Hey, guys! This is the last chapter I'm posting for the night. By tomorrow, this fic will be posted and hopefull you guys will like it. I'll probably update this fic tomorrow, too, and get somemore chapters out. So, anyway, hope you guys find this interesting. Don't worry, I know its still kind of slow, but it gets much better, I swear. Anyway, enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Unforgettable. It is written by Madeline Baker.

Chapter 3

The Diary Of Koharu Suli

She met Miroku that evening in front of the tiny book store and after exchanging pleasantries the couple headed towards Miroku's apartment. "You were early," he commented, from his place at her side. The place was deserted now and it looked every inch the ghost town it claimed to be.

"So were you," she countered, eyes twinkling merrily. She'd had a lot of time to think that day and her body was finally settling down. For once, she was choosing to view these 'sightings' as she called them, as a gift. Someone was trying to reach her. And she was determined to find out why...or how she could help, which was strange when you think about it. Why would a ghost be asking her for help? As far as she knew, she had no relations that dwelled here, no ancestors that migrated over to America during the time of the west, so why was an unknown spirit choosing to show itself to her? What connection could it have to her...or she to it?

Miroku smiled, "well there's a good reason. It's not everyday I get to eat with a pretty woman such as yourself."

The older man's flirtateous words were just what she needed to distract herself from her troubling thoughts and the two quickly fell into an easy banter while they talked easily about their old lives. Kagomefound Miroku every inch as enjoyable as he was earlier and enjoyed his compliments. Kagome would never call herself ugly, though she knew she wasn't exactly the most beautiful woman on the face of the earth. Instead, she chose to think of herself as pretty and quite normal. She had long black hair which fell in waves down her back and her perfect, heart-shaped face came complete with two crystal blue gleaming eyes, that spoke of happiness and contentedness. She had decent breasts, she supposed, and long, willowy legs. Her legs, she thought, were definitely her best feature, as she was displaying them now in her short jean shorts. The duo proceeded into Miroku's apartment as he explained that many of the workers who worked in the ghost town also lived there during the summer, but left once winter kicked in with its harsher climate.

"You must have had a long day," Miroku commented once they were in, observing the younger woman's exhausted eyes and slouched frame.

"It was...certainly interesting, that's for sure," she remarked, as once again a pair of hopeless green eyes flashed in front of her face, only to disappear as fast as they appeared.

Miroku raised an eyebrow in question, a bit surprised at Kagome's confused expression. "Did you see something again?"

Kagome just shook her head and didn't reply.

"I'm going to make some dinner, would you care to join me?" Miroku said. "It's late, and I highly doubt you'll find something decent to eat upon leaving our humble town."

Kagome nodded and began tossing a salad, before seating herself at his table. They had a lovely dinner, while talking about Bodie and its history. Apparently, Miroku had done his own fair share of digging into the past.

"Sometimes I think I missed my calling," Miroku spoke up after a few moments of peaceful silence. "Somehow I feel a connection with this place. It just calls to me, like I belong here."

Kagome nodded in understanding. "I've always loved stories and mysteries, but never cared much for history until I started traveling. Every place I visited, it seems, had some kind of history. I learned so much," she commented, the excitedgleam in her eyes continuing to growin intensity as she talked about the various places and wonders she'd seen. "However, ghost towns have always fascinated me the most and I can't really begin to describe the feeling I get when I walk into a place that existed years ago on a completely different level than it does now. It's like-." Kagome paused, searching for the right words.

"Finding a connection with the past?" Miroku offered, violet eyes smiling at her. Finally, someone who understood his passion for this place.

"Yeah," Kagome sighed. For the next several minutes they discussed how Bodie finally came to an end; disease, harsh winters, and angry summers that sent people packing. And Kagome was once again glad of the fact that she hadn't lived here during such a rough time period.

Later in the evening, Miroku went to go retrieve the picture of Kurama as Kagome cleared the table. "I found something else you might be interested in as well," Miroku commented upon his return. He placed a tiny, beat-up leather-bound book in front of her, obviously someone's journal or diary of some sort.

"Thank you," Kagome gushed in awe of the tiny treasure her new friend has bestowed upon her. "Who did it belong to?"

"It's a journal written by Kurama's partner. Thought it might give you some insight into the past."

Kagome nodded gratefully before picking up the photograph, scrutinizing it closely. Kagome immediately dropped it. It was him...there, staring her in the face. It was the same man she had seen the day before and just hours ago...in the jail cell.

"Miss Higurashi, are you all right?" he asked helping her sit before she fell.

"It's him," she whispered hoarsely. "This is the man I've seen. Was this taken here?"

"Yeah, it's in front of his saloon." The picture showed the man, tall and elegant, standing in front of a small tavern which read, "The Queen of Bodie." Since this was before the enhancement of color photos, she was unable to distinguish his hair and eye color, but she was most definitely sure this was the man reaching out to her. "He was a blackjack dealer there, after he split from his partner."

Kagome glanced down, thoughtfully before whispering. "I saw him again today."

The raven-haired man's eyes widened, though he didn't really look surprised at the revelation. "Did you see him at the jail again? What happened? Did he say anything to you?" His excitement made her giggle slightly, but she calmed down to answer his questions

"Yes, at the jail, no, nothing happened, and no he didn't say anything to me (or did he?) but...I think...I think he might have seen me," she uttered. "It was...it was amazing. I felt like I could actually feel what he was feeling, hear what he was hearing. He was so...bitter...and angry." Kagome shivered when she remembered how his sightless eyes had some how looked up, displaying so much despairity she had been overwhelmed with sadness not of her own.

Miroku whistled under his breath. "Makes me wonder why he appeared to you. People have claimed to see shadows or hear footsteps before, but no one has been able to see him with that much clarity."

Kagome only shrugged her shoulders before turning back to the little diary. The front read Koharu Suli. Turning to the first page, she read, "Diary of Koharu Suli, commenced this day 1st of January."

It was getting late and Kagome glanced at her watch, frowning slightly. Miroku noticed this and offered, "why don't you stay here for the night? I've got a second room you can sleep in and you may leave in the morning if you wish to." Kagome really did want to read the diary and so after careful deliberation, agreed to Miroku's request. Miroku left and Kagome settled herself in the guest room, gaze instantly flickering to the unopened diary in her hand. Her curious mind could not stand the tension anymore and she flopped down on the bed, too tired to change into anything else.

As she began flipping through the pages one by one, the black-haired woman quickly found herself immersed in time, drinking up the information like a sponge. It became apparent that the woman featured in this diary was a well-known prostitute, something quite common in those days, who rose quickly in popularity until she gained enough money to open her own saloon; the infamous Kurama eventually becoming her partner. Reading the first page, Kagome skimmed a few lines:

I started work today at a saloon called the Velvet Rose. My room is nice and everyone is pleasant.

April 3rd. I had eight customers today and I think I love this town. Men are generous and easy to please.

April 4th. Killings are frequent here as this town never closes, especially in China Town. I guess it is to be expected since all the men carry guns.

April 6th. I met someone today; someone wonderful. His name is Shuichi Minamino and he's a great gambler, too. When I brought him his drink, he asked me to sit with him. When he won a whole pot of money, he called me his good luck charm and gave me a hundred dollars when he left.

April 7th. He came in again today and asked for me to sit next to him! He is so handsome...and kind. He treats me so well, like I'm a real lady. And when he left, he left me another 100 dollars! Oh, I think I'm falling in love with him.

Kagome was startled as a soft knock came on her door. Miroku entered and gave her a soft smile. "Get lost somewhere?" he commented, noticing the dazed look on her pretty face.

"Just the past," she replied, smiling slightly, before a thought crossed her mind. "Can I ask you something, Miroku? Was there ever any proof that Kurama actually killed this woman?"

"Another man was questioned, a Naraku Onigumo."

"Naraku?" Kagome raised an eyebrow.

"He was Koharu's partner after Kurama sold him his share. In her diary she talks about how shady he was, and how she thought he was stealing money from their saloon. Apparently he was questioned but had an alibi," Miroku said. "Apparently they found Kurama's gun at the scene of the crime and the rest is history."

Kagome mulled over that piece ofinformation before asking a question that had been weighing on her mind, "do you believe he was innocent?"

"That's a good question. And I will say that there was no doubt the man was capable of violence...but not murder," Miroku concluded. They sat in silence for a few more minutes before Miroku headed back towards the exit of her room. "Well I came to tell you good night and that if I don't see you in the morning, have a pleasant trip where ever your next destination may be." When Kagome nodded Miroku told her good night and left.

Kagome noticed, with a yawn, that she was exhausted and so she put down the diary and got settled under the covers, closing her eyes in relief that the strange day was almost over. She was asleep before her head even hit the pillow.

Music was the first thing she heard, then distant voices, though indistinguishable, and finally full-blown laughter. She heard the sounds of women giggling and men laughing gaily or arguing. Kagomefound herself walking towards a lone saloon, curious about all the different noises and sounds. She stepped into a room and instantly became aware of his presence.

And there he was; sitting at a table, surrounded by three men, dealing a deck of cards. Women flocked at his side, giggling as he talked with them and flirted. His eyes suddenly drifted up and collided instantly with her own as she stood lost and vulnerable in the doorway. Passionate blue met blazing emerald as their eyes connected on a very primitive level. Damn, if the man wasn't the most goregous male she'd ever seen.

She could only watch on trembling knees as if the devil himself were approaching, observing the beautiful male's physiqueas he stood up and started walking ever so slowly towards her. Closer, closer, and still closer as he crept along until she was almost quaking on her feet. He was almost there; almost close enough to reach...to touch.

Kagome woke up in a tangle of limbs and sheets, shaking badly and sweating profusely.Kagome sat up and rushed to the bathroom, bathing her forehead with a cool, damp cloth.When her heart had quit its rapid pulpitations, she lifted her head and was shocked at her countenance. Her face was flushed and red, eyes lit with lasting desire. What had that been? She could almost swear she'd been with Kurama, been witness to his awesome beauty, felt that overwhelming need to possess him in a way that did not seem natural or human. She'd wanted him, needed his fire to set her soul aflame, ached to seek refuge in his appealing arms. And yet, he was still only a dream, a ghost stuck in a never ending spiral she could not even begin to comprehend. Kagome shook her head and brushed her black bangs off her forehead, returning into her bedroom and lying down on the bed. Then something caught her eye; it was the diary. She couldn't help but yearn to read more and find out about Koharu. And it wasn't like she'd be able to sleep with fantasies like that one.

So she picked the book up and started reading where she left off.

I can't believe it! Kurama and I are partners. Our saloon is going to be opened next week and we are going to dub it the Bodie Bell. And guess what? Instead of being one of the gals, I'm now the hostess. Now, the only men I allow into my bed, will be of my own choice. And best of all, I get to see him every night...Kurama.

Koharu went on to talk about her new saloon and in the coming entries it seemed, her establishment was doing well. She talked of having money for the first time, and all the things she could buy. But mostly she talked about Kurama. It was terribly easy to tell Koharu was in love with the man.

June 3rd. Today is my 19th birthday and the girls baked me a cake. I got a few things from them, but best of all was the gift from Kurama. It was a gold locket. Maybe he really does care about me...

Kagome had to stop and think. 19, and already a seasoned prostitute. What must it have been like to work the streets, to never afford anything nice, to know that you were only a bed warmer? Kagome shook her head and read on. Daisy had apparently forded enough money to buy a house as she talked on and on about Kurama. But in one entry, it was apparent that jealousy was beginning to set in.

October 8th. Oh, I hate her! I hate that Keiko Yukimura! Why doesn't he look at me...the way he looks at her?

October 15th. Kurama told me today he sold his half of the saloon to Naraku Onigumo. Why would he do such a thing without talking to me first? He says he just didn't have the time to spend on running the saloon and he talked to a manager at the Queen of Bodie into letting him deal there from now on. Well, he can just take that Keiko Yukimura with him for all I care. From this day on, she's fired...though maybe I'm being a bit hasty in my anger and benevolence. Maybe if I let her stay...he'll come back...to see her...and me.

Daisy seemed to sink into total despair in the coming months which carried on through the new year; and Kagome felt her heart ache for the poor prostitute that spent so much time devoted to just one man. She inwardly wondered if she herself would ever find someone to love like that, someone that would completely capture her attention, someone who she could entirely devote herheart to. It might be...kind of nice to love like that. Kagome shook her head and read on.

January 1st. A New Year, I wonder what it holds for me...

January 21st. Will winter ever end?

The words broke Kagome's heart as she could just imagine the poor girl who seemed to have lost the will to carry on. The entry soon took another turn for the worse as Koharu discovered Naraku's discrepancies.

June 7th. He can deny it all he wants, but I just know Naraku is stealing from our funds. I just wish I could prove it. Maybe Kurama can help.

June 20th. I went to see Kurama this morning and I wore my new dress. I told him about my suspicions and he said he would talk to Naraku and straighten everything out. And then I did something I will forever regret. As I stood there staring at him, I lept into his arms and told him I loved him. I begged him to come back to the saloon, tocomeback to me. But he just looked at me...with pity. I fled. I have never been so mortified.

The entries abruptly stopped and the last entry was dated in July.

July 4th. I can't stop loving him, but I know he will never love me. I don't want to do on living without him. Please somebody help me.

With a start Kagome realized she'd been reading half the morning away. Suddenly feeling quite tired, she slipped under the covers again, intending on taking a short nap and then heading out; out of this house, out of this town, and out of this fairy tale.

Well, people I'm stopping here for the night. Okay, a few things I'll explain. In the original book Unforgettable, the prostitute was named Daisy. I didn't want to use her name so I scanned my memories trying to think of someone to replace her and I instantly thought of Koharu. If you don't know who she is, she was in Inuyasha. Miroku once asked her to bear him a child...and she agreed! She was very young at the time and was I think about Kagome's age when the group met up with her again (I think she was 14, so a year younger than Kagome). Anyway, she was perfect for the role and I put her in. So, anyway, I hope you guys like this and it keeps you inrigued so far. See ya'll lata'.

Ja ne

Kura-kun's-lovr