Memory's Shadow

To Fool

A/N:

Dialogue:

Kitsune - Fox

Neko - Cat

O hayo - Good morning

Gomen - Sorry

Demo - But

Eto - Um

Tajiya - Demon Exterminator

Youki - Demonic energy/aura

-x-x-x-x-x-

'Life is a simple word with a simple meaning.

And yet, there is no sure answer to what lies ahead.

All you need to do is move forward without looking back.'

-x-x-x-x-x-

"-, let me go!"

"What?"

"You can't fight if you're carrying me!"

Four days had past since Sesshomaru, the ice prince, told me I was to leave in a week. I had only three days left now and it saddened me to no limits. He said that my so-called 'companions' might be picking me up at some time this week. I didn't realize it at first, but now I did. He was treating me like some sort of package and it made me angry. Forget what happened yesterday.

But at this moment, I couldn't bring myself up to be angry. I sat by my windowsill with my head resting on my arms as I gazed out the window, the breeze picking up slightly. Why weren't they here yet? Maybe they weren't going to come after all.

A part of me wanted them to come soon. I loved this place, really I did, but I didn't want to get too attached when I had to leave. It'd hurt too much. Another reason is because they hadn't picked me up yet. What if they didn't want me back? Maybe that's why they aren't showing up.

Inuyasha, Miroku, Sango, a kitsune and a neko… Even though I've only heard it once, it's permanently engraved into my memory. It isn't like there isn't enough room anyway. I couldn't recall anything from their names. They were just that. Names. A name doesn't really tell you what that person is like. Not to mention that I don't know what the kitsune and neko's names are.

There was a light tapping on my temporary door. Sliding off my melancholy and slipping on a fake smile, I stood up and opened the sliding doors. "Hai?" I asked, not knowing who it is yet.

To my surprise, it was Takkako. She smiled at me warmly. "Kagome, O hayo." She said curtly.

This time, I didn't need to force a smile. "Takkako-san!" I said merrily. "I haven't seen you in ages!" I laughed quietly to myself. "So, where've you been?" I asked her in an attempted conversation.

"Gomen Kagome." she said sweetly. "Demo, I have been a little busy." She said truthfully. Her eyes saddened just a little bit. "Eto, Kagome, would you mind having dinner with us tonight?" she asked quietly. "Shemeshoua-sama sent me up here to ask you that."

My brows furrowed. "Shemeshoua-sama…" I started quietly. "You knew about that name-switching thing didn't you?" I accused lightly.

She bowed her head but that wasn't enough for me to miss the blush in her cheeks. "I, eto, I'm truly sorry." She said nervously. "It's just that Shemeshoua-sama's orders were just that. She didn't explain to us why she was doing it and it really wasn't our place to ask."

I laughed heartily, raising the tense air around us. "I'm not blaming you, Takkako-san," I winked. "It's just weird. Whenever you say Shemeshoua's name, my mind goes blank. It takes me a few seconds to register that you're talking about Takara." I laughed once more. "But it won't be for long though. I can still call Shemeshoua-sama Takara-san. She doesn't mind at all. She practically ordered me to do it." I snickered.

She lifted her head and she laughed quietly with me. Once we settled, she continued. Her eyes had saddened once more. "We've all heard the news, Kagome." she said plainly. "You're going to leave this castle in three days time."

All humour escaped my face and I nodded regretfully. "Hai." I said disheartened. "I don't want to leave though. I like this place. A lot. Especially the people, err, the demons I have met." I said, trying to brighten the conversation. It didn't really work.

She nodded solemnly. "Well, Shemeshoua-sama has thought about it and she decided to host a small party tonight. She's invited all the servants you've met, even Sesshomaru-sama. Kaya-san, Aaya-san are all going to be there as well. Call it, a little going-away party." She said with a barely visible smile.

A sad smile escaped my lips. "I'd love to go, Takkako-san," I told her warmly. She smiled back and I fought the urge to cry. She started to bow but I stopped her by grabbed her shoulders lightly. "Now, what did I say about that?" I asked, feigning strictness.

She stood up straight and smiled a bigger smile than before. "Then, I'll see you tonight, Kagome." she said kindly before she started to walk away. Once she was out of sight, I stepped back into my room and closed the door behind me.

Sliding down onto the ground, I grasped my arms and pulled my knees up to my chest. I didn't want to leave. Three days. In just three days I'll be gone. Out of here and into a new place I'd never even encountered before. I haven't even left the castle-grounds for the time I've been here. I've always stayed inside Sesshomaru's territory (although that really isn't saying much) and I had no idea what to expect out there. I mean, the only other human I have met is Rin!

Softly, I touched the cheek, which was wounded from yesterday's 'battle'. It had mostly healed, nothing but a small cut already nearly invisible. Sesshomaru and I may not have gotten well in these past week or two but… I've really grown to depend on him. In everyone in fact.

I may appear strong and happy but in the inside I was dependent and weak. Why was that? Just because of my memory block? Or maybe it was caused by my anxiety. What would my new friends, I mean old, be like? Would they recognize me? Would they accept me like I was accepted here?

I don't know why but I feel as if I was truly accepted in this demon-infested castle. Everyone here was so kind, so warm with the exception of Sesshomaru. And yet, I feel as if he too accepted me being here. When I first woke up from whatever coma I was in, I felt his eyes constantly on me, studying my every move. Whenever he was near me, he'd tense up and get (if it was possible) even colder. It was like he didn't trust me. He acted as if I'd attack him or anyone else any second.

But now, he's totally different around me in such a short space of time. Now, I don't feel his eyes constantly piercing into my skull. Now his eyes were less hard and cold and more calm and secure (although the difference isn't really that big). When he was around me, he used to stiffen and be on alert. Now he would relax after a couple of minutes and he'd actually sigh or something.

Sighing and shaking my head slightly, I stood up and plastered a determined look on my face. Well, no point in brooding about it. I should get going and make the most of my remaining time here. I don't want to leave this place all brooding and sad. I'd still be sad but on later days, I would reflect on the fun times I had here. All the good days. I need to replace the memories I have lost with the memories I have made here.

Smiling to myself, I exited my room. Fully hoping to find one of my friends.

-x-

"No."

"Come on, Sesshomaru!" my aunt snapped at me impatiently. "You know how hard it'll be to see Kagome go. She needs to fill in her empty memory box with laughter and fun." She scolded. "How can we do that without any sake?"

Sighing, I pinched the bridge of my nose. I slowly put my hand down and stared at Shemeshoua intently. "From what I recall, sake had the tendency to erase the memories you've spent drunk." I stated flatly, not at all liking the idea.

"Now Sesshomaru." She said as if talking to a bad-mouthed child. "It's not nice to be selfish. You hardly drink any sake now. What's the harm of taking the supplies that you'd never use?"

I clenched my teeth. I did drink sake. Only when the occasion called for it. And when I felt like I needed relief from all the stress the demon before me has given. "What I do with them is none of your business." I said rather harshly. She gave me a small glare. I didn't even waver. "Why not dispose of your own toxic liquid?" I inquired.

She gave me a mocking look. "Sesshomaru, you know that I do not drink sake." I lifted an eyebrow. "With other people." She added briskly. "My sake is too strong for a human like Kagome. After the first drink, she'd probably flaunt and dance." She snickered at the mental image.

I looked down at my scrolls and continued reading. "I have nothing to contribute for your little 'celebration'." I stated clearly as my eyes shifted from word to word. "Once you set your eyes on her, she is your responsibility, not mine. If she humiliates or inflicts harm upon herself, she has no one to blame but herself and most likely, you."

She frowned at me. "If I didn't know any better, I'd think that you didn't care about her at all." She said slyly.

I didn't respond to that and I lifted my eyes briefly to see her trademark smirk. I set them down again and kept silent. I heard her laugh. "You can't fool me, Sesshomaru." She told me. Those words made my spine crawl with hidden anger.

My head snapped up with strained patience. My eyes narrowed as she simply pulled off an expressionless face. Much like mine but less profound. "There is nothing to fool." I told her coldly, ice enlaced with my words. "And there is nothing more to be said here." I said icily before I lowered my head and continued to read.

I felt her eyes stare at me for a moment before she nodded and left, closing the sliding doors behind her. Once she was out of my sight, hearing and smell, I stood up from my seat gracefully. There was nothing to talk about, nothing to decipher. No puzzle to it except Kagome herself. I felt nothing.

-x-

"It's taking to long! Something must have happened at the village!"

"Are you all right?"

"Demo, Kagome-chan!" Rin whined as she tried to hold in her tears. I saw them glimmer as the sun shone down on both of us. "You can't leave. Jaken-sama and I will miss you!" she said with truth in her voice and shimmering eyes.

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes and smile when she mentioned that Jaken would miss me. He'd probably do the opposite and celebrate my leaving. Sounded like him. I smiled sadly at Rin. I loved her, really I did. I didn't want to be apart from her. But she wasn't mine and I knew for a fact that she'd choose Sesshomaru over anybody else. I knew it because whenever she spoke about him, her eyes would light up in admiration and… as hard as it to admit, love. Rin loved Sesshomaru. I can't see how anyone else can interpret it.

"I know, Rin-chan. I know." I said as I smiled down sadly at her. "And I'll miss you too." I forced myself to smile brighter. "But hey, just because I'm leaving doesn't mean I won't be able to see you two anymore!" I told her, trying to lift her spirits. "I'll visit whenever I can, all right?" I asked.

Her disappointed face then broke into a large hopeful smile. "Hai!" she said enthusiastically. "And I'll draw you pictures okay? Because when you're gone, you won't know what Jaken-sama and me did! I'll draw a picture every single day and you can have them whenever we see each other again!" she said with growing spirits.

"I'd love that, Rin." I said truthfully as I bent down and hugged the small girl I grew to love. She hugged me back and I felt her shiver slightly. "Shh…" I said quietly in her ear. "Don't cry, Rin."

She nodded but I heard the small sob that she had tried to restrain. I pulled away and wiped away her tears. I gave a mock frown. "Now, what's this?" I said as I rubbed her cheek. "Come on. I'll only be here for a few more days. You have to show me around so I won't forget anything!" I persisted.

She wiped the rest of her tears with her kimono sleeves and smiled up at me as I stood up. "All right!" she said, returning her happy mood once more. "I'll show you around so many times, Kagome-chan, that you won't forget anything!" she said as she dragged me by the hand.

After we walked for about fifteen minutes, we had a run-in with Jaken in the castle. "Jaken-sama!" Rin cried happily as she let go of my hand to give the toad a massive huge. Even I flinched when I heard a few bones crack.

As she let go, he wheezed in large amounts of air. "Are you trying to suffocate me, child?" he croaked out as he gave the said child a glare. His eyes then left hers and connected with mine. We stared at each other for a few moments before he scoffed and turned his head away. "Disobedient wench." he said loud enough for me to hear. "The sooner you go, the sooner I get less wrinkles." He sighed.

At that, I laughed. Wow. Who knew Jaken could be funny? He stopped mid-step and turned to me with a very confused expression on his face. It only made me laugh more and then Rin started to join me. "Has your mind gone over the deep end now, woman?" Jaken asked with bulging eyes.

Once my laughter had lessened somewhat, I smiled at him. I may not have gotten along with Jaken. Heck, all we did was pass insults at each other. But I really did respect him. Taking care of Rin was a really tough job, especially for someone like him. And Rin did like him, right? "I'll miss you too, Jaken." I said truthfully. I'll miss his pleading screeches when Rin starts to chase him. I'll miss the way he's almost as klutzy as I am. I'll miss the way he tries to act tough but really is scared spineless.

He looked at me briefly for a moment before he shrugged and finally began to walk away out of our sight. Weird huh? I just said I'd miss Jaken. What the hell is the world coming to?

Suddenly, Rin grabbed my hand once more and began to drag me to who knows where. "Come on." She said patiently. "We still have more of the castle for you to memorize!" she laughed.

So, for the rest of that day, I was being dragged around by Rin. It didn't seem all that fun but I cherished these kinds of moments.

-x-

I watched as the two female humans trudged around my castle. What were they doing? Rin had seemed to be talking non-stop since their encounter with Jaken. Kagome just nodded and pointed, asking the occasional question or two.

I wasn't deaf. I heard what they were talking about and it was ridiculous. They were things that didn't need to be discussed at all. Sighing, I left the pair when I got too bored and headed towards my study. Inuyasha hadn't showed up yet. Neither have his friends. It's almost definite that they won't show up now.

Why did they think the act of bringing someone back to life was so unbelievable or wrong? They had met the reborn priestess that sealed my stupid half-brother to a tree. They've also come to believe that the tajiya's younger sibling had come back from the dead. From what I believed, the two that had a second chance in this world were loved. That was why the small group had sought them out.

But then, what about Kagome? Did they think that she couldn't be revived? Couldn't be brought back to life after two months under soil? Or didn't they actually care about her? I shook my head mentally at these thoughts. Why would I care if they did or not? I knew the answer: because I dislike people who merely use others without caring about their well-being. It seemed dishonorable and it disgusted me greatly. Naraku for example.

Marching back to my study room and picked up a few scrolls I had recently read. Spreading it across the table, I flattened it out with my palm and began to read. They were nothing interesting. Just documentaries and reports about battle results. Quiet boring really.

By the time I was ready to throw the entire thing into the fire, I realized that it was already night. Curiosity gnawed at me but I tried to push it away. After a couple of moments it succeeded but then returned with an even greater force.

I wanted to see what the other beings of my household were doing. It was an obnoxious idea so I decided not to check on them. Why would I care if the pathetic fools drank toxic and acted like a bunch of idiots?

An hour went by and my eyes glanced out the window once more. Sighing with my patience running thin, I exited the room. I needed some fresh air. My feet took me to the pond with the small bridge across, just outside Kagome's temporary sleeping area. I leaned against the railing and looked up at the full moon. It was beautiful but I liked the crescent better.

Unlike the full, the crescent has some sort of mystery to it. A part of it is exposed while most of it is covered by dark shadows. When it's full, there's nothing to hide. If it's fully light then there's no sense of mystery in it. It's practically saying, 'That's it. That's the moon. There's nothing more'.

Sighing under my breath and closed my eyes, letting the shine of the moon drown itself upon me. I felt a calm within myself. A sense of peacefulness that I hardly ever get until recently.

It was then that I heard light footsteps behind me and I immediately stiffened. My demonic hearing picked up every word and movement. "Come on, Kagome." it was her. That Aaya person Shemeshoua mentioned yesterday. "You've got to go to sleep now. You're a little bit too hyper."

There was a loud giggle from inside. I internally cringed. It was Kagome. Shemeshoua must have used her own supply of sake then. From what I could tell, the light purple-haired demon wasn't nearly as drunk as she was. "No! You're too hyper! You're too hyper!" she laughed.

Thank goodness Rin was on the other side of the castle. Kagome would have woken her up. How much did she have to drink anyway? I really didn't take my aunt seriously when she said she was going to do this. Once again, she has the ability to surprise me. Even if it's only slightly.

"Listen, be a good girl and lie down." The demon's voice rang. I heard movement on the floorboards and Kagome's light feet leave the ground as she settled on her futon. "Good Kagome." she humored as she walked back towards the other door.

I heard the slide doors open and all went silent for a moment. I knew the demon did not sense me. Her senses aren't as acute as mine. Especially when I was covering my aura. As the silence stretched on, the doors finally closed and I felt her aura and youki slowly began to fade away. All was quiet after that. I couldn't even hear Kagome's breathing inside. I presumed that she had already fallen asleep.

Closing my eyes once more, I forgot my current life, and myself and just stood there, at complete peace. These times were really rare. I wouldn't have time for things such as these. I would be constantly reading or journeying. Not that I minded. It was just… nice to have this time for yourself.

The doors behind me slid open and I sighed in disappointment. There goes my night of peacefulness and complete calm. I knew who it was without even turning around. "Sessho-hic-maru?" Kagome's light, drunken voice was heard behind me.

I didn't turn but she still advanced me with uneasy steps. From the corner of my eye, she stumbled and held the wooden railing for support. She laughed loudly that my ears rang slightly. "Wow, Sesshomaru! Isn't it a really pretty night tonight?" she giggled.

I glanced at her once before I turned back to the moon. I wanted to leave her, find more peace and quiet, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. If I left her, she would most likely fall over the safety rail and headfirst to the ground below, probably causing her neck to break and die. I couldn't just let that happen. What kind of lord would I be if I let one of my guests die while they were drunk?

"You know what? You're really quiet." She told me plainly as she stared at me.

Turning, I met her eyes and it was a surprise to see them so out of focus and yet serious at the same time. "Why can't you just talk for maybe a minute or two?" she suggested vainly. "It'll probably do you some good," she said with a hysterically high voice.

I just stared at her plainly, hoping she would get the message and just leave me alone. But, as expected, she didn't. She just threw her arms up in the air in frustration. "You're no fun, you know that?" she said with a frown. "All you do is just stand there like a statue and never talk or smile! That's creepy man! It's like you're a walking zombie or something!" she said seriously although her eyes were still glazed.

Quirking an eyebrow, I stared at her in silence. Well, she was talking rather loudly, wasn't she? "And what is up with that eyebrow thing?" she suddenly yelled, causing my eyes to widen a slight fraction. "You get more wrinkles if you do that, you know! That's what I thought when I first met you." She grumbled loosely.

I lowered my eyebrow. "What did you think of me?" I asked. I had no idea why. It just slipped out. That didn't happen all too much.

She put a finger on her chin as she stared thoughtfully at me. "I thought you were scary." She said with a giggle. "You were all statue-like and you were scary. You hardly moved, just like a statue and I think you did this really scary rain dance." She said. At that last comment, I couldn't help my deadpan look. But then she came up to me quickly, making me tense, and softly grabbed a lock of my hair. "And also, I thought you were a girl." she mumbled as she stroked her fingers through it.

This time, I couldn't help but look surprised. And offended. No one had ever told me that. And if they did think about it, they never had the gall to actually tell me. "But." She said quietly as she ran her slender fingers through my silky hair. "I completely think different now. You're all man, Sesshomaru! Well, at least -hic- ninety-nine percent." She laughed.

I had just about enough of this nonsense and was about to leave. But then she began talking once more. "I really envy your hair though." She said silently, a small pout on her lips. "You're a guy and I'm a girl. You shouldn't have the better hair. It just doesn't seem… right." She laughed.

Well, that was new. But then again, there was a saying about this. A drunken man's words are a sober man's thoughts. Except, Kagome isn't a man, she's a young woman blooming. Did it matter about the gender? Without realizing it, I decided to stay. There wasn't any harm in that.

She sighed as she continued to comb my hair with her fingers, each stroke making it longer. I closed my eyes unintentionally and lost myself in her fingers. "Hey…" she started quietly, ending her soft raking. "I don't want to leave," she said suddenly, wrapping her arms around my waist.

All calm broke as I immediately stilled under her sudden action. She hung onto me, burying her face in my shoulder. I smelt tears but she wasn't crying. Even in her drunken state she still refusing to shed a tear before me. "I liked it here." She continued without lifting her head. "I really, really, really like it here. I like everyone here too, even Jaken." She giggled then faded.

She lifted her head and her chocolate eyes met my golden ones. They were still glazed but they were a little bit clearer now. Her cheeks were rosy in colour, probably because of the sake, and her full lips were moist as she licked them. I found myself staring at them.

Her voice was the thing that snapped me back into reality. As our eyes met once more, I saw a deep pleading and longing look in her eyes. "Why can't… I just stay here?" she asked quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.

I slipped my mask back on as I detached her arms from me. "You do not belong here." I said harshly, narrowing my eyes at her. She stood there, listening. "You never once belonged here. You belong within a different group. A different home." I said, icy venom dripping in my voice.

And yet, all she did was smile, her eyes even more glazed then ever. "Of course!" she said merrily. "I belong to Pluto!" she said as she pointed to the moon.

Pluto? I had never heard of such a ridiculous name. She really needed to settle down. Sighing, I slid the doors open and guided the wobbly human inside. "Sleep," I ordered deeply as I led her to her crumpled futon. "You are not yourself." I said quietly.

Without protest, she rested her head on the pillow and pulled the blankets towards her chin. She looked up at me and smiled softly. "You… you're pretty -hic- nice, Sesshomaru." She said softly before she closed her twinkling eyes and began to sleep.

I exited the room and closed the doors behind me only to find my annoying aunt smirking at me from the other side of the pond. "What? Isn't that the third time now?" she asked so that he could hear it. "There's nothing to fool, eh?"

My eyes narrowed at her as I bared my teeth. "That is right. There's nothing." I said coldly.

She shrugged off-handedly. "All right. Believe what you want." She said with a smirk. "So, I'd just like you to know that the gathering tonight was a giant success." She said. "Although, Kagome did seem to be effected by alcohol much more quickly than usual humans I have met." She mused. "Must be in her genetics or something."

"I'm surprised that you actually used your supply for an occasion such as this." I told her with a deadpan voice.

She looked at me in confusion. "What do you mean?" she asked innocently as she resisted the urge to smirk. "I took it out of yours."

-x-

Hey guys! Congratulations for making it to chapter ten people! Thanks a bunch! And sorry if this chapter was slow too. I guess it was a sort of filler that I wanted to put in for a while now. Anyway, I'm pretty sure that the next chapter would be the chapter where Kagome goes back to Inuyasha and crew. But still don't know yet. Better find out while I'm typing!

Thanks to:

kittyb78, AngelofMist, Twist in fate, vimpirebabes994, Finchette, mangadreams, Kittenn1011, sweetest angel, iheartanime43, kumikohan, Raina Darlig, AwesomeHachi1521316, Kagome2691, Whispering Lillies, Sora Moto, MsLCloud, Callie-yue Sesshy's Plaything, Bloomer123 and to those who I have forgot to mention. If so then terribly sorry!

Various Review Replies:

Finchette – Lol, thanks for your vote! And I agree with you totally about school. It wouldn't need to be burned, eaten and then shoved into the backside of a monkey if there wasn't so much homework though! Lol. I hate maths class (just something random). Used to like it 'cause the teacher was pretty funny. Now I hate it to the core. TOO MUCH I SAY! And don't worry about the cookies! I'll make more questions:D

Kittenn1011 – Thanks for your vote! And don't worry, she will be kept in character and she won't be bashed. I hate it when people do that so pointlessly without a reason. And why would you want her to kill Kagome? (o.0) Lol, thanks for reviewing!

kumikohan – Lol. Of course it's a Sessh/Kag story! Who else would it be? ;D And I'll also count your vote as a yes. If it's really a no tell me and I'll make the change!

Whispering Lillies – Yeah, that COULD have happened but it's not in my story! XD Seriously, I don't like the Inu/Kik pairing all that much. There's a small, teeny tiny part of me that promotes it but that's it. Not going to make a story about it any time soon! Lol. So, it's not going to happen so don't get your hopes up (nice guess though)! Thanks for reviewing!

Sora Moto – Hmm. Probably, probably not. You'll just have to find out later:D Thanks for voting too by the way! And also, do you know Kingdom Hearts? Just asking 'cause you've got Sora's name! Well half of it anyway. Lol.

MsLCloud – (o.0) Hiya! Um, your review was kind of confusing. I think you deleted some bits off of it or something. What did you get chased from? Lol. When I first read it, I thought that an Inuyasha story was chasing you and I was like: (O.O) Rofl. Could you please tell me what you really meant? Because I don't think that's it. Lol. Thanks for reviewing though!

Callie-yue Sesshy's Plaything – LOL! You've got a tiny bit of your guess right! Guess what it was and I'll give you yet another imaginary cookie! And we'll see about the twisted and cruel bit. I have an idea swimming inside my head that I KNOW you guys won't like if I ended it in a cliffie. Hehe… I'll take your opinion. Should I give this drastically twisted idea a cliffie? It all depends on you!

Thanks for reviewing anyone and don't forget to review this time! Don't forget about the poll either! Thanks a bunch!

Poll results:

Yes - 8

No - 0