Damn her! Why did she have to do that? Why couldn't she be more…
Unfortunately, Naraku couldn't complete the thought.
It hadn't occurred to him at the time that Kagura was as guilty as she. He had exited his incarnation's chambers nearly hours ago with that newfound revelation.
Of course he couldn't expect her to be civil. Indeed, he had not even punished the feisty demoness. It was her nature. Nothing more. However, Mizoshi was not at fault either.
She could've injured my servant. She could've burned my castle to the foundation. She could've done me a great inconvenience. I've been merciful. I've let her get away with certain things for far too long.
He had not forgotten the "episode" that had transpired two weeks ago in the basement that was currently in use. He could've punished her then for so many reasons. Trespassing into a forbidden area, speaking out of turn, and just about setting his robes aflame. He had been lenient. Until now.
But aren't I overreacting? It was, in truth, an accident.
All of a sudden, it occurred to him why he had grown so angry. It was because he was not in control. Yes, Mizoshi's power was the one quality he himself could not manipulate.
On a whim, she could annihilate this entire castle. True, she would destroy herself in the process, but the point is that she could. She was totally untrained. She needed a firm hand to guide her, and an even firmer hand to restrain her.
A firm hand to guide her…
A smirk curled his lips. He was looking at this hindrance in a wholly negative view, wasn't he? There were undeniable positives in this situation. Hadn't he originally wanted the girl solely for her power? If he would "kindly" help her control it, she would be soothed, and he would benefit.
And yet, there was a problem to this. He couldn't treat her in the manner of property if he wanted to learn about this "love" that was constantly on Mizoshi's tender lips.
I'll be a gallant gentleman. She'll never know the difference. Besides, she should be able to control her power. She should want to.
Still, beneath his rational mind, a doubtfulness was beating in his chest.
Damned human heart.
He remembered what had happened yesterday. No matter how hard he tried to diminish the importance of that event, it continued to haunt him. Somehow, the image of Mizoshi draping a blanket over his supposedly unconscious form refused to disappear. It wouldn't have surprised him in the least if she had brushed those loving lips over his forehead. No one had ever done that before. No one would have dared. It was fortunate he was in an accommodating mood at that particular moment.
She loved him. There was no denying that fact. And how did he repay her?
By locking her in a cell.
Well, that would be the first thing that would have to change. Provided she didn't loathe him too much.
That would ruin his plans before they had even been set in motion.
This is what I get for daring to care. This is what I get.
Her thoughts continued to echo hollowly in her head. Over and over.
What had possessed him to do this? He knew of her power. He knew what she was capable of. What had she done wrong? It wasn't as if she attempted to slay the wind witch. The flames would have never sparked into being had Kagura not baited her.
And now, here she was. Hanging by her wrists in this…dungeon. Hard stone was below, behind, and above her. He was right. There was nothing she could burn here. No wood. No paper. No people.
Against her will, another sob rose in her throat. The situation was so hopeless. Mizoshi would estimate it had been a day since Naraku had locked her away. How much longer would she remain here? Another day? A week? Forever? She would surely starve if that were the case.
She was oblivious to the tears that ran down her cheeks. They had long since extinguished her fire.
Mizoshi wondered how much more of this treatment she could take. She was cold, hungry, and her wrists were becoming raw and cramped due to the unyielding metal of the manacles. Also, the darkness was getting oppressive. There were no sources of light in this entire cellar.
The basement before her was alive with silence. It was almost unreal. Indeed, Naraku had cut her from the world above. The complete helplessness and the entirety of the isolation around her was making her pant in desperation. There was nowhere to run. Nowhere to escape to. Not even in her own mind.
In spite of all efforts to calm her anguish, still more water poured from her hated golden eyes. Perhaps they would douse the amber flames that lurked within.
Or perhaps they're simply wringing every drop of moisture out of my body so that the end will be all the more swifter. Whichever comes first.
She was a mess. She was hated more than ever before. Now, Naraku himself had turned against her. How much longer could she realistically remain alive? She'd made an enemy. She'd made two enemies. That much was certain. Soon, Kagura will wish to finish what Mizoshi had so foolishly started. That is, if the dark hanyou ever chose to free her from these shackles.
He's going to torture me. Probably to death. The man I thought I loved is going to slowly kill me.
Grunting in pain, Mizoshi straightened her spine. The discomfort was becoming increasingly apparent. Regrettably, she had to pull herself up by her bound wrists to accomplish this.
Naraku, I'm sorry.
At that moment, a draft caressed her cheek. A draft that carried the faint odor of miasma. Was it Naraku?
But fate was not that merciful. On her lap, she could distinctly feel a sudden heaviness. A heaviness that was moving. Too small to be a person, but just as deadly in the right circumstances.
That touch was so familiar. It almost felt like…
Kuro.
Stealthily, the black spider that was literally invisible in the gloom, crawled across the front of her kimono. Mizoshi sucked in her breath and involuntarily shuddered. But, the sensation was gone as quickly as it had come.
Spiders? He sends his spiders to torment me now?
However, the spider was better company than what was to come. Following the arachnid came a liquid chuckle.
"Kuro, you're frightening her," he lightly scolded. "Be gone with you."
Now, the torture begins.
Fearfully, she gazed up at the dark hanyou. She couldn't see anything save for the redness of his glowing eyes. He was observing her as well.
"Mizoshi," he breathed.
Maddening terror had sunk in.
"Mizoshi," he repeated, lower than before.
He was walking towards her. Closer. Closer. Close enough to touch…
All at once, her wrists dropped to the unforgiving stone floor. Apparently, she had just been freed from her chains.
No escape. No escape now. Even though I've been unbound, I'm too weak to move.
With ease, he scooped her into his eager arms. She didn't even struggle. Another tear fell from her already wet lashes.
"You're crying?" he questioned softly.
She refused to answer him. Besides, her throat had frozen in fear.
Panic rising in her chest, Mizoshi let herself to be carried by this demon from hell. What else was there to do?
Soon enough, a portal of light came into view. The door leading away from the basement.
Was this…freedom?
The interior of the main castle rose up around her all too soon. The wooden floorboards squeaked and shifted under Naraku's heavy footfalls. Quivering, Mizoshi closed her eyes and simply clung to his navy robes.
They were walking towards the bathing chambers. She was sure of it. However, this time, there would be no bathing attendant.
He's going to drown me.
When they had reached their destination, he automatically set her on her feet in an uncharacteristically gentle manner. The damp shadowy room was yawning and threatening. Not nearly five seconds later was Mizoshi's robe swept off her body by a pair of deft hands.
He's going to…now? What a bas--
She was once more seized by those dexterous, dangerous hands. Naraku, the evil hanyou, then carefully eased her nude body in a tub of steaming water that had obviously been prepared specifically for this purpose. At last, he let go of her shivering frame altogether. But not for long.
A cloth was being lightly scrubbed across her back. The scent of aromatic oils filled the air.
Naraku is bathing me?
In spite of the seemingly compassionate situation, she began to cry anew. The droplets of water scattered into the pool below her like rain. She heard an annoyed sigh behind her.
"Please stop, Mizoshi."
"Naraku," she whispered hoarsely.
"Be quiet," he ordered.
She was still not to speak? Maybe he would remove her tongue later.
"Mizoshi?" he called from behind her faintly.
She stayed rooted to the spot. She didn't want to look at him.
He growled in irritation. Out of the inkiness, thick fingers grasped her chin; forcing her to drink in the sight ofhis beautiful face. A beautiful face, with cruelty lurking underneath.
"Mizoshi," he pronounced slowly, "would you give me the sole honor of training you?"
Yay! People like! Dark Naraku is just Better Naraku, huh? (I have an unhealthy fixation with bad boys, lol.) Thanks for all the wonderful reviews, guys! And this is my longest chap yet! Woo-hoo! (Yup, I'm finally in a good mood.)
Sesshy-chansbestpal: Sesshoumaru will be around for two more appearances. (I'm pretty sure about this.) And yes, Ken will be in the story for like three or so chapters.
Sesshys Lover: Well, she certainly LOOKS like one. (She was even topless in one of the manga books I bought.)
Van: Yup, there's a Sesshoumaru fic in the works. It's going to be a sort of origin type thing. It'll explain things in detail about his home life in the past and stuff.
Sakura evil twin of Sango: Yes, Mizoshi will only have fire powers for the rest of the story. This was a sad chapter, huh? The next few will be more romantic than angsty though.