Naraka's Invitation?

" InuYasha, thank you for speaking with me last night, and for its worth, I like the human part of you even if you hate it." Kotori stood up and pushed the curtain to the side as she walked through the doorway.

He did not want to admit it, but those words comforted him strangely.

Kotori walked towards the lake and caught a dozen fish in the net. She put her hands on her hips and approved of the amount as she nodded her head and then headed back to the village. While everyone was asleep, she put the fish on a stick and warm them underneath the fireplace.

"It smells good! ~" Shippo woke up to the aroma of the fresh cooked salmon and potatoes.

" I know that this is not much compared to the kindness that you showed me by allowing me to travel with such a group of interesting people. I want you to know that I am grateful for this chance to accomplish my dreams and I swear it to you that I will not let you down." Kotori says down on both knees in front of the others, gesturing obedience, respect, and subservience.

" You are the best Ko!" the fox demon complimented.

" I must say this is different than any grilled fish that we had." Miroku pointed out the distinctive flavor.

" Oh, yes. My mother was a great cook and taught me the different herbs and spices. I rub some on the raw meat and it tastes better, doesn't it?"

" Ko, you need to cook more." InuYasha said with a mouth full of food." This is as good as the food from Kagome's world."

" If you ever have time, could you please teach me how you get it to have this refine taste?" Sango asked.

" Me too! I am curious."Kagome added.

" Of course, it's the very least I can do," Kotori answered and watched everyone indulge in the food. She closed her eyes and enjoyed her time with them remaining silent. There was lots of laughter and the beginning of wonderful memories. However, the very thought of using them brought slight pain to her heart.

" I am not the only person, InuYasha also taking advantage of them." She convinced herself that her decisions are acceptable.

" Hey, Ko. Are you going to eat that?" Shippo questioned.

" If she not going to eat it then I will." InuYasha reached his hand but Kotori opened her eyes and quickly picked up the stick and bit the flesh from the fish

" You still too slow, InuYasha." She teased.

" One of these days, I will beat you!" He declared.

Kotori could not help but laugh at this half-demon and found his personality quite amusing.

Suddenly, InuYasha's ears twitched, and his expression became more serious. He stood up with the fish bone in his mouth and the others nodded.

" Naraku…."

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After a while, InuYasha and the others arrived outside of the castle.

" Down Kirara." The demon slayer instructed then the cat growled and landed on the ground.

The strong breeze forcefully opened the door and there was a shadow from inside that was welcoming to enter the building.

" What should I expect? Am I really about to meet the person behind everyone's tragedy? What if they call my bluff? What am I going to do?" Kotori questioned herself and suddenly had her doubts. She was afraid to approach the castle and hesitated to move from the place.

" Come on, Ko. This is not the time to wait around and for the enemy to attack." InuYasha as he flaunts his strength and rested the blade of his sword on his shoulder." Stay close and I will protect."

Kotori nodded and stepped forward." I don't need a half-demon looking after me, I can handle it myself."

" You are the one to talk!" He thought

...

As they walked through, the doors immediately slammed behind them within a blink of an eye, everyone was separated from each other in an empty room in the castle. Slowly footsteps emerged from the shadows.

" Welcome…" A deep and sinister voice echoed throughout the castle.