Disclaimer: Much to my great dismay, I do not own Inuyasha (perhaps one of the greatest anime shows ever created). I do, however, wish to inform you that Sakura and Itsuki are my own characters, and I would prefer that no one would use them in their fanfictions without my consent.

Chapter 6: The Voice of Evil

Miroku had managed to acquire a room in this inn, taking the liberty of telling the innkeeper that it was possessed by an array of demons. Sakura was thankful for his tiny white lies; she truly was in no mood to sleep on the cold, hard ground tonight.

"Poor Sakura…" Inuyasha whispered to Kagome.

Inuyasha and the others sat in front of a large, sizzling fire, discussing the events of that morning. Sakura sat away from the group, obscured by shadows. She was slouched against the wall, thinking hard.

"They speak of me, do they not?" she asked herself. "Don't they have the nerve to talk in front of me?"

"Indeed, they do speak of you, Sakura. They wish to know more about your past." The voice in Sakura's head said.

"My past is not their business. It is rude to intervene in the affairs of others." Sakura said, glowering out the small window that she lay adjacent to. Rain still dropped down outside and it formed little rivers along the windowpane.

"You do not wish to tell them of your life? They are your friends after all." The tiny voice laughed in a sarcastic tone.

"No, they are most certainly not. I have no need of these 'friends' of which you speak." Sakura grumbled inwardly.

"No need, you say?" the voice jeered. "So you will hide your past forever? Do you not want comfort?"

"Go away…" Sakura pleaded. "Please just go away…" the young woman curled into a ball, holding her head in her hands. Her teeth clenched, and her amber eyes closed, shutting out all light.

"I won't go away! You cannot rid yourself of me, Sakura. You can never defeat the inevitable darkness that will consume you." The voice hollered. "You cannot destroy your dark side. Resistance to the evil is futile!"

"Stop it! Go away!" Sakura yelled. "Leave me alone!" Sakura screamed mentally, sitting bolt upright.

"Do not resist, Sakura! If you fight this, I will be forced to put into effect other, more painful, methods of dealing with you. I'm through talking." The voice scolded.

"Go AWAY!" Sakura screamed aloud. She fell back against the wall, breathing hard; she panted from the mental struggle. The tiny voice subsided, cackling evilly as it receded into the darkness of Sakura's subconscious mind.

Inuyasha and the others, upon hearing Sakura's outburst, rushed to her side. "What is it?" Miroku asked, looking apprehensively at the woman.

Sakura was silent for a moment. Not a sound was heard except the pitter-patter of the raindrops hitting the roof. Sakura's eyes were wide and filled with an emotion that combined the effects of anger, fear, and pure hatred all rolled into one.

"Naraku…" Sakura finally found her voice. "He's finally found me…he knows who and what I am…" She whispered in indignation. "There's no escaping him when he's in my thoughts and dreams…when he's a side my psyche…the dark side…"

Sakura stared out the window as her companions whispered anxiously among themselves. "He must die…" Sakura said forebodingly. "And it shall be by my hand…"

Author's Note: OOO! Getting exciting, huh? That was what we demonic writers call a "plot twist". Naraku is such aahem but that has nothing to do with the story…well, it does…kinda…but it really doesn't…but at the same time it does…but no…yes, yes, it has everything to do with it…but still, it doesn't…but it does…and yet, it doesn't…but, yeah, I still think it does…but no…yes…no…yes…no…let's just put it this way: Maybe…

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