Naraku knew that when Kikyo awoke, she would surely strike at him again. This time, though, he was prepared. He would not run, and he would not lose control. He would talk to her, and get rid of the sensual desire that he longed to share with her.
He sat by Kikyo's side until she stirred, his arms folded. Kikyo's beautiful, brown eyes fluttered open, and when they saw Naraku, they shone with anger.
"Y-You..." Kikyo began, but Naraku held up his hand to silence her. Kikyo stared at Naraku with confusion and slight fear.
"Please. I truly don't wish to harm you." Kikyo glared at Naraku, half of her face obscured from the blanket that he had loaned her.
"Not yet, at least," she snapped. "I know what you've planned to do. That's why I released my soul collectors before I arrived. Inuyasha will come soon."
Naraku's anger sparked within him, but he forced himself not to strike her. "Inuyasha...that half-breed...You sent him?" Kikyo thrust her nose in the air, and watched Naraku carefully. "Don't think I would be foolish enough to come here without reinforcements. Inuyasha and I will team up, and we will defeat you like we were destined to. You, Onigumo, will be dead at last. Naraku, make your last farewells to your incarnations now. I don't think you'll be getting another chance." Naraku said nothing, and continued to listen to Kikyo's confident speech. "Inuyasha is faster than the wind. He will arrive, and use his mighty fang to slice you and your puppets to little, bite-size shreds."
"That will be fine," Naraku whispered quietly. Surprised, Kikyo nearly did a double take. She stared into Naraku's eyes, searching for lies or distrust. In his mind, Naraku begged her to see the affection and real caring in his eyes. However, all Kikyo could see was the evil that had glazed over, hiding and nearly eliminating Naraku's true, emotional intentions. She had known that evil all too well. "I've seen it for fifty years now, Naraku. I have had enough. Inuyasha will be here, and you will be destroyed." Kikyo turned her back to him, and Naraku knew that she would say no more. He could do nothing to change her ways, to make her see the love he truly had for her. Every glimmer of hope was slowing draining from him, like trying to catch and hold water in his hands. It was impossible.
Naraku's heart sank in disbelief. He could not bear to live without her! He must live in his castle every day, waking up to her beautiful smile. "I can picture it now," he said aloud. Naraku saw images playing in his head: they would be wed at the village below, after they worked together to slaughter the humans. They would live in heavenly bliss, waking up in each other's arms to their joyous smiles. They would walk together by the canal, and make sure the incarnations don't die of starvation. Naraku would play songs for Kikyo on a flute of hollow wood, and Kikyo would close her eyes and feel the music of their love. The priestess and half-demon would live without worry, without deception or misunderstanding. They would grow to love each other forever, until they grew old and withered on the porch on the dark veranda.
"You can picture what?" Kikyo asked in frustration. "You can picture my death?" Naraku shook his head, and realized he had been daydreaming. Inuyasha would be here at any moment, and would use his Tetsusaiga to mercilessly finish him off.
I won't allow it, Naraku thought. I must have her. I am right beside her, yet she knows nothing of my desire. She does not love me. When I look at her, I see the kind and gentle woman that cared for me long ago. However, when she looks at me, all she sees is the demonic monster that I have become.
Kikyo does not care for me, Naraku realized. She cared for Onigumo. If Onigumo is what she wants, then Onigumo is what she will have.