Disclaimer: I only claim my family, the junk cluttering my room, and my boyfriend who is currently an ocean away. None of that covers Inuyasha. (Though it does cover this really awesome year's supply of Inuyasha calendars...1...)
Chapter 15 How Young and Innocent you Were!
...Kohaku's Journey...
"I can take you no further than this, Yoshi," Kohaku said through clenched teeth. "The castle is just ahead. Straight in front of you. Follow in a few days." Kohaku stormed off, following quickly behind Kagura's image.
"You sure you want to do this, Shippo?" Yoshi asked as the boy was out of sight. "You could just turn around now." Shippo shook his head.
"No way!" he declared strongly, "If Kagome's in there, I won't be discouraged!"
"Strong spirit for such a tiny runt," Yoshi muttered under his breath.
"Why are you always calling me that?" Shippo shouted. "I'm not a runt!"
"Yes you are!"
"No I'm not!"
"Are!"
"Are Not!" The two growled at one another, grinding their foreheads together.
"Who's making all that noise!" called a female voice from somewhere nearby. The notes struck a chord in Shippo's memory. Though he couldn't quite place where.
From nowhere, a girl jumped into view. She wore red-black armor and had her hair pulled into pigtails with red holders. She was about to scold the two of them, but recognized them both.
"Yoshi!" she exclaimed, throwing her arms about his neck and jumping un and down giddily. "It's been so long!" Yoshi choked.
"Get offa me, wouldja!" Yoshi protested. She did, looking upon Shippo and blushing.
"Ship...po.." she smiled. The fox demon turned a bright shade of red.
"Do I kn-know you?" he asked. The young girl laughed.
"Surely you remember me!" she insisted. Shippo shook his head.
"No, can't say that I do," he responded, scratching his scalp. The girl's expression went sour.
"You can't be serious," she said through gritted teeth. "You honestly can't recall the last living member of the thunder demon tribe?" she shouted. Shippo fell over backward.
...At Sesshomaru's Castle...
"Kai-dono!" Rin exclaimed, finding the neko-youkai in his bed early the next morning. He turned over in his sleep, pulling a pillow over his head. Kaira passed by then, catching an over ambitious Rin as she tried to run to her twin brother.
"Whoa-whoa-whoa," Kaira said lowly, carrying Rin out of the room and closing the door with her foot. "Let's let him sleep, he's tired." Rin looked up at Kaira.
"Where was Kai yesterday and last night?" Rin asked Kaira. The handmaid put her charge down.
"He went home to visit," she answered. "Hadn't been there in seven years. I'm going, too, later this afternoon after I catch up on his chores for him. Until he wakes up, anyway." Rin looked at Kai's closed door.
"Before you start working," Rin requested, "will you come with me to my garden. The cherry blossoms are beginning to fall. Kai used to always dance in the petals with me." Kaira thought a while.
"I've got an idea."
...x...
Kai's nose tickled. He rubbed at it absently in his sleep only for the side of his hand to be met by a sharp stinger.
"Ow!" he shouted, bringing himself from sleep. A sakura blossom drifted in front of his face as he looked up from his ouching hand. Further out, Kaira and Rin ran about, trying to catch as many blossoms as they could in Kaira's apron. Rin stole a backward glance and saw Kai awake. Her entire face brightened and she ran toward him, tackling him against the tree.
"Kai-chan!" she shouted as his back hit the bark.
"That's a lot better than a honey bee," Kai said half-asleep. He let out his silent cat's yawn. "But must you screech?" Kaira laughed from her place, walking toward them.
"Too much sake, brother?" she jeered. Kai held his index finger and thumb close together.
"Just a little," he mouthed as Rin squiggled against him. Kaira smiled and looked to the castle.
"I'll catch up on your chores a bit, Kai," Kaira offered. "Just come in and tell me when Rin's had enough of your out-all-night butt." Kai yawned again, not answering. His sister smiled. "See you Rin."
"Ok, Kaira, thanks!" Kai groaned at her sudden shout. "Oops," Rin whispered. "Sorry, Kai." The leopard youkai leaned against the tree.
"How did I get here?" Kai asked, letting his eyelids close. Rin shook him a little.
"No, no, Kai," Rin whispered. "Stay awake."
"I'm up, I'm up," Kai responded, his eyes opening a little. He yawned yet again.
"Kaira carried you out here this morning; it's a past midday now," Rin informed. Kai nodded, letting his eyelids drop again.
"That's nice," he yawned. Rin punched him as hard as she could in the shoulder. "Ow!" Kai complained, completely opening his eyes and looking at the eleven-year-old. "That hurt you little thing!" he smiled. Rin grinned.
"Kai-chan, you must stay awake," she informed. "That way, we can play in the garden for a little while before Sesshomaru-sama comes back." Kai slumped against the tree again, this time without letting his eyelids droop.
"Sesshomaru-sama, eh?" he replied. "What's Ol' Fluffy want this time?" Rin laughed. Ol' Fluffy was Kai and Rin's secret nickname for lord Sesshomaru.
"I'm not sure, but get up, Kai-chan!" she begged. Kai put his hands on either side of her waist, lifting her as he stood. When he had risen completely to his feet, he walked a few paces from the tree, still carrying Rin in front of him. He stopped, letting Rin on her feet, his hands still on her waist. "Are you ready?" he asked.
"Ready for what?" Rin asked. Kai smiled.
"This!" he answered, lifting the girl again and spinning her in fast circles. Rin kept her hands on Kai's arms, squeezing his biceps as he spun her one way to the next; giggling like a fiend. Kai let her down and the dizzy girl toppled to the ground in a fit of laughter. She looked to the servant who also fell to sit on the ground. Sakura blossoms fell all around the pair as they laughed.
"That was fun!" Rin smiled. "Rin liked that!" Kai gave her a comical look. "I'm only playing, Kai-chan!" she smiled.
...x...
"Are you serious?" Miroku asked. Sango nodded. "How long!" The woman looked away.
"Three weeks," she said shyly. Miroku was stunned into silence, leaving his wife in worry. Miroku shook his head.
"This is unforgivable; why hadn't you told me sooner?" he asked. Sango blushed.
"I didn't want to get your hopes up..." she trailed. Miroku beamed.
"This is wonderful!" he exclaimed. "I'm going to be a father!" he shouted in glee.
"So you told him about your blood not coming," Kaira interrupted from the door. "I'm so glad he knows."
"Kaira," Miroku acknowledged, "I see you're responsible for her finally telling me."
"Me?" she paused. "Of course not. Although, I was the first to notice." Sango looked to the servant.
"I never even told you," Sango declared.
"It's hard to hide these things from a demon," Kaira beamed, "I've known longer than you."
...x...
Kai entered the library where Sesshomaru stood in wait for him. Needless to say, the inu-taiyoukai wasn't happy with Kai's late disappearance. His emotions were masked as they always were, however, and he waited within his silent coldness for Kai to close the door.
"You sent for me?" Kai opened. Sesshomaru paused for a while.
"Where were you yesterday?" Sesshomaru asked in his icy tone. Kai's demeanor held no change.
"I went home for a while," Kai answered promptly. "Had some loose ends to tie up."
"Shouldn't their lord take care of that?" he asked. Kai choked back the impulse to say what he kept to himself inside of Sesshomaru's palace for so long. Sesshomaru knew that Kai lead the army, that he was warlord, but Kai was ruler, too.
"Can't expect someone in that position take care of my business, now can I?" Kai nearly hissed. "What is your job for me, Sesshomaru-sama?"
"I want you to look into an artifact for me," Sesshomaru answered, ignoring Kai's sarcastic way of saying 'sama.' "It's something of a negative Shikon no Tama," he continued. "Made of complete malice."
"Nothing like that exists," Kai countered. "There are a few artifacts that manipulate the mind into darkness, but none of them have the same properties as the jewel of four souls."
"Are you certain?"
"I am. In all my studies, I've found nothing like what you're speaking of." Sesshomaru began to leave the library, he paused next to Kai, the whites of his eyes turning red.
"Look into it anyway."
...Naraku's Castle...
"Kohaku, have you learned anything of Kagura's whereabouts," Naraku asked within the council. Kagome was sitting beside him, her sash was a bit loose to make room for her growing stomach. Kohaku tried to ignore it and nodded.
"She went to Sesshomaru's castle," he answered simply. "She even managed to get inside and have a personal council with him." Kohaku paused, looking down at his hands as they rested on his knees. "Although, I have no idea how she managed that."
"It's very easy," Kagome said with no expression. Her eyes were deep red in the irises. Kohaku knew this without looking. "Sesshomaru is in love with her."
Naraku grinned.
"That is likely," Kohaku surmised. "What should we do about it?" Naraku's grin grew wider.
"I will take care of it," Naraku replied.
...xX...A few days later...Xx...
Kohaku peered around the corner at the woman he spent so much time with. He was sad, to say the very least, because he knew that deep down there was nothing he could do to end Naraku. There was nothing he could do to make the child within Kagome stop growing. It didn't stop him from wanting it to happen. At night he would try to think of ways, but they would all just end up hurting Kagome and getting himself killed. That wouldn't do -he had to be there for her. It was the least he could do.
"What are you doing?" whispered a voice from behind him. Kohaku turned sharply to greet the speaker, weapon already drawn, but he saw no one there. "Up here." The boy looked up the near-standing wall where the tree branches would overhang. Sure enough, a pair of rusty crimson eyes met him.
"So, you made it past the barrier just fine," Kohaku greeted coldly. The other yawned in response as though he were bored with the castle defenses already.
"No earthly barrier can deny me entry," Yoshi responded. He looked where Kohaku had been spying. "So, that's Kagome, I take it," he surmised. No clear expression was made apparent in his voice. "Naraku certainly wastes no time."
"Yeah, and it's all your fault," Kohaku accused. Yoshi chose to ignore the statement, but it still hurt to some small degree.
"There's nothing I can do about the pregnancy," Yoshi said to Kohaku. "The kid didn't do anything, and I can see he has an important role to play later." Kohaku couldn't imagine anything that creature could accomplish other than misery.
"Oh, so now you have morals," Kohaku nearly spat. "Don't try to dazzle me with your hypocrisy."
"Everybody's a critic," Yoshi huffed under his breath. "It matters not what you think of me, Kohaku. Now be quiet so that I may observe."
...xXx...
"Kagome," Naraku greeted from the shadows. He spooked the woman with his sudden, though quiet call. She shivered, but managed to smile.
"Naraku-sama," she returned, nodding courtly. "Is everything to your liking today?" Naraku let out a breath of a laugh, his sarcastic-looking smile lingering on his face.
"Speaking to me as a servant, my Kagome?" he observed, bemused. "Why so?" The woman put her hands on her growing belly.
"I just," she started, "I just wanted to know if you were having a good day so far." The question was odd to Naraku to say the least. This human tenderness of Kagome's sometimes annoyed him...but not presently. His smile remained, and it made him look like he was working on some plot in his mind, though he was not.
"A good day, Kagome-chan?" he asked in return, his expression reverting to its normal, vacant self. "It seems that everything has been in its place, if that's what you are asking."
"But does it please you?" she pressed. Naraku's sarcastic smile returned, and he turned and walked toward the castle. Kagome followed him instinctively.
The two came upon Kagome's quarters, the latter closing the door behind herself. When she turned around to face Naraku, he was no longer standing there. She looked about, bewildered. When she stole a glance to her right, Naraku was there, already wrapping his arms about her waist. She let out a surprised noise as he leaned in, kissing her neck. She calmed herself, though she could not control her breathing.
"This pleases me," he whispered before kissing her neck once more, twice more; thrice more, working his way down her collarbone. His hands loosened her kimono as he worked to expose the bare skin of her shoulder. His lips felt, with hunger and lust, the small raised scars where her collarbone met her shoulder. His arms tightened about her as he whispered, "and this." Another kiss atop the scars, "and this." There was a pause. Naraku could feel Kagome's heart racing when he bit into her, could hear her scream when he tore through her skin. Her blood filled his mouth, still as sweet as the first time...
...Naraku secluded himself in his chambers that day, knowing full well that Kagome would probably come looking for him if she didn't see him after her sparing session with Kohaku. Of course, it wouldn't appear that she were seeking him, because she didn't want anyone knowing what was going on. She didn't want it known because she thought it was some kind of secret. Of course, it was a secret, but she seemed to forget Naraku's ability to brainwash.
All of the human girl's precautions and quirks pleased Naraku. Or was it that they amused him? Sometimes he wasn't sure himself.
That was not the point. The point was that Naraku was avoiding her and he knew full well that Kagome would never dare enter his chambers because she was afraid of the signals it could send. Naraku was glad for this, since today he was struggling with his human desires toward her. Onigumo was really becoming a nuisance...
Naraku was snapped out of his trance by a tapping on his window. Aggravated, he slid the window open, only to see Kagome standing there. She was wearing those scraps of cloth she called a school uniform again. Honestly, what was the point of that skirt-thing? She may as well run around nude from the waist down! Now there was a thought he wished he hadn't put into his own mind, though it was too late to stop his roaming eyes. That's when he realized she was blushing. Had he been staring at her all this time? He blinked.
"What troubles you, my Kagome?" he asked, his voice not giving an inkling away about the lust building up in his system. The girl looked around before answering.
"Promise to not get upset?" she asked mousily.
"That request is childish," Naraku responded, his eyes narrowing. Kagome blushed out of embarrassment.
"Nevermind," she blurted, and went to walk off. Before she was too far away from the wall, Naraku caught her with a tentacle. Wrapping it twice about her arm, he tugged at her just hard enough to make her turn around.
"Tell me why you came," he ordered cooly.
"Well," Kagome opened, "you see, today is my birthday," she finally allowed. "I'm 16 today." 16? Why was that age so enticing all of a sudden?
"So, what is your request?" he angled.
"Well, this is the part I didn't want you to get upset about," she answered, rolling down her sock to expose a bandaged leg. "You see, when I was sparring, I dodged the wrong way, and Kohaku cut me pretty deep."
"Hmm," Naraku thought. "Why would that upset me?" Kagome peeled back the bandage so he could see the wound.
"Because it was yesterday," she said, feeling guilty that she'd hidden it from him. She was right to assume it would upset him, but he didn't show it.
"You sparred with a bad leg today?" he angled once more. The girl nodded. "Perhaps I should leave your leg that way, my Kagome, instead of punishing you for keeping things from me."
"Oh, but I'm sorry, m'lord!" she apologized. "It's my birthday, won't you please heal it? I can feel it all the way in my hip." Naraku couldn't help but let dirty thoughts go through his mind after that statement.
"Come in, then," he allowed, desire building up within him. Three extra tentacles stretched out from behind his shoulders as he reached out and pulled her gently in through the window. He laid her gently on his bedding, his tentacles retracting back into his body as Kagome was situated. He placed his hand over her wound, allowing the healing to radiate through her injury.
"Thank-you, Naraku-sama," she said gratefully as he removed his hand to reveal a perfectly healed leg. She sat up and waited for him to stand. When he did, so, too, did she. "It feels a lot better now," she smiled. Naraku made no response. He turned away. "Thanks again," she repeated lowly, and made a move toward the window.
She got her hands on the sill and began to pull herself up when Naraku's arms encircled her waist, bringing her down and back against him. She let out a low 'eek' sound as Naraku turned her in his embrace. She was no longer against him, but at an arms length away.
"Close the window, my Kagome," he instructed, his devious smile tracing its way across his face. The girl hesitated as his hands released their grip. "Now." She nodded quickly, closing the window and blocking the light coming through it with a nearby sheet. She turned back around to face him, frozen in surprise. "Come here, Kagome," Naraku cooed.
Before she knew it, she was pinned against the wall, his advances bringing her into a world she had never experienced before. She moaned and squirmed as he kissed her neck. Suddenly, his arms shifted from around her waist. He was holding her arms at the wrists now, keeping them outward and against the wall, his hands firm and sure as shackles. That's when it first happened. She couldn't scream from it because it shocked her so. He bit through her shirt at the place where her collarbone met her shoulder. He bit through her shirt, he bit through her skin, and he took in her blood...
Kagome was pushing against his chest now, urgently. He drew back, licking his lips and looking over his shoulder.
"So, is this what you do in your spare time?" Kagura sneered, opening and closing her fan. Kagome straightened her kimono in a hurry as Naraku stood -though Naraku's standing wasn't rushed one bit.
"Are you questioning me, Kagura?" he asked, his eyes narrowing.
...At Sesshomaru's Castle...
"Kai-chan," Rin called. The neko-youkai looked up from his books.
"Yes Rin."
"How long is Kaira going to be gone?" she asked, a little sadness within her youthful eyes.
"Six months at least," Kai responded. "She misses our family. We've been away from them for a long time, you know."
END CHAPTER
Author's note: Oooouuuuuuuuuuuuu! Naraku and Kagome are bust-ed! How embarrassing! Leave your reviews, my precious little minions of darkness.