Inuyasha sat with his back to the sacred tree facing the stone bench Kagome and her mother were currently occupying. They were settled in for what they assumed would be a long conversation. Inuyasha had a scowl firmly in place and was looking anywhere but at the two women on the bench. Kagome was looking a little nervous and staring at the ground and playing with the hem of the pink skirt she was wearing. Kagome's mother was looking serious and focusing her attention on her hands lying in her lap.

Inuyasha was the first to break the silence. "Why didn't you say anything? You had to know that something was wrong before I came through the well."

Mrs. Higurashi nodded. "I suspected something the first morning Kagome was back. She wasn't here the night before but she came down to breakfast and went off to school without mentioning you or the other side of the well."

Kagome raised an eyebrow. "Why would that be strange though? Don't I normally come back to go to school?"

Inuyasha was the one to answer, "We only come back when you have one of those tests or we need supplies. You spend most of your time on the other side of the well."

"I'm away that much?" She looked to her mother, not really believing she'd be allowed to spend that much time out of school and apart from her family.

"Yes dear. Your grandfather is going to start running out of excuses to give the school," she chuckled. "But it's alright because what you're doing is important. You have responsibilities and friends relying on you over there. From what I understand they need you to complete their quest." She didn't mention her daughter's attachment to the hanyo sitting across from them.

"Oh, I see, I think." She looked a little unsure but kept the discussion moving, "You said you suspected that morning but when were you sure something was different?"

"After you left for school I talked to your grandfather. I didn't want it to be obvious that something might be wrong so I just asked him if he remembered 'the crazy thing that happened' on your birthday."

"You mean falling and hurting my side on the well?"

"Well yes, but that's not what really happened. I don't know everything that happened that day, but I remember Sota running into the house on your birthday and yelling about a monster pulling you down the well. You were gone for a few days then showed back up talking about yokai and jewels and time travel."

Kagome took a minute to consider then asked, "But you were the one who told me about falling over Buyo and needing stitches when I asked about the scar." She placed her hand on her side over the area they were currently discussing. "How did you know about that? And how did I actually get the scar?"

Inuyasha opened his mouth to speak then, having witnessed Kagome receiving the scar on her side. Kagome's mother spoke before him though. "Your grandfather told me the story about Buyo and your fall. I figured that was the safer answer to give you when you couldn't remember. Inuyasha may be able to tell you how you actually got it though."

They both looked to Inuyasha then. "You got it when a stupid centipeded yokai ripped the sacred jewel out of you. I know that's what happened because I saw the whole thing from my spot pinned to the damn tree."

"It ripped a jewel out of me?!" Kagome looked panicked for a moment. "Wait Inuyasha, you can't remember that, the headaches!"

"It's alright, we already remembered that day. When we talked in front of the tree last night, it was the memory of you releasing me from that arrow."

"Oh! The centipede monster was crushing me, I do remember that!" She concentrated and tried to recall more of the memory. "Now that I'm really thinking about it I can remember a lot more. I must get more than the initial vision, I just have to concentrate to get there."

Her mother rejoined the conversation then. "Umm, headaches and visions? I don't know about any of that. Could you two fill me in please?"

"I have two sets of memories, "Inuyasha started. "When I try to remember things from before things got screwed up I get terrible headaches and a fake memory. Kagome also gets a headache but she sees things that she forgot." He didn't go into details about how bad the headaches were getting.

"I can't remember anything unless Inuyasha thinks about it. I guess we're connected somehow, I haven't really thought about why it's happening that way." She looked to Inuyasha but he didn't look any more sure than she was.

"Maybe the well," he said, "since we can both travel through it. I dunno, not a lot of this makes sense anyway. Like why are everybody's memories screwed up except yours?" he directed his question to Kagome's mother. He was getting frustrated, feeling like they weren't any closer to solving their problem.

"I don't know. I spend a lot of time worrying about what happens on the other side of the well though so maybe that helped. How could a mother just forget spending months worried about the safety of her daughter?"

"Mama," Kagome threw her arms around her mother. "I'm sorry I made you worry"

"It's alright dear," she comforted and hugged her daughter back. "I know you're well protected over there. Mother's worry about their children, it's part of life. I just happen to worry a little more because of the circumstances."

Kagome pulled back and wiped away a stray tear. "You may have a point though. Even though I don't have any memories of the other side of the well I still get certain feelings when I'm talking to Inuyasha. I also get hit with a lot of emotions when I get those visions. It's like the memories are gone but the emotions are still there."

"That would explain why you didn't run when you found me at the well last night," Inuyasha added. "You couldn't remember me but you could probably feel that you at least trusted me."

"Well that and I'd had like six visions with you in them by that point. My curiosity alone would have kept me there."

Inuyasha snorted at that but before he could comment on Kagome's penchant for getting into trouble because of her curiosity her mother spoke up.

"Speaking of the well, have you tried to take Kagome through it yet?"

"No, it's too risky and Kikyo may still be there," Inuyasha answered, much more serious than before.

"Who's Kikyo?" Kagome asked. "And why do you have that look on your face all the sudden?"

"What look?" Inuyasha glared at her.

"That one," she responded flatly.

"Don't worry about it. It doesn't matter right now anyway."

Kagome glanced at her mother who was looking a little worried. "Mama, do you know who Kikyo is?"

Inuyasha interrupted before she could answer, "I told you not to worry about it. I'll explain it when I need to; If I need to."

"Why are you being so defensive? It's just a question. Besides if she's going to be there when we go through the well then I need to know, don't I?"

"We're not going through the well."

"Yes we are. We're not accomplishing anything sitting around on this side so why not go through? Maybe we can fix things from over there."

"It's too dangerous."

"But you said I'm over there all the time."

"I protect you so it isn't as dangerous."

"Well can't you protect me from this Kikyo person?"

Inuyasha's face fell a little and he wouldn't meet her eyes anymore. "This is different. I don't know what I can do against her."

Her mother decided this was a good time to change the subject. "Do either of you have any ideas about what's causing this?"

Inuyasha took advantage of the shift in conversation. "I'm not sure but Kagome is having dreams." He looked at Kagome expectantly.

She glared at him, not missing how eager he was to get the focus off Kikyo. "I keep dreaming about the tree. I think maybe someone put something in the tree, something dangerous." She got up then and walked over to stand under the smooth spot with the little indent. "When I touch that spot," she pointed at the little arrow hole, "in my dreams it shocks me and throws me backward. And my last dream…" she trailed off. Her last dream still scared her, the feeling of being consumed and erased was still sitting at the back of her mind.

"Kagome," Inuyash said softly. He stood up next to her. "What about the last dream?"

Her mother remained on the bench but she was focused on Kagome, eager to hear about the dreams.

"Well," Kagome took a deep breath. "It was a lot like the other dreams. I was in front of the tree but I was in a forest instead of here at the shrine. There was a light, a dark glow really, coming from the tree. Then black smoke started coming out of there," she looked up at the arrow hole again. "It was rising around me and I could feel it on my legs. It was so cold and when it got to my chest I couldn't breathe" she shivered, her voice shaking a little. "That's when I woke up...screaming."

Inuyasha took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "It's alright Kagome. It's just a dream."

"I don't think they are just dreams though. The smoke, it didn't even really feel like smoke. It felt like ice cold water. It was-" she paused and met Inuyasha's eyes, "I think it was trying to consume me...to erase my existence."

Inuyasha could feel her tremble through their linked hands. "You know I won't let anything happen to you," he assured her before pulling her close and wrapping his arms around her shoulders, tucking her head under his chin. Her arms circled his middle and she wove her fingers through some of his hair.

Mrs. Higurashi watched her daughter take comfort from a boy she claimed she couldn't remember and knew her theory about strong emotions was true. Why else would her daughter trust Inuyasha so much without remembering why they were so close? Deciding this was a good time to leave the pair alone she got up and hurried away, mumbling that she'd be in the house.

"Inuyasha, I think we need to go through the well. I think that's what my dreams are telling me."

Inuyasha tightened his arms around her. "I'm not letting you anywhere near the well or the tree until we know more, especially after that last dream. I can't protect you if I don't know what I'm fighting."

"I can't hide on this side of the well forever. I think I need to be there. I could feel it, in my dream. Standing in front of the tree I just had this feeling like I was supposed to be there."

"We don't know enough Kagome. I don't like it."

"I know you don't but what else are we supposed to do?" She pulled back a little so she could see his face. "I told you I trust you and that means I trust that you'll be able to protect me."

He met her eyes and gave her a pleading look. "If we do this, and I'm not saying we will, but if we do you have to promise me some things. You don't go anywhere without me and if things get dangerous then you come right back through the well, no questions asked. And no going near the tree until we talk to Kaede and figure this shit out. Alright?"

"Alright, I promise."

He sighed and pulled her back against his chest. "You say that but you won't listen. You never do."

She laughed a little at that. "I sound like a handful. What did you say about me getting kidnapped all the time?"

Inuyasha snorted, "Alright, so maybe not all the time. You get kidnapped enough that I'm starting to think you just like being rescued though."

Kagome pulled back and glared at him. It only made him want to kiss her, which he absolutely was not going to do.

"Inuyasha! That's ridiculous. Who would ever want to be kidnapped?"

"I dunno, why don't you tell me?" he teased.

"Well maybe you let me get kidnapped because you like rescuing me."

"Keh. Now who's being ridiculous. I rescue your clumsy ass enough without you getting kidnapped anyway." He was enjoying their back and forth. It made it feel like things were almost normal. Being this close to her wasn't too bad either, he decided.

She moved her hands up between them so she could grip the hair hanging around his face and give it a little tug, which brought his face a little closer to hers. "Now I'm clumsy? It makes me wonder why you even keep me around if I'm such a bother."

"You're very clumsy...but you're not a bother," he said, his voice lowering. He was only inches from her face, the smallest movement would bring them together. When had they gotten that close?

"Promise?" She murmured.

"Promise," he responded then closed the miniscule gap between them and pressed his lips to hers.

She responded immediately, pressing back and deepening the kiss. They were bolder this time, exploring a bit deeper, breaking apart for air then going back for more. Her hands were balled in his t-shirt and his were rubbing up and down her back and over her shoulders. He strained his ears so he could catch all the little sounds she was making. He would never get enough of her, the damn had broken with their first kiss and now he was drowning in their second.

Kagome was the one to break the kiss this time. "I thought you said we shouldn't be doing that," she breathed.

He let his arms wrap back around her and pulled her back against his chest. "We shouldn't," he sighed and kissed the top of her head. He was completely screwed. Knowing how it felt to kiss her, knowing how she tasted, it really was too much to resist.

He kept her pressed against him for another minute then reluctantly let her go. "I have to go back through the well. I need to talk to Kaede and Miroku and see if we can work something out over there."

"Alright," Kagome nodded. "I'm going with you."

He took one look at her face and knew there would be no stopping her. He sighed, "Fine, but remember your promise."

"I will. Let me run in and tell Mama where I'll be." She grabbed his hand and started dragging him towards the house.

"You know, I can just meet you at the well."

"Nope. You'll just end up going through without me. Then I'll follow and you'll get mad and we'll fight about it and neither of us really wants to go through that."

"I'm beginning to think you remember more than you're telling me," he grumbled.

"Or you're just easy to predict." She looked over her shoulder and winked at him.

"Smart-ass woman. I gotta change back into my clothes anyway. I promise I won't run off without you."

"Fine," she said, letting go of his hand. "But I'm only gonna be a minute so don't get any ideas." She gave him one last warning look before they went their separate directions.

Her trip into the house was brief. Kagome let her mother know where they were going and gave her a quick hug. Her mother stopped her before she could leave though. "Dear, you should make sure you have a way back out of the well in case it doesn't let you through. I think there's a rope ladder in the shed that we keep for emergencies."

"Good thinking Mama," Kagome chirped. She ran back outside, grabbed the ladder from the shed, then headed to the well. She knocked on the door to the well house and called for Inuyasha. She entered when he confirmed he was dressed.

She joined him at the bottom of the steps and Inuyasha helped her hang the rope ladder. Then they stood next to the well, holding hands, looking into the waiting depths.

"We'll jump at the same time. Be prepared to hit the bottom so you don't hurt yourself if the well doesn't let you through," Inuyasha instructed. "If it doesn't let you through just go back to the house. I'll be back after I've figured things out. If it does let you through, make sure you stay close to me. Got it?"

"Yes sir!" Kagome gave him a mock salute with her free hand.

Inuyasha rolled his eyes and helped her sit on the edge of the well, feet dangling above the darkness. He sat next to her and took her hand again "Ready?" he asked.

"Yep, ready as ever."

"I still don't like this," he grumbled before wrapping his arm around her waist and pushing off into the well. He felt the familiar sensation of falling, watched the bottom of the well turn into light, and felt his arm go straight through Kagome as she faded from his sight.

The well hadn't let her through. He wasn't sure how he felt about that at the moment but at least she was safe on her side.

He leapt out of the well as soon as his feet hit the bottom on the other side. He'd caught a stench the second he'd come through and he was prepared for an unpleasant encounter.

Just outside the well stood Hakudoshi. "Inuyasha, it's about time you showed your face."

"The fuck do you want?" he growled. He pulled Tessaiga from its sheath and held the transformed blade out in front of him.

"I've just come to deliver a message and give a warning."

"Get on with it then, I ain't got all night."

"So impatient. The message first then: Naraku said 'you're welcome' and he hopes you're enjoying traveling with your beloved woman."

Inuyasha snorted, "Sarcastic jackass. And the warning?"

Hakudoshi raised an eyebrow but continued, "Turns out while you were gone Kikyo wandered off."

"Is that supposed to be a warning? I'm not her damn keeper."

Hakudoshi smirked. "Is that any way to speak of the woman you supposedly love?"

"Do you have a point?" Inuyasha snarled. "I'm kinda fucking busy trying to fix whatever bullshit Naraku pulled this time."

"Well then maybe you should find Kikyo. She's already sought Naraku out, but not to undo anything," he taunted. "It seems your beloved would like to keep things just the way they are. In fact, I'd say you're in for quite the fight when she finally gets back."

"What, Naraku running out of ideas so he's just going for the old 'turn me and Kikyo against each other' trick? That one's getting real old."

Not getting the reaction he wanted, Hakudoshi changed targets. "How is Kagome by the way? She's on the other side of the well, correct?."

"She doesn't have anything to do with this," Inuyasha snarled.

"Oh, but she has everything to do with this. Have you tried bringing her through the well? I'm sure she could fix this mess if she had the chance."

Inuyasha let out a menacing growl, "Leave her out of this. Don't even think about her. You're not getting anywhere near Kagome."

"She probably can't come here anyway. A complete soul can't be in two places at the same time after all."

"What are you…?" Inuyasha trailed off, a horrible possibility occurring to him.

"And just so we're completely clear, Kagome is the only one who can change things back."

Inuyasha's blood boiled at the implication and he fought to keep his temper in check. "I'll find a way around it. I don't care what I have to do, I'll find a way to fix this."

Hakudoshi scoffed, "You figured it out quicker than I thought you would. Too bad there's still nothing you can do about it."

"Enough!" Inuyash shouted and swung Tessaiga towards Hakudoshi, unleashing the kaze no kizu. By the time the air cleared his target was gone.

Inuaysha sheathed Tessaiga and let out a frustrated growl. Questions and possibilities swirled through his mind, none of them pleasant. Could he convince Kikyo to help him? He had a feeling that wasn't going to happen. But if what Hakudoshi was implying was true then they were in serious trouble.

"Dammit!" A tree fell to Inuyasha's claws. He ran for the village, intent on talking to Kaede.


Kagome huffed as she climbed back over the top of the well. She was frustrated it hadn't let her through but she couldn't say she was surprised. It would have been too easy.

She made her way back inside, not bothering to hide her disappointment as she entered the kitchen to find her mother. "Mama, I'm back," she sighed and plopped down at the table.

Her mother came over with two cups of tea and sat with her daughter. "I had a feeling it wouldn't let you through."

Kagome took her tea gratefully and sipped. "Thank you, I needed this."

The two sat in silence for a while, sipping their tea. Both were contemplating the silver-haired hanyo and his connection to Kagome.

Kagome felt a hand on her shoulder. "He'll be back, he always comes back," her mother comforted. "He's nothing if not persistent when it comes to you."

She smiled at her mother. "I kind of got that impression already," she mused. "I'm a little worried about him though. When he mentioned Kikyo…" she trailed off.

"I'm sure he'll be fine. You just need to get some rest and he'll be back before you know it."

"Mm, I'm sure you're right. I am tired and I guess that's making me worry." As if to emphasize her point Kagome let out a long yawn.

"You should get to bed. Don't set your alarm, I'll let the school know you won't be in tomorrow."

"Thank you Mama," Kagome hummed tiredly. It was like her body had been waiting for permission to feel the exhaustion and it was a struggle just to stand.

Her mother helped her up to her room and into bed, not bothering to change into pajamas. Kagome was asleep before her mother left the room.

She was in front of the tree again, in the forest. Everything around her was distorted by the tainted light radiating from the tree, shapes twisted and obscured. She turned in a circle, looking for a clear path to escape the corruption, but she was completely surrounded. Pitch black smoke covered the ground for as far as she could see, thick and rolling, threatening to destroy her if she dared step into it. She was trapped. There were no voices, no warnings, no guidance, this time. She was alone, a prisoner of some evil force. She could see shapes in the distance that almost looked human. Her friends perhaps? She tried to call out but she had no voice.

A patch of smoke started to rise in front of her, taking shape. It formed into a rough approximation of a human and started to drift towards her. She panicked, fear seizing her heart. She turned, looking for a weapon, and spotted a bow and a single arrow laying at the base of the tree. She scooped them up and spun back around. The figure was so close now, she barely had time to ready the arrow. She brought the bow up, aiming for the center of the undulating shape, and let her arrow fly in a dazzling display of bright pink energy.

She thought she heard something screaming as…

She jolted awake.

Kagome took in her surroundings quickly. Unlike her other dreams this one hadn't left her feeling disoriented. It was morning, sunlight was shining in the open curtains. She looked at her clock and gasped; she'd slept until almost noon.

She jumped out of bed, feeling better than she had in days. She needed a bath and fresh clothes, then she needed to eat. She went straight to the bathroom to get her day started.

She quickly bathed and dressed, putting on a simple blue skirt and a yellow long-sleeve shirt with a cat on the front. She headed down to the kitchen, intent on quieting the rumbling of her stomach.

Her mother was already moving about, preparing lunch. She looked up when Kagome entered the kitchen. "Good morning dear. I heard you get up so I started getting lunch together."

"Good morning Mama. Although it's not really morning anymore," she giggled.

"No, it's not. You needed the sleep though, you're looking much better." Her mother brought over two bowls of noodles and set them on the table.

"I'm feeling much better today," Kagome agreed. She sat and immediately started into her lunch.

Kagome offered to clean up when they were done eating. Her mother thanked her and excused herself. It was a quick cleanup and Kagome went straight outside when she was done, heading to the sacred tree. She was worried about Inuyasha and sitting under the tree had always calmed her in the past.

She settled on the little bench and let her mind drift to thoughts of gold eyes and hungry kisses.


Inuyasha sat on the roof of Kaede's hut, fidgeting impatiently, waiting for the old woman to wake up. She'd about bit his head off when he'd barged in the night before and she'd made it very clear that he wasn't to disturb her until she woke up the next morning.

He listened intently, hearing her start to move around her little hut. Of course the woman had picked today, of all days, to sleep in; it was already halfway through the morning. He gave her a few minutes to get sorted before jumping down and joining her inside.

"You ready to talk yet, old woman?" Inuyasha asked and plopped down near the fire. He watched Kaede lower herself across from him and lean forward to stir her morning meal.

"As impatient as ever Inuyasha. What is it you wish to speak about?"

"Don't play stupid, you know something's wrong. Has Kikyo said anything? What about Miroku or Sango, they say anything to you?"

"Kikyo left not long after your disappearance and hasn't been back since. And I've already had a discussion with Miroku and Sango, we were just waiting for your return."

"Keh. Get on with it then. What did you talk about?" Inuyasha's ears perked up and he gave a small sniff. "Might as well wait, the monk and Sango are on their way over."

Kaede served them both some stew and they ate in silence for a few minutes until the door was pushed aside and they were joined by the other two members of the group. Neither of the newcomers seemed surprised to see Inuyasha sitting there as they also settled on opposite sides of the fire, completing the circle.

Miroku spoke first, "Have you told him about the tree yet?"

Inuyasha's ears perked up and he watched Kaede shake her head, "Not yet, we were waiting for you two." She focused on Inuyasha then explained, "There is a shard of some kind embedded in the sacred tree that is emitting a powerful dark energy. Nobody can approach as there seems to be an equally powerful barrier in place. We think that it is what is causing everyone to forget the existence of Kagome."

"She's been having dreams," Inuyasha cut in, "Kagome, I mean, she's been dreaming about the tree and a dark light."

"So then you did go to see her?" Sango asked. "That's where the well took you?"

"Yeah, how did you know about the well?"

Kaede answered, "Kikyo told me before she left. She followed you the night you snuck away." She saw Inuyasha cringe but continued, "She was not happy about what she saw. Before she left she requested that I...secure you until she returned."

Inuyasha jumped up. "You're not 'securing' me anywhere!"

"Calm down Inuyasha, I have no intention of honoring my sister's request."

He settled back down but his posture was still tense, ready to run if need be. "She went to find Naraku. Hakudoshi was at the well when I came through which pretty much confirmed this is all one of Naraku's games."

"All the more reason to figure this out quickly, hopefully before my sister returns. We have come up with a few theories but it would help to know what is happening with Kagome."

Inuyasha's shoulders slumped, remembering his talk with Hakudoshi, "Kagome is the only one who can fix this. I'd suspected but...fuck. That stupid little shit confirmed it. I think she needs to purify that shard somehow."

"That seems simple enough," Miroku interjected. "She can travel through the well, correct? Bring her through and we can be done with this."

"It's not that simple. The well won't let her through." Inuyasha hesitated, the next part wasn't going to go over well. "She can't...she can't come through because she's Kikyo's reincarnation."

He got two blank stares but Kaede looked worried. She understood almost immediately.

"I don't understand," Sango started. "How would that-"

Understanding finally hit Miroku, "They have the same soul." He looked at Sango and watched as the realization hit her.

"Oh no," Sango sighed.

"Yeah, it's a problem," Inuyasha confirmed. "There's something else I wanna ask about too." He explained his headaches and memories and the connection to Kagome. He focused on the toll they were taking on Kagome's mind and body, the pain in her side and her complete exhaustion, while not seeming to have any long term effects on him.

Kaede looked thoughtful for a moment then started, "I can only guess at an answer but it probably has something to do with her human mind rejecting having two sets of memories. Inuyasha, you're not as affected because your yokai blood allows you to heal the mind and body quickly. Kagome can withstand it to a degree because of her spiritual powers but…" she trailed off.

"But what, old woman?"

"Too many memories may break her mind completely, in which case death would be a mercy."

"Fuck that! I'm not gonna-" he was about to say something else but cut off when a familiar scent hit his nose...and he panicked. "I gotta go, now!" He jumped up and made to bolt from the hut.

"Inuyasha, wait!" he heard Kaede shout.

He looked over his shoulder. "Kikyo is back," he informed them. "If she subdues me I'm screwed."

"Go then," Miroku said. "We'll try to work things out until we can find a safe way for you to return."

They watched the door swing back into place with Inuyasha's departure. The three remaining occupants of the hut exchanged glances and came to a silent agreement. They all rose together, ready to deal with the aftermath of Kikyo's untimely return.