Disclaimer: I've said it before and I'll say it again. I do not own Inuyasha. I do this for fun.
Gomen nasai for the shorter chapter, but I decided to do a seperate chapter for Naraku's reunion with Sesshomaru.
Kikyo found Hoshiko gathering rare plants not too far away from the temple. "Oi, Hoshiko-san"
"Konnichiwa Kikyo-san!!" She looked down at Kanna. "Who is the child?"
"This is Kanna-chan, one of Naraku's minions."
"So ka? I guess you and Naraku are getting along better these days, then?"
"Iie. But I am helping him out with a problem for reasons of my own I won't go into now. He got caught in the middle of Kagura's spell and Sesshomaru has fallen in love with him. They had a falling out, well, Naraku hit Sesshomaru in the head with a monk's staff. Now he is hiding. I need the antidote."
Hoshiko dropped to the ground, laughing hysterically. "Well, I imagine they make quite the attractive couple. Who is the dominant partner?"
"Sesshomaru." Kikyo was finding it hard to contain her own laughter.
"Well, I can provide you with the antidote. Naraku isn't going to be happy, though. It must be administered by him while he and Sesshomaru are, shall I say, being intimate? I take it he is still unable to access his powers?" Kikyo nodded. "Well, if he does it now, while he's without his powers, it will leave him in a compromising position with a more than likely enraged Sesshomaru. Not a pretty picture. Unfortunately, the antidote must be applied while the ingredients are fresh and the necessary plants live only a few short weeks of the year. It needs to be done now. Naraku will just have to risk his ass." Hoshiko started to laugh again.
"I doubt that Naraku will believe me, so will you come?"
"Yes. It will be worth it just to see the expression on his face. He has had one stroke of luck, the plants I need are nearby. They have to be newly harvested, they lose their potency when dried. He must use it with five days."
"It will take perhaps three to reach the castle by foot."
"Well, that will leave him two days to grovel, beg forgiveness and lure Sesshomaru back into bed."
"Hai. If I take Kanna, he should be able to get there quicker, but he won't be able to track Sesshomaru."
"Well, maybe Sesshomaru will find him. Then it will be over sooner, one way or another." Hoshiko laughed again. She went to gather the necessary plants, Kikyo and Kanna followed.
******************
Naraku had taken a quick dip (the water was freezing) in a nearby stream and was sitting in the courtyard eating a pear when Kikyo and Kanna returned with Hoshiko. He was wearing only a pair of black cotton pants. Very damp cotton pants, Hoshiko and Kikyo both noted. He might be a human bag of youkai remnants, but he was a damned good looking one.
"Oi, Naraku-chan, as you can see, I found Hoshiko and she has the plants she needs to make your antidote."
"Yokatta (thank goodness)"
"Don't celebrate just yet." Hoshiko informed Naraku of the need for quick action and then went on to explain how and when he would have to administer the antidote.
"FUCK!" Naraku started to throw anything at hand, smashing clay pots, whatever. The damp cotton pants loosened with all the activity and rode lower on his hips. Dangerously lower. "Will you two hentai please stop staring at my crotch?" He stopped and retied the drawstring. "What am I supposed to do? I have no powers and Sesshomaru is going to kill me."
"Grovel?"
"I do not grovel."
"No. You always run away. But there's no better time to learn than now. You can practice on me if you want."
"Iyan."
"Onigumo begs."
"I am not Onigumo. I am Naraku." He let out a surprised yelp as he felt someone pinch his ass.
"Think of that as a downpayment on my fee. Just as I expected, nice and firm." Hoshiko chuckled. "Well, Naraku, I am going to go fix the antidote."
"Downpayment?"
"I've invited Hoshiko to join me and Onigumo. You do remember our agreement, ne?"
"Hai. I have a nasty suspicion that I am going to regret it."
Hoshiko took out her mortar and pestle and ground the necessary plants into a kind of paste, to which she added a little water, producing a thick solution which she placed in a small vial. She then went to give it to Naraku.
"How am I supposed to hide this while I am, ehm, intimately engaged?"
"That is a very good question."
Naraku thought for a moment. "Well, it's small and I have all this ropy hair. I could braid a bit of it and hide the bottle in the braid. I should able to retrieve it." I hope
"Can I braid it? It's such interesting hair." Hoshiko ran her fingers through it.
"Hai. Make sure it is somewhat hidden."
Kikyo gave Naraku what passed for a pouty look. "You'd never let me braid your hair."
"Onna, if I had my way, you would never get within shouting distance of me."
"Kisama."
Hoskiko braided a small bit of Naraku's hair, making sure she "accidentally" brushed against his back several times as she did so. It did not go unnoticed by Naraku. In fact part of him perked right up. "There, all set. Might I suggest another cold water swim." Naraku, to his horror, actually blushed, which caused both women to laugh. He thought the mortification would take care of his not so small problem, but it looked like he would have to brave the cold water again. Muttering curses, he walked off.
"He's so kawaii when he's pissed off." Hoshiko laughed again. "I'm looking forward to meeting Onigumo."
"He's much more pleasant and very eager to please. And the body will be the same. I just use those herbs you showed me to bring out Onigumo."
Naraku returned, his now quite wet cotton pants clinging to him in an obscene way. He growled at the two staring (and drooling) women and went inside the temple. When he emerged, he had changed into some dry clothing. "I know it will be evening soon, but I would like to start now. The sooner I reach Sesshomaru, the sooner this whole fucking ordeal will be over."
"I will use Kanna's mirror to keep an eye on you."
Naraku snorted. "Don't worry, I won't forget our little arrangement. But it may be a few weeks, depending on how this goes. Ja ne."
"Ja ne" Kikyo, Hoshiko and Kanna said, and watched as he walked off.
End of Part 5
