Notes:

Hey all. Sorry for the late update. Haven't really got a good idea running through my mind. Oh yes bout Kurmo-kun and Sariko-chan stated below. If you guys don't know what I'm talking about please refer to chapter 2 for conception. Anyway hope you guys would read it. Once again thanks for R&R.

Japanese Dictionary:

Okaeri – Welcome home

Oba – Aunt

Kawaii – Cute

Daijoubu – Are you alright?

Nani – What?

Arigato – Thank you

10. Forgotten Memories

Naraku was drinking from the water dispenser but something caught his attention as the person ran passed him. He brought himself away and saw Kagome scurried pass him. Kagome? I thought she had left earlier on. Being curious like every human do he followed her footsteps clandestinely till she made out of the school entrance. Not even taking a foot out of the school he opened the door a little just to see where she was going.

On that moment he felt his body heating up, his knuckle firmed and ready to punch a hard solid wall. There he saw Kagome putting on the helmet handed from the guy he had once heard about, the jerk that made a taint of jealousy circling around his body. He stiffened his knuckle more when he saw Kagome riding off with him. Damn that bastard. I'll get…

His thoughts broke off when he felt a tapped on his shoulders. In an instant he released his grasp from the door and turned to Kagura that now stood in front of him. "What's with your suspicious act?" asked Kagura with an eyebrow raised. He simply ignored her question and said something, "No more hiding…" He brought his body closer to hers and got hold of both her arms, "I will promise you."

Kagura confused and yet surprised at the same, "What are you…" her sentence broke off when she felt his warm lips pressed against her lips. It wasn't as compassionate as last time but it was of anger and bitter hate as he pressed his lips harder on hers. She felt uncomfortable and wanted to push him away but instead she told herself let it be. She knew exactly what ran through his mind.

"Thanks again Kouga-kun."

He replied with a smile, "No sweat." Both of them stood in front of Kagome's staircase and were speechless for a moment. Kouga was clad in a not too tight and not too loose Mild grey short sleeve t-shirt with a print of black eagle bordered with silver lining in the center of the tee and a rugged dark beige khaki pants to go along with his top.

Kagome noticed he was looking up the staircase again. What is up with him and this staircase? She wanted to ask him but when she had opened her mouth; she was somehow shushed by him, "Hey Kagome. I was wondering what's up this staircase?" asked Kouga peculiarly. She was quite stunned by his questions but she managed to give an answer to his question, "Well there's where my house is."

Not even taking a look at Kagome, he kept on staring blankly at the flight of stairs, "And is there a possibility your house area is a shrine?" Kagome was taken aback with his question. How did he know? He hasn't been up there before. She replied with hesitation, "Um… Yes."

Kouga felt an electric wave ran through his body. There could be a possibly he might be wrong but somehow he had the feeling it was this place. The place that he felt like he once belong too. He turned to Kagome with a faint dubious look, his heart beating faster by the second. Then she must be…or couldn't be…His thoughts disrupted when a lady about mid 30's voice spoke up, "Kagome. Okaeri."

Kouga turned to where the voice came from and there a stood a young gentle lady with her hands cupped together, closed to her thighs. A pleasant smile was shown on her face as she greeted Kagome warmly. "Tadaima…Mama." A smile flickered across Kagome's face and she closer to her mother. Her mother faced Kouga and observed him from head to toe.

"Ah Mama this is Kouga." Her mother turned to her as Kagome introduced Kouga, "Kouga this is my mother." Kouga tilted his head a little as a sign of respect and gave out a smile. Kagome's mother smiled sweetly, "How sweet of you to send Kagome home. Would you like to join us for dinner?" Kagome added herself in, "It would be quite nice to have you join us."

The smile of Kouga's face widened as he replied with appreciation, "Thank you. I would love too."

Sango wrapped her left arm around his as she pulled him towards a shop. The sneakers that she had wanted were now in stock and how could she possibly resist herself from looking away. She said with excitement, "Look Inuyasha they're now in stock." She looked at the superb sneakers that were displayed behind the glass window of the shop.

Not a word came from Inuyasha's mouth. The tense and uptight atmosphere that she felt around her made her more curious and dismal wondering that it wasn't like him at all not to say a single word. She turned to Inuyasha and noticed that he was just staring blankly out to his surrounding without taking a look at Sango. She looked away from him as she bit her lips with anxiety. It was moments before she could think of a way to distract him from his wandering thoughts.

She gestured her right hand in front of his face and succeeded snapping him out of his thoughts. Inuyasha looked at her expressionlessly, "Nani?" She let out a sigh and released her arm from his and walked away. Inuyasha astounded by her behavior, he ran up to her and asked perplexedly, "What's wrong Sango?" Not an answer formed from her lips. He went on, "Sango, why wouldn't…" He was interrupted by her before he could even finish.

"I have been thinking about a lot of question lately and I just couldn't seem to find an answer to them. Like for the first one, was it fair for Sariko-chan when Kurmo-kun left her and went with his best friend? Did Kurmo-kun even regret after his choice? Was it fate that brought them apart?" she paused for a moment, finding the right words and the courage to say. She soon found courage as she looked straight into his eyes. She wanted to show him what she felt in her heart.

"Would you do the same choice as Kurmo-kun and leave me? Would we end up like Sariko-chan and Kurmo-kun?" asked Sango dithery. Her eyes filled with tears, the pain she felt thinking about the possibility of the unfortunate incident was something she knew she couldn't battle. Inuyasha kept quiet as he went deep into thoughts and had a hard time finding the right words.

She knew he would be speechless somehow. Without even thinking about wiping her tears away she turned her back facing him and left. His thoughts disrupted when he saw her leaving. He grabbed her by her arm and turned her around to face him. He released his hold and brought his hand to her cheeks. He gently wiped off the tear that streamed down her soft tender cheeks as he looked deeply into her eyes. He knew well that he would never know how she felt but he had his own problems too. The very new feeling that grew within him was something he had never expected.

Without a word, he threw his arms around her and embraced her warmly. "I would do whatever I can to sustain our relationship. I will not make the same choice like Kurmo," said Inuyasha as he tightened his embrace. Her heart weakened from the words she had wanted to hear was at last spoken. Tears of joy filled her eyes. She gave a light nod and returned him with a warm hug.

"Kouga-kun."

Kouga took his sip, placed it back on the table and replied, "Nani?" Both Kagome and Kouga were in her living room having a nice cup of tea. She looked at him curiously, "I want to ask you something. How did you know my home was a shrine? Have you come up here before?" Kouga chuckled at Kagome's questions, "Whoa one question at a time."

Kagome chuckled at Kouga's response and blushed, "Gomene. I was just really curious. I'll start from the beginning. Have you been here before?" Kouga nodded and took another sip from his cup, "Yes I have, when I was really little but it was like about 15 years back." Kagome looked at Kouga with amazement, "Really?" He nodded and then stood up, "Come I'll show you something."

He went out of the living room with Kagome following behind him. He led her out of the house and headed towards a very familiar place. The place where it was known to be restricted, it was the well in the ancestral shrine. He stood in front of it and looked around, "This place didn't change a bit." Kagome stop a few inches away from him and panted lightly, "The well?" asked Kagome curiously.

He nodded and looked up to the sky, "This was where I made friends with a young girl 15 years back."

(Flashback)

"Oba, can I explore the area?" asked young Kouga as he excitedly hauled his aunt's sleeves. His aunt looked down at the innocent child below her, without responding to his question with a smile, she answered him emotionlessly. "Just don't wander too far." His aunt went back to her stuff, not even bothering where he headed to.

He ran about the area playfully and then stopped in front of a mysterious small hut. He looked at it with curiosity, "I wonder what's inside." He took few steps in front and reached for the door. He stopped his movement when he heard a little girl's voice, "What are you doing?" He turned around and saw a petite girl standing in front of him with a ball in her hands. He figured that she was about the age of 5 and was obviously younger than him. She had big innocent brown eyes that gave off the demure look on her face. Her hair tied up in two high ponytails and she was dressed in a cute summer dress.

His cheeks flushed at the sight of the adorable girl who stood in front of him. His felt his heart beat faster. Ka…Kawaii…He was so distracted with her looks he didn't even notice the girl had went closer to him. "Daijoubu?" asked the girl inquisitively. He was jolted by the girl when he found out that she was near him. What am I so scared of her anyway? She's just a girl. I must be… His thoughts interrupted when the girl spoke up bashfully, "Do you want to play with me?"

He was surprised with her question but he didn't hold back the answer. He responded with a nod. The little girl started the game with a kick on the ball. The ball rolled to Kouga and it was his turn to do the same. The faults they made in the game didn't make them cheerless but instead they both laughed at their silly mistakes. Kouga felt like it was the best day of his life; he had never felt this happy before.

(End Flashback)

Weird feelings ran through Kagome's body after hearing his little story. She felt it as if she was a part of his story. She shook the thoughts out of her head and brought her attention back to Kouga. "So what's her name?" asked Kagome as she went next to him.

He kept quiet for a moment before giving her an answer, "Her name was Kagome." Kagome was surprised with his answer. The girl has the same name… She was distracted from her thoughts when Kouga spoke up, "I knew you would be surprised somehow." She shook her head and replied, "Well a little but I'm not the only girl with this name."

He chuckled. "True but one thing about this girl I haven't told you about is that she lived here," Answered Kouga. Kagome stood there stunned. Her head flooded with questions of when, how and why? Kouga left her being puzzled. Her mind wasn't the only one which was filled with confusion, he had also thought about it if she was his long lost friend.

"Hey Kagome is it alright with you if I brought you somewhere. I want to show you something else," said Kouga out of the sudden. Kagome looked up to the sky. "Don't worry Kagome we'll be back before your dinner," convinced Kouga. She turned to him and nodded.

"Kouga what do you want to show me?" asked Kagome curiously. Kouga led her through thick bushes as he replied her, "You'll see." Once they were out of the bushes, Kagome could see the area was embedded with stunning daisies and there in front of her was an immense tree. All of a sudden, an abrupt vision of the place hit her mind. It was just too familiar. She stared at the tree. Where have I seen it before?

She was snapped back into reality when Kouga got her by her hand and pulled her towards the tree. He released her hands once they were under the big shady tree. "Does it somehow look familiar to you?" asked Kouga suddenly. Kagome took few steps away from him and looked around her. "Somehow it does," mumbled Kagome as she brought her hand to the side of her forehead.

Kouga looked at Kagome. Even though she might not be her but I still have to try. He walked to her and went next her. He reached for his pocket and pulled out an object from there. Kouga called out to her as he got hold of the object in his right hand, "Kagome." Kagome turned to him, "Nani?" He brought his right hand out to her released his clenched hand and there on the surface if his palm laid a lovely luminous pink pendant shaped of a heart with a small petite star embedded in the center of it.

Another vision came across her mind. That pendant… Why is everything so familiar? Her hand reached for the pendant. She took it from his hand and she scrutinized the pendant. There on the right side of the pendant was crafted with two initials. She mumbled as she thought about what had the two initials stand for, "Ka and Ko…" Then it clicked. She faced Kouga and asked hesitantly, "It's your name and mine? Kouga and Kagome."

Kouga nodded, "Do you remember this pendant?" Kagome shook her head, "No but I've seen this pendant before in my dreams. I never thought it would be real." Kouga looked at Kagome with astonishment, "Dream?" asked Kouga peculiarly. Kagome nodded and replied, "But this wasn't the only thing that came across my dreams. This tree too was in it."

Kouga kept quiet for a moment, thinking for a question to ask. He snapped his fingers once he got the question in his head, "Come Kagome. The last place to refresh your memory," said Kouga as he pulled her with him. He stopped when they reached a river. Kagome went closer to the river and another vision appeared but this time she knew she had remembered everything.

(Flashback)

Tress rustled melodically as the wind became stronger. Leafs were released from the grasp of their abode as the wind took them. Kagome stood there looking up to the evening skies so bright yet dark at the same time. She was waiting for someone and knew he would come as he promised. Being unalarmed two hands covered her eyes from behind, "Guess who."

Kagome reached for the hands and pulled them away playfully. A smile grew on her face as she knew who the person was. The exact person she had expected. She spun around and there in front of her stood a boy with a grin on his face. "Kouga." she returned him with a big smile. "What do you want to see me for?" asked Kagome curiously.

"Well for starters," said Kouga as he searched his pocket, "I got something for you." Kagome's smile widened, "Really?" Kouga responded with a nod as he took out an object from his pocket. He handed it out to her, "Here Kagome. It's for you." Kagome took it from him and stared at the breathtaking pendant that were now in her hands.

"Arigato Kouga," thanked Kagome as she jumped onto him and gave him a big warm hug. "I love it," she said. Kouga didn't return her hug but instead he said something despondently, "I have something else to tell you." She didn't like the sound of his voice. She released her hug and gave off a puzzled look, "What is it?"

He looked down to the ground as if he was ashamed to look at her. He replied hesitantly, "I…uh… My aunt would be going to America tomorrow…and this would be the… last… day for us." Kagome couldn't believe what she had heard. She shook her head incredulously, "You are lying." Tears filled her eyes as she took few steps back.

Kouga tried calming her down, "I'll come back here once I'm old enough I promise. Kagome please…" He was interrupted when Kagome shot him an angry look. "No… I hate you and I don't want to see you again!" said Kagome with indignant as she threw the pendant down in front of Kouga and ran away from him. Kouga chased after her and called out her names plenty of time but she ignored him all the way.

Wind started blowing wildly as the thunder roar fiercely and rain came pouring down heavily. Kagome tried her best to see through the misty path but the untamed rain had taken over her determination to seek through her path. Unaware of the path ahead of her, she lost her balance when she accidentally slipped on one of the dicey puddles. The next thing she knew it she was caught up in the feral seize of the river current.

(End Flashback)

Kagome looked at Kouga and was speechless for a moment. "Now I know I was right from the start. You are her. The girl I never forget. So did you remember everything?" asked Kouga. Kagome nodded and answered "Yes, everything." She turned to him and gave him an uncertain look, "That time when I ran away from you and fell into the river. Who saved me?"

Kouga shrugged, "I don't know. I tried running after you but you were somehow lost from my sight. You really hated me that time. I actually felt guilty for making you hurt that time." She shook her head and replied with a small smile, "It's alright it was ages ago." Kagome then looked down to the river inquisitively, "One thing though how come I couldn't remember anything last time about you and all this?"

"I'm not really sure though. I had visited you in the hospital but you were crowded around with adults. I wanted to see you but I was also scared to face your parents. I felt guilty. It was my entire fault," Answered Kouga desolately. Kagome placed her hand on his shoulder and gave him a sweet smile just to cheer him up, "Don't worry Kouga it's over. But now I'm just curious why I hadn't remembered?"

Kouga returned her a small smile as he answered her question, "Well when I was hiding myself, I overheard the doctor saying something that you had a bad shock and so some part of your memories might be forgotten." He shrugged, "I'm not really sure though I was still quite young that time."

Kagome looked up at the sky and the view of the starry stars and bright moon calmed her down. She brought her attention back to Kouga and shot him a beam, "It's no longer a forgotten memory."

Well that's the end for this chapter. Hope you guys stay tune for the next chapter. Enjoy and thanks for R&R.