Losing You

Chapter 32 Time Again

Kagura did her best to ease Kagome’s apparent suffering on the long journey to Naraku’s keep.

“At least you can learn to use your powers now Kagome. Maybe someday you’ll be strong enough to stand up to him. He has no power over you like he does me. I promise that I’ll do my best to protect you while he has you.”

Kagome nodded but she couldn’t seem to stop her tears from falling. “I know…Inuyasha will come for me someday. I just have to make sure that I’m ready when to leave when that day comes.”

“Alright, then we’ll do everything we can to make sure that happens.”

“Thank you Kagura, for being so kind to me. I don’t think that I ever really understood before, the kind of power he has over you.”

Kagura looked away from Kagome, but she nodded. “It’s like a cell that he keeps you in but you can’t see. No matter how hard I fight against him, he still holds my heart and he can kill me whenever he wants. At times I think that death would be better that this farce of a life that he allows me to have.”

There was another pause and then, “But then I saw you and how determined you were to live, just because there was a chance that you could have something that you want so badly. So, I have to live because there is a chance that I could have something that I want too.”

Kagome smiled in sad understanding “What is it that you want Kagura?”

Kagura smiled back and answered, “My freedom.”

They flew on for the rest of the day and most of the night with Naraku somewhere behind them.

“Hopefully he won’t be there much, but I’m sure that he will be in the beginning. He is concerned for you-he doesn’t want you to die Kagome, you may be able to use that to your advantage if you need to, don’t forget that.”

Kagome took a deep breath when they came upon the keep. It was a large building surrounded by a tall stone wall. There was a large courtyard inside and at night, it actually looked peaceful.

Kagura landed inside the courtyard and helped Kagome up. She was just getting her inside when Naraku landed behind them.

“Show Kagome to her chambers and get her whatever she’ll need. I’ll have some food brought to her.” Kagura nodded meekly and took Kagome’s arm to lead her inside.

She took an immediate left and started up a staircase explaining the keep all the while. This is the main receiving room and off to the right are the kitchens. We don’t use them much, but I suppose we will be now that you are here. Up this stairwell are several rooms. You are to have the one at the far end of the hall. It should already have most things that you need. There is a wash tub inside, mirrors and clothes. Also a large futon for you.”

“I’m not going to be in a cell this time?” Kagome asked, trying hard to keep her bitterness from her voice.

Kagura let out a chuckle, “No Kagome you aren’t. Apparently Naraku learned from his mistakes. He wants you to feel more comfortable this time around-hence this treatment.”

Kagura passed several doors and came to Kagome’s. She said quietly, “My room is right next to yours and Naraku’s is at the far end of the hall, in the master suite. Let’s go inside your room, at least you can have one pleasant thing while you are here.”

As they went in Kagome’s jaw dropped. The room was enormous and there were windows all around. She even had a huge balcony she could go out on if she wanted to. There was a desk she could sit at with papers on it and an ink well and pen.

She picked them up and turned to Kagura, “He got all of this for me?”

Kagura smiled and nodded at her, “Yes, he knew you had improved your artistic skills while you were away and thought this might help you to adjust to your staying here.”

She went over to a door and slid it open, there was a large closet full of fine clothes and magnificent stitching and embroidery. Moving to the other side of the room she saw a large wooden wash tub behind a screen.

“He really went all out for me didn’t he? God this is so strange…”

“I know Kagome, it has to be. But nevertheless this is where you will be staying throughout your training. You have the freedom to go anywhere in the keep that you wish as long as you stay inside of the walls.”

“I see, so it’s just a bigger cell…” Kagome said rubbing her arms absentmindedly.

“I suppose it is.” Kagura answered her. “Well would you like anything?”

“Yeah, I would love a bath-every time I see Naraku I feel like I’ll never be clean enough.”

“I think I can arrange that. I’ll have some hot water brought up for you and then you can change into any one of these night robes we have for you. Your food should be up soon.”

“Thank you Kagura…would you stay with me in here for awhile?”

Kagura smiled at her and said, “I have been assigned to you Kagome. So if there is anything that I can do for you that would put you at ease all you have to do is ask. Of course, I’ll stay with you as long as you like.”

A few hours later Kagome was on her futon after eating a rather delicious meal and having a nice hot bath. She was in a comfortable night robe and half under her sheets. She and Kagura had talked of things in the past. How Kagura had first come to be, how she had on numerous times tried to thwart Naraku’s plans.

“The one I hated the most was probably Kohaku. I had taken care of him while he was with us, and I have to say I did become attached to him. When Naraku took the shard…I finally saw what Kohaku had really been like. I wish that I could have gotten to know that Kohaku instead of the boy he was when he was with us.”

“I know what you mean. I wish I could have known him then too. From what Sango tells me…he was a very timid boy that loved life. He wasn’t ever really meant to fight, but he went on that mission for his family. He wanted to make them proud of him.”

“I wish I could know what family is like…to have a child of my own someday.”

That was when Kagome first started to suspect that Kagura had an idea of what she really felt.

“Do you have someone Kagura? Someone that you have in mind for a father?”

Kagura blushed…actually blushed. “You have! Who is it?”

Kagura shook her head, “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you. Besides it doesn’t really matter in our current situation now does it?”

“Oh come on Kagura, you have to tell me now!”

“Fine, I’ll make you a deal. If this actually works out and we both get out of here. I’ll tell you, because…because that’s when it will matter. When I can actually have dreams other than living one more day.”

Kagome thought that was probably fair considering she didn’t even have the freedom to dream, and never had-never would until she was truly free from Naraku.

“Deal.”

“Alright then Kagome-it’s getting late now. I think we should probably both get some sleep. Tomorrow is going to be a big day for both of us.” With that, she got up, gave a slight bow to Kagome and left the room. Kagome huddled under the covers and tried to think of better things than what was happening to her.