InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Malice ❯ Obsession: Naraku's Desire ( Chapter 20 )

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

Chapter 20: Obsession: Naraku's Desire

Sesshoumaru. So... he joins the hunters for the sake of my miko. Another who defends her - of course, he was weakened first by his affection for a human child - and now, he allies himself with his hated brother to destroy me... and all because of Kagome. Huh. It is - almost - amusing.

Inuyasha is dangerous enough on his own, because of Kagome, because he fights for her, his strength has only increased. But add Sesshoumaru to the mix, and I face destruction... what is it about her that draws everyone who meets her in? I cannot understand it! She has even fascinated me, drawn me in against my will, made me change my plans - and all so that I may possess her! I want to corrupt her, break her, violate her over and over, drown in her pain, take her purity and taint it, sully it, I want to own her soul, her body, her mind, use her until I become her whole world... and the more I want her, the more I hate her for it!

I am Naraku! I should never have been drawn into her web this way. Why does she blind me to everything else? Everything I had planned, all that I had wanted - it pales in comparison to my need to have her, to taste her again. I would do anything, give up anything, destroy all of Nippon just to have her trembling and screaming under me again, to feel the slickness of my flesh sliding along hers as her blood coats our bodies. Nothing else in this life has ever tasted so sweet - and I will have her over and over and over again. I must. She is mine, always, forever, mine. Even if I die in the taking, I will have her... and I will drag her with me when I am finally sent to hell. She will never escape me, not ever.

Oh yes... I know now that my fate has been sealed. One or the other of the brothers I could have withstood, but not both. Especially not without the power of the jewel, that false jewel that I chased for so long. It is only a matter of time before they find and destroy me. I will waste no more time on dreams of blood and power - my only focus now will be on taking Kagome with me when I go. Taking her will be the only vengeance I will have - she will be mine forever, and Inuyasha will suffer the torment of the damned without her. In taking her, I will destroy him, just as he destroys me.

Yes... Who would ever think to use their own death to destroy another? Who would plan their own demise so as to draw out the eternal suffering of another?

Only I.

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Sesshoumaru watched calmly as the members of his brother's pack ate their dinner. It was a good thing he had the endless supply of patience that he did, because otherwise, he would already have drug his brother out of the camp so he could answer his questions. He was extremely curious about the happenings that had turned everything he had thought he'd known about this strange group of friends completely around. He sighed almost inaudibly... yes, he had more patience than just about anyone, but, by the kami, his brother was trying every bit of it.

Inuyasha was well aware of his brother's growing impatience, and while he found it somewhat distantly amusing, he had other things on his mind. He was beginning to get concerned about his wench - she hadn't done all that much today, and yet, she had barely managed to finish eating her food before she'd practically fallen over into her bowl. Something about that just wasn't right. It was like she was being forced into sleep - like something wanted her so tired that she would be unable to stay awake.

"Oi, Kikyou."

The priestess looked up questioningly from her own thoughts upon hearing Inuyasha address her. "Yes?"

"I need to have a nice long talk with my brother here, before he decides to kill something out of frustration. Keep your eye on Kagome - I'm worried about her." He raised a brow as his brother flicked a golden glance his way.

She frowned in concern. "Why, Inuyasha? What's wrong?"

He turned his eyes back on the miko. "You saw how she fell asleep, didn't you? That's not like Kagome... especially since she really hasn't done anything today. She shouldn't be this tired. Let her sleep for now, but like I said, keep an eye on her. I won't be far, and we'll be back as soon as we're done."

Kikyou flashed a quick glance at Kagome, then looked down, brow furrowing even deeper. "Hai. I will watch her."

Sesshoumaru watched as the other two members of the pack gave each other sidelong glances. It was fairly obvious that while the undead one was watching Kagome, they would be watching her. The mistrust in the camp was subdued, but still palpable.

They do not openly hate her, but still lack any trust in her. Still, after the things she has done to them in the past, I cannot say that I blame them.

He stood as his brother reached over to the young woman asleep in her bedding and ran his fingers gently through her bangs, leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, then got to his feet. He met his brother's eyes and nodded, gesturing to the meadow that the camp sat on the edge of.

"Well, Sesshoumaru, let's get these questions of yours out of the way. Wouldn't want you to expire out of unfulfilled curiousity."

"Hn." He walked gracefully in the direction his brother had indicated, a small bit of doubt at the wisdom of leaving the little miko with only the humans for protection shifting through him. His brother's concern was valid - she shouldn't be tired like that if she hadn't really done much today - he knew she had more stamina than that. But then again, they weren't going out of eyesight... so it should be safe enough for now.

Besides, once he knew exactly what had been going on, he'd have a better idea of what was needed in terms of healing for her, and protection, to make sure that nothing touched her again.

He turned just as his brother plopped down on a large deadfall, and regarded him solemly for a time. There were dark shadows in his eyes, and old agony. And he could understand that... since he'd seen the cause of the miko's suffering in her gaze, and new that whatever harmed her, harmed Inuyasha as well. It was the bond of mates.

"Tell me, Inuyasha, how did that filth get his hands on your miko? You are usually very careful with her - the only times I have known you to fail in protecting her was when you..." he trailed off, eyes widening slightly as understanding hit him. He knew he was right when he saw his brother flinch.

"So. You left her to go chase the undead one, and Naraku took advantage."

Inuyasha's head drooped with weariness and grief. "That's not the worst of it, Sesshoumaru. Naraku didn't just take advantage of my lapse in judgement. It was a deliberate assault. He set the whole thing up, because he knew I was weak and would fail her if he used Kikyou against me. He knew I had an oath to Kikyou to protect her... and he played on that. Again."

Sesshoumaru watched his brother for a moment, considering what he had said. It seemed as if he felt a great deal of guilt, which was a good thing - he had failed. However, that only went so far... and knowing his brother, his guilt was eating him alive. That wouldn't do.

"You failed." As Inuyasha nodded jerkily, he waited, knowing that eventually he would look up. As he caught his brother's eye, he spoke again. "You know you did, and there is no point in me going over that. The only way to atone for it, however, is to make sure you do not do it again." His voice had gotten hard... the boy had screwed up one too many times, and it could not be allowed to happen again, ever.

"Your relationship with the undead one... has it changed?"

Inuyasha sighed, then nodded. It was a sigh of relief, relief from a burden that he had carried for far too long. "Yeah. She released me from any vows and/or promises that I had to her. For the first time in years, I feel freed of a debt that I never should have had to carry in the first place... and it just took Kagome almost being destroyed for me to figure it out," he finished bitterly. "I was so stupid, for so long, and the fact that she's paid the price for it hurts me more than anything else ever could." He looked up at his brother, meeting his gaze, letting his brother see every bit of pain, guilt, and shame, every bit of horror and anguish that resided within him at the knowledge of his mate's suffering. He looked... defeated.

Sesshoumaru bit back a growl at what he saw in Inuyasha's eyes - and in that moment, a true reconciliation between the two was finally accomplished, for he could not fathom causing anymore hurt to his brother... not after what he had just seen in his eyes. It would be completely dishonorable.

"The only thing keeping me sane right now is that she needs me - I can't be selfish and let my own pain outweigh hers - her pain is mine, I'm hurting because she is, and I will not leave her again to suffer through all this on her own." He finally tore his gaze away from his brother and looked back towards the camp. It was plain just who he was looking towards.

"The level of pain in your eyes and the anguish I see, little brother, is such that you are suffering along with her - how is that possible?"

He glanced back at his brother again, but it was plain that he wasn't seeing him... he was seeing something that would haunt his nightmares forever. He chuckled, a dead, dusty sound that sent an atavistic shiver down his brother's back.

"Kikyou is smart, you know, she figured out what Naraku was up to when he took Kagome. He had it all planned out - he wasn't just after her, really, he wanted us both." When his brother tilted his head questioningly at him, he continued. "He planned to flood my mind with her memories of his assault; probably when we were in battle, but surely at the worst possible time for us. It would have broken my mind... and he knew it."

"I take it you figured out a way to stop him...?"

A bitter laugh shivered through the air. "You could say that. Kikyou gave me her memories instead."

Seshoumaru's eyes widened again. The shocks just keep coming, dont they?

"What do you mean - gave?"

"Just that. We basically pulled his teeth. He can't shock my mind if the memories are already there, right?" He clenched his hands so tight, blood erupted from under his claws. "I saw it all, Sesshoumaru, all. Every damn thing he did to her, her thoughts, the horror, the blood, everything. It sent me feral... I transformed. It's a good thing I had Kagome with me, and we were both inside a barrier..." he trailed off, as his thoughts went to what would have happened if he hadn't been contained, if he hadn't had Kagome and her scent to calm him.

He heard the words Inuyasha spoke, and he smelled the sharp tang of his blood. It spoke to the rage inside him... and he had to take a moment to exert his formidable control before he continued.

"So that explains one transformation. What about the second time?"

"That was actually the first time. Naraku came on us... that's when I found out what had happened to her. He called her his mate, Sesshoumaru, can you blame me for transforming?" His voice went gutteral as he re-lived the mocking sound of the bastard's voice as he tore his world away from him. "If it had actually been Naraku instead of another fucking puppet, he'd already be completely destroyed."

Sesshoumaru's eyes bled red for just a second before he once again was able to haul his youkai rage back under control. That filthy collection of lower level youkai had dared to touch what belonged to his house... this was unforgivable in his view - and Naraku would pay.

"What called you back to yourself after your transformations?"

Inuyasha caught the deepening of his brother's voice and flicked a quick glance in his direction, a little surprised at the level of anger in his aura. "Umm..." he stopped for a moment when his brother's eyes made contact, and he watched as they flickered back and forth between red and gold.

"Answer me, otouto! What called you back to yourself?!"

"The first time it was my remembrance of my oath to Kagome, and the second, it was her scent, her presence. Why is that so important anyway?" And then what his brother had called him sank in, and he was astounded. Mouth hanging open, he shook his head, disbelief clear in his expression.

"What oath?" What did you swear to her?" The daiyoukai was beginning to calm, just slightly, and he took a deep breath, then expelled it. Someone taking what belonged to him, or by extension, his brother, was an insult to his father's blood, and Sesshoumaru had never had any patience with that. Naraku had already touched something that belonged to him when he kidnapped Rin... this was just a further insult - and a deadlier one. His brother's voice broke over his thoughts, and recalled him back to himself.

"After I returned to the village from chasing down Kikyou, we all knew something had happened to Kagome, but she wouldn't tell anyone what it was. She had a breakdown, and afterwards, refused to see anyone but Kaede for over a week. When she finally came out, Kaede came to find me, and made me swear that I would not abandon her again... that I would stick the distance, no matter what we found out." He sighed, shoulders slumping slightly. "I got angry at her for even thinking I would betray Kagome that way - but then I realized, well, hell, I already had, so why wouldn't she doubt me? Nonetheless, I swore then and there that I would not fail her again. Ever."

Sesshoumaru nodded, pleased with what he was hearing. It seemed that the little miko was his brother's saving grace... literally. While his father's fang had provided a seal for Inuyasha's youkai blood, Kagome's presence seemed to force his youkai side and his human side to blend together, and become useful - not a danger as it had been before. He need no longer worry about that aspect of his brother's blood.

Inuyasha was quiet as his brother thought over what he had been told. He called me otouto, but I'm afraid to question him on it... I don't want to hear that it was just a slip of the tongue. I don't need anymore angst. He was brought out of his reverie by his brother's voice.

"If you have been freed from all ties to the dead one, why is she here with your pack?"

"Well, she's here to help. You have to remember, Sesshoumaru - Naraku killed her. Besides Kagome, and Sango, she has the biggest reason of all of us to want to see that bastard die. Plus, she's a priestess, and one who, unlike Kagome, is trained. It's actually been good for Kagome to have her here," he rolled his eyes, "however awkward it's been for me, at times." He just about fell off the stump he was sitting on when he caught a tiny smirk cross his brother's face, and heard a distinct, although light, chuckle.

"I can imagine, little brother. Perhaps as we travel, I will be able to witness some of this 'awkward' you speak of. It might lighten the boredom."

He was just about to remark on his brother's joke, when shouts erupted from the camp behind them, and one single, piercing scream overrode every sound, shivering through the air, breeding absolute despair into all that heard it.

Inuyasha moved faster than even his brother as he leapt to the side of his miko, a howl of pure rage ripping from his throat.

"Naraku!"

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Kagome knew she was sleeping. She knew it. And yet, she couldn't rid herself of the feeling that this wasn't a dream, it was real. She couldn't understand why her mind wouldn't separate the two... when sleeping, what you see are dreams, and when awake, reality. But for some reason, her mind wasn't following that pathway... she was asleep, but what was happening was reality.

Once again, she was on the path that lead to Urasue's old home... she even remembered the hanging bridge over the river - although she knew, in reality that bridge had come down, indeed she had fallen from it, here, in her sleep, it still existed, and she crossed it. She was compelled to follow her own footsteps from so long ago - she didn't want to go there, inside, her heart was screaming at her to fight it, to turn and run, but her body wouldn't cooperate, and every second she delayed in regaining control, the closer to that horrible place she came.

It was the place where she had been damaged in more ways than one: the first time, her soul had been stolen, the second, her body had been raped. Now, it seemed Naraku was after her mind... he wanted it all, and he was determined to have it.

How am I going to save myself? I can't break free of his hold on me!

Oh, yes, she was very aware that this little dream/reality sequence was being forced on her by her nemesis. He made no move to hide it, she could feel his horrible, dark aura, and she felt violated all over again at just the feel of it inside her mind. And just as the last time she had been in this place, there was no one to save her.

Why?! Kami, why? What did I ever do to deserve this torture? Must I suffer so?

She looked up suddenly, she could see the top of the incline, and beyond it lay the cave that Urasue had made into a home, a place where she had her kiln... where Kikyou had been brought back, the place her soul had been stolen, and the place the beginnings of heartbreak had found her. Her footsteps rang loudly against the stone ground, and she could almost hear Naraku's breathing ringing through her ears.

Panic shafted through her soul and she cried out, fear almost freezing her mind, but still she couldn't stop her feet from moving towards her own personal hell.

And then he was before her, and her fear choked her, unable to even make a sound, the only visible sign of her anguish and fear were huge sparkling tears rushing frantically down her face.

She shuddered as he smiled and reached for her, trying to break free of his control, or at least, blank out her mind - she didn't think she could withstand another assault by him, she truly didn't.

Because that's what this was. This was no memory... this was an entirely new attack. And she was terrified she would lose herself this time. She'd barely made it through with any part of herself left intact after the last time.

"Come to me, beloved. You cannot fight me. I will have you, Kagome, again and again and again. Resign yourself to it and stop trying to resist, because no one, not your beloved Inuyasha, nor his icy brother, can save you now. You belong to me."

He regarded her with amusement, moving forward, he closed the distance between them to mere inches, and reached out and ran one finger down her arm... watching it trail down her skin is so erotic - and he licked his lips as a bead of blood rose from her flesh behind his finger. Delicious...

"Never, Naraku... I will not give in to you, willingly, ever! You may be able to force my body, but you can't force my soul!"

He chuckled. "Such a fighter, my sweet. But it will do you no good in the end, because, you see, I do not need to force your soul, Kagome." He moved around behind her, then over to her other side, eyes wide as he watched himself touching her, running his finger down that arm as well, drawing more blood, blood that sizzled on his finger and made him hiss in sensual pleasure. He looked back up at her, an all-consuming lust plain in his gaze.

"Don't you understand, my beloved, my miko, my Kagome? I already own your soul. And everything else about you that makes you who you are." He smiled.

".Mine."

As his hands reached up to pull her into his body, a despairing wail finally freed itself from her throat, and there was a flash of power that forced a roar of rage from the hanyou, pulling a bewildered cry from her as she fell into darkness and knew no more.

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Sesshoumaru barely managed to reach his enraged brother in time. He was actually surprised at the speed his brother had moved, but he was so panicked at the sound of the little onna's scream that he wasn't paying attention, and came close to getting hurt because of that. That was not acceptable in his eyes... the only being in existence that was worthy of causing harm to his brother, was he himself, and since he had chosen not to, he would allow no other to do so, either.

That was why he found himself barreling into his raging younger brother, using his body to knock the boy out of the way of the miko's attempts to fight Naraku's grip on her mind. He landed hard, crouched, hand locked around his brother's arm as he hissed at him. "Fool! You must not touch her! She is fighting the disgusting half-breed, but if you touch her, you could shift the balance, and cause harm to yourself as well, Inuyasha!"

Inuyasha clamped his jaw tight, knowing his brother was right. He looked over at the others in the camp, and noted that they were also staying away from Kagome. As his eyes found her, he gasped, unsure of what to make of what he was seeing.

Absently, eyes locked on Kagome's body, he pulled away from his brother and sat up. Kagome was laying on her back, a dark aura surrounding her, obviously trying to enter her body. It was being held off by the bright pink glow of her miko powers, but it was easy to see that Naraku was throwing everything he had into this battle, because slowly, ever so slowly, the darkness was pushing the light back into her body.

Suddenly terrified, he looked over at Kikyou and began yelling at her. "Do something, woman! Don't just let him hurt her, help her! I know you can!"

She turned and smirked at him. "Be quiet, Inuyasha! Just be quiet and watch! This is something that Naraku is going to have to learn the hard way - have a little faith in the girl. Just sit back and watch as your mate gets a little vengeance on that bastard."

Frowning, he looked back, confused and worried. The darkness had completely surrounded her now, and was actually about to touch her skin, when, so suddenly that he almost jumped, a pulse sounded through the clearing, and the pure pink light of her powers burst forth from her body, completely shredding the blanket of youki surrounding her, tearing it into shreds as a pained scream sounded from some distance away, followed by a small whimper from Kagome herself. She calmed quickly, however, and the pink glow dimmed slightly, but did not dissipate, and Inuyasha decided to leave her be for the time being.

Kikyou laughed triumphantly, well pleased with the display they'd all just witnessed, and smiling smugly, turned back to her seat by the fire, gesturing for everyone to join her. "Naraku is going to be hurting from that one for some time to come, that's for certain. I find I quite enjoy the thought of him in such pain - not to mention the consternation I'm sure he's going to feel once he wakes up from the beating he just took."

Sesshoumaru watched the woman measuringly. She certainly was pleased about the damage Kagome had done to the disgusting half-breed. His eyes narrowed thoughtfully. She also seemed to know just what Kagome had done, and he found himself curious to know, as well.

"Priestess."

Everyone turned towards the daiyoukai, surprised that he seemed almost polite towards her.

She raised a brow quizzically. "Yes?"

"You will share your knowledge of what just occurred with the rest of us."

"Was it not obvious, Lord Sesshoumaru? Naraku attempted to invade her mind, and she fought him off, overwhelming his youki in the process." She looked down thoughtfully for a moment, a slight frown creasing her brow. "Actually, if she'd used just a little more power, I think that she would have destroyed him completely. Also, at the end, when she drove him away, and her powers dimmed, it was as if the excess flowed into the jewel shards she carries. But the signature of the power was hers... as if she and the jewel were one and the same. That makes no sense. I will have to think on this - and have a nice, long, talk with her come morning."

Sango shook her head, a deeply contemplative look crossing her face as she caught Miroku's gaze, then turned and looked at Kikyou. "Why is that really all that surprising, Kikyou? Think about it. The jewel was burned with your body all those years ago, was it not? A sort of 'death' for it, if you will. But it was 'reborn' in Kagome's body - is it really so shocking that she and the jewel are one being, one lifeforce? It seems obvious to me," she said, looking back down at the fire. "Maybe, all along, we were looking at this the wrong way around. The jewel isn't Midoriko's soul anymore."

A shocked silence descended on the clearing at her words, and she smiled slightly at the thought that they'd all missed it for so long.

"The Shikon jewel is Kagome's soul."