Disclaimer- There you are, ol' buddy! Well, since I haven't seen you in quite a while, I say this nicely. I do not own Inuyasha.

Suzu- Just a note on Kagome's OOC character, Kagome's been acting shallow lately because I wanted to emphasize just how bad it was when she broke down in the chapters just before Inuyasha came again. Her memory was wiped completely, taking some of her personality with it as well. I'm sort of emphasizing humanity in even the purest souls, which was once again caused by Kagome's love for Inuyasha, which is, of course, a good thing. It hurt too much to know the truth, so she had to break down in order to survive.

Suzu- It's HOLIDAY SEASON!!!! Wow….such a long time since I last typed a chapter…. Let's get started right away this time, before I start drifting again from the purpose at hand.

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Chapter 17

Beep….Beep…

What was that sound?

Beep….Beep…Beep…

It felt like she was lying on something soft. Kagome tried moving her arm to feel her surroundings. A sharp sting tingled through her as she tried to do so. Oh, well forget that idea.

Beep….Beep…

Kagome shifted her body slightly. Where was she? Last thing she remembered….well, actually, all she remembered was going into a jewelry store and admiring the pretty gems.

Beep….Beep…

Kagome's eyes flickered open. Straining her neck, she examined the white room that she was in. The beep sound was coming from a monitor in the corner. There was an IV needle stuck in her wrist, and a clear fluid was being fed to her, for some strange reason. She'd seen this a lot on TV. There was a somber mood in the room; almost enough to suffocate her, but her attention was soon captured by a nurse who had just entered the room.

"Oh! Hello, hon. I see you're awake." On her face was a look of surprise. The kindly, middle-aged woman then smiled, but her mouth twitched in the corner.

"Hi." Kagome tried to smile, but the fake smile switch didn't seem to be functioning so well lately.

As if sensing Kagome's unspoken questions, the woman said, "I hope you're ready to see Dr. Tsutsumi. He's going to come in and ask you some questions, okay?"

The nurse spoke to Kagome as if she were a little child.

The nurse walked out, which Kagome was grateful for. She didn't fancy this room or the people who visited her much. What were Mom, Gramps, and Sota doing right now? She silently wished for them to not be too worried. Meanwhile, she would deal with this doctor…for them.

The door creaked open, and sure enough a man walked into the room. Surprisingly, he was quite young, maybe around 30 years of age. He walked beside Kagome's bed, carrying a clipboard and pen. Dr. Tsutsumi smiled a very fake looking smile, but Kagome appreciated his efforts.

"Hey, how are you doing, Kagome?" Dr. Tsutsumi stretched out his smile some more, pen in hand and poised to start writing her reaction.

Kagome stared at him. 'How do you think I'm doing, after my home burns down, I get arrested, and then they send me to a mental institute, you dolt?' She really wanted to say that out loud. All of the sudden, the world didn't seem so bright and happy anymore. She sucked in her breath. How could she say such a thing? Kagome felt guilty and decided to make it up to the doctor by answering his questions nicely.

"Fine, doctor." Kagome tried to summon enough energy to curl the ends of her lips up a bit to fake a smile.

"Ah. Well, I'm glad." The doctor looked disappointed with the paltry answer. He continued.

"So, miss. What is your name? Do you remember your name?"

Kagome almost collapsed comically in bed, IV needle and all. 'Remember my name??? Does he think I'm mentally ill? She decided to keep the promise she made to herself and answer the question.

"Of course I remember, doctor. It's Kagome Higurashi. My grandpa's name is Sato Higurashi, my mom is Kyoko Higurashi, and I have a little brother name Sota. (AN: I made the names up except for Sota)" Kagome added in some extra info to prove her point of not being mentally ill.

"Lovely name, Kagome. Now, do you have anything or anyone special in your life, Kagome, other than your family, of course?" The doctor adjusted his glasses.

"Yes, doctor. I regard the sacred Goshinboku tree in the shrine grounds as special. It's kept me company for as long as I can remember." Kagome's nerves started tingling.

"What have you been doing most of the time for the last three years, Kagome?"

"I…I've b…been…" Kagome's head started to swirl, but she shook it to clear it up. Why was she stuttering? More importantly, what had she been doing the last three years? The doctor wrote furiously on his paper. "I've been going to school, doctor." For now, that was all Kagome could muster.

Dr. Tsutsumi decided not to press the subject. "Well, Kagome, it says here on your file that you uttered the word 'Inuyasha' and then fainted at the jewelry store. I'd like to know,--" Kagome's throat tightened. "—what does 'Inuyasha' mean?"

"I—Inu---Inuyasha m-m-means…" Kagome's voice wavered. She could feel the answer somewhere…but she didn't know the answer! She didn't! She shouldn't! It felt wrong and bad to know the answer to that question, yet--….

Her stomach started churning. Her toes felt icy cold and numb. Her whole body shook. The doctor leaned in, excited by the reaction.

"So? Tell me Kagome. What does 'Inuyasha' mean?" he pressed eagerly. His pen was ready, and his hand was poised elegantly over the clipboard.

"Inu….I…" She couldn't do it. She felt like throwing up. Hot liquid was forced up her throat. Kagome gulped it down again. Ulgh…this was bad. She shook tremendously. 'What…does…Inuyasha…mean?'

Kagome clamped her hands over her mouth. Sweat matted her forehead. Her vision swam, her hearing totally stopped. She clenched her eyes shut. More liquid came up. This time she up bright red liquid. Blood…

Dr. Tsutsumi stepped back, disgusted. What was wrong with her? Still, he had to do his job. This patient seemed remarkably responsive.

"Are you alright, Kagome? Take it easy, now." 'Hurry up and finish coughing so I can get to questioning you again.'

Kagome peered at her hands. They felt wet and warm. She coughed again, more blood falling on the white sheets, adorning the sheets with polka dots of various sizes.

Everything went black again.

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A misty image…coming closer.

What was it? A woman?

Kagome's hands wandered blindly in front of her. That women was coming closer.

The women smiled, but sadly. She was dressed in old fashioned armor and looked remotely familiar. The fine lady opened her mouth to speak.

"Kagome, I'm sorry. I thought this was the best choice for you, but I see I was wrong. Thanks to you the Shikon No Tama is gone from this world, yet, it's lingering power and aura still remains around you, the new protector."

"Wha-?" Kagome was confused.

"Don't worry, Kagome. I know that my spell is still on you, and I'm sorry. Your most inner will has been fighting with my spell, unbeknownst to you. I can't do much to remove my spell, except weaken it so that your inner soul can break through now and then. Breaking the complete spell is up to you….and the lonely hanyou."

The women reached over to touch Kagome's face. Kagome thought she could faintly feel the women's hands, though it was like the touch of a breeze when it was barely moving, chilly yet pleasant.

"You are still young, child. But your inner heart is purer than many others before you. Please, take good care of the Shikon No Tama, which lives in you." She smiled, no longer a sad smile this time.

"And please take care of yourself too, not to mention those that love you."

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Suzu- Gomen nasai for not allowing Inuyasha to be in this chapter, but now I'm positive he'll be in the next one, so don't worry.

Suzu- In the meantime, review and share your thoughts on this chapter and others too! An author must get motivated, ya know. (Waves) Byo! See ya next chapter!