Sorry I haven't updated in so long. Thank you so much, all of my wonderful reviewers. Anyway, I have been kinda sick, and then I was at my dad's, and he lives in the stone age and doesn't have the internet.... So, here's the next chapter. Hope you like it. Everyone's probably kinda out of character... Deal with it. This is my story, after all, but as always I appreciate reviews. Another point- the definite pairings are: Sango/Miroku, Kouga/Kagura, (there will be both Naraku/Kagome and Sessoumaru/Kagome,) I haven't decided yet what to do with Inuyasha.
*Disclaimer* Ummmm.... Ha, ha, ha, I can dream, right?
Naraku finally landed in a clearing, and placed the still struggling and now furious Kagome on the ground before him.
What the hell are you doing? she cried.
Just getting rid of Sesshoumaru. I don't need him. And anyway, isn't he your enemy as well?
Kagome considered this for a moment. Was he her enemy? She didn't think so, but she wasn't about to say that to Naraku.
In any event, I doubt you're up to walk more tonight, and I am tired of carrying you. You kick rather hard.
Kagome blushed. She was about to apologize, but suddenly realized who she was talking to. Apologize? she thought. To Naraku? Not likely.
We are leaving early, human, and I do not want to have to deal with your weakness.
Kagome was too tired from kicking to be angry, so she sunk down against a tree and looked down nervously. Who would have thought that she would be sitting out in the middle of a forest inside an air rip with Naraku? It really was ironic.
***
Everything was going as planned, Naraku thought. Everything was going very well indeed. He was glad Sesshoumaru was gone, and now, well, all that was left was this girl. For some reason he did not look forward to dispatching of her. Strange...
Naraku pulled out his shikon shard. He studied its black depths. So evil... So beautiful..
***
Kagome saw Naraku pull out the shard. Its swirling black depths refused to release her. She could not pull her eyes away. Then, unexpectedly, she felt a pulling inside her. Something that wanted to be released. Something that she could not stop.
***
Suddenly, Naraku's felt as if his hand were on fire. He almost dropped the shard. Inside, its color was beginning to shift. The black was starting to fade into gray, and then white. he hissed. Are you doing this?
Kagome looked as shocked as he felt. I, I don't know. I think so.
Naraku was in shock. She wasn't even doing it on purpose. Not even Kikyo could purify shards without touching them. This girl... She was different.
Naraku quickly slipped the tama into his pouch.
He was studying Kagome intently, when suddenly he smelled something...
***
Right before Kagome's eyes, Naraku turned into a blur as he rushed towards her. She did not comprehend what had happened until Naraku landed with her atop a tree branch. There was a man, or demon rather, standing there, with long black hair and red eyes. His sword had sliced into the ground, exactly where she had been sitting before Naraku saved her. Naraku just saved me from a demon, she thought. How much stranger could this situation get?
Impressive, I must say, said the demon. To move that fast. Your mate must mean quite a bit to you.
You are a fool. She is not my mate ... and to think that you challenge Naraku so lightly... You will regret it.
The demon raised an eyebrow. I see. Well then, if she is not your mate, I shall take her.
What was that? cried Kagome.
Naraku was suprised to feel a growl rise in his throat and feel a foreign feeling pump through his veins.
Fiesty. I like that. My name is Isota. Isota smirked in a way that reminded Kagome frigteningly of Inuyasha.
This girl is not my mate, but she is mine, and I will not have you touching her. Anyway, for trying to take whats mine, I will kill you. Simple as that.
Kagome stared at Naraku, suprised. What did he mean by
Isota smirked again. I see. Well then, let us begin.
Naraku set Kagome down on the branch and contemplated his enemy. He was a hawk demon, with wings concealed beneath his tunic, and he could easily fly over miamsa. It might work anyway, but he couldn't have Kagome getting killed now. Plus, Naraku thought darkly, he really wanted to kill Isota.
Isota had dared to claim something that he had already shown was his, and he would not allow this. Why he thought of the girl as his he did not know, and he would ignore that thought for the moment.
Naraku would fight Isota with a weapon he had used against a real enemy only once, and that was a special case...
Kagome watched in terror as Naraku withdrew a wickedly curved sword from a hidden sheath at his back. He smirked darkly. Let's dance, little birdie. (I know that's out of character, but I couldn't resist)
Isota and Naraku charged at each other. Kagome had never seen Naraku fight in close combat with someone before, and to her suprise he was quite good. The fight was very close, and she couldn't really tell who had the upper hand. I hope Naraku wins... I need him to get back to Inuyasha, and I don't want him to get... What the hell? Kagome stopped herself before she could think whatever it was she was thinking, but she knew that she was certainly having strange emotions.
***
Kagura swept down from the sky and landed beside the struggling wolf. Well, well, well, what have we here?
Kouga looked up, eyes burning with hatred. I see the bitch has survived.
Kagura glared. You are completely helpless yet you still speak to me such.
Kagura had not noticed Kanna walking toward Kouga. She held up her mirror. No, Kanna. Don't do that!
Kanna turned and looked at her, her expression questioning.
Kouga also looked at her with questions in his eyes. I have thought of a better use for him.
***
Meanwhile...
Insignificant girl, stop that! cried Jaken. I am not a donkey!
Jaken is a donkey! Jaken is a donkey! Rin cooed.
***
Inuyasha was standing where he had been standing for hours. Sango and Miroku were in the village. Those morons, Inuyasha thought. They say they care about Kagome, but I won't let this happen... Suddenly, an image of Kikyo filled his brain. I don't want to loose another love... And it's true... I do...
The hanyou looked up startled into the cold eyes of Kikyo.
he stuttered.
What is wrong? she said simply.
It's, well, it's Kagome. She's in the air rip...
Kikyo looked at him. I see... Inuyasha, in that case, she is gone. You should come with me... To where you belong... Hell...
***
What is the meaning of this? cried Kouga angrily as Kagura flew along with him attached to the sled. What are you going to do with me?
That remains to be seen, said Kagura with a slightly twisted smile that sent a chill up Kouga's spine.
Kanna stared ahead blankly.
Kagura watched the struggling wolf. She had lied about having a better use for him,' but she could not leave him, it would seem like mercy, and she did not feel like killing him just then. Besides... She wanted to torture him slowly, and she didn't have time for that now. She had to find out what the hell was happening to Naraku.
***
Sango and Miroku were sitting side by side on the bench. None of them said anything.
What are we going to do? We have to get Kagome back, Sango said.
I would, but I don't know how. Anyway, we have to do something about Inuyasha. He's wasting away out there.
I know, but I feel there's nothing we can do. We'll have to send him into the air rip.
But what if he dies?!
Miroku sighed. I don't know what to think or do. But I can understand him feeling the way he does. I would feel that way... He looked into Sango's eyes. ... If I were seperated from the woman I loved.
Sango inhaled sharply.
There's been something I've been meaning to tell you, Sango. Something I've been meaning to ask really.
What's that? she said, her voice uncharacteristcally breathy. She couldn't help but stare into his eyes.
Will you bear my child?
Sango froze. Instinct demanded she pull a hammer out of thin air, but for some reason she did not feel angry. she said slowly. I might just take you up on that offer sometime.
Miroku's eyes widened.
I said maybe.
That's good enough for me, Miroku said, as he leaned in toward her. Their lips pressed together gently.
Sango felt an explosion inside her. That's when she realized just how long she'd wanted this. She kissed him more insistently, and he responded just as demandingly...
Miroku had always liked Sango, but he had not known that kissing her would create this feeling inside him. It was desire, yes, but there was something more... He didn't want to put a name on it, for fear that it would be more than he could handle. All he knew was that of everything he had ever done, this felt more right than anything.
The kiss deepened.
***
Inuyasha stared into Kikyo's eyes, and took a deep breath. Kikyo, I'm sorry, but I can't do this. Not yet. No matter who I love or don't love, I have an obligation to save Kagome.
I see, Kikyo said. In that case, there is a way...
Inuyasha said, his eyes brightening. A way to retrieve someone from the air rip?
Kikyo considered him for a moment, her cold heart not quite comprehending that she was helping him retrieve the girl that had replaced her.
***
Naraku grinned wickedly, and attacked with a speed that made Inuyasha look slow.
Isota smirked, and rushed to meet him with a long, thin sword. Kagome heard the clang of metal.
Not bad, Isota said, swinging his leg around toward Naraku's head.
Naraku ducked and swung his leg out in a low sweeping kick.
Isota jumped and backflipped backwards.
Kagome gasped as the two started to fight full out. She had never seen anything like this. They moved so fast... It was incredible. How was Naraku this fast? And who was this Isota? Why was he in the air rip? And why did he look a little bit familiar?
Naraku and Isota had both pulled back to consider their opponents.
Isota glanced up at Kagome, and in a blur he was beside her. Kagome gasped as he grabbed her and pulled her to him. His lips pressed hard against hers. Kagome struggled madly, but the full demon was much too strong for her.
Suddenly, violently, she was ripped from his arms.
Isota smirked. We'll meet again, Naraku. Goodbye, pretty human. The hawk spread his huge red wings and took off at incredible speed.
Naraku wanted with all his might to pursue, but he could not keep up with Kagome.
He looked down at the girl he had ripped from Isota's arms. She was staring after the hawk in shock.
***
Kagome couldn't quite believe what had just happened.
Naraku was looking at her strangely. He looked so mad. Their eyes locked for a long moment, then Naraku turned aside and scoffed. You do get around, don't you? First I find you with Sesshoumaru, now this stupid hawk, and, of course, your precious little hanyou.
Kagome glared at him. How dare you? she cried. Sesshoumaru and I were just talking... Isota did not kiss me because I wanted him to, and Inuyasha... Naraku watched her eyes fill with pain. Inuyasha has someone else...
Kagome looked at him openmouthed, then remembered that of course he remembered Kikyo- he had caused her death.
So you care for no one?
I guess not, Kagome said strongly, although for some reason she found her thoughts centering on Sesshoumaru. What the hell?
Um, Naraku? Kagome said, blushing slighly that he was still holding her and about what she was about to say. What did you mean when you said that I was
Naraku looked at her and raised an eyebrow. Don't ask foolish questions, Kagome. You are, in fact, my prisoner, remember? You couldn't get away from me if you wanted too... And you're mine to do with what I please.
Kagome felt a chill travel down her spine, even as she realized that he had said her name.
Naraku leaned closer to her and smirked. After all, there's no one else here...
That's not entirely true.
Kagome and Naraku looked up shocked to see Sesshoumaru standing on the ground below them (remember they're still in the tree).
Kagome cried.
So, you survived, Naraku said dryly. That means you will be helpful during the coming battles.
Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow. Since I need you both to get out, I won't kill you... For now.
I'm scared, Naraku said sarcastically.
***
They had traveled all day, and met many strange demons. Naraku and Sesshoumaru had defeated them all. It had become a sort of competition, to see who could kill the most. Kagome felt strangely safe with the two of them... Which was very, very odd.
Now they were sitting in a clearing around a small fire. Kagome had tried vainly (although she didn't know why) to convince them to try some ramen, but they insisted that they didn't need human food. Really, she thought, Scary as they are, they sometimes remind me of stubborn little children.
Naraku stood up rather abruptly. Isota's coming... He's over there. Sesshoumaru, stay here with Kagome. I will be right back.
I do not take orders from you.
Naraku made a slightly annoyed sound in his throat and then stalked off.
Sesshoumaru said nothing.
Kagome sat there in silence, almost missing Naraku's presense. So, Sesshoumaru. Do you think we're getting near the exit?
Sesshoumaru said nothing.
Oh, come on, at least answer me.
Silence...
I'm just trying to make conversation here! Gosh, you are so serious!
Sesshoumaru looked at her. How can you bear to travel with Naraku and I? Don't you hate us?
The question surprised her greatly. Well, I... I thought I did, but now I'm not so sure. And anyway, I'm doing what I have to do to get out of here.
Sesshoumaru turned to look at her, and their eyes locked. Kagome could not look away. She found herself drowning in those deep amber pools.
he whispered.
***
Why can't I look away? thought Sesshoumaru. It's as if those deep pools are sucking me in. Sesshoumaru had never seen eyes like that. They seemed like exposions of every color imaginable. Just when he thought he'd determined their color, he found himself changing his mind.
He was leaning closer. He didn't know why, but he was. He was leaning toward her.
She was leaning toward him. What was happening?
Sesshoumaru felt his eyes closing and-
That stupid Isota! cried Naraku as he stomped back into camp. Always running away.
Sesshoumaru and Kagome pulled apart quickly. Luckily, Naraku had not noticed what was happening. Why luckily? Kagome thought. And what just happened?
Sesshoumaru was wondering the same thing.
So..... What do you think? I'll try to make the next update soon, but I'm really busy, and I do have a lot of other stories. If you like Rurouni Kenshin, read The Forbidden Child, cause I haven't gotten many reviews on that. Anyway, I want more reviews cause I'm greedy. About the chapter... Aren't Sango and Miroku the cutest? And it was hard writing Kagome/Naraku fluff... I fear he was out of character. Sessie will be in the next chapter more... But what I really need are suggestions about what to do with Inuyasha! And I don't want him with Kikyo!
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