Naraku in Love

5

When I awoke Naraku was gone, instead Kagura was there in her usual corner. She looked just as miserable before. There was also a bowl of porridge on a tray beside me.

"Eat up princess, then we'll be on our way," she said sarcastically.

I ate and then we were off to slay another demon.

When I returned, Naraku was there. He didnt turn to look at me as I entered the room, I suddenly felt embarrassed thinking of last night and how close I had gotten to his face. What must have been going through his mind when I did that?

I noticed there was a deck of cards instead of the shoji board and I smiled to myself.

"Naraku, do you want to play a game of cards with me?" I asked as I sat on my knees across from him.

He didn't respond and I almost thought he hadn't heard me until I heard him say,. "very well."

I never thought someone like Naraku would be so obvious, or would like playing games so much. Maybe he truly was just lonely. The thought warmed my heart a bit in a strange way. And I happily shuffled and dealt out the cards.

Just as yesterday, Naraku was a cunning and challenging opponent. I was impressed and in awe of how clever he could be. Such a smart and handsome demon, why did he put these talents to evil I wondered.

"Naraku..."

He glanced up at me, "What is it?"

"You're extremely intelligent," even being a priestess, it was a well known fact that flattery was the best way to get a man to open up. I wanted to be able to ask him these questions that I wondered the more I got to know him, but it was too soon still. He didn't yet trust me or know me well enough either. But in time, with flattery and genuine connection I hoped that I could better understand Naraku. And maybe even change him for the better.

Naraku hadn't said anything, he actually seemed stunned which is something else I wouldn't have ever expected from him. It made me wonder again if anyone had ever been kind to him in his life? Had he ever received a compliment before? 

I looked into his ruby eyes and held them with my own. Waiting for a response.

"Has anyone ever complimented you before?" I asked outloud this time.

At first he seemed angry at this and then confused. He still hadn't spoken and that only confirmed my suspicions and saddened me more.

"Naraku...," I said gently, hoping to bring him out of his state of muteness.

He stood up.

"That's enough," is all he managed to say. With that, he left the room in sweeping elegant strides.

I sat there for a while unsure of what had just happened. Was he upset that I complimented him? Or perhaps he could see that I pitied him and that is what angered him. My heart ached for this lonely demon and I still could not understand why. The look on his face when I complimented him was so anguished, I wanted to reach out and hold him. I had never felt this way about a man before. So drawn to one, and so desperate to care for one. Of course I had cared for men before, after a battle or if they were sick and brought to me for aid. But not like this, I felt a deeper compassion for Naraku that I had never known before. Even the attraction I felt for Naraku was new to me. I had seen plenty of attractive men before, traveling for village to village, there were many. But I had never felt drawn to them this way. I never noticed them the way I noticed Naraku, I never felt in awe of them. What did this mean? I couldn't possibly have real feelings for this demon who kidnapped me and threatened to burn down my village could I? Besides I had only known him for a few days, there was no way I could feel so strongly about him.

I spent the rest of the day in my room,  consumed in thought. Kanna brought my dinner to me, it was just as exquisite as the night before. My mind wandered to Naraku and I wondered where he was now and what he was doing. Had he eaten his dinner yet?

I began to grow tired and I took Naraku's seat by the window. Looking out I could only see more of the estate and the thick cloud of miasma that surrounded the castle, nothing beyond. I wondered what the villagers were doing, how to old priestess was doing. Hopefully now that I was gone and Naraku had gotten what he wanted there would be no more demon attacks and they were all safe.

I yawned and stretched out, there was no bed here, I usually slept on Naraku's pelt. I suddenly yearned for it's soft warmth. I leaned back against the wall instead and closed my eyes. I fell into a fitful sleep but continued to wake up either from uncomfortableness or nightmares. About two hours must have passed, the room seemed darker and scarier than usual somehow without Naraku I felt as if some random demon may come and attack me in my sleep at any moment.

I had never realized how safe he had made me feel since I'd been here. Suddenly the door to the room slid open, Naraku appeared in his baboon pelt. He walked over to me wordlessly and sat beside me, without warning he reached one arm out and pulled me to him. I felt frozen from shock as my body made contact with his. His pelt was soft and warm, my tired body instantly melted into it. I could feel the hardness of his body underneath and blushed. He was so unexpectedly warm. I don't know why I thought demons would be cold, but he wasn't and I could even hear his strong even heart beat underneath his clothing. I had never been embraced by a man like this before, I had never been this close to one if I was being honest.

I didn't want to pull away though, even when the initial shock subsided. In fact, I never wanted him to let go. I had my head on his chest with the rest of my body between his legs. I slowly reached up and put my hand over his chest, right above his heart. I could feel every inch of my body that was touching his, I wanted to squirm away but I forced myself to be still. It was new and uncomfortable in some ways, but I didn't want to risk him letting go. I closed my eyes and tried to relax against him. How had I ended up here like this?