InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ As My Daughter Wishes ❯ Encroaching Darkness ( Chapter 5 )

Chapter 5

Encroaching Darkness

The room was dark, only the faint glow of the moon parting the shadows as it cast a long sliver of light across the floor. In the most shadowed part of the room sat something even darker than the night that surrounded it.

Sinister and seductively handsome, Naraku gazed into nothingness, deep in thought. The nearly completed Shikon Jewel was held loosely in his hand.

It will all be over soon… he thought, his grip on the small gem tightening slightly. Soon the Jewel will be complete…as will I…

"Naraku…"

The evil hanyou growled, turning to glare at the one who dared to disturb him.

Pale and doll-like, Kanna stood before him, her eyes devoid of anything as she gazed at her master. He frowned slightly, tucking the Shikon Jewel into the folds of his robes.

"Kanna," he said. The demoness knelt before him, holding her mirror up to her chest. Naraku's frown deepened. Leaning forward, he watched as the mirror's cloudy depths swirled to reveal an image.

His eyes widened suddenly as two of his most formidable enemies came into focus. The miko…and Lord Sesshoumaru? His shock grew by the moment as he watched what transpired between the two.

He growled again, seeing the demon lord now had the use of both arms, where up till now he had possessed only one. Naraku knew Sesshoumaru had lost his left limb to Inuyasha's blade long ago, and that even a powerful youkai such as he couldn't regenerate so quickly. So how was this possible?

"Master," Kanna said in her whispery voice, looking at him steadily. "I sense a great change in the miko's spirit. Her aura has grown vastly more powerful, and more experienced." She paused, looking down at her mirror. "She seems to have gained some control over her power."

Upon hearing this, Naraku's crimson eyes snapped to the priestess. Kikyo's reincarnation…

His eyes narrowed slightly. This girl was infuriating. Where in the past he had considered Kikyo a mystery, Kagome was incomprehensible. He recalled all the times he had fought her. She had looked upon him with many emotions - fear, revulsion, anger… but never hatred.

It was strange. The two women were nearly identical, save for the fact that Kagome's eyes were a deep, heavenly blue rather than brown. But the two could not be further apart in personality. While Kikyo had always been cool and reserved, Kagome was fiery and outspoken. Kikyo could destroy without a second thought if it were in her interest to do so, whereas her reincarnation seemed to dislike taking even the life of an evil demon such as himself. He remembered seeing guilt flash behind her anger when she had shot him with her arrow that one time. Kagome was far purer than Kikyo ever was.

Watching the girl and the demon part, Naraku smiled and began to chuckle. The sound quickly turned into full-fledged laughter. This really was too perfect. He could use this growing bond between the taiyoukai and priestess to his advantage. All he had to do was wait for the most opportune moment…

"Kagura."

The wind-witch stepped out from the shadows, her eyes flashing with hatred before she bowed slightly, awaiting his command.

"I want you to follow Inuyasha and the others, particularly the young miko."

The demoness grinned. "I will make sure that her death is slow and painful," she stated. She was about to turn when Naraku stopped her.

"No. Don't kill Kagome." He smiled slightly, fingering the Shikon Jewel once again as Kagura stared at him in surprise. "She might prove…to be even more useful than Kikyo in the future. Keep watch over her, but see that no harm comes to her by your hand, or else suffer the consequences." He cast her a sideways glare, making sure she understood his threat.

Kagura nodded and looked away. "And what of you?" she asked, absently smoothing the silk of her fan.

"…I have matters to attend to."

Kagura traded glances with her sister.

"Is it Lady Kyokkou?" Kanna asked faintly after a moment's pause.

Naraku's lips twitched upwards. "Yes. That meddlesome bitch has defied me for too long. I will dispose of her once and for all. Now leave me. Both of you."

Kagura bowed again. "As you wish," she replied. Then she and Kanna left the room, leaving Naraku once again to his thoughts.

The hanyou closed his eyes, smiling. Yes, everything was going exactly how he wanted. He would soon obtain the powers of the Shikon Jewel, and rule over the four lands as the most powerful full-youkai in existence. His smile broadened as he began formulating a plan for his next attack.

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TSERIKU'S CORNER

Kikyo fans, this chapter was not meant to be offensive; I have nothing against Kikyo. I was merely making a comparison. This is not an anti-Kikyo story.