Kagome had to suppress dry chuckles at Naraku's tries to charm her. It had been a surprise, but she should have anticipated it. After all, she was worth more to him non-struggling. And Kikyo's absence made sense now. It was kinda pitying. Did he really underestimate her so much?

She felt her spiritual companion and former priestess take her hand and Kagome relaxed slightly. She was once again out in the gardens and felt Naraku's stare. It was tiring. But she couldn't tell him off. Midoriko had said that her growing powers made her look different, more divine. Naraku couldn't be faulted for his decision, after all, power was beauty to him and many others.

She didn't think of the past that often anymore. She didn't think about her family or friends as often as before. It became less and less and Midoriko grew prouder.

"You are the chosen." she had once said.

"I am just myself." Kagome had simply answered.

Kagome took a white flower into her hand. It gleamed in the receding sun and her heart warmed. Earth was beautiful. Worth sacrificing for.

…

Naraku once again watched her stroll slowly through the garden. The setting sun illuminated her in a certain way that made her look even more divine. And the date when the seal would be lifted drew closer. He couldn't await it. To see the beauty brimming with limitless power, to know she would be his forever... what a glorious moment it would be. He just had to bind her to himself. That needed to be done before the unsealing.

…

It was late into the night as a knock sounded on the front door. Sesshomaru looked up from his book as he heard it. His father and he met on the front door and Touga carefully opened it, only to see the woman that had brought the envelopes, once again disguised with sunglasses and scarf.

"You." Sesshomaru said.

"Can I come in?" she asked impatiently. "It's a bit cold outside and I don't have much time."

Father and son nodded, making way to let her in.

"Do you have news from Kagome?" Sesshomaru asked quickly as the door was completely closed.

"Not from her." the female said, shaking her head. "But concerning her."

"What is it?"

"Naraku found out the date and place to unseal her powers. It's in a few days."

Touga tensed. "How does he plan to extract and use her powers?"

Both males were surprised as the messenger laughed dryly. "You are an idiot. He won't do it like that. He wants to bind Kagome to him and use her powers this way. He plans on letting her live, if only as a prisoner by his side."

"Bind Kagome to him?" Sesshomaru snarled dangerously, golden eyes glowing.

The female nodded slowly, cautiously. "That's what I know. I guessed you'd like to know as well. Now, if you excuse me, I have to leave."

Touga grasped her arm harshly. "More details."

She pushed a folded paper into his face. "Here."

And then she was gone again.

Sesshomaru looked over his father's shoulder as Touga unfolded the paper. It held place and exact time of the unsealing. Both men sent their thanks to the unknown helper.

…

"Kagome dear."

Naraku came closer with a small smile. She had been star gazing on the back porch. Kagome inclined her head lightly as Naraku sat down next to her.

"You look even more beautiful under the moonlight."

"Thank you, Naraku." she plainly answered.

He took her hand she fought the impulse to slap it away. "I have a proposition for you. Something that could make us both happy."

Her eyes turned from the star lit sky towards him and bright blue met dark red. Her eyes had turned lighter with the rising of her powers each day.

"The unsealing is tomorrow night, in less than 24 hours. I was thinking of a deal, a chance to clear all this without any... deaths."

She didn't move and simply kept looking at him.

He smiled mischievously and grinned. "You'll become mine. I will mark you, bind you to me. You will live as long as I do. We share our powers." his eyes began glowing. "Your friends and family will survive. Of course, you can't see them that often – if at all. But they'll still live." he paused to look at her reaction. But as usual in the past two weeks, no reaction was shown. He squeezed her hand. "What do you say?"

She averted her eyes and looked back up at the stars. "Please give me some time to consider it."

He nodded and squeezed her hand again. "If I can mark you as my intended..."

Suppressing the shudder of disgust and ignoring Midoriko's enraged reaction, she did not turn to look away from the sky. "What would that mean?"

"You wear my crest. Preferable in the open, as a necklace or ring." he said, with a slightly warning undertone.

She closed her eyes and nodded softly.

He gleamed with success, taking out the small gift he had already prepared. A short necklace with his crest. It stood out from her fair skin and made him very proud as he put it onto her.

"You look lovely with it."

She didn't respond and didn't look into his direction, but Naraku was satisfied with the events.

"You can sleep out tomorrow morning. We will depart shortly after noon." he added, as he rose and smirked. "Sleep well, my goddess."

She didn't respond as Naraku turned away and left. Midoriko squeezed her shoulder in comfort. She knew how much Kagome despised wearing that crest. But she needed to fool Naraku. Slowly and gracefully Kagome rose, entered the house and sought refugee in the holy room.

"I want to rip this off me." she murmured harshly. Even a simple touch of the hateful man made her retch and she was glad it would be over tomorrow.

To prepare herself for what would happen and to calm herself down she immersed herself into meditation again. The gods knew she would need that calm tomorrow.