"Here is the miko, as you requested." Hideo placed Kagome's limp body carefully on the floor.

Naraku looked down at the girl, then up at his minion. "And the head of Inu-Yasha?"

Hideo hesitated. "There were...complications."

"Complications?"

"The monk and the demon exterminator showed up."

"So you thought it best to run?"

Hideo scowled. "I was outnumbered."

Naraku waved his hand dismissively. "It doesn't matter. The girl was the important thing. At least you managed to accomplish that simple task."

Hideo bowed his head in shame but Naraku noticed his fists clenching in anger.

"You're work here is complete, Hideo," Naraku continued, "Go and fetch Kagura."

"Yes, my lord." Hideo bowed low, then walked out of the room.

Naraku smiled as he watched him go. His minions had a habit of being defiant. It was a habit he always enjoyed breaking.

Kagura was sitting in her room, toying with her fan when a knock came at the door. She didn't have to guess who it was.

"What do you want?" she snapped as Hideo entered her room.

"Nice to see you too, Kagura. Care to ask how my mission went?"

She snorted. "If you're here, then that means you accomplished it. Otherwise you'd be dead."

He flashed a charming smile. "Astute observation. Your intelligence never ceases to amaze me."

"Is there something you wanted?" Kagura asked, snapping her fan shut.

Hideo leaned casually against the doorframe and crossed his arms. "I was sent to summon you. Naraku requires your presence."

"Why didn't you say so in the first place?" Kagura grumbled as she stood up. She strode over to the door, but Hideo still blocked her path. She paused, looking past him, over his shoulder. After a few moments, she turned her face towards his, glaring.

"Are you going to move?"

Hideo grinned and stepped aside with a flourish. "You had but to ask, Kagura."

Annoyed, Kagura stormed past him into the hall.

"As if I would lower myself to ever asking anything of you." She said as she walked towards Naraku's chamber, refusing to spare Hideo even a backwards glance.

Hideo didn't reply. He simply leaned back against the doorframe, watching her form disappear down the hallway.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"You called for me?" Kagura asked upon entering Naraku's chambers.

Naraku's gaze was fixed on Kagome. He didn't even glance at Kagura. "Stand to the side for now. Your services will be required shortly."

Kagura did as she was bid. Naraku continued to stare at Kagome for several more seconds, then opened his mouth. "Yume!"

Slowly, the outline of a figure began to materialize beside Naraku. It shimmered and waved, then solidified. Kagura watched with interest. It was an old youkai, or at least appeared to be. He was tall and despite his body being completely shrouded in light gray robes, Kagura could tell he was painfully thin. Long bony fingers, covered in pale yellow skin, protruded from the arms of the robe but his head was completely covered by a hood. He spoke, his voice a hypnotic rhythm.

"What is it you wish, Lord Naraku?"

Naraku pointed to Kagome. "That girl. She is the one we discussed. The miko."

"I see. I will proceed then."

Yume pulled back his hood, revealing a long, thin face. Symmetrical lines of gray dots began at the bridge of his nose, curving along the edge of his face. The dots were the largest on his bridge, decreasing in size as they continued down the line until they were mere pinpoints on his chin. His eyes, large and white, seemed to focus on Kagome, though Kagura could see no pupils.

"Get on with it." The impatience in Naraku's voice was evident.

Slowly, the old youkai put his fingertips to his temples, his gaze still fastened to Kagome. He closed his eyes and stood still for a moment, as if in concentration. Then his eyes snapped open and he began to chant.