Mizoshi curled her arms around her pillows.
The castle was quiet. Almost…too quiet.
Like a graveyard.
The screen that divided her room from the main corridor had been daringly left open. Good sense told her to close it, but then again, a paper screen wouldn't keep the devil out. Outside, she could perceive only bare floor and inky shadows. Not a soul was lurking around. In spite of this, Mizoshi still felt eyes upon her person. Even when she had lain unconscious, she had the vague notion she was being observed. Once, Mizoshi swore she had heard the drone of rapidly beating wings, but surely all insect life would've died in the harsh autumn weather, wouldn't it?
Not satisfied with her reasoning, Mizoshi at last raised herself from the mattress and nearly shrieked. Something had settled itself near her body. Something big and hairy.
Trembling now, she bent down to take a closer look. It was Kuro.
It's just the spider. Calm down. It's just the spider.
Weeks ago, Mizoshi would've been terrified. Now, she knew there were worse things that walked the earth's surface than arachnids.
The stealthy thing must have crawled right over my mattress. Why do I have to deal with this as soon as I awaken?
As if sensing her train of thought, Kuro scampered back onto the floorboards. She took this as a signal to vacate her bedding and get dressed in a proper kimono. This time, she chose a sunny yellow robe with ivory daisies growing from every contour.
Wishful thinking. The sun never hits this place.
With a heavy feeling of sadness, Mizoshi turned back towards the yawning screen that led to the world of demons and intrigue beyond. She froze.
Did a shadow just flicker past? No. It must be my imagination. My mind is working overtime.
However, there was no mistaking the sound of a body stumbling against the wall. A sinking sensation settled in the pit of her stomach.
Is it another innocent being slaughtered? Or did Kagura displease her master again.
Mizoshi found herself nastily hoping for the latter, but that was the least of her problems at present.
Tensing, she moved over towards the corridor itself. She held her breath and waited. Another thump sounded, along with a small groan. Steeling herself for the inevitable, she was genuinely startled when she saw the demon slayer boy come into her range of sight.
"Kohaku!" Without thought, she ran to the boy. He observed her with a wavering gaze in his chocolate brown eyes.
"Kohaku," she said more gently this time. "Did something happen? Are you injured?"
"I'm all right," the boy replied feebly. "It's just…I haven't eaten in a while…"
"A while?" She stiffened. "How long exactly?"
Kohaku shrugged. "Two or three days."
"Aren't they feeding you?"
Confusedly, the boy scanned her face. "No. I fend for myself. Everything I eat is gathered from the woodlands. Except, I can't find anything…"
Mizoshi was shocked by this development. Again, Kagura wasn't completely wrong in her assessment that she was a pampered "castle pet." However, it had not been of her choosing to be brought here as such.
"Come, Kohaku," she sighed. "I'll cook breakfast."
His eyes widened. "For me? Won't you get in trouble?"
Once more, liquid anger burned in her blood. "Why would I? I'm sure the master can pilfer any foodstuffs he desires."
Damn him. Damn him back to hell. I'm certainly not going to let Kohaku go hungry. Naraku can rant and rave for the next two weeks as far as I'm concerned. Surely, he wouldn't lay a hand to permanently damage his two slaves, would he? The worst that would happen is another stint in the dungeon.
Satisfied with her impending defiance, Mizoshi led him by the hand to the food preparing area.
"Here, Kohaku. Sit at the table. I shall boil some rice." She used a soothing, motherly tone. Mizoshi didn't wish to upset him anymore than he already must be.
Unsteadily, the demon slayer boy complied as she poured the rice grains. She would have to make extra so Kohaku could have a second dish if his stomach willed it. The two did not speak. Mizoshi could feel Kohaku's stare upon her back, but not a syllable was uttered. Finally, she came to the table with two steaming bowls. The boy began steadily devouring the food immediately. Smiling to herself, Mizoshi raised her own chopsticks to her lips.
Well. This is a welcome change. Someone to actually dine with. Who isn't evil.
All was calm, until a familiar sight darkened the doorway. It was Kuro. Crawling straight to Mizoshi.
Sighing in annoyance, she let the spider inspect her. Eventually, she just gave in and scooped it into her lap. Her aim to prevent Kohaku from seeing it. Safely, it would be hidden under the table. However, judging from the sound of ceramic breaking, she could guess the demon slayer boy had already seen it.
"Mizoshi!" he gasped. "Why are you handling that huge spider?" The boy jerked so quickly to his feet, he nearly succeeded in losing his balance. "Kill it!"
"I can't. It's Naraku's." It took no more than a second to realize what she had just said.
"You mean…it's his?" Kohaku backed away from her, as if she were a huge arachnid too.
"He's perfectly friendly," she tried to reason. "Here. See?" Mizoshi rose from the table.
"Keep back!" he shouted.
Kuro hissed in irritation at being disturbed. The spider bared its fangs at Kohaku. This did nothing to help the situation. Just as she was going to give into helplessness, Kagura appeared.
"Is there a problem here?" The wind sorceress's scarlet eyes roamed over Mizoshi without interest, but sparked when she spotted Kohaku.
"Kohaku. There you are. I've been looking all over creation for you."
Trembling, the demon slayer boy could only stare.
"Your presence is required by the emperor," Kagura stated sarcastically. "Come with me."
Kohaku was apparently acclimated to this treatment. Without struggle, he followed the demoness. Still, the wind witch had to glance back at Mizoshi for a cutting remark.
"Oh, and clean that up, would you? If you don't want the master to see that is."
Of course. Mizoshi had watched first-hand what happened when a priceless ceramic had been broken with Naraku about. Kagura must still have welts.
Sadly, she stooped down and began picking up the jagged pieces.
Poor Kohaku. I must seem as evil as him. Why does that spider have to constantly follow me around?
The arachnid had left. As soon as she had set it down, it happily skittered away.
A good thing it was happy. She herself was anything but.
The veil of depression had not lifted, and it definitely did not improve when Naraku came to call on her at sunset.
Silently, he had entered her chamber whilst she worked over her paints.
"Mizoshi, it's time you had your third lesson. Follow me."
Putting down her brush, she walked behind the dark hanyou. It was pointless to argue. Yet, this time, they were not heading out to the courtyard. No. This time, they were going to the bathing chamber.
"Naraku?" she called out.
"I'll explain when we get there," he claimed.
They walked into the foggy, humid interior of the rooms soon enough. Wheeling around, Naraku met her gaze with smoldering eyes.
"We will have the lesson here. Surely, there is enough water to put any fires out. Now, sit on the floor here."
Grudgingly, she complied. Mizoshi never much cared for being ordered around, especially by this hell demon, but the sooner she obeyed, the sooner this would over.
With a smirk on his lips, he sat down as well—right behind her. Instantly, his hands were on her body. She tensed, but he did not pull away.
"Mizoshi," he whispered silkily, "you will need to learn how to control your power of flame in every emotion you will encounter. We have explored resentment. We have explored anger and sorrow. Now, we shall explore--"
Expertly, with finesse, Naraku kissed the space behind her ear before nibbling on the lobe itself. She blushed.
Surely, he couldn't…
…but, on the contrary, he most certainly could.
"—passion," he positively hissed. A mere instant later, his hand was entangled in her hair. "That is, if you want to learn."
Mizoshi silently cursed her fate that she had been rescued by this lust-filled hanyou.
At least Sesshoumaru would have never touched me. No. He would've killed me instead.
Yet,in the end, she closed her eyes in defeat. Her flesh was already responding, and her heart still beat with unrequited love.
This lesson will not be dull. Not in the slightest.
Undaunted, Naraku went on to caress her neck. It was then, Mizoshi had the most absurd thought cross her mind.
I wonder if he's worried I'll just end up setting him on fire?
Thanks for the reviews, guys! Greatly appreciated! The next chapter will contain some loving, but it'll be nothing explicit. (This isn't even an M rating.)
Shaynie M.: Yes, Kanna and Kagura are full-youkai while Naraku is just a hanyou. (I'm still a bit confused about that actually.)
swimchiki: Yes, Naraku and Mizoshi will end up together. At the moment, Naraku doesn't realize the concept of love, and only wants her to be his, but that too will change.
Sakura evil twin of Sango: Kuro's still here, and he'll be showing up at least once in later chapters.
Sesshy-chansbestpal: Mizoshi will not be staying in the castle for much longer, but she won't have to try to escape. Sorry to sound vague, but I don't want to give too much anyway. ;)