Chapter Seven: Cursed
Rin returned thirty minutes later with a kimono skirt worth of fish. Jaken predicted this and spent the time building a campfire for Rin to cook her catch on. Rin was silent as she cooked and noticeably couldn't look Kagome in the eyes, which broke Kagome's heart. It was because of Rin that Kagome was worried about her memories returning. She didn't want to break the girl's heart.
"Rin." Kagome spoke up after the silence lasted to long, taking a break from the fish she was given.
"Yes, Kagome?" Rin spoke up, cheerful as always. She was hiding her worry.
"Do you remember the day I woke up?" Kagome asked, staring calmly into the fire.
"Yes, a little. Why do you ask?" Rin replied curiously; head tilted.
"You told me my name and I said that I had to take your word on it. Do you remember?"
"Uh'huh. Yep."
"You said you'd never lie to me, right."
"Of course!"
"Then can I ask you something?"
"Um…" Rin was both worried and confused, but nodded, "Yes, you can ask me something."
"Why was it so important to you that I came on this trip?"
"Well, um… I wanted you to be with me and I wanted someone to talk to and um…"
"Yes, but why? You could have asked Miss Jukudo, so why was it so important that you had to ask Lord Sesshomaru to let me?" Kagome asked. Rin looked to Lord Sesshomaru, who only raised an eyebrow as if he too were curious. Rin looked to her fish, her hand tightening around the stick.
"Um, I… Well," Rin whimpered and hesitated, "You're only safe with Lord Sesshomaru."
The answer caught everyone by surprise, though only two showed it: Jaken and Kagome.
"I mean… If Lord Sesshomaru isn't there, they'll be mean to you." Rin explained, "They won't let you leave your room or eat. They won't clean your clothes and they'll try to hurt you if they see you."
"You think they will defy my orders?" Sesshomaru asked.
"Yes!" Rin slammed her fists on her thighs, "Miss Jukudo doesn't like Kagome. A lot of the guards don't like her either. I hear them talking. They hate that she has her own room and gets new clothes and gets to eat with us at the table. They call her really, really, really bad names and even say they want her to die. I don't want to leave Kagome somewhere without you. She's only safe with Lord Sesshomaru!"
"They… want me dead?" Kagome asked and Rin hesitantly nodded. Kagome looked back to the fire, remembering all the smiles and waves she had been getting. Were they all fake? She thought back to Sesshomaru's cruel words toward her over her short time there. Was she safe anywhere? Rin believes that she is safe with Lord Sesshomaru, but she could still feel the slap to her face. Her heart was racing and she had to try hard not to breathe too heavy.
Was anyone even being honest with her? Rin was, mostly, but after hearing about some 'friends' that she had, how much more was in her past? How much had she lost when she had gotten hurt? She knew of Sesshomaru's brother, someone he had mentioned before about her not remembering. What else? What else was stuck in this past of hers that she could only compare to an oblivion?
"We'll find out soon enough." Sesshomaru said and snapped Kagome out of her thoughts, "You asked earlier if we were traveling somewhere specific. There is an old priest living at the base of a mountain in the Southern Lands. Since your memory loss doesn't seem to come from an injury, there are only two other options: a trauma of some sort or a spell of some sort. After that red eyed male that you described visited you in my courtyard, you said he claimed something worked, correct?"
"Yes." Kagome nodded.
"Then, I'm assuming a spell. We shall see if this priest can return your memory."
"That… is extremely kind of you, Lord Sesshomaru. Thank you." Kagome said, obvious shock in her tone.
The night came to an end and everyone went to sleep. Before any of them could truly fall asleep, each had their thoughts plagued of different problems. Kagome thought of her safety. Rin thought of losing Kagome to her memories. Sesshomaru pondered the chance of the priest being successful. Jaken merely thought of his annoyances with no longer being Lord Sesshomaru's only travel companion.
When morning came, the sun shined down through the thick leaves above, waking Kagome from her slumber first. The sun was blocked from interrupting anyone else's slumber. She sat up and turned her body side to side. A few low popping sounds went up her back. She slept hard, not comfortably. Since everyone was still sleep, Kagome stood up and walked through the trees toward the river that she knew was there thanks to Rin catching a few fish last night.
When she came to the river, she sat down on her knees and washed her face off. She then cupped her hands together and took a drink of water as a nice breeze blew through the area. A low crack sounded and she looked up. She couldn't tell which direction it was coming from. She stood up and turned to hurry back to the group. Her eyes met the red eyes of a woman she did not recognize.
"Oh, hello." Kagome smiled.
"Interesting. So, it is true then." The woman said and smirked at her, "You remember nothing, do you?"
"Huh?" Kagome suddenly didn't have a good feeling about this.
"The name's Kagura. You'll be coming with me." Kagura said and grabbed Kagome's arm before pulling out her feather. Wind rushed around them and lifted both women up. Kagome was suddenly flying on a large feather. She screamed at the top of her lungs and began panicking. Kagura put her hand over Kagome's mouth and tried to hold her still when a sudden burst of blue fired up at her. Kagome's struggling quickly proved bothersome, so Kagura hit her on the back of the head, knocking her out.
"Shit." Kagura looked down to see Sesshomaru pointing Tokijin at her. She saw the energy welling up at the tip of the blade and as it fired, she was barely missed. "He's trying not to hit the girl."
Kagura waved her fan and the wind picked up. Tornadoes formed around her and rushed down toward Sesshomaru in a powerful gust. He was forced to dodge and by the time he looked up, Kagura had used the winds to hasten her fleeing and was making good time away from him.
"Kagura." Sesshomaru stared at the feeling feather. "The red eyed male was Naraku. Wasn't it?"
It wasn't long before Rin, Jaken, and AhUn showed up to see what was going on. They were also woken by Kagome's scream, but weren't as quick as Sesshomaru was when it came to getting to her. Rin looked like she was going to start crying, but Sesshomaru stopped that before it truly started.
"Calm down, Rin. Stay here with Jaken." Sesshomaru gave his orders and ran after Kagura. While Kagura would have speed on him because of her wind powers, all she did was ensure that he would be able to follow Kagome's. She was leaving a trail of her own scent and Kagome's behind.
Kagome stirred in Kagura's arms only a few minutes later. When she opened her eyes and realized she was flying, she went into another panic. Kagura once again tried to calm her down and struggled against Kagome's attempts to flee.
"Calm down, stupid girl. Are you trying to fall?" Kagura said.
"Let me go!" Kagome said, still struggling. Kagura felt the steadiness of her feather wane and quickly lowered to the ground while trying to keep Kagome still. The girl kept fighting and kicked Kagura in the side, but this caused her to finally slip off the feather and fall. She screamed as she fell.
"Oh no." Kagura turned around, but didn't have the speed to catch Kagome.
Luck allowed Kagome to fall into the river. She got caught in a heavy current and was dragged down stream. Her muscle memory seemed to take over for her because she quickly got the hang of swimming. She was able to keep her head above water and moved to the edge of the shore. She pulled herself up and out of the river and chose not to give Kagura a chance to catch her. She stood and ran.
The edges of the forest weren't far off. She hurried into the trees and hid, but as she found a decent hiding spot, a woman she felt looked very familiar stepped through a few trees and stared at her.
"Um. Hello." Kagome stood up and looked back at the woman.
"What are you doing out here, Kagome?" the woman asked.
"Do… Do you know me?" Kagome asked.
"… Have you forgotten?" the woman asked and Kagome nodded, "I do. I am Kikyo. I know Inuyasha is nowhere near here, so if you're wanting to find your friends, it's best you follow the river north."
"Inuyasha? Who's that?" Kagome asked.
"You've even forgotten him?" Kikyo said, surprised.
"I have forgotten everything. I didn't know my name until I was called by it." Kagome said.
"I see. I'm sorry to hear that." Kikyo said and walked up to Kagome. Kikyo placed her hand on Kagome's cheek and stared directly in Kagome's eyes, making Kagome feel really uncomfortable. "It's a curse, a powerful one." Kikyo said and reached into Kagome's kimono to pull out a clear jar. "If you wish your memories to return, you…" Kikyo's attention was caught by something. She pulled her bow from her shoulder and notched an arrow quickly aiming behind her, guarding Kagome with her own body.
Behind the two women, Kagura stood, having followed the river Kagome fell in. Kagura smiled evilly at Kikyo and held out her fan, as if she were ready to fight. Kikyo focused her aim.
"Come with me, Kagome, or die." Kagura said bluntly.
"Wh-Why me?" Kagome asked.
"I'm under orders to retrieve you. I do not know why." Kagura said, "However, I do know that if you refuse, I am also under orders to return to that young girl, Rin, and kill her. So, it's your choice."
"What?" Kagome gasped. There was no way she would put Rin in danger.
"I suggest you leave here, Kagura." Kikyo said, "Is Naraku behind her loss of memory?"
"Loss of memory?" Kagura said, her tone suggesting she knew nothing, "Come on, Kikyo. Let her come with me or I'll have to leave her here and go kill the child, Rin. She's unguarded right now since Sesshomaru is chasing after us, of course. I doubt the little imp could stop me."
"I'll go." Kagome stepped around Kikyo.
"Kagome, no." Kikyo said.
"I have to. If taking me means that Rin is safe, I know what I have to do." Kagome said. Kikyo lowered her bow and returned the arrow to its quiver. Suddenly, Kagome chose to give Kikyo a hug, which caught Kikyo by surprise. She stiffened, but seeing Kagome smile allowed her to return it.
"She's so warm…" Kikyo thought as Kagome stepped back.
"Thank you for helping me, but I need to ask one more favor." Kagome said.
"What is it?" Kikyo asked.
"If you see Sesshomaru. Tell him to protect Rin. No one is more important than her. I'll… be okay." Kagome said with uncertainty. Kikyo could read Kagome like a book. Kagome was terrified, but always very selfless. Even without her memory, Kagome always did what was better for others.
"I will." Kikyo said.
"One more thing…" Kagome said, looking saddened, "Tell him I kept my promise. I didn't run away this time. I was just getting some water… I guess that was stupid too."
Kagome stepped over to Kagura, who grabbed her by the arm. With a throw of Kagura's feather and a strong gust of wind, the two were once again in the air, flying toward the Southern Lands.
Kikyo was left alone and a little confused. With the clear jar still in her hands, she realized that Kagome had just left her jewel shards with her. Kikyo sighed and realized it was probably for the best, especially if Kagome would soon be in the hands of her worst enemy. Kikyo went to the river and waited.
Soon, on the opposite side, she saw a silver haired demon rushing passed her, only a minute or two behind Kagura and Kagome. Kikyo notched an arrow and fired it in front of the demon. He slid to a stop and looked over to Kikyo, anger expressed clearly in his eyes. Kikyo just waved him over, unafraid of anything he may do. The gesture piqued his curiosity, so he leapt across the river and landed beside her.
"You have the gull to fire an arrow at me?" Sesshomaru said.
"I am a master archer, Sesshomaru. If I wanted to hit you, I would have." Kikyo explained and opened her hand, "Kagome was here for a moment. I see she has lost her memory. It is a curse, a strong one, and with Kagura's presence, I am sure Naraku is behind it. Give these to her when she returns to you."
"Why? Most keep these shards for themselves." Sesshomaru said.
"I have no interest in using the Sacred Jewel. I am also sure that they will help Kagome's memory return over time by weakening the curse put on her." Kikyo said and Sesshomaru took them from her, "Kagome asked me to tell you to take care of Rin. She went willingly with Kagura after the child was threatened."
"I see." Sesshomaru said and put the jewel shards in his haori.
"I will find Inuyasha and tell him what has happened to Kagome." Kikyo said, "I'm sure he is very worried about her. Am I able to tell him that she is safe with you, Sesshomaru?"
"She is not presently in my company, so obviously not." Sesshomaru retorted.
"Currently, no, she is not. However, I am aware of your power and Kagome's stubbornness." Kikyo said with a small chuckle, "I'm sure she will return to you soon."
"I appreciate the information." Sesshomaru said and turned back the direction Rin and Jaken were. Kikyo turned away as well when she remembered something.
"One more thing," Kikyo called to him and he looked over his shoulder at her, "I can't imagine why it matters, but she also said that she kept her promise. She was just getting water, not running away."
Kikyo turned away and walked off, Sesshomaru staring at her back before looking back up river. He had every intention to return to Rin and Jaken. With every step he took, however, his mind decided to dig up a few memories of Kagome's time with him. He thought of her interactions with Rin, her running away the first time, her trying to understand her place in the world, the questions she'd ask, and anything else that was apparently meant to guilt trip him. His own conscience was going against his own desires.
"Rin will be devastated." Sesshomaru mentally kicked himself as he turned on his heel and picked up speed after Kagura's scent. It was slowly fading, so he knew he had to hurry. As he ran, he could not help but think about his actions here. He knew that his "Rin will be devastated" though was just a cop out. For the first time, he did not want to leave Kagome to her own fate. He knew that no one would be rescuing her if he didn't. Not only did no one have the power, but her friends had no idea where she was. Leaving her to Naraku's whims was not something he felt he could live with, not anymore.