Author's Note: I know where I want to take this story, but I'm having a hard time exactly figuring out how I'm going to get it there. And don't be surprised Naraku calling Kagome, wench, or anything instead of her name because, well, he is Naraku.

Previously, it was still raining, it was still night time and our kind heroine was still stuck under a tree with the most heartless half-demon on Earth. And, for the third time tonight Kagome was shedding tears she could not control; however, this time these tears she was shedding was accompanied by extreme pain in her chests and incomprehensible heavy despair.

It hurts. It hurts so much, Kagome thought to herself.

With her lasting strength before losing consciousness, she manages to whisper "Inuyasha... help me."

What shall we do, Naraku, Onigumo wondered.

I still have a use for her in mind, so it is out of the question to simply leave her in such a condition.

Then what do you presume we should do? Look at her, she is sweating nonstop.

To make sure he was correct, Onigumo strengthened his hold on Kagome while moving his left hand away from her right cheek to her forehead.

And her forehead is burning.

Naraku became slightly irritated.

This is why humans are weak. Not only by the mind, but their bodies also cannot even withstand sickness.

Naraku, that is beside the point, if you truly want to keep the Priestess alive to use her on a later day then I suggest we do something about her condition because I do not believe this is a simple sickness she is having.

What has led you to believe so, Naraku asked curiously.

Onigumo internally sighs, you truly are a demon who does not understand the human body.

Ah, but Onigumo I certainly do. From all the human bodies I have decapitated, ripped apart limb from limb, poisoned, tortured to death... And the human women bodies I have pleasured behind their lover or husband's back, Naraku remarked with a tone of utter bone chilly amusement and arrogance.

Onigumo was lightly surprised by Naraku's words and took a pause before saying anything back because even though Naraku had laced his statements with appalling amusement and arrogance, Onigumo knew very knew he was not lying.

When considering Naraku, one should not question what he has done because that would be underestimating him and only a fool with a death wish would underestimate Naraku. What one should ask is, what has he not done. He has not only killed but massacred. He has not only stole but manipulated. He has not only raped but pleasured.

At this given moment, there is not a sin, this demon has not at least committed more the once.

It might be because Onigumo has been with Naraku for more than half a century or it has been such a long time since he was the last conscious, but Onigumo had mildly forgotten the demon he is currently sharing a body with is the most immoral and merciless demon in all of Japan, and highly possible, the world.

Unfortunately, having this recollection of Naraku's true nature only confused Onigumo all the more because it raises a question.

Why is Naraku, not himself to such an extent, tonight?

Before he could further ponder this question that has been bugging him for most of the night, Kagome stole his attention with her whines of pain. Looking down at Kagome's pained face another question pops into his head that has been bugging him.

Why am I not myself, tonight? Is it because of the Sacred Jewel, like Naraku said? The merge? Or because of you, Priestess?

While Onigumo kept staring at the young maiden within his embrace, unconsciously, he moved his left hand to move a wandering strand of hair away from the middle of her forehead and tucked it behind her right ear.

Right when Onigumo's fingertips touched Kagome's ear, he and Naraku noticed how her face no longer looked in pain.

Odd... it seems our touch is able to soother her pain, Naraku commented.

Odd indeed, Onigumo agreed as he kept his eyes on Kagome.

As Onigumo and Naraku observed Kagome's face cover in a light layer of sweat, Onigumo remembered what it was he wanted to say to Naraku before his mind wandered on a tangent about his and Naraku's change in behavior.

I will not deny, you do have knowledge of the human body; however, you lack the knowledge over how the human body becomes ill, for if you did, you would have realized the Priestess is undergoing something more serious than sickness as we speak.

Then, am I to presume that you know what is exactly wrong with the human girl, Naraku countered with a mental smirk.

Onigumo instead of becoming annoyed by Naraku's provocative antics went over the possible reasons behind Kagome's sudden collapse.

I am not sure of myself. However, a human, generally speaking, could not have succumbed to a fever or disease in such a short time. She was perfectly healthy singing, crying, and shouting moments ago...

For better or worse, unlike Onigumo, Naraku did notice one critical detail he was missing.

Your eyes, Onigumo. Naraku pointed out nonchalantly.

What do you meanー

What I mean is, the wench collapsed right after she started examining your eyes.

Thinking over on what Naraku thought, Onigumo realized he was right. Kagome did start crying and losing consciousness after she started looking at his eyes.

Does that mean my eyes are the cause behind her collapsing?

Perhaps. However, I doubt the reason behind her falling ill in a matter of minutes can be solely be accounted to simply looking at your eyes. Sighing, Naraku continued, there must be more to this, you and I are not comprehending.

After hearing Naraku's observation, Onigumo came to a revelation of his own.

Our touch... The Priestess's pain is soothed by our touch.

To confirm if his theory was valid, Onigumo moved his hand away from Kagome's ear, her body out of his embrace, and gently sat her down at the base of the tree. To ensure he was indeed correct he even moved a couple of feet away from where Kagome was sitting. Which to his satisfaction did the trick because after a few seconds of being away from him Kagome started closing her eyes more tightly, sweating more visibly, her breathing went rigid and her whines of pain from before, continued.

"Stop... stop please," Kagome uttered between her labored breathing.

Seeing he has achieved his desired result Onigumo quickly went back to Kagome's side, sat down next to her and held her hand. Within seconds, Kagome face no longer showed pain, her sweating slowed down significantly, her breathing became steady and her whines of pain also gradually died down. However, when Onigumo moved his free hand to feel her temperature on her forehead, it was still burning.

Interesting. You were right Onigumo, it seems our touch does positively affect the wench's condition, Naraku mused.

Though her temperature has yet to show improvement, Onigumo replied.

Unlike Onigumo, Naraku was able to think up of a solution to their predicament quite easily

Onigumo, arrange a protective barrier around us and the girl and make it so no one can see, hear, or smell us.

Whyー

Naraku not wanting to waste time interrupted Onigumo.

That was a command, not a request Onigumo. You may have achieved consciousness on your own, but mark my words, you are still conscious because I am enabling you to stay conscious. I can put you back to sleep whenever I desire to, do not take my generosity as a weakness, Naraku firmly answered.

Onigumo knowing fully well who he was talking to did as he was commanded, setting up the barrier.

Now, undress our person and the girl's person. After you are done, cradle her in a way your skin touches her skin as much possible. Understood?

Because Onigumo now understood what Naraku was planning and knew better than to attempt to question him again, he simply answered with one word.

Understood.

Author's Note: I would greatly appreciate any feedback! Please, I want to know what I'm doing good or bad. Thank you for reading. Happy New Year.