"W-what?" Mizoshi stammered. "What do you mean by that?"
"Exactly what I said. How do you feel about me? Or should I refresh your memory?" A teasing gleam entered his crimson eyes. At her apparent shocked expression, he continued. "Oh, sweet Mizoshi. Don't be so adolescent. Coyness is not a charming quality…or wise."
She was left helplessly staring at his handsome though slightly demonic features. What did she feel for him? For some reason, she had the keen sense that her immediate life expectancy depended on the question. Yet, she couldn't admit he was simply good-looking, however true it was. That wasn't a valid enough reason. Did she honestly love him?
"Well? You're taking too long to decide," he noted.
"It's very complicated, Naraku. Sometimes, I am near frightened of you," she confessed.
"I would never hurt one who cared for me, Mizoshi. Since we are to be living together, I think it's for the best if I learn your feelings."
Mizoshi's back was figuratively against the wall. Steadying her voice, she went on. "I like being around you, Naraku. Without your intervention, I very well could've died in the forest."
"Surely you must see me as more than your rescuer, Mizoshi." The hanyou smiled demurely.
Suddenly, the truth came pouring out of her now dry mouth, surprising herself more than he. "Yes, I am rather attracted to you, Naraku. Throughout the many hours since I arrived here, I have pondered what would become of us if we shared a relationship."
"Then, ponder no further," he murmured.
Before she could take her next breath, his lips landed on hers, and bliss stole through her limbs. She could hardly believe she was kissing this reclusive, nefarious being in her darkened bedroom in his crumbling castle when logically she should've been running for all she was worth in the opposite direction. Still, she chose to ignore this streak of common sense, even when she remembered Kagura's tale of woe. According to the wind demoness, her master had taken advantage of her—on several occasions. He could do the same to you, a voice inside her whispered.
In reply to her villainous doubt, Mizoshi proceeded to entangle her fingers in his ebony hair. He growled faintly; in protest or pleasure, she was not certain. They held each other thus for a few moments. Eventually, Naraku's hand trailed lower to the small of her back. Her eyes sprang open. Surely he wouldn't…
But of course he could. If he opted to become immoral like Kagura claimed he was, she couldn't stop him. Her acquiesce may have sealed her fate. When she didn't move as cooperatively as before, he ceased. "What is it?" he growled.
"Naraku, no. I mean…I never-"
Drooping his head, he kissed her shoulder. "I understand completely."
Underneath the idyllic scene, Mizoshi thought something was not quite right. She had experienced Naraku's cruelty, and knew of the extensive wicked deeds he had done. Hadn't he threatened her earlier today when she inquired about Kohaku? Now, here he was, acting almost…romantic. His emotions obviously changed akin to the rhythm of the tides.
Hastily, he released her and stood, still with a smile upon his lips. "I'm glad to know how you finally feel, Mizoshi. Very glad indeed. You will come to breakfast tomorrow morning, yes? Without being asked?"
She nodded.
"Oh, and please come visit me anytime you wish. Consider it an open invitation."
Invitation. He made it sound like a party.
Naraku was still smiling in the corridor. He knew it. As soon as she had stared into her golden eyes, he knew. How interesting. He had often wondered what kind of woman would dare develop a fondness for him. Either Mizoshi was exceedingly sincere, or foolish.
Just when he was turning a corner, he ran right into Kagura. Crimson struck crimson when their gazes clashed. So ravishing, his incarnation, but nothing comparable to the woman he had left sitting in the dimness that preceded the evening shadows.
"Good evening, Kagura. Are you going visiting?"
She crossed her arms over her chest. "I saw you two in the tea room this morning, and I'd bet you were doing more of the same minutes ago."
"It's not your place to lecture me," he gently reminded her.
"Really, Naraku! She's innocent. How could you try this on such a gullible creature?"
His smile seamlessly transformed into a smirk. "Jealous?" Naraku noticed her hand was clenching. If she dared to slap him, she'd become aware of the consequences quickly enough. "Don't be disgusting, you depraved bastard," she hissed.
The demoness yelped as she hit the wall.
"And why do you care, Kagura?" he demanded. "Why are you concerned about a half-breed? I distinctly remember you saying how infuriating she was."
"Because of her gender," she snarled whilst struggling in his grasp.
"Don't worry, I won't hurt her. Besides, she's so willing."
Kagura's expression turned into one of intense loathing. "Let go."
"Why? To fill Mizoshi's head of antagonistic thoughts about me?"
"No," she replied after a second's hesitation. "Why would you presume that?"
"Let the girl reflect for herself. I daresay she is more capable than you would assume."
Shrugging her off of him, he exited onto a veranda to witness the moon breaking through the dewy clouds; wrapped up in his own musings. What was this now? First, he had taken her as a pet. An amusement. Later, when he had become aware of her heritage, he decided to keep her as an investment that could rise in value. A valuable trump card. Presently, he could imagine other uses for her. Still, something stopped him.
Her purity and inexperience were tempting, but because of some unidentified motivation; the contemplation of treating her like a toy was sickening to him. Mizoshi was not Kagura. In fact, he found himself looking forward to their morning visits. This girl was similar to none.
Yes, Mizoshi held a kind of power over him. Until he could sort these shifting passions, some familiar, most not, he wouldn't dream of letting her wander too far from the castle.
The moonlight illuminated the bedroom. Awestruck, Mizoshi slid open the screen, a light sensation in her chest surrounding the area of her heart. Was this love? While in his arms, she felt protected. It's been a long time since she experienced that sentiment. Indeed, she didn't anticipate he would ever release her. His lips were indescribable. Yet, there was a hunger present in his red eyes that was disturbing. Naraku clearly desired her. Hadn't Kagura prophesied this event?
Oh, what about Kagura? Would she do anything surreptitious to end this growing union? Mizoshi hated to worry, but Kagura could be a problem. On the other hand, was she right all along? Was Naraku only manipulating her for his own perverse pleasures under the façade of tenderness?
Turning away from the window, she closed the screen. Quietly, she lit a milky blue candle. She didn't want to sleep in total darkness tonight. Naraku haunted her mind the entire time, and the radiance soothed her. In spite of this, she came to a conclusion in the midst of transferring the flame to the wick. Listen to your heart.
Her mother, Kasumi, always said that. She had listened to her heart. Against her better judgment, she married a half demon and produced three hybrid children. Except where had it gotten her? But, Naraku was a hanyou too. He was lonely. Mizoshi herself was lonely. It was a perfect combination of soil to cultivate a loving harvest. Mizoshi had at last made her decision.
Sadly, she gazed upon the wooden fish bracelet hanging from her wrist. Her brother had made it too big for her. Without warning, she slid it off and deposited it in the polished box filled with hairpieces and cosmetics. May her brother and the rest of her family rest in peace, but she needed to move on.
On impulse, she walked over to the candle and blew out the light. Perhaps she needed the comforting darkness to coax her to rest.
Wow! Thanks for all the support, guys! So, everyone is okay with the rating? That's good because I hate writing anything too explicit. Guess everyone will have to use their imaginations. ;) Yeah, Dev, I wrote the poems. I love those three-line haikus. Simple but effective. They didn't take too much time to write. And werewolfpixie, Naraku's a but confused about the subject of love, but both might hold true.