The night sky outside above the silent castle was devoid of moonlight. It was the night of the New Moon. The guards outside of Naraku's castle held their trembling halberds tightly as demons flew across the sky and swirled around above the large, dome-shaped purple barrier, blindly crashing into it. The daiyoukai of the castle inside was weakened upon the night of the New Moon, and it would be the perfect time for the demons to devour him and regain the control and power they once had over humans before he came along.
The wind howled and made the shoji screens on the ancient windows clatter as Naraku paced back and forth anxiously, waiting for Kikyo's return. He'd been allowed to see at last the demise of the irritating little miko, once Kikyo had allowed her to fall into the miasma, and her skin melted from her bones. His entire being felt alive with anticipation; he knew Kikyo would return to him, and when she did, she may be different than before. She would be fully fleshed now, as her soul had returned to her completely, so would her life. No longer would she be just a clay doll with a hard, cold shell on the outside, who could only feel somewhat real when filled with the souls of the dead. He wanted her to be a real woman. A warm, blood-filled woman.
There were multiple yells and sounds of a scuffle, then a soft chuckle as his Kikyo doppelganger killed both of the guards outside the door. He looked over quickly and stilled expectantly. His demon puppet had returned successfully, it seemed. That meant InuYasha was dead. The doppelganger came through the door, her brown eyes flashing golden, with needle point pupils. He looked her over, assessing the changes that took place after absorbing InuYasha's youki.
"I come bearing gifts, Master Naraku," She said, and dropped her robe, which was only an artificial guise of a priestess's attire. He looked over her pale body, musing as he trailed his eyes down the newfound red markings that accented her hip bones which jutted out from her flat belly. But this was not the real Kikyo, only a Kugutsu*, or demon puppet, made of soil and demonic energy. More or less, a literal figment of his imagination spawned from a small piece of his hair, and hers.
Naraku had made many of these imitations of Kikyo in the past, earned after stalking her through the woods long enough to snake a tendril out like a branch and capture one of her long hairs. Though doppelgangers had some small fragments of her essence, they never seemed to satisfy him. Maybe it was because they were too compliant to be realistic. The real Kikyo would never be this obedient.
"Good pet. Come here," He said softly, then parted his robe to expose the pale, smooth skin of his chest. The doppelganger came forward, hissing lowly, then baring her fangs cautiously as he circled her in his arms. While embracing her, he could better sense the strong youki within the shell. Naraku slanted his mouth against hers and held her tightly as he kissed her with hunger, the kugutsu gripping onto his shoulders tightly. Naraku was voracious with his passion, so much so the demoness yelped against his mouth as his teeth became sharp like razors against her lips and her mouth started to suction into his more forcefully than she would like. It was as if he wanted to inhale her, and though the kugutsu was supposed to be loyal to her master, something had changed inside of her upon absorbing InuYasha– almost as if she had free will.
Once Naraku drew blood the demoness reared back and hissed at him, her claws lengthening in a threat. He acted quickly before she could utilize any of InuYasha's powerful youki, a glowing white light suddenly surrounding the struggling woman. She attempted to get away but the forces pulling her in were much too strong, and her nude body was pressed up against his firmly before her smaller form dissipated into his own. The only remaining part of her were her flailing limbs as they disappeared into his chest cavity, her nails still scraping his chest in a futile effort to escape before being enveloped as well.
Naraku shuddered as he felt the newfound power rushing through his veins. "Ahn... The power of a half-demon... shall be just enough to make me whole…" He whispered, and spread his arms, becoming aglow with sparkling red light as the youki swirled around him, becoming accustomed to its new master.
He heard a clatter. Naraku turned his face sharply to watch as Kikyo slinked through the open window, closing the shoji shutter behind herself. Is this the real Kikyo? He wondered, taking in her odd appearance. She licked her lips subtly, and as he stared at her in wonder, he noticed that her eyes were crimson and lilac colored, and staring directly into him as if she could see all the way through his body. He was in a most compromising state on the New Moon, akin to a newborn deer being left alone in the wilderness while at the pinnacle of his new transformation.
The corrupted miko was coming closer, looking up and down his partially nude body inquisitively with a smug smile. The Kikyo he lusted after as Onigumo had never been so brazen. She had always been modest, insufferably so. This was certainly an interesting development. The youki of InuYasha at last acclimated with his own, settling within his cells. Naraku cringed, then bent over as his skin began to move and contort, his bones breaking and rehealing as his entire composition became altered.
"Naraku... so it is true. You are in fact, a hanyou..." She stated, her pale hand to her chin as she watched with bated breath. Naraku's bones cracked, skin slithering over his flesh, his hands, clenching and unclenching as long claws grew, then retracted. He straightened to his full height which towered above her. She watched as his crimson eyes lit golden, then calmed into a deep amber shade. He sighed, shuddering as his body at last completed its transformation.
"So, you've seen my weakness yourself, Kikyo. Is that what you wanted to witness before?" He whispered, his voice had a low growling quality as he watched her apprehensively; questioning her loyalty. Kikyo moved across the room gracefully, and stood before him. Something about her seemed... different, and it was not only her appearance. Her energy, it was malevolent. Demonic energy! Is it possible that her spiritual power merged with the Jaki in my corrupted shard and produced a unique synergy of these powers, making Kikyo a half-demon?
Naraku was startled by the sight of her eyes returning to chocolate brown. For only gaining these powers recently, she has marvelous control over them. Who am I kidding? This is Kikyo. Of course she would master a new power within seconds of having it. Naraku mused silently, then sniffed with a heightened olfaction, a new talent he'd acquired from InuYasha. He could smell her Jaki. It had a strong scent akin to red spider lily, which was sweetly aromatic, yet sour like lemon. Naraku narrowed his lilac lined eyes on her curiously. Jagged magenta and indigo colored slashes formed below his eyes as he gained his demonic markings, and he stilled his breath as Kikyo moved forward, just barely grazing her fingertips over the markings, humming curiously.
"Yes, and my curiosity seems to grow ever more. As you have the look of a certain... Inu-Hanyou..." She whispered, then retracted her hand quickly away as if stung. Kikyo backed away from him, and Naraku's eyes glowed ruby once again, making her sink to her knees with a pained howl. Her insides burned, each breath felt like fire was entering her lungs and acid was flowing from her heart and into her veins instead of blood.
"Does that displease you? After all I have given you?" He questioned angrily, and watched apathetically as she writhed on the floor. The heat burned through her entire body until a red light exited out of her mouth as she screamed in agony.
"Well? Speak," Naraku demanded, stepping on the edge of her loosened collar, and glancing down at the interesting mutation on her collarbone. Kikyo stayed silent, and covered her face with one hand as if she were abhorred by his appearance. Implanted into her collarbone was a fragment of the sacred jewel that had turned nearly completely black, with dark purple striations surrounding it. He grinned upon seeing this, his gaze turning fiery as he was clearly pleased by the visible evidence of Kikyo's corruption. It was as he'd always wished!
"You've changed. Does this mean you no longer love InuYasha?" He purred in ardor, licking his lips with desire.
Kikyo coughed, then scowled and attempted to regain her dignity, though it was difficult in her current position. "Feh. Naraku, though my heart no longer yearns for him, I cannot bear to look into your amorous gaze, for it reminds me of his, in life..." She whispered hoarsely, and squeezed her eyes shut. Naraku sighed, and there was a rippling sound as he absorbed the markings back into his skin, and his eyes went from amber back to crimson in a flash. He knelt on the floor beside her, and brushed away the hairs sticking to her wet cheek.
"You loved him. I... understand. How it feels to love someone you cannot have." He swallowed, and blinked in surprise at his own words. Odd. Was that sympathy...? He hadn't felt that emotion in many years.
"Do you...? Is that why you did the cruel things you did? For love? Do you understand what love is Naraku, or is it only a demented desire to defile my body?" She uttered, her voice breaking with weakness. Though Kikyo had once possessed the hard body of a clay doll, her body was now real, as well as her emotions. With her entire soul intact, she was recalling her fear from back when she had cared for the bandit in the cave, knowing all the while that if he were able to move from his convalescing place, he would not hesitate to chase her down and rip the holy garments from her body. He wanted to deflower her. Defile her, use her, abuse her. That was not love.
Naraku seemed to sense that Kikyo's thoughts had turned darker, and he removed his foot from her haori. Now free, Kikyo managed to push up off the floor and sat before him, wiping her tears away with a bitter grimace on her face. Naraku lowered his eyes to the floor, squeezing one hand into a fist.
Onigumo... He loved Kikyo just as much as he lusted after her. Onigumo's greed was the entire reason I came into being. Onigumo's heart that still cares for Kikyo. Is it his fault I feel this pain deep in my heart, like a jagged knife when I see her face?
He turned away then, not wishing to answer her. Kikyo whimpered, and he raised one brow with interest. He felt an ache down in his belly he hadn't felt in some time, as he lowered one hand and placed it there.
Curious. I have the physical need for solid sustenance. I've only ever experienced Kuchisabishii*, and ate for pleasure alone, eating only to satisfy my lonely mouth's desire for flavor. I haven't felt the hunger that mortals possess to survive since before my rebirth. Now that Kikyo is whole once again too, perhaps she hungers as well. Naraku clapped his hands once, summoning a servant immediately.
"Y-Yes, Lord Kagewaki..?" The servant said shakily, getting down on one bended knee.
"Lady Kikyo and I require sustenance..." He looked back to her curiously, with a tiny smile. "The freshest food you can find. As well as spirits, we are celebrating a monumental occasion," He said, in a soft jovial tune, and the servant reared back at once, staring at him with widened eyes.
"You look at me as if I were some kind of Baku* spirit, did you think I didn't eat like anyone else here?" Naraku snapped back, and the man shook his head vehemently, "No! No, My Lord, it's just... After your father's passing, I've not seen you eat nary a crumb of food, nor liquid, if I may... We were only growing concerned," He said, shaking, and Naraku nodded, feeling Kikyo's presence at his back.
"You have my thanks, but I am feeling much better. Now, move along. I wish for the utmost privacy while I am entertaining Lady Kikyo," He said, with a voice thinly veiled with a threat.
"This is most splendid news, Lord Kagewaki! The cooks shall prepare the spread immediately!" The servant nodded eagerly, and ran from the room. There was a soft chuckle, and Naraku turned quickly to see Kikyo smiling. For the first time since her resurrection, she was smiling. It wasn't a smile of spite, it was a true smile of happiness. Kikyo was amused!
"What's so funny?" He sneered, finding it hard to show kindness still, even though her smile made an odd warmth spread in his chest and face.
"You, Naraku!" She giggled, doubling over with laughter. He growled at her, furrowing his brow.
"You must be famished, now that you've acquired all the qualities of a dog-demon, perhaps we should feed you kibbles and bits!" She laughed, feeling oddly giddy. Where did that even come from? She wondered almost immediately after saying the silly thing.
Kibbles and Bits? What the hell is that? Naraku thought, angered, and went to burn her again, then paused, feeling perhaps he was too hasty to inflict violence on the woman he was trying to… Woo. Romance?
"Feh. Shut up!" He growled, and looked away. Kikyo quieted, and sat down on the floor beside him. She wrung her hands in her lap, feeling odd. The damn, stupid miko inside must be acting up now, making her say stupid things! Now Naraku is angry, after just showing her kindness for the first time.
"I'm sorry, Naraku." Kikyo said, tucking a few long strands of hair behind her ear. Naraku looked over and patted her thigh twice, awkwardly. Kikyo stiffened, having not been touched by him in such a way, ever. Is he.. feeling apologetic?
"It's alright. It was amusing, I suppose," He said softly, and looked at her. "I've never heard such... beautiful laughter." He said, and smiled at her. Kikyo's eyes widened with surprise and her cheeks reddened. She touched her cheek, feeling the heat in her skin and being amazed. Naraku faced her, and took her hand in his, feeling the warmth, looking down at her palm, the veins that now pumped warm blood, and placed his other hand over it.
"It feels... odd, doesn't it? It's almost as if we're both..." He paused, human? Is that how I'm feeling? It had been so long since he resided in the body of Onigumo, it was difficult to remember how exactly that felt.
"Alive." Kikyo whispered, and stroked his hand. "I feel alive again. Free to love, free to hate. My soul is so much freer than it was then." She smiled, and clutched her hand around his, squeezing tightly.
"Yes. That's how I feel. Powerful. Whole. And yet, there's something awakening inside that I haven't felt for many years," Naraku said, and squeezed her hands back, feeling a jolt of something hit deep in his stomach. Electricity seemed to surge between the two, and they both pulled back quickly in response, retracting their hands as the servants began bringing in a feast fit for a king and queen. Kikyo darted her eyes back at Naraku, and blushed.
That stupid girl! Her love for InuYasha must still exist in my soul, and his soul is responding in kind! How ridiculous! There is no way in hell I could feel like this towards Naraku!
The servants set a low table in the center of the room for them, and comfortable pillows for them to sit on as they served them. Naraku sat beside Kikyo, watching tensely as the servants placed the many plates and bowls of odd delicacies before them. The most interesting was a bottle of sake with three saucers stacked beside it. Did they think Kikyo would partake in San San Ku-Do* with him? Naraku lowered his eyes and blushed, and Kikyo followed in turn. Somehow, the servants had gotten the wrong idea. Or was it? Though it was a traditional wedding ritual, perhaps Naraku could begin courting Kikyo anew. This time, he would hopefully have more couth.
The smell of the food was growing so tantalizing, he licked his lips and his stomach growled. He picked up the sticks he was given and furrowed his brow, then remembered. Oh right, these are chopsticks. He held them the proper way, and looked to see Kikyo doing the same, perusing the many items of food with an innocent light in her eyes.
"Go on, help yourself," He said, and watched as she speared a spring roll, and quickly popped it in her mouth. Kikyo felt the flavor immediately, and had to stifle her enthusiastic moan that threatened to come forth. She covered her mouth, sighing. Naraku did the same, picking up a piece of meat he sniffed, then stuffed it in his mouth and nearly howled like a dog with his ecstasy. They looked at eachother with widened eyes, then back at the food, and didn't hesitate to fulfill the need they both had, enjoying all the flavors, and the full feeling of satisfaction as they finally fed their new bodies.
Later, the servants cleared away the empty dishes, and he and Kikyo stared at the bottle of sake, sharing nervous glances. Naraku took the initiative and began to serve their sake. If Kikyo took the saucer, that could perhaps mean that she was accepting his offer to court her. His trembling hand offered the saucer, the luminous liquid inside swirling about with the light of candles reflecting Kikyo's fair face upon the surface. Their eyes met in the reflection, and Kikyo's cheeks blushed prettily, making Naraku's heart race even faster. His hand was beginning to sweat, so he gripped the porcelain tighter so as not to drop it. At last, Kikyo took the saucer, then took a small sip. Naraku followed, and they continued drinking from the tiny saucers, feeling the light burning in their throats as they drank.
"That was very refreshing, thank you. Even as a mortal I don't think I've ever eaten so well," Kikyo said, feeling warm and relaxed, the hollow in her belly now sated, as she observed Naraku reclining on his side, propping his head up on his hand with a sideways smirk.
"With the power I have over others, I see no reason to live any less. Human minds are easy to persuade; it takes no less than the illusion that I am their Lord Kagewaki Hitomi, and they serve me without question," He said, almost bragging as he took another long sip from his saucer.
Kikyo looked at him closely, feeling very curious. The guise he wore truly was appealing, as he made himself into the image of the young lord, with black locks, pale skin, but, what was his true form? Was it Onigumo, the burned man? A spider, hideous and deadly?
"I see. Naraku... have you ever wondered, what would it be like if we...never died?" She asked, stunned by her own bluntness. It must be the sake, she realized, and lowered her saucer. Naraku frowned, lowering his as well with a grimace.
"Die? I never died, Kikyo. I've lingered on for these 50 years since the demise that fell upon you and InuYasha, but if you're asking, do I wish I could have lived on as Onigumo...? No. It was pure hell, being trapped in that disgusting body, unable to... To have to watch, as you fell in love with InuYasha, and I was nothing but the burden that you bore," He spat coldly, turning his eyes from her.
Kikyo frowned, feeling conflicted.
"Naraku, I... don't know what to say. I apologize. I was shallow, frightened, I was just a girl who was yearning to be free. And look what happened to me, I got my wish. To be an ordinary woman, to live, to love InuYasha. Then, my corpse had to be resurrected, with only a tiny sliver of that beautiful soul that I gave the miko. I wandered on, never truly living, only feeding on my hatred... It wasn't ideal. But, now... I feel reborn. I feel like a woman again, I feel I could spend the rest of my days happily now," She said, and her words softened the resentment Naraku felt as he eyed her, and moved slightly closer, pouring the both of them another serving.
"To new life. To our rebirth, Kikyo," He said, and they drank, looking at one another with newfound understanding.
Definitions:
*Baku: (獏 or 貘) Japanese supernatural beings that are said to devour nightmares. According to legend, they were created by the spare pieces that were left over when the gods finished creating all other animals.
*Kuchisabishii: A uniquely Japanese word that literally means "lonely mouth" or "longing to have or put something in one's mouth." It can also be explained as mindless eating or eating when you are not hungry.
*San san kudo: (translated: three, three, nine times) is a binding ritual of sharing couple each takes three sips from three special, differently sized cups, each one slightly larger than the other. The smallest of the cups represents heaven, the second the earth and the third humankind. Odd numbers are seen as being lucky in Japan, and in particular the number three, so drinking three times from three different cups is thought to be particularly auspicious.
*Higabana/Spider Lily: "Flower Of Hell '' A poisonous flower commonly planted on graves to ward off animals. It's considered bad luck to touch these flowers.
*Kugutsu: ( 傀儡 くぐつ , "Puppet"), commonly referred to as a demon puppet, or puppet for short, is a golem of sorts used by certain characters to act as an avatar or substitute.