispered, and a soft pink light covered her hands. He tensed beneath her grip, then shook his face away from the heated hands of the priestess. When he looked back, she was shocked. What faced her was the familiar countenance of Naraku, yet softer. Less cruel, warmer, almost foreign with the particular way he used it to express his emotions. He felt his own face and smiled. "Yes, this is my face. You found it for me." He said softly, and Kikyo looked on with curiosity.

"Your face? But you look like him."

"He looks like me. He stole my body, Kikyo. I only ever wanted to have a good body so that I could be with you. That's all I wanted." Onigumo said with a rush of confidence, gripping her hands. He was no longer ashamed of his name and his true face as he stood, and brought her close to him. Kikyo was unblinking as she was pulled into his warm embrace.

"I loved you then, I still do. I will never stop loving you, and pursuing you, Kikyo." He said, and stroked her hair. Kikyo closed her eyes and her brows arched upwards as her anger softened with his confession, and his hand straightened the tangles in her curtain of sleek, raven colored hair with a dark violet hue.

"You accepted me, despite my many faults. You cared for me, and were unrelenting in your mission to bring me back to health. Why did you take care of me for so long, Kikyo? Why not leave me to die?" He whispered urgently, and she gripped him by the robes on his chest, her body quivering as his other hand roamed her back and squeezed her tight.

"I knew what you were, but it was never my right to judge a person by their past faults. I cared for you because you were still a person, and you were in pain, even if it was to the point the sickness infected your mind. You were once a man, and I simply wished for you to die...having felt the touch of kindness."

"And I would have, if only I didn't give into the darkness. That day you left with InuYasha, you never came back later to care for me. I knew that your heart belonged to the half demon and yet, I didn't blame you. I knew that you couldn't love or desire me the way I was. I was weak, and I gave into the spider demon's temptation." He said quickly, and Kikyo looked up at him, suddenly she understood so much more about Naraku than she ever had. But, this wasn't Naraku, was it? Was this his very essence, or just a discarded part of him? Kikyo stepped back from his embrace and looked anxious as he followed her retreat with hungry eyes.

"Please, don't leave me." He begged, and reached out to her. Kikyo felt conflicted, but her body also felt weak and her mind was all over the place.

"If I...touch you again, I may do something I regret." She whispered, and felt a weight fall from her shoulders as she admitted the truth to herself at last. She felt something for Naraku, she wasn't sure what it was, but this was only a piece of him. Somehow, allowing herself to be with Onigumo felt like she was betraying Naraku.

"Kikyo, please. I need you." He said with a deep, rugged voice and came closer to her until he was falling on top of her in the grass. She felt her head reeling from the sake and her body was weak, but still she struggled to get out of his grip. She couldn't do this, not with Onigumo. Kikyo turned her face away from her kisses, even though tears fell down her cheeks. Doing so hurt, for some inexplicable reason. She was worried what would happen if she rejected him, but she also needed to be honest with herself and take the time to think about her feelings.

Kikyo gave a gentle push on his chest and shook her head.

"I can't." She said sternly, and Onigumo moved slowly back.

"Why?" He questioned, looking crestfallen.

Kikyo stared at him and shook her head, feeling like perhaps she'd made a mistake tempting the man, or maybe the sake had simply gone to her head.

"You are not him."

He stared at her, and his brow furrowed.

"How? You hate him, and so do I." Onigumo practically snarled with his hatred, and Kikyo sighed, placing her hand on his cheek.

"There is enough hatred and bitterness soaked into this land. The more blood that is spilled, the more chances we have to live, and thrive are lost. Perhaps I do not hate him, perhaps I wish to give him an end so that he may rest. And I, too. My spirit is not long for this world, my touch is only warm because this body houses a stolen spirit." Kikyo clenched her fists.

"I need you to go back to him… return to Naraku." She said softly, and Onigumo shook his head; abhorred by the idea.

"No, you can't ask that!" He shuddered, a visible chill going through him.

"Do you wish to be with me, Onigumo?" She said sweetly, and caressed his cheek where tears ran freely. He was so expressive and emotional with his feelings. He was after all, a mere weeping heart in a man's body, full of passion and pain.

"Yes." He answered, closing his eyes. She could tell that he meant it with every part of his being, and she felt her heart fluttering in her chest, the immature girl inside her chattering and encouraging her to go for it, but Kikyo did her best to quiet Kagome. Kikyo leaned forward and gave him a tight hug. He embraced her, and rested his chin on her shoulder, cherishing her touch. They stayed like that for a few more moments, before parting. Kikyo rested her hands on her folded thighs and closed her eyes, the fragment of the jewel at the center of her chest looking a dazzling lilac hue as he admired its purity.

"Then you must leave. Goodnight, Onigumo." She said softly, but he knew she meant business, and he didn't wish to disappoint his beloved lady's wishes.

"If you were to have me, just for one night I would be ever so careful to never harm you, my Lady. I'd treat you like porcelain-" He began, and Kikyo took a deep breath.

"Thank you. Please go." She said, and Onigumo nodded slowly, stepping back from her, but she could tell it took all he had in him to walk away. He paused to pick his sword up off of the ground, and put it and his bottle of sake back on his belt.

"Goodnight my lady. I love you." He whispered, and Kikyo smirked as she sat still, waiting for him to retreat. Kikyo chuckled soundlessly into her hand, then peeked over her shoulder, cheeks blushing pink.

"What a silly man." She remarked, then stood, brushing grass and dirt off of herself. Kikyo readied herself for bed, lying herself down on the opposite side of the firepit that now only had tiny flames flickering in it. She didn't realize that Kagumei had opened her eyes, and had been listening to all that happened with great interest. The compliance spell had weakened enough now that her eyes were an odd shade of purple, so she couldn't leave, but she was also aware of her surroundings. This was certainly a curious situation she was in.

Tbh I almost ended this with a lemon but I thought that would be too quick and uh… wrong guy! Lmao. Let me know what you guys think about having those included in the future. ;) Any questions or suggestions? Let me know!