Riding quickly on the swirls of air, Kagura approached the barrier of Naraku's current residence and glided through without hesitation. In one fluid motion she dismounted her transport and replaced the feather in her hair as she entered the decaying castle. The stench of death hit her hard, and the demon presence that had gathered skittered about the perimeter, seen yet unseen. From the moment they had set foot in this current hideout, she had instantly been hit with a feeling of uneasiness that had never left her. No other hideout of Naraku's had ever disturbed her so deeply. Kanna had mentioned something about a family's murder as a sacrifice for power, but the details weren't important to her. The sooner Naraku decided to move on from this place the better considering the effect it seemed to be having on her nerves.
As she made her way down the long hallway, a young white haired child fell in step next to her. Her downcast eyes were the only telling signal of any emotion on the girl, but Kagura knew that Kanna shared her unease in regards to their current location. But Kanna somehow lacked the rebellious nature that swelled within Kagura. Despite any personal emotion Kanna might have in regards to her purpose, she would forever endure it in silence. Her objectives were solely her master's bidding.
"I suppose Naraku wants to see me," Kagura muttered through gritted teeth.
"He is waiting," Kanna affirmed in her soft steady voice.
The news was of no surprise, but nonetheless Kagura's stomach gave a slight lurch. Incarnation of the man or not, Naraku commanded power through fear, preying on the specifics in the hearts of individuals. One mistake and Kagura knew her heart would be crushed for his amusement, a final punishment for her past defiance. She was determined to hold on to her lifeline, even if it meant slavery until she could regain her freedom.
"He looks very tired," Kanna's commented, breaking though her thoughts.
Kagura raised an eyebrow slightly, wondering what the girl's comments could mean, but before she could speak they arrived at the chamber doors where Naraku resided. With a glance Kagura noted that Kanna had disappeared, leaving her alone to face the master. Fists clenched, she opened the door and entered.
The room was damp and chilled, but that was not unusual for Naraku's taste. It was remarkably unadorned except for a few old tapestries and plain torch lights that provided minimal color and light to the area. At the far end of the long rectangular room, a large window stood fully exposed, allowing in the faint, flickering traces of moonlight through the thick tree line. It was here Naraku sat, eerily silhouetted against the night sky. As she crossed the room, Kagura noted that Kanna's observation was accurate. As he sat, Naraku slouched, just enough to be noticeable, and his normally crisp and even facial features drooped ever so slightly. Even his pale white skin tone had a slight opaqueness that resulted in a mildly purplish-blue glow. She blinked, trying to hide her surprise. She had never seen Naraku show such outward signs of weakness before, though she had watched for it unrelentingly at times. Now, face to face with the stark reality of it, she felt slightly at odds, not knowing how to use this situation she was now faced with.
Naraku looked up but seemed to stare right through her. "So, Kagura, I trust you gathered the information as I instructed."
The steadiness in his voice despite his appearance took her by surprise. "Y-yes," she stammered. "According to the talk amongst Inuyasha and the group, Kagome has gone back to her time indefinitely."
"Interesting." Naraku held out his palm where the still slightly incomplete Shikon No Tama rested. Instead of its normally pink sparkling glow, the jewel appeared dull and verging on gray in color.
"What's wrong with it?" Kagura asked flatly, trying to hide her curiosity.
"The jewel is responding to the absence of its priestess." He smiled slightly as if amused. "Its power will lay dormant until her presence is sensed again."
"But that means-"
"That Kikiyo is of no use to me anymore."
Kagura frowned. "So all that effort to capture Kikiyo was for nothing," she thought, recalling the intese injuries she had sustained trying to bring her down. "So now what? We just have to wait?" she asked with disdain. "We can't follow her back to her time."
Naraku let out a small laugh, as if amused that she felt this was such a large obstacle to overcome. "You may not need to wait as long as you think."
"He can't mean…" But Kagura's thought was cut short as she caught sight of a blue pair of eyes glowing from the shadows behind Naraku. Slowly they moved forward to reveal a white haired teenage boy who kneeled readily before Naraku.
"It isn't possible! Another incarnation?" Kagura held her angry shock in as much control as possible, but she could feel her nails biting into her palms and her fists shaking slightly. "Just how much power does Naraku have?"
She watched as Naraku slowly lifted his head to face the young man, looking as if the effort was taxing his remaining strength. "He is weak now," she thought. "Now would be the perfect time to attack. I'll have to figure out how to use this to my advantage."
Whether he knew her thoughts or not, Naraku addressed her without removing his gaze from his new incarnation. "Kagura, go and release Kikiyo from her cell and escort her from the grounds. Tell her she is no longer needed and she no longer need expect my interference in her activities." His smirk spread to an evil looking grin. "I expect Inuyasha shall cross her path eventually. If he still hasn't figured it out by then, tell her I leave it in her hands whether he is deserving of the information she likely has figured out by now. Now go."
"Yes Naraku," Kagura bowed and retreated to accomplish this task, her thoughts a flurry of activity.
As soon as she was gone, the white haired young man looked up from his bowed stance, his piercing blue eyes focused right on the face of his master without fear. "I await your command, my lord."
Naraku gave a curt nod of approval. "Find Kagome Higurashi. Gain her trust. Find out what she knows about the completion of the jewel. Then bring her here to me. She is the key to completing everything."