Disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha.

'thoughts and inner voices'

"talking"

THANKS FOR REVIEWING AND SUPPORTING ME, Cold Kikyou AND sun101.

The warm body lay flush against him as Koimizu nuzzled his chest lovingly. But Naraku did not bother to enjoy the special attention given to him. His mind was occupied with questions and answers that raised even more questions.

He had felt it. The thing that was missing all along, he had felt it when he made love with Koimizu. He had felt the heat coming off of the boy's body and the soft touches, which made him crave for more. But something had not been right. And that something had been the missing heartbeat within Koimizu's chest. It had not been there. Koimizu was heartless.

How? And why? Naraku did not know.

Was Koimizu dead, like his mother Kikyou, and was this body an imitation? Koimizu could have never been fifteen years old, as he proclaimed, because at that time Kikyou had been dead and InuYasha had been sealed on Goshinboku.

This could only mean that Koimizu had deceived him. But it was not intentionally. He, Naraku the master villain, had not tasted any lies on Koimizu's lips. He would have felt it, if the boy had lied to him, but he had not. Koimizu knew nothing. Not of his own age, nor of his mother's true identity. His lies were unintentional. But because his words were deceptive, Koimizu was not to be trusted. And Naraku was wary of him.

Kikyou was behind this, only she could be. But what did she want?

Naraku's eyes darkened. She wanted his death; that was something he was sure of. But what move would she be making next? And how was her son involved in this?

Naraku was startled out of his thoughts when Koimizu softly placed a kiss on his lips.

"Something bothering you?" he asked the hanyou.

A flash of Kikyou appeared in Naraku's mind.

Something bothering you, Naraku?

Kikyou had laughed cruelly when she spoke those words, implying that she knew of his feelings towards her.

As soon as the flash had come, it disappeared again and the sweet golden eyes looked at him worriedly. Naraku shook his head. "No, nothing's bothering me."

"You sure?" tried the boy the concerned look not leaving his face.

"Yes," said Naraku firmly.

Koimizu nodded, aware that the hanyou would not tell him what was bothering him. He left his worries for what they were and kissed Naraku's forehead. "I think I'm falling in love with you," he whispered.

Naraku let out a little snort. "Did I not warn you not to get attached to me?" he said, jokingly berating his companion. "I wonder why I bother advising you. You never listen to me."

Laughing Koimizu sat up. "I should heed the warnings of the one who took my virginity?" he mocked. He got up and grabbed his clothes from the floor. "Naraku, you are truly a sly and evil man." Still grinning Koimizu put his chihaya on and then carefully bound his hair together with a white ribbon.

When he finished he turned to face Naraku, a serious expression dominating his heart shaped face again. "There's something I need to give you," he said. "Meet me at dawn. I'll be waiting for you near the small stream that crosses this forest." A gentle smile played on his lips. "You should rest now." And he left the hut.

Naraku stared after the boy. "The brat wants to give me something?" he muttered. "What foolishness would he want to give me?"

The lifeless already linger around you…

Sesshoumaru was right. The lifeless had always lingered around him.

Kohaku. Kanna. Kikyou.

And now Koimizu. (1)

The lifeless truly did linger around him. And soon, it would consume him. Naraku felt it and he feared it.

'Koimizu,' Naraku mused. 'What will you give me?' He pondered for a moment and came upon two possible answers. 'Love? Or perhaps death?'

(1) This is just something funny. I noticed something odd. All their names start with a K.

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