A/N:: Alright, I already got quite a few reviews! And most were "update soon" XD I'm going to pretend that means I'm doing well so far, especially since I wrote both chapters around 3 am in the morning and barely remembered a damn thing I typed… Well, here we go. The more reviews I get the quicker I update, so… review, review, review!

Charming Proposal

Kagome woke to find herself n the old fashioned tatami mats, covered by a warm, light blue blanket with a window facing her. It was morning, judging be he slanted sunlight spilling into the circular, barred window. She sighed as she remembered she was in Naraku's castle. She looked at the elegant wooden paneling, cherry wood she guessed. The shoji screens were white, with the traditional dark wood crisscrossing. It made her feel strange, this traditional Japanese palace.

A thought struck her and she grasped the jewel shards around her neck. They were still pure, still protected by the small barrier she had erected around them. She sighed in relief. "Thank Kami." She sat up, startled when she heard a voice behind her.

"Well, well. I never would have thought he'd keep you alive so long." Kagura, with a crimson smirk and ruby eyes, sat against the wall behind Kagome, idly playing with her fan. "Its been a while, miko."

"Kagura!" Kagome stood and backed up, her stance defensive, but she was surprised when Kagura waved her closed fan with a dismissive look and leaned her head back against the wood.

"Relax, Kagome. I'm just here to make sure you don't escape or do something funny. That and keep you company." She slanted her eyes at Kagome, giving her a quizzical look. "He holds some interest in you. He may be evil, but he still has a flair for beauty. Ever notice how all of his reincarnations are good looking?" She smiled when Kagome gave a dry look, but nodded. "He doesn't like ugly things, but it kind of comes with the job, you know?" Kagura sighed. "Too bad for you, other than myself and Kanna, you are the first 'beautiful' thing he's seen for a while, and now he wants you." When kagome blanched Kagura added "As a pet… I mean… like a companion really. He… He may be a man but he's never really… done things."

Kagome crossed her arms with a disbelieving look. "He's Naraku. He's evil, and the whole reason he turned evil was a woman. Like I'm gonna believe he hasn't raped a woman before." She scoffed and tapped her foot, angry and disgusted just thinking about it. Kagura laughed.

"You'd be surprised. He has a certain love for death, but he doesn't have a taste for sexual pain. Don't ask me, but he just doesn't seem to have a sex drive, really." Kagome was still looking at her with a deadpan look of disbelief. Kagura shrugged. "You'll find out soon enough, and be thankful for it."

Kagome decided that Kagura had nothing to gain from lying to her, so she sat and nodded. "Thanks for that. It's… somewhat comforting. I can take torture just fine, but that…" She shuddered. Kagura nodded, understanding. "Are you still trying to get your heart back?"

Again she nodded. "And he knows it. He has me on a tight leash." She sighed. "I might not have a heart, but I still feel the longing. Ironic, isn't it?" Kagome found Kagura's smooth, steady voice to be comforting, and she actually enjoyed talking with her. They may be enemies, but only because Kagura was forced to be. Hating Kagura would be like hating Kohaku. Her eyes lit up.

"Kohaku is here, right? How is he? Is he alright?" Kagura was quiet a while.

"He's… physically fine. Mentally… if he isn't screaming in agony over his forced actions, he's just a mindless ningyo (doll)." She shook her head. "He's worse off than I am." Kagura closed her eyes, listening to Kagome's subtle movement.

"Oh no, Kohaku." She rubbed her arms, little tears escaping as she thought of the young boy. He reminded her so much of Souta, her own little brother. If she were in Sango's place, how would she cope?

"That is enough, Kagura." The deep, rich voice was like leather against skin, and Kagome found herself on her feet, facing a calm Naraku. Fire flashed in her eyes as she stood at the ready, arms at her sides, but ready to move. "Calm, little miko. I have something to discuss with you. Kagura, go see to Kohaku and Kanna." Kagura obeyed, her eyes flickering with hate as she looked at Naraku. As he stepped aside for her to pass, she turned to look at Kagome. After a small pause, she nodded to her, her eyes conveying a calm reassurance. Kagome was surprised, to say the least. To think she'd have a friend here in Naraku's home. It didn't matter that Kagura might not see it that way. Kagura had been kind to her. She was a friend. Simple as that.

Naraku was a different matter. "What do you want?" She crossed her arms, glaring at the man. He seemed relaxed, not at all bothered by her obvious scorn.

"A sort of truce. I have an offer." He watched the suspicion creep into her untrusting eyes. "I will allow you to be with Kohaku while you are here. There is no way for you to escape, but if you try, or if you attack me, I will remove Kohaku back into… safekeeping. Continued good behavior, and I'll send Kohaku back to his sister, alive and unharmed. And if you keep me amused, I'll even dull his memories, so that he doesn't suffer so."

He was grinning triumphantly as he saw her eyes grow wider, and the resistance in her stance slowly lessened as he spoke, until finally she bowed her head, eyes gazing softly to the floor. Sorrow and defeat mingled with her scent. It smelled of spring rain and thunder. He inhaled deeply, silently. Delightful. She ground her teeth together. "What exactly do you mean by keeping you 'amused'?" He heard the obvious disgust and grating as she said the words.

He almost chuckled, knowing what she must have thought, which, despite his own lack of interest, didn't seem like a bad idea. Slowly, he reminded himself. "You can start by telling me of your home. And explaining what this is." He held up the before unnoticed bag in his hand. It was the bag containing white cotton candy. When she was quiet, he narrowed his eyes. "You refuse?"

Kagome waved her hands and shook her head. "No! No, it's just. Uhm, well, I'm surprised is all. That's really all you want?"

He shook his head. "For now." His lazy garnet gaze held a promise, and his voice was laced with ice. She shivered, nervous as she sat, noticing that she was wearing a light pink, one layer kimono with a nature scene along the bottom. She held out her hand, and it didn't go unnoticed by Naraku that it trembled. Slowly, as if he didn't want to frighten off a small bird, he moved toward her and placed the noisy bag into her hand.

"Its candy, something sweet." She opened it and pulled it out, bemused by the look of curiosity and intrigue that changed his face. He sat down, crossing his legs and leaning forward.

"It's a cloud, but you can eat it?" He watched her, eyes narrowed in suspicion. "I'm not a fool." She rolled her eyes and handed a piece to him. He noticed the sticky, fluffy texture, but it was solid in his hands. With his eyes narrowed on her, he sniffed it, then slowly tasted it. He was surprised as the sugar coated his tongue, and he watched as the part wetted by his lips shrunk back. He finished the piece, holding out his hand to her. She carefully supplied more. "What is it called, miko?" His voice was calm, betraying none of the wonder that flickered in the back of his eyes.

Kagome, being Kagome, could easily read the wonder and curiosity in him, and was both frightened and intrigued by it. "Cotton candy. It's a special treat you usually only get when you go to a circus, or some other special event." His head quirked to the side, and she was distracted by his ebony waves falling across his shoulder and spilling onto the ground elegantly.

"Circus?" She swallowed passed the nervous knot in her throat, explaining about the tents and ringmasters. Slowly, as she launched into tails of the acrobats, fire breathers and beast tamers, the elephants and dancing bears, she loosened up. He listened so silently and attentively, she forgot who she talked to as she motioned with her hands and went into detail. And he watched her every move, drank in every word. His eyes roamed over her as she relaxed, and he found himself enjoying his little victory. She still held trace amounts of fear, and she was obviously worried for the young taijya, but she was relaxed.

He shifted, moving his weight only slightly, and found himself narrowing his eyes on her as she froze, hands ready to strike as she shrunk back. His red eyes glittered at her. "I will not harm you." His low voice was steady, smooth.

"I will not trust you." Her voice was firm, high, a perfect contrast to his. He wondered if she sang. "You've never given me reason to." A muscle ticked in his jaw, but he recognized the truth in his words. He stood quickly, not reacting when she mimicked him, backing up and holding her hands at the ready. He opened the shoji screen.

"You've amused me. I will return the favor." With that, he reached out and pulled in a frightened, pale and trembling Kohaku. "He doesn't remember much for now. Cross me and he will suffer." He shoved the boy to her, and she quickly caught him, hauling him up as he fought feebly to get away from her. He was so frightened. Naraku focused his gaze on her chocolate eyes. He knew he had scored a mark by the look she gave him. So compassionate, so loving and kind. Why were human's like her so rare? "Why do you fear another's pain, more than your own?"

The words were murmured softly, more to himself than to her, but she heard the almost gentle curiosity. She answered with sincerity. "You will never understand, but it's because I love them." His eyes narrowed.

"Untrue. You would throw yourself before a stranger if it would save them, and you do not love a stranger." He smirked, wondering how she would answer. Probably some soppy nonsense of loving everything and everyone. Pathetic.

"No, you can't love a stranger. But every friend starts out a stranger, and how can you befriend them if they are dead?" She glowered at him, and he found himself enjoying the flames dancing in her brown eyes. "Every one, no matter who they are, deserves a chance at life. Taking it away without good reason, that creates a monster. Not that you'd ever understand, would you?" Kohaku had stopped fighting her, calmed by her aura which had started to pulse gently around her. It was like the waves of the ocean, so soothing and strong.

Even Naraku felt it, and unconsciously felt his ever lasting anger start to ease and slip away. But it flared full force as he realized that he was calming in her presence, and again his ruby eyes were narrowed in annoyance. "How would you know what I understand, miko?" With that confusing question he spun on his heel and stalked out.

With a stubborn glare she stuck her tongue out at the closed door childishly. She turned to Kohaku who was clinging to her leg, hiding his face in her belly. She kneeled, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. "Thank Kami's Kohaku, you're ok. Sango is so worried."

"S….. Sango…?" He looked at her with dazed eyes, but she could spy the small shadow of hope.

"Yes, your sister. I'm her friend. I'm going to do everything in my power to send you back to her, I promise. My name is Kagome, and I'm glad I finally get to really meet you. I just wish it was under better circumstances." She offered him a small smile. He tried to return it, but fell asleep instead. She sighed softly, her heart tearing at the boys weariness. There was the slight sound of something tapping on the shoji screen, and Kagome jumped as she huddled her body over the sleeping boy. When Kagura entered she sighed and sat back, settling Kohaku's head onto her lap.

"So he actually kept his word. Surprising." Kagome nodded in agreement and Kagura watched her with a calculating gaze. "We have something in common, miko. We want freedom. If you can help me, I will help you. She was surprised when Kagome smiled.

"Sure thing. I don't think I can help you much now, but I swear on my life that I will do what I can. If I don't, I'll let you kill me." Kagura was taken back the sincerity of her answer.

"You are strange, but I know you don't lie. Often." She smirked as Kagome made a face at her. "Well, since we're being…friendly… I should tell you. Sesshoumaru is following Naraku's scent, and he hasn't seen fit to hide or move." She was surprised, again, when Kagome blanched.

"They can't. It's almost the full m- I mean… It's just a bad time. Plus if they come now, Naraku will kill Kohaku." Her hands stilled on the boy's forehead. "They can't come here. I have to do this on my own, at least for now. If they come, Kohaku, Sango and Inuyasha will all be hurt, Miroku too, because he cares for Sango." The realization was a tad scary, but she knew she had too. Her heart fluttered at the chance of escape, but she knew there wouldn't be a chance. Naraku was at his strongest, his youki had told her so. And she was drained of most of her power, so she wouldn't be able to help.

She had to do this on her own, in any way she could. She would have to play his little game. Kagura looked at the forlorn girl and couldn't help but feel empathy for her. She knew what it was like, unable to do anything against the one imprisoning you, and having to face them alone. "I'm being sent out to divert their attention. I'll do what I can to let them know." With that she spun and left.

~o~o~o~o~o~O~o~o~o~o~o~

Naraku sat by the fire that kept his rooms warm. He watched with glazed eyes as the flames danced. He had once thought flame to be beautiful and mesmerizing, but now it did nothing for him. It had been 3 days since last he spoke to the miko, and wondered how she fared. The remnants of Kagewaki's servants attended to her, with food and bathes, but he knew that a girl like her would crave company, and a lone child would not suffice. He himself wanted to speak with her as well, so he stood and made his way to her room.

He stopped when he noticed her door slightly open and hearing a soft melody coming forth. She was humming, her voice low and soft. Muffling his aura he moved forward, silently opening the door. Her lashes brushed her cheek as she looked down at the boy resting on her lap. Her hair tumbled in soft, rolling waves over her shoulder as her fingers combed over the boys head. An image of himself, replacing Kohaku there on her lap with her fingers in his hair, flashed through his mind and made him wonder what it would be like. He sighed.

"The boy…" Kagome jumped, startled as she erected a feeble shield with the remnant of her powers. He glared at her, but continued. "The boy… he is well?" He walked forward, his ruby eyes pointedly staring at her as he tapped on the shield.

She hesitantly let it down, and he sat, not coming any closer. She visibly relaxed and she nodded slowly. "He is… better."

Naraku nodded, looking at the trays of food. One was barely touched, while the other was finished. Surprisingly, her scent was on the empty tray. She must be trying to obtain as much energy as possible. As it was, she had already gained enough to erect a barrier. She seemed healthy enough, but as he looked closer, worry and weariness lined her eyes. Slowly, pensively, he stood, and she watched him. "What do I do to prove I will not harm you?"

She thought for a while, and shook her head. "The only way is to not harm me."

He nodded, it was an acceptable reply. "Then until I give you cause to fear me, will you trust me?" She looked at him surprised, and he gave her a smirk, although it wasn't as chilling as those before. "I am a demon, not a monster."

"There's a difference?" Her sarcasm amused him, unexpected as it was, so he did not become angry.

"A demon kills and destroys with a reason, no matter how twisted. A monster has no reason." He thought for a moment, turning to look out the large, circular window. "And no conscience to reprimand him later." He caught her eyes, filled with confusion and surprise, and finally, no fear. "Why do you think I took out my heart, miko?" She sat, a bit stunned at his words, and he continued before she could utter a sound. "Come with me."

He turned and waited at the door till he heard her footsteps. She settled Kohaku comfortably before following the dark hanyou carefully. She had been surprised when the servants had told her she was allowed access to most of the palace, except the area of Naraku's chambers and the area closest to the main entrance, or escape route, depending on how you see it. He led her through the maze of corridors and opened a shoji screen, allowing her to step out before him. She wasn't comfortable with him at her back, but… well he hadn't made a single move on her since she woke. She could afford to at least trust that he wouldn't harm her for the time being.

She looked around her, taking in the scene of the dying garden. "Oh…" The snow covered most of the ground, but there were a few bushes with big, bright red flowers blooming beautifully. "That's weird. The flowers should all be sleeping, its already almost the middle of winter." She went to touch the wilting flowers, her elegant fingertips resting on the petals softly.

"They are Camellias. They are strong flowers that last long, and bloom even in winter. They symbolize a bond between lovers, since this" he pointed to the yellow center, "falls along with the petals, instead of staying upon the stem. The petals symbolize a young woman, while the center is the man she has entrusted her heart to." Her fingers never once left the petals, and he knew she must be wondering about the texture that was softer than even a rose's petals. What he was wondering at was the fact the Camellia was darkening, growing more healthy, and most of the bush was following suit.

She was thoroughly surprised at his knowledge of the flower. How and why would he know such information? Did things like that actually interest him? She was so confused! When she caught his lifted brows, she cleared her throat. "Is there something… special to you about this flower? I'm surprised you know so much about it." He turned his gaze back on the red flower, and her fingers fidgeted as she returned her gaze to it as well.

"When I am not plotting, there is little to do. There are books." His eyes flicked to her, watching her pensive expression. He wondered how it was that he didn't feel a single shred of anger when he was around her. Always the demons in his head were screaming for power, for vengeance, but now they were quiet. He felt strangely… empty. There was no discomfort, but there was no real enjoyment either. Just calm.

"Why… why am I here? And why are you not threatening, torturing or attacking me?" She had to hold herself back from asking 'who are you and where is Naraku?' She turned to once again meet his ruby gaze, her own chocolate ones soft and confused. He himself looked as if her were looking for the answer.

He was silent awhile. "It will cause Inuyasha distress." He nearly smirked at her indignant glare, then turned his whole body to face her. She was shivering. With a movement of his hand, his white baboon pelt was on his arm and he draped it over her shoulders. His eyes narrowed and his teeth clenched when she cringed away at his movement. He settled the white fur gently, leaving the skull to lay against her back, and left his hands on her shoulders as he gazed down at her with a serious, unreadable face. She looked at him with fear and confusion, and he muttered "One day, you will not fear me." He turned away, starting to walk before pausing.

"I have not harmed you… because I do not wish to." He turned to look at her. "Your scent is much more appealing when you are calm." With that last, bewildering statement, he left. She watched him go. She huffed in annoyance when she realized that 90 percent of her time in this place was spent in confusion. She was getting tired, and wanted some real answers.

Her hands ran over the fur pelt he had left with her, and she found she could catch his scent. It was strong, masculine, and not at all dainty or flowery. It was hard to describe, but it was dark, yet somewhat sweet. She closed her eyes and inhaled more, curiosity peaked. It was like dark chocolate, that dark richness with the barest hint of sweetness. It suits him well, she realized.

~o~o~o~o~o~O~o~o~o~o~o~

Sesshoumaru glared at the red lipped demoness before him. Kagura blocked their path and was bickering with Inuyasha, obviously in no hurry to fight, nor leave. With an annoyed huff he punched Inuyasha square on the jaw, shutting him up effectively. He gave the demoness a meaningful glare, but she just shrugged.

"I'm supposed to distract you for a while, otherwise I'll be punished harshly later. Don't be angry with me, Western Lord." He nodded, strangely understanding her plight before walking around her. He was stopped in his tracks by her next words, as were the others. "Kagome is with him, and he hold's Kohaku's life over her. If you try and rush in now, the boy will die, and the miko as well. She asked me to deliver her pleas for you to wait, and let her handle it."

That didn't sit well with the group, not at all.

"How the hell did he get to her in the first place!" Inuyasha yelled at Kagura, as if blaming her.

"He waited near the well. Now he keeps the miko for amusement, and keeps her from fighting by offering her the boy's presence and memories in return."

Miroku wrapped a comforting arm around Sango as she sobbed quietly. "He is intelligent and manipulative, but it doesn't sound as if she is being hurt…?"

Kagura shook her head. "He finds her amusing. He will keep her the way a child keeps its favorite toy. When he becomes bored of her, however…" She let the thought trail, and Inuyasha cursed.

Sesshoumaru huffed, annoyed once again. As if he would listen to the miko. She was not ready to handle Naraku, even with a month of his training. Without waiting, he continued in his direction, following Naraku's ever fading scent.

~o~o~o~o~o~O~o~o~o~o~o~

Another day had passed, and Kagome watched as Kohaku read one of the books brought by the servants. He seemed totally preoccupied with the subject, and she smiled. He had started talking more, and was eating well now. She was glad.

She returned to her room, leaving him in his adjoining room. Her eyes caught on the baboon pelt resting in the corner. Naraku had not seen her since midday the day before, and she had not touched the pelt again once inside. She looked at her bedding, which was cold and not nearly as warm, and back to the thick…soft… warm…

With a sigh she went and lifted it, draping it over her shoulders as she yawned. She went to the futon, curled up on it and cuddled the pillow and blankets, half of her face hidden in the fur. She hadn't slept well since coming to the palace, her fear of Naraku keeping her alert. Now, weariness caught up with her, and the combined softness, warmth, and cool air around her made her yawn more than once. She snuggled the fur, again catching the scent, and fell asleep.

Naraku again stared at the flames of the fire, plots and schemes chasing each other endlessly in his mind, but he did not focus on them. Ever so slowly, a strange tightness grew in him, and he wanted warmth. He scowled. He was as close to the fire as he could get, but he wanted warmth. It wasn't fire he wanted, it was skin. More precisely, the miko's skin. She was entertaining, a puzzle to be solved, and her sarcasm and defiance was refreshing, amusing even. He wanted badly to hear her biting words, for some reason he enjoyed her dry sense of humor, her warm scent, even the color of her eyes as she looked at him with confusion. He made his way down the halls, propelled by the sudden need to see her. Naraku caught the sight of Kagome's bedroom candle being snuffed out by a servant. He nodded to the human woman. "The girl?"

"A-asleep milord. The boy reads one of the books of your collection." He nodded, letting the jittery human go as he opened the shoji silently. He froze at the sight before him. Kagome was curled under his pelt, nose buried in the fur as she breathed evenly. He moved forward, kneeling by her head. Her blue onyx waves fanned out behind her head, and he slowly ran lethal claws through the silky tendrils. Why did the sight of him under his pelt affect it? Why did he feel like… like it was where the miko should be?

He touched her cheek, waking her gently. She gasped at his proximity, but he silenced her with a hand placed gently over her mouth. "No need for fear." He waited, and she slowly nodded. He lifted his hand, slowly shifting himself around until he was seated beside her. "You are comfortable?" She again nodded, eyes wary, but still drooping with sleep. "Sleep."

"Why are you here?" She couldn't help the lazy words from escaping.

He was silent a while, unsure of his answer. "… I want something, but I don't know what." His garnet eyes were narrowed, and he seemed angry, but Kagome had a niggling feeling in her head. She was excellent at reading people, and she realized that what he wanted was… comfort. He wanted something he had never been shown before, even when he had been Onigumo. She went cold at the realization that she pitied him, she felt sorry for the man who had never known warmth or kindness.

Calling herself seven kinds of stupid, she reached up and touched his shoulder. His eyes flicked to her with surprise and suspicion, which she found ironic. She reached up higher, touching his neck, then cheek. Cupping her hand gently, she lead him down so that his cheek rested just under her chin as he lay on his side. His breath stopped and he froze. What was she doing? Did she forget who he was? He was about to snarl and remind her that he was Naraku, the incarnation of evil who had destroyed her friends' lives.

"I'm mentally beating the shit out of myself right now, but you need compassion, and it's my duty to provide it right now. Not as a miko, or even as your 'pet', but as me. You can curse me, you can deny it, but I know what I feel Naraku, and I feel your confusion and darkness." He made a soft noise, something between a grunt and a growl as his denial was cut off by her small fingers combing through his inky black waves. "At least for now, just for tonight, let me help you."

He remained silent, enjoying and hating the sensation of her fingers in his hair. He adored yet loathed the warmth she emitted. When he said nothing, Kagome turned on her side and curled so that his head was above hers, her face near his chest. In silence, and with a look of uncertain relaxation, curled around her before letting one arm drop over her waist and falling asleep.

For the first time in decades, he didn't wake until morning.

A/N Sorry for a few things. Mostly, that this story is moving so quickly and there isn't too much depth around the other characters. I really want to just focus on Kagome's overly compassionate nature and Naraku's confusion and slow decent from insanity into apathy, and soon depression. Then, also I apologize for any typos and error. –squints at clock- its 3:21 am and I am bleary eyed and tired as a mad midget with a yoyo. Goodnight, everyone. Review review.