A light breeze gently lifts the thin papery panels of the screens, breathing life into the pale golden screen.

Two pale, slender arms slither out of the shadows of the room, snaking their way around a slim but broadening chest, one arm winding up around a decidedly masculine shoulder.

The owner of the chest does not bat an eye, much less express any emotion. "Okanka. Did you perform your task?"

A cheek rests upon his back, and the rest of her body follows suit. "Hai. By now, the control serum has mingled with her blood."

"Can you control her?"

"Easily," the voice replies, nuzzling his back. "Your orders?"

The slightest hint of a smile turns his lips upward.

Pressing lips to his back, she smilingly utters, "Hai, Naraku-sama."

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Black Widow
Barrier
Sango-sama

Disclaimer: I own this pencil and this granola bar. That is all. Even one of them will be gone soon.

Woo-hoo for evil bish! (Note: if that's a bit unclear, and it probably is, Naraku is speaking telepathically. Also, I'm not completely sure, but I don't plan on Okanka being one of Naraku's offspring.)

I like feedback. It keeps me writing much faster. Constructive comments are read and considered carefully.

Enjoy! ^_^

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Kagome walks in the door to Kaede's house, a towel wrapped around her shoulders and tiny drips of water. Huffing, she plops herself down onto the wooden floor and glares at Inu-Yasha, who just walks in, Shippou on his heels.

Kaede, being ever astute in her greater number of years, turns to Inu-Yasha. "What did you do this time?"

"Why does it have to always be my fault?"

"Because it always is, dog breath," Shippou explains. "Geez, even I know that!"

"Come back here you little runt!"

"Wah!"

Kagome shakes her head at them, as the start rolling and dodging outside. "Near the river, he started beating up Shippou for making fun of him. Of course, it was because he said something incredibly dense. I told him to knock it off, which of course, he didn't. So I sat him--right into the water." Her lips start twitching. "And then, he rampages out of the water, gets about 3 feet away from me, and shakes."

Kaede futilely tries to suppress a smirk, eyes tearing up slightly. "He shakes?"

"It's not funny. This is the only clean outfit I have left. And now it's drenched."

Still chuckling a bit, Kaede leans out the door and calls to one of the village girls. "Kimiko, may we borrow one of your spare yukata? Kagome-sama needs it."

"Hai, Kaede-sama. It will be just a bit." Carefully, she avoids the pile of youkai, one of whom is currently bapping the other on the head.

Kagome peeks her head out the door beside Kaede. "Arrigato, Kimiko-san." Turning to Kaede, she inquires, "have Sango and Miroku-sama returned yet?"

The old miko's eyebrows raise. "I have not seen them since this morning."

"Hmmm. I wonder what could be keeping them."

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A flash of color sparks out from the top of the shajuku, throwing back both the staff and Miroku forcefully.

Brushing himself off, he accepts the hand Sango has extended to him and pulls himself up. "Well, there goes that idea. The barrier goes all the way around."

"You think it's Naraku?"

"I'd actually hope so. I don't know of anyone else who has enough power to make a barrier this large." His features briefly twist in confusion. "But it is odd. It doesn't feel like any youkai I've encountered before."

Setting herself down on a decaying log, Sango sighs dejectedly. "Damn. It's getting dark. And we can't even get out of here to warn the others."

"We've got to somehow get word to Inu-Yasha. He may be able to break the barrier with Tetsusaiga. But unless they're out looking for us, now, I'd say it's a slim chance that we'll get out until tomorrow." Slowly, he faces Sango. "Which means we need to find some sort of hiding place, or we'll wear ourselves out keeping watch."

"There was a cave about a quarter mile back. The opening wasn't very wide, so we should be shielded from the elements and won't need a fire. That's best if we don't want to draw attention to ourselves."

"But I can keep you plenty warm, Sango."

"Great," she mumbles, but not quite able to conceal a light blush. "I'll be protected from the youkai, but not the pervert." Rolling her eyes, she begins walking back towards the cave. "Get moving Houshi. We don't have much daylight left."

"Hai, hai."

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In the pale moonlight that filters into the cave's opening, her hair shimmers as her head bows lethargically.

"Go to him. Now."

Sango's eyes glow an unnatural white. "Hai."