Adult-FanFiction.org : Inuyasha / Yashahime

In a New Light	By : Sylean Category: InuYasha > Het - Male/Female > Naraku/Kagome Views: 17606 -:- Recommendations : 5 -:- Currently Reading : 4
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha nor do I make any profit from this story.

Chapter List
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In a New Light
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha nor do I make any profit from this story.
Warning: There will be lemons in this story, some non-con as well.

Previously:
Naraku hadn't even been aware of his actions until it was already done, this state dulling his sense of reason, but the entire cavern alit to allow Kagome to look upon him. She gasped loudly, eyes widened, looking over the mess his body was during periods such as this. 'I knew it; there is no way she could possibly accept me as I am. Humans are so weak minded; anything different is looked upon with aversion and distaste,' he reminded himself solemnly, bracing himself for her outburst, and closing his heart away to protect it from her abhorrence.
Chapter 28: Acceptance
(I wrote 12k words last weekend and about 8k this one so far, leaving me all the way up to chapter 41, that's 6 chapters written in a just over a week, I'm on a roll and so close to the end…)

She knew the cavern was big, but this looked like the hollow core of the entire mountain. Gasping in surprise at the sheer amount of demon bodies in the cavernous lair, it took Kagome a bit to grasp exactly what she was seeing. Filling up the vast pit was every kind of demon she could imagine, all piled on top of one another and tangled into knots. They looked like they were trying to crawl away with whatever broken parts of their bodies remained, but were held into place. Some had large eyes blinking at her, others only a mouth full of fangs that gasped and bit at the air, all wriggling and slimy, pulsating as one entity. Following the mass into the direction of the shards, she finally spotted Naraku, or his head, strung up by tentacles and hair. Everything lower than his face was missing, appearing to only have a spine that somehow threaded out and connected to every last bit of living flesh in the room. He looked worn, and weary, like he had just woken up from a long nap that didn't last long enough. His hair was slick with moisture and stuck to his face, giving him the appearance that he hadn't the energy to even maintain the flawless image he usually displayed. It may not be his finest hour, but he was alive and well.
Apparently, it took her too long to respond to the sight, because Naraku spoke again, not sounding too happy about it, "Are you afraid now? Horrified at what I really am?" He was just too used to being betrayed, he couldn't help but expect the same. It may not come in a physical attempt on his life as Kagura had tried, but he was sure she would betray his heart, what little bit he had let her in.
A radiant smile, it seemed so out of place from his expectations, "No, I'm happy. Thank you, Naraku, for trusting me enough to show me." She was so unbearably relieved to see that he was healthy and intact. Well, as intact as was normal for him. This was normal for him, right? After having gone from not even believing in demons, to being thrust into their world, as odd as this was for her, she just took it as normal for here. She lacked the perspective that even in this time, his body was very much abnormal. Even if she had that perspective, she cared about him enough that it wouldn't have mattered.
He had no idea how to respond. He was fully prepared for anything she could throw at him; anything, but this. She was not disgusted? It did not seem possible. His heart thundered and his mind ran blank, two occurrences that never happen to him.
"Oh, there's something I've been wondering," Kagome started, pulling him from his mental stupor. "When you first started seeking me out, well, I recently found out that you had been drugging me." Her voice held a slight bit of disfavor at the memory of her mother having to worry over her, left in the dark. "Why? If there is one thing you've shown me, it's that there is always a reason."
'She found out,' he wondered how, 'and yet, she still accepts me as I am.' That small bit of leftover anger did no go unnoticed, however, so in pointing it out, he diverted the topic, "Do I detect a bitter anger over this matter?" Now this was familiar territory, manipulating emotions, not expressing them.
"Bitter anger," that phrase repeated itself over and over in Kagome's head as she was reminded of the very first time she confronted Naraku. Inuyasha had interrogated him, and was only given, "It was anger, a bitter anger that set you against one another." A bitter anger, like Inuyasha and Kikyo. She didn't quite grasp it at the time, but now, his meaning rang through clear.
'No! I am nothing like her. I am not angry over this,' Kagome softened her expression. "No, I'm not angry, I'm disappointed, I guess. And curious, I want to know why."
She was just full of surprises today, every time he thought he had her figured out, she switched it up on him. 'It must be this state,' he rationalized, 'normally, I'd never be so easily disorganized.' "I did not believe you would cease your learned hatred of me unless I invoked a more primal reaction in my favor. Am I mistaken?" he goaded skillfully, trying again to reclaim control.
"Yes, no, I don't know..." Kagome scrambled for an answer, not really having one.
"When I desire something as much as I do you, I employ every skill in my arsenal to acquire the desirable result," he explained, making sure she felt thoroughly desired and flattered. "I may have achieved the same ends without the use of deception, or I may not have. It was not a risk I was willing to take."
His flattery did the trick and Kagome's mind was now the one turning to goop, all while her cheeks reddened, 'He really wants me that bad?'
"There will be much more deception, you must understand. I will have to say things and put on an act that will contradict what I tell you when we are alone, whenever there are others around. I will have to deny any affiliation whatsoever; deny any acts that may be construed as having a weakness. You must not take any of this personally. It is necessary to ensure my enemies do not target you, to get to me."
"Oh, I see. That makes sense. Like Sesshomaru, for example," Kagome shivered a bit at the memory of his threat. "He already told me he'd kill me once my usefulness in supplying him with information about you is over."
He did not like the sound of that; he'd never allow anyone to take her life. But how to ensure her safety when he was confined within himself like this? Turning his focus inward, he pieced together something that would serve this purpose; bone, hair, blood, shaped and formed, and infused with his demonic aura. Materializing a tentacle, he brought the trinket out of his body and handed it to her. Kagome took it carefully and admired the fine details. It was a necklace, shaped like a spider and crafted out of a hard material she couldn't place. On its back was some kind of live "gem," it was red and moving, like there was liquid inside. The red eyes were the same way, making it almost look alive. "That trinket is made with my bones and holds my blood; it will grant you protection."
"Really?" she gasped, overjoyed that he had given her a gift. "How does it work?" It was beautiful, the craftsmanship beyond anything a human could ever make, even in her time.
"If you ever find your life in danger, it will erect a barrier of my accord," he explained. "Do keep in mind, this would give you away to your companions as well, so it is not to be used frivolously."
She slipped it over her head and tucked it into her shirt. Overcome with a desire to thank him, to show him just how grateful she was at his concern for her, she surveyed the layout. Mapping out the piles of demon bodies connected to Naraku, she spied her path. Watching her foothold carefully, she began working her way up the twenty or so feet where he lay.
"What are you doing?" his voice again held confusion at her unpredictable antics.
"Climbing, what does it look like?" she responded casually.
"For what purpose?" he pressed, not particularly comfortable with her getting closer. Why would she want to be close to him when he's like this? She accepted the knowledge, that was enough, he would never expect more than that. He had never even expected that much to begin with.
"You'll see," she giggled as she hoisted her self over another piece of him, avoiding sharp spikes, eyes, and mouths. It really didn't matter to her what he chose to look like, she didn't fall for him because of his body. It was his mind that drew her in. Cresting the last segment, she sat on her knees, right in front of Naraku giving her a "what now" look. Up close, she could really see how tired he looked. It must be difficult for him to entertain her like this. 'I won't stay much longer,' she told herself, realizing he needed to rest. 'But before I go…' she leaned forward on her knees and just as his eyes drifted back open, her lips came in contact with his cheek, making his eyes shoot wide in disbelief. It was a chaste kiss, only meant to convey thanks, but to him, I meant so much more. It spoke of unerring acceptance, a simple thing, but something he had never received in the slightest form. "Thank you for the necklace, Naraku." Her wide smile never faltered. "I'm going to go now, if that's alright, so you can get back to sleep, or, whatever all this is." He hummed an affirmation and she began looking around trying to determine just how to get down. Before she could attempt the climb, she was plucked up by a tentacle and set down on the ground. She noticed how his movements were not as refined as usual reaffirming her theory that he was not as strong at this moment. She wanted to tell him how she really liked him, maybe even loved him, but held back. 'I don't want to rush him (to love me back).'
Similarly, Naraku was torn between making her stay with him, and letting her return. The mountain had not been equipped with human residence in mind, however; and she would not be able to survive for long. There really was no choice; he had to let her go. At least he knew she would be safe now. He watched her form disappear back into the darkness, following as Kanna led her back out, and let his mind go over all that had just happened. He remembered how as Onigumo, Kikyo was merely lonely and using him, but Kagome… Naraku knew he could get any woman he wanted if he kept up a façade. He could lure them with power, looks, sinful skills, displaying either his human side or his demon side accordingly; but they would never know him entirely, they would never accept him wholly, like Kagome does. Even divulging his wicked plans didn't earn him her scorn, instead she learned to ask why, to search out his motives and seek understanding. There were no others like her.
Going back to sleep, he couldn't get his mind off of the small priestess. He would keep her, he knew that for sure now, but was still unnerved by the growing fondness he was acquiring for Kagome. He rationalized it may simply be due to the weak, human heart. In the dark of his reconstructive slumber, he made the decision to rid himself of it, not only to destroy Kikyo, who he already knew it yearned for, but to maintain an objectivity in relation to Kagome. Little did he know, it was not the human heart that drew him to her, but his demon heart, one that had never beat for anyone.

Kagome was in much better spirits on her way out of the cave, feeling the heat from the spider pendant resting against her chest. It made her feel as if he was always with her now. Before long, the soft light of Kanna was dwarfed by the incoming glow of the morning sky as she exited the cave. Kagome fished out her perfume and doused herself, making sure Naraku could not be scented on her, before gathering up her things at the cave entrance and heading back to camp. She wasn't sure if they would be awake yet or not, but had an excuse ready just in case. She couldn't stop the realization that she is so easily lying to her friends, plotting around them and wanting to be close to Naraku. The only thing that calmed her guilt was that she was only trying to establish peace; only trying to keep both sides from killing one another. She loved them all.

(A/N: Did I garner any fan girl squeals or tears from these last few chapters? It makes me feel amazing to know I can elicit reactions that can't be halted.
Since this was such an important scene, please review and tell me what you think. And yes, I'm begging. Lol. Two chapters in one week should earn double reviews, yes? :P
Next weekend (Nov. 20th/21st/22nd), I will have a 3-day, all-day, weekend class and not have any free time to post, so I will skip one week of updates. I will resume the following weekend, promise.)
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In a New Light