Disclaimer: I no own; you no sue. Not the story characters, and not the songs. Get it. Got it? Good.

A/N: I don't like Kikyou. I'm a fan of Inuyasha & Kagome, and Sesshoumaru &Rin. And of course, Miroku & Sango, as if that weren't already obvious. So anyways, sorry if you don't like. I like it so I wrote it this way. Go me!

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What If?

Can't remember my name, can't remember at all
Finding you from past times, I think...
How did we ever fall?
Never knowing the answers, calling myself names
Now is not the question for us
Will it ever be again
Why don't you just fly, fly to me?
How long will you wait for me? Never?
Now or never again
godsmack Now or Never

Chapter Two

"Taro! Taro! Kagome needs you!" Kohaku yelled.

Sesshoumaru looked up from the water he was knee deep in. He'd been asked by Miroku if he'd catch dinner for everyone. "What is it Kohaku? What has happened?" He leaned over to gather the fish he'd already caught. As he did, the half mask he wore slipped from his face into the water. He quickly turned from Kohaku to keep the man from seeing his face more than what Sesshoumaru wanted him to. He hastily put his mask back on, then turned back toward Kohaku. "What is it Kohaku?" he asked again.

"Aneko, she falls ill! Please Taro, Kagome says you're the only one who can help her now," Kohaku pleaded. Sesshoumaru nodded once, and then disappeared. Kohaku smiled slightly. "Thank-you Taro. Thank-you." Kohaku began to follow the trail back to the village.

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"Taro, I need you to find the roots from a toothache cure, the flower petals from the fields behind the Bone Eater's Well and from behind Miroku's home, and as much fresh water as you can carry so I may boil it to make the liquid. But, before you go, come here so I may fix your mask," Kagome said. Sesshoumaru kneeled before her after setting the fish down. "You still don't remember anything?" she whispered.

"Nothing," he answered. "I'll be back shortly." He stood, walked to the door, and then disappeared again.

Kagome continued to rinse out a cloth and replace it anew on Aneko's forehead to keep her cool. "Aneko, I need you to stay with me here. Kohaku won't be able to live without his wife; you know how he is. And what about Kamlyn? Your son is only three years I thought. Surely that is too soon to be without his mother. You have to fight Aneko. For your husband, for your son. For yourself. I can only do so much."

"Kagome? Will she be okay?" Kohaku asked as he ran into the hut Aneko was being kept in. He sat at his wife's head, feet tucked beneath him. Kagome removed the cloth and rinsed it before nodding once. "Thank-you," Kohaku said as she replaced it again. He went silent for a moment. "Kagome, may I ask you a question about Taro?"

Kagome visibly tensed. It was a question she'd dreaded. He'd asked several times before, and so had several others in the village. Everyone knew she knew something, but wouldn't tell what. She was the only one who knew that Taro was really Sesshoumaru, son of Hennyo who was Lord of the Western Lands. She was also the only one who knew that if he were to have continued to learn under his demon father and human step-mother, and next to his half-breed half-brother, that he'd have lost it.

She knew that Hennyo was crushed at losing his son. She didn't doubt that Sesshoumaru's step-mother was hurting as well. But she couldn't risk it. Sesshoumaru's anger would have taken hold of him had she let him go back those sixteen years ago. He was still a pup when she found him; couldn't have been more than five or six. Now Sesshoumaru was twenty-one: a full demon.

Remembering that she was supposed to be talking to someone, Kagome replied, "Come back here tonight when you are sure that Aneko is feeling better. I will answer some questions then. Not many, but some I will. Until then, I want you to go home and cook the fish Taro caught. Aneko will be hungry, and I'm sure Miroku and his family will be as well. Don't argue with me on this Kohaku. Taro," Kagome greeted as Sesshoumaru entered the hut again.

"Mix these two bottles together with the petals and the roots while I boil the water please," Kagome instructed. Kohaku stood to leave; Sesshoumaru took his place in his accustomed corner of the hut, then began to grind the petals together as Kohaku picked up the string of fish and headed home. There was a tense silence for a few moments before Kagome saw Seshoumaru relax just a bot. "What is it Taro? What's on your mind?"

"What will you tell him?" he asked.

"Everything I know," she answered.

"Will you tell me that much one day?" he asked. Kagome turned to look at him, but Sesshoumaru kept his eyes on his work. "I know you know more Kagome. Why would another demon attack me this badly? Even if I was just a pup? That's another thing. I would have been at home with my parents. And the way you treated me when you found me. You know who I am. These things, among others, confuse me."

"Let me rephrase my earlier answer then," Kagome began. "I will tell him everything you already know and have been told. One day Taro, one day. As I have said before... You have learned so much since you got here. When you were... wherever, you learned to survive by demon instincts. Here, you've learned to live. The water is nearly ready. Are you?" She took the lid off the pot to let some of the stream escape.

"Yes." He handed the bowl of paste to Kagome who added it to the boiling water. After just a few minutes, the paste had turned into a liquid. It was poured into a cup and then set aside to cool so Aneko could drink it later. "My face is hurting again. Is there any more salve?"

"Let me see," Kagome said, sitting on her knees before him. She took the mask off him; she was the only one he let see his face. Whatever had attacked him had been trying to kill him. One slash mark went from his right temple, just above the bridge of his nose, and down his left cheek; another ran straight down his right eye, causing it to close up permanently; a third ran across his chin. The tip of his right ear had been sliced off. Another not-so-deep slash ran up from his left hip and stopped just below his left ear. There were two marks coming out just above his left ear. Sesshoumaru thought they were slash marks. He also thought the crescent moon on his forehead was from the attack. Sometimes he'd limp slightly, but he usually could and would cover it up.

He'd always worn the same clothes; they seemed to grow with him. Even his armor grew. It wasn't until two years ago that he'd learned to change into his true demon form. A demon attacked the village. It had attacked several times before; Kagome usually handled it pretty well by herself. But this time was different: it headed straight for Sesshoumaru. He grew angry, then suddenly changed. When he was calm, he changed back and acted as if nothing had happened.

Now the slash marks were scars; the mask covered most of those. They still hurt though. Kagome was an intern at a hospital in her time. For the last seven years she'd been home study courses to become a doctor. She met Sesshoumaru when she was in her first year of intermediate schooling: the seventh grade. Ever since then she'd wanted to be a doctor. Her father was a doctor and had told her what she should do so she could help Sesshoumaru. Her grandfather taught her the old ways while raising her to take over the temple they lived next to cared for. In the Feudal Era, Kagome was a Priestess to the village she lived in. She was also the healer. Now she gently touched a still sore scar or two.

"You've learned to trust me, Taro," Kagome said to him. "It's okay to let me know when I'm hurting you. It actually helps me. I'm not asking you to wince or growl or anything. Just tell me. And emotion is always appreciated. There's no one here besides you and me, Taro. Aneko is still sleeping so she's not really here either."

"I've already told you that my face was hurting. You touching it doesn't make it feel any better. There was no need for me to tell you it hurt," Sesshoumaru explained emotionlessly. "If you keep poking my face like that, however, I will do more than growl. That hurts. And I've told you that five years of habit is hard to change. So accept it and give me my mask. Aneko wakes."

Sesshoumaru turned his back to Aneko while Kagome fastened the mask he wore over the right side of his face back on. Then he left the hut. Kagome had Aneko sit up and drink the liquid she'd had Sesshoumaru make. "You'll be fine Aneko. Kohaku was worried sick about you. He's at home, cooking some fish Taro caught earlier. After you eat you can go home. And I think you should tell Kohaku."

"Thank-you Ka-" She froze, color draining from her face as she stared at Kagome. "Tell Kohaku what?"

"You've already been through this once before. You can't tell me you don't know."

"I was almost hoping it wasn't true," Aneko said, almost sadly. "We aren't ready for anymore children. Well, they must be coming. I can hear Kamlyn." Kamlyn and Kohaku entered then with bowls of fish, followed by Miroku, his wife Sango, and their two daughters Yukiko and Hoshiko. Sesshoumaru followed a few moments later and retreated to his accustomed corner to eat in silence. After diner, Aneko was helped home by Miroku and Kohaku. Everyone else went home.

"Taro? Kohaku will be back in a few moments to talk." Kagome began as she started clearing away the dinner dishes. "You can stay or go. I'm only telling him what you know anyways. It makes no-"

"I'm staying," Sesshoumaru cut in. "He's here."

Kohaku walked in, saw Sesshoumaru, then looked questioningly at Kagome. "Come on in Kohaku. Taro will be joining us since we are talking about him. Don't let his presence intimidate you. Ask any question you wish. I will tell you everything Taro knows."

"Okay," Kohaku said slowly. "Why does Taro wear a mask? A half mask really."

"He wears both," Kagome said. "He wears a mask over his emotions because he was raised to believe that to show emotion was to show weakness. He wears a half mask over her face because when he was five years old he was attacked by another demon. The right side of his face was badly hurt, and is now scarred. He asked for the mask."

"Why was he attacked?"

"That I cannot answer."

"Because you can't... or because you don't want to?"

"Take your pick."

"Okay. Do you know anything about Taro's past?"

"Yes."

Kohaku waited for a few seconds. "Well?"

"You asked if I knew. I answered," Kagome said.

"Will you tell me what you know?"

"She won't even tell me," Sesshoumaru interjected.

"Seriously?" Kohaku asked, shocked. "You know something and you won't even tell Taro?" Kagome nodded. "Wow. What kind of demon is Taro?"

"He's a dog demon."

"What can he do?"

"He's got the speed thing. When he suddenly vanishes he's just really running very fast. Faster than you or I can see. He has heightened senses. Like most demons he has a poison gas attack. He's got a poison whip. His claws are sharp enough to do you some serious damage. When in his true demon form he could step on you. Or drool on you. No offense to Taro, but that's poisonous as well." Sesshoumaru growled lightly.

Kohaku paused for a moment. He reached over to Sesshoumaru's face to trace the two scratch marks that were just over his left ear. But before he was even a foot away, his hand was behind his back. It took a second before he realized what all had happened: Kohaku was standing, facing the door; his left hand, the hand he'd been reaching with, was at the back of his neck with his whole arm twisted behind him; a small knife blade was at his throat.

"Taro! Taro don't!" Kagome said, rising to her feet. Taro didn't seem to hear her. He growled at Kohaku. "Taro, did you hear me! Leave Kohaku alone!" He wasn't listening. "Sesshoumaru stop!" she yelled, panicking now.

Kohaku felt the blade ease a little. His arm was loosened as well. He started to turn toward Sesshoumaru when said demon tightened his hold on Kohaku's wrist and pulled him closer to his chest. "What did you call me?" Sesshoumaru asked, forgetting to put up his emotional mask.

Kagome sighed and slowly relaxed a bit. "Sesshoumaru. It is your given name. Please, let go of Kohaku before you break his wrist or something." Sesshoumaru paused for a moment, then let go of Kohaku and gave a small push. "Kohaku, I will speak with you tomorrow. Ta... Sesshoumaru and I have some things to discuss. Please, do not mention his name just yet. I will let you know when you can tell people this."

Kohaku nodded and then left. Kagome waited for Sesshoumaru to relax, her silent sign that Kohaku was out of hearing range. He waited for her to begin once he did relax a bit. "Twenty some odd years ago, a demon named Hennyo had a son named Sesshoumaru with his demon mate. Both were dog demon; the son was the spitting image of his father. Not long after, his demon mate was killed in battle. It was an honorable death, but mourned nonetheless. It was some years before Hennyo found another: a human mate." At this, Sesshoumaru looked up. He'd been taught all about demons and humans mating; how their offspring were accepted by neither half. "Sesshoumaru's little brother Inuyasha was born: a half-breed dog demon with his father's looks but his mother's personality. However, tragedy was upon this family. A year, maybe a little longer, after his younger brother's birth, Sesshoumaru disappeared. Hennyo searched for years to find his demon son, but to no avail.

"All mourned their loss. Inuyasha took Sesshoumaru's place a heir. You see," Kagome paused to take a shuttering breath. There were so many outcomes to Sesshoumaru's actions at the news she was about to bring him. "Hennyo is the Demon Lord of the Western Lands. Sesshoumaru was to be next in line. And you are Sesshoumaru. I don't know how or why, but you were away from your home, out in the middle of nowhere when you were attacked sixteen years ago. I found you, healed you, and raised you. I am sorry for keeping this from you, but I could not let you go back."

Sesshoumaru let this sink in. He was a prince. No, he was the prince. One of the cardinal directions' sons. He had everything. No, he did have everything. Now it was... what was his name?... Inuyasha's. Sesshoumaru looked at Kagome. "Why weren't you able to take me back? If you knew... if you had even an inkling of the knowledge you claim you did... Why did you not return me to my family!" he roared suddenly.

"That's why!" Kagome yelled back. "Your temper! Had you stayed with your father and step-mother and half-brother, your rage would have consumed you. Then, you'd be like the other directions. I knew it. Everyone did. Everyone except your father. He saw nothing wrong, and never would when it came to you."

"He pushed me so hard," Sesshoumaru whispered. "I remember bits and pieces... flashes... Training with... someone... A servant. A demon. And Inuyasha's mother was kind to me, but I hated her. Inuyasha-" He stopped suddenly, his body tensing. "Someone is coming. Someone new. A demon. Should I call out an alert? He's coming fast."

"Yes, quickly now," Kagome answered. "We will continue later." Sesshoumaru nodded once, grabbed his katana from against the wall next to his corner, and ran quickly to the warriors' houses to tell them to make ready. Kagome gathered her bow and arrows, and said a small prayer. "I am sorry for the pain I have caused you Sesshoumaru. I hope you will see my side of it soon."

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A/N: Translations: Yukiko- snow child; Hoshiko- star child; Kamlyn- variant of Lord... Here I am, once again thanking my impromptu beta-reader CreativeChilde. Go read some of her stuff. I don't think she wrote much Inuyasha stuff... (thinks) I know she writes Beyblade stuff and she's trying to get me hooked to it. It's starting to work, but Inuyasha is still better! (evil laugh, choke, cough) Sorry, not feeling too well...