Kagome was frustrated. She had been trying to do her normal housework for the judge, but Mr. Naraku kept coming to mind. She could not shake the guilt that was gripping on to her back with its iron claws that were embedded into her spine. She felt ashamed and confused and angry with herself, one too many emotions for one at work.
Kagome could not afford to slack off on her chores, because Judge Sesshomaru did not take kindly to anything less than perfection. If he found that anything was not done to his supreme satisfaction, he would seek out the weak link and terminate it. Kagome could not afford to have her job terminated.
She lived alone, in her dead mother's hut that was sitting on Judge Sesshomaru's land. He was the center of her world. He was her employer, her supplier, and her overzealous landlord. She needed her job to pay for his extravagant taxes, and for household needs. If she fell behind on her taxes he would promptly throw her out and destroy her mother's hut. She could not let that happen.
So, for all of these reasons, she would need to get Mr. Naraku off of her mind. And, it seemed the only way to do this was to help him. Besides, she knew that her mother, the witch Kaede would not have it any other way. When she came to this resolution, her mind became at ease and slowly let the subject of the incarcerated landowner slip back to her housework.
The sun was setting outside Master Inuyasha's bedroom. Kagome stopped her cleaning for a moment, and propped her arm on the top of her broomstick, as she stared at the disappearing sun. She was amazed by the colors of the dying sun. After a moment or so, she turned from the window, and continued to sweep up Master Inuyasha's room. She hurried her normal tidying up of the room. She knew that she would be free to leave once the room was cleaned to the best of her ability. It was impossible to clean the Judge's son's room, because Inuyasha had done irreversible damage to it. The Judge had settled on being able to see from one corner of the room to the other. Not that he was being at all generous, because that was a feat within itself.
To keep from spending all day cleaning up the room, the cleaning staff at Judge Sesshomaru's house had made a schedule. Every member would clean some part of the room, so that by the time all twelve members had finished, the room would be somewhat less of a carriage wreck. Today, Kagome did the sweeping of the room, and for that she was grateful; she did not have time to do much else.
After she had done her best to salvage the dirty floor, Kagome flew down the stairs, to the Staff Room. Once there, she opened the time in/out book that Judge Sesshomaru had all of his servants sign, when they came to work and when they departed. She quickly scribbled in her time, when she heard the chimes of the large clock that stood in the town square. She slammed the book close, and dashed out of his estate.
Kagome ran with fervor, as the night started to awake. She was trying to reach the town jail, as soon as possible. Mr. Naraku was being detained in the abandoned jailhouse. Kagome knew, as did everyone, that the town bailiff left the one room jailhouse unsupervised, as soon as the town sheriff went home. The Bailiff would stroll on down to The Thunder Brother's pub and drink the night away. If he came back to the jailhouse, from a night of drinking, he would bring a bottle of sake with him. He would wobble all the way down the street, too drunk to walk in a straight line himself.
This would be a perfect time for any detained criminal to escape, except the bailiff was the most vicious man when he was drunk, probably why the Sheriff never fired him. Also, the Sheriff had bloodthirsty dogs that were known throughout the countryside to have demon's blood running through their veins. They had never lost a escapee in twenty years…The criminal, no matter his strength, would not get very far if he tried to run.
Kagome knew that Mr. Naraku would not flee, and she was counting on that fact. She knew he held to much pride and brains to run like dog, only to be chased down by one. Kagome slowed down to a walking pace when she saw the jailhouse in sight. She hid behind a large tree, when she saw that the Sheriff and the Bailiff where exiting the jail at that same moment. The Sheriff walked over to his horse, which was silently standing by a post, which was already lit with a candle. The Sheriff undid the knot that was holding the horse to the post, before hoping on the great animal. The Sheriff looked down at the bailiff that was by his side.
"Well, have a goodnight Sheriff. And, send my regards to the missus." The Bailiff said with fake smile.
"I sure will. The missus hasn't been sleeping to well… Well, goodnight boy. I'm trusting you with that criminal."
"Yes sir." The Bailiff called as the older man rode away at a fast pace. Kagome watched as the Sheriff rode past her, and she pushed herself closer to the tree. She felt the wind slap her face, as he went by, and she breathed in a sigh of relief when she saw his form vanish into the night. Kagome turned around, and watched as the Bailiff sneered at the retreating form of his employer, before turning around, and starting towards the pub.
Kagome waited until she heard the loud slam of the pub doors, before she left the safety of her hiding place. She quickly crept through the shadows, until she was in front of the jailhouse. Kagome breathed in, before checking to see that no one was near the isolated jailhouse, before turning the knob and letting herself in.
The first thing that swept over her was the strong smell of mildew and many combinations of foul odors that knocked her in the face. Kagome braced herself, not willing to fall backwards. Kagome squared her shoulders, and quietly began walking in the dark. The jailhouse was only one large room, and Kagome spotted the jail cells from across the room. The room was dark, and the only light was coming from a small window in the jail cell that had several steel bars across it. The window allowed the moon to shyly seep into the room, and allowed Kagome to see her target.
Standing up on his chained legs, Naraku had his back to his intended guest. His long and wavy black hair was flowing, unbound around him. Kagome noticed that he was still wearing the clothes that he had been wearing the day that the sheriff had arrested him, in front of the entire town. But, now they were ripped and torn all over. Kagome inhaled, before opening her mouth.
"Mr. Naraku?" At the sound of her voice, the man turned around to greet his visitor. He recognized the girl as the one that had been there the night the woman had died.
"What?" He sneered. Naraku was sure she was here to curse him as many had, but he was slightly surprised that she had the nerve to do it at nightfall, when the bumbling Bailiff wasn't around to protect her.
"Sir, I know you didn't kill her." Kagome's voice cut through the cold air that hung in the room.
Naraku was slightly surprised, and raised an eyebrow. "Is that right?" He stepped closer to the jail cell bars, as he stared intently at her. Despite the large space between them, the pretty girl took an awkward step backward.
"Yes, I believe it is Mr. Naraku. I-I cannot remember much from that night, because of my injury, but I know that you did not kill Lady Kikyo." Naraku smiled eerily at her.
"If you do not remember, how can you be so sure?"
"My mother always told me to follow that gut feeling when it comes to me. And, I have a gut feeling that you did not do it." She said bravely, although she did keep her distance.
Naraku's playful mood suddenly changed to anger. "Well isn't that brilliant? As wonderful I feel that some young girl believes I'm innocent, surely you can see why I'm not calling out the bans? What is the word of a woman?" He growled.
"Nothing," Kagome answered quietly, although inside she was bristling.
"Exactly," The man said, before turning away.
"But, from the way I view it, words don't have to mean anything." She replied, trying to keep herself from becoming angry.
"What in the devil are you talking about?"
"I'm saying I know how to help you survive your trial, but I need your word that you will not take my kindness and turn it against me." For the first time that night, Kagome stood nose to nose with Mr. Naraku. Kagome courageously looked straight into his burning wine colored eyes, with her bluish gray ones. For what seemed like ages, their eyes mixed and danced with each other, almost challenging each other to look away. Kagome felt herself being imprisoned by his ever passionate gaze, and found that she would not break the gaze. Kagome was holding her breath, wondering what his answer would be…hoping he would agree.
Kagome felt her arm being jerked forward, by Mr. Naraku. She found her body being pressed against the widely spaced bars. The bars were so widely spaced that she was easily pulled through them, into the powerful arms of the evil man. She looked up into his eyes, preparing to scream, when she felt his lips descend on hers. Kagome was in shock for a moment, before she felt her body molding to his. Heat radiated through the air, and Kagome could no longer control the feeling of his lips doing wicked things to hers. She felt her hands clutch his upper arms for support, as the kiss took over her. Kagome soon began to feel herself responding to Naraku's aggressive kiss. Inwardly, her brain was screaming for her to step away and run for all that was good and right in the world, but her body vastly ignored her mind.
The kiss continued for another hot moment before the incarcerated pulled away. He only moved his head enough to look into her passion clouded eyes. "Free me." He whispered into her ear, as he successfully evaded her major condition to helping him.
He watched as she closed her eyes, and whispered between ragged breaths, "Yes." He smirked to himself (knowing that his kiss had made her forget her ultimatum) before pulling her back into his arms, for another passion filled kiss, realizing that would seal the deal.
It was a hot afternoon, and it had been a hot morning, and Mother Nature promised a sweltering night. The town's people were irritable, because of this, and ready for the show to go on. The 'show' was the trial of Oniguma Naraku. Everyone in the town was accounted for, because they were all attending the trial. There had not been a large trial in the town for over five years, and the people found themselves hungry for blood.
A large trial was very different from a normal type of trial. A large trial was always done at the Shikon Lake that ran through the out skirts of town. A large trial was only conducted for a serious or heinous crime, such as the slaying of a noble woman (as Mr. Naraku had). The one accused of the crime had his hands tied behind his back, and heavy bricks tied to each of his feet. The accused would then be carried out into the deepest part of the lake, by boat, and then dropped off of the side. If the accused were innocent, he would float back up to the top of the lake, because his soul was light and pure. But if his soul was heavy with sin, then he would not float and, he would be left at the bottom of the lake until he drowned.
Needless to say, they had not met an innocent man to date.
So, here stood Mr. Naraku who was being prepared to serve a similar fate to men that had come before him. He looked about him, and saw the angry and bloodthirsty faces of his townspeople. He looked about, until he saw his uncle, Oniguma, who was only staring at him with a raised eyebrow. The resemblance between the two men was frightening, only age separating their looks. And, the town flinched, knowing that Naraku would always haunt them, through his uncle.
Naraku only raised an eyebrow back at his uncle, before turning away. He felt himself being lifted off the ground, and being carried to a near by boat. At this moment, nothing was going through Naraku's head. He didn't feel anything. Nothingness was a state of mind that Naraku was very familiar with. When his body was roughly slammed into the crude boat, Naraku closed his eyes and thought of something pleasurable. He remembered how he worked to make this town what it was; despite the fact the townspeople were less than appreciative. He was proud of the blood and sweat he had to shed to build this town, and it would always be his.
Naraku could hear in the background Judge Sesshomaru's voice listing off his supposed crimes, and Naraku narrowed his eyes at the words. He had done nothing.
As the rowing towards the targeted spot started, Naraku remembered Kagura. Kagura was a beautiful noblewoman that he had married when he was very young. She had been there during the trying years, when Naraku was nothing, and had not a dime to his name. She had worked along side him, and got her hands bloody and dirty. Although, he did not love her, Naraku would always care for her because she gave her life for what he believed in.
Naraku shook his head, and let the beautiful Kagura slip from his mind. Regret and shame surrounded that name, and Naraku supposed that it always would, because he wasn't ever going to get the chance to set things right. The boat stopped and Naraku looked down at the deep blue depths that lay underneath his feet. He felt his body being lifted once again. Naraku wanted to struggle or scream out, but he had decided long ago that his dying moments would not be in vain. He would pass away with dignity. So, Naraku held his body rigid, and he felt the hands leave his body. For a moment he was in the air, and in that millisecond, Naraku felt free and weightless. So burden free and careless…he would miss that. Naraku looked towards the sky and watched the clouds that formed into an angry mob, as he searched for the dying sun. He began to panic; he needed to see the sun one last time… It was the only thing he needed to see.
Then, the bittersweet moment passed all to quickly, and Naraku plunged into the lake, with his eyes centered on the sun.
Kagome flinched when she heard the loud splash that echoed through the crowd. Kagome stared at the lake and saw the ripples of the water crashing towards the sandy beach. It all seemed too brutal, when she heard the town cheering and jeering towards the fallen Naraku. It all seemed too barbaric and disgusting…and Kagome couldn't understand why anyone would want to watch the death of another.
Kagome scanned the crowd, until she found the Judge Sesshomaru, his son, and Mr. Oniguma standing together watching as Naraku quickly slid under the water. The three stared intently at the water, waiting to see if he would resurface. When it was clear that he would not, Sesshomaru and Oniguma smirked at one another and the Judge raised his hand. The jeering town quieted, and looked towards him.
"The water does not lie. Mr. Naraku is guilty of every crime. Let us give him over to his watery grave, and let it be noted in the books, that on this day, the Mighty Naraku has fallen." At this, the town quickly turned and left rapidly, wanting leave before the vengeful spirit of Naraku the Dead would break through his drowned body and haunt the area surrounding the lake. Kagome noted that Judge Sesshomaru and Mr. Oniguma left the execution together, as if they were friends…
"How strange, I thought Mr. Oniguma was a relative of Mr. Naraku…" Kagome wondered how anyone could be friendly with the man that had killed their relative, but the Oniguma's were always a strange family. Kagome shook her head, and looked around to make certain that she was alone. When she was, Kagome pulled out her dagger, took a deep breath, and dove into the lake. Kagome swam as quickly as she could towards the dying man, but found that it was more difficult than she had thought.
There were so many skeletons of the dead anchored to the bottom and it made it difficult for her to guess which one was him. Her eyes were bleary, and she found that her lungs were burning with lack of fresh air. Kagome felt her head beginning to pound against her skull and she felt light headed…
"NO!" she screamed to herself. Kagome refused to give up now…there was a man down there that she had promised life to. She could not live with herself if she did not save him… she refused to watch another person die. Kagome pushed herself closer to the middle of the lake and went closer to the bottom. Kagome spotted a fleshed form that was dressed in pure white, and she knew that she had found him. When she was finally upon him, Kagome noticed with distress that he was not moving.
Kagome felt as if there were no time to waste, so she tried her best to cut the bricks away from his feet. Her hands were weak against the pressure of the water, and her fingers continually fumbled as she limply held the knife in her hand. Kagome did not give up, and persistently tore the ropes until he was free. Kagome dropped dagger and pulled the limp form of Mr. Naraku up to the top of the water. Kagome opened her mouth and drank in the air greedily, when her head reached the surface. She looked over at the man, and found that his eyes were closed and his head hung down.
"Mr. Naraku?" She asked softly towards the figure. When there was no response, Kagome quickly swam towards the shore, knowing she would have to give him her breath. She did her best to hurry, but the added weight was difficult for her. Finally, she made it to the beach, and she slowly pulled them both on the sand. She laid the older man gently on the sand, and inspected him. She put her ear to his chest and sighed when she found that his heart was still beating, faintly.
Kagome wondered what do, knowing that if she were to ask for help, they both would end up dead. She felt a slam in her chest, wishing her mother were here. The witch Kaede knew how to cure any ailment. At the mention of her mother, Kagome remembered that she had taught Kagome how to revive another. Kagome blushed at the thought, but shyly made her way to his mouth. Kagome put her thumb and her finger on the bridge of his nose, before opening his mouth. Kagome blushed again, before laying her mouth on his, and breathing into his mouth. When she got no response, she pushed on his chest, and then repeated the procedure another time. On her second time, she heard a loud cough and knew that Mr. Naraku was awake. Kagome closed her eyes and breathed a sigh of relief. He had not died.
Mr. Naraku was on his knees coughing up the water that had traveled down his lungs. Kagome did as her mother had done, and lightly stroked his back. Kagome ignored her unease at touching him, even the most innocent of touches made a large blush rise to her cheeks. The heat that his body gave off pushed straight through her small hand. Soon, Mr. Naraku stopped his coughing and she watched as he just breathed in and out, heavily. His head was still down, and his long hair surrounded his face. Kagome's gaze was set on the man, and she did not have time to react when he suddenly whipped around, and grabbed her wrist in a hard hold.
"Will you kill me as well girl, when my back has turned?" He asked fiercely. His burning wine eyes were charging into her placid blue-gray ones. Kagome was frightened at the sudden switch in power, and her large eyes grew. Then, her fear quickly changed into anger. Her lungs were still on fire, her brain was dancing in her skull, and she felt fatigued. How dare this ingrate treat her so, after all she had risked for him?
"Why do that, when I could have let you die?" Kagome snapped at him.
"I am in your debt girl. And, I detest being in the mercy of another. You have displeased me." He sneered at her. Kagome felt her blood cooking under skin, how dare he?
"What will you have me do, throw you back in the lake? You are surely tempting me, Milord." She asked sarcastically.
Mr. Naraku laughs coldly at the chambermaid. "You are an amusing one, I may just let you live. No, all I want is to have my soiled name cleared. Some fiend has muddied it. I want to live amongst my people, as I always have. These are my lands, and I will not give them up." Kagome heard the pride in his voice when he spoke of the town, and for a moment she was not angry, but she quickly regained it.
"So, what does that mean to me, if I may be asking." Kagome asked in a more polite tone, remembering she was speaking to her better. Although, since he was technically dead…
"I intend for you to help me girl. You saw the accident, and somewhere in that mind of yours, you remember who did it." Mr. Naraku smirked at the girl shaking with rage.
"Why should I give you my aid? You are nothing but a cruel horrible man. And, if it weren't for my mother's conscience, you never would have lived." Kagome yelled, as she stood up. Kagome forgot to mention that the reminder that she had lost all memories of that night made her angry.
Mr. Naraku chuckles at the feisty girl, "Well let me thank your mother's conscience then. I may not be a "good" man, but what is good anyway? Is there truly a right or wrong, my young friend? No, I do not believe it to be so. Right and wrong, good and bad, they are nothing but trifles to me. I believe that a man lives by his own moral code, a personal set of laws, if you will. Who are you to dictate what mine shall be?"
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End of Chapter
:P
Thanks for reviewing. I got six more than I thought I would get. N/K isn't extremely popular.
Oh, and I want to give thanks to the Medieval Era for giving me the watery grave scene…your barbaric ways of giving criminals trials has helped my story. Thanks! ;p
Your Captain Speaking.
Delirious.