Crimson Haze

Chapter 2: New Life, Old Enemies

Kagome's P.O.V.

The day dawned crisp and ripe with hints of the cold winter to come. The air was clean and fresh bringing with it scents of the late blooming flowers. I sat under the cherry trees watching the blossoms be carried away by the winds. Such a small yet lovely things cherry blossoms are.

But my time to myself would be short-lived. "Lady Higurashi!" I heard a voice call my name. I turned in its direction. A man wearing a simple pair of brown breeches and white shirt was coming my way.

Onigumo. I thought and scowled at him.

He was always the one who kept me from a moment's peace, he and his master. I stood up and faced him, ready for whatever news he would bring. "Lady Kagome, Master Naraku requests your presence in his study." He told me with a bow. I stared at the wretched creature.

I could feel no pity for Onigumo; he had been a wicked man all this life. And doing so he had dug himself a grave that he had not been easily released from. He had gotten away, but barely. What he did then, was the worse. He let demons eat at his soul, creating Naraku.

He was the one who had let his soul die, no one, not even I could have pity for someone who destroyed themselves. He was here now, completely free from Naraku for he had discovered a way to separate himself from Onigumo and yet still retain his powers.

My brow rose in question. "I doubt he said 'request' Onigumo. I have told you long ago not to sugarcoat his orders." I told him, my voice slow and smooth barely touching the inner warning. I started to walk past him when he said. "Yes Lady Kagome, you'd rather have it come in the form of a whip."

I turned and glared at him. I do not know what surfaced in my eyes, maybe anger, or a warning of some kind. But Onigumo took his opportunity and left. I sighed knowing it would make no sense in allowing him to get to me. I am what I am, and I can never change that.

In the time that has passed I have grown in strength, cunning and wisdom. My power can match that of any youkai and that was excluding the powers I had as a miko. Pain had been a good teacher and I learned well how from experience that it is a wisdom few dare seek. Mentally only one creature was more subtle than I, and that was Naraku.

A great many things besides that has happened in my now two hundred years of life. Many things indeed, Naraku is now Lord of the Eastern Lands. And has reined as such for the better part of my new life. He is in a way, my keeper for all it's a forced union. He has trained me in the arts of the bedchamber. And I fear I have learned well.

I entered his palace as I would any other occasion, with the eyes and ears of all those here upon me. It was well known that I neither wished nor asked to come here. So Naraku has made it his business to make sure I never have the opportunity to run. I curtsied; it was the unspoken way of me saying I would not tempt an escape.

I was allowed free passage and moved through the darkened corridors with feline grace. It took me no less than a few minutes to reach Naraku's study on the top floor. I knocked and awaited his reply. "Come." His silky voice declared. I opened the door and closed it behind me.

For a moment I stared at him, somehow not believing that he was the man who had kept me captive for so many years. He was handsome, that much was obvious. Half of his long ebony hair was pulled high on top of his head and away from his face; the rest fell carelessly to his shoulders. His featured were well formed and perfect, the epitome of a beautiful devil.

But he and I shared one thing that no other devil had. We both had blood-kissed eyes. Mine was merely in the one eye, easily hidden if I kept my head down. But Naraku was different, his eyes had always and will always bee drenched in the Crimson Haze.

He dressed formally as he nearly always did, today in a finely tailored black suit with scarlet tie. With his demonic charm, Naraku had long been one of the favorite fantasy bedmates for the women of this realm. But that was the delusion of those who did not know him. Naraku was as dangerous as he was beautiful.

He stared at me for a moment, his sharp eyes holding me in his gaze. There was something in his eyes I had not seen before, and yet I could not place what it was. I knew only that he had never looked at me that way before.

I sighed and curtsied deeply, not enough to touch the floor as was expected, but low enough to cause the illusion. As always it was a mock formality, and Naraku would normally pretend not to notice. He nodded the same look still in his eyes and I sat down, letting my long shirt swirl around me like pale wings.

"I have an assignment for you Kagome." He told me while staring down at the papers on his desk. "Several actually, that fete of yours has caused you to become more popular among the province lords."

His voice was businesslike and yet underneath there was a hint of displeasure, it puzzled me. I remembered the fete, I had been 'asked' to hold a party for a minor lord's eldest daughter.

Unfortunately the youngling, for lack of a better word, could not compare with my...maturity. And I captured her position as bell of the ball, for all it had not been my intention. "Who are they Master Naraku?" I asked casually, my voice holding hints of callousness. "Only one of them is interesting, thus I'll only sign you over to one of them."

My brow arched in question. "And why have you not chosen any of the others?" I inquired. "The others have neither political ties nor the wealth to afford one night with you. While the last has both." He declared; his voice filled with barely contained contempt. I fixed my eyes on him; Naraku never used to have qualms about selling me like a whore. And I wanted to know why.

"Who is he Naraku?" I demanded. "It does not matter, I cannot deny the assignment without risking civil war."

The mere fact that he couldn't refuse made me all the angrier. There were few who could hold that much power. And only two I could think of would be that desperate. I prayed that it was neither of whom I thought.

"It is the lord of the Southern Lands, Inuyasha Tai."

"THAT BASTARD!" I raged once I had reached my room.

"THAT ARROGANT SON OF A WHORING BITCH!" I yelled while punching the concrete walls, not caring about the wounds that would be on my hands. My power seeped into the stones with every blow. Spidery lines etching against the wall.

"HOW DARE HE!"

I stared down at my hands, already healing but still bleeding. With a glare I closed the wound, when I was done only faint red bruises marred my knuckles.

Not a word I'd said had made a difference. I'd protested, threatened, and compromised, but it seemed that Naraku could not be swayed. As Lord of the Southern Lands, by us refusing him, Inuyasha was within rights to declare war.

I wrenched my gown from off my shoulders. My body ached for hot water to sooth away the long day's tension. But I knew I could not. Naraku would come for me in moments to discuss the terms of the assignation.

I had only enough time to choose a new gown and leave. I chose a gown of pale silvery blue silk and shoved it over my head. I used my powers to tie the corset strings in the back.

"After all this time...all these years. What could that bastard possibly want from me?"

I snarled then caught sight of myself in the mirror. The silver gown clung to my body with a lover's passion, accentuating my small waist and full curves.

"Oh yes..." I growled, my voice dropping to a deadly midnight whisper. "Now I remember, he wants to fuck the Demon's Whore."

That was one among many of my nicknames. And each one I hated with a passion.
Even angrier I left my room and made my way towards Naraku's solar. He would no doubt be there. When she reached the door she stopped and took a deep breath. If Naraku sensed her anger, he would no doubt push me into something rash. Putting a mask of calm aloofness on my face I knocked on the door.

"Enter." Naraku's voice called from behind. I pushed the door open and stepped into the solar. Large and spacious it was lavishly furnished with redwood benches. Complimented by hunter green walls and rugs. The windows took up entire walls and let the sunlight pour into the room. The lovely gardens lay just beyond them.

"Ah Kagome, how nice of you to join us." Naraku cooed, his voice had livened up for his client but as I gazed into his eyes I knew that he too was against this. However, my reasons were obvious. I could not place Naraku's.

I stepped forward allowing all of myself to be seen in the glistening light. My eyes drifted to where I knew Inuyasha would be. And the moment my eyes rested on him, they flared with hate. The mere sight of him near brought on the Haze and I fought to see past the thickening garnet clouds.

"Lady Kagome. I am sure you remember Lord Inuyasha." Declared Naraku.

Unfortunately. I thought.

I curtsied enough for someone of his station, spreading out the gown's skirt as I bowed me head. But I said nothing. I sat at Naraku's right trying to put myself away from Inuyasha but he came to sit at my right and I was caught between them.

He stared at me for a moment and I realized then he had not changed in two hundred years. His eyes had settled into that sterling silver shade that seemed to glow with some inner fire. His face that had lost that boyish charm when he'd become a demon had stayed like that of a man. His body had remained as rugged and defined as ever.

"I remember her well enough Naraku." He declared. His voice had changed. Instead of the harsh grating sound, it had become deep and a smooth as velvet.
"Although I am quite sure our dear Kagome is not particularly fond of one, seeing me. Or two, the reasons why." A cruel smile crossed his features and I had to try very hard not to rip his throat out. He thought this was amusing and that spurred on my rage.

He regarded me, his eyes undressing me as he looked me up and down. He did not even bother trying to hide the lust in his eyes. Although deeper still there was something else, there was resentment there. And anger.

"I believe there was a purpose for me being here, that did not include either of you ogling me." I snapped.

"Kagome is right, and I have never gone against the better judgment of a lady. Inuyasha, I am well aware of the fact that you desire a night with Kagome. What are you willing to give me in return?" Naraku asked.

"Besides the usual sum, three boons (favors) that if are within my power to give, you may call upon at any time." Inuyasha declared.

Naraku leaned back in his chair truly thinking about his offer. The possible favors were large and would be costly for Inuyasha to grant, but they could be done. This time when I looked into his eyes I realized what had lain there all this time. It was a mixture of jealousy and hate.

Could Naraku truly be jealous of Inuyasha for being able to bed with me, while I had denied Naraku that right for all the time that I have lived. No that wasn't possible, Naraku didn't care about me, whether in his bed or otherwise.

Even worse, I could only sit there and dig my nails into the wood; in these proceedings I was to be seen not heard. The only saving grace was that anger had enveloped me as the clouds that obscured my vision.

"Should I agree, when would this...arrangement take place?"

"Tonight." Inuyasha replied.

NO! I thought.

I cast out a thought to Naraku, not trusting own voice.

Naraku you cannot do this.

I must, I will not risk my lands on civil war.

But you will risk me. I see it in his eyes Naraku; he still hates me.

It cannot be helped Kagome.

And at that he shut me out of his mind.

"It is done then. I will send our dear lady in a coach by four hours time. Take the time to prepare what you will." Naraku declared; the agreement sealed. He stood up and began walking towards the door.

"Enjoy the evening." He declared half growl half coo. I could not think, let alone move to try and stop Naraku from leaving me alone with Inuyasha. But then I saw his eyes linger on me and in that instant I think we understood each other. Through my own eyes I one could see sorrow and pain. In his lay anger, longing, and sorrow.

But I could not understand why. In spite of the civil war, Naraku had enough forces to rally where the war would be hard one for Inuyasha. If he truly did not want me to bed with the mutt, why was he letting me?

Inuyasha caught my chin between his fingers and turned me towards him. He mere touch nearly made want to jump out of my skin, he also forced me from my thoughts. His lips were on mine before I even knew to stop him. His lips were warm and demanding, too lost in the haze I could not pull away.

"I plan to Naraku, I plan to."