Mizoshi glumly studied the lick of flame dance and wave enticingly at her from its wick.
I shouldn't be out here so late at night, but I just can't fall asleep. What else can I do?
Shivering in the silken shawl, Mizoshi tipped her head up. Through the shadowy gnarled branches of the dogwood, she glimpsed clear pieces of night sky bejeweled with specks of starlight. The miasma ebbed and flowed in between. She had just recently gotten used to the aroma.
I'm safe out here. Perfectly safe.
Although, the faint sounds of screeches and growls from Naraku's "guards" from beyond the demonic barrier could suggest otherwise.
They're for defense, aren't they? A lord must protect his castle.
Tucking her bare feet underneath her rather thin yukata, Mizoshi was beginning to wish she had dressed in more layers.
I should go in…but I won't. Out here, I'm safe. These bone-chilling winds will provide no respite for the drowsy.
Her eyes drifting southwards, Mizoshi watched the golden flame flicker and glimmer in the damp, misty air. The beauty of it was undeniable. It was even welcoming, for the heat of the fire warmed the hands that cupped it. It was by its light that she felt secure. But in her subconscious, this was another tale entirely.
When did the nightmares start? Oh, yes. When I came back here. When I was sick. When I saw Ken…
Her brother was the main topic in her dreams. First, she had attributed the vivid, gruesome, disturbing images of her relation due to her fever and sickness. When she recovered and the nightmare still persevered, there was no elevation in temperature to blame it on.
Do I hate him? Do I want to slay him?
Each night, fire and great destruction followed. In her dreams, Mizoshi was the hand orchestrating it all; sending forth great currents of blaze and scorching both field and township. The heat of the flames excited her, and in her delirium, one person was always struck down in a blinding radiance of conflagration. Her brother.
Blinking, Mizoshi tried in vain to clear the image of her mother crying over his smoking corpse. Her long, waving hair of onyx strands hid her tear-streaked face as her wails were carried into the ash-filled air.
No! My mother is dead. And, I will not kill my brother either. I don't even want to see my brother. Where would I get the opportunity to set him aflame? Why would I dream such terrible things? Is it the demon within? Did my father too have horrendous nightmares along with his active powers?
Shivering, she set the candle down on the bench. She no longer wanted to feel its heat.
Is my power evil? Truly?
More devastated that ever, she focused her attention on the frost-encased grass and simply let her toes skim over it.
The ice can contain my fire. No matter how cold it is.
So involved in attempting to numb herself, she did not notice someone was staring at her from across the winding stone path. "Mizoshi?"
I've been careless again. Then again, I suppose I could burn the intruder to death.
Glancing up, she was relieved to see Kohaku, the demon slayer boy, standing there. Except this time, he was dressed differently. Instead of donning his usual short gray kimono, he was clothed in black and green padded armor that clung to his body like a second skin.
"Kohaku?" she called out.
With a curious double take, the boy slowly wandered towards her.
"Lady Kagura said you had come back."
"Did she?" Mizoshi fingernails were biting in the heel of her hand.
"Yes," he replied firmly. Suspiciously, he looked deeply into her damning golden eyes.
Can he tell that a murderous demoness is lurking underneath?
Surprisingly, he merely grinned. "I'm glad." Taking the initiative, he sat down beside her, the candle separating them by inches. A bit pensively, Kohaku hunched over on the bench, his cheeks flushing a bit. Perhaps it was from the cold.
I'm shocked he seems so happy to see me considering what happened last time.
He must've had his memory erased very recently. How else could he forget that a gargantuan spider hissed at him and that I was its handler?
Immediately, she felt a pang of sympathy for the now silent boy.
At length, his voice rode the breeze. "You are a servant too, Mizoshi?"
The question had taken her aback. "What?"
"I didn't get the chance to ask you before. Do you too perform a service? When I heard you were back, I asked that woman about it."
"Kagura? Well, what did she say?" Already, she had a bad sensation about this.
Does Kagura ever say anything good? What has she let slip now?
Kohaku was blushing again. "She said…uh…you perform special services for the master of the castle…but that I was too young to understand." Embarrassingly, he gazed up at her for confirmation.
Mizoshi's clenched her fingers over her knees to brace herself.
Is that all people see when they look at me?
"Yes, Kohaku," she whispered. "I do…perform duties for Naraku."
It's my duty to entertain. I surmise that being the caged bird is a job in itself.
The demon slayer boy was opening his mouth once more. Automatically, Mizoshi interjected.
"But, what are you doing out so late, Kohaku? It's past midnight."
Kohkau's chocolate brown eyes remained fastened on the planes of her face. Studying her. "I come out here sometimes," his voice sounded strained. "Night and day do not matter; I could run an errand under the rising sun or the setting moon. In fact…I'm to be gone by now." The boy looked horrified for a brief moment before averting his uncomfortable stare.
Maybe he's said too much.
"Why are you out here?" he asked in a quivering tone. "You don't have to be. It's warmer inside."
"I can't sleep," she stated flatly. "I won't."
The demon slayer boy hastily redirected his gaze. "Why not?"
"Nightmares."
He was still looking at her.
Why does he not stop?
Suddenly wishing she had remained alone, Mizoshi set her eyes up among the stars. Unfortunately, this slight moment caused the richly designed shawl to slip off her shoulders. Instantly, Kohaku lunged for it.
"Here, let me…"
It all happened too fast. Too fast even for the demon slayer boy's reflexes. The shawl fell elegantly into a pool of dusky silk. Kohaku's hand shot out for it. The lantern tipped over. The lantern fell—and made contact with the shawl. In less than two seconds, the elaborate article of clothing of clothing was afire. In less than a minute, nothing remained of the shawl.
Kohaku was aghast. "Mizoshi, I—"
But, she was no longer within earshot to hear his apology.
I'm sorry, Kohaku. My flames might very well engulf you as well if I'm not careful.
Her yukata swishing around her ankles, Mizoshi began to run. A futile effort, but an effort nonetheless.
I have to get help. I can't deal with my demonic blood by myself anymore. What if it consumes me akin to a spark igniting a thread?
Tears blurring her vision, she continued to flee. Corridor after corridor rushed past. Yawning doorways laughed at her. Her legs carried her through portions of pale yellow torchlight and inky shadow. In truth, it felt more than fine to run; her legs had been aching to be stretched. Her dark hair was flying behind her like a banner, contrasting gaudily with the paleness of her sleeping robe.
I have to find someone. Something Something to make sure I'm still me.
Eventually, Mizoshi slowed. Panting from exertion, she came to a shaky atop in front of a familiar passageway.
It's Naraku's room. Has fate led me here? Or my own mind?
Behind the forbidding rice paper screens, an even more forbidding sight lurked. The Lord of the Castle.
He wouldn't turn me away, would he?
Her heart in her throat, Mizoshi prepared to do the unthinkable.
I don't want to be alone. Naraku's been leaving me solitary for too long. I need someone to talk to, and he's my sole option. Kagura is impossible, Kanna wouldn't understand or care, and Kohaku is too young. And human.
Sucking in a brath, Mizoshi laid her hands on the screens and slid them apart.
He could still be awake. Possibly. I'm not intruding. I'm not after the jewel. I only came to see him
There, to the left side of the vast apartment, Naraku slept. A white sheet entirely covered him while his trailing ebony hair streamed over plump pillows. His breathing was smooth, and his eyes were closed.
He's already abed!
It's not that surprising. It's at least two hours past midnight.
Nervously, she shifted from foot to foot before finally making the most sensible choice.
I'll leave and call upon him in the afternoon. I suppose my paints could keep me company until sunrise. As long as I avoid red
Feeling very much like a little child that was ready to wait and go on a tear from the slightest disorder, she sheepishly turned around and prepared to quietly pad out of the chamber unnoticed.
Yet, not even this reasonable course of action was meant to be.
It was the bemused chuckle that alerted her-- then, the shifting of a heavy body pushing aside bedding. Feeling no better than prey, the bird met the spider's simmering gaze. Naraku was sitting up on the thick mattress, crimson eyes burning. A smirk creased his alabaster skin.
"Mizoshi, don't you know it's bad manners to enter someone's sleeping chambers and then leave without expressing exactly what you wanted? One might think one would be up to something…vile."
Not wanting to share Kagura's fate—wherever she was presently—Mizoshi spoke rapidly. "You w-were asleep, so I d-decided not to interrupt your r-r-rest." The stammer could not be contained. She was scared. Irrationally so.
Do I honestly expect him to slay me on the spot?
"Nonsense," he said soothingly. "Come here." In the dimness, Mizoshi could just barely discern the dark hanyou beckoning towards her.
Steeling herself, she moved over to Naraku. In a twist of irony, a stray shaft of frosty, autumn moonlight struck his features. His muscled chest was displayed for all to see, along with the intense manifestation of his face.
"Sit beside me, Mizoshi," he cooed, "and you can tell me what the problem is."
Kneeling, she complied. Suddenly, his sinewy arm was around her shoulders.
"Tell me what's wrong, Mizoshi," he repeated.
What is this? Is this…a gesture of caring?
Suddenly, the whole story poured out of her. "I've been having nightmares. Terrible nightmares where I have no control of my powers and I just…burn everything and everyone—" Oddly enough, she could not continue.
"Shhh, it's okay. It's all right." His words were so sincere.
On another note, Mizoshi was now fully aware totally engulfed in Naraku's embrace.
Just what is he planning?
"I don't want to be alone tonight." No sooner had the words exited her moth did she had the wild urge to kick herself.
Why did I say that? He'll mistake my meaning.
This surely isn't my meaning, is it?
"Then, you won't." he promised huskily. "Not this evening."
Before she could utter a sound of protest, he drew her under the sheet. Gently, he turned her over so that they were noses were nearly touching. Naraku's arms held her to him, and they were stronger than metal chains.
Bound in threads. Bound in his threads.
Mizoshi now considered herself an insult to any insect that flew into a spider's abode from this night forward.
I don't even struggle anymore. Not that I ever have.
Beneath him, she had little choice but to gaze into his magnetic ruby eyes that hinted at roses. And thorns. And blood.
"You see? I shall protect you. There will be no nightmares in this bed." The dark hanyou smirked, smoky tendrils of his hair looming over her.
Settling deeper into the mattress, she watched him appraise her. He scanned her body longingly. His smirk never left.
It's like he's laughing down at me. Am I that foolish?
Unfortunately or just the opposite, Naraku's lips touched her own. She groaned in some obscure emotion. All thoughts would come to naught now. Surrendering to the burst of obscure emotion that was boiling inside her chest, Mizoshi relaxed and folded her arms around him.
It's been so long…
Obligingly, he deepened his kiss while she groped her fingers along his scarred back. She was more experienced in this act, but this man was still partial stranger to her. This man whom she loved.
Love. That's what this emotion scorching inside me is.
Mizoshi now considered herself twice a fool for loving something that could never love her back.
Still, his touch is so tender…
Allowing herself to be carried off, she was keenly aware of his mouth grazing her throat. And wandering lower still.
His caresses make me breathless.
Breaking out of his normally controlled exterior, Naraku's hands swept over her with renewed vigor. Not a speck of skin remained uncharted. It was hardly surprising when her yukata was tossed shamelessly aside. Passionately, the two mutually clung to each other: near sealing their lips together with their desperate kissing. The fever was burning hotter than ever, and Mizoshi's cheeks were sure to be pink.
Biting back a shriek of elation, she proceeded to follow the dark hanyou—her lover—through the abyss he had so affectionally led her to. Falling…tumbling…head over heels into a comforting cavern where time slowed and reality no longer mattered. A cavern with no bottom.
Eventually, to her dismay, reality did inevitably return, and she was left shaking on the sweat-matted bedding with her bangs in her eyes. He was trembling as well.
Strange. He's never done that. Not once since we…
Attempting to catch her breath, Mizoshi searched for his face and found his crimson eyes full of bliss. An easy smile tugged at his lips.
He's almost happy. Did I provide him with that joy?
She herself happier than she'd been in a great while, Mizoshi reached for him: permitting her own dreamy smile to slide across her features. Instantaneously, the dark hanyou frowned. Shock and a kind of desperation lit his rapidly hardening ruby eyes before he unceremoniously rolled over on his side—away from her. Soon, the only company she had was his back to her. He nary even bid her good night.
She was stung. Worse than stung.
It's as if he has thrust her inside a hive of saimyoushou and bolted the entrance. Words cannot describe it.
Rolling on her own side on a bed that was by all standards his, Mizoshi; wounded; placed her cheek against the cool silken pillow.
Why did he turn away from me? Is he ashamed? And if so, is he ashamed of me or himself? Why?
Sliding the sheet up until it settled right under her chin, she had the impression she was a pet more than ever. Fun to play with but kicked aside when there was no more amusement to be had.
Is he so cold, so callous, and so embittered he doesn't even realize what his heart registers?
His heart. His human heart.
Naraku's back rose and fell mechanically. Light snoring could be heard. He was undeniably unconscious. How easily he dismissed the heartfelt experience she had shared. What they had both shared.
I saw it. For a brief instant, I saw his human heart.
And that disgusts him.
Regardless of his actions, she saw a bright glimmer of hope. It was bright enough to let her greet sleep without one anguished thought.
And for once, she did not dream.
Much thanks to all my reviewers! Your comments are very much appreciated. I suppose you need romance in a romance story, right? (Relations will get better between Mizoshi and Naraku soon though. You can't expect Naraku, one of the worst Anime villains, to give up his heart easily, do you? ;)) I'm estimating this fic will take around 90+ chapters for completion, and that there will be lots more surprises along the way. I can't help feeling I'm shortchanging readers with a shameless plot that's not really going anywhere, so I'll try to fix that. Sesshy and Kuro will make more appearances, and the Band of Seven should be appearing within ten chapters. (Jakotsu, Bankotsu, and possibly Suikotsu, just because I like him!) ;)
Renegade Mustang: I agree with you. I've learned this like two chapters ago. There isn't much resolution going on now, but I promise there will be later. Oh, and about Ken, well, you'll just have to see…(cackles) Also, Naraku will be going through some emotional changes later on—some notable changes of heart.