A/N: Thank you all for the reviews and I hope you had a Happy New Year!!!

Okay, so I'm going to start 2008 off, with a plot twist...DUN DUN DUN...lol. This twist might scare the fan girls of one of these men, but don't be alarmed! For things aren't always as they appear. There are still about six or seven more chapters to go, so the battle is NOT over yet, lol


Naraku's POV

I stood patiently outside of the library the next day around three o'clock, waiting for Naima to show up so I could help her with her sorcery homework that she has been having trouble with. I should have known that she would come to me, seeing as how that is my best subject and her worst. To be honest, I really wished she would have asked my cousin, Kagura, instead of me. Ever since I made the decision to walk away from the fight for Naima's heart, its been very hard to be around her. To be friendly without being too friendly. It just doesn't seem natural for me not to hug and kiss her. As we grew up, we rarely greeted each other with handshakes and waves, but with hugs instead. I want to hug her. I want to kiss her. I want to do some more mature things with her, but I must take notice of boundaries.

It was about 3:15 when Naima finally pulled into the parking lot on her green motorcycle. After parking it, she began walking down the sidewalk with her bags and over to where I was waiting for her. "Hey Naima," I said with a smile.

"Hey Naraku," she greeted me, stretching out her arms for a hug. I tensed up a little, trying to figure out an excuse for not hugging her. I coughed a little.

"Uhh...no my dear. I still have a cold, remember?" She nodded her head and placed her arms down.

"That's right. I don't want to get sick if I'm going to be around Lelia." She walked pass me and inside of the library as I held the door open for her.

"Oh yeah. You never told me what the little cat demon is like," I said as we began walking towards the back of the library. She smiled really big. The mere mention of her niece was enough to make her bear those beautiful, white fanged teeth of hers.

"Ohhhh she's just so cute Naraku. So very precious and fragile. And she has the biggest light brown eyes and the cutest little nose. Why don't you come by to see her when you're over your cold." I nodded my head.

"Alright. I guess I could stop by for a little while. Are you sure that Li won't try to beat me for holding her baby?" She giggled a little.

"No, 'Psycho Li' is gone...okay, 'SUPER Psycho Li' is gone. Her hormones have returned back to normal and she's a lot more cheerful since she gave birth. I feel bad for Katsu, Tarei, and Haikaru though, because they had to live with that hormonal inbalance for nine months and a week." I chuckled a little.

"Oh my. I seriously hope that my wife won't be that way whenever I have children." She giggled too as we sat down at a table, placing our books on top of it.

"How many kids do you want, Naraku?" I shrugged my shoulders.

"Mmm...I don't know. Maybe two or three. A boy and girl or two boys and a girl." She smiled as she opened her textbook.

"Awww, you will probably spoil your daughter rotten." I smiled again.

"Yeah, I more than likely will. How many kids do you want Naima?"

"Well...I wanted about five, but after hearing Li give birth, that number has been reduced to one or two. No more than two though." I laughed at her response.

"It was that bad huh?"

"Ohhhhh yeah. I've never heard so many curse words at one time." I laughed again. She did as well. "Okay, okay. Enough joking around. Time to hit the books."

"Alright. So what are you having trouble with?"

"Ummm...pretty much...everything."

"Naima."

"What? You know I'm no good at this kind of sorcery. This whole concept of demon bees or hell bees or something like that."

"Insects of Hell or Saimyoushou," I corrected her.

"Yeah. That's it. You understand how to train them?"

"Of course. I am a spider demon after all, so of course I can train some insects." She laughed a little.

"Okay, Mr. Big Shot. Teach me what you know."

"Alright then. Where is your saimyoushou?" She bit her lip and gave me a nervous look.

"See...here's the thing." She reached into her backpack and pulled out the jar that held the saimyoushou that Urasue-sensei gave us for our sorcery project. She placed the jar on the table and the insect which would normally be buzzing around, laid motionless at the bottom of the jar. "He died." I pressed my lips together as I tried to stiffle a laugh. I don't know what it was, but all of Naima's pets seem to die if they are under her care and her care alone. Her puppy, her hamster, her fish, and her turtle all fell victim to the grim reaper when Rashid-san didn't help her take care of them. As I thought that, I couldn't hold onto my laugh anymore.

"Pfffffft! I see. You do need help don't you." She gasped and playfully smacked me on the arm.

"Come on Naraku, that's not funny. What am I gonna do? I can't get the resurrection spell to work."

"How did it die?"

"I'm not quite sure."

"Did you feed it?"

"He can eat?" I rolled my eyes and shook my head at her.

"Yes. They are animals, so they do need food...and, air holes." I trapped the top of the jar with my pencil. She smiled as she slapped her hand to her forehead.

"Oh yeah! I knew I was forgetting something." I shook my head again.

"You know, to be so smart, you can be so dense sometimes." My remark earned me another playful smack.

"Ha ha. Real funny. Okay then, so let me see your saimyoushou." I smirked as I reached into my backpack and pulled out my jar (with airholes) that contained a very lively and healthy saimyoushou. It was currently eating on some grass that I had given it. I looked at Naima with an accomplished expression. She just folded her arms and rolled her eyes. "So? I can't help it if you're like Steve Irwin or somebody. Pets just aren't my thing." I laughed again as I patted her back.

"Okay, okay. I'll help you bring it back to life."

"Its a he. His name is Oji." I gave her a funny look.

"You named your saimyoushou?"

"He looked lonely without a name. How would you feel if you were nameless?" I sighed and smiled at my unique best friend.

"Okay. Take...Oji, out of the jar and place him on the table." She did as I had instructed and put him on top of the table. "Okay, now turn to page 376 and recite the Spell of Resurrection."

"I've already tried that. It didn't work."

"Did you channel your demonic energy long enough?"

"I think I did. I was very tired afterwards."

"Okay that's the thing. You have to channel it in a way so you won't tire yourself out, but so you still have a lot to put into the saimyoushou. Okay, like try focusing it all into your fingertips instead of your whole hand."

"Alright. Am I supposed to hold Oji or what?" I chuckled a little. I still found it funny that she named her insect.

"No, Oji can remain on the table, but when he revives make sure that you catch him." Naima nodded her head. She placed two fingers on top of the saimyoushou and slowly closed her eyes. Slowly but surely, her green demoic aura began to grow and flow down her right arm and into the two fingers that were placed on top of Oji. All the while, she kept muttering the Spell of Resurrection. A few moments later, the saimyoushou began to buzz. Naima's face instantly lit up.

"Ah! Oji!" she squealed as she hurried and cupped the buzzing insect into her hands, placed him back inside of the jar, and slammed on the lid before he could fly away. I chuckled and shook my head at her.

"Okay now give him some air holes and here is some grass," I pulled a ziploc bag full of grass out and gave some to Naima. She took some into her hands and quickly placed it inside of the jar. The saimyoushou immediately began to eat. The poor thing hadn't probably eaten in weeks. After closing the lid on top again, Naima took her pen and began to poke small holes into the lid.

"Alright, so when can I start extracting poison from Oji?"

"Oh no, Oji isn't ready for his poison to be extracted yet. He needs to build up his strength first or he'll die again. Give it about four days and he'll be ready."

"Will you help me when the time comes?" I became really quiet again. I really did want to help Naima, but everytime I'm around her, stepping aside becomes harder and harder. I'm having a hard time right now as we speak.

"Umm...I'm sure that Kagura knows how to extract poison. She can help you." Naima narrowed her eyes at me a little, but nodded her head.

"Okay. I'll ask her. Thank you so much for helping me Naraku!" she squealed as she gave me a big hug, before I was able to stop her. I allowed my eyes to flutter close as I loosely wrapped an arm around her and gave her a lukewarm hug compared to her tight and passionate one. Her scent was so intoxicating. Her hair smelling strongly of honeysuckle shampoo and her skin held the same scent. I had an unbelievable urge to just lick her, wanting to know if she tasted as good as she smelled. And her outfit looked so good on her too. It highlighted those deadly curves. A green and white, satin, Apple Bottoms track jacket and low rise dark denim blue jeans by the same brand. Her long curly hair was straightened and went past her waist. Hazel eyes popping against her contrasting brown skin. Oh and that voice of hers. I loved Naima's voice. A very soft, seductive, feminine alto voice. How I'd love to hear my name leave those full lips of hers at nighttime when we are sharing our love for one another. Dammit! I need to get away from this girl before I lose my mind!

"Uhhh...Naima. I-I got to go now sweetie," I whispered to her as I released my embrace. She pulled back from me and gave me a questioning look.

"Oh? Do you have work today?" I shook my head no as I slid back from the table.

"No. I just have to...go." She looked at her hands in her lap as she sat back down in her seat.

"Oh. Well, I'll call you later then?"

"Uhhh...yeah. Sure. Ummm...have you talked to Sesshoumaru yet?" She smiled really wide.

"Uh yeah. We talked for about five minutes this morning."

"So he's answering your calls now?"

"Yes. Although its still not the same as it used to be. I'm just glad we're talking again."

"So you're happy about it?"

"Yeah. Yeah, I guess I am." I nodded my head. So the bastard did take advantage of me walking away. I'm not suprised. That's the only way that he can get an edge. Oh well, at least Naima is happy. That's all that matters to me.

"Okay then love, well I'll see you later."

"Alright."

"Goodbye Naima."

"Bye bye Naraku."


Bankotsu's POV

"Mmm. Come here sweetie taste this," Sai said to me as she held up a spoonful of soup for me to taste. I looked at the spoon and saw that it had peas in it. I grimaced and shook my head no.

"Nuh uh. I don't like peas." Me and my beautiful girlfriend of about a month now were currently in the kitchen of my apartment. She was generously cooking dinner for us and the boys tonight. Sai shook her head and smirked at me.

"Aww come on Pooh Bear. Taste it. You'll like my soup. I promise you won't even taste the peas." I was about to decline again, but she looked at me with those big, pleading, emerald green eyes that I just can't say no to. I squinched my eyes tightly and sipped the soup off of the spoon, peas and all. I grimaced again, waiting for the taste of nasty peas, but to my delight it never came. In fact, the soup tasted really good. I looked down at Sai and smiled.

"Mmm Pumpkin. That's really good," I said, licking my lips. She giggled as she placed the small spoon down and picked up the stirring spoon again.

"I'm glad you like it. My grandma taught me the recipe. It should help Naraku's cold too." A smiled and shook my head. I folded my arms and leaned against the countertop.

"Nothing can cure his cold except for Naima." Sai giggled as she continued to stir the food.

"Is he still doing that walking away nonsense?"

"Yes. I just don't understand him sometimes. I mean one minute he's fighting like he's in WWII and the next, he's walking away. I really do not get it."

"Well I think that its sweet that he would do that, although very risky too. Maybe he left a good enough impression on Naima so she will come back to him. He really needs her in his life. I've only met them this year, but they look sooo cute together. But then again she and Sesshoumaru do too."

"No, no Sai. I like Sesshoumaru too, but we only support Naraku in this house." She giggled again before placing the spoon down and covering the pot with a lid. She then turned the heat on low. She then walked over to me and placed her arms around my neck.

"Well, I'm glad that we don't have any problems like that Sugar Cube," she said with a beautiful smile. I smiled back as I wrapped my arms around her waist, pulling her closer.

"Me too Bunny Boo." We continued to smile as we did an eskimo kiss before performing a real kiss. When we pulled away, she still had that big smile on her face. I was about to say something else sweet to her, when the sound of the doorbell knocked us out of our romantic mood. I cocked an eyebrow wondering who it could be. My brother was still at the movies with his boyfriend and Naraku was supposed to be at the library with Naima. I walked through the kitchen doors and into the livingroom with Sai following right behind me. I looked through the peak-hole to see who it was. I gasped upon laying eyes on the person. "Muso?" I said to myself out loud. I was confused as to why Naraku's older brother would be here. His family had shunned him so this was quite a suprise.

"Who is it baby?" Sai asked. I turned to her with the same confused expression.

"Muso."

"Naraku's big brother?"

"Yeah." I turned back to the door and slowly opened it. His expression wasn't very friendly, not that I expected it to be. "Muso? What are you doing here?"

"Where's my brother at?"

"He's at the library right now."

"Oh." The cocky spider demon then walked pass me and inside of the house before I invited him in. I rolled my eyes at him.

"Please, do come in," I sarcastically said before shutting the door.

"Something smells good. Are you cooking?" he asked as he took a seat in a chair that matched our couch.

"She's cooking," I replied as I sat on the couch beside Sai. Muso's eyes then lit up upon noticing my girlfriend. A devilish grin then turned his lips.

"Oh my. I don't believe we have met. My name is Muso. I'm Naraku's older bro." Sai smiled awkardly at the elder hanyou.

"Hey, I'm Sai," she replied.

"So what kind of demon are you?"

"I'm a fire goddess."

"Oh really? I thought that you were a fox because you are really sexy." I snarled at Muso, warning him to stop coming on to my girlfriend. Muso only chuckled at me.

"Calm down Bankotsu. I'm only having a little harmless fun."

"What is your business with Naraku? Just tell me because I really want you to leave right about now."

"Now now Bankotsu. Don't get your panties in a bunch. I've just come to see if I can make piece with my baby brother."

"Is that right now?"

"Yes. It is. I mean we are both growing up and I think that its high time that we put our differences aside. I want to see if we can become closer, like real brothers should be. You know, like you and your brothers."

"Awww, that's so sweet," Sai interjected, "Naraku could really use a brother at a time like this." Sai seemed really impressed by Muso's reason for coming over, but I, however, was still suspicious. Out of all of the years I've know Muso and Onigumo, neither one of them have been really acceptant towards Naraku. They practically hated him. So why does Muso all of a sudden want to make nice? Then it hit me.

"You are so full of bullshit. You do know that right?" I asked the scheming big brother. He furrowed his brows and sneered at me.

"What are you talking about human?" he snapped, obviously offended by my statement.

"Well, I just find it funny that you all of a sudden want to patch things up with Naraku the same week that the NFL announced its scouting pool. You didn't make the cut, but baby brother did. So now all of a sudden, big brother wants to get back on baby brother's good side. You are so trifling. You do know that right?"

"You don't know what you're talking about Bankotsu."

"Oh yes I do. You want to make nice with Naraku, so if he gets drafted to the NFL you can get a cut of the money. How pathetic is that?" Muso laughed defiantly at me.

"No, I find it pathetic that the NFL would choose you to scout over me. I'm twice the defensive back that you are."

"HA! ESPN says otherwise."

"You know Bankotsu, you sure do talk a lot of bull."

"Oh do I now?"

"Yes you do. Almost as much as your brother."

"Hmmm...you mean my brother, Suikotsu? The one who took Kikyo away from you?" My last statement shut Muso up. I smirked at him, feeling victorious. "Oh? What's that? Y-You're kind of quiet now. Did I strike a nerve?"

"You are such an idiot you do know that right? You think Suikotsu is all that? He wouldn't even be with Kikyo right now if Tsubaki had done her job like she was supposed to and if that idiot dog demon would have continued to help her keep Naima away from my stupid brother." My eyes instantly widened at his last statement. W-What did he just say about Sesshoumaru and Tsubaki?!

"What did you just say?"

"You heard me. I said that Suikotsu and Kikyo..."

"No no no. What did you just say about Sesshoumaru?"

"Huh? Oh if Sesshoumaru would have continued to help Tsubaki like she asked, I'd still be with Kikyo." I narrowed my eyes at Muso a little. I knew that Tsubaki and Muso were good friends, so he must be telling the truth about this.

"What are you talking about? What did Tsubaki ask Sesshoumaru to do?"

"I don't know. Something about a charm bracelet or something like that. She called me after she found Naima's sweater in Naraku's bedroom and demanded that I give her Sesshoumaru's phone number." I couldn't believe what Muso was telling me. I was beginning to become pleased with his unexpected visit.

"So you mean to tell me, that Sesshoumaru knew about the curse on Naraku and Naima's relationship before anyone else did and he actually helped Tsubaki keep them apart?!"

"Yeah, although he backed out after two weeks, but yeah he knew." O.O I turned to Sai with wide eyes and Sai gave me the same look. Muso sighed.

"Well, I see that there's nothing here for me," he said as he got out of the chair, "just tell Naraku that I stopped by. Okay?"

"Yeah, yeah. Sure thing," I replied as I got off of the couch too. I walked over to the door and showed Muso out. As soon as he was outside, I closed the door and ran back over to the couch to sit beside Sai.

"Oh. My. Kami," was what she said to me.

"I know," was all I could say.

"We've got to tell Naima!" She attempted to get up and go to the phone in the kitchen, but I quickly pulled her back down.

"Nooo Miss Gossip. You can't do that." She furrowed her eyebrows at me.

"And why not? Sesshoumaru's been making her feel guilty about her feelings for Naraku when he knew the whole time that they were cursed. Why shouldn't I tell her? She deserves to know."

"Because it is not our business to tell Naima. If anybody should tell her it should be Naraku or Sesshoumaru himself. We will tell Naraku and see what his decision is."

"Well he better tell her, because he has a one hundred percent chance of getting her back if she finds out this news. Whoa Sesshoumaru messed up big time on that one. Come on baby. Let me tell her."

"No."

"Awww pleeeease."

"No." She folded her arms and pouted.

"You're no fair."


After finding out the big news, Sai and I waited anxiously for Naraku to come home so we could tell him what all we knew. We weren't sure as to what his reaction would be, so we wanted to make sure that he was safe at home before we told him. About twenty minutes later, my best friend walked through the door. I quickly put a hand over Sai's mouth before she blurted out the news. "Hello you two," he said as he walked over to the couch Muso was previously sitting in and sat down in it.

"Hey Naraku. Ummm...listen...we have something to tell you." He gave us a questioned look.

"Oh? What is it?"

"Well...Muso came by earlier today and he brought along some interesting news with him. You remember somebody named Tsubaki, right?" He rolled his eyes and chuckled.

"Umm, yeah. I might have heard of her."

"Well, it seems as if she had an accomplice in her plans in keeping you and Naima apart. Guess who it was."

"Muso, no doubt."

"Nooo. Think, lighter hair. In fact, think snowy colored hair." Naraku's eyes instantly hardened.

"That damn dog demon?" he asked in a low, cold voice. I slowly nodded my head.

"Muso said that the charm bracelet that he gave Naima for Christmas, was originally given to him by Tsubaki."

"Well, how does he know about that?"

"He said that Tsubaki called him and asked for Sesshoumaru's number after he found Naima's sweater in your bathroom." Naraku's hard expression then changed to a thoughtful one.

"She was pretty pissed at me that night and she was in the bathroom for a long time. I remember because I thought she was going to do me like she did my truck."

"You need to tell Naima, Naraku," Sai advised. Naraku had another thoughtful expression and became very silent for a while.

"No. I'm not going to tell her," he finally said after a while. Both Sai and my jaws dropped.

"What?" we simultaneously said. He just nodded his head.

"You heard me. I'm not telling her."

"But why Naraku? She's all yours if you just tell her," Sai tried to convince him. He sighed deeply, sad eyes controlling his facial features.

"Nobody knows Naima like I do. There are three reasons why I'm not going to tell her. One, because if she did find out the news, it would hurt her too much. Two, because when I asked her if she had talked to Sesshoumaru today, the biggest smile appeared on her face. Its just as I thought. Sesshoumaru really does make her happier than I ever could. And three, because even if Naima did find out, she would forgive him because she is still in love with him. Whatever his motives were, I'm am ninety percent sure that she will forgive him, because of how she hurt him by making out with me. So there is absolutely no sense in telling her." I gave Naraku a confused look and I'm sure Sai did too.

"Umm, pardon me asking, but are you infected with a cold or are you infected with stupid?" He chuckled a little.

"What do you mean man?"

"Just tell Naima what you know. You have nothing to lose." He sighed deeply before standing out of the chair.

"You're wrong. I do have something to lose and it seems as if I am going to lose it. Regardless of what I do. So...lets just drop it. Okay?" I sighed too.

"Okay man. Whatever you say."

"Thank you. Mmm, something smells good. Sai did you cook today?"

"Uh, yeah. I made some soup. It will help your cold. Its on the stove, go help yourself."

"Mwah! Thank you my dear," he said as he blew her a kiss. Sai giggled as he left the room and into the kitchen. She then walked over to me and gave me a disappointed look.

"Why won't he just tell her. He loves her so much and he misses her. Its written all over his face." I shrugged my shoulders.

"Only Naima can truly understand Naraku. I don't know what he's thinking. Still, we must respect his wishes and keep quiet about what Sesshoumaru did."

"But doesn't Naima deserve the right to know?" I just sighed and shrugged again.

"Well. We will just see what fate decides. Will fate bring Naraku and Naima back together because of Sesshoumaru's selfish deception or will fate bring Sesshoumaru and Naima back together because of Naraku's selfish interference. All I know is the playing field is more level, because it seems as if innocent Sesshoumaru is not so innocent after all." Sai nodded her head. I smiled before kissing her forehead gently. "Now lets go get some of this pea-filled soup of yours. She giggled again.

"Don't knock my peas. I'll be in there soon. I just need to use to bathroom right quick."

"Okay. Don't be long love."

"I won't."


Naima's POV

This has been quite an interesting weekend for me. After three weeks of avoiding my calls, Sesshoumaru finally answered me today. We even managed to have a small conversation, although it was far from the intense, hour long conversations that we used to have. Still, anything is better than nothing. But it seems as if when things started getting better between Sesshoumaru and I, things began to get worse between Naraku and I. I mean, Naraku is still as friendly as always, but I can't help but feel that he's slipping away from me. I know that for sure that he is now. His hug today was rather weak and he never turns down an opportunity to spend time with me unless he's working. I guess he's tired of waiting for me to make my decision, which I'm still having quite the time of making. Its not that I'm not trying, its just that Naraku and Sesshoumaru have soooo many good and unique qualities to them, I just don't know which way to go. Hmm...maybe I should ask Naraku how he's feeling during all of this.

I walked over to my purse with Lelia asleep in my arms. She had just fell asleep after I fed her her baby formula. I pulled the small black phone out and was about to call Naraku, when it began to ring. Lelia whimpered a little, her ears were very sensitive since she was a demon baby, but she stayed sleep. I looked at the ID screen and saw Sai's picture. "Hello?" I asked my good friend in an extremely soft voice.

"Naima, hey."

"Hey Sai. Wassup?"

"Look...I have something to tell you. I'm not supposed to, but I think you should hear this." I looked very confused as I sat back on the couch with Lelia.

"Okaaaay?...What is it?"

"Well...I was just thinking. Do you know when Tsubaki came over and caught you and Naraku together?"

"Yes."

"And she told Sesshoumaru before you could?"

"Yeah."

"Did you ever stop to think why she would be the one to call him? Like, why would she tell him if they don't even hang out together? Why would she even have his cell number?" I paused and thought for a minute. I never did think about why Tsubaki would be the one to tell Sesshoumaru, because I was so wrapped up in not hurting him.

"No. That's never crossed my mind before."

"Naima. You need to talk to Sesshoumaru because things aren't always as they appear. That's all I'm going to say. I gotta go."

"Wait. Sai? Sai?" She hung up before I had the chance to stop her. Things aren't always as they appear? What is she talking about? Does Sesshoumaru have something that he's keeping from me? Hmm...a very interesting weekend indeed and I feel that it will only get even more interesting for I intend on finding out what all Sai was blabbering about.


A/N: Twist it, twist it good, lol