Thanks for reviewing GiR, werewolfpixie, Allie, ShawKoh1989, and InuIsMine! Now to answer some questions. GiR, Inuyasha: The Secret of the Cursed Mask is a game for the PS2 where you can play as the main character (either boy or girl) and you get to join Inuyasha's group to fight demons and stuff. Oh, and thanks Allie! I was thinking of writing a novel about a girl in Victorian London, but haven't gotten around to it yet. InuIsMine!, the fruit actually comes from a walled-in garden and yes, love is blooming very slightly. (On Mizoshi's end anyway. First, Naraku has to be convince of his own feelings. (Which could take some time.) :)

Breakfast had commenced as usual. Naraku had done his best to cajole her and to cater to her every silent whim. But why did it feel he was compensating for something? Indeed, as she left the tea room, she could sense his wandering eyes tracing every contour and detail of her form; committing it to memory. Perhaps he could see into her soul as well.

Left alone again and bored as well; she picked up the book of poetry her "host" had given her, and flipped open to a random page. Mizoshi found it was a scathing poem from one lover to another:

You have given me,

Everything money can buy.

Pearls for my neck,

And gems for my hair.

But, tell me my love,

Are hearts for sale as well?

Disgustingly, Mizoshi slammed the cover down. Did he plant those poems on purpose? Were all the writings romantic in nature? Leafing through it, she found romantic, religious, spiritual, and nature poems in no particular order. Somehow, she just kept getting lucky.

With nothing else to do, she sat in the garden all afternoon in the prospects of spotting a dove or some other animal. A stray cat would be nice. At least she would have a little companionship. Thankfully, the clouds were blown away and the sun shone a bit before nesting in its hillside bed. The Sun Goddess bowed her head, giving her brother, the Moon God, permission to rise.

Eventually, the breezes turned cooler and Mizoshi retreated inside. As always, she wondered what would become of her. It wasn't realistic that Naraku would keep her fed in this castle forever. He must want something from her. What was that something? Moodily, she went to her candles and watched the wicks become ablaze from the sparks of her flint. Light and heat were precious. Behind her, a sudden shuffling noise could be heard. Turning sharply, she found herself staring into the ruby eyes of Kagura.

"Kagura! You're back. I--"

An annoyed look creased her features. "Shh." The demoness put a finger to her scarlet lips and gestured towards the corridor outside with her other hand. So. Keen red eyes very well might be watching us.

"Here are the materials you've requested," Kagura said primly, spreading a wooden box, a ceramic dish, and an array of scrolls and papers on her mattress.

"My painting supplies!" Mizoshi hated to admit she had been waiting to brush the colors of her own choosing onto a stiff parchment in unique and dazzling shapes. This would be the second gift from Naraku. Surely he would want something in the future to reciprocate. Thus her jubilation melted into anxiety once more.

"Oh, is that what they are? Master didn't tell me." She emphasized the word master.

Just as Kagura whipped her head around, the candlelight illuminated a spot on Kagura's cheek. It was very faint and could be mistaken for dirt, yet Mizoshi knew better. "Kagura, your cheek…"

"Silence, you fool!" she hissed. "Do you want him to come after you too?"

Mizoshi shut her mouth. Now she felt guiltier that Naraku was giving her presents while making the days of his incarnation a living misery. She was saddened by this development. Kagura could've been a friend she could confide all her fears and secrets to. Both prisoners could've exchanged ideas and share relative security in each other's company. But, of course that's why Naraku severed the possibility: to head off a plot against him before it could arise. At that moment, Mizoshi couldn't bear to share the same room with Naraku, let alone the same meal. Still, she would have to in the morning. She dreaded the affair already.

"Well, I shall return for further orders. I do hope you enjoy your ill-gotten paints."

"Kagura, no. I did nothing for those paints. Naraku is simply showering me with the material to win me over."

The demoness planted her hands on her hips. "And it's working I assume?"

"Absolutely not!"

She looked as if she would argue that point further had she was not under observation. Rolling her eyes, she stalked to the door.

"Kagura," Mizoshi called out.

She spun around sharply. "What is it now?"

"Do you have any pastimes you take pleasure in pursuing?"

Kagura leaned against the doorframe and thought. "Dancing, even though another usually plays the tune in the steps I must move my feet."

Slipping away, Mizoshi was left alone…again. Damn. She couldn't live in this shadowy environment where apprehension and empty promises reigned. She wished Naraku would see how unhappy she was, but in the end it didn't matter. Where exactly would she go if left to her own devices? Be torn apart by one of Naraku's own demons? This arrangement was for survival, not actually living.

She walked over to the bed and picked up the items. Spreading them on the floor, she opened the wooden box and was greeted with bright, vibrant oil paints and various inks. Black ink was crucial for designing delicate figures on scrolls. In addition, there was aka, ao, and kirro or red, blue, and yellow. She could blend the primaries into green, purple, and orange. It was a slim exchange for true freedom beyond these walls of wood and rice paper, but it would help ease her senses.

Kneeling, she prepared the paper and went outside briefly for some water from the koi pond. Then, sitting comfortably on the floor, she proceeded to paint a bird, wheeling free in the white sky. The feathers would be green and the eyes would be yellow.

Yup, this chapter is a bit shorter, but I promise the next one will be longer.