She turned to look into the scarlet eyes of Kagura. "Oh. It's you." To Mizoshi's dismay, the demoness made herself comfortable on the terrace.
"Not happy to see me? I suppose you'd rather the presence of another."
Mizoshi refused to take the bait. "What do you mean? Whose presence do you speak of?"
"Idiot girl. You think I haven't guessed? I know everything about your room change." Conspirally, the wind witch lowered her tone. "Was he your first?"
Mizoshi only glared back angrily in reply.
"I knew it. I suppose the scent of an unplucked flower enticed him." Kagura smirked cruelly. "Don't be so embarrassed. He was my first too, though I highly suspect our experiences were the same." In spite of herself and the situation, jealousy filled Mizoshi's entire being. Unfortunately, the leering demoness noticed this. "Sheathe your claws, half-breed. Contrary to what you may believe, I'm happy for you and Naraku. He'll keep his distance from me at least. Now, he has another that can fulfill his passions. Besides, another has ensnared my absent heart."
"You mean Sesshoumaru?"
Kagura scowled. "Yes. Got a problem with that?"
"Not at all." Mizoshi sensed it was time to back off. Though the wind sorceress was subordinate to Naraku and was generally an unpleasant person; she wouldn't hesitate to defend her territory from any perceived threat. Nevertheless, the wind sorceress was in no mood to sit in silence.
"Sesshoumaru is the strongest youkai in the land," she continued. "Always, he destroys his foes—unlike some other beings I'm forced to be in contact with. The Lord of Dogs is vastly superior to the cowardly spider that hides in his castle."
The cowardly spider was Naraku obviously. Still, Mizoshi was genuinely shocked Kagura would speak such. In fact, she would be surprised the demoness would be left with the capability of speech should Naraku ever hear this slander. Perhaps he was aware of her defiance and twisted it to his advantage. Maybe wielding his power over an unwilling servant was all the more enjoyable. She shuddered to ponder this theory.
"You've met Sesshoumaru in the past?" she questioned softly, trying to keep the conversation running smoothly as possible.
The demoness shrugged standoffishly. "A couple of occasions. Does it matter?"
Deciding to take her chances, Mizoshi leapt into the heart of the exchange. Perchance Kagura's defenses would break down somewhat once they had discussed their prospective romantic partners. "Well, what is he like?"
Before the wind sorceress could answer, a small shape shuffled onto the terrace. It was Kanna; the ghostly white little girl. Her abysmal eyes stared through her "sister" and Mizoshi as if both had been engaged in an illicit mischief of some sort. "Kagura, the master has sent for you," she whispered. With that message relayed, the girl and her mirror—her soul-stealing mirrorstalked away. As soon as the spy was gone, the older demoness growled lightly. "Sometimes, I wish he'd just forget my name."
"Things can only get better," Mizoshi returned sympathetically.
"I beg to differ." That irritating smirk returned on Kagura's painted face. "Your life in particular, my dear, may get a hell of a lot worse."
At first, she was dumbfounded. Then, Mizoshi grew furious under the wind witch's haughty gaze. Her body was alive with heat. Already, the adrenaline was scattered throughout her system. "Are you threatening me?" she inquired through clenched teeth.
"Nothing of the kind. But, I'm sure you're mature enough to understand what inevitably happens when a woman share's a man's bed."
"What are you saying?"
"I'm saying Naraku may have an unintended heir."
Silently, Mizoshi watched the witch leave. Settling against the wall of the castle defeatedly, she closed her eyes, her antagonism having been cooled by icy apprehension.
Oh, what if she became pregnant? Damn! Dread filled her system as she considered the possibilities. Would she bear a child here in this darkened, musty castle? Would she give birth to a little girl or tiny son with raven, curling hair like Naraku's and her own eyes of yellow? In one fleeting moment of passion, her entire destiny might have been carved in stone, and that horrible demoness would be laughing.
She could be with child right now. When summer approached, she might be nursing the red-eyed hanyou's offspring. If that becomes the case, she would never be able to have the luxury of leaving. Or did she truly want to leave at all?
Deep down, she needed freedom. Akin to a bird, she required free rein to alight on a tree branch in a peaceful, grassy clearing and cheep at the vibrant daybreak in the brightening blue skies. She had presumed she could stay with Naraku and return to the world outside for a brief spell. It's not as if she'd leave him forever. Mizoshi secretly hoped he would exchange the bowels of these gloomy structures for a place amongst the dirt, fallen leaves, and wildflowers. Yet, how exactly do you persuade a spider to vacate his nest? He has everything he needs there.
Namely, his prey, she answered her own thought sullenly. She was so idealistic. So stupid. Naraku's own incarnations weren't allowed to wonder. What had made her believe her circumstances would be any different?
Dejectedly, she set her sights on the teeming, gassy barrier on the horizon. The sun was barely visible due to the pollution.
Gently, Mizoshi swirled the brush through the paint. More orange needed to be blended. The extremes between the yellow and crimson were entirely too diverse. Setting the paper back a bit, she surveyed the simulated sunrise. She supposed it was an accurate enough reproduction.
It was in her chamber she stayed; her mind mulling while her hands worked. The natural light outside was fading away, so she had lit the wicks of the candles. It was this artificial light she painted by.
Thankfully, there had been no visitors. If Kagura wished Naraku would forget her name, Mizoshi certainly wished Kagura would forget her own. Cleaning her brushes carefully, she laid both utensils and creation to dry. She would complete the depiction tomorrow.
Mizoshi had spent the day settling in this new room. It was comfortable enough on the soft mats, but she still felt restless. Mayhaps a warm soak would calm her nerves. She could find the bathing chambers on her own.
Sighing, she rose to sitting position. Kagura's words had cast an unsteady weight on her heart. Slyly, the demoness had warned about what would "inevitably happen" to her. Well, in the tub, I'll be able to think clearer, she assured herself firmly. Preparing to rise, she suddenly gasped in shock as the world went black. Had she gone blind? A split second later, awareness returned. She identified the cool fingers clasped over her eyelids as masculine. A familiar chuckle confirmed this.
"Guess who?" the voice asked playfully.
Resigned, Mizoshi replied in kind. "A demon?"
"Correct." Naraku let up the game and allowed her vision to return.
When she turned to meet his sparking, expectant ruby eyes; the words came tumbling out of her. "May I run a bath, Naraku?"
He was taken aback momentarily, but instantly regained his composure. "I see no harm in it," he nearly purred.
She sprung to her feet and briskly strode into the hallway. Mizoshi noticed his vermillion eyes never left her curving form. In spite of everything, she knew one thing for a fact. There would be another rendezvous tonight.
And strangely, she looked forward to it.
Another chapter through! Thanks to loves-winged-dark-angel, ShawKoh, chii576, bowowlover, Blackwave, werewolfpixie, and GiR for reviewing! Loves-winged-dark-angel, Mizoshi will tell him soon, and the results will be quite unpredictable. Even though there is talk of pregnancy in this chappy, Mizoshi will not be having Naraku's baby. Or any baby at all for that matter. That would be too restricting I think.