InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Unforgiven ❯ Basic Desires ( Chapter 2 )

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Inuyasha!

A/N: Thank you to everyone who reviewed on the prologue and chapter 1! I'm glad you like it so far….this chapter has lots of excitement! Sesshomaru is here! Miroku meets Naraku for the first time, face-to-face…..R &R please!

"Unforgiven"

Chapter 2: Basic Desires

Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes slowly, calculating. The wind was blowing towards the East, carrying on it the stench of human corpses- the remains of the wars. The silly battles that humans preoccupied themselves with. Human life was so short, so bittersweet, and yet the weaklings chose to complicate their existence by squabbling over meaningless things.

He began walking again, the curve of his slippers making imprints in the soft ground. The castle- it was rumored to have lain in the West. That was where he was headed.

"Master Sesshomaru!" A strangled, yelping voice cut through his thoughts, and Sesshomaru sniffed in annoyance of the creature behind him. "Where are we going?" Jaken scampered to keep up with the graceful demon, balancing the long Staff of Heads on his scrawny shoulder.

"To find my brother."

Jaken gasped. Sesshomaru's brother? That worthless half-breed, Inuyasha? Sesshomaru had not mentioned his name for years…would not allow Jaken to speak it. After all, someone like him was disgraceful to a line of powerful dog demons. He was not worthy of any mention.

"Are you going to ask of his help?"

Jaken was immediately shoved backwards with the butt of Sesshomaru's sword. The demon stared coldly ahead, his resonating voice even icier than his glare. "I do not require anything from my brother…except for our family heirloom."

Jaken thought for a moment, then began nodding vigorously, excited. "The Tetsusaiga? The sword that rightfully belongs to you, Master Sesshomaru!" Sesshomaru noted how Jaken was like a lapdog- so easily amused, and slobbering all over his master's feet. He was useful in certain instances, though.

Sesshomaru was silent once more- a man sparing his words for only when they were necessary. He drifted into thought again, planning his course of action. It had been so long since he had even considered where his brother was. The last he had heard, Inuyasha had been convicted as a dangerous criminal under the human leader in the West, and that he was being held in a prison. The fool…so easily caught….by a human, nonetheless. He truly is a disgrace to our family.

His arms moved lithely with his long legs, as he covered the ground with ease. Of course, there was always the dilemma of what he would do once he got a hold of the sword…because, after all, there was no way that Inuyasha would be able to win a battle against Sesshomaru. He could get the sword in a heartbeat. The only problem was the barrier. It barred all full-blooded demons from laying hands on it. Sesshomaru was full demon.

He would find a way to break the curse on the sword.

But first, he would go greet his little brother.

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Kagura used her fan to rap on the solid wood of Naraku's door. She huffed to herself, imagining him sitting by himself in the dark room. It was what he always did this time of day. She became impatient, as the door remained closed, and she was left out of his quarters.

She hated his arrogance- he had sent her to greet the new arrivals, and had told her to report back right away. Now he was unresponsive.

After another long moment, Kagura heard a click. The door was being unlocked. Creating a mask of her emotions, trying best as always to hide her utter disgust and hate for the powerful man, Kagura stepped into the room, and shut the door behind her. She had been right. Naraku was sitting across the room, bathed in shadow, obviously drowned in his strategic thoughts.

He looked up at her with nonchalance, and, even before he spoke, Kagura's eyes darkened in unclouded hatred. Naraku moved his elbow to sit on the armrest of his chair, settling back deeper behind his expansive desk. "Did you meet with them?"

Kagura nodded, tapping her shoulder lightly with her folded fan. "Yes. Their names are Miroku and Sango. He has been in the guard for four years now, and she is his wife."

Naraku listened, placing the tips of his fingers together in a calculating motion. "I was not aware that he was married."

Kagura raised an eyebrow. So, he was already doubting the Commissioner he had appointed? She would never understood why he made such moves in his military forces…it was if he enjoyed the game more than anything else…toying with other's lives, and seeing how far they could rise before he beat them down once more.

"You do not think that he can be trusted, then?"

Naraku smiled the smile that always made Kagura shudder. "I do trust him. But I would like to meet with him."

"He is coming tomorrow night at sunset to see you."

"That is perfect."

Kagura narrowed his eyes. What was he planning?

Naraku stood up from his chair, shadows falling down his dark military uniform, and sleek, black hair. "You have taken care of our project in the valley? Have you checked on Kanna?"

Kagura sniveled. Yes, this was another example of Naraku's sadism. Acting on his foolish desires. "Everything is as according to plan," she couldn't help but spit out the words.

Naraku chose artfully to ignore her tone, as he straightened himself. Without sparing her another glance, Naraku moved towards the door, and went to go do…whatever he chose to do. Kagura often had no knowledge of his movements. She tried her best to be cognizant of everything he did…but he rarely shared his plans or motives with her.

But, one day, she would be free of the trap that he had her in. To break the invisible bonds….then she would kill Naraku.

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Miroku looked sidelong at Sango, thinking about how fidgety she looked. She was normally sullen and nervous around him- in the past weeks, that still had not changed much. But, at the moment, she looked mostly frightened. He was standing in front of the full-length mirror on their wall, adjusting his collar.

She sat on the bed, looking wan and tired.

"What is it, Sango?"

She sighed. He had noticed her mood. She tried to hide her feelings from him, but it was impossible in such close quarters. "It just…feels like you're walking straight into the lion's den. One false move, and then everything will be discovered…"

Miroku couldn't help but try to cheer her up. Putting on his daily perverted smile, he winked at her. "You're worried you'll lose me? I'm glad you've finally warmed up to me, Sango."

Sango's eyebrows titled in annoyance. "That's not what I meant."

Miroku chuckled, glad to see she had abandoned the foreboding attitude, if just for a moment. "Anyway, I am not worried as of now. We are employees of Naraku- we are his servants. We have given him the supposed upper hand in the situation. Even if he expected anything now…he would believe that he could crush us with an easy blow."

"Can't he crush us…?"

"I know neither you nor I will let him….not now…." Sango nodded in response, resolute once again.

"Good luck, Commissioner." She gave him a half smile.

"Thank you."

Miroku moved out of the room, shutting the door behind him. He felt a small bit of anticipation thrill up his spine. He would have to be aware of all of Naraku's moves, try to read him the best he could. The only way he and Sango would survive in this game would be if they were on their toes at all times.

He easily found the door at the end of the hall- thick and shiny mahogany, bathed in gold trimming and a large knocker. Obviously someone of importance resided behind this door. Straightening himself once more, Miroku reached a hand up to grasp the knocker. Before he even had a chance to knock, the door had swung open, and Kagura stood in front of him.

"Come in…" she uttered, gesturing lazily behind her, to where Naraku had been waiting for him.

Miroku watched as Kagura automatically shuffled out of the room, to what he supposed was their shared bedroom. He was now alone with his mortal enemy. But Miroku easily kept up his professional face. He had worked to perfect his demeanor for so long. He wasn't going to waste that skill at such an important moment.

"Welcome to my humble abode," Naraku spoke, his voice a mixture of disarming pleasantry, and something that sounded like underlying suspicion. Had he brought Miroku here to test him?

Miroku bowed to him rigidly, meeting Naraku's dark eyes with confidence. "I am forever in your service." He saw that Naraku was smiling- a strange, light smile. What was going on behind that smile? He gestured for Miroku to sit across from him at the small table, and Miroku obeyed.

"I am very glad that you could come here on such short notice. With the new developments with the wars in the East, I need structure in the palace Guard. As is your duty as Commissioner, you will be leading them on missions outside of the citadel." His words were quick, confident and practiced, and his voice almost soothing.

Miroku nodded. "I understand."

"Your first assignment will begin tomorrow. There is a small uprising of the thieves outside the city walls…and it will be your job to keep them in line. It is most important that the castle and the city are protected."

Miroku nodded his understanding once more. Their conversation felt slightly tense, but no more than any normal meeting between leader and subordinate would be. Miroku had been working to lead Naraku into a false sense of security…but he also wondered if Naraku was trying the same tactic. Or perhaps, his paranoia was rising to the surface…and Naraku really didn't suspect anything at all.

"But, I didn't invite you here to talk military strategy. That can wait for later. I wanted to get to know the man who will be my Commissioner." His eyes glinted sharply, as he smiled once more. It seemed so unfitting for a heartless murderer to say such words, or wear such an expression.

He called Kagura back into the room, and she immediately was next to Miroku. Her face was devoid of any emotion as she waited for Naraku's word. Miroku glanced at her, his mind confusing over their bond. He had been told that she was Naraku's mistress…but, the way she was looking at him, it felt as if she was his servant.

"Fetch us some wine." Kagura moved quickly to a cabinet in the corner of the room, from which she produced a bottle of dark wine in a jug, and two glasses. She placed them on the table in front of Naraku, and still said nothing.

"You may leave, Kagura…." He fixed her with an expectant glare, as if waiting for her to respond.

She looked slightly daunted, and then, with grudging slowness, the words fell from her pouting lips. "Yes, my love…."

Miroku tried not to look at her, as she left the room once more. Naraku didn't comment on their strange interaction, and instead turned to the bottle of alcohol in front of them. With a blank face, he uncorked the bottle, and poured ample amounts into the glasses of both he and Miroku.

Miroku watched the pouring of the wine intently. Naraku hadn't even suggested that Miroku might be an imposter. He was letting down his guard so easily around Miroku. Carefully, Naraku handed the full glass across the table, motioning for him to drink. Warily, Miroku studied the dark liquid for a moment, hoping that it would not be poisoned. But, he had no choice. In order to gain Naraku's trust, he would have to accept what was handed to him.

He took a long sip of the liquid, watching as Naraku did the same.

He would have to evaluate every weakness of Naraku's….their revenge would not work any other way.

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A/N: Please leave a review….thank you for reading! The next chapter, "What Once Was Mine," should be up very soon!

::Random sidenote:: Anyone been following Fullmetal Alchemist? Anyone else completely torn apart by the end of 50? I think I might have a complete mental breakdown b/f Saturday….