Anxiety scrabbled at Kagura's chest as she paced her quarters. Damn. Damn it all to hell. Why hadn't she been more careful? After being nearly star-struck by the youkai in white she refused to name; she hadn't considered there might be saimyoushou hovering behind her. Thankfully, Naraku seemed oblivious to her travelings…and attempted negotiations. If Naraku ever found out she'd tried to have his toy eliminated…oh, she couldn't imagine the rest.

She knew he didn't believe her, but alas, he had no proof. Was her master becoming sloppier? Was it because of her?

Kagura could hardly staunch her dislike of Mizoshi. Kagura wouldn't go out of her to harm her partly due to the circumstances; yet, she had to grudgingly admit the girl was keeping herself alive. She must be doing something right to be able to survive in Naraku's malevolent presence. At the very least, she wouldn't have to cook for the little wench anymore.

Exhausted, she laid down on her mat. Kagura, being a full-blooded demon, hardly ever needed sleep, but she would make an exception tonight. Naraku couldn't chase her in unconsciousness. She didn't have to worry about nightmares either, for she never dreamed. Little point, really. There was no problem a dream could solve, and her immediate fate had already been drawn. Still, it was disappointing sometimes not to have nighttime fantasies. Especially when it might concern a certain demon in white.

Curling up on her side, she closed her eyes and tried in vain not think about that flowing, moonlight hair. He had rejected her after all.

But why did she admire him because of it?

Finally, the sun had peeked out. That fact alone made Mizoshi happy. Humming to herself, she went to dress for the day ahead. However, she didn't want to wear the violet and yellow kimono from the previous evening. It brought back those awful flashes of heat that were still fresh in her memory. Instead, she wrapped a white kimono around herself. It was beautiful with its high collar and elaborate pattern of azure loops and twirls. Mizoshi was ready to start another day.

Quickly, she smoothed out her bedcovers before heading towards the food-preparing area. She discovered what utensils she needed, and set the rice to boil. Actually, it felt good to have a chore to complete.

Mizoshi watched the bubbling water boil around the tiny white grains. Slumping against the wall, she closed her eyes. She could get used to this. If she built an everyday routine, the weeks ahead wouldn't be so tedious. Yet one thing was an unpredictable factor.

She wondered about Naraku. Where was he? She was genuinely surprised he didn't pursue her. In the darkness of her chamber, she waited for a furtive male form to push aside the screen and join her on the bedding. But, he didn't come. Mizoshi didn't know whether to feel relieved or disappointed. When Kagura came back, all bets had been off. Obviously Naraku chose business over pleasure. Even thinking about it right now made her cheeks burn. In anger or embarrassment, she was not certain.

A smoky smell brought Mizoshi back to reality. Her eyes snapped open at once. The rice was boiling over! Automatically, she removed the pot from the cookfire. The rice had been spared in the nick of time. Stupid baka She scolded herself. Stop acting like a dreamy, dull-witted, peasant girl!

With a quieted mind, she finished up preparing the rest of her morning meal. At last, Mizoshi sat on the floor by a nearby small table. Picking up the delicate china teacup, she was again faced with a memory of the man who drank tea but never ate; the very same man she didn't want to mull over. But whom was she kidding? She'd see him tonight. Naraku always called on her after twilight had passed. After all, he would have to finished what he'd started…

Last night, Naraku was left unsatisfied, and that could lead to no good. As much as Mizoshi loved his passions, they had an undeniable destructive side as well. In a way, she pitied Kagura, the unfortunate person who had stopped the prospective coupling. The incarnation would have to deal with the full brunt of his displeasure.

Mizoshi's mind was silenced once more when she noticed a light, feathery touch on her calf. She held her breath and calmly pushed the table aside so she could take a peek at her leg without disturbing the intruder. Mizoshi almost screamed out loud when she saw the familiar black arachnid lounging there. It was just like its master.

Tentatively, she touched the spider. It did not move. In fact, it appeared comfortable in its new resting place. Quite frankly, Mizoshi wanted to stomp on it, but she had the impression Naraku would be upset if she killed his "pet".

Trying to be calm, she forced herself to pet the thing. Eventually, it changed position and scampered onto the floor, still uncomfortably close to her. Was he spying on her right now? Did he somehow see what Kuro saw?

She tried not to shiver when the spider started moving its legs, apparently getting increasingly excited about its surroundings. "A spider has the same grace and beauty a peacock has," Naraku's voice whispered in her brain.

Too bad she didn't believe it. Although, perhaps she could try to make friends.

"Kuro?" she called out to it. "Kuro!"

Meekly, the spider crawled to her. It could recognize its name. Perhaps Naraku did control the arachnid. Admiring the spider's night-black body and blood-red eyes, she couldn't help but remember its owner. Red…like fire. Like the fire she felt when her lips were locked with his. Then, she recalled what she had wanted so desperately to put to voice, the single string of words that needed to be heard.

"I love you," she whispered to the spider.

It twitched once. The arachnid had heard her. Yet, all it could do was stare back dumbly. Of course. It was a spider. She didn't honestly think for a second it could understand her sentence, did she?

Sighing, she watched the spider silently crawl under the table. Now, it was happily alone in the sweet sanctity of darkness. Mizoshi hoped none had heard her foolish declaration.

Suddenly, a crash came from the corridor outside. Instantly, her skin paled. Had Naraku overheard? Was he throwing a fit of some kind?

"You have broken your last vase, Kagura!" Naraku's deep voice hissed.

Kagura? On her feet now, Mizoshi wandered into the hall just in time to witness the master's hand strike his incarnation's cheek.

"It was an honest accident, Naraku!" Kagura cried out.

"This is the third occasion, Kagura! All incidents cannot be "honest accidents!" These ceramics are priceless! Can't you understand that? I'll change your reckless ways…"

The incarnation lifted her head defiantly. "What will you do, my lord, whore me out as a prostitute to pay for these stolen priceless ceramics?"

"A fitting occupation," Naraku replied cruelly.

Mizoshi gasped. The slight noise alerted the wind sorceress, but luckily not the shape-shifting demon. The sorceress glared at her from the corners of her scarlet eyes; challenging her to run away from the conflict arrayed before her.

Gazing at that embittered, painted face, Mizoshi began to walk forward. She hadn't the slightest idea what she was doing, but she had to try. She knew her actions might prove futile. It would be akin to a kitten attempting to separate two tigers.

Nevertheless, she would make the effort.

As always, thanks for reading and reviewing! Werewolfpixie, I don't want to spoil anything, but it's very likely her brother will show up.

You know, I've found that listening to music while typing things out really helps with the creative process. Now, I can't get "Caught Up" out of my head…