InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Halves ❯ Revolving Shadows ( Chapter 9 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Halves

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Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha and I do not make money from writing this story.

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A/N: Warning: Disturbing imagery.

Wakatta = Understood (I got it)

Okay, I know exactly where I'm going to take this story, it will be a long way, I'm guessing at least about 30 chapters,
but I won't say for sure. I hope you won't come to hate Inuyasha - at this point I feel that I've made him
seem too much of a bastard, but he's torn between two women - I think his behavior is to be expected.
He has conflicting feelings and finds it hard to figure out what he should do.
I can't imagine having to choose between my wife and some newcomer I suddenly have strong feelings for, can you?
Anyway, hope you'll stick around till the end, I promise it'll get better, but there will be lots of angst,
at least until things will improve.

A huge thanks to all my reviewers, I love you all. Enjoy the read and please review :)

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Sango came to a few hours after the whole ordeal. Her mind seemed frozen, but she refused to give up. Miroku was surely trying to find her, and she couldn't disappoint him. Even if he would never again want her, she had to fight. It didn't mean much, but she was slightly glad that Naraku would receive his punishment, because there was no way he would get out of all this alive. Even if it took years, even if she'd have to follow him afterwards, she'd make sure he'd die, and she'd have her revenge. What a consolation… but it was all she had.

How much had it passed since the last time she'd seen daylight? Distantly, she was aware that it must have been a few mere hours, maybe a day at most, but it seemed an eternity. The darkness of the room made her nauseous, she could barely breathe.

Apparently, the vile monster sensed her awakening, because she felt a slimy hand caress her inner thighs and quickly averted her closed eyes. She would let him do whatever he wished, it wasn't like she could prevent any of it, but she would kill him in her mind while doing so.

“You're trying to be strong, eh? For your lover, perhaps?”

This made Sango's eyes to snap open and glare at him in undisguised shock. He was… full of surprises.

“They're coming. Kagome and that monk. He's bringing her with him, and we're going to have so much fun. Kagome and I, I mean,” he smirked, he grinned with those white teeth of his, they seemed so perfect, but she knew better.

“You should know that Kagome was meant to be in your place.” The walls constricted around her. “She's the one I want to destroy and to be able to call mine. You should hate her.”

“N-no,” Sango said weakly, “she's my friend, she's…”

“Inuyasha's Half,” Naraku added casually, perhaps hoping this would change her opinion about the young miko. And Sango was half disgusted to realize it worked.

“What?!” Sango felt betrayed, how was this happening? He was surely lying, he…

“Perhaps you have noticed it. Yes, Kagome is Inuyasha's Half and they are keeping it a secret. Kikyou-Hime does not know a thing, does she? That her husband is doing inconceivable things behind her back and then comes back to her bed and plays the part of a loving husband? Yes, and Kagome knows I want her. She knows, yet she locked herself within a barrier that I couldn't penetrate, so I had to settle for someone else. She's the one to blame,” he whispered, squeezing her thighs, gauging her reaction. “Kagome knew I was out for her, yet she let you take her place.”

The sobs were heart-wrenching. Sango's thoughts blackened. She'd… suffered like this, and for nothing but a whore that stabbed people's backs? Who was Kagome after all? She hadn't known her for long, and she'd seemed a decent person, but now… now? Kagome was the one to blame for everything. It was Kagome's fault that she couldn't close her eyes without seeing dreadful, terrible things. It was Kagome's fault that she felt a chest pain every time she wanted to let a pleasant feeling envelop her. She had so many questions, she wanted to plead for another life, for another chance where Kagome would be the one this scarred and she would be back in Miroku's embrace.

Miroku…

She had to stay strong. Yes, she had to, even if it killed her, even if the bastard wanted more, she had to stay strong. Maybe next time she'd show him things that would make his world bleed.

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Inuyasha didn't have time for this now. He didn't have time for her. How was it that his wife always came at the most inopportune moments? Still, Kikyou had no fault whatsoever, so he tried to stifle his general anger and frustration and suffocating worry for fear of hurting her.

“I want us to speak about something, Inuyasha-sama,” she said with a fake smile. He knew it was for show, why did she do it anyway?

“Not now, Kikyou, I'm in the middle of something.” He turned to walk away, he wanted to, but, “Wait!”

His wife's voice made him stop and he turned around, sighing deeply. Kagome was in danger, dammit, and he had no time for nonsense.

“There's something you're not telling me,” dread settled in his stomach, “what is it?”

He couldn't tell her. He couldn't explain that his Half was after their most evil enemy with his reckless cousin, who'd failed to mention something of utter importance and he'd only found out about it from some pesky guards. That didn't sound too fortunate, did it?

Instead, he settled for, “When I come back, I'll tell you everything, I swear Kikyou, it's just… I have to do this.”

There was some sort of desperation in his tone, and this was the only reason why Kikyou let the matter go for now. She'd bring it up again later, when he returned from wherever he wanted to go. His eyes burned like torches, he seemed so fragile, so devastated. What was wrong?

“I heard you rescued Ginta and Higurashi-san, is there anyone else who is taken away?”

He didn't want to tell her, how would she take it? Her favorite servant, no less. Still, Kikyou would worry if Sango-san didn't come back soon, he had to let her know. “It's… Sango-san. She's been taken by Naraku. Miroku's on his way, but…”

Kikyou's eyes widened. San…go. That couldn't be, right?

Understanding the depth of the situation, she nodded solemnly. Kikyou was such an amazingly strong woman. “Please come back safe, anata,” she cupped his cheek in her elegant hand, perhaps it was better that she'd come, now he felt encouraged.

He kissed her cheek tenderly, softly, like any loving husband would. It was ironic, terribly unfair to her, but he loved Kikyou.

“I'll be back soon,” he promised. He thought he would.

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Honestly, Kagome feared for her life a bit, but she would gladly give it up for Sango's. If it meant rescuing Sango, she would do whatever was left in her power. But she'd make sure she took Naraku with her. The bastard's grave was dug and he was already standing with a foot in it. His days were counted.

“Don't worry,” Kagome soothed, “we'll get there in time.” But the problem was, she didn't believe her own words. If she wasn't confident then how could she convince Miroku that everything was going to be fine? Regardless, she saw him nod wordlessly, he looked determined. She'd borrow some of his will, she'd copy his strength. Miroku was a wonderful man, he loved so deeply, so purely. His relationship with Sango was a dream, she wanted to help them be together. They deserved happiness, because it was a natural love based on rare feelings.

“If he did anything to her, I'll slowly, slowly kill him. If he as much as touched a strand of her hair…”

Kagome heard his voice tremble, yet she kept running, they kept running. They couldn't afford to stop, not now, lest Naraku would have more time to do something unforgivable. They wanted to know how Sango was doing, what the bastard was doing to her. She was surely suffering, but… hopefully not much.

Unexpectedly, they felt like walking through dry water and suddenly found themselves in an unfamiliar house. Yes, it made sense - it was Naraku's. The bastard had put up a barrier that modified the sight. They'd been on his ground for a long time, and now they were both inside. What was left was to find the room Sango was in, and-

The twosome froze when they heard a shrill cry. There was no doubt, it was Sango.

“Screw you!” she shouted next, then again screamed. Her sobs were not so loud, but they were there, and they were tearing at Miroku's insides. Whatever the depraved monster was doing to Sango, it was very painful and humiliating.

They opened ever door in their way, but it was impossible! The damned place had dozens of doors…

“Here,” Kagome whispered, she put a hand on the shoji doors, listening intently. The voice they heard distant, but it sounded like Naraku.

“I told you it would hurt worse here. You're pretty cocky, aren't you? I'll show you cocky, bitch, you'll wish you were dead.” Those were Naraku's spiteful words, he was taunting his helpless victim.

“No,” Sango said weakly, “no, stop, stop!”

They couldn't take it any more. Miroku barged in, his staff prepared to strike. However, what he saw rendered him motionless. On the floor, naked, torn, and crying helplessly, her eyes shut tightly was Sango, his love, his world, the reason he wanted to keep living. She looked frail, both her hands covering her face so she wouldn't show her tears. The bastard, the despicable, wicked monster was naked as well, his mouth bloody and his eyes a deeper shade of red than usual, as if someone had bled right into them. He was sweaty, they both were, but perhaps it was harder to notice it on Sango because of all the blood and the marred skin…

… all the scars this would leave.

Miroku closed his eyes for a second, tears stained his cheeks. He didn't want to gasp, but he did, he didn't want to feel so torn, to have his heart snapped into thousand pieces, but Naraku had managed to do it. His feet kept him rooted to the ground, he couldn't move. There was a mess of dried liquids on Sango's left thigh and the floor, it didn't take a genius to guess what had happened.

“So, you already did it with Inuyasha?” Naraku's mocking voice resounded in the room, he was talking to Kagome, “Why, aren't you a whore…”

As if in a dream, Miroku vaguely heard a distinctively loud gasp and when he turned his eyes towards the source, he saw something that would have amazed him fully, had he not been so devastated.

Kagome was glowing brightly, two shades combining around her body. He could only guess it was Inuyasha, as well, because he recognized Kagome's aura - he'd trained hard with her after all. Her eyes sparkled with anger, Naraku smirked. Yet his eyes widened and he yelped in surprise when she sent a sizzling wave of purifying his way, instantly scorching part of his flesh.

The evil demon was swift, he disappeared behind a dark barrier that carried him far, far away.

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Inuyasha knew something was wrong the moment he literally bumped into a barrier that repelled him. Was Kagome inside? What a stupid question - yes, yes, she was. But how could he get to her? Concentrating, he put all his faith in Tessaiga, which turned instantly red. He felt his Half's presence, somehow, he felt soothed. Breathing deeply, he swung his blade and watched in avid satisfaction as the barrier disappeared and knew Kagome had done something to Naraku as well. In the blink of an eye, the monster was flying in a dark-looking barrier towards the sky, disappearing from sight.

He'd… got away.

Hurrying to check for casualties, Inuyasha stiffened when he saw Miroku hug Sango's blemished body. Pursing his lips, he averted his eyes to show his respect to the entire situation and looked down at Kagome, who'd just touched his forearm.

“We should... leave them alone for a moment,” Kagome suggested and the hanyou nodded in agreement, he felt the same.

“Ka…Kagura,” they heard Sango whisper and turned towards the meek sound. Kagura? Who was that? “Sh-she took m-me…” Tears coated her face, they fell and fell… it was an endless stream, it tore her lover in half.

“Wakatta,” Inuyasha said simply, “I felt another presence here anyway, I've got her trace.”

Just as he was about to flee, Kagome caught his sleeve. He couldn't just run away and risk hurting Kagome in the process, so until she let him go, he had to listen to her. “I'll come with you,” she declared, stepping behind him and throwing herself onto his back in a smooth motion. Surprised, Inuyasha stumbled to keep her in place and trembled slightly at the feel of her hands clasped against his chest. What was she doing?

“What are you waiting for?” she demanded harshly, “She'll escape.”

Was he the only one left in the fog? “R-right.”

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It was particularly hot today, the air was too suffocating. Sesshomaru found himself unwillingly worrying about his fragile, human Half. She probably couldn't stand such high temperatures, judging by how red her skin was, what if it was too hot for her? Every time he sneaked a peek behind, Rin caught his gaze and smiled prettily, she was just so cute. Then an awfully peculiar thing happened.

Pursing his lips, Sesshomaru straightened his back and stopped, making his companions do the same. Without turning his head to look behind, his regular stern voice changed, it became more polished, gentler, “Do you need to stop, Rin?”

The girl's eyes widened, “Eh?”

“There is a river nearby. If you are too hot, we will stop there,” he added in the same, otherworldly tone that left Jaken gaping.

The girl bowed immediately, maybe to cover the blush he didn't see, maybe to express her surprise and gratitude. “Th-thank you, Sesshomaru-sama.”

“Sesshomaru,” he insisted as he once again started walking.

The girl smiled and followed her unknown Half on the endless fields, clasping her hands in excitement. What a day…

… was indeed what Jaken was thinking when he was rooted to the spot, staring at the retreating backs of his master and the strange girl that had Prince Sesshomaru acting so… strange. What was the great demon's plan, anyway?

“Hey, wait for me!”

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As much as he wanted to, Miroku simply couldn't help shedding tears for the tragedy that had happened to his love. Sango lay in his arms, but she wasn't smiling or sleeping peacefully as usual - she was whimpering, crying, her sobs cutting fire paths through his lungs, he just couldn't stand it. Why Sango... why? The longer he thought about it, the less sense it made, but Naraku was a despicable creature and his actions probably were meant to make no sense. Still… his heart cried with the girl's.

He wanted to take her back to the palace, but she'd requested they stayed like this a bit longer. Just… a bit longer.

“Kagome's to blame,” the torn girl whispered, furrowing her brows as she tried to bring her scattered clothes closer to her body. She was suddenly ashamed of her nakedness, even if Miroku had seen her that way countless times. After all, she was bloody now, the liquid clung to her body like a second skin. She knew she smelt unpleasant, too, it upset even her nose.

Miroku's eyes widened. He had briefly thought of this, but he honestly couldn't blame it on the young miko. If anything, it was his fault for not having protected his lover.

“Sango…”

“She should have been in my place.”

He frowned, “Did Naraku tell you that?”

She was silent. It became clear that the bastard had played with her emotions as well. Would she start hating him, too? “Inuyasha is Kagome's Half, did you know that?” Sango asked spitefully, venom coating her words. What did it matter if the two were Halves? After a while, she interpreted Miroku's lack of answer as an affirmative one. Agape, she rose her eyes to capture his, “Did you?”

He was sorry, he really was, but, “Yes.”

“And you did not tell me?”

What for, he wanted to ask. She had no business knowing.

“Kikyou-Hime is suffering and all they can think about is how to hide their romance!” she suddenly exclaimed, forgetting all about her condition.

“You're wrong,” Miroku countered, “they're trying to suppress it, but I gave them a hand to express themselves around each other.”

He flinched, maybe it hadn't been the right thing to say. Sango's eyes narrowed, she glared. “What do you mean?”

“Today I… set them up a little. I locked them in a room together.”

How was he supposed to know what Naraku would plan? How was he supposed to know that Sango would be hurt beyond measure by a simple, truthful statement?

As driven by a sudden need for vengeance, she uttered, “Naraku told me… he couldn't find Kagome today, so he took me.” She studied the monk's face intently - his color faded. His eyes didn't widen, his lips didn't purse, he just… was. It did express shock, but it expressed desolation as well. Sango knew him, she knew him well, and she vaguely felt good for telling him this.

“He told me Kagome locked herself with Inuyasha knowing he would come so he took me instead. But it was you who locked them.” Tears flowed down her face, she felt betrayed. No one cared about her, how could Miroku do such a thing? “And what about Kikyou-Hime? Did you think of her for a moment?”

Yes, he wanted to say, I thought of her the whole time. He'd been sorry, but hadn't regretted it, either. His reasons were pure, and he knew there was nothing more important for a person then their Half.

“Sango, listen to me,” Miroku said when the haze disappeared, “Listen to me.” He hugged her tighter, even as she protested, even as her weak fists tried to punch his chest, “Having one's Half is more important than anything, do you understand? Inuyasha is making a mistake by staying with Kikyou right now.”

The woman whimpered and Miroku rearranged her clothes so they would cover her better.

“If you were to have a Half and she appeared, would you le-leave me?”

“Sango, if I knew I was destined to have a Half, I would never be involved with another woman until that Half,” he replied firmly. And yes, it was true. Even if he was a womanizer, if he knew that his Half was somewhere waiting for him, he would never take another.

“I… Kikyou-Hime loves Inuyasha.” It was Sango's reason, she didn't want Inuyasha to leave the beautiful, pure princess. She'd suffered too much.

“You know it is impossible for someone to stay away from their Half for too much, don't you? Imagine if Inuyasha stays with Kikyou longer than he should… what, then? Kikyou-Hime will surely be more than devastated. It is best for her to leave Inuyasha as soon as possible, can't you see?”

Put like that… it did make sense, but it wasn't easier to swallow.

“Kagome has tried so hard to stifle her passion, I know that from her brother,” Miroku said, “I don't think she knows that her brother is aware of the existence of her Half. She thinks… she thinks she's almost alone in this. Can you imagine, Sango?” His voice was so gentle, so melancholic, “having to see the one you need with another woman, being all confused? Having to feel incredible emotions, yet never being able to act on them? It must be really sad…”

“I don't…” Sango didn't hate Kagome, not anymore. But… the young miko's appearance in their lives had ruined everything. She suffered, yes, but she hurt others, as well, even if unwillingly.

“I forgive her,” she said through gut-wrenching sobs as her lover held her to his chest, trying to keep his own tears away, “I for…give her.”

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Prince Sesshomaru stopped, his nose working overtime. He'd missed the scent completely, had he been so enwrapped in Rin's presence as to forget himself? This was unacceptable. Turning around, he saw the source of the vile smell leaning against a tree. There was weird science in her scent, but he dismissed the thought for the moment, it was irrelevant. First of all he had to find out who she was.

“Who are you?” he inquired rather abruptly, she simply smirked.

“Kagura,” she replied simply, “Your youki is quite impressive. It surpasses mine.” She seemed good at stating the obvious. Sesshomaru decided she wasn't a threat.

Still, “What are you doing here?” He wasn't intending to be either hostile or to seem interested, but it seemed he managed both. It didn't matter. Whoever could be a danger to his Half had to be taken into consideration. “What are you?” It seemed a fair question. He was truly curious, her scent was not her own - not fully, at least. Her expression suddenly darkened.

“Why do you ask?”

“Your scent.”

She smirked, like in a challenge, “Are you saying that I stink?”

He didn't confirm, but nor did he deny. Behind him, Rin was awfully quiet.

“You should try to measure your words and know who you are speaking to. I am in no mood for bitches like you, and you can rest assured that I can kill you without even blinking.”

To his surprise, “I know.” Slowly, almost hesitantly, she approached him, step by step - he almost retreated. The situation was suddenly eerie. His Half was behind him, still pretty much a child, while quite a strong female youkai stood in front of him, making her intentions clear.

“I do not require your services,” he said harshly, and watched her stop.

“Pity,” she whispered, averting her eyes for only a second, “you are strong, deshou?”

Jaken decided to interrupt, “Of course he is! Sesshomaru-sama can destroy you in a heartbeat!”

“Jaken,” the prince warned, then addressed Kagura, “why do you ask?”

Her red eyes twinkled in the sun, he thought he heard Rin inhale quite quickly. The woman's lips stretched in a sincere, satisfied smile, “Because I need someone like you.”

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For a long, seemingly everlasting moment, Inuyasha thought he was going out of his mind. Kagome had been stupid enough as to place herself on his back to ride all the way to where Kagura supposedly was. That had clearly been a rash decision and she most likely hadn't really thought it through, but neither had he, it seemed. Judging by her extremely aroused scent that tickled his nerves in a frenzy, she was as surprised by this turn of events as he was and not at all at ease with it, either.

At the beginning, she'd clasped her hands around the front side of his neck, careful not to suffocate him, but they both learned that they should avoid skin contact at all costs the hard way. When her fingers had unconsciously caressed the side of his neck, his shivery response had been unexpected as he'd nearly dropped her in his surprise.

What was odd was that they hadn't spoken to each other the whole way, but things were so awkward between them that neither dared.

The feelings they were both experiencing, what were they exactly?

Inuyasha grunted when Kagome's thighs squeezed around his waist, he increased his pace. Unfortunately, he was losing trace of Kagura's scent. He knew he had to hurry up, but his mind was mush, he could barely focus on the desired path.

Kagome spoke the first words, “How much longer?”

“I'm starting to lose the trace,” he admitted, biting his lower lip in worry. What if Kagura would be left free? She could continue to help Naraku hurt innocent people. No, she had to be stopped, she had to tell them more about Naraku's plans, surely she would know.

“We should talk,” Kagome suggested and Inuyasha dreaded the words to come. “What we did,” she started, “it was a mistake. I wasn't thinking straight.”

Somehow, this felt like thousands of knives piercing his heart, “Sure.” Why deny it? He wanted her to say that their intimacy was the best thing that had happened to them, but he knew he was selfish for desiring it. Why was everything so confusing?

“It will never happen again,” she concluded, sounding pretty determined and confident in her own words.

Again, “Sure.” What else could he say? He thought of Kikyou and her smile, but her face gradually vanished from his mind no matter how much he tried to cling to it. It seemed Kagome's charms were greater, now that she was with him.

However, Kagome seemed intent on driving the knives home over and over again, and after a while he wasn't sure if she was trying to convince him or herself.

“You have a wife, Kikyou.” He agreed. “You love her.” Yes, he did, very much so, but he loved Kagome, too. How could he tell her that? It was so simple: he couldn't. “I knew that,” Kagome said with a resigned sigh, “that you loved her. I knew it. You don't even need to tell me, I know it. Seems I was too late, ne?” Her voice betrayed a smile, but he was sure it was a fake one, one designated to make her feel stronger and more detached than she truly was.

“Kagome, I…”

“It's alright, Inuyasha-sama,” oh, how the honorific suffix hurt him, “just… stay as far away from me as possible, please. I'll… try to make a life for myself, but you have to stay away.” He didn't know what to say, the idea sounded right. The only problem was that her request was the first thing he thought about every morning and the last thing he thought about before going to bed. His whole world revolved around trying not to give in to his urges, he'd promised himself countless times that he wouldn't see her anymore, yet they'd been one step away from crossing the line. He broke the promise almost every day, how could he stay away from her now?

It seemed she had the answer.

“Actually,” she added after a while, “I decided that after this, after the Kagura thing I'll move away from the palace. I know that the Sacred Jewel should stay there, but I cannot. And since I'm the Jewel's Protector now, I have every right to take it with me wherever I go, isn't that right?”

His heart sunk into his stomach. He was to… never see Kagome again? The idea somehow appalled him, yet he couldn't interfere in her decision. Who was he to do such a thing? Desperately, Inuyasha tried to ignore his youkai side screaming, Her Half.

“I figured the Emperor won't let me do this, so I won't tell him,” Kagome said after a short silence, “and you'll keep the secret, won't you? That's why I told you - after all, it's what you want, too.” Still, Inuyasha remained silent. His feet felt too heavy all of a sudden, and there was the overwhelming urge to howl his distress that had him thinking somewhere else, but he did hear her assume he wanted her gone. The logic part of his brain told him that it was the best choice, and even a part of his heart rejoiced in the knowledge, but an overpowering side wanted him to beg her to stay, to reconsider.

He couldn't believe she was telling him these things, what did she expect from him? To be supportive?

“Tell the Emperor about my plan and please convince him not to come after me. He has Kaede and Kikyou as exceptional mikos, he doesn't really need me. I can't even control my powers fully, I'm a failure.” Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes, but she willed them away. She would not show him this weakness now.

Was she for real? “You're not a failure, you are the most powerful miko alive. You're just not familiar with miko practices, so it will take a while,” he protested, frowning at her previous words. He couldn't help that every word she said blistered, he couldn't make her change her mind. It was he who was a failure.

“Please, Inuyasha-sama. Look at what I've done. Sango is hurt because of me, I-”

“It wasn't because of you, dammit! How can you say that?” He grumbled some curses under his breath before sighing wearily. “It wasn't your fault,” he repeated, gently, tenderly, intimately. Kagome couldn't help but to shiver in response and hated herself for doing so.

“I-I think,” her voice was so incredibly meek, “I should walk.” There was no denying it. The proximity was doing curious things to their brains and they needed distractions as to prevent something bad from happening. Like what had almost occurred in Miroku's room.

The suggestion had never sounded more proper to Inuyasha, but there were more pressing matters, “You'll slow us down,” he grunted, “we still have to find Kagura.”

“Alright, then hurry up,” she urged, squeezing him harder and ignoring his startled gasp.

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Naraku groaned in pain as his body regenerated. He'd had no chance but to choose this day as a day to recover, his body was too wounded to go on like this. Inside him, Onigumo crawled and twirled relentlessly, he could almost feel his distinctive presence as it urged him not to hurt anyone, especially Kikyou. Kikyou….

He was thinking awfully much about her these days, it was as unacceptable as it was distracting. A mere while ago his thoughts had been full of Kagome, and yet now he wanted to protect her predecessor. Kikyou had guarded the Shikon no Tama, too, and it seemed she had done a better job.

No, Naraku contradicted his earlier thoughts, he'd have escaped even with the Jewel in Kikyou's grasp. Kagome's black feelings from then had been a blessing and a perfect opportunity, the chance of a lifetime, and he'd taken it. He'd played his part well, he'd done his homework. The daimyo he wanted dead were no longer in this world, yet he regretted ever absorbing Onigumo's body into his own. That had been a miscalculation that had cost him his freedom. Until he'd find how and where to discard his heart, he'd have no choice but to experience these wretched, affectionate feelings.

Yet, he was glad he'd hurt that woman, the Emperor's Nephew's lover. He hadn't even raped her and she was destroyed. Oh, it had been so fun, so delicious. Her blood and flesh were amazingly tasty, he'd enjoyed himself tremendously. His arousal had been so great that he'd forced her to watch him jerk himself off. Knowing that he could rape her at any moment, living with the uncertainty had broken her and he'd enjoyed every part of it.

He knew that in the end she hadn't been sure what to feel: relief for being intact sexually or revulsion at how he defiled her in so many other ways.

His methods were cleaner, Naraku considered, he did not need to rape the body, but the mind. That was always more fun. Now he knew he could never do that to Kikyou with Onigumo currently residing inside his body, but he could surely do it to Kagome. He could clearly picture it: the fun, the exhilaration, so many thrilling feelings.

After breaking Kagome, he'd make her join him. He had it all figured out. This would surely destroy Inuyasha, her Half, the Emperor's son. Because ultimately, Naraku wanted to be Emperor. Inu no Taishou was the one in his way, he had to destroy everything in his path until reaching the current Emperor, the man that was getting weaker and weaker every day without his deceased beloved. The path to their destruction would be sweet and fulfilling and Naraku would enjoy every drop of his victory.