InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Sleeping with the Enemy ❯ Discussion ( Chapter 12 )

Authors Note: I am apologizing in advance for the somewhat boring chapter. It is mostly dialogue between characters, though it is a necessary chapter than is leading into one with action and betrayal. Now that I have a solid plot forming (thanks in big part to my friend Rain “Rainthewolfdemon” that listens to me ramble and helps me brainstorm.) my updates should be coming much faster. It seems the writer's block is finally going away!

 

Also, before I get twenty e-mails questioning me about this, I would like to note that Hachi, Miroku's loyal demon friend, is a Tanuki demon. These are creatures native to Japan that look a lot like raccoons and are often referred to as “raccoon-dogs.” So I hope this doesn't confuse anyone reading my story. Thank you again for all the wonderful support and reviews!

 

I also wanna take time to offer a personal thank you to Gabreilla Moushigo (Aeki Muffinhands), who made some nice fan art from this story and has also written some good Naraku/Kagome work of her own. If you're a fan of the pairing I would recommend you check out her stories: “The Spider and the Butterfly” and “The Night I followed You” Both of which are now on my favorites at ff. net.

 

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Chapter 11

Discussion

 

InuYasha stretched and headed for the hut. It was late into the morning and he was getting restless. 'Sittin' round here doin' nothin's gettin on my nerves.' He knew Miroku would probably be awake soon, if he wasn't already, and he wanted to let him know they were leaving.

 

"Hey, monk, you awake yet?" He said as he stepped inside. Miroku smiled as his friend walked through the door.

 

"Why InuYasha, did you wait around just to say good bye?" The half demon gave a short grunt then stood there awkwardly for a moment.

 

"Yeah, well, I just wanted to let you know that we're headin' back. You want me to come back for you in a couple days?" Miroku gave another of his placating smiles and shook his head.

 

"No need, InuYasha, Hachi will return me once I have rested and spent some time with Mushin."

 

The half demon gave a nod and turned back to the door. "Well, just don't take too long. Kagome'll be back soon and then we need to head out to find more shards." Miroku gave a short sigh, knowing that InuYasha had very little patience and would most likely spend the next couple of days moody and alone.

 

"Try not to bother Shippo too much InuYasha, you know he will tell Kagome and it will only lead to trouble for you."

 

"Feh, I've got better things to do. You just worry about getting your hand fixed up so we can get back to work." With that he stepped back outside and called to Sango.

 

"You bout ready to go?" She gave him a nod then smiled at Mushin and walked over with Kirara.

 

"InuYasha…" She began tentatively She could tell that he wasn't in a very good mood. Every time Kagome left for her own era he got like this. He hated delays and would keep his friends out day and night looking for shards if he could.

 

"Yeah?" He could tell she was about to say something he didn't want to hear and was instantly on the defensive.

 

"Since Kagome is at home and Miroku is injured, I thought I might take a couple days to return to my village. It has been awhile since I have been to my father's grave and my Hiraikotsu could use some work as well."

 

Sango stood there waiting for a stream of complaints to burst forth. Many times she wished she had the ability to sit him as well. But to her utter surprised he glanced down at Kirara before looking back to her.

 

"Feh, might as well go now so you don't hold us up later." He turned and started walking and she quickly followed.

 

"Where are you going? Kaede's village is the other way."

 

"I'm going to your village, where else?" He rolled his eyes in annoyance and continued walking.

 

"Oh…" She had expected him to go back and brood by the well like he normally did and was surprised that he intended to come with her.

 

"What? You didn't think I'd send you off alone did you? Besides, it's not like I've got anything better to do." Sango looked down at Kirara and shrugged slightly then continued walking.

 

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Naraku stood and walked to the screen then slowly slid it open. He had not slept the remainder of the night. He merely wandered about and finally found himself sitting by the window, staring at the moon once again. So often he did that. Yet, that moon never offered him the answers he wanted. He tried to shake all thoughts of Onigumo from his mind. He wasn't that person now. He was not a vulnerable human, nor a child that could be abused. He was a powerful and fearful demon that commanded the fear and respect of those around him. Never again would he cower to another being.

 

Slowly, he started down the corridor towards Kagome's room. It would be best if he spoke with her before she left. She needed to know that with her decision came consequences. She now stood between him and the jewel again and he would not treat her any differently than any other obstacle.

 

After again reliving one of Onigumo's memories; thoughts of taking the shards from her had very much crossed his mind. It would be simple enough; he did not believe she would attempt to fight him.

 

However, her room was empty when he arrived. He glanced down the corridor, knowing Kagura had not taken her anywhere yet. He then turned and made his way outside. Often the priestess went to the gardens and he suspected that was where he would find her now. He places a binding spell over the Shikon jewel he possessed. It was not the first time he had done this. He found her intriguing and noticed that she appeared to be less nervous when she was unaware of his presence.

 

This time was no exception. He came upon her reading from a book and talking to herself quite lividly. He stood silently about twenty feet from her almost fascinated by her antics.

 

“Come on, Kagome, its only math. You come to the feudal era and fight demons! You should be able to handle a stupid math problem.” After another minute of losing terribly to a trinomial equation Kagome threw her pencil onto the ground and slammed her book shut.

 

Naraku stood watching her actions, quite perplexed by them. He was quite certain she was having a verbal battle with inanimate objects and wasn't entirely sure she was winning said battle. He then watched as she gave a heavy sigh and put her book back into her bag before moving to the ground to retrieve her pencil. Once she had all of her things back into her bag she picked a flower and just stared at it, as though something was troubling her.

 

Watching her made him think of Kikyo. He knew she was the reincarnation of the undead priestess. Onigumo had desired Kikyo very much and images of her had nearly been burned into his mind. He also knew of InuYasha's love for the undead priestess. Naraku's eyes narrowed slightly as he gazed at Kagome who was now crawling towards another flower. Though Onigumo held desire for Kikyo; Naraku, himself, couldn't stand her. He had also watched InuYasha's weakness on more than one occasion. The fool had even agreed to go to hell with his first love.

 

He could see similarities between the two women; but Naraku did not understand how the foolish half demon could repeatedly push away the young girl for Kikyo. Even when she was alive, there was a bitterness inside the priestess. A bitterness that came from the very jewel she was sworn to protect. The same jewel that had brought Kagome to this world.

 

Naraku had sometimes wondered if it was the jewel that gave the young girl her innocent nature, or if perhaps it was a result of her living in another place and time. Regardless, he could clearly see that she was not simply a copy of Kikyo.

 

Almost as if she suddenly felt his presence there she slowly turned and looked at him. He merely stepped toward her slowly, not taking his eyes off of her.

 

“Enjoying the gardens?” Kagome stiffened at the sound of his voice. Something there was more sinister than she had heard from him before. At least while she had been alone with him. She stood contemplating him as he unhurriedly approached her. Kagura's words then played in her mind, and she thought back to the pain and turmoil she had sensed in him the night before.

 

`Something must be bothering him.' She thought as she stood there before him.

 

“I was just doing my homework. My teacher said I can't keep retaking all of my tests. If I don't pass it, I'm going to end up failing the entire course and I don't know what I'm going to do if…” Kagome stopped herself, remembering that for one, Naraku couldn't care less of her school work and two; even if he did he would never understand how modern day schools worked.

 

“Uh, never mind. I'll just go back to the village once Kagura returns me to the well. That way I can study more before going back home.”

 

Naraku's eyes narrowed slightly. As little as he thought of InuYasha, he knew the half demon's senses were sharp. He would no doubt smell himself and Kagura on the girl. She could of course bathe, but there would also be the problem of her returning two days earlier than she intended to. Naraku had watched the group enough to know that InuYasha would question her and though the group had left to fix the monk's hand, he had heard InuYasha say he intended to bring the exterminator back to the village.

 

Despite the fact that Naraku was not pleased that the priestess had rejected his offer, he still thought he might have use for her in the future. It was in his best interest that her friends knew nothing of his involvement with her.

 

“Your friends will question you.” Kagome watched him for a minute then realized what he meant.

 

“Oh, I'll just tell InuYasha that I finished my tests early.”

 

“And when you're young fox cub wants to know why you did not bring him anything?”

 

Kagome opened her mouth to say something and then went silent wondering just how much Naraku really knew of her group.

 

“If you return now, your comrades will be suspicious of you.” He watched her closely, wondering if she would argue with him. He had seen her stand up to InuYasha on many occasions. She had even faced Lord Sesshoumaru, which impressed Naraku greatly. But rather than seeing her temper flare, she gave him a helpless look.

 

“What else can I do? If I go home, my mom will make me go to school and there's no way I can pass this test…” Again she stopped herself and looked away.

 

The dark lord continued to watch her before making a decision. “You will remain here. Kagura will return you to the well in two days and you will bathe before you return to your village.”

 

“Stay here?” Kagome questioned before feeling her pent up frustration break free. Nothing stressed her out more than school work and right now she wasn't in the mood to have someone giving her orders.

 

“You can't just tell me what to do, you know! You might scare some people but not this girl. I-” Kagome stopped abruptly when she noticed the look on Naraku's face. He no longer seemed sinister but rather amused. As though he thought the idea of her challenging him was nothing more than a joke. This only fueled the fire in her further.

 

“You…you…” Kagome pointed at him, not even sure what to say. “I wish you had a necklace so I could sit you!” Naraku smirked and grabbed her hand pulling her closer to him before giving her a dangerous look.

 

“Unlike InuYasha, you would not use that spell on me more than once.” He watched her for a minute and then released her.

 

“If you return early your friends will ask questions. Even if you bathe there is a chance that InuYasha or your young fox will recognize my scent and they will only ask you more questions. I am sure you can study just as easily here.”

 

Again she was about to protest then gave a sigh. As much as she hated to admit it, he was right. She had let this happen. She shouldn't have allowed him to seduce her in the first place and never should she have returned with Kagura. Now more deception was necessary to keep the truth from her friends.

 

“I assume you agree with me, Kagome?” He asked her quietly. He knew she was seeing things clearly now. Going back would only lead her to pain. Again he felt himself grow possessive of the girl. Even if she had refused him, he didn't want to send her back to InuYasha.

 

Kagome looked at him and nodded, admitting he was right. She knew there was no way she could pass her test and going back to the village early would have InuYasha asking questions. She again remembered the events from the night before.

 

“Last night I spoke to Kagura…” Naraku's eyes narrowed immediately, causing Kagome to stop talking.

 

“You were in my room?” He watched as she nodded then looked up at him again.

 

“I could sense your dream.” She waited for him to say something and then continued when he didn't speak. “Would you like to talk about it?”

 

Kagome stood quietly waiting for Naraku to say something to her. She knew he wouldn't open up too much but could also tell that he had been bothered by the dreams or memories he had been dealing with. `Naraku might be evil, but even evil people need someone to talk to every now and then,' she rationalized as she watched him. Finally he looked at her suspiciously.

 

“Why would you want to know about me, priestess?” Naraku couldn't help but acknowledge that she was still his enemy. He did not like her knowing that he held weakness, even if it wasn't a weakness that InuYasha could use against him.

 

“I just thought you might want to talk about it. Talking always helps me when I have something bothering me.” She looked up at him sincerely. She was sure most would consider her crazy for even offering to listen but she had felt honest fear and pain from him the night before while he had slept.

 

“The pathetic life that Onigumo lived does not affect me.” Kagome could tell he was lying. Not from his words or demeanor. Most would probably believe the words he had just spoken. She could feel it in his very aura; he was very much affected by his human half.

 

Naraku growled inwardly as he listened to her. She pitied him. Pity was not something he wanted from anyone. And yet the sincerity in her voice kept him from lashing out at her. This human honestly wanted to offer him help, though he didn't want or need it. Again he felt himself grow curious and intrigued by her but knew he had other things to deal with at the moment.

 

“I will send Kagura for you. I have things I need to do.” With that said, he turned and left her to herself.

 

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Mushin gave a heavy sigh and turned back towards his hut. "Best we give him time to think about things." He said as he walked past Kohana and into the hut.

 

She gazed out at Miroku wishing there was something she could do for him. He had been standing silently looking at the hole that was the closest thing his father had to a grave, for some time now. She glanced back into the hut and then slowly made her way out to her childhood friend.

 

"Miroku?" He turned and gave her the most convincing smile he was able to before turning and gazing back at the small crater.

 

"This is where my father lived his final moments. I often wonder what must have gone through his mind as the void was spreading and he realized that there was nothing more that he could do."

 

Kohana looked out at the ground then back to Miroku sadly. "I'm sure his thoughts were of you. I remember your father, though I was young when we left. He would have wanted you to be happy and enjoy your life while you are still able to."

 

Miroku gave thought to her words. Most of his life he had only been concerned with finding Naraku and avenging his father and grandfather's deaths, along with ending his own curse. Never, had he actually thought about his own life and what he would do when and if the curse were lifted. He then turned to look at the young woman standing next to him and offered her a friendly smile.

 

"Tell me more of yourself, Kohana. It has been years since I have seen you."

 

She returned his smile then took a deep breath. "There really isn't much to tell you. My family moved to a small village not far from here many years ago. My mother died when I was twelve years old and I took care of my father until he grew ill. Once he passed on, I came here to live with Mushin. He's almost like a grandfather to me."

 

Miroku nodded, "Yes, Mushin is like family to me as well." He gazed at her before continuing, "I have also noticed that he has not reeked of sake which, I must say, relieves me greatly. Is that your doing?" Kohana nodded and gave a short laugh.

 

"Yes, we had many discussions about his drinking habits when I first arrived. I think he eventually got tired of my nagging. My father always said I had a knack for that." Miroku noted sadness in her voice when she spoke of her father. 'Perhaps we have much in common.' He thought as he looked at her.

 

“Why is it that a lovely woman such as yourself has not yet married?” Kohana felt herself blush slightly at his question.

 

“I was always so busy looking after father that I never really had the chance for that.”

 

The monk smiled at her and was about to speak again when he heard a booming voice coming from the forest behind them.

 

“Master Miroku! Are you feeling better now?” He watched as Hachi came toward them quickly, stumbling a few times in his haste.

 

“I'm fine, Hachi. Just spending a little time catching up with an old friend.” Hachi looked from Miroku to Kohana then gave the monk a knowing grin.

 

“Oh, then I will leave you two alone.” The tanuki demon said and turned towards the hut, knowing of the monk's amorous ways.

 

“What was that all about?” The girl asked Miroku after Hachi wandered away.

 

“That's just Hachi; I have yet come to understand anything about him myself.” Miroku lied and turned back to Kohana.

 

“Well, you should really be resting. I'm have some chores that need to be done. Maybe later we can go for a walk or something.” Miroku gave Kohana a smile and nodded.

 

“Yes, a walk would be lovely.”

 

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Naraku walked back into his castle, thinking over the situation at hand. The young priestess did not wish to return to the well just yet and he knew it was in his best interest that InuYasha not know of his involvement with her, at least not yet. He would have no choice but to allow her to remain with him until she could return to the village without arousing suspicion.

 

A slightly troubled look creased the dark lord's face. He was weakening. Not only was it physically time for him to regenerate his body, but emotionally as well. Every time he relived Onigumo's past, he felt weak. Being able to choose his night of vulnerability came in handy most of the time. However, he felt nearly compelled to do it now, as soon as possible. Vulnerability was one thing Naraku could not stand, and right now he was overwhelmed with the feeling of being weak.

 

Quickly he sought out Kagura. He would just have to see that the young girl was kept away from him tonight. He found his incarnation soon enough and began giving her, her orders.

 

“Kagura, the priestess will be remaining here for now. You will return her in two days so that InuYasha will not become suspicious.”

 

Naraku watched her closely. He hated leaving anything important to her. He was no fool, Kagura couldn't be trusted, but for now she was his only option. Only his incarnations were aware of his night of regeneration. It would need to be Kanna and Kagura that keep the girl away from him. While Kanna held much more of his trust, it was Kagura that could better relate to the girl and keep her occupied.

 

“Tonight you will keep the girl away from me. My body is growing weak.” He knew he didn't need to give her an explanation. The demoness nodded her head.

 

“Very well, Naraku.” Kagura turned from him and went to check on the girl. She could barely keep the smile from forming on her face. For weeks she had been waiting for this night. Having the human there would not interfere with her plans. Tonight she would go for Hebiakui. By the time the sun rose, Kagura would have her freedom and Naraku would finally be dead.