Chapter XIII:
Kagome's Ill
~ The Next Day, 8:30 in the morning ~
Kagome and Kiochi sat in a small room in the shrine. Kagome was wearing her light blue pajamas she had brought from her home, and Kiochi was wearing a suspiciously beautiful looking dark blue kimono with large yellow and green line imprints of leaves.
"You say Sesshoumaru had been acting strange in the spring? I don't see how that's not logical," Kiochi stated, pouring Kagome herbal tea.
"You mean it's natural for Sesshoumaru to act strangely?" Kagome blushed lightly remembering a few of the moments at the spring. "He's usually a totally unemotional passive-aggressive kind of guy, but the way he acted yesterday was... unheard of!"
"He'd done strange things, had he Kagome-san?" Kiochi said, smirking for what Kagome saw the first time. Her smirk turned into a usual Kiochi smile again. "Tell me," she announced slowly. "What exactly had he done to you to make you so flushed and red just by thinking about it?"
Kagome's eyes widened. "AH! N-Nothing at all, I swear it! It," Kagome stuttered. "But how do you explain his strange behavior?"
"I've heard of those springs before. The pyreflies that inhabit it cause the water to turn into something like truth serum. Something like it," Kiochi added.
"Truth serum...? They have that in this era?"
"Yes, you know, the type of drugs that force you to say what secrets you've been hiding. But in the spring's case, the water causes you to say what emotions you've been hiding, instead of secrets."
"So the spring makes you spill hidden emotions out into the open?"
"Yes, you've got it," Kiochi grinned, pouring her own self some tea.
'So then that means it wasn't a test? Those emotions that Sesshoumaru had shown me are true..? And when he'd hugged me-..' Kagome paused and looked down at her tea, feeling a bit fazed over.
"Kagome-san, you are turning red again! Do you have a fever?"
'No, I'm just blushing,' she thought to herself. 'But then why do I feel so cold? And my head hurts..'
~
"Okaa-san! Okaa-san!" Rin burst into the room, a piece of paper in her hand. She was also wearing a suspiciously beautiful looking kimono, a light pink one with a yellow obi and snowflake imprints. "Sesshoumaru-sama told me to give this letter to you!"
"Thank you, Rin," Kagome smiled weakly and took the paper into her hands, carefully reading the neat katakana writing.
~~~~~~~~~~
I am going back to the castle. Rin is staying there in that shrine. If you were wondering why, it is my brother's crowning and many youkai are there.
-Sesshoumaru
~~~~~~~~~~
"Gee, talk about a really brief guy... This might as well be a note instead of a letter," Kagome muttered, feeling light-headed. "And why can't he just tell me himself?"
"Kiochi-chan?" Rin asked innocently. "Did you tell Okaa-san about the festival?"
"Is that why you guys are all wearing kimonos?"
"Oh, yes!" Kiochi clasped her hands together, suddenly remembering something. "Kagome-san, I'd forgotten to tell you, there is an annual summer festival happening from this morning to late at night. I made the loveliest kimono for you to wear," Kiochi said with excitement.
"Thank you," Kagome replied dully. She swooned slightly.
"What's wrong with you, Kagome-san? You've been acting strange yourself," Kiochi's expression was now worry. "Are you really sick?" a cool hand reached up at touched Kagome's forehead. "Oh, Kami-sama, Kagome-san, you forehead's burning!"
"But.. if Okaa-san is sick, then she wouldn't be able to go to the festival," Rin frowned. "Rin'll stay with Okaa-san!"
"No it's alright," Kagome smiled dazedly. "You might get sick, too."
"Do you want Kaede-san to stay here and take care of you? I would do it myself, but I need to stay by the village during the festival to make sure nothing goes wrong," Kiochi's mouth formed a grim line.
"No, no, please! You guys go ahead, I just need some sleep," Kagome argued. "Trust me, I'll be fine. I promise to stay inside this shrine always."
"If you insist," Kiochi gave in, a troubled note in her voice.
It was the absolute perfect time for Naraku to walk in.
"I heard there was some sort of festival happening at that village," he said casually.
"Are you going?" Kiochi asked just as nonchalantly.
"No," Naraku crossed his arms. "The last time you dragged me to that wretched festival, my gi caught on fire."
"I remember," Kiochi chuckled, sipping her tea. "That's such an amusing memory."
"Oh yes, I remember, too," Kaede added as she walked in. "I was only eleven back then, but I remember it all too clearly. I was playing with the village children with firecrackers and I accidentally threw one at Onigumo- chan and his gi set aflame!"
"Remember the expression on his face when he realized it was on fire?" Kiochi added giddily.
"Hai! That was priceless!" Kaede and Kiochi exploded into fits of laughter, leaving a confused Rin and Kagome.
"That certain festival night is my favorite out of all the others. It was so much fun," Kaede wiped a small tear of laughter off her eye.
"Tell that to the drunk men who thought I was a woman," Naraku muttered, half smirking as he leaned against the doorframe.
Kiochi stifled her laughter. "I remember that, also! Those poor men are still healing from their injuries."
"Let's not dwell on memories," Naraku flatly shot at her.
"So it's settled then? You're not going to the festival?" Kiochi asked, a small plan brewing.
"Are you deaf? I believe I already said I wasn't."
"Well that's a no, then! We are all going to the festival, and you're the only one that's not, so you have to take care of Kagome-san."
"I have to?" Naraku asked, raising an eyebrow. 'This might be interesting.'
Kagome gasped at Kiochi's sudden decision. "No, you don't have to, Naraku! It's okay, I don't want to be a burden-"
"Alright."
"What?"
"I said yes," he said lowly, irritation clear in his voice. "Must I repeat myself for you hearing-impaired humans all the time?"
"That's wonderful, Naraku," Kiochi stated with relief. "Well, we'll be going then. It's too bad you can not come," she added dreadfully towards Kagome. "I promise we'll bring some food from the festival."
"Arigatou, Kiochi-san," Kagome smiled. "I really appreciate it."
Kaede and Kiochi left after goodbyes, but Rin wasn't quite convinced. "Is Okaa-san sure Okaa-san doesn't need Rin?"
"Yes, Rin-chan. Bring me lots of flowers from the festival, too, okay? They'll help make me feel better!"
"Hai!" after giving Kagome a quick hug, Rin ran after Kiochi and Kaede.
~
"How unlucky can I get? I just had to get sick on a fun day," Kagome said forlornly. "You really don't have to take care of me, Naraku. I'll just stay in bed all day-!!" Kagome was cut off when Naraku picked her up and began to carry her on his back. "Naraku, what's up with you?! I can still walk, I'm not THAT sick and helpless!"
"I know," Naraku replied bluntly, walking down the shoji hallways. "...This is your room, correct?"
"Uh... yeah," Kagome said, a far-out look in her eyes. 'What am I going to do all day? Sitting in bed doesn't sound too thrilling.. but... I could really go for some rest.'
Kagome sighed and rested her head on his shoulder. "I guess I AM really tired..."
Naraku grunted, his red eyes traveling down to her head, which was rested on his right shoulder. "Isn't that a bit too close?"
Kagome didn't answer; her mind was too fogged over with unsteadiness.
A small smirk on his face, he walked into the room and carefully set her down onto her futon. Then he kneeled down at her side. "How did you catch a fever?"
"Stayed in the spring for too long," she slurred, snuggling into the futon.
'The spring..' Naraku mused. "What did you do in that spring with Sesshoumaru?"
"Nothing much," Kagome said, almost unconsciously. "Just swam around.."
"Is that all?" Naraku asked, leaning slightly forward. He eyed the sleepy miko with interest.
"No... Sesshoumaru... said he liked my scent," she murmured.
Naraku tensed, leaning forward some more. "...And?"
"That's all..."
Naraku growled, somewhat aggravated. "Are you sure?" 'She's not telling me everything.'
"Hai..." Kagome blinked, diving back into consciousness. "Ehh? Did you say something Naraku?"
"Iie," he answered off-handedly. (note: Iie=No)
"Okay," Kagome yawned.
"Do you need anything?"
"No, I just want to get some sleep.." Kagome's eyes slowly shut. "Thanks for asking, though."
Naraku nodded, watching her drift off to slumber. 'She's unwell because she had gone into that spring. It's all Sesshoumaru's fault. That bastard had chosen the perfect time to leave, too, damn him...'
~
Kagome felt extremely ill. Her hands felt cold, and her head was throbbing. Moments ago she was feeling fine.. maybe it's some sort of side effect that happens to you whenever you walk into those springs.
She soon fell into a light uncomfortable sleep.
Naraku noticed the change in her temperature and placed a hand over her forehead. Kagome was burning.
Feeling a cool hand place over her forehead, Kagome woke with a start. "Naraku?"
"Be calm," he said quietly. "I am only checking your temperature."
"That's not necessary," Kagome was cut off when Naraku's hand went down to her mouth.
"Sleep."
Kagome nodded compliantly and closed her eyes once more.
Half an hour later when she was deep asleep, Naraku checked her temperature again, only to see that it had increased. 'Her forehead is at a boiling point,' the hanyou noted, 'But the rest of her body feels as if she had just been through some sort of snow storm.'
He noticed how her breaths were becoming uneven and shaky, and how she was shivering despite the warmth of her futon. Her sleep was apparently an uneasy one.
All of a sudden remembering that Kiochi stored herbs for these kinds of occurrences, he got up on his feet. Then with a last glance at the slumbering miko, he silently walked out of the room to rummage around for the herbs that Kiochi kept in the storage room.
~
Kagome groaned lightly in her sleep. Her fever had worsened, she noticed subconsciously. Despite her freezing temperature, sweat rolled down the side of her face. A soft cloth wiped it off, but she was too dazed to know who'd done that for her.
~
Naraku looked down at Kagome concernedly after having wiped off the sweat rolling down the side of her face. 'This is no ordinary illness,' he mused. He had gotten the herbs and had made tea out of them; now all he had to do was wake her up.
Gently, he nudged her shoulders. Kagome's eyes fluttered open once again from her dreamless sleep. "Hmm?"
"Sit up. I need you to drink this," he ordered firmly, motioning towards the tea in his right hand. Kagome nodded and did as she was told, only to nearly fall back onto her futon. Naraku's free left arm shot out and wound around her shoulders, propping her up.
Then he placed her steadily on his lap, wrapping his left arm around her waist so she wouldn't stagger. Kagome stirred and did all she can to keep her tired eyes open.
"How are you feeling now?" Naraku asked.
"Everything around me is spinning. And it's kind of cold," Kagome said in a quiet hazy voice.
"Hn. It is just as I had said once," he smirked all-knowingly. 'You humans, particularly YOU, Kagome, are always in need of my assistance,' he included mentally.
"Huh? What are you so happy about?" Kagome asked. She was able to sense the cockiness in his voice, even though she was not in top condition.
"Absolutely nothing that would concern you," he answered innocuously. Naraku held the teacup to Kagome. "Here. Your fever had only worsened from the last hour. This might help."
Kagome took the cup into her cold hands and brought it close to her lips. Naraku placed his right hand over her own small ones and smoothly pressed the cup to her lips, somewhat forcing her to drink the tea.
After watching her take a few sips, Naraku withdrew the tea and noticed Kagome was starting to look slightly rosier, but her body was still cold. With Kagome still in his arm, he carefully took the blanket from the futon and draped it over her, as an attempt to make her warmer.
"Arigatou, Naraku," Kagome murmured, burying her face into his kimono. Naraku's eyes widened slightly at her sudden action, but dismissed it. He leaned against the shoji wall, with her still on his lap.
'Why am I doing this?' Naraku looked straight ahead into space. 'I used to see her as no one but a mere look alike of Kikyou... but now there are strange feelings that this girl draws from me,' he mused on.
'This also probably goes for Sesshoumaru. He must also have sensed strange feelings for her, too,' he thought abruptively, 'that emotion I'd felt the night before... I know clearly that it was jealousy. Why, though..?'
Naraku unconsciously rested his chin on top of her head and closed his eyes.
~
Sesshoumaru landed at the gate of the castle, and as he expected, many youkai from all over were here for his brother's crowning. He just stood there, counting down from ten.
'six...five...four...three...two...one.'
"SESSHOUMARU! YOU BASTARD!"
'Ah, just as I'd expected,' he smirked and looked down at the fuming Inuyasha, who looked ready to tear him apart. Too bad he couldn't.
"What?" Sesshoumaru asked calmly.
"Where the HELL have you BEEN?! It's two weeks until my crowning, and you suddenly disappear, only to return when it's ONE day until my crowning?! Do you know the damnation you put me through?! People kept on pissing me off, telling me to go 'patrolling' and making me sign all these sorts of papers that I don't know what the hell they're for-"
"Inuyasha."
"WHAT?!"
"Shut up. You are embarrassing."
"Arrogant, stuck-up ass-" Inuyasha was cut off as Sesshoumaru began to drag him into the castle by his right ear. "Damn it, Sesshoumaru, that hurts!!"
"I said, shut up. Must you use foul language infront of all these nobles?" Sesshoumaru growled. "You are going to be a ruler whether you like it or not, so act like one."
"Keh!" Sesshoumaru's sibling crossed his arms. Then curiously, he glanced at the prayerbeads around Sesshoumaru's neck.
"Hey, can I ask you a question?" Inuyasha said casually as Sesshoumaru continued to drag him.
"What?!" Sesshoumaru hissed.
"Where'd you get that necklace around your neck?"
Sesshoumaru stopped walking so he could give Inuyasha a good glomp over the head. "Baka na," he said as he started to drag him into the castle again. (baka na=idiot)
Inuyasha rubbed the lump on his head. 'Geez, he's in a foul mood today. What's HIS deal? Baka Sesshoumaru... when I get bigger and stronger than that stuck up jerk, I'll show HIM a thing or two about respecting your new king...'
~
Sesshoumaru paused from walking once again, sensing that bad ambiance again. 'Ever since I left the shrine, this strange feeling has been nagging at me. Something's not right.'
He abruptively let go of Inuyasha's ear. "I'm leaving."
"WHAT?!!!!!!!!!! You just got here and you're leaving again?!"
"It is not something I expect for you to understand," Sesshoumaru said grimly. "I will be back as soon as I can."
"You damn right better be," Inuyasha huffed, noticing the drop dead seriousness in his older brother's voice.
Sesshoumaru turned and leapt off, determined on returning to the shrine.
~
Kagome stirred from her sleep and noticed how warm it now was, and how comfortable it felt compared to the rather cold futon she had been sleeping in earlier.
She sheepishly glanced upwards to see Naraku with his eyes closed. 'Is he asleep?'
For a few seconds, her eyes were trapped staring at his face. Oh, how people could look so entirely different in their sleep.
Literally.
Naraku's face didn't bear the cool serious visage he usually had. Instead, he looked calm and carefree, almost innocent. And Kagome couldn't keep her eyes off him. It was like seeing a different side to him, one that she'd never seen before.
~
Naraku wasn't truly asleep, he was only resting his eyes while thinking to himself. Thoughts about what was happening between Kagome and Sesshoumaru at that spring kept on breaking into his mind.
Somehow, he had the idea that what Kagome told him about what happened at the spring was not the entire truth. It felt as if she was leaving a large part out. 'What could it be? Am I just being paranoid?' he mused. 'I felt jealousy yesterday, and I can still undergo it now. It feels as if I'm missing out on something.'
'I'll find out what else happened the night before.'
His reverie was shattered when the girl who had been sleeping for the past three hours suddenly tensed.
~
Naraku's eyes shot open, as if having sensed her looking at him. Alarmed, he glared at her. Kagome flinched after having not expected the sudden glare. "Gomen ne!! I didn't mean to stare," she said in a small voice, bowing her head in embarrassment.
Naraku nodded and took notice of the interesting position they were in. He also became aware of the discomfort Kagome was giving off.
"How long have I been sleeping?" she asked timidly, still averting his gaze.
"I am not sure, but I believe it has been three hours or so."
"So we've been in this position for three hours?" Kagome immediately clamped her mouth shut. "Err- not that I care about our position or anything, I was just-"
"You were cold, and sometimes blankets do not help warm things up. If that is what troubles you," he answered her thoughts.
"Ah, h-hai," Kagome stuttered. "Well, I'm a bit okay now, so I could go back to bed."
Naraku smirked teasingly and carried her back to her futon. "Are you feeling any better now?"
"Yeah, I guess," she answered unsurely.
"Don't lie, your face is red," he stated as he sat down at a good distance at the end of her futon.
'WHAT? But I don't feel sick... Oi!! I'm blushing again... but HE doesn't know that. He thinks I'm sick.. hopefully he won't notice..'
~
Naraku stared blankly at Kagome's somewhat panicky looking face. Another smirk resurfaced his features. 'Ah, I see what is going on here. Perhaps I should tease her around a bit, just for the amusement of it all...'
He slowly creeped up her futon, a serious look on his face.
~
Kagome noticed Naraku was now on the futon, all the while making his way towards her on his hands and knees. "Ehh... Naraku, what are you doing?"
He didn't answer and continued to stalk closer, making Kagome feel very uncomfortable indeed. Kagome attempted to crawl backwards, but thank Kami- sama for her clumsiness, slipped and fell flat on her back on the futon.
Naraku placed his hands on either side of her on the futon, hovering over her like a predator with it's prey. His long wavy dark hair seemed to curtain over around them.
'What the heck is he doing?' Kagome thought frantically.
~
Naraku now had her trapped within his arms. He smirked and lowered his head so that there were five inches of space in between them.
Kagome bit her lip. "Na... Naraku!?"
~
End Chapter 13:
RPG_girl:
^_^ Well, that's it for now. Short chapter, I know..
Oi vay, what is Naraku thinking?! He has Kagome-chan trapped in his horrible twisted web of amusement!!
Naraku: (in ridiculous baboon pelt) I just cannot picture myself aiding that wench.
Naraku!! How DARE you wear that idiotic thing in here! Can't you read the sign?! (points at the sign that says, 'No Baboon Pelts Allowed')
Naraku: Was I ever one to follow the rules?
Good point. -_- Well, you better follow the rules or I'll sick the Naraku haters on you. Or worse, I'll sick the Naraku LOVERS on you.
Naraku: (shrugs) Humans are so demanding. (takes off pelt and the authoress grabs pelt and throws it into a fireplace)
Good riddance... Hmph! Back to the main topic... What THE HECK IS NARAKU THINKING?! And don't forget everyone, Sesshoumaru-sama is on his way back to the shrine... ooh, so many possibilities.
FD I haven't forgotten about Kouga-kun. He's still coming in, so stay tuned. That goes for Shippou-chan, too.
About the Review Responses:
Gomen nasai, everyone, no Review Responses for the last chapter.
Reason#1: I was too lazy. Reason#2: I wanted to get this chapter in as soon as possible. Reason#3: Radioactive monkeys.
I'll respond to reviews for THIS chapter though.
Sayonara!
~ The Next Day, 8:30 in the morning ~
Kagome and Kiochi sat in a small room in the shrine. Kagome was wearing her light blue pajamas she had brought from her home, and Kiochi was wearing a suspiciously beautiful looking dark blue kimono with large yellow and green line imprints of leaves.
"You say Sesshoumaru had been acting strange in the spring? I don't see how that's not logical," Kiochi stated, pouring Kagome herbal tea.
"You mean it's natural for Sesshoumaru to act strangely?" Kagome blushed lightly remembering a few of the moments at the spring. "He's usually a totally unemotional passive-aggressive kind of guy, but the way he acted yesterday was... unheard of!"
"He'd done strange things, had he Kagome-san?" Kiochi said, smirking for what Kagome saw the first time. Her smirk turned into a usual Kiochi smile again. "Tell me," she announced slowly. "What exactly had he done to you to make you so flushed and red just by thinking about it?"
Kagome's eyes widened. "AH! N-Nothing at all, I swear it! It," Kagome stuttered. "But how do you explain his strange behavior?"
"I've heard of those springs before. The pyreflies that inhabit it cause the water to turn into something like truth serum. Something like it," Kiochi added.
"Truth serum...? They have that in this era?"
"Yes, you know, the type of drugs that force you to say what secrets you've been hiding. But in the spring's case, the water causes you to say what emotions you've been hiding, instead of secrets."
"So the spring makes you spill hidden emotions out into the open?"
"Yes, you've got it," Kiochi grinned, pouring her own self some tea.
'So then that means it wasn't a test? Those emotions that Sesshoumaru had shown me are true..? And when he'd hugged me-..' Kagome paused and looked down at her tea, feeling a bit fazed over.
"Kagome-san, you are turning red again! Do you have a fever?"
'No, I'm just blushing,' she thought to herself. 'But then why do I feel so cold? And my head hurts..'
~
"Okaa-san! Okaa-san!" Rin burst into the room, a piece of paper in her hand. She was also wearing a suspiciously beautiful looking kimono, a light pink one with a yellow obi and snowflake imprints. "Sesshoumaru-sama told me to give this letter to you!"
"Thank you, Rin," Kagome smiled weakly and took the paper into her hands, carefully reading the neat katakana writing.
~~~~~~~~~~
I am going back to the castle. Rin is staying there in that shrine. If you were wondering why, it is my brother's crowning and many youkai are there.
-Sesshoumaru
~~~~~~~~~~
"Gee, talk about a really brief guy... This might as well be a note instead of a letter," Kagome muttered, feeling light-headed. "And why can't he just tell me himself?"
"Kiochi-chan?" Rin asked innocently. "Did you tell Okaa-san about the festival?"
"Is that why you guys are all wearing kimonos?"
"Oh, yes!" Kiochi clasped her hands together, suddenly remembering something. "Kagome-san, I'd forgotten to tell you, there is an annual summer festival happening from this morning to late at night. I made the loveliest kimono for you to wear," Kiochi said with excitement.
"Thank you," Kagome replied dully. She swooned slightly.
"What's wrong with you, Kagome-san? You've been acting strange yourself," Kiochi's expression was now worry. "Are you really sick?" a cool hand reached up at touched Kagome's forehead. "Oh, Kami-sama, Kagome-san, you forehead's burning!"
"But.. if Okaa-san is sick, then she wouldn't be able to go to the festival," Rin frowned. "Rin'll stay with Okaa-san!"
"No it's alright," Kagome smiled dazedly. "You might get sick, too."
"Do you want Kaede-san to stay here and take care of you? I would do it myself, but I need to stay by the village during the festival to make sure nothing goes wrong," Kiochi's mouth formed a grim line.
"No, no, please! You guys go ahead, I just need some sleep," Kagome argued. "Trust me, I'll be fine. I promise to stay inside this shrine always."
"If you insist," Kiochi gave in, a troubled note in her voice.
It was the absolute perfect time for Naraku to walk in.
"I heard there was some sort of festival happening at that village," he said casually.
"Are you going?" Kiochi asked just as nonchalantly.
"No," Naraku crossed his arms. "The last time you dragged me to that wretched festival, my gi caught on fire."
"I remember," Kiochi chuckled, sipping her tea. "That's such an amusing memory."
"Oh yes, I remember, too," Kaede added as she walked in. "I was only eleven back then, but I remember it all too clearly. I was playing with the village children with firecrackers and I accidentally threw one at Onigumo- chan and his gi set aflame!"
"Remember the expression on his face when he realized it was on fire?" Kiochi added giddily.
"Hai! That was priceless!" Kaede and Kiochi exploded into fits of laughter, leaving a confused Rin and Kagome.
"That certain festival night is my favorite out of all the others. It was so much fun," Kaede wiped a small tear of laughter off her eye.
"Tell that to the drunk men who thought I was a woman," Naraku muttered, half smirking as he leaned against the doorframe.
Kiochi stifled her laughter. "I remember that, also! Those poor men are still healing from their injuries."
"Let's not dwell on memories," Naraku flatly shot at her.
"So it's settled then? You're not going to the festival?" Kiochi asked, a small plan brewing.
"Are you deaf? I believe I already said I wasn't."
"Well that's a no, then! We are all going to the festival, and you're the only one that's not, so you have to take care of Kagome-san."
"I have to?" Naraku asked, raising an eyebrow. 'This might be interesting.'
Kagome gasped at Kiochi's sudden decision. "No, you don't have to, Naraku! It's okay, I don't want to be a burden-"
"Alright."
"What?"
"I said yes," he said lowly, irritation clear in his voice. "Must I repeat myself for you hearing-impaired humans all the time?"
"That's wonderful, Naraku," Kiochi stated with relief. "Well, we'll be going then. It's too bad you can not come," she added dreadfully towards Kagome. "I promise we'll bring some food from the festival."
"Arigatou, Kiochi-san," Kagome smiled. "I really appreciate it."
Kaede and Kiochi left after goodbyes, but Rin wasn't quite convinced. "Is Okaa-san sure Okaa-san doesn't need Rin?"
"Yes, Rin-chan. Bring me lots of flowers from the festival, too, okay? They'll help make me feel better!"
"Hai!" after giving Kagome a quick hug, Rin ran after Kiochi and Kaede.
~
"How unlucky can I get? I just had to get sick on a fun day," Kagome said forlornly. "You really don't have to take care of me, Naraku. I'll just stay in bed all day-!!" Kagome was cut off when Naraku picked her up and began to carry her on his back. "Naraku, what's up with you?! I can still walk, I'm not THAT sick and helpless!"
"I know," Naraku replied bluntly, walking down the shoji hallways. "...This is your room, correct?"
"Uh... yeah," Kagome said, a far-out look in her eyes. 'What am I going to do all day? Sitting in bed doesn't sound too thrilling.. but... I could really go for some rest.'
Kagome sighed and rested her head on his shoulder. "I guess I AM really tired..."
Naraku grunted, his red eyes traveling down to her head, which was rested on his right shoulder. "Isn't that a bit too close?"
Kagome didn't answer; her mind was too fogged over with unsteadiness.
A small smirk on his face, he walked into the room and carefully set her down onto her futon. Then he kneeled down at her side. "How did you catch a fever?"
"Stayed in the spring for too long," she slurred, snuggling into the futon.
'The spring..' Naraku mused. "What did you do in that spring with Sesshoumaru?"
"Nothing much," Kagome said, almost unconsciously. "Just swam around.."
"Is that all?" Naraku asked, leaning slightly forward. He eyed the sleepy miko with interest.
"No... Sesshoumaru... said he liked my scent," she murmured.
Naraku tensed, leaning forward some more. "...And?"
"That's all..."
Naraku growled, somewhat aggravated. "Are you sure?" 'She's not telling me everything.'
"Hai..." Kagome blinked, diving back into consciousness. "Ehh? Did you say something Naraku?"
"Iie," he answered off-handedly. (note: Iie=No)
"Okay," Kagome yawned.
"Do you need anything?"
"No, I just want to get some sleep.." Kagome's eyes slowly shut. "Thanks for asking, though."
Naraku nodded, watching her drift off to slumber. 'She's unwell because she had gone into that spring. It's all Sesshoumaru's fault. That bastard had chosen the perfect time to leave, too, damn him...'
~
Kagome felt extremely ill. Her hands felt cold, and her head was throbbing. Moments ago she was feeling fine.. maybe it's some sort of side effect that happens to you whenever you walk into those springs.
She soon fell into a light uncomfortable sleep.
Naraku noticed the change in her temperature and placed a hand over her forehead. Kagome was burning.
Feeling a cool hand place over her forehead, Kagome woke with a start. "Naraku?"
"Be calm," he said quietly. "I am only checking your temperature."
"That's not necessary," Kagome was cut off when Naraku's hand went down to her mouth.
"Sleep."
Kagome nodded compliantly and closed her eyes once more.
Half an hour later when she was deep asleep, Naraku checked her temperature again, only to see that it had increased. 'Her forehead is at a boiling point,' the hanyou noted, 'But the rest of her body feels as if she had just been through some sort of snow storm.'
He noticed how her breaths were becoming uneven and shaky, and how she was shivering despite the warmth of her futon. Her sleep was apparently an uneasy one.
All of a sudden remembering that Kiochi stored herbs for these kinds of occurrences, he got up on his feet. Then with a last glance at the slumbering miko, he silently walked out of the room to rummage around for the herbs that Kiochi kept in the storage room.
~
Kagome groaned lightly in her sleep. Her fever had worsened, she noticed subconsciously. Despite her freezing temperature, sweat rolled down the side of her face. A soft cloth wiped it off, but she was too dazed to know who'd done that for her.
~
Naraku looked down at Kagome concernedly after having wiped off the sweat rolling down the side of her face. 'This is no ordinary illness,' he mused. He had gotten the herbs and had made tea out of them; now all he had to do was wake her up.
Gently, he nudged her shoulders. Kagome's eyes fluttered open once again from her dreamless sleep. "Hmm?"
"Sit up. I need you to drink this," he ordered firmly, motioning towards the tea in his right hand. Kagome nodded and did as she was told, only to nearly fall back onto her futon. Naraku's free left arm shot out and wound around her shoulders, propping her up.
Then he placed her steadily on his lap, wrapping his left arm around her waist so she wouldn't stagger. Kagome stirred and did all she can to keep her tired eyes open.
"How are you feeling now?" Naraku asked.
"Everything around me is spinning. And it's kind of cold," Kagome said in a quiet hazy voice.
"Hn. It is just as I had said once," he smirked all-knowingly. 'You humans, particularly YOU, Kagome, are always in need of my assistance,' he included mentally.
"Huh? What are you so happy about?" Kagome asked. She was able to sense the cockiness in his voice, even though she was not in top condition.
"Absolutely nothing that would concern you," he answered innocuously. Naraku held the teacup to Kagome. "Here. Your fever had only worsened from the last hour. This might help."
Kagome took the cup into her cold hands and brought it close to her lips. Naraku placed his right hand over her own small ones and smoothly pressed the cup to her lips, somewhat forcing her to drink the tea.
After watching her take a few sips, Naraku withdrew the tea and noticed Kagome was starting to look slightly rosier, but her body was still cold. With Kagome still in his arm, he carefully took the blanket from the futon and draped it over her, as an attempt to make her warmer.
"Arigatou, Naraku," Kagome murmured, burying her face into his kimono. Naraku's eyes widened slightly at her sudden action, but dismissed it. He leaned against the shoji wall, with her still on his lap.
'Why am I doing this?' Naraku looked straight ahead into space. 'I used to see her as no one but a mere look alike of Kikyou... but now there are strange feelings that this girl draws from me,' he mused on.
'This also probably goes for Sesshoumaru. He must also have sensed strange feelings for her, too,' he thought abruptively, 'that emotion I'd felt the night before... I know clearly that it was jealousy. Why, though..?'
Naraku unconsciously rested his chin on top of her head and closed his eyes.
~
Sesshoumaru landed at the gate of the castle, and as he expected, many youkai from all over were here for his brother's crowning. He just stood there, counting down from ten.
'six...five...four...three...two...one.'
"SESSHOUMARU! YOU BASTARD!"
'Ah, just as I'd expected,' he smirked and looked down at the fuming Inuyasha, who looked ready to tear him apart. Too bad he couldn't.
"What?" Sesshoumaru asked calmly.
"Where the HELL have you BEEN?! It's two weeks until my crowning, and you suddenly disappear, only to return when it's ONE day until my crowning?! Do you know the damnation you put me through?! People kept on pissing me off, telling me to go 'patrolling' and making me sign all these sorts of papers that I don't know what the hell they're for-"
"Inuyasha."
"WHAT?!"
"Shut up. You are embarrassing."
"Arrogant, stuck-up ass-" Inuyasha was cut off as Sesshoumaru began to drag him into the castle by his right ear. "Damn it, Sesshoumaru, that hurts!!"
"I said, shut up. Must you use foul language infront of all these nobles?" Sesshoumaru growled. "You are going to be a ruler whether you like it or not, so act like one."
"Keh!" Sesshoumaru's sibling crossed his arms. Then curiously, he glanced at the prayerbeads around Sesshoumaru's neck.
"Hey, can I ask you a question?" Inuyasha said casually as Sesshoumaru continued to drag him.
"What?!" Sesshoumaru hissed.
"Where'd you get that necklace around your neck?"
Sesshoumaru stopped walking so he could give Inuyasha a good glomp over the head. "Baka na," he said as he started to drag him into the castle again. (baka na=idiot)
Inuyasha rubbed the lump on his head. 'Geez, he's in a foul mood today. What's HIS deal? Baka Sesshoumaru... when I get bigger and stronger than that stuck up jerk, I'll show HIM a thing or two about respecting your new king...'
~
Sesshoumaru paused from walking once again, sensing that bad ambiance again. 'Ever since I left the shrine, this strange feeling has been nagging at me. Something's not right.'
He abruptively let go of Inuyasha's ear. "I'm leaving."
"WHAT?!!!!!!!!!! You just got here and you're leaving again?!"
"It is not something I expect for you to understand," Sesshoumaru said grimly. "I will be back as soon as I can."
"You damn right better be," Inuyasha huffed, noticing the drop dead seriousness in his older brother's voice.
Sesshoumaru turned and leapt off, determined on returning to the shrine.
~
Kagome stirred from her sleep and noticed how warm it now was, and how comfortable it felt compared to the rather cold futon she had been sleeping in earlier.
She sheepishly glanced upwards to see Naraku with his eyes closed. 'Is he asleep?'
For a few seconds, her eyes were trapped staring at his face. Oh, how people could look so entirely different in their sleep.
Literally.
Naraku's face didn't bear the cool serious visage he usually had. Instead, he looked calm and carefree, almost innocent. And Kagome couldn't keep her eyes off him. It was like seeing a different side to him, one that she'd never seen before.
~
Naraku wasn't truly asleep, he was only resting his eyes while thinking to himself. Thoughts about what was happening between Kagome and Sesshoumaru at that spring kept on breaking into his mind.
Somehow, he had the idea that what Kagome told him about what happened at the spring was not the entire truth. It felt as if she was leaving a large part out. 'What could it be? Am I just being paranoid?' he mused. 'I felt jealousy yesterday, and I can still undergo it now. It feels as if I'm missing out on something.'
'I'll find out what else happened the night before.'
His reverie was shattered when the girl who had been sleeping for the past three hours suddenly tensed.
~
Naraku's eyes shot open, as if having sensed her looking at him. Alarmed, he glared at her. Kagome flinched after having not expected the sudden glare. "Gomen ne!! I didn't mean to stare," she said in a small voice, bowing her head in embarrassment.
Naraku nodded and took notice of the interesting position they were in. He also became aware of the discomfort Kagome was giving off.
"How long have I been sleeping?" she asked timidly, still averting his gaze.
"I am not sure, but I believe it has been three hours or so."
"So we've been in this position for three hours?" Kagome immediately clamped her mouth shut. "Err- not that I care about our position or anything, I was just-"
"You were cold, and sometimes blankets do not help warm things up. If that is what troubles you," he answered her thoughts.
"Ah, h-hai," Kagome stuttered. "Well, I'm a bit okay now, so I could go back to bed."
Naraku smirked teasingly and carried her back to her futon. "Are you feeling any better now?"
"Yeah, I guess," she answered unsurely.
"Don't lie, your face is red," he stated as he sat down at a good distance at the end of her futon.
'WHAT? But I don't feel sick... Oi!! I'm blushing again... but HE doesn't know that. He thinks I'm sick.. hopefully he won't notice..'
~
Naraku stared blankly at Kagome's somewhat panicky looking face. Another smirk resurfaced his features. 'Ah, I see what is going on here. Perhaps I should tease her around a bit, just for the amusement of it all...'
He slowly creeped up her futon, a serious look on his face.
~
Kagome noticed Naraku was now on the futon, all the while making his way towards her on his hands and knees. "Ehh... Naraku, what are you doing?"
He didn't answer and continued to stalk closer, making Kagome feel very uncomfortable indeed. Kagome attempted to crawl backwards, but thank Kami- sama for her clumsiness, slipped and fell flat on her back on the futon.
Naraku placed his hands on either side of her on the futon, hovering over her like a predator with it's prey. His long wavy dark hair seemed to curtain over around them.
'What the heck is he doing?' Kagome thought frantically.
~
Naraku now had her trapped within his arms. He smirked and lowered his head so that there were five inches of space in between them.
Kagome bit her lip. "Na... Naraku!?"
~
End Chapter 13:
RPG_girl:
^_^ Well, that's it for now. Short chapter, I know..
Oi vay, what is Naraku thinking?! He has Kagome-chan trapped in his horrible twisted web of amusement!!
Naraku: (in ridiculous baboon pelt) I just cannot picture myself aiding that wench.
Naraku!! How DARE you wear that idiotic thing in here! Can't you read the sign?! (points at the sign that says, 'No Baboon Pelts Allowed')
Naraku: Was I ever one to follow the rules?
Good point. -_- Well, you better follow the rules or I'll sick the Naraku haters on you. Or worse, I'll sick the Naraku LOVERS on you.
Naraku: (shrugs) Humans are so demanding. (takes off pelt and the authoress grabs pelt and throws it into a fireplace)
Good riddance... Hmph! Back to the main topic... What THE HECK IS NARAKU THINKING?! And don't forget everyone, Sesshoumaru-sama is on his way back to the shrine... ooh, so many possibilities.
FD I haven't forgotten about Kouga-kun. He's still coming in, so stay tuned. That goes for Shippou-chan, too.
About the Review Responses:
Gomen nasai, everyone, no Review Responses for the last chapter.
Reason#1: I was too lazy. Reason#2: I wanted to get this chapter in as soon as possible. Reason#3: Radioactive monkeys.
I'll respond to reviews for THIS chapter though.
Sayonara!