I was torn between going to him and not, between caring and denying my feelings, which were undoubtedly confused. I wandered through the forest, alone, again, letting my thoughts twist and tumble through my mind.

I didn't know why it was even a question. I was actually considering giving myself to Naraku to save a worthless human. Why? He meant nothing to me. I barely knew anything about him.

I still didn't even know his name, I realized with a start.

Why then, did I feel such a pull towards where I knew Naraku would be? The question pounded through me with every step I took, mocking me. I was being irrational in my need to keep the human for myself. Several times, I told myself to turn back, but somehow, every time I turned away, I found my feet steadily and surely leading me towards him.

I should have let Naraku do whatever he wanted with the human. He wasn't my concern. We had spend a night together, I hadn't taken him as my mate.

My mind was running in circles. I couldn't block out the memories of the monk's touch, his smell and taste, and I couldn't stand the thought of Naraku laying claim to that. I suppose I was possessive. The thought of letting Naraku steal what was mine was repulsive.

Was I falling prey to the same madness that had claimed my father?

I knew I was close when the mist began to close in on me. It swirled about me as if alive, ghosting cool caresses against my skin, a foreshadow of what it's creator had planned for me. It seemed to reach for me, to encircle my wrists and gently pull me, leading my way deeper in, towards Naraku. Ignoring the chills that ran up my spine, I followed it.

Eventually, I reached my destination, a small clearing in the center of the fogbank. Here, the haze cleared, hanging just overhead and surrounding us. My footsteps, muffled by the thick moss underfoot, echoed slightly.

Naraku sat across from me, in the roots of a particularly large tree. He was watching me. It was a bit of a shock to see him without his normal baboon skin, to take in his beautiful features, dangerous eyes, the edges of his mouth turned up slightly. His hair, deep black and wavy spilled down his body and over the unconscious form of the monk, who was draped across his lap. His robes had been removed, Naraku's hair providing scant covering.

I growled slightly at that, narrowing my eyes at Naraku, who was stroking the human's chest lightly as he watched my reaction. I suppressed an irrational desire to attack the other youkai as he slowly circled a nipple with a single claw-tipped finger, teasing it to hardness.

"I've changed the game, Sesshomaru." His voice was quiet. He looked down at the other man.

My world froze as his lips curved in a cold smile.

"I think you'll very much enjoy this version of it, however."