Chapter 24

Naraku visibly flinched after hearing the name. Seeing this Sesshoumaru put a gentle hand on his shoulder causing the other to look up at him.

"You do not have to meet them. You can stay here till they have gone."

Ashamed of his weakness the spider hanyou knob his head and gave Sesshoumaru a grateful smile and watched him leave the room.

Nervously he spent ten minutes pacing around. He worried for his life and more importantly he worried for the tiny bit of pride he had left. The last thing he wanted was for Inuyasha to confront him. Sure Sesshoumaru would protect him but if Inuyasha worked together with his friends he could win. Than if no fighting came out of the encounter he would surely be humiliated. He had loss everything that made him what he was and to make it all worse he was being pimped out as a brooding bitch. Even now he couldn't believe he had fallen so low.

So deep in his despair Naraku failed to notice the dark shadow near his window with purple cat like eyes that fallowed his every movement or the smell of miasma that resembled the one he use to produce.

…..

Sesshoumaru found his brother and his companions waiting for him in one of the waiting room of his home. Inuyasha was standing in the front with that miko close behind. Since none of them were holding their weapons he could assume they weren't here for a fight.

"What do you want Inuyasha?"

"Sesshoumaru, were here because we have been tracking Byakuya. We got into a fight with him and we tracked him here."

"Byakuya? One of Naraku's incarnations. I'm surprise you had trouble with him. Isn't he rather week?"

The priestess stepped forward. "Not any more. He is using the power of the shikon jewel to make himself stronger. Ever since Naraku disappeared he has been running wild. Even when we all work together we still can't defeat him. We have come here to ask for your help Sesshoumaru."

Jacken popped out of some corner and angrily crocked at the girl. "How dare you address my Lord in such a formal manner. Know your place human."

"If Byakuya dares trespass in my lands I'll kill him myself. If that is all, I advise you to leave my home now."

"Never much for hospitality, huh Sesshoumaru. Either way we…." A loud crash from the second floor cut off Inuyasha and attracted every one's attention.

"I can sense the jewel, he's here." Kogome yelled while reaching for her bow and arrow. The rest of the group withdrew their own weapons waiting for the demon to show his face.

"Where are you going Lord Sesshoumaru." Jacken called. His master was rushing up the stairs to where the noise had come from.

Arriving to his room he found a broken window and the scent of poison faintly covered the air. Naraku was nowhere to be found. His quick eyes found a piece of the spider's shirt pierced by one of the glass shards on the windows frame. When the attacker dragged him out he must have ripped his clothes in the process.

"He took him."

By the time Inuyasha and his friends arrived Sesshoumaru was already jumping out the window ignoring their calls.

/

Ten minutes earlier

A knock at his window grabbed Naraku's attention. Seeing the person hovering outside he took several steps back. He almost didn't recognize Byakuya. His incarnation had changed a lot since the last time he saw him, he actually thought the demon had died a long time ago. His purple eyes were now red and the pupils looked more cat like. His hair was still black and tired in a neat pony tail but now he had fangs that popped out from his mouth. His pointy ears had purple scales on the tips and purple dragon wings flapped behind him. Instead of wearing his normal light blue haori with a red pattern, brown hakama and dark blue vest, he wore shiny silver armor with a scale shaped shield. Around his waist was a sword Naraku had never seen before. The man skin was still far and his lips were the same shade of red they had always been.

"Naraku, it that really you?" he asked in a sickening sweet voice. Squinting his eyes to get a better look the demon chuckled. "It is you."

"Byakuya, what has happen to you?" Naraku stepped closer against his better judgment. The demonic energy the other was putting off was intense. He was surprised Sesshoumaru hadn't notice it and come rushing back already.

"When you disappeared the Shikon jewel started talking to me. It gave me power in exchange for doing its bidding. Sort of like what you use to do. I have heard many rumors about you Naraku. None are good and from looking at you now I can tell many are true. How could you let yourself fall so low and why are you here with Sesshoumaru? I thought that wolf demon had you prisoner."

"It's a long story."

"It does not mater either way. Naraku the jewel shard wants you back." The demon leaned his head closer to the window letting Naraku get a better look at his face. The look he was giving him reminded him of a hungry predator stalking its prey.

"Why? It has you now. I'm useless without my power."

"You should know better than anybody that the Shikon Jewel can make the weak powerful." Byakuya smiled, large white fangs made up his devilish grin.

Naraku considered his options. So far he had resigned himself to his fate but now he was being offered a second chance. Though this offer did not come without risk. He had a feeling Byakuya wasn't being completely honest. His incarnation must have some alternative motive. But comparing his only two options he decided the demon was his best bet. He didn't need to be as powerful as before. All he needed was enough power to defeat Kouga and get the genies lamp. Then he could completely restore himself, kill Kouga and his tribe (with the exception of Melda, Tero and their mother) and take his children back. After that he could work on re building his reputation and conquering the world since he no longer wanted to use the Shikon Jewel to be with Kikiyo. This whole experience had changed him, he no longer desired the priests, his love had transferred over to his children.

The demons sudden moves grabbed his attention again. He had backed away from the window, his wings flapping quickly back and forward to keep him up.

"Will you come with me Naraku?" He said while reaching out his hand towards the other.

"I will"