Oh my god, it feels like I haven't updated in forever! (blushes furiously)
I've been super busy with new job responsibilities and have just been so tired and not in the mood to write. Now that everything seems to be settling down, I can finally come back to this.

Chapter Fourteen: An Unexpected Ally

Kagura stared at the sight before her. A mixture of what she believed to be rage and disbelief swirled in the back of her mind. How had this human girl found her way into Naraku's nest without one of those greedy sacks of goo consuming her? Even I don't dare to enter this hall.

She eyed the sacks before summoning her winds with the flick of her hand, dragging the girl and the old man to safety behind her.

"The bounds of your stupidity amaze me." Another flick and the doors shut behind them. Kagura turned to face them, crossing her arms over her chest. "You need to return to your room before Lord Naraku returns. And you... I'll figure out what to do with you."

Brown eyes glared up at her, screaming her defiance, as Kagome wrapped protective arms around her grandfather. "What did that monster do to my grandfather?" The old man had started mumbling, eyes glassed over and stuck on Kagome's face.

Kagura chuckled with as much amusement as she could muster. Naraku's fighting a loosing battle with this one. She won't be easy to break, let alone bend. "Please, he was perfectly fine. Just sleeping. Now follow me to your room before Naraku is any the wiser."

Kagome's face fell, nodding hesitantly. She turned to the old man and smiled, helping him to his feet. Kagura led the way out of the courtyard and down the hall to Kagome's room, walking with purpose. "We don't have much time so listen close and listen well." They were nearing the door. "Your grandfather is dead."

"What are you talking about?" Kagome asked.

"Don't interupt," she sighed, flicking a lazy gust of wind at the door to slide it open. She ushered them in side and slid it closed manually, feeling drained from excessive use of her power. "He's dead." She turned, hands settling on her hips. "The old man passed away of old age in his sleep in his nest. The vision Naraku saw was a dying man's dream, nothing more nothing less. In fact, I found him and took care of the body to save his lordship the hassel. After all what is a servant good for if not for cleaning up their master's messes?"

Kagome sat the old man down next to her washbasin and picked up the soaked cloth, dabbing at his face. Her pretty brow rumpled in confusion. "I still don't understand why you're helping us."

"Please, do you think everything is about you? This is about me. In a more specific sense, protecting me." Kagura paced in front of the door. "Who do you think he would blame for your escape? Me. Naraku would sooner skin me alive than lay a finger on his precious baby maker."

Kagome's eyes snapped open for a moment before continuing with her cleaning mission. "Somehow that doesn't make me feel any better. Are you sure it's not because you're falling for my master plan to make you my friend?"

The old man was still staring at his granddaughter, mumbling how glad he was that she was okay.

Kagura rolled her eyes, sneering at them. She didn't need emotions to know how disgusting this made her feel. I will never understand how humans can express so many feelings.

"Absolutely not." Kagura shook her head, letting out another sigh. "And for the record demons don't make friends they make allies."

"So I'm an ally then?"

Kagura caught the smirk playing on the young woman's face as she wiped the last bit of goo from the old man's wrinkled cheek. Kagura flushed and she didn't understand why.

She felt Naraku's sudden, invading presence in the back of her head. Something about what she was feeling had him interested. The selfish prick was always abusing his hold over her, starting when he took her heart. He literally ripped her heart from her chest not long after he'd created her from his own flesh. Something to do with insolence... The details were hazy on anything before she was heartless. This lovely action had also taken away her ability to feel.

Emotions at least. And the odd one that happened to slip through were so foreign and small she couldn't discern them or figure out how to deal with them.

She had memories of a few particularly strong emotions. She remembered hate: hate for Naraku. Self loathing. She'd hated knowing the fact that she was a part of him. It disgusted her to her very core... Up until he relieved her of it.

She shook her head. She hadn't thought about that incident for a long time... Somehow being around this girl brought up old hidden memories.

"Think what you will, human, but we must make haste with regards to the old man if we wish to convince Naraku."

The young woman gave her grandfather a gentle smile and placed the back into the wash basin. She cupped his wrinkled face in her hands and kissed his forehead. "Everything is going to be just fine. I promise."

He finally seemed to find himself and nodded at her.

Kagome turned her full attention on Kagura. "We're ready." She backed away from him, sitting on her futon with her arms folded on her knees.

Kagura pulled her fan from the sleeve of her yukata and snapped it open in a practiced motion. "Brace yourself old man, this will not be a pleasant ride. You may wish to close your eyes."

The old man clamped his eyes shut and set his jaw.

Kagura swept her fan through the air. White tendrils of magic charged wind surrounded him, whirling faster and faster around him. The wind closed around him, forming a spherical shape. The wind ball compressed in on itself and disappeared. The room was deathly still in its absence.

Kagura felt Naraku's presence appear in the castle in the same manner a soap bubble pops. "He's here, act distraught when I tell him what happened."

Kagome's face fell into her usual steely defiance of Naraku.

In that we are alike.

The door slid open with a loud snap. When Naraku finally spoke it was in a low, calm voice. "What happened to the old man?"

Kagura cast a sidelong glance at him. His pupils had dialated into tight black pinpoints and his brows hung a bare bit lower than usual. Nothing else seemed the least bit different. Not even his stance betrayed a bit of frustration. Only his eyes... Kagura took great pleasure in getting any kind of emotional response from him.

Her eyes focused back on Kagome who was now glaring at Naraku with so much malice she wasn't sure how she hadn't killed him yet.

"The old man is dead," Kagura said, watching as Kagome's face shifted into one of confusion. She's really good at this. "He passed away in the pod. In his sleep as far as I can tell."

"Pod?" Kagome rose to her feet. "No, wait... Dead? Did you just say he's dead?" Kagome's face went blank again and she cast her eyes to the ground. When her eyes snapped back up there were tears in her eyes and her teeth ground together. "This is all your fault."

Even though Kagura wasn't on the receiving end of that look, the fire there stirred another unnameable emotion within her. Kagura felt mild interest tickle the back of her mindand this time it was her own. I wonder if she knows the healing effect her presence has on her surroundings. Never the less it will be interesting to see what else she can sway into the light. Her eyes flitted over Naraku, curiosity piqued.

His face wore its normal relaxed smirk again, no longer marred by the slight displacement of his brows. Then again there might be somethings so dark that the light no longer burdens it.

"What did I do?" He crossed his arms and starred back at her. "You heard Kagura: he died of old age. How is the natural progression of human life my fault?"

"If you hadn't kept him trapped in that, what did you call it?" She glanced to Kagura for information she already knew.

"Pod, mistress," Kagura offered, bowing her head in a graceful tilt.

"Was he fed proper meals in this 'pod'?"

"My pods supply the necessary nutrients to sustain human life," Naraku said, waving a dismissive hand at her.

"Obviously not if my perfectly healthy grandfather died in one! Humans need more than nutrients to sustain life. We need sunlight, exercise, human interaction-"

"He had his dreams to keep him company."

Kagura could feel his irritation in the special corner of her mind that he used to look in on her. She'd long since sussed out that it was a two way door. She was only able to use it when he was close. She's starting to get to him.

Kagura had to resist the urge to chuckle at how easily Naraku was letting this woman wear at him. And she was acting too.

Kagome let out a broken sound, half sob, half laugh. "His dreams? How often have your dreams kept you company? Do you even dream anymore? Is there even that much humanity left in you?"

Naraku clicked his tongue. "If you're trying to hint that you need human interaction perhaps you would come out to dinner with me."

"Why would I want to eat with you? Looking at you makes me physically ill."

Kagura could feel him snap in her mind before she saw or heard anything. He was on Kagome in the blink of an eye. He had a fist balled in her hair forcing her to look up at him. "Your grandfather is dead, why don't you let it go?" His voice was lower than ever and hissed out between clenched teeth.

Kagome's eyes were wide but still shone with what Kagura was now going refer to as her fighting spirit. "Why should I?"

The hand in her hair jerked her head further back. "In case you've forgotten, we have an agreement. Unless you want to add to the list of your dead loved ones. I'm sure your dear grandfather would... enjoy the human interaction."

Kagura didn't think it was possible to kill someone with a look, but somehow Kagome was changing her mind.

"You are a monster. But I won't have anyone's blood on my hands... anyone else's."

He released his grip on her, his satisfaction pricking in the back of Kagura's mind. "Good. Now change into something appropriate. It's time we announce our engagement to the villagers." And with that he swept out of the room slamming the door behind him.

Kagura pressed an ear to the door, waiting for the sound of his footsteps to recede. When she was certain he was out of earshot she turned back to Kagome. Kagura almost stumbled over her own feet. She's smiling at me... Why is she smiling at me like that?

"Why are you smiling at me like that?" she asked, walking over to the wardrobe to find a suitable furisode for an engagement announcement. Kagome followed, standing right next to her... bouncing on the balls of her feet and bumping her in the side.

"We make a great team, you and I."

Kagura felt another nudge in her side.

"Would you stop that?" Kagura swatted at her half heartedly. No heartedly? "I was almost impressed by your ability to tell such bold lies. I was concerned you would be to frail and innocent to commit such a heinous act." Kagura continued to thumb through the stacks of rich, colored fabrics.

Kagome sighed and leaned against the open wardrobe door. "I can't attest to being any of those things. At least not anymore. That's beside the point. I don't think of it as lying. I think of it as acting. I put myself in a mental space where Grandfather really was dead and acted upon those emotions."

"Either way, bravo." She pulled out two options. One was a deep purple silk with white and blue needlework. Clearly Naraku's colors. The other was a bright red, similar to the red hakama Kagome wore around the shrine, with silver and gold stitching. She held them out to Kagome.

Kagome's fingers wrapped carefully around the red silk, taking it into her arms. When turned back from putting the purple one away, Kagome was tracing a delicate silver stitchwork vine with the a fingertip. A small smile tugged at her lips.

"This reminds me of InuYasha: bold with a gentle heart." Her eyes flitted up to meet Kagura's.

"You know Naraku would have preferred the other one." She gestured for Kagome to turn around and began helping her out of her comfortable yukata and into the furisode.

"I will take whatever victories I can, no matter how small. He's got me for the time being. The least I should be able to do is wear the clothes I want," she said, holding her arms up while Kagura tied the obi around her waist.

"I don't understand how you can stay so positive in such a negative situation." She double checked her work, making sure the knot was secure.

Kagome turned on the spot, taking Kagura's hands in her own.

Kagura froze, shoulders tensing. The last time someone had reached out to touch her was the night Naraku ripped out her heart.

"I don't uderstand why you're even here when I can tell you despise Naraku. But that's personal, so I won't pry."

Kagura arched a brow, unsure of where she was going with this.

"What I'm trying to say is this: I came here with one goal in mind."

"To save your silver haired lover?"

Kagome shook her head, face turning serious.

"To kill Naraku. For good, this time."

Kagura couldn't suppress the smirk this time, letting it spread over her face. "Then I guess we really are allies. And what a grand ally I shall be: I can look into Naraku's mind."

Kagura and Kagome walked a few paces behind Naraku as they made their way through town.

Kagura grimaced when the stench of the sake house hit her nose: a lurid combination of hot liquor, sweat, smoke, and vomit. And urine... Humans are disgusting creatures when they are inebriated. When they finally reached the bustling structure the smell was over whelming.

A wave of cheers broke out when the townsfolk spotted Naraku. Two young women ho had previously been pouring sake for customers dropped what they were doing and flocked to his side. "Lord Naraku, you've finally returned! We were so worried, not hearing from you for so long," one woman said, looping an arm around Naraku's.

The other nodded before following suit. "We thought for sure that the demon you were pursuing must have over come you."

Naraku laughed an empty laugh. "Do you really have so little faith in your demon slayer? Have I not proven myself time and time again?"

The two women shook their heads. The first girl was the first to speak up again. "No of course not! We were just worried because you've never been gone this long before," she said, turning to glare at the second girl. "Emi is the one who came up with that ridiculous theory."

The second woman, now identified as Emi, made an offended noise in the back of her throat. "Yuuka, you were just as scared as I was! I was just the only one brave enough to voice my fears."

"Now girls, be calm. I jest." Kagura cringed when he gave that empty laugh again. Yuuka and Emi smiled at him and led him to a table where they began pouring his drink and snatching food from other tables.

Kagura remained out side with Kagome, waiting for his signal to bring her in. Naraku is nothing if not dramatic. Kagome was shifting from foot to foot awkwardly, clearly not used to the height of the Geta she was wearing.

"The reason my return was delayed is simple. I ran into another demon during my return trip. A half breed mongrel who fancies himself a lord." As soon as he started talking the room grew quiet and every pair of eyes was glued to him.

Kagura rolled her eyes. He loves being the center of attention. And they are all to willing to oblige.

"When I came upon his castle I was surprised to find young Kagome was being held prisoner by this loathsome beast after murdering her poor old grandfather." He shook his head, face putting on a convincing act of sadness.

Gasps echoed through the room.

"Poor Kagome."

"What happened?"

"Did you slay him?"

"Now we have to worry about half demons as well?"

"Did you save Kagome?"

"Alas, I could not slay the half demon. His numbers were too many and my chief concern was Kagome's safety."

This is my cue. Kagura pressed a light hands on Kagome's back, ushering her up into the structure. She led Kagome, head bowed, to Naraku's side and helped her sit down.

There was a string of dreamy sighs. Yuuka and Emi both looked upset, arms crossed over their chests.

"Why was Kagome even there?" Emi asked through a sneer, glaring daggers at Kagome.

"The old man went missing in the woods! Kagome, being the brave and adventurous person she is, went after him to try and save him. She was, however, too late. Her beloved grandfather was dead. Struck down by this monster for trespassing on his land."

"Oh the poor dear."

These people couldn't care less about the old man. All they ever did was complain how crazy he was. And how much of a menace he was, throwing sutras at unsuspecting villagers and causing all kinds of mayhem.

"By the time I arrived, he'd forced Kagome into agreeing to marry him."

Gasps of horror, this time.

"Luckily, I was able to sneak her out in the dead of night and bring her back home, to safety."

Kagome's hands were fisted in the skirt of her furisode, the white of her knuckles a stark contrast to the red silk.

"And now she's back. As thanks for saving her life she has agreed to marry me." He bowed his head, placing a hand on Kagome's back telling her to bow as well. Kagura found herself wondering if anyone else picked up on the slight jump Kagome did before she bowed. "Please look kindly upon us and grant us your blessing."

The townsfolk surrounded them, cheering and voicing their consent. Several of the older women approached Kagome to tell her they were glad she was okay and how sorry they were that her grandfather was dead. Kagura couldn't tell if they were sincere or not.

She could see that Kagome was making a concerted effort to play along. The cracks were starting to show, though. No doubt from Naraku's colorful retelling.

So much was happening all at once that Kagome couldn't see a thing that was going on. Kagura watched, on edge, as one extremely drunk old man stumbled over to Naraku. Naraku caught his arm when he lost his footing and leaned his mouth closer to the old man's ear. The wrinkled face lit up when Naraku pulled away. The old man gave an exuberant nod and Naraku patted him on the shoulder.

Kagome turned when the old man called her name. He gave her a large sheepish grin before addressing the whole room. "We have a bit of a situation here, my fellow villagers!" He gestured towards Kagome with large, over exaggerated motions. "We seem to have forgotten our special custom for an engagement ceremony."

I have a bad feeling about this...

The villagers crowded around Kagome, sharing broad smiles. Kagome's arms came up to her chest looking just as uneasy about this as Kagura felt. Then they started singing.

"Here is a little virgin girl,

Promised to be wed.

She came here in her virgin clothes

And dreams within her head."

Naraku stayed at the table, clapping along with the villagers song. A dark smirk playing on his lips while their attention was not focused on him.

"This man sought blessings

for her hand,

and blessings we provide.

Now she leaves, a woman true,

this mans' future bride."

The man grabbed at one of Kagome's sleeve, ripping the long tail. Kagome's eyes widened and she drew back her hand. The fabric ripped in a jagged line leaving frayed strings in its place.

"Rip the tails right to the seams,

her innocence is dead."

The two women from before, Yuuka and Eri stepped forward and latched on to the remaining tail. They made a messier job, ripping more that was necessary and displacing the front of her kimono.

"Let all men know to cease the chase

Naraku warms her bed!"

Kagome was flung to the ground, tears welling in her eyes. Kagura could tell she wanted to scream, to yell, to do anything. The women fought over the tattered red silk around her.

"Master..." Kagura said, leaning in to Naraku's ear so he could hear her over the din.

He cut his eyes at her, pupils narrowing in menacing pinpoints. She nodded towards Kagome with a question on her face.

His lips pressed together, before turning back to the villagers. "I'm afraid my fiancee is feeling over stimulated. Being held prisoner has affected her many unknown ways. I'll have to send her back to rest. I'm sure you all understand."

There was a collective groan. Kagura used the break in activity to squeeze her way through the villagers to Kagome. She bent down and grabbed her arm. Kagome's eyes shot up to her's, ready to start a fight. Kagura saw the realization flash in her eyes and Kagome sagged into her hands. She looked relieved to see her.

There was a strange tickle in Kagura's chest. She pushed it out of her mind. She didn't have time for emotions to try and resurface. She needed to get Kagome out of there before she could do something to blow their plan.

"But, I'll be staying to continue our celebration. I believe it is customary for the groom to buy drinks?"

Kagura tucked Kagome under her arm and led her out of the building.

"Block him out," Kagome said, between clenched teeth.

Kagura nodded and walked them into the alley beside the sake house. Glancing over both shoulders, she made sure no one was able to see or hear them. She closed her eyes and focused on the mental image of a door shutting in Naraku's face. It was no longer necessary for her to visualize to shut him out but Kagura found great pleasure in it, all the same. "Done. What is it?"

"I feel uneasy leaving him alone with the villagers. They're very impressionable and you've seen how he likes to manipulate them to his will. Please, can we stay and listen?"

The tickle was back. What the hell isthat? "Of course. It unsettles me, as well."

They both crouched down below the window.

"The poor child must have been so traumatized by the whole ordeal."

Naraku sighed. "You have no idea of the extent to which this has affected her. She even made me promise never to go after the demon for fear of my safety."

A mix of awws and frustrated huffs emitted from the window.

"This-this beast is true evil personified. I only wish there was something I could do to ensure her safety."

"You should go back there and put that mutt down!"

"Yes, the girl will come to her senses eventually and when she does she will thank you for it!"

"If we don't go after him now, he'll soon come after us, too!"

"You're right. I hadn't thought of it that way." There was the soft sound of fabric ruffling and feet planting on the floors. "We need to kill the beast before he poses a threat to anyone else. He's already killed a defenseless old man, who is to say he wouldn't come after our children?"

This really seemed to rile them up.

Kagura saw Kagome shifting, moving to stand and intervene. Kagura grabbed her arm and dragged her back down. She clapped a hand to Kagome's mouth when she saw her lips part.

"We need to end him!"

"All right," Naraku said. "One more round of drinks and then we'll go!"

"For our town!"

"For our children!"

"For our safety!"

"For the old man."

"For Kagome," Naraku added. They all clinked there glasses and cheers rang through the otherwise still night air.

Kagome's eyes were wild and she was clawing at Kagura's hands. Kagura tugged her to her feet and further into the alley. SHe pulled out her fan and sliced it through the air in a hasty motion. The white winds whirled around them and when they died out they were back in Kagome's room.

Kagura finally let Kagome push her way out of her grip, gasping with anger and the urge to cry.

"Why would he do that?! We had a deal!" Her eyes went wide. "We need to warn InuYasha. He won't be prepared." Kagome started stripping out of her ruined furisode. I promise to help you get you heart back and put an end to Naraku. Will you help me?"

Kagura starred at her, at a complete loss for words. How did she figure out about my heart? She shook her head, smiling to herself. Of course she would know. I shouldn't even be surprised after everything I've seen her accomplish. She met Kagome's fierce gaze with one of her own. "How can I say no to my ally?"