"A blessing in disguise, indeed…" A dark, sinister chuckle was the only sound in the room. A spherical mirror, the only source of light in the dark room, showed the image of the Miko Reincarnate gathering medicinal herbs.
"Perfect…" red eyes narrowed with glee as a dark smile spread across his pale face. "Kanna… are the preparations made?" the sallow girl nodded her head subtly.
"Yes… everything is ready, Naraku."
His chuckle intensified. "Excellent… send Kagura out."
"Hai."
"Hai?"
The miko turned around to the kitsune in front of her.
"Kagome, give me your gathered herbs. Your basket is getting really full!" Shippou tugged at her sock. She smiled, kneeling down to his level. "Thank you for the offer, Shippou-chan!" she emptied her load into Shippou's little basket, then continued to search.
"Kagome, I'm going to go put the herbs back in our room. Okay?" she nodded, smiling. "Hai!" with that, he scampered back to the village.
Just as he disappeared through the thicket, a rather large demon popped up out of the thicket. Kagome squealed in surprise, dropping her basket. "Miko… you are the one I have been searching for!" She scrambled back. "M-me?"
"YESSS!" the demon swatted at her, his claws easily the size of Shippou. From the other side of the forest, a single blade of air flew towards the Miko's back.
Wait… blade of air? No… it can't be!
She turned her back to the demon just in time to watch the blade hit her in the shoulder. She fell back and onto the ground, clutching her now profusely bleeding shoulder. "What… Kagura?"
The demon behind her laughed and swiped at her again, and then she felt a piercing pain in her shoulder. It was another pain, a new one. She gasped inward, feeling a throbbing sensation move from her injured shoulder to her chest. A voice echoed in the hollow of her mind.
Kagome… let me see into your mind. Share with me your deepest secrets.
Kagome's free hand rushed to her forehead.
Nooo… get out of my head!
Don't be shy… open up to me. Now.
She couldn't win… the voice was so soothing, so reassuring. Her mind willingly gave itself up to the melodic sounds that echoed through her head.
Not far away, Inuyasha picked up the scent of Kagome's blood. He immediately turned to the fur-ball known as Shippou. "Kagome… Where is she?" he snarled angrily, wondering how Shippou could leave her alone like that.
"She's… she's in the forest nearby, collecting herbs!" he had picked up the scent of Kagome's blood as well, although his sense of smell wasn't nearly as good as Inuyasha's.
Miroku stood up, feeling well enough to move. "We should move quickly, then. I sense a demonic presence, unbelievably similar to Naraku's. Kagome could be in some serious trouble."
They gathered their needed belongings and speedily made their way to Kagome. She was found on the ground, cradling her hurt arm. On the floor next to her was her bow, and beyond that, the carcass of a rather large demon. Inuyasha knelt down beside her. "Kagome, what the hell happened? Are you alright?"
Kagome was about to open her mouth when the voice spoke again.
Go on, Kagome… you know you want to.
Want to… want to what?
You want to tell him to sit, of course! It was his fault you were out here alone in the first place. You need a reliable protector! So punish the puppy for being defiant.
Kagome felt her mouth move, heard herself utter the words.
"Inuyasha… Inuyasha, sit." He crashed to the ground, and the rest of the group stared bewildered at Kagome. Their gaze then shifted to the Inuyasha-sized whole in the ground.
"Kagome…" he growled from deep in his throat. "What the hell did you do that for!"
"You… you shouldn't leave me alone like that, Inuyasha. I could have died! And then what would you have done?" her perfect mouth curled into a disgusted frown.
Sango neared Kagome. "Kagome, what's wrong? This is so unlike you! Do you think the demon had poison or something?"
Kagome struggled to her feet. "No. the demon didn't have any poison. I don't know what you're talking about, Sango. Considering what I've just been through, I feel perfectly fine!" she smiled cheerfully, and everyone disregarded her outburst… except for a certain monk. I should keep an eye on her… this is definitely unlike Kagome.
"I had sensed Naraku's miasma. Was he here?" Kagome shook her head. "Kagura was here, but after I took care of the demon, she flew off."
Shippou hopped into Kagome's lap. "YOU took care of that demon? Wow, Kagome! You've gotten stronger!" Kagome just shrugged, pushing the kitsune away from her. "Well, I am a miko, of course."
The voice once again broke the conversation.
Interesting…
What? What's so interesting?
Oh… I don't know… I was sifting through your innermost thoughts, and have come across a most intriguing one. You have feelings for the monk! And I always thought you had loved that disgusting hanyou…
Inuyasha isn't that disgusting… and I USED to love Inuyasha. But nooo, he'd rather have Kikyou. On the other hand, Miroku's no better with his conning and lechery.
That is very true, Kagome. But I still wonder… let's see if he has what it takes to make you happy, hmmm?
Ok. Why not?
Kagome felt her eyes widen. "Wait… I sense a jewel shard!"
Inuyasha suddenly jumped up. "You do? Where?" Kagome pointed off into the forest. "It's very, very faint, but it's definitely there."
Sango leaned her Hiraikotsu against her shoulder. "Well then, shall we go?" Miroku shook his head. "I still have a fever, and Kagome is wounded badly. I say you and Inuyasha go ahead." Before Sango could yell some insult at him, he continued. "If you feel it necessary, Shippou here can stay with us as well."
Inuyasha hesitantly nodded. "Well, since YOU were the one that had offered shippou to stay, I'm ok in accepting that you won't do anything perverted. I was right; you do have at least some morals racked up in that head of yours."
To that, Miroku just smiled. "Thank you for the compliment, Inuyasha. Safe journey to you both!" with that, Sango, Miroku, and Kirara flew off into the depths of the forest in search of the said Shikon shard.
Miroku helped Kagome back to the Inn, and helped her bandage her wounds. To his surprise, they seemed to be healing quicker than usual. Much quicker. He put the discovery aside for the moment. Kagome gave Shippou some candy. "Why don't you go explore the village, see if there are any kids you could befriend? I'm a little tired, and I need my rest."
The bribe of candy and the thought of other friends made shippou's heart jump, and he scurried out without a second thought.
Miroku on the other hand, was caught off-guard at the bribery, and the shooing of said kitsune. Kagome peered into Miroku's eyes. "Miroku-sama, you look a little out of it. Do you still have a fever?" to that, the monk shook his head. "it's pretty much all gone now… I think I sweated it out of my system. But thanks to your medical supplies, the process was sped up a bit.
The monk's playing hard to get, Kagome. Try a little harder.
But… this is wrong. Miroku and SANGO should be together… I shouldn't be in the equation!
That is what you think. Sango doesn't like that lecherous monk at all! So go claim what's yours, Kagome.
She shook her head. "No Miroku, I think you still look a little sick." She crawled over to the sitting monk, placing her delicate hand on his thigh again to reach his forehead, but this time it was no accident. "Hmmm… just as I thought. You DO feel a little bit warm." She ran her fingers through the monk's hair, pushing the rubber-band off of his strands in one fluid motion.
Miroku, on the other hand, just stared at her in bewilderment. "Kagome… what… what are you doing?"
Kagome smiled seductively. "Silly monk… I'm doing what you've always wanted me to do. Don't play dumb, Miro-kun… you know you want it." she grabbed his hand, and placed in on her ass.
Said monk gulped, his eyes as wide as saucers. His throat was suddenly dry, and his hand twitched. Sure, I want it… but there's obviously something wrong with Kagome… I can't take advantage of her. I just can't! His mind said no, but his body begged for permission.
She pushed him down lightly onto the wooden floor of their room.
He's still resisting… but he wants you badly… you can see it in his eyes, Kagome. Go for the kill… show him how much of a woman you can be.
She looked deep into the monk's eyes. There, hidden beyond the surprise, was the deep, primal hunger that had never been noticed before. She smirked, the hand on his thigh rising up higher.
Miroku could barely suppress a moan as her delicate touch came ever so close to his throbbing arousal. She smirked, and grasped it in her delicate hands. Miroku's eyes glazed over, the small bit of morality he possessed dissipating into thin air.
"Kagome… what if Inuyasha…" Miroku regretted his words as they fell from his lips. He was silenced by a hard, deep kiss as Kagome leaned in, her hand shifting its position and making Miroku moan again.
Releasing her hold on his mouth, she smirked rather wickedly. "I couldn't care less about that good-for-nothing hanyou." She helped the monk rid himself of his robes, then straddled one of his legs. Kagome leaned in claim Miroku's mouth with another kiss, but she hesitated.
This is wrong… I know we both want it, but… what about Sango and Inuyasha?
Sango doesn't like Miroku, remember? She detests his advances with a passion. And to Inuyasha, you are nothing but a jewel-detector. Is that what you want?
No…. but…
Don't hesitate! Just do it, Kagome!
She leaned in and kissed him, deeper this time, and her tongue gently poked at his lips, seeking entrance. She slowly began to massage his groin as her tongue darted in and out of his mouth, examining every crevice.
Just as he was about to reach his limit, she stopped, and he whimpered subconsciously. She parted from his lips and planted a sweet trail of kisses down his chest, past his navel, and then looked up at him with wickedly mischievous eyes.
His eyes widened and his hands flew to her head as he was enveloped in the warm moisture of her mouth.
His hips bucked instinctively as her tongue and lips ran up and down the shaft of his arousal.
She took all of him in, and with one more thrust of his hips, his fingers dug into her hair and he released himself into her awaiting mouth with a deep, passionate groan that had welled up from deep inside his chest.
He rested against the wall, trying to catch his breath. "Tsk tsk, Miro-kun! I'm not finished with you yet!"
She slid her feet out of her socks, and then reached out from under her skirt. White, frilly panties dropped down around her ankles. She then slowly rid herself of her top so that she was standing there in her bra and skirt. She knelt on the ground in front of him, launching herself into a very provocative pose.
"Don't tell me the great Miro-kun has tired out already!" she slowly made her way to him, straddling his hips so that his groin brushed up against her point of pleasure. His arousal and need for her grew again at the very slight contact as he realized that she was moist and ready for him. He grabbed her hips, fighting the urge to just push her down onto his awaiting arousal.
She slowly undid the clasp in her bra, and it fell down onto his abdomen. He quickly pushed it away, taking her amazingly full breasts into his mouth and hands. She groaned at the contact, arching her back to him.
"Oooooh, Miro-kun…" she ran her fingers through his unbound hair. Her hands then traveled down underneath her skirt, and she grabbed his arousal yet again. She guided him inside her with a gasp of painful pleasure, and he moaned deliriously at the tight fit.
She rose again, then fell back onto him, and every time she dropped down she let out a moan.
The speed quickened, and soon his hands were on her hips and he was guiding her down with such speed and force and her back arched into him to meet his thrusts. He pushed her down one more time, his fingers digging into the soft fleshy hips, and another deep, almost inhuman groan fell from his lips as wave upon wave of ecstasy hit him and he released his seed into her.
She followed soon after as her back arched and she grabbed onto the wrists connected to the hands on her hips. She yelled out, but it sounded suspiciously like a cry of confusion and regret to Miroku.
She got up off of him, gathering a towel around her from her bag. He wasn't sure what had just happened. "Um… Kago…me?" she wrapped the towel tightly around her shaking, tired body, although it didn't do much. She still felt horribly violated.
You shouldn't feel this way, Kagome. You just used the man who plays with the hearts of so many girls. After giving him a taste at what you can do, he'll probably straighten his ways and come crawling on his hands and knees. You should feel accomplished.
She couldn't take it anymore. Her shaky hands flew to her ears and she collapsed, backing herself up into the nearest corner of the room. "Accomplished? ACCOMPLISHED! He's my friend, goddamnit! What the hell do you want from me!"
Miroku, who was putting on his robes while still keeping an eye on the raving miko reincarnate, was completely taken aback. "Um…. Kagome, what…?"
You needn't yell, Kagome… I'm right here… listening to your every thought.
"You… you bastard… stop messing with my head! Leave me alone!"
Just then, the sliding door to their room was almost broken off via clawed hand.
Inuyasha was stunned. The scene was like a bad nightmare. Kagome, clad only in a loosely tied, small towel convulsing in a corner, stark raving mad, and the monk, staring at her, half dressed. The heavy smell of sex hung in the air, only worsening the situation. Given the state of things, his surprised mind could only calculate so much.
"MONK, WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO TO HER?" Miroku quickly finished getting dressed, his eyes wider than ever. "I…. I don't know! Kagome's acting really strange…" Inuyasha growled ferociously. "Way to state the obvious, you fucking lecher!" his hand gripped the hilt of Tetsusaiga threateningly. "You better explain yourself soon, or the last thing you'll need to be worrying about is Naraku and that damned curse of yours!"
"But… But…" Miroku backed up against the wall, genuinely frightened. "I didn't do anything!" Inuyasha drew his sword. "Don't you dare give me that! The smell of you, her, and… and SEX is all over the damn place!"
Miroku gestured wildly. "We did do things, but… but she seduced me! It's not my fault! I swear!"
"ARGH! GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY HEAD, YOU BASTARD!"
Two heads turned towards the other corner, where kagome was huddled, naked because her towel had fallen off due to her incessant convulsing and gesturing.
"See! SEE! She's gone completely crazy! I only did what I thought she wanted me to do! And now… and now this! Inuyasha, you gotta believe me…"
Kagome… you misunderstand. I'm doing you a favor by helping you. And now look… that pesky hanyou is in our way again. Why don't you show him that dogs should be kept on tight leashes?
No….
Yes!
No!
"NO!"
Inuyasha took a step closer to Kagome, ignoring the fact that she was naked. "Kagome? What the hell are you rambling on about?" although his words were everything but sensitive, his tone made up for it. Kagome turned to him, her darting eyes slightly glazed over.
"Inuyasha…" she grabbed the towel and put it around her again as she noticed the hanyou slowly approaching her. "Inuyasha…" Inuyasha put his sword away. "What is it?"
"Inu…Inuyasha… Inuyasha, sit."
The rosary beads kicked in at once as the submission spell rolled from Kagome's trembling lips. The completely surprised hanyou came crashing to the ground, and kagome rushed to Inuyasha right after the dust cleared.
"Inuyasha… Inuyasha, I didn't mean it… I'm sorry! Inuyasha? Are you alright?" with much effort, he lifted himself up from the ground. "Kagome, what the hell is going on here?"
She began to sob hysterically, crawling into Inuyasha's arms. "I don't know, Inuyasha… I don't know what's going on… there's a voice in my head… told me to… told me to… tell you that there was a jewel shard nearby so that you'd leave us alone… bribe shippou with candy so that me 'n Miroku would be alone… and… it told me… told me to… umm… you know… with Miroku… said I should because I wanted it. Told me to say 'it'… because… because dogs should be kept on tight leashes… and it won't stop!"
Inuyasha hesitantly wrapped his arms around the quivering young woman sitting in his lap.
In his mind, Miroku ran over the things Kagome had just said in horror. "A voice said that to you? Forced you to do… things with me?"
Kagome couldn't bring herself to look at Miroku; she was too ashamed. "I'm sorry… I… I couldn't stop myself!"
Miroku shook his head. "No… but I could have. I should've known something was up by the way you had acted… what you had said… I should've known first off when you had bribed shippou. And… it was your first time, wasn't it?"
Kagome couldn't stop the color from rising in her cheeks, so she buried her face into Inuyasha's raiment and nodded, fresh tears making tiny rivulets down her cheeks.
"Your first time is supposed to be with someone special… I'm sorry, Kagome." He stood up, and adjusted his robes as he gripped his staff tightly in his hands, making his knuckles turn white.
Kagome… tell him it WAS with someone special. You can only deny your feelings for so long, Kagome. Don't get mad at me for merely pushing the process along a bit.
Kagome winced as the voice spoke yet again in her mind, yet chose to ignore it. She sniffled, lifting her head out of the safety of Inuyasha's raiment. "It's… it's not your fault. So don't you feel guilty, ok?"
She wrapped the towel tighter around herself, and the hanyou, noticing her action, leant his raiment to her to tie around herself for better cover. "Thank you. I… I think I just need to rest. This… is just too much for me right now." Understanding, the monk and hanyou left the young miko alone in Lady Kaede's hut, but decided on staying guard outside just incase.
Walking out into the cool, evening air, they set themselves up. Inuyasha sat on the ground, his Tetsusaiga on the ground next to him, and Miroku was leaning against the hut.
Inuyasha's ears flattened slightly against his head, not really knowing what to say. "Um… Miroku?" the monk turned around to the hanyou, a slightly cheery yet incredibly fake smile plastered onto his face. "Yes?"
"I'm umm…. I'm… sorry… for accusing you of taking advantage of kagome." Inuyasha scowled, his ears pressing his ears all the way against his head.
Miroku blinked, shocked. And I thought I had seen it all… "Um… Inuyasha? Did I just hear you correctly?"
The silver-haired hanyou frowned deeper, growling. "What are you getting at, monk?"
Miroku just shook his head. "Never mind. It's not a big deal, anyways." Miroku frowned, wave after wave of heavy emotion hitting him like a ton of bricks.
They're right… all of them. I am a selfish, perverted monk. Kagome's mind and body is taken advantage of and I just hop on to enjoy the ride? I knew kagome was acting strange… I knew it! And even when everyone else had failed to notice it, I still did. And besides the fact that she clearly wasn't herself, I still took her for my own.
"Fuck…" Miroku cursed under his breath, although Inuyasha's sensitive ears had no problem in picking up his nearly silent exclamation. "I'm… I'm going to go take a quick dip in the hot springs nearby. I shouldn't take long."
Inuyasha knew by the tension andfeelingof stress eminating fromhis companion and the nervous undertone in his voice that he definitely wasn't going to go spying on bathing women anytime soon, so he let him go without question.