Chapter 11: Open up your eyes
Sesshoumaru didn't allow himself to relax until he was almost halfway home, his sports car eating up the miles to the Taisho manor. Kagome was curled up like a kitten on his passenger seat and he could tell from her breathing that she was still fast asleep. He couldn't stop himself from glancing at her every now and then, checking on her and absorbing the beauty that he had been denied for five long years. Even though he knew his slip up was putting her in danger, he couldn't help but be glad for her change. He had missed her, pure and simple. She had been an integral part of his life for many centuries and not having her there had created a hole that he just couldn't fill.
He tensed as he heard her breathing pick up and pressed his foot down; he wanted to be at the manor well before she awoke properly as he wasn't sure how much explaining would be needed. One thing was for certain; Kagome always managed to surprise him.
Sesshoumaru had just swung into his mile long drive when Kagome sat up and stretched. She rubbed her eyes and nicked her eyebrow with her claws. For a moment she stared at her fingers and the little trickle of blood down them, dumbfounded. And then she started to scream.
Sesshoumaru cursed before easing the car to a stop and taking the petrified Kagome into his arms. She was shaking with fear and he couldn't stop the soothing growl that rumbled in his chest. He hated the scent of her fear but it was the cause that he was more concerned about. Yes, she had cut herself, but the sight of blood had never upset her this much before. In fact, at a rather troubled time in her youth, he had taught her how to fight and she had been part of one of the greatest battles in demon history. So, if it wasn't the blood that bothered her, what was causing this hysteria?
After a few minutes her shuddering sobs subsided until she leant back against his hold and looked at her hands.
"Sesshoumaru…." She asked hesitantly, "why…..why do I have….well…..these?" she waved them in his face.
"Kagome," he said softly, "what do you remember?"
She frowned slightly and looked away from his eyes.
"I….I remember getting ready for dinner….I remember coming down the lift….I remember meeting you and then my bracelet getting stuck and you helping me and then….." she trailed off.
"And then?" he prompted, gently
She looked into his eyes; taking in the hazel orbs that were swimming with concern for her. She took a deep breath and tried to explain as best she could.
"It was like…..this energy …. It sort of swept over me. I remember a feeling like….like coming home almost. Does that sound crazy?"
"Not crazy at all," he whispered, his heart constricting slightly, "can you wait a while for me to explain? Just until we get to the house? We aren't safe, even here."
She nodded and sat back in her seat, carefully not looking at her hands. He put the car in gear, spewing gravel behind them as he sped up the drive.
Sesshoumaru felt himself truly relax for the first time in what felt like centuries. He was home. Finally.
Even though he had been living in the block of flats he owned for nearly five years, nowhere would ever be home quite like the Taisho Manor, nowhere was as well protected or held so many happy memories. It was here that he had taken his true form for the first time, here that he had met Kagome and spent many happy hours playing in the extensive gardens – hide and seek was much more fun when you had to rely on just your sense of smell.
He heard a small gasp from behind him and turned to see Kagome looking at the entrance hall with an expression of awe. He tried to look at his ancestral home with fresh eyes – he had to admit that it was very impressive. Even the entrance was lavish, a huge domed room with mahogany floors, scarlet drapes and gold leaf on the ceiling. It was designed to impress and it did it well. Not that Kagome's home was any less elegantly decorated and that was what worried him – she was acting like she had never seen such splendour before….could she really remember nothing of her previous life?
Sesshoumaru sighed and pushed away the depressing thoughts and steered Kagome into a small room just off the hall. This was much less opulent - although the furniture still screamed of wealth, this room was aimed more at comfort than showing off. The walls were lined with bookcases and there were three large sofas in a circle. This had been Kagome's favourite room when she had stayed here – she had loved books, but said the main library had reminded her far too often just who she was when all she wanted to do was get lost in the story. Looking at her now almost broke his heart – she looked just like the Kagome he knew, but she hadn't reacted to this room at all. She couldn't remember it.
He guided her into a seat and sat opposite her, waiting for her to make the first move.
"So…..what happened?" she asked eventually, in a tremulous voice.
He sighed again and leant forward.
"How much do you remember about who you are?"
She frowned, "odd question….I'm Kagome Higurashi, 23 years old…err, I live with my best friend, Sango….how much do you want to know?"
Sesshoumaru leant back, his expression grim. This wasn't supposed to happen; she was supposed to regain all her memories when the bracelet was taken off and the spell broken. But the spell was supposed to be broken by her father and no-one else. There must have been an accidental loop hole in the enchantment for him….maybe because it was one of his hairs they had used for the chain…..
"What are you?" he asked, just to make sure.
Kagome looked up, startled.
"How many options do I have?" she asked with a nervous laugh he didn't return.
"I'm human…" she said confidently, "Or….at least I think I am…..these are a bit confusing…." she finished, looking at her claws.
"You're not human," Sesshoumaru said softly, "you're a demon. A very important demon in fact."
"A demon!" Kagome spluttered, "but no one believes in demons any more! They are just fairy tales! Surely you can't be serious!"
Sesshoumaru's stoic expression remained unchanged and Kagome's smile faded.
"What makes you think I am a demon?" she asked, her tone calm despite her inner turmoil.
"Because I am one too," he replied gravely, "and I knew you long before you were turned into a human, Kagome."
Kagome shrunk back into her chair and drew her knees up.
"You're crazy…." She whispered, "I can't be a demon, and nor can you. I know my….fingers are a bit strange but there has to be a logical explanation for this."
"There is," Sesshoumaru said firmly, "you're a demon. I didn't want to do this, but if you won't believe me…."
He stood up and pulled off watch, determined to prove to her who they were and maybe – hopefully – spark off a few of her memories.
As his form changed, Kagome watched him, transfixed. This was scaring her, destroying some of the most basic knowledge she had, and yet part of her accepted this, knew that he was right and trusted him. Yes, he might just be a murdering lunatic who believed in ancient myths, but she was a woman who followed her gut instincts and they were telling her she could trust him. She knew him, had known him for a while apparently, and something about his natural form was calling out to her, bringing forth long forgotten memories that were just out of reach…..
She caught his gaze and lost her tenuous hold on the strands of memory. She tried a tentative smile which he returned, a look of relief on his face.
"Do….do you mind if I go to bed now?" she asked, her voice slightly tremulous, "it's been and long – and confusing – day. I need some time to….get my head around it…."
Sesshoumaru nodded.
"I will show you to your old chambers. But in the morning we have much to discuss…."
She nodded absentmindedly as she followed him from the room. So it was true – she had been here before. Something about the entrance hall had been so familiar….
He showed her to a large suit, complete with its own sitting room and a huge en suite bathroom. It was as tastefully decorated as the rest of the mansion, but she could clearly see her own touches in the decorating and the furniture. There was a king size western bed in the centre of the bedroom, covered in what could only be silk bedding and, after Sesshoumaru left, she could think only of crawling into it. A quick perusal of the giant walk in wardrobe found a pale blue, silk negligee that she quickly slipped into. The beautiful material fit her like it was made for her and felt delicious against her skin. Pushing her tumultuous feelings and questions aside, she sank into the bed and was asleep before her head hit the pillow.
