DISCLAIMER: I wish I owned Inu Yasha, but -sniffle- I don't.
A/N- Thanks for the reviews Silverwind89, kagomefan595, inuyasha's youkai princess, and anime-fanatic-17. Oh and Silverwind89, I really appreciate the continued support. –BIG HUG- You've almost reviewed all my stories. –Jumps up and down- Big thanks.
Memories
Chapter 3
Inu Yasha flopped back down in his spot. "Her name is Kagome, so stop calling her Ayomi." He mumbled, folding his arms over his chest.
The lord looked saddened. "Agreed." He stood slowly and gave the sky outside a look, judging the time. "Ayo…I mean, Kagome, why don't you entertain our guest in your chamber. I have agreed with a young man this evening, and I think he would prefer to speak to me alone. He should be here shortly."
Kagome stood beside him. "Yes, father." The name still felt natural and she still cared for the old lord as her father.
"Young man? Do you mean Tatachi?" Sango asked politely, but with a touch of revolution in her tone.
"Yes, do you know him?" The lord looked surprised at her tone.
"We met him on the road here." Miroku explained.
"I don't trust the bastard. He lied to us and said Kagome wasn't here." Inu Yasha thought about what the man had said and suddenly realized his intentions toward Kagome. He growled low and deep in his throat. 'I won't let him lay a hand on her.'
"He didn't say that she wasn't here, only that Ayomi was." Miroku pointed out.
"He is a good man. His fields stay plentiful and he is quite the leader among the young men. I have no quarrel with him and so no reason to distrust him. After all he has lived in this village since he was a child. On the other hand I only met you moments ago. I have more reason to distrust you than him." With that the lord left the sitting room.
"Come, we will speak in my chamber." Kagome allowed the others to rise and follow her. 'I know I only met them a short while ago, but I do feel as though I could trust them.' When they arrived at her chamber they sat in a circle on the floor.
Inu Yasha watched Kagome with growing anxiety. 'What if she doesn't remember? What if she wants to stay here?' "So, what do we do now, Miroku? I'm not going anywhere without Kagome."
"We have no intention of leaving either. We must do something to jog her memories." He turned back to Kagome. She was watching them with a blank expression. "Can you at least tell us what you do remember, Kagome?"
Her gaze fell to the floor. "I'm sorry there's not much to tell. The first thing that I recall is waking up here with my father…I mean, the lord. Before that there is nothing." She rubbed her head absently.
"Perhaps, if you tried to focus on something more specific."
She shook her head. "I'm sorry, but I don't even remember your names."
Shippo padded forward. "Not even our names?" She nodded. Inu Yasha felt like his heart was being ripped out. 'She doesn't even remember my name.' Shippo touched Kagome's hand. "Well, we'll help you. My name is Shippo, and this is Miroku, Sango, Kirara, and of course Inu Yasha." Kagome's gaze followed each person in turn, lingering on Inu Yasha. 'His name still feels familiar, but I can't place anything with it.' Shippo looked up at her expectantly. "Does that help?"
She shook her head sadly. "I'm sorry."
"Perhaps if we reminded you of the events that led to you falling into the river." Sango paused shortly when Inu Yasha grunted. "We were traveling together and you were walking far behind." She chose not to include the incident of the fight between the miko and Inu Yasha. "We were suddenl6y attacked by a horde of demons." Kagome looked horrified at this. "We assumed they were Naraku's demons. Do you remember Naraku?"
Kagome shook her head, but the name sent a shiver down her spine. "I take it he's someone bad?"
"Yes, he is our most terrible enemy." Sango explained.
"Enemy? You make it sound as though we fight him."
"We do."
"Me too?"
"Yeah, you've gotten pretty good with your bow." Inu Yasha interjected.
Kagome looked down at her tiny form. "I know how to use a bow? It sounds so farfetched. I'm not that strong." She examined her hands, testing their strength by flexing her fingers.
"You're a lot stronger than you think. You also have sacred powers that help us out a lot in battle." Miroku assured her.
"Kagome, do you still have the jewel with you?" Sango asked after the sudden thought occurred to her that it may have been lost in the river.
Inu Yasha froze. 'The jewel? I hadn't even thought about the jewel. I was so worried about Kagome. I guess if I had to choose between the two, I would choose her. I think I can live without the jewel, but I don't think I could live without her.'
"Jewel?" Kagome thought about that for a moment. "Well, I do have a broken one. Father said it wasn't much in that condition."
"Where is it, Kagome?" Miroku asked.
"Oh, I still have it." She stood and went to a little wooden box in the corner. When she returned she showed them the jewel shard. "Is this what you're looking for?" She offered it to Sango.
Sango shook her head. "You keep it, Kagome. Your sacred powers keep the jewel pure."
Kagome wasn't sure what she meant, but nodded and slipped the jewel shard around her neck. "Please continue your story."
"Yes. Well, when the demons attacked, you were standing in the center of the bridge over a ravine. Inu Yasha used his Wind Scar to destroy the demons, but somehow the bridge's foundation was affected. The bridge gave way and you fell into the river."
Shippo climbed into her lap. "Do you remember anything now?"
She sighed. "I'm sorry but I don't."
Outside footsteps approached and Tatachi appeared in the doorway. He smiled at Kagome, ignoring the rest of the group. "Ayomi, I have wonderful news."
"Tatachi, you are here again. What have you discussed with my father this time?" Kagome gave him a shy yet polite smile.
He came forward and took her hand. "Dear Ayomi, I have asked your father for your hand in marriage. He has agreed as long as you are willing." He smiled broadly.
"What!" Inu Yasha shot to his feet, his blood boiling.
Kagome eyed him and calmly withdrew her hand from Tatachi. "I have no interest in marriage, Tatachi. I have told you this before."
"Yes, but your father agreed that if you do not choose another suitor in the next three days, that he shall encourage you to choose me." Tatachi grinned and began to stroke her leg.
"Get your damn hands off her!" Inu Yasha charged forward, dragging the man to his feet by his neck. "Don't you ever lay a hand on her again!" He flung the surprised man out the door with such strength that his body left a groove in the earth.
To the group's astonishment, Tatachi stood, dusted himself off calmly, and rubbed his hand over a claw mark on his neck. "I am not so easily dissuaded. I am the best man in this village and you are but a vagabond. It will not be hard for the lord to choose between us. Ayomi, I will return tomorrow. I shall see you then."
"No you won't." Inu Yasha growled as the man left the yard. Behind him, he heard Kagome stand.
"What on earth do you think you're doing! Tatachi may be crass, but he has been kind to me!"
"What, do you actually like that guy?"
"Maybe I do! What's it to you!"
"Because I…" Inu Yasha broke off. For a split second he had forgotten that she had lost her memory. "That guy's no good, trust me. I know his type. He's dangerous."
"Oh, and who's to say your not?"
"Kagome, I've protected you more times than I care to count. I'd never hurt you." Kagome searched his eyes for a moment, finding that she believed him almost innately.
She sighed and sat back on her mat. 'Why do I feel like I enjoyed him defending me? And why does he care so much?' "You shouldn't have done that though. Tatachi has many friends in the village, and he and my father are close friends. There may be retribution for the act."
"I can handle anything these puny humans can throw at me." Inu Yasha sat back down, not meeting her eyes.
Sango muffled a yawn. "The sun has set. Should we return to the village for lodging?"
Kagome shook her head. "No, we have plenty of room here, please stay." It was strange how quickly she had become accustomed to their presence. "If you'd like I can show you where you'll sleep." Sango nodded and Kagome rose to escort her to another room.
Miroku followed. "I think I'd like to rest as well." He seemed just as fatigued as Sango felt.
"There is plenty of room." She stopped at a door. "This room and the next are for guest. You may stay here." Kagome smiled politely.
"Thank you, I think I may finally be able to rest, knowing you are safe." Sango smiled and hugged her. Kagome blushed.
"I too shall sleep more soundly." Miroku went to hug Kagome as well with an lecherous grin, but Sango smacked him.
"I don't think so, lech. Now go to room and sleep, or I'll sick Inu Yasha on you." Miroku quickly scurried away. "Don't mind him, he's just like that. Good night Kagome."
"Good night…uh, Sango." The name felt familiar in her mouth. The demon slayer nodded and went to rest.
Kagome returned to her chamber to find the fox and the hanyou still there. She smiled politely and settled back down. "Kagome what else can we do to make you remember?"
"I don't know, Shippo." She rubbed at her temples. 'My headache's coming back.'
"Kagome, what's wrong? You look kind of pale." Inu Yasha was watching her with concern.
"I'm okay. I just get headaches from time to time."
"Shippo, what did we do with Kagome's bag?" Inu Yasha stood and went to the door.
"We left it outside the sitting room." Shippo looked at him curiously. "What do you want it for?"
"I'll be right back." Inu Yasha left and returned a few moments later with Kagome's big yellow bag. He sat down on the floor and opened it. He riffled through its contents, spilling some onto the floor.
Kagome went to sit near him, picking up one of the items and examining it. "What is this thing? It seems familiar."
Inu Yasha looked up. "That, well you call it a flash light. It's like a lantern." 'She remembers a flashlight but not my name. Did I hurt her that bad?'
Kagome picked up another item of much smaller size. "And this?"
"That's a lighter." 'Okay this is getting weird. I never thought I'd have to explain Kagome's modern devices to her.'
Kagome ran her thumb along the edge of the lighter's metal wheel. She jumped when sparks flew out and dropped the lighter. "How odd, was that supposed to happen?"
Inu Yasha couldn't suppress the smile. "Well, sort of. You didn't really spin it hard enough." He picked up the lighter and spun the metal wheel, just as he'd seen Kagome do so many times. The lighter sparked and flames popped out the top. "See?"
Kagome watched in amazement. 'These things feel so familiar. Why can't I remember them?' She looked up at the hanyou, who had finally found what he had been searching for. When he grinned her heart melted. 'Why do I feel this way around him?'
"Here." He opened a bottle and dropped to small pills in her hand. "It's medicine. It's worked wonders on me, when you gave them to me before."
Kagome looked suspiciously at the two pills. 'These seem strange. Isn't medicine supposed to be made of herbs?' "Are you sure?"
"Trust me, you'll feel better if you take them." He gave her a small smile. Then he picked up a small bottle of water from her pack and handed that to her as well.
She nodded slowly and drank some water with the pills. 'That's strange. How did I know how to do that?' She blushed slightly, when he gave her a curious look. "Thank you."
"Feh, it's your medicine. I just happened to remember you had it." He looked away. 'I hate knowing you're in pain.'
"Kagome, are you ready for bed yet. I'm really tired." Shippo yawned.
"Yes, I am, but why do you ask?"
"Because I'm going to sleep with you like always." He hadn't counted on her not letting him sleep with her. He'd missed her so much.
"Oh, why with me? Why not with your friends?"
"Kagome I always sleep with you." The little fox felt tears beginning to well in his eyes.
"Kagome doesn't need you bothering her, Shippo. Go sleep with Sango." Inu Yasha pointed at the door.
The tears spilled over. "No, I won't. I'm staying with Kagome. Now that I have her back, I'm not letting her out of my sight." He began to sob.
"Quit whining, you little brat." Inu Yasha watched as Kagome scooped the little kitsune into her arms.
"It's all right. You can stay. Please don't cry." She stroked the little fox's hair.
'Damn, maybe if I pitch a fit, she'd let me stay as well. I hate the idea of leaving her all alone, even with the brat.' Inu Yasha imagined snuggling down next to Kagome. 'She'd never let me do that.'
Kagome yawned. "It is getting very late." She rubbed a temple slightly. "Thank you for the medicine it seems to be working."
"Why don't you get some rest. I'll be outside. Shippo, don't keep her up all night chattering." He looked at the fox and realized the child was already half asleep. "Night, Kagome."
She smiled. "Good night, Inu Yasha."
He smiled as he left. 'She didn't hesitate at my name, like she did with the others. Maybe that means she remembers something.' He slid the doors shut behind him, watching until the inside went dark. Then he settled down with his back to the door. 'No one will get near you without me knowing. Especially not that Tatachi bastard.'
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