InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Confusion ❯ Prologue ( Prologue )

Prologue

 

“And why should I agree to this deal?” Naraku asked from behind his baboon mask.

 

The girl stood stock still and answered without a moment's hesitation. “You won't be able to find him without me.” He was enjoying the way she kept her eyes glued to him with an analytical gaze. It was quite obvious to him she was nervous though she was trying hard to act just the opposite. Perhaps it was because she was trying hard to act un-nervous.

 

“And why is that?” Though Aaliyah couldn't see it, a wry smile was slowly beginning to form on his face.

 

“He has protection spells cast all over his hideout. You can't find it unless you already know where it is.” She paused for a second and seemed to rethink her words. She opened her mouth to say something more but he interrupted.

 

“Then why don't you just tell me where it is, hmm?”

 

She sighed and pushed a strand of her oddly colored golden hair out of her face. “I'm smarter than that…” she trailed for a second and then continued, “He has a barrier up that keeps out demons. Even though you're half demon, it'd still keep you out.” His smile immediately fell at her statement. For a moment he saw red. How dare she make a statement like that? She was damned lucky he didn't kill her on the spot. Damned lucky that the jewel shards were more important to him than the audacity of some human wench. She seemed oblivious to the insult she'd just given him.

 

“I have human retainers,” he stated coldly, his voice losing the charismatic edge it'd held before. She frowned at his sudden change in tone. “Why couldn't I just send them?”

 

The girl was starting to look frustrated. No doubt thinking that her death might be coming soon. “Your servants wouldn't know where to go, who they'd have to take out, anything like that. Ya need me. I can get the barrier down, lead you to Nibori, the guy who has the jewel shards, everything. But I ain't telling you anything until I think it's necessary or that I won't get killed afterward. He's leaving the area soon, too, and taking the shards with him. If you don't agree with my deal or you kill me, you'll never complete the jewel. Nibori's going far away; to a place you'll never find him.”

 

Naraku processed this for a minute. Perhaps the girl wasn't as stupid as he'd previously assumed. “What exactly is in this for you?”

 

“I want him dead.”

 

“Why can't you kill him yourself if you have all this information?”

 

She bit her lip for a second and looked reluctant to continue. How charming. “I'm not strong enough to get through his barrier and his goonies and still kill him,” she said in a strained voice that he had a hard time not laughing at that.

 

“Goonies?” he asked with amusement back in his voice.

 

“Uh…” she searched for a word, “minions.”

 

“Ah,” he stated simply. He looked up to the sky for a moment. Almost sunset. Her deal would have to wait for a while; he had business to attend to with the Inu-tachi. He looked back at Aaliyah. “I will consider you're offer.” With that he turned around.

 

“How long do you think it'll take you to decide?” she called after him.

 

He stopped. “Is there some sort of time limit to your deal?” he said in a tone that implied that there better not.

 

“Naw. I just want to know when I should be expecting to hear from you.”

 

“So that you can prepare, should my answer be `no?'”

 

“Exactly,” she said with a small smile.

 

“Be patient,” he said, and began to walk away. “You will hear from me all too soon.”

 

“Can't wait,” he heard her mutter right before he disappeared in a swirl of miasma.