A/N Ok ok, so I know that the Naraku Kagome pairing is not only impossible, but also unpopular. However, I was inspired by a multi-talented and extremely gifted young artist who, very sadly, passed away before their best work was completed. I wanted to dedicate this piece of work that was inspired by that story, To Kilala81 (aka Kilalita) You are an inspiration and a great loss to the world of creativity and imagination.

Little Mocking Bird

Kagome had had enough. She stormed through the forest in an angry huff. Damn Inuyasha, damn him and damn Kikyo and damn the jewel! She couldn't stand it anymore! She just couldn't. Why? Why did she have to be that woman's incarnation? Why did she have to fall in love with the same man? Why did he have to so kind to her as he ripped out her heart?

She fell to her knees in the leaves and grass and dirt and snow, ignoring the discomfort, as she slowly brought up her hands to stare at them. She buried her face in her hands as the tears silently spilled out. Her heart and soul twisted with pain and grief. Slowly the silent tears built into soft sobs, then into heart wrenching sobs. Her shoulders shook as she hunched over in obvious pain, her palms pressed to her eyes.

It had started off as any normal day, but as the temperature had grown colder, Sango had finally convinced Kagome to use the miko garb Kaede had forced her to take. The snow had started falling so she finally gave in and changed. For the rest of the day she had noticed Inuyasha acting strange, and she was sure she knew why. Tired, cold, and irritated at the way he was acting, she confronted him. She didn't know what she had been hoping for, but it wasn't the answer she'd gotten.

You look too much like her, I can't even see you. All I see right now… All I see is Kikyo…

His ears had drooped and his hands were folded into his sleeves of his red Haori, and he wouldn't look at her as he tore her apart. She had run, and for the first time, he hadn't tried to stop her. And now, here she was, pathetically crying as she fell against a nearby trunk. Slowly, her tears subsided to small hiccups and singular droplets as she looked up at the darkening sky. She should get back soon, she didn't want to be in the forest after nightfall.

But her attention was snared by something else, a bird's song. It sounded familiar to the blue jay's warble, but the pitch was wrong. Instead of the throaty, clicking noise, it was a fine whistle, but the same melody. She looked back to the sky, and on a branch perched a grey mocking bird. It warbled happily away, mimicking another bird's song. She couldn't help but feel connected to the small, grey bird. The dull colored avian, mimicking the song of another, brighter feathered bird. Just like her, pretending to be a priestess, when it was Kikyo who should be in her place.

"Miko." She jumped, on her feet quickly and her bow and arrow at the ready much more quickly than when she first jumped through the well 2 years prior. She was nearly stunned when she faced non other than the proud, stoic, amazing Sesshoumaru. She gulped, counting backwards from 25 to stop her trembling and steady her hands. Sesshoumaru merely stood, as elegant and regal as ever. But he silently acknowledged the improvement of her stance and control. She still had much to learn, and if he ever wanted to be rid of two, utterly annoying hanyous, she would need to learn quick.

Which is where he stepped in.

However, before he revealed his plot to her, he had to make one thing absolutely clear. "Inuyasha is not worth breath, let alone tears." His tone, voice, and expression were the same as ever. Unreadable, totally untouched. But Kagome still couldn't believe her ears, until she really thought about the words. He wasn't comforting her, he was just stating something he believed obvious. She wasn't far off from the truth. But Sesshoumaru approached, and she centered her thoughts, gathering her limited miko powers.

Before she could blink, he was behind her, his claws at her throat. She gasped, standing still, trying feebly to direct her powers. He moved away, silent as ever. When she still didn't move as he started walking away, he merely said, "Come." She looked back, noticing that he was headed back in the direction she had come, towards Inuyasha. Curious, she followed, bow and arrow still ready. Of course, Inuyasha was ready and waiting, Tetsusiga drawn and Miroku, Sango and Kirara ready to back him up.

"The hell you doin here? Kagome, you ok?" When she didn't answer he lunged forward to attack, but found himself face first in the dirt as Kagome uttered the dreaded 'sit' command. Sesshoumaru raised a brow as he looked back to the silently fuming priestess, and what could have passed for amusement flickered and faded.

"Naraku is a hindrance. You are inadequate to protect the jewel shards. I will assist you, for now." And with that, he turned and left.

~o~o~o~o~o~O~o~o~o~o~o~

Later, the campfire was lit as Inuyasha grumbled over his cup of ramen and Rin chattered animatedly with Shippou. Sango and Kagome watched as Miroku discussed the terms of their 'truce' with Sesshoumaru. As long as they all respected each other, apparently, things would go along just fine. Sango whispered to Kagome, who was just as confused, and they discussed her incident in the forest with him. She had her answer over his behavior soon enough, however, when he mentioned her name.

"The miko needs to harness her powers. A priestess' reiki is similar to Taiyoukai youki. She must control her powers, or else injure herself or another." Kagome's head perked up, and she queried softly.

"You're willing teach me, Sesshoumaru-Sama?" Her tone and face held her incredulity, and he lifted one shoulder in a shrug.

"Naraku is a nuisance." And that was all he said before standing and leaving, without so much as a by-your-leave. Well, it was Sesshoumaru after all, wasn't it? Kagome just shook her head before crawling to her sleeping bag, cuddling Shippou, and calling out a goodnight before falling asleep.

~o~o~o~o~o~O~o~o~o~o~o~

"Kanna, keep an eye on the hanyou's party. Inform me when the miko tries to leave for her well." Naraku sat back against the wall, one hand supporting his weight as the other rested on his bent knee, holding a small cup of sake. The dark castle was quiet, the aura ominous. The only sound was of Kagura's fan, snapping open and close, Kanna's retreating footsteps, and an occasional cawing from a nearby Raven.

"What, another one of your foolproof plans, Naraku?" Kagura's voice was calm, but her tone was still laced with venom and annoyance. He hadn't succeeded so far, why would he now?

"Perhaps." Naraku's thoughts were his own, and none would know them for now. He stood, discarding his cup for one of his demons to carry out later. He went towards the dying gardens behind the castle of the human Lord that he had possessed. He was annoyed that the gardens were dieing dispite his servants best attempts to keep it. Even he enjoyed some view of beauty, when he wanted a reprieve of scheming and vengeance and hate.

He let a small 'hmph' escape as he gave up the idea of the gardens. He was Naraku, and beauty would not survive around him for long. It was a fact of his life and he accepted it, not caring all too much either way. He sat near the last few green areas, looking up at the sliver of a moon, listening again to the Raven's deep call.

A/N well that's where I'll leave it for now. I promise not too much oocness, but eventually Naraku will have to change, albeit subtly. R&R please!