Mizoshi gripped the table in front of her to keep from toppling over. "W-why?" she blurted out. "Is it something I have done? Have I displeased you?"
"It has nothing to do with that!" Naraku snapped. "It is for the best, and my word is law. If you recall, we had a conversation similar to this before. However, this time, there will be no room for argument. You will leave mere hours from now. Now, eat."
Leaving her plate untouched, she mulled over Naraku's behavior. He was really letting her go? Now? But why? Did it have anything to do what had transpired last night?
"Dear Mizoshi, you do not belong here," he continued silkily. "You belong in the world of daylight and flowers. No longer will I keep you from it. You couldn't possibly survive in this miasma-soaked castle for the entire winter. Consider yourself exceedingly lucky. Most often, I absorb demons--and half-demons--into my own body when I no longer wish to house them."
She was at a loss. Perhaps she had misheard him. "Absorb…them?"
"I absorb demons to increase my powers," he explained with a hardened glint in his eye. "It is very fortunate your measly power of flame doesn't interest me. Pity. I thought it would've been stronger."
It felt like she had been slapped. "So…you kept me around…for that? You mean you never…" Helplessly, she let the sentence trail off into the stifling air.
"Why else?" the dark hanyou scoffed. "And now, you shall return to the realm I have abducted you from."
"You don't care for me at all?" Mizoshi balled her hands into fists. Suddenly, in her flare of anger, a memory rose to the surface. "But you said you loved me! I heard it. Right before I fell asleep one night that I spent in your bed, you murmured it into my ear!"
"You must have been mistaken, Mizoshi. I have never used that word. Not even once in all the decades I have been alive."
His tone was cavalier and nonchalant. But, she wasn't a fool. She knew she had heard him say it. And now, he denied it all to her face. Still, he was a powerful demon. Even though raw anguish was twisting her heart, she very well couldn't scream her displeasure at him.
Searchingly, she stared into those beguiling garnet eyes. There was only a dead calm reflected there. But, why was he sitting there so tensely? Why was his spine so unnaturally straight? It seemed he near had to force himself to stay and speak.
Is it possible, deep down, he doesn't want to let me go?
So, why is he?
Rising from the table, the dark hanyou fixed her with his gaze. "Now, eat. I don't expect to repeat myself. When you are finished, come into my room. I shall meet with you there. And then, you will meet Kagura in the courtyard. She will transport you within walking distance to the nearest village."
In seconds he was gone. Evaporated. With Naraku no longer present, the tears began to fall. Within moments, they dotted her food, but she did not care. She had no desire ever to eat again.
He's letting me go. He's letting me go. He's—
Suddenly, her mad, circling thoughts ceased. Pausing, Mizoshi reconsidered.
He's letting me go…
At last, she would be free. Free to walk under the trees, free to gain warmth and energy from the sun, free to behold the puffy white clouds…
Oh, the possibilities were endless. And she would be amongst people. Not demons with sinister designs, but actual people with normal emotions.
In spite of her lingering sorrow, she forced herself to devour the fish and rice. She even managed one plum, even though it tasted more bitter than sweet. Or maybe it was just her frame of mind.
Rising from the table, she went over to the wardrobe and swung the maplewood doors open for the last time.
What should I wear?
All of a sudden it came to her. She chose the silk scarlet kimono Kagura had dressed her in for her first shared meal with the dark hanyou. Naraku had a preference for red. Knowing this information, Mizoshi couldn't staunch one absurd thought:
Maybe if he sees me wearing this, he'll reconsider his decision.
After she was robed, Mizoshi gathered the remaining three plums. She might grow hungry on her journey. If Naraku allowed her to take them of course.
Turning to her bed, she plucked out all her paintings from under the mattress and drew them to her chest. She couldn't bear to abandon them.
And why should I? They're all I have left.
Satisfied, she left her sleeping chamber for the final time. Mizoshi had taken all she could. Now, she must meet Naraku. Again, for the final time.
I hope I can control myself. I can't break down in front of him. Besides, this is supposed to be a happy occasion.
Right?
Rubbing her eyes a bit to ensure every bit of moisture had been erased, she entered Naraku's private apartment. He was already standing there. Waiting. In his hands, he carried a cloth-covered package.
"I see you are ready," he intoned stiffly. "Here. A gift for the road. I'm sure you'll appreciate it when winter arrives in your new home."
Trembling, Mizoshi stepped forward and took the carefully wrapped bundle. Sitting on the floor, she slowly unwrapped it under his roaming stare.
"Oh, Naraku…" she murmured as she slowly lifted the beautiful kimono out of its confines. "It's…beautiful…"
She shook out the sleek, flowing fabric and admired the stunning handiwork. It was a kimono fit for a princess, even more extravagant than what she wore now. The robe was of iridescent mauve and silvery green; the traditional shades of winter. In the faintest of designs, boughs of pine trees branched out across the patches of viridian. It was simply breathtaking.
Mizoshi eyed Naraku suspiciously. "You want me to wear this?"
"When the first snow falls, yes."
The two hanyou were left gazing at each other. Golden met crimson.
And it would be the last time they would ever meet.
The dark hanyou smirked lightly. "Now, I believe Kagura is waiting for you. I'm sure you want to feel the grass underfoot after all these weeks, don't you?"
"I suppose."
Mizoshi knew she had just been dismissed, but she couldn't force herself to walk away. She didn't want to. She did only a day or two ago, but not anymore.
"Goodbye, Mizoshi," Naraku said mildly. "I wish you every happiness in the future."
"Goodbye, Naraku." Her voice cracked. Instantly, Naraku's eyes glittered in irritation.
"Kagura is waiting. Go. Now."
"Thank you, Naraku, for your generosity," Mizoshi managed to gasp out before turning on her heel and breaking into a run. In her arms, she carried the kimono, the plums, and the half of dozen or so of her paintings.
If I hadn't run, I'd have never moved at all. I couldn't just simply walk away.
Dazedly, she entered the courtyard and encountered the scarlet-eyed wind witch scowling at her.
But here I am.
"Come on. We don't have the entire day to languish," she snapped.
At the very least, I won't have to see Kagura anymore.
Reluctantly, she approached the bitter woman whose scowl only deepened the closer Mizoshi came.
"You're certainly prepared for the occasion," she spat, regarding the items Mizoshi carried. "That junk better not weigh us down, or it's all going off the side."
Mizoshi ignored the jeers. "The side of what exactly?"
The wind sorceress threw her a look of superiority. With aplomb, she tugged out a downy feather from her elaborate, wispy-haired bun. Carelessly, she tossed it to the ground. The little feather wafted for a split second in the air before suddenly transforming into a giant feather. She took in the scene with silent wonder.
The feather's size has increased so dramatically; it's big enough for two to sit upon. Is this what we are to travel on?
"Well? Don't just stand there. Get on," she hissed.
All Mizoshi could so was stare in confusion.
I don't want to. I want to stay. But, he says I have to leave…
Kagura noticed her bewilderment. Assuming Mizoshi was perplexed by this abrupt alteration in form, the haughty demoness chose to flaunt her abilities.
"Naraku is not the only one with power here."
However, Mizoshi paid little attention to her bragging. This in turn caused the wind witch to grow unrestrainedly impatient.
"Enough of this! Let's go, you stupid wench! Get on that feather!" she snarled.
Suddenly, Kagura shoved her onto the plume's velvety surface. Mizoshi was nearly knocked over in the process. Scarcely moments later, the wind sorceress sat by her side. And then they were off. Spiraling into the amethyst-tinged clouds.
"We're so high up!" Mizoshi gasped, fearfully gazing back down to the sandy courtyard they had just been standing in.
The demoness rolled her eyes. "Of course we are. That's the entire principle behind flying, isn't it?"
In truth, Mizoshi had flown in the past. But back then, it had been with a man she believed had truly cared for her. At the time, she didn't believe the dark hanyou would have ever let her drop to the cold earth. Never let her go. Yet, she was none too sure about what his incarnation might do. This sour incarnation that had never approved of her presence in the first place…
"Don't worry," the malevolent sorceress chuckled. "I won't throw you from this high perch in the hopes that you break your neck. Besides, the master has told me in excruciatingly painful terms of what he would do if he discovered you were harmed by my hands."
This statement didn't reassure Mizoshi, but, regardless, she couldn't help a tiny bit of wetness escaping her lashes.
He cares. He cares enough to still see after my safety. Yes, Naraku does care for something for me, even though this scene points to the contrary.
As if on the same wavelength, Naraku himself strode out of the castle. He was clothed in his cream and lavender yukata; the darkness of his ebony locks complimenting the paleness of his light dress nicely. He was so beautiful in the early morning light.
And I'll never see him again. Never again will he enter my sight.
Emotion tightened Mizoshi's throat as Kagura's feather sped across the sky. The last thing she saw was Naraku craning his neck up at the sky, his crimson eyes trained on something that would no longer be glimpsed.
Well, most reviewers seem to be taking it well. (Don't blame me! My muses made me do it!) But, really, Mizoshi and Naraku will be reunited. I just thought this would open up more storylines for the fic, but the romance between Mizoshi and Naraku is by no means over. Also, Naraku's present refers to the title of the story, Kimono. (See? I knew I'd explain the title eventually.) This will have further meaning in the story.
gothic-ember: Hmm…rather harsh. I guess I can consider you my first flame, but I guess it's sort of deserved. This is a Naraku romance though, so it can't be happy all the way through. Still, they will be together at the end of the fic.
werewolfpixie: Kuro's name means "black." I looked up the Japanese definition. (Originally, I was going to "yami" for darkness, but I thought "kuro" sounded better.) Also, Kikyo won't be showing up. (Can't stand her! No offense if you're a fan though.)
Sakura evil twin of Sango: Basically, he's letting her go because he cannot admit his feelings for her. Naraku still wants the jewel, and he feels his infatuation with Mizoshi keeps him from it. Eventually, he'll realize his mistake.
Fade2Black2008: I'm planning for 6-8 more chapters. Although, the upcoming chapters will be longer than usual.