An Unlikely Pair
disclaimer: Inuyasha and co. belong to the great Rumiko Takahashi-sama
Chapter 5 - Kikyou's Evil Trickery
"Finally. Let's go all ready. Kikyou sensed a shard to the west. We're going after it." Inuyasha ordered. Kagome quietly picked her bag up and began walking following Inuyasha and Kikyou with Sango and Shippou. Miroku brought up the rear without any complaint. They walked for at least an hour in silence and without a break. Sango would glance at Kagome from time to time. She seemed to be preoccupied by things because she paid no attention to Shippou's usual antics along the walk.
"Kagome?" Sango lightly touched the other girl's arm. The fog in Kaogme's eyes dissipated and she looked at Sango. "Are you all right?"
Kagome nodded. "I'm fine. Just thinking about things." She glanced ahead towards the two leading the group.
"Oh. Do you need someone to talk to?" A shadow of a small smile passed Kagome's lips as she shook her head in negative. "All right."
"I'm fine, Sango. You don't need to worry."
"If you say so." And the trek continued for a few more hours until they stopped for lunch. Kagome managed to step away for the time being.
He watched as the shard hunters regrouped, ate breakfast, and even followed them as they silently walked towards their unknown destination. Before they stopped for lunch, Kagura had come to him without notice on her feather. She bowed her head before announcing, "Kouga is on his way towards the castle." Naraku nodded his head and flicked his wrist in dismissal. As Kagura disappeared on the horizon, the group he was following stopped not too far away for lunch.
Kagome settled herself near the stream they stopped nearby for lunch. She was humming to herself as she filled the canteen and the pot to cook lunch. The quiet rustle of silk alerted she wasn't alone. She sat motionless watching the stream trickle by. He sat down beside her and laid a large hand over hers that were folded in her lap. "Are you all right?" He wrapped an arm around her waist to pull her closer. She was pliable under his touch and immediately relaxed against him. They sat together for a little while silently before Kagome answered him.
"I've had better days, but I've never exactly felt this particular feeling you've invoked." Naraku leaned his head against hers. They both smiled. He turned his head to rub his nose into her cheek. A soft sigh escaped him. He felt his lips gently press against her cheek.
"I must go soon. There are pressing matters I must attend." Kagome smiled and turned her face to look at each other. Crimson and blue met. "I'll be back as soon as I can." He kissed her nose, and she smiled.
"I'll be waiting." They shared a gentle kiss before Naraku began to get up. She stood up with him. Before he could take off, she stopped him. She reached up to clasp a necklace around his neck. It settled in the dip of his neck. The silver kanji of peace glittered in the sun. Naraku smiled when he felt the light necklace settle around his neck. He reached into his robes and pulled out a light green jade beaded bracelet and slipped it onto her wrist. They shared another soft kiss, and he left in another rustle of silken robes.
Kagome dreamily sighed as she slung the canteen over a shoulder and picked up the pot. Before she reached the clearing they stopped at, she heard Shippou and Inuyasha fighting. She sighed again, but tiredly this time. She settled down at the little fire that was built to make the daily ramen.
Kagome grunted as she hefted her overstuffed yellow backpack onto her shoulders. They were off after the shard Kikyou sensed as soon as they finished their meal. They hadn't gone to far before Miroku fell into step with Kagome and Sango. "Kagome-sama?" "Yes?" Sango wasn't paying apt attention to the two.
"I couldn't help but just notice the bracelet you are wearing. It is quite beautiful." Kagome glanced down at the bracelet and then back at the perverted monk.
"Try to steal it and I'll make sure you won't be able to produce any heirs." Her eyes narrowed at him. Miroku coughed.
"I am hurt Lady Kagome. You accuse me of such a thing? Must I remind you that I am a virtuous monk?"
"Right." She sarcastically remarked rolling her eyes.
"May I ask where you obtained such a treasure?"
"Someone special gave it to me." She smiled softly.
Inuyasha interrupted the little conversation. "We have farther to go. You guys should ride on Kirara so we can get there faster." Kirara's response was her blazing transformation. Kagome, Sango, Miroku, and Shippou climbed onto the large cat and were off in the air in seconds. Kikyou had climbed onto Inuyasha's back, and were traveling from tree to tree.
"What is that smell?" Sango asked pinching her nose. The other passengers were doing the same.
"Whatever it is, it isn't me." Shippou said atop Kirara's head. His little hands were both covering his nose in repulsion. They passed a line of trees and below them was a village. A slaughtered village. The carnage was visible from above. Kagome felt her stomach lurch. It was horrible. She had seen dead things but never in that quantity or manner of death.
If their head wasn't cut off, they were missing an arm or leg or two and to top it off, everyone, and that included mean men, women, and children had their chests ripped open. On closer inspection after chasing scavenging animals and before beginning the long process of digging graves, they found the hearts to be missing.
Inuyasha grumbled. "Why is it that we always have to bury the dead every time we come upon them?"
Kagome frowned as she wiped away sweat from her forehead. "It is the right thing to do." She answered.
"And respectful." Miroku added. "It's the least we could do for these poor people."
Inuyasha continued to grumble. "What about the jewel shard?"
Kagome was about to reply, but Kikyou, who was sitting in the shade of a tree not far away, interrupted, "It's not going anywhere. We'll get it." Kagome threw a questioning look at Kikyou, but remained quiet. There was about a hundred or so that needed burial. It took up much of the day and well into the night before they collapsed. There was still more, but they were just too tired. Their sleep was fitful and short.
After breakfast, they worked harder to get closer to finishing before lunch. They worked and worked, but didn't finish until after dinner because of their fatigue.
He didn't want to leave her, but part of the plan was to meet the annoying wolf and gain the jewel shards he still possessed. Whether he had to take them by consent or force it did not matter to him. Naraku reached his magnificent home before it grew dark. He had spied the trademark whirlwind known as Kouga coming from the north towards his estate, but he intervened before the wolf could step any closer.
"Naraku!" Kouga yelled out. Naraku sat atop a boulder watching Kouga with calculating wary eyes.
"There is no need to shout. I am right here." Naraku's voice was monotone rather than condescending.
"I'm going to kill you!" was the only warning he was given before Kouga lunged at him.
Naraku easily dodged the angry wolf before slamming him down onto the boulder he was just sitting on. Pushing all of his weight into Kouga's back, he pinned him to the rock.
"I wish to make a deal with you wolf. It would benefit you as well as it would benefit me. Which doesn't include the death of either of us." Naraku said through gritted teeth. "Stop fighting me and listen." Kouga struggled a little longer, but then relaxed. Naraku slowly eased up from him and retreated back a few steps. Kouga stood up straightening himself and cracking a few joints in his back before he looked to Naraku to continue.
As soon as he knew he had Kouga's full attention, he spoke, "I wish to make an offer for the jewel shards you possess." Kouga looked at him cautiously. "I want the jewel shards and I will give you the opportunity to avenge your men and wolves."
"How so?"
"I will give you Kagura's heart to manipulate." Kouga looked at Naraku like he just revealed he was a woman. Naraku reached into his robes and produced a glowing red globe, which was Kagura's heart. Kouga stood there shifting his gaze from the jewel fragments in his legs to Kagura's heart.
"I don't know. How do I know you won't send another one of your cronies after my people?"
"I only wanted the jewel shards. You were in my way of obtaining them. Once I have the jewel shards you have, I will leave you and your people alone." Kouga stood there thinking about it some more.
"Fine." Kouga reached down to his legs and quickly extracted the glowing tainted pieces of the Shikon and handed it to Naraku. Naraku then placed Kagura's heart within Kouga's hands.
"You may do what you wish with her now. She is of no concern to me." Naraku said disappearing.
That night while everyone was asleep, someone crept around the campsite undetected, placing magical charms and spells on the slumbering inhabitants. Even Inuyasha. Kikyou smirked wickedly as she exited the clearing and wandered deeply into the woods, her wormy companions trailing along. The night air surrounding her seemed to be frigidly cold and silent. Nocturnal creatures dared not to tread in her presence. She continued walking, but suddenly stopped.
"I know you've been following us Naraku." Naraku became visible amongst the branches of a tree before her. He looked emotionlessly down at her.
"I'm merely making sure that you hold up your end of the deal." Kikyou bitterly laughed.
"You cannot fool me Onigumo. I know your true intentions." Naraku paused for a moment.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. You're still hung up over Onigumo. Need I remind you that that filth no longer plagues me?" Kikyou's biting laugh once again reached his ears.
"You cannot fool me as I have said. Tell me something Naraku, does Onigumo's heart refrain you from killing me? Enough to send a mere puppet for this meeting? Or have you finally submitted to fearing me?" The eyes of the Naraku puppet flashed. It snarled and lunged to attack, but was quickly destroyed by a beam of purifying energy shot from Kikyou's hand.
The wooden doll broke in half as Naraku sat beside it thinking. Kagome occupied his thoughts. He never noticed his puppet's demise until hours very late into the night. Something was tugging at the back of his brain. Without considering the time, he quickly sped towards where he knew his love was currently sleeping. The air smelled heavily of magic. He growled in frustration to find he could not reach or find Kagome. His agonized scream echoed through the forest, but never reached the slumbering shard hunters. Reluctantly, Naraku returned to his abode to search for Kanna.
The shard hunting group was slow to rise. Kikyou was awake before them all, but in reality, she didn't go to sleep (because pottery doesn't need it). For once, Sango woke up without Miroku's wandering hands caressing her backside. Unfortunately, he woke up in time to get a grope in while she was working on making a fire. Sango's left eye began to twitch. Not only had they been working on burying the dead for the last couple days, wanted a bath, and wanted to leave, but it was just too early for it. She knocked the houshi out of the clearing and into the middle of the forest. Shippou had woken up from the commotion the two were making. Inuyasha shook his head before descending from the tree with Kikyou in his arms. After Sango had a little roaring fire going, Miroku had managed to stumble back into the clearing. Cuts, bruises, and dirt littered his being. He dusted himself off and coughed, but he went ignored.
Kikyou coyly smiled at Inuyasha as she snapped her fingers. Miroku, Sango, Shippou, Kirara, and Inuyasha all stiffened. Their eyes dulled over as their faces took on a blank look. Kikyou approached Miroku, Sango, Kirara, and Shippou and ordered, "There is a cave near a stream north of here, you will go there, and sleep. You will not return until morning. When you come back, you will not remember anything that transpired today." With a wave of her hand, they began walking in that direction. Kikyou turned back to Inuyasha and ran a hand down one of his cheeks. "Have fun with her Inuyasha." She disappeared behind a concealing spell into a tree with her shinadaimachu to watch the festivities begin with the flick of her wrist.
Kagome woke up groaning. She felt horrible. She wasn't only stinky and dirty from all of the work, but was sore. She hadn't done that much work since she crammed for her last math test. Lost in her thoughts, she hadn't noticed the sudden closeness of a certain hanyou.
After noticing the absence of her friends, she asked, "Where is everyone?"
"Hunting after a shard." His voice sounded gruff and laced with something malicious.
"Oh, hi Inuyasha. When are they coming back? I thought we were all going to go after it after we finished with the burials."
"Not for a few days. I thought it'd be better if we... split up."
"Ok... well, I guess we should get to work so we can finish sooner. Maybe we'll be able to finish before they come back and we can catch up with them?" Kagome wriggled out of her sleeping bag and began walking towards the village, but soon found herself slammed and pinned against a tree. "I- Inuyasha, w-what are you doing?" He was sniffing her neck, and then licked it. She shivered, but it wasn't the good kind of shiver. "Inuyasha stop. You're scaring me." In one swift motion he brought her to the ground and placed himself between her legs. She had shrieked from the quick movements and then blushed horribly to feel a bulge pressing against her.
"I've waited a long to get you alone. And now that I have, I'm not passing the chance." Her eyes widened when he ripped her panties off.
"W-What about Kikyou?" But her question was left unanswered when his fingers invaded her. She tried to struggle and get away, but he was too strong.
Naraku stormed into his castle startling servants and even Kagura. Searching his castle, he finally found the little girl like demon in the kitchen. "Kanna." She turned to him in answer. "Show me what is happening to Kagome." Kanna looked down into her mirror. A soft blue light flashed before going entirely foggy.
"It seems the barrier she is behind is too strong even for my mirror." Kanna stated in a monotone. Naraku growled in frustration and rushed back towards the general location he knew to find Kagome. He was once again stopped by Kikyou's barrier. Growling, he began beating against the invisible force field.
He continued to do so for hours before giving up. Slightly winded and exhausted, he sat down glaring. Only few minutes had passed when he felt the barrier begin to fade. He let out another frustrated growl before racing off towards the woman he was trying to get to.
Her eyes were glassy with tears. The look on her face, and her huddled position in the stream made her look fragile and ready to be swept away even by the stream's gentle current. In mere seconds, her disposition changed and she angrily dashed her reflection away in the slow trickling water. She scrubbed away the dust and dirt collected on her face and arms. Her actions made her look savage scrubbing away at her skin.
An anguished cry that emitted from her lips echoed in the trees nearby. It startled a few birds out of their arbor perches and made small mammals scurry away. The cry turned to sobs, and the water dripping from her hair down her face was finally joined by tears. Struggling to her feet, she pulled herself from the water and onto a rock directly sitting in the sun's rays. The heated stone warmed her chilled skin more than the sun itself, and she continued to cry.
"Pathetic." His voice hit her straight in the heart. She held her breath afraid that someone was there to see her in such a weak moment. She lifted her head from her arms and gasped. His long wavy black hair danced in the light breeze. The sleeves of his haori flapped slightly. His piercing crimson eyes bore into her glassy sapphire ones. She trembled under his gaze and more tears slipped out of the corners of her eyes.
He lifted an arm and let a hand slip out of the sleeve to bring it up to her face. She didn't flinch from his touch when he wiped away a tear. He stroked his thumb over her cheek.
"What happened to you?" She cringed away from his hand and looked away.
"I'm not worth touching anymore." She whispered. A frown creased his face.
"What happened to you?" He asked again in a gentler tone. She shifted her eyes reluctantly to him.
"He raped me." She choked out. Pain was etched into her face. Sadness and despair replaced the look. "He took my innocence, and he didn't even acknowledge what he did." She broke down into a heap of tears.
Taking off his haori, he wrapped it around her nakedness and pulled her into a hug. "Tell me where he is." She almost missed the demand.
"Please don't." She begged turning her eyes to his again.
"He should be killed for what he has done to you."
"Please just leave him be for now. Let's just leave right now. I don't want to see him again for a while. Please don't leave me alone." Anger flickered in his eyes.
"I will do as you ask, but if we ever cross paths with the idiot, I will personally kill him."
Kagome nodded and replaced her head on Naraku's shoulder as he transported them to his castle.
"Where is everyone?" She asked.
"Hunting after a shard." His voice sounded gruff and laced with something malicious.
"Oh, hi Inuyasha. When are they coming back? I thought we were all going to go after it after we finished with the burials."
"Not for a few days. I thought it'd be better if we... split up."
"Ok... well, I guess we should get to work so we can finish sooner. Maybe we'll be able to finish before they come back and we can catch up with them?" Kagome wriggled out of her sleeping bag and began walking towards the village, but soon found herself slammed and pinned against a tree. "I- Inuyasha, w-what are you doing?" He was sniffing her neck, and then licked it. She shivered, but it wasn't the good kind of shiver. "Inuyasha stop. You're scaring me." In one swift motion he brought her to the ground and placed himself between her legs. She had shrieked from the quick movements and then blushed horribly to feel a bulge pressing against her.
"I've waited a long to get you alone. And now that I have, I'm not passing the chance." Her eyes widened when he ripped her panties off.
"W-What about Kikyou?" But her question was left unanswered when his fingers invaded her. She tried to struggle and get away, but he was too strong.
Eventually, Inuyasha became fed up and took off his hakama. Kagome became hysterical when she saw him exposed. She began thrashing and screaming. He slapped her a few times until she quieted, and before she knew it, he had broken her maidenhood. Sobbing, she laid limply as he defiled her body.
"Why Inuyasha? Why?"
"What are you talking about wench?"
"Why did you rape me?"
"I didn't rape you, you stupid girl. I just let your dreams come true." Kagome's tears welled up faster. "Yes you did! You raped me!"
"Feh."
Before she knew it, he was gone.
She whimpered in her sleep and curled into herself. The sound caught his attention. He has been watching over her as she slumbered, but at some point, his mind wandered to other things. Frowning, he scooted closer to the futon she lay on and began stroking her hair to calm her. She visibly relaxed when he touched her and uncurled form the fetal position she was in. She looked so scared and sad a moment ago, but a soft expression took over her face.
A little while later her eyes fluttered open. "Where am I?" She asked yawning and stretching.
"My home."
"Oh." She smiled softly at the man whose back was turned to her."
"How long have I been a sleep?"
"A few hours." Kagome lifted herself from the silken sheets and down comforters. She was still wrapped in his outer haori. She reveled in the feel of the cool wooden floors under her feet when she approached him. She settled down beside him at a little table only big enough for one, but he handed her a cup of tea that she gladly accepted. She didn't seem to be afraid or angry anymore.
"You deserve to be treated with more respect than what he has shown you." When he turned entirely towards her, she saw a gentle look in his eyes. "You're too strong and beautiful to be hurt by that filth. Or even be touched by him." He lifted a hand to stroke one of her cheeks and a rosy color filled them. "Tell me when you are feeling well. I want to show you something, but now I want you to rest and relax."
"I'm fine. Don't worry about me." She said waving a hand in the air in dismissal.
"You need to relax after such an ordeal. There is an indoor natural hot spring in the bathhouse if you wish to bathe." Kagome smiled.
"That sounds nice. I must smell bad."
"Quite the contrary. You smell exquisite. Well, besides what that filth has covered you with." She frowned slightly. "Do forgive me for reminding you."
"It's all right. I just thought that by now it would go away." She paused with a thoughtful look on her face before continuing. "May I bathe and get new clothes. I'm sure you'd like to get your shirt back."
"I do not mind, but you may feel more comfortable in something else."
"This is such a beautiful place." Kagome cooed when they entered the bathhouse.
"I will leave you for some privacy. I will send a servant in later with new clothes."
"Thank you." He nodded his head when he exited the room.
"I see the bath helped you." Naraku stated when she met him in the hallway.
"Yes, it did."
"You look much better in that kimono than my haori." She lightly blushed before nodding.
"Thank you."
"Come. Let us have some dinner." He offered his arm and she took it and they walked to the dinning room.
There was light conversation while they ate, and as soon as they finished, he escorted her out into the garden. They walked around chatting about random things while Kagome fawned over the trees and flowers. At some point, they sat down on a stone bench under a blooming cherry blossom tree.
"This is a very beautiful garden." Kagome softly smiled at him.
Naraku nodded, "I thought you would like it." 'I made it for you.' He finished with a thought. 'I built this whole estate for you.'
"So do you actually do things besides plotting the demise to your enemies during the day?" She asked in a playful tone.
"Honestly, if I told you, I would have to kill you." She was about to reply, but saw a smirk creeping on his face.
She lightly smacked his arm and asked, "Was that a joke?"
"Of course. I no longer feel the need to kill you."
"Why did you before?"
He looked at her with a mixture of emotions she couldn't recognize. He let out a little sigh and said while taking up her hands in his, "I thought I hated you and denied what I really felt. I tried pushing it aside with the need to complete the Shikon and since you were in my way, I would just get rid of you, but I never could."
While he was answering he slowly lowered his face to hers and brushed a gentle kiss across her cheek leaving a rosy hue as a blush crept into her face.
"Naraku? Why?" She whispered softly. Naraku was about to answer with a real kiss, but were disappointingly interrupted by a servant.
"My lord, your presence is needed in the Great Hall."
With a flick of his wrist, he dismissed the servant before turning to Kagome. "I may be stuck in there for quite some time. I will walk you back to a room you may sleep in and bid you goodnight." They walked silently back into his giant home, through its corridors and stairways. Although lacking in conversation, it was pleasant for both. They came upon a shoji screen door Kagome recognized from earlier that day.
"This is my room, but you are welcome to sleep in my bed. If you are uncomfortable with that arrangement, I will have a servant make a room for you next to mine."
"Oh no. That will be fine. I don't want to be a bother."
"If that is what you desire, then good night... Kagome." He tilted her face up from her chin and placed a soft kiss on her lips.
A little smile took over her lips as she stared back into his eyes. "Good night, Naraku."
"Where is she?" Shippou screeched at Inuyasha.
"I don't know runt. I don't care either." He snapped.
"What did you say to her now?" Sango asked through clenched teeth. A vein was throbbing in her forehead and one hand was gripping Hirakotsu. Miroku and Shippou saw the oncoming explosion and began inching away.
"I didn't say anything to her." He continued without noticing Sango's temper was beginning to flare. "I'm not her babysitter. It's better if the bitch stays out of the way so I don't have to keep saving her weak ass. Kikyou is here now so it doesn't matter."
WHAM! WHAM! WHAM!
After cracking him on the head with Hirakotsu the third time, Miroku decided to intervene seeing as Inuyasha was out cold after the first hit.
"Whoa! Stop! You're going to kill him!" Miroku yelled as he wrestled her weapon out of her hands. He pulled her into a tight hug and she broke down into angry sobs.
"What if she is dead? What if she's hurt and can't get to us? What if we never see her again?" She clutched onto Miroku risking being groped for a moment of comfort.
"We'll find her. Don't worry Sango." Shippou said on the ground patting her leg. Sango pushed away from Miroku wiping her face clean of tears and sadly smiled.
"You're right. Let's wait for the baka to wake up before we rush off to look for her."
"Yes, that would be wise. Let us eat breakfast now." They left Inuyasha where he was.
"Houshi, I swear, if anything or anyone has hurt her, I will destroy whatever it is that has caused her pain." She threw a burning glare at the pile of unconscious hanyou before turning back to the ramen before her.
"I agree with you, but if Inuyasha was the cause I would leave Kagome to deal him his punishment."
Kagome awoke to the smell of tea the next morning.
"Good morning." She cheerfully chirped to Naraku's back who was sitting at the little table again with tea.
"Morning." He replied. "There is a new kimono for you." He nodded his head towards a corner that was to his back where changing screens stood.
Kagome slowly emerged from behind the screens to join him once again for some tea. While they were drinking the warm, soothing beverage, Kagome took a better look around the room now that it was filled with daylight. It was sparsely furnished. His futon rested in the middle of the room and the little table sat off to its right when you walked in. Off in a corner there was a set of screens for changing where she had changed. There was another table under the room's only window, and when she squinted, she saw a forgotten broken doll of his demon puppetry lying on it.
The room was relaxing to her more than anything. Being former enemies, she would think his room would be nothing like what it was.
"Are you hungry?" His voice broke her out of her thoughts. She nodded while setting her cup down on the tray on the little table. "It should be ready soon." Kagome smiled at him before standing up to smooth out any wrinkles she may have put into the new beautiful peach colored kimono he had given her to wear.
Breakfast had passed by much like dinner had the night before. Except instead of going off to the garden, he showed her around the castle. It wasn't as dark and dreary as Kagome had imagined, but it wasn't exactly inviting either. In actuality, it was plain, but well kept. Against popular belief, he had a handful of servants as well.
Before they knew it, Lunch was being announced.
"So who does the cooking around here?" Kagome asked in the middle of their meal.
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you."
"Try me."
"Kanna." Kagome looked at him in a funny way.
"Are you serious?" Naraku nodded in affirmative.
"Wow. I never thought someone like Kanna would be capable of such a thing." Naraku shrugged.
"I didn't know about it either for a while until I actually went into the kitchen." To his surprise, sort of, Kagome began to giggle.
'She looks so beautiful when she's happy.' He watched her contentedly, momentarily forgetting about the food in front of him.
The moment was interrupted however, when a servant came bursting into the dinning room huffing and puffing. "I am sorry to interrupt my lord, but Inuyasha has reached the outer barrier and is on the verge of breaking through."
A/N: Sorry it took me so long to update... after I get a "brilliant" idea for a story, I can't put it into words as well as I can come up with more "brilliant" ideas... so hope you liked...