A/N: Random, I know, this unprecedented update to a long-forgotten yaoi series barely anyone has read, EVAR. But the suggestion I should expand upon Role Play with an IC (or as close as I could get) portrayal of how Naraku convinced Sesshoumaru to dress like Kikyou was bound to spawn something, even if my angstiness of late leans me more in a Sess/Kagura sort of direction. For the idea’s comedy potential alone, this is dedicated to Izzanami and Ravyn Skye aka Pixielicious. Hope anyone who might stumble on this enjoys, thanks for reading!

Dangerous Liaisons

“You came.”

His ‘relationship’ with Naraku must have dulled his wits a little; the first thought sparked in his mind at such a phrase a decidedly lewd one. The stench of the dark hanyou’s castle lingered still on the wind witch, tying a knot in his already sour stomach. He trusted Kagura little more than he did Naraku, but a recent experience at the castle incited yet another emotion with which he was growing uncomfortably familiar: sympathy.

How the bastard had convinced the noble lord to dress like the miko he coveted so pathetically was still beyond him… but he had and with, perhaps most shamefully, little resistance. Apparently pointing out what no other dared, that—with armor worn primarily by women in the Mainland, not to mention his homongi-style kimono—he was already cross-dressing, as well as noting that doing so in another style made little to no difference, was all that was necessary for him to dishonor himself in such a way. But even that was not the most troubling part of that encounter… though there was much to be troubled over just desiring Naraku’s company in the first place, no matter the way, shape or form.

No, what disturbed him most… yes, disturbed was precisely the right word… was the way the dark hanyou disgraced his daughter that much further, by portraying the image ripped from Sesshoumaru’s mind in the mocking way that he did. He would never have exerted the force he did on Naraku over the fragile fantasy still vivid in his head. He had a chance to show that now, though he was not sure seizing such an opportunity would not shame the woman more; he had tainted himself with the likes of Naraku. Willingly.

“Did you meet me here solely to stare at me? Are you not curious why I requested an audience with you in the first place?” The wind user idly flipped her fan, opened and closed, opened and closed, whether out of nervousness or boredom he did not care.

“An audience?” Clearly her motives were of a purer nature than her maker’s arrangements with him might suggest… unless, of course, she intended to put on a show. “For what purpose?”

The shine the moon cast in her blood-red eyes, coupled with the way the greenery they stood among framed her, made her strangely beautiful despite the family resemblance with which Naraku likely purposely forged her. “You cannot pretend I know not of your dark games with Naraku. He boasts of them often.”

Such impudence, but it wasn’t as though it was atypical of her. With so much control exerted over her—the literal hand in which her very heart was held—relishing what little freedom she had was to be expected. “What of it?”

“You have such opportunity to be close with him… why do you not destroy him? You possess the power. A flick of the wrist and we would all be free… including you.”

“Foolish woman, you know not of what you speak.” He smirked derisively. “To suggest anything I do by choice victimizes me in any way is not only insulting but stupid.”

“Struck a nerve, have I?” She cocked a brow at him, tapping her now closed fan against her painted lips.

“You are treading on rather shaky ground.” The inuyoukai’s patience was visibly wearing thin, his only hand raised and glowing green with poison when he closed the short distance between them.

Kagura stood her ground. Of course she did. What did she have to lose? “Our efforts combined, we could destroy him. That is, if you don’t mind sharing your vengeance with a lowly creature such as me.”

“Vengeance seems a petty venture.” The green glow dissipated, his hand now clutching the pelt at his shoulder.

“Are your darker desires really worth his evil continuing to foul these lands?”

He fought the urge to turn from her. If she sought to shake him, she had another thing coming. “I am not interested in fighting your battles.”

“I am not asking you to. Look, I realize my freedom is not worth your trouble, but if I can help in any way to ensure Naraku’s demise, I would not hesitate to offer my assistance. It is the least I can do.”

The dog lord dropped his hand with a sigh deliberately made inaudible to the wind sorceress. “You are playing with fire, Kagura. The costs in your case greatly outweigh the gain.”

“Whatever it takes.” She dropped the fan from her face, the fear her self-assured expression meant to hide betrayed in her scent.

“A life of bondage is better than none at all.”

Crimson eyes narrowed on him, brows knitting above them. “What concern is it of yours?”

“It isn’t.” Now would be the time to turn, but it was too late and he knew it. He knew better than to pretend his eyes hadn’t conveyed the contrary message that they did… something she likely already knew based on her master’s apparent bragging, but had the good taste not to bring it up.

Kagura drew in a little gasp, red eyes searching the moon, as if memorizing it in this moment. Her eyes fell to him in the same fashion, the sorrow glimmering in them almost too much to bear. “Duty calls,” she laughed wryly, drawing a feather from her bun.

“Kagura.” The name leapt from his lips before he could stop it.

“Hm?”

He had little time to finish his thought; he may as well use it. “Remember what happens when ember meets air… don’t get burned.”

She smiled, an undoubtedly rare occurrence Sesshoumaru found himself relishing, especially the idea he was the reason she did. “See you at the castle.” With that and a burst of wind, she was gone on her plume, a faint silhouette against the stars.

A/N #2: For those of you who don’t know, the fact that Sesshoumaru wears a kimono of any sort makes him a cross-dresser. Men wear haori, not kimono. His kimono most resembles the type described above, a homongi. A list of kimono and their types can be found on Wikipedia. Thanks again for reading!!