Thanks for all the reviews, guys! They mean a lot. GiR, I was actually thinking of writing Sesshoumaru somewhere at the end. Don't know how it will affect Mizoshi, but it won't be romantic. Also, I feel the need to apologize to bowwowlover. Sorry for making you feel lousy (and for being a btch, although I kinda was that day to everyone). No harm done about the "copying" thing. To everyone, have a Happy Valentine's Day. Those that are single (like me) keep your chocolates and romance flicks handy :)

"I'm here, Mizoshi. I'll always be here. I promise."

His words echoed in her hollow head. Far from being comforted by this response, she only sensed the bonds tightening.

The weather outside was taking no prisoners, and was destroying everything. Great gales of wind pounded against the house, and bent through the trees. Naraku had left her sitting on the ground, and she was forced to wander back inside the castle for shelter. She sometimes wondered if she stood a better chance in the impending storm with fierce demon hordes milling about than spending another hour in this chamber.

Pacing to and fro, she sensed a presence in the doorway. Expecting Naraku to continue what he'd started, she was genuinely shocked when she found the boy behind her. The boy with a distressed look in his brown eyes and bandages around his legs. Kohaku. What was this?

"What are you doing here?" Mizoshi inquired, forcing to keep her voice calm.

"That girl in white brought me here. She said…I was supposed to keep you company for awhile."

"Oh. Well, that's all right."

Motioning for the boy sit down on her own bedding, she sat cross-legged on the bare wooden floor. The two prisoners looked at each other. The boy was nervous and said nothing. Apparently, she would have to begin the conversation.

"So, Kohaku. Why haven't I seen you before?"

"I've been put in a room on the other side of the castle, but usually I live in a separate hut outside."

"A separate hut? With this unpredictable weather? How horrible."

"It's not really. I fend for myself."

He was acting so casual. As if he had been born here. Did he even know he had been abducted? How much of his memory did Naraku erase?

"How long have you lived here?" Mizoshi asked softly.

He frowned. "I don't remember. One day, I just woke up in this castle with that man standing over me. I've learned it's better not to ask questions."

"Why?"

"Because sometimes you don't like the answers."

Her face fell. Poor Kohaku. She wondered how much he had been eating or if he had a soft bed to sleep on. He appeared to be feverish.

"Here. Eat this." Mizoshi got up and retrieved a bowl of three oranges: leftovers from the daily breakfasts Naraku let her keep. She set the bowl down next to the boy while he stared up at her blankly.

"I…can have them?" He seemed so confused and surprised. She suspected this "tool" of Naraku's didn't eat nearly as well as she. Mizoshi supposed "castle pets" were worth more than slaves.

She watched him eagerly dig his fingernails in the fruit's leathery skin and begin partaking. He finished two whole oranges and was about to reach for the last one, but brushed it aside. "I'm full enough. Thank you for the delicious gift. I can't remember a time where I received any."

"You are very welcome, Kohaku." Mizoshi was delighted to see some color had entered into his wan cheeks.

Then, a realization dawned in his previously blank eyes. "Hey. You know my name, but I don't know yours."

"It's Mizoshi." A simple response, but she sensed she had told him more than that. She was brimming with happiness that his attitude had changed once he had eaten the oranges and regained a few beads of energy.

He smiled a bit. "That's a nice name. But why are you here? I haven't seen you around before either."

Sharply taking an intake of breath, she forced herself to tell the story. "I am a hanyou. My father was too, and he made the mistake of marrying a mortal woman. He died early, leaving my two brothers and I as my mother's sole responsibility. We were found out, and the people chased us out of our village. I fled into the forest and found Naraku there. He took me to the castle to stay."

"For how long?"

"I don't know. Maybe forever," she whispered.

"Life is so cruel." Kohaku's eyes glittered.

She grew desperate to change the subject. "Do you remember how old you are Kohaku?"

"Yes. I am fourteen years old, but you look like you're older yet."

She blushed a bit. "I am seventeen."

"We're only three years apart? I thought it would be more." Mizoshi glanced over at Kohaku and found that he was blushing too. He was so sweet. It would be great if they became friends. If they were allowed to anyway.

"What do you do all day, Mizoshi?" Kohaku was genuinely curious. Hesitantly, she replied. "I paint." His eyes widened. "Really? Can I see?"

Shrugging, she rummaged under the mattress Kohaku was sitting upon, and pulled out one of her creations. She purposefully left the painting of the two birds on the backdrop of a heart hidden in the rare circumstance Kohaku would become abnormally perceptive. Instead, she took out a recent canvas of a peony.

Setting it in front of the boy, she sat back on her heels. "What do you think?"

"It's gorgeous!" he exclaimed, his gaze fastened on the parchment.

"I attempted to copy the subtle grace of the peonies in the garden."

Kohaku's eyebrows went up. "Garden? Where is it?"

Mizoshi gestured at the huge sliding screens to the east of the room. "Out there, but there's a storm brewing outside. I wish I could show you."

"Let's go anyway. I'm not scared," Kohaku insisted defiantly.

Before she could say another sentence, a presence walked through the door. Mizoshi was beginning to identify who was who by the manner in which they moved. Kanna's footsteps were light, and her presence was nearly glowing with supernatural power. Kagura heavily strode in, her footsteps resentfully pounding the floor planks. Naraku's own presence was dark and overpowering. Effortlessly, he glided, never making the slightest noise. Judging by these mental descriptions, she wasn't surprised to observe him towering over them.

"Kohaku, it's time to return to your own quarters. You can visit Mizoshi later."

Meekly, the boy backed out into the corridor. He knew who the master of the manor was. Immediately, her heart sank. She wouldn't have minded if they had talked all evening. Finally, there was a like-minded individual here in a similar situation. Truthfully, she didn't want to talk to Naraku. Somehow, she felt weaker after crying in his presence. The demon wouldn't forget that.

"You have met Kohaku," Naraku stated flatly.

"Yes. He gives the impression of being very nice."

"Indeed." He stared at her mildly. "I hope you enjoy his company. He does not suffer; I only require that he complete a few duties when I assign them. That's all."

"What sort of duties?"

"One musn't pry," he warned her coldly. "I have heard you are growing familiar with the castle."

"I am," she admitted. What was he getting at?

"Please be aware some areas of the castle are forbidden. It's quite dangerous in some places."

Frostily, Naraku wandered away. He was so distant. For once, he didn't try to kiss her. Why?

Naraku exited onto his private veranda, and let his waving night-black hair blow around him in the whipping autumn air; trying to figure out what was wrong. Kohaku's visits mutually benefited both parties, but why did he have this strange sensation?

Looking in on Mizoshi and Kohaku, he sensed an invisible knot tighten inside his chest. They got along extremely well together evidentially. Primarily, his aim was to prove to Mizoshi that he wasn't a total monster and gain her trust. Now, he was losing control over the two wards.

The demon slayer better keep matters light or else…