Kagome pants as she tries to catch her breath. She was seriously starting to hate Naraku. He had been "training" her all day. She was positive that it wasn't really training, but a torture technique. She didn't even get to eat lunch! All she had was an apple from that morning. She was ready to pass out in the grass.

"We're done for the day," announced Naraku. He had noticed that Kagome was becoming weary and lagging in her movements. "You should eat a full breakfast tomorrow." Kagome looked up at Naraku from her recently acquired space on the forest floor.

"I know. I thought we were just refining my abilities and adding a couple of new techniques," Kagome commented as she tried to obtain some rest.

"Lesson two—"

"Never assume anything. I know," Kagome finished as she waved her hand, dismissing the sentiment.

"Then act like it!" exclaimed Naraku. "I told you your next mission will be a serious one. It is dangerous and you can die! This training is not to refine your techniques or add a few more because your techniques will not be enough to help you accomplish it. You need to learn many more techniques, including some that are not from here."

"If it's so dangerous, then why are you sending me on it?" she asked. Naraku sat down next to her, trying to calm down.

"I have nobody else to send. You're the only one that I believe can do this," he said as he sighed. Kagome sits up to look at him upon hearing his gentler tone. "Do you think I want you to go? I don't. I don't want to put you in danger, but this has to be done. If anybody else could do it, I would send them. I love you," he explained while grabbing her hands.

Kagome sighed as she pulled her hands from his grip and stood up. "I've already told you. I'm not going to marry you, no matter how many times you tell me that you love me." She turned and walk towards the kitchen to obtain some substance for her grumbling stomach. Naraku watched her walk away before going towards his rooms.

Upon entering into her room, Kagome noticed Sango lying in her bed, reading a book. Putting a hand up to stop any words coming out of Sango mouth, Kagome said, "Please don't. I honestly just want to lay in my bed and go to sleep."

Ignoring her words, Sango began her questioning. "Where were you? You missed breakfast, lunch, and dinner." She took a glance at her friend. "Plus, you look like death," she commented offhandedly.

Kagome just looked at her best friend and self-proclaimed bodyguard. "I was with Naraku—"

"You finally accepted his proposal," Sango said incredulously.

"No. He was 'training' me for a new mission," answered Kagome using air quotes while she plopped down on her bed, lying back.

Sango took a long look at Kagome. "You know he truly loves you. I mean, why else would he deny all the requests your parents make to come visit."

At those words, Kagome sat up quickly, looking at Sango as if she grew 3 heads. "My parents asked to visit?" she squeaked out.

"You didn't know? They send requests almost every other day. Naraku just keeps ignoring them, but I think he's starting to get irritated. He's been grouchier lately."

"It's not like he's a daisy any other time," Kagome commented before she could stop herself. They shared a small laugh before Kagome got up from the bed and began heading towards the door.

"Where are you going now?" Sango asked exasperated.

"I'm going to talk to Naraku," she answered while leaving the room. She walked down the hall, not paying any attention to the priceless paintings and artifacts that littered the hallway that she normally took time to admire. Reaching Naraku's bedroom, she pushed open the screen and walked in.

Noticing Naraku wasn't in the room, she took a seat on his bed and waited for him to appear. Moments later, Naraku walked in the room wearing nothing. Kagome sat and admired his body until she got to his face and noticed the look he was giving her. She quickly averted her eyes while a blush blossomed on her cheeks.

"Do not be embarrassed, koi. I do not mind your stare. It is most welcomed," he commented, seeing the blush start to travel down her neck.

"Um…I had just come to talk to you about…um," she began, pointedly looking at the wall opposite Naraku.

Naraku sat down beside her on the bed, grasping her hand in his and turning her face towards him. "You were just coming to talk about what?" he asked in a whisper against her lips.

Kagome couldn't help but to look at his lips. She felt her body to begin to heat up and she wouldn't deny it: Naraku was attractive. Very attractive. She just didn't want him as a husband, and at the moment she couldn't remember why.

"You know, I don't really know anymore," she whispered back while leaning forward. Taking that as a cue, Naraku kissed her. She quickly responded, allowing him to lay her back on the bed. He began to undress her while lavishing each uncovered piece of skin with kisses.

This was one of the reasons she even allowed him to court her. She loved the way he worshipped her body. And it wasn't just sexually. He always made sure to show her how much she was worth to him.

Just as they were about to delve into more pleasurable activities, there was a knock at the door. Naraku released a growl at being disturbed. Kagome was grateful for the distraction. She was nervous because she was still a virgin. While she and Naraku took part in sexual activities, they always stopped short of intercourse, and for that, she was grateful.

Though he was clearly irritated, he proceeded to the door and calmly opened the screen. A servant handed him a scroll, bowed and left. Naraku returned into the room while unrolling the scroll. After a brief look at the scroll, he sighed and tossed it into the fire.

"Do you really think that was wise? It could be important," Kagome commented sarcastically from the bed.

Naraku couldn't help but be awed by her beauty. The firelight hit and shadowed her body and it made her appear even more alluring. Eventually, he regained enough sense to respond to her. "It is not something I have not seen more than enough times," he replied sourly.

Hearing that comment jolted Kagome from her lust and allowed her to remember her original purpose for coming down there. "Was that from my parents?"

Naraku took on a shocked expression. He had made sure to keep the information that her parents were requesting a visit from her. He knew how she felt about her parents and how her parents would feel about their arrangement.

"It was, wasn't it? Why didn't you tell me that my parents had been asking for a visit?" she questioned while sitting up and leaning on her arm.

"It was not important," Naraku said as he sat on the bed and kissed her, trying to lay her back down.

Kagome pushed him off and sat up completely. "It is important. They are bothering you. And if it wasn't for me, there would be no reason to deny them a visit. I'm sorry," Kagome said sadly as she gave him an apologetic hug.

"I know a way you can make it up to me," Naraku said mischievously while pulling her onto his lap.

Kagome gave him a quick kiss and stood up. "Sorry. You already know you won't get that," she told him as she began getting redressed.

He watched her for a while before replying. "You can't blame me for trying."

"And you can't blame me for not falling for it," she said as she walked out and shut the screen.

Gracias kohaku-chibi-chan for reviewing...

{A/N: I had to change the rating for this chapter and because I might add a lemon and/or lime to this story, but I haven't decided for sure yet…

As always, please review, good or bad. Flames are even accepted. Hopefully, I'll have the next chapter out sooner than I did this chapter.}