Naraku awoke the next morning with slight disappointment. Not only did he lose control, but he nearly killed the woman he loved. He seemed to be in another emotional state, and did not say a word at all. He dressed in silence, and passed through the hallway without threatening a servant. He did not torment Kagura, mainly because she was not there to be tormented. Naraku did not even utter a word to Kanna about battle strategy. He seemed wrapped up in his acts of malice, especially his most serious one that he had thrust upon Kikyo the other night.

He slipped out early, perhaps before the sun. The demonic, black ravens still rested in the trees, and did not even squawk when their master crossed through the veranda. Even Naraku's incarnations, still fresh from birth, were in their cages sleeping. Naraku felt as though he was going to faint, and for a brief moment, the miasma even seemed to dizzy its controller.
Naraku made his way down to the canal, where the swirling whorls of muddy water began clearing up from the rain, turning into a light purple stream. He sat on the largest rock; not exactly his favorite, but it suited him. He sighed and watched the small Japanese goldfish from the mainland swim in circles, foraging for snacks under the rocks in the water.
He seemed to sit there for quite some time until he heard footsteps. Naraku glanced upward a little ways, and noticed that little Kanna had been watching him from behind the large, dead cherry blossom tree.

"What do you want, Kanna?" Naraku asked absently, still staring at the water. The young girl stepped quietly up to her master and let him gaze upon the mirror.
"The woman is still sleeping," Kanna mumbled. Naraku's red, narrow eyes watched Kikyo through the glass. Kanna's small, pale fingers molded around the ivory frame, and she allowed her master to stare.
"Oh, she's beautiful," Naraku said aloud, forgetting Kanna was there. The girl paid no attention, and stared into space as Naraku watched Kikyo's thin, sleeping figure. Naraku noticed the fine eyelashes of Kikyo, and the way the black hair around her face moved up and down as she breathed. Then, as Naraku peered closer, he noticed Kikyo had a large, purple bruise on the skin under the knuckle that Naraku had stepped on.
"D..Did I do that?" he whispered. "I...I'm a bastard!" Kanna gave a small nod, as though she was afraid to get beaten if she spoke the truth.

Naraku, however, did not mind. He knew this was true. "I..I must see her!" he declared, and hastily walked back toward the castle, leaving Kanna alone with the mirror.
"Not even a 'thank you,'" Kanna said, sighing heavily. "You are a persistent demon, Naraku."