Naraku entered the room silently, but he knew that the girl lying so still was aware of his presence. Kagome was so strange that way; no matter how quiet he was she could always tell where he was. It made his surprise visits less enjoyable. Her hair blew languidly in the stream of the ceiling fan. It was one of the only luxuries he allowed her. The high ceilings and lack of furniture erased the possibility that she might hang herself, though Naraku doubted Kagome would give up so easily.

"How do you fair, my little wild cat?"

Kagome gave no response, or even moved from her prone position. She was accepting her repeated situation rather nicely. Unlike last time, she wasn't naïve. Kagome didn't struggle or try to escape. She was effectively using her prior knowledge of her past to her advantage. Naraku nodded his pleasure. That would make things of the easier for him. Perhaps she remembered well enough that he wouldn't have to teach her his rules the hard way? Before, he practically bled her death with his teachings.

Naraku shrugged and moved to lay beside the female on the futon. She cringed slightly in his grasp, but no other change was made. Kagome's eyes were no longer blank though, but burning with that spirit he loved to drain out of her. She was outraged and disgusted; it was quite obvious she didn't like him touching her. However, that didn't matter. Naraku hugged her close to him moving her face to rest on his shoulder. Her curves were indeed much more accentuated; the years had done much for her figure without losing that flat stomach. Well, except for the slight indents of what could be called abs. The muscles were quite defined for a female.

Kagome didn't struggle, but rather tried to relax. Her inner desire was to rip this guy to shreds, but Kagome knew that would be her downfall. It would be better to try and figure out what he had planned. Even if she did manage to get away, she would only live in fear of him finding her again. Then Naraku would punish her in his sick, sadistic manner that he would call 'justice'. Naraku's smirk widened when he saw her emotions reflected in her eyes. Kagome clenched her teeth. Besides, the bastard was too strong for her. Kagome always worked out, trying to keep in shape and though she wasn't physically weak, her strength could not conquer that of a male. For once she wished she was jus a quiet, obedient girl and not just a raging open book of constantly boiling emotions.

Naraku moved her like a doll to fit against his body, but they weren't a perfect match. Her mind remembered someone she did fit. Naraku was thinner than Sesshoumaru who wasn't bulky, but still much more muscular. Sesshoumaru was taller too, not just in his legs, but also in the torso. Kagome's hips fell below Naraku's showing that his height was all in his legs. When Kagome was at the gala, she noticed that Sesshoumaru sat only a little bit higher than her. This meant that he only dwarfed her in the legs, and damn did he exceed her. Kagome smiled despite her circumstances once again. She closed her eyes and imagined silky white hair and honeyed eyes. Kagome relaxed in his imagery that still ran through her head. Kagome briefly wondered when that idiot became so important and such a comfort to her, but before a reasonable answer could arise, sleep captured her.

Naraku felt her body fall limp against his. He looked at her ebony hair in suspicion, but her even breathing was easy and slow. Kagome had fallen asleep, let her guard down so easily in his presence. Naraku blinked. This was so strange, so awkward he didn't know what to do. The male slid the girl off of him and turned her onto her back. Her hair fell messily around her, some pinned beneath her shoulders. She looked so peaceful and there was even a smile on her lips. Kagome had thought of someone before she fell asleep because it would not be he to give her such ease. The question was who it was.

Who sets your heart into serenity? Is it Inuyasha?-

Naraku narrowed his eyes. Inuyasha was an eye sore that was always itching. A smirk fell over shadowed features. That irritation was soon to bleed because Naraku was now ready to scratch.

With Kikyo

Kikyo rounded her back by leaning forward, stretching the cramp from between her shoulder blades. Her eyes drooped slightly. She had been reading her newest book for the past hour or two because of the lack of anything better to do. Kikyo now knew that reading during the middle of a lazy afternoon was not a wise decision. Her eyes glanced outside briefly. The sun was streaming in through the window of her father's country house. Kikyo stood and walked over to her bed. Some of her belongings were still packed in boxes. Kikyo looked over at them uncaringly.

I should at least put them in the closet…-

Kikyo didn't touch them; instead she went and lay down on the small western style bed. He hugged the special white pillow that was sitting underneath another. Kikyo put Inuyasha's pillow beneath the one that was already in the room so that no one would happen to mix up their scent in it. Kikyo rested her head into the downy fluff and breathed in deeply. The woodsy musk that was her Inuyasha still remained heavily on the pillow. His shampoo was also slightly recognizable only because he often went to sleep with his hair still wet from his shower.

Kikyo sighed. Would she ever forget him? It was painful to think of anyone else having her beloved and also angered her. No one would know that emotions that warred inside Kikyo's flesh because her expression never changed. Her father didn't know anything. She said she had wanted to get away for a little while, but be too far from the city in case he needed her at the hospital. Her excuse was that she and Inuyasha had an argument and both needed to let off steam. How could she tell her nearly dying father that once again she wanted to break an engagement? Hisoro would never believe that she didn't love Inuyasha anymore, that man could always read her like a book. Kikyo couldn't bear to tell him the truth of her sins. He would be forever disappointed and Kikyo didn't want him to leave this world with such an impression of his eldest child.

Kikyo's thoughts shifted to Kagome whom she'd condemned into Naraku's care. All the girl had done was love, which was no reason for punishment. Kikyo felt immeasurably guilty, but didn't know what to do. She'd hoped someone would get into the apartment and notice the mug. After Naraku left she'd dropped it by the sink to alert attention to that spot. Kikyo saw Kagome etch into the wood of her cabinet. Kikyo didn't want to involve Kagome, but Naraku's black mail was intoxicating. Never had she felt so dirty and ashamed. Kagome was stronger than she though and someone would notice her disappearance. Perhaps she could be saved? It wasn't likely, but it also wasn't impossible.

The woman wandered out the door and down the stairs to the first story of the house. Her intent was now to brew some tea and perhaps take a walk into the nearby forest and barren fields.

With Sango

Sango walked aimlessly through the park. She had just left the swings and was now heading in the general direction of her home. The wind was vicious for such a warm day and the harsh gusts made her eyes water. It didn't really matter because she'd been crying a lot lately. Miroku told her of Kagome's disappearance. Honestly, Sango thought it was strange when Kagome didn't stop by for her usual visit on Sunday to watch a movie with her. Sango had just figured that she was too tired or busy with work and forgot to call. However, the soon approaching date plus Miroku's solemn words had caused a swell of panic. It was too ironic. Miss Higurashi had gone to visit a relative, so Kagome wouldn't have gone home not without her mother being there. That only meant take-out food or sad attempts at cooking.

Now she was worried sick. Having no contact for two days wasn't unusual, but it was unsettling. Kagome's schedule wasn't as bad so the two of them had planned to make up for the time they had lost in the past couple weeks. Sango stopped in front of the Chikujitsu display window. She looked blankly at the items inside. She'd just rearranged it all and changed the colors of some of the items. Sango sighed and turned to continue up the street. Yet again she was going to check to see if Kagome was home. It would be easier to just call, but right now Sango was jittery and the exercise would help a little.

The trip was short and soon Sango was fishing for the spare key Kagome had given in case the moron forgot or lost her key like she did so many times. Sango chuckled as she unlocked the door. The apartment was the same as before. Sango had cleaned up the broken cup yesterday. The ceramic pieces had done nothing to ease her frazzled nerves. The cup was Kagome's favorite. Even as careless and clumsy as Kagome could be, she treated that mug like a multimillion dollar family heirloom. Sango never knew why it meant so much to her. Sango walked over into the kitchen looking at the floor where the mess had been. Her eyes wandered out the window, the sun glared through making her pupils contract.

Sango squinted and moved to rest against the sink. Her hands moved behind her so that her fingers fell over the edge. The woman jumped and pulled her hand up to her mouth. Blood pricked at her finger tip and a small splinter could be seen in her skin. With meticulous concentration Sango removed it and ran it under water. She would have to remember to put some ointment on it to prevent infection.

"Ouch…what…what was that?"

The woman lowered onto her knees and looked at the scratches in the wood beneath the ledge of the sink. Her cinnamon eyes widened and a lump formed in her throat. Sango staggered to her feet and stumbled away from the sink. A hand covered her mouth as the other reached for the nearby corded phone in the kitchen. Sango collapsed onto the floor and dialed. Her mind was numb, but her heartbeat was rapid.

"Miroku? Miroku, its Sango."

Concern was immediate as she reached him on his cell phone. Sango could barely make out any of the words he said because all that filled her mind were the letters 'ON' that were etched on the cabinet. There was a little blood two, Kagome's blood. The inscription wasn't neat, but rushed. Sango knew those letters. She didn't know whose name it was, but once Sango had happened upon an old diary in Kagome's art room.

Kagome went to answer the phone, which happened to be her mother. Sango had just poked around a little on her art shelves in the closet. Her hand had, by pure coincidence, touched the bind of a book. It was hidden between the shelf and the wall. It had taken some maneuvering to get it out. The cover was a satin decorated fabric over a soft cardboard. It was ripped and dirty, obviously old. Sango had opened it to find those letters, initials, in thick, bold black ink on the very first page. 'O.N.' was written clearly and now there they were again.

Kagome had caught Sango reading it and immediately grabbed it away from her friend. Kagome had hugged the journal close to her chest and briefly explained that it was just a bad childhood occurrence. She had been kidnapped or so Kagome said. Kagome had thought it would help to write it all down and get it off her chest. Sango had been asked never to look at this one or any that were similar. The terror and pleading on her face was enough to make Sango agree.

Was that where Kagome is now? Was she kidnapped by the same person? Wouldn't they have been put in jail?-

Sango's throat tightened in fear and confusion. Tears fell for her friend and she could only pray for her strength. Sango hoped that Kagome had just gone home, but knew that wasn't what happened. A voice was shouting at her, but Sango couldn't make it out. Soon all that could be heard was a dial tone as the phone slipped from her shaking fingers.

Moving slow, but getting there. For my READERS: I know these updates have been spread out. I just updated whenever I got to the computer. I am now updating 'hot off the press' (lol) chapters. My usual update schedule, to make up for short chapters, is three times a week (mon, wed, fri). However it is easier to update all at once, so next Saturday expect three more!

I know there are minor changes that though aren't really important make the flow of the story hard to understand. I am just too busy to re-read all 45! chapters. If anyone is willing to beta for me I would be very grateful. You'd get credit in each current chapter for your work, of course. (just email me) So if anyone's bored…..

TO REDEYES: dude….wipes eyes you are great motivational speaker! Thank you

TO KIKYOHATER: ooc…out of character, took me a while to get that one. When I started I wasn't up to speed with my 'fanfic' lingo. (hah- its so long since then).