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I really wanna know what you guys' feedback on this story is. If some parts too redundant or whatnot, it's really constructive for my future chapters/stories :)

Anyway,

Enjoy!


"What?! I'm pretty sure you dreamed that, Kaggy," Sango laughed as she twirled the pasta onto her fork. "Miroku would never gas you. He loves you too much." What kind of dream is this girl having?

Sango has always been thinking about Kagome, doing anything to keep her safe. Kagome was...is a loose canon. She's carefree and completely unaware of the dangers the world possess. She's innocent. Sango never considered her friend's thoughts and behaviour to be childish. Kagome is just any other person trying to make the best of any situation. She was born in a loving family, she was born loved. She was given no reason for insecurity nor the thought of having to rely on something or someone to keep her moving. Kagome was strong.

Kagome Higurashi was the woman that Sango Houshi looked up to, as well as looked after. Kagome Taisho was this woman whom she has to protect.

Doesn't sound much different from Kagome Higurashi, does it? Believe her, it does.

"Sango honestly, you've gotten so used to that letch," Kagome giggled as she stabbed her fork into a meatball. "You guys are into some kinky foreplay," She added in a suggestive tone, wiggling her eyebrows.

The more mature woman blushed as she threw a napkin at the childish woman. "D-Don't be absurd," She stuttered, her cheeks burning in embarrassment. "I wouldn't let him go that far."

"I don't know," Kagome gave her a suspicious eye. "Who said you were conscious?" The jovial woman was left in a pile of laughter as an appalled look crossed her friend's face, horrified with her words.

"Miroku is rubbing off you, Kags! Since when were you this lewd!"

"Every virgin is, Sango-nee."

"Since when!?"

This was comedy gold to Kagome. She may not remember much, much to her dismay, but she rejoices in the fact that she can make new ones. But...it just disturbed her how much no one was willing to illustrate her past as vivid as she liked. She wasn't an idiot. She can figure out that her friends were holding something from her. Honestly, just cause she lost part of her memory didn't mean she didn't know her friends.

How narrow-minded.

"Moving on from me being a 30-year-old virgin," She smirked at the sneer Sango threw at her, "It's about time my love life gets some major TLC." A fond smile lit her face. "And I just so happen to found just the right person to jumpstart it."

Arching an eyebrow, the married-woman rested her head on her hand as she looked at her amnesiac friend with interest. Damn, just a day out of the hospital and she already scored a man. Kami does she work fast.

"Who's the guy?"

Blue orbs stared at her friend's obsidian ones as she arched a delicate brow. "I thought Miroku would've told you?"

What would Miroku tell me? "Clearly he hasn't."

With a nonchalant shrug, she said, "I'm going on a date with Kouga-kun."

...

Rewind.

What?

"Wait wait," She slowly blinked her eyes, trying to sort out the new information in her mind. "You are going on a date...With Kouga Ookami." Last time she checked, Kagome never liked Kouga in college. Rather, liked him more than a friend. And speaking of which...she never approved of him back then. But she doesn't approve of Inuyasha right now. "Since when did this start," Sango winked.

"Well he visited me in the hospital with Miroku, and it's quite odd," There was a sparkle in those cerulean eyes. "I first thought he was my ex, but that was quickly thrown out the window. So I-"

"Your ex?" Sango interrupted, holding a hand up. "Since when did you-"

"Kouga told me I had a boyfriend when he was there,"

Furrowed eyebrows. "But you said you thought he was your ex when you first saw him. How did you find out that you had an ex?"

Kagome raised an eyebrow. "Find out? Was it a secret to begin with?" Shaking her head, she got back on topic. "Anyway, I found out while talking with Inuyasha." Sango bristled. "So Kouga then-"

"Since when do you talk to Inuyasha?!"

Cobalt eyes widened in shock at the suffocated voice her best friend let out. The frenzied woman's hands gripped her confused wrists in a vice-like grip as the woman stared her dead in the eye. The sight nearly took her breath away. All good-air immediately evacuated the surroundings as a thick tension settled in its place. Why did Sango look so...lost? What happened to that clever sparkle that would always be present in those coffee-colored eyes?

She felt her head begin to pound as question after question swarmed in her head. So many questions, but not enough answers. No...the answers were there, somewhere, hiding in the dark recesses of her mind, heavily guarded. It hurt just to think about it.

"What is so wrong with Inuyasha..." She whispered in response. "What has he ever done to be shamed like this?"

More than you can imagine, Sango thought grimly. "When did you start talking to him, Kagome." It wasn't a question. It as a demand.

"Is it because he's a hanyou? That because of his blood he's discriminated against?"

Now she's just being stupid. If Inuyasha was shamed for that fact alone, it wouldn't tie up with Kagome's previous memories of him. "Answer my question, Kagome." Sango strained. She felt bile creep at the back of her throat as her head was swimming in nausea.

"Who deserves to be treated like that, huh? This is the 21st century, Sangs, we live in a society of humans and youkai, it is impossible for a half-breed to not be born!"

"Just answer my question, Kagome." Her voice was breaking.

"Tell me why you hate Inuyasha so much?! What did he ever do for you to hate him so fucking much?!"

"STOP DEFENDING HIM, DAMN IT!" She broke. "Stop telling me that I'm fucking wrong for isolating Inuyasha if you don't even know the fucking story," She sobbed, cradling her arms as she shed her eyes from her friend, not willing to let her see her vulnerability. "All I do is to protect you..."

...

"You can't keep treating me like a child, Sango," Kagome chided softly, rubbing the sobbing girl's back. "I'm sorry I kept pushing you for an answer, but you know as well as I do that my mental health won't improve if you keep keeping secrets from me."

Sango trembled as the reality of her words played in her head, making her breathe harder, more desperate for air. How can she say that so easily? With no fear in her voice? This is scary - she's scary. The sight of Kagome all bony and weak was scary. Inuyasha's selfishness and cruelty was scary. The thought of how unfair and unforgiving something is...what he did...is scary. And all it takes is a split second. Anything really takes a spilt second.

"I know that won't help," She wailed, shaking her head. "But I can't tell you. I love you, Kagome," She stared her dark orbs into calming light blue. "You know everything I do is because I love you so fucking much."

Kagome bit her lip as she collected the breaking woman in her arms. Those three words stung her heart for some reason. It hurt...as if those three words were hollow. Kagome knew Sango loved her whole-heartedly, but still...why did they sound so vacant?

"I know you love me," She whispered, "but you can't protect me from everything." She felt the married-woman tense. Kagome gulped as she tightened her hold on the stiff woman. "I'll find out in time. You can't change that. No skill in the world can change that."

Sango felt her bottom lip tremble as she shook her head rapidly, wanting those cruel words out of her ears - out of her mind. "Don't say that, Kags. Don't say that I can't save you!" Streams were rolling down her eyes at this point. "I can do it, I can do it." She can be there Kagome, she can shield Kagome from any harm. She can do it.

It finally clicked.

"Sango...let it go," Desperate eyes simmered with confusion as Sango tried to make sense of her words. "Sango...stop blaming yourself for Kohtaru's death. It wasn't your fault." Kagome knew she struck a harsh cord in the broken woman's heart. Half of her scolded herself for bringing up such a sensitive topic, but the other knew it needed to be said. She expected Sango to break down and deny that fact, but she was rather surprised with her different response.

"...How do you remember that?" Sango's heart gripped at the mention of her baby brother, but she was completely baffled with her friend's knowledge of his death. "You didn't find out about him by me...you found out by...by someone else." Inuyasha.

Kagome blinked rapidly as she tried to formulate words but all she accomplished was making herself look like a fish out of water. It was...her that said that, right? Told her about such a story? "S-Sango...you told me that..."

The brunette's mind reeled at this new-found information as she gripped her amnesiac friend's arms, her hands quivering at the painful memory. Why would she ever recite such a tragic thing? Not once...not once has she spoke of those pain-filled eyes that haunted her every nightmare. How they would follow her in every dark corner, as if trying to communicate to her, but only have her run away. Only Miroku, Inuyasha, and Kagome knew about Kohaku, only because they were the ones who informed her of the accident.

...

No child deserved a fate like Kohaku.

"You...you just remembered," She gave a weak smile. "That's a good sign, right?" How inconsiderate of her. Here she has her friend, her best friend, suffering from amnesia and she's just criticizing her on what she does and doesn't remember? She shot a reassuring smirk at her wary friend. Kagome was strong, so she should be too.

"...I heard that movie Divergent is killer awesome," Kagome grinned as she picked up her empty plate. Huh, isn't that a first in a while. "We need to see it! You know, before I forget it," With a wink, she let out a chuckle as she excused herself from the table, opening the connecting door to the kitchen.

Sango watched as her eyes began to glass over, her hand quickly coming to wipe off the building tears. Why was she crying? She should feel psyched with spending quality time with her best friend, Kagome. She should feel ecstatic that she isn't a ball of angst and despair, yet...she felt like she's with a stranger. It's just been so long since Kagome...Kagome was normal. Been so long since she's been...just been around.

"Don't say that I can't save you!"

"I'm busting open your stash of cookie dough ice cream, Sans!" Kagome cheered as she reappeared with two cartons of said ice cream, a spoon stabbed into both deserts.

A fake a smile.

Is it Kagome she's trying to save anymore...or herself?

"C'mon," Kagome grabbed the woman's hand, guiding her to the living room. "I think a good movie like Frozen is perfect right about now."

This girl is just incredible, isn't she? Sango laughed as she grabbed on carton from her head, digging the silverware into the snowy dish.

"You know Sans," The oceanic-eyed woman started, the tribal music beginning to play. "We're only human," She turned her head to look at her friend. "We'll get hurt, we'll fall down, we'll give it all we got." She smiled. "Believe me, we can do it, even act like the perfect machine. But do you feel this?" Raising a hand to grab hers, The raven-tressed female placed her brunette counterpart's hand over her heart, making her friend feel her pulse. "Do you feel how our hearts are still beating? It means we still have a purpose in our lives. We'll do anything to complete that purpose within our capability. We'll bleed, break down, and pray to Kami to give up, but we're still here by the end of the day."

At this point Sango stopped caring about the tears running carelessly down her face. She should be the one saying this, not Kagome. She should've been comforting her like this, in the beginning of those 5 years instead of giving up and telling her how to run her life, she should've seen past her mask and comfort her. But no...instead she just...lectured her from afar. Calling her on the phone, convincing herself she's helping her by doing just that.

Kagome's been bleeding, she's broken down, and how many times has she prayed to give up these past 5 years? How many unanswered prayers has she put all her hope and all her dreams in?

Kagome was smiling as she comforted her pained friend, rubbing circles onto her back as she sang along to the last few lines of the playing song, "They say 'have courage', and I'm trying to, I'm right here for you, just let me in," She felt her heart tug as she tightened her hold on the sobbing woman in her arms. "We only have each other, just you and me, What are we gonna do?...Do you wanna build a snowman?"

Sango's heart tugged. Have courage. With Kami's blessing she will have courage for Kagome, she will be there. She's indebted to such a caring woman.

"Do you wanna...build a snowman."


"Inuyasha," Miroku pressed as he pinched the bridge of his nose, his eyes squinting as he tried to make sense of his demonic friend's actions. "You can't just erase all possible memories in this house. It's literally impossible." He sighed as his reluctant friend continued to through various items into a black trash bag.

"I know that," Inuyasha sighed as he took ahold of a picture frame, burning circles into the wooden frame as he stared at the image. This was their wedding picture. Emotions fleeted through his amber eyes as he stared. He was donned in an Armani suit, both of his arms wrapped around his bride's waist as a smile that could touch his eyes was plastered onto his face. His bride...Kagome, was wearing a lacy, short wedding dress that only went to her knees. Her wedding dress train was bundled at their feet as she stared lovingly into his eyes.

A smirk couldn't help but make its way up his face at this sight. He couldn't wait to see this face on her again.

"Inuyasha," Miroku eased, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Just give up on Kagome. She's been given a fresh start, let her live her life." Here it is again, the hanyou sighed as he placed their wedding picture into the trash bag. It's gotten old, Miroku's pleas. Although he knows he means well, but honestly, if he actually knew Kagome, he would know that what he's doing is for the both of them.

They just needed to wait and see.

"Miroku, Miroku, Miroku," The amber-eyed half-demon chided as he swiped all the items on his mantle into the bag. "Every one of us has been given a fresh start." A feral-like grin touched his lips as he extended his arms outwards, looking at his violet-eyed companion with a determined gaze. Or at least to him, determined. "Kagome and I can rekindle our eternal love, you and Sango will be considered as adequate best friends once more," Miroku winced, "And Kikyo will be the idealistic older sister once more." He tied the black bag up and threw it next to his sofa, quickly plopping down on the soft material. "Everyone wins."

Miroku clicked his tongue as he ran his fingers through his dark strands, taking a seat next to the ignorant man as he reviewed his words inside his head. He knew Inuyasha was stubborn, but this was ridiculous. Even if he believes this is the best way for the sake of all of them, it's already too late. He sighed as he felt his stomach do turns. He's going to tell him about Kouga.

"No, Inuyasha, this won't happen," He pressed, rubbing his sweating palms against his pants leg. "Because..." Inuyasha gave him a deadpanned stare as he, what he predicts, awaits another useless lecture. This was beginning to get annoying. With narrowed eyes, Miroku announced, "Kouga's back, and he's going for Kagome."

...

Thick tension.

Eyes locking.

Amber burning into amethyst.

Straightening up his posture, he continued. "I...I invited him back." He felt as if the side of his head was being clawed yet not one finger was raised by his silver-headed friend. "He and Kagome are going to be going on a date soon this week...she's excited for it." It was awhile until Inuyasha responded, not that the man didn't appreciate the silence. To be honest, he was terrified with his aggressive friend's response. Throughout his years of knowing him, Miroku knew that the half-demon didn't appreciate betrayal very well.

Quite contradictory, isn't it?

"You...You don't trust me enough that-" Inuyasha tsked as he let out a crude laugh, scratching the back of his head as he stood up. So this was how it's going to be? Not only is getting Kagome back going to be a fraction more difficult, but he doesn't have anyone at his side anymore. Isn't it only normal to want redemption? Humans seek it constantly, even demons. Out of everyone in this situation, he would've thought Miroku would help him throughout the entire way.

Because that's what best friends do, right? They help each other. Even if they don't agree with a damn word you say, to the end will they back you up. Yet he, Miroku Houshi, his best friend, devised a plot behind his back to ruin his chances with his mate. And with that scum bag Kouga Ookami no less. He knew that that mangy mutt would always try to steal away Kagome back in college, declare how a half-breed like him didn't deserve someone so pure. What kind of "friend" would bring back the constant reminder of what he could never be? And set him up with Kagome no less.

Inuyasha clenched his fists as he eased himself up, making his way towards the stairwell. He couldn't stand a moment longer to be in the presence of that...that- traitor! He's only trying to make things right, only trying to right all his wrongs. It's normal to make mistakes, both major and minor. He wants to change that, yet no one will help him. No one has confidence that he can do it. He can do it. He will do it. But who will believe a...mutt like him.

He winced as he shut his bedroom door, the hinges creaking silently as he tried to ignore the knives stabbing into his heart. Kouga was his tormentor. He would get into fights with him to prove that he's not the weakling, not the coward. He would prove that he's worth something.

He clenched his teeth together as he let out a fierce howl as he rammed his fist into his headboard, the splinters digging into his fist a numb pain as his mind only focused on the rage clouding his vision. He will never let Kouga get a hand on Kagome. That would only show how right Kouga is. Miroku may not get it, hell, nobody will get it. But screw them, he doesn't need them. In the end, no amount of people can prove how much something's worth, right? It all just amounts to that one thing. Keh, he'll show them. Kagome is his. He won't lose to that fucking mangy wolf.

He's worth something.