Blood Tastes so much sweeter
Part 2
Poison
By: DB and The Gifted Ten
Naraku picked up a noise, the ruffling of Sesshoumaru. "And I would have thought a demon like you would have awakened faster." He snickered. "So how does it feel? The poison coursing through your veins.... Doesn't it just make your nerve ending blaze with pain?" He never turned his head to look at the captive in his fortress. He sat in his usual spot, gazing out into space, waiting for a response, a vicious smirk on his face. Sesshoumaru couldn't speak; he didn't know if it was the poison or if he was too weak to form the words. In either case, all he could do was lie there and stare at Naraku's back to him.
"Oh come now.... The silent treatment... tsk. tsk.... Maybe I can get a scream out of you if you won't speak of your own free will." He looked back over his shoulder, giving him a glance that certified his threat. "After all.... That's the only reason I brought you back to my fortress.... Your face looks delightful when it's contorted in agonizing pain." "D-damn you... Nara.... ku..." He tried to sit up, but the searing pain caused him to fall back on the matted floor wheezing for breath.
Naraku grinned. "Conquering a proud spirit like yours will most certainly make my day." Swiftly and gracefully, he rose to his feet, padding over to Sesshoumaru before he began to circle him like he was nothing more than sharks bait. Naraku's eyes were locked on his.... No matter where he was. "Care to try again? I know you want to kill me." He crouched onto the ground, holding his throat open, teasing. He knew Sesshoumaru could do nothing. He was just making sure Sesshoumaru knew that as well.
Sesshoumaru glared at Naraku through clenched teach. How much he wished he could raise his claws to that throat.
Naraku chuckled bringing up a clawed hand. "I could kill you so easily right now." He said softly, as he dragged his nails in ambiguous designs on Sesshoumaru's throat. "So easily." He pressed a little harder, waiting for the wince he wanted to see. Sesshoumaru bit back his pain and disgust as Naraku's nails threatened to pierce his throat. In a last attempt, he spat in Naraku's face.
And quickly after, five claws had firmly lodged themselves into his throat. "So... easily." He smirked and yanked his claws free, licking the blood off like it were candy, taking his dear sweet time as if trying to seduce someone. And he was doing it all to mock Sesshoumaru.
Sesshoumaru's breath became ragged as five new holes in his skin dripped blood down his neck and onto the floor. He shut his eyes from the pain, but also so he wouldn't have to look at Naraku's grinning face. He turned his head in disgust. "Fine... if you won't speak to me..." Naraku grinned devilishly. "Maybe you will speak to me?" He'd only mimicked Rin's voice. He'd seen the girl, known how much Sesshoumaru cared for her. That would get his attention.
His eyes shot open and he turned his head around to see Naraku grinning with his all too familiar look as he spoke again in the little human child's voice "Sesshoumaru-sama...." He sneered. "You are pitiful" Naraku gripped Sesshoumaru's throat, standing and dragging Sesshoumaru with him. "So easily are you manipulated" His voice was his own once more. He sneered, looking up at Sesshoumaru. And after a second, Naraku dropped him. As if he'd lost interest....
With his face to the floor, Sesshoumaru let out a moan as he felt himself being pulled up by his hair. Naraku leaned in and whispered in his ear "I grow tired of you. Do you wish to live, Sesshoumaru?" His voice was sharp, threatening. "Answer me Sesshoumaru." His claws went to Sesshoumaru's throat once more. "This time I won't show you any mercy.." Those claws of his grew nearer and nearer to Sesshoumaru's throat with every second he didn't answer.
"W-what difference *cough* does it make what I answer..? You'll just kill me anyway once I am of no interest to you." He reached up with his free arm and took hold of Naraku's clawed hand, bringing to his throat. "Here.... Kill me."
"Kill you? But that's such a terrible waste of a plaything. Wouldn't you agree?" He almost hissed the words into his ear. Naraku's claws changed course, heading for Sesshoumaru's fair face. Sesshoumaru's pitiful grip on his hand made his smirk grow wider. He wanted a good look at his face. So, Naraku repositioned himself so he was no longer at Sesshoumaru's side, but was now facing him, locking eyes with him as Naraku's fingertips touched the Inu youkai's cheek with mock gentleness. Soon, fingernails joined fingertips in tracing the same ambiguous markings as he made on Sesshoumaru's throat. "You still have yet to answer my question... Do you want to live?" Sesshoumaru honestly did not know the answer to the question. He was confused; for once his usual instincts gave no answer. Uncertain, he turned his head and stared at the wall.
"Did I say to look over there?" Naraku's voice was sickeningly sweet, but his actions most certainly were not. He grabbed Sesshoumaru's chin, jerking it to where they were locking eyes. "Do not look away from death.... Because it will only make it's presence better known." His claws dug into Sesshoumaru's face, marring it. Rapidly, Naraku scanned Sesshoumaru's thoughts. He narrowed his eyes. "Surely even you have something worth living for. Maybe it's the girl?"
Sesshoumaru turned his attention back to Naraku's gaze. Thoughts of the human child, Rin, came to his mind. 'No.... she knows nothing of my problems or me. She is merely a distraction.' Until recently, his revenge against his half-brother had been his occupation, but now that he was dead, he no longer knew what to do with his life. He already possessed a powerful sword that could match that of the Tetsusaiga, but today it had even proven useless against a foe in battle. He had nothing now. Nothing.... He focused back on Naraku's face. "I.. Don't have a purpose to live.. anymore."
"And if I gave you a purpose to live.... What would you give me in return? Surely.... "Naraku released his hold on Sesshoumaru, watching as he all but collapsed on the floor. "You don't just want to die. Someone like you, whom could have so much. Someone who had wasted his life trying to take another's would surely want a second chance." With a wave of his hand, all the wounds Naraku had inflicted were gone, including the hole the Tokijin had made in Sesshoumaru's stomach. However, the poison remained to keep Sesshoumaru subdued. "Stand up and tell me.... Do you want a second chance?"
Sesshoumaru regained himself and slowly got to his feet. He was just barely taller than Naraku by maybe a couple inches. He looked into the spider's unblinking eyes as he imposed another question: "And if I said 'yes', what kind of purpose to live could you--a bringer of death--possibly give me? He was dead serious, and he was also just as curious to Naraku's answer.
"If you said yes...." Naraku stepped slowly to a position behind Sesshoumaru, waving his hand. The scenery changed. Sesshoumaru was standing tall, triumphant over his brother. "You could reclaim your honor...." The scene was a perfectly crafted illusion; even the wafting breeze carried the scent of Inuyasha's spilt blood upon it. The grass rustled.
Sesshoumaru blinked at the realism the illusion brought, but he still knew it was just an image of Naraku's creation; it wasn't real. That was one thing Sesshoumaru would never forgive Naraku for: the death of his brother. He'd imagined how he would have done it, and then this baboon of a spider-- not even a true demon at the time--comes in and takes away his revenge. Sesshoumaru merely looked straight ahead.
"Or." the disdain was apparent in his velvety voice. You could...." The scene changed once more. They were in a castle-like structure. Sesshoumaru would now be kneeling on the stone floor in front of an imposing man.... Sesshoumaru's father.... "Re-live life with your father..." His father stood, motioning for him to rise, holding out a sword that could only be the Tetsusaiga. "And since you were the only child.. Inherit the Tetsusaiga."
"The past does not hold any interest for me. And neither do your worthless visions." He turned around and faced Naraku. "Give me something real." Naraku waved his hand; they were standing once more in his fortress. Sesshoumaru's blood had stained the floor. Upon hearing his words, a wicked grin crossed his lips. 'You are mine...' He thought viciously. "Like what, Sesshoumaru? What could your hardened heart possibly desire? Hmm? Tell me... Let me help you." He was definitely the devil's incarnate.
Sesshoumaru's eyebrow twitched. 'What is he getting at?' "I'm not following you." He took a nervous step backwards.
Naraku chuckled. "I was merely asking what you would want, Sesshoumaru. 'Give me something real' doesn't exactly give me a definition of what you want." He raised an eyebrow, scanning Sesshoumaru's thoughts. "Keep in mind nothing you ask me can have anything to do with me. Like you cannot wish for my death.."
Sesshoumaru began to ponder what it was Naraku was asking him. He came to a dead end. He risked just one more question to the waiting kumo. "I need some time to think this over." not really phrasing it as a question.
Annoyance graced his features for just an instant. "Very well... time you have... but not a lot.... I'm not a patient demon, Sesshoumaru." Naraku resumed his place near his favorite wall. He'd turned his back on Sesshoumaru.... Clearly it wasn't a wise move.... But Naraku knew what he was doing.... And had a few tricks up his sleeves.
Sesshoumaru watched as Naraku returned to the window, noticing that the demon as deliberately turning his back on him--which would have been very foolish had they been in different circumstances. Sesshoumaru leaned his back against the wall and closed his eyes, trying to concentrate. The poison still coursing through his veins made it hard for him to think clearly, and allowing it not to show through his steel exterior was beginning to wear on him. But now he needed to think. What exactly did he want? He'd never been asked that question before in all his life, and now his enemy, who'd imprisoned him in his fortress, was asking him what he wanted in life. He began to think through the events that had just happened; perhaps he'd missed something. He dove further into the past, going over all the details that had to do with that baboon, Naraku. When at last he found himself back in the present, Sesshoumaru was intrigued. This whole time Naraku had made it clear that all he wanted was the Shikon no Tama--which he now possessed. And along the way, he'd done all he could to attain it, including getting Sesshoumaru involved to dispose of his brother, who'd been a thorn in Naraku's side from the beginning.
Naraku was listening into Sesshoumaru's thoughts. He growled softly when he realized the Inu youkai was thinking at too fast a pace for him to understand coherently. He only caught fractions of words... tiny glimpses of memories. Disdain once again covered the kumo's face.
And even though Inuyasha and his friends were no more, Naraku still had not taken his bow and left the stage. So here he was, trapped inside this phantom fortress, and yet it still was not clear to him what Naraku's desire was. Which brought Sesshoumaru to his answer. Slowly, Sesshoumaru pushed away from the wall and made his way over to the window in which Naraku sat gazing at the starless sky.
"Made your decision?" Naraku didn't move at all, he was anticipating Sesshoumaru to try and attack. Naraku was not a trusting creature... Nor did he do things without purpose. He silently waited for an answer... or a wrong move on Sesshoumaru's part.
"I have decided that I will kill you for denying me my brother's death...but, in the meantime... I wish to understand you, Naraku--" the kumo's head slightly turned his direction, but stopped halfway--"and I don't really care how long or what it takes. I wish to know my enemy."
Naraku rose to his feet, turning to face Sesshoumaru with an unreadable _expression. "You want to waste this opportunity to have the entire land of Japan bowing at your feet.... To know about a demon's past." He smirked. "You are a very amusing creature. Unfortunately... there is nothing to my past." He grinned defiantly. Sesshoumaru knew almost nothing about him; save that he hated his brother and used people to no ends. He knew nothing about Kikyou and his former identity.... "And so you wasted your wish."
This time it was Sesshoumaru who smirked. "Who said anything about your past?" The kumo fixated a glare that could melt steel at Sesshoumaru. "Then what do you want to know?" He folded his arms, glare melting into a defiant look upon the realization that he could lie if he so chose to and Sesshoumaru wouldn't know the difference.
Sesshoumaru's gaze became more confident as he could smell the difference in Naraku's aura. So, I caught you off guard did I? He tipped his head ever so slightly, "And don't try to lie, Kumo. A dog can smell deceit as easily as it can smell fear," he said, trying to get under Naraku's skin. The kumo glared at him, openly showing his hatred. "And as for what exactly I want to know of you," Sesshoumaru continued, " that is my concern. In time, I will learn what I need of you." He straightened his face. "And then...I will kill you."
Naraku chuckled. "If you are looking for weakness... I have none. You, on the other hand, are full of flaws... namely you can die." Naraku raised one of his hands, as his fingers closed, the poison rushing through Sesshoumaru's veins doubled, making it increasingly hard for him to stand. "So easily...." And then the pain subsided, but only a little.
Sesshoumaru chose this moment to lunge at Naraku, gripping the kumo's throat in his own poisoned claws, letting his venom seep into his body. Inches away, Sesshoumaru looked at his foe's face, which was now beaded with sweat due to the poison. He smirked, "So can you."
"Tsk.... tsk... I expect better from you. After all.... You only have one arm...." One of Naraku's hands clamped down on Sesshoumaru's wrist, the pressure threatening to crush the bone and make it useless. His other hand turned into one of the inhuman branches and wrapped itself around Sesshoumaru's throat, the point threatening to puncture something vital. "Release me if you want to keep your life for the moment. And be assured..." Naraku's grip on Sesshoumaru's wrist tightened, causing the bone to crack a little. And if that wasn't warning enough, the branch like limb wrapped around Sesshoumaru's throat also tightened a little, the tip of the limb was as sharp as a needle's point and Sesshoumaru got to discover that the hard way as it pricked the flesh of his throat. "I won't be as lenient next time"
His eyes never leaving Naraku's, Sesshoumaru slowly drew his hand out of the sickly looking neck and waited for Naraku to do the same.
Naraku pondered letting go for a moment. He grinned. "Just remember... You are in my territory.... I have the advantage here." The branch slowly slid from his neck and returned into a normal arm. Naraku's fingernails dug into Sesshoumaru's wrist, injecting a little more poison, before he released. Soon, the sweat collecting on his face was gone as his body annihilated any traces of venom in his body.
Sesshoumaru stumbled back a few steps as the new rush of fresh poison traveled quickly from his arm to the rest of his infected body, leaving him panting for breath as he watched Naraku heal himself.
"Want it to go away? I can heal you.... Just give me a reason why..." Naraku folded his arms, much enjoying this game of chess, which he was currently winning.
"Because, Naraku.somewhere in that sadistic mind of yours"---he coughed- "you desire me to live, though for what purpose and for how long, I find myself still in the dark."
"Hmmm.... Fair enough." He grinned devilishly, waving his hand. The poison had once again become only a phantom in Sesshoumaru's veins, making him ache to remind him of its presence. "You may stand up now.... Unless you enjoy kneeling before me." Sesshoumaru shakily got to his feet and waited to see what Naraku had in store for him next.
He smirked. "You still have yet to ask me something specific about me." He wanted this hold of a deal off of him. A demon he was, sadistic and cruel he was also, but alas... he was a man of his word.
Sesshoumaru tilted his head once again and said, "Let's not rush into this. 'Patience is a virtue', Naraku, as you yourself well know." He walked over to the wall and slumped against it, fatigue wearing him down, as he slid into a sitting position. Without the Tensaiga, he would have to resort to a simpler method of rejuvenating himself: sleep. Before falling into the trance-like state, he managed to tell Naraku: "Come back in two days. Perhaps I'll feel like asking you something then." And with that, his conscious was no more among the living, as all bodily functions came to a halt, and his mind no longer took in the outside world as it concentrated on the healing within.
Naraku's violet eyes widened and then narrowed in a vicious glare. He kicked Sesshoumaru's leg quite hard. But there was no reaction. He smirked; realizing how deep of a trance Sesshoumaru was in.... how venerable he was if Naraku decided to change his mind. "Heh.... Heh.... Sleep Sesshoumaru.... Because it's the last peaceful sleep you will have for a long, long time before you rejoin our brother in Hades. And even your death will be agonizing.... And slow.... And it will make me very pleased.... No regrets." He smirked and turned, padding silently to his spot. He sat gracefully, grinning as he contemplated how many different ways there were to kill a demon.
Part 2
Poison
By: DB and The Gifted Ten
Naraku picked up a noise, the ruffling of Sesshoumaru. "And I would have thought a demon like you would have awakened faster." He snickered. "So how does it feel? The poison coursing through your veins.... Doesn't it just make your nerve ending blaze with pain?" He never turned his head to look at the captive in his fortress. He sat in his usual spot, gazing out into space, waiting for a response, a vicious smirk on his face. Sesshoumaru couldn't speak; he didn't know if it was the poison or if he was too weak to form the words. In either case, all he could do was lie there and stare at Naraku's back to him.
"Oh come now.... The silent treatment... tsk. tsk.... Maybe I can get a scream out of you if you won't speak of your own free will." He looked back over his shoulder, giving him a glance that certified his threat. "After all.... That's the only reason I brought you back to my fortress.... Your face looks delightful when it's contorted in agonizing pain." "D-damn you... Nara.... ku..." He tried to sit up, but the searing pain caused him to fall back on the matted floor wheezing for breath.
Naraku grinned. "Conquering a proud spirit like yours will most certainly make my day." Swiftly and gracefully, he rose to his feet, padding over to Sesshoumaru before he began to circle him like he was nothing more than sharks bait. Naraku's eyes were locked on his.... No matter where he was. "Care to try again? I know you want to kill me." He crouched onto the ground, holding his throat open, teasing. He knew Sesshoumaru could do nothing. He was just making sure Sesshoumaru knew that as well.
Sesshoumaru glared at Naraku through clenched teach. How much he wished he could raise his claws to that throat.
Naraku chuckled bringing up a clawed hand. "I could kill you so easily right now." He said softly, as he dragged his nails in ambiguous designs on Sesshoumaru's throat. "So easily." He pressed a little harder, waiting for the wince he wanted to see. Sesshoumaru bit back his pain and disgust as Naraku's nails threatened to pierce his throat. In a last attempt, he spat in Naraku's face.
And quickly after, five claws had firmly lodged themselves into his throat. "So... easily." He smirked and yanked his claws free, licking the blood off like it were candy, taking his dear sweet time as if trying to seduce someone. And he was doing it all to mock Sesshoumaru.
Sesshoumaru's breath became ragged as five new holes in his skin dripped blood down his neck and onto the floor. He shut his eyes from the pain, but also so he wouldn't have to look at Naraku's grinning face. He turned his head in disgust. "Fine... if you won't speak to me..." Naraku grinned devilishly. "Maybe you will speak to me?" He'd only mimicked Rin's voice. He'd seen the girl, known how much Sesshoumaru cared for her. That would get his attention.
His eyes shot open and he turned his head around to see Naraku grinning with his all too familiar look as he spoke again in the little human child's voice "Sesshoumaru-sama...." He sneered. "You are pitiful" Naraku gripped Sesshoumaru's throat, standing and dragging Sesshoumaru with him. "So easily are you manipulated" His voice was his own once more. He sneered, looking up at Sesshoumaru. And after a second, Naraku dropped him. As if he'd lost interest....
With his face to the floor, Sesshoumaru let out a moan as he felt himself being pulled up by his hair. Naraku leaned in and whispered in his ear "I grow tired of you. Do you wish to live, Sesshoumaru?" His voice was sharp, threatening. "Answer me Sesshoumaru." His claws went to Sesshoumaru's throat once more. "This time I won't show you any mercy.." Those claws of his grew nearer and nearer to Sesshoumaru's throat with every second he didn't answer.
"W-what difference *cough* does it make what I answer..? You'll just kill me anyway once I am of no interest to you." He reached up with his free arm and took hold of Naraku's clawed hand, bringing to his throat. "Here.... Kill me."
"Kill you? But that's such a terrible waste of a plaything. Wouldn't you agree?" He almost hissed the words into his ear. Naraku's claws changed course, heading for Sesshoumaru's fair face. Sesshoumaru's pitiful grip on his hand made his smirk grow wider. He wanted a good look at his face. So, Naraku repositioned himself so he was no longer at Sesshoumaru's side, but was now facing him, locking eyes with him as Naraku's fingertips touched the Inu youkai's cheek with mock gentleness. Soon, fingernails joined fingertips in tracing the same ambiguous markings as he made on Sesshoumaru's throat. "You still have yet to answer my question... Do you want to live?" Sesshoumaru honestly did not know the answer to the question. He was confused; for once his usual instincts gave no answer. Uncertain, he turned his head and stared at the wall.
"Did I say to look over there?" Naraku's voice was sickeningly sweet, but his actions most certainly were not. He grabbed Sesshoumaru's chin, jerking it to where they were locking eyes. "Do not look away from death.... Because it will only make it's presence better known." His claws dug into Sesshoumaru's face, marring it. Rapidly, Naraku scanned Sesshoumaru's thoughts. He narrowed his eyes. "Surely even you have something worth living for. Maybe it's the girl?"
Sesshoumaru turned his attention back to Naraku's gaze. Thoughts of the human child, Rin, came to his mind. 'No.... she knows nothing of my problems or me. She is merely a distraction.' Until recently, his revenge against his half-brother had been his occupation, but now that he was dead, he no longer knew what to do with his life. He already possessed a powerful sword that could match that of the Tetsusaiga, but today it had even proven useless against a foe in battle. He had nothing now. Nothing.... He focused back on Naraku's face. "I.. Don't have a purpose to live.. anymore."
"And if I gave you a purpose to live.... What would you give me in return? Surely.... "Naraku released his hold on Sesshoumaru, watching as he all but collapsed on the floor. "You don't just want to die. Someone like you, whom could have so much. Someone who had wasted his life trying to take another's would surely want a second chance." With a wave of his hand, all the wounds Naraku had inflicted were gone, including the hole the Tokijin had made in Sesshoumaru's stomach. However, the poison remained to keep Sesshoumaru subdued. "Stand up and tell me.... Do you want a second chance?"
Sesshoumaru regained himself and slowly got to his feet. He was just barely taller than Naraku by maybe a couple inches. He looked into the spider's unblinking eyes as he imposed another question: "And if I said 'yes', what kind of purpose to live could you--a bringer of death--possibly give me? He was dead serious, and he was also just as curious to Naraku's answer.
"If you said yes...." Naraku stepped slowly to a position behind Sesshoumaru, waving his hand. The scenery changed. Sesshoumaru was standing tall, triumphant over his brother. "You could reclaim your honor...." The scene was a perfectly crafted illusion; even the wafting breeze carried the scent of Inuyasha's spilt blood upon it. The grass rustled.
Sesshoumaru blinked at the realism the illusion brought, but he still knew it was just an image of Naraku's creation; it wasn't real. That was one thing Sesshoumaru would never forgive Naraku for: the death of his brother. He'd imagined how he would have done it, and then this baboon of a spider-- not even a true demon at the time--comes in and takes away his revenge. Sesshoumaru merely looked straight ahead.
"Or." the disdain was apparent in his velvety voice. You could...." The scene changed once more. They were in a castle-like structure. Sesshoumaru would now be kneeling on the stone floor in front of an imposing man.... Sesshoumaru's father.... "Re-live life with your father..." His father stood, motioning for him to rise, holding out a sword that could only be the Tetsusaiga. "And since you were the only child.. Inherit the Tetsusaiga."
"The past does not hold any interest for me. And neither do your worthless visions." He turned around and faced Naraku. "Give me something real." Naraku waved his hand; they were standing once more in his fortress. Sesshoumaru's blood had stained the floor. Upon hearing his words, a wicked grin crossed his lips. 'You are mine...' He thought viciously. "Like what, Sesshoumaru? What could your hardened heart possibly desire? Hmm? Tell me... Let me help you." He was definitely the devil's incarnate.
Sesshoumaru's eyebrow twitched. 'What is he getting at?' "I'm not following you." He took a nervous step backwards.
Naraku chuckled. "I was merely asking what you would want, Sesshoumaru. 'Give me something real' doesn't exactly give me a definition of what you want." He raised an eyebrow, scanning Sesshoumaru's thoughts. "Keep in mind nothing you ask me can have anything to do with me. Like you cannot wish for my death.."
Sesshoumaru began to ponder what it was Naraku was asking him. He came to a dead end. He risked just one more question to the waiting kumo. "I need some time to think this over." not really phrasing it as a question.
Annoyance graced his features for just an instant. "Very well... time you have... but not a lot.... I'm not a patient demon, Sesshoumaru." Naraku resumed his place near his favorite wall. He'd turned his back on Sesshoumaru.... Clearly it wasn't a wise move.... But Naraku knew what he was doing.... And had a few tricks up his sleeves.
Sesshoumaru watched as Naraku returned to the window, noticing that the demon as deliberately turning his back on him--which would have been very foolish had they been in different circumstances. Sesshoumaru leaned his back against the wall and closed his eyes, trying to concentrate. The poison still coursing through his veins made it hard for him to think clearly, and allowing it not to show through his steel exterior was beginning to wear on him. But now he needed to think. What exactly did he want? He'd never been asked that question before in all his life, and now his enemy, who'd imprisoned him in his fortress, was asking him what he wanted in life. He began to think through the events that had just happened; perhaps he'd missed something. He dove further into the past, going over all the details that had to do with that baboon, Naraku. When at last he found himself back in the present, Sesshoumaru was intrigued. This whole time Naraku had made it clear that all he wanted was the Shikon no Tama--which he now possessed. And along the way, he'd done all he could to attain it, including getting Sesshoumaru involved to dispose of his brother, who'd been a thorn in Naraku's side from the beginning.
Naraku was listening into Sesshoumaru's thoughts. He growled softly when he realized the Inu youkai was thinking at too fast a pace for him to understand coherently. He only caught fractions of words... tiny glimpses of memories. Disdain once again covered the kumo's face.
And even though Inuyasha and his friends were no more, Naraku still had not taken his bow and left the stage. So here he was, trapped inside this phantom fortress, and yet it still was not clear to him what Naraku's desire was. Which brought Sesshoumaru to his answer. Slowly, Sesshoumaru pushed away from the wall and made his way over to the window in which Naraku sat gazing at the starless sky.
"Made your decision?" Naraku didn't move at all, he was anticipating Sesshoumaru to try and attack. Naraku was not a trusting creature... Nor did he do things without purpose. He silently waited for an answer... or a wrong move on Sesshoumaru's part.
"I have decided that I will kill you for denying me my brother's death...but, in the meantime... I wish to understand you, Naraku--" the kumo's head slightly turned his direction, but stopped halfway--"and I don't really care how long or what it takes. I wish to know my enemy."
Naraku rose to his feet, turning to face Sesshoumaru with an unreadable _expression. "You want to waste this opportunity to have the entire land of Japan bowing at your feet.... To know about a demon's past." He smirked. "You are a very amusing creature. Unfortunately... there is nothing to my past." He grinned defiantly. Sesshoumaru knew almost nothing about him; save that he hated his brother and used people to no ends. He knew nothing about Kikyou and his former identity.... "And so you wasted your wish."
This time it was Sesshoumaru who smirked. "Who said anything about your past?" The kumo fixated a glare that could melt steel at Sesshoumaru. "Then what do you want to know?" He folded his arms, glare melting into a defiant look upon the realization that he could lie if he so chose to and Sesshoumaru wouldn't know the difference.
Sesshoumaru's gaze became more confident as he could smell the difference in Naraku's aura. So, I caught you off guard did I? He tipped his head ever so slightly, "And don't try to lie, Kumo. A dog can smell deceit as easily as it can smell fear," he said, trying to get under Naraku's skin. The kumo glared at him, openly showing his hatred. "And as for what exactly I want to know of you," Sesshoumaru continued, " that is my concern. In time, I will learn what I need of you." He straightened his face. "And then...I will kill you."
Naraku chuckled. "If you are looking for weakness... I have none. You, on the other hand, are full of flaws... namely you can die." Naraku raised one of his hands, as his fingers closed, the poison rushing through Sesshoumaru's veins doubled, making it increasingly hard for him to stand. "So easily...." And then the pain subsided, but only a little.
Sesshoumaru chose this moment to lunge at Naraku, gripping the kumo's throat in his own poisoned claws, letting his venom seep into his body. Inches away, Sesshoumaru looked at his foe's face, which was now beaded with sweat due to the poison. He smirked, "So can you."
"Tsk.... tsk... I expect better from you. After all.... You only have one arm...." One of Naraku's hands clamped down on Sesshoumaru's wrist, the pressure threatening to crush the bone and make it useless. His other hand turned into one of the inhuman branches and wrapped itself around Sesshoumaru's throat, the point threatening to puncture something vital. "Release me if you want to keep your life for the moment. And be assured..." Naraku's grip on Sesshoumaru's wrist tightened, causing the bone to crack a little. And if that wasn't warning enough, the branch like limb wrapped around Sesshoumaru's throat also tightened a little, the tip of the limb was as sharp as a needle's point and Sesshoumaru got to discover that the hard way as it pricked the flesh of his throat. "I won't be as lenient next time"
His eyes never leaving Naraku's, Sesshoumaru slowly drew his hand out of the sickly looking neck and waited for Naraku to do the same.
Naraku pondered letting go for a moment. He grinned. "Just remember... You are in my territory.... I have the advantage here." The branch slowly slid from his neck and returned into a normal arm. Naraku's fingernails dug into Sesshoumaru's wrist, injecting a little more poison, before he released. Soon, the sweat collecting on his face was gone as his body annihilated any traces of venom in his body.
Sesshoumaru stumbled back a few steps as the new rush of fresh poison traveled quickly from his arm to the rest of his infected body, leaving him panting for breath as he watched Naraku heal himself.
"Want it to go away? I can heal you.... Just give me a reason why..." Naraku folded his arms, much enjoying this game of chess, which he was currently winning.
"Because, Naraku.somewhere in that sadistic mind of yours"---he coughed- "you desire me to live, though for what purpose and for how long, I find myself still in the dark."
"Hmmm.... Fair enough." He grinned devilishly, waving his hand. The poison had once again become only a phantom in Sesshoumaru's veins, making him ache to remind him of its presence. "You may stand up now.... Unless you enjoy kneeling before me." Sesshoumaru shakily got to his feet and waited to see what Naraku had in store for him next.
He smirked. "You still have yet to ask me something specific about me." He wanted this hold of a deal off of him. A demon he was, sadistic and cruel he was also, but alas... he was a man of his word.
Sesshoumaru tilted his head once again and said, "Let's not rush into this. 'Patience is a virtue', Naraku, as you yourself well know." He walked over to the wall and slumped against it, fatigue wearing him down, as he slid into a sitting position. Without the Tensaiga, he would have to resort to a simpler method of rejuvenating himself: sleep. Before falling into the trance-like state, he managed to tell Naraku: "Come back in two days. Perhaps I'll feel like asking you something then." And with that, his conscious was no more among the living, as all bodily functions came to a halt, and his mind no longer took in the outside world as it concentrated on the healing within.
Naraku's violet eyes widened and then narrowed in a vicious glare. He kicked Sesshoumaru's leg quite hard. But there was no reaction. He smirked; realizing how deep of a trance Sesshoumaru was in.... how venerable he was if Naraku decided to change his mind. "Heh.... Heh.... Sleep Sesshoumaru.... Because it's the last peaceful sleep you will have for a long, long time before you rejoin our brother in Hades. And even your death will be agonizing.... And slow.... And it will make me very pleased.... No regrets." He smirked and turned, padding silently to his spot. He sat gracefully, grinning as he contemplated how many different ways there were to kill a demon.