InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Learning Love... ❯ A Civilized Dinner ( Chapter 3 )

Learning Love

Chapter 3: A Civilized Dinner

Naraku walked steadily back to his small palace followed by two of his `former' enemies. He held Kagome gently, securely to himself and tried to analyze the strange emotions bubbling inside him. He could feel the fragmented demon minds arguing. Some were screaming to kill; kill her, kill Inuyasha, and kill Kouga. Some were screaming "weak" and others were calling "Kagome". Naraku roared at the voices inside his mind "shut the fuck up" and was rewarded by internal silence. Kagome also snuggled closer to his body as the voices quieted.

Kagome had wanted to shrink away from Naraku's embrace as she felt the violence of his fractured soul. When it stopped she had let her relief flow out of her and snuggled him in silent thanks. The walk back to the palace was not long, but the leisurely pace made it pleasantly long. Kagome let herself study Inuyasha and Kouga out of the corner of her eye. Kagome was glad that he still had his little puppy ears, even though she had made him a full youkai. She had used some of the available demon energy at the time of his transformation and so she knew that it was Kagura's energy which made him a full demon.

Kagome also was glad to see the mating mark of a wolf from the northern wolf tribe on Kouga. She knew that meant he and Ayame were mated. She wondered if what she had done for Sango, Miroku, and Shippo had worked as well. Perhaps she could get Inuyasha to open up and find out if Shippo was safe with him and Sesshoumaru. She rested against the strong youkai who carried her and for one moment forgot the agonies of her past and simply radiated contentment.

Naraku knew she was studying her `guests' as they walked and wanted to be angry. For some reason he wasn't in the least angered by her distraction. Suddenly he felt himself surrounded and infused with complete contentment. He could feel the miko purity laced with it but rather than burn it felt pleasant. He could feel the fractured cracks within his soul healing. He could feel the darkest youkai minds melding seamlessly with one another so that the voices within were reduced.

Kouga and Inuyasha could both tell the miko was looking at them. Both of them acted like they didn't notice. All movement stopped as miko energy laced with a feeling of comfort surrounded the three youkai. Inuyasha could only marvel at the depth of joy and ease that flowed around him. Kouga felt an intense desire to be with his mate as the feeling invoked images of a happy pack to flood his mind. Inuyasha also felt the last tendrils of anger towards Kikyou die within his heart so that only the tragic love remained. Kouga felt forgiveness brim within him for the wind bitch who had killed many of his tribe.

Kagome noticed every one had paused and realized she was projecting. She drew her energy back within her and whispered, "Gomen." She knew they all heard her. She was glad when Naraku nodded and began to walk again. She noticed the wonder in Inu and Kouga's eyes and was glad when they began to follow again. Kagome was set gently down on a cushion by the table.

Naraku waved toward two cushions for his guests and than sat down on his own beside Kagome. He silently poured tea for Kagome and himself from the pot already sitting over a warmer on the table. He inquired without words toward Inuyasha and Kouga. Both gracefully nodded a yes to the unspoken question. Naraku poured them each a cup as well.

Kagome watched Naraku's actions and felt very happy with them. The civility he showed them gave her hope. She smiled and said, "My lords, I ask your forgiveness but in my weakened state I forgot to ask you your names."

Inuyasha inclined his head slightly, "I am General Inuyasha of the Western Lands and this is the prince Kouga of the western wolf youkai tribe. I believe your lord Naraku called you Kagome, correct?"

She nodded with her smile still gracing her lovely lips, "Yes, my name is Kagome. It is an honor to meet you both, but may I inquire as to why you are in the northern most youkai domain of Lord Diagotsu if you are from the western domain of Lord Sesshoumaru."

Kouga nodded, "We were sent because the Lord Diagotsu fears a threat to his domain caused the mountain's barrier to fall."

"Then allow us to apologize for the long fruitless journey here. The threat which had been here is gone now. My lord, another miko named Kikyou and myself defeated the darkness which attacked the holy mummified living Buddha of this mountain."

"Kikyou," exclaimed Inuyasha in surprise.

"You knew the honorable priestess?" Kagome asked as Naraku sat rigidly. He wondered where she was going with these questions.

"Yes," Inuyasha said quietly, "She and I were very close at one time."

"You have my sympathy. She died in the battle." Kagome reached out and touched Inuyasha's hand in a gesture of comfort. He didn't pull away or flinch, but he did bow his head. Kagome continued, "She fought valiantly and because of her strength we won. She and the holy man of the mountain ascended to heaven when the dust was settled. I watched them leave before I lost consciousness."

"Thank you, for telling me. Have her remains been buried yet?" Inuyasha looked up at Kagome and Naraku. There was moisture glistening in his eyes.

Naraku surprised them by saying, "Yes. While Kagome recovered I buried the remains of the miko and Buddha. Their markers are out back if you wish to visit them later."

Kagome felt the wish for his words to be so. She complied without any outward change in energy flow or facial features. She reached her other hand to Naraku's and gave him a gentle squeeze in thanks.

"I would like that, thank you," replied Inuyasha. He also smiled his thanks at Kagome and withdrew his hand from her light grip. He nodded to both of them and continued, "I would also like to thank you both for explaining what happened to the barrier. Now I can inform his lordship about what has happened to this holy place as well as let my lord brother know that there is no danger here."

Naraku nodded slightly, "Then allow me to offer the hospitality of my humble abode for the evening. I am sure you are both quite tired from your long journey. In the morning you can return home fully rested."

"That was very sweet my dear. I can prepare the guest rooms if you wish," Kagome said quietly to Naraku as she smiled with tenderness toward him.

"You are still weak. I'm afraid I cannot allow you to strain yourself." Naraku looked concerned. Kagome's heart fluttered, but she retained her soft smile and nodded.

"Thank you very much, Naraku-sama." Inuyasha bowed his head to the strange demon. "We gladly accept such kind hospitality. I am sure Kouga and I can manage to arrange ourselves in the guest rooms without any additional stress to your tired mate."

"Yes, we will be fine. Thank you Naraku-sama and Kagome-sama." Kouga bowed as well. Unlike Inuyasha who felt safe here, so close to Kikyou's grave, Kouga still sensed an undercurrent of danger.

"Perhaps the young lord would like to visit the miko Kikyou's grave before we turn in for the evening," Kagome said to Naraku, "I know I would like to pay my respects as well."

"Of course," Naraku said softly while his crimson eyes held Kagome's sapphire depths intensely. He stood and helped Kagome up. His arm snaked around to pull her close and he began to lead the way, "This way General, and you as well young prince, if you wish."

Kagome clung to Naraku and continued to feign complete exhaustion. The longer she was awake, the more her strength returned. She could walk on her own, but she felt strangely comforted and happy within Naraku's circle of arms. She had hated to look into Inuyasha's golden depths without seeing recognition in them, but everything was safer this way. She breathed in the early evening air as they stepped outside. She glanced up at the stars entering the darkening sky. There was no moon tonight.

Inuyasha followed the Miko's gaze and wondered at her little smile. Naraku noticed her smile as well and said, "Why do you smile at the sky?"

Kagome looked at her lord and master. It was okay if he knew now. "Do you remember the Hanyou I once traveled with?" He nodded and his eyes became veiled in shadow. "Well, tonight is the night of the new moon; he would become human on that night."

Naraku drew back and looked at her with wide eyes. "Why did you never tell me before?" Naraku didn't know why he was asking this, continuing to create illusions around the truth.

"You two didn't get along in the past, and now that he is no longer with us his secret cannot harm him." Kagome looked into the blood red eyes that darkened with confusion. "I know you would not use his weakness against him," Kagome said softly as she touched his face lightly, "but others may have. He was a dear friend and I had to protect him."

Naraku nodded and continued to walk as he drew her to himself again. He was marveling at the complex illusions she was creating around the past. She was erasing the pain and hatred while not loosing any of the good emotions from that time. She was making his wish easier for her heart to survive. He realized he wanted her heart to heal and become whole again. He stopped before two graves, less than a week old in appearance. "Here they are."

Inuyasha knelt down by the grave which had Kikyou spelled out in lovely calligraphy. He bowed his head. Kagome lit a stick of incense for both Kikyou and the Buddha. She whispered to Naraku and Kouga, "Let us go in and let him say his good-bye in peace." Both men nodded and returned to the palace.

Inuyasha waited until the footsteps had entered the building and the sound was very distant. He then whispered, "Please forgive me for not being able to protect you. I'm glad we finally found an understanding for our past when you released me from the tree. I will always hold your memory in my heart and I will never stop loving you. Please understand that I must go on with my life and hopefully find the happiness that was shattered for us. I still haven't found the demon who hurt and tricked you; I don't know if I ever will. I searched thirty years and never found him. If he still lives, I promise I will kill him when I find him. That is a promise I will keep even with my dieing breath. Good-bye beloved." Inuyasha wiped the tears from his eyes before they fell and then followed the path back into the palace.

When Inuyasha entered the dining room, Kouga motioned him down. The table was laden with food, but Naraku and Kagome were not present. Inuyasha sat down and looked at his companion, "What happened?"

"The miko collapsed and Naraku-san carried her out. He mumbled about her getting rest." Kouga looked around the room. "I've been waiting for him to return, but Inuyasha are you sure it's safe to remain. This place, our host, it is very strange and I feel danger."

"Perhaps, it is because of the lingering energy of the creature which killed the holy man," said a smooth calm voice from the doorway. Naraku's dark ruby eyes looked from one to the other. His entire posture was different; a subtle violence quivered within his tall frame. He seemed much more dangerous than before and not nearly as patient as earlier.

"My prince meant no offence to you or your most gracious lady, Naraku-sama." Inuyasha bowed. He could feel the danger Kouga spoke of, but he tried to prevent it from happening. As Inuyasha looked back up at his host, he wondered if Kouga realized the strength of the youkai before them.

"Please, let us forget anything was said and eat in peace. Then I will show you to your rooms." Naraku said this as he sat and allowed his calm to cover his anger. He had heard Kouga's words and remembered the insults the damn wolf had spewed earlier. He wanted nothing more than to rip the pup's head off, but knew Kagome would not forgive him. He didn't want her hatred. He began to eat and silence settled as Inuyasha and Kouga joined him.

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Kagome waited for Naraku to return to the room after dinner. She no longer required food and found eating to be rather nauseating now. She closed her eyes and focused on watching the silent dinner with her mind's eye. She knew Kouga had angered Naraku and was very glad that he didn't do anything nor wish anything be done to them. She marveled at the changes that seemed wrought into Inuyasha's personality. He was more respectful and noble than she ever remembered him being. Kouga hadn't changed.

Kagome watched as Naraku showed them rooms and then made his way to her room. She opened her eyes as he opened her door. She smiled at him and sat up on the futon. She watched his eyes drink in her nude form and shivered. She wondered what was changing within her to cause that reaction. She actually craved his touch this night.

Naraku's blood red irises darkened with lust as he registered Kagome's desire. He stepped into the room and closed the door. He looked for a bolt to lock it and wanted to snarl when he didn't see one. A bolt appeared and he calmed again. He pushed it into the locked position and turned back to the heavenly form Kagome presented.