Naraku, Be Loved

Author's Notes: Yes, I know that this was desperately in need of an update. I have been working on it, its just been in spurts. This chapter is a lot longer then those that have proceeded it. I really like this chapter, even though I found it very difficult to write. I wanted to show that Naraku is not going soft but that he is beginning to grow more attached to Tempest. There was so much I wanted to put in this chapter and there was just no way to do it all so if I have missed an experience you wish you had witnessed Naraku experiencing in the future I am sorry. chuckles If people like this maybe these two can do this again.

Warning: There is some partial lemon in this chapter when Naraku and Tempest are together in the bath. If you do not like this sort of thing skip past that section of the story or just don't read it. For those who -do- like lemony stuff my apologies if it is bad because it is my first time writing this sort of thing in a public work. I am going to indicate here and now that I do intend to have at least one full lemon scene in this fic. I thought it was going to be in this chapter but the characters dictated otherwise. At any rate, you have all been warned. Thank you for reading this notice.

Chapter Five: True Colors

Tempest's hands rested on either side of the white seashell shaped sink as she peered wearily into the large vaniety mirror that faced her. The day from hell had finally lulled enough to give her -- and Naraku -- one piece of good fortune: Nana Susan was staying at her Tokyo suites. If there was ever a time she'd needed her 'mother', it was definately now. Not only was the woman a healer of legend, but she had a knack for reading people that bordered on being psychic.

She removed the damaged kimono and let it drop to the floor as she tried to remain calm in assessing her injuries. Oh yeah, hollywood stunt people had nothing on her. Being around Naraku could warrent signing a waiver. Luckily her guts weren't spewing. Instead she had a strange glowing thing pressed against her stomach like some kind of psychadelic belly button ring. Naraku had said it would help and he'd definately been right. Still, no tummy tops while she looked like she was wearing jewelry designed to be warn at a 4th of July bash. Darn it.

She heard the door begin to open and busied herself with splashing some water on her face in attempt to lessen the stinging burn that had been caused by her closeness with the draconic demon. She felt hands on her shoulders and glancing in the mirror again she saw Naraku studying her face as if looking to find her resentment. Too bad for him that it wasn't there.

" How are you feeling? " He continued to massage her neck and shoulders as he watched her. He looked lost and sad, making Tempest wonder whether he had felt more pain then she had during the whole mess.

" You fixed my chest; I don't feel anything there. My stomach feels odd with that thing you put in it -- "

" A jewel shard. Please don't lose it. "

" Uh-huh... Whatever that is... Anyway, it doesn't feel like I'm going to fall to pieces... " She noticed that he bit his bottom lip when she said that, " Um... sorry, I mean ... "

" No, go on. I'm the one who keeps saying I want the truth. "

" Well it feels strange but its not sore, which is good. Mostly its my back that is still stinging like hell and my skin is irratated from being exposed to the intense heat that came out of the dragon. " He brushed his lips against her neck, bestowing her with the lightest of kisses, and she sighed in contentment. If Naraku required a waiver, she would be the first in line to sign it.

" Susan seems to be a very interesting woman. Good taste in bath styles too, from the looks of that tub. " Where was he going with this? Turning from the mirror when he let go of her she watched as he turned on the taps and set the water to a temperature he seemed to find pleasing. He turned to look at her, his dark red gaze meeting her puzzled brown one. He slowly began to remove his clothes.

Oh, baby! Tempest stood in open-mouthed awe as she watched him, admiring the sleek muscles of his body and the becoming contrast of his silky black hair as it brushed against his pale skin. Looking down she saw that every part of the man was worthy of awe and heat crept up her neck and into her cheeks. Only then remembering her own nudity she felt her whole body begin to blush and instinctively her legs pressed together as she squirmed slightly, uncertain of how to face the raw sexuality of the man before her. Yukio, he was not. When she looked at him again he wore a becoming smile that made her wonder if he could tell just what the sight of him was doing to her. Somebody get me a fan...

" Bathe with me. " He walked into the oversized pool of a tub, the water stopping a few inches below his shoulders. She stood where she was, too shocked to move. Did she want to do this? He could lose control again, and every time it seemed to get worse. He held his hand out, waiting for her at the bottom of the steps then sank down into the water. He frowned slightly, the change in his expression making her all the more nervous. " Please. "

She silently watched as he slipped beneath the water. Very funny, she thought, he wants me to rescue him. Yet it was beginning to take to long. Did he know how to swim? Had the water been hotter then he'd expected? Had he slipped? Finally her worries overshadowed her reservations about getting into the bath with him and she let herself sink into the tub's warm depths. Boy was he gonna hear about it for making her worry like this...

Naraku smiled as she entered the tub. He didn't need to watch her to tell she was coming closer. The very scent of her arousal made that perfectly clear. Yet he also smelt a strong dose of fear. Why? Was it for him or of him? She had seemed quite apprehensive about getting into the water with him, and that had hurt. It would be set right. After this, Tempest would be the one asking. Warmth filled him at the thought as he swam silently toward her.

" Naraku...? " She sounded more worried now then she had in the tree. Not wanting to upset her but still wanting to keep the element of surprise he swam silently until he was behind her, then wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her under the water with him.

She struggled fiercely, seeming to think he wanted to drown her. It made him want to laugh but the prospect of swallowing bath water was not appealing so he settled for bringing them up to the surface again, still holding her tight against his body. She swayed against him, innocent and yet very seductive, and he felt his desire for her increase. If he got to the point of wanting her much more he might lose himself completely.

" You jerk, I can't swim! " Ignoring her scolding tone he laughed softly in her ear and then kissed the lobe of it before moving his mouth down her neck, trailing kisses where the mood struck him to leave them. His left hand held her close to his body while he reached up with his right, brushing a claw over one of her nipples lightly until it was firm and then turning his attention to the other. " What are you... "

" Give me your trust. " He pushed her hair over her shoulder and traced a caress over one of the wounds on her back with his tongue. The sting of the poison he had injected her with made it burn but he ignored the pain to himself as he watched the wound close properly. He lowered his free hand from her breasts, gliding it gently down her tummy until he found himself brushing against the soft curls gathered between her legs. He ran his fingers through them and felt her shiver against him. " I want to remove every memory of what happened, but that wouild be wrong. Instead, let me make a memory that will leave what has been done a mere shadow. "

He licked a few more gashes on her back, continuing to tease her so that her mind would not be drawn to the places on her body that he was healing. Yes, that is why I am doing this. He reminded himself firmly. Unable to maintain his calm fascade he allowed himself to slide a finger into her, careful not to hurt her with his claws. Moist heat welcomed him as he explored her. Tight. Perfect. His. He growled deep in his throat as the last thought came to him. Yes, she was his. She had given herself to him of her own free will.

Sure that she had grown accustomed to his touch he slid another finger into her, finding every sensitive space she possessed and teasing each until she had let her head fall back to rest against his shoulders. Her mouth opened slightly and she murmured incoherent sounds of pleasure, her eyes closing as he continued to touch and tease her, wanting to see her face glow with radiance as he prepared to claim her.

Somebody help me! The scream was high pitched and rang through his ears violently, so that he almost eached up to cover them instead of continuing what he was doing. No! Stop! Please! Oh, God, someone help!

Tempest felt like she was in another world where only sensation existed. She was beginning to have trouble telling where she ended and Naraku started, her body pressing against him until they were practically molded into one being. She was not the only one who was responding to what he was doing. His errection continued to brush against her hip as if demanding to make its presence known. She breathed in and was greeted by his scent; exotic, masculine and forbidden. InuYasha had seemed to be wrinkling his nose when he'd scented Naraku on her, but there was nothing unpleasant about the man sending waves of heat coursing through her blood.

A dark malevolence swept into the room and caused her body to numb and her muscles to tense. She opened her eyes slowly, not wanting to make him stop but knowing that such a sensation could only mean one thing: trouble. Sighing she shrugged out of his embrace, her demeanor serious. " This will have to wait. "

" What? Tempest, you can't just... "

Ignoring his protests she got out of the tub and was drying off before he had finished speaking. " I sense danger nearby. Someone is in danger. "

" So? Its not you, that's for certain. And if there is anything evil in this city it pales next to me. Come back into the water. " He continued to stand where he had been all along, as if he was certain she would do as he said. When she didn't he frowned. " Weren't you enjoying yourself? "

" Yes! But I can't relax enough to let anyone touch me with this aura in here. I'm going to find out what's going on. I sense violence and a child. My skills aren't as good as Nan's, but I'm not totally useless. Are you coming or staying here? "

" You think I'd let you take off by yourself? No way. " He got out of the tub and she felt heat rise to her cheeks again as she watched him move slowly to where the towels were kept and start to dry off. " Your clothes are over there. Hurry up before I change my mind. "

Tempest did as he said, pulling on the low riding blue jeans with tiny yellow butterfly patches and the pale pink peasant tummy top sitting on the clothes rack. Oh shit, this was going to look so silly. Glancing down she noticed that the jewel was not doing the day-glo thing anymore. Whew. Slipping into her sandals she turned to see how Naraku was fairing, only to feel like her jaw was going to drop to the floor.

Nan had definately gone shopping while they had rested, and Nan was kinda kinky for her age. In typical fashion she had chosen a pair of black leather pants and a dark purple silk shirt for Naraku and a good pair of leather sandals, definately imported from somewhere in Europe. They looked somewhat ... interesting ... contrasted with the slight claws of his toes. " Ready? "

" Get over here. We're taking a short cut. " When she joined him he picked her up and jumped out of the balcony window, using the landings on various appartments to get them to the bottom before taking off in a dead run.

" Naraku, you don't even know where we're going! "

He chuckled, the sound cold and somewhat unnerving as he kept going. " Of course I do. I heard her about ten minutes before you noticed anything. "

Please let him be joking, she thought as goosebumps went up and down her arms. He wouldn't have done anything about this? How terrible. The landed on a rooftop and looking down she could see a burly man looming over a small dark haired girl who was backed up against a wall.

" Damned thief! " Punch. " How dare you try to steal from me. I'm gonna take it out of your hide you worthless little bitch. "

" He's lucky I suffer from loss of sensation... " Tempest muttered as she reached for her cards. Naraku grabbed her hand before she could. " Huh? "

" Where's the problem? "

Tempest glared at him, annoyed that he would start asking pointless questions at a time like this. He met her stare, his expression relentless. " Left arm, right leg. Why? "

He grabbed her hand and she felt him press something against her wrist, causing a warmth to overcome her. To her eyes it looked like a floral tatoo. Reaching down he lifted the leg of her pants and did something similar to her leg. She felt the world seem to shift as strength slammed into her body, her adrenilene starting to skyrocket. " How's that? "

" What -- "

" Go, before he kills that kid. " A high pitched wailing sound filled her ears as the little girl screamed in pain.

She didn't know what the jerk had done to the kid, but man was he going to pay for it. Without thinking of her fear of heights she lept from the ledge of the building, landing in a crouch in the alleyway below.

" Who's there? " The man turned to face her, giving her a bird's eye view of his hate-filled black eyes and contemteous sneer. She disliked him more by the minute, cruelty seeming to poor from his very skin.

" I am Tempest. Now tell me, what has she done? " She asked, keeping her voice light and casual. Maybe she could do this without violence. The kid didn't need to witness any more of that really.

" She thought it would be smart to pocket a box of Kraft Dinner. " He made it sound like the kid had committed murder. " Nobody steals from my store. "

" Wait a minute ... You're telling me she didn't even leave your store? " She felt her body beginning to shake as she tried to process what he was saying, her grip on her temper wearing thinner by the minute. " And you ... "

Naraku listened to the confrontation from his perch on the rooftop. What was with Tempest? He had thought she might be some kind of child protection zealot when she had refused to stay with him in the bath. But this wasn't just someone trying to play the hero... There was something in her voice that made this seem like it was personal.

But that was impossible. She's said that Susan was her grandmother, and the woman was clearly loaded. No doubt Tempest had grown up with the best of everything. He felt something unfurling itself from inside him, recognizing it as Onigumo's presence. His thoughts had left a way for the pathetic human's spirit to make its way to the surface. Dammit, that bastard was hurting what was likely a mostly innocent girl ... She'd probably been starving! He floated down to the ground, landing without making a sound.

" I'm teaching her a valuable life lesson. "

Naraku placed a hand on Tempest's shoulder, giving the man a cold smile that did not reach his eyes. " I want you to take the girl and leave. I will finish the conversation with this kindly merchant. "

" M-m-monster! " The little girl's statement surprised him. Monster? Close but not quite, he thought wryly. He stared in shock as she bit down on the man's arm, forcing him to let go of her. " Mister, I think you're in big trouble. "

To her credit, Tempest took the girl and left. Much better; she was beginning to learn when to listen. He turned to face the store owner, still remaining perfectly calm. " Tell me ... How many times have you provided a child with such a ... fine ... education? "

" Ten, maybe twelve of 'em. Why? "

Naraku felt his stomach begin to roll, remembering why he rarely let the human parts of him go to the surface during a confrontation. This bastard ... He managed to keep his face calm as he looked at the man. " Well, today the tables turn. "

He allowed tentacles to shoot from his body, amusement flooding him at the man's shocked expression. It took no real effort to get ahold of him and he stood there for a moment, just looking at the guy, trying to understand. " You! What the hell are you? "

" I was once Onigumo, a starving thief who took so many beatings by bastards like you that I became crippled and lost the ability to move. Then I allowed demons to devour my flesh and became as you see me now. " He allowed his more demonic features to become fully present and could smel fearl rolling off of the man he held in his grasp. He squeezed harder with his tentacles, allowing sharp barbs to grow from them and pierce his skin. " My name is Naraku. Fear me, for you stare into the eyes of death. "

" L-l-let go of me! " He let the man try to struggle, rewarding each attempt with more pain from the tentacles. Squeezing harder, her heard a loud cracking sound as the man's ribs were crushed. " Jesu- "

Another tentacle shot out from Naraku and he guided it so that it went straight through the man's stomach. " You are so foul that I don't want to consume you. The very scent of your blood sickens me. Time to end this... "

" No. God, please! Don't kill me! I swear -- "

Managing not to laugh Naraku shot a final tentacle from his body, wrapping it around the man's neck. He twisted it once, smiling as he heard muscles and bones snap. Recalling the tentacles he let the man's body drop to the ground, taking care to step over it as he left the alley. No sense in dirtying the sandals Susan had given him when he planned on spending the day with Tempest.

He made his way down the street, following her scent. But it was the little girl's voice that drew him to their location. " That man is bad, Tempest. Don't let him eat us. "

He could hear Tempest's laughter and shivered at the irony. He had just spoken of why he wouldn't comsume the man he had just killled. Tempest likely had no idea that there were demons who might comsume human flesh. Although it was demons he tended to want merged with his body.

" Naraku is not bad at all, Molly. He is my friend. He saved you, too. " Tempest's voice remained soft and calm despite the panic he could feel radiating from her. This was her time, and she probably didn't want a scene.

He walked up behind her, placing his hands on her shoulders and bringing his mouth close to her neck. He watched the little girl's eyes widden and deliberately scraped his fangs against Tempest's skin, following them with his tongue. After breathing the smell of death, her light flowery smell was a welcome change.

He could smell the blood that was rushing to her cheeks. Brushing a few kisses against her neck he let go of her and began to walk toward the little girl. She proceeded to hide behind Tempest's legs and stick her tongue out at him. " I don't like you. "

Well this was a first. Didn't someone have to do something to make someone dislike them? Shaking his head Naraku lowered himself on one knee and held his hand out. " Come on, I don't bite ... much. "

Tempest laughed and slowly pried Molly's fingers away from her legs. " If you two can be friends we could go and get some lunch, Molly. "

Naraku almost argued that the girl was in no condition but then noticed that the bruises on her face had been removed, and she was dressed in a brand new outfit. Apparently Tempest had not wasted any time while he'd had his chat with the bastard in the alley.

The little girl looked at him and then looked down, as if trying to decide. She has good survival instincts, he thought as he watched her. And obviously something else... What does she see? He frowned as he noticed just how scrawny she actually was. As much as he knew Tempest was trying to get her to accept him, she was not playing fair dangling food as a reward for it.

" I will go and look at that shop that has swords in the window while you two eat. " His decission made he rose to his full height and carefully crossed the street the way he had observed others doing, making his way toward the shop.

Lunch, a visit to the local mall to buy a slew of Barbie dolls, and several hours later Tempest sat at the vanity in her second story bedroom window getting ready to go out for the evening. It was going to be fun taking Naraku to the local club that she and Susan held partnership in. Being from the fourteenth century, she was certain he would be surprised at what it was like, to say the least.

The door opened and her 'mother' walked in, her greying hair failing to deminish the elgance of her otherwise youthful and lithe figure. It was amazing what a good diet and a little magic could do. " Your friend is waiting and the child is settled in and playing with her new toys. Are you ready? "

" Yes. " Pulling a pink silk wrap around her shoulders she turned to face Susan, her expression becoming less anxious when the other woman smiled. " What do you think of him? "

" He is part demon, but so is the child. You're setting yourself up for a hell of a lot of changes, but he seems very loyal to you. I think you have chosen well. "

" Thank you. " Kissing her mother on the cheek Tempest left the room and headed for the front hall, doubting that Naraku would be thrilled if she left him waiting any longer.

It did not take long for them to reach their destination in Susan's little red Firebird and as the car drove out of sight Tempest gestured toward the cozy little building with "Sparky's" written on a sign in bright red lettering with a hint of pride. " C'mon, I told Joe I was bringing someone and he's gonna kill me if we don't get in there soon. "

She noticed a look of alarm and a hint of smoldering anger light Naraku's eyes and burst out laughing, her amusement only increasing when he managed to grumble " What? "

" I did not mean that litterally! " Linking arms with him she lead him through the front door to keep him front coming up with a comeback. Ah, home. She and Susan owned three "Sparky's" in total; one near each of their homes around the globe, but this was probably her favorite. Specializing in North American culture for those who felt a little overwhelmed by their experience of the Orient, the pubs did very well.

Without warning she found herself the recipient of a crushing embrace. " Hey! "

" Uh... J-joe... " She managed to get the man to loosen his grip on her and sucked in a big breath of air, wondering if her ribs were all still intact. At least it had been her and not Susan he had bear-hugged. " This is my friend, Naraku. "

She noticed then the expression that Naraku wore and felt goosebumps going up and down her arms. Whoa, don't kill my star employee! She patted his arm reassuringly, breathing a sigh of relief when he finally shook Joe's hand. " Good evening. "

" Well c'mon, you two. I saved you the best seats in the house. Hey, Tempest. You think you're gonna do any performing tonight? " It was almost a matter of tradition at this point. Tempest had played guitar and sang almost from day one that she had started living with Susan. Right up until the trip to Venice when she had lost the use of her right hand. Yet now her fingers almost itched as she remembered the shard she was wearing, and glancing down she saw that the fingers of her normally dorment hand were rubbing together.

A grin lighting her face she lifted her hand to show Joe. " What do you think? "

" I'll get your guitar and tell the band. " Joe said, running off and leaving her alone with Naraku, who looked very puzzled.

" What the -- "

" Before I lost use of my hand I played in a band. You don't mind, do you? That I am going to use the shard to play? "

He smiled at her and she felt like she was walking on air. His expression gre more serious as he lifted her hand, bringing it to his mouth and kissing her knuckles. " Just take it easy up there. When the shard is removed your body will respond to whatever you do to it. "

" Okay. ...Three songs, then? "

He shrugged and she felt like she could strangle him. He had a lot of nerve telling her something like that and then not seeming to care whether she hurt herself. " I don't know anything about your 'guitar'. The jewel shard will make you think you are invincible. JUst remember that you aren't. "

When Joe called her on stage Tempest picked up her guitar with trembling fingers. Three years without this and now she had one chance to play, maybe one chance only. The shards belong to Naraku, she thought as she quietly tuned the instrument, almost weeping at the intensity of the emotions swirling inside her head at the cold strings beneath her fingers. She counted each, plucking it. One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. Such a miracle.

Satisfied that she still remembered how to play she began an introduction for her first song, 'Near You Always', wondering what Naraku would think of the lyrics only after she had began singing the first lines. " Please don't say I love you. Those words touch me much too deeply. And baby, my core trembles. Don't think you realize the effect you have over me... "

Just what kind of song is this? Naraku watched Tempest's smiling face with puzzlement as she sang the completely bizzarre lyric, her fingers moving in what seemed almost a lover's caress over the stringed instument held up by a strap across her shoulder. When she finally got to the last of it he smiled, realizing that the song was about someone who did not want to admit how in love they were. Is she singing to me?

Her next song was a little faster, her fingers moving with expertise as she played the melody of the music against her vocals, telling the audience it was called "Kiss the Flame". When this song was finished the crowd burst into applause. Only when they stopped did she speak again, her eyes looking somewhat shiny. He could not blame her: it was clear she loved doing this and what was happening could not remain. He needed the shards -- all of the shards, he reminded himself firmly -- to become a full demon. There was no way he could let her keep one to play this guitar thing.

" ... Love is a flame neither timid nor tame. Take these stars from my crown, let the years fall down. Lay me out in firelight, let my skin feel the night. Fasten me to your side, say it will be soon. You make me so crazy baby, could swallow the moon... "

Her eyes did not leave him as she sang, the song had been said to be called "Jupiter" but Naraku had decided that The Song That Will Drive The Man About To Become Your Mate Insane would have been much more appropriate, the lyric so erotic that he could barely sit still in his chair as she went on. How was she able to sing this publicly? He glanced around and noticed that another man in the corner was watching her with much to rapt attention for his liking, causing a growl to escape him. They would definately have to have a talk about "Jupiter" when she got off stage.

Tempest smiled softly as the crowd applauded her final song and lifted her guitar away from herself, the shouts of "Encore!" not lost on her, but her agreement with Naraku very fresh in her mind. She was coming down the steps fine, and the next moment she was on the ground, pain racing up her good leg and making her feel dizzy.

" Bravo. " The moment the man spoke she knew he had tripped her. But worse still was the fear, the knowledge that she would recognize his voice anywhere. What the hell is Yukio doing here?

She tried to get up but her guitar was on top of her and he was holding it there, the power of the shards useless to her since she was pinned. " What do you want? "

He reached down and pulled the jewel shard out of her arm, lifting it to his face and examining it before putting it in his pocket. Her hand dropped to the ground and he stepped on her fingers, her only indication that he had broken them the sickening crack of her knuckles as they popped from the pressure. " That will do, I think. "

Tempest looked down at her hand and then wished she hadn't, her stomach rolling in protest at the mangled mess of bones and flesh. Where was Naraku? She noticed the door to the men's bathroom open and he stepped out. Yukio had timed his attack.

The first thing Naraku smelled upon leaving the bathroom was blood. Tempest's blood, he clarified after taking in another breath. What the hell had happened? He noticed Joe helping her up and the moment he saw the wounds that had been done to her hand his anger began to grow.

" Are you alright? " He asked as he sat next to her. It was a stupid question -- clearly she had been hurt -- but it was meant more to show his concern then to actually determine the condition of her health. " Who did this? "

Silence.

" Tempest, who did this? "

" Please don't ask me that. "

Continuing to examine her hand he noticed that the tatoo on her arm had disappeared. He looked up at her, rage beginning to take the place of anger now. " You will tell me, because whoever did this has one of my jewel shards. Or did that slip your attention? "

" You care more about that then about me. " It wasn't a question and he didn't bother answering. Whoever had done this, Tempest was protecting them, which made no sense. When I find you, you worthless bastard, I am going to rip out your throat for doing this to her. And for making her doubt me.

Why would she protect her attacker? She seemed to only have a close knit group of friends from what she had ever talked about, and none of them ... Wait. A cold shiver ran down Naraku's spine as the scent of demonic aura and Tempest was carried on the breeze. Whoever had done this hadn't been stupid enough to leave, and judging from the smell of the man and the scent of an old sweater he had found in Tempest's rooms earlier Naraku had a good idea who had done this.

Yukio... But why...? She still dreams of you. He turned to look at Tempest, now seeing the pain that most wouldn't notice because they were too busy worrying over the damage to her hand. " Joe, get her ass to a hospital regardless of any damn protest she gives you and tell the staff to get that hand fixed. Make sure they know her fiance and Susan will be there shortly. I have something to take care of and then I'll be with you. "

" Naraku, you can't do this to me. Just let him go. "

" Never. " He walked over to her, his arms wrapping around her and his mouth coming down to possessively claim hers. He ran his tongue against the lobe of her ear, not caring if they had an audience. " He will never hurt you again. I give you my word. "

" Naraku, please -- "

He kissed her again and then turned to walk away, looking at Joe to make sure the man understood him perfectly. " Get her to a doctor and don't you dare let her talk you into doing anything else. "

Tempest watched as Naraku walked out of the pub and into the night. Dear God this was a disaster. Not only was he likely going to get himself in a bunch of legal trouble, but the one who'd set him off this time was Yukio. She had caused him enough pain already; he did not need Naraku attacking him.

He will never hurt you again.

The words shimmered in her mind. A vow. A promise. Naraku was not one to make idle threats and she was not worried about him being safe. The phrase continued to plague her thoughts as Joe got into his car with her and buckled her in on the passenger side, racing off in the direction of the nearest hospital. If Naraku had his way with Yukio the way Tempest feared he had with the man in the alley...

That's what I'm afraid of... A final shudder racing through her body, Tempest gave up trying to figure out a way to stop him and allowed her body to succomb to sleep. Her dreams were relentless as she envisioned a battle between the two loves she'd had in her life. Only one thing puzzled her: why did Yukio look like he had fangs?

End Notes: What is the truth about Yukio? Is Naraku more angry about Tempest's injuries or losing a jewel shard? Does Tempest still love Yukio? Can anything be done for her hand? This and more when Naraku, Be Loved continues.