Cure For The Poisoned Heart- A Naraku x Kagome FanFiction

Chapter 12: Prisoner

 "You will be talking to the wolf demon there." Toki pointed through a small stand of trees, "I took the liberty of luring him there and encasing the area in protective enchantments. You can release him simply by removing one of the sutras on the trees." something she could do but a demon could not.

"You trapped him?" Kagome asked, wide-eyed at Toki.

"I ensured he would be where I wanted him to be." Toki replied, "You will carry the scent of a fox, as with every other time you've left the barrier. Naraku-sama is inside the castle, and wishes to remain there." sadness flashed through her. Naraku had locked himself away after the Great Lord, whoever that was, had come to visit. Naomi had advised she not worry about it, but his sudden refusal to be near her troubled her. Was he really that upset with her for wanting to talk to Koga?

"Is...is he alright?" she asked. Toki's expression softened for a moment before becoming neutral.

"As well as he can be given the circumstances." he said. What did that mean? "Kyoka will be in the treeline, waiting for you and watching the exchange." a beat of silence, "I am trusting you for now, Kagome-hime, with the security of my only daughter. If she suspects that the wolf will take you from Naraku-sama, she has orders to secure you and get you back inside the barrier."

"I understand." Kagome said.

"The barrier will remain open until you return." he finished, "Only you are allowed to return, and Master Shippo will be kept inside the castle as insurance." a hint of anger reached her. She just wanted to talk Koga out of attacking Naraku every time Naraku left the barrier. She wasn't trying to flee.

"I get it." she said. "Can I please just talk to him?" she gestured the clearing. Toki sighed and pulled out a vial, from which he deposited the scent-changing powder before blowing it over her. She coughed a little, but he nodded in satisfaction.

"Make it quick. I do not like the alpha of a wolf tribe being here in Naraku-sama's territory. His wolves are already making the kitsune uneasy." and then Toki was gone, with barely a flash of foxfire to show his passing. Kagome huffed a breath and trudged down the staircase. Koga was pacing at the bottom, attacking the barrier occasionally. When he saw her, he rammed into the barrier nearest her. She quickly slipped into it, spying one of the sutras immediately.

"Kagome!" she was in Koga's arms in a second, being hugged breathless, "Give me a moment, I'll get us out of here!" he pulled away to go to the barrier.

"Koga, wait." she pleaded. He stopped and looked at her.

"What's going on, Kagome?" he asked, "You were in a village in a regular kimono, with Naraku of all people, and the next thing I know, he's..." Koga grimaced, and then his nose twitched, "No way, you even smell like his woman."

"Koga, I need you to listen to me." she implored him, "Naraku isn't evil like he was when the Shikon Jewel existed."

"Where is the Jewel anyways? If Naraku's alive, surely it isn't gone?" he said, "I could use my speed and strength back." she shook her head.

"I am absolutely certain the Jewel is gone." she said with a small smile, "I was the one who purified it, after all." she took a deep breath, "So you have to trust me. I'm not under Naraku's control. Remember? Even a Shikon Jewel shard couldn't control me."

"I remember." he nodded his head severely.

"Naraku died." she said, "The demon you saw that wears Naraku's appearance is a full demon, not a half-breed like he was. He's different."

"What are you doing with him, Kagome?" Koga soothingly rubbed her upper arms. She smiled more genuinely. Koga could be as much of a pain as Inuyasha, but he was actually a really good friend.