The night passed and dawn broke again. A new day. And Mizoshi welcomed it.

Raising herself from the floor where she had simply nodded off; she wandered to the vanity of her dressing table. She fixed her hair, adjusted her kimono, and even painted her lips. Mizoshi had never used cosmetics before, but she wanted to start now. Judging her appearance, she shrugged off the immaculate robe of orange and azure and chose a scarlet kimono embossed with black roses. Perfect. It would match her lips.

Why keep up the image of goodness? Were the gods good to take her entire family from her? Were the gods good to allow such base evil demons to walk the earth? No. Her future was uncertain. She couldn't be such a clear target for the beings that stalked this castle. Now, she looked as if she belonged in Naraku's household. Didn't Kagura mention he preferred girls in red?

Far from doing this for Naraku, she found she was doing it for herself. A little playacting was in order to prevent her inner self from being totally ripped away. Later, she would find her own way to leave this proverbial garden of shadows. Had she actually stuttered when addressing him? Well, no more. She would not be gazed upon as a blushing, trembling virgin flower. No. Mizoshi would grow thorns instead.

In the midst of her musings, Kagura stood in the doorway. "Mizoshi? What are you wearing?"

She turned to the elegantly clothed demoness with the feather in her hair. "I changed my kimono."

"Your lips are painted too. I got the impression such a pure maiden didn't wear cosmetics. Be careful, you might disappoint Naraku." Her last sentence was more sarcastic than threatening. Still, Mizoshi stood straighter. "I simply felt like a change of wardrobe was in order."

"Hmm," was all Kagura would intone. Gesturing, the wind sorceress led her into the corridor. Was it breakfast already? She supposed so since that's the direction they were taking. Why Naraku insisted on sharing this meal with her, she could not guess.

Kagura slinked off once Mizoshi was on the threshold of the tea room. Steeling herself, she moved her feet to the familiar table and sat with a flourish. "Good morning, Naraku-sama."

He was silent for a few moments before speaking. "You look different."

"Do I?"

"You know you do. Why is this so?"

"I woke up in the mood to wear red." Or a desirable shade, she silently added, recalling what he had said that fateful first afternoon.

Irritably, he abruptly slid into the light from the darkness of his corner. Again she was speechless when she gazed upon his beauty. His midnight strands coiled about him, dangling loosely down his back. At that moment, they were no different than snake tails. Those crimson eyes glittered cruelly while his thin, pale lips parted. To speak, she assumed.

Gods knew what would have happened if a disheveled boy of around thirteen years hadn't stumbled in. Who was this? Did Naraku have a son?

"I…don't…remember," he mumbled. "Where am I?"

The boy wore a drab gray kimono with bandages wrapped around his right leg. Greasy locks of smoky brown hair hung in his huge, frantic eyes. He looked completely terrified. Was he a newly arrived traveler? Did he too have the grave misfortune of finding this horrid place?

Naraku frowned. "Kohaku, what are you doing here?"

"You!" The boy's lower lip trembled. "I remember you."

"Kohaku, you know you are not to come here." Naraku jumped to his feet, towering over the boy. "I think you must be punished. Kagura!"

Immediately, the second incarnation appeared. "Yes?"

"Take this boy away. Now."

Her burning eyes swung over to Kohaku. "Of course." Kagura's voice dripped with disdain. Clamping the boy's hand, she forcibly removed him from the premises.

Relaxing, Naraku resumed his normal position by the dusky violet wall, peering at Mizoshi all the while. Gauging her reaction.

"Naraku…who was that boy? Kohaku, you said?"

"He's my human slave," he responded icily. "I slaughtered his village and took him captive, but not until I stole his memory. Does that answer your barrage of questions?"

She was at a loss. "Why?"

"Why? Because I'm a demon, little girl."

Mizoshi's painted mask of arrogant control slipped off her skin at once. Her hands shaking, she picked up her chopsticks and began sliding the rice into her mouth. Minutes went by. Eventually, she was brave enough to glance at Naraku. A satisfied smile was on his face. Naraku reveled in her fear.

Quickly gulping her food down, she was forced to push aside empty dishes. Oh, why hadn't she eaten the food slower? It would've prolonged the inevitable. Hesitantly, she looked up in Naraku's eyes and found they had thawed somewhat.

"May I leave Naraku-sama?" she asked.

"Wait," he said sharply.

Now what? Dejected, Mizoshi let her posture slump tiredly.

"Tell me, Mizoshi. Why are you really dressed like that? I know you. You would never change your appearance so drastically on a whim."

He was right. Sighing, she had no choice but to answer. Still, she would evade the heart of the matter. "I wanted to fit in better. I had thought you would approve."

"But do you approve?"

"No," she whispered. "Yet, since everything is changing, why not me?"

For some reason, Naraku seemed to be pleased with this response. Suddenly his expression changed and a smirk curled his lips. "You've experimented, Mizoshi. Could I have the same pleasure?"

"What do you mean?"

One second Naraku was gently swaying closer, and the next he pounced; his lips pressed against hers. Mizoshi was genuinely shocked. Her eyes froze in her sockets. She saw Naraku's own were closed, and he was savoring the sensations. Kagura predicted this would happen. Except this time, she'd brought it on herself. Far from outwitting the predator, she went to the spider wearing the iridescent wings of the fly. Consequently, she had become his prey.

How sweet and ripe her lips were. When she surrendered to the kiss and moved her mouth with his, his victorious elation doubled. So. Did she enjoy walking on the dark side?

As they shared this moment, she sat in the light emanating from the window and he in the shadowy corner. And did this matter? No. She would bend to his will. She already had, hadn't she? Although, he had to admit her motions were nearly as feverous as his.

Already, he was spinning a silken web tough and sizable enough to capture the naïve sparrow. Inside its contours, she would be secure. More importantly, she wouldn't be able to fly away either. But, he was getting ahead of himself, and so was Mizoshi apparently. Without warning, she pulled back from him, slightly out of breath.

"Was the experiment a success?" he purred, slitting his eyes seductively.

The delightful maiden blushed eight shades of crimson before rushing away from the table. Naraku hoped the girl would learn not to bait members of the opposite sex in the future. Of course, he had longed to do this ever since he laid eyes on her swathed in a towel. To take what she had so teasingly offered.

Rubbing off her newly applied lip polish from his own lips, he discovered he was eagerly awaiting the next encounter.

Thanks for your opinions and reviews, guys! :) Whew! At least it's not full-blown Mary Sueness. InuIsMine, she's not drawing it for Naraku, but it is of Naraku. I'm sure he probably wouldn't appreciate the resemblance though. And Dev, your guess is right! Naraku seems like he would be very one-sided and possessive in a relationship.