In the privacy of her walled garden, Mizoshi furiously wiped at her lips. She had honestly not expected this development. Had she taken a step too far? She had let her guard down once, and Naraku had taken full advantage.
The memory of his lips against hers was both frightening and exciting at the same time. Naraku's mouth had been cold yet irresistibly soft. Eventually, she noticed that his skin warmed along with her own. Had she really kissed that dark demon? The demon that killed entire villages and took helpless mortal children as slaves? Regrettably, yes. Even more deplorable was that she enjoyed it.
Her mind racing, she disappeared inside her room and snatched up the book of poetry. Mizoshi still had more than half to finish. She meditated on these haikus, and some were more disturbing than others. From experience, Mizoshi knew she was asking for trouble when she flipped to a random page, but she would read anything in an attempt to calm her nerves. Her trembling fingers traced the literature before her:
Beautiful flower,
With a spider at its heart.
Misfortune or luck?
As usual, the book could not help her focus her thoughts elsewhere. Who was the author of this tome? Naraku himself? Kagura? Or some traveling poet that Naraku killed and then stole his life's work from? However, in the third line, Mizoshi identified with the former.
Retreating back out to the garden, Mizoshi sat on the bench and to watch the koi fish chase each other through the glistening pond. The tree leaves above whispered in a cold, damp wind. The sun, which had risen so brilliantly, was clouding over. It was going to rain soon. Another misfortune. This day couldn't get any worse.
"May I join you?" an amused female voice asked, disproving Mizoshi's claim that yes, this day could get much worse before it ended.
Defeated, Mizoshi motioned for the wind sorceress to sit down. Looking into her red eyes, she discovered they were full of vindictive spite. "Darling, you look upset," she purred. "In case you want to know, I saw everything."
"You saw? Were you spying on us?"
She shrugged. "There's not much fun to be had here. Sometimes, you have to make your own. Let me guess, he was your first kiss."
"No, as a matter of fact. There was one boy in my village…but he married another."
Kagura seemed incredulous. Obviously, she did not believe her story, no matter how good a lie it was. "Oh, I'm sure. I also see you have met Kohaku."
"It's terrible that he would abduct that boy only after destroying everything he knows. Is Naraku truly evil all the way through?" She dreaded the answer.
Kagura laughed, or at least that's what it was supposed to resemble. In truth, it was more akin to a bitter guffaw than genuine laughter. "Can't you see for yourself? What a stupid question!"
"But, I was under the impression he was essentially good. I had assumed the youkai in white was the evil one when I originally met Naraku in the woods. The youkai nearly succeeded in killing him."
Her jaw dropped. "Youkai in white? You mean Sesshoumaru?"
"Yes, Naraku did use that name. Who is he?"
"He is the dog demon lord of the Western Lands and a great warrior. His power rivals Naraku's own. Sesshoumaru is magnificent in battle and so…" Kagura trailed off wistfully. A dreamy expression slackened her features.
"He's so what, Kagura?"
The mooning, faraway stare transformed into a focused glare. "Powerful."
Mizoshi knew. She had seen that face before in some of the girls her age. The wind sorceress fancied Sesshoumaru, or perhaps something more. How tortuous it must be to remain here, bound to a master one hated, when you loved another. Except, did this Sesshoumaru feel the same? She wisely dropped the issue and instead probed another distressing subject. "So, what do I do now, Kagura?"
"What do you think?" she snapped.
"I'm hoping Naraku will be decent, but I don't think he will."
"You're right, he won't." Kagura's features turned glacial.
"What will happen if I refuse his advances? His…kiss?"
The raven-haired demoness shrugged as if the choice was Mizoshi's, should she be either stupid or daring enough to decline. She got the inkling that neither female liked where this conversation was headed.
"More importantly girl, do you hate him? Or love him?" Kagura toyed with her fan in suspenseful hands.
That was the study of the hour. Mizoshi didn't love him. She couldn't. She hated the things he had done, but when she remembered his kiss, she became confused. Could she grow to love him? If properly cultivated, could this love bloom into a brilliant crimson flower with a golden center? Could Mizoshi temper Naraku's wickedness?
No, she decided at length. I won't be able to. On the other hand—
"Well?" The demoness was eagerly awaiting her insight.
"Both," she replied sheepishly.
Kagura's laughter was earsplitting.
Mizoshi sat on the floor with her paints and watched the color spread from the bristles of her brush stain the paper. Behind the two birds, she had used red to fill in the heart drawn there. No reason, really. It was merely something to do.
She had disposed of her scarlet clothing and changed into her modest green kimono that was now properly washed. And here, in the castle of the cruel half demon she had shared her first gesture of affection with; she calmly painted. Although, she felt no connection to what was being illustrated. Every time she peered at her creation, she came up empty.
Nonetheless, she would have to come up with something. This was a dangerous game. Mizoshi may never know Naraku's emotions, but she could figure out her own. However, just when she thought she had warmed up to the master of the house, he changed. Drastically. Somehow, she had to course the choppy paths of her own heart and not merely draw one on paper. If she didn't, the next red she might see is her own blood. Mizoshi surmised Naraku didn't stand for coquettish "maybes."
Exhausted, she laid her head down and stared outside. The sky boiled stormily, and the driving downpour struck the earth with devastating force. Surrendering to the sound of the rain, she closed her eyes. What was she to do? Mizoshi would simply have to excuse herself due to illness tomorrow morning. As it was, she wouldn't be able to swallow one grain of rice at breakfast without heaving. However, she wouldn't have to endure the agonizing worry until then.
"Mizoshi, what are you doing on the floor?" a low masculine voice inquired.
Shocks raced through Mizoshi's body as she forced herself to sit upright. He was here. Damn. If this unexpected incident weren't bad enough, the incriminating painting was in full-view. She prayed Naraku would not understand its meaning, but her hopes would be in vain. Nothing got past him.
"I'm just resting, Naraku-sama," she said hastily. "I was not expecting you."
His crimson eyes glittered like rubies. "You needn't call me that anymore. I seem to recall we have gotten rather familiar with each other over the past few hours."
"About that…" she began.
Mizoshi's voice could no longer be heard when Naraku switched his gaze over to the drying artwork. The intense heat of his eyes could've dried the paint on contact. Immediately, he sent a smirk in her direction. "My, my. The little green bird with the yellow eyes and the purple bird with the red eyes are coincidentally similar to someone else we both know. The heart behind them is so precious."
Fidgeting with the green sleeves of her kimono, she looked into Naraku's red orbs. "Whatever do you mean?"
The silk of Naraku's purple robes rustled as he moved into a kneeling position so he and Mizoshi were the same height. "You know what I mean. Your perplexed eyes of gold can't fool me."
Still, her tawny eyes got her in trouble. "What do you want?" she whispered.
"I want to know how you feel about me, Mizoshi. Speak honestly, or you shall lament it one way or another."
Thanks for all the reviews, guys! Also, I appreciate your views on the story, Dev and Laliberte. It seems that Mizoshi is a little confused, huh? (Not a good thing to be around Naraku.) But, I agree if Naraku allowed himself to love, he'd be EXTREMELY passionate. Alas, this is only PG-13. I don't think I'd change the rating though. Well, I'm glad everyone enjoys the story:)