Disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha.

'thoughts and inner voices'

"talking"

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The villagers stared at the boy-miko, who had once again saved their lives.

Koimizu quickly averted his eyes in shame. He wondered what they would think of him now. Would they scream in terror? Curse him and his cruel methods? Call him a monster?

Slowly the head of the village stepped forwards. "Koimizu…" he called out.

Koimizu felt his heart jump, as he heard his name being called. He turned to face the old man with hopeful eyes.

The old man lowered the stick in his hand and offered Koimizu a small smile. He turned towards the armed men and ushered for them to lower their weapons too. "We have known Koimizu since his mother gave birth to him," he spoke to the lot. "We have known him to be a caring and helpful boy. His mother had promised him to be the greatest miko we will know." The old man paused to look each of the men in their eyes. "She did not lie," he continued. "He protected us twice from danger today! Twice in one day, while he is still but an inexperienced miko. We have no right to doubt Koimizu." He turned back towards Koimizu and crossed the distance between them.

"Koimizu, will you forgive us?" he asked him with a kind voice. "We are mere foolish humans. We are cowards and we fear what we do not understand. You, Koimizu, with the kindness and intelligence of a miko. Can you forgive us?"

And Koimizu smiled. "Yes," he said gratefully and the relief sounded in his voice.

The old man gave him a little grin. "Will you not introduce us to your friend, Koimizu?" he asked, as he curiously peeked over Koimizu's shoulder.

The question took Koimizu off guard and he felt his face heating up. "Ah well…" he said, as he looked for the right words. "T-that's…"

"My name is Hitomi Kagewaki and you may call me Kagewaki-sama," said Naraku, before Koimizu could answer. (1) He had no intention of letting his identity be known by these treacherous mortals who could turn one-hundred-eighty degrees when it suited them. From the corner of his eyes he saw Koimizu raising his eyebrows in surprise, but he decided not to pay attention to it. "I am in debt with your lovely miko, as he had looked after me when I needed it."

"Looked after you?" the old man questioned.

"Ah yes," replied Naraku with a smile. "He had treated the wound that the white kuromiko, whom you just saw, had inflicted upon my shoulder earlier, with great care. I suggest you treasure Koimizu, for I will not forgive those who cause him harm."

He smirked as he noticed some men in the crowd visibly fidget uncomfortably at his threat. A quick glance towards his companion noted him of the fact that Koimizu was now utterly confused. He pointedly ignored his companion. It was convenient for him to blame Kanna for the injury, because that would explain the reason why she knew him and wipe away any doubt that the villagers might have had towards him.

He hadn't lied completely though. It may have been Kagome who had injured his shoulder and not Kanna, but Koimizu had in fact been the one who had taken care of him. And he had been very serious about not forgiving those who would cause the boy-miko harm. After all, Koimizu was the one who kept his jaki hidden far away.

"Ehm… Kagewaki-sama," the old head of the village said. Obviously he thought Naraku was some important lord from far away. "Might I suggest for you to stay in our village until your wound is healed? Most of our houses have been burnt down, but I am sure we have a place for you. It would not do for you to stay outside while injured."

Naraku smirked and bowed his head. "I thank you for your kind offer," he said accepting the invitation.

He needed a place to rest, so that the wounds would heal, and he needed to think. How did InuYasha and his pack suddenly disappear? Was it Kanna's doing? Why had Kanna been alive to begin with? There was only one person Naraku knew, who had the power to bring someone back from death. Sesshoumaru. And then there was Koimizu. His strange connection with Kikyou bothered Naraku greatly. Besides, Naraku was sure he needed to explain all these lies to Koimizu, before the boy would make assumptions on his own.

As the old head of the village lead the way, the lot followed him. They were ready for a new day.

Koimizu blinked as he passed Kanna's remainders. Something shone underneath the soil. He bent down to pick up a pink shard. He didn't understand why, but he decided to keep it with him. As he put the shard away for later examination he realised that he had fallen behind. Quickly he got up and ran to catch up with the lot.

(1) Hitomi Kagewaki is the name Naraku used to first present himself in the series. Although, some people claim that Hitomi Kagewaki is an entirely different person from Naraku and that he was just under Naraku's control.

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