Slowly, awareness returned. Everything was so fuzzy. Indeed, the room about Mizoshi seemed to be covered in a dewy haze.
Where am I?
She blinked a few times to clear her vision until she could recognize her surroundings.
I'm in Naraku's room. How did I get here? Did we--?
She peeked underneath the covers to confirm she was wearing actual clothes.
Apparently we didn't.
Squinting in the darkness, Mizoshi could make out the two dim outlines of the tables in the center of the room. They were covered with dirty dishes and spent candles.
That's right. We had dinner last night. And then I…
The wine glass stared at her evilly from its place on the table. It was its fault she felt so sick right now.
No, it's mine. It's my fault for overindulging. But where's Naraku?
The master was missing. Usually, he was draped over her shivering form when she awoke.
He must have more business to concoct.
On that thought, it suddenly occurred to her that she didn't know precisely what Naraku actually did. Was he a demon lord? Did such things exist? Did he serve the emperor somehow? What did Naraku do with his time? What was his goal? What did he live for? Mizoshi wanted to know. Unfortunately, her probing questions would be unwelcome and ultimately left unanswered.
It's best I don't know, she decided. It's all for the best.
Mizoshi sat there in her lord's bed until the pounding pain in her head ebbed. Yet, that didn't stop a dizzy spell from seizing her as soon as she got to her feet.
Nearly landing on her knees, she crouched down on the floor, waiting for the draining wooziness to pass.
The first time I am invited to a real dinner, I become drunk. I hope he doesn't think me that type.
Slowly rising to stand, Mizoshi noticed a slat of light on the floorboards. She turned to see where it was coming from and found that the window screen had been left open a crack.
That must be where Naraku is.
She didn't want to invade his privacy, but she had to see him. She couldn't explain why, but she just had to talk to him. To behold his face.
Also, I should apologize. Just to be safe.
Moving across the wooden floor gingerly, Mizoshi hooked her fingers around the screen and slid it open. The cheerless skies of miasma greeted her. There, on the porch, leaning against the wall, was the demon himself.
Was he hurt? Why wasn't he moving?
Risking a peek at Naraku, Mizoshi discovered he had fallen sound asleep. His eyes were closed and his skin was unnaturally pale. His raven locks of hair merely enhanced the pallor.
He doesn't look ill, but he must have been extremely exhausted.
The wind stirred his hair, blowing the long strands past his face. Mizoshi hastily wrapped her arms around her chest. It was cold out here. Winter was coming, sure enough.
In a flash, an idea sparked in her mind. Quickly racing inside the apparent safety of the castle, Mizoshi snatched up a silk sheet from the bed. Holding it in a bundle, she padded back out to the porch. Naraku had still not awoken from his deep slumber.
Unfurling the blanket, Mizoshi settled the filmy material over his body until the sleeping dark hanyou was completely covered. Satisfied, she pulled the sheet up to his neck. She didn't know if Naraku would appreciate this gesture, but it was undeniably frigid in the late autumn air.
It's probably useless. I suspect he doesn't even take heed of the chill.
But he looked so innocent when he was all swaddled up.
Smiling to herself a bit, Mizoshi retreated inside, intent on reaching her own room.
I have to get out of these clothes. They're too fine to wear for everyday use. Besides, I need to air the wrinkles out.
Of course, it couldn't be a smooth journey. As if on cue, Kagura, the perpetually snippy wind witch, was coming right at her from the opposite direction.
Perhaps she won't notice me.
Mizoshi was wrong.
"My, you look bedraggled," the incarnation leered.
"It was a rough night," Mizoshi replied coolly.
"And you're wearing your best." Kagura looked her up and down. "Tell me, Mizoshi. How much did you enjoy of your "rough night?" Do you so enjoy being abused by the dark master of the castle? Were you left begging for more?" Intentionally, she dropped her voice lower. "Did you make his bed?"
Her anger flared up like a volcano. For too long, only steam wafted from the vents. Now, hot lava rose to the surface. She would not be spoken to this way. Not anymore. Castle pets could bite too.
"You have no right, you…whore!"
Without warning, the fire struck. The fire that surrounded Mizoshi's very being. Flames licked at the wall that was so near to the wind witch's silk kimono. Startled, the second incarnation appraised this development. Wide scarlet eyes roamed the spreading conflagration. Instantly, Kagura's fan was out.
Was she to attack? What have I done?
Threateningly, she raised her lethal fan. In an eye-blink, a gust of wind expertly blew out the blaze.
Kagura must be a true mistress of winds. An amateur could've spread the flames even further. My flames.
"Mizoshi!" a voice barked. "What the hell did you just do?"
Her blood froze in her veins. No longer was she a fiery phoenix goddess. Instead, she had transformed back into a meek, timid, deadly terrified human.
"Mizoshi," Naraku growled, "what is the meaning of this? Kagura?"
The wind sorceress remained utterly silent.
"Well?" The dark hanyou glared at both of them with blood-red pools. She gasped. Never had Mizoshi seen Naraku this angry. At that moment, she just wanted to melt through the floor. Ironically, that was to happen.
"Naraku…" Mizoshi began.
"Silence, wench," he hissed.
Wench?
Those bloody pools switched to Kagura. "You. We shall speak later about this. Leave!"
The wind sorceress stalked away moodily. Her face was utterly expressionless.
Panicked, she tried again. "Naraku?" Her voice came out as a plea.
"Shut up!"
Fiercely, he seized her wrist. As if that wasn't bad enough, he twisted it too. Mizoshi mewled in pain.
"So, you like fire Mizoshi? You like to burn and destroy, do you?"
A tear had started to form in the corner of her eye.
"We'll see about that."
It was useless to struggle. Resigning herself to fate, she allowed her arm to be brutalized as Naraku tugged her along. Eventually, the door to the basement came into view.
No, he can't. He wouldn't.
The incensed hanyou threw it open; dragging her across the dark recesses that had collected beneath the castle. After several twists and turns in total blackness, she found herself in a small cell. The cramped space was entirely constructed of stone. Upon further inspection, she noticed there were shackles affixed to this impenetrable stone wall.
Viciously, the dark hanyou released her wrist and threw her to the floor. Feeble whimpers escaped her lips as Naraku yanked her hands up and locked them in the iron chains. She couldn't seem to react in any other fashion.
"Burn something now, Mizoshi," he said cruelly. "I dare you to try."
And then he left her. In tears.
At last, the tears that had been held inside started to leak onto the beautiful robe of black silk. Hadn't she wanted to change because she didn't want to see it ruined? How pointless it all was. How pointless everything was.
While alone, the sobs came. Puddles of tears surrounded her broken self as she slowly cried herself to sleep.
This is what I get for daring to care…
Well, this chapter turned out way darker than I expected…
Sorry about the LONG time to update, but I've been sick with a horrendous summer flu—which sucks majorly.
Well, I'm anticipating around 12-15 more chaps to this story. Sadly, the fic must end sometime. Besides, I want to get to work on Perfect. At least I thought up the title of my Sesshoumaru fic. :) (But don't worry. I'm not going to skimp on Kimono.)
Sakura evil twin of Sango: There's definitely going to be some loving; it's just slow to develop. (Don't let this chapter fool you.)
Van: (blushes) Thanks for the suggestion! I was thinking that maybe her power is still underdeveloped.
werewolfpixie: I guess it would just be some mild interest. The romantic feelings are basically one-sided on Kagura's part. No romance will actually develop. I'm trying to keep true to what Sesshoumaru feels on the show. (Or seems to feel.)
RenegadeMustang: Kohaku's still hanging around the castle. I'm not sure if he'll make an appearance or not though.