AN: Kouga's POV. This was a bit hard, because Kouga can't create long-term memories. That's why he'll periodically not remember what just happened a paragraph ago.

AN2: There is actually a disease, and to cure it part of the victim's brain must be removed. After the operation, the patient is unable to form long-term memories. However, I can't remember the name of the disease or anything, so I'm calling it cancer. Sorry.

Chapter 19: Baffled

"So." Ayame muttered, looking around the dinning area where we were sitting. "How have things been here?"

"I can't remember." I shrugged.

It was embarrassing to say the least. I knew it wasn't my fault. The doctor had explained everything to me before the operation. He explained that I would be unable to make new long-term memories after the operation, to remove the cancerous area of my brain. In order to keep too many things from slipping my mind, Ayame and I had done plenty together before the operation. We'd gone on walks and talked. We had even gotten married. It had been for the good of the pack, we had agreed, though I felt a little selfish.

I had known that I wouldn't be a good leader for the pack if my mind was unstable, and as my wife and the alpha-female, Ayame would be able to lead while I could not.

But… I loved Ayame. We'd been friends since we were children, and, once I started noticing girls in that way, I had begun to fall in love with her. Then, when the headaches had started and I had learned about the cancer, I had proposed to Ayame. I had, rather un-romantically, I'll admit, explained to her the situation, and told her I loved her. I hadn't been lying when I had said I loved her; I really did. Of course, if it hadn't been for my disease, I never would have told her… or anyone else for that matter.

We knew deep down that I could have simply released my power to Ginta or Hakkaku and everyone would have understood, but I knew that both Ginta and Hakkaku were cowards. Besides, it had given me the extra 'push' to explain my feelings for Ayame.

Fortunately, I mused, Ginta and Hakkaku had been very understanding about the whole thing and the pack had agreed to listen to Ayame, even though everyone knew that, on some matters, it would take my signature and not just Ayame's.

"Right. Sorry." Ayame blushed.

"How is the pack doing?" I asked, but immediately felt stupid. I could tell that I had already asked the question before, maybe even more than once, but Ayame never said anything.

"They're fine. Ginta and Hakkaku are a really big help." Ayame smiled. "I never realized how much work you had to do."

"I'm sure you're a great leader."

"I guess so. Ginta and Hakkaku tell me I am, but sometimes I wonder if they're just trying to be nice, or if they really mean it."

"You have a point." I nodded. Ginta and Hakkaku were nicer than necessary sometimes. Suddenly there was a loud roar and a couple screams from outside. Standing up, I followed Ayame as she ran outside. We stood in the parking lot and watched as a giant smashed through cars as he came towards us.

"Kouga Okami! I will crush you!" The man shouted. At this point in time, most people would be wracking their brains, trying to remember all the people they had ever pissed off, but I didn't. I couldn't remember, so why should I brother to try?

"STAY AWAY FROM KOUGA!" Ayame shouted as she jumped at the giant.

"Ayame!" I gasped as she managed to kick him in the center of his forehead. Using it as a springboard, Ayame flipped into the air and threw a couple of her leaf blades at him. Throwing another set, Ayame landed next to me and took a defensive position. "Ayame! What were you thinking?"

"Just stay there, Kouga. Let me take care of this." Ayame replied, not taking her eyes off the man. He was bleeding heavily and only one of his eyes was open—the other had been sealed closed with blood. Running at her opponent again, Ayame tried to land another punch, but the man simply batted her out of the way. Running as fast as I could, I leapt under her, pulled her to my chest and flipped onto my back so that I could use my body to break her fall.

"Ayame? Wake up, Ayame." I begged her still body, as I lightly smacked her cheek with the back of my hand.

"Ha! Stupid fools. Do you really think you could hurt me? I'm already dead! And with a shard of the Shikon no Tama in me, my rejuvenation powers are unending!" The giant laughed, the large slices in his face already healing.

"You bastard!" I snapped, as I placed Ayame on the ground and turned to face the giant. "You hurt her!"

Laughing, the giant reached down and grabbed him in his large hand. I felt like a doll; I was so small compared to his great bulk. Roughly squeezing my body in his fist, the man laughed in my face as I yelled in pain.

"Little man. I will crush you." The giant laughed, as he loosened his grip. Freeing my right arm and hand, I clawed at his hand, but he didn't seem to notice. I suddenly saw a trickle of blood running down his forehead and frowned. He was bleeding a little bit, for some reason. Why? Pulling my right hand back, I leaned forward and smashed my fist into his head. There was something there! Grabbing the cool object I had felt my fist connect with, I pulled my hand out and looked down at it. I felt the monsters hand loosen and looked down. The man's body was quickly crumbling into dust. I let out a yell as the bones collapsed and I fell to the ground. I kicked and pushed at the huge bones until I was free. I looked up and saw Ayame lying on her back.

'Is she hurt?' I wondered. 'When did that happen? Did I forget?'

Running over to Ayame, I knelt next to her and saw that she was unconscious.

"Ayame?" I whispered. "Please wake up."

I placed my head on her chest and was relieved to hear that she was breathing and her heart was still beating.

"AH!" Ayame screamed as she sat up sharply and her chin bumped my head.

"Ow! Ayame! Are you alright?"

"What happened?"

"I…" I started, and suddenly realized, I had forgotten already. "I forgot."

"What do you remember?"

"I was climbing out from that pile of bones, holding this piece of glass and you were over here. Are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine. What piece of glass?"

"This." I replied, showing her the sliver of pink glass that I had been clutching in my right hand. "Is it anything special?"

"I'm not sure." Ayame whispered, as she took it from me. "We'd better take this to Lord Sesshomaru."

"But I shouldn't leave here." I reminded her. "I'll forget where I'm going or where I am. I'll get lost."

"I'll stay with you." Ayame promised. "GINTA! HAKKAKU!"

"Yes, Ayame?" Ginta asked as he looked out from behind a nearby car. "Hey, Kouga."

"Come on. We're going."

"Right." Hakkaku nodded as he crawled out from his hiding place, under the car. I smiled at my two friends. Somethings never changed.