DISCLAIMER: I wish I owned Inu Yasha, but -sniffle- I don't.

Memories

Chapter 4

Inu Yasha woke to the smell of salt and the sound of soft sobbing. He looked around. The sky was already turning purple near the horizon. 'It won't be long till sunrise. I wonder what's wrong.' He rose and slid the door open as quietly as possible. He made no noise at all as he made his way to Kagome's side. She seemed to be still asleep, but tears streamed down her face and she would let out a soft sob now and again. 'I can't stand seeing her cry, even in her sleep.' He touched her shoulder gently. Her eyes opened immediately and glistened for a moment with the remainders of sleep. Then they locked on him. She didn't seem frightened of him, as a matter of fact her whole body seemed to relax.

"Kagome, are you all right?"

She nodded. "It was just a dream. I'm sorry, if I woke you."

"It's okay. What kind of dream was it?" 'It had to have been more like a nightmare, for her to cry like that.'

"I don't know. I can never truly remember what the dreams are about. They just…disturb me."

He sighed. Well, there wasn't much point in forcing the matter. She obviously didn't know what the dreams were about. But he had a suspicion that they were memories trying to surface. "Why don't you get some more rest, it's nearly dawn. You can sleep a few more hours."

The miko shook her head. "I can never sleep after the dreams."

Inu Yasha looked over at the sleeping fox. The kid hadn't moved and he looked so peaceful. His eyes trailed back to the young woman. She looked sad and a bit frightened. "Want to go for a walk, then?"

That made her smile and it was as if the sun had risen indoors. "Yes, I think I'd like that."

He offered her his hand and she came slowly to her feet, careful not to wake the little kitsune. Still holding her hand, Inu Yasha led the way outside and slid the door back in place. "So no one will disturb, Shippo." 'And no one will notice you're gone right away.'

Kagome nodded and they began to walk away from the house. Feeling she may be more comfortable walking through the village, he turned as if to walk in that direction. But Kagome stopped. "Too many people." She pointed off in the direction of a small forest. "I like the forest better."

He nodded his agreement and turned in the direction of the small forest. They walked for a while in silence, still holding hands. When Inu Yasha found what looked like a comfortable tree trunk, he sat down and leaned against it. Kagome sat next to him. After a while she spoke. "Inu Yasha?"

"Yes?"

"What was that about yesterday? I know there was more to it than what you told me." His actions with Tatachi the previous day and the way he had held her hand all morning were making her draw her own conclusion.

There was a long silence before he answered. "Like I said, the guy's bad news. And I don't like anyone putting their hands on you that way. You're…" He trailed off not finishing the thought aloud. 'You're mine. No other man should ever put his hands on you.'

"Were we a couple then?" She watched him turn red.

"Um…no…not really. But we are very close." He stated uncomfortably.

Kagome's theory was growing. She decided to test it. "So, we're close friends?"

She watched as his face dropped slightly. "Uh, yes, friends."

Kagome thought about that for a moment. 'Judging by his reaction, I don't think we were merely friends. I think there was more. I can feel it when I look at him.' Her gaze moved up to his ears and remained there for a long moment.

"What are you staring at?" Inu Yasha sounded annoyed.

"Your ears."

"What about them?"

"They seem familiar." She sighed. "But I can't seem to remember anything about them…or you."

"They seem familiar?" She nodded. Inu Yasha thought about that for a long moment. He remembered Kagome telling him once when she first saw him, she'd rubbed his ears and there had been a few times since then that she had rubbed them briefly. He looked around making sure they were alone. "If you want, you can touch them and see if that brings back anything. But only for a moment and you can't tell the others." 'I'd just die if Miroku found out that I let her rub them.'

Kagome nodded her agreement and he laid his head onto her shoulder, so she could rub them more easily. Her small delicate hands rubbed his dog ears with extreme meditation it seemed. She concentrated on the texture of the short hairs on the outside of the ear and the thinness of the ear itself. When her fingers reached the base she rubbed gently at the muscle there, making the ear twitch. Inu Yasha felt his whole body relax. 'I'm in heaven. Maybe I should consider letting her do this more often.' It was hard for him to admit that he really enjoyed this, because it made him feel more like a dog than a man.

When he realized she had stopped, he sat back and looked at her expectantly, slightly disappointed that it was over with already. "Well?"

She smiled. "I think I've done that before."

"Really, did it help you remember anything?"

She looked away. "Well, nothing specific, but I do seem to remember doing that before." She met his gaze again. "That's something, isn't it?"

He smiled encouragingly. "Yes, it is." He looked up at the sun. "We should be heading back. They'll be looking for us soon." He offered her his again and she took it. They headed back to the mansion. "Now, remember you promised you wouldn't tell."

"Don't worry. I promise, I won't say a word." She smiled and gave his arm a soft squeeze with her free hand. 'It's strange how at ease I feel with him. It's almost like I've never been without him.'

By the time they arrived back, the others were already up and gathered in Kagome's room. They eyed the couple as they returned, still holding hands. When Inu Yasha realized what they were staring at he withdrew his hand and folded his arms over his chest.

Most of the morning and midday were spent showing Kagome objects and telling her stories of their travels in hopes of jogging her memory. But unlike with Inu Yasha's ears, Kagome struggled to remember anything about the stories or the objects. At last she was exasperated. "I'm just not getting this. I can't remember anything. I'm sorry."

"It's okay. Don't push yourself. It'll all come in time." Miroku soothed.

"Time's the problem. In two days the lord may try to force her to marry Tatachi." Sango hated the idea of Kagome married to such an arrogant jerk. 'He doesn't even care if she is forced to marry him.'

"My father would never force me into marriage, even if Tatachi believes he would." Kagome was certain of this, even if the others weren't.

"Well, he's not really your father, so he can't force you to do anything anyways." Inu Yasha's blood boiled at the thought of Kagome married to that pompous human. 'He couldn't even defend himself against me. How can he possibly protect Kagome?'

"That's true. He isn't your real father, so he can't make you do anything." Shippo readily agreed.

"But if my memory doesn't return and I have to stay here, I'll have to respect his wishes, Shippo."

'What! This morning she said she remembered rubbing my ears! Why would she want to stay now?' Before Inu Yasha could voice his protest, two men appeared in the door. One was the lord and the other was Tatachi. Inu Yasha growled at the young man.

Tatachi chuckled. "I don't think your guest like me much, my lord."

"Don't mind them, Tatachi. Ayomi," Inu Yasha snorted at this making the lord check his words, "I mean, Kagome, please come with me my dear." When Kagome stood so did Inu Yasha. The lord eyed him sharply. "I will speak with my daughter without your interference."

Kagome gave Inu Yasha an apologetic look and followed her father out. Tatachi went with them. "Damn, that guy's going to try something I just know it. Shippo, follow them. Keep an eye on Kagome. Don't let that bastard do anything to her. If there's any trouble just yell."

"I'm on it!" Shippo agreed quickly, glad to have an important task to do. He took off out the door.

"Do you think that's wise? You know how excitable he can get." Miroku protested.

"Well, there's not much choice is there? They'd notice if one of us tried to sneak up on them." Inu Yasha frowned at the doorway. 'Still maybe I could get close, in case there is trouble.'

In the main sitting room, Kagome sat beside the lord. "My daughter, Tatachi has told me that you still refuse his proposal."

She nodded. "I have no interest in marriage to him, father." She looked over at Tatachi. "I mean no offense. You're a good man. I am simply not interested in marriage."

"My daughter, this is a good match, I believe. Tatachi will likely be the next leader of this village. It would mean that you could remain here with me. Tatachi has agreed to leave his families home to his brother and stay here with us. I strongly encourage you to consider his proposal."

Kagome frowned. 'Maybe I was wrong in assuming he wouldn't force me.' "Father, it is not as though I wish to leave you, but there is so much that I have forgotten. I need more time to learn myself."

The lord frowned as well. 'She has never before refused my requests.' "These visitors have distorted your mind. I shall let them remain for one more day, but if by tomorrow evening you have not remembered anything, then they shall have to leave."

"But father, they are my friends."

"Oh, and do you remember these friends, other than from the past day?"

"Yes, father, I have remembered." She paused considering her words carefully. "I remember Inu Yasha."

"The hanyou?" Tatachi spat the word with disgust.

"Yes, it was vague, but it was certainly some sort of memory."

"If it was so vague, perhaps you merely imagined it." Her father shook his head. "No, it will have to be something more specific." He sighed and patted her hand. "I understand that you want to remember, but perhaps they are using that against you. By tomorrow evening we will know." Kagome was silent as she looked away. The lord turned back to Tatachi. "I think my daughter has enough to think about this evening, so good night Tatachi."

"Yes, my lord, good night. Good night, Ayomi." He bowed and left.

When he was gone, the lord turned back to Kagome. "My dear, you must understand. I want you here and I want you safe." He paused and watched her for a moment before continuing. "So, you say you remember the hanyou?"

She nodded. "Yes, it was vague, but I do remember him." 'More specifically I remember his ears.'

Shippo and Inu Yasha returned just before Kagome. When she appeared in the door she seemed very depressed and sat down quietly. Shippo who'd sat right up next to the door to listen, had heard everything and it made him mad to think the lord would treat her so.

"Kagome, what's wrong? What did the lord say?" Sango had a rough idea, but wanted to hear the specifics.

Kagome buried her face in her hands, unable to hold back the tears any longer. She sobbed violently. Sango put her arm around her. Kagome wept into her shoulder. "I can't believe he did that. It can't believe he teamed up with Tatachi against me." She sobbed for a long moment. "And I can't believe he said he'd make you leave tomorrow night."

"What he said he'd make us leave tomorrow night?" Miroku was astonished. The lord had seemed like a smart enough man. Didn't he realize if they left, Kagome may never be able to regain her memory?

Kagome struggled to regain composure. "He said if I didn't remember anything by tomorrow night then he'd make you leave, because then he'd know you were lying."

Shippo crawled up in her lap. "It's okay. We'll just have to make you remember between now and then."

Kagome wiped away the tears. "Do you really think I can?"

Miroku was skeptical, but he tried to sound encouraging none the less. "Yes, I think if we try hard enough, we can get past the barrier in your mind and release the memories."

Inu Yasha looked out the door. It was nearing sunset already. "Then lets try something different." He stood up and gathered Kagome's bow and quiver in one hand and took Kagome's hand in the other. "Come on." He led them outside to an open area near the small forest. "Here let's try this." Inu Yasha handed her the bow and arrows, which he had kept since her disappearance. "Do you remember how to use these?" He offered them to her.

"I've never used one of those." She paused and looked at him confused. "Have I?"

He nodded sadly. "Yes and you've become quite good at it. Try it. Maybe it'll jog your memory." He handed her the bow and an arrow.

She stared at them perplexed for a moment. "I…I don't even know where to start."

"I'll help." She suddenly found herself in his warmth as he reached around her to help guide her hands into the appropriate places and set the arrow. 'Why does my heart race when he touches me? Why does my heart clench when he is near?' Kagome looked up at him, as he set her fingers in the familiar position, admiringhis golden eyes and silver hair."Anything yet?" She concentrated on the bow. It felt familiar, but that was all. She must have done this at some point in her life. She shook her head. "Try to draw the bow. Aim for that tree there." He pointed at a large tree several yards away.

She pulled back the bow-string. 'This does feel familiar, but I still don't remember ever doing it.'

"You're doing just fine, now let it go." Inu Yasha encouraged from behind her. She did and to her surprise it struck the mark dead on. "That was very good." He commented setting a hand on her shoulder.

"Did it help you remember anything, Kagome?" Sango asked from her position behind them.

Kagome struggled but there was still nothing. No past, no nothing. For a moment the arrow striking the tree had seemed to pull out some emotion, but it had not been a pleasant one. Frustrated, Kagome threw the bow to the ground. "No, there's nothing. Just nothing." She started for the house. "I'm tired. I'm going to rest."

No one stopped her as she passed inside. Shippo frowned. "I was sure she'd remember that. She hit the mark perfectly."

"It seems her body contains memories, which her mind cannot grasp." Miroku frowned as well. 'If we can't find a cure for her memory loss soon, we may not be able to find one at all.'

Inu Yasha stared after Kagome with intense golden eyes. "I was sure that would jog her memory."

Sango shook her head. "I don't think something like will make her remember. You know how emotional Kagome is. I think the only way to make her remember is through her emotions."

Miroku thought about that for a moment. "Yes, I think your right, Sango. But I don't think it's wise to fight with her Inu Yasha. I think you will have to appeal to her other emotions."

The hanyou folded his arms and glared at the monk expectantly. "Like what?"

Miroku sighed. 'Do I have to spell it out for him?' "Like the fact that she cares about you a lot. I think if you could bring that emotion to the surface, it would bring her back."

Inu Yasha narrowed his eyes, afraid to guess what the monk meant. "What do you mean?"

Miroku nearly lost his patience. Sango stepped in calmly. "Inu Yasha, we all know that you and Kagome love each other. And we also know that you have never admitted it. But maybe its time you do. If Kagome finally hears it from you, maybe the emotion will push the memories free as well."

Inu Yasha huffed, but looked towards the house. Indeed, he loved her. There was no doubt in his mind about that. 'If I had told her this morning, maybe this all would have been over by now.'

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Yay! They've finally figured it out! Be warned the fluff is coming. Hahaha! –mischievous grin- Don't forget to Read and Review..