Chapter 4: Lost memories

Kagome could hear someone sniffing around and cracked an eye open with hesitation, she could sense something and dreaded what lay at her feet. "Oh, my poor Kagome!" said a deep voice. She felt someone lift her up and gently encircle her with strong arms.

            Kouga lifted a hand and shifted her hair away from her eyes; he sniffed and wrinkled his nose in distaste. "What has dog-breath done to you?" he mourned. With a heavy heart he kissed her closed eyes and whispered, "I know you're awake, Kagome. You can open your eyes but I'm still going to carry you. Just answer me this, where are we and do you know a good place to rest?"

            Kagome gulped nervously and opened her eyes and raised her head to look at Kouga. With his crystal blue eyes, long black hair and marvellously well shaped body he was a handsome young man, but she leaned away from him with mistrust. "Who are you? Let me go!" she elbowed the tall handsome boy in the stomach and scrabbled away from him with great haste.

"What the—?" Kouga followed her with increasing confusion. "Kagome, it's me! Kouga... don't you remember me? What has dog-breath done to you?" Kagome scrunched her face up and stated carefully, "I can't remember anything... but you know me so maybe you could tell who I am and where I am...?"

Kouga grinned, "Of course! You're my mate, Kagome. You and me live on the other side of this weird well. But, for the past months, you'd been held captive by this dog demon and I've finally got you back. Let's go home Kagome..."

Kagome lifted a quizzical eyebrow, "And pigs fly buddy. There is no such thing as demons and worlds down wells. Jeez, you're nuts! I'm leaving!" Kouga grinned again, "Don't believe me? Well, you have nothing to lose, why don't we go down the well?" Kagome nibbled her lip while Kouga watched.

A loud yell echoed in the well as a red blur flew towards Kouga. With a snarl Inuyasha lunged for Kouga's throat only to see a terrified Kagome backing away. "Kagome, we need to talk..." he started as Kagome threw herself at Kouga. "You were right! Let's go! Quickly, run, run!" She was trembling from head to foot.

Inuyasha reached out a hand to touch her, but she shrieked and clung tighter to Kouga. Kouga grinned and whispered, "Don't worry Kagome, I'll protect you, I swear." Kagome glanced at Inuyasha's ears and her fingers twitched; longing to touch them.

Just before she reached out, Kouga grabbed her by the waist and holding her carefully zoomed past Inuyasha and down the well. Inuyasha was mortified, what was that all about? Kagome looked as though she didn't recognize him. She had written that she loved him...did she?

Kagome—meanwhile was clutching Kouga's furs and holding onto his armour with fright. Kouga couldn't believe his luck, Kagome was his now. She didn't know who Inuyasha was, but now she thought of him as a potential enemy. It was almost too good really...

Kikyo was sitting by the well again when she heard a muffled voice ask, 'Where are we going?' She sighed, everything would be better now; Inuyasha and Kagome could live in peace. Then she saw Kouga's dark head poke out of the well and in his arms lay a frazzled Kagome.

Kikyo noted that Kagome didn't seem to be struggling got get out. What was going on? Then Inuyasha's shout rang and she was even more puzzled. Kagome seemed frightened. She watched as Kouga got a tighter grip on Kagome and then whirlwind away.

Inuyasha climbed out of the well and slumped against it, the perfect picture of utter misery and defeat in a creature. Kikyo walked over to him and laid a bloodless hand on his shoulder. "What happened?" she asked and Inuyasha told her; his voice subdued by the sadness that lay in it.

Kouga was blinded by his delight before he noticed how submissive Kagome seemed. 'This isn't my Kagome,' he thought angrily. "Kagome? What's the matter? You never act like this! What has happened?"

Kagome looked up with empty eyes, "I wouldn't know," she told him then looked down with desolation. Kouga braked and set her down gently. "Kagome, what did you do to your wrists, do you remember that much?" She shook her head, the complete image of a cowed animal.

Kikyo was following them, she wouldn't let Inuyasha suffer, she would find out what was wrong. She let her soul collectors lift her above the trees and disguised her scent as she listened in. "Kouga, I told you; I can't remember anything. I don't even now if the name you are calling me by is really my name...I want to go home—wherever that is."

Kikyo's face remained expressionless as she floated back to the well and a depressed Inuyasha. "She doesn't remember, I'd say it was caused by emotional trauma. That means there is a slight chance she will remember. I say follow the wolf and steal her back. Try to explain it to her. Take her to others she is familiar with," she explained.

Inuyasha smirked, "Good idea, Kikyo, I'll do that. Wanna help me out a bit? I need someone to actually take her while I distract wolf-boy. Are you up to it?" He looked up finally and met her eyes. 'Kagome, I will help you, I will protect you and save you. I love you,' he thought to himself determinedly.

Kikyo nodded. "Alright, I guess I can. I don't have much else planned." She smiled to herself and her soul collectors lifted them both up. "Let's get my reincarnation, shall we?"

Kouga had grasped Kagome's hand loosely and was walking quietly with her, anxiety filing his mind. "Kagome...?" "Yes Kouga?" "Er...never mind." "Okay." "Kagome...?" "Yes?" "Nothing." "Alright then..." This continued for a brief period of time before she got annoyed and yelled, "What?!"

Kouga grinned, "There's the old Kagome! Feisty thing, and more lovely than all others! Want me to carry you?" Kagome blushed and looked down, "No, I'm fine thank you." She walked faster and Kouga could see her determination not to slow him down.

Then he thought he smelt something but it was gone in a flash. Nevertheless he wrapped a protective arm over Kagome's slim waist and hauled her closer. Kagome felt uncomfortable but she rested her head on his shoulder, tired beyond imagination.

Kikyo let the soul collectors drop Inuyasha and he landed with a thump behind Kouga. "How the hell did you—? Never mind that... Kagome, hide! I'll finish dog-breath off, " Kouga said and ran for Inuyasha. With a vicious smile Inuyasha whipped out his tetusaiga (or tessaiga for the actual anime) and charged Kouga.

Meanwhile Kagome stared, transfixed, it twanged a memory of hers; she just couldn't quite place it. "Wha—?" she started to say but suddenly she was grabbed from behind. "Help!" she cried. Kouga turned and Inuyasha lightly knocked him out. "Thanks Kikyo, let's go, I'll spare him this once."

Kagome's eyes filled with tears at the sight of Kouga's limp form. "Oh no, Kouga... Kouga, get up, please? Kouga!" She turned on Kikyo, who dropped her and walked away. With her hands clenched in anger, she ran towards Inuyasha. "You jerk!" she raged. "How could you! Why couldn't you just sit and talk like—"

At the word 'sit' Inuyasha fell forward, right onto Kagome who squirmed and hit him with her fists as hard as she could. "Get off me you pervert!" she screeched. "How dare you?!" The spell soon wore off and Inuyasha got off, blushing, "Please don't say a word, Kagome. This scum was lying to you, whatever he said. I'll tell you the truth, just trust me. I know your past and I can take you to people who might be familiar to you...I should be, but..." His ears drooped in disappointment, "I guess I'm not..."

He grabbed her and placed her onto his back where she immediately wrapped her arms and legs around him. He grinned and took off like a bullet; well aware that Kouga was about to come to...