Disclaimer: I own my original characters and no one else.

Warning: Spoilers ahead! There will be a scene where part of the end will be mentioned so don't read if you don't want and spoilers. Also, yaoi so if you're uncomfortable with that, don't read. If you're all right with both then proceed on.

Chapter 5 Aiyoku no Curse

The light from the fire illuminated the face of the young demon slayer. Her eyebrows were furrowed together as her eyes stared intently into the fire as if waiting for it to get up and talk to her. Her hands were firmly linked together as the flames died down. The demon sitting next to her shook his head as he placed one hand on her shoulder.

"I'm sure they're all fine. Inuyasha and Kagome are incredible in battles, Miroku is a strong fighter in himself and Shippou is a very cunning child. I'm sure they'll all be able to take care of themselves," Taro said to reassuringly.

"Thank you for helping me tries to locate them. I hope it's as you said," Sango cracked a weak smile as they both stood up.

"You should rest," Taro advised her. "I'm a demon so I can withstand much longer hours without sleep so I'll stand on watch."

"Are you sure? You did carry me around all day and--" Taro silenced her by putting two fingers to her lips.

"Sleep."

He walked over to a nearby tree and jumped onto one of the highest branch, away from her view. For a moment there, she was vaguely reminded of how Inuyasha acted towards Kagome if an attack occurred that day. If it weren't for the fact that her friends were lost she would have blushed at the thought of the comparison. Her eyelids felt like lead and her eyes were bloodshot and felt as thought they're burning so she wasted no time in getting to sleep. She thought she saw a greenish glow but it disappeared in a flash.

"So it's close by is it…" a cheerful smile graced his features as he leapt off the branch and soared high into the sky.

Sesshoumaru's Castle

Akina roused from her sleep as a servant entered her room. She immediately shot up from the bed and jumped into a defensive position.

"Oh it's you," she loosened up her shoulders and sat back down on the bed as the little demon entered the room.

"My deepest apologies for waking you my lady," Kaemon bowed to its waist. "I'm here to bring you your evening meal."

"Thank you Kaemon. I must apologies too for my reaction. My reflexes are a little out of control right now," Akina smiled at the little demon as he set the food on the table and exited the room, closing the door behind him.

She sat down on one of the round chairs placed around the table and was about to eat when a blue glow caught her eyes. Her eyes focused on the item as it glowed stronger then faded away completely.

"He's nearby…" she dropped the chopsticks she was holding and rushed to look outside the window.

With a great leap, she was out the window and gone from sight. All that was left was the quiet flapping of the curtains as the wind drifted through the window to danced with them.

A Cave on the Border of the Four Lands

"Once again, that damn bird is late," Naraku tapped his fingers impatiently on the cavern wall, as his business partner was late once again.

He slumped against the back of the cave, using the wall to propped himself up. Even though he's a half demon, standing around for 4 hours straight can still hurt his feet. His eyes closed as he rested his mind while keeping himself from going off and strangling that bird. Quiet flapping made his eyes open up instantly as the familiar form of the phoenix demon entered the cave.

"How nice of you to finally join me." Naraku stated sarcastically.

"Isn't it?" the phoenix smiled. "Besides, I had other matters to attend to. Don't worry though! I brought you back a souvenir."

The demon grinned as he reached into his right sleeve and pulled out a round object wrapped in a blue silk cloth.

"For me?" Naraku raised one eyebrow questioningly.

"Of course! We're partners now right? It's only right that I give you a little gift once in a while," the demon gave a cheerful smile, one that would send chills down any normal person's spine.

The demon extended the package to Naraku with a warm yet somehow cold smile. Naraku stared down at the object then back up to the phoenix.

"I can't accept it. Not when I haven't prepared anything for you," he was trying to pull his way out of it without giving a phoenix a reason to get back at him.

"Sure you can! Just get me something next time!" another smile. "I can assure you, it's not poison or anything. See? I can touch it just fine."

Naraku still had a skeptical look on his face as he calmly reached out and took the object out of the clawed hand in front of him. He was careful to only touch the cloth and not the item inside.

"Open it," the phoenix instructed with a bright look in his eyes. "I'm sure you'll be surprised."

Naraku's fingers carefully lifted the cool piece of fabric off slowly, his hands never once touching the item below. When the cloth was completely removed, he couldn't identify the thing in his grasp for a few seconds. However, everything came crashing down in his mind as he recognized it to be the mirror that his oldest avatar carried around with her. The glass was shattered and there were bits of blood and white hair on a large piece of glass.

"Do you recognize it Naraku?" the phoenix slinked up next to Naraku, their faces mere inches apart. "I was told that she was your favorite is she not?"

Inside of his head, Naraku was furious and somewhat worried. He left the responsibilities of caring for Akago in the hands of Kanna. If this demon got Kanna then perhaps he also possessed the baby. On the outside, his face remained the same and he smiled.

"You must be mistaken, I have never seen this article before this day," he waited for the phoenix's reaction.

The phoenix smile, "Oh I must have made a mistake then." He stared intently at Naraku with a cocky grin. "I was sure that the little girl was related to you. Must be another Naraku then."

Blue eyes shimmered, reflecting the moonlight from the entrance of the cave. The phoenix muttered a string of words in a different language as a red light envelope Naraku.

The half demon's eyes widened, "What are you doing?" the mirror dropped to the floor as he stumbled trying to get out of the cave though a strong grasp pulled him back into the arms of the phoenix.

"Now, now Naraku. Don't leave so early, the fun is just beginning," a fang glittered in the light as the phoenix grinned.

"Wh—what type of sorcery is this?" Naraku struggled to move his arms and legs only to find them immobilized. "Answer me this instant Taro!"

Taro smiled as he picked up the blue cloth from the floor and wrapped it around Naraku's neck, "Oh it's just a simple spell passed on in my family. It's called the Aiyoku no Curse. Quite a charming little thing don't you think?"

"Th-that's impossible. No curse can be placed on this Naraku," his breath was coming in shorter and his skin felt as though they're on fire.

"That's cute. You think my curse is like all the others that you've faced," Taro trailed his claws down the side of Naraku's face. "This curse is used for the most powerful ones. The more powerful your powers are, the stronger the curse becomes."

A thin line of blood trickled from his face as Taro's claws cut him. He chanted again while his arms wrapped around Naraku. Naraku's eyes glowed red as a thread of miasma escaped from his cut and float ominously around the two. Taro gripped Naraku's hair gently as he tilted Naraku's head backwards. He ran his tongue down the thin cut as the injury healed.

"Your blood is so tainted," he commented. "But that's just how I like it."

He brought Naraku's palm to his own as he placed a kiss upon it. Naraku mentally struggled against it but his body refused to follow his orders but move on their own accords. Naraku's hands tangled themselves in Taro's hair as the phoenix placed a trail of kisses down the side of his neck. A moan escaped his lips as the phoenix's hand wandered under his yukata.

"D-da-damn you," Naraku managed to stuttered as his skin flushed pink.

"Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. Is that any way to talk? You should be glad, not many are allowed this close to me," Taro emphasized his point by biting Naraku's neck harshly.

"Re-release me at once y-you--"

"You what? You bastard? You bitch? You molester?" Taro chuckled as he pulled an almost completed Shikon Jewel from Naraku's clothes.

"How beautiful indeed…" his eyes shined dreamily as he surveyed the almost black jewel. "Though the coloring is off."

He closed the Shikon Jewel in his palm and concentrated for a mere second before relaxing again. He smile almost psychotically as the jewel glowed white in his hands. He studied the jewel for a moment before pocketing it and turning his full attention back to Naraku.

"Now where were we? Oh yes of course!" with a wave of his hand, Naraku's armor and spikes disappeared back into his body, leaving him in his normal purple and black attire. "That's better."

Taro's eyes glowed silver as Naraku's breath became more rapid and his heart was beating faster. He slipped behind Naraku as he allowed his arms to circle around Naraku's slender waist. He turned the half demon around to face him as he flashed him a most hypnotic smile that can easily make any girl blushed.

He leaned in closer to the half demon and whispered into his ear, "Don't worry…I have no intention of killing you tonight. If you behave well, I might even give you another little present."

In his head Naraku wanted to snap that he's no servant of anyone yet his head can only nod blankly.

"Good boy," Taro rewarded him with a little lick to his ear.

The phoenix nipped playfully at Naraku's neck once more as he trailed his hands down to undress the half demon. Once Naraku's yukata was removed, Taro pushed him against a wall and began to attack his neck once more. He grinded their hips together as a moan escaped his lips and echoed traveled up the cave and out into the night skies.

Naraku's mind was becoming foggier by the seconds. As much as he despised the crazy bird demon before him, his ministrations are getting a rise out of him. The demon was obviously no rookie when it came to this type of things. He searched his mind for any possible way to escape or better yet, kill the bird but it was increasingly difficult to think in complete sentences. Taro chuckled at Naraku's expressions as he slipped his hand beneath his waistband.

"You must not get to do this often," he taunted. "Now I'll show you what a full demon can really do."

He undressed himself and hovered over Naraku. The full moon shone brighter than ever, casting an ethereal glow over the two as the half angel claimed his prize.

15 Miles Away

Akina circled the sky as she looked at the jewel hung by her hip. The person she was looking for was close by; his scent was all over the area along with the scent of blood. Her eyes widened as she spotted the bodies of a little girl and tall demon on the ground in a pool of their own blood. She sighed as she looked up into the moon. What she saw there made her ushered a groan.

"Don't tell me he's at it again…" she shook her head disapprovingly as she followed his scent to a nearby cave. "And he is…"

She sighed again and landed outside the cave and leaned against one of the trees there. Disturbing noises drifted from inside the cave that made her skin crawl but she waited. He would sense her presence and come out once he's done with his…business. And just like she predicted, after a long wait, Taro emerged from the cave, half dressed, and covered in scratches.

"Well this is a surprise, what brings you here dearest sister?" he smiled as he hugged her.

She pushed his arms away and glared at him, "Don't touch me after you've just mated. I don't want any part of your new toy to get on me."

"You're so cute when you're angry like that," he brushed himself off and guided her into the cave. "So, why are you here?"

"I came to find out what the heck you were doing these past few days. We still have to find the Shikon Jewel," she followed him hesitantly. "Please tell me that there's no one naked in there."

Taro chuckled, "Don't worry, I covered him before I came out. If you'll follow me, I have something to show you."

They walked one after the other until Akina saw figure lying on the ground. When they got closer, she identified it to be a male.

"You mated with a guy? A half demon at that?" she folded her arms and stopped walking.

"What's the harm in that? Besides, he had something that I wanted," Taro reached into his shirt on the ground and pulled out a white, nearly completed, Shikon Jewel.

"Is that what I think it is?" she reached out to take the jewel into her own hands.

"Hey! Watch it!" Taro exclaimed as the jewel's glow turned pink. "Great, now I'll have to change it back."

"What's the big deal? It works the same way doesn't it?" she tossed the jewel back to him and turned to leave. "Take care your toy quickly and let's go, father's looking for us both."

She exited the cave to leave Taro alone with his new toy. The phoenix kneeled next to the bleeding Naraku as he stroked his face tenderly. The half demon glared at him with such force that if looks can kill, he's be dead seven times over.

"Now, since you've been good. I'm going to leave you with a present," Taro chanted a spell as a lump of flesh appeared before him and floated over Naraku.

"No…not that," Naraku muttered as the flesh entered him slowly.

"You don't like it? But it's yours isn't it?" Taro cooed as he guided Naraku up into a sitting position. "I'll let you have control over your body once again but you must not lashed out at me alright? I can't promise anything if you do."

He gave Naraku a chaste kiss as he reached behind Naraku to unwrap the cloth from his throat. As soon as the piece of fabric was removed, Naraku was in control of his body once again. He proceeded to dress himself as he threw Naraku's clothes to him.

"You can return to you castle now but remember, no plotting against me," he waved a finger in front of Naraku and winked as he too turn to leave.

'Just you watch you bird of hell. Once I find a counter curse, I will use your head as a stool!' Naraku thought as he watched Taro's frame move further and further away.

"Tsk. Tsk. What did I say about plotting against me?" Taro turned to smirked at Naraku's surprised expression. "Yes I did just read your thoughts. Never thought a bird of hell can do that eh?"

He sighed, "Look what you did, now I have to punish you."

In a flash, Taro was in front of Naraku's face, his arm through Naraku's stomach. The half demon's face contorted in pain as blood spurted from his mouth. Miasma erupted from his wounds and surrounded them both.

Naraku chuckled, "That was for tonight you vermin."

He watched as his wound closed up slowly and the miasma slowly cleared out of the cave. His eyes opened wide in shock and fear as Taro stood before him, unfazed.

"Was that an attempt to kill me? I surely hope you don't think I'm that much of a weakling! Allow me to show you what I can do."

He grazed his skin with one of his claws as a white mist emerged from it. The mist flew at Naraku, clinging to every inch of his body as it burned and melt his skin.

"Oh didn't I tell you? I absorbed your power earlier and altered it to fit me. You like it? I call it, the White Miasma!" he smiled as the mist dig deeper and deeper into Naraku's skin, burning his tissues and bones.

"Too bad, you would have made an excellent toy. Oh well, better luck next time for me then," Taro commented but he wasn't sure if Naraku was able to hear over his own screams.

When he got out of the cave, his sister was there waiting for him with a cocked eyebrow.

He just smiled, "Now why is the old geezer looking for us again?"

"Father wanted to warn us that a pair of suspicious characters have emerged from the other side of the well and to check up on how our quest is proceeding. He will be pleased to hear that you have almost the entire jewel," she stared up into the sky with a serene expression. "Our creator will be free soon."

Taro however looked rather annoyed, "I want to wait before handing this over to him."

"Why?" Akina turned to face him.

"It's not complete yet, besides, let's enjoy ourselves here for a few days. The people here are most interesting!" he wrapped his arm around her shoulder. "I heard that you're staying with the dog in the western land right?"

"What's it to you? It was my fault that a little girl got hurt, I was simply trying to cure her before I leave."

"Why don't you stay there for now, spend more time with that kid. I have a few things I need to do as a deal I made to someone not long ago. He might be gone now but I intend to finish our deal since I've already received the payment," he rolled the jewel between his index and middle fingers. "I have a favor to ask of you, Akina"

"What is it?"

"Can you keep an eye on Sesshoumaru while you're there? I have something I must…deliver to him."

"I suppose…" she stared at him questioningly. "Just get it over with quickly all right? I want to get back home as quickly as possible."

He nodded as they both glowed silver and wings sprouted from their backs. They bid their goodbyes and went their separate ways.

End of Chapter 5

A/N: Gomen nasai to all those who are reading for the late update! I've been having a rather nasty case of writer's block for this chapter since…I'm not use to writing such things. I change the rating to M just incase. I don't want to get booted from this site. ) Next chapter, I'll be posting pictures of everyone so you can see what the characters look like. Also, you'll get to meet our two latest characters. Last but not least, read and review, because it'll really make my day and I'll update much faster.