Chapter Nine: Recovery

Kagome had completely disappeared. The only trace of her was her fallen yellow backpack and the pink bicycle that she often rode when she didn't want to be on Inuyasha's back. They assumed that she went through the well without her stuff, but that was so odd that none of them could truly convince themselves that was what happened. They left it alone for a couple of hours before it drove them all nuts. The moment Inuyasha was yelled at to go check on her, he ran off without hesitation. He jumped through the forest until he came to the Bone Eater's Well and hopped flawlessly through the opening. For a moment, he was surrounded by the familiar starry lights that guided his way to another time. As he landed on the dirt, he hopped back up into the hut that covered the Well in Kagome's time and rushed through the sliding wooden doors and over to her home to see if she was okay.

Inuyasha first found that Kagome wasn't in her room when he pried the window open to get a look inside. In fact, even though her scent was everywhere in there, he could tell none of it was fresh. He decided that maybe she hadn't come up there yet and walked down stairs to greet her family around the dinner table. He opened up the sliding doors and looked around at them all as they stared confused back at him. Seeing that Kagome wasn't there, his stomach sank and his expression fell to worry.

"Where… is my daughter?" Kagome's mother spoke up, quickly recognizing Inuyasha's fear.

"I… don't know." Inuyasha admitted. "She was mad at me again and said she was going home, but when we went to check on her, all of her things were scattered about the forest and her bike was at the top of the well. That wasn't normal, so I came to check on her, but… she's not here, is she?"

"No, she's not." Kagome's mother said and stood up.

"Where's Kagome?" Sota asked, but didn't get an answer.

"Look, boy." Kagome's Mother grabbed Inuyasha by the ear. "The only reason I don't go crazy when my daughter is in a whole other world is because she feels safe with you. I suggest you find her and bring her home safely or the next time I do see my little girl, I will destroy that well so she can never return."

"Y-Yes, ma'am." Inuyasha said, shaking nervously at the terrifyingly cold tone Kagome's mother used. Even Sota and Grandpa were intimidated by it. Kagome's Mother was always so gentle that this other side of her came as a shock, but was frightening enough to strike fear to Inuyasha's heart.

Inuyasha returned to his own time to bring the news to Sango, Miroku, Shippo, and Kaede. Kagome was gone and no one had any clue where she had gone. Normally, Inuyasha would be able to pick up her scent, but he couldn't this time. Was this intentional or were the winds just scattering it? Either way, the news of her disappearance terrified everyone, especially Shippo, who fought his tears back.

The next couple of months had Inuyasha and the group going from village to village, searching desperately for some sort of sign of Kagome. No one had seen or heard anything about her. Worry gripped the group, preventing them from getting any sleep until they were utterly exhausted and physically could not go anymore. Constant fights with demons left them hurting. They didn't even make time to hunt up food until they knew they were starving. Their fear of losing Kagome was the only thing that really kept them moving.

Weak, famished, and fatigued from the continuous journey, the group found themselves on the edge of a forest in an abandoned hut, trying to get some rest even though their stomachs ached. Shippo curled up in Sango's arms, eyes closed but both still very awake.

"Are we ever gonna find her?" Shippo asked sorrowfully.

"Yes… We have to." Sango replied, hugging the boy tighter.

Inuyasha's nose suddenly caught a familiar scent and shot up.

"Kagome?" he called out, but it was not Kagome who emerged from the forest. "Kikyo?"

"Yes, Inuyasha. Disappointed?" Kikyo chuckled and shook her head as her soul collectors flew around her, dropping a couple of souls into her clay-made body. "You all look exhausted."

"We're looking for Kagome." Miroku spoke up, his voice weary. "Lady Kikyo. Have you seen her?"

"In fact, I have." Kikyo nodded to them as she adjusted the basket over her arm, sharing a soft smile. "I assure you, she is safe, but not in her normal condition."

"Wh-What do you mean?" Sango asked fearfully.

"Please, I'll explain, but let me make you all something to eat." Kikyo offered.

Kikyo entered the hut and cooked everyone up a quick meal from the few things she had in her basket. It felt a little too convenient for everyone but Inuyasha that Kikyo showed up here with food. Did she even eat? It wasn't like she needed sustenance from anything but the souls of the dead.

"I've been following you for a couple of weeks now." Kikyo explained. "You're moving so quickly that catching up was becoming difficult, at least until you slowed down. The last village you were at told me of your condition and offered food for when I caught up to all of you."

"Thanks, Kikyo." Inuyasha said as he chowed down. Shippo followed suit.

Sango and Miroku were hesitant, but the pains in their stomach pushed them to eat.

"Kagome is with your bother, Sesshomaru." Kikyo explained bluntly, the surprise of the news causing Inuyasha to momentarily choke on some semi-swallowed food.

"She's what?" Inuyasha asked for clarification.

"Yes, I was surprised as well, but she is with him." Kikyo nodded to Inuyasha and then turned to the other two to explain more. "I was traveling in the Southern Lands when I ran across Kagome. She did not recognize me and told me that she had lost all of her memories. After a quick examination, I concluded that she had been placed under a very powerful curse. At that time, Kagura was taking her to Naraku and even threatened a child in order to get Kagome to come with her."

"Kagome… is with Naraku?" Sango asked in horror.

"I don't think so." Kikyo shook her head, though she wasn't certain. "Your brother was chasing after them. I sense that he had no intention of allowing Kagome to fall into Naraku's hands. I am confident that she is fine and with him even now. Anyways, I must warn you that the curse placed upon Kagome right now is dangerous. I know you will hunt them down still, but be careful on how you try to jog her memory. If the issue is forced carelessly, it is possible that things will backfire."

"Backfire how?" Miroku asked.

"I cannot say. I assume it is Naraku that has placed this curse on Kagome, so whatever contingency he has placed on the removal of that curse will not be good." Kikyo explained and sighed. "It could be anything from permanently removing her spiritual powers, to stripping her body of her soul, to the full corruption of her heart. That type of curse has to be removed the correct way. If it is not, I can only imagine something horrible will befall Kagome and there won't be any undoing it."

"Kikyo, did you come all this way to tell us this?" Inuyasha asked curiously.

"I did." Kikyo nodded. "If I am correct about Naraku being behind this, I believe Kagome needs to be protected at all costs. Whatever his plan is, he needs Kagome weakened and he's got that."

"I ger why Naraku would want Kagome." Inuyasha leaned against the wall of the hut, arms crossed and expression filled with frustration. "But why is she with Sesshomaru? My brother hates humans."

"That is a question I cannot answer." Kikyo said as she stood up. "He cared enough about her condition to consider the suggestion I gave him. I told him to keep the sacred jewel near her at all times. It is possible that their power could help lessen the strength of the curse, as long as they stay pure. If corrupted, they may only strengthen it. Normally, I'd say Kagome is incorruptible. With her memories gone, I cannot confidently say that anymore and I fear that is part of Naraku's plan."

"Thank you for all of this information, Lady Kikyo." Miroku said gratefully. "And the food."

"Yes, thank you." Sango added. "Thanks to you, we can probably get our first decent sleep in weeks."

"I am glad I could help. I will keep an eye out for more and inform you of any changes I come across." Kikyo moved to leave the hut. "Good luck and get yourselves some rest."

"Goodbye Kikyo." Inuyasha said his farewell and leaned his head against the wall to sleep. The others were surprised at Inuyasha's willingness to just let Kikyo walk out of there. As she left, Sango and Miroku looked to each other confused. Only Shippo accepted it and tried going back to sleep.

"I'm surprised you did not ask her to stay, Inuyasha." Miroku said.

"Why would I do that?" Inuyasha asked, opening his eyes again.

"She could help us find Kagome quicker. She can sense the jewel." Sango explained. "You're always running off to see her, so we figured you'd jump at the chance for her to join while Kagome is absent."

"No." Inuyasha laid down and turned to face the wall. There wasn't anything more said and that concerned Sango and Miroku even more. Ever since Kagome vanished, Inuyasha had been acting strange. They all wanted to find their friend, but something more was on Inuyasha's mind. He ate less, allowed them to rest more and was always lost in thought. His pushy personality was practically gone and any time Shippo played one of his jokes on him, Inuyasha would just ignore it.

With nothing more to say, everyone turned over to go to sleep. Though they definitely had things to worry about in Kagome's absence and Inuyasha's behavior, they needed to get some rest. Thanks to Kikyo's help, they could recover from a lack of food and get a good night's sleep.

.

.

Six months passed since Kagome lost her memory and ended up in Sesshomaru's custody. She was used to the castle and the demons inside. While some still hated her, many were warming up and chose to understand her more. Most of these demons were ones that were already used to Rin though, so it helped ease their transition to liking Kagome as well. Even Jaken was proving to enjoy Kagome's company more often. There were times that he monitored Kagome's training while Sesshomaru was busy with other affairs. They talked and Kagome started understanding the little imp as a truly loyal servant to Sesshomaru with a few more insecurity issues than you'd expect him to have.

While Sesshomaru was keeping to himself, dealing with the political affairs of his territory and whatever else came his way, he pushed Kagome into daily four to five-hour training sessions. She was never being given a day off, which meant she was learning a lot, but her human body was succumbing to the expected fatigue. Her muscles ached horribly. She was in constant pain and was feeling ill on a daily basis, but was so terrifying of telling Sesshomaru what was going on that she pushed through it.

Kagome was in the middle of training with Yukino by her side. She had learned that Yukino was a wolf demon that joined Sesshomaru's staff when her pack was slaughtered by humans. She was so grateful to him that she made sure to work hard every day and kept a smile on while she did it. On this day, however, there was no smile. Yukino was worried. Kagome could barely lift the bow. Her breathing was terribly labored and she was sweating up a river. Yukino had tried to get her to take the day off, but since Kagome knew she needed permission from Sesshomaru, she refused to consider it.

"Kagome, you're going to hurt yourself." Yukino said as she snatched the bow away.

"I have to keep going." Kagome said weakly, coughing into her cut up hand. The bow string had worn her hand down from the daily use. The skin on her hand was red and numb.

"No!" Yukino yelled at her. "If Lord Sesshomaru wants to get mad at this, then I will take the blame. You are not training today. Now, take yourself back inside and go to bed before you get worse."

"You're going to get use both in trouble." Kagome said as she reached for the bow.

"I don't care." Yukino replied and pulled the bow from Kagome's reach.

"Is that so?" A familiar masculine voice spoke up from behind the two. While Kagome expected Sesshomaru to have caught them fighting, it wasn't the demon lord. Instead, it was Sesshomaru's Captain of the Guard Alwin. Their first encounter was when Lady Tōran was here and needed escorted safely back to her own lands. Things weren't so calm between Kagome and Sesshomaru then. Alwin is the Captain of Sesshomaru's guard and one of his most trusted and powerful demons.

"Captain Alwin?" Yukino questioned his presence before speaking frankly. "I apologize for the candor, but Kagome is a human working at a demon's pace, and she had been for a couple of months. Her body is breaking down. She's had a fever for four days now and can barely pick up her bow. Unless the plan is to literally work her to death, which I highly doubt due to Rin's fondness of her, she needs a break."

Alwin stepped up to Yukino and stared at her before leaning to the side to examine Kagome's current condition. He could feel the heat coming off of her and knew that was unnatural for a human. He stood straight again and nodded to Yukino before walking to Kagome. Out of fear, Kagome tried to push herself to a proper posture, but that minor amount of stress sent her over the edge. Kagome gasped, her body shook, and her mind went blank before she passed out. Luckily, Yukino and Alwin caught her.

"Get her to bed." Alwin ordered Yukino, who smiled and nodded. "I'll inform Lord Sesshomaru."

"Thank you, Alwin." Yukino kissed his cheek before picking Kagome up and taking her back to the castle.

Alwin rushed off toward Sesshomaru's current location, which was the opposite side of the castle in the courtyard with Rin and Miss Jukudo. As he arrived, Rin was reading off a story she wrote about their adventures outside of the castle. She was proud of how far she was coming with her reading and writing and this was one of the few times that Lord Sesshomaru had time to witness it. Out of respect, even though Sesshomaru noticed his presence, Alwin stayed silent and listened intently to Rin's story.

"And when I woke up, I was right where the wolves left me, but I was okay. I stood up and saw Lord Sesshomaru walking away. I knew he helped me and decided right then that I was going to travel with him forever, even if Jaken didn't like it. The end." Rin finished with a big smile and looked to Sesshomaru, awaiting any sort of praise he may have given. Miss Jukudo did the same.

"That was very well done, Rin. You've come a long way." Sesshomaru nodded to the young girl.

"Really?" Rin's eyes brightened and she turned to Miss Jukudo. "Did you hear that?"

"Yes, I did. I agree with him. You're doing very well." Miss Jukudo smiled down at Rin.

"Even I must agree, your telling of that story is very entertaining." Alwin suddenly stepped in to give praise as well. "I am excited to hear what story you tell next. Do you know which one it will be?"

"You wanna hear another?" Rin asked and Alwin nodded. Rin pondered for a moment, tapping her cheek before running off. "I'll get started on it right away."

Miss Jukudo chuckled at Rin's excitement. She was in a good mood today, which some attributed to her knowing Kagome was not well. Unfortunately, Sesshomaru was not aware of this. So, when Alwin stepped up, he eyed Miss Jukudo as a gesture for her to leave them be. She bowed and dismissed herself, following after Rin to help her with the next story she wanted to tell.

"What is it?" Sesshomaru asked, knowing something was wrong.

"The human girl, Kagome." Alwin started, looking back to make sure Miss Jukudo was gone before he continued. "She's very ill. Apparently, she's been training herself to hard. Yukino described her ethic as a human working at the pace of a demon and claimed Kagome was breaking her body down. From what I could tell in the brief observation I made, Yukino is right. Kagome looks pale, thin, and weak. Her temperature is higher than a normal human usually is and when she tried to stand too quickly, she fainted. I fear she may need a human doctor to help her with these ailments."

Sesshomaru listened attentively to Alwin's report. He had not been paying much attention to Kagome in the last couple of weeks and it may have caused a problem. He sighed and stood up.

"Is there a reason she was worked to this level?" Sesshomaru asked.

"Lord Sesshomaru…" Alwin raised an eyebrow at him as if he should already know the answer.

"I see." Sesshomaru closed his eyes, mentally kicking himself. His orders to her kept her pushing herself. She was to train every day until he said otherwise. He really should watch his wording. "Thank you for bringing this to my attention. I will take care of it."

"Of course, my lord." Alwin bowed.

Sesshomaru stood up and waved a hand to dismiss Alwin as he walked past and back into the castle. He made his way toward Kagome's room and opened the door. Inside, Yukino was using a cool cloth to wipe down Kagome's forehead. Kagome opened her eyes and looked over to see him. She immediately tried to sit up, but Yukino stopped her and pushed her back down onto the bed.

"Do not get up." Sesshomaru said, reinforcing Yukino's gesture.

"Excuse me, Lord Sesshomaru." Yukino set the cloth over Kagome's forehead before standing up and dismissing herself politely. She closed the door behind her and waited outside.

Sesshomaru stepped over to Kagome's side and sat down, legs crossed about a foot from her. He examined her condition to the best of his ability. Everything Alwin said was accurate and that annoyed him more. Kagome did as she was told and his negligence caused her to get sick.

"L-Lord Sesshomaru?" Kagome's strained voice brought him from his thoughts.

"Yes?" He replied, looking at her.

"Are you okay?" Kagome asked in real concern about him. "You seem distracted."

"I am fine. I am here to check on your condition." Sesshomaru explained. "I was informed that you were working at a pace most humans could not. While that is an impressive feat, you're ill because of it."

"I just didn't want to make you mad." Kagome explained. She suddenly inhaled sharply, as if she were having trouble breathing. She clenched her jaw and her body shook in pain.

"Kagome, your health is also something to be taken into consideration." Sesshomaru told her, the words he spoke shocking both of them. Kagome's eyes opened wide and she turned to him in surprise, which only caused him to sigh. "You're going to worry Rin and Yukino. Your training now has to stop. If anything happens and I must leave, you're now unfit to travel. Rin has already stated that many here will not treat you well if I am absent and now, I am stuck here until you're better."

Kagome smiled at him, her eyes expressing a bit of joy. "I know you're frustrated at me, but all I can hear is that you care enough to not put me in that situation and I really appreciate that."

"That's what you heard?" Sesshomaru questioned. He'd deny, but what was the point. Humans had a habit of hearing what they wanted to hear. Rin was strong proof of that.

"I know it's not what you mean, but…" Kagome's words were interrupted by a bolt of pain shooting up her right arm. She clenched her jaw again, a couple of tears falling from her eyes.

"Are you ill or injured?" Sesshomaru questioned, her behavior pointing more at injury.

"I think it's more injury than illness. I do feel very weak, but my body needs to recover from all of the training. I haven't really been giving it a break." Kagome explained.

"I will be calling upon a healer to come take care of this." Sesshomaru said as he absentmindedly grabbed the now warm cloth off Kagome's forehead. He rinsed it in the cold water and rung it out before folding and returning it to where it had been. "I do not know whether she is skilled in human anatomy, but she owes me a favor and will try. Otherwise, you may be bedridden for a while."

Sesshomaru expected some sort of reply from her, but when he did not get one, he saw that she was staring at him like he had something weird on his face. Suddenly, she called for Yukino, who came into the room quickly. Sesshomaru looked back at Yukino and then returned his attention to Kagome.

"Um… Yes?" Yukino said confused.

"He's scaring me." Kagome lifted the blanket above her nose to hide.

"U-Um. Lord Sesshomaru… A-Are you… scaring her?" Yukino asked with an amount of confusion that left them both in an awkward position. Sesshomaru didn't seem to know what he did.

"Possibly. It is a common occurrence." Sesshomaru nodded.

"He fixed my cloth." Kagome said.

"Wait, what?" Yukino replied in disbelief and hopped over to the other side of Kagome's bed. "Proof. Now." Yukino touched the cloth and noticed it was newly cooled. Both of the women looked to Sesshomaru, who closed his eyes and stood up from his spot at Kagome's side.

"I'll make sure to avoid aiding you again." Sesshomaru said passive aggressively, turned around, and moved to walk out of the room as soon as possible. Kagome called out for him to wait, sitting up to rapidly and regretting it immediately as another sharp pain shot through her body. Sesshomaru looked over his shoulder at the two as Yukino tried to settle Kagome down. "I'll contact the healer soon."