Episode Eleven: Alliance: Return Her Memories!

Author Note: Sorry for the delay. Had to take care of a friend. I'm currently at a sleepover. Progress = Zero.

Disclaimer: …Damn you, Jenny. I own NOTHING~

Sesshomaru left the western lands in search of Kagome and her group, leaving his servant, Jaken, behind with his mother. He didn't have time to bother with him. He had one mission and one mission only to complete: return Kagome's memories and keep her away from the Vampire Kingdom. Once he is able to return her memories, he will bring her and her friends, if she still wanted them, to the Western Castle. Upon leaving, he had went into his room for an item, that it now in his hand.

The item was silver and light-weighted. It is in a shape of a canister that fitted his palm nicely. The item had a spell in Latin that would only effect vampires and help them gain more strength, or break any spell that is placed on the vampire. That item was his key to unlocking the little vampire's memories and to get back his maiden.

The wind gently blew through his hair, catching a faint scent of honey and blood. "Kagome…" He looked up at the growing moon. "Kagome… Please wait a little longer."

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Kagome was restless. It's not because of the change of her sleeping pattern, it's because she kept dreaming of Sesshou. For the pass three nights, she only dreamt of him and the weird conversations they had. But she wasn't able to control her dream or else she would've killed him. She was afraid that it was a memory with him. She wanted nothing to do with him at all. Who would want to talk about gutting humans or is he was to be a vampire, which one of them would drink the most blood anyways? By night, she guards and watches over her friends and by morning, she sleeps while Inuyasha carries her.

And Sesshou plagues her dreams more.

But the more she dreamt of him, the more she was able to figure out one thing: Sesshou is royal and so was she. She would wear the cutest dresses or kimonos (God, how she hated wearing kimonos) in those memories/dreams and his clothes would change from white and red, white and blue, and white and green with the Western Kingdom symbol them. The dream/memories would start out with them sitting in a garden full of roses. He would complain that roses made him sick and that her scent is all he could tolerate. Then the weird conversations began. Sometimes they would be sitting side by side, one night she was braiding his hair, and one night his head was in her lap.

And in all of her dreams, he was smiling and laughing and she liked that. When he smiled, she could see his boyish charms and his eyes would glow in excitement and joy. And when his laughed, oh boy. His laugh makes her heart sing and it made her want to listen to his laughter forever, but all of her dreams/memories would end like that and she's awake for the night watch.

After the fifth night, she couldn't wait for her next dream with Sesshou. While she watches over her best friend Kikyo and the hanyou Inuyasha, her thoughts were on Sesshou. She just couldn't wait to go to sleep. But while the restless nights were all about her and the Western Lord, she had not eaten or drank any blood during those days. And that worried Inuyasha.

Ever since the New Moon, he had gotten close to Kagome. Well, as close as Kikyo was. He would say stupid stuff to make Kagome mad and subdue him, but he gains a new level of respect for her. Sacrificing her time and strength to lead them to her home. At times, he wants to volunteer to watch over her while she sleeps during the night, but carrying her was the next best thing. She was tiny and warm when he carried her. Her heartbeat would be in sync with his and it put him at ease when she would bury herself in his hair.

Kikyo was enjoying her two friend's new friendship. She doesn't know what had happened to them during the new moon, but it certainly made a difference. So much of a difference that Inuyasha has most of his attention on the little vampire than on her. Her heart grew cold slightly, but reinsured that it was all because Inuyasha had found another half-breed like himself. She knew Kagome wouldn't fall for Inuyasha and Inuyasha wouldn't fall for Kagome. Kagome was infatuated with Lord Kaname and it will stay that way. Kikyo wants nothing to change amongst the three of them. But Kikyo's wishful thinking came to an end.

"Morning time", Kagome said with a yawn. "I'm beat."

"I'm amazed that we only had one demon trying to kill us but fell into one of your traps", Kikyo said as she packed up. "This trip will be easy for now own."

"A week almost went by, too", Inuyasha added as he kneel down, back towards the little vampire. "Come on. We're making good time. Let's get going."

But a familiar demonic aura reached the group. As they turned around, walking towards them was Sesshomaru with a stoic mask on his face. His eyes were cold and glistened in the sun. Each step was precise as he came to a stop several feet from the trio. His brother had already withdrawn his sword and the priestess drew her bow. It was only Kagome that stood still and watched him with those curious violet eyes he had cared for.

"I'm not here to fight", he said. "I am just here to make an offer."

Inuyasha feh'd. "What kind of offer? You killing us off?"

"An alliance."

"Huh?!" the trio asked. Kikyo was confused. Kagome was shocked. Inuyasha just wasn't buying it.

"What kind and why?" Inuyasha asked, gripping his sword tightly.

Sesshomaru smirked. "Well, to protect you all, assist you, and make your lives easier. In exchange, I want to try to help get Kagome's memories back."

Kagome heard enough. She turned on her heel, her back towards the Western Lord. "I want nothing to do with my past, Sesshou. Take your offer and go home."

Sesshomaru chuckled. "Do you know the reason why you called me that, Kagome?"

Kagome turned her head. "Do I need a reason? It's just a name."

"You might think it's just a name now, but it was special back then." After he said that, he knew that he had gotten her attention when her whole body turned towards him. "That one name meant a lot of things to you."

'Only you can call me Sesshou' his voice echoed though her head like a faint memory. 'He holds the key to my past', she thought. 'He knows more about who I was…maybe…'

Inuyasha saw the change in Kagome's expression became more thoughtful and decided to take charge. "I've already told you, Sesshomaru. She doesn't need her memories and she doesn't need you. All three of us are together and we'll protect one another. Now back off!"

Sesshomaru was getting irritated with his brother's yapping, but he need to be patient to get on the vampire's good side. "And if you need blood, I can be your donor."

The days of not eating or drinking got to Kagome, but she shook it off. 'I'll just use him for blood and memories. I have to get rid of him before we reach the kingdom.' Kagome sighs. "Give me one promise, Sesshou."

"Anything."

She ran her fingers through her hair as she looked at both Inuyasha and Kikyo. "Inuyasha and Kikyo are special to me. You better be able to protect them with your life."

Sesshomaru grimace at her request. Protect his brother? It was absurd.

"Also", she continues, "you must promise that while attaining my memories that I will not change the person I am today."

Sesshomaru wasn't sure if she would be able to stay the same or revert back to the maiden he once knew. But he couldn't act now until he tried. "I give you my word as Lord of the Western Kingdom, that you will stay the same as you are today. And I will protect your friends with my life", he begrudgingly added.

"Good."

Kikyo put up her bow and arrow and bowed. "Welcome to the group, Lord Sesshomaru."

Inuyasha feh's and sheathed his sword. "You better not try any funny business."

"I guess he'll be in Night Duty with me. I could use the extra hand", Kagome said with a yawn. "I need sleep."

"You need it more than we do." Inuyasha kneel back down for Kagome. "Climb on."

The little vampire climbing on the hanyou's back and lightly wrapped her arms around his neck. Inuyasha held on to the girl's bare thighs to hold her up. The hanyou and priestess began to walk, with the Demon Lord trailing behind them, angry. He should be holding the little vampire, her soft skin bare in his hands; her tiny body pressed against his back, not his brother's. How did his brother get so close to her so quickly?

As the walk continued, Sesshomaru had to think about others things to distract himself every time he would hear Kagome sigh in her sleep or watch her snuggle against the half-breed's hair. It sickens him. He quickly reminded himself that it was him that enjoys her soft lips. It was him that had explored her body. It was him that made her smile, laugh, moan and scream in pleasure. All of it was all him.

When the evening finally came, they came to a stop in a forest clearing. Kikyo went to fetch firewood and Inuyasha begin to wake up the little vampire. Kagome stretched and wrapped her arms back around the hanyou's neck.

"Just a little longer, Inuyasha", she mumbled.

Inuyasha rolled his eyes. "If you sleep any longer, I just might bury you alive."

"You'll be dead before that happens", she giggled as she hopped off the boy's back. "Oh god, here we go again."

Inuyasha stood up and lightly touch the vampire's shoulders. "I'm gonna go catch some fish, okay. And you better not skip dinner tonight." He poked her nose. "Got it?"

"Aye Captain!" Kagome saluted the hanyou.

With a nod, Inuyasha darted off to the nearby stream.

Sesshomaru watched the group from afar, lying against a tree. As they laughed and ate, he noticed that each of them had a role while being social with one another. While the Priestess was pure and kind, she had a weird fantasy of torturing demons and being soaked in their blood, not something he expected with her. Inuyasha, like always, was a cunning and bold idiot and tried to challenge the priestess to a battle, but he had a soft spot for both girls. Though Kagome's bold personality and temper often flares, she is kindest and sweet when dealing with the hanyou.

"Sesshou!" Kagome called out. "Come over here and join us. Inuyasha caught a lot of fish."

Inuyasha feh'd. "He won't join. He has too much pride to eat dinner with the likes of us."

Kagome rolled her eyes. "Please, Sesshou?"

The Demon Lord rose and sat next to the little vampire that offered him a fish on a stick. He kindly took the fish and sat there as they observed the group once more.

"I'm very excited to see Kamui", Inuyasha said as he had his sixth helping of fish. "But…there is something off about it, though."

"Oh?" Kagome asked. "What is it?"

"Well, I used to live in a village named Kamui. It was full of Humans and it was govern by the Vampire Kingdom. The very one that was destroyed by a Vampire Princess."

Sesshomaru glare daggers to his brother. "What are you applying, half-breed?"

"What I am applying is that it could be the same village", Inuyasha said. "It's within the Vampire Kingdom. It could be possible that it's the same village only bigger and restored."

"I'm not too sure" Kagome said, sitting down her fish. "Lord Kaname would've told me this."

Hearing the name of the Vampire Prince coming from the little vampire startled Sesshomaru. "How do you know Kaname? Have you been to the Vampire Kingdom? Did he hurt you?"

The little vampire was shocked by the man's questions. "Do you know Lord Kaname, Sesshou?"

"You shouldn't treat that beast with respect", he hissed. "He's dangerous and you shouldn't be alone with him at all."

Kagome's blood began to boil. "Where do you get off telling me what to do and talking bad about Lord Kaname?" She stood up. "Lord Kaname is my life. He saved me when I was little and took care of me ever since! He gave me a name, taught me how to speak and fight! More so, gave me a home and a family. And what did you do? Nothing!"

Sesshomaru was shocked. He couldn't save her only because he didn't know she was alive until recently. After five years, he had a feeling she was alive, but didn't know where. "So…you trust Kaname with your life?"

"Yes", she answered, calming down. "I trust him. I believe in him. Lord Kaname is special to me. I… I do love him." She began to blush after she said that.

Both Inuyasha and Kikyo were shocked by Kagome's claim. Kikyo was a little shaken. Her best friend is in love with the Vampire Prince that doesn't care for her. To think that if Kagome plans to marry him, she would never get to see her again.

But Inuyasha, pissed and bold as ever, jumped to his feet in anger. "So, what, you will say 'yes' if he asked you to marry him?"

Kagome looked at her friend. "Of course not! I declined him when he proposed to me."

"WHAT?!" both Inuyasha and Kikyo exclaimed.

Sesshomaru was mildly amused and listened silently.

"When was this?" Kikyo asked.

"At his birthday celebration", Kagome answered. "He proposed to me to be his bride and I declined him. He's not allowed to marry a Half-Breed and he was planning on turning me right then and there. I… I didn't want to change. I just want to be me." She began to hold herself. "I don't know who I was in the past and I don't care for my personality. But I know who I am of today, right now. I don't want to change for anyone unless it is for me."

She then looked at the Western Prince with pleading eyes. "So…Sesshou, don't tell me something that you know I won't want to know about my past. Only tell me something that you know that I would like about my old self. Will you please do that for me?"

'I see' Sesshomaru thought. 'It's the fear of losing yourself once more.' He nods. "I promise." He was surprised that Kaname kept her alive this long. He wondered what his purpose was.

Kagome smiled and sat back down to enjoy her fish. Both of her friends went back to talking about killing demons and how Kikyo should lay off the sake. When dinner was getting wrapped up, Sesshomaru stood up, reached into his sleeve pocket, and pulled out the silver item.

"Kagome."

Kagome looked at the Demon Lord, then to the silver item in his hands. "What is that?"

"This belongs to you", he said as he walked closer to her. "This was given to you by me a month before you disappeared. I won't tell you what happen and it's for you to decide if you want to know or not. But all I ask is for you to remember me."

Kagome looked into the sad golden eyes of the man before her. Then she looked at the silver item. It had rose pattern on it and it was so small in the man's hands. "A gift from you…" she whispered as she inch her hand to grab the item. The closer her hand was, the more clouded her mind became. Just as her fingers touched the item, memories of Sesshou flashed in her mind. She couldn't move, she could speak.

Imagins of Sesshou, voices of Sesshou…the touch and kisses of Sesshou, it was too much…but she wanted more. She was able to inch her hand away from the item, but her world was fading…fast.

It was Inuyasha that caught Kagome from falling. "What the hell did you do to her, you bastard?"

"Kagome?" Kikyo rushed to Inuyasha's side and held the unconscious vampire's hand. As she held her friend's hand, she heard her mumble something that was able to reach the ears of the hanyou and the Demon Lord. "Sesshou…stay by my side."

Author's Note: One chapter away then the first season of Doppelganger Duo will end and I'll the second season: Doppelganger Duo – Four Souls. Maybe it'll be called something different… Review~~