Title: I Am Never Without It

Author: Gabreilla Moushigo (aka Aeki Muffinhands)

Naraku picks up a boulder, then lets it drop. Then he goes into his house and lifts up the mat before letting that drop too.

(What in the world are you doing?)

Naraku: (seems to be looking out into space) I can't find Kikyo I think she is hiding from you.

(Maybe if I stop talking she'll come back out and play with you again?)

Naraku: (nervously) If you wouldn't mind

Silence is heard and suddenly Kikyo appears from behind a bookshelf.

Kikyo: (whispers) Is she gone?

Naraku: (smiles at her) There you are!

Kikyo: IS SHE?!

Naraku: Yeah now get over here and give big daddy a kiss!

Kikyo: What?!

Naraku: I'm just kidding now I (looks nervous) Do you want to (blushes to his roots)

Kikyo: NO!

Naraku: (squealing) You didn't hear what I had to say yet!

Kikyo: Then what is it before I say no?

Naraku: Won't you join me for dinner? (suddenly a candle light dinner appears)

Kikyo: All of this is for me?! Awww Oni! You shouldn't have!

Naraku: Ah yes I know (turns around and looks through How To Pick Up Chicks For Dummies) but you are woooorth it.

Kikyo: (notice his back is to her) What are you doing?

Naraku: (Hides the giant book behind his back unsuccessfully) Nothing!

Kikyo: (sighs) Ah well it's the thought that counts on with the show!

Naraku decided that the dreams were not going to leave him so easily, in fact, he would keep remembering every excruciating detail of his old life. He wanted to know what had happened and yet...

It was so foggy but he distinctly knew that he was in a tree looking down into a valley with a little farm and a temple beside. Why he was there he did not know. But he was waiting for something or someone. He knew that much at least.

A little boy came out of the house, carrying a pail of water over his head like he had seen maidens do. He was a beautiful little boy, eyes full of mischief. He had medium black hair and violet eyes so unusual. He wasn't close to the boy but he could see all these things he wondered how.

My boy! A woman's voice cried, walking slowly over to him with a larger bucket, this one obviously carrying milk.

He replied. You shouldn't be out of bed I know She had the same eyes as him. But I was getting so tired of laying around all day while you and your father were working so hard.We don't mind. He looked sad.

I know. She was very beautiful, and her son obviously took after her as far as looks went.

What are you doing out of bed?! A booming masculine voice called out. Naraku watched in amusement as a man came into the clearing with his wife and son. Give me that! He yanked the bucket from her. Let's go back in you need to rest. He said a bit more gently.

But I always rest! She protested, following feebly behind her husband.

The man seemed to ignore her and turned to his son. Always remember my boy never let your lady carry things that are too heavy not matter how much they complain."

His wife huffed at him

He ignored her again. All women should be treated like princesses. He sighed.

Yes father. The boy laughed, seeming to take his old man's words to heart.

The woman giggled. Don't listen to your father! If it were up to him I would never get out of bed or lift a finger.That's because you are sick. He admonished. I don't want you die on me. She laughed, albeit weakly.

They came up to the house and he said. Get in the house the both of ya I'm- And then he stopped for a moment.

Naraku felt something weird come over him like this was the moment he was waiting for something cruel was about to happen and he was going to do it.

They both asked at the same time.

it's nothing. A smile returned to the man's lips but he was clenching his right hand painfully.

That was the first time that he realized that the man's hand was bound then he saw this his son had a similar glove on his hand one with hundreds of beads running up and down it.

The little boy was more worried than any of them. Go inside! The man shoved the two indoors before running into the clearing; he dropped the pail, spilling milk all over the grassy area. I can't hold it anymore! He grabbed at his arm and cried out. A terrible howling of wind began, the sound was almost deafening in its intensity.

Father! Wait! The little boy burst through the door, but arms held him back.

Naraku could hear laughter then but who would laugh at something such as this? He then realized it was his own laughter he heard.

The wife was now outside.

And the man he looked so terribly sad. Wishing that they did not have to see especially his son what had he done? Why did he bring the little boy into the world knowing this would happen? Who would see his father die like this? I'm sorry! He cried then. I love you! But they could not hear.

And at the end the winds dyed down, but the crying wouldn't stop and the being known as Naraku found the sounds delicious. He even waited around to see the woman waste away and die and watch that beautiful little boy fall into even greater despair.

The little boy cried, only accompanied by an elderly man who patted his shoulder every so often.

He could hear the villagers around him. Best not get involved with that little one they say he's cursed. Then another said. You don't think it's contagious do you? Then another. I don't know but you don't want him to get upset with ya either other wise you'll be tasting his wrath. They talked cruelly about him, and it only made the little one cry harder. And with that he left.

Naraku woke up, looking around him and did not find her near. Who am I? He shivered, pulling the blankets closer to him. He felt so cold. did I do all of that? How could I? The little boy's voice was still in his ears. Mother! Father!' He curled up into a ball. He had laughed at that boy delighted in his suffering.

Naraku wondered for a frightful second if and when he got all of his memories back if he would want to do similar things again. Hurt people kill them leave the survivors to cry and mourn. Would he enjoy it again? He dug his nails into his arm, piercing the skin. He hopped not he didn't want that he didn't want that at all.

That soft voice brought him back.

I thought I heard you calling for me. She sat down beside him.

How did you hear me?I just could. She ran her cool hand across his sweaty brow.

Your so cold. He shivered, taking her hand in his before rubbing at it, trying to make it warm again.

She smiled at that. That will do no good.What do you mean? He asked, not ceasing, but no matter what - her hand would become icy the moment his fingers stopped moving over her skin. It seemed that her body could not keep heat within it.

I am dead.You were not jesting when you said that? His eyes carried surprise within them.

H-how do you move about? He really didn't want to know but his morbid sense of curiosity wouldn't let it go.

She hadn't wanted to show him, but she called her eel like demons in with her.

He backed away when one got to close, then when it persisted he knocked it away in fright. It gave him an indignant hiss before returning to its mistress. It won't hurt you. She had a vague hint of amusement in her voice.

What are they?They are my companions She explained. They are what keep me alive. He wondered.

They bring me the souls of dead women they are what sustain my soul and body. One landed in her lap and she patted it idly. Without them I would not be able to move.

He would have laughed at the ridiculousness of the entire situation if her voice didn't carry that horribly dead serious ring to it. I do not like them. He stated.

I didn't think you would. And she dismissed them outside. They will not come and bother you again I will make sure that they will remain unseen.How long have you been like this? He wondered out loud.

For several years now. She smiled sadly.

It was all too much. I think I need to go for a walk. He lifted himself up slowly.

Do you have the strength? She fussed.

I just need to get out of this place I feel like I'm suffocating. He glanced distastefully around. The smell of sickness was all about this room but it was little surprise he had been there for a while. I need a bath.

She smiled at that. Yes you do.Can you come with me? He questioned. And take a bath?You want me to bathe with you? She asked, amused.

Why not? I haven't seen you bathe for a while either.I don't need to bathe. She said matter-of-factly.

He sniffed her and she blushed. I think you do you smell like sickness and death.I am dead. She muttered.

Don't remind me. He sighed. Everything was so weird? Complicated? Stupid? Everything above. just help me He picked a few things up along the way somehow instinctively knowing where they were. He wondered how long it would be before he remembered where everything was when he remembered everything he did. Did he want to know everything he did? No but he would. He made his way out of the house, and into the dense trees and along the craggy rocks.

Naraku found the spring easily and it bubbled. Boiling water eh? Maybe she wouldn't be joining him after all. He disrobed quickly before running a brush through his hair a few times to get the knots out. He detected a presence behind him and looked over his shoulder to see her. She just stared at him with that fond smile of hers. It was beautiful and almost carrying but not quite. Like what you see? He teased and she looked away. He knew that if she were alive she might have been blushing right now.

You wanted me to help you? She said, a dull sound in her voice.

I don't know if you can help me. He stated. This water is absolutely torrid but I have a feeling it would not bother me. He lowered his arm into it to prove it and actually it felt quite pleasant to him.

That is because you are a demon She explained. Heat and cold do not bother you as much as it might a human.I am sorry for making you walk out here then.On the contrary, Her voice sounded slightly amused. I am no ordinary human I can help you.

He heard a rustling of clothes and turned around hoping to see flesh but was disappointed when he saw that she still wore a white robe to defend her modesty. He grumbled and turned away.

Kikyo helped him wash his hair and scrub his back before disappearing behind a boulder to let him wash the rest of the way. He slowly cleaned himself, taking pleasure in the boiling water. She wasn't making any noise so he went to investigate just to make sure she was alright of course.

She eyed him when he came around to her.

Let me wash your hair.It does not need to be washed.Let me.Like I saidWhy won't you-? She turned her back to him.

He smiled, Aggravating wench' he thought fondly. With her in tow he made it back to the edge of the spring before cleaning her hair and rubbing oils into her scalp. The hot water made her body artificially warm it was almost enough to make him believe that she was alive. He pulled her hair into a twist, wringing the water out. When he was finished, just for fun, he moved her kimono and dropped a kiss on her shoulder before she batted him away from her.

I should have known She hoisted herself out of the lake.

Don't leave He laughed evilly. You still need to scrub other things.Scrub them yourself! Her voice rose in anger and she looked at him, disbelieving what was coming out of his mouth. This was Naraku he never said things like this what on earth had gotten into him? Then again this was probably Onigumo's influence. He surely had a mouth on him and in the time she cared for him he had suggested even more colorful things to her than she cared to admit. This man maybe he'll be an odd mixture of the two.' She shivered at the thought. Neither of them were ever truly wholesome characters. Onigumo pillaged villages with an odd code of morals not to mention that he was a pervert. And on the other hand Naraku was a completely evil being with no morals but was very suave at the same time even graceful. A terrible combination if anyone asked her. However, this man did not seem to be just a mixture of the two being but something else as well. He was not out rampaging about.... or even planning to do so. He seemed to be genuinely regretful of his past. Only time would tell though.

Are you quite finished staring at me? He grumbled, seemingly embarrassed.

Why Onigumo? Were you wanting to do something that you didn't want me to see? She covered her mouth in shock. Did she just say that?

Naraku just gaped at her his eyes wide, before he composed himself. The corner of his mouth bent up like a wire.

She fled to the house before he could say anything else before she could say anything else. Surely he couldn't be influencing her! Whatever he was doing to her she couldn't allow it!

Naraku watched her retreating back with amusement dancing in his dark eyes. For the second time Kikyo had ran away from him and somehow he knew that this wouldn't be the last time. He sighed again, before lounging against a rock to look at the stars and think.

Kikyo and Naraku are sitting at a table full of food.

Kikyo: (chowing down) I can't believe you cooked this by yourself!

Naraku: Neither can I! Ku ku ku I must have been a chef in another life.

Kikyo: (looks thoughtful) You think?

Naraku: So my beloved Kikyo?

Kikyo: Yes?

Naraku: Are you impressed?

Kikyo: (claps her hands) Of course!

Naraku: (blushes) Am I being er romantic?

Kikyo: The dinner was wonderful! And the candles are such a nice touch!

Naraku: Ku (waves for her not to go on but really wants her to)

Kikyo: You've really outdone yourself.

Naraku: Oh Kikyo! You make me so happy! (jumps over to her and glomps her)

Kikyo: EEEK! (punches him into outer space)

Naraku: B-but I thought that-!

Kikyo: Your such a pervert! God! You ruin everything!

Naraku: (still flying away) NOOOO! Now I have to start over again! (the rules of dating flying before him) Damn you! Damn you rules! Oh how I hate you! (blows them up before stopping in midair) I'll have you yet Kikyo! Just you wait and see!

Kikyo: (way down on the ground) Your acting pretty evil for a chibi character!

Naraku: No more mister nice guy ku ku ku

Kikyo: Ooooh dear looks like I need to hide from Naraku a little bit longer

Naraku: (on cue pulls out a card to read to the reviewers) Thank you for all the reviews that made this chapter possible! Remember! The more interest shown the more that will be written!

Kikyo: (from her hiding place) How can you stand being such a sell out?!

Naraku: If you knew how much she was paying me you would sell out too!

(Hands him a giant cookie)

Naraku: Holy crap! Macadamia nut! My favorite! (eats it all up)

Kikyo: (gasp) Macadamia nut cookies?! There are forces at work truly more evil than I imagined time to do something about this! (and leaves to go find her friends)

Naraku: See you next time kids! (cute chibi kiss!)