Show me the world?
Mizoshi studied Naraku's expression, but could not guess his motives. His features remained fixed in that characteristic amused smirk of his. She wondered what could be so terribly amusing.
Suddenly, Naraku's voice broke the evening silence. "Look there." He pointed behind her. "Isn't that lovely?"
She spun around and was awestruck by the sight. The fat, golden crescent hanging in the sky demanded attention. Moonlight struck her face. Mizoshi silently commented on the moon's celestial beauty. Up close, she could see that half of it was aglow while the other half remained in shadow. Privately, she felt like she and Naraku mirrored the same situation.
However, Mizoshi's admiration for the natural nighttime wonder was broken when she felt Naraku's chin rest on her shoulder. "Enjoying the view?" he purred.
She decided not even to lie. "Yes. Very much."
"It's been a long time since you've stood in a forest," he ventured.
Mizoshi wanted to chuckle about that. They weren't as much standing in the forest as they were on top of it.
Suddenly, Naraku jerked her around to face him. The intense look in his smoldering eyes scared her. "You see? I have brought you outside of the gray castle walls to stare at the starlight. I have given you a measure of freedom in a sense. Do I still seem like such a monster to you?"
"You resemble one," she answered truthfully.
Naraku scowled down at his white-furred attire. "I wear this when I roam the countryside. Not everyone should have the honor of beholding my countenance."
Mizoshi blinked. Was he truly that arrogant? Or did he wear the pale pelt for a deeper reason? Unsure of what to expect next from the dark hanyou, she again tried to focus her attention on the hazy skies. To her surprise, she found unexpected solace in the sweeping clouds of black velvet as the evening breeze stirred her ebony hair. So. The book of poems hadn't lied. There was beauty in darkness. Letting her eyes wander, she fastened her gaze on a distant silver glimmer. A star. Should she make a wish?
"The moon fascinates you?" Naraku's words chilled her ear. They were colder than the autumn wind.
"I don't get to see it too often."
He chuckled. "And here's another thing you don't get to see often." Akin to a cat, he gracefully jumped down through the branches of the leafy pine—dragging her down with him. In an instant, Naraku had changed position from the highest tree limb to the forest floor. Mizoshi opened her mouth in annoyance at being accosted from her perch, but the flames of building anger were quickly extinguished when she took in the new scene before her.
There were wildflowers. Dozens of them. Spread out far and wide. The last emblems of summer. Confused, she looked over at Naraku for confirmation. He didn't wait long to launch into another explanation.
"The valley here gets direct sunlight. Flowers thrive here. The blooms will last for at least two more weeks until the frost comes. You may pick as many as you wish."
"Pick flowers?" She was overjoyed at the prospect, but she vowed not to let Naraku notice. After all, she was not a little girl anymore. Still…
"Go into the field," Naraku said gruffly. "I shall wait for you by the river."
And just like that, he departed; stalking off towards to what now Mizoshi knew was the river. She could hear the swift passage of water through heavy rocks. Naraku was now situating himself on one of those very rocks, seemingly ready to wait for an eternity.
Truth be told, she was speechless about this entire affair. Was he honestly going to watch her pick flowers? Why all this uncharacteristic gentleness? Something about this shift in Naraku's attitude unnerved her. This was so unlike him. Curiously, she glanced over at the dark shape. He met her gaze with a penetrating stare of his own. The moonlight caught the redness of his eyes, giving them the appearance of liquid blood. Shivering inwardly, Mizoshi knelt down by the fresh flowers. She wasn't about to continue watching him while he watched her with such severity. Besides, winter was coming. Who knew when she'd get the opportunity to pluck another azalea?
Breathing in the sweetness of the pollen, Mizoshi set herself to work.
From the shadows, Naraku had a magnificent vantage point of Mizoshi as she "toiled." Indeed, he had quite a delectable view of the girl while she knelt in the grass. The subtle radiance from the heavens illuminated every curve under her aqua kimono.
He desired her of course. That's what most of his motivations were based on. Obsession and desire. The two traits went hand in hand where Mizoshi was concerned. However, a definite coolness had rose up between them ever since that fateful morning where he had caught her intruding upon his sanctuary. If he followed his baser instincts, and simply laid her out on fallen leaves, she would forever be mistrustful of him. That is, if it that hadn't happened already.
Yet, in reality, it mattered little if she trusted him at all. She was useless to him. The girl couldn't be used for battling his foes, nor could he harness her powers. They were intimately tied to her own emotions. Nevertheless, what harm could setting a few brush fires do?
Yes, Mizoshi was useless to him. And still, she remained with him. It wasn't her choice, he knew. Perhaps she herself wanted to escape his toxic grip.
Sighing, he watched boredly as Mizoshi gathered a bouquet of yellow, white, and violet blooms. Naraku had been right about one thing. Women loved flowers, didn't they? As it turned out, his choice had been correct. Personally, he couldn't understand the attraction. He didn't know what she'd do with them. He supposed she would take them inside the castle to brighten up the gloomy interior.
Or maybe, she should just take them with her to the next village as a keepsake. Since Naraku had no real use for Mizoshi, shouldn't he consider letting her go? It would be so much easier in the end. Although, he wouldn't even imagine killing her. There would be no valid point to that option.
She was aware he was watching her. Vigorously, her hands worked on breaking off the slender stems. The pile of wildflowers that had been tossed by her feet was growing steadily. Naraku noticed how she refused to meet his gaze. Obviously, he still alarmed her. This realization prompted a near silent chuckle. Indulgently, he felt his lips arrange themselves into a smirk.
So, what did he see in front of him? A girl? A woman? Something in between? Mizoshi was a paradox. In age, she was on the verge of womanhood, but she resembled a mere girl. She appeared to be human, but she had the eyes of a demon. Surrounded by the flowers, she was the embodiment of virtue, yet she stayed with him and his vices. Why was that? Surely, he had expected she'd be begging to return to the world of daylight.
In one smooth motion, the girl at last stood up; bending over to scoop up her bounty. Naraku identified the local blooms. There were clumps of tiny flowers, trumpet-like flowers, star-shaped flowers, and flowers that reminded him of feather-like plumes. He hoped that Mizoshi was well satisfied.
Rising up from the boulder, he stalked over to her and inspected the fruits of her labor. "What will you do with them?" he asked mildly.
"I shall put them in a vase. My room needs some brightening up."
Her room? Already, she intended to return to his castle. She had resigned herself to her fate. But was this what she truly desired?
He could let her go. Right now. He could release her.
Out of the blue, thick puffy clouds scuttled across the moon, leaving them in darkness. The two were left looking at each other. There was a bewilderment present in Mizoshi's eyes that he understood all too well. Was she thinking the same thing?
Almost instantaneously, he made his decision. "Come, Mizoshi. We are leaving for the castle."
The girl merely nodded; her mouth remaining closed. Her silence was acquiesce.
Not wasting another moment, Naraku looped his arms around his prize. And then they were off. Spiraling through the stars above.
Thanks for all the support with this story, guys. I know it sounds corny, but it does mean a lot. Well, the college workload has finally thinned. All I ask is that I pass Algebra. :(
Sesshy-chansbestpal: Not to sound even more vague, but Ken will show up after Sesshoumaru does. That'll be around 9-10 chapters away.
werewolfpixie: He is sweet and romantic. For now…
bowwowlover: Actually, that's just what I was thinking when I updated. Aw well. I'd think Naraku's pick-up lines would be kind of clichéd. (Since he probably doesn't have much experience in romance.)
crystaltears: Yes, that was the voice of Mizoshi's officially dead brother, Nibori.