CG IV:

Naraku sat at his desk filling the pages of his journal with all the thoughts running through his mind. His script flowed over all the yellowed pages, yellow from age. He leaned back in his chair as he shut the leather bound book and clutched it to his chest.

That journal was the key to his sanity. He couldn't even remember what life was like before he poured his every thought into the item. It had become an extension of his soul. He allowed his eyes to wander about his room. They settled upon the Rosemary Topiary in the corner of his boxed window seat.

Gently, he set aside his journal and rose to his feet to make his way to that plant. He had been growing it for nearly as long as he had owned his journal. It was amazing how attached one can become to inanimate objects. He sat upon his window seat, one knee tucked under his chin and his arms wrapped loosely around his raised leg as he stared out his open window and enjoyed the aroma from the Rosemary.

It was quiet outside. He couldn't even hear any birds. That thought disturbed him for the only sounds that greeted his attentive ears were the quiet sobs of Kagome. He could hear her crying as she tried to sleep. How he longed to go and sooth her pain away. He knew that his father had already made her uncomfortable and he didn't want to risk alienating her from him anymore than she already was. He was well aware that she wasn't comfortable around him yet.

Naraku was all too familiar with just how lonely this plantation could be. He had spent most of his life here after all. He was also aware that Kagome would soon be even more upset once his father told her of his plans for her little brother. The big sister and little brother were too close and that was about to be resolved. He only hoped that he wouldn't be blamed for her pain. All he wanted was to be around to offer compassion.

Silence soon reverberated throughout the room. Naraku leaned back to relax and closed his eyes. Kagome must have fallen asleep finally.

Pulling the covers snug against her body, Kagome relaxed into her mattress. After trying miserably to fall asleep she finally had and was having the most fantastic dream. She was loath to wake up though she knew dinner would soon come and force her from her blissful slumber.

He was in her dreams this night as well. For as long as she could remember, he had always haunted her dreams. It was as if he represented a memory so engraved within her heart that he would find his way into her subconscious.

He was smiling at her again, that charming, arrogant fanged grin. His long, obsidian tresses were tied back in a low ponytail at the base of his neck. He was only wearing a pair of underpants as he was treading water in the creek waving for her to join him. She looked down at her own clothes, a Victorian gown was tossed upon the forest floor near her feet and she was stripped down to her own white underclothes. She was hardly dressed like the proper lady that her station would suggest.

"Come on Kagome, I'm getting lonely without you," He pleaded, ice blue eyes lighting up with joy each step she took closer to the water's ledge.

"But, I'll be all wet. Father would not approve of such behavior," Kagome found herself answering as she tottered on the rocky edge, toes dipped into the refreshing waterhole.

The young man swam to the shore and latched onto her ankles. "Let's not let the governor dictate everything in our lives, love." Before she could answer he had jerked upon her ankles and sent her tumbling face first towards the water and him. He caught her in his strong arms and pulled her against his warm chest, lightly kissing her temple.

Kagome's dream was interrupted, as she felt the outside world disturbing her tranquility. In denial of the real world, Kagome tried to pull the covers to cover her head and block out the disturbance. Her emerald bedspread protection was stolen away in one sharp tug by the intruder.

"Kagome, wake up." Naraku instructed, shaking her shoulder with his free hand, while the other held the bedspread. "It's dinner time."

Sleep clouded blue-grey eyes opened begrudgingly and peered into Naraku's dark pools. "Why must you be so rude? Can't you tell I was sleeping? It was a nice dream." Kagome retorted, turning her back to Naraku and placing a pillow over her head in a poor attempt to get back to her dream man.

Naraku snatched up the pillow and tossed it across the room. "Get up Kagome. We have guests. I'll give you ten minutes to get dressed then I'm coming in whether you are ready or not to carry you down stairs." After speaking his bit, Naraku retreated from the room, leaving Kagome to her own devices.

The door shut softly behind him and Kagome groaned as she sat up in the bed. How long had she been asleep? She looked over at the clock on the side of her bed, but was disappointed to find it wasn't plugged in. Didn't do much good just sitting there without electricity coursing through it.

She looked at the closet that seemed so far away. Ten minutes later would probably find her half dressed. She shuttered at the idea of Naraku catching her in the middle of changing clothes. Determined not to be caught in such an embarrassing situation, Kagome hopped towards the wardrobe, feeling rather representative of a flamingo.

She looked down at her clothes, a pair of shorts and t-shirt. It wasn't exactly dinner guest material. There was no way she could wear pants. Shorts weren't very proper either. Sighing, she reached for a beige sundress with a dark blue Hawaiian floral design.

She pulled off her t-shirt, revealing her lavender bra before trying to step out of her shorts. She obviously hadn't thought this through very well, because as she tried to jump out of the shorts leg on her good foot she collapsed to the hard floor with a great thud.

"Ow!" She cried, rubbing her sore rear as the offending shorts were now dangling from her big toe. Her left leg had been jarred in the impact and after a few moments of realization she could feel the pain running down her limb. Her face contorted in a grimace as she tried to press down on the cast in hopes of alleviating the pain.

She heard a snort behind her and turned to see none other than her white haired ghostly stalker. "Is it your hobby to sit around half naked stretching?" Sesshoumaru inquired, his face was locked in a bored expression. He tried not to think of how enticing she appeared before him, clad in nothing but her undergarments. Her well toned body was something that could inspire pleasant dreams for most of the male species. He couldn't help it as his eyes caressed places they shouldn't.

"NO! It is not my hobby you useless jerk," Kagome ground out, face red in anger and tears threatening to spill from her eyes in frustration. The door between her and Naraku's room was pushed open and she looked through Sesshoumaru to see Naraku with a worried expression.

Naraku's eyes widened at the sight of Kagome looking utterly defenseless and yet strangely alluring in her near nakedness. He ran to her side, and placed his calloused hands gently upon her smoothshoulders, helping her to sit up straight. "Kagome, what happened?" He couldn't help but notice the feeling of a tingling sensation in his fingertips where they touched her skin.

Kagome bit down on her bottom lip and diverted her gaze as her cheeks burned crimson under the scrutiny. "I was trying to change," she mumbled in response feeling an unwelcome heat radiate through her shoulder.

Naraku surveyed the sleep crumpled articles of clothing and the sundress that was beside her on the floor. He picked up the sundress, releasing her shoulders in the process. "This is a beautiful choice." He draped the dress over his arm and stood up, extending his hand to Kagome. His muscles jumped as their hands touched.

She took the hand and rose to stand on her good leg. "Let me help you get dressed, I won't tell anyone about this little incident, okay?" Naraku offered, trying to lessen the reddish stain upon Kagome's cheeks. He savored the thought as he reached out to touch her.

Kagome nodded her head and raised her arms high above her head for Naraku to slide the dress over. Naraku took the bottom of the dress and slipped it over her arms, running his fingers along her body in the process, causing unwanted shivers to race throughout her limbs at the feel of his touch.

Naraku continued to pull the tight sundress down Kagome's body, brushing away the non-existent wrinkles in the process as he inadvertently ran his fingers down the length of her body. Kagome closed her eyes at the sensation. His fingers lingered over her hips for a moment before continuing their trek down her calves. Her eyes snapped open when she felt the warmth of Naraku's body abruptly disappear from hers.

He was looking at her with a bewildered expression through the transparent form of Sesshoumaru. The guardian who now stood in between the two looked quite peeved as he glared down at Naraku with a ferocious gleam in his golden eyes.

Running his fingers nervously through his long, pitch black hair Naraku offered an apologetic smile. "Sorry, I didn't mean to unnerve you." He couldn't help it. Once he had touched her he had wanted more. Inwardly, he berated himself.

Kagome waved her hands at him, more to get rid of the heat she felt her body was releasing than to placate him. "No, no it's okay. It's not a big deal. I know you didn't mean anything. You were just getting out the wrinkles, right?"

"Right, I was getting out the wrinkles." Naraku agreed, his voice steady and confident even though he knew he was lieing. He ran his own hands across the breast of his dark blue silk button up shirt. He grinned up at her. "I like your choice of dress. It matches my own."

Before Kagome could answer, Naraku walked through the misty form of Sesshoumaru, causing his image to distort before Kagome's wide eyes. He then leaned down to pick Kagome up bridal style once more, crushing her to his chest. She rested her ear against his heart, casting Sesshoumaru a bored look of her own.

"Who are our guests?" Kagome inquired as Naraku began to make his way down the two flights of stairs from their third floor residence.

"Our private tutor will be joining us for dinner and her husband a world renown Neurologist, Dr. Suikotsu." Naraku answered as he carefully began his walk down the stairs.

Sesshoumaru was gliding down the stairs beside them. "Suikotsu is the name of my Neurologist at the hospital," he informed Kagome. "Perhaps it is the same individual. Ask him what he knows of him."

Kagome remained silent, not wanting Naraku to think she was anymore insane than he already did.

Angry at being ignored, Sesshoumaru decided to resort to threats. They always worked for him before. "Ask him or else as soon as I wake up I'll be sure to tell everyone of your little incestuous relationship with your stepbrother."

"So, Naraku, do you know the name of the Neurologist that worked with the reckless driver that caused Hojo's death?" Kagome inquired, resting her chin against the crook of his neck and casting Sesshoumaru a hateful glare.

Naraku paused and stood still for a while as he tried to think over what all he knew about the doctor. Shrugging, he answered, "I'm not sure. That family seemed rather rich and I hear he's the best in the country. He did say he had a long night at the hospital last night, so chances are he's the same guy."

Sesshoumaru's fists clenched and unclenched at the insolent woman. How dare she insult him! As soon as he could get his body to work he would teach her some respect. Shaking his head to clear his thoughts he followed silently. He had to remind himself he had a purpose to following her around. He was supposed to make her smile. The only thing that was happening though was he was getting pissed off.

Naraku reached the ground floor shortly afterwards and Souta was waiting at the base of the stairs for them. He smiled when he saw Kagome and walked beside them as they entered the kitchen.

"Are you feeling better sis?" Souta asked, looking up at Kagome. She smiled down at him and nodded. The adolescent visibly relaxed after that.

Sesshoumaru observed the exchange with detached interest. Had his little brother ever been concerned about him like that? He raised his fingers to pinch the bridge of his nose. Yes, his little brother was worried for him now although he acted like he hated him before hand. He had seen Inuyasha with his own eyes waiting at his bedside, hoping he'd wake up.

Useless comatose body.

"Ah, Naraku, thank you for bringing down Kagome. Have a seat. I'd like for you to meet Dr. Suikotsu and his wife Professor Kikyo." Onigumo introduced as he gestured for the children to seat themselves.

Dr. Suikotsu and Professor Kikyo both smiled politely in greeting, but it was obvious that they were both drained. Their faces were ghost white and it seemed a strain was weighing upon them.

"Professor Kikyo, you will be tutoring Naraku and Kagome three times a week as was our agreement." Onigumi explained as he began to slice the meat the cook placed before him.

"What about Souta?" Kagome asked, looking over at her little brother who had been oddly quiet ever since they had entered the room with Onigumo in it. Her mother was being oddly quiet as well.

Souta shifted in his seat. "I'm not going to be getting school here," Souta answered, looking down in his lap.

Onigumo slammed his hand upon the table, upsetting the plates and silverware so that they clanged together. "Souta, what did I tell you about speaking to people. Look them in the eyes or else they will think you are weak."

Suikotsu and Kikyo exchanged concerned looks. Souta swallowed thickly and then looked Kagome directly in the eye. "Father," he bit out between clenched teeth, "has decided it would be in my best interests to attend boarding school. He believes it will help me develop discipline."

Kagome looked past Souta and towards Onigumo. "If you don't want him being educated the same as Naraku and I then how about you allow him to move back home. I'm sure Kohaku's family wouldn't mind if he lived with them. If you were just going to send him to boarding school you can send that money to them for his room and board. He'd enjoy that a lot more." Kagome argued.

Onigumo's eyes seemed to flash red for a moment, sending ice coursing through Kagome's veins. Sesshoumaru noticed the aura of distress radiated off her and moved to stand behind her, placing his hands upon her shoulders. Her eyes flickered up to him for a moment before resettling upon the tyrant that was about to explode at her.

"Do not think to tell me what to do with my family girl. This is your home now. You shall do as I see fit. If I believe that boarding school is best for Souta that is what he shall do. Do not seek to undermine my decisions." Onigumo sat back in his seat and calmly sliced his meat, as if no angry outburst had ever escaped his control.

Sesshoumaru lightly squeezed Kagome's shoulders offering support. He could feel fear was the over riding emotion in her right now and was a little glad that he was able to combat that somewhat. He offered his strength to her and was pleased that she had actually accepted it. Maybe she'd start smiling and he could wake up soon.

Naraku cleared his throat, hoping to ease some of the tension at the dinner table. "Dr. Suikotsu, did you happen to be involved with the other person in the accident from last night?"

Sesshoumaru looked over at the man with all the attentiveness he could muster, the pressure he was exerting on Kagome's shoulders slightly increasing. She winced under the extra weight and he released her absently from his grasp.

"Actually yes, I believe his name is Sesshoumaru. I'm not really supposed to talk about such things but I found his case quite confounding. There appears nothing wrong with the young man. I have exhausted all my knowledge trying to figure out what could possibly cause him to remain in his catatonic state." Dr. Suikotsu shared as his wife held his hand under the table squeezing it gently.

"He's been rather stressed out about this. You'll have to forgive us if we leave early but neither of us got much sleep last night. Mr. West is a very demanding man and wanted to make sure his son was well cared for," Kikyo explained.

"Of course, a father only wants what is best for his son." Onigumo declared staring at Naraku with some sort of hidden meaning.

"I noticed that you were carried into the dinning hall. Do you not have any crutches?" Dr. Suikotsu inquired of Kagome.

Kagome looked over at Onigumo before answering. "My stepfather felt it would be better for me to not use crutches and to depend upon the aid of my stepbrother. So far Naraku has been kind enough to help, but I really don't like the idea of depending on someone else for my transportation."

"Oh, well I have an extra pair of crutches in the trunk. I had meant to bring them over to Kikyo's little sister, Kaede. She sprained her ankle the other day." Suikotsu explained.

Sesshoumaru leaned over to whisper in Kagome's ear, although he was unsure of the point of that since no one else could hear him anyway. "Ask him what he thinks of my coma."

Kagome shook her head slightly, already knowing that there would be little else the good doctor could add. Sesshoumaru gripped her upper arms and began to squeeze, digging his nails into her flesh. Small trails of blood began to drip from the mysterious puncture wounds that appeared on her upper arms.

Naraku leaned over, placing his hands over the suddenly appearing wounds, and disturbing Sesshoumaru's spiritual projection causing him to fall back. "Kagome! What is happening to your arms?" Naraku cried, looking around in search of an invisible foe.

Kagome looked down at the bloody hands Naraku showed her. His palms were covered in her blood. She shook her head in disbelief. How could Sesshoumaru have hurt her? He wasn't real. He was just a figment of her overactive imagination derived from the guilt she felt from Hojo's death and that other man's coma.

Sesshoumaru stared down at his fingernails that had a coat of blood underneath them. He looked in silent awe at the wounds that appeared on Kagome's flesh. That was the last thing he remembered before his world turned black and he reappeared in the accursed mist.

Standing before him was an extremely angry individual. He stood at an imposing height, his ice blue eyes on fire with an internal fury. "Do not dare hurt my Kagome. I will make sure you spend the rest of eternity in purgatory if you so much as misplace a hair on her head."

Sesshoumaru regarded the angry man with an aloof attitude. "I don't see how this is any of your business."

The mysterious man smirked at the comment before he began to fade away into nothing, his voice echoing into the darkness Sesshoumaru was abandoned in. "If it involves her, it involves me more than you'll ever know."

Once again, Sesshoumaru found himself in the misty void with no company but his own tormented thoughts and confusion.

TBC

Your reviews are appreciated as they do inspire me to write. I'm all about instant gratification. I'd like to thank my dear friend Amy for her suggestions on this chapter. It makes me happy to know other's love my stories as much as I do! Belle