{ Whoa.. I'm not dead! Amazing, isn't it? I'm really, really sorry for this long intermission. I didn't have access to a computer for one month, and I've since been having problems getting anything written at all. This chapter has been rewritten so much I can't even remember its original form, and I'm still not particularly pleased with it. But at least it's something.
And I'm going to do something evil and not pick up with Kagome's little "Love you" confession. I will get back to it in a later chapter, however, so don't worry too much. Everyone seems to be stressing over Inuyasha's wish, and I'm starting to get nervous about it, lol. I never meant for it to be a big part of the story, but we'll see how that goes.
Dark Angel – that's a great suggestion! ^^ Unfortunately, I'm not sure how well I'd be able to write Kouga's character (I'm stressing over the main, main ones as it is). Hm.. I'll think about it.
Iram – You're very perceptive. Even more so than me, apparently, since I didn't realize I was repeated that so often lol, it does have a little significance, though you'll have to wait until near the end of the fic to see. And about Inuyasha's decision.. can't tell just yet ^^;
Thank you for the wonderful reviews everyone! I really don't deserve them --; }}
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Chapter 8 – memory
By Jamethiel1
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She wasn't worried. In spite of her current situation, a calm had settled over her. She didn't need to be afraid. He would save her just as he always did. In fact, the only thing that she was worrying about at the moment was the bonds tying her wrists together. They were starting to dig into her skin, and fighting them only seemed to tighten their hold. Her hands were long since numb. Gazing about the room, she hoped he would get here soon, especially before that woman showed up again..
Her hopes were dashed as she could hear someone approaching, the woman in question stepping passed her. She then turned and kneeled before the bound Kagome. "Comfortable?" the woman inquired as greeting.
"Oh, yes. Thank you so much for your hospitality," she drawled sarcastically.
"Good," the woman replied. Woman was a relative term, however. Though she had, mostly, the appearance of a human, her captor was in fact a youkai. This was evident by the claws adorning her fingers if nothing else. "Now, you're going to answer a few questions for me. I want the truth, understand?" her tone indicated she would not settle for less.
Kagome met the woman's emerald gaze evenly, unfazed by her threat. "Yes, ma'am, I understand," she answered, "Was that all? Because, as lovely as this little visit has been, I'd really li-"
"Shut up!" the woman snapped, backhanding Kagome across the jaw. She blinked back tears at the pain and worked to smother her anger, trying to bring back that tranquil state. He would save her.. Ignoring the taste of blood in her mouth, she turned brown eyes to the woman, calm disposition returning.
"How can I answer your questions if I shu-" the woman had raised her arm warningly, and Kagome took the hint, quieting. She didn't let any fear show, however, just remained staring at the one who had kidnapped her.
"Now.. where's the rest of my Shikon no Tama?" the woman voiced her first question, holding up a single shard as she spoke.
"Your Shikon no Tama!?" Kagome echoed incredulously, calm vanishing for a moment as anger kindled into life. "The jewel doesn't belong to you! And you stole that shard from me!"
"Shut up and answer the question!"
She paused, seeming to try and decide whether or not to comply. "I don't know where the other shards are," she answered finally.
"You're lying!" the woman screeched and stood, towering over her captive. She gripped Kagome jaw tightly, nails pricking her skin as the woman jerked her head upward, locking eyes. "Tell me where my shards are!"
"I don't know where they are," Kagome managed to grind out, finding it difficult with the pressure on her jaw.
"Lying bitch!" the youkai shouted, relinquishing her hold on the girl. Kagome inwardly sighed relief and lowered her head slightly from its uncomfortable position. The woman had stalked off a few feet, and Kagome could only hope she remained moving in that direction. Once again, however, her wish was ignored as the youkai only turned and approach her bound form again. Leaning forward, she reached and placed a single claw on Kagome's side, sliding the nail down a little, tearing a short line in her shirt in the process. "You'll tell me, unless you want to be sent back to your hanyou in pieces," she warned dangerously.
Kagome could only feel she meant it, but.. Inuyasha would save her.. "I'm not telling you anything," she said defiantly.
Pain stabbed into her side as the youkai's claw pierced, before ripping downward through clothing and skin.
~~~
"Inuyasha!" Kagome screamed as she shot up, gripping her side.
She was aware of someone moving toward her and reaching out a hand, and recoiled. "Leave me alone," she whimpered as she drew her legs to her chest and lowered her head on her knees.
"Kagome, it's me," a familiar voice spoke, tone laced with concern and confusion, "It's Sango."
Sango? Almost afraid of the hope that filled her, Kagome glanced warily up. Spotting Sango kneeling on the floor near her, relieved tears flooded Kagome's eyes as she flung herself onto the girl. She wasn't bound by some unknown youkai, there was no blinding pain. The only thing that really hurt was the injury on her shoulder. It had only been a dream..
"Wh-where's Inuyasha?" she asked quietly, trying not to succumb to the tears that threatened to fall.
"He slept outside," Sango said as answer, before letting her worry show through again. "Are you okay?"
Was she? She wasn't sure. That dream had seemed so real.. she could still feel the pain and emotion, could still feel the calm certainty that Inuyasha would rescue her..
Just then a form barged through the doorway, halting once he entered with wide eyes and one hand upon his sword hilt. "What's going on? What's wrong?" he asked frantically as he glanced around for any danger.
Kagome moved back from Sango at the hanyou's sudden appearance, relief now washing over her in a wave and leaving her feeling weak. "Inuyasha," she spoke gratefully, voice almost a sob. He was here, everything was okay.
Miroku chose that moment to appear, entering the hut and glancing at the other occupants. The only response he received to the question in his eyes was a shrug from Sango, for she was no less confused than he. "What's wrong?" Inuyasha finally asked, the first to speak the question they each were wondering.
Kagome lurched to her feet then and stumbled the few steps over, falling against Inuyasha, grabbing handfuls of his haori and burying her face against his chest. "You didn't come," her voice was audible, though slightly muffled, and filled with quiet pain. She had been sure he would save her, but he hadn't shown up after all..
"Didn't come?" Inuyasha echoed as Sango and Miroku watched the scene silently. "What do you mean?" he asked, a desperate tone to his voice as he took hold of her arms and pushed her gently from him so she had to meet his gaze. "Kagome?"
She shook her head, allowing her eyes to drop so she wouldn't have to meet his golden ones. It was only a dream anyway.. why was she acting as if it had truly taken place? Gently pulling from Inuyasha's grip, Kagome wiped her once again watering eyes and kept her head bowed. "Sorry," she mumbled, not offering an explanation.
"Kagome, whatever it is, you can tell us," Miroku told her, though in a way so she knew he wasn't pushing.
"I know," Kagome replied, feeling guilty for worrying the three. Shifting uncomfortably for she could feel all eyes on her, she decided to ask something instead. "Have I ever.. been kidnapped before?"
Of all the responses she might have been expecting, the one she got was definitely not one of them. Irked by the hanyou's sudden laughter, Kagome lifted eyes to the others, only to find they were hiding amusement under their concern as well.
"Only about a hundred times," Inuyasha answered finally.
"I'm serious!" Kagome cried, frustrated at the joke she seemed not to be in on.
"So am I," the hanyou assured her, tone once again sober as if in apology, "You'll have to be more specific."
Mind still whirling from the dream she had, Kagome tried to recall the youkai's image so she could offer more information. But all she seemed to remember were those cruel, emerald eyes.. Shuddering inwardly, she shoved that image from her mind and tried to think of something else that would help.
When something occurred to her, she was hesitant to actually follow through. What if it hadn't been a dream? If it was some memory that had returned? Reassuring herself that at least that meant she might get her full memory back, Kagome lifted her shirt, exposing her stomach.
Inuyasha blinked in further confusion, obviously not understanding what Kagome thought she was doing. Miroku had stared, before receiving a deathly glare from Sango and had suddenly found the hut's ceiling much more interesting.
Kagome looked down and touched a hand to her side, brushing the light scar that ran along it. So it really had happened.. She shivered at the fact. That she had actually lived through that.. Turning eyes back to the hanyou, she noticed a look of understanding on his features.
"You remember?" he asked, managing to sound both hopeful and apprehensive at the same time.
"I had a dream.. of when this happened," she answered, motioning to her scar before releasing her shirt so it covered her middle once more.
"You said you were kidnapped?" Sango asked and Kagome nodded in the affirmative.
"We never knew what happened," Inuyasha spoke softly, his eyes seeming to see something other than his current surroundings, "We hadn't even known you were gone at first. I went to the well since you said you would be returning then, only to find your scent already there. But.. halfway into the woods it just vanished. We searched all day for you, and finally found you unconscious back near the well.." he suddenly seemed choked up, and a definite sullen air had descended upon them all.
"I.. I don't understand. Why didn't she kill me?"
"She?" Sango spoke up again.
"The demon who took me," Kagome explained, her thoughts once again turning to that youkai's cruel eyes and voice.. That voice! Gasping at the sudden realization, Kagome turned wide eyes to the three. "It was her!" she exclaimed, and at the confusion on her 'friends'' faces decided to elaborate, "The one that ordered the demon to attack me last night was the one that abducted me then."
A low growl from Inuyasha made her start and direct her attention to him, but once again his thoughts seemed inwardly turned. Figuring that he would share his thoughts when he was ready to, Kagome continued on. "Yesterday.. she told me that I shouldn't have come back here.." she looked questioningly at the others, "Do you think she knew I had forgotten this place?"
Miroku was the first to break the uncomfortable silence that followed. "I guess it's possible. Though how she could have known when even we didn't, I'm not sure."
"She knew about the Shikon no Tama, that I had a wish granted," Inuyasha pointed out, again focusing on the current conversation.
Kagome had a sinking feeling that this youkai knew a lot more than that. In the dream.. memory.. she had referred to Inuyasha, though Kagome knew she hadn't said a thing about him. "She's going to come back," Kagome said with certainty. How the youkai had spoken of paying her back for everything, the hatred in the words, she knew last night wouldn't be the end.
"What should we do?" Sango asked.
When Inuyasha answered, it was in an almost venomous tone. "We'll find her first."
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End of Chapter 8
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{ There you have it xx; I'll try to have the next chapter up in a reasonable amount of time. Until then, please review! }