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Started: 10/4/2004
Revised: 8/30/2005
Posted: 11/2/2005
Words: 1,068
Quote of the week: "The early bird gets the worm but the second mouse gets the cheese." – Anonymous
A/N: Here is the start of newly posted chapters… Ones that weren't posted when I first started this story. Sesshoumaru might seem a little OOC, but ride with me for a while. Consider the nature of the fanfic, and who the main couple is. If no ideas are coming to you… He has a very good reason that I will not reveal until later. And no, it's not because he loved her ((at least, he didn't know it at that time, or even now, as a matter of fact, but I'm not going to spoil any more…)).
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Disclaimer: Inuyasha is nowhere in my grasp, nor will it ever be.
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Chapter 4
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Kagome's eyes flew open and she sat up, her hands in fists. Already her dream was fading, and she desperately struggled to keep the pieces intact.
"Uhh... Kouga?" she whispered, her brows furrowed in concentration.
"Did you have a nice sleep, Miss Higurashi?" asked a mocking voice from across the room. "I trust you had no... disturbing dreams?"
Kagome turned her head sharply, and could have sworn she'd seen golden eyes before her boss's harsh hazel eyes came into focus.
"S - Sesshoumaru!" she cried.
A delicate eyebrow rose at her proclamation. With a small gasp, Kagome raised her hands to hide her mouth, and she blushed.
"Please excuse me, Mr. Ashida," she apologized. "It's just that I - "
Sesshoumaru waited expectantly for her to continue.
"Oh, I don't know!" she finally said, looking away from him. After a minute of silence, she looked back at him again. "Do you suppose we've met somewhere before?"
"No... " was his hesitant answer.
If she had noticed his hesitance or how tense he had become, she didn't show any signs of it. She had already turned away again.
"It's all so strange, you know," Kagome said, tugging the hem of her shirt absentmindedly. "I mean, that dream. It... It felt as if I was there, witnessing it. As if I was the one... One what? It's all faded already, as if something doesn't want me to see."
"And… What if it is you who doesn't want to see? Maybe you are not remembering because in your soul you really don't want to remember," Sesshoumaru said nonchalantly, waiting in anticipation for her answer. "What if your past holds something so dark and painful that your conscience seeks to keep it forever locked away?"
Kagome looked at Sesshoumaru, seriously considering what he was suggesting. After all, that was highly possible, especially when she considered her recurring nightmares. It made sense. Then her eyes hardened.
"If that is so, then I will overcome the barrier," Kagome said forcefully. "I deserve to know what happened and I will accept the consequences, whatever they may be."
Sesshoumaru cocked an eyebrow in surprise. "What if I helped you to get your memories back?"
"We are both insinuating a lot of 'ifs,' Mr. Ashida," Kagome stated dryly. "And besides, what could you possibly do to help me that fits into the obviously busy schedule of yours?"
"Indeed."
"Yes, indeed," echoed Kagome sarcastically. "What, exactly, is it that you are trying to suggest?"
Sesshoumaru smirked. "Simply this. I would like you to record everything that you can remember from your dreams."
Kagome stood up quickly, thoroughly shocked by the suggestion, and clearly excited as well. Sesshoumaru stood as well, eyeing Kagome with calm reverence that would have sparked Kagome's anger if she hadn't been thinking of other things.
'Why haven't I ever thought of that!' Kagome thought. 'It makes perfect sense…'
Sesshoumaru was busy shutting off his computer and closing down his office for the night. When he was finished, he stood next to Kagome and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Do you need a ride, Miss Higurashi?"
Kagome jumped, then smiled at Sesshoumaru sheepishly. "Ah, what was that?"
Sesshoumaru smirked and repeated what he'd said. "Do you wish for a ride? I noticed you were in a cab today…" He added, with a touch of disdain.
Kagome glared at him with fierce pride. "So what if I don't have a car? Just because I have money doesn't mean I have to flaunt it like most people."
She glared even more when Sesshoumaru threw back his head and laughed a deep throaty laugh that set her senses tingling. She didn't see what was so funny, and she blushed with embarrassment.
"Very well, Miss Higurashi. You are right," Sesshoumaru finally said, his eyes gleaming with mirth.
Kagome truly did amuse him. He hadn't laughed in centuries; not since he had last spoken with her. Only she had ever seen this side of him, and another, but he preferred not to dwell on that topic. His humor quickly vanished as soon as it had appeared, replaced with slight anger at the young woman in front of him. Only he couldn't blame her, now, then… ever.
He turned away. If Kagome really did receive her memories, would she ever be able to bear them? Or would she waist away, like she almost had in the past? Dark and painful… He felt a deep sorrow for Kagome, and for what she might soon discover. And he highly doubted she would ever 'accept the consequences' for what she had done.
"Would you prefer to stay at my place since it is so late? I will give you a ride in the morning. However, I'll have you know that I will not accept any payment. I do this of my own volition."
"I guess so," Kagome replied, eyeing Sesshoumaru warily.
"I assure you I mean you no ill will, nor am I suggesting anything," he stated quickly, reassuring her. She was the only human alive he would ever think of comforting.
Kagome didn't reply, but followed him out. She was prepared and willing to accept the help he had offered her.
He was hesitant and unwilling to shatter her currently unstable, but peaceful life. Or her sanity. In the car, which Kagome had glared at because of how fancy it was, they made light conversation until there was nothing more to be said.
"How far is it to your house?" Kagome asked, after they had been on the road for about thirty minutes.
"I live two hours outside of Tokyo," was the reply.
"Eh, you drive two times every day for that long?" Kagome cried, staring in wide-eyed amazement.
"It is nothing for one who is dedicated to their work."
"Whatever… You mean for one who is obsessed with it," Kagome mumbled. "It would've been quicker if you'd dropped me off at my place…"
Sesshoumaru smirked and looked sideways at her. "You think?"
Kagome frowned but decided to ignore his remark. She had a feeling he liked making her angry. 'Well, it's not going to work,' she thought, yawning quietly.
Knowing there was a long drive ahead of her, she decided to get some quality sleeping time in. He didn't blame her. When he heard her even breathing, he switched on the radio to a quiet station and continued the drive home.
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A/N: I'm not getting as many reviews as I'd like, especially since there are over 500 hits. I'm going to lower the review rate to 5 to see if that works. If it doesn't I'm removing this story from this site. If you wish to continue reading it and it has been removed, email me and I'll send you the next chapter.
Some of you might think this is harsh, but a writer likes some feedback on how he/she is doing in his/her writing. Even if it's just one word, like 'update,' we know that someone still wants to read our story(ies)
I'm sorry for this inconvenience, but if you read my profile, you'll understand.
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Read and review! I'll update after 5 reviews. Until next time!