A/N:Finally I can log in! I haven't been able to in 3 days, I was starting to lose patience... Anyways, thank you's again to those who sent feedback:

Jyde: I know what you mean, why couldn't he realize it when she was still alive! Well glad you like the story so far!
Sioned: Ah, are you surprised? The reincarnation thing has been done too many times... I'm trying a different angle... And hopefully you haven't fallen off a cliff yet! XD

Also, if you aren't familiar with some of the Japanese used, youkai means demon, inu means dog and tai-youkai is the highest level of demon. And if you're curious, Naoko's name means honest and obedient child.

Now on to the story...

Naraku had never liked surprises. In fact he had made a habit of avoiding them at all costs. It was surely because of this that he had managed to stay alive as long as he had. So when Byakuya had informed him of Sesshoumaru's latest ability, he was disturbed to say the least.

He did not like to waste time worrying however, and reasoned that his concern was probably unjustified. While Moryoumaru certainly had no concern for Naraku's wellbeing, he was quite certain the demon valued his own life far too much to fall pray to the great sword. Moryoumaru would defend himself to all lengths, and the precious heart contained within him would no doubt be safe.

However, when it came to his own existence, Naraku rather preferred not to leave anything to chance.

"How would you choose to handle this?" Byakuya asked interrupting Naraku's thoughts.

"Sesshoumaru is a powerful youkai," Naraku mused. "Surely it will not take him long to master his sword's new ability."

"Then we should not give him the chance," Byakuya agreed. "Shall I dispose of him?"

Naraku thought for a moment, then shook his head. While Byakuya was powerful in his own right, Naraku had to admit his detachment would provide little resistance to the tai-youkai. And while Naraku rarely held any concern for his incarnations, Byakuya was indeed still useful to him.

"No," Naraku decided, a slight smile crossing his face. "Perhaps it is a job better suited for your sister."

Byakuya smiled in agreement. While he was loyal to his master, he could not help but be relieved. He had seen what the Path of Darkness had done to the ogre, and he had no desire to receive the same fate.

"I shall fetch her," Byakuya offered, turning from his lord.

Naraku smiled again, as his eyes fell to his hand. He watched with a morbid satisfaction as a beating heart appeared in his palm. The organ pulsed and Naraku was rather tempted to crush it in his grip. He did not, however.

He still needed the girl.

The organ reabsorbed into his flesh, but the evil grin remained plastered on his face.

Naraku's ploys had always been quite genius. His own devious nature never ceased to amaze himself.

But this plan... Well, this one surely took the cake.

Naoko yawned as she stood rather impatiently among the trees. She was not one who enjoyed waiting, and she most certainly did not enjoy hiding. While she had been born of Naraku's flesh only mere months ago, she could not help but feel as if she had been doing his tedious bidding for much longer.

Perhaps it was her impatience talking.

She crossed her arms, tapping her fan against her arm. Byakuya's eye had seen the inu-youkai traveling in this direction, and it would only be a matter of time before he crossed her path. Naoko grumbled to herself, silently wondering why Naraku had not just sent Byakuya to deal with the demon. In the time she had been with him, short as it may be, Naraku had never sent her to deal with his more prominent enemies.

She had heard stories of course. Stories of the mutt InuYasha and his human companions. Naoko was certain she could massacre them without even breaking a sweat, but when she had offered to do so, Naraku had refused. She was not to have anything to do with them. She found this odd, but did not argue. Naraku said he was looking out for her best interests, and Naoko trusted her master.

Even so, she could not understand why Naraku had insisted she destroy this Sesshoumaru character.

She sighed, deciding it would be impossible to ever understand the mind of her lord. So instead she turned her attention to her fan. She began contemplating how exactly to destroy the dog demon. Naraku had given her the ability to control the natural elements. Earth, fire, water, and wind were all at her disposal. While it was not necessarily the most powerful of her attacks, Naoko had always found herself partial to using the latter. She could not quite explain it, but she always felt a sense of freedom whenever she controlled the wind.

Not that she lacked freedom. True, Naraku held her heart in his hands, but as he had explained, it was for her own protection. In fact, she was practically invincible. Whatever wounds she received in battle, her heart always remained unscathed. If anything, she should be grateful to Naraku.

Yes, she was grateful to her creator. So when he had asked her to fight the demon lord Sesshoumaru, Naoko had agreed. And so here she was, waiting impatiently for her pray.

And while she waited, absently drumming her fingers, she could not quite shake the feeling that she had been waiting here before.

A/N: Review please! And while it may seen that way, this is not going to be a reincarnation fic!