WARNING: Drugging and near rape in this chapter. Read at your own risk. You have been warned!

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"What were you thinking just now?" Hojo asked.

Kagome scrambled for an answer.

"Uh-um," Kagome stuttered,"Were you afraid?"

He looked at her a moment longer before answering. "I was at first. But I soon realized they meant to help me. I've been with them ever since, hoping for signs of a ship or other explorers so that I could go home."

"You saw our ship?" she asked. "Just how close is this village?"

"A two-day journey through the jungle, and I didn't see the ship," he told her. "I have a lookout up in a high tree about a day's walk from here. I saw the smoke from your camp through my spyglass. I came as fast as I could to investigate, and here I am."

Kagome was going to ask him about the diamonds, but just then her mother opened the door and the opportunity was lost. She spent the rest of the afternoon showing him around camp, updating him about life back home and helping her mother with chores.

At dinner, Tomo opened a jug of sake he'd brought from Tokyo. Kagome sipped her cup, enjoying the warmth from both her drink and the tropics. A gentle breeze fluttered the leaves and flowers outside the windows, and jungle sounds filled the air. Kagome felt warm and content. She could hardly believe Hojo had returned; she continued to pinch herself to make certain she wasn't dreaming.

Despite this, she continued to glance out at the jungle, and wonder.

Once dinner and drinks were done, Hojo stood and reached for Kagome. "Will you walk with me, darling?"

Kagome looked to her mother. Hana nodded, warning, "Just don't go far, the jungle is dangerous at night, as you know."

Kagome took his hand, eager for more time with him. As they crossed the room to the ladder, Hojo glanced at Naraku. A strange, long look passed between the two men, but neither of them spoke. Naraku turned to pick up a book and was settling in a chair as Kagome followed her fiancé down the ladder. She wondered what that look had meant.

There might be some some bitterness between them. After all, Hojo could blame Naraku for not looking hard enough for him, and Naraku could be upset with his friend for losing the map that had brought them here in the first place. According to what Naraku had told her on their last discussion, it led to an untapped diamond mine.

"Come on, I want to show you something," Hojo said, tightening his grip on her hand.

They walked some distance down the shoreline, stopping to admire the moon, discussing Kagome's life back home in the time he'd been missing, just taking their time being together. Eventurally Hojo led her onward yet farther, before he turned from the beach and led her into the treeline. The moonlight there was very dim. Kagome immediately hesitated.

"Er, Hojo…is this a good idea?" she asked, "It's dark and there are youkai in the jungle."

He laughed. "Youkai? Why, Kagome! In all my time here I've never seen any such thing. It's perfectly safe."

She wanted to tell him she'd seen two, but he would likely brush that off. Hojo was very good at ignoring or minimizing anything he didn't want to acknowledge.

The light was dim under the canopy of leaves, and she stumbled often. "How far are we going, Hojo?"

"Not much longer," he answered, not looking back. "Just through there, actually."

Because she couldn't see anything beyond his shoulders ahead of her, Kagome remained silent. This had better be good. He pushed through some vines and pulled her into a small clearing in the thick jungle. It was perhaps the size of the living area at the treehouse. Off to the side was a small glow on the ground. Looking closer, Kagome saw that it was a bowl of smoldering twigs and leaves. Hojo dropped her hand and went over to the bowl.

"Come here," he said. Kagome made her way to his side, curious. He had picked up a handful of berries, off to the side of the bowl.

"What are those for, what is this?" she asked.

"Watch," he said, smiling. He laid the berries over the hot embers, blanketing them lightly with more leaves. Instead of putting the fire out, however, the berries steamed and then broke open. A heavy, pungent odor wafted from the bowl, sweet and yet bitter.

"Smell it," Hojo said, "you'll like this." He took Kagome's hand and drew her close, ensuring that she leaned into the smoke. As she inhaled the heavy scent, she felt herself become heavy and languid. She made to move back from the smoke, but Hojo held her still.

"Wha-"she murmured, finding her limbs would not obey her. She tried to raise her head, but it was as heavy as a boulder. She tried to cry out, suddenly concerned but her voice was a mere whisper.

What was going on?

After a few more moments, Hojo lifted her and placed her in the clearing on a soft bed of leaves, Kagome noticed him glance into the darkness behind her. He made a sharp gesture and she tried see what he was looking at.

"Whuizit? " she slurred.

"Nothing to be worried about, darling," he replied. "Tell me, what do you think of the smoke?"

If she were able, Kagome would have laughed. Tell him? Her voice would scarcely work and she could barely move. She wondered what kind of berries they were, and what was now going on. She tried to take deep breaths of the fresh air, attempting to clear out the affects of smoke. She managed to murmur something incomprehensible. He stared deeply into her eyes a moment, then turned away satisfied with whatever he saw there.

"And now," Hojo said. He stood up and turned to the jungle.

"Oh, Kagome," said a dark voice, "At last."

Her insides froze and her mind scattered, frantically trying to make sense of the situation. "Nrku-" she said.

"Yes," he smiled, and even in the dim moonlight she could see that it was an oily, dangerous smile. "I told you I would have you, one way or the other."

He stepped fully into the clearing, and when Hojo made no move to stop him her heartbeat tripled. She began to suck in great gulps of air in her terror.

"I tried to lure you gently, but you had to make things difficult," he continued. She choked out a strangled cry when he began to disrobe. "So here we are, and now you will be mine."

"Hojo," she managed to say, frantically looking around for him. Where was he? Where had he gone? Had he left her to Naraku? Was this planned? What was going on?

"Kagome" he said. She raised her eyes and he was there, just above her kneeling at her head. There was a wild, feverish look in his eyes. He took her face in his hands and leaned over her. "I want this, Kagome. You will do this for me."

Hands were suddenly grasping her, ripping off her clothing and pulling her legs open. She turned her gaze from Hojo's face to see Naraku kneeling between her thighs. He was leering at her nakedness and there was a crazed, mad gleam in his eye.

"I can't believe you agreed to this," he said.

"I told you, the map for Kagome. I have the map, and now you get her," Hojo said roughly.

Kagome went utterly still. What? Hadn't Naraku said that Hojo had the map? But now it seemed as if it were the opposite, Naraku had the map and Hojo had made a deal for it. They had both lied to her! And Hojo, he had traded…her. Her heart throbbed with pain, anger and fear.

"You sure?" Naraku asked, licking his lips as though anticipating a feast.

"You have my blessing," Hojo smirked. "It will be fun to watch, it's her first time."

Horror gripped Kagome then, and she found strength to struggle. Apparently the effects of the smoke were wearing off and she wasn't as helpless as she had been. She let out a bloodcurdling scream, shocking both men, and drew back her foot and kicked Naraku right in the groin with all her might.

He gave a screaming wheeze and toppled over, gripping himself. At the same time, she reached up and drove her stiffened fingers straight into Hojo's unprotected throat. It hurt, but it was also effective at such close range. He choked, gripped his throat and began to stumble about, struggling to breathe.

Kagome leapt up, stumbling at the sudden movement. The world spun. She knew if she slowed, if she fell that she was lost. She was pretty sure that they were far enough from the treehouse that her family couldn't hear her, and there was no one else to help her. Not risking grabbing her clothing, she half-ran, half-staggered out of the clearing and into the dark jungle.

She had no idea if she was headed back to the treehouse or not. All she could think was to get away. In a blind panic, she ran.