A Sister's Gift

Chapter 44 – As Directed by Naraku

“Kagura, Kanna, so glad you could join me,” Naraku stated rather drolly.

Kagura released an un-feminine like grunt. “As if we had a choice, Naraku. Now, what do you want.”

“One would think that you would be glad to see your brother after all these years,” Naraku said with false surprise.

“One possibly would be if they were kin to such as you, Kagura snapped, and what poor slob donated you this new body?”

“Oh, dear Kagura, you wound me with your words, and it was our noble Emperor’s nephew, that so graciously gifted me with his form.” Naraku replied while holding his hand over his heart in mock pain.

Kagura replied with a ‘Humph.’

“My heart is gladdened to see you, brother,” Kanna interjected softly.

Naraku smiled at the demon child. His ever faithful little sister. He could always count on her loneliness to promote her loyalty. “Ah, Kanna, at least one of my siblings is happy to see me. Come, you two, we have much to discuss.”

Kanna and Kagura followed Naraku into the study of his newly acquired castle. The long hallways were deserted of servants, and their soft footsteps echoed in the darkness. Kanna took a seat neatly on the floor and Kagura joined her on the mat nearby. Naraku sat against the wall, with one leg drawn up casually.

“I have need of your special talents, my dear siblings. I have come to this place to obtain the fabled Shikon No Tama,” Naraku said bluntly.

“What! Have you lost your mind, Naraku?” Kagura shouted in disbelief.

“Kagura, calm yourself. My plan is foolproof. The Shikon WILL be mine!” Naraku snarled. “Tomorrow there will be a ceremony to gift the new caretaker with the jewel. The ceremony will be well guarded, as the Emperor must give a drop of his blood to release the jewel from the safety of its sealed box. The seal on the box could eventually be broken without it, but the spell to do so could take years to perfect. The moment is now, and no one would suspect the Emperor’s own nephew of betraying his lord.” Naraku chuckled darkly at his own devious plot.

The evil one continued, “At the very moment the jewel is released, I will take it into my possession, while swiftly relieving the Emperor of his life. With the jewel in my hands, Japan will have a new Emperor, and all will bow before me.”

Kagura resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Naraku was truly insane, but she knew better than to goad him. Instead she opted for trying to rationalize with her demented sibling. “Naraku, this plan of yours, could also be your downfall. The Imperial army, as well as the miko....”

Naraku cut her off, “Kagura, do not try to reason with me! My mind is made up. The jewel, and Japan, will be mine. Along with the miko, Kagome.”

Kagura narrowed her eyes in a hateful glare. ‘Did I just hear him right? He wants the miko as well?’ This could cost them all dearly. “Listen here Naraku, if you think that I will risk my life for some human little twit, you are sadly mistaken!” She rose from her seat and began to exit the room.

“Stop! Would you rather your mother suffer?” Naraku questioned with a wicked leer.

Kagura stopped dead in her tracks as Naraku mentioned her mother. She turned to him quickly, and viscously demanded, “What have you done with my mother?!”

“She is well... for now. If you wish her to stay that way you will become somewhat more co-operative with my wishes,” Naraku threatened.

Kanna cringed inwardly. Never had she thought Naraku would stoop so low. Her half-brother had truly lost his wits. She turned slowly to Kagura. Her fear was hidden behind her emotionless exterior, but Kagura knew it was there.

Their father had mistakenly taken a mate years ago. Naraku’s mother was a human sorceress, an evil witch, with only one goal; to build her power and fortune. However her schemes were ended with the birth of Naraku, as his shape shifting tentacles ripped through her human flesh taking her life during the hanyou’s birth. Though the sorceress was gone, her evil insanity was not. It lived on in her son, Naraku.

Their father found comfort finally in their mother, a beautiful demoness, and lived many years. Kagura was the first born of the couple and Kanna the second. Naraku was a jealous sibling and blamed his father for all his ills. When their father was mysteriously slain, Naraku took over the household, and their poor mother was forced into daily fear. They all breathed a sigh of relief when the hanyou moved on to seek his own destiny.

Only here they stand. Re-living pain thought to be long passed. The bastard was once again threatening their mother, and they would not at all put it past him to fulfill his threat.

Kagura turned in defeat. “What is it that you require of us, Naraku?”

Naraku smiled in victory. He knew the wind witch’s weakness all too well. He nodded his approval, and continued telling them of his plan. “There will be Imperial guards, as well as two miko’s, which I will deal with personally. No one may harm the miko Kagome, she is mine to defile.” He snickered at the image that ran through his head. “The miko’s both have Protection Youkai, who will no doubt, rashly come into the fray. One is merely a hanyou, named Inuyasha. The other, however is taiyoukai. He is called Sesshomaru. You Kagura, will kill them both.”

Kagura shook her head in frustration. He expects her to take on a taiyoukai? He may as well have asked her to slit her own throat.

Naraku continued, “Kanna, you will take care of the daisaiin. She is a powerful old miko, and will be a worthy opponent. As for the remainder of the Imperial guard, I have many mindless underlings to keep them busy. Once the jewel is in my hands, and the Emperor’s head at my feet, no one would dare to attack me!”

His malicious chuckle filled the room making the skin on Kagura’s arms go all bumpy. She looked to Kanna, who only stared back with her emotionless dark eyes.
~~~~~

Ani released Rin’s hand as the girl squealed with delight at the sight of the taiyoukai. She wondered briefly what it was that the silent child found so endearing about Kagome’s protector. The girl had spent the remainder of the day playing the courtyard, and even enjoyed a walk through the daisaiin Senshi’s lovely flower garden. Not once, however, did she show as much enthusiasm as she had at the moment she caught sight of the tall youkai, Sesshomaru.

Rin hurled herself at Sesshomaru’s leg, latching on with a vise-like grip. The stoic taiyoukai patted her gently on her raven topped head. Kagome stood by his side, smiling warmly at the scene. She obviously found it a heart-warming sight, as well.

Kagome looked up to Ani. “Arigato Ani, for taking such good care of Rin while we were away.”

Ani bowed graciously. “She is a pleasant child, Kagome-sama, and we had a wonderful time today.” Ani smiled down at Rin, then returned her gaze to Kagome. “Did you have fun on your walk?”

Kagome blushed furiously, and turned away before the young miko apprentice could see her discomfort. Sesshomaru smirked inwardly, and answered for his mate. “We both had a very enjoyable time. Arigato Ani.” He gathered Rin in his arms. “Come Rin, Kagome, let us return to the hut for some much needed rest before the big day tomorrow.”

Kagome finally found her wits and waved sayonara to Ani, before hurrying off to join her new family. Once back in the hut, they found Kikyo and Inuyasha curled up sleeping soundly. Careful not to awaken them they all pulled out their futons for the night’s rest. After tucking Rin in, Kagome settled next to Sesshomaru. Her heavy lids were begging to close, and the warmth of her mate lulled her off to a dream world filled with shiny jewels wrapped in flowing crimson silk.