Naraku, Be Loved
Author's Notes: Well here it is, the third chapter. I am very happy with how this fic is progressing and believe me, it is only going to get more interesting. I have decided that this is the beginning of a trilogy which is also going to include stories called Kikyo, Be Saved and Kagome, Be Mine. Hopefully once the plotlines turn to non-OC character romantic mainplots the stories will pick up a few more viewers. For those who do like Tempest, YES she will be in these fics as they are in the same 'universe', so to speak. I just happen to love writing her with the InuYasha characters and I think she and Naraku play well off each other. Thank you to those who have been generous enough to review. I love hearing what people think of my work.
Summary: Kagome & co. carry out their rescue mission, but there is one "little" problem: Tempest doesn't want to be rescued. How will Naraku react when he discovers she is missing?
Chapter Three: 'Rescue' Me?
Kagura watched from a distance as Naraku carried a half conscious Tempest toward the guest room he had given her. What had the bastard done this time? Just this morning she had heard the girl's screams as god-knew-what was done to her. She was certain he had been in the room, certain he had hurt her. It was all that he was good at, and Kagura felt she of all people should know. She'd been on the receiving end of his punishments more times then she could count.
Well he wouldn't be using Kanna's mirror for a while. She had a chance to do something. But what? Did anyone else know Tempest was here? Did she and Kagome know each other? There was one chance of finding out. But if she got caught... She gave an involuntary shudder at what she could imagine Naraku doing to her if he thought she was trying to take Tempest from him. He seemed very possessive over the girl. All the more reason that she needed to be saved.
Biting down on her bottom lip as she tried to harden her resolve, Kagura headed for the exit of the castle and summoned her cloud. Luckily it had returned to her the instant Tempest had released her spell. Who know where InuYasha and the others were right now. She couldn't have done this walking. Her cloud lifted her in the air and she began to fly away, hoping that she would find them before Naraku noticed she was missing and started looking for her. He always did.
Ten minutes of flying found her looking down on the ragtag group as they traveled through a forest several miles east of the barrier that led into Naraku's castle grounds. They were on the right track to find Tempest. Was that what they were doing? She began to lower her cloud so that she would be more noticeable and finally they stopped when she neared the ground. It wasn't a warm welcome, but it would get the job done.
" Where is Tempest? " Kagome asked.
Excellent, they were looking. " She is at the castle. We have to get her out of there. Naraku seems ... intrigued ... with her. That can't be good. "
" What's up with this? Are you jealous or something? " A stupid question from a stupid mutt. Kagura did her best to keep her temper at what InuYasha was implying, but it wasn't easy. Her and Naraku? Ew!
" My reasons are not your concern. Do you want to get her out or not? "
" Yes. " Kagome said. Kagura was amused to see her give InuYasha a harsh glare before she continued. " You wouldn't happen to have a plan? "
" He is tending her as we speak. I will sneak you into the castle and you can hide in my chambers until he leaves her alone. I will see that he is distracted. "
None of them looked like they trusted her, but Kagura could not blame them. Whether or not her actions were merely to protect herself from Naraku's wrath, they were still of her own choosing. InuYasha finally nodded, " Very well. "
Kagura felt a knot tighten in her stomach and it gave her pause before she lifted them away. " One last thing, boys and girls. If you get caught, I don't exist. Got it? "
Kagome nodded even though Kagura noticed InuYasha looking anything but thrilled. " Got it, Kagura. Lets get going before we're all in serious trouble. "
Naraku called himself every varitation of the word fool he could think of as he lay Tempest in the soft luxurious bed he had chosen for her chambers. She looked up at him warily, her brown eyes still swirling with confusion and pain at what had occurred. He reminded himself again of his decission as he ran his fingers gently through her hair. " I am sorry that I hurt you. I did not realize the process would be painful for a human. You should feel better soon. "
He hated lying to her but if he told her the truth she might leave him tomorrow. Though if he was honest he had to admit that after all the mistakes he had made in one day he wouldn't blame her. So lie he did, something that he was actually not fond of doing. He had always, if nothing else, had his honour. You have it yet, he reminded himself. You are doing this to give her what she wants.
" You okay? " What a strange woman. He knew she was in pain and yet instead of focusing on her own discomfort she had noticed his instead. There was something special about her, something different then he was use to. She continued to look at him, her eyes growing large with worry, and he smiled. Had anyone ever worried about him before? Not that he could recall. He was powerful, but she didn't realize that. It touched him where little could and he tried to push his mind away from the awkward thoughts it brought up.
" I will be. " He moved then, setting about pulling the soft rose colored blankets over her and making her comfortable. Would she let him stay, he wondered. Yet the idea of asking set his nerves on edge. He hated hearing no, and did not know how he would take it from her. He settled for sitting on the edge of the bed and continuing to brush her hair away from her face. " Try to get some rest. You are safe with me. "
He only wished he was more certain of what he was saying. Trusting to a fault, Tempest's lids dropped and sleep claimed her. Yet what he had seen still bothered him. Who had hurt her? Would what he had done make it come back? Shifting slightly on the bed he let his gaze linger on her sleeping form. It was going to be a long night.
Tempest nuzzled against the man laying next to her, her body coated with sweat. The room was dark and her heart still pounded from what had just happened. She and Yukio, together forever ... Her innocence sealing their love. She smiled. How beautiful. She felt him stir from slumber and leaned over to brush a kiss on the tip of his nose. He opened his eyes and seemed to stare through her.
" What was that? " His voice was sleepy, dulled. He continued to look at her as though he was waiting for her to come fully into vision. How strange. He sat up and slowly lifted himself up from the bed.
" Where are you going? " Tempest wrapped her arms around herself, suddenly cold. Something was wrong, so wrong. " Yukio...? "
He said nothing as he dressed, his mouth a cruel sensual line, expressionless and cold. He turned to her, his eyes betraying nothing. " Thank you, Tempest. "
He walked out the door and she burried her face in her pillow and wept. Why? She wrapped a sheet around herself and began to follow him. " Yukio ... please! Don't leave me! Please! "
He was gone.
Laughter or sunlight, which was harsher? All she could see was Sakura, her perfect black hair flying free in the wind as the morning light traced designs on her flawless skin. Yukio's Sakura. Yukio's beloved Sakura. The lover after me.
A cold laugh escaped her. Lover? No, that was a lie. It had been a bet, a game, a hoax. A year gone in a day. A friendship gone, a love gone. Now she lived in the memory of a love that never was. Love couldn't be if it was unrequitted, could it?
Sukura was still laughing, her head leaning on Yukio's shoulder. She did not love him. Could not love him. Tempest loved him. Confusion swirled about in her mind and she felt like she might throw up. This was wrong. All so very wrong.
Sunset in Veinna, so beautiful, so peaceful. A warmth, a presence. She closed her eyes and let out a long pained sigh. Fingers brushed her mind; they led, she followed. Dark, musty... What was this place? Magic, strong and powerful. A blinding light, a flash of pain. Fingers bending, toes numbing, legs failing and the ground reaching up as she came down. Slap!
Flying, higher and higher. Power making her shiver. Something in her hands; cards. Cards? Flashes of color, the sea, home. She was home. Home?
" How dare you? " Yukio. Anger. Smash. Blood. She lifted a hand and looked at the shards of glass sticking out of it. What? " Bitch! Slut! Whore! How many people did you ... "
Something shifted, twisted, broke, snapped. The cards began to float, there was silence. " What? "
Still silence, then a scream. She looked down. He was on his knees. Crack. One arm broken. Snap, one leg lay limp on an awkward angle.
" STOP! " Once again silence. " Oh, God... Someone ... anyone ... help me! "
Beep, beep, beep. A hospital bed. He would make it. He would walk. She wouldn't give up until he did. Tears in her eyes. His opened. Hate. Raw and pure hate. " I didn't... "
Silence.
" I'm sorry... So sorry... " Naraku sat up and rubbed his eyes, Tempest's outcry pulling him out of his light sleep. " Oh, God... I hurt you... I didn't mean to, but it was my fault... I was so sad, so angry... Yukio... Why? "
Him again? Who was he and why did she dream about him? Naraku was starting to hate the guy and he had never met him. Impressive. He reached down and traced Tempest's cheek with one claw, being careful not to hurt her. She quit her strange mumbling and entered what appeared to be a more peaceful sleep.
The door flew open. Who would... Kagura. " Master, we have a problem... InuYasha has found his way into the castle and he is hunting for the jewel shards. "
A growl escaped his throat and he looked down at Tempest, not sure what to do. The shards were his ticket to becoming a full demon. Tempest was ... Tempest. She was sleeping peacefully now. If the mutt had planned on rescuing her he would not be trying to hunt for the jewels. InuYasha was in his castle... Interesting. How kind of him to give me the advantage.
Kagome paced Kagura's quarters as she waited for the signal that was going to tell her and the others that they could proceed into Tempest's room and carry out their mission. The plan had become more detailed as they had flown from the forest to the castle and been settled within Kagura's rooms while she got Naraku out of the way.
It sounded more simple then it was. Kagura intended to tell Naraku that InuYasha had entered the castle grounds and was looking for an entrance, intent on getting Naraku's jewel shards. While he kept the bastard busy, it was up to Kagome, Sango, Miroku and Shippo to get Tempest, escape from Kagura, and leave. Without being caught by Naraku. If he caught them, they were screwed.
She heard hurried footsteps and voices in the hallway and waited until they had been gone a few minutes before opening the door. As long as Kagura and InuYasha could keep Naraku busy this would be a breeze. " Let's go. "
Tempests room was where Kagura had said it would be, which caused relief to flow through Kagome. It truly seemed that the wind sorceress was helping them. Good. Tempest lay on the bed and Kagome went over to her and shook her lightly. She stirred, her vision seeming to clear. A puzzled look crossed her face. " Kagome? What are you doing here? "
" Rescuing you. "
Tempest waved her hands around. What was she doing, trying to show off the furnature? The girl clearly had no sense of self preservation. Didn't she realize she was in the home of a walking time bomb? Naraku could decide to maim or kill her at any minute. Kagome shuddered, not bothering to look at the things Tempest was trying to show her.
" Allow me, lady Tempest. " Miroku lifted her up off the bed and the look on her face was priceless. She didn't slap him like Sango would have, but she did shoot him a rather dirty look.
Her task accomplished, Kagome led them back out to the hall and down the corridor that Kagura had shown them. There was a low moaning sound and Miroku dropped to the floor.
Tempest glared at her, her hands clenched into fists. " There is only one problem with all of this, Kagome. I don't want to be rescued! "
Damn.
" Fox fire! " Shippo became rope and Sango grabbed Tempest's hands, holding them behind her back so that he could secure himself.
" Too bad. " She liked Naraku? The girl was even more pathetic then she looked. " You're in more trouble then you realize. Oh, and don't struggle. That is Shippo that is holding your binds. If you hurt him I'll make Naraku seem like a care bear. "
A little lie never hurt now and then. Kagome doubted she could be that ruthless, but if the girl hurt Shippo things would not be pleasant. Now the success or failure of her plan depended on InuYasha. She only hoped he was alright...
Naraku moved silently through the halls of his home, his mind unable to fully focus on the task at hand. InuYasha wanted the Shikon no Tama. Tempest was hurt. Jewels, Tempest, jewels, Tempest. The two things he wanted most were at odds here and it did not make him happy. Breathing in the air he could smell the mutt's scent as it mingled with the candles on the walls. He was getting closer.
" Naraku, you worthless piece of spider shit. I wondered when I would run into you. " He turned his head to find InuYasha standing a few feet away from him, the Tetseiga raised in the air. He pulled the blade back, a sadistic smile crossing his face. He began to run forward, a cry of anger escaping him. " Oh, how I've waited for this! "
Naraku easily dodged the attack and reached down to where he kept Kagura's heart in his robes. He was about to squeeze it when an image of Tempest filled his mind. She could be in trouble. He had to get this over quickly and he could not use Kagura to do it. That would break his promise. Dammit!
Still, none of this was making sense. InuYasha did not even seem to be trying. How had he found the castle? And what would possess him to come here to battle for the shards? He didn't even seem to be trying to find them, and without that miko Kagome or Kikyo the bitch it would be like trying to find a specific grain of wheat. This was all wrong. It had to be.
As if the mutt had been reading his thoughts, he turned and started to run. Smart mutt. Had he just realized he might stand a better chance of living that way? Still wary despite all of this good fortune Naraku followed him as he made his way through a passage and into the courtyard. Someone had helped him get into the castle. The passage he had used was not an obvious choice. A traitor? But who?
A sound cut through the air and he cried out as a purified arrow was driven deep into the left of his chest. What the...? He looked up to see a pair of merciless brown eyes meeting his gaze. Kikyo.
The pain became secondary as he looked at her and shock registered in his brain. Nothing. Nada. Zip. She was gone from him. He gave her a cold smile as he pushed the arrow threw. " You have shot your last arrow. When I get my hands on you, I will make sure you stay dead. Really dead. "
" Wind scar! " There was a blast of energy and Naraku was nocked through the air. Had he been so engrossed in his emotions that he had forgotten about the mutt? He began to struggled to his feet as he heard the wretch's footsteps drawing nearer. Yet there was no attack, merely the same menacing smile.
" I'd go check on my guests if I were you, Naraku. One of them has been very, very naughty. "
Naraku was so puzzled about what InuYasha was saying that he barely felt the impect of the hanyou's foot as it connected with a sharp kick against his ribs. Without a word he and the undead bitch walked away, leaving him broken and bleeding in his own courtyard.
" Master! " Kagura's voice graited on his nerves as she approached him and rage welled over him so much that it was all he could do not to crush her heart to pieces in his palm. Useless woman! Where had she been while InuYasha had kicked the shit out of him? " Forgive me, for I bring great tidings of sorrow... Tempest is gone. "
Tempest had betrayed him! Oh when he got his hands on her... He shivered in anticipation. To think he had felt anything for her. She was no better then Kikyo. Who had it been for? The monk? Or perhaps another hopeless sap dying to win the heart of the mutt? He dug his claws into his palms until they were coated in blood. He would kill her for this. Hmm... No, that wouldn't work. She would be his. Forever. And Gods help anyone who was going to try and stop him.
Questions:
1. Naraku & Tempest visiting modern times for a chapter: love the idea or hate it?
2. I am debating whether to make Tempest half demon. This is not for certain yet, but if I do what animal should I mix her with? I'd love to hear your opinions. :)
End notes: What are Kagome and the others going to do with Tempest? How will she reacts when she learns the "truth" about Naraku? What will he do to her when he finds her? This and more as Naraku, Be Loved continues...