Naraku Rewrites the Stars

Ch. 8 His Laughter

Previously, Naraku through his voice showed some side of his other half, Onigumo. At the same time, Kagome found herself wondering how Naraku became the heartless monster he is today.

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For a few moments time stopped for our beloved heroine and most hated villain. Kagome in the back of her mind knew she should at the least get out of Naraku's embrace, but she was too thoroughly hypnotized by Naraku's ruby eyes to even move. Similarly to Kagome, Naraku was lost in her sapphire orbs. They stayed like that, staring into each other's eyes until Naraku deciding he should let Kagome go before her intoxicating feminine sent pushed him to indulge in his lustful desires towards her.

Why did I do that? Why did my body long to hold her? I must have not bedded woman for too long... if Kikyo's reincarnation is having an effect on me. But why do I have a suspicion this not simple lust?

Naraku kept trying to decipher his own actions, but to no prevail. Not knowing what else to blem for his bizarre behavior he blamed his human heart.

Onigumo. This must be Onigumo's foolish human emotions running amuck. I cannot enable him to get the best of me. I am a Naraku. I am above this. I am above everyone and everything.

With that set in mind and his bamboo mask in hand, before he could do anything under the influence of Onigumo, Naraku let Kagome out of his arms, turned around and started walking away from her.

If I am to kill the wench and get the remaining Sacred Jewel shards to complete the Sacred Jewel I will do it when I am myself, no credit of my achievement will befall on him.

However, before he could leave the shelter of the tree he was stopped in his tracks by Kagome's questions.

Kagome looked at Naraku's back as he was about to leave and the majority of herself was relieved beyond belief that he was letting her go so easily, but a small part of her could not help but voice the questions she's been dying to ask him.

"I can already guess how you learned this song, Kanna's mirror, right? But... why? What are you planning, Naraku? Why did you sing with me? You've already completed most of the Sacred Jewel only missing the few shards I have, so why not take them from me? Why aren't you trying to kill me and take the Sacred Jewel shards for yourself?"

While his back was still facing her Naraku thought over Kagome's questions.

Because right now Onigumo is proving to be an anyone once more and I wish to achieve world domination while not under his influence.

However, a feeling of uncertainty crept in his mind as he kept pondering over Kagome's questions..

Why did I sing with the wench? For the sake of playing with her human heart? To find a way through her strong-willed heart while she is vulnerable then manipulate her until she becomes tainted and corrupted so she can never purify the jewel shards or jewel again? Or is it because I want to somehow create a wedge between her and Inuyasha to sabotage their chances of defeating me in the battles to come for the Sacred Jewel?

Naraku was becoming very confused with his own logic.

No, this is not making sense. I am not being logical. Following her was a simple whim. Yes, I had a feeling if I followed her I would witness something very entertaining, and I was correct. However, singing? Why am I being so thoughtless with my actions tonight?

When Naraku finally turned around to face Kagome even though he was confused at himself for his recent actions his face barely showed it. He still had a wicked smile on his lips and ruby eyes shining with malevolence. But Kagome caught it. For some moments, she saw at least some honest confusion in Naraku's expression.

Maybe it's because I've been staring at them for so long, but his eyes if you pay a lot of attention to them you can pretty much figure out how's he's feeling... Like they're kinda honest. Wait, honest? Naraku? Yeah right, he's just faking it! Right? Argh! Naraku you're giving me a headache! Don't you get tired of faking your emotions? If you spend all your time manipulating people, deceiving them with a mask of lies then when are you ever you? Now you are Naraku, everything that is evil combined, but at one point in your life... Weren't you just Onigumo the human bandit? Onigumo, a human... just like me.

Naraku could smell it. Kagome's scent of fear and hate was still clearly present, but he could tell it lost some of its potency. He also did not overlook how the way she was looking at him was different too. Her deep blue eyes still held a fire of hate towards him, but the fire that was blazing from before now held some sadness and sympathy. Noticing this small opening in Kagome's armor, Naraku decided it was the best time to strike.

"Kagome if I told you, I do not quite know myself why I did, what I did, would you believe me?" he said as he studied her closely.

Well, that caught Kagome off guard. For a few seconds, her face showed confusion, but quickly her face changed to an expression of deep thought. Her eyes narrowed at Naraku, brows frowned and lips compressed together. She even started lightly nibbling the inner part of her bottom lip, seriously considering if she would believe Naraku.

Kagome! It's Naraku we're talking about! No way! But he... No buts! He's planning something and you know it! I know but he seems like he means it. Yeah, and Inuyasha doesn't like ramen! You know he's trying to trick you! Don't be swayed just because he can sing, is handsome and has pretty eyes. He can kill you take the Sacred Jewel shards before you even scream for help! Then why hasn't he? Because he's planning something! He's Naraku we're talking about he's always up to something!

Before Kagome could stop herself from thinking out loud, she did.

"Okay. That's it! What's with me?! I might be going crazy at this point. Like arguing with your conscience can't be this difficult for everyone, right? It's like there's two me in my head. If I'm having such a hard time with making decisions, I can't even imagine how hard it is to be Naraku. I bet sometimes Onigumo even comes out and is like 'Hey, Naraku I'm gonna take over your body so just stay out of my way for a while' or somethiー"

Before Kagome could finish her ranting she was interrupted by something she never thought she would hear, Naraku's laughter.

Now, Kagome was now ultimately thinking she must be dreaming, wait, having a nightmare, or going insane. Maybe all three.

While I was running away from Kikyo and Inuyasha did I trip, fall and hit my head or something? Because first Naraku was singing my favorite song and now he's laughing! Actually laughing! And it's not his usual evil laugh that sends chills down my spine and rage to my heart. Like, a genuine laugh! He's laughing...

Kagome could not help but stand there dumbstruck looking at Naraku.

And it turns out Naraku actually has one of those laughs that can be contagious. When you hear it, you want to start laughing too.

He's really laughing... I never thought he could laugh like this.

Kagome did not know it but hearing Naraku's genuine laughter caused her lips to curl into the softest of similes and the hate in her eyes towards Naraku once again lessen a tad little bit.