Chapter 5
When The Sun Went Down
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sango and Naraku came to a waterfall as the sun was setting.
"We should head back," he told her. "It will be dark soon."
She smiled, still twirling the flower in her hand. Then, on an impulse, she stepped up to him and wrapped her arms around his neck, enjoying the feeling he gave her when his arms hugged her middle. She looked over his shoulder at the flower in her hand, still twirling it absently. "I was wondering. . . "
"Hai?"
"Whatever happened to Onigumo?"
"I got rid of him a log time ago."
"How?"
"It was not easy. I would rather not discuss it with you," he said kindly.
She shrugged it off. "That's okay." She reluctantly pulled away from him and stepped back. But he stepped forward and pulled her back to him.
The next thing Sango knew, her room back at the castle appeared around them. Or rather, they appeared in it. "What was that?!" she asked, surprised and a little delighted.
"I brought us back to the castle."
"Oh, yes. . ." she smiled and stepped away from him once again. She still wasn't used to traveling so quickly, but it was the only way she could get out of the castle. "I'm hungry!" she exclaimed.
"Then we shall eat," he answered her.
~ ~ ~
They ate a fulfilling dinner, and soon, were back in Sango's room.
They both looked at the futon, and she then turned to face him. He gazed at her in the blue moonlight, eager to lean forward and kiss her.
To her delight, he gave in and did so. As his lips touched hers, he reached up and pulled the chopsticks out of her hair. The locks fell in a large twist down her back, and he broke the kiss to look at her once more. He reached his arms around her and brushed his fingers through her raven tresses, untwisting and untangling them so they framed her face. A small smiled played on her lips, and she reached up to run her hands over his cheeks, then down his neck.
Inhaling nervously, he leaned forward once more and kissed her again. Her hands rubbed his collar bone firmly, and went down, down into his robes, loosening them and exposing a little more of his chest. His hands found her waist, and he slid his palms over her torso, making her inhale and press herself closer to him. His fingers traveled around to the back of her kimono, and untied the great bow there. The sash fell to her feet, and the kimono loosened.
She took his own robes from his shoulders, so her hands could roam freely over his chest. She stopped kissing him, and leaned forward so her lips were at his ear. "Tonight, we finish what we started, koi." she whispered, the word "koi" ringing a bell. 'Where have I heard that? Someone called me that once.' She kissed Naraku again, stepping backward to the futon, pulling him with her. 'Someone called me "koi" once. . . but who?'
She was interrupted by Naraku halting. She gave him a look of question.
"Finish?" he asked. "There was more?"
Her eyes widened, and her mouth dropped open slightly. An eyebrow quirked, and she answered, "Yeah. There was a lot more. . . "
"Like what?"
Her cheeks flushed, "Uh. . . " and her breathing quickened, ". . . we, uh. . . " and finally, flustered, "You don't know?"
He shook his head.
She sighed, determinedly not looking at him. "We. . . have sex."
He said nothing, and Sango felt his hands on her arms. He ducked his head to find her lips, and kissed her so nicely that she melted. Pushing the kimono off her body completely, he brought her over to the futon and laid her down, like the night before.
Hovering above her, he looked at her openly, honestly. "I've never done this before. . . I don't want to hurt you."
"You know what to do, now?" she asked, confused.
"Yes. . . I know the basics of intercourse."
"But you didn't know that's what you do with someone you love?"
"I wasn't aware. I was lead to believe it is a painful act one must preform in order to reproduce. Why would you want to hurt the one you love so much?"
Sango gazed at him with a new understanding. She reached a hand up to caress his face. "It does not always hurt. Only the first time. I am not afraid."
"I don't want to hurt you." he repeated.
She bit her lip. She didn't want to lie and say he wouldn't, but she didn't want to discourage him by agreeing. So, instead, she brought his face closer, so she could whisper in his ear. "I am not afraid." He remained unmoving, so she reached down between them and found the drawstring of his pants. Tugging on its knotted end, the bow came loose, and she brought her knees up around his hips, so he was in-between her. Holding his face so she could gaze at him, she said, "I'm ready."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Deep in the forest, Kagome walked with the group of guys, feeling awkward at being the only girl. They were heading out to the abandoned village Sesshoumaru spoke of, in hopes of locating Naraku's castle.
InuYasha stuck close by her, never letting Sesshoumaru come between them. Miroku stayed to himself with Kirara, who walked daintily beside him at his feet. Shippou stayed with Kagome, occasionally switching to InuYasha's shoulder.
Everyone was quiet. Kagome could only imagine how awkward Sesshoumaru must have felt. He looked ahead mainly, his arm at his side, a calm, determined expression on his features.
In an attempt to liven things up, Kagome sighed contentedly, "It's a nice night."
InuYasha nodded with a small grunt, Sesshoumaru glanced at her slightly, and Miroku did not respond at all. Kagome adjusted the bow and arrows on her back, shrugging them so they slipped into a more comfortable position. She was trying to think of something else to say when Sesshoumaru spoke instead.
"I was wondering, InuYasha. . . "
"About what?" InuYasha growled a little rudely.
"What do you intend to do with the Shikon no Tama, now that it belongs to you?"
InuYasha glanced at his half-brother, appearing to be offended. "That's really none of your business," he replied gruffly.
Kagome raised her eyebrows, but Sesshoumaru seemed unperturbed. Ahead of them, Miroku stopped, letting them catch up to him. "Yes, InuYasha. . . " he said thoughtfully, continuing to walk with them, now, "You never did say what you intended to do with the jewel."
"I. . ." InuYasha lied, "I haven't decided yet."
"You no longer want to become a full-fledged demon?" Sesshoumaru asked then, genuinely curious.
InuYasha growled. "I said it's none of your business!"
"InuYasha!" Kagome scolded. "You could be a little nicer! After all, Sesshoumaru did offer us his help, don't just turn around and be rude to him!"
Annoyed at Kagome for taking his brother's side, InuYasha folded his arms across his chest, growling to himself angrily. Kagome smiled inwardly because she knew the only reason he shut up was because he knew she was right.
"Sorry, Sesshoumaru," she said, "He just got up on the wrong side of the futon," she added in a sweet voice, reaching up to rub one of InuYasha's silky ears between her fingers. Though he was scowling, the corner of his mouth nearly twitched into a smile. He shoved her hand away. "Stop that!"
Kagome giggled delightedly.
"You do not have to apologize for him," Sesshoumaru told her. "Now, what would be something is if he apologized for himself."
InuYasha glared at his brother, a deadly look.
Ignoring it, Kagome said, "There's an idea! Hey, InuYasha?"
"No."
"Aw, come on! Apologize, just this once! Maybe you two can learn to set your differences aside!"
InuYasha goggled at her with disbelief. "You want me to - hell, no!"
"Why not?!"
"I. . . will not. . . " InuYasha sputtered angrily.
"You do your woman injustice," Sesshoumaru said with a mocking tone.
InuYasha growled and walked faster, then broke into a run to leap up into a tree. The other three stopped to look up at him. He was glaring out into the distance, a hand on his hip, and the other on the hilt of Tetsusaiga. "There's a village not too far from here. Wanna stop for food?" he yelled down to them.
"I could use some," Miroku said, putting a hand over his stomach. It growled as if on cue.
Kagome's did the same. "Yes, please!" she yelled up to InuYasha. The sun had set long ago, and what Kagome felt they really needed to do was stop and get some sleep, as well as a meal.
InuYasha jumped out of the tree and landed in a crouched position at her side, and she looked down at him. "Can we stay there for the night?" she yawned hugely. "I'm a little worn out."
InuYasha made a face, standing. "You're tired already?"
"Yeah. Got a problem?"
"Yeah. We can make good time if we keep going. Can't you hold out longer?"
Kagome yawned again, shaking her head no. Miroku placed a hand on InuYasha's shoulder from behind him. "Let's stop and let her rest, ne?" he said in a low voice. "Look at her - she is more tired than she says."
InuYasha studied a still yawning Kagome, and the faintest of smiles played on his lips. "Alright. Alright, Kagome," he said, suddenly sweet. He walked up to her and put an arm around her shoulders, and she leaned into him tiredly.
Behind them, Sesshoumaru observed the couple with interest. Miroku just smiled to himself, thinking still of Sango.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
It hurt.
Sango gasped in pain when Naraku entered her, something ripping when he reached deep inside. He stopped moving, letting her adjust to the strangeness her body was experiencing.
"I'm hurting you," he said. The look was clear on her face. Her eyes were squeezed shut, she was biting her lip, and her fingernails were digging into his bare shoulders, as well.
"It's. . . it's okay," she managed to choke out. "It's not that bad."
"We should stop."
"No! No. . . I said it's okay. Keep going, I'll be all right."
He rested his forehead against her own, and shut his eyes. She did so herself, and hissed when she still felt pain as he started to move again. The friction was outstandingly rough, like sandpaper, and it rubbed were she was already raw from the ripping she had felt earlier. He kept his arms around her, never ceasing to comfort her as they continued slowly. Sango finally relaxed when some of the pain stopped, and all that was left was a dull scraping feeling. Would it always feel like this? If it did, then Sango didn't think she would be making love very often.
As they continued in silence, Sango started to feel something good. A blooming feeling in her entrance, and it spread out into her entire body. She moaned a little, arching her head back, and Naraku kissed her neck sweetly, obviously lost in his own erotic feelings. She heard him sigh, then inhale shakily. When the feeling went away, Sango was disappointed that it hadn't lasted for long. They both stopped moving now, breathing heavily, their hearts beating together rapidly.
Naraku kissed her on the lips once more, then took himself out of her, and laid down at her side, holding her close to him. "I'm sorry it hurt you. I didn't want to hurt you. . . " he said softly.
"It's alright." She kissed his collar bone, and wrapped her arm around his middle, snuggling in closer.
She felt content now, happy. She drifted off into sleep in no time, having no dreams that she could remember, Naraku resting peacefully beside her the entire night.
He was still holding her when she awoke the next morning. He seemed to still be sleep, so she just watched him until he stirred. He opened his eyes slowly, the crimson orbs bright and glowing, like jewels. He looked back at her, a blush coming slowly to his cheeks. "OhayÇ gozaimasu. (Good morning)"
She smiled happily and replied.
"How are you feeling?" he asked her.
Her stomach was aching in her lower belly, but she said noting of it. "I feel fine. How are you?"
"Wonderful."
She buried her face into his chest and closed her eyes once again. He felt so nice, she could've stayed there all day. Soon, hunger forced her to sit up. "I'm hungry," she said, stretching.
Naraku lay and watched her body stretch, a smug grin on his lips. "You look very beautiful."
She stopped in mid-stretch and turned to look at him, blushing with surprise. Saying nothing in reply, she got up. "I need some clothes," she told him.
"Look in the chair," he said, nodding in its direction.
She turned around to see a silk champagne-colored kimono folded neatly in the chair beside the door, and she smiled. "You spoil me."
"You deserve the best."
Dressing quickly for warmth, Sango turned her attention to her hair. She grabbed the thick mass and some chopsticks and began to pin it up.
"Leave it down," Naraku said, still watching her from the futon, his head propped up in his hand.
She let her hair be and turned to her lover. A smirk lit her features, and she walked over, and kneeled down on the futon beside him. "You spoil me," she said again, provocatively. He smiled and she leaned down further to kiss his lips. "You know something?"
"Hm?"
"I love you."
She didn't know what to expect from him. It was what he wanted; now that he had it, what would happen? How would he react?
He sat up, and reached up to caress her cheek. He ran his fingers through her hair, letting it tangle and trap them, then finally shaking through the tangles, leaving soft, smooth locks. He grabbed her face gently and pulled her to him, to kiss her passionately, sinfully. She held on to him for all she had, her chest swelling with emotion, and her head growing dizzy from the physical contact. She realized she would like to make love with him again, no matter how much it hurt.
But then, her stomach growled.
They both looked down in surprise, and Naraku chuckled. "We better feed you."
He dressed in some clothes of his own and escorted her to the dining room, where he brought her breakfast in no time.
"You still have many of your powers left," she commented.
He nodded as he sat down in front of her, in his usual seat in front of the window. "They are mostly simple powers. I can summon things, travel quickly, cast small spells. Which reminds me - I must take that charm off the doorways; you are not a prisoner here."
She smiled at him thankfully. "How many know you are still alive?" she asked after a moment.
He looked down into his tea. "No one. Not even my incarnates."
"You mean Kagura. . . and Kanna. . . "
He nodded. "I don't even know where they are. And I'm not sure I care," he added bitterly, taking a sip of his tea.
"Do you regret creating them?"
"I don't know. . . I barely remember anything. I just remember wanting the jewel so badly that I would stop at nothing. Plan after plan, trick after trick, scheme after scheme. . . and all of them failed to work. When I awoke after InuYasha nearly destroyed me, I felt no hunger for the jewel. I felt like an empty shell; no hatred, no jealousy, no evil. . . no emotion. I did remember bits and pieces; you, mostly, then the dead miko - "
"Kikyou?"
"Yes, Kikyou. I remembered the jewel, the hanyou, and Kanna." He paused and stared at the air between them, lost in his memories. "It took me a while to remember everything else. To remember my powers, and discover that the hanyou left me as nothing, compared to who I had been. And I never want to go back to that. That grinding evil. . . it was not the way to live. Being powerful matters none to me, now. All that matters is you."
She looked at him with a deep expression, then returned her eyes to her plate, dreading the next question. "But you say you are 'fading.' Can it be stopped?"
He looked up at her, a sorrowful look in his eyes. "I'm afraid. . . there is nothing I can do. I looked into everything, found nothing, and gave up. As long as I remain healthy, and unharmed, I think I can prolong it. I will spend every waking moment with you, Sango. I will have a gentle life for the rest of my days, one full of love and emotions. A happy life. A renewal."
A sadness crept into her chest at the realization that his days were numbered, and for a moment, she regretted giving in to him. She closed her eyes, no longer hungry. He watched her curiously, his hands still holding his teacup in front of him, his face serene. A moment passed, and she opened her eyes, got up, and sat down beside him, prompting him to put his arms around her. He set his teacup down gently and embraced her, resting his chin on the top of her head. "Are you regretting anything?"
"Slightly. . . " she replied honestly. "I don't want you to go."
"It is just something we will have to deal with, when the time comes," he replied, smoothing her hair. "But for now, let's not think of it." He kissed her on the forehead. "We'll be prepared."
"You make it sound so easy."
"Let's not think of it," he repeated, and lifted her chin to kiss her leisurely, lovingly. "I love you, koi."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
When Kagome woke the next morning in the village, the streets were buzzing with rumors and gossip about the hanyou that destroyed the evil Naraku. InuYasha turned out to be some sort of a hero amongst the villagers, and everyone brought the group special offerings of food and valuables, all of which the hanyou accepted humbly.
"No really, you don't need to - " he told the villagers as they brought up the offerings and bowed deeply to him, ignoring his modest pleas. But then he would just mumble a thank you, and the villagers would be on their way.
Kagome was impressed. "So, InuYasha," she said, leaning an elbow on his shoulder, "how does it feel to finally get some respect from people?"
He smiled softly. "Much better, actually. But they still don't need to do all of this," he commented, motioning helplessly to the gifts piled on the ground before him. "We can't even carry it all."
"I say we keep the valuables." Miroku appeared in the doorway of their rented room.
Kagome turned to smile at him, and noticed the twinkle in his eye. "You're looking better today, Miroku. What changed you?"
He smiled slightly. "Hope. I have a very good feeling. We're going to find my Sango soon, I'm sure of it."
Kagome smiled at Miroku, then turned her attentions back to InuYasha. She felt like teasing the humbled hanyou, so she reached up as she had the night before and just barely touched the tip of his ear. It twitched furiously, and Kagome giggled. InuYasha gave her a strange look, the reached up to rub the ear, a smirk playing on his lips. "You're very easily amused," he said lightly.
"I love your ears," she sighed with a giddy smile. She was just reaching up to tease him once more when Sesshoumaru appeared behind Miroku in the doorway. He looked beautiful as usual, but agitated.
"We need to get going," he stated simply. "Time is growing thin, and the morning is dying."
InuYasha looked to his brother, then at the gifts on the ground. "If we don't accept these things, I'll feel bad."
Kagome bit her lip sympathetically.
"I still say we take the valuables," Miroku piped up.
Kagome spotted a few things glinting among the objects, and walked over to pick up a striking dagger. "Miroku - you'll need some sort of weapon, won't you?"
His eyebrows drew together, and he walked over to examine the weapon. It was very beautiful; it did not look Japanese by any means, more Indian than anything else. The handle was made of ivory, and a topaz was embedded in the handle. The blade was made of pure silver and curved upward dramatically, and there were exotic carvings of elephants and monkeys in the handle, and swirling designs of vines.
Miroku raised his eyebrows. "I'll take it." he sated plainly, impressed. "This is a fine dagger. I think it will suit me well when we destroy Naraku - for sure this time."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oooooooh. . . the plot thickens. . .
I really hope it's getting interesting! Look forward to Ch. 6!
Honey Bee
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sango and Naraku came to a waterfall as the sun was setting.
"We should head back," he told her. "It will be dark soon."
She smiled, still twirling the flower in her hand. Then, on an impulse, she stepped up to him and wrapped her arms around his neck, enjoying the feeling he gave her when his arms hugged her middle. She looked over his shoulder at the flower in her hand, still twirling it absently. "I was wondering. . . "
"Hai?"
"Whatever happened to Onigumo?"
"I got rid of him a log time ago."
"How?"
"It was not easy. I would rather not discuss it with you," he said kindly.
She shrugged it off. "That's okay." She reluctantly pulled away from him and stepped back. But he stepped forward and pulled her back to him.
The next thing Sango knew, her room back at the castle appeared around them. Or rather, they appeared in it. "What was that?!" she asked, surprised and a little delighted.
"I brought us back to the castle."
"Oh, yes. . ." she smiled and stepped away from him once again. She still wasn't used to traveling so quickly, but it was the only way she could get out of the castle. "I'm hungry!" she exclaimed.
"Then we shall eat," he answered her.
~ ~ ~
They ate a fulfilling dinner, and soon, were back in Sango's room.
They both looked at the futon, and she then turned to face him. He gazed at her in the blue moonlight, eager to lean forward and kiss her.
To her delight, he gave in and did so. As his lips touched hers, he reached up and pulled the chopsticks out of her hair. The locks fell in a large twist down her back, and he broke the kiss to look at her once more. He reached his arms around her and brushed his fingers through her raven tresses, untwisting and untangling them so they framed her face. A small smiled played on her lips, and she reached up to run her hands over his cheeks, then down his neck.
Inhaling nervously, he leaned forward once more and kissed her again. Her hands rubbed his collar bone firmly, and went down, down into his robes, loosening them and exposing a little more of his chest. His hands found her waist, and he slid his palms over her torso, making her inhale and press herself closer to him. His fingers traveled around to the back of her kimono, and untied the great bow there. The sash fell to her feet, and the kimono loosened.
She took his own robes from his shoulders, so her hands could roam freely over his chest. She stopped kissing him, and leaned forward so her lips were at his ear. "Tonight, we finish what we started, koi." she whispered, the word "koi" ringing a bell. 'Where have I heard that? Someone called me that once.' She kissed Naraku again, stepping backward to the futon, pulling him with her. 'Someone called me "koi" once. . . but who?'
She was interrupted by Naraku halting. She gave him a look of question.
"Finish?" he asked. "There was more?"
Her eyes widened, and her mouth dropped open slightly. An eyebrow quirked, and she answered, "Yeah. There was a lot more. . . "
"Like what?"
Her cheeks flushed, "Uh. . . " and her breathing quickened, ". . . we, uh. . . " and finally, flustered, "You don't know?"
He shook his head.
She sighed, determinedly not looking at him. "We. . . have sex."
He said nothing, and Sango felt his hands on her arms. He ducked his head to find her lips, and kissed her so nicely that she melted. Pushing the kimono off her body completely, he brought her over to the futon and laid her down, like the night before.
Hovering above her, he looked at her openly, honestly. "I've never done this before. . . I don't want to hurt you."
"You know what to do, now?" she asked, confused.
"Yes. . . I know the basics of intercourse."
"But you didn't know that's what you do with someone you love?"
"I wasn't aware. I was lead to believe it is a painful act one must preform in order to reproduce. Why would you want to hurt the one you love so much?"
Sango gazed at him with a new understanding. She reached a hand up to caress his face. "It does not always hurt. Only the first time. I am not afraid."
"I don't want to hurt you." he repeated.
She bit her lip. She didn't want to lie and say he wouldn't, but she didn't want to discourage him by agreeing. So, instead, she brought his face closer, so she could whisper in his ear. "I am not afraid." He remained unmoving, so she reached down between them and found the drawstring of his pants. Tugging on its knotted end, the bow came loose, and she brought her knees up around his hips, so he was in-between her. Holding his face so she could gaze at him, she said, "I'm ready."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Deep in the forest, Kagome walked with the group of guys, feeling awkward at being the only girl. They were heading out to the abandoned village Sesshoumaru spoke of, in hopes of locating Naraku's castle.
InuYasha stuck close by her, never letting Sesshoumaru come between them. Miroku stayed to himself with Kirara, who walked daintily beside him at his feet. Shippou stayed with Kagome, occasionally switching to InuYasha's shoulder.
Everyone was quiet. Kagome could only imagine how awkward Sesshoumaru must have felt. He looked ahead mainly, his arm at his side, a calm, determined expression on his features.
In an attempt to liven things up, Kagome sighed contentedly, "It's a nice night."
InuYasha nodded with a small grunt, Sesshoumaru glanced at her slightly, and Miroku did not respond at all. Kagome adjusted the bow and arrows on her back, shrugging them so they slipped into a more comfortable position. She was trying to think of something else to say when Sesshoumaru spoke instead.
"I was wondering, InuYasha. . . "
"About what?" InuYasha growled a little rudely.
"What do you intend to do with the Shikon no Tama, now that it belongs to you?"
InuYasha glanced at his half-brother, appearing to be offended. "That's really none of your business," he replied gruffly.
Kagome raised her eyebrows, but Sesshoumaru seemed unperturbed. Ahead of them, Miroku stopped, letting them catch up to him. "Yes, InuYasha. . . " he said thoughtfully, continuing to walk with them, now, "You never did say what you intended to do with the jewel."
"I. . ." InuYasha lied, "I haven't decided yet."
"You no longer want to become a full-fledged demon?" Sesshoumaru asked then, genuinely curious.
InuYasha growled. "I said it's none of your business!"
"InuYasha!" Kagome scolded. "You could be a little nicer! After all, Sesshoumaru did offer us his help, don't just turn around and be rude to him!"
Annoyed at Kagome for taking his brother's side, InuYasha folded his arms across his chest, growling to himself angrily. Kagome smiled inwardly because she knew the only reason he shut up was because he knew she was right.
"Sorry, Sesshoumaru," she said, "He just got up on the wrong side of the futon," she added in a sweet voice, reaching up to rub one of InuYasha's silky ears between her fingers. Though he was scowling, the corner of his mouth nearly twitched into a smile. He shoved her hand away. "Stop that!"
Kagome giggled delightedly.
"You do not have to apologize for him," Sesshoumaru told her. "Now, what would be something is if he apologized for himself."
InuYasha glared at his brother, a deadly look.
Ignoring it, Kagome said, "There's an idea! Hey, InuYasha?"
"No."
"Aw, come on! Apologize, just this once! Maybe you two can learn to set your differences aside!"
InuYasha goggled at her with disbelief. "You want me to - hell, no!"
"Why not?!"
"I. . . will not. . . " InuYasha sputtered angrily.
"You do your woman injustice," Sesshoumaru said with a mocking tone.
InuYasha growled and walked faster, then broke into a run to leap up into a tree. The other three stopped to look up at him. He was glaring out into the distance, a hand on his hip, and the other on the hilt of Tetsusaiga. "There's a village not too far from here. Wanna stop for food?" he yelled down to them.
"I could use some," Miroku said, putting a hand over his stomach. It growled as if on cue.
Kagome's did the same. "Yes, please!" she yelled up to InuYasha. The sun had set long ago, and what Kagome felt they really needed to do was stop and get some sleep, as well as a meal.
InuYasha jumped out of the tree and landed in a crouched position at her side, and she looked down at him. "Can we stay there for the night?" she yawned hugely. "I'm a little worn out."
InuYasha made a face, standing. "You're tired already?"
"Yeah. Got a problem?"
"Yeah. We can make good time if we keep going. Can't you hold out longer?"
Kagome yawned again, shaking her head no. Miroku placed a hand on InuYasha's shoulder from behind him. "Let's stop and let her rest, ne?" he said in a low voice. "Look at her - she is more tired than she says."
InuYasha studied a still yawning Kagome, and the faintest of smiles played on his lips. "Alright. Alright, Kagome," he said, suddenly sweet. He walked up to her and put an arm around her shoulders, and she leaned into him tiredly.
Behind them, Sesshoumaru observed the couple with interest. Miroku just smiled to himself, thinking still of Sango.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
It hurt.
Sango gasped in pain when Naraku entered her, something ripping when he reached deep inside. He stopped moving, letting her adjust to the strangeness her body was experiencing.
"I'm hurting you," he said. The look was clear on her face. Her eyes were squeezed shut, she was biting her lip, and her fingernails were digging into his bare shoulders, as well.
"It's. . . it's okay," she managed to choke out. "It's not that bad."
"We should stop."
"No! No. . . I said it's okay. Keep going, I'll be all right."
He rested his forehead against her own, and shut his eyes. She did so herself, and hissed when she still felt pain as he started to move again. The friction was outstandingly rough, like sandpaper, and it rubbed were she was already raw from the ripping she had felt earlier. He kept his arms around her, never ceasing to comfort her as they continued slowly. Sango finally relaxed when some of the pain stopped, and all that was left was a dull scraping feeling. Would it always feel like this? If it did, then Sango didn't think she would be making love very often.
As they continued in silence, Sango started to feel something good. A blooming feeling in her entrance, and it spread out into her entire body. She moaned a little, arching her head back, and Naraku kissed her neck sweetly, obviously lost in his own erotic feelings. She heard him sigh, then inhale shakily. When the feeling went away, Sango was disappointed that it hadn't lasted for long. They both stopped moving now, breathing heavily, their hearts beating together rapidly.
Naraku kissed her on the lips once more, then took himself out of her, and laid down at her side, holding her close to him. "I'm sorry it hurt you. I didn't want to hurt you. . . " he said softly.
"It's alright." She kissed his collar bone, and wrapped her arm around his middle, snuggling in closer.
She felt content now, happy. She drifted off into sleep in no time, having no dreams that she could remember, Naraku resting peacefully beside her the entire night.
He was still holding her when she awoke the next morning. He seemed to still be sleep, so she just watched him until he stirred. He opened his eyes slowly, the crimson orbs bright and glowing, like jewels. He looked back at her, a blush coming slowly to his cheeks. "OhayÇ gozaimasu. (Good morning)"
She smiled happily and replied.
"How are you feeling?" he asked her.
Her stomach was aching in her lower belly, but she said noting of it. "I feel fine. How are you?"
"Wonderful."
She buried her face into his chest and closed her eyes once again. He felt so nice, she could've stayed there all day. Soon, hunger forced her to sit up. "I'm hungry," she said, stretching.
Naraku lay and watched her body stretch, a smug grin on his lips. "You look very beautiful."
She stopped in mid-stretch and turned to look at him, blushing with surprise. Saying nothing in reply, she got up. "I need some clothes," she told him.
"Look in the chair," he said, nodding in its direction.
She turned around to see a silk champagne-colored kimono folded neatly in the chair beside the door, and she smiled. "You spoil me."
"You deserve the best."
Dressing quickly for warmth, Sango turned her attention to her hair. She grabbed the thick mass and some chopsticks and began to pin it up.
"Leave it down," Naraku said, still watching her from the futon, his head propped up in his hand.
She let her hair be and turned to her lover. A smirk lit her features, and she walked over, and kneeled down on the futon beside him. "You spoil me," she said again, provocatively. He smiled and she leaned down further to kiss his lips. "You know something?"
"Hm?"
"I love you."
She didn't know what to expect from him. It was what he wanted; now that he had it, what would happen? How would he react?
He sat up, and reached up to caress her cheek. He ran his fingers through her hair, letting it tangle and trap them, then finally shaking through the tangles, leaving soft, smooth locks. He grabbed her face gently and pulled her to him, to kiss her passionately, sinfully. She held on to him for all she had, her chest swelling with emotion, and her head growing dizzy from the physical contact. She realized she would like to make love with him again, no matter how much it hurt.
But then, her stomach growled.
They both looked down in surprise, and Naraku chuckled. "We better feed you."
He dressed in some clothes of his own and escorted her to the dining room, where he brought her breakfast in no time.
"You still have many of your powers left," she commented.
He nodded as he sat down in front of her, in his usual seat in front of the window. "They are mostly simple powers. I can summon things, travel quickly, cast small spells. Which reminds me - I must take that charm off the doorways; you are not a prisoner here."
She smiled at him thankfully. "How many know you are still alive?" she asked after a moment.
He looked down into his tea. "No one. Not even my incarnates."
"You mean Kagura. . . and Kanna. . . "
He nodded. "I don't even know where they are. And I'm not sure I care," he added bitterly, taking a sip of his tea.
"Do you regret creating them?"
"I don't know. . . I barely remember anything. I just remember wanting the jewel so badly that I would stop at nothing. Plan after plan, trick after trick, scheme after scheme. . . and all of them failed to work. When I awoke after InuYasha nearly destroyed me, I felt no hunger for the jewel. I felt like an empty shell; no hatred, no jealousy, no evil. . . no emotion. I did remember bits and pieces; you, mostly, then the dead miko - "
"Kikyou?"
"Yes, Kikyou. I remembered the jewel, the hanyou, and Kanna." He paused and stared at the air between them, lost in his memories. "It took me a while to remember everything else. To remember my powers, and discover that the hanyou left me as nothing, compared to who I had been. And I never want to go back to that. That grinding evil. . . it was not the way to live. Being powerful matters none to me, now. All that matters is you."
She looked at him with a deep expression, then returned her eyes to her plate, dreading the next question. "But you say you are 'fading.' Can it be stopped?"
He looked up at her, a sorrowful look in his eyes. "I'm afraid. . . there is nothing I can do. I looked into everything, found nothing, and gave up. As long as I remain healthy, and unharmed, I think I can prolong it. I will spend every waking moment with you, Sango. I will have a gentle life for the rest of my days, one full of love and emotions. A happy life. A renewal."
A sadness crept into her chest at the realization that his days were numbered, and for a moment, she regretted giving in to him. She closed her eyes, no longer hungry. He watched her curiously, his hands still holding his teacup in front of him, his face serene. A moment passed, and she opened her eyes, got up, and sat down beside him, prompting him to put his arms around her. He set his teacup down gently and embraced her, resting his chin on the top of her head. "Are you regretting anything?"
"Slightly. . . " she replied honestly. "I don't want you to go."
"It is just something we will have to deal with, when the time comes," he replied, smoothing her hair. "But for now, let's not think of it." He kissed her on the forehead. "We'll be prepared."
"You make it sound so easy."
"Let's not think of it," he repeated, and lifted her chin to kiss her leisurely, lovingly. "I love you, koi."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
When Kagome woke the next morning in the village, the streets were buzzing with rumors and gossip about the hanyou that destroyed the evil Naraku. InuYasha turned out to be some sort of a hero amongst the villagers, and everyone brought the group special offerings of food and valuables, all of which the hanyou accepted humbly.
"No really, you don't need to - " he told the villagers as they brought up the offerings and bowed deeply to him, ignoring his modest pleas. But then he would just mumble a thank you, and the villagers would be on their way.
Kagome was impressed. "So, InuYasha," she said, leaning an elbow on his shoulder, "how does it feel to finally get some respect from people?"
He smiled softly. "Much better, actually. But they still don't need to do all of this," he commented, motioning helplessly to the gifts piled on the ground before him. "We can't even carry it all."
"I say we keep the valuables." Miroku appeared in the doorway of their rented room.
Kagome turned to smile at him, and noticed the twinkle in his eye. "You're looking better today, Miroku. What changed you?"
He smiled slightly. "Hope. I have a very good feeling. We're going to find my Sango soon, I'm sure of it."
Kagome smiled at Miroku, then turned her attentions back to InuYasha. She felt like teasing the humbled hanyou, so she reached up as she had the night before and just barely touched the tip of his ear. It twitched furiously, and Kagome giggled. InuYasha gave her a strange look, the reached up to rub the ear, a smirk playing on his lips. "You're very easily amused," he said lightly.
"I love your ears," she sighed with a giddy smile. She was just reaching up to tease him once more when Sesshoumaru appeared behind Miroku in the doorway. He looked beautiful as usual, but agitated.
"We need to get going," he stated simply. "Time is growing thin, and the morning is dying."
InuYasha looked to his brother, then at the gifts on the ground. "If we don't accept these things, I'll feel bad."
Kagome bit her lip sympathetically.
"I still say we take the valuables," Miroku piped up.
Kagome spotted a few things glinting among the objects, and walked over to pick up a striking dagger. "Miroku - you'll need some sort of weapon, won't you?"
His eyebrows drew together, and he walked over to examine the weapon. It was very beautiful; it did not look Japanese by any means, more Indian than anything else. The handle was made of ivory, and a topaz was embedded in the handle. The blade was made of pure silver and curved upward dramatically, and there were exotic carvings of elephants and monkeys in the handle, and swirling designs of vines.
Miroku raised his eyebrows. "I'll take it." he sated plainly, impressed. "This is a fine dagger. I think it will suit me well when we destroy Naraku - for sure this time."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oooooooh. . . the plot thickens. . .
I really hope it's getting interesting! Look forward to Ch. 6!
Honey Bee