Cure For The Poisoned Heart- A Naraku x Kagome FanFiction

Chapter 6: Tears

 Naraku cracked his eyes open slowly. His body felt weak, and for a moment, the instinctive sneer pulled at his features. Weak. Memory came slowly. Kagome...she'd saved him from the moth silk somehow. Now he did curl his lip in self-loathing. Some lord he was supposed to be. He hadn't killed the moth demon. Sesshomaru was not going to overlook this. He needed to find more demons, loyal demons, who could scout the land, checking for danger. But...how? Kyoka and her family had been mere luck. Perhaps Toki could help him. His careful planning was cut short as his vision cleared and he realized Kagome was lying nearby. It seemed she'd fallen asleep at his bedside. He propped himself up a little. It was fully dark outside, and he could catch Shippo's lingering scent. But it was too old for him to determine if he and Kagome had been in the same room.

"Kagome." gently, Naraku stroked Kagome's cheek. She stirred beneath his fingers, making his body stir with need, even though he could feel that the weakness was not yet gone. He needed to rest longer. The moth demon's poison was a poison of the mind, and was nothing Naraku's body could fight. He needed time to clear his thoughts and refocus. Her eyes opened, and any thoughts of refocusing were lost in those brown depths that looked at him with a sleepy gentleness.

"You're awake." she said, her lips turning up slightly, "I'm glad. There wasn't much we could do but treat your wound." he glanced down at his bandaged torso. Injured. Right. The moth demon had been stronger than Naraku had anticipated. He was faster and stronger now that he was a full demon. That didn't give him permission to be careless. He sat up fully, letting the blanket fall down so he could see where his obi had been tied. Her gaze slid quickly over his chest and then back to his face. But he could almost feel the faint change in temperature around her face that attested to her blushing.

"How long have I been back in the castle?" he asked. She looked surprised.

"Three days." she said. Three days? Damn. The barrier needed feeding. He pushed the blankets off his body and moved to get up. So he was surprised when her hands landed on his shoulders and pushed a little. Not enough to deter him, he was a demon, but he was so shocked that she'd casually touch him that he sank back onto the futon.

"You need rest." she said, "So lay down and rest."

"No." he shifted and stood, sliding his kimono up his body, "Things need doing." She blinked.

"Huh?" she asked.

"What?" he glared at her. What ailed her now?

"Nothing." she said hurriedly, "I'm just surprised you're not trying to insist you're fine." He stared at her for a long minute, stunned.

"Why would I do that?" he asked, completely baffled. She stood up to face him, a small smile on her face again.

"I don't suppose you would do that." she said. Was it just him, or was she pleased with herself for some reason? It was...unnerving.

"I know my limits." he said, just to make sure she was clear on that, "If I thought I couldn't charge the barrier, I would kill the mindless demons necessary to gain that power. If I didn't think I could move around, I would lie still."

"You're too smart to move around when you shouldn't." she said. Ah...huh. He looked away from her and left his rooms. It didn't surprise him when she followed. After all, why would she lie waiting for him to join her in bed? It was a stupid notion, and he was above such petty desires.

His heart gave an odd beat as he suddenly pictured Kagome lying in his bed, propped up on one elbow, a smile inviting him to join her for sleep...or for something a bit wilder. Shaking his head a little, he attempted to be rid of the fantasy, to no avail. He was certain it would haunt his very dreams. Kagome remained silent for a while as he walked to the double doors that would take him into the castle's courtyard. Then he hesitated, glancing at her discreetly as he wondered if he should allow her outside. Then he reached for the miasma to part it. She would become frail if she did not see the sun.