Naraku

Chapter 16:: Day 1 – Memories

::

The switchgrass field was much much... much more than she assumed a field could be. To put it simply, their paced run was well over 4 hours. How could one field be a 4 hour long field? Naraku allowed me 2 stops that day before dusk had settled, simple water sessions and time to stretch. After passing the switchgrass fields they made their way into a normal looking forest. Much similar as to what she would see around Kaede's village, but larger, much larger. It seemed to have go on and on. Her companion found a small clearing next to several large trees that was shielded from the main trail North before it got too dark. He made quick to mention that he would not travel in the dark with her, but would not give her any extra details as to why. It would make the trip faster, but much more difficult as well. The small clearing was far enough that no passerby-er would see them, but close enough that we did not stray too far if we needed to leave in a hurry. Or so that's what she assumed.

It was very quiet that evening as the sun was almost completely it's set. Kagome was nestled at the base of a tree, leaning back gazing into the deep dusk. The atmosphere of air changed as the last little bit of color left the sky and the world was cast in dark, cool shadows. Her skin goosed up and she grasped her arms together and hugged herself tightly; the temperature dropped significantly with the setting sun. The warmth of the village must block the temperatures of night because it seemed much colder than what she remembered and it was just the night before.

The thought of his utterly soft white pelt floated in her mind. It would provide her the warmth she needed to sleep comfortably, as well as his renewed scents that she ever so slightly craved. 'It's more of an essence of me, like an extension.' His words repeated in her head. Why did it feel so intimate when he said that? Especially knowing that she held it close to her side the entirety of his absence. Is that why she craved it? Because she felt the pull of his essence everywhere. Or because for some reason his essence was undeniably unresistible? She sighed.

"Naraku?"

There was the faintest of sounds of fabric rustling above her. He'd been perched there since they'd stopped moving and hadn't stirred since.

She took a deep breath before speaking. "Could I have- " She paused, a dainty smirk forming, pulling her fingers up and in quotations actioned, "your essence?" A light little bit of sound left her throat as she laughed very softly at her own silliness. "It's a bit cool."

She peered up at him from his spot, yet he was not there. Looking straight ahead he was already in front of her. Somehow she knew that he would do something similar. she didn't jump at his sudden appearance. But he was awfully close and she tried not to squirm under his glowing ruby eyes. The night seemed to illuminate them more than they already were.

Swallowing she spoke. "One day I'll move just as silent as that."

Naraku didn't speak. He just did his normal intense stare down that, no matter what, seemed to make her blush. No amount of control she had could stop it. There were no words to describe how... virgin she felt when she opened herself whole and allowed him to engulf her with his divine masculinity, all in his eyes, with his look... straight to the core of her soul.

She opened her mouth to speak but she panted instead. "Stop it, please."

The moon hadn't gotten any brighter but the glimmer in his eyes did. He leaned forward and it seemed as though she was frozen, stuck in place. His form shadowed over her and his right hand reached out, one outstretched palm on the tree next to her head

He was boldly and outright smirking at her. He damn well knew what he was doing and how it affected her! His left hand crept up and a claw lifted her chin to meet his eyes. He battled her chocolate orbs with his radiating ruby gems and before her eyes in her periphery, her favored white fur began to form. Since he liked to stare, she didn't let her eyes wander when both her hands snaked up to take it, a few fingers ever so lightly brushing against his exposed hand.

Naraku grabbed her wrists swiftly and gripped them, careful not to hurt the young female. The same burning electricity shot through her body. She tried not to gasp but he caught the way her eyes widened at the contact. There was something crazy going on here and it was going to be dangerous for both of them. It was dangerous territory and it was all she wanted.

It was buzzing in her ears and she knew it was in his too. This was not one sided. Of all the things that have happened between them, Kagome thought maybe perhaps he was just entertaining her, but they just continued to sink together into this unyielding intensity.

His named slipped from her tongue in a soft whine and he growled; her eyes widenening at the sound. It was new and different and the dark deep look replaced the shimmering glow. That same look when.. She caught her breath and tried to speak again.

"What is this?" Kagome whispered, finally looking to her captured hands.

His dark gaze looked down on her for a few moments and he replied with a calmness that didn't match his eyes. "An atrocity."

Like that, the buzzing snapped and she pulled her hands from his grasp and into the fur. It's softness slid between her fingers and she pulled it closer to her body. He wasted no time and returned to his spot above her. He needed to clear his thoughts, but she still had words to speak.

"Am I really so much the same?"

It was many moments before Naraku closed his eyes, sighed and decided to respond to the question.

"A quick glance will have you take another."

A few more moments.

"No." He sighed in frustration unable to to put the thoughts he had into words.

He had fallen for the priestess knowing that their shared companionship was nothing more than that of just friendship. Kikyo was very honest with her love for Inuyasha from the first day he had known her. At the time she was in much denial, given that her priestess duties weighed heavily on most, if not all of her decision making. If it didn't somehow benefit the individuals of the village, or the village itself, she was most likely not doing it. Kikyo's entire life was built upon becoming the village priestess, to aid, treat and heal the wounded and sick. To keep the village healthy and thriving, and to protect it from the evil beings that lurked in the shadows. Nothing was ever about Kikyo herself, so for the longest time, the woman was selfless about the desire she had for Inuyasha, who was not of origin from the village, and who was most definitely a half breed demon. Albeit, Inuyasha was the one who kept the village safe from ravenous demons. All she could do was deny her feelings until someone was strong enough to take her place.

As her companion, he would watch over her and guide her through on her miko journeys beyond the village, while Inuyasha stayed behind to protect it. It was only natural the two half demons never liked one another and fought every time they could, but neither one ever sincerely tried to kill each other. It was a rivalry of sorts but Naraku knew always, that it would be Inuyasha.

It was something he knew was inevitable but also hard to swallow. He watched them grow up and wed, have a child. And then he watched her die of some ridiculous sickness that neither one could save her from. A sickness caused from being too weak from the battle with Onigumo. She may have killed his physical being but destroying his soul and essence, she was not able to do. She had fallen terribly ill shortly after her fight and never recovered.

It had been many years since Kikyo's presence was before him, so yes, it was nostalgic to see Kagome for the first time. Her features shocked him, the two women could be mistaken for very close siblings. No she did not look entirely like Kikyo, but all of the features were there. Kikyo was an older woman and her face was more full, as Kagome was still a young female and had yet to fully mature. Even with the year difference, she still had much to grow into.

The eyes, they were not that close. He could tell all of the differences. Kikyo's chocolate eyes were dark and rich and sometimes looked black. She had a squared jawline and thinner, narrowed eyes. Whereas Kagome's features were rounded. Soft curved cheeks, plump lips and wide unashamed irises. And her eyes, the biggest difference. They were a bright, luminous shade of grey. But upon meeting Kagome when he removed her from the well, he hadn't seen who she looked like from his past. The tug in his soul that brought him to that clearing in the first place shielded any reference to Kikyo. He hadn't seen any of it until Inuyasha mentioned it. All he had seen was Kagome.

He grunted in disdain and jumped down from his perch landing in front of her. Crouched, he had one leg propped higher as he rested his arm across it. Leaning forward, his other arm reached out and he picked a lone tendril of hair. It twisted around his finger and he ever so lightly tugged on it as he breathed in her scent with a large intake of breath and held it. It seeped slowly from his nostrils and he flared at the taste it left on his senses. His eyes never left hers as he leaned back letting the curled lock free.

"You are entirely your own persons, Miko. I assure you." His nostrils flared again at the beating of her heart in his ears and the fragrance of her womanhood in his system.

"You might be of her lineage but that does not make you her. Inuyasha made a fuss because the bond of a mate is stronger than any bond you could ever create. Your slight resemblance caused buried longing to surface and all he might see how much you look like her, to him and him alone."

He noticed the slight mistiness to her eyes and when she saw his notice, she looked down with a sigh and small chuckle. Looking back up at him,unashamed of her unshed tears she showed her appreciation.

"Thank you." Kagome smiled radiantly at him and leaned forward, enveloping him in a soft embrace. She sighed into the his chest as Naraku let her snake her little arms around his neck. She breathed lightly, the drumming of her heart ringing loud in his ears. He hadn't moved yet, as it was a foreign feeling to be hugged. He stared at the top of her head and her dark locks glistened. He found his fingers running through her tresses; bunching the strands in his hands he brought it up his nose, inhaling deeply.

She released her hug shortly after and settled back into the spot she moved from. Her face was flushed and the scent of her womanhood never left his senses. He vowed to not be tempted by her scent. They both knew that there was something at play between them. The tugs at his whole being, the bond they shared was something deep, unknown and mostly strange. But was it too strange? Was fate so adept at playing jokes that a woman he loved in the past was reincarnated into a new human woman from the future? And that future someone drug her to the past. To what? Play jokes on him or? To give me a chance? The thought was fleeting but it was there. He noticed the waft of coldness that brushed against his chest where her head had been resting; her radiating warmth taken with her.

She too hadn't let her eyes stray from mine as I soaked her all in. Her pale face was covered in pink hues from the raging blush burning across her cheeks. Lips plump, lightly moistened and ever so lightly parted. Her breathing lightly labored, likely from her hormones seeking attention. He smirked at her and stood.

"No Kagome. You are not the same. You are much more troublesome." He continued to smirk and she mock gasped up at him and laughed.

"Jerk! I am not!" Her grin was wide as she enjoyed his teasing. "I probably am actually," her laugh was contagious and he found himself with the smallest of smiles as he jumped into his spot above her once again.

"Sleep. We have a long day tomorrow."

"And every other day until arrival," she mumbled finding comfort in her spot.

"Yes."

"Mhmm."

Goodnight.