InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Naraku Giveth and Naraku Taketh Away ❯ Realization ( Chapter 2 )

Chapter 2: Realization

 

Kagura got up from beside the sleeping Naraku. She knew he wouldn't want her here while he slept. Besides, she had work to do. His dream…her destiny beckoned her. She picked up the forgotten Shikon No Tama and placed it beside him. “He will want to know where it is when he awakens.” she thought as she looked down upon his sleeping form. She slipped quietly through the shoji and went in search of a bath and fresh clothes.

 

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Naraku's eyes snapped open. Where was the jewel? He sat up quickly and looked around. There it was. Relief coursed through his body as he picked it up. Its glowing perfection was one of the only things that could calm him. It was almost complete…soon, very soon he would be rid of Onigumo forever. He stood up, still gazing at the nearly perfect jewel. Out of the corner of his eye a colorful object drew his attention. It was barely recognizable. What is it? He gasped as the realization hit him. It was Kagura's kimono. Kagura's kimono? What was that doing here? And why was it in pieces? He looked down at himself and realized with shock that he was…naked. “Oh shit,” he thought and slapped a hand to his forehead “what did I do last night?” He had been in the tail end of his heat cycle, a time when he was extremely…susceptible…to the opposite sex's charms. He wracked his brain for answers, and they came. He saw Kagura sitting outside the shoji, she had failed him again. He had decided to punish her, but it had turned into something else. Pleasure coursed through him as he remembered the exact events of the previous night. His usual smirk found its way to his face. “Well,” he said aloud to no one in particular “she certainly redeemed herself.” He closed his eyes and thought back to her beautiful face contorted in the pain he caused; he remembered her loving every minute of it. His crimson eyes smoldered in the darkness akin to flaming embers. He laughed and clutched the jewel tight. “I never thought that the disobedient one would come around.” he said through his laughter. “If I had known that was what it took, I would have done it much sooner.” He said and smirked down at the jewel still in his hand. “This could prove to be very interesting, very interesting indeed.” he said as he placed the jewel back in his hakama.

 

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He sat by the well, waiting for her. His silvery hair blew around his face in its own private storm. It was an outward manifestation of his innermost thoughts. He was torn asunder by agony. It pierced his soul the way Kikyou's arrow had pierced his body 50 years ago. “Kikyou…” he thought brokenly “I failed to protect you..” His eyes were closed, his face impassive. A single tear fell down his tan cheek. Ever since Naraku had killed her again, he could only think of her…and of his failure to protect her. Kagome had sensed his thoughts were elsewhere and so had departed to give him time; time to put himself back together. Contrary to popular belief, he did not love Kikyou. That love died with her real body and his. Yes, he felt some weird nostalgia about it all, but it wasn't love. He felt more of an…obligation, a duty to protect her. He couldn't abandon her, especially after all they had been through. It all came back to Naraku. His lip curled in distaste at the mere thought of the hanyou. The evil bastard was responsible for everything wrong in his life. Then again, without Naraku, he may never have met Kagome. A strange sense of gratitude filled him. His eyes snapped open “Nani?” he growled “just what the hell am I thinking? I, Inuyasha, am actually grateful to the bane of my soul?” But he was. That fact could not be denied. Naraku had brought him the love of his life. The thought of his Kagome pierced through his unhappiness like one of her sacred arrows. Her smile, her scent, her endless enthusiasm for life, he loved everything about her. Much as he wanted to, he might not be able to tell her that. The sengoku jidai was a dangerous time; he didn't want to see another woman die. He ran a hand over Tessaiga's sheath. “Please,” he thought as he grabbed hold of the hilt of the sword “help me protect her.” He closed his eyes once more. If necessary, he would wait forever for her to come back.

 

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From the nearby bushes, Miroku watched his friend. The hanyou was so deep in thought, he hadn't even sensed Miroku's presence. *Poor guy,* he thought as Inuyasha grabbed his sword. “He's probably thinking about Kagome.” She had only been gone two days and already Inuyasha was half out of his mind. The hanyou just sat by the well hour after hour refusing to move; as if that would bring her back. Miroku knew the hanyou was upset about many things. As he watched Inuyasha's still form he sighed in frustration. “I just wish I knew a way to help him.” He said while rubbing a hand through his raven hair.

 

“Help who? Inuyasha?” Shippou said as he popped his head out of the bushes. The kitsune looked questioningly up at Miroku's surprised face.

 

“Uh, Shippou, what are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be watching over Sango and Kirara?” Miroku said and frowned at the said kitsune.

 

“Well, yeah, but Lady Kaede said for me to go and find some healing herbs for her. I was doing just that when I saw you.” Shippou said. “You're spying on Inuyasha again aren't you?” he added with a grin.

 

“I wouldn't call it spying.” Miroku said as he brought a hand up to his mouth and cleared his throat pointedly.

 

“It sure seems like it.” Shippou said as he picked a few leaves out of his hair. They fluttered soundlessly down to the forest floor.

 

“I'll explain when you're older.” Miroku said using the age old excuse.

 

“That's what you always say.” Shippou retorted “Why can't you explain it now?” he added with a huff.

 

“Because—“ Miroku started, but stopped when he noticed Inuyasha standing over them. His eyebrow was twitching slightly as he glared at them.

 

“See something interesting?” the hanyou demanded and continued glaring at both of them.

 

“Ah, Inuyasha, so you noticed us after all.” Miroku said. He and Shippou started nervously rubbing the backs of their heads and two large sweat drops appeared.

Veins popped out on Inuyasha's forehead. He raised a fist and two loud thwacks echoed across the clearing.

 

“Keh.” was all he said as he stalked back to the well. A ruffled looking Miroku and Shippou picked themselves off the forest floor.

 

“Well, at least he's acting more like his old self.” the houshi said ignoring his throbbing head.

 

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Souta stood in her doorway looking at her. He was holding a bento. “Kagome! Are you up?” He asked. She looked asleep to him. “Yup, asleep over her latest math lesson.” he thought as he walked toward her. Her mouth was slightly ajar and she was drooling on the paper. “Kagome,” he said while shaking her shoulder. “you're drooling again.” She mumbled and finally opened one eye. Surprised at seeing her kid brother, Kagome sat up abruptly.

 

“Oh, Souta!” she said “What time is it?” She stifled a yawn and looked at her kid brother “It must be late for me to have dozed off.” she thought as she fought to stay awake. She always ended up falling asleep when it came to math. It was very boring and often took her forever to complete. “Come to think of it why are you still up? Isn't it past your bedtime?” She asked and rubbed at her eyes.

 

“Actually its early.” He said and handed Kagome her breakfast. “Mom had to go help a neighbor, and asked me to give this to you.” He added with a grin.

 

“Wha-what do you mean early?” Kagome exclaimed as she stood up. “Oh no! I'm going to be late for my big test!” she thought as she slapped her hands to her face.

 

“Chill, sis, you know it's Saturday.” He said and dropped the bento onto her desk before turning and walking away. Kagome was visibly relieved.

 

“Oh, good.” She said and sat back down. “I'm losing track of days here. The test isn't until Monday.” she thought and slumped back in the chair. “I wonder why Inuyasha hasn't come to get me yet…” she thought as she unwrapped the bento. “That's right, he is only thinking of Kikyou right now. He probably couldn't care less about me.* She paused, food halfway to her mouth. “How could I forget? Kikyou is “dead” now…hmmm…Kikyou is dead, and I'm alive” she thought. Her eyes widened as she realized Inuyasha had only her left. Well, that wasn't entirely true. He also had Miroku, Sango, and the others; but no other love prospects. “It could actually be a good thing…” she thought. A smile lit her face, but was quickly replaced with a frown. “What am I saying? Her being dead isn't a good thing. Death is never good. Besides, I'm merely replacement.” She closed her eyes and thought about Kikyou. Naraku had recently killed her again. When she died, the remainder of Kagome's soul was returned to her, along with Kikyou's last memories. She recalled the events leading up to Kikyou's death.

 

Evil laughter echoed throughout the miasma. “Ku ku ku, Kikyou you actually believe I can't touch you? You shall soon see what the new Naraku can do.” Naraku's bodiless voice echoed in the mist. Kikyou stood defenseless without her bow and arrows. They had been knocked aside earlier. In her powerless state, Kikyou knew all hope was lost; still she prayed the heart of Onigumo would save her. Naraku's tentacle came out of nowhere and shattered that hope along with her shoulder. “Onigumo can't save you from me any longer.” He taunted from somewhere in the shadows. She gasped as the souls of the dead started escaping her façade of a body. Evil laughter filled her ears once more as she collapsed. She looked up to see her soul collecting youkai. They started gathering the escaped souls, only to be stopped by Naraku. His tentacles reached out and easily demolished them all. They fell at her feet in bloody pieces. She looked down at the bloody remains with horror. Distracted, she didn't notice one of Naraku's tentacles advancing toward her. It shot out of the miasma and pierced her stomach. It lifted her up and held her impaled body in the air. She gasped and struggled, but all in vain. The tentacle retracted into its master, bringing her to him. She was so drained of the dead souls, she could hardly move. When the tentacle withdrew, she collapsed to the ground. Looking up, she saw the familiar baboon pelt.

 

“I see,” she said and laughed “you sent a Gollum. You think you have banished Onigumo from your body, and yet you are still afraid to come near me?” she continued through her laughter. An insipid hand reached up to the head of his disguise. His pale, sneering face was revealed when he pulled the visage from his body.

 

“That is where you're wrong. I came to see you in person.” He said and continued sneering at her. Her laughter stopped abruptly at his words. His eyes danced with glee as he gazed down at her shocked face. “Don't look so shocked; I told you, Onigumo can't save you from me.” He said and crouched down beside her. “I wonder what Inuyasha would say if I brought him your head. Hmmm? It seems we would both be glad to have the past buried and you gone.” He said as he reached for her, the sneer replaced by a smirk. Her eyes widened as his hand came closer. Soon it covered her entire field of vision. She felt its cold embrace as it encircled her. He laughed again and pulled at her head, snapping her neck. It made a sickeningly wet sound as it was torn from her body. Her last coherent thought was one of Inuyasha. It was tinged with sadness and regret.

 

Kagome wasn't happy about Kikyou's death; nonetheless, she accepted the remainder of her soul gladly. It was bizarre, she felt…whole again. For the first time in a long time, she was at peace. Strangely, she felt grateful to Naraku for completing her. She knew it was wrong of her to be grateful to her mortal enemy, but she couldn't help it. Kagome was a kind hearted person and had never really hated Naraku in the first place; she didn't hate the hanyou himself, just some of the things he did. In fact, a secret part of her was actually attracted to Naraku. “He is pretty good looking…” she thought as she idly played with her pencil. “What am I thinking??” she thought and clapped a hand to her mouth in alarm. “He's my enemy, I love Inuyasha, yeah….Inuyasha.” she admonished herself. The truth was, she had been steadily losing interest in the white haired hanyou. She tried to deny it, to continue feeling the same way; but it was impossible. He had only ever cared for Kikyou; she had realized that long ago and had emotionally distanced herself from him. Yes, she still cared for him as a friend, but nothing more than that. Not that it mattered; he had never liked her that way to begin with. “Maybe I really do like Naraku…” she thought and frowned down at her math lesson. “Is it even possible,” she wondered as she brought her pencil up to her mouth. “to love your own antithesis?” she continued and began to chew on her eraser. This was too much. Naraku had caused the others so much pain…and yet…he had never really harmed her. All the things he did to her had really been in self defense. She attacked him, and he retaliated. She wondered what would have happened had she never attacked him in the first place. Kagome closed her eyes and sighed loudly “Maybe in a different life.” She supposed wistfully and turned to her math lesson. An image of Muso flashed in her head followed by an image of Kikyou. “A different life huh?” she thought and stopped working. For the first time, she realized how much she actually had in common with Naraku. He was also easily mistaken for somebody else. She felt empathetic toward him. She could understand him wanting to use the tama to rid himself of Onigumo. Kagome leaned forward lost in thought. She rested her elbows on her desk and propped her head up with her hands. She blushed as thoughts of a certain dark hanyou danced in her head. “Inuyasha must never know about this…” she thought and sighed.

 

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The ground was cold. With each step he took, Jaken wished more and more for shoes. He didn't know when Sesshoumaru-sama would stop. Usually the taiyoukai paused after a day or two of walking, this time was vastly different. They had been walking for more than four days straight. Rin and Ah-Uhn had been left behind at the lord's opulent palace in the west. Sesshoumaru-sama was indeed a strong youkai, Jaken's stamina and endurance were nothing compared to his master's. He stumbled along after his lord leaning heavily on the staff of skulls. It easily supported his meager weight. He found himself wishing he could use its flame ability on his chilled feet. “What can my lord be thinking?” he thought as he stumbled blindly forward. The taiyoukai had received word of the death of a certain miko, and had gone to investigate. It had been Naraku's doing and Sesshoumaru-sama appeared to be curious about the circumstances of her death. Jaken wondered why the lord would be curious over the death of a mere miko. It didn't really matter; he would follow his master to the ends of the earth and back.

 

A/N: More coming soon! ;D