The moon was impossibly distant and cold, a reflection of the master of the castle himself. Nary making a sound, Mizoshi crept out under the bluish rays of light. She required some time to think. The chill from the mountain air cleanly filtered through her kimono, but she paid it no mind. Anything was better than the stifling air of the castle.

No longer was the castle as comfortable as it had been before. The food was poorer in quality, there wasn't enough adequate lighting to burn throughout the winter evenings, and the entire atmosphere that permeated its interior had transformed from one of somber comfort to entirely grave disconcertion. Indeed, the spider had tugged its web to an even darker sanctuary.

Well, at least the moon was still beautiful, not to mention visible. This had not been the case in Naraku's former heavily barricaded castle. A bit glum all the same, she walked across what was left of the veranda; intent on reaching the railing that overlook the immense drop to the deep gully below. Unfortunately, there happened to be a lavender shape sitting upon the wooden railing itself.

It's her

Perhaps I can still sneak away…

However, at exactly that moment, her foot hit a particularly squeaky floorboard. Alarmingly fast, the red-eyed witch spun her neck around. Scarlet met golden. A mutual dislike crackled the air. The demoness's eyes narrowed.

"It's you. I was expecting my sister," she rattled off at once, never waiting a second where a snide comment could be launched.

"Sorry to disappoint you," Mizoshi murmured.

Nonchalantly, she approached the Kagura. Not because she wanted to. Quite the opposite. Still, she would not allow the wind witch to sense her uneasiness. Boldly, Mizoshi stopped right at the railing where the increasingly more agitated incarnation was currently swinging her legs.

"Aren't you afraid of falling?" Mizoshi asked conversationally.

Kagura sneered. "No, half-breed. Are you thinking of shoving me off?"

"Not at all." She too was determined to play this game of words as well. As a… lady.

Those scarlet eyes narrowed in a most calculating fashion. "However, should you ever consider it, I would be in no dire situation." The wind witch tossed her head, allowing the ornamental feathers to ruffle in a haughty display. Mizoshi could not deny the meaning, and Kagura did not hold back.

"You see, Mizoshi," she drawled, "youkai are very hearty. My special abilities would protect me. You are the one who would break your full neck at the bottom. Remember that." A cruel smile tugged at the corners of her polished lips.

Beaten again. Always using my heritage against me.

Idly, Mizoshi wondered if she should teleport in a blast of heat to prove her point to a gloating Kagura, but quickly dismissed it. Such foolhardiness wouldn't grant her respect. A moment's shock, but it would not change her biased opinion.

My teleportation is known solely to me and Naraku. That is how it will remain.

Forcing herself to recover from the insult, Mizoshi probed further. "What are you doing out here?"

Actual fire blazed in those scarlet eyes. "Has Naraku sent you here to spy on me? You're doing him a lousy service. Spies stay hidden in a dark corner. Then again, the same goes for castle pets."

Her face fell. Kagura noticed this with ease and genuinely smiled like a contented cat. She'd gotten to Mizoshi, and she recognized this.

Or did she?

"I came to behold the moon," she said innocently.

As expected, Kagura scoffed. "The moon. Idiot hanyou. What's there to see?"

"I suppose a bloodthirsty youkai such as yourself cannot appreciate the beauty." Stupidly, she was pleased at her words, even though this was very much the wrong thing to utter.

Slowly, Kagura unfolded herself from the balcony and stalked over to her. The wind witch's scarlet eyes were redder than blood and hotter than fire. Immediately, Mizoshi did not feel as brave as she did seconds earlier. Haltingly, she took a giant step backwards; ready to run if this enraged incarnation pursued her.

"Repeat yourself, Mizoshi," the woman in lavender hissed. "I dare you to."

Numbed by fear, only the gods had the knowledge of what would've taken place if Kanna hadn't drifted from the interior of the castle. For once, the onyx-eyed girl did not scare her. In fact, the white child's appearance was Mizoshi's salvation.

Kagura had little choice in the matter. Sighing, she turned to her "older" sister.

"Yes, I'm ready now, Kanna."

Evidently, more secret affairs were swirling unseen. She was wise enough to let both incarnations pass without further interruption. Although they did not stop Kagura's piercing, hateful stare as she walked past.

I have to get out of here.

Strangely, Mizoshi herself could no longer behold the simple beauty of the moon—the very reason she had stepped outside in the first place. Instead, she moseyed back inside the place she should have stayed in. There, she was ambushed yet again.

"Hello, Mizoshi," Naraku's voice welcomed her from the shadows. "Will you have dinner with me tonight? There are some…points of conversation I'd like to go over with you."

She started.

Where had he come from? How much did he see? Is he going to lecture me about what had just transpired with his incarnation?

The dark hanyou was barely visible in the inky shadows. A glimpse of violet and his intense crimson eyes were the only hallmarks of his presence. How easily he could just melt into the surrounding darkness. That is, if he didn't wish to be seen.

Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha will never find him up here…

"Naraku," she breathed his name. "How did you—"

"I'm always around, Mizoshi." Gallantly, he offered his arm. Beneath his airy manners, she sensed there was an unyielding firmness. No, there was no way of shirking this meal.

Taking his hand, she allowed herself to be led to a nearby room. Candlelight greeted her in a glittering display. It was warmer here, but not by much. In the center was a polished table where ceramics and glasses were laid out.

"Sit," the dark hanyou instructed her. "Eat."

Naraku was a man of few words tonight. Obediently, she plopped down on a soft cushion and picked up her chopsticks where he watched on expectantly until he took his own advice and sat as well. Well accustomed to this silence, she ate the river trout with apparent relish. The dark hanyou had even set out sake. The rice wine would slide across her tongue easily after her tussle with Kagura.

Was that what this to-be serious discussion was to be about? How much did he hear from this distance?

Gulping the wine, she at last placed her mostly empty glass and partially eaten fish to the side. The suspense was killing her, and she would eat no more until he relayed his reasons for bringing her here. In all truth, Naraku didn't seem to mind that she had stopped--for he had already decided this was the time for him to speak.

"Mizoshi," he began, "I do sincerely hope that you eat more."

Her stomach lurched. "Why?"

No. It can't be.

"Because the food supply is running thin."

Nearly fainting in relief, she relaxed.

It's not what I thought.

Good.

Still, this was not the best news to report. After a break, the Master of the House continued. "While this poses no threat to my incarnations or myself, you will no doubt encounter problems." Naraku eyed her closely, waiting for the tiniest of reactions.

Oh, this is so minor. Or, am I simply ignoring the problem like a child would?

"Naraku, you are a hanyou also," Mizoshi pointed out delicately, not wanting to start a nasty argument. "Do you not eat as well?"

He smirked. "I do not eat normal food. Surely, you must have noted that. Instead, I devour the flesh of my enemies to rebuild my own body."

A sour taste hit the back of her throat. That trademark smirk deepened at her apparent uneasiness.

At once, she ceased all attempts at being coy. "What happened to it all?"

"Sesshoumaru." His crimson eyes narrowed at the name. "Had he not infiltrated the castle, this problem would have never presented itself. In my position, I took what I could. I'm afraid the food that was stored below is now going to rot underground the presently derelict location where my home—our home—once stood."

He's telling the truth.

Oh, why won't he stop looking at me like that?

Obviously, he was lingering patiently over the table in the desire that she answer him. She did not disappoint.

"It's nothing, Naraku. I shall forage for my own food."

He laughed! Actually laughed right in her face.

"My dear Mizoshi," he breathed. "How understanding you are. Here, in the dead of winter, the harvest passed, you are considering gathering your own nourishment. How courageous of you!"

Mizoshi wasn't sure how to respond to this.

Is he insulting me, or just the opposite?

Finally, he ceased his chortling and gazed deeply into her eyes. "Oh, Mizoshi. How courageous. How amusing. You stay in this castle with one such as I, and never ask for anything in return. You have never abused your privileges and have always been so… gracious."

Uneasy that she was being peppered with so many wonderful comments; the uneasiness merely intensified when the dark hanyou nearly knocked her over when his lips aggressively sought her own. After a deeply overzealous kiss that bordered on "soul-sucking," he released her gently back on the cushion. It was then she noticed her wine glass had toppled over on the very cushion she was sitting on due to Naraku's sudden burst of movement.

Gingerly, she replaced the glass on the table where upon he instantly refilled it with even more rice wine. He did not desist until the amber liquid was at the brim.

Now, he desires to make me drunk?

Shaken, she peered cautiously at the smirking castle lord. His passions sometimes truly frightened her.

What an unfathomable man Naraku is. His intelligence is deadly sharp and his impulsive whims are even deadlier. Though we do appear to be a couple, how long can I hope to survive with such a being? That is if Kagura doesn't finish me off first.

"When will you leave, my Mizoshi?" he whispered. "Tomorrow? Next week? When the food entirely runs dry?"

"In two d-days," her words trembled. "Soon."

"Will you leave? Leave for good?" His back tensed. "Or will the bird fly back to the spider it seemingly escaped from after it discovers its seeds?" Those crimson eyes flared.

"I'll come back," she vowed. "I will."

"That's the answer I like to hear." Naraku settled on his cushion rather smugly.

Though she was desperately trying to hide it, Mizoshi was unnerved by all belief. She had never before glimpsed Naraku in such a state.

Even if I did contemplate escape, wouldn't he just track me down again?

However, this issue was soon resolved.

"Of course, with so many seeking to take my life, I cannot leave this barrier."

"Barrier?" Confusedly, she searched his face. Never had he mentioned a barrier.

"A spiritual barrier. You needn't concern yourself with it," he advised sternly. "I dare not leave it, and my incarnations will not be able to accompany you. You will be completely left to your own devices. Well, maybe not completely…"

"Kohaku?" Mizoshi guessed.

He frowned. "Not him, although, you might meet other agents of mine."

Other…agents? What precisely is he up to?

Drinking more stabilizing sake, she dared to confirm further. "How will I know them when I see them?"

"They'll know you. In any case, my saimyoushou will be fluttering about." He looked at her meaningfully.

He's honestly worried I might leave him. What would happen if I attempted it?

Unbidden, a memory rose where a dog once ran from its owner in Mizoshi's former village by the sea. The dog took to the surrounding hills and wouldn't return where it was needed, for this was a pet with a purpose. A family hunting dog. For the dog's disobedience, it was slain.

A family pet was executed. Does the same apply to a castle pet?

"I'll come back," she repeated, her voice cracking. "I promise." Tears of unknown origin leaked out of her eyes.

"Oh, Mizoshi," he cooed. "I did not intend to upset you." In reality, he didn't appear to be overly distressed. Still, his penitent tone was convincing enough. So convincing that when the spider held out his all encompassing arms, the bird flew right in to nest.

"Aw, Mizoshi," he murmured. "No longer will we speak of it. The matter is finished. Tomorrow night, we shall form more elaborate plans. For now--just relax. Just relax right here…"

Surrendering to his hypnotic voice, she made no outward effort to resist. Yet, inside…

Let me out of here. If not, then let me be safe from his obsessions.

Unfortunately, the "romantic" pair was oblivious to a seething incarnation's fury.

How cute.

How sickening

Not much was worse than walking in on an illicit affair with a pest one detested.

Damn him for entertaining his ambitions as opposed to doing any actual work!

Now, it was up to her and her sister to lock all the doors so that the zooming sparrow would not roost on prohibited property. The old man was to be left undisturbed. No questions, no talking, and no interruptions. Mizoshi wouldn't be able to understand the saint's presence and would no doubt have moral compunctions about it.

And then, would Naraku would have to silence her.

As tempting as the thought was, Kagura had reluctantly obeyed. Now, Mizoshi would never learn of the old saint's presence unless Naraku explicitly told her so.

It's for the best. I would have to be the person to explain all about him to the wench.

She cringed inwardly at the sight of an excited Mizoshi's face--golden eyes wider than tea saucers--as she hounded her like a child all around the mountain, insisting to know about the shriveled corpse of a man that was sitting hunched over on a personal dais.

"Who is he? Is he alive? What does he do? Why is a saint assisting Naraku? Oh, that's terrible!"

Hypocrite. Mizoshi would say that, even while the saint was protecting her and her lover from certain death by the sword of the dog warrior, Sesshoumaru.

The less Mizoshi learns, the better. For everyone involved.

Gripping her fan tightly in her white-knuckled hand, the wind sorceress stalked into yet another empty corridor, alone with her thoughts. But, even her own mind stopped in her tracks when an absurd notion crossed it.

I am youkai. Thankfully. Naraku cannot leave regardless. This saintly barrier repels demons. Demons, but not humans.

Indeed. This was the reason Kohaku was running errands, and the reason why she would be caged for however long it took for her master to master his own scheme. Recently, she had caught wind that Naraku was sending the little bird to forage for her own food. Though the girl barely qualified as a hanyou, she still possessed demonic blood in her veins.

Mizoshi getting past the saint's barrier will certainly be amusing to watch…

Author's Note: Ah, it's a new year. Though Mizoshi alludes to the fear of pregnancy—she won't get pregnant. The "agents" are the Band of Seven members. It will be either Bankotsu or Suikotsu that shows up first. I also included the Saint. (Forgot his name.) He won't be featured that much though. And yes, I hope it's not too OOC, but Mizoshi will get past the barrier somehow. It'll get boring writing about the castle for another ten chapters. (Even Inuyasha managed to get past it. I'm sure there's a way for a ¼ demoness. With teleportation.) :)