"From the Darkest of Shadows"

By: Shi-chan

Rating: PG-13

Warnings: Blood, fluff, angst, dark portrayal

Disclaimer: I do not own the wonderful story of Inuyasha, but only this little plot!

Author's Corner!!

Shi-chan: I am SOOOOOOO sorry it took me so long to get another part to this fanfiction up! It's been so long since I updated any of my stories, and I feel so bad... But I've been working on completely revamping all of my websites, I had the finale exams at school, and some major problems with friends... -Naraku's POV

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It doesn't take long for my superior speed to begin to tire the wolf prince out. His breathing is getting quite heavy, and it's becoming apparent that he won't be able to hold up his defense for much longer.

I swiftly extend my talons and strike Kouga directly under his collarbone, causing him to cry out and fall backwards. Just before he can hit the ground, I grab him by his armor, holding him barely up from the dirt. "I promised the Lady Kagome I'd make sure you learned a lesson." I mutter, dropping him to the ground. Holding his wound and wincing, the wolf youkai asks, "A l-lesson? Fo-for what? What did I do to... Kagome?"

Casting my tongue across my fangs, I reply in an agitated voice, "You treat her as though she were a possession. Some mortals are, yes, because they have no meaning. This one, I have found to actually have purpose. She has power, she is gorgeous, intelligent, agile, and cares for those around her. No one shall get away with treating her in such a way. That set aside, your Shikon Shards are needed by us." I then put my foot on Kouga's chest and prepare to deal the final blow of his life. "Did I not tell you that you would die by my hand this day?" I ask, my eyebrow lifted in amusement.

*****

I swallow and turn away, unable to watch what was going to happen. "N- naraku... Don't kill him... He's had enough! Just make him hand over his Shards..." I murmur in a soft, scared voice. The hanyou stiffens slightly upon hearing my pleas and turns so that he can see me from the corner of his eye. There's a sort of violent flicker of anger and irritation in them, but in a gentle tone he asks, "Are you absolutely positive you want this creature to continue living?"

I nod slightly, feeling water forming in the corners of my eyes. Naraku was perhaps the most evil of all youkai in the Feudal Era. It's so... odd... to see him acting in such a kind way toward me, and doing my bidding.

The wolf youkai sneers at Naraku and pulls out several bits of the Shikon no Tama. "The only... rea-reason that I'm giving these to you in to repay Kagome-sama's kindness for making you spare my l-life." Kouga grunts, averting his eyes to the ground and holding onto his wound. I feel all of the wolves eyes fall onto me, mentally thanking me for allowing their prince to live.

I bow slightly, feeling uncomfortable under so many youkai's gaze, and turn a pinkish colour. Without thinking, I run straight to the hanyou who's been caring for me so tenderly, and embrace him from behind. I thank him numerous times, unsure as to what for, and sob into the back of his kimono.

Feeling the girl weep on my back, I turn around slowly and gather her into my arms. It is time to leave this place.

As I carry her away, I realize that she saw Sesshoumaru leaning over her beloved Inuyasha when I was preparing to kill Kouga. I swallow in an attempt to moisten my dry mouth, but to no avail. I should've thought before I put the wolf in the same position the Lord of the West put his brother in. I mentally slap myself and try to think of something else, but that does not work out either.

Shaking my head, it comes to me that the scene only moments before likely strengthened Kagome's mourning of the inu hanyou. I run my fingers through her long, raven coloured hair as she lets out low cries against my shoulder. "I'm sorry," I whisper into her ear, staring ahead. I feel the mortal look up and wipe tears away from her face. "You're apologizing? F- for what?"

A feeling of uncertainty flushes over me immediately after the words come from my mouth. I've never apologized for anything to anyone before. How is it that this little human girl has managed to make a supreme youkai like myself become so... careful and loving? She has transformed me... into a completely different person than I used to be. No longer am I quite as evil as I once was... Can love really change someone this much?

I truly want her to fall in love with me, to remain with me forever. The want for Kagome is so great even, that I have a new wish for the Shikon no Tama. I daren't yet tell her about it, but wait until I know whether or not she reciprocates these complicated feelings of mine. Once that is done, and the Shards are collected... It'll be almost like I possess my human feelings again.

*****

My eyes search Naraku's, wanting for an answer. They appear to be so confused, like he's fighting himself inside. But then, why wouldn't he, if he's really in love with me? He hasn't had to deal with such feelings since he was Onigumo.

"You started crying after my battle with Kouga, and I believe I know why. It's my fault," He explains after a moment. I lay my head back onto his shoulder and reply in a muffled voice, "I don't know why I've been crying like that. It's not your fault at all, so don't..."

Suddenly my voice trails off and my eyes grow wide with realization. Naraku's definitely changed... He would only apologize about something if he were worried I was upset with him, and I truly doubt if he's said sorry to many people before. Thus, he must really be in love with me...!! Such a change he must be undergoing inside... this has to be so hard for him... Suddenly, I want to help him through this.

We finally arrive back at the hanyou's castle, and he takes me back up to the room in which I am staying. I crawl into the bed and begin to comb my hair as I stare out the window and at the heavy rain in which now pours down. Thunder streaks across the sky and crashes loudly, causing me to cry out and fall off of the bed. Naraku chuckles and pulls me back onto the bed. "Does thunder scare you?" He asks gently, his voice slightly mocking. I stick my tongue out at him, and to my surprise, he laughs yet again. I never expected someone like him to have such a sense of humor...

"Shippou, the kitsune youkai you said escaped from Sesshoumaru... Do you think we can go look for him once the storm goes away?" I question after a bit of awkward silence. Naraku looks at me, a puzzled expression cast across his face. I suppose I can't expect him to understand what it means to have friends close to you, now can I? "Well, you see," I begin, "Shippou lost his whole family to a pair of cruel youkai brothers not long before... Inuyasha and I met him. The poor child was an orphan, and I felt terribly sorry for him... He was such a sweet kid, too. He immediately liked me, and I became sort of... his adopted mother. I really miss him, and I don't want him to think he lost me as well."

I nod slightly and pull a blanket over the teenager's cold form. "Very well, whatever you wish. Just get some sleep for now." With that said, I get up to leave, but stop upon feeling a tug at the back of my kimono. Turning back around, I find Kagome giving me a rather pathetic- looking puppy dog face. "Don't leave me... Thunder... does scare me." She mutters, turning a mild red.

Smirking, I take her hand in my own and sit down next to her on the bed. Happiness and contentment takes over my mind as I realize what's going on. Judging by the girl's voice, she was lying about being afraid of thunder, and it had only surprised her earlier. That meant that she wanted me near right now, and needed an excuse to cover that up. Thus, there may be hope yet as far as making her fall in love with me.

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Shi-chan: Alright! Was that good enough for everyone? I hope so 'cause my hands really hurt! LOL :) Newayz, I'm stilling tripping over that dawdling thing so leave me a nice review and check back for updates!!! (Hopefully it won't take as long ^^;; ) Ehehehe... Dawdling... Heh-heh... Dawdling... XD

~Shi-chan Meows~

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